–Vince McMahon narrates footage of Diesel participating in a celebrity softball tournament last weekend that was meant to raise money for kids who lost parents in the Oklahoma City terrorist attack.
–McMahon and Dok Hendrix are in charge of commentary and they are taped from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The tapings were held on June 27 and according to historyofwwe.com they drew 2,000 fans. Hendrix is wearing patriotic clothing this week and is having a mock July 4 cookout at the announce table.
–Opening Contest: The 1-2-3 Kid (4-1) defeats Ken Raper with a crucifix-style roll up at 1:52:
This was the Kid’s return to television after suffering a neck injury three months prior to this in a house show match with Hakushi that nearly ended his in-ring career. The Kid tries to be a good sport by opening the ropes for Raper when he knocks him out of the ring, but Raper just hot shots the Kid in response. However, he is soon kicked into oblivion, with Hendrix remarking how stiff the kicks are. McMahon informs the audience that the Kid will face the Roadie at In Your House 2.
–Stephanie Wiand reveals the August 12 card for Madison Square Garden: Diesel and Shawn Michaels will face Sid and Jeff Jarrett, with Jarrett being added to the match in the place of Tatanka due to the altercation that Michaels and Jarrett had on RAW. Also, Bam Bam Bigelow will square off with Tatanka in an Indian strap match.
–Henry Godwinn is shown getting his slop ready for today’s encounter with Adam Bomb. He even drinks some of his slop to test whether it is up to quality.
–Barry Didinski, after confusing whether he is talking to McMahon or Hendrix, puts over a variety of WWF t-shirts for Adam Bomb, Shawn Michaels, and Bam Bam Bigelow. If you buy the Bomb shirt you get a “footbomb” football for $22 (plus $3.95 shipping and handling) if you call 1-800-TITAN-91.
–Kama (w/Ted DiBiase) (18-0-1) beats Jason Arhndt after a corner slingshot splash at 1:24:
Shortly after the bell, Kama gets in the face of the Creatures of the Night who are once again near the ringside area. Kama mows through Arhndt with his usual strikes and yells at the Creatures of the Night one more time before heading to the backstage area.
–McMahon and Hendrix narrate a video package that recaps the “kiss my foot” match between Bret Hart and Jerry Lawler. This segways into a replay of Lawler talking about his dentist, Isaac Yankem, D.D.S., which was originally aired on RAW. The entire angle here reeks of Memphis-style booking due to its cartoonish nature.
–McMahon announces that Jeff Jarrett will defend the Intercontinental title against Shawn Michaels at In Your House 2. Footage is shown of what happened after RAW went off the air, with Jarrett tossing the Intercontinental belt at Michaels and Michaels laying out Jarrett with Sweet Chin Music.
–The premiere of Jarrett’s music video and song “With My Baby Tonight” takes place. It is a catchy tune and it was played throughout the summer of 1995.
–Todd Pettengill puts over the WWF’s participation in the Special Olympics.
–The Allied Powers (12-0) defeat Billy Mack & Lloyd Lanui when Lex Luger pins Mack after the running forearm at 2:07:
Lanui was the brother of Headshrinker Samu and wrestled in the Puerto Rican-based WWC promotion during the mid-1990s. He later wrestled in ECW as L.A. Smooth and was signed by the WWF in 1998 but never made it to the promotion as a big talent. McMahon announces that the Allied Powers will get a tag team title shot at In Your House 2 something that is long overdue but was delayed because of the Bulldog’s legal problems in Calgary. As Luger works his usual armbar, Owen Hart, Yokozuna, and Jim Cornette walk out to scout their opponents. The Bulldog gives Mack a vertical suplex and Luger follows up with the running forearm, keeping the Allied Powers undefeated and they exchange gestures with the tag team champions after the bell.
–McMahon and Hendrix recap this year’s Hall of Fame ceremony.
–Waylon Mercy says he is ready, if we know what he means.
–Call 1-900-737-4WWF to find out how Ted DiBiase felt when Sid walked out on Tatanka at The King of the Ring!
–Waylon Mercy beats Bill Weaver with a sleeper hold 2:16 shown:
Scott Burdette is today’s guest ring announcer and he has the honor of introducing Mercy in his WWF debut. Mercy immediately stood out because he alternated between babyface and heel mannerisms. For example, he shakes the hand of referee Earl Hebner and his opponent Weaver before the match and then attacks Weaver from behind after the opening bell (which is missed because the match begins after a promotional advertisem*nt). Some deliberate offense from Mercy follows, hardly setting the world on fire, but that is all Mercy needs as he finishes Weaver with a sleeper.
–Wiand adds to the Madison Square Garden card by revealing that the Indian strap match has a “touch all four corners” stipulation. In addition, Razor Ramon will face Mabel on the card and the Allied Powers will square off against the Blu Brothers, which could become a tag team title match if the Allied Powers beat Owen Hart and Yokozuna for the titles at In Your House.
–Adam Bomb (15-3-2) wrestles Henry Godwinn (13-4-1) to a double count out in 33 seconds shown:
Bomb and Godwinn briefly brawl after a commercial break and they spill out of the ring where the referee counts both of them out. Godwinn comes out on top of their fight, using the opportunity to dump his slop on Bomb’s back. When Bomb recovers he heads to the locker room angry. There were rumors during this period that there was heat on Bomb for not allowing Godwinn to slop him across the face. The outcome of the bout would suggest a rematch and at the very least paves the way for a house show rivalry between the two.
–McMahon is outraged that Hendrix has burned the brats near the announce table to a crisp.
–Tune in next week to see the Smoking Gunns seek revenge on Men on a Mission for the beatdown that Men on a Mission gave them nearly three months ago on The Action Zone!
The Last Word: The main event match was a big disappointment since they hyped it several times throughout the show and it lasted for less than a minute. At least the 1-2-3 Kid is back in action, though, and Waylon Mercy’s character shows a great deal of promise even if the ring work for the character is marginal at best.
Up Next: The Action Zone from July 2, 1995!
