Shawn Michaels

‘WWF WRESTLEMANIA IX’ Recap + Review – Bret vs. Yoko, Mega Maniacs vs. Money Inc., Maybe I Don’t Hate Giant Gonzalez?

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DATE: April 4, 1993
VENUE: Caesar’s Palace (Las Vegas, NV)
COMMENTATORS: Jim Ross, “Macho Man” Randy Savage, & Bobby “The Brain” Heenan

Long regarded as one of the worst WrestleMania events of all-time, the 9th edition of the event really leaned into their Caesar’s Palace (parking lot) location from the graphics to mostly everyone being decked out in togas. It was an interesting experiment that many considered a failure. But was it? Was it really?

…

Okay kinda but I think I did end up liking the show a lot more than most people. Let’s run down the show and I’ll tell you why.

CHAMPIONS

  • WWF CHAMPION: Bret “The Hitman” Hart
  • WWF INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPION: “The Heartbreak Kid” Shawn Michaels
  • WWF TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS: Money Inc. (“The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase & Irwin R. Schyster)

LINEUP (Personal Favorites in Bold)

  • Shawn Michaels [c] vs. Tatanka for the WWF INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP
  • The Steiner Brothers vs. The Headshrinkers
  • Crush vs. Doink The Clown
  • Bob Backlund vs. Razor Ramon
  • Money Inc. [c] vs. Mega Maniacs for the WWF TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
  • Mr. Perfect vs. Lex Luger
  • The Undertaker vs. Giant Gonzalez
  • Bret Hart [c] vs. Yokozuna for the WWF CHAMPIONSHIP
  • A TOTALLY FINE AND NOT ALL CONTROVERSIAL SECOND MATCH I WON’T SPOIL HERE

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[PPV Recap] ‘WWF ROYAL RUMBLE 1991’ – Warrior vs. Slaughter, Virgil Becomes His Own Man, Also a Rumble

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DATE: January 19, 1991
VENUE: Miami Arena (Miami, FL)
COMMENTATORS: Gorilla Monsoon & “Rowdy” Roddy Piper

The 1991 Royal Rumble features a WWF Championship match for the first time on its card as The Ultimate Warrior defends against the traitorous Sgt. Slaughter. Also on the show The Big Boss Man slaps meat with The Barbarian, The Mountie makes his WWF PPV debut, and oh right there’s a Royal Rumble match too. How silly of me.

CHAMPIONS

  • WWF CHAMPION: The Ultimate Warrior
  • WWF INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPION: Mr. Perfect
  • WWF TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS: The Hart Foundation (Bret “Hitman” Hart & Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart)

LINEUP

  • The Rockers vs. The Orient Express (****)
  • Big Boss Man vs. The Barbarian (***1/2)
  • Ultimate Warrior [c] vs. Sgt. Slaughter for the WWF CHAMPIONSHIP (*3/4)
  • Koko B. Ware vs. The Mountie (*)
  • Dusty & Dustin Rhodes vs. Ted DiBiase & Virgil (*1/2)
  • THE 1991 ROYAL RUMBLE (***)

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[PPV Recap] ‘WWF SURVIVOR SERIES 1990’ – A Legacy Begins, an Egg is Hatched

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DATE: November 22, 1990 VENUE: Hartford Civic Center (Hartford, CT) COMMENTATORS: Gorilla Monsoon & “Rowdy” Roddy Piper Survivor Series ‘90 features a unique (and sadly one time only) spin on the Survivor Series format as the survivors of each match will go on to a final Survivor Series match to determine the ULTIMATE winner of … Read more

[PPV Recap] ‘WWF SummerSlam 1989: Feel the Heat’ – Hogan/Beefcake vs. Savage/Zeus, Warrior vs. Rude

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DATE: August 28, 1989
VENUE: Meadowlands (East Rutherford, NJ)
COMMENTATORS: Tony Schiavone & Jesse “The Body” Ventura

The 2nd annual SummerSlam features a blockbuster of a main event as Zeus leaves the confines of BEING A FICTIONAL CHARACTER IN A MOVIE to team with “Macho Man” Randy Savage against his hated rival Hulk Hogan and Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake. Wrestling rules.

