WRESTLEMANIA XIV ... by Chris Hyatte
Arrowhead Pond in Anaheim House Show results 3/13/98
Spring is in the air. The grass is beginning to turn green, leaves are starting to peak out from the trees, and car washes are beginning to reap the harvest from that first Spring car washing. It's a great time of the year.
It's also the very best time of the year for Wrestling fans. For one night, fans who spend all year bickering over the mighty question, "WCW or WWF?" put aside their differences and sit down to watch the one pay per view event that is a "must watch". This is Wrestlemania, this is where it all began. It is our very own "Superbowl".
Of course, they can't all be winners. Wrestlemania saw some real clunkers over the years. Last year's show was visibly quiet in terms of buzz and excitement. Indeed, the only standout match was the now classic "I Quit" match between Bret Hart and "Stone Cold" Steve Austin. Hart won the match, but it was Austin's heavily bleeding forehead and his pure charisma that won over the fans. Other than that, the highlight of the night was Shawn Michaels (who wasn't wrestling because he was missing his smile), who snuck in a "Wolfpack" sign to the cameras. The next night on Nitro, Kevin Nash returned the favor and acknowledged the signal by saying, "Right back at ya" HBK". A subtle moment, but it was enough to have internet marks giggling for weeks.
This year however, things are different. Ever since January, the WWF went on an aggressive campaign to grab as many viewers as possible. The focal point was the hiring of "Iron" Mike Tyson, "The Baddest Man on the Planet" in an "Enforcer" type role. Tyson's involvement brought mainstream media attention to the event. For 3.5 million dollars, the WWF purchased a controversial athlete whose mere presence insured attention. The biggest question of the night was just how involved would he be in the main event match? Or would he be just a glorified hood ornament? Another question revolved around the health of some of the wrestlers, particularly WWF champion Shawn Michaels, who was still recovering from a grueling match with the Undertaker over two months ago. All these questions were answered tonight, and by the end of the show, one question in particular kept popping up in my mind. Would this be the final match of the "Heartbreak Kid"?
- opens with an "alternative, new wave" rendition of "America the Beautiful" and the "National Anthem" by the Degeneration X band. Judging from the boos from the fans, I don't think George Washington would regret not being alive to hear it.
- opening video montage steeped heavily in the tradition of Wrestlemania.
- Faarooq and Kama came into the ring, which was already filled with 13 of the 15 teams for the...
FIRST MATCH
15 Tag Team Battle Royal. (Whoever is eliminated, his partner is eliminated as well. Winners get a tag title shot at the April pay per view).
There were no surprises here. All of the usual tag team suspects were there, as well as some singles wrestlers paired together, such as Bradshaw and Chainz. Knowing how to get the fans going early, the last team sent into the ring was the returning Legion of Doom, now wearing motorcycle helmets and spruced up ring wear. Animal was now wearing shorts instead of the long legged tights. Both men also got rid of their hairstyles in favor of a pair of tightly shorn crewcuts. The real surprise was who brought them to the ring. Making her return to a more active in ring role was Sunny, barely dressed in a glorified bikini. Apparently, she is now Hawk and Animal's manager. The battle royal began quickly..
Highlights & Lowlights
- Not much to work with. It was confusing as Hell.
- At one point, Kurrgen the Interrogator came out and eliminated a member of the Jackyl's Truth Commission. Then he took off.
- Many times, wrestlers were eliminated, but ran back into the ring and continued fighting.
- Thankfully, this match barely lasted ten minutes.
It ended as you would expect. With the LOD eliminating the new Midnight Express. It was a throwaway match, used specifically to showcase the newly packaged LOD, and to give some mid to bottom carders a chance to shine in the biggest show of the year.
- Kevin Kelly and the Honky Tonk Man plugged the WWF Hotline. Honky was holding a trophy that they won for having the best interactive sport and gaming phoneline.
- Ross and Lawler showed us footage of some promotional work that the WWF Stars did over the past week to hype the event.
