Post by Shatter Machine on Feb 7, 2016 10:38:03 GMT -5
1988.03.27
Wrestle Mania IV
Atlantic City, NJ
The WWF Title was vacant for the first time ever, and it was all done to set up this show, with a 14-man tournament to settle who the champion was. There was some initial shuffling, as Randy Savage was not originally supposed to win the thing, it was supposed to be Ted DiBiase winning and then dropping the title to Savage at Summer Slam Things changed when Honky Tonk Man refused to lose the Intercontinental title to Savage in February, so they switched the brackets all around, and Savage won the tournament, kicking off an insanely hot 1988 for the WWF. This show was about twice as long as most PPV's back then, but there'd only been a handful, so people didn't know what to think. (Summer Slam and WrestleMania are both 4-hour shows now, and nobody blinks.)
Mean Gene opens up the show by introducing Gladys Knight, and she sings “America the Beautiful”.
Gorilla Monsoon and Jesse Ventura are the announcers.
Battle Royal: The Hart Foundation, The Young Stallions, Sika, Danny Davis, The Killer Bees, Bad News Brown, Sam Houston, The Rougeau Brothers, Ken Patera, Ron Bass, Junkyard Dog, The Bolsheviks, Hillbilly Jim, Harley Race, and George “The Animal” Steele
Bob Uecker joins Gorilla and Jesse on commentary. Danny Davis eliminates Sam Houston, Sika is next. The Killer Bees tease eliminations, and Steele hasn't been in the ring. He keeps going after Jim Neidhart, who takes a swing at him, and Steele pulls Neidhart out by the beard. Jim Brunzell is eliminated, then Ray Rougeau and Brian Blair together. Ron Bass gets tossed, and Boris Zhukov dumps Hillbilly Jim. Paul Roma dumps Danny Davis with a fireman's carry. Jim Powers is dumped off camera. Patera eliminates Volkoff, then Zhukov, and Bad News Brown dumps Patera with them. JYD clotheslines Race over the top and we're down to Roma, JYD, Bret Hart, and Bad News Brown. Brown backdrops Roma out as I type that, and JYD holds them off for a bit, but they manage to get together and eliminate him in short order. Bret and Bad News celebrate, until Bret turns his back on him, and Bad News hits the Ghetto Blaster, whips Bret chest-first into the buckles, and dumps him in short order to win at 10:40. Really fast battle royal. * ½ Bret jumps Bad News after the match and destroys the trophy, thus starting his face turn and aborted first singles push.
WWF Title Tournament:
Robin Leach comes out to read a special proclamation about the tournament, and we get underway.
Hacksaw Duggan
Vs
Ted DiBiase (with Andre the Giant and Virgil)
Five years earlier, they're fighting over the Mid-South title, but by now Duggan has been reduced to essentially a mid-card comedy guy. DiBiase backs him into the the corner, and we get a clean break. HE tries again, but Duggan cuts off the cheap-shot. They duke it out, and Duggan hits an atomic drop, and DiBiase tumbles over the top to the floor. Back in, and DiBiase hits a chop, but Duggan hits a clothesline and the ten-punch in the corner. DiBiase gets his boot up on a charge, and DiBiase runs him to the buckle. Clothesline, stomp, and DiBiase hits an ax handle from the second rope for 2. Duggan fires back, but DiBiase rakes his face. Sunset by Duggan gets 2, and Jesse can't believe Duggan could do that. Duggan reverses a suplex, then hits DiBiase in the stomach coming off the top. Punches and a clothesline, and Duggan hits a powerslam. He sets up for the clothesline, but Andre trips him. Duggan turns to go after Andre, who punches him, and DiBiase hits a fist drop for the pin at 4:54. *
Gene Okerlund talks to Brutus Beefcake and points to his dick and says “Brutus Beefcake, this is incredible, what a package!”
Dino Bravo (with Frenchy Martin)
Vs
Don Muraco (with Superstar Graham)
“Jesus Christ Superstar” is edited out here for Muraco's entrance, sadly. Muraco is absolutely juiced to the gills, as is Bravo. Bravo is practically immobile at this point. They trade some power stuff, and Muraco sends him to the buckle. Backdrop and armdrag by Muraco, but Bravo catches him and drops an elbow. Gut-wrench suplex for 2 by Bravo. Bravo misses a knee in the corner, and Muraco goes to work on it, grabbing a spinning toe-hold. Bravo kicks him off, and Muraco gets hung between the top two ropes. Bravo hits a piledriver for 2. He goes for another, but Muraco backdrops out of it. They clothesline each other, and they trades some shots. Muraco hits a leaping forearm, then Bravo pulls the referee in on a charge and hits the side suplex, but the ref DQ's him at 4:53. DUD.
Bob Uecker is in the back to talk to Jimmy Hart and I-C Champion The Honky Tonk Man.
Greg Valentine (with Jimmy Hart)
Vs
Rick Steamboat
This was the last hurrah for Steamboat in the WWF for a few years, as he'd take the rest of 1988 off, then show up in the NWA in 1989. I wonder how that went for him. He brings his kid, who's about 7 or 8 months old, with him. They do a criss-cross bit, and it's full-on arm-dragon, as Steamboat works the wrist. Shoulder block gets 2, then again. He skins-the-cat and hits a dropkick for 2. Back to the wrist, but Valentine cuts him off. Jesse name drops Barry Blaustine, before anyone knew who that was. Valentine chokes him on the ropes, then lifts and drops him on the back of his head. That gets 2. Steamboat back flips out of a suplex and runs Valentine to the buckle. He grabs an armbar, but Valentine hits an atomic drop and a clothesline. Elbows to the head, and he goes to the floor and drops an elbow to Steamboat's throat. They trade shots, and Steamboat gets 2 with a chop. Valentine with a gut-buster, and he goes for the figure-four, working the knee over. Steamboat kicks him to the buckles, and they exchange chops and forearms. Double chop gets 2, but Valentine gets a thumb to the eye and a shoulder breaker for 2. Valentine goes to the top and hits a forearm. He sets for the figure-four, but Steamboat punches out of it. Roaring elbow by Steamboat, and he hits a top-rope chop for 2. Steamboat runs Valentine into the top buckle and goes to the top. He hits the cross-body, but Valentine rolls through and pulls the tights for the victory at 9:07. ** ¾
Gene talks to the British Bulldogs and Koko B. Ware. I just read in an old Observer that the whole reason for the Islanders kidnapping Matilda was for them to refresh their mailing list by having the get well campaign.
