review by Adam King

October 18, 1998
Live from the Rosemont Horizon in Chicago, Illinois

Earlier on Sunday Night Heat: Steve Blackman defeated Bradshaw, The Oddities defeated Los Boricuas when Golga pinned Jesus, The Godfather defeated Farooq, and 2 Cold Scorpio defeated Jeff Jarrett after Al Snow interfered.

Judgment Day comes on the air with an intro video recapping the Austin/McMahon/Undertaker/Kane saga for the WWF Title. After the intro Jim Ross welcomes us to the show along with Jerry "The King" Lawler and both men are buzzing about the WWF Title match and wondering if Stone Cold will indeed humble himself and raise the hand of the winner or be fired by Vince McMahon.

Al Snow vs. "Marvelous" Marc Mero (w/Jacqueline)
Snow comes out with his mannequin head and leads the crowd in a "Head" chant while Mero makes his entrance along with Women's Champion Jacqueline. Before the match begins Jeff Jarrett comes out to the ring in his wrestling gear and demands to be put in the match instead of Mero, since Snow caused him to lose his match earlier on Heat. Mero refuses him, but Jarrett starts taunting Snow, allowing Mero to cheap-shot him from behind to start the match. Mero kicks Snow into a corner and drags him across the top rope as Jarrett looks on while slowly backing away. Mero goes for a whip, Snow reverses, Mero ducks under several clotheslines but runs into a scoop slam. Mero crawls into a corner but stops before he runs into Head, then turns around into a clothesline. Snow lands another clothesline, then whips Mero hard into the corner. Mero staggers out and Snow, coming off the ropes, hits a clothesline for a two count. Snow rolls Mero onto his chest and lands some cross face shots. Snow applies a headlock on Mero while he looks over at Head. Mero fights out and whips Snow into the ropes for a flying elbow. Mero then announces he's going to punt kick Head. Mero moves in but before he gets too close Snow rolls him up for a near fall.

Mero hits a clothesline, then props Snow into a corner and connects with some right hands. Mero whips Snow into the opposite corner but Snow slides to stop himself. Mero ducks under a clothesline, Snow ducks under a clothesline, and Snow plants Mero with a DDT. Snow climbs to the top rope and connects with a moonsault. However Jackie hops onto the apron and starts yelling as Snow, prompting him to grab her. The referee tries to get Jackie off the apron but Mero hits a low blow on Snow followed by a DDT for a two count. Mero chokes Snow on the middle rope, and while the referee reprimands him, Jackie begins choking him. Mero whips Snow and hits a shot to the gut, followed by a knee lift to the face. Mero climbs up the top as Snow gets to his feet and connects with a moonsault but only gets a two count. Mero has some words with the referee then gets in some shots on Snow but Snow grabs Mero by the arms and hits his series of headbutts. Snow goes for a whip, Mero reverses and nails a clothesline. Mero whips Snow and Snow slides under him. Mero goes for a kick and Snow blocks it and spins him around. Snow goes for the same kick, Mero grabs the leg and Snow connects with an enzuigiri. Snow whips Mero into the ropes and hits a powerbomb. Snow starts talking to Head again before climbing up to the top rope. Snow goes for another moonsault but Jackie moves Mero out of the way. Mero rolls Snow into a cradle but only gets two. Frustrated, Mero whips Snow into a corner and Snow comes out into a Samoan drop. Mero climbs up to the top rope and goes for the Shooting Star Press but misses when Snow moves out of the way. Snow covers the fallen Mero but Mero gets his foot on the rope. Mero lifts Snow up for the TKO but Snow counters and hits the Snowplow for the victory.

Winner: Al Snow (7:14)

Comments: Decent opening match. It was nothing special and a little too slow in spots, plus the two men had issues clicking, but it still had its moments. Plus the crowd was somewhat into the action, so it accomplished its purpose. [Score: 7/10]

We get a clip from Sunday Night Heat of Steve Austin arriving at the arena and being forced by several WWF officials to dress in the referees' locker room, which is nothing more than a closet.

The Legion of Doom (Hawk, Animal & Droz) vs. DOA & Paul Ellering
This is yet another match in the never-ending feud between the two teams, only this time Ellering is teaming with Skull and 8-Ball for the first time ever. This was also after the "drunken" Hawk storyline where Hawk was constantly too drunk to wrestle resulting in Droz replacing him on the team for a short time, but now all three LOD members are teaming together. Animal and one of the twins (let's just say Skull) start off with a shoving match. 8-Ball tries to come in but Animal stops him, allowing Skull to nail him from behind. Skull whips Animal and hits a boot to the face. Skull kicks Animal in the chest and follows up with a running neckbreaker. Skull goes for a whip but Animal reverses, Skull hops over Animal several times but runs into a clothesline. Animal pops 8-Ball and dropkicks Skull out of the ring. Animal stands tall in the ring as the DOA regroup on the outside. Skull climbs back in as Animal tags in Hawk. Hawk and Skull lock up and Skull gets the advantage. Skull whips Hawk into the ropes and hits a powerslam. Skull goes for a another whip but Hawk reverses and plants Skull with his own powerslam. Hawk whips Skull into the ropes again, misses a clothesline but connects with another clothesline. Skull whips Hawk into the ropes but Hawk counters with a neckbreaker for a two count. Hawk tags in Droz, who whips Skull into the ropes for a flying elbow. Droz comes off the ropes the ropes but 8-Ball nails him from behind, getting his attention so Skull can hit him from behind before tagging in his partner. 8-Ball stomps Droz on the ground then hammers him with elbows in his corner. Animal tries to come in but the referee orders him out, allowing Ellering to choke Droz from the outside. Droz attempts a whip but 8-Ball counters with a clothesline. 8-Ball tags in Skull, who whips Droz into the ropes and plants him with a sidewalk slam. Skull lands several elbow shots to Droz's head before 8-Ball tags in. 8-Ball whips Droz into the ropes, Droz ducks under a clothesline and connects with a flying clothesline of his own. Droz tries to reach his corner but 8-Ball cuts him off with a boot to the face then drags him over to his corner where he tags in Ellering. Ellering kicks Droz hard in the chest and gets in some more shots before 8-Ball tags back in. Skull drapes Droz over the bottom rope as Hawk comes in and gets ordered out by the referee. 8-Ball whips Droz into the ropes but lowers the head, allowing Droz to counter with a DDT. Both men crawl to their corners and 8-Ball tags in Skull while Droz tags in Hawk. Hawk nails both twins with clotheslines then pops Ellering, sending him over the ropes to the outside. Droz and Animal come in and Droz sends Skull to the outside while Animal whips 8-Ball to the outside and connects with a forearm. Hawk climbs to the top rope while Animal sets 8-Ball onto his shoulder and the LOD hit the Devastation Device. However Droz comes in, covers 8-Ball and gets the three count for the victory.

