It's Sunday, April 28th, 1996. Jean-Claude Van Damme wins The Quest for box office domination while Celine Dion is happy "Because You Loved Me". Jimmy The Greek has passed away while Abigail Breslin is only two weeks old. And Grampa Simpson is battling Mr. Burns over the Flying Hellfish Tontine. But in the world of the WWF, Shawn Michaels goes into his first pay per view WWF Championship defense against his old buddy, Big Daddy Cool Diesel. It's WWF In Your House 7: Good Friends, Better Enemies. Coming in from the Omaha Civic Center, in Omaha, Nebraska to an attendance of 9,563 and a .81 buyrate. Way up from February's In Your House 6.
So, what's been going on since Wrestlemania XII? Shawn Michaels has had a whirlwind first month as the WWF Champion. After beating Bret Hart in the iron man match, he immediately turned his attention to his former friend Diesel. Prior to Wrestlemania at a house show in Madison Square Garden, Diesel finally severed all ties with Shawn after sneak attacking him with a steel chair. Diesel, now comfortable as himself is focused less on becoming champion, and more on making Shawn suffer. The pair finally come to a head at In Your House in a no holds barred match.
In other news, The Ultimate Warrior has run afoul of Goldust, promising to give the bizarre Intercontinental champion the action adventure he's wanted. Vader has recently destroyed Yokozuna and now turns his attention to the returning Razor Ramon. The Body Donnas defend their tag team championship against The Godwinns and Owen Hart and British Bulldog take on heated rivals Ahmed Johnson and Jake "The Snake" Roberts. Overall, a pretty thin month of buildup despite some good matches throughout. On the Free-For-All, Marc Mero scored a win by DQ against the 1-2-3 Kid.
Opening action is the British Bulldog and Owen Hart taking on Jake "The Snake" Roberts and Ahmed Johnson. In an arm wrestling match a couple weeks back, Bulldog savagely attacked Ahmed with a table, then during the tour of Germany took his anger out on Jake Roberts, leading us to this match tonight. This match was originally a one on one match between Bulldog and Roberts, but Cornette is in the ring with his attorney, Clarence Mason. Jake comes to the ring with his snake in his bag. He then rips a court document and attacks Cornette and Mason with Revelations. Cornette faints as Jake is forced to take the snake to the back.
Jake comes back out with Ahmed and goes right on the attack of Owen as this match just suddenly becomes a tag team match. Jake works the arm with some wringers and wristlocks. Owen gets a tag to Bulldog while Jake tags in Ahmed. Bulldog tags in Owen from behind as the King of Harts has no idea what happened. Owen gets chokeslammed into the corner and tells Owen to tag Bulldog in. Owen goes back in, but gets shoved to the ground with ease. Headlock attempt by Owen sees him shoved right off by Ahmed. We also see Diana Hart Smith in the crowd watching on.
In comes Jake who hits a hiptoss on Owen. He tries a DDT, but Owen quickly escapes. An exchange of hammerlocks, but Jake tries to turn it into another DDT attempt. Tag to Bulldog who slams Jake, but misses an elbow. Tag to Ahmed and another sneaky tag to Owen who was working on untying the turnbuckle pad. Ahmed calls in a test of strength, but Ahmed easily wins out, stomping on the fingers. Owen jumps into a big clothesline from Ahmed. he then starts smashing Owen with the taped fist until Bulldog gets in some cheap shots.
Bulldog slams Owen to the mat then flexes. However behind him, Ahmed is getting up, and is not keen on selling any of Bulldog's strikes. Ahmed chokes Bulldog in the corner, but Owen gets a cheap shot and comes in. He starts stomping Ahmed and hits a European uppercut. He tries for a body slam, but no such luck. Ahmed then presses Owen over his head and slams him down. Tag to Jake who lays in an elbow in the corner. Owen reverses a whip, but goes sternum first into the corner. He boots Jake then hits a missile dropkick off the second buckle. Tag to Bulldog as they stomp Jake in the ropes. Owen chokes Jake while the referee is distracted.
