WWF Superstars 2/17/1996

Written by: Bob Colling

World Wrestling Federation presents Superstars
Date: 2/17/1996
From: San Jose, CA

Matches:
1.) Yokozuna defeated Jay S Storm & Billy Mack in a handicap match
2.) Hunter Hearst Helmsley defeated Barry Horowitz
3.) The Godwinns defeated The Brooklyn Brawler & Joe Gomez
4.) Justin Bradshaw defeated Tim Patterson
5.) Ahmed Johnson defeated 1-2-3 Kid by disqualification

Angle Developments/Notes:
1.) Jim Cornette shared a pre-tape promo on Yokozuna during the handicap match. Cornette says that Yokozuna blew the best thing to ever happen to him when Yoko put his hands on him. Cornette promises that the legend of Yokozuna will end at In Your House when the British bulldog slams him.

2.) Helmsley hip tosses Horowitz to the mat to kickoff the match. Horowitz gains control with wrist control yanking down on Helmsley’s arm, but is pulled down to the mat by his hair. Helmsley kicks Horowitz followed by an uppercut and strikes in the corner. Helmsley delivers a high knee lift followed by a knee drop for a two count. Helmsley drives Horowitz down to the mat with a vertical suplex and continues with an uppercut. Horowitz decks Helmsley with several strikes of his own. Horowitz hits a northern lights suplex for a near fall. Helmsley counters a backdrop attempt with the Pedigree to win the match. (*. Harmless and an effective win for Helmsley. Helmsley’s been with the company for nearly a year and needs to be part of something with substance instead of these feuds with a trash man.)

3.) WWF World Champion Bret Hart comes out for an interview with Vince McMahon regarding his title defense tomorrow night inside a steel cage against Diesel. Bret recalls Diesel dragging the championship at Survivor Series, but now that Bret has it he likes to carry the championship with some respect. Bret talks about Diesel putting him through a table and using a chair. Bret mentions that Diesel came up short. Bret says the WWF doesn’t run on diesel power anymore. Bret doesn’t have any respect for Diesel whatsoever and says that Diesel will never be as good as him. Vince brings up the match with British Bulldog recently, but was able to overcome the blood loss to retain the title. Bret use to have respect for Bulldog, but now that he’s associated with Jim Cornette that might change. Bret was able to retain over Undertaker, too. Bret says that Diesel may have rage, but he’s still just a rat in a cage. Bret says this is personal now and mentions that he’s never lost a steel cage match. Bret promises that Diesel will lose one more time. Bret finishes off saying that it will be over his dead body before Diesel becomes champion again.

4.) Justin Bradshaw and Zeb cut a pre-tape promo with Bradshaw saying that he never knows what he is going to do in the ring but he’s 300 pounds and we can take that to the bank.

5) Johnson starts the match by tossing Kid over the top to the floor and Kid is stunned. Kid controls with a hammerlock, but Johnson quickly comes back with a hip toss across the ring as the show goes to commercial. Kid avoids Johnson in the corner and delivers a few kicks. Kid continues with several kicks in the corner and manages to stagger Johnson. Johnson starts to get a second wind and sends Kid into the corner before hitting a spinebuster. Jeff Jarrett comes out with a guitar and tries to leap off the top, but is caught. Jarrett manages to bail to the floor. Kid spin kicks Johnson from behind and Jarrett stomps on Johnson until Razor Ramon goes after Jarrett. Kid hits Ramon over the head with the guitar and referee calls for the bell. (1/2*. Johnson showed off his strength, but this was just time killer before the aftermath involving a brawl to give a focus to the two feuds.)

Final Thoughts:
For a go-home show leading into In Your House this felt like a lackluster outing. Bret’s promo about Diesel was good, but action wise there wasn’t much going on here.

Thanks for reading.