WWF Prime Time Wrestling – January 4th, 1993

January 4, 1993

Your hosts are Vince McMahon, Gorilla Monsoon, and Bobby Heenan for the final episode of Prime Time. The set is no more (It was taken down on last week’s show)and they are sitting in chairs in front of a small table.

Gorilla rags on Heenan for not being part of Monday Night Raw as Heenan is upset.

We see a memorable Prime Time moment from the “Bobby Heenan Show” with a belly dancer standing on top of Jameson. It really was not that memorable to be honest.

The Headshrinkers w/ Afa vs. El Matador & Virgil

This match took place at the 12/14 “Superstars” tapings in Green Bay, WI. The announcers run down the Rumble competitors with Heenan putting over Carlos Colon. Heenan does not believe there is a team in the WWF that can beat The Headshrinkers. Matador works over Samu to start. Matador grabs an armbar after a fast-paced sequence then we see Matador & Virgil use quick tags to maintain control. We go to break then come back with Matador getting kicked after ducking his head for a back drop. Both men tag out as Virgil nearly puts Fatu away with a crucifix. Fatu drops Virgil then hits a slam for two as we hear Afa barking out orders. Samu is in but misses an attack and slams his head in the corner then Matador tags in and runs wild. Afa trips up Matador behind the ref’s back then the Headshrinkers hit a double chop then gouge his face. Matador uses an uppercut to counter a back drop from Fatu then tags out but it was behind the ref’s back thus it did not count. The Headshrinkers accidentally hit each other on a double-team spot then Matador tags out as Virgil runs wild briefly until he hits a double DDT that had zero effect as The Headshrinkers get back up then Fatu hits a splash for the win (9:34) **1/4.

Thoughts: The match was decent but the ending anticlimactic with Virgil tagging in just to get put away in dominant fashion. The Headshrinkers are clearly getting positioned as a top team in the company though and for good reason.

The announcers talk about the Royal Rumble with Heenan saying Razor Ramon will be the WWF World Heavyweight Champion after the Rumble then gets grilled as to why Razor is getting the opportunity and not Ric Flair as they say he’s not being fair to Flair.

Another flashback to when they were on the Western set as Heenan gets embarrassed.

“Terrific” Terry Taylor vs. Dale Wolfe

Another match from the 12/14 Superstars taping. Taylor’s jacket looks less impressive than what TV enhancement talent wear to the ring. And he also has “Terrific Terry” written in neon green on his black trunks to complete the crappy look. Taylor pushes Wolfe around but gets too cocky and walks into a slam. Taylor regains control and even busts out a Northern Lights suplex for two before using an armbar on the mat. Taylor then catches Wolfe with a spinebuster before using a gutwrench powerbomb for the win (3:17).

Thoughts: Taylor did a couple of good moves but holy shit was his attire dreadful. Taylor is just a lower card heel though and not getting any sort of push.

An ad for WWF Mania airs and it makes it seem like a family friendly show with the family all running down to watch. Its a different style of advertisement than usual and more modern to be honest.

The clip from this week’s syndicated shows of Heenan telling us that he will be revealing The Narcissus at the Royal Rumble.

Royal Rumble Report airs.

The hosts now talk about the Rumble match and how to handle the big men like Yokozuna and Earthquake. Heenan talks about it being every man for himself and not willing to team up and eliminate someone else.

Another flashback, this time to Heenan on a yacht with two girls in bikinis as he gets interrupted by Gorilla.

Skinner vs. Shawn Michaels

This also took place at the 12/14 tapings. It is also featured on the “Bashed in the USA” Coliseum Home Video” release. Shawn bails after getting scooped up with a slam but catches Skinner after luring him back into the ring. Skinner blocks a hip toss and soon after that hits a swinging neckbreaker. Skinner then hits a shoulderbreaker for two before sending Shawn through the ropes with an elbow smash. Skinner heads out but is shoved into the post. Shawn then snaps Skinner’s neck off of the top rope before choking him out. Skinner fights back and lands a few headbutts before taking Shawn down with a mat slam beofre dumping him back outside but Shawn slides back in between Skinner’s legs and hits a super kick for the win (4:39) 3/4*.

Thoughts: The heel vs. heel dynamic resulted in a dead crowd and most of this was Shawn stalling. Skinner was the Prime Time warrior though

Another Prime Time memorable moment which shows us Bret Hart painting then the Nasty Boys spray painting over a photo in the hallway.

Vince talks about next week being the debut of Monday Night Raw as Heenan says he will be there one way or another. The story with this is that since Prime Time ended, Heenan is out of a job and not part of Raw.

We then get a clip of Andre the Giant forcing Heenan to make wine by stomping grapes.

Steiner Brothers defeat WT Jones & Red Tyler from the 1/3 edition of “Wrestling Challenge.”

And now its the final segment of Prime Time with Vince hoping that we have enjoyed the moments before putting over Monday Night Raw debuting next week. Jameson then enters to give Heenan an award which is a corn cob called the “Corny,” for being the corniest guy on TV. Heenan then runs off and vomits over Jameson being disgusting.

Final Thoughts: Prime Time ended on a whimper with a few clips and the hosts telling us to watch Raw without really explaining the format of the show other than it being live. The show was key at the beginning for the WWF on cable but by this point a studio wrestling show was passe and with wrestling struggling across the board in the U.S. changes were necessary. And with the end of Prime Time and start of Raw we move on to a new era of WWF programming.