NEW YORK RUMBLE
MADISON SQUARE GARDEN
MADISON SQUARE GARDEN
NEW YORK CITY
JANUARY 17 1994
Match 1
Scott Putski (with Ivan Putski) vs "Iron" Mike Sharpe
Even though this is the first match on the card, it was never recorded. Guess whoever recorded this show got stuck in traffic and missed it. Putski got the win.
Winner: Putski
Match 2
Ludvig Borga vs Rick Steiner
The fallout from Survivor Series continued as All American Steiner battled Foreign Fanatic Borga here. A huge USA chant breaks out as the bell rings and Borga stalls to taunt the crowd. The two men circle each other for more stalling until Steiner gets in a headlock. Borga counters with a back suplex and Steiner bails to the outside. Back inside Borga gets a headlock but Steiner counters with a back suplex of his own. Steiner goes upstairs and nails Borga with the top rope bulldog and covers for a 1 count. Steiner locks in an armbar but Borga grabs the tope to break. Borga drives Steiner into the corners with a few knees before whipping him across. Rick counters with the Steinerline for a deuce but Ludvig recovers and nails Steiner with an uppercut to the ribs. Borga continuously drops Rick with right hands to the face before headbutting him into the corner. Borga whips Steiner and nails a lariat of his own. Borga goes upstairs and drops Rick with a top rope clothesline, but Rick kicks out of the pinfall attempt at 2. Borga runs into a powerslam by Rick but Borga kicks out of the cover at 2. Rick locks in an armbar before sending Ludvig off and dropping him with an elbow. Rick drops an elbow and covers for a two count before hitting another Steinerline. A cover gets two and Rick locks in another armbar. Ludvig ducks under another Steinerline attempt and nails Rick with a lariat of his own. Ludvig puts his feet on the ropes on the cover attempt and the alert referee Tim White catches him. Borga punches Rick to the outside and goes outside to brawl with him. Steiner clobbers Ludvig with a chair as White completes the count to end the match. Howard Finkel gets in the ring and says the match is a double count-out. Borga bodyslams Rick on the floor after the bell but Rick gets in a low blow. They brawl to the back and Borga visibly slips during it. That slip ended up causing this to be Borga's last singles match in the company in the midst of his big push due to the ankle injury he suffered and quitting shortly after. Bye bye Borga!
Time of Match: 7:07
Winner: No one (double count-out)
Fink hits the ring and tells the crowd to go buy the program in the concession stands where Mo & Mabel of Men on a Mission is featured on the cover.
Match 3
"Double J" Jeff Jarrett vs Razor Ramon for the WWF Intercontinental Championship
Jeff comes out in the purple male stripper outfit while Razor comes out in the purple trunks. Razor was headed toward an IC title showdown with IRS this coming Saturday so they had him meet the newcomer Jeff here for the MSG house show. For weeks on Face To Face Razor had claimed he was undefeated at MSG so he puts his streak and the title on the line. Razor sticks a finger in Jarrett's face and says he's gonna throw him over the top rope. They lock up and Razor shoves Jarrett on his ass much to the crowd's delight. Razor does it again and Jarrett bails outside to stall and nearly gets counted out. Jarrett grabs Razor, pulls him outside, dumps him on retaining barrier and sends him into the stairs. Jarrett sends Ramon into the ringpost before throwing him back in the ring. Jarrett puts the boots to Razor before nailing Razor with a second rope fistdrop. A cover gets a deuce and Jarrett sends Razor off the buckle into a snapmare. Jeff locks in a chinlock before Razor eventually gets up and arm drags Jeff. Razor puts his head down and Jarrett slams it to the mat. Jeff chokes Ramon on the second rope and lands a dropkick. A cover gets a two count and Jeff yells at referee Earl Hebner to count faster. Razor rolls up Jarrett for a surprise two count before Jeff goes back to work on him. Jeff lands a punch off the top rope, goes to the opposite corner and lands another top rope punch. Jeff goes to the top rope but this time Razor counters with a punch to the ribs. Razor sends Jeff off but once again Razor puts his head down, eating boot as a result. Jeff locks in a sleeperhold but eventually Razor powers out of it. Jeff goes for a hiptoss but Razor counters with a chokeslam. Razor covers but Jeff kicks out at two. Razor rallies with right hands that drops Jeff until he begs off. Razor sends Jeff off but misses the clothesline. Jeff goes for a bodypress but Razor ducks and Jeff cleans out Earl Hebner. Razor goes for the Razor's Edge but Shawn Michaels runs out to stop him. Razor punches Shawn off the apron and nails Jeff with the Razor's Edge. Razor covers but Shawn pulls him out of the ring, earning a DQ from the awake Hebner. Razor keeps the title and the streak as Shawn helps Jarrett up in the ring. Jeff and Shawn celebrate until Razor gets in the ring with the belt and chases them out of the ring. Fink announces Razor the winner and his music hits with Jeff and Shawn teasing a run-in. Razor chases them away with the belt and puts it on. Good match and it was a nice sneak preview of their epic IC title match a year later at the Royal Rumble.
