WWF Prime Time Wrestling – December 28th, 1992

December 28, 1992

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

The panel talks about what they got for Christmas as Heenan complains he did not get Mr. Perfect in a body cast.

The Berzerker vs. Virgil

This match took place at the 12/15 “Wrestling Challenge” tapings in Madison, WI. It is also featured on the “UK Fan Favorites ’93” release from Coliseum Home Video. Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby Heenan are the announcers. Mr. Fuji is not with The Berzerker as Fuji has been quietly dropped as his manager. Virgil works the arm after avoiding an attack in the corner then eats boot on a charge. The announcers run down those announced for the Royal Rumble match as Virgil comes back with a clothesline. Virgil goes back to the arm but Berzerer backs him into the ropes and chops away. Virgil takes Berzerker over with a sunset flip after a struggle but that only gets two. Berzerker rams Virgil in the gut then lands a few kicks to the face before Virgil takes him down. Berzerker rakes the eyes and hits a slam as the announcers talk about the Bret/Razor match at the Rumble. Berzerker uses a reverse chinlock then Virgil finally escapes. Virgil hits a flying clothesline for a two count before sending Berzerker over the top rope with a flying shoulder tackle. Virgil knocks Berzerker off of the apron after several attacks but The Berzerker grabs his sword and goes after Virgil but that results in a DQ (6:05) 3/4*.

Thoughts: Virgil looked decent but Berzerker was horrible. And I guess they felt the need to protect both men since they are announced for the Rumble.

Sean Mooney is in the Event Center. He tells us that this is the final two-hour edition of “Prime Time” and that The Bushwhackers vs. Beverly Brothers will happen later on in the show. Heenan then interrupts to make fun of Mooney. Lawler said while looking forward to Monday Night Raw he is also looking forward to next week when its an hour of highlights that feature Bobby Heenan. So I guess since last week they said Raw is basically a new version of Prime Time that Raw will also be a one hour long show as well.

We flash back to 1988 with Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby Heenan at the zoo when The Bushwhackers interrupt.

Crush defeated Kerry Davis from the 12/27 edition of “Wrestling Challenge.”

WWF Update from the 12/26 edition of “Superstars” that showed us the “WWF Slam” music video.

Back to the panel as they talk about Mr. Perfect. Heenan says that Perfect has no “psychology” and unable to read and write. Lawler tells us a joke about Perfect’s flight being so cheap the pilot walked around to sell him popcorn.

Skinner vs. Buck Zumhoffe

Another match from the 12/15 Challenge tapings. Gorilla tells us that WWF President Jack Tunney banned Skinner from chewing tobacco. Skinner immediately beats down Zumhoffe then works the arm. The announcers talk about the Royal Rumble as Skinner stays in control and puts Zumhoffe away with an inverted DDT (2:56).

Thoughts: For some reason Skinner was always on Prime Time the last few months of the show and that would continue into next week as well. Skinner is just a lower card worker though now at this point.

In the studio, Vince brings out Gorilla Monsoon as a guest for Heenan. Gorilla is holding a sledgehammer and says next week is the one hour retrospective show then says Heenan will not be a part of Raw. Gorilla then has some workers start to disassemble the Prime Time set.

Damien Demento vs. Bob Backlund

Yet another match from the 12/15 Challenge tapings. Demento refuses a handshake then takes Backlund over with a hip toss. Demento then hits a pair of slams but Backlund surprises him with a small package for two. Backlund takes control and gets a nearfall with a sunset flip. Demento rams Backlund in the gut and stomps away. Heenan tells us that Mr. Perfect is going to have an accident soon as Demento now works a chinlock. Backlund takes over after Demento ducked his head for a back drop and hits a double underhook suplex and a dropkick. Demento drags Backlund outside but Backlund hits an atomic drop then rolls inside for the win via count out (5:19) 1/4*.

Thoughts: This was fucking horrible but the last thirty seconds were fine at least. I don’t know why you’d ever let these two face each other but they did and it sucked. This Backlund stuff is not getting over.

Another Prime Time flashback this time from 1989 when Heenan has a part on set during a Western movie and goes through a window after getting hit with a chair.

Money Inc. defeated Jim Brunzell & Mike Collins from the 12/27 edition of “Wrestling Challenge.”

Royal Rumble Report

Back in the studio with the set still being disassembled with the panel discussing the Royal Rumble. Lawler says you cannot have a Royal Rumble without a king just like you cannot have a WWF show without Heenan.

