Raw - January 12th 1998

Raw opens with Degeneration X (WWF Champion - Shawn Michaels, European Champion - Triple H, and Chyna) in a limo announcing they're on their way to Penn State. They threaten Owen Hart, promise Undertaker an announcement about his family, joke about college girls and interestingly Triple H takes a shot at his "idol" Ric Flair when he does a "Wooo!" and grabs at his kidney like it's in pain. They mock Bret Hart's "best there is" catch phrase and Triple H announces "it looks like tonight there will be a full moon" as Michaels moons out the limo's sun roof. This stuff was a lot funnier back in 1998 when I was 13.

The Raw opening sequence plays. 

Raw is at Penn State University. Jim Ross, Michael Cole and Kevin Kelly are on commentary. It is the 5th anniversary of Raw on the USA Network.

The Godwinns (Henry and Phineas), The Headbangers (Mosh and Thrasher) and The Truth Commission (Recon and Sniper) are in the ring. The commentary team hype the arrival of DX and the first ever live draw for the Royal Rumble match. They also hype that "Stone Cold" Steve Austin will be there and mention it is rumoured that Mike Tyson will be at Royal Rumble. The WWF Tag Team Champions, the New Age Outlaws ("Road Dogg" Jesse James and "Bad Ass" Billy Gunn) enter. James mocks the local sports teams.

Four Corners Tag Team Match:

New Age Outlaws ("Road Dogg" Jesse James & "Bad Ass" Billy Gunn) VS The Godwinns (Henry & Phineas) VS The Headbangers (Mosh & Thrasher) VS The Truth Commission (Recon & Sniper with The Jackyl)

This is a non-title match. The N.A.O. are attacked by The Head Bangers and The Truth Commission before the match starts. Henry Godwinn and Thrasher start the match. The tags are frequent early on. The N.A.O. remain out of the ring and work the crowd. Jim Ross mentions that The Godwinns feel the N.A.O. owe them a title shot, while Michael Cole points out that the N.A.O. won the titles from The Headbangers and that they want the titles back. Kevin Kelly hypes up the return of the Legion Of Doom at Royal Rumble. After about 3 minutes Billy Gunn is tagged in and Phineas sends him to the corners for punishment from The Headbangers and The Truth Commission. As Phineas sets Gunn up for the Slop Drop, James interferes. As Henry knocks James out of the ring, Gunn pulls an object from his tights, hits Phineas with it and gets a 3 count at around the 5 minute mark.

ANALYSIS: For a match with 8 people this was far too rushed. N.A.O. worked the crowd well for cheap heat. *

Afterwards Jim Ross foreshadows that the N.A.O. will retain the Tag Titles against the Legion Of Doom at Royal Rumble when he proclaims "there is no way the New Age Outlaws can beat Hawk and Animal in a fair fight." A video package on the Legion Of Doom airs. It recaps the N.A.O. defeating and degrading them the previous month by shaving Hawk's hair and putting Animal through the announce desk. It hypes their return match at Royal Rumble against the N.A.O. for the WWF Tag Team Titles.

Shots of outside are shown as the commentary team anticipate the arrival of DX. Instead "Stone Cold" Steve Austin arrives in his pickup truck. Raw goes to a break. As Raw returns we are shown that during the break Austin picked up where he left off last week by attacking other Royal Rumble entrants before they could get to him. Both of the Godwinns got Stunnered. Austin drives his truck into the arena and enters the ring.

Jim Ross hypes that the truck can be won in the Royal Rumble Sweepstakes. Michael Cole interviews Austin. Cole looks older than he does now. When Cole calls Austin a marked man in the Royal Rumble Match, Austin draws a target on his chest and challenges any Superstar who wants to take him on to take their best shot. Austin is shown doing a promo for MTV Celebrity Death Match.

