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00:00The World Wrestling Federation, for over 50 years,
00:03the revolutionary force in sports entertainment.
00:10When you think of a great champion,
00:12then this man naturally comes to mind.
00:16Strong, beloved, courageous,
00:20unquestionably one of a kind.
00:24When you think of the quintessential champion,
00:27then this man is indeed the antithesis.
00:31Vulgar, vicious, despised,
00:36a lunatic on the fringe of magnificence.
00:40Like Shawn Michaels, he too exudes confidence.
00:44Like the champion, he too is a tremendous ring tactician.
00:50But his cherished battleground
00:52is his opponent's fragile psyche.
00:55A war zone where insecurity leads to mutiny
00:58and ego is shattered like a bone.
01:02Call him weird, repulsive, psychotic.
01:06After tonight, we may all have to call him champion.
01:12Welcome everyone to USA Championship Friday.
01:38Kevin Kelly along with Jim Ross
01:40and we could be crowning a new World Wrestling Federation champion here tonight.
01:44Plus we've also got great action coming your way.
01:46Straight up first round intercontinental title match.
01:49Hunter Hurst Helmsley is in the ring
01:51and here comes his opponent, it's Psycho Sid.
01:54Can you believe this ovation for Psycho Sid?
01:57Psycho Sid has got this capacity crowd
02:00already right in the palm of his hands.
02:04Oh-ho, issuing a little bit of a warning perhaps.
02:09The fans, thanks for joining us.
02:10And this is the Intercontinental Championship Tournament
02:13first round match, Psycho Sid against Hunter Hurst Helmsley.
02:18Well, Owen Hart's already advanced in this single elimination tournament.
02:22And Psycho Sid is mentally and obviously physically ready to go.
02:27Sid may be the WWF's answer to Hurricane Fran
02:30destroying everything in his sight.
02:33As Psycho Sid has his sights set
02:35on becoming the next Intercontinental Champion.
02:38Oh, listen to this crowd.
02:41But JR, what does Hunter Hurst Helmsley have to do to win this match tonight?
02:46Well, Helms is a very cerebral athlete.
02:48He's very intelligent.
02:49Helms has got to stay away from Psycho Sid's upper body strength.
02:53And Helms has got to somehow execute some takedowns on that big man.
02:58Hunter's also got to keep his focus which has been difficult for him of late.
03:02Well, as we take a look at Kimberly here,
03:03the lovely lady who's with Hunter tonight.
03:05Because of this man recently, Mr. Perfect,
03:07who's made it a habit of taking Hunter's ladies away from ringside.
03:10Happened a couple of weeks ago on Superstars.
03:12Later that weekend in Toronto.
03:13So Hunter will be keeping one eye on Psycho Sid
03:16and one eye for Mr. Perfect who is here in the building tonight.
03:19Whoa, top wrist lock and Sid sends Hunter sprawled.
03:23That's what we talked about earlier.
03:24Helmsley does not want to go after Sid's upper body strength.
03:27And still to come, another first round matchup.
03:30Wild man Martin Marrow one-on-one with Stone Cold Steve Austin.
03:34Right here tonight, of course, Shawn Michaels and Goldust
03:37will decide the WWF Championship.
03:39And let us not forget, we're also going to see inaction mankind
03:43right here tonight who's accompanied by Paul Bearer.
03:47Something for Shawn Michaels to think about.
03:49Big tackle from Psycho Sid.
03:51Hunter Hurst Helmsley is 0 for 2 so far.
03:54When you get an athlete at 6'9 and weighs 313 with Sid's power,
03:58the first thing you want to do is take him off his feet.
04:01When Sid is vertical, he can beat anybody that has ever stepped
04:05inside the squared circle here in the World Wrestling Federation.
04:08Of course, we want to say hello to Ahmed Johnson
04:11who is home recuperating.
04:13He's the reason that we're having this tournament right now,
04:15the horrible injury caused by Farouk.
04:17And as a matter of fact, later on, fans,
04:18we'll have a medical update on Ahmed Johnson here tonight.
04:21Helmsley now comes in.
04:23A little bit of a shortcut tactic.
04:24Sid now reverses, fires across, and Helmsley catches a big boot.
04:28Sid could be looking to end things early here tonight.
04:31First round intercontinental championship tournament.
04:34Well, nothing too fancy from Psycho Sid.
04:37He's not going to redefine the fireman's carry.
04:39He's just going to beat you with intensity and with power.
04:42And Helmsley's got to...
04:43Well, wait a minute.
04:44Set too early.
04:45And Helmsley makes a pay.
04:46Turns it over into a beautiful neck break.
04:48Sid made a mistake.
04:49Let's see now if Helmsley can build on it.
04:53Helmsley a little slow to capitalize.
04:57He needs to be thinking about covering for his next offensive move.
05:01Well, this is a big mistake by Helmsley.
05:03He's wasting some valuable time.
05:06Wow, what a beautiful knee drop.
05:08As Kimberly enjoys the maneuverings of Hunter Hurst Helmsley
05:11inside the squared circle.
05:12The referee is trying to get a break.
05:18Helmsley and Psycho Sid.
05:20First round matchup.
05:22Lateral press.
05:23He could have him.
05:24Did not hook the leg.
05:25Oh, what power from Sid.
05:27And finally Helmsley went for the cover.
05:29But to no avail.
05:30Again, the overwhelming upper body strength of Psycho Sid.
05:34Just absolutely off the page.
05:37And now Helmsley, well, he's going back to a street fighting tactic.
05:41And this just simply will not work.
05:45Wow, what a big right hand from Psycho Sid.
05:47A block and another right hand and Helmsley's down.
05:51Now Sid, back on his feet.
05:54Hunter, allow me to introduce you to the Chokeslam.
05:59One-handed Chokeslam.
06:01Now that you two are well acquainted.
06:04Wait a minute.
06:05Hey, Mr. Perfect.
06:06Look who's here.
06:07Mr. Perfect is making his way down to the ringside area it appears.
06:13We said that Perfect was here tonight trying to get a word with him.
