It's September 24th, 1995. Seven is making you ask "What's in the Box" at the number one box office spot and it's still a Gangta's Paradise in the Billboard hot 100. The goggles do nothing for Radioactive Man on The Simpsons, and in the world of the WWF, not really much has been going on since Summerslam the previous month. Raw's been hit with some setbacks. Two weeks of no episodes thanks to the U.S Open and even when they do get back on TV, one of the episodes airs on a Thursday. Also, there's this whole WCW Nitro thing, but ain't nobody got time for that, it's In Your House 3 time!
Hailing from Saginaw Michigan in the Saginaw Civic Center, the event drew in a crowd of 5,146 and garnered a .7 buyrate. In terms of storylines, not much has really gone down either. Shawn Michaels and Diesel have found themselves feuding with Owen Hart and Yokozuna as tonight will see the first ever "Triple Header" match as all the male championships are up for grabs in one match. Yoko and Owen's tag titles, Shawn Michaels' Intercontinental Championship and Diesel's WWF title. Whoever gets the fall gets the gold. Other than that, Bret Hart's been feuding with Jean Pierre LaFitte who has been stealing sunglasses from kids as well as Bret's leather jacket. Henry Godwinn has been slopping DiBiase and Sid's out to get some revenge, and Dean Douglas has been interfering in Razor Ramon's matches, culminating in their match tonight. So, while most of the PPV build has been on Superstars and Action Zone, at least we do have some interesting things going down.
After what is clearly the pay per view logo committing a breaking and entering, we're brought into the Saginaw Civic Center as tonight's commentary team is Vince McMahon, Jerry "The King" Lawler and good ol' J.R, Jim Ross. Lawler makes a prediction that Owen will take the I.C title from Shawn Michaels, while J.R believes Yoko will take the belt from Shawn. Jeez, no faith in ol' H.B-Shizzle tonight.
Opening action tonight is Savio Vega in action against Waylon Mercy. We get recaps of Savio's debut and Mercy's worm killing vignette. After a handshake, Savio avoids a sneak attack from Mercy and takes him to the corner with some strikes. Mercy reverses a whip, but Savio is still in control by dragging the arm and keeping Mercy down. Mercy eventually gets a knee to the gut of Savio and follows with a clothesline. He throws Savio to the outside and lands some hard chops to the chest, following with a scoop slam to the floor.
He brings Savio back in and locks in a choke. He grabs Savio and drops him throat first into the ropes (Vince thinks that Mercy did it by accident, that his knee buckled). We cut to Dok Hendrix backstage as he says that Owen Hart is not in the building so far, with the repercussions being concerning for the triple header.
Mercy misses an elbow, but before Savio can make any momentum, Mercy applies the sleeper. Savio escapes by sending Mercy face first into the buckle. Mercy reapplies the sleeper, but Savio hits a back suplex to escape. Both men trade fists with Savio getting the better, adding in a headbutt and a boot to the face. He follows with a spin kick, covering for only two.
Mercy reverses a whip, but gets caught by a bulldog from Savio, covering for two. Unique cover by Savio gets only a two. Clothesline from Mercy who follows with a brainbuster. Cover, but Savio kicks out at two. Back suplex by Mercy only gets a two. Savio gets a german suplex pin for only two. Spin kick by Savio finally gets the three. Overall, a decent enough opener, thoughI feel like it was just a "get all your moves in with no flow and feel to it", especially by the end with the half dozen near falls after every power move. But despite that, it was better than I thought it would be.
Gorilla Monsoon is confronting Jim Cornette over the absence of Owen Hart. Cornette says that Owen is here... well, not in the building here, but definitely in Michigan. Despite this, Monsoon promises that the triple header will still be on, Owen or no Owen.
Up next, it's Sycho Sid taking on Henry O. Godwinn. The recent sloppings have continued as Sid was the recent victim of a slopping, which caused Sid to have a meltdown backstage, throwing everything in sight. Godwinn and Sid fight to the corner, with Godwinn dodging a clothesline, landing some strikes and a hair pull takedown. He knocks Sid to the apron and lands a clothesline to send him tumbling. He follows hitting a suplex to the inside, but he sells the back injury caused by Sid on Superstars the past weekend. Sid knees Godwinn out of the ring, and Dibiase gets some cheap shots in, some revenge for the sloppings.
