What the World Was Watching: WWF Monday Night RAW – June 28, 1993

Vince McMahon, Bobby Heenan, and Randy Savage are doing commentary, taped from Poughkeepsie, New York.

Opening Contest for the Intercontinental Championship: Shawn Michaels (Champion w/Diesel) (16-4-1) beats Kamala (14-4-1) after a superkick to the back of the head at 8:49 shown:

Like his mini feud against Hacksaw Jim Duggan a month ago, Michaels struggles to mount offense against an aging veteran. After Kamala’s blind charge leads to his knee colliding with the turnbuckles. Michaels targets the injured body part and Kamala lets out some loud wails. Despite his reputation as a brawler, Kamala shows good defense when Michaels tries to apply submissions. He pushes out of a figure-four leglock and splashes Michaels’ back but his lack of knowledge about a pin works against him again. Diesel provides a distraction on the apron and Michaels superkicks his opponent in the back of the head to retain. Overall, this was just a basic match but it was one of Kamala’s best during this run. Rating: **

After the match, Kamala gets in a few blows against Michaels. Diesel earns his keep by getting involved and clotheslining Kamala in the back of the head. There is a two-on-one attack on the Ugandan Giant as no one comes to his aid.

McMahon interviews WWF Champion Yokozuna and Mr. Fuji. He carries the promo since Fuji is not charismatic, arguing that America responds best when it is put down. That gets the crowd to pop and chant “USA!” Fuji argues that Yokozuna will be WWF champion until he retires and Yokozuna adds that American products are no good.

George Martin of the New York Giants, Jim Campen of the Green Bay Packers, and Tatanka put over their chances of body slamming Yokozuna at the Stars & Stripes Challenge.

The Smoking Gunns (6-1) beat Barry Horowitz & Mike Sharpe when Billy pins Horowitz after an overhead backbreaker-flying elbow combination at 4:27:

The Gunns do not easily route their opponents as Horowitz nearly pins Bart with a Northern light suplex after Bart misses a body press off the ropes. Billy is forced to clean up the mess and the Gunns use a different finisher where Bart holds Horowitz up in a Canadian backbreaker until Billy flies off the top rope with an elbow. It looks sloppy, so the Gunns need to find something better. Rating: *

After showing the ending of last week’s match between the 1-2-3 Kid and Razor Ramon, McMahon tells the audience that no one knows where the Kid is.

McMahon interviews Money Incorporated, who talk about how they get a rematch soon with the Steiner Brothers for the Tag Team titles. Ted DiBiase shifts the conversation to Razor Ramon losing $10,000 last week. Irwin R. Schyster refers to him as “Razor Jabron” and DiBiase calls Ramon stupid. DiBiase proposes that Ramon could be a house servant for them. A few elements of the crowd start to chant for “Razor,” beginning the process of turning the Bad Guy babyface.

Adam Bomb (7-0) pins P.J. Walker after the Atom Smasher at 2:11:

These two faced off yesterday on Wrestling Challenge. Walker fares just as poorly, finished with a slingshot clothesline from the apron and the Atom Smasher.

Crush (19-3-2) beats Bastion Booger (3-1) after three body slams at 5:39:

The match is terrible as Crush cannot backdrop Booger off the ropes and Booger’s big move is clotheslining Crush into the ring post. After the announcers talk a lot about Booger’s lack of hygiene and Crush’s power, Crush puts over his odds of winning the Stars & Stripes Challenge by slamming Booger three times. Rating: ¼*

Savage talks with New York Giants running back Joe Morris at Meadowlands Stadium. Morris promises to slam “Yokozuno” for the Giants faithful.

Tune in next week to see the 1-2-3 Kid, Bam Bam Bigelow, and Mr. Perfect in action! There will also be footage of the Stars & Stripes Challenge!

The Last Word: After the opener, this show went downhill. It is weird to see the WWF put so much hype into an event that most fans were not going to be able to see live. Crush is getting a big push for the event but it is tough to see the WWF elevating him after he was booked as an idiot against Doink the Clown.

Up Next; WWF Superstars for July 3!

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