Episode 33: The WWF In 1993 – Setting the Stage!

The Grenade Returns! After some downtime due to the nasty Coronavirus, the guys from the Grenade return to take on a whole new year and promotions as they analyze and dissect the entire year of 1993 in the WWF! 

Yes, we’re going to talk 1993 in the WWF, for better or worse. From the Narcissist to the Lex Express. From Double Doinks to the Giant Gonzalez. From Togas to “Terrific” Terry Taylor. From Bartlett to Booger. From the debut of Monday Night Raw, to the return of… Hulkamania.

BUT, before we get there, it’s time to SET THE STAGE for 1993… In this episode of the Grenade, we thoroughly dissect all of the fallout of 1992 leading into the new year. We talk about the recent company firings and falling business that led to drastic changes within the company including all-new TV programming and new Champions across the board.

We dissect the entire WWF roster leading into 1993… Who’s coming, who’s going? It becomes downright scary when we categorize the current main eventers, the upper card, and mid-card of the time. Up until this point the WWF had never been so depleted on talent, tag teams, storylines, and established stars in their positions on the card.

We also peek into January of 1993 as we analyze the House Show marriages for the month, the current feuds, wrestler injuries leading into the Royal Rumble, and the January Tryouts of stars like the future Public Enemy and ‘Goon” Bill Irwin.

If that wasn’t enough, we also tell the tale of the Tatanka/Maxx Moon (Paul Diamond) affair and fiasco that ultimately led to Diamond’s WWF release. Then brief rehire… and release again.

 

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Listen at your leisure and pick back up later if need be! Timestamps below for easy navigation.

 

SETTING THE STAGE FOR THE WWF IN 1993 (00:03:54)
We briefly lay out our plans for the program and talk about the fallout of 1992 and what’s to come in 1993!

 

New Champions are crowned across the board in the fall of 1992 as a true “Changing of the Guard” takes place We talk Bret Hart’s ascension to main event status, the elevation in the career of Shawn Michaels, Tito Santana’s claims of being considered for the WWF Title instead of Bret, Money Inc regaining the tag straps with next to no one left to work in the tag division, and more!

 

We deep dive into the entire WWF roster as we close out 92 and head into 1993. We analyze and dissect each tier of the roster from the Main Event scene, the upper-mid card, what constituted as a mid-card in this timeframe (it’s scary), and even the lower-level talent under contract at this time. Furthermore, we talk about the silly reason the Big Boss Man gave notice to the WWF, the downfall of the Tag Team and Manager division, the many unestablished stars being groomed for the Main Event, and so much more!

 

So many names have just left the company or will be on their way out following the Royal Rumble PPV in January. We discuss the loss of talent like Earthquake, the Big Boss Man, “Model” Rick Martel, the Genius, the Berzerker, the Mountie, and others… We talk Sgt. Slaughter being moved from the ring into an “official” role, the fallout of the Nailz/Vince McMahon encounter and what it meant for the future plans of the Undertaker, and the Ultimate Warrior firing and how he “ultimately” got the British Bulldog fired along with him. We talk all about the ramifications of the Bulldog & Warrior’s releases and how it affected the entire roster and booking plans. With Warrior & Bulldog gone we look at the implosion of the Mega Maniacs team, the in-ring return and babyface turn of Mr. Perfect, the rushed/force move up the card for several individual stars who may not have been ready or reached that “next level”. We fantasy book what the Rumble PPV may have looked like had the Warrior not been fired, including the rumored WWF title match between Bret Hart vs. the Warrior in which it was said the Warrior would play the heel and become Champion. It’s interesting what could have been!

 

We share the story of Paul Diamond (Maxx Moon) being fired after having an affair with Tatanka’s wife. We also discuss Diamond’s firing for the affair and almost immediate return to the company to fill in for an already depleted roster. 

 

With only THREE feuds going into 1993, we talk the lack of attempts at storylines, angles, and the writing during this period in the company. It becomes very evident that it was time to regroup and rebuild as the roster changes continue.

There’s a major decline in business and ratings by the end of 1992 which leads to new WWF TV programming and new stars. We also have a little fun with the old “There were TWO Ultimate Warriors” rumors that were all the rave back in the time period.

We investigate the matches and “marriages” on the WWF House Show loop for January as we head into the Royal Rumble. As we move into the list of matches it becomes quite obvious (and scary) that almost everyone on the upper mid-card and below were interchangeable as far as booking plans go here to start the year. Was it really just a lack of talent, or lazy booking? We also look at the grooming of Yokozuna as the next big thing as he is fed the likes of the Boss Man, Earthquake, and even the Macho Man himself!

At most of the syndicated TV Tapings, the WWF would feature Dark Matches prior to the televised matches featuring talent trying for a spot with the company. In January tryouts we look at some interesting names including the future Public Enemy, Scott Putski, Wild Bill Irwin, and the original UNDERTAKERS as the newly named “Double Trouble”. Did any of the January tryouts make it to the full-time roster?

 

A quick review of January injuries including Razor Ramon blowing out his knee shortly before his Rumble WWF Title match with the Hitman, Papa Shango separates his shoulder which leads to his brief stay in the Rumble match itself, and the Berzerker also misses some time shortly before his WWF departure.

We close this week’s episode with some quick notes on Lex Luger’s imminent debut for the WWF, the beginning of the USWA/WWF Crossover feud, plus Jerry Jarrett is hired to be groomed to take over in case of the potential incarceration of Vince McMahon. And last, we give insight into what to expect moving forward in regard to our show format here in 1993 of the WWF and all the details of our next FREE PRIZE GIVEAWAY of the Bret Hart Autographed Promo Pic!