World Wrestling Federation presents Superstars
Date: 5/25/1996
From: Des Moines, IA
Matches:
1.) Steve Austin defeated Fatu
2.) Marc Mero defeated the Brooklyn Brawler
3.) British Bulldog defeated Jason Ahrndt
4.) The Bushwhackers defeated Tony Roy & Brian Walsh
5.) Vader defeated Bob Holly
Angle Developments/Notes:
1.) Jim Ross interviews Fatu on the aisle during Fatu’s entrance. Fatu says he doesn’t want talk about his family members who are on the wrong side of the track.
2.) Ted DiBiase has a chauffeur hat to taunt Savio Vega. They lockup with Fatu backing Austin into a corner, but backs off and shoves Austin into a corner. Austin gets in Fatu’s face, but backs off. Fatu takes Austin down with a side headlock, but Austin rolls over trying for a pin, but Fatu rolls out at two. Fatu keeps a headlock on Austin for a few moments. Austin sends Fatu into the corner, but is met with a shoulder block. Fatu plays to the crowd and tells Austin to kiss his butt. Austin wants to do a test of strength and they eventually lock in on a test of strength. Austin kicks Fatu several times in the midsection and wrenches on Fatu’s hands. Fatu backdrops Austin and Austin bails to the floor. Austin returns and they trade hammerlocks until Austin elbows Fatu. Fatu powerslams Austin coming off the ropes and we see Fatu’s family members walking towards the ring. Austin takes advantage of the distraction and stomps Fatu in the corner several times. Fatu rolls to the floor where Austin rams Fatu into the ring steps. Austin rams Fatu into the corner face first, but Fatu isn’t bothered by it and strikes Austin a few times. Fatu misses a spear and hits the ring post shoulder first. Austin snapmares Fatu and goes to the middle rope hitting a forearm drop for a near fall. The show goes to commercial.
Austin has kept a sleeper on Fatu for a few moments, but Fatu fights back with strikes. Fatu backdrops Austin coming off the ropes. Fatu nails Austin with a clothesline and pummels Austin with right hands in the corner. Fatu drops Austin with a right hand, but Austin manages to toss Fatu over the top to the floor. Austin puts the Million $ Dream on Fatu and forces Fatu to pass out to the hold. (**1/2. I thought this was a solid match with the crowd responding well and the action holding my interest. There is chemistry between these two and they worked a strong match without needing to do big spots. Interestingly enough, this would be Fatu’s final appearance in this character on WWF TV.)
3.) WWF World Champion Shawn Michaels cuts a promo saying that the rumors that Bulldog and his wife are saying was funny at first, but now he’s getting pissed. Michaels says that if Bulldog wanted a shot at him all he had to do was ask. Michaels promises to put Bulldog away for good. We also hear from British Bulldog who says he has a reputation for taking out guys who mess with his wife and calls Michaels a pervert amongst other things. Bulldog is going to let Michaels be conscious enough to see him walkout as the champion and then finish him off once and for all.
4.) Footage from Kuwait is shown again and includes WWF World Champion Shawn Michaels discussing how he can relate to the war with his family being involved.
5.) Hunter Hearst Helmsley cuts a promo during Marc Mero’s match. Helmsley is watching the match on a TV and says Mero is impressive or he wouldn’t be in the WWF. However, Helmsley is going to show Mero how impressive he is.
6.) Mero won his match with the figure four, which I don’t believe is a regular thing whatsoever. After his victory, Bob Backlund storms the ring and puts the Crossface Chicken Wing on Mero. Helmsley comes down to ringside and enters the ring when Backlund leaves. Sable is on the apron pacing back and forth. Helmsley spikes Mero with the Pedigree and taunts a laid out Mero. Mero gets up, but collapses back down to the mat selling the Pedigree.
7.) Marty Jannetty and Leif Cassidy cut a promo on the Rockers tour bus. Jannetty shares his thoughts on his former partner Shawn Michaels. Jannetty went after all the single women, but Michaels always went for the married ones.
8.) Jim Ross interviews WWF World Champion Shawn Michaels during Bulldog’s match. Michaels can’t make the same mistake he made on RAW at the PPV. Michals admits the allegations are getting to him, but he needs to stay focused. Michaels knows if he doesn’t remain focus that Bulldog will walkout as the champion. Michaels is preparing for a knockdown drag out fight. Michaels is preparing to remain champion.
9.) Footage from Madison Square Garden is shown where the Godwinns won the WWF World Tag Team Championships by defeating the Bodydonnas. Sunny tried to distract Phineas, but Phineas took advantage by kissing Sunny on the apron and hit the Slop Drop on Zip to win the titles.
10.) Vader shoves Holly into a corner to start the match and taunts Holly. Vader delivers a shot to the ribs a few times and slams Holly to the mat. Vader jabs Holly on the mat, but Holly fights back with strikes before being knocked down to the mat. Vader lifts Holly up and tosses Holly into the corner to continue and deliver body strikes. Vader pummels Holly with forearm strikes and another jab to the midsection. Vader misses a short arm clothesline and Holly fights back with kicks as the show goes to commercial.
Holly continues with a running clothesline to stagger Vader followed by a dropkick to send Vader into the corner. Holly tries for a running crossbody, but Vader catches Holly and delivers a slam to the mat. Vader sends Holly into the corner and hits a big splash followed by a right hand strike. Vader goes to the middle rope and hits a Vader Bomb leading to the three count. (*1/2. Watching Vader kick ass is always going to be fun to watch and that was the case here, as well.)
Final Thoughts:
I enjoyed the episode as it was a strong final lead in for the PPV taking place the next day. There was a strong feature match and they showcased the feuds well to promote the PPV.
Thanks for reading.