WWF Prime Time Wrestling – December 16th, 1991

December 16, 1991

Vince McMahon is the host. Panelists include: Gorilla Monsoon, Slick, Bobby Heenan, and Mr. Perfect.

Matches this week are Shawn Michaels vs. Ric Flair, El Matador vs. The Berzerker, and Randy Savage vs. Jake Roberts from This Tuesday in Texas

The panelists talk about happened after the Savage/Jake match from This Tuesday in Texas. Heenan said that Jake went over the line in hitting Elizabeth while Gorilla said that Jake “literally” raped Elizabeth of her dignity. Slick says a wife has the right to stand beside her husband. Slick now talks about seeing the light after being injured by British Bulldog and is now a preacher. He then makes amends towards Gorilla. Slick has now transformed from a heel, pimp-like manager to a babyface preacher. This current version of Slick mirrors who he is in real life I suppose. According to Slick himself, it was Vince’s idea for Slick to become a babyface preacher on TV.

The Berzerker w/ Mr. Fuji vs. El Matador

This match took place at the 11/13 Superstars taping in New Haven, CT. And it was plugged on Superstars this past week. It was also shown on the Coliseum Home Video release titled “WWF Wrestling Grudge Matches ’93.” Lord Alfred Hayes and Sean Mooney are on commentary. Berzerker taunts the crowd after shoving Matador then does it again. Matador catches Berzerker with a hip toss but ends up trapped in the corner. Berzerker chokes out Matador but whiffs on a clothesline and is taken down with a forearm smash. Fuji keeps yelling “now” at Berzerker as Berzerker hits Matador low. Berzerker taunts the crowd again then takes more instruction from Fuji. Matador runs into a boot in the corner as Berzerker goes to work. Berzerker blocks a sunset flip attempt but whiffs on a dropkick. The two slug it out with Berzerker winning that battle then Berzerker uses a chinlock. Matador escapes but runs into a kick then Berzerker receives more instruction from Fuji. Berzerker catches a crossbody attempt and hits a front falling slam for two. Berzerker ties up Matador in the ropes and charges but Matador escapes. Matador crotches Berzerker on the top rope then follows with a pair of dropkicks. Matador fires away and hits a knee lift and sets up for the El Paso de la Muerte but gets tripped up by Fuji and the match is ruled a DQ (7:32) *1/4. After the match, Berzerker fires away but Matador fights back and hits Berzerker with the cane.

Thoughts: Just a basic house show match with a lame DQ finish set up for these two to meet again. The crowd noise was noticeably sweetened here too.

WWF Special Report from the 12/15 edition of “Wrestling Challenge.” This was about the Jake Roberts/Randy Savage feud.

Undertaker defeats Mark Thomas from the 12/15 edition of “Wrestling Challenge.”

Back to the panel as they talk about Undertaker and Hulk Hogan deserving to draw between numbers 20-30 for the Rumble match. Perfect is sick of Hogan getting red carpet treatment but Slick calls out Perfect for a bad attitude and that the last two champions should not be put at the bottom of the list. Heenan says its not fair to Flair and the winner of the Rumble should face Flair for the title. Heenan then claims he is talking to Hogan on the phone and that Hogan is confirming that the Hulkamaniacs are all “snot-nosed punks.” Vince plugs the Hogan Hotline as Perfect pretends Hogan told him that Flair is the real world’s champion.

New Foundation vs. Kato & Brooklyn Brawler

This match took place prior to the This Tuesday in Texas PPV. Jamison is once again shown in the crowd. Owen and Kato trade arm wringers to start. The announcers put over Owen’s athleticism then talk about what they bought while Christmas shopping. Owen takes Kato over with a hip toss before tagging out. The announcers now talk about the Royal Rumble match as Neidhart clotheslines Brawler. The New Foundation stay in control with Owen using a springboard into a hip toss then a hurricarana on Brawler. Kato runs interference then tags in and catches Owen with a backbreaker. Owen is trapped in the opposing corner but comes back with a bulldog. Neidhart tags in and runs wild and soon after that the New Foundation put Brawler away with a Rocket Launcher (5:00) *1/2.

Thoughts: A showcase for the New Foundation, primarily Owen. He looked great in the match. Neidhart, however, is steadily declining as a performer.

Bret Hart presented Wrestler of the Year award from the 12/14 edition of “Superstars of Wrestling.”

Beverly Brothers defeat Jim Arnon & Sonny Blaze from the 12/14 edition of “Superstars of Wrestling.”

Royal Rumble Report from the 12/14 edition of “Superstars of Wrestling.”

We are once again back to the panel. Perfect says its a terrible decision for Bret to be named wrestler of the year and claims he would have won if all the wrestlers really did participate in the voting. Now, Vince asks why The Bushwhackers are attracted to Jamison as Heenan says the Bushwhackers know Jamison makes them look better.

Savage/Jake from This Tuesday in Texas is shown in its entirety.

