What the World Was Watching: WWF Superstars – October 24, 1992

Gene Okerlund interviews the Ultimate Maniacs. They do a rambling promo about their powerful bond and how they are survivors who will send Ric Flair and Razor Ramon down in ultimate defeat.

Vince McMahon and Mr. Perfect handle commentary, concluding the taping in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Perfect argues that the Ultimate Maniacs will not survive Survivor Series.

Opening Contest: Crush (17-0) beats Ken Johnson via submission to the head vice at 2:14:

Johnson throws some weak punches and kicks and Crush is wise not to sell them. Crush runs through his power moves as McMahon and Perfect talk about Ric Flair losing the WWF title to Bret Hart last week. There is also an insert promo from Crush trying to convince fans that the Survivor Series main event is going to be great like a volcano. Crush is in desperate need of a feud because “happy Hawaiian man” is a weak gimmick.

Non-Title Match: The Natural Disasters (WWF Tag Team Champions) (25-1) defeat Tom Stone & Bill Jordan when Earthquake pins Stone after the Earthquake Splash at 3:14:

McMahon announces that the Disasters will face the number one contenders to their Tag Team titles next week on Superstars. Stone asks to face Typhoon instead of Earthquake and Typhoon toys with him in a test of strength before putting the jobber on his knees and stomping on his hands. The Disasters avalanche both of their opponents against the buckles as WWF President Jack Tunney’s rule enforcement does not extend to teammates spending more than five seconds in the ring together for offense. They win after doing each of their finishers.

Nailz is supposed to wrestle Scott Zappa next but tosses his opponent to the floor so he can get on the microphone and call out the Big Bossman once again. And as per usual, the Bossman is not in the arena.

After a commercial break, Nailz is still in the ring when the Undertaker comes out for the next match. Nailz does not back down, holding a nightstick as he goes eye-to-eye with the Dead Man. This gets a good reaction and points to a new program for both men after Survivor Series. Sergeant Slaughter comes to ringside and orders Nailz to the locker room, with the convict complying while continuing to look at the Undertaker.

The Undertaker (w/Paul Bearer) (28-0) pins Jason Helton after the Tombstone in 43 seconds:

Helton was a product of the Dungeon, trained by Stu and Bruce Hart. He made his debut in Stampede Wrestling in 1989 and started doing WWF enhancement matches in 1991.

The Undertaker does not get out of his jacket and tie, chokeslamming Helton when Helton tries to attack him from behind and quickly winning with the Tombstone. After the match, the Undertaker and Bearer put Helton in a body bag and the Undertaker stomps on it. The quick nature of the squash and the Undertaker staying in his entrance attire was meant to mask for his recent shoulder surgery.

McMahon announces that the Nasty Boys have been designated as number one contenders to the Tag Team titles and will face the Natural Disasters next week. The Nasties tell McMahon and Perfect that Jimmy Hart got them the title shot they wanted. They promise to nasticize the Disasters.

Rick Martel (25-6-3) defeats Butch Banks via submission to the Boston Crab at 2:36:

At this point one wonders what Martel did with Tatanka’s eagle feathers since he is not using them for entrance gear but, ostensibly, still has them in his possession. Banks grabs a headlock but Martel uses a kneebreaker to escape, works over Banks’ left knee, and applies the Boston Crab to rebuild after losing to Max Moon on Prime Time Wrestling.

Okerlund does the Survivor Series Report. Ric Flair, Razor Ramon, and Mr. Perfect tell the Ultimate Maniacs that new kneepads and sunglasses are not going to save them. Flair adds that money trumps “cowboy hats and paints.” It is confirmed that Intercontinental Champion the British Bulldog will defend against the Mountie, which was suggested several weeks ago on Prime Time Wrestling. The Mountie and Jimmy Hart remind fans that the Mountie beat Bret Hart for the title earlier in the year and the Mountie argues that he gave the Bulldog knowledge to beat Bret at SummerSlam. The Bulldog rebuts that the only shock that will happen at Survivor Series will be the one that goes through the Mountie’s spine after a powerslam. Another match announced is WWF Champion Bret Hart defending the title against Shawn Michaels. Michaels, with Sensational Sherri, says he will take Bret’s title to enjoy a luxurious life. Bret fires back that he does not think Michaels will be good enough to take his belt.

Papa Shango (27-1) pins Victor Reed after the reverse shoulderbreaker at 1:34:

Despite feuding with Bret for more than a month, Shango did not get a title match at Survivor Series so that is the second blow to him this week. Shango floors Reed with a few strikes and wins as McMahon says it is still an open question whether Shango’s voodoo will affect Bret.

WWF Tag Team Champions the Natural Disasters promise that the Nasty Boys nasticized days are ending. Jimmy Hart tells the Disasters that next week their opponents will be Money Incorporated instead.

Tune in next week to see WWF Tag Team Champions the Natural Disasters defend against Money Incorporated! Also, Tatanka and Shawn Michaels will be in action! And there will be the debut of Yokozuna (who weighs 505 pounds), a trip to the Undertaker’s workshop, and a special interview with Ric Flair and Razor Ramon!

The Last Word: The swerve at the end of the telecast concerning the Tag Team titles will bring the Nasty Boys-Money Incorporated issue to a head next week. With regards to Survivor Series it was tough to see Shawn Michaels as a credible challenger for the WWF Championship at this stage of his career when he could not beat Bret for the Intercontinental title in the spring. And it was strange to see Papa Shango passed over for a title match due to his feud with Bret, but one could argue that Shango’s loss to Randy Savage on Prime Time Wrestling killed his prospects. Seeing the Undertaker face off with Nailz was a good moment on the show but it is another example of how the WWF is botching the Big Bossman-Nailz feud as somehow the Undertaker can stare down Nailz but the Bossman cannot be bothered to show up to an arena and get revenge on his attacker.

Up Next: Wrestling Challenge for October 25!

And if you would like to read a compiled breakdown of 1990 WWF, 1991 WWF, or of various promotions in 1995, check out my Amazon author page to purchase e-books or paperback copies!