Bulldog rams Jake into the buckle. Jake tries to tag Ahmed, but Bulldog gets a thumb to the eye, some more strikes, and a leg drop. Tag to Owen who hits a diving elbow off the top buckle. Cover only gets a two. He then goes in to a chinlock. Jake tries to recover, but Owen gets in an elbow. He tries for a Sharpshooter, but Jake kicks him off. Tag to Bulldog as the heel hit a double wishbone. Bulldog goes in to the chinlock. Jake breaks free, but Owen gets in a cheap shot as the heels continue to work him in the corner. Tag to Owen who kicks Jake in the lower extremities. Owen whips Jake, but Jake gets a kick in. Owen turns things into a sleeper, but Jake gets in a jawbreaker.
Tags to Bulldog and Ahmed as Ahmed is in full control, hitting a nice spinebuster. Clothesline takes Owen out. Tag to Jake who calls for the DDT. Owen tries to make the save but gets back dropped. Double clothesline on Owen. Bulldog grabs the tennis racket and smashes it over Jake's knee. Leg lock by Bulldog gets the win in a fun tag opener. All four men looked great throughout, lots of action and fast tags, and while there was "face in peril", it didn't feel like it was the majority of the match. And in the end, the heels go over to continue Camp Cornette's dominance.
Quick look at the WWF Superstar Line as Mero and the 1-2-3 Kid are still in a rage after the events of their match during the Free-For-All. First time seeing a goatee on the kid, meaning our little kid is finally on his way to going full X-Pac.
Up next, the WWF Intercontinental Championship is on the line as Goldust defends against the Ultimate Warrior. During the Free-For-All, Goldust blew gold dust in Warrior's face. Warrior chased Goldust off, causing him to trip and fall. Goldust is accompanied by some guy in a mafia suit complete with a fedora. It's our old buddy Mantaur apparently. Warrior comes out to a great crowd reaction complete with a pyro logo and everything.
Goldust cowers out of the ring to start. The bodyguard distracts Warrior while Goldust sneaks up behind. Warrior catches him and sends the champion in retreat with Marlena in tow. Warrior then finds Marlena's cigar then proceeds to smoke it. He confronts the bodyguard then returns to the ring and sucks stogie. Warrior then grabs the director's chair, the wig and the robe and sets them in the middle of the ring.
He then sits down and continues to smoke up.
What would your young self think of you now Warrior?
Also, let's be honest. Doink makes it look cooler.
Mantaur has been a terrible bodyguard so far as well. Instead of doing anything about Warrior, he just screams "That's your chair! That's your chair!". Somehow you were better as a cow man. Goldust refuses to enter the ring as loud "faggot" chants begin from the crowd. Thanks for ruining the fun Omaha. Goldust backs away again, but once again returns to ringside. Crowd changed their chants to "warrior" as Goldust grabs a mic. He tells the crowd to shut up, lest he kisses them all, which riles them up more. Warrior grabs the robe as Goldust and Marlena slowly get in the ring. Why is Marlena in there and NOT MANTAUR?? WORST BODYGUARD EVER!
Warrior hands Marlena her cigar then holds up the robe and puts it back on Goldust. He lets Goldust sit in the director's chair as Marlena hands the cigar back to Warrior. Goldust extends his hand, asking it to be kissed, but Warrior burns the cigar on Goldust's hand instead. He hits a clothesline, knocking Goldust off the chair. Goldust retreats as the referee finally counts Goldust out.
Warrior then turns his attention to Mantaur. Mantaur tries to attack Warrior, but Warrior just dances around. Big clothesline from Warrior follows. He tears the jacket off Mantaur, causing his shirt to near fly off in the process. Slam by Warrior sends Mantaur in retreat. Warrior celebrates by wearing the fedora and the gold wig as this "match" comes to an end.
I... have no idea how to feel about this. It wasn't a wrestling match, not in the least. It was clearly intended to be more of a comedy segment than anything involving technical skill. But considering the last match Warrior had with Hunter at Wrestlemania, this being the outcome of the Goldust/Warrior outing should come as no surprise. It was bizarre all right, with Warrior smoking a stogie, Goldust playing a great cowardly heel, and Mantaur being a random bodyguard. In fact, for being goofball, I actually enjoyed it.
