WWF RAW 7/12/1993

Written By: Bob Colling

World Wrestling Federation presents RAW
Date: 7/12/1993
From: Manhattan Center, New York City

Show stars off with Yokozuna coming down to the ring, moments away from defending the WWF World Heavyweight Championship against Crush, coming up next!

RAW Opening Video

Vince McMahon, Randy Savage and Bobby Heenan hype up the WWF World Heavyweight Championship.

Opening Contest: WWF World Champion Yokozuna defeated Crush to retain the title: The crowd is really pumped up for this match. They even sing the national anthem. Crush with a big boot that causes Yokozuna to fall through the middle rope to the floor. Yoko gains control after that, which includes dropping Crush throat first onto the top rope. Yokozuna continues to work on Crush’s neck with a nerve hold. Yoko misses a running back splash in the corner. Crush with a standing dropkick and a clothesline to knock Yokozuna down. Top rope shoulder block by Crush which gets a near fall. Crush goes up top again, but Fuji whacks Crush with the Japanese flag. Crush falls to the floor and Yokozuna slams Crush on the floor. Yokozuna with a belly to belly suplex and a connects with a leg drop. Yokozuna finishes Crush off with the Bonzai Drop after eleven minutes. **1/2
After the match, Yokozuna connects with three Bonzai Drops. Tatanka and three jobbers come down attempting to help Crush. Eventually, Randy Savage comes in and pulls Crush out of the ring.

Crush is put onto a stretcher and brought backstage.

Second Contest: The Headshrinkers defeated P.J. Walker/Aaron Ferguson: A extremely dangerous looking move on Aaron Ferguson. The Headshrinkers lift Ferguson up into the air and he lands terribly on his neck. Walker is forced to be tagged in and Walker is taken down by Fatu with a clothesline. Ferguson is not moving, he must be really hurt. Fatu nails Walker with a splash to pick up the win.

Third Contest: Tatanka defeated The Brooklyn Brawler: Randy Savage updates Crush conditions during the match, and says Crush is having a hard time breathing. Tatanka with control following a power slam on Brawler. Hammerlock power slam by Tatanka as well. Brawler gets some offense in with a short arm clothesline and a neck breaker. Brawler continues to attack Tatanka with right hands, until Tatanka begins the war path. Tatanka with a top rope overhand chop. Tatanka nails Brawler with the Samoan Drop and picks up the win.

Fourth Contest: Mr. Hughes defeated Tony DeVito: During the match, someone brings out a black wreath which gets the attention of Mr. Hughes. Hughes actually attempts to pin DeVito after viciously sending DeVito into the corner. Hughes plants DeVito with a spine buster to pickup the win.
After the match, Hughes reads the card and says “Rest in Peace, from the Undertaker.” Hughes attacks the wreath.

Gene with the WWF Summer Slam 1993 report. World Wrestling Federation King of the Ring, Bret Hart will face Jerry “The King” Lawler. Gene also says that Luger has some sort of message for the superstars in WWF about some sort of campaign.

Men on a Mission promo promoting their debut in the WWF.

Main Event: Adam Bomb defeated Scott Amati: Randy Savage has an update on Crush’s condition. Savage says that Crush is breathing much better than he was earlier in the show. Bomb controls Amati early on with a claw to Amati’s midsection. Bomb with a top rope flying clothesline and the Adam Smasher for the win.

Vince McMahon hypes up next weeks show

End of show

My Take: Yokozuna/Crush was watch able with the crowd getting really behind the contest. The aftermath of that match can either set up a mega Crush baby face run chasing Yokozuna, or Randy Savage being taunted by Fuji and Yokozuna to having a mega match-up. Odd to see that Lex Luger was hardly mentioned after such a big turn of events from the previous weeks. May be a slow build to his run as a top tier baby face against Yokozuna.