[1997-04-21-WWF-Raw] Steve Austin and Brian Pillman

[Loss]

Talk about it here.

[Loss]

Austin is back at the end of the show, and the cheers seem to get louder for him with every segment. His rise to the top was really one of the more organic things to ever happen in wrestling. You can tell based on Austin's interactions with Vince and the fans that he learned from the mistakes of laying on Shawn's push too thick and is determined not to let the same thing happen to him. Owen and Davey Boy hit the ring and attack Austin, and Vince even takes a bump trying to break it up. Shawn returns with a chair and chases them off again, and Austin comes to his feet without any help. They are really getting this push so right. Just when he does, Brian Pillman comes out of nowhere and attacks Austin to end a pretty epic television show. Shawn makes a third save with the chair? Cool to see two guys who worked hard in WCW and were kept from hitting the next level for years be the center of things in the WWF.

[Kevin Ridge]

Austin isn’t ready to embrace the fans. Bulldog and Owen seek revenge and beat down Austin but Michaels makes another save. Stone Cold slowly makes it back up to his feet and Pillman takes the perfect time to seek revenge on Austin. I love that Pillman finally got his chance after months. WWE is putting out a DVD collection of the best full Raw shows off all time. This show has to be part of that set.

[soup23]

We end the show with an Austin promo with Vince. Vince is practically gleaming throughout the whole promo. OWen/Bulldog break it up and we have another good pull apart with McMahon getting more physical. Shawn is able to scurry them away but that just leaves an opening for tie dye pants crazy ass Brian Pillman. He beats the crap out of Austin until he is scurried away by Michaels. I really wish Pillman was healthy around this time.

[PeteF3]

Austin cuts a pretty heelish promo, dumping on the fans who cheer for him but didn't actually do anything to help him, then cuts a heel promo on Undertaker. Good move on his part--then we take a very eerily prescient turn as Austin discusses what kind of role model he would(n't) be as WWF Champion, directed straight toward Vince. He doesn't get a chance to wrap up as Owen and the Bulldog attack him, but Shawn saves again. Right as things are about to wind down, BRIAN PILLMAN re-emerges from the audience and gets in some licks himself with a chair. He's about to Pillmanize Austin but Shawn makes the save again (and man was I getting sick of seeing him). A legendary show, as we begin a period where Monday at around 11pm was the worst possible time of the week, every week--the longest possible period before more wrestling.

[Exposer]

Great show closing segment. What a RAW. Austin is tremendous here cutting a promo on the fans who cheer him & Vince who's gotten behind him a bit saying he's accomplished everything he has without their support & doesn't need it or want it. I loved him finally moving towards The Undertaker match as he's dealt with Bret now. The promo on Taker is strong. Owen & Davey attack him mid sentence & wail away. Vince tries to break it up but gets shoved by Owen for his troubles. Shawn comes back & chases them away with a chair again. Austin gets up on his own but is attacked by the returning Brian Pillman. Pillman levels him with some chairshots before trying to "Pillmanize" him & get payback. Shawn shows up a third time with a chair & chases Pillman off to close. Amazing RAW.