Foley Is Pod - Fully Loaded 1998 [Show Notes] (Patreon)

Mick - last month we discussed the 25th anniversary of Hell in a Cell and what an episode it was! You wrote about this in your book regarding the next day…

From Mick’s Book:

“I generally pride myself on how much punishment I can take without the aid of pain medication. For example, I was given a whole bottle of pain pills following my knee surgery and only took one pill in four days. I will admit, however, to taking so much medication after Hell in a Cell that I was in a stupor for the next two days. I looked like a cross between Popeye Doyle when he was strung out on smack in The French Connection II, and an audience after sitting through an Al Snow match.

When I got to the television taping the next day, Francois worked on my poor body for hours while I continually asked female wrestler Luna Vachon to check on the Pay-Per-View replay in the cafeteria. I stumbled into the cafeteria and took a seat. As I mentioned earlier, much of what I was seeing was new to me, and I was shaking with emotion while I watched it, despite my chemically induced condition. When the match ended, I was surprised to see the entire cafeteria, which was filled with the boys, give me a standing ovation. I have never before or since seen a videotape get a standing ovation. It felt very good.”

Mick - the injuries, your body, are you sitting there going - was this not worth it?

If you weren’t so terribly injured - do you know what the plans were for you that night?

Could anyone had told you to go home - and was that the right thing to do?

People have lost their spot over time for not being there - was that a worry about yourself?

On the Raw after, lots of teases of the match between you & Undertaker, buy the replay, etc. Did it feel weird not to be on TV?

On the show - Brawl for All debuts. What did you think of the concept?

Could you had ever participated in it?

Everyone you’re working with, Undertaker, Kane, Steve Austin, are in the main event where Austin wins back the WWF Title from Kane to pop a huge rating. Since you & Austin were the original plan going into the pay-per-view…would this had been the same creative, do you know?

Do you think Kane was hurt by the 1 day title reign?

From the Observer

“The Monday night ratings on 6/29 were a total annihilation for the World Wrestling Federation in every sense of the word. The gap between the quality of the Raw and Nitro shows may have never been greater, and the ratings exemplified that from top-to-bottom. What was also impressive is that after two months of generally declining numbers overall, the overall audience was at a near record pace largely due to Raw, and being that it was in the summer with fewer people watching television, the actual audience share also broke records.

Raw drew its third highest rating in history for the show that was highlighted by Steve Austin beating Kane to regain the WWF title, and the highest mark in history for an opposed show, doing a 5.36 rating (5.17 first hour; 5.56 second hour) and an 8.83 share. It shows that as bad as Nitro was, and it was really bad, that Raw drew a lot of regular Nitro viewers (Nitro dropped from a 4.9 to a 3.6 when Raw started which is a much larger drop than usual), since Nitro drew a very strong first hour, many of which stayed up until 4 a.m. to catch what they missed on Nitro by watching the replay.”

Do you credit yourself with that rating after the buzz of your match with the Undertaker?

The next day you’re back in the ring at State College, Pennsylvania. Before we get into what you did that night…this is the infamous DX parody of the Nation. What did you think of this segment then…and now?

This Raw will go against the infamous Goldberg - Hogan Georgia Dome WCW Title Match where Goldberg would win the title from Hollywood to win the ratings war that night for Nitro. It has been discussed and dissected - even on our own podcast network - but what did you think of the move to put this on TV instead of pay-per-view Mick?

On Raw… from the Torch

“Undertaker came to the ring right away as Jerry Lawler and Ross talked about how upset he is with recent events. Ross hyped that Undertaker’s more maniacal side is showing through. Undertaker demanded a title shot against Austin “and I want it right now.” Michael Cole searched for Austin backstage. Cole finally found Austin and asked him if he accepted his challenge. Austin shoved his way past him and said he didn’t have time to talk to him. Austin walked to the ring. Vince McMahon then came out and announced Austin and Undertaker would have to team together at Fully Loaded.”

This is one of these moments where we see two babyface rivals being forced to team up. This would happen a lot over the next few years…but at the time this was one of the better gimmicks was it not?

Did you know at this point the plan was for you & Kane to face off against them in the main event?

“McMahon entered the ring and called out Mankind, Kane, and Undertaker. McMahon complimented Mankind on his effort at King of the Ring and thanked him for all he has done for the WWF. He said he feels his pain. McMahon called Kane the stupidest man he’s ever seen in his life for giving Austin the title shot. He then called Undertaker an evil, diabolical excuse for a human being and accused him of almost killing Mankind at King of the Ring. He said the TV main event would be a Triple Threat match among all three to determine the new number one contender.”

Do you think that was legitimate and genuine from Vince on what he said to you in the ring?

Were you ready to be in the ring on this night?

“McMahon came to ringside to do commentary for the Triple Threat match. Steve Austin then came to ringside, gave McMahon the finger, and sat at the other end of the announcers’ table.

