What the World Was Watching: WWF Superstars – August 21, 1993

WWF Mania on Saturday morning had an exclusive squash match, taped in Utica, New York on July 26. Jim Ross and Gorilla Monsoon provided commentary:

Virgil (7-8) beats Barry Hardy after the side Russian leg sweep at 3:26:

As the roster turns over, Virgil is becoming less relevant as his old allies and enemy depart. He alternates between some high-flying spots and mat wrestling, ending a three-match losing streak.

Wrestling Spotlight also had an exclusive match, taped in Salisbury, Maryland on July 7. Again, Ross and Monsoon commentated:

Marty Jannetty (14-3-1) defeats Papa Shango (8-5-1) with a roll up at 5:30:

The match is slow and plodding as Shango asserts control as the bigger man. Jannetty also appears to hurt his wrist on a missed dive at Shango from the apron that sends Jannetty into the guardrail. They decide on more of a heel finish as Shango misses a dropkick and Jannetty comes off the ropes with a schoolboy roll up to win. This would be Shango’s last televised appearance as he would leave the company after being asked to do a job to the 1-2-3 Kid. He would wrestle overseas for the next year and a half until the WWF brought him back with a new gimmick in 1995. While the Shango character was unique, Charles Wright never found a way to create interesting matches. The gimmick died in the fall of 1992 when he cursed Bret Hart, only to have Bret win the WWF Championship. Rating: ½*

WWF Superstars had Vince McMahon, Jerry Lawler, and Randy Savage commentating, taped from Utica, New York.

Lawler is outdoors in what looks like a public park area in his king attire. A bad Elvis impersonator pulls up in a pink Cadillac, accusing Bret Hart of being an imposter. Lawler laughs about how he is going to send Bret to “Heartbreak Hotel” at SummerSlam.

Opening Contest: Marty Jannetty (15-3-1) pins Barry Horowitz after 1:43:

In the split screen, Ludvig Borga makes fun of Jannetty’s size and promises that he will bring him pain at SummerSlam. Jannetty wins his third match of the week in quick fashion.

The Quebecers (3-0) beat Dan Dubiel & Scott Despres when Pierre pins Despres after an assisted somersault senton splash at 2:13:

After the Quebecers do their Boston Crab-flying leg drop finish to Dubiel, Despres interrupts the three count. Pierre is incensed by that so the Quebecers double team Despres. Jacques reminds Despres that the Quebecers are not the Mounties before they do their devastating assisted somersault senton move.

Gorilla Monsoon’s Update segment shows footage of the Lex Express in Chicago and Madison, Wisconsin. WWF Champion Yokozuna, Jim Cornette, and Mr. Fuji hype the champion as a monster who is pledged to Luger’s destruction. As expected, the quality of Yokozuna promo segments has gone up a hundred-fold since Cornette’s arrival.

Adam Bomb (w/Johnny Polo) (17-0) pins Mike Moraldo after the Atom Smasher at 2:15:

Polo pulls up a chair and drinks a Mint Julep as he watches his man destroy another enhancement talent.

Savage, dubbed as “Rappin’ Randy,” raps with Oscar and Men on a Mission in a video where they are superimposed on Lex Express footage. It is a terrible tune that makes the songs on WrestleMania: The Album come off as all-time classics.

Mr. Hughes (w/Harvey Wippleman) (21-2-1) defeats Mike Bucci after the sidewalk slam at 1:24:

Lawler takes a call from Elvis and leaves the announce table because too many girls are around Elvis’ pink Cadillac. Savage makes a funny comment that he is going to call AT&T because the phone Lawler answered never rang. Lawler is just finding an excuse to leave because Bret Hart is scheduled for an interview in the next segment. All of this overshadows Hughes taking out Bucci in a few moves, ripping up another black wreath that was brought to the ring during the match.

Boni Blackstone, who has not appeared in a while, interviews Bret. Bret discusses earning his career accomplishments while Lawler is a king simply because he declares it. He reiterates that Lawler is going to pay for going after his family at SummerSlam.

Bam Bam Bigelow (w/Luna Vachon) (30-3-1) pins Bobby Who after the flying headbutt at 1:04:

In the split screen, Tatanka and the Smoking Gunns provide generic comments about how they are going to have fun against the Headshrinkers and Bigelow at SummerSlam. Bigelow uses less time than he did on RAW to finish his opponent as Lawler returns to the commentary table.

Gene Okerlund does the SummerSlam Report. Intercontinental Champion Shawn Michaels, with Diesel, says that perfection comes naturally to him and he will prove he is the wrestler of the 90s against Mr. Perfect. The Heavenly Bodies and Jim Cornette compare WWF Tag Team Champions the Steiner Brothers to the ailing American automotive industry because they are not efficient anymore. Ted DiBiase yells about how Razor Ramon will soon pay for embarrassing him. Ramon fires back that DiBiase will hear “1, 2, 3” again when SummerSlam is over.

Men on a Mission (w/Oscar) (7-0) beat Mike Sharpe & Jeff Libolt when Mabel pins Libolt after the assisted splash at 2:08:

Sharpe finds a new partner to face Men on a Mission this week and knocks down Mo a few times. However, when Mabel tags in he changes the momentum. MOM do their finisher too far from their corner so it carries less impact than usual.

The Last Word: The Quebecers squash was the only good thing on the broadcast. Bret Hart’s promo did what it needed to do but it was just a rehash of comments he had made in taped promos already.

Up Next: Wrestling Challenge for August 22!