Sage Cortez
It’s time for more WWF matches and angles, and while I’m genuinely hoping to read and discuss less sleaze, I’m not remotely sure that’s going to happen. Also at this time, Randy Savage and Elizabeth were splitting up, and she was never to be on TV for the WWF again. The WWF was full blown on the road to SummerSlam, and they did have some cool stuff going on to go with that. Like, for example…Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels starting their series of matches. Or some guy who appeared to deal drugs showing up in the company. You may have heard of him before…
– June and July 1992…
RAZOR RAMON VIGNETTES
I’m so hyped to check these out, and elated that I’m hitting the era where the WWF starts pushing guys like Razor Ramon. The Razor voice started out with a far greater accent than what it turned into. I don’t know how Hall came up with this. Some of the shirts are outrageous. HE SPIT IN PEOPLE’S FACES WAY BEFORE CARLITO DID! I find it extremely hard to believe that the WWF went into the business tank when they had a new gimmick that was this good and this cool.
– June 1st, 1992, from Copps Coliseum in Hamilton, Ontario
Rick Martel vs. Bret Hart for the WWF Intercontinental Championship
Pre-Match Thoughts: I’m fairly certain that at this point it was a rarity for two Canadians to fight over WWF singles gold in Canada. This was well past Martel’s best, but he was still capable and Bret was trying to prove himself as being worthy of carrying the card. It was cool to see Howard Finkel working a TV episode, which became much less common over the years. Some kids grabbed Bret during his entrance and didn’t want to let him go. I like these video releases because they had Jim Ross on commentary after sitting on the matches for ages before those releases. By that time he was in the WWF.
Match Review: Martel and Bret lock up, with Bret putting a headlock on Martel, who reverses it and forces Bret to kip up. Back to the headlock again, this time Martel having it on, and Bret getting out. Martel cartwheels around from a clothesline, then goes to a hammerlock. Bret reverses, then Martel trips him and cartwheels away from a monkey flip. Bret then charges at Martel and clotheslines him out of the ring, which I like. Martel pulls Bret to the outside and rams him into the apron, but Bret pushes him into the post. Back inside, Martel catches Bret on the way in and goes to work with punches and kicks. Martel misses a charge to the corner, so Bret takes him down with an arm drag. Martel tries a hip toss, but Bret backslides him for 2. Back to the arm drag again, with Bret holding the armbar. Martel gets out for a bodyslam, but misses an elbow drop and Bret arm drags him again. Martel gets out once more, and this time he drops Bret with a hot shot. That’s different. Martel puts a chinlock on Bret, who sunset flips him for 2. Martel dishes out a gutwrench suplex for 2, then follows with a backbreaker. Now Martel goes to the apron, coming in with a slingshot splash that misses. Martel goes for a suplex, but Bret blocks that and gives him an inverted atomic drop. Bret nails Martel with a clothesline, then a Russian leg sweep gets 2. Bret uses a small package and gets 2, and there’s the backbreaker. Now it’s time for the SHARPSHOOTER, but Martel grabs the referee and throws him down. Martel goes for ARROGANCE, and he hits Bret with it. Martel locks on the BOSTON CRAB, but here’s SHAWN MICHAELS. He walks over, slaps Bret, and that gets Martel disqualified at 10:14. HAHA. HE WANTS THE INTERCONTINENTAL TITLE FOR HIMSELF!
My Thoughts: Not only did Michaels want it for himself, but it played into the SummerSlam feud between Michaels and Martel. That’s actually great booking. This was aired on Prime Time Wrestling to make sure everyone saw it, too. Also works for the house show matches between Michaels and Bret. This was a solid, standard Bret Hart house show match. Nothing out of the ordinary, but always fine. **1/2.
