Raw Retro Review: Episode 2
By Mike Smith
WWE.com
Raw’s second episode ever is also the last episode before the Royal Rumble. Bret Hart’s response to Razor Ramon is part of the build to the pay-per-view. Vince McMahon, “Macho Man” Randy Savage and Rob Bartlett are on commentary.
Repo Man attacks “Macho Man” Randy Savage
The commentary team is standing at ringside. They are getting set for the show and Rob Bartlett tears up a picture of Bobby Heenan, calling him “the real enemy”. Then, the Repo Man attacks Savage from behind and takes his hat. Vince McMahon and Bartlett tend to him as the open starts. This is great because it set up a glorious night-long storyline.
Terrific Terry Taylor vs. Mr. Perfect
At the end, Ric Flair came out and attacked Mr. Perfect behind the referee’s back. Taylor went to finish him off, but Mr. Perfect countered with the Perfect Plex for the win. The commentary team was more focused on Randy Savage and his hat, while Bartlett was worried about his car being towed. They spoke to Bobby Heenan on the phone, and he and Bartlett trash talked each other. Heenan also threatened Savage that the Repo Man would repo his career.
Bret Hart in-ring interview w/ Vince McMahon
Hart is the WWF Champion and is set to defend his title at Sunday’s Royal Rumble against Razor Ramon. He talks about how he doesn’t respect Ramon because of how he attacked his brother Owen, and threatened his 78-year-old father. Hart says that he is known as “The Excellence of Execution” and that he is the best technical wrestler, but he is looking to fight Ramon. Good promo that shows the emotion that Ramon has elicited from Hart.
Marty Jannetty vs. Glen Ruth
Jannetty hits the Rocker Droper for the win in a solid match. Rob Bartlett is still concerned about his car, and Randy Savage is still looking for his hat. The commentary team now has Shawn Michaels on the phone. Michaels says that he always knew what was going on in Jannetty’s head, and that’s why they were a great tag team, but he still knows what’s going on in his head because Jannetty is a simpleton, and that’s why Michaels will retain his Intercontinental Championship at the Royal Rumble.
Repo Man outside the building w/ Sean Mooney
Mooney is standing outside the building when Repo Man comes running out. Repo Man has Randy Savage’s hat and says that Savage didn’t think twice about him, but Savage sure knows who he is now. Repo Man asks Savage if he wants to wrestle, but Savage says he wants to fight.
Royal Rumble Report
Mean Gene talked about the WWF Championship match at the Rumble and introduced a pre-taped promo from Razor Ramon. Ramon mocks Bret Hart for saying that their rivalry is personal now, and says that he has plenty of jewelry that covers him in gold, and pretty soon he will add gold to his waist.
Mean Gene then talked about the Royal Rumble and named some of the competitors, like The Undertaker, The Berserker, Irwin R. Schyster, Yokozuna, Mr. Perfect, Typhoon, Repo Man, Ric Flair, Papa Shango, and “The Million Dollar Man” Ted Dibiase.
Mean Gene also talked about the WWF Intercontinental Championship match with Shawn Michaels putting his title on the line against Marty Jannetty, with Sensational Sherri appearing in one of their corners, but it was not certain which corner it would be.
The studio feel of this segment brings a big time sports feel to the Royal Rumble event. It really is well put together for its time.
“Macho Man” Randy Savage outside the building w/ Sean Mooney
Savage has made his way from the commentary table to outside the Manhattan Center, and he is looking for Repo Man. It’s a funny scene watching Savage talk to Mooney while running out into the street to try and hail a cab.
“El Matador” Tito Santana vs. Ric Flair/Ric Flair ringside interview w/ Vince McMahon/Mr. Perfect ringside interview w/ Vince McMahon
This match ended in a no contest when Flair brawled with Mr. Perfect. Flair and Mr. Perfect then brawled to the backstage area. As this match started, Randy Savage returned to ringside. When Santana got a few early near-falls, Vince McMahon noted that the referee had a fast count. McMahon announced during the match that next week’s show would feature a match between Savage and the Repo Man. Savage talked about how excited he was, and hilariously seemed to forget about the Royal Rumble, until McMahon reminded him.
The brawl between Flair and Mr. Perfect ended up back at ringside. Ric Flair then met McMahon at ringside and challenged Mr. Perfect to a Loser Leaves the WWF Match on next week’s Raw.
Mr. Perfect then comes out and accepts Flair’s challenge and McMahon is stunned.
Repo Man outside the building
As Raw goes off the air, Repo Man is seen on a tow truck taking somebody’s car away and holding Randy Savage’s hat. Savage vows to make him pay, while Rob Bartlett screams in agony as he watches his car get towed, which was a perfect wrap on him being worried about his car.
Overall Impression
Monday Night Raw came out of the gates strong with two great episodes. “Macho Man” Randy Savage is in action next week, along with the Loser Leaves the WWF Match between Ric Flair and Mr. Perfect, and don’t forget the Royal Rumble this Sunday.
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