Butch Reed (with Slick)
Vs
Randy Savage (with Elizabeth)
Alas, “Jive Soul Bro” is also a casualty. Savage is insanely over as a babyface, and this is a fairly typical “Macho Man fights from underneath” babyface match. Reed controls from the outset, hitting a fist drop and jawing the whole time. Savage comes back, running him to the buckles. Reed blocks and reverses a suplex, then drops an elbow for 2. Reed clotheslines him on the top rope, and Savage goes out for a minute. Back in, Reed hits an elbow. Second rope fist drop, but Savage kicks him on a backdrop. Reed misses an elbow in the corner, but nails a clothesline. He jaws away at Liz, and Savage slams him off the top. Savage drops the elbow for the pin at 5:07. * ¾ This would just about do it for Reed as he would be replaced by by Big Bossman at the end of the summer.
Bob Uecker talks to Bobby Heenan and the Islanders.
One Man Gang (with Slick)
Vs
Bam Bam Bigelow (with Oliver Humperdink)
Gang jumps him at the bell, and we have a bonus in this match: the loudest referee ever. Gang controls until he misses a charge, and Bigelow hits a shoulder block and a splash for 2. Cross-body gets 2. Bigelow clotheslines him down, and they trade punches. Diving headbutt by Bam Bam, and he goes to the ropes. Slick pulls the top rope down and Bigelow tumbles over the top. They brawl on the apron, and Bigelow gets counted out at 2:56. That was awful. DUD.
Gene talks to Hulk Hogan, who cuts the single most narcissistic promo I've ever heard, as he talks about slamming Andre and causing New Jersey to tumble into the ocean and Donald Trump latching on to Hogan to save his family. What a bunch of egotistical shit.
Rick Rude (with Bobby Heenan)
Vs
Jake Roberts
They brawl early, both guys hit slams. Jake works the arm, and we're wasting time. Rude forces him into the corner, and Jake hits a knee. He calls for the DDT, but Rude bails out. Rude gets control and grabs a chinlock. And holds it FOREVER. He eventually lets go and drops a fist for a series of near-falls. Back to the chinlock. Jake hits a back suplex, but Rude holds on and gets 2. Rude puts the boots to him and drops an elbow for 2. Back to the chinlock, and the crowd starts a “boring” chant. This is seriously the worst thing they could have done to this crowd. Jake escapes with a jaw-jacker and fires off punches. Huge backdrop, and he hits the short clothesline, which is the set-up for the DDT. He sets, but Rude runs him to the corner. Rude whips him to the corner, but Jake gets a knee up on the follow. Jake hits a stomach buster for 2. Rude hits a suplex for 2. They clothesline each other down, and Rude scoops him in the corner the ref starts counting, but the bell rings for the 15-minute time-limit. So, so bad. -**
Gene Okerlund is at the tournament board with Vanna White. Vanna makes her picks for the second round. She likes Hogan, doesn't like DiBiase (because he tried to buy the title), does like Savage and Liz, and has no opinion about the One Man Gang.
Hercules (with Bobby Heenan)
Vs
Ultimate Warrior
Warrior sprints to the ring and blows up while doing it. This is just not very good. They just jostle each other, and Warrior nails him in the corner. Herc clotheslines him three times to drop him, and Warrior hits one of his own. Herc backdrops him to the floor, and Warrior pulls him out. They fight around the ring, then go back in. I seriously thought that could have led to a double count-out. Herc hits an elbow, but Warrior punches him in the corner. Hercules with an inverted atomic drop out of the corner. Warrior misses a charge, and Hercules grabs the full-nelson. Warrior kicks off the corner and they go over backwards, and Warrior rolls his shoulder to get the pin at 4:29. ¼ * Hercules attacks Warrior with his chain, but Warrior runs the heels off.
WWF Title Tournament Second Round:
Hulk Hogan Vs Andre the Giant
Ted DiBiase Vs Don Muraco
Randy Savage Vs Greg Valentine
One Man Gang: Bye
There's a great history package on Hogan Vs Andre, including Andre's turn, Hogan's win at WMIII, DiBiase attempting to buy the title from Hogan, Andre jumping Hogan on SNME, DiBiase buying Andre's contract from Heenan, and finally the evil twin referee angle from The Main Event (28 years ago!) where Hogan was screwed out of the title, leading to this tournament. (The logic makes sense: Hogan was pinned, the referee's decision is final, so he's not the champion. Andre surrendered the title publicly, so he's not champion. DiBiase didn't win the title in the ring, so he isn't champion, either. The title is vacant. Brilliant)
Andre the Giant (with Ted DiBiase & Virgil)
Vs
Hulk Hogan
Hogan slides into the ring, and Andre attacks right away. Andre pummels him, but Hogan fires back. Hogan grabs DiBiase and runs he and Andre's heads together. Andre gets tied in the ropes, because he always does. Virgil and DiBiase team to free Andre, and Hogan nails Andre with a punch to knock him down. Hogan drops a couple of elbows, but on the third, Andre grabs him by the throat for a choke. Andre just sits on him. He grabs a choke from behind, then a huge chop. Andre goes to a nerve hold, and Hogan goes to one knee. Hogan's arm drops twice, but he starts coming back. He forces the break and hits Andre a couple of times. Clothesline in the corner, and Hogan calls for the slam. Virgil distracts the ref, and DiBiase hits Hogan with a chair. Hogan grabs the chair and hits Andre. Andre gets it and hits Hogan with the edge, right in the crown of the head (“PLINK”) yeowch. DiBiase and Virgil run, and DiBiase throws Virgil to Hogan and Hogan hits a careless suplex on the floor. Back in the ring, and Hogan slams Andre and poses for the fans. Both guys are DQ'd and eliminated from the tournament at 5:22. That was mercifully short. ¼ *
Gene Okerlund talks to Randy Savage and Elizabeth.
