What the World Was Watching: WWF Monday Night RAW – 09.19.94

Vince McMahon and Randy Savage are in the booth, concluding the taping in Lowell, Massachusetts.

Opening Contest: Lex Luger (24-3-1) defeats the Executioner via submission the Rebel Rack at 2:34:

Lou Gianfroddo, the assistant editor of WWF Magazine, is shown taking notes at ringside for his “RAW Ringside” column. McMahon spends the squash talking about Tatanka disappointing Native Americans with his heel turn. His hype of Luger as someone who is a man of his word is funny when one remembers his bolting for WCW the following summer. For now, Luger is content to clothesline the Executioner and rack him, posing amidst fireworks afterward.

Duke Droese (15-0) beats Jerry Lawler (1-1) via count out at 8:45 shown:

Lawler tells the crowd that they need to kiss his feet, trying to build as much heat as possible for tonight’s feature match, which is the blowoff of the Droese-Lawler feud. He provides a funny joke about how Droese tried to donate his clothes to Goodwill and they were returned. Lawler continues to work the audience with stalling, fleeing the ring when Droese keeps getting the better of him. The phantom object trick knocks Droese down but Lawler cannot put him away after a fist drop off the second rope. After delivering a piledriver, Lawler goes to retrieve Droese’s trash can from ringside so he can stuff the trash man in it. When he takes off the lid, Dink pops out and squirts Lawler with water. Angry, Lawler chases Dink around the ring and gets counted out. The match was a complete waste of time, redeemed only by some of Lawler’s antics with the crowd. Rating: ¼*

After the bell, Dink bites Lawler’s rear end and Droese prevents Lawler from getting at the little man. Doink the Clown walks out to trap Lawler in the aisle, forcing Lawler to escape through the crowd.

An advertisement announces that The Action Zone is coming to USA Network on October 23. This was the replacement show for All American Wrestling. The WWF bills the new show as “More action, less talk.”

The Heavenly Bodies (12-0) beat Mike Bell & Steve King after Jimmy Del Ray pins King with a moonsault at 2:42 shown:

The squash begins before the show returns from a commercial break. Bell earns an easy payday as King takes all the punishment. The Bodies win a pedestrian squash with Del Ray’s moonsault.

McMahon does an in-ring interview with Bob Backlund, who is wearing red wrestling gear and a red and gold jacket. Backlund claims to be the reigning WWF champion because he never legitimately lost the title. He tells the audience that they cannot live up to his standards because they are part of a corrupt society that destroyed a world he loved. Backlund adds that the crossface chicken wing is a dangerous hold that no one can escape from and if anyone does he will retire. He challenges McMahon to try to escape it but McMahon refuses. Lou Gianfroddo is welcomed into the ring by Backlund. Gianfroddo thinks he is part of a demonstration. The small journalist misunderstands Backlund’s intentions as Backlund locks in the hold and wrenches it in. McMahon tries to pry Backlund off and when that fails, WWF officials and Savage rush in to force him to break it. As Gianfroddo is helped to the locker room, Backlund picks up the mic and tells the fans that they need to address him as “Mr. Bob Backlund.” While this ran a bit long, the segment did a great job putting over Backlund’s new character and his new finishing hold.

Bob Holly (21-3-1) pins Richie Rich after the flying body press at 1:57:

Holly exchanges hammerlocks and arm ringers with Rich which does not make him look strong. After a nice dropkick, Holly wins with the flying body press. The squash was just filler for McMahon and Savage to talk about how sick Backlund is.

Yokozuna (15-4) pins Phil Apollo after the Banzai Drop at 2:42:

McMahon hypes Undertaker-Yokozuna matches that are booked for the Hart Attack house show loop. Those shows will also include a “Paul Bearer lookalike contest” with the winners getting a trip to Survivor Series. Yokozuna annihilates Apollo in the corner with strikes to the point that fans wonder why referee Jack Doan does not disqualify him. After receiving the blows, Apollo is flattened by the Banzai Drop.

The Undertaker’s bell tolls after Yokozuna is announced as the winner. Bewildered, he runs to the locker room.

Tune in next week to see Tatanka and WWF Tag Team Champions Shawn Michaels & Diesel in action! Also, the British Bulldog will be a guest on the King’s Court!

The Last Word: The Bob Backlund segment saved a bad show. His new character is a great foil for the New Generation branding and the in-ring segment made the crossface chicken wing look like the most dangerous hold in the sport. It is hard to see what the draw is for next week’s show, though, as no feature match was announced.

Up Next: WWF Superstars for September 24!

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