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WWF Monday Night Raw - March 15, 1993
by SamoaRowe

-They are airing live from the Mid-Hudson Civic Center in Poughkeepsie, New York. Our hosts for the evening are Gorilla Monsoon, Bobby Heenan, and “not Vince McMahon.” Yep, it’s really Rob Bartlett. They are in the midst of a huge blizzard, so some of the talent might have trouble making it to the show. I will note that this is the first episode of Raw to not be taped in the Manhattan Center.

Razor Ramon vs. Russ Greenberg
With a name like Russ Greenberg, you know he’s losing. Or a recent call up to the WWE roster in 2008. Ramon dominates in the early going, Greenberg ducks a clothesline, but Ramon catches him for a fall away slam. Ramon works an abdominal stretch variation and then an STF. Ramon earns some heat by slapping the back of the jobber’s head repeatedly. Bartlett is doing a horrible Vince McMahon impersonation on commentary, and it’s very distracting. Ramon plants Greenberg on the top and connects with a back superplex! Ramon finishes with the Razor Edge at 3:08. This was a basic squash, but the big bump was cool, ¾*. Winner: Razor Ramon

Typhoon vs. L.A. Gore
Gore is a greasy reminder of a time where mullets were acceptable. And he’s an easy target for Typhoon in the early going. Gore tries to work a headlock, but Typhoon bounces him to the mat. Gore mounts some offense, shouldering Typhoon into the corner. Typhoon responds with a corner clothesline and tosses Gore on his back. Suplex by Typhoon and an almost botched power slam. Actually, I think it was botched, Gore seemed to land on his head badly. Typhoon uses his weight to squish Gore in the corner. Typhoon finishes with the big splash at 2:59. Well, that was hard to watch, ¼*.
Winner: Typhoon

-Bobby Heenan is in the ring, confused about whether or not they’re on the air. He introduces his guests, Harvey Whippleman and Giant Gonzales. I don’t know how they expected anyone to take Gonzales seriously in that flesh colored outfit, complete with fake Bigfoot fur. Harvey cuts a promo while Gonzales stands there, making his best “scary” face. Heenan mentions that Undertaker threatened to put Gonzales into the world’s biggest coffin at Wrestlemania. Harvey says Undertaker better have a big casket, because both him and Paul Bearer are going into it. Gonzales finally gets a chance to speak and he claims he has a “giant surprise” for the Undertaker. Well, that was uncomfortable.

Papa Shango vs. Bob Backlund
They feel each other out a little, with Backlund using his speed to avoid the rampaging Shango. Shango wants a Greco-Roman knuckle lock, but Backlund keeps faking him out. They finally lock up, and Shango forces Backlund to his knees. Backlund rolls out and works the wrist. Shango breaks free, but runs into a single leg takedown. Backlund goes back to working the wrist. Shango chokes and targets the face. Shango stretches Backlund over the bottom rope and chokes with his boot. The action spills to ringside, where Backlund is rammed into the ring apron. On commentary, Gorilla has to shout at Bartlett (in full faux Vince McMahon mode) to shut up. Shango works a chinlock, but Backlund breaks the hold with force. Shango retains control, hitting a backbreaker. Shango goes back to the chinlock, at times using the ropes for leverage. After a while, Backlund elbows his way to freedom, but runs into Shango’s knee. Shango hit’s a body slam and gets a cover for 2. Backlund surprises Shango with a small package for the win at 7:00. This had it’s moments, but that chinlock killed this, *.
Winner: Bob Backlund

-It’s time for Wrestlemania IX hype, with Mean Gene Okerlund. Now on hand for the event: the world’s biggest toga party! Whoa, if that doesn’t make you want to order Wrestlemania, nothing will!

-Money Inc cut a promo against the “Mega Idiots” Hulk Hogan and Brutus Beefcake. IRS promises not to bring the steel briefcase to Wrestlemania, because he’s got a new one! Uh oh!

-The Undertaker and Paul Bearer have words for Giant Gonzales. Something about nightmares coming true, you know the drill.

The Nasty Boys vs. The Headshrinkers (with Afa)
Brian Knobbs and Jerry Sags embrace the middle aged card girl, which is pretty amusing. Samu jumps Knobbs, ramming him into the turnbuckle. Knobbs bounces out of a hard Irish whip with a clothesline. Sags tags and the Nasty Boys hit a double back drop on Samu. Fatu charges, but Sags takes down both Headshrinkers with a double clothesline. Knobbs gets a tag and helps double team Fatu. Sags gets another tag and works the wrist. The Nasty Boys are keeping the tags quick and overwhelming Fatu. Samu gets a cheap shot on Sags, allowing Fatu to hit a super kick. We head to a commercial.

After the break, Sags has become the face in peril, and Fatu is having his way with him. Bartlett claims that during the break, one of the Nasty Boys stole a child from the crowd and used it as a weapon. Yeah, Bartlett is about as popular as Mike Adamle here. Meanwhile, there is a match going on, and the Headshrinkers are doing a good job keeping Sags isolated from his partner. Sags dodges a falling head-butt and finally makes the hot tag to Knobbs, who cleans house on both Headshrinkers. Knobbs hit’s a double DDT and chases Fatu to ringside. Sags tosses Samu over the ring ropes. Knobbs and Fatu brawl to the refreshment table and a food fight breaks out. The referee calls for the bell at 6:24 (shown) as now they are using chairs as weapons. This was kind of fun, *½. No contest.

Final Thoughts: The change of venue was refreshing, but that’s about all the good stuff I have to say this week. The show comprised of two squashes and two uninspiring longer matches. What I’ll remember the most from this edition of Raw is Gorilla Monsoon getting pissed off with Rob Bartlett.

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