SECOND MATCH
Aguila vs Taka Michinoku (WWF Light Heavyweight Championship match)
Aguila was already in the ring when we went back to the Fleet Center. Taka's music was playing and the champ came out. Since these two men were teaming up not too long ago, there was no heel angle to play up, it was simply a match between two skilled wrestlers. They even slapped hands before locking up.
Highlights & Lowlights
- Within the first 30 seconds of the match, Aguila got the crowd going with a top rope moonsault onto Michinoku. The beauty of it was that Michinoku was on the outside at the time.
- After throwing Aguila outside, Michinoku spruced up his Top Rope Outside Dive by actually getting a running start, then leaping onto the top rope. then onto Aguila without missing a beat.
- Another ariel assault involved Aguila performing a spin/flip plancha onto Michinoku.
- The fast pace match even managed to pick it up a notch higher as it went on.
- Michinoku attempted 2 moonsaults, and missed both of them.
- Michinoku hit Aguila with a missile dropkick which was the hardest that I have ever seen.
Michinoku won it evenly with the Michinoku Driver. They shook hands after the match, and the fans applauded their efforts. After the messiness of the Battle Royal, it was a good way to start the night off.
- In a pre-taped segment. Gennifer Flowers interviewed The "Rock". It was pure fluff, and a waste of time. The only good part about it was that Maivia said that he supported the homeless situation, so long as they don't come near his mansion in Miami's South Beach.
THIRD MATCH
Owen Hart vs Triple H (WWF European Heavyweight Championship Match. Chyna was to be handcuffed to Commissioner Slaughter for the duration)
The DX band played an instrumental version of the DX theme song as Triple H and Chyna came to the ring. HHH got his very own in ring fireworks display. As expected, Chyna protested as Slaughter tried to cuff her to him. Chyna even went face to face with the former Marine, and they started jawjacking with each other. Through some trickery, Slaughter managed to get the cuffs on Chyna. Owen Hart came limping to the ring, but he was smiling as he slapped hands. He ran into the ring and tackled HHH. The flailing began, as did the match.
Highlights & Lowlights
- This may have been the best match HHH has ever wrestled.
- Even so, his style is very old school, and VERY reminiscent of a young Ric Flair.
- Owen took control early, and even managed a Hurricarana.
- Once Owen was outside, Chyna began taking wild swings. Slaughter held her back. Owen took the opportunity to taunt her and offer her his chin.
- A thumb to the eye prevented Owen's first attempt at a Sharpshooter...again, reminiscent of Ric Flair.
- HHH gave Owen a big DX Crotch Chop..which elicited a huge response from the crowd.
- The action was non stop, with nary a moment of rest.
- Except for when HHH began working on Owen's injured ankle in earnest,.
- Owen began bleeding from the bridge of his nose. It looks like it was from a Triple H kneedrop on the face.
- HHH went for a piledriver, but Owen turned it into an attempted Sharpshooter. HHH kicked out of the Sharpshooter before it could be applied, but Owen ended up dropping his forehead on HHH's crotch.
- In a well crafted volley, Owen turned an attempted Pedigree into a Sharpshooter, which he did get in. Chyna got close enough to pull HHH to the ropes.
The match ended when Chyna threw powder into Slaughter's eyes. Owen took a couple of swipes at her, and even managed to catch her once. Eventually though, Chyna was able to punch Owen in the crotch, (inner thigh actually), Owen was out enough to be put into the Pedigree and HHH won the match and retained his title. The ref uncuffed Chyna and she gave the Commissioner a nasty forearm shot, then threw him over the railing. Excellent match, nicely done.
- Ad for a new Austin t-shirt.
- video story of the mixed tag team angle development.
FOURTH MATCH
Goldust and Luna vs Marc Mero and Sable
Of course, only matching genders were allowed to fight. Goldust and Luna came out first. Goldust was wearing a pretty conservative outfit for a change. As they came to the ring, Sable was clearly in the zone and ready to fight. Goldust started to punch Mero and the match got going.
Highlights & Lowlights
- On the first tag off to the ladies, Sable chased Luna all around the ring. Luna tagged back off to Goldust before they could lock up.
- The nice thing about this match was that it wasn't just there for the girls, Mero and Goldust actually put in a hell of an effort and worked their butts off.
