WWF Superstars (November 24, 1996)

 

Original Airdate: November 24, 1996 (taped November 19)

From Springfield, Massachusetts; Your Hosts are Jim Ross and Jim Cornette

Bart Gunn v Steve Austin: Feeling out process to start, with Bart dominating on the mat. Bart works a hammerlock, but Steve gets into the ropes, and calls for a test-of-strength. Austin dominates that, and gets Bart in the corner for a pair of turnbuckle smashes. Steve with a cross corner whip, but the charge in hits a boot, and Bart grabs a side-headlock. Austin forces a criss cross, but runs into a shoulderblock that gets Gunn two, and Bart goes back to the headlock. Steve escapes, and manages a pointed elbowdrop for two, followed by a straddling ropechoke. Steve works a chinlock, as Billy Gunn shows up at ringside, mocking his brother. Bart escapes, and makes a brief comeback, but gets distracted by Billy, and Austin hits the stunner at 6:07. Afterwards, Billy comes in to yell at Bart, which earns him a stunner as well. ½*

Flash Funk v Brian Walsh: I get that it’s the WWF, and I get that it’s the New Generation… but who the fuck thought it this was a good gimmick? Just let him be 2 Cold Scorpio. Scorpio, with those hot moves, and the WWF machine behind him could have been something. I mean, let’s be real, he always had a ceiling, but it could have been a little more impactful than what we got with Funk. Meanwhile, JR clarifies that Flash is not related to the Funk family of Texas. Flash with a flying 450 splash at 1:52. DUD

Backstage, Bob Backlund and Iron Sheik shout a bunch, as Sultan glares

The Headbangers v Aldo Montoya and Alex Porteau: This is the TV debut of the Headbangers, and they split screen in to introduce themselves. I never disliked them, but I still can’t believe they actually won the tag title. The Headbangers finish Alex off with a powerbomb/flying legdrop combo at 4:49. This was far too competitive for an introduction. ½*

At a recent press conference, Vince McMahon announced that the Royal Rumble will be coming to the Alamodome in San Antonio Texas

Jesse James is ready to do stuff

The Karate Fighters Holiday Tournament continues with Sunny defeating Bob Backlund. I’m genuinely impressed that Bob knew the name of his fighter

The Godwinns v Roy Raymond and Nick Barberri: Henry Godwinn with the inverted DDT at 1:58. This was nothing, even as a squash caliber match. DUD

Various legends at the Hall of Fame ceremony react to the debut of Rocky Maivia

Paul Bearer promises Executioner will get the job done against Undertaker

Sultan v Jesse James: Sultan tries a sneak attack, but James sees him coming, and throws a series of fists. Sultan manages a shoulderblock as they criss cross, but Jesse slows it down, and gets a headlock on. Jesse tries a bodypress, but gets caught in a bodyslam. That allows Sultan an elbowdrop, but Jesse dodges that, and throws another series of punches, before hitting a boot while charging in the corner. Sultan goes to work, but misses a charge in the corner as well, and James goes on the comeback trail. Funny to hear Ross talk about how ‘all the dancing won’t take him to the pay window,’ when that’s exactly what took both of these guys to the pay window. Sultan tries for a camel clutch, but Jesse blocks, and dropkicks him out of the ring. James jumps off the apron with a clothesline on the floor, but Sultan reverses him into the post out there. Sultan then starts blatantly choking him, until the referee calls a DQ at 5:50. Both guys were (ridiculously) being put over as undefeated here, so you had to expect that kind of finish. ¼*

BUExperience: I mean…. whatever.