Sid hits some ax handles off the apron to the injured back of Godwinn. He brings Godwinn back in, working in some forearms. Taking Godwinn to the corner, he gets some body blows and a hard whip to the buckle, contnuing the back issues. Sid lands some boots and more punches. Sid locks in a front facelock as Vince shills the superstar line. Godwinn tries a second wind, but Sid drops his weight on the back. He follows with some raking of the face and goes right back into the facelock.
Sid tries for another boot in the corner, but Godwinn escapes, causing Sid to get a groinfull of middle rope. Sid tries an ax handle off the second rope, but Godwin stars a comeback with some strikes and a shoulder block. Dlop drop by Godwinn, who covers, but Dibiase pulls the leg of Godwinn. Godwinn stalks Dibiase, allowing Sid to gets some cheap shots in. Godwinn tries again for momentum, but Dibiase trips the leg, allowing for Sid to hit a leg drop. Sid finishes the hog farmer with a powerbomb for the win. Holy crap, the Million Dollar Corporation is finally on the board! It's 1-12 on PPV in 1995!
The match started strong with Godwinn putting in a lot of good offense. Surprisingly good as I really wasn't expecting much from the hog farmer, but once Sid got in control it was the same basic offense that he always pulls and none of it, save for the powerbomb really looks that amazing. I was hoping for a better big man brawl, but what we got was sadly disappointing.
Post-match, Dibiase and Sid grab the slop bucket with intent to finally get some revenge on Godwinn. They fight over who to slop, allowing for Bam Bam to interfere, which leads to Kama showing up. Before Dibiase can slop Bigelow, Godwinn recovers and covers the bucket on the head of the Million Dollar Man.With a plant stuck to his head, Dibiase is in a rage.
Cornette and Monsoon are still arguing backstage. Monsoon says that if Owen doesn't show up, the match will be a two on one handicap match, unless Cornette can find a partner to take Owen's place for the night. If that replacement gets a win on Diesel or Shawn, they can still take the titles.
Up next, it's The British Bulldog taking on Bam Bam Bigelow. Since Cornette is on the search for a partner, this means he's not in Davey Boy's corner for this match. Clothesline by Bam Bam to start, which Bulldog tries to claim as a hair pull. Bam Bam hits a shoulder block that sends Bulldog to the outside. we go backstage as Cornette is trying to talk to Sid about agreeing to be his partner. Back in the ring, hiptoss by Bam Bam followed by an elbow and a slam. He goes for an elbow drop, but Bulldog gets out of the way. Bulldog locks in a chinlock, but Bam Bam breaks out easily. However, Bam Bam's attempt at a headbutt is dodged by Bulldog who lands a stalling suplex. After some grandstanding, it allows for Bam Bam to hit some clotheslines. But Bam Bam's momentum leads to him being thrown out of the ring.
Davey Boy tries for a suplex into the ring, but Bigelow comes back with a suplex of his own, sending Bulldog into the ropes. He follows with a successful headbutt off the top rope. Cover only gets Bam Bam a two. Bulldog takes the knee out of a distracted Bam Bam with a chop block and begins to work the leg with some knee drops. After some more offense on Bam Bam's knee, including a leg lock, Bulldog gets annoyed by the "USA" Chants, which allows Bam Bam to get some strikes in, including an enziguri to the back of the head. Only problem is that he falls hard on the knee. Bulldog continues to work on the knee, locking in a half crab. Eventually Bam Bam recovers enough to break free, but Bulldog continues with a knee to the midsection. Cover only gets a two for the Bulldog.
Another chinlock to Bam Bam as "USA" chants get louder. We get the arm drop spot with Bigelow getting the arm up before the third drop as usual. He breaks out of the lock and hits some strikes in the corner. Bulldog tries a slam, but Bam Bam drops his weight on the Bulldog, covering for two. Sunset Flip attempt by Bulldog is met with Bam Bam dropping his weight on the chest. Bam Bam goes back up for the moonsault, but Bulldog escapes in time. Cover by Bulldog only gets a two. Bulldog gets a headbutt off the top and covers, only getting a two count. Bulldog gets the powerslam that earns him the three count.
