WEBVTT
1
00:00:00.160 --> 00:00:02.759
Welcome back, everybody to the Fall Count. I'm your host,
2
00:00:02.799 --> 00:00:06.679
Steve Fall And today we're talking about August thirtieth, nineteen
3
00:00:06.759 --> 00:00:10.279
ninety eight. We're talking about Madison Square Garden in New
4
00:00:10.400 --> 00:00:16.920
York City. We are talking about WWE Summer Slam nineteen
5
00:00:17.120 --> 00:00:22.120
ninety eight. Now, if you were a fan nineteen ninety eight,
6
00:00:22.160 --> 00:00:25.480
you already know what a magical time this was. The
7
00:00:25.480 --> 00:00:30.440
Attitude era was in full swing. Business wasn't just good,
8
00:00:30.559 --> 00:00:35.520
it was booming. The Monday night wars were raging, and
9
00:00:35.560 --> 00:00:39.520
for the first time in years, WWE felt like an
10
00:00:39.640 --> 00:00:44.640
unstoppable juggernaut. Think about the landscape going into this show.
11
00:00:45.000 --> 00:00:49.039
The two best performers of the first decade of SummerSlam
12
00:00:49.079 --> 00:00:52.960
were completely gone. Brett the Hitman Heart was working down
13
00:00:53.000 --> 00:00:57.479
in WCW after the Montreal screw job, and Jean Michaels
14
00:00:57.600 --> 00:01:00.439
was out of action for what we all thought at
15
00:01:00.439 --> 00:01:04.000
the time was a career ending back injury.
16
00:01:04.560 --> 00:01:07.640
He wouldn't return to the ring until two thousand and two.
17
00:01:08.319 --> 00:01:13.200
So who was going to carry the flag none other
18
00:01:13.480 --> 00:01:15.159
than Stone Cold Steve Austin.
19
00:01:16.079 --> 00:01:19.879
Austin was firmly on top as the WWE champion.
20
00:01:20.280 --> 00:01:24.000
His storyline with Vince McMahon, the evil billionaire boss who
21
00:01:24.079 --> 00:01:28.040
is desperate to get rid of the beer swilling, middle
22
00:01:28.079 --> 00:01:33.280
finger raising redneck who was his top champion, and quite frankly,
23
00:01:33.920 --> 00:01:37.120
it's the best angle in the entire history of the company.
24
00:01:37.640 --> 00:01:41.640
It drew money like crazy. If there was one.
25
00:01:41.519 --> 00:01:44.079
Tiny flaw on the roster back then, it was a
26
00:01:44.200 --> 00:01:49.439
lack of top tier in ring heels. Now, Vince McMahon
27
00:01:49.519 --> 00:01:51.920
was the best heel they had, but he wasn't a
28
00:01:51.959 --> 00:01:56.200
full time wrestler. And still, anybody that watched in nineteen
29
00:01:56.280 --> 00:02:00.000
ninety eight will tell you it was one of WWE's
30
00:02:00.239 --> 00:02:06.319
absolute best years in terms of the on screen product. Now,
31
00:02:06.359 --> 00:02:10.360
this was the eleventh Summer Slam. It was a landmark night.
32
00:02:10.479 --> 00:02:13.919
Not only didn't we have Austin In the Undertaker headlining,
33
00:02:14.280 --> 00:02:16.960
but this event also marked the Summer Slim.
34
00:02:16.879 --> 00:02:21.319
Debut of a guy you might have heard of, The Rock.
35
00:02:22.360 --> 00:02:24.879
He was with the company in ninety seven, but he
36
00:02:25.080 --> 00:02:28.759
missed the event and he was about to have an
37
00:02:28.960 --> 00:02:35.000
absolute breakout ladder match with Triple H. So let's sit back,
38
00:02:35.680 --> 00:02:40.680
crack open a Steve Wiser, and let's dive into Highway
39
00:02:41.120 --> 00:02:42.080
to Hell.
40
00:02:43.680 --> 00:02:43.919
See.
41
00:02:43.919 --> 00:02:46.879
Now, the show opens up and right away. You feel
42
00:02:46.879 --> 00:02:49.960
the atmosphere. You can feel the heat off the screen.
43
00:02:50.400 --> 00:02:54.280
The pyro is blasting, the crowded MSG is electric, and
44
00:02:54.439 --> 00:02:57.520
Jim Ross and Jerry the King lawl are are ringside
45
00:02:57.599 --> 00:03:01.159
to guide us through the madness. One thing though, that
46
00:03:01.240 --> 00:03:03.599
it immediately jumps out of you is when you look
47
00:03:03.639 --> 00:03:07.800
back at this event, the signs. There were so many
48
00:03:07.840 --> 00:03:11.599
signs in the crowd. Now, prior to the Attitude era,
49
00:03:11.759 --> 00:03:14.280
you saw a few, you know, thumbs up, thumbs down.
50
00:03:14.400 --> 00:03:17.120
I like Hogan, I like Austin, you know whatever. The
51
00:03:17.159 --> 00:03:21.080
audience though, was a c of post to board.
52
00:03:21.800 --> 00:03:22.000
Now.
53
00:03:22.039 --> 00:03:27.639
The original broadcast featured ac DC's Highway to Hell, which
54
00:03:27.759 --> 00:03:31.719
was the absolute perfect song for this era. But if
55
00:03:31.759 --> 00:03:35.479
you watch it anywhere, you're going to hear a generic
56
00:03:35.599 --> 00:03:39.879
rock dub because of music rights. But trust me, the
57
00:03:39.919 --> 00:03:45.400
original vibe was incredible. Our opening contest, though, sets the
58
00:03:45.439 --> 00:03:50.400
stage perfectly. It's dl O Brown defending the European Championship
59
00:03:50.479 --> 00:03:54.919
against val Venus. Now Venus cuts his classic pre match
60
00:03:55.000 --> 00:04:01.199
promos I came, I saw, I Came again nick jokes,
61
00:04:01.360 --> 00:04:05.759
which the New York crowd absolutely loved. Now Dela was
62
00:04:05.840 --> 00:04:09.599
representing the nation of domination. He was wearing the infamous
63
00:04:09.719 --> 00:04:13.960
chess protector, remember that gimmick. He claimed he was healing
64
00:04:14.000 --> 00:04:17.480
from a torn pectorial muscle, but really he was just
65
00:04:17.600 --> 00:04:20.319
using it as a loaded weapon for his frog splash
66
00:04:20.759 --> 00:04:25.759
classic heel heat. This was the first SummerSlam match for
67
00:04:25.879 --> 00:04:29.680
both of these guys and they were given a solid fifteen.
68
00:04:29.199 --> 00:04:32.279
Minutes to show the world what they could do.
69
00:04:33.120 --> 00:04:35.439
We saw a lot of back and forth here, Venus
70
00:04:35.480 --> 00:04:37.959
targets the back Delo uses his power.
71
00:04:38.720 --> 00:04:40.639
Eventually, though, Venus manages.
72
00:04:40.319 --> 00:04:43.879
To strip of the chess protector and puts it on himself.
73
00:04:44.720 --> 00:04:48.959
He goes up the top for the money shot splash,
74
00:04:49.079 --> 00:04:52.079
which when you say, hiss, finish your name out loud,
75
00:04:53.279 --> 00:04:56.839
I need a shower. But referee Jimmy Corderis tries to
76
00:04:56.879 --> 00:05:00.759
stop him because using the protector is illegal for Valvenus.
77
00:05:01.160 --> 00:05:05.480
Venus shoves the referee down and that's it. Venus gets disqualified,
78
00:05:05.680 --> 00:05:07.720
Dilo Brown retains.
79
00:05:08.240 --> 00:05:08.839
Now, it was a.
80
00:05:08.800 --> 00:05:13.519
Weird finish, but they you know, they had a damn
81
00:05:13.560 --> 00:05:17.480
good match. Damn good match, and I remember it fondly.
82
00:05:17.560 --> 00:05:20.399
But the post match, Venus slams a referee and hits
83
00:05:20.480 --> 00:05:24.360
him with the money shot anyway, sending the crowd home
84
00:05:24.399 --> 00:05:28.399
happy well, sending them into the rest of the show
85
00:05:28.439 --> 00:05:32.959
happy because next up we get some pure attitude era.
86
00:05:33.600 --> 00:05:38.959
It's three on four handicap match. It's the Oddities Kurgan, Golga,
87
00:05:39.639 --> 00:05:45.360
Giant Silva managed by Lunavashan taking them Kai and Tie
88
00:05:45.480 --> 00:05:47.279
and the Insane Clown.
