WWF 1992 Royal Rumble

January 19, 1992

From the Knickerbocker Arena in Albany, NY

Your hosts are Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby Heenan

We have Vince doing a voice over for all 30 competitors. We see that Nikolai Volkoff and Haku have been added to the match, replacing Marty Jannetty and Brian Knobbs. Marty’s reason was storyline and Knobbs was stabbed after getting into an altercations with fans after the 1/5 house show in Peoria, IL.

Orient Express w/ Mr. Fuji vs. New Foundation

Gorilla talks about Marty Jannetty ended up with a concussion and Brian Knobbs having a dislocated shoulder as to why they are missing the Rumble match. Owen works over the arm of Kato to start the match. Heenan says only one man will win the Rumble match and we all know who that is while Gorilla says Hulk Hogan is the favorite. Owen then runs wild before going back to the arm before he tags out. New Foundation stay in control with Owen really impressing. The Orient Express trap Neidhart in the corner only to get hit with a double clothesline. Owen comes off the top with a crossbody on both men then hits Kato with a spinning heel kick for two. The announcers talk about the IC Title match tonight as Owen applies a chinlock. Tanaka cheap shots Owen from the apron then Kato distracts the ref so Fuji can hit Owen in the throat with his cane. The Orient Express now cut off the ring as Heenan talks about being fair to Flair. Tanaka gets a nearfall with a thrust kick then Kato tags and works a chinlock. Owen manages a nearfall with a crucifix but the Orient Express stay in control. Gorilla notes that the Orient Express are tough to derail, much like the Midnight Express, as Tanaka now uses a chinlock. Owen comes back to slam Tanaka’s face off of the mat but Kato distracts the ref so he cannot see Owen tag out. Kato slams Owen then Tanaka tags in as Owen catches him with a belly-to-belly suplex. The Orient Express continue to run interference and maintain control as Heenan thinks the New Foundation might have the Beverly Brothers on their mind. Owen comes back with a double dropkick then tags out as Neidhart slingshots in with a double clothesline. Neidhart runs wild then Owen wipes out Kato with a tope before Tanaka is put away with a Rocket Launcher (17:17) ***1/2.

Thoughts: Despite the fact the Orient Express had not been teaming for a few months and been split apart as TV enhancement talent for a while, this match still managed to get a great reaction from the fans. They were smart to keep Neidhart on the apron for a majority of the match and let the other three workers carry things. Owen was tremendous and was really over with this crowd. One of the most underrated PPV tag team matches ever, IMO.

We see Mountie pin Bret Hart for the title in Springfield, MA on 1/17. Bret had a temperature of 104 as Mountie jumped him after the match until Roddy Piper made the save. We then hear from Mountie & Jimmy Hart as they make fun of Bret for losing as Mountie promises to take Piper’s skirt and manhood. After that, Gene Okerlund is with Piper. We see Piper rant about what Mountie just said and is here to fight and win two titles.

WWF Intercontinental Title Match: The Mountie (c) w/ Jimmy Hart vs. Roddy Piper

Piper attacks Mountie before the bell and stomps away. Piper continues his assault until Mountie is finally able to escape. Piper runs out and decks Mountie but Mountie uses Hart to take control. Piper avoids a monkey flip then hits a running bulldog out of the corner. Mountie is able to avoid a dropkick then covers for two. Mountie gets another nearfall with a jumping back elbow smash then he dumps Piper outside. Piper fights back soon after that as Heenan accuses Bret of faking a fever. Mountie skins-the-cat as Jimmy is on the apron but charges and ends up knocking his manager off then Piper locks on a sleeper for the win (5:20) *1/4. After the match, Piper shocks Mountie then the crowd goes nuts for Piper winning.

Thoughts: The match was not very good and one-sided but the moment of Piper winning was awesome. The Mountie, in his shoot interview with RF Video, hated working with Piper and complained that Piper made him look like a jabroni. I cannot disagree with that to be honest.

Lord Alfred goes into Hogan’s interview for a Coliseum Home Video exclusive. Hogan said he is going to win the Rumble. I guess the Network used the Coliseum Home Video version of this show.

The Bushwhackers & Jamison are with Okerlund. Bushwhackers promise to beat the Beverly Brothers and have a surprise for The Genius. Jamison also promises to beat Genius.

