What the World Was Watching: WWF Wrestling Challenge – November 21, 1993

Jim Ross and Bobby Heenan commentate the last episode of the taping cycle from Glens Falls, New York.

Opening Non-Title Contest: Razor Ramon (Intercontinental Champion) (34-3-2) pins Barry Horowitz after a super backdrop suplex at 2:48:

There is a nice bit in the match where Horowitz is working over Ramon and then a rake to the back makes the Bad Guy turn on the offense. Ramon decides to win with his trademark move rather than a finisher, something that was not seen too often.

Lord Alfred Hayes’ Special Report shows off a new line of WWF Hasbro figures, which include Kamala, Crush, Owen Hart, and Razor Ramon. The obvious problem with the new line is Kamala has been gone since the summer and Crush has turned heel. Over the last few weeks the WWF has tried to make Hayes a heel reporter. In this segment he bashes Luger’s attack on Pierre as being premeditated and is elated at Crush’s addition to the Foreign Fanatics.

Ludvig Borga (17-0-1) defeats Chaz Ware via submission to the torture rack at 2:14:

Ring announcer Tony Chimel almost gets the enhancement talent announcement done before Borga gets the ring and rushes his opponent. Ross chides Ware for trying to fire up the crowd before trying to do moves to Borga, telling the young athlete that the crowd cannot help him. The commentary puts over Borga’s power as an asset for the Foreign Fanatics.

Men on a Mission (w/Oscar) (16-0) defeat the Executioners when Mabel pins both Executioners after the assisted splash at 3:52:

The Executioners try to run over Mabel and that goes nowhere. Then there is a funny spot where Mabel gets Agony in a bearhug and Pain demands that Mabel put his partner down, so Mabel just dumps Agony on the canvas before going after Pain. Mo is placed in peril for a short while, put down for a near-fall from a double clothesline. Some of Mabel’s carelessness is shown near the finish when he slams one of the Executioners on top of their partner without regard for the other’s safety. This squash is a classic case of why Duane Gill and Barry Hardy were always on the WWF’s enhancement shortlist in this era as they turned something dull into something fun by flying all over the place.

Adam Bomb (w/Harvey Wippleman) (28-0) pins Tony Webb after the Atom Smasher at 1:47:

Webb is no challenge for Bomb, who is marching to the Survivor Series as a member of Irwin R. Schyster’s team.

Buy WWF merchandise from the WWF Merchandise Catalog! Write to Stamford, Connecticut to get yours today!

Marty Jannetty (24-5-2) beats Diesel (5-0) via count out at 3:57:

This is Diesel’s first feature match. It is unclear whether he will reunite with Shawn Michaels as Ross calls Diesel “Michaels’ former bodyguard.” There are some good big man-small spots early until Razor Ramon shows up at ringside and distracts Diesel. When Diesel gets on the apron to argue with Ramon, Jannetty hits him with a forearm and Diesel falls, getting his leg caught in the ropes. As he hangs there, the referee counts him out, which is quite a way for Diesel to lose his first match. Rating: *

The Headshrinkers (w/Afa) (27-2-1) beat Cory Student & Steve Greenman when Fatu pins Greenman after the splash off the top rope at 1:41:

The Headshrinkers roll to another brutal win. Building to what is anyone’s guess, though. When the match is over, Heenan says he does not have to spend much more time with Ross, which is a nod to how his contract was ending.

The 1-2-3 Kid plays Royal Rumble on Sega Genesis. The Kid at least looks like he knows how to play the button mashing nature of the game. He is playing as Bret Hart against Hulk Hogan.

Tune in next week to see Rick Martel wrestle Bastion Booger! Also, the Undertaker, Irwin R. Schyster, the 1-2-3 Kid, and Ludvig Borga will be in action!

The Last Word: Fans got a lot of matches on this show, even though only one of them was competitive. Based on Men on a Mission’s match it seems that there are high hopes for Mabel in a singles role.

Up Next: Survivor Series Showdown 1993!

And if you would like to read a compiled breakdown of 1990-1992 WWF, 1993 ECW, or of various promotions in 1995, check out my Amazon author page to purchase e-books or paperback copies!