MANKIND VS. AL SNOW

 Mankind defeated Duane Gill to advance in the tournament earlier in the night, Al Snow beat Jeff Jarrett. Mankind is out first in his tuxedo. He’s the current Hardcore Champion before it really meant anything. We get a replay of Mankind’s first round match (here) during his entrance. Al Snow enters with Head which (who?) had Mr Socko wrapped around it (them?) as a headband. We see the finish to the Jarrett vs. Al Snow match (here).

Jim Ross and Jerry “The King” Lawler are on commentary for this match. The Fink is our Ring announcer. The quarterfinals matches have a 15-minute time limit.

 

MANKIND  VS. AL SNOW

(Deadly Games Tournament Quarterfinals)

WWF Survivor Series 1998 (15^th November 1998)

  Al Snow attacks at the bell, striking Mankind in the corner. Mankind crawls away but is choked on the middle rope.

  Mankind tries to make some space again, getting to his feet but Al Snow chokes him in the corner. Mankind is sent into the turnbuckles and takes it to the chest, putting him in an awkward position for the clothesline. Al Snow dropkicks Mankind through the ropes and commentary are talking about Mankind’s makeover and his relationship with Mr. McMahon. Mankind grabs the timekeeper’s chair but is cut off with a right hand before he can use it. Al Snow gets 2 shots to the midsection though, suddenly disqualifications don’t matter. Al Snow swings for Mankind’s head with the chair but hits the ring post. A superkick knocks Mankind down and Al Snow vaults into the crowd. He climbs on the security wall and a flying fuck all allows Mankind to jab Al Snow in the throat. Al Snow is lifted in the air and dropped face-first across the chair before Mankind gets back in the ring. Al Snow smiled as he got back to his feet and commentary missed it. He gets back in the ring only to get choked on the mat as we see McMahon backstage with his three assistants.

Pat Patterson says Mankind hasn’t noticed Mr. Socko yet as Snow and Mankind exchange rights in the corner. We see the ring from over what would be Head’s shoulder as Mankind sends Al Snow across the ring, Al Snow slides to a stop and drops Mankind with a dragon whip. Al Snow tries to use Head against Mankind (which is a strange sentence out of context) but it’s ducked. Mankind hits a back suplex and finally notices Mr. Socko, retrieving it (him?) from Head. “Mankind takes a Gucci loafer to Head” – Jim Ross. Mankind connects with right hands to Head allowing Al Snow to attack from behind. Al Snow backs Mankind into the ropes with right hands but the irish whip gets reversed. Al Snow catches the kick but is dropped with a clothesline. Mankind runs into a sitout powerbomb and Al Snow gets a nearfall.

  Al Snow headbutts Mankind and sends him across the ring but gets dropped with a double-arm DDT. Mankind prepares Mr. Socko and puts on the Mandible Claw and Al Snow can’t fight it off.

WINNER: MANKIND

This was an OK match but it was a significant step in the night’s story. They kept me interested through the duration and kept Mr. McMahon’s favourite fresh for the next round. [*¾] 4/10