It's Boxing Day, 1994 and Raw is still in the midst of it Liberty, New York tapings. Opening action is Tatanka taking on The British Bulldog. Ted Dibiase is interviewed by Shawn Michaels and says that Bulldog will get what Luger got last week, a full dose of the Million Dollar Corporation.
Shawn is stymied by the Boxing Day stuff as Bulldog tries to grab the arm of Tatanka, but a rope break ends that. Bulldog tries again, but Tatanka gets to the rope. Bulldog ducks a clothesline and gets a shoulder block followed by a hiptoss. Shawn brings up that Tatanka is being molasses slow. Bulldog locks in a side headlock, but follows by ducking a clothesline and putting in a rather sloppy crucifix pin for two. Tatanka follows with some chops and a whip, but gets caught in a patented stalling suplex by the British Bulldog.
Bulldog tries for his patented running powerslam, but Tatanka grabs the ropes, turning it into a cross body block for a two count as we go to commercial. When we return, Tatanka gets a knee to the midsection followed by some stomps. He follows with a whip and chop for two. Tatanka puts in a with a chinlock. We get the arm drop spot, and Bulldog recovers on the third drop getting back up and landing a running body press for two as Bulldog rolls out of the ring. He returns to the ring to eat another chop and a scoop slam. Tatanka goes up, but misses the chop, getting struck in the midsection. Bulldog gets a suplex and a series of clotheslines, until Dibiase grabs the rope, sending Bulldog tumbling.
Lex Luger comes out to check on the Bulldog. He confronts Dibiase, but Tatanka tries a cheap shot. Luger and Tatanka brawl as Bam Bam Bigelow comes to even the odds. Bulldog and Luger brawl with Tatanka and Bam Bam as the match is thrown out. Refreees break the brawl up as Luger checks on the Bulldog as "USA" chants hit (Despite the fact that the only one that isn't from America is the Bulldog. You know, a babyface).
A boring match honestly. A lot of bogged down spots and basic Tatanka and Bulldog offense. Overall though, the point to this match was to be the beginning of the Allied Powers tag team of Bulldog and Luger. Shame it started with a pretty terrible match to build it up.
Todd Pettengill is here with the Royal Rumble report. Some new names added to the Rumble this year are Mabel, Mo, 1-2-3 Kid, Bob Holly, The British Bulldog and Shawn Michaels. Shawn says that when he's the last man standing, they're not just going to like him, they're gonna love him. Diesel vs Bret for the title is still on.
We cut to footage of Bret Hart (looking like he stepped out of the set of some 90's romantic music video). He says that he had a great Christmas and he was happy to get a chance to spend it with his family. Despite losing the title at Survivor Series, he's still happy that he gets another shot against Diesel. He can't get over the fact that Owen cost him the title, but he'll deal with that later. He wishes the fans happy new year except for Owen.
Also added to the card is the WWF Intercontinental Title on the line as Razor Ramon defends his gold against Jeff Jarrett (accompanied by the Roadie). Also the Undertaker will take on IRS, as the druids will no doubt be in tow. Oh, and Pamela Anderson is the host too. Don't forget that part. Shawn is essentially stalking Pam at this point.
Up next is the Raw debut of Henry Godwinn from Bitters, Arkansas. His theme song is literally the sound of squealing pigs because, you know, this wasn't implied at this point. His opponent is Mike Khoury. Godwinn is with bucket in tow as he enters the ring. He shoves Khoury to start things off. Knoury tries to wring the arm, but fails. Vince has the gall to say that Godwinn is a favorite to win the Rumble. Really? Some stomps and an elbow from Godwinn followed by a whip to the buckle and a back elbow.
Godwinn pulls at the mouth of Khoury and follows with some stomps. He hits a whip and a clothesline, followed by a choke to the ropes. After some more clubbing strikes, he finishes off Knoury with a slam, a leg drop and a reverse DDT (The Slop Drop) for the three. He rolls around Khoury for the three. Not very impressed with Godwinn at all. Doesn't help that he's supposed to be face, but is working a more heel style in the ring.
