WWF SummerSlam Results
August 18, 1996
Cleveland, Ohio (Gund Arena)
Commentary: Vince McMahon, Jim Ross, and Mr. Perfect
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: The monsters attack at SummerSlam. Can David slay Goliath again as Shawn Michaels takes on Vader with the WWF Championship on the line? The deranged Mankind and The Undertaker also go head-to-head in a Boiler Room Brawl.
Supersized Stridex Pads presents WWF SummerSlam. We go live into the Gund Arena to see some fireworks go off. Vince McMahon welcomes us to the show and is alongside Jim Ross and Mr. Perfect.
Savio Vega vs. Owen Hart
Referee: Tim White
Owen Hart is wearing a cast on his left wrist. Hart originally injured his wrist in May, but he’s kept the cast. The commentators talk about how long he’s been wearing it. Hart goes to attack Vega from behind with the cast, but the referee stops him and admonishes him.
They lock up, and Vega wrenches the casted arm, so Hart angrily pulls it away from him. They lock up again, and Hart wrenches the arm. Vega turns it around on the “injured” arm, and Hart pulls away. They lock up, and Vega goes back to the arm. Hart quickly punches him and clubs away at him. Hart sends Vega into the ropes, but Vega leapfrogs him and bounces his arm cast off three turnbuckles. Vega hits an arm wrench takeover before applying an armbar. Vega hits a scoop slam and goes for an elbow drop, but Hart moves. Hart goes to drop a forearm with the cast, but Vega moves.
Backstage: Vader is lifting weights as Jim Cornette gets him fired up.
Vega lifts Hart by the arm and slams him down. Hart fights up and rakes Vega’s eyes to get out. Hart applies a side headlock, so Vega whips him off. Hart shoulder tackles him down and hits the ropes, but Vega leapfrogs him before dropping down for a leapfrog. Vega follows up with a hip toss and an arm drag for a two-count. Vega grabs the arm, and Hart shouts, “Ow, my arm!” Hart gets up and punches out, but Vega sends him sternum-first into the turnbuckles and rolls him up for a two-count. The kick-out sends Vega’s shoulder into the ring post. Hart grabs Vega and drives his shoulder into the top turnbuckles. Hart stomps him before pretending to grab his wrist in pain. Hart wrenches the arm, bringing him down to the canvas. Hart props Vega’s arm up and drops a knee on it. Hart applies an armbar. Vega fights up, so Hart kicks him and hits an arm breaker for a near fall. Vega bites him to get out of the hold. Hart drags Vega to the ropes and ties his arms in them. Hart punches and slaps him in the face. Vega responds with a chop as he frees his arm. Vega tries to boot him back, but Hart wrenches the arm and brings him down to his knees.
Clarence Mason makes his way down the aisleway. Hart sends Vega into the ropes for a dropkick, but Vega holds the ropes to avoid it. Hart ducks a spinning heel kick. Hart goes for a spinning heel kick, but Vega ducks it. Vega hits a running crossbody block for a two-count. Hart gets up, blocks a kick, and hits an enzuigiri. Mason shouts encouragement to Hart as he picks up a two-count. Hart yells at the referee before grabbing Vega, but Vega surprises him with an inside cradle for a two-count. Vega reverses a whip to the corner, but Hart boots him down. Hart covers with his feet on the ropes, but it’s only a two-count. Vega rolls Hart up for a two-count. Hart quickly takes him down with a spinning heel kick for a near fall.
The commentators are insinuating that Mason is encroaching on Jim Cornette’s territory. Hart sends Vega to the corner and charges, but Vega takes him down with a spin kick. Vega hits an inverted atomic drop, followed by a pair of clotheslines. Hart begs him off, but Vega kicks and chops him in the corner before going to the second rope for the ten punches. Vega sends Hart to the corner and strikes him. Vega hits a scoop slam for a two-count. Vega sends Hart to the corner and hits a sidewalk slam for a near fall. Vega sends him into the ropes, but he lowers his head, so Hart hits a neckbreaker. Hart heads to the top rope as the crowd boos. Hart connects with a missile dropkick for a near fall. Hart goes to the top rope, but Vega kicks his feet out, crotching him up there. Vega connects with a back superplex, but his head hits Hart’s cast on the impact. Hart starts to get up, but he drops down to play possum. Vega approaches Hart, but Hart removes his cast and hits him on the head. The referee clearly saw this, but he couldn’t call it because it’s not the finish. Hart puts his cast back on and applies a Sharpshooter to the unconscious Vega for the win.
Winner by Technical Submission: Owen Hart
Clarence Mason gets in the ring and celebrates with Owen Hart.
Justin “Hawk” Bradshaw and Uncle Zebekiah come over to the commentary table. Bradshaw yells at Vince McMahon about Savio Vega. Bradshaw then goes over and attacks Vega, who is being helped to the back by two referees.
Mike’s Thoughts: Sometimes I forget how random some pay-per-view matches were back in the day. This match with Owen Hart and Savio Vega happened with no feud to speak of between the two. I think they just sent them out there to have a good match and get the show started on the right foot. With Hart and Vega, they had a good chance of that happening. Unfortunately, this was a very average effort on their part. It just never got out of that first gear. With no story, the crowd wasn’t invested in much of anything. They do seem to be teasing a breakup with Hart, Jim Cornette, and Clarence Mason, as the commentators spent time accusing Mason of stepping on Cornette’s territory with Hart.
Boiler Room Segment
Todd Pettengill is in the Boiler Room of the Gund Arena, where Mankind and The Undertaker will battle later tonight. Pettengill says it is really freaky in the Boiler Room. Pettengill explains that there are no rules in the Boiler Room Brawl. The first person to gain possession of the urn will be victorious. Pettengill happens upon Mankind, who is seated. Mankind says there is no place like home. As much as he loves every square inch of these hallowed halls, it’s time to leave because destiny awaits on the other side. Mankind warns The Undertaker not to come in here because outside the halls awaits a fate worse than death, as well as a possible course of events that could alter the future of all Mankind! Have a Nice Day! During this interview, Mankind licked one of the filthy pipes in the Boiler Room.
