What the World Was Watching: WWF Superstars – April 3, 1993

WWF Spotlight had an exclusive enhancement match.

Damien Demento (5-3) pins Lee Armstrong after the knee drop at 2:09:

Armstrong made five appearances as an enhancement talent for the WWF in 1992, losing to babyface acts like the Bushwhackers, the British Bulldog, El Matador, the Big Bossman, and the Undertaker.

This is a different Lee Armstrong from the one that lost to Crush on Superstars last week. Demento does his usual squash formula and the crowd does not like it. Several fans shout “Boring!” within the first 30 seconds. All Demento can do to counter that is a shoulder tackle off the ropes where he does not leave his feet.

Vince McMahon, Jerry Lawler, and Randy Savage host today’s show from Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada. The matches on today’s show were filmed in Fayetteville, North Carolina, site of the March to WrestleMania IX special.

Opening Contest: Mr. Perfect (10-0) pins Dwayne Gill with the Perfectplex at 2:52:

Gill bumps well for Perfect, flying all over the ring for his moves and taking a nice bump off the apron from a clothesline.

Lex Luger joins the broadcast team, saying that Perfect will be forced to reflect on his career after WrestleMania because he will learn that he is not perfect.

McMahon, Lawer, and Savage go inside Caesars Palace to do some shopping. No shopping is shown but Savage wanders away to get some done. Lawler screams to Savage that he cannot buy wrestling ability there.

Gene Okerlund interviews the Mega-Maniacs and Jimmy Hart. Hulk Hogan talks about seizing Money Incorporated’s assets, which will help to pay down the national debt. Brutus Beefcake says he is the “detail man” to get their motorcycles ready to carry the Tag Team titles. Hogan hits Beefcake several times in the head with a briefcase, showing that the mask can absorb the blows. The repeated blows nearly make Beefcake’s mask fall off, though, so that does expose a vulnerability to Money Incorporated. This was better than their long, crazy promo at March to WrestleMania IX. If it was just Hogan doing the promo it would be better as Beefcake contributes nothing. And Beefcake’s goofy mask is more a hindrance than an asset.

Bam Bam Bigelow (14-1) pins Glen Ruth after the flying headbutt at 1:25:

Gorilla Monsoon educates Heenan about what Asbury Park, New Jersey looks like. Heenan wonders if it looks like modern Beirut. Fans like Bigelow’s double underhook backbreaker. Despite his loss to the Undertaker, he is a prohibitive favorite to beat Kamala at WrestleMania.

McMahon and Lawler come across Intercontinental Champion Shawn Michaels near a pool. Michaels is sunbathing and says that he relies on skill to win while Tatanka relies on luck.

Tatanka (10-0) beats Barry Hardy after the Papoose to Go at 3:13:

Monsoon chides Heenan for a poor WrestleMania record, making Heenan admit that he hates the show even though it gets him excited every year. Tatanka continues his long unbeaten streak but will face another major challenge to it tomorrow in Caesars Palace.

Doink the Clown (9-1) beats Dale Wolfe via submission to the stump puller in 58 seconds:

Heenan makes fun of how many times Crush says “Brutha!” in normal conversation. Unfortunately, that bit is brought to a quick close as Doink wins his squash in less than a minute. After the match, Doink opens a present to reveal a pie. He shoves it in Wolfe’s face, with some of the residue getting on fans at ringside.

After showing how the Undertaker-Giant Gonzalez feud began, McMahon, Lawler, and Savage talk to Gonzalez and Harvey Wippleman. Gonzalez mimics throwing dice and talks about throwing Snake Eyes, a line that has been used too often in promos by other wrestlers in the lead up to WrestleMania. One of Gonzalez’s flaws in this role is that he is cast as a sinister monster but he loves to smile. That makes him seem more like a loveable giant than someone who was going to rip another’s head off.

Giant Gonzalez (w/Harvey Wippleman) (1-0) defeats Virgil (3-1) after a chokeslam at 2:58:

At least Gonzalez has a sinister expression during his entrance for this match. Virgil has not been seen in a month. Ted DiBiase’s former bodyguard practically wrestles himself, getting on the top rope for a test of strength and running into a Gonzalez clothesline. He tries to get something out Gonzalez but it is for naught. Gonzalez finishes with a chokeslam and keeps his hand on Virgil’s throat for the pin, something the referee should not have allowed. This was the second recording of this match as their effort a day earlier was so bad that the WWF opted not to use that one for this show.

After the bell, Gonzalez gives Virgil a second chokeslam but it is weak as Virgil does not get a lot of hang time on the move. He “chokes” Virgil, a spot that has no physical expression to look convincing, until WWF officials intercede.

The Steiner Brothers (11-0) beat Tom Jones & George South when Scott pins Jones after the Steinerizer at 2:06:

If fans have followed most of the syndicated shows, the Steiners-Headshrinkers match is one of the most interesting on the WrestleMania card because of the high impact offense both squads utilize. Jones and South get off easy compared to past jobbers. South is smart enough not to tag back in after starting the match.

WWF Champion Bret Hart joins McMahon, Lawler, and Savage. Bret says that Yokozuna will not get him in a compromising position like the contract signing. He says that aside from soreness, he is not feeling too many bad effects from the sit-down splash off the second rope. Savage is supposed to give Bret some advice but prefers to do a pep talk instead.

The Last Word: There was quite the display of effective enhancement talent on this broadcast, which helped the smoothness of the matches. It was also nice that the format of the show was different because it took place in two different locations. For some reason the WWF thinks people want to see “The world’s largest toga party” more than the matches. It was a subtle sign that the WWF did not have confidence in the card they put together.

Up Next: Wrestling Challenge for April 4!

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!