Live from New York, NY
Airdate: April 26, 1993
Attendance: 1,000
Hosted by Vince McMahon, “Macho Man” Randy Savage, and Bobby “The Brain” Heenan
Can Crush defeat Luger or is something else in the cards? What happens when MIchaels takes Manhattan? Let’s find out!
Sorry, Jason. Please don’t skewer me!
Opening montage.
Match 1: Mr. Perfect versus Damien Demento
Highlights:
- When the match began, Vince joked about Rob Bartlett’s apparent resignation.
- Perfect leap-frogged and dropkicked Demento.
- As Demento’s cheese fell off his cracker, he tossed Perfect outside the ring atop a cameraman. Great visual!
- Upon Perfect’s return, Demento gave him a HARD cross corner whip to injure the back.
- To tease Demento, the Manhattan faithful chanted “L-S-D.” You don’t need a plane ticket for that trip.
- Regardless, Perfect rebounded with a knee lift followed by a neck snap.
- Demento responded with a splash attempt but ate knees.
- When Perfect hooked the Perfectplex, he pinned Demento.
Rating: *
Summary: Showcase match for Perfect.
In a pre-recorded segment, youngster Jasmine McNeill reads an essay titled “There’s no hope with dope.” Undertaker then provides an ominous cameo to cement the message.
When we return to live action, Heenan mentions that Paul Sosnowski from Perth Amboy, NJ will propose to his girlfriend LIVE on RAW.
Match 2: Crush versus the “Narcissist” Lex Luger
Highlights:
- It should be noted that steroid-free Luger was announced at 255 lbs.
- As Luger posed in the mirror, Vince announced that WWF President Jack Tunney can do NOTHING about Luger’s allegedly loaded forearm despite the obvious X-ray.
- Savage then explained Heenan’s replacing Bartlett as “attorneys, attorneys, attorneys.” Without hesitation, Vince’s reply was “my favorite people.” He would live to regret that statement within the next year.
- When Crush military-press-slammed him, Luger sought refuge outside the ring.
- Crush then reversed an Irish whip before leap-frogging and dropkicking Luger.
- Following a commercial break, Crush countered a hip toss with a belly-to-belly suplex for 2.
- He then gave Luger a cross corner whip but came up empty on his follow-through.
- After Luger sent Crush to the floor, he leaped from the apron to deliver a double axe handle.
- He then rammed Crush back-first into the apron twice followed by the ring post.
- As Luger applied a bear hug, Crush rang his bell to escape.
- Luger then powerslammed him for 2.
- When Luger attempted to suplex him, Crush blocked it and hit a vertical suplex of his own.
- He then gave Luger a belly-to-back suplex followed by a slam.
- After he leg-dropped Luger, Crush got 2.
- Crush then secured the Coconut Crush but released the hold when he spotted Doink in the balcony.
- As Doink pointed to a second Doink in another section of the balcony, Luger nailed Crush from behind with his allegedly loaded forearm.
- Luger won by countout.
Rating: *
Summary: While Crush brought the workrate, Doink stole his momentum and cost him the match.
Promo airs for King of the Ring ‘93 LIVE on PPV on 6/13. Order NOW!
Afterward, Vince plugs qualifying matches for the tournament on Superstars such as Perfect versus Doink and Bob Backlund versus Luger.
Promotional consideration paid for by the following: ICOPRO and Davey Boy Smith.
Prior to the next match, Paul Sosnowski and his girlfriend are shown pictured within a heart.
Match 3: Mr. Hughes versus Jason Knight
Highlights:
- This was RAW appearance #2 for the “Sexiest Man Alive,” yet I don’t like his chances.
- In addition, this match marked Mr. Hughes RAW
- Hughes slammed Knight while Heenan dissed the Atlanta Braves and watched a Sir Mix-A-Lot video. How much do you want to bet that Vince encouraged Heenan to denigrate the Ted Turner-owned baseball team?
- Nevertheless, Knight attempted a cross body block, but Hughes caught and gave Knight a series of backbreakers. It’s no wonder Knight played a spineless character in ECW.
- Hughes then delivered a big boot and a chokeslam while Heenan tried to watch scramblevision.
- 1-2-3.
- Hughes won.
Rating: DUD
Summary: Showcase match for Mr. Hughes.
After the match, Heenan continues to work the remote control as a vignette for the incoming Smoking Gunns airs.
In the ring, Vince interviews WWF Intercontinental champion the “Heartbreak Kid” Shawn Michaels. Vince then announces a title defense for Michaels against “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan on next week’s show. Following that, Michaels refers to New York City as a “dump.” While Michaels toots his own horn, a LOUD “Shawn is Gay” chant erupts from the Manhattan faithful. Heenan clarifies it as “great” to cover it, but no one’s buying.
After he cuts a promo on Duggan, Michaels runs down the Manhattan faithful again. We then revisit WrestleMania IX when Michaels attacked Perfect backstage. He then confuses Sesame Street’s Grover with Oscar the Grouch when discussing Perfect. Speaking of Perfect, he emerges through the entrance, but officials prevent him from entering. Michaels then gets a cheap kick in, so Perfect breaks free and chases Michaels out of the ring and backstage.
Among the Manhattan faithful, New York Giants tight end Howard Cross and wide receiver Joey Smith enjoy the action.
We then revisit Superstars when Bigelow manhandled Sherri until Tatanka came to her rescue. Later in the show, Bigelow attacked Tatanka prior to the latter’s match and cut his hair. How dastardly!
Match 4: Typhoon versus Skull Von Krus
Highlights:
- Typhoon reversed a cross corner whip and backdropped Von Krus.
- As Typhoon clotheslined Von Krus, Duggan was on the phone. As you’d expect, Heenan questioned his intellect.
- Typhoon then gave Von Krus a cross corner whip followed by an avalanche.
- When he clotheslined Von Krus, Typhoon finished him with the Tidal Wave.
- Typhoon won.
Rating: DUD
Summary: Showcase match for Typhoon.
After the match, Heenan grabs a microphone and introduces Paul Sosnowski and his girlfriend Louise. Paul then proposes marriage to Louise while Heenan questions their sexual compatibility. Yikes! After an incredulous Louise accepts, Heenan asks them if they’ll get married on RAW, but Paul refuses.
Promotional consideration paid for by the following: Slim Jim
Heenan then wants to see the engagement ring and asks how much Cracker Jacks Paul had to eat to earn the ring. HA!
Conclusion: Besides the Manhattan faithful’s penchant for sending Michaels on a one-way trip to parts of Greenwich Village, the Crush-Doink feud continues. Lest we forget, but wedding bells are ringing! I wonder if Paul and Louise are still married.
TV Rating: 3.2
Stay tuned for WWF Monday Night RAW 5-3-93!
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