What the World Was Watching: WWF Wrestling Challenge – June 27, 1993

All American Wrestling’s feature match took place in Columbus, Ohio on June 14:

Ted DiBiase (0-1) beats Bart Gunn after Irwin R. Schyster interferes at 7:12 shown:

Neither man has their tag team partner at ringside. Jim Ross talks up Bill Fralic’s chances of slamming Yokozuna next Sunday. As the more experienced singles competitor, DiBiase smothers Bart. He intelligently releases a chinlock when Bart does not let his hand drop three times to lay in a blow but his double axe handle off the second rope is blocked. When Bart begins a generic comeback, Irwin R. Schyster comes to the ring and a well-timed briefcase shot to the face allows his partner to prevail. One wonders what Billy was doing to allow this to happen to his brother. Rating: *½

Wrestling Challenge had Jim Ross and Bobby Heenan on commentary, concluding the shows in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Ross, on the deck of the USS Intrepid, expresses his hopes that there is an American that can body slam Yokozuna. He reminds viewers that Hulk Hogan could not do it so it is a tall task.

Opening Contest: Adam Bomb (w/Johnny Polo) (6-0) pins P.J. Walker after the Atom Smasher at 1:57:

Polo’s object of choice today is a badminton racquet with some shuttlecocks. Bomb methodically dismantles Walker and gives Polo a lot to brag about on the arena floor.

Hacksaw Jim Duggan (13-2) pins Mike Sharpe after the three-point stance clothesline at 2:33:

It is strange that Duggan has not been announced for the Stars & Stripes Challenge because representing America is a big part of his gimmick. Duggan has lost momentum since getting knocked out of the King of the Ring Tournament by Bam Bam Bigelow. There is also no mention of his feud with Yokozuna, so that is winding down and one wonders what, if anything, Duggan will do next.

Bastion Booger (2-1) defeats Tony Roy after a powerslam at 2:13:

Ross tries to put over Booger as a force of nature, albeit an ugly one, but the only power move that Booger does is a powerslam finish.

In a taped King’s Court, Jerry Lawler interviews himself. Lawler argues that Bret Hart provoked his attack at King of the Ring and that everyone in the WWF will soon kiss his feet.

Randy Savage announces that he will be part of the Stars & Stripes Challenge as an announcer and participant.

Lex Luger (21-0-1) defeats Mike Bell after the running forearm at 2:39:

Luger underestimates Bell, who schoolboys him for a near-fall. When Luger tries a slam, Bell counters into a small package for two. Angry, Luger completes a slam on a second attempt and takes Bell’s head off with a running forearm.

WWF Tag Team Champions the Steiner Brothers say that they can lift a lot of weight and are going to enter the Stars & Stripes Challenge.

Crush (18-3-2) beats Scott Taylor via submission to the head vice at 2:01:

Taylor cannot handle Crush’s power and cannot mount much of a challenge to the big Hawaiian on today’s program.

Tune in next week to see WWF Tag Team Champions the Steiner Brothers, Doink the Clown, and Tatanka in action! Also, Men on a Mission make their debut! And WWF Champion Yokozuna and Mr. Fuji will be guests on the King’s Court!

The Last Word: This episode offered nothing new to fans who had seen Monday Night RAW or WWF Superstars earlier in the week. Next week’s programming will continue to hype the Stars & Stripes Challenge, which is being positioned as an event to determine Yokozuna’s next challenger.

As the WWF wrapped up June, its two circuits ran in the Northeast and California. Here are the results of some of those shows, courtesy of thehistoryofwwe.com:

Sacramento, California – Arco Arena – June 26, 1993 (3,400): The 1-2-3 Kid beat Terry Taylor…Papa Shango defeated the Tonga Kid (substituting for Kamala)…The Headshrinkers beat the Smoking Gunns…The Undertaker defeated Giant Gonzalez via disqualification…Tatanka wrestled Bam Bam Bigelow to a double count out…Lex Luger defeated Razor Ramon…Intercontinental Champion Shawn Michaels pinned Mr. Perfect.

Boston, Massachusetts – The Boston Garden – June 26, 1993 (3,500): El Matador (substituting for the Predator) beat the Brooklyn Brawler…Mr. Hughes defeated Bob Backlund…Luna Vachon beat Sensational Sherri…WWF Champion Yokozuna pinned Hacksaw Jim Duggan in a lumberjack match…Owen Hart defeated Damien Demento…Crush beat Doink the Clown via disqualification…The Mega-Maniacs defeated Money Incorporated in a match where Sergeant Slaughter was the special guest referee.

Long Island, New York – The Nassau Coliseum – June 27, 1993 (6,500): The Brooklyn Brawler beat the Predator…Owen Hart defeated Damien Demento…Sensational Sherri beat Luna Vachon via reverse decision. Vachon originally won the match when Doink the Clown came to ringside and tossed a bucket of water in Sherri’s face…Mr. Hughes defeated Bob Backlund…Doink the Clown pinned Crush after hitting him with a weapon after a second Doink distracted the referee…WWF Tag Team Champions the Steiner Brothers beat Money Incorporated when Scott pinned Ted DiBiase…WWF Champion Yokozuna defeated Hacksaw Jim Duggan in a lumberjack match.

Backstage News*: The WWF is adjusting house shows going forward. It will look to have one stronger “A” circuit that will run in big markets and a smaller “B” circuit that will run in medium and small-sized markets. Gone will be the appearance that the circuits are equal. Towns that are not big markets like New York City, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Chicago, and San Francisco will get three or fewer shows a year. And the WWF also cancelled many house show stops scheduled for August and September, leaving many Sundays without events. To drive more attendance at shows, the WWF wants to put together a better television product because ratings for syndicated shows continue to fall and refocus on getting mainstream attention in the towns it does visit.

-Hulk Hogan was said to have not taken house shows matches seriously in Chicago and Boston. In Chicago, he had Horace Grant come into the ring and pin Ted DiBiase to end a tag team match against Money Incorporated. In Boston, he got off the apron and talked with fans at ringside rather than pay attention to what Brutus Beefcake was doing.

-In talent relations news, Sensational Sherri has given notice to enroll in beauty college. That is why Luna Vachon was moved into her role as Bam Bam Bigelow’s manager and love interest this week.

*Backstage news is provided courtesy of Dave Meltzer’s Wrestling Observer for July 5.

Up Next: Monday Night RAW for June 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!