WWF RAW 7/26/1993

Written By: Bob Colling

World Wrestling Federation presents RAW
Date: 7/26/1993
From: Manhattan Center, New York City

Doink cuts a promo on Randy Savage for interfering during his match with Marty Jannetty a few weeks ago. Doink says he “might have a little surprise for you tonight” referring to Randy Savage.

RAW Opening Video

Randy Savage tells Doink to bring the surprise on. Helen and Stu Hart are at tonight’s show, sitting in the balcony.

Opening Contest: Bam-Bam Bigelow defeated Bret Hart via count-out: Bret with the early advantage after clothes lining Bigelow over the top to the floor. Bret stalks Luna on the floor before heading back into the ring. Bret with a thez press from the top rope and is holding his knee. Bigelow with a nice high angle back suplex for a near fall. Bigelow catches Hart after his attempted cross body and drops down for a near fall. Bigelow misses a head butt off the ropes and is taken down by Bret with a back suplex. Bigelow with a long sleeper hold, Bret fights back with a back body drop. Nice stiff looking clothesline from the middle turnbuckle by Bret. Bret ducks a clothesline and plants Bigelow with a running bulldog. Bret goes for the sharpshooter and Jerry Lawler’s voice is heard. Lawler is up in the balcony with the Hart family. The distraction causes Bret to be attacked on the floor. Bigelow rams Bret back first into the ring post. Stu mumbles something to Lawler while Helen tells Hart to shut up. Bigelow misses a back splash from the top turnbuckle and Bret plants him with a DDT. Bret runs through the crowd going after Lawler and is counted out in the process after sixteen minutes of action. ***1/4
After the match, Bret didn’t catch up to Lawler, so he meets up with his family and hugs them.

Gene with another WWF Summer Slam 1993 report. Gene announces that Lex Luger will be facing Yokozuna for the WWF World Heavyweight Championship at the event. Luger must wear a elbow pad to protect the screws in his arms.

Second Contest: Mr. Hughes defeated Russ Greenberg: Hughes with a power bomb but doesn’t cover and continues the beating. Hughes with a side slam/buster for the win.
After the match, there is another black wreath and Hughes destroy the wreath just like last week.

Footage for WWF Wrestle Mania the album with various and Tiny Tim is shown.

Third Contest: The Smoking Gunns defeated Duane Gill/Glenn Ruth: Gunns with complete control as they connect with a double Russian leg sweep on Ruth. Bill with a dropkick as well. Billy backdrops Ruth into Bart who catches Ruth upside down and connects with a impressive pile driver for the win.

A Ludvig Borga promo is aired. He hates everything America is about.

Vince McMahon’s interview with Lex Luger in the empty Manhattan Center is next. Luger is very happy with getting a WWF World Heavyweight Title shot at Summer Slam. Luger has no problem with the stipulation to the match where he needs to wear a protective equipment on his forearm. Luger says the Lex Express will not be ending just because of his title shot.

Footage from Worchester, MA with Luger meeting fans is shown.

Main Event: Doink defeated Phil Apollo: Doink with a impressive overhead belly to belly suplex early on. Doink follows that up with a back suplex. Doink with a scoop slam and finishes Apollo off with the Whoopee Cushion.
Doink grabs a microphone and wants Randy Savage in the ring. Doink says he will come down to Savage and say something to his face. Doink challenges Savage to a match, one on one. Doink says that next week Savage will have triple vision. Two other Doink’s appear as the show comes to an end.

End of show

My Take: Bigelow/Hart was a good contest, and the aftermath with Lawler was some good television as well. Luger getting a title shot is alright I suppose, but I do think Luger should have actually beaten someone as compared to just slamming Yokozuna. Doink/Savage segment was also good, and I find to be good that Doink is getting to work with top tier talent. The Doink character is one of the best things going around this time period.