WTWWW WWE — page 7

Stan Lane and Ted DiBiase are handling commentary, starting a new taping in Syracuse, New York. According to thehistoryofwwe.com, the taping happened on April 12 and drew a crowd of 7,500 fans.

Owen Hart tells WWF Champion Bret Hart that he is going to eventually beat him like he is going to beat Mo today.

Opening Contest: The Steiner Brothers (2-0-1) beat Tony Alton & Duane Gill when Scott pins Gill after the Steiner Screwdriver at 2:49:

Alton never tags in, not that he minds. The match is a showcase for Scott since he has a King of the Ring qualifier against Irwin R. Schyster next week. The Steiners walk to the ring disinterested and some of that body language comes out during the match. This would be their last televised WWF match as a team, never dropping a conventional match during their run.

McMahon narrates a video package to hype today’s Razor Ramon-Diesel match for the Intercontinental Championship.

Vince McMahon and Jerry Lawler commentate the action, starting a new taping in Rochester, New York. According to thehistoryofwwe.com, the taping took place on April 13 and drew a crowd of 6,000 fans.

Opening Contest: Mabel (w/Oscar) pins Jim Messenger after a DDT at 2:25:

The WWF is teasing a MOM breakup by putting Mabel and Mo in separate singles matches this week. Messenger tries to take Mabel to the canvas but Mabel falls on him to put a stop to that. Messenger should sell that more than he does but he casually gets up for Mabel to put him back down with a spinning heel kick. The squash was not interesting, boding ill for turning Mabel into a singles star.

Vince McMahon and Randy Savage are calling tonight’s action, finishing the Utica, New York television taping.

Opening Non-Title Contest: Razor Ramon (Intercontinental Champion) (12-0) defeats Jeff Jarrett (12-2) via disqualification when Diesel interferes at 10:04 shown:

Jarrett’s entrance keeps improving he gets a light show on his way to the ring. There was something in the original match that McMahon did not like as these two wrestled a second time at the taping and parts of the matches were spliced together in post-production. That aside, Jarrett puts up a good fight in his biggest match to date, willing to use the apron, steps, and ropes to weaken the champion. McMahon and Savage’s commentary almost treats Jarrett like a babyface, expressing awe at what he is doing. Shawn Michaels comes to ringside late after Jarrett throws Ramon to the floor. When Michaels jaws with Ramon he is shut up with a punch. Michaels gets on the apron when the action resumes so Ramon tosses him into the ring and tries to give him a Razor’s Edge but Diesel comes in and gives Ramon a big boot. To referee Earl Hebner’s credit he did not call for a disqualification until the heels made offensive contact with Ramon. Rating: **¾

Stan Lane and Ted DiBiase commentate again, concluding the taping in White Plains, New York.

Opening Contest: Men on a Mission (w/Oscar) (9-2) beat Mike Sharpe & Emilio Ulcia when Mo pins Ulcia after a double chokeslam at 1:56:

Most of the squash is a battle between Mabel and Sharpe. When Ulcia tags in he almost trips over the ropes and MOM quickly give him a double chokeslam, allowing Mo to score a rare winning pin. DiBiase laughs about how ineffective Ulcia was.

Lord Alfred Hayes is back to being a heel for the Special Report, saying that Tatanka brought his problems on himself because he did not follow the law by paying taxes. Chief Jay Strongbow does another short promo, saying “This means war” in a deadpan way. Strongbow is not helping this program get over.

Vince McMahon and Jerry Lawler are commentating, concluding the taping in Lowell, Massachusetts. McMahon’s microphone does not work for introductions because it is unplugged, allowing Lawler to put himself over.

Doink the Clown and Dink come down the aisle for the next match and Doink has a metal bucket with him. Lawler resumes his criticisms of Doink from the previous year so Doink tosses confetti on him.

Opening Contest: Doink the Clown (w/Dink) (13-0) pins Bert Centeno after the Whoopie Cushion at 2:42:

As per usual, Dink does some comedy spots with Centeno before the opening bell. Centeno refocuses and gets a few near-falls from a schoolboy roll up and dropkick. However, his blind charge hits boot and Doink outwrestles him the rest of the way.