Ted DiBiase
Vs
Don Muraco (with Superstar Graham)
With the double elimination of Hogan and Andre, the winner here gets a bye into the finals. Muraco grabs DiBiase and slams him in. Muraco just mauls DiBiase with power moves, hitting a powerslam for 2. Back elbow, second rope fist gets 2. DiBiase tries to run, but Muraco snap mares and neck snaps him. Muraco drops him on his head out of the corner. Dropkick gets 2. DiBiase bails, and Graham threatens to hit him with the cane, so he goes back in. Muraco whips him into the corner, and Muraco tries to drop him on his head again. DiBiase pulls him in and dumps him to the apron. DiBiase chokes him out, then runs him to the buckle. Clothesline gets 2. Knee to the gut, and a fist drop gets 2. DiBiase chokes him, but Muraco kicks him on a backdrop attempt. Slam by DiBiase, but he misses the back elbow. Muraco punches and chops him, then hits a clothesline. DiBiase hits him in the gut, then hits a stun-gun for the pin at 5:44. Good enough. **
Bob Uecker talks to Demolition about the tag title match.
One Man Gang gets his bye into the semi-finals.
Greg Valentine (with Jimmy Hart)
Vs
Randy Savage (with Elizabeth)
This is a match that could have been an amazing blood-feud if it had ever come to pass. Savage takes him down and drops a knee for a quick 2. Valentine gets a shot in and comes off the top with a forearm. He drops the elbow for 2. Shoulder breaker gets 2, and Valentine drops an elbow to the face. He throws Savage over the top and hits an elbow off the apron. Valentine with chops on the floor. Valentine with an elbow to the chest, then an elbow to the neck on the apron. He chokes him, then drags Savage back in and starts working the knee. Savage gets to the ropes before he can put on the figure-four. Suplex by Valentine gets 2. Slam, backbreaker gets 2. Savage fires back, hitting an elbow. Slam, and Savage goes up. Double ax gets 2. Jimmy Hart distracts Savage, and Valentine takes over again. Savage hits a suplex, but when he comes off the top, Valentine nails him and both guys go down. Savage misses a charge, and Valentine goes for the figure-four, but Savage turns it into an inside cradle for the pin at 6:06. ** ¼
Mean Gene talks to Vanna White about Bob Uecker, then they talk about the rest of the tournament.
WWF Intercontinental Championship:
The Honky Tonk Man (Champion, with Jimmy Hart and Peggy Sue)
Vs
Brutus Beefcake
Peggy Sue is Sherri Martel in a wig, making an amazing transformation. They talk about how Beefcake's outfit seriously looks like a grenade went off in his pocket, and Jesse says hello to Terry, Tyrel, and Jade (his wife and kids). Beefcake catches Honky's leg and atomic drops him. He messes up the hair, then clotheslines him. Honky bails out, screaming about Beefcake staying out of his hair. Honky stalls a bit, then rakes the eyes. Beefcake runs his head into the buckles, then hits the high knee. Honky bails again, so Brutus pulls him back in by the hair. He sets for a backdrop, but dodges when Honky goes to kick. Honky moves on an elbow and goes to town on him. Snap mare and a fist-drop. Jimmy Hart chokes Beefcake behind the ref, and Honky sets for the Shake, Rattle, 'n' Roll, but he's in the wrong place, so he lets go, moves over, and Beefcake grabs the ropes. Honky falls, and Beefcake comes back, hitting a backdrop. He grabs the sleeper, and Jimmy Hart climbs up on the apron and nails the referee with his megaphone. Honky is out, but so is the ref. Beefcake goes for his barbering tools, but Beefcake catches him and pins him to the ring steps and gives him a haircut. The match is stopped, and Beefcake wins by DQ at 6:30. DUD. Peggy Sue dumps water on Honky Tonk Man, and an army of referees hold Beefcake back.
Bob Uecker still can't find Vanna White, but instead he gets Andre the Giant. I love how Andre is just so happily evil here. Gleeful, even.
The Islanders (Haku & Tama) & Bobby Heenan
Vs
The British Bulldogs (Davey Boy Smith & Dynamite Kid) & Koko B. Ware
Heenan is in an attack dog handler's outfit, thus nullifying the advantage the Bulldogs have with Matilda. Dynamite starts with Tama, arm-dragging him, then back dropping him. He slingshots Tama out over the top. Davey misses an elbow, and Haku comes in. Davey with a high cross-body for 2. Slam for 2. Crucifix gets 2. Snap mare into a chinlock, but Haku gets out fast. Tama comes back in, and they work his arm. Davey press-slams Tama, but he tags Haku back in. Back elbow, and Koko comes in and nails a dropkick on Haku. He gets a headlock/headscissors and takes both Islanders down. Dynamite with a clothesline on Haku, but Haku gets a foot up on a charge. Heenan tags in, gets a couple of kicks and chops on Dynamite. One punch from Dynamite and Heenan tags Tama back in. Slam, but he misses a pump splash. Dynamite tags Koko, who backdrops Tama. The Islanders collide, but Haku clotheslines Koko. Tama hits a punch, and tags Heenan. Heenan with a kneelift and lots of kicks. Koko no-sells Heenan and comes back. Heenan rakes the eyes, and Koko sends him to the corner. All six men brawl, and the Islanders splash Heenan down on Koko and that's enough for the pin at 7:30. Not awful. ** The Bulldogs chase after Heenan with the bulldog.
