WWF In Your House: International Incident Results
July 21, 1996
Vancouver, British Columbia (General Motors Place)
Commentary: Vince McMahon, Jim Ross, and Jerry “The King” Lawler
Results by: Mike Tedesco of Wrestleview.com
“The World Wrestling Federation: for over fifty years, the revolutionary force in sports entertainment.” The WWF video leads us into the show.
Video: On the WWF Free for All, Jim Cornette and José Lothario, the trainer of WWF Champion Shawn Michaels, went face-to-face. Cornette tried to hit him with his tennis racket, but Lothario ducked and punched him in the face. Vader then ran down, but Shawn Michaels quickly cut him off.
We go live into the General Motors Place to see WWF Tag Team Champions The Smoking Gunns being led to the ring by Sunny.
Jim Ross announces that Jim Cornette has made a money-back guarantee on this event. If his team loses, whoever bought this pay-per-view will be refunded.
Backstage Interview
Vince McMahon interviews The Bodydonnas and asks where Kloudy is. Zip thanks everyone who applied and thanks Kloudy for showing them that they don’t need a manager. They need the fans more than anything else. Skip says Sunny has played mind games for so long. With the fans behind them, it’s time to get down to business.
Non-Title Tag Team Match
WWF Tag Team Champions The Smoking Gunns (Bart Gunn and Billy Gunn) w/ Sunny vs. The Bodydonnas (Skip and Zip)
Referee: Harvey Wippleman
The Bodydonnas take it to Billy Gunn and hit him with a double-team back body drop. They knock Bart Gunn out of the ring and send Billy out after him. The Smoking Gunns quickly regroup at ringside with Sunny. Billy gets in the ring, but he quickly tags in Bart. Bart kicks and chops Zip into the corner. Bart sends Zip to the opposite corner and goes for a back body drop, but Zip leapfrogs him and chops him. Bart kicks Zip and applies a side headlock. Zip whips him off, but Bart shoulder tackles him. Bart goes back into the ropes, so Zip leapfrogs him and hits an arm drag. Bart fights back with an arm drag, but Zip holds onto his arm.
Vince McMahon announces that Jake “The Snake” Roberts was hospitalized due to the rib injuries sustained last month at the King of the Ring. He will not face Mankind tonight. Henry O. Godwinn will take his place.
Skip tags in and comes off the top rope with a double ax handle to the arm. Zip tags back in and comes off the second rope with a double ax handle to the arm. Zip wrenches the arm, but Bart turns it on him. Zip rolls through and kicks him away. Zip hits an arm drag and tags Skip in. Skip wrenches the arm, but Bart forearms him before hitting a short-arm clothesline. Billy tags in and stomps Skip’s head. Billy connects with a scoop slam and stomps Skip’s forehead. Billy sends Skip into the ropes, but Skip catches him with a head-scissor takeover. Skip ducks a clothesline and flips through a hip toss. Skip punches Billy in the face and sends him into the ropes, but Billy hits a leg drop bulldog. Billy shouts at the crowd as Sunny celebrates at ringside. Billy stomps Skip in the corner and sends him to the opposite side. Billy charges, but Skip sidesteps him before hitting an arm drag. Skip wrenches Billy’s arm and elbows him.
Billy fights out and sends him into the ropes, but Skip shoulder tackles him. Billy rolls out of the ring, and Sunny collapses on the other side. Skip is concerned for her and checks on her against Zip’s advice. Skip helps her up, and Sunny slaps him in the face. The Smoking Gunns then run over Skip with a double-team clothesline on the floor. Sunny celebrates with The Smoking Gunns. Billy grabs Skip and drops him face-first on the apron. Billy gets Skip back in the ring and taunts the crowd. Billy covers for a near fall. Billy tries again, but Skip bridges up to kick out at two. Bart tags in and drops a knee on Skip’s ribs. Bart viciously whips Skip into the corner, and he collapses in pain. Bart whips him hard into the opposite corner. Skip reverses a whip to the corner and goes to the top rope. Skip goes for a crossbody block, but Bart catches him with a snap powerslam out of mid-air. Billy tags in. Bart hangs Skip on the top rope. Billy is supposed to leapfrog Bart and land on Skip, but he doesn’t get anywhere close to high enough to leapfrog him. That was… embarrassing to say the least. The crowd actually laughed at how bad that looked.
