What the World Was Watching: WWF Superstars – 06.18.94

Vince McMahon narrates a video package that hypes the participants in the King of the Ring Tournament.

McMahon and Jerry Lawler are calling today’s action, taped from Erie, Pennsylvania.

Opening Contest: Tatanka (18-1-2) pins Dave Criner after a flying chop at 3:23:

Criner looks like a bulkier cousin of Damien Demento. He attacks Tatanka before the bell and lays in some chops but Tatanka does not sell them as Owen Hart comes out for a better look. Lawler interviews Owen in the split screen but Owen does not say much. Tatanka once again goes on the warpath after getting taken the buckle, winning this time with a flying chop.

Owen Hart (23-0) defeats Koko B. Ware (1-2) via submission to the Sharpshooter at 3:19:

This is a bonus feature match as fans get to see High Energy explode. Their past relationship is acknowledged with Owen telling fans that he never trusted Ware. Tatanka gets on the interview podium to scout the action. The match ends up as a squash as Ware hurts his ankle on a leapfrog and Owen works over the leg. In a nice bit, he looks at Tatanka before applying the Sharpshooter. This would be Ware’s last WWF match as a full-time talent. He would go on to work for the new American Wrestling Federation (AWF) and Memphis until retiring in 1999. Rating: *

Non-Title Match: The Headshrinkers (WWF Tag Team Champions w/Afa & Captain Lou Albano) (14-0) defeat Curtis Harrison & Larry Marconi when Fatu pins Marconi after the splash off the top rope at 1:41:

Albano looks silly trying to participate in the Headshrinkers pre-match ritual. The Headshrinkers have some new gear as the starfish designs on the sides of their tights are pink. McMahon shows a feature in the new WWF Magazine that highlights Bret Hart’s cartoon skills, including a few drawings he has made of Lawler. The Headshrinkers do their routine of beating up one man, letting him tag his partner, and then finishing that wrestler off shortly thereafter.

Intercontinental Champion Diesel is the guest on the Heartbreak Hotel. Diesel gets a firework show before he speaks. He removes his sunglasses, claiming that WWF Champion Bret Hart is suffering from acrophobia because of taking the Jackknife a few weeks ago on the King’s Court. Diesel urges Bret to bring his whole family to The King of the Ring so they do not miss the Hitman’s last title defense. There was good rhetoric in this promo if one could get past Diesel’s weird cadence.

Bam Bam Bigelow (w/Luna Vachon) (18-2) pins Emilio Ulcia after the Lunasault at 1:49:

Sticking with the gimmick of tournament participants on today’s program, Razor Ramon comes out for a better look as Bigelow heaves Ulcia out of the ring. When Ulcia gets back in he is slammed and Bigelow wins with the Lunasault. After the match, Bigelow and Ramon taunt each other.

Todd Pettengill does The King of the Ring Report. WWF Champion Bret Hart promises to outwrestle Diesel, not giving a damn how tall his opponent is. Roddy Piper does a promo from his backyard, encouraging fans to donate to sick children and promising to beat up Jerry Lawler on their behalf. Pettengill makes his tournament predictions. His semi-finalists are Mabel, Razor Ramon, Jeff Jarrett, and Tatanka. From there, Ramon and Tatanka meet in the finals and Ramon wins.

Razor Ramon (17-1) pins Tracey Caddell after the Razor’s Edge at 1:53:

Caddell was a co-founder of the East Coast Wrestling Federation (ECWF) with Matt and Jeff Hardy and wrestled on the North Carolina independent scene. His son Cameon Grimes was later signed by WWE, wrestling there from 2019-2024.

Kristen Setelli is the guest fan ring announcer, doing a decent job. As expected, Bam Bam Bigelow comes out to view the action. Ramon does a nice job playing into it, stretching Caddell as he yells at Bigelow en route to another win.

Mabel (w/Oscar) (5-0) beats Nikolai Volkoff (w/Ted DiBiase) (5-0) via disqualification when Irwin R. Schyster interferes at 1:43:

Volkoff attacks Mabel from behind as he tries to prove his value to DiBiase. He manages to knock Mabel down with a kick off the ropes, the most exciting spot of the match. Mabel does a drop toe hold spot, which must have angered IRS as he hits the ring and attack the big man after less than two minutes of action.

Tatanka runs in and makes the save, only to have Owen Hart run in and fight him. While all of this goes on, Volkoff disengages and chills with DiBiase on the arena floor. They walk out as Razor Ramon and Bam Bam Bigelow join the fray. Fireworks go off above the combatants as the show ends.

The Last Word: The brawl at the end was a nice touch, although the fireworks display as they were fighting was over the top. At least Irwin R. Schyster’s interference saved the audience from what was turning out to be a bad match between Mabel and Nikolai Volkoff. The show did what it could to hype The King of the Ring but the show feels less important than last year, a consequence of rushing Diesel into the Intercontinental Championship and then into the main event scene, Roddy Piper not showing up, and a weaker tournament field.

Up Next: Wrestling Challenge for June 19!

And if you would like to read a compiled breakdown of 1990-1993 WWF, 1993-1994 ECW, or of various promotions in 1995, check out my Amazon author page to purchase e-books or paperback copies!