Time of Match: 12:29
Winner: Razor Ramon by disqualification.
Fink gets in the mic and promotes Wrestling Challenge on Fox 5 before Harvey Whippleman comes out to yell at him. The crowd boos Harvey as he calls Fink and the crowd losers. Harvey calls Lawrence Taylor and the Giants losers. Harvey runs down New York City and puts over Memphis, Tennessee. Harvey says Adam Bomb will win the New York Rumble later. Harvey then rants and raves about how awesome Bomb is until Fink cuts him off and says to go fill a parking meter because his time has run out. The crowd cheers Fink and Harvey is forced out of the ring by Tony Garea and Dave Hebner. Harvey pushes Tony and Garea shoves him back. Harvey retreats and Fink says its time for the main event.
Match 4
Tatanka vs Yokozuna (with Mr. Fuji) for the WWF Heavyweight Championship
With Yokozuna locked in to the main event of the Royal Rumble this coming Saturday, Tatanka is the sacrificial lamb for Yoko tonight in the Garden. For continuity purposes, it was Yokozuna and Ludvig Borga that knocked Tatanka out of Survivor Series and Tatanka had a date with Ludvig at the Rumble. Here he gets a crack at the WWF title which would be the highest he'd be on the card for the next year and a half. Tatanka hits the ring and immediately attacks Yoko as the bell rings. Tatanka chops him out of the ring and sends him into the steel steps. Yoko slides in the ring and Tatanka punches away at him. Tatanka rocks Yokozuna with a series of chops but Yoko drops the challenger with an elbow. Yoko misses the leg drop but Tatanka misses a dropkick. Yoko misses an elbow drop and Tatanka goes upstairs, hitting a crossbody for 1....2...nope. Tatanka locks in a headlock but Yokozuna sends him off the ropes into a shoulderblock. Yokozuna is dazed but drops Tatanka with a chop. Yokozuna locks in a nerve hold but Tatanka powers out of it. Tatanka rallies with chops but eats a clothesline to kill the momentum. Yoko locks in another nerve hold but Tatanka eventually powers out of it. Tatanka runs off the ropes but eats another clothesline. Yoko chops Tatanka down and applies yet another nervehold. Tatanka powers out of this one, ducks under a clothesline and hits a series of his own. Tatanka goes upstairs but eats a big punch to the ribs. Yoko drops an elbow and punches Tatanka into the corner. Yoko sends Tatanka across the corner and calls for the avalanche...but misses completely. Yoko Flair flops but Tatanka drapes an arm across him for 1...2..nope. Yoko snap mares Tatanka and goes back to...you guessed it...the nerve hold. Tatanka does the "fade then revive" routine and begins to power up when Yoko rams him into the buckle. Tatanka hits a series of chops before going upstairs, dropping Yoko with a clothesline. Tatanka covers for another near fall before Yoko deadweights an irish whip. Yoko then reverses a whip and sends Tatanka into referee Earl Hebner. Mr. Fuji hands Yoko the salt bucket and goes to waffle Tatanka with it. Tatanka blocks the attack and nails Yoko with it. He covers and Earl makes the count 1....2....NOOOOO! Yoko kicks out at the last second and Tatanka goes back upstairs. Fuji knocks him off the top with the Japanese flag and Yoko does the Aftershock for some weird reason. Yoko then hits his standard leg drop and covers for 1...2....3 its over. Yoko retains the title thanks to Mr. Fuji and he puts the exclamation point on his victory with a post-match banzai drop. Yoko hits a second one before the referees hit the ring to halt the attack. Yoko ignores them and stomps away at Tatanka until Garea and Hebner hit ringside to tell him to knock it off. Yoko instead goes apeshit with the flagpole on Tatanka before leaving. Yoko makes an example out of Tatanka showing that no normal man could beat him. Tatanka gets stretchered out but Yoko runs out to beat him up some more for more heat. Bret Hart wrote in his book that Yoko had gotten completely out of shape following King of The Ring around this time and it showed here. Even though it wasn't as bad as it would get in 1996 where Yoko would be winded just walking to the ring, this was pretty bad for the world champion of your company. Either Bret Hart or Lex Luger was going to be your champion after Wrestlemania 10 and the only question was which one was it gonna be?
