WWF Monday Night RAW 03-08-93

Can Martel thwart Mr. Perfect’s momentum? Will Santana and Virgil pull an upset over the tag champions? Let’s find out!

To begin the program, the MegaManiacs along with Jimmy Hart accept the title shot at WrestleMania IX. Hogan then performs his own karaoke version of Julie Andrews’ “Getting To Know You,” and it’s like nails on a chalkboard.

Match 1 (non-title): WWF tag team champions Money, Inc. versus Tito Santana & Virgil

Santana reversed a cross corner whip and followed with a back elbow to DiBiase for 2.
When Virgil tagged in, DiBiase recalled his comeuppance by Virgil at Summerslam ‘91 and tagged out instantly.
Virgil then clotheslined IRS twice until the latter sought refuge outside the ring.
As Virgil and DiBiase distracted referee Earl Hebner, Santana nailed IRS outside the ring.
Back in the ring, Virgil and Santana gave IRS a double back elbow for 2.
Santana then illegally switched with Virgil behind Hebner’s back. SNEAKY!
While the Manhattan faithful chanted “Ir-win,” the babyfaces illegally switched again.
Santana then tagged in, mounted the second turnbuckle, and lowered the boom on IRS.
After Santana baited DiBiase to distract Hebner again, the babyfaces illegally switched for a third time.
Following a commercial break, DiBiase tagged in, and Money, Inc. broke Santana’s wishbone. OUCH!
While the Manhattan faithful chanted “Ti-to,” a mid-ring collision between their hero and DiBiase transpired.
Hot tag Virgil.
When he gave IRS a cross corner whip, Virgil followed with a clothesline.
An incoming DiBiase also received a clothesline.
As Virgil slammed IRS, DiBiase tripped him coming off the ropes. How dastardly!
IRS then delivered a belly-to-back suplex to the distracted Virgil.
1-2-3.
Money, Inc. won.

Summary: I’m glad to see babyface teams utilizing the same tactics as the heels just to gauge a positive crowd response. I believe it neutralized the #heel trending Manhattan faithful.

Prior to the next match, we revisit Superstars from “three weeks ago” when Tatanka upset Shawn Michaels in a non-title match. We then revisit RAW from two weeks ago when Tatanka pinned Michaels in a six-man tag match.

When we return to the arena, Martel trades places with the ring girl much to the chagrin of the Manhattan faithful. He truly is a model!

Your friend and mine, Todd Pettengill, shills WWF Mania. Let’s hope he bought the first round of bloody Marys.

Tatanka leap-frogged Apollo and hip-tossed him over the top rope to the floor.
With Michaels on the phone, Tatanka reversed an Irish whip and powerslammed Apollo.
After Tatanka distributed a significant number of chops much like Sparks Steak House, he delivered the End of the Trail to Apollo.

1-2-3.
Tatanka won.

WRESTLEMANIA IX REPORT: "Mean” Gene Okerlund hypes the WWF tag team title match followed by the WWF title match. Bret then cuts a pre-taped promo on Yokozuna. Afterward, Mr. Fuji responds but not kindly. Next, Okerlund promotes the Undertaker-Gonzalez match. Bearer and Undertaker then try to terrify Gonzalez.

Again, Martel comes to the ring, angers another ring girl, and exhibits the RAW placard in her place. Meanwhile, Bartlett sings the “Gilligan’s Island” theme song with some lyrical modifications.

Upon slamming Edwards, Shango delivered an elbow drop.
He then gave Edwards a cross corner whip followed by an avalanche.
When he hit a belly-to-back suplex, Shango picked up Edwards at 2.
He then delivered a second belly-to-back suplex for another 2.
As he executed an inverted shoulder breaker, Shango pinned Edwards.

Summary: Showcase match for Shango. Edwards looked more like Vince’s accountant than Shango’s opponent. Perhaps he didn’t give Vince enough deductions.

Promotional consideration paid for by the following: ICOPRO and more Davey Boy Smith.

The Manhattan faithful heartily supported Backlund who hip-tossed DeMoro.
As he hip-tossed Demoro again, Backlund received a “Bob-by” chant.
Bartlett then left the broadcast table in preparation for an interview.
When Backlund reversed a cross corner whip, he delivered a double underhook suplex.
He then cradled and pinned DeMoro.

Perfect reversed an Irish whip, but Martel cartwheeled away from getting nailed.
When Martel prepped for a monkey flip, Perfect cartwheeled to mock him.
He then reversed a cross corner whip but ate knee on his follow-through.
As Perfect used momentum, he sent Martel over the top rope to the floor.
Following a commercial break, Martel gave Perfect a gutwrench suplex for 2.
He then put a knee into Perfect’s midsection and delivered a backbreaker.
After he went to the apron, Martel attempted a springboard splash but ate knees.
He then hit Perfect in the midsection again, mounted the second turnbuckle, leaped, but ate a shot to his own midsection.
When Perfect gave him an atomic drop, he followed with an inverted atomic drop.
He then gave Martel a cross corner whip and backdropped him.
Upon returning from another commercial break, Perfect’s music played as he exited the ring. WTF?

Summary: Let me get this straight. Two weeks ago, on a live broadcast, the main event didn’t finish by the end of the program. This week, on a taped show, the finish gets completely missed when a commercial break gets inserted. Aren’t the tape machines rolling? Can’t they rewind the tape to include the Perfectplex? Fire the director!

Of course, they show the finish ON REPLAY. This director had better have his résumé ready for distribution in the morning.

Promotional consideration paid for by the following: Slim Jim and WWF WrestleMania: The Arcade Game.

Perfect then returned from backstage with the two ring girls whom Martel disparaged. According to Vince, Kamala and Razor Ramon will be in action next week. Also, Typhoon battles Bam Bam Bigelow. Don’t hold your breath or suffer the effects of oxygen deprivation.

Conclusion: With the role reversal in the opener and the decent main event, this show is watchable but pales in comparison to last week’s show.