Jesse Ventura poses for the crowd.
WWF Title Tournament Semi-final:
Ted DiBiase receives his bye into the finals.
One Man Gang (with Slick)
Vs
Randy Savage (with Elizabeth)
Gang just mauls him, as this match is mostly just Savage selling so he can be rested for the finals. Gang squashes him in the corner, choking him out with a boot. Gang with a slam, but Savage puts his boot on the rope to break it. Another slam and 2 count. Gang misses a splash, and Savage dodges out of the corner. Savage knocks him to the floor through the ropes, then hits the double ax-handle to the floor. Savage goes for a slam, but Gang just shrugs it off and slams him. Slick menaces Liz, and that distracts the ref, allowing Slick to fire his cane in to the Gang. The ref sees it and disqualifies the Gang at 4:05. DUD. Savage wipes out Gang and Slick and leaves.
Gene Okerlund talks briefly to Vanna, and as soon as she leaves, Bob Uecker, who's been looking for her all afternoon comes in looking for her.
WWF Tag Team Championship:
Strike Force (Rick Martel & Tito Santana, Champions)
Vs
Demolition (Ax & Smash, with Mr. Fuji)
“Demolition” is edited out, but “Girls in Cars” is not. This match was a foregone conclusion, even to me at 11 years old. Martel starts with Smash and gets beat down. Martel goes for a high cross-body, and Smash catches him, so Santana dropkicks him over. All four guys brawl, and Strikeforce hits a double punch for 2. They work Smash's arm, but he tags in Ax. Arm drag by Martel, and they go after his arm. Smash comes back in, but gets hip tossed and they go right back to his arm. Santana gets caught in a body hug, and Ax clotheslines him to start the heat segment. Powerslam by Ax gets 2. Santana fires back, but there's not a lot behind it. He takes quite the beating, with Smash standing on his throat. Suplex gets 2, as Jesse starts talking shit about referee Joey Marella (Gorilla's son). Santana gets an elbow in on a backdrop attempt, but he can't make the tag. Santana hits a flying forearm, and that leads to the hot (and I mean hot) tag to Martel, who comes in and just starts drop kicking. I'm surprised he didn't dropkick the referee. He gets the Boston Crab on Smash, as Santana nails Ax. He goes after Fuji, who tosses his cane to Ax, who clobbers Martel with it, allowing Smash to make the cover and win the titles at 12:33. This kicked off the longest tag team title run in WWE history, as Demolition would hold the titles for 18 months until dropping them in the summer of 1989 to Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard (who were, in a bit of kismet, losing the NWA Tag Team Titles to Barry Windham and Lex Luger at pretty much the exact same time at the first Clash of Champions on TBS.) ***
WWF Title Tournament Finals:
Randy Savage (with Elizabeth)
Vs
Ted DiBiase (with Andre the Giant)
Robin Leach brings out the championship belt, and then Bob Uecker is brought out to be guest ring announcer. He then brings out Vanna White, guest time-keeper. DiBiase comes out, with Andre, and He's supremely confident. Liz is smoking hot in white here, probably the hottest she ever was, and that's saying something. They lock-up, and Andre grabs Savage's ankle, causing the crowd to start chanting for Hulk Hogan to come out. They work a hammerlock, and Andre trips Savage again. DiBiase grabs an arm-wringer, but he's reversed. Savage sends him to the buckle, but DiBiase hits some chops and an elbow to the neck. Back elbow gets 2. Savage punches him on a sunset, and a clothesline gets 2. DiBiase stalls, then chops him down again. Back elbow again, and he runs Savage to the corner. Savage with a running elbow, then he clotheslines DiBiase on the top rope. He knees DiBiase out over the top. Andre stands over DiBiase, telling Savage to jump. Savage thinks better of it and sends Liz to the back. The first time I saw this, my mom said “She's going to get a gun.” DiBiase takes control, dropping fists. The crowd starts chanting for Hogan, and here he is. He sits himself down in Savage's corner. Savage fires back, but Andre grabs him. Hogan runs over and levels Andre. DiBiase gets a clothesline and a legdrop for 2. DiBiase with a suplex for 2. Gut-wrench for 2. Slam, and DiBiase goes up. Savage catches him and slams him off. He misses, and DiBiase grabs the sleeper. Andre pulls the rope away from Savage, so Hogan runs in and nails DiBiase from behind with the chair. Savage drops the flying elbow for the pin and becomes the Undisputed WWF Champion at 9:37. *** They had better matches, but this was still pretty good. Hogan, Savage, and Liz all celebrate following the win.
The Bottom Line: Hogan needed to take time off because his wife gave birth, and he wanted to be with his new daughter, and Savage was the logical choice to carry the company while Hogan was off. They built this story logically and intelligently, and this was essentially the mid-point of the Hogan/Andre/DiBiase story, and the beginning of the Hogan/Savage/Elizabeth story. The big knock on this show is that it's insanely long at FOUR hours, back when PPV's were only 2 hours. The crowd was not a wrestling crowd, and they were thoroughly bored by most of the event. I have a soft spot for this show, since my dad took me to see on closed-circuit when I was 10, but unless you are a huge fan of the era, it's not a great show. Thumbs in the middle.