Vince McMahon and Randy Savage are in the booth, taped from Utica, New York. Savage floats the idea of him getting a WWF title shot against Bret Hart.

Opening Non-Title Contest: Bret Hart (WWF Champion) (4-2) defeats Kwang (w/Harvey Wippleman) (8-1-1) via submission to the Sharpshooter at 6:52 shown:

Poor Kwang does not get an entrance for his biggest match to date. If Bret is supposed to be a fighting champion it is unusual that this match is not for the title. Owen Hart calls in, promising to take the fight to Bret on the WrestleMania Revenge Tour. Kwang misses his chance at victory with a spinning heel kick and Bret goes into his moves of doom. The finish is not dramatic as Kwang gets kicked in the head when he tries a backdrop, Bret does a side Russian leg sweep, and wins his first televised match since WrestleMania with the Sharpshooter. Rating: **

Stan Lane and Ted DiBiase are calling the action, still broadcasting from White Plains, New York.

Opening Contest: Yokozuna (w/Jim Cornette & Mr. Fuji) (7-2) pins Joey Stallings after the Banzai Drop at 2:09:

There is some discussion of Yokozuna trying to get a rematch for the WWF Championship. Stallings has no answers for the former champion, wiped out with a belly-to-belly suplex and Banzai Drop.

WWF Mania had an exclusive match, taped in White Plains, New York on March 23. It was commentated by Stan Lane and Ted DiBiase.

Koko B. Ware (0-2) pins Bastion Booger (2-4) after a missile dropkick at 4:58 shown:

This is a terrible match as Ware is slowly beat down until Booger misses a blind charge and Ware knocks him down with a missile dropkick. It is only the third singles win for Ware since 1991. This would be Booger’s last televised match for the WWF. Like Repo Man, he would pitch a babyface turn to Vince McMahon and get shot down. He would work house shows until early August and go to the independent circuit, retiring in 1999 before launching a short comeback from 2006-2009. Rating: ¼*

McMahon and Jerry Lawler are handling commentary, taped from Lowell, Massachusetts.

The Bushwhackers, Men on a Mission, and the Smoking Gunns urge fans to call and vote for them in tonight’s poll. The Bushwhackers lost a few weeks ago to the Quebecers but they do the best job in their quick bit.

Vince McMahon and Randy Savage call tonight’s action, live from Utica, New York. When asked who he wants to win the poll, Savage says he does. Told he has to do commentary, he tells McMahon that is no great honor.

Opening Contest: Diesel (w/Shawn Michaels) (8-0) defeats Virgil (1-1) after the Jackknife at 5:34:

This is around the time that WWF matches look like they are taking place with a smoky cloud overhead due to laser effects. It was like the company returned to the “smoke-filled bingo halls” that McMahon claimed he took wrestling out of. It is surprising that Virgil lasts as long as he does as Diesel pummels him. Virgil knocks the big man off his feet with a clothesline late in the match for a near-fall but tries to follow it with an O’Connor roll. That is blocked and a big boot and Jackknife finish him off. Rating: *

Stan Lane and Ted DiBiase are commentators for this episode, beginning a new taping in White Plains, New York. According to thehistoryofwwe.com, the taping took place on March 23 and drew a papered crowd of 3,000 fans.

For entrances, Challenge has gotten rid of the jukebox-like setup and has the steel rigging like Superstars. The difference is that Challenge has a lit WWF symbol above it.

Opening Contest: Owen Hart (13-0) defeats Bert Stiles via submission to the Sharpshooter at 3:42:

Stiles worked as a WWF enhancement talent from 1991-1992, last appearing on a September 5, 1992 edition of WWF Superstars in a loss to Money Incorporated.

Owen uses Bret’s elbow drop off the second rope as part of his arsenal. After taking his time to win the match, Owen leg drops Stiles and puts Hitman shades on Stiles so he can yell at him as he would his brother. Owen has an unbeaten record this year but the crowd is not treating him as a main event heel.

Vince McMahon and Jerry Lawler commentate today’s action, starting a new taping in Lowell, Massachusetts. According to thehistoryofwwe.com, the taping took place on March 22 and drew a sellout crowd of 3,200 fans.

