No Way Out of Texas: In Your House

Legacy Review

No Way Out of Texas: In Your House

February 15, 1998 from the Compaq Center in Houston, TX

Commentary: Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler

We're on the road to Wrestlemania 14. The No Way Out name is making its debut here, and after a year off would continue as the February PPV for nearly a decade. Minus the "of Texas" part of course. Even though it was being gradually retired the In Your House name was hitting a milestone tonight, this is the 20th In Your House show.

The big mystery tonight, because there has to be a mystery in this era, is who will replace the injured WWF Champion Shawn Michaels in the main event. Shawn hurt his back falling on the casket during his match with the Undertaker at the Royal Rumble, hurt it bad, and WWF was just trying to get him to Wrestlemania. The main event has just recently been made an unsanctioned match so WWF can be out of any liability from what happens in it. I think it's safe to say at this point the house set is gone for good. The famous WWF Attitude shirt has also recently been released, the camera crew and quite a few fans are wearing it.

The Headbangers def "Marvelous" Marc Mero and The Artist Formerly Known As Goldust (w/Luna and Sable) in 13:53- Sable gets her usual pop which pisses off Mero. I really don't remember why Mero and Goldust are teaming up. Something to do with Mero trying to get advice from Goldust on how to dump a woman like Goldust did Marlena? Probably a "don't ask, it's Russo" situation. Goldust is now in his "Marilyndust" phase where he's ripping off Marilyn Manson's look. Luna and Sable have issues and keep trying to go at it, which is probably the whole reason for the teamup in the first place. Before the match starts Mero orders Sable to return to the locker room. Mero and, er, Mosh start. Thanks JR. I can never tell those two apart. Mero whips out the boxing jabs early. Mosh dodges in the corner, hits a reverse avalanche on the other side and clotheslines Mero 360 to the floor. Luna and Goldust give Mero the old HP restore hug. Back in Thrasher hits a clothesline off the second rope. Goldust tags in and walks into a drop toe hold. The Headbangers work him over. Mosh backdrop. Double team suplex, Mero breaks the pin up. The Bangers stay in control until Mero gets a blind tag in and hits a kneelift. More Sable chants from the crowd. Thrasher hits a series of shoulderblocks. Goldust pulls the top rope down and Thrasher falls to the floor. Goldust drops him on the steps. Thrasher's busted open. Early blood. What is this, a mid-'80s NWA show? Flying clothesline from Goldust back in. Thrasher goes full Banger in peril for a while. He and Goldust do simultaneous crossbodys with Thrasher getting a cover for 2. The heels continue to stay in control. Mero tells the ref to check Thrasher's cut, takes some tape off his fist and chokes Thrasher with it. Mero barely gets Thrasher over for a powerbomb. Thrasher blocks the TKO into a DDT. Crawl and tags. Double flapjack on Goldust. Thrasher goes up top but Luna pulls him down. Sable comes back out! Mero hits the TKO on Mosh. He sees Sable, goes out to stop her, and both guys have to hold their women back. The Headbangers do the twin magic switch in the ring. Mero gets back in and Thrasher Paul Smackages him for the pin. Afterward Sable and Luna still want to fight. The officials gaggle, including Pat Patterson and Gerald Brisco, run in to stop them. Goldust literally carries Luna to the back. Sable and Mero continue to argue. Sable pushes Mero! The match was OK standard tag formula. Considering who was in there it wasn't really too terribly bad. *3/4

 

WWF Light Heavyweight Championship: Taka Michinoku (c) def Pantera in 10:09- This is Taka's first PPV defense after winning the revived title at DX: IYH in December. Pantera was a veteran of CMLL who was working a limited deal with WWF. I think WWF wanted to put together the same kind of cruiserweight division WCW had so much success with, but never really fully committed to putting the work or time in to do it. Sunny is the guest ring announcer to get her on TV. Zero reaction for Pantera for his entrance, even in a city close to his home base. Taka gets an OK pop. He was starting to become a bit of a cult favorite in hardcore fan circles. Brian Christopher comes out before the bell and joins commentary. Oh joy. After the initial jockeying Taka hits a spinning heel kick. Pantera breaks the lucha out, armdragging Taka to the floor and hitting a tope con hilo. More armdrags and flying headscissors back in. Taka throws Pantera out and hits him with a top rope springboard dive. Basement dropkicks from Taka. Pantera gets Taka on the apron, goes up top, and hits a flying headscissors that bounces Taka off the apron! THE HARDEST PART OF THE RING TM. Pantera tope suicida through the corner ropes! Taka's back crashed into the guardrail on that and now Pantera has a hurt part to target. Double underhook backbreaker and camel clutch. Pantera continues to work the back and hooks on a surfboard. Taka tries to chop back. Pantera backdrops him HUGE over the top to the floor! Another top con hilo landing on Taka's hurt back! Back in Pantera continues the back work. Taka goes up top but Pantera hurricanranas him off. Moonsault! Taka kicks out! A second moonsault misses. Taka knee off the top. He goes for the Michinoku Driver. Pantera counters into a small package for 2. Taka powerbomb for 2. Missile dropkick. The Michinoku Driver hits and it's over. After the match Christopher teases an attack but dad Lawler stops him. Taka dives onto both from the top rope! The Lawler boys try to corner Taka but he escapes through the crowd. They got their high spots in and the psychology around Taka's hurt back was pretty tight, but they also had some bad communication at times (not effortless chemistry for sure) and the crowd didn't really give a damn. Also having both Lawler and Christopher on commentary was awful. Horrendous. I literally got a headache having to listen to them (not a joke, I seriously just popped a couple of aspirin), and their constant BS overwhelmed the match on TV. Poor JR tried his damndest to call the match but couldn't help but get sucked in too. **1/4