CHAMPIONS
  • WWF CHAMPION: Hulk Hogan
  • WWF INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPION: “Ravishing” Rick Rude
  • WWF TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS: The Brain Busters (“The Enforcer” Arn Anderson & Tully Blanchard)
LINEUP
  • The Hart Foundation vs. The Brain Busters (****1/4)
  • Dusty Rhodes vs. The Honky Tonk Man (*1/2)
  • The Red Rooster vs. Mr. Perfect (*1/2)
  • Tito Santana & The Rockers vs. Rick Martel & The Fabulous Rougeaus (***1/2)
  • Rick Rude [c] vs. The Ultimate Warrior for the WWF INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP (***3/4)
  • Jim Duggan & Demolition vs. Andre The Giant & The Twin Towers (**)
  • Hercules vs. Greg Valentine (*1/2)
  • Jimmy Snuka vs. Ted DiBiase (*1/4)
  • Hulk Hogan & Brutus Beefcake vs. Randy Savage & Zeus (**1/2)

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[PPV Recap] ‘WWF King of the Ring 1995’ – Mabel Rises, Feet Are Kissed

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DATE: June 25, 1995
VENUE: Corestates Spectrum (Philadelphia, PA)
COMMENTATORS: Vince McMahon & Dok Hendrix 

1995 is considered one of the worst years in WWE history, with King of the Ring being the go-to when talking about the worst PPVs of all time. With 25 years’ worth of hindsight and history behind me, let’s see if that still holds true today. 

CHAMPIONS 

  • WWF CHAMPION: “Big Daddy Cool” Diesel 
  • WWF INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPION: “Double J” Jeff Jarrett 
  • WWF TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS: Owen Hart & Yokozuna 

LINEUP 

  • KOTR QUALIFIER: Savio Vega vs. Irwin R. Schyster (*1/2) 
  • KOTR QUARTERFINALS: Savio Vega vs. Yokozuna (*1/4) 
  • KOTR QUARTERFINALS: Bob Holly vs. The Roadie (**) 
  • KOTR QUARTERFINALS: Shawn Michaels vs. Kama (***) 
  • KOTR QUARTERFINALS: The Undertaker vs. Mabel (*1/2) 
  • KOTR Semi-Finals (**) 
  • KISS MY FOOT MATCH: Bret Hart vs. Jerry Lawler (**) 
  • KOTR Finals (*) 
  • Diesel & Bam Bam Bigelow vs. Sycho Sid & Tatanka (**) 

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[TV Review] ‘WWF Monday Night RAW’ 1.23.95 – Kid & Holly vs. Gunns, Royal Rumble Recap

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COMMENTATORS: Vince McMahon & “The Heartbreak Kid” Shawn Michaels

One night after their Cinderella story victory at the Royal Rumble the unlikely team of The 1-2-3 Kid and Bob Holly put their newly-won WWF Tag Team Titles on the line against the returning Smoking Gunns. Also on the show Todd Pettengill predates podcasts by 20+ years with his recap of the Rumble PPV, IRS and Davey Boy Smith are in action, and new Intercontinental Champion Jeff Jarrett sets his sight on more gold.

CHAMPIONS

  • WWF CHAMPION: “Big Daddy Cool” Diesel
  • WWF INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPION: “Double J” Jeff Jarrett
  • WWF WOMEN’S CHAMPION: Alundra Blayze
  • WWF TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS: The 1-2-3 Kid & Bob “Spark Plugg” Holly

LINEUP

  • The 1-2-3 Kid & Bob Holly [c] vs. The Smoking Gunns for the WWF TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP (***1/4)
  • Irwin R. Schyster vs. Buck Quartermain
  • Davey Boy Smith vs. Black Phantom

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[PPV Recap] ‘WWF Royal Rumble 1995’ – Diesel/Bret, Undertaker/IRS, Pam Anderson, & More

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DATE: January 22, 1995
VENUE: USF Sun Dome (Tampa, FL)
COMMENTATORS: Vince McMahon & Jerry “The King” Lawler

The 1995 edition of the Royal Rumble features a much quicker namesake, as the Rumble match cuts the intervals between participants down to one minute. Was this done to be more exciting or was it done to get it over with as quickly as possible? We shall find out! Also on the show Diesel defends the WWF Championship against Bret Hart, Razor Ramon puts his Intercontinental Championship on the line against Jeff Jarrett, new Tag Team Champions are crowned, and the seeds are sewn for what is sure to be a massive hit main event at WrestleMania XI, no sir can’t foresee anyone thinking this is a bad idea.

