1993 - Transcending Tradition

Week 2, February 1993
Bauman-Eberhardt Centre (St Louis, Missouri)
ATT: 1,985
TV RATING: 0.50
Announce Team: Vince McMahon, Jerry Lawler & Bobby Heenan




Vince McMahon welcomes us to another episode of Superstars - and he cuts right to the chase in getting us an update on the condition of Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake following the heinous attack on Monday Night Raw by Money Incorporated -

Vince tells us that Brutus was treated at a local medical facility for the assault that was focused on his facial region - after intensive scans and x-rays, he can reveal that fortunately the only real damage was a broken nose - and he can confirm that Brutus WILL be back in action within a few weeks -

”- I have also been informed that Jimmy Hart and Money Incorporated have parted ways - a decision made apparently by the Mouth of the South following this brutal attack - and I’m sure that even you Bobby Heenan (with your extensive experience of managing) would agree with his decision -“

“- I do - and I’ll tell you why - because it’s nothing to do with what Money Incorporated did to that inbred Barber, Brutus Beefcake - frankly, after spending years going around here cutting peoples hair left, right and centre for years, someone knocking him down a peg or two was long overdue - what I DON’T agree with, was IRS and Ted DiBiase getting physical with Jimmy Hart - we are NOT competitors McMahon - Jimmy Hart is 100lbs soaking wet - and when a client lays his hands on his manager, you’ve got to tear up that contract -“

McMahon is astounded that Heenan would condone the attack on Beefcake - particularly the attempt to re-injure the man - turning his attention to Jerry Lawler, in the hopes that the King might have a touch more sympathy -

He doesn’t -

Although Lawler does say that the reason Beefcake landed himself in hospital to begin with -

”- is because he chose a moron as a partner - and that’s YOU Big Bossman -“

Lawler says that Brutus Beefcake (idiot or not) handed the Big Bossman a championship opportunity on a silver platter -

”- title shots don’t come around every day McMahon, you know that - you’ve already got the Nasty Boys - the Steiners - the Beverly Brothers - all lining up for a shot at Money Incorporated - Beefcake let you leapfrog that line Bossman, and you blew it because you can’t take a little joke - you’re a moron - and Beefcake, you’re a moron too - next time choose a more reliable partner -“

Vince isn’t happy about the lack of empathy for the actual victim here (Brutus Beefcake) and instead of continuing to argue about it he sees it’s better that they move on - before sending us to the first match of the evening -

Rating: B-





In which we see the Narcissist take on the massive former Natural Disaster, Typhoon -

The match takes a while to get started (mainly because The Narcissist is reluctant to give up his mirrors) but when it does, Luger is clearly shocked by his opponents appearance - McMahon says that this Narcissist was so focused on his own reflection, that he didn’t even realise WHO his opponent was - and now he does, he’s very obviously shocked by it -

Lex clearly mouths the words “so fat” and “such a slob”, with a look of disgust on his face - but it’s a look of disgust that gets slapped off his face pretty quickly as Typhoon takes control of the match -

I’ll be honest, I always liked the Natural Disasters as a team - both the heel and babyface incarnation - but Typhoon alone? - Earthquake maybe, but I don’t see a great deal of upside in a Typhoon singles run -

Which is probably why the Narcissist wins here this evening -

It’s not easy by any stretch of the imagination - Typhoon is a huge man that’s hard to keep down - which is why McMahon is suspicious as to how the running forearm that Luger finally delivers is the move that puts him on his back for a count of three -

Bobby Heenan however, (who’s been waxing lyrical about the Narcissist all match) says that’s just the power of this impressive specimen of a man - saying this is why Mr. Perfect is in no rush to face Narcissist -

Either way, regardless of your views, that’s exactly what happens -

Send in the mirrors -

The Narcissist needs to celebrate -

Rating: C-
Winner: The Narcissist





Vince isn’t buying it though, climbing into the ring to try and get word from Narcissist- he asks Luger to explain quite why (when nothing he was doing was putting Typhoon down) was a running forearm so effective? -

The mirrors are out though - which means Lex Luger is no longer with us - instead he’s lost in his own reflection -

Again Vince presses for an answer - saying that the only forearm he’s seen with that much impact is El Matador’s - and HE has the added impact and momentum of the leap he performs before hand -

”- so I ask you again why is it that when - - - will you stop looking at those mirrors and answer me! -“

Narcissist does not stop looking at those mirrors -



Not even when the afore mentioned El Matador makes his way out - still trying to get an answer in regards to the challenge he issued last week -

And STILL Narcissist doesn’t stop posing -

Tito Santana must be one of the nicest guys in the WWF - but even he’s had enough by this point - telling Vince that is this poser isn’t going to acknowledge anyone, then maybe El Matador should get his attention -

