WWF SuperStars – February 20, 1993
Event Center – San Jose, CA

Announcers: Vince McMahon, Jerry “The King” Lawler & “Macho Man” Randy Savage

SuperStars begins with dueling promos from Bam Bam Bigelow and Earthquake, the two behemoths competing in the feature match. Bam Bam says, “In just a few minutes Earthquake your barbeque is set to begin. You’re going to feel the heat of my fire!!!” Earthquake retorts, “Bam Bam Bigelow in just a few minutes your barbeque is going to be over because I’m going to smother your flames with an earthquake!”

Vince McMahon welcomes the TV audience to SuperStars and he lauds the Bam Bam versus Earthquake match. Jerry Lawler agrees that it’s going to be great but what he’s looking forward to the most is watching back the comeback match of Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake from Monday Night Raw. The King says Brutus’ comeback reminded him of watching a professional hockey game and he calls the match too good to only see once. Vince asks why? Lawler says, “It’s simple. It was a face-off. Ha! That’s why.” Savage rebukes Lawler’s sense of humor and he makes a comparison to how The King’s takeaway on Beefcake is about as funny as the guy who has to step into the ring today with The Undertaker. Vince tells us we’ll also see Mr. Perfect, Razor Ramon and Kamala in action.

Razor Ramon vs. Buddy Wayne

Result/Analysis: Ramon via pinfall (2:17) following the Razor’s Edge. Poor Buddy Wayne gets himself an apperance pay-out here but also a one way ticket to nowhere courtesy of “The Bad Guy.” Ramon had his entire schtick down and he was perfecting his moveset each and every time out against the enhancement talent. Razor was involved in a mini-feud with Mr. Perfect around this time and that mini-feud should have evolved and been given more runway in retrospect. But with Lex Luger brought in as “The Narcissist,” Perfect was feuding with him and Ramon was just a side piece. I thought Razor measured up with WWF Champion Bret “Hitman” Hart at January’s Royal Rumble so off of that “Main Event” showcase, using Ramon better than as someone’s intermediary or to win second rate battle royals such as the prior Monday night on Raw, proved to be a great misuse of someone to push a lot harder and faster at this juncture in 1993. We all know how big a star Ramon eventually became so it’s easy to say the WWF could have pushed the envelope more with him.

Rating: *

From inside the pages of WWF Magazine, here’s UPDATE! “Mean” Gene Okerlund highlights the return to the squared circle of one of the all-time greats, Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake, in his comeback match from Monday Night Raw versus “Million-Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase. Okerlund informs us that Beefcake was injured by I.R.S. and DiBiase when he took the shot to his face from Schyster’s briefcase. Okerlund updates Brutus’ condition informing the TV audience that Beefcake suffered a fractured nose and there was some dislodging of the steel plates (and screws) in his head (face). Gene says that in light of this near tragedy, however, sources have informed him that Beefcake will be at Monday Night Raw (in two days). Back at the arena, Vince says The Hulkster will also be on Monday Night Raw. What will Hogan have to say in response to Money Inc.’s attack on Beefcake? We do know that Money Inc. is scheduled for tag-team action on Raw. Savage, meanwhile, says he’s excited for The Hulkster’s Monday Night Raw appearance.

Bobby Young vs. Mr. Perfect

Result/Analysis: Mr. Perfect via pinfall (2:20) with the Perfectplex. Poor Bobby Young gets a wrestling lesson here and a “Perfect” one at that. Fans had sure taken to Mr. Perfect as a babyface and Curt Hennig was looking as good as ever in the ring. Perfect lands his signature standing dropkick in the match and he says, “How do you like that Razor Ramon”? The announcers reference “The Narcissist” Lex Luger as Perfect’s arch nemesis but Perfect seemed honed in on his matches with Ramon that were still ongoing in house shows. You’d think the WWF could have given the fans a blow-off match on Monday Night Raw around this time,but on television, the feud was mostly glossed over. Strange. After the match, Lawler uses his Royal Magistrator to draw a picture of Dennis the Menace next to Perfect. The King tells Macho and Vince that’s who Perfect reminds him of.