Back to the panel for more discussion about Savage/Jake. Gorilla says something should be done to Jake as Heenan says a tragedy will take place in the ring. Vince yells at Perfect for smiling then Perfect says Savage is weak for needing a woman beside him at all times then says he saw Savage on his knees begging Elizabeth to marry him now saw Elizabeth on her knees begging for mercy. I really did like how Heenan sold this feud by hinting that Jake will continue to up the ante in tormenting Savage & Liz.

Randy Savage’s interview after his match at This Tuesday in Texas is shown.

Legion of Doom defeat Bob Wisseman & Nick Tarantino from the 12/15 edition of “Wrestling Challenge.”

Back to the panel as Heenan says to expect tragedy when Jake and Savage meet again because neither man cares about winning at this point.

The Savage & Elizabeth hotline is plugged.

Ric Flair w/ Mr. Perfect vs. Shawn Michaels

This match took place at the 12/2 Wrestling Challenge tapings in Corpus Christi, TX. IT is also shown on the Coliseum Home Video release “Invasion ’92” and that is available on the WWE Network. Flair’s NWA World Heavyweight Title belt is still being distorted as the announcers talk about the WWF not recognizing the belt. Flair toys with Shawn to start but gets run over then taken down with a side headlock. Shawn takes Flair down again with a headlock then with a sunset flip from the top rope that gets two as Shawn is one step ahead of Flair to start the match. Flair backs Shawn into the corner and tries to mess with him but gets slapped down. Flair rolls outside and gets taunted by a few fans at ringside before returning to the ring. Lord Alfred asks Mooney if he wants to see Shawn as a singles wrestler because he is charismatic and does not waste any time in the ring as Mooney enjoys seeing The Rockers team up. Flair breaks up mounted punches in the corner but Shawn fights back then suplexes Flair back inside from the apron. Flair begs for mercy then pokes Shawn in the eye. However, Shawn fights back and sends Flair up-and-over in the corner as we go to break. The match returns with Flair blocking a sunset flip as both men are down. Shawn floats over on a back suplex then catches Flair with a dropkick. Perfect trips up Shawn then Flair hits a knee drop but Lord Alfred claims Shawn just tripped on the bottom rope. Shawn then wins a slugfest but eats boot on a corner charge. Flair heads up top but took too long and is slammed off. Shawn then goes up top after hitting a super kick and drops a fist that gets two. Shawn takes Flair outside with a clothesline but misses a pescado and hits the guardrail. Flair heads back inside and distracts the ref so Perfect can land some kicks but Marty Jannetty runs out in street clothes to warn the ref. Shawn is still out on the outside as Marty tends to his partner. Marty then ends up rolling Shawn back inside where Flair covers and puts his feet on the ropes for the win (10:11) ***3/4. The announcers are at a loss over what happened and talk about Marty helping Shawn beat the ten count despite the fact Shawn was on the floor for well over that period of time. After the match, Marty tries to help up Shawn then calls for help. Shawn finally gets up and hobbles around as Marty raises his hand. However, Shawn yells at Marty and blames him for getting pinned. Shawn waves Marty off then shoves him away.

Thoughts: If there was any question as to whether or not Shawn would be able to cut it as a singles performer, he answered that in this match. Shawn hung with Flair and looked like a star in the process. The finish was designed to highlight the Rockers feud but it was a bit goofy as Shawn was on the floor for well past ten seconds. And they are making it crystal clear that Shawn will be getting the push once the team dissolves. On commentary, Alfred was acting a bit heelish.

Back to the panel with the announcers talking about The Rockers. Perfect thinks they are going to break up because Shawn has more ability while Marty has always been jealous. Now, Vince asks Perfect & Heenan about Ric Flair and how he has to draw a number at random for the Royal Rumble match and how it might even be #1. Heenan says no matter the number, Flair will win and show is in fact the real world’s champion. Slick says the other men in the match also have their minds set on the championship while Heenan and Perfect are whispering to each other.

Ted DiBiase defeats Dale Wolfe from the 12/15 edition of “Wrestling Challenge.”

Next week we will see Hacksaw Jim Duggan vs. The Barbarian, Big Bossman vs. Kato, and Nasty Boys vs. New Foundation.

The show closes with comments about the Royal Rumble then their New Years Resolutions. Heenan will be more outgoing, Perfect says its none of Vince’s business, while Slick wants to help more people see the light.

Final Thoughts: The Flair/Michaels match is definitely worth seeking out and most of the show revolved around Jake/Savage and the Royal Rumble match. We will hear a lot in the next few weeks from the babyface talking heads about how Flair should be entrant #1 in the Rumble match to prove that he is as great as he claims.

Here is my schedule for the next several days:

Monday: WWF Superstars of Wrestling 12/21/91

Tuesday: WWF Wrestling Challenge 12/22/91

Wednesday: RF Video Inside the Office with Pat Patterson & Bruce Prichard

Thursday: WWF Superstars of Wrestling 12/28/91

Friday: WWF Wrestling Challenge 12/29/91

Saturday: Mid-South Wrestling 10/27/83

Sunday: WWF Madison Square Garden 12/29/91