06:17He wouldn't have anything to do with me.
06:18Uh-oh.
06:19Didn't he say powerbomb?
06:21I don't know if Hunter will be saying much after this.
06:25And Helmsley was folded up like an accordion.
06:28And last rites have been spoken over Hunter vs. Helmsley.
06:32Psycho Sid's got this one won.
06:34Three count is told.
06:36And Psycho Sid is victorious.
06:38He moves on and he will face the winner of this Monday's match
06:42between Baruch and Savio Vega.
06:44You'll be able to see that on RAW.
06:46But JR, what is Mr. Perfect up to?
06:48Well, he's a smooth operator quite obviously.
06:51I don't know what he said to that young lady,
06:53but I guess she liked what she heard.
06:55Well, Helmsley can do nothing about it as we see.
06:58He's pretty much out cold.
07:03Be very interested to know what Mr. Perfect says to these ladies.
07:07And Helmsley is completely unaware of what's going on.
07:10Right now, let's take a listen.
07:12Listen to the velocity on this powerbomb.
07:15Oh, my.
07:16One more time.
07:19Helmsley must feel like a crash test dummy.
07:22Man, what impact.
07:23And Helmsley just now being able to get to his feet.
07:27Helmsley realizing that the chair that Kimberly once sat in is now empty.
07:33That's the reason why.
07:34Helmsley's lost his girl.
07:36He's lost the opportunity to become the next Intercontinental Champion.
07:39And now I think Helmsley's coming after Perfect.
07:42Well, JR, we spoke earlier about the former Intercontinental Champion,
07:45Ahmed Johnson, who's home recovering from a kidney injury from Farouk.
07:49Here is the latest on Ahmed.
07:51Well, I'm not 100%, you know, but I feel a little better than I did last time.
07:57Right now, he still is having some bleeding from that kidney,
08:01but it's not nearly like it was when he first injured it.
08:11The fact that I come so close to dying and I didn't,
08:14to me, tells me something.
08:17That I'm supposed to be here and I'm supposed to be defending this title.
08:20And I'm supposed to be in the WWF and doing things I'm doing.
08:23Because one thing about it, if God doesn't want you there,
08:25he has a way of putting you out.
08:27Regardless of what you may think, he has a way of putting you out.
08:32There is a chance he could really come back 100%.
08:36I'm talking about returning to the ring.
08:38I really don't even consider that a thing,
08:41because I'm coming back regardless.
08:4312% of the time I have to listen to what the doctor says
08:45when anybody says I'm coming back.
08:47And the thought of me not coming back to the ring
08:49is not even something that's really in my mind.
08:51Well, we certainly wish Ahmed all the best.
08:53Doctors say if everything goes right,
08:55he can be back in the ring by the end of the year
08:57as Stone Cold is making his way to the ring.
08:59You know, Kevin, I've been in this great sport over 20 years.
09:03You know, Kevin, I've been in this great sport over 20 years.
09:05And right here tonight,
09:07I am going to break the biggest story of my broadcasting career.
09:12Certainly the biggest story of the year in the WWF.
09:16This is going to be shocking.
09:17We'll have it all right here tonight.
09:21Welcome back, everyone, to USA's Championship Friday.
09:23It's another intercontinental match right here.
09:25The title tournament continues.
09:27Kevin Kelly and Jim Ross, and we are being joined
09:29at the broadcast location
09:31by the gentleman who some call the ticking time bomb.
09:34There he is, Ryan Pillman.
09:38Mr. Pillman, welcome to the broadcast desk.
09:41You can't tell him excited. I've got big news.
09:43I've got a big surprise
09:45that's going to end a lot of frustration
09:47for journalists all over the world.
09:50All right, would you care to give us some insight
09:52as to what that will be? Uh-oh.
09:55Someone is going to be unknown to break this story.
09:58There's respect to the hitman, Bret Hart,
10:01and what his future is going to be in the WWF.
10:04You've got news about Bret Hart?
10:06I've got big news about his return to the WWF.
10:12Well, here comes the wild man, Mark Barrow, down to the ring.
10:16He is accompanied by the very lovely Sable and JR.
10:19This match promises to be a classic.
10:22The wild man Mark Barrow and Stone Cold Steve Austin
10:24have faced before tonight.
10:26The Intercontinental Title Tournament continues,
10:28and these two men are vying for a spot in the finals.
10:31This is going to be a tremendous, tremendous matchup.
10:33These two men certainly are no strangers to each other.
10:36We have seen them right here on Raw. Get it on.
10:39JR, let me continue about this big surprise
10:42a lot of people don't realize.
10:44I broke into this great business in Calgary, Alberta,
10:47trained right there in the dungeon of Stu Hart,
10:50raised practically by the family,
10:52practically adopted by the Harts.
10:55I have a unique bond with Bret.
10:57We share a personal crisis here in Calgary.
10:59I phoned him recently.
11:02I'm going to have him for the world
11:05and in your house for 20 seconds.
11:07You mean at mind games in Philadelphia?
11:09All the speculation, all the innuendoes.
11:12That is big news.
11:13All the answers will be finally given to the world of wrestling.
11:17Thanks to me. I'm just lucky to be in that situation.
11:20You can pull it off. We're happy that you can.
11:22The winner of this matchup will meet Owen Hart
11:25in the semifinals of the Intercontinental Championship Tournament.
11:29The wild man Mark Merrill and Stone Cold Steve Austin.
11:32Look at Austin.
11:34He's made a lot of rumblings about the Hitman.
11:36He claims he's the best.
11:38Not the best there is, the best there was,
11:40the best there will be, but simply the best.
11:42He cuts to the chase.
11:43Not only that, look at the athleticism.
11:47The technical skills.
11:49Look at that right hand.
11:50The indomitable spirit.
11:51All analogous with Bret Hart.
11:54Well, certainly if Stone Cold wants to challenge Bret Hart,
11:57that's one piece of business, one matter,
11:59but I would assume right now that Mr. Austin's focus,
12:02I would think Mr. Pillman would be on the wild man.
12:04This is a single elimination tournament, you know.