DX's limo arrives as their announcement for Undertaker is hyped. Also hyped is the fact that Vince McMahon will have an announcement regarding Mike Tyson. A promo for Royal Rumble airs focusing on the WWF Title Casket Match between Shawn Michaels and Undertaker. Raw is brought to you by Snickers. A WWF truck is blocking DX's limo from entering the arena. Michaels and Chyna leave the limo to try to get the truck removed.

Kurrgan enters the ring accompanied by The Jackyl.

2 On 1 Handicap Match:

Kurrgan (with the Jackyl) VS Tony Cicero & Lance Diamond

Jackyl joins the commentary team as Kurrgan squashes two jobbers in short order, winning with The Paralyzer (claw) in about a minute. Jackyl threatens to let Kurrgan lose on Mike Tyson at Royal Rumble.

ANALYSIS: Standard squash match which played to Kurrgan's few strengths. He performed a few power moves and wasn't particularly sloppy. *

Afterwards Kurrgan continues to beat the jobbers and makes the referee count as he pins both, one on top of the other, with his foot. Jim Ross states that Kurrgan is undefeated. Jackyl says Kurrgan will win the Royal Rumble Match. As a demonstration of what Kurrgan's hands can do with The Paralyzer, Kurrgan rips apart a football helmet. I liked this spot, it was pretty unique but it would have been better if he'd crushed it with The Paralyzer rather than rip it apart. As Kurrgan threatens some fans, Jackyl slaps him to get him under control.

We cut to outside where Owen Hart jumps into DX's limo through the sun roof and attacks Triple H who is still incapacitated due to his knee. Michaels and Chyna get back in the limo and it drives off as Raw goes to a break. As Raw returns what just happened with Owen Hart and DX is recapped.

"Marvelous" Marc Mero enters the ring without Sable. Jim Ross says Mero has had a "change of heart" regarding how he has treated Sable and that he regrets mistreating her. Mero speaks into a dead mic as the crowd chant for Sable. Ross says he's trying to introduce Sable. TAFKA Goldust enters dressed as Sable.

Jim Ross hypes up Goldust's attention seeking and says Mero is insecure. With his mic working now, Mero tells "Sable" that's she's beautiful and says that now that she does what he asks her to do they will get along well. Vader enters. The commentary team hype up Vader VS Goldust at Royal Rumble.

Vader VS "Marvelous" Marc Mero (with TAFKA Goldust)

Mero attempts boxing before they lock up. The two exchange strikes. As Vader tries to take control, Goldust grabs his leg and Mero low blows him. Sable enters to a huge pop and kicks Goldust. Mero leaves the ring and argues with her and tells her to leave. Vader clothelines Mero on the floor and throws him into the ring steps. Back in the ring Vader takes control with punches and a big splash in the corner. As Vader hits the Vaderbomb, Goldust enters the ring and hits him on the head with a coconut he was using as a breast to give Vader the disqualifiaction win at around 3 minutes.

ANALYSIS: Short but sweet. Some nice clothelines from Vader. *1/4

The commentary team hype some house shows as well as next Monday's Raw. They also hype McMahon's Tyson announcement again.

DX's limo returns. DX emerge from the limo without Owen Hart. Raw goes to a break.

Slam Of The Week is Bam Bam Bigelow pushing Lawrence Taylor at Royal Rumble 1995, which makes no sense since it was three years ago. Jim Ross hypes the idea that if Mike Tyson is at Royal Rumble a WWF Superstar will challenge him. Backstage, Austin has attacked Vader.

The Nation Of Domination (Intercontinental Champion - The Rock, D'Lo Brown and Kama Mustafa) enter. A recap of Shotgun Saturday Night is shown when The Nation attacked Mark Henry during his match with D'Lo Brown. Ken Shamrock made the save. Ken Shamrock enters. Jim Ross hypes him as "the future of the WWF" and also hypes Shamrock's Intercontinental Title match with The Rock at Royal Rumble. Mark Henry enters wearing a 'Rocky Sucks' t-shirt. Henry is billed at a weight of 400 pounds. Jim Ross says he's 415. If that's true he must be at least 500 today.

