WWF Superstars (October 17, 1992)

Original Airdate: October 17, 1992 (taped September 21)

 

From Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; Your Hosts are Vince McMahon and Mr. Perfect

 

We open with Gene Okerlund in Saskatoon Canada last Monday night, where Bret Hart captured the WWF Title from Ric Flair, in something of an upset. And since the match was not televised, this is the first we're hearing of it. Apparently it was something of a huge shock to people at the time, though I started watching in 1994 (when Bret was already a cemented main eventer), so it's harder for me to grasp. Watching the shows from this period, though, it's not surprising, as Bret was kind of coasting after losing the Intercontinental title at SummerSlam, kinda sorta feuding with Papa Shango. Anyway, Bret gives a humble promo, and you can see the genuine pride and joy here. What is pretty shocking, regardless, is seeing the title bounce around in two shocking switches in the span of some six weeks. Especially since this one didn't air on TV at all (the Flair/Savage switch from September aired on Prime Time after the fact), which was pretty much unheard of. To put it in perspective, the last time the top title changed hands without television coverage was in the 70s

 

Shawn Michaels v Steve Gillespie: Perfect, of course, has a laundry list of excuses for Flair at the ready. My favorite is that the town was too small, and so Ric wasn't giving it his all. And Vince, hilariously, rubs it in that Bret not only beat Flair with the Sharpshooter, but beat Perfect the same way last year. Vince and Perfect aren't a great team by any means, but you could do a lot worse, make no mistake. Teardrop Suplex finishes at 2:46. Is it me, or have the squashes been on the slow side lately? ¼*

 

Tatanka v Brian Jewel: Vince putting Tatanka over as a 'great leader' is pretty funny, considering he's literally achieved nothing in his year in the WWF. Like, he has an undefeated streak, and still hasn't even managed to translate it into so much as a title shot of any kind. No wonder he sold out to Ted DiBiase, clearly this man needs a manager. Especially considering one of the main angles at this point centers around Jimmy Hart apparently getting to choose the top contenders to the tag title. Tatanka with a flying tomahawk chop, as Perfect straight up calls him a 'sneaky Indian,' in case you need a reminder that the 90s were, indeed, a very different time. End of the Trail finishes at 3:06. DUD

 

The Ultimate Maniacs offer congratulations to Bret Hart on his title win. Would it have killed them to pick a different color scheme than red and yellow for their official team colors?

 

Ric Flair and Razor Ramon are not so happy for Bret Hart. Though Flair, honestly, doesn't seem too upset about it. I get that they wanted Flair in the tag match, but they should have just shuffled Perfect in, and done a Hart/Flair rematch at Survivor Series. I mean, it all would have had to change after Warrior left the promotion anyway, but that would have been a better plan than sticking Shawn Michaels in the slot. Bret on top was already jarring enough

 

Big Boss Man v Barry Horowitz: Boss Man looks slimmer than usual this week. Must not be a fan of poutine. He also split screens in to talk about Nailz, but maybe next time he should come out when Nailz challenges him, instead of talking shit from the safety of the locker room. Boss Man Slam finishes at 2:05. This felt long even at only two minutes. Also, why is Boss Man still doing the 'handcuff the jobber to the ropes' gimmick as a babyface? But, at least, he doesn't beat them now. Just makes them beg for their lives as he towers over them with a deadly weapon. Baby steps. DUD

 

The Nasty Boys announce that Jimmy Hart has named them the #1 contenders

 

Kamala isn't afraid of Undertaker OR his caskets. That was just some psychology. That's just what he WANTED you to think. Again, might be easier to convince us if Kamala wasn't literally hiding and crying while making these statements

 

Davey Boy Smith v Jim Peterson: Davey's WWF Intercontinental title is not on the line. Bulldog gets a pretty good reaction, though he's done nothing with this reign on TV. They're not even hyping any matches for his house show defenses. A quick check of the records shows he was going over Repo Man and Mountie at live events, as well as DQ wins over Shawn Michaels, though none of those got any hype, at least not on this show. If they weren't doing a rematch with Flair at Survivor Series, one with Davey might not have been a bad road to take, either. Either would have made more sense than sticking Michaels in there, though at least the match was really good. Running Powerslam finishes at 2:26. DUD

 

Vince narrates another video package on Bob Backlund. This week, Bob plays with his kids, and works construction. "Gee, Bob, we're gonna miss you," his coworker notes. "Yeah, I'm gonna miss this business too, but I've gotta do what I've gotta do," replies Bob. Wow, I bet he answers an 'I love you' with a 'thank you,' too. Also, what's with Vince talking about how Bob remembers his title run 'to this very day,' as if that's some sort of achievement. He's only 43, ad it was less than a decade ago! It would be shocking if he DIDN'T remember it

 

Gene is in the studio with the Survivor Series Report! Gene announces the first ever Casket match (called a 'Coffin match' at this point), between Undertaker and Kamala. It's interesting that the initial version required a pin or submission before putting the guy into the casket. Also, points to Ted DiBiase for the quality sneer in his promo pic

 

Money Inc v Jim Powers and Bob St. Laurent: IRS cuts a promo about wanting to vote for the presidential candidate who will raise taxes most, which is a weird way to get heat considering this was taped in Canada. Powers doesn't even look like Jim Powers anymore at this point. I'm guessing he was off the juice, and he really looks the part of a jobber now. IRS with the Write Off at 3:26. DUD

 

High Energy gets high all around the world. Boy, sure hope no one from customs was watching

 

Shawn Michaels is coming for the Bulldog's Intercontinental title. Well, at least they're hyping something up for Davey now

 

BUExperience: Perfect was amazing this week, going through various stages of grief for Flair's title reign throughout the show.