Foley new champ at SummerSlam
By JOHN POWELL -- SLAM!
Wrestling
Jesse Ventura raises the arm of the new WWF World Heavyweight Champion, Mankind (Mick Foley).
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Mrs. Foley's little boy has done it again and made us look oh, so bad
in the process. Going against the odds and esteemed squared circle
prognosticators everywhere (including us red-faced SLAM! Wrestling
know-it-alls), Mankind NOT the highly-favored Hunter-Hearst Hemsley
defeated "Stone Cold" Steve Austin to win the WWF World Heavyweight title
at very soundly booked and worked SummerSlam pay-per-view.
Prior to the event, the inside word was that Austin would not drop the belt
to Helmsley so Mankind was brought in to do the job setting up Triple H's
title reign. It was no surprise that Austin came to the ring wearing two
knee braces or that the announcers played up his injury to the max. It is
well known that Stone Cold will be taking some time off to heal and film
episodes for television's Nash Bridges action series. Still, by all
appearances the title change seems to be a last minute switch in booking as
every angle preceding SummerSlam, including a rare one-on-one interview
with Jim Ross, pushed Helmsley heavily. Foley's win was an unexpected turn
of events.
As predicted, Governor Jesse Ventura's involvement as the special guest
referee presiding over the unusual three-way title match determined the
outcome. Throughout the evening Ventura reminded each of the participants
that he would only count a pinfall in the middle of the ring and wouldn't
stand for any chicanery. It was the Body's way or the highway as Triple H
soon discovered when Chyna was tossed from ringside for interfering in the
match.
With his back-up gone, Helmsley resorted to using a steel chair on both
Austin and Mankind. Triple H would've easily notched the win but Ventura
refused to slap the three count standing in an opposite corner shaking his
head disapprovingly. The Minneapolis - Minnesota crowd chanted "Jesse!
Jesse!" supporting Ventura's decision.
Hunter bitterly argued with Ventura. Shane McMahon hit the ring. McMahon,
who put on a sensational show in his match against Test, joined in on
tongue lashing Ventura.
"Don't you come out here and tell me s--t!," said Ventura to McMahon.
Austin Stunned McMahon and cheered on Ventura as he threw the Boy Wonder
over the top rope to the arena floor.
"Stone Cold" Steve Austin lays injured following a brutal attack by Triple H.
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"That's one for your old man, you little bastard," Ventura spit at a fallen
Shane.
This gave Mankind time to recover from the vicious chair shot. Foley locked
on a double Mandible Claw on Austin and Helmsley. The hold was broken
seconds later. Helmsley attempted to Pedigree Mankind. Austin clotheslined
Triple H from behind. Stone Cold laid Triple H out with a Stone Cold
Stunner, however, Mankind made the save stopping the count. In retaliation,
Austin posted Mankind. When Austin turned around, Triple H Pediagreed
Austin. Mankind prevented the pin, Double-Arm DDTing Austin to win the WWF
World Heavyweight Title for a third time.
A really ticked off Triple H beat Austin with a steel chair further
"injuring" his knee as Chyna prevented anyone from coming to Stone Cold's
aid.
The next WWF pay-per-view is Unforgiven on September 26th.
WWF SummerSlam Results
Someone waves a sign reading...Big Show = Fat Bastard. Heh. Heh.
Howard Finkle, the new "Ralphus", is carrying Chris Jericho's bags.
Jericho chews him out for being late.
Jeff Jarrett (challenger) Vs D'Lo Brown (champion) (WWF European -
Intercontinental Title Match)
Jarrett comes out with Debra then sends her back to the dressing room
in a fit of rage.
Debra meets up with D'Lo and decides to accompany him to the ring.
Jarrett angrier than a disturbed hornet's nest.
At 7:07, Debra does her pose-on-the-ring-apron-seductively thingy.
Jarrett and the official squawk at Debra. Mark Henry enters the ring, picks
up Jarrett's guitar and breaks it over D'Lo's head! Jarrett wins. The Debra
- Jarrett break-up was a scam. They leave with a beaming Henry.
Winner: ...and new WWF European - Intercontinental Champion, Jeff
Jarrett at 7 minutes and 28 seconds
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Match Rating: 7.5 / 10.
The Hardy Boys, Prince Albert - Droz, Edge - Christian, Median -
Viscera, The Acolytes, The Hollys (Tag Team Elimination Match)
The winning team will face the WWF World Tag Team Champions on the
next Raw Is War.
The Hardys and Edge tangle. Edge jumps off the ring apron, lands on
the security railing, runs across the railing to flying clothesline a Hardy
Boy. Awesome move!
At 4:57, Edge and Christian drop The Hardy Boys.
Viscera and Median enter the battle. Edge and Christian double
shoulder tackle Viscera out of the ring. Edge Spears Median eliminating
that team at 7 minutes and 30 seconds.
Prince Albert and Droz go down to defeat when Edge spikes Prince
Albert with the Downward Spiral.
The Acolytes beat Edge - Christian. The Holly clan fight amongst
themselves. Faarooq Sidewalk Slams Hardcore Holly for the 1-2-3.
Winners: ...The Acolytes at 17 minutes and 27 seconds.
Match Rating: 7.5 / 10.
The Road Dogg (wearing a lame Tommy Hill-frigger shirt) yacks on the
mike about how he is peeved at being left off the SummerSlam card. He
challenges the winner of the Hardcore Title match to defend the belt
against him on Raw Is War.
