WWF Summerslam 1993 – August 1993

WWF Summerslam 1993 – August 30th 1993 – Auburn Hills, Michigan

Matches
Razor Ramon defeated Ted DiBiase (7/10)
Steiner Brothers defeated Heavenly Bodies {WWF Tag Team Titles} (5/10)
Shawn Michaels defeated Mr Perfect {WWF Intercontinental Title} (7/10)
IRS defeated 1-2-3 Kid (5/10)
Bret Hart defeated Doink the Clown (5/10)

Jerry Lawler defeated Bret Hart (8/10)

Ludvig Borga defeated Marty Jannetty (6/10)

The Undertaker defeated Giant Gonzalez (7/10)

Tatanka and Smokin Gunns defeated Bam Bam Bigelow & Headshrinkers (6/10)

Lex Luger defeated Yokozuna {WWF World Heavyweight Title} (6/10)

Moments – Positives

There are a few highlights including the Lawler / Hart segment / storyline of Lawler pretending to be injured and Hart fighting Doink the Clown instead. The Taker / Gonzalez Rest In Peace match was also well built up and included the return of Paul Bearer. HBK / Perfect match was also very good.

Moments – Negatives

The main event was pretty poor and the Mr America gimmick for Lex Luger just did not work. He was given the World title shot because clearly at the time, there was no other face to use apart from Bret Hart. The card was very up and down and some poor matches like IRS/1-2-3 Kid and The tag team title match.

Overall Summary

One of the worst PPVs since the start of 1992. The card itself just was not good enough and you could tell that the company was really missing the likes of Hogan and Flair. This was a PPV which lacked the big characters and the big charisma of those two. Ramon, Diesel, Michaels and Hart were all brilliant but not ready to carry the company and this really showed through on the event.

SCORE = 6.5

WWF King Of The Ring 1993 – June 1993

WWF King of the Ring 1993 – June 13th 1993 – Dayton, Ohio

Matches
Bret Hart defeated Razor Ramon (7/10)
Mr Perfect defeated Mr Hughes (6/10)
Bam Bam Bigelow defeated Jim Duggan (6/10)
Tatanka drew with Lex Luger (7/10)
Bret Hart defeated Mr Perfect (8/10)

Yokozuna defeated Hulk Hogan {WWF World Heavyweight Title} (8/10)

Smokin Gunns and Steiner Brothers defeated Headshrinkers and Money Inc (7/10)

Shawn Michaels defeated Crush {WWF Intercontinental Title}(7/10)

Bret Hart defeated Bam Bam Bigelow {KOTR Final} (7/10)

Moments – Positives

Firstly, this PPV will always be remembered as the death of Hulkamania in the WWF, at least for the 20th century! This was Hogan’s last PPV appearance for the WWF and he lost the title after a massive leg drop from Yokozuna. This makes the PPV something important. In addition, it included the debut of Diesel and Billy Gunn in the Smokin Gunns. The ending of the PPV was a great moment in establishing the Lawler / Hart feud. Classic moment.

Moments – Negatives

Some of the KOTR matches were slightly too long but the overall card was solid. Very few negatives in this PPV.

Overall Summary

Not only the first King of the Ring PPV but also somewhat of a start of the new WWF Generation. The death of Hogan in the WWF makes this show very important in the history of the WWF and the evolution of the whole wrestling industry.

SCORE = 8.5

WWF Wrestlemania IX – April 1993

WWF Wrestlemania IX – April 4th 1993 – Las Vegas, Nevada

Matches
Tatanka defeated Shawn Michaels {WWF Intercontinental Title} (7/10)
The Steiner Brothers defeated Headshrinkers (6/10)
Doink the Clown defeated Crush (4/10)
Razor Ramon defeated Bob Backlund (7/10)
Money Inc defeated the Mega Maniacs {Hogan / Beefcake} {WWF Tag Team Titles} (8/10)
Lex Luger defeated Mr Perfect (7/10)
The Undertaker defeated Giant Gonzalez (7/10)
Yokozuna defeated Bret Hart {WWF World Heavyweight Title}(7/10)
Hulk Hogan defeated Yokozuna {WWF World Heavyweight Title} (n/a)

Moments – Positives

Firstly a moment which lives in memory is the fact that after Yokozuna beat Bret Hart to win the World title he accepted an open challenge from Hulk Hogan who beat him in mere seconds. Secondly, a big part of this Mania was the fact that this was more or less the last time Hogan was on top at the WWF until 10 years or so later. A few other standout moments was the solid openner and Michaels confrontation with Sherri as well as the match between Taker and Gonzalez.

Moments – Negatives

Personally, I felt the whole programme with Hogan winning the title was something which should have not happened at a Wrestlemania. I also thought the whole Roman toga uniform of all the commentators was over the top and pretty poor.

Overall Summary

Not a bad Mania at all with a pretty solid card but I think it was let down by the whole theme of Ceasars palace which felt a little bit like the WWF had sold out. I also thought the World Title fiasco was entertaining but unnecessary at a Wrestlemania! The Gonzalez / Taker match, though one for the ages, felt like it could have been better too.