Winners: Legion of Doom (5:55)

Animal and Droz celebrate but Hawk is not happy with Droz getting the cover and stealing his thunder.

Comments: Dull and boring for the most part, just like every other match in this feud, but at least this one was short. The LOD were pretty much done at this point; they would run the controversial "suicidal" Hawk angle shortly after this show, and then the Road Warriors would depart the WWF and not return until 2003. [Score: 4/10]

JR mentions 18,153 fans are in attendance, the fifth sell-out in a row for the Rosemont Horizon.

WWF Light Heavyweight Title – Taka Michinoku © (w/Yamaguchi-San) vs. Christian (w/Gangrel)
This is Christian's in-ring debut after making his first WWF appearance last month at Breakdown as Edge's brother who's siding with Gangrel in their feud. This is also one of the few times Taka has defended the title since winning it back in December of 1997. Both men circle each other to start and Christian gets the advantage with some shots to the back of the head. Christian whips Taka into a corner and charges but Taka lifts himself up with the ropes and Christian runs under him into the corner. Taka goes for a whip but Christian reverses and sends Taka into a corner. Taka again lifts himself up but this time Christian stop himself and grabs Taka form behind. Christian attempts a release suplex but Taka lands on his feet and connects with a spinning heel kick. Taka clotheslines Christian over the top rope to the floor, then springs off the top rope and connects with a plancha on the outside. While Taka climbs back into the ring we get a shot of Edge in the audience, observing the match. Christian climbs onto the ring apron and hits a shoulderblock on Taka. He tries another but Taka counters with a knee to the face. Christian slumps over the middle rope while Taka climbs to the top and hits a flying knee to the back of the head, flipping him into the ring. Taka goes for the cover but Christian kicks out. Taka applies a headlock and Christian forces him into the corner. Christian breaks before hitting several shoulderblocks to the midsection. Christian whips Taka into the opposite corner and charges but Taka stops him with a crescent kick. Taka comes out of the corner and Christian drops him with a Slop Drop. Christian stomps away at him as Gangrel looks on, impressed.

Christian whips Taka into the ropes and hits a dropkick. Christian hits a snap suplex but holds on and hits another one then holds on and caps off with a facebuster for a two count. Christian snapmares Taka to the mat and kicks him in the back. Christian applies a chinlock but Taka fights out of it. Taka comes off the ropes toward Christian, but Christian pulls down the top rope and Taka soars over him to the outside. Christian springs off the second rope over the top rope and connects with a crossbody on Taka on the floor. Christian rolls Taka back into the ring and powerbombs him for a near fall. Christian slams Taka and chokes him on the mat. Christian climbs to the top rope and goes for a splash but Taka rolls out of the way. Both men get to their feet and Christian lands several shots. Christian whips Taka into the ropes, Taka ducks under a clothesline, Christian lifts him up and Taka counters with drop kick. Christian rolls out of the ring and Taka nails him with a baseball slide. Taka then hops onto the second rope and hits an Asai Moonsault. Taka throws Christian back into the ring and lays the boots to him, then props him into a corner for some chops. Taka whips Christian into the opposite corner and charges but Christian backdrops him over the top rope. However Taka holds onto the ropes and lands on the apron. Taka quickly gets to his feet and pulls Christian down to the mat. Taka climbs to the top and hits a crossbody, but Christian rolls through and hooks the leg for a near fall. Christian attempts a slam but Taka counters and rams Christian into the ropes. He tries a roll up but Christian holds onto the ropes and Taka slips away. Taka gets another rollup but Christian kicks out. Taka goes a slam but Christian floats over and runs Taka into the ropes for a rollup but Taka holds onto the ropes as well. Christian rolls away and Taka dropkicks him in the face for a two count. Taka whips Christian back and forth between the corners but Christian comes out and hits a side Russian leg sweep for a two count. Christian goes for a powerbomb but Taka counters and slaps him. Taka rams Christian into the top turnbuckle, hops onto the second rope and plants him with a Tornado DDT. Instead of going for the cover, Taka constantly tells the crowd "That's it." Taka lifts Christian up for the Michinoku Driver, but Christian reverses it into a rollup, the referee counts 1….2….3 and we have a new champion!!!

Winner and NEW Light Heavyweight Champion: Christian (8:33)

So Christian has won WWF gold in his very first WWF match! Christian accepts his new championship as JR goes on about having no track record of him, but nevertheless Christian and Gangrel leave with the belt in hand as Edge continues to look on from the crowd.

