The year is 1993. Wrestlemania IX has just come and gone, and the world is in a dark place. The industry that for a while seemed to finally be shrugging off the shackles of the dying Hulkamania was beginning to see the light of a fresh crop of new talent, ready to prove their talents. Ready to shine bright. But in one fell swoop, the dark cloud of Hulkamania covered that light, and regained his grip on the company. Yes, despite Hogan's own growing disinterest in the wrestling world, and his ludicrous desire to become a movie and tv star, he hold the gold instead of the deserving former champion Bret Hart, and the WWF's then emerging monster heel Yokozuna.
The world revolves once more around Hulk Hogan. The man whose attempt to deceive people on the Arsenio Hall show led to the WWF in a heap of legal issues. The man who as we'll see doesn't have loyalty to Vince McMahon and the World Wrestling Federation. No, Hulk Hogan only has loyalty to Hulk Hogan. The fifth era of Hogan-Senpai is upon us. However, this run will be brief, but like the road to Wrestlemania, we're gonna cover every edition of Raw as we head to the next WWF Pay Per View event, the King of the Ring. So let's head to the April 5th edition of Monday Night Raw.
Raw is back in the Manhattan Center. Our commentators are Vince McMahon, Randy Savage... And no Rob Bartlett. So, even though Vince and Macho are not the most tolerable commentators, there will thankfully be a lot less annoyance. But don't get too comfortable with the thought of no Bartlett, he'll be back next week. But the end days are coming.
It's time for our opening contest with Virgil taking on Bam Bam Bigelow. Savage says that despite Hogan's win, his reign is under investigation, you know since he wasn't a contender, nor was that a fair match. But since it's President Jack Tunney on the case, you know this is only gonna get worse before it gets better.
Virgil starts with some athleticism and a few arm locks all while the crowd chants "Virgil sucks". Baseball slide from Virgil gets nothing. A slam and a headbutt misses, and Virgil goes for a roll up for only two. His attempt at a crucifix pin fares no better as Bam Bam drops him with a samoan drop. Vince says that Wrestlemania IX will go down in history as the greatest Wrestlemania of all time. Yeah, you tell yourself that.
Bam Bam keeps the offense for the majority of the match while Vince reminds us about Bret being attacked by Luger at the Wrestlemania brunch. Crowd seems to 180 on Virgil chanting for him. Vince tells us that Rob Bartlett is still lost in Las Vegas. Can he stay there? Rest hold complete with the arm drop spot with Virgil trying to regain offense, but it fails as Bam Bam gets in a bearhug. The arm drop spot gets to two as Virgil once again tries to regain offense, but fails. Whip to the corner from Bam Bam is met with kicks from Virgil. Virgil goes up top and tries for an ugly clothesline, and a missile dropkick for two.
Eventually Virgil's speed catches up to him as a sprigboard cross body is met with a headbutt from Bigelow, who then finishes him off with the flying head butt. Overall, not a horrible match, albeit very bland for the most of it.
Up next is the Raw debut of Jerry "The King" Lawler. Lawler made his debut in the wrestling business in the early 70's, and throughout that decade became one of the biggest names in the industry, and after his win of hte NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship in 1974, Lawler dubbed himself the "King of Wrestling". This would become his character for the rest of his career.
Lawler's most notorious pre-WWF angle involved comedian Andy Kaufman, who had stepped into the ring declaring himself the Intergender Heavyweight Champion. This led to a feud with Lawler, which at the time was hard to determine if it was real or fake, it being the latter since Lawler and Kaufman were good friends. The culmination led to a wrestling match with Lawler beating Kaufman, and later Andy slapping Lawler on David Letterman.
In 1992, Lawler debuted with the World Wrestling Federation, though his position to this point has remained as announcer for Superstars. This is his first appearance on Monday Night Raw, which will lead to a long run on commentary, which he still does today although now he's been moved to Smackdown.
Lawler cuts a promo on the crowd in attendance that he should be treated respect and the idiots in the crowd should bow down and kiss his feet. The crowd responds with a "Burger King" chant that infuriates the King, who threatens to leave if they don't stop. They continue to do so, and so he exits.
We're taken back to Wrestlemania IX as Mean Gene interviews Mr. Fuji and Yokozuna. Well, not so much interviews as he tells us what we know. Fuji doesn't think the match should have been sanctioned, and Jack Tunney should make a major decision. Well if the match wasn't sanctioned, why did Fuji put the belt on the line in the first place? As much as I laud Hogan for having the gold, you gotta admit the one who really screwed over Yokozuna was Mr. Fuji.
Next up in singles action is Bob Backlund taking on Kimchee. First off, both men enter to no music whatsoever, which just feels odd in the age of big music and ballyhoo. Small "Bobby" chant for Mr. Backlund. Kimche denies a handshake, and Backlund avoids his offense, eventually landing a few of his patented trips. Kimchee gets the advantage back with several body slams. Vertical suplex is reversed by Backlund, but Kimchee gets him with an elbow to the face, and a stomp to the groin.
Headlock by Kimchee to Backlund, who breaks out of it and tries for a back drop which is countered into a sunset flip for two. Kimchee slams Backlund face first into the mat ant reapplies the headlock. Backlund gets a back suplex to break out, gets a hip toss and a body slam. Backlund gets a bridge for the three count. Not a terrible match, but then again I haven't hated any match Backlund has been involved in yet. He's energetic, and brings something different in the ring than the average worker. He's just fun.