Rating: *

Sean Mooney comes to us next from the “Events Center.” Mooney “agrees” with Lawler that Mr. Perfect will certainly be a menace as WrestleMania IX approaches on Sunday, April 4 from Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada. The special appearance of Hulk Hogan that’s coming up on Monday Night Raw is likely to have ramifications for WrestleMania, also, Mooney thinks. As for the Main Event of WrestleMania IX, Mooney cues up a promo from Yokozuna, who will challenge Bret “Hitman” Hart for the WWF Championship. Mr. Fuji, as per usual, does the talking, and while he heaps praise upon Hart, Fuji says his Yokozuna can’t be beat and will leave WrestleMania IX as the new WWF Champion. Bret, in response, says, “You know, Yokozuna, he’s definitely got to be the biggest threat I’ve ever stepped in the ring against. And I’d be a liar, I’d be a real liar, if I told you I wasn’t like major concerned about this guy. This guy is definitely the most awesome, the most viscious force that I’ve ever had to step in the ring with and I’m definitely, definitely concerned about it. But let me say one thing right here and right now. Mr. Fuji, mark this down, ‘The Excellence of Execution’ has got all kinds of tricks up his sleeve and I know the oddsmakers, all of the oddsmakers, are putting ‘The Hitman’ down as a real long shot, but let me tell you something, I’ve been a long shot for a long time and I’m going to be around for a long time. The World Wrestling Federation has never seen a champion like ‘The Excellence of Execution’ and ‘The Excellence of Execution,’ ‘The Hitman,’ is going to come thru at WrestleMania.” Mooney affirms Bret’s message that he’s ready for his biggest challenge yet at WrestleMania IX. Next, Mooney tells us that Bam Bam Bigelow will collide with Earthquake.

Bam Bam Bigelow vs. Earthquake

Result/Analysis: Bigelow via count-out (4:05). Earthquake misses to connect with a third avalanche in succession and catapults himself outside the ring to then be counted out. Weak. The two behemoths put forth a decent big man match. What we knew was that it wouldn’t be a masterpiece. I’d have preferred a clean Bam Bam win considering Earthquake was exiting the WWF to go work in Japan but that doesn’t happen. I’d think a follow-up match to this would be Bigelow squaring off against Typhoon, the remaining member of the now disbanded Natural Diasters tag-team. In the coming weeks, let’s see if that match is booked. Bam Bam was still wrestling Bret Hart on the house show circuit at this juncture. Vince doesn’t mention Bam Bam’s matches with “The Hitman” but he does say that it’s a possibility Bigelow could become WWF Champion by WrestleMania and face Yokozuna. No one believed that had any chance to happen though.

Rating: *

Mike Starr vs. “The Ugandan Giant” Kamala (w/ Reverend Slick)

Result/Analysis: Kamala via pinfall (2:25) following a big splash. If you’re a fan of chops, every variation of them, then this Kamala match is for you. Kimchee appears in the aisle during the match to cause a distraction. Slick keeps Kamala away from him, however, and instead, focused on Starr. The announcers discuss Kamala getting in the ring with Kimchee, his ex-handler, in the near future but that match has zero momentum building toward it. The fans at ringside are behind Kamala but they’d cheer on “King Kong” if they were told to. It’s funny, Starr resembles the offspring of the late Adrian Adonis without the flamboyance of “The Adorable One.” Kamala’s matches were terrible. Slick as a babyface manager, in an awful gimmick as “Reverend” wasn’t working either. Maybe if there were other lost souls he could save to form a stable of misfits then maybe he had a chance. Then, you’re talking about other bad heel gimmicks so take your pick.

Rating: 1/4*

We next hear from Debra Duggan, the wife of “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan. Debra, wearing rather dated maternity clothing here, goes over the litany of injuries her husband has fought back from and that she’s helped to nurse him through in their 10 years of marriage. It’s a sob story. Debra says this time, however, Jim’s injuries couldn’t have come at a worse time with their baby on the way. She places blame upon Mr. Fuji and Yokozuna, making it clear that the U.S. is not at war with Japan. Debra asserts that with their baby on the way she does not want Jim to wrestle even though he loves it and he loves his country. In response to Debra’s words, Lawler feigns tears before saying the only thing missing from that speech was the violins. The King says, “Let me tell you something ‘Hacksaw’ Jim Duggan, take your old lady’s advice (and) forget about wrestling. You’re through. You’re washed up. You’re finished. Go get yourself a job at a gas station somewhere then you can watch that little kid of yours grow up like a grease monkey like his old man. Haha. Continue to hide behind your wife’s skirt tails.” Savage, meanwhile, defends Duggan and says he doesn’t hide behind anything or anyone. Macho says he knows it’s a tough decision (regarding Duggan deciding to return to wrestling) and he gives us the line of “a man’s got to do what a man’s got to do” calling “Hacksaw” a tough guy. “Hooooo!” Given Lawler’s disparing remarks toward Duggan for the second straight week, I wonder if there was any backstage discussion of a match between the two? That match would had juice to it. I know Lawler’s entire schtick on commentary in these early days was to throw shade at and/or bury any babyface talent he could, but he did still wrestle the occasional match.

