- 29/05/2025
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00:00Last year at the King of the Ring Spectacular, that's where it started for Stone Cold Steve Austin.
00:04Mankind, you are one step away from becoming King of the Ring for 1997.
00:10The only thing that stands in your way, Hunter Hearst Helmsley.
00:13Well, I may not feel like a million bucks, how do I look?
00:18But I'll tell you this much, Hunter Hearst Helmsley better be driving a train
00:24and better be willing to run me over because I'm not going down for anyone.
00:30And there's a line from a movie I once walked by, and I feel very strongly about it right now,
00:36which says, I just can't wait to be King.
00:42Have a nice day.
00:46Back to you guys.
00:48Thank you very much.
00:49Oh my, what a matchup this is going to be, ladies and gentlemen.
00:52Here he comes.
01:00This is the final match to the title of the 1927 King of the Ring,
01:08Sgt. No. 1 of 4.
01:11Coming down the aisle, waiting to the present of Mankind.
01:19Mankind victorious earlier on.
01:21We'll take a look at it now.
01:22Jerry the King Roller looked like he was in control, until, ha ha ha.
01:28The most debilitating maneuver in the entire WWF, the deadly mandible claw.
01:35And can you imagine, that claw, that covering, must just reek with odor.
01:42How would Helmsley react to have his gullet filled with Mankind's fist?
01:47Actually, I don't think I've ever thought about that.
01:53Nonetheless, we could be looking at the next King of the Ring in Mankind.
01:59However, here we go.
02:03All right.
02:26Hunter Hearst Helmsley, victorious in his first outing and an upset with Ahmed Johnson.
02:33And Chyna distracting Ahmed, which then led Hunter Hearst Helmsley on the victory.
02:39Here we go, earlier tonight.
02:41Well, Ahmed Johnson, I thought, had the match won.
02:45Chyna, the distraction, Chyna, the diversion, and then the pedigree.
02:50And nobody, not even Ahmed Johnson, is gonna recover from the pedigree.
02:55Take a look, Hunter Hearst Helmsley's bodyguard, 200 pounds, Chyna.
03:05Helmsley is a blue blood.
03:08Mankind has lost blood all over the world, and is proud of it.
03:13Helmsley probably feels that this is his birthright to be the king of the WWF.
03:19But on the other hand, Nicky Foley, also known as Mankind, this without a doubt will be the biggest pure thrill of his life.
03:29And I'm not so sure, Vince, that this guy, Mankind, he's gotta be hurting with that neck.
03:34He's reacting too much to his neck for it not to be injured, and this is what it's all about, the finals here to the king of the ring.
03:47Helmsley might even think that it's beneath him to not to wrestle a man like Mankind.
03:52Battered, scarred, bleeding, and you brought out earlier on, in all likelihood, with an injured neck as a result of what we saw earlier on.
04:02I don't know what's just harder to fathom, King Mankind or Queen Chyna.
04:11There she is.
04:17Hunter Hearst Helmsley.
04:20You can make fun all you want of his snootiness, if you look, or his arrogance, but you can't take away his athleticism.
04:30Helmsley is a, he's a magnificent athlete.
04:35He was taught well.
04:37Taylor Kowalski, as we mentioned, trained Helmsley.
04:39Helmsley is a thinking man's wrestler.
04:42But for that matter, at least in my estimation, Vince, so is Mankind.
04:47He's much, he has an incredibly high IQ, does Mankind.
04:51And an incredibly high threshold of pain.
04:57Top breast lock.
05:01This is a match, I'm sure, that earlier today, Mankind was thinking, what a great night it would be for Dude Love.
05:09A good old Dude Love could just be here now.
05:11An alter ego, of course, of Mankind.
05:17But if Mankind can pull him off, just imagine the support he will garner from WWF fans all over the world.
05:26I don't know if they'll know how to react to it, quite frankly, JR.
05:29I think win, lose, or draw, Mankind is on his way to overwhelming popularity.
05:34And when you hear the guy's story, look, continue to tell this story.
05:39This Monday Night on Raw is for the final installment.
05:44It's a, well, it's just been an amazing eye-opening experience, certainly for me,
05:50to have the opportunity to talk to this man.
05:51One, two, three.
05:55Hunter Hearst sounds like being mauled somewhat by Mankind, as Mankind sets him up.
06:04Oh, he was going for it right there, JR.
06:06And he mandible claw.
06:08Dr. Sam Shepard perfected that maneuver about three decades ago, it would seem.
06:14Mankind kind of brought it back out of the closet, so to speak, when he came to the WWF.
06:20Boy, these guys have got a stark contrast, and their home life, and their youth, and
06:31their upbringing, as you could ever imagine.