89
00:05:47.000 --> 00:05:51.040
Posse also here with the Oddities.
90
00:05:51.439 --> 00:05:56.040
But if you watch this match anywhere else, icpiece entrance
91
00:05:56.120 --> 00:06:01.000
music is edited out, which kills the entire vibe for
92
00:06:01.079 --> 00:06:06.600
the Arterities because the crowd ate everything up the Aarities
93
00:06:06.720 --> 00:06:10.680
was putting out there. Now you've got Golga in this matchup.
94
00:06:10.759 --> 00:06:16.000
Who was the former Earthquake. Now he's wearing a mask
95
00:06:16.519 --> 00:06:25.199
and has a Cartment T shirt on. In nineteen ninety,
96
00:06:25.759 --> 00:06:28.959
Earthquake was in the double main event of SummerSlam taking
97
00:06:29.000 --> 00:06:31.839
on Hull Cogan. Here he is now wearing a Cartment
98
00:06:31.920 --> 00:06:35.439
shirt in a weird mask. But you did get the
99
00:06:35.480 --> 00:06:37.839
massive Kurrigan dropping his big bows.
100
00:06:38.480 --> 00:06:40.079
Giant Silva, who Jr.
101
00:06:40.199 --> 00:06:44.959
Noted that his size is comparable to Andre the Giant.
102
00:06:45.360 --> 00:06:47.920
They're just thrown around these cruiserweights around the ring like
103
00:06:48.000 --> 00:06:51.879
lawn darts. It wasn't a five star classic, but it
104
00:06:52.079 --> 00:06:55.519
wasn't trying to be. It went about ten minutes in
105
00:06:55.600 --> 00:06:58.839
the visual of all four Kind Time members getting double
106
00:06:59.360 --> 00:07:01.079
choke slam by Kergan.
107
00:07:01.000 --> 00:07:04.519
And Slova at the same time. Honestly, it's hilarious.
108
00:07:05.000 --> 00:07:08.480
Golga pins all four guys at once to get the win.
109
00:07:11.399 --> 00:07:12.519
Some people hate this match.
110
00:07:12.720 --> 00:07:17.839
I loved it, but from comedy we move into personal grudges.
111
00:07:18.519 --> 00:07:20.199
X pok is taking it on Jeff Chair in a
112
00:07:20.199 --> 00:07:23.480
hair versus hair match. Now XPOC comes out to a
113
00:07:23.600 --> 00:07:28.839
huge ovation accompanied by none other than legendary ring announcer
114
00:07:28.959 --> 00:07:33.240
Howard Finkel, who is sporting a D Generation X T shirt.
115
00:07:33.519 --> 00:07:35.879
And I'll be honest, I was in middle school in
116
00:07:35.959 --> 00:07:39.480
nineteen ninety eight and nothing was cooler than D Generation X.
117
00:07:39.959 --> 00:07:44.000
Nothing was more uncool than Howard Finkel wearing a D
118
00:07:44.160 --> 00:07:46.160
Generation EX T shirt.
119
00:07:46.839 --> 00:07:47.000
Now.
120
00:07:47.079 --> 00:07:50.879
Finkel had been humutilated by Jarrett in Southern Justice earlier
121
00:07:50.879 --> 00:07:55.800
in the night when they gave him a makeshift haircut
122
00:07:56.040 --> 00:07:58.519
even though he was bald. So x poc is out
123
00:07:58.519 --> 00:08:02.879
here fighting for finks on. This was a really solid
124
00:08:02.959 --> 00:08:06.240
mid card bout. Jarrett was an a transitional phase of
125
00:08:06.279 --> 00:08:11.600
his career, slowly moving away from Jae Haja double af
126
00:08:11.800 --> 00:08:16.519
j dol r E Double T Jeff Jarrett. Now they
127
00:08:16.519 --> 00:08:19.680
put together a great, fast paced matchup Jarrett using his
128
00:08:19.800 --> 00:08:22.120
classic stalling and tactical offense.
129
00:08:22.920 --> 00:08:24.519
The finish though peak.
130
00:08:24.800 --> 00:08:29.560
Attitude eraic chaos Southern Justice comes down to ringsight to interfere.
131
00:08:30.639 --> 00:08:34.120
Dennis Knight, who you probably remember better as Midian or
132
00:08:34.360 --> 00:08:38.639
Phineas Godwin, tries to slide Jarrett his trusty acoustic guitar.
133
00:08:39.879 --> 00:08:44.120
X Pock Dodges intercepts the guitar and absolutely come booms
134
00:08:44.240 --> 00:08:46.960
Jared over the head with it. While the referee is
135
00:08:47.120 --> 00:08:52.279
conveniently distracted. X Poc covers him while there's pieces of
136
00:08:52.519 --> 00:08:53.480
guitar everywhere.
137
00:08:53.960 --> 00:08:54.600
We have a winner.
138
00:08:55.679 --> 00:08:59.799
Now the stipulation the hair versus hair match, but the
139
00:09:00.000 --> 00:09:03.759
can that be more of a trim than a real shaving?
140
00:09:04.360 --> 00:09:06.320
The New Age out Laws and the head Bangers ran
141
00:09:06.399 --> 00:09:09.320
down to hold Jared in a chair. Xbox fires up
142
00:09:09.320 --> 00:09:13.399
the clippers, but they barely work, so he has to
143
00:09:13.399 --> 00:09:15.519
switch to a pair of scissors to hack away a
144
00:09:15.639 --> 00:09:20.200
double Jay's blonde hair. Jaredt manages to break free before
145
00:09:21.159 --> 00:09:26.240
going totally bald. Honestly, the haircut was a step up
146
00:09:26.279 --> 00:09:28.720
from what Jared was rocking. The long blonde now has
147
00:09:28.759 --> 00:09:31.840
got a short buzz haircut, which kicks off the don't
148
00:09:31.840 --> 00:09:36.039
piss me off version of Jeff Jarrett moving down on
149
00:09:36.080 --> 00:09:38.519
the car though, we have a mixed tag match that
150
00:09:38.600 --> 00:09:42.320
features a massive debut. Now it's Mark Merrow and Jacqueline
151
00:09:42.360 --> 00:09:46.879
taking on Sable and her mystery partner. Sable at this
152
00:09:47.120 --> 00:09:50.639
time was one of the top three most overacts in
153
00:09:50.679 --> 00:09:55.159
the entire company. The MSG crowd errups when she walks out.
154
00:09:55.720 --> 00:09:57.480
She steps into the ring alone.
155
00:09:57.240 --> 00:10:02.120
And then you hear you think you know me? Do
156
00:10:02.159 --> 00:10:02.960
you think you know me?
157
00:10:03.519 --> 00:10:07.919
Down through the crowd comes a young, undefeated rookie named Edge.
158
00:10:08.399 --> 00:10:11.840
This was Edge's first pay per view match, and being
159
00:10:11.879 --> 00:10:16.480
paired with Sable in this spot was a brilliant move
160
00:10:16.519 --> 00:10:20.159
by WWE to rub some of the massive popularity of
161
00:10:20.159 --> 00:10:26.320
Sable onto him. The psychology here it was great Edge
162
00:10:26.320 --> 00:10:29.840
tag Sable mayor was forced at tag Jacqueline Jaque keeps
163
00:10:29.879 --> 00:10:35.200
running away. Sable actually hits marriw though with his own
164
00:10:35.519 --> 00:10:40.320
finishing move the TKO. Later the match, Edge drops Marrow
165
00:10:40.320 --> 00:10:46.919
with a downwards spiral. Then body literally picks up Sable
166
00:10:47.320 --> 00:10:49.679
and slams are on top of the mirror for the pinfall.
167
00:10:50.120 --> 00:10:53.720
It was short, it was sweet, it was sable, it
168
00:10:53.840 --> 00:10:59.320
was wonderful, and the crowd absolutely loved it. But let's
169
00:10:59.320 --> 00:11:01.120
step out of the square a circle for a moment
170
00:11:01.159 --> 00:11:05.320
and head into MSG Theater, which was next door, because
171
00:11:05.360 --> 00:11:09.759
it's time for the Lions then match Ken Shamrock taking
172
00:11:09.759 --> 00:11:10.840
on Owen Hard.
173
00:11:11.120 --> 00:11:13.879
This was an incredibly unique setup.
174
00:11:13.879 --> 00:11:16.720
Instead of a ring, they had a cage structure built
175
00:11:16.759 --> 00:11:21.600
specifically to mimic an MMA octagon. Owenhart comes down with
176
00:11:21.679 --> 00:11:24.519
Dan seven in his corner, Seven, of course, being a
177
00:11:24.639 --> 00:11:30.480
legitimate UFC pioneer, just like Shamrock. I love this match honestly.
