WWF Shotgun Saturday Night (May 17, 1997)

 

Original Airdate: May 17, 1997 (taped May 12)

From Newark, Delaware; Your Hosts are Jim Ross and Brian Pillman

Rocky Maivia v Rockabilly: Well, both of these guys would go on to much bigger returns in 1998. Who would’ve guessed, at this point? Rocky works a headlock early on, and an armdrag allows him an armbar. Ross talks about more light heavyweight action in the WWF, which Pillman wonders ‘does that mean more Mexicans?’ ‘Not necessarily,’ notes Ross. These two. Rockabilly escapes the hold, and snaps Rocky’s throat across the top rope for two, and he hammers Rocky in the corner from there. Rockabilly with a rocker dropper, and he works a chinlock, before putting the boots to the corner Intercontinental champion. Rockabilly with a snapmare into another chinlock, but a corner splash misses, and Rocky comes back with a floatover DDT. He’s getting cheered here, but probably because fuck Rockabilly, more than actual love. Rock with a series of punches, and a uranage connects. The referee gets bumped as Rocky continues running wild, so Honky Tonk Man hits him with the guitar, but the referee sees it for the DQ at 7:14. ½*

Austin 3:16 t-shirt ad

Dok Hendrix brings Ken Shamrock out, and Ken has actual green shamrocks shining down through the spotlights at this point, like Jeff Jarrett with his music notes. Or the directional arrows at IKEA. Thankfully they dropped that aspect quickly. It works for Double J, it works for IKEA, but it’s cheesy for Shamrock. Ken talks about the brawl with Vader at In Your House, and throws out a challenge to Mike Tyson next

King of the Ring ad

Jim Neidhart v Marty Garner: The Hart Foundation are out with Neidhart, though sans Bret Hart. Neidhart with a trio of bodyslams at 4:17. That was a lengthy squash for Neidhart at this point in his career. DUD

Faarooq v Jason Ahrndt: It’s interesting that Pillman is not siding with fellow heel Faarooq in his claims that the WWF is racist, and in fact, is adamantly against his claims. Usually, the heel commentator would at least back it up. Faarooq with the dominator at 2:44. DUD

Leif Cassidy v Matt Hardy: Ross notes that Cassidy is being considered for the light heavyweight division that may be starting up soon. Or, you know, he could go a different way. Hardy bumps around nicely for Cassidy here, before eating a power facebuster at 4:02. As far as squash matches go, this was a good one. ½*

Sunny is out to host Sunny Undercover, with guest Mankind. At least they’re having actual guests now. Even if this segment is still terrible. I really don’t get it… Sunny was a great personality, but this is just the worst. At least it’s fun to watch. Sunny tries to get the dirt on what ‘secret’ Paul Bearer is going to reveal about Undertaker, but Mankind wants sexual favors for that information

BUExperience: Nothing great this week, but watchable enough.