06:36Helmsley, the rich, affluent, born in the silver spoon in his mouth, blue blood.
06:42And of course, Mick Foley was hitchhiking to Madison Square Garden when he was in junior high,
06:47back, just to see the WWF superstar.
06:50Yes, but they both have been students of the game, and continue to be.
06:56Although, obviously, very different styles.
06:59Has Helmsley ever tried to buy the WWF?
07:02I don't believe so.
07:03It's not for sale, is it?
07:04All right, Ed, and Mankind is in control at the moment.
07:10Well, if it breaks down into a slugfest, you know, Mankind got to be the overwhelming favorite.
07:18Yeah, I agree with that.
07:19When you're outside here, surrounded by steel and concrete, you're in Mankind territory.
07:24This is not the Russian Tea Room in New York City.
07:31This is not Veterans Jewelers on Venice Avenue.
07:34No, it's the Providence Civic Center, the site of the 97 King of the Ring.
07:41And Chyna is starting to slowly make a move.
07:44And she is not above getting physically involved in Mr. Helmsley's matches.
07:52Several weeks ago on Shotgun Saturday night, these two men met.
07:55And Chyna, to say she made her presence felt, would be a gross understatement.
08:02Mankind, against Helmsley, the winner is the King of the Ring, and Mankind.
08:11Well, the last time the two men met, Chyna was some low blows.
08:18Mankind was talking like Terry Strug, the little Olympian, for about two or
08:22three days after that low blow from Chyna.
08:24In other words, his voice was rather high pitched.
08:28I got it, JR, thank you.
08:29You don't know where I'm going here.
08:30Mankind's neck snapped right backwards.
08:35They came off and struck that buckle, clever maneuver on the part of Hunter Hearst Helmsley.
08:39Helmsley with the advantage, and he wants to keep it, I can tell you that.
08:42The pace quickens here.
08:44Here we go, Helmsley now off the rope in, neckbreaker again, more damage to the neck.
08:48Helmsley certainly reminds me of some of the great veterans,
08:52some that are still competing these days, that are masters of the game.
08:55Again, thinking men's wrestlers, so technically sound.
08:59Helmsley has those traits, and for a guy in his mid-twenties, I mean,
09:04the sky is the limit for someone with the cerebral abilities of Hunter Hearst Helmsley.
09:10Notwithstanding, he does have a slight advantage psychologically and physically sometimes with that female bodyguard on the outside, Chyna.
09:21And again, more damage to the neck.
09:28Helmsley, really going to work on Mankind.
09:32And you can bet, as we outlined earlier on in a matchup with Jerry the King Lawler,
09:37Helmsley was watching every second.
09:42Helmsley is a student, he'll pick you apart, Winnie J.R.
09:48Yeah, no doubt about it, Helmsley is a man that studies videotapes.
09:51He certainly prepares diligently, as diligently as anybody here.
09:56But when it comes down to a fist fight, how do you prepare for that?
10:00And quite frankly, how do you prepare for the unpredictable nature of Mankind?
10:04I don't know that you can.
10:10You know, for my conversations with Mankind, you think you know where you're going with a line of questioning.
10:16But it seems like you never get there, because I'm not so sure Mankind fully understands how to express himself.
10:25He's had so many unique experiences in his life.
10:28But then again, he's actually quite eloquent, once he begins talking to you in a different environment.
10:35Well, yeah, you know, he's very well read, he's quoted Shakespeare.
10:39He's a very unusual person, to put it nicely.
10:45I don't know if I call him a renaissance man, but maybe a-
10:49Well, look at this, right in front of China.
10:53Well, when you can bench press 320 pounds,
11:01you know those right hands have some meaning, and so does that heel.
11:07Way down low, one of those Gulotta's, Andrew Gulotta.
11:14And luckily for Mankind, the referee did not see that real infraction.
11:22That would have been an automatic disqualification.
11:26But right now, Mankind, certainly with the presence of mind, you know exactly what to do.
11:31Presence of exactly where the official was, look out, no, no, no, Mankind.
11:35Good Lord, he's hung, Mankind is hung.
11:41And not for the- Mankind, as Bass came right off and he puts it right back on.
11:49And caught in those ropes, a devastating, imagine.
11:55Imagine how much pressure was on the face and maybe even that damaged ear.
12:03No, and look at this, Mankind, trying to get back in, Mankind.
12:09Did you see his head, again, right into the barrier?
12:13Mankind's skull has struck the steel several times tonight in the first match with Jerry Lawler,
12:19and here with Hounsley.
12:20No.
