Review: WWE Raw “The Beginning” Season 2 (1994 – Disc 3 & 4) DVD

Brett Mix’s WWE Raw “The Beginning”: The Best of Season 2 1994 (Two Disc) Review:

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We want Bret, We want Bret, We want Bret! – (WWF Fans on the 1994 Rumble Coin Toss from RAW)

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-In 2010 the WWE released a four disc package highlighting the main moments of seasons one and two of Raw in the years of 1993 and 1994.

-Here we have the second year of the Raw Anthology in 1994.

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?Season 1 LINK-

 

http://www.wrestlingdvdnews.com/review-wwe-raw-best-of-season-1-disc-1-and-2-dvd/8460/

-Is Yokozuna afraid of the casket? -WWF Raw January 17, 1994

 

A good segment here hyping the infamous Yokozuna-Undertaker Casket match to take place at the 94 Rumble.

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-WrestleMania X Coin Flip -WWF Raw January 31, 1994

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Fans clearly wanted Bret chanting for him. Luger wins the coin toss but he would not be so lucky at Wrestlemania X.

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1) Bret Hart vs Bruce Prichard (With Jim Cornette) -WWF Raw February 21, 1994

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The Hitman comes out to a huge pop.

Savage on commentary says he will beat everybody at Wrestlemania as he will be the WWF Champion after beating Yokozuna the following week.

Bruce Prichard tried to chain-wrestle Bret to start.

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Bruce Prichard hit a side headlock on Bret. Bret complains about the hair pulling to Hebner. Hebner must of gotten tired of Bret over the years.

The Hitman came back with a hammerlock into a standing side headlock and off the ropes he dropped Bruce Prichard with a shoulder block. A leapfrog into a drop-toe hold and then a classic switch by Bret into a hammerlock when Bruce Prichard went for a quick front facelock.

Must of learned that in the Dungeon.

Bruce Prichard missed an elbow after a slam but The Hitman goes back to working the arm and kicking at Bruce Prichard.

Bruce Prichard cornered Bret after he stayed on the arm and he gets a couple of good shots in the gut. Lets go bret is chanted but the Hitman headbutts his way out of this proposition. A nice snapmare by the Hitman and he goes back to the bad arm.

Commercial break, and during the commercial Macho Man saved Hart from beind hit by Cornette and his racket.

A neckbreaker by the Hitman and a solid kickout by Bruce Prichard. A nearfall. A back-breaker by Bret and then he goes to the corner for his signature elbow drop that he applies so expertly.

Bret gets thrown back in the ring by Owen and Bret actually goes back to the offense and hits a vertical suplex. Owen cliams he is the best.

The Hitman has the Sharpshooter locked in and is the winner at 7 minutes.

Bret and Owen have a Pre-Mania Staredown. I sometimes wonder if these guys even know the classic they were going to put up before it happened. I wonder that about guys like Savage and Steamboat, Flair and Steamboat, Bret and Austin, most Benoit matches, etc.

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This match here was good.

Very solid.

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** 1/4

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2) World Tag Team Championship Match The Quebecers (c) vs Razor Ramon & The 1-2-3 Kid -WWF Raw February 21, 1994

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Formerly foes, the Kid and Ramon are on the same team as babyfaces taking on the Champs here on Monday Night Raw.

The 1-2-3 Kid and Razor were both jumped initally by Jacques and Pierre but The 1-2-3 Kid chain-wrestled upon arrival and then Ramon got in and worked over the arm like he does so well.

Razor chants filled the arena.

McMahon hyped the Ramon-Michaels ladder match but no one had any idea how much of classic that would be.

Both Quebecers go to work on Razor as Polo trips him, but Ramon gets back in the match with a double clothesline.

Savage has clearly lost his voice.

Hall goes after Raven, erm, Razor goes after Polo I mean.

Ramon gives Johnny Polo the Razors Edge outside the ring on the floor.

That was truly RAW for back in this time.

This is a solid tag attraction back from the commercial break. Ramon and The 1-2-3 Kid are breaking apart the Quebecers in a big way, methodically in the ring first working on the upper arms, then the legs. Driving a knee into the knee of Jacques. The 1-2-3 Kid kicked him in the groin but the Kid is limping. An Arm-ringer and Ramon tagged in stomped on Jacques.

Diesel then distracted the IC Champion as Mania X is coming up. Pierre from behind knocked Ramon down.

A snapmare takes down Ramon. Both Quebecers isolate Razor in the corner with a choke. The 1-2-3 Kid tries everything in his power to help out.

Another commercial break, they were really bad with this back when Raw started.

Ramon with a roll-up and a nearfall. A double-team effort but Ramon ducks and now The 1-2-3 Kid is tagged in as the Becers ran into one another. Spinning heel kick by the Kid and an irishwhip but the Kid missed his opposition with a dropkick and his bad leg was being isolated by Jacques, and both Quebecers hit The 1-2-3 Kid with a double stun-gun.