Wrestle Mania IV
Atlantic City, NJ
The WWF Title was vacant for the first time ever, and it was all done to set up this show, with a 14-man tournament to settle who the champion was. There was some initial shuffling, as Randy Savage was not originally supposed to win the thing, it was supposed to be Ted DiBiase winning and then dropping the title to Savage at Summer Slam Things changed when Honky Tonk Man refused to lose the Intercontinental title to Savage in February, so they switched the brackets all around, and Savage won the tournament, kicking off an insanely hot 1988 for the WWF. This show was about twice as long as most PPV's back then, but there'd only been a handful, so people didn't know what to think. (Summer Slam and WrestleMania are both 4-hour shows now, and nobody blinks.)
Mean Gene opens up the show by introducing Gladys Knight, and she sings “America the Beautiful”.
Gorilla Monsoon and Jesse Ventura are the announcers.
Battle Royal: The Hart Foundation, The Young Stallions, Sika, Danny Davis, The Killer Bees, Bad News Brown, Sam Houston, The Rougeau Brothers, Ken Patera, Ron Bass, Junkyard Dog, The Bolsheviks, Hillbilly Jim, Harley Race, and George “The Animal” Steele
Bob Uecker joins Gorilla and Jesse on commentary. Danny Davis eliminates Sam Houston, Sika is next. The Killer Bees tease eliminations, and Steele hasn't been in the ring. He keeps going after Jim Neidhart, who takes a swing at him, and Steele pulls Neidhart out by the beard. Jim Brunzell is eliminated, then Ray Rougeau and Brian Blair together. Ron Bass gets tossed, and Boris Zhukov dumps Hillbilly Jim. Paul Roma dumps Danny Davis with a fireman's carry. Jim Powers is dumped off camera. Patera eliminates Volkoff, then Zhukov, and Bad News Brown dumps Patera with them. JYD clotheslines Race over the top and we're down to Roma, JYD, Bret Hart, and Bad News Brown. Brown backdrops Roma out as I type that, and JYD holds them off for a bit, but they manage to get together and eliminate him in short order. Bret and Bad News celebrate, until Bret turns his back on him, and Bad News hits the Ghetto Blaster, whips Bret chest-first into the buckles, and dumps him in short order to win at 10:40. Really fast battle royal. * ½ Bret jumps Bad News after the match and destroys the trophy, thus starting his face turn and aborted first singles push.
WWF Title Tournament:
Robin Leach comes out to read a special proclamation about the tournament, and we get underway.
Hacksaw Duggan
Vs
Ted DiBiase (with Andre the Giant and Virgil)
Five years earlier, they're fighting over the Mid-South title, but by now Duggan has been reduced to essentially a mid-card comedy guy. DiBiase backs him into the the corner, and we get a clean break. HE tries again, but Duggan cuts off the cheap-shot. They duke it out, and Duggan hits an atomic drop, and DiBiase tumbles over the top to the floor. Back in, and DiBiase hits a chop, but Duggan hits a clothesline and the ten-punch in the corner. DiBiase gets his boot up on a charge, and DiBiase runs him to the buckle. Clothesline, stomp, and DiBiase hits an ax handle from the second rope for 2. Duggan fires back, but DiBiase rakes his face. Sunset by Duggan gets 2, and Jesse can't believe Duggan could do that. Duggan reverses a suplex, then hits DiBiase in the stomach coming off the top. Punches and a clothesline, and Duggan hits a powerslam. He sets up for the clothesline, but Andre trips him. Duggan turns to go after Andre, who punches him, and DiBiase hits a fist drop for the pin at 4:54. *
Gene Okerlund talks to Brutus Beefcake and points to his dick and says “Brutus Beefcake, this is incredible, what a package!”
Dino Bravo (with Frenchy Martin)
Vs
Don Muraco (with Superstar Graham)
“Jesus Christ Superstar” is edited out here for Muraco's entrance, sadly. Muraco is absolutely juiced to the gills, as is Bravo. Bravo is practically immobile at this point. They trade some power stuff, and Muraco sends him to the buckle. Backdrop and armdrag by Muraco, but Bravo catches him and drops an elbow. Gut-wrench suplex for 2 by Bravo. Bravo misses a knee in the corner, and Muraco goes to work on it, grabbing a spinning toe-hold. Bravo kicks him off, and Muraco gets hung between the top two ropes. Bravo hits a piledriver for 2. He goes for another, but Muraco backdrops out of it. They clothesline each other, and they trades some shots. Muraco hits a leaping forearm, then Bravo pulls the referee in on a charge and hits the side suplex, but the ref DQ's him at 4:53. DUD.
Bob Uecker is in the back to talk to Jimmy Hart and I-C Champion The Honky Tonk Man.
Greg Valentine (with Jimmy Hart)
Vs
Rick Steamboat
This was the last hurrah for Steamboat in the WWF for a few years, as he'd take the rest of 1988 off, then show up in the NWA in 1989. I wonder how that went for him. He brings his kid, who's about 7 or 8 months old, with him. They do a criss-cross bit, and it's full-on arm-dragon, as Steamboat works the wrist. Shoulder block gets 2, then again. He skins-the-cat and hits a dropkick for 2. Back to the wrist, but Valentine cuts him off. Jesse name drops Barry Blaustine, before anyone knew who that was. Valentine chokes him on the ropes, then lifts and drops him on the back of his head. That gets 2. Steamboat back flips out of a suplex and runs Valentine to the buckle. He grabs an armbar, but Valentine hits an atomic drop and a clothesline. Elbows to the head, and he goes to the floor and drops an elbow to Steamboat's throat. They trade shots, and Steamboat gets 2 with a chop. Valentine with a gut-buster, and he goes for the figure-four, working the knee over. Steamboat kicks him to the buckles, and they exchange chops and forearms. Double chop gets 2, but Valentine gets a thumb to the eye and a shoulder breaker for 2. Valentine goes to the top and hits a forearm. He sets for the figure-four, but Steamboat punches out of it. Roaring elbow by Steamboat, and he hits a top-rope chop for 2. Steamboat runs Valentine into the top buckle and goes to the top. He hits the cross-body, but Valentine rolls through and pulls the tights for the victory at 9:07. ** ¾
Gene talks to the British Bulldogs and Koko B. Ware. I just read in an old Observer that the whole reason for the Islanders kidnapping Matilda was for them to refresh their mailing list by having the get well campaign.
