WWF Shotgun Saturday Night (August 16, 1997)

 

Original Airdate: August 16, 1997 (taped August 11)

From Biloxi, Mississippi; Your Hosts are Michael Cole and Kevin Kelly

Owen Hart v Goldust: They feel each other out early, with Goldust in control. Owen tries a cross corner whip, but Goldust reverses, and backdrops him on the rebound. That allows Goldust to grab a wristlock, but Owen reverses, and delivers a backbreaker. On to the Sharpshooter, but Goldust blocks, so Owen tries a backdrop, but Goldust blocks that as well. This time Goldust fires off a clothesline after the block, and he takes Hart into the corner for a ten-punch. That draws Brian Pillman down to chase Marlena around, but Goldust stays focused with a clothesline for two. Brian with another distraction, and this time Hart is able to capitalize with a spinheel kick at 7:07. ½*

In Your House ad

Brian Christopher v Tony Williams: This gets a ‘Light Heavyweight Division’ chyron, as if that’s supposed to convince us that it isn’t a squash. Christopher with a flying legdrop at 3:30. ½*

Jerry Lawler brings Scott Putski out for an in-ring interview, but Brian Christopher is quick to join them with a sneak attack, and Putski takes a beating

The Slam of the Week is Patriot diving at WWF Champion Bret Hart on RAW

D-lo Brown and Kama v Skull and 8-Ball: Brown starts with 8-Ball, and dominates him. A criss cross allows 8-Ball a clothesline, and the DOA work Brown over. Kama takes a cheap shot to allow D-lo to clothesline 8-Ball over the top, and Kama bodyslams him on the floor out there. Inside, the Nation work 8-Ball over, until a brawl breaks out, and the Nation pick up a countout win at 5:05. ¼*

Vince McMahon brings WWF Tag Team Champion Dude Love out, and Vince wants to know what Dude plans to do, since his tag partner is no longer active. Dude tries to make light of it all, which draws Shawn Michaels onto the TitanTron, promising to introduce Dude to his ‘insurance policy’ later

Hunter Hearst Helmsley v Vader: HHH dominates with speed early on, and a clothesline sends Vader over the top. HHH follows, but gets decked before he can strike, only for Vader to miss a charge into the post. That allows Helmsley a clothesline on the floor, and he delivers a bodyslam on the way back in, setting up a kneedrop for two. A charge in the corner hits a boot, however, and Vader levels him with a clothesline. Vader with a splash for two, and he grounds HHH in a fujiwara armbar. Vader with a corner splash and another standard splash for two, then a belly-to-belly suplex. That draws Chyna and Paul Bearer into things, but as they confront each other on the outside, Vader slams Helmsley. He goes for the pump-splash, but Chyna comes in with a low blow for the DQ at 7:15. ¾*

BUExperience: This was taxing. Just so boring, even during the ‘good’ parts.