WWF Monday Night Raw 18/07/1994

Diesel vs Lex Luger

This is one of those matches that starts off feeling pretty pedestrian, but really drew me into it by the end. There’s nothing fancy, with Diesel in particular very much going through his routine, but they work in enough nearfalls and a hot ending to make it work. I thought Luger was terrific here, hitting a lovely powerslam before taking a big spill to the floor to give Diesel control. Hard not to chuckle at Jim Ross and Randy Savage praising Diesel’s “technical skills” because he can lock on a sleeper. Lex earns a series of two counts on his comeback, with a second rope clothesline coming closest. There’s also a very close fall for Diesel, as Shawn Michaels superkicks Luger as he goes for the torture rack following a ref bump. Sadly, we get a cop out ending, as Razor Ramon comes down and all four men fight for a double DQ.

Mabel vs Austin Steele

Fun squash, with Mabel showing off his strength. Nice overhead suplex, big corner splash and a Bossman Slam get the win.

Owen Hart vs Reno Riggins

As the #1 contender to the world title, Owen maybe gives Riggins a bit too much offence here. Then again, it helps the story, as Owen gets frustrated at Riggins keeping up with him and starts putting in nastier blows. A slick belly-to-belly leads to the sharpshooter for the win.

Thurman Plugg vs George South

This is a pretty by the book squash. Liked the early spot where South went for a leapfrog, only for Plugg to stop and kick him in the stomach. Plugg has pretty basic offense here, but it’s all executed well enough. Top rope crossbody, with good height, gets three.

Bam Bam Bigelow vs Gary Sabaugh

This was one of the better Bigelow performances, as he lays waste to Sabaugh. His corner splash is fast and painful looking, and a standing enzuigiri looks decent. However, Bigelow ends up winning with the worst looking move in the match, a Million Dollar Dream turned into a shitty bulldog. I think he quickly dropped this move, and with good reason. 

WWF Raw 30/05/1994

Crush vs Tatanka

This is the final qualifier for the 94 King of the Ring. It’s interesting that Tatanka, who is a pretty big lad, is dwarfed by Crush and has to work the bout from underneath. Loved some of Crush’s early heeling, especially him holding Tatanka in a headlock, turning his back to the ref and jamming a thumb into Tatanka’s throat. Tatanka is accompanied by Chief Jay Strongbow, but he does more harm than good in his attempts to counteract Mr Fuji. Indeed, it’s due to going outside to protect Strongbow from Fuji that Tatanka is hit by a surprise Crush superkick, giving Crush control. Crush’s control is fine, and I liked the Tatanka comeback, wearing Crush down with chops until he’s felled like a mighty oak. Strongbow and Fuji get into it on the outside, and Crush and Tatanka get drawn out, leading to a double count out. Terrific work Strongbow.

1-2-3 Kid vs George South

Fun squash match, with Kid looking really good. Absolutely loved his quick kick combos, especially the spot where South celebrates ducking a roundhouse, only to turn round to a brisk flurry of kicks. La Majistral cradle gets the win for Kid.

Smoking Gunns vs Austin Steel & Reno Riggins

Really comprehensive squash. Riggins is a fun jobber, stooges about a bit, and he eats a nice neckbreaker from Billy. Steele is more lumpy, like a Poundland knock-off of Buddy Rose, and he takes a bigger beating. Really great top rope bulldog from Billy, nasty kneedrop to the skull from Bart and a nice looking Sidewinder to finish the job.

Jeff Jarrett vs Chris Hamrick

Would loved to have seen this circa 1999-2000. Jarrett is a lot of fun here, preening around and pointing to his head after every move. Just a glorious, arrogant jerk. His offence is on point here, hitting a beautiful dropkick to the face at one point. I’m not normally the kind to notice dropkicks, but this one was terrific. Jarrett’s stun-gun and slingshot suplex both are nice looking moves that I wish he’d kept doing. Hamrick, as you’d expect, takes a nutty bump in the corner, missing a running knee and flying over the top rope. This gives JJ a focus point and he locks on the figure four for the win.

WWF Raw 07/02/1994

The Smoking Gunns vs Barry Horowitz & Reno Riggins

Decent little squash to start the night. Riggins and Horowitz are upper-tier jobbers, so they get a little offence to start, hammering Billy in their corner. I loved the Bart Gunn top rope crossbody off the tag which took out both opponents. The Gunns control with a few nice double-teams, nothing mindblowing, but good basic teamwork. They finish with Billy Gunn hitting a top rope elbow on Riggins as Bart held him in an Argentine backbreaker.

Owen Hart vs John Paul

Great work by Owen in this match, his first on Raw since the heel turn. He highlights his new found aggressiveness with some sharp back elbows and uppercuts, which distance him from his old persona. After a lovely backbreaker, he locks in the Sharpshooter for the win.

 

IRS vs Marty Jannetty

Quick tempo to start, as Marty sends IRS from the ring after getting attacked from behind. Jannetty takes a huge bump on the floor after getting sent into the ringpost, but seconds later hits a lazy sunset flip into the ring, with the post bump seemingly having no effect. The Quebeccers come out as we go to break, continuing the Jannetty/Johnny Polo beef, but have been sent to the back by the time we return. IRS makes sure to work in a lengthy abdominal stretch and that spot when he jumps off the top rope onto his opponent’s outstretched foot to make sure I don’t enjoy myself. Marty makes his comeback as a whole load of people come out to the ringside, as Polo is followed by Razor Ramon, who is followed in turn by a returning Quebeccers. This leads to a ref distraction where Polo pushes Marty as he leaps into the ring, and IRS wins. Jannetty and Razor clean house to lead to a tag title match in two weeks time

Thurman “Sparky” Plug vs Duane Gill

Poor old Bob Holly. He’s in an awkward position where he’s kinda portrayed as a high flyer, but he doesn’t do that many high flying moves, so he hits a lot of dropkicks and quick armdrags to show he has speed. I dug the spot where Gill tried to outsmart Plugg by springboarding himself out of the ring, only to meet a punch to the face on the ring apron. Plugg hits a nice powerslam and finishes with a top rope kneedrop (“he calls that the Overhead Cam”, a wretched finisher name)

Crush vs James Thornberg

Surprisingly fun. I loved it early when Thornberg hit two no-sold clotheslines, and Crush grabbed the third and yanked him to the mat for a Fujiwara armbar. Crush’s offence is ok, with a few nice kick combo’s thrown in, and he hits a legdrop for the win.