World Wrestling Federation presents Shotgun Saturday Night
Date: 6/21/1997
From: Lake Placid, NY
Matches:
1.) The Nation Of Domination (Ahmed Johnson, Faarooq & Kama) defeated Jeff Libolt, Mike Bell & Tony DeVito
2.) The Godwinns defeated Ed Ramos & Salvatore Sincere
3.) Mankind defeated Rockabilly
4.) Brian Christopher defeated Tommy Rogers
Angle Developments/Notes:
1.) Brian Pillman cuts a promo at the commentary table saying that the Hart Foundation will show what they are capable of on July 6th at the Canadian Stampede. They spent a decent time going over the issues between Pillman and Austin on RAW last week.
2.) Ahmed Johnson has officially joined the Nation of Domination after turning on WWF World Champion The Undertaker on RAW. Johnson had long feuded with the Nation for many months refusing to join the group, but now he’s one of them. If you can’t beat them, join them.
3.) As expected, the Nation completely dominates their six man tag match. Kama pinned Bell following a modified slam. After the match, Ahmed Johnson hit the Pearl River Plunge on Libolt.
4.) Vince McMahon is in the ring to conduct an interview with the Legion of Doom. Hawk and Animal make their way down to the ring and they get a decent reception from the crowd. Animal talks about Ahmed Johnson and not needing a third person for their team. Animal trusted Ahmed, but Ahmed stabbed everyone in the back. Vince brings up the ten man tag match at Canadian Stampede. Animal has listened to the Hart Foundation saying they’ll be popular in Canada. Animal says people in the USA have integrity and believes there will be people who don’t buy into what they’re selling. Hawk makes a pig noise to say hello to the Godwinns. Hawk talks nonsense about their match with the Godwinns. Speaking of the Godwinns, they make their way out to join the segment. Henry says that Vince McMahon has a pretty mouth and suggests he keeps his mouth shut. Henry has been there for three years trying to do what’s right for Hillbilly Jim and Vince. Henry is thankful for getting his neck broken and remembers where he came from. Hawk says breaking Henry’s neck the first time was an accident, but they’ll do it on purpose neck time. Henry tells Hawk this is personal and not about titles. Henry promises they’ll take care of business with the LOD. Hawk asks that they take a shower before they step into the ring next week. They end the segment having a standoff and the Godwinns depart the ring.
5.) Salvatore Sincere cuts a promo saying that he loves all the fans, but they aren’t receptive to it.
6.) Despite the clear attitude change by the Gowinns, they still have their joyful babyface music.
7.) Sincere slaps Phineas and continues with right hands and kicks in the corner. Phineas backdrops Sincere coming out of the corner followed by a clothesline. Henry decks Sincere from the apron and Sincere begs off. Ramos and Henry enter the match with Henry gaining control by yanking Ramos to the mat by his head. Henry scoop slams Ramos and slams Phineas onto Ramos. Phineas bites Ramos face and continues with a clothesline. Henry stomps Ramos followed by a scoop slam and an elbow drop. Ramos continues to be worked over by the Godwinns. Henry delivers the Slop Drop and wins the match. (1/2*. I probably would have done this match before the LOD confrontation because the crowd didn’t react in a positive way as the Godwinns are obviously changing their attitude. I can get behind a darker more sinister version of the Godwinns.)
8.) Mankind backs Billy into a corner and delivers a few right hands. Mankind sends Billy into the corner and follows up with a bulldog. Mankind tries for a strike, but Billy bails to the floor. Billy tries to get some advice from Honky, but Mankind pulls Billy up to the apron and strikes Billy into the ring. Mankind stomps Billy before ramming Billy into the corner face first. Mankind yanks on Billy’s arm over his shoulder and keeps control with an arm bar. Billy eye rakes Mankind followed by strikes and stomps in the corner. Billy rams Mankind into the corner a few times. Mankind blocks being rammed into the corner and Billy begs off. Mankind strikes Billy and rams Billy into the corner several more times. Billy staggers out of the corner and drops to the canvas. Billy bails to the floor to regroup as the show goes to commercial.
During the break, Billy dropped Mankind over the top rope to get control of the match. Mankind fires back with right hands. Billy plants Mankind with a DDT and taunts the crowd. Billy tries for the swinging neckbreaker, but Mankind counters with the Mandible Claw to win the match. (*. There wasn’t much going on here, but the crowd popped for the finish. Rockabilly is a horrible character.)
9.) Brian Christopher shared a pre-tape promo saying the Light Heavyweight division should be renamed to the Too Sexy division and says he’s going to be the star of the division.
10.) Tommy Rogers shared a pre-tape promo saying that Brian Christopher isn’t too sexy and he’s going to change his looks forever.
11.) Rogers gets wrist control, but Christopher counters until Rogers kicks Christopher away. Rogers takes Christopher down to the mat and keeps the advantage with a leg lock until Christopher reaches the ropes. Rogers offers a handshake, but Christopher declines the offer. Christopher backs Rogers into a corner and delivers several shoulder rams. Rogers boots a charging Christopher. Rogers catches Christopher with a snap powerslam for a two count. Rogers continues to work over Christopher, but is stopped by an eye rake. Christopher delivers a back suplex. Christopher rams Rogers into the corner an delivers a running shoulder ram before taunting the fans as Rogers rolled to the floor. Rogers forearms Christopher several times and slams Christopher on the floor. Rogers suplexs Christopher into the ring from the apron for a near fall. Christopher nails Rogers with a superkick right on the chin. Christopher continues with a headbutt to the lower midsection. Rogers low blows Christopher right in front of the referee, but the match isn’t stopped. Rogers atomic drops Christopher and tries for a cover managing a two count. Rogers elbows Christopher and heads to the top rope hitting a crossbody, but Christopher rolls through and pins Rogers to win the match. (*1/4. These matches are tough only because I know how much better the Cruiserweight division is in WCW. It’s almost as if the WWF shouldn’t even bother introducing the WWF Light Heavyweight Championship if it’s going to come across as less than to such a major level.)
Final Thoughts:
For the most part, the live crowd tends to not care about the action on Shotgun Saturday Night, which I can’t blame them. I’m interested in the Godwinns heel turn as I think it could go well for them. On the flip side, Ahmed Johnson’s heel turn is probably the worst thing they could have done.
Thanks for reading.