Comments: Awesome match. There was some great fast-paced back and forth action with some nice counters and some high risk moves as well. Both wrestlers looked great as well. Definitely a hidden gem few people remember. It's a shame the WWF didn't capitalize on this match; it could have been the rebirth of the light heavyweight division but instead Christian would only hold the belt for less than a month and after that the title and division would soon be buried for a time. [Score: 8/10]

Goldust vs. Val Venis (w/Terri Runnels)
This is a rematch from Breakdown, with Dustin Runnels still looking for revenge against Val for featuring his wife Terri in one of his movies, but now he's resumed his role as Goldust. Val comes out first with Terri and gets on the mic. He starts his "Hello, ladies!" spiel but a voice cuts him off saying "Hello, Val! It's showtime!" On that note Goldust comes out to the ring in his usual entrance while Val clears the ring and JR mentions that Terri is still wearing her wedding ring.

Val climbs into the ring and Goldust greets him with some shots. Goldust attempts a whip but Val reverses and hits a knee to the face. Val whips Goldust and hits a back elbow. Val drops an elbow followed by a flurry of right hands. Val throws Goldust out of the ring then goes out attempts a whip but Goldust reverses and sends Val into the barricade. Goldust drops Val face first onto the ring steps before throwing him back into the ring. Val attacks Goldust as he gets back in and lands some shots before throwing him back out. Val climbs to the top rope and connects with a crossbody to Goldust on the outside. Val scores with more punches then throws Goldust back into the ring. Val climbs to the top rope as Goldust get to his feet and jumps off but Goldust belts him in the chest. Goldust follows up with an Atomic Drop, then bounces Val off the top rope into a suplex. Goldust has some words for Val before grabbing his face. Goldust rams Val into the top turnbuckle then whips him hard into the opposite corner. Goldust connects with a clothesline for a two count. Goldust applies an arm wringer then takes him down with an arm whip. Goldust stomps his face and rolls him with a snapmare. Goldust rams Val into another turnbuckle, then whips him into the opposite corner. Goldust charges at Val but Val sidesteps and Goldust runs into the ring post and falls through the ropes to the outside. Val goes out and pulls Goldust by the arm into the ring post, pulling off one of his gloves. Val throws Goldust back into the ring and begins working on the arm and shoulder, hitting a hammerlock slam and several elbow drops on the shoulder. Val then applies a short-arm scissorslock on Goldust's arm. Val releases the hold then lifts Goldust to his feet, but Goldust comes back with a quick series of right hands. Goldust comes off the ropes but Val stops him with a forearm shot. Val comes off the ropes and Goldust gets in his own forearm shot. Goldust comes off the ropes again and Val knocks him down with a clothesline for a two count. Val applies a keylock and Goldust soon starts to fade. The referee checks the arm of Goldust and it drops once, twice, but Goldust keeps it up the third time. Goldust fights out of the hold and comes off the ropes, ducking a clothesline and hitting a crossbody for a two count.

Val quickly hits a hard clothesline for a two count. Val clubs Goldust in the back of the head then pulls Goldust by the arm onto the top rope. Val hits a Russian leg sweep for another two count. Val whips Goldust into the ropes and after two missed clotheslines Val catches him into a powerslam. Val starts to go for the cover but instead climbs to the top rope. Goldust cuts Val off then climbs up and hits a superplex for a near fall. Goldust climbs to the second rope and hesitates before attempting a senton, allowing Val to avoid it. Both men get to their feet and Goldust gets the advantage. Goldust comes off the ropes but Val applies a sleeperhold. Goldust drives Val into a corner, causing him to break the hold. Val charges out of the corner but runs right into a sleeper from Goldust. Val counters with a belly to back suplex and both men are down again. At this point the announcers notice that Goldust is wearing his wedding ring as well. Both men get to their feet and Val goes for a whip but Goldust reverses and connects with a clothesline. Goldust whips Val into the ring hits a backdrop, and Val is screaming in pain and holding his back. Goldust whips Val into a corner, and Val staggers out into a running bulldog. Terri then climbs onto the ring apron and begins yelling at her former husband, and Goldust responds by making motions at her. Val goes for a clothesline but Goldust ducks and Val stops himself before he hits Terri. While the referee tries to get Terri off the ring apron, Goldust kicks Val below the belt! With Val writhing in pain Goldust rolls him up and gets the three count, getting the win and his revenge.

Winner: Goldust (12:07)

Val is still in serious pain as Goldust begins crawling after him. Terri helps Val out of the ring while Goldust sticks his rear end at her.

Comments: Solid and enjoyable match, better than the one these two had at the last pay-per-view. There were some good action and a nice bit technical wrestling, even though the match seemed to drag in several places. [Score: 7/10]

The announcers start talking about what happened between Triple H and Ken Shamrock earlier in the day on Sunday Night Heat. The week before this show on Raw, Triple H was stripped of the Intercontinental Title due to his legit knee injury, and Shamrock won a one-night tournament to claim the vacant title. On Heat Triple H was forced to hand over the IC Title belt to Shamrock, after which the two fought backstage and Shamrock repeatedly slammed a car door into Triple H's knee. After clips are shown Michael Cole announces that Triple H's knee has been reinjured before X-Pac comes in. X-Pac says that tomorrow Shamrock will be dealt with, but tonight he promises to get his European Title back from D'Lo Brown.

