WWF Shotgun Saturday Night (July 12, 1997)

 

Original Airdate: July 12, 1997 (taped July 7)

From Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Your Hosts are Jim Ross and Jim Cornette

Kama v Dale Hutchinson: JR’s cowboy hat is still a new thing, and Cornette is mocking it here. It’s so odd to think that there was ever a period when he didn’t have it. Kama squashes him but good at 3:08. DUD

The Legion of Doom v Ken Johnson and Steve Rivers: Cornette, of course, just can’t wait to name drop the Midnight Express as soon as he sees the LOD. The Doomsday Device finishes this at 3:08. DUD

Vince McMahon brings Brian Pillman out to hype up all of the Hart Foundation’s matches for SummerSlam. Nice of them to send their secretary 

Ken Shamrock promises to be effective in the ring, even if it means fighting dirty

Ken Shamrock v Salvatore Sincere: Shamrock dominates, using takedowns, and trying for submissions, but Sincere manages to hang out near the ropes. Sincere hooks a suplex for two, but that just pisses Ken off, and he unloads a series of strikes. The anklelock finishes at 4:58. ¼*

‘Cause Stone Cold Said So home video ad. It was never the same after Coliseum Video wrapped

Owen Hart v Flash Funk: The WWF Intercontinental title is off the table here. Owen gets a huge, loving ovation here. They feel each other out to start, and Funk gets control. Hart manages to bury a knee during a criss cross, and he stomps the groin for good measure. Hart with a backbreaker, followed by a gutwrench suplex for two. That allows Owen to work a chinlock, but Funk fights free, so Owen clotheslines him. He adds a legdrop for two, and a neckbreaker sets up a 2nd rope pointed elbowdrop for two. I never liked Owen with the buzzcut, bad look. Hart with a corner whip, but a corner dropkick misses, allowing Funk a spinheel kick for two. Funk with a corner whip, but Hart dodges the charge in, and cradles for two. A reversal sequence allows Owen a bridging German suplex for two, but Funk ducks the leg-feed enzuigiri. Hart recovers with a spinheel kick for two instead, but Funk fights him off in the corner, and delivers a bodyslam to set up a flying moonsault for two. Dropkick, but Owen dodges, and puts the Sharpshooter on at 7:13. Basic, but good work, especially carried by Hart’s perfect execution. * ¾ 

BUExperience: Really low rent stuff this week, but I enjoyed the Hart/Funk match.