Time of Match: 14:54
Winner: Yokozuna by pinfall
After a tape-cut, Fink sends us to the most important match of the night. The tag team title match with would be simultaneously be talked about on tonight's Monday Night Raw. This all goes back to the October 25th Raw when a routine match by Marty Jannetty against the 123 Kid was ruined by Johnny Polo. 2 months later with help from Quebecer Pierre, Polo defeated Jannetty in a one on one match on the December 27th Monday Night Raw. One week later with Polo on commentary, Kid and Jannetty challenged Polo to put the belts on the line in a tag match the following Raw. With The Quebecers scheduled to face The Hart Brothers at the Royal Rumble for the belts, it seemed like an ordinary tune up match. Shockingly Kid and Jannetty beat the Quebecers for the belts and just with Shawn Michaels at King of The Ring after he lost the IC title to Jannetty, the Royal Rumble tag match became non title....which is a clue that the Quebecers were getting the belts back. After all, if there were any long term plan to keep the belts on Jannetty and the Kid, why not put them against the Harts at the Rumble?
Match 5
The Quebecers (with Johnny Polo) vs Marty Jannetty and 123 Kid for the WWF Tag Team Championship
Jannetty and Kid jog out with the belts to a huge ovation. Even though he wasn't booked to win that many matches since his May return, Jannetty won the IC and tag titles inside of 8 months. The Quebecers start by posing for the irate crowd before the faces mock them to loud cheers. The Quebecers attack while they're posing with Pierre pouncing on Marty while Jacques nails the Kid. Quebecers go to whip the faces together but Kid leapfrogs Marty and clobbers Pierre. Kid and Jannetty do the 10 punch in the corner before whipping Jacques and Pierre together. They do a do-se-do and eats dropkicks by the champs. Jannetty and Kid clothesline Jacques and Pierre out of the ring and they regroup with Polo. Kid gets a "123" chant going as the heels stall outside. Jannetty and Jacques get in and Jacques fools Marty with a test of strength before shouting at someone in the crowd. Jacques puts the boots to Marty but Marty flips over him and goes for the schoolboy. Jacques blocks it and ducks under a clothesline, but eats a right hand from Marty who tags in Kid. Marty and Kid hit a double hiptoss and drop elbows on Jacques, but eat a double clothesline from Pierre when they nip up. The heels throw the faces out of the ring and hug. Jannetty and the Kid get on the apron, slide under the heels and hit double crescent kicks to knock the mout of the ring. Jannetty goes to take Jacques, Pierre and Polo out with a bodypress but they catch him in midair, forcing Kid to dive out of the ring on top of them. Kid catches his foot on the rope on the way down but gets back in the ring as Marty tosses in Jacques. Kid ducks under a clothesline but Pierre pulls the rope down and Kid crashes over the top to the floor. Pierre sends Kid into the guardrail then the steel steps. Pierre throws Kid inside and Jacques makes the cover, but Kid kicks out. Jacques drops Kid with an elbow smash then puts the boots to him. Jacques rams Kid into the corner then distracts the ref allowing Pierre to choke Kid with the tag rope. Jacques slams the kid and tags Pierre. They tease the Tower of Doom but Pierre drops a knee as Jacques leaves. Pierre hits a snap suplex but misses a second rope leg drop. Jacques tags in and Kid tags in Jannetty. Marty goes to town on both Quebecers and nails Polo off the apron for good measure. Jannetty rams Jacques head into the buckle but Polo distracts the ref. Pierre grabs Marty but Jacques knocks him off the apron by accident. Jannetty hits a running roll up but Pierre clotheslines Marty off Jacques. Jacques hits a roll up but Kid flies off the top onto Jacques. Pierre then belly flops on the Kid before Marty sends Kid to the corner. They recreate the move that won them the tag belts the week before but Polo distracts the referee, allowing Jacques to nail Marty with the polo stick. Jacques rolls Pierre out and covers Marty for 1..2...nope. Jacques sends Marty into the buckle where Pierre tags in. They hit a double stun gun on Marty and Pierre covers for 1...2.. and no. Pierre taunts Marty to get up before locking in a chinlock. Marty powers out of it but eats a knee to the ribs. Jacques tags in and they double team Marty some more. Jacques applies a rear chinlock. Jacques goes for an avalanche but eats a double knee to the gonads. Marty crawls toward Kid but Pierre tags in and clobbers Kid off the apron. Pierre nails a swinging neckbreaker and covers for a deuce before jumping on Marty on the middle rope. Pierre then sells an elbow to the gonads that Marty never actually threw and tags Jacques back in. Jacques hits the jumping elbow and covers but Kid makes the save. Jacques baits Kid which allows him and Pierre to make the switch. Pierre hits a back drop on Marty and tags in Jacques who covers for a deuce. Marty goes for a sunset flip but Jacques stops him with a punch that misses. Jacques clotheslines Marty and tags Pierre back in. Pierre locks in a bearhug but Marty escapes with a bellringer and a hip toss. Marty misses an elbow drop and the heels double team him some more with a another nearfall. Jacques locks in another rear chinlock as the crowd chants "123". Jacques and Pierre do a number on Marty in the corner but Marty fights back. Jacques backdrops Marty over the top to the floor and Polo throws him back in. Jacques covers but Marty gets the foot on the rope. Jacques hits the piledriver and tags in Pierre. Jacques goes to back drop Pierre onto Marty but Jannetty moves out of the way. Marty rolls up Jacques but only gets two. Pierre tags in and hits a sidewalk slam before going up to the second rope. Marty gets the boot up to stun Pierre then crawls toward the Kid. Marty FINALLY tags Kid in who lays waste to the bungholes of the Quebecers. Kid drops both of them with martial arts kicks then goes up top...only to be crotched by Polo. Pierre hits a superplex and tags in Jacques. Jacques tells Pierre to go upstairs and they hit the Tower of Doom. Pierre covers for the 1..2...3 to win the match despite not being the legal man. The Quebecers are once again the tag team champions heading into the Royal Rumble and they leave with the belts. Marty would never win another belt in WWF again while Kid had to wait a calendar year before his next one.
