WWF LiveWire (September 21, 1996)

Original Airdate: September 21, 1996

Your Hosts are Todd Pettengill, Jim Cornette, and Sunny from the studio

We open with a tribute to Juanita Wright, who played Sapphire, and had recently passed away

Clips of the crew on tour in South Africa, including Bret Hart’s ‘final contractual obligation’ to the WWF. They shrewdly avoid showing that he wrestling Steve Austin on the tour

We get our first caller (Brian), who wants to know what wrestlers are going to show up for some VIP event before tomorrow’s In Your House, which they avoid answering with typical ‘anything can happen in the WWF’ bullshit

Next up is Sean, who I assume they forced to change the spelling of his name since Vince can’t tolerate two ‘Shawns.’ He asks… I don’t know, couldn’t really hear him. It wasn’t a big deal, anyway

Brian Pillman calls in, and apparently he’s got beef with Bret Hart. Well, that sure got dropped in a hurry

In Your House ad

Sunny wants to take the show’s first email, but Pillman is still fuming about Bret potentially no-showing their scheduled interview on the pay per view tomorrow

Last Saturday in South Africa, Hart calls Pillman a liar for promising that he’ll appear at In Your House, which he won’t. I don’t really get why they were actively anti-promoting Bret for the show. Like, what’s the point of that? It’s not even a bait-and-switch, they’re just straight up telling you he won’t be there

Sunny reads her email, which asks what Pillman’s ‘purpose’ in the WWF is, and whether he’ll ever wrestle, or just run his mouth. He was better at the mouth part by this point, sadly

Another caller taunts Pillman about failing to get access to Hart, as the camera treats us to multiple angles of Sunny acting all pouty

Another caller wants to know if Vader will fight Crush, but Jim isn’t focused on Crush, he’s focused on WWF Champion Shawn Michaels, and that’s the only match he’s interested in signing for Vader

Someone faxes in to ask Cornette if he’d ever manage Pillman, which Jim says he’d love to. That would have been a horrible combination

Superstar Line ad

Jim Ross shows up to discuss his promise that Diesel and Razor Ramon are returning to the promotion, following President Gorilla Monsoon’s announcement that Kevin Nash and Scott Hall (identified by name) are signed to another organization. Someone calls in to ask why Ross is such a liar, but Jim claims that his sources are verified, and he really believes that Diesel and Razor will be there this Monday

Someone calls in to tell Sunny she looks hot, and he ain’t wrong. He wants to know how she matches up in mental capacity to Cornette. Considering how far both have fallen, that’s a footrace to the bottom

Big Bang Boom Tour ad

Someone calls in to ask where Sunny went. Todd notes that she’s probably taking a shit

Someone calls in to ask Cornette why he thinks Vader deserves a rematch with Shawn. Really? After all that bullshit at SummerSlam it isn’t completely clear? It’s hard for me to believe that Jim was only 35 here

Undertaker promo hyping his horrible Final Curtain Match with Goldust for In Your House

Sunny returns, wearing a new outfit. Just how explosive was that shit she was supposedly taking?

Cornette promises to “open what’s closed, and close what’s open” on Jose Lothario’s face at In Your House, followed by clips of Cornette’s ‘training’ from RAW

Andy calls in to ask Sunny how she feels about Cornette saying she’s a lousy manager. Really getting into the hard hitting shoot questions, aren’t we?

Linda (from Connecticut) calls in to make fun of Cornette’s voice. Good use of the telephone, Alexander Graham Bell rests comfortably in his grave

Nathen (sic) calls in asking Sunny to slap Cornette. This is quickly turning into a cam-girl show, isn’t it?

Jamie thinks Shawn Michaels is the greatest champion who has ever been in the WWF. Was there a question in there?

Sunny hypes up Faarooq’s chances ahead of the finals of the WWF Intercontinental Title Tournament scheduled for this Monday night. And if Ahmed Johnson doesn’t like it, Sunny will have Faarooq break his other kidney. Break?

Joel calls in to ask Cornette what he’ll do after Savio Vega beats Vader on Superstars tomorrow. This prompts the usual grace and charm from Jim

Someone calls in asking Cornette to sign Vader against Sycho Sid. And that one did indeed happen at the next pay per view

Someone emails asking if Mr. Perfect will get back into the ring to “take care of a little business, if you know what I mean.” Um… I don’t

In Your House ad

Shawn Michaels calls in, which Cornette reacts to by stomping on his action figure. Mature

Someone calls in to ask when Shawn will put an end to Cornette’s big mouth. Still waiting on that one

Clips of Shawn apparently filming an episode of Baywatch, and flexing a lot

BUExperience: This was… not great? Certainly something different though, and all three hosts are very quick witted, and perfectly suited to this thing. I also like how they kind of touch in on everything going on in the promotion, but in a light, non-heavy handed way.