Chris Jericho is the spoiler interrupting the Road Dogg's whining.
Jericho calls SummerSlam...SummerSham. Road Dogg shuts Jericho up by
saying..."I've got two words for you, though I am scared to say them
because you might take me up on them...Suck It!". Jericho pouts and throws
a hissy fit.
Al Snow (challenger) Vs Big Boss Man (champion) (WWF Hardcore
Heavyweight Title Match)
Road Dogg joins the broadcast team following the action on foot.
Lawler comments about the Road Dogg's hair saying..."You've got more
extensions than AT and T". Heh. Heh.
Your standard tiresome WWF hardcore match until Snow and Boss Man
battle in a bar across the street. They brawl at the bar, in the washroom
and the pool hall. Boss Man and Road Dog exchange pleasantries. Road Dogg
socks Boss Man with his own nightstick. Al Snow hits Boss Man in the crotch
with two pool balls and pins him on a table.
Stumbling back into the arena, Al Snow lays a beating on the Blue
Meanie and Stevie Richards.
Winner: ...and new WWF Hardcore Champion...Al Snow at 7 minutes and
25 seconds.
Match Rating: 5 / 10.
Ivory (champion) Vs Torrie (challenger) (WWF Women's World
Heavyweight Title Match)
Note to the WWF. If you want to push a women's division, hire some
female wrestlers from Japan.
Ivory carries a useless Torrie in a snoozer of a bout. Ivory pins
Torrie and attempts to rip her shirt and pants off. A returning Luna chases
Ivory.
Winner: ...and still WWF Women's World Heavyweight Champion...Ivory
at 4 minutes and 11 seconds.
Match Rating: 1 / 10.
Billy Gunn escorts a mysterious person shrouded in a sheet.
Ken Shamrock Vs Steve Blackman (Weapons - Octagon Match)
Should've been called a Stick Weapon - Octagon Match because besides a
pair of nunchakus brought to the ring by Blackman, those are the only other
type of weapons used.
Shamrock wins by knocking out Blackman with a Kendo stick though
Blackman had done the same thing to Shamrock minutes before and the
official didn't count that. Strange. A great effort by both men. Too bad
about the confusing ending.
Winner: ... Ken Shamrock at 9 minutes and 5 seconds.
Match Rating: 6 / 10.
Test Vs Shane McMahon (Street Fight Match)
If Test loses he has to stop "dating" Shane's sister, Stephanie.
His ribs wrapped in tape from Shane's attack on Heat, Test looks even
more like a counterfeit Diesel.
The sleeper match of the evening. A shock to the system, Shane McMahon
handles himself like a pro performing better in the ring than some real
wrestlers do. He's got more moves than Hogan and Nash combined. What an
effort! Hats off to the Boy Wonder!
Sporting multiple injuries, the Mean Street Posse sit on a couch at
ringside drinking champagne.
Test attacks the Posse slamming Shane onto them. The Posse swarm Test
and also give Shane weapons like street signs, a mailbox and a framed photo
of themselves to use on Test.
Test has several pinfalls that are squashed by Posse interference. The
Posse lay Test on the Spanish announce team's table. McMahon leaps off the
top rope dropping a text book flying elbow smash on Test. Wicked!
At 11:20, Brisco and Patterson take out Pete and Rodney. Test boots
Abs in the face. The Kevin Nash wannabe pumphandle slams McMahon then lands
a flying elbow smash on him for the win. Stephanie congratulates Test
slobbering all over him. Yech!
Winner: Test at 12 minutes and 14 seconds.
Match Rating: 8 / 10.
Kane, X-Pac (champions) Vs The Undertaker - Big Show (challengers)
(WWF World Tag Team Title Match)
Another surprise. On paper, this bout looks like a snorefest. Not so!
It turns out to be a perfectly worked tag match.
The Big Slow Chokeslams X-Pac into oblivion. He makes the cover by
placing one foot on X-Pac's chest. X-Pac kicks out! A perturbed Undertaker
tags in Tombstone Piledriving X-Pac to win the belts. Though they are the
champs, The Undertaker has taken The Big Slow off his Christmas card list.
Winners: ...and new WWF World Tag Team Champions...The Undertaker
and Big Show at 12 minutes even
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Match Rating: 8 / 10.
Billy Gunn Vs The Rock (Kiss My Ass Match)
Gunn's big surprise under the sheet is an overweight woman. Wow. That
was worth it. Gunn says that when he is victorious The Rock is going to
kiss her butt not his.
As this match proves, Gunn is not even close to being main event
material. His performance drags The Rock down into a torrent mediocrity.
Gunn calls the woman into the ring. She hikes her skirt in the corner.
Gunn attempts to shove The Rock's face into her butt. The Rock reverses it
rubbing Gunn's face in.
Rock Bottom. People's Elbow. Thank God, it's over. Whew!
Winner: The Rock at 10 minutes and 11 seconds
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Match Rating: 3 / 10.
Steve Austin (champion) Vs Mankind (challenger) Vs Triple H (WWF
World Heavyweight Title Match)
Winner: ...and new WWF World Heavyweight Champion...Mankind at 16
minutes and 24 seconds.
Match Rating: 8 / 10.
Total Event Time: 2 hours and 45 minutes.
Overall Event Rating: 8 / 10.