In Your House 2
In Your House 2: The Lumberjacks was a professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event produced by the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE), held on July 23, 1995, at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee, drawing an attendance of 6,482 spectators.[1] As the second installment in the In Your House series, this two-hour event was priced at $14.95—half the cost of standard three-hour PPVs—and featured six televised matches, including title defenses for the WWF Championship, WWF Intercontinental Championship, and WWF Tag Team Championship.[2] The card highlighted intense rivalries from the WWF's New Generation era, with a country-themed presentation fitting the Nashville venue.[3] The main event was a Lumberjack match for the WWF Championship between champion Diesel and challenger Sycho Sid, surrounded by wrestlers from the roster to prevent escapes; Diesel retained the title via pinfall after 10 minutes and 2 seconds, solidifying his reign amid ongoing tensions with Sid's powerhouse style.[1] Earlier, Shawn Michaels defeated Jeff Jarrett to win the WWF Intercontinental Championship in a 20-minute opener praised for its athleticism and storytelling, marking Michaels' first title win in the bout and elevating his status as a top singles competitor.[1] The WWF Tag Team Champions Owen Hart and Yokozuna also defended successfully against The British Bulldog and Lex Luger in a 10-minute and 54-second contest, retaining via pinfall in a match that showcased alliance strains within the roster.[1] Other bouts included The Roadie pinning The 1-2-3 Kid after 7 minutes and 26 seconds in a singles match, King Mabel and Sir Mo defeating Razor Ramon and Savio Vega via pinfall after 10 minutes and 9 seconds, and Bam Bam Bigelow submitting Henry O. Godwinn in 5 minutes and 33 seconds.[1] Dark matches featured Skip defeating Aldo Montoya and Bret Hart beating Jean Pierre Lafitte, while The Undertaker won a Casket match over Kama.[1] Overall, the event underscored the WWF's strategy of affordable, action-packed PPVs to bridge major shows like SummerSlam, with Michaels' title victory emerging as a defining moment.[3]Production
Background
The In Your House series was launched by the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) in 1995 as a means to deliver monthly pay-per-view events at reduced prices, bridging the intervals between flagship shows such as WrestleMania and SummerSlam to maintain year-round viewer engagement.[4] In Your House 2 occurred on July 23, 1995, at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee, with an attendance of 6,482 spectators.[3][5] The event received the retroactive subtitle "The Lumberjacks" in recognition of its distinctive main event stipulation.[6] Production encompassed six matches broadcast on pay-per-view alongside three dark matches reserved for the live audience.[7] WWF's marketing centered on the lumberjack match format for the championship bout, emphasizing the chaotic involvement of surrounding wrestlers to generate hype through television vignettes and interviews.[8]Storylines
The primary storyline heading into In Your House 2 centered on WWF Champion Diesel defending his title against Sycho Sid in a Lumberjack match. The feud originated at WrestleMania XI in April 1995, where Sid, acting as Shawn Michaels' bodyguard, turned on Michaels during his WWF Championship match against Diesel, allowing Diesel to retain the title.[9] Sid subsequently joined Ted DiBiase's Million Dollar Corporation, intensifying the rivalry through heel interference; at In Your House 1 in May, Diesel retained via disqualification after Tatanka's attack on Diesel, while at King of the Ring in June, Sid and Tatanka defeated Diesel and Bam Bam Bigelow in a tag team match.[9] To prevent further escapes and outside involvement, the Lumberjack stipulation was added, surrounding the ring with the WWF roster to enforce the action.[9] A key undercard feud involved Shawn Michaels challenging Jeff Jarrett for the WWF Intercontinental Championship. Michaels completed his transition to a fan-favorite role following Sid's betrayal at WrestleMania XI, positioning him as a resilient challenger seeking redemption.