Okerlund is back and this time he’s got the latest WrestleMania IX report. Last week, the music to be used for The King of the Ring in June was dubbed in. I think the WWF jumped the gun there. This week, however, it’s the standard WrestleMania music that’s been used the past two years for WrestleMania VII and VIII. Chills. The WrestleMania IX card as it stands on this President’s Day Weekend in February 1993 is as follows:

WWF Championship Match: Bret “Hitman” Hart (c) vs. Yokozuna (w/ Mr. Fuji)
The Undertaker (w/ Paul Bearer) vs. Giant Gonzales (w/ Harvey Wippleman)
Crush vs. Doink The Clown
Mr. Perfect vs. “The Narcissist” Lex Luger ***NEW***
Intercontinental Title Match: Shawn Michaels (c) vs. “Native American” Tatanka ***NEW***
The Headshrinkers [Samu & Fatu] (w/ Afa) vs. The Steiner Brothers [Rick & Scott] ***NEW***

Gene says that’s six incredible matches already signed for what promises to be the greatest WrestleMania ever. Okerlund wonders which celebrities will turn out at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada as tickets are going fast.

The Undertaker (w/ Paul Bearer) vs. Raven Clark

Result/Analysis: The Undertaker via pinfall (1:56) following a tombstone piledriver. Poor Raven Clark is carried out in a body bag after the match. I actually think the WWF borrowed him for the tapings from a local YMCA in San Jose, CA. Anyway, the announcers discuss The Undertaker versus Giant Gonzales throughout. Vince believes The Undertaker will be able to deliver the tombstone piledriver to the eight-foot Giant Gonzales at WrestleMania because he has supernatural strength. Savage, meanwhile, he doesn’t see that happening. Lawler thinks The Undertaker has lost some of his intimidation since the Royal Rumble when Gonzales debuted and all but left Taker for dead. For one thing, the WrestleMania match that’s on tap had fans talking. Undertaker stands at 6’10 and yet he’s dwarfed by Gonzales.

Rating: 1/2*

Crush gives a promo to promote the WWF’s Headlock on Hunger initiative. The big man from Kona, Hawai’i doesn’t like to see anyone starving, especially the kids. You notice that Doink, Crush’s adversary, wasn’t speaking on this topic. He pops the balloons of American children (yes, it’s kayfabe) so to be a spokesperson for Somalian hunger … yeah, no.

Mooney returns from the Events Center. He hypes the special Monday Night Raw appearance of Hulk Hogan and the new matches signed for WrestleMania IX on April 4. We hear from the reigning Intercontinental Champion Shawn Michaels, who will defend the title versus “Native American” Tatanka. Michaels tells us he hears what everyone is saying, “that Tatanka beat him.” Well, Shawn says, since the match with Tatanka was non-title, the loss doesn’t mean anything to him. Michaels adds he’s still feeling cool and he’s the hottest thing going in the WWF so long as he’s holding onto the IC title belt. Shawn welcomes Tatanka’s challenge for the his gold and he promises to deliver to Tatanka the worst beating of his life. Michaels remains confident with WrestleMania IX approaching. Next, we get to hear from Paul Bearer and The Undertaker as they look ahead to the match versus Giant Gonzales at WrestleMania. Bearer associates courage and death in speaking directly to Harvey Wippleman. Bearer says the two things are quite related and says Giant Gonzales had the courage to attack The Undertaker so now he’ll have to pay the price. The Undertaker follows up with these words … “Giant Gonzales, when you battered this cold (and) lifeless body, little did you know that you opened the container which holds all that is evil, all that is unholy (and) at WrestleMania, you will be destroyed by the unholy, by The Undertaker. Rest in peace.” Bearer did a lot of the talking early on in The Undertaker’s career but Taker’s words carried weight as you knew that he, as “The Grim Reaper,” was focused on collecting another soul.

Vince concludes SuperStars by promoting next week’s show. He says The Big Boss Man will square off with the evil clown Doink. Lawler adds that Yokozuna will be in action. “The Narcissist” Lex Luger returns to SuperStars, too. Giant Gonzales will have a special interview which Lawler looks forward to.

Doink tells Boss Man he’s way too serious and to loosen up/laugh a little bit. He adds, “Next week you’ve got a date with me and it will be no laughing matter. Hahaheheahohoh!” In response, The Big Boss Man responds, “Doink! You think I’m too serious? Well you ain’t seen nothing yet. You’re the kind of trash that likes to hurt people, make people sad. Well next week, I’m going to hurt you. I’m going to make you sad, and I’m going to see how you like it punk! So get ready to serve nothing but hard time!!!”

The Verdict: The fallout from Yokozuna’s desecration of “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan continued with remarks from Debra Duggan. If she has it her way, we’ve seen the last of her husband inside the squared circle. There was a lot of hype for WrestleMania IX as three new matches are announced. The WWF blew it by having the Mr. Perfect/Razor Ramon feud occur in house shows. That deserved more of a spotlight. Kamala continues to bomb as a babyface. Instead of a match with Kimchee that no one wants to see, and with Bam Bam Bigelow without a WrestleMania opponent, a random match could have been Kamala versus Bam Bam. I’d have had Bigelow win that bout rather quickly. Elsewhere, The Undertaker and Paul Bearer had strong words for Giant Gonzales. Next week, Harvey Wippleman and Gonzales will respond. Next up is Monday Night Raw where some guy named Hulk Hogan will make a special appearance.