Rebooking the WWF in 1993

[hb2k]

So for this week's podcast we are returning to our booking committee format for a discussion Rebooking the WWF in 1993, a very interesting time that saw the company struggle to decide on a new direction. We're looking to get some feedback on what you think needed to be done to make things succeed during a period where popularity fell.

Starting as everything was on January 1st 1993, what do you book for WrestleMania 9? What do you do with the returning Hulk Hogan? Do you stick with Bret Hart as a top guy or try with somebody else? What do you do with the titles? Who would you be looking to use better than they did at the time?

As always, we'll be reading the best feedback/ideas on the show and crediting you accordingly. So what would you have done?

EDIT - Our show Rebooking the WWF in 1993, featuring many of your contributions, is now online and available to listen to at the following link: http://squaredcirclegazette.podbean....WF_in_1993.mp3

[Mr. Nerfect]

The first thing I notice when going over the WWF's roster at the beginning of 1993 is just how weak it is. The company pin-balled the WWF Championship around more than Ric Flair pin-balled around in his personal life. To make matters worse, Flair was on the way out. How much can one change history here? It'd be lovely to poach Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard to put together some sort of Horseman unit in order to give Bret Hart a test as WWF Champion, but that's the easy way out, isn't it?

This doesn't feel strong enough, but for some reason, the idea of Mr. Perfect winning the Royal Rumble and becoming the challenger for Bret Hart seems like one of the more easily identifiable fixes. Curt Hennig could go in the ring (not sure if he had found his grove back at this point, or if he'd ever become what he once was), but the history between Hart and Perfect could have been used to play up some distrust issues. Hennig would be all smiling and "I know you're the man," but underneath it all would be Bret Hart knowing that Mr. Perfect is still seething about the SummerSlam '91 loss that sent him into retirement.

Flair could give the Rumble a good run, like the year previous, but end up being eliminated by Mr. Perfect towards the end, building off the legendary match the year before.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I can understand why they tried with Giant Gonzalez. It's not my cup of tea, but in theory, someone that towers over Undertaker has that larger-than-life freak-show quality to it. With that being said, once the idea of the muscle-suit was floated, I think there is enough evidence to scrap this idea based on its lack of merit from the get-go. Put Taker with Bam Bam instead.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Vince was losing faith in Randy Savage, and although a great man, his time to be the guy had probably faded, but he did win the WWF Title at WrestleMania the year previous and was their chosen guy to be the runner-up to Yokozuna in the Royal Rumble in that atrocious finish. A pin in a Rumble? Did Vince get Savage to do that just so he had enough evidence to keep to him at the commentary desk.
"Look, you must be losing your mind, kid."

Savage would have had more use than, say, Tatanka. I don't know if you want to put him against Shawn Michaels, with Michaels being the cocky prick that thinks his shit doesn't stink defending against one of the greatest Intercontinental Champions ever, or if you use Savage to try and make Razor or Yoko, but he can surely do something. Fuck, kick out Beefcake and put Hogan & Savage together as Tag Champs.

Oh, by the way, what the fuck is going on there? Hogan getting intentionally disqualified in the Tag Title match, then the impromptu ending to WrestleMania -- if I were watching, things like Hogan superseding the World Title the year prior, deliberately throwing matches I wanted to see him win and then crashing matches I didn't want him to be anywhere near may have forced me to take a hiatus from watching wrestling.

[Bad News Gertner]

They didn't want Savage is the ring. Randy actually wanted to do a program with Shawn but Vince wanted him on commentary

[Mr. Nerfect]

When it comes to Hogan, I think you have to cater for his ego. Unfortunately, you probably have to give Ed Leslie a job. Thankfully not the sort of job he gives Hogan. But a Hogan/Beefcake tandem, realistically, isn't the worst thing ever. Hell, it didn't even end up being the worst thing on the actual Mania IX card. At the very least, it provides a relief that Hogan has something to keep him busy away from Bret Hart.

I'm just kidding, fuck that team. Put the belts on The Steiners at WrestleMania and have Hogan get his chest-crushed by Yokozuna. The thing about Yoko is that if Hogan swings his Terry Bollea's tiny penis around and doesn't want to lose, you're not really losing anything in Yoko, who came out looking worse in reality anyway.

If Hogan vs. Yoko sucks, then maybe there's more justification in putting Hogan on chill anyway as he sees the that he can't keep up with the young guys. That's a funny joke, isn't it?

[Mr. Nerfect]

Originally Posted by Bad News Gertner They didn't want Savage is the ring. Randy actually wanted to do a program with Shawn but Vince wanted him on commentary

I didn't know that Savage actually wanted to do the HBK program. That sounds like a winner to me then.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Can Jerry Lawler start being pushed earlier in the year? I don't really care who you put him against at Mania, but maybe he can slap around Owen Hart and use that to start irking Bret? When it comes to 1993, there's a part of me that just wants to cover my eyes and say "Bet on The King."

[DAMN iNATOR]

Don't know much about '93, but I can only imagine the nightmares that having J.R. debut at WM IX in a white bed sheet and calling it a toga must have induced in all those poor fans.

