Mattywood

WWF Wrestling Challenge Airing Saturday, Wk 4, January 1992 (Taped Tuesday, Wk 3, January 1992) Dane County Coliseum Madison, WI Attendance: 9,131 (Sold out!) Dark Matches: -Penny Mitchell & Cheryl Rusa def. Denise Storm & Peggy Lee Leather when Mitchell pinned Leather. -Rockin' Robin def. Allison Royal by pinfall with the Running Bulldog. Main Show: - ::Battle Royal:: Brian Knobbs, Bushwhacker Butch, Davey Boy Smith, Irwin R. Schyster, Jerry Sags, Jim Neidhart, Koko B. Ware, Bushwhacker Luke, Skinner & Tito Santana It's a cold open for Wrestling Challenge this week as we see the Nasty Boys, Bushwhackers, High Power, Tito Santana & Skinner already in the ring. IRS makes his way down to the ring, chastising the Dane County Coliseum fans for cheating on their taxes, but not to worry: he'll gladly send the Repo Man over to confiscate their dairy products, bratwurst & beer hops, which of course draws heat from the fans. The familiar strains of the British Bulldog's entrance music plays over the speakers, much to the relief of the fans & Gorilla Monsoon so that they don't have to hear IRS' ranting anymore. Bobby Heenan counters that IRS should replace Andy Rooney when the latter retires. The match starts, & it's a fast start to this battle royal as well since everyone is looking to be the first ever WWF Television Champion, even if they are in a tag team. High Power & the Nasty Boys immediately go after each other, brawling like there's no tomorrow. While everyone else is trying to eliminate each other, Davey Boy Smith clotheslines IRS down to the canvas, then runs over & clotheslines the Nasty Boys over the top rope & to the floor... but in doing so, he also inadvertently eliminates High Power. Davey looks disappointed as he wants High Power to know that he wasn't going to attack them from behind, being a stand up guy & all, & IRS dumps Davey Boy out from behind. Meanwhile, Bushwhacker Luke has already been eliminated by Skinner, & the Alligator Man of the WWF forms a loose alliance with IRS to fight off Bushwhacker Butch & Tito Santana. Skinner is able to dispatch of Butch, but Tito eliminates Skinner. Down to IRS & Tito Santana, & they put on a bit of a clinic as they're both fighting to make it to the TV Title match on Saturday Night's Main Event, now just two weeks away. Tito eventually has IRS reeling, & he goes for the flying forearm... but IRS ducks out of the way & Tito winds up landing on the top rope stomach first. That's the opening IRS needs to dump Tito out & eliminate him. Winner of Battle Royal #2: Irwin R. Schyster -Special Report Lord Alfred Hayes is standing by in the WWF Control Room, & he talks about how the Mountie threatened to shock another beaten opponent this past Monday night on Raw. However, Owen Hart made his return & attacked the Mountie. We see video highlights of the attack, & how Owen went ballistic by attacking officials. Lord Alfred Hayes informs us that President Jack Tunney had a very important message concerning this matter. Alfred reminds us that these comments were recorded earlier this week. Pres. Tunney: "This past Monday night on Raw, Owen Hart went over the line after he attacked the Mountie following a contest that the Mountie had won. While attacking the Mountie was one thing given what had transpired weeks prior, Owen Hart crossed the line when he started attacking WWF officials. It was one thing to shove down a referee, which would have simply resulted in Owen paying a fine. However, after he hit one official with the Mountie's shock stick, shocked another official with that same shock stick, then attacked more officials, I have been given no choice but to suspend Owen Hart for 120 days, retroactive as of this past Tuesday. Furthermore, to make things fair, I have levied a hefty $10,000 fine on the Mountie for his prior attack on Owen Hart when he shocked him in the face. I will also assign officials to inspect the Mountie's shock stick at all WWF sanctioned events to ensure that it is no more than the allowed voltage that would render no serious harm to anyone. The Mountie's lawyers have insisted that he must have it with him at all times for self-defense, & for the time being, I will grant that request." Lord Alfred Hayes then informs us that the Mountie & Jimmy Hart had pre-recorded comments upon hearing about Pres. Tunney's stunning decisions. The Mountie & Jimmy Hart say that it's about time that Pres. Tunney made the right decision, however there were still a few problems. For one, they felt that Owen Hart should've been barred for life! Second, they felt that the Mountie submitting the shock stick to WWF officials for inspection was draconian, but for now they will comply until his lawyers can get an injunction on Pres. Tunney's ruling. Also, the $10,000 fine was too steep, & they will be appealing that. The Mountie then hypes up that now that Owen Hart is done, he will finish off Bret Hart on Saturday Night's Main Event in two weeks. COMMERCIAL BREAK -Virgil def. Mike Sharpe by pinfall with the Russian Leg Sweep. During the match, Gorilla Monsoon stated that he understood that action had to be taken against Owen Hart for how he attacked numerous officials this past Monday night, but felt that the 120 day suspension was too steep. Bobby Heenan felt that wasn't long enough, & he said that the Mountie being fined $10,000 & having to submit the cattle prod shock stick for inspection was way too much. Gorilla & Bobby also put over that now in two weeks on Saturday Night's Main Event, it would be Virgil facing IRS for the WWF Television Championship. -The Event Center We go to Sean Mooney in the Event Center, & for those watching the Omaha, Nebraska feed as part of the syndicated network of TV affiliates that air WWF Wrestling Challenge on Saturdays, he's hyping up tonight's big live event that will feature "The Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase putting the Intercontinental Championship on the line against "Rowdy" Roddy Piper in the main event. We hear comments from both men. Ted DiBiase reminds us how he "easily" beat Bret Hart with one simple right hand punch to the jaw that knocked Bret out cold, & says that he'll do the same to Roddy Piper. Roddy Piper goes ballistic, talking about how he's got a press conference to attend tomorrow afternoon; he's got to settle his beef with Macho Man, who in turn still has a score to settle with Jake Roberts; he's got Shawn Michaels tormenting him, & somehow during all of this, he has to figure out how to focus on winning the IC Title tonight against the Million Dollar Man. "Well you know what, DiBiase?! You better be scared because I've known how to fight my whole life, & I know how to fight multiple people all at the same time. So tomorrow, I'll be going to that WrestleMania press conference as the new Intercontinental Champion. And who knows... maybe both the Macho Man & Shawn Michaels will receive title shots. Maybe Jake Roberts himself will get a title shot. I know Bret Hart is still owed a rematch, so maybe I'll give him a title shot too. Tonight, Nebraska, it's time to get ROWDY!!!" COMMERCIAL BREAK -We see another Tatanka hype video from a sacred ceremony, & he talks about how he'll be debuting next week right here on Wrestling Challenge. -Hercules w/Harvey Wippleman def. Brian Costello by pinfall with the Double Sledge. During the match, Bobby Heenan put over what a force that Harvey Wippleman has put together with Hercules & the Warlord, & also pointed out that Harvey seems to have rejuvenated Hercules since becoming his manager. Gorilla said that Herc & the Warlord seem to have shown improvement since coming under the tutelage of Harvey Wippleman, though he is curious how much of their salary he is taking from them. Heenan says "Only his fair share, 80%." "Oh, 80% from Hercules & 80% from Warlrord. Not even you took that much, Brain." "No, what I meant was that combined, it's 80%. So you have 40% from Hercules... and... um..." "I think I get the message, Brain." -The Heartbreak Hotel Miss Genie welcomes us to another edition of the Heartbreak Hotel, hosted by none other than Shawn Michaels. She puts over how reservations for the Heartbreak Hotel have been booked solid ever since last week, & why? "Because who wouldn't want to a chance to talk to the hottest man in the World Wrestling Federation today?" With that, Miss Genie hands the mic over to Shawn, who talks about how after what happened a couple of weeks ago on Monday Night Raw, he immediately called this lady up to see what her schedule was like. "Not for a date of course, because I already have one." Miss Genie follows up with a peck on Shawn's cheek, which gets a good reaction from Shawn as evidenced by the look on his face. "No, I wanted to give this lady a free reservation for a speaking engagement right here on the Heartbreak Hotel because I feel she wasn't finished with what she had to say as evidenced by how she was rudely interrupted. Please welcome my guest this week... Wendi Richter!" Wendi makes her way to the stage where the Heartbreak Hotel is located, & she puts over how Shawn & Miss Genie have much better accommodations than the rat motels the higher ups in the WWF would book her to stay in when she traveled on the road. "Oh my, Monsoon! Can you imagine that gorgeous lady having to stay in some cheap, deadbeat motel?" "Brain, I booked some of her reservations. Believe me, cheap, they were not." "You didn't say they weren't rat motels!" "Well they weren't. I guess I have to clarify everything to you." Shawn asked Wendi what other thoughts she had on her mind since returning recently. Wendi said that after her return recently, her phone has been ringing off the hook. From the editors of Sports Illustrated, to Geraldo, to Arsenio Hall, to even Howard Stern & Hugh Hefner... They all want to know what is on her mind these days. She then said that she wanted to clear the air & let everyone know that Rockin' Robin was never a friend of hers. "In fact, she rode my coattails because she knew that if she didn't, she couldn't stay relevant in this business after leaving the World Wrestling Federation. Sure, I teamed up with her on occasion, but I knew what she was up to. Even knowing that, I still gave her a chance because I know the untapped talent she has, & that she can one day become the second best women's wrestler in the WWF. But she ruined all of that by picking a fight with me." Wendi Richter warned Rockin' Robin that this wasn't the same Wendi that got to be immortalized in cartoon form years ago. She said that this Wendi Richter was going to break her in half & make her wish that she kept consuming the joy juice. "And as if she wasn't ugly enough already, when I get done with Rockin' Robin, she's going to look more hideous than Jack Nicholson when he became the Joker." Wendi thanked Shawn & Miss Genie for being such wonderful hosts, & they thanked her for being such a great guest. With that, Shawn told the fans that it was checkout time, folks. COMMERCIAL BREAK -Gorilla Monsoon informs us that Gene Okerlund has an update about the WrestleMania VIII press conference taking place tomorrow afternoon. We then go to Gene, who is in the WWF Control Room. Mean Gene informs us that Pres. Tunney would be presiding over the proceedings at the press conference, & would make an announcement regarding who would challenge "Nature Boy" Ric Flair, or whoever the WWF World Heavyweight Champion may be, at WrestleMania VIII. Gene said that scheduled to attend the press conference would be Hulk Hogan, "Macho Man" Randy Savage, Sid Justice & the Undertaker. Gene said others have been mentioned but have yet to be confirmed as appearing at the press conference tomorrow. "Remember, folks, we will show highlights from the press conference this coming Monday night on Monday Night Raw!" -We see another hype video for Papa Shango, & he has a message for Jake "The Snake" Roberts & the Undertaker. He said that if they cannot defeat Greg "The Hammer" Valentine & "Superfly" Jimmy Snuka this week, then maybe they are not the warriors he needs to take over the World Wrestling Federation. And next week, he will be in action to show that he can back up what he says. He laughs maniacally as the hype video ends. -Jake "The Snake" Roberts & The Undertaker w/Paul Bearer vs. Greg "The Hammer" Valentine & "Superfly" Jimmy Snuka Gorilla Monsoon said he couldn't believe that Jake Roberts & the Undertaker would be the types that would take orders from Papa Shango, but Bobby Heenan said there is no telling what anyone would do if they were under the power of someone like Papa Shango. While not a regular team by any means, Greg Valentine & Jimmy Snuka looked like they had something to prove as they put up a good fight against Jake Roberts & the Undertaker. Gorilla wondered aloud if Greg Valentine & Jimmy Snuka could make a good team, & Bobby Heenan said if they pulled off an upset here, they could challenge whoever wins the WWF Tag Title match this Monday night between the L.O.D. & Beverly Bros. Alas, the Undertaker was able to knock out Snuka with a running big boot, sending the Superfly off the apron & to the floor. Undertaker then hit Greg Valentine with a Tombstone, but Jake Roberts yelled at him to tag in. The Undertaker didn't look pleased in the least, & neither did Paul Bearer. But Undertaker relented & tagged in Jake Roberts, who picked a lifeless Valentine up, hitting him with the DDT & getting the pinfall victory. Winners: Jake "The Snake" Roberts & The Undertaker -The Event Center Sean Mooney joins us one more time from the Event Center, & we'll touch on the one sent out to other markets not hyping up a local house show. Mooney talks about how the relaunch of the Women's Division is quickly heating up, & we hear comments first from Denise Storm. She says that she's no frills, no nonsense, & that she lets what she does in the ring do all the talking for her. Denise said that unlike the other weaklings, she wasn't going to fuss because she had a bad hair day, or cry because she broke a fingernail. She said that she would rule the Women's Division, & she was going to look great doing it. Sean Mooney then throws it to a pre-recorded promo from Misty Blue, who says that for years, everybody has been asking her when she was going to finally to go to the WWF. She said now is the best time: the best competition is here now, & great competition brings out the best in her. She said not to let her looks deceive you, because she will kick butt like Stallone & Van Damme when necessary. PROMOTIONAL CONSIDERATION... PAID FOR BY THE FOLLOWING Wrapping up the show, Gorilla Monsoon hypes up the lineup for next week! We will see Repo Tax in action! And not one but two Wrestling Challenge debuts next week as both Tatanka & Papa Shango will both make their Challenge debuts! Bobby Heenan interrupted to inform us that Jerry "The King" Lawler would be in action next week, & Gorilla takes back control to say that next week's feature match would pit Bret "Hitman" Hart against "The Model" Rick Martel! "For the Weasel, this is Gorilla Monsoon saying so long, folks!"