Shame the Omaha crowd being garbage human beings didn't help matters, but perhaps that's being too harsh. This segment and Goldust's mannerisms were built to make the crowd chant that word. While that's a testament to how great a heel Dustin has been since this gimmick's inception, it also makes going back to stuff invoving him rough knowing you have a live crowd of people who will scream the worst obscenities at him, even one guy in the front row holding a "Warrior, smear that queer" sign, loudly calling Dustin the F word with glee. But maybe that's me and my own sensitivity with that word and homophobia in general and in turn it sours the great heel work Dustin is trying to do if I let myself be distracted like that. So yeah, it worked in terms of what it meant to present, but it still suffered thanks to what I feel was a horrible crowd.
Dok Hendrix is backstage with Bulldog and Owen in front of Shawn Michaels' dressing room. This might involve Bulldog's wife, but we don't know for sure at the moment.
Up next, Vader takes on Razor Ramon. When last we saw Razor, it was in February right after In Your House 6 where he had initially been placed to challenge Goldust for the IC title. But when it was made clear that Scott Hall was ready to jump to WCW once his contract was up, he was taken off of television. As mentioned before, this also coincided with Scott failing a drug test, sending him home for the better part of two months, missing Mania, and more importantly, missing a Wrestlemania payday. This is Hall's last televised match for the company, but we'll talk more about that in a couple weeks time.
Some jaw jacking and toothpick throwing starts us off until Vader throws Razor over the ropes with ease. Razor tries to grapple again, but Vader shoves him down once more. Vader takes Razor to the corner, but Razor escapes. Body blows from Vader folloed by headbutts and more shots in the corner. Vader hits more fists as the crowd chants for Razor. Razor comes back with some stiff rights until a thumb to the eye kills his momentum. Clothesline from Vader follows. Razor ducks some clotheslines and hits more rights. He tries a Razor's Edge and gets back dropped. He jumps right back into the ring and hits more rights.
Razor continues to lay fists, with one finally knocking Vader down. A few clotheslines continue to knock the big man down. A third sends Vader flopping over the top rope. He fell so badly that his mask is all messed up, so he stalls some more, almost being counted out. He breaks the count and makes his way up the entrance way. Cornette distracts Razor as Vader sneaks up, buit Razor's smart enough to catch him with a backhand. Vader reverses a whip and hits a splash in the corner, followed by a clothesline. He follows with a sloppy looking elbow to the leg. Splash by Vader, who covers for two.
Vader continues to punch down Razor in the corner and tries for a clothesline, but Razor ducks it and hits a back suplex. Razor barely covers for two. Slam by Vader who sets Razor up for the vader bomb, connecting. Cover, but surprisingly Razor kicks out at two. Razor fights back with some rights until Vader hits a headbutt and a back suplex of his own. More haymakers in the corner from Vader who then goes for a suplex, however, Razor blocks it and hits a massive suplex of his own. Cover only gets a two.
Clothesline from Vader follows. He sets up Razor for a middle rope splash, but Razor throws him off, and covers for two. Clothesline in the corner from Razor. Vader reverses a whip, but eats a Razor boot and a middle rope bulldog. Cover still just gets two. He tries another clothesline, but Vader knocks him down. He sets Razor up again in the corner and goes up for another Vader Bomb, but Razor turns it into a Razor's Edge, but he can't keep him up, so he just drops Vader. Vader slams Razor again and goes up again, this time going for the moonsault, but Razor lifts him on his shoulders, landing an electric chair drop. Razor tries again for a Razor's Edge But gets back dropped. Vader drops his weight on Razor and covers for the three.
I thought this match was fine. No amazing technical work, but that's not what you'd want from a match with these two advertised. If I were to equate this to anything, I'd say this felt more like a match from the WWE 2K games. You constantly trying to go for your finisher, only for it to be reversed time and time again. Also kind of a rushed finish, but considering Vader couldn't keep Razor down long enough for another corner spot, I can see why logistically that would be how this match comes to an end.
