What the World Was Watching: WWF Monday Night RAW – 10.10.94

Vince McMahon and Randy Savage commentate, wrapping up a three-episode taping from Utica, New York. This is billed as a special Columbus Day episode.

Opening Contest: Lex Luger (25-3-1) pins Bam Bam Bigelow (w/Ted DiBiase, Tatanka & Nikolai Volkoff) (27-4) with a schoolboy roll up at 10:44 shown:

Volkoff has not been seen since the summer and he looks like an overgrown child in his Million Dollar attire. This is supposed to be Luger’s revenge since Bigelow attacked him on RAW two weeks ago. Extracurriculars overwhelm the match as King Kong Bundy joins DiBiase and crew before a commercial break and then Adam Bomb and Mabel come out for Luger when the show returns. Bigelow dominates with less than exciting offense until Luger runs off some clotheslines near the end. DiBiase hops on the apron and when Luger goes to cover, Tatanka tries to grab Luger’s foot, so Luger kicks his rival into the guardrail. That causes Tatanka to jump on the apron, resulting in heel miscommunication when Bigelow runs the ropes. Luger then uses that opportunity to roll Bigelow up to win a disappointing match. Rating: *½

After the match, Bomb and Mabel get in the ring to congratulate Luger. Bigelow and Tatanka argue on the arena floor as DiBiase tries to play peacemaker between them.

Mabel (16-2) beats Reno Riggins after a leg drop at 2:25:

McMahon heralds Mabel as a “rap master who is doing his thang.” When McMahon says that Riggins is not related to John Riggins of the Washington Redskins, Savage hilariously opines that Riggins is not related to Christopher Columbus either. Riggins continues a strong run for himself in recent days by getting a few blows in on the big man. He does not do nearly as well as he did against Doink, though, devastated by a big fat leg drop.

Footage of Randy Savage participating in a parade for the Cooley’s Anemia Foundation airs.

Owen Hart (w/Jim Neidhart) (36-2) defeats John Crystal via submission to the Sharpshooter at 3:37:

Savage announces that Owen will get his final shot at the WWF Champion Bret Hart on the first episode of The Action Zone next week. McMahon reads ridiculous news bits about how George Lucas is writing three new Star Wars films and Bull Nakano is auditioning for the role of Princess Leia. Since McMahon’s news bits need time, the squash drags out as Owen destroys Crystal, eventually defeating him with a belly-to-belly suplex and the Sharpshooter.

King Kong Bundy (w/Ted DiBiase) (2-0) pins Mike Khoury after the Avalanche at 2:46:

Bundy wraps up his debut tour across all of the WWF’s major television shows by wearing out Khoury. He exerts himself more than recent matches by running to do a clothesline. But again, Bundy does nothing that creates an impression.

On the King’s Court, Lawler announces that he has found a counter for Dink, welcoming out Queasy. The little person was seen last year as Little Louie, only this time he has a royal attire like Lawler and has a mustache. Queasy promises to squash Dink because Dink is not royalty. This is another chapter of silliness in this Doink-Lawler feud but that is to be expected.

The New Headshrinkers (w/Afa & Captain Lou Albano) defeat Cory Student & J.S. Storm when Sione pins Storm after a Mafia kick at 1:42:

As noted before, Sione was the Barbarian. During his last WWF run he worked in a tag team called the Powers of Pain with the Warlord. The team did a double turn against then-WWF Tag Team Champions Demolition at the 1988 Survivor Series but never won the titles. In 1990, the team split up and the Barbarian began to be managed by Bobby Heenan. However, he did not get much traction as a single. His biggest achievement was defeating Tito Santana at WrestleMania VI. Shortly after The Royal Rumble in 1992 he left the promotion and went to WCW, where he challenged WCW World Champion Ron Simmons at Halloween Havoc. After losing at that event, the Barbarian turned babyface in early 1993 but in that role he did not get a strong push. In 1994 his wife called the WWF looking to see if they could use him on house shows. The WWF accepted the offer because of a lack of roster depth. When Samu quit, a role opened up in the Headshrinkers so the Barbarian was slotted in.

Student has terrible ring gear, wearing red shorts, a black singlet, and a white t-shirt that has its sleeves cut out. The squash is a showcase for Sione since he is new. He does not sell blows from the enhancement talents and devastates Storm with a powerslam. An emphasis is placed on how this Headshrinkers team is different than the previous version, demonstrated by Sione earning the winning pin after a Mafia kick. Samu quitting put the WWF in a rough spot but trying to reform the team, while keeping the name, with a new member feels forced and fans are not buying it. Besides, any product with “new” on it is normally dead on arrival.

Doink the Clown and Dink come to ringside and put Burger King crowns on McMahon and Savage’s head. Doink says that he has a surprise for Jerry Lawler and Queasy.

Tune in next week to see Doink the Clown face his old rival Jeff Jarrett! Also, Irwin R. Schyster and the British Bulldog will be in action!

The Last Word: The midcard scene is dire right now and unfortunately, that is what is being forced to carry the WWF’s television shows. That has created a dull and uninspired product that is crawling toward Survivor Series. WWF Champion Bret Hart is not in a meaningful feud as his program with Jim Neidhart is barely acknowledged. Intercontinental Champion Razor Ramon lacks a credible challenger. Hardly anyone is considering the New Headshrinkers as a serious challenge for Tag Team Champions Shawn Michaels and Diesel. Any momentum the company had going into SummerSlam is long gone. Sadly, it does not look good for the foreseeable future.

Up Next: WWF Superstars for October 16!

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!