WWF Monday Night Raw Airing Monday, Wk 4, January 1992 (Taped Monday, Wk 3, January 1992) Manhattan Center, New York City Attendance: 1,200 (Sold out!) Dark Match: -Bam Bam Bigelow def. Sonny Blaze by pinfall with a Diving Headbutt. Main Show: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flTOhPDuC1k - ::Battle Royal:: Greg "The Hammer" Valentine, Jerry "The King" Lawler, "Superfly" Jimmy Snuka, Kato, Nikolai Volkoff, Pat Tanaka, Repo Man, The Barbarian, The Berzerker & Virgil As the entrants were making their way to the ring, Vince McMahon put over how the USA Network granted the WWF extra time if necessary because of the significance of tonight's edition of Monday Night Raw! And what better way to kick off the show than with the first of two battle royals scheduled to help determine the first ever WWF Television Champion?! Vince McMahon & Eddie Gilbert talked about how on Saturday Night's Main Event in just a few weeks, the winner of tonight's battle royal will face the winner of this weekend's battle royal airing on Wrestling Challenge. The competition starts off fast & fierce, with Jerry Lawler scoring the first elimination by dumping out Greg Valentine. Not to be outdone, the Berzerker manages to to overpower & dump out Nikolai Volkoff out of the ring. Already down to eight, & Jimmy Snuka seems to have Jerry Lawler going out, but the Repo Man sneaks up & helps Lawler toss Snuka out & over the top rope. The Orient Express are trying to overcome the Barbarian, but he clotheslines both men out of the ring. Barbarian, however, takes a bit too much time to showboat & gets dropkicked over the top rope & to the floor by Virgil! Virgil realizes that he is surrounded Jerry Lawler, the Berzerker & Repo Man. Berzerker ruins everything & goes into business for himself by nailing not only Virgil, but Jerry Lawler & Repo Man with running big boots, then marches around, stomps around & shouts "HUSS!" over & over. Berzerker is about to toss out Repo Man, but Jerry Lawler tosses them both out. Lawler seems to have forgotten that Virgil is still in this match as he is already celebrating while the referees outside the ring are telling him Virgil is still in it. He seems flabbergasted, & that's when Virgil starts making his comeback. But Lawler stops Virgil in his tracks with a right hand punch. Vince McMahon is shouting at the TV truck to go to a camera operator who has a closer look, & Lawler indeed has a foreign object in his hands. Eddie Gilbert points out that this is a battle royal, so there is nothing the refs can do. Lawler uses his foreign object again, & he is laughing, thinking he has Virgil finished off. Lawler puts the foreign object up & declares he is going to win this battle royal, but as he goes to pick up Virgil, the former Million Dollar Champion picks Lawler up & nails him with an inverted atomic drop. Virgil fights back with right hand punches of his own, complete with fancy footwork, then delivers a knockout clothesline that sends Lawler up & over the top rope & to the floor! Winner of Battle Royal #1: Virgil -Next we see a hype video featuring Afa, who 1980s fans may remember as one-half of the Wild Samoans. He's doing some crazy Samoan training of two new proteges & family members of his Samoan family tree, Samu & Fatu. They're enjoying hitting each other with wild forearm shots at Afa's insistence. Afa then grabs their heads & knocks them together with a double noggin knocker that doesn't phase them, but instead makes them feel even stronger. Afa warns the other tag teams in the WWF that the Headshrinkers are on their way. Neither Vince McMahon nor Eddie Gilbert know what to make of what they just saw, one of the rare times they actually agree on something. Vince then tells the fans to stay tuned because up next, we are going to see an interview that Sean Mooney conducted with Rockin' Robin last week after both she & Wendi Richter returned to the WWF. COMMERCIAL BREAK -This Past Thursday We see a sit down interview that Sean Mooney conducted with Rockin' Robin Thursday of last week. Sean asks Robin if what Wendi said about her & how she felt at WrestleMania V was true. Robin said it was true, & that being younger than she is now, she felt emotional about not getting to defend the WWF Women's Championship at WrestleMania V. However, looking back, she understands that as champion, she got complacent & didn't give Pres. Jack Tunney any incentive to give her a match at the biggest card of the year. Maybe not singing very well in front of a big crowd of WWF fans is exactly the kick in the butt she needed to get back in gear, but she didn't realize it at the time. Instead, she wallowed in self pity & thought she had a friend in Wendi Richter. She had turned to drinking, & one day she realized she had a problem. She fought to kick her drinking habit, & she fights every day to stay sober. When she heard that the WWF was bringing back the Women's Title, she knew that this might be her only chance to redeem herself & immediately called to sign a new deal. She called Wendi Richter as well & informed her of the good news, & she thought that they were on the same page when Wendi said that this was a chance for them to make everything right. "I had no idea that Wendi meant going out & grabbing a live microphone & airing her grievances. Yes, I had my grievances, but I shared them in private, thinking I was confiding in someone who I could trust because I saw her bounce back from her obstacles. So that's why I went out there, to try to bring Wendi back to her senses. Then she tried to embarrass me on national television, & next thing you know, I snapped & we're in a huge catfight." Robin says that she doesn't want to have to fight Wendi Richter. Wrestle her? Sure, but not a fight. "I still consider Wendi Richter a friend. And sometimes friends have disagreements, but they patch up their differences, apologize & go on. I would like to think that Wendi will be willing to apologize for her part, because I apologize for mine." Sean Mooney wishes Rockin' Robin the best of luck & maybe she will regain the WWF Women's Championship that she never truly lost. -Hercules w/Harvey Wippleman def. Buck Quartermain by pinfall after hitting the Double Sledge. During the match, Vince McMahon said that he found out that the WrestleMania VIII press conference would be taking place next Sunday afternoon in Indianapolis, Indiana, & that highlights would be shown next week right here on Monday Night Raw! -After the match, Eddie Gilbert grabs a house mic & interviews Harvey Wippleman about his association with Hercules, seeing as that Harvey also manages the Warlord, who is still out with an injury to his jaw. Harvey puts over what a powerful client the Warlord is, but why only have one powerhouse when you can have two? Eddie thinks they might make a great team, & Harvey agrees. "However, I have bigger fish to fry. One man will bring me the WWF World Heavyweight Championship, & the other will bring me the Intercontinental Championship. They don't care which one wins which title, because winning championship gold brings home even more money than just the winner's share of the purse from winning a match. And like that old saying goes... not only will the right one get ya, but the left one will as well!" Harvey laughs as both Hercules & Warlord grin at the prospect of decimating the WWF roster. COMMERCIAL BREAK -Gene Okerlund is in the ring, & he welcomes the new WWF Intercontinental Champion, "The Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase into the ring. DiBiase says that his ultimate plan paid dividends as now he is the WWF Intercontinental Champion. He says that fans may have noticed that he didn't wear his Million Dollar Championship to the ring at the Rumble, & that was because he knew he would be winning the Intercontinental Championship, so he has now retired the Million Dollar Championship. He puts over that he sold it to a museum for an exorbitant amount of money, more money than all of the fans combined will see in their lifetimes. DiBiase says that Bret Hart had a great run, but he is not the caliber of athlete that Ted DiBiase is, as evidenced by how easily he got knocked out by a vicious right hand punch. Gene questions DiBiase's statement, pointing out that he was wearing a pair of brass knuckles, but DiBiase refutes the claim while saying that he expected such a statement from a yellow journalist. DiBiase wishes Bret luck in his upcoming match against the Mountie on Saturday Night's Main Event in a few weeks, because he will need it if he wants to get back into title contention. -We see a new hype video of Tatanka, where he is going through one last sacred ceremony. He says that the time has come for him to arrive to the World Wrestling Federation, & next Monday night on Raw, he will march his way to the first of many victories for him. Eddie Gilbert comments on the video & says that Tatanka is overconfident, counting his chickens before they hatch because he very well could lose in his debut match. Vince McMahon says that he believes Tatanka has the right amount of confidence one needs to be a strong Native American warrior & looks forward to seeing his debut next week on Monday Night Raw. Vince throws it to break: "Stay tuned because still to come: The return of Piper's Pit, where the Hot Rod will welcome the Macho Man as his guest! 'Hacksaw' Jim Duggan takes on Col. Mustafa where the loser will leave the WWF for good! And up next, it's the Mountie in action!" COMMERCIAL BREAK -The Mountie w/Jimmy Hart def. Brian Costello by submission with the Quebec Crab. During the match, Eddie Gilbert noted on commentary that he's hearing a rumor that the Genius & the Beverly Bros. have been lobbying Pres. Jack Tunney for a Tag Title match given their recent hot streak. Vince McMahon says they better watch what they wish for because they might just get it. -After the match, the Mountie got his shock stick & started making threats against Costello. "What is my name?! What is my name?!" shouted the Mountie on the mic as Costello tried rolling out of the way. Before the Mountie had a chance to shock him, there was a commotion in the audience... Dressed in street clothes, Owen Hart ran in from the crowd, slid into the ring & jumped the Mountie from behind! Owen punched away at the Mountie's head as the referee unsuccessfully tried to get Owen off of the Mountie. Owen jumped up & shoved the ref down, which prompted Eddie Gilbert to talk about how he would get a heavy fine for that, & Vince McMahon again agreed with Eddie. "That's twice in one night, Vin-Daddy. Are you sure you're actually Vince McMahon since we're in agreement tonight?" As Owen Hart grabbed the shock stick, Jimmy Hart pleaded for Sensational Sherri to bring out the Nasty Boys. Owen threatened the Mountie with the shock stick, then turned to see Sherri & the Nasty Boys. He threatened them with the shock stick if they dared to enter the ring. Finally, other officials ran down to the ring & pleaded with Owen to calm down. He looked like he was cooling off, but nope! He blasted one official in the head with the shock stick, using it as a weapon to strike with rather than shock with. Owen then shocked an official in the rib cage, sending him down to the mat nearly in the fetal position. Owen went wild & threw other officials down as now the new team of High Power, Jim Neidhart & Koko B. Ware, ran down to the ring to plead with Owen to calm down. The sight of Jim Neidhart & Koko B. Ware helped to calm Owen down as Eddie Gilbert was completely indignant on the call of the action. "If the Mountie had shocked that scrub he beat tonight, you'd go ballistic! But Owen Hart comes out here & beats the tar out of the Mountie from behind, then attacks officials, even shocking one of them, & you're okay with that?!" "I do not condone what Owen Hart did to the officials. That part was uncalled for. But what he did to the Mountie? Forgive my language, but you're damn right I'm okay with that! The Mountie nearly ended Owen Hart's career!" Vince & Eddie eventually end their argument as Vince hypes up the Loser Leaves WWF match coming up next. COMMERCIAL BREAK -It's another hype video for Papa Shango, & he talks about how the Barbarian has that dark violence that he's (Papa Shango) is looking to inflict on the WWF. "Sure, he came up short tonight, but I, Papa Shango, look at the big picture." Papa Shango then directed his attention to Jake "The Snake" Roberts, saying that he needs to remind the Undertaker & Paul Bearer of their goal to envelop the WWF in total darkness, or else. -Loser Leaves The WWF: "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan w/Sgt. Slaughter vs. Col. Mustafa w/Gen. Adnan Sgt. Slaughter was at ringside to ensure there wasn't any funny business. Your typical American Hero vs. Foreign Heel that seems a bit more approriate for 1987 instead of 1992, but the fans seemed to like it enough. Gen. Adnan attempted to intefere, but Sgt. Slaughter locked him in a Cobra Clutch before he could even get onto the apron, while a distracted Col. Mustafa turned around & right into a Three Point Stance Clothesline from Jim Duggan. ONE... TWO... THREE! Winner: "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan Col. Mustafa & Gen. Adnan cannot believe it! Col. Mustafa is gone from the WWF! The Manhattan Center crowd start singing "NANA-NA-NA! NANA-NA-NA! HEY-EY-EY! GOOD BYE!!!" Col. Mustafa & Gen. Adnan are losing their minds as they leave the ringside area while Sgt. Slaughter & "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan lead the crowd on in their impromptu singing. Eddie Gilbert can't believe it either. "Why is it that everywhere I go, there's that snot-nosed Jim Duggan?!" "While Eddie Gilbert complains more than a kid who got the wrong toy at Christmas, our capable ring crew will prepare us for Piper's Pit, because it's coming up next! On Monday Night Raw!" COMMERCIAL BREAK -It's time for the return of Piper's Pit, & the sound of bagpipes over the loud speakers can only mean one thing: "Rowdy" Roddy Piper making his way down to the ring! Piper first brings up Shawn Michaels' debut of the Heartbreak Hotel this past weekend on Wrestling Challenge, & congratulated Shawn on finding a long term girlfriend. "And to think, he's dating the granddaughter of a famous TV star. Too bad that TV star is Yosemite Sam." Vince McMahon laughs like only he can while Eddie Gilbert says "Roddy Piper better watch it, or Shawn Michaels will do worse to him than he did Marty Jannetty!" Now on to serious business. Piper says that this isn't a long term return of Piper's Pit. In fact, this may be the last time we see Piper's Pit. Piper says that he asked for this time because he needed to clear the air with his guest tonight, Randy "The Macho Man" Savage. You know it's serious business when Macho Man comes to the ring without his entrance music. He's not even wearing his signature sunglasses. Macho Man says he accepted this invitation because he wanted to clear the air too. "I still can't get rid of Jake Roberts... I still need to avenge what he did to Elizabeth in Texas... & now here I am fighting you, & some painted face freak is claiming he's the mastermind of the whole thing. Now I'm not one to want to get into a debate about the supernatural, but I can say with 100%, uh huh, that I am not under any spell what-so-eeeverrrr. Yeah!" "Hey, I'm not going to spend tonight debating about all that weird junk that someone who doesn't even have the guts to face either you or me is into, but I will say that I am 100% confident that I'm under no spell, either. I've always been a hothead, & you've always been a hothead. I've always preferred settling my differences like a man & fighting if I have to, & you have as well. So finally, I think we can agree that neither one of us are under the spell of some con artist." Macho Man agrees with Piper, & that's why he wants Pres. Jack Tunney to make a match between the two of them so that they can settle their beef once & for all. Piper agrees, & the crowd is cheering on the prospect of a match between Roddy Piper & Macho Man. Elizabeth runs out & tries to plead for both men to not come to blows. "Guys... guys... You two have been friends for too long just to throw it all away with a match where someone could get seriously hurt. Please, you two need to reconsider. Roddy, think of your family in Oregon. And Randy, think about our future together. Please." Macho Man hesitates for a minute while Piper asks him who wears the pants in the family, & quickly adds in "And don't you say anything about my kilt being a skirt!" "Oh believe me, Roddy, I know that is a kilt, 100%, uh-huh." Randy then responds that while he loves Elizabeth, at the end of the day, he has to do what a Macho Man has to do. "And this Macho Man has to go one-on-one with the Hot Rod, OH YEAH! DIG IT?!" Piper tells Randy that he accepts the challenge, then turns to the camera & says "President Tunney, for once make a good decision without the fans having to put pressure on you & make this match between myself & the Macho Man official! Anytime, anywhere!" Piper sticks out his hand, & Randy looks down at it. He shakes it, but it's a firm handshake as he brings Piper in, face to face, nose to nose. Randy lets go, & the two go their separate ways as Elizabeth looks heartbroken that Randy will fight the Hot Rod. Eddie Gilbert says he is getting some news in his headset, so Vince McMahon says that it's a good time to go to a quick break so that Eddie can confirm that news. PROMOTIONAL CONSIDERATION... PAID FOR BY THE FOLLOWING -Vince McMahon notes that Macho Man is signing autographs at ringside along with Elizabeth, then Eddie Gilbert interrupts & proceeds to inform us that he can't believe it! Next week on Monday Night Raw, the Legion Of Doom are indeed putting the WWF World Tag Team Championship on the line against the Beverly Brothers! And he also received word that the Legion Of Doom gladly accepted the challenge. Eddie says he can't believe that Hawk & Animal are putting the belts up so soon after fighting the Natural Disasters, while Vince McMahon says that Beau & Blake may have bitten off more than they can chew. Vince also reminds us that we will see highlights from the WrestleMania VIII press conference that takes place this Sunday, & says that he understands both Hulk Hogan & Sid Justice will be there. Eddie says he hopes they tear each other's heads off while Vince says this could be their own chance to talk things out like Macho Man & Roddy Piper did tonight, albeit maybe without challenging each other to a match. "Oh come on, Vin-Daddy. We all know you really want to see Hulk Hogan take on Sid Justice. This is a dream match for you!" Vince McMahon reminds us that Tatanka makes his Raw debut next week, & we will also see Wendi Richter in action next week right here on Monday Night Raw! "For 'Ice Cold' Eddie Gilbert," "HEY!" "I'm Vince McMahon saying so long, folks!" Post-Show Dark Match: -Sid Justice & "Macho Man" Randy Savage w/Elizabeth vs. The Undertaker & Ric Flair w/Paul Bearer & Mr. Perfect ended in a Double DQ when both Sid Justice & the Undertaker both took turns knocking the referee down. During the match, we also had Randy Savage chase Ric Flair & Mr. Perfect to the back with a steel chair after they made eye contact with Elizabeth. Randy then ran into the ring & blasted the Undertaker in the back with a chair, sending him out of the ring to send the Manhattan Center crowd happy.

Thank you all for the kind support over the past week. I would be remiss if I didn't share a pretty funny memory of my grandmother that I think most people on here will enjoy. Back when Smackdown was on UPN (remember that network?!), I was riding with my grandparents on our way to have breakfast, & my late grandfather was talking to me about what happened on Smackdown the night before when Kurt Angle beat up Josh Mathews. Now my grandmother wasn't easily fooled by any wrestling angles, so imagine our surprise when she goes "Kurt Angle should be in jail! He should've been arrested for beating up that announcer." My grandfather & I tried to convince her that it was part of the show, but she wasn't having it. In her mind, Kurt Angle decided to go into business for himself & shoot on poor Josh Mathews! As for the diary, look for another entry coming soon.

Thank you all so much for the kind words, everyone. It is very much appreciated. I will definitely keep this diary going once I'm ready to get back to it.

I apologize in advance for posting a downer tonight (or whenever you read this). My grandmother recently passed away this week, living into her 90's. We knew it was coming eventually as her health had declined, and she got to go in her sleep. Again, sorry for the downer update, but I thought I owed it to you all as I hadn't posted in this diary for awhile.

Bulletproof: This worker is going through a period where they won't lose any popularity and/or momentum when they lose and/or have a match that is absolutely awful. If this worker also has the Flavour of the Month, Midas Touch and/or Groundswell of Support attributes, then their popularity and momentum will seemingly go up on its own simply by appearing on shows. This is a temporary attribute that can last anywhere from three months to one year.

Wrestling Observer WWF News & Notes -For those wondering why the WWF has been referring to their top title as the WWF World Heavyweight Championship rather than the World Wrestling Federation Championship, as well as having talent be allowed to say the WWF initials if they so choose, the World Wrestling Federation reached an agreement with the World Wildlife Fund to be able to use the WWF initials. The World Wildlife Fund have also been looking to change the name of their organization anyway, which will eventually mean new initials for them. -Typhoon's concussion is a work, & according to my sources, Animal made sure to go out of his way to take care of Typhoon when doing the megaphone shots to the head at the Royal Rumble. If you look closely, you'll see that the megaphone didn't make contact with Typhoon's head, & that Animal had his hand in place just to be on the safe side. The reason for the injury angle is to give an out for the Natural Disasters so that they can still be taken seriously as a monster heel tag team. -There was a dark match at the Royal Rumble event. In a six-woman tag team match, Misty Blue, Rockin' Robin & Sindy Paradise def. Peggy Lee Leather & the Nasty Girls (Kat LeRoux & Linda Dallas). Sensational Sherri was working the corner as a practice run for her managing the Nasty Girls. -The WWF has agreed to a new broadcasting deal with the MSG Network that will see the WWF continue to broadcast their Madison Square Garden cards on the New York area cable channel. -Expect Crush to return to WWF TV soon. While retaining the Crush name, he has been repackaged as a babyface, with new ring gear & without the face paint. -The WWF was able to sign Bam Bam Bigelow to an exclusive deal, & he is already working house shows. Vince McMahon is also allowing Bam Bam to finish up his commitments with New Japan. -The reason the Nasty Boys are now managed by Sensational Sherri? Believe it or not, despite his quirks, it wasn't because Vince McMahon didn't feel like making Linda Dallas & Kat LeRoux come up with a new team name. It was to make the creative a bit easier with Jimmy Hart only managing one tag team in the Natural Disasters instead of two with both the Natural Disasters & the Nasty Boys. -Expect Greg "The Hammer" Valentine to finish up his WWF commitments soon as he has signed an exclusive written deal with WCW. Maybe new scenery is what he needs because he hasn't been the same since his face turn last year.