[RP]

Doink The Clown. Champion

Easily

[Mr. Nerfect]

If Bret remains champion for longer, does King of the Ring become a PPV? If so, you have to decide to someone to take that. Razor Ramon, Lex Luger (probably still doing the narcissist thing), Jerry Lawler, Bam Bam Bigelow, Yokozuna and even Undertaker stand out as possible winners. It's likely that whoever wins that thing is Bret's SummerSlam challenger. Would people have bought Jerry Lawler in the role? He'd have been 43 years old. His feud with Bret later in the year was extremely entertaining, but something feels wrong about suggesting it be such a major program. Am I underestimating Jerry Lawler?

[Mr. Nerfect]

I've done some re-thinking, and now I'm going to suggest giving the Royal Rumble to Jerry Lawler. 1993 sounds like a pretty shit year business-wise, so Hart vs. Lawler being their biggest draw of the year may not be that impressive, but I'd still go with it at some point. King could win the Rumble and brag about how of course the King was going to win the Royal Rumble. Then, if Vince really forces the dress-up at Mania IX, at least a heel Lawler acting like Caesar would have had a point to it. Am I really booking around the toga party?

[mike adamle]

Honestly I'd probably agree with you about Lawler. I would've pushed him to the moon upon arrival, especially looking at that 1993 Royal Rumble roster.

There's a lot of what if's when you rebook this.

What if you were to bring Hulk Hogan back into the fold at the Royal Rumble and not at WrestleMania IX?

What if you could get Ric Flair to stay?

Assuming you could do the first one and couldn't the second here's how I'd have things go.

I'd have Ric Flair trying to win the WWF Title back from Bret Hart at the Royal Rumble. He'd lose via interference from Mr. Perfect.

I'd have Bob Backlund and Ted DiBiase start the Rumble off and last quite a while.

At some point as the ring fills up The Undertaker comes out and cleans house. Bob Backlund and Ted DiBiase remain in the ring the whole time but in the corner hanging on to the bottom rope.

Eventually the ring empties, the bell goes off, and Yokozuna comes down. He and Taker end up eliminating each other and fighting off into the sunset- setting them up for a WrestleMania IX showdown.

I'd have Razor Ramon come in around #10. Marty Jannetty #11... Randy Savage#14, Shawn Michaels #15.

The ring would be pretty full at the time and Jannetty and Michaels (who would still have their match earlier in the evening) would brawl with each other. Eventually Michaels would sneak up and eliminate Jannetty.

Probably have Bam Bam Bigelow come out at #18, I.R.S. at #19, and Jerry Lawler at #20. Bam Bam would've cleaned some house and would've been close to eliminating Ted DiBiase when I.R.S. comes in and saves him. He brawls with Bam Bam for a bit. Lawler comes in and makes a deal with DiBiase and I.R.S. and they gang up on Bam Bam and eliminate him. While I.R.S. and DiBiase celebrate by the rope Lawler eliminates them too, showing off his brains. At this point the ring would have Bob Backlund, Razor Ramon, Randy Savage, Shawn Michaels, and Jerry Lawler.

#21. comes out and surprises everyone to be Hulk Hogan. He brawls with everyone and hits multiple leg drops but doesn't eliminate anyone. Eventually he goes nose to nose with Razor Ramon when the buzzer sounds

#22. DAMIEN DEMENTO comes out to the roars of the crowd. He gets in the face of both Razor and Hulk and screams out I'M NOT A JOBBER! They toss him out and continue duking it out.

Eventually we get to #30... Mr. Perfect. At this point the last people in are Bob Backlund, Razor Ramon, Randy Savage, Shawn Michaels, Jerry Lawler, Hulk Hogan, Earthquake, Tito Santana, Rick Martel, & Mr. Perfect.

After Earthquake knocks out (but doesn't eliminate Hulk Hogan) he goes to work on taking over. He eliminates Tito Santana, Rick Martel, and Bob Backlund.

Meanwhile, Marty Jannetty sneaks back and hits Shawn Michaels from behind, eliminating him.

The Mega Powers team up and eliminate Earthquake.

And once again, as they celebrate, Jerry Lawler comes from behind and eliminates them both, cementing him as a dominant force.

The final 3 is Razor Ramon, Jerry Lawler, & Mr. Perfect. Flair ends up distracting Perfect and Razor tosses him out.

The final 2 have quite a few false finishes. And after about a 10 minute brawl Lawler shockingly defeats Razor clean and tosses him out.

WM IX looks like

WWF Title Match
Bret Hart (C) vs. Jerry Lawler... This would probably go 30 minutes, be back and forth and Lawler would really play up his heel tendencies. Bret Hart wins, but there will be more to this story later in the year....

#1 Contender for WWF Title Match
Mega Powers Explode Part 2
Hulk Hogan vs. Randy Savage... I'd have both claiming they deserve a title shot and Bret coming out and telling them to settle it between each other before they face him. Since Hogan is there for a limited time he'd be going over here.

WWF Intercontinental Title Match
Steel Cage Match
Shawn Michaels (C) vs. Marty Jannetty... Marty Jannetty gets his revenge on Shawn Michaels but Shawn doesn't go down without a fight. Marty actually gets the victory here.