And with that he backs up against the ropes, indicating that he’s going to strike with that Flying Forearm of his -

Unfortunately, while Luger might be arrogant, he’s not stupid - in fact far from it - and as Tito sets across the ring, Narcissist sees him coming in the mirror, spinning around at the last minute to nail Matador between the eyes with his own Forearm -

And Tito is out like a light -

Again McMahon questions quite why that forearm is so effective - but after having his mirror time interrupted, Luger is incensed - storming out of the ring in a huff and marching to the back looking furious -

I guess we should get some help for Tito -

Rating: B-





While we are doing that, we switch to a vignette that has been filmed at an undisclosed NASCAR event -

A World Wrestling Federation branded 1974 Chevrolet Malibu can be seen screaming around the track, before it finally comes to a screeching halt in front of the camera -

A young man climbs out and pulls off his helmet, telling the camera that his name is Spark Plugg Holly - and just like he dominates this track, he’s coming to the WWF, to dominate all the great superstars of the World Wrestling Federation -

”- so get ready folks - because old Spark Plugg is going to be making a pit stop at an arena near you real soon -“

With that, Holly puts his helmet back on and climbs into his car - before screaming off out of shot -

Rating: E+





With Tito all scraped off the mat and taken to the back it’s on to our next match - and it’s the Berzerker facing off against young Glen Ruth - someone perhaps more suited to tag team wrestling - and moshing and thrashing to Marilyn Manson -

That’s neither here nor there though - this was a squash match plain and simple - and Berzerker made short work of this enhancement talent -

At one point, the Berzerkers “finishing” move was to pick a guy up and literally toss him (unprotected) to the floor on the outside, at which point the big Viking would win by countout - needless to say, that’s a pretty sure fire way to injure someone - plus how are you ever supposed to take someone as a legitimate title threat if they only ever win their matches by count-out? -

Granted this isn’t a title match - but it’s still a ridiculous finish - so instead, he pinned the man, after taking his head off with a Big Boot to the face -

Rating: D+
Winner: The Berzerker





Match over, The Berzerker HUSSed his way over to the interview podium, where Mean Gene is standing by -

Berzerker has seemed a bit aimless as of late - ever since he lost the guidance of Mr. Fuji (who has abandoned the Viking for Yokozuna) Berzerker has floundered somewhat -

He obviously knows it too - because it’s not often that this man requests interview time -

Gene tells us that the Berzerker has indeed requested this time though - so what is it exactly that is on his mind? -

Frankly I don’t think the Berzerker really knows what’s on his own mind, as he rambles on and HUSSes through the ‘interview’ - the main crux seems to be that he wants to fight - he wants to fight, he wants to hurt, he wants to pillage the entire WWF until he gets what he wants - championship gold -

”- AND THAT START’S NOW - BECAUSE I WANT ANY ONE OF THESE STINKING WWF SUPERSTARS AT THE SATURDAY NIGHT’S MAIN EVENT - IN FACT, I JUST WANT TO GET MY HANDS ON ANYONE AT THE SATURDAY NIGHT’S MAIN EVENT - I’LL EVEN FIGHT YOU MEAN GENE OKERLUND -“

Gene says that won’t be happening, but he’s sure that someone will take the Berzerker up on his offer, before nervously sending us back down to ringside as the Viking HUSS, HUSS, HUSSes away behind him -

Rating: C+





Where the intergalactic Max Moon is in action -

Sigh -

Paul Diamond is a solid hand and a good worker to have on the card - but this gimmick - man is this the drizzling shits -

You gotta work with what you got to hand though I guess - so for NOW, it is indeed Max Moon taking on Iron Mike Sharpe -

Max Moon won with a diving reverse crossbody -

That’s all I have to say about that -

Rating: D
Winner: Max Moon





With that out of the way we head over to the Sean Mooney, who has the WWF Saturday Nights Main Event report -

Mooney says that it’s shaping up to be a monumental evening of action already, with TWO championship matches lined up - he briefly runs down the match that has now been made official - that being Bret Hart defending the WWF Championship against Bam Bam Bigelow - as well as the WWF Tag Team Championship match, which we now know will see Money Inc defending against the Nasty Boys -

”- and one things for sure - Money Incorporated will be WITHOUT the services of their manager, Jimmy Hart -“



They show a quick recap of this past Mondays events, including Money Inc assaulting both Jimmy Hart, AND them attempting to destroy the face of the Barber - before we go to words from the Mouth of the South -

Jimmy says that on Monday, Money Inc crossed a line that even HE wasn’t prepared to cross - Jimmy says that he knows he’s done some bad things in the past, but watching Brutus Beefcake writhing in pain on that mat (as well as suffering the sting of betrayal from his own clients) has left him questioning his life choices -

