In Your House 8: Beware of Dog
aka Wrestlefest '96
by me

**I had an introduction and stuff for this tape, but it was way outdated so I just erased it.**
 

HHH vs.  Marc Mero
Shawn Michaels vs.  British Bulldog     World Title Match
Steve Austin  vs.  Savio  Vega      Caribbean Strap Match
Vader vs.  Yokozuna
Goldust vs.  Undertaker    Intercontinental  Title, Casket Match
 

We need to point out that this PPV only  the first two matches were shown on Sunday (because of a lightning storm that knocked out power), then the other 3 matches occured on Tuesday.  The first matches were also done on Sunday as (literally) dark matches, because they show clips of Savio/Austin, and the arena is completely dark.  Brandon actually called into the old Meltzer show one time and they talked for about 15-20 minutes about this show, along with some local indy stuff (since we used to do local indy reviews, for about a year we were actually getting alot of info about the goings-ons in the PA, WV, MD areas....if I remember correctly most of the talk pertained to certain areas and what they used for throwaway matches....battle royales are alot more popular in our area than others, triangle matches show up more often in other areas).  Just a little unimportant yet interesting sidenote.  Anyway, onto the review......
 

HHH  vs.  Marc Mero  w/Sable

This feud was caused by Sable after her appearance at Wrestlemania 12.   Kicks by Mero to start, and HHH bails.  Mero stupidly gives chase, and HHH jumps him.  Back in, and Mero counters punches and clotheslines HHH outside, then follows with a pescado.  Back in for a slingshot legdrop by Mero.  Bustin out the workin shoes tonite, huh Marc?  Flair flip in the corner by HHH, and a left hand by Mero, but he's not Bart Gunn so it only gets 2.   Mero charges, but his left shoulder introduces itself to the post, and HHH takes over.  BTW, I hate both Meros......HHH doesn't want to leave the other posts out, so he introduces the shoulder to those, too.  Nice.  ARMBAHHHHH by HHH, punches, and a running knee gets 2.  Smartly working the arm here.  Small package for 2, then Mero tries a backslide, but his shoulder hurts too much.  Mero again hits the post, then HHH wraps his arm around the top rope and pounds it.  Haha.  Cross armbreaker by HHH (called "somewhat of a submission hold" by Vince).  HHH scissors the arms, and the crowd FINALLY gets into the match here.  See, psychology does work kids, just gotta give people time.   Mero gets the ropes.  HHH drops the knee on the arm, then goes into a NICE submission hold (can't really describe it, gotta see to understand).  Though it was nice, I have no doubt it was an accident, since I've never seen him use it ever again.  Anyway....suplex attempt reversed by Mero for 2, but HHH is right back for 2.  HHH up top, and he hits a chop.  Lame.  Back to the armbar, and HHH uses the ropes multiple times like a good heel, and........he DOESN'T GET CAUGHT!!!  Holy shit, I can't remember the last time I saw that happen.  HHH with a hammerlock, then bodyslams Mero right on the arm.  That's just cruel, and I love it.  Dean and Rey would use that same spot at GAB about a month later....except they made it look just NASTY.  Anyway.....HHH up top again, but Mero cuts him off and ranas him. Flying headscissors and backbody drop by Mero.  Nice sunset flip from the top by Mero gets 2.  Say what you will about Mero, but he could go back in the day when he was motivated and uninjured.  Dropkick to the outside, but Mero misses the somersault plancha.  Back in, Pedigree attempt, but Sable is looking the other way, so HHH walks over to make sure she's looking.  Pedigree reversed into a slingshot this time, and......it gets 3?  ***1/2.   Crowd slowly built throughout the match, both guys had their workin shoes on, but you gotta wonder about the lame finish.
 

Clips of HBK-Bulldog and the seduction of Diana Smith storyline.....then we get talking, with Mr. Perfect interviewing  Cornette, Bulldog, and Owen.  Great interview.
 

