WWF Shotgun (found July to December season of syndicated wrestling show; 1997): Difference between revisions

Revision as of 02:36, 28 November 2022

The show's logo.

Status: Partially Found

On January 4, 1997 the WWF (now WWE) debuted a syndicated wrestling show called WWF Shotgun Saturday Night, with matches initially taking place in nightclubs, malls, subways, etc.^[1] By late February, due to creative decisions by Vince McMahon and then head-writer Vince Russo, they decided to make the show a midcard show, so that wrestlers unused on WWF Raw Is War could get exposure and television time.

Part of the reason why the initial theme was discontinued was because it was often a struggle booking shows every week at such venues, as well as having to constantly work and drive in the freezing cold of New York City.

The presentation was very similar in format to that of WWF Wrestling Challenge in the 1980s. It would include a variety of exclusive midcard feuds, jobber matches, house show promos and main-event storyline buildup. Shotgun Saturday Night was a great inspiration for the 1999 video game WWF Attitude, which featured many of the show's midcarders and had it as an venue in the career mode.

Debut of WWF Shotgun

During the gradual growth of the Attitude Era, the show began branching-out into different syndicated versions across the United States, which were different from each other in terms of content, format and commentary. These included WWF Shotgun Saturday Night, WWF New York and WWF Shotgun Challenge in the Midwest market, most notably in the Wisconsin area.

On August 2, 1997, WWF Shotgun Challenge would become WWF Shotgun. Thereafter the 1997 season became identical in presentation and format to its 1998 and 1999 counterparts, with the only difference being the use of the New Generation "block" logo on the bottom left of the screen instead of the more widely known "scratch" logo.

In Wisconsin, WWF Shotgun would air on WLUK-TV Fox 11 around midnight or later. It was initially broadcasted from the Stevens Point/Plover area to the Appleton/Green Bay area, being hosted by Michael Cole and Kevin Kelly. Some would also have Raymond Rougeau or Tom Prichard on commentary.

This version of WWF Shotgun has also been aired in the New York City/Long Island area (WLNY-TV NY 55), Anglophone Canada (unknown channel), Connecticut (WCCT-TV CT 20), and the United Kingdom (Sky TV).

Status

The season has been found, with Al Balog uploading monthly compilations of the episodes on November 27, 2022.

The only ones missing are the September 6 and December 6, 13 and 20 episodes absent from the compilations. However, single matches from these shows have been found and recovered.

Gallery

These are compilations of all the episodes. The only ones missing are the September 6 and December 6, 13 and 20 episodes absent from the compilations. However, single matches from these shows have been found and recovered.

Https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEPhSNMb3Z4
Https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G23t4cpO1iQ
Https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBN6 r5sI38
Https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvrEccsFZQ8
Https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9GXbJkgqs8
Https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fmwx7XJoPPk