[10] Jarrett, portraying a cocky country music singer with singles like "With My Baby Tonight," had captured the Intercontinental title for a third time earlier in 1995 and leaned into his Nashville roots, especially with the event held in nearby Nashville, Tennessee, to build local heat.[10] The championship was fully at stake, with Jarrett and his associate The Roadie aiming to humiliate Michaels and solidify Jarrett's dual persona as wrestler and entertainer.[10] Razor Ramon teamed with Savio Vega to face Men on a Mission (King Mabel and Mo) in a grudge match stemming from Mabel's aggressive push as a dominant heel. Mabel's victory in the King of the Ring tournament in June 1995, including a finals win over Vega aided by interference, established him as a monstrous force.[11] Following the event, Mabel and Mo assaulted an injured Ramon at ringside during Vega's tournament aftermath, targeting Ramon's ribs to position Mabel as an unstoppable threat while Vega sought revenge for his loss.[11] The WWF Tag Team Champions Owen Hart and Yokozuna defended against The Allied Powers (Lex Luger and The British Bulldog), building on the champions' defenses since winning the titles at WrestleMania XI. Hart and Yokozuna had solidified their reign through victories over various challengers, but internal frictions within The Allied Powers—stemming from Luger's prior rivalry with Yokozuna and Bulldog's family ties to the Harts—added layers of tension.[12] The team-up was opportunistic, with Luger and Bulldog earning a shot after dispatching The Blu Brothers at WrestleMania, highlighting the champions' vulnerability to coordinated attacks.[12] On the undercard, Bam Bam Bigelow clashed with Henry O. Godwinn in a feud ignited by Godwinn's signature slop bucket attacks, which he used to degrade opponents in hillbilly fashion; Godwinn had recently "slopped" several midcarders, drawing Bigelow's ire after a targeted humiliation on television.[13] Similarly, The Roadie faced the returning 1-2-3 Kid, tying into Jarrett's ongoing narrative as Roadie served as Jarrett's enforcer; the Kid's comeback at King of the Ring to aid Ramon against Men on a Mission led to Roadie's retaliatory assault, escalating their personal animosity.[14]Event
Dark matches
Prior to the televised portion of In Your House 2 on July 23, 1995, a dark match opened the live event at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium, pitting the debuting Skip—accompanied by valet Sunny—against Aldo Montoya.[1] Skip secured the victory via pinfall after 4:00, marking his WWF debut as part of a push emphasizing his fitness fanatic persona alongside Sunny's role in distracting opponents and engaging the crowd.[15] This bout served to introduce the Bodydonnas gimmick to the live audience, building toward their broader tag team storylines later in the year.[16] Following the conclusion of the pay-per-view broadcast, two additional dark matches entertained the remaining attendees. Bret Hart, returning from a kayfabe injury sustained earlier in 1995, faced Jean-Pierre Lafitte in a test of Lafitte's viability as a midcard antagonist.[17] Hart won by submission with the Sharpshooter after 13:26, showcasing technical prowess that foreshadowed their subsequent televised encounters.[1] The final dark match continued the ongoing feud between The Undertaker and Kama, which originated at WrestleMania XI when Kama desecrated The Undertaker's urn under Ted DiBiase's Million Dollar Corporation.[18] Stipulated as a casket match, The Undertaker emerged victorious by sealing Kama inside the casket after 14:50, advancing their rivalry toward a high-profile clash at SummerSlam.[15] Paul Bearer accompanied The Undertaker, heightening the supernatural elements central to the storyline.[1]Undercard matches
The undercard of In Your House 2 featured four televised matches that provided a mix of singles and tag team action, building momentum toward the pay-per-view's championship bouts while showcasing emerging storylines and wrestler dynamics.[3] These contests emphasized high-flying offense, power-based dominance, and interpersonal tensions among teams, contributing to the event's pacing by alternating faster-paced openers with slower, impactful finishes.[14] The opening match pitted The Roadie against the 1-2-3 Kid in a singles bout stemming from The Roadie's earlier attack on the Kid that caused a neck injury, tying into the broader feud involving Jeff Jarrett.