Ken Shamrock & Mark Henry VS The Nation Of Domination (The Rock & D'Lo Brown with Kama Mustafa)

Before the match The Rock uses some local sports team cheap heat straight out of the N.A.O. playbook. He also tells Mark Henry that he has "pissed The Rock off" and he will rip the shirt off his "fat ugly ass". He tells Ken Shamrock that he if "has any manhood" he'll stay in the ring and face him. The Rock and Shamrock start it out. Shamrock takes control with punches. The Rock retaliates with the same and tags in D'Lo. The Nation double team Shamrock and The Rock tags in. The Rock hits a nice shoulder breaker, followed by what will later become The People's Elbow for a two count. Shamrock turns the tide with a powerslam for a two count, followed by a hurricanrana. After knockng D'Lo off the apron, Shamrock hits a belly to belly suplex and goes for the ankle lock. Mark Henry turns on Shamrock and hits him with a clothesline followed by a powerslam and elbow drops. The Nation proceed to beat down Shamrock as the referee calls for a no contest at around 3 minutes 30 seconds.

ANALYSIS: Nice little TV match if again too short. The Rock was oozing charisma at this point and Shamrock could perform some moves very crisply. Henry's turn was pretty obvious but it was a good step in his career. **

The Rock hits the Rock Bottom on Shamrock and Henry counts the three. The Rock rips off Henry's 'Rocky Sucks' t-shirt to reveal a Nation t-shirt. Jim Ross plays up how shocked the olympic committee must be which was a nice touch. As The Nation exit, Faarooq appears on the stage and argues with The Rock. Apparently he didn't approve Henry's membership. Raw goes to a break promoting the live Royal Rumble draw. Shawn Michaels is next.

An ad for Mick Foley t-shirt's airs. Mark Henry's heel turn is recapped. Backstage Michael Cole interviews The Nation Of Domination. The Rock says he did this for Faarooq. Faarooq doesn't look pleased.

We move into The War Zone. Jim Ross and Jerry "The King" Lawler are on commentary.

DX (WWF Champion - Shawn Michaels, European Champion - Triple H, and Chyna) enter. Triple is no longer in a wheelchair although he has a crutch. Triple H calls Owen Hart the last remnant of something in the toilet and that earlier DX gave him a "final flush". Triple H calls Owen "a lowly pledge" to DX and says he failed his final. He says if any of the sorority girls in the crowd need any help then "Dean Helmsley" can give them some help that will last "all night long" and that he has "the head" if they have "the class". Michaels and Triple H then mock Mike Tyson. Michaels says if Tyson sticks his nose in Michaels business at Royal Rumble he will "dance all over Tyson's face." Michaels says he has an announcement concerning Kane. Before he can make it, Owen Hart appears on the big screen. Owen has a bloody face.

Owen says he's a survivor, DX couldn't put him down and that he's going to make their lives hell. Triple H says Owen's tough on a big screen but he won't come down to the ring. Owen emerges on the stage with a crutch and threatens to break Triple H's other leg. Referees and officials keep Owen and DX apart. Raw goes to a break.

Raw returns as the Disciples Of Apocalypse (Skull and 8-Ball) enter. The commentary team wonder what Michaels announcement was going to be. They recap last week when Jim Cornette brought the NWA into the WWF and Jeff Jarrett became the NWA North American Heavyweight Champion. Jarrett was scheduled to be there tonight but couldn't due to illness in his family. Jim Cornette appears on the stage and says the NWA has a great tradition in tag team wrestling and introduces "the greatest tag team in the history of the National Wrestling Alliance" The Rock 'N' Roll Express (Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson). The Express enter to The Rockers old theme music. Jim Ross plays up Cornette's rivalry with The Express and their history.

