What the World Was Watching: Monday Night RAW – April 26, 1993

For Blog football fans I’ve created three leagues on Yahoo! for the upcoming college and NFL seasons. If you’d like to join here is the info for each league. If you wish to join I’d recommend using your Blog name for the pick set so its easier to track. The two pick’em leagues use confidence points and are based on the spread.

College Pick’em
Group ID: 4327
Password: WWF1993

NFL Pick’em
Group ID: 16214
Password: WWF1993

NFL Survival Football
Group ID: 10409
Password: WWF1993

Vince McMahon, Bobby Heenan, and Randy Savage handle commentary, live from the Manhattan Center in New York City. According to thehistoryofwwe.com, the taping drew 1,000 fans.

Opening Contest: Mr. Perfect (13-1) pins Damien Demento (8-4) after the Perfectplex at 6:25:

Savage makes the outrageous claim that Heenan cannot carry Rob Bartlett’s “jockstrap as a broadcast journalist.” McMahon says that Bartlett quit rather than work with Heenan, writing him out of the company forever. The match is generally uninteresting, two guys going through the motions of a match to put Perfect over for a future Intercontinental title match with Shawn Michaels. At least Perfect decides to do the Perfectplex after something other than a backdrop, hitting the move after a Demento splash off the ropes eats knees. Rating: *½

Jasmine McNeill, an elementary school kid, reads an anti-drug essay entitled “There’s No Hope with Dope.” When she finishes, the Undertaker appears by her side and repeats the anti-drug message. This was another weird PSA spot with the Undertaker this year to go with his participation in the “Headlock on Hunger” campaign.

Heenan says that a fan named Paul is going to propose to his girlfriend tonight and he is going to make sure that she says no.

Lex Luger (14-0) beats Crush (12-1) via count out at 10:44 shown:

Luger gets a taste of his own medicine as Crush gorilla press slams him. He has a great sell for it, running down the aisle clutching his back and screaming “What was THAT?” A good back-and-forth of power moves develops after a commercial break, leading to Crush getting the edge and trapping Luger in the head vice. Luger manages to get to his feet but cannot break the hold. Before he submits, though, Crush releases it and gets on the ropes to look up at the balcony where Doink the Clown appears. Doink points to the opposite balcony where another Doink sits to put over the “illusion” between them. All of this takes a long time, making Crush look stupid for forgetting about the match. The cameraman misses Luger hitting Crush in the back of the head with the running forearm and Crush falls to the floor, getting counted out. One could sense that the way this match ended was going to hurt Crush’s overness as young fans in the front row believe he is a fool for losing this way. This is a good example of a fun match ruined by a bad finish. Rating: *½

McMahon talks about the qualifying matches this weekend for the King of the Ring Tournament.

Mr. Hughes (2-0) pins Jason Knight after the sidewalk slam at 2:08:

Heenan surfs television during the squash, reprising the bit that Bartlett did a few weeks back but he does it better. He makes fun of the Atlanta Braves in a shot at WCW owner Ted Turner. Hughes has no problem with Knight, someone who was managing him in Eastern Championship Wrestling (ECW) by the end of the year.

McMahon does an in-ring interview with Intercontinental Champion Shawn Michaels. It is announced that Michaels will defend the title next week against Hacksaw Jim Duggan. Michaels runs down the Manhattan Center as “The armpit of the nation.” The crowd responds with a loud “Shawn is gay!” chant. Heenan does a creative cover with a heel spin, saying the crowd is chanting “Shawn is great!” For his part, Michaels says that he is an “equal opportunity defender.” Beyond that, the interview goes nowhere until Perfect comes to the ring. WWF officials try to prevent him from entering so Michaels kicks Perfect in the face. In response, Perfect slides into the ring and chases Michaels to the locker room.

Typhoon (5-4) defeats Von Krus after the Tidal Wave at 2:37:

Hacksaw Jim Duggan calls into the show, saying that he is ready to face Shawn Michaels next week. Heenan has some gumption because Duggan is not in the building, saying he would slap Duggan across the face if he was there. Then, he gets worried about what he said and asks for confirmation that Duggan is at home. The crowd cares nothing for the match because Typhoon has lost every big match he has had this year.

Heenan talks with Paul from New Jersey, who proposes to his girlfriend. After some jokes, Heenan becomes helpful and has Paul get on his knee. Part of the crowd tries to rain on the parade, chanting “Just say no!” Paul’s girlfriend does not take the advice and accepts. However, Paul says there are no plans to get married on the show.

Tune in next week to see Intercontinental Champion Shawn Michaels defend against Hacksaw Jim Duggan!

The Last Word: In some ways this show felt like it was Bobby Heenan getting back at Vince McMahon for not putting him on Monday Night RAW from the beginning as he played his comedic bits to perfection. The crowd was into the Mr. Perfect-Shawn Michaels angle and the Crush-Lex Luger battle was better than expected before the two Doinks finish.

Up Next: WWF Superstars for May 1!

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!