 

The Godwinns def The Quebecers in 11:15- Jacques Rougeau unretired in '96 and the Quebecers had a short run in WCW as the Amazing French Canadians (a callback to the Fabulous Rougeau Brothers), and now they're back in WWF, as it turned out for a short time. Their gear is completely different to their Mountie-inspired first WWF run. Pierre has still got the eyepatch from his run as Jean Pierre Lafitte and looks more PCO-like than ever. Jacques, with his impressively developing bald spot, and Phineas start. One problem with this match is I have no idea who, if anyone, are supposed to be the faces here. The crowd sure doesn't know, or care, and is deader than dead. Jacques ducks lockups, struts and stalls. When they get going it's a basic start. Jacuqes hits a dropkick and reverse slam. Henry tags in and runs Jacques over. Pierre and Henry trade arm wringers and hammerlocks. Pierre shows a bit of wrestling acumen. The Quebecers stomp Henry down in the corner. Henry hits a double clothesline. Phineas arm slam on Jacques and the Godwinns work his arm for a bit. Phineas catches Jacques leaping and hits a spinebuster. Legdrop for 2. Jacques counters a Henry backdrop but the tag is cut off. The Godwinns work the ref to beat Jacques down in the corner. Jacques gets a sunset flip for 2, then stays in peril for a bit longer. He jawbreakers out of a Henry chinlock. Instead of tagging he goes for a piledriver, which Henry backdrops out of. Jacques gets a boot up in the corner, hits a flying uppercut, rolls and tags to a completely silent reaction. Pierre hits a powerslam. Quebecers double hot shot on Phineas. Jacques hits the piledriver. They whip out and hit the old Quebecers finish. Henry breaks the pin up. Ugh. Can this match please be over? Jacques dives onto Henry on the floor. Henry gets right back up, clotheslines Pierre from the apron, and Phineas falls on him for the pin. After the match the Godwinns attack with their buckets. Very not good. 1/4*

The New Age Outlaws are upset that they're not part of the decision making process on who will be their replacement tag partner tonight and promise to take the respect they're due.

 

NWA North American Heavyweight Championship: Bradshaw def Jeff Jarrett (c) (w/Jim Cornette) by DQ in 8:33- The NWA invasion of WWF is in full swing. Imagine typing that sentence in 1988. Unfortunately it's 1998 and the NWA is barely holding onto surviving, so this "invasion" isn't exactly setting the world on fire. Rather, it's another pretty half-baked and half-executed idea, like WWF's light heavyweight division. Jarrett comes out with fellow NWA members Barry Windham and the Rock N Roll Express. Bradshaw had tagged with Windham as the New Blackjacks before the NWA came in and Windham went with his old buddies. During his entrance Bradshaw runs everyone off with his rope. The ref says Cornette can stay because he has a manager's license, but Windham and the RNR have to leave. While that's happening Jarrett tries to jump Bradshaw but gets jumped instead. Bradshaw whips Jarrett with his chaps. He hits some stiff shots in the corner. Say what you will about Bradshaw/JBL's wrestling ability, but he liked to hit hard. A Jarrett backdrop counter is no sold. Big boot from Bradshaw and he clotheslines Jarrett 360 to the floor. Jarrett and Cornette hug. Bradshaw comes up and gives them a double noggin knocker. He stays focused on Cornette. Jarrett takes advantage and hits him from behind. Dropkick and flying clothesline from Jarrett back in. Dropkick off the second rope for 2. Jarrett and Cornette take turns choking Bradshaw on the rope. Bradshaw chases Cornette again and runs into a Jarrett clothesline. Jarrett goes for a backdrop. Bradshaw counters with a horrible small package for 2. He counters a Jarrett sunset flip and hits another huge stiff chop. Dodge and Jarrett gets crotched in the ropes. Cornette gets a racket shot on Bradshaw's already hurt knee. Jarrett starts to pick it apart. Bradshaw pushes out of a figure four attempt. Jarrett ducks a clothesline and hits a DDT. He goes up top but Bradshaw hits the ropes and he's crotched again. Someone's going to need an icepack after this match. Jarrett blocks a superplex. He comes off the top but Bradshaw catches him and hits a fallaway slam. Powerbomb. Cornette gets on the apron and gets flipped in. The heels are run into each other. Jarrett gets the racket and whacks Bradshaw, drawing the DQ. After the bell the NWA gang beats Bradshaw down until the Legion of Doom come in to make the save. Very meh. *1/2