The Rock 'N' Roll Express (Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson) VS Disciples Of Apocalypse (Skull & 8-Ball)

Jim Cornette joins commentary. He says he thought the Midnight Express were the best team ever but he couldn't get rid of The Rock 'N' Roll Express so he joined with them to bring tradition back. The Express take control with some good teamwork as Cornette hypes up all the teams they have beaten. Cornette says The Express are the NWA World Tag Team Champions but this is a non-title match. After Ricky is tossed over the top rope Cornett says "that's illegal" and hits the ring, where the D.O.A. have Robert beat. Cornette uses his tennis racket to give the D.O.A. the win by disqualification at around 2 minutes 30 seconds.

ANALYSIS: A nice nostalgia match and The Express pulled out some nice double team moves. *

Afterwards the D.O.A. threaten Cornette but The Express use the tennis racket to gain control. Chainz makes the save.

Jim Ross plugs the Superstar Line hyping rumours regarding Hulk Hogan being a part of the Royal Rumble. Jerry Lawler says Michaels will still make his announcement. They hype Vince McMahon talking about Mike Tyson, the live Royal Rumble draw and the Royal Rumble itself. Goldust VS Mankind is next.

We go to a video of Cactus Jack on the Penn State football field. Jack hypes up Terry Funk as footage of their various death matches is shown. Jack says these matches made him and Funk grow close to each other. He says Funk dressing up in pantyhose and calling himself Chainsaw Charlie is ridiculous but "to each his own." Jack tells the New Age Outlaws that they're going to make their lives "a living hell" saying it will be "the Brutal Bowl."

Mankind enters. TAFKA Goldust enters with Luna Vachon. Goldust is dressed as Dude Love.

Mankind VS Goldust (with Luna Vachon)

Mankind attacks Goldust before the bell and hits him with a back drop. He puts the Mandible Claw on immediately. "Stone Cold" Steve Austin hits the ring and Stunners both men to end the match as a no contest at about 30 seconds.

ANALYSIS: What's there to analyze?

Austin grabs Jim Ross's headset and says "no more Mr. Nice Guy" until after he wins the Royal Rumble. Jerry Lawler says everyone is going to come after Austin tonight and that he deserves it.

Vince McMahon's Mike Tyson announcement is next.

Countdown to WrestleMania - 11 weeks left.

Raw goes to a break. As we return Austin's antics are recapped. Ross speaks with Vince McMahon who announces that Mike Tyson is an invited guest at Royal Rumble and they hope to conclude negotiations there. McMahon guarantees that Tyson will be live on Raw next Monday and they hope to make a huge announcement then.

Sunny enters as the guest ring announcer for the next match. Jim Ross hypes WrestleMania. Sunny introduces Los Boricuas (Savio Vega and Jesus Catillo with Jose Estrada Jr. and Miguel Perez). A recap is shown of Los Boricuas beating down Owen Hart and delivering him to DX on Raw last week. Sunny introduces the Light Heavyweight Champion, Taka Michinoku, and Scott Taylor.

Los Boricuas (Savio Vega & Jesus Catillo with Jose Estrada Jr. & Miguel Perez) VS Taka Michinoku & Scott Taylor

Taylor and Jesus start it out. Taylor looks far from being the hip-hopper Scotty 2 Hotty that he would later become. He's a mullet wearing redneck. He looks like a jobber from 1988. Jerry Lawler criticizes Taka with xenophobic remarks. Savio and Taka tag in. Jim Ross wonders if anyone in the WWF will have the guts to get in Mike Tyson's face. Lawler says he would. Ross hypes up Austin. Savio takes control of Taka and hits a brutal powerbomb before tagging in Jesus who continues to dominate. Jesus misses shoulder charge in the corner and Taka tags in Taylor. Lawler claims Brian Christopher is Jim Ross's son as Taka and Taylor perform some double team moves. Ross likens them to The Rock 'N' Roll Express. Taka attempts a moonsault from the top rope on Savio on the outside but Savio catches him and slams him on the floor. As Los Boricuas distract the referee, Taylor gets caught on the top rope.  Jesus hits Taylor with a reverse superplex which looked pretty spectacular, for the three count at around 5 minutes.

