Shawn Mooney opened the show and tried to block Bobby “The Brain” Heenan from entering the building 

Commentary Team: “Macho Man” Randy Savage, Vince McMahon & Rob Bartlett

“The Birdman” Koko B. Ware vs Yokozuna w/Mr. Fuji:

Commentary compared Koko to Gary Coleman. They marveled at the size of Yokozuna and said he hasn’t seen his feet in forever. Vince said he weighted in at 502lbs. The fat jokes continued as the match began. It was announced during this match that both Savage & Yokozuna would be in the Royal Rumble this year. Yokozuna dominated the match with Koko barely getting any offense in before being defeated with The Banzai Drop for the win.

Yokozuna defeated Koko B. Ware (3:45)

After the match we got a video package for the Royal Rumble PPV. 

WWE had ring girls holding up signs in the ring before the UFC began in November of the same year 

Bobby “The Brain” Heenan cut a promo hyping up The Narcissus against Mr. Perfect at the Royal Rumble PPV 

The Steiner Brothers vs The Executioners:

During this match we saw Doink the Clown clowning around in the audience. Another dominant squash match. The Steiner Brothers pick up the win and momentum as they face The Beverley Brothers at the Rumble.

The Steiner Brothers defeated The Executioners (3:00)

We saw Heenan in drag as Rob Bartlett’s aunt to sneak into the building. 

Vince McMahon did an in-ring interview with Razor Ramon about his championship match against the WWF Champion Bret Hart at the Rumble. Vince said it took Bret 8 and a half years to get to the top. Razor said it only took him 8 and half months to challenge for the title. Vince questioned why he had to injure Owen Hart to get Bret’s attention. Razor says there is nothing Hart can do about it. 

Tatanka cut a quick Headlock for Hunger promo

Shawn Michaels vs Max Moon (Intercontinental Championship):

Great back and forth action to kick off the match. Surprisingly enough Max Moon at the better of Michaels tossing him into the corner. Moon would eventually take Michaels to the mat maintaining a hammerlock getting a two count. It was announced during this match that Michaels if he is successful to defend the title will defend the intercontinental championship against Marty Jannetty at the Rumble PPV. Sensational Sherri will be at ringside as well but don’t know who she will be supporting. We also heard from “Mike Tyson” from solidarity confinement in prison. Doink the Clown continued to taunt the crowd during this match. Michaels would hit a pump handle suplex to retain the title. 

Shawn Michaels defeated Max Moon to retain the WWF Intercontinental Championship (10:30)

After the match we got a Saturday Morning WWF Mania promo:

Royal Rumble Report with Mean Gene Okerland:

• Sunday Afternoon January 24th, 1993 (4pm ET)
• Shawn Michaels vs Marty Jannetty (Intercontinental Championship)
• We hear from Micheals and Jannetty
• 30 Men Royal Rumble
• Here are some of the participants:
• Ric Flair (1992 Rumble Winner)
• Tanaka 
• IRS (WWF Tag Team Champion)
• Bob Backlund
• Jerry Lawler
• Mr. Perfect 
• Ted DiBasie 
• Crush
• Rick Martell
• Yokozuna 
• Randy Savage
• Papa Shango
• Earthquake 
• The Berserker
• The Undertaker
• Carlos Colon
• Tenryu
• Tito Santana 
• Typhoon
• Samu 
• Fatu
• Jim Duggan 
• Winner faces for the champion at WrestleMania IX
• Bret Hart v Razor Ramon for the WWF Championship is the main event 

We see another attempt from Bobby Heenan trying to get into the building as fans are in line to get tickets for next week’s show.

We get a recap of Kamala having enough of the abuse from his managers and joining Reverend Slick from that past Sunday’s WWF Superstars.

The Undertaker vs Damian Demento:

The Undertaker defeated Damian Demento (2:26)

We get a ringside interview with Vince McMahon & Doink the Clown. Vince tells him that Crush doesn’t like the jokes from Doink. Crush comes out leading to a chase.

The show ends with Heenan finally being allowed in the building. 

My thoughts: This was not a great way to kickoff the longest weekly episodic show in all of television. Yes they were two weeks out from the Rumble but you wouldn’t know it without them telling you. What we saw was three squash matches and a somewhat good showing from a character by the name of Max Moon against Shawn Michaels for the Intercontinental Championship. Seeing how RAW got started back in the early 90s I’m surprised that they even made it to the Attitude Era. I found the Doink the Clown running around in the audience to be rude, dumb and distracting plus all the fat jokes toward Yokozuna was very distasteful. If this was people’s first time watching WWF/WWE this was not a great introduction. The only bright side of this episode was the Razor Ramon promo on Bret Hart heading into his championship match at the PPV. 

Grade: D-

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