411’s WWE Heat Report 11.12.06

Anyway, I think we have some wrestling to discuss. You’re probably aware that unlike Raw and Smackdown!, Heat is now available exclusively on WWE.com. The video-on-demand nature of Heat allows me to screen each episode for you while still allowing you to watch all or part of the show after reading my report. I want this column to be a resource to help you decide which segments are worth watching and which segments are worth skipping. However, I also want to cover each segment in detail for those of you who do not have the time, the desire, or the ability to watch Heat yourself. I’m going to try and meet both of these goals by separating this column into a preview and a review. The preview will include the title of each segment, the tag line for each segment, the running time for each segment, and the non-spoiler bottom line on whether or not the segment is worth watching. The review will include a detailed description of all of the action in each segment. Okay kids, enough with the boring stuff. Let’s get to the wrestling.

The Preview

Segment 1: Raw vs. Smackdown
Tag Line: Just days before Raw met Smackdown at Survivor Series, JBL and HBK did battle on the Nov. 21, 2005 Raw.
Running Time: 10:26
Bottom Line: This match was mostly designed to build towards the Raw vs. Smackdown match at Survivor Series 2005, but HBK and JBL still put alot of effort into some great in-ring action. It’s a good match by Raw standards and a great match by Heat standards, so go ahead and watch it.

Segment 2: Redneck vs. Nature Boy
Tag Line: Trevor Murdoch challenged Ric Flair for the Intercontinental Championship on the Nov. 21, 2005 Raw.
Running Time: 4:15
Bottom Line: Trevor Murdoch wrestles on Heat all the time, but it is a special day indeed when the Nature Boy himself makes an appearance. This may not have been the best match of Flair’s run as Intercontinental Champion, but it’s still fun to watch Flair in the midst of yet another career revitalization. Watch it.

Segment 3: European Championship
Tag Line: Shawn Michaels challenged British Bulldog for the European Championship at One Night Only on Sept. 20, 1997.
Running Time: 8:39
Bottom Line: Watch it. Seriously. Watch it. Right now. Watch it. This one quite simply has it all. Cocky heel Shawn Michaels. The British Bulldog Davey Boy Smith in his home country. The original Degeneration X. The Hart Foundation. Earl Hebner. Oh, and a rather controversial finish that might seem just a bit too familiar…

Segment 4: No Holds Barred
Tag Line: World Heavyweight Champion Batista squared off with Randy Orton on Smackdown on Nov. 25, 2005.
Running Time: 7:58
Bottom Line: Much like the match in the first segment, this match was mostly designed to build towards the Raw vs. Smackdown match at Survivor Series 2005. However, unlike the match in the first segment, there’s hardly any in-ring action in this match before it breaks down into an all-out brawl between the Raw and Smackdown locker rooms. It’s mostly just a carbon copy of every other massive brawl you’ve ever seen, so feel free to skip it.

The Review

Segment 1: Raw vs. Smackdown
(Shawn Michaels vs. John Bradshaw Layfield in a Lumberjack Match from the 11.21.05 episode of Raw)

J.D. Dunn covered this match in his 11.21.05 RAWtopsy.
Peter Kent covered this match in his 11.21.05 Violent Panda Monday Night Review.

Segment 2: Redneck vs. Nature Boy
(Ric Flair vs. Trevor Murdoch for the Intercontinental Championship from the 11.21.05 episode of Raw)

J.D. Dunn covered this match in his 11.21.05 RAWtopsy.
Peter Kent covered this match in his 11.21.05 Violent Panda Monday Night Review.

Segment 3: European Championship
(Shawn Michaels vs. the British Bulldog for the European Championship from One Night Only on 09.20.97)

We jump to the footage of Shawn Michaels vs. the British Bulldog for the European Championship from 0ne Night Only on 09.20.07. We join the action already in progress, and the British Bulldog is down in the middle of the ring. Michaels climbs to the top turnbuckle and connect with a flying elbow drop to Bulldog. Michaels again climbs to the top turnbuckle and connects with a second flying elbow drop to Bulldog. Michaels heads to the corner and begins to tune up the band, but Bulldog is unable to get back to his feet on his own. Michaels drags Bulldog back to his feet, guides him over to the corner, and props him up against the top turnbuckle. Michaels heads back to the middle of the ring, tunes up the band, and goes for Sweet Chin Music, but Bulldog just manages to slide out of the way. Michaels leg flies over the top rope and then he crotches himself on the top turnbuckle. Bulldog lifts Michaels onto his shoulder and goes for his Running Powerslam, but Michaels “Insurance Policy” Ravishing Rick Rude reaches into the ring and grabs Bulldog’s ankle. Michaels slides off of Bulldog’s shoulder and lands on his feet on the mat. Bulldog frees himself from Rude’s grip and clotheslines Michaels over the top rope. Bulldog heads out of the ring, lifts Michaels onto his shoulder, and again goes for his Running Powerslam, but in the process Bulldog’s foot slips between the elevated mat and the guard rail. Bulldog falls forward and drops Michaels in a sort of face-down Razor’s Edge. Bulldog and Michaels both get back to their feet, but Michaels immediately hits Bulldog with Sweet Chin Music. Michaels slides back in the ring as Triple H, Chyna, and Rude repeatedly slam the guard rail into Bulldog’s knee. Triple H drags Bulldog back to his feet and hits the Pedigree before Chyna and Rude roll Bulldog back into the ring.

Michaels pulls Bulldog to the middle of the ring and removes Bulldog’s knee brace. Michaels heads to the corner with the knee brace and tosses it into the front row where Bulldog’s wife Diana Hart is sitting. Michaels then heads back to the middle of the ring and applies the Figure Four Leg Lock to Bulldog. Referee Earl Hebner checks on Bulldog as Triple H and Chyna pull on Michaels’ arms to apply additional leverage. Bulldog seems to be in excruciating pain but refuses to submit. Triple H and Chyna continue to pull on Michaels’ arms whenever Hebner has his back turned. Hebner continues to check on Bulldog and finally decides that he has passed out from the pain. Hebner calls for the bell and awards the victory to Michaels even though Bulldog never submitted. Man, that seems eerily familiar… Anyway, the fans in attendance scream in horror as they realize what has just happened. Michaels is inundated with trash as he grabs the microphone to further taunt the crowd. Michaels makes a special point of mocking the Hart Family in general and Diana Hart in particular. Michaels reapplies the Figure Four Leg Lock to Bulldog, but Diana Hart has had enough. Diana jumps the guard rail, climbs into the ring, and attacks Michaels, but Chyna easily pulls her away. Bret Hart and Owen Hart rush down the ramp and slide into the ring to lend their assistance, and at this point DX decides to head for the hills. DX makes their way back up the ramp as Bret, Owen, and Diana check on Bulldog in the ring.

Match Result: Shawn Michaels defeats the British Bulldog with the Figure Four Leg Lock.
Match Length: 5:08 (shown)
Best Spot: Hebner calling for the bell even though Bulldog never submitted.

Segment 4: No Holds Barred
(Batista vs. Randy Orton in a No Holds Barred Match for the World Heavyweight Championship from the 11.25.05 episode of Smackdown)

Scott Fried covered this match in his 11.25.05 411’s WWE Smackdown Report.
Larry Csonka covered this match in his 11.25.05 Tremendous Tirade: WWE Smackdown.
J.D. Dunn covered this match in his 11.25.05 Smackdown Breakdown.