What the World Was Watching: WWF Superstars – June 26, 1993

WWF Mania’s exclusive match was filmed in Columbus, Ohio on June 14:

Lex Luger (20-0-1) defeats Owen Hart (6-3) with a forearm at 4:38:

Bret Hart was originally booked to face Luger at this television taping, which took place the night after King of the Ring, but an ankle injury suffered against Bob Backlund two days earlier, along with the wear and tear of wrestling three matches in Dayton, led to him not wrestling. Gorilla Monsoon clarifies that it is referee’s discretion whether to make Luger wear a forearm pad. Today, referee Mike Chioda demands Luger wear it or forfeit the match. It is a disappointing match as Owen spends most of the bout working an armbar. Monsoon and Jim Ross cover for Owen by saying his knee is not fully healed. Owen scores near-falls from a bulldog and flying body press. Fans boo the count for the latter, so Owen still has some decent fan support despite the high-profile jobs he has done recently. When the referee pulls Owen away from the corner, Luger removes his forearm pad and blasts Owen, showing how he can win matches with one blow. Rating: *

Vince McMahon, Jerry Lawler, and Randy Savage commentated WWF Superstars later in the day, wrapping up the tapings from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

On the video screen, Mr. Hughes and Harvey Wippleman promise to destroy El Matador and everything he stands for. So Hughes and Wippleman want to get rid of bullfighting?

Opening Contest: Mr. Hughes (w/Harvey Wippleman) (13-1-1) defeats El Matador (9-3-1) after rolling through a flying body press and holding the tights at 3:20:

Lawler makes racist jokes about El Matador throughout, the worst way to distract from a slow match. El Matador blasts Hughes with the flying forearm but Hughes kicks out at two and then rolls through a flying body press to steal a win. Since Hughes was in a high-profile feud with the Undertaker he should have earned a more decisive victory. Rating: ½*

On Update, Gorilla Monsoon tells Kevin Dunn on the phone that he will clarify the recent WWF Tag Team title changes on house shows. Still photos aid Monsoon’s narration of how the Steiners are now two-time champions. The Steiners promise to keep the belts for a long time. Monsoon says Money Incorporated are due return matches and that fans should go to house shows because they could see the belts change hands again.

Doink the Clown (18-4-3) beats Scott Dane via submission to the stump puller at 1:01:

Even though Doink is a heel, he gets a small pop for his entrance. The video board has an effect that creates multiple Doinks walking to the ring. It is a short win for Doink, who submits May after a powerslam off the ropes.

WWF Champion Yokozuna and Mr. Fuji hypes the “Stars & Stripes Challenge.” Yokozuna calls Americans weak. Crush responds with a taped bit that he is ready to slam Yokozuna on the USS Intrepid.

The Headshrinkers (w/Afa) (16-2-1) beat Mike Davis & Buddy Lane when Fatu pins Davis after the splash off the top rope at 2:43:

McMahon floats the prospect of a Headshrinkers-Men on a Mission feud so that is where the Headshrinkers are being sent after the Nasty Boys were fired. Davis ruins the impact of a super backdrop suplex spot by adjusting his elbow pad right after. After the Headshrinkers win, McMahon notes that the Headshrinkers show that a strong intellect is not necessary to win matches.

Tatanka tells fans that he will also be a part of the “Stars and Stripes” Challenge because he was the first American.

Bastion Booger (1-1) pins Virgil (7-6) after a splash off the second rope at 1:59:

The announcers make fun of Booger’s look throughout the bout, which follows the previous week’s template of Virgil putting in most of the work and bouncing all over the place to make Booger look good. Virgil wipes out after a reverse flying body press attempt off the second rope and Booger wins after a splash off the second rope. McMahon acts like that is a new move even though the Headshrinkers just won a match with a splash by going one level higher on the turnbuckles.

Boni Blackstone interviews Bam Bam Bigelow, who talks about finding love with Luna Vachon. Bigelow refers to her as his “love-tick,” leading to a play on words of “Luna-tic!” from the crowd. Vachon tells Blackstone to back away from her man and says Bigelow makes her hot. As noted before, Bigelow and Vachon had a great aesthetic together. Her presence will also make Bigelow a bigger threat because Vachon can run interference in matches.

Mr. Perfect (21-2-2) beats Bert Centeno with the Perfectplex at 1:42:

McMahon needles Lawler by telling him that Bret Hart will appear for a special interview. Lawler says that he may not be on next week’s program because of holiday plans. Discussion of Perfect facing Shawn Michaels for the Intercontinental Championship is an afterthought, which does not bode well for him.

Tune in next week to see Marty Jannetty, Lex Luger, WWF Tag Team Champions the Steiner Brothers, and Adam Bomb in action! Also, Bret Hart appears for a special interview!

The Last Word: The biggest news on the show was that Bam Bam Bigelow and Luna Vachon are now a permanent pairing. Crush and Tatanka are in the “Stars & Stripes Challenge” but neither seem to be likely candidates to slam Yokozuna unless the WWF wanted to suddenly give them a rocket push. Since Yokozuna looked so strong against Hulk Hogan at The King of the Ring one would be forgiven for thinking that the WWF might have Yokozuna win the challenge to further cement his role as a main event talent.

Up Next: Wrestling Challenge for June 27!