[1997-06-09-WWF-Raw] Brian Pillman vs Mankind

[Loss]

Talk about it here.

[Loss]

The Hart Foundation attacks Austin on his way to the ring. Mankind sort of makes the save and we end up with Pillman vs Mankind in the ring. Just coming off of 1991, it's unsurprisingly but very clear just how much Pillman slipped in the ring post-car accident. Vince alludes to Bret and Shawn being asked to leave the building earlier tonight, but doesn't even mention Bret by name. He must have been pretty upset with the whole situation. They also mention that Pillman still isn't an official member of the Hart Foundation, which is a bit of detail I didn't remember at all.

 

The Harts run in to attack Mankind, but an injured Austin limps out to make the save, as does Ken Shamrock. Austin and Shamrock end up exchanging words, which ends with Shamrock eating a stunner.

[ajtroma]

This was scheduled to be Shawn vs Pillman but fate and a brawl in the men's room intervened.

[Kevin Ridge]

The Harts attack Austin before the match can start and Mankind makes the save! Austin can’t go so Mankind takes his place. Mankind takes a back suplex on the steel ramp.

 

Ah, because it felt like they were teasing Mankind as one of the 5 guys for Stampede. Pillman had some great matches in 90-91. Shame about the accident and obviously the eventual end. Austin ends up saving Mankind this time and Shamrock helps too. He’s too trusting and new to the wrestling business and gets a Stunner.

[soup23]

Oh so this was the date of the brawl in the back. Weird that Vince wont mention Bret by name. Pillman is not in the physical state he was early in the decade, but he crafted a pretty good match here with kicks, punches, and intensity. Commentary with Mankind is well done and how that is the reason the crowd is weird. Nice brawl ends the match.

[PeteF3]

I suspect Austin suffered a legit injury the previous night, as we're now in a trend that will last until the end of the year of the WWF roster being decimated by injuries and absences that seem to come at the worst possible time, affecting pretty much every major star. Mankind takes his place after a rather cheap bait-and-switch angle--he and Pillman actually put together a pretty good, gritty, intense little match that nicely covers for Pillman's physical limitations, but the crowd shits on it because it's not the promised and hyped main event, to the point where even Vince & JR have to cop to it. Meanwhile, Vince drops the info that HBK and another Hart Foundation member were asked to leave the building after a "display of unprofessional conduct"--uh-oh. Schmozz finish with Austin being Austin, as he repays Ken Shamrock for saving him by dropping him with a Stunner.

[Exposer]

This is first of many bait & switches that we'll get in this era. This one is fine with Mankind getting a nice pop saving Austin from the HF attack. Pillman-Mankind is solid with some cool little moments like the suplex on the ramp & Pillman pulling out Mankind's hair & shoving it in his mouth. Mankind gets the mandible claw on, but the HF return & attack him for the DQ. Austin & Shamrock come out for the save. Afterwards, Austin doesn't care to make friends & looks confusingly at Mankind. He then stuns Shamrock & flips both men off as he leaves to close the show. Austin is great. Vince actually brings up Bret & Shawn being removed from the building after their backstage brawl. Interesting. Good show ending with some new interest being sparked in the involvement with Mankind.