Bam Bam Bigelow & Razor Ramon vs. Money Inc. (Ted DiBiase & I.R.S).....I'm not exactly sure how face/heel Bam Bam or Razor were at this time, but I'd have them be the face team... have Bam Bam keep getting attacked until he challenges them to a tag match at mania. They laugh and say he doesn't have one, and then you hear "HEY YO" and Razor is Bam Bam's partner. I'd have this kept short and keep Bam Bam and Razor looking strong.

Undertaker vs. Yokozuna... Undertaker could pick up Yoko for the chokeslam and pin him with that.... but after the match get attacked by the Giant Gonzalez. Yoko helps in the attack.

WWF World Tag Team Title Match
The Steiner Brothers (Scott Steiner & Rick Steiner) (C) vs. The Headshrinkers (Fatu & Samu).... Hard fought match but the Steiners pull out the victory.

If you can extend Ric Flair's contract you do
Career vs. Career
Mr. Perfect vs. Ric Flair.... if this match happens you obviously have to put Mr. Perfect over.

But if you have to do that on Raw when it happened then I'd go with
Mr. Perfect vs. Bob Backlund... both trying to prove they can still go at a high level.
Mr. Perfect takes it via roll up in a back and forth match

If Ric Flair is there to do the honors then I'd have Bob Backlund take on Doink The Clown and win.

Tag Team Match
The Natural Disasters (Earthquake & Typhoon) vs. The Nasty Boys (Brian Knobbs & Jerry Sags)... Filler with the Natural Disasters staying dominant.

Big Boss Man vs. Tito Santana.... filler putting the Big Boss Man over the arrogant heel.

Brutus Beefcake vs. Lex Luger.... The Narcissist Lex Luger's debut vs. Brutus Beefcake's face return.... I'd have Luger smash in that recently repaired face with his recently repaired elbow to really put over how dangerous he is.

Owen Hart vs. Rick Martel.... This opens the show with Owen pulling out everything he has but just coming up a little bit short.

I'll continue through the year later that's enough for now.

[mike adamle]

Now King of the Ring started as a 16 person bracket with the first round on Raw, Wrestling Challenge, & Superstars.

So in those qualifiers I'd have

Jerry Lawler vs. Owen Hart... Jerry Lawler taunts Bret in the weeks after WrestleMania saying he can still beat him. Owen Hart shows up to defend his brother. Lawler never really insults Owen too much though, more so planting the seeds for Owen to think his brother Bret is betraying him. Eventually they announce this qualifier. Lawler destroys Owen and tells him to blame Bret for the beating. After the match Bret comes down to check on Owen and he shoves him away.

Lex Luger vs. Tatanka... The battle of the debuting undefeated rookies goes to a draw, leaving both undefeated.

Randy Savage vs. Shawn Michaels... These guys take each other to the limit but Savage ends up victorious. Michaels really shows he belongs though.

Mr. Perfect vs. Tito Santana... Back and forth contest that Perfect ends up winning.

Razor Ramon vs. Marty Jannetty... Not a squash but Ramon keeps the advantage most of the match. Razor ends up hitting the Razor's edge and moves on while earning himself a shot at Jannetty's Intercontinental Title.

Bam Bam Bigelow vs. Jim Duggan.... An all out brawl. Duggan looks very strong at first but Bam Bam ends up destroying him after he's upset about the crowd enjoying Duggan more than him.

Yokozuna vs. Bob Backlund... Backlund does what he can but ultimately gets hit with the Bonzai Drop and pinned.

Undertaker vs. Giant Gonzalez... Taker gets destroyed but wins by DQ when Gonzalez won't stop.

All this while Bret Hart and Hulk Hogan go back and forth with promos about each other (and Lawler and Savage in the background for each.)

The Steiner Brothers feud with Money Inc. over the belts.

The Natural Disasters feud with The Headshrinkers over the #1 Contendership

The King Of The Ring PPV looks like this:

Quarter-Final Match- Jerry Lawler gets a buy and opens up with a promo about how he beat Bret's brother so bad all of the quarter-finalists are too scared to face him.

Quarter-Final Match- Randy Savage vs. Mr. Perfect... very hard fought match that has Randy Savage pick up the win with 30 seconds left in the time limit.

Quarter-Final Match- Razor Ramon vs. Bam Bam Bigelow... Tag Team partners at the last PPV collide. Bam Bam was starting to turn heel last match as he dominated the more popular Duggan... He continued his heel turn here with heel tactics, but couldn't dominate Razor who is just as good as he is. They both brawled to the time limit. After the match Razor shakes Bam Bam's hand. And as he's getting out of the ring Bam Bam attacks, finishing his heel turn, and turning Razor face.

Quarter-Final Match- Yokozuna vs. Undertaker.... Yokozuna dominates, but loses by DQ after Giant Gonzalez interferes. They both destroy Taker after the match.

#1 Contender For Tag Team Title Match... The Headshrinkers vs. The Natural Disasters... The Headshrinkers win an all out war.

