WWF Monday Night RAW (July 17, 1995)

Original Airdate: July 17, 1995 (Taped June 26)

From Danville, Pennsylvania; Your Hosts are Vince McMahon and Jerry Lawler. The crowd chants ‘kiss my foot’ at Lawler, which the WWE Networks crack closed captioning team interprets as ‘kiss my butt.’

Owen Hart and Yokozuna v Gus Kantarrakis and Jim Dimitre: Weird Greek themed jobbers this week. Owen is hilarious in this role too, running around with both tag title belts before the bell. Sharpshooter sends Zorba dancing home at 2:54. ¼*

In Your House Report

Jean Pierre Laffite v David Thornberg: Why a pirate? Was it really just because the guy had a legit glass eye, and they thought it was a good fit? Or because they actually really thought a pirate was what was going to draw in an era when crowds were clearly responding to guys with (exaggerated) personalities, rather than gimmicks? Cannonball finishes at 2:32. ¼*

Fatu vignette, as he's been repacked and 'makin' a difference.' Kinda weird that just a few months before, they were selling him as this savage who couldn't understand English or footwear, but now suddenly it's the same guy (as in, the same character - name and all) and he's driving a Mustang through his old neighborhood in California, and dressing like he's looking for a role in the next John Singleton movie. Forget wanting to clean up the streets, I think we're looking at a serious case of split personalities here

With My Baby Tonight music video

Shawn Michaels v IRS: IRS is rocking a grey shirt this week, which kind of ruins the whole look. They trade wristlocks to start, with Shawn controlling, and IRS bailing to the outside. Back in, IRS takes him down with an overhead wristlock... then lets off, and runs away. Well, that strategy got Sid a main event push, so I can see the logic, I guess. Shawn chases him into the aisle and drags him back by his necktie, for a snap across the top rope, and a forearm for two. Michaels takes him down in a side-headlock, and hits a hiptoss as they criss cross. Dropkick gets two, and Shawn grounds him in another headlock. Another criss cross, but this time IRS has him scouted, and sidesteps a charge to send Shawn flying out over the top. IRS follows to introduce him to the steps, but takes too long bringing him back in, and Shawn surprises him with a slingshot sunset flip for two, before getting beaten down again, and locked in an abdominal stretch. Shawn hiptosses out, but gets clobbered into a chinlock right away. Michaels powers up, so IRS bodyslams him to cutoff another comeback attempt - only to hit boot as he tries a flying elbowdrop! Shawn kips up and goes to work with the diving axehandle, then adds a flying version for two. Superkick, but IRS ducks, and levels him with a lariat. They nearly botch a corner charge when IRS legit trips, but cover for it nicely, and a Superkick finishes at 10:35. Not a classic, but that has to be IRS' best match, post-Money Inc, with Shawn knowing exactly when to make his comebacks, and draw you into the match. Shawn then celebrates by mouth kissing some fans. **

Barry Didinsky wants you to buy the new Shawn Michaels t-shirt and heart shaped glasses! Like everyone else, I was a huge HBK mark at this point, but even at ten years old I remember looking at his gear in the merchandise catalog and thinking there was no way in hell I'd ever wear a stitch of it

Isaac Yankem vignette

Kama v Billy Mack: The guy from Love Actually was a pro wrestler in his day?! This changes everything! He looks so different, though. Kama's still got Undertaker's melted down urn, but honestly, if Undertaker really gave a shit, he'd have come and get it by now. It's been over three months, and the most he's done is send Kama some black wreaths. And it's not like Kama has been hard to find. Like I said, he's been sending him wreaths that are delivered during his advertised matches. Why not send a cop down, if it means so much to you? Kama with a knockout punch for the pin at 2:02. I wonder if he felt that beating in his fingers and his toes? DUD

Vince brings WWF Champion Diesel out for an in-ring interview to sell In Your House, along with his team of lumberjacks. Bam Bam Bigelow threatens to set Sid on fire if he falls out of the ring. Shawn Michaels threatens to read him poetry. I don't think these guys quite understand how Lumberjack matches work. And speaking of lumberjacks, Sid leads his heel crew out to confront Big Daddy Cool, but then chickens out at the last second, and walks away. I don’t think these guys quite understand how Lumberjack matches are booked.

BUExperience: This was a long, brutal taping that didn’t produce a single good episode in its previous three attempts, and the fourth time was certainly not the charm – though Shawn Michaels continues to be very entertaining