What the World Was Watching: WWF Monday Night RAW – July 12, 1993

Vince McMahon, Bobby Heenan, and Randy Savage are doing commentary, taped from the Manhattan Center in New York City.

Opening Contest for the WWF Championship: Yokozuna (Champion w/Mr. Fuji) (23-2) pins Crush (21-3-2) after the sit-down splash off the second rope at 11:07 shown:

The match is at its best when Crush is on offense as he gets a big pop for knocking Yokozuna out of the ring with a running boot. Much of the champion’s offense is a nerve hold in the middle. Crush almost wins the title with a flying shoulder block and when he tries another top rope maneuver, Fuji hits him with the Japanese flag. Yokozuna capitalizes with a slam on the arena floor and takes his time to finish Crush in the ring with a belly-to-belly suplex, leg drop, and the sit-down splash off the second rope. Rating: **

When the match is over, Yokozuna gives Crush two more sit-down splashes. Tatanka tries to make a save but is knocked off the apron so Yokozuna can do another sit-down splash. A three-man jobber brigade tries to make the save next but they are ineffective. That prompts Savage to run in and drag Crush away from the corner so Yokozuna cannot continue doing his finisher. To cover for Savage not intervening earlier, McMahon says that Savage’s contract does not allow him to get involved in matches.

As Crush is wheeled out on a stretcher, Heenan says that what happened was Lex Luger’s fault because he has unlocked a new ferocity in Yokozuna.

The Headshrinkers (w/Afa) (17-2-1) beat Aaron Ferguson & P.J. Walker when Fatu pins Ferguson after the splash off the top rope at 3:22:

Ferguson screws up getting thrown to the floor so Walker covers for it by taking a nasty spill from a double flapjack. Walker gets knocked out with a clothesline and just lays on the apron as the Headshrinkers finish off his teammate. Squashes like this are getting the Headshrinkers over as babyfaces with the Manhattan Center audience.

Tatanka (24-0-2) pins the Brooklyn Brawler after the Papoose to Go at 7:12:

The Brawler has been used less than previous years, only making six appearances before this show. Savage returns to the announce table and tells fans that Crush is having difficulty breathing after Yokozuna’s attack. Fans expect to see a three-minute squash but there is a lot of stalling so the announce team can talk about the Yokozuna-Crush match. The Brawler also gets in a good amount of offense, taking off his shirt to choke his unbeaten opponent after Tatanka misses a blind charge. If the Brawler had some exciting moves the match would be fine but his offense is better suited for a slow-paced house show match with rest holds and stomps. Finally, Tatanka goes on the war path after getting taken to the buckle and finishes his overmatched opponent off. Rating: ½*

Fans outside the Manhattan Center talk about how Lex Luger deserves a WWF title match because he slammed Yokozuna. One young kid does a great job, talking about Luger getting a second celebration when he beats Yokozuna for the WWF Championship.

Mr. Hughes (w/Harvey Wippleman) (15-1-1) pins Tony DeVito after the sidewalk slam at 2:14:

A black wreath is brought to ringside for Hughes with the words “Rest in peace” written across it. Hughes’ ring sunglasses have become more ornate with gold trim. The WWF should have leaned into what they did in 1995 and had Hughes melt down the urn into a new pair of shades. After winning, Hughes sees that the Undertaker sent him the black wreath and he tears it apart. He tells the camera that if the Undertaker wants him, he knows where he can find him. At least Hughes is not being positioned as a joke in this feud like Kamala was the previous year.

Before a Men on a Mission vignette airs, Heenan jokes that they are not Men on a Mission but “Men who eats and live at a mission.”

Adam Bomb (w/Johnny Polo) (10-0) defeats Scott Amati after the Atom Smasher at 2:38:

Savage provides another update on Crush, saying that he may have suffered permanent injuries. He reminds people that he is a close friend of the big Hawaiian. Bomb gets a few pops for his big moves, more of a reaction than he has generated in recent matches.

Tune in next week to see Intercontinental Champion Shawn Michaels defend his title against Marty Jannetty! Also, Men on a Mission and the 1-2-3 Kid will be in action! And Jerry Lawler will hold a special King’s Court with singer Tiny Tim!

The Last Word: The Yokozuna-Crush match was fine but the WWF did not find a way to make the Crush injury compelling television for the remaining part of the show. The beatdown is likely to take Crush out of action for a while, which would not be bad for him because he has been floundering since WrestleMania.

Up Next: WWF Superstars for July 17!