WWE Raw Season 5 Episode 22 June 2, 1997

On June 2, 1997, WWE Raw season 5 episode 22 aired, bringing with it all the excitement, drama, and hard-hitting action that fans of professional wrestling had come to know and love. Hosted by the ever-popular duo of Jim Ross and Jerry "The King" Lawler, this episode promised to be an unforgettable night of sports entertainment.

One of the biggest storylines of the night involved the Hart Foundation, a stable of Canadian wrestlers including Bret Hart, Owen Hart, and Davey Boy Smith. In the weeks leading up to this episode, tensions had been rising between the Hart Foundation and their American counterparts, with Bret Hart cutting scathing promos about the United States and its wrestling fans. In the main event of the night, Bret Hart and Davey Boy Smith would take on two of their most outspoken opponents, Stone Cold Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels, in a tag team match that had been building for weeks.

But before the main event, there was plenty of other action to be had on this episode of WWE Raw. One early match pitted two of the WWE's most legendary tag teams against one another, as The Legion of Doom faced off against The New Blackjacks. The LOD, consisting of Hawk and Animal, were known for their hard-hitting, no-nonsense approach to wrestling, while The New Blackjacks (Barry Windham and Justin Bradshaw) were a relatively new team looking to make a name for themselves. In the end, it was The Legion of Doom who emerged victorious after delivering their trademark finisher, the Doomsday Device, to Bradshaw.

Another notable match on the card was a singles bout between Goldust and Crush. Goldust, a flamboyant and enigmatic character who often left audiences scratching their heads, was one of the most unique wrestlers on the WWE roster at the time. Crush, meanwhile, was a former member of the Demolition tag team who had recently returned to the WWE with a new, more menacing persona. While the match wasn't a technical masterpiece by any means, it did showcase the unique abilities of both wrestlers and kept the crowd engaged throughout.

Perhaps the most memorable moment of the night, however, came during a segment in which Brian Pillman, a member of the Hart Foundation, was being interviewed by Jim Ross. Suddenly, Steve Austin appeared on the scene, limping from injuries sustained in a previous match. Austin and Pillman had a heated exchange, with Austin vowing to get revenge on Bret Hart and the rest of the Hart Foundation. As the segment was wrapping up, Austin suddenly attacked Pillman and went on a rampage, destroying everything in sight and leading to a confrontation with members of the Hart Foundation and several other wrestlers.

All this was merely a prelude, however, to the main event of the night: a tag team match between Bret Hart and Davey Boy Smith of the Hart Foundation and Stone Cold Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels. The match was laden with tension from the outset, with all four wrestlers showing off their skills in the ring while also trying to psych each other out. The stakes were high, with pride and national identity on the line, and each team was determined to come out on top.

In the end, it was a hard-fought battle that saw plenty of near-falls and close calls. Austin and Michaels seemed to have the advantage at several points in the match, but the Hart Foundation's tenacity and teamwork shone through, keeping them in the fight. In the end, it was Bret Hart who emerged as the hero, pinning Michaels with a small package and securing a win for his team.

Overall, WWE Raw season 5 episode 22 was a thrilling installment in the ongoing saga of the Hart Foundation and their American rivals. It showcased some of the best wrestling talent of the era and kept audiences on the edge of their seats from beginning to end. It was a night that WWE fans would never forget, and that still stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of professional wrestling.