Semi-Final Match- Jerry Lawler vs. Randy Savage... The 2 finalists from the Royal Rumble Match meet again... Savage is hurt after the first match and Lawler targets the pain. It doesn't stop Savage though, and these guys have a classic. Time is winding down, and Lawler hits the Piledriver for the win. He hits another after the match for good measure.

Semi-Final Match- Undertaker moves on by default and he's gonna need all the rest he can get after the beating he took earlier.

WWF World Tag Team Title Match- The Steiner Brothers (C) vs. Money Inc. (I.R.S. & Ted DiBiase).... Good match and Money Inc jobs

KOTR Final Match- Jerry Lawler vs. The Undertaker.... Before Takers music hits Lawler claims Taker is too hurt to compete and to just call him the winner. As soon as the bell tolls and the lights go out Lawler runs out of the ring under the announce table to sell how scary Taker is. As Taker is getting into the ring (selling the beating he took) Lawler sneak attacks him. He beats him for awhile and hits a piledriver. 1, 2, kick out, famous taker sit up, Lawler scampers away as Taker gets up and slowly follows him. Eventually Taker starts to come back, but Lawler hits up him with a low blow, and another piledriver. 1, 2, kick out again. He sits up, slower. Lawler is still in disbelief and fear. Taker, grabs him by the throat, but Lawler has brass knucks and punches Taker in the face, kick to the nuts, piledriver, picks him up, piledriver, looks at him, looks at the crowd, does the throat slit sig that taker is famous for, picks him up, and hits him with a 3rd pile driver in a row and wins. It puts him over as an unstoppable monster willing to stoop to anything to do what he needs to do to win while it puts Taker over as being able to endure ridiculous amounts of pain and just keep coming back.

WWF Title Match- Bret Hart (C) vs. Hulk Hogan... Winner faces KOTR winner Jerry Lawler at SummerSlam.... I think you have to have Bret win since Hogan is leaving. I'd have Lawler sneak attack Bret after the match with Owen trying to come make the save only to get beat down as well. Lawler tells him to thank his brother for that beating too.

Will do the road to summerslam and summerslam some other time.

[mike adamle]

So the week after KOTR I'd have Razor Ramon come out and talk about Bam Bam Bigelow, but talk about the business he has to take care of first, he then beats Marty Jannetty for the Intercontinental Title.

Bret Hart was going to celebrate the biggest win of his life against Hulk Hogan, but Lawler ruined it. Lawler comes out, berates The Hart family, and gets Owen arguing with Bret again. The feud gets very personal the next few weeks.

In the meantime Owen continues to look great as a wrestler, but only picks up wins on enhancement talent.

The Steiners and Headshrinkers trade the tag belts back and forth and are gonna have a 2 out of 3 falls match at SummerSlam.

Taker continues to get beaten by Gonzalez but has freaked out Yokozuna, but Yoko also won't back down from him either.

SummerSlam looks like this:

Owen Hart vs. Bob Backlund opens the show... Backlund has been on a losing streak... Owen wins, Bret comes to celebrate Owen's first big win with him.

Tatanka vs. Doink The Clown.... The Indian slays the evil clown in a short match.

Tag Team Match- The Smoking Gunns (Bart Gunn & Billy Gunn) vs. Money Inc. (I.R.S. & Ted DiBiase.... good match to see what the Smoking Gunns are made of. I'd have them go over there.

Ludvig Borga vs. Marty Jannetty... Borga squashes Jannetty

Mr. Perfect vs. Shawn Michaels... Michaels really hangs with Perfect and almost pulls off the upset but in the end Perfect knows too many tricks and pulls off the victory. Michaels earns his respect.

WWF Intercontinental Title Match- Razor Ramon (C) vs. Bam Bam Bigelow... Vicious match. Bam Bam makes Razor bleed, but in the end takes the Razor's Edge and Razor retains.

Rest In Peace Match- Undertaker vs. Giant Gonzalez.... What happened in real life I'd have happen here... Just add in Yokozuna w/ Gonzalez but getting freaked out and leaving Gonzalez high and dry.

Lex Luger vs. Randy Savage... Competitive at first, but Luger gets a cheap elbow in and dominates. Ends up getting the win after 3 elbows to the face knock Savage out cold. He has to be stretchered out.

WWF World Tag Team Title 2 Out Of 3 Falls Match- The Steiner Brothers (Rick Steiner & Scott Steiner) (C) vs. The Headshrinkers (Fatu & Samu)... chaotic. Goes 3 Falls with the Headshrinkers picking up the final W of the feud.

WWF Title Match- Grudge Match- Bret Hart (C) vs. Jerry Lawler... Before the match Lawler asks Owen what Bret was doing earlier coming down and hogging the spotlight, that was Owen's time not Bret's!... Anyways this is a vicious match. Both men beat the hell out of each other. Both bleed. This would be about 18-22 minutes at most, but it'd be a much faster pace then the first match they have, which was more about physical competition. In the end Bret counters a piledriver attempt into a jackknife cradle and pins him 1-2-3 for the win. Lawler is shocked and embarrassed. He clips Bret's knee as he gets up to get the title. He beats the hell out of him. This time Owen comes down and does make the save. Bret tries to thank him but Owen shoves him down too and walks off. Bret looks at him confused to end the show.

