What the World Was Watching: WWF Superstars – March 20, 1993

WWF Mania had another exclusive match that aired before Superstars went on the air in many markets.

Lex Luger (7-0) beats El Matador (3-0-1) after the running forearm at 5:00 shown:

This is Luger’s biggest test to date. The match took place in Augusta, Georgia on March 9. It is also a dream match between two prominent stars of the 1980s. After a slow start, the match picks up after a commercial break. El Matador has a spirited rally and manages to blast Luger with the flying forearm but Luger kicks out. That gets a lot of heat. A blind charge goes awry for the former Intercontinental champion and Luger blasts him with the forearm to remain unbeaten. It is too bad that Tito was not going to be receiving anymore pushes because more matches between these two would be welcomed. Rating: **

On Wrestling Spotlight, Damien Demento (3-3) picked up a win over Davey Starr with a knee drop at 1:30.

Vince McMahon, Jerry Lawler, and Randy Savage are in the booth, concluding the three-episode taping cycle in Long Beach, California.

A music video to Hulk Hogan’s “Real American” theme recaps the feud between the Mega-Maniacs and Money Incorporated.

Opening Non-Title Contest: Money Incorporated (WWF Tag Team Champions) (2-1) beat Alan Reid & Robert Thompson when Ted DiBiase submits Reid with the Million Dollar Dream at 2:33:

Thompson was trained by a All Pro Wrestling, a California independent promotion. He started wrestling in 1991 and this was his first appearance on WWF television.

Thompson and Reid look less than thrilled to be working the match. Before the bell rings, IRS tells the crowd that with a new president it is time for Americans to pay more taxes. That leads to a small rant by McMahon about how Americans pay enough taxes as it is. The champions do not do anything flashy, just using a lot of quick tags to wear down their opponents in turn.

McMahon tells fans that Hacksaw Jim Duggan will be returning to action. It is strange that McMahon made the announcement instead of letting Duggan do it with a taped promo as those were used a lot as Duggan recovered.

Kamala (w/Slick) (7-0) pins Jim Gorman after a splash to the back at 2:02:

Savage announces that Kamala has been given a WrestleMania match against Bam Bam Bigelow. That counters Dave Meltzer’s recent reporting that the WWF is keeping the WrestleMania card locked at eight matches. In the split screen, Slick tries to get Kamala to speak English and say “I am a man” but all he can make are funny sounds. Lawler argues that it is only a matter of time before Kamala turns on Slick and eats him. After doing his finish, Kamala grabs the bottom rope while pinning Gorman and when Slick slaps his hand, Kamala gives Slick a fierce stare. On the Royal Magistrator, Lawler draws Slick in a boiling pot.

Ray Rougeau interviews Lex Luger, who flexes in front of his mirror before saying anything. Mr. Perfect interrupts on the video board and says he needs to see Luger’s perfection for himself. After coming to the podium, Perfect throws his towel over the mirror and does a “Mirror, mirror on the wall” bit. It is all childish but, according to McMahon, it has Luger out of sorts going into WrestleMania.

Non-Title Match: Shawn Michaels (Intercontinental Champion) (8-1) defeats Joey Maggs after a superkick at 2:07:

Michaels does a split screen promo about how Tatanka is destined for nothing at WrestleMania. The champion repeats his bit of hitting the superkick, teasing the Teardrop Suplex, and then opting to push Maggs to the canvas and get the pin.

Bob Backlund (6-0) defeats Larry Ludden after a roll up at 2:32:

Razor Ramon does an insert promo about how Backlund’s accomplishments are in the past and he needs to look at what awaits him in the future. Backlund ties Ludden up in knots so can be roll him up and remain undefeated.

Giant Gonzalez and Harvey Wippleman do a taped promo about how the Undertaker is going to meet his match at WrestleMania.

Gene Okerlund does the WrestleMania IX Report. Yokozuna and Mr. Fuji discuss how they will not lose face in Japan by losing against WWF Champion Bret Hart. Bret rebuts that Yokozuna will lose more than face in Caesar’s Palace. The Mega-Maniacs and Jimmy Hart talk about how their stock for merchandise is going up. Hulk Hogan also encourages Brutus Beefcake not to cut Money Incorporated’s hair but pull it out by the roots instead. The Steiner Brothers tell the Headshrinkers that they do not back down from any challenges.

Doink the Clown (6-1) beats Larry Sampson via submission to the stump puller at 1:38:

In the split screen, Doink talks about sending Crush back to Hawaii. Doink wrestles like Backlund excerpt he has a few more high impact moves like a body slam and a release German suplex.

Tune in next week to see the WrestleMania IX contract signing between WWF Champion Bret Hart and Yokozuna! There will also be a Bret Hart music video sung by Aretha Franklin!

The Last Word: The build to this year’s WrestleMania feels flat and uninspired. One of the company’s hottest angles between Yokozuna and Hacksaw Jim Duggan is not on the show because Yokozuna is in the WWF title match. Next week’s contract signing should finally put focus on the Bret Hart-Yokozuna match as generic promos back and forth have not done a good job selling it to viewers as a must-see attraction.

Up Next: Wrestling Challenge for March 20!

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!