WWF Superstars (February 6, 1993)

Original Airdate: February 6, 1993 (taped January 5)

 

From San Antonio, Texas; Your Hosts are Vince McMahon, Randy Savage, and Jerry Lawler

 

The Nasty Boys v Robert Taylor and Dave Silguero: Vince is still hyping the Nasties as challengers for Money Inc's tag title, but the Brutus Beefcake return angle is already in motion, so I imagine those plans were already in the toilet. And it was definitely the right move from a drawing perspective, but I always felt bad that they didn't even get another spot on the card. I actually kind of wish they got the Headshrinkers' spot against the Steiner Brothers. Jerry Sags dives with his flying elbowdrop at 2:15. DUD

 

Gene Okerlund is in the control center with clips of Giant Gonzalez’s debut at the Royal Rumble. Having just watched the episode of Mania that aired the same day as this Superstars, it's crazy how quickly they made Giant look more like a big goof than a monster. That wouldn't be surprising in the modern era, but they were still usually pretty good about protecting their guys in that era. That leads to clips of Harvey Wippleman and Gonzalez, and in a nice touch, Giant is so tall that he can't fit in the interview set. See, more like that, less him eating tubs of broccoli

 

Bam Bam Bigelow v Rudi Flores: No word on whether or not Flores is the same Rudi as the Rudi Poo Candy Ass. That would certainly make this a star/star feature matchup, if so. Flying headbutt drop finishes at a brisk 0:49. Bigelow was looking charged up here. A couple of years earlier, and he would have gotten a good run as a heel Intercontinental champion, or definitely as a Hogan challenger. He probably could have had either in this period too, but between the Kliq's stranglehold on the title, and Hogan on his way out, it wasn't meant to be. But there will be a Doink feud, so not all is lost. ¼*

 

WrestleMania IX ad

 

Ever since Big Boss Man was a little kid, he dreamed of being a law enforcement officer. He's also got a Confederate flag on his shoulder. Just saying

 

Damien Demento has the best evil laugh since Ted DiBiase. Too bad he didn't debut a few years later, Kruger would never allow two Kokos

 

Back at the Royal Rumble, Bobby Heenan nearly had an orgasm over the debut of Lex Luger. I actually liked the Narcissist gimmick, but his debut was super flat, and dumb. Two giant misses on that show, it really looked like Vince had lost his touch

 

Doink the Clown v Reno Riggins: Lawler is putting Doink over as a master of every submission hold, though that certainly didn't go anywhere. Doink with a cradle for the pin at 0:47 - or a 'painful, painful submission hold,' per Vince. Pretty sure he was supposed to be doing the stump puller there, but someone got their wires crossed. Afterwards, Doink gives Riggins a balloon, and this somehow makes him a giant heel in the eyes of the announcers. DUD

 

Mr. Perfect is having literal fits of laughter over Lex Luger's stupid debut, and he continues mocking him by unveiling some scrawny kid in tighty whities doing his own posing

 

Backstage, Raymond Rougeau gives Jim Duggan a confidence check. Sounds like he needs a drug check, by the looks of him

 

Yokozuna v Jim Duggan: The idea here is that Duggan must knock Yoko off of his feet to win. Give it to Vince though, he works HARD to get this silliness over. They take forever to get going here, between entrances, flag wavings, ceremonial stuff, and then all kinds of posturing. Finally, both guys charge each other out of three-point stances... and Hacksaw goes down. He kicks up a 'USA' chant to try and psych him up for another go... but Yokozuna wrecks him again. Third try also goes Yoko's way... but Duggan manages to stagger him this time. Jim goes right into a fourth attempt, so Yokozuna tries to clothesline him, but Duggan ducks. Hacksaw comes off the far side with another shoulderblock, and he manages to knock Yokozuna off of his feet at 3:08. The crowd was surprisingly into this, and they did a great job getting it over. Afterwards, Duggan celebrates with the flag, but Yokozuna attacks him with the salt, and though he badly misses, Jim is still kind enough to sell. Well, Americans are super nice, it's known. And with Duggan blinded, Yokozuna destroys him with multiple Banzai Drops, all set to the soundtrack of Vince's brilliantly over the top commentary. This was a good segment, and a much better way to get someone over as a monster than whatever the fuck they were doing with Giant Gonzalez. ¼*

 

The Beverly Brothers v Pete Christie and Bob East: The announcers are still talking about Duggan, who did a stretcher job to sell the beating. Pretty hilarious how quickly Vince is able to pivot from talking about how Duggan is tragically injured and his career may be over, to shilling the latest issue of the magazine. Shaker Heights Spike finishes at 1:16 - emphasis on the 'spike,' as they murder the poor jobber. ¼*

 

Tatanka makes sounds. Which somehow should get you amped up to donate to Headlock on Hunger

 

High Energy is sick and tired. Well, Koko B. Ware certainly looks like both of those things here

 

Repo Man is mastering his stage whispers. Is this fucker really challenging Bret fucking Hart? Even Sean Mooney notes that he has 'very high expectations'

 

The Nasty Boys are apparently street walkers now? That's a different direction. The pairing with Missy Hyatt makes more sense now

 

Sean Mooney announces that Brutus Beefcake will be returning to the ring with ‘the big man upstairs’ looking over him. I know Hogan was a draw, but he’s not literally God, guys...

 

BUExperience: The Yokozuna/Duggan angle was great, and that’s enough to carry this otherwise not especially noteworthy episode.