And hating each other all at the same time! 😁

WWF Superstars Airing Sunday, Wk 3, January 1992 (Taped Tuesday, Wk 3, January 1992) Dane County Coliseum Madison, WI Attendance: 9,131 (Sold out!) Dark Match: -Wendi Richter def. Sindy Paradise by pinfall with a Death Valley Driver that she calls the Siren's Call. Main Show: -After the Superstars open, we are taken to the WWF Studios where Vince McMahon presides over this week's roundtable. One one side again are Gorilla Monsoon & Rev. Slick, & on the other side is Bobby Heenan. However, the chair next to him is noticeably empty. Vince McMahon asks just where on earth Mr. Perfect is, then reads Heenan the riot act, saying "It's bad enough you ditched me on Monday Night Raw & made that loud mouth punk, "Hot Stuff" Eddie Gilbert my new co-host! Now Mr. Perfect is ditching the roundtable?!" Heenan says that Mr. Perfect's schedule is more hectic than it's ever been now that Ric Flair is the WWF World Heavyweight Champion, which garners a "Likely story" from Gorilla Monsoon. Heenan tells Monsoon that everyone has to be fair to Flair, & that allowing Mr. Perfect time to help out the Nature Boy is what is "fair to Flair." "Oh boy!" groans Gorilla. Heenan tells his roundtable mates to all rise & bow before their new co-host, Jerry "The King" Lawler. Lawler's music even plays in the studio as he enters. However, Bobby Heenan is the only one who stands & bows to the King, with Lawler acknowledging the Brain. Heenan & Lawler look rather disgusted that the face roundtable members refused to bow as the heels take their seats. Lawler says that it is an honor to fill the void left by Mr. Perfect as he takes on even more responsibilities as the executive consultant & financial advisor for Ric Flair, with Lawler giving his congratulations & saying that while he (Lawler) gave it his all, it was Flair's night. Discussion switches over to what happened at the Royal Rumble, with Vince McMahon, Gorilla Monsoon & Rev. Slick all wondering what is going on between Hulk Hogan & Sid Justice. Bobby Heean & Jerry Lawler both claim that they know what it is: their egos are so big that they exploded last week, & it's only a matter of time before they take each other out. With that, Vince McMahon throws it to Update with Mean Gene Okerlund. -In the Update segment, Gene Okerlund puts over what an event the Royal Rumble was. Congratulations are in order for the Legion Of Doom, having retained their WWF World Tag Team Titles over the Natural Disasters, & he noted that the L.O.D. seemed rougher & tougher than they have ever been. Gene also informed us that Typhoon is not medically cleared to compete, but Jimmy Hart & the Natural Disasters are lobbying to get the big man cleared as they feel they were cheated with Animal using the megaphone on Typhoon. "Never mind the fact that Jimmy Hart was the one who introduced the megaphone in the first place!" says Gene Okerlund. He then talks about how Sid Justice inadvertently eliminated Hulk Hogan, but Hogan thought it was on purpose. Gene recaps how the two were arguing back & forth, even getting into a shouting match at one point. While we did see Sid Justice get the better of Skinner on Monday Night Raw this past week, he has refused to comment on the matter, as has Hulk Hogan. Gene then throws us to the promo we saw from Monday Night Raw where Mr. Perfect & Ric Flair hyped up the fact that Flair is the new WWF World Heavyweight Champion. COMMERCIAL BREAK -The Beverly Bros. def. Chaz Warrington & Glen Ruth by pinfall when Beau pinned Glen Ruth after the Beverly Bros. hit the Shaker Heights Spike. -The roundtable continues as Heenan & Lawler put over how ruthless the Beverly Bros. have been lately. Speaking of ruthless teams, Vince McMahon welcomes via satellite from WMC-5 in Memphis, which Jerry Lawler puts over as a great TV station, Jimmy Hart & the Natural Disasters. They are furious about the fact that Typhoon can't be medically cleared, with medical personnel citing that he received a pretty serious concussion when Animal blasted him with the megaphone. Rev. Slick points out that Jimmy Hart was the one who brought in the megaphone, so maybe the Natural Disasters should be questioning him as to why they're not receiving a rematch against the Legion Of Doom. Jimmy Hart & the Natural Disasters are not amused & warn the Legion Of Doom that they better have eyes in the back of their heads because the doctors may not clear them to wrestle, but they didn't say anything about simply taking out the L.O.D.! COMMERCIAL BREAK -The Barbarian def. Sonny Rogers by pinfall with a Flying Clothesline. During the match, Sean Mooney & Lord Alfred Hayes noted on commentary that Papa Shango appeared in the aisleway for some reason. -The panel discuss the Barbarian making short work of Sonny Rogers & ponder whether or not Papa Shango may have his eyes on the Barbarian for some reason. Bobby Heenan puts over how mean & aggressive the Barbarian is, saying that Papa Shango would be smart to make an alliance with him. Heenan & Lawler notice that Gorilla Monsoon had left & has now come back with another chair. Vince references the runaway Disney animated hit, Beauty & the Beast, & he says it is time to go from the beast to the beauty as he welcomes newcomer Misty Blue into the studio. Gorilla, the gentleman that he is, holds the chair open for Misty until she sits down, then goes back to sit in his chair. Heenan & Lawler look like they are both looking afar, which prompts Vince to ask them what they're looking for. Lawler: "You said it was time to go from the beast to the beauty." Heenan: "Yeah, so where is the beauty." Gorilla: "WILL YOU STOP?!" Heenan: "We're just asking." Rev. Slick, Gorilla Monsoon & Vince McMahon are all appalled by the comments of Bobby "The Brain" Heenan & Jerry "The King" Lawler. Misty Blue says that she appreciates Rev. Slick, Gorilla & Vince sticking up for her, but she's a tough lady & can handle herself against the Weasel & the Burger King. Heenan & Lawler take exception to that as the faces love Misty's comeback. Misty hypes up how excited she is that the World Wrestling Federation called her to be part of the revived Women's Division which Vince says now also includes the likes of Sindy Paradise, Penny Mitchell & Cheryl Rusa, to name a few. Heenan & Lawler warn her that she better look out for a meaner Wendi Richter, as well as some other personal favorites of theirs that they heard recently signed on such as Peggy Lee Leather & Denise Storm. Misty says she looks forward to going out there, kicking butt & becoming the next WWF Women's Champion. Vince throws it to an interview Raymond Rougeau conducted this past week at a live event (really the Wrestling Challenge & Superstars TV tapings) with Jimmy Hart & the Mountie. -Raymond Rougeau interviews Jimmy Hart & the Mountie about how unfair it was what Pres. Jack Tunney did to them & Sensational Sherri's Nasty Boys. Jimmy Hart says that all they did was conduct fair & honest business, & Pres. Tunney came down on them harder than anyone else, & it isn't right. The Mountie says that he is proud of what he did to Owen Hart, because the Rocket was breaking the law of the WWF by sticking his nose into the Mountie's business. Sean Mooney & Lord Alfred Hayes both agree that it was the Mountie who attacked Owen Hart unprovoked. Raymond Rougeau asks Jimmy Hart & the Mountie about the extent of Owen Hart's injuries. Jimmy Hart heard that Owen may never show his face again, & the Mountie says he is surprised that the Rocket would ever show his face to begin with. If anything, using his shock stick on Owen's face was an improvement! Sean Mooney & Lord Alfred Hayes are disgusted at the comments from Jimmy Hart & the Mountie, & also complain about Raymond Rougeau's clearly biased reporting. COMMERCIAL BREAK -We see the hype video of Tatanka once more, just in case you didn't see it on Monday Night Raw &/or Wrestling Challenge. -The Bushwhackers def. Duane Gill & Barry Hardy by pinfall when Luke pinned Duane Gill after the Bushwhackers hit the Battering Ram. -Back to the studio, & Vince welcomes Sensational Sherri via satellite from Studio B, & Sherri has two new ladies standing along with her. Vince says he knows who those two ladies are, & Sensational Sherri says "Yeah, not only do I manage the Nasty Boys, but I now also manage Linda Dallas & Kat LeRoux, the Nasty Girls." Sherri says that they have wrestled all over the globe & are now here in the WWF, ready to take on everybody. Linda & Kat put themselves over as well, & they put over what a great manager Sensational Sherri will be for them. They say they can't wait to tear apart pretty faces such as Cheryl Rusa & Rockin' Robin, but they especially can't wait to get their hands on their old rival, Misty Blue, who seems to follow them everywhere they go. Sensational Sherri also warns that the Nasty Boys were none too pleased about what happened at the Royal Rumble, & that what happens to everyone that faces Brian Knobbs & Jerry Sags is on the shoulders of Pres. Jack Tunney. COMMERCIAL BREAK -Bret Hart def. Barry Horowitz via submission with the Sharpshooter. PROMOTIONAL CONSIDERATION... PAID FOR BY THE FOLLOWING -After noting that Bret Hart seems to have picked himself up after his loss last Sunday, the panel give their final thoughts on the week that was in the World Wrestling Federation. Gorilla Monsoon says he can't believe that "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan & Col. Mustafa are willing to risk their careers tomorrow night on Monday Night Raw. Rev. Slick asks what happens if there is a double disqualification or double count out? Vince says that is a question that Pres. Tunney would have to answer if that happens. Bobby Heenan & Jerry Lawler talk about how they believe Shawn Michaels hit the jackpot with his new manager & girlfriend, Miss Genie. Vince McMahon ponders if maybe she had been influencing Shawn this whole time, going all the way back to when the Rockers started having problems late last year. Vince talks about how he's looking forward to Piper's Pit tomorrow night on Monday Night Raw, with "Macho Man" Randy Savage as his guest, with Gorilla Monsoon & Rev. Slick saying it is great that they will talk out their differences. Bobby Heenan & Jerry Lawler both think that Piper & Macho Man won't be able to help it & will come to blows. They also wonder when Hulk Hogan & Sid Justice will break their silence about what went down at the Royal Rumble. Vince adds "And who can forget?! Tomorrow night is the first of two battle royals, with the two winners of those battle royals facing each other in a few weeks on Saturday Night's Main Event to crown the first ever WWF Television Champion!" The panel give their thoughts on who could very well be the first ever WWF Television Champion, with Jerry "The King" Lawler saying he will win it all. Of course, Bobby Heenan finds it hard to disagree with Lawler. Gorilla thinks Virgil could very well take it as he knows what it was like to have the gold before when he held the Million Dollar Championship & looks more aggressive than he ever has. Rev. Slick says to watch out for someone like Tito Santana, how it's been a long time since he's been a champion & he is due to be champion at any moment. Vince thinks those are all great picks, but he thinks that the Berzerker could be the man to beat. He's got Mr. Fuji as a manager, & he's more dangerous than he ever has been recently. With that, Vince tells everyone to tune in to Monday Night Raw tomorrow night!

WWF Wrestling Challenge Airing Saturday, Wk 3, January 1992 (Taped Tuesday, Wk 3, January 1992) Dane County Coliseum Madison, WI Attendance: 9,131 (Sold out!) Dark Matches: -Papa Shango def. Nikolai Volkoff by pinfall with the Voodoo Driver. -Crush def. Barry Horowitz by submission with the Cranium Crush. Main Show: -It's a rare cold open as Gorilla Monsoon welcomes us to Wrestling Challenge, putting over the fact that it has been a wild week in the WWF. Bobby Heenan is happier than a kid at Christmas, & Gorilla Monsoon wastes no time in asking him why he shirked his duties on Monday night & left Vince McMahon to have to deal with that motormouth, Eddie Gilbert. Heenan puts over the post-Rumble celebration that Mr. Perfect & Ric Flair put together, & also put over what a great job Eddie Gilbert did filling in on Monday night. Heenan then announces that Eddie did such a fantastic job that the USA Network executives have requested "Hot Stuff" Eddie Gilbert to be the voice of Monday Night Raw, to which the Brain says it will be an honor to step aside for someone as great as Eddie. Gorilla Monsoon is disgusted & throws it to Lord Alfred Hayes for this week's Special Report. Alfred wastes no time putting over what a wild night the Royal Rumble was. He recaps how Ted DiBiase used a foreign object to win the WWF Intercontinental Title from Bret Hart, as well as Sid Justice accidentally eliminating Hulk Hogan, with Hogan losing his temper & giving an unintentional assist to Ric Flair in Sid's elimination. Alfred recaps the shouting match the two had, & states that neither Sid Justice nor Hulk Hogan are commenting on the matter. Alfred then throws it to a pre-recorded promo from Mr. Perfect & the new WWF World Heavyweight Champion, Ric Flair. They talk about what a great night it was, & that finally, the real World Champion has the gold to prove it. And this time... no video distortion of Flair's championship belt. COMMERCIAL BREAK -"The British Bulldog" Davey Boy Smith def. The Brooklyn Brawler by pinfall with the Running Powerslam. During the commentary for the match, Gorilla Monsoon gives Bobby Heean the what-for because of how he sprung Eddie Gilbert on Vince McMahon this past Monday night, & even ponders if the Brain had something to do with Wendi Richter's surprise appearance & how she just about hijacked the show. Heenan pleads the fifth, & oddly enough, it actually seems plausible coming from Heenan this time around. -We go over to the Event Center with Sean Mooney, who recaps what a night of action it was at the Royal Rumble. We hear from a man who debuted at the Royal Rumble, Jerry "The King" Lawler. He talks about how there have been many pretenders to his throne, but the real king is finally here in the WWF. Lawler says that the Rumble may not have gone his way, but that won't deter him from ruling over the entire WWF. Back to Sean Mooney, who says that if you were feeling warmer than usual on Monday night, it wasn't because you turned up your heater too high. It was because "Hot Stuff" Eddie Gilbert heated things up by making his surprise debut last Monday night. With that, we go to a promo from Eddie Gilbert, who hypes up what a great job he did, but says his back is feeling a bit sore having to carry Vince McMahon this past Monday night. Because of that fact, it might be a bit before we see him in action in the ring. But don't worry, he says, because you will get to see what he does best in that ring before too long. COMMERCIAL BREAK -The Nasty Boys def. Buck Quartmain & Wellington Wilkins Jr. when Brian Knobbs pinned Buck Quartmain following the Trip To Nastyville. On commentary, Gorilla Monsoon took great joy in how Jimmy Hart's grand plan backfired on not only the Mountie, but also the Nasty Boys at the Royal Rumble, & wonders if there is any friction now between Jimmy Hart & the Nasty Boys' new manager, Sensational Sherri. Bobby Heenan says if there is, you certainly can't tell right now because they're hitting on all cylinders, especially after that win over Sgt. Slaughter & Jim Duggan this past Monday night on Raw. Gorilla reminds the Brain that they had some help from Col. Mustafa. Heenan makes excuses for Col. Mustafa, then puts over his newest broadcast colleague, Raymond Rougeau, & how it's great that there will finally be some true, unbiased reporting in the World Wrestling Federation. Gorilla Monsoon says Raymond Rougeau couldn't even get hired to report for a tabloid. -We see the hype video for Tatanka that was aired this past Monday night, where Tatanka puts over the culture of his people, the heritage of his ancestors, & how he hopes to be a great warrior as his ancestors were. -Jake "The Snake" Roberts def. Chris Walker by pinfall after hitting the DDT. While Jake Roberts dominates his match against the green Chris Walker, Gorilla Monsoon wonders if Bobby Heenan saw the message from another newcomer to the WWF, Papa Shango, claiming to be the one behind Jake's recent foray into the dark side. Heenan says Papa Shango may have just brought out the best in Jake, because he is at his best right now. THE HEARTBREAK HOTEL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRxEW_SXP0Q -It's time for the debut of the Heartbreak Hotel, & we even hear new theme music for Shawn Michaels to introduce the segment. Shawn welcomes fans to the newest talk show that will take over all of television. "More controversial than Donahue. More hard hitting than Geraldo. And sexier than Sally... although that doesn't take much." Shawn talks about how after he kicked Marty Jannetty to the curb, it was time to find someone who could guide him to singles stardom. And while he respects great managers such as Mr. Fuji, Jimmy Hart, Sensational Sherri, Mr. Perfect & of course, the greatest manager of all time, Bobby "The Brain" Heenan... he needed someone who would be more than a manager. He needed someone with both the brains & the looks. He also needed a lady in his life because it was time for him to finally go steady. So why not kill two birds with one stone & find someone who can be both a great manager & the perfect mate all at the same time? And boy did he find the perfect lady. In fact, you just heard her sing his new theme song. "Ladies & gentlemen, I present to you... Miss Genie!" Miss Genie makes her way up to the staging platform where the Heartbreak Hotel is. She talks about what a perfect man Shawn Michaels is, & how it was unfair for Marty Jannetty to hold the Heartbreak Kid back like he did. In fact, the Rockers could never win the Tag Team Titles, & it was always Marty that dropped the ball... "Much like how 'Rowdy' Roddy Piper dropped the ball when Shawn Michaels eliminated him with ease at the Royal Rumble!" Shawn & Miss Genie go on to talk about how Roddy Piper couldn't face Shawn like a man after being eliminated. No, he had to attack him from behind & distract him long enough to be unfairly eliminated. Shawn tells Piper that he made a big mistake, & Shawn is finally going to do what nobody else has been able to do... & that's shut the Hot Rod up for good. "Roddy Piper, you don't spit in the wind. You don't tug on Superman's cape. And you do not throw rocks at a man who's got a machine gun! Now I hate to cut this short, but folks... it's check out time!" COMMERCIAL BREAK -The Von Erichs def. Bob Bradley & Louie Spicolli by pinfall after Kevin Von Erich hit Bob Bradley with the Diving Crossbody. During the match, Gorilla Monsoon reminds the fans that Pres. Jack Tunney has an announcement concerning the new WWF Television Championship, & we will see that before this week's feature of Rick "The Model" Martel vs. Sgt. Slaughter. -We see the hype video that we saw this past Monday night on Raw, where Papa Shango talked about bringing the darkness out of Jake "The Snake" Roberts, although it is interesting that he didn't mention the Undertaker for some reason. He talks about how darkness will soon envelop the WWF before laughing maniacally. -Big Boss Man def. Brian Donahue by pinfall with the Boss Man Slam. -We go to a pre-recorded video from the office of Pres. Jack Tunney. He reiterates how the WWF Television Championship will be awarded on Saturday Night's Main Event in February, & that there will be two battle royals: one this coming Monday night on Raw, & the other one next week right here on Wrestling Challenge. The winners of the two battle royals will then have a few weeks to prepare & face each other one-on-one on Saturday Night's Main Event. Tunney also puts over the stipulations for this title: it will not be defended at non-televised events, & will strictly be defended on television & PPV. Tunney also added that the title can be defended on televised events that are seen exclusively in international markets. There is also a new time limit stipulation that the Championship Committee has agreed to. Title defenses on shows such as Monday Night Raw, Wrestling Challenge & Superstars will have a 15 minute time limit. Title defenses on PPV & international events seen on television in international markets will have a 20 minute time limit. However, from time to time & on a case by case basis, he & the Championship Committee may conference about the possibility of occasional title defenses that need the time limit either extended or removed altogether. Obviously, the first TV Title match next month will be such a case as there must be a winner to crown the first ever WWF TV Champion. We then hear from some of the participants who will be in the battle royals. Repo Man & IRS of Repo Tax talk about how they plan on winning their respective battle royals, then will do what they have to in order to become champion when they face each other, but will shake hands after all is said & done. After all, it's just business! We hear from Mr. Fuji & the Berzerker, who talk about how the Berzerker's time has come, & he will toss out everyone like only he can, then will smash whoever is unfortunate enough to win the other battle royal. We hear from Skinner next, & he says that he's proven that he's the toughest contender in this TV Title field because he's still standing after going toe-to-toe with Sid Justice two nights in a row, & even says that the WWF might as well just put the TV Title belt that they made in a trophy case because he's going to hunt himself some wild game to make himself his own TV Title belt. Finally, we hear from "El Matador" Tito Santana & Virgil. They plan on winning their respective battle royals, then may best man win. COMMERCIAL BREAK -Rick Martel def. Sgt. Slaughter by pinfall thanks in part to Col. Mustafa marching down to ringside & distracting Slaughter. However, Jim Duggan marches down the aisle & brawls with Col. Mustafa as road agents have to run out & separate them. The distraction is enough for Martel to roll Slaughter up & get the win. -To the Event Center we go, & Sean Mooney puts over Rick Martel's victory over the former WWF World Heavyweight Champion, Sgt. Slaughter. Mooney then talks about the miscarriage of justice that was Bret "Hitman" Hart losing the WWF Intercontinental Championship to the "Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase. With that, we see a promo from Bret Hart, who is not happy at all about how everything went down last week at the Royal Rumble. He says it's been a rough few weeks, with Owen Hart being injured by the Mountie; the Mountie weaseling his way out of a match with him; & now Ted DiBiase stealing the Intercontinental Title. "Well guess what? I'm going to make everything right. I'm going to get my match with the Mountie & get revenge for what he did to Owen. And I will regain my Intercontinental Title back from the Million Dollar Man." Sean Mooney then recaps the rough patch "Macho Man" Randy Savage has gone through recently before throwing it to the Macho Man's promo. Randy says he has had a lot on his mind, but he hasn't forgotten about Jake Roberts, oh no. "The clock is ticking down on you Jake, & before too long, vengeance will be mine sayeth the Macho Man! OH YEAH!!! DIG IT?!" PROMOTIONAL CONSIDERATION... PAID FOR BY THE FOLLOWING Immediately segueing out of the Event Center & promotional consideration plugs, Gorilla Monsoon hypes up what a stacked lineup it will be on Wrestling Challenge next week! We will see the Wrestling Challenge battle royal to determine who will face the winner of this Monday night's battle royal to crown the first ever WWF TV Champion! "Also, Hercules will be in action! And our feature match, the Undertaker will team up with Jake 'The Snake' Roberts to take on Greg 'The Hammer' Valentine & 'Superfly' Jimmy Snuka!" The Brain responds, "Hold on, Gorilla! I have just been informed that Shawn Michaels has landed a monumental guest for the Heartbreak Hotel next week! He will be talking to none other than the unfairly maligned Wendi Richter! I wonder if she has any dirt on you, Monsoon." "I hope Rockin' Robin interrupts her again & shuts her up for good. Anyway, for the Brain, I'm Gorilla Monsoon saying so long, folks!"

