May 21st 1998

Cleaveland, Ohio

Jim Ross is your announcer

Before the opening, we see footage of Marc Mero attacking Owen Hart at the conclusion of Monday night's main event.

Ross - Hello everybody, and welcome to Cleaveland, Ohio! It's WWF Thunder, and live here tonight, we'll see the first King Of The Ring qualifier, as "Marvelous" Marc Mero goes one on one with tag champion Bart Gunn! You saw at the top of the show what happened on Monday night. Mero told Owen that he hadn't seen the last of him that night, and by God he didn't. Will Hart retaliate tonight? Also tonight, Sycho Sid and Vader will be on hand, WWF champion Jeff Jarrett, and we'll see the first in ring action for a long time from "Dangerous" Devon Storm. But as you hear the music, we're gonna start things off with Sycho Sid and the Rocky Mountain Beast Vader!

The two powerhouses make a slow walk down the aisle. Vader grabs a microphone from ringside.

Vader - First of all, Jeff Jarrett? Let me tell you something, we're not happy with you. You let the side down on Monday, and you're are gonna be punished.

Sid - I want you to know Jarrett, that I'm gonna be watching King Of The Ring real closely. And whom*ever* takes the world title that night, they'll be making an appointment with the master whether they like it or not. Whether it's Austin who feels my power, or if it's Jeff Jarrett, the fact is, one of you bastards is gonna have to hand that title over to me.

Vader - But that's June 21st, and what I want to talk about now, is *May* 21st. Starting tonight, we are launching a decimation! of the the WWF Tag team division. Every tag team is gonna be in hospital, or the cemetary, by the time we get through.

Sid - Who's gonna be the first sacrifice?

There's a brief pause, then...

"Oh, What A Rush!"

RoadWarrior Animal makes an appearance.

Animal - There's gonna be no sacrifice! You're not decimating the tag divsion, Hawk and I are taking you out!

Sid - There will be a funeral tonight Warrior. Prepare yourself well.

Animal shakes his head and leaves. Sid's music starts up and he and Vader make their exit too as we take a brief look at the King Of The Ring bracket.

Ross - We're all set for the opening bout of the evening, the first King Of The Ring qualifying match, as World tag champion Bart Gunn, meets "Marvelous" Marc Mero. Let's go to the ring!

Before the contest gets underway, Mero takes the microphone.

Mero - I just want to say a brief words. After I beat Bart Gunn here tonight, and advance in the King Of The Ring, I'm gonna use that momentum on Monday night when I finish the job on Owen Hart. You're looking at the next King of the WWF, and everybody here, including Owen Hart, better accept it.

King Of The Ring Qualifier

"Marvelous" Marc Mero vs Bart Gunn [w/Bob Holly]

The crowd is quiet during this one, having literally no-one to cheer for. It's Gunn who gains the upper hand first, eventually taking Mero down to the mat with a jawbreaker. Gunn keeps control with a shoulderblock and a single-leg takedown, before Mero gets back into it by hitting a powerslam out of nowhere. Gunn executes an excellent reversal of a moonsault bodyblock later in the match to regain the advantage, somehow managing to turn it into a tombstone piledriver. Bart only gets a two count though, and can only get another two count moments later when he hits a gutwrench suplex. This match has a distinct back-and-forth feel to it, and both men get many close counts. Gunn comes agonisingly close to victory when he sits down and cradles Mero's legs after a flying sunset flip, a Tutti Fruitti if you will, from Mero. The crowd starts to come to life at the five and a half minute mark, when Owen Hart comes to ringside. Bob Holly runs across to block him, he doesn't want his partner disqualified, and he and Hart get into a scuffle on the outside. Holly inadvertantly costs his man the match though, as Gunn gets distracted by the outside action. Mero is able to attack Gunn while his mind is elsewhere, and after nailing him with a bulldog, executes the TKO for the three count.

Marc Mero defeated Bart Gunn in 6-07

Rating [.75*]

After the match, Mero joins Holly on the outside in beating on Hart, and they're eventually joined by Gunn as Owen is triple-teamed. Davey Boy Smith eventually arrives and he runs the Express and Mero off, wielding a chair.

Ross - Marc Mero advances in the King Of The Ring, and he'll face the winner of the Billy Gunn/Crush contest on Raw at the pay-per-view! We'll have more singles action when we come back, as Devon Storm will make his in-ring return to the World Wrestling Federation!

<-commercials->

"Dangerous" Devon Storm vs Matt Hardy

The match is already underway when we return from a break, great time management guys. Storm has Hardy in the corner and is hammering away with his fists as we join the contest, before he armdrags him into the centre of the ring. He then nails an elbowdrop, and looks to be in complete control. Storm gets a close two count with an Asai moonsault, and then leaves the ring to grab a chair. Using the chair, Storm springs off and hits a jumping side kick on Hardy, before referee Tim White removes the object from the ring. After keeping Hardy down on the mat with a period of low impact offence, Storm grabs the chair again, though not before admonishing the ref for removing it in the first place. Chair in hand, Devon nails another Asai moonsault, this one obviously more devastating than the last. Hardy finds the strength to kick out at two though, to the surprise and anger of Storm. Storm utilises the chair several times in the match without being disqualified, at one point nearly putting Hardy out cold with a DDT right on it. Devon dominates the entire match, until he goes up to the top rope with Hardy, and sets him up for a hurracanrana. Hardy shoves him right off the turnbuckle, and before Storm can get back to his feet, Matt nails a flying legdrop and gets the pin!

Matt Hardy defeated Devon Storm in 7-45

Rating [***]

After Hardy gets to his feet, he picks up the Cruiserweight title belt that was lying in the corner of the ring all through the match. After pondering leaving with it, he throws it down on the laid out body of Storm.