Triple H says his and Shawn's phones have been ringing off the hook because everyone wants into DX. He says no one is good enough to replace Shawn, so tonight's match will be a handicap match. Michael Cole says if that's the case WWF will appoint a partner. Trips says whatever, we don't care, he can hold the ropes up.

Rock tries to speak for the Nation during their promo but Faarooq cuts him off, says he's the leader and he'll talk. While he does Rock absolutely steals the whole scene with his gestures and facial expressions. It's incredible how far he's come in the past 6 months or so, he's getting better practically every single day.

 

War of Attrition Match: Ahmed Johnson, Ken Shamrock and The Disciples of Apocalypse def The Nation of Domination in 13:44- The issues between Shamrock and the Nation, and more specifically Shamrock and Rock over the Intercontinental title, continue. What is a War of Attrition match? Well judging by the name you'd assume it'd be an elimination match, like Survivor Series. It probably should be but nope, it's a plain old one fall regular rules match with a catchy name. Brown and Skull start with some high impact back and forth. Shamrock tags in to a pop and hits a running back elbow on Brown. Kama pounds on Chainz. Chainz counters with a big boot, slam, and a bunch of running elbow drops that look a mile off the target. Henry comes in and wants Johnson. Johnson obliges and they slug it out. Henry pounds away with clubbing blows. Johnson manages to slam him and Henry tags out. That was miles better than their awful exchange in the Rumble. Brown gets some shots in on Johnson. Johnson hits a falcon arrow. Brown goes up top. Johnson tries to roll away but Brown goes long range and still hits him with the frog splash! Farrooq tags in, wants Johnson to get up and hits a tackle. He goes for another but Johnson counters with a spinebuster. Rock breaks up the Pearl River Plunge. 8-Ball powerslams Faarooq for 2. Shamrock and Rock are both in. Rock hits a DDT for 2 and stomps Shamrock down in the corner. The DOA guys quick tag Kama. Kama catches one with a stiff elbow and he goes face in peril for a while. Even commentary doesn't know if it's Skull or 8-Ball. Rock hits the still unnamed People's Elbow but it's getting fancier and more focus every time. The Nation work the Greco Roman Nut Punch in. Finally Skull or 8-Ball dodges a (very nice) Brown moonsault and tag out. Shamrock and Rock are legal again, but it's DONNYBROOKING TIME as everyone runs in! Shamrock hits Rock with a belly to belly suplex as the ring clears. Ankle lock! Rock taps! Surprisingly borderline decent considering most everyone involved. There was a lot of effort going on out there. **

After the bell Rock is pissed at Faarooq. Everyone in the Nation tries to come to blows except Kama, who plays peacemaker. Rock walks. Faarooq orders him back in. Rock comes back and they argue some more. Faarooq gets the troops organized for their pose. Rock seems reluctant but goes through with it anyway. Bullet Club is fine.

Austin doesn't give a damn who the mystery partner is, an ass whooping is an ass whooping no matter who you give it to, and he'll start with Cole if he doesn't shut up.