- Sable's first move was a nice looking karate kick to Goldust's face. He sold it nicely.
- The girls finally did go at it. Sable really pumped up the crowd by tackling Luna ala Goldberg and punching away.
- We almost caught a glimpse of Luna's right breast as Sable tried to rip into her. She covered up in time.
- Sable had a nice volley of karate kick to Luna in the corner, then punched Goldust in the mush. Goldust sold it as if it was Tyson doing the punching.
- The crowd LOVED Sable.
- For the first time since coming off his knee injury, Mero took to the air. Including climbing to the ropes, then jumping up, turning around, bouncing off into a Moonsault.
- Mero went for the TKO, but Goldust jumped out of it and turned it into a DDT.
- Goldust went for the "Curtain Call", but Mero flipped out of it and turned it into a kneelift.
- Mero performed a nice top rope Huuricarana.
- Both men were kicking out of pins attempts that would normally end the match. There were many near falls.
- Mero hit Goldust with another TKO, Luna interfered. It was painfully obvious that the ref was waiting for her to break it up.
- As Luna was on top of Mero, he tagged Sable and she went to pin Goldust. Luna climbed the top rope to nail her, but Sable got out of the way and Luna hit her man instead.
- Sable actually powerbombed Luna.
Sable and Mero won the match after Sable lifted Luna up and put her in the TKO. Mero looked surprised. Afterwards, Mero tried to celebrate with Sable, but she still looked steamed. It was another great match, the girls were just as fierce as the boys, and they really turned it up for tonight.
- Chainsaw Charlie and Cactus Jack were seen talking to the fans online.
- This next segment was there just to show hardcore Nitro watchers who don't watch the WWF that two former WCW stars didn't retire when they left WCW. Tennessee Lee introduced Jeff Jarrett and Gennifer Flowers. The fans booed the two resoundingly...so much so that Jim Ross made it a point to say that they were booing Jarrett. After a bit of in ring discussion with Jarrett, The NOD's music came on and...
FIFTH MATCH
Ken Shamrock vs Rocky "The Rock" Maivia (Inter-Continental Heavyweight Championship Match. The title can change hands on a disqualification)
The Nation of Domination came out in force, except for Faarooq. Shamrock came out and immediately charged the ring and attacked.
Highlights & Lowlights
- This match was almost all Shamrock.
- Almost, the Rock did manage to get in that unique elbowsmash of his.
- After a nasty clothesline, the Rock began spitting a lot of blood.
- Shamrock brought a chair into the ring. When the ref tried to stop him, he pushed him down. Maivia picked up the chair and gave Shamrock an wicked head shot. Shamrock kicked out of the pin attempt that followed.
- The chair shot made Shamrock snap. He put Maivia in the Ankle Submission. Maivia tapped out. Shamrock won the match and the title, but it didn't end there.
- When Shamrock refused to release the submission hold, the NOD attacked. He belly slammed all of them, including Mark Henry, in a remarkable spot. Then he put the Rock in the ankle lock again and wouldn't let go.
- Faarooq ran to the ring and climbed to the apron. Maivia reached out to him for help. After just staring at him for a few moments, Faarooq jumped down and took off. He never helped.
- Referees and officials came out to get Shamrock off of him. The ref told the announcer that he reversed his decision because Shamrock wouldn't let go, so Maivia retained his title.
After belly slamming most of the refs and officials, Shamrocked charged after Maivia, who was being taken away on a stretcher. He flipped Sharmock off the stretcher and continued to beat on him on the band stage. Maivia took the worst beating of his life. Finally, Shamrock left. The match was decent, but not great. It was the only match where angle development took over for actual action.
- WWF Attitude spot
- Two refs rolled out a giant dumpster, which led to..
SIXTH MATCH
Chainsaw Charlie and Cactus Jack vs The New Age Outlaws (WWF Tag Team Championship Match A Dumpster Match)
Basically, it was a Casket Match, only a dumpster replaced the casket. Chainsaw and Cactus came out first, with Funk foregoing the nylon mask. The NAO came out to a mighty loud heel pop. Road Dog was running off at the mouth as usual, but the old men attacked and the match got going.
