World Wrestling Federation presents Superstars
Date: 5/4/1996
From: Des Moines, IA
Matches:
1.) Marty Jannetty & Leif Cassidy defeated The Godwinns
2.) Mankind defeated Scott Taylor
3.) The Bushwhackers defeated WWF Tag Team Champions Skip & Zip in a non-title match
4.) Owen Hart defeated Duke Droese
Angle Developments/Notes:
1.) The New Rockers made their entrance with stuffed pig dolls and were interviewed by Jim Ross. They believe they will be the tag champion and it’s just a matter of time. They are dragging the dolls to the ring on chains.
2.) Henry and Cassidy start off with Henry delivering a shoulder block and ramming Cassidy into the corner. Henry plants Cassidy with a press slam to the mat gut first. Phineas tries to use the slop bucket, but Cassidy avoids it. Phineas legally tags in and keeps wrist control. Phineas tosses Cassidy to the mat and decks Cassidy with a right hand. We see the WWF Tag Team Champions Bodydonnas and Sunny watching the match on a TV. Sunny doesn’t think either team is worthy of a title shot. They consider both teams to be losers. Cassidy gains control with a few strikes and a leg drop as the show goes to commercial.
During the break, Jannetty clotheslined Phineas from the apron as the referee was distracted. The Bodydonnas and Sunny have made it towards ringside. Cassidy kicks Phineas several times and Jannetty drops Phineas throat first over the top rope. Jannetty nails Phineas with an axe handle off the middle rope and continues with strikes. Phineas big boots both Jannetty and Cassidy followed by a double clothesline. Henry gets the hot tag and cleans house with right hands to Jannetty. Henry shoulder blocks Jannetty, but gets tripped by Skip from the floor. Jannetty misses a top rope fist drop. Phineas tags into the bout, but Cassidy leaps off the top to sunset flip Phineas and gets the win. (*1/2. I don’t mind the New Rockers winning here since there’s only so many times we can get Bodydonnas/Godwinns before it’s boring to see. However, a heel vs. heel tag title match isn’t likely going to connect with the live audience whenever it ends up happening.)
3.) WWF Intercontinental Champion Goldust cut a promo on the Undertaker saying that at In Your House, Taker would be going to hell. Goldust also said that he isn’t afraid of the dark and some say he does his best work in the dark.
4.) During Mankind’s match, Bob Holly shared comments about the Mandible Claw. Holly says you feel helpless and wishes Fatu next week for his match against Mankind on Superstars.
5.) Earlier today, Ted DiBiase was interviewed by Jim Ross and apparently the limo driver accidentally went in reverse. DiBiase embarrassed the driver and fired him. As a result, DiBiase adds a stipulation that if Savio Vega loses then he becomes his driver.
6.) Butch and Skip start the bout with Butch delivering a strike. Butch gets out of a hammerlock, but Skip attacks from behind. Skip drops Butch with a right hand a few times. Butch knee lifts Skip and delivers a bulldog for a two count. Butch atomic drops Skip and Luke nails Skip with a strike. Butch gets a two count after decking Skip to the mat. Zip tags in and works over Luke wit strikes in the corner. Luke boots Zip and delivers a clothesline. Jim Ross is in the crowd talking to Harvey Wippleman. Harvey is scouting the referee and thinks the referee is doing a poor job. Harvey is going to bring the notes to Gorilla Monsoon for his approval.
Zip sends Luke to the mat after hitting Luke on the top rope. The Godwinns have made their way down to ringside to watch the match. Zip drives Luke down with a backbreaker. Skip goes to the top, but is met with a boot to the face. Butch elbows Zip followed by a clothesline. Sunny causes a distraction and Zip stomps on Butch. The Godwinns are stalking Sunny around ringside. Phineas gets hit from behind, but he hits Skip off the top with the bucket and puts the bucket over Zip’s head. Butch manages to cover Skip and wins the match. (*1/2. The finish got a good reaction from the crowd. Clearly the main tag title program is between the Bodydonnas and the Godwinns.)
7.) Owen taunts Droese for smelling bad and slaps him. Droese shoulder blocks Owen and catapults Owen across the ring. Droese continues with a scoop slam and plays to the crowd as Owen bails to the floor. Droese grabs his trash can and Owen’s Slammy award, which he puts in the trash can. Owen returns to the ring and attacks Droese with several strikes and stomps. Owen slams Droese followed by a leg drop. Owen chokes Droese over the middle rope for a few moments. Owen takes Droese over with a snap suplex and a knee drop before choking Droese some more. Owen stomps Droese on the lower midsection, but Droese avoids a backdrop with a kick to the chest. Droese continues with a backdrop of his own. Droese slams Owen to the mat, but doesn’t go for a cover. Droese sends Owen into the corner and continues with strikes. Owen removes the top turnbuckle while the referee was out of position. Droese misses a running knee strike and hits the exposed buckle. Owen locks in the Sharpshooter and wins the match by submission. After the match, Bob Holly runs down to the ring to save Droese since Owen wouldn’t let go of the hold. British Bulldog runs down to the ring and attacks Holly. Droese has gotten up and all four men are going at it until several officials get in the ring. Cornette challenges them to a tag match next week on Superstars. (*1/2. Droese controlled a good portion of the match and it wasn’t too bad, really. I’m not all that interested in a tag match, though.)
8.) Backstage, Jim Ross is with Duke Droese and Bob Holly for a response regarding the tag challenge by Cornette. Droese says that Cornette has some nerve to issue a challenge after his guys did what they did. Holly says they better be ready for a fight if that’s what they want. They obviously accept the challenge.
Final Thoughts:
While there wasn’t a standout match or anything this was still a productive TV show and they built towards something for next week, too. It’s simple and effective.
Thanks for reading.