SCORE = 7.5

WWF Royal Rumble 1993 – January 1993

WWF Royal Rumble 1993 – January 24th 1993 – Sacramento, California

Matches
The Steiner Brothers defeated The Beverly Brothers (5/10)
Shawn Michaels defeated Marty Janetty {WWF Intercontinental Title} (7/10)
Bam Bam Bigelow defeated Big Bossman (5/10)
Bret Hart defeated Razor Ramon {WWF World Heavyweight Title} (7/10)
Yokozuna won the Royal Rumble (8/10)

Moments – Positives

A pretty solid WWF Royal Rumble which started off the Yokozuna year that was 1993. Razor Ramon got his automatic push to a World title race as the WWF re-iterated their focus on the new WWF Generation. A classic feud between HBK and Janetty also ended at the Rumble which was pretty well done.

Moments – Negatives

The opening match was pretty poor as was the Bam Bam vs Bossman match. I personally didnt feel the Rumble itself had as much of a buzz about it as in previous years. Also the World Title match was at best ok which let the PPV down slightly.

Overall Summary
A solid Rumble PPV but not as good as it has been in recent years. WWF focused on the New Generation and perhaps at the time were not ready to quite unleash the wrestlers to the main event scene and it showed.

SCORE = 7.0

WWF Survivor Series 1992 – November 1992

WWF Survivor Series 1992 – November 25th 1992 – Richfield, Ohio

Matches
The Headshrinkers defeated High Energy (5/10)
Big Bossman defeated Nailz (7/10)
Tatanka defeated Rick Martel (6/10)
Randy Savage & Mr Perfect defeated Ric Flair & Razor Ramon (7/10)
Yokozuna defeated Virgil (6/10)

Nasty Boys & Natural Disasters defeated Money Inc & Beverly Brothers (6/10)

The Undertaker defeated Kamala {Casket Match} (7/10)

Bret Hart defeated Shawn Michaels {WWF World Heavyweight Title} (8/10)

Moments – Positives

The debut of Razor Ramon, Bret Hart as the World Champion and Shawn Michaels as the true Heart Break Kid. This PPV was almost the start of the New WWF Generation with Hart as the World Champion for the first time and a fitting PPV main event between HBK and Hart which would happen many more times in the years to come!

Moments – Negatives

A few poor matches but overall this has very few negatives. Even the Bossman / Nailz match was really well done.

Overall Summary
This was a very solid PPV. None of the matches were amazing but then again noneof them were poor which was very good for that period of time! I really enjoyed the beginning of HBK/Hart feud and it was also good to see the likes of Razor Ramon debut!

SCORE = 7.0

WWF Summerslam 1992 – August 1992

WWF Summerslam 1992 – August 31st 1992 – London (Wembley Stadium), England

Matches
The Legion of Doom defeated Money Inc (7/10)
Nailz defeated Virgil (4/10)
Shawn Michaels drew with Rick Martel {No Face Hitting Allowed} (6/10)
The Natural Disasters defeated Beverly Brothers {WWF Tag Team Titles} (6/10)
Crush defeated Repo Man (5/10)

Ultimate Warrior defeated Randy Savage {WWF World Heavyweight Title} (9/10)

The Undertaker defeated Kamala

British Bulldog defeated Bret Hart {WWF Intercontinental Title} (8/10)

Moments – Positives

The biggest thing to remember about this classic show is the setting. It was live from Wembley Stadium in England and the atmosphere really showed. British Bulldog beating Bret Hart for the IC title in the main event will always live in memory as one of the greatest moments for any British wrestling fan. Ultimate Warrior/Savage match was also a classic with Flair and Perfect on the outside and the crowd not knowing who would turn heel and sell out. It turned out none of them were working with Flair and the match ended in a DQ.

Moments – Negatives

Some truly poor matches sandwiched between decent fights. The Crush/Repo Man fight was poor as was the Tag Team title fight. Nailz vs Virgil had to be one of the worst matches to date too.

Overall Summary
A very good WWF Title match and a great IC contest with a classic ending truly made this Summerslam something special. I would recommend watching this just for the ending of the main event and the celebration of the crowd as Bulldog finally wins a singles title!

SCORE = 7.5

WWF Wrestlemania VIII – April 1992

WWF Wrestlemania VIII – April 5th 1992 – Indianapolis, Indiana

Matches
Shawn Michaels defeated El Matador (7/10)
The Undertaker defeated Jake Roberts (7/10)
Bret Hart defeated Roddy Piper {WWF Intercontinental Title} (8/10)
Big Bossman, Sgt Slaughter, Virgil and Jim Duggan defeated Nasty Boys, Repo Man and Mountie (5/10)
Randy Savage defeated Ric Flair {WWF World Heavyweight Title} (10/10)
Tatanka defeated Rick Martel (6/10)

Natural Disasters defeated Money Inc {WWF Tag Team Titles} (7/10)

Owen Hart defeated Skinner (5/10)

Hulk Hogan defeated Sid Justice (8/10)

Moments – Positives

This had many great moments, the staredown between Sid and Hogan, a classic bout between Flair and Savage for the World title and Miss Elizabeth’s choice at the very end of the match, Shawn Michaels true debut as the Heartbreak Kid, Owen Hart making a mark on the WWF, a great tag match for the WWF Tag team titles and the return of the Ultimate Warrior to help Hogan defeat Sid!