Pretty dull match honestly. Started strong with a lot of fire, but got bogged down with way too many slow, basic rest holds. Nothing much else to say other than I really feel the heat and momentum Bulldog looked like he was having after the heel turn is quickly dying out fast.
Bob Backlund is still on the campaign trail. He comes to the ring with thesaurus in hand and addresses the crowd. He asks where the crowd's lexicon is. He brings up how the plebeians are limited when it comes to reading and writing. Hey, if you think this is bad, wait until you see how the school system is under Betsy DeVos. The students of America are screwed. He introduces Dean Douglas as we enter our next match. It's the Dean taking on Razor Ramon. Douglas says that if Razor hasn't learned his lesson tonight, then tonight will be a lesson he will surely fail, then introduces his opponent.
Razor Rushes to the ring and starts with a flurry of fists and a clothesline that sends Dean Douglas tumbling to the outside. Some headscissor takedowns and a clothesline that takes the Dean down. Razor covers, but only gets a two. Some shots to the head by Deam who then tries a hip toss, only for Razor to turn it around into one of his own, tossing the Dean over the top rope. While we stall, we cut backstage to Jim Cornette trying to negotiate with King Mabel to join up with Yokozuna, despite their issues from the last episode of Raw.
An exchange of arm bars and hammerlocks from Razor and Douglas. Douglas escapes over Razor, then ducks some clotheslines, only to get caught with a fallaway slam. Cover by Razor only gets a two. Douglas goes to the apron, allowing Razor to drop the arm on the ropes. He then grabs Douglas by the arm and throws him over the top into the ring, and continuing the pressure of the arm bar, while also hitting some elbows and a leg drop on the prone arm. Douglas tries for a Sunset Flip, but Razor drops his weight, only for Dean to roll him up for two. Clothesline by Razor who covers for two.
Razor continues to wring the arm of Douglas, until Douglas gets in some punches and manages to throw Razor over the top rope. He leaps over the ropes and drops to the back of Razor, then sending him back first into the apron. Body slam on the outside by Douglas. He breaks the ten count and hits a knee to the back of Razor which sends him smacking into the steps. This is followed by a rib breaker into the steel post.
Dean goes up and lands an ax handle into the back of Razor, covering for two. He continues the offense on the injured back of Razor, which in the past has been the biggest vulnerability. Razor tries a comeback, but gets hit with a hair pull takedown from the Dean, who covers for two. Razor tries to break out of a hold, but Dean continues to work the back. Razor finally breaks free, but the Dean gets into the ropes, allowing him to get some more cheap shots to the midsection. Hard whips to the buckle from Douglas who follows with a nice slingshot splash, covering for two.
Douglas continues to apply pressue with the front facelock on Razor. Razor makes his exit by dropping Dean Douglas with an electric chair drop. Both men collapse to the mat as referee Tim White makes the ten count. Douglas slowly gets his arm on Razor, getting a two count. Razor comes back with some punches and a discus fist. Razor gets in some whips to the corner and goes for the patented back superplex, but Douglas avoids going for a flying body press, but Razor turns it around with a cover for two.
Douglas throws Razor into the referee, causing the two to collide. While Backlund distracts the downed referee, Douglas tries the slingshot again, allowing Razor to hit a Razor's Edge. The 1-2-3 comes in and does the three count, as if he were the referee. Razor is annoyed and shoves the Kid out of the ring, allowing Dean Douglas to get the roll up on Razor for the win.
Overall, an average match. Both guys worked well together, and Dean Douglas showed some great unique offense, but if you've seen one basic 1995 match with basic offense, you've seen them all. I do like the continuing saga of the 1-2-3 Kid becoming more of a thorn in Razor's side, and it continuing to lead into the downfall of the bad guy. So, while nothing amazing, at least it continues stories.
Razor throws the Kid into the ring and slaps him in the face. Kid wants to fight Razor right here and now, but the officials separate the two.