WWF Tag Team Championship
Four-Way Elimination Match
The New Rockers (Marty Jannetty and Leif Cassidy) vs. The Bodydonnas (Skip and Zip) vs. The Godwinns (Henry O. and Phinneas I. Godwinn) w/ Hillbilly Jim vs. The Smoking Gunns (Bart and Billy Gunn) (c’s) w/ Sunny
Referee: Mike Chioda
Skip is in a neck brace from a fractured vertebra in his neck suffered at Madison Square Garden. Billy Gunn also has a brace on his left hand from a thumb injury.
Billy Gunn will start against Henry O. Godwinn. Henry shouts, “Suey!” Henry hooks a side headlock, but Billy whips him off. Henry shoulder tackles him and challenges him. Billy grabs a waistlock, but Henry holds the ropes to knock him back and shoulder tackles him again. Billy kicks Henry and punches him in the head. Henry reverses a whip and hits a hip toss, followed by a pair of punches to the head. Henry then connects with a wheelbarrow facebuster. Billy gets up, stumbles around the ring, and leaves the ring before collapsing at ringside. Sunny and Bart Gunn check on him. Zip tagged Billy as he fell out of the ring. Phinneas I. Godwinn also tags in.
Phinneas spits in his hands and hooks a side headlock. Zip whips him off and drops down, but Phinneas soon shoulder tackles him down. Zip goes over and talks with Skip. Sunny gets on the apron to talk with the Smoking Gunns. Billy tells the crowd to shut up. Zip hooks a side headlock before they start crisscrossing the ropes.
Phinneas and Zip then tag in both of the Smoking Gunns. Under the rules, Billy and Bart must make contact before tagging out; otherwise, they are disqualified. The Smoking Gunns are furious and chase off The Godwinns. Billy then touches Bart’s back before Zip is tagged in. That was so stupid. Billy hooks a side headlock. Zip whips him off, but Billy shoulder tackles him down. Zip soon leapfrogs him and hits a pair of arm drags, followed by a clothesline. Zip hits the ropes, but Marty Jannetty trips him. Billy clubs Zip, pinning him for the elimination. So bad.
The Bodydonnas have been eliminated.
Henry comes in to replace Zip. Henry wrenches Billy’s injured arm. Billy sends Henry into the ropes, and Leif Cassidy hits him in the spine. Cassidy tags in off Billy and clotheslines Henry down. Cassidy clubs Henry and celebrates like a dork. Marty Jannetty tags in, and The New Rockers briefly double-team Henry. Jannetty boots Henry back and hits a clothesline. Jannetty hits a snapmare, followed by a fist drop. Jannetty poses and does a silly dance. Cassidy tags in and kicks away at Henry. Billy tags back in and attacks Henry. Billy headbutts Henry and chokes him on the top rope. Cassidy tries to get in a cheap shot from the apron, but Henry ducks, and Cassidy accidentally clotheslines Billy. The Smoking Gunns are furious. Henry turns Billy and punches him before sending him into the ropes for a sidewalk slam. The New Rockers run over to break it up, but Henry moves, and they hit Billy with a double-team elbow drop. The Smoking Gunns get into an argument with The New Rockers until The Godwinns attack them from behind. Henry sends Cassidy into the ropes for a back elbow. Henry sends Cassidy into the ropes, but Cassidy ducks a clothesline and rolls him up. 1… 2… Henry kicks out and sends Cassidy into Jannetty, who is knocked into the ring. Henry hits Jannetty with the Slop Drop for the elimination.
The New Rockers have been eliminated.
Bart gets in the ring and knees Henry in the back before clubbing him. Bart connects with a scoop slam and drops a knee on his forehead. Bart whips Henry into the opposite corner and charges, but Henry boots him back before turning him inside out with a clothesline. After a few moments, both men start stirring. Bart attacks Henry before he can make a tag. Bart knees away at Henry’s ribs. Henry responds with some strikes, but Bart stays on the attack. Billy tags in and kicks Henry in the ribs before punching him down. Billy talks trash to Henry. Bart tags in as the referee admonishes Billy. Bart punches Henry into the corner, but Henry fights back with an inverted atomic drop. Bart quickly rakes his eyes and tags Billy in. Billy sends Henry to the corner and goes for an avalanche, but Henry grabs him and hits a front slam.
Phinneas tags in and punches Billy and Bart down several times. Phinneas starts to flip out before Henry clotheslines Bart over the top rope. Phinneas hits Billy with a Slop Drop as, for absolutely no reason, Hillbilly Jim starts to threaten Sunny with the Slop Bucket. The referee, of course, gets distracted by this, allowing Bart to come off the top rope with a sledge to Phinneas’ head. Bart puts Billy on top of Phinneas for the win.
Winners by Pinfall and still WWF Tag Team Champions: The Smoking Gunns
Sunny grabs the microphone and taunts the crowd by showing off The Smoking Gunns as the WWF Tag Team Champions. She wants the women to look at what real men are supposed to look like. Sunny tells them to look at the women next to them and wants to improve the look of the arena. Sunny has a giant poster of herself unfurled above the ring and celebrates.
Mike’s Thoughts: This was an absolutely pitiful match. The Tag Team Division was in absolute shambles at this point. The action was either bad or boring, each elimination was a joke, and the finish was awful. Sunny remains the face of the division despite not being a competitor. A total waste of time on this pay-per-view that is supposed to be the second biggest show of the WWF’s year.
Video: Earlier this week, The Godwinns and The Smoking Gunns raced to the Gund Arena. The Godwinns took the new rapid transit, while The Gunns took a carriage ride. The Godwinns put over the rapid transit. Jerry “The King” Lawler visited the Cleveland Indians and asked Sandy Alomar, Jr. how to throw a spitball. Alomar threatened to piledrive Lawler. Lawler went to Charles Nagy instead and accused him of throwing a spitter. Lawler would go on to throw the first pitch before being put in the very last row of the stadium. WWF Superstars were shown painting over graffiti in the city. The Undertaker and Paul Bearer gave away a funeral to a fan to use at their demise. Yes, seriously. Earlier today, Stridex hosted a SummerSlam party with autographs. The Mayor of Cleveland then declared this SummerSlam Weekend in Cleveland.
