WrestlemaniaUpdated: 14/9/98 | |
The program starts off with the Degeneration X band, lead by lead singer Chris Warren, performs an alternative version of the National Anthem. It sucked, big time! And the crowd felt the same way. BTW, these are the same guys who perform DX's theme music.
15 TAG TEAM BATTLE ROYAL
They never officially announced each team, so as far as I could tell, the teams were: 2 NOD's, Godwinns, Headbangers, 2 Los Boricuas, Midnight Express, Rock 'n' Roll Express, Quebecers, the DOA, the Truth Commission, Steve Blackman/Flash Funk, Brian Christopher/Scott Taylor, and the mystery team: The LEGION OF DOOM WITH SUNNY! New look (Animal is wearing shorts), new theme music. Excellent. They win this confusing battle royal, lastly eliminating both members of the Midnight Express.
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH:
TAKA Michinoku vs. Aguila
It looked like these two were moving in slow motion. Maybe it was jetlag, or something. These two talented men are capable of doing so much more. IMO, this was one of the worst WWF Light Heavyweight matches ever presented. TAKA wins after the Michinoku Driver.
EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH:
Owen Hart vs. Hunter Hearst Helmsley
Before the match, Chyna reluctantly is handcuffed to Sgt. Slaughter so that she can't interfere. Yeah, right! Again, another slow moving match, but at least things started to pick up towards the end. Chyna somehow has some powder hidden on her and throws it at the Sarge! The ref is distracted, and Chyna hits Owen Hart below the belt, allowing HHH to apply the Pedigree and pin Hart for the victory.
MIXED TAG TEAM MATCH:
Marc Mero & Sable vs. Goldust & Luna
Excellent match. A little cat fighting, but Sable proved that she can wrestle. Actually, she can wrestle a little better than "Marvelous" Marc Mero! Mero, BTW, is starting to do the high-risk moves that he was once noted for. My favorite of the night was the springboard moonsault from the top rope. Cool. Mero did manage to get a weak TKO on Goldust, but Luna saved his man from losing. When Sable is tagged in for the last time, she nails Luna with a powerbomb, and then puts her in the TKO and pins her for the victory!!! TKO was better than Mero's.
Tennessee Lee introduces Jeff Jarrett and Gennifer Flowers. She is the guest ring announcer for the next match..
INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH:
Rocky Miavia vs. Ken Shamrock
Fast paced match. Interesting ending. As Lawler and Ross are discussing the instant replay, we completely miss Shamrockg putting the ankel lock submission on Rocky! Rocky gives up, and Shamrock wins the belt! Shamrock goes nuts and attacks each member of the NOD (excpet Faaroq, who isn't there). Shamrock then puts the ankel lock back on Rocky, who's bleeding from the mouth for some reason. Finkel announces that the referee has reversed the decision and that Rocky keeps the belt because Shamrock is DQed! Shamrock attacks the referees, and then goes for Rocky, who's now on a stretcher.
WWF TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP / DUMPSTER RULES MATCH:
New Age Outlaws vs. Cactus Jack/Chainsaw Charlie
The rules are to put your opponents into a garbage dumpster and close the top. Sounds like a Casket match, heh? This was the best match of the night. It was hardcore, but there was no blood involved. Match took a turn for the weider when Cactus Jack pulled out a ladder from underneath the ring. He and Billy Gunn climbed to the top, and the Road Dog hit Chainsaw Charlie with some sort of cookie sheet, sending him into the ladder and Cactus and Billy into the dumpster, breaking the lid of it! The fight then left the ringside area and went into the backstage area, where Cactus Jack placed the New Age Outlaws on a forklift driven by Charlie. He then placed the NAO into a dumpster that was nearby, with Cactus closing the lid. The referee stops the match and awards Cactus and Charlie the WWF Tag Team Championship!
Pete Rose is introduced as the guest ring announcer. After he insults the city of Boston, Kane comes out and plants Rose with a Tombstone! The lights then go out, and several druids with torches come out to signal the return of the Undertaker!
Undertaker vs. Kane
Not that great of a match. Highlight was when the Undertaker attempted a flying plancha over the top rope, but Kane shoved him out of the way, putting the Taker through the Spanish announcer's desk. After three Tombstones, UT manages to pin Kane for the victory. After the match, Paul Bearer and Kane attack the Undertaker.
WWF CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH:
Shawn Michaels vs. Steve Austin
Special referee -- Mike Tyson
Not the greatest main event the WWF has ever put on, but it was still pretty good. Ref is knocked out by Austin and Michaels. Austin gets the Stunner on Michaels. Tyson enters the ring and does a fast 3 count on Micheals. Austin is the new WWF Champion! After he wins the belt, Austin gives Tyson an "Austin 3:16" t-shirt as a gift. When Michaels sees what happened, he hits Tyson, and Tyson punches Michaels out, and places another "Austin 3:16" shirt over Michaels.
All in all, I give this PPV a B+. No big surprises. No Marlena, as we all thought would show up to interfere in the Goldust/Mero match. Started off a little slow, but it was still a solid PPV.
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