WWE In Your House 10: Mind Games GRADED - Review

Thirty years ago on this very day, WWE hosted WWF In Your House 10: Mind Games, an event which has gone down in infamy, and for the right reasons.

WWF were undergoing a transformation, and whilst the Attitude Era wouldn’t officially kick off until March 1997, autumn 1996 showed there was no going back, as WWF bode farewell to the neon soaked New Generation Era.

From the snark of the newly arrived Brian Pillman, and the continuing fury of “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, to an invasion from some friends in Philadelphia, and a main event which has gone down as one of the best matches of the era - and arguably, the best of Mick Foley’s career - does Mind Games still pack the same punch 30 years later?

WWF In Your House: Mind Games GRADED:

P*ss-tinted opening video package highlighting the demented violence of Mankind, contrasted by cold blue of Shawn Michaels as dramatic voiceover guy tell us to ‘pray’ if Michaels can’t stop Mankind from becoming WWF Champion. Jagged san serif lower-case white font over black says ‘mind games’ as we hear Mankind tell us to ‘have a nice day’. Short, punchy, to-the-point.

Then we get dramatic cheesy Todd Pettengill VO for a video package for tonight’s Undertaker vs. Goldust bout, all clips in black-and-white. We then get traditional Todd treatment for Michaels vs. Mankind - both are tied together with Borodin’s Prince Igor giving it some weighty operatic heft. Weird that there were two opening video packages - definitely a transitional period for the WWF.

We then get some gloriously 90s CGI of a skull in a Mankind mask with ‘Mind Games’ carved into it, as we cut to the opening pyro display inside Philadelphia’s sold-out brand new Core States Arena. Traditional In Your House entrance set-up, and the skull will stick around as the official logo, but this time with the biggest forehead you’ve ever seen. Vince McMahon, Jim Ross, and Mr. Perfect on the call tonight - what a rare combo. The lads are standing at ringside hyping up tonight’s show, Perfect in a brown suit and neon pink shirt. Excellent.

Savio Vega def. Justin "Hawk" Bradshaw - Caribbean Strap Match 

Bradshaw is still doing his Stan Hansen tribute and has his underrated chugging theme. Vega defeated Marty Jannetty on the pre-show, and backstage tells Kevin Kelly how he’s ready and accepts Bradshaw’s challenge before shouting in Spanish.

Savio runs to the ring and instantly gets whipped repeatedly by ‘The Hawk’. You win by touching all four turnbuckles, and the strap is legal as a weapon. The fight spills to the floor, Bradshaw choking Savio around the turnbuckle post as the crowd chants ‘ECW’. Savio pulls Bradshaw into the post and whips him, then is sprayed with beer by The Sandman on the front row! Vince notes how a ‘local group in Philadelphia’ are trying to make a name for themselves here, as we see Paul E. Heyman holding back Tommy Dreamer as Dreamer attempts to enter the fray. Agents try to quell the ECW lads as Bradshaw looks on bewildered. 

Back in-ring, Bradshaw chokes Vega as Vince talks around the ECW guys, making sure to not mention them by name. The crowd are clearly more interested in Dreamer and Sandman, and it’s not hard to agree with them. More “ECW” chants as Sandman and Dreamer are led to the back, as Bradshaw locks in a headlock and tries to touch the corners as Jim Ross tells us how Vega has never lost a Caribbean Strap Match - this is his second in the WWF, so technically correct. 

Lovely back suplex by Savio, who follows up by whipping Bradshaw repeatedly, but his attempt to tap all four buckles is halted when Bradshaw launches him with the strap. Clotheslines and a spinning wheel kick by Savio, but again he gets tossed when trying to tap the buckles. Big boot by Bradshaw and the as-yet unnamed Clothesline from Hell, the latter gets zero reaction. Hansen-esque ‘YOOOOF’ shout by Bradshaw, and, as Bradshaw taps each corner, Savio follows up and does the same behind his back - so are the touches cumulative or do they cancel each other out and reset the count? Both get to three, then idiot Bradshaw launches Savio into the final turnbuckle, giving him the win.

Grade: D - Strap matches are hard to pull-off, and this was no exception. Not bad, just not very good, but the crowd were somewhat into it after the excitement of ECW had worn off. The fact this match is infamous due to the arrival of Sandman and Dreamer rather than the in-ring action should tell you everything.

