WWF Supercard (aka All-American Wrestling)---June 26th 1993

 

WWF Supercard (Canadian version of All-American Wrestling)---6/26/1993

CHAMPIONS: 
WWF World Heavyweight Champion: Yokozuna (6/13/1993) 
Intercontinental Champion: Shawn Michaels (6/6/1993) 
Tag Team Champions: The Steiner Bros. (6/19/1993) 

-Your hosts are Mean Gene & Bobby Heean w/ Gorilla Monsoon & Jim Ross on commentary.

-So due to Canadian content laws, it was decided to rebrand All-American Wrestling.  The beginning of 1993 for the WWF seemed to be a promising beginning with a new crop of main event upper tier talent, as Bret Hart finally ascended to the top of the mountain, while fresh new characters such as Razor Ramon seemed to be making waves, and talents such as Shawn Michaels were moving up the ranks as well.  But of course by WrestleMania 9, the company panicked and went back to the Status Quo (ie Hogan as champion).  Thankfully however, this is shortly after King of the Ring, where Bret put on a remarkable 3-match performance and then began an epic feud with Jerry Lawler, while Yokozuna beat Hogan sending him packing for the next decade (though he still worked European dates at this time), and all seemed right with the world.  But we were about a week away from Lex Luger, and the Lex Express taking off!  Yay.  I like Lex but … no that’s for another day.  Anyway, let’s see the efforts of 1993 WWF. 

Adam Bomb (w/Johnny Polo) vs. ????? 
The tape joins in progress with Bomb destroying this schlub of course, from a match that previously airs on Superstars, as Gorilla Monsoon puts over Yokozuna by mentioning him kicking out of Hogan’s legdrop, and also Hogan’s inability to bodyslam him.  Anyway, Bomb finishes with the Atom smasher.  Always thought Clark had something to offer, but the gimmick didn’t really resonate with fans, while he did have a decent run in WCW by the late 90’s as Wrath. 

-We got to The Brain & Mean Gene, and these two had great chemistry that was definitely under appreciate, since most people associate the Brain with Gorilla, which were a one in a million duo. 

-From the PAGES of WWF Magazine!  It’s UPDATE with Gorilla Monsoon.  Gorilla goes over the recent chaos regarding the tag titles, as the Steiner’s shocked Money Inc. in Columbus, OH and took their titles.  However, in a rematch in Rockford, Money Inc. won the titles back two days later.  The Steiner’s than won the belts AGAIN three days later in St. Louis!  I have to say this was a smart attempt on WWF’s part to drum up business at house shows which was still at record lows despite Yokozuna actually drawing some decent numbers in some markets, as Bret was still a big draw overseas.

-Heenan hilariously tries to make sense of the tag title situation. 

-Commercials: My man Thom Sharp with another great Goodyear ad!   Molson Canadian Rocks presents a private concert sweepstakes contest with Def Leppard!  Michael “Kramer” Richards and his hilarious Clorets ad!  Factory Direct Burlington and their electronic appliances Supersale! 

-The excited public access voiceover guy is back, and a little better with his delivery this time, as he hypes upcoming Canadian shows in Toronto!  Montreal!  Calgary!  Edmonton!  Billy Red was off TV at this point (BOOOOOOOOOOO!!!) despite still being employed with the company. 

Mr. Perfect vs. PJ Walker 
From an episode of Superstars.  People don’t look to fondly at Hennig’s face run, but the fans loved him, and I think it was the right time.  Walker is of course the future Justin Credible!  Perfect starts with a headlock, and hits a shoulder block, and some chops, but Walker fights back, but Perfect hits another array of chops and he snaps Walker’s neck, and hits a knee lift.  Gorilla makes note of Walker’s haircut, having no idea how bad it was going to get a just over a year or so later.  Perfect delivers some punishment to the knee, and NOW YOU’RE GOING TO SEE A PERFET-PLEX!  And that’s it.  Perfect however wasn’t done with Walker, as he’d make fun of him a few years later for wearing a jock strap on the wrong part of his body.  Perfect and Michaels were apparently having good matches at house shows, but after their disappointing match at SummerSlam, Perfect’s face push was done, and he went away again (mainly due to injury), and Michaels was suspended and in rough shape at the time to boot. 

-We go to Ray Rougeau in the event centre (BOOO!  BRING BACK RED!), as he hypes up a July 11^th show at Maple Leaf Gardens.  Hacksaw Jim Duggan faces Yokozuna for the title!  Please even at 10 years old, I knew that Duggan had no chance.  Also, Tito Santana will face Papa Shango (both would be gone by the end of the year), Tatanka cuts a good promo on Razor Ramon as they were actually having pretty good matches at this time, and Tatanka mocks Razor’s loss to the 1-2-3 Kid (another good thing WWF had going at the time), but Razor would soon be a face after.  Anyway, Ray throws to Money Inc. who will face the Steiner’s in Toronto, cut a promo crying over their loss, while the Steiner’s with big smirks on their face say HA!  Ray was good at his job, but didn’t have the same charm as Billy Red Lyons. 

-Commercials: Trailer for The Last Action Hero with AH-nold.  I will say that film has aged better with time, and I believe is more appreciated now!  Bland Molson Ex commercial (WHERE’S THE JINGLE?!?!?!)!  Pizza Hut and their catchy FIVE BUCKS, FIVE BUCKS, FIVE BUCKS campaign!  Hype for Toronto Blue Jays oriented contest, as they were the hottest thing in all of Canada at this time! 

-Crush who had a lot of momentum at this point, cuts a promo on his upcoming title shot against Yokozuna! 