Now continious work on the leg on the Kid but a sloppy cover!

The 1-2-3 Kid off the ropes gets hit with a clothesline. Another nearfall from The 1-2-3 Kid but frequent tags by Jacques and Pierre who have picked up the momentum and The 1-2-3 Kid finds a way to kick out with being so resilient.

Ramon comes in with a ton of momentum and a double noggen knocker. Razor scoops up Pierre with a side superplex off the top to the canvas hard. Ramon was already IC Champ and now they were going for tag gold.

Ramon had him in the air and then the Razors Edge was hit but HBK got there JUST in time. He might of been a little late. A DQ ends the match at a tv time of 17 minutes.

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Not the best finish but it was understandable to build to Mania and keep everyone looking strong.

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One of the best matches in the early history of Raw!

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*** 3/4

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-Shawn Michaels Locker Room Interview -WWF Raw February 28, 1994

The Self-Proclaimed IC Champion Shawn Michaels was with Diesel backstage as a WWF interviewer tried to get a word with a cocky, arrogant Michaels wearing his IC title and doing his hair in the mirror.

Michaels cuts a good heel promo here hyping the Ladder match from WM X.

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3) WWF Championship Match -WWF Raw Yokozuna vs. “Macho Man” Randy Savage -WWF Raw February 28, 1994

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Way back when these two were the final two competitors in the ring at the 1993 Royal Rumble Match, so they had a bit of history together.

Yoko had been Champion since June of 93 and by this point was pretty unstoppable. He was bound to lose the title to the Hitman the next month, while Savage would be having a great farewell Mania match with Crush, a guy he was feuding with at the time. (The Late Bryan Adams)
And the late Yokozuna here was defending the title against Savage who was in his final year with the Federation. It feels strange watching him during this “New Generation” era but that’s not where the company was heading at the time, it benefited both Savage and the WWF when he left. Infact this is the last Savage match in the WWF on the DVD.

But here we are on Monday Night Raw, it was Yoko and Randy one on one.
The WWF Champion Yokozuna nailed Savage right away, this was what his gameplan needed to be if he wanted to be successful. Yoko stomped away at Macho Man and then he looked on at the crowd who was chanting USA. Macho Man binded by Yokozuna and he raked the back of Macho Man. Yokozuna went for a right but Macho blocked a shot and hammered back at Yoko, but he dropped a double axehandle. Yoko then swung Savage backwards using the top rope for leverage.
Yokozuna used all his weight with Macho on the canvas choking him out.

It’s clear by this point that the match will revolve around Yoko wearing Savage down.
Macho Man fights back which made it more interesting. Yokozuna still in control though and scoop slams the Macho Man. Yokozuna coming off the rope missed a big splash and Savage then drove a high knee to Yoko’s back and he got tossed to the outside. Macho Man then knocked Fuji off the apron. Savage then dropped a double axehandle from the top to Yokozuna, proving he was still fast enough to go. Macho Man then attempted to get Yoko back in the ring because you can not win the title by countout obviously.
Back from a commercial break Savage attempted to lift Yokozuna once again but he wouldn’t budge. Savage went after Cornette as he struck Savage but from behind Yokozuna hit Macho Man up high grounding him. Cornette and Fuji look on proud, as there strategic plan to get Macho Man off his game worked.
Yoko grabbed Savage and sent him into the steel post. Yokozuna then rammed his hands up high on Savage. Yokozuna tossed Macho in the ring as if he weighed nothing. Yokozuna slowly got back into the ring while the crowd chanted for Randy. Yokozuna in the ring pounding at Macho while Fuji waved the Japanese Flag. Savage got back to his feet and the slugfest continued and Savage hit hard righthands to Yoko fighting back. Yoko was dazed and Randy Savage dropped the double axehandle. Savage again hits a crossbody from up top in attempt to win his third WWF title but Yoko just kicked out. Vince sounds orgasmic here at the Macho Man attempting to win the title, which is kind of ironic now.
Savage with a roll-up and almost got a three again. Yoko then tried to weardown The Macho Man some more dropping both fists on Savage. Yokozuna then lifted a leg from Macho and dropped his head into the groin of Savage. Macho in the corner having dealt with a ton of pain was sitting in the corner while Yokozuna choked out Savagr using his boot. Yokozuna squashing Macho Man in the corner using desperate tactics and he was getting fatigued. Yokozuna irishwhipped Savage hard to the corner and came at Savage with a big splash into the corner.
Yokozuna then lifted his arms for great heel heat. Macho out of gas in the corner, Yokozuna in complete control lifted the ankles of Savage and dragged him to the center of the ring. Yokozuna then went to the corner and talked to Fuji who had some instruction. Yokozuna went for a big legdrop and Savage avoided it by instinct buying himself some time. Cornette distracts the ref and Yoko grabbed a bucked from Fuji, and Savage blocked the show. Macho Man kicked away at the mid-section of Yokozuna and he kicked him in the gut and threw the bucket away. Both men layed down on the canvas. Both men down and Marella started to count, the crowd chanted for the Macho Man.
Savage slowly got up and he got just a two count. Cornette had a panic attack on the ring apron, Macho knocked him off. Savage went up high with a flying elbow drop and he hit it. Savage went for the three but Crush came in and attacked Savage to further there underrated feud for WM X.
Savage wins by DQ at 10:44.
This match surprised me. I felt it would be boring as all hell but Savage worked better with Yokozuna here then almost anyone I’ve seen, including Bret Hart.

