It's Sunday, June 23rd, 1996. Schwarzenegger is back on top of the box office with Eraser, while we're still in the crossroads with Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. The Nintendo 64 goes on sale in Japan, while we're a couple weeks removed from the death of Dick Murdoch. In the world of the WWF, it's time for the June tradition. Time once again to crown the prestigious fourth King of the Ring. It's King of the Ring 1996, hailing from the MECCA Arena in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to an attendance of 8,762 (down from last year's 16,590) and a buyrate of 197,000, up from last year's 150,000.
So, what's been going on since the mess that was Beware Of Dog? Well, it being King of the Ring time, most of television has been dedicated to the tournament, building us up to the event tonight. However, unlike previous years, only the semi-finals and finals of the tournament will go down on this show. The tournament up to this point went as follows. Vader defeated Ahmed Johnson, then gained a bye when Ultimate Warrior and Goldust were double counted out. Jake "The Snake" Roberts defeated Hunter Hearst Helmsley, then Justin "Hawk" Bradshaw to make it to this point. Stone Cold Steve Austin defeated Bob Holly and Savio Vega, and Marc Mero defeated Skip and Owen Hart to make it to the semi-finals of tonight's events.
Speaking of Goldust, on the same night as the double count-out (thanks in part to Ahmed Johnson), he would get some revenge on Ahmed later in the night. After Ahmed was laid out from a cast strike by Owen Hart, the big man was unconscious, allowing for Goldust to give him some "mouth to mouth". This enraged Ahmed who wants the bizarre one, and his Intercontinental Championship, tonight.
As for the Ultimate Warrior, he was also screwed out of the King of the Ring due to the interference of Jerry "The King" Lawler. Lawler continued to make digs at the Warrior, mostly mocking his comic book, and even offered Warrior a hand-painted piece of art as a peace offering. Only for the king to smash it over Warrior. Tonight, the king steps in with the man from parts unknown to culmintate this bizarre feud.
At Beware of Dog, Shawn Michaels and the British Bulldog's WWF Title match went to a draw after both men's shoulders were down. Tonight, there must be a definitive winner. And to ensure that Shawn doesn't weasel his way into another victory, Jim Cornette managed to get a special guest referee for the match. That being one other than Mr. Perfect. Also tonight, The Undertaker takes on Mankind and the Godwinns take on The Smoking Gunns. Plus the WWF debut of Brian Pillman. And now that everyone's up to speed, let's get to action.
On commentary tonight it's Vince, Jim Ross, and Owen Hart. Opening action tonight is our first semi-final match for the King of the Ring tournament. Stone Cold Steve Austin vs "Wildman" Marc Mero. Recaps of Owen's loss to Mero last Monday, as Owen makes every excuse in the book. Early back and forth stuff with headlock takedowns and hammerlock spots by both men. The crowd is more interested in Sable than either men in the ring unfortunately. Big elbow to the face by Austin. Mero hits a shoulder block and follows with a headscissors. He goes to dive outside to Austin, but Austin avoids.
Arm work and headlocks by Mero as we return to the ring. Austin catches Mero with a Lou Thesz press that looked more like a flying knee to the head. Big back body drop from Mero sends Austin rolling out of the ring again and calling a time out. He returns to the ring and goes for a test of strength, hitting some kicks to the midsection to gain leverage. Mero breaks free, but his momentum is turned around as Austin throws him over the top rope. Austin pulls off the ring mats, exposing the concrete. He throws Mero on to the floor roughly, then goes into the ring to play to the crowd. Mero returns to the ring and eats a vertical suplex.
Austin drags Mero on the apron and lays an elbow to the throat, then does it again from another part of the ring. Mero tries to recover, but Austin stays on top, raking his throat on the ropes. He lays in a super stiff whip to the buckle. He sets Mero up top and hits an elbow off the second rope. Cover only gets a two. Austin lifts Mero over his head and drops him rib-first on his knee (kind of awkwardly). Cover still just gets two. Austin then turns Mero around for a Boston crab submission. Mero tries to grab the rope, but Austin pulls him back to the center of the ring. Mero eventually manages an escape. Small package from Mero only gets a two. Austin comes back with another back elbow to the face.
