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WWF Monday Night Raw May 17, 1993
by SamoaRowe

-They are airing LIVE from the Manhattan Center in New York City! Our hosts are Vince McMahon, Randy Savage, and Bobby Heenan. They air a cute clip of Savage cheering a child on during a weight lifting contest at the Special Olympics.

-They replay the footage of Mr. Perfect jumping Shawn Michaels on the sidewalk from last week.

-Lord Alfred Hayes is outside the building, saying he saw someone in disguise show up.

The Smoking Gunns vs. Tony Vadja and Glenn Ruth
Bart Gunn kicks the match off against Vadja, overwhelming the newcomer easily. Billy Gunn tags but so does Ruth. Billy dominates with a takedown. Bart tags and the Gunns hit a double side Russian legsweep. Body slam by Bart and Billy tags. Elbow drop by Billy and a knee drop. The Smoking Gunns keep making tags, setting up effective double team moves. The Gunns work over Ruth’s arm. Bart almost botches catching Ruth from Billy and nails a piledriver for the win at 3:42. Effective match to put over the Gunns, ¾*.
Winners: The Smoking Gunns

-Vince McMahon welcomes Intercontinental Champion Shawn Michaels to the ring. The “Shawn is gay” chants are particularly loud this week. McMahon asks why Mr. Perfect would attack him, but Shawn sidesteps the question to talk about how the Heartbreak Kid is a man of his word. Michaels puts himself over as the best in the Federation, willing to defend his title against anyone at any time against anybody. A disguised man enters the ring and reveals himself to be Marty Jannetty! Jannetty challenges Michaels to put his belt where his mouth is and defend the title tonight. Michaels is panicked and tries to excuse himself from the match because Jannetty doesn’t have his gear. Jannetty has his gear out back, let him go get it. McMahon announces the official title match for later tonight. This was great stuff.

Razor Ramon vs. The Kid
The Kid is already in the ring, and Ramon gets a televised entrance. Ramon tosses his toothpick at the Kid and the match is on. Ramon shoves The Kid around the ring. Hard slaps to the chest by Ramon. Abdominal stretch by Ramon. The Kid ducks a clothesline but gets caught for a fall away slam. Hard Irish whip by Ramon, but he misses a corner charge. Moonsault by The Kid connects and he gets the win at 2:11! The crowd explodes in surprise, Ramon throws a royal temper tantrum, and The Kid bolts from the ring! Upset! The match was short, but this was a classic moment, *.
Winner: The Kid

Tatanka vs. Scott Taylor
Aggressive clothesline by Tatanka and a back body drop. Taylor dodges a chop but gets back dropped to the floor. Tatanka clubs the head off the apron and connects with a chop. Back to the ring, hard Irish whip by Tatanka. Taylor eats a strong chop. Scoop slam by Tatanka and an elbow drop. Power slam by Tatanka and an elbow to the face. Another chop and scoop slam from Tatanka suggests this match should probably end. Hip toss by Tatanka. Taylor rakes the eyes and briefly takes control. Tatanka goes on the warpath and is a house on fire. Samoan drop puts Taylor away 3:42. Squashtastic, ½*.
Winner: Tatanka

Kamala vs. Yokozuna (with Mr. Fuji)
Slow start to the match, as both men prep themselves. They charge into the center and shove each other off. Kamala almost knocks Yokozuna off his feet and connects with a kick and some strikes. Yokozuna strikes back and head butts, knocking Kamala silly in the process. Kamala is knocked off his feet. Leg drop by Yokozuna. More chopping, but Kamala blocks and gets a series of smashes in. Mr. Fuji trips Kamala, allowing Yokozuna to kick and splash in the corner. Banzai drop finishes Kamala at 3:41. Good enough, ¾*.
Winner: Yokozuna

Intercontinental Championship:
Shawn Michaels © vs. Marty Jannetty

HBK corners Jannetty and hammers away. Jannetty blocks and gets a quick roll-up for 2. The pace quickens, Jannetty leap frogs and gets a sunset flip for 2. Jannetty ducks some clotheslines and connects with one of his own. Jannetty sends HBK crashing to ringside. Baseball slide by Jannetty and a springboard cross body! HBK is slow to return to the ring, so Jannetty gives him a hand. Jannetty ducks continues to clean house, getting a head scissors takedown for 2. Jannetty keeps the head scissors to wear down Michaels. HBK escapes but misses an elbow drop. Back body drop by Jannetty and a hard Irish whip sends HBK crashing to ringside. HBK grabs his belt and tries to walk out. Mr. Perfect appears and blocks HBK’s departure. We head to a commercial.

After the break, Jannetty is introducing HBK’s head to the ring post and bouncing him back into the ring. HBK counters and drops Jannetty neck-first onto the ropes. Mr. Perfect is still at ringside. HBK is now in firm control and repeatedly jabs. Michaels gets dirty, choking and using the ropes as a weapon. Snapmare into a chinlock by Michaels. HBK sends Jannetty into the corner and hits a drop-kick. Jannetty counters another attempt, catapulting Michaels into the ring post. Cover by Jannetty gets 2.5! Jannetty slams HBK and connects with an elbow shot. HBK runs into a strong power slam, giving Jannetty a cover attempt for 2. Jannetty fakes out Michaels on the ropes and connects with a flying cross body for 2.5! After a series of reversals, HBK hits Sweet Chin Music. Rather than go for the cover, HBK talks smack to Mr. Perfect at ringside. Perfect throws his towel at HBK, causing him to stumble into a roll-up for Jannetty, who gets the win and the title at 8:56 (shown). Another classic Raw moment, and a strong match to boot, ***¼.
Winner and new Intercontinental Champion: Marty Jannetty

Final Thoughts: This was the first Raw where they truly established the “anything can happen” sense of excitement. The Kid defeating Razor Ramon and Marty Jannetty taking the IC title from Shawn Michaels are two truly classic moments in Raw history, making this an episode worth watching.

Thumbs up.

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