WWF SURVIVOR SERIES ... by Chris Hyatte
Kiel Center - 11/15/98
The biggest gun in the WWF Fall PPV roster weighed in tonight from the Kiel Center in St. Louis. Aside from a Triple Threat tag team title match, and a Women's title match, the entire show was based around a relatively huge tournament for the WWF heavyweight title. After eliminating the obvious contenders, (Jarrett, Snow, Steve Regal, Goldust....) and taking for account the prediction from pretty much all of the Internet that Rocky Maivia was a lock to win his first title tonight, the only real question here wasn't WHO would win, but HOW......and believe me.....NOBODY could have predicted what had actually happened.
-opens with a video clip using footage from the year old "You think this isn't real?" production, focusing heavily on Austin and the Rock.
-Jim Ross welcomes us to the 12 annual Survivor Series as fireworks heat up the 20'000+ crowd.
-They show the brackets once again.
-Vince McMahon is wheeled out to ringside with all his henchmen. He grabs the mic and guarantees us that this will be a show we will never forget. Then he introduces the wrestlers for the..............
FIRST MATCH (ROUND ONE): Mankind vs. ???????
There has been a great deal of speculation as to who the mystery wrestler would be. Turns out nobody was even close to guessing the real name. Mankind came out in his new "Corporate" look; tuxedo, hair pulled back, and cleanly shaven. He comes to the ring and holds up his Hardcore Heavyweight Title. Then Vince puts on his glasses and introduced the mystery opponent:
"Tonight, the mystery opponent to square off against Mankind. This legend, in the ranks of Sports Entertainment made his WWF debut in 1990. Over the course of the next six years, this charismatic superstar boasted a won/loss record that set new standards inthe WWF. Unfortunately, seeking more opposition of his own caliber, this natural athlete jumped ship to the..(with a strong hick accent) Doubleya See Doubleya!! And after suffering a massive shoulder injury this cornerstone of the World Wrestling Federation has been sidelined for the past two years. With his career on the line, he fought back with resilience dreaming of this triumphant return to the ring here tonight. Therefore, without further ado, allow me to introduce to you,
currently the coach of the Pasadena Chargers, the man, the myth...... DWAYNE GILL!!!"
-Lawler, "Who?"
-Ross, "What?"
Out comes Dwayne Gill, complete with a video package of some of his major jobs. Ross commented that Dwayne has, "spent more time on the canvas than Rembrandt".
Gill even had some fireworks explode behind him, he jumped back startled, then held his chest to catch his breath. Ross suggested that he wasn't used to getting his own pyro. Then Ross said that he was just informed that the "Pasadena Chargers" were an Elementary School Football team. In case you don't get it, (although I'm sure you do by now), Gill is a big time jobber to the stars. Mankind attacked as soon as Gill hit the ring.
Highlights & Lowlights:
-Mankind won with a Double Arm DDT, followed by a Oklahoma Rollup. It was that easy. Fun premise, goofy, yet appropriate.
-Footage from Heat when Jacqueline attacked Sable.
-Kevin Kelly tried to talk to Sable backstage. She was furious and guaranteed that she'd win the belt tonight.
SECOND MATCH (ROUND ONE): Jeff Jarrett vs. Al Snow.
Jarrett came to the ring with Deborah McMichael and his guitar. Al Snow came to the ring with Head and Socko wrapped around it. Snow jumped out of the ring and walked after Deborah. Jarrett followed him and swung him around to punch him. Snow caught him instead and it was on.
Highlights & Lowlights:
-Snow hit Jarrett early with a no hands mini-plancha off the ring steps.
-He followed up with a Leg Drop leapfrog over the top rope.
-Snow went for a Top Rope Legdrop, but missed.
-After a few minutes of uninspired action, Deborah climbed to the ring apron with Head and tried to distract Snow with it. The ref grabbed it away from her.
-Meanwhile, Snow grabbed Jarrett's guitar, just as Jarrett grabbed Head, which the ref had dropped to the ground. Snow swung the guitar, but Jarrett ducked, then hit him with the Head.