Moments – Negatives

The big tag team match in the middle was pretty poor and Owen Hart’s match with Skinner was too short and unnecessary. Apart from this no real negatives!

Overall Summary
This was one of my favourites Wrestlemania’s to date and it is the second PPV to date with a 10/10 match since Wrestlemania V’s Hogan/Savage main event. The Sid/Hogan match was well done but should have taken place before Savage/Flair although that is a very minor negative. Excellent.

SCORE = 9.5

WWF Royal Rumble 1992 – January 1992

WWF Royal Rumble 1992 – January 19th 1992 – Albany, New York

Matches
The New Foundation defeated the Orient Express (6/10)
Roddy Piper defeated The Mountie {WWF Intercontinental Title} (7/10)
The Beverly Brothers defeated the Bushwhackers (5/10)
The Natural Disasters defeated Legion of Doom {WWF Tag Team Titles} (7/10)
Ric Flair won the Royal Rumble {WWF World Heavyweight Title} (8/10)

Moments – Positives

There were a few positives about the whole PPV show. It began to look like more of a show of the new WWF generation. Shawn Michaels was officially a singles wrestler and managed by Sherri, Ric Flair mania was in full throttle as he won the WWF World title for the first time, the Royal Rumble match meant more as it was for the World title and the Roddy Piper/Mountie match was very entertaining!

Moments – Negatives

The Rumble match itself was not one of the best matches and the middle match between the Bushwhackers and Beverly Brothers really let the card down.

Overall Summary
A great PPV and a solid Rumble. Apart from the middle match, very few positives and by this time it was clear to see that the Rumble was one of the better produced events of the calendar year. It was a momentus Rumble as the World title was defended for the first time within the Rumble match up and Ric Flair’s first WWF title reign began!

SCORE = 8.5

WWF This Tuesday in Texas – December 1991

WWF This Tuesday in Texas 1991 – December 3rd 1991 – San Antonio, Texas

Matches
Bret Hart defeated Skinner {WWF Intercontinental Title} (6/10)
Randy Savage defeated Jake Roberts (8/10)
British Bulldog defeated The Warlord (5/10)
Ted DiBiase and Repo Man defeated Virgil and Tito Santana (5/10)
Hulk Hogan defeated The Undertaker {WWF World Heavyweight Title} (7/10)

Moments – Positives

A very watered down version of a PPV event. The clear highlight of the whole show was Hogan regaining the World Title off the Undertaker days after Taker’s victory over Hogan on Survivor Series. The other great highlight is Savage’s first official match since his loss to Warrior at Wrestlemania VII and Jake Roberts’ hitting Elizabeth.

Moments – Negatives
A very short PPV event which made it appear pretty wateredown and basic. The main event and the Savage match was great but the rest of the card was totally forgettable.

Overall Summary
Not a bad show considering the four or five matches which made up this very short PPV card. The title change obviously made this more memorable than expected and Hogan/Flair feud continue to develop during these months. Overall, I think all should give this one a go if not just to see Taker’s first WWF title defence.

SCORE = 7.0

WWF Survivor Series 1991 – November 1991

WWF Survivor Series 1991 – November 27th 1991 – Detroit, Michigan

Matches
Ric Flair, Mountie, Ted DiBiase and Warlord defeated Roddy Piper, Bret Hart, Virgil and British Bulldog (7/10)
Sgt Slaughter, Jim Duggan, Texas Tornado and Tito Santana def Coun Mustafa, Berzeker, Skinner and Hercules (4/10)
The Undertaker defeated Hulk Hogan {WWF World Heavyweight Title} (9/10)
Nasty Boys & Beverly Brothers defeated The Rockers & The Bushwhackers (6/10)
Legion of Doom and Big Bossman defeated IRS and Natural Disasters (6/10)

Moments – Positives
Not a bad pay-per-view at all. Firstly, it was the first proper PPV featuring Ric Flair which was a very significant moment. It was also the first WWF World title reign for the Undertaker as he defeated Hogan with interference from Flair. This was a memorable moment a year after Taker’s debut. Savage getting re-instated and the feud between Snake / Savage also showcased at this event.

Moments – Negatives
Some of the matches themselves were pretty poor, particularly the last two and the Sgt Slaughter tag match. The storylines stood out in this event as well as the World title match otherwise it would have most certainly been below average!

Overall Summary
As always with these Survivor Series events, the matches themselves were pretty poor but the storylines were actually solid. Seeing Hogan lose the title unexpectedly was most certainly the highlight and it is worth watching the show just to see Undertaker win t he gold for the very first time!

SCORE = 7.0