– June 2nd, 1992, from the Civic Center in Ottawa, Ontario
Ric Flair (w/Mr. Perfect) vs. Randy Savage for the WWF Championship
Pre-Match Thoughts: This is a match that was done many times, but only a few times on video tape in this era. So, appreciate and enjoy it is my philosophy. Oh yeah, and watch it. Without the time to prepare for this match like they did WrestleMania and future PPV events, I have no idea how they’d work with each other. They probably had a formula house show match to use. Some idiot got in the ring before the match started, didn’t see that much in those days because fans would get HURT if they tried that.
Match Review: These guys lock up, and immediately Savage takes Flair down with a shoulder. Some punches follow that, then Flair eats a back elbow. Savage punches Flair in the corner, until Perfect grabs his hair to stop it. Flair attacks Savage from behind, but Savage comes back from the corner with a clothesline. He follows with a running elbow, but Flair pokes him in the eye. Flair throws Savage over the top, as something’s going on in the crowd. Anyway, Savage chases Perfect, grabs him by the hair, and Flair has to rake Savage’s eyes again. A chop gets a count of 2, then Flair throws Savage out again. Flair has a chair, and the referee jumps off the apron to take it away from him. Now Hebner and Flair push each other, until Flair chases Hebner into the ring. Savage grabs the trunks and rolls Flair up for 2, then Flair starts begging off from punishment. The referee stops Savage’s closed fist punch, so Flair gets in a shot on him. Flair and Savage then collide with each other, and when they get up, Flair trips Savage and puts his feet on the ropes for a count of 2. Perfect wraps Savage’s leg around the post, so Flair’s able to go to work on it. Flair gives Savage a shin-breaker, then goes to the FIGURE-FOUR. He gets caught using the ropes, so they get up and Savage backslides him for 2. Flair and Savage trade shots for a bit, then Savage takes a run at Flair and clotheslines him over the top. They get back in the ring, and Flair takes Savage down, trying to head up top. Savage slams him down from the top, then goes up top himself. Savage hits Flair with a double axehandle, and follows it up with some clotheslines. Up top again, there’s another double axehandle for 2. Flair pokes Savage in the eye again, and gets an object from Perfect that he hits Savage with. Flair ditches the object, covers, and Savage kicks out at 2! Savage rolls Flair up for 2, then bodyslams him. Up top he goes, and down with the FLYING ELBOW! Flair kicks out at 2, then Perfect grabs the title belt. He swings it at Savage, who grabs it away and knocks down the referee. Flair hits Savage from behind, and Perfect goes for the belt shot right when the referee wakes up. He takes the belt, disqualifies Flair at the 12 minute mark, and gives it back to Savage as he wins!
My Thoughts: This was a good match, and there were some clear hallmarks of it that showed me it absolutely was a house show formula match. It also wasn’t that dissimilar from the WrestleMania match. All in all, they were clearly familiar with this match and knew exactly what they were doing. *** seems to be a good rating. I was shocked that Flair kicked out of the flying elbow, as well as Savage kicking out of the foreign object shot.
– June 3rd, 1992, from the Civic Complex in Cornwall, Ontario
Shawn Michaels (w/Sensational Sherri) vs. The Texas Tornado
Pre-Match Thoughts: Kerry had come back from a rehab stint, and the way he was presented on TV was as that of a drug free guy, telling people to stay away from drugs, and that kind of life. That wasn’t his actual life. He wasn’t on TV a whole lot, and he was almost out of the WWF. Still, I have a match of his here. Because of the arena shows no longer being televised, it became somewhat necessary for the WWF to tape Prime Time Wrestling matches at their own taping. I’m sure that wasn’t remotely profitable. Shawn’s entrance with the mirror, admiring himself, was a hell of a gimmick that the WWF was never going to let die when he stopped using it. Monsoon was obsessed with Sherri’s breasts.
