YOKOZUNA (C) VS. LEX LUGER

 

Back at King of the Ring Yokozuna won the WWF Championship back from Hulk Hogan in his last WWF PPV appearance for 9 years. He had run roughshod over the WWF until 4^th July on USS Intrepid, where Lex Luger was the only one able to slam Yokozuna and earn number one contendership to the championship, however, Jim Cornette had two conditions for the match. Lex Luger wouldn’t receive a rematch after SummerSlam and he had to wear protective padding over his steel-plated elbow.

Vince McMahon and Bobby “The Brain” Heenan are on commentary for this match.

Before the match we get both the Japanese and American National Anthems. Yokozuna then makes his way down with Mr. Fuji and Jim Cornette, at 568lbs he has to carry the belt over his shoulder on his way to the ring. Heenan says he’s even heavier than that. The Fink is our ring announcer for this match. Randy Savage is also in the ring wearing USA colours,  he’s introducing Lex Luger who slaps hands on his way to the ring.

 

YOKOZUNA © VS. LEX LUGER

(WWF Championship)

WWF SummerSlam 1993 (30^th August 1993)

  There’s a long staredown, Mr. Fuji makes his way to the apron, Luger turns his attention to the manager but he sidesteps Yokozuna, sending him into the corner.

  Lex Luger connects with right hands, sending Yokozuna off the ropes into a back elbow, but Yokozuna doesn’t leave his feet. He tries to slam Luger, but Lex Luger lands on his feet, they go to the ropes and Yokozuna knocks Luger down with a back elbow. Luger moves out of the way of the running leg drop, he kicks at Yokozuna’s leg, Yoko climbs halfway out of the ring and Luger kicks the rope into the champion. Lex Luger hits a jumping elbow drop for a nearfall. Luger hits the ropes but is caught in a slam, he avoids an elbow drop and fires right hands at Yokozuna. Luger kicks Yokozuna in the midsection as he’s backed into the corner and his head is sent off the top turnbuckle. Yokozuna is sent across the ring, Luger follows with a clothesline and forearm shot to the chest before corner punches. He has a chat with referee Earl Hebner and gets cut off by a shot from Yokozuna. He follows with a chop before choking Luger in the corner. He draws the referee away as Mr. Fuji tries to throw salt in Luger’s face in the corner, but Luger blocks it! Lex Luger connects with more right hands to Yokozuna as McMahon mentions that nothing has gone to plan for the champion and his cohorts in this match. Lex Luger tries to slam Yokozuna but can’t get him off his feet, Luger is knocked down with a thrust kick and he has to use the ropes to get to his feet. Yokozuna clubs him down and sends Luger out of the ring with a headbutt.

  Jim Cornette tries to sneak up on Luger around ringside, Lex gets to the apron but Yokozuna knocks him back down and follows. Yokozuna chokes Luger with something out of the referee’s sight. He sets Lex Luger up against the ring post and splashes him. Yokozuna grabs a chair but hits the post. Lex Luger fights back with right hands, Yokozuna rolls back into the ring and Luger follows, going to the middle rope for a double ax handle. He hits another from the top rope but Yokozuna is still on his feet. Lex Luger hits a diving forearm from the top rope finally knocking Yokozuna down and covers 1, 2, no! He hits Yokozuna with a clothesline from behind, which had a sickening sound. He covers but still only gets 2. Lex Luger ducks a clothesline but they both clothesline each other, leading to a double-down. Jim Cornette gets on the apron and draws the referee so Fuji can hand the bucket to Yokozuna, he knocks Luger down but is slow to capitalize, he crawls for the cover but Lex Luger kicks out. Yokozuna chops Luger against the ropes, stalking him around the ring and raking his back before hitting a belly-to-belly suplex in the middle of the ring.

  Yokozuna covers but only gets 2. Yokozuna chokes Luger against the middle rope and fish hooks at his face before hitting a back suplex. Jim Cornette says this has to be it but Luger still kicks out before 3. Yokozuna snapmares Luger over and locks in the trapeze hold, giving me time to pour a drink as the fans chant USA. Lex Luger starts fighting to his feet and elbows his way free, he tries to slam Yokozuna, but the champion lands in a pin 1, 2, no! Yokozuna hits the leg drop and covers 1,2, NO! Jim Cornette calls it a conspiracy as Yokozuna sets up the Banzai Drop, he climbs to the middle rope and Lex Luger is able to roll out of the way, bringing the crowd to life. Yokozuna is the first to his feet, he clubs at Luger and sends his head into the turnbuckle, but Luger fights back. Yokozuna holds Luger in the corner and chops him. Lex Luger is sent across the ring but Yokozuna sets up too long for the running splash. He staggers out of the corner into a low slam by Lex Luger.

  Mr. Fuji is knocked off the apron, Lex Luger pulls down the forearm pad and runs through Yokozuna, sending him through the ropes to the floor. JimCornette gets on the apron and takes a shot from Lex Luger as the referee counts Yokozuna out.

WINNER: LEX LUGER (Countout – Yokozuna retains the Championship)

 

This was a slow match, Yokozuna looked gassed from nearly the opening bell, the crowd were into everything Luger did due to it being USA vs. Foreign Heel but there was nothing to the 17-minute slog. Luger and friends looked like idiots (including McMahon on commentary) celebrating that he beat Yokozuna. It has to be in the running for worst SummerSlam main event. [½*] 1/10

Lex Luger celebrates in the ring like his victory means anything, The Steiner Brothers, Randy Savage, and Tatanka come out to celebrate with the American flag. Confetti and balloons fall before we go to a video package. Back in the locker room, Ludvig Borga tells Luger he’s not impressed with Luger, his friends or America. He tells Luger if they step in the ring together Borga will break him.