Austin returns into the Boston Crab, but doesn't sit on the hold. Mero escapes and rolls Austin for two. He tries again for another two. Stiff throw to the buckle by Austin, but Mero evades a back suplex and rolls Austin up for another two. Mero tries a sleeper, but gets hit with a stunner variation (this would cause Austin to cut his mouth pretty bad). Mero hits a slingshot of sorts, crashing into Austin. Mero manages a dropkick to the already injured mouth of Austin, then hits some corner punches and a back body drop. Mero goes up top and lays in a beautiful double ax handle. Cover only gets a two. Mero throws Austin over the buckle, then hits a Bad Mood over the ropes.
Mero reenters the ring and hits a massive suicide dive on Austin. He throws Austin back in and goes up top again, landing a missile dropkick. Cover still only gets a two. Mero sets Austin up for a Frankensteiner, connecting perfectly. Cover, but still just a two. Austin slingshots Mero throat first into the ropes and covers, but Mero kicks out at the last second. Stone Cold Stunner and a cover for the three in a really good opener. Good back and forth from both men. Started slow, but picked up with a lot of energy. Austin seemed a bit out of it (likely a factor from the mouth cut) but recovered well enough. Also, Marc Mero is a good worker. A victim of being too bland and having a hot wife, but he held his own and worked a great 15+ minute match with Austin. A commendable effort.
So Austin advances to the finals of the King of the Ring, but before that, he actually has to leave the building to get 16 stitches in his mouth. That's how bad that cut was.
Dok Hendrix is backstage with Jake "The Snake" Roberts. Jake says that the power above is reaching down and lifting him up. If he was to rob a bank, he wouldn't go in the front door, he'd sneak up from behind. If he can get through Vader, he knows he's got Stone Cold. This leads us into the next semi-final match. Jake "The Snake" Roberts taking on Vader.
Vader locks in an arm bar early on. He whips Jake and follows up with a running avalanche, followed by a second. Splash by Vader who covers for two. Jake lands some strikes and a knee lift. He calls for a DDT, but Vader takes him to the corner and lays in punches. Jake ducks a clothesline and comes back with one of his own that doesn't knock Vader down. Vader hits another avalanche and whips Jake into the corner. He goes for a splash, but Jake escapes. DDT from Jake, but Vader pulls the referee down, causing a DQ. Jake goes over.
Post-match, Vader attacks Jake with some corner splashes, then sets him in the corner, landing a Vader Bomb. He goes for a second, but officials put a stop to him. Despite the beat down, Jake is still going to the finals and Vader is out for the evening. As for the match, it was as best a match as it could be, I guess. Lame finish, but I guess it's the only way to keep Vader from taking a pinfall, so I can't be that angry.
Up next, it's the WWF Tag Titles on the line. The Smoking Gunns (With Sunny) taking on The Godwinns (with Hillbilly Jim and some baby goats). Dok Hendrix interviews Sunny and the Gunns backstage as Dok brings up the Bodydonnas new manager Kloudi. Oh god, I have to talk about this, don't I?
So, as you may have recalled, there was a whole storyline going on about Zip and Skip seeking a new manager to replace Sunny. Enter Kloudi, AKA wrestler Jimmy Shoulders in drag. This, of course is one of their many lame duck attempts at humor over transgender people and transvestites (see a few years later with the "sammy" segment). I'd say that they got this foolishness out of their system, but cut to a month ago with Bray Wyatt being "possessed by Sister Abigail" and James Ellsworth possibly being fired for not wanting to play a transgender wrestler. No, I don't understand how I still watch this crap either. Anyways, Sunny says that she thinks that Phineas won't keep her eyes off her and that will ensure a win for the Godwinns. Sunny doesn't want to be out at ringside with Kloudi at ringside.
