WWF Superstars (October 3, 1992)

Original Airdate: October 3, 1992 (taped September 1)

From Hershey, Pennsylvania; Your Hosts are Vince McMahon and Mr. Perfect

Gene Okerlund brings Razor Ramon out to start, and Razor isn't really interested in answering questions, he wants to talk directly to Randy Savage. According to Razor, Randy didn't just lose his gold ("I still got mine"), didn't just lose his machismo, but he's lost his mind if he's making threats at the Bad Guy. This was super direct for a podium interview, with the intro, entrance, and full interview all wrapping in under two minutes

 

Crush v Duane Gill: Perfect is all excited about Crush's suntan, and he's looking even darker than Hulk Hogan. Maybe if he didn't have that stupid mullet he could have gotten the Lex Luger push in '93. The headvice finishes at 2:54. It's kind of funny to think that Gill, without even really changing gimmicks, would go on to win more titles in the WWF than Crush did. ¼*

 

Nailz v Gus Kantarakis: Will Gus be a good enhancement guy? I don't know, I don't know, I don't know. Would it kill them to have Big Boss Man run in, or try to run in, or ANYTHING, to give this feud some fuel? Nailz with his usual array of chokes, before finishing with a choke sleeper at 2:03. So there you go. DUD

 

We get clips of Bob Backlund winning the WWWF Title in 1978, and it's crazy to think that he was WWF Champion less than ten years before this, and yet already feels like a complete relic. Meanwhile, Flair was NWA World Champion at the same time, and is actually older than Backlund, but doesn't feel outdated at all. This segues into Backlund (dressed like it's still the seventies), saying that his goal is to become the champion again, all while sounding like a serial killer. I know it wasn't even a germ of an idea yet at this stage, but he pretty much perfectly sets up the heel Mr. Backlund character from the get-go here

 

Undertaker v Von Krus: We get clips of Kamala freaking out about the casket from a couple of weeks ago, since apparently scaring a guy near to death is comedy. Tombstone finishes at 1:43, and Krus gets the body bag treatment for good measure. That was a nice added touch to the gimmick, something they excelled at in those days. DUD

 

Kamala fears no one, fears nothing. That's great, but maybe tell us that when he's not literally hiding behind his shield

 

Jim Duggan clarifies that if you want to see him, you should watch Prime Time or All American. Both of those shows should be off the air within two years of this. Not saying that's related, not not saying it either. Also, he wants us all to go out and vote, which is another interesting marketing strategy at a show whose key demographic was people under the voting age

 

Repo Man v Laverne McGill: Hopefully Repo repossess this jobber's name. Vince basically calls Repo a rapist in the opening moments, and it's dark. Perfect notes that Repo's hair and beard make a 'great disguise,' which is an interesting take on a guy wearing a mask. Although, you know, maybe he's right. I mean, I never put him together with Demolition Smash as a kid. Repo with a half-crab at 3:41. This was long for a squash on this show. Even the announcers sounded bored with this one, and it takes a lot to kill that early 90s Vince enthusiasm. DUD

 

Survivor Series ad

 

Seeing Razor Ramon's success, Big Boss Man is auditioning for a Scarface role, too

 

Papa Shango reads us a poem. Well, he's no Genius

 

We get clips of the opener from last year's Survivor Series, courtesy of Coliseum Video

 

The Natural Disasters v Barry Horowitz and Bob Bradley: The WWF Tag Team Title is not on the line here. Vince notes that we will be hearing from Jimmy Hart later in the show to shed some light on which of his teams are the top contenders for the title. Again, why does Jimmy Hart have the power to make those kinds of decisions? Bradley actually has a decent look, I'm surprised he never went anywhere beyond enhancement guy, especially in WCW. Earthquake Splash/Tidal Wave combo finishes at 4:42. What's with all the marathon matches this week? These two rival the Nasty Boys not only for the tag title, but for having the most boring squashes imaginable. DUD

 

Gene Okerlund is looking for Jimmy Hart to get word on the tag title situation. And he literally asks President Jack Tunney where he can find Jimmy. Why not ask him about the tag title situation? Anyway, Gene can't get a decision out of Hart, but considering he finds Jimmy in the shitter, I think we can consider that some foreshadowing

 

Rick Martel v Ross Greenberg: I always liked it when Martel would go all in with the Model gimmick. It was never going to be a main event gimmick, but I like when guys commit, and make it entertaining. There's nothing wrong with being a mid-carder, but there is with looking uncomfortable with your gimmick. Rick with the Boston Crab at 2:38. ¼*

 

Skinner is the quintessential Floridian

 

Bret Hart is still chewing on losing the Intercontinental title at SummerSlam, but he wastes no time calling the match one of the greatest of all time. Bret gonna Bret

BUExperience: Still not much going on this week, but with Survivor Series getting closer, and another big shock title switch in the near future, hopefully that changes soon.