In this WWF Monday Night Raw 1/31/94 review, a coin toss determines what’s on tap for Bret Hart and Lex Luger at WrestleMania X, IRS has his briefcase stolen, and much more.
Let’s jump in.
- Show:Â WWF Monday Night Raw
- Date:Â January 31, 1994
- Location: Fernwood Resort in Bushkill, PA
VIDEO: Vince McMahon hypes the COIN FLIP involving Royal Rumble co-winners Bret Hart and Lex Luger.
RINGSIDE: Vince and IRS banter, and IRS takes aim at some folks who aren’t paying their taxes.
Marty Jannetty vs. Johnny Polo
The story here is 1-2-3 Kid is injured, so he joins commentary. Polo basically calls him a coward, and Jannetty responds by using the microphone to tie his feet. Vince’s cackles like only Vince can at that move. A very lengthy TV match at around 15 minutes with Polo in control for most of it, but Jannetty eventually hits the Rocker Dropper to win it.
RINGSIDE: Kid calls IRS a cheat, so IRS hauls off on him. Jannetty makes the save as Kid escaped with IRS’s briefcase. Back from break, and IRS is ringside looking for the thief. IRS leaves angry and Razor Ramon’s music hits as they throw the briefcase back to IRS. After another break, IRS reveals the contents of his briefcase have been stolen.
VIDEO: Replay of Jack Tunney’s decision on the Rumble finish. He reveals the WWF title will be defended twice at WrestleMania X, with the coin toss determining how it unfolds. If Luger wins the coin toss, he’ll face Yokozuna first, and Bret will face Owen before facing the titleholder. If Bret wins the coin toss, he’ll face Yokozuna first, and Luger will face Crush before facing the titleholder.
Bam Bam Bigelow (w/Luna Vachon) vs. Miguel Rosado
IRS challenges Jannetty for next week after all the shenanigans. Something tells me Rosado won’t be challenging anyone after Bam Bam is done with him. Sure enough, I was right as Bam Bam destroys Rosado for the victory.
IN THE RING: Vince with a host of WWF officials, and he grills Tunney on his Rumble co-winner decision. Vince checks the validity of the coin, which is the United States silver dollar. Luger and Bret make their way out and here comes the toss. Luger calls heads and that’s what it is. So it’s Luger vs. Yokozuna for the WWF title, and Bret vs. Owen with Bret getting the winner of the title match. Bret finally gives in to face Owen, and he wishes Luger luck.
VIDEO: A hilarious commercial with a bosomy woman trying to seduce her husband in bed, but the man just wants to watch Raw.
Kwang (w/Harvey Wippleman) vs. Rich MyersÂ
The future Savio Vega had quite a gimmick here. This match is simply a backdrop for Vince bringing in Owen via phone. Owen says he finally gets to prove he’s better than Bret, and he’s gonna hurt him to the point where he can’t participate in the second title match. Kwang hits the superkick for the easy win.
VIDEO: Todd Pettengill with the WrestleMania X report. He hypes the title matches and the special guest referee stipulation for both.
VIDEO: Replay of Paul Bearer’s tribute to The Undertaker on Superstars after Taker’s infamous match with Yokozuna at the Rumble (REVIEW).
Corey Student vs. Earthquake
Quake is back! Vince confirms Jannetty has accepted IRS’s challenge for next week, so that’s set. Earthquake is the teacher in this match, as he beats down the Student for a good while. Earthquake squashes him for the victory.
BACKSTAGE: Razor and Jannetty take a few shots at IRS to hype next week’s match.
RINGSIDE: The fans are taunting IRS as Vince hypes Owen, Sparky Plugg, and more in action on next week’s Raw. As they go off the air, IRS loses it as he sees footage of Kid stealing his briefcase.
BLAKE’S TAKE ON MONDAY NIGHT RAW 1/31/94
Overall Rating: 5.5/10
Thoughts: A solid edition of Raw with plenty of storyline advancement. I liked the show-long thread of building to IRS vs. Jannetty, and speaking of IRS, he was entertaining on commentary. Of course, the coin toss was the most noteworthy happening, with the stage set for the two WWF title matches at WrestleMania X.
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