WWF Monday Night RAW 06-07-93

Hosted by Vince McMahon, “Macho Man” Randy Savage, and Bobby “The Brain” Heenan

What’s new and improved with Michaels? Who will win the crazy tag match consisting of Steiners, Gunns, Money, Inc., and Headshrinkers? Let’s find out!

To open the program, ring announcer Bill Dunn introduces the NEW Intercontinental champion—Shawn Michaels. As Michaels approaches the ring, he brings a bodyguard with him. Holy high rollers, Batman! It’s Vinnie Vegas! He must have gambled his way out of WCW. Nonetheless, last night, in Albany, NY, Michaels’ bodyguard enabled Michaels to regain the title by defeating Marty Jannetty.

While Vince previews the show, Michaels interjects his ego as well as his “insurance policy.” Let’s hope his policy doesn’t lapse.

Match 1 (non-title): WWF Intercontinental champion (w/ bodyguard) versus Ross Greenburg

Michaels slammed himtwice, but Greenburg countered a third attempt with an inside cradle for a 1-count.
When Michaels suplexed Greenburg, he delivered a backbreaker.
He then gave Greenburg a swinging neckbreaker, mounted the second turnbuckle, and hit a big elbow.
As he piledrove Greenburg, Michaels pinned him.

Summary: Showcase match for the new IC champion. Methinks Michaels also turfed the teardrop suplex beginning with this title reign.

KING OF THE RING REPORT: "Mean” Gene Okerlund begins to shill the PPV with the WWF title match between Hogan and Yokozuna. In addition, he also mentions a single-elimination tournament featuring:

Bret Hart versus Razor Ramon
Mr. Perfect versus Mr. Hughes
Bam Bam Bigelow versus “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan
Tatanka versus the “Narcissist” Lex Luger

Also, Crush will face Michaels, and the IC title will be ON THE LINE. Before Okerlund finishes, Michaels storms the broadcast table to protest his title being at stake at the PPV.

Bomb powerslammed Santana but missed an elbow drop.
As he whipped Santana into the corner, Bomb came up empty on his follow-through.
Santana then hooked a sunset flip for 2.
When Bomb rebounded with a sidewalk slam, Santana delivered a flying forearm for another 2.
He then dropkicked Bomb to ZERO effect and failed to roll him up.
After Bomb went to the apron, he hit a springboard clothesline.
1-2-3.
Bomb won.

Summary: Showcase match for Bomb. While this wasn’t Santana’s final TV appearance, this was his last match on RAW. I’m sure some you wish that Bomb would have bombed.

Tatanka leap-frogged Weeks and hip-tossed him over the top rope to the floor.
Upon Weeks’ return, Tatanka gave him a pair of cross corner whips followed by a slam.
He then elbow-dropped and backdropped Weeks.
When he mounted the top turnbuckle, Tatanka delivered a chop.
1-2-3.
Tatanka won.

Summary: Showcase match for Tatanka. Weeks isn’t a proper name for this jobber, because Tatanka DESTROYED him in mere seconds.

Vince then shills a match between Tatanka and Mr. Hughes on WWF Mania this Saturday at 10AM ET.

Promotional consideration paid for by the following: ICOPRO and WWF action figures.

THE KING’S COURT: Right off the bat, Lawler disparages the KOTR tournament because he believes that he is the true king of the WWF. Yikes! Instead, he interviews Yokozuna with Mr. Fuji. While the Manhattan faithful chant “Ho-gan,” Lawler discredits Hogan’s Hollywood career. Can you blame him?

Regardless, Fuji claims that Yokozuna currently weighs 550 instead of 505 pounds due to “fifteen to twenty meals a day.” OK there’s hyperbole, and then there’s absurdity. Nevertheless, Fuji’s ready for Yokozuna to reclaim what Hogan “stole.”

Match 4: WWF tag team champion IRS & Headshrinker Fatu (w/ WWF tag team champion the “Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase, Samu, & Afa) versus the “Dog-Faced Gremlin” Rick Steiner & Billy Gunn (w/ Scott Steiner & Bart Gunn)

According to Dunn, Bart was introduced as Billy’s “cousin” much like Ric Flair was a cousin to the Anderson family.
While Savage offered Howard Finkel and Mrs. Pritchard birthday wishes, IRS gave Fatu a fifty-dollar bill. As it ended up in Afa’s hand, it finished in Afa’s stomach. HA!
Billy dropkicked Fatu and followed with a swinging neckbreaker for 2.
As Rick tagged in, he powerslammed Fatu for another 2.
He then gave Fatu a cross corner whip but ate a back elbow on his follow-through.
When Fatu clotheslined Rick, IRS attempted to clothesline Rick over the top rope but sailed over it himself.
Rick then delivered a Steinerline and an elbow drop for 2.
After some heel miscommunication sent Fatu from the apron to the floor, heel dissension was teased going into a commercial break.
During the break, DiBiase bribed the Headshrinkers in exchange for allegiance.

As live action resumed, IRS tossed Rick outside the ring and distracted referee Joey Marella.
In the meantime, DiBiase and Fatu rammed Rick face-first into the steps. How dastardly!
Scott and Bart then continued to distract Marella while the heels gave Rick the business.
When Fatu tagged in, he clotheslined Rick for 2.
He then baited Billy to distract Marella again while the heels pummeled Rick in their corner. Nefarious!
After he slammed Rick, Fatu mounted the second turnbuckle but ate knees on a Vader bomb.
Hot tag Billy.
While Billy cleaned house, he dropped DiBiase from the apron to the floor like a bad habit.

IRS then clotheslined Billy from behind causing a self-guillotine with the top rope.
1-2-3.
IRS and Fatu won.

Summary: If this match was a prelude to the eight-man tag at the PPV, it sold the upcoming event like the unveiling of the Ford Edsel.

Following a commercial break, Vince interviews Ramon at ringside. According to Vince, Ramon has offered the 1-2-3 Kid $7500 for a rematch. While the Manhattan faithful chants “1-2-3,” Ramon promises the rematch. To finish the promo, Ramon uses the Nutter Center as a malaprop for Bret Hart.

Conclusion: Are you ready for King of the Ring ‘93? All of its matches were hyped during the show, and newly-crowned IC champion Michaels made a new friend. How will that play out? By the way, where’s Hogan?