Report from Friday's WWF Calgary show

By MATTHEW M. -- Special to SLAM! Wrestling  Pre-show Boxing Match



Joe Sports of CJAY 92 FM and Eric Francis of the Calgary Sun fought to a draw after attempting a boxing match using HUGE padded gloves. The gloves themselves made the match un-workable, and so the crowd booed heavily as the two Combatants heaved the pillow-like gloves at each other.



RESULT: Draw



Dennis Knight Vs. Scorpio



A decent opening match. Scorpio landed some high flying moves, which rallied the crowd to his favor. However, he continually killed the momentum with slow armbars and chin locks immediately after a great move. Scorpio looks like he could stand to lose 20 lbs.



RESULT: Scorpio wins by pin after an impressive moonsault

RATING: 4/10



Tiger Ali Singh vs. Dustin Runnels



Tiger came out an drew some impressive heat with comments about Calgarians. Dustin showed up in Black pants, boots, and T-shirt. Overall the match was a bore, the only highlight being an excellent injury fake into a small package by Tiger. I can't believe Dustin went from Goldust, one of the most creative characters ever, to this.



RESULT: Tiger by pin after a small package

RATING: 2/10



Jeff Jarrett vs. X-Pac



Double J's comment of "Don't piss me off" drew NO reaction from the crowd. X-Pac received a decent pop when entering, but a much better one after saying the S word. A group of fans chanted "1-2-3" in an attempt to annoy X-Pac, and it worked. Overall the match was fast paced, with lots of flying kicks and flips. After the match, Dennis Knight attacked X-Pac, but the New Age Outlaws made the save to the biggest pop of the night.



RESULT: X-Pac by pin after countering a figure four leglock attempt.

RATING: 7



Mark Henry vs. Farooq



Mark Henry looks very impressive in this match, dominating with crushing shoulder-blocks and elbow drops. Mark has really grown in the last six months, and it's showing. However he did the j-o-b after a sissy looking powerslam attempt by Farooq.



RESULT: Farooq by pin with powerslam counter

RATING: 4



HHH vs. The Rock



This match started strangely, with the champion arriving first. There was a delay getting HHH to the ring, as security had to assist HHH and Chyna out. Once both wrestlers were in the ring, however, they gave the fans exactly what they wanted; tons of trash talk and an excellent high paced match. I could have sworn Rock scored a 3 count after smashing HHH with the IC title, however, the ref decided that was only two, which led to Chyna's interference and HHH's disqualification



RESULT: The Rock by DQ after a low blow by Chyna

RATING: 9



Val Venis vs. Migel Perez



Surprisingly, it was Perez who brought the razzle dazzle to this match. After an opening flurry by Venis, Perez took control with flip splashes and repeated powerbombs. Many hecklers were silenced after watching the member of Los Boriquas display his talent. Unfortunately, Val stole a win with the money shot splash, leaving Perez in the jobber for life position he started in.



RESULT: Val Venis with the 3 count after the money shot

RATING: 6



NAO vs. DOA



Again for some unknown reason, the champions entered first. After all the mic work was finished, a terribly boring match began. I don't think anything more technical than a clothsline was used. No suplex, no bodyslam, no nothing. Botched interference cost DOA the match. Afterwards I was left wondering, just why do they pay Ellering now anyway?



RESULT: NAO with the pin after a briefcase shot to 8-ball

RATING: 3



Owen Hart vs. Ken Shamrock



In a match that was not announced at the beginning of the card, Calgary's Owen Hart wrestled to a huge ovation against Shamrock...again. Ever seen one of their matches? Yes? Good, then I don't need to write anything here. Same stuff.



RESULT: Owen with the pin after a hurrakerana counter

RATING: 6



Fatal Four Way

Kane vs. The Undertaker vs. Mankind vs. Austin



Well, it was one huge scrap. The surprise of the night came when out of nowhere, Kane and the Undertaker got it on! I would have understood them feuding over a pinning situation, but they just decided to fight. Overall, a big scrap with Austin using the stunner on anything in arm's reach.



RESULT: Austin pins Kane after a stunner.

RATING: 8



OF NOTE-



-Jason sensation read the night's program, doing impressions when he could. The crowd loved him

-The fans really screamed themselves out in the first half, chanting for Scorpio and X-pac. The crowd ran out of steam by the time Val Venis arrived.

-The fans pulled an unexpected turncoat on HHH, as they suddenly abandoned DX in favor of the Rock in mid-match. Strange

-I think this was the only arena in WWF history that NEVER had the lights go out for Kane OR The Undertaker

-Special thanks go out to the guy who sold me his 6th row seat when his friend didn't show. Thanks!