Snow eventually got the Head back from Jarrett, whacked him with it, and scored the pin. Too short to be any good.
-Dok Hendrix talked to Ken Shamrock. Shamrock said that he excelled in tournaments and that he was the man to beat.
THIRD MATCH (ROUND ONE): The Big Bossman vs. "Stone Cold" Steve Austin
Bossman came to the ring looking pretty happy to be back in the WWF. Austin came to the ring looking like he owned the WWF, and the fans were agreeing with him. Bossman tried to attack Austin in the aisle, but Austin fought back and it was on...
Highlights & Lowlights:
-Austin propelled Bossman into the ring steps, Bubba knocked the top half over with his bulk.
-From time to time, we see Vince watching the action on a TV in his dressing room.
-After taking some typical Austin shots (punches, Lou Thesz Press), Bossman dropped Austin with a low blow.
-Bossman employed some vintage moves of his that haven't been seen for a while, (that is, assuming that like me, you are choosing to cut the big guy a break and forget his days in WCW).
The ending came when the Bossman was disqualified after hitting Austin with his Billy Club. As we see Vince and his men watch with smiles, Bossman continued to pound away at Austin, ignoring Ross's demands that he stop. Eventually, Bossman walked away, leaving Austin on the ring floor in a heap.
-Michael Kole talked to Vince McMahon about what happened, Vince was confident that Austin was in for a long night still.
FOURTH MATCH (ROUND ONE) X-Pac vs. Steven Regal
X-Pac came to the ring alone. Regal came to the ring with a construction hat, but still had that familiar swagger and grimace about him. Lawler sold his theme song by singing along with it a bit. The two men wasted not time before locking up.
Highlights & Lowlights:
-X-Pac gave Regal a big Crotch Chop before getting into it.
-X-Pac dropped Regal with a nice standing Spin Kick.
-Twice, Ross called Regal "Blackman". Lawler told him to cut the dose of whatever he's on. Ross acted insulted.
-Regal tied X-Pac up in a sitting Abdominal Stretch.
-X-Pac sold the Hell out of Regal's moves.
-Regal used a variety of restholds.
-Regal gave X-Pac a Double Underhook Superplex that looked great. X-Pac looked really injured from it.
-X-Pac was still healthy enough to give Regal the Bronco Buster.
-Regal went for a Double Underhook Suplex on the floor, but X-Pac reversed it into a regular Suplex.
While they were on the floor, the ref counted them out. Since that meant that Austin would get a bye into the third round, Vince sent Slaughter out there to demand a five minute overtime. X-Pac chose to walk away instead, falling down at one point. Regal chased after him and the Announcers conveniently forgot about the 5 minute overtime announcement. Either it was really screwed up, or X-Pac really was injured and chose not to risk further injury. Still, this was Regal's best WWF performance to date.
-Vince was backstage, upset that Austin got his bye. Patterson reassured him...(don't even think about it folks).
-We see clips of WWF Superstars doing a public appearance in St. Louis on Saturday.
FIFTH MATCH (ROUND ONE): Ken Shamrock vs. Goldust
Shamrock came to the ring properly zoned up. Goldust came to the ring properly gussied up. Things began very quickly.
Highlights & Lowlights:
-Both men traded advantages early on.
-BIG sign seen that said READ THE MOP-UP!!!! On the other side it read, "WHERE IS JOHNNY RODZ? I will properly thank the man for it in the Mop-Up on Wednesday.
-After taking Shamrock down with a nice Toe Drop, Goldust tried for a surprising Powerbomb. Shamrock punched out of it.
-Goldust set Shamrock up for his "Shattered Dreams" crotch kick. The Ref blocked his path. Shamrock mounted the second ropes and hit Goldust with a sweet spinning Hurracarana that was very nice.
Quickly after that, Shamrock snagged Goldust in the Ankle Lock and advanced to the next round.
-Michael Kole was at Steve Austin's dressing room door. Although he couldn't get an interview with him, Kole said that he was sure that Austin would give it all he's got, even with his injuries.
SIXTH MATCH (ROUND ONE) The Rock vs. Triple H.