Highlights & Lowlights
- The first attack with a foreign object was from Road Dog, who hit Cactus with a cookie tray.
- Cactus tried to hit Road Dog with a body flip from the apron, Road Dog moved and Jack crashed into the dumpster.
- Bad Ass backflipped Funk into the dumpster, a camera chord was wrapped around Funk's foot, so it went with him.
- Road Dog gave Jack a Russian Legsweep right into the dumpster.
- It was the night of accidental bleeding as Bad Ass had a nose bleed.
- The NAO propped Jack and Charlie against the edge of the dumpster, then proceeded to slam the lids against their heads. There was no way the shots really hurt, but it was a good touch.
- The NAO has both men in the dumpster, but Jack stuck his arm out before they could close the second lid.
- Jack snagged Road Dog in the Mandible Claw and pulled him into the dumpster.
- Jack pulled out a ladder and set it up in the ring.
- In the spot of the night, Bad Ass and Jack were exchanging punches on top of the ladder. Funk was knocked into it and both men toppled from the ladder and right into the dumpster. Great touch.
- the NAO double powerslammed Funk into the dumpster.
- Then the heels took Jack into the backstage, it took the cameras a moment to catch up with them.
- When they found them, the NAO were tossing Jack through some metal carts and giant Powerade bottles.
The match ended rather foolishly, but fitting the tone of the match. Funk reappeared in time to climb into a forecliff. Jack deposited the NAO onto the forecliff's platform and Funk started it up and raised them. Then he drove them to another backstage dumpster and dumped them in. Jack closed the lids and won the tag belt. Funk lowered the platform onto the roof so that they couldn't get out. Funk screamed that they, "trapped the son of a bitches!" as Jack celebrated. It didn't help that the side door of the dumpster was clearly seen.
- Spot for the next PPV; In Your House: Unforgiven
- video spot of the events leading up to the Undertaker/Kane match
- Pete Rose came out to the ring. In a beautiful move, he started poking fun at the Boston crowd and the Red Sox in general. He said things such as:
- "The last time I was here we kicked your ass!"
- "You can't win a World Series!"
- "I left tickets for Bill Buckner, but he couldn't bend over and pick them up!"
- "The city of losers!"
Then Kane's music came on and the man came out with Paul Bearer. To the delight of the crowd, he ended up giving Rose the Tombstone piledriver. Rose sold it well enough. The crowd cheered as Rose was wheeled out onm a stretcher. This all led to the..
SEVENTH MATCH
Kane vs the Undertaker
After Rose left, the lights dimmed again. Over the music of Orff's "Fortuna Imperatrix Mundi", a bunch of "Druids" came out wielding torches. They lined along the aisle and formed a fire arch. The Undertaker's music came on and the man came out. He was in his usual gear, except that he now was wearing a giant collar, which now completed the Goth ensemble. It was a thrilling entrance. After a silent face off, the match got going.
Highlights & Lowlights
- Undertaker started punching, but Kane didn't seem phased.
- Kane dropped the UT with a clothesline, but UT sat right up from it.
- Kane lifted UT up, and tried to tie him up inn the "Tree of Woe", but he couldn't get the Undertaker's legs up enough and the move didn't go. It was nicely covered up though, but he was visibly mad at himself for missing it.
- Kane owned most of the match.
- On two occasions, Paul Bearer began kicking the UT. Any semblance of selling the shots was purely coincidental.
- There was a brief rest period midway into it when Kane put the Undertaker in a chinlock.
- As Kane was outside, the Undertaker performed a no hands plancha into him. Kane moved and the UT crashed into the Mexican announcer table. Tito Santana went flying, but the funniest sight was watching the fat announcer slowly fall down in his chair. The table was in pieces.
- Among the agile moves that Kane managed, a top rope clothesline and a springboard clothesline. Impressive to say the least.
- Undertaker tried to get him into the Tombstone, but Kane shifted his weight and reversed it. UT kicked out on the pin after Kane's tombstone.