Billy Gunn grabs the mic and says that he's made Sunny feel like Phineas will never be able to. Phineas goes for the attack, but Bart gets him from behind and lands a slam. Tag to Billy who shoves Phineas in the corner and slaps him around. Phineas gets a boot and a set of clotheslines. He beats down on Billy and yanks the boot off him. Henry calms down Phineas as everyone slows things down. We get an interview from Kloudi mid-match, who says that he's filling out Sunny's old gear, and blows a kiss to J.R.
Henry and Bart in. Bart tries a clothesline but eats a boot and a clothesline from Henry who covers for two. Hard yanks of the arm from Henry who tags in Phineas, who continues the arm work. Tag to Henry who keeps up the arm yanking, before locking in an arm bar. Henry ducks a clothesline, but takes a knee to the back from Billy. Tag ot Billy who stomps down on Henry in the corner. Knee drop and a cover gets a two. Tag to Bart who continues the knees. Cover still just gets a two. Tag to Billy who keeps the boots in on Henry. Henry reverses a whip, but gets caught with a fameasser. Billy plays to the crowd, then covers for two.
Tag to Bart who hits a rib breaker, putting pressure on the injured back. Tag to Billy who hits an ax handle to the back. He goes for a slam, but Henry rolls him up for a two. Billy keeps the pressure on the injured back of Henry, then rams him in the corner. A dueling "Henry/Sunny" chant from the crowd as Billy goes to splash Henry, only for Henry to avoid. Phineas accidentally distracts the ref while Bart comes in and hits another rib breaker and an elbow. He goes up top and dives with a leg drop, only for Henry to avoid.
Tags to Billy and Phineas. Fists laid in to both Gunns as Henry joins in. Do-Si-Do into a pair of strikes. Bart nails Phineas with his cowboy boot and Billy covers for three. The Godwinns beat down on the Gunns for a bit until the heels make their retreat. Bit of a boring match with a bit too much "face in peril" work, but i do like the new arrogant attitude to the Gunns. Especially Billy, who is allowed to show off some charisma and his quality ring work. Other than that, it wasn't too long at least.
Dok Hendrix backstage with Camp Cornette. Cornette promises that Bulldog will beat Shawn and win the title like he should have last month. He promises Shawn a ticket to value jet tonight. Mr. Perfect is seen in the locker room, sensing some obvious collusion. Bulldog says he'll be a triple header tonight, winning the one belt he hasn't claimed. He promises Shawn will be his in less than a few hours.
Up next, Jerry "The King" Lawler takes on The Ultimate Warrior. Before the match, Lawler checks out the king of the ring throne (lest we forget him crowning Bret Hart in 1993). He grabs a mic, saying that he has arrived. He grabs the scepter and begins to roast the Milwaukee crowd. He rips on the Milwaukee Brewers (The name says it all. The Brewers, they're all drunk!). He continues his roasting, telling some kid "is that your face or did your neck throw up", calling some woman a stripper, and comparing a woman to a mailbox. Pretty basic heeling stuff from Lawler. He says that Warrior has overstayed his welcome, and recaps the portrait smashing from two weeks ago. He framed the Ultimate Warrior, and the only thing left to do is hang him. When he's done with his face, he'll look like a Picasso painting.
Great pop for the Warrior as he rushes to the ring. Lawler hits Warrior with the scepter then chokes him with it. The referee takes it away from him, but Lawler continues to pummel him. He chokes Warrior with his own jacket, then chokes him with his fist tape. Warrior tries a boot, but Lawler returns to the tape choke. He goes back in, but Warrior fights out of the corner. Lawler hits Warrior with a foreign object and keeps choking him with the tape.
Lawler hits a piledriver, but much like Hunter at Mania, Warrior no-sells it. Warrior dances around, then hits a few clotheslines. Flying shoulder block and a cover gets the three in a mercifully short match. Good heel stuff from Lawler at least.