McMahon and Lawler open the show in front of the video board by the entrance, which shows highlights of Bret Hart winning the WWF Championship at WrestleMania. The entrance is now framed with steel rigging instead of a curtain with the WWF logo on top of it.

Opening Contest: Irwin R. Schyster (7-2) beats Koko B. Ware (0-1) via submission to the Penalty at 6:31:

IRS tells fans that when they do not file their tax returns on time they will pay a penalty. McMahon and Lawler debate whether Tatanka should have to pay taxes on the headdress as Ware and IRS wrestle a decent television match where each man notches some near-falls on the other. Ware knocks his head against the turnbuckles on a blind charge late, allowing IRS to win via submission to an STF that is referred to as the Penalty. Rating: **

Footage of Earthquake and Adam Bomb arguing in the locker room earlier in the evening is shown. Bomb says he is out to avenge WrestleMania.

Vince McMahon and Gorilla Monsoon call tonight’s action, concluding the post-WrestleMania taping in Poughkeepsie, New York.

Opening Contest: Earthquake (10-0) pins Adam Bomb (w/Harvey Wippleman) (3-2) after the Earthquake Splash at 4:20:

This time Bomb attacks Earthquake before the bell. What he lacks in weight he can make up for in height. It is a fun big man matchup with a good amount of action. Bomb flattens Earthquake with the Neutron Bomb but the Earthquake kicks out, killing the effectiveness of Bomb’s new finishing move. The Wippleman-Howard Finkel feud gets some attention as Wippleman rants at Finkel until Finkel gets up to confront him. Earthquake blocks a blind charge with a big boot, delivers a belly-to-belly suplex, and deals Bomb another singles loss with the Earthquake Splash. Rating: **

Stan Lane and Ted DiBiase are commentating, broadcasting the last show from Liberty, New York.

Opening Contest: Lex Luger (8-1) defeats Derek Domino via submission to the Rebel Rack at 1:26:

Instead of looking pissed off over losing at WrestleMania, Luger looks like he is going to cry. Lane insists Luger has a new attitude but that is not shown in this bout. Mr. Perfect does an insert about how Luger will pay for putting his hands on him at WrestleMania. Lane hypes a special interview Perfect will have with Johnny Polo on next week’s program. Luger’s torture rack is now dubbed the Rebel Rack.

Vince McMahon and Johnny Polo are commentating the show, the last of the taping in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

Opening Non-Title Contest: Razor Ramon (Intercontinental Champion) (8-0) pins Steve Smith after the Razor’s Edge at 3:19:

Ramon messes with Polo’s hat on the way to the ring, prompting Polo to threaten a lawsuit and leave the commentary position. That allows Jerry Lawler to resume his color commentary duties as Ramon spends a long time working the arm during the squash, making it a less than ideal match to open the show.

Get your copy of WrestleMania X, which comes out on May 4!

After showing footage of the end of the Yokozuna-Lex Luger WWF title match at WrestleMania, McMahon hypes an appearance by Luger and Mr. Perfect on Monday Night RAW.

Ted DiBiase hands three fans $100 to leave their ringside seats before the show. They are behind the announce team.

Vince McMahon and Jim Cornette are commentating, taped from Poughkeepsie, New York.

Opening Contest: Lex Luger (7-1) beats Rick Martel (1-2-1) via submission to the torture rack at 11:48 shown:

Martel gets no entrance. There is a funny exchange between McMahon and Cornette where McMahon calls Luger a “mesomorph” and Cornette interprets it as a religion, castigating McMahon for going after someone’s religious beliefs. The match gets a lot of time but is a bit disappointing as Martel never gets Luger in sufficient peril and does too many chinlocks. Martel loses in dumb fashion too as he celebrates after blocking an O’Connor roll with the ropes and then gets finished off with a Luger blitz of big moves. The one positive aspect of the match is the crowd stayed with it. Rating: **¼

Stan Lane and Ted DiBiase are commentating, taped from Liberty, New York. They are the third commentary team for the show this year.