The Rock came out to a great pop. The DX theme song began as usual, with the DX video filling the screen. Instead of Helmsley though, it was Patterson and Brisco who came out doing Crotch Chops to the fans. They came to the ring, Brisco picked up the mic and said that Triple H is still hurt, so he can't wrestle. Then he said that since Triple H wasn't even here, even though "Mr. MacMahon" ordered him to be here and even sent him tickets to the show, Triple H
would be heavily fined as well. Then Patterson grabbed the mic and told the Rock that Vince did manage to find a last minute substitute to fight him tonight. Then he brought out the Big
Bossman. Ross screamed that Bossman was already eliminated tonight, so this was pure BS. The Bossman ran out and it began.
Highlights & Lowlights:
-As soon as the Bossman ran in, the Rock small packaged him to a win. Later on, Ross would announce it as the fastest victory ever in the WWF, clocking in at 4 seconds.
-spot for the WWF's second go round on the Home Shopping Network right after the PPV.
SEVENTH MATCH (SECOND ROUND) Kane vs. the Undertaker
The Undertaker came out with Paul Bearer. Ross took pleasure in reminding us that he once beat Hulk Hogan for the WWF belt. Kane came out alone and they got right into it.
Highlights & Lowlights:
-It spilled right outside early into it. UT took advantage by giving Kane a mini-Hot Shot against the Guard Rail.
-Back in the ring, the Ref tried to warn the UT about punching his brother. UT glared at him. The Ref backed right off.
-UT wrapped Kane's leg up with that move he has been using as of late.
-UT started to punch Kane several times, Kane kept coming back for more.
-Kane hit UT with a Top Rope Clothesline, Unfortunately, the Undertaker was obviously waiting for it.
-Both men went for a chokeslam at the same time, UT was the one who went down.
While Bearer distracted Kane, the UT sat up from the Chokeslam and hit Kane with the Tombstone Piledriver. Bearer held Kane's leg as UT got the pin and advanced. We have seen this match one too many times.
-spot for the Rock t-shirt
EIGHTH MATCH (SECOND ROUND): Mankind vs. Al Snow
Mankind came out still in his Tuxedo, but his hair was down again. Snow came out to a pop that wasn't as loud as his first match tonight, but still respectable enough.
Highlights & Lowlights:
-Snow attacked early and choked Mankind a little.
-Things spilled outside and Snow tied to chair Mankind against the steel rail. Mankind ducked.
-Snow went for a Springboard off the guard rail, but Mankind caught him with a punch.
-We see Vince McMahon backstage excited over seeing what Mankind will do once he sees Mr. Socko around Head's head.
-Mankind dropped Snow face first into the chair, which was lying on the floor.
-Snow tried to hit Mankind with the Head, but Mankind ducked and punched him instead.
-Mankind finally saw that Mr. Socko was wrapped around Head, he pulled it off. Snow clotheslined him while he was still holding the mannequin.
-The kid with the READ THE MOP-UP sign was holding it upside down. I groaned.
-Snow went for a pin attempt after a Sit Down Powerbomb, Mankind kicked out.
Mankind finally got Mr. Socko on his hand and put the Mandible Claw on Snow. Snow went down and Mankind won the match.
NINTH MATCH (SECOND ROUND) Ken Shamrock vs. the Rock
Shamrock came to the ring still in the Zone. The Rock came to the ring, but took a little bit of time getting in. Still, time was wasting so they got right into it.
Highlights & Lowlights:
-Fast action early on saw Shamrock get the upper hand.
-In a pretty funny move, as they fought next to the Announcer's table, the Rock picked up either Ross or Lawler's bottle of soda, took a swig, and spit it into Shamrock's face.
-Back in the ring, Shamrock regained control of the match.
-Ross defended the crowd's near silence by saying that they were watching the match "intently".
-The Rock grabbed the ropes to break the Ankle Lock hold.
-The Big Bossman came out to help cue the end of the match. The fans welcomed him by chanting "BOSSMAN SUCKS". Which is more reaction than he ever got in three years at WCW.
-A double clothesline knocked out both men, Maivia draped an arm for the pin, Shamrock kicked out.