Billy soon grabs Skip for a clothesline and taunts Zip. Zip runs in and is stopped by Wippleman. The Smoking Gunns double-team Skip for a few moments. Skip soon fights back at them, but Billy cuts him off by snapping him off the top rope. Bart tried to attack Skip as well, but he was already going down to the mat. Bart chokes Skip before hitting a guillotine catapult into the bottom rope. Billy tags in and shoves Skip into the corner. Billy gets into it with Harvey Wippleman for a moment. Skip tries to fight back, but Bart tags in. Bart sends Skip to the corner… and there’s some miscommunication. Bart sends Skip to the corner for a military press, but Skip gets out and rolls him up for a two-count. Skip comes off the second rope with a twisting crossbody block, but Bart immediately pops up and clotheslines him down.
Billy tags in and goes to the top rope. Billy leaps, but Skip hits an inverted atomic drop out of mid-air. Zip and Bart tag in. Zip takes it to The Smoking Gunns before sending Billy out of the ring. Bart reverses a whip, but Zip ducks a clothesline. Billy quickly trips Zip. The referee yells at Billy. Bart sends Zip into the ropes for a sidewalk slam, but he starts looking around for Billy, who is at ringside with Sunny. Bart may be looking for a Sidewinder. Skip hits Bart with a missile dropkick, and Zip picks up the win.
Winners by Pinfall: The Bodydonnas
Sunny and Billy furiously get in the ring. Sunny is upset about this non-title loss.
Mike’s Thoughts: There’s no other way to say this other than this was a terrible match. The Bodydonnas at least got rid of the horrendous Kloudy manager, but still, no one seems to care about them. This went on way too long and was filled with a ton of miscues and cringey moments. There was just nothing good about it. They tried hard, but it just didn’t get anywhere. By the end, everyone looked a little frustrated, including people who had to watch the mess.
Locker Room Interview
Mr. Perfect is in the locker room with Camp Cornette, consisting of The British Bulldog, Owen Hart, Vader, and Jim Cornette. Diana Hart-Smith is also there. Vader is growling and angrily throwing things around. Cornette claims that on the Free for All, José Lothario pulled a switchblade on him and tried to cut him before Shawn Michaels tried to attack. In fact, the replay shows Lothario had nothing in his hand, and Vader ran out first before Michaels did. Cornette says if they don’t win tonight, he’ll refund everyone in the arena and watching on pay-per-view, which could cost him $7-10 million. The British Bulldog says that won’t happen. Bulldog says they’re going to take care of them once and for all. It’s no place for a lady, so his wife will stay in the back. Owen Hart says he already knocked out Shawn Michaels and Ahmed Johnson. He can’t wait to knock Sycho Sid out with his cast. Vader is in the background growling and biting at the air. Cornette says Vader isn’t wound too tightly, which is bad news for Sycho Sid.
Mankind vs. Henry O. Godwinn w/ Hillbilly Jim
Referee: Tim White
The bell rings, and they circle the ring before Godwinn shouts, “Suey!” Mankind attacks him from behind and forearms away at him in the corner before biting his head. Mankind stomps Godwinn before sending him into the ropes for a headbutt to the midsection. Mankind hits the ropes, but Godwinn connects with a strike. Godwinn punches him and sends him into the ropes for a scoop powerslam. Mankind gets to his feet, and Godwinn clotheslines him over the top rope.
Mankind quickly pops up and starts to squeal while pacing at ringside. Mankind gets in the ring, and they lock up before Mankind takes him down. Mankind digs Godwinn’s head into the canvas and clubs him down. Mankind headbutts Godwinn before backing up. Mankind approaches him, so Godwinn hits a spinebuster and punches away at him. Mankind kicks Godwinn back and rips at his face. Godwinn fights up with Mankind on his back and slams him back into the corner. Mankind quickly comes back with a back elbow before sending him to the corner, followed by a bulldog. Mankind hits the ropes and drops an elbow. Mankind squeals and rips his own hair out. Mankind forearms Godwinn down in the corner, spins around, and hits a running knee to the face. Mankind then hangs his head over the bottom rope and drops a leg on him.
Mankind goes to ringside and pulls back the ringside mats. Mankind goes into the ring and sends Godwinn to the ringside area. Mankind then hits him with a spinning neckbreaker on the concrete floor! Mankind squeals before getting Godwinn into the ring. Godwinn fights back with some strikes, stunning Mankind. Mankind quickly reverses a whip to the corner and hits a clothesline. Mankind charges and hits the ring post headfirst as Godwinn moves. Godwinn punches Mankind and sends him into the ropes for a clothesline. Godwinn celebrates, but Mankind quickly pulls him out of the ring onto the concrete floor. Mankind gets on the apron, but Godwinn punches him. Godwinn then flip slams him off the apron onto the concrete floor! Wow!
