Steve-a-mania reviews: King of the Ring 1994

Venue: Baltimore Arena

Attendance: 12,000

Razor Ramon vs. Bam Bam Bigelow- King of the Ring Quarter-Finals

Luna yells at Razor Ramon diverting his attention, as cool as ever he tosses his tooth pick at her. The distraction proves useful enough as Bigelow goes on the attack, dominating the early going with some knock downs and scoop slams. Razor shifts the momentum and tries to get Bigelow off his feet with 2 knock downs, the third try costs him when Bigelow throws him out of the ring. Bigelow locks in the torture rack, eventually the hold is released and Razor hits a back suplex. Razor starts to get some momentum going with scoop slams of his own. The control switches back as Bigelow hits a reverse elbow and goes up top. Razor to his feet hooks Bigelow and slams him to the mat. He makes the cover for a 3.8:24 It started and finished in some fairly exciting fashion. But, about what’s expected from an opening round match.

Winner: Razor Ramon
Rating: **

– Todd Pettengill is standing by with IRS and Mabel for an interview, IRS has some strong words for Mabel and says that he hopes to meet Tatanka in the next round of the tournament.

Mabel vs. I.R.S- King of the Ring Tournament Quarter-Finals

I.R.S attempts an attack from behind but Mabel dodges it and takes control of the match in the early going. But, he is caught out by an awkwardly executed clothesline and tries to wear the much larger opponent down with a very long chin lock. Mabel escapes the hold and powers out I.R.S follows it up with two suplexes. Mabel climbs to the second rope, I.R.S shakes the ropes causing Mabel to collapse off it. He covers with the foot on the rope for 3.5:34 Very sloppy match which plodded along for most of it. Mabel was just terrible with being unable to execute the majority of his moves.

Winner: I.R.S
Rating: ½*

– Backstage Jim Cornette, Mr. Fuji, Crush and Yokozuna are in the locker room ahead of their Tag team title shot tonight. Jim Cornette plays down the Head Shrinkers chances of retaining the titles tonight, in his minute a mile speech we all know and love.

Owen Hart vs. Tatanka- King of the Ring Quarter-Finals

Tatanka wastes little time in the early going full speed ahead with some rights and an Irish Whip into the corner. Tatanka has a head lock in but is shoved off into the ropes for a shoulder block by Owen. Outside of the ring Owen Irish Whips Tatanka into the ring post. Split screen for a double feature as backstage Razor Ramon and I.R.S are being separated by officials. Back in the ring Owen keeps in control by choking him with the ropes and follows it up with a drop kick from top rope, but only gets 2. Owen tries to methodically break down Tatanka with a head lock and sleeper hold attempt. Owen bashes Tatanka’s head on the turnbuckle, but to no effect. He gets the war dance geared up, Owen trying to throw rights, lefts and anything he can think of to break it up. Owen sends Tatanka into the ropes, he puts his head down but Tatanka leaps over to roll him up. Owen stands his ground and drops to his knees for 3. 8:18 Not too bad, the closing minutes had some pretty exciting sequences to it. Owen Hart keeping up a high tempo and bumping like crazy for Tatanka really helped give it some energy.

Winner: Owen Hart
Rating: **¼

– Todd Pettengill is backstage with Shawn Michaels and Diesel, they go over how on The King’s Court Diesel power bombed Bret Hart. Shawn Michaels fakes some compassion for Bret Hart as Diesel straight faced has some intense words for Bret Hart about winning his title tonight.

Jeff Jarrett vs. 123 Kid- King of the Ring Quarter-Finals

Jarrett controls the early going using his significant weight and strength advantage over 123 Kid. He lays in some rights and lefts followed up with an Irish Whip to the corner. 123 Kid tries to sneakily catch Jarrett off guard with some quick roll ups. 123 Kid dodges a clothesline and hits a big roundhouse kick on Jarrett. Going to the top rope, Jarrett attempts a super plex but he is punched off. 123 Kid hits a cross body, he speed’s it up taking it to Jarrett but is caught out when Jarrett kicks out his legs. He sets up the Figure 4, but the game plan of sneaky pin falls comes into play as he gets an inside cradle for 3. After the match is over, frustration takes over in Jeff Jarrett as he attacks 123 Kid. 4:39 Good match and very exciting for the time they was given. watching 123 Kid matches at this time was always a pleasure with his entertaining style and the knowledge that he could win out of anywhere.