Butch Reed (with Slick)
Vs
Randy Savage (with Elizabeth)
Alas, “Jive Soul Bro” is also a casualty. Savage is insanely over as a babyface, and this is a fairly typical “Macho Man fights from underneath” babyface match. Reed controls from the outset, hitting a fist drop and jawing the whole time. Savage comes back, running him to the buckles. Reed blocks and reverses a suplex, then drops an elbow for 2. Reed clotheslines him on the top rope, and Savage goes out for a minute. Back in, Reed hits an elbow. Second rope fist drop, but Savage kicks him on a backdrop. Reed misses an elbow in the corner, but nails a clothesline. He jaws away at Liz, and Savage slams him off the top. Savage drops the elbow for the pin at 5:07. * ¾ This would just about do it for Reed as he would be replaced by by Big Bossman at the end of the summer.
Bob Uecker talks to Bobby Heenan and the Islanders.
One Man Gang (with Slick)
Vs
Bam Bam Bigelow (with Oliver Humperdink)
Gang jumps him at the bell, and we have a bonus in this match: the loudest referee ever. Gang controls until he misses a charge, and Bigelow hits a shoulder block and a splash for 2. Cross-body gets 2. Bigelow clotheslines him down, and they trade punches. Diving headbutt by Bam Bam, and he goes to the ropes. Slick pulls the top rope down and Bigelow tumbles over the top. They brawl on the apron, and Bigelow gets counted out at 2:56. That was awful. DUD.
Gene talks to Hulk Hogan, who cuts the single most narcissistic promo I've ever heard, as he talks about slamming Andre and causing New Jersey to tumble into the ocean and Donald Trump latching on to Hogan to save his family. What a bunch of egotistical shit.
Rick Rude (with Bobby Heenan)
Vs
Jake Roberts
They brawl early, both guys hit slams. Jake works the arm, and we're wasting time. Rude forces him into the corner, and Jake hits a knee. He calls for the DDT, but Rude bails out. Rude gets control and grabs a chinlock. And holds it FOREVER. He eventually lets go and drops a fist for a series of near-falls. Back to the chinlock. Jake hits a back suplex, but Rude holds on and gets 2. Rude puts the boots to him and drops an elbow for 2. Back to the chinlock, and the crowd starts a “boring” chant. This is seriously the worst thing they could have done to this crowd. Jake escapes with a jaw-jacker and fires off punches. Huge backdrop, and he hits the short clothesline, which is the set-up for the DDT. He sets, but Rude runs him to the corner. Rude whips him to the corner, but Jake gets a knee up on the follow. Jake hits a stomach buster for 2. Rude hits a suplex for 2. They clothesline each other down, and Rude scoops him in the corner the ref starts counting, but the bell rings for the 15-minute time-limit. So, so bad. -**
Gene Okerlund is at the tournament board with Vanna White. Vanna makes her picks for the second round. She likes Hogan, doesn't like DiBiase (because he tried to buy the title), does like Savage and Liz, and has no opinion about the One Man Gang.
Hercules (with Bobby Heenan)
Vs
Ultimate Warrior
Warrior sprints to the ring and blows up while doing it. This is just not very good. They just jostle each other, and Warrior nails him in the corner. Herc clotheslines him three times to drop him, and Warrior hits one of his own. Herc backdrops him to the floor, and Warrior pulls him out. They fight around the ring, then go back in. I seriously thought that could have led to a double count-out. Herc hits an elbow, but Warrior punches him in the corner. Hercules with an inverted atomic drop out of the corner. Warrior misses a charge, and Hercules grabs the full-nelson. Warrior kicks off the corner and they go over backwards, and Warrior rolls his shoulder to get the pin at 4:29. ¼ * Hercules attacks Warrior with his chain, but Warrior runs the heels off.
WWF Title Tournament Second Round:
Hulk Hogan Vs Andre the Giant
Ted DiBiase Vs Don Muraco
Randy Savage Vs Greg Valentine
One Man Gang: Bye
There's a great history package on Hogan Vs Andre, including Andre's turn, Hogan's win at WMIII, DiBiase attempting to buy the title from Hogan, Andre jumping Hogan on SNME, DiBiase buying Andre's contract from Heenan, and finally the evil twin referee angle from The Main Event (28 years ago!) where Hogan was screwed out of the title, leading to this tournament. (The logic makes sense: Hogan was pinned, the referee's decision is final, so he's not the champion. Andre surrendered the title publicly, so he's not champion. DiBiase didn't win the title in the ring, so he isn't champion, either. The title is vacant. Brilliant)
Andre the Giant (with Ted DiBiase & Virgil)
Vs
Hulk Hogan
Hogan slides into the ring, and Andre attacks right away. Andre pummels him, but Hogan fires back. Hogan grabs DiBiase and runs he and Andre's heads together. Andre gets tied in the ropes, because he always does. Virgil and DiBiase team to free Andre, and Hogan nails Andre with a punch to knock him down. Hogan drops a couple of elbows, but on the third, Andre grabs him by the throat for a choke. Andre just sits on him. He grabs a choke from behind, then a huge chop. Andre goes to a nerve hold, and Hogan goes to one knee. Hogan's arm drops twice, but he starts coming back. He forces the break and hits Andre a couple of times. Clothesline in the corner, and Hogan calls for the slam. Virgil distracts the ref, and DiBiase hits Hogan with a chair. Hogan grabs the chair and hits Andre. Andre gets it and hits Hogan with the edge, right in the crown of the head (“PLINK”) yeowch. DiBiase and Virgil run, and DiBiase throws Virgil to Hogan and Hogan hits a careless suplex on the floor. Back in the ring, and Hogan slams Andre and poses for the fans. Both guys are DQ'd and eliminated from the tournament at 5:22. That was mercifully short. ¼ *
Gene Okerlund talks to Randy Savage and Elizabeth.
