Original Airdate: Monday, January 3rd, 1994
Mid-Hudson Civic Center
Poughkeepsie, New York
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Since I became a wrestling fan in 1990, the only year that I did not watch any live wrestling in was 1994. I had pretty much fallen out of fandom in 1993 and didn't come back until the summer of 1995. I've since seen all of the pay-per-views, but never any of the weekly programming.
We start things off back at the Undertaker's workshop, where he's still working on the casket for Yokozuna at Royal Rumble. We then see clips of Jim Cornette on Wrestling Challenge complaining that the contract he signed was not for a casket match.
Johnny Polo is with Vince McMahon this week and I believe this is the fourth episode of this taping.
Yokozuna vs. Dan Dubiel
It's sad, but Yoko was already at his slower pace era here in 1994. Anyway, this is pretty much every Yoko squash you've ever seen where he hits a few impressive power moves and then the big Banzai Splash. I'm thinking Yoko wasn't a big fan of Dubiel, because he crushed the poor man.
Match Rating: 1/4*
We now get a clip of Lex Luger vs. Jacques from Superstars. Pierre runs in while the referee is down and covers his head as he tries to pin Luger, but Luger kicks out. Luger hits the forearm on Pierre and gets the victory, but Jacques points out that it's the wrong guy. Luger of course then knocks him out and pins him and then hits it on Polo for good measure. This leads to a sit down interview from earlier "today" between Luger and McMahon. Luger is hoping that Jack Tunney will allow him in the Royal Rumble and Luger is thinking positively that he will be in the match.
We get a vignette for Thurman Sparky Plugg. Smell that money.
Bam Bam Bigelow & Bastion Booger vs. Smoking Gunns
It really was such a waste of Bam Bam to even have him hang around with Booger. The roster here in 1994 was so thin, there is no reason Bam Bam shouldn't have been in the main event picture. I still feel like Johnny Polo is the biggest rib of all time. Bam Bam and Billy start things off. Billy hits a dropkick and sends Bam Bam to the outside. The Gunns continue to dominate, so he tags in Booger who shifts the momentum. After the commercial, the Gunns use some illegal double teaming to knock Booger down. Bart charges at Booger, but Booger pulls down the top rope. In an oops moment, Bart ends up still going under the top rope and to the floor. Polo then makes a weird sex joke, which feels pretty out of place here in '94. Bam Bam hits a nice suplex and gets a few cheers from the live crowd. Booger hits a leg drop and gets a 2 count out of it. Booger "charges" at Bart and misses. Even Vince called him out for how slow he was there. In comes Billy and he hits a knee lift and a dropkick on Bam Bam. Luna is outside rubbing Booger's "hump" and the Gunns hit a double back body drop. Booger then kisses Luna and Luna isn't having it. Billy misses a missile dropkick while Booger is hugging Luna to her disgust. Bam Bam tries to make a tag and then realizes what's going on. Bam Bam attacks Booger and they start brawling outside. Both men are counted out and the Gunns score the victory. This was a story that no one asked for and did nothing for either guy. The match wasn't terrible as far as Booger matches go, but it was nothing that entertaining either.
Match Rating: *
It's time for the Royal Rumble Report with Todd Pettengill, who then makes a hump joke. So edgy! The most notable entry to me is Greg Valentine. Tatanka takes on Ludvig Borga and they both are in the Rumble match. I bet they don't.
We then get a rare Lord Alfred Hayes vignette talking about next week being the 1 year anniversary of Raw.
Jeff Jarrett vs. John Chrystal
If you think Jarrett's white attire is bad, the purple one takes the cake. Jarrett hits a nice looking dropkick, but Chrystal counters a back body drop into a sunset flip and a nearfall. Chrystal gets in a little bit more offense and hits a body slam. Jarrett ends up hitting a variation of the DDT for the victory. That was a solid squash match, with Jarrett allowing Chrystal to get some offense in.
Match Rating: 1/2*
We get highlights of Marty Jannetty vs. Polo a few weeks ago. Out comes 1-2-3 Kid and Marty Jannetty to confront Polo. Marty is sporting a jean jacket and a backwards hat. They want a title match, which Polo doesn't want because they have to take on the Harts. Polo gets bullied into accepting a title match for next week.
Razor Ramon then tells us not to smoke. No irony there.
Shawn Michaels vs. Brian Walsh
Jacques is on the phone to talk about the tag title match, calling it a warm up. Walsh shows off some good wrestling here with Michaels and then hits a slingshot into a backslide for a 2 count. Michaels comes back with a powerslam and then dumps him outside. Diesel throws him back in and then Michaels throws him right back out. Michaels hits a vertical suplex and then pulls up Walsh's shoulders before the 3 count. Breaking news! Bastion Booger will face Bam Bam Bigelow next week. Michaels hits a Sweet Chin Music and then a piledriver for the victory. Another pretty good squash match here.
Match Rating: 1/2*
This was kind of a weird show that featured more recaps than normal. In all honesty though, it wasn't a terrible start to 1994, even if it was far from exciting. Jarrett and Michaels both looked good and I am looking forward to the tag title match on the anniversary show.
Overall Rating: 51%
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