WWF Superstars 2/24/1996

Written by: Bob Colling

World Wrestling Federation presents Superstars
Date: 2/24/1996
From: Huntington, WV

Matches:
1.) Owen Hart & Davey Boy Smith defeated Barry Horowitz & Hakushi in a WWF Tag Team Title Tournament match
2.) Duke Droese defeated Scott D’Amore
3.) Skip & Zip defeated AC Conner & Major Yates
4.) Hunter Hearst Helmsley defeated Derek Stone
5.) Shawn Michaels defeated Shinobi

Angle Developments/Notes:
1.) Smith sends Horowitz into the corner and delivers a few strikes. Horowitz hip tosses and arm drags Smith followed by more strikes. Smith shoulder blocks Horowitz coming off the ropes. Owen tags into the match and Horowitz is met with a double clothesline. Owen stomps on Horowitz a few times before hitting a backbreaker. Owen drives his knee into Horowitz’s back on the mat. Diane Smith shared a pre-tape promo and she asked for better competition for her husband, Davey. Smith connects with a delayed vertical suplex on Horowitz and hits a leg drop. Owen tags into the match and headbutts Horowitz. Owen misses a spear and hits the post shoulder first. Smith tags in as does Hakushi. Hakushi cleans house with a few kicks and a throat thrust. Owen knee lifts Hakushi from the apron allowing Smith to hit the running powerslam for the win. (*1/2. That was an abrupt finish it felt, but Hakushi is finishing up and they likely don’t want to promote him in a positive way. It doesn’t matter because Owen and Smith advancing is the obvious move here.)

2.) Backstage, Jim Cornette cuts a promo with Shinobi saying that he knows 57 ways to paralyze the human body and every one will be used tonight on Shawn Michaels.

3.) Hunter Hearst Helmsley is watching the Droese match backstage on a monitor. Helmsley isn’t impressed by the disgusting Droese. Helmsley considers Droese to be done. Helmsley thinks that Droese’s haircut may be the perfect one for him.

4.) Duke Droese came out after Helmsley’s victory to run Helmsley off with a trash can lid.

5.) Shinobi attacks before the bell working over Michaels with right hands. Michaels quickly comes back with a dropkick to send Shinobi to the floor. Michaels pulls Shinobi to the apron, but Shinobi flips into the ring and Owen Hart pulls the ropes down to cause Michaels to crash to the floor. Shinobi takes Michaels out with a somersault dive to the floor. Owen stomps on Michaels and rolls Michaels back into the ring. Shinobi slams Michaels and delivers an elbow drop for a two count. Shinobi stomps on Michaels and chokes Michaels on the mat. Shinobi dropkicks Michaels on the back. Shinobi keeps control with an abdominal stretch. Cornette cheap shots Michaels as the show goes to commercial.

Shinobi slams Michaels and goes to the top rope missing a moonsault attempt. Michaels pops up and hammers away on Shinobi several times. Michaels hits a leaping forearm smash. Michaels stomps on Shinobi’s face followed by a scoop slam. Michaels heads to the top rope hitting an elbow drop. Michaels is sent to the floor by Shinobi and Owen holds Michaels, but Shinobi misses a dive taking out Owen on accident. Michaels sends them into each other. Michaels signals for the sweet chin music. Cornette distracts the referee and Owen holds Michaels, but Shinobi clotheslines Owen. Michaels hits the Sweet Chin Music for the win. Michaels also pins Owen and pins Cornette. I’m not sure why they needed to do that. (**. A fine TV match with Shinobi getting a chance to showcase some high spots. Michaels pinning three people was a bit much, though. Sure, two of them are unofficial, but it’s just not necessary to make the heels look like complete morons.)

Final Thoughts:
An average episode this week for Superstars as we got a couple of feature matches and some brief angle advancement for the Helmsley/Droese feud. I really didn’t like the ending with Michaels pinning Owen in an unofficial moment as it’s just not needed.

Thanks for reading.