WWF Monday Night Raw July 19, 1993
by SamoaRowe
-We see footage from the “Lex Luger Call to Action” campaign. Luger is promoting American patriotism, and is touring the country in the Lex Express. Yeah, it’s just as cheesy as it sounds.
-Live from New York City. Our hosts are Vince McMahon, Bobby Heenan, and Randy Savage.
Intercontinental Championship:
Shawn Michaels © (with Diesel) vs. Marty Jannetty
HBK waits for Jannetty to turn his back before attacking. Series of elbows by Michaels and a backdrop, but Jannetty lands on his feet. Clothesline by Jannetty gets 2. Roll-up by Jannetty gets 2. Jannetty uses HBK’s momentum to send him crashing through the ropes to ringside. Back to the ring, Michaels works the head. Shawn reverses a hip toss but misses a clothesline and super kick. HBK cheap shots during a break but he soon runs into a series of arm drags. Scoop slam by Jannetty gets 2. Jannetty works the arm. Some back and forth action leads to a flying clothesline by Jannetty. Michaels dodges another top rope move but eats a DDT. Cover by Jannetty gets 3, but Michaels had his foot on the ropes. Diesel points it out to the ref as we head to commercial.
After the break, we join the match back in progress. Jannetty is in control and looking for a pinfall. Backbreaker by Jannetty gets 2. Sleeper by Jannetty. Michaels eventually counters with a back suplex. Jannetty reverses a whip but runs into an elbow shot. Jannetty is sent crashing to ringside, in front of the menacing Diesel. Back to the ring, they bounce off the ropes and wipe each other out. Michaels collapses to ringside. Diesel tries to help HBK up, who manages to cheap shot the eyes of Jannetty and time for another commercial.
We’re back and Michaels is now in firm control, working a chinlock. Jannetty slugs out but runs into a knee to the midsection. Front headlock by Michaels. HBK uses the ropes to take Jannetty back down and hold on to the headlock. Jannetty shows signs of life and crotches Michaels on the ropes. Elbow shot by Jannetty gets 2. Jannetty counters a powerbomb with a pin for 2.5. Jannetty misses a splash in the corner but counters HBK’s flying cross body into a cover for 2.5. Michaels gets tied up in the ropes, allowing a series of shots. Jannetty dives but HBK dodges, sending the challenger crashing to the floor. Diesel tosses Jannetty back to the ring. Cover by HBK gets 3 at 13:58 (shown). Michaels steals another one in classic fashion, ***½.
Winner and still Intercontinental Champion: Shawn Michaels
-Vince McMahon interviews Money Inc in the ring. Dibiase is counting his money and considers it to be his favorite past time. Vince suggests that the Steiners’ favorite past time is beating Money Inc for tag team gold. IRS is angry and says that next week they get their rematch against the Steiners. Dibiase isn’t finished and calls Razor Ramon the biggest loser in the Federation. Razor struts his way to the ring to address the claim. Razor scoffs at the offer to work for Money Inc. Dibiase has trouble believing that Razor doesn’t have a price and flaunts cash in his face. This pushes Razor over the edge and he cleans the ring of Dibiase and IRS. My money says that Razor costs Money Inc the match against the Steiners next week. Dibiase wants to send a message to Ramon and challenges the 1-2-3 Kid to a match.
Men on a Mission (with Oscar) vs. Rich Myers and Hank Harris
Oscar raps the entrance music for Men on a Mission. This is M.O.M.’s Raw debut, they consist of Mo and Mabel (aka, Viscera, Big Daddy V). Myers is isolated, taking shots from both members of M.O.M. Double elbow drop by M.O.M. Harris tags but gets overwhelmed by the two big men. Shoulder block by Mabel and a sort of power slam. Mo helps drive Mabel onto Harris for the win at 1:49. Blech, DUD.
Winner: Men on a Mission
Bastion Booger vs. Scott Despres
Oh, please let this be quick. Booger tosses Despres around, hitting a clothesline. Leg drop by Booger and a power slam. Booger sits on the face to get the pinfall at 1:02. Simply horrible, -*.
Winner: Bastion Booger
-Hype video for an upcoming grudge match between Bret Hart and Bam Bam Bigelow. The match takes place next week!
-Jerry Lawler picks on Tiny Tim in a King’s Court segment. I have no clue who this guy is, but he’s apparently famous (Editor's Note: he had the popular late 60's novelty song "Tip Toe Through the Tulips" and later got married on The Tonight Show). Lawler addresses the fans chanting for Bret Hart and says they call him a Burger King. Tim says that Lawler isn’t a Burger King, he’s a Dairy Queen. Oh snap! Lawler responds in mature fashion, destroying Tim’s ukulele. Tim crashes to the floor in agony over the destruction of his prized instrument.
The 1-2-3 Kid vs. Chris Duffy
The Kid takes control with quick kicks. Money Inc come in to watch the match. Headlock by The Kid. Razor Ramon enters through the crowd as well. Back in the ring, The Kid is still in control, hitting a couple quick leg drops. Boot to the face by Duffy, who hits a shoulder tackle. The Kid rebounds with his fast offense. The Kid goes high risk and nails a flying leg drop. Cover by The Kid gets 3 at 2:14. Passable squash, ½*.
Winner: The 1-2-3 Kid
-The 1-2-3 Kid takes the honorable road and escapes through the crowd before anyone can hurt him. Tension continues to rise between Ramon and Money Inc. A commercial break ruins everything.
-After the break, a young fan is hanging out at the commentary table. And that’s it.
Final Thoughts: The Intercontinental Championship is worth sitting down to watch as it’s another great chapter in the Jannetty/Michaels rivalry. The story with Money Inc and Razor Ramon also continued to develop nicely. However, Men on a Mission were a laughable attempt to cash in on the growing popularity of hip hop in the 90’s and Bastion Booger is Bastion Booger.
Thumbs in the middle.
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