World Wrestling Federation: 1991-92

[Chrononaut]

MONDAY, MARCH 23, 1992 -- WWF PRIME TIME WRESTLING

Vince McMahon and Jesse "The Body" Ventura opened the program LIVE from ringside as they hyped WWF March To WrestleMania this Sunday and introduced tonight's lineup, featuring the Powers Of Pain defending the WWF Tag Team Championship against the Big Boss Man & Hawk in the main event, Terry Funk opposing the Honky Tonk Man, the Hellraisers taking on the Bushwhackers, the Undertaker in a handicap bout, and in the studio: Hulk Hogan & Bob Backlund, Rick Rude & Mr. Perfect, and the Hart Foundation.

Handicap Match: The Undertaker vs. Duane Gill & Barry Hardy

Paul Bearer led his Undertaker down the aisle with the urn as Ventura put the Dead Man over as an unstoppable force. The commentators also discussed this Sunday's WWF March To WrestleMania while the Grim Reaper laid waste to his outmatched opponents and brutally manhandled them. The Pale Destroyer buried both Hardy & Gill with Tombstones before covering them for the simultaneous 1-2-3. Afterwards, Bearer performed last rites and dropped a handful of dirt on each man. (58%)

In the Prime Time Wrestling studio, Gorilla Monsoon and "The Man" Ric Flair talked about the WWF Television Tag Team Title defense this Sunday at WWF March To WrestleMania featuring the Rockers defending the championship against their first guests, the Hart Foundation. The former two-time WWF Tag Team Champions entered the room as Monsoon congratulated Bret Hart for standing up to Rick Rude last month and giving him a great one-on-one match-up at WWF Battle Lines. The Hit Man was typically modest when he accepted the recognition, but commented that he had suffered a couple of nasty bumps on the head in that bout and the subsequent tag team encounter with Ricky Steamboat as his partner, at which point Jim Neidhart sighed impatiently and reminded Bret that they had to focus on their shot at the TV belts this Sunday. Hart assured the Anvil that he had not forgotten about the Rockers, bringing up Shawn Michaels' cheapshot superkick from a few weeks ago and vowing to get even. Neidhart cackled sadistically and warned Michaels & Marty Jannetty that the Foundation would do whatever they had to do to become the first-ever former WWF Tag Team Champions to hold the WWF Television Tag Team Championship and prove why they were the 1991 Tag Team Of The Year. When Flair mentioned Paul Ellering's comments on "The Funeral Parlor", Bret looked insulted and claimed that the Foundation would gladly put their new belts on the line against the Powers Of Pain after winning the TV gold from the Masters Of Motion at WWF March To WrestleMania. (88%)

Mean Gene Okerlund was backstage at the arena to interview Colonel Robert Fuller and the Hellraisers, who were gearing up to tackle the Bushwhackers. The Greatest Promoter Of All Time admitted that Butch & Luke were a couple of tough cookies, but predicted that the Bruiser & Dr. Death would crunch through them tonight and show the world why they were "theeee roughest, toughest tag team in professional wrasslin' today!" (77%)

The Bushwhackers (Luke & Butch) vs. The Hellraisers ("Dr. Death" Steve Williams & Terry "Bruiser" Gordy)

The Bushwhackers were greeted by a warm reaction from the fans, while Colonel Robert Lee Fuller swaggered out behind his Hellraisers to an assortment of boos. As expected, this was a very stiff, smashmouth-style tag team contest as the New Zealanders harked back to their days in the NWA and elsewhere as "The Sheepherders" and took the fight right to Terry Gordy & Steve Williams, who responded with their own roughhousing tactics such as sharp forearms and dangerous suplexes. Even McMahon was somewhat surprised at the intensity and tenacity of Luke & Butch as they tagged in-and-out frequently to wear down the Bruiser until Gordy turned the tables and the Hellraisers gained control. After some more back-and-forth brawling, the Hellraisers put the Bushwhackers away when Dr. Death covered Butch following the Death Dealer from he and Bruiser. (77%)

In the Prime Time studio, Gorilla Monsoon and Ric Flair discussed some of the other bouts on the card this Sunday at WWF March To WrestleMania including Razor Ramon taking on Michael Rotunda, Dustin Rhodes facing the Honky Tonk Man, and the combination of WWF Intercontinental Champion Ricky Steamboat & WWF Champion Randy Savage squaring off against their next guests, Mr. Perfect & Rick Rude, who were accompanied by Bobby Heenan. Monsoon announced that Rude & Perfect would first have to contend with the New British Bulldogs on Saturday Night's Main Event and pointed that both Chris Benoit & Davey Boy Smith came close to scoring singles wins over the Heenan Family members over the past week. The Brain disagreed and protested the match-up for Saturday evening since it was the night before WWF March To WrestleMania, accusing WWF President Andre The Giant of trying to weaken his "Perfectly Ravishing" duo by making them wrestle the Bulldogs. The Ravishing One assured his manager that he had nothing to worry about because they were going to muzzle the Bulldogs without even breaking a sweat, while the Flawless One promised a "sneak peek at WrestleMania VIII" this Sunday when Perfect pins the Macho Man and Rude pins the Dragon, just like they did this past weekend on Saturday Night's Main Event. The Brain added that next month at WrestleMania it would be for the titles and begin a renaissance for the Heenan Family dynasty. (95%)

"The Professor" Mike Tenay was at the arena in the locker room to interview Terry Funk and Colonel Robert Fuller, who predicted another Stud Stable victory this evening for the Outlaw over the Honky Tonk Man. The Funker growled that he would make sure the Honk would never put his hands on the Colonel again, and looked forward to softening up the former WWF Intercontinental Champion for Dustin Rhodes at WWF March To WrestleMania this Sunday. (78%)