[14] The 1-2-3 Kid, known for his high-flying style, started strong with quick arm drags and dropkicks, but The Roadie countered aggressively by crotching the Kid on the ring post.[14] Near the finish, as the Kid attempted a top-rope move, The Roadie cut him off and delivered a piledriver from the second rope, securing the pinfall victory at 7:26.[14] This win advanced The Roadie's role as a midcard heel aligned with Jarrett, while highlighting the Kid's resilience despite his injury.[14] Next, Men on a Mission (King Mabel and Sir Mo) faced Razor Ramon and Savio Vega in a tag team match built on MOM's post-King of the Ring assault on Ramon and the 1-2-3 Kid, positioning Mabel as a dominant force ahead of his SummerSlam title opportunity.[14] The bout featured intense brawling, with Ramon and Vega isolating Sir Mo early through quick tags and strikes, including Vega's spinning heel kick for a near-fall.[19] Mabel's entry shifted the momentum, as he overpowered both opponents with splashes and power moves, emphasizing his size and strength.[14] The finish came at 10:09 when Sir Mo hit a corner splash on Ramon, allowing Mabel to execute a belly-to-belly suplex for the pin, underscoring MOM's teamwork and Mabel's push as a monster heel.[19] In a shorter singles encounter, Bam Bam Bigelow took on Henry O. Godwinn, a matchup designed to highlight Bigelow's athleticism against Godwinn's rural brawler persona amid Godwinn's pursuit of acceptance in Ted DiBiase's Million Dollar Corporation.[14] Godwinn controlled portions with slop bucket teases and clotheslines, but Bigelow responded with agile counters like a flying headbutt attempt and a crossbody for a two-count.[14] A missed charge by Godwinn led to Bigelow capitalizing with a roll-up pin at 5:33, showcasing Bigelow's technical versatility in a quick, transitional bout that avoided overexposure.[14] The WWF Intercontinental Championship match followed, with challenger Shawn Michaels facing champion Jeff Jarrett, accompanied by The Roadie, in a highly anticipated rematch after Jarrett had won the title from Michaels at In Your House 1 via interference.[14] The 20:01 bout showcased Michaels' aerial prowess and resilience, starting with chain wrestling and escalating to high spots like Michaels' top-rope crossbody and Jarrett's figure-four leglock attempts. Jarrett dominated mid-match with punches and a delayed vertical suplex, but Michaels rallied with kip-ups and near-falls. The finish came when The Roadie accidentally tripped Jarrett on the apron, allowing Michaels to hit his signature superkick for the pinfall victory and the title win, elevating Michaels as a top singles star.[1][14] The semi-main event saw WWF Tag Team Champions Owen Hart and Yokozuna defend against The Allied Powers (Lex Luger and British Bulldog), a match plagued by the challengers' on-screen dysfunction and internal tensions.[14] Luger and Bulldog started hot with double-team suplexes on Hart, but Yokozuna's prolonged rest holds slowed the pace, while Hart's agility created several near-falls, including a missed Enziguri.[14] Interference from Hart proved decisive, distracting Luger and allowing Yokozuna to deliver a Banzai Drop for the pin at 10:54, ensuring the champions retained the titles and exposing the Allied Powers' lack of cohesion as a unit.[14] This result reinforced Hart's cunning heel tactics and transitioned smoothly into the Intercontinental Championship main event.[14]Main event
The main event of In Your House 2 was a Lumberjack match for the WWF Championship, pitting champion Diesel against Sycho Sid, with the stipulation designed to ensure a decisive finish after their prior encounters ended in no-contests due to Sid's walkouts and interference. In this format, a group of wrestlers—known as lumberjacks—surround the ring to throw any competitor who spills outside back into the action, preventing escapes and promoting constant in-ring confrontation. The lumberjacks were divided by alignment, with faces including Razor Ramon, the 1-2-3 Kid, and Shawn Michaels on one side, and heels such as Tatanka, King Mabel, and IRS on the other, heightening the chaotic atmosphere as both factions vied to aid their allies.