What the World Was Watching: WWF Superstars – 10.15.94

Vince McMahon and Jerry Lawler are commentating, starting a new taping in Poughkeepsie, New York. According to thehistoryofwwe.com, the taping took place on September 27.

Lawler shows footage of Queasy on the video board, arguing that he will put Dink in his place.

Opening Non-Title Contest: Shawn Michaels & Diesel (WWF Tag Team Champions) (5-0) defeat Reno Riggins & Gary Scott when Michaels pins Scott after a Diesel Jackknife at 2:37:

Charlie Minn, the newest member of the WWF broadcast team, appears in the split screen. McMahon says that he will do Live Event News segments. Minn announces that Lawler’s royal robe has not been washed in six months and must stink. The delivery was as bad as the joke itself. Minn also comes across as a dork, making Joe Fowler look like the second coming of Gene Okerlund. The champions put together their best squash so far as Michaels blasts Riggins with a superkick. Diesel shoves a lifeless Riggins into the enhancement corner so Scott can tag in. Scott gets destroyed with a sick looking Jackknife. Michaels tag in to get the pin.

Bob Holly (23-3-1) pins Mike Bell after the flying body press at 2:18:

Holly’s basic offense earns him a tenth-straight singles win. There is discussion of Holly’s real-life racing exploits, so that is an upgrade from past matches when the announcers talked about other feuds.

McMahon does an in-ring interview with WWF Hall of Famer Arnold Skaaland. Skaaland talks of training Bob Backlund and how he was like a son. When asked why he threw in the towel on Backlund behalf against the Iron Sheik in December 1983, he says he was only wanting to save Backlund’s career. Backlund interrupts, blaming Skaaland for not calling him – something Skaaland does not refute – ranting about how the Camel Clutch felt like an airplane crash and avalanche rolled into one. Skaaland extends his hand to make up for the past, which Backlund refuses. When Skaaland and McMahon turn to leave the ring, Backlund attacks Skaaland and puts him in the crossface chicken wing. WWF officials are needed to get Backlund off Skaaland, who does not take the move like a pro, pulling his locked arm close to his chest. Bob Holly is needed to get Backlund off, yelling at him for attacking someone who helped his career a long time ago. Chalk this up as another great segment for Backlund. Wrestlers dishing out their finisher to non-wrestlers is a near guaranteed way to get over.

Doink the Clown (w/Dink) (27-2) pins Corey Student after the Whoopie Cushion at 1:56:

Dink has a big wand like Johnny B. Badd, only his shoots fireworks instead of confetti. Doink struggles with another enhancement talent, although his own work is not as bad as his recent match against Reno Riggins. Student counters a hiptoss with a clothesline but gets blasted later by one of Doink’s clotheslines and is finished via the Whoopie Cushion.

After the bell, Doink dances and gets the microphone, telling Lawler that he wants him to meet Wink, a Dink clone with yellow hair. So the little person arms race of 1994 continues.

Todd Pettengill hypes next week’s premiere of The Action Zone, headlined by WWF Champion Bret Hart defending against Owen Hart. Owen and Jim Neidhart do a locker room promo. Owen argues that he does not need any more chances to take Bret’s title.

Owen Hart (w/Jim Neidhart) (37-2) defeats Mike Park via submission to the Sharpshooter at 2:54:

Neidhart intervenes early when Owen’s blind charge causes him to ram his knee on the top rope and Park briefly stomps the body part. Neidhart pulls Owen to the floor and then attacks Park from behind as Owen distracts the referee. After that, it is smooth sailing for Owen, who wins with a missile dropkick-Sharpshooter combination.

Lex Luger (26-3-1) beats Tony DeVito via submission to the Rebel Rack at 2:10:

Luger pulls a young fan out of the crowd and lets him carry the American flag to the ring. Even though the match is short, DeVito scores a near-fall from a headlock and delivers an inverted atomic drop. However, a blind charge eats boot and Luger mows his opponent down with a clothesline and the Rebel Rack. In the closing stages of the match, McMahon announces that Bob Holly has challenged Bob Backlund to a match next week. After the match is over, the young fan gets in the ring and waves the flag as Luger poses for the crowd.

Yokozuna (w/Jim Cornette & Mr. Fuji) (18-4) pins Jason Storm after a uranage in 49 seconds:

Yokozuna does not get paid by the hour, delivering some quick strikes to Storm and pinning in less than a minute after a uranage. Afterward, the Undertaker’s bell sounds and Paul Bearer brings a casket to ringside. Upon seeing the casket, Yokozuna falls down and runs to the locker room.

Bob Holly talks about tearing Bob Backlund apart next like he does terrible drivers on the racetrack.

Tune in next week to see Bob Holly face Bob Backlund! Also, the British Bulldog, King Kong Bundy, the 1-2-3 Kid, and Tatanka will be in action! Plus, Doink, Dink, and Wink will be guests on the Heartbreak Hotel!

The Last Word: Once again, Bob Backlund’s segment was the highlight of the show. Charlie Minn was a terrible addition to the broadcast team. He spoke too fast and he lacked the capacity of someone like Todd Pettengill to take the WWF’s cheesy material and make it work.

Up Next: Wrestling Challenge 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!