What the World Was Watching: WWF Superstars – 07.30.94

WWF Mania had an exclusive squash match. Here was the result of that match courtesy of thehistoryofwwe.com:

-The Bushwhackers (5-2) beat Duane Gill & Barry Hardy when Butch pinned Gill after the Battering Ram at 5:30

Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler are in the booth, still broadcasting from Ocean City, Maryland.

Opening Non-Title Contest: Diesel (Intercontinental Champion w/Shawn Michaels) (17-0-1) pins David Thornberg after a big boot at 1:38:

Diesel has started to carry the belt to the ring rather than wear it around his waist. He annihilates Thornberg with a flying shoulder block, side suplex, and big boot. After winning, Michaels jumps over Thornberg to high-five Diesel and walks on top of the poor enhancement worker.

WWF Championship Match: Bret Hart (Champion) (6-3) pins Bob Backlund with a small package at 14:25 shown:

Backlund, a former WWF champion in the 1970s and early 1980s, returned to the WWF in 1992 with the goal of winning the title back. However, his campaign proved to be a disaster. He set the longevity record in the 1993 Royal Rumble but could not capitalize on the momentum, losing to Razor Ramon at WrestleMania IX and failing to qualify for the King of the Ring Tournament. He also failed to defeat Shawn Michaels for the Intercontinental Championship at SummerSlam Spectacular. What hurt some of Backlund’s return was that his style did not evolve and fans did not think doing long holds or creative pinning combinations was exciting. His promo style was also creepy which, again, did not help him get over as a babyface.

This was Backlund’s first singles match since a December squash on WWF Superstars against Mike Sharpe. Backlund wrestles aggressively, not giving Bret room on breaks and not allowing him to take time outside the ring. The match has lots of mat-based wrestling. Most of the fans facing the hard camera are not into it. Despite that, there are some good counters of various maneuvers. After taking a backbreaker, Backlund blocks the Sharpshooter and he nearly wins the title with a small package reversal of a suplex. Backlund celebrates like he is on the verge of winning but Bret surprises him with a small package of his own to retain. Rating: ***

After the match, Backlund looks upset. He shakes Bret’s hand and raises it but does not leave the ring. Bret offers his hand again after climbing the corners to celebrate but Backlund snaps, slapping Bret and applying a crossface chicken wing. WWF officials have to pull him off Bret and Backlund looks at his hands, muttering to himself as he leaves the ring.

Todd Pettengill provides the SummerSlam Report. Owen Hart and Jim Neidhart talk about how Bret is a liar and backstabber. Owen alleges that he beat Bret up when they were children and he argues that he will beat him again in front of the world in their steel cage match. A new match added to the card is Lex Luger vs. Tatanka.

Lawler insists that Luger has seen the light by selling out to Ted DiBiase. Ross is not so sure.

Adam Bomb (7-6) pins Joey Sollins after a pumphandle slam at 1:14:

Sollins is Joey Stallings under a weird last name. Brian Warren is the guest fan ring announcer, becoming the third boring person in that role in as many shows. Bomb works quickly, delivering a snap suplex and floating over for a near-fall. The new babyface wins another match with a pumphandle slam.

The Fake Undertaker (w/Ted DiBiase) (4-0) pins Matt Hardy after the Tombstone at 1:02:

For some reason Matt Hardy is announced as Brian Hardy. The crowd barely reacts to the Fake Undertaker, catching onto how DiBiase’s man is an imposter. The Fake makes quick work of Hardy with a flying clothesline and Tombstone. Afterward, he and DiBiase stuff Hardy into a body bag.

Leslie Nielsen is not organized enough to find the Undertaker right now. When he drops his pen, the Undertaker brings him a Domino’s pizza but Nielsen misses him.

Tune in next week to see the 1-2-3 Kid face Jeff Jarrett! Also, Lex Luger will be a guest on the Heartbreak Hotel!

The Last Word: July had some terrible feature matches but Bret Hart and Bob Backlund put on a nice wrestling clinic today. Turning Backlund into a crazy heel finally gives fans a reason to take him seriously. Speaking of Bret, his feud with Owen going into SummerSlam is not as exciting as it was going into WrestleMania. The WWF needs to do more than have them cut promos and put them in a cage.

Up Next: Wrestling Challenge for July 31!

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