Backstage Interview
Dok Hendrix is backstage with Sycho Sid. Hendrix asks about Sid’s overwhelming support from the WWF fans. Sid says it started months ago. When he was lying asleep, it came to him. Sid could hear the people screaming his name. They wanted the man back, and he’s here to stay. Hendrix asks if Sid can rule and master the world of The British Bulldog. Sid says tonight is his chance to take one more step to the top. People will say he is the Master and Ruler of the World.
The British Bulldog vs. Sycho Sid
Referee: Jack Doan
The bell rings, and Sid gets a “USA” chant going. They lock up, and Bulldog hooks a side headlock. Sid whips him off and absorbs a shoulder tackle. Bulldog hits the ropes, but Sid absorbs another shoulder tackle. Bulldog hits the ropes and ducks a clothesline, but Sid catches him on the rebound with a clothesline. Sid connects with a scoop slam and poses in the ring as Bulldog goes to the ringside to recover. Sid gets the crowd chanting, “Let’s go, Sid.” Bulldog gets in the ring. They lock up, and Sid hooks a side headlock. Bulldog tries to power Sid up, but Sid takes him down with a headlock takeover for a two-count. Bulldog grapevines the head, so Sid kips out and hits a powerslam for a two-count. Sid sends Bulldog into the ropes, but he lowers his head and eats a kick. Bulldog hits an impressive delayed vertical suplex.
Clarence Mason returns to the ringside area to cheer The British Bulldog on. Bulldog stomps Sid for a two-count. Bulldog applies a rear chin lock. Sid fights up, but Bulldog attacks him and clotheslines him over the top rope.
Video: Jim Cornette is watching the match in the locker room as Vader continues to warm up.
Bulldog clotheslines Sid down on the apron before hitting a big front suplex onto the top rope. Sid writhes in pain on the mat as Bulldog stomps him and picks up a two-count. Bulldog goes back to the reverse chin lock. Sid soon fights up and punches out before sending Bulldog to the corner for an avalanche. Sid sends Bulldog to the opposite corner and charges, but Bulldog sidesteps him. Bulldog scoops Sid up and hits a Running Powerslam.
Jim Cornette comes down to the ringside and starts arguing with Mason. Cornette wants to know if Mason is trying to court his guys. Bulldog is distracted by this and shouts at them. Bulldog scoops Sid up again, but Sid slides off and hits a Chokeslam. Cornette shoves Mason and turns to look at what’s happening in the ring. Cornette is not happy. Sid hits a massive Powerbomb for the win.
Winner by Pinfall: Sycho Sid
Jim Cornette checks on The British Bulldog at ringside and shouts at Clarence Mason. Sycho Sid celebrates in the ring.
Mike’s Thoughts: Not much of a match with Sycho Sid and The British Bulldog. It was kept very short. Too short to be really interesting. The only thing of note was Jim Cornette and Clarence Mason arguing at ringside. If that’s the main takeaway, there’s a problem. Sid remained over, but this was too short and too focused on Cornette/Mason to feel like much of a showcase.
Video: WWF In Your House: Mind Games is coming in September.
Backstage Interview
Todd Pettengill is backstage with “Wildman” Marc Mero and Sable. Footage is shown of Mankind stalking Sable this past weekend on WWF Superstars. Mankind was calling Sable “Mommy.” Mero says he can’t understand Mankind. It’s time to put up or shut up. Tonight, Goldust will be a falling star.
Goldust w/ Marlena vs. “Wildman” Marc Mero w/ Sable
Referee: Tim White
The bell rings, and Goldust rubs on himself to play some mind games. They lock up, and Mero backs him into the corner. Goldust quickly turns him around, taunts him, and slaps him in the face. Goldust quickly hides behind the referee to keep Mero back. They lock up, and Goldust hooks a side headlock. Mero whips him off, leapfrogs him, drops down, and hits a pair of arm drags. Goldust falls back to avoid a third arm drag, so Mero celebrates a bit. Goldust begs the Wildman off in the corner. They circle the ring, and Goldust rakes the eyes before clubbing him down. Goldust sends him into the ropes. Mero ducks a clothesline, then Goldust ducks one. Mero then hits a running crossbody block for a two-count. Mero applies an armbar before wrenching the limb. Mero clubs Goldust and applies a hammerlock before driving him into the top turnbuckle.
Vince McMahon and Jim Ross talk about Ahmed Johnson having to go back to the hospital after his surgery because of further bleeding in the kidney. McMahon hopes he won’t lose the kidney.
Goldust fights out and drops down for an uppercut. Mero gets up and charges, but Goldust hits a back body drop over the top rope. Sable checks on Mero. Goldust pulls Mero onto the apron and clubs his chest twice. Goldust hits the ropes and clubs Mero in the back, knocking him into the steel barricade. Goldust goes to the ringside and drops Mero throat first on the barricade. Goldust clubs Mero and rolls him into the ring for a near fall. Goldust sends him into the ropes for a clothesline to pick up another two-count.
Mankind hobbles down to the ring and starts to stalk Sable, repeatedly calling her “Mommy.” Sable is terrified and in tears. WWF referees chase Mankind off.
In the ring, Goldust is applying a reverse chin lock. Mero fights up and elbows out, but Goldust catches him with a kitchen sink knee to the midsection for a two-count. Goldust punches away at Mero and kicks him in the ribs. Goldust pulls Mero up and punches him in the corner. Goldust whips him to the opposite corner, but Mero leaps up to the second turnbuckle and jumps backward with a back elbow. Mero punches away at Goldust and hits an inverted atomic drop. Mero hits some stinging left jabs, followed by a diving clothesline. Mero celebrates and sends him into the ropes for a back body drop. Mero kicks Goldust in the midsection and connects with a knee lift. Mero knocks Goldust into the corner and delivers ten punches. Goldust lifts him, but Mero hits a sloppy hurricanrana over the top rope, nearly hurting himself in the process. Mero pops up, gets in the ring, and hits a somersault senton. Mero puts him into the ring and hits a slingshot leg drop. Mero hits a scoop slam and goes to the top rope. Mero connects with a Shooting Star Press, which he is calling the Wild Thing! Marlena was on the apron distracting the referee, which delays the pinfall. Goldust kicks out at two.