178
00:11:30.559 --> 00:11:34.159
It really let both guys showcase a different style. Owen
179
00:11:34.240 --> 00:11:39.519
played the desperate, crafty heel perfectly. He was throwing low blows,
180
00:11:39.679 --> 00:11:43.320
using Shermrock's own T shirt to choke him, and constantly
181
00:11:43.360 --> 00:11:46.720
trying to slam Ken's head into the steel mesh. He
182
00:11:46.720 --> 00:11:51.279
even locks in a sharpshooter on his brother. Of course,
183
00:11:53.799 --> 00:11:57.919
now Shamrock had to win this. It was his signature
184
00:11:57.960 --> 00:12:02.039
match type and he was the baby face out for revenge.
185
00:12:03.519 --> 00:12:07.679
It was greedy, it was intense, and it really stood
186
00:12:07.679 --> 00:12:12.559
out and made the card extra special this evening. But
187
00:12:12.679 --> 00:12:15.720
back to the main area, We've got the tag team
188
00:12:15.799 --> 00:12:18.360
titles on the line in a falls count anywhere match.
189
00:12:18.799 --> 00:12:18.960
Now.
190
00:12:19.000 --> 00:12:23.600
Going into this, the champions were Cain and Mankind, but backstage,
191
00:12:23.840 --> 00:12:25.799
Vince McMahon gets into Mankind's head.
192
00:12:26.159 --> 00:12:30.759
He tells fully, hey, Cain isn't here tonight, but you
193
00:12:30.879 --> 00:12:32.919
belong in the history books.
194
00:12:33.600 --> 00:12:39.519
Go out there and defend those titles alone. So out
195
00:12:39.639 --> 00:12:43.720
comes Mankind, who is a massive babyface at this point,
196
00:12:44.320 --> 00:12:48.759
especially after nearly killing himself in the Hell in the
197
00:12:48.840 --> 00:12:52.000
Cell match against the Undertaker just two months earlier.
198
00:12:52.879 --> 00:12:54.399
He's taking on the New Wage Outlaws.
199
00:12:55.080 --> 00:12:59.639
Rod Dog gets to James Badass Billy Gunn. This match
200
00:12:59.679 --> 00:13:05.480
is a essentially a five minute mugging. The Outlaws destroy
201
00:13:06.399 --> 00:13:12.399
mckfully destroy him, giving him a spike pile driver directly
202
00:13:12.480 --> 00:13:13.639
onto the title belts.
203
00:13:14.279 --> 00:13:17.159
The new Adult Laws are now your new tag team champions.
204
00:13:18.120 --> 00:13:21.559
But the postmatch is where the real story happens, because
205
00:13:21.600 --> 00:13:24.879
the Road Dog cuts its classic promo and they drag
206
00:13:25.039 --> 00:13:28.639
Mankind's beaten body over to the dumpster at ringside and
207
00:13:28.720 --> 00:13:31.559
throw them into the garbage. This is also a callback
208
00:13:31.600 --> 00:13:35.519
to early in the year when the Outlaws pushed Cactus Jack,
209
00:13:35.759 --> 00:13:39.919
who is also Mankind, and Terry Funk chainsaw Charlie off
210
00:13:39.960 --> 00:13:42.879
the edge of the raw Is War stage through a
211
00:13:42.919 --> 00:13:43.679
bunch of tables.
212
00:13:44.039 --> 00:13:44.799
Nice callback.
213
00:13:45.679 --> 00:13:49.799
But when they closed the lid and start celebrating, suddenly
214
00:13:49.840 --> 00:13:51.320
the dumpster lid pops open.
215
00:13:52.399 --> 00:13:56.519
Kine has been hiding in the trash this whole time.
216
00:13:57.120 --> 00:14:01.159
He pops up wielding a sledgehammer ends we're swinging it
217
00:14:01.480 --> 00:14:05.240
widely into the dumpster at Mankind. Now we don't actually
218
00:14:05.279 --> 00:14:08.600
see the impact, but Jim Ross is screaming his lungs
219
00:14:08.639 --> 00:14:14.399
out on commentary. Kine shuts the lid, rolls the dumpster away,
220
00:14:14.960 --> 00:14:18.799
and the angle was brilliant stepping stone into the tragedy
221
00:14:18.879 --> 00:14:22.279
of Mankind, setting the stage for the Vince McMahon to
222
00:14:22.320 --> 00:14:26.840
eventually take him under his wing as the corporate surrogate son,
223
00:14:27.440 --> 00:14:31.480
only to ruthlessly screw him over for The Rock at
224
00:14:31.519 --> 00:14:36.559
Survivor Series a few months later. Hey, and speaking of
225
00:14:36.600 --> 00:14:39.279
the Rock, it's time for the co main event in
226
00:14:39.320 --> 00:14:45.879
my eyes, the match that completely altered two careers, a
227
00:14:46.000 --> 00:14:49.720
ladder match for the Inner Continal Championship, The Rock defending
228
00:14:49.799 --> 00:14:51.519
against Triple H.
229
00:14:51.679 --> 00:14:54.080
These two were the leaders of their.
230
00:14:53.879 --> 00:14:58.480
Respected factions, The Rock heading the Nation of Domination in
231
00:14:58.600 --> 00:15:02.399
Triple H's leading D Generation X. Now they had wrestled
232
00:15:02.919 --> 00:15:05.519
in a thirty minute time when a draw a month
233
00:15:05.559 --> 00:15:08.519
ago at the pay per view fully loaded, so this
234
00:15:08.799 --> 00:15:13.279
was the ultimate tiebreaker. The entrances alone are spectacular. DX
235
00:15:13.440 --> 00:15:16.639
actually had Chris Warren band set up in the arena
236
00:15:17.159 --> 00:15:22.120
playing their entrance music live. The D Generation next theme song,
237
00:15:22.559 --> 00:15:25.480
Triple Edge comes out with China's sporting a massive brace
238
00:15:25.840 --> 00:15:28.519
on his right knee to sell a storyline injury. The
239
00:15:28.639 --> 00:15:32.279
Rock comes up with Mark Henry holding the Intercontinental title
240
00:15:33.519 --> 00:15:37.919
as he's possessed the title now for two hundred and
241
00:15:38.080 --> 00:15:39.200
sixty five days.
242
00:15:40.519 --> 00:15:43.480
The match is a masterpiece of psychology.
243
00:15:43.600 --> 00:15:47.840
It's the third ladder match in WWE history, and instead
244
00:15:47.879 --> 00:15:50.320
of treating the latter just as a climbing tool to
245
00:15:50.360 --> 00:15:53.559
do high flying spots, because neither of these guys were
246
00:15:53.600 --> 00:15:58.080
exactly gonna be Sean Michaels jumping around there, they use
247
00:15:58.159 --> 00:16:01.799
the ladders as brutal blunt force weapons.
248
00:16:02.559 --> 00:16:04.279
Now the story is simple but brilliant.
249
00:16:04.840 --> 00:16:07.559
Triple H is fighting on one good leg and the
250
00:16:07.679 --> 00:16:12.000
Rock is ruthlessly targeting it. The Rock smashes the ladder
251
00:16:12.000 --> 00:16:15.320
onto Hunter's injured knee, he drops elbows on it. He
252
00:16:15.399 --> 00:16:18.120
brings a steel chair to the ring and whacks the
253
00:16:18.200 --> 00:16:22.080
ladder while Hunter's leg is trapped inside. I will never
254
00:16:22.200 --> 00:16:27.440
forget that visual. But Hunter fights back. The crowd dynamics
255
00:16:27.440 --> 00:16:30.759
were fascinating here. The rock was a heel, but the
256
00:16:30.879 --> 00:16:35.519
MSG crowd couldn't help themselves. They started chinning Rocky Rocky.
257
00:16:36.159 --> 00:16:38.440
His charisma was undeniable.
258
00:16:38.559 --> 00:16:39.519
At this point.
259
00:16:40.000 --> 00:16:43.360
He even hits the people's elbow on Hunter, who's on
260
00:16:43.399 --> 00:16:48.440
a steel ladder. Eventually we get to the climax, not
261
00:16:48.600 --> 00:16:52.200
Valvinus style. The rock is climbing the ladder. Triple H
262
00:16:52.279 --> 00:16:56.360
pulls his trunks down, exposing a bit of the people's rear, end,
263
00:16:57.000 --> 00:17:00.600
gangs them off and hits the pedigree. Mark Henry tries
264
00:17:00.639 --> 00:17:04.559
to get involved and throws powder in Hunter's eyes, blinding him.