Road to Survivor Series later.

[mike adamle]

Now the road to Survivor Series will have an 8 tag team tournament that will end the week after Survivor Series to crown #1 contenders to the Headshrinkers for the tag straps.

In that you of course have The Steiners (Rick Steiner & Scott Steiner) vs. Jerry Lawler & Bam Bam Bigelow... Very hard fought match but The Steiners end up getting the victory by pinning Bam Bam. After the match Bam Bam attacks them both viciously, Lawler joins in the attack.

Bret Hart & Owen Hart vs. The Quebeccers (Jacques & Pierre)... Bret asks Owen what his problem is and Owen tells him he doesn't want Bret stealing the spotlight from him anymore. Bret says that's never been the case, he's always been proud of his brother, and wants to share the spotlight with him. He offers to team with him in the tag team tournament. Owen happily accepts.... The match is very back and forth. Owen ends up getting the win while holding one of The Quebeccers tights, unbeknownst to Bret.

The Smoking Gunns (Bart Gunn & Billy Gunn) vs. Money Inc (I.R.S. & Ted DiBiase)... DiBiase demanded a rematch from SummerSlam to prove it was a fluke... The Gunns end up winning once again.

Diesel & Shawn Michaels vs. Marty Jannetty & The 1-2-3 Kid... This would probably be the best match of the first round. Michaels & Jannetty would go at it for a while and be personal. He'd also have a very competitive showing with Kid. Everytime Diesel is in he cleans house, and ends up getting the pin with the Jack Knife.

Meanwhile Razor Ramon defends his IC title successfully against Mr. Perfect and Randy Savage.

In the semis of the tag tournament The Steiner Brothers end up beating Bret Hart & Owen Hart after Owen makes a mistake and The Steiners take advantage... After the match Owen shoves Bret again.

In the other Semi-Final Match- Diesel & Shawn Michaels end up beating the Smoking Gunns after a valiant effort from both Gunns to beat Michaels, but Diesel once again being too much of a dominant force.

Yokozuna and Undertaker would continue their feud with many mindgames.

Ludvig Borga would continue his winning streak.

As Tatanka.

Lex Luger would be kept strong. He'd be starting a feud with Mr. Perfect.

Lawler would continue to antagonize Bret Hart and challenge him to find 4 partners to take on his 5 partners at Survivor Series. Lawler would reveal his partners as Diesel, Shawn Michaels, Yokozuna, & Bam Bam Bigelow. The next few weeks would lead to Bret finding partners. His first one was his friend Randy Savage. The 2nd, current Intercontinental Champion, a belt he held proudly, Razor Ramon. The 3rd partner, a man who can take on Yokozuna, The Undertaker. And after a lot of persuasion, the 4th partner, his brother Owen.

So Survivor Series ends up looking like this...

The opener would be The Smoking Gunns (Bart Gunn, & Billy Gunn,) & The Bushwackers (Butch & Luke) vs. Money Inc. (I.R.S., & Ted DiBiase,) & Men On A Mission (Heels) (Mabel, & Moe)... Would probably get the crowd into it. Would have the Smoking Gunns continue their rivalry with Money Inc. Would have members from both heel teams eliminate both Bushwackers to make it 4-2 early.

I'd have Billy Gunn eliminate Moe and Bart Gunn eliminate I.R.S.

Then Mabel would take over and destroy them both.

Survivors: Mabel & Ted DiBiase

The 2nd Match would be 8 Man Tag Elimination Match- Mr. Perfect, Marty Jannetty, Bob Backlund, & Jim Duggan (If he's still around, if not use Virgil) vs. Lex Luger, Doink The Clown, Crush, & Adam Bomb.... The heel team would stay dominant and eliminate Jannetty and Backlund (Or Virgil if it's not Duggan) first in quick work.

4-2 Mr. Perfect comes in and cleans house and eliminates Evil Doink

3-2 He tags in Duggan... who gets beat down by Crush & Adam Bomb and is eventually eliminated.

3-1 Bomb & Crush beat down Perfect, Luger tags in and tries to pin him but he won't stay down. Perfect keeps getting up until he pisses off luger enough to get his killer instinct and really beat the shit out of Perfect and get the pin.

Survivors: Adam Bomb, Crush, & Lex Luger

There would be a 8 man tag elimination match with The Steiners (Rick Steiner & Scott Steiner,) Tatanka, The 1-2-3 Kid vs. The Headshrinkers (Fatu, & Samu,) Ludvig Borga, Rick Martel.... The faces would actually have the first laugh as Rick Steiner would eliminate Rick Martel.

4-3 Ludvig Borga would then come in though and make quick work of Rick Steiner and show why he's still undefeated.

3-3 1-2-3 Kid comes in next and gets his ass whipped. He toys with the Kid though and the Kid ends up coming back and getting a surprise pin on Borga, ending his streak as WWF knows he's leaving soon.

3-2 The Kid continues to get pounded on by everyone but he tags out to Scott Steiner who cleans house and dominates for awhile. He ends up tagging in Tatanka who has similar luck, and then he tags in the kid, and the tables turn. The kid isn't able to get another flash pin and gets pinned by Fatu.