Shawn Michaels vs.  British Bulldog

Attorney Clarence Mason tries to issue a subpoena to Shawn on the grounds of "attempted alienation of affection."  Shawn rips it up.  Decent mat sequence to start, and Shawn quickly goes for the superkick, but Bulldog smartly bails.  Pescado by Shawn though, then back in.  We get a LONG side headlock by Shawn.  Back suplex attempt by Bulldog to counter, but Shawn flips out.  Bearhug by Bulldog, but Shawn with a rollup for 2.  Armbar, attempted reverse, but Shawn still gets a short arm scissors.  For a long time.  Is there something wrong with these guys?  Bulldog FINALLY powers out, and shows some impressive strength to lift Shawn over his head and drop him.  Back body drop, and kicks.  Stalling.  I can't believe I'm writing this, but this match sucks.  Chinlock, then into a shoulderbreaker.  Shawn attempts a crucifix, but Bulldog holds on, then drops back in a samoan drop for 2.  LONG side headlock by Bulldog now, with Owen actually making me smile by yelling at Shawn relentlessly.  This goes on for about 2 minutes, and Lawler mentions that Marty Jannetty backed up Diana's story with similar stories with them in the Rockers.  Vince just shrugs it off and says we can't put any credence into what Marty Jannetty says.  HAHAHAHAHA!!!!!

FINALLY, Shawn tries to power up, and one of those weird moments happens, as Bulldog cinches it in and won't let Shawn up, so Shawn just sits back down looking EXTREMELY pissed, and throws his hands up in Earl Hebner's direction, like "What the fuck?"  This was definately one of Shawn's more visible and obvious temper tantrums.  Probably cause this match is really sucking a fat one and he knows it.  Earl gets close to find out what the hell is going on, and Shawn does come back this time.  Both off the ropes, and something.......I have no clue what the fuck it was, but neither guy makes contact, and Shawn just slides under the bottom rope and lays facedown by the announcers table.  Bulldog going after Shawn, and sends him into the rail.  Then, we get a REPLAY of the blown spot, which shows EVEN MORE CLEARLY how badly they fucked up.  Bulldog slamming Shawn into the apron, and Shawn just lays outside.  Man, is he pissed.  Shawn back on the apron finally, and gets a slingshot clothesline.  Both down.  Back up, collison, both down again, as they fucked up that exchange too.  Flying forearm, and Shawn nips up.  Slam and double axe get 2.  Ref bump, and Shawn hits the big elbow.  Cueing the band, but Owen is in and takes a superkick.  Another ref in, and I'm sensing clusterfuckedness about to happen.  Waistlock, Shawn reversed into a bridged German, and we get a double pin finish.   -*......yes, you read that correctly, I am giving a match involving Shawn Michaels a negative rating.  And no, I don't care if was the Bulldog's fault for it or not, they were both in the match, and Shawn fucked up some shit too.  If you saw the match, you would understand.  Postmatch, Bulldog celebrates because he says he got his shoulder up, and Diana tries to walk away with the belt, but Gorilla comes out and takes it back.  Consultation, and the match is ruled a draw.  Total bullshit.  Shawn looks so visibly pissed it's not even funny, as he can't even stay in character long enough to do his post match celebration.  The fireworks backstage after this mess was undoubtedly better than anything in the match.  Let's forget this ever happened.
 