Mankind came to the ring first, followed by Kane. Undertaker’s music played twice, but each time he didn’t come out. McMahon entered the ring and made the ring announcer say, “Due to the fact that Undertaker isn’t here because he is chickensh–, Mankind will wrestle Kane one-on-one.” He added that the match would be no holds barred, falls count anywhere. Mankind, who was sitting at ringside, said, “I have given enough and am not going to give anymore. I will not under any circumstances fight my friend Kane.” Kane stepped out of the ring and grabbed a chair. He hit Mankind from behind with a chair. Kane threw Mankind into the ring and scored the pin. Kane unmasked to reveal Undertaker dressed as Kane, so Undertaker is the number one contender.”

The chair shot - obviously is shot in a way that makes it seem like it killed you - did it?

This is another one of those infamous moments where Kane rips off the mask and it’s the Undertaker - and the crowd goes nuts. But you’re very much a backdrop here…were you feeling that?

From your book…

“Many people point to King of the Ring as the match that catapulted my career to the top. Actually, I found this not to be the case. To me the match with the Undertaker is kind of like the famous Willie Mays catch in the World Series over thirty years ago, in that it has grown in legend. A review of the cell match shows my entrance receiving almost no reaction, and even the chants of “Foley, Foley” in Pittsburgh were depressingly slight. In reality, I found my career to be somewhat sluggish after the famous showdown, with three specific moments sticking out as low points in my career.

I suffered an even greater indignity, this time at the hands of Rena Mero. We were both brought in to Fall River, Massachusetts, for a fund-raiser, and set up at separate tables for autographs. I guess a blind man can see where this one is heading. After a few thirty-minute rush of autograph seekers, I sat in silence, while a parade of horny teenagers paraded past me and plopped down their ten bucks for Rena’s autograph and a peek at her cleavage. I was literally sick to my stomach. My body still ached from the Hell in a Cell, which the Fall River fans were acknowledging as the greatest match they had ever seen, while they walked past with the Rena photos in hand. I guess to add to my previous list, big boobs were in and dedication, sacrifice, and fourteen years of blood, sweat, and tears were out.”

Is this something you’re putting in your mind for a heel turn later on…or are you genuinely pissed about it?

What is Sable’s reaction to this or does she not even notice?

Do you voice this to anyone?

Why do you think it was tough to get going after Hell in a Cell? Was it time off from being injured?

From the Observer

Steve Austin and Mankind both missed the weekend shows in Canada where they were scheduled to oppose each other in the main events. After Austin did the arm- wrestling deal for the kick-off of ticket sales for the Foxboro Stadium show on 7/1, his staph infection in the elbow started getting worse and he contracted another low grade fever and was under doctor's care all weekend and taking strong antibiotics. He was scheduled to return on 7/10 to film a segment for the MTV show "Fantasies" and work the Boston Gardens main event that night.

Mankind is all banged up from his match with Undertaker. Contrary to reports elsewhere, he did not suffer any broken bones in the match, although his ribs were badly bruised and he had a lot of soft tissue damage and his mouth is a mess from losing three bottom teeth and the dental work necessary to repair them.

He hasn't been able to eat any solid food since the match and is in a lot of pain both standing up and sitting down, not to mention a probable concussion and a dislocated jaw. The expectations were that he would be back wrestling in Boston as well. Undertaker's ankle problems aren't getting any better. Apparently he had a similar injury about four years ago and had surgery, and doesn't want to go through the surgery again feeling the pain from the operation is worse than the pain from working on the floating bone chips, so is just going to work through it.

I mean Mick…this is some serious stuff. How is Colette and the kids handling this?

The week after State College the WWF is in East Rutherford and WCW is coming off the Goldberg title win…Karl Malone & Dennis Rodman (appearing at Starrcast by the way) in the pay-per-view main event…and you’d assume WCW would win the Monday Night Ratings war. But you’d be wrong…Raw with a 4.65 rating and Nitro with a 4.46. Does that show just how hot the WWF was at the time?

Raw draws a sellout of 17,569 with 15,620 paying $323,987. Mick - we never discussed this - but your payoff for King of the Ring…what was it like?

Were you noticing pay increases as the business was getting hotter?

On Raw Undertaker defeated Vader with a tombstone but you would run in to hit Undertaker with a chair but Kane takes the chair from you and hits Vader with it. This story of the brothers possibly coming together for the first time - what did you think of this twist in the story?

Is this some of the best Vince Russo work in the WWF?

Also later that night…

Kane & Mankind beat New Age Outlaws to win the tag titles in 5:35. HHH and X-Pac were again brawling with the Nation in the aisle when D-Lo Brown came out and frog splashed Road Dog with his chest protector, allowing Kane to pin him after a tombstone.

Mick - this is the second time you’ve won the Tag Team Titles…does it have the same meaning as the first time as Dude Love with Austin?

This would lead to you wrestling again later that night when DX complained about the fact they lost the titles and now Austin & Taker had to be referees for the match. With all your injuries…wrestling twice in one night…couldn’t it had been fun could it?