Dok Hendrix tries to get a word from Cornette and Vader, telling them that subject to Vader getting the win, Gorilla Monsoon has already chosen Vader's opponent for the next In Your House, Yokozuna. This puts the two in a panic, despite the fact that they took Yoko out a few months back. Cornette says that first it was his leg, next it will be Yoko's whole body.
Up next, it's the Godwinns challenging the Body Donnas for the WWF Tag Team Titles. Headlock from Zip, who gets caught in a bearhug. Skip attacks from behind as the heels try to double team, only to eat clotheslines. Henry works the arm until he tags in Phineas. Phineas teases the slop bucket, but it doesn't happen. Phineas works the arm, biting the elbow pad (because that sure hurts), then tags in Henry. Cheap shot by Zip who tags in Skip. Henry reverses a whip and catches Skip for a power slam, but Skip escapes, only to eventually be caught in a fireman carry slam.
Wheelbarrow slam by Henry as Skip rolls to the outside. Some twin magic of sorts as Skip gets in, but the referee catches it and forces them to make a legit tag. Tag to Phineas as we get a headlock and shoulder block spot. He mocks the jumping jack, but Zip comes back with a whip in the corner. Bell clap from Phineas who runs the ropes, only to get caught as Skip pulls the ropes, causing Phineas to crash hard on the apron. Cover only gets a two.
Tag to Skip as the heels exchange shots, then hit a double slingshot suplex. Cover still just gets a two. Headlock spot as Phineas breaks free. Skip ducks a clothesline and hits a hurricanrana, covering for two. Phineas fights off both Zip and Skip in the corner and hits some donkey bucking spots. Sunny shows back up with a framed photo of herself. She lures Phineas with it as Henry works the others in the ring. Hillbilly Jim goes to slop Sunny, but Phineas argues. Slop Drop by Henry while the ref is distracted. Twin magic as Zip rolls up Henry to get the win.
Decent tag match with some good storyline work with Phineas' infatuation with Sunny. Skip remains one of the company's best athletes and worked great. Shame it suffered from way too much "face in peril" work, but considering it makes sense with the story, it's more than serviceable.
Dok Hendrix is backstage with Marc Mero and Sable. We learn that he'll face off against Hunter Hearst Helmsley next month at In Your House. Marc says that Hunter has stuck his silver spoon where it doesn't belong. Hunter has entered the jungle and will have to answer the call of the wild. About Hunter's sneak attack and pedigree at the Free For All, he promises that will be nothing compared to what we'll see at In Your House. Bit of a rambly promo that reminds me too much of Sid's whisper promos. Sid's were much better.
Up next, it's our main event. Shawn Michaels defends his WWF Champion in a no holds barred match against Diesel. Diesel is still focused on Vince as he throws his leather vest at the head of Vince. We also see legend Maurice "Mad Dog" Vachon in the crowd. Shawn is once again being accompanied by Jose Lothario. Shawn and Diesel go right into brawling, but Diesel gains control early with a knee to the gut. Shawn gets behind Diesel and dropkicks him to the outside, giving Shawn time to take his chaps off and hit a baseball slide, followed by a moonsault off the top to the outside.
Shawn grabs a cowboy boot from Spanish announcer Hugo Savinovich then hits Diesel with it off the top buckle. Cover only gets a two. He throws Diesel to the corner, then whips him. Diesel reverses, throwing Shawn into the corner as Shawn does his patented corner bump. Diesel knocks Shawn off the apron as the champ crashes into the barricade. Diesel pounds down Shawn some more with an elbow and a clothesline. Diesel then looks back at Vince, while Lawler gleefully points, hoping for some damage to the chairman tonight. Snake eyes by Diesel, who again looks at Vince.