Winner: 123 Kid
Rating: **¾

– Todd Pettengill is backstage with Bret Hart as they talk about the power bomb that Bret Hart received. Bret Hart talks about how devastating the move is and how he doesn’t even know if he can kick out of it. But that Diesel is a long way off hitting the move.

Bret Hart vs. Diesel- WWF Championship

Diesel uses his power to throw off all attempts Bret has to try and wrestle him to the mat. The early going is very back and forth with Diesel being able to stop any momentum Bret looks to gain with some power moves. Bret Hart does get some momentum going when he focuses on the legs, stomping and kicking at them. As well as applying the Figure 4 Leg lock keeping the focus on the legs. Bret wraps his legs around the post and slams them hard, he is taken by surprise though as Shawn Michaels hits him with a clothesline. Jim Neidhart is on hot pursuit of Shawn Michaels chasing him around the ring. Diesel takes control of the match after he moves out of the way of a suicide dive, back in the ring he focuses his attention on the back with some forearm’s, Irish Whips and side slams. Shawn Michaels on the ring apron loosens the turnbuckle padding, Diesel throws Bret Hart into the referee causing a momentary distraction so Diesel can remove the padding. Bret Hart finding his way back into the match he shoves Diesel into the corner but is caught out by a big boot. After a failed Sharp Shooter attempt he stays in control with a drop kick out of the ring. Diesel recovers and throws Jim Neidhart into the ring post, the referee’s attention is diverted enough for Shawn Michaels to level Bret on the back of the head with the title belt. Diesel is back in the ring and hit’s a power bomb, before he can make the cover Jim Neidhart hit’s a clothesline on Diesel causing a disqualification. Jim Neidhart leaves the ring. Shawn Michaels and Diesel put a beat down on Bret Hart with referee’s and official’s breaking it up. 22:51 This was a damn fine match, they probably could have done more with the Jack Knife Power bomb factor. But, that being said the story telling and psychology was top notch.

Winner: Diesel (via Disqualification, Bret Hart retains)
Rating: ***¾

– Todd Pettengill is with Jerry Lawler backstage, Lawler talks about Piper’s less than favourable movie Hell Comes To Frog Town, nowhere near as good as They Live. Lawler then mocks how Roddy Piper said he is donating his pay tonight to a Children’s Hospital, Lawler claiming they won’t receive money after he beats him tonight.

Razor Ramon vs. I.R.S- King of the Ring Semi-Finals

I.R.S takes control in the early going in the ring, but on the outside Razor shifts the momentum to his favour. He leads him into the ring and gives him some stiff right hands. I.R.S manages to take control again when he tries to ground down with a head lock, using the ropes for leverage tricking the referee with letting off the ropes at the right time. The back and forth continues with Razor on the offence now hitting a reverse elbow. He levels him in the mid section with a kick and hit’s the Razors Edge for the 3. 5:13 123 Kid vs. Jeff Jarrett showed us a good way to use little time, this was the opposite.

Winner: Razor Ramon
Rating: ¾*

Owen Hart vs. 123 Kid- King of the Ring Semi-Finals

A delayed entrance from 123 Kid due to the beating he got from Jeff Jarrett earlier. 123 Kid makes his way down to the ring approaching the ring apron, Owen Hart hits a brutal Baseball Slide. Back in the ring, 123 Kid goes with the game plan that brought him to the dance with quick roll ups. 123 Kid uses his incredible speed and martial arts ability to get himself into the match. He follows this up with a Northern Light’s Suplex, the referee clearly counts the 3 despite Owen having his foot on the rope for 2. 123 Kid remains in control, everyone’s favourite under dog looking for an unlikely win. He is caught out with a German Suplex. Owen drags him to the middle of the ring locking in the Sharp Shooter, 123 Kid holds on for as long as he can before submitting. 3:37 Short but a very fun match that had some really exciting exchanges.

