WWF Superstars (October 2, 1993)

Original Airdate: October 2, 1993 (taped August 31)

From Grand Rapids, Michigan; Your Hosts are Vince McMahon, Randy Savage, and Jerry Lawler

The Steiner Brothers v Chad Miller and Tom Bennett: Vince notes that if the Steiner’s get a rematch with the Quebecers under ‘American rules,’ then they’ll obviously win the title back. I get building up your babyfaces, but why did they always make heel champions look like they’re lucky to hold the belt most of the time. Not always (Yokozuna is a great example of the opposite from this era), but too much of the time. The Quebecers are a good team, with interesting combos, and actual skill. They don’t need the Honky Tonk Man treatment to get over. The Brothers with the elevated flying bulldog combo at 3:38. ¼*

Gorilla Monsoon is in the control center with Update, and he announces that Shawn Michaels has been suspended, and stripped of the WWF Intercontinental title, apparently for failing to defend the title enough. This is coupled with an announcement that the title will be decided in a battle royal/singles match between the final two standing over the next two weeks on Monday Night RAW. This was certainly out of nowhere

Ludvig Borga v Sonny Rogers: Rogers looks like a poor man’s Beau Beverly, coupled with a poor man’s Buddy Landel. It’s like he was born to be a jobber. Meanwhile, Lawler is still pissed about Doink the Clown turning on him on last week’s Wrestling Challenge. I will say that Matt Borne’s interpretation of the gimmick as a babyface was pretty interesting, and might have actually worked. Borga does his usual bull-like start, and just dismantles Rogers, and even somehow manages to bust himself open in the process. Kind of odd that they did a closeup on the blood, considering what a no-no blading was during this period. Borga with a torture rack at 3:04. I’m not saying Borga had any place doing twenty minute matches, but as a Goldberg like power squash guy, he was a good fit. They probably could have eventually gotten a decent babyface run out of him later on, too. ½*

Joe Fowler is in the studio with Face to Face, and he has guests WWF Champion Yokozuna, Mr. Fuji, Jim Cornette, Undertaker, and Paul Bearer this week. It’s a regular Meet the Press

Irwin R Schyster v Gary Jackson: IRS is in a mood this week, and has some fire out there. Vince notes that Schyster is ‘second to none’ in the WWF. Not even, I dunno, the actual title holders? Not to mention that he’s been in the promotion for, what, two years? And he’s won how many singles titles? Jumping clothesline finishes at 2:39. ¼*

Undertaker is in a graveyard, worrying about drugs

Bam Bam Bigelow v Rod Bell: Savage is really pumped up about getting a shot at the Intercontinental title via the battle royal on Monday, which is great. Like, he’s a former multi-time world champion, but he isn’t acting like it’s beneath him, he’s putting it over as a big deal. Bam Bam with a flying headbutt drop at 1:32. Afterwards, Doink the Clown comes out while Bam Bam is making his way up the aisle, and throws a bucket of confetti at him, then dumps water on Luna Vachon. Bigelow chases him around, but Doink has set up a wire between the guardrails, and Bam Bam faceplants while chasing him. It’s like Home Alone come to life, right here in Grand Rapids Michigan! DUD

Marty Jannetty v Steve Moore: Moore is a pre-fame Al Snow. And, in an omen, Jannetty is wearing the same color scheme that they would as the New Rockers later on. Moore actually gets a good bit of offense in here, before succumbing to the rocker dropper at 3:15. ½*

WWF Unbelievable ad

The Heavenly Bodies v Reno Riggins and John Paul: I still don’t get what they were going for with the Bodies. They came in and got a title shot on pay per view right away, but they didn’t get a big debut or strong promotion ahead of that, and then just went down the totem pole and were directionless for the longest time. And their only notable feud (and I’m using ‘notable’ quite loosely here) was, what, the Bushwhackers? And was that even them, or was it Well Dunn? Jimmy Del Ray with a flying moonsault press at 3:32. ¼*

Fowler is in the studio with another Face to Face, with guests WWF Tag Team Champions The Quebecers and Johnny Polo. They gloat about how things are looking up Canada. Next up, Razor Ramon, who clarifies that he turned down the ‘domestic’ job Money Inc offered not because he’s afraid of working with his hands, which IRS is going to soon find out first hand. Ramon was tremendous during this period, and putting the title on him with the right move

BUExperience: Nothing doing in terms of in-ring action this week, but the Bigelow/Doink angle wasn’t terrible, even if it got notably less interesting once Borne left the promotion.