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***

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-“Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase buys front row seats -WWF Raw March 28, 1994

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Everybody has got a price for the Million $$$ Man. He does what the title says he does and it is followed by his evil laugh.

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4) Lex Luger vs Rick “The Model” Martel -WWF Raw March 28, 1994

This is post Mania where Luger was screwed by Mr. Perfect.

I believe this is the following night. Luger still mad at how events went down and he is taking out all his aggression on Martel. Rick Martel falls to the outside.

McMahon and Cornette on commentary.

DiBiase bought front row seats to this very episode of Raw. Cornette says Wrestlemania 11 could sell out in under a minute. He must not of known the card. Cornette is a brilliant wrestling mind so I will give him the benefit of the doubt.

Luger off the ropes hits Rick Martel with a nice hard shoulder block and a sidelock take-over.

A leapfrog by Rick Martel and then Martel goes for a quick and Luger flips him around and an atomic drop followed by a clothesline.

This match is all about Luger and putting him over.

However back from a commercial break it looks like the Model wants to make this a match as he drags Luger by the legs outside the ring. Martel and Luger exchange shots on the outside.

Martel slows the pace and slaps on a reverse chinlock.

USA is chanted.

Luger and Martel go back and forth in a pretty good tv tilt that lasts 12 minutes, Luger wins with the torture rack.

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** 1/2

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5) 10-Man Tag Team Match
IRS, Jeff Jarrett, Rick “The Model” Martel, & The Headshrinkers
vs.Tatanka, The 1-2-3 Kid, Thurman “Sparky” Plugg, & The Smoking Gunns -WWF Raw April 4, 1994

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The match that was supposed to take place at Wrestlemania ten.

Monsoon and McMahon on commentary for this ten man tag.

A wild, wild tag match this is.

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IRS gets the victory at just under five minutes. SO much quality for five minutes but the babyfaces lose on this occasion.

IRS scored the big victory over the Kid.

This would of made Wrestlemania X one of the better Manias if they had time for it.

I can not really see why a 5 minute match could not of been added to the PPV but oh well.

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* 3/4

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-Debut of The Heartbreak Hotel -WWF Raw April 4, 1994

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Ladies screaming loving this. Diesel flexing his muscles, and Shawn in his glory.

Another rip-off of Roddy Piper and his original version. Just another way to get Shawn over and his feud with Ramon.

Pretty entertaining.

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-Jerry “The King” Lawler is dropped on his head -WWF Raw April 11, 1994

Jerry came to the ring and well is dropped…on his head.

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5) Razor Ramon vs Jeff Jarrett -WWF Raw April 25, 1994

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These two would put on some FINE matches the following year at Mania and especially the Rumble. Here we get a basic tv match on Raw from the two.

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Razor Ramon

Well I am looking forward to this one.

Both fine workers here, especially against each other.

Just like the pace thaty would come in 1995, the pacing is excellent here in 1994.

I am not even sure they had chemistry before this match, this could be the original if they did not work houseshows together.

Either way the pace is excellent, especially for television which is usually has to be. TV does not get as much time as PPV.

A great balance of work inside and outside the ring.

Ramon has the crowd in the palm of his hands and in a sleper he elbows out.

Razor goes for a back-body drop but Jarrett slams him to the mat. Razor back from the break gets Double J down and almost has the three.

Both men kick it into high gear according to McMahon. Savage says he is sweating so much he needs a shower. Hmm.

Ramon wanted a Razors Edge but Jarrett slaps on the sleeper.

One regularity they always have is the classic Double J sleeper that puts Ramon barely to sleep but he begins to get out.

Once more Michaels intereferes and now Razor is dishing it out. Razors Edge and Diesel takes Shawn away. Diesel hits Razor and the official stops the match and Double J is DQd at 12 minutes.

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Awesome match before that.

But wow did they build Ramon and Michaels well for a good two years when storylines still had a lot of effort and time.