Dok Hendrix is with Gorilla Monsoon as Jake Roberts is being attended to. He says that only Jake knows how bad he's hurt, but he has a burning desire to continue. Gorilla's going to let him continue, but if he has to stop the match, he will.
Up next, it's Mankind taking on The Undertaker. We recap the events of Beware of Dog when Mankind emerged from the casket and attacked Undertaker, then the beat down by Mankind on Undertaker a couple weeks ago on Raw. Taker rushes at Mankind early on with punches in the corner. Mankind gets a thumb to the eye, then throws Taker in the corner, only to get thrown right back and pummeled some more. Mankind tries to climb the buckle, but Taker pulls him down and throws him out of the ring. Mankind returns to the ring, only to get caught with a claw to the face as Taker tries to tear the mask off.
Taker gets up top for Old School, dropping the clothesline to the back. He throws Mankind to the buckle, but Mankind hits an elbow the face and a body slam. Taker sits up, but Mankind comes right back with a clothesline. Taker fights out of the corner, only for Mankind to keep the offense. He chokes Taker with his boot, then follows with a running knee strike. He bridges Taker over the apron, then drops an elbow to the chest. He then leaps off the apron with an elbow drop to the outside. Taker recovers, but Mankind punches him off the ring apron. Taker finally gets back momentum with some boots, but Mankind lands another clothesline and throws him back out.
Mankind grabs a pair of steel chairs, and throws one in the ring. He rushes at Taker with the other, but gets booted in the face. He throws Mankind into the ring apron, then hits a back drop, dropping Mankind hard onto the concrete (and partially the steel chair). They return to the ring where Taker nails Mankind with a chair shot (referee distracted by Paul Bearer). Taker chokes Mankind with his boot, then hits a boot to the face. He sets up a tombstone, but Mankind escapes, hitting a swining neckbreaker and a leg drop. He crawls around Taker, making sure he's down, then tries the mandible claw, only for Taker to grab his hands and block it.
Mankind continues his assault with strikes, then hits an elbow drop. But Taker sits right back up, so Mankind applies a long nerve hold to the neck. Taker eventually breaks free and clotheslines Mankind over the ropes. Mankind drags him out and lays more strikes. He then runs around the ring and hits a massive knee strike, smashing Taker's head into the steel steps. He then slams Taker on the concrete. He goes for an apron elbow, but Taker shields himself with the chair. Taker grabs the chair and smashes it over the head of Mankind. Both men return to the ring as Taker stomps Mankind on the ropes, then throws him to the mat. He follows with some headbutts, then a big flying clothesline. Mankind recovers with a pulling piledriver. Slow cover gets a two.
Mankind throws a tantrum and pulls out some of his own hair. He grabs the urn from Paul Bearer, then goes to smash Taker with it. However, Paul Bearer sneaks up behind him and grabs the urn right back. While Mankind's distracted, Undertaker recovers, but Mankind is right on him with the mandible claw. Taker tries to fight back with a chokeslam while Paul Bearer tries so smash Mankind with the urn, but Paul Bearer accidentally hits Taker with the urn, allowing for Mankind to keep the claw locked in for the win. A really good match with a lot of stiff work from two quality brawlers. Definitely the best showcase of Mick's hardcore style that we've seen on this blog so far. Definitely can't wait to see more of this feud in the months to come.
Dok Hendrix is with Mr. Perfect, who says that he thinks Perfect is on the side of camp Cornette. Shawn shows up and tells him that he had better call it down the middle. Perfect says that he's the perfect ref and he'll call it down the middle.
Up next, Ahmed Johnson challenges Goldust for the WWF Intercontinental Title. Ahmed rushes through the King of the Ring doors and charges to the ring, clotheslining Goldust to get things started. He starts pummeling Goldust on the ground, then follows with another clothesline that sends Goldust spinning. Goludst tries to retreat...