Wrestling Observer WWF News & Notes -Early word is that the WWF Royal Rumble was a financial success. The Knickerbocker Arena reported a sellout attendance of 17,500 fans, with only a few hundred comps, mostly giveaways from local radio stations & businesses. Despite the rough patch the WWF went through in 1991 in the wake of pushing Sgt. Slaughter as an Iraqi sympathizer, along with the steroid allegations, & the state of the wrestling business & US economy in general, the WWF may be shaping up to have a good 1992 if their creative is on track as it has been the past couple of weeks with the debut of Monday Night Raw, as well as the Royal Rumble this past Sunday night. -It's too early to report as an official number, but the word I'm getting from cable outlets in the United States is that the WWF may have received over 400,000 buys for the Royal Rumble. If that number holds, that would be 40,000 down from last year, but as mentioned earlier, it had been a rough year for not only the WWF, but wrestling in general. I should be receiving an official number in the coming weeks. -Jerry "The King" Lawler still has some dates left to work for the USWA before going full time with the WWF. According to sources in Memphis, he & Eddie Gilbert were both offered the head booker position, but both turned the position down, citing the stress of being a head booker. It is a bit surprising that not only did Jerry Jarrett allow Lawler & Gilbert to go to the WWF full time, but also helped to facilitate the deal. The WWF recently reached a working agreement with the USWA, & will also send workers there to develop their skills if the WWF feels they need seasoning. Given the nature of the agreement, & given that the old territory system is practically dead, this might be the best thing for Jerry Jarrett to do in order to keep a small promotion based in Memphis alive. I have also been told that Jerry Lawler may be allowed to work multiple dates for the USWA in the future even as a full time WWF performer. -Vince McMahon was said to have been pleased with the debuts of Jerry Lawler & Eddie Gilbert, as well as Wendi Richter's return. The crowd in Albany, New York certainly recognized Lawler from his past feud with the late Andy Kaufman, as well as his appearance on David Letterman. It helps that Lawler was seen on a national platform in the form of cable sports channel ESPN when the USWA broadcast their defunct Dallas shows on the network. The crowd in the Manhattan Center recognized Eddie Gilbert, & his knock off "Hot Stuff" theme music certainly didn't hurt. Eddie had also been featured on ESPN when the GWF launched last summer. Vince was said to have enjoyed working with Eddie, & the plan currently is for Eddie Gilbert to be the heel commentator on Monday Night Raw going forward. From my understanding, Bobby Heenan is not upset in the least. In fact, he is said to be more comfortable working with Gorilla Monsoon on Wrestling Challenge anyway, & the reason he was used as the heel commentator for the first two editions of Monday Night Raw was because Eddie Gilbert's deal wasn't finalized until recently. -On the subject of Wendi Richter, many are probably wondering if her promo on Raw was a shoot, given how shaken Vince McMahon sounded when everything was going down. The word I have received is that the promo was planned from the get go by Vince McMahon himself, with Pat Patterson working with Wendi Richter on it. However, from my understanding, Wendi wasn't reciting lines from a script & was allowed the creative freedom to put the promo into her own words. It was a stroke of genius for Wendi to be able to get the crowd at the Manhattan Center to go from cheering her to booing her when she called New York City a dump. The crowd may not have been as into the catfight between Wendi Richter & Rockin' Robin, but to be fair, Robin wasn't featured all that much during her first run in the WWF. However, it is said that Vince was still pleased with how the brawl went & feels that Robin will get over during the course of this storyline.

Oh it definitely would've gotten an even more vocal reaction. If I may pull back the curtain, when booking the segments in TEW, I split the Wendi Richter surprise return into two segments: Wendi's promo, then Rockin' Robin's interruption & subsequent ringside fight. As for cheering & booing, I tried my best to convey that she was getting cheers at first because hey, the smart New York fans recognize her. Then didn't start getting booed until she referred to New York City as a dump. I'll address the fallout of this Raw in a Wrestling Observer style post some time this week. Also, so glad to find another Eddie Gilbert fan on here! 😁 And I'm very happy that folks here are picking up on some of the little details I'm sprinkling in here.

WWF Monday Night Raw Wk 3, January 1992 Manhattan Center New York City Dark Matches: -Crush def. Louie Spicolli by submission with the Cranium Crush -Haku def. Jim Powers by pinfall with the Tongan Spike -The Berzerker def. Nikolai Volkoff by pinfall Main Show: -We open with the Monday Night Raw show open, & the sirens go wild as we open inside back live at the Manhattan Center in New York City, the crowd going crazy as they are ready for live action! Vince McMahon: History was made just 24 hours ago at the Royal Rumble as a new WWF World Heavyweight Champion was crowned, & it was none other than the "Nature Boy" Ric Flair! And as you can see, the celebration was so rambunctious that Bobby Heenan isn't here tonight! So sit back as I'll... Just then, some familiar sounding music plays over the speakers. Yet the music is different enough so as not to alert the copyright lawyers. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hOJkuL_HB0 It's none other than "Hot Stuff" Eddie Gilbert, & the fans inside the Manhattan Center are more than familiar with him as he gets a big pop upon appearing from behind the curtain & making his way to ringside. Vince McMahon: Well we always say that Monday Night Raw is uncut, uncooked, & uncensored. It just might be all three within the first three minutes because none other than "Hot Stuff" Eddie Gilbert is coming out here! Eddie Gilbert joins Vince McMahon at ringside. Vince McMahon: Eddie Gilbert, what on earth brings you here to Monday Night Raw tonight?! Eddie Gilbert: Well, McMahon, my good friend Bobby "The Brain" Heenan needed the night off to celebrate Ric Flair's glorious victory at the Royal Rumble last night, so he called me up & asked if I could fill in for him. Vince McMahon: But I didn't know... Eddie Gilbert: That I worked here? Well guess what, Vin-Daddy, I do, & there's nothing you can do about it! Now as for tonight, we will see "El Matador" Tito Santana & Virgil in tag team action! Vince McMahon: Wait a minute! Eddie Gilbert: We will also see "The British Bulldog" Davey Boy Smith, front & center! Vince McMahon: Hey! Eddie Gilbert: And we have a double feature, tonight! After what happened during the Rumble last night, Pres. Jack Tunney made it official, & we will see Sid Justice taking on Skinner! And in from there, We will see "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan team up with Sgt. Slaughter to take on the Nasty Boys, who now will have Sensational Sherri at ringside! Vince looks shocked that Eddie Gilbert stole all of his announcer shtick. Vince McMahon: ... Eddie Gilbert: Without any further adieu, let's go to Howard Finkel! -"El Matador" Tito Santana & Virgil def. Duane Gill & Barry Hardy when Virgil pinned Hardy after a Russian Leg Sweep. After the match, Vince McMahon regains control of broadcasting duties from Eddie Gilbert & says that Mean Gene Okerlund filed a report last night after the Royal Rumble concluded. A graphic saying "Taped last night" is shown on the screen as we see Mean Gene backstage in front of the Royal Rumble backdrop, where interviews are conducted. Gene recaps how we have a new WWF Intercontinental Champion in the "Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase, pointing out that DiBiase reached into his trunks & used a foreign object to knock out Bret "Hitman" Hart while the referee was down & trying to pick himself back up. Gene also recaps that the mystery entrant turned out to be none other than Jerry "The King" Lawler, & he drew #30 while the eventual winner, Ric Flair, drew #3! That's right, the new WWF World Heavyweight Champion is Ric Flair, who outlasted the likes of Hulk Hogan, Jake Roberts, "Macho Man" Randy Savage, Sid Justice, among others. Speaking of Hulk Hogan & Sid Justice, Gene says that he tried to get a word from both men after the big argument they had at the end of the Royal Rumble match, as well as the shouting match they had afterward, but neither man wanted to talk about it. Back to Vince McMahon, who says that Sid's frame of mind could very well be bad news for Skinner later tonight, but stay tuned. "The British Bulldog" Davey Boy Smith is next! COMMERCIAL BREAK -We see a hype video for newcomer, Tatanka. We see him taking part in a sacred Native American ceremony as he dubs in a voice over about the culture of his people, the heritage of his ancestors, & how he looks to be as much of a warrior as his ancestors were when he arrives to the WWF. -Before we go to our next match, Vince McMahon informs Eddie Gilbert & the fans watching at home that there is a phone call on the line. It's none other than "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, who says he has a huge announcement. Eddie Gilbert says "What, you're retiring again to make another alien B-movie? Haha!" Eddie even mocks Piper's "Chew bubblegum" line from "They Live." "I came to chew bubblegum & kick butt in the Royal Rumble last night, & I ran out of bubblegum at the worst possible time because Shawn Michaels kicked my butt instead!" "Real funny," Piper replies. Piper goes on to announce that next week, we will see the return of Piper's Pit, & his guest next week will be none other than the "Macho Man" Randy Savage. "Vince, Randy & I have to hash this out. We broadcasted alongside you most of last year without incident, then for whatever reason, we've been at each other's throats in recent weeks. So next week, Piper's Pit, I bring on Macho Man & we settle this like men!" -"The British Bulldog" Davey Boy Smith def. Iron Mike Sharpe by pinfall with a Running Powerslam. -Before we go to commercial break, Vince throws it to Sean Mooney, who is backstage with Jimmy Hart & the Mountie. He notes that they must be furious about last night, but says that maybe they brought this on themselves. Jimmy Hart & the Mountie shake their heads & tell Sean that they are tired of biased tabloid journalists like him, "Scheme Gene" as Jimmy Hart put it, Vince McMahon & others brainwashing the fans into thinking that the Mountie is this mean, evil man who abuses his privileges as a law enforcer. The Mountie: Well let me introduce someone who is completely unbiased, & only speaks the truth! Raymond Rougeau! Raymond Rougeau walks into the shot as Sean Mooney points out to the Mountie "Hey, that's your brother!" Raymond Rougeau: See, there you go again, Sean, with your biased yellow journalism. From now on, I conduct interviews with Jimmy Hart, the Mountie, & any other wrestler who wants to be sure that the truth is heard & that the fans can finally hear their side of the story without any biases. Sean Mooney throws it to break, telling the fans to stay tuned as more Monday Night Raw is on the way! COMMERCIAL BREAK -Back from commercial break, & Vince McMahon & Eddie Gilbert are sitting at the broadcast table, discussing & debating what we just saw with the return of Raymond Rougeau, who now fancies himself a reporter. As Vince & Eddie are talking about what happened, the crowd starts buzzing & Vince & Eddie naturally wonder what the commotion is all about. They see someone that looks familiar walking down to ringside... The crowd has come alive now as they all see that it's none other than former 2-time WWF Women's Champion, Wendi Richter, who hasn't been seen in years! (at least by those who only watch the WWF). Wendi looks rather angry & doesn't ask for a microphone from Howard Finkel. She doesn't even demand it. She just outright takes it! It's set to house mic settings so that the crowd inside the Manhattan Center can hear what is on her mind as well as the fans watching at home. Vince notes that Wendi Richter had recently signed a new contract to return to the WWF, & that's when Wendi Richter proceeds to cut the promo of her life. She talks about how all she ever wanted was an opportunity, & no matter how many matches she won, she wasn't getting that opportunity. She notes how it took an outsider, Cyndi Lauper, banging on the door of the Championship Committee for Wendi to finally get her opportunity. And in front of a record TV audience on MTV, she won the WWF Women's Championship for the first time. After losing it, she regained the title at the first ever WrestleMania, which until now turned out to be her last WrestleMania because of a fateful November night in this very city, not far from here at Madison Square Garden. Wendi Richter: Just days before Thanksgiving, I'm told that I'm defending my title against a mysterious masked wrestler known only as the Spider Lady. No big deal. I've beat her before. But something was different. She didn't move like the original Spider Lady that I knew. In fact, she was a bit bigger. Before I know it, I'm pinned & the referee counts to three even though I kicked out at one, & the bell rings. I take off the mask, & low & behold it's the Fabulous Moolah. And to top it off, Moolah was allowed to keep the title despite competing as the Spider Lady. Whether it was because Pres. Jack Tunney was not there & couldn't do anything about it after the fact, I'll never know. But I bet you know a thing or two about it, don't you, Vince?! Eddie Gilbert: Whoa-huh-ho! Something you're not telling us, Vince? Vince McMahon: Wendi, please... not now. Wendi Richter: Not now?! Then when, Vince?! How about the fact that I was so upset that I left this city in my ring gear & took the first flight I could out of this dump?! The fans obviously aren't happy with that comment. Wendi Richter: Or how about the fact that I wasn't getting the compensation that I deserved for the hard work I put in? I bet you know something about my compensation too, don't you, Vince? Eddie Gilbert: C'mon, spill it, Vince! What do you know?! Vince McMahon: Eddie, Wendi... not now, please. Vince is visibly shaken as Wendi proceeds to inform us that Pres. Jack Tunney is putting the Women's Division back together & low & behold, who did they call to be a part of the division? Wendi Richter herself. Rockin' Robin appears from behind the curtain, making her return. She asks for another microphone that the stage hands have on standby just in case a mic stopped working. She asks Wendi Richter what her problem is, & Wendi responds that Robin of all people should be standing side by side with her. Wendi Richter: Don't you remember when you talked to me during a tour of Japan about how this company didn't have any room for you to compete & defend your Women's Championship at WrestleMania V? So instead, they had you sing "America the Beautiful," & how you felt embarrassed because you knew you couldn't sing at all? That's enough to set Rockin' Robin off as she sparks a melee with Wendi Richter! A number of road agents have to run out to get the two ladies separated. Vince McMahon sounds like he's going out of character as he screams "DAMMIT! GO TO COMMERCIAL BREAK!" Eddie Gilbert pleads "Oh no, let's stay with this, Vince! Monday Night Cat Fight!" COMMERCIAL BREAK -Back from commercial, & Vince McMahon does his best to calm down & get the show back on track. We proceed to our next match... Sid Justice def. Skinner by pinfall with the Powerbomb. Skinner had tried to get the jump on Sid & was about to spit tobacco at the big man again, but Sid kicked Skinner right in the gut, causing him to spew the tobacco onto the mat. Skinner had no chance to mount any offense as Sid Justice was taking his anger out on the Alligator Man of the WWF because of what happened last night when Hulk Hogan cost Sid an opportunity to win the Rumble match. -We see another hype video, this time for another newcomer, Papa Shango. He talks about his mastery of the dark arts as we see pictures of Jake "The Snake" Roberts, "Macho Man" Randy Savage & even "Rowdy" Roddy Piper. Papa Shango claims that he is the reason Jake Roberts has finally embraced who he truly is, & soon, he will join forces with Jake to completely envelop the WWF in darkness. MUWA-HA-HA-HA-HA!!! After the video, Vince asks Eddie if Paul Bearer & the Undertaker know anything about what Papa Shango just said, & Eddie says "Surely Jake has let them in on the plan." -Vince McMahon throws it to Gene Okerlund, who is standing by backstage with Pres. Jack Tunney. Tunney proceeds to announce that not only is the WWF Women's Championship returning to the World Wrestling Federation, but a new title has been commissioned by the Championship Committee. Pres. Tunney says that the timing couldn't be better with the recent premiere of Monday Night Raw, Wrestling Challenge being more competitive than ever, & Superstars bringing in new fans as well. Tunney announces that the WWF will soon crown its first ever WWF Television Champion. Pres. Tunney notes that the title will only be defended on TV & PPV, since PPV is on TV, don't you know. This title will not be at stake at non-televised events even though whoever is WWF TV Champion will still compete at non-televised events, & competitors who beat the TV Champion at non-televised events could find themselves in contention for the TV Title. Furthermore, with the Royal Rumble fresh on everyone's minds, there will be two 10-man battle royals: One next week on Monday Night Raw, & the other one in two weeks on Wrestling Challenge. The two winners will then face each other on Saturday Night's Main Event in February. Gene Okerlund says that this indeed is a huge announcement & one that fans no doubt will be happy with. COMMERCIAL BREAK -The Nasty Boys def. "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan & Sgt. Slaughter when Brian Knobbs pinned Sgt. Slaughter after Col. Mustafa interfered. The ref was distracted by Sensational Sherri's antics as she distracted Jim Duggan, causing him to jump down off the apron & back her off. Jerry Sags ran over to brawl with Duggan, & Slaughter was getting the better of Knobbs in the ring. However, he didn't count on Col. Mustafa running in & nailing him with a clothesline before getting out of the ring just as quickly. Vince is yelling at the ref to turn around, but he turns around to see Brian Knobbs pinning Sgt. Slaughter. Vince is irate & calls this a miscarriage of justice. Eddie Gilbert replies "How so? You demanded the referee to turn around, & he did!" COMMERCIAL BREAK -Back from commercial to Vince McMahon & Eddie Gilbert at the broadcast table, & Vince says another phone call has come in. It's none other than Shawn Michaels. Shawn first off compliments Eddie on doing such a wonderful job on commentary tonight, being a fair & objective broadcaster, & how Vince McMahon can learn a thing or two from him. Eddie thanks Shawn, then Shawn proceeds to make his own announcement. He says that this weekend on Wrestling Challenge, he will get the jump on Piper's Pit & premiere his own talk show, the Heartbreak Hotel, & his very first guest will be his new lady that he has met who will lead him to new heights in the WWF. PROMOTIONAL CONSIDERATION... PAID FOR BY THE FOLLOWING -Before the show wraps up, Vince McMahon hypes up next week's edition of Monday Night Raw. Eddie Gilbert interrupts & says we're going to see the first of two 10-man battle royals next week to determine the first WWF TV Champion. Vince takes back control of the proceedings & says he's got it from here. He notes how we'll see Hercules in action, as well as the Mountie. Rockin' Robin has also been given interview time, & she will respond to what Wendi Richter had to say earlier tonight. Eddie Gilbert: And don't forget, Vince! Piper's Pit with the Macho Man! Vince acknowledges what Eddie just said about Piper's Pit returning next week, & that's when Jim Duggan storms in. He's upset, almost out of breath, but he has something he has to say. Jim Duggan: Vince, first off, I apologize that you had to be out here with Eddie Gilbert. Trust me when I say that I know he's bad news... Eddie Gilbert: Hey! Jim Duggan: Second of all, Sgt. Slaughter told me he will be alright & will be good to go for his match against Rick Martel this weekend on Wrestling Challenge. Thirdly, this thing with Col. Mustafa... it's been brewing for far too long. And it's obvious that the WWF is not big enough for both me & Col. Mustafa. So I'm going to petition Pres. Jack Tunney to make a match for next Monday night on Raw, me against Mustafa, & the loser leaves the WWF forever! Eddie Gilbert: FOREVER?! Jim Duggan: Forever! Eddie Gilbert: Yes! We won't have to see your snot nose here anymore... Jim Duggan: Watch it, tough guy! Vince McMahon: Are you absolutely sure you want to put your WWF career on the line, Hacksaw?! Jim Duggan: I'm positive, Vince! Vince McMahon: What a way to cap off a chaotic edition of Monday Night Raw! See you next week, folks!