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*** 1/4

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6) World Tag Team Championship Match
The Quebecers (c) (With Johnny Polo aka Raven) vs The Headshrinkers (With Captain Lou Albano) -WWF Raw May 2, 1994

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Quebecers forced to put the titles on the line ordered by WWF President the late Jack Tunney, I believe that is how you spelled his name.

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HeadShrinker Fatu with a giant headbutt. Almost the quickest tag title match ever says Savage. He also puts over one of the greatest managers ever in Captain Lou Albano who sadly passed on last year.

Quebecers strategy not working so great in the early going.

Quebecers leave the match. And now they chairman said they will lose the belts if they do not return. At the nine count they come back.

Predictable spot for a commerical break.

Both teams tie-up again. HeadShrinker Fatu tags in his partner and more work on the arm. A side suplex by Samu and a nearfall.

Back from another commercial break HeadShrinker Samu delivers headbutts then a double noggen knocker. Samu with a big slam and a back-body drop to Pierre.

Samu is hung in the top ropes by accident.

In a near twenty minute tv match the HeadShrinkers became the tag team champions.

Pyros go off!

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Excellent action, what else can be said.

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*** 1/4

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7) Sumo Match
Yokozuna (With Jim Cornette and Mr. Fuji) vs Earthquake -WWF Raw May 16, 1994

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First person to knock the other one out of the ring.

You may remember Big Show and what is his name from Wrestlemania 21. Ahhh, I chose to forget that match.

Same rules apply here.

Both of them go to the outside. Both men are dead now which is sad.

Yokozuna trying to counter, both men push off with a waistlock.

Earthquake finally pushes Yoko out at four minutes beating Yoko at his own game.

Randy Savage comes in and gives him props. He seemed to do that to every babyface.

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For what it was, great.

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*

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8 ) King of the Ring Qualifying Match:
*Owen Hart vs. Doink the Clown (with Dink) -WWF Raw May 23, 1994

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This match takes place five years TO THE DAY of the tragic death of one Owen Hart.

It is quite sad seeing him here on his way to the King of the Ring with his whole life ahead of him and little did he or anyone else know in just five years what would happen. I still miss you buddy.

He would of course become King.

In my opinion he should of been Champion in 1994 instead of Backlund or Nash.

Owen Hart was supposed to face the late John Tenta (Earthquake) but he was injured.

Doink was a surprise opponent.

Doink the Clown, the babyface against the Rocket and soon to be King of Harts.

Owen Hart attacked the Clown, McMahon on commentary said that Doink may be better at scientific wrestling despite the suit. HUH. Whatever McMahon was smoking I want some. Doink was great in the early days but Owen Hart is one of the best ever and especially technically.

Owen Hart rakes the face, fans chant we want Bret. Doink with a headlock but a side suplex by Owen Hart. Owen with a flying elbow drop. Savage says Owen stole it, hilarious.

Savage and Owen, two of my favourites because of both their wit and natural all-around skill.

Doink slams Owen twice and Savage calls Dink on the outsicde the Dinkster, another funny moment. Doink dropkicked Owen twice to the outside and Dink comes in and smacks hands with Doink.

The Rocket is angry with Dink.

Owen chases Dink around the ring and runs right into a clothesline by Doink. Doink gets back in the ring and Owen Hart is down on the outside.

The official Joey Marella in his final days here, he would die this year. (1994)

I am still amazed at all the wrestling deaths, it is just not fair.

Owen has a camel clutch held on the Clown. Doink comes across the far side and clotheslines Owen down. Doink and Owen begin a slugfest.

Double J out of no where grabbed Dink from behind (Did I just say that) and Doink chases him.

Owen then rolled him up and got the win around the 8 minute mark of a solid tv match.

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** 3/4

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Disc 3 Extras:

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-Duke “The Dumpster” Droese makes his Raw debut -WWF Raw May 23, 1994

So Duke Droese a jobber in his own right battles Barry Horrowitz the ultimate jobber. This just spells excitement.

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-The King’s Court with Bret Hart & Diesel -WWF Raw May 30, 1994

Hyping the upcoming classic Bret and Diesel had at the 1994 King of the Ring.

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-Not-So-Rowdy on The King’s Court -WWF Raw June 6, 1994

Hyping the less then stellar main event between Lawler and Piper at KOTR 94.

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-The King’s Court with Duke “The Dumpster” Droese -WWF Raw June 20, 1994

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Another court segment this time with the trash man.

Excitement Galore.

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-The King’s Court with The King of Harts -WWF Raw June 27, 1994
This one is good. Two of the funniest men I have ever seen and I dont just mean in wrestling in Jerry Lawler and Owen Hart.

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DISC 4 Matches and Segments:

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9) WWF Championship Match Bret Hart (c) vs. The 1-2-3 Kid -WWF Raw July 11, 1994

We’re in for a treat here.

The Hitman was going up against the underdog’s of all underdog’s despite the Kid being on a roll.

