What the World Was Watching: WWF Superstars – March 7, 1992

Vince McMahon and Mr. Perfect are in the booth, beginning a new taping cycle in Tampa, Florida. According to thehistoryofwwe.com, the taping took place on February 17 and drew a crowd of 10,000. Perfect starts the show by taking about a woman who is not the girl scout people think she is. When pressed, he does not reveal what woman he is talking about.

Opening Non-Title Contest: Ted DiBiase & Irwin R. Schyster (WWF Tag Team Champions w/Jimmy Hart) (2-0) defeat Jim Powers & Terry Davis when IRS pins Davis after the Write Off at 1:48:

McMahon is shocked to find out from IRS that there is no state income tax in Florida. Powers dazes IRS with dropkicks but Davis surrenders the advantage and is quickly placed in the Million Dollar Dream and finished off with the Write Off. DiBiase and IRS should work on a better finisher because that combination of moves does not mesh.

Gene Okerlund’s Update segment recaps last week’s Funeral Parlor segment between the Undertaker and Jake Roberts. As a result, WWF officials have booked the two to face off at WrestleMania. The Undertaker and Paul Bearer do a taped promo telling Roberts that he made a fatal mistake last week.

The British Bulldog (5-0) defeats Lee Armstrong after the running powerslam at 1:53:

Armstrong is a big jobber so this fits the pattern recently of the Bulldog being matched against a big opponent so he can look impressive slamming and suplexing them. McMahon suggests that the Bulldog might be headed for WrestleMania but he lacks a feud and opponent.

Shawn Michaels (w/Sensational Sherri) (4-0) pins Scott Hen after the Teardrop Suplex at 2:08:

This match marks the beginning of Michaels using his iconic “Sexy Boy” theme that would last the rest of his career. This version is of course sung by Sherri and it is a textbook example of how a theme song can enhance an entrance when one compares it to what Michaels was using in prior matches. In the split screen Michaels gives a weird talk of El Matador having to move out with his brothers and sisters and live in a Chevy, which will look good compared to what will happened to him at WrestleMania. Sherri distracts Hen on the floor, allowing Michaels to fly off the apron and blast his opponent with a clothesline. When action comes back to the ring, Michaels quickly finishes with the Teardrop Suplex.

After the bell, Michaels and Sherri get into a limo backstage and head out. This cues Perfect to start a gimmick that Bobby Heenan will later embrace of loudly announcing that Michaels has left the building. It was a small touch to Michaels’ persona but it was funny, unique, and made Michaels seem like a big deal.

Tatanka (5-0) pins an unnamed opponent after a Samoan drop at 1:43:

In the split screen, Tatanka talks about Geronimo and Sitting Bull and how he represents all Native Americans in the WWF. Sources say that Tatanka is wrestling Doug Somers here but his opponent is definitely not Somers. Tatanka does a nice press slam and then wins easily with a Samoan drop. Through more than a handful of squashes so far Tatanka’s basic offense looks good and he is getting a positive reaction from fans.

Okerlund goes to the locker room to talk with WWF Champion Ric Flair and Perfect. Flair is sweet talking a woman on the phone and then hangs up to talk. Flair is holding up the next copy of WWF Magazine and has Okerlund read the top line that says that Flair has shocking photos of Elizabeth. Flair elaborates that Savage and Elizabeth are on vacation somewhere and Elizabeth is nervous because she knows that Flair is a great lover. Flair opens the magazine to reveal of photograph of he and Elizabeth talking at a pool and he announces that “Elizabeth was mine before she was yours” to Savage. He adds that Elizabeth is “damaged goods” because the only reason Savage is with her is because Flair dumped her previously. Flair played this up to the hilt and Okerlund’s facial expressions, a mixture of disgust, concern, and disbelief put it over.

The Big Bossman (4-0-1) beats the Brooklyn Brawler after a spinebuster at 1:43:

McMahon has lots of questions for Perfect about the photographs but he refuses to answer them other than to say that Flair has many more photographs of Elizabeth. Discussing that storyline is given the most attention during this squash. McMahon says that Savage will get some time to talk about this issue next week. As all this discussion happens the Bossman easily rolls to victory with a spinebuster.

Okerlund does the WrestleMania VIII Report. Hulk Hogan talks about taking on a killer shark off of Venice Beach, which he likens to dealing with Sid Justice and Harvey Wippleman. Intercontinental Champion Roddy Piper says that he does not want to fight Bret Hart but he promises to rip the Hitman’s throat out if he shows up to the Hoosier Dome because this is his profession and how he feeds his family. Bret rebuts that he does not want to fight Piper either but he has to have the Intercontinental title back.

Sid Justice (w/Harvey Wippleman) (4-0) pins Mickey Jay after the powerbomb at 1:10:

Before the match, Sid reads a letter from a sixth grader who is a Hulkamaniac and wants to know why he turned against Hulk Hogan and destroyed the Barber Shop. The fan also says that since Sid did these things he cannot be friends with him anymore. Sid responds that any friend of Hogan is not a friend of his and he tears into Jay, throwing him out of the ring so Wippleman can dump some ashes from his cigar on his chest. A powerbomb finishes shortly after, leading to Wippleman calling for a stretcher. When Jay is put on it he is also given a Hogan bandana and has a 911 sign placed on his neck. Then, Sid boots Jay off the stretcher and yells about Hogan some more.

Tune in next week to see Sid Justice, Bret Hart, and the Natural Disasters in action! Also, Randy Savage will be here for a special interview and there will be more pictures revealed of Ric Flair and Elizabeth!

The Last Word: The Ric Flair-Randy Savage WrestleMania main event finally has an issue. It was topical for the tabloid sensationalism of the early 1990s and is a better draw than Savage simply trying to become WWF champion for a second time. Sid also looked good in his squash, continuing to deliver good character and promo work to build his WrestleMania bout with Hulk Hogan. Overall, this was a good show that momentarily makes one forget about all of the backstage turmoil and negative press the WWF is getting to start the year.

Up Next: Wrestling Challenge for March 8!