2-2 Steiner comes in like a house of fire but accidentally lets Fatu tag out. Steiner refuses to do the same and overcomes exhaustion to pin Samu

2-1 Fatu is alone by Steiner is tired. They still trade blows for quite a while. Steiner refuses to leave the ring and wants to beat the Headshrinkers himself. His pride gets the best of him, and he's beaten by Fatu.

1-1 Fatu is tired by this point though. and gets beaten after a good showing by Tatanka

Survivor: Tatanka

The main event is a ten man elimination tag between Jerry Lawler, Bam Bam Bigelow, Yokozuna, Shawn Michaels, & Diesel vs. Bret Hart, Owen Hart, The Undertaker, Randy Savage, & Razor Ramon. This match would signal a change in quite a lot of things in the WWF. The first two men to square off would be Bret Hart and Diesel. Diesel would once again dominate. I'd have him Jack knife Bret and pin him before he can even tag out to shock everyone. Everyone's faces on both teams would sell the surprise as Diesel would smile with an "I knew what you people didn't" look on his face.

Randy Savage would be the one to come on... only to receive the same fate. Jack knife, 1-2-3.

It's now 5 on 3. Diesel stays in the ring... until The Undertaker comes in and Yokozuna blind tags himself in. A lot of back and forth here until Diesel blind tags himself back in, annoying Yoko, but Diesel takes advantage of the situation and beats the piss out of Taker, gives him the jackknife, and is about to pin him until Yoko tags himself back in. Yoko drags taker to the turnbuckle where his team is, and delivers a bonzai drop. Before he can pin him, Lawler tags in and enters the match for the first time and picks up Taker and gives him a piledriver for good measure, and pins him just like at King Of The Ring.

Now 5-2, Owen Hart quickly jumps in the ring and attacks Lawler. He takes the advantage for a very long time until a rookie move lets Lawler tag Michaels in. Owen doesn't let up though, and ends up locking Shawn in the sharpshooter for the submission. Owen has one of his biggest victories ever in the main event of a match his brother has already been eliminated from. He's elated and everyone is in shock once again.

4-2. Lawler comes in and attacks Owen while he's celebrating. Everyone from the heel side ends up taking turns on Owen for a while while he plays the sympathy card. He ends up breaking free and tagging in Razor who cleans house. After awhile he ends up giving The Razor's Edge to Bam Bam Bigelow for the 3 count. But of course, in similar fashion to the last few weeks, once Bam Bam loses he gives the winner a beating. Cementing himself as one of the most dangerous men in WWF.

3-2 Razor is hurt. Lawler of course smells blood and comes in to take the advantage. Razor ends up getting Lawler in a bad position, but not before he can tag out to Yokozuna. Yoko destroys Razor and gets him in position for the Bonzai drop, but once he's on the rope Owen gives him an enziguiri, knocking him off the ropes, and Razor rolls up the big man.

2-2 Owen tags in before anymore damage can be done to Razor. But Diesel also tags in and gives Owen a huge boot to the face before pulling him in for the jackknife.

2-1 Razor has to come in and he also gets destroyed by Diesel since he hasn't caught his stamina back yet. Lawler blind tags himself in before Diesel can take care of business, but almost loses the match a few times before he can tag back out. This time it's quite a bit more competitive between Razor and Diesel. Razor actually almost pins him a few times, but after Lawler uses shady tactics, Diesel gets Razor up for the jackknife, and pins him.

Survivors: Jerry Lawler & Diesel.

Diesel walks to the back after a standing ovation by the crowd. Owen is still recooperating at ringside... so Lawler brings him back in the ring and beats the shit out of him. Lawler grabs a mic as he's beating him and calls him stupid for every listening to his brother. Stu Hart (who was in the front row at the 1993 survivor series) comes in to stop him. Lawler acts like he's gonna stop, then kicks the old man in the gut. He gets him in position for a piledriver and calls Bret out. Bret runs out to stop it but Lawler tells him to stop right there or the old man gets it. They both know what Lawler wants, another shot at the WWF Title, and he wants it on the biggest Raw show ever on the week of Christmas. Bret accepts and tells him to let his old man go. Lawler laughs and says "you idiot, now I have what I want, why would I let him go?" and piledrives him in front of Bret (and Owen) and sneaks away before anyone can do anything to him. Survivor Series ends with everyone in disgust and major concern for Stu Hart.

I'll do my road to that special Christmas Raw to end the year of 1993 tomorrow.

[Anybody Thrilla]

Bomb Bomb Bigelow

[DaveWadding]

WWE Title

1. Extend Flair's contract.
2. Have Flair vs. Hart at the Rumble in a title rematch. Flair wins the belt back.
3. Have Hogan win the Rumble
4. Hogan vs. Flair at Mania, Hogan wins.
5. Rematch at KOTR, Flair wins
6. Summerslam Flair vs. an "injured" Bret (see below), Bret wins.
7. then you move Shawn up with Bret for Survivor Series.