Bret’s ability to adapt with anyone was second to none so the contrast here was incredibally compelling.

The crowd were hot for this one.

On commentary, Ross is calling the action with Savage.

The 1-2-3 Kid takes Bret down early and he shake it off. Kid was trained by Malenko’s father Boris while Bret was trained by his own.

Kid in the early going surprised the Hitman with an arm-ringer, a shove down and Bret kicked up. Kid with a chain wrestling switch out of a side headlock into a hammerlock.

Snapmare over but Kid continued to roll Bret on the mat inside a hammerlock frustrating Bret some more. A hard elbow by the Hitman catching Kid on the jaw.

Snapmare over by Bret into a headlock wearing him down.

Bret with a shoulder block. Kid avoided contact utilizing his quickness and he kicked Bret continually with reverse thrust kicks taking Hart to the floor.

Back inside Kid after a commercial continued to maintain control with an armbar.
Kid tried to ground Bret on the mat.

The 1-2-3 Kid kept Bret grappled and Macho said he was in a state of shock.
Kid held the armbar on even longer. Off the ropes a leap but Hart caught him deep into the abdomen with a hard knee shot. Hart scooped up the Kid and stomped on him.
Scoop slam by Hart followed by a legdrop.

Hitman back in control with a deliberate pace and the fans in his favor despite Ross trying to tell us the fans wanted the Kid to win.

Hart with a hard European Uppercut in the corner on Kid a series of times before raking his face using his knee for leverage. A hard elbow to the back of the head two times. A hard kick to the ribs by Bret who found himself having to resort to physical punishment to follow up on his gameplan.

A swinging neckbreaker by Hart before a headlock and battering of the Kid throwing him face first to the buckle. Bret irishwhipped Kid hard backfirst to the buckle. Bret misses the elbow and the Kid caught him with a crossbody off the ropes. Kid got a nearfall. Bret sends him to the buckle.

Kid had other plans utilizing his quickness attempting a sunset flip but Hart showed HIS advantage with experience and strength dropping down onto the Kid scoring a two.

That is just a great exchange full of psychology and logic.

Hart ith a crucifi and a two count. Bret got th three but Kid had his foot on the rope. Hart said he did not beat him fairly as his foot was on the rope.

Bret never could get through to Hebner.

Hart didn’t want the victory because he was a fighting Champion.

Another official comes in admitting to seeing the leg and the match is ordered to continue.

Macho and Ross love it.

Kid almost rolled up Bret during the break but Hart out of desperation fought back on the Kid and slapped on a sleeper.

Hart dropped an elbow allowing Kid to get to his feet. Hart slammed Kid to the mat. Hart jumped off the top but Kid caught him with a high boot.

Bret sent Kid to the corner but he score with a series of thrust and spinning heel kicks.
Kid with a summersault off the top and a two! Exciting times here.

Kid with a legdrop off the rop and a moonsault to the floor on Bret after a nearfall.

Hart deflected it and Kid crashed and burned. Bret rolled back in the ring.

Kid is going to take another chance and misses with a moonsault, Ross’s commentary really helped the drama in the match as did the crowd and of course the action. Bret goes to the Sharpshooter but Kid grabbed the rope.

Bret with a snap suplex and off the top Kid caught Hart.

Kid gets caught off the top and Hart goes into the Sharpshooter and this time puts him away.

Amazing.

In the end at 17:57 Hart kept the title.

This match is a Classic, one of the best stories told in not just Raw but Pro-wrestling history.

Clearly the best match in Kid’s career but then again, most had their best against the Hitman.

Macho Man and Ross give what they call one of the best matches of all time a standing ovation from the broadcast booth.

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**** 1/2

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10) Intercontinental Championship Match
Diesel (c) (with Shawn Michaels) vs Lex Luger -WWF Raw July 18, 1994

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Before Summerslam 1994 where Big Daddy Cool defeded against the Bad Guy.

Here he goes against Mr. America on Monday Night Raw!

Lex Luger had done just about everything but win title belts in the WWF. He did not get a chance at holding the main prize so here he was going for the IC title against Big Daddy Cool, the very over Diesel by this point.

Jim Ross! Ross and Savage on commentary.

Both guys tie-up.

A shoving match comes through and the power of Diesel sends Michaels to the outside. Diesel the big powerhouse with a size fourteen choking out Luger.

Luger off the ropes slams Diesel.

Savage in his final few months working for the Company that made him a star. Truly sad that as of this writing in January of 2011, it has been sixteen and a half years and he has not made one appearance since. Bad blood we all know.

Diesel rolled out of the way and Luger is hurt. Diesel slams him on the floor. Michaels with a cheapshot, a clothesline.

Back from a commercial break Diesel almost got Luger.

Back here people thought Luger sold out to DiBiase when it was really Tatanka as we would find out at Summerslam 1994. DiBiase watching the match left where he was.

