WWF Superstars (October 27, 1996)

 

Original Airdate: October 27, 1996 (taped October 22)

From Cincinnati, Ohio; Your Hosts are Jim Ross and Mr. Perfect

The Smoking Gunns v The New Rockers: Bart Gunn starts with Leif Cassidy, and what’s up with the camera almost deliberately avoiding showing the Rockers here? They trade wristlocks, and Bart passes to Billy Gunn, but they quickly start arguing. Sunny split screens in, revealing that she dumped the Gunns because they’re ‘losers,’ but… she’d be willing to consider Billy as a client if he ever broke off as a single. Well, she certainly called that. Back in the ring, the Gunns get into a shoving match, so Billy walks out, and the Rockers double up on Bart. They work him over with no hope of a tag, but Bart manages to catch Cassidy with a schoolboy at 6:06. This went on for too long after Billy walked. ½*

Todd Pettengill and Jerry Lawler host the Karate Fighters Holiday Tournament, though there are no actual matches this week, they just announce the pairings. Yeah, wouldn’t want to give those away without proper promotion

The Godwinns v Mike Diamond and John Faulkner: WWF Tag Team Champions Davey Boy Smith and Owen Hart split screen in to talk about… something? The audio is so bad I have no idea, your guess is as good as mine. Henry Godwinn with the inverted DDT at 1:14. DUD

A look at the 1996 Hall of Fame class: Pat Patterson, Jimmy Snuka, and Vince McMahon Sr

Survivor Series weekend ad

Brian Pillman brings Steve Austin out for an in-ring interview, and Brian wants to talk about Bret Hart’s return, and Hart’s acceptance of Steve’s challenge for a match. But Austin doesn’t want to talk to a guy who keeps singing Bret’s praises. Brian doesn’t argue, but then makes the mistake of signing off by calling Bret ‘the best there is, was, and ever will be,’ and Steve snaps! And then he snaps Brian’s ankle with a chair - introducing the world to ‘pillmanizing.’ This was obviously a very memorable segment, and the first interesting thing to happen on Superstars in a while. And possibly the last

Justin Hawk Bradshaw v David Haskins: I’m surprised Vince was apparently high on Bradshaw. He was big, sure, but you’d never confuse him with a WBF guy, that’s for damn sure. Bradshaw with a lariat at 3:05. DUD

Backstage, Pillman is getting loaded into an ambulance, but Steve Austin blocks the exit with his car (a Lincoln Town Car? Such an odd fit), and then steals the keys away from the driver, and throws them away

Sycho Sid v Jason Grimm: Gosh, how many times did they repackage these Harris goofs? They work the twin magic gimmick here, and the crowd buys it big time, so good for them. Shawn Michaels split screens in, discussing his upcoming defense against Sid at Survivor Series. But, the announcers remind him that he can’t look past Davey Boy Smith, who will challenge tomorrow on RAW. Sid with a chokeslam at 4:25. ¼*

BUExperience: The Austin/Pillman segment is still talked about today, and while the rest is certainly not, it wasn’t bad.