WWF Superstars of Wrestling – January 18th, 1992

January 18, 1992

From the Frank Erwin Center in Austin, TX

Your hosts are Vince McMahon and Mr. Perfect.

This week, we have a special interview with Hulk Hogan. Our featured match is Randy Savage vs. The Barbarian. Also in action are Jake Roberts and Virgil plus highlights from last week’s “Barber Shop” with The Rockers and comments from new Intercontinental Champion The Mountie and also from Roddy Piper.

The Barbarian vs. “Macho Man” Randy Savage w/ Elizabeth

Vince tells us that Bret had the flu with a temperature of 104 but still defended the Intercontinental Title against The Mountie but ended up losing. Savage bounces off of Barbarian but manages to fight back. We hear from The Undertaker & Paul Bearer in an insert promo vowing to win the Rumble. Barbarian now chokes out Savage then bites him as Elizabeth looks worried. Barbarian hits a slam then heads up top but misses a splash then Savage climbs up for the flying elbow drop and the win (2:56) 1/4*. Savage celebrates with the fans after the match.

Thoughts: Savage gets a win over a name opponent. Speaking of the Barbarian, this would be his final syndicated appearance until 1994 when he returned as one of the Headshrinkers.

WWF Update with Gene Okerlund. We find out that The Mountie is the new Intercontinental Champion and Bret Hart defied doctors orders and defended the title. Also, Mountie shocked Bret after the match then Roddy Piper ran out for the save. Bret is now out of the Rumble match but WWF President Jack Tunney is making Mountie defend the belt against Piper at the Rumble. We hear from both men with Piper says he is the first man in history to go after the Intercontinental Title and WWF Title in the same night. We now get a new Intercontinental Title match for the PPV. Bret said that at the time he did not care about dropping the belt to The Mountie but was upset because he was unsure what direction he was going in afterwards and thought he would end up discarded. Bret was also talking with WCW and Brian Pillman said he was making more than Bret in WCW but Jim Barnett spoke with Bret and said he was better off staying in the WWF as he could not make that money in WCW. Bret also said that he was told a few weeks prior to this show airing that he would in fact end up winning the World Heavyweight Title at some point in 1992.

BA Dalton vs. Virgil

Virgil grounds Dalton as Perfect talks more about Flair. Vince sends well wishes to Bret Hart and hopes he can return in a week as Virgil stays in control of the match. Virgil fires away then hits an enziguiri before we hear him in an insert promo promising to give Repo Man the whooping he deserves. Virgil hammers away then uses the Million Dollar Dream for the win (2:08).

Thoughts: They are still pushing the Virgil/Repo Man feud which has not exactly been catching the world on fire.

Vince shows us an article on Sgt. Slaughter in “WWF Magazine.”

Nasty Boys w/ Jimmy Hart vs. Dale Wolfe & Robert Taylor

Nasty Boys beat on Taylor as Perfect once again puts over Flair as the favorite to win the Rumble. The Nasty Boys stay in control then use the running powerslam/flying elbow drop combo for the win (3:05). After the match, The Nasty Boys beat down Wolfe as Vince says once your partner attacks you in the Rumble, you’ll never trust them again.

Thoughts: Lots of talk about Flair and the dynamic of tag teams being in the Rumble match.

We see an interview from “earlier this week” as Okerlund welcomed Hulk Hogan to the interview platform. This actually took place at the 12/2 “Wrestling Challenge” tapings in Corpus Christi, TX. Hogan talks about all of the tough challenges he has overcome since winning the title in 1984 as we see brief clips of his most memorable feuds and angles. Hogan then said Tunney was shortsighted in vacating the title but now does not care who he eliminates as its his chance to make the world see things the Hulkamania way and see that Hulkamania will in fact live forever. Really a nothing promo from a tired act and it made Hogan feel old as its been just about 8 years since he beat the Iron Sheik at MSG to win the title.

The Berzerker w/ Mr. Fuji vs. Scott Bazo

Berzerker swings his belt around as the announcers talk about the Rumble match being too unpredictable to call. Perfect does predict Flair will win as Berzerker beats down Bazo. Fuji tells Berezerker to inflict more pain then we hear from Fuji in an insert promo proclaiming Berzerker will win the Rumble. Berzerker stays in control then throws Bazo outside and wins via count out (2:45).

Thoughts: More talk about who will win the Rumble match.

We see a replay of Shawn Michaels attacking Marty Jannetty on the “Barber Shop.”

Royal Rumble Report with Gene Okerlund. We learn that Marty Jannetty is out of the Rumble match then we hear from Shawn Michaels. Shawn says The Rockers are dead and he was sick of carrying Marty and gave him what he deserved. A replacement for Marty has not been named.

Jake “The Snake” Roberts vs. Sean Spencer

Jake backs Spencer into the corner and hammers away. The announcers talk about Jake’s chances in the Rumble and what could happen if he meets Savage. We then hear from Sid Justice in an insert promo as he warns Jake to stay out of his way in the Rumble because he is leaving the Rumble as champion. Jake stays in control then hits the DDT for the win as Vince predicts the winner will be an individual we least expect (2:16).

Thoughts: Some talk about the Savage/Jake feud but this was mostly about who would win the Rumble match.

Final Thoughts: The final push for the PPV, which was just one day away. Next week we can deal with the fallout and find out who is the champion but the syndicated shows on PPV weekends are usually dull.

Here is my schedule for the next several days:

Saturday: Mid-South Wrestling 10/27/83, 11/3/83

Sunday: WWF Wrestling Challenge 1/19/92

Monday: WWF Royal Rumble 1992

Tuesday: WWF Superstars of Wrestling 1/25/92, WWF Wrestling Challenge 1/26/92

Wednesday: WWF Prime Time Wrestling 1/27/92

Thursday: WWF Madison Square Garden 1/31/92

Friday: WWF Superstars of Wrestling 2/1/92