Time of Match: 22:12
Winners: The Quebecers by pinfall (new WWF Tag Team Champions)
Kid is unable to get up following the match and we tape-cut. Fink announces the next MSG show is none other than Wrestlemania 10 on March 20th. Fink says watch Superstars and Wrestling Challenge in the upcoming months to find out what the card will be for Wrestlemania 10....wow, no love for Raw? Fink then sends us to the final match.
Match 6
The New York Rumble
For whatever reason, Vince decided to hold a Royal Rumble five days before the ppv just for the MSG crowd. Fink explains the rules and since there's no scoreboard or clock, he's gonna lead the crowd in the countdown. Since this is going to be a legit 30 man rumble, it'll be interesting to see who's in it considering its just a house show where all bets are off.
Number 1 is Diesel and Number 2 is Mo from Men on a Mission with Oscar in tow. Oscar does his rap before the match and the bell rings. Diesel nails Mo with a knee to the ribs and a forearm to the back of the head. Another forearm drops Mo and Diesel tries to throw him out only to get stopped by an eye rake. Mo works over Diesel in the corner but eats an elbow to the face. The crowd chants for Mo but Diesel floors him with a clothesline. Mo fights back and goes to dump Diesel in the corner but is stopped. Diesel drops Mo with another big right hand and throws him over the top rope...only for Mo to get his foot stuck in the ropes. Oops! Diesel unhooks the foot and MO (1:55) is eliminated with 5 seconds left in the countdown.
Number 3 is Bushwhacker Butch who gets a big ovation from the crowd before sliding in the ring. Butch caters to the crowd before eating a boot and forearms by Diesel. Butch counters with an eye rake and biting Diesel on the ass. Har de har har. Diesel is not amused and drops Bitch with forearms and a scoop slam. Diesel picks up and tosses BUTCH (49 seconds) over the top and out. Diesel stands and waits for his next opponent as Butch marches around outside for absolutely no reason.
Number 4 is the exhausted 123 Kid who still sells his injury from the previous match. Diesel unloads on Kid and chokes him in the corner with his boot. Diesel heaves Kid across the ring and hits the sidewalk slam. Diesel picks up Kid but eats a hurricarana. Kid kicks away at Diesel in the corner but crotches himself on the top rope. Diesel forearms 123 KID (1:32) to the floor and out. Having Diesel control the match and seeing the MSG crowd's reaction was a test run for what Diesel was going to do in the actual Rumble the upcoming Saturday.
Number 5 is Scott Steiner which means there's going to be a lot of tag team guys in this one since they need 30 bodies. Steiner doesn't even make in the ring as he's attacked by Diesel on the inside. Diesel steps over the top rope to the floor which logically should have meant he just eliminated himself. The refs ignore it as Diesel sends Scott into the ringpost and gets back in the ring to taunt the crowd. Scott crawls in and Diesel whips him into the corner. Diesel tries to dump out Scott but Scott breaks free only to run into a clothesline. Diesel nails Scott with another clothesline but Scott ducks under a third only to throw Diesel THROUGH the ropes. Scott bails to the floor and attacks Diesel with a chair. The crowd begins the countdown and Steiner becomes the first one to make it to the next number.
Number 6 is "Iron" Mike Sharpe as Scott botches the double underhook suplex since Diesel's too big for the move. Sharpe attacks Steiner and beats him down. Mike tries to throw Scott out but Steiner grabs MIKE SHARPE (19 seconds) and tosses him over the top. Steiner gives him the arm and the elbow but that allows Diesel to get in a knee to the ribs. Diesel sends Scott off the ropes and drops him with a big boot. Diesel tries to throw Scott out but Scott counters and hits a snap suplex. The officials at ringside carry 123 Kid out as he legitimately blew out his knee doing the kicks to Diesel. Scott tries to throw Diesel out but Diesel stops him. The countdown begins and who knows what is coming next.
Number 7 is Samu of the Headshrinkers. Diesel eyeballs him as he gets in the ring and they double team Scott. Diesel and Samu try to dump out Scott but Samu pushes on Diesel's back and the big man doesn't like it. Samu and Diesel circle each other and they lock up to give Scott a breather. Diesel hits the knees in the corner and tries to dump Samu but Scott tries to dump them both.
