WWF Prime Time Wrestling – December 21st, 1992

December 21, 1992

Vince McMahon is your host. Panelists include: Hillbilly Jim, Sgt. Slaughter, Bobby Heenan, and Jerry “The King” Lawler

Yokozuna vs. Kevin Kruger

This is from the 10/26 Prime Time tapings in Springfield, IL. Gorilla Monsoon and Lord Alfred Hayes are the announcers. Kruger charges and gets tossed then Yokozuna goes on the attack. Yokozuna then hits a belly-to-belly suplex and follows with an avalanche before using the sit-down splash from the middle rope for the win (2:31).

Thoughts: Another showcase for Yokozuna as he is being portrayed as a favorite to win the Rumble match.

The Slick promo from this week’s syndicated TV airs.

Big Bossman defeats Barry Hardy from the 12/19 edition of “Superstars.”

The panel talks about what they want for Christmas with Heenan making fun of Sean Mooney by saying he should ask for a good haircut.

Kamala defeats Bill Koby from the 12/19 edition of “Superstars.”

“The Model” Rick Martel vs. Brian Costello

This match took place at the 11/24 Superstars tapings in Dayton, OH. Martel beats on Costello in the corner as the announcers talk about the winner at the Royal Rumble receiving a title shot at WrestleMania. Martel now works the arm for a bit before using a chinlock. Costello manages a crossbody and a sunset flip but misses Martel ducks a second crossbody attempt then puts on the Boston Crab for the win (2:23).

Thoughts: All of the focus was on the upcoming PPV as Martel appears to be an afterthought.

The WWF Update segment from Superstars airs with the focus on last week’s Bret Hart interview that was interrupted by Heenan, Razor Ramon, and Ric Flair until Mr. Perfect made the save.

We go back to the studio with Jameson modeling some holiday attire.

Nasty Boys defeat Chris Allen & Gus Kantarakis from the 12/20 edition of “Wrestling Challenge.”

An ad for WrestleMania IX tickets airs.

Damien Demento defeats Kerry Davis from the 12/19 edition of “Superstars.”

Bam Bam Bigelow defeats Mike Holland from the 12/20 edition of “Wrestling Challenge.”

In the studio, Vince asks Lawler about Bigelow. Lawler says he must be tough to have his head tattooed.

El Matador vs. Louie Spicolli

This took place at the 10/27 Superstars tapings in Terre Haute, IN. Gorilla believes that Matador will be part of the Royal Rumble match as the announcers go over the competitors already announced for the Rumble match. Spicolli lands a few shots but Matador catches him with a hip toss. Spicolli bails after getting dropkicked then Matador slingshots him back inside. Matador works the arm until Spicolli escapes and kicks Matador in the ribs. Matador fights back then hits the El Paso de Muerte for the win (2:49).

Thoughts: Spicolli got in a decent amount of offense but Matador got the win and it seems like he will be part of the Rumble match based on Gorilla’s comments.

Royal Rumble Report

We are once again in the studio as Vince tells us they have signed one of the premiere tag teams of all time, the Steiner Brothers. We then see the Steiners via satellite in Michigan. Vince asks them about the Beverly Brothers and they have corny responses to make fun of them but its clear the Beverly Brothers are the first feud for The Steiners.

Papa Shango vs. Marty Jannetty

Another match from the 11/24 Superstars tapings. Marty uses his speed to elude Shango then works the arm. Shango escapes then drops a pair of elbows before going over to his skull. Shango eats boot on a charge after wasting a lot of time then Marty fires away. We now see Shawn Michaels stroll out to ringside with the Intercontinental Title over his shoulder and taunts Marty. Shango attacks Marty from behind but gets dumped outside then Marty flies out with an attack then runs down the aisle and takes Shawn down with a hurricarana and fires away but gets counted out (5:00) 1/4*. Several officials run out to break things up.

Thoughts: The action was not good and Shango is atrocious but this was just a backdrop for the Shawn/Marty feud.

Razor Ramon defeats John Paul from the 12/20 edition of “Wrestling Challenge.”

The panel discusses Razor’s chances in becoming the next World Heavyweight champion as Heenan says Hart’s constant defenses have to be taking a toll on Bret. Then, Mrs. Claus come out to give gifts. Heenan gets a mug with Jameson’s face while the others get WWF mugs. Heenan then takes her to see the office mistletoe and ends up getting slapped.

Skinner vs. Bob Backlund

Another match from the 10/26 Prime Time tapings. Backlund uses a few single leg takedowns then Skinner yells at the crowd. Skinner bails after Backlund takes him down with a drop toe hold. Skinner uses a cheap shot and lands some punches and even gets a two count with a reverse rollup but Backlund floats over and puts Skinner away with a bridging reverse rollup (3;43) *.

Thoughts: This was fine and they had some faster paced stuff near the end but the bridging reverse rollup is a lame finisher, even for 1992.

Money Inc. defeats Chris Hahn & Laverne McGill from the 12/19 edition of “Superstars.”

Crush defeats Dark Destiny from the 12/19 edition of “Superstars.”

Undertaker defeats Duane Gill in a match originally shown on last week’s Prime Time as well as this past edition of Wrestling Challenge.

Headshrinkers defeat Matt Williams & Dave Morgan from the 12/20 edition of “Wrestling Challenge.”

Back in the studio, we take a look at the Christmas stockings on the end of the desk. Heenan has the huge stocking in the middle then he makes fun of Mr. Perfect. However, Vince breaks the news of Prime Time winding down and on January 11th we are going to see a brand new show (Vince said it would be a brand new Prime Time) from New York and called “Monday Night Raw” and there are just two more weeks of Prime Time left and we will see classic clips and the set being taken down. Heenan says he is now out of a job and needs the cash to support an orphanage in Cleveland, OH. The news of Prime Time going away for a brand new show was huge but with ratings the way they were changes were necessary.

The show ends with Bret on Santa’s lap at the end of the Survivor Series. Bret wants peace and prosperity around the world and for him personally he wants to face the best and prove how he is the best in the world. Bret then wishes Santa a Merry Christmas.

Final Thoughts: This show itself stunk and the format was incredibly dated, which is why the change was made. Besides the news of Monday Night Raw and learning that the Steiner Brothers have just signed with the WWF there was nothing at all of note that took place but now we get to see what this new show will be all about.