Ted DiBiase
Vs
Don Muraco (with Superstar Graham)
With the double elimination of Hogan and Andre, the winner here gets a bye into the finals. Muraco grabs DiBiase and slams him in. Muraco just mauls DiBiase with power moves, hitting a powerslam for 2. Back elbow, second rope fist gets 2. DiBiase tries to run, but Muraco snap mares and neck snaps him. Muraco drops him on his head out of the corner. Dropkick gets 2. DiBiase bails, and Graham threatens to hit him with the cane, so he goes back in. Muraco whips him into the corner, and Muraco tries to drop him on his head again. DiBiase pulls him in and dumps him to the apron. DiBiase chokes him out, then runs him to the buckle. Clothesline gets 2. Knee to the gut, and a fist drop gets 2. DiBiase chokes him, but Muraco kicks him on a backdrop attempt. Slam by DiBiase, but he misses the back elbow. Muraco punches and chops him, then hits a clothesline. DiBiase hits him in the gut, then hits a stun-gun for the pin at 5:44. Good enough. **
Bob Uecker talks to Demolition about the tag title match.
One Man Gang gets his bye into the semi-finals.
Greg Valentine (with Jimmy Hart)
Vs
Randy Savage (with Elizabeth)
This is a match that could have been an amazing blood-feud if it had ever come to pass. Savage takes him down and drops a knee for a quick 2. Valentine gets a shot in and comes off the top with a forearm. He drops the elbow for 2. Shoulder breaker gets 2, and Valentine drops an elbow to the face. He throws Savage over the top and hits an elbow off the apron. Valentine with chops on the floor. Valentine with an elbow to the chest, then an elbow to the neck on the apron. He chokes him, then drags Savage back in and starts working the knee. Savage gets to the ropes before he can put on the figure-four. Suplex by Valentine gets 2. Slam, backbreaker gets 2. Savage fires back, hitting an elbow. Slam, and Savage goes up. Double ax gets 2. Jimmy Hart distracts Savage, and Valentine takes over again. Savage hits a suplex, but when he comes off the top, Valentine nails him and both guys go down. Savage misses a charge, and Valentine goes for the figure-four, but Savage turns it into an inside cradle for the pin at 6:06. ** ¼
Mean Gene talks to Vanna White about Bob Uecker, then they talk about the rest of the tournament.
WWF Intercontinental Championship:
The Honky Tonk Man (Champion, with Jimmy Hart and Peggy Sue)
Vs
Brutus Beefcake
Peggy Sue is Sherri Martel in a wig, making an amazing transformation. They talk about how Beefcake's outfit seriously looks like a grenade went off in his pocket, and Jesse says hello to Terry, Tyrel, and Jade (his wife and kids). Beefcake catches Honky's leg and atomic drops him. He messes up the hair, then clotheslines him. Honky bails out, screaming about Beefcake staying out of his hair. Honky stalls a bit, then rakes the eyes. Beefcake runs his head into the buckles, then hits the high knee. Honky bails again, so Brutus pulls him back in by the hair. He sets for a backdrop, but dodges when Honky goes to kick. Honky moves on an elbow and goes to town on him. Snap mare and a fist-drop. Jimmy Hart chokes Beefcake behind the ref, and Honky sets for the Shake, Rattle, 'n' Roll, but he's in the wrong place, so he lets go, moves over, and Beefcake grabs the ropes. Honky falls, and Beefcake comes back, hitting a backdrop. He grabs the sleeper, and Jimmy Hart climbs up on the apron and nails the referee with his megaphone. Honky is out, but so is the ref. Beefcake goes for his barbering tools, but Beefcake catches him and pins him to the ring steps and gives him a haircut. The match is stopped, and Beefcake wins by DQ at 6:30. DUD. Peggy Sue dumps water on Honky Tonk Man, and an army of referees hold Beefcake back.
Bob Uecker still can't find Vanna White, but instead he gets Andre the Giant. I love how Andre is just so happily evil here. Gleeful, even.
The Islanders (Haku & Tama) & Bobby Heenan
Vs
The British Bulldogs (Davey Boy Smith & Dynamite Kid) & Koko B. Ware
Heenan is in an attack dog handler's outfit, thus nullifying the advantage the Bulldogs have with Matilda. Dynamite starts with Tama, arm-dragging him, then back dropping him. He slingshots Tama out over the top. Davey misses an elbow, and Haku comes in. Davey with a high cross-body for 2. Slam for 2. Crucifix gets 2. Snap mare into a chinlock, but Haku gets out fast. Tama comes back in, and they work his arm. Davey press-slams Tama, but he tags Haku back in. Back elbow, and Koko comes in and nails a dropkick on Haku. He gets a headlock/headscissors and takes both Islanders down. Dynamite with a clothesline on Haku, but Haku gets a foot up on a charge. Heenan tags in, gets a couple of kicks and chops on Dynamite. One punch from Dynamite and Heenan tags Tama back in. Slam, but he misses a pump splash. Dynamite tags Koko, who backdrops Tama. The Islanders collide, but Haku clotheslines Koko. Tama hits a punch, and tags Heenan. Heenan with a kneelift and lots of kicks. Koko no-sells Heenan and comes back. Heenan rakes the eyes, and Koko sends him to the corner. All six men brawl, and the Islanders splash Heenan down on Koko and that's enough for the pin at 7:30. Not awful. ** The Bulldogs chase after Heenan with the bulldog.
