WTWWW WWE — page 4

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.

Vince McMahon and Randy Savage commentate once again from Burlington, Vermont.

Opening Contest: Lex Luger (28-3-1) beats Bob Backlund (9-1) via disqualification when Tatanka interferes at 8:17 shown:

Luger has a young flag bearer lead his way to the ring. He awkwardly wrestles Backlund’s style to start, sweeping his opponent’s legs several times. However, Backlund quickly outmaneuvers him through some slow technical work and tries to wear Luger’s arm down for the crossface chicken wing. Luger rallies after breaking a bearhug, prompting Tatanka to come to ringside. When Luger is distracted, Backlund locks in the chicken wing. Instead of letting his fellow heel win, Tatanka runs into the ring like an idiot and gets Backlund disqualified, putting the boots to Luger as he is trapped in the hold. This was the very definition of a styles clash as each man moved awkwardly when taking each other’s offense. The WWF also booked themselves into a corner since Luger would hurt his character by submitting and Backlund could not lose because of the WWF title match he is getting at Survivor Series. Still, there had to be a better finish than what was done here. Rating: * 

WWF officials get Backlund and Tatanka to back off but Backlund soon reapplies the hold. Savage cannot take this anymore so he runs in and drives Backlund off, earning a bigger pop than the feature match received. McMahon wonders if Savage will be fined or suspended for intervening.

Vince McMahon and Todd Pettengill commentate as the taping winds down in White Plains, New York.

Charlie Minn talks with WWF Tag Team Champions Shawn Michaels & Diesel. They emphasize that actions speak louder than words.

Vince McMahon and Jerry Lawler are in the booth, wrapping up the taping in Poughkeepsie, New York.

Opening Contest: Adam Bomb (17-6) pins Mike Bell after a DDT at 2:23:

Bomb does not show any wear and tear from Bob Backlund’s crossface chicken wing on RAW. Bell throws several blows at Bomb throughout but Bomb does not sell them, doing a mixture of technical and power wrestling. Bomb opts to finish with a DDT instead of the pumphandle slam.

Vince McMahon and Randy Savage call tonight’s action, taped from Burlington, Vermont.

Opening Contest for the Intercontinental Championship: Razor Ramon (30-4) beats Yokozuna (w/Jim Cornette & Mr. Fuji) (19-4) via count out at 9:28 shown:

This constitutes the biggest challenge to Ramon since he recaptured the Intercontinental title at SummerSlam. Yokozuna attacks Ramon before the bell but the Bad Guy sends him to the floor with a spirited series of strikes. The match suffers from Yokozuna’s immobility. Like a football player, he has a quick series of moves in spots but gets winded, so the match drags before he does something else. For example, he pinballs Ramon between the turnbuckles and drops a leg but take forever to get up and does not bother to cover. There is also a copious use of nerve holds like when Yokozuna wrestled Lex Luger at WrestleMania X. A missed Yokozuna avalanche triggers Ramon’s comeback, scoring a close near-fall from a bulldog off the second rope. A druid wheels a big casket to ringside, which Yokozuna stumbles into and runs away. Rating: *

Vince McMahon and Todd Pettengill commentate the first edition of The Action Zone, taped from White Plains, New York. The Action Zone and Wrestling Challenge typically shared a taping site so that was the case here. As noted before, this show replaced All American Wrestling on Sundays at noon on USA Network.

The opening video of the show has some synthesized sounds and shows off some high impact moves. It is a better intro than the spastic one that was given to Wrestling Challenge a while back.

Charlie Minn welcomes fans to the show, hyping the feature match. He catches Owen Hart coming to the ring. Owen reiterates that he is going to take the WWF title from his brother on today’s program.

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.

Vince McMahon and Randy Savage, who is dressed in his Slim Jim attire, call tonight’s action, live from Burlington, Vermont. According to thehistoryofwwe.com, the show drew a crowd of 1,800 fans.

Opening Contest: Jeff Jarrett (31-6-1) defeats Doink the Clown (w/Dink & Wink) (28-2) after Jerry Lawler interferes at 10:36 shown:

Wink was Buck Blevins, who wrestled on the independent circuit as Bad Boy Buck and Tadpole Buck. He was a trainee of Jimmy Valiant and started his career in 1992.