Mankind somehow quickly gets to his feet and gets in the ring, holding his back. Godwinn sets up for a Slop Drop, but Mankind holds the ropes. Mankind applies the Mandible Claw, paralyzing Godwinn. The referee calls for the bell.
Winner by Technical Submission: Mankind
Mankind rocks as the calming piano music plays. Mankind rolls out of the ring and then begins sprinting up the aisleway before turning and looking confused. He stumbles off shortly after.
Mike’s Thoughts: Unreal. Mick Foley simply never wasted a match. This was originally supposed to be against Jake “The Snake” Roberts, but he didn’t show up to the event. They could’ve just sent Henry O. Godwinn out there to be squashed in moments, but Mankind wanted to give the fans something to remember. In a nothing, throwaway, last-minute match, Mankind takes a flipping flat back bump off the apron onto concrete. That’s insanity. Pure insanity. It wasn’t much of a match, but that was a memorable spot.
As for Jake Roberts, the WWF announced earlier in the night that he was sidelined with the rib injury from King of the Ring. In reality, Roberts no-showed the event. The trouble apparently started earlier in the week when Roberts was supposed to call into a Toronto radio show to promote the pay-per-view and never did. Unlike the Ultimate Warrior situation, the WWF was clearly still planning on bringing Roberts back, as they continued to mention him and Jerry Lawler kept building their feud on commentary.
That makes this whole thing sadder. The feud with Lawler centered on mocking Roberts’ sobriety and religion, while Roberts was dealing with very real struggles behind the scenes. Lawler was excellent in the role, and I can’t deny that some of the jokes were funny. That doesn’t make the premise any less uncomfortable. The struggles Roberts was going through were serious, and using them as the foundation for a midcard feud was in poor taste, even by the WWF’s historically low standards in that department.
WWF Superstar Line
The Bodydonnas are talking on the WWF Superstar Hotline as Brian Pillman sits by them. On split-screen, The Smoking Gunns and Sunny are on the hotline with Raymond Rougeau near them. Pillman criticizes The Bodydonnas by saying they are spilling sanctimonious garbage about competitive spirit when really, it’s all about hormones. They want to double-team Sunny. Vince McMahon apologizes for Pillman’s comments.
“Stone Cold” Steve Austin comes to the ring with a “Stone Cold” logo on the back of his black trunks. He is also sporting interesting facial hair with his mustache elongated.
Replay: Footage is shown from last month’s King of the Ring when “Wildman” Marc Mero inadvertently kicked “Stone Cold” Steve Austin in the mouth while executing a Japanese Leg Clutch, causing Austin to receive 16 stitches.
“Stone Cold” Steve Austin vs. “Wildman” Marc Mero w/ Sable
Referee: Mike Chioda
The bell rings, and they circle the ring before staring at each other. They lock up, and Austin knees him in the midsection before punching away at him in the corner. Mero fights back, but Austin hooks a side headlock. Mero whips him off. Austin ducks a clothesline, then Mero ducks one. Mero then hits him with a running crossbody block for a two-count. Mero quickly hits an arm drag and starts wrenching the arm before dropping a leg on it. Mero continues to wrench the arm before Austin fights up. Austin tries to twist out, but Mero quickly turns it on him. Austin soon hooks a side headlock and hits a takeover for a two-count. Austin cranks back on Mero’s head. Mero grapevines Austin’s head, but Austin soon hits a jackknife pin. 1… 2… Mero bridges up with Austin on top of him. Mero goes for a backslide pin, but Austin knees him in the midsection before punching him. Austin sends him into the ropes, but he lowers his head and eats a kick. Mero hits several punches before taking Austin down. Austin rolls out of the ring and wants a timeout.
Video: Marlena is backstage with Goldust’s usher in an America Online chatroom.
Austin stalks Sable, so Mero comes off the apron with a double ax handle. Mero gets Austin into the ring. Austin reverses a whip, but Mero slides out of a slam and hits a Japanese Leg Clutch pin, the same move that busted Austin’s mouth at King of the Ring. 1… 2… Austin kicks out and immediately grabs his mouth. Mero grabs Austin, but Austin pokes him in the eyes before knocking him out of the ring. Austin smiles and shakes his head before posing on the turnbuckles to cheers from the crowd.
Austin goes to the ringside area and drags Mero close to the ring post. Austin hits a catapult into the ring post. Sable checks on Mero as Austin gets in the ring and gets more cheers from the crowd. Austin pulls Mero up onto the apron and stretches him before knocking him off into the metal barricade. Austin gets on the apron and stomps Mero from there as he gets to his feet. Austin pulls him into the ring and hits a snapmare before going to the second rope. Austin connects with a diving forearm smash for a near fall. Austin gets in the referee’s face before sending Mero into the ropes for a back elbow. Austin sits on Mero’s back and applies a chin lock. Austin soon pulls Mero to his feet and chokes him on the middle rope before slapping him on the back of the head a few times. Austin hits the ropes and goes for an avalanche, but Mero moves. Austin isn’t hurt by hitting the ropes and goes for a bulldog, but Mero drops him crotch-first on the top rope.
