[1998-09-14-WWF-Raw] Steve Austin vs Ken Shamrock

[Loss]

Talk about it here.

[Loss]

Last few minutes. The WWF is relentlessly attempting to create new stars, with Shamrock, Foley and Rock all getting closer to the main event mix. Crowd is hot for this. Undertaker and Kane show up and go after both guys. Shamrock gets chokeslammed, leaving Austin on his own. Rock and Mankind make the save while Vince looks on befuddled. Interesting how the WWF pushing every guy that's even remotely hot is good for keeping the momentum going.

[soup23]

WWF does feel like they are reloading but this shows how much better a job they did in the year 1998 than now. These arent essential shows by any means but they seem much more noteworthy than the last two months of current day Raw.

[PeteF3]

Well, WWE has gotten marginally better at this since Chad's post, but probably not by enough. As for this, there have been better show-closing clusterfucks and I'm not sure Austin is fully recovered yet from SummerSlam. The mini-alliance between Rock and Mankind is an interesting development setting up a neat payoff to come.

[Superstar Sleeze]

WWF World Heavyweight Champion Stone Cold Steve Austin vs Ken Shamrock - WWF RAW 9/14/98

Before we get to the match, which is a bizarre one, this match really showcases one of the most unique facets of pro wrestling. That perception is greater than reality. The reality of the matter is Ken Shamrock could have literally broken multiple bones in Austin's body within minutes. But the perception is that Austin is 100% way more badass than Shamrock. Shamrock is a badass. Austin plays the Badass 800000000x better than Shamrock. It is the same thing during the peak of The Man vs Rousey. No one thought Lynch was actually a better fighter than Rousey. But on the TV screen, Becky Lynch was the badass and Rousey could never channel it. The same goes for Shamrock he has all the legit, shoot credentials in the world, but he just couldnt make you believe. 

What a bizarre match! Stone Cold Steve Austin works as the veteran heel champion trying to give the plucky youngster a shot at the World Title. Thats sort of the format, but Austin GUZZLES Shamrock. I cant remember the last time I saw such absolute mauling. They were working hope spots like Shamrock's leg lariat and cross body like he was fucking Sam Houston, but unlike Ric Flair, Austin was NOT bumping for shit. It was all kneelifts, boot rakes, eye rakes. Fuck, I am pretty sure this is how all the Flair haters wanted Flair to work in the 80s. This was wild. Austin was doing three vertical suplexes in a row. Working tight headlocks and chinlocks. Offering Shamrock no quarter. Shamrock goes for a Frankensteiner and Austin powerbombs as if to say "Why you leaving your feet, son?". It was truly an unexpected format. Austin was out and out heel. Shamrock needs to get more assertive. Austin bullied him in this match. Outside of the shine, where Shamrock at least got an armbar takedown, Austin gave him nothing. Austin worked a thumb to the eye early. Austin was out to work heel, I just didnt realize it until about halfway through the match when he was cutting him off left, right and center like he was the heel. I get that Shamrock was the babyface and it is customary in this role that someone like Austin would play the subtle heel, but there was nothing subtle about this. Austin throws Shamrock over the top rope and finally Shamrock gets a little love on the outside. 

But that doesnt last for long as Austin gives him a wicked boot in the corner and just buries the shoulder. Shamrock comes back with a clothesline and a suplex. There you go Shammy, give it to him. Shamrock works a Boston Crab, which Austin tried earlier. What a bizarre match. Austin makes the ropes. Austin works a back heel kick to the balls! Yep that seals the deal, a True Heel NWA Championship Performance from Stone Cold. I forgot earlier they even traded sleepers. Austin really wanted to work a NWA Championship match in 1998 at the peak of his popularity against Shamrock. Weirdo shit. They totally no sell the ball shot and start running around. Double Clothesline both are out. Austin makes sure to get one last cover to leave no doubt in anyone's mind who's The Man. Here come Taker and Kane for the schmozz finish to set up the Breakdown Triple Threat. The Rock and Mankind save! Wow The Rock was teasing babyface this early. 

The match is not good and cannot be classified in that way, but it sure is interesting. I would have never thought in a 1000 years this how they chose to work the match. I was thinking *** but after the ball shot was no sold, I said fuck it, this match is not good, but it is interesting case study.