WWF European Title – D'Lo Brown © vs. X-Pac (w/Chyna)
This is the rubber match between these two men. X-Pac won the title from D'Lo the week before Breakdown on Raw, and D'Lo won the title back two weeks later with help from Mark Henry. X-Pac is also coming off a loss in the finals of the Intercontinental Title tournament on Raw. X-Pac comes out first with Chyna while D'Lo comes out next, billed as hailing from Milan, Italy and still wearing the chest protector. Both men lock up to start, D'Lo applies a headlock, X-Pac shoves him into the ropes, and D'Lo counters with a shoulderblock. D'Lo takes a moment to taunt the fans, allowing X-Pac to get to his feet. Both men lock up again and end up a corner, and D'Lo breaks but slaps X-Pac and follows up with some hard shots. D'Lo applies an arm wringer but X-Pac gets to his feet and connects with a spin kick. X-Pac applies a headlock but D'Lo shoves him into the ropes and hits a shoulderblock. D'Lo comes off the ropes, X-Pac leapfrogs over him and attempts a hip toss but D'Lo blocks it, misses one clothesline but hits the second for a two count. D'Lo clubs X-Pac on the back of the neck before slamming him to the mat. D'Lo hits an elbowdrop and chops X-Pac into a corner. D'Lo whips X-Pac into the opposite corner and charges but X-Pac sidesteps and D'Lo hits the turnbuckles. X-Pac hip-tosses D'Lo and connects with several right hands to the head. X-Pac kicks D'Lo into a corner and caps off with a spinning kick to the chest. D'Lo slumps down in the corner and X-Pac goes for the Bronco Buster, but D'Lo blocks it with a boot to the nether region. D'Lo hits a legdrop for a two count. D'Lo snapmares X-Pac and applies a chinlock, and X-Pac begins to fade. The referee checks the arm and it drops once, twice, but X-Pac holds it up the third time. X-Pac fights out of the hold, comes off the ropes, ducks a clothesline but D'Lo nails him with a flying kick for a two count. D'Lo argues with the referee before powerbombing X-Pac to the mat for a near fall. D'Lo lays the boots to X-Pac, then has words with Chyna. D'Lo sets X-Pac on the top turnbuckle and attempts a superplex but X-Pac blocks it and shoves D'Lo to the mat. X-Pac comes off for a crossbody but D'Lo rolls through and gets a two count before X-Pac barely kicks out.

D'Lo pops X-Pac and applies a chinlock with his knee on the back of X-Pac's neck. X-Pac fights out of it and drives D'Lo into to corner, then climbs up and kicks D'Lo in the face. X-Pac whips D'Lo into the opposite corner and charges but D'Lo moves and X-Pac hits the turnbuckle and the cameraman. D'Lo slams X-Pac to the mat, hops to the middle rope and hits a kneedrop from the second rope for a two count. D'Lo hits a backbreaker for another two count. D'Lo then applies a modified Texas Cloverleaf and X-Pac tries not to submit. D'Lo moves back, moving X-Pac from under him, and X-Pac pops D'Lo in the face, causing him to break the hold. X-Pac starts fighting back but D'Lo stops him with a thumb to the eye. D'Lo slams X-Pac, then climbs up to the top rope and attempts a senton but misses. X-Pac fights back, whips D'Lo into the ropes and connects with a spinning heel kick. X-Pac tries another whip, D'Lo reverses and X-Pac ducks under a clothesline and floors D'Lo with a flying clothesline. X-Pac dropkicks D'Lo into a corner and this time connects with the Bronco Buster. However X-Pac is reeling, and while the referee is checking on him Chyna pops D'Lo from outside. D'Lo falls to the mat and X-Pac covers him but only gets two. D'Lo goes for a whip a whip, X-Pac reverses and leapfrogs over him but D'Lo accidentally tackles the referee, sending him out of the ring. X-Pac plants D'Lo with a belly-to-back suplex just as Mark Henry comes out and starts exchanging words with Chyna. With Chyna occupied D'Lo brings his European title belt into the ring and clocks X-Pac in the face with it. Henry rolls the referee back into the referee as D'Lo covers X-Pac. The referee counts 1….2….but X-Pac kicks out! D'Lo is shocked his plan didn't work. D'Lo whips X-Pac into the corner, X-Pac comes out and ducks a clothesline but D'Lo plants him with a powerbomb for a two count. D'Lo climbs to the top rope again and leaps off, but X-Pac counters into the X-Factor! X-Pac covers and gets the 1….2….3 to win his title back.

Winner and NEW European Champion: X-Pac (14:33)

Comments: Another great match from these two men. There was plenty of great back-and-forth action and some good moves from both men, and the interference was kept to a minimum. Plus they also got the crowd into it. So far this show is getting better and better. [Score: 8/10]

Backstage Michael Cole says a rumor is floating around that Paul Bearer was seen going into the Undertaker's locker-room. He emphasizes this is only a rumor. Suddenly The Headbangers come along with a message to the New Age Outlaws. Mosh and Thrasher express their anger about the Outlaws trashing their boom box (after Mosh nailed Road Dogg in the head with it on Raw), then they start running down the Outlaws, referring to Billy Gunn as 'Rockabilly' and saying the Outlaws are only tag teaming with each other. They wrap up by promising that the Outlaws will do the J-O-B on the P-P-V.