Mero fights back by bouncing Austin’s head off the top turnbuckle. Austin sends him into the ropes and kicks him. Austin goes for an alley-oop snapshot, but they get hung up on the ropes. Mero manages to punch him and hits a hurricanrana over the top rope. Marlena and The Usher come down to the ringside area. The Usher hands Jerry “The King” Lawler a golden envelope. Mero wipes Austin out with a cannonball off the apron. Mero punches Austin down and goes to the apron. Mero hits Austin with a moonsault block and gets the crowd going. Mero gets Austin into the ring and hits a slingshot splash for a near fall. Mero uppercuts Austin into the corner and delivers the ten punches. Mero then climbs to the top rope, but Austin shoves him crotch-first onto the top rope.
Austin shouts to the crowd, and he gets a nice ovation. Austin points at Sable and goes for a Stone Cold Stunner, but Mero holds the ropes to counter it. Mero goes to the apron and hits a slingshot leg drop for a near fall. Austin quickly chop blocks Mero’s leg. Marlena is watching from ringside. Austin connects with the Stone Cold Stunner for the victory.
Winner by Pinfall: “Stone Cold” Steve Austin
Austin points to the camera and shouts, “Austin 3:16!” Sable gets in the ring and checks on Mero.
Mike’s Thoughts: Another good, high-intensity match between these two. It’s amazing to see “Stone Cold” Steve Austin at this stage, still so hungry and moving at a faster pace than he would during his big run. I’m sure the neck injury played a part in him slowing down a bit, but damn, you can see what a tremendous technician he was. I really liked this match. Marc Mero looked good as well. Their King of the Ring was better, but this wasn’t too far behind.
It’s amazing the difference a month can make. The crowd wasn’t quite sure about Austin before he won the King of the Ring, but then he won the tournament and cut that legendary promo. While it didn’t make him an instant superstar overnight, and the Austin 3:16 portion wasn’t really pushed on television afterward, it seemed to be catching on with the hardcore fans. Austin was getting a lot of cheers in this match and was getting closer and closer to fully realizing the character. The black trunks had a “Stone Cold” logo on the back, but that won’t last long.
The only thing I didn’t like was Marlena and the usher coming out with that envelope. It was pointless. The envelope was handed to Jerry “The King” Lawler; nothing was revealed, and it happened in the middle of a hot part of the match, momentarily taking away from the action. Other than that, very good stuff.
Mr. Bob Backlund is in the crowd trying to campaign for president.
Video: Last week on Raw, WWF Champion Shawn Michaels and WWF Intercontinental Champion Ahmed Johnson put their titles on the line last week against each of The Smoking Gunns. Tomorrow night on Raw, The Smoking Gunns will defend their WWF Tag Team Championship against Shawn Michaels and Ahmed Johnson.
Replay: Two months ago, at In Your House: Beware of Dog Part Two, Mankind cost The Undertaker a Casket Match against Goldust. The Intercontinental Championship was also on the line in that match.
Goldust w/ Marlena vs. The Undertaker w/ Paul Bearer
Referee: Jimmy Korderas
The bell rings, and Goldust is outside the ring. Undertaker coldly stares at him from in the ring. Goldust teases getting into the ring but quickly runs back and nearly goes over the barricade as Undertaker takes one step toward him. Goldust cautiously gets into the ring and hides behind the referee. Goldust is using the referee as a human shield in front of the Undertaker. The referee soon pulls himself away. Goldust is being very cautious with the Dead Man. Undertaker simply stares back. Goldust starts to rub himself, so Undertaker uppercuts him down. Goldust begs him off and rolls out of the ring. Goldust joins Marlena at ringside, and they tease walking out of this match. The crowd boos, so Goldust shouts at them and starts heading to the ring. Goldust grabs Undertaker and pulls him out of the ring and punches him, but Undertaker quickly fires back with a punch to take him down. Undertaker then grabs Goldust and gives him a Chokeslam onto the steel steps! Goldust landed on his rear end and fell off the steps.
