What the World Was Watching: WWF Monday Night RAW – 07.25.94

Lex Luger has a pre-recorded message for Tatanka that he did not sell out to Ted DiBiase.

Jim Ross and Randy Savage are commentating, wrapping up the taping in Bushkill, Pennsylvania.

Opening Contest for $10,000: Tatanka (22-3-2) defeats Nikolai Volkoff (w/Ted DiBiase) (7-2) with a small package at 6:13:

According to pre-match stipulations, Tatanka will receive $10,000 of DiBiase’s money if he wins. Like the day before, Volkoff wrestles awkwardly, owed to an aversion to bumping. Ross and Savage try to cover for his style by saying he is “deliberate.” Tatanka gets a near-fall from a flying chop but a blind charge eats boot. Volkoff slams him, but when he picks him up for a backbreaker, Tatanka uses a small package for the win. After this match the WWF decided to cut its losses on Volkoff. He would continue making house show appearances but did not get another televised match. Rating: ¾*

Savage gets in the ring afterward and demands DiBiase pay Tatanka. DiBiase pulls the $10,000 out of his pocket and tells Tatanka that he was impressed by his performance. But, as he hands Tatanka the money, he doubts Tatanka could beat Lex Luger on his best day. Tatanka fires back that he could beat Luger on his worst day. Luger comes out and asks Tatanka if he is challenging him. Tatanka says yes and Luger tells him to name the time and place. DiBiase jumps in at the end, referring to Luger as “my Lex Luger.”

Ross and Savage briefly discuss whether Luger has sold out. The WWF is missing a piece of continuity by having Savage be skeptical of accusations against Luger because of what happened to him at SummerSlam two years ago.

Non-Title Match: The Headshrinkers (WWF Tag Team Champions w/Afa & Captain Lou Albano) (19-0) defeat Barry Hardy & Joey Stallings when Fatu pins Stallings after the splash off the top rope at 3:31 shown:

There have been a lack of tag team matches on WWF television of late, another sign of the declining status of the division. Ross talks about the Heavenly Bodies wanting a Tag Team title shot, which is possible now that Jimmy Del Ray has recovered from his pelvis injury. Any type of long-term feud would be good for the Headshrinkers, who have the titles but come off like card filler when they are not given much to do. No champions have had to deal with this issue before. The Headshrinkers take their time beating up Stallings. The poor enhancement talent has to take a DDT off the second rope from Samu, the double forward leg sweep, and Fatu’s splash off the top rope.

Jim Neidhart (w/Owen Hart) (4-0) defeats Jim Powers via submission to the Camel Clutch at 2:55:

Neidhart boringly clubs Powers down, does a powerslam, and does the Camel Clutch with a dragon sleeper-like neck bend to remain unbeaten. Owen puts Hitman shades on Neidhart after the squash and Neidhart laughs.

Ross does an in-ring interview with WWF Women’s Champion Alundra Blayze. Blayze says she is done with Luna Vachon and is ready for another challenge. Ross asks about Bull Nakano coming from Japan to wrestle her next week. Blayze suggests that Nakano could deal with a lot of the men on the roster until Vachon interrupts. Vachon, who mispronounces Nakano’s name, claims to be responsible for bringing her to the WWF. She leaves before Blayze responds, which is funny. All Blayze says is she is never going to lose the title.

Yokozuna (w/Mr. Fuji) (12-4) beats Adam Bomb (7-5) via count out at 6:17 shown:

Bomb is not wasting any time trying to climb the singles ranks as a babyface. He gets a small chant during the match so at least some fans are getting behind him in that role. Unsurprisingly, Yokozuna does not allow Bomb to do much and slows the bout down with chokes and a nerve hold. Bomb’s comeback floors the former WWF champion with a DDT and the Neutron Bomb. However, he does not cover because Kwang and Harvey Wippleman are late coming to ringside. Kwang trips Bomb when he runs the ropes and Bomb goes to the floor to fight him, getting counted out. Rating: *

Bomb keeps fighting Kwang after the bell and gorilla presses Wippleman on top of Kwang.

Duke Droese (8-0) pins Dwayne Gill after the Trash Compactor at 2:29:

Jerry Lawler calls in, puzzled about why Droese has a score to settle with him. He only regrets that he did not use a baseball bat instead of a trash can when he attacked Droese several weeks ago. Lawler announces that Bob Backlund will be a guest on the King’s Court next week, referring to the former WWF champion as “Howdy Doody.” The banter makes the squash go by faster. Droese wins with the Trash Compactor for the first time in four matches.

Tune in next week to see Razor Ramon face Shawn Michaels! Also, WWF Women’s Champion Alundra Blayze battles Bull Nakano in a non-title match!

The Last Word: This was not a good show, featuring sub-par action from beginning to end. Next week’s broadcast promises two good matches, though, and bringing in Bull Nakano is a positive step for the Women’s division.

Up Next: WWF Superstars for July 30!

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