He says that somehow, some way, he’s going to make it up to Brutus Beefcake - no matter the lengths he has to go to - and as for Ted DiBiase and IRS, Jimmy says that he hopes the Nasty Boys take those tag titles from them - but if they don’t - if they don’t, then Jimmy Hart has an idea - and boy is it a biggie -



From there we go to another man who was involved in that tag title match on Monday, the Big Bossman - and he’s not happy -

He begins by apologising to Brutus Beefcake for not being there to watch his back in their match - he says he let his temper get the best of him, and it didn’t just cost Brutus, it cost him too - Bossman says that he’s a little banged up after getting nailed with an oversized mallet from that idiotic clown, and he’s going to be out of action for a few weeks -

”- but I’ll be back - and I’ll be back just in time for Saturday Nights Main Event - so Doink, you’d better free up your calendar boy - because you’re going to be getting into the ring with the Big Bossman, and this time you won’t be able to hide in the back, hide behind your toys, hide behind that stupid face paint - you might be laughing now, but at Saturday Nights Main Event, you’re going to be serving some hard time - and you can bring that mallet too, because I got a nightstick here with your name on it -“

Bossman is about to sign off, when he takes a moment to remind people (particularly Jerry Lawler) that he’ll be watching (and listening) to all the great WWF programming while he is on his sabbatical - so if any announcers have something to say about him, then they should speak real clear - because he’ll be addressing them on his return -



And then finally we have word from Mr. Perfect and Tatanka -

These two were looking to face off against Razor Ramon and Shawn Michaels respectively - but it would seem like these two men aren’t as eager to answer the challenge, instead (basically) telling these two men that they will have to prove themselves in a tag team meeting first -

Perfect says that he should have known that Razor Ramon was as much of a coward as the company he kept -

”- first Ric Flair, then that little weasel Bobby Heenan - now Shawn Michaels - if you scraped up all the integrity of those three men combined, mixed it up and threw it in a blender - you STILL wouldn’t have enough there to grease that stupid curl in the middle of your head -“

Perfect says that Ramon and Michaels are a perfect match - ego and overconfidence personified - he says that as a former TWO time Intercontinental Champion, he knows a thing or two about spotting a worthy contender -

”- and Shawn Michaels - this man here, is MORE than a worthy contender -“

Tatanka says that it was told to him many years ago, that one day he would soar as high as the eagles - he says that since entering into the World Wrestling Federation, he has met and bested every challenge put in front of him - and now it is time for him to soar - so if he has to defeat Shawn Michaels in tag team competition to gain the Intercontinental Championship match that he wants, then that’s exactly what he will do -

Perfect agrees, stating that as far as he is concerned, all this tag team match means, is that he will have TWO opportunities to slap Razor Ramon around - once at Saturday Nights Main Event, and then again - because once he and Tatanka wipe the floor with Razor and Michaels, then neither man will be able to hide behind the other anymore -

”- so Ramon, we accept your challenge - we’ll meet you at Saturday Nights Main Event, and we’ll BEAT you at Saturday Nights Main Event - because let’s face it, when it comes to you and me in tag team competition, there’s only ONE of us with a Perfect record -

And you’re looking at him -“

Tatanka finishes off the promo with his war cry, and we go back to ringside -

Rating: B





Where the Ugandan Giant Kamala is in action once again, against the man who is rubbing a lot of people up the wrong way - Doink the Clown -

As you can imagine, Doink has a great deal of fun in mocking the naive Kamala, as he seamlessly slips between laughing hysterically and delivering acts of cruelty - while Kamala relied on his animalistic savagery to wear down this clown -

This was actually a pretty big match for Doink - he’s been a mainstay on the shows for a number of months now, but in terms of matches he’s only started actually competing in the WWF ring in the last few weeks - it wasn’t so long ago he was running round as a lumberjack down south, so he really needs a few high profile wins to raise his stock -

And yes - compared to Doink, Kamala IS relatively high profile -

It looks as though the Ugandan Giant is going to pick up the victory too to be fair - Doink had his moment to shine, but with the guidance of Reverend Slick, Kamala is able to get back into this thing - and DOES hit that big splash again -

Unfortunately he also attempts to cover Doink while he’s laid face down on the mat - again -



Speaking of reoccurring events - as Slick attempts to prompt Kamala to turn Doink over onto his back, Rick Martel suddenly appears at ringside -

And just as he did this past Monday, he sprays the Reverend Slick in the face with a blast of “Arrogance” cologne from The Model’s atomiser -

And just as he did this past Monday, Kamala abandons the match to check on his advisor -