12:21And again, the head, the trauma to the head and the neck of Mankind may become simply overwhelming.
12:33China looking on as Mankind almost helpless thrown into the ring.
12:40Let's see now if Hunter Hearst Helmsley can capitalize on the damage done to the heck,
12:45the head and neck area of Mankind.
12:53Helmsley now drops right in the back of the neck again.
12:59Drops the knee.
13:02Great move there by Hunter Hearst Helmsley.
13:04Helmsley, a Harley Race knee drop back to the back of the head again.
13:09That concussion, that impact on Mankind's head and neck.
13:15The official there to ask Mankind if he wants to give it up.
13:19Oh, and a rake in the face there by Hunter Hearst Helmsley.
13:23I think Helmsley was trying to twist that neck some more.
13:25Get a bend.
13:32Helmsley is so smart, so well schooled.
13:35I don't think you'll see Helmsley attempt anything but
13:38upper body moves specifically on the head and neck.
13:41And Mankind, yes.
13:48Yes, Mankind driving Hunter Hearst Helmsley into the ropes, and those ropes just snapped.
13:55Mr. Helmsley's back, and that is probably enough to get him.
13:58No, no.
13:59Right shoulder, barely up.
14:01Both these men are physically hurting right now.
14:03This is the second match tonight for both of them.
14:06This is the finals of the King of the Ring.
14:08Mankind with a hot shot, dropping Helmsley south on the ropes.
14:16Here we go.
14:17Mankind, what will he do now that Hunter Hearst Helmsley?
14:26You gotta think Mankind just looking for the opportunity for the mandible claw.
14:32Double leg pickup of Mankind's, either his equilibrium or the pain was so riveting
14:37that he couldn't maintain control of Hunter Hearst Helmsley.
14:40Yeah, it almost turned into a DDT there from Helmsley.
14:46Mankind, back to his feet, again.
14:51Got a lot of fancy maneuvering here, Mankind.
14:55Here, that's what he does best.
14:56Look what he's doing now.
14:57Come on, Nick.
14:58Yeah!
14:58What's that?
15:00Fire!
15:01Dude!
15:03Wow!
15:03Yeah!
15:04Very effective.
15:09Mankind holding the back of his neck.
15:14Mankind with Hunter Hearst Helmsley now.
15:16Both men back to their feet, and it looks like Helmsley, yes.
15:19Look out!
15:27Mankind hurt himself, I think.
15:29Helmsley tied upside down, got the blood of the blow.
15:32But the impact alone has re-injured or continued to injure and pain Mankind.
15:38Mankind now with Hunter Hearst Helmsley, and Helmsley threw the ropes to the outside.
15:54Look out.
15:55Mankind going for a baseball slide.
15:58And now again, they're out of here, no man's land!
16:01And no mats, no padding.
16:07Concrete floor.
16:12Mankind.
16:15I think I have an idea of what he might be doing here.
16:17Watch this, JR.
16:19Mankind, here we go, watch him.
16:21Let's see if he can throw him in the ring and polish him off now.
16:40Somebody's probably sitting in someone's living room saying, but they know how to fall.
16:44How do you learn how to fall on concrete?
16:47Here's another look at it.
16:51Impact, if they go back live now.
16:55That should do it.
16:56A double earned DDT.
16:59Mankind's got the pin, Chyna's got the referee distracted.
17:05And the shoulder apparently came off.
17:08Once again, Chyna has prevented Helmsley from losing.
17:13Just as Chyna distracted Ahmed Johnson.
17:16And got involved in the first match up, so now she's involved in this one.
17:24Uh-oh.
17:24Had a great time.
17:25No.
17:27There it is, there it is.
17:32The mandible call, the mandible call, it'll be all over.
17:37No, Chyna just pulled him straight out.
17:43Over the official's head.
17:44What did you do?
17:51Maybe we have another look at it.
17:53Chyna reached right out.
17:55As Chyna continues to look on and become more and more involved in this match now.
18:13A neckbreaker right off the ropes.
18:15And Mankind falls limp to the floor.
18:19A neckbreaker, a tremendous maneuver.
18:22And remember, Helmsley can win this thing via count out.
18:26But yet, Mankind somehow is back up on his feet.
18:34Well, he says he's the king of the death matches.
18:39Well, let's hope that the- And that's the environment we have here.
18:42Yeah.
18:43And off comes the mask.
18:44Oh, look at this.
18:46Hunter Hurst, Helmsley.
19:04A thumb right to the eye, it was seen right there.
19:08That causes the separation.
19:10Helmsley again gets a reprieve.
19:13Inverted atomic drop.
19:16Mankind with Helmsley.
19:20What are you going to do with him?