Mero whips Goldust to the corner, but Goldust elbows him back. Goldust charges, but Mero hits a snap powerslam for a two-count. Mero punches him into the corner. Goldust quickly sends him into the corner sternum-first. Goldust kicks him in the back and hits the Curtain Call for the win.
Winner by Pinfall: Goldust
Sable quickly gets in the ring and checks on Mero. Goldust starts to circle around her and runs his fingers on her back. Sable starts to go into hysterics as Goldust pulls her to her feet. Goldust goes to kiss Sable, but Mero punches him in the face. Mero punches Goldust down and crotches him on the top rope. Mero hits the ropes and dropkicks Goldust to the floor. Mero follows him outside and clotheslines him on the concrete floor. Goldust and Marlena retreat up the aisleway. Mero gets in the ring and embraces Sable.
Mike’s Thoughts: This was yet another disappointing match on a rather lackluster SummerSlam card. Like a lot of WWF matches from this period, too much time was spent sitting in rest holds, and once the action finally picked up, it still never became anything special. I did like Mero adding the Shooting Star Press to his arsenal, especially since it wasn’t a move you were seeing in the WWF at this point. The problem is that it didn’t play into the finish or feel like a major turning point in the match.
The finish itself was strangely flat. Mero simply got sent into the turnbuckle, stumbled back, and Goldust hit the Curtain Call for the clean win. No major drama. No clever setup. No sense that Mero was protected. He has now lost clean on three straight shows, and the Wildman character really isn’t clicking right now.
I also didn’t love Mankind coming to the ringside to stalk Sable. I understand what they were going for by having Mankind see “Mommy” everywhere and adding another disturbing wrinkle to the character, but I think it hurt the impact of seeing him later in the Boiler Room Brawl with The Undertaker. Mankind should feel like something crawling out of the shadows on this show, not someone wandering around earlier in the night during Goldust vs. Marc Mero. Maybe I’m nitpicking, but it didn’t work for me.
Something must have been cut out of this broadcast because we see a shot of the Gund Arena and the ring is empty.
Video: On July 22, Faarooq Asaad viciously attacked Ahmed Johnson, rupturing his kidney. Two weeks later, against doctor’s orders, Johnson competed in and won the Raw Invitational Battle Royal. Johnson would undergo emergency surgery on his kidney. WWF President Gorilla Monsoon declared the title to be vacant. Johnson understands Monsoon’s decision, but he’s not happy. His nurse thinks he can come back in 3 or 4 months if his kidney recovers. If it keeps bleeding, he’ll lose it and have to retire. Johnson only blames himself for what happened. He hopes to restore his honor and his fans’ soon.
Tomorrow night on Raw, the Intercontinental Championship Tournament begins. The last four men in the ring in the Raw Invitational Battle Royal, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, Sycho Sid, Goldust, and Savio Vega, will take part in a Sudden Death Battle Royal. The winner gets the automatic title shot on Raw Championship Friday on September 6.
Faarooq Asaad addresses Ahmed Johnson and the Intercontinental Championship
Todd Pettengill is in the ring, and he introduces Faarooq Asaad to the ring. Asaad heads to the ring in his gladiator outfit alongside his manager, Sunny. Pettengill tries to prompt him, but Asaad doesn’t immediately realize it. Asaad then starts and demands to know why Gorilla Monsoon isn’t out here handing him the Intercontinental Championship. Pettengill says Monsoon didn’t want the criminal to benefit from the crime. An Intercontinental Title Tournament will begin tomorrow night.
Asaad says no one orders him around. He should be the Intercontinental Champion right now. The tournament runs through him. Asaad is the one who put that “punk” Ahmed Johnson out. If that’s the best they’ve got, he’s got a lot of Sunny Days ahead. Sunny says Asaad is what a real man is all about. This is her modern-day gladiator. Johnson tried to stand in his way and look what happened. Monsoon can have his tournament because she gives everyone the next WWF Intercontinental Champion: Faarooq Asaad. What Sunny wants, Sunny gets. She wants the gold. Asaad and Sunny pose in the ring.
Mike’s Thoughts: Basic filler to remind you about Faarooq Asaad and Sunny, though it did at least reinforce that Faarooq was now the man who put Ahmed Johnson on the shelf.
Video: The story of Jerry “The King” Lawler vs. Jake “The Snake” Roberts
Howard Finkel asks everyone to please welcome the newest member of the World Wrestling Federation. He is fresh off representing the United States of America at the 1996 Summer Olympics, “The World’s Strongest Man” Mark Henry.
Mark Henry comes out to “The Stars and Stripes Forever” by John Philip Sousa. Henry is fired up and gets in the ring as fireworks go off. He shakes hands with Vince McMahon and Jim Ross, who sell Henry’s handshake as overly firm. Mr. Perfect doesn’t sell it.
Jerry “The King” Lawler comes out with a canvas bag, like Jake “The Snake” Roberts. Lawler reveals that he’s wearing a Vinny Testaverde Baltimore Ravens jersey. The Cleveland crowd immediately begins booing. Lawler waves around a Baltimore flag for further heat. The Cleveland Browns had relocated to Baltimore and established the Ravens in 1995, so this is a very fresh wound for the crowd. Lawler thinks the people in the crowd are the ones who should have left town.
Lawler left tickets for people around here. Lawler threw the first pitch at the Cleveland Indians game. Mike Hargrove was on his hands and knees begging him to sign a contract. Lawler also says Sandy Alomar, as well as David and Art Modell, the former Browns owners. Lawler goes into his jacket and pulls out a Jim Beam and Jack Daniel’s bottle. Mark Henry is laughing before saying this is not funny. Lawler says Roberts’ wife is here. If you see her, she’s really ugly, but Roberts always says it’s nothing that six pack and a light switch can’t cure. The only reason he married her is that her kiss is sweeter than wine. Henry and Mr. Perfect are laughing out loud.
