August 1994 Week 1: Monday Night Raw & Superstars

Monday Night Raw

August 1994 Week 1

Reunion Arena--Dallas, TX (Mid South region)

fans in attendance: 12,946

Dark: Bob Backlund defeats The Black Phantom (55)

Dark: Stane Lane defeats Barry Horrowitz (52)

Dark: Todd Pettingill warms up the crowd...kinda (17...might be getting time for Todd to find his next endeavor)

Raw opening video package featuring The Superstars of the WWF: Bret Hart, The Undertaker, Owen Hart, “Macho Man” Randy Savage, Shawn Michaels, and Ted DiBiase (76)

Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler, filling in for Randy Savage after suffering a brutal attack last week, are ringside. They discuss tonight’s Main Event: Bret Hart vs. Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart. Additionally, Gorilla Monsoon will make an announcement regarding the SummerSlam Main Event and Owen Hart’s number one contender spot tonight. (77)

The sounds of car brakes screeching brings Reunion Arena to it's feet as Razor Ramon comes out with a microphone. He wants to know what a guy has to do get an Intercontinental Title shot around here. 

Diesel and Shawn Michaels are not far behind as they come out with microphones of their own. Diesel says "Razor, you're all out of shots. There will be no more shots. You just don't seem to get it, do you? Every time you mess with Shawn and I, it ends badly for you! You're days with the Intercontinental Title are over!"

Finally, this brings out Gorilla Monsoon. Gorilla says that someone needs to challenge Diesel for the belt at SummerSlam. "If not Razor Ramon, maybe another former Intercontinental Champion? How about Shawn Michaels!?" The crowd pops! Gorilla continues: "Shawn and Razor both have a pretty good track record with that title...so next week they will face off with the winner facing Bid Daddy Cool at SummerSlam. Oh, and Diesel, you are banned from ringside!" The segment ends with camera focusing in on an irate Diesel. (67)

The opening match features the on-going rivalry of the former Quebecers: Jacques Rougeau and Pierre Ouelette. The one-eyed Pierre, being accompanied by his annoying manager Johnny Polo, snarls at a fan holding a sign that reads "Pierre La PHOOEY!" 

The match opens up with the former Canadian Mountie, Jacques Rougeau, firing away on his bigger opponent. He's clearly got a score to settle and bringing all the Maple Leaf fury he has to offer. After a trip from Johnny Polo from the ring floor, Pierre takes control of the match. It's not for long however as the match ends when Jacques Rougeau defeats his former tag-team partner with a Boston Crab. (54)

Following the match, we cut to a prerecorded video. Paul Bearer is in the casket workshop. While The Undertaker is not shown, his presence is felt as a menacing shadow is cast on the wall and the rhythmic sounds of hammering is heard. Bearer says "Oh Ted DiBiase! You are the man who has everything! What's a better gift for the man who has everything than a box to keep everything in? Oh yes, Million Dollar Man! A very special box is being made for you and your impostor! SummerSlam is only 3 weeks away and your time to rest is nearly here!" (73)

As if on cue, DiBiase's signature theme plays as he escorts his Million Dollar Tag Team, Bam Bam Bigelow and The IRS to the ring. Ted laughs joyfully as he passes by a fan holding a sign reading "BAM BAM YOUR WAY TO VICTORY!"

Out next is the one the young exciting tag teams in the WWF, The Smoking Gunns. The heels control the majority of the match under the guidance of DiBiase from the floor. It isn't long until Billy Gunn makes the hot tag to his brother Bart bursts into the ring cleaning house with big right hands! Bart makes the tag to Billy and they nail the Sidewinder on the IRS and surely should have the three count. The crowd begins to reign down "boos" as theirs no referee to make the count on account of Ted DiBiase's presence on the ring aporn. The distraction allows Bam Bam Bigelow to make a cheap shot from behind and score the tainted win! (58)

Following a commercial break, the light are low and a dramatic spotlight shines on the entrance way. "The Roadie," Jeff Jarrett's new sidekick has a microphone. He asks the Texas crowd to welcome "the man who took out the trash last week by knocking out that old fart Randy Savage, the Greatest Country Singer of All Time....J-E-Double J, J-A-Double R-E-Double T, Double J, Jeff Jarrett!" (68)

Jarret struts his way down to the ring as the Roadie buzzes around him with a water bottle and towel. The Texas crowd boos loudly for the annoying country "star."