Prediction Key: WWF TV Title Tournament, Round One: Nikolai Volkoff Vs. "The Living Legend" Bruno Sammartino- Draw Eight-Man Tag Team War: The Hart Foundation and The Dream Team Vs. The Killer Bees and The British Bulldogs- Dream Team gets back on track to be taken seriously as credible Tag Champions "Terrible" Terry Funk Vs. "JYD" The Junkyard Dog- Terry Funk gets some heat to keep him credible as a WWF World Championship threat WWF TV Title Tournament, Round One: "Cowboy" Bob Orton Vs. "Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff- Orndorff gets his win back as Piper will surely be in the back getting ready for the battle royal 15-Man Over The Top Rope Battle Royal - Winner To Receive A Future WWF World Title Shot: Participants: "The Rock" Don Muraco, George "The Animal" Steele, Hercules Hernandez, Hillbilly Jim, Jim Powers, King Tonga, a newcomer by the name of "The Birdman" Koko B. Ware, "Leaping" Lanny Poffo, Moondog Spot, Paul Roma, Pedro Morales, Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat, "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, Tiger Chung Lee, and "Mr. USA" Tony Atlas- Going with Piper here. Maybe Hulk finally does get that pinfall win he never got in the WWF WWF Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship: "Macho Man" Randy Savage Vs. Tito Santana (c)- Macho Man's reign can start a bit early, I wouldn't complain about that! WWF World Heavyweight Championship: Big John Studd Vs. "The Incredible" Hulk Hogan (c)- Hogan is holding that belt for WrestleMania 2 [ Bonus Question: Who will have the most eliminations in the battle royal? Hercules Hernandez ] +3pts [ Bonus Question: Who will be the battle royal runner up? Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat] +3pts [ Bonus Question: Who's the debuting tag team? Rougeau Brothers ] +3pts

Tito Santana & Virgil were put together when after their match against IRS & Repo Man (Repo Tax) on Monday Night Raw, it was discovered they had Great chemistry teaming together. So I figured I would run with it. Plus, it adds depth to the tag team division. As for the other question... we'll just see what happens as the diary unfolds.

While this is posted on the front page, I will make the champions & tag team listings as its own post from time to time to help new readers get acquainted with where the diary is at. Current Champions & Title Reigns WWF World Heavyweight Champion Current Champion: "Nature Boy" Ric Flair Sunday, Wk 2, January 1992-Present Previous Reigns: Vacant- Wk 1, December 1991-Sunday, Wk 2, January 1992 WWF Intercontinental Champion Current Champion: "The Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase Sunday, Wk 2, January 1992-Present Previous Reigns Bret "Hitman" Hart: Wk 4, August 1991-Sunday, Wk 2, January 1992 WWF World Tag Team Champions Current Champions: Legion Of Doom Titles Won: Wk 4, August 1991-Present WWF Royal Rumble 1992 Winner: "Nature Boy" Ric Flair Past Winners: 1991: Hulk Hogan 1990: Hulk Hogan 1989: Big John Studd 1988: "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan ====================================================================================================== WWF Tag Teams Faces: Legion Of Doom (Animal & Hawk) New Foundation (Owen Hart & Jim Neidhart) Bushwhackers (Luke & Butch) The Von Erichs (Kevin Von Erich & Kerry Von Erich) "El Matador" Tito Santana & Virgil Heels: Natural Disasters (Earthquake & Typhoon) Beverly Bros. (Beau Beverly & Blake Beverly) Nasty Boys (Brian Knobbs & Jerry Sags) Repo Tax (Repo Man & Irwin R. Schyster) Orient Express (Kato & Pat Tanaka)

Prediction Standings as of post-Royal Rumble: Dawn- 5 Lord Byron- 5 Jaysin- 4 Colonel Phantom- 4 Trevor Belmont- 4 Old School Fan- 3 Bigelow Cartwheel- 3 MidKnightDreary- 2 FYI, bonus questions are worth 1 point. I wanted to keep it simple for me to keep track of while maintaining fun in the diary with prediction contests. BTW, if anyone ever sees an error in the standings or anything in the diary, don't be afraid to point it out to me. We're all human, after all. 🙂