Lawler turns his focus to Mark Henry, mentioning that there aren’t any medals around his neck despite being in the Olympics. Lawler says Henry is the type of guy who would get a gold medal bronzed. Henry says that Lawler wouldn’t know what it’s like to be the kind of athlete he is. Lawler has the bottles put on the commentary table. Lawler doesn’t want to hear any “Burger King” chants, which starts it up. Lawler wants someone to get Roberts a barstool to use as a walker so he can get out here. Roberts has “barthritis,” which means he stiffs a new bar every night.
A furious Jake “The Snake” Roberts makes his entrance.
Jerry “The King” Lawler vs. Jake “The Snake” Roberts
Referee: Harvey Wippleman
Jerry Lawler picks up the canvas bag and begs the referee to keep Jake Roberts back. The referee backs Roberts up. Lawler takes a microphone and says no one said, “Last Call.” Lawler says Roberts has something in his bag that he doesn’t like, but Lawler has something Roberts will like. If Roberts doesn’t take out what he has in his bag, he WILL take out what he has. Lawler takes his time opening the bag and pulls out a giant champagne bottle.
Roberts is irate and takes Revelations out! Roberts puts Revelations on top of Lawler, taking him down to the canvas. Lawler is terrified and manages to get out of the ring. Roberts soon returns Revelations to the canvas bag.
The bell rings to start the match as a “Burger King” chant fires up. Lawler quickly goes to the ringside area and grabs the Jack Daniel’s and Jim Beam bottles, trying to use them as a peace offering. Roberts goes to the ringside and punches Lawler before smashing his face off the ring steps. Lawler gets in the ring, and Roberts punches away at him in the corner. Roberts connects with a snapmare before stomping him on the midsection. Roberts pulls Lawler out of the ring and hits a scoop slam on the floor. Roberts grabs him and sends him into the ring post. Roberts brings him near the bottles and talks some trash before slinging Lawler into the ring post again. Roberts grinds Lawler’s face against the ring post. Lawler quickly grabs a soda from a fan and throws it into Roberts’ face.
Lawler punches Roberts and gets him tied up in the ropes. Lawler goes to the ringside and grabs one of the bottles. Roberts quickly kicks him back and goes for a DDT, but Lawler counters with a back body drop. Roberts avoids a fist drop and hits some jabs, followed by a short-arm clothesline. Roberts gets the crowd going for a DDT. Roberts sets up for a DDT, but Lawler grabs the referee. Lawler quickly grabs the bottle and jabs it into Roberts’ throat. Lawler grabs the tights as he pins him for the win.
Winner by Pinfall: Jerry “The King” Lawler
Lawler goes to the ringside and grabs a microphone. Lawler says he didn’t do anything. Roberts is struggling because his throat is dry. He needs another drink. Lawler goes over to Roberts and pours the Jim Beam in his eyes and mouth. Roberts immediately grabs his eyes in pain.
Mark Henry has seen enough and stops Lawler from attacking Roberts further. Lawler is terrified and scurries away. Henry goes over to check on Roberts. Henry helps Roberts to the back. Roberts is gagging from the liquor.
Mike’s Thoughts: As a wrestling match, this was not great. As a comedy segment, Jerry Lawler was legitimately hilarious at times, even breaking Mark Henry and Mr. Perfect on commentary multiple times. However, behind the humor was a real human being named Jake Roberts who was genuinely struggling with his sobriety.
That makes this a complicated watch. Lawler was tremendous in the role, but the storyline went way too far by the end. It has been revealed in the years since that Lawler used a real bottle of Jim Beam on Roberts, which caused real bad blood between them. Roberts felt it crossed a line, though he later said he and Lawler spoke about it and cleared the air. According to Roberts, it was Vince McMahon who wanted Lawler to use the real thing.
As funny as some of Lawler’s lines were, that spot wasn’t funny at all. It felt like a microcosm of the real-life torment Roberts endured during this run, with wrestlers reportedly teasing him constantly about his sobriety. Roberts would fall off the wagon several times during this period, which makes the whole thing feel even uglier in hindsight.
Thankfully, Roberts’ story did not end there. With help from Diamond Dallas Page, he has been sober for over a decade and has had one of wrestling’s great redemption stories. I even got to meet him and his wife, Cheryl, a year ago. They looked great and happy to be back together. At least this story eventually found a much better ending.
Mr. Bob Backlund is in the crowd, still campaigning to be President of the United States.
Video: The story behind the Boiler Room Brawl.
Paul Bearer makes his way to the ring with the urn. Television sets are arranged around the ringside so fans can see what is happening inside the Boiler Room.
Boiler Room Brawl
The Undertaker vs. Mankind
Referee: Jack Doan
The winner of the match will be the one who retrieves the urn from Paul Bearer in the ring.
Referee Jack Doan opens the door for The Undertaker. Undertaker cautiously goes down the hallway and slowly enters the Gund Arena’s Boiler Room. The Undertaker looks around the poorly lit Boiler Room, checking a ladder and looking under the pipes for Mankind. Undertaker goes over a platform and continues to cautiously look around for Mankind. Undertaker bends around some pipes, but Mankind isn’t there.
Undertaker continues to look, and the camera catches Mankind sneaking around the corner with a piece of gutter piping. Mankind hits Undertaker with the object, knocking him into other objects leaning against the wall. Mankind smashes the gutter off Undertaker’s head and clubs away at him. Mankind kicks a piece of wood off a pallet and hits Undertaker in the head with it before jamming it into his face. Mankind stomps Undertaker and goes for the Mandible Claw, but Undertaker blocks it. Undertaker smashes Mankind in the face with a garbage can lid to knock him back. Mankind grabs another piece of gutter piping, but Undertaker blocks it and smashes him on the back of the neck with it! Undertaker sends him into some electrical panels, striking him down. Undertaker then hits him over the head with the garbage can lid.
Undertaker lifts Mankind, but Mankind slides off and snaps him off a sawhorse. Mankind gets up and forearms Undertaker in the head. Mankind stomps him as more pipes fall onto The Undertaker. Mankind rakes his face and drives him into a big metal cylinder. Mankind grabs him and drives his head into the cylinder again.