[8][1] The buildup to the rematch stemmed from their inconclusive clash at the inaugural In Your House event, where Sid had abandoned the ring, leading WWF officials to enforce the Lumberjack rules to force a resolution. Pre-event promos emphasized Diesel's resilience against Sid's raw power, with vignettes showcasing Sid's menacing presence backed by Ted DiBiase and the Million Dollar Corporation. Commentators Vince McMahon and Jerry Lawler provided play-by-play during the broadcast, highlighting the high stakes and potential for widespread brawling given the lumberjacks' involvement.[8] The 10:02 bout began with Sid ambushing Diesel during his entrance, sparking immediate brawling that spilled outside the ring, where heel lumberjacks like Kama and the Blu Twins pummeled Diesel before tossing him back in. Diesel retaliated with clotheslines and a suicide dive onto the heels at ringside, but interference escalated when King Mabel crushed him against the ring post and delivered a leg drop, leaving Diesel battered. Sid dominated with chokes, elbow drops, and a prolonged chinlock, culminating in a powerbomb that Diesel narrowly kicked out of, showcasing his toughness amid the hostile environment.[8][3] As Sid attempted another powerbomb, face lumberjack Shawn Michaels intervened with a flying axehandle from the apron, stunning Sid and allowing Diesel to rally. The champion absorbed punishment from charging heels but countered with resilience, ultimately dropping Sid with a decisive big boot for the pinfall victory and title retention. The frenzied lumberjack interference and post-match chaos underscored the match's spectacle, though Lawler critiqued Sid's deliberate pacing on commentary.[8]Aftermath
Championship developments
At In Your House 2, WWF Champion Diesel retained his title against Sycho Sid in a Lumberjack match, pinning Sid following a big boot despite interference from the lumberjacks.[1] During the bout, King Mabel attacked Diesel on the floor, slamming him into the ring steps, which established Mabel—recently crowned King of the Ring—as Diesel's next challenger.[20] This interference directly led to their WWF Championship match at SummerSlam later that month, where Diesel again retained by pinning Mabel after a powerbomb.[21] In the Intercontinental Championship match, Shawn Michaels defeated champion Jeff Jarrett via pinfall after a superkick, ending Jarrett's reign that had begun with his victory over Razor Ramon at the 1995 Royal Rumble.[1][22] Jarrett's 183-day title run, marked by defenses including a handicap match against Ramon at In Your House 1, concluded here, allowing Michaels to reclaim the spotlight as a top singles competitor.[22] Michaels' win positioned him for immediate defenses, starting with a successful Ladder match retention against Razor Ramon at SummerSlam.[23] WWF Tag Team Champions Owen Hart and Yokozuna retained their titles against The Allied Powers (Lex Luger and British Bulldog) when Yokozuna pinned Luger following a leg drop.[1] This victory solidified their status as dominant heels, having won the belts from The Smoking Gunns at WrestleMania XI earlier in the year.[24] They lost the titles to The Smoking Gunns at SummerSlam on August 27, 1995.[21][24] No other championships were contested at the event, but the results underscored Diesel's ongoing dominance as WWF Champion—now in his seventh month of a 358-day reign—and Michaels' return to prominence after a period of tag team focus and injury recovery.[1]Feud continuations
The loss of Razor Ramon and Savio Vega to Men on a Mission at In Your House 2 directly elevated King Mabel's status within the WWF, positioning him for a WWF Championship challenge against Diesel at SummerSlam later that month.[14] This victory highlighted Mabel's dominant heel persona as the 1995 King of the Ring winner, with the post-match assault on Diesel by Mabel and Sir Mo intensifying their rivalry toward the pay-per-view main event, where Diesel retained the title.[22] Meanwhile, the tag team bout reinforced Savio Vega's emerging partnership with Ramon, a dynamic rooted in their real-life friendship and on-screen alliance that continued through house shows and television appearances into late 1995, aiding Vega's push as a reliable midcard face.[25] Bam Bam Bigelow's pinfall victory over Henry O. Godwinn via roll-up solidified Bigelow's transition away from the Million Dollar Corporation, setting the stage for babyface matches against midcard opponents in house shows and television through late 1995.