What the World Was Watching: WWF Superstars – July 31, 1993

Wrestling Spotlight had another exclusive match, which was taped in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada on May 25. Jim Ross and Gorilla Monsoon commentated.

Blake Beverly (0-4) beats Virgil (7-7) after rolling through a body press off the ropes at 6:06:

The crowd is not invested since neither man has any wind at their sails. Virgil does a sloppy crucifix, which still gets a near-fall, and most fans would expect him to win against a former tag team wrestler. However, Blake recovers after missing a flying headbutt and kicks out of Virgil’s finishing side Russian leg sweep. When Virgil does a body press off the ropes, Blake rolls through it for the upset. A loss like this means that Virgil needs to get his resume in order. Rating: *½

Vince McMahon, Jerry Lawler, and Randy Savage are doing commentary for Superstars, taped from Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Lawler laughs after footage airs of his antics on Monday Night RAW with Bret Hart’s parents are shown. He claims Bret is a coward because he has done nothing to retaliate for all the abuse he has directed at the Hitman’s way.

Opening Contest: Men on a Mission (w/Oscar) (4-0) defeat the Brooklyn Brawler & Brian Costello when Mabel pins Costello after a spinning heel kick at 2:15:

Images of Harlem, New York are spliced into Men on a Mission’s entrance, leading Lawler to suggest that MOM will improve their community by turning it into a slum. Mabel continues to get good reactions from crowds and he wins the match on his own with a spinning heel kick. There is not much elevation on that move but crowds pop for it nonetheless. After the match, Lawler uses the Royal Magistrator to draw a killer whale over a still image over Mabel doing the kick since Mabel reminds him of Shamu.

Adam Bomb (w/Johnny Polo) (12-0) pins Tony DeVito after the Atom Smasher at 2:25:

The squash is background noise for more discussion of the Bret Hart-Lawler feud as Lawler says he will not take back any comments he has directed at Stu and Helen Hart. Bomb uses his usual moves to continue his unbeaten streak.

Gorilla Monsoon’s Update shows clips of the Lex Express in Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., New York City, Boston, and Syracuse. Luger’s appearance on Regis & Kathie Lee where he took his shirt off to reveal his physique is also shown.

Mr. Hughes (w/Harvey Wippleman) (19-1-1) pins Jason Headings after the sidewalk slam at 1:59:

It is another Hughes squash and there is another black wreath delivery. Headings gets nice hang time for Hughes’ finish after taking a dropkick and big boot. After the match, Hughes rips up the wreath and tells the Undertaker if he wants his urn back he can come and get it.

The Headshrinkers (w/Afa) (19-2-1) defeat Dave Thornberg & Bret Tyler when Fatu pins Tyler after the splash off the top rope at 2:59:

Even though the Headshrinkers have been around for less than a year they are becoming elder statesmen in the tag team division because of the turnover of teams since last summer. This is a fun squash as the Headshrinkers knock Thornberg out with a double clothesline and force him to tag Tyler, who is later wiped out with a spike powerbomb. Lacking quality competition, the Headshrinkers exchange blows until Afa calms them down and has them do the top rope splash finish. The commentary talks about the Headshrinkers being new challengers for the Steiner Brothers’ Tag Team titles but The Wrestling Observer noted those plans had changed by the time this episode made air.

Gene Okerlund does the SummerSlam Report. Bret Hart argues that Jerry Lawler has gone too far with his family and he is going to decapitate him like kings of old.

Mr. Perfect (24-2-2) pins Glen Ruth after the Perfectplex at 1:55:

Perfect shows more of an edge in today’s squash, knocking Ruth to the floor with a dropkick and throwing him into the ring steps. Ruth treats that like falling off a ten-story building, which makes the Perfectplex overkill. McMahon announces at the end of the match that Perfect will face Shawn Michaels for the Intercontinental Championship at SummerSlam.

The feature match between Sensational Sherri and Luna Vachon is supposed to be the last part of the show. After Sherri makes her entrance, Vachon comes to the ring with Bam Bam Bigelow and her left arm is in a cast. Bigelow runs down Sherri on the microphone so she slaps him. When Bigelow corners Sherri, Vachon sneaks behind her and chokes her until Tatanka makes the save. This would be the end of Sherri’s six-year run with the company.

Tune in next week to see the Smoking Gunns, Adam Bomb, Doink the Clown, and Bastion Booger in action!

The Last Word: Fans who wanted to see the Sensational Sherri-Luna Vachon feature match were disappointed how that played out on this show. It would not have been much of a match anyway because of Vachon’s injury so the WWF was smart to use it as fuel for the ongoing Tatanka-Bam Bam Bigelow feud, a program that has run out of steam. Unlike previous years, the WWF is taking its time rolling out the SummerSlam card and what exists right now is underwhelming. It also looks bush league for the WWF to talk about a “Rest in Peace” match and not be able to tell fans what it is.

Up Next: Wrestling Challenge for August 1!