WWE WrestleMania VII
March 24, 1991
LA Sports Arena
Los Angeles, California
Vince’s wet dream of setting the all-time attendance record didn’t come to fruition as he had hoped here. He wanted to have this show at the LA Coliseum with over 100,000 fans. This of course is the “bomb threat” show. That was the excuse they used anyway. In reality they hadn’t even come close to selling enough tickets, so they went to the much smaller LA Sports Arena. With that being said, Sgt. Slaughter was receiving death threats for his Iraqi sympathizer storyline. They decked the arena out in red white and blue colors everywhere and it really was a really hot crowd. Since they couldn’t tout the attendance record, they tried to tout that this was the biggest show with the biggest audience in PPV history. It was a lie, but a lie that Vince had Gorilla say over and over throughout the show. This would mark the last show that featured an obscene amount of matches to try and get workers a WrestleMania payday.
Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby “The Brain” Heenan
Barbarian and Haku w/ Bobby Heenan vs. Rockers (Shawn Michaels and Marty Jannetty)
*Rated #48 on my Greatest WrestleMania Matches of All-time list*
“Hacksaw” Jim Duggan joins Gorilla for commentary in this match. This would be the best opener in WrestleMania history to this point. Not a surprise considering Shawn Michaels is involved. This is an excellent power vs. speed match, as the Rockers bump like crazy for Barbarian and Haku. Eventually the Rockers get control and Michaels hits the high cross body off the top to finish Haku. Excellent opener and the crowd were totally into it. Rockers would pretty much begin to be phased out and ultimately break up. ***1/2
Dino Bravo w/ “Mouth of the South” Jimmy Hart vs. “Texas Tornado” Kerry Von Erich
Talk about a very sad match. Not because it’s bad, but because of the outcome on the lives of the two involved. For some reason when I think of all of the tragic deaths of wrestlers, this match comes to mind. Don’t know why, it just does. Match itself is bad. Short, but bad. Von Erich wins with the Greco roman punch (as Heenan calls it) DUD
“British Bulldog” Davey Boy Smith vs. Warlord w/ Slick
This is a power vs. power match. They had been feuding for a couple months. Originally it was going to be battle of the power slams, as that was both guys’ finishing moves. The Warlord adopted the full nelson as his finisher, so now it became the story of Davey boy breaking the full nelson. The match is better than you would expect, especially when you consider Warlords limitations, but it’s actually a pretty decent match. Bulldog does break the full nelson finisher, and then hits Warlord with the running power slam for the win. **3/4
WWE Tag Team Championship
Hart Foundation (Bret “The Hitman” Hart and Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart) (champions) vs. Nasty Boys (Brian Knobbs and Jerry Saggs) w/ Jimmy Hart
The Nasties won a tag team battle royal not long before this match to earn a tag title shot. At the time the mark in me didn’t think the Nasty Boys had a shot in hell of beating the Harts here. What I didn’t know was that they were finally going to pull the trigger on Bret Hart’s long awaited singles push so losing the tag titles was going to be step one in that regard. This was a very good contest. A lot of people don’t like the Nasty Boys, but one thing they do is they work hard, and do a really good job as heels selling for baby faces. The end comes when Anvil gets hit with the biker’s helmet and the Nasties win the titles. ***1/2
Blindfold Match
Rick “The Model” Martel vs. Jake “The Snake” Roberts
This would be the big blow-off match between these two. A lot of people don’t like this match due to some of the silliness. I found it to be very entertaining, particularly Martel and his shenanigans. Jake once told Martel that it would be the easiest payday he’d ever get because of course, you could see through the hoods. Jake hits the DDT and gets the win and a fitting end to a great feud. Jake would go onto feud with Earthquake in yet another “guy that Jake faces is afraid of snakes” storyline. They never would have an end, and Jake would eventually turn into one of the best heels you’ll ever see. This would be the last good feud Jake would have as a baby-face. **1/2
Undertaker w/ Paul Bearer vs. “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka
This would be the WrestleMania debut of the Undertaker. I always thought it was pretty cool that they used to call Snuka the phenom, and then the Undertaker became the phenom shortly after. Weird how wrestling works like that sometimes, as I’m sure at the time no one was thinking about the irony there. We all know the history of Undertaker at WrestleMania. It looks like they actually botch the ending here, but Undertaker hits Snuka with the tombstone for the finish. Not a great match by any stretch of the imagination, but Undertaker is 1-0. *
Career Match
“Macho King” Randy Savage w/ “Sensational Queen” Sherri vs. Ultimate Warrior
*Rated #13 on my Greatest WrestleMania Matches of All-time list*
Hogan and Slaughter got the main event, but this was the show-stealer. Watching all of these early WrestleMania’s, the first true Mr. WrestleMania is Randy Savage. This is a great match and one of the best, most compelling storylines you’ll ever see. Savage at one point hits 5 flying elbows, but the Warrior kicks out. That seems excessive, but it sort of fit the story that they were going for in this match. Warrior comes back and hits Savage with the gorilla press slam and splash combo but only gets two. I also would like to point out here that Sherri is looking very hot for her. I usually didn’t find her very attractive, but she’s looking good here. Warrior eventually makes a comeback and hits 3 flying shoulder tackles and wins the match. Of course, that isn’t what people will remember. What people will remember is the re-unification of Savage and Miss Elizabeth. Elizabeth comes out and prevents Sherri from doing a number on Savage. Savage and Liz then embrace to the pure joy of the crowd. True drama and I seem to get dust in my eyes every time I watch it. Savage’s retirement wouldn’t last long, as he would come back later that year to feud with Jake Roberts. Warrior would feud with the Undertaker, and then leave the WWE after SummerSlam due to a contract dispute. Any way you look at it, this was a great match, and the best of Warrior’s career. ****1/2