[14] The match underscored Bigelow's resilience as a babyface underdog following his expulsion from Ted DiBiase's stable earlier in the year, while Godwinn's defeat shifted his storyline focus from seeking Corporation membership to personal vendettas, including a rejection by DiBiase that led to Godwinn "slopping" him on WWF Superstars in September and later family-oriented feuds with his kayfabe brother Phineas Godwinn in 1996.[26] The Roadie's upset win over the 1-2-3 Kid with a top-rope piledriver extended the ongoing angle involving Jeff Jarrett's controversial lip-syncing gimmick for his hit single "With My Baby Tonight," where Roadie was positioned as the true vocalist behind Jarrett's performances.[14] This outcome was intended to culminate in a dramatic reveal and heel-face split between Jarrett and Roadie, but creative disagreements over the booking—particularly Jarrett's reluctance to drop the Intercontinental Championship cleanly to Shawn Michaels earlier on the card—prompted both men to quit the WWF the following day, abruptly ending the storyline and their tenures with the promotion. Jarrett joined WCW shortly after and returned to WWF in 1997; Roadie debuted as "Road Dogg" Jesse James in 1996, later forming successful tag teams.[27] In the dark matches, The Undertaker's casket match triumph over Kama advanced their year-long feud, which originated from Kama melting the Undertaker's urn at WrestleMania XI, leading directly to a high-profile casket match rematch at SummerSlam where the Undertaker again prevailed by closing Kama inside the casket.[28] Similarly, Bret Hart's submission victory over Jean Pierre Lafitte via Sharpshooter foreshadowed their escalating rivalry, fueled by Lafitte's theft of Hart's signature leather jacket as a nod to Canadian tensions, which built toward a televised singles match at In Your House 3 in September where Hart secured a decisive win.[29] Overall, In Your House 2 served as a pivotal narrative bridge to SummerSlam, amplifying heel momentum for the Million Dollar Corporation through Kama's continued aggression and Mabel's title pursuit, while propelling individual wrestler arcs like Vega's alliance-building and Bigelow's independent push amid the WWF's transitional New Generation era.[19]Reception
Commercial performance
In Your House 2 achieved a buyrate of 0.70, equivalent to approximately 280,000 pay-per-view buys.[30] This figure marked a decrease from the 0.83 buyrate of the inaugural In Your House event in May 1995 but an increase from the 0.65 buyrate of the prior King of the Ring pay-per-view in June.[31] The event's live attendance reached 6,482 at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium, aligning with expectations for a mid-sized market like Nashville during WWF's expansion of monthly programming.[3] Priced at $14.95—significantly lower than the $29.95 for major events—the show exemplified WWF's approach to delivering shorter, more frequent pay-per-views to enhance monthly revenue and aid recovery from 1994's financial setbacks, including the steroid trial fallout and declining overall buys.[32] In the broader context, In Your House 2 solidified the series' role in WWF's lineup, generating steady though modest income without relying on top draws like Hulk Hogan, and helping to sustain interest in a transitional period for the promotion.[2]Critical analysis
The Shawn Michaels versus Jeff Jarrett Intercontinental Championship match at In Your House 2 stands out as a highlight, praised for its extended length of 20:01 and dramatic storytelling that elevated Michaels' status as a rising babyface star. Critics have lauded the bout for its pacing, near-falls, and innovative finish, with Dave Meltzer awarding it four and a half stars in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, describing it as one of the top WWE matches of 1995.[1][2] In contrast, the undercard suffered from brevity and lack of substance, exemplified by the Bam Bam Bigelow versus Henry O. Godwinn match, which lasted just 5:33 and was dismissed as filler due to its plodding pace and unengaging action, earning only three-quarters of a star from Meltzer. The main event lumberjack match for the WWF Championship between Diesel and Sycho Sid drew criticism for its abrupt conclusion and subdued intensity, despite the stipulation's intent to inject chaos through surrounding wrestlers; Meltzer rated it a mere half-star, noting the poor execution that failed to capitalize on the high-stakes setup.