"The Outlaw" Terry Funk vs. Honky Tonk Man

Colonel Robert Lee Fuller seconded Terry Funk as Ventura recalled that when they locked up last fall one-on-one, the Outlaw defeated the Honky Tonk Man. The Honk got a nice reception from the fans as he and the Funker engaged in an entertaining old-school Memphis-style slugfest, with Funk abusing Honky Tonk inside the ring and out. The Colonel occasionally got involved behind referee Mark Johnson's back until a mistimed clothesline at ringside from Funk accidentally floored the Greatest Promoter Of All Time. The fans rallied behind the Honk as he took advantage of this opportunity to mount a comeback against the Outlaw, tossing him back into the squared circle and unloading with lefts, rights, elbowsmashes, and kneelifts. Although Funk briefly regained control, Honky fought back and dropped the former NWA World Heavyweight Champion with the Shake Rattle & Roll for the 1-2-3. Afterwards, the Colonel tried to blindside Honky Tonk, but the former WWF Intercontinental Champion blocked the attack and cinched him up for the Shake Rattle & Roll. However, before Honky could execute the move, the Hellraisers stormed the ring and pounced on the Honk, pounding him to the canvas. The Bruiser & Dr. Death continued to hammer the Honk long after the Colonel was freed, until Crush, Smash, & Ax of Demolition charged down the aisle and scared off the Stud Stable. Fuller, Funk, Gordy, & Williams retreated as McMahon questioned Honky Tonk's condition for his bout this Sunday at WWF March To WrestleMania with Dustin Rhodes. (77%)

In the Prime Time studio, Gorilla Monsoon and Ric Flair went through the remainder of the card for WWF March To WrestleMania this Sunday, featuring the Gangsters Of Style meeting Fire & Ice, the Million Dollar Bounty Hunters battling the Big Boss Man & Hawk in a No Disqualification contest, and a tag team war pitting Roddy Piper and a partner "To Be Announced" against their next guests, Bob Backlund & Hulk Hogan. The two former WWF Champions walked in and shook hands with Gorilla as the Man announced that Hot Rod would be introducing his partner this weekend on "The Funeral Parlor", pointing out that that would give Hogan & Backlund only 24 hours to prepare. The Hulkster claimed that it didn't matter who the Rowdy One chose because he and Backlund had the combined WWF Championship experience of 10 years, as well as the millions upon millions of Hulkamaniacs around the world supporting them. The All American admitted that the Scotsman had a vast pool of superstars from which to select his teammate, speculating that it could be one of Hogan's many rivals from the past, and stated that he was training accordingly on his own in addition to his training with the Hulkster. The Immortal One mentioned that he and the All American would be on-hand during Saturday Night's Main Event for the big announcement and roared that they would obliterate Piper and partner at WWF March To WrestleMania. (100%)

At the arena in the locker room, Mean Gene Okerlund interviewed the Big Boss Man & Hawk as they were preparing to challenge WWF Tag Team Champions Powers Of Pain in the main event. Hawk growled that they were planning to add another title bout to this Sunday's WWF March To WrestleMania lineup by winning the WWF Tag Team Championship tonight and defending the belts on Sunday against the Million Dollar Bounty Hunters in the No Disqualification match. The Boss Man suggested that it was about time for the law to confiscate the gold from Warlord & Barbarian, adding that if Paul Ellering tried to interfere, he would serve some hard time as well. (79%)

WWF Tag Team Title Match: Powers Of Pain (Barbarian & Warlord) [champions] vs. Hawk & Big Boss Man

Paul Ellering led his WWF Tag Team Champions down the aisle as Ventura reminded McMahon that the Powers Of Pain beat Hawk's Legion Of Doom last year at WrestleMania VII and predicted a similar result this evening. This was a great power match main event that saw the Big Boss Man & Hawk take the early lead until Warlord & Barbarian managed to isolate Boss Man and cut the ring in half, utilizing quick tags and boneshaking double-teams. The Powers wore down the Boss Man and scored several near-falls, but the former corrections officer kept kicking out and eventually mowed down the WWF Tag Team Champions with a double-clothesline of his own before making the hot tag to Hawk, who rushed in and cleaned house. The former Road Warrior opened up on the Powers with punches, clotheslines, shoulderblocks, and powerslams, and garnered some near-falls on the Barbarian after back-bodydropping the Warlord over the top rope. Hawk continued to dominate Barbarian for the next few minutes and tagged Boss Man, who stepped through the ropes and began to haul the Barbarian up for the Doomsday Device as Hawk climbed to the top turnbuckle. At this point, Precious Paul hopped up on the apron to distract referee Dave Hebner while the Million Dollar Bounty Hunters lumbered down to ringside and dragged Hawk off the turnbuckles down to the floor. Meanwhile, Warlord entered the ring and ripped into Boss Man from behind with a spearing tackle to the lower back, causing the big Georgian to collapse to the canvas with Barbarian on top of him. The Warlord swiftly and impressively hoisted the 340-pound Boss Man up on his shoulders as Barbarian ascended to the top turnbuckle and soared with a flying shoulderblock, triggering the Apocalypse. The Barbarian then hooked the Boss Man's leg for the three-count to retain the WWF Tag Team Championship. (84%)

Following the bell, Paul Ellering quickly retrieved the WWF Tag Team Title belts and led his Powers Of Pain up the aisle as the Million Dollar Bounty Hunters tossed Hawk into the ring to continue the punishment. Inside the squared circle, Cactus Jack Manson & Bam Bam Bigelow prevented the Big Boss Man from crawling to his corner, where his nightstick and handcuffs were set. The Bounty Hunters yanked the Boss Man away from the corner and picked up the nightstick and handcuffs themselves as the crowd booed. The Beast From The East and the New Mexican Wildman planned to use the objects on Hawk & Boss Man, but Razor Ramon sprinted out in his street clothes to make the save. The Bad Guy used the element of surprise to his advantage and teed off on Bam Bam & Cactus Jack with lefts and rights until Michael Rotunda raced out in suit and tie to join the fray. Wall Street blasted Razor across the back of the head with the briefcase and stomped him on the mat as the Bounty Hunters did the same to Hawk & Boss Man. The Million Dollar Empire members finally exited triumphantly to a round of boos while McMahon and Ventura closed the show and hyped this Sunday's WWF March To WrestleMania. (71%)

Overall: 79%

Rating: 5.73

Attendance: 10,043

Ticket Sales: $602,580

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SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 1992 -- NBC/WWF PRESENT: SATURDAY NIGHT'S MAIN EVENT

Marv Albert, "The Professor" Mike Tenay, and "The Man" Ric Flair introduced the LIVE network broadcast and hyped tomorrow night's WWF March To WrestleMania before getting into this evening's program, featuring a six-man encounter pitting the Honky Tonk Man & Demolition against the Stud Stable, the Big Boss Man battling Bam Bam Bigelow one-on-one, Fire & Ice taking on the Great Muta & Abdullah The Butcher, Michael Rotunda facing Tito Santana, Roddy Piper on "The Funeral Parlor", and in the main event, the New British Bulldogs meeting Rick Rude & Mr. Perfect.