12:07This is a first round matchup for these two.
12:10There's no question.
12:12Austin's focus.
12:13That's why they call him Stone Cold.
12:16Series of hammer locks now.
12:19Stone Cold Steve Austin now backing the wild man Mark Merrow
12:21into the corner.
12:22Referee asking for a clean break.
12:24JR, is this the story you were talking about?
12:26No, my story has nothing to do with the Harts.
12:28There's also big news.
12:29I don't know if you realize or not,
12:30but there's been a reconciliation between Owen Hart
12:33and his brother Bret.
12:34We've heard some-
12:35Oh!
12:36He's got him!
12:37One, two!
12:38No!
12:39Hey, look at this!
12:40Reversal!
12:41One, two!
12:42Oh, another near fall.
12:43What a competitive matchup this is.
12:45Up and over the top.
12:46A wild man now.
12:47Tries to take him down.
12:48Good counter by Stone Cold.
12:49And a flying drop kick.
12:51Wild man Mark Merrow in control.
12:52Here we go.
12:53Lateral press.
12:54Couldn't hook the leg.
12:55Stone Cold's gonna have to regain his focus here
12:56if he wants to take on the Hitman.
12:58We saw these two men meet at the King of the Ring
13:00in the tournament.
13:01Austin got numerous stitches in his mouth
13:03thanks to the wild man Mark Merrow.
13:05They have met before.
13:06And right now, I would say that Mr. Austin's
13:09win-loss percentage against the wild man
13:11is quite favorable.
13:13You know, it is.
13:14It is.
13:15He didn't come out of King of the Ring
13:16with stitches in the crown for nothing, J.R.
13:21Stone Cold Steve Austin.
13:23And the wild man Mark Merrow.
13:24I'll tell you what, Mr. Pillman,
13:25it's quite a feather in your journalistic cap
13:27if you can pull off this interview.
13:29It's a done deal.
13:30Like I said, I'm not at liberty to discuss
13:32the bonding that Brett and I shared in Calgary.
13:36But I talked to him recently.
13:37I'm gonna have him there the 22nd.
13:40And in your house.
13:41I guarantee it.
13:42We certainly look forward to that
13:43as the wild man Mark Merrow now
13:45with the head scissors
13:47on Stone Cold Steve Austin.
13:48Well, folks, I've just been informed
13:50that WWF officials have had to separate
13:52Hunter Hearst Helmsley and Mr. Perfect
13:54back in the locker room area.
13:56Oh, what strength by Merrow.
13:58And we'll keep everybody updated
14:00on the Perfect Helmsley situation
14:02as information is made available to us
14:04right here tonight.
14:05Merrow taking Austin over into the backslide.
14:07One, two.
14:08And Austin able to kick out.
14:10Now Merrow inside cradle.
14:12One, two.
14:13Another near fall situation.
14:15Well, this is anybody's matchup.
14:18Who will advance in the
14:19Intercontinental title tournament?
14:21Fans, stay with us.
14:22USA's Championship Friday continues.
14:26Welcome back to USA's Championship Friday.
14:28The Intercontinental title tournament
14:29continues in the first round.
14:31The wild man Mark Merrow
14:32and Stone Cold Steve Austin.
14:34What a battle this has been.
14:35The wild man now puts Stone Cold down
14:37up and over the top.
14:39Ducks an elbow.
14:40Nice quickness by Merrow.
14:42Uh-oh.
14:43Caught, waist-locked, and stun gun, JR.
14:45Well, the pace quickened,
14:46but Merrow's paying for it.
14:48One, two.
14:49And Merrow able to kick out.
14:50What a battle.
14:51Let's take a look at our double feature.
14:53The stun gun has turned this match around
14:55for Stone Cold.
14:56And Brian Pillman,
14:57how do you compare Austin
14:59with the hitman Bret Hart?
15:01Similarities between Bret Hart
15:02and Steve Austin come out more and more.
15:04You watch Austin.
15:06And Austin has made no secret
15:07about the fact that, as we said,
15:09with Bret the hitman Hart,
15:10he'd love to have the opportunity
15:11to face the hitman.
15:12I assume you're going to ask
15:13the hitman about his return.
15:15Are we going to find out?
15:16You can assume I am what, Kelly?
15:19Austin is up on his second.
15:20We'll find out once and for all.
15:22Uncharacteristic for Austin
15:23to take a chance like that.
15:25It did not pay off.
15:26And now the wild man has an opportunity,
15:29a big opportunity,
15:30to regain some momentum here.
15:33The pace has been intense
15:34since the opening bell.
15:36Mero now backed into the corner.
15:38Austin trying to send him headfirst.
15:41Great block and a counter by Mero
15:43sending Austin headfirst to the buckle.
15:47Mero now, Irish whip,
15:49follows in hard.
15:50Oh, what a collision.
15:52Remember, the winner of this matchup
15:53will meet Owen Hart in the semifinals
15:56as we determine a new
15:57Intercontinental champion.
15:59And, Brad, how do you think
16:01that Owen will fare
16:02against either the wild man
16:04or against Stone Cold?
16:06I think he's going to do quite well.
16:07I know he's excited
16:08about my interview with Bret.
16:11Up and down for the ride.
16:13Beautiful backdrop.
16:14And here he goes.
16:15Wild man, we spoke, Mr. Pillman,
16:17about the high risk,
16:18and here he goes to the top.
16:19Is it going to pay off?
16:20Oh, double back, handling down,
16:22lateral press.
16:23It should do it.
16:24Oh, so close.
16:27About a half a count away
16:28from a winner right here.
16:29We've got harmony in the family, J.R.
16:32Things go right,
16:33and that's when you start
16:34clicking in the ring.
16:35I think that's what we're going
16:36to look for out of Owen Hart
16:37coming up in this tournament.
16:38I'll tell you something.
16:39Uh-oh, lateral press here.
16:40This could be it.
16:41Oh, so close.
16:43I'm really happy for Stu and Helen
16:44if all this comes about,
16:45I'll tell you that.
16:46They're great people.