Highlight package for our next match; Jose Lothario vs. James E. Cornette. This was during WWF’s ‘youth movement’ where they routinely mocked WCW for promoting old codgers.

Jose Lothario def. James E. Cornette

Cornette out in full red & black lycra, including a lycra turtleneck. He also comes out to Vader’s music. Ok. Cameras cut to the backstage area where fake Razor Ramon and Diesel beat the stuffing out of Savio Vega, then run away when a cameraman runs towards them. Not quite the Attitude Era yet, but we’re on the way. 

Back in the arena Cornette grabs a mic, puts over Jose, but then calls him an ‘old broken down cripple who is 150 years old’. Cornette then says he’ll leave Lothario alone if he forfeits, but will batter him if he decides to compete. HBK’s music hits as old bald Jose makes his entrance in tights and a blazer, and you’d be forgiven in thinking this was 2026 Michaels heading to the ring.

Cornette tries a sneak attack but gets repeatedly slugged by 62-year-old Jose. Cornette screams for mercy in the corner, then ‘Super Soc’ punches Corny in the face, then one more for good measure for the win.

Grade: F - An angle more than a match, and it had no business being on a PPV event. Both men played their parts well, and it was mercifully short. But bloody hell.

We see Marc Mero (with Sable) arguing with Faarooq (with blue helmet and Sunny) on the Superstar Line. Sable smiles and doesn’t sell what is going on, as per usual. The two will fight for the Intercontinental Championship tomorrow on Raw.

HERE COMES BRIAN PILLMAN, and the Loose Cannon is wearing an ‘I Don’t Call 911’ tee complete with a picture of a gun. Foreshadowing perhaps? We then see footage from Bret Hart in South Africa in his round sunglasses and Calgary Hitmen tee, with Hart calling Pillman a liar and stating he never agreed to be at Mind Games to talk to Pillman. Bret also calls Owen Hart a liar, for the hell of it, it seems.

Back in the ring, Pillman has a mic. Brian says he’s an honest man, and calls Philly a sewer, saying the “birthplace of freedom” has become a “cesspool of drug abuse, battered women, and welfare recipients”, then calls the fans scum. Pillman then brings out Owen Hart, with a jubilant Owen jogging to the ring, complete with his Slammy Award. Pillman tells Owen how Bret has always resented him. Owen tells ‘Pill’ that he thought they’d patched things up, with Bret having been out of action since WrestleMania and potentially facing retirement. Owen and Pillman said Bret promised he’d be at Mind Games to talk to the fans, Owen thinks Bret is going senile. Owen then reckons Bret isn’t here because he is scared of “Stone Cold” Steve Austin. 

Austin comes out - he still has his ‘Ringmaster’ music, but he has jeans, his vest, and everything else that makes him quintessentially Stone Cold. Austin knew Bret wasn’t going to show because he is scared of Austin. Austin notes how Bret has been ducking him since he arrived in WWF. “If you put the letter ’S’ in-front of ‘Hitman’ then you have my exact opinion on Bret Hart,” says Austin as Pillman laughs his head off. Austin notes how he and Hart are alike in many ways, but Bret’s problem is he cares about the fans, whereas Stone Cold doesn’t give a rat’s ass about anybody. Austin says if Bret ever returns then Austin is going to whip his ass, and that’s the bottom line. Pillman then says Philadelphia sucks.

Thoughts: Pillman was a breath of fresh air upon his arrival, and injected real unpredictability into the WWF. Then you have Austin. Although he hasn’t been used much since winning King of the Ring in June, this is the start of his push into the main event, with his oncoming feud with Bret a star-making turn. Watch Austin’s Survivor Series 96 video package - for me it’s the moment Attitude properly lands, but I’ll concede it doesn’t really kick off until the launch of Raw is War in March. Anyway, great segment.

Rookie Mark Henry sees the sights of Philadelphia, whilst sporting a lovely Kangol cap, such was the style at the time. Henry sees the Liberty Bell, a statue of George Washington, and a lovely horse. He makes his in-ring debut tonight (save for one house show appearance)

Owen Hart & The British Bulldog def. The Smoking Gunns (Billy Gunn & Bart Gunn) (c) - WWF Tag Team Championships

Dok Hendrix (37 here. Woof) is backstage giving an update on Jim Cornette, after Cornette failed to show up at the side of clients Owen and Davey Boy. Cornette is being yelled at by Clarence Mason who gets him to sign papers, whilst a fella with mad hair and a big moustache attends to his health concerns. The Gunns are not on the same page, with Sunny favouring Billy - who reciprocates her affections - whilst Bart is getting increasingly exasperated. Sunny poses as a big picture of her unfurls above the arena, but those cheeky lads Davey and Owen have drawn on glasses and a beard. Perfect knew it was Owen who did the vandalising, and thaaaaat’s Owen!

