WWF Superstars – April 9th, 1994

April 9, 1994

From the Lowell Memorial Auditorium in Lowell, MA

Your hosts are Vince McMahon and Jerry “The King” Lawler

This week, we have Bret Hart as a guest on Shawn Michael’s “Heartbreak Hotel.” Plus, Jeff Jarrett vs. Sparky Plugg.

Koko B. Ware vs. IRS

IRS yells at the crowd how they will be paying the penalty for being late on their taxes. Vince talks about IRS being happy about tax season as IRS takes Koko down with a fireman’s carry. Koko keeps rallying the crowd then fights back but is cutoff with a knee smash. Koko leapfrogs IRS and hits a slam then runs wild until IRS rolls outside for a breather. Koko plays to the crowd as Lawler cracks jokes then the crowd starts up an “Irwin” chant. IRS returns then ducks a crossbody as the announcers now talk about Tatanka’s head dress as part of the IRS/Tatanka feud. IRS taunts the crowd as he beats on Koko then uses a chin lock. Vince says that Yokozuna and the 1-2-3 Kid will be in action on this show. The crowd rallies behind Koko as the tries to escape from the chin lock as Lawler tells us we will hear another public service from IRS on the show about paying taxes. Koko finally escapes then surprises IRS with a swinging neckbreaker. Koko starts dancing as Vince tells him to get his stuff together. Koko then misses a corner splash and IRS hits a suplex. Lawler wants to know what happened to Koko’s bird then IRS turns Koko over for the STF, which Vince says is called the “Penalty” for the win (6:32) **1/4.

Thoughts: This was a lot more fun that I thought. Koko was over with the crowd and they were behind him all the way. It was like an abbreviated house show match that excluded the dead part in the middle where IRS would work holds for 5 minutes. However, Koko would be seen on TV again one more time in a couple of months then went back to Memphis/Independent scene.

Another WWF Live Event News segment to plug the May Madison Square Garden card. They also say The Steiners will face The Quebecers for the Titles. However, the Steiners left the company before that show took place.

We see the finish of last week’s Jarrett vs. Plugg match with Plugg getting the win despite the fact Jarrett’s foot was on the ropes. This of course sets up for today’s match.

Jeff Jarrett vs. Sparky Plugg

Jarrett knocks Plugg off of the top rope and onto the floor before the bell rings as Lawler laughs. Jarrett then beats the crap out of Plugg on the outside before bringing him back inside for more punishment. Jarrett uppercuts Plugg to avoid a back drop then taunts the crowd then goes back to his aggressive offense. Jarrett hits a flying fist drop from the middle rope then hits a suplex for a two count before applying a chin lock. Plugg finally breaks the hold with a Saito suplex as both men are down. Jarrett gets up first and stomps Plugg then kicks away in the corner. Plugg comes back with a crossbody for two but once again Jarrett goes back to stomping the back. Plugg blocks a suplex and hits one of his own as both men are down. We go to break then return as Plugg counters a slam attempt with a small package that gets two. Jarrett immediately clotheslines Plugg then hits a flying double axe handle. Jarrett hits another axe handle then tries it again but this time Plugg punches him in midair. Plugg now fires away as Jarrett begs for mercy. Plugg dropkicks Jarrett and hits a slam then goes to the middle rope but misses an elbow drop. Plugg is able to avoid a dropkick then whips Jarrett into the corner but runs into a knee smash then Jarrett uses a rollup and puts his feet on the ropes for leverage to get the win (6:59 shown) **3/4. Plugg talks to the official then Dink runs out to show the ref that Jarrett had his feet on the ropes. Jarrett tells the ref this is all untrue then Jarrett attacks Plugg. He then chases Dink outside of the ring and up the aisle where he gets doused with a bucket of water courtesy of Doink. We then see the replay of the setup and a freeze frame on Jarrett getting water in his face.

Thoughts: Good story here to the match with Jarrett sneak attacking Plugg because he was pissed about last week then acted ultra aggressive on offense and it looked great. And Plugg’s offense looked solid too. The story though is the Jarrett/Doink feud that seems to be starting while they protected Plugg by having Jarrett cheat to win. Fun stuff.

A video to hype next week’s Tatanka vs. Kwang match.

Vince once again talks about The Quebecers losing the Tag Team Titles in England against Men on a Mission but how they won them back. And we see from two weeks ago where Capt. Lou Albano introduced The Headshrinkers as his surprise team and how The Quebecers are ducking them before hyping up The Quebecers Tag Title defense this week on RAW against either The Bushwhackers, Smoking Gunns, or Men on a Mission that will be determined by fan vote.

The Headshrinkers w/ Afa vs. Phil Apollo & Emilio Ulcia

Fatu runs out and yells at Nikolai Volkoff, who is once again in the front row wearing his red suit. Vince says we will find out the result of the Tag Team Title contender vote on “All-American Wrestling” then the Headshrinkers jump their opponents. The Headshinkers now beat the crap out of Ulcia then hit a Doomsday Device for the win as Ulcia was dumped on his head (0:40).