16:47Uh-oh.
16:48Austin with the great counter,
16:49and he sends the wild man
16:50Hart out to the floor.
16:52But Mero is quick back up on his feet.
16:55Ooh, the referee.
16:56Oh, Mero.
16:57Mero hit the referee
16:58inadvertently, Austin.
16:59I think that was intentional.
17:02The referee has called for the bell,
17:04and Stone Cold Steve Austin
17:05now is starting to open up
17:06on the wild man Mark Mero.
17:08Oh, Stone Cold Center.
17:10The referee has called
17:11for the bell.
17:12J.R., what's the referee's
17:13decision going to be on this?
17:14Well, I don't know.
17:15It's a judgment called
17:16by the official.
17:17Ladies and gentlemen,
17:18the referee has awarded
17:20the decision as a result
17:21of a disqualification
17:23to wild man Mark Mero.
17:27Well, Mero gets tossed
17:28out to the floor
17:29from a not-too-happy
17:30Stone Cold Steve Austin.
17:31Austin has been eliminated
17:33from the Intercontinental
17:34Championship Tournament,
17:35and this fight isn't over.
17:37Oh, these two guys
17:38are slugging away toe-to-toe.
17:42Referee needs to get
17:43some help down here.
17:44There's quite a rivalry
17:45that exists between
17:46Austin and Mero,
17:48as Mero has advanced
17:50and will beat Owen Hart
17:51in the semifinals
17:52of this Intercontinental
17:53Championship Tournament.
17:55After winning
17:56the King of the Ring,
17:57Stone Cold Steve Austin
17:58thought he was going to
17:59walk away with the
18:00Intercontinental title,
18:01but no, sir,
18:02he is eliminated
18:03from the tournament.
18:04You can tell just how upset
18:05he is.
18:06Let's take another look
18:07at what caused
18:08the disqualification.
18:09Watch Austin shove
18:10the referee right
18:11in front of Mero.
18:12Here's a better look at it.
18:13That's a good call
18:14by the official.
18:15All right, fans,
18:16we'll be back in 30 seconds
18:17with the world's strongest man
18:19visiting the Kings Court.
18:21Now, foot action.
18:22Featuring the Air Vapor
18:24and Air Much by Nike,
18:25that's the foot action
18:27slam of the week.
18:29I don't know if Hunter
18:30will be saying much
18:31after this.
18:32Oh!
18:33And Helmsley
18:34was folded up
18:35like an accordion,
18:36and last rites
18:37have been spoken
18:38over Hunter versus Helmsley.
18:40Psycho Sid's
18:41got this one won.
18:42Helmsley must feel
18:43like a crash test dummy.
18:47The slam of the week
18:48was brought to you
18:49by Foot Action.
18:50Featuring the Air Vapor
18:51and Air Much by Nike.
18:53For every action,
18:54there's foot action.
18:56And here comes
18:57the world's strongest man,
18:58Mark Henry.
19:00And there you see
19:01Jerry the King Lawler
19:02doing his happy dance.
19:03Well, Lawler doesn't
19:04respect anybody,
19:05but maybe Elvis Presley's
19:06memory.
19:07You know, this interview
19:08could have more
19:09shocking revelations
19:10than the latest
19:11on President Clinton's
19:12former aide,
19:13Dick Morris.
19:14A guy that probably
19:15has a little bit
19:16in common with Jerry
19:17the King Lawler
19:18when it comes to
19:19a lack of character.
19:20Oh, yeah!
19:22Here he is!
19:23Yeah, USA!
19:25He represented
19:27the United States of America
19:29in the Olympics!
19:33And you know what?
19:34Mark Henry,
19:36before we get started here,
19:38speaking of the Olympics,
19:40I want to ask you something.
19:42You know I wrestled
19:43Jake the Snake Roberts
19:44at SummerSlam?
19:46And you know what
19:47Jake the Snake at SummerSlam
19:49had in common
19:50with the Olympics?
19:51No.
19:52They both got bombed.
19:54Show a little respect, Lawler.
19:56Please.
19:58And you know what, Mark Henry?
20:01Speaking of that,
20:03I want to tell you something.
20:05Yeah, you're the strongest man
20:07in the world.
20:08And yeah,
20:09you competed in the Olympics.
20:10You represented the United States
20:12in weightlifting.
20:14But you know what?
20:16Now you've signed a contract
20:18with the World Wrestling Federation.
20:23And you haven't even had
20:24one match yet.
20:25And you're already
20:26making a lot of people mad.
20:28You made me mad
20:29at SummerSlam.
20:31And believe it or not,
20:32you even made
20:33Jake the Snake mad.
20:34Because you see,
20:35when I was pouring that
20:36bottle of booze
20:37down Jake's throat,
20:38and you came up from behind
20:40and grabbed it out of my hand,
20:42Jake wasn't finished drinking it.
20:44He got real mad.
20:46And then,
20:47you even got in the face
20:49of the man they call Vader.
20:52What's the matter with you?
20:53Are you crazy?
20:55I'm not crazy at all.
20:58Personally,
21:00I don't like you very much.
21:03I don't like Vader very much.
21:06And there's a lot of others
21:07here at the
21:08World Wrestling Federation
21:09that I don't particularly care for.
21:11Oh, is that so?
21:12Well, let me tell you something.
21:13World's strongest man,
21:15Mr. Olympian,
21:17and the new member
21:19of the World Wrestling Federation,
21:22you know what I want to do?
21:24I want to challenge you
21:26to a match.
21:27No, no, wait a minute.
21:28You know what?
21:29See, because I know
21:30you haven't been drinking.
21:31No, hold on.
21:32Hold on.
21:34Hold on now.
21:35Listen.
21:36No, no, listen to me.
21:38You don't know anything
21:39about wrestling.
21:40You don't know a wrist lock
21:41from a wrist watch,
21:42and I'm challenging you
21:43to a wrestling match.
21:44Do you understand that?
21:45Just like I told you,
21:46if you want to fight,
21:47bring it on.
21:48Ain't nothing but air
21:49and opportunity.