Match Review: After a ton of time spent posing, the guys finally lock up with Kerry shoving Michaels to the canvas. Now they stall, and I regret watching this. Shit. Michaels sneak attacks Tornado, but gets rammed into the buckle a few times. Michaels comically bumps to the outside, then sends Sherri to get the mirror. He’s okay with how he looks, so he gets back in the ring only for Tornado to headlock him. Michaels tries a hip toss, but Tornado breaks free and clotheslines him over the top. Time for the mirror again. Michaels is upset. Tornado goes out there to bring him back in, then Michaels tries to crawl away, leading to a tug-o-war between Tornado and Sherri. So, Tornado drops Michaels on her. Michaels gets back in there, blocks a charge to the corner, and works Tornado over with stomps. Sherri hits Tornado too, then Michaels nails him with a superkick. Tornado fires off the TORNADO PUNCH, but it only gets 2. Sherri slaps Tornado, so he grabs her, pulls her up to the apron, and winds up putting THE CLAW on Michaels. Michaels makes it to the apron, then Sherri pulls on Michaels, breaking the mirror when he falls to the floor. Don’t think that was supposed to happen. Tornado falls out of the ring too, but Sherri grabs Michaels, puts him back in the ring, and he wins by count-out at 8:09.
My Thoughts: That finish was awful, but this was a fun match. I liked it quite a bit even though there wasn’t a whole lot of wrestling. Lots of fun stooging and comedic spots from somebody who was really learning to become a spectacular wrestler. *1/2, a fun watch regardless.
Papa Shango and the Berzerker (w/Mr. Fuji) vs. The Ultimate Warrior and the Undertaker (w/Paul Bearer)
Pre-Match Thoughts: Suffice it to say this match is extremely strange. That’s why I want to see it. I’m certainly not watching it for quality nor anything else. I hope the finish of this match lives up to my expectations. I want to see the Berzerker try to stab Taker with his sword again. Why not? Taker and Warrior have a bit of a staredown, reminding me of their feud from a year previous.
Match Review: The slow heels get in the ring and eat double big boots, then Warrior and Taker slowly clothesline them over the top. Berzerker gets back in and Taker beats him up some more, choking his lights out as part of that. Taker misses a charge to the corner, so Berzerker dropkicks him over the top, with Taker landing on his feet. Taker sends him into the steps, then tags in the Warrior. Warrior slams Berzerker, then clotheslines him in the corner a few times. Warrior follows that with his shoulderblocks, then Shango grabs something and hits Warrior with it to stop him. Shango tags in, hits Warrior with some punches, and gets out of there. Berzerker headbutts away, and hits Warrior with a big boot. Warrior uses a noggin-knocker on the two heels, but they’re able to keep control. Warrior keeps getting punched relentlessly, and when he has a chance to break out, he misses a charge to the corner. Shango clotheslines him, runs him into Berzerker’s boot, and makes a tag out. Berzerker stomps away, but charges at Warrior and gets backdropped over the top. Taker finally tags in, and picks Berzerker up for a CHOKESLAM. Shango runs in, gets hit with a flying clothesline, and Berzerker attacks Taker from behind. Taker sets them up for a double clothesline from Warrior, then the FLYING SHOULDERBLOCK. BIG SPLASH on Berzerker and that’s it at 7:49.
My Thoughts: This match was horrendous and I really should know better than to watch this trash. I’m going to resolve myself to picking matches more judiciously going forward. DUD. It was SO SLOW.
– Taped to air June 27th, 1992, on Superstars
THE LEGION OF DOOM FINDS ROCCO
This was a total disaster. I have no idea why the WWF would make these guys do something like this. Oh, well I do. It’s the steroids. But, still, it’s awful. Ellering found a ventriloquist’s dummy in the rubble of the supposed former home of the LOD. IT’S ROCCO. Don’t really know what to say about this, but it never should have happened.
At the end of this month, the WWF ran one of those World Bodybuilding Federation PPV’s. Of course, this bombed as hard as anyone could expect. On top of that, Lex Luger got in a motorcycle accident before the WBF PPV and wasn’t able to appear as advertised. Hulk Hogan’s vitamin company went bankrupt. All that stuff is linked, I think.
At the same time, Bob Backlund decided to come back. I don’t know what I’ll be watching of his going forward.
