Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby Heenan are broadcasting today’s show, the last from Erie, Pennsylvania.
Virgil’s squash from Prime Time Wrestling kicks off the broadcast.
Lord Alfred Hayes’ Special Report replays Randy Savage’s interview from Superstars.
The Berzerker (w/Mr. Fuji) (22-0) defeats Ron Cumberledge via count out at 2:21:
Heenan alleges that Elizabeth is only concerned about Jake Roberts and the Undertaker because she can use it as an excuse to avoid housework. The smaller Cumberledge is blasted by several big boots and is counted out after being thrown over the top rope.
There is a replay of the Tito Santana repackaging vignette from Superstars.
The Mountie (w/Jimmy Hart) (23-1-1) defeats Tony Diamond with the carotid control technique at 1:59:
Monsoon jokes that the Mountie may not be able to go back to Canada because he has a criminal record. He uses few moves to checkmate Diamond, applying a Claw to set up the two handed chokeslam and carotid control technique. After the bell, the Mountie handcuffs Diamond. Diamond defiantly tells the Mountie that he is a “jailbird,” leading to him getting beaten up further and shocked. This is a fun way to get the “jailbird” chant going against the Mountie.
Jim Neidhart (1-0) pins Duane Gill after the Anvil Flattener at 1:35:
Neidhart is still using the Hart Foundation theme. Gill makes a go of it by attacking Neidhart before the bell, but he ducks his head too quickly on a whip and gets his head thrown into the canvas. In the split screen, Neidhart tells Sergeant Slaughter that he is scum and got what was coming to him at SummerSlam. He also promises punishment in the future for Bobby Heenan. It is never a good idea when your character direction revolves around a manager or commentator. The Red Rooster was a great example of that in 1989. Neidhart spears Gill against the buckles and wins with his Anvil Flattener powerslam.
Ric Flair and Heenan are guests on the Barber Shop. Flair argues that he is putting people in their place immediately, challenging Hulk Hogan’s claim to be world champion and Roddy Piper saying he is the baddest man in the company. He challenges both men to matches in the future.
The Texas Tornado (28-0) pins Barry Hardy with the discus punch at 3:06:
The Tornado and Berzerker are challenging each other for television appearances and victories without having a defined feud. Heenan uses the match to talk more about how he is Flair’s advisor instead of his manager. Punches are all the Tornado throws until he hits the big discus punch at the end.
The Undertaker (w/Paul Bearer) (26-0) pins Chris Hawn after the Tombstone at 2:32:
Hawn wrestled as Johnny Paradise on the independent circuit and later made a living as a Hollywood stunt man and bodybuilder.
In the split screen, Sid Justice tells Jake Roberts and the Undertaker that justice will be served for what they did to Randy Savage and Elizabeth. The Undertaker adds a jump to today’s Tombstone, making it look more devastating. After the match, the Undertaker and Bearer put Hawn in a body bag and the Undertaker stomps on it.
Tune in next week to see the Dragon, the Nasty Boys, Ted DiBiase, Sid Justice, and Ric Flair in action! Also, WWF Tag Team Champions the Legion of Doom will be guests on the Barber Shop!
The Last Word: As was usual, there were a lot of squashes on this show for wrestlers that were not going anywhere. Ric Flair’s promo was not as strong as the one on Superstars, but he is making the rounds so he can establish himself before he gets in the ring next week. Sid also needs to get some better promo material because while he has great presence, the catchphrase “Justice is served” is becoming tiresome.
Here is a recap of the WWF’s house show results during this week in its history, courtesy of the historyofwwe.com:
Los Angeles, California – The Los Angeles Sports Arena – September 22, 1991 (6,500): Jimmy Snuka pinned Tanaka…The Berzerker pinned Jim Neidhart (substituting for the Texas Tornado) with a Flair pin…Irwin R. Schyster beat Hacksaw Jim Duggan via disqualification when Duggan used his 2×4 as a weapon…The Dragon pinned Skinner…The Beverly Brothers defeated the Bushwhackers…Ted DiBiase beat Virgil via count out…WWF Tag Team Champions the Legion of Doom beat the Nasty Boys…Intercontinental Champion Bret Hart pinned the Warlord…Sid Justice (substituting for the Ultimate Warrior) beat the Undertaker in a casket match.
Backstage News*: Tickets are selling fast for the WWF’s European tour, which will include a televised show at Royal Albert Hall.
*The WBF is quickly becoming a failed project as the larger bodybuilding world is rejecting it, believing the rumors that its first championship was rigged. The Lou Ferrigno signing is seen as a last-ditch effort to make the project work.
*The WWF has hired Dr. Fred Hatfield to develop a food supplement that it could merchandise.
*In talent relations news, people expect the Ultimate Warrior to return at some point because Randy Savage has not agreed to return full-time yet. There are even rumors that Savage could sign with WCW and has talked to them. There is pressure from fans on the WWF to deliver on the Warrior-Jake Roberts story and advance ticket sales for shows with Sid Justice-Roberts on top have been weak. The Rockers are reported to have also given notice and are talking with WCW. However, WCW is in such disarray that the WWF does not think they will leave (and believes the same for Savage). The WWF recently gave Greg Gagne a tryout for an announcer position but did not sign him.
*Backstage news is courtesy of Dave Meltzer’s Wrestling Observer for September 30.
Up Next: Prime Time Wrestling for September 23!