WWF Monday Night RAW (March 13, 1995)

Original Airdate: March 13, 1995

From Stockton, California; Your Hosts are Vince McMahon and Jim Cornette

Opening Match: The Blu Brothers v The New Headshrinkers: This is scheduled as Blu's/Kid & Holly (and even announced as such at the top of the show), but they changed it to the Headshrinkers at the last minute, and excuse it by noting that Holly is 'stuck in traffic.' Since it's bullshit anyway, I'd have went for the money shot, and said Kid and Holly couldn't figure out the time difference on the West Coast, and missed the show. This arena is also really weirdly lit tonight, and makes it look like we're watching footage from a house show. The Brothers cut the ring in half on Sione in short order, but fucking Barbarian does not make a good heat guy, and Fatu really should have been the one to take the heat segment. Sione eventually manages a powerslam to get to Fatu, and he's a hut of fire to trigger a four-way brawl - both teams getting counted out at 9:30. Hmm, you'd think shoehorning the Headshrinkers in there would at least lead to a clean finish, considering they were strictly JTTS at this point, and didn't need to be protected. Wonder if the substitution and protective booking was supposed to lead somewhere for them that got scrapped? DUD

Lawrence Taylor offers pre-taped thoughts on facing Bam Bam Bigelow on 'game day'

Vince announces that several NFL players will be in LT's corner at WrestleMania as part of his 'All-Pro Team,' including Steve McMichael, who joins us via satellite to promise he will be in attendance for next weeks show. Guess the guy really wanted to be a part of the business

Bam Bam Bigelow and the Million Dollar Corporation respond (And sneer! Can't forget the sneering), as well as show off new member Kama. This feud started off intriguing, but the Corporation is a death knell for any angle it touches, and this is no exception

Ernie Ladd (who both wrestled and played football) offers his pre-taped thoughts on Taylor's chances at WrestleMania

Jeff Jarrett v Barry Horowitz: Jeff is Intercontinental Champion, but this is non-title. Jarrett attacks before the bell, but walks into a backslide for two, and Barry inside cradles him for two. Again, and Jarrett decides to bail to break the momentum. He stalls out there until Horowitz gets frustrated, and Jeff sweeps the legs from the floor. Inside, he cross corner whips Horowitz, then hammers the back. Bodyslam, but Barry counters with a drop-toehold into an armbar, and hangs on through all of Jarrett's escape attempts - forcing Jeff to use the ropes. Criss cross goes Horowitz's way with a high knee, but he lands badly, and Jeff immediately takes advantage by clipping the leg, and slapping on the Figure Four at 4:30. Hell of a little match, as the thin roster had them gearing up to push career jobber Horowitz, and he got tons of offense in this non-squash. * ¼

We get a review of the Bret Hart/Jerry Lawler feud (well, at least the most recent stuff - it's only a one hour show, after all), as well as comments from Bret

WrestleMania XI Report! According to Todd, WrestleMania XI will be bigger than the Grammys, the Oscars, and the Super Bowl combined. Well, there's puffing, and then there's just plain delusional

Bret Hart v Jerry Lawler: Lawler has been calling Bret out as a racist against Japanese people for week, then promptly tries to Pearl Harbor him before the bell, but Bret destroys him. Too bad Gorilla Monsoon wasn't commentating, because he totally would have noted that. Jerry tries running, but Bret is all over him with closed fists, and drags him in for a tree of woe. Headbutt and a backelbow continue the onslaught, as we get a look at Bob Backlund observing from the crowd. Well, I think it was Backlund anyway, since this house show lighting is killing my eyes. Bret with an inverted atomic drop and a clothesline for two, as Hakushi makes his way down the aisle to observe as well. That's enough distraction to allow the King a cheapshot to takeover, and he bulldogs the Hitman before cross corner whipping him. Hanging vertical suplex sets up a flying axehandle, but Bret gutpunches him out of the air, and hits a bulldog of his own. Russian legsweep follows, and a big right knocks Jerry over the top. Bret follows, but Bull Nakano grabs him from behind, and Jerry gets back in for the cheap countout victory at 9:00. Paint by numbers stuff, but these two had wrestled each other so many times in the mid-90s that even cruising on autopilot it was fine. *

Vince brings Jeff Jarrett and Barry Horowitz back out for an interview, with Jarrett offering Barry a title shot for next week, but before Horowitz can sign the contract, Bob Backlund jumps out of the crowd and Chickenwing's him, then signs the contract himself - much to Jarrett's chagrin!

BUExperience: Fun live episode this week, with the hour just flying by