WWF Sunday Night Heat (January 3, 1999)

 

Original Airdate: January 3, 1999 (taped December 29, 1998)

From Worcester, Massachusetts; Your Hosts are Kevin Kelly and Shane McMahon

Shawn Michaels is in San Antonio, and prepares to give a statement about his firing on Monday

The New Age Outlaws are out, and WWF Hardcore Champion Jesse James wants to discuss WWF Champion (or ‘chumpion,’ per James) Rock. Road Dogg is furious that Rock got involved in his match on Monday, and some trash talking draws the Corporation out. Two points made: Ken Shamrock is sick of Billy Gunn thinking he’s on his level, and Rock is really sick of Dogg thinking he’s on his. And neither is really wrong. Anyway, if Jesse wants Rock… he’ll have to go through Test first, tonight

Backstage, the Oddities warm up

Backstage, Michael Cole catches up with WWF Intercontinental Champion Ken Shamrock, when Billy Gunn charges into the dressing room to attack him

Mosh v George Steele: George is more interesting in munching the turnbuckle, but the referee harshes his mellow. Mosh punches his melon, so the Oddities distract him, and Steele cradles at 1:06. At least Steele could still hook a proper cradle. Better than a lot of the young guys at the time (and today, too). DUD

In San Antonio, Shawn plays it cool, but is clearly bitter about getting canned. Though, superkicking Vince McMahon made him feel a little better

Triple H v Mark Henry: Posturing to start, until HHH goes to the eyes, and grabs a standing headlock. Henry powers free, but gets distracted by Chyna showing up on the entrance stage, and HHH delivers a pedigree at 1:54. DUD

We get a pre-taped segment with Shane training Vince for the Royal Rumble match. Vince screaming “I hate Austin” while chugging raw eggs is great stuff 

Christian v Val Venis: Christian stomps him down right away, but misses a clothesline, and Val delivers a rotating spinebuster to set up some mounted punches. Val with a corner whip, but the charge in hits an elbow, and Christian powerbombs him for two. Christian with a snapmare to set up a kick of the back of the head, but Val reverses him into the ropes, and delivers a pair of short-knees. Val with a Russian legsweep ahead of more mounted punches, but a trip to the top ends in him getting crotched. Christian tries a superplex, but Val blocks, and dives with a flying splash at 2:21. Afterwards, the Brood come in to attack, and Val ends up covered in ‘blood.’ ¼*

Backstage, Debra McMichael gets a touchup on her paint job

Ken Shamrock and Big Boss Man v Owen Hart and Jeff Jarrett: The WWF Tag Team title is not on the line. Ken and Owen start, and they feel each other out, trading wristlocks. Ken manages a powerslam for two, but a rana gets countered with a powerbomb for two. Tag to Jeff, but Ken catches him with a drop-toehold, and he adds an elbowdrop, ahead of a tag to Boss Man. Boss Man comes in hot, but gets hit with a cheap shot from Owen. That allows Jeff to hammer him, but a bodypress gets caught in a slam. Boss Man tries a backdrop, but gets blocked, and Owen comes in. That draws Ken in, and Roseanne Barr the door. Debra hops onto the apron to distract Boss Man, and Jarrett schoolboys at 2:28. I know it’s a lot to ask for a one hour show during the Attitude Era, but I really wish some of these matches would actually get some time, especially the ones that actually look intriguing on paper. ¼*

Backstage, Cole catches up with Owen and Jeff, who want a shot at the title now

WWF Hardcore Title Match: Jesse James v Test: Mankind is out to do guest commentary, which causes Shane to abandon ship. Test slugs him down right away, but misses a backelbow, and Jesse throws punches. Jesse with a standing dropkick to set up a kneedrop for two, but Test catches him with a falcon arrow to cut it off. Test takes him into the corner for abuse, and a corner whip leads to a big boot. Test with a sidewalk slam for two, and a neckbreaker follows. He grabs James for a pumphandle-slam, but Jesse slips free, and pounds him into the corner. Jesse with a 2nd rope axehandle, and his own pumphandle-slam follows. Cover, but Rock comes in for the DQ at 2:47. That draws Mankind in to back him up, and we have a brawl to close the show. ½*

BUExperience: Enjoyable, but not notable.