Only for Ahmed to dive over the ropes, crashing to the floor below, but still taking Goldust down with him. No wonder the man was injury-prone to himself. He continues to punch down on Goldust on the outside. He throws Goldust back into the ring with force. He hits a hard whip to the buckle that sends Goldust back outside. Ahmed follows by throwing him into the steel steps. He then grabs said steps and throws them forcefully at Goldust, but Goldust escapes before imminent death.
Both men return to the ring as Ahmed throws him hard into the buckle. He tries a splash, but Goldust avoids, sending Ahmed to the outside. He lays in a few slaps, then throws Ahmed into the steps. Now Goldust grabs the steps and throws them over the back of Ahmed (Referee distracted by Marlena). Goldust brings Ahmed back in and lays in a clothesline, followed by some punches. Cover only gets a two count. He slams Ahmed and continues to pound down, transitioning into a chinlock. He punches down on Ahmed some more before going into a camel clutch position. Ahmed escapes and throws Goldust in the corner. A clothesline attempt is thwarted as Goldust evades.
Goldust rubs the backside of Ahmed before pummeling him some more. Goldust transitions back into a chinlock. Arm drop spot follows, which of course means Ahmed recovers on the third drop. Goldust tries a sunset flip, but Ahmed drops a fist. Goldust pounds on him then covers, but Ahmed kicks out. Goldust follows up with a piledriver. Goldust slowly crawls over Ahmed, then covers, but Ahmed kicks out. He goes into a headlock, but Ahmed breaks free, landing some super stiff clotheslines in the corner.
Goldust reverses a whip in the corner and nails a knee to the back. He follows up with a fist drop, and some more sensual rubbing and kissing. More mindgames from the bizarre one as he then starts twisting the face of Ahmed. Ahmed blocks some punches and whips Goldust. He tries a dropkick but Goldust avoids. Cover by Goldust only gets a two count. Goldust whips Ahmed and applies a sleeper. Ahmed is out cold, so that means that Goldust is obviously going for mouth to mouth again. This wakes up Ahmed, who grabs Goldust by the throat, then goes wild in the corner. He follows with a decent spinebuster for once, and a Pearl River Plunge. Cover gets the three and the title for Ahmed Johnson.
Overall, a decent match. About as midcard quality as you'd want. Ahmed with a lot of energy to begin with, though perhaps a bit too much as he seemed blown up quite early. Great heel work from Goldust throughout, and his mind games continue to be excellent. And the ending makes sense with Ahmed getting revenge on Goldust for his now two "mouth to mouth" incidents. In the end, the right call was made and Ahmed becomes the first African American to win the Intercontinental title. Something not lost to one member of the Milwaukee crowd, who later keyed the N word on Ahmed's car. So, a great moment for the guy unfortunately ruined by some racist scumbag.
Hobbling to the ring on crutches is the newest member of the WWF Roster, Brian Pillman, still as manic as he's been all year. Pillman says he doesn't give a damn about his family, and gives less of a damn about this cess pool of a crowd. No wonder Jeffrey Dahmer tried to eat this whole state. He calls J.R a stupid SOB and a member of the retched refuse. Brian F'n Pillman does and says whatever he wants. They're going to find out soon if any of the so-called WWF Superstars have the guts to stop him. He's going to rape, pillage and plunder this entire federation.
Stone Cold Steve Austin's music hits as we enter the finals of the King of the RIng tournament. Austin sees his former Hollywood Blonde tag partner as he makes his way to the ring to face Jake "The Snake" Roberts. You can see the stitches in Austin's upper lip from the damage suffered earlier in the match with Mero. Jake clutches his ribs as he makes his way to the ring, still suffering from the effects of Vader's assault. Austin immediately attacks Jake before Jake can even get in the ring. He pummels with punches and elbows to the injured ribs. He ascends the rope and hits an elbow drop.