Tito Santana vs. Michael "Wall Street" Rotunda

After Tito Santana made his entrance to a respectable pop, Michael Rotunda walked out by himself to the strains of "Money, Money, Money" as the commentators talked about the show-ending beatdown on Prime Time Wrestling as well as Wall Street's match tomorrow night at WWF March To WrestleMania against Razor Ramon. This was a mat-based bout that drew in the fans as Rotunda and Santana traded holds and counterholds, displaying some crisp old-school chain-wrestling. As the pace quickened, Santana built momentum but missed the Flying Forearm off the ropes when Wall Street ducked out of the way. Rotunda quickly lifted Santana across his shoulders and slammed him with the Write Off for the pinfall. (77%)

Afterwards, Michael Rotunda tossed Tito Santana out to the floor and retrieved the microphone. Wall Street claimed that he wrestled a Mexican immigrant tonight to prepare for a Cuban immigrant tomorrow night, predicting a similar result against Razor Ramon at WWF March To WrestleMania because even if Ramon and Santana were from different countries, they were both still "wetbacks". Rotunda warned Razor that he wouldn't be able to bring down the Million Dollar Empire, pointing out that many had tried and failed over the past year. The Bad Guy emerged from the entrance curtain and swaggered down the aisle, offering to step through the ropes and eliminate Rotunda a night early. Wall Street backed off and informed Razor that if he attacked him before their match tomorrow night, that was all the cause his friends in Washington needed to ship Ramon "back to Castro" for good. Rotunda dared Ramon to call his bluff and bailed out to the floor when the Bad Guy charged into the squared circle. Razor vowed to carve up the Million Dollar Empire member at WWF March To WrestleMania as Rotunda retreated. (92%)

In the locker room, Mean Gene Okerlund interviewed Fire & Ice, who were lacing up their boots and adjusting their kneepads in preparation for tonight's bout against Abdullah The Butcher & The Great Muta. Okerlund pointed out that Mr. Fuji's Dojo members were lethal competitors, but Al Snow claimed that nothing could slow down the Tank & Ice Man, not Muta & Abdullah this evening nor the Gangsters Of Style at WWF March To WrestleMania tomorrow night. Doug Furnas stated that he was looking forward to testing his strength against the 350-pound Butcher, and predicted that the winning streak for Fire & Ice would continue for months to come. (82%)

The Great Muta & Abdullah The Butcher vs. Fire & Ice (Doug "The Tank" Furnas & Al "Ice Man" Snow)

The blinded Mr. Fuji waddled out alongside his Great Muta as the starved Abdullah The Butcher wandered out ahead of them, apparently in search of food as Tenay mentioned that the Madman Of The Sudan had lost over 30 pounds in the last few months. Fire & Ice received a surprisingly average pop from the fans when they walked out and put on a very well-worked tag team contest with the Devious One's Dojo members. After a strong start by Fire & Ice, Muta trapped Al Snow in the Dojo corner and cut the ring in half, channeling Abdullah's hunger into physical torture on the Ice Man as they tagged in-and-out. Eventually, Abdullah slowed down from lack of food and Snow had his second wind, unleashing a succession of dropkicks and spinning heel kicks before making the hot tag to Doug Furnas, who charged in as the Butcher stumbled back to his corner and the Asian Sensation tagged himself in. The Tank & Ice Man cleaned house on both Muta & Abdullah until Furnas displayed his immense strength, somehow scooping up Abby and hurling him over the top rope to the floor. Fire & Ice held onto the advantage until Muta mounted a comeback, as the "vision-impaired" Fuji ordered Abdullah to help his partner. Muta tried to make the best of it, but Furnas ducked and the Butcher inadvertently nailed the Great One with the Meat Cleaver. Furnas knocked Abdullah through the ropes and tagged Snow, who climbed to the top turnbuckle as Fire & Ice executed the Force Of Nature on the Asian Sensation. The Ice Man covered Muta for the three-count and the Tank held Abdullah at bay as cameras showed Slick and Bad News Brown watching from the aisleway, scouting out Fire & Ice for his Gangsters Of Style tomorrow night at WWF March To WrestleMania. (79%)

Jesse "The Body" Ventura was in the dressing room to interview Colonel Robert Fuller, who was flanked by Terry Funk, Terry Gordy, & Steve Williams as they were ready for their six-man match-up against Demolition & Honky Tonk Man. The Outlaw suggested that the Honk was a glutton for punishment and claimed that if beatings were fluffernutter sandwiches, Honky Tonk would look "even more like Fat Elvis". The Colonel informed the Body that Dustin Rhodes was taking a private flight late tonight from the Double Cross Ranch in Amarillo, Texas, to dish out yet another thrashing to the Honk tomorrow evening at WWF March To WrestleMania. (84%)

Six-Man Tag Team Match: Honky Tonk Man & Demolition (Smash & Crush) vs. "The Outlaw" Terry Funk & The Hellraisers ("Dr. Death" Steve Williams & Terry "Bruiser" Gordy)

Ax marched out alongside his Demolition brothers-in-paint, followed by the Honky Tonk Man, while Colonel Robert Lee Fuller strode out with his Stud Stable members. As soon as the Hellraisers & Terry Funk hit the ring, they were swarmed by Crush, Smash, & Honky Tonk, kicking off a wild brawl that became the theme of the match-up. Tempers flared and all six superstars slugged it out at once in the squared circle several times, keeping referee John Finnegan very busy. The tide shifted both ways until the Stud Stable trapped Smash in their corner and worked him over with frequent tags and double-and-triple-teams. Smash eventually broke free and made the hot tag to the Honk while Terry Gordy tagged Terry Funk, setting off yet another six-way donnybrook. Amidst the chaos, Dustin Rhodes raced down the aisle carrying a guitar and hopped up on the apron as the Funker blindsided Honky and held him for the Natural. However, Honky dodged the shot and the Lone Star Stud accidentally busted the guitar over Funk's skull. The Honk swiftly knocked the shocked Dustin off the apron and covered the Funker for the 1-2-3 while Demolition and the Hellraisers traded fists and forearms at ringside. Afterwards, the Honk exited the ring and celebrated in the aisleway, leaving Rhodes, Funk, & Fuller to fume in the squared circle as the commentators pushed the Dustin/Honky match-up at WWF March To WrestleMania tomorrow night. (76%)

