WWF Superstars – October 17th, 1992

October 17, 1992

From the Winnipeg Arena in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Your hosts are Vince McMahon and Mr. Perfect

We start off the show with the news of Bret Hart winning the World Heavyweight Title. That match took place on 10/12 at the “Superstars” tapings in Saskatoon and since that match was never shown on TV and just released on video, I’ve included my review of the match here too plus the WWE YouTube channel links of the full match.

The show opens with Gene Okerlund welcoming new WWF World Heavyweight Champion Bret Hart to the platform. This took place on 10/12 at the Superstars tapings in Saskatoon. Bret calls this the greatest moment in his life as Okerlund puts over Bret’s work ethic. Bret talks about having his share of wins and losses and how you keep learning each day. Bret thanks every wrestle he ever went up against and in particular thanks Flair for giving him a chance then thanks his fans. First off, this is a huge shock to see Bret as champion. And according to Bret he found out the day of the TV taping that he would be winning the title but was told a few weeks prior by Chief Jay Strongbow that there was a list of four to five names and he was on it, with Randy Savage and Bob Backlund two of the others that were choices for champions. The interview itself was quite good actually and despite being a midcard talent for a long time was over with the fans. They pushed the “on any given night” line a lot for this title change too.

Back to the announcers as Vince is gloating while Perfect is pissed off and said he told Flair not to take a title match in Saskatoon and claimed that Flair was sick as a dog. Perfect then grabs Vince and threatens to beat him because Vince laughed and said next time Flair steps into the ring with Bret he will become champion again.

This week in action are Money Inc., British Bulldog, Tatanka, and Big Bossman.

Shawn Michaels vs. Steve Gillespie

Gillespie worked the Canadian Indies for a long time and also wrestled in FMW as Dr. Hannibal. Perfect is still ranting about Flair taking a match in Saskatoon then Vince reminds him over a year ago Bret defeated him for the Intercontinental Title. Shawn hits Gillespie with a jumping back elbow smash then a dropkick as Sherri is ecstatic. Perfect keeps going on about Saskatoon as Shawn stays in control. Gillespie uses a few Irish whips but Shawn comes back with a flying clothesline and a super kick before teardrop suplex gets the win (3:07).

Thoughts: On commentary they hinted at Shwan not only possibly getting an Intercontinental Title shot but also a shot at the World Heavyweight Title. With Bret now the champion and Shawn feuding with him just prior to SummerSlam they can go back and revisit that in the future. And Perfect complaining about Saskatoon would be a theme of the show.

Tatanka vs. Brian Jewel

Tatanka beats on Jewel as Perfect makes fun of the red streak in his hair. Vince plugs ICOPRO once again then the announcers talk about the edict passed down by Tunney regarding officiating then Tatanka puts Jewel away with a Samoan drop (3:07).

Thoughts: More talk about the new stricter officiating as Perfect keeps complaining about Saskatoon.

WWF Update with Lord Alfred Hayes. This once again talks about Bret Hart winning the World Heavyweight Title. We hear from the Ultimate Maniacs as they congratulate Bret on his win. The Maniacs then call out Flair & Razor before saying their bond cannot be broken. After that, we hear from Flair & Razor with Perfect. Flair said things are off kilter but they have the cure and will do whatever it takes to win at the Survivor Series as Flair also vows to regain the title. Razor says they will take out all of their frustrations and anger out on the Ultimate Maniacs at the Survivor Series. Hype for the Survivor Series main event and they did it in a way to make this match more important than the title itself.

Big Bossman vs. Barry Horowitz

Bossman catches Horowitz with a big boot after an Irish whip sequence then pats himself on the back. We hear from Bossman in an insert promo saying he will end Nailz’s reign of terror before congratulating Sgt. Slaughter for being the new WWF enforcer. Slaughter slaps Horowitz a few times then catches him with a sidewalk slam for the win (2:04). After the match, Horowitz is cuffed to the bottom rope as Perfect says Flair will be champion once again.

Thoughts: More of Perfect being pissed off over Flair taking a match in Saskatoon as the Bossman/Nailz hypes continues.

British Bulldog vs. Jim Peterson

Perfect plugs his personality profile in “WWF Magazine” as Bulldog works over Peterson’s arm. Bulldog hits a delayed vertical suplex then goes to the chinlock as Vince wants Perfect to stop acting so surly as Perfect keeps talking about it happened on one night in Saskatoon because Flair was sick and never should have went to the ring. Bulldog then hits a clothesline and the running powerslam gets the win (2:23).

Thoughts: More of Perfect making excuses as for why Flair lost the title.

We get a new package on Bob Backlund that shows him with his family and even working for his construction business as his colleague says he will miss him. That was some tremendous acting by the colleague. And in portraying Backlund this way I have no idea who they are trying to appeal to as older fans from the late 70’s, early 80’s are not coming back to this product.

Survivor Series Report with Gene Okerlund. New matches announced are Undertaker vs. Kamala in a Coffin Match and Natural Disasters & Bushwhackers vs. Money Inc. & Beverly Brothers in a Survivor Series match where you are eliminated if you’re partner gets pinned. Neither of these matches is anything to get excited about. And Undertaker was actually off of the road at this point due to a shoulder injury.

