(04.08.96)
Live from San Bernardino, CA
Your hosts are Vince McMahon & Mr. Perfect
Yokozuna (W/Mr. Fuji) Vs Vader (W/Jim Cornette)
Vader goes to the second rope and gives three Vader bombs to Yokozuna, severely injuring the leg of Yokozuna in the process. Yokozuna can no longer continue and the referee gives the decision to Vader. EMT's and officials come out to help Yokozuna. They are forced to put Yokozuna on a forklift because Yokozuna is so big. No. That's not a joke, I'm being serious.
*
Thoughts: This was great booking to make Vader look even more like a monster. Vader's booking until Summerslam 96 is damn near flawless. As much as I like Shawn Michaels, his ego ruined Vader's push.
The Ultimate Warrior makes his return to the WWE in an interview with Vince McMahon. The Warrior's pop dwarfed anything an active wrestler got at this juncture. It's pretty damn loud! The Warrior says it was the fans who brought him back. He says the fans will help him with the challenges the New Generation will be bring. Goldust comes out and interrupts the interview. Goldust asks if Warrior can come out and play. He says maybe they can ride off into the sunset together. The Warrior literally says he doesn't give a Shi********** what Goldust is into. He says he has a movie for Goldust. It involves kicking Goldust's ass from beginning to end.
Thoughts: The crowd was molten for Warrior! They ate up everything he said. I have to admit, this segment was fun. Goldust was white hot as a heel at this juncture, so he was a good choice for Warrior's first feud back.
Vader goes backstage and destroys Yokozuna's damaged leg with a chair.
Hunter Hearst Helmsley Vs Duke "The Dumpster" Droese
Helmsley wins with a pedigree. This is about the same match these two always have together. That's not exactly a compliment either.
*1/4
Yokozuna is put in an ambulance and leaves the arena.
Arm Wrestling Contest
The British Bulldog (W/Owen Hart) Vs Ahmed Johnson
Owen hilariously keeps pointing out tiny faults of Ahmed Johnson, like too much oil, his elbow isn't back far enough, he's buttering up the referee. The ref has enough and throws Owen out. Ahmed wins the arm wrestling contest. The British Bulldog gets the last laugh, though. He delivers a vicious assault involving chairs and a table.
Thoughts: I hate arm wrestling contests, but this served its purpose. The Bulldog looked like a major badass with his assault on Ahmed.
Jerry Lawler Vs Shawn Michaels
Diesel joins for commentary. Shawn wins with the superkick. Shawn calls out Diesel to fight him in the ring after the match. Diesel accepts and they brawl. Diesel manages to get the upper hand on Shawn with help from Mr. Perfect by drilling him with the WWF title. This was basically a comedy match. Lawler is a great heel but most of his matches that I've seen are mediocre. This one falls under the mediocre category as well.
*1/2
5.6/10
Live from San Bernardino, CA
Your hosts are Vince McMahon & Mr. Perfect
Yokozuna (W/Mr. Fuji) Vs Vader (W/Jim Cornette)
Vader goes to the second rope and gives three Vader bombs to Yokozuna, severely injuring the leg of Yokozuna in the process. Yokozuna can no longer continue and the referee gives the decision to Vader. EMT's and officials come out to help Yokozuna. They are forced to put Yokozuna on a forklift because Yokozuna is so big. No. That's not a joke, I'm being serious.
*
Thoughts: This was great booking to make Vader look even more like a monster. Vader's booking until Summerslam 96 is damn near flawless. As much as I like Shawn Michaels, his ego ruined Vader's push.
The Ultimate Warrior makes his return to the WWE in an interview with Vince McMahon. The Warrior's pop dwarfed anything an active wrestler got at this juncture. It's pretty damn loud! The Warrior says it was the fans who brought him back. He says the fans will help him with the challenges the New Generation will be bring. Goldust comes out and interrupts the interview. Goldust asks if Warrior can come out and play. He says maybe they can ride off into the sunset together. The Warrior literally says he doesn't give a Shi********** what Goldust is into. He says he has a movie for Goldust. It involves kicking Goldust's ass from beginning to end.
Thoughts: The crowd was molten for Warrior! They ate up everything he said. I have to admit, this segment was fun. Goldust was white hot as a heel at this juncture, so he was a good choice for Warrior's first feud back.
Vader goes backstage and destroys Yokozuna's damaged leg with a chair.
Hunter Hearst Helmsley Vs Duke "The Dumpster" Droese
Helmsley wins with a pedigree. This is about the same match these two always have together. That's not exactly a compliment either.
*1/4
Yokozuna is put in an ambulance and leaves the arena.
Arm Wrestling Contest
The British Bulldog (W/Owen Hart) Vs Ahmed Johnson
Owen hilariously keeps pointing out tiny faults of Ahmed Johnson, like too much oil, his elbow isn't back far enough, he's buttering up the referee. The ref has enough and throws Owen out. Ahmed wins the arm wrestling contest. The British Bulldog gets the last laugh, though. He delivers a vicious assault involving chairs and a table.
Thoughts: I hate arm wrestling contests, but this served its purpose. The Bulldog looked like a major badass with his assault on Ahmed.
Jerry Lawler Vs Shawn Michaels
Diesel joins for commentary. Shawn wins with the superkick. Shawn calls out Diesel to fight him in the ring after the match. Diesel accepts and they brawl. Diesel manages to get the upper hand on Shawn with help from Mr. Perfect by drilling him with the WWF title. This was basically a comedy match. Lawler is a great heel but most of his matches that I've seen are mediocre. This one falls under the mediocre category as well.
*1/2
5.6/10