He screams at Jake to get up and slaps Jake around. Jake starts fighting back, but Austin keeps up the offense. He rips the tape from the injured ribs and keeps pummeling. Gorilla Monsoon enters the ring and tells Austin to lay off him. Jake doesn't want to quit the match and goes in on punches to Austin. He calls for a DDT, but Austin throws him in the corner with shoulder blocks. He lands an elbow drop, then picks Jake up for a Stunner. Cover gets the three as Austin becomes the fourth King of the Ring in a brutal squash.
Austin ascends to the podium as Dok Hendrix interviews him for his coronation. Austin says that he wants that piece of crap Jake out of his ring. Get him out of the WWF because he's proven without a shadow of a doubt, he doesn't got what it takes. "You thump your bible and you say your prayers, and it didn't get you anywhere. Talk about your psalms, talk about John 3:16, Austin 3:16 says I just whipped your ass!" All he's gotta do is go buy a cheap bottle of Thunderbird and dig up some of that courage he had in his pride. Austin gives warning to the superstars that they're all on his list and he's fixing to go through all of them. He doesn't care if it's Davey Boy Smith or Shawn Michaels, Stone Cold's coming for them and when he gets his shot, he'll be WWF Champion.
And there it is. One of the most significant promos in wrestling's history. Austin was already on the ascension, and winning the King of the Ring is paramount to that, but it's the uttering of Austin 3:16 that will lead him to becoming one of the most important names in the industry. Granted, not immediately, and Austin won't be a major player off the bat, but keep paying attention in the coming months as when the rocket gets strapped on Austin, it doesn't burn out for a long time. Of course, the original plan was Hunter Hearst Helmsley as the King of the Ring, but honestly, this was the right call at the right time as Austin needed that win much more.
It's time for our main event of the evening. Shawn Michaels defends the WWF Championship against The British Bulldog with Mr. Perfect as the referee. Bulldog accompanied by Diana and Cornette while Michaels is flanked by Jose Lothario. Gorilla Monsoon informs Howard Finkel that Mr. Perfect is not the presiding official, but an outside official as Earl Hebner will officiate inside the ring. Bulldog plays to the crowd with the Union Jack, but Shawn gets a "USA" chant going.
Lock up and a shove from Bulldog to start. An exchange of arm work from both men early followed by an exchange of headlock takedowns, with Shawn winning that fight. Bulldog rolls him up for two, then tries again for another two. Bulldog tries to escape the headlock, but Shawn rolls him for two, keeping the hold. Bulldog escapes, and throws Shawn over the ropes, but Shawn skins the cat and gets a headscissors that sends Bulldog over the ropes. He follows with a hurricanrana off the apron. He then grabs Jim Cornette's tennis racket and spanks him.
Bulldog hits a headlock takedown and keeps Shawn locked in as the crowd chants for "USA". Shawn tries to break free, but Bulldog keeps the hold locked in. Bit of noticeable loud talking from Shawn, trying to direct Bulldog through the match. Shoulder block from Bulldog, followed by an attempted press slam, but Shawn avoids and manages a trip, covering for two. Arm drags from Shawn is taken over into an arm bar. Bulldog breaks free and lands some strikes. Shawn avoids a clothesline and returns to the arm bar. Subtle touches of Shawn looking at Mr. Perfect to make sure he doesn't pull anything. Bulldog gets up and gets a hiptoss, but Shawn kicks him off. He ducks a clothesline and goes for a sleeper, only for Bulldog to crash into the corner, injuring Shawn.
Bulldog throws Shawn hard into the buckle, followed by a second. Snapmare transitioning into a chinlock. Shawn breaks free and hits a nice armbar takedown. Shawn goes up and hits an ax handle. Cover only gets a two. Bulldog reverses a whip, but eats a knee to the mouth. He reverses another whip and press slams Shawn over his head, dropping Shawn over the rop rope. Bulldog follows with a suplex on the outside (covering his back in gold confetti from the earlier Goldust/Ahmed match).
