WWF Superstars of Wrestling – February 13th, 1993

February 13, 1993

From the San Jose State Event Center in San Jose, CA

Your hosts are Vince McMahon, Jerry “The King” Lawler, and “Macho Man” Randy Savage

Shawn Michaels vs. Tatanka

This is a non-title match. Vince makes sure to tell us that Shawn is now singing his own lyrics instead of Sensational Sherri. Shawn slaps Tatanka after a reversal sequence then gets chased around before he stomps away. Tatanka blocks a hip toss then lands a cheap shot of his own before clotheslining Shawn over the top rope. Shawn enters and hits another cheap shot but Tatanka catches him with an inverted atomic drop for a two count. Tatanka gets another two count but charges and gets tossed outside. Shawn heads out and decks Tatanka before dragging him back inside. Shawn hammers away then drops a few elbows before the break. We return as Shawn works a side headlock. Tatanka escapes but Shawn knocks him down then drops an elbow for two. Shawn then hits a standing dropkick before firing away in the corner. Shawn goes back to the chinlock as Vince talks about a win for Tatanka could make him the #1 contender to the Intercontinental Title. Tatanka escapes and uses a small package for a nearfall then starts firing up as Shawn attacks. Tatanka hits a few chops but Shawn rakes the eyes to escape from a Samoan drop. Shawn sets up for a super kick but Tatanka ducks and that leads to a reversal sequence with Tatanka hitting a Samoan Drop for the win (6:37) **1/2.

Thoughts: Good match as it looks that Tatanka is now in line for a shot at the Intercontinental Title and with Marty Jannetty fired they needed to make a new challenger.

WWF Update with Gene Okerlund. Replay of Yoko/Duggan with Okerlund narrating. After that we hear from Yokozuna and Mr. Fuji as Fuji gloats over what happened to Duggan. After that Vince tells us that Duggan suffered cracked ribs and eternal bleeding and might not return to the ring. Lawler then makes fun of Duggan and calls him a disgrace to the USA but Savage cuts him off and talks about the “Pearl Harbor” job by Yokozuna.

Steiner Brothers vs. Al Burke & Larry Sampson

Scott takes Sampson down to start as Lawler makes fun of the Steiners. Scott hits a suplex then a pumphandle slam as we see a “WWF Magazine” article on the Steiners in an inset. Rick tags then hits a super overhead suplex and follows with a few elbow drops. Scott tags and hits a powerbomb then the Steiners use a Doomsday bulldog for the win (2:20).

Thoughts: A showcase for the Steiners as they continue to impress.

Vince hypes a double Coliseum Home Video release of Survivor Series ’92 and this past Royal Rumble as a 2 for the price of 1 deal.

“The Narcissist” Lex Luger vs. Larry Ludden

This is Luger’s first match on Superstars. Luger poses in front of the mirror before the match. He then tells us that he is what a wrestler is supposed to look like. Luger beats on Ludden then flexes after hitting a vertical suplex. Luger then catches Ludden with a powerslam before using a running forearm smash for the win as Vince says Giant Gonzalez will face three men later on in the show (1:25). Luger flexes after the match as the ref checks on Ludden, who is out cold on the mat.

Thoughts: They are trying to get over The Narcissist gimmick for Luger’s feud against Mr. Perfect.

WrestleMania Report with Gene Okerlund. Matches announced are Crush vs. Doink the Clown and The Undertaker vs. Giant Gonzalez.

White Shadow vs. Crush

Shadow is Billy Anderson under a mask per Dave Meltzer, who was in attendance for these tapings. Savage is hyped that Crush is back and getting to face Doink at WrestleMania. Shadow bounces off of Crush a few times then gets dropped with a press slam. Crush runs out to clothesline Shadow then back inside locks on a bearhug. Crush hits a belly-to-belly suplex and a backbreaker before using a head vice for the win (1:31).

Thoughts: Crush is back and tried to pump up the crowd as much as possible to get momentum for his match against Doink at WrestleMania.

We now see a sit-down, studio interview with Vince and Brutus Beefcake. Vince recaps what Beefcake said in his infamous promo on “Monday Night RAW” regarding his life stressors and how Hulk Hogan was the one who was by his side. Pretty tame interview but its crystal clear this is leading to Hogan’s return.

Louie Spicolli & Scott Bazo & Dan Farren vs. Giant Gonzalez w/ Harvey Whippleman

Vince talks about Gonzalez manhandling Undertaker like no one ever has before. Bazo & Farren almost bail on Spicolli after Gonzalez drags Spicolli back inside by the hair. Gonzalez chokes out Spicolli as Bazo & Farren cower on the apron. Gonzalez hits a choke slam then lunges at the other two on the apron as they bail and bolt backstage. Gonzalez then bangs his chest as Spicolli rolls outside to get counted out (1:21).

Thoughts: The chokeslam looked awesome and they did a good job of putting Gonzalez over as a force. Also, Dan Farren was the name of the “Viva La Lucha” newsletter co-editor, referee, and timekeeper in the Southern California independent scene but this was not actually Farren but rather another California wrestler named Augie Loya.

Raymond Rougeau is on the interview platform with Bam Bam Bigelow and Earthquake as those two agreed to wrestle next week.

Final Thoughts: We had our first WrestleMania IX report so expect more matches to be announced in the coming weeks. Also, we saw the fallout of Duggan getting attacked and saw Gonzalez defeat three men not to mention a rare good match on Superstars making this another eventful episode.