Tuesday, September 30, 2014

WWF Monday Night RAW (February 20, 1995)



Original Airdate: February 20, 1995  

From Macon, Georgia; Your Hosts are Vince McMahon and Jim Cornette

Opening Match: Bam Bam Bigelow v Gary Sabaugh: As the match starts, we get a split screen with a review of Bigelow's challenges to Lawrence Taylor for a match, and his legal teams response. And for a guy they're pushing so hard, he's sure letting the jobber get quite a bit of offense in - Sabaugh controlling on the mat and even overpowering Bigelow before taking the flying headbutt at 3:54. Afterwards, Bigelow grabs a mic and calls Taylor out again... and gets something of a babyface reaction. Guess that's what they get for booking shows outside of their (then) comfort zone. Match was nothing, but it served its purpose of keeping Bigelow and the LT angle on our minds. ¼*

Adam Bomb v Rip Rogers: Bomb's pyro experiences some delays, triggering an funny reaction as he thrusts his arms up and nothing happens for a while - leaving his eyes darting around awkwardly. The WWF had pretty much given up on Bomb at this point (though, to be fair, they never really did much with him to begin with), but Rogers apparently hasn't, because he takes an epic squashing here, and makes Bomb look like a million bucks. Flying clothesline finishes things at 3:25. Really energetic, effective squash. ½*

On Superstars over the weekend, WWF Magazine presents Bret Hart with an Award of the People... award. According to Vince, readers 'overwhelmingly' voted for Hart. And yet, we still got nine more months of WWF Champion Diesel

Jerry Lawler hosts The King's Court, with guest Shawn Michaels. As promised, Michaels unveils his new bodyguard: Sid! This was a huge deal at the time around the schoolyard, and they were lucky that Sid was persona non grata in WCW at that point, because the roster desperately needed a guy like him on the heel side of things

The Blu Brothers v Mark Starr and Leroy Howard: Basically the whole idea behind this entire gimmick - aside from that they're hick mountain men - is the 'twin magic' appeal, and how no one can tell them apart! I guess that has as much of a place as the country music singer or the race car driver. The match is basically just background to discuss more Bigelow/LT stuff, however, as we get a split screen with Todd Pettengill announcing that Taylor himself will be on the show next week. And thank God this squash isn't the actual focus, because it's long, slow, and dull - the Brothers finishing Starr with a spinebuster/legdrop combo at 4:20. DUD

Diesel attends the NBA All Star Weekend since he's... tall... apparently?

WWF Title Match: Diesel v Jeff Jarrett: You know it's the 90s because they reference MTV Unplugged in the pre-match talking heads. Jarrett tries a sneak attack as the referee holds up the belt, but gets thwarted into the ropes for a straddling ropechoke, then knocked out of the ring. Roadie distracts the champ for Jarrett to sneak attack again (this time successfully), but he wastes too much time strutting, and ends up taking elbowsmashes and a bootchoke in the corner. Snake-eyes, but Jarrett blocks going into the corner, and unloads a quick ten-punch - only for another Roadie interference to backfire, and Diesel to toss his challenger over the top. Funny bit, as Diesel grabs an armbar, so Roadie reaches in and tries to pull Jeff into the ropes - only for Diesel to pull Roadie over the top during the resulting tug-of-war, and clobber him. Nice. Roadie finally ends up getting a successful cheapshot in after Jarrett manages to put the champ on the floor, and Jeff follows to post him. Inside, Jarrett hits a 2nd rope clothesline for two, and a standing dropkick is worth two. Jarrett with a straddling ropechoke of his own, and a 2nd rope bulldog gets two. Jarrett's bringing the heat tonight! Flying bodypress gets two, but Diesel's TRUCKING UP!! Sidewalk Slam! Snake-Eyes! Big Boot! Jackknife! 10:30! Jarrett was absolutely killing himself to make Diesel look like a monster here, and while the match was basic, it was well paced and well booked. Nothing wrong with that. ** ½

Jim Cornette brings Shawn Michaels and Sid down to ringside for an interview, incase anyone missed the big debut earlier

On Superstars over the weekend, Tatanka attacked Chief Jay Strongbow, and next week, he must answer to Lex Luger

BUExperience: Good episode this time out, with a big debut, and a solid feature match.

Dedicated to my beloved sidekick
Tiger
5/20/2003 – 9/29/2014
I will miss you…

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