WWF Raw Results 1/1/96: Diesel vs. King Mabel & The Power of the Raw Bowl Battle Royal
Okay, here’s a breakdown of teh provided text, summarizing the key events and themes of this particular Raw episode, along with the author’s commentary:
Overall Summary:
This Raw episode, airing in early 1996, is characterized by a desperate attempt at novelty and campiness. The WWF is trying anything to gain traction as it transitions from 1995, and this show exemplifies that with a bizarre “Raw Bowl” tag team battle royal centered around football themes. Alongside the gimmick match, there’s build-up for upcoming storylines (Hakushi vs. Jarrett, Shawn Michaels’ press conference, re-airing of the Hart/Bulldog match) and a notably pointed, satirical segment mocking WCW (“Billionaire Ted’s Wrasslin’ War room”).
Key Events:
* Raw Bowl Tag Team battle Royal: The Smoking Gunns won a chaotic battle royal featuring multiple teams. The match is described as overly long and not particularly impactful.
* Diesel vs. King Mabel: Diesel decisively defeated King Mabel in a very short match, seemingly re-establishing himself as a dominant force.
* “Billionaire Ted’s Wrasslin’ War Room”: A satirical segment lampooning WCW (though never named directly). It features caricatures of Ted turner (“Billionaire Ted”), Hulk Hogan (“The Huckster”), and Randy Savage (“The Nacho man”) failing to replicate moves from WWF stars.
* upcoming Storylines: Announcements for Hakushi vs.Jeff Jarrett, Shawn Michaels’ press conference, and a re-broadcast of the Bret Hart vs. British Bulldog WWF Championship match.
* Sid’s Departure: It’s noted that Sid will be absent from WWF television for several months due to a claimed neck injury, ending the planned tag team with the 1-2-3 Kid.
Author’s Commentary (Mike’s Thoughts & Wrap-Up):
* Self-Aware Camp: The author acknowledges the segment is “goofy, low-brow, and wholly embarrassing” at the time, but finds it amusing in retrospect. He highlights the WWF’s desperation to try anything.
* Satire of WCW: The author believes the “War Room” segment was intended to upset WCW.
* Gimmick Over Substance: The Raw Bowl is dismissed as a gimmick that didn’t elevate anyone,but also didn’t cause lasting harm.
* Diesel’s Re-Establishment: The author points out Diesel’s return to a more basic, dominant character.
* Overall tone: The author’s tone is one of amused observation, recognizing the show’s flaws but also appreciating its historical context and the WWF’s willingness to experiment. He predicts the “War Room” segment will escalate and become more controversial.
In essence, this Raw episode is a snapshot of a WWF in transition, trying to find its footing with a mix of established stars, new gimmicks, and a surprisingly direct (and satirical) attack on its rival, WCW.