April 19, 1993
From the Mid-Hudson Civic Center in Poughkeepsie, NY
Your hosts are Vince McMahon, “Macho Man” Randy Savage, and Rob Bartlett.
The show starts off with comments from both Money Inc. and the Beverly Brothers to hype up their match tonight.
Razor Ramon vs. Virgil
Razor breaks a hammerlock by grabbing the ropes then tries a cheap shot in the corner but Virgil escapes. We get some mat work now then Razor knees Virgil in the corner. Virgil uses a small package for a nearfall then uses another hammerlock. Virgil then tries a school boy in a messed up spot but Razor avoids a dropkick then stomps away. Razor now uses an abdominal stretch that Virgil breaks up with a hip toss. Virgil misses an elbow drop then Razor goes back on offense. Razor cuts off another comeback and stretches Virgil out on the mat. Virgil then counters a back drop with a mat slam and follows with a flying clothesline but Razor ducks a crossbody then Razor hits the Razor’s Edge for the win as the crowd appears happy (6:59) 3/4*.
Thoughts: Once again the RAW crowd did not care for Virgil. This match itself was a mess as Virgil flat out sucked.
Back to the announcers table as we learn that Giant Gonzalez is in action tonight and that Bartlett will interview Bret Hart as we see a band-aid on Bartlett’s face to sell the damage from last week’s brawl between Luna Vachon and Sensational Sherri.
Giant Gonzalez w/ Harvey Whippleman vs. LA Gore
Gore is on the outside and reluctant to go inside so Gonzalez drags him up onto the apron and takes him inside. Gonzalez hits a clothesline then kicks Gore in the face as Vince calls the Gonzalez vs. Undertaker match at WrestleMania “unbelievable.” Whippleman is on the outside saying Gonzalez can beat everyone from Hulk Hogan to Bret Hart then Gonzalez uses the chokeslam for the win (1:20).
Thoughts: Gonzalez is completely unconvincing in the ring and really has effected his ability as a monster. Nothing he does in the ring even looks like it would come close to causing damage.
We now hear from Luna Vachon, who is screaming with black curtains and chains in the background. She then promises that Sherri will be all hers after getting involved in her business as we see clips of the backstage attack at WrestleMania along with last week’s brawl. Luna then says she will be Sherri’s shadow in the dark and take her out then become the goddess of the squared circle. I liked this style of interview although Luna’s screeching was too much by the end. Regardless, this is the first women’s feud to be in the ring in quite some time.
Tatanka vs. Mark Thomas
The graphic reads “Art Thomas” but its Mark Thomas, who has done enhancement work in the past. Thomas attacks Tatanka from behind then hammers away. Thomas continues to beat down Tatanka then drops him with a back elbow smash. Tatanka then works the arm after Thomas seemed confused as to either try an arm wringer or Irish whip. Tatanka then fires up and chops Thomas down before the Samoan drop gets the win (2:20).
Thoughts: They gave Thomas some offense but despite his impressive physique seemed clueless as what to do in the ring. Tatanka gets a win as his undefeated streak remains intact but is in need of a feud.
Money Inc. vs. Beverly Brothers
Money Inc. attacks the Beverlys from behind to start. The Beverlys fight back and clear the ring as the announcers state if the Beverlys win then they are in title contention. DiBiase and Blake are now in the ring as Bartlett continues to fail at being funny. Blake slams DiBiase as the Beverlys use quick tags to maintain control. Vince & Savage rag on Bartlett for getting beaten up last week as the Beverlys are now illegally double-teaming DiBiase behind the referee’s back. Blake eats a back elbow smash on the charge in the corner then IRS tags in but misses an elbow drop as the Beverlys stay in control. We go to break then come back with IRS grounding Beau with a front facelock then DiBiase comes in behind the ref’s back to use the front facelock as the ref apparently does not care or is too dumb to notice. DiBiase chops Beau in the corner but ducks his head for a back drop and gets kicked in the face as both men are down. IRS tags in as Beau ducks a clothesline and hits one of his own. DiBiase tags in and tries a back drop but Beau counters that with a neckbreaker then finally tags out. Blake runs wild on DiBiase then tags right out as Beau drops an elbow for two. Beau gets a two count after a back drop as IRS makes the save then the match breaks down but Blake accidentally clotheslines Beau then DiBiase uses a rollup for the win (12:59) *1/2.
Thoughts: After last week I was expecting a brawl but this was a dull, mat-based match between two heel teams and as a result the crowd was dead. It also ended up being Beau’s final TV match as he would finish up at the European tour due to a back injury. Blake would stay on until August mainly in an enhancement role.
An ad for WWF Mania airs.
Vince now welcomes Bret Hart to the ring. He asks Bret about what happened at WrestleMania, including getting knocked out at the WrestleMania brunch by Lex Luger. Bret talks about being an underdog throughout his career and how he likes going into a match that way before saying he has lost before and will continue to doubt the skeptics. Bret then asks the crowd if he looks like a beaten man as they say no then Bret said he believes in himself and will go back up to the top. Bret now talks about his hit list and that Luger is on the top as we get to finally see the clip of that attack. Vince brings up the investigation into Luger’s forearm as Bret said he has never been knocked out like that before and thinks there is more to it than just a “bone.” Vince now asks Bret what it will take to become champion again as Bret promises to show Luger this is not bodybuilding but wrestling then calls out Yokozuna and even Hulk Hogan to say he is coming back to the top and will reclaim the title. Decent face interview by Bret as it looks like he will be feuding with Luger before going back to the Title picture.
Bam Bam Bigelow vs. Phil Apollo
Apollo bounces off of Bigelow a few times then gets run over a the crowd seems to be cheering. Bigelow now cranks the neck then misses a charge but is able to once again thwart off Apollo. Bigelow hits a reverse suplex as we now see Doink the Clown in the aisle with an umbrella. Bigelow tosses Apollo across of the ring as Bartlett wants to know if Doink is schizophrenic. Bigelow cuts off a brief comeback by Apollo and follows with an avalanche. The crowd cheers after Bigelow hits a senton then he Bigelow heads up top with a flying headbutt and gets the win (4:41). After the match, Bigelow uses another flying headbutt then we see Friar Ferguson come into the ring and check on Apollo as Bigelow was going to attempt a third flying headbutt. Ferguson now heads towards Bigelow as the ref steps in between them but Ferguson ends up sending Bigelow through the ropes with a dropkick from behind.
Thoughts: Long for a squash match. And they looked to set up Bigelow or something with Ferguson but that never happened as the Ferguson character was dropped.
Next week, we will see Crush vs. Lex Luger.
Final Thoughts: The in ring action tonight was poor as this was an uneventful edition of RAW. On the bright side, this was the last appearance of Rob Bartlett. According to Bruce Prichard, Bartlett was hired because Vince wanted a comedian to do topical humor and Vince liked Bartlett after meeting him but it didn’t work out and Bartlett wanted out. Along with Mooney that’s two commentators gone in a short amount of time and that trend would continue throughout the year.