ANALYSIS: Not a bad match at all, some nice athletic moves and an impressive finisher by Jesus. *3/4

Afterwards Los Boricuas beat down Taka and Taylor. Owen Hart makes the save with a crutch to get revenge for last week.

They recap Bam Bam Bigelow's altercation with Lawrence Taylor at WrestleMania, hyping the possibility of a similar situation happening with Mike Tyson at this years Royal Rumble. They say that Bigelow did it to make a name for himself. Funny, where was he at this point? They hype the live Royal Rumble draw.

DX enter again as Raw goes to a break. A video package airs hyping Shawn Michaels WWF Title defence against Undertaker in a Casket Match at Royal Rumble. The Twix Rewind is Shawn Michaels winning the 1995 Royal Rumble.

DX are in the ring with Michael Cole. Michaels is hitting Cole in the face with his braids. Michaels announces Kane as the newest member of DX. Undertaker's music plays. Undertaker enters. Undertaker tells Michaels to leave his family out of it and worry about their match. Undertaker grabs Michaels by the throat then sets up Chyna for a chokeslam. Triple H makes the save with a crutch. As Undertaker focuses on Triple H, Michaels hits him with Sweet Chin Music and beats him with the crutch. As Michaels and Triple H beat down Undertaker, the lights go out and Kane's music plays. Kane enters as the commentary team wonder if he's coming to help DX or Undertaker. Kane helps Undertaker. DX flee with Kane in pursuit. Kane and Undertaker salute each other.

The live Royal Rumble draw is next. They hype the Royal Rumble Sweepstakes as Raw goes to a break. As they return they recap what just happened between Undertaker and Kane.

Ken Shamrock enters the ring which is filled with WWF Superstars. Shamrock attacks Mark Henry. Honky Tonk Man enters as Vader and Goldust brawl. Cactus Jack enters. "Stone Cold" Steve Austin's music plays. Austin enters the ring from the far side and Stunners Phineas Godwinn. Austin leaves as a huge brawl erupts in the ring. No live draw I guess. The Rock, D'Lo Brown and Savio Vega attack Austin on the stage. Savio slips and falls. Austin escapes to the back as the in ring brawl continues. Jerry Lawler says he has gotten word from the back that The Rock is still attacking Austin. Jim Ross hypes Royal Rumble. Austin enters again but is again attacked by The Rock, D'Lo and Savio. Raw goes off the air with Lawler hyping the fact Mike Tyson will be live on Raw next week.

FINAL ANALYSIS: Another decent show. Again, little in the way of in ring action but really this is the way to do it - save the action for the pay-per-views. Royal Rumble has been well and truly hyped and they have set the stage for the whole card: the Royal Rumble Match, Michaels-Undertaker, N.A.O.-L.O.D., Rock-Shamrock, Vader-Goldust. There has been a build for all the matches as well as laying plans beyond that for Undetaker-Kane, N.A.O.-Cactus Jack & Chainsaw Charlie, Owen Hart-Triple H and Mero-Sable. They also tease the possibility of a WWF Superstar (most likely Austin) getting into an altercation with Mike Tyson. Planning like this is enviable in todays product. I sit here two days away from SummerSlam 2012 and can only think of three hyped matches.

They pulled the old bait and switch with the live Royal Rumble draw, but who wants a Rumble Match knowing the order of the participants? My only real gripe is that they didn't really draw attention to what happened at the end of last week's Raw when Undertaker pulled Michaels into the casket. Michaels just appeared here showing no ill effects. Also, there's too many boring characters getting TV time. It was obvious by this point that Los Boricuas, D.O.A and The Truth Commission were never going to get over. I commend the WWF for actually trying though and giving these acts ample time and support, that's something that doesn't happen often these days. Overall this show left me anticipating Royal Rumble and even WrestleMania so it has to be classed as a success.