Repo Man vs. Marty Jannetty

Yes, this also took place at the 12/15 Challenge tapings. Gorilla talks about Marty defying the odds by returning to action after being put through the Barber Shop window by Shawn Michaels. Repo Man takes control early but Marty fights back. Marty uses a few cradles then they end up in a standoff. Marty hits a slam and follows with a dropkick as Repo retreats to the corner. Marty works the arm after landing some punches but ends up running into a clothesline and even works in his 360 bump. Repo covers after using a back drop and gets two as this match really slows down. Repo Man targets the neck and throat and you can really see how much weight he has gained in the midsection. Marty comes back with a thrust kick for two then avoids a charge in the corner and fires away. Marty hits a pair of dropkicks and a jumping back elbow smash that gets two but Repo Man is able to drop him throat-first across the top rope and covers for two. Repo tries a back drop but Marty lands on his feet then uses a crucifix for the win (9:23) *.

Thoughts: A slow-paced, boring match with a lame finish. A crucifix as a winning move just made Marty look lucky and a guy involved in an Intercontinental Title match should not come off as winning in fluky fashion against a worker low on the card like Repo Man.

Flashback to 1990 when The Berzerker tied Jameson to a post and threw him off of the rope. That segment was insane. We then saw Mooney follow him on the stretcher as he was wheeled into the ambulance.

Papa Shango vs. Todd Becker

You guessed it, another match from the 12/15 Challenge tapings. Those poor fans sat through some garbage on that night. Shango shrugs off some punches then hammers away. Heenan says that Shango is similar to The Undertaker in that they are both tough to hurt as Shango stomps away. Shango stays in control then puts Becker away with a reverse shoulderbreaker (2:47).

Thoughts: They hinted at a potential Undertaker/Shango feud. Those two were real life friends, with Undertaker getting Shango his shot with the company, and facing each other at house shows since Nailz was fired.

Back to the studio as we saw Jameson pull up his pants after part of the set was taken away. Heenan makes fun of him then Jameson walks away as Vince says he heard Jameson will be part of Raw, which infuriates Heenan.

We see a number to call in order to get tickets to RAW, which will be live in New York.

Another flashback to 1990 with Hacksaw Jim Duggan telling Heenan his rental car is in trouble then we saw the car destroyed and smoking.

The Slick promo from Superstars airs.

Tatanka defeated Bret Tyler from the 12/26 edition of “Superstars.”

In the studio once again with Heenan inadvertently signing the bill for the demolition costs.

Yokozuna promo from the 12/27 edition of “Wrestling Challenge” airs.

Beverly Brothers vs. Nasty Boys

This match took place at the 12/14 “Superstars” tapings in Green Bay, WI. It’s also part of the “Invasion of the Bodyslammers” release from Coliseum Home Video. Beau beats on Sags to start. Sags runs Beau over then drops an elbow and after that takes care of Blake but Beau rakes the eyes. The Nasty Boys now work over Blake in their corner and stay in control of the match. Beau breaks up a Pit Stop attempt after a run-in as the Beverly Brothers run interference to stay on offense. The crowd gets behind Knobbs as he finally tags out after blocking a back drop attempt from Beau. Sags runs wild then the match breaks down and the ref is tossed by Beau but the match is ruled a double DQ as they act like the ref was inadvertently knocked down in an attempt to break up a fight (6:45) *1/2.

Thoughts: The action was solid but that finish was horrible, both in theory and in execution. And again, have the Nasty Boys get a win here as they are title challengers. Not like the Beverly Brothers were getting pushed. Hell, they had their manager dropped from their act without explanation.

A Prime Time flashback from 1991 when we see the Queen of England revealed as a phony.

Mr. Perfect shown hitting a few home runs with Wade Boggs.

Vince then asks Heenan if Flair can hit home runs. Heenan claims that Flair can bunt home runs and that he was the one who taught Boggs how to hit. Vince also says that Flair could be out of work soon as Heenan wants to know what he means by that comment. Vince says that Perfect has a resolution for the new year.

Lance Cassidy defeated Barry Hardy from the 12/27 edition of “Wrestling Challenge.”

Mooney is in the Event Center telling us that another new show, titled “WWF Mania” will debut in less than two weeks on Saturday mornings. He is then interrupted by Jameson, who is wearing Lawler’s crown. So that’s a second new program to watch.

The show ends with the set all taken down. Vince thanks the fans as the table is being taken away too. Vince then tells us to watch next week’s special one hour version.

Final Thoughts: The show itself was terrible and really just an advertisement to watch next week’s final episode. The wrestling was bad and the studio stuff not even close to being amusing enough to care. Prime Time was an important show for the company but they kept switching formats and it was unable to have any success. The only real news was finding out about WWF Mania.

So, this is final WWF show from 1992 and I will be going right through 1993 starting tomorrow.