What the World Was Watching: WWF Superstars – 11.05.94

Vince McMahon and Jerry Lawler are in the booth, kicking off a new taping from Burlington, Vermont. According to the historyofwwe.com, the taping drew a sellout, papered crowd of 2,500.

Opening Contest: Tatanka (w/Ted DiBiase) (32-4-2) beats Billy Gunn when Bam Bam Bigelow interferes at 6:21:

McMahon and Lawler debate whether Lex Luger verbally submitted to the crossface chicken wing on Monday Night RAW. Neither man seems to have a lot of energy. All of Billy’s shine spot is working an arm ringer, for example. Tatanka even struggles to do a basic chinlock. Billy comes back after hitting Tatanka in the gut when Tatanka tries a flying chop. When he goes to the top rope, DiBiase hops on the apron and Bam Bam Bigelow runs out to push Billy off, allowing his stablemate to win. Since Tatanka was in a prominent singles feud having him struggle to beat a tag team wrestler is odd booking. Rating: *½

After the bell, Bigelow and Tatanka double team Billy until Bart makes the save. On their way to the locker room, DiBiase tells the camera that what happened to Billy is what awaits Lex Luger’s team at Survivor Series.

Todd Pettengill breaks some news for Survivor Series, revealing that WWF Champion Bret Hart has accepted Bob Backlund’s submission match challenge. The British Bulldog will be in Bret’s corner and Owen Hart will be in Backlund’s corner. Each will have a towel and the winner can only be declared when a cornerman throws it in on behalf of their opponent. Backlund and Owen remind Bret that no one can break the crossface chicken wing. Bret, with the Bulldog, says he is confident that his new generation can beat Backlund’s old generation.

Duke Droese (18-1) beats Barry Hardy after the Trash Compactor at 2:07:

Hardy gets in Droese’s face at the beginning of the match, possibly to talk trash about how Droese will not beat him for the second time this year, but he is shoved to the canvas and slammed. Hardy tries to beg off after that but it is of no use as Droese maintains the offense and finishes him with an incomplete Trash Compactor.

When the match is over Bob Backlund comes to the ring and puts Hardy in the crossface chicken wing until Droese makes the save. When Droese checks on Hardy, Backlund puts him in the chicken wing until WWF officials stop the assault. Backlund’s random acts of violence are the becoming the best thing on WWF television.

Diesel (23-1-1) pins Tim McNeany after the Jackknife at 1:40:

Kelly Munson is the guest fan ring announcer and is enthusiastic. It seems like the WWF is doing a better job selecting fans who know what ring announcing entails. Diesel swats away McNeany’s dropkick attempt and finishes him with a sidewalk slam, big boot, and Jackknife.

Chuck Norris says he wants to watch the toughest and meanest guys on the planet face each other at Survivor Series.

Doink the Clown (w/Dink, Wink & Pink) (29-3) pins Phil Apollo after the Whoopie Cushion at 2:13:

This match is evidence that Phil Apollo was not Doink the Clown since longtime fans sometimes confuse Phil with Ray Apollo. To continue the Doink-Lawler feud, Dink sprays Lawler with silly string on the way to the ring. Doink’s little friends bite Apollo’s rear end when he is atomic dropped out of the ring. Apollo is traumatized by that so he quick rolls back in, where Doink dominates him with basic wrestling skills until doing the Whoopie Cushion. Unfortunately, Bob Backlund does not crash this match and put Doink and his little friends in the chicken wing.

Todd Pettengill does the Survivor Series Report. Razor Ramon, the 1-2-3 Kid, the British Bulldog, the New Headshrinkers, Afa & Captain Lou Albano talk about being ready to survive. The Kid makes a reference to how Ramon’s team won at last year’s Survivor Series. Yokozuna, Jim Cornette, and Mr. Fuji say that the Undertaker is scared of Yokozuna, which is why he got Chuck Norris booked as a special enforcer. The Undertaker and Paul Bearer ramble about how scary caskets are and how Yokozuna will not escape the gates of the dark side.

Irwin R. Schyster returns to the grave of John Dough, saying he discovered more tax evasion. As a result, IRS repossesses Dough’s tombstone. He reminds people to pay their taxes from beyond the grave.

Irwin R. Schyster (w/Ted DiBiase) (28-3) beats Aaron Ferguson after the Write Off at 1:16:

IRS gets more heat than many acts on the show. He gets an easy payday against Ferguson, who is finished in less than 90 seconds.

McMahon and Lawler recap the ending of today’s feature match between Billy Gunn and Tatanka. The Smoking Gunns appear on the video board and say that they are going to face Bam Bam Bigelow and Tatanka on next week’s show.

The Last Word: This was another mediocre show outside of Bob Backlund’s antics. The stipulation for Survivor Series plays to each man’s strengths as submission experts and it is unique enough to spark a bit of interest for the pay-per-view. An Undertaker-IRS feud is on the horizon but one would be hard pressed to find a fan that thinks IRS stands any chance in that program.

Up Next: Wrestling Challenge for November 6!

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