Before the match, Dink gives Ed Trucco of the Spanish announce team a rose. There is no mention made of the feud between these two from the spring. Doink’s wig has been “cut” a bit to look like a Richard Simmons afro and he wears some cream-colored ring boots that do not fit the rest of his attire. Four minutes into the match, Queasy comes out with another little person dressed like him. The little person tandem stomp Doink when Jarrett tosses him to the floor and the referee opts not to call a disqualification. Meanwhile, Dink and Wink are oblivious to what is happening to their friend. Jarrett dominates the contest, which is good because he is the better wrestler of the two. When the little person with Queasy hops on the apron, heel miscommunication with Jarrett sends him flying off. As the little people battle on the floor, Doink does the Whoopie Cushion but the referee is distracted. That allows Jerry Lawler to rush out, hit Doink in the back from the second rope, and when the referee turns around Jarrett is covering and wins. Rating: **¼

Afterward, Lawler tells McMahon that the other little person is named Sleazy. Lawler asks Savage if a bag lady knows if he borrowed her outfit.

Gorilla Monsoon and Ted DiBiase are in the booth for a new set of television tapings. According to thehistoryofwwe.com, the show was taped in White Plains, New York on September 28.

Opening Contest: The British Bulldog (4-0) pins Barry Hardy after the running powerslam at 2:30:

Monsoon introduces Charlie Minn, who says that DiBiase cannot buy him. The Bulldog easily rolls to another win, reversing a Hardy whip into the corner to set up the running powerslam.

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.

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.

Gorilla Monsoon and Ted DiBiase are doing commentary, wrapping up the taping in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Opening Contest: Tatanka (w/Ted DiBiase) (28-4-2) pins Ron Cumberledge after the Papoose to Go at 2:40:

Tatanka loves whipping Cumberledge into the turnbuckles, doing that spot five times. Cumberledge gets fluke near-falls from a body press off the ropes, small package, and sunset flip. Tatanka chops his way back on track and hits his finish. If not for Cumberledge’s smooth movements, this would have been dreadful. As a heel Tatanka is robbed of his exciting offense and he does not have good heel moves to make up for it.

Monsoon announces that King Kong Bundy has joined DiBiase and could bring the stable some gold.

Vince McMahon and Jerry Lawler handle commentary, concluding the taping in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Opening Contest: Bam Bam Bigelow (w/Ted DiBiase) (26-4) beats Duke Droese (17-0) with a schoolboy roll up and using the tights at 4:48:

Droese gives his hat to a kid at ringside before the match. The hoss battle has some slow, basic action. Droese does not get much in until catching Bigelow coming off the ropes with a powerslam. After a leg drop, DiBiase jumps on the apron but the distraction does not go anywhere as Droese sidesteps a Bigelow avalanche. However, a blind charge sends Droese into the turnbuckles and Bigelow hands the trash man his first loss with a schoolboy roll up and a handful of tights. Rating: *½

Vince McMahon and Randy Savage are in the booth, taped from Utica, New York.

Opening Contest: The British Bulldog (2-0) beats Jim Neidhart (w/Owen Hart) (13-0) via disqualification when Owen interferes at 12:10:

The only way this match could be good is if the combatants turn it into a showcase of power moves. That does not happen, though, as each man works holds on the canvas. When Owen pulls the ropes down, causing the Bulldog to crash to the arena floor, WWF Champion Bret Hart comes to ringside. The Bulldog sells his knee from that sequence but Neidhart targets the back instead. At the nine-minute mark Neidhart finally gets around to stretching the knee, only to end this attack with the Camel Clutch. The Bulldog refuses to quit, so Neidhart breaks the hold and tries a knee drop from the second rope, which misses. The Bulldog’s comeback includes an impressive vertical suplex, bringing Bob Backlund out in a navy-blue robe. Backlund jaws with Bret, during which time Owen gets in the ring and attacks the Bulldog when he goes for a sunset flip. As the description attests, this match was a mess. Rating: *

Bret breaks away from his argument with Backlund to make the save. This would appear to set up a tag team match in the future.

Gorilla Monsoon and Ted DiBiase commentate, taped from Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Opening Contest: The 1-2-3 Kid (18-4-1) defeats Gary Scott after the flying leg drop at 3:52:

Monsoon tries to counter the narrative of the WWF’s syndication woes by claiming that lots of new viewers are checking out Wrestling Challenge each week. Scott, who is about the same size as the Kid, kicks out of a roundhouse kick and float over suplex. He gets a fair share of offense but his rally ends after a missed flying knee drop. The Kid devastates Scott with kicks afterward and wins a fifth-straight match with a flying leg drop.

Vince McMahon and Jerry Lawler are in the booth, still broadcasting from Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Opening Non-Title Contest: Razor Ramon (Intercontinental Champion) (29-4) pins Red Tyler after the Razor’s Edge at 2:52:

Tyler tries to go after Ramon’s arm but that is quickly countered. Ramon punishes Tyler with his signature moves, winning a paint by the numbers squash to kick off the show. McMahon spends time during the squash to talk about possible dissension between Shawn Michaels and Diesel because of the Intercontinental title match at SummerSlam.

