WWF Monday Night RAW – March 15th, 1993

March 15, 1993

From the Mid-Hudson Civic Center in Poughkeepsie, NY

Your hosts are Gorilla Monsoon, Bobby Heenan, and “Not Vince,” which is Rob Bartlett attempting to impersonate Vince McMahon. For those wondering, Vince was not here as he was being honored by the Michael Landon Foundation.

This week we have Bob Backlund vs. Papa Shango and Headshrinkers vs. Nasty Boys.

Razor Ramon vs. Ross Greenberg

For some reason the graphic reads “Russ” for Greenberg. Bartlett attempts to impersonate Vince and it sounds like a bad Marv Albert impersonation more than anything else. Razor beats on Greenberg then hits a fallaway slam. Razor toys with Greenberg as the announcers talk about the Razor vs. Bob Backlund match at WrestleMania IX then Razor hits the Razor’s Edge for the win (3:08).

Thoughts: Typical Razor squash match win here as Bartlett failed at yet another impression. When he did Vince’s yelling it wasn’t too bad and mildly amusing at first but it wore out its welcome.

Typhoon vs. L.A. Gore

Gore was a big, jacked dude and did some work in the indies, mainly IWCCW. Gorilla says that Randy Savage is also with Vince at the award show. Gore bounces off of Typhoon then comes back and lands some shots in the corner. Typhoon reverses an Irish whip in the corner and follows with a clothesline as we get some banter between Heenan and Bartlett’s Vince impersonation. Typhoon continues to overpower Gore as Gorilla talks about the blizzard then Typhoon puts Gore away with a splash (2:57).

Thoughts: Just a match as a backdrop for the announcers to talk about other things going on in the company. Typhoon is not part of any plans.

Bobby Heenan is in the ring and welcomes Harvey Whippleman & Giant Gonzalez. Whippleman talks about how Gonzalez’s opponents refuse to even show up to the ring as Heenan recalls what happened a few weeks ago at the RAW battle royal. Whippleman now talks about everyone saw Gonzalez annihilate Undertaker at the Royal Rumble. Heenan brings up Undertaker saying he will put Gonzalez in the world’s biggest coffin but Whippleman says that is ridiculous and that at WrestleMania IX Undertaker, along with his “big, fat goofy sidekick” will be stuffed inside of the same coffin and buried once and for all. Gonzalez then promises a giant surprise for Undertaker as Gorilla puts over this WrestleMania match. Despite his size, Gonzalez is not getting over as a heel. The terrible costume isn’t helping and just makes him look like a giant goofball more than anything else.

The Hulk Hogan WrestleMania ad airs.

Papa Shango vs. Bob Backlund

Heenan makes another Opie/Backlund reference. Backlund avoids Shango then uses a few single leg takedowns as Bartlett’s Vince impersonation is getting even worse. Shango teases a test-of-strength then puts it on and brings Backlund to his knees. Backlund escapes and works the arm then trips Shango up and stretches him out. Backlund goes back to the arm but gets caught with a backbreaker as Shango now beats on Backlund in the corner. Backlund is dumped outside and Shango follows and rams Backlund into the apron. Back inside, Shango uses a chinlock to ground Backlund. Shango uses another backbreaker then drops an elbow before going back to the chinlock. Shango puts his feet on the ropes for leverage then cuts off Backlund with a knee smash but shortly after that Backlund surprises him with a small package for the win (6:58) *1/2.

Thoughts: The match was fine for what it was and maybe a bit better given who was involved. Although, the win did not make Backlund look like much of a threat heading into WrestleMania as Shango has fallen down the card enough to where he should not be getting protected.

WrestleMania IX Report with Gene Okerlund. We learn that the entire crew will be wearing togas for WrestleMania.

An ad for WWF Mania airs.

Nasty Boys vs. The Headshrinkers

I guess Afa got trapped somewhere in the blizzard as he is absent. Samu beats on Knobbs in the corner but Knobbs fights back. Sags is now in and uses a double clothesline to take down the Headshrinkers. The Nasty Boys stay in control as they work Fatu over using quick tags. We go to beak then return with the Headshrinkers working over Sags as the announcers talk about all the wild action outside of the ring we missed during commercial. Samu misses a diving headbutt then Knobbs tags in and runs wild then the match spills out near a concession stand and they both get counted out (8:26) *1/2. After the match, the Nasty Boys cover the Headshrinkers in mustard and both teams use chair shots.

Thoughts: The post-match stuff was fun but it seems like the good stuff happened during the break and what we got was basic and uninspired.

We get a video package highlighting the WWF’s charitable efforts.

Next week, Kamala vs. Doink will take place. Also in action are Money Inc., The Bushwhackers, and Tatanka.

Final Thoughts: The blizzard derailed the original plans for the show so its tough to bag on the company for putting out a dull show. The Vince impression by Bartlett was horrendous though as he continues to bomb each week in his role of comic relief. Anyway, WrestleMania is now less than three weeks away.

And, later this evening I will have my recap of the 3/20 of Mania, featuring a match between Lex Luger and El Matador.