CHAMPIONS

  • WWF CHAMPION: “Big Daddy Cool” Diesel
  • WWF INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPION: “The Bad Guy” Razor Ramon
  • WWF WOMEN’S CHAMPION: Alundra Blayze
  • WWF TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS: Vacant

LINEUP

  • Razor Ramon [c] vs. Jeff Jarrett for the WWF INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP (***)
  • The Undertaker vs. Irwin R. Schyster (*1/4)
  • Diesel [c] vs. Bret Hart for the WWF CHAMPIONSHIP (**3/4)
  • The 1-2-3 Kid & Bob Holly vs. Bam Bam Bigelow & Tatanka for the vacant WWF TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP (***1/2)
  • The 1995 Royal Rumble (***)

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[TV Review] ‘WWF Monday Night Raw’ 1.16.95 – Bret vs. Double J, Mantaur Makes RAW Debut

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Commentators: Vince McMahon & “The Heartbreak Kid” Shawn Michaels

The TekWar synergy continues on Monday Night RAW as William Shatner accompanies Bret Hart in his match against Jeff Jarrett. Mantaur also makes his Monday debut without his giant moose helmet thing and with a new manager, Mabel squishes a jobber, and The Million Dollar Corporation call their shot heading into Sunday’s Royal Rumble.

CHAMPIONS

  • WWF CHAMPION: “Big Daddy Cool” Diesel
  • WWF INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPION: “The Bad Guy” Razor Ramon
  • WWF WOMEN’S CHAMPION: Alundra Blayze
  • WWF TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS: Vacant

LINEUP

  • The 1-2-3 Kid & Bob Holly vs. The Heavenly Bodies (**)
  • Mantaur vs. Jason Ahrndt
  • Bret Hart vs. Jeff Jarrett (***)
  • Mabel vs. Lee Tobin

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[TV Review] ‘WWF Monday Night Raw’ 1.9.95 – 2nd Anniversary, Razor vs. Owen, Tuxedo Match

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Venue: The Summit (Houston, TX)
Commentators: Vince McMahon & “The Heartbreak Kid” Shawn Michaels

Monday Night RAW celebrates its two-year anniversary with…Howard Finkel taking on Harvey Wippleman in a Tuxedo Match? Eh better than a lot of the other RAW celebrations over the past few years to be honest. Also on the show Razor Ramon defends the Intercontinental Championship against Owen Hart, Hakushi makes his Monday debut, and Jerry Lawler invites TekWar’s very own William Shatner onto the King’s Court.

CHAMPIONS

  • WWF CHAMPION: “Big Daddy Cool” Diesel
  • WWF INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPION: “The Bad Guy” Razor Ramon
  • WWF WOMEN’S CHAMPION: Alundra Blayze
  • WWF TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS: Vacant

THE LINEUP

  • Razor Ramon [c] vs. Owen Hart for the WWF INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP (***1/2)
  • Hakushi vs. Matt Hardy
  • King Kong Bundy vs. Gary Sabaugh
  • TUXEDO MATCH: Howard Finkel vs. Harvey Wippleman (HEH?)

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[TV Review] ‘WWF Monday Night Raw’ 1.2.95 – Luger/Davey Boy vs. Bigelow/Tatanka TWICE, King’s Court

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Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon & “The Heartbreak Kid” Shawn Michaels

The first Monday Night RAW features Lex Luger & Davey Boy Smith taking on Bam Bam Bigelow & Tatanka, and in the main event…Lex Luger & Davey Boy Smith take on Bam Bam Bigelow & Tatanka! Also on this episode Jeff Jarrett teases singing, Todd Pettengill delivers a Royal Rumble report, and Jerry Lawler invites fellow king Owen Hart on The King’s Court.

CHAMPIONS

  • WWF CHAMPION: “Big Daddy Cool” Diesel
  • WWF INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPION: “The Bad Guy” Razor Ramon
  • WWF TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS: Vacant

LINEUP

  • Lex Luger & Davey Boy Smith vs. Bam Bam Bigelow & Tatanka (*1/2)
  • Duke Droese vs. Mike Bell
  • Jeff Jarrett vs. Buck Quartermain
  • Lex Luger & Davey Boy Smith vs. Bam Bam Bigelow & Tatanka (*1/2)

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