Gorilla Monsoon states that the time for talk is over & sends it down to Howard Finkel for the introductions. The Fink goes over the rules of the Royal Rumble as an impatient Bobby Heenan begs for him to move it along. Howard Finkel: "The match starts with the participants who drew numbers one & two. Then every two minutes thereafter, a new participant enters the ring." Bobby Heenan: "We know that, Howard!" Gorilla Monsoon: "Quiet, Brain. Howard Finkel: "Entries continue until all 30 participants have entered, & elimination occurs by being thrown over the top rope & both feet touching the floor." Bobby Heenan: "Come on, let's go!" Howard Finkel: "The last man standing in the ring after all 29 other participants have been eliminated will be declared the victor, & this year will be crowned the new WWF World Heavyweight Champion!" Bobby Heenan: "Hurry up!" Howard Finkel: "Now let's find out who drew number one!" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkrrAipfdwc Gorilla points out that it's the Mountie, who looks angry as the fans are laughing at him, having seen the earlier segment on the jumbotrons in the arena where Pres. Tunney declared that the Mountie & Nasty Boys had to draw between numbers one & five. Howard Finkel: "Now let's find out who drew number two!" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YjqrdRzVCW8 "The British Bulldog" Davey Boy Smith makes his way down to the ring, as Gorilla points out that he won the big battle royal at Royal Albert Hall in England last fall, while Bobby Heenan points out that this is different from a battle royal where all of the wrestlers are already in the ring. Gorilla acknowledges that point & says Davey Boy better have been working on his cardio. The Mountie gets the jump on Davey Boy as he enters the ring, stomping on him as he rolls in. The Mountie looked like he would have an early advantage, but Davey Boy Smith overpowered him, eventually clotheslining him out of the ring in less than two minutes. Eliminated: The Mountie Bobby Heenan can't believe how the Mountie's night is already over as Gorilla Monsoon crows about how the second half of Ted DiBiase's, Jimmy Hart's & Sensational Sherri's master plan has already backfired. Davey Boy waves on the next competitor as the fans count down from 10 to 1. The buzzer goes off & it's... #3: "Nature Boy" Ric Flair Gorilla Monsoon: "It's Ric Flair!" Bobby Heenan: "Oh no! Gorilla Monsoon: "Oh yes!" Bobby Heenan: "Dammit!" Gorilla Monsoon: "You can kiss it goodbye, Brain, because nobody who has drawn from numbers one through five has made it toward the end. And watch your language." Bobby Heenan regroups & says that if anyone can go the distance & win, it's Ric Flair. Gorilla asks Heenan if he heard what he just said about nobody drawing from numbers one through five being there at the end. Heenan tells Gorilla to shut up. Ric Flair & Davey Boy feel each other out before Davey Boy gets the upper hand, with Flair selling Davey Boy's Military Press Slam like only he can. Davey Boy goes to clothesline Ric Flair over the top rope, but Flair ducks down as Davey Boy starts to fall over the top rope. However, Davey Boy catches himself & holds on as Ric Flair tries to eliminate him. The fans count down from 10 to 1, & the buzzer sounds... #4: Brian Knobbs Brian Knobbs of the Nasty Boys makes his down to the ring while Davey Boy is able to elbow Ric Flair, freeing himself from the ropes. Davey Boy gets the better of Flair as Brian Knobbs rushes in & attacks Davey Boy from behind. Brian tries to throw Davey Boy over the top rope, but Davey reverses, sending Brian over the top rope before turning around to go back to work on Ric Flair. However, Brian Knobbs lands on the apron, picks himself back up, & taunts the fans, bragging about how the British Bulldog couldn't eliminate him. That is a big mistake as Davey Boy turns around, sees Brian Knobbs standing on the ring apron, & dropkicks him from behind, sending one half of the Nasty Boys to the floor. Eliminated: Brian Knobbs Davey Boy taunts Ric Flair about how it's just the two of them again as Flair begs off. The countdown from 10 to 1 is on, & the buzzer sounds... #5: Jerry Sags No surprise here per Pres. Jack Tunney's earlier ruling. Jerry Sags passes by Brian Knobbs, who tells Jerry to go take care of Davey Boy for him, which Jerry promises he will. Davey turns & sees Jerry coming in, so he just grabs him & brings him in the hard way. That's the opening Ric Flair needs to come up from behind & push Davey Boy on top of the ropes as he tries to eliminate him. Jerry Sags tries to help out after he recovers, but Davey Boy holds on. Davey Boy is able to power out & tries to fight off Jerry Sags & Ric Flair with a 2-on-1 disadvantage. After some more fighting & attempts at elimination, the clock counts down to zero as the buzzer sounds... #6: "The Texas Tornado" Kerry Von Erich It's Kerry Von Erich, who Gorilla Monsoon says could help even the odds for Davey Boy. Bobby Heenan says if Kerry was smart, he'd join Jerry Sags & Ric Flair in trying to eliminate the British Bulldog. Gorilla does acknowledge that what Heenan said was good strategy. Bobby Heenan: "We agreed on something!" Gorilla Monsoon & Bobby Heenan: "Uh oh!" Bobby Heenan: "I'm getting out of here." Gorilla Monsoon: "You stay right there, Brain." Bobby Heenan: "I'm just kidding, Monsoon." Kerry Von Erich does even the odds as he goes after Ric Flair, while Davey Boy Smith fights with Jerry Sags. Gorilla Monsoon says that he heard about one fateful afternoon when the Texas Tornado got the better of the Nature Boy, which Bobby Heenan quickly dismisses as just a rumor. Gorilla Monsoon: "Kevin Von Erich, who we met tonight, confirmed that 'rumor' to me, Brain." Bobby Heenan: "Just shut up, okay?! I stand to make a fortune here!" Gorilla Monsoon: "Or lose one. And besides, don't you mean that Ric Flair stands to make a fortune here?" Bobby Heenan: "Of course he stands to make a fortune, as does Mr. Perfect!" All four men are battling each other, but nobody is able to eliminate each other as the clock counts down once again... #7: Greg "The Hammer" Valentine It's the Hammer himself. Gorilla Monsoon says this kind of match is up to Greg Valentine's liking as it takes him close to 20 minutes just to warm up. The Hammer goes right to work as he & Kerry Von Erich try to eliminate Ric Flair. Bobby Heenan, of course, protests that what is happening is not fair to Flair. Davey Boy slams Jerry Sags down to the canvas & joins in as well. The struggle continues until Jerry Sags comes over & gouges Greg Valentine in the eye, helping to free Ric Flair as he manages to break away from Davey Boy Smith & Kerry Von Erich. As the action continues, it is time for the next entrant. #8: Haku Haku makes his way down as Gorilla Monsoon points out that this can be interesting given the history between Haku & Bobby Heenan. Gorilla tells the Brain that he heard he had cheated Haku out of money, which Bobby Heenan quickly denies. Heenan says that maybe Ric Flair will finally get some help now as the Nature Boy manages to work over Kerry Von Erich with knife edge chops in the corner after hitting Davey Boy Smith with a low blow. But Haku goes right after Ric Flair! Bobby Heenan: "What are you doing, Haku?!" Gorilla Monsoon: "It's every man for himself, Brain!" Bobby Heenan: "This is not fair to Flair!" Ric Flair somehow manages to escape from Haku, but Greg Valentine is there to meet the Nature Boy. Kerry Von Erich tangles with Jerry Sags, while Davey Boy Smith does battle with Haku. Eventually the clock counts down again... #9: "El Matador" Tito Santana Tito Santana makes his way down to the ring, not only looking to win his first Royal Rumble, but also his first WWF World Heavyweight Championship & become a triple crown winner, having won both the Intercontinental & Tag Team Championship in the past. It's starting to become a crowded field as the ring fills up with seven competitors without an elimination in some time. Tito Santana sets his sights on Ric Flair, who tries to call a timeout to no avail as Santana goes to work on him. Bobby Heenan says that this is unfair while Gorilla Monsoon says that there are no timeouts in the WWF. Everyone is trying to eliminate each other, but to no avail as the ring will soon fill up with eight men as the clock counts down to zero with the buzzer going off... #10: Repo Man It's the Repo Man, who quickly sneaks his way down to the ring, looking like he's running away from someone as he looks all around. He rolls into the ring & attacks Tito Santana from behind as Ric Flair sneaks off into a corner to catch a breather. But Flair can't catch a breather for long because Kerry Von Erich is right back to fighting him, trying to eliminate the Nature Boy. Davey Boy is paired off with Haku, while Jerry Sags is trying to stave off elimination from Greg Valentine. The clock's countdown is down to zero once again... #11: Virgil Gorilla Monsoon says that it would be the true underdog sports story of the year if Virgil wins the Royal Rumble tonight, which Bobby Heenan acknowledges because one fluke thing goes right, & Virgil can be your new WWF World Champion. "But that won't happen." "It could, Brain." Virgil immediately goes after the Repo Man to give Tito Santana a breather. Repo starts getting the better of Virgil & backs him up against the ropes. Repo goes to clothesline Virgil over the top rope, but Virgil bends down & tosses Repo over the top rope. However, Repo Man lands on the ring apron. Virgil sees this, as does a recovered Tito Santana. Repo is about to re-enter when he turns to taunt the fans as well, telling them that he'll repossess their cars tomorrow because he knows they spent their car payments on ringside tickets. That's the opening Virgil & Tito Santana need to hit Repo with a double dropkick, sending him down to the floor. Eliminated: Repo Man Repo Man can't believe it, then looks all around & runs to the back in his sneaky Repo Man manner. He turns his attention to Virgil & Tito, telling them that they'll get theirs. By this point, Kerry Von Erich has Jerry Sags in the Iron Claw, then hits him with the Tornado Punch, sending the other half of the Nasty Boys over the top rope & onto the arena floor. Eliminated: Jerry Sags Before you know it, it's time for another participant as the countdown goes to zero & the buzzer sounds... #12: Col. Mustafa Col. Mustafa marches his way down to the ring as Gen. Adnan gives him the orders to win it all & to fight everyone, friend & foe. He does just that as he immediately goes after everyone, knocking everyone down with a right hand, even Ric Flair! Bobby Heenan goes ballistic & says that he's rooting for Sgt. Slaughter & Jim Duggan from now on, which gets a chuckle out of Gorilla Monsoon. Col. Mustafa then turns his attention to Greg Valentine, & Bobby Heenan, without missing a beat, starts cheering for Col. Mustafa again & talks about how he's the second best wrestler in all of the WWF. He says Col. Mustafa & Ric Flair could be unstoppable as a duo. However, Col. Mustafa doesn't last long as Davey Boy Smith clotheslines both he & Greg Valentine over the top rope & to the floor. Eliminated: Col. Mustafa Eliminated: Greg "The Hammer" Valentine Ric Flair looks around & realizes that he's surrounded by Kerry Von Erich, Virgil, Tito Santana & Davey Boy Smith. Bobby Heenan: "No! No! This is not fair to Flair!" Gorilla Monsoon: "If he's as great as he says he is, Brain, he will overcome this. Highly unlikely, though." But the babyfaces forgot about Haku, who has recovered & attacks Virgil, nailing him with his dreaded Tongan Spike, then picking him up & sending him over the top rope & to the floor. Eliminated: Virgil Tito Santana goes after Haku, while Davey Boy Smith grabs a hold of Ric Flair for Kerry Von Erich to hit him. However, the plan backfires as Ric Flair ducks & Kerry accidentally nails Davey Boy with a regular punch. Davey Boy is not pleased & shoves Kerry, yelling at him. Bobby Heenan: "Oh here we go!" Gorilla Monsoon: "Like I said, every man for himself, Brain!" Kerry doesn't take any gruff from Davey Boy & begins fighting it out with him as the crowd goes crazy over the two babyfaces duking it out. Ric Flair tries to take advantage & eliminate both men, but they drop their differences & fight back against Flair. Bobby Heenan again says that this is not fair to Flair, while Gorilla Monsoon counters that the smart strategy is to work together to eliminate the competition, then let the best man win. "But Ric Flair is the best man, Monsoon!" "That remains to be seen, Brain." The clock winds down to zero & the buzzer sounds... #13: The Barbarian It's the Barbarian, & Bobby Heenan notes that they keep getting meaner & bigger. Gorilla tells the Brain "Barbarian doesn't like Ric Flair." "Barbarian doesn't like anybody! He barely liked me & the rest of the members of my Family! He especially doesn't like referees named Tommy. He'll have to explain that one to you." Barbarian seemingly helps out Ric Flair as he attacks Davey Boy Smith & headbutts Kerry Von Erich, knocking him down to the canvas. Tito Santana manages to get the better of Haku, thinking that he's eliminated him as he backdrops him over the top rope. But Haku manages to land on the apron while Tito turns to help out Davey Boy, fighting it out with the Barbarian. Davey Boy & Tito work together to try to eliminate the Barbarian, but Ric Flair sneaks in & lifts up Tito Santana. Haku with the assist, & Tito Santana is gone. Eliminated: "El Matador" Tito Santana Davey Boy fights back, but Haku nails him with a crescent kick to the jaw, followed by a running big boot from the Barbarian that sends Davey Boy over the top rope & to the floor. Eliminated: "The British Bulldog" Davey Boy Smith Ric Flair high fives both Haku & Barbarian, then tries to sneak attack Haku. Haku is none too pleased & stalks Ric Flair around as the Nature Boy begs off. Haku charges toward Flair, but Ric ducks down & pulls down the top rope, causing Haku's own momentum to send him over the top rope & onto the arena floor. Eliminated: Haku As Ric Flair takes a breather, Barbarian & Kerry Von Erich are fighting it out. The clock counts down to zero & the buzzer sounds... #14: Big Boss Man It's the Big Boss Man, & Ric Flair takes a gulp & knows he's got to get back into this. Gorilla Monsoon: Ric Flair seems a bit hesitant, Brain. Bobby Heenan: Well it's not fair to Flair to have the Boss Man come in this fresh. But if there is anybody who can beat him, it's Ric Flair. Ric Flair begs off as Boss Man waves his finger at the Nature Boy, ready to do battle with him. Flair is backed into the corner, & Boss Man works him over with his signature rapid punches to the gut. But Flair counters with a poke to Boss Man's eyes, stunning the big man from Cobb County. Meanwhile, Barbarian & Kerry Von Erich are working to try to eliminate each other, so Ric Flair helps them both out, dumping both of them over the top rope. But only the Barbarian falls out to the floor as Kerry somehow hangs on as he lands on the mat, trying to regain his bearings. Boss Man runs over & flies at Ric Flair, but he ducks out of the way as the Boss Man lands his gut on the top rope. Kerry Von Erich uses the ropes to pick himself back up, but in doing so, he slips a bit & brings down the top rope, inadvertently eliminating the Boss Man. Eliminated: The Barbarian Eliminated: Big Boss Man Kerry staggers back through the ropes, saving himself from elimination, only for Flair to punch him in the jaw, sending him through the ropes & to the outside. Bobby Heenan: That's it! Ric Flair has won this! Gorilla Monsoon: Brain, we're not even halfway through yet. And besides, Kerry Von Erich went through the ropes, not over them. He's still very much in this. Bobby Heenan: It HAS to be over the top rope?! That's not fair to Flair!! Gorilla Monsoon: And just think of who has yet to enter: "Rowdy" Roddy Piper; the "Macho Man" Randy Savage; the Undertaker; Jake "The Snake" Roberts; Sgt. Slaughter; "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan; Sid Justice; Hulk Hogan... Bobby Heenan: Oh don't remind me! Speaking of entries, the clock counts down to zero & the buzzer sounds off, signifying the entrance of... #15: "Rowdy" Roddy Piper Bobby Heenan: "Oh no!" Gorilla Monsoon: "It's the Hot Rod, Brain! No love lost for your man, Ric Flair." The look on Ric Flair's face says it all as Roddy Piper is ecstatic to run down to the ring. Flair is not looking forward to it, but he has to get ready. Flair & Piper waste no time in trading blows, with Piper backing Flair into the corner with rapid rights & lefts. But Flair manages to put a thumb to Piper's eye, his trademark move of the night it seems. Gorilla Monsoon: "Flair keeps going to the eyes, Brain." Bobby Heenan: "No rules in the Royal Rumble, Monsoon, other than eliminating your opponents." Flair reverses Piper into the corner, hitting him with a knife edge chop. It seems to take some of Piper's breath away, so Flair goes for another, thinking that the first one worked. But apparently it didn't as Piper no-sells the second knife edge chop, taking deep breaths & staring Flair down. Flair tries a third knife edge chop, but Piper comes back swinging with rights & lefts. Meanwhile, Kerry Von Erich has recovered & pulls himself back into the ring as the clock winds down. #16: Jake "The Snake" Roberts As Jake slowly makes his way down the aisle, Ric Flair manages to get the better of Piper by dropping to his knees & delivering a low blow. Kerry makes his way over to Flair, but the Nature Boy picks him up & delivers an inverted atomic drop. Both Kerry Von Erich & Roddy Piper are down, & Ric Flair is down to his knees taking another breather as Jake slides into the ring & slithers into the corner. Jake looks over at Flair & motions that he'll help Flair out. Jake Roberts starts off by picking Kerry Von Erich up & delivering a DDT. Jake smiles over at Ric Flair, who smiles right back as the two begin to shake hands. But Jake turns the handshake into a short arm clothesline! Bobby Heenan: "I like Jake, but that's not right!" Gorilla Monsoon: "Ric Flair should've known better than to trust Jake "The Snake" Roberts, Brain. Haven't you been paying attention?" Bobby Heenan: "I have been paying attention, Monsoon, but I didn't expect Jake to backstab Ric Flair like that!" Jake is grinning from ear to ear as he stands by the ropes & soaks in the reaction of the audience, all of whom can't believe what they just witnessed. Jake finally goes to follow up on Flair, but he should've been paying attention because Roddy Piper is back up & swings away at Jake. Piper throws Jake into the ropes & delivers a clothesline that knocks Roberts down. Bobby Heenan: "I can't believe I'm saying this, but thank you, Roddy Piper! It's not a skirt, it's a kilt." Without missing a beat, Flair is back up, but Piper bodyslams him & follows up with a series of right hand punches. Bobby Heenan: "Why you no-good!!! It's not a kilt, it's a skirt!" Gorilla Monsoon: "The Brain has lost it, folks!" The clock counts down to zero... #17: Shawn Michaels It's Shawn Michaels, looking as arrogant as ever as he jogs down to the ring. Kerry Von Erich has rolled over to a corner, trying to regain his bearings. Ric Flair is slow to recover after Piper did a number on him. Roddy Piper has now gone to work over Jake Roberts, but Shawn Michaels slides in & grabs Piper by the back of his head, punching away at the Hot Rod. Piper fights back, though, & Shawn Michaels is quickly regretting picking a fight with "Rowdy" Roddy Piper. Jake Roberts takes the opportunity to slide out of the way & sit over by the ropes. Ric Flair is back to his feet & grabs Piper from behind, holding him in position for Shawn Michaels. Shawn delivers a nice looking super kick... that hits Ric Flair because Roddy Piper ducked out of the way! Shawn can't believe it, but Piper grabs a hold of him & starts working away at the Heartbreak Kid. Piper throws Shawn into the ropes, grabs him & locks him in a sleeper hold. Gorilla Monsoon: "You can't win that why, Brain." Bobby Heenan: "No, but you can put a man away, then throw him over the top rope & out of the match." Gorilla Monsoon: "That's a good point." Bobby Heenan: "Why thank you." Gorilla Monsoon: "Don't get used to it. Even a blind squirrel finds an acorn every now & then." Bobby Heenan: "I thought I was the 'Weasel,' I mean..." Gorilla Monsoon: "You're right. You are indeed the 'Weasel.'" Bobby Heenan: "What I meant to say was that I thought you called me the 'Weasel.' Now you're comparing me to squirrels." Piper looks like he's going to make Shawn fade away, but the Heartbreak Kid brings Piper down with a reverse jawbreaker, stunning the Hot Rod. Kerry Von Erich is back into it & grabs a hold of Shawn Michaels before Shawn could even follow up on Piper. Ric Flair manages to grab a hold of Roddy Piper, & the two trade right hand punches. Meanwhile, the clock counts down... #18: "Macho Man" Randy Savage It's the Macho Man, & he's making a bee line for the ring. Jake "The Snake" Roberts quickly rolls out of the ring before the Macho Man can find him. Macho Man is in the ring & looking around for Jake, wondering where the heck he is. Kerry Von Erich & Shawn Michaels are working each other over in the corner, fighting to eliminate each other, & Roddy Piper gets the better of Ric Flair with an inverted atomic drop of his own. Piper accidentally backs into the Macho Man, & the two are now staring down each other after having bumped into one another. The crowd is going wild as the two stare each other down & trade words, looking like they're daring each other to strike the first blow. Before they can come to blows, Jake grabs a hold of Macho Man & brings him down with a short-arm clothesline. Meanwhile during the earlier chaos, Shawn Michaels managed to free himself by punching away at Kerry Von Erich, so now he runs over & grabs Piper by the hair & tosses him out over the top rope & to the floor in what has to be the upset elimination of the night! Eliminated: "Rowdy" Roddy Piper Shawn is taunting Piper, laughing at him as Piper is beside himself. Piper snaps & hops up onto the apron as officials try & fail to grab a hold of him by his feet. Piper grabs a hold of Shawn & brings him down throat first across the top rope. Shawn Michaels staggers around & right into a Tornado Punch from Kerry Von Erich, which Shawn sells brilliantly by flying over the top rope & to the floor. Piper waves Shawn off & stomps down toward the back. Eliminated: Shawn Michaels Shawn staggers up, holding his jaw & selling like only he can. He can be heard on camera complaining that he's going to have to see his dentist tomorrow when he planned on having a lunch date with his new lady. Gorilla makes note of what Shawn just said & retorts "We don't even know who she is, Brain!" Heenan responds "I'm sure we'll find out when Shawn wants us to find out who the lucky lady is." Shawn stomps toward the back & runs after Piper. The two are engaged in a wild melee as road agents run out to try & get them separated, brawling all the way to the back. Meanwhile, back in the ring, Jake Roberts is helping Ric Flair out with Kerry Von Erich. But "Macho Man" Randy Savage is back to his feet & runs over to Jake, grabbing him by the hair & punching away at him as the crowd goes wild. Randy is so consumed with anger that instead of throwing Jake over the top rope, he throws him through the ropes. Macho follows out after Jake, also exiting through the ropes, so neither man is eliminated. Macho Man is punching away at Jake as officials are trying to get Randy off of him in order to get both men back into the ring for the Rumble. Macho quickly stands up & throws his fist back, threatening to lay out any officials that dare put their hands on him, causing them to back off. Randy goes to pick Jake up, but Jake picks Randy up & brings him down throat first across the barricade! Macho Man is seriously selling what happened on the floor. Gorilla Monsoon: "Macho Man could be seriously hurt!" Bobby Heenan: "That's what blind rage does to you, Monsoon. Jake has outsmarted the Macho Man every step of the way." Jake goes to stomp away at Macho Man as the officials bark orders at him to get back in the ring so they can check up on Randy. Jake obliges, sarcastically crossing his heart & promising not to do anymore damage before sliding back in. During all the chaos, Kerry Von Erich has managed to get the better of Ric Flair, locking him in the patented Iron Claw. Jake slides back into a corner, just watching what is happening as the clock counts down to zero... #19: "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan It's "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan & he has his American flag & 2x4 as the crowd shouts "HOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!" along with him. Duggan hands his American flag over to a ring attendant, then goes into the ring. He notices Jake getting up & begging off, so Duggan naturally gives chase after Jake, threatening to hit him with the 2x4! Jake gets away, but Duggan notices Ric Flair has freed himself from Kerry Von Erich's Iron Claw by grabbing the Texas Tornado by the trunks & tossing him headfirst into the middle turnbuckle. So as Flair is backing himself up, what does Duggan do? He swings for the fences & nails Flair in the back with the 2x4, much to the approval of the crowd! Bobby Heenan: "THAT'S NOT FAIR TO FLAIR!!" Gorilla Monsoon: "No rules in the Royal Rumble, Brain. You said it yourself." Bobby Heenan continues to bicker with Gorilla Monsoon on commentary while Jim Duggan takes in the cheers of the crowd, giving a thumbs up high in the air & shouting "HOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!" along with the crowd. He hands the 2x4 over to an official, only for Jake Roberts to sneak up & try to eliminate him from the blindside. "Macho Man" Randy Savage has recovered & waves off the officials, telling him he'll be fine as his breathing is fine now. He immediately stops Jake Roberts from being able to eliminate Jim Duggan, which Bobby Heenan criticizes on commentary, noting how that was a stupid mistake. Gorilla Monsoon counters by saying he can't blame the Macho Man after everything Jake has put him through. Macho Man & Jim Duggan are now working together to try & eliminate Jake Roberts, while Kerry Von Erich is back to his feet & is fighting with Ric Flair yet again. Gorilla says that Kerry Von Erich & Ric Flair have really impressed him with their performance, having lasted as long as they have as the clock winds down to zero... #20: Irwin R. Schyster It's the tax man himself, IRS. He walks down to the ring, Halliburton briefcase in hand. He gets in the ring & immediately blasts Jim Duggan in the back with the Halliburton. Bobby Heenan: "Serves that big dummy right!" Macho Man notices what happened & grabs IRS by the tie as Irwin is begging for his life. Bobby Heenan: "He's got him by his tongue!" Gorilla Monsoon: "That's his tie, Brain. And by the way, it's about time someone made him pay for wearing his business attire to the ring!" Macho Man throws IRS over & down to the mat by his tie, but gets jumped by Jake Roberts. Macho Man & Jake are now fighting in the ropes, while Ric Flair breaks free of Kerry Von Erich & tries to help Jake eliminate the Macho Man. Kerry makes his way over & grabs a hold of Jake Roberts, punching away at him. Jim Duggan & IRS are recovering, & with everyone fighting it out, the clock winds down to zero... #21: The Undertaker Per Pres. Jack Tunney's ruling, the Undertaker & Hulk Hogan were allowed to draw from numbers 20 through 30. Gorilla says that the Undertaker looks to have received the short end of the stick, but Bobby Heenan notes that it is still a late entry & can still be advantageous for him. The Undertaker gets in the ring & immediately goes after Kerry Von Erich. Kerry tries to fight the Dead Man off, but Undertaker grabs him & tosses him out of the ring & over the top rope. Eliminated: Kerry Von Erich As Kerry is helped to the back, fans at ringside are applauding his effort, having shown that he may be making a comeback in the WWF. Inside the ring, Macho Man is reeling, with Ric Flair trying to eliminate him but Macho Man fights back & manages to knock Flair down. Undertaker goes after the Macho Man & chokeslams him. Jim Duggan goes over to fight the Undertaker, preventing him from doing further damage to the Macho Man. Duggan tries to eliminate Undertaker, but Jake sneaks up behind Duggan & tosses him out & over the top rope to the floor. Eliminated: "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan Jim Duggan realizes what happened & tries to go after Jake, but officials hold him back & get him to head back as his night is done. Jake, Undertaker, Ric Flair & IRS all eye each other, then see "Macho Man" Randy Savage slow to recover off the mat. They all look at each other, & Jake, Ric & IRS are all grinning at each other while the Undertaker simply looks on with no emotion. The fans are buzzing, realizing what is about to happen as Macho Man staggers up, assessing the situation. He realizes that he is outnumbered, but he dares them to come at him because if he's going down, he's going down swinging. IRS runs over to Macho Man first, but Randy ducks down & sends IRS falling over with a low tackle below the knee area. Ric Flair comes after the Macho Man, but Macho ducks a clothesline, then knocks Ric Flair down with an elbow to the head. Randy Savage then runs over to the corner & climbs to the top turnbuckle. Both Gorilla Monsoon & Bobby Heenan question the wisdom in Macho Man's thinking, but he comes crashing down to Jake's head with a flying double axe handle. But Macho Man runs into the Undertaker, who knocks Randy Savage down with a thrust to the throat. Undertaker looks like he's about to finish Randy Savage off, but he is distracted by the fans counting down from ten to zero & the buzzer going off... #22: Sid Justice It's Sid Justice, & the fans come unglued as it seems like he has a groundswell of support from the Albany crowd. He hops up onto the apron & enters the ring, staring down the Undertaker. The fans are abuzz at the possible showdown, & the two big men begin to trade punches. Ric Flair manages to recover & clips Sid in the knee from behind, taking him down. Jake Roberts has recovered as well, & now he, Flair & Undertaker go to work on Sid Justice, but "Macho Man" Randy Savage has recovered as well & helps Sid against the three heels. IRS has recovered, but he opts to sit this one out to take a breather. Randy Savage grabs a hold of Jake Roberts & sends him into the ropes. He goes for a clothesline, but Jake does as well, the two men taking each other out with a double clothesline. Meanwhile, Ric Flair & the Undertaker are trying to eliminate Sid Justice, but he's too powerful & too fresh, punching away at both men, knocking Flair down & staggering Undertaker back. The fans count along with the clock as it reaches zero... #23: Hulk Hogan The fans come unglued yet again as now finally the Hulkster comes jogging down. Hogan slides in & is immediately met by IRS, who stomps down on the Hulkster, not even allowing him to take his shirt off. IRS goes to pick Hogan up, but much like Macho Man earlier, Hulk grabs him by the tie & tosses him over the top rope & to the floor. Eliminated: Irwin R. Schyster Hulk Hogan goes to rip his shirt off like only he can. Jake "The Snake" Roberts is slowly getting back up to his feet, so of course Hogan goes after him & wraps his shirt around Jake's throat from behind, choking Jake as the crowd eats it up. Bobby Heenan: "Oh that's real nice! There's your role model, kids! Choking another man with his shirt!" Gorilla Monsoon: "After everything Jake has done to everybody here in the World Wrestling Federation, I say it's about time someone dishes out to him what he's been giving." Bobby Heenan: "He never choked anybody with a shirt, Monsoon!" Hulk is choking away at Jake, but the Undertaker, who has sent Sid to the outside but through the ropes with a throat thrust, comes up from behind & clubs Hogan in the back of the neck, stunning the Immortal One. The Undertaker goes to work on Hogan & looks to eliminate him early. Hogan is fighting back, & now both are teetering. Jake has recovered & it looks like he's going to help the Undertaker... but he accidentally eliminates him instead of Hogan! Or at least, we think it's an accident. Eliminated: The Undertaker Jake swears up & down to the Undertaker that it was an accident, but the Undertaker is not so sure. What is for sure is that Sid Justice has recovered from the earlier throat thrust, turns Jake around, grabs him by the throat, coils back & heaves Jake over the top rope & to the floor. Eliminated: Jake "The Snake" Roberts Sid, Hulk & Randy are all recovered, & now they realize that they have Ric Flair surrounded. He's begging off once again & ducks under the ropes & out of the ring. Sid, Hulk & Randy are devising a strategy, even playing paper, rock, scissors to some laughter from the crowd. But the crowd sees the clock countdown & they count along before the buzzer sounds... #24: Skinner It's the Alligator Man, Skinner. He jogs down to the ring as Hulk tells Sid & Randy that he'll go after Ric Flair while they cut Skinner off at the pass. Skinner hesitates to enter as Sid & Randy dare him to do so. Hulk Hogan goes after Ric Flair outside the ring, making sure he exits through the ropes so as not to be eliminated. Hogan manages to catch up to Flair, but Ric once again goes for the eyes, poking Hulk in said eyes. Flair grabs Hogan by the head & slams it down on the mat, then rolls him back in. Randy turns around to see Flair getting the best of Hogan, so he tells Sid he'll take care of Skinner, which Sid gives his approval for. That's enough of a distraction for Skinner to enter the ring & spit his tobacco in Sid's face, but he didn't count on Sid Justice closing his eyes so that he wouldn't be blinded. Sid wipes the tobacco off his face as Skinner looks a bit hesitant. Sid, however, starts smirking & laughing. Skinner starts laughing with him, but Sid immediately stops laughing. Skinner doesn't know what to do, but Sid Justice does. He grabs Skinner by the goozle, hoists him up & brings him down with a chokeslam. The crowd is roaring in approval as Sid listens to them for what to do next. Meanwhile, Macho Man & Hulk Hogan are working together to eliminate Ric Flair, to no avail. Sid is ready to pick up Skinner, but the Alligator Man rolls away & out of the ring as Sid just stands there frustrated. Meanwhile, the clock counts down once again... #25: "The Model" Rick Martel Rick Martel jogs down to the ring, looking confident with his late number. Gorilla Monsoon notes how Martel broke the record for longest time in the Rumble last year, but he won't have to be in there near as long this year with such a late entry. Sid turns his attention to Martel, & that's the opportunity Skinner needs to attack him from behind, turning Sid around & hitting him near the eye with his alligator trinket claw that he carries around. Skinner tosses that aside as he & Rick Martel double team Sid. Ric Flair manages to get away from Hulk Hogan, but is still tied up with Randy Savage. Hogan turns & sees what is happening, so he grabs a hold of Rick Martel & Skinner, hitting them both with a double noggin knocker. Hogan tries to eliminate Martel, but Skinner grabs Hogan by the nose as it looks like he's trying to pull it off. Rick Martel & Skinner are now going to work trying to eliminate Hulk Hogan, but Sid Justice is back up & grabs a hold of Skinner, slamming him down hard with the Powerbomb. Skinner ain't gettin' up any time soon, so Sid picks him up & tosses him out of the ring with ease. Eliminated: Skinner Ric Flair has broken away from Randy Savage & goes after Sid Justice, with Rick Martel joining in trying to eliminate the big man. But Randy Savage grabs a hold of Rick Martel & starts fighting with him. Hulk Hogan goes to try & assist Macho Man, but Rick Martel is fighting for all he's got. Sid fights back against Ric Flair & knocks him down again with a punch, & once again the Nature Boy opts to roll out of the ring under the ropes to catch his breath. Sid, however, runs out after him, & it's a goose chase between the two. Flair back in first, giving him the opportunity to stomp down on Sid as he re-enters the ring. Meanwhile, as the clock winds down... 26: Hercules It's the mighty Hercules, & Harvey Wippleman is accompanying him to the ring. Gorilla Monsoon is wondering what in the world Harvey is doing out there, while Bobby Heenan speculates that maybe with the Warlord out, Harvey needed a backup plan, & says that Herc is quite the backup plan. Gorilla tells Bobby that he would know, then reminisces about how he sold Herc out. Heenan declares that what happened in the past is water under the bridge. Sid is making a comeback against Flair, but turn around because Hercules meets him with a hard right hand. Herc looks meaner than ever before, brutal even, as he sends Sid into the ropes & knocks the big man down with a double axe handle to the chest that fans once knew Ivan Putski for as the Polish Hammer, but Bobby Heenan notes on commentary that he talked to Hercules earlier today. He said Herc told him to look out for the Double Sledge, & that he'd know it when he saw it. Gorilla says that certainly looked like a Double Sledge. Ric Flair backs off from Hercules, telling him he wants no trouble. Herc just shrugs it off & goes to attack Hulk Hogan with a double axe handle to the back. Herc is working over Hogan while Rick Martel tries to eliminate Randy Savage. Ric Flair goes to try & assist Herc, but Hogan fights both of them off. Herc is turned around by a now recovered Sid Justice, who punches away at Herc, then tosses him into the ropes. Sid knocks Herc down with a standing big boot & feeds off the energy of the crowd again. Sid goes to pick up Herc, but the mighty one is able to reverse with a forearm shot to the face, the fight swinging in his favor. Herc is trying to eliminate Sid; Hulk Hogan & Ric Flair are trying to eliminate each other, as are Randy Savage & Rick Martel as the clock counts down to zero... #27: The Berzerker Gorilla notes that the Berzerker has certainly drawn a great number, & Bobby Heenan talks about how the Berzerker's specialty is tossing guys over the top rope. Heenan says "He may have developed a new move to help him pin his opponents, but make no mistake, he hasn't forgotten how to dump them out. Mr. Fuji made sure he remembered that." Berzerker immediately goes after Hogan, who has fought Ric Flair off. With Berzerker & Hogan now going after each other, Ric Flair turns his attention to try & help Hercules eliminate Sid Justice. Meanwhile, Rick Martel seems to have gotten the better of the Macho Man, bringing him down with a gutwrench suplex. Rick Martel starts showboating & doing jumping jacks while taunting the fans, but he doesn't realize that Macho Man is making it back to his feet behind his back. Macho Man picks the Model up from behind & brings him down hard with an atomic drop, sending Martel bouncing off Macho Man's knee. The momentum is such that Martel also bounces off the top rope, flips over & falls down to the floor. Eliminated: "The Model" Rick Martel Randy Savage now goes after Ric Flair again, while Sid Justice is still paired off with Hercules, & Hulk Hogan still battling with the Berzerker. Nobody is able to eliminate each other as they continue to fight each other before the clock counts down to zero... #28: "Superfly" Jimmy Snuka It's the Superfly, Jimmy Snuka. He jogs down to the ring, & there's no telling who he'll go after. Snuka enters the ring & looks around, taking a lay of the land as he bobs his head & shouts "WHO! WHO! WHO!" He decides to go over & headbutt Ric Flair, but then also headbutts Macho Man! Then he goes over & headbutts Berzerker, then headbutts Hulk Hogan. Gorilla Monsoon & Bobby Heenan aren't sure what to make of this other than, hey, it is the Royal Rumble... every man for himself. Snuka targets Hercules, but Herc sees him & turns around to cut him off at the pass with a right hand. Sid Justice is recovering, taking a breather, while Herc & Snuka duke it out. Ric Flair tries to eliminate Hulk Hogan, & Berzerker goes over to assist him, but Macho Man goes after the Berzerker. Nobody is able to eliminate anyone again as we approach the countdown... #29: Sgt. Slaughter It's Sgt. Slaughter, which means the now revealed mystery entrant, Jerry "The King" Lawler, will be entering last at number 30 in less than two minutes. Slaughter wastes no time in targeting the Berzerker, allowing Hulk Hogan & Randy Savage to work together to try & eliminate Ric Flair. Snuka & Herc are still duking it out, but look at who's recovered... Sid Justice is back to his feet & charges toward Jimmy Snuka & Hercules, clotheslining both of them over the top rope & to the floor at the same time! Eliminated: "Superfly" Jimmy Snuka Eliminated: Hercules Sid looks over & sees Sgt. Slaughter & Berzerker fighting each other. He charges over & splashes both of them in the corner, knocking both of them out as they crumble down to the mat. Sid Justice hears the roar of the crowd as he picks up the Berzerker, sends him into the rope & nails him with a standing big boot that sends Berzerker staggering into the ropes. Berzerker's arms get caught in the ropes, & Sid is more than happy to punch away at him. Sid unties the Berzerker, lifts him up & dumps him out to the floor. Eliminated: The Berzerker Sid Justice is feeling it now as he gives the last rites to anyone who dares gets in his way. Sgt. Slaughter recovers but walks right into a chokeslam from Sid. Sid then picks Slaughter up & tosses him hard into the corner. So hard that the momentum sends Slaughter flying onto the top turnbuckle post & over the top rope to the floor. Eliminated: Sgt. Slaughter Sid Justice is feeling it now as the crowd comes alive for him. Meanwhile, Ric Flair has once again managed to fight off both Hulk Hogan & Randy Savage. Sid waits in a corner like a football player, ready to strike when the time is right. Ric Flair turns around & sees Sid Justice charging after him. But Ric ducks out of the way, causing Sid to inadvertently nail Randy Savage with a big boot that sends the Macho Man through the ropes & out of the ring. Gorilla Monsoon makes sure to note that Macho Man went through the ropes, not over, so he is still in this. Bobby Heenan: "I don't know, Monsoon. Even though he went through the ropes, Savage looks like he is knocked out cold." Ric Flair takes the opportunity to nail Sid Justice from behind with a low blow, sending the big man down into the corner, neutralizing him for now. Hogan turns Flair around & nails him with right hand punches, backing Flair into the corner. Hogan goes to try to eliminate Flair, but the Nature Boy is once again fighting for all he's got as the clock counts down to zero one last time... #30: Jerry "The King" Lawler Gorilla Monsoon says that we know who it is before the horn sounds, but Bobby Heenan quips that we never know: it could be the return of Mr. Fuji now that the Berzerker is out. Gorilla responds, "Highly unlikely." Jerry Lawler makes his way down to the ring, surveys what is going on, & immediately goes down to try & help Ric Flair out against Hulk Hogan. Bobby Heenan is so elated that the King is helping out the Nature Boy. Gorilla tells Heenan that Flair better watch it, or Lawler might slap him silly like he did to someone on David Letterman's show a long time ago. Hogan fights back & is starting to Hulk up, albeit in a bit of a different manner as he's coming back from an elimination attempt. He grabs both Lawler & Flair, then brings their heads together in a double noggin knocker. Hogan sends Lawler into the ropes, hits him with the Big Boot, sending Lawler back into the ropes. Hogan follows up with a clothesline that eliminates the King. Eliminated: Jerry "The King" Lawler It's now down to the final four of Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, Sid Justice, & "Macho Man" Randy Savage, who is still out on the floor, but is showing signs of life. Sid Justice is recovering as well while Hogan fights it out with Flair, backing him into the ropes. Hulk Hogan & Ric Flair are teetering over the top rope, & Sid Justice sees what is going on. He instinctively charges over to clothesline Ric Flair over the top rope, seemingly not realizing Hogan is there too because of recovering from the earlier low blow. But Ric Flair manages to hang on & land on the apron before rolling back in while Hulk Hogan is sent over the top rope & to the floor, much to the shock of the audience, as well as cheers from a number of Sid supporters. Eliminated: Hulk Hogan Gorilla Monsoon says that was totally inadvertent, but Bobby Heenan tries to stir the pot, saying Sid Justice knows that it's every man for himself. Sid can't believe what's happened & is trying to tell Hulk he's sorry, that he was hoping they would make it to the end to let the best man win. Hogan is furious as he gets up & yells at Sid, shouting "Why did you attack me from behind?!" Sid is pleading his case that it was an accident, then tries to turn around to get back to business. But Hulk Hogan grabs Sid by the hand & tries to pull him out. Sid is shocked & holding on, wondering what on earth is Hulk thinking?! Gorilla Monsoon: "I understand Hulk Hogan's frustration, but why is he trying to grab a hold of Sid Justice & cost him the match too?!" Bobby Heenan: "Hey, let the two goody two shoes fight it out, I say!" Ric Flair comes up from behind, manages to pick up Sid Justice & dumps him out as well. Eliminated: Sid Justice Bobby Heenan can hardly contain himself. Is it really going to happen?! Is Ric Flair really going to win the whole thing after entering at number three?! Gorilla reminds the Brain that Macho Man is still in this & points out that he's back to his feet & rolling in. Flair is over in the corner, face down with his hands on the top turnbuckle pad as he stares down at the canvas. He turns around, notices Savage & stares him down. The two are definitely worn out, but like the true warriors they are, they are ready to go at it as the crowd is cheering Savage on now. Meanwhile, officials have been busy keeping Hogan & Sid separated as they march to the back, yelling at each other the whole way. But the attention shifts back to Flair & Savage, & the two go at it as the crowd tries to will Savage on. Flair chops away at Savage, but they seem to actually make the Macho Man stronger as he no sells each one & fights back. Savage sends Flair into the ropes & knocks him down with a clothesline, with Savage falling down as well. Savage back to his feet, & he signals that he's going to the top turnbuckle. Bobby Heenan is yelling "No! NO-NO-NO-NO-NO-NO-NO!" He's about to have a nervous breakdown & cry on the air as Gorilla Monsoon is lapping this up, looking forward to seeing his broadcast colleague have to eat crow. Savage comes flying off the top turnbuckle & goes for the Flying Elbow Smash... ...But Ric Flair rolls out of the way! The missed flying elbow attempt just about wipes Savage out, & Flair can sense it like a shark that smells blood. Flair grabs Savage by the head & punches away at him. Flair picks Savage up & throws him over the top rope. But amazingly, Savage manages to hold on & land on the ring apron. He grabs Flair by the head & pulls him over the top rope, but Flair is able to land on the ring apron as well. Bobby Heenan is really nervous now as Gorilla Monsoon puts over how it's anyone's ballgame at this point. Flair & Savage exchange punches, both men holding on in order to stave off elimination. Flair & Savage both re-enter the ring & are duking it once more. Savage gets the better of Flair, & Bobby Heenan is a nervous wreck by this point while Gorilla Monsoon shouts at him to relax. Savage sends Flair into the ropes, bends down & tosses him up & over down to the mat with a back body drop. Flair is writhing in pain as he rolls over & is trying to get up, begging Savage to take it easy on him, but Savage is ready to finish off the Nature Boy. Flair is backed up into the corner, holding onto the top turnbuckle pad for dear life... with both hands no less, & they look like they're fidgeting. Savage is staring Flair down, ready to attack. Savage charges in, flies up into the air for a splash into the corner, but Flair ducks out of the way... & Savage hits the now exposed top turnbuckle because the pad had apparently fallen off, as picked up by the camera. Savage falls down to the mat, knocked out cold. Gorilla Monsoon starts wondering out loud if Ric Flair had been messing with the turnbuckle pad at some point when Savage didn't notice, & Bobby Heenan says that was a brilliant plan if he did. While Flair is crawling over to recover, Gorilla says that there is a replay ready to go to show us something that their monitor didn't pick up earlier. Gorilla Monsoon: "So here we see it... Yes, Ric Flair did loosen that top turnbuckle pad a bit while he was standing up in the corner when we thought he was using it to keep himself propped up." Savage is out cold, & Flair regains his bearings. He goes to pick up Savage, which is like lifting up dead weight, hoists him up & manages to toss him over the top rope & to the floor. Eliminated: "Macho Man" Randy Savage Bobby Heenan: "YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! HE DID IT! HE DID IT, MONSOON!" Gorilla Monsoon: "Congratulations are in order for the Nature Boy, Ric Flair. I'll give credit where it's due, Brain. He drew number three, & not only made it all the way to the end... he won it all." Howard Finkel: "Your winner of the 1992 Royal Rumble... AND NEEEEEEEW WWF WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION... "NATURE BOY" RIC FLAIR!" Bobby Heenan: "Gorilla, I gotta go to the back & meet the new champ!" You hear the rustling of Bobby Heenan taking off his headphones as he leaves the broadcast area while Ric Flair is proudly holding up the WWF World Heavyweight Championship. Gorilla Monsoon: "Well, the Brain has left the broadcast booth... What is that?... OK... Folks, I've just been informed in my headset that there is a commotion in the back, & cameras are back there to document what is happening. Can we go there now, please?" Winner by last elimination & NEW WWF WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION! "Nature Boy" Ric Flair Score: 85 We go backstage, & a host of road agents are trying to keep Hulk Hogan & Sid Justice apart as they are yelling at each other, arguing about what happened out there during the Royal Rumble match. Hogan accuses Sid of eliminating him on purpose, while Sid insists that it was an accident. Sure, if he had to eliminate Hulk to win the WWF World Heavyweight Title, he was going to do so. But he wasn't going to do it from behind. He was going to do it straight up, face to face. Hogan won't hear any of it & just storms off while Sid throws his hands up in the air. Score: 83 Gorilla Monsoon: "Oh man, what a mess we have there between Hulk Hogan & Sid Justice. Fans, let me just be frank with you. I am a fan of both men. I don't know what to make of the situation, but I'm sure that eventually cooler heads will prevail because in all the years I've known Hulk Hogan, he has always been a first class guy. And since getting to meet Sid Justice & getting to know him a bit, he's a first class guy as well. I sincerely think that after they cool off, they will realize how crazy this whole thing has been & wipe the slate clean. Now I understand that Mean Gene Okerlund is backstage with the new WWF World Heavyweight Champion, Ric Flair, as well as the executive consultant, Mr. Perfect, & let's not forget, Bobby "The Brain" Heenan. Gene, take it away." Gene Okerlund: "Alright, thank you very much, Gorilla Monsoon. Gentlemen, I have to give you credit... Ric Flair, you pulled off... (Gene looks off camera) PUT THAT CIGARETTE OUT! (Gene focuses back on Flair, Perfect & Heenan) As I was saying, Ric Flair... you pulled off the impossible." Ric Flair: "Now is there any doubt that I am the REAL World Heavyweight Champion? For years I wrestled many men throughout the country in hour long matches. So why, oh why, is anyone surprised that I was able to win the Royal Rumble after drawing number three? It's because you people still wanted to live in denial that I was the real deal. Well guess what? I now have the championship to prove it. This right here (holding up the WWF World Title belt)... proves... without a shadow of a doubt... who the real world champion is. This... is the greatest moment... in all of my life. A year ago, I had some pizza guy telling me that I should shave my head, get some earrings & stop being who I am. I told him to stuff that pizza where the sun don't shine & haven't looked back since. And now, I am the WWF World Heavyweight Champion... And there's nothing anyone can do about it." Bobby Heenan: "Let me tell you something, Okerlund! Any other man would've taken every chance to hide if they had drawn number three. But not Ric Flair! Sure, he took his opportunity to rest up when he had to, but throughout the night, he took it to Hulk Hogan. He took it to Roddy Piper. He took it to the Big Boss Man. He fought off Kerry Von Erich. He battled Sid Justice. And he got the better of the Macho Man. I have been telling you humanoids for months now that this man was the real world heavyweight champion. Now do you believe me?! Ha-ha!" Mr. Perfect: "Mean Gene, we never fretted when Ric Flair drew his number. I knew his background. I knew he was capable of going the distance. The challenge was going to be that there would be more than one man coming after him, so Ric Flair insisted that I put him through training where he had to fight several men at once. And as you can see, it paid big dividends. And you know something else? We're not the kind of guys to say we told you so... but..." Mr. Perfect & Bobby Heenan: "WE TOLD YOU SO!" Mr. Perfect & Bobby Heenan laugh as Ric Flair is all smiles, having accomplished a monumental feat. He shouts a "WOOOOOOO!!!" for good measure as well. Gorilla Monsoon signs off for the night as we see a still-picture highlight montage of the event set to the Royal Rumble theme music. Score: 100 Overall Show Score: 89

