What the World Was Watching: WWF Superstars – February 27, 1993

WWF Mania had two exclusive matches before Superstars aired later in the day on syndication:

Repo Man (0-3) beats Mike Starr via submission to a single leg Boston Crab at 2:30:

The notable thing about this squash is that Repo Man wears a new attire with black and white tights that are marked like tire treads. He is also wearing a full mask rather than the Lone Ranger-like look that he had used since his debut. Lord Alfred Hayes suggests on commentary that there is a $10,000 reward for anyone who can take Repo Man’s mask off. The look is a nice change but the ring work is poor as Repo Man kicks and stomps on Starr’s leg before locking in a single leg Boston Crab to stop a long losing streak.

Yokozuna (w/Mr. Fuji) (8-1) pins Jesse Storm after the sit-down splash off the second rope at 2:01:

Aside from a few mentions, there has not been a lot of attention put on the WWF title match between Yokozuna and Bret Hart at WrestleMania. This squash just keeps the Yokozuna machine rolling.

Vince McMahon, Jerry Lawler, and Randy Savage commentate today’s episode of WWF Superstars that is the last of the taping cycle in San Jose, California.

Doink the Clown is backstage with Ray Rougeau and says the real joke is the Big Bossman trying to impose law and order on the WWF. He takes Rougeau’s pocket square and blows his nose on it.

Opening Contest: Yokozuna (w/Mr. Fuji) (9-1) beats Brian West after the sit-down splash off the second rope at 2:02:

McMahon tries to calm some of the public relations fervor over the Yokozuna character, saying that he does not represent all Asian Americans. Yokozuna wins his second match of the day, exciting some fans facing the hard camera who cheer him on as he ascends the ropes for his finisher.

Hacksaw Jim Duggan’s father does a call-in segment with McMahon. He says that Duggan did let him down when facing Yokozuna several weeks ago and he would encourage his son to return to the ring because he is a good representative of America. That counteracts advice Duggan is receiving from his wife, who said she did not want him to return to the ring on last week’s program.

Ray Rougeau interviews Giant Gonzalez and Harvey Wippleman. Wippleman argues that the Undertaker will experience a giant defeat, a giant humiliation, and a giant funeral at Gonzalez’s hands. Gonzalez adds that he will bury the Undertaker.

The Nasty Boys (5-0) defeat Mark Ming & Jim Gorman when Jerry Sags pins Gorman after the Trip to Nastyville at 2:35:

Ming and Gorman had been used by the WWF before as enhancement talents, with each of them appearing multiple times from 1988-1991. Neither were used for any matches in 1992.

The positioning of Hulk Hogan and Brutus Beefcake into the tag team ranks is not good for the Nasty Boys because, as of right now, it is going to take away their feud with Money Incorporated. It also leaves the team without a dance partner for WrestleMania. But those are concerns for another day as McMahon talks about the Nasties pursuit of Money Incorporated’s Tag Team titles in order keep that match on the radar for house shows. The Nasties win a hard-hitting squash to run their beaten streak to six matches.

The Big Bossman (0-1) beats Doink the Clown (4-0) via disqualification at 4:16:

Doink tries to give the Bossman a present at the beginning of the match and when the Bossman refuses it, Doink clocks him in the head with the gift. It is genius to make the Doink character a skilled technical wrestler as it adds depth to it. This match took place a day later in Fresno as part of Wrestling Challenge so Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby Heenan provide commentary. The Bossman has a fun, energetic comeback after throwing Doink off the top rope, forcing Doink to squirt a green substance into the Bossman’s eyes. Referee Joey Marella does not see that at first and starts counting a pinfall but stops when he notices the substance on the Bossman and disqualifies Doink. The Bossman is helped to the locker room as he clutches his eyes, not to return to a WWF run for more than five years. Rating: *½

Gene Okerlund does the WrestleMania IX Report. WWF Champion Bret Hart argues that he is determined to hold onto his title against Yokozuna. Intercontinental Champion Shawn Michaels argues that Tatanka will need to use a whole tribe to defeat him. Tatanka rebuts that he has beaten Michaels before and will do it again. An angry Crush warns Doink the Clown that he failed to end his career and he is going to bring a lot of rage that will explode in the ring.

Lex Luger (3-0) pins Jim Powers after a running forearm at 1:30:

In a fun bit, Powers takes the opportunity to pose in front of Luger’s mirror. That makes Luger angry so he clotheslines Powers in the back of the head. Like Luger’s other opponents, Powers get knocked out by the running forearm. McMahon says there is a growing conversation in the WWF about how Luger does that to opponents. After the match, ring attendants revive Powers with smelling salts.

Tune in next week to see Crush, Razor Ramon, the Steiner Brothers, and the Headshrinkers in action! Also, WWF Champion Bret Hart will be in action!

The Last Word: The WWF is going through a roster turnover in the first quarter of the year as Ric Flair, Earthquake, Max Moon, the Berzerker, and the Big Bossman have left the company. Marty Jannetty was also fired and Lance Cassidy quit. That makes for a more refreshing product but also creates holes the WWF is going to have to plug in. They are doing what they can by putting Bam Bam Bigelow and Doink the Clown over older acts but time will tell if it is enough to sustain the company’s present momentum.

Up Next: Wrestling Challenge for February 28!

And if you would like to read a compiled breakdown of 1990-1992 WWF, 1993 ECW, or of various promotions in 1995, check out my Amazon author page to purchase e-books or paperback copies!