Monday, July 22nd, 1996
Key Arena
Seattle, Washington
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They're so excited that they are in a big arena for Raw that they treat the intro like an informercial for the Seattle tourism. Sunny wheels out a cake along with the Smoking Gunns before we get the Raw intro.
WWF Tag Team Championship Match
Smoking Gunns vs. Ahmed Johnson & Shawn Michaels
They have the entrance area as really short, which is kind of odd. Sunny says the birthday cake is for Shawn and that distraction allows the Gunns to attack. Shawn fights back and knocks Billy out with Sweet Chin Music. The match has not officially started, so Shawn goes outside and wipes a little bit of frosting on Sunny's nose. Sunny grabs the cake and tries to sneak up on Shawn, but he sees it and Ahmed sneaks up and shoves it in her face to a big pop. I guess the match isn't going to happen?
Goon vs. Marc Mero
They go to Gorilla Monsoon during the Goon's entrance and he says the match will happen tonight or they will be stripped of the titles. The Goon attacks Mero and then hits a check in the corner. Steve Austin is out to join the announce team and Vince congratulates him on his win over Mero last night. Austin goes over who he'd like to take on and Bret Hart comes up. I wonder if they'll ever wrestle each other? They go to a phone call with Jake Roberts and he says that it's slow going. Lawler then starts making fun of Jake's drinking. Jake says that he's hoping to back in 2-3 weeks. Austin then makes fun of the Wildman gimmick and Lex Luger's school bus. The Goon is getting a lot more offense than I expected here. Goon charges at Mero outside the ring and misses, running into the steps. Mero hits his somersault dive. Mero hits a slingshot leg drop back in the ring and picks up the victory. Mero looked a little off here, especially coming off a good match last night. This was more competitive than expected, which makes for a better rating.
Match Rating: *3/4
We hear from Shawn and Ahmed, but Shawn does all the talking. He just says they want the titles.
We get a Stridex contest commercial and boy, did I want to win that.
Bob Backlund is campaigning in the crowd. They then show Clarence Mason talking with Gorilla Monsoon about bringing in a new competitor.
Freddie Joe Floyd vs. Mankind
I love that we are in the "jobbers with gimmicks" era. They show still photos of last night's attack by Mankind. Floyd hits a dropkick but misses with a top rope reverse crossbody. Floyd actually gets some more offense in here. He hits a top rope reverse elbow for a 2 count. Mankind crotches him on the top rope and then puts on the Mandible Claw. He can't win there, so he crotches him again and he falls to the mat and puts the Mandible Claw back on for the win. That was an enjoyable squash match.
Match Rating: *1/2
Next week it will be Vader vs. Marc Mero and Sid vs. Justin Bradshaw.
Out comes Brian Pillman to the announce team in a Green Day shirt.
Barry Horowitz vs. Goldust
Pillman says he might just say the 7 words you're not allowed to say on television. During Goldust's entrance, we get a backstage interview with Mero. He will be fighting Goldust at SummerSlam and he's sick of the letters they are sending Sable. Meanwhile, Goldust hits a clothesline and slams his head into the steps. Pillman and Lawler is such a weird pairing to me here on commentary. Goldust hits the Curtain Call and picks up the victory. This was here to just show off Goldust's more "aggressive" style.
Match Rating: 1/2*
We go back to Sunny and the Smoking Gunns. Sunny is still covered in frosting. Bart talks for some reason.
The Stridex Slam of the Week is Vader hitting the Vader Bomb at In Your House. When we come back, Vader and Jim Cornette are in the ring with Vince for an interview. At SummerSlam, it will be Vader time.
WWF Tag Team Championship Match
Smoking Gunns vs. Ahmed Johnson & Shawn Michaels
The Gunns come out running and we have a brawl and this time we get a bell. Once things settle down, Michaels is able to clothesline Billy over the top and Shawn showboats in the corner of the ring. He tags in Ahmed and he stomps away at Billy into the commercial break. When we come back, Bart is able to hit a Stun Gun on Ahmed. That offense doesn't last long and Shawn is in there now. The Gunns are able to snap Michaels neck on the ropes and then Billy hits an Irish whip that sends Michaels over the top to the floor. Michaels tags in Ahmed, but the ref doesn't see it and the Gunns get in some cheap shots. We get one last commercial break and the big news on the Superstar Line is speculation that SummerSlam will be Undertaker's last match. I'm leaning towards yes. Shawn is finally able to make the tag and Ahmed cleans house. I should note that there are a lot of ECW signs in the crowd tonight, which is odd for a west coast show. Out comes some guy in a foam helmet and he attacks Ahmed and that's enough for a DQ. He sure looks a lot like Ron Simmons. Officials finally are able to get him off. Sunny acts as if they have a business relationship. He goes back to attack as we go off the air. That was a solid match with a predictable type of finish, but the Faarooq surprise was nice.
Match Rating: **3/4
I'm sure nostalgia is part of my enjoyment here, but I really liked this show. I liked the idea of the jobbers with gimmicks, as it at least made it more interesting than just beating guys that don't look to be in better shape than most normal people. The main event was enjoyable and the crowd was into everything. This was a good episode.
Overall Rating: 71%
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