WWF Monday Night RAW - October 2, 1995
by SamoaRowe
-From Grand Rapids, MI. Our hosts are Vince McMahon and Jerry Lawler.
-Last week, Raw lost to Nitro for the very first time. This week, Raw and Nitro would both score a solid 2.5 rating. The best part of the Monday Night Wars were the brief periods where both feds were doing well. Nitro presented the following:
- Randy Savage beat Lex Luger (via interference from The Giant).
- Eddy Guerrero beat Dean Malenko.
- Ric Flair beat Arn Anderson via DQ.
Razor Ramon vs. The 1-2-3 Kid
Buffering issues are jeopardizing this review, but I’m still going to try. Razor is pissed at The Kid for costing him a match against Dean Douglas and immediately throws him to ringside. Kid fires back with lightning kicks Razor scores a fall away slam. Dean Douglas shows up with his note pad, while Kid stays in the match via his speed advantage. Razor ducks a round house kick and nails a clothesline for the out-of-nowhere pinfall at 2:54. That must have been a botch. This was a great sprint while it lasted.Winner: Razor Ramon
-The 1-2-3 Kid and Razor Ramon continue fighting as if the bell hadn’t rung. They cut to a commercial, so it looks like they’re having a second match to save face.
Razor Ramon vs. The 1-2-3 Kid
Razor is aggressively controlling the action, punishing Kid with a back superplex. Razor takes too long posturing for the Razor’s Edge but ends up using a small package to win for the “third time” at 1:32. I guess they had another finish during the commercial? Whatever, I don’t have that much interest in sorting out this mess.Winner: Razor Ramon
-Razor holds up Kid’s arm, but Kid rolls him up and the referee counts a 2 count! This weird segment must continue. Kid turns his back, offering Razor a free shot, but settles for a handshake. Razor pats Kid on the head to signal that they’re best buds again.
-Vince encourages fans to call the hotline to offer their verdicts in the OJ Simpson case. Ugh.
Hunter Hearst Helmsley vs. Barry Horowitz
They lock up and Hunter scores an armbar takedown. They trade waistlocks and Horowitz scores a takedown! Helmsley takes firm control with a series of chops and uppercuts. Vince and Jerry spend the entire match talking about OJ Simpson. Vertical suplex by Hunter but Horowitz stays in it with a sunset flip. Hunter’s pride is hurt and he gets nasty, choking Horowitz and raking the face. Horowitz counters with a backslide for the near upset. The crowd gets behind Barry as he hits an elbow and Thesz Press for 2. Helmsley cuts him off with the Pedigree for the win at 5:28. Surprisingly fun match, as the fans were buying in the possibility of Horowitz winning, **.Winner: Hunter Hearst Helmsley
-An inset promo reveals that PG-13 are the USWA Tag Team Champions AND dorky white-boy wannabe rappers. They’re targeting the Smoking Gunns.
PG-13 (JC Ice and Wolfie D) vs. Al Brown and Sonny Rogers
It doesn’t take long for PG-13 to double team Rogers with a running drop-kick/leg sweep combo. They follow with a (slightly botched) double team clothesline. Wolfie D misses an elbow drop and Al Brown storms the ring. Wolfie absorbs a power slam, but quickly comes back with a German suplex. Wolfie D delivers a top rope bulldog to Brown, only giving Ice a 2 count. PG-13 nail a double bulldog and Wolfie slams Ice onto Brown for the win at 3:37. Entertaining little squash match.Winners: PG-13
Jean Pierre LaFitte vs. Bret Hart
This is a rematch from IYH: Triple Header, and LaFitte has something to prove as he pummels Hart to the canvas. Hart dodges LaFitte’s head of steam and slams LaFitte onto the ring steps! Bret follows with a flying clothesline, but LaFitte sling shots Bret onto the ropes. CUE THE CHINLOCK! Bret escapes but eats a standing lariat. LaFitte hits a flying head butt and argues with the ref over the 2 count. LaFitte delivers a lengthy beating, lasting through a commercial break. Bret has enough wherewithal to dodge the Cannonball but LaFitte whips him into the ring steps to retain control. I love how much Jerry Lawler is enjoying this match, laughing maniacally at Bret’s beating. Back to the ring, Bret comes back with the FIVE MOVES OF DOOM (minus the sharpshooter). LaFitte cuts Bret off with a rolling power slam and back suplex. Hart catches LaFitte on the top rope for a superplex! Lawler is distraught as Hart finishes with the Sharpshooter at 12:03 (shown). Match was a ton of fun, especially if you’re a Bret fan, ***.Winner: Bret Hart
-Jerry Lawler continues to mouth off to Bret after the match, going as far to remove his jacket and challenge him to a fight. Bret is more than happy to oblige, tossing Jerry over the guard rail. Isaac Yankem runs in for the save and DDT’s Bret onto the floor.
-A few minutes are spent building up a six-man tag featuring The Undertaker, Shawn Michaels, and Diesel vs. Bulldog, Yokozuna, and Owent Hart, but MORE IMPORTANTLY, they announce that 51% of fans think OJ Simpson is not guilty.
Final Thoughts: After a rough start, this show settled into a nice groove, showcasing some fresh talent with good squash matches and very good Bret Hart main event. They held off Nitro too, so Thumbs Up for a strong effort.
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