The crowd begins to cheer when Jarrett's opponent, Adam Bomb is introduced. The camera pans to a fan in crowd holding a sign saying "Three Mile Island Explosion Survivor."

After some back and forth action, it would seem the menacing favorite, Adam Bomb was had the match well in hand. After strategically placing a guitar on the ring apron, The Roadie began taunting the big man getting the attention of both Adam Bomb and the referee. Jarret quickly snatch the guitar and, in shades of his attack on Randy Savage last week, Jeff Jarrett smashed the instrument over the head of Adam Bomb for a cheap 3 count. (56)

Next, Vince McMahon brings out “interim president” Gorilla Monsoon for a major announcement concerning the SummerSlam Main Event and the state of the WWF Championship picture. Gorilla says that Bret Hart will defend the WWF Championship against his brother Owen in the Main Event at SummerSlam in a 60 Minute Iron Man match! (61)

The next bout of the evening saw some exciting in-ring action when the 123 Kid defeated Rick Martel. The Kid has been on a hot streak as of late following his big upset victory over Yokozuna. (Jerry Lawler continually reminds the audience that it was a count-out win only). (61)

But the bigger fireworks came post match, when Yokozuna came to the ring to face the scrappy underdog and settle some unfinished business following the Kid's count out victory a few weeks ago. The 123 Kid is not intimidated by the larger man. Perhaps he should have been because Yoko brought the youngster down to the mat with a vicious overhand chop. He then began dropping a series of leg drops on the WWF's ultimate underdog. Before being pulled away by WWF officials, Yokozuna punctuated his devastating attack with a giant Bonzai drop! (89)

Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart with Owen Hart at his side is introduced first to a resounding boo from the Dallas fan base. The ever popular WWF Champion, Bret Hart, is introduced first. Before Bret can even get into the ring, his former Hart Foundation partner is all over him, pummeling him to the delight of Owen mocking Bret from the ringside floor.

The rough and tumble Anvil slaps a big bear hug around the champ and continues to control the tempo of the match. With Dallas crowd firmly on his side, The Excellence of Execution begins to battle his way out by pounding Neidhart with a series of right hands. 

Like we've seen so many times before, Bret begins to go to work on The Anvil, take him down with a signature side Russian leg sweep. Owen jumps on the apron to try and tip the tide back into the heel's favor, but Gorilla Monsoon himself comes down and ejects The Rocket from the ringside area!

It's a wrestling clinic from there on out as Bret puts away Neidhart with Sharpshooter! (77, which I'll gladly take seeing they were slapped with bad chemistry)

Show Rating: 76

5.78 USA Network .96 Sky .10 RTL

***

Superstars

Dallas Sportatorium-- Dallas, TX (Mid South Region)

2,000 Fans in attendance (Sell Out)

Dark: Men on a Mission defeated The Broklyn Brawler and “Iron” Mike Sharpe (41)

Dark: Well Dunn defeats The Hardy Boyz (35)

Dark: Hakushi defeated Reno Riggins (36)

Dark: Crush defeated Duke Droese (52)

Superstars Opening video featuring: Bret Hart, The Undertaker, Randy Savage, Owen Hart, Diesel and Shawn Michaels. (78)

Shawn Michaels cuts a promo, ignoring the sign in the crowd that says "SCREW YOU SHAWN!". He says he wants the title and he will defeat Razor Ramon on Raw next week. He and The Big Man are on the same page about this. He’s going to prove it tonight against Bob Backlund. (78)

The Powers of Pain w/ Luna defeated PJ Walker and “Spark Plugg” Holly (51)

The video of Paul Bearer in the casket shop threatening Ted DiBiase replays (73)

Pierre w/ Johnny Polo defeated Adam Bomb after Kwang interfered (50)

Todd Pettingill interviews The Smoking Gunns. They said they want revenge against The Million Dollar Corporation following their loss on Raw last week. (61)

A video package reviewing Owen Hart’s Raw promo from 2 weeks ago and Gorilla Monsoon’s Iron Man match announcement. SummerSlam has a major main event. (79)

Shawn Michaels defeated Bob Backlund (83)