After a "WWF March To WrestleMania Report" hosted by Sean Mooney in an NBC studio, ring announcer Howard "The Fink" Finkel introduced Bam Bam Bigelow, who was seconded by Cactus Jack Manson, as Albert mentioned that the Big Boss Man had demanded this evening's singles bout after Bigelow & Manson cost them their shot at the WWF Tag Team Championship on Prime Time Wrestling. When the Boss Man was introduced, the former corrections officer rushed out along with Hawk and cleared the Million Dollar Bounty Hunters from the ring. The Bounty Hunters called for Hawk to be sent back to the locker room, so referee Tim White ejected Hawk, as well as Cactus Jack. Despite his protests, the New Mexican Wildman headed up the aisle, soon followed by the former Legion Of Doom member. (79%)

Bam Bam Bigelow vs. Big Boss Man

Tenay recalled that the Big Boss Man eliminated Bam Bam Bigelow from the Macho Madness/Million Dollar Team match-up at the 1991 Survivor Series, as the Beast From The East and the former corrections officer tore into each other fiercely. The Boss Man assumed control early on when he avoided an avalanche in the corner and took the advantage, battering Bam Bam around the ring with lefts, rights, and boots to the head. Leaning on the ropes, Bigelow was eventually able to duck a clothesline and back-bodydrop Boss Man over the top rope, hitting his lower back against the apron on his way to the floor. The Beast focused his attack on the Boss Man's lower back in the squared circle, vicious slamming him to the canvas and dropping headbutts to the lower back. The end seemed near when Bigelow cinched the big Georgian in a Jesse Ventura style backbreaker over the shoulder, trying to squeeze out a submission as Flair pointed out that this was a brilliant maneuver and referred to Bam Bam as the "brains" of the Million Dollar Bounty Hunters. The fans rallied behind the Boss Man as he struggled to escape and finally broke free from the backbreaker, opening up on Bam Bam with straight right hands to the jaw. Boss Man scored a couple of near-falls before attempting to Irish-whip Bigelow off to the ropes, but the New Jersey native reversed the whip and sent Boss Man hard into the turnbuckles, damaging his back again. As Bigelow advanced on his foe, cameras showed a scuffle behind the entrance curtain as Cactus Jack Manson emerged and staggered down the aisle. Before the New Mexican Wildman could get too far, Hawk charged out carrying a metal folding chair and blasted Cactus across the back with a chairshot. Manson collapsed to the floor and kept crawling, as the Boss Man took advantage of the distraction to roll Bam Bam up from behind and grab a handful of tights to eke out the three-count. Afterwards, the Boss Man rolled out to the floor clutching his lower back, but still managed to mow down Cactus Jack with a clothesline at ringside. Hawk & Boss Man exited up the aisle triumphantly while the Bounty Hunters pulled themselves to their feet and vowed revenge in the No Disqualification match tomorrow night at WWF March To WrestleMania. (85%)

Backstage, Mean Gene Okerlund interviewed the New British Bulldogs, who were warming up for the evening's main event against Mr. Perfect & Rick Rude. Davey Boy Smith admitted that he and Chris Benoit suffered singles losses to the two Heenan Family members last week, but pointed out that tonight they were in their element: tag team competition. Benoit kept it short and gruff, threatening to chop down the "Perfectly Ravishing" combination...NEXT! (73%)

Mr. Perfect & "Ravishing" Rick Rude vs. The New British Bulldogs (Davey Boy Smith & Chris Benoit)

Bobby "The Brain" Heenan accompanied Rick Rude & Mr. Perfect to ringside as the commentators shilled their WWF March To WrestleMania main event tomorrow night against WWF Champion Randy Savage & WWF Intercontinental Champion Ricky Steamboat. This was an excellent, if somewhat overbooked, tag team contest featuring plenty of athleticism and fast-paced action, as the New British Bulldogs utilized textbook teamwork to control the Flawless One at one point. Chris Benoit & Davey Boy Smith exchanged quick tags and scored several near-falls on Perfect, getting the fans into the match-up as Benoit scampered to the top turnbuckle but missed the Swandive Headbutt. The Perfect One dragged Benoit to the Heenan Family corner, where he and the Ravishing One tagged in-and-out frequently as they worked over the young "Englishman", displaying some impressive tag team skills of their own. Flair mentioned that Perfect & Rude were boyhood friends in Minnesota and had a much stronger bond than either the New Bulldogs or Steamboat & Savage, as the "Perfectly Ravishing" combination scored numerous near-falls, but the tenacious Benoit refused to stay down and mounted a comeback. Benoit floored Perfect after a chop-for-chop contest and knocked Rude off the apron with a clothesline, but Heenan climbed up on the apron and distracted referee Joey Marella just as Benoit made the hot tag to Davey Boy. Unfortunately, the official detained Smith and ushered him back to his corner, while Perfect caught Benoit with a lowblow from behind as Rude slid into the ring. Rude & Perfect put the boots to Benoit, attracting the ref's attention while the Commonwealth Connection snuck down to ringside, dragged Davey Boy off the apron, and dropped him throat-first on the iron guardrail. Suddenly, the fans erupted when the Macho Man and the Dragon hit the ring in their street clothes and stopped Perfect & Rude from abusing Benoit further, earning the Heenan Family members a disqualification victory. After the bell, Savage & Steamboat drove Perfect & Rude out of the squared circle with chops and elbowsmashes as the Heenan Family retreated up the aisle while the WWF Intercontinental Champion and WWF Champion made threats regarding tomorrow night's WWF March To WrestleMania. (87%)

