WWF Superstars (August 10, 1996)

 

Original Airdate: August 10, 1996 (taped July 23)

From Yakima, Washington; Your Hosts are Vince McMahon, Jim Ross, and Mr. Perfect

Handicap Match: Vader v Alex Porteau and Lou Andrews: Jose Lothario sits in on commentary here, making Shawn Michaels’ case against Vader. Shawn couldn’t even be bothered to phone in the pay per view build? The work ethic, gosh. Vader with the pump-splash, and he stacks them up at 3:38. This was a little too long to be truly effective. Vader needed to give them the Goldberg treatment. DUD

Dok Hendrix is in the studio for the SummerSlam Slam Jam

Stalker vignette. I don’t get why they’re openly acknowledging that he is Barry Windham, and then having him play a totally different character. Either way is fine, but you have to pick a lane

Faarooq Asad v Adrian Lester: Speaking of staying in a lane, Sunny managing a non-tag team act feels out of place. Ahmed Johnson split screens in, and I like how they’re framing Faarooq as ‘another brother from the ‘hood,’ when he’s dressed like a gladiator. Faarooq with the dominator at 1:34. DUD

Marty Jannetty v Sycho Sid: Jannetty asks for a handshake at the bell, but it goes badly when Sid puts the squeeze on him. Marty fights it off and delivers a facebuster, but runs into a powerslam as he looks for a follow up. Sid adds a big boot, and a clothesline finds the mark, so Leif Cassidy distracts the big man. Sid takes the bait on the outside, allowing Jannetty a sneak attack, but Sid no-sells it. Cassidy with another distraction, so Sid chokeslams him on the floor, but it buys Jannetty the time he needs to clip the leg. Jannetty clips it a second time on the way into the ring, as Davey Boy Smith and Jim Cornette wander down to observe. Marty with a spinning-toehold, but Sid kicks out of a pin attempt with authority, so Jannetty clips the leg again. Yeah, you tell him, Marty! Jannetty with a 2nd rope fistdrop, but Sid blocks. Jannetty tries to go for the leg again, but Sid counters with a kneelift, and he goes on the comeback trail. Powerbomb, and good night at 6:03. This was fine. *

Dok is back with another Slam Jam

Goon v Doug Allen: Goon split screens in, and we’re supposed to take this guy seriously? Just checking. They already acknowledged him as Bill Irwin in a previous appearance, but now they’re acting like he doesn’t have any ring experience, and are impressed when he manages something like a backdrop or a suplex. Again, pick a lane. Stick to it. Not hard. Goon with a countout win at 3:01. DUD

SummerSlam ad

Mark Henry is coming to the WWF. They were giving him the real star treatment here

Kevin Kelly brings Goldust and Marlena out so they can call each other ‘mommy,’ and make their desires for Sable known

The Stridex Biggest Slam of the Week is all the tag teams from the Four Corners match at SummerSlam brawling on RAW

The Bushwhackers v Mike Starr and Timothy Flowers: Brian Pillman is out to do commentary, as they continue to program him with the Bushwhackers for some insane reason. The Bushwhackers with a battering ram at 2:23. DUD

Bob Backlund is out, promising to bring a new wrestler to the WWF who will win the WWF Title, as Bob transitions into a manager. Sadly, that wrestler would be Sultan

BUExperience: Yawn. Man, the SummerSlam build has been really, really weak this year. I think adding all the In Your House shows to the calendar has really burned them out, and coupled with all the stupid JTTS gimmick guys, this is a low point for the promotion.