WWF Mania (January 16, 1993)

Original Airdate: January 16, 1993

 

Your Host is Todd Pettengill. Todd shows up literally complaining about being there, since apparently the show is getting in the way of his 'personal life'

 

Yokozuna v Jim Powers: From New York City on January 11 1993, taped after RAW. Sean Mooney tries throwing Lord Alfred Hayes a few softball questions about Yokozuna's pre-match rituals, and Alfred is just having none of it. Zero fucks given from his Lordship. Powers looks tiny here, like he stopped training (or 'training') long ago, and he looks especially small beside Yokozuna. Yokozuna with the Banzai Drop at 2:46. This was a pretty laid back squash, and the normally hot Manhattan Center crowd was dead anyway. DUD

 

Royal Rumble ad

 

Back in the studio, Todd is still pissy about his hangover, and taking it out on production assistants who aren't getting him his juice

 

From the January 9 episode of Superstars, Ray Rougeau brings Doink out for an interview, and he's named for the first time here. So Ray reviews all of Doink's recent pranks, and Ray is quite upset that Doink is not entertaining the kids, and instead making them cry. Well, maybe the kids should go online and become smarks, because this guy is entertaining as hell

 

Back in the studio, Todd complains that Doink isn't funny, while also critiquing the comedy efforts of various TV shows. Uh, glass houses, Todd

 

Big Boss Man wants to put a headlock... on hunger. Maybe he should start by sharing some of his snacks with the poor starving children. Looks like he's got plenty to go around

 

Todd has finally settled down with his diva behavior, because starving children are no laughing matter. And Todd IS the comedy expert

 

Tito Santana v Bill Irwin: From San Antonio Texas on January 5 1993. Was Irwin supposed to be coming in and getting a push? Because they're letting him work his cowboy gimmick here, which is unusual for an enhancement guy. Feeling out process to start, dominated by Santana. Bill tries a cheap shot, but a reverses sequence sees him get dumped over the top with a hiptoss. Back in, Tito armdrags him into an armbar, and Bill's belt looks really uncomfortable to work in, especially shirtless. That buckle is doing him no favors there. Irwin whips him into the ropes and throws a backelbow, and a gutwrench suplex is worth one. Chinlock, but Santana escapes, and uses a sunset flip for two. Bill cuts him off by throwing boots, and a few turnbuckle smashes rattle Tito. Cross corner whip works, but the charge in doesn't, and Tito makes a comeback. Backdrop, but Irwin counters with a kneelift, only to miss a 2^nd rope elbowdrop. That allows Santana the El Paso, but Bill falls out of the ring, so no count. Irwin manages to punch him on the way back in, and a slingshot splash gets two. And then Tito just hits him with El Paso again to finish at 5:49. This wasn't bad, bit it dragged. ¾*

 

From the January 9 Superstars, Bobby Heenan is talking up his hired gun to deal with Mr. Perfect, and apparently he's like ice cream. Cold? Sweet? Fattening? Covered in chocolate? Lex Luger is not most of those things

 

Back in the studio, Todd is having his makeup touched up, while taking shots at Tom Arnold. Did they really think jokes about Tom Arnold and Bill Clinton were what the Saturday morning audience was waiting to hear? It's like he's doing a diluted late night shtick for six year olds

 

The Steiner Brothers v The Executioners: From Monday Night RAW, January 11 1993. The Executioners are both masked, and unnamed. Scott Steiner starts with one of them, and creams him with a tilt-a-whirl slam, then hits a snapmare as Doink shows up in the audience to mess around. Tag to Rick Steiner, who nearly knocks Executioner out of his boots with a punch, then hits a vicious lariat. Rick dumps him into the turnbuckles, and Executioner tries to bail, but Scott rolls him back in for Rick to powerslam. Tag back to Scott for an overhead suplex, but Scott is feeling frisky, and demands Executioner tag. He forces him to, and gives the other Executioner a double-underhook powerbomb before Rick finishes him with an elevated flying bulldog at 3:01. Sid squashes and Steiner squashes are in a class all their own - just awesomely brutal. ¼*

 

In the studio, Todd is climbing a random ladder, and he's all excited about Rob Bartlett

 

This past Monday on the debut episode of RAW, Bobby Heenan did his best to get himself cancelled

 

Todd, still thinking he's in some sort of non-existent host war, is all worked up that David Letterman is making $300,000 a week

 

We take a look back at Superstars, where Kamala turned babyface, at the urging of Reverend Slick

 

Todd is annoying the poor camera guy with his best Art Donovan impression

 

Gene Okerlund is in the studio with the Royal Rumble Report

 

Todd, done complaining about his early call time, moves on to bitching about having to wear underwear

 

Undertaker v Damien Demento: From the January 11 RAW. Give them this much, both guys are really into their characters. Damien tries slugging at 'Taker to start, but a backdrop is countered with a faceslam, and 'Taker hits the ropewalk forearm. Zombie chokehold in the corner, but a blind charge hits boot, and Demento fires off a 2^nd rope axehandle. Diving shoulderblock follows, but UT sits up, and hits a jumping clothesline. Tombstone finishes things quickly at 2:25. Were you expecting more than this, really? Really sloppy, but too short to truly fall apart. DUD

 

Bam Bam Bigelow v Red Tyler: From the January 9 Superstars. Lawler has all kinds of insults for Sensational Sherri this week, which brings Macho to her defense. You'd think, of all people, he'd know better than to stand up for her. Big Boss Man split screens in, and apparently Bam Bam thinks he's big and ugly. Well, if that's how Bam Bam feels about himself, who is Boss Man to argue? Mind your business, Boss Man! Bigelow with the flying headbutt drop at 2:25. Did that move ever get a cool name? Because it needed one. DUD

 

Todd wraps up from the master control room, where he's master... controlling

 

BUExperience: Say what you will, but I’m finding Todd’s early morning Dave Letterman for kids act kind of endearing. Yes, he’s cheesy as hell. But, he’s also got such unbridled enthusiasm that you can’t help but enjoy him.