Opening Contest: Owen Hart (11-0) beats Mike Moraldo via submission to the Sharpshooter at 3:19:

After feigning that he is going to give a fan his shades, Owen decides not to break them apart and puts them on the ring post. Owen maintains his undefeated streak since last year’s Survivor Series after spending a lot of time wearing Moraldo down.

Mr. Perfect does a pre-recorded promo from WrestleMania X. He criticizes Lex Luger for putting his hands on managers and an official, insisting that he called the match fairly.

Pictures show Bret Hart winning the WWF title at WrestleMania X with Burt Reynolds announcing him as the new champion.

Superstars gets a new theme song and opening. It has a rock beat and grittier look with wrestlers preparing for action and then fighting it out in the ring.

Vince McMahon and Jerry Lawler are commentating, still in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. McMahon emphasizes that the WWF has blasted off into a new decade. That may sound weird since it is 1994 and not 1990 but Hulk Hogan’s big run began in 1984 so this is a nod that the era of relying on Hogan is over. It has also been a decade of WrestleMania. McMahon’s voice is still shot like it was on Monday Night RAW.

Vince McMahon and Randy Savage are commentating, live from Poughkeepsie, New York. McMahon’s voice is shot from last night’s WrestleMania. He should have had Gorilla Monsoon substitute for him. Fans are told that Bret Hart is the new WWF champion. Savage also makes a “hanging around” pun about Crush.

Opening Non-Title Contest: The Quebecers (WWF Tag Team Champions w/Johnny Polo) (5-3-1) beat the Bushwhackers (5-0) when Pierre pins Butch after a knee to the back at 9:21 shown:

The Quebecers have been having lots of heel miscommunication problems between this match and WrestleMania so that appears to be building to something. McMahon apologizes to fans for the 10-man tag team match not happening at WrestleMania but says it will happen in two weeks on RAW. It takes a commercial break for the Quebecers to figure the Bushwhackers out. The crowd does not react much when the hot tag happens and the Bushwhackers wipe out the champions with Battering Rams. Polo breaks up a pin attempt on Pierre behind the referee’s back, leading to the Luke chasing him around the ring. When Polo gets on the apron Butch grabs him, setting up a Bushwhacker special of Pierre kneeing Butch in the back and pinning him. Age was catching up to the Bushwhackers as they seemed to be moving in slow motion. This is their first televised defeat since September 1992. Rating: *½

There is a nice, brief video package of highlights from the first WrestleMania that leads into the introductory video for the pay-per-view.

Little Richard sings “America the Beautiful” with the help of a Baptist church choir from Stamford, Connecticut.

Vince McMahon and Jerry Lawler are in the booth, live from Madison Square Garden in New York City. This was Lawler’s return after a four-month absence due to legal problems in Louisville, Kentucky. According to thehistoryofwwe.com, the card drew a sellout crowd of 18,065 fans (with another 4,200 tickets sold for the Paramount Theater). The pay-per-view pulled a buyrate of 1.68 (420,000 buys). That was a slight decline from the 2.0 buyrate and 430,000 buys generated by WrestleMania IX. However, it beat expectations that the show would perform terribly without Hulk Hogan.

There are two announce teams this evening as the WWF presents the show like a simulcast. Vince McMahon and Johnny Polo commentate matches taped in Liberty, New York on February 23. Gorilla Monsoon and Stan Lane commentate matches taped in Poughkeepsie, New York on February 21.

Opening Contest: Lex Luger (5-0) defeats Jimmy Del Ray (w/Jim Cornette & Tom Prichard) via submission to the torture rack at 8:36:

This match is from Liberty High School and Polo uses the soundboard like Superstars. Luger gets loud support from the crowd throughout a basic match where he takes punishment, avoids Del Ray’s moonsault, and then racks him. The crowd treated this like a WrestleMania main event which is again a consequence of doing this show in a place that hardly gets a big WWF event. Rating: **

After the match, Cornette gets in the ring and tries to hit Luger with his tennis racquet but is caught. Luger gets the racquet and hits Cornette across the rear to a big pop. Cornette retreats and returns with WWF Champion Yokozuna and Mr. Fuji. Luger dares Yokozuna to get in the ring but WWF officials stand in the champion’s way.