-Heenan makes a joke about the Steiner’s likely to pawn their titles.  As Heenan also says he has nothing to do with Minnesota!  (HA!!! Take that Verne!).  Gene hypes up the upcoming Bodyslam challenge on the U.S.S. Intrepid! 

Bob Backlund vs. Doink the Clown
From Wrestling Challenge.  Doink is still heel here and played magnificently by Matt Borne.  Bob’s comeback seemed to be off to a good start after a good performance in the Rumble match to kick off ’93, but the company did nothing with him after that.  Bob outwrestles Doink to start, but Doink does get in a drop toe-hold but he fails to throw Backlund off.  Doink again tries to out-wrestle Backlund, which is a big mistake, as Backlund surprises him with a monkey-flip.  Bob blocks a hip toss and hits one of his own, as Doink takes a breather on the outside.  Finger-lock battle again won by Backlund, as Doink pulls the hair, but Backlund comes back, and Doink looks frustrated.  Backlun continues to outsmart Doink by hitting a suplex, but the Clown is too close to the ropes.  Doink lures Bob in with a fake show of sportsmanship, but again he can’t seem to outwrestle Backlund, but Doink finally takes control with a low head but, and then surprises him with a small-package for the win!  Damn, this was looking like it could be a great match, but ended way too quick.  Anyway, Bob foolishly tries to shake the Clown’s hand, but of course Doink sprays him in the eyes with his flower blinding him.  Backlund was only sparingly used for awhile after this on TV.  Now you’d think by 1994, Backlund wouldn’t even have a job, and Doink would be one of the hottest heels in the industry!  Weird how fate works, as just over a year after this, Doink is a white-meat babyface played by a different wrestler, and Backlund is a crazed heel feuding with Bret Hart over the title (which he would later WIN!  Albeit for a very brief period!). Wrestling!! 

-Commercials: Sad Animal neglect commercial!  Miller MGD commercial!  The EASY money contest courtesy of Woodbine race-tracks! 

$10 000 Challenge---1-2-3 Kid vs. Razor Ramon
From Monday Night Raw this past week.  Great story here, as Kid scored a monster upset win over Razor in May, but it ate at Ramon so much he kept upping a money offer  to get Kid back in the ring, who finally accepted.  Kid starts off with a flurry as the crowd is LOVING him, as he gets a few near falls to being the match, but Razor begins to toss him around like a rag-doll with a fallaway slam and chokeslam.  Razor then applies an abdominal stretch, and continues to toy with the Kid.  Razor hits a powerslam, and the commentators sell it greatly that he’s deliberately beating up the kid for even having the gal to beat him previously.  Razor tries a Razor’s Edge on the concrete, but the Kid powers out of it, he then goes for a high risk move, but we don’t see what it is, as he legit slips and takes a HORRIBLE spill to the outside smacking his head off the concrete.   Great spot as the crowd pops HUGE, when the Kid hits the same moonsault that beat Razor before, but he only gets two.  But it’s enough as Kid literally takes the money and runs in a very smart move which the crowd cheers, and both men get counted out.  This would lead to Razor’s face turn, as he was broke, and insulted by Money Inc. 

-Commercials:  Taco Bell deals!  Lennox Air Conditioning!  Black Ice beer, drank by old men bitter about the Leafs lack of success, or unemployed men living in Caledonia!  Factory Direct again! 

-Vignette hyping up Men on a Mission!  Don’t care what anyone says, I loved these guys as a kid.  Oscar was a decent rapper to boot! 

-Clip from Superstars this week as Boni Blackstone interviews Bam Bam Bigelow!  Boni Blackstone?  No wonder Gene left before the end of the year!  Anyway, this is where Bammer introduces Luna as his “main-squeeze”.  I felt these two fit pretty well together. 

-Ad for the Stars & Stripes Challenge on July 4^th!  Who will bodyslam Yoko?? 

-Commercials: Clorets again!  Crest Toothpaste!  Downy!  MGD again!  Man these commercials are lacking the charm of the Cavalcade show I reviewed. 

-More fun with Gene & Bobby!

The Headshrinkers vs. ????
Always fun to watch the Headshrinkers wreck enhancement guys.  Gorilla & JR talk about The Undertaker’s feud with Mr. Hughes.   Yes, Hughes was a step-UP from Gonzales … but we got that match again at SummerSlam anyway, which I guess would have happened regardless because Hughes’ last date with the company was about a week before the show before he was turfed.  Anyway, double face-smash and a DOUBLE diving head-butt from the top finishes the match in quick fashion. 

-Back to Rougeau at the “Face to Face” event center.  More talk about the card at Maple Leaf Gardens, as we talk about the marquee match-up between Blake Beverly and Marty Jannetty.  We get a promo from Crush on Doink, a match that wouldn’t happen as Crush would be written off TV a week before after four banzai drops from Yokozuna.  Yoko & Jim Duggan jabber at each other … well Fuji yaps and Duggan talks.  Thank god Jim Cornette would be added to the Yokozuna equation.  Yeah, definitely needed Billy Red to make me want to purchase a ticket for this show. 

-Gene & Bobby wrap things up. 

-Commercials: Pizza Hut again!  Duracell and their fun I Will Survive ad!  Blue Jays again!  McCain fries! 

-We end the tape with Fish n’ Canada, with the Viola brothers!  Brought to you by GM Goodwrench Motor Plus!   Muskol Bug Repellent!  Lebco Motor Guide!  Mariner Outboards!  Silver Thread Fishing Line!    

Final Thoughts:

It looked like the WWF was on the upswing at this point if I’m being honest when I look at this show as a stand alone.  There was a lot of good stuff happening, but of course by the Fall it was a lot of ho-hum stuff going into ’94 with a couple of bright spots.  Either way, before the Lex Express departed from the garage, it was a hopeful time.