WWF SuperStars – January 30, 1993
Freeman Coliseum – San Antonio, TX
Announcers: Vince McMahon, Jerry “The King” Lawler & “Macho Man” Randy Savage
Royal Rumble still photos are shown as SuperStars (which has been pre-taped) comes on the air. Vince calls the event one of the most grueling and spectacular Royal Rumble’s ever – – – that’s hardly true – – – as The King and Macho are in agreeance over how impressive Giant Gonzalez was in his WWF debut in manhandling The Undertaker. Savage lauds Cleopatra, the Queen of the Nile, as a further takeaway from him of the Royal Rumble. Meanwhile, in action this week are Mr. Perfect, Razor Ramon, Intercontinental Champion Shawn Michaels, High Energy (Koko B. Ware and Owen Hart) and Damian Demento. Plus, the special interview will be with “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan.
The Headshrinkers [Samu & Fatu] (w/ Afa) vs. Reno Riggins & Bobby Perez
Result/Analysis: The Headshrinkers via pinfall (2:39) when Fatu pins Perez following a splash from off the top rope. Afa, with a raw fish in his mouth that he’s chewing on, is a topic of conversation here but Vince, King and Macho spend the match discussing Bret Hart and if he’ll be able to retain the WWF Championship into WrestleMania. Savage is still hung up on Cleopatra enough to care while Lawler hates on Bret and says he’ll be taking on Yokozuna at WrestleMania should he get a WWF Title match beforehand. Samu destroys Riggins. Perez then falls victim to successive double team maneuveurs before Fatu hits the top rope splash for the victory. Afa tosses the raw fish in the ring to Fatu and The Headshrinkers stuff the half-eaten carcass in Perez’s mouth.
Rating: 1/2*
In an interview with WWF Champion Bret Hart, one that’s obviously pre-taped and before the Royal Rumble, too, “The Hitman” says facing off with Yokozuna will come at WrestleMania but first he still has to focus on the numerous other challengers that want a WWF Title shot. When the date to WrestleMania becomes closer then he’ll focus in on Yokozuna. During the two months into WrestleMania, Bret would primarily wrestle Bam Bam Bigelow on the house show circuit.
Tommy Knight vs. Damian Demento
Result/Analysis: Demento via pinfall (2:02) following a knee drop. Vince claims upon the victory that Demento, eccentric as he may be, continues to climb the ladder of success in the WWF. Yeah, the guy that talks to his thumb as he does in this match. The announcers discussed “The Narcissist” Lex Luger being unveiled by Bobby Heenan at the Royal Rumble and speculate as to what Mr. Perfect is thinking about him. Yet another match put on SuperStars here so that the more important and relevant subject matters can be talked about. Demento was just another stupid gimmick.
Rating: DUD
In a promo, Macho promotes the WWF Fan Club and all the crap you get for joining. Who wouldn’t want that WWF SuperStars collage? Or that audio cassette tape of your favorite entrance themes?
Mr. Perfect vs. Louie Spicolli
Result/Analysis: Mr. Perfect via pinfall (2:00) with the Perfectplex. There’s nothing to the match. It’s a further opportunity to compare and contrast Perfect and Luger. Vince says we’re all looking forward to comparing Luger’s physique with that of Mr. Perfect’s as well their individual intellectual properties. In an insert promo, “The Narcissist,” in creepy tones where only a close-up of his face is shown, goes over his unveiling, scoffing at the notion that people were impressed, saying the people were absolutely awe struck because never before in their lives had they seen such mesamorphic magnificence “beyond perfection.” Lex then answers Vince’s question on if he has yet to hear a response to his challenge to Mr. Perfect by saying he’s heard “Perfect silence.” Early on, Luger is a believable full-fledged narcissist. Mr. Perfect should answer the challenge soon.