WWF World Tag Team Titles – The New Age Outlaws © vs. The Headbangers
The Headbangers turned heel in early October by attacking the Oddities and the Insane Clown Posse, so naturally they're immediately named the #1 contenders to the tag team titles. The Outlaws comes out first and do their usual spiel but the Headbangers attack them from behind. Billy Gunn hammers Thrasher in a corner while Road Dogg backdrops Mosh to the canvas. Billy throws Thrasher over the top rope and both Outlaws whip Mosh into the ropes. Billy trips Moss with a drop toe hold, Road Dogg follows up with a shake, rattle 'n knee drop to the back of Mosh's head, and Billy adds a legdrop as well. Road Dogg heads to the corner leaving Billy to start off with Mosh. Billy applies a headlock, Mosh shoves him to the ropes and Billy comes off with a shoulderblock. Billy comes off the ropes and counters a hiptoss with a neckbreaker for a two count. Road Dogg tags in and whips Mosh into the ropes but lowers the head. Mosh leapfrogs over him but Road Dogg hits a hip toss. Mosh gets a thumb to the eye before tagging in Thrasher, who walks right into a hiptoss from Road Dogg. Road Dogg follows up with a drop kick and a shot to the face for a two count. Thrasher tries to beg him off as he backs into a corner but Road Dogg won't have it and hammers him. Road Dogg whips Thrasher into the opposite corner and hits a clothesline. Road Dogg applies a headlock but Thrasher backs him into the Headbangers' corner and Mosh tags himself in. Thrasher whips Road Dogg into the ropes while Mosh climbs to the middle rope. Road Dogg comes off the ropes, hopping over Thrasher but Mosh connects with a flying knee. Mosh taunts Billy, drawing him into the ring and distracting the referee while Mosh lays the boots to Road Dogg before covering him for a two count. Mosh drops Road Dogg onto the top rope before making the tag the Thrasher. Mosh then props Road Dogg on the top rope, Thrasher comes off the ropes, leapfrogs over his partner and straddles Road Dogg. Thrasher covers Road Dogg but the former Roadie gets his foot on the bottom rope. Thrasher chokes Road Dogg on the bottom rope then brings Road Dogg over to his corner and tags in Mosh. The Headbangers bring Road Dogg in and out of their corner hard. Mosh tags Thrasher back in and holds him for his partner to get in a kick. Road Dogg staggers into a corner, Thrasher whips him into the opposite corner and charges at him but Road Dogg sidesteps him. Thrasher misses a roundhouse right and Road Dogg hits a suplex. Both men are down and as the referee starts the 10 count, Road Dogg and Thrasher both make it to their corners and they tag in their respective partners.

Billy nails both Headbangers with a series of right hands. Billy whips Thrasher into a corner and hits a Stinger splash. Billy knocks down Mosh before clotheslining Thrasher over the top rope to the floor. Billy press slams Mosh and goes for the ropes but Thrasher pulls the top rope down and Billy tumbles over the low bridge to the outside. Thrasher whips Billy into the ring steps. The referee prevents Road Dogg from helping out while Thrasher rams Billy into the steps before rolling him back into the ring. Mosh goes for the cover but Billy puts his foot on the bottom rope. Mosh chokes Billy on the middle rope, then straddles him. Mosh tags in Thrasher and slams Billy to the mat while Thrasher climbs to the middle rope. Mosh climbs to the top and Thrasher slams his partner onto Billy. Mosh taunts Road Dogg while Thrasher hits an elbow drop from the middle rope. Mosh covers Billy but only gets two. Mosh applies a Camel Clutch which he turns into a headlock. Billy manages to fight his way out, then comes off the ropes for the tilt-a-whirl headscissors. Both men start crawling to their corners and Mosh tags in Thrasher, who nails Billy with an elbow drop to keep him from tagging in Road Dogg. Thrasher again draws Road Dogg in and again the referee stops him. Thrasher hits a jawbreaker on Billy for a two count. Thrasher then sits on his knees arguing with the referee with his leg perched on Billy's neck, choking him with his shin. Thrasher drapes Billy on the apron and catapults him into the bottom rope. With Billy laying across the apron, Thrasher distracts the referee while Mosh hits an elbowdrop on Billy's face. Road Dogg comes in and again gets sent out. Thrasher tags in Mosh and the Headbangers double-team Billy. Mosh goes for a suplex, Billy floats over and shoves Mosh into the ropes but misses a clothesline and Mosh hits one of his own. Mosh then draws Road Dogg in and Road Dogg again gets stopped by the referee while Thrasher comes in without a tag and covers Billy for a two count. Thrasher applies a chinlock then forces Billy to his feet and hits a thumb to the eye. Thrasher sends Billy into the ropes and slaps on a sleeperhold. Billy starts to fade and the referee checks the arm. It drop once, twice, but Billy holds it up a third time. Billy fights out of the hold, sends Thrasher into the ropes and applies a sleeper of his own, which Thrasher counters with a suplex. Both men try to get to their feet and Billy crawls into a neutral corner while Thrasher tags in Mosh. Billy gets to his feet and Mosh whips Thrasher into Billy. Mosh goes for a Stinger splash but Billy catches him into a slam. Both men start crawling to their corners and Billy almost makes it when Thrasher runs in and nails Road Dogg. While Road Dogg tries to come in and is again stopped by the referee, the Headbangers whip Billy into the ropes and plant him with a double flapjack. Thrasher climbs to the top as Mosh sets Billy up for a spike piledriver. Before he does anything Road Dogg comes in and practically kills Mosh with a boom box to the head, causing the referee to call for the DQ. Mosh and Thrasher get the win, but the Tag titles stay with the Outlaws.

Winners by disqualification: The Headbangers, but still Tag Team Champions: The New Age Outlaws (13:59)

After the announcement, JR almost sends it to Michael Cole when Billy Gunn finishes the intro Road Dogg started before the match.