Jesse Ventura poses for the crowd.
WWF Title Tournament Semi-final:
Ted DiBiase receives his bye into the finals.
One Man Gang (with Slick)
Vs
Randy Savage (with Elizabeth)
Gang just mauls him, as this match is mostly just Savage selling so he can be rested for the finals. Gang squashes him in the corner, choking him out with a boot. Gang with a slam, but Savage puts his boot on the rope to break it. Another slam and 2 count. Gang misses a splash, and Savage dodges out of the corner. Savage knocks him to the floor through the ropes, then hits the double ax-handle to the floor. Savage goes for a slam, but Gang just shrugs it off and slams him. Slick menaces Liz, and that distracts the ref, allowing Slick to fire his cane in to the Gang. The ref sees it and disqualifies the Gang at 4:05. DUD. Savage wipes out Gang and Slick and leaves.
Gene Okerlund talks briefly to Vanna, and as soon as she leaves, Bob Uecker, who's been looking for her all afternoon comes in looking for her.
WWF Tag Team Championship:
Strike Force (Rick Martel & Tito Santana, Champions)
Vs
Demolition (Ax & Smash, with Mr. Fuji)
“Demolition” is edited out, but “Girls in Cars” is not. This match was a foregone conclusion, even to me at 11 years old. Martel starts with Smash and gets beat down. Martel goes for a high cross-body, and Smash catches him, so Santana dropkicks him over. All four guys brawl, and Strikeforce hits a double punch for 2. They work Smash's arm, but he tags in Ax. Arm drag by Martel, and they go after his arm. Smash comes back in, but gets hip tossed and they go right back to his arm. Santana gets caught in a body hug, and Ax clotheslines him to start the heat segment. Powerslam by Ax gets 2. Santana fires back, but there's not a lot behind it. He takes quite the beating, with Smash standing on his throat. Suplex gets 2, as Jesse starts talking shit about referee Joey Marella (Gorilla's son). Santana gets an elbow in on a backdrop attempt, but he can't make the tag. Santana hits a flying forearm, and that leads to the hot (and I mean hot) tag to Martel, who comes in and just starts drop kicking. I'm surprised he didn't dropkick the referee. He gets the Boston Crab on Smash, as Santana nails Ax. He goes after Fuji, who tosses his cane to Ax, who clobbers Martel with it, allowing Smash to make the cover and win the titles at 12:33. This kicked off the longest tag team title run in WWE history, as Demolition would hold the titles for 18 months until dropping them in the summer of 1989 to Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard (who were, in a bit of kismet, losing the NWA Tag Team Titles to Barry Windham and Lex Luger at pretty much the exact same time at the first Clash of Champions on TBS.) ***
WWF Title Tournament Finals:
Randy Savage (with Elizabeth)
Vs
Ted DiBiase (with Andre the Giant)
Robin Leach brings out the championship belt, and then Bob Uecker is brought out to be guest ring announcer. He then brings out Vanna White, guest time-keeper. DiBiase comes out, with Andre, and He's supremely confident. Liz is smoking hot in white here, probably the hottest she ever was, and that's saying something. They lock-up, and Andre grabs Savage's ankle, causing the crowd to start chanting for Hulk Hogan to come out. They work a hammerlock, and Andre trips Savage again. DiBiase grabs an arm-wringer, but he's reversed. Savage sends him to the buckle, but DiBiase hits some chops and an elbow to the neck. Back elbow gets 2. Savage punches him on a sunset, and a clothesline gets 2. DiBiase stalls, then chops him down again. Back elbow again, and he runs Savage to the corner. Savage with a running elbow, then he clotheslines DiBiase on the top rope. He knees DiBiase out over the top. Andre stands over DiBiase, telling Savage to jump. Savage thinks better of it and sends Liz to the back. The first time I saw this, my mom said “She's going to get a gun.” DiBiase takes control, dropping fists. The crowd starts chanting for Hogan, and here he is. He sits himself down in Savage's corner. Savage fires back, but Andre grabs him. Hogan runs over and levels Andre. DiBiase gets a clothesline and a legdrop for 2. DiBiase with a suplex for 2. Gut-wrench for 2. Slam, and DiBiase goes up. Savage catches him and slams him off. He misses, and DiBiase grabs the sleeper. Andre pulls the rope away from Savage, so Hogan runs in and nails DiBiase from behind with the chair. Savage drops the flying elbow for the pin and becomes the Undisputed WWF Champion at 9:37. *** They had better matches, but this was still pretty good. Hogan, Savage, and Liz all celebrate following the win.
The Bottom Line: Hogan needed to take time off because his wife gave birth, and he wanted to be with his new daughter, and Savage was the logical choice to carry the company while Hogan was off. They built this story logically and intelligently, and this was essentially the mid-point of the Hogan/Andre/DiBiase story, and the beginning of the Hogan/Savage/Elizabeth story. The big knock on this show is that it's insanely long at FOUR hours, back when PPV's were only 2 hours. The crowd was not a wrestling crowd, and they were thoroughly bored by most of the event. I have a soft spot for this show, since my dad took me to see on closed-circuit when I was 10, but unless you are a huge fan of the era, it's not a great show. Thumbs in the middle.