The Beverly Brothers w/ The Genius vs. The Bushwhackers w/ Jamison

Heenan makes fun of Jamison as The Bushwhackers play up to the crowd. After a lot of stalling, The Beverly Brothers bail then The Bushwhackers get a “sissy” chant started. Blake then attacks Luke as the crowd now chants sissy. Luke fights back and The Bushwhackers clear the ring again and play up to the fans. The camera zooms in on Jamison blowing his nose on a sock as we get more playing up to the crowd from Butch, who gets attacked from behind. Butch fights back with a knee lift and runs Blake into the corner as the match breaks down with The Bushwhackers cleaning house. The Bushwhackers march around the ring then we get a spot where the Beverly Brothers fail at their sneak attack attempts until Beau finally jumps Luke from behind. The Beverly Brothers cut off the ring as Jamison accuses them of cheating. Luke knees Beau in the face but Beau drags Luke to his corner as The Beverly Brothers maintain control. The Genius then goes over to Jamison and slaps him down. Butch checks on Jamison as Luke remains in trouble. Blake hits a neckbreaker and a leg drop but Luke comes back with a clothesline as both men are down. Butch tags in and beats down Beau then the match breaks down with Beau tripping Butch from the floor. Luke breaks up a pin but the Beverly Brothers hit Butch with a double axe handle and Luke was too late for the save as the Beverly Brothers get the win (14:56) DUD. The Bushwhackers clear the ring after the match then bring Genius inside as Jamison jumps for joy. Jamison now heads inside and winds up for a very long time only to kick Genius in the shin then in the ass as Genius falls outside. The Bushwhackers then put Genius’s hat on Jamison, who is marching around like a moron.

Thoughts: Almost 15 minutes of garbage of the crappy pay off of Jamison kicking The Genius a few times. The whole thing came off terribly and now the Beverly Brothers can concentrate on the New Foundation while The Bushwhackers are in a tough spot after being here over three years and losing most of their feuds.

Okerlund is with the Legion of Doom as they say they’re not going to lose.

WWF Tag Team Title Match: Natural Disasters w/ Jimmy Hart vs. Legion of Doom (c)

Heenan screams about how the LoD’s spikes should be illegal. Hawk and Typhoon start things off. Hawk drops Typhoon with a flying clothesline then Earthquake makes the save and we get a staredown between both teams. Earthquake shrugs off a dropkick then Hawk sidesteps a dropkick and hits a fist drop. Animal tags and slugs it out with Earthquake and that ends in a double clothesline spot. Animal tries to slam Earthquake but Earthquake falls on top for a two count. Typhoon tags but eats boot on a charge then Animal follows with a clothesline. Hawk tags in and fires away but Typhoon shrugs off a pair of clotheslines before catching Hawk with a backbreaker. Earthquake tags and beats down Hawk and hits an elbow drop for two. Typhoon comes back in and applies a bearhug. Hawk escapes only to get caught in midair and driven into the corner. The Disasters cut off the ring now Earthquake uses a bearhug. Hawk avoids a corner splash then hits a flying elbow smash as both men are down. Hawk makes the tag as Animal runs wild. The match now breaks down then the action heads outside with Typhoon sliding inside to beat the ten count as the Disasters pick up the win but not the titles (9:22) *1/2. After the match, the LoD clear the ring by hitting the Disasters with chairs.

Thoughts: These teams did not have great matches together and this was probably going to be their best but this finish sure did suck and prolongs the feud.

Sean Mooney is now backstage with Jimmy Hart & The Natural Disasters. Hart will call his attorney because his team should be the champs as the Disasters are fuming.

Okerlund is with an ecstatic Piper. Now, Piper says he will go ahead and win the World Heavyweight Title as it is his dream. Okerlund says Piper will make history if he wins both titles in one night.

Mooney is in the locker room as we see The Barbarian walk by and nudge him a bit. Shawn Michaels is there with new attire as we see a replay of what took place last week on the “Barber Shop.” Shawn said he saved Marty from 29 beatings tonight. Shawn then said everyone will find out how he is the hottest thing in the WWF.

Lord Alfred is with Ric Flair and asks him about his Rumble draw. Flair said he has #3 and says it makes no difference because when he leaves he’ll be the WWF Champion. This was another Coliseum Home Video exclusive.

We now hear pre-recorded comments from some of the other Rumble match participants including: Randy Savage, Sid Justice, Repo Man, British Bulldog, Jake Roberts, Ric Flair & Mr. Perfect, The Undertaker & Paul Bearer, and Hulk Hogan.

Howard Finkle explains the Rumble match rules then invites WWF President Jack Tunney into the ring. Tunney is holding up the WWF World Heavyweight Title belt and says may the best man win as Heenan calls him the “best president since Noreiga.”