Diesel taunts Lothario, then lays knees in on Shawn in the corner. Big sidewalk slam follows as Diesel is proud of his actions. He pulls off some wrist tape then chokes referee Earl Hebner all of a sudden. He then removes Hebner's belt and whips Shawn with it. He then wraps it around the neck of Shawn and strangles him with it. He throws Shawn over the ropes and hangs him with the belt around Shawn's neck.
He ties Shawn up, then shoves Hebner away again. He throws Howard Finkel out of his chair, then takes the chair and smashes it over the back of Shawn. He nails a free Shawn in the back again, then tries to hit him again, only for Shawn to escape, and the chair to bounce off the ropes and smack him in the head. Shawn grabs the chair, but Diesel hits a low blow, saving himself. Big back body drop follows as Shawn got some good air as he crashed down. Cover, but Shawn kicks out at two. Diesel goes into a chinlock, twisting and grinding Shawn's head. Shawn recovers as the crowd cheers on, and breaks free. Multiple shots by Diesel, but Shawn gets up. However, one last blow sends Shawn over the ropes.
Diesel then hits a Jackknife powerbomb on Shawn, planting the champ through the announce table, right in front of Vince, who gets smacked in the head by a bouncing TV monitor. Diesel grabs the WWF title and celebrates with it in the ring, telling the referee to put it around his waist right now. Shawn tries to scramble to the ring as Vince screams "just let it be over!" He grabs a fire extinguisher and blows it in Diesel's face. Shawn hits more punches and a flying forearm. He nips up, then grabs a chair and the headset that's wrapped around it. He smashes Diesel in the head, but chooses not to cover.
Shawn tries a back drop, but Diesel clubs him and follows with a big boot. Diesel tries another Jackknife, but Shawn punches free. He goes up top for an elbow drop and connects. Shawn goes for Sweet Chin Music, but Diesel catches the leg and hits a clothesline. The announce set is so broken that Vince and Lawler are forced to use microphones. Diesel clotheslines Shawn over the top rope, then throws him throat-first into the barricade.
Diesel almost goes back into the ring, but turns his attention to Mad Dog Vachon. He attacks Vachon, then rips off his prosthetic leg. He reenters the ring with the leg, then tries to bash Shawn in the head with it, only to get low blowed, reminiscent of earlier. Shawn swings the leg and smashes it over Diesel's head, then kicks it back over to Vachon. Sweet Chin Music follows as Shawn connects.
Cover and the three as Shawn retains.
Awesome, awesome main event. Everything this feud needed for its ultimate culmination. Lots of amazing spots including the moonsault to the outside and the powerbomb through the table. A good sense of tension as Diesel seemed just as much focused on sticking it to Vince than he did winning the championship, like he said in his promo in Germany. There was some actual wrestling involved and unlike something like a Public Enemy/Nasty Boys hardcore match, it made this feel like more than just "let's bash each other's brains in and call it a match". Also a clever, albeit bizarre ending involving Mad Dog Vachon's leg. Shawn's WWF title run continues strong momentum, and Diesel looks amazing in what is, sadly, his final match for the blog. Again, we'll get into that very soon.
As for In Your House 7 overall, this was a pretty good show. Not a bad match at all really. And no, I still don't count whatever the hell Goldust vs Ultimate Warrior was as a match. Hot opener with Owen and Bulldog vs Jake and Ahmed, a very Raw match level tag title defense between the Body Donnas and the Godwinns, Razor and Vader being a good brawl as well. But the real star match of the night was Shawn vs Diesel, which definitely lived up to the build given around it. Diesel played an amazing prick heel in this match, to the point that it just infuriates you more that he was given such a white meat babyface run with the title. This Diesel as champ would have been awesome. As for Shawn, two for two in terms of big matches for his title reign. Again, compared to Diesel's run, he's been killing it as champion.
Final rating for In Your House 7 is an A-. Raised mainly for the excellent main event and solid card, but lowered for again, my own feelings on the Goldust/Warrior stuff, and the crowd. But, that aside, I would say this is a definite must-watch show nonetheless. But next time the WWF is on PPV, we'll have a far more bizarre situation to deal with. It's In Your House 8: Beware of Dog... 2??
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