265
00:17:04.839 --> 00:17:08.519
The rock starts climbing again, but out of nowhere, China
266
00:17:08.559 --> 00:17:11.519
slips into the ring, steps up behind the rock and
267
00:17:11.599 --> 00:17:16.640
delivers a devastating low blow right to the groin Ouchy.
268
00:17:17.240 --> 00:17:21.119
The crowd explodes, the rock crashes to the mat. A
269
00:17:21.240 --> 00:17:24.599
blinded Triple H finds his way up the ladder with
270
00:17:24.759 --> 00:17:26.599
pure instinct.
271
00:17:26.200 --> 00:17:27.960
And pulls down the title.
272
00:17:29.680 --> 00:17:33.799
Now, I cannot overstate how important this match was. If
273
00:17:33.799 --> 00:17:37.160
you want to point to the exact night that both
274
00:17:37.200 --> 00:17:41.119
Triple H and The Rock became inventors, it's this night.
275
00:17:42.279 --> 00:17:45.960
The Rock losing the title actually freed him up to
276
00:17:46.200 --> 00:17:50.200
enter into the WWF title picture, culminating in a shocking
277
00:17:50.240 --> 00:17:54.440
heel turn at Survivor Series, though Triple H would have
278
00:17:54.640 --> 00:17:59.160
to vacate the championship a month later due to injury.
279
00:18:01.240 --> 00:18:07.200
It's very weird year for Triple H. But now, as
280
00:18:07.200 --> 00:18:09.799
I mentioned main eventors, it's time to get to the
281
00:18:09.799 --> 00:18:14.279
main event. It's for the ww Championship at Stone col
282
00:18:14.359 --> 00:18:17.400
sevev Astin defending against the Undertaker.
283
00:18:18.119 --> 00:18:20.039
Now the backstory here is fascinating.
284
00:18:20.599 --> 00:18:24.359
Vince Russo, the head writer at the time, desperately wanted
285
00:18:24.400 --> 00:18:27.039
the Undertaker to go into this match as a full
286
00:18:27.160 --> 00:18:32.039
blown heel, but Vince McMahon vetoed it sweet that we
287
00:18:32.160 --> 00:18:37.039
had a massive face versus face dynamic. The Undertaker, though
288
00:18:37.079 --> 00:18:40.640
he promised he would do this all alone, telling his
289
00:18:40.720 --> 00:18:41.559
brother Kin.
290
00:18:41.799 --> 00:18:45.279
To stay in the back, don't come out there. I'll
291
00:18:45.279 --> 00:18:45.880
take care of it.
292
00:18:47.000 --> 00:18:49.240
But when Stone col Seve Austin comes out and then
293
00:18:49.279 --> 00:18:54.720
glass shatters MSG. You can see the camera shaking. Jim
294
00:18:54.839 --> 00:18:58.920
Roth actually calls it on commentary, challenging Jerry Lawler to
295
00:18:59.000 --> 00:19:03.119
find a time a champion ever got an ovation like
296
00:19:03.200 --> 00:19:07.920
this in MSG. Now it's also a no disqualification match,
297
00:19:08.400 --> 00:19:13.559
and things get physically immediately. In fact, they get a
298
00:19:13.599 --> 00:19:17.839
little too physical early on. Austin runs the ropes and
299
00:19:18.000 --> 00:19:22.799
kicks Undertaker in the chest. Ontaker pops up awkwardly and
300
00:19:22.880 --> 00:19:26.759
the back of his head collides right into the bottom
301
00:19:26.799 --> 00:19:32.000
of Austin's chin. Now, Austin goes down hard. He has
302
00:19:32.039 --> 00:19:35.839
spoken about this spot many times since he was knocked
303
00:19:35.839 --> 00:19:37.880
out cold. For a few seconds he had.
304
00:19:37.759 --> 00:19:38.880
No idea where he was.
305
00:19:39.640 --> 00:19:44.000
Referee Earl Hebner had to lean down and remind him, Hey, Steve,
306
00:19:44.599 --> 00:19:48.559
you're in the ring and at SummerSlam, let's keep going.
307
00:19:49.559 --> 00:19:52.559
They managed to recover and battle to the outside, brawling
308
00:19:52.599 --> 00:19:55.519
through the crowd, and this is where the Undertaker hits
309
00:19:55.559 --> 00:19:58.240
one of the most insane spots I've ever seen in
310
00:19:58.240 --> 00:20:03.039
my life. He clears the Spanish announced table, drags Austin
311
00:20:03.079 --> 00:20:05.799
on top of it, climbs to the top, turn buckle,
312
00:20:06.359 --> 00:20:12.319
leaps off with a massive elbow excuse me a massive
313
00:20:12.319 --> 00:20:17.400
flying leg drop. They crash through it, or rather onto
314
00:20:17.480 --> 00:20:21.519
the table, because the table surprisingly didn't really want to break.
315
00:20:21.799 --> 00:20:23.759
They just slipped off, but.
316
00:20:23.759 --> 00:20:27.440
The visual was incredible. Back in the ring, they start
317
00:20:27.480 --> 00:20:31.119
trading near falls. Kane actually starts walking down the aisle
318
00:20:31.160 --> 00:20:32.519
to interfere outn't.
319
00:20:32.519 --> 00:20:35.359
Taker waves him off. He wants to win the belt
320
00:20:35.559 --> 00:20:36.160
on his own.
321
00:20:37.160 --> 00:20:41.119
The Undertaker goes for a choke slam, but Austin kicks
322
00:20:41.160 --> 00:20:44.359
them in the gut, goes to the stutter, Austin gets
323
00:20:44.359 --> 00:20:45.000
pushed off.
324
00:20:45.519 --> 00:20:46.799
Taker goes to the tombstone.
325
00:20:47.039 --> 00:20:50.759
Austin flips out of that boom Stone Cold Sutter one,
326
00:20:50.799 --> 00:20:56.440
two three. Austin retains the WWF Championship to a roaring
327
00:20:56.559 --> 00:21:01.960
crowd in New York City. Now, after the match, the
328
00:21:02.119 --> 00:21:04.880
Undertaker picks up the w W Championship.
329
00:21:05.200 --> 00:21:09.039
Now for a second, the crowd oh gasps. Is he
330
00:21:09.119 --> 00:21:12.559
going to hit Austin with it? Instead? He hands the
331
00:21:13.000 --> 00:21:15.599
Steve the championship out of pure respect.
332
00:21:16.319 --> 00:21:19.359
Take your leaves the ring, but then Kin returns it
333
00:21:19.400 --> 00:21:23.000
meets him in the aisle. The Brothers of Destruction stand
334
00:21:23.079 --> 00:21:28.480
together staring back Stone Cold Steve Boston as the show
335
00:21:28.519 --> 00:21:33.559
goes off, the air and that ladies and gentlemen were
336
00:21:33.559 --> 00:21:38.400
SummerSlam nineteen ninety eight, an event that perfectly and fills
337
00:21:38.400 --> 00:21:41.440
you in and brings you closer to the edited era
338
00:21:42.119 --> 00:21:45.039
and its success. You're the rise of news stars like
339
00:21:45.200 --> 00:21:49.079
Edge in Valvenis, you know, the crowning of degeneration, XIM
340
00:21:49.279 --> 00:21:52.599
the Rock taking their final steps towards superstardom. And you
341
00:21:52.680 --> 00:21:54.880
had the biggest straw in the history of the business,
342
00:21:55.160 --> 00:21:59.200
Stone Cold Steve Austin, cementing his legacies by beating the
343
00:21:59.200 --> 00:22:03.240
phenom The Undertaker in the world's most famous arena.
344
00:22:03.839 --> 00:22:05.960
Yeah, you haven't watched this pay per view in a while,
345
00:22:06.279 --> 00:22:07.200
do yourself a favor.
346
00:22:07.559 --> 00:22:10.960
Load it up and enjoy it because it's one you
347
00:22:11.000 --> 00:22:14.640
can't miss. And that's all time we have on this
348
00:22:14.759 --> 00:22:17.480
episode of The Fall Count. Thank you so much for
349
00:22:17.559 --> 00:22:21.359
tuning in. Be sure to tune in for more episodes
350
00:22:21.400 --> 00:22:25.119
of The Fall Count right here. I'm ce Fall have
351
00:22:25.160 --> 00:22:27.279
a wonderful day and we'll see you next time.
352
00:22:27.799 --> 00:22:28.279
Bye bye.