-After a Maivia spin around DDT on Shamrock, the Bossman climbed to the apron. Even though the Rock was facing the other side, he still got a back leg up and kicked Shamrock in the groin. Shamrock was sneaking up on him at the time.
-The People's Elbow woke the crowd up, Shamrock still kicked out.
-The Rock tried for the Rock Bottom, Shamrock countered it into a Belly to Belly.
Having seen enough, the Bossman tossed the Billy Club to shamrock, but it was Maivia who intercepted it. He nailed Shamrock with it and scored the pin.
-Michael Kole talked to Paul Bearer, who promised that his Undertaker would be the champ tonight.
TENTH MATCH: Sable vs. Jacqueline (WWF Women's Heavyweight Championship)
Sable came to the ring looking like she regrew all that hair that Jacky cut a few weeks ago. Jacqueline came out with Marc Mero and a big smile. After showing us what had happened between them earlier on Heat, things got going...
Highlights & Lowlights:
-Jacky attacked Sable from behind just as Lawler told Ross that experienced wrestlers always watched their backs.
-Sable nailed Jacky with a respectable side thrust kick.
-Sable hit Jacky with a rather sloppy TKO. She went for the pin, but Mero pulled her outside.
-On the outside, Sable kicked Mero in the groin, then gave him a nice "SableBomb" on the ring floor. It looked great.
-Shane McMahon was Ref by the way.
-The Mero incident opened the door for Jacky to attack and take some control.
-Jacky went for her own SableBomb, but Sable backflipped her out of it.
Jacky went for the Tornado DDT, but Sable pushed her way out of it. Then she gave Jacky another SableBomb and scored the win and the title. Not a bad match, pretty short too.
-Ross and Lawler pushed the next two PPV's....one exclusively in England and the next IYH offering in Vancouver on December 15.
ELEVENTH MATCH (THIRD ROUND): Mankind vs. "Stone Cold" Steve Austin
Mankind came out pretty much the same way he came out the first two times. Austin came out visibly favoring his left arm. Austin hit the ring and immediately went on the attack...
Highlights & Lowlights:
-Austin took off mankind's shoes and hit him with one of them.
-After about 30 seconds of action, Vince was rolled out by his 3 cronies, (no Bossman) to observe the match.
-Mankind's Tux jacket came off.
-After narrowly escaping a Stone Cold Stunner, Mankind left the ring and sprinted for the backstage. Brisco and Patterson reassured him and talked him back into the ring.
-Austin met the three of them halfway and knocked Patterson and Brisco's heads together. Ross commented that "that was a meeting of the half wits."
-Austin tried to piledrive Mankind on the floor, but Mankind backflipped him instead.
-A very cool brawl ensued outside.
-Mankind tried to run into Austin with a chair. Austin got his boot up and Mankind ate the steel.
-Mankind gave Austin a Double Underhook DDT on the chair, Austin kicked out.
-Mankind tried to piledrive Austin on the chair, Austin backdropped him on it instead.
-Austin hit Mankind with the Stunner. The ref went for the count, but McMahon pulled him out of the ring and PUNCHED HIM IN THE HEAD!! Mankind recovered and attacked, Austin went for another stunner, Mankind blocked out of it, but lost his Tux pants in the process (don't ask). He went for the Mandible Claw, Austin got out of it then hit paydirt with another Stunner attempt. He went for the pin. Shane McMahon ran in and went to count. After the second slap, he paused and stared at Austin. Austin looked at him. Shane gave him the double middle finger. Austin looked like he just saw Brian Pillman. Austin went after Shane, Shane got out of the ring, still waving the birdies. Austin yelled at him, Ross yelled into the mic. Mankind was up, he clotheslined Austin. Brisco and Slaughter hit the ring, Slaughter held up Austin as Brisco hit his ARM with the chair. Austin sold it anyway and went down. Mankind pinned Austin and Shane
made the three count. Then Shane took off with his Father and the three cronies backstage. Ross said that they were "skipping gaily". Austin woke up and ran after them. We see Vince's posse running backstage. Ross said, "(Austin) was just screwed at the Survivor Series, where have you heard that before?"