Steve Austin  vs.  Savio Vega

In the pre-match clip, we see Ted Dibiase put his career on the line if Austin doesn't win.  If Vega loses, he has to be Dibiase's chauffeur.   The two guys are connected by a 10 foot leather strap, and the winner has to touch all 4 turnbuckles in succession.  Can we guess how this match will end?   I'm not expecting much for this one,  obviously.  Punches and back body drop by Austin, before Savio comes back and whips the shit out of Austin.  Suplex by Austin, but Savio gets a spin wheel kick in response.  Steve up first, and he procees to whip the holy hell out of Savio.  Ouch.  Chops by Savio, but Austin whips him some more.  What?...(smack)....bitch?  (smack).  Austin drops Savio on the rail, then hangs him with the strap.   Then in a moment that defines just how much Austin can rule the world, he WHIP SAVIO's HAND.  Now that is dedication kids.  Suplex back inside, and Austin gets 2 buckles, but Savio fires back with punches.  Austin ducks and back body drops Savio outside, but they're connected so Austin goes too.  Austin tries a suplex on the outside, but Savio counters and gets it.  Savio whipping now.  Back in, 3 turnbuckles, but Austin trips him up.  Austin with some hella righteous whipping now.  Both up top, but Austin blocks a superplex.  Savio right back up, crotches Austin, and gets it this time.  3 buckles, but Austin yanks Savio back and hits a gorgeous spinebuster.  Choking by Austin, and middle rope ass splash.  More choking.  Tombstone reversal sequence (!), but neither can get it, so Austin throws Savio outside.  Austin up top (!), but misses a splash outside and hits the railing.  Austin meets the steps.  Back in, Savio gets 3 buckles again, but Austin rips his fuckin arm.  Well, almost, as he yanks the strap so hard I'M feeling it.  Piledriver, and Austin goes for buckles, but Dibiase calls for one more piledriver.  Savio of course reverses, but Austin gets the Million Dollar Dream and puts Savio out.  Austin wraps the strap around Savio's neck, and just drags him around.  JR comments about how brutal and coldhearted Austin is.....no shit JR.  Typical strap match ending, as Austin drags Savio around, but Savio manages to touch the buckles right behind him, and they fight over the 4th.  Tug of war ensues, and Austin "accidently" slingshots Savio into the last one for the finish.  ***3/4   I say accidently, because after this match is when Austin cut the promo saying he lost on purpose just so he could get rid of Dibiase.   The next month, Austin would win the King of the Ring.  This is the best strap match you'll ever see.
 

Vader vs.  Yoko

Screw this.  Both guys are big, I think you can figure out the rest.  Yoko does hit a Rock Bottom at one point.  Also, in a fun moment, Cornette interferes and Mr. Perfect asks why Yoko doesn't get disqualified because he hit the manager.......which is exactly the ending to the Lex Luger/Yoko match at WM 10, in which Perfect was the special ref.   Anyway, with the finish of the Vader splash from the middle rope, I give you 1/4*.
 

Goldust vs. Undertaker

Goldust is out first, and UT appears out of nowhere right behind him as Goldust is looking towards the entrance.  Typical UT offense, then we go outside as Goldust meets the casket and stairs.  Back in, we continue in Squashville.  Rope walk, then choking.  Goldust with a back wlbow and slam, but UT with the zomebie sit up.  They do some punching, then Goldust hits about the worst tombstone in the history of wrestling.  He tries to roll Taker into the casket, but UT comes right back.  Big boot, but Goldust gets a back body drop over the top to the outside.  Nice bump by UT there.  Into the stairs, and choking with the cable.  Back in, we hit the SLEEPAHHHHHHH, which puts UT out.  Goldust gets him in the casket, but can't slam the lid as UT blocks.   Big clothesline by UT, and another puts both guys down. Clothesline to outside by Goldust.  Back in, and Goldust gets a (alleged) powerslam, and flying clothesline for the cover, but he forgot it's a casket match.  D'oh!!!!  Goldust tries the rope walk, but UT isn't putting up with that and hits the tombstone.  UT tries to open the casket, but Mankind pops out and locks in the Mandible Claw, put UT out, and shuts the lid for the Goldust win.  *1/2  Postmatch, weird smoke comes out, and Paul Bearer opens the lid, and UT is gone.  Wow, impressive.  Bleh.  This was pretty much occupying space as an excuse for Mankind to interfere.
 
 
 

Official Grade-- C+.  Two good matches, the rest is shit.  HHH/Mero is good, and Austin/Savio is actually a very entertaining match with lots of cool shit going on.  I recommend trying to catch those two matches, especially considering HHH and Austin are TOTALLY different today than they were back then and it can be a cool nostalgia moment for ya to remember what they were like before they were main event superstars.