Diesel punished Lex Luger choking him out on the ropes then dropped his bodyweight on the back of Luger.

Diesel with a headlock for about five minutes until Luger sent Diesel into the ref. Poor Luger put Diesel into the torture rack.

Superkick by Michaels. Diesel is placed on Luger and he counts the three at the 10 minute mark and Diesel almost retained.

Luger kicks out! Razor Ramon chases Michaels around the ring. Fans going wild.

Double DQ, everyone getting into it.

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Good booking, decent match.

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** 1/4

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11) $10,000 Challenge Match
Tatanka vs Nikolai Volkoff -WWF Raw July 25, 1994

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SO Tatanka will eventually sell out but Nikolai Volkoff is apart of the Million Dollar Corporation by this point.

Money is what this is all about.

Nikolai Volkoff and Tatanka go back and forth for a good five minutes. Nikolai Volkoff was down after a chop from the top and Tatanka did not quite get the three. Nikolai Volkoff slams Tatanka down. An inside cradle and Tatanka got him around five minutes.

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* 1/4

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12) Alundra Blayze vs. Bull Nakano -WWF Raw August 1, 1994

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Bull Nakano is the Champion having defeated her in Japan.

Cornette and McMahon on commentary.

Alundra Blayze flips up and takes over Nakano and then Bull drops her with a clothesline. Another hard shot.

Bull Nakano drags Blayze by the hair on the mat, then a clothesline. A leg drop across the chest but a kickout by Blayze. A leglock by Bull.

Nakano taking out the legs of her challenger until she got to the rope. Nakano chokes out Blayze and slams her against the mat.

Blayze fought back with clothesline shots building momentum. She flies off the top and attempted a sunset flip attempt but Nakano dropped down.
A half-crab and a single figure four leglock holding Blayze in impressive fashion with a neat submission move.

Nakano hit a piledriver and scored a nearfall. Blayze dropkicked Nakano and then Blayze thought she had the momentum, Bull took it from her landing a legdrop from the top.

Somehow Blayze kicked out. A waistloc and a sunset flip and almost a count of three. An missed clothesline. A gotch german suplex with a bridge by Blayze and she got a two. Again another attempt and still a two.
Blayze pushed to the outside but Nakano hits a suicide dive, and a suplex onto the floor.

Blayze sent hard into the steel steps.

Now I know why this made the DVD.

Nakano slammed Blayze to the mat and from the top hits a moonsault and missed. Blayze hits German and got her, new champion!

In the end at a tv time of just over six minutes Blayze wins the title back.

This match is pretty tremendous for a Ladie’s match on tv back in 95.

** 3/4

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13) Shawn Michaels (with Diesel) vs Razor Ramon -WWF Raw August 1, 1994

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After the innovatice Mania X ladder classic, just a few weeks before the Summerslam 95 Ladder classic.

Treated like one of the biggest matches of the year.

WHY would it not be given the history. Good promos from both men before the match.

Ramon sends Shawn Michaels to the outside and he bumps like only Shawn Michaels the 2011 headliner of the WWE hall of fame can.

Ramon got a thumb to the eye by the boy toy. Michaels from the top but caught in the gut by Razor. A nice neckbreaker by Shawn.

Razor Ramon charged the corner but Michaels with a leapfrog of sorts and leaped over him. HBK stomps on Ramon but Razor got caught with a dropkick. Michaels drops Ramon with a number of shots and choked him out on the ring ropes. Diesel chokes him out behind the official.

Michaels is in trouble apparently and Ramon eleveated HBK to the outside and he went on top of Diesel over the top ropes.

Michaels clever and resourceful he pulls Ramon into the corner, very crafty move by Shawn.

This was the first match from Michaels since the Ladder match at Mania.

Ramon with an abdominal stretch. A side suplex, a back body drop. Ramon with a bearhug.

Another commercial break.

Shawn Michaels with a headlock onto Razor, fans solid behind Ramon.

Both guys into a slugfest and fatigued at the fifteen minute mark. Ramon with a round-house right. Ramon sends Michaels to the corner and he drops him with a clothesline.

A side superplex is countered in mid-air with a crossbody but not enough to put away Ramon!

Michaels calls for the Razors Edge. Ramon with a back body drop.

Diesel with a high boot to the head of Razor and a roll-up win for Shawn around the tv time of 20 minutes.

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Amazing and a ton of fun.

Underrated.

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****

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14) Owen Hart (With Jim Neidhart) vs The 1-2-3 Kid -WWF Raw August 15, 1994

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Earlier in the year these two put on a clinic that lasted only three and a half minutes at the King of the Ring. Now we get a tv match in the Summer of 94 in a time when Owen was a main eventer and had gained a ton of heel heat which made this one work.