Mike Choida gets bumped, Road Dogg has Kane pinned and Austin slides in and gets to a 2 count before Taker pulls him out. Kane then choke slammed Dogg and Taker counted 2 then Austin stopped him. Kane attacks Austin…Taker attacks you and the show ends with everyone bumping for Taker & Austin…

When you have all these people involved in putting something together like this…it’s hard for it to be good but it was still entertaining was it not?

The next day Raw is taped in Bethlehem for the go home Raw for Fully Loaded. The story is that Vince is trying to figure out if Undertaker & Kane have formed a secret alliance. This is Vince at his best is it not?

Taker chokeslams Vince and Vince punishes him by putting him in a handicap match against you & Kane later on that night…then it changes to having Austin in the match instead…we know Taker was banged up going into King of the Ring…but how is he after…it feels like Kane is the only one healthy out of all of you…

The show ends with Austin giving Mankind the stunner. Kane stopped the count. Austin escaped a chokeslam with a low blow. Undertaker swung at Austin, but hit Kane, for the DQ. Austin gave chairshots to Kane, Mankind, and Undertaker, then left.

Did Undertaker mean to hit Kane or Austin….? How do you feel the build to this was?

Raw is not losing - winning 7 of 8 weeks with the only week being Goldberg & Hogan. How do you feel about this? How does the locker room?

Now let’s get to Fully Loaded!

The show is not…great…or really well remembered outside of the Sable & Jacqueline bikini contest…

Also Rock and Hunter do a 30 minute iron man match…you could see their potential bubbling up at this point with DX & the Nation around them couldn’t you?

Also the Dungeon match between Owen Hart & Ken Shamrock with Dan Severn as special guest referee…you can just see how much Owen could’ve been doing more couldn’t you?

The show has a storyline throughout the show where Undertaker had not shown up and it was unknown if he would be there. Paul Bearer called Taker a coward. This during the pay-per-view to make it feel like a TV show is one of those little things that changed the way the product was presented and made it better in my opinion - what say you?

The New Age Outlaws came out and challenged you & Kane to a tag team title match the next night at Raw and there was a brawl that took place…this is to set up the audience in thinking you & Kane are retaining the titles right?

Also on the show…Later, Vince McMahon came out with Pat Patterson, Gerald Brisco and Sgt. Slaughter. They teased the idea of Undertaker no-showing, and McMahon announced as the promoter he was going to give the fans a suitable main event sub, and brought out Brooklyn Brawler.

That would’ve been something wouldn’t it?

We’re finally at the match!

“8. Undertaker & Steve Austin beat Mankind & Kane to win the WWF tag titles in 17:28.

Austin worked really hard but had to carry the match for the other three, and thus even though it was a better than average match, it was way below the standards of most WWF PPV main events and WWF sells its shows on its main events. It wasn't a bad match, but just that the expected standard is so high it was disappointing. Undertaker came out to new music. I wouldn't have messed with that trademark.”

Were any of you ready for this match?

What did you think of the change to Undertaker’s entrance/music, would you had changed anything?

“They teased Undertaker and Austin breaking up from the start. It looked like they were going to come to blows before the match started but both were attacked from behind. Austin and Kane brawled early. Undertaker took a clean tag from Austin, but then flipped him off and Austin laughed at him. Undertaker, who has gained a lot of weight, probably because he can't train on his ankle, appeared to gas out about 5:00 in, which is better than the night before when he gassed out almost immediately.”

How tough was Taker’s body hurting him - and what’s yours like?

“Kane used a choke slam on him and Mankind a double arm DDT, but Austin made the save for him. Mankind and Undertaker did the clothesline spot with both going over the top. Mankind teased doing the elbow off the apron to the floor, but Austin shoved him off the apron onto the new unbreakable Spanish table.”

Were the Spanish announce guys very worried about doing your matches at this point?

“Undertaker backdropped Mankind on the floor but Kane ran Undertaker into the steps. Undertaker hit the 4,000th DDT of the card and tagged to Austin. Austin clocked Kane with a hard chair shot for a near fall. Kane came back with a high kick and threw Austin over the top. Kane dropped Austin's throat on the guard rail. Austin sold for the next several minutes before being hit with a choke slam by Kane, and Kane protected Austin on the bump noticeably more than he would anyone else (hey, when the meal ticket has a bad neck, you protect him).”

A lot of DDTs in this match - there’s been some talk lately by JR that the DDT shouldn’t be used as a transition move - what say you?

“He teased a tombstone, but Austin got free and hit Kane with a chair and went for the tag. At first they acted as if Undertaker wouldn't tag in, but after teasing it, he did tag, and gave high choke slams to both Mankind and Kane, then put the tombstone on Kane for the pin. Undertaker then grabbed both tag belts and left, leaving Austin in the ring without a belt. **¾”

Was this the right finish? Would you had done Taker pinning Kane?

Are you happy with the match or your run after Hell in a Cell?

Was there anything you could do that that would allow you to change it?