And promptly gets counted out -

Rating: C-
Winner: Doink the Clown (via Count-Out)





Martel has clearly taken offence to something relating to Kamala - because not content with simply costing the Ugandan Giant the match, he also nails him in the back of the head with the atomiser, before starting to put the boots to him on the outside -

We already know that Doink is a sadistic individual behind that painted smile, so he decides to join in on the beating too, just for the hell of it -

Eventually the two men roll Kamala into the ring, where Doink holds the mans hands behind his back - and just like he did to Slick, The Model fires that scent right into the eyes of the defenceless (and confused) Kamala -



Poor Kamala has no idea what’s going on - and he starts scratching and clawing at his own face in an effort to negate the pain - Martel and Doink don’t look like they’re finished there - but fortunately for everyone involved, the big man from Hawaii, Crush, comes rushing out from the back to finally chase them off -

Crush has been trying to get his hands on Doink for a number of weeks now - it doesn’t look like he’s going to get chance here - but it also doesn’t look like he’s given up trying either -

McMahon says that eventually, Doink the Clown is going to have to face the consequences of his actions (when Crush finally gets hold of him) before sending us to a brief commercial for Wrestlemania IX -

Rating: B-





And when we come back, it’s the USA vs. Japan - as Hacksaw Jim Duggan attempts to conquer the (as yet) unconquerable Yokozuna -

I’ve mentioned that I hate Jim Duggan right? -

Anyway - this match was never going to be good - but it was at least well received by the audience - I may hate Jim Duggan, but this patriotic crowd are firmly behind the cross-eyed, Red, White and Blue moron, as he USA chants his way to attempting to take the mighty Yokozuna off his feet -

He doesn’t manage it - but he does rock the huge, huge man - and looks as though he is finally going to topple him after nailing him with TWO of his Three Point Stance Clothesline’s -

The third time was NOT the charm though - because he ran straight into a massive side (almost Super) kick which put HIM on the mat -

Yoko followed that up with a massive (and I do mean massive) leg drop - before dragging Hacksaw to the corner to crush the life out of him with a Banzai Splash for the one, the two, and the three -

Hooooooo? More like Nooooooo!

Rating: C+
Winner: Yokozuna





They scrape Hacksaw off the mat, and McMahon and crew begin signing off, when suddenly “Pomp and Circumstance” begins to play, as the Macho Man Randy Savage makes his way out from the back (with a piece of paper in his hand) and hits the ring to pose for the crowd, before heading over to the interview area, where an unprepared Mean Gene is looking rather flustered at the unannounced interview -

Gene asks Savage what this is all about, while Macho (being his usual hyperactive self) thrusts the sheet of paper at Gene, simply telling him to ”- read it! Read the thing, yeah -“

Gene reads through the paper for a moment, before asking Savage if this is legitimate? - Macho says that it is indeed ”- signed, sealed, delivered, yeah - 1000 percent authentic, yeah -“

Gene says that what this seems to be, is a contract that states that Randy “Macho Man” Savage is employed, not only as an announcer - but as an active in-ring competitor as well, much in the same vein as Jerry “The King” Lawler -

Mean Gene says that he knows that Macho Man got special disposition from WWF President Jack Tunney to compete in the Royal Rumble match, but does this mean that we will be seeing Savage compete on a regular basis? -

Savage says that it does indeed mean that -

Randy says that he’s not ready to be put out to pasture just yet behind the announce desk - he says that when Jack Tunney put him on commentary, it was under the strict understanding that Savage keep his cool, not retaliate if provoked, and settle into the role of the washed up voice of the brand new stars -

”- well Mean Gene, I ain’t washed up - I ain’t keeping my cool, and I AM PROVOKED, yeah -

“- let me be really, really, really, really clear - the Macho Man ain’t done around here, NOT BY A LONG SHOT -“

Savage says that he will still come out here and do commentary - but it’s going to be on his terms - he says that as a former Intercontinental Champion - a two time former WWF Champion - he’s not about to fade away into obscurity behind a microphone -

Macho says that everything he’s done his entire life has been at full steam ahead, and that’s not stopping now ”- better to burn out than fade away, yeah -“ and he’s going out then he’s going to go out like a supernova -

”- so Beast from the East - this one goes out to you, yeah - you wanna put your hands on the Macho Man? Well the Macho Man wants to put his hands on you too, yeah -

“- Monday Night - Bobby Heenan, Jerry Lawler - flip a coin - take the microphone - because the Macho Man is going to be in that ring, ya dig - Bam Bam Bigelow, let’s do the thing - Oh Yeah! -“

The challenge is made - will we see Randy Savage compete this coming Monday Night? - I guess you’re going to have to tune in to find out -

We’ll see you then -

Rating: B

Final Rating: C+