Number 8 is former WWF Champion Bob Backlund who immediately goes after Samu. Backlund nearly went the distance a year earlier so what's 6 more slots in this one? Samu and Backlund go at it and Backlund hits an atomic drop. Him and Steiner try to dump Samu but Diesel makes the save. Diesel damn near dumps Backlund as Samu chokes down Steiner. Steiner fights out of it and levels Samu with a clothesline. Scott hits a snap suplex on Samu as the countdown starts.
Number 9 is Jeff Jarrett who attacks Steiner and Backlund. Jeff then nails Samu only to eat a clothesline by Diesel much to the crowd's delight. Samu hits a gut-wrench suplex on Jarrett but is almost tossed by Backlund. Diesel hits gut-wrench of his own on Steiner and Jarrett tries to throw him out. Jarrett is press-slammed by Steiner as Samu tries to get out of the way. The countdown is nearly missed by the crowd as Samu drops Steiner.
Number 10 is Virgil to even the odds and he goes after Jarrett. Samu snatches him and Jarrett comes off the top with punch...only to be laid out by Samu. Jarrett and Samu then team up to try to get Backlund out as Diesel hits a backbreaker on Virgil. Everybody pairs off with Virgil against Jarrett, Diesel and Backlund & Samu and Steiner. Jarrett hits a snap suplex on Virgil then gets on the middle rope to punch Steiner. Steiner catches him with a reverse atomic drop as the countdown starts.
Number 11 is Bam Bam Bigelow and he goes to town on Steiner with his old buddy Samu. Bam Bam snatches Virgil for Diesel to pound on as Jarrett tries to dump Backlund. Bam Bam and Samu try to dump Steiner as Diesel tries to toss out Jarrett. Backlund jumps on Bam Bam as Samu drops Virgil. Samu hits a savate kick on Virgil as Diesel has passed the 20 minute mark. The countdown begins after Samu and Bam Bam hit a double headbutt on Virgil.
Number 12 is "Macho Man" Randy Savage who goes after anyone that moves until Diesel stops him cold by choking him with his boot. Diesel goes for a big boot in the corner but Randy ducks under it. Randy grabs DIESEL (21:22) and shoves him over the top and out as the crowd pops. Jarrett attacks Savage but Randy ducks under a clothesline and nails Jeff with a punch. Randy grabs JEFF JARRETT (7:04) and tosses him out to another loud pop. Back down to 6 men in the ring, everyone pairs off again. Steiner and Savage, Bam Bam and Backlund, Samu and Virgil. Backlund kicks Bam Bam in the face as the countdown starts.
Number 13 is Adam Bomb, Harvey Whippleman's pick to win it. Bomb gets in and goes after Backlund before Savage. Steiner attacks Bomb and Savage hits Adam with a second rope axehandle. Bam Bam picks up Virgil but he trips and falls. Virgil goes to work on him as Backlund tries to dump out Bomb. Savage grabs Samu and kicks him in the chest as Steiner helps out Backlund as the countdown starts.
Number 14 is Sgt Slaughter making his first appearance in god knows how long. Slaughter helps out Steiner and Backlund dump out ADAM BOMB (2:06). Harvey's pick to win instead lasted 15 seconds longer than Mo did. Slaughter goes to dump out Steiner as Backlund has Virgil halfway out. Savage clocks Sarge and kicks at Steiner. Savage sends Sarge halfway out and Steiner pounces, but fails to get him out. Steiner hits the 20 minute mark as Savage nails Samu with a running axehandle and sends him into Bam Bam. Samu rallies with fists and a dropkick to send the Macho Man down as the countdown begins.
Number 15 is Crush, look out Savage! Crush goes right after Randy and drops him with the help of Samu. Crush hits a tilt a whirl backbreaker on Savage and drops Steiner with a headbutt. Crush grabs and tosses out SCOTT STEINER (21:36) who lasted 14 seconds longer than Diesel. Crush goes back to work on Savage and they roll to the outside. Bam Bam sends Slaughter chest first into the buckle but fails to get him out as the countdown begins.
Number 16 is Mabel from Men on a Mission as Savage jumps into a bearhug by Crush. Slaughter nails Crush to free Randy as Mabel gets in the ring. Crush nails Slaughter, grabs and tosses RANDY SAVAGE (8:41) over the top. Mabel goes to work on Samu before Crush nails Slaughter again. Randy grabs a chair outside and has to be restrained by the referees. Bam Bam picks Crush and goes to slam him out. Crush counters by holding on to the rope as BAM BAM BIGELOW (11:11) hits the floor. Mabel nails Crush in the middle of the ring and hammers him down. Slaughter and Backlund are tied up in the corner as Virgil pounds away at Samu. Crush sends SGT SLAUGHTER (5:55) chest first over the top and out. Samu hits the 20 minute mark as the countdown begins.