Winner: Owen Hart
Rating: ***

– Roddy Piper is backstage where he talks about Jerry Lawler bringing out his own Roddy Piper impersonator to mimic Piper. Roddy then talks about the different kings, mentioning Rodney and Don. He finishes off with saying that there are 2 certain things, the first being that everyone pays the Piper and second that there is no such thing as a King. Not the most ideal thing to say considering the event they are at.

The Headshrinkers vs. Crush & Yokozuna- WWF World Tag Team Titles

Both teams in the ring come face to face with each other, leading to the inevitable slug fest. Yokozuna and Crush Irish Whip their opponents into each other. They for some reason start to lay some rights and lefts to each other. Fatu and Samu use their various kicks to startle Yokozuna and send him out of the ring. Crush and Yokozuna are able to get control of the match when Mr. Fuji jabs Fatu in the back with a flag pole. Crush and Yokozuna control the match now with some powerful slams. Crush is in with Samu, still in control hit’s a super plex. His attention is taken by Lex Luger walking down the entrance ramp, allowing enough time for Fatu to hit a super kick and cover for 3. 9:16 Not a terrible match. Limiting Yokozuna’s match time was a good call with his inability to move and all.

Winner: The Headshrinkers
Rating: *½

– Owen Hart is being interviewed backstage where he talks about Bret Hart being a loser. He goes on to say how he will go on and win the King of the Ring tournament and before his exit wishes his Dad a Happy Father’s Day.

Razor Ramon vs. Owen Hart- King of the Ring Final

Razor starts out by being the stronger of the two, with his strength and size advantage being too much for Owen’s agility. The size advantage doesn’t stop Owen from peppering Razor with some slaps to the face. Owen locks in an abdominal stretch, grabbing the ropes to give him some extra leverage. Razor is able to shift the momentum after coming out on top following a series of reversals with a choke slam. Razor nails the back suplex off the top rope, he signals for the Razor’s Edge before hitting it Owen back body drops him over the top rope. Jim Neidhart runs down to the ring, at first looking to comfort Razor but then knocks him down and rams him into the ring post. Throwing him back into the ring, Owen hits an elbow drop for 3. 6:35 Jim Neidhart’s turn was the ray of light in an otherwise uneventful match. Shame really, when early on it showed a lot of potential.

Winner: Owen Hart
Rating:**

The coronation ceremony begins, before having the crown put on him he grabs the microphone and says that he did what he said he was going to do and demands the respect of a King now. Instead of having Jack Tunney present him with the crown, he wants Jim Neidhart to present him with it. He places the crown on Owen’s head, Todd Pettengill is halfway through announcing the King of the Ring when he grabs the microphone and says from now on he wants to be referred to as the King of Harts.

Roddy Piper vs. Jerry “The King” Lawler

Roddy Piper walks down the entrance ramp, but he brings out the Roddy Piper impersonator. They both enter the ring and Piper grabs a microphone and says that they have come here to chew bubblegum and kick ass. Piper starts it off by throwing his Kilt over Lawler followed by some wild rights and lefts. Jerry Lawler tries to get back into the match but every time he does so Piper has an answer for it. Lawler throws a right knocking Piper down, he then chases after the impersonator clasping his hands over his neck choking him. Lawler keeps Piper grounded with a head lock and sleeper hold. Before long they become embroiled in a slug fest like two prized fighters, very slow and old prize fighters. Piper hits 2 bulldogs on Lawler, a third one inadvertently knocking down the referee. Lawler hits Piper with some brass knucks, the Roddy Piper impersonator pushes Lawler’s legs off the ropes before 3. Piper follows this up with a back suplex into a pin for 3. 12:30 Slow and pointless, way to promote the New Generation of wrestlers WWF.

Winner: Roddy Piper
Rating: ¼*

The 411: From a wrestling stand point there was only one match that stood out. But, it was very good to see Owen Hart become King of the Ring and transform into the King of Harts, being a continuance to the great feud with Bret Hart. Art Donovan on commentary bounced from insufferable to amusing throughout. I think J.D Dunn put it best in his King of the Ring 94 review with the comparison to Grandpa Simpson.

Final Score:  7.0   [ Good ]