WWF Sunday Night Heat (November 1, 1998)

 

Original Airdate: November 1, 1998

From Austin, Texas; Your Hosts are Michael Cole and Jim Cornette

The Hardy Boyz v Animal and Droz: Big brawl to start, dominated by Animal and Droz. Animal hits Jeff Hardy with a powerbomb, but Matt Hardy saves, as Droz is caught up arguing with Hawk on the outside. Animal makes do with a double suplex on the Boyz, but he gets overwhelmed, and hit with a tandem suplex. The Boyz with a combo, and Animal is pinned at 1:28. This was all about advancing the storyline tension between Hawk and the others. Afterwards, Hawk wants to settle it - challenging Droz to a match tomorrow on RAW. DUD

Backstage, Shane McMahon congratulates the Hardy Boyz on their win

Steven Regal vignette

Bradshaw v Steven Regal: Okay, Regal’s theme is pretty great, actually. This is his first match on TV since June. Bradshaw knocks him around to start, and a side suplex sets up an elbowdrop for two. Bradshaw tries a headlock, but Regal escapes, and throws punches. Regal with a snapmare to set up a kick to the back, but he telegraphs a backdrop, and gets clobbered. Bradshaw with a bodyslam, but a big boot misses, and Regal hooks a bridging side suplex at 1:39. ¼*

Backstage, Shane hangs out with the New Age Outlaws

Six-Man Tag Team Match: Christian, Gangrel, and Edge v Golga, Kurrgan, and Giant Silva: Speaking of good themes, the Brood’s music is another one. Edge attacks Kurrgan to kick start the match, but gets caught in a swinging scrapbuster. Over to Silva, so Christian runs in, but Silva bodyslams him. Enter Gangrel, but Silva clotheslines him, as Cole frantically starts shouting about seeing Kane in the rafters, though the camera can’t spot him. Golga with an avalanche and a legdrop on Gangrel for two, and a 2nd rope elbowdrop is worth two. Golga with a bodyslam to set up a splash, so Edge steals Cartman to distract him. That allows Gangrel to recover, and he delivers a DDT at 2:04. ¼*

Backstage, Shane hangs out with the crew

Kevin Kelly is backstage with Steve Blackman, who claims that the Blue Blazer is Owen Hart. His proof? The Blazer smells like a ‘stinky little nugget’

Dan Severn is watching, from his home in Michigan, wearing a neckbrace 

D-lo Brown v Steve Blackman: Mark Henry is hanging around at ringside, holding up a sign saying that he misses Chyna. Blackman tries a sneak attack, but Brown dodges. They trade off, and Blackman lands a kick, but telegraphs a backdrop, and D-lo delivers a running sitout powerbomb. The Headbangers show up to get in Mark’s face, as Brown bodyslams Blackman. Brown goes to the top, but Thrasher shoves him off, and Blackman cradles at 1:23. DUD

Severn attempts to give an interview via video, but technical problems prevent it

Backstage, Shane is hanging out… by himself. Well, he’s burned through everyone on the roster and the crew. Probably should see if Godfather is around, he might be able to get something together to occupy his time

Jeff Jarrett v Val Venis: Terri Runnels is not with Val anymore here. Jeff attacks before the bell, and sticks a backelbow. Val fires back with a rotating spinebuster, but he wastes time putting the moves on Debra McMichael, and Jeff recovers. They slug it out as Terri shows up, and Jarrett delivers a DDT for two. Venis manages a powerslam for two, and a short-knee hits, but Jarrett backdrops him over the top to block a second one. Debra goes over to check on Val, but Terri gets mad. That distracts the guys, and Val manages a suplex back in, but gets caught with a Russian facebuster at 2:25. Too much going on here for a two minute match. Afterwards, Terri reveals that she’s pregnant, but Val wants nothing to do with it. And the crowd loudly cheers it. DUD

Severn’s connection is fixed, but he’s still no more interesting than when we couldn’t hear him. He reveals that he’ll be at RAW tomorrow, and asks Owen Hart to come meet him there for a discussion 

Backstage, Shane is heading toward the arena

Kevin Kelly brings Shane out to discuss what Vince’s ‘big announcement’ will be tomorrow on RAW. Shane has no clue. Well, that segment was worth a show’s worth of hype and build

Undertaker v Godfather: Undertaker violently turns down the offer, but he’s so pissed at the mere suggestion of vagina, that he beats up a bunch of referees, too, and it’s a DQ at 0:28. Afterwards, Kane indeed appears in the rafters, but nothing else happens. Okay then. DUD

BUExperience: A lot going on is a good thing, but this felt like it had too much going on for a one hour show.