Following a commercial break, Paul Bearer was on the set of "The Funeral Parlor" as he introduced his guest this week, "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, dressed in a kilt and "HOT ROD!" t-shirt. The crowd booed heavily as Hot Rod glared at Bearer upon his arrival and insulted the fans for their negative reaction to him nowadays, suggesting that they couldn't handle the truth about their "hero" Hulk Hogan. The Scotsman stated that the Immortal One was "slime" and advised Bob Backlund to reconsider joining forces with the Hulkster tomorrow night at WWF March To WrestleMania. A few more choice words brought the All American out to the stage to confront the Rowdy One, who mocked Backlund's walk and accused Backlund of being Hogan's "messenger pigeon", questioning why the Hulkster didn't come out. Backlund claimed that it was his own decision to come out and demanded that Piper introduce his tag team partner for tomorrow evening as promised, but Piper informed the former WWF Champion that he would only make that announcement with Hogan in the Parlor. The All American started to protest but was cut off by "Real American" cranking up as the Hulkster marched onto the set and pushed Backlund aside, pointing his finger at the Rowdy Scot. The Hulkster was enraged at Piper's recent slander and ordered Hot Rod to introduce his partner so that he could kick their butts tonight, as Backlund held Hogan back from assaulting his longtime rival. Piper taunted Hogan as he claimed that there were many candidates for his partner, hinting that some of them were Hogan's supposed allies who were "chomping at the bit" to turn on the former two-time WWF Champion. The Rowdy Scot glanced at Backlund after that statement and announced that his partner was just coming off of a suspension... "The King" Jerry Lawler! The Undisputed 1991 WWF King Of The Ring's royal music began to play, but nobody emerged from the curtains as Hogan & Backlund looked on from the stage. Suddenly, the Undertaker burst out of one of the upright coffins and pounced on the Hulkster from behind, wrapping his gloved hands around Hogan's neck and choking him to his knees while Piper bashed Backlund in the head with a nearby brass urn. The fans booed as Piper clobbered the defenseless Hogan across the skull with the urn, knocking him out cold. Hot Rod grabbed the microphone from Paul Bearer and explained that while the King would have been a great choice, he already had enough problems with WWF President Andre The Giant and didn't need anymore headaches. The Scotsman announced that the Undertaker would indeed be his partner tomorrow night at WWF March To WrestleMania and would help him bury the Hulkster six feet under. Bearer led his Grim Reaper off the stage and Piper soon followed, raising his arms and smirking, as the show faded out while Albert, Tenay, and Flair got in some last-second hype for WWF March To WrestleMania tomorrow evening. (90%)

Overall: 82%

Rating: 6.78

Attendance: 10,021

Ticket Sales: $602,260

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Here is the final card for tomorrow night's WWF March To WrestleMania... as always, predictions and feedback are encouraged and appreciated.

Randy Savage & Ricky Steamboat vs. Mr. Perfect & Rick Rude

Hulk Hogan & Bob Backlund vs. Roddy Piper & The Undertaker

WWF Television Tag Team Title Match: The Rockers [champions] vs. The Hart Foundation

No Disqualification Match: Hawk & Big Boss Man vs. The Million Dollar Bounty Hunters

Razor Ramon vs. Michael Rotunda

Honky Tonk Man vs. Dustin Rhodes

Fire & Ice vs. The Gangsters Of Style

[Chrononaut]

SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 1992 -- WWF MARCH TO WRESTLEMANIA

The Preview Show prior to the pay-per-view was hosted by Mean Gene Okerlund and "The Man" Ric Flair, who thoroughly discussed the lineup for tonight's WWF March To WrestleMania, putting over each match as a major event on the road to WrestleMania VIII next month. Near the end of the half-hour, Mean Gene announced the three bouts that had already been confirmed for WrestleMania on Sunday, April 26: Randy Savage defending the WWF Championship against 1992 Royal Rumble winner Mr. Perfect, Rick Rude challenging Ricky Steamboat for the WWF Intercontinental Title, and Roddy Piper clashing one-on-one with Hulk Hogan. However, the Man pointed out that "anything can happen in the WWF" and admitted that even the biggest card of the year was subject to change, suggesting that this evening could have a huge impact on WrestleMania. Great job of selling the importance of tonight's PPV.

Gorilla Monsoon, Jesse "The Body" Ventura, and "The Professor" Mike Tenay welcomed viewers to WWF March To WrestleMania LIVE from the broadcast position at the back of the arena and hyped the exciting lineup for this evening's pay-per-view before sending it up to ring announcer Howard "The Fink" Finkel in the squared circle.

WWF Television Tag Team Title Match: The Rockers (Shawn Michaels & Marty Jannetty) [champions] vs. The Hart Foundation (Bret "Hit Man" Hart & Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart)

Interesting choice for an opener, as both the Hart Foundation and the Rockers were greeted with babyface pops while the commentators mentioned the issues of respect and disrespect between the WWF's two most popular tag teams. The match-up began with a tentative handshake between Marty Jannetty and Bret Hart before they locked up collar-and-elbow, kicking off an excellent athletic contest that had the crowd on their feet many times as the WWF Television Tag Team Champions and their challengers traded the advantage back-and-forth in the early going. Shawn Michaels displayed a cocky side when he was in control, which ended up costing him when the Hit Man caught him with a lowblow in mid-strut while Jim Neidhart distracted referee Joey Marella. The former two-time WWF Tag Team Champions proceeded to cut the ring in half and utilized quick tags and precision double-teams to wear Michaels down, scoring several near-falls and showing a heelish edge of their own as they repeatedly stifled Shawn's attempted comebacks and cut off his escapes from their corner. Ventura hoped to see more rulebreaking as the Anvil tried to intimidate the official during the frequent double-team maneuvers, which eventually gave Michaels the opportunity to recuperate enough to break out of Neidhart's military press and roll him up for a near-fall. Michaels made the hot tag to Jannetty, who rushed in as a pier-six brawl erupted with all four men slugging it out in the ring at once. Amidst the chaos, Paul Ellering led his WWF Tag Team Champions Powers Of Pain down the aisle while the ref was busy trying to usher Bret out to the apron. Behind the ref's back, Barbarian & Warlord slid into the ring and blasted the Anvil with a double boot that snapped his head back before hopping out to the floor and heading up the aisle with Precious Paul. Meanwhile, at the behest of Michaels, Jannetty somewhat reluctantly covered Neidhart and hooked the leg to retain the WWF Television Tag Team Championship. Afterwards, the Hit Man chased the Rockers from the squared circle, but they couldn't go up the aisle because the Powers Of Pain were blocking the way, so the Masters Of Motion took off through the audience with their title belts while Hart checked on Neidhart. (90%)