Billy tries for a quick schoolboy, as Clarence Mason walks down to talk to the contenders. Crisp chain wrestling from Owen and Billy, Owen getting the upper hand as Billy yells in frustration. As an aside; Owen and Bulldog are heels, Billy is pretty much a heel, and Bart Gunn is Bart Gunn. They’re going to have to work hard to get the fans reacting to this. Some cheers as Davey tags in and runs rings around Bart as Vince and Perfect put him over on comms. Owen kicks Bart’s leg out of his leg in the corner, and Davey tags back to continue working the limb. Quick tags from the contenders as they work over Bart, and Davey is loving it when the crowd start chanting homophobic things about The Gunns. It was 1996, different times. Impressive delayed vertical suplex by Davey, a gun show, and a handspring because he’s ‘Our Dave’ and he’s mint. The deadly enziguiri by Owen floors Bart, and sloppy blind tags are waved off by the ref as the contenders continue to run roughshod.

An irate Billy batters Bulldog on the floor and throws him into the steel steps, and in-ring the Gunns hit a primordial Poetry in Motion with a yelling Billy crushing Davey with a big punch to boos. The Gunns are in control and go for The Sidewinder, Billy impressively hitting the diving leg from halfway across the ring. Before the pin can be counted Clarence Mason distracts the ref, allowing Owen to hit a big diving elbow drop on Billy. Bulldog shoves Bart into an oblivious Billy, Billy shoves Bart back and into the arms of Davey who hits The Running Powerslam for the win as Owen folds Billy with the spinning heel kick.

The new champs walk off as Sunny grabs a mic and lambasts The Gunns. Sunny says she gave everything to The Gunns but they’re nothing but ‘no good cowboy wannabes’ and she fires them.

Grade: C+ - Odd booking as both teams took it in turns to be heel, , and it’s a shame that the title change was more to break up The Gunns than it was to crown Owen & Bulldog. In-ring it was sound, with Bulldog in especially fine form. 

Kevin Kelly is in the bowels of the arena with Paul Bearer and Mankind. Bearer says ‘his Mankind’ will be the new WWF Champion, and turns it around saying it’s Undertaker’s fault that Bearer turned on him, and it’s Michaels’ fault that Mankind is going to win. A rocking Mankind cradles the urn as he says he lives to make Michaels and ‘his kliq’ miserable. Mankind’s destiny is to hear HBK’s liver rupture, and cuddle the WWF Title. Early Mankind is so good.

Mark Henry def. Jerry "The King" Lawler

Lawler walks to the ring whilst roasting the fans, as the screen cuts to footage of Lawler swilling Henry with a cup of water, then the two having a face-to-face on PPV ‘free for all’ pre-show, and we can’t hear a word from Lawler because Vince and JR talk over him. The comms eventually shut up as Lawler claims he’ll batter Henry.

Henry jogs to the ring in an amazing USA singlet, track jacket, and hat. Lawler continues to antagonise Henry on the mic, and says his wrestling acumen is so good that he’s going to give him a free lesson with a headlock that he won’t be able to escape from. A ‘USA’ chant breaks out because this crowd must think Lawler is Greek or something. Lawler locks in a headlock but Henry escapes with ease and throws King to the floor to a pop and a ‘Burger King’ chant. Henry headlock, and again he tosses Lawler. The fans clap along with Henry as Lawler attempts a Hogan Andre bodyslam, but instead gets military pressed with ease by the ‘World’s Strongest Man’. Lawler attempts some shoulder barges to no joy, then takes a hell of a bump as Henry launches him through the ropes, Lawler basically hitting a suicide dive into the crowd rail. Back in ring, Lawler retrieves a foreign object from his tights and slugs Henry in the face, but follow-up strikes only anger Henry who repeatedly knees Lawler in the guts, then gets the King up for an Argentine Backbreaker for the quick submission win.