1
00:00:00.160 --> 00:00:02.759
Welcome back, everybody to the Fall Count. I'm your host,
2
00:00:02.799 --> 00:00:06.679
Steve Fall And today we're talking about August thirtieth, nineteen
3
00:00:06.759 --> 00:00:10.279
ninety eight. We're talking about Madison Square Garden in New
4
00:00:10.400 --> 00:00:16.920
York City. We are talking about WWE Summer Slam nineteen
5
00:00:17.120 --> 00:00:22.120
ninety eight. Now, if you were a fan nineteen ninety eight,
6
00:00:22.160 --> 00:00:25.480
you already know what a magical time this was. The
7
00:00:25.480 --> 00:00:30.440
Attitude era was in full swing. Business wasn't just good,
8
00:00:30.559 --> 00:00:35.520
it was booming. The Monday night wars were raging, and
9
00:00:35.560 --> 00:00:39.520
for the first time in years, WWE felt like an
10
00:00:39.640 --> 00:00:44.640
unstoppable juggernaut. Think about the landscape going into this show.
11
00:00:45.000 --> 00:00:49.039
The two best performers of the first decade of SummerSlam
12
00:00:49.079 --> 00:00:52.960
were completely gone. Brett the Hitman Heart was working down
13
00:00:53.000 --> 00:00:57.479
in WCW after the Montreal screw job, and Jean Michaels
14
00:00:57.600 --> 00:01:00.439
was out of action for what we all thought at
15
00:01:00.439 --> 00:01:04.000
the time was a career ending back injury.
16
00:01:04.560 --> 00:01:07.640
He wouldn't return to the ring until two thousand and two.
17
00:01:08.319 --> 00:01:13.200
So who was going to carry the flag none other
18
00:01:13.480 --> 00:01:15.159
than Stone Cold Steve Austin.
19
00:01:16.079 --> 00:01:19.879
Austin was firmly on top as the WWE champion.
20
00:01:20.280 --> 00:01:24.000
His storyline with Vince McMahon, the evil billionaire boss who
21
00:01:24.079 --> 00:01:28.040
is desperate to get rid of the beer swilling, middle
22
00:01:28.079 --> 00:01:33.280
finger raising redneck who was his top champion, and quite frankly,
23
00:01:33.920 --> 00:01:37.120
it's the best angle in the entire history of the company.
24
00:01:37.640 --> 00:01:41.640
It drew money like crazy. If there was one.
25
00:01:41.519 --> 00:01:44.079
Tiny flaw on the roster back then, it was a
26
00:01:44.200 --> 00:01:49.439
lack of top tier in ring heels. Now, Vince McMahon
27
00:01:49.519 --> 00:01:51.920
was the best heel they had, but he wasn't a
28
00:01:51.959 --> 00:01:56.200
full time wrestler. And still, anybody that watched in nineteen
29
00:01:56.280 --> 00:02:00.000
ninety eight will tell you it was one of WWE's
30
00:02:00.239 --> 00:02:06.319
absolute best years in terms of the on screen product. Now,
31
00:02:06.359 --> 00:02:10.360
this was the eleventh Summer Slam. It was a landmark night.
32
00:02:10.479 --> 00:02:13.919
Not only didn't we have Austin In the Undertaker headlining,
33
00:02:14.280 --> 00:02:16.960
but this event also marked the Summer Slim.
34
00:02:16.879 --> 00:02:21.319
Debut of a guy you might have heard of, The Rock.
35
00:02:22.360 --> 00:02:24.879
He was with the company in ninety seven, but he
36
00:02:25.080 --> 00:02:28.759
missed the event and he was about to have an
37
00:02:28.960 --> 00:02:35.000
absolute breakout ladder match with Triple H. So let's sit back,
38
00:02:35.680 --> 00:02:40.680
crack open a Steve Wiser, and let's dive into Highway
39
00:02:41.120 --> 00:02:42.080
to Hell.
40
00:02:43.680 --> 00:02:43.919
See.
41
00:02:43.919 --> 00:02:46.879
Now, the show opens up and right away. You feel
42
00:02:46.879 --> 00:02:49.960
the atmosphere. You can feel the heat off the screen.
43
00:02:50.400 --> 00:02:54.280
The pyro is blasting, the crowded MSG is electric, and
44
00:02:54.439 --> 00:02:57.520
Jim Ross and Jerry the King lawl are are ringside
45
00:02:57.599 --> 00:03:01.159
to guide us through the madness. One thing though, that
46
00:03:01.240 --> 00:03:03.599
it immediately jumps out of you is when you look
47
00:03:03.639 --> 00:03:07.800
back at this event, the signs. There were so many
48
00:03:07.840 --> 00:03:11.599
signs in the crowd. Now, prior to the Attitude era,
49
00:03:11.759 --> 00:03:14.280
you saw a few, you know, thumbs up, thumbs down.
50
00:03:14.400 --> 00:03:17.120
I like Hogan, I like Austin, you know whatever. The
51
00:03:17.159 --> 00:03:21.080
audience though, was a c of post to board.
52
00:03:21.800 --> 00:03:22.000
Now.
53
00:03:22.039 --> 00:03:27.639
The original broadcast featured ac DC's Highway to Hell, which
54
00:03:27.759 --> 00:03:31.719
was the absolute perfect song for this era. But if
55
00:03:31.759 --> 00:03:35.479
you watch it anywhere, you're going to hear a generic
56
00:03:35.599 --> 00:03:39.879
rock dub because of music rights. But trust me, the
57
00:03:39.919 --> 00:03:45.400
original vibe was incredible. Our opening contest, though, sets the
58
00:03:45.439 --> 00:03:50.400
stage perfectly. It's dl O Brown defending the European Championship
59
00:03:50.479 --> 00:03:54.919
against val Venus. Now Venus cuts his classic pre match
60
00:03:55.000 --> 00:04:01.199
promos I came, I saw, I Came again nick jokes,
61
00:04:01.360 --> 00:04:05.759
which the New York crowd absolutely loved. Now Dela was
62
00:04:05.840 --> 00:04:09.599
representing the nation of domination. He was wearing the infamous
63
00:04:09.719 --> 00:04:13.960
chess protector, remember that gimmick. He claimed he was healing
64
00:04:14.000 --> 00:04:17.480
from a torn pectorial muscle, but really he was just
65
00:04:17.600 --> 00:04:20.319
using it as a loaded weapon for his frog splash
66
00:04:20.759 --> 00:04:25.759
classic heel heat. This was the first SummerSlam match for
67
00:04:25.879 --> 00:04:29.680
both of these guys and they were given a solid fifteen.
68
00:04:29.199 --> 00:04:32.279
Minutes to show the world what they could do.
69
00:04:33.120 --> 00:04:35.439
We saw a lot of back and forth here, Venus
70
00:04:35.480 --> 00:04:37.959
targets the back Delo uses his power.
71
00:04:38.720 --> 00:04:40.639
Eventually, though, Venus manages.
72
00:04:40.319 --> 00:04:43.879
To strip of the chess protector and puts it on himself.
73
00:04:44.720 --> 00:04:48.959
He goes up the top for the money shot splash,
74
00:04:49.079 --> 00:04:52.079
which when you say, hiss, finish your name out loud,
75
00:04:53.279 --> 00:04:56.839
I need a shower. But referee Jimmy Corderis tries to
76
00:04:56.879 --> 00:05:00.759
stop him because using the protector is illegal for Valvenus.
77
00:05:01.160 --> 00:05:05.480
Venus shoves the referee down and that's it. Venus gets disqualified,
78
00:05:05.680 --> 00:05:07.720
Dilo Brown retains.
79
00:05:08.240 --> 00:05:08.839
Now, it was a.
80
00:05:08.800 --> 00:05:13.519
Weird finish, but they you know, they had a damn
81
00:05:13.560 --> 00:05:17.480
good match. Damn good match, and I remember it fondly.
82
00:05:17.560 --> 00:05:20.399
But the post match, Venus slams a referee and hits
83
00:05:20.480 --> 00:05:24.360
him with the money shot anyway, sending the crowd home
84
00:05:24.399 --> 00:05:28.399
happy well, sending them into the rest of the show
85
00:05:28.439 --> 00:05:32.959
happy because next up we get some pure attitude era.
86
00:05:33.600 --> 00:05:38.959
It's three on four handicap match. It's the Oddities Kurgan, Golga,
87
00:05:39.639 --> 00:05:45.360
Giant Silva managed by Lunavashan taking them Kai and Tie
88
00:05:45.480 --> 00:05:47.279
and the Insane Clown.