Comments: This was an okay match with some solid tag team action, but it dragged in a few places and followed the standard tag formula a little too much; it was mostly Billy getting beaten up by the Headbangers and Billy didn't even get to make the hot tag because of the finish. There's no way a 14-minute title match on pay-per-view should end in a DQ. [Score: 6/10]

Michael Cole reports from backstage and reminds us of the rumor earlier before reporting that Paul Bearer is in Kane's locker-room. Mankind comes by along with his new pal Mr. Socko on his hand, and Cole begins to talk to him about his match with Ken Shamrock for the Intercontinental Title, saying a brutal matchup is expected. Mankind, or rather Socko says he knows brutal; he's watched Ken Shamrock's interviews, which Mankind says are the second-leading cause of teen suicide. Mankind admits Shamrock knows his holds but promises he won't submit to the Anklelock. Mankind asks Socko what underwear he's wearing, and pulls the sock off, revealing a black covering on his Mandible Claw fingers. He wraps up by telling Shamrock to open up and say Ahhh and have a nice day.

WWF Intercontinental Title – Ken Shamrock © vs. Mankind
As I mentioned earlier Shamrock won the IC Title in a one-night tournament on the Raw before this show, and was beginning to drift toward being a heel. Both men lock up to start and Mankind forces Shamrock into a corner. Mankind takes a swing but Shamrock quickly escapes and kicks Mankind in the leg several times. Both men start to lock up but Shamrock trips Mankind with a leg sweep. Shamrock works the ankle over then sets Mankind into a corner. Shamrock whips him into the opposite corner and charges at him but eats a boot to the face. Shamrock takes Mankind down with an armbar and Mankind tries to get out of it but Shamrock plants him with a Fireman's carry and goes back to the armbar. Mankind fights out of the hold and whips Shamrock into the ropes for an elbow. Mankind kicks Shamrock in the head then slams him to the mat and hits a running legdrop for a two count. Mankind applies a chinlock but Shamrock counters into a hammerlock. Shamrock rams his knees into the arm before forcing Mankind to his feet. Shamrock hits Mankind's face with his knees, driving him into a corner where he continues to knee him repeatedly. Mankind takes Shamrock down to the mat but Shamrock counters and lays in a series of rights. Shamrock applies a front facelock and Mankind gets to his feet and forces Shamrock into a corner several times, causing the hold to be broken. Mankind clotheslines Shamrock and follows up with several forearm shots. Shamrock whips Mankind into the ropes and hits a Frankensteiner. Shamrock tries another whip, Mankind reverses and goes for the Mandible Claw but Shamrock blocks it and breaks away, rolling out of the ring to the outside.

Mankind goes out after Shamrock but Shamrock rolls back in and greets Mankind with several knees as he's coming in. Shamrock and Mankind trade punches until Mankind takes down Shamrock with bodyscissors. Mankind attempts the Mandible Claw again but Shamrock blocks the move and turns himself around. Now facing Mankind Shamrock gets in some shots before they both end up outside of the ring. Shamrock rams Mankind into the Spanish announcers' table, then attempts a whip but Mankind reverses and sends Shamrock into the ring steps. Mankind grabs a chair and prepares to take a swing but the referee grabs it and tries to pull it away. Mankind takes the chair from the referee but Shamrock kicks the chair in his face. Shamrock grabs the chair and clocks Mankind in the head, but for some reason there's no DQ. Shamrock throws Mankind back into the ring and keeps hitting knee drops. Shamrock rams Mankind into a turnbuckle then whips him from one corner to the other, and Mankind staggers out into a clothesline from Shamrock for a two count. Shamrock kicks Mankind before applying a wristlock. Mankind drops to one knee but gets back on his feet and bites Shamrock in the face. Mankind whips Shamrock into a corner and goes for a splash but Shamrock sidesteps and Mankind's head hits the ring post. Shamrock hits a belly-to-belly suplex then goes in for the Anklelock, only to get stopped by a shot in the gut. Mankind drills Shamrock with a double arm DDT and both men are down but Mankind sits up and starts pulling out his own hair. Shamrock gets to his feet and Mankind beats him down in a corner and connects with a running knee to the face. Mankind ties Shamrock upside down into the tree of woe, and hits an axehandle to the face. Mankind rams Shamrock into the opposite turnbuckle repeatedly. Shamrock slumps over the middle rope, Mankind climbs out to the ring apron and hits a legdrop on the back of Shamrock's head. With Shamrock staggering Mankind headbutts him and hits a clothesline than sends both men over the rope to the floor. Mankind pops Shamrock, then climbs to the ring apron and hits a flying elbow drop. Mankind rolls in and out of the ring to break the count then charges at the recovering Shamrock but Shamrock powerslams him partially onto the ring steps. Shamrock rolls Mankind into the ring, and applies the Anklelock. Mankind manages to crawl over and grab the ropes and the referee forces Shamrock to break the hold. Shamrock pulls Mankind away to the center of the ring and slaps on the Anklelock again. Mankind tries to crawl over again but this time can't reach the ropes. He starts pulling out his hair and hitting himself in the head, trying to withstand the pain as Shamrock keeps the hold on. Finally Mankind applies the Mandible Claw on himself! Within seconds Mankind puts himself out and Shamrock gets the submission win, even though Mankind never gave up.

Winner and still Intercontinental Champion: Ken Shamrock (14:36)

Shamrock starts celebrating a successful title defense, until Howard Finkel announces it was the Mandible Claw and not the Anklelock that won the match. Shamrock starts protesting with the referee then starts kicking away the unconscious Mankind. When the referee tries to stop him, Shamrock takes him down with a belly-to-belly suplex. Shamrock continues inflicting punishment on Mankind before threatening the other referees that come in. Mankind recovers and slips on Mr. Socko, then puts Shamrock out with the Mandible Claw. Mankind talks to Socko before leaving the ring, and as he heads out, fans start showering him with socks. Shamrock recovers, finds a sock and throws it down in disgust.