21:50Hold it.
21:51You don't seem to understand.
21:53No, you don't seem
21:54to understand, big guy.
21:55I'm not talking about
21:56a street fight.
21:57You didn't join
21:58the World Street Fighting Federation.
22:00You joined the
22:01World Wrestling Federation,
22:02and I'm challenging you
22:04to a wrestling match.
22:06You know,
22:08and these people know,
22:10that I've just recently signed,
22:12and I haven't had
22:13the proper work that I need.
22:15Being a professional athlete
22:17and an Olympian,
22:18I know when it's time
22:19for me to lift.
22:20And I know when it's time
22:21for me to wrestle.
22:22And I'm just not ready
22:23right now.
22:24But,
22:26there'll be a day.
22:28Well, in other words,
22:29you're not ready
22:30because you haven't
22:31trained enough.
22:32You know what?
22:33I think you should have
22:34won a gold medal
22:35at the Olympics.
22:36You should have won
22:37a gold medal for being
22:38the biggest coward there!
22:40What?
22:41Oh, look at him
22:42ball up his fist.
22:43I think you're yellow
22:44if you won't accept
22:45to wrestle.
22:46You want to wrestle?
22:48Do you want to wrestle?
22:49Do you want to wrestle?
22:51If you want to wrestle,
22:52you got it.
22:53You understand me?
22:55You want to wrestle?
22:56It's on.
22:57Yeah.
23:00Oh.
23:01So,
23:02you're accepting my challenge
23:03to a wrestling match,
23:04huh?
23:08And I tell you what,
23:09when I'm done,
23:10you don't get one
23:12gold medal
23:13butt kick.
23:15All right,
23:16I think the King JR
23:17may have really overstepped
23:18his bounds on this one.
23:19Well, I don't know.
23:20You never underestimate
23:21the King.
23:22But it's still to come.
23:23The Heartbreak Kid
23:24puts his WWF title
23:25on the line.
23:28Welcome back to
23:29USA Championship Friday.
23:31Mankind and Paul Bearer
23:33together.
23:34JR, the thought of it
23:35still sickens me.
23:36It all happened
23:37at SummerSlam
23:38during the brutal
23:39boiler room brawl
23:41when Paul Bearer
23:42turned his back
23:43on The Undertaker.
23:45After six years together,
23:47now the unholy alliance
23:49of Paul Bearer
23:50and Mankind
23:51has been formed.
23:52And for those of you
23:53that don't know,
23:54The Undertaker,
23:55due to some lingering injuries
23:56suffered in the boiler room brawl,
23:58had to be hospitalized
23:59this week.
24:00The Undertaker
24:01just released
24:02from the hospital today.
24:03And we know
24:04that The Undertaker
24:05is scheduled
24:06to compete on Raw
24:07this Monday night.
24:08Yes, indeed, JR.
24:09He'll face
24:10the undefeated
24:11Salvatore Sincere
24:12as Raw returns
24:13this Monday
24:14at 857-757 Central.
24:16Mankind here
24:17with Alex the Pug Porteau.
24:18And JR,
24:19was that the scoop
24:20you were talking about?
24:21Well, no, it's not, Kevin.
24:22The breaking story
24:23we talked about
24:24earlier in the program
24:25that I really believe
24:26will be the biggest story
24:27of the year
24:28in the World Wrestling
24:29Federation
24:30is this.
24:31Big Daddy Cool Diesel
24:32and the bad guy
24:33Razor Ramon
24:34are on their way
24:35back to the
24:36World Wrestling
24:37Federation.
24:38I have that
24:39on very good authority
24:40from some very
24:41reliable sources.
24:43Unbelievable news, JR.
24:45What a huge story
24:46that would be.
24:47Mankind and Alex
24:48the Pug Porteau
24:49who in battle here
24:50in the squared circle.
24:51Mankind very aggressive
24:52coming off the ropes
24:53and drives Porteau
24:54down with an elbow.
24:55JR, can you repeat
24:56that again?
24:57I want to make sure
24:58I heard you correctly.
24:59Well, my sources tell me
25:00and they're very reliable
25:01sources.
25:02I've had them for years
25:03and that is the fact
25:04that Big Daddy
25:05Cool Diesel
25:06and the bad guy
25:07Razor Ramon
25:08are without a doubt
25:09on their way back
25:10to the World
25:11Wrestling Federation.
25:12Wow.
25:14Well, the Pug
25:15is in dire straits
25:16here right
25:17off the bat.
25:18Look at Mankind
25:19just tearing away
25:20at himself.
25:21Well, Mankind
25:22scheduled to meet
25:23Shawn Michaels
25:24for the WWF title
25:25September the 22nd
25:26in Philadelphia
25:27at the brand new
25:28Coors State Center.
25:29And of course,
25:30a tall bear
25:31very, very happy
25:32about that.
25:33Tickets for that
25:34big event
25:35are still available
25:36at the Coors State
25:37Center box office
25:38in all Philadelphia
25:39area.
25:40Ticketmaster outlets.
25:41Mankind coming in hard
25:42and he puts
25:44driving the knee
25:45into the corner.
25:46You know, Alex Porto
25:47is a great young
25:48amateur athlete.
25:49But certainly pales
25:50in comparison
25:51to the young man
25:52we met yesterday
25:53in the WWF offices.
25:54Olympic gold medal
25:55winner Kurt Angle
25:56from Pittsburgh,
25:57Pennsylvania
25:58was in Stanford,
25:59Connecticut yesterday
26:00visiting with World
26:01Wrestling Federation
26:02officials.
26:04What an inspirational
26:05story he was
26:06at the Olympics
26:07this past July.
26:08Mankind now firing
26:09Porto up
26:10and catches
26:11on Platt's
26:12undemandable
26:13claw.
26:14And that's exactly
26:15what could be
26:16awaiting Shawn
26:17Michaels on
26:18September 22nd
26:19in Philadelphia
26:20at the next
26:21In Your House
26:22Mind Games.
26:23And if it happens
26:24we will definitely
26:25have a new
26:26WWF champion.