Rating: 1/2*
Sean Mooney comes to us from the Events Center. We first see a promo from the WWF Tag-Team Champions Money Inc. [“The Million-Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase and I.R.S.]. Their manager Jimmy Hart is with them and he answers the question he gets from fans wherever he goes about who the best tag-team is that he’s ever managed by saying it’s of course, Money Inc. I.R.S. tells the tax cheats that 1993 will be a banner year for Money Inc. because they will hold onto the tag-team titles all year long. DiBiase says the people might not like how they keep the belts but there’s nothing anyone or any tag-team can do about it, including The Nasty Boys. Hahahahaha!
Next, Reverend Slick sets the record straight by telling Kimchee and Harvey Wippleman, as Kamala stands next to him making very odd noises, that he’s not responsible for taking The Ugandan Warrior away from them. Slick says he’s not Kamala’s manager, he’s only here as his friend and as his advisor. Slick says he’s only fulfilling his mission to spread light in the WWF. He says Kamala is happy man now and someone that’s at peace with himself. Slick warns Kimchee that he started something with Kamala and he’ll have to pay the piper to The Ugandan Warrior.
“The Heartbreak Kid” Shawn Michaels [WWF Intercontinental Champion] vs. Gary Jackson
Result/Analysis: Michaels via pinfall (1:59) following a modified gut wrench suplex. Shawn hit the superkick but he didn’t use that as his finishing move for this match. In fact, the superkick was very weak at this juncture of Michaels career. We hear from Sensational Sherri in an insert promo during the match where she says that she’ll back Marty Jannetty from here forward. In reality, Jannetty had been fired prior to this episode of SuperStars airing the planned continuation of the Marty/Shawn would would be scrapped. The reasons behind Jannetty’s firing I recapped in my Royal Rumble verdict that I’ve previously posted. Shawn had a heavy hand in getting Marty pink slipped.
Rating: 1/2*
The announcers discuss the various cities for an upcoming live event tour in Germany over the next several weeks. Ric Flair had a contractual commitment to wrestle on that tour. Jannetty is named to be on it but alas he was bye-bye.
Raymond Rougeau is at the interview platform as we take a break from these riveting matches on SuperStars. Rougeau introduces a true American, “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan. Hoooooooo!!!! Hacksaw takes aim at Yokozuna and Mr. Fuji for their criticism of the American workers as being lazy, who have lost their work ethic, and, American products such as the USA being unable to make good automobiles or stereos – – – this dismissance never happened – – – and says he’ll be the guy that stands up to them for doing that. Rougueau asks Duggan if he’s aware that, as of yet, no one has been able to knock Yokozuna off of his feet. Hacksaw says that yes, he is aware of that, but he’s still challenging Yoko-zuma, whom he calls Japanese – – – Yokozuna was billed as hailing from the Polynesian Islands. Duggan says he’ll be the man to topple Yoko-zuma and stand over him waving the stars and stripes proudly. Hacksaw says he will not quit, he will not stop and he will not waver. For so long as there is air in his lungs and blood in his heart, Duggan says, he’ll attack, attack, attack so help him God! God Bless America! This was the need to fill the gap between the Royal Rumble and WrestleMania by giving Yokozuna the patriot babyface in Duggan as intermediary fodder. Hacksaw hadn’t done much of anything in the WWF for the 1-2 years prior to this yet it makes sense to manufacture a feud between Duggan representing the USA and Yokozuna representing Japan by way of Mr. Fuji. Any named babyface to throw at Yokozuna that could be jobbed to him the WWF was going to do. Bret Hart says he’s pre-occupied with other challengers to the WWF Championship so let Yokozuna banzai Duggan in the meantime. Effective.