The feed cuts out for a moment, but it picks up where we left off. Mankind drives Undertaker into some metal doors and hobbles around the Boiler Room. Mankind grabs a metal garbage can and smashes it onto his back. Mankind then slams it onto his chest. Mankind squeals, “Get up,” and punches him in the head. Undertaker pulls him up and sends him headfirst into some panels. Mankind grabs a garbage can, but Undertaker smashes him back with a pipe. Mankind avoids a big shot to the head and releases some steam from a pipe to blow in Undertaker’s face. Undertaker grabs his face as the steam burns him. Mankind punches away at him and bounces him off a metal table. Mankind grabs another garbage can, but Undertaker boots it into his face and hits a clothesline. Undertaker then hits him over the head with the garbage can.
Undertaker grabs some wood from a pallet and hits Mankind with it. Undertaker grabs the whole pallet and smashes it off Mankind. Mankind quickly attacks him and low-blows him twice with a big PVC pipe. Undertaker gasps for breath as a bunch of metal pipes fall onto him. Undertaker is bleeding from the elbow. Mankind grabs him and slings him into the metal garage door. Mankind backs up and hits a running knee to Undertaker’s head as he leans against the door. Mankind squeals and shouts, “Mommy, I’m coming home!”
Mankind punches away at The Undertaker and carries him off. There has been almost no commentary throughout this match aside from a few reactions to the punishment being endured. We finally start hearing the crowd react. Mankind throws Undertaker onto the floor and climbs a ladder to drop an elbow on the concrete floor! Wow! Mankind gets up and stomps Undertaker. Undertaker takes him down, but Mankind fights out. Mankind smashes a 2×4 off Undertaker’s back. The Undertaker looks to be unconscious from the destruction caused by Mankind. Mankind continues to stomp him as he struggles to drag Undertaker toward the entrance of the Boiler Room.
Mankind reaches for the camera, and the feed cuts out. The crowd boos. The feed comes back to see Mankind attempting to scoop slam Undertaker onto the concrete floor, but we don’t see the bump. It fully returns to see Mankind setting up a wooden ladder against the wall. Mankind starts to climb and teases an elbow, but Undertaker sits up! Undertaker gets to his feet and tips over the giant ladder, causing Mankind to land on some cardboard boxes and metal pipes!
Undertaker grabs him and throws him into a box filled with glass. Undertaker starts heading toward the entrance, but Mankind crawls after him and hits him in the knees with a metal chain. Mankind starts to crawl toward the door, but Undertaker cuts him off. Undertaker is nearly to the door, but Mankind knocks him into it. Undertaker responds by spraying a fire extinguisher into Mankind’s eyes. Undertaker opens the door, but Mankind pops up and attacks him. Mankind gets out of the door, but Undertaker grabs him by the throat. Mankind smashes the door onto him to close it. Mankind exits the mini hallway that leads to the Boiler Room and barricades it with objects. The Undertaker stumbles out of the Boiler Room and tries to open the door. The Undertaker eventually powers through the barricade.
The Undertaker and Mankind brawl in the hallway of the Gund Arena as WWF Superstars watch on, including The Godwinns, Aldo Montoya, Mark Henry, Justin “Hawk” Bradshaw, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, and Goldust. Undertaker grabs Mankind by the throat and throws him back onto a table. Mankind quickly gets up and hits Undertaker in the head with a metal cart. Mankind stumbles off and grabs a vat of hot coffee before throwing the hot liquid onto The Undertaker!
Mankind enters the arena first. Mankind grabs a piece of wood, but Undertaker clotheslines him on the floor. Undertaker then breaks the 2×4 off Mankind’s back. They brawl down the aisleway with Undertaker having the advantage. Mankind is knocked into one of the television monitors, causing it to topple over. Undertaker attempts to get into the ring, where Paul Bearer is stationed with the urn. Mankind pulls Undertaker off the apron and whips him into the ring steps. Mankind pulls the ringside mats back, exposing the concrete floor. Mankind connects with a pulling piledriver on the concrete! Unreal!
Paul Bearer is pacing sadly in the ring. Mankind climbs to the apron, but Undertaker manages to grab him by the ankle. Undertaker punches him and gets on the apron. Undertaker punches away at Mankind before pulling the ropes back to sling Mankind off the apron onto the concrete floor! Mankind took a flat-back bump off the apron onto the concrete floor. That was hellacious!
The Undertaker gets into the ring, approaches Paul Bearer, and drops to his knee to receive the urn from his longtime manager. Paul Bearer turns his back on The Undertaker! Mankind gets in the ring and applies the Mandible Claw to The Undertaker! Bearer starts to laugh, and the crowd begins to boo. Bearer wipes the urn clean and prepares to hand it to Mankind, but The Undertaker sits up. Mankind applies the Mandible Claw to The Undertaker again, paralyzing the Dead Man. Mankind sits Undertaker up, and Bearer slaps him twice before stomping him! Bearer is elated as Mankind continues to punish The Undertaker. The Undertaker is still trying to crawl toward the urn, but Mankind is unrelenting in his attack. The Undertaker pulls himself up on Bearer, so Bearer smashes him in the skull with the urn! Bearer hands Mankind the urn, giving him the win!
Winner: Mankind
Mankind clutches the urn as soft piano music plays. Mankind goes to the back with Paul Bearer.
The Undertaker is unconscious in the ring as the lights go out. Several druids come out as Gregorian Chant plays over the speakers. Two druids get in the ring and pull the unconscious Undertaker toward the ring apron. The druids slowly carry The Undertaker to the back. The arena is stunned in silence.
Mike’s Thoughts: I really liked this. I liked it a lot.
The Boiler Room Brawl was not perfect, and there were definitely production issues that kept it from being as great as it could have been, but it felt like something different for the WWF. The brutality was on another level from what the company was usually presenting at this point. This wasn’t a regular match that happened to leave the ring. This was ugly, violent, and uncomfortable in a way that felt genuinely new for WWF programming. In hindsight, it feels like an early glimpse of the hardcore style that would become a defining characteristic of the upcoming Attitude Era.
