The May 3rd edition of Raw is back in the Manhattan Center and starts off with a title match. Shawn Michaels defends his intercontinental championship against Hacksaw Jim Duggan. The 2x4 toting goofball gets a great ovation from the New York crowd. Shawn backs away from any attempt at offense from Hacksaw. And for the first minute or two it's Hacksaw playing to the crowd chanting "USA". However the crowd would rather chant "Shawn is gay."
We finally get a lock up after about three minutes and Hacksaw plows through Shawn with several clotheslines. Shawn tries to take the 2X4, but is quickly stopped by Hacksaw. Heenan complains abut the hypocrisy of how people are complaining about Luger's metal ard while Hacksaw is allowed to carry his board. A series of punches by Duggan sends Shawn over the ropes. He tries to leave, but Hacksaw grabs him, and sends him right back into the ring.
When we return from break, Shawn hangmans Hacksaw and lays in rights and a leg over the back of the head. Shawn continues offense, raking Hacksaw's eyes in the corner, then gets an axe handle off the top rope. Vince tells us that this is Hacksaw's first title match ever. And considering how long Hacksaw's been a part of the company, that's crazy. Hacksaw tries to regain offense, but Shawn gets a kick to the face and a series of elbows, which only gets a two count.
Hacksaw breaks a headlock and hits some a shoulder block. But a second attempt is met with a knee from Shawn Michaels who then sends Hacksaw to the outside in front of Vladimir. Another axe handle off the apron, which doesn't seem to fase Hacksaw much. Heenan suggests the only way to defeat Duggan is to use a stun gun. After a long headlock, Hacksaw regains momentum and starts to club Shawn with rights, including a ten punch in the corner. Irish whip and a big body slam, which Vince mistakes for a body slam. He gets the big battering ram on Shawn, sending him out of the ring again. Shawn tries to leave again, but Hacksaw goes to stop him. They brawl at ringside, as Hacksaw sends Shawn over the guard rail. However, Hacksaw only ends up winning by count out, so he doesn't win the title. He grabs the microphone and tells the crowd that Jim Duggan's not leaving until he gets more of Shawn, and he throws some chairs in the ring. Though to be fair, it's Hacksaw's fault for not trying to bring Shawn back in.
After another break, Hacksaw is still in the ring waiting for Shawn Michaels. Vince also tells us that at King of the Ring Yokozuna will get his rematch against Hulk Hogan for the WWF title at the King of the Ring. We cut to Gene Okerlund with the report. Bret is the number 1 seed, Lex Luger has advanced, and both Mr. Perfect and Doink went to a draw, so they may have to wrestle again. Next up in the tournament is Tito Santana against Razor Ramon, and Hacksaw Jim Duggan against Papa Shango. Meanwhile, Hacksaw has left the ring and is calling Jack Tunney.
Speaking of Doink, he's in action next against the debuting Kamikaze Kid. Doink attacks the kid quickly, and hits a belly to belly. Doink locks in an STF, and follows by smacking the Kid's head into the mat. The Kid tries to fight back, but Doink rakes the eyes. Several elbows by Doink, and he locks in the srump puller as the Kid quickly submits. Something about the Doink character wrestling doesn't click with me still compared to his antics outside the ring.
Next up it's Bob Backlund in action against Dwayne Gill. Fireman's carry takedown by Backlund early, followed by his patented leg trips. Meanwhile Hacksaw has apparently gotten his wish as Duggan will face off with Shawn Michaels again next week for the Intercontinental title, but it's in a lumberjack match. Wrestlers will surround the ring to ensure neither man can escape.
Gill puts a vice on the head of Backlund, but he escapes. Big shoulder block by Backlund, but Gill gets a hip toss and locks in an arm scissors. Backlund rolls out and lifts up Gill. After he gets a back drop and his patented roll up for what was a fine quick jobber match. Again, I've yet to not enjoy Bob Backlund in the ring.
Hacksaw comes back out to tell us what we on television already knew. His sit down strike pays off, as he got to talk to Jack Tunney and next week he gets his rematch. Shawn's sure pretty and wrestles well, but he can't wrestle a lick. Hacksaw guarantees he's going to take the belt one way or the other. However, with the lumberjacks being not only Shawn's foes but Hacksaw's he's just as vulnerable as Shawn Michaels is.
Up next is another vignette for the Smoking Gunns. Ever since they've signed to the WWF, they've heard of nothing but trouble, and they figure they'll go to the WWF for some taf team excitement. They demonstrate this excitement by shooting cans, bottles, and cacti.
Next up is the Headshrinkers against two jobbers, but before the Shrinkers come out, we see the return of one of the greatest managers ever. It's the guiding light, the man with the bands, Super Mario himself, Captain Lou Albano. Albano heads to the commentary table as Afa brings Fatu and Samu to the ring. The shrinkers start with a cheap shot on both of their opponents, getting one in a double flapjack. Samu starts off with a big clothesline and a gutwrench suplex. Fatu then body slams thejobber on the outside. Vince is informed that Yokozuna will be a lumberjack next week, which concerns Hacksaw.
Tag to Fatu and the second jobber, who gets a savate kick and a headbutt upon entry. Tag to Samu as both men execute a double spike piledriver. More double teams with clothesline off the top. Albano rambles in gibberish as he tries to plea to the Shrinkers to give the jobbers a fair chance. Samu is in and continues to put choke holds on the jobber in the ring. Tag to Fatu and both men hit a double face buster. Fatu goes off the top witha splash for a three. Very destructive squash, and I actually enjoyed it. Then again, I've been enjoying the Headshrinkers.
We get a quick video of the Bushwhackers failing at home improvement to promote a VHS called... and I swear I'm not making this up... "Smack 'em, Whack 'em". I'd love to have been in the marketing department that day when that name was decided.
It's main event time this week, and it's Kamala in action aginst Rich Myers. Myers tries to win the Ugandan Giant's favor with a handshake, but suckers him into a dropkick. It's no fake present, but it works. However his shoulder blocks are met with butt thumps from Kamala, which is followed by a choke bomb. He gets a second, and gets a random leg lock and a choke. Vince mentions that Slick has been absent due to him thinking Kamala doesn't need him. Actual explanation was that Slick had decided to retire from the wrestling business. Kamala splashes, but tries to cover the wrong side of Myers for a while, but finally does so for the three in a simple squash.
Bobby Heenan interviews Shawn Michaels about his match next week. Shawn is of course not happy about the lumberjack match. Shawn says he's got a couple friends up his sleeve for next week.
This was a decent episode. Nothing amazing, but nothing that generally annoying. The squashes this week were all fine, especially that of the Headshrinkers. The Shawn Michaels and Hacksaw match was decent, even though all I see of Hacksaw is a lumbering lummox. It was great to see Captain Lou, and the product overall seems to be going in interesting directions. In the end, nothing special, but nothing offensive either. A B show easily.
Now you may be wondering to yourself "Where is the WWF Champion? Where is Hulk Hogan?" Well, a month after winning the championship for the WWF, Hogan wound up in New Japan Pro Wrestling to wrestle the Great Muta. In a pre-match press conference, Hogan made it clear his intent to win the IWGP title, and that the WWF championship he had was a mere trinket. A toy. Yes, the man who Vince decided to give the gold back at the expense of both Bret Hart and Yokozuna is not on WWF TV, but instead is at the other side of the world effectively burying the company. But it's perfectly fine. It's Hogan-Senpai, he doesn't do anything wrong. The world after all revolves around him.