What the World Was Watching: WWF Superstars – 09.03.94

Todd Pettengill narrates photos of the Tatanka-Lex Luger match at SummerSlam and announces that Tatanka turned heel.

Vince McMahon and Jerry Lawler commentate, kicking off a new taping in Portland, Maine. According to thehistoryofwwe.com, the taping happened on August 17 and attracted a crowd of 3,596 fans.

Opening Contest: Lex Luger (22-3-1) defeats Tim McNeany via submission to the Rebel Rack in 51 seconds:

It is becoming a ritual now for Luger to get a squash on Superstars following a pay-per-view disappointment. There is a lot of crowd noise piped in for his entrance to the point that Howard Finkel’s introduction cannot be heard. McNeany attacks Luger before the bell but Luger fires back with a hiptoss, powerslam, and the Rebel Rack to win in less than a minute. To rub salt in Luger’s wounds, Lawler buries him by saying that he always comes up short in big situations.

The Iron Sheik’s victory in 1984 over Bob Backlund for the WWF Championship is shown.

Bob Backlund (3-1) defeats Bert Centeno via submission to the crossface chicken wing at 2:35:

Chris Watters is the guest fan ring announcer and botches saying “San Juan.” When Backlund gets to the ring he demands that Watters refer to him as “Mr. Bob Backlund.” Even though Watters does not do it, Backlund does not put the fan in the crossface chicken wing. Backlund is now sporting a crew cut, creating more distance from his babyface past. McMahon casts him as a bitter veteran. When the former WWF champion offers Centeno a handshake it is refused. A lot of stalling follows, causing the crowd to get on Backlund’s case. When Backlund faces the referee, Centeno schoolboys him for two. However, Centeno falls victim to the chicken wing shortly thereafter.

Pettengill does a SummerSlam Report to recap the pay-per-view. Fans learn that the Undertaker returned and retired the Fake Undertaker “forever,” WWF Champion Bret Hart retained, the British Bulldog returned, Razor Ramon regained the Intercontinental Championship from Diesel, and WWF Women’s Champion Alundra Blayze beat Bull Nakano in what is heralded as the greatest match ever for that title. All of this brought young fans up to speed if they could not get their parents to order the pay-per-view. The segment encourages fans to buy the encore presentation on Tuesday.

Owen Hart (w/Jim Neidhart) (33-2) defeats Scott Taylor via submission to the Sharpshooter at 3:42:

Owen is feeling sore from his SummerSlam loss so he shoves Howard Finkel when he gets in the ring. This is the third time these two have wrestled this year and Taylor gives Owen a battle, scoring a near-fall from a headlock and blocking an Owen roll up. He later kicks Owen in the head when Owen goes for a backdrop but Owen puts him down with a belly-to-belly suplex. That could win the match, but Owen refuses the cover so he can win with the Sharpshooter.

McMahon reminds fans – with disdain in his voice – that Monday Night RAW is pre-empted for tennis’ U.S. Open until September 12.

The Smoking Gunns are supposed to face the Heavenly Bodies in the next match. Jim Cornette antagonizes the Gunns before the Bodies make their entrance. When the Gunns try to go after him, the Bodies run out for a sneak attack and toss the Gunns out of the ring. The Smoky Mountain tandem stomp on the Gunns’ treasured cowboy hats, an action that inspires the Gunns to re-enter combat, throw the Bodies out of the ring, and shred the Bodies entrance jackets. This fun segment ends with both teams brawling as WWF officials pour out of the back to separate them.

The 1-2-3 Kid (15-4-1) pins Roy Raymond after a flying leg drop at 2:56:

The Kid shakes Raymond’s hand before the match, during which Abe Schwartz is seen picketing in the crowd. Raymond wrestles well against the Kid, earning a near-fall from a slam and clothesline. Like Scott Taylor earlier, though, he tries one move too many as a splash off the top rope misses. The Kid responds with a slam and does a flying leg drop for the win.

Irwin R. Schyster (w/Ted DiBiase) (23-3) defeats Gary Sabaugh via submission to the Penalty at 2:37:

IRS’ tag team with Bam Bam Bigelow appears to be over as he is back in the singles ranks. IRS tells the crowd before the match that they can help the U.S. economic recovery by paying their taxes. Like Backlund, Sabaugh has cut off a good amount of his hair to the point that he is not easily recognizable. Sabaugh manages a fluke body press off the ropes for two before IRS grounds him with some knee work and caps the squash off with the Penalty. IRS keeps Sabaugh in the hold for a while after the bell rings.

A new “New Generation” ad has an old woman explain to a police officer at the precinct how she used wrestling moves to beat up three young men who tried to mug her. All of the men are beaten up and bruised. She attributes her fighting abilities to regularly watching Monday Night RAW.

Tune in next week to see WWF Tag Team Champions Shawn Michaels & Diesel, the Headshrinkers, Yokozuna, and Bam Bam Bigelow in action!

The Last Word: The focus of the show was bringing fans up to speed on the big events at SummerSlam. The Smoking Gunns-Heavenly Bodies angle was great. It has been a while since the WWF ran a midcard tag team feud. Presumably the Headshrinkers will go after Shawn Michaels and Diesel’s Tag Team titles.

Up Next: Wrestling Challenge for September 4!

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!