Final Show Rating: 75

.33 US Medium Syndication

WWF Magazine August 1994

From the Pages of WWF Magazine

August 1994 Edition

Comings and Goings:

With Shane McMahon increasing his role behind the scenes, it would seem that personal moves are slowly accumulating. Various reasons have been given for why the company is moving on, but we can confirm that over the past month the WWF has released or let the contract expire of the following wrestlers, personalities, and backstage officials: 

-Jeff Warner 

-JJ Dillon 

-Jack Lanza 

-Hugo Savinovich 

-Dave Hebner 

-Dan Marsh 

-Madusa Miceli 

-Mike Shaw 

-Cheif Jay Strongbow 

-Duane Gill 

-Jim Powers 

-Lord Alfred Hayes 

-Rich Myers 

-Tony Chimel 

-Barry Hardy 

-Lou Albano 

-Koko B. Ware 

-Ricky Morton 

-Robert Gibson 

-Virgil 

On the other side of the coin, there’s a much smaller list of new workers and officials have joined the company: 

In ring Performers: 

-The Warlord 

-BG James 

-Jinsei Shinzaki 

 Backstage Officials: 

- Kevin Von Erich has agreed to come on as a Road Agent for the foreseeable future. 

-The contract of Jerry Lawler and has been extended and are expected to be part of WWF programming for the foreseeable future. 

WWF Magazine can confirm that WWF is actively scouring the globe for other potential signings. The general feeling is that with the expansion of Raw by an additional 30 minutes, more midcard talent will be needed to maintain quality programming. That being said, bother father and son McMahons are in agreement on a strategy of fiscal responsibility must be taken when hiring new talent. They refuse to bring in a slew of new workers without clearly defined creative plans. 

SummerSlam Preview: 

It’s looking more and more like the SummerSlam Card is rounding out. WWF Magazine can confirm the following matches: 

Already Announced Main Event: WWF Champion, Bret Hart will defend the title against little brother Owen Hart in a 60 Minute, Iron Man Match. WWF Magazine is hearing rumors that “interim president” Gorilla Monsoon has been exploring a number of candidates for the job of “special guest referee!” The rumors are running rampant as more than a few “big names” have been tossed around Titan Towers. 

Additionally, it would appear that Randy Savage will return to in-ring action to face Jeff Jarrett. Look for Diesel will defend the Intercontinental Championship against either Razor Ramon or Shawn Michaels. All three workers are expected to have a big part in this match and the booking committee has been said to be wavering on a few different ways for this angle to be played out. 

It should come as no surprise that The Undertaker will square off against Ted DiBiase’s impostor. The idea of a Casket match has been mentioned, but nothing has been made official as of the writing of this article. With the time constraints of the Iron Man match, it is expected that some adjustment will need to be made to the card to showcase some of the other talent that lack clear programs at this time. 

The higher-ups at Titan Towers are said to have met with pay-per-view executives to discuss the idea of a “Free for All” pre-show to air before event and showcase some other talent and “blow off” some minor feuds.

“The Dirt:”

It can be heard from many pockets of Titan Towers that Shane McMahon has an ever increasing role in the company. Many in both the office and locker room have been relevantly happy with the way Shane has handled his increasing responsibilities. That being said, it is understood that Shane has some "heat" with a few of WWF's top stars. It is said that both Diesel and Lex Luger have been unhappy with new regime. Apparently Shane and Diesel have heat building following multiple instances where Diesel has been caught with illegal drugs at Raw tapings. Meanwhile, it is said that Lex Luger has been unhappy with several key losses he suffered over the last few weeks of programming. While the incidents in both cases are said to be minor, one locker room veteran has been quoted saying "where there's smoke, there's fire..."

The young McMahon's backstage battles may not be limited to the locker room one source is saying. Vince McMahon, while having been predominantly happy with many of son Shane’s creative choices during the lead-up to SummerSlam, major heat is building between the two regarding a controversial angle that Shane is pushing for at the big event. If the details of the angle can be worked out, our sources say that a “major story line” will be in store for the a large part of the main roster and will force booking decisions all the way through Wrestlemania XI! Our sources say that Vince is not in league with Shane’s vision and the two remain far apart on a compromise. 

More on this situation as it develops...