Number 17 is Jim Powers who had been nothing but a jobber the last 5 years since he and Paul Roma split. Jim goes after Mabel but Backlund grabs his leg. Jim ignores him and still goes after Mabel until Mabel grabs him by the throat and heaves him into the corner. Mabel hits an avalanche in the corner then tosses JIM POWERS (43 seconds). Talk about a wasted spot, they could have had a bum off the street do what Powers just did. Crush grabs Backlund and chokes him in the corner as Virgil chokes Samu on the middle rope. Mabel clotheslines Virgil as Bob Backlund hits the 20 minute mark. Mabel drops a leg on Virgil as Samu lands a few kicks on Mabel. The countdown starts as Virgil kicks at Mabel.
Number 18 is Bastion Booger who goes after Maabel. Everyone in the ring gangs up to try to dump Mabel but VIRGIL (17:12) is pushed out by Samu. MABEL (4:29) finally hits the floor as well as BOB BACKLUND (21:23) courtesy of Crush. All 3 faces dumped at once leaves just Booger, Crush and Samu left. Crush and Booger square off in the middle of the ring as Samu takes a breather. Booger headbutts Crush but is attacked by Samu. Booger rakes the eyes of Samu but foolishly turns his back to do his dance. Crush clotheslines BASTION BOOGER (1:14) over and out leaving just him and Samu who's been in there 24 minutes. They tease a test of strength when the countdown begins.
Number 19 is Bushwhacker Luke...of course. Luke walks into a headbutt by Samu and falls. Samu goes for the big splash but gets his head caught in the top rope. Luke pushes SAMU (24:52) to the floor but eats a clothesline from Crush. Luke tries to fight back with an eyepoke but stops to cater to the crowd. Crush punches down Luke then whips him into the corner. Crush hits a crescent kick that sends LUKE (1:00) to the floor, leaving him all alone like Diesel earlier. Too bad Savage is already out, otherwise he was the perfect guy to come out next. The countdown begins as Crush waits for his next opponent.
Number 20 is Owen Hart who runs right into a bearhug by Crush, Owen punches Crush down and goes to work on him. Owen hits a standing dropkick followed by right hands that stun Crush. Owen hits the spinning wheel kick to floor the big guy. Owen gets whipped into the ropes where Crush launches him 10 feet in the air. crush hits the side backbreaker and stops to catch his breath. The countdown begins as Owen moves out of the way of a Crush charge.
Number 21 is "The Model" Rick Martel who goes right after Owen. Martel and Crush double team Owen but Owen ducks and Crush decks Martel with a right hand. Owen hits a missile dropkick from the second rope on Crush and atomic drops Martel through the ropes to the outside. Crush stops Owen's momentum with an inverted atomic drop. Crush and Martel hit a double clothesline on Owen and they double team him in the corner. Owen fights his way out as the countdown starts.
Number 22 is Bret "The Hitman" Hart who saves his brother by going after Crush. The Hart Brothers fend off the heels as Owen gets the upperhand with Martel. With only 8 guys left, two of them have to be Fatu and Rick Steiner. The other 6 who the hell knows. Crush hits Bret with his kick offense whole Martel almost dumps Owen. A fan jumps the guardrail and security pounces on him off camera as the countdown begins.
Number 23 is IRS as Bret hits a dropkick that sends CRUSH (16:14) over the top and out before Irwin even gets in the ring. IRS goes after Bret as Crush complains to the ref outside the ring. Bret slugs it out with Irwin. Martel and Owen try to eliminate each other as the countdown starts.
Number 24 is Johnny Polo...yes of course I'm serious. Bret cuts him off and fdrops him with a series of right hands before trying to dump him out. Martel and Irwin doubleteam Owen but Bret makes the save. Polo goes to down on Owen but Owen reverses Johnny into the corner. Owen hit and inverted atomic drop on Polo and tries to dump him out in a fireman's carry. Martel and Irwin almost have Bret out but Owen makes the save. Polo and Martel then have Owen halfway out as the countdown begins.
Number 25 is Scott Putski, the son of Ivan. Like I said earlier, Putski vs Sharpe was the actual opener of the show. Scott goes to town on Irwin in the corner as Polo goes after Bret. Bret hiptosses Polo halfway across the ring as Owen avoids elimination. Putski is almost dumped by Irwin but Bret makes the save. Putski goes to work on Polo in the corner as Martel and has Owen down. Martel hops on the second rope but Bret stops him. Martel nails Bret with a second rope axehandle as Polo drops Putski. The countdown begins as Bret is halfway out of the ring.
Number 26 is Fatu of the Headshrinkers. Fatu goes after Bret Hart and nails him with a headbutt. Only 4 guys left and one of them has to be Rick Steiner. Irwin almost gets Bret but Owen makes the save again. Fatu stomps at Putski before trying to assist the other heels in dumping Bret. Owen makes the save again only to eat a headbutt by Fatu. Polo gets worked over by Owen and nearly dumped out but Irwin makes the save. Putski hammers away at Martel in the corner which gets a nice pop. The problem with Putski doing the 10 punch in the corner on Martel was it coincided with the countdown and the crowd missed it.