"The Natural" Dustin Rhodes vs. Honky Tonk Man

Colonel Robert Lee Fuller sauntered out alongside Dustin Rhodes as Tenay discussed the backstory of the Colonel dumping the Honky Tonk Man for the Lone Star Stud last fall. This was a pretty entertaining match-up, as the fans solidly supported the Honk against the cocky Natural, who seemed surprised when Honky Tonk dodged his ambush and answered back with lefts and rights of his own. Adding insult to injury, Honky floored Dustin with his version of Dusty Rhodes' "Flip Flop & Fly" for an early near-fall. The former WWF Intercontinental Champion remained in control with his old-school offense until Rhodes reversed an Irish-whip into the turnbuckles and followed in with a running lariat. The Natural choked the Honk in the corner and held onto the advantage with a mixture of heel tactics and leverage maneuvers, making good use of his lanky frame as he scored several near-falls. After shutting down a brief comeback attempt by Honky, the Lone Star Stud clamped on a tight sleeperhold with bodyscissors that Ventura identified as the "American Dream", squeezing as the Honk began to fade. Referee John Finnegan dropped Honky Tonk's arm twice, but on the third try, the Honk held his arm in the air and elbowed his way out of the hold to escape and make it back to his feet. The Honk rallied back and unloaded on Dustin with closed fists, elbowsmashes, and kneelifts to keep the young Texan reeling and disoriented, setting him up for the Shake Rattle & Roll. However, Rhodes swung through the maneuver and dropped Honky with a modified reverse DDT, then yanked him back up and planted the Memphis native with the American Nightmare to earn the clean pinfall. Afterwards, the Lone Star Stud continued to assault Honky Tonk with kicks and stomps, and was soon joined by the Colonel and Terry Funk. The three Stud Stable members viciously pounded the Honk into the mat until the crowd popped loud as Shane Douglas sprinted down the aisle in a suit without a tie and hit the ring carrying a metal folding chair. The Nature Boy's face was bandaged but he managed to chase off Rhodes, Funk, & Fuller as Monsoon recalled the number that the Natural and the Outlaw did on Douglas last month at WWF Battle Lines. The Stud Stable retreated up the aisle while Douglas shouted threats from the squared circle. (82%)

The Gangsters Of Style ("Sweet" Stan Lane & Paul "Romeo" Roma) vs. Fire & Ice (Doug "The Tank" Furnas & Al "Ice Man" Snow)

Slick, along with his personal bodyguard Bad News Brown, escorted his Gangsters Of Style to ringside as Ventura claimed that the Doctor Of Style was still embarrassed over their loss to Fire & Ice several weeks ago and predicted that he would redeem himself tonight. Al Snow & Doug Furnas received a nice pop when they came out, but as they were entering the ring, they fell victim to a sneak attack by Paul Roma & Stan Lane. The Tank & Ice Man absorbed the ambush and fought back with a vengeance, clearing Sweet Stan & Romeo Roma out of the squared circle. The Gangsters returned to the ring after conferring with the Slickster and put on a very solid tag team bout with the WWF newcomers, whom Tenay put over for their recent string of victories. The story of the match-up was the Gangsters pulling out all the stops to gain control, but Fire & Ice kept one-upping their veteran opponents and stealing back the advantage. Both squads scored a number of near-falls as the tide shifted back-and-forth throughout the contest, drawing in the fans. Late in the contest, referee Mark Johnson was bumped when he got in the way of a Rocket Launcher intended for Romeo that resulted in Snow crashing into the official. While Lane charged in and tackled Furnas out through the ropes to the floor, Slick saw his opportunity and tossed a slapjack from his pocket to Roma, but overshot his target, allowing Snow to catch the weapon and clobber the former co-WWF Television Tag Team Champion across the skull with it. The Ice Man swiftly discarded the slapjack to ringside and covered Romeo as the ref awoke and administered the three-count to extend Fire & Ice's winning streak in the WWF. (77%)

After the bell, Stan Lane stormed back into the ring and clotheslined Al Snow over the top rope to the floor, giving the Sweet One a chance to check on the fallen Paul Roma. As Romeo regained consciousness and was being helped to his feet by Sweet Stan, Slick stepped into the squared circle and began to berate his Gangsters Of Style for yet another loss. Bad News Brown stood menacingly behind his employer, who continued to insult the Gangsters and proceeded to publicly fire them for embarrassing him and ruining his reputation. The Doctor Of Style verbally abused Sweet Stan & Romeo Roma for a few more moments until Roma finally grabbed the Slickster by the throat while Lane pounced on Bad News and wrestled him down to the canvas as the crowd popped big-time, indicating a successful face turn. (85%)

Suddenly, Fire & Ice returned to the ring and assaulted Paul Roma from behind, freeing Slick, before jumping on Stan Lane and dragging him off of Bad News Brown. The crowd seemed confused as Al Snow & Doug Furnas coldly stomped the Gangsters Of Style into the canvas, sneering down at their battered foes. The Tank then pressed Sweet Stan over his head and dumped him over the top rope to the floor before doing the same to Romeo Roma while the Ice Man grinned and shook hands with the shaken Doctor Of Style. The Slickster also patted Furnas on his muscular back and raised Fire & Ice's arms, declaring that he was the final ingredient to take them to the top of the WWF's tag team scene. The crowd booed as Slick led Fire & Ice and Bad News out of the squared circle and up the aisle, while Ventura praised Snow & Furnas for their heel turn. Shades of the 1988 Survivor Series double-turn where the Powers Of Pain turned heel and joined Mr. Fuji, turning Demolition face at the same time, but it seemed to connect with the fans very well and could lead to great things for both squads. (81%)

No Disqualification Match: The Million Dollar Bounty Hunters (Bam Bam Bigelow & Cactus Jack Manson) vs. Hawk & Big Boss Man