IC Title:
1. After the Rumble, you go with Michaels vs. Hart. Have them wrestle at WM 9 in a classic, Bret wins just because I need to further the story.
2. At KotR, they're having their rematch when Diesel comes out and he helps Shawn win. After the match, they both destroy Bret and leave him lying with a shattered ankle or something.
3. Bret calls up his friend Razor Ramon to bring the belt back to the Good Guys.
4. Razor wins the belt off Shawn at Summerslam
5. Razor feuds with Diesel over the IC belt until Survivor Series.

[mike adamle]

And for the grand finale I'd have Raw book a special Christmas edition of Raw called "A very Raw Christmas: Season's Beatings" Or something corny like that. It would be a Two hour live special, or if you couldn't do that, then just two consecutive special Raw's.

But before that the week after Survivor Series you have the conclusion of the #1 Contender Tag Team Tournament... The final match is between The Steiners (Rick Steiner & Scott Steiner) vs. Diesel & Shawn Michaels.... I think you have this match take up an entire episode. You have Shawn show his stamina by taking a beating and just coming back each time. In the first half you have Diesel dominating the duo, but as time goes on The brothers and regular team begin to wear down the big man. It looks like they're gonna have the match won when The Headshrinkers come out, distract The Steiners, allowing Diesel to take over. Jackknife on Samu. 1-2-3.

The Tag Team Title match is seat for two weeks from then. The Headshrinkers defend against Diesel & Shawn Michaels.

In the meantime you could set up promos about Bret trying to get his hands on Lawler before the big title match. Lawler could have legal documents stating if Bret gets his hands on him before it that he will lose the title. Owen and Bret would make up while Lawler continually tries to put ideas in Owen's head.

Tatanka continues to win.

In the tag team title match The Headshrinkers & Diesel and Shawn Michaels take up the entire episode once again. Fatu looks especially good for his team, not taking anything away from Samu, but Fatu stands toe to toe with Diesel and looks good. In the end it looks like The Headshrinkers are going to retain, when the Steiners, livid from the tournament final, distract The Headshrinkers, allowing the Shawn Michaels to take advantage this time and get the win and the Tag Titles.

After the match Fatu challenges The Steiners to settle this at the Raw Special in a Steel Cage Match. They accept.

In the next weeks Razor Ramon comes out (recovered from the beating he took at Survivor Series) and cuts promos on Bam Bam Bigelow, demanding he come out and take the beating he deserves. Bam Bam only agrees to do it if Razor will put the IC title on the line at the Raw Special. Razor gladly accepts.

The Smoking Gunns would win a match against Money Inc. which would make them #1 Contenders to Diesel & Shawn Michaels at the Raw special.

Undertaker and Yokozuna would continue their mind games. Undertaker would also challenge the winner of Jerry Lawler & Bret Hart to a WWF Title match at the Royal Rumble.

Lex Luger would continue to be heel and attack Mr. Perfect backstage multiple times.

Ludvig Borga would challenge 1-2-3 Kid one more time to avenge his defeat at Survivor Series, but The kid would win again, proving he can win the big one, and sending Ludvig out of WWF.

The Raw Special looks like this:

If it's a two week thing I'd add Tatanka vs. Randy Savage where Tatanka could get a huge win over a legend and stay undefeated. If not you can do it the first Raw of 1994 to do something special there.

Lex Luger vs. Mr. Perfect.... Mr. Perfect is leaving soon and I think Lex Luger injuring him and sending him out of WWF is a perfect way to make Luger a dangerous heel.

WWF World Tag Team Title Match- Diesel & Shawn Michaels (C) vs. The Smoking Gunns (Billy Gunn & Bart Gunn).... Billy & Bart really show they are the better tag team, but Shawn proves he's a better wrestler and Diesel proves he's more dominant and end up retaining the belts.

Undertaker vs. Yokozuna.... I'd have this be very back and forth, Jerry Lawler would end up coming down and helping Yokozuna win the match. They'd beat down Undertaker after the match.

Intercontinental Title Match: Razor Ramon (C) vs. Bam Bam Bigelow.... This is just a brawl. The ref is lax with the rules and let's them brawl outside a bit, which would be very unusual at the time. In the end, Razor looks like he's gonna win, Jerry Lawler comes down, pulls the ref out. Razor goes outside to bitch. This allows Bam Bam to grab brass knucks. He hits Razor, he's out. Ref comes back in. 1-2-3. New champion. After the match Bam Bam continues to attack and injure Razor.

Tag Team Steel Cage Match: Win by pin or submission only: The Steiners vs. The Headshrinkers... Brutal match. The Steiners end up winning clean. The Headshrinkers are outraged and after the match say they aren't done. They're challenging The Steiner's to one final Match at The Royal Rumble. Loser leaves WWF. The Steiners accept.