Number 27 is Marty Jannetty....oh, forgot about him since the Kid was number 4. Jannetty walks into a Fatun headbutt before going after his nemesis Johnny Polo. Marty beats Polo all around the ring and tries to dump him out. Marty almost gets Polo as Putski nearly had Fatu out. Owen clubs away at Irwin before hitting a top rope punch. Bret tries to dump Martel but fails as Fatu now has Putski almost out. Polo misses an elbow drop as the countdown begins.
Number 28 is Bart Gunn of the Smoking Gunns. This was supposed to be Ludvig Borga but he hurt his ankle in the brawl with Rick Steiner, thankfully Bart just happened to be at the arena so Vince plugged him in. Bart goes after Fatu and beats him into the corner as Putski looks for someone to beat on. Bret holds Irwin for Marty to hit with a top rope punch. as Owen, Martel and Polo cram into the corner. Putski and Martel try to dump out Fatu as Owen and Polo continue to go at it. Martel nearly has Bret out but Owen makes the save again. Irwin goes to town on IRS as Jannetty catches a breather in the corner. The countdown begins as Bret hits a headbutt on Polo.
Number 29 is "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels which would be my pick to win it if I were watching this live in 1994. Marty cuts him off and they start beating the daylights out of each other, Marty goes to town on Shawn in the corner but Shawn cuts him off with an inverted atomic drop. Shawn gets the upperhand as the crowd pops for the ex-Rockers going at it. Shawn hits Marty with a few elbows and whips Marty off the ropes only for Jannetty to duck under a clothesline and hit him withn the superkick. By the way Putski and Polo are still there as Marty has Shawn halfway out of the ring. Fatu comes over and nails Marty off of Shawn. Irwin comes over and holds Marty for Shawn to go to work on. Bret, Owen, Samy and Irwin cram in to the corner as the countdown begins.
Number 30 is NOT Rick Steiner...its actually Doink The Clown accompanied by Dink. Before Doink gets in the ring, MARTY JANNETTY (6:12) is backdropped to the floor by his old partner HBK. Owen Hart hits the 20 minute mark as the final field of ten is complete. Bret Hart, Owen Hart, Rick Martel, IRS, Johnny Polo, Scott Putski, Fatu, Bart Gunn, Shawn Michaels and Doink remain. Fatu nails Doink as soon as he gets in the ring as Putski clotheslines Polo down. Polo rakes the eyes of Putski as Jannetty finally leaves. Owen ducks under a roll up by Polo and Johnny goes over the top rope but lands on the apron. Polo goes upstairs but Owen cuts him off with a headbutt, sending JOHNNY POLO (13:11) crashing to the floor. Fatu ducks a charge and SCOTT PUTSKI (11:31) is backdropped out. Scott Putski wouldn't even be on WWF tv semi-regularly for another 3 years but he lasted 11 minutes in a Royal Rumble. Johnny Polo wouldn't be in another one until he returned as Raven in 2001.
Down to eight men remaining Doink pounds away at Martel in the corner as Owen has Shawn halfway out. Doink clotheslines Bret as Owen hits Shawn with a few European uppercuts. Martel then starts choking his Survivor Series teammate Irwin. Irwin then ducks under and backdrops RICK MARTEL (19:45) out of the ring. Shawn has Owen halfway out but Owen then pulls Shawn over the top with him. Irwin and Fatu try to dump Bret out but Bart Gunn cuts him off. Doink and Irwin go at it before he hits Bart. Doink begs off then clobbers Bart. Doink suplexes BART GUNN (7:10) over the top to the floor.
Down to the final six of Doink, IRS, Shawn Michaels, Bret Hart, Owen Hart and Fatu as Doink laughs at Bart Gunn on the floor. Irwin knees Doink in the back and sends him into the corner. Shawn sees him staggering and clotheslines DOINK THE CLOWN (3:14) over the top and gone. Shawn and Irwin go after the Hart Brothers with Fatu assisting Shawn. Doink tries to get back in the ring but referee Danny Davis tells him to scram. Bret atomic drops IRS (17:40) over the top and out as the second rope looks broken.