Up next it's the King's Court with his guest, the WWF Champion Diesel. Lawler asks a lade if she wishes she weren't so ugly (I thought you people traveled in packs). He brings up Diesel's historic title win and introduces the champ. Lawler congratulates Diesel with a kingly handshake, but Diesel counters by squeezing as hard as possible. Lawler wants to see Bob Backlund lock the Chicken Wing on Diesel. Shawn Michaels has told Backlund everything, and is the reason for Diesel being everything he is.
Backlund has been to the library and found out that Diesel is the sap of the family tree. He continues to rage at the champ as he mentions that if the Sharpshooter doesn't get Diesel at the Royal Rumble, the Chicken Wing will. He wishes that both Bret and Diesel would be eliminated out of the WWF for good. Diesel finally grabs the mic and tells Lawler to shut his mouth. He grabs King's crown and tosses it out. He puts on Lawler's crown (he doesn't know where that's been) and sits on the throne. A very odd segment, why we aren't having Nash, who is a good talker, be the one who talks the least feels odd. That aside, it did the trick of bringing up the importance of both feuds that Diesel is involved in right now.
Kwang is in action next against Rich Myers. Myers gets a headlock and even some strikes and a dropkick, but Kwang reverses and trips over Myers. Kwang follows with a kick to the face and a spew of the mist. We see a video of Howard Finkel being proud of his actions last week. He's sorry for pulling Harvey's pants down, but it was to stop the interference. Kwang gets a hiptoss and a headbutt to the face. Meyers slips over a flip, but gets caught in a dragon wheel. Spin kick gets the three in a bland squash.
In some rare boxing cross promotion, we cut to Vinny Pazienza who is preparing for his fight with Roberto Duran. He says when he's done with "The Hands of Stone", he might come after Shawn Michaels and knock of those earrings of his. He says that there will be no repeat of the knock down from last week. Pretty basic boxer promo. He did win his match with Duran though.
He's tougher than Tyson, more menacing than Seagall and faster than Van Damme. He's Kama: The Supreme Fighting Machine. Oh, and he used to be Papa Shango, but we don't need to bring that up. Yes, Kama is making his Raw debut sometime in 1995 along with the upcoming debut of Hakushi.
New Raw interviewer Stephanie Wyand is backstage with Ted Dibiase who is distraught over Luger and Bulldog challenging his Million Dollar team of Bam Bam Bigelow and Tatanka to a match next week. Eventually, he accepts for his team.
Our last match of the night is The Undertaker (With Paul Bearer) against the Brooklyn Brawler. Brawler tries a sneak attack, but eats a big boot and a ram face fist into the buckle. USA Network Shill of the Week: The Outlaw Josey Wales. Some Clint Eastwood love from this edition of Raw. Brawler tries a side headlock, but gets turned around to a side suplex. Taker takes Brawler up with the old school clothesline to the arm. A throat strike and a pull of the nose from Taker as the Brawler is even more of a mess than usual. Big clothesline from Taker followed by a ram to the buckle. We learn that Double J will finally sing next week on Raw as Taker lawn darts Brawler shoulder first into the buckle. Tombstone Piledriver finishes it off in a basic Undertaker squash match.
We end this edition of Raw with IRS and his druids staring down the Undertaker from the ramp way.
Another bland edition of Raw overall. The Tatanka/Bulldog match was lackluster and the squashes weren't exciting. Not even Taker's. I didn't mind the King's Court, but felt there was too much Lawler talking and not enough letting Diesel cut a promo. Henry Godwinn didn't impress, but I am at the very least more interested in the upcoming debuts for Kama and Hakushi. Overall, for another show building to the Royal Rumble, this Raw gets a C.
And with that, 1994 is officially in the books. We've covered every major Raw and Pay Per View in the calendar year and now it's time to rank what was the best and worst. Stay tuned next for the 1994 RAWtrospective.
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