What the World Was Watching: WWF Monday Night RAW – 12.26.94

Vince McMahon and Shawn Michaels call the action, taped in Liberty, New York.

Michaels asks Ted DiBiase if he got everything he wanted for Christmas. DiBiase says that every day is Christmas for him and that the British Bulldog will get a taste of what Lex Luger got last week.

Opening Contest: Tatanka (w/Ted DiBiase) (37-4-2) defeats the British Bulldog (11-1) to a double disqualification at 6:43 shown:

Michaels calls out Tatanka’s lethargic work, which has been a problem since his heel turn. The crowd loves the Bulldog, popping for the vertical suplex and an attempt at the running powerslam, which Tatanka blocks by grabbing the top rope. The Bulldog blocks Tatanka’s flying chop with a fist to the gut but DiBiase pulls down the top rope when he tries to deliver a clothesline. That brings Lex Luger out, who whispers something in the Bulldog’s ear, and then Luger fights with Tatanka on the arena floor. That fight spills into the ring and it causes a double disqualification because Bam Bam Bigelow also runs out to assist Tatanka. All of the interest in this match came from the Bulldog but the finish did not make a lot of sense because Luger attacked Tatanka first. Rating: *½

Bigelow, Tatanka, Luger, and the Bulldog fight until Luger and the Bulldog win. The crowd enjoys the brawl, working up a loud “USA!” chant.

Todd Pettengill does The Royal Rumble Report. Shawn Michaels stands up at the announce table, saying he will be the last man standing in the Royal Rumble. Bret Hart does a taped promo from home, discussing how he had a great Christmas with the family. He wishes everyone a great 1995 except for Owen. Based on his promos so far, Bret’s attention is more on Owen than Diesel.

Michaels tells Pamela Anderson that whatever she does to him he promises not to press charges.

Henry Godwinn (2-0) pins Mike Khoury after the Slop Drop at 3:44:

Godwinn now has a slop bucket with him. McMahon needles Michaels that he does not have any friends so everyone is going to be gunning for him in the Royal Rumble. There is no discussion of Godwinn’s chances even though he has been announced for the match. Godwinn, who scratches himself several times against the ropes and then against his opponent, takes his time beating down Khoury. It is not a good outing for him because his moveset is not interesting enough to sustain a squash for this length of time.

A video package of Hakushi with footage from his recent matches airs.

WWF Champion Diesel is a guest on the King’s Court. Before he comes out, Lawler asks if a woman’s “hippo hips” have broken a toilet and accuses McMahon of wearing a toupee. When shaking Lawler’s hand, Diesel squeezes hard and makes the King go down to his knees. Incensed, Lawler cuts a nice promo against Diesel, saying he wants Bob Backlund to put him in the crossface chicken wing and, short of that, Bret Hart to put the Sharpshooter on him at The Royal Rumble. According to Lawler, a best-case scenario is for Diesel and Bret to wipe each other out. Diesel grabs the microphone from Lawler, tells him to shut his mouth, takes his crown, and throws him out of the ring. He puts it on his own head and chills on Lawler’s throne as his theme music plays. Diesel looks goofy with the crown on his head as he poses. Having him say a few things, especially since his rival was sitting at the announce table, would have been a better way to wrap up the segment.

Kwang (w/Harvey Wippleman) (26-5-1) pins Rich Myers after the spinning heel kick at 2:41:

The third time against Kwang this year is not a charm for Myers, who gets his butt kicked. Howard Finkel pops up in the split screen, apologizing to Wippleman for pulling his pants down. With Hakushi’s debut, Kwang falls further down the pecking order in terms of foreign talent. He is just one of Wippleman’s losers.

Vinny Pazienza jumps rope and practices punches, saying that he would like to fight Shawn Michaels after he defeats Roberto Duran. He talks about giving people Panamanian voodoo dolls so they can needle Duran before their fight.

Stephanie Wiand talks with Ted DiBiase backstage about a challenge that Lex Luger & the British Bulldog have made to Bam Bam Bigelow & Tatanka. DiBiase, after some reticence, agrees to the match.

The Undertaker (w/Paul Bearer) (9-1) pins the Brooklyn Brawler after the Tombstone at 3:12:

This is the first time that the Undertaker has been on RAW in three months. He gets the biggest reaction at the taping for his entrance. McMahon suggests that IRS could put the Undertaker out with a sleeper hold, which is not a great way to infuse excitement into the program. The Undertaker slowly stalks the Brawler between moves, vanquishing him with the Tombstone.

After the squash, IRS and two druids are in the aisle. IRS points to the Undertaker as the show goes off the air.

Tune in next week to see Lex Luger & the British Bulldog face Bam Bam Bigelow & Tatanka!

The Last Word: The Liberty crowd was more engaged in this show, cheering loudly for the Undertaker and the British Bulldog. The opening match also set up the feature match for the first Monday Night RAW of 1995. However, the show lost momentum after the opening brawl and the longer squash matches made it a chore to sit through until the Undertaker squash at the end. The WWF’s biggest challenge right now is to build up more attractions for these shows.

Up Next: WWF Superstars for December 31!

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