89
00:05:47.000 --> 00:05:51.040
Posse also here with the Oddities.
90
00:05:51.439 --> 00:05:56.040
But if you watch this match anywhere else, icpiece entrance
91
00:05:56.120 --> 00:06:01.000
music is edited out, which kills the entire vibe for
92
00:06:01.079 --> 00:06:06.600
the Arterities because the crowd ate everything up the Aarities
93
00:06:06.720 --> 00:06:10.680
was putting out there. Now you've got Golga in this matchup.
94
00:06:10.759 --> 00:06:16.000
Who was the former Earthquake. Now he's wearing a mask
95
00:06:16.519 --> 00:06:25.199
and has a Cartment T shirt on. In nineteen ninety,
96
00:06:25.759 --> 00:06:28.959
Earthquake was in the double main event of SummerSlam taking
97
00:06:29.000 --> 00:06:31.839
on Hull Cogan. Here he is now wearing a Cartment
98
00:06:31.920 --> 00:06:35.439
shirt in a weird mask. But you did get the
99
00:06:35.480 --> 00:06:37.839
massive Kurrigan dropping his big bows.
100
00:06:38.480 --> 00:06:40.079
Giant Silva, who Jr.
101
00:06:40.199 --> 00:06:44.959
Noted that his size is comparable to Andre the Giant.
102
00:06:45.360 --> 00:06:47.920
They're just thrown around these cruiserweights around the ring like
103
00:06:48.000 --> 00:06:51.879
lawn darts. It wasn't a five star classic, but it
104
00:06:52.079 --> 00:06:55.519
wasn't trying to be. It went about ten minutes in
105
00:06:55.600 --> 00:06:58.839
the visual of all four Kind Time members getting double
106
00:06:59.360 --> 00:07:01.079
choke slam by Kergan.
107
00:07:01.000 --> 00:07:04.519
And Slova at the same time. Honestly, it's hilarious.
108
00:07:05.000 --> 00:07:08.480
Golga pins all four guys at once to get the win.
109
00:07:11.399 --> 00:07:12.519
Some people hate this match.
110
00:07:12.720 --> 00:07:17.839
I loved it, but from comedy we move into personal grudges.
111
00:07:18.519 --> 00:07:20.199
X pok is taking it on Jeff Chair in a
112
00:07:20.199 --> 00:07:23.480
hair versus hair match. Now XPOC comes out to a
113
00:07:23.600 --> 00:07:28.839
huge ovation accompanied by none other than legendary ring announcer
114
00:07:28.959 --> 00:07:33.240
Howard Finkel, who is sporting a D Generation X T shirt.
115
00:07:33.519 --> 00:07:35.879
And I'll be honest, I was in middle school in
116
00:07:35.959 --> 00:07:39.480
nineteen ninety eight and nothing was cooler than D Generation X.
117
00:07:39.959 --> 00:07:44.000
Nothing was more uncool than Howard Finkel wearing a D
118
00:07:44.160 --> 00:07:46.160
Generation EX T shirt.
119
00:07:46.839 --> 00:07:47.000
Now.
120
00:07:47.079 --> 00:07:50.879
Finkel had been humutilated by Jarrett in Southern Justice earlier
121
00:07:50.879 --> 00:07:55.800
in the night when they gave him a makeshift haircut
122
00:07:56.040 --> 00:07:58.519
even though he was bald. So x poc is out
123
00:07:58.519 --> 00:08:02.879
here fighting for finks on. This was a really solid
124
00:08:02.959 --> 00:08:06.240
mid card bout. Jarrett was an a transitional phase of
125
00:08:06.279 --> 00:08:11.600
his career, slowly moving away from Jae Haja double af
126
00:08:11.800 --> 00:08:16.519
j dol r E Double T Jeff Jarrett. Now they
127
00:08:16.519 --> 00:08:19.680
put together a great, fast paced matchup Jarrett using his
128
00:08:19.800 --> 00:08:22.120
classic stalling and tactical offense.
129
00:08:22.920 --> 00:08:24.519
The finish though peak.
130
00:08:24.800 --> 00:08:29.560
Attitude eraic chaos Southern Justice comes down to ringsight to interfere.
131
00:08:30.639 --> 00:08:34.120
Dennis Knight, who you probably remember better as Midian or
132
00:08:34.360 --> 00:08:38.639
Phineas Godwin, tries to slide Jarrett his trusty acoustic guitar.
133
00:08:39.879 --> 00:08:44.120
X Pock Dodges intercepts the guitar and absolutely come booms
134
00:08:44.240 --> 00:08:46.960
Jared over the head with it. While the referee is
135
00:08:47.120 --> 00:08:52.279
conveniently distracted. X Poc covers him while there's pieces of
136
00:08:52.519 --> 00:08:53.480
guitar everywhere.
137
00:08:53.960 --> 00:08:54.600
We have a winner.
138
00:08:55.679 --> 00:08:59.799
Now the stipulation the hair versus hair match, but the
139
00:09:00.000 --> 00:09:03.759
can that be more of a trim than a real shaving?
140
00:09:04.360 --> 00:09:06.320
The New Age out Laws and the head Bangers ran
141
00:09:06.399 --> 00:09:09.320
down to hold Jared in a chair. Xbox fires up
142
00:09:09.320 --> 00:09:13.399
the clippers, but they barely work, so he has to
143
00:09:13.399 --> 00:09:15.519
switch to a pair of scissors to hack away a
144
00:09:15.639 --> 00:09:20.200
double Jay's blonde hair. Jaredt manages to break free before
145
00:09:21.159 --> 00:09:26.240
going totally bald. Honestly, the haircut was a step up
146
00:09:26.279 --> 00:09:28.720
from what Jared was rocking. The long blonde now has
147
00:09:28.759 --> 00:09:31.840
got a short buzz haircut, which kicks off the don't
148
00:09:31.840 --> 00:09:36.039
piss me off version of Jeff Jarrett moving down on
149
00:09:36.080 --> 00:09:38.519
the car though, we have a mixed tag match that
150
00:09:38.600 --> 00:09:42.320
features a massive debut. Now it's Mark Merrow and Jacqueline
151
00:09:42.360 --> 00:09:46.879
taking on Sable and her mystery partner. Sable at this
152
00:09:47.120 --> 00:09:50.639
time was one of the top three most overacts in
153
00:09:50.679 --> 00:09:55.159
the entire company. The MSG crowd errups when she walks out.
154
00:09:55.720 --> 00:09:57.480
She steps into the ring alone.
155
00:09:57.240 --> 00:10:02.120
And then you hear you think you know me? Do
156
00:10:02.159 --> 00:10:02.960
you think you know me?
157
00:10:03.519 --> 00:10:07.919
Down through the crowd comes a young, undefeated rookie named Edge.
158
00:10:08.399 --> 00:10:11.840
This was Edge's first pay per view match, and being
159
00:10:11.879 --> 00:10:16.480
paired with Sable in this spot was a brilliant move
160
00:10:16.519 --> 00:10:20.159
by WWE to rub some of the massive popularity of
161
00:10:20.159 --> 00:10:26.320
Sable onto him. The psychology here it was great Edge
162
00:10:26.320 --> 00:10:29.840
tag Sable mayor was forced at tag Jacqueline Jaque keeps
163
00:10:29.879 --> 00:10:35.200
running away. Sable actually hits marriw though with his own
164
00:10:35.519 --> 00:10:40.320
finishing move the TKO. Later the match, Edge drops Marrow
165
00:10:40.320 --> 00:10:46.919
with a downwards spiral. Then body literally picks up Sable
166
00:10:47.320 --> 00:10:49.679
and slams are on top of the mirror for the pinfall.
167
00:10:50.120 --> 00:10:53.720
It was short, it was sweet, it was sable, it
168
00:10:53.840 --> 00:10:59.320
was wonderful, and the crowd absolutely loved it. But let's
169
00:10:59.320 --> 00:11:01.120
step out of the square a circle for a moment
170
00:11:01.159 --> 00:11:05.320
and head into MSG Theater, which was next door, because
171
00:11:05.360 --> 00:11:09.759
it's time for the Lions then match Ken Shamrock taking
172
00:11:09.759 --> 00:11:10.840
on Owen Hard.
173
00:11:11.120 --> 00:11:13.879
This was an incredibly unique setup.
174
00:11:13.879 --> 00:11:16.720
Instead of a ring, they had a cage structure built
175
00:11:16.759 --> 00:11:21.600
specifically to mimic an MMA octagon. Owenhart comes down with
176
00:11:21.679 --> 00:11:24.519
Dan seven in his corner, Seven, of course, being a
177
00:11:24.639 --> 00:11:30.480
legitimate UFC pioneer, just like Shamrock. I love this match honestly.