-Vince and the boys ducked into a Limousine and took off, Austin grabbed someone out of his truck, threw him out, and started her up..he took off after the Limo.
-Ross and Lawler recapped what just happened and speculated, speculated, speculated.
TWELFTH MATCH (ROUND THREE): Undertaker vs. the Rock
Undertaker and Paul Bearer came out and hit the ring. The Rock followed suit. He hit the ring and went right for it.
Highlights & Lowlights:
-After an early volley by Maivia, UT took it outside and dominated.
-Ross engaged in a little foreshadowing by reminding us that Referee Earl Hebner was "no stranger to controversy".
-UT dominated the match until it spilled outside again, the Rock clotheslined him over the guard rail and laid a little smack down.
-Very little....the UT regained advantage.
-Paul Bearer hit the Rock with his shoe at his earliest opportunity
-The Rock hit UT with a nice Samoan Drop.
-The Big Bossman came out once again.
-After a low blow on the UT, the Rock went for the "People's Elbow". The Bossman tripped him up just as he bounced off the ropes. The UT sat up and clotheslined him.
-UT nailed the Bossman when he came up to the apron, that allowed Maivia to hit him with a clothesline.
The Undertaker had the Rock ready for a Chokeslam, then Kane ran in. UT shoved Maivia into Kane, who grabbed him and gave him a Chokeslam of his own. This of course made the Ref DQ the UT and award the match to Maivia. UT punched the Ref, then attacked Kane. They brawled into the
seats as the Rock advanced to the Finals.
-Michael Kole talked to Mankind, who said that he had "one more Rock to climb if you smell what the Sock is cooking."
THIRTEENTH MATCH: The HeadBangers vs. D-Lo and Mark Henry vs. the New Age Outlaws (Triple Threat Tag Team Match for the WWF Tag Team Championship)
Road Dog and Bad Ass came out in their usual style. Bad Ass gave a shout out to Triple H and Chyna before getting the crowd to scream, "SUCK IT". Then the Headbangers came out, followed by D-Lo and Mark Henry. It's been a long night and there was still one more match to go, so they got right into it...
Highlights & Lowlights:
-Ross made two things clear within the first 30 seconds:
1) Partners can NOT pin partners and
2) D-Lo's pectorals have been healed for months now.
-Bad Ass tried for a monster elbow drop on D-Lo, but D-Lo moved out of the way.
-Mosh pulled a great move on D-Lo when he Springboard off the ropes backwards and buried his forearms into him. The real kicker was that Mosh rebounded over the ropes and landed on the outside floor.
-Road Dog was tagged in and spent most of his time on the mat.
-At a few points, the Headbangers actually assisted D-Lo and Henry in doubleteaming Road Dog.
-After the Ref denied Bad Ass into the ring to help his partner, he lost his patience and screamed, "GODDAMMIT YOU SUCK!!!". The crowd popped.
-D-Lo hit Thrash with a top rope Hurracarana.
-Suddenly, the ref allowed 3 men in there at once.
-Road Dog waged a comeback, but an UGLY Henry clothesline put an end to it.
-D-Lo offered Mosh a shot at Doubleteaming Road Dog, Mosh looked like he was going for it, then just kicked D-Lo in the groin.
-Bad Ass finally tagged in and went on a rampage, but D-Lo took him down with a Powerbomb.
Bad Ass gave Thrash a piledriver and scored the pin. The match seemed awkward at times, with lots of miscues and hard to follow action. The ending seemed anticlimatic as well. Bad Ass dropped his trunks a little and showed us that he was wearing a thong. Road Dog grabbed the mic and told the "Butt Bangers" to get the WWF Catalog and order up some IC title belts.
-footage of some of the drama from tonight, particularly dealing with Austin.