Undertaker gets in the ring, and the referee begins counting Goldust out. 1… 2… 3… 4… 5… Undertaker loses his patience and goes outside to grab Goldust. Undertaker smashes him off the steel steps. Undertaker picks up the top part of the steps, but Marlena runs over to cover up Goldust. Undertaker doesn’t take Marlena out with the steps. Undertaker gets Goldust into the ring and punches him in the corner before choking him. The referee tries to admonish the Undertaker, but he’s scared away. Goldust tries to remove the top turnbuckle pad, but he’s unsuccessful. Undertaker whips Goldust to the opposite corner and clotheslines him down. Undertaker drops a leg and picks up a two-count.
Goldust begs him off in the corner and thumbs him in the eyes. Goldust viciously knees away at Undertaker’s midsection and punches him. Goldust whips him hard to the opposite corner, but Undertaker pops out and grabs him. Undertaker throws Goldust to the corner and punches away at him. Undertaker wrenches the arm and starts to climb the ropes. The crowd chants, “Rest in Peace,” as the Undertaker walks on the top rope and comes down with a club to the spine. Undertaker uppercuts Goldust down before getting him to his feet and hitting a scoop slam. Undertaker goes for an elbow drop, but Goldust moves. Undertaker immediately sits up and gets to his feet, so Goldust clotheslines him over the top rope. Undertaker lands on his feet and tries to pull Goldust out of the ring, but Goldust kicks him away. Goldust punches Undertaker at ringside and bounces him off the apron. Goldust pulls Undertaker up to the apron, but Undertaker snaps him off the top rope! Marlena looks totally nonplussed by this. Goldust rips the top turnbuckle pad off. Undertaker grabs Goldust and goes for a whip, but Goldust reverses it into the corner with the exposed turnbuckle.
Goldust clubs away at Undertaker’s back as he lies on the mat. Goldust gets to his feet and stomps Undertaker before dropping a fist on him. Goldust sends him to the floor and grabs the top of the steel steps. Goldust takes Undertaker down and smashes the steps off his spine. The referee was distracted by Marlena. Goldust gets in the ring and taunts the crowd. Undertaker gets into the ring, and Goldust hits a scoop slam. Goldust then sits on his back and pulls back on his head. Paul Bearer gets a “Rest in Peace” chant going. Undertaker starts to fight back and levels Goldust with an uppercut. Undertaker sends him into the ropes for a big boot. Undertaker scoops him up, but Goldust slides off. Undertaker catches him with an inside cradle for a near fall!
Goldust quickly punches Undertaker and sends him into the ropes. Undertaker ducks a clothesline and hits a flying lariat. Undertaker then hits a Tombstone Piledriver! 1… 2… Mankind rips through the ring canvas and pulls Undertaker off before applying the Mandible Claw! The referee calls for the bell.
Winner by Disqualification: The Undertaker
The utility knife Mankind used to cut through the canvas is lying on the mat. The referee kicks it to the side as Mankind pulls Undertaker through the hole and under the ring with the Mandible Claw still applied. Mankind pops out from the hole and starts to squeal. Smoke comes out of the hole as he climbs out, and the lights begin to flicker inside the General Motors Place. Paul Bearer screams, “No!” Mankind looks in the hole, but he doesn’t see the Undertaker.
The lights continue to flicker as Mankind reaches in. More smoke comes out, and the crowd loudly chants, “Rest in Peace.” Mankind points at Paul Bearer. On the other side of the ring, the Undertaker rips through the canvas and attacks Mankind, punching him out of the ring! They brawl to the back.
Mike’s Thoughts: This was just an ok match with Undertaker and Goldust. Way too much stalling took away from this. The action itself wasn’t terribly exciting with the Undertaker dominating him almost the entire time. I thought their Casket Match at In Your House in May was way better than this. Goldust at least looked like an actual threat there.
The post-match stuff was fun with Mankind coming through the ring and dragging the Undertaker under, only for Undertaker to rip through on the other side. Good stuff that wound up with them brawling in a Boiler Room. Also, without trying to give too much away (though I think many are aware of what’s coming at SummerSlam), this is the final traditional PPV entrance of the Undertaker and Paul Bearer from the original run of this character, dating back to 1991.
Video: WWF SummerSlam is coming on August 18.
The commentators try to make sense of what just happened. Some fan put a Burger King crown on Jerry “The King” Lawler, upsetting him. A security guard comes over, and even he has to laugh at what just happened. The fan is not removed. The commentators then talk about Jim Cornette’s promise to refund everyone their tickets and PPV purchase if his team isn’t victorious. Vince McMahon says that is not a promise being made by the World Wrestling Federation.
Boiler Room
The Undertaker and Mankind are brawling in a poorly lit boiler room. The camera is taken out, and all you hear is Mankind screaming.
The commentators talk about how things have gotten out of hand between them.