Post-match, Leif Cassidy runs in to attack Henry and gets instantly launched to the floor. Marty Jannetty then runs in and gets thrown to the floor. Cue Hunter Hearst Helmsley who starts slugging Henry with rights, but eventually gets military pressed over the top rope onto the New Rockers. Pyro fills the arena as Henry celebrates in-ring.

Grade: D - In-ring was basic but effective, with Lawler bumping his arse off for the super green Henry. Henry, for his part, was perfectly fine, and his post-match antics were arguably more impressive than his match performance. Felt like a house show match. For what it’s worth, we won’t see Henry again until December 1997, and he’ll join the Nation of Domination in January ’98.

Vince McMahon announces that the first ever unsanctioned match in WWF history will take place at the next In Your House event, as Undertaker and Mankind face off in a the first-ever Buried Alive Match. For those wondering, the next In Your House is called ‘Buried Alive’. I wonder how they came up with that name?

Recap of Undertaker and Goldust’s issues, with Goldust forging an alliance with Mankind and Paul Bearer in recent months. Despite this being Undertaker vs. Goldust, the package shows the feud is really Undertaker vs. Mankind, with the two having recently fought in the first ever boiler room brawl.

The Undertaker def. Goldust - Final Curtain Match

Pinfalls only, no DQ for this one. Goldust’s entrance is cut-off by the aforementioned video package, ‘Taker gets a massive reaction for his entrance, of course.

Undertaker flies out the traps, and batters Goldust with no reply, until Goldie manages a jawbreaker over the top rope with Marlena following up with a slap to the Deadman. Swinging neckbreaker by Goldust, but Taker sits up and chins him. Vertical suplex by Taker for two, followed up with a big hip toss. Old School receives a big cheer, as does Taker lifting Marlena up off the apron, but this allows Goldust to get a handful of literal gold dust which he launches into Taker’s eyes. The two fight around ringside as referee Tim White counts - as McMahon reminds us this is no DQ and no count-outs. Goldust is firmly in control, overcoming an Undertaker back suplex to lay into the former WWF Champion. Von Erich iron claw on ‘Taker, but posing is Goldust’s undoing as ‘Taker rallies back with a flurry of strikes in the corner.

Nice powerslam by Goldie for two, but ‘Taker again sits up, and levels the ‘Bizarre One’ with his trademark running diving lariat. Goldust goes up top, but is goozled and chokeslammed from the top into the ring, then an awkward Tombstone for the 1-2-3.

Grade: C- - Crowd were into it, and early vicious Goldust is always a joy to watch. However, the stipulation did not come into play at all, and as such this was just a regular match, and definitely felt like filler before Undertaker can go after his actual foe Mankind once more. Not bad, but easily skippable.

Kevin Kelly catches up with WWF Champion Shawn Michaels. HBK says he’s not usually nervous before a match as he can outwrestle anyone in the WWF, but Mankind is unpredictable, and Michaels is a little jittery as a result. KK notes how Paul Bearer could be the x-factor tonight, Michaels says they’re playing mind games then mocks himself saying he doesn’t have a lot going on upstairs. 

Shawn Michaels (c) def. Mankind by DQ - WWF Championship

Druids bring a casket to the ring as Paul Bearer walks down, before revealing Mankind was in the casket the whole time. Huge ovation for Shawn as he makes his arrival, flanked by Jose Lothario, who has put on a suit after walloping Jim Cornette earlier in the show. Shawn looks pensive, he’s already done a great job of putting Mankind over with his lack of usual bombast. 

Mankind starts strong, kicking and punching the champ before flattening him with a big back body drop. Cactus clothesline to the floor gets mild ECW chants, but Shawn regains his footing by dropkicking Mankind into the concrete after Mankind lifted the ringside mat. Shawn stomps on Mankind (who is now beneath the mat) and follows up with a rounding crossbody splash from the top rope. Big axe handle by HBK as we return to the ring, and the champ rocks Mankind with jabs and a clothesline. Heartbreak Elbow drop, but Mankind ducks to the floor when Michaels attempts to play some Sweet Chin Music. 