– July 20th, 1992, from the Centrum in Worcester, Massachusetts
The Natural Disasters vs. Money Inc. (w/Jimmy Hart) for the WWF Tag Team Championships
Pre-Match Thoughts: Sorry, but I refused to watch this series of matches given that they weren’t in my way. So, this one obviously carries some importance, and we’ll see what happens. Money Inc.’s title reign was really boring given that they didn’t have a whole lot of opponents. The depth on the WWF roster was slim, especially when it came to babyface tag teams. There was basically no plan for the future at all in the WWF, other than for Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels to feud all the time.
Match Review: Ted DiBiase tries to leave to start the match, but he’s grabbed and dragged back to the ring. The Disasters then work IRS and DiBiase over, eventually throwing them into each other and knocking them down. Now the Disasters squash them in the corner, and pair them up in the other corner for a series of splashes. These are good fat guy spots. Eventually Earthquake misses one, so over the top he goes. IRS drops a leg on his nuts, then brings him back into the ring. DiBiase takes the tag rope and puts it in his trunks, then tags in and chokes Quake with it. IRS and DiBiase exchange tags and beat Earthquake up, until Quake rams DiBiase into the buckle. IRS makes a tag in and cuts Quake off, then drops a ton of elbows on him for 2. DiBiase gets in there, then goes to a chinlock on the big guy. Illegal switch, IRS does the same. DiBiase again, etc. Quake hip tosses IRS, and gets cut off from tagging again. DiBiase goes to a front face-lock, but Quake drives him back to the corner only for the referee to not see the tag. Quake hits both IRS and DiBiase with a double clothesline, and THERE’S the tag. Typhoon comes into the ring, and lands a bunch of right hands on DiBiase. He clotheslines both guys, then gives them a noggin-knocker. All four men are in now, and Jimmy Hart is on the apron. Earthquake grabs him, which leads to Typhoon getting teamed up on. IRS has the briefcase, but he misses and hits DiBiase with it. Typhoon tags in Earthquake for a big elbow drop, and the Disasters have won the tag titles after 9:47! Huge pop!
My Thoughts: The fans definitely wanted to see that, and I don’t blame them. This match wasn’t good, but Money Inc. got tons of heat during the match and they were cheating the whole time. It was the right time for a title change. This wasn’t the only good thing to happen at the taping, they definitely made sure to try to keep people coming back. Good finish, good start. *3/4.
Shawn Michaels and Ric Flair (w/Sensational Sherri & Mr. Perfect) vs. Bret Hart (WWF IC Champion) and Randy Savage (WWF Champion)
Pre-Match Thoughts: It’s probably fair to say there will be times when it’s 4 on 1 during this match. I’ve actually seen this one before and thought it was great. Nice of the WWF to give the fans some matches worth watching at their extremely long television tapings. Wasn’t often that the two singles champions would team up for a match like this. This is my two favorite guys from the 80’s colliding with two of my favorites from the 90’s. Definition of a big match.
