World Wrestling Federation presents Shotgun Saturday Night
Date: 5/17/1997
From:
Matches:
1.) Rocky Maivia defeated Rockabilly by disqualification
2.) Jim Neidhart defeated Marty Garner
3.) Faarooq defeated Jason Ahrdnt
4.) Leif Cassidy defeated Matt Hardy
Angle Developments/Notes:
1.) Rocky controls Rockabilly with a headlock and shoulder blocks Rockabilly to the mat. Rockabilly regroups in the corner. Rocky controls Rockabilly with a headlock, but comes off the ropes to shoulder block and arm drag Billy to maintain arm control on the mat. Billy eye rakes Rocky and continues with strikes. Rocky arm drags Billy a few times to once again keep arm control on the mat. Billy reaches the ropes to force a rope break. Rocky arm drags Billy again and returns to arm control on the mat. Rocky elbow strikes Billy over the shoulder several times, but a knee lift by Billy stops Rocky. Billy bails to the floor to regroup to avoid a strike attempt by Rocky. Billy drops Rocky throat first over the top rope and delivers a flurry of strikes on the mat. Billy tries for a cover, but Rocky kicks out at two. Billy rams Rocky into the corner and delivers a few stomps in the corner. Billy hits a Fame-Asser, but doesn’t quickly go for a cover. Billy tries for a cover, but Rocky kicks out at two. Billy keeps Rocky on the mat with a chin lock, but doesn’t get a submission and lets go of the hold. Billy comes off the ropes to deliver a boot to the head and keep Rocky on the mat. Billy goes back to putting a chin lock on Rocky. Billy eye rakes Rocky and sends Rocky into the corner a few times. Billy misses a big splash attempt in the corner. Rocky plants Billy with a float over DDT and both men are down. Rocky punches Billy a few times and hits a Rock Bottom. Rocky punches Billy and the referee is knocked down. Rocky clotheslines Billy, but is hit by Honkytonk Man with a guitar, which the referee saw and rings for the bell. (*1/2. There were a few bright spots, but Rockabilly can’t do a job on Shotgun? I can’t imagine there’s going to be a push for the character long-term, right?) After the match, Rockabilly hits Rocky with the guitar a few times.
2.) Dox Hendrix is in the ring to conduct an interview with Ken Shamrock. Hendrix puts over Shamrock’s victory on PPV against Vader. Shamrock thanks the fans for being good to him since he’s arrived. Shamrock enjoys the support and thanks the fans for giving him that extra push. Shamrock notes that he’s still sore from his match with Vader. Shamrock knew it was going to be a war with Vader because he has the experience. Hendrix asks what is Shamrock’s next war in the WWF. Shamrock says his door is open anytime for a rematch. Shamrock reminds us that he’s issued a challenge to Mike Tyson, but hasn’t heard anything. Shamrock says he’ll be here for anyone that wants to challenge him.
3.) We see footage from after RAW ended last week where Shawn Michaels confronted Bret Hart, who is in a wheelchair. Eventually, Michaels ended up hitting Hart with Sweet Chin Music knocking Hart over in the wheelchair.
4.) This is Jim Neidhart’s return match in the WWF since he wrestled as Who, back on August 24th, 1996 episode of WWF Superstars. Neidhart hadn’t been seen on WWF TV under the Neidhart name since late 1994.
5.) As expected, Neidhart dominated his match winning the match following three scoop slams. British Bulldog and Owen Hart celebrated the victory with Neidhart afterward.
6.) Faarooq quickly wins his match following the Dominator. Faarooq will challenge WWF World Champion The Undertaker at King of the Ring.
7.) Cassidy drop toe holds Hardy to start the match and delivers a few stomps. Cassidy keeps Hardy on the mat with an arm lock, but doesn’t get a submission. Cassidy decks Hardy with a clothesline. Hardy tries for a rollup, but Cassidy kicks out at two. Cassidy hits a wheelbarrow suplex on Hardy and delivers stomps on the mat. Cassidy tosses Hardy over the ropes with an overhead belly to belly suplex. Cassidy strikes Hardy over the back and lays Hardy over the middle rope to deliver a leg drop from the middle rope. Cassidy tosses Hardy overhead with another suplex and puts a seated abdominal stretch on Hardy, but doesn’t get a submission. Cassidy slams Hardy and heads to the top rope missing a springboard moonsault. Hardy hits a middle rope leg drop and drags Cassidy to the middle of the ring. Hardy misses a springboard moonsault as Cassidy got his knees up. Cassidy hits a reverse powerbomb and pins Hardy for the win. (*1/2. Cassidy showing aggression was nice, but he’s not going to gain any steam or anything.)
8.) Sunny hosts Sunny Undercover to close the program this week. Sunny brings up how Paul Bearer dropped a bombshell saying he knows Undertaker’s deep dark secret. Sunny talks about how Undertaker fears nothing. Sunny wants to get the real scoop about the secret and brings out Mankind to spill the beans. Mankind comes out and joins Sunny on her bed. Sunny talks about Bearer threatening to reveal the secret. Mankind wants Sunny to tel him how badly she really wants to know the secret. Sunny thinks that missing body parts can be attractive. Sunny says whatever she wants, she gets. Mankind asks what Sunny is willing to do to get the truth. Mankind knows the only thing that Undertaker fears. Mankind knows the secret that keeps Undertaker up at night. Mankind asks Sunny how badly does she really want to know the secret. Mankind promises that Undertaker will rue the day that Undertaker ruined Paul Bearer’s face. Mankind finishes off by saying that the truth burns.
Final Thoughts:
An average episode this week as there was some decent action largely from the enhancement matches. As long as they keep using the top names these hour programs tend to fly by.
Thanks for reading.