[1997-06-16-WWF-Raw] Steve Austin vs Brian Pillman

[Loss]

Talk about it here.

[Loss]

JIP. Pillman has a broken and bloody nose. Not much of a match since Pillman didn't have too much left to give at this point. The difference in energy when Austin is on offense and when Pillman is on offense is pretty strong. Jim Ross's commentary is interesting for a few reasons. The referee eats a stunner for no apparent reason, then Pillman pulls out brass knocks. The Hart Foundation, who are handcuffed to the ring posts, managed to unlock themselves when Owen pig pockets the referee Austin stunned. Well, that meaningless stunner was a plot device that was oddly convenient. Mankind and Goldust make the save, and Shamrock is out too. They clear the ring of the Harts. Austin is about to attack Shamrock from behind, but Shamrock takes him down. Surprising lack of reaction for that. Austin and Shamrock then end up brawling before the LOD separate them.

 

Goldust finally grabs the mic and tells them to stop fighting, join forces and take on the Hart Foundation at Canadian Stampede. Austin agrees to step in the ring with them -- one time.

[Kevin Ridge]

They finally have their match. Pillman has a busted open nose. That Stunner of the ref didn’t make much sense but it was funny to see them walk across to the other corner so Stunner could take place near Owen. Austin should have went over but instead it’s just a DQ win. Mankind, Shamrock and Goldust make the save for Austin. LOD then come down to separate Austin and Shamrock. Somewhere in here, Mankind disappears because he’s the sixth guy and we need only five to hype match.

[soup23]

Match was fairly disappointing given the back and forth between these two. I agree that Pillman just couldn't really bring the goods anymore. Afterwards, we get the big pull apart and the main event of Canadian stampede is agreed upon by Austin.

[PeteF3]

Pillman still has things to offer on the mic, but in the ring there's just nothing left. His long tights don't cover the fact that his lower legs have practically decayed--it's honestly scary to watch because it feels like both ankles are ready to snap at any time. Owen pickpocketing the fallen referee was cute, but it would have made a bit more sense if it were Pillman who bumped him. The whole handcuffed-to-the-ringpost stipulation and Goldust getting on the mic to make peace and make the match is all very Memphis, even during a Memphis-esque time for the WWF. Goldust is pretty badly shoehorned in here thanks to the HBK situation.

[Exposer]

Fun brawl. 1997 Brian Pillman is definitely not 1991 Brian Pillman. He's lost a lot of his agility. He still takes a couple of big bumps in this. He gets his nose cut on a chair during a melee on the floor. I loved Austin going to each handcuffed HF member & wailing away. He should be doing that because that's what his character does. Austin stuns the referee which allows Owen to take the handcuff keys & free himself. The other HF members free themselves as well & attack Austin. Shamrock & Goldust run down to fight off the Hart Foundation. Austin & Shamrock see each other & have a stare off. Their confrontation is pretty heated with Austin trying to trick Shamrock into another stunner but Shamrock suplexing him instead. The continue to fight until LOD & Goldust break them up. Goldust cuts a good promo saying the HF wants them fighting amongst themselves. He suggest they are the five best wrestlers in the WWF & to get together & accept the Hart Foundation's challenge for Canadian Stampede. Austin reluctantly agrees on the condition that they will only be teaming once & that they realize their will be no hanging out & beer drinking together after Calgary. I also liked him saying he's tired because a more fired up Austin might have just swung for the fences. Great segment overall.