Money Inc. w/ Jimmy Hart vs. Jim Powers & Bob St. Laurent

St. Laurent is listed as the one who trained Kenny Omega. In his shoot interview with RF Video, Omega said that his trainer was useless and just sat down in a chair eating Spaghetti-O’s out of the can so I wonder if St. Laurent was the Spaghetti-O’s man. The Natural Disasters are shown holding up the Tag Team Titles on the video wall during Money Inc’s entrance. IRS tells the Canadian crowd that 1992 is an election year and will vote for the candidate that raises taxes the most. Powers hits IRS with a knee lift and gets a two count with a sunset flip. IRS grabs the arm before tagging out then hits a few hard chops. Powers comes back with a crossbody for two then uses an arm wringer before tagging out. Beverly Brothers are with The Genius in an insert promo guaranteeing that the Natural Disasters & Bushwhackers will not survive. Money Inc. now beat on St. Laurent as the announcers want to know who are the #1 contenders and if Money Inc. is then why are they in this elimination match on the PPV? That’s an odd thing to say given the Disasters are the champions and in the same match. Money Inc stays in control before IRS hits the Write Off clothesline for the win (3:07). Vince congratulates Bret once again as Perfect complains about Saskatoon.

Thoughts: The #1 contender storyline became convoluted here during commentary as Perfect is still bitching about Saskatoon. At least Perfect was amusing in this role. Back to the Tag Team Title picture its clear that something is going to happen soon based off of what we heard on commentary.

Next week, more Survivor Series matches will be announced. Also in action are Crush, Papa Shango, The Undertaker, Nailz, and the Natural Disasters.

Final Thoughts: Huge, shocking news this week with the news of Bret Hart becoming the new champion. And this would start an avalanche of change in the company. With house shows drawing so low that some were cancelled and the rumors of the Ultimate Warrior behind the scenes trying to get more money and a reduced schedule despite the fact his matches against Flair drew terribly and the company was looking to change direction. Plus, Flair and Warrior hated working with each other as Warrior also said Flair was “two-faced.” The next few weeks will also see some more changes to the product as it is really a tumultuous time behind the scenes.

WWF World Heavyweight Title Match: Bret “The Hitman” Hart vs. Ric Flair (c) w/ Mr. Perfect

This is from the 10/12 “Superstars” tapings in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Gorilla Monsoon and Lord Alfred Hayes are your announcers. Lord Alfred likes how Bret hides his overconfidence and that he works incredibly hard. Flair works a side headlock over the mat as Lord Alfred says Flair’s showboating will not rattle Bret as Bret now works a hammerlock. Bret stays to work on the arm as Gorilla said “people in the know” considered Bret the greatest Intercontinental Champion of all-time. Bret stays in control and takes Flair over with a back drop and is now limping around a bit as he legitimately tweaked his ankle. Bret takes Flair down with an armbar and continues to work on the arm as Perfect looks concerned on the outside. Flair finally escapes and tosses Bret outside then is able to block a sunset flip after a long struggle. Bret tries another sunset flip and exposes Flair’s ass after pulling down his trunks as Gorilla says this has become X rated. Bret runs wild then knocks Flair outside where Flair flops down onto the floor. Flair gets back inside and flops again as Bret covers for two. Flair thumbs Bret in the eye then runs Bret into the corner. Flair beats on Bret then hits a shinbreaker as he now works the leg. Flair chops Bret in the corner then yells at the ref to keep his mouth shut when ordered to break. Flair misses a knee drop then Bret tries to work Flair’s leg but gets shoved into the corner. Bret comes back with a shinbreaker of his own then works over Flair’s leg and even slaps on the figure four. Bret gets a few two counts off of the figure four but Flair is able to escape and take control after a cheap shot. Flair counters a sleeper with a back suplex then uses a small package for two. Double underhook suplex gets two. Bret keeps kicking out of Flair’s pin attempts but Flair cuts off a comeback with a shinbreaker and applies the figure four. Bret finally makes it to the ropes then Flair taunts the crowd. Flair beats on Bret in the corner but Bret continues to stay in the match. Bret surprises Flair with a small package for two but soon after that eats boot on a charge in the corner. Flair climbs up top but Bret gets up and slams him off. Bret gets a few nearfalls then he wins a slugfest as his straps are pulled down. Bret now places Flair up top and hits a superplex as the crowd goes nuts then he puts Flair in the Sharpshooter. Perfect jumps up onto the apron but the ref orders him off then right after that Flair submits and Bret Hart is your new WWF World Heavyweight Champion (26:29) ****. The crowd erupts and gives Bret a standing ovation.

Thoughts: It started off slow but turned into an excellent match and the reaction to Bret winning was tremendous to see. They were strongly putting over Bret on commentary and even mentioned how Flair was famous for having epic title matches. The announcers surprised me here as they did a strong job at putting the match over and did not use any of their usual shtick. Ric Flair said that a few days prior in a match against the Ultimate Warrior in Arizona that he suffered an injury to his ear that made it so he could barely stand up and missed about a month of action and because of the injury had to lose the title, although Flair added that he was probably going to lose it soon enough anyway. This match is featured on the “Smack ‘Em, Whack ‘Em,” “German Fan Favorites,” and “Bret Hitman Hart: His Greatest Matches” Coliseum Home Video releases as well as the “WWE Top 50 Superstars of All-Time” DVD. And, WWE put up the match on their YouTube in two parts which I have linked below: