What the World Was Watching: WWF Superstars – October 31, 1992

Vince McMahon and Mr. Perfect are in the booth for a new round of television tapings from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. According to thehistoryofwwe.com, the taping took place on October 12.

Opening Contest for the WWF Tag Team Championship: Money Incorporated (w/Jimmy Hart) (26-2) defeat the Natural Disasters (Champions) (26-1) when Ted DiBiase submits Earthquake to the Million Dollar Dream at 7:23 shown:

This match takes place in a “simulcast” from Regina, Saskatchewan since it took place in Regina, Saskatchewan on October 13 as part of a Wrestling Challenge taping. That means that Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby Heenan do commentary. Before the match, the Nasty Boys are not happy about getting switched out of the title match and march to the ring to confront Hart. Money Incorporated intercede, with DiBiase putting several handfuls of cash in Brian Knobbs’ hand. The Nasties put the money in their jackets and lay out the former Tag Team champions, turning babyface. The Disasters march to the ring and the title match gets underway.

It looks like it might be a quick title defense as DiBiase is avalanched against the buckles four times but when Typhoon goes for the Tidal Wave, IRS trips the big man and the heels regroup. IRS does some token work before Typhoon reverses a suplex and Earthquake gets a hot tag. Earthquake prepares for the Earthquake Splash when the Headshrinkers and Afa come out, confusing a viewing audience who may not have seen the Headshrinkers two previous bouts on Prime Time Wrestling. Typhoon confronts the Headshrinkers with the referee, allowing IRS to blast Earthquake in the back of the head and Money Incorporated whip the big man into the corner, with Earthquake flying out of the ring and hitting the guardrail. Money Incorporated gradually wear the big man down with chinlocks and DiBiase clamps on the Million Dollar Dream, which submits Earthquake when Typhoon just stands on the apron and does not attempt a save. The setup to the finish was nice but it made Typhoon look like an idiot. Rating: *½

Following the match, Hart goes to the commentary platform and gets a hug from Heenan. Hart argues that he made the right choice to put Money Incorporated in the title match because they won. The Nasty Boys interrupt and grab Hart. They also chase Heenan off the platform. Brian Knobbs threatens to knock Hart’s teeth out before Money Incorporated and WWF officials intervene. The Nasties settle for the Pit Stop and then toss Hart onto the new champions, finishing a good run of segments to start the show.

Yokozuna (w/Mr. Fuji) (1-0) pins Bill Jordan after a sit-down splash off the second rope at 1:50:

Yokozuna is carrying the Japanese flag and a bucket of salt to the ring when one would think that should be Fuji’s duties. During his entrance Yokozuna gets the flag twisted up and when he tries to unfurl it that just makes things worse. Like Prime Time, the crowd reacts with “oohs” and “aahs” to Yokozuna’s devastating moveset. Yokozuna’s agility for someone his size immediately got people’s attention and guarantees him a big push.

A vignette for Bam Bam Bigelow shows flames superimposed behind him. Bigelow tells fans that he is coming to the WWF.

Tatanka (34-0) beats Dale Wolfe after the Papoose to Go at 2:36:

As the match gets underway, a clown is shown walking up the arena steps facing the hard camera and has a big mallet with him. Wolfe has terrible multi-colored leopard tights for his squash and Rick Martel probably approves Tatanka giving him a beating despite their unresolved feud. After taking some of Wolfe’s punches, Tatanka rallies and does his chopfest as the clown cheers him on.

Joe Bevins, a new part of the WWF broadcast team, is tasked with interviewing Ric Flair and Razor Ramon. Bevins was a commentator for West Four Wrestling Alliance in Winnipeg, where he was known as Joe Aiello. As fans flock to the concession stands in the background, they bill themselves as champions even if they do not have belts. The promos for this tag team match have been weak despite the good promo skills of all involved.

Gene Okerlund does the Survivor Series Report. WWF Champion Bret Hart says he shares a lot in common with Shawn Michaels because they are both great wrestlers and everyone will have to wait and see if Michaels can beat him. A new match announced is a nightstick match between the Big Bossman and Nailz where a nightstick will be placed above one of the corners and the first man who gets it can use it. Nailz demonstrates in an empty arena how he is going to climb, get the nightstick, and dish out hard time to the Bossman. Another match added is Tatanka squaring off with Rick Martel. Footage is shown of the Undertaker and Paul Bearer’s private workshop. The Undertaker works as Bearer shows off plans for a custom-made casket for Kamala.

Hacksaw Jim Duggan reminds eligible fans that they need to vote this Tuesday.

Shawn Michaels and Sensational Sherri come to the ring for a squash match. There is an insert promo where Michaels promises to take the WWF title from Bret Hart at Survivor Series. Michaels admires himself in Sherri’s mirror, as per usual, but Marty Jannetty comes through the crowd, ushers the jobber out of the ring, and Michaels sees Jannetty in the mirror’s reflection. Jannetty tees off on his former tag team partner as Sherri stands in the corner and cries. Jannetty grabs Sherri’s mirror and goes to hit Michaels but at the last second, Michaels pulls Sherri in front of him to take the blow and runs away. Medical personnel are quick to come to the ring to put an unconscious Sherri on a stretcher as Jannetty tries to look regretful but it comes off as more of an “Aww shucks” reaction. Despite the lack of Jannetty’s acting chops, this was an amazing segment. The crowd gave Jannetty a big pop and it was a nice way to play off Michaels’ mirror gimmick.

McMahon reports to fans that Sherri regained consciousness in the locker room.

Jimmy Hart cannot believe that the Nasty Boys turned on him. He argues that WWF President Jack Tunney is forcing Money Incorporated to defend their titles next week against High Energy and that is not fair.

Tune in next week to see WWF Tag Team Champions Money Incorporated defend their titles against High Energy! Also, the Headshrinkers will be in action and the Big Bossman will give a special interview!

The Last Word: There are always a few Superstars episodes worth watching each year because they are packed with so many important developments and this was one of them. First, the heel side of the roster is getting an upgrade with new acts like Yokozuna, Bam Bam Bigelow, and the Headshrinkers. This is continuing a roster makeover for the company as other new acts have been funneling in lately like Max Moon, Terry Taylor, and Lance Cassidy. Second, Marty Jannetty has returned to resume his feud with Shawn Michaels that was abruptly terminated by Jannetty’s firing earlier in the year. Both men will benefit from a depleted roster as their feud has more heat than other programs. And the Nasty Boys turning provides a good shakeup for the tag team division, which has been lifeless for much of the year. Overall, this was a good episode to inject some much-needed energy into the product.

Up Next: Wrestling Challenge for November 1!

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