The 1-2-3 Kid took it right to the #1 contender for the WWF title in an upcoming classic Steel Cage match Brother vs Brother at Summerslam 94.

The Kid and his lights were still dark as he threw Owen Hart into the corner head first. Owen Hart irishwhipped the Kid to the buckle as a reversal on the irishwhip and Owen crashed into the other corner shoulder first.

An amazing crucifix by the Kid on Owen. Wow he was just amazing as the Kid but as X-Pac and Syxx he went downhill in a fast way. I am not even going to try and say what he is called now. After he spent a night in Chyna I kind of lost track.

Owen Hart does his famous you got my arm I will do a couple of flips and reverse this arm-ringer until the Kid chain-wrestled and got Owen down with a sidehead lock take-over on the mat.

The Kid with another until Owen Hart took him over with a head-scissors. A bridge out and a reverse to a reversal backslide by Owen Hart and then the Kid with a headlock but a hair-grab by the King Of Harts.

Big suplex by Owen and then a leg drop.

This match is amazing.

Owen Hart with a spinning heel kick. A leapfrog by the Kid and a double kick-up and then the Kid dropkicks Owen to the outside. The kid with a baseball slide into Owen. The Kid jumps over the top turnbuckle onto Owen.

Owen Hart and The 1-2-3 Kid are still fighting back from a commercial break.

The 1-2-3 Kid is suiplexed out of the ring by Owen and then crashed into the ringpost spine first twice after a slap from the King of Harts, a nice sign reads long live the king of harts.

Owen stomps on The 1-2-3 Kid. The Anvil on the outside loves it.

Owen with a European uppercut to The 1-2-3 Kid in the corner then a hard irishwhip to the buckle followed by an elbow to the back but The 1-2-3 Kid kicks out and Owen is in disbelief.

The 1-2-3 Kid back-dropped off the ropes by the King of Harts and The 1-2-3 Kid will not give up!

Owen lands on his leg as The 1-2-3 Kid moves and this could be a turning point, the crowd get into this in a big way.

Both men are cardio machines!

Owen has a vulnerable leg and the Kid takes over. Owen tried his famous Inziguri but the Kid ducked and applied a half crab.

Crowd chant for the The 1-2-3 Kid as so does Savage. Nothing like the color guy doing it to get it over.

Anvil comes in and stomps on The 1-2-3 Kid to protect Owen and his image before Summerslam.

Bell rings and The 1-2-3 Kid wins by a DQ and the fans go crazy. Back then they cheered a thing like that. Now if a match ends in DQ they would be lucky if the crowd did not riot.

I miss those little things in Wrestling.

As for this match…

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One of my favourite matches in the history of Raw. An Owen Hart DVD needs to be made.

Simply put.

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****

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15) The Undertaker (With Paul Bearer) vs Kwang -WWF Raw September 12, 1994

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Kwang was Savio Vega.
I am not sure when Randy Savage left the WWF exactly but it is kind of shocking to hear him on commentary in September of 1994. I know for sure Summerslam was his last PPV with the company and that has passed by this time so he is for sure in his last two months with the company here.

The Undertaker with an uppercut to Vega, errr Kwang.

The Undertaker with a Stun Gun to Kwang as he tried to pull The Undertaker back into the ring. The Undertaker with a throat shot. The Undertaker with an arm-ringer and then he walks the top rope showing good agility and lands old school.

Kwang fights back but The Undertaker hits his signature moves and wins with a chokeslam around four minutes.

Not entirely bad for a relatively early Taker TV Squash match.

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3/4*

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-Mr. Backlund demonstrates The Chicken Wing -WWF Raw September 19, 1994

Hilarious promo.

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Randy Savage says he needs a dictionairy when Backlund talks, and I am positive people needed one when he did as well.

Also I love it when Savage chants Has Been with the crowd at Backlund when Savage was in his 40s here and would go on to be World Champion in WCW by the next year. Infact Backlund would even be WWF Champion in a couple of months.

Backlund does the Chicken Wing on a guy who writes for WWF Magazine and Vince goes irate, Macho of course leaves the booth like always and checks on him as do all the officials in old school blue.

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16) Intercontinental Championship Match
Razor Ramon (c) vs Yokozuna (With Mr. Fuji and Jim Cornette) -WWF Raw October 24, 1994

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Vince McMahon and Randy Savage with the call. Savage in his final month, if not episode with the company. This is his last appearance on the DVD anyway.

I still am not sure why an extra where Vince wished Savage good luck is not an extra.

You can see Macho was a HUGE part of the first two years of Raw from this DVD. He is literally apart of almost every segment and you cant say that for very many, not even Doink!

Yokozuna gets ran out of the ring by the Machismo of Razor and the fans chant his name while Cornette plugs his ears and Fuji waves the Japanese flag.

Yokozuna comes in and does what he initially should of done and used his weight to clobber Razor down with striking blows.