30 Man Royal Rumble Match

#1 is the British Bulldog and #2 is Ted DiBiase and they brawl before the bell. DiBiase wins that battle and hits a few suplexes. DiBiase tosses Bulldog and thinks he won but Bulldog landed on the apron and comes back in to clothesline DiBiase over the top rope. #3 is Ric Flair as Heenan is beside himself. Gorilla notes no one has won the Rumble after drawing numbers 1-5. Bulldog catches Flair with a press slam then dumps him out on the apron. #4 is Jerry Sags and he comes in to attack Bulldog. Flair & Sags double-team Bulldog until Bulldog comes back with a double clothesline. Sags is nearly eliminated then taunts the crowd from the apron but Bulldog takes him off with a dropkick as Sags is gone. #5 is Haku and he goes right after Bulldog. Haku holds up Bulldog so Flair can hit some chops then Haku starts going after Flair and they trade chops. Flair rolls outside then Haku starts stomping Bulldog. Haku hits Bulldog with a piledriver then Flair sneak attacks Haku. Bulldog dumps Haku then #6 Shawn Michaels comes out and trades punches with Flair. Bulldog catches Shawn with a press slam then clotheslines him over the top rope but Shawn manages to stay alive. Flair now goes after Shawn until he is poked in the eye as Heenan is worried about Flair and wants a drink. #7 is El Matador and he starts firing away on Flair until Shawn makes the save. Shawn keeps managing to stay alive then Flair hits Bulldog low as Heenan said he’d do that do his grandmother if needed. Matador hits Flair with a flying forearm then #8 The Barbarian comes out and he tries to eliminate Bulldog. #9 is the Texas Tornado and he squares off with Flair. Tornado hammers away in the corner then Flair does his flop. Flair ends up catching Tornado with an inverted atomic drop as Gorilla mentions that Bulldog has spent 16 minutes in the ring. #10 is Repo Man and Heenan is now worried about every single entrant being a possible threat to win the match.

#11 is Greg Valentine as Heenan says he did not want Flair going longer than 30 minutes to win the match. Flair and Valentine trade chops as Heenan says Savage, Slaughter, Undertaker, and Hogan are all former champions who have yet to enter the match. The action hits a bit of a lull as Heenan yells at Gorilla to shut up about their never being a winner from someone picking as early as #3. #12 is Nikolai Volkoff and he is met with boos despite being a face when last seen on TV. Valentine puts Flair in the figure four then Repo Man eliminates Volkoff. #13 is the Big Bossman as he goes after everyone. Repo Man then eliminates Valentine and goes after Bossman. Repo Man tries to sneak around but Bossman runs from behind and tosses him out of the match. Flair then eliminates Bulldog then Tornado as Heenan warns Flair to get away from that “country hick” Bossman. Matador and Shawn eliminate each other then #14 Hercules comes out and goes after Flair. Barbarian & Flair now team up briefly but Flair turns on Barbarian then backs off. Barbarian press slams Flair then almost dumps him out but Hercules tries to dump both men from behind as Barbarian is gone but Flair holds on to the ropes. Bossman then eliminates Hercules and after that Flair tries and fails to eliminate Bossman. Bossman clotheslines Flair then for a running attack but Flair ducks and Bossman spills outside and is eliminated. Flair flops down then #15 comes out and its Roddy Piper. The crowd goes nuts as Piper fires away in the corner. Flair rolls outside so Piper heads out and hits a clothesline. Piper tosses Flair back inside as Heenan yells about Piper doing anything he can to prevent Flair from winning the title. Heenan is losing it as Flair is put up in an airplane spin then Piper locks on a sleeper. #16 comes out and its Jake Roberts. Jake attacks Piper and chokes him out with his boot. Flair smiles as Jake helps him out then Jake hits a short-arm clothesline. Jake signals for the DDT but Piper breaks that up as Flair thanks Piper and says he wears a kilt, not a skirt. Piper then attacks Flair as Heenan goes back and says Piper wears a skirt. #17 is Jim Duggan and he goes after Flair. Gorilla tells Heenan that while highly unlikely Flair wins, Flair showed him some intestinal fortitude. Heenan says they were jobbed due to a conspiracy and blames Hogan as Flair hits Piper with a back suplex. #18 is Irwin R. Schyster and he mixes it up with Duggan. We get some basic brawling then #19 Jimmy Snuka comes out and apparently missed the meeting where they told talent to get off steroids. Piper beats on Flair again then #20 comes out and its The Undertaker. Snuka is dumped by Undertaker then Undertaker chokes out Flair in the corner as Heenan cries about all their plans going down the toilet. Duggan attacks Undertaker but Undertaker fights back and knocks him down. Gorilla tells us that Flair has been in for over 42 minutes.