- UT chokeslammed Kane, then Tombstones him. Kane kicked out of the pin and sat up.
- UT went for a second tombstone, Kane kicked out of the pin and sat up.
- UT flew across the ring and clotheslined Kane. Kane sat up.
The Undertaker finally got the win after the third Tombstone piledriver. Paul Bearer immediately threw a chair in the ring and Kane put it to use. He hit the UT with it a few times, then Tombstoned him on top of it. They left the ring. So, the Undertaker got his revenge, but Kane didn't lose any credibility because of it.
- a great spot featuring legends such as Freddie Blassie, Killer Kowalski, Ernie Ladd, and Gorilla Monsoon. The only one truly missing was Bruno Sammartino.
- Video montage dealing with Mike Tyson.
- Mike Tyson comes out under a chorus of boos. He hits the ring and spends much of the time entertaining the fans on the other side of the camera.
EIGHTH MATCH
"Stone Cold" Steve Austin vs Shawn Michaels (WWF Heavyweight Championship Match)
The camera followed Austin from the backstage, and the fans immediately started to pop. He hit the ring and after acknowledging the fans, started to face off with Tyson and begin jawjacking. The camera went backstage to see DX walk to the entranceway in force. Triple H gave the camera a middle finger. Before the music started, Shawn looked at the camera and said, "This is for you Earl", then pointed to the ring that he always wears around his neck and called it his good luck charm.
The DX house band started to play the DX theme song live and Michaels came out. As usual, they intercutted the live entrance to the DX video, which was a bad error since it looked like Michaels most intense entrance ever. Austin adjusted his boots outside as DX had their moment, but eventually, the match began.
Highlights & Lowlights
- Very early on, Michaels out-moved Austin and stuck him with a few shots.
- In a gratuitous move, Austin pulled on Michaels tights and out came his ass. Austin then proceeded to kick it until he got out of the ring.
- After HHH interfered just once, the ref ordered him and Chyna to leave the ringside. They complied.
- Austin chased HHH and beat on him a bit on the music stage. Michaels attacked and clipped Austin in the much with a drum cymbal set.
- In a thrilling volley, Austin tried to get Michaels in the Stunner, but Michaels slipped away to the ropes. Michaels tried to get out of the ring, but Austin knocked him off the apron. Michaels face crashed into the announcer's table.
- Unfortunately, that bumb visibly re-injured Michaels back. He kept clutching the small of his back and Austin even needed to put him in a straight chinlock so that the ref could discuss it with him. For the rest of the match, Michaels had a lot of problems bending over and fought to keep his back straight. He had to lift with his legs. Still, he stayed in the match and did his best to give the fans a show.
- At one point, the fans started to chant "HOLYFIELD". The announcers pretended to not understand.
- Michaels started to work on Austin's knee.
- A sliding dropkick sent Austin headfirst into Ross and Lawler's laps
- The ref went down at one point.
- Michaels mounted the top rope and delivered the flying elbowsmash. It was obviously painfull for him to do it.
Michaels stomped his foot to set up the Superkick. Austin ducked out of the way. Michaels tried it again, but Austin blocked it and delivered the Stone Cold Stunner. He went for the pin, and Mike Tyson made the three count, much to everyone's surprise. The count was faster than Nick Patrick's Starrcade three count by the way. Austin won the match and the title. He motioned for someone at ringside to hand him a couple of 3:16 t-shirts, and handed one to Tyson. Michaels got up and asked Tyson what was up, then he took a shot at him. Tyson fired back with a right and Michaels went down in a heap. It wasn't the best shot in the world, but Tyson could have easily killed him if he tried to make it look better. Tyson drapped the 3:16 over Michaels face and left the ring with Austin. The show ended on that note.
So, did it live up to expectation? YES!! This was the first "Event" pay per view that actually lived up to the word "Event". The Battle Royal was the only real clunker, but it was the first match and it wrapped up quickly. The Michinoku/Aguila match and the Inter-Continental match were the only matches that were "average", and even the IC match had the special sight of seeing Maivia get severely banged up. All pay per views should be like this. Excellent card, well worth the price.
This is Hyatte