High Energy [Koko B. Ware & “The Rocket” Owen Hart] vs. Chuck West & The Brooklyn Brawler
Result/Analysis: High Energy via pinfall (2:30) when Owen pins West following a missile dropkick from Koko. The announcers briefly discuss Owen’s return to action following Razor Ramon’s sneak attack on him as part of the storyline for Bret v Razor leading into the Royal Rumble, but otherwise, the match is a backdrop for other topics. Vince says Crush will return to in-ring competition in just two weeks while his adversary, Doink The Clown, will debut in action on SuperStars next week. Lawler puts over Doink’s wrestling ability. Vince speculates that a rumor is going around that WWF Mania host Todd Pettengill may soon be managing High Energy. I must have missed that back in 1993 but thank goodness dopey Pettengill wasn’t used as a manager for Koko and Owen. He’d have no doubt worn those oversized, silly baggy pajama bottoms, too. Truthfully, Owen needed to be set free of tag-team constraints at this juncture and be allowed to blossom as a singles wrestler. He and Ramon could have had a few matches, no? Savage, to the contrary, wants to see High Energy versus The Headshrinkers in a tag-team match-up.
Rating: 1/4*
Courtesy of Colisem Home Video, we’re taken back to the Royal Rumble for a look at Giant Gonzalez who debuted during the Royal Rumble match to attack and dismantle The Undertaker.
“Iron” Mike Sharpe vs. Bob Backlund
Result/Analysis: Backlund via pinfall (2:47) with a reverse bridge roll-up. Yawn. Vince mentions that Backlund, now at 43 years old, was WWF Champion for nearly six years from 1978-1983 though the TV audience or live crowds didn’t care in ‘93 or generally know much about Backlund from back then. Lawler has it correct when he says that every time he sees Backlund wrestle he asks himself the same question? “Hey kids, what time is it” That’s a hint for later. Sharpe, the jobber extraordinare that he is, grunts plenty during the match as Backlund works in single leg takedowns and ducks underneath Sharpe as he tries to be intimidating like he’s an orge. Very lame. Backlund has an insert promo during the match to promote the Headlock on Hunger and the WWF initiative to assist the American Red Cross for Somalia relief. Macho doubles down on his support. Lawler uses his Royal Magistrator after the match to draw a picture of “Howdy Doody” next to Backlund. Hysterical. Backlund’s comeback bid continues to be pushed but fans weren’t responding at all.
Rating: DUD
Razor Ramon vs. Pete Christie
Result/Analysis: Ramon via pinfall (2:33) following the Razor’s Edge. Vince points out Ramon likes to manhandle his opponents and says he’s oozing machismo. Christie gets slapped around to collect his appearance check for these TV tapings. Razor showed himself well versus Bret Hart in challenging for the WWF Championship at the Royal Rumble. What was next for him?
Rating: 1/2*
At the Event Center Sean Mooney cues up comments from Virgil, who says 1993 is going to be a tough year with all of the new guys coming into the WWF such as Bam Bam Bigelow. Virgil asks for the fans to support him because he’s always behind them. Bam Bam, referenced by Virgil, also gets a promo. Bigelow says his only goal for 1993 is to be the WWF Champion and he’ll do whatever it takes to be the man that holds the gold belt next. Finally, Tatanka gets a promo wherein he thanks his chiefs, the little braves and the fans of the WWF for their support as he continues to climb the mountain here in the WWF.
Back at the arena we’re informed by ring announcer Mike McGuirk that Shawn Michaels has left the building. This announcement became customary for Michaels whenever he appeared at an event.
Next week on SuperStars, Bam Bam Bigelow, Doink and The Nasty Boys will all be in action.
Mr. Fuji and Yokozuna accept Duggan’s challenge from earlier and say they’ll meet him next week.
The Verdict: Storylines aplenty were the focal point of SuperStars coming off the Royal Rumble. The WWF manufactured a storyline for “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan challenging Yokozuna but it works. We learned that Crush is returning to action as Doink is set to debut as a wrestler. The Luger and Perfect feud was discussed at great length. The Undertaker has a new Harvey Wippleman problem with Giant Gonzalez. Backlund’s comeback continued to flop. The promos from Money Inc. and Kamala thru Reverend Slick, highlighted feuds that each had. Bret Hart makes it clear he’s focused on the immediate title defenses he has to overcome first before he can focus on Yokozuna and WrestleMania. There was a lot of darts being thrown at the dart board to see which would stick.
The Sharpshooter’s Verdict 