WWF Superstars (June 19, 1993)

Original Airdate: June 19, 1993 (taped May 24)

From Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; Your Hosts are Vince McMahon, Randy Savage, and Jerry Lawler

Gene Okerlund is with WWF Champion Yokozuna and Mr. Fuji, and Gene wants to know where the big celebration Fuji’s promised is going to be, with Fuji announcing that it will be aboard the USS Intrepid on the 4th of July, and will include a bodyslam challenge open to any and all American athletes. Vince is quick to note that note only doesn’t Yokozuna represent Japan, but he doesn’t represent ‘any Asian-American,’ just for good measure

The Smoking Gunns v Reno Riggins and Scott Taylor: Vince goes over the back-and-forth tag title switches on the house shows between Money Inc and the Steiner Brothers over the last week, and Money Inc are the current champions again, though Vince notes that the Brothers will have a chance to get the gold back again soon. And, indeed, they did win them back that very day. Meanwhile, Lawler rants about Bret Hart calling himself ‘king,’ and comparing it to stolen valor laws. Lawler was a great heel commentator, it’s a shame he changed the act up so much once the Attitude Era came around. He’s logical heel rantings were very much like Jesse Ventura’s, and while not as good, hearing someone make well thought out arguments to Vince’s over the top babyface hype is always welcome. The Gunns with a backdrop/piledriver combo at 2:53. This felt like it dragged on for a bit too long. ¼*

Gene is in the studio with the King of the Ring Report, which sadly will likely be the last time we hear that awesome theme on this show for another eleven months, or so. Lots of still photos recapping the night, and they make sure to note that Yokozuna not only beat Hulk Hogan, but no-sold his finisher, too

Virgil v Bastion Booger: This is Booger’s debut. Wasting no time giving us the money matches, I see. Vince thinks Hogan deserves a rematch against Yokozuna, but also notes that Bret Hart is in line for a shot as well, before Savage quickly gets his own angle back on track for him by noting that Hart might want to get at Lawler before anything else. Virgil outmoves him with a bodypress for two early on, but gets clobbered in the corner, and Booger hammers away. Bodyslam sets up a legdrop for two, and a scoop powerslam is worth two. Booger works a chinlock, but Virgil fights him off, and dodges a corner charge. Crucifix gets Virgil the pin at 2:30. Wait, seriously? They jobbed the guy in his debut? ¼*

Gene is in the studio with Face to Face, with guests WWF Tag Team Champions Money Inc. Looks like they just got brand new belts before this was taped, or something, because that gold looks good. Anyway, they cut the usual promo on the Steiner Brothers, though no mention at all is made of the house show title switches, so clearly this was in the can for a while

King of the Ring Encore ad

Tatanka v Mike Davis: “What a showing that young man made at the King of the Ring,” says Vince, and I needed to double check if Mike Davis worked the PPV, because he couldn’t possibly be talking about Tatanka, right? The dude didn’t even get past the first round! Meanwhile, Savage refers to Bret as the ‘uncrowned king.’ Pretty sure he was crowned, bud. Tatanka with the samoan drop at 2:07, as Vince tells us that he’s ‘seeing Bam Bam Bigelow.’ How many drugs is he on? DUD

This past Monday on Monday Night RAW, Vince McMahon brought Razor Ramon out for an in-ring interview, and the Bad Guy has got an entire bag full of cash for the 1-2-3 Kid ($10,000 worth) if he accepts the challenge for a re-match

Lex Luger v Phil Apollo: Not even a hint of a potential babyface turn from Luger here, he’s still in full arrogant heel mode. They really were flying by the seat of their pants with that one, weren’t they? Lawler suggests that Savage is Bastion Booger’s long lost brother, and has taken to calling him ‘Macho Booger,’ in a funny bit. Luger with the loaded forearm at 2:42. DUD

Gorilla Monsoon is in the studio with an update on Harvey Wippleman’s ongoing feud with Undertaker, and we get a promo from Harvey and Mr. Hughes, who are still in possession of the urn. I think this is the first time I’ve actually heard Hughes speak. And I don’t mean during this run, I mean in my near thirty years of fandom. He sounds like a frog

Crush v Joey Tempest: Savage is, of course, quick to shout ‘SHAKA BRAH’ at the top of his voice. Jerry notes that Crush is ineligible for the bodyslam challenge, since native Hawaiians don’t qualify as American. That feels like it would have opened something of a can of worms in 2022, but was just a throwaway line in 1993. Meanwhile, Vince notes that Booger has petitioned for a rematch with Virgil, and we’ll be getting that right here next week. Lucky us! Crush with the head vice at 1:41. DUD

King of the Ring Encore ad

Men on a Mission vignette

Adam Bomb v Jerry Seavey: Vince is very, very excited about Men on a Mission. So much so that he can’t remember the word ‘reactor.’ How did Johnny Polo end up in the WWF as a manager anyway? He was a worker in WCW, the WWF roster was thinning during this period, why in the world did they bring him in as a mouthpiece? Adam with a powerbomb at 2:16. Adam was showing some fire this week. He was never going to be a top level worker, but the guy had real presence, and some eye popping spots. He should have been a much bigger deal than he was. ¼*

Gene is in the studio with another Face to Face, with guests Sensational Sherri and Luna Vachon. I love Sherri, but her as a babyface is no bueno

Bastion Booger is ready to squash Virgil next week. I'm not convinced, but Lawler picks Booger to win

BUExperience: The King of the Ring fallout wasn’t especially exciting this week, but that’s kind of to be expected, considering the show was taped weeks beforehand. Still a watchable episode, anyway.