The final four go into opposite corners and apart from Owen Hart, three of these guys are going to be in the final four this coming Saturday night. Bret hits the 20 minute mark as Bret and Fatu square off with Owen and Shawn the other. Shawn crotches himself on the top rope and Owen nearly rocks him out. Fatu drops Bret with a crescent kick as Shawn has Owen in the tree of woe. Bret almost has Fatu out but Shawn makes the save and dumps BRET HART (21:36) out. Fatu and Shawn circle Owen as Bret leaves. Fatu and Shawn double team Owen but Owen counters with a double clothesline. Owen dropkicks Shawn and tries to dump Fatu but Shawn cuts him off. Owen rams Fatu and Shawn's heads together and Shawn goes flying while Fatu no sells it. Fatu drops Owen with a headbutt of his own and Fatu picks Owen up to be superkicked by Shawn into a spinebuster by Fatu...nice double team. All of a sudden Razor Ramon hits ringside to taunt Shawn. Shawn climbs onto the middle rope to shout at Razor as Fatu whips Owen off the ropes. Owen hits a spinning wheel kick that sends Fatu crashing into SHAWN MICHAELS (10:30) that sends him over the top to the floor. Razor and Shawn brawl to the back as the final two are Owen Hart and Fatu....who saw that coming?
The middle rope finally breaks and Owen chokes Fatu with it when Samu runs back to ringside. Fatu hits a sidewalk slam and throws Owen over the top..but Owen catches himself on the apron. Owen clobbers Fatu and throws him over the top, but Samu makes the save from the outside. Gorilla Monsoon would be having a bird on commentary if he was there and where the hell is Bret? Owen punches Fatu in the corner but Fatu lowblows him. Finally Bret comes back to ringside to even the odds and cheer Owen on. Fatu and Owen slug it out in the ring with Fatu dropping Owen and delivering a falling headbutt. Fatu misses a charge in the corner and Owen slams him. Owen goes up to the top and hits the flying elbow. Fatu gets up and hits a backbreaker on Owen. Fatu goes up to the top but Owen pops up and nails him, forcing Fatu to crotch himself on the top turnbuckle. Owen grabs Fatu and goes to deliver a dropkick but FATU (20:27) already is throwing himself over the top to end the match. Owen Hart wins the New York Rumble after lasting 32 minutes! Bret gets in and celebrates with Owen as the Headshrinkers gather themselves outside. Bret and Owen celebrate until the Headshrinkers get back in the ring. Finally the Headshrinkers retreat and the Harts stand tall.
Times:
Diesel - 6:57 - 28:19
Mo - 6:57 - 8:52
Butch - 9:24 - 10:13
123 Kid - 11:19 - 12:51
Scott Steiner - 13:12 - 34:58
Mike Sharpe - 15:25 - 15:44
Samu: 17:42 - 42:34
Bob Backlund - 19:26 - 40:49
Jeff Jarrett - 21:34 - 28:38
Virgil - 23:36 - 40:48
Bam Bam Bigelow - 25:57 - 37:08
Randy Savage - 27:47 - 36:28
Adam Bomb - 30:03 - 32:09
Sgt Slaughter - 31:55 - 37:45
Crush - 34:15 - 50:29
Mabel - 36:20 - 40:49
Jim Powers - 38:09 - 38:52
Bastion Booger - 40:14 - 41:28
Luke - 42:18 - 43:18
Owen Hart - 44:15 -
Rick Martel - 46:21 - 1:06:06
Bret Hart: 48:22 - 1:09:58
IRS - 50:32 - 1:08:12
Johnny Polo - 51:59 - 1:05:10
Scott Putski - 53:56 - 1:05:27
Fatu - 56:03 - 1:16:30
Marty Jannetty - 58:05 - 1:04:17
Bart Gunn - 1:00:05 - 1:07:15
Shawn Michaels - 1:02:08 - 1:12:38
Doink: 1:04:19 - 1:07:33
Winner: Owen Hart
That was definitely an unorthodox Royal Rumble for sure. I'm sure this was a test run for the real thing which showed Owen was just as good as Bret and guys like Diesel and Crush could dominate. Its too bad this house show is only remembered for the tag title change but keep in mind there was no internet in 1994 and the MSG shows were barely mentioned anymore on television. Only those in attendance saw Owen Hart's coming out party. One thing I should mention is one of the reasons the Rumble went so long was originally there was supposed to be a Rock n Roll Express vs Heavenly Bodies match that was cancelled because of bad travel weather. Jim Cornette wasn't going to risk his top two tag teams for a house show that wasn't even going to be mentioned on TV. As for the whole show, they had their first big house show of the year without The Undertaker or Lex Luger. Nothing was overly worth watching again, especially the Tatanka/Yoko match. Not only that both 123 Kid and Ludvig Borga got hurt and would both miss the Rumble ppv. As we head toward Royal Rumble weekend, the Harts will once again be gunning for the tag belts with The Quebecers regaining the titles. The funny thing was on the same night as the New York Rumble, Monday Night Raw was having Stan Lane give phone updates of the tag match throughout the night to Vince McMahon and Crush on commentary....which was obviously pre-taped since The Hart Brothers, Randy Savage, IRS, Yokozuna, Shawn Michaels, Diesel, Tatanka and Crush were on that Raw card. That episode of Monday Night Raw will be up next just for continuity purposes. As for the New York Rumble, its worth a look if you can ever find it.