Next up is Jumping Jim Brunzell taking on Damien Demento. And on the phone line, because we just couldn't have a Raw without him is our good buddy Rob Bartlett. Bartlett informs Vince that he's stranded in Vegas because he blew it all on the shrimp cocktails. Randy Savage just tells him to get over it. I agree with the Macho Man. Let him rot in Sin City. Even Vince is tired of him and pretends that the connection is dying.
Not much action so far in the match as we start with basic holds. Demento gets some punches in the ropes, tries a back drop, but gets rolled up by Brunzell for two. We get the same spot only with a sunset flip instead. Hip toss attempt from Brunzell is denied as Demento continues offense, landing a big leg drop. Demento looks to the heavens for the voices, and confinues his offense with some elbows which only get him a two count. Crowd chants "boring". I'm inclined to agree.
Demento tries to ram Brunzell into the buckle, but the former Killer Bee counters. He regains offense landing a beautiful dropkick on Demento for a two. Demento regains offense and lands a big neckbreaker for a two, and follows with a knee drop for the three count. Heh, I actually wasn't expecting a victory for Demento. Dull match overall. Brunzell was fine, I just find Demento to be quite bland in ring. Just felt like neither men clicked in this one.
Jerry Lawler comes back out for his match, but the crowd continues their chant of "Burger King" which leads him to up and walk off again. I like this mainly because it works for Lawler's character. He's arrogant and full of himself, but very thin skinned. Of course it makes perfect sense for something as basic as a burger king chant to annoy him to this level.
Up next instead of Lawler's match is the Steiner Brothers taking on the Beverly Brothers. We've seen these two teams go at it in previous editions of this blog, and I've always enjoyed their work together. Vince informs us that the Steiners have challenged Money Inc to a future tag team title match. So I guess when the Nasty Boys gave their title shot to the Mega Maniacs they were never reimbursed for that title shot.
Scott Steiner and Beau start off and Scott gets a big throw to kick things off as this match starts rather slow. Every attempt at offense by Scott is met with Beau Beverly complaining that his hair is being pulled. Headlock from Scott followed by a shoulder block, but Beau gets a knee to the gut and a slam to keep him down. Scott counters and gets a big underhook powerbomb, which Savage thinks is a suplex, or "Suplay".
Blake gets the tag in, and after a while, Scott tags in his brother Rick. Black gets some kicks o the corner and a very crisp powerslam. After some whipping, Rick catches Blake for a powerslam of his own. Tag to Scott who gets a big belly to belly. Beau gets a cheap shot, and the Beverlys get a double team while Referee Bill Alfonso is distracted. Tag to Beau who lands an axe handle to the back of Scott, and a nice backbreaker for a two.
After a commercial break, we return with a headlock on Scott. He tags in Rick, but due to a distraction from the Beverlys, it doesn't count. The Beverlys continue double teaming while Fonzie is distracted. Even choking out Scott with the tag rope. After several years of seeing the choke hold being phased out, it's weird to see a choke hold. Blake Beverly lockss in a bearhug to Scott. Suplex attempt from Blake is met with a suplex from Scott. Tag to Beau who keeps Scott from tagging in. Leg drop from Beau misses and Scott gets a big tilt a whirl slam that damn near looked like a powerbomb.
Tag to Blake and a tag to Rick. Big back body drop from Rick and a massive Steinerline. The match breaks downas the Beverlys accidentally hit each other. Scott gets a big frankensteiner (Nearly falling on his own head) for the three. I really enjoyed this match. Started slow, but picked up. And I love both tag teams involved as well, especially the Steiners.
Well, the third time is the charm as Jerry Lawler comes to ringside again. The "burger king" chants ensue. But before Lawler can cut out again, his opponent Jim Powers get a cheap shot on the outside, and rams the King into the steel post. Shot off the top rope to Lawler and a series of whips to the buckles, followed by a clothesline. Jerry escapes the ring to regain his senses. He focuses on Randy Savage, belieivng the chants are his fault.
Lawler tries a headlock, but Powers gets in a hip toss and a body slam. Lawler leaves the ring again to argue with Macho Man some more as "Burger King" chants rain down on him. Powers is still in control, and the chants aren't jelping Jerry very well. Powers gets a big back body drop, but his dropkick is denied by the king. He tells Powers to kiss his feet, and gets a right hand to the head. Irish whip and an elbow to Powers, followed by some patented fist drop. Macho Man goes into full DeNiro as he thinks Lawler is taking to him. Boot to Jerry from Powers who rams Lawler into the buckle multiple tiles. Knee lift from Powers and another big back body drop. Another attempt is countered from the King, who gets his piledriver for the three with a handful of tights for good measure. Not a bad match. A bit too many irish whips, but I thought Powers made a good opponent, and Lawler did a great job playing to the crowd.
Post-match, Lawler directs his attention to Randy Savage at the table. He says that Savage and the rest of the scum from the Rotten Apple are right where they belong. Sitting comfortably watching the greatest wrestler in the world. They're gutless and so is Savage. Jerry puts the challenge out to Savage, as we learn that Money Inc will take on the Bushwhackers. Oh goody.
Not a bad episode of Raw by any stretch. I thought Bam Bam and Virgil was fine, Backlund and Kimchee was fine, and enjoyed King's antics. The Steiners and Beverlys as always managed to put on a great tag team match. And no Rob Bartlett save for a minute on the phone. The only dark spot I'd say would be the Damien Demento and Jim Brunzell match. But overall that didn't hamper what was ultimately a servicable episode of Raw. Well worthy of a B. Nothing worth seeking out, but nothing overly offensive.