Comments: This was a good, but not great match. There was some solid in-ring action but Shamrock's technical prowess and Mankind's brawling skills seemed to clash at times. There was also a few dull spots during the match. At least the ending was somewhat unique, with Mankind denying Shamrock the satisfaction of making him tap out. [Score: 7/10]

Backstage Michael Cole is trying to get a word with Vince McMahon but runs into the Big Bossman, who returned to the WWF from his WCW run on the Raw before this show as Vince's bodyguard. Bossman tells Cole no unauthorized crews backstage, then reminds him that everything is handled through him and he's the law and order now. He orders Cole away, threatening to stick his nightstick where the sun don't shine.

The Rock vs. Mark Henry
The Nation of Domination was dissolved by this point, which was made since The Rock was by now getting over on his own, so naturally The Rock is feuding with his former followers, especially after Mark Henry and D'Lo Brown attacked him during a tag match on the Raw before this show. Henry comes out first and gets on the mic, reciting a romantic poem dedicated to Chyna. The Rock makes his entrance to a huge ovation from the crowd and wastes no time getting things started with several right hands. Rock attempts a whip, Henry reverses but Rock comes back with a clothesline. Rock rams Henry into the top turnbuckle then whips Henry back and forth between the corners, and Henry staggers out into a clothesline. Rock applies a front facelock on Henry and manages to suplex the 400-pounder for a two count. Rock kicks Henry out of the ring and rams into the ring steps. Rock tries to ram Henry into the announcers' table, but Henry blocks it and rams the Rock into the table. Henry throws Rock back into the ring and climbs in when Rock charges out of a corner with a hard clothesline. Rock attempts a whip but Henry reverses and hits a back elbow. Henry drops an elbow for a two count. Henry hits a clothesline then chokes Rock on the middle rope. Rock gets to his feet and Henry whips him from one corner to the other. Henry walks toward the corner and Rock fights out of it with kicks and punches. Rock comes off the ropes but Henry connects with a clothesline. Henry follows up with a running legdrop for a two count. Henry applies a chinlock while yelling at the crowd. Rock fights his way out of it and pummels Henry in a corner. Rock attempts another whip, Henry reverses but Rock ducks under a clothesline and drills Henry with a DDT for two. Rock slams Henry then hits the People's Elbow. Henry tries to get to his feet as D'Lo Brown comes out to ringside. Rock pops D'Lo off the apron but Henry nails him with a big clothesline followed by the big splash. Henry covers Rock while D'Lo holds the Rock's feet and gets the three count for the upset win.

Winner: Mark Henry (5:03)

The crowd is shocked at what happened as D'Lo and Henry happily leave the arena while the Rock stands in the ring, disappointed but taking it like a man.

Comments: Yes, you read right, the Rock actually jobbed to Mark Henry. The match itself was bad enough, with Henry being his usual horrid self and the Rock trying but failing to get a decent match out of him, but Henry going over the next big star was a terrible idea, even if it was a cheap pin. The WWF is fortunate that the Rock quickly recovered from this mistake and became a big main event player in just a month's time. [Score: 2/10]

The Undertaker vs. Kane – For the vacant WWF World Heavyweight Title/Special Referee: Steve Austin
Winner gets the title, and Austin must raise the hand of the new champion or be fired. Kane enters the arena first and does his usual fire-filled entrance, followed by the Undertaker. The two start talking to each other and they shake hands in a sign of sportsmanship. Austin comes in to a big reaction, not wearing any referee gear and doing his usual entrance. Austin gives the Undertaker and Kane pre-match instructions before flipping them both off. The Undertaker gets in the first shots, hitting Kane from behind and fighting him into a corner with punches and elbows. Taker grabs Kane's arm, walks the top rope then leaps off with a clubbing blow to the back. Taker rams Kane into a turnbuckle then whips him into the opposite corner and charges but eats an elbow. Kane grabs Taker by the throat and throws him into the corner, following up with several shots to the face. Kane whips Taker into the ropes for a powerslam. However Taker sits up almost immediately and gets back to his feet. Kane connects with a clothesline and again Taker sits up. Kane rams Taker into a turnbuckle and follows up with an uppercut. Kane whips Taker into a corner and charges but Taker stops Kane with a boot to the face, then comes off the ropes, ducking under a clothesline and connecting with a flying clothesline. Taker goes for the cover, but Austin makes a VERY slow count, not even reaching one by the time Kane kicks out. Taker starts having words with Austin, then gets knocked down by Kane. Kane goes for the cover, and this time Austin makes fast count, nearly counting Taker out before he kicks out. Taker attempts a whip, Kane reverses and hits a boot to the face before clotheslining Taker over the top rope to the outside. Taker lands on his feet and pulls Kane out of the ring, ramming him into the barricade, the ring steps and then the ring post. Taker walks over to the timekeeper's table and Austin offers to hand him a TV cable as a weapon. Taker refuses and grabs a chair. Taker takes a swing at Kane but misses and hits the ring post. Kane makes a comeback and rams Taker into the announcers' table, then into the ring post. Kane throws Taker back into the ring before heading in himself, followed by Austin.