Ross - Not exactly a great match for Devon Storm, ringrust perhaps evident as it's been over three months since he stepped through the ring ropes. He's certainly gonna get the match of his life though when the WWF Cruiserweight Champion Chris Chetti returns to action. We're gonna go backstage right now, where the *heavyweight* champion is on hand. Take it away Jeff.

Jarrett - JR, I've had to correct you on this many times, your introduction of myself is still lacking. I am the world's *greatest ever* World Heavyweight champion, and this title belt is gonna be mine forever and a day. "Stone Cold" Steve Austin? What happened on Monday night means nothing, and after this month is over, you're gonna be sitting on your ass in Texas, watching Jeff Jarrett strut with the title belt, just like Shawn Michaels is right now. You caught me off my guard at Monday Raw, it will never ever happen again. To wrap up, Sid and Vader? Kiss my ass.

<-commercials->

Ross - Welcome back folks. Jeff Jarrett is certainly playing with fire if he wants to make comments like that to Sycho Sid and Vader. Those two are gonna face the RoadWarriors in a few moments, but before that we're going to be joined by Hunter Hearst Helmsley.

"Are You Ready?"

A pissed off looking Triple-H heads to the ring.

HHH - I'm not here to spout catchphrases, I'm not here to yell 'Suck it!'. I'm here to call out Dustin Runnels, who cost me the Intercontinental Title this past Monday night.

Runnels is quick to put in an appearance, and he makes his way to the ring.

HHH - So what have you got say for yourself?

Runnels - There's nothing I've got to say to you. I have an issue with the Rock, and if you get in my way then so be it.

HHH - Well the fact is, you got in *my* way, and I ain't too happy about it. Maybe the only way I can get a fair shot at the Rock is if I take *you* out first.

Runnels - Well, maybe you're gonna have to Hunter, because *I'm* the one that's gonna beat the Rock for the Intercontinental Title! How about we settle this one on one here tonight? Winner gets the shot at the Rock, no interference.

HHH - Well that sounds about right Dustin, and after I beat your ass 1-2-3 in this ring later tonight, then maybe I will tell you to suck it!

Runnels - Spare me your vulgarites Hunter.

[WWF King Of The Ring 1998 Promo - June 21st]

When we return, the latter half of the Sid/Vader interview is shown.

Ross - We're about to get underway with tag team action as the RoadWarriors, who gave an excellent performance at In Your House against The Headhunters, take on the team of Vader and Sycho Sid! Let's go to the action!

Vader/Sycho Sid vs The RoadWarriors

Vader and Sid come to the ring first, and they attack the RoadWarriors as soon as Hawk and Animal enter the ring. From there it's brutal, as the two monsters dominate their opponents. Both RoadWarriors are battered from pillar to post both inside the ring and out of it. Both men are subjected to three powerbombs each, and Vader wraps it up with the Vadersault, as the Warriors suffer probably their most embarrasing defeat ever. The Warriors are sent down south as Vader and Sid stand tall after the match.

Vader/Sycho Sid defeated The RoadWarriors in 2-51

Rating [-.75*]

Ross - My god, in all my years in this sport, I have *never* seen the RoadWarriors beaten in such a fashion! We're gonna take a break as Animal and Hawk are hauled outta here, don't go away, as when we come back Triple H will go one on one with Dustin Runnels!

<-commercials->

Ross - Before we get to tonight's main event, I can announce that we will be speaking live to former WWF champion Shawn Michaels via satellite on Monday night from San Antonio. When is Michaels coming back? We'll find out on Monday night. Now to our main event, Dustin Runnels versus Hunter Hearst Helmsley!

Dustin Runnels vs Hunter Hearst Helmsley

Out of the lock up, Runnels floors Helmsley right away with his fist and then whips him into the ropes. Helmsley then knocks him right down with a clothesline though, and he takes control at that point. Hunter shoves Dustin into the corner and starts laying the boots in, before getting him mid-ring with a headlock takedown. He keeps Runnels on the mat in the headlock for a while before laying Dustin back on the ropes and attempting to clothesline him out. Runnels ducks and back bodydrops him out though, and Helmsley hits hard on the concrete. After Runnels gives himself a brief moment to recover from the offence Triple-H gave out, before following Hunter out. The punishment that Runnels gives out on the outside puts him in good stead for the next few minutes, as Helmsley takes one hell of a whooping. Triple-H and the concrete floor get very friendly with each other, as Runnels introduces them to each other several times. Back in the ring, Runnels immediately executes a bulldog on Hunter, but to his shock he only gets a two count. Runnels then decides to put Hunter in a reverse chinlock, giving himself a rest after kicking Helmsley's ass for the last few minutes. Helmsley though, is able to fight his way out of the hold and make a recovery. He begins swinging at Dustin with his left hand and eventually takes him down. Clutching his back, He slowly pulls Dustin up to his feet, just as the Rock enters the ring, title belt in hand, and knocks them both down with the gold. The referee motions for the bell to be rung as Maivia starts stomping away on both men. Suddenly he's attacked from behind by Booker T. Booker T nails him with a flurry of punches and then clotheslines him over the top. Rocky manages to retrieve his title belt before running back down the aisle, whilst in the ring Booker T extends his hand to Dustin Runnels, who's lying on the mat. Before Dustin has a chance to either accept it or rebuke it, Booker T is sent to the canvas by a knee from Helmsley to Booker's back. Helmsley is then knocked down himself by a Dustin Runnels clothesline as we go off the air.

Dustin Runnels and Hunter Hearst Helmsley fought to a no-contest in 8-08

Rating [*.5]