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WWF Superstars - November 14, 1992

by Erick Von Erich

Thanksgivin' Thumpin' has spurred me to search the Internets for "WWF + November" and this little thingie came up. WWF programming was ausually hacked-up and switched around at this time, but it appears that these matches were all taped on October 12, 1992 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Noteworthy because that's the taping where; seemingly out-of-nowhere; Bret Hart pinned Ric Flair to win the WWF Championship. Our hosts for this episode are Vince McMahon and Mr. Perfect, who waste no time shilling the new WWF Magazine, with Shawn Michaels on the cover. It also has a special look at Bob Backlund, who's making a comeback to the WWF. But with so much going on in the World Wrestling Federation, let's get down to ringside for...

• A Special Look at Bob Backlund

  Okay...so we're not at ringside just yet. We get a special video look at Backlund's career, including his (W)WWF title win on Feb 20, 1978 at MSG! Complete with sappy music and newspaper clippings. "Over 40 athlete" was a pretty popular hook around the sports world in the early 90's. At the time, guys like George Foreman, Jimmy Connors; then to a lesser extent; Lyle Alzado and Jim Palmer all made well-hyped "comebacks" over the age of 40. I always felt this was the WWF getting their own version of the "oldster comeback story". They make a big deal about Backlund being 43... yet consider that the WWF was running a main event feud between 40 year old Randy Savage and 43 year old Ric Flair, at the same time. Backlund concludes the segment with a very humble promo.

• Match 1: The Headshrinkers (w/Afa) vs. Jim Powers & Bob St. Laurent

  Samu & Fatu give each other a headbutt before the match, just in case we forgot that that move is the official manuever of all Samoan wrestlers. Powers gets some mild offense with some arm-wringers, but St. Laurent walks right into plenty of headbutts. The mysterious "clown" (Doink) wanders down the aisle for no real reason. Fatu climbs up on Samu's shoulder for a big flying splash to get the pin on St. Laurent..while somewhat disturbingly licking his cheek. The 'Shrinkers then stomp away on ol' Bob, post-match.

• Events Center with "Mean" Gene Okerlund

  Brought to you by Ico-Pro, to the surprise of three people. Gene hypes the upcoming "Saturday Night's Main Event" on FOX, "tonight". This particular version focusses on a local card at the Brown County Arena (Wisconsin). Gene's even talked with former Green Bay Packer, Max McGee, who's psyched up for this show. We get a promo from Ric Flair (w/Perfect), who's gunning for Bret Hart in a rematch for the WWF Title. Then, it's the Undertaker's turn, as he'll lock-up with Nailz.

Quick bluescreen promo from Bam Bam Bigelow, who screams his name and warns that he's coming to the WWF. Perfect acts stupid and says he's never seen anything like Bigelow.

• Match 2: Marty Jannetty vs. "Iron" Mike Sharpe

  I think this is pretty early in Marty's "return". Sharpe stops to pose (and bellow), then gets drop-kicked out of the ring. We get an in-set promo from Marty, who says he's out to kick Shawn Michaels' butt. A top-rope fist-drop works as the finisher to put Sharpe away.

• Update with Lord Alfed Hayes

  Hayes pumps up new WWF Champ, Bret "Hitman" Hart, as a fighting champion. We get the closing moments of a title defense against the Berzerker. Hart retains with the sharpshooter, for the record. "Tonight", he'll be facing Papa Shango on SNME. Next week on "Superstars", he'll even be defending against the man they call... Virgil! We get dueling promos for both Hart and Virgil. Hart mentions that he picked up all of former champ Ric Flair's obligations, thus the Virgil match. Don't laugh...I kinda' want to see this match.

• Match 3: Nailz vs. Ken Carson

  I think that's the jobber's name... hard to hear over McMahon and Perfect's babblings about SNME. Buncha' thumpin' and chokin' from Nailz, but he actually gets a leapfrog and a regular clothesline, then finishes things with the "blatant choke". Doink is shown, halfway up the crowd, cheering him on. Y'know, I'm surpised TNA didn't try to introduce a character similar to Nailz as part of their "Aces & Eights" storyline. Their "man on the inside at County", in another rip-off of "Sons of Anarchy".

• A Very Special Interview with the Natural Disasters and the Nasty Boys

  The live podium interview segement...and I'll be darn if I can tell you the host's name. All four guys high-five each other and talk about their upcoming Survivor Series elimination match against Money, Inc. and the Beverly Brothers.

• The Survivor Series Report with "Mean" Gene Okerlund

  Promos from Ric Flair & Razor Ramon, then their opponents at the event: The Ullllltimate Maniacs: "Macho Man" Randy Savage & the Ultimate Warrior. Warrior says they're united with "the bondage of the Ultimate Maniacs".

• Match 4: Kamala (w/Kim Chee & Dr. Harvey Whippleman) vs. Steve Gillespie

  Whippleman grabs the house mic from Howard Finkel and introduces "the lord of the jungle, Kamala". It's every Kamala match you've seen since 1982.

Promo from Paul Bearer and the Undertaker, who are a metal foundry, preparing a coffin for Kamala the Survivor Series.

• Events Center with "Mean" Gene Okerlund

  More local hype, this time from Money, Inc (w/Jimmy Hart), then the Ultimate Warrior. Warrior was scheduled to face Razor Ramon on December 14th, but didn't stick around. Thankfully, we have this rambling promo about the "city of madness and lunacy" to pacify us.

McMahon and Perfect sign-off while previewing next week's show...but more importantly, check out the three title matches coming up "tonight" on Saturday Night's Main Event.

Why'd You Watch This?
This is complete garbage. Yes, it's just hype for SNME and Survivor Series. While those types of shows are usually low on substance, this one is completely empty of substance. Just announcers constantly telling you to watch. When the biggest "superstar" in action on this episode is Kamala, you know it's worth skipping.

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