Ramon gets the upperhand around the 7 minute mark retains the title by countout.

Fans are loud.

Far longer then it should of been. It was a decent bout but the length made it incredibally boring and I have never been a fan of Yokozuna as far as his work goes. As a person I hear he was great though.

Unfortunately that is not what star ratings are about or every Mick Foley or Owen Hart match would be 5 stars.

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1/2*

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17) Jeff Jarrett (With the Roadie) vs The British Bulldog -WWF Raw December 5, 1994

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Michaels introduces Double J.

Road Dogg making his debut on the DVD. Known as the Roadie here.

The British Bulldog getting on the DVD for the first time.

Bulldog and Double J both guys looked better with the short hair but had the long hair here.

It is strange that I can see Diana Hart in Davey Boys face when they were not related, just married…..strange.

A hiptoss then The British Bulldog mocked the strut of Double J.

HBK on commentary makes fun of it.

Shoulder block into a side headlock into a head-scissors reversal over and over and then the Roadie gives Double J some words.

A leapfrog twice by Jarrett until he goes to suplex the Bulldog but Davey Boy gets him in the air and drops him.

Jarrett getting back in the match after the commercial with a headlock. Bulldog backs him into a corner and Jarrett got a running bulldog to the The British Bulldog. HBK said it would be ironic if The British Bulldog got beaten by the Bulldog.

Bulldog with a crucifix to Jarrett and then Bulldog hooked the leg of Double J and the Perfect Plex gets a two.

Shawn takes a shot at Perfect saying that move never beats anybody VIN MAN.

Vince says Bret will be returning to the Federation in a matter of says and Michaels says he will counting the days in a sarcastic voice which is pretty hilarious.

Bulldog runs over Double J with a series of shoulderblocks.

On the floor Davey Boy scoops him up and brings him back in and throws him in showing good strength.

Bulldog is counted out as he looked for something under the mat.

Double J wins.

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* 3/4

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18) Bob Backlund vs Doink the Clown (with Dink) -WWF Raw December 12, 1994

 

Doink up to his usual tricks. Michaels still on commentary.

Backlund ties up the ropes and goes for the leg of Doink and takes him down using his mat skills.

It seems surreal that I am reviewing a Clown against Backlund in an arena that seems like a Bingo hall on Monday Night Raw but that is what is happening.

What is more surreal is they are MAT-WRESTLING. Sure both guys are great from a technical standpoint but you would think with the characters both men are trying to portray back in this day mat-wrestling would not be the fans fortay.

Lets go Doink is chanted.

Mr. Backlund with a side headlock on the mat.

Bob Backlund with a sucker punch on Doink the Clown. A hard forearm after being backed off from the ropes. Backlund stomps on the mat working on the arm.

Backlund works on Doink the Clowns arm for a good five years.

Doink the Clown slams Backlund inbetween.

At the hundred minute mark Mr. Backlund wins with the Crossface chicken wing.

Dink begs Backlund to release.

Did I just say that.

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* 1/2

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19) The British Bulldog vs Tatanka -WWF Raw December 24, 1994

The British Bulldog ducks a round-house right and knocks Tatanka down with a clothesline.

Christmas Eve action. Likely taped threee months before.

This Raw literally looks like it takes place in a high school gym, I see basketball hoops hung up in the background of the lower and only bowl consisting of about 15 rows tops.

The old Manhattan Center had about three times amount of fans as this.

I would say the lowest crowd total in Raw history.

They go to a commerical break.

Tatanka with Bulldog and all hell breaks loose as Luger and Bigelow come in the ring.

Double DQ.

Fans chant USA or the name of the high school this Raw took place at.

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*

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-The King’s Court with WWE Champion Diesel -WWF Raw December 24, 1994

Jerrry Lawler up to his old tricks insulting the crowd.

The face of Vince is priceless.

Diesel gives him a firm handshake. Diesel had recently won the title from Backlund. King is hurt and Diesel takes over.

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The Undertaker does the Brawler in within two minutes.

A point just for ending the DVD with Undertaker looking in his prime from a character standpoint.

 

1/4*

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——————————————————————
Final Rating for Raw Seasons 1 and 2 = 8.5/10

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Wow.

This is more like it. I am a big mark for old time wrestling and nostalgia. The fact the WWE took this out of their library and shared it with us makes me extremely pleased. It is the little things on this set like the pop ups or the random matches with guys like Doink, Shawn, or Bret against a jobber that I sometimes love the most. It makes you feel like your literally walking down memory lane.

Keep this up WWE.

I know 1995 and 1996 were not your best years but believe me, THESE WILL SELL big time. Especially if you get to 1997 and 1998. Also a suggestion would be to release the best of Nitro from the same years, but I heard a rumor that was already in the works and if that is the case then great.

I suggest this to anyone, just awesome.