178
00:11:30.559 --> 00:11:34.159
It really let both guys showcase a different style. Owen
179
00:11:34.240 --> 00:11:39.519
played the desperate, crafty heel perfectly. He was throwing low blows,
180
00:11:39.679 --> 00:11:43.320
using Shermrock's own T shirt to choke him, and constantly
181
00:11:43.360 --> 00:11:46.720
trying to slam Ken's head into the steel mesh. He
182
00:11:46.720 --> 00:11:51.279
even locks in a sharpshooter on his brother. Of course,
183
00:11:53.799 --> 00:11:57.919
now Shamrock had to win this. It was his signature
184
00:11:57.960 --> 00:12:02.039
match type and he was the baby face out for revenge.
185
00:12:03.519 --> 00:12:07.679
It was greedy, it was intense, and it really stood
186
00:12:07.679 --> 00:12:12.559
out and made the card extra special this evening. But
187
00:12:12.679 --> 00:12:15.720
back to the main area, We've got the tag team
188
00:12:15.799 --> 00:12:18.360
titles on the line in a falls count anywhere match.
189
00:12:18.799 --> 00:12:18.960
Now.
190
00:12:19.000 --> 00:12:23.600
Going into this, the champions were Cain and Mankind, but backstage,
191
00:12:23.840 --> 00:12:25.799
Vince McMahon gets into Mankind's head.
192
00:12:26.159 --> 00:12:30.759
He tells fully, hey, Cain isn't here tonight, but you
193
00:12:30.879 --> 00:12:32.919
belong in the history books.
194
00:12:33.600 --> 00:12:39.519
Go out there and defend those titles alone. So out
195
00:12:39.639 --> 00:12:43.720
comes Mankind, who is a massive babyface at this point,
196
00:12:44.320 --> 00:12:48.759
especially after nearly killing himself in the Hell in the
197
00:12:48.840 --> 00:12:52.000
Cell match against the Undertaker just two months earlier.
198
00:12:52.879 --> 00:12:54.399
He's taking on the New Wage Outlaws.
199
00:12:55.080 --> 00:12:59.639
Rod Dog gets to James Badass Billy Gunn. This match
200
00:12:59.679 --> 00:13:05.480
is a essentially a five minute mugging. The Outlaws destroy
201
00:13:06.399 --> 00:13:12.399
mckfully destroy him, giving him a spike pile driver directly
202
00:13:12.480 --> 00:13:13.639
onto the title belts.
203
00:13:14.279 --> 00:13:17.159
The new Adult Laws are now your new tag team champions.
204
00:13:18.120 --> 00:13:21.559
But the postmatch is where the real story happens, because
205
00:13:21.600 --> 00:13:24.879
the Road Dog cuts its classic promo and they drag
206
00:13:25.039 --> 00:13:28.639
Mankind's beaten body over to the dumpster at ringside and
207
00:13:28.720 --> 00:13:31.559
throw them into the garbage. This is also a callback
208
00:13:31.600 --> 00:13:35.519
to early in the year when the Outlaws pushed Cactus Jack,
209
00:13:35.759 --> 00:13:39.919
who is also Mankind, and Terry Funk chainsaw Charlie off
210
00:13:39.960 --> 00:13:42.879
the edge of the raw Is War stage through a
211
00:13:42.919 --> 00:13:43.679
bunch of tables.
212
00:13:44.039 --> 00:13:44.799
Nice callback.
213
00:13:45.679 --> 00:13:49.799
But when they closed the lid and start celebrating, suddenly
214
00:13:49.840 --> 00:13:51.320
the dumpster lid pops open.
215
00:13:52.399 --> 00:13:56.519
Kine has been hiding in the trash this whole time.
216
00:13:57.120 --> 00:14:01.159
He pops up wielding a sledgehammer ends we're swinging it
217
00:14:01.480 --> 00:14:05.240
widely into the dumpster at Mankind. Now we don't actually
218
00:14:05.279 --> 00:14:08.600
see the impact, but Jim Ross is screaming his lungs
219
00:14:08.639 --> 00:14:14.399
out on commentary. Kine shuts the lid, rolls the dumpster away,
220
00:14:14.960 --> 00:14:18.799
and the angle was brilliant stepping stone into the tragedy
221
00:14:18.879 --> 00:14:22.279
of Mankind, setting the stage for the Vince McMahon to
222
00:14:22.320 --> 00:14:26.840
eventually take him under his wing as the corporate surrogate son,
223
00:14:27.440 --> 00:14:31.480
only to ruthlessly screw him over for The Rock at
224
00:14:31.519 --> 00:14:36.559
Survivor Series a few months later. Hey, and speaking of
225
00:14:36.600 --> 00:14:39.279
the Rock, it's time for the co main event in
226
00:14:39.320 --> 00:14:45.879
my eyes, the match that completely altered two careers, a
227
00:14:46.000 --> 00:14:49.720
ladder match for the Inner Continal Championship, The Rock defending
228
00:14:49.799 --> 00:14:51.519
against Triple H.
229
00:14:51.679 --> 00:14:54.080
These two were the leaders of their.
230
00:14:53.879 --> 00:14:58.480
Respected factions, The Rock heading the Nation of Domination in
231
00:14:58.600 --> 00:15:02.399
Triple H's leading D Generation X. Now they had wrestled
232
00:15:02.919 --> 00:15:05.519
in a thirty minute time when a draw a month
233
00:15:05.559 --> 00:15:08.519
ago at the pay per view fully loaded, so this
234
00:15:08.799 --> 00:15:13.279
was the ultimate tiebreaker. The entrances alone are spectacular. DX
235
00:15:13.440 --> 00:15:16.639
actually had Chris Warren band set up in the arena
236
00:15:17.159 --> 00:15:22.120
playing their entrance music live. The D Generation next theme song,
237
00:15:22.559 --> 00:15:25.480
Triple Edge comes out with China's sporting a massive brace
238
00:15:25.840 --> 00:15:28.519
on his right knee to sell a storyline injury. The
239
00:15:28.639 --> 00:15:32.279
Rock comes up with Mark Henry holding the Intercontinental title
240
00:15:33.519 --> 00:15:37.919
as he's possessed the title now for two hundred and
241
00:15:38.080 --> 00:15:39.200
sixty five days.
242
00:15:40.519 --> 00:15:43.480
The match is a masterpiece of psychology.
243
00:15:43.600 --> 00:15:47.840
It's the third ladder match in WWE history, and instead
244
00:15:47.879 --> 00:15:50.320
of treating the latter just as a climbing tool to
245
00:15:50.360 --> 00:15:53.559
do high flying spots, because neither of these guys were
246
00:15:53.600 --> 00:15:58.080
exactly gonna be Sean Michaels jumping around there, they use
247
00:15:58.159 --> 00:16:01.799
the ladders as brutal blunt force weapons.
248
00:16:02.559 --> 00:16:04.279
Now the story is simple but brilliant.
249
00:16:04.840 --> 00:16:07.559
Triple H is fighting on one good leg and the
250
00:16:07.679 --> 00:16:12.000
Rock is ruthlessly targeting it. The Rock smashes the ladder
251
00:16:12.000 --> 00:16:15.320
onto Hunter's injured knee, he drops elbows on it. He
252
00:16:15.399 --> 00:16:18.120
brings a steel chair to the ring and whacks the
253
00:16:18.200 --> 00:16:22.080
ladder while Hunter's leg is trapped inside. I will never
254
00:16:22.200 --> 00:16:27.440
forget that visual. But Hunter fights back. The crowd dynamics
255
00:16:27.440 --> 00:16:30.759
were fascinating here. The rock was a heel, but the
256
00:16:30.879 --> 00:16:35.519
MSG crowd couldn't help themselves. They started chinning Rocky Rocky.
257
00:16:36.159 --> 00:16:38.440
His charisma was undeniable.
258
00:16:38.559 --> 00:16:39.519
At this point.
259
00:16:40.000 --> 00:16:43.360
He even hits the people's elbow on Hunter, who's on
260
00:16:43.399 --> 00:16:48.440
a steel ladder. Eventually we get to the climax, not
261
00:16:48.600 --> 00:16:52.200
Valvinus style. The rock is climbing the ladder. Triple H
262
00:16:52.279 --> 00:16:56.360
pulls his trunks down, exposing a bit of the people's rear, end,
263
00:16:57.000 --> 00:17:00.600
gangs them off and hits the pedigree. Mark Henry tries
264
00:17:00.639 --> 00:17:04.559
to get involved and throws powder in Hunter's eyes, blinding him.
