[1997-02-17-WWF-Raw] Hunter Hearst Helmsley & "That Huge Amazon" and Goldust & Marlena

[Loss]

Talk about it here.

[Loss]

Goldust cuts a quite and sort of creepy promo threatening Helmsley for recently putting his hand on Goldust. Marlena confirms for everyone that Goldust is all man. Helmsley is out to get in Goldust's face, even throwing water at him and attacking him. Marlena stands helpless in the corner but finally slaps him. But "That Huge Woman" who would later be named Chyna attacks Marlena from behind and shakes her like a ragdoll. I was thinking this was Chyna's debut, but I guess that happened the night before. Still, get comfortable, as Joanie Lauer will be a yearbook fixture for a while.

[Zenjo]

Still, get comfortable, as Joanie Lauer will be a yearbook fixture for a while.

Just promise me there's not going to be anything too DX-Rated after she leaves the WWE.

[soup23]

Goldust's mumbling, scattered promo was bizarre but I'm not sure if it was that effective. Marlena was better saying that he was all man from his golden head to his golden feet. HHH takes offense with this and we get his first fascination with water as he uses it here. Chyna swinging Marlena wildly due to their size difference was an effective way for her to make her debut.

[stomperspc]

Chyna shaking Marlena around was something. It looked like she was just carelessly tossing her around with all of her strength. I'm not sure you can fake that.

[Kevin Ridge]

We are in full Jesse James singing mode. Someone I don't know sings National Anthem. Ross mentions Marlena getting attacked by fan at PPV. Mr. Hughes didn't last long. Stills of show make it look like Rocky hit a German Suplex on HHH. Marlena is here to let the fans know Goldust is not gay. Okay. The crowd actually boos this. So maybe wrestling fans weren't so homophobic and don't appreciate Goldust having to be "all man" to be a face! Triple H attacks Goldust. I didn't like this feud. Lawler on Chyna, "that's a woman?". Lawler also makes a comment towards ECW fans bringing their signs. Oh, I hope his promo is on the set.

[BackToBionic]

Terri Runnels sat in a director's chair, not doing or saying much for over a year. But this is the start of her really earning her keep. She takes that "shaking" amazingly and I know in years to come she takes more decent bumps than she probably should have.

[PeteF3]

They're still trying to do something with Jjesse Jjaammess, since they're in Nashville, but that train derailed a long while ago. Speaking of derailings, the Goldust babyface push hasn't clicked yet. Marlena cuts her first actual promo, instead of dropping quick soundbites. She assures us that Goldust is all man, to a mild reaction. Triple H comes out to lay out Goldust, and THAT HUGE AMAZON comes in to bearhug Marlena.

[Exposer]

Great angle. I liked Goldust promo. Straight & to the point but creepy. Marlena says Goldust is all man & more than HHH ever will be. Imagine someone saying that to HHH now. HHH comes out & jaws with Goldust. He tosses water in his face & attacks him ending in a pedigree. Marlena slaps him which gets a huge pop. Chyna shows up out of the crowd for the second night in a row & ragdolls Marlena in a great visual. That looked great. Chyna is hauled off by security as Goldust checks on Marlena & carries her to the back. Really good introduction angle for Chyna. I'm always a fan when they do big angles in the mid-card.

[KB8]

Chyna always did make that 'swing her like an empty pillow case' stuff look wild. Marlena took it like a trooper as well and her short little promo beforehand was effective enough. Lawler getting the ECW dig in there was pretty cool as well. Nice angle.