Match Review: Hart and Michaels lock up, and Michaels uses an arm drag. Interesting taunting after dishing that out. Bret makes a blind tag out, hits Michaels with an inverted atomic drop, and Savage comes in with a series of clotheslines to stop Flair and Michaels in their tracks. Flair tags in legally, and Shawn walks the apron in a strut just as Flair does. Flair shows Bret his guns next, then Savage and Flair trade hammerlocks. They break clean, then Savage decides to slap Flair. Savage shoulderblocks Flair down, slaps him again, and Flair is angry. He comes back with chops, then tags in Michaels for some double teaming. Michaels rams Savage into the buckle, but misses a charge to the corner and allows Savage to tag out. Bret goes to work on the arm that hit the post, locking him in an armbar. Savage tags in for a double axehandle, then he nails Michaels with a clothesline and heads back out. Bret has a hammerlock on Michaels, but Shawn drives him back into the corner and follows with a bodyslam. In comes Flair, who misses an elbow drop. He goes to the eyes, then chops away at Bret to regain the advantage. Bret comes back with a backdrop, then brings in Savage. Savage works Flair over, hits him with a running elbow, and knocks Michaels off the apron. Savage beats Flair up in the corner, but Flair comes out of there with an inverted atomic drop. Flair goes for the FIGURE-FOUR, but Savage kicks him away. Michaels run in and gets hip tossed, but hits Savage with a superkick and quickly leaves the ring. Perfect gets in a shot on Savage as all that’s going on, then Savage tastes the rail. Michaels tags in, hits Savage with a high knee, and stomps a mudhole in him. Sherri measures Savage up and clobbers him, then Flair tags in for a double back elbow. Flair drops the knee, then Perfect hits Savage with an elbow. This is about what I expected. Flair measures Savage for a chop and covers for 2, then draws in Bret so that he and Michaels can double team on an illegal switch. Savage blocks a backdrop from Michaels, but Flair tags in first and cuts him off. Flair takes Savage down and covers him with his feet on the ropes, only getting 2 each time. Flair goes for a hip toss, but Savage reverses it to a backslide for 2. Now Michaels tags in, and Savage cradles him up, only for the referee not to be paying any attention. Michaels drops Savage with a back suplex for 2, then goes to a chinlock. Flair makes a tag in, and puts a sleeper on Savage, who runs Flair into the buckle. Flair heads up top, but Savage slams him down of course.
Bret finally makes the tag in, and he backdrops Flair for a second time. Bret throws Michaels into the corner and Flair upside down into the other one, then walks over to kick Michaels onto the top rope for his crotch bump. Bret suplexes Flair into the ring, and follows that up with a backbreaker. Michaels breaks the cover, and Savage cradles him up for 2. They weren’t legal, though. Savage then throws Michaels into Sherri, rolls Michaels up, and picks up the 3 count at 17:16!
My Thoughts: This was a good mix and there were some great crowd interactions, but the effort here was not at all what you’d expect. This is actually a match that’s a good case of the WWF’s tough road schedule coming into play. They worked the crowd a lot rather than working a match. I thought Flair and Michaels were great, but Bret and Savage not quite as much. The finish came ridiculously quick, too. ***. It’s hard to get a bad match from this group, but they didn’t go all out and I was wrong about this being great. The commentary with Ross and Heenan was terrible too.
– July 21st, 1992, from the Civic Center in Portland, Maine
Shawn Michaels (w/Sensational Sherri) vs. Bret Hart IN A LADDER MATCH for the WWF Intercontinental Championship
Pre-Match Thoughts: I used to have this match on video tape, and I’ve watched it countless times. This wouldn’t be the last time these two met this in 1992. I seem to remember the history of this match as presented by Bret, in which he said this was merely a test run for the future when they would do this match between the two on PPV. Obviously, that didn’t quite go down as Bret wanted. The fans had absolutely no idea what they were about to see. Everyone here is smart enough to know what happens, so I won’t repeat the rules. Go get the belt. The end.