265
00:17:04.839 --> 00:17:08.519
The rock starts climbing again, but out of nowhere, China
266
00:17:08.559 --> 00:17:11.519
slips into the ring, steps up behind the rock and
267
00:17:11.599 --> 00:17:16.640
delivers a devastating low blow right to the groin Ouchy.
268
00:17:17.240 --> 00:17:21.119
The crowd explodes, the rock crashes to the mat. A
269
00:17:21.240 --> 00:17:24.599
blinded Triple H finds his way up the ladder with
270
00:17:24.759 --> 00:17:26.599
pure instinct.
271
00:17:26.200 --> 00:17:27.960
And pulls down the title.
272
00:17:29.680 --> 00:17:33.799
Now, I cannot overstate how important this match was. If
273
00:17:33.799 --> 00:17:37.160
you want to point to the exact night that both
274
00:17:37.200 --> 00:17:41.119
Triple H and The Rock became inventors, it's this night.
275
00:17:42.279 --> 00:17:45.960
The Rock losing the title actually freed him up to
276
00:17:46.200 --> 00:17:50.200
enter into the WWF title picture, culminating in a shocking
277
00:17:50.240 --> 00:17:54.440
heel turn at Survivor Series, though Triple H would have
278
00:17:54.640 --> 00:17:59.160
to vacate the championship a month later due to injury.
279
00:18:01.240 --> 00:18:07.200
It's very weird year for Triple H. But now, as
280
00:18:07.200 --> 00:18:09.799
I mentioned main eventors, it's time to get to the
281
00:18:09.799 --> 00:18:14.279
main event. It's for the ww Championship at Stone col
282
00:18:14.359 --> 00:18:17.400
sevev Astin defending against the Undertaker.
283
00:18:18.119 --> 00:18:20.039
Now the backstory here is fascinating.
284
00:18:20.599 --> 00:18:24.359
Vince Russo, the head writer at the time, desperately wanted
285
00:18:24.400 --> 00:18:27.039
the Undertaker to go into this match as a full
286
00:18:27.160 --> 00:18:32.039
blown heel, but Vince McMahon vetoed it sweet that we
287
00:18:32.160 --> 00:18:37.039
had a massive face versus face dynamic. The Undertaker, though
288
00:18:37.079 --> 00:18:40.640
he promised he would do this all alone, telling his
289
00:18:40.720 --> 00:18:41.559
brother Kin.
290
00:18:41.799 --> 00:18:45.279
To stay in the back, don't come out there. I'll
291
00:18:45.279 --> 00:18:45.880
take care of it.
292
00:18:47.000 --> 00:18:49.240
But when Stone col Seve Austin comes out and then
293
00:18:49.279 --> 00:18:54.720
glass shatters MSG. You can see the camera shaking. Jim
294
00:18:54.839 --> 00:18:58.920
Roth actually calls it on commentary, challenging Jerry Lawler to
295
00:18:59.000 --> 00:19:03.119
find a time a champion ever got an ovation like
296
00:19:03.200 --> 00:19:07.920
this in MSG. Now it's also a no disqualification match,
297
00:19:08.400 --> 00:19:13.559
and things get physically immediately. In fact, they get a
298
00:19:13.599 --> 00:19:17.839
little too physical early on. Austin runs the ropes and
299
00:19:18.000 --> 00:19:22.799
kicks Undertaker in the chest. Ontaker pops up awkwardly and
300
00:19:22.880 --> 00:19:26.759
the back of his head collides right into the bottom
301
00:19:26.799 --> 00:19:32.000
of Austin's chin. Now, Austin goes down hard. He has
302
00:19:32.039 --> 00:19:35.839
spoken about this spot many times since he was knocked
303
00:19:35.839 --> 00:19:37.880
out cold. For a few seconds he had.
304
00:19:37.759 --> 00:19:38.880
No idea where he was.
305
00:19:39.640 --> 00:19:44.000
Referee Earl Hebner had to lean down and remind him, Hey, Steve,
306
00:19:44.599 --> 00:19:48.559
you're in the ring and at SummerSlam, let's keep going.
307
00:19:49.559 --> 00:19:52.559
They managed to recover and battle to the outside, brawling
308
00:19:52.599 --> 00:19:55.519
through the crowd, and this is where the Undertaker hits
309
00:19:55.559 --> 00:19:58.240
one of the most insane spots I've ever seen in
310
00:19:58.240 --> 00:20:03.039
my life. He clears the Spanish announced table, drags Austin
311
00:20:03.079 --> 00:20:05.799
on top of it, climbs to the top, turn buckle,
312
00:20:06.359 --> 00:20:12.319
leaps off with a massive elbow excuse me a massive
313
00:20:12.319 --> 00:20:17.400
flying leg drop. They crash through it, or rather onto
314
00:20:17.480 --> 00:20:21.519
the table, because the table surprisingly didn't really want to break.
315
00:20:21.799 --> 00:20:23.759
They just slipped off, but.
316
00:20:23.759 --> 00:20:27.440
The visual was incredible. Back in the ring, they start
317
00:20:27.480 --> 00:20:31.119
trading near falls. Kane actually starts walking down the aisle
318
00:20:31.160 --> 00:20:32.519
to interfere outn't.
319
00:20:32.519 --> 00:20:35.359
Taker waves him off. He wants to win the belt
320
00:20:35.559 --> 00:20:36.160
on his own.
321
00:20:37.160 --> 00:20:41.119
The Undertaker goes for a choke slam, but Austin kicks
322
00:20:41.160 --> 00:20:44.359
them in the gut, goes to the stutter, Austin gets
323
00:20:44.359 --> 00:20:45.000
pushed off.
324
00:20:45.519 --> 00:20:46.799
Taker goes to the tombstone.
325
00:20:47.039 --> 00:20:50.759
Austin flips out of that boom Stone Cold Sutter one,
326
00:20:50.799 --> 00:20:56.440
two three. Austin retains the WWF Championship to a roaring
327
00:20:56.559 --> 00:21:01.960
crowd in New York City. Now, after the match, the
328
00:21:02.119 --> 00:21:04.880
Undertaker picks up the w W Championship.
329
00:21:05.200 --> 00:21:09.039
Now for a second, the crowd oh gasps. Is he
330
00:21:09.119 --> 00:21:12.559
going to hit Austin with it? Instead? He hands the
331
00:21:13.000 --> 00:21:15.599
Steve the championship out of pure respect.
332
00:21:16.319 --> 00:21:19.359
Take your leaves the ring, but then Kin returns it
333
00:21:19.400 --> 00:21:23.000
meets him in the aisle. The Brothers of Destruction stand
334
00:21:23.079 --> 00:21:28.480
together staring back Stone Cold Steve Boston as the show
335
00:21:28.519 --> 00:21:33.559
goes off, the air and that ladies and gentlemen were
336
00:21:33.559 --> 00:21:38.400
SummerSlam nineteen ninety eight, an event that perfectly and fills
337
00:21:38.400 --> 00:21:41.440
you in and brings you closer to the edited era
338
00:21:42.119 --> 00:21:45.039
and its success. You're the rise of news stars like
339
00:21:45.200 --> 00:21:49.079
Edge in Valvenis, you know, the crowning of degeneration, XIM
340
00:21:49.279 --> 00:21:52.599
the Rock taking their final steps towards superstardom. And you
341
00:21:52.680 --> 00:21:54.880
had the biggest straw in the history of the business,
342
00:21:55.160 --> 00:21:59.200
Stone Cold Steve Austin, cementing his legacies by beating the
343
00:21:59.200 --> 00:22:03.240
phenom The Undertaker in the world's most famous arena.
344
00:22:03.839 --> 00:22:05.960
Yeah, you haven't watched this pay per view in a while,
345
00:22:06.279 --> 00:22:07.200
do yourself a favor.
346
00:22:07.559 --> 00:22:10.960
Load it up and enjoy it because it's one you
347
00:22:11.000 --> 00:22:14.640
can't miss. And that's all time we have on this
348
00:22:14.759 --> 00:22:17.480
episode of The Fall Count. Thank you so much for
349
00:22:17.559 --> 00:22:21.359
tuning in. Be sure to tune in for more episodes
350
00:22:21.400 --> 00:22:25.119
of The Fall Count right here. I'm ce Fall have
351
00:22:25.160 --> 00:22:27.279
a wonderful day and we'll see you next time.
352
00:22:27.799 --> 00:22:28.279
Bye bye.
