WWF at MSG Flashback Report
January 29, 1993
New York City at Madison Square Garden
Est. Attendance: 12,000

Results originally published in Torch Newsletter #212 cover-dated February 1, 1993. Access the back-issue here. Not VIP? Find out how to access over 1,000 Torch back-issues by clicking here at PWTORCH.COM.

(1) Tito Santana (Merced Solis) pinned Skinner (Steve Keirn) at 8:38 following a flying forearm. There was more playing to the audience than actual wrestling, although I did see a “rake of the back" for the first time in ages. A lackluster opener for a high-profile showcase for the WWF. (*1/2)

Every wrestler scheduled for the card came out for a presentation to the Red Cross. Gene Okerlund introduced the wrestlers, who lined up outside the ring, one-by-one. Officials from the WWF present were Vince McMahon, Linda McMahon, J.J. Dillon, Tony Garea, Sgt. Slaughter, Dave Hebner, Pat Patterson, and Arnold Skaaland. Two Red Cross officials were also in the ring. Following an invocation by Rev. Slick, WWF champion Bret Hart was introduced to theme music. Hart ran into the ring carrying a poster-sized replica check for $100,000, which he displayed by standing up on the turnbuckle in all four corners. A nice touch.

(2) "Macho Man" Randy Savage (Randy Poffo) pinned "Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase at 14:00 with a DDT. While not on par with their title match many WrestleManias ago, it was still better than average. Savage worked hard, including a miss on a flying elbow. (***)

(3) Tatanka (Crhsi Chavis) pinned Damien Demento at 9:02 after a Tomahawk Drop. (**)

(4) WWF champion Bret Hart pinned Bam Bam Bigelow (Scott Bigelow) to retain the WWF Title. This was a major highlight of the night. Both took monster bumps. At one point, Hart tried to leap off the ropes onto Bigelow, who was outside the ring. Bigelow caught him like a throw pillow and rammed him into the ringpost. Later, Bigelow had Hart in a backbreaker, which Hart escaped by kicking off the top rope. Bigelow kicked out of a Sharpshooter attempt. Then, the finale came when Hart, seated on Bigelow's shoulders, was able to roll Bigelow into a pin in a Frankensteiner-like move. (***1/4)

(5) "Mr. Perfect" Curt Hennig defeated Ric Flair (Richard Fleihr) via DQ at 17:00 following interference from Razor Ramon. A fine swanswong for Flair, although I rate it a notch below his Raw match against Perfect. At 8:00, Hennig had the figure-four on Flair. Hennig also took some of the loudest chops in WWF history. Heenan handed Flair brass knuckles, which led to Sgt. Slaughter escorting Heenan from the ring. (Inexplicably, Slaughter didn't ask for the brass knucklesl) After escaping from a sleeper, Flair used the knuckles, but Hennig kicked out. At about 17:00, Hennig Perfect-plexed Flair. As the referee began to count, Razor Ramon entered the ring and attacked Hennig. (***1/2)

After the attack, Hennig had to be assisted back to the dressing room by late-arriving WWF officials. Good work by Hennig and Flair. I was glad Flair did not have to lose by pinfall at his final MSG show.

(6) The Headshrinkers defeated Virgil (Mike Jones) & Jim Powers (James Manley) by pinning Powers at 6:20. Powers subbed for "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan. Powers got the hot tag and had a flurry of offense until he tried to give the Shrinkers a headbutt. It had no effect, and the Shrinkers proceeded to double-team Powers and get the pin. It was interesting to note that while Virgil was booed at the Manhattan Center two blocks away two weeks later, he got a good pop from the MSG crowd, which is demographically very different. (**)

There was a 15-minute intermission, although being 10:00 p.m. already, I questioned the need for further delay with five matches remaining.

(7) Typhoon (Fred Ottman) pinned Berserker (John Nord) at 6:00 following an avalanche. This was a pick 'em match - hard to predict who would win because they're both buried so far down the WWF pecking order. Berserker tried in vain to knock Typhoon over with shoulder blocks, but he couldn’t move him. (**)

- Ring announcer Howard Finkle (“The Fink") announced to the crowd the death of Andre the Giant. The crowd stood for a moment of silence in which the ring bell was sounded ten times. Then, the crowd began chanting, "An-dre, An-dre!”

(8) Razor Ramon (Scott Hall) pinned Big Bossman (Ray Traylor) after Bigelow missed a charge into the tumbuckle. This was the one match of the night that clearly exceeded expectations, partially because people tend to underestimate Bossman and partially because Razor has developed into a great heel. The match began with Ramon flicking his toothpick into the Bossman’s face, and the Bossman returning the favor. Okay, so they might have lingered too long on a resthold or two, but there was enough action to keep it interesting. The end came without a real finishing move as Bossman charged Ramon in the comer, but Ramon moved. Bossman hit the turnbuckle, and Ramon rolled up the stunned security guard for the pin.

(9) The Undertaker (Mark Calloway) mgd. by Paul Bearer pinned I.R.S. (Lawrence Rotunda) mgd. by Jimmy Hart at 4:30 after a Tombstone Piledriver. Usually, when Undertaker wrestles a mid-card wrestler, it is a glorified squash match, but I.R.S. actually had plenty of offense going. When Undertaker had Jimmy Hart in a choke, I.R.S. rammed him from behind with his briefcase. I.R.S. then got his licks in before the inevitable “impervious to pain" routine and Tombstone. No bodybag. This match should have been billed as “The Inevitable Match: Death and Taxes.” (**1/4)

(10) Rick & Scott Steiner defeated The Beverly Brothers (Wayne Bloom & Mike Enos) at 10:00 when Scott frankensteinered one of the Beverlys. This was a decent re-match from the Rumble, but I would have liked to see the Steiners unload more of their power moves. (***)

(11) Bob Backlund defeated Shawn Michaels (Michael Hickenbottom) in 18:00 by count-out. Backlund is a step slower (maybe two steps slower), but I still saw some maneuvers in this match that I had never seen before. Backlund dominated most of the match, prompting Michaels to walk out. Backlund chased Michaels back into the ring and administered the famous atomic knee drop. Backlund covered Michaels as the referee stood motionless, not counting. Backlund slapped the mat three times and the bell sounded. The Intercontinental belt was even handed to Backlund, who held it aloft. The referee made the announcement that Michaels had already been counted out of the ring and disqualified, thus holding onto the belt.

After the main event, Backlund lingered in the ring for ten minutes, contemplating his near-win, even as the house lights went up. Afterward, he slapped hands and signed autographs for fans. (***1/4)

Notes: Overall, a great card. The WWF returns Mar. 21 with Savage vs. Doink and Perfect & Hart vs. Ramon & Luger. [George Corchia]

[Torch photo credit Mike Lano (c) PWTorch.com]

We suggest these recent related articles...

WWE FLASHBACK: Kane character debuts 18 yrs. ago today in first-ever Hell in a Cell match - Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels

HIAC FLASHBACK: Kane beats Undertaker in HIAC match 5 yrs. ago today, plus Randy Orton vs. Sheamus for WWE Title

ROH FLASHBACK: The aftermath of Joe vs. Kobashi 10 years ago today