Thoughts: Really quick win for The Headshrinkers but oddly enough no sign of Albano and they still acted like heels, even yelling at Volkoff. With the story of the Quebecers dodging them and Albano being a face who picked them as their team you’d think they would play them up as faces.

Heartbreak Hotel with guest Bret Hart is next. Before Bret comes out, Shawn calls out Razor Ramon and how Diesel is awaiting his title match. Bret comes out to fireworks then Shawn asks him about while being champion, he has suffered some defeats including a humiliating defeat at WrestleMania X against his little brother. Bret addresses Owen and said it was just one match and does not need excuses, he lost fair and square, but the next time they step into the ring there will be more at stake than just the sibling rivalry because the World Heavyweight Title will be on the line. Shawn said he does not want to take away from Owen’s accomplishments at WrestleMania and how there are other superstars who want a shot at the title, referencing Diesel and himself. Bret said he isn’t ducking any challengers and will pick up exactly where he left off last time at champion and will take on anyone and everyone no matter what the situation and will prove beyond a shadow of the doubt that he is the best there is, best there was, and best there ever will be. He then leaves as Shawn jokes that Bret is the “Excellence of Excuses.” Basic promo from Bret to hype his title matches against Owen. And Shawn did a decent enough job as the interviewer as he maintained his arrogance but not to the point where it was too overbearing or forced.

Yokozuna is backstage grunting and looking on the verge of snapping in the locker room as Jim Cornette & Mr. Fuji try to calm him down. He’s apparently pissed since losing the title.

Guest ring announcer Jason Vezina, wearing a Lex Luger “Made in the USA” shirt and a backwards Boston Celtics Starter hat, introduces the next match in his fine Boston accent.

Chris Hamrick vs. 1-2-3 Kid

Lawler says he will refer to Kid as “Napoleon” as Kid grounds Hamrick. Vince asks Lawler why he calls Kid that as Lawler says its because he has so many “bony parts.” I laughed at that, sue me. Anyway, Hamrick taunts the crowd after a hip toss then we see Adam Bomb on the cover of the newest edition of “WWF Magazine” that features a story on Kid. Vince says that Kid is “somewhat” of a light heavyweight then we get this sequence:

Kid then slingshots to the outside with a dropkick then rolls Hamrick back in and hits a spinning heel kick for a nearfall. Kid lands some more kicks in the corner as Lawler says Kid lacks the power to put anyone away but Vince adds that Kid compensates with high-risk moves. Kid then hits a t-bone suplex and ends up putting Hamrick away with a stretch muffler (2:48).

Thoughts: Fun little match and Kid looked awesome. Vince also pushed Kid not as a scrappy underground but rather as a wrestler that can win by doing awesome moves in the ring. The crowd was into Kid and it appears they are actually going to push him a bit going forward.

IRS gives us more reasons as to why we should pay our taxes. Just as terrible as last week’s.

The “WWF Unbelievable” ad telling us not to fall for cheap imitations airs.

Yokozuna w/ Mr. Fuji & Jim Cornette vs. Terry Stubbs

Lawler makes fun of Helen Hart then said she left a message for Helen Hart with The Undertaker’s voice with “WWF Greetings on Call” then we hear Paul Bearer speak with Howard Finkel patching him through. Yokozuna beats on Stubbs as Bearer introduces Undertaker as the gong plays while Bearer sings Happy Birthday as Undertaker chimes in too. Yokozuna hits Stubbs with a leg drop as Vince is disgusted then Yokozuna slaps Stubbs across the face. We hear Happy Birthday sung once more as Yokozuna puts Stubbs away with the Bonzai Drop (2:30). We now hear Lawler’s voice on the call joking about Willard Scott wishing Helen a happy birthday.

Thoughts: Man, once again Yokozuna is used as a backdrop for this long, unfunny gag by Lawler ragging on Helen Hart. Vince’s reactions to this was the best thing about it but Yokozuna was the champion just a few weeks ago and now his matches are now used to push comedy bits.

WWF Live Event News airs.

We see the clip from two weeks ago when IRS interfered during Tatanka’s match against Kwang to sell the rematch next week.

Also in action next week are Earthquake and Lex Luger plus Owen Hart as a guest on the “Heartbreak Hotel”

Final Thoughts: The first two matches were fun and we had the Heartbreak Hotel segment to make this a solid edition of “Superstars.” And next week we get the Tatanka vs. Kwang rematch plus Owen gets his chance to address his brother’s comments on the Heartbreak Hotel.

Here is my schedule for the next several days:

Later today: WWF Challenge 4/10/94

Friday: WWF Monday Night RAW 4/11/94

Saturday: WWF Superstars 4/16/94, WWF Challenge 4/17/94

Sunday: WWF All-American 4/17/94, WWF Monday Night RAW 4/18/94

Monday: WWF Superstars 4/23/94, WWF Challenge 4/24/94

Tuesday: WWF Monday Night RAW 4/25/94

Wednesday: WWF Superstars 4/30/94, WWF Challenge 5/1/94

Thursday: WWF All-American Wrestling 5/1/94, WWF Monday Night RAW 5/2/94