The commentators talked up the double-turn involving Fire & Ice and the Gangsters Of Style and discussed the "roughneck rivalry" between the Big Boss Man & Hawk and the Million Dollar Bounty Hunters as Cactus Jack Manson & Bam Bam Bigelow marched down the aisle to the heavy-metal "Money, Money, Money" riff. Monsoon explained the No Disqualification stipulation as Hawk & Boss Man rushed out to a loud pop and took the fight right to the Bounty Hunters, unloading with punches, forearms, headbutts, kicks, and chops. Cactus Jack turned the tables when he reached into the Boss Man's pocket and pulled out a pair of handcuffs, which the New Mexican Wildman used to bust open the big Georgian with a roundhouse right. Hawk managed to retrieve the Boss Man's nightstick and return the favor by cracking the club across Manson's face and drawing blood. The match was a wild, very physical brawl with all four bruisers slugging it out in and around the ring, as they utilized metal folding chairs, television cables, and Irish-whips into the ringpost and ringsteps to punish each other. The Bounty Hunters intelligently focused their attack on the Boss Man's lower back as Tenay recalled that that was the former corrections officer's "Achilles Heel". Although he battled valiantly and scored some near-falls on both Bigelow & Manson, Boss Man succumbed to his back injuries on the floor and left Hawk at a two-on-one disadvantage in the squared circle, as the Bounty Hunters relentlessly maimed and double-teamed the former Legion Of Doom member. The Beast From The East busted Hawk open hardway with a diving headbutt from the middle turnbuckle for a near-fall, but the former Road Warrior continued to kick out and would not stay down, struggling to mount a comeback. The Big Boss Man climbed back into the ring and helped out his partner, firing off lefts and rights on Bam Bam & Cactus Jack as Hawk got to his feet and joined in the action. However, when Boss Man scooped up Bigelow for a bodyslam, his back gave out and he collapsed with Bigelow on top of him for a near-fall. Bam Bam wasted no time in hurling Boss Man out to the floor while Cactus drilled Hawk with the Bang Bang for a very close near-fall that had the crowd on their feet. The Bounty Hunters headed out to ringside and picked up the Boss Man, brutally dropping him with a spiking double powerbomb (referred to as the "Problem Solver" by Monsoon) across the steel stairs that further wrenched his lower back. Boss Man hollered in agony as the Bounty Hunters returned to the ring and fought off a comeback attempt by Hawk before Bam Bam crunched him with the Jersey Devil to pick up the deciding pinfall. Afterwards, the Bounty Hunters stumbled up the aisle in victory while a group of WWF agents and medics came out and attended to the Boss Man, eventually carrying him out on a stretcher. (86%)

Michael "Wall Street" Rotunda vs. Razor Ramon

Prior to the introductions, the Million Dollar Bounty Hunters were shown arriving backstage and crossing paths with Ted DiBiase, Miss Elizabeth, and Virgil, who were all heading out with Michael Rotunda; the Million Dollar Man congratulated Bam Bam Bigelow & Cactus Jack Manson on their No Disqualification win before accompanying Wall Street to the ring along with Virgil and Elizabeth. Wall Street debuted a new look, wearing a tearaway suit-and-tie which tore away to reveal trunks, boots, and kneepads with dollar signs on them, similar to DiBiase's wrestling attire. Razor Ramon was met with a great pop when he swaggered down the aisle as Ventura claimed that the Bad Guy should have accepted the Million Dollar Man's offer way back at the 1991 Survivor Series and saved himself the beating he would receive this evening. The Cuban immigrant seemed distracted by the presence of DiBiase and his mistreatment of Elizabeth at ringside, but still forced Wall Street to his knees during a test of strength and proceeded to dominate the early going. The Bad Guy manhandled the former Irwin R. Schyster until the slugfest spilled out to the floor, where Rotunda took the lead by blindsiding Ramon as he was arguing with DiBiase. Rotunda battered Ramon around ringside, ramming him into the ringsteps and hotshotting him on the iron guardrail, before continuing the punishment in the squared circle with mat wrestling and skullduggery. The Million Dollar Man applauded his financial advisor as Wall Street cinched in a tight front-facelock to end a brief comeback and wrestle Razor down to the canvas, where he nearly squeezed out a submission, but the Bad Guy powered out of the front-facelock as the fans rallied behind him. Razor unloaded with big lefts and rights as Rotunda bumped for each fist several times, before the Cuban immigrant scooped up the former Syracuse grappler and floored him with the overhead fallaway slam. Virgil hopped up on the apron, distracting referee Tim White while a teary-eyed Elizabeth climbed up on the other side of the ring and half-heartedly attracted the attention of Razor Ramon. When the Bad Guy approached her, the First Lady Of Wrestling reluctantly tried to slap him in the face, but Razor caught her hand and held her by the wrist. Ted DiBiase swiftly slid into the ring and tried to blindside Ramon, but Ramon released Elizabeth and grabbed hold of the former WWF Champion, hurling him into Virgil on the apron. Both DiBiase and Virgil tumbled out to the floor as Ramon thwarted Rotunda's attempted ambush by booting him in the midsection and hauling him across his shoulders, dropping him with the Razor's Edge for the 1-2-3. Afterwards, Razor celebrated in the squared circle while the Million Dollar Man berated Elizabeth and Virgil helped Wall Street up the aisle. (84%)

"The Immortal" Hulk Hogan & Bob Backlund vs. "Rowdy" Roddy Piper & The Undertaker

