What the World Was Watching: WWF Monday Night RAW – September 13, 1993

Vince McMahon, Bobby Heenan, and Randy Savage are doing commentary, live from the Manhattan Center in New York City. According to thehistoryofwwe.com, the show drew a sellout crowd of 1,200 fans.

McMahon announces that tonight’s WWF Tag Team title match will be conducted under “Quebec Province Rules” meaning that the Steiner Brothers could lose the titles by count out or disqualification; and that piledrivers, coming off the top rope, and throwing an opponent over the top rope are illegal. The rules appear to be a parody of what Bill Watts was doing in WCW during his run of the company in 1992 and 1993. It also makes the Steiners look like idiots agreeing to these unfavorable stipulations.

Opening Contest for the WWF Tag Team Championship with Quebec Province Rules: The Quebecers (6-1) defeat the Steiner Brothers (Champions) (34-0) via disqualification when Scott hits Jacques with a hockey stick to win the titles at 17:38 shown:

McMahon makes the ridiculous claim that the Steiners benefit from the Quebec rules even though they can lose the titles in unconventional ways. Scott and Pierre fight the most and they have fun mini matches. There is also a nod to the rules as Scott calls off a planned piledriver Rick is going to give to Jacques before a commercial break. Eight minutes in, Johnny Polo comes to ringside in a Montreal Canadiens hockey jersey, carrying a hockey stick. This is followed by one of the dumbest moves off the rope ever as Rick leaps and crashes onto Pierre’s legs, hurting himself. There is some great tag team wrestling after a second commercial break as the Quebecers put Scott in peril and keep cutting off a possible hot tag. However, they fail to put Scott away after slamming themselves onto him, doing a trip-clothesline spot, a Pierre corner slingshot splash, and Jacques clothesline. Rick finally gets the hot tag after Scott plows over the Quebecers with a clothesline. In the chaos, Scott gives Pierre a Frankensteiner but Jacques breaks it up. Polo gets on the apron and Rick decks him, causing Polo’s hockey stick to fly into the ring. Jacques tries to use it but Scott blocks and hits Jacques in view of the referee, causing the Steiners to get disqualified and lose the titles. The finish was weak but expected as the rules appeared to telegraph that the heels would be leaving with the belts via a screwy count out or disqualification. It gives the Steiners justification for rematches in conventional matches. Rating: ***¾

Mr. Perfect (29-3-2) pins Tony DeVito after the Perfectplex at 2:48:

The Manhattan Center crowd’s reaction to Perfect is not as strong as it was in January. The snarky fans shower him with “Perfect sucks!” and “We want Shawn!” chants. Perfect is visibly upset about some of that. The squash is not good as DeVito tries to run to the locker room so Perfect chases after him and then has a problem tagging DeVito with his trademark dropkick.

Razor Ramon (25-3-2) pins the Executioner after the Razor’s Edge at 2:35:

Since the Executioner is wearing “Pain” tights it can be inferred that Ramon is wrestling Duane Gill tonight. McMahon mixes in hype for the first episode of Conan O’Brien’s late night show, and Ramon’s house show battles with Irwin R. Schyster. Heenan’s comments about how O’Brien would have six months to prove himself are funny in retrospect as O’Brien would become one of the most successful hosts in this time slot. After seeing what happened to Perfect in the last match, Ramon knows how to get a reaction as he gives the Executioner a Razor’s Edge after winning the match and poses over his body.

A new “Unbelievable” ad shows a relatively unattractive man refusing to have sex with his gorgeous wife so he can watch Monday Night RAW.

McMahon does an in-ring interview with WWF Tag Team Champions the Quebecers and Johnny Polo. Jacques compares their win to the Toronto Blue Jays winning the World Series last year and the Montreal Canadiens winning the Stanley Cup. When asked about giving the Steiner Brothers a rematch, the Quebecers and Polo huddle and announce that if one of the Steiners can beat one of the Quebecers that they will get that rematch. When McMahon asks about having the match next week, Jacques is not keen on it but Polo decides to agree, saying Pierre will represent the champions. The Steiners come to the ring but they are kept away by WWF officials.

Footage of Heenan and Savage appearing on the Jerry Lewis Telethon on Labor Day airs.

Doink the Clown (26-7-3) beats Rich Myers after the flying butt splash at 2:10:

Before the match, Doink throws a bucket of confetti on the front row. The crowd chants for him as he turns the tables on Myers, who attacks him before the bell. As Doink destroys his opponent, Crush calls into the show and says he is getting bigger and stronger. When Savage wishes him the best, Crush hangs up.

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Doink picks up another bucket after the match and Heenan leaves the announce table to try to get Doink to throw its contents (water) on McMahon. However, Doink thinks better of it and throws it on Heenan instead. Heenan does his classic physical comedy of slipping and sliding all over the arena floor. The segment is another step in the slow evolution of Doink into a babyface character.

After a commercial break, Doink comes back and gets another bucket from underneath the ring. However, it has confetti and he throws it on some of the same people that got doused with water because they were standing behind Heenan in the last segment.

Tune in next week to see Scott Steiner battle Pierre for a Tag Team title shot! Also, Bam Bam Bigelow, Mr. Perfect, and Irwin R. Schyster in action! And Bret Hart will appear for a special interview!

The Last Word: The opening tag team match was a great contest, providing a surprising end to the Steiner Brothers strong run as Tag Team champions. There were also hints to some alignment changes as Doink is shifting toward babyface territory while there is foreshadowing of a Crush heel turn when he returns.

Up Next: WWF Superstars for September 18!

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