 

Kane (w/Paul Bearer) def Vader in 11:00- Kane took his revenge on his brother by locking him in a casket and setting it on fire at the Rumble. In the weeks after Bearer used every acceptable euphemism on TV for "he's dead" and Taker so far hadn't been seen since. In stepped Vader as the next monster in Kane's path of destruction. They go nose to nose when Kane gets in the ring and the crowd eats up every bit of it. Slugfest at the bell. Thankfully Kane's special red match lighting is gone. After a short clothesline from Kane Vader rolls out and the slugfest continues on the floor. Big "Vader" chant from the crowd. Kane gets the edge and punches Vader off the apron. Back in Vader ducks a punch, grabs a waistlock and pounds the back of Kane's neck with potato shots. He flips Kane over the top to the floor. Kane gets posted. Vader is snapped over the top rope. Kane clothesline off the top rope back in. Corner beatdown and chokes from Kane. He suplexes Vader. Vader dangles over the top rope and Kane hits a fistdrop off the top that flips him back in the ring. Corner clothesline. Vader fights back with some seriously straight right hands. Kane punches back and slams Vader. Vader comes back with a tackle and clotheslines Kane over the top. Kane, like his brother, lands on his feet. Kane hits a DDT back in. Vader hits more stiff clothesline like shots. Avalanche. Kane goozle. Vader low blows him. Short clothesline. Big splash. Kane is down for as long as anyone's gotten him down so far. Vader stets him up in the corner. Vader Bomb? No, he's going all the way up. VADERSAULT! It hits! Kane sits right back up! Another tackle and 360 clothesline from Vader. Slugfest on the floor. Vader gets a fire extinguisher and sprays Kane with it! Gotta put the fire out somehow. Powerbomb from Vader. Bearer distracts and Kane sits up again. Chokeslam! Tomestone! It's over. Afterward Kane gets a very fake looking wrench and whacks Vader in the face with it. Vader does the big stretcher job after. Pretty solid match. Yeah, Kane barely sold anything but that's what worked for the character, I have no issues. Kane's early months in WWF continue to go spectacularly. **1/2

 

Unsanctioned Match: "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, WWF European Champion Owen Hart, Cactus Jack and Chainsaw Charlie def Triple H, Savio Vega and WWF Tag Team Champions The New Age Outlaws (w/Chyna) in 17:37- The Outlaws come out in Tennessee Oilers shirts to rile the crowd up. Vega being announced as the mystery partner thrills precisely no one. As part of their ongoing feud Owen won the European title on the Raw after the Rumble by defeating not HHH, but Goldust dressed as HHH. Don't ask, it's Russo. Everyone brings some toys with them, but Jack has a whole giant wheelbarrow full and they all get tossed into the ring. The Austin pop is definitely here. Austin jumps Gunn and we're on with EVERYONE fighting. Thesz press. Inverted atomic drop and trash can lid shot. Gunn escapes the Stunner. HHH does the Trips Flip and rebounds back into an Austin clothesline. Austin hits HHH with a mop. Jack and Dogg fight in the ring. Austin breaks the mop handle over HHH. Charlie whacks Dogg with a bag of something heavy for 2. Dogg gets run into a table that was set up in the corner. Owen flips Gunn through the table. Sharpshooter! HHH breaks it up. Chairs and trash cans are still flying all over the place. Austin takes some lid shots. HHH pummels Charlie with a can. Charlie wants more! DDT onto the lid. Owen enzuguri on HHH. Dogg breaks up the Sharpshooter with a chair. Dogg powerbombs Charlie onto chairs. Things finally settle down as Hebner gets the teams to stand on the apron rather than fight. Gunn piledrives Charlie on a lid. Jack saves the pin. The heels continue to knock Charlie around. Austin tosses a trash can from the apron straight into Gunn's face! Hebner doesn't see Charlie tag Owen and practically tackles Owen himself to get him back to the apron. Charlie gets Dogg down and makes the tag to Jack. Jack runs wild. DDT on Dunn for 2. Mandible Claw on Dogg and Gunn! HHH breaks it up with a low blow. Cactus Clothesline on Gunn. Dogg distracts and Gunn DDTs Jack on the floor. HHH suplex on Jack back in for 2. Vega brings in a coil of barbed wire and wraps it around Jack. Chairshots for Jack. Jack dodges and Gunn whacks Dogg with a chair. Tag to Austin! Cans of whoop ass are opened for the whole heel team. Stunner on Dogg! That gets the pin! Gunn takes a Stunner for the road. After the heels clear off Chyna gets in Austin's face. She shoves him. Twice. Austin tries to walk away but Chyna flips him off. Stunner on Chyna! Well she was asking for it. The crowd goes insane for that. I think Austin is ready for his title match at Wrestlemania, and to be the face of the company. The match was fun garbage match chaos for the first half and a solid hardcore tag for the second. ***1/4

OVERALL SHOW THOUGHTS- Pretty much wheel spinning heading into Wrestlemania, and Russo era shows are never going to provide much in the match quality department. Most of the heavy WM build lifting was being done on Raw because getting those weekly ratings pops were what the Monday Night Wars were all about.

OVERALL SHOW GRADE: D+