To say that WWE was in turmoil as the summer of 1996 approached would be an understatement of massive proportions. WCW was breathing down its neck, introducing both Scott Hall and Kevin Nash to viewers in May as the company began planting the seeds for its revolutionary New World Order storyline. WWE, on the other hand, was producing characters such as TL Hopper, The Goon, The Sultan and Aldo Montoya, proving that the company was far behind the times. That did not stop them from delivering outstanding shows when the time called for it and Beware of Dog is evidence of that. Even if Mother Nature did not fully cooperate. A freak thunderstorm knocked out power to the arena in South Carolina, forcing fans inside to watch the matches unfold in complete darkness while those watching on pay-per-view were not even that lucky. The feed was brought back in time for the main event, pitting Shawn Michaels against British Bulldog in the first of their two outstanding WWE Championship matches, but it was an unmitigated disaster for the company. Two days later, they produced Beware of Dog 2, featuring a Match of the Year candidate between Savio Vega and Steve Austin. Dubbed a Caribbean Strap match, the two veterans of the squared circle tortured each other with the strap before Vega scored the upset win, banishing "Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase from the company for good. Add to that a phenomenal opener in Hunter Hearst Helmsely versus "Wildman" Marc Mero and probably the best of the Undertaker-Goldust series and you have an outstanding wrestling card from a company that was otherwise creatively bankrupt at the time.
Erik Beaston is a freelance pro wrestling writer who likes long walks in the park, dandelions and has not quite figured out that this introduction is not for Match.com. He resides in Parts Unknown, where he hosts weekly cookouts with Kane, The Ultimate Warrior, Papa Shango and The Boogeyman. Be jealous.