Match Review: These two lock up, and Michaels goes right to work with punches. Bret blocks a hip toss, clotheslines Michaels a few times, and backdrops him. Bret throws Michaels hard into the corner, then drops him with a European uppercut. Bret wants to leave the ring, but Michaels clips him to stop that. Gorilla won’t stop talking about Sherri’s breasts. Again. Michaels knees Bret in the gut, then goes to the outside to get the ladder. Oh boy. Bret sucker punches him when the ladder gets close to the ring, then he throws him into the post. Bret goes to get the ladder himself, but Sherri grabs it. Bret chases her towards the back, and Michaels sets up the ladder trying to win the title! Bret runs back to the ring and grabs Michaels by the pants, pulling him down to the canvas. The fans caught onto the concept QUICKLY. Bret goes for the title now, and Shawn pushes the ladder down. Michaels picks it up again, and it’s time to hit Bret in the gut with it. Eventually Michaels charges with it and misses, so he sets it up in the corner instead. Bret blocks a backdrop attempt, but Michaels whips Bret into the ladder. Michaels sets up the ladder for another charge up it, but Bret climbs to his feet and yanks down Michaels pants, knocking the ladder down on top of him. Bret goes for the title, but Michaels grabs his feet and rams his face into the ladder. Michaels tries once more, but Bret stops him, only to get rammed into it. Michaels sets the ladder up in the corner again, but eats a boot on a charge to the corner and Bret comes off the second rope with a clothesline. Bret sets Michaels up, and HE CATAPULTS HIM INTO THE LADDER! Bret follows that up with a backbreaker, then grabs the ladder again to go for the title. Michaels stops him again, then they collide with each other. I see officials standing in the aisleway watching this. Now the guys climb up each side of the ladder, only to fall down and wipe out into the ropes. Michaels throws Bret into the ropes for Sherri to trip him, then he hits Bret with the superkick. Michaels follows that up with the TEARDROP SUPLEX, then climbs the ladder only to not go up high enough. Bret dropkicks Michaels into the ropes for a great bump, crotching himself on the top rope and falling out of the ring! Bret climbs the ladder, grabs the title, and yanks it down for the victory at 13:46!
My Thoughts: This was obviously a fantastic concept, and everyone in the arena that night had to know they’d do more of them in the future. These guys worked extremely hard, didn’t really work a lot of ladder spots, but were still able to put together a good wrestling match. I can see why Bret thinks this match was nothing special. However, to me, it is in a lot of ways. This was the prototype. The crowd was into it too and caught on more quickly than I thought. ***1/4.
– Taped to air July 25th, 1992, on Superstars, from the Civic Center in Glens Falls, New York
Ultimate Warrior and Randy Savage INTERVIEW
In this spot, the announcement was made that the Ultimate Warrior would be challenging Randy Savage at SummerSlam. The crowd looked hyped. They were both brought out for an interview, and when Warrior started talking he got in Savage’s face and said he was really the best. Savage had a problem with that, of course. I can’t say the fans were favoring either guy. Eventually Ric Flair and Mr. Perfect walk down to the ring, who knows why. Warrior wants to fight Savage at the podium! Perfect gets a microphone and keeps calling them pansies, and Flair’s not happy about missing out on SummerSlam. He says that he’s the best and doesn’t belong on the backburner. Flair has said that he was suffering from vertigo, but he was working matches at the time of the match being announced. Savage eventually is goaded into heading to the ring, and attacks Flair, only for Perfect to take his belt off and start choking him. Flair and Perfect work Savage over, BUT HERE COMES THE WARRIOR. He wallops Flair, which clears Perfect out of the ring as well. Warrior starts shaking the ropes, then he looks at Savage’s title belt and picks it up. That’s quite dramatic. Savage then takes his jacket off, takes his belt back, and the two guys get into a heated argument. This is great. Wasn’t the only time.
– Taped to air August 8th, 1992, on Superstars, from the Centrum in Worcester, Massachusetts
RAZOR RAMON DEBUTS
After much buildup, the music hits and here comes Razor Ramon. Great entrance music. Razor gets a bit rough with this jabroni, but it’s required in order to get himself over. Poor guy. His back superplex looked like it killed the guy. He was getting cheers, so all in all this was probably not exactly what the WWF brass wanted.
– Taped to air August 23rd, 1992, on SUMMERSLAM SPECTACULAR, from Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee
The Nasty Boys (w/Jimmy Hart) vs. The Ultimate Warrior and Randy Savage (WWF Champion)
Pre-Match Thoughts: This is a page out of old school WWF booking whenever tension would arise. They picked shockingly good opponents for Warrior and Savage, which gives the whole thing a big match feel. Mr. Perfect goes into the Nasties promo, and starts dropping bombs about the SECRETS HE’S GOING TO GIVE THE NASTY BOYS. Warrior and Savage talk trash with each other before the match even starts, just to remind people what’s going on. Neither man wanted to start on the apron. I should also point out that Warrior’s outfit made him look naked. That’s something you’ll notice if you watch this.