19:21Helmsley's in the world of hurt.
19:23Here's a cover.
19:24And a kick out by Helmsley.
19:26Helmsley wants to be the king of the ring just as badly as Mankind.
19:32Here we go, both men over.
19:43Both men on the outside.
19:45That had to take its toll on both men.
19:48You have to wonder what would happen if both men were carried out here.
19:52A man, look at Mankind's fight.
19:54His body's got to be wrecked with pain.
19:57He's got to be hurting from head to toe.
19:58He's got to be hurt.
20:00Oh, no.
20:01Oh, no.
20:02China pulled Helmsley out of the way.
20:05And Mankind missed the reverse elbow and struck his head on the steel security railing for the
20:11up-peak time.
20:12Head first, head first, Smiths.
20:21Run into the steel steps.
20:27What are you doing?
20:30And right out in front of us.
20:35Wait a minute.
20:39Don't do that.
20:41Get him off the table.
20:54Go!
21:07Go!
21:08Go!
21:08I don't know if this is working or not, and I'm back with you, J.I.
21:34I don't know if mine is or not either.
21:36Unbelievable.
21:38Mankind, but look at him, he's back.
21:41No.
21:45Chana just shattered that steel scepter on the back of the head of Mankind.
21:53She just shattered him, yet he's still up on his feet somehow.
21:57Mankind wants to win this.
22:00The photographer got knocked down, and I don't know, Tom Buchanan, that photographer was just nailed by Mankind as Mankind went flying out.
22:17And look at this, what kind of carnage could possibly continue as Turner looks off.
22:32This capacity crowd very much.
22:35They're cheering for Mankind, but there may be nothing left of Mrs. Foley's baby boy.
22:41There can be.
22:42No!
22:43I can't believe it!
22:44I can't believe that!
22:45I can't believe that!
22:46No!
22:47No!
22:48I can't believe it!
22:49I can't believe that!
22:50I can't believe that!
22:51I can't believe it!
22:52I can't believe it!
22:53I can't believe it!
22:54I can't believe it!
22:55I can't believe it!
22:56I can't believe it!
22:57I can't believe it!
22:58How can mankind do what he is doing?
22:59The kind of pain this man has enjoyed it!
23:00Here we go!
23:01Hemsley sets him up with a paragraph!
23:06Inside and out to beat him!
23:09It is!
23:13Blue is up!
23:15And...
23:16New!
23:17New!
23:18New!
23:19New!
23:20New!
23:21New!
23:22New!
23:23New!
23:24New!
23:25New!
23:26New!
23:28New!
23:29New!
23:30New!
23:31third!
23:34We need help out here from mankind!
23:35My God, look at him.
23:36He looks like he's been on a car wreck!
23:38He looks like he's gone through the windshield!
23:40除 of his trilogy, victorious and
23:48pointing over to Todd Pentingill.
23:50All right, let's take a look at the scepter.
23:55That was used by Charter behind the official back,
23:58watch this!
23:59that's a metal scepter she's a jezebel and then of course the pedigree wait a minute let's get
24:07back up live tom pettengill was just brought into the ring oh look at this pettengill was
24:14reluctant to come into the ring and do the coronation because of mankind's presence
24:20in china just hurled pettengill right into the ring well that's a call for tasteless
24:25absolutely tasteless ladies and gentlemen
24:30is somebody gonna help mankind your royal robe
24:36you know the hell of the coronation we got a man hurt here
24:43in front of mankind look at this how much humiliation
24:48your uh your scepter was destroyed but here is your crown
25:02and hunter hirst tombsley ladies and gentlemen brown
25:09there he goes no and helmsley with that crown just hammering into the back of mankind as helmsley
25:20that is sick mankind was inching toward helmsley ladies and gentlemen the 1997 king of the ring
25:34hunter hirst helmsley
25:36i don't know how but somehow jr we're gonna have to get used to the moniker of king helmsley and i would suspect
25:58here is
25:59queen china
26:00queen china and mankind look mankind is starting to move oh no
26:06that's uh that's amazing
26:09he's crawling on his hands and his knees and will not quit
26:16mankind still wants to go he's up on his he still wants to go
26:20and helmsley is restraining china it looks like
26:25To get her back.
26:32Mankind crawling to get back up.
26:35I think he wants to have more of Hunter Hearst Helmsley.
26:38He'll have to wait for another day.
26:41This is so sad.
26:43It's literally heartbreaking.
26:45How much more could this guy give?
26:49All right, let's take it now, ladies and gentlemen, to some of the footage
26:52that led us up to the Shawn Michaels Stone Cold individual matchup
26:58as we take a look at Mankind here.
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