What the World Was Watching: WWF Superstars – December 5, 1992

Vince McMahon and Bobby Heenan commentate tonight’s show, concluding the taping cycle in Terre Haute, Indiana. Heenan continues to talk of a plan to destroy Mr. Perfect with Ric Flair and Razor Ramon.

Yokozuna (w/Mr. Fuji) (7-0) pins Mark Morgan after the sit-down splash off the second rope at 2:19:

Yokozuna mixes in a backdrop suplex for this squash but his belly-to-belly suplex looks better. McMahon and Heenan put over Yokozuna’s size, with McMahon wondering how Yokozuna will fare against better competition.

Max Moon (10-0) beats Brian Costello after the reverse flying body press at 2:38:

The clown hands a young fan a balloon animal facing the hard camera as Moon incorporates some of Bob Backlund’s leg sweeps into his offense. In the split screen, Moon does his first promo, arguing that he is going to launch his opponents into orbit. Moon uses a gourdbuster and spinning heel kicks to set up the finish while the clown sprays fans with silly string.

Gene Okerlund’s Update segment takes place in an empty arena that will later host a WWF title defense by Bret Hart. After talking up Bret’s recent title defenses, Okerlund is shown dining at a nice restaurant with Ric Flair. Flair argues that Bret will be a flash in the pan.

Kamala (w/Harvey Wippleman & Kim Chee) (20-5) pins Buck Zumhoff after a splash at 1:57:

Before the match, Kim Chee berates Kamala and shoves him into the corner. Heenan tries to argue that Kamala is being more aggressive but he does a lot of the same moves. Wippleman and Kim Chee do an insert promo about how Kamala will not have any problems if he listens to them. Kamala does a quasi-stinkface in the corner, which gets a reaction, but the WWF was not aware of how popular that move would become eight years later. After the bell, Kim Chee yells at Kamala some more about not being able to pin Zumhoff correctly.

Slick preaches about how he has been sent to be a missionary in the WWF. The company is framing Slick as a babyface with this but the rhetoric is so heavy handed and over the top that many fans would find it off-putting.

Hacksaw Jim Duggan (2-0) defeats Dale Wolfe after the three-point stance clothesline at 1:38:

The clown makes another appearance, doing a pantomime act in the aisle. McMahon floats the idea that Duggan might be in line for a WWF title match soon. Action is limited to Duggan getting the crowd to chant “USA!” and “Hooo!” before slamming Wolfe and doing his signature clothesline.

Okerlund interviews Nailz about upcoming matches with the Undertaker. Nailz puts over the Undertaker as one of the toughest men in the WWF but argues that the Undertaker does not know how to fight in prison, live in solitary confinement, or experience six prison guards beating him up in the morning. He tells the Undertaker that he will be the Undertaker’s judge, jury, and executioner. This promo did not land because arguing that the Undertaker had something to do with Nailz’s alleged prison abuse made no sense.

Tatanka (41-0) pins Louie Spicolli after the Papoose to Go at 2:17:

Spicolli tries to beat Tatanka at his own game by throwing a chop but that just makes Tatanka go on the war path with chops of his own. For this squash, Tatanka does his finisher when Spicolli comes off the ropes.

Non-Title Match: Shawn Michaels (Intercontinental Champion) (33-2-1) defeats John Paul after the Teardrop Suplex at 1:53:

Michaels takes Paul down early and then poses for the few fans left at the taping between moves, putting Paul away with the usual superkick-Teardrop Suplex combination.

An old video montage of Mr. Perfect’s athletic achievements is shown.

Tune in next week to see Marty Jannetty, Bam Bam Bigelow, and the Undertaker in action! Also, there will be a special interview with WWF Champion Bret Hart! And the main event of The Royal Rumble will be announced!

The Last Word: The last few episodes have been flat. That is a byproduct of several feuds ending at Survivor Series so the WWF needs time to build new ones. Royal Rumble hype, which starts next week, should assist in that process.

Up Next: Wrestling Challenge for December 6!

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!