Looking back at Monday Night RAW February 17th, 1997

Bret Hart & Psycho Sid are ready to wrestle, but they have no idea what's coming...
Bret Hart & Psycho Sid are ready to wrestle, but they have no idea what's coming...

Ahmed Johnson Commits A Fashion Felony

Farooq watches like a hawk from above...
Farooq watches like a hawk from above...

MATCH #1: MARC MERO (w/ Sable) vs. SAVIO VEGA (w/ Nation of Domination)

Savio Vega comes out to the ring accompanied by the Nation. However, their leader, Farooq, along with Clarence Mason decides to hang back with the audience in the upper section of the arena like a true king.

Then there’s Marc Mero, accompanied by Sable. Like I said last week, Sable has been getting increasingly aggressive recently. She slapped Leif Cassidy (a.k.a Al Snow) during ‘In Your House 13: Final Four’ PPV last Sunday.

Also, in somewhat of a career-defining moment, a brave courageous inspiring woman named Sable did something two weeks ago that nobody usually dares to do- She kicked The Undertaker.

Sable might need those slaps & kicks if any one of the Nation members dare come close to her.

Marc Mero immediately starts off by taking out Savio & Crush using a somersault plancha outside the ring. Okay, let’s just not talk about this match anymore, because— 1) It’s not that great. 2) Nobody clicked on this article to read about Marc Mero & Savio Vega battling it out in the ring & 3) Read points 1) & 2) again.

JR is trying his best to sell this underwhelming opening match. He says that there’s nothing like seeing the WWF Live as Savio Vega is choking the hell out of Marc Mero, to which, Jerry Lawler replies— “Nothing like seeing Sable live either.”

In the end, Sable slides inside the ring as Mero shields her from the Nation’s members. Strong harassment vibes here folks. The referee calls for the bell. Mero wins it via DQ.

No contact was made, but I guess chasing after Sable can cost you a wrestling match as well. To save Marc Mero (& Sable) from the Nation’s members, long-time rival Ahmed Johnson comes in with a 2x4, which sends each & every N.O.D member scurrying away from him.

What is Ahmed wearing?
What is Ahmed wearing?

Speaking of Ahmed Johnson, the guy just committed a fashion felony. The dude looks like he either escaped from jail or just forgot to bring his work clothes to, you guessed it— WORK.

Result: Marc Mero wins via DQ.


Bret Hart is getting increasingly agitated...
Bret
Hart is getting increasingly agitated...

We catch up with Bret Hart backstage. He better get used to Austin targeting his back by now. Bret forgets about tonight & directly talks about WrestleMania 13. Lawler accuses him of brushing past Psycho Sid so quickly. To be fair, it’s not the first time somebody has forgotten about Psycho Sid

Bret: “No, I’m not brushing off anybody. As far as I’m concerned they’re all great contenders, but that’s all they are. You can only look out for number one. If you don’t stop looking out for number one, you start stepping in number two & I’m not gonna let any of that happen. I am the best there is, the best there was & the best there ever will be & this (WWF Championship) proves it for the fourth time…”

Jerry Lawler (who hates Bret): “Yeah, I bet you’re real glad that Stone Cold Steve Austin injured Psycho Sid’s leg, aren’t you? Huh?”

Bret: “Shut up Lawler”.

Two important things to note. 1) Bret is starting to get really annoyed & quite grumpy very quickly in early 1997. 2) Byron Saxton is not the only one who needs to shut up. Bret clearly articulates that message as seen above. Lawler would rather massage Sid’s injured knee or something, that is how much he hates Bret.

Quick Links