World Wrestling Federation presents Superstars
Date: 7/13/1996
From: LaCrosse, WI
Matches:
1.) The Bodydonnas defeated Todd Becker & Rock Wagner
2.) TL Hopper defeated Duke Droese in a home improvement match
3.) Mankind defeated Jerry Fox
4.) Alex Porteau defeated Barry Horowitz
5.) Justin Bradshaw defeated Freddie Joe Floyd
Angle Developments/Notes:
1.) The show starts off with Sid laughing and saying “guess whose back?!” That’s right, Warrior is gone and Psycho Sid is back to team with Shawn Michaels and Ahmed Johnson at IYH.
2.) The Bodydonnas and Cloudy shared pre-tape comments during their match. Skip thanks everyone for their support in the manager search, but the one they chose stood out. Cloudy says she’s going to take her men to the top.
3.) During the Bodydonnas match, Sunny and the WWF Tag Team Champions the Smoking Gunns comes down to the aisle to watch the match. There isn’t an altercation.
4.) Jim Cornette cut a promo saying he’s tired of the crooked officials and referees. Cornette says that his men are all good men. He thought they had the battle won, but they bring back a homicidal psychopath. Cornette thinks that Sid was somewhere getting shock treatments. Cornette promises there will be an International Incident on July 21st. Cornette says there will be a rumble at the International Incident.
5.) This is TL Hopper’s in-ring debut for the WWF. Hopper is better known as Dirty White Boy from SMW.
6.) Droese starts the match with wrist control and yanks on Hopper’s arm. Droese shoulder blocks Hopper into the corner and taunts him. Droese shoulder blocks Hopper in the corner a second time. Droese takes Hopper over with a snap suplex and a scoop slam. Droese misses a splash in the corner and Hopper delivers a strike to the back. Hopper sends Droese into the corner and continues to deliver strikes in the corner. Hopper rams Droese into the corner and delivers axe handle strikes. Hopper drives Droese down with a backbreaker. Hopper continues with a backdrop. Droese kicks Hopper to avoid a backdrop and hammers away on Hopper. Droese powerslams Hopper coming off the ropes. Droese signals that it’s time to take out the trash. Hopper gets out of a tilt a whirl slam and clubs Droese on the back. Hopper spikes Droese with a brainbuster to win the match cleanly. After the match, Hopper sticks his plunger into Droese’s face. (*. I’ve always liked DWB, but this plumber gimmick doesn’t appear to be a gimmick that will be anything of importance. Droese must be low on the totem pole.)
7.) WWF World Champion Shawn Michaels, WWF Intercontinental Champion Ahmed Johnson and Psycho Sid cut a promo. Michaels knows people are wondering why he’s with Sid again. Michaels says people don’t see the behind the scenes stuff, and at least Sid is reliable. Sid chimes in and talks about double standards. Sid notes that Albert Einstein is smart, but he’s a little crazy. Sid knows people say he doesn’t have all right in the head. But, he does and he has it right in his heart, too. Sid notes that Michaels gave him a second chance at his destiny, and his dream. Sid says that Michaels gave him a chance to be the master and the ruler of the world. Ahmed provided nothing.
8.) Jim Ross conducts an interview with Jake Roberts to talk about Mankind, but also Jerry Lawler. Roberts says that Lawler isn’t going to stop him from helping people with drugs and alcohol. Roberts believes if it wasn’t for Christ, he wouldn’t be here today. Roberts says there’s only one God and he’s above. Roberts says Mankind reminds him of his demons of being in shackles. Roberts knows a better light and the demons don’t control him. Mankind tries to make his way to the ring, but is stopped by officials on the aisle. Roberts takes his python out and Mankind backs off.
9.) This is Alex Porteau’s debut in the WWF. His theme music is the Steiner Brothers WWF theme. Alex provided pre-tape comments saying hello to all the fans. He’s thrived on the competition in amateur ranks and now he’s here to prove himself. Porteau won his first match with a rollup.
10.) Backstage, Jim Ross interviews Freddie Joe Floyd. Floyd knows that Bradshaw is pissed, but he’s here to give 100%. Floyd says we can count on one hand how many times Bradshaw has lost.
11.) Backstage, Uncle Zeb and Bradshaw cut a promo. Bradshaw promises to knockout Floyd’s carcass because he’s ready to go.
12.) Bradshaw quickly works over Floyd with strikes and a scoop slam. Bradshaw tries for a slam, but Floyd dropkicks Bradshaw to the the floor. Bradshaw knee lifts Floyd a few times in the corner to regain control of the match. Bradshaw misses a splash in the corner and Floyd gets a two count with a rollup. Bradshaw plants Floyd with a pump handle slam. Bradshaw taunts the crowd. Bradshaw drops Floyd gut first over the ropes and big boots Floyd off the apron into the railing. Bradshaw rams Floyd into the apron before returning to the ring. Bradshaw continues to strike Floyd several times. Floyd almost wins with an inside cradle. Bradshaw stops Floyd with a few strikes and stomps on Floyd’s hand. Bradshaw hits a senton splash coming off the ropes. Floyd fights back with a flurry of strikes, but Bradshaw backs Floyd into the ropes. Bradshaw locks in an abdominal stretch, but doesn’t get a submission. Floyd nails Bradshaw with a leaping elbow strike. Bradshaw decks Floyd with a forearm strike. Bradshaw sends Floyd into the corner a couple of times, but a third time is met with a boot. Floyd tries to fight back with strikes, but is knocked down to the mat as the show goes to commercial.
Floyd avoids a big boot and bails to the floor, but Bradshaw follows. Floyd gains control with several strikes, but is rammed into the corner. Bradshaw decks Floyd with a clothesline, but pulls Floyd up at the count of two. Bradshaw hits another running lariat and pins Floyd for the win. After the match, Uncle Zeb brands Floyd on the face. Bradshaw punches Floyd until Savio Vega comes out to make the save. (**1/4. I enjoyed this for coming across as a fight. Bradshaw has been working well and his offense works as a badass heel. Bradshaw could probably be used better since he’s a believable act.)
13.) Goldust cut a promo on the Undertaker and says he’s found his feelings. Goldust is going to punish Taker at IYH into his grave. Goldust put Taker into his own casket, but that wasn’t enough. Goldust believes this will be the end of Taker and he’ll never forget his name.
14.) Steve Austin cut a promo on Marc Mero to promote their IYH rematch. Austin says that Mero is going to pay for giving him stitches. Austin promises that he’ll knock Sable down if she gets involved, too.
15.) Brian Pillman is at the commentary table, but we go to commercial before he says what he needs to say. Pillman says it’s been hard to express his emotions. Pillman is blessed for the WWF to take him in with open arms. Pillman loves the commentary guys and begins to cry as the show ends.
Final Thoughts:
Another Superstars episode that I enjoyed watching. Bradshaw/Floyd was a fun match and they continue to promote feuds pretty well on the show. Pillman’s behavior is bizarre, but makes you wonder what’s going on him with him.
Thanks for reading.