Vince McMahon and Randy Savage call tonight’s action, live from Utica, New York. According to thehistoryofwwe.com, the show drew a heavily papered crowd of 4,500 fans.

Opening Contest for the Intercontinental Championship: Razor Ramon (Champion) (28-4) defeats Tatanka (w/Ted DiBiase) (28-3-2) at 13:36 shown:

As noted before, not changing Tatanka’s attire or theme music is a misfire as he embarks on a heel run. Both men look sluggish and work deliberately. Part of that may be owed to Tatanka trying to figure out how to wrestle as a heel since it robs him of some of his normal spots like going on the warpath or doing moves off the top rope. After a commercial break, Tatanka focuses his attack on Ramon’s ribs until Ramon makes a comeback out of nowhere. DiBiase gets on the apron after Ramon does his super backdrop suplex, causing Ramon to go after the manager on the floor. Tatanka jumps Ramon after that and Lex Luger tries to intervene but is attacked from behind on the way down the aisle by Bam Bam Bigelow. Tatanka breaks off to fight Luger, leading to Ramon roll in and win a bad match via count out. Rating: *

WWF officials rush out to break up the two-on-one attack on Luger in the aisle and Ramon jumps in to try to clear the heels out. The show goes to commercial break before any side looks dominant. Chances are this will produce a tag team match later at this taping.

Gorilla Monsoon and Ted DiBiase are in the booth, kicking off a new taping in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. According to thehistoryofwwe.com, the taping took place on August 30 and drew a paid crowd of 2,800.

Opening Contest: The Headshrinkers (w/Afa & Captain Lou Albano) (25-1) defeat Tom Stone & Rock Werner when Fatu pins Werner after the splash off the top rope at 2:54:

In the split screen, WWF Tag Team Champions Shawn Michaels & Diesel cut a generic promo about how they will run over the former champions like an 18-wheeler. The Headshrinkers fight another unimpressive squash battle that sees Werner daze Fatu with a few blows before trying a headbutt.

Vince McMahon and Jerry Lawler call today’s action, taped in Green Bay, Wisconsin. According to thehistoryofwwe.com, the taping took place on August 31.

Opening Contest: The British Bulldog pins Reno Riggins after the running powerslam at 3:10:

The Bulldog was returning to the WWF after a two-year absence. A trainee of Ted Betley in England, the Bulldog started his career in 1978 when he was fifteen years old. A few years later he immigrated to Canada to wrestle for Stu Hart’s Stampede promotion, receiving more training in the famed Hart Dungeon and marrying into the Hart clan. In 1984, the Bulldog and his tag team partner the Dynamite Kid came to the WWF as the British Bulldogs. The team won the Tag Team titles at WrestleMania II from the Dream Team, losing them to the Hart Foundation after the Kid suffered a back injury the following year. The team left the WWF in 1988 but the Bulldog returned two years later as a single. He got a strong push, making the final four of the 1991 Royal Rumble, winning a long feud with the Warlord, and defeating Bret Hart for the Intercontinental Championship in London, England at SummerSlam ’92. However, a few months later the Bulldog was terminated for receiving human growth hormone (HGH) shipments and he dropped the title to Shawn Michaels on the last edition of Saturday Night’s Main Event. In 1993 he signed with WCW. While there he got another strong push, fighting Vader for the WCW World Championship and teaming with Sting to battle Vader and Sid Vicious at Beach Blast. By the end of the year, though, the Bulldog’s relationship with WCW soured over payoffs from a WCW European tour and he no-showed events in December. That made him available to return to the WWF, which he did in a non-wrestling role at SummerSlam.

One would expect the Bulldog to dominate in his first WWF match in two years but that is not the case. Riggins gives as good as he gets, pounding away at times and catching the former Intercontinental titleholder with a thrust kick. As the match goes on, McMahon hypes battles between the Bulldog and Owen Hart on the Hart Attack Tour. The Bulldog rallies with a vertical suplex and double underhook suplex, winning with his trademark running powerslam. Despite the poor match, the Bulldog got a good reaction.

Vince McMahon and Randy Savage are in the booth, concluding the taping in Lowell, Massachusetts.

Opening Contest: Lex Luger (24-3-1) defeats the Executioner via submission the Rebel Rack at 2:34:

Lou Gianfroddo, the assistant editor of WWF Magazine, is shown taking notes at ringside for his “RAW Ringside” column. McMahon spends the squash talking about Tatanka disappointing Native Americans with his heel turn. His hype of Luger as someone who is a man of his word is funny when one remembers his bolting for WCW the following summer. For now, Luger is content to clothesline the Executioner and rack him, posing amidst fireworks afterward.