[1997-08-04-WWF-Raw] Hart Foundation and Steve Austin

[Loss]

Talk about it here.

[Loss]

Problems with the audio here at first. Bret thinks Shawn should still go because he did show favoritism in intending to hit Bret with the chair. He probably could have won that in court. Owen says he made a huge mistake last night -- he showed compassion. Still, Austin is now a crippled freak.

 

Sgt. Slaughter then debuts as WWF Commissioner (with Linda McMahon Wrestlemania music!) and lays down the law on everyone and Austin makes an appearance! He doesn't get physically involved but it's amazing that he even shows up. He promises Owen he will get his hands on him tonight.

[Kevin Ridge]

We are having audio problems. Bret will be facing The Patriot at the next PPV. Hart doesn't seem thrilled with this feud. He would rather talk about the rest of the Hart Foundation and some of the issues coming out of Summerslam. Owen is ashamed of himself showing compassion in his match against Austin. Sarge is the new commissioner and puts his foot down on the Harts. Austin makes a big surprise appearance at the end.

[soup23]

Good congratulatory promo from Bret even with the audio problems. I do think he has a case that Shawn showed intent of hitting him with the chair.

 

SGt. Slaughter is introduced and lies it out for all the HF members. The pop for Pillman having to wear a dress is big.

 

Stone Cold then comes out to a raucous ovation and I can't believe he was even able to do this. He promises to kick Owen's ass tonight.

 

While we go to break we get some reaction sound bites from some of Jersey's finest about the Hart/Taker match from last night.

[Robert S]

Sgt. Slaughter then debuts as WWF Commissioner (with Linda McMahon Wrestlemania music!) (...)

That was the Wrestlemania theme they used around this time (Wikipedia says from X to XIV) and the instrumental version of a song from the WWF album "WrestleMania: The Album" (1993):

[PeteF3]

There seemed to be a timing/communication screw-up here, as JR and Bret talk about the upcoming title defense against the Patriot--then when Sarge comes out, he announces the same match and Bret suddenly acts indignant. Austin, incredibly, shows up here and we apparently have an IC title rematch scheduled for tonight. Yeah, I'm guessing there's no way we come close to getting that.

[Exposer]

Bret has tons of heat here. Good promo where he says Shawn's stipulations weren't honered because he got involved & swung a chair at him. Bret says he's the new sheriff in town & Shamrock won't get another European title shot & Pillman won't wear a dress because the Hart Foundation is above that. Owen cuts a good promo saying that he made the mistake of showing compassion for Austin which he cost. He thinks Austin should give him the belt back because he's crippled him anyways. The new WWF Commissioner Sgt. Slaughter comes out & awesomely puts the Hart Foundation in their place to huge pops. He says Bret will face the Patriot for the title at Ground Zero. He says Owen will get his rematch when Austin's doctors clear him & when Austin's ready. Austin comes out to a massive pop. Maybe the loudest one he's received so far & says he wants the rematch tonight & says he doesn't care what the doctor says he'll beat Owen's ass. Really fun segment to open the show.