The boiler room portion probably went a little too long, something Mick Foley himself admitted in Have a Nice Day!. The lack of commentary and crowd noise also hurt it at times. I understand what they were going for by making it feel raw and almost documentary-like, but there are stretches where the silence makes the match feel strangely distant instead of more intense. Still, the physical effort from Mankind and The Undertaker was incredible. Foley took a nasty bump off the ladder that left him dealing with a terrible sciatica issue, and Undertaker suffered a cut on his elbow that later developed into a serious staph infection. These guys absolutely paid for this match.
Once they entered the arena, the match really picked up. The crowd came alive, the stakes felt bigger, and the finish with Paul Bearer turning on The Undertaker was spectacular. In the moment, it was timed perfectly. Bearer refusing to hand Undertaker the urn, then blasting him with it, was a genuinely shocking visual after nearly six years together.
My only issue is that, from a broader storyline perspective, the turn felt abrupt. Other than some tension at King of the Ring, there really had not been much indication that Bearer and Undertaker were on the verge of splitting. Their relationship had been one of the constants of the WWF since early 1991, and I’m not sure there was much audience appetite to see them split at that point. That said, the shock worked; Mankind was getting hot, and the turn gave Undertaker a new edge at a time when the character probably needed to evolve.
This wasn’t a flawless match, but it was an important one. It pushed the WWF into a different kind of violence, elevated Mankind significantly, and set the stage for one of the defining rivalries of the next several years. More than anything, it felt like two performers putting their hearts, bodies, and probably a few years of their careers into making something memorable. I appreciate this match a lot.
Backstage Interview
Dok Hendrix is backstage with Vader and Jim Cornette. Hendrix says they just saw one of the most shocking things in the WWF’s history, but these two intend to shock 20,000 people in the Gund Arena and millions across the world by ending Shawn Michaels’ boyhood dream. Cornette says they proved a lot of things. They proved that Vader could pin Shawn Michaels for a three-count because he did it last month. They proved Vader could beat him up because he did it on Raw. Cornette promised last month that Camp Cornette would win. Now, he’ll promise Vader will win. It’s going to be a bad ride for Michaels because they’re going to come out on top tonight. Hendrix says we’ll find out if it’s Vader Time.
Vader and Jim Cornette make their entrance. Vader is fired up for this WWF Championship match.
WWF Champion Shawn Michaels heads to the ring alongside José Lothario. As he goes down the aisleway, a female fan jumps the barricade and embraces him before kissing him on the lips.
WWF Championship
Vader w/ Jim Cornette vs. Shawn Michaels (c) w/ José Lothario
Referee: Earl Hebner
The bell rings, and Vader flexes his muscles. They circle the ring before locking up. Vader pushes him off. They lock up again, and Vader begins laying in punches and body strikes. Michaels gasps for breath as Vader grabs him by the hair and hits a short-arm clothesline. Vader sends him into the ropes for a big boot, but Michaels blocks it and hits a heel trip, followed by a basement dropkick. Michaels kicks away at Vader’s face, and the big man is down. Michaels gets on his knees and hammers away at Vader’s face with punch after punch. Vader gets to his feet and reverses a whip. Michaels gets out of a slam and grabs him, but Vader elbows him in the midsection. Vader grabs him, but Michaels charges to the ropes and drops down, sending Vader over the top rope. Michaels hits the ropes and connects with a baseball slide. Michaels hits the ropes and hits a suicide dive over the top rope! Michaels punches Vader before getting in the ring and celebrating.
Vader regroups at ringside with Jim Cornette. Michaels slides in between them, scaring Cornette. Michaels gets Vader in the ring and goes to the top rope for a diving double ax handle. Michaels charges, so Vader attempts a powerbomb. Michaels counters with a hurricanrana. Michaels jumps on his shoulders and punches him before leaning over, grabbing the top rope, and hitting a modified hurricanrana over the top rope! Michaels skins the cat to get back into the ring and celebrates. Michaels goes for another plancha, but Vader catches him on his shoulders and hits a powerbomb on the floor!
Vader slaps Michaels in the face twice before climbing the steps and getting into the ring. Michaels struggles to get up. Vader gets out of the ring to fetch Michaels. Vader grabs him by the hair and puts him on his shoulder before climbing the ring steps. Vader throws him over the top rope to get him back into the ring. Vader gets Michaels in the corner and pummels him with strikes to the face and body. Vader clubs him in the back of the head, knocking him down to the canvas. Vader taunts the crowd and connects with a vertical suplex. Vader stands Michaels up in the corner and crushes him chest with some forearms. Vader whips him to the opposite corner, and Michaels rolls up the turnbuckles. Vader grabs him and whips him to the original corner, and Michaels flies over the turnbuckles to the floor. Michaels pulls himself up, and Vader boots him in the head from the ring. Michaels gets on the apron, but Vader headbutts him down. Vader sends him into the ropes for a back body drop. Vader celebrates as the crowd boos. Vader peppers Michaels with body shots and pulls him to the center of the ring for a back suplex, but Michaels quickly punches him. Vader pulls his hair behind the referee’s back and goes for a back suplex, but Michaels flips through and lays in some punches. Vader quickly swats him to the corner and sends him to the opposite corner. Vader charges, but Michaels sidesteps an avalanche. Vader quickly catches him with a clothesline to cut off any momentum.
Vader hooks a front facelock and goes for a vertical suplex, but Michaels lands on his feet. Michaels punches him and hits the ropes, but Vader sends him over the top rope. Michaels tries to skin the cat and pull him over with a head-scissor takeover, but Vader powers him up and throws him down onto his face in the ring! Vader covers for a near fall. Vader applies a head-and-arm hold, which soon brings Michaels to his knees. Michaels fights up to his feet and punches out before hitting a running knee to the midsection. Michaels goes for a clothesline, but Vader absorbs it. Michaels tries to slide under him for a roll-up, but Vader won’t go down. Vader puts a foot on his chest before going for a cannonball, but Michaels gets a knee up, low-blowing Vader. Michaels hits the ropes and takes the Mastodon down with a clothesline. Michaels signals for an elbow drop and heads to the top rope. Michaels leaps for the flying elbow drop, but he lands on his feet and viciously stomps Vader’s head before leaning over and screaming that he was supposed to move. Michaels stomps him on the face again. Vader rolls over to get up and shouts, “Damn it!” Vader reverses a whip, but Michaels ducks a clothesline and hits a running crossbody block that sends them both over the top rope in a heap!
