WWF Mania (September 17, 1994)

 

Original Airdate: September 17, 1994

Your Host is Todd Pettengill in the studio

SummerSlam home video ad

Owen Hart v Phil Apollo: From the September 11 episode of Wrestling Challenge (taped August 16) in Lowell Massachusetts. Gorilla Monsoon continues putting over the angle that Jim Neidhart has been the one ‘poisoning’ Owen’s mind, which Ted DiBiase rightly counters by noting that Owen was nowhere before Jim came along. Seriously, he was in go-nowhere tag teams and standing around with Bruce Hart at SummerSlam before Neidhart got in his ear. Anvil is, like, a hero! Owen with the Sharpshooter at 3:35, which Monsoon calls a ‘copycat move.’ What is his problem? They had the same trainer! Could he not have taught them both the same damn move? DUD

Action Zone ad

The Bushwhackers v Iron Mike Sharpe and Raymond Roy: Also from the September 11 episode of Wrestling Challenge, and Abe Knuckleball Schwartz is hanging out in the crowd. More bullshit from Gorilla here, as he taunts DiBiase by noting that no team he has in his Corporation could beat the Bushwhackers. As if they’re some sort of unstoppable force? They’ve been in the promotion for, like, six years and have never gotten close to a title. I love Gorilla, he’s one of my all time favorites, but he was getting pretty annoying by this period. Though, all considered, that’s not surprising, considering his son had just passed away two months earlier. Anyway, the battering ram finishes at 2:06. DUD

From the September 12 episode of Monday Night RAW, also in Lowell (taped August 15), as Jerry Lawler hosts the King's Court, with guests Doink the Clown and Dink. Lawler gets right into insulting them, naturally, but ends up getting his foot stomped. Oh man, I wish I could go back in time to throw my money at them for this blowoff!

Bam Bam Bigelow v Tony Roy: From the September 10 episode of Superstars in Portland Maine (taped August 17). Bam Bam wrecks him before the bell, and ends up beating him so badly that the match is called off. Again, points to the bookers for doing something instead of just going through the motions of a squash. And Bam Bam is a much better candidate to get some spotlight than the Heavenly Bodies. Ted DiBiase wants a real match, however, so he makes an open challenge on Bigelow’s behalf… and Adam Bomb answers! They don’t do an official ‘match,’ but they slug it out, and Adam cleans house.

Mabel v Bill Mata: From the September 11 Wrestling Challenge. Monsoon sounds less crazy here, giving DiBiase shit for his stupid open challenge, at least. Mabel with a 2nd rope legdrop at 2:12. DUD

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Shawn Michaels and Diesel v Tony DeVito and Paul VanDale: From the September 12 RAW. This is another weird one, as Shawn and Diesel had won the WWF Tag Team title at a house show the night before SummerSlam, but that hadn't happened yet when this was taped, so they don't have the belts. Also, Diesel is sans Intercontinental belt, as that change was booked well enough in advance. And no wonder Vince decided to hotshot the belts onto them, because their dynamic is just off the charts awesome, with Shawn flying around and Diesel coming in for the power stuff. Kinda like what Hercules and Roma were meant to be, only better. Shame that we didn't get more of them as a proper team, actually - though the tag division in 94/95 wouldn't have given them too many fun pairings anyway. They also debut their awesome finisher here, with Shawn hitting a flying splash off of Diesel's shoulders, and that's enough at 4:23. One of the more entertaining squashes in a while. ¾*

Hart Attack Tour ad

SummerSlam home video ad. It doesn’t release until October 5, calm down

Todd reads a letter from a young Native American Indian, who is deeply offended by Tatanka’s selling out. They should cancel him

1-2-3 Kid v Bert Centeno: From the September 11 Wrestling Challenge. Boy, they were spamming matches from that episode even harder than those SummerSlam tape ads. Kid with a flying legdrop at 2:21. What’s with the jobber kicking out right at three? Stay down, Bert! DUD

BUExperience: This was fine. It’s Mania, you know what you’re getting.