WWF Title Match: Bret Hart w/ Owen Hart vs. Jerry Lawler w/ Bam Bam Bigelow... Bret sees Lawler bring Bam Bam and calls for Owen to back him up which he does. Before the match starts the cameras go to the back to show Randy Savage laid out in the back. The camera goes back and Bret and Jerry get quite a bit of time and have a heated classic. Eventually Bret has Lawler locked in the middle of the ring in the sharpshooter. He's close to tapping, but Bam Bam hops up on the apron. Owen does the same and the ref goes to him to get down. Bam Bam tries to attack but Bret stops him. But Shawn Michaels comes down and tries to attack, only to receive a few punches and he goes down. But Diesel is not far behind, and the numbers game has added up. An injured Undertaker comes down, it looks like the odds might be evened up, but Yokozuna has come down and both of them end up getting a Bonzai, and then everyone elses finishers, while Owen screams in outrage as the ref tries to get him off the apron. Eventually he gets down, Lawler hits Bret with another piledriver for assurance, and gets the 1-2-3. New WWF Champion: Jerry Lawler. Owen gets in the ring and looks pissed.... then looks down at Bret... and applies the sharpshooter.... You can hear Owen telling Lawler, "What a great plan Jerry, I've gotta listen to you more often." The last image of Raw in 1993 is Lawler, Shawn Michaels, Diesel, & Bam Bam Bigelow holding up their gold while Owen Hart has Bret Hart locked in the sharpshooter and Yokozuna sits on Undertaker's chest. A new dominant heel stable is born.

This sets up a Bret Hart-Owen Hart feud for next year, which happens.
This sets up Jerry Lawler-Undertaker for the Rumble, which I'd have Taker win.
This sets up Bam Bam Bigelow for a dominating heel run as IC champ.
This sets up Razor Ramon for a huge face return. I'd have him be the last one eliminated in the Royal Rumble by
Yokozuna. Razor would face Lawler at WM while Yokozuna would win the Royal Rumble and challenge Undertaker at WrestleMania. They can have their casket match there.
Diesel & Shawn would hold their titles until WrestleMania where Shawn would get pinned by
Fatu of the Headshrinkers who looks very dominant in the year 1994, Samu gets shots as well.
Tatanka stays undefeated before losing to Lex Luger at WrestleMania
The Smoking Gunns & Men On A Mission would feud for who would take on the winner of the WrestleMania tag title match.
And either have Randy Savage put over Crush, Adam Bomb, or Jeff Jarrett, whichever you want to push. Maybe all of them, and then have The 1-2-3 Kid be the last one he gets a victory over before he leaves for WCW or the announce table or whatever.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Originally Posted by DaveWadding WWE Title 1. Extend Flair's contract. 2. Have Flair vs. Hart at the Rumble in a title rematch. Flair wins the belt back. 3. Have Hogan win the Rumble 4. Hogan vs. Flair at Mania, Hogan wins. 5. Rematch at KOTR, Flair wins 6. Summerslam Flair vs. an "injured" Bret (see below), Bret wins. 7. then you move Shawn up with Bret for Survivor Series. IC Title: 1. After the Rumble, you go with Michaels vs. Hart. Have them wrestle at WM 9 in a classic, Bret wins just because I need to further the story. 2. At KotR, they're having their rematch when Diesel comes out and he helps Shawn win. After the match, they both destroy Bret and leave him lying with a shattered ankle or something. 3. Bret calls up his friend Razor Ramon to bring the belt back to the Good Guys. 4. Razor wins the belt off Shawn at Summerslam 5. Razor feuds with Diesel over the IC belt until Survivor Series.

I actually really like that.

The podcast is up and the SCG gang went with Bret vs. Savage, which didn't even cross my mind for some reason. I think I had tunnel-vision with Vince not wanting him in a prominent spot that I couldn't push him that high. But what I like about that scenario is that it gives people that main event that could have drawn big but they got scared off from doing. Bret's not ruined, and he actually gets to move up the card in time with a lot more build. This leaves Savage and Perfect around with not much to do, but they could even work with each other, or put over some of your bigger heels that are floating around. I'd even be fine with Taker vs. Savage.

[DaveWadding]

Or you could take what they were doing with Luger at the time (all the stuff about his loaded forearm) and put him up against Taker.

Can the loaded forearm put down the Deadman?

I felt like the Savage / Yoko thing they built up at the Rumble had unexplored potential and would be a good rub for Yoko.

And maybe you put Perfect with Owen to have good matches and build Owen as a rising face.

[Mr. Nerfect]

If you put Luger against Taker, I'd like to see Luger win. And I'd be fine with that, because I hate the streak.

Savage vs. Yoko is doable in the sense that Vince wanted to put over Yoko, and Savage was in a spot where Vince didn't trust him anymore. It'd be a good chance for Savage to prove he still has it, and you'll have no problem on getting the clearance for putting Yoko over. My suggestion of having Yoko pin Hogan would be overruled by someone, surely.

[hb2k]

I want to thank everybody for the contributions, we got to read many of them on the show, which is now available at the following link:

http://squaredcirclegazette.podbean....WF_in_1993.mp3

Join us as we Rebook the WWF in 1993! Talking all the problems facing the company at a time of decline, we debate the best way to use Hulk Hogan, decide whether to go with Bret Hart or run with somebody else as the company leader, and book all the major shows leading to WrestleMania X in 1994! And as always, we take your comments and opinions on what you felt should have been done to steady the ship. So with roster depth a major issue and an industry-wide decline going on, is it possible to make things better? Does the Lex Express ride again? Listen in and let us know what you think!