26:27That is,
26:28if Shawn Michaels
26:29is able to get
26:30my gold medal
26:31right here tonight.
26:32And that match
26:33is coming your way.
26:34Next fans right here
26:35on USA Championship
26:36Friday.
26:37And I've said it
26:38once, I'll say it again.
26:39I still cannot get over
26:40Mankind and
26:41All Bear being
26:42together.
26:43Well, don't be shocked
26:44if Mankind doesn't
26:45become the next
26:46WWF champion
26:47if Goldust
26:48doesn't do it
26:49right here tonight.
26:50And that matchup,
26:51as you said,
26:52coming up next.
26:53Well, JR, I know you
26:54recently went up to
26:55Toronto to the
26:56World Wrestling
26:57Federation experience
26:58at the CNA,
26:59the Canadian
27:00National Exhibition.
27:01Fans, for those of you
27:02that don't know,
27:03it's kind of like
27:04Canada's National Fair.
27:05And I wanted to get
27:06your thoughts on
27:07this whole big event,
27:08the incredible day
27:09that you had.
27:10I think one of the
27:11most poignant moments
27:12of the entire weekend
27:13came when Psycho Sid,
27:14with the encouragement
27:15of his newfound friends,
27:16the Special Olympians,
27:17volunteered to compete
27:18in a tug-of-war
27:19against Angus,
27:20the undefeated elephant.
27:21Well, Psycho Sid,
27:22even though he's 6'9",
27:23and 313 pounds,
27:24giving away a little
27:25weight here,
27:26was no match
27:27for the elephant.
27:28But Sid's pals,
27:29the Special Olympians,
27:30wouldn't hear
27:31of Sid losing.
27:32They wanted their hero
27:33to compete
27:34one on one
27:35against Angus,
27:36the undefeated
27:37elephant.
27:38They wanted their hero
27:39to compete one more time,
27:40and so a team was formed
27:42in more ways than one.
27:44And Psycho Sid
27:45and his Special Olympic
27:46teammates were victorious.
27:48What an inspirational
27:49moment for Psycho Sid,
27:51for all the Special
27:52Olympic athletes,
27:53and for each
27:54and every one of us
27:55who had the privilege
27:56to witness this
27:57very special moment.
27:59And then,
28:01over 50,000 fans
28:03would line the midway
28:05from the softball field
28:06to Exhibition Stadium
28:07where a live WWF event
28:09would be held
28:10later that night.
28:11The C&E grandstands
28:13were just electrified
28:15as fans were honoring
28:17the Special Olympic
28:18athletes and
28:19WWF superstars.
28:21And then later
28:22that afternoon,
28:23over 15,000 fans
28:25attended an autograph session
28:27as WWF superstars
28:29were happy to
28:30meet and greet
28:31the wonderful fans
28:33of the World Wrestling
28:34Federation.
28:35As a matter of fact,
28:36some would say
28:37it was nearly a
28:38perfect day.
28:39The only problem
28:40why this isn't
28:41the greatest event
28:42the World Wrestling
28:43Federation ever put on
28:44is because I'm not
28:45out there wrestling.
28:47And then later
28:48in the evening,
28:49over 23,000 fans
28:50would converge on
28:52Exhibition Stadium
28:53for the live
28:54WWF event.
28:55And look who
28:56shows up.
28:57It's Rowdy Roddy
28:58Piper.
29:03Roddy Piper
29:04wasn't even scheduled
29:05to be in Toronto.
29:06What a surprise.
29:08As we say,
29:09anything can
29:10and probably
29:11will happen
29:12at a live
29:13WWF event.
29:16The WWF experience
29:18in Toronto
29:19was a huge success.
29:21That certainly provided
29:22a lifetime of memories
29:23for everyone involved.
29:26Ladies and gentlemen.
29:29Well, we are
29:30moments away
29:31from the WWF
29:32championship match
29:33between Shawn Michaels
29:34and Mr. Bob Backlund.
29:36He's appeared on the scene.
29:39I have no idea
29:40what he's doing out here.
29:41Like I said,
29:42ladies and gentlemen,
29:46you all know
29:47that Mr. Backlund's
29:49bringing back
29:50the man that's
29:51going to win
29:52the WWF champion
29:54in the near future.
29:57But right now,
29:58I want to introduce
30:00somebody that's going
30:01to be his mentor
30:02and his trainer
30:04a man that I have
30:06a tremendous amount
30:08of abomination for.
30:10Look it up
30:11if you want to know.
30:14How about
30:15unstable?
30:16Look that up.
30:17Although I have
30:18a lot of abomination for,
30:19I respect him
30:20tremendously.
30:22I respect him
30:23for what he's done
30:24in wrestling
30:26as an amateur
30:28and as a professional.
30:31Without any further
30:32ado,
30:33I want to bring you
30:35the Iron Sheik!
30:37What?
30:39The Iron Sheik
30:40beat Bob Backlund
30:41in 1983
30:42for the WWF title.
30:44And now they're
30:45in cahoots together
30:46apparently.
30:48I don't believe
30:49this has been
30:50an unbelievable night.
30:51I thought the Iron Sheik
30:52was in a home somewhere.
30:56I have learned
30:57quite a bit
30:58that I didn't know
30:59at the beginning of the show,
31:00fans.
31:01So the Iron Sheik
31:02is going to be
31:03the trainer
31:04of Bob Backlund's
31:05new associate
31:07that should be
31:08debuting soon
31:09here in the
31:10World Wrestling Federation.
31:12And obviously
31:13they've got one
31:14one thing on their mind,
31:15Kevin,
31:16and that is to win
31:17the WWF championship.
31:20I wonder what
31:21Shawn Michaels
31:22thinks of all this.
31:23Shawn better keep
31:24his mind on gold dust
31:25and not this pair.
31:28The Iron Sheik
31:29provided Backlund
31:30with humiliating experience
31:31in his career.
31:32Welcome back
31:33to the WWF, sir!
31:37Mr. Bob Backlund,
31:39first of all,
31:40my pleasure
31:42to have come
31:43from 10,000 mile
31:45oldest country in the world,
31:47Tehran, Iran.
