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WWF Monday Night RAW 1-11-93

Live from New York, NY

Airdate: January 11, 1993

Attendance: 1,000 (600 paid)

Hosted by Vince McMahon, “Macho Man” Randy Savage, & Rob Bartlett

It's a new era for the World Wrestling Federation! Are you ready to get RAW?

Sorry, Chester.

Twenty-five years ago, the WWF replaced Prime Time Wrestling consisting of its pre-recorded matches from the major arenas in the Northeast with this show which provides occasional LIVE episodes like this one. Are you ready to get started?

Sean Mooney stands outside the Manhattan Center when Bobby "The Brain" Heenan walks up to enter the building. Although Mooney informs Heenan that he's been replaced, Heenan desperately wants to get inside.

Opening montage.

For those unaware, Bartlett is a comedian from the Imus in the Morning radio show and will attempt to outperform Heenan tonight. The broadcast trio hypes RAW as "uncooked, uncut, and uncensored."

Match 1: Yokozuna (w/ Mr. Fuji) versus Koko B.Ware

Highlights:

Rating: DUD

Summary: Showcase match for Yokozuna.

Promo airs for Royal Rumble '93 LIVE on PPV on 1/24. Order NOW!

In a pre-recorded segment, Heenan shilled the incoming "Narcissus" who will debut at the PPV.

Match 2: Steiners versus the Executioners

Highlights:

Rating: ½*

Summary: Showcase match for the newest tag team in the WWF.

Outside the arena, Mooney moderates a security incident with a blonde. As you would expect, it's Heenan in disguise trying to enter the arena. While Heenan claims to be Bartlett's aunt, Mooney removes the wig to ruin the caper.

After a commercial break, Vince interviews Razor Ramon in the ring. The "Bad Guy" will face Bret Hart for the WWF title at the PPV. We then revisit WWF Mania when Ramon attacked Owen Hart in the locker room (aired 1/10/93, taped 12/15/92). How dastardly! Ramon then finishes the interview and tosses his toothpick in Vince's face. The Tony Montana impression isn't bad whatsoever.

Savage then plugs the WWF's Headlock on Hunger campaign which is a charity to provide Somalia with necessary relief. To help this effort, the WWF will hold a charity show at Madison Square Garden on 1/29. Tatanka then offers his support to the cause.

Match 3 for the WWF Intercontinental title: The “Heartbreak Kid” Shawn Michaels (champion) versus Max Moon

Highlights:

Rating: **

Summary: The chemistry between Diamond and Michaels existed due to the Rockers-Orient Express feud in previous years. Therefore, they provided a very entertaining match despite the result being a no-brainer.

Promo airs for WWF Mania starring Todd Pettengill Saturday mornings at 10AM ET only on USA.

ROYAL RUMBLE REPORT: "Mean" Gene Okerlund confirms the match-up for the Intercontinental title between Michaels and Jannetty. After Okerlund asks in whose corner will Sensational Sherri stand, Michaels cuts a pre-recorded promo and promises that she'll be in his corner. In rebuttal, Jannetty believes 1/24 to be "Marty Jannetty Day." Um...I think he over-celebrated that day. Nonetheless, he not only vows to win the title but also end Michaels' career. Okerlund then shills the Rumble match featuring the following competitors:

  1. "Nature Boy" Ric Flair – last year's winner
  2. Tatanka
  3. WWF tag team champion IRS
  4. Bob Backlund
  5. Jerry "The King" Lawler
  6. Mr. Perfect with added promo
  7. WWF tag team champion the "Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase
  8. Crush
  9. "The Model" Rick Martel
  10. Yokozuna with added promo
  11. "Macho Man" Randy Savage
  12. Papa Shango
  13. Earthquake
  14. Berzerker
  15. Undertaker
  16. Carlos Colon
  17. Genichiro Tenryu
  18. "El Matador" Tito Santana
  19. Typhoon
  20. Headshrinker SamuHeadshrinker Fatu
  21. "Hacksaw' Jim Duggan with added promo

While Okerlund mentions that the winner of the Rumble match will receive a WWF title shot at WrestleMania IX, he completes the PPV rundown with the WWF title match between Bret and Ramon.

Meanwhile, in the arena but not shown on TV, Santana defeated "Iron" Mike Sharpe.

Outside the arena, a line forms to buy tickets for next week's show, and Mooney tries to interview a rabbi. While the rabbi claims to want to see his nephew Bartlett, Mooney disrupts the obvious shenanigans of Heenan.

Get your tickets NOW for upcoming RAW shows at the Manhattan Center on 1/18 and 2/1 by calling (203) 352-8692. The ticket office is open from 9am to 5pm ET Monday-Saturday.

We then revisit Superstars when Kim Chee and Harvey Wippleman shoved and berated Kamala. That was until Reverend Slick came to the ring and spoke on Kamala's behalf to fire them. Kim Chee then nailed Slick so Kamala chopped him over the top rope to the floor. Afterward, he chased Wippleman back to the dressing room (aired 1/9/93, taped 12/14/92).

Match 4: Undertaker (w/ Paul Bearer) versus Damian Demento

Highlights:

Rating: DUD

Summary: Showcase match for Undertaker.

Next week, Vince promises a steel cage match between Woody Allen and Mia Farrow.

Vince then interviews Doink the Clown, but Crush interrupts, threatens, and chases Doink around the ring.

Before the show goes off the air, Mooney gives Heenan the all-clear to enter the arena. HA!

Conclusion: As a live experiment, this was a moderate success. The small arena atmosphere provided the show with a unique setting that worked. On the other hand, Rob Bartlett did NOT add anything good to the show. Instead, he told bad jokes, insulted the wrestlers, and made Vince's job more difficult. I certainly hope they tone Bartlett down in future episodes. Check this show out if you've never seen it.

TV Rating: 2.5

Stay tuned for WWF Monday Night RAW 1-18-93!

Comments? Suggestions? Send them to me at rsg@rockstargary.com and follow me on Twitter (@rockstargary202).

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