Video: The People’s Posse vs. Camp Cornette
Backstage Interview
Dok Hendrix is backstage with The People’s Posse, consisting of WWF Champion Shawn Michaels, WWF Intercontinental Champion Ahmed Johnson, and Sycho Sid. Hendrix asks Michaels if he’s concerned about what Jim Cornette has planned since he guaranteed a victory tonight. Michaels says this is going to be a gang fight. He’s got a great gang. They’ll put those three cats down. Johnson says the talking is done. It’s time for them to go. Sycho Sid says it’s really simple. Sid is the master, and his friends Michaels and Johnson will be there in the end. Michaels says he wouldn’t want to be Jim Cornette, or Owen Hart, British Bulldog, and Vader. They better be aware of some Sweet Chin Music.
As WWF Champion Shawn Michaels makes his entrance alongside José Lothario, the fans are so excited to get to him that the barricade falls over!
6-Man Tag Team Match
The People’s Posse (WWF Champion Shawn Michaels, WWF Intercontinental Champion Ahmed Johnson, and Sycho Sid) w/ José Lothario vs. Camp Cornette (The British Bulldog, Owen Hart, and Vader) w/ Jim Cornette
Referee: Earl Hebner
Vader is going to start the match against Ahmed Johnson. Vader immediately points at Shawn Michaels and demands to fight the WWF Champion. Johnson shrugs and tags him in. Vader flexes his muscles and taunts the crowd. They lock up before pushing each other off. They lock up again, and Vader quickly lifts him by the neck with two hands. Michaels punches out, but Vader quickly uppercuts him down. Vader sends Michaels into the ropes, but Michaels ducks a pair of clotheslines. Vader catches Michaels in a powerbomb position, but Michaels punches away at him and hits a hurricanrana. Michaels follows up with a diving clothesline before hitting a wild running crossbody block to take Vader over the top rope. Vader quickly gets up and tries to enter the ring, but Michaels hits him with a baseball slide, then follows up with a plancha.
Michaels heads to the apron for a diving ax handle, but Vader moves, causing Michaels to hit the metal barricade. Vader rolls the WWF Champion into the ring. Vader stands him up in the corner and smashes him with those bear paws. Vader goes for a back suplex, but Michaels flips through and tags in Sycho Sid. Sid punches away at Vader before kicking him several times in the midsection and hitting a clothesline. Owen Hart and The British Bulldog run in to eat clotheslines for their troubles. Hart takes a second clothesline before Sid sends Bulldog over the top rope. Sid dumps Hart over the top rope before sending Vader out. The People’s Posse stands tall in the ring to loud applause.
Hart soon attacks Sid from behind, but Sid doesn’t feel it. Sid sends Hart into the ropes for a clothesline. Johnson tags in and hits a trio of nasty German Suplexes on Hart. Johnson swats at Bulldog and Vader before going for an elbow drop, but Hart moves. Bulldog tags in and clubs away at the WWF Intercontinental Champion’s back. Johnson reverses a whip and catches him with a spinebuster. Johnson hits the Bulldog with a Pearl River Plunge! 1… Vader immediately breaks it up. Bulldog crawls to his corner and tags Vader in. Vader backs Johnson into the corner and slaps him in the face several times. The crowd chants for Sid. Johnson turns Vader around and WILDLY pummels him down in the corner with punch after punch. Vader quickly rakes Johnson’s eyes and whips him into the corner for an avalanche. Vader punches away at Johnson before taunting the crowd, receiving loud boos. Vader goes to the opposite corner and charges for an avalanche, but Johnson catches him and hits a powerslam for a near fall! Hart tags in and stomps away at Johnson. Hart sends Johnson into the ropes for a spinning heel kick. Hart taunts the crowd, and Johnson immediately grabs his nose. Hart goes for Johnson, but he pauses as Johnson is trying to get his bearings straight. Hart shoulders him in the midsection and talks him through the next spot. Johnson is seeing stars as blood starts to trickle out of his nose. It appears to be broken. Johnson reverses a whip to the opposite corner and hits a military press slam.
Sid tags in and kicks Hart before sending him into the ropes for a big boot. Sid punches away at Hart’s midsection in the corner before whipping him hard into the opposite corner. Bulldog blind tags in. They lock up, and Sid quickly shoves him off. Sid sends him into the ropes, but he lowers his head and eats a kick. Bulldog hits Sid with an unbelievable delayed vertical suplex. The referee stops Michaels from getting into the ring. As the referee is distracted, Vader runs in and drops an elbow. Bulldog covers for a two-count. The kickout sends Bulldog flying. Vader tags in. Bulldog and Vader hit Sid with a double-team headbutt. The crowd chants for Sid. Vader sends Sid into the ropes for a clothesline. Vader growls at the crowd. Bulldog tags back in and stomps Sid’s chest. Bulldog punches away at Sid, but Sid uppercuts him down.