31:49My pleasure!
31:50Mr. Bob Backlund,
31:52you was yourself
31:53great All-American,
31:55college
31:56All-American.
31:58Well, you know,
31:59the more things change,
32:00the more they stay the same
32:01it would seem here.
32:02Mr. Bob Backlund,
32:03six-time
32:04WWF
32:06WWF
32:07six-time champion.
32:08A lot of W's there.
32:09I was lucky
32:11that night
32:12I come champion.
32:13And you people
32:14remember
32:16I was the rare
32:17Iranian
32:18I come Olympic
32:20winner in Germany
32:21and also
32:22United States
32:23of America
32:24and the greatest
32:25wrestling country
32:26This interview
32:27should have been
32:28a long discussion
32:29Well fans,
32:30we've got to take
32:31a quick break.
32:32When we come back,
32:33I can guarantee you
32:34we are gonna see
32:35Shawn Michaels defending
32:36the WWF title
32:37against Goldust.
32:38That much I Promise You.
32:39Stay with us.
32:51Hello, everybody!
32:52And Welcome to
32:53WWE Superstar
32:54Right Here on
32:55USA!
32:58The new season begins September 21st and 22nd on USA.
33:11Welcome back to USA Championship Friday.
33:18Is this the night that Goldust becomes the World Wrestling Federation champion?
33:23Well it certainly could be.
33:25Goldust winning the final four sudden death battle royal recently on Raw to earn this
33:30opportunity.
33:31The opportunity to meet the WWF champion originally won by Ahmed Johnson.
33:36But thanks to Baruch injuring Ahmed, of course the ruptured kidney keeping Ahmed out of action
33:43maybe until the end of the year.
33:45Goldust has a Goldman opportunity.
33:47So Goldust certainly has his sights set on Shawn Michaels.
33:52Let's hear some pre-recorded comments recorded last week from a man that has his sights set
33:57on Goldust.
34:00Goldust, your time is up.
34:05And now not even that pack of jackals that you travel with.
34:09Your family.
34:11No one can save you now.
34:14The end is at hand.
34:18You will rest in peace.
34:23Well that remains to be seen.
34:24Of course that matchup, the final curtain match will take place at In Your House Mind
34:28Games on September 22nd in Philadelphia at the Core State Center.
34:33But Goldust right now focusing his attention on the WWF title held by the Heartbreak Kid
34:39Shawn Michaels.
34:40Goldust should be a great matchup.
34:42Shawn Michaels just battered and bruised from SummerSlam.
34:46But here he comes.
34:51Oh, just listen to that crowd.
34:53The champion of the New York Times and the WWE World Heavyweight Champion, Goldust.
34:58The true wrestling championship champion of the Heartbreak Kid, Shawn Michaels.
35:16Shawn must have been involved here.
35:17It's like a rock star just walked into the arena.
35:20He's bigger than a rock star.
35:21He's the World Wrestling Federation champion.
35:24And many say the most athletic WWF champion of all time.
35:51Oh, the flash and fanfare that greets the champion on his way to the ring.
35:55His opponent waits in the corner.
35:57Another.
35:58In a long line of tough tests for Shawn Michaels.
36:00And it's Goldust, another one, who has got it for the gold.
36:04Well, it was just Shawn Michaels won the WWF title at WrestleMania.
36:08It has been one challenge after another.
36:10One obstacle after another.
36:13But Shawn Michaels has proven on more than one occasion that he can play hard.
36:18Goldust charges after Shawn Michaels.
36:21And the Heartbreak Kid drops Goldust all the way off to the floor.
36:26Goldust goes over the top.
36:28This match hasn't even started yet.
36:30And we've got fireworks.
36:33Unbelievable excitement tonight here in the arena.
36:35And JR, I know that Shawn Michaels has really enjoyed the celebrity of being champion.
36:41Well, he certainly has.
36:42And he's made a lot of controversial decisions his whole career.
36:45But I don't think any more controversial than posing for Playgirl magazine.
36:49Shawn Michaels on the cover of Playgirl magazine that goes on sale this Monday.
36:54And I don't think that will really please a lot of WWF officials.
36:58So I'm posing for Playgirl.
37:00And that magazine we should add is for adults only.
37:04Michaels now charging after Goldust.
37:06Takes him down off the apron.
37:08Ooh, and clips him with a hard right hand.
37:10Michaels being very aggressive in the early going.
37:13I think that's what Shawn Michaels should do.
37:15Is quicken the pace early and sustain it.
37:18And you know the high risk maneuvers.
37:20Oh my, Goldust caught him coming off the top rope.
37:23Shawn Michaels known for high risk maneuvers.
37:25But Shawn can't take too many unnecessary chances right here tonight.
37:29Goldust going to want to slow it down and dictate that deliberate pace.
37:33Michaels now.
37:34We're going to see the Irish whip.
37:35And he is on top.
37:37And he is pounding away at Goldust.
37:43Goldust comes firing out.
37:45But Michaels takes him down with a hip toss.
37:47Michaels is so much quicker than Goldust.
37:49And Goldust certainly isn't slow.
37:51And what an uppercut.
37:53Oh, what a clothesline.
37:56Goldust 6 feet 6 inches tall.
37:58Almost 270 pounds.
38:01With a lot of power and leverage advantage over the WWF champion.
38:06This is a good game plan by Goldust.
38:08Oh, right down across the top rope.
38:10Throat first.
38:12Well, Goldust is extremely aggressive here.
38:15Goldust usually the master of getting inside his opponent's head.
38:20But he's physical.
38:21He's going right after the champion here tonight.
38:23Up and over the top and all the way out to the floor.
38:26Shawn Michaels much akin to Emmitt Smith.
38:28The great running back of the Dallas Cowboys.
38:30Emmitt Smith plays hurt.
38:32And I can promise you Shawn Michaels is not 100% here tonight.
38:36He couldn't be after the beating he sustained
38:39at the hands of Vader at SummerSlam.
38:41Oh, no! Throat first to the railing.
