WWF Superstars (April 2, 1994)

Original Airdate: April 2, 1994 (taped February 22)

From Bethlehem, Pennsylvania; Your Hosts are Vince McMahon and Johnny Polo

Razor Ramon v Steve Smyth: Razor throws his toothpick at Johnny Polo on his way to the ring, and Polo has to bail on commentary, replaced by Jerry Lawler. I don’t really get why they wrote Polo out the way they did. Like, I totally agree that Lawler was a better fit, but they already finished this taping with Johnny, no reason they couldn’t just air those last two episodes before starting fresh with Jerry for the next set. I mean,it’s not like he was terrible (or even bad). Just seems like a weird thing to find ways to get around (and spend money to get around) for no real reason. The Razor’s Edge finishes at 3:18. This felt really long. DUD

Crush v Tom Alton: We get the fan as guest ring announcer bit here, who Vince complains is not as good as Burt Reynolds. I know Vince had a thing for Reynolds, but seriously? He literally mumbled his announcements! And speaking of announcements, Vince notes that Men on a Mission won the WWF Tag Team title at a live event in the UK, but then dropped them right back to the Quebecers a few days later. Crush with a press-drop across the top rope at 1:49. That’s a good finisher! Much better than the headvice, frankly. DUD

Stan Lane narrates Live Event News, featuring clips of WWF Champion Bret Hart discussing the loss to Owen Hart at the post-WrestleMania press conference 

Jeff Jarrett v Thurman Plugg: Stalling from Jarrett to start, as Lawler gets a funny line in playing ‘octave’ off of ‘octane.’ Jerry is a quick wit, make no mistake. Jarrett works a headlock for a while, until Plugg manages to criss cross, and uses a bodypress for two. Plugg goes to an armbar from there, so Jeff throws a closed fist, and rams him into the turnbuckles a few times. Jarrett with a backelbow, and he ropechokes Plugg a bit. He drops Plugg across the top rope before putting the boots to him, and a corner whip follows. Jeff with a vertical suplex, and a dropkick gets three at 6:21, but the referee immediately realizes that Plugg’s foot was in the ropes, and calls it off. Jeff gets into an argument with him over it, allowing Plugg to recover, and he hooks a schoolboy for two. Jeff tries a backdrop, but Plugg counters with a suplex. Jeff tries a 2nd rope fistdrop, but Plugg dodges, and it’s officially comeback time. Sunset flip gets him two, and a backslide is worth another two. Cross corner whip, but Jeff reverses - only to get clobbered with a clothesline for three at 8:37, despite Jarrett’s foot being in the ropes! Jeff flips out, but the referee didn’t see it, and he can’t call what he doesn’t see. *

Doink the Clown v Mike Bell: Jarrett is still in the ring protesting the loss as Doink comes out, and they get into an altercation that ends in Plugg running back out to roll Jeff up for Doink to count a pin on. Meanwhile, Polo returns to the booth to make as case for Jarrett. As if Lawler wasn’t going at that hard enough already? Doink with the Whoopie Cushion at 3:23. This is another one that felt much longer than it actually was. DUD

Irwin R Schyster reminds us to pay our taxes

Bam Bam Bigelow v John Paul: We spot Nikolai Volkoff in the crowd, as Vince announces that Jarrett has challenged Plugg to a rematch for next week. Polo is still on commentary here, as apparently his appearance during Jarrett’s protest was enough to show that he’s recovered from his toothpick injury, so now he has to do commentary or else it all won’t make sense. Which, again, begs the question of why they even bothered shoehorning Lalwer in for a couple of matches then? Bigelow with a powerslam at 1:27. DUD

Earthquake v Reno Riggins: We get another ‘confrontation as one guy leaves/one guy enters’ deal here, this time between Bigelow and Earthquake. Well, at least they’re finding their post-WrestleMania direction pretty quickly, that’s appreciated. Earthquake Splash finishes at 3:41. DUD

Live Event News, featuring Lane recapping WrestleMania and Fan Festival

Jarrett storms out to continue to complain about his treatment

BUExperience: I liked the Jarrett/Plugg angle, the rest was dull stuff this week.