Michaels pulls Vader up, but Vader reverses a whip into the ring apron. Vader then military presses Michaels and drops him throat-first on the top rope. Vader gets in the ring, and the bell rings. Howard Finkel announces that Vader has won via count-out. Jim Cornette gets on the microphone and says they came here to win the title. They don’t want it like that. Cornette says if Michaels has any guts, he needs to get back in the ring. WWF referees are helping Michaels up, but Cornette calls him gutless. Michaels says he’ll go and starts to return to the ring. José Lothario tries to talk some sense to him, but Michaels isn’t listening. Finkel announces that this match will continue.
Vader attacks Michaels in the aisleway, clubbing him down. Vader hits Lothario, but the referee keeps him back. Cornette uses the distraction to smash Michaels on the back with his tennis racket. Vader puts Michaels into the ring and sends him to the corner for an avalanche. Vader follows up with a belly-to-belly suplex for a near fall. Vader cannot believe it. Vader sets up for a Powerbomb, but Michaels takes him down with some rapid punches. Michaels hits the ropes and ducks two clotheslines before hitting a flying forearm. Michaels heads to the top rope and hits a diving elbow drop. Michaels tunes up the band, so Cornette grabs his ankle. Michaels punches Cornette down. Cornette throws his tennis racket into the ring, so Michaels grabs it and beats Vader down with it! The referee calls for the bell. Michaels then beats Cornette with his own racket.
An irate Vader gets in the ring with a chair, so several WWF referees run in to stop him. Howard Finkel announces that Vader is the winner via disqualification. Cornette gets on the microphone and says Michaels got himself disqualified on purpose to save the title. Cornette says Michaels is a gutless, no-good coward because he knows he can’t beat Vader. WWF President Gorilla Monsoon is in the ring. Cornette wants the match restarted and dares Michaels. Finkel announces Monsoon’s decision to continue the match.
Michaels wildly attacks Vader. Vader reverses a whip, so Michaels tries for a sunset flip. Vader stays standing and goes for a senton bomb, but Michaels moves. Michaels takes Vader down with a running forearm. Michaels heads to the top rope and hits a flying elbow drop. Michaels tunes up the band and connects with Sweet Chin Music! 1… 2… Vader barely kicks out! Michaels is in disbelief. Michaels ducks a swing from Vader and hooks a side headlock, but Vader shoves him off, knocking the referee out of the ring in the process. Vader hits Michaels with a vicious Powerbomb and covers, but the referee is out. Referee Mike Chioda runs in. 1… 2… Michaels kicks out!
Vader drags Michaels to the corner and signals to the crowd. Vader sets up for a Vader Bomb, but Cornette tells him to go to the top rope. Vader climbs to the top rope and goes for a Vadersault, but Michaels moves. Michaels pulls himself to the top rope and hits a moonsault block. 1… 2… 3!
Winner by Pinfall and still WWF Champion: Shawn Michaels
WWF officials quickly get in the ring to make sure Jim Cornette and Vader leave. WWF President Gorilla Monsoon gets in their faces. Vader and Cornette leave without incident. Michaels holds the WWF Championship as the show comes to an end.
Mike’s Thoughts: This was a fantastic main event. It was physical and full of twists and turns. Some of those bumps that Shawn Michaels took, as well as the strikes from Vader, looked brutal. That powerbomb on the floor and the crossbody block over the top rope were particularly nasty.
There was one truly memorable hiccup where Vader was supposed to roll out of the way of a flying elbow drop, but he forgot to do it. That prompted Shawn Michaels to land on his feet, deliver a stiff stomp to Vader’s head, and lean over him screaming, “Move… move!” That was completely unprofessional on Michaels’ part. Yes, Vader should have been ready for the spot, but sometimes things happen. For as good as Michaels was at this time, it’s stunning that he couldn’t think on his feet and figure out a way to save the spot. The WWF Champion should be expected to do that. Instead, on the second biggest pay-per-view of the year, he breaks character in the middle of a main event match to throw a hissy fit because something went awry.
In any event, Michaels did quickly move on, leading to a fun series of false finishes. When Vader initially won by countout, I saw a few fans running for the exits to beat the traffic. I wonder if they came back.
Sadly, except for one more pay-per-view, this is basically it for Vader in the main event. Michaels reportedly despised working with him for several reasons, including Vader’s stiffness in the ring and issues with his personal hygiene. Michaels’ dislike of working with Vader reportedly helped bring the program to an abrupt end. New monsters would be put in his path heading into the fall.
Overall, aside from the last two matches (and there were issues with both), this was not a good show. That undercard was a chore to get through with underwhelming action and bad finishes. It was a very 1996 WWF pay-per-view.
Quick Match Results
— Owen Hart def. Savio Vega via Technical Submission
— The Smoking Gunns (Bart and Billy Gunn) (c’s) def. The Godwinns (Henry O. and Phinneas I. Godwinn), The New Rockers (Marty Jannetty and Leif Cassidy), and The Bodydonnas (Skip and Zip) in a Four-Way Elimination Match to retain the WWF Tag Team Championship
— Sycho Sid def. The British Bulldog
— Goldust def. “Wildman” Marc Mero
— Jerry “The King” Lawler def. Jake “The Snake” Roberts
— Mankind def. The Undertaker in a Boiler Room Brawl
— WWF Champion Shawn Michaels (c) def. Vader to retain the WWF Championship
Email – mike@wrestleview.com
X – @MikeTedescoWV
Thanks for reading!
Part of Wrestleview’s Monday Night War: 30 Years Later series, with weekly Raw and Nitro recaps every Thursday.