[1][2] Retrospective analyses position the event as a transitional chapter in WWF programming, marked by uneven booking that underscored the vulnerabilities in Diesel's year-long title reign, often cited as a low point due to underdeveloped narratives and inconsistent opponent credibility. This perception highlights broader issues in 1995 storytelling, where Diesel's defenses lacked the depth needed to sustain fan investment, contributing to the era's creative stagnation.[33] Observer and fan commentary, including Meltzer's overall assessments, reinforces the event's mixed legacy, with the Michaels-Jarrett clash frequently highlighted in retrospectives as a redeeming gem amid otherwise forgettable content, though DVD extras and archival discussions reveal limited enduring fan discourse beyond that standout performance.[1][2]Results
Match outcomes
The match outcomes for In Your House 2: The Lumberjacks, held on July 23, 1995, at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee, are summarized below.[1]| # | Match | Stipulation | Winner | Time | Win Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dark | Skip (w/ Sunny) vs. Aldo Montoya | Singles | Skip | 4:00 | Pinfall |
| 1 | The Roadie vs. The 1-2-3 Kid | Singles | The Roadie | 7:26 | Pinfall (piledriver off the middle rope) |
| 2 | Men on a Mission (King Mabel & Sir Mo) vs. Razor Ramon & Savio Vega | Tag team | Men on a Mission | 10:09 | Pinfall (belly-to-belly suplex) |
| 3 | Bam Bam Bigelow vs. Henry O. Godwinn | Singles | Bam Bam Bigelow | 5:33 | Pinfall (roll-up) |
| 4 | Shawn Michaels vs. Jeff Jarrett (c) (w/ The Roadie) | WWF Intercontinental Championship | Shawn Michaels | 20:01 | Pinfall (superkick) |
| 5 | Owen Hart & Yokozuna (c) (w/ Mr. Fuji & Jim Cornette) vs. The Allied Powers (Lex Luger & The British Bulldog) | WWF Tag Team Championship | Owen Hart & Yokozuna | 10:54 | Pinfall (leg drop) |
| 6 | Diesel (c) vs. Sycho Sid (w/ Ted DiBiase) | Lumberjack match for WWF Championship | Diesel | 10:02 | Pinfall (powerbomb) |
| Dark | Bret Hart vs. Jean Pierre Lafitte | Singles | Bret Hart | 13:26 | Submission (Sharpshooter) |
| Dark | The Undertaker (w/ Paul Bearer) vs. Kama (w/ Ted DiBiase) | Casket | The Undertaker | 14:50 | Casket closure (after Tombstone Piledriver) |
Event statistics
The pay-per-view broadcast of In Your House 2 ran for approximately two hours, encompassing six matches on the main card plus introductory segments and promos. Including dark matches and coliseum video exclusives, the full event featured nine bouts with a combined in-ring duration of 1 hour, 36 minutes, and 25 seconds.[34][3] A total of 22 unique wrestlers participated across the matches, highlighting the event's ensemble nature in mid-1995 WWF programming, where midcard talent like The 1-2-3 Kid and Henry O. Godwinn shared billing with top stars such as Diesel and Shawn Michaels. The main event lumberjack match for the WWF Championship involved 30 additional wrestlers as lumberjacks—15 faces and 15 heels—lining the ring to prevent escapes, a scale uncommon for the era that emphasized chaotic boundary enforcement over traditional no-disqualification rules. This setup led to multiple interferences, with lumberjacks tossing competitors back into the ring during the 10-minute contest.[14] Three championship matches took place: successful defenses of the WWF Championship by Diesel and the WWF Tag Team Championship by Owen Hart and Yokozuna, alongside a title change in the WWF Intercontinental Championship from Jeff Jarrett to Shawn Michaels. The average length of the six pay-per-view matches was 10 minutes and 35 seconds, reflecting the event's brisk pacing typical of In Your House's two-hour format designed for cost-effective monthly programming in 1995.[34]| Match | Duration |
|---|---|
| The Roadie vs. The 1-2-3 Kid | 7:26 |
| King Mabel & Sir Mo vs. Razor Ramon & Savio Vega | 10:09 |
| Bam Bam Bigelow vs. Henry O. Godwinn | 5:33 |
| Shawn Michaels vs. Jeff Jarrett (IC Title) | 20:01 |
| Owen Hart & Yokozuna vs. Lex Luger & The British Bulldog (Tag Titles) | 10:54 |
| Diesel vs. Sycho Sid (WWF Title, Lumberjack) | 10:02 |