Michaels tags in and comes off the top rope with a double ax handle to the Bulldog for a two-count. Michaels bounces Bulldog off the top turnbuckle before sending him to the opposite corner. Michaels charges, but Bulldog sidesteps him, causing Michaels’ shoulder to hit the ring post. Bulldog pulls him up and headbutts him down. Michaels quickly reverses a whip, sending Bulldog into Vader. Hart runs in for an attack, but he accidentally hits Bulldog with an elbow drop when Michaels moves. Michaels sends Hart over the top rope and covers Bulldog for a two-count. Bulldog quickly rakes his eyes and blind tags Hart in. Michaels brings Hart into the ring the hard way and sends him into the ropes, but he lowers his head and eats a kick. Michaels and Hart roll all around the mat trying to pin each other before Hart gets him down for a two-count. Hart hits a running crossbody block, but Michaels rolls through for a two-count. Hart goes for a vertical suplex, but Michaels slides out and hits a victory roll for a two-count. Hart catches him with a roll-up for a two-count. Hart quickly hits a headlock takeover, but Michaels grapevines the head. Hart gets on top of Michaels with a jackknife pin. 1… 2… Michaels bridges up and goes for a backslide pin, but Hart flips through, lands on his feet, and clotheslines Michaels for a near fall. Jim Cornette slaps the mat in frustration.
Bulldog tags in and hits Michaels with a back body drop. Bulldog drops a leg for a near fall. Bulldog sends Michaels into the ropes for a scoop powerslam for another two-count. Michaels avoids an elbow drop. Michaels hooks a side headlock, but Bulldog whips him off. Michaels goes over the Bulldog twice before Hart clips him in the back of the head with his cast. Bulldog then clotheslines Michaels down. Vader tags in as the referee admonishes Hart over use of his cast. Vader punches away at Michaels before Michaels says, “Turnbuckle.” Vader whips him hard to the opposite side of the ring, and Michaels flies over the turnbuckles to the floor. Vader taunts the crowd before getting Sid’s attention. Hart uses the distraction to attack Michaels at ringside. Hart rolls Michaels into the ring. Vader crushes the Heartbreak Kid with a short-arm clothesline for a two-count. Vader applies a head-and-arm lock. As Vader holds the submission on, a fan jumps the guardrail, gets on the apron, and starts to climb the ropes. The fan sees Johnson and Bulldog coming after him, so he immediately jumps down and runs away to laughs from the commentators and the crowd.
Michaels tries to fight out, but Vader cinches the head-and-arm lock in. Michaels starts punching Vader, but Vader clutches harder. Vader chokes Michaels as he blocks the referee’s view. Michaels starts to get fired up and punches out. Michaels hits the ropes, but Vader avalanches him down. Vader hits the ropes and hits a big splash. Johnson has seen enough and viciously runs him over with a clothesline! Bulldog quickly tags in and stops Michaels from tagging in. Bulldog stomps Michaels’ midsection and punches away at him. Bulldog powers Michaels up for an over-the-shoulder backbreaker submission, but Michaels slides off. Michaels hits the ropes and goes for a crucifix pin, but Bulldog counters with a Samoan Drop. Bulldog sends Michaels hard into the corner and charges, but Michaels sidesteps him. Hart quickly tags in. Michaels and Hart trade punches. Hart hooks a side headlock, so Michaels whips him off and drops down before they clunk heads and go down. Bulldog quickly makes a tag and hits the WWF Champion with a Running Powerslam. 1… 2… Sid breaks it up with a leg drop, which came a bit late. Both men are being counted down.
Johnson and Vader tag in. Johnson punches away, but the referee didn’t see Johnson’s tag! Camp Cornette triple-teams Michaels as the referee deals with Sid, Johnson, and José Lothario! Bulldog, who isn’t the legal man, covers for a near fall. Hart tags in. Bulldog holds Michaels up, but Michaels gets away, causing Hart to hit Bulldog with a missile dropkick!
Sid and Vader tag in. Sid gets a huge pop. Sid ducks a clothesline and hits a clothesline, but Vader doesn’t go down. Sid hits Vader with a chokeslam. Hart runs in and also receives a chokeslam, as does Bulldog. Johnson tags in. Johnson and Sid hit Vader with a double-team clothesline. Michaels tags in and goes to the top rope. Sid rocket launches Michaels onto Vader. 1… Bulldog breaks up the pin. Johnson immediately attacks Bulldog. They brawl at ringside before Hart comes off the apron with a cast to the spine. Sid gets involved.
