What the World Was Watching: WWF Superstars – 10.22.94

Vince McMahon and Jerry Lawler commentate, still broadcasting from Poughkeepsie, New York.

On his way to the ring, Bob Holly tells the announce team that he is going to take Bob Backlund to the finish line today.

Opening Contest: Bob Backlund (7-1) defeats Bob Holly (25-3-1) via submission to the crossface chicken wing at 8:33 shown:

Lawler says that Backlund wears the towel that Arnold Skaaland threw into the ring in 1983 around his neck to remind him of that bad night in December 1983. The match is a slow, mat-based encounter where Holly counters a lot of what Backlund tries to do. As was the case for Backlund’s matches in 1992 and 1993, fans do not like it because it is so different from what everyone else is doing. Holly’s nearly pins Backlund with a dropkick and powerslam off the ropes but he whiffs on a clothesline and Backlund locks in the crossface chicken wing. Technically, this was solid. Holly matching Backlund’s offense means that the company might want to do something with him later. Rating: **¼

Backlund refuses to break the hold after winning until several WWF referees come into the ring. He looks into the camera with big eyes as McMahon wonders if there is a counter to Backlund’s finishing hold.

The 1-2-3 Kid (19-4-1) pins Chris Canyon after a missile dropkick at 2:19:

Mario Marianna is the guest ring announcer, not looking happy to be there at first but doing a decent job when called upon to introduce the participants. The crowd gives the Kid the loudest pop of the taping so far. Lawler enjoys Canyon using his height to bully the Kid. The Kid evens the score with heel kicks. Canyon tries to do a moonsault but, as was the case for his recent match against the Smoking Gunns, he misses and the Kid climbs to the top rope and wins after a missile dropkick.

King Kong Bundy (w/Ted DiBiase) (4-0) pins John Chrystal after an elbow drop at 1:38:

The WWF decides to get fancy with the spelling of Chrystal’s name. Bundy rocks Chrystal with an uppercut and does a lazy hiptoss. At least the squash is short as Bundy does the Avalanche and follows it up with a big elbow drop. McMahon is partial to calling Bundy “A walking condominium” for some reason.

Todd Pettengill recaps the Bret Hart-Owen Hart feud to hype their battle tomorrow on The Action Zone. Owen and Jim Neidhart talk about how Sunday will be Bret’s last day as WWF champion.

The British Bulldog (6-0) pins Duane Gill after the running powerslam at 2:31:

This time the Bulldog times his posing with the fireworks display. Gill makes the Bulldog look great by flying all over the place for his power moves. Sadly, a lot of it goes unacknowledged as McMahon and Lawler talk about The Action Zone premiere. They wonder who Stu and Helen Hart will support even though that question was definitively answered by SummerSlam.

Tatanka (w/Ted DiBiase) (29-4-2) defeats Aaron Ferguson after the End of the Trail at 2:17:

Ferguson participated in two matches the previous year, losing in tag team matches against the Headshrinkers and the Quebecers.

Tatanka draws Ferguson in with a handshake and kicks him in the gut. It is a basic heel move but at least it gives Tatanka something heelish in his arsenal other than choking or doing stomps. Ferguson gets a fluke sunset flip, angering Tatanka, who lays in quite a few kicks. Tatanka decides to go back to the flying chop as a setup move. McMahon and Lawler announce that Tatanka’s Samoan drop finisher is now called the End of the Trail. After the match, he stomps Ferguson and gives him the finisher a second time. Then, he pushes Ferguson out of the ring and laughs with DiBiase.

Doink the Clown, Dink, and Wink are guests on the Heartbreak Hotel. As Dink and Wink act like tiny children with ADHD by running around the set, Doink introduces a third little person named Pink that has red hair. Pink was Richard Trogdon who worked as the Mighty Doom on the Northeast independent circuit. With all three little people going nuts, Shawn Michaels cannot do the interview and leaves the set in frustration. The crowd was dead silent for this, making McMahon the only person who seemed to enjoy it. Lawler promises that he will do something about the clowns.

Irwin R. Schyster appears outside of a funeral office, arguing that people are willing to die before they pay taxes. He promises to audit someone who has died and is in a hearse behind him.

The Smoking Gunns (18-2) defeat Kerry Davis & Tony DeVito when Billy pins DeVito after the Sidewinder at 2:06:

Several smiling women are shown in the crowd, so the Gunns are back to being billed as sex symbols. McMahon hypes the Gunns as contenders for the Tag Team titles. Perhaps inspired by a push, the Gunns have one of their best squashes in a while, blitzing their opponents with power moves. After the bout, Lawler uses the Royal Magistrator to draw a dead horse on top of the Gunns, saying that is what will happen to them at the hands of the Heavenly Bodies.

Tune in next week to see Jeff Jarrett, the Headshrinkers (with a graphic showing the old Fatu & Samu team), Jim Neidhart, and Intercontinental Champion Razor Ramon in action! Also, Ted DiBiase, Bam Bam Bigelow, and Tatanka will be guests on the Heartbreak Hotel!

The Last Word: There was more good than bad about the show so it seems like the WWF is turning a corner a bit with its televised product. Fans are over the Doink the Clown nonsense but it is inevitable that Jerry Lawler will introduce a third little person and the two sides are headed for a Survivor Series elimination match. Both will get more segments in the weeks ahead.

Up Next: The Action Zone for October 23!

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!