WWF Royal Rumble Knickerbocker Arena Albany, NY Attendance: 17,500 (Sold out!) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCL_Ke-uW3c We open with Vince McMahon doing his over the top voice over, running down the lineup of 29 out of the 30 wrestlers scheduled to compete tonight in the Royal Rumble, finishing off with “a mystery entrant... & HULK HOGAANNN!!” Gorilla Monsoon welcomes us to the broadcast, hyping up tonight's show as Bobby Heenan can't stop talking about how tonight is Ric Flair's night, & nobody can do anything about it. “Not you! Not Hulk Hogan! Not even the mystery entrant, whoever it is!” “That all remains to be seen. Let's take it down to Howard Finkel for our opening match!” Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart & Koko B. Ware vs. The Orient Express w/Mr. Fuji Pat Tanaka & Kato definitely had the tag team experience on Jim Neidhart & Koko B. Ware as the Orient Express had been a team for some time while the Anvil & the Birdman had only recently teamed up. However, Neidhart & Koko were able to keep up with their more experienced opponents. The Orient Express took control after Tanaka whipped Koko shoulder first into Mr. Fuji's cane, which was propped up in the corner, unbeknownst to the referee. After having firm control of the match, the Orient Express looked to finish off Koko B. Ware. Pat Tanaka held Koko in position, but Koko ducked as Kato accidentally hit Pat with a crescent kick. Koko made the tag, & the Anvil cleaned house! The match would go back into a back & forth contest, & that's when Mr. Fuji reached into his pocket to take out some “salt” as he got ready to distract Koko B. Ware, who had been tagged back in. Kato grabbed a hold of Kato while the ref was distracted with Jim Neidhart & Pat Tanaka fighting. Mr. Fuji threw the “salt,” but Koko ducked once again, sending the “salt” into Kato's eyes. Koko decked Mr. Fuji as the Anvil threw Pat out of the ring. Neidhart grabbed Kato in a bear hug as Koko went up to the top turnbuckle, then came flying off & hitting Kato with a Missile Drop Kick. ONE... TWO... THREE!! Winners by pinfall: Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart & Koko B. Ware Score: 65 Bobby Heenan can't believe it & screams that Neidhart & Koko should be disqualified because of illegal double teaming, while Gorilla Monsoon noted that they had a count of five. Heenan said that he counted to 50, which got a “HA!” out of Gorilla before he threw it Gene Okerlund, who is standing by with Pres. Jack Tunney, the Mountie, Jimmy Hart, the Nasty Boys & Ted DiBiase. Mean Gene makes note of Sensational Sherri's absence, questioning the Nasty Boys about her whereabouts. They tell Gene that she's taking care of business & will accompany them to ringside later tonight in the Royal Rumble match. Gene asks what kind of business. Was she signing the mystery entrant to a contract to manage him? Was she looking to recruit other new talent? Jimmy Hart tells Gene to shut it because he & his friends can't wait to rub it in to Pres. Jack Tunney himself that there is absolutely nothing he can do about what they were able to pull off this past Monday night. Pres. Tunney informs them that while indeed it was perfectly legal for Ted DiBiase to buy his way into the Intercontinental Title match tonight because of the wording of the WWF Rule Book, he still could do something about it. The Mountie asks Pres. Tunney just what on earth could he possibly do about it? Ted DiBiase chimes in & says “He's right, Jack! The rule book clearly states that a title contender can forfeit his or her title shot at any time for any reason. And if that is to happen, the next contender in line then receives the title shot. The Mountie forfeited his title shot this past Monday night. That was the time. And he forfeited it for more money. That is the reason. So what in Sam Hill can you possibly do about it?!” President Tunney: “I'll tell you what I can do! First of all, you will address me as President, not Jack! Second of all, if anyone interferes in the Intercontinental Title match against Bret “Hitman” Hart later tonight, they are banned from competing in the WWF ever again! Furthermore, Mountie, Brian Knobbs, Jerry Sags... you three are drawing between numbers one through five. And furthermore, Nasty Boys, you cannot eliminate yourselves if it comes down to you & the Mountie. You three will duke it out, & there will be a winner!” The heels flip their lids & are yelling that Pres. Tunney can't do that as the WWF President just walks off, ignoring their shouting. Gene Okerlund: “I'm getting out of here! Back to you, Gorilla!” Score: 73 The Bushwhackers vs. The Beverly Bros. w/The Genius An undercard match that was better than it had any business being, thanks in part to the heel antics of the Beverly Bros. & their manager, the Genius, along with the comedic shenanigans of the Bushwhackers. The match had a good back & forth pace to it, complete with a hot tag from Luke to Butch that had the fans cheering the Bushwhackers on. Chaos would abound after Butch tagged back out to Luke, with Butch & Beau Beverly fighting it out, which distracted the ref. The Genius distracted Luke, who didn't see the self-proclaimed World's Smartest Man toss his mortar board into the ring to Blake. Luke knocked the Genius off the ring apron, then turned around as Blake knocked him out with the mortar board to the head. Blake tossed the evidence out of the ring as Beau managed to get the better of Butch & toss him out of the ring. The ref turned around, seeing Blake covering Luke & jumped down to make the count. ONE... TWO... THREE!! Winners by pinfall: The Beverly Bros. Score: 67 Gorilla tosses it to Mean Gene Okerlund as he (Monsoon) informs the audience that we are about to find out who the mystery entrant is. Mean Gene is standing on the interview platform & quickly recaps how recently the Warlord was injured & could not be medically cleared tonight. At the eleventh hour, Pres. Jack Tunney managed to be able to find a replacement after the WWF had signed one of the hottest free agents on the market. "Ladies & gentlemen... let's find out just who the mystery entrant is!" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9MBLkuJhx https://imgpile.com/images/CfUnyM.jpg Gene looks toward the entrance, & the crowd comes alive as none other than Jerry "The King" Lawler walks out from behind the curtain & makes his way to the platform. He looks around at the audience with a smirk on his face. Bobby Heenan comments "I have heard about this man signing a contract, but as great as he is, he will come up short against Ric Flair." Gorilla responds "Oh I hope he crowns the Nature Boy." Bobby replies "Oh you're hilarious, Ape Man!" Mean Gene acknowledges that he can't believe his eyes, seeing none other than Jerry "The King" Lawler here in the World Wrestling Federation. Lawler says that yes, the rumors are true. He has signed a contract with the WWF, & it was only fitting that he would make his debut here tonight at the Royal Rumble, & his first match be the Royal Rumble match. Lawler talked about how there have been many pretenders to his throne, but now the only true king is finally here in the WWF. Lawler says that when he found out that the WWF World Heavyweight Championship was vacant & that the winner of the Royal Rumble was going to be crowned the new champion, he had to sign a contract to wrestle for the World Wrestling Federation & see if he could qualify to be in the Royal Rumble match. "You know what's frustrating, Mean Gene? I sign a contract, & President Jack Tunney says that all of the slots for the Rumble were already taken, but if someone had to bow out for any reason, I could possibly qualify as a substitute. Let me tell you all something! I am no substitute! I am the real deal! I am not someone who should be on the sidelines! I am the King of Wrestling, & now I am the King of the WWF! But you know, it makes perfect sense that President Tunney would try to keep me out of the Rumble, because half of the men in that Rumble have been running away from me for years, so now I am bringing the fight to them. And by the way, you New York knuckleheads will show me the proper respect & bow down to me!" The fans boo at Lawler's heeling on them. Gene comments that this New York crowd is a tough crowd, & they seem to think that he's not even worthy of being the Burger King. "Don't you ever call me Burger King, Mean Gene!" Before you know it, the fans are erupting with chats of "BURGER KING! BURGER KING! BURGER KING!" Lawler is irate & yelling at the fans to shut up. "If you don't stop calling me Burger King, I will walk out on this interview!" The fans keep the chant up, & Lawler angrily stomps off the platform & to the back. Score: 85 WWF Intercontinental Championship Bret "Hitman" Hart (Champion) vs. "The Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase (Challenger) Who had this match stealing the show on their bingo cards?! A good number of false finishes between the two in a back & forth contest that had the crowd solidly behind Bret Hart as Ted DiBiase did very well getting heat from the fans, even without having a manager at ringside for a change. At one point, DiBiase shouted to the fans "See, I don't need a manager!" while standing over a fallen Hitman, only for Bret to grab a hold of his legs & bring him down in a sunset flip for a count of two. DiBiase took control of the match to bring the crowd down for a bit to give them a breather before they got behind Bret once again. The crowd rallied behind the Hitman when DiBiase locked him the Million Dollar Dream, with Bobby Heenan shouting that this was it! "We're about to crown a new champion, Monsoon!" Gorilla responded that if anyone could fight back out of the Million Dollar Dream, it was Bret Hart. And fight out of it he did as he got up & brought DiBiase down with a reverse jaw breaker to get out of the hold. DiBiase was holding his jaw, & Bret got a hold of him & nailed him with a reverse atomic drop. DiBiase sold it about as good as Rick Rude could sell a reverse atomic drop, holding his groin area like there was no tomorrow, allowing Bret to bring him down with a Russian Leg Sweep. To the middle turnbuckle, & yep, Bret hit his famous elbow drop off the middle turnbuckle. Bret had DiBiase where he wanted him & went to put on the Sharpshooter, but DiBiase pushed Bret off & into the referee, who went down to the mat but managed to maintain consciousness. While Bret Hart was recovering, Ted DiBiase reached down into his trunks & put an illegal foreign object around his fist as he went to get up. Gorilla Monsoon pointed this out on commentary, but Bobby Heenan replied that his monitor went out. Likely story. Bret recovered & went over to DiBiase, & that's when the Million Dollar Man knocked Bret out with the foreign object. DiBiase quickly put it back down into his trunks & went to cover the Hitman as the ref conveniently recovered at that exact moment to make a count. ONE... TWO.... THREE!! "What a miscarriage of justice, Brain!" "I never knew that Bret Hart had such a glass jaw, Monsoon!" "Are you kidding me?! Did you not see the illegal foreign object Ted DiBiase put on his fist?!" Winner by pinfall & NEW WWF INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPION!! "The Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase Score: 91 Gorilla throws it to Lord Alfred Hayes, who is standing by with the Legion Of Doom. Hawk & Animal talk about how they are more vicious than ever before, & tonight the Natural Disasters will find that out first hand. Animal talks about how ever since they've arrived to the WWF, observers everywhere have said that they're not the same L.O.D., & that they've gotten a bit soft. "Well let me ask you something!! Did it look like we went soft when we beat the stuffing out of the Nasty Boys at SummerSlam in a match that had no disqualifications?!! Have we looked soft going toe-to-toe with the Natural Disasters?!! Look at me & Hawk holding these belts right now & tell us that we're soft!! We dare ya!!" Hawk chimes in, "I'll tell you who will be soft after tonight. Earthquake & Typhoon. We're gonna hurt you two so bad that you will be softer than the blubber that you two already are... EEEEOOOOOOHHH WHAT A RUSH!!" Lord Alfred Hayes then sends it over to Sean Mooney, who is standing by with Jimmy Hart & the Natural Disasters. Sean asks them if they feel that the Legion Of Doom indeed are more dangerous than they have ever been. Jimmy Hart says that Earthquake & Typhoon never take anyone lightly. Earthquake says that he finds it funny any geeks out there would ever question the toughness of the Legion Of Doom, but unfortunately, there's always a team who is tougher, & you're looking at them. Typhoon chimes in about how it won't be the L.O.D. feasting on the Natural Disasters. Oh no. It'll be the Natural Disasters running over Hawk & Animal like a couple of mack trucks. "Then we'll flip them around, put them on a platter & pour butter & syrup all over them because they'll be like a couple of pancakes when we get through with them!" Score: 76 WWF World Tag Team Championship Legion Of Doom (Hawk & Animal) (Champions) vs. Natural Disasters (Earthquake & Typhoon) w/Jimmy Hart (Challengers) Nobody expected a Greco-Roman catch-as-catch-can scientific masterpiece, or even a five star classic. But it didn't need to be as this one was a good ol' fashioned brawl. Given what was on the line, the ref was a bit more lenient as well. The Natural Disasters would eventually gain control of the match after Hawk missed a running shoulder tackle in the corner because of Typhoon getting out of the way, hitting his shoulder into the post in the process. Earthquake & Typhoon had things going their way until Hawk rolled out of the way as Earthquake missed his trademark Earthquake Splash. Both men made the tag, & Animal & Typhoon went at it in another wild brawl. Hawk & Earthquake began brawling, distracting the referee. Meanwhile, Typhoon started getting the better of Animal, & Jimmy Hart shouted at him to bring him to the corner as Jimmy climbed to the top turnbuckle. "What is that little runt doing perched up there, Brain?! He's no high-flyer!" "He's pulling out all the stops, Monsoon, like a true manager would do!" Jimmy Hart came flying off the top rope, but Animal ducked out of the way as Jimmy nailed Typhoon in the head with the megaphone. Typhoon staggered around as Animal grabbed Jimmy Hart & tossed him out of the ring, then grabbed the megaphone, ran toward Typhoon, jumped up in the air & nailed the big man in the noggin with the megaphone, with the second megaphone hit sending Typhoon crashing down. Animal made sure to toss the evidence out of the ring to avoid disqualification. While all of this was going on, the ref was shouting at Hawk & Earthquake to break it up rather than count to five because he felt the fans wanted to see a winner. Hawk managed to dropkick Earthquake out of the ring, got back to his corner, & was tagged back in by Animal. Animal picked Typhoon up & stood beside him since the big man was too big to lift up onto his shoulders. Hawk climbed up to the top rope & came down with a flying clothesline, finishing off Typhoon as he made the cover. ONE... TWO... THREE!! "What a disgrace, Monsoon! An absolute disgrace! The Legion Of Doom are really going to take a win like that?!" "Brain, you didn't have any problems with the Million Dollar Man blasting Bret Hart with a foreign object earlier to win the Intercontinental Title. How is this any different?" "Gorilla, how dare you lie to the humanoids about my good friend, Ted DiBiase. You're lucky he's a rich man, or he would sue you for all your worth for slander." "Highly unlikely. And besides, Jimmy Hart brought the megaphone into the match to begin with!" Winners by pinfall & still WWF World Tag Team Champions: Legion Of Doom Score: 88 Gorilla sends it over to Sean Mooney, who is standing by with "The Texas Tornado" Kerry Von Erich, who has a special guest with him. Yes, that familiar face is none other than Kevin Von Erich. Sean acknowledges that Kerry has brought Kevin here tonight, & asks if the two plan on entering the tag team division anytime soon. Kerry & Kevin both talk about how they were going to see how tonight went because it was a big night for Kerry. After tonight, though, who knows what the future will hold for them. Sean welcomes Kevin to the WWF, & Kevin thanks him. Back to Gorilla Monsoon & Bobby "The Brain" Heenan, who comment on the fact that it now looks like Kevin Von Erich is now here in the WWF. Heenan says that Kevin ought to ditch Kerry & hang out with some real winners such as Mr. Perfect & Ric Flair. "You just want a cut of his salary, Brain." "That's right... No I don't want a cut of his salary! I just want him to learn that if you can't beat 'em, join 'em. And believe me, I know Kevin Von Erich can't beat Ric Flair." "What makes you say that, Brain? Any man can beat any other man on any given night. You know that." "Gorilla, trust me. I've seen Kevin Von Erich wrestle Ric Flair more than once, & he couldn't get the job done." "Well I'm sure Kevin can beat him now with more than enough experience under his belt." Score: 57 After discussing Kevin Von Erich's arrival to the WWF, Gorilla says that it is almost time for the big one: the Royal Rumble itself. "Right now, let's hear pre-recorded comments from several of the participants in tonight's Royal Rumble." We first hear from Mr. Perfect & Ric Flair, who talk about how it is time for the pretenders to get out of the way & make way for the real deal, the Nature Boy himself, Ric Flair. We then hear from "Macho Man" Randy Savage, who says he's got a lot on his plate as of late. Trying to put away Jake "The Snake" Roberts for good; trying to settle his sudden beef with "Rowdy" Roddy Piper; & why not become a two-time WWF World Heavyweight Champion while he's at it? Speaking of Jake Roberts, we go to his pre-recorded message next. He talks about how tonight, the winner isn't going to be the strongest. It's not going to be the tallest. It's not going to be the largest. It's not to be the meanest, or even the craziest. It's going to be the most cunning, the man who will do what he has to in order to win, but also will be smart & know when to strike & when to lay low. "Some people have asked me, 'Well, what if it comes down to you & the Undertaker?' So what if it does? He knows what is at stake. He will do everything he can to win, & that might mean coming after me. But I'll be willing to come after him too. Trust me." We hear from Sid Justice, who talks about how he's ready for whatever comes his way in his first ever Royal Rumble. He's ready for the likes of the Undertaker & Jake Roberts. But if he has to toss out the Macho Man or Hulk Hogan... Guess what? He will do just that. "Tonight, Justice will be served, & I will rule the World... Wrestling Federation." We hear from Paul Bearer & the Undertaker, with Paul Bearer ever so ecstatic about getting 29 body bags ready for tonight. "And Jake Roberts, don't think we didn't hear about what you had to say." The Undertaker chimes in, warning the 29 other superstars... even Jake Roberts... that they will all rest in peace. Finally, Hulk Hogan rounds things out & is ready to speak his mind. He talks about how Pres. Jack Tunney has put every obstacle in his way to regaining what he never should have lost in the first place. "But that's okay, Hulkamaniacs. We don't gripe about the obstacles that are in our way! We bulldoze them one by one, just like how I will throw out 29 other men one by one. What are you 29 other men going to do when Hulkamania R-R-RUMBLES ALL OVER YOUUUUU??!!!" Score: 100 CONTINUED IN NEXT POST

