What the World Was Watching: WWF Monday Night RAW – 06.27.94

Gorilla Monsoon announces that Jerry Lawler is in trouble because of his attack on Duke Droese last week. He says that Lawler’s punishment will be revealed later tonight. Droese says he is prepared to get his own revenge on Lawler. Lawler, no longer wearing sunglasses, fires back that he had to spend a fortune to get his robe cleaned. The King asks WWF officials for a fine so he does not have to apologize. He eventually gives in and apologizes for the attack.

Monsoon and Randy Savage commentate, taped from White Plains, New York.

Opening Contest: Mabel (w/Oscar) (7-1) defeats Bam Bam Bigelow (w/Luna Vachon) (20-3) via count out at 3:29:

For a super heavyweight clash this has some decent action, although nothing extraordinary. The MVP of the match is Vachon, who hops on the apron to prevent Mabel from pinning Bigelow after a leg drop but stays there too long, flying into the guardrail when Bigelow whips Mabel into the ropes. Bigelow shoves Oscar when he checks on Vachon’s condition and gets counted out when he takes too long tending to his love interest. Rating: ¾*

After the match, Bigelow rolls into the ring and grabs the referee. Vachon keeps him from hitting the official, who quickly runs away. As Vachon tries to make Bigelow feel better, Ted DiBiase walks into the ring. He chats with them as the camera cuts away to recap DiBiase’s purchase of “the Undertaker’s” services.

Irwin R. Schyster (18-3) defeats Rich Myers via submission to the Penalty at 2:35:

IRS tells fans to pay their taxes because other people are tired of paying for their healthcare. IRS’ past relationship with DiBiase makes him a logical acquisition for the Million Dollar Man. There is no mention of the Tatanka program, which is winding down off camera.

Jim Neidhart is a guest on this week’s King’s Court. Neidhart puts himself over as the strength of the Hart Foundation, arguing that he also fed Bret Hart advice as he rose the ranks of the WWF as a singles competitor but got no credit for it. He says that his goal at The King of the Ring was to make sure Bret retained against Diesel so that Owen Hart could become the next champion. Owen joins the segment in his royal regalia, wearing new tights that have a heart and crown on them. As Owen goes through his accomplishments, Monsoon argues Owen got lucky at WrestleMania, which has been castigated by some later reviewers who thought it put down Owen’s push. Owen closes the segment by saying that he is going to beat Bret for the WWF Championship, a possibility that makes Bret nervous.

Lex Luger is shown lacing his boots in the locker room.

Non-Title Match: The Headshrinkers (WWF Tag Team Champions w/Afa & Captain Lou Albano) (16-0) defeat the Executioners when Fatu pins Agony after the splash off the top rope at 4:54:

The Headshrinkers have gradually been putting on more girth over the course of the year. The champions drag out the squash, lifting Agony from some moves until Albano tells them they need to wrap it up. The Headshrinkers are losing some of their viciousness since getting the belts and it makes their matches less entertaining.

Ted DiBiase, with Nikolai Volkoff, is shown making an offer to Bam Bam Bigelow and Luna Vachon in the locker room.

Kwang (w/Harvey Wippleman) (13-4-1) pins Mike Moraldo after a spinning heel kick at 3:30:

Monsoon repeats his joke that Kwang’s red mist must be something he ate. The match serves as a backdrop for Savage reading copy for the next USA Network film. Kwang’s spinning heel kick in the corner is the only move that generates a reaction. There is a nice ending of the squash where Moraldo tries a monkey flip, Kwang tries to counter with an inverted atomic drop, Moraldo counters that and avoids a chop, but Kwang connects with a spinning heel kick to notch a third-straight win.

Lex Luger (17-2) defeats David Thornberg via submission to the Rebel Rack at 2:56:

There is discussion of whether Ted DiBiase is going to make an offer to Luger and whether he would accept. That is followed by DiBiase scouting the match in the entranceway, smiling and walking backstage. Luger takes a few shots from Thornberg but storms out of the corner to mow him down with a clothesline. Thornberg wanted no part of that move, bumping just before Luger got to him. Luger’s win lets him pose as the New Generation’s Hulk Hogan minus the big wins.

The camera cuts to DiBiase backstage. He has Nikolai Volkoff and Bam Bam Bigelow behind him. DiBiase announces that he has purchased Bigelow’s services and it is only a matter of time before he signs Luger.

Tune in next week to see Tatanka face Jeff Jarrett! Also, the Fake Undertaker will be in action!

The Last Word: The story that has unfolded in the television since The King of the Ring is the growth of Ted DiBiase stable, which now includes three wrestlers. Bam Bam Bigelow’s acquisition by Ted DiBiase ends his on-screen relationship with Luna Vachon, who is now free to make havoc in the women’s division if she chooses to do so. It is sad to see that partnership end but the WWF never used it to its fullest potential. Since Vince McMahon has been away the WWF has had an aimless feeling about it. The commentary has not been good as Gorilla Monsoon does not mesh well with Randy Savage and neither of them seem excited about the company’s storylines.

Up Next: WWF Superstars for July 2!

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