Kane whips Taker into the ropes but lowers the head and Taker kicks him in the face. Taker slams Kane with a snap suplex, but Kane pops right back up. Kane hits a clothesline on Taker, and Taker sits right back up. Kane whips Taker into the ropes but Taker blocks a hiptoss and lands some rights to the face. Taker attempts a whip, Kane reverses and attempts a suplex, but Taker floats over and kicks Kane in the back of the knee several times. Kane is down and Taker continues to work the knee. Taker applies a submission hold and Austin asks Kane if he gives up. Taker drags Kane to the ring apron and clubs his knee with his elbow, then wraps it around the apron. Kane can barely stand as Taker comes in and keeps attacking the knee. Taker applies another hold and Austin again sees if Kane wants to submit. Kane fights out of the hold and whips Taker from one corner to the other for a sidewalk slam. Kane follows up with a running elbow drop. Kane whips Taker into the ropes but misses a big boot and Taker chopblocks him in the knee. Taker applies another submission hold on the knee and Austin keeps asking Kane if he wants to give it up. Taker keeps working on Kane's knee, then drapes his leg onto the bottom rope and drops his weight on the knee. Kane gets to his feet and tries to fight back but can hardly stand as Taker keeps kicking at the knee. Taker ties Kane into the tree of woe, bending his leg over the top rope, then wraps the leg on the apron. Kane struggles to get to his feet as Taker continues his assault. Taker fights Kane into a corner and hits several elbow shots before applying a headlock on the top rope. Taker then grabs Kane by the throat and Austin asks Kane if we wants to give it up. Austin tells us Kane said no, and Taker starts glaring at Austin, releasing the hold. With Kane standing in the corner, Taker charges toward him and goes for a splash but Kane catches him for a spinebuster. Taker gets to his feet and Kane hits a clothesline before pummeling Taker in a corner. Kane goes for a whip as Austin steps into the corner, but then Kane whips Taker right into Austin. Austin staggers off the corner and Kane grabs him by the throat and chokeslams him.

Both the brothers begin attacking Austin, hoping to put him out of commission and get another referee. Kane drops an elbow on Austin's face but Taker kicks Kane in the back of his leg. Taker goes for a whip, Kane reverses and hits the chokeslam. Suddenly Paul Bearer comes out to the ring with a chair in hand. Paul climbs into the ring and offers to finish off the Undertaker, which means one of two things will happen (guess which). Kane accepts and sure enough Paul hits Kane in the back with the chair. However Kane no-sells it and corners his "father" in a corner. Kane turns back toward the Undertaker and gets whacked with the chair. Paul applauds the scene as Taker goes for the cover on the fallen Kane, but Austin just stands in the corner, refusing to count. Paul leaves as the Undertaker yells at Austin. Austin tells him to cover his brother, then nails him with the Stone Cold Stunner. Taker is staggering so Austin lays him out with the chair. With both Kane and the Undertaker down, Austin make a three count with both hands and counts both men out! Austin then grabs a mic and declares himself the winner! Everyone's realizing Austin is going to be fired as Austin calls Vince out, daring him to come out and fire him. When Vince doesn't appear, Austin decides to go to the back in search of him.

Winner: No Contest (17:37)

Comments: Awful main event, one of the worst WWF Title matches in history. For the majority of the contest Kane and the Undertaker both seemed to move at a snail's pace resulting in a 15-minute snore fest until things finally picked up near the end in chaotic fashion. The worst part was there was no real ending; they kept building toward either Kane or the Undertaker winning the title throughout the show, but once they did the match, instead of a clear winner we got a stupid storyline swerve that didn't result in anything, or at least anything good. [Score: 3/10]

However we're not done yet. Austin roams the backstage area searching for Vince, looking in several rooms, and the backstage crew is quick to get out of the way. Unable to find Vince, Austin heads back out to the ring, grabs a mic and says that Vince probably took a ride in his Corvette, since he doesn't have the guts to fire Austin. After Austin finishes, Vince's voice is heard ordering someone to raise the screen. The TitanTron screen is raised up and Vince appears in a skybox, with the Bossman by his side. Vince starts by saying he wishes he could tell Austin his services are no longer required. Instead he points out what Austin said as the crowd is chanting a certain word. Vince advises the crowd to take a photo or Austin, claiming it's the last they'll see of him. Vince caps off his speech by saying, "Austin, SCREW YOU, YOU'RE FIRED!!"

Austin and the Chicago crowd are in shock as Vince repeats his words. Vince rolls away in his wheelchair as Austin says he didn't think Vince had the guts to fire him, but apparently he was proved wrong. Austin adds that he may never step foot in a WWF ring, and he just might start hunting season tomorrow, but Austin promises to Vince that he hasn't seen the last of Stone Cold Steve Austin. Austin orders his music played one last time and grabs some beer from under the ring. While JR tries to make this sound serious, Austin enjoys one last beer bash with the fans before departing the ring as the show goes off the air.

CONCLUSION: Pretty mediocre show with a terrible main event. It's not that then entire pay-per-view was a waste; the program had a somewhat decent undercard with some solid matches and a couple of standout contests in Taka/Christian and X-Pac/D'Lo, both of which resulted in title changes. But things then fell apart toward the main event, with a bad Rock/Henry match and an even worse WWF Title match to close things off. Again the worst part was the lack of a proper payoff to the show. Fans were constantly promised throughout the show that there would be a new WWF Champion crowned, but at the end of the night not only was the WWF Title still vacant, but Austin was "fired", which of course nobody was seriously buying into, especially since Austin would still hang around until he got a new five-year deal. At the end of the day it was obvious this show was just setting things up for Survivor Series, so you can tell how the people who originally bought this show felt. And we know who to thank for that. Bottom line is you may enjoy the undercard, especially the two matches I mentioned, but overall this show gets a slight thumbs-down.

FINAL GRADE: [ C- ]