Jim Cornette gets on the apron and tosses his tennis racket to Vader. Cornette tries to distract Michaels, but he turns and punches Vader before smashing him with Cornette’s racket! 1… 2… Vader kicks out. Michaels starts to tune up the band. Cornette quickly grabs Michaels’ foot, so Lothario runs over and punches Cornette down! Vader avalanches Michaels in the corner. Vader goes to the second rope and hits a Vader Bomb! 1… 2… 3! Vader has pinned the WWF Champion!
Winners by Pinfall: Camp Cornette
Camp Cornette celebrates in the ring. Johnson and Sid attack them from behind. Johnson sends Bulldog into Sid. Sid boots Bulldog before hitting a Powerbomb. Johnson sends Hart into Sid, who hits him with a big boot and a stiff Powerbomb. Sid goes for a Powerbomb on Vader, but Bulldog pulls Vader away. Michaels dives over the top rope onto Vader and punches away at him. Camp Cornette retreats up the aisleway.
Michaels, Johnson, and Sid get into the ring, and they are not happy. The crowd gives them a nice ovation. José Lothario talks to Michaels. Sid raises Johnson’s and Michaels’ arms. Replays are shown of Vader pinning Shawn Michaels. We then see a slow-motion replay of Michaels’ big plancha onto Vader.
Mike’s Thoughts: This was a really strong 6-Man Tag Team Match. I wasn’t really excited about this at all from the build, but they pulled out a good one, largely thanks to Shawn Michaels’s efforts. I mentioned earlier that Mick Foley never wasted a match. Neither did Shawn Michaels. Michaels was absolutely unstoppable at this point and could will something subpar into something worth seeing.
The heel team was fine with Vader getting some of his groove back in this, getting back to looking like that unstoppable monster. Michaels’ partners were certainly limited. Sid left at the end of 1995 and had stated he retired from wrestling following a neck injury. He wasn’t moving too much and took very few bumps. Ahmed Johnson was what he was: explosive, intense, and exciting in short bursts, but not someone you wanted or could trust to carry long stretches of a match. It also looked like Owen Hart legitimately broke his nose on that spinning heel kick. Vader pinning Michaels in this match was the right move. With no titles on the line, Michaels doesn’t truly lose anything here, and it sets up SummerSlam perfectly for a confrontation with Vader.
There were some unintentionally funny moments in this, such as the barricade falling from fans trying to get to Shawn Michaels during his entrance. I’ve seen that in video packages, but I had forgotten it came from this show. Also, the fan who jumped up to the apron, only to see British Bulldog and Ahmed Johnson coming at him before he ran away and was arrested, was fantastic.
The problem is this was really a one-match show. Yes, Steve Austin vs. Marc Mero gave a strong effort on the undercard, but it was really going to be sold solely on this main event, and the build just wasn’t great. It wasn’t their worst buyrate, but it was certainly close. There are still a lot of holes in this roster. Filling spots on a PPV with The Bodydonnas vs. The Smoking Gunns isn’t going to fix this.
WWF In Your House: International Incident Extra
Dok Hendrix is backstage with WWF President Gorilla Monsoon. Hendrix puts over WWF SummerSlam as taking place on August 18 from the Gund Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. Are there any matches Monsoon can let us know about? Monsoon says they have to settle the issue with The Undertaker and Mankind. No ring will hold them, so they’ll start them in a Boiler Room and see what happens.
Jim Cornette charges over and says he’s boiling with happiness at having saved millions of dollars. Vader walks over and shouts at Monsoon. Cornette says Vader has pinned Shawn Michaels, so they want a WWF Championship match. Cornette guaranteed a victory. Now, they’re going to take the WWF Title off Shawn Michaels’ waist.
Video: WWF In Your House: International Incident highlights.
Quick Match Results
— The Bodydonnas (Skip and Zip) def. WWF Tag Team Champions The Smoking Gunns (Bart Gunn and Billy Gunn) in a Non-Title Tag Team Match
— Mankind def. Henry O. Godwinn via Technical Submission
— “Stone Cold” Steve Austin def. “Wildman” Marc Mero
— The Undertaker def. Goldust via DQ
— Camp Cornette (The British Bulldog, Owen Hart, and Vader) def. The People’s Posse (WWF Champion Shawn Michaels, WWF Intercontinental Champion Ahmed Johnson, and Sycho Sid) in a 6-Man Tag Team Match
Email – mike@wrestleview.com
X – @MikeTedescoWV
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Part of Wrestleview’s Monday Night War: 30 Years Later series, with weekly Raw and Nitro recaps every Thursday.