Tiger Chung Lee Vs. Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat The Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff Vs. Corporal Kirchner and "The Living Legend" Bruno Sammartino- Draw. Either a Double DQ or Double Count Out "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, "Cowboy" Bob Orton and "The Rock" Don Muraco Vs. Hillbilly Jim, Uncle Elmer and ??? WWF TV Title Tournament, Round One: Bret "Hitman" Hart Vs. Pedro Morales Non-Title Clash Of Champions: The Dream Team Vs. Tito Santana and "The Incredible" Hulk Hogan [ Bonus Question: Who will be The Hillbillies partner (if anyone)? I'll go with Junkyard Dog ] +3pts

*channels Daniel Bryan* FICKLE! 😄

Phew! I just finished writing the show. But it'll be a bit before I decide to format the thing as I post it. 🤣 So that said, anyone who hasn't gotten their predictions in, you are more than welcome to. I anticipate having the show posted sometime in the middle of next week. My apologies for the delay.

Verne being a scientologist would've been awesome! 😄

OK, so after seeing the three choices for predictions folks had about Verne's decision, are you sure C was for the Church of Scientology & not the Epsilon Program from the GTA video games? Kifflom. 😂

Hopefully that farm is nothing like the rest farm the Three Stooges visited! https://youtu.be/hQkybgy-SLs?t=342