The two are laying in their strikes as this becomes a full-on brawl, Michaels having to wrestle a different style here. Mankind attempts the Mandible Claw from a rear grapevine position but can’t lock it on, Mankind pig squealing throughout. Michaels fires back with some hard rights as Earl ‘I Deserve Top Billing’ Hebner attempts to restore order. Back to the floor, Mankind repositions the Spanish announce table, as an irate Michaels dives over it to assault Mankind some more, then snap suplexes Mankind into the steel stairs - Foley’s ankles sickeningly smashing into the metal. HBK targets Mankind’s lower leg, smashing his knee into the ringside casket. Michaels gives Hebner a deserved shove to the mush, but this allows Mankind to lay in some digs on the champ. Dragon screw by Michaels, and a Figure Four leglock as the champ continues to try and ground Mankind. Michaels goes for a Frankenstainer, but Mankind drops back to alley-oop HBK onto the top rope. Mankind starts stabbing himself in the leg with a pencil, and smashes Shawn’s face into the casket. Running corner knee by Mankind, but HBK buys himself some time with a Teardrop Suplex. HBK fires back with punches, but soon gets caught in the tree of woe after a trademark flip bump, Mankind hitting several diving axe handles whilst Michaels is tied up.

Mankind boots Shawn back down the floor, but a running knee attempt gets nothing but steel stairs as HBK ducks out of the way. Drop toehold into the stairs by Michaels, and Mankind goes on to smash his face into the turnbuckle post after missing a charge on the apron. Lovely powerslam for two by the champ, and Mankind gets caught in the ropes neck first, locking on a brief Mandible Claw when Michaels attempted a follow-up. Mankind again goes for the claw on the floor, but HBK whips him into the guardrail. Michaels gets a chair and smashes Mankind’s knee and hand into the apron, then bites Mankind’s hand, further taking the Mandible Claw out of action. In-ring, HBK continues to work over the hand, hitting a Pete Dunne finger snap for good measure, before stamping on Foley’s digits. Huge back body drop over the top by Mankind, HBK getting great elevation when taking the spill to the floor. Cactus Elbow crushes the champ, and a follow-up swinging neckbreaker rocks Shawn and draws the ire of Hebner. Double Arm DDT in-ring, but Mankind is slow to cover, only garnering a two as a result. Gorgeous pulling piledriver gets another two, with Mankind starting to show some frustration as a result, tearing his own hair out as Michaels again digs deep. Mankind throws two chairs into the ring, and rolls Shawn into the open casket. This only fires Michaels up, who hits a trademark diving forearm and kip-up to a huge reaction.

Michaels stomps a mudhole in Mankind, and a diving crossbody for two. Michaels again goes up top but gets crotched, but a back suplex attempt by Mankind is countered into a crossbody from the top through the Spanish announce table on the floor. Fantastic bump, and at the time maybe the second or third ever table bump in the WWF. Mankind rises and climbs to the top rope with a chair, but Michaels leaps off a second set-up chair and Sweet Chin Music Van Daminators Mankind, but only gets a two as Vader runs in. Earl ‘I Have No Idea What I’m Doing’ Hebner decides to ring the bell, despite the fact that he’s basically just overseen a hardcore match. Michaels sends Vader packing, but takes an urn to the back of the skull. 

Sid runs down to hit Vader with some weird punches, and the crowd goes wild because Sid rules. Sid and Vader fight to the back, and back in-ring Mankind locks in the Mandible Claw to take Shawn out. Bearer opens the casket again and The Undertaker is inside. The crowd goes mental as Undertaker chases Mankind and Bearer to the back.

Shawn celebrates at ringside with fans, with JR and McMahon shaking hands with the champ, whilst old foe Perfect begrudgingly smirks at the Heartbreak Kid.

Grade: A- - A fantastic match. Michaels had to change his style to hang with Mankind in a brawl, and he told a great story with his aggression and lack of pageantry. A wild brawl, yes, but a good match first and foremost, and in 1996 you just didn’t see stuff like this in a WWF ring - apt that it took place in Philadelphia. The DQ ending was a bit naff, but it somehow took nothing away from the match, with the post-match shenanigans getting a massive reaction from the Philly fans. Definitely one of Mick Foley’s finest bouts, and arguably, one of Shawn’s best title defences. Interestingly, this is the first of only two singles bouts between the two.

Show Grade: C - A one-match show, but what a match it was. The tag title match was pretty decent, and everything else was just ok at best. But by 1996 standards this was a fantastic event. The oncoming attitude of the company was also thrust to the front due to broken tables, chair shots, the venomous tongues of Steve Austin and Brian Pillman, and the first invasion by ECW. Main event is must see, event as a whole gets a mild recommendation.