Barry Didinsky really let himself go. Oh wait, it's Dok doing the merchandise shill. He is also backstage with Shawn and Diesel, who aren't happy with Owen's absence. Diesel says it doesn't matter who gets in the locker room, at the end of the night, the dudes with attitudes will be two chaps with four straps.
Up next, it's Bret Hart going one on one against Jean Pierre LaFitte. Bret says that it's Captain Crook against Captain Crunch. I guess Bret intends to cut the roof of LaFitte's mouth. He's not happy with Pierre's thievery and promises to make the pirate walk the plank. Amazing reception for the Hitman as he makes his way to the ring for this match.
Bret wastes no time in this match as he starts with a suicide dive to the outside on LaFitte before the bell even rings. He pulls the jacket over Pierre's head and lays in some punches, hockey fight style. We finally get into the ring as Pierre gets some strikes in, however Bret comes back with a ram to the buckle. Pierre returns with some hard strikes that keep Bret down in the corner. Pierre stumbles and almost falls on his ass, which gives Bret enough time to come back with a takedown and begins to work on the arm. Pierre tries to counter, but Bret gets a crucifix pin for a two count.
Bret lands a drop toe hold and continues to work in the arm bar. Hiptoss by Pierre is reversed by Bret, but Pierre comes right back with a clothesline. He chokes Bret in the ropes and follows with some stomps to the lower area of the Hitman. Bret manages a roll up for two. Bret whips Pierre, but Pierre gives Bret a boot to the face. Bret tries to charge at Pierre, but winds up smashing his shoulder right into the buckle. Pierre makes sure to compound the injury by throwing him right back into the post. Pierre lands a hard whip into the buckle, sending Bret sternum first. Pierre tries to clothesline Bret, but Bret sends him over the top rope. Pierre lands right on his feet and drags Bret out of the ring, throwing him into the steps.
Bret tries to come back again, but Pierre lands a spinebuster, covering for two. Pierre locks in a chinlock until Bret breaks free, only to eat an elbow to the face. Leg drop by Pierre who covers, only getting a two count. Back into the chinlock until Bret breaks free and gets a sunset flip for two. Pierre pops right back up for a clothesline and a sidewalk slam. Pierre heads up for a leg drop, landing a nice one. Cover still only gets a two. He calls for the cannonball and goes up top, but Bret gets out of the way in time. Inverted atomic drop and clothesline by Bret. He tries for a clothesline, but Pierre throws him outside of hte ring. He tries a cannon ball over the ropes, but Bret avoids, causing Pierre to crash hard to the mat.
Bret throws Pierre into the steps and brings him back in. Hard whip sternum first into the buckle by Bret followed by the side Russian leg sweep for two. Small package by Bret only gets a two. Backbreaker and patented elbow off the second rope is countered by a boot to the face from Pierre. Bret tries another crucifix, but he lands a running drop, covering for yet another two. Bret gets caught by Pierre, but he uses the ropes to help drop his weight on Pierre, covering for two. Pierre covers using the ropes, but no avail.
Dropkick by Bret. He tries a bulldog, but Pierre throws Bret hard into the buckle again. Cover only gets two as Bret gets his foot on the ropes. Pierre gets caught in the ropes as Bret goes for a cross body, only for Pierre to dodge, causing Bret to crash and burn on the top rope. Pierre tries a headbutt off the top, but Bret avoids. Both men collide into each other. With both men downed, Bret grabs the legs of Pierre and rolls into a sharpshooter, giving him the win ina really unique finish.
A really good match. Bret as always looked fantastic in the ring, and Pierre played a great foil, hitting some great hard hitting offense and some crisp high flying maneuvers for a man of his size, and . After a night of mostly basic matches so far, this was a much needed treat.
We go backstage with Cornette who has found the partner for Yokozuna in The British Bulldog. Monsoon sanctions Bulldog as the tag champion for tonight and if Bulldog gets the fall tonight, he'll take either the I.C of the Tag titles, but he could lose the tag titles for Owen and Yoko as well.
Alundra Blayze comes down the aisle. You'd think she'd be here to wrestle since, you know, she's damn good at it. But no, she's literally just here to model the Triple Header shirt and a free WWF VHS tape with the purchase. Well, she is a better sight than Barry Didinsky at least, but god do I hate seeing how devalued the women's division is.