#21 comes out and its Randy Savage. The fans go nuts as Savage flies to the ring and looks for Jake but is attacked by The Undertaker as Jake bailed. Jake returns and attacks Savage with help from Undertaker. Savage ducks a clothesline then unloads on Jake. Savage then eliminates and jumps over the top rope and outside to choke out Jake as the announcers believe that Savage has eliminated himself. Undertaker ducks out and rolls Savage back inside but Savage comes out as Heenan now says he believes you are only eliminated if tossed outside, which I assume was told to him from the production truck. #22 is The Berzerker and he attacks The Undertaker. Flair is on the apron trying to suplex Savage outside as Heenan is beside himself. Savage then suplexes Flair back inside as Undertaker chokes out Piper. #23 is Virgil and he goes after IRS. Undertaker then chokes out Virgil in the corner as Heenan says who knows how many bags Virgil went through in the back. Undertaker now chokes out Flair and tries to toss him outside but Flair manages to hang on to the bottom rope. #24 is Col. Mustafa and he beats on Virgil in the corner. #25 is Rick Martel as Gorilla says he holds the record for longest time in a Rumble match at 53 minutes. Martel beats on Flair as Gorilla talks about Piper still being in the match and possibly holding both titles. Savage dumps Mustafa then Duggan leads the crowd in a USA chant. #26 is Hulk Hogan and he starts beating on Flair until Undertaker makes the save. Berzerker grabs Hogan as Undertaker hammers away then Martel is knocked through the middle rope by Virgil. Hogan then eliminates Undertaker with a clothesline and dumps Berzerker outside after that. Hogan rips off his shirt then Duggan and Virgil eliminate each other. #27 is Skinner and he goes after Piper. Hogan tries to get rid of Flair but IRS makes the save while Hogan’s shirt is hanging off his neck. Hogan tosses IRS then Flair & Martel try to get of Piper. Heenan says its not fair to Flair that he is still in here. #28 is Sgt. Slaughter as Martel eliminates Skinner. Piper and Hogan go after each other then Gorilla says Flair has set the record for being in the ring for 55 minutes as Heenan said that’s good enough for the title. Heenan then claims he’ll never do anything bad ever again if Flair wins the title. #29 is Sid Justice and he beats on IRS then almost eliminates him in a weird spot where it seemed Sid should have easily tossed him out. Heenan expresses more worry about Flair and said he’s probably lost 10 lbs in this match. #30 is The Warlord and we see Flair roll out and drag Hogan outside. Hogan then blocks a suplex and hits Flair with one on the floor. Sid eliminates Slaughter then Piper finally gets rid of IRS. Hogan and Sid team up to dump Warlord then Hogan goes after Flair and Sid after Piper as Martel is choking out Savage in the corner. Piper then tries to dump Martel but Sid sneaks up from behind and gets rid of both men.

Flair, Piper, Savage, and Sid are the final four men in the match. Sid has Savage up on the ropes then Flair comes in with a high knee and eliminates Savage. Hogan tosses around Flair while Sid watches. Flair is on the apron as Hogan stomps away but Sid dumps Hogan from behind as the fans cheer. Hogan is pissed as Sid says its every man for himself. Hogan then grabs Sid’s arm as Flair comes in from behind and eliminates Sid with help from Hogan and gets the win (1:02:02) ****1/2. After the match, Hogan and Sid have a shoving match then several agents run out to step in between. Heenan leaves the booth and celebrates with Flair & Perfect.

Thoughts: The main story of this match was tremendous. Flair came into the WWF declaring himself the real world’s champion and all throughout the Rumble lead up the face announcers would say since Flair thought he was the best then he should enter at #1. And Heenan freaking out every time Flair was in danger as he wanted to be the an advisor to a world champion. Heenan was truly amazing here.

For the backstage tidbits, Flair himself said the first person who told him he was winning the match was actually Jake Roberts, not Vince or any other top official. Bobby Heenan said in his book that he pitched Flair drawing #1 then winning the match but that Vince changed it to Flair having #3 so Vince could claim it as his idea.

As far as the rest of the match, the first half was front loaded with great workers and the quality dipped off in the second half. I thought that Shawn Michaels had a tremendous performance. Plus, I did not care much for how the Jake/Savage feud was booked and the spot with Savage jumping over the top rope should have meant he was eliminated and the explanation as to why he was not certainly felt contrived. And after returning, Savage was pretty much in the background until being eliminated by Flair. And Hogan was a poor sport and came off like a heel by eliminating Sid after Hogan was dumped by Sid in legal fashion. Hogan was not over on this show either and trying to make him the face after this was appalling, even after all of the other stuff Hogan has done in the past. This is probably the best Rumble match and they did a strong job at getting Flair over but it was not a perfect match if you ask me for the reasons I have detailed.

Backstage, Okerlund is with Flair, Perfect, and Heenan. Okerlund yells at someone off camera to put out their cigarette. Tunney presents Flair with the WWF World Heavyweight Title then Flair says with a tear in his eye this is the greatest moment in his life. Flair says its the only title in the world that makes you #1 and this belt means you rule the world. Heenan says he has ever been more impressed with anything in his life. Flair says he wants to party but tells the other top competitors to pay homage to him.

We are then shown still footage of show highlights.

Final Thoughts: A classic show that did have some crap on the undercard but the memorable moments outweighed that by a great margin. There were all sorts of quotable lines from Heenan and others too. A highly recommended show.