FOURTEENTH MATCH (FINAL ROUND) Mankind vs. the Rock (Winner gets the WWF Heavyweight Championship Title)
Mankind came to the ring looking more like his old self. The Rock came to the ring looking like he always does. We see that Vince and Shane are still in the arena, and they are saying goodbye to the Big Bossman, who is leaving after a job well done tonight. They acted like their plans were coming to fruition. Ross and Lawler expressed shock over the fact that they McMahon boys were still there, then Ross said that he may have been premature when he thought that we wouldn't have a "Montreal revisited".
Highlights & Lowlights:
-With the title on the line, they started out slowly, a feeling out process.
-Ross and Lawler had a little fun at WCW's recent PPV troubles...
Ross, "...and we WILL stay with this until there is a winner."
Lawler (giggling a little), "Yeah, you're gonna get to see ALL of this pay per view!"
Ross, "That's not nice King. Making references to those less fortunate."
Lawler, "It's not nice, but it's accurate."
-As Mankind dominated the match, Vince and Shane came out to cheer him on. Vince was traveling without a wheelchair now.
-Things heated up as the Rock took Mankind into the seats and nailed him with a plastic trash can.
-Mankind returned the favor by blasting the Rock with a chair across the back.
-Mankind lifted the top half of the steel steps and was about to nail Maivia with it, Maivia took a chair and nailed the steps with it. Mankind fell backwards and the steps crashed onto his face. Then the Rock kept hitting the steps with the chair while Mankind was under them.
-The Rock followed that with a nasty chairshot across Mankind's face.
-Mankind nailed the Rock with his patented elbow off the ring apron.
-Mankind hurled the Rock onto the Announcer's table, he hit him with part of the top desk. Then climbed on top of the table and started to wail away. Ross DEMANDED that the ref get them away. Lawler screamed for his crown.
-Then Mankind gave the Rock a legdrop on the table and landed back on the ground, but on the side of the table where Ross and Lawler sat. Ross screamed, "GOOD GOD ALMIGHTY!!! MY GOD, I NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS IN MY LIFE....THE CARNAGE!!!"
-After Mankind pulled Maivia away, Ross said, "Good God!!! I thought I had a heart attack!!"
-In a VERY telegraphed sequence, Mankind dive bombed into the Mexican Announcer's table and splintered it. Cool, but telegraphed.
-Rock went for the "People's Elbow" one last time tonight...Mankind kicked out.
-Mankind hit the Double Armed DDT, then went for Mr. Socko. He put the Mandible Claw on the Rock.
-But the Rock broke out and hit the Rock Bottom, Mankind kicked out.
This is where things blew my mind. the Rock stood up, turned to Vince, and raised his eyebrow, then he went for the Sharpshooter on Mankind. Vince ran to the timekeeper and ordered him to ring the bell. He did and Shane ran into the ring and lifted Maivia's arm. Vince hit the ring, looked at the Rock, then hugged him. It was the ULTIMATE screwjob.
Then Vince grabbed the mic and said that HE didn't screw the people, the PEOPLE screwed the people. He then called the fans as pathetic as Mankind. Vince went on about how the McMahon family totally and royally screwed Stone Cold tonight.
Then he gave the mic to the Shane, who said that he was just like his Dad after all.
Then he gave the mic to the Rock, who told the "trailor park trash" to kiss the Rock's ass.
Mankind grabbed the mic and told "Dad" that he was confused by all this, especially since he was never pinned and never submitted. Vince said that maybe this will help clear it up for him, then the Rock attacked him.
As Shane officially welcomed the "Corporate Champion" as Vince put the belt around his waist...
Austin came out and stared at them with a smile...Rock tossed the belt on the ground and called him out...Austin charged. After a brief tussle, Austin Stunned the Rock and threw him out. Then he went over to Mankind, helped him up, then Stunned him for the hell of it. Austin's music played, Ross screamed his lungs out, and the Rock was laid out in the ring. Austin beat him up some more outside the ring, then stalked off. The card ended on this note.
The numerous matches made for a card filled with "RAW-like" quality matches. Some were sluggish, (quite a few actually), but others were pretty wild. Then there was the storyline. I really have to save all that stuff up for the Mop-Up, because I have a CRAPLOAD of comments on
it. Order the replay if you didn't see it Sunday, because it is well worth it.
This is Hyatte