The commentators put this over as a monumental tag team collision as Hulk Hogan & Bob Backlund made their way out together to "Real American", drawing an enormous ovation from the fans. The two former WWF Champions stood in the ring awaiting their opponents when the arena suddenly went completely dark and a funeral bell tolled. When the lights came back on several moments later, Paul Bearer was at ringside while the Undertaker had the Immortal One in a chokehold and Roddy Piper was flailing away on the All American with lefts and rights. However, Backlund & Hogan swiftly turned the tables as Backlund blocked Hot Rod's punches while the Hulkster scored with a low kick to break the Grim Reaper's death grip. Backlund sent the Rowdy Scot sailing out to ringside with the Running Atomic Drop and joined the Hulkster in double-clotheslining the Dead Man over the top rope, landing on his feet on the floor. The heels regrouped at ringside before Piper stepped back through the ropes and managed to blindside Hogan, who was being distracted by Bearer. Piper quickly tried to drag Hogan toward the heel corner, but the Hulkster put on the brakes and asserted himself with a succession of right hands. Tenay pointed out that Hogan kept coughing and rubbing his neck as the former two-time WWF Champion exchanged frequent tags with Backlund to wear down Piper, who bounced around the ring like a pinball as he sold his ass off and kicked out of several pinfall attempts. The tide shifted after a cheapshot from the Undertaker on the apron stopped Backlund in his tracks and allowed the Rowdy One to take him down and tag out to the Pale Destroyer. Monsoon mentioned that the Undertaker was just announced as Piper's partner last night on "The Funeral Parlor" as the Dead Man singlehandedly dominated the All American with his smothering offense, displaying a frightening killer instinct. The Grim Reaper tagged out on only a few occasions as he and Hot Rod controlled the flow until Piper and Backlund cracked heads and collapsed to the canvas. They both crawled to their respective corners and each made the tag, the crowd exploding as the Hulkster charged in and back-bodydropped the Scotsman over the top rope before slugging it out with the Undertaker. Referee Shane McMahon lost control as Paul Bearer climbed up on the apron and was confronted by Backlund, who threatened to hit the rotund mortician. Meanwhile, Rowdy Roddy returned to the ring with a metal folding chair and plastered the Immortal One across the back with it before laying the chair on the mat. The Undertaker wasted no time in scooping up the Hulkster and burying him with the Tombstone on the chair, then covered the legendary former two-time WWF Champion for the upset pin while Hot Rod disposed of the chair and held Backlund at bay. Afterwards, Bearer led his Undertaker away from the ring along with Piper, who rubbed in the victory and promised to repeat the performance himself one-on-one with Hogan next month at WrestleMania VIII. (88%)

Mr. Perfect & "Ravishing" Rick Rude vs. "Macho Man" Randy Savage & Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat

Bobby "The Brain" Heenan accompanied Mr. Perfect & Rick Rude to the ring as Tenay went through the history between the two squads, including the main event of last year's WWF March To WrestleMania pitting Perfect & Randy Savage against Ricky Steamboat & Ultimate Warrior. Ventura questioned how Steamboat & Savage would function as a unit in the heat of battle and if there might be any bad blood left between the Macho Man and the Dragon, as the WWF Intercontinental Champion made his solo entrance and was ambushed by the Heenan Family members when he was stepping through the ropes. The Ravishing One and the Flawless One swarmed the Dragon like vultures, stifling his attempted defense, and hammered him mercilessly until "Pomp & Circumstance" kicked in and the WWF Champion raced down the aisle and hit the ring to make the save. The Macho Man went after both Perfect & Rude to free Steamboat, reeling off fists and elbows while the Dragon got back to his feet and joined in the melee. The chaos continued until Savage inadvertently decked Steamboat with a back-elbow to the mouth, knocking the two-time WWF Intercontinental Champion out to the floor through the ropes and allowing Rude & Perfect to double-team Savage and drag him back to their corner. The Heenan Family members utilized quick tags and sharp double-teams to control the Macho Man and score a handful of near-falls as Monsoon and Ventura argued about how tonight's beating would affect the three-time WWF Champion for his title defense against the Flawless One next month at WrestleMania VIII. Ventura suggested that Savage should just give up and sacrifice a tag team loss this evening, but Monsoon retorted that Savage was too proud to do that, as the WWF Champion rallied back after avoiding a flying elbowsmash from the top turnbuckle by Rude that accidentally floored Perfect. Savage swiftly tossed Perfect over the top rope before pouncing on Rude, taking him down to the mat and unfurling a furious flurry of fists. Referee Earl Hebner managed to pry Savage off of Rude, but the Macho Man whipped the Ravishing One into the face corner and made the hot tag to Steamboat, who sprang into the ring and fired off a series of blistering chops across Rude's muscular chest. The fans popped like mad as the Dragon held the advantage against Rude, garnering a couple of near-falls, and even unloaded on Perfect when the former two-time WWF Intercontinental Champion charged in to help out his boyhood friend, chopping away and hiptossing the Flawless One over the top rope to the floor. When the Macho Man had recovered enough on the apron, he and Steamboat tagged in-and-out a few times to work Rude over, cutting him off each time he tried to escape from the face corner. Bobby Heenan had several near-heart attacks at ringside and was constantly doing his best to annoy and bother Savage & Steamboat throughout this tremendous main event. The Brain ended up getting involved when he climbed up on the apron and began hollering at Savage, who wandered over after catching Rude with a nice flying double-axhandle from the top turnbuckle. The savvy Ravishing One immediately used this opportunity to lunge toward his corner and tag Mr. Perfect, who rushed in and went toe-to-toe with the Macho Man while Steamboat charged in and took Rude over the top rope with a high-crossbody. Both men crashed to the floor, distracting the official momentarily as Heenan reached under the bottom rope and held onto Savage's ankle to give Perfect the chance to viciously knee Savage in the midsection. The 1992 Royal Rumble winner quickly snared the WWF Champion in the Perfectplex as the ref turned back to the in-ring action and administered the three-count to give the victory to the Perfectly Ravishing combination. After the bell, the fans booed loudly as the Heenan Family regrouped and retreated up the aisle, the Brain smiling and raising the thick arms of Perfect & Rude. The WWF Intercontinental Champion stepped into the squared circle to attend to the Macho Man while Monsoon, Ventura, and Tenay hyped tonight's developments and invited viewers to order WrestleMania VIII on Sunday, April 26, before signing off. (94%)

Overall: 87%

Buyrate: 1.66

Paid Attendance: 18,542

PPV Revenue: $4,150,000

Ticket Sales: $1,112,520

-----

[Chrononaut]

There is 1992 so far. I have ideas for the rest of the year, but I don't have the urge to write that I once did. I have considered starting a current-day WWE diary because RAW has been so good lately, but I'm not sure. I still might get back into this, but I thought I would at least repost it for now. If anyone would possibly be interested in continuing this diary, PM me. If not, I can post some storyline summaries of what I was planning over the next few months.

Above all, thanks to all my loyal readers. You guys have helped to keep me going, and I am glad you're digging my diary.

[kaplanir]

I've been reading this thing for the last few days and if I can sum it all up in one word it will be LONG. Just kidding. It's very good and I especially liked your nicknames. Doug "The Tank", Al "Ice Man and Michael "Wall Street" were my favorites.

[TGC]

Closed and moved to Archives.