38:44And we can't forget just 24 hours after SummerSlam,
38:48Shawn Michaels was successful in a one-on-one matchup
38:52against a nearly 700-pound Yokozuna.
38:56And now Goldust is over by Marleno.
38:59Oh, she's got that cigar.
39:01Get her out of here.
39:03Well, that cigar smoke is not gonna beat the WWF champion,
39:07but it certainly is an annoyance.
39:09Well, thus far, Shawn Michaels has been kept very close to the ground by Goldust.
39:14And Goldust has been the aggressor since the opening bell.
39:17Shawn Michaels has sustained a great deal of punishment
39:19to his already bruised and battered body.
39:23And here's some of the mind games that we know Goldust is famous for.
39:27Well, Shawn Michaels is really being pushed here.
39:30And I'm being informed, ladies and gentlemen,
39:32that somewhere mankind is watching this matchup.
39:37Mankind has yet to leave the arena here tonight.
39:42Goldust now ready to bring Shawn Michaels in from the apron.
39:45He's got him set. Vertical suplex.
39:48He delivers. Ladder press. One, two.
39:51Can Goldust become the next champion? Stay with us.
39:55And we're back on USA Championship Friday.
39:57The World Wrestling Federation championship match
39:59between the champion Shawn Michaels and Goldust continues.
40:02Goldust has maintained his advantage,
40:04remaining the aggressor since the opening bell.
40:08Michaels now firing some shots in the midsection.
40:11He's battled back to his feet. Here he comes.
40:13Oh, Goldust buries a knee to the midsection.
40:15Hooks the leg. Ladder press. Two. Almost.
40:18JR, I'm still in shock over that big story you spoke of earlier,
40:21but how reliable are your sources?
40:23Well, Kevin, when you've been in the business as long as I have,
40:25there's some sources that you really rely on.
40:27They tell me that Diesel and Raze Ramon are both on their way back
40:32to the World Wrestling Federation.
40:34Oh, sexy boy.
40:38Got something for you.
40:40Where is he?
40:42I've got a surprise for you.
40:54I've got a surprise for you.
40:58I've got a surprise for you.
41:04Well, this is a little bit strange.
41:05I don't know where Mankind is.
41:06He's not too far from the ring,
41:08and folks, regarding the Raze Ramon, Big Daddy Cool Diesel information,
41:12we'll have more of it for you tomorrow on Mania
41:16on the WWF Superstar Line.
41:19I don't like the way this is shaping up at all, JR.
41:23Shawn Michaels battling Goldust in the ring,
41:25and we now know that Mankind is looking on outside the ring.
41:29Well, we know that Mankind and Goldust
41:31have some sort of bizarre relationship,
41:35but where does Paul Bearer fit into this thing?
41:38Maybe we'll find out right here tonight
41:40as Shawn Michaels is fighting back for all he's worth here.
41:44Up and over the top.
41:45Tries to roll him up.
41:47Goldust counters.
41:49Both men clothesline each other.
41:52Well, this is Shawn Michaels' advantage.
41:55Shawn Michaels retains the World Wrestling Federation Championship
41:59on a count-out,
42:01but the fighter that Shawn Michaels is,
42:03you know Shawn wants to play some sweet chin music
42:06for the bizarre one before we go off the air here tonight.
42:11We looked into Shawn Michaels' eyes a moment ago.
42:14There didn't seem to be too much there.
42:16Michaels appears to really be out of it.
42:18Goldust back on his feet first, just breaking the count.
42:22These two men now physically spent
42:25trading right hands in the center of the ring.
42:29Shawn misses up and over the top.
42:32Ducks a clothesline.
42:34Oh, a big forearm smash.
42:36Shawn Michaels now, uh-oh, building some momentum here.
42:43Shawn Michaels is starting to pump now.
42:46Michaels now takes Goldust up and down for the ride.
42:51Shawn Michaels is gonna take a chance.
42:53High-risk maneuver from the Heartbreak Kid.
42:58Crossbody.
42:59Goldust counters.
43:00Puts the weight to the end.
43:02Whoa!
43:20I have control of my mind.
43:23Pray that this man can stop the insanity.
43:27Pray for him.
43:29If he doesn't.
43:31Have a nice day.
43:34Shawn Michaels, the WWF champion,
43:36drops a big elbow across this challenge at Goldust.
43:39What a time of action this has been.
43:41And could the band be tuning out?
43:43Are we about to hear some sweet chin music
43:47from the one and only Heartbreak Kid Shawn Michaels?
43:50Wait a second.
43:51Marlena's up on the apron.
43:53Marlena distracting Shawn long enough for Goldust
43:57to regain the advantage in this WWF championship matchup.
44:02Goldust sends Michaels hard to the buckle.
44:05And now, he sets the curtain call.
44:07It'll be over if Goldust hits the curtain call.
44:11Takes him up.
44:12Oh, Michaels up and over the shoulder.
44:14Goes to the second rope.
44:15He head fakes.
44:16Goldust fights it.
44:17And now, moonsault.
44:19He'll have it.
44:21He's got it.
44:22Three!
44:25The same move, the same effort, she lies
44:27to meet Bader at second slam.
44:29The moonsault.
44:30And now Shawn.
44:31Oh, oh no.
44:32Can't turn his attention to that man.
44:34Mankind is sprinting to the ring.
44:37Turn around, Shawn.
44:40Mankind and Goldust now have a two-on-one opportunity
44:46Oh, no.
44:47Wait.
44:48Michaels able to duck between the two of them
44:50and slide to the floor.
44:51Shawn Michaels is too smart for this.
44:53Michaels is not going to be caught in some two-on-one situation.
44:57And there's the man, JR, that I think is behind all of this.
45:01That's Paul Bearer.
45:02And why is Paul Bearer smiling?
45:05Maybe Paul Bearer and Mankind have something else in store
45:10for Shawn Michaels in the WWF championship.
45:15Why is Paul Bearer smiling?
45:18I guess the mind games have just begun.
45:21I want to thank you for joining us.
45:23Good night, everybody.