July 9, 1994
From the Marts Center in Wilkes-Barre, PA
Your hosts are Jim Ross and Jerry “The King” Lawler
This week, we have the announcement of the SummerSlam main event. Also, Undertaker vs. Tatanka, Alundra Blayze defending the Women’s Title against Luna Vachon, and more!
The Undertaker w/ Ted DiBiase vs. Tatanka
Lawler rags on Ross and Tatanka for a bit. DiBiase distracts Tatanka and that allows Undertaker to attack from behind. Ross points out how Tatanka beat Jeff Jarrett on RAW as the announcers say that match had some controversy but do not go into specifics. Undertaker boots Tatanka in the face then slowly hammers away in the corner as Ross tells us that Todd Pettengill is standing by waiting to tell us the SummerSlam main event. Undertaker cuts off a comeback and grabs Tatanka by the face in some sort of nerve hold as this match is being wrestled at a snails pace. Tatanka fires up after getting rammed into the corner a few times then chops away. Undertaker comes back with a throat thrust but Tatanka fights back and takes him down with a flying chop. However, Undertaker sits up to the delight of DiBiase and soon after that Undertaker uses a tombstone for the win (6:21) 1/2*. After the match, DiBiase stops Undertaker from going after Tatanka by waving a handful of money as Ross says Undertaker is better than ever.
Thoughts: Bad match and Tatanka was treated as a glorified enhancement talent. I also do not think this crowd was buying The Undertaker here and were quiet for the most part.
SummerSlam Report with Todd Pettengill. Dominos Pizza is also the sponsor of the PPV, which takes place on August 29th in the new United Center in Chicago, IL. Now, we learn of the main event as Pettengill says he does not quite understand but will read the main event as given to him by Jack Tunney. We learn that its The Undertaker against………………….The Undertaker. Pettengill says he is embarrassed for not knowing more about this match then cuts to Paul Bearer. We see Bearer from a taped promo as he says DiBiase’s Undertaker will be destroyed at SummerSlam. I mean, if you knew about the fact this was not the original Undertaker on TV then you could see were it was going but if you did not then you were just as confused as Pettengill. Not really the most exciting way to build towards this announcement and you’d think they’d at least specifically hint on TV DiBiase’s Undertaker was an imposter instead of doing that nonsense with Bearer on “Heartbreak Hotel” last week.
Black Phantom vs. Mabel
No Oscar this week so Mabel has to rap on the way to the ring by himself. The announcers are confused over the main event announcement. Mabel shoves Phantom into the corner as the announcers are still talking about the main event announcement. Phantom tries to knock down Mabel as Lawler says we just saw The Undertaker with DiBiase as Ross. Mabel hits a vertical suplex then kills him with a running clothesline and follows with a leg drop for the win (2:13).
Thoughts: So, everyone is confused by this main event announcement as apparently the only person that knows is Jack Tunney but he neglected to give anyone a clue. Despite currently being a singles wrestler, Mabel does not have any sort of direction at the moment.
WWF Live Event News plugs the final “Marathon Tour” show that happens this night at the Nassau Coliseum. So, I thought I had that entire show but turns out it was only the main event, the “Marathon” match between Bret and Owen. I’ll have that match review up tomorrow.
Diesel w/ Shawn Michaels vs. Chris Canyon
Yes, that is future WCW star Chris Kanyon. Diesel attacks Canyon in the corner to start. He then hits a side slam then gives Canyon the snake eyes in the corner. The announcers put over a Diesel vs. Razor match as Shawn mocks Canyon then Diesel hits a gutwrench suplex and follows with a big boot before the Jackknife gets the win (3:04).
Thoughts: Hype for a Diesel/Razor rematch for the Intercontinental Title. Diesel is really getting pushed strong on TV.
We get a hype video for next week’s Yokozuna vs. Typhoon match.
WWF Women’s Championship Match: Luna Vachon vs. Alundra Blayze (c)
Ross disagrees with Lawler’s assessment of Luna being gorgeous while Lawler mocks Ross for thinking that Blayze is attractive. Lawler says that Luna is happy over Bigelow being paid by DiBiase while Ross speculates DiBiase gave her some money. Blayze dropkicks Luna then uses a low bridge as Luna flips out on the outside. Luna trips up Blayze from the outside and rams her knee off of the post. Luna now applies a Boston Crab that Blayze eventually counters into a rollup for two. Luna fights back and chops Blayze in the corner but misses a charge and Blayze uses a sunset flip for a two count. Luna guillotines Blayze against the bottom rope then uses a Vader Bomb for a nearfall. Luna heads up top now but whiffs on a splash then Blayze hits a running bulldog then puts Luna away with a bridging German suplex (3:44) *.
Thoughts: The match itself wasn’t great but it was at least at a decent pace. Given the quick, clean win you would assume that this feud would be over. They also told us how Bigelow & Luna are no longer together, which I guess Bigelow being part of DiBiase’s corporation means that Luna is no longer Bigelow’s main squeeze.
An ad for SummerSlam airs.
The New Generation ad with Bret Hart airs.
“King of Harts” Owen Hart w/ Jim Neidhart vs. Gary Scott
The crowd chants for Bret as Ross says Owen & Neidhart have really caused a lot of problems within the Hart family. Owen slaps Scott across the face then takes him down with a drop toe hold. The announcers talk about Diesel & Shawn being pissed at Owen & Neidhart for costing Diesel the title then we see Scott fight back. Owen catches Scott with a reverse neckbreaker then uses a backbreaker as Lawler says Stu & Helen Hart always favored Bret over Owen. The crowd still chants for Bret as Owen hits a dropkick then uses a Sharpshooter for the win (2:39). Lawler then talks about the title match on RAW and what would happen if Kid became champion as Owen snaps his glasses off of Scott’s face.
Thoughts: The announcers were teasing Owen & Neidhart vs. Diesel & Shawn but mostly focused on Bret vs. Owen for the title. They also hinted that Owen & Neidhart would make sure that Kid would not beat Bret for the title this Monday night on RAW.
Now we see a music video for Bret Hart. Its set to his theme music. It also features sound clips from Bret saying he will take on all challengers and calling himself the “Excellence of Execution.”
Rory Hummel is the special guest ring announcer. Ross also says that Lawler has left during the break.
Jim Massenger vs. Duke “The Dumpster” Droese
Lawler returns right when the bell rings as he said someone forgot to hookup his Royal Magistrator then draws flies around Droese because he smells. Droese works a chin lock and Lawler threatens Droese. Ross now teases Lawler over using to Randy Savage last night at the Meadowlands while Droese hits a corkscrew elbow drop for the win (1:59). Lawler then leaves, claiming he has an appointment to speak with DiBiase about the Undertaker.
Thoughts: They did the deal with Lawler making excuses to avoid seeing Droese as this feud is still continuing I guess.
Another WWF Live Event News segment hyping tonight’s Nassau Coliseum show.
Lawler returns and says he cannot say what DiBiase told him while Ross calls him out for dodging Droese.
Next week we will see Yokozuna vs. Typhoon as we hear from Jim Cornette, Mr. Fuji, and Yokozuna hype up the match.
Final Thoughts: The big announcement left for questions than answers and the rest of the show lightly touched upon current feuds. Plus, the featured match was crappy. Next week we get another potential crappy match but should hear more about SummerSlam, which is still several weeks away.