Bulldog brings Shawn back in for another chinlock. Shawn escapes, only to be thrown into the buckle (with a patented Shawn flip) and eating a clothesline as well. Bulldog locks in a surfboard stretch, until Shawn manages to get his shoulders down for a two. Bulldog returns to the chinlock. Shawn breaks free, but gets clipped with a knee that sends him spinning. Bulldog follows with a big back body drop that sends Shawn high in the air. Leg drop and a cover by Bulldog for two. Back into the chinlock. Shawn escapes again and manages a massive cross body, covering for two. But Bulldog gets right back with a knockout shot, covering for two and returning to, you guessed it, the chinlock.
Shawn escapes, but gets hit with a headbutt. Shawn manages a crucifix, covering for two. Shawn goes for a powerslam, but Bulldog turns it around. He tries a powerslam, but Shawn slides out and tries a sweet chin music, only for Bulldog to avoid. Bulldog lands a jumping piledriver, but doesn't go for a cover. Instead he goes up top, but slips off the rope. Not sure if it was a botch or poor decision making. Shawn whips Bulldog hard into the buckle, then starts to regroup. He goes up top, but Bulldog dropkicks him from the top and lands a superplex. Cover, but Shawn kicks out at two.
Bulldog puts Shawn back up on the top buckle, going for a back superplex, but Shawn turns it into a cross body, covering for two. Both men collide into each other. Shawn then tries a hurricanrana, but Bulldog turns it into a sitout powerbomb, covering for two. Shawn reverses a whip to the corner as Bulldog flip bumps hard on the buckle. Shawn then follows with a flying forearm and the nip up. Body slam, but the referee gets struck in the process. Shawn hits an elbow drop, then sets up sweet chin music. He connects and covers, but Mr. Perfect starts to count, causing Owen to drag him out. Regardless, Shawn gets the win.
Owen gets atomic dropped. Owen avoids a sweet chin music. Shawn avoids an enziguri, then sets up Owen in a figure four. Bulldog tries to attack, but Shawn rolls him up too. Shawn beats down both men until Owen lands a spinning heel kick. Double suplex follows. Suddenly, Ahmed Johnson shows up and press slams both men. Vader arrives and lays out Ahmed. Crowd chants for the Warrior, but no avail as the heels continue their assault. Vader goes up top and goes for a splash...
But sure enough The Ultimate Warrior arrives and helps clean house. The heels make their escape while the babyfaces celebrate in the ring. Vince mentions that at International Incident, the next In Your House PPV, Warrior, Ahmed and Shawn will face Owen, Bulldog and Vader as we finish the show. As for the match, it was a bit better than Beware of Dog, especially since it had a more definitive ending. A lot of slow spots, and a hell of a lot of rest holds, but when the match picked up in places, it was pretty decent. Not the strongest main event, but in comparison to last year's tag match, it was Okada/Omega in comparison.
As for King of the Ring 1996 as a whole, it was a definite step up in quality in comparison to last year. The card had more focus on feuds and angles outside of the tournament which really helped freshen the card this year. The tournament felt like it took a backseat, only getting three matches, with two being rushed squashes of sorts. Like I said though, Austin's win was important in building him up. I like the touch of Austin not touching the robe or crown, or even sitting on the throne. It's not about the theatrics or being called a king for him. He just wants to go in and kill and that's the signs of a true bad ass. And after the flop that was King Mabel last year, that is awesome.
As for the other matches, Godwinns vs Gunns was kinda dull save for Billy showing more personality. Warrior and Lawler was kinda fun and mercifully short, I liked Ahmed and Goldust as it told a quality story with a logical payoff, really liked the Undertaker/Mankind match (easily match of the night for me), and while it was a slog in places, Shawn and Bulldog delivered on a good main event. Overall, despite a bit of a lull month in terms of Raws, the WWF once again deliver with a fun show on PPV. It may not be as good as the 1993 edition, but it's close. Final rating for King of the Ring 1996 is a B+.
No comments:
Post a Comment