Up next, it's our main event. Diesel and Shawn Michaels take on Yokozuna and British Bulldog in a triple header match. All the male WWF titles are on the line. Whoever gets pinned will lose their title. Shawn and the Bulldog to start as Bulldog locks in a headlock. An exchange of Hammerlocks, turned into a series of counters by Shawn, who gets a back drop and a clothesline that sends Bulldog tumbling out, but Shawn skins the cat over the rope. Yoko tries to attack Shawn, but Diesel comes back with a shot that sends Yoko tumbling out himself.
Yoko gets tagged in as Shawn, despite the weight disadvantage is still willing to mock the massive man. Shawn slides under Yoko, but gets caught with a back elbow. Slam by Yoko who then tries for an elbow, only for Shawn to escape and tag in Diesel. Yoko reverses a whip and comes back with a clothesline. Diesel ducks a clothesline and hits one of his own, following with a boot that sends Yoko spilling to the floor. Cheap shots by Bulldog who is allowed in despite no obvious tag. Bulldog tries the stalling suplex, but botches it, needing to try a second time to successfully land it, covering for two.
Bulldog locks in the chinlock and follows with an attempt at the running powerslam, only for Diesel to escape and lands some elbows to the corner followed by a big boot and a clothesline out of the corner. Tag to Shawn who climbs the shoulders of Diesel and lands a splash, covering for two. Bulldog throws Shawn into the ropes as Yoko clotheslines him out. Bulldog rams Shawn into the steps and throws him in to the waiting Yokozuna who steps on his throat.
Shawn takes the patented bump over the buckle. Bulldog takes this time to get a cheap body slam to the outside. Tag to Bulldog who lands in a headbutt and a big back body drop. Cover only gets a two however. Bulldog reapplies the chinlock, but Shawn breaks free, and gets a sunset flip for only two. Cross body by Shawn only gets a two. Bulldog gets right back up with a clothesline. After taunting Diesel, this allows for Yoko to get some cheap shots and come in without the tag. Yoko locks in the nerve hold as Bulldog waves the Japanese flag, which gets the "USA" chants blaring.
Headbutt by Yoko who goes for the Banzai Drop, but Shawn avoids in time. Tag to Bulldog and a tag to Diesel who gets a back drop on in, followed by the snake eyes to the buckle and a drop of the leg on the draped dog. Sidewalk slam by Diesel, who then takes his attention to Yoko. Shawn and Diesel throw Bulldog into Yoko, who falls right on top of Davey Boy. Boot by Diesel who calls for the Jackknife. Shawn takes out Cornette as Yoko lands the Samoan drop. Sweet Chin Music sends Yoko out again. Davey hits a powerslam for two thanks to Shawn hitting and elbow.
Owen Hart finally shows up, but gets hit with a Jackknife powerbomb. Diesel covers Owen for the three. Diesel and Shawn are the new tag champ... waaaait a second. Owen wasn't the legal man. He wasn't even in the match. It's almost as if this is some sort of dusty finish. Nonetheless, Shawn and Diesel are celebrating with all of the gold.
I really enjoyed this main event. Everybody looked good in the match with Shawn and Diesel showing a lot of energy. Yoko looked more focused than he usually is in matches lately. Bulldog kinda looked sloppy in places, especially with the botched suplex. And the ending, while a screwy finish to keep the gold on everyone (which does feel like a tease), it at least does make you intrigued enough to see what goes down next Monday on Raw. Definitely one of the stronger main events of 1995 by far.
So, In Your House 3. Not as good a show as the previous two honestly, but still not as dull as a show like Wrestlemania or King of the Ring. Lots of basic match work throughout the night with decent at best matches between Savio and Mercy, Sid and Godwinn, Bulldog and Bam Bam, and Razor vs Douglas. Though at least most of these matches at least feel like they're continuing angles, especially the continuing dissent between Razor and the 1-2-3 Kid. A really good match between Bret and Pierre as I expected, as Pierre continues to be one of the most underappreciated workers of this era. And the tag main event, while the screwy finish sours it a bit, was still hot and fun to watch. Overall, this show earns itself a nice B+. Worth watching more for the latter two matches.