Happy birthday, Raw!
Yum. Black icing.
And what could be a better present than the return of the Macho Man Randy Savage? He’s back on the commentary team with Vince. It’s good to have him back, but he doesn’t necessarily add a ton to the actual match calling. Hopefully we can get a third guy in soon to take some of the burden of off Vince. Next week, Randy will be in the ring though and Crush will be at the table instead so I’m not even sure if Randy is back as an announcer permanently or not. Obviously we’re in for some sort of confrontation between Macho Man and Crush next week so maybe Jack Tunney will end up banning him for good.
Although with commitment like this, how could you ever lose the guy?
Our first match up is a doozy. It’s the match Johnny Polo promised us last week between his team the Quebecers and the challengers Marty Jannetty & the 1-2-3 Kid. The Tag Team Championship belts are on the line so the stakes are as high as they get. The Quebecers are cocky, calling this just a tune-up match for the Royal Rumble where they’re scheduled to face Bret and Owen Hart. However it seems they may have spoke too soon as Jannetty and the Kid start off strong, forcing both Quebecers to retreat outside of the ring and regroup with Johnny Polo. Once they get back in, Jannetty throws everything he’s got at his man and gets the pin, but an outside ref reverses the decision due to the Quebecer getting his foot on the rope just in time. This ends up being huge as the Quebecers rally back using every bit of speed, strength, and rule-breaking they can. Despite the best efforts of Jannetty and the Kid, it looks like it’s all over for them. The Quebecers aren’t even looking for the win, instead choosing to absolutely punish the 1-2-3 Kid. However the Kid manages to break out and tag in Jannetty who hits both Quebecers with huge drop kicks before hitting the legal man with a suplex aided by a splash from the 1-2-3 Kid for the win. The crowd goes nuts. I go nuts. Jannetty and the kid go nuts. They’re the new Tag Team Champions and they jump the crowd barrier to celebrate with everybody. What a way to kick off Raw’s one year anniversary.
I for real thought the 1-2-3 Kid was going to cry. He earned it though.
We follow that up with a match with the Undertaker VS Ray Hudson. This episode is just the best. Also the ref for this match is scared of the Undertaker which is a really great character choice on the ref’s part. I don’t think I’ve seen that before. This is a great little warm up match to get us excited for the Royal Rumble, which is just under two weeks away. He’s been making a special “double wide, double deep” coffin just for Yokozuna. Are the participants required to make their coffins? Homemade coffins are always more appreciated than store bought ones.
Can these guys ever not look awesome?
Next we have Bam Bam Bigelow defending the honor of Luna Vachon against Bastion Booger. Bam Bam immediately attacks Booger from behind to start the match. I’m pretty sure nobody in the arena expects Booger to win. Bam Bam is too good and Booger is too...well just look at the guy. Booger starts to get the upperhand on Bam Bam which seems to appeal to Luna Vachon. She beckons to Booger who leaves the ring to be with his one true love. However it’s just a trick as Luna was buying Bam Bam time to get up and come around from behind. He hits Booger a few times and throws him in the ring for the pin. Sorry Bastion. Looks like you lost the girl and the only person who could stand to be your partner.
Honestly though, I don't know why Luna Vachon didn't just beat up Bastion Booger herself.
The show closes with Johnny Polo being consoled by the Quebecers backstage. He feels like he let them down by signing them up for the match tonight. The Quebecers, being the good guys they are, cheer him up by reminding him how he’s actually a great manager because he made sure to include a rematch clause in their contract. It looks like we’re getting another outstanding match featuring Marty Jannetty and the 1-2-3 Kid next week. The only thing that worries me is that this is the match right before the Rumble and in order for the Quebecer/Hart match to have real stakes, I think the Quebecers will have to win their titles back next week. I’d love to see the Kid stay champion, but I think the circumstances (plus being teamed with Jannetty) does not spell long term success. For now, at least.