Match Review: Sags attacks Warrior from behind, so here we go. Warrior comes back with a flying shoulderblock and some clotheslines, then Knobbs runs in to get clotheslined. Knobbs attacks Warrior from behind, but Warrior drops them both with a DOUBLE DDT! Warrior makes an angry tag out, which Savage has a problem with. Knobbs attacks Savage from behind this time, but Savage comes back with a back elbow. He nails Knobbs with a running elbow, then picks Sags up and slams him. He slams Knobbs too, then heads up top for a double axehandle that takes out both guys! Savage heads up there again, and another double axehandle takes out Sags. Savage makes his own ANGRY tag out, and Warrior heads up top for his own double axehandle. Haha. This is fun. While Savage and Warrior talk trash, Knobbs decides to run into Warrior, knocking him into Savage. WE HAVE A PROBLEM. They tease another fight, and Knobbs clotheslines Warrior over the top during the middle of that. Knobbs goes out to the floor and rams Warrior into the steps, then brings him into the ring for a double back elbow. Sags drops Warrior with a side slam for 2, then brings in Knobbs for a missed charge to the corner. Sags tags in, takes Warrior down, and drops the leg on him for 2. Knobbs tags in again, but Warrior hits the Nasties with a series of double clotheslines. A double facebuster follows that, then Warrior clotheslines them both over the top as we head to a commercial.
Warrior invites Savage into the ring after a tag, but Savage jumps over the top instead. He then throws Knobbs into the corner, but accidentally knocks over the referee. Savage goes for a PILEDRIVER, but Sags runs in with Hart’s motorcycle helmet and hits Savage with it. Now Warrior goes after Jimmy Hart, only for FLAIR AND PERFECT to run out to beat Warrior up! The Nasties throw Savage over the top as that’s going on, and Perfect grabs a chair to hit Warrior with. Warrior and Savage take the beating of a lifetime outside of the ring, with Warrior trying to go after Flair at the end of it. Savage is still down and out on the floor, so I guess he’s going to take the loss. The referee wakes up and counts, and Savage gets counted out after about 12 minutes. Savage then makes it to his feet, runs in the ring, and he’s PISSED. He hits Jimmy Hart, gets the helmet, and takes both the Nasties out with it to clear them from the ring. Warrior was in the locker room area for a promo, and he was fairly certain Mr. Perfect would be in Randy Savage’s corner.
My Thoughts: This was a good angle, and a good storyline, but there wasn’t enough meat on the bone. The WWF needed the platform to run big angles every week to really get this over. Not a great match, but the finish was perfect booking. Also, the Nasty Boys winning the match was supposed to get them a title shot. Instead, Jimmy Hart screwed them over just like he did the Disasters. **1/4, with the majority of the match spent with Savage and Warrior trying to show each other up. It was fun.
With that done, it’s time to look at what the SummerSlam card was going to be, as well as some news from what was going on. The heel involvement in SummerSlam was minimal at best, when thinking about it. No Flair in a match, Michaels in a heel match with Martel, and two babyface matches on the top of the card. Regardless, it was a well built show with a great card. Kamala against the Undertaker even had a place on it, I’d say. Now, as for the news, I find this insane, but the WWF brought back Pat Patterson after all the bullshit that went on. Jerry Jarrett and Vince McMahon were also going to start working together, which became obvious later when Vince would send guys like Randy Savage to Memphis for fun stuff. Business was down all the way around the house show ring and on TV, so the WWF was in some trouble. Next up, it’s time for Great American Bash 1992, which was a sign of a business that wasn’t any better on the other side.
Best: The Razor Ramon vignettes and debut. Definitely works for me. The pops he got for his big moves were quite impressive.
Worst: There’s stuff I didn’t cover, like Crush, Nailz, and Kamala. That’s the real worst.