Demolition (Smash and Crush) w/ Mr. Fuji vs. Genichiro Tenryu and Koji Kitao
Demolition’s best days were long since passed. This was just filler; in fact I’m still not even sure why this was even on the card. It’s an awful match with Tenryu and Kitao winning. DUD
WWE IC Championship
Mr. Perfect (champion) w/ Bobby Heenan vs. Big Bossman
Lord Alfred Hayes joins Gorilla Monsoon on commentary so Heenan can join Perfect. This would be the culmination of the Bossman-Heenan Family feud. It’s a great feud, as Bossman finally can end it against Heenan’s “prized henchman”. It’s a fun match too. Perfect oversells everything as usual, and the Bossman is very much in stride as a worker. The ending comes when Barbarian and Haku come out and basically get Perfect disqualified to keep the title. Andre the Giant makes his last WrestleMania appearance here and he and Bossman take care of the Heenan family. Crap ending, but they had to keep the title on Perfect, and Bossman had to win, so the DQ finish was really the only way. Otherwise it was a good match. **3/4
Greg “The Hammer” Valentine vs. Earthquake w/ Jimmy Hart
More filler here, as Earthquake needed something to do. He was just coming off of his feud with Hogan, and still one of the bigger heels in the company. Valentine turned baby-face after Honky Tonk Man left the company early in 1991, so I guess that was the story here. Earthquake wins pretty easily. The match isn’t very good. DUD
Power and Glory (Hercules and Paul Roma) w/ Slick vs. Legion of Doom (Hawk and Animal)
Legion of Doom was on their way to winning that aforementioned tag team battle royal and get a title shot against the Harts here, but Power and Glory cost them the win and allowed the Nasty Boys to become #1 contenders. Because of time constraints, the LOD wins easily here in less than a minute with the doomsday device. Total squash here. DUD
“Million Dollar Man” Ted Dibiase vs. Virgil w/ Rowdy Roddy Piper
A lot of people, me included, were looking forward to this. This was one of the best booked storylines of all time, in terms of longevity, and the payoff was worth the wait. This match isn’t the payoff, but it’s the first step. Most people didn’t know that Virgil was actually a pro wrestler in his own right, which makes the story even better because they do a nice job of making Virgil as an upstart rookie rather than accomplished pro. Piper was the one instrumental in getting Virgil to finally turn on Dibiase. He had a motorcycle accident not long before this, so he was out on crutches. Virgil wins by count out when Dibiase is distracted by Piper. This prompts Sensational Sherri to come out and she and Dibiase work Piper over with the crutch until Virgil makes the save. Virgil and Piper embrace, in a great WrestleMania moment between two friends. Match was ok; they would go onto have a much better match at SummerSlam. **1/4
Mountie w/ Jimmy Hart vs. Tito Santana
They were clearly running out of time here and this match is booked into a short, terrible, squash match win for Mountie. They would have a rematch on the next Saturday Nights Main Event, and given a little more time. DUD
Main Event
WWE Championship
Sgt. Slaughter (champion) w/ General Adnan vs. Hulk Hogan
Regis Philbin is out to commentate with Gorilla and Brain. Alex Trebek is your guest ring announcer, and Marla Maples is the guest timekeeper, for anyone that cares. This of course is the big match that everyone was waiting to see. Leave it to the WWE to exploit the Persian Gulf war like this. It’s as disturbing now as it was even then when I was a youngster. The match is actually pretty good. Slaughter works hard and bumps real nice for Hogan, and Hogan himself put his working boots on and the two of them were determined to have a good match. Hogan even blades for good effect. Of course the match is a formality and never in doubt. Hogan goes over after the big leg drop, and wins an unprecedented third WWE championship. ***
Final Analysis: The show is a mixed bag. The main matches all delivered either in work rate, or raw emotion, but the filler is about as bad is it can get for a WrestleMania. The Warrior-Savage match is one of the best moments in WrestleMania history. The Hogan-Slaughter match is better than expected. Bret Hart was set to begin his singles career. I say the good outweigh the bad in this show and it should be seen. Big changes were ahead, as a big star was on his way.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Return of the (non-WWE) Blog
Hello Blog Reader(s). Coming to you all is a breath of fresh air from WWE reviews. I will cover a wide spectrum of different topics in this post to revive the Blog. (no offense BAM)
First up, the Vikings Stadium debacle.
My question to everyone is why does it take 3 years to build a stadium on the Metrodome site? The Vikings have said they will have to play 3 years at TCF Bank Stadium while a new stadium is being build. Keep in mind that the Vikings and Lester "Douche" Bag-Lely never once consulted the U and created some "costs" that the team would have to eat. Doh'k, why can teams like Chicago or Seattle build or renovate their stadiums in less than a year and yet YOUR Minnesota Vikings need 3 years to build a new stadium? Either way, this guy is sick of hearing about it and if the State wants to play hardball with the team then good for you state, we're happy for you, but just build the GD thing in Arden Hills already. Zigi, we all know you have the money, so put it up and get your stadium where you want it. Yes I understand that it is a lot of cost for you now, but the whole idea of Arden Hills is you build your little Zigi-Ville up there and you cash in like crazy. So, just do it Zigi, and also State of MN, please do the racino idea, if it funds the Vikings stadium or not, it is a great way to help solve some of the state's budgetary problems.
Second. Jeremy Lin.
Let me preface this section by letting all of you know that I am an Asian-American. While I may be the whitest Asian person ever, since I have lived in the great state of Minnesota since I have been 4 months old I am still who I am. Jeremy Lin is a great BASKETBALL story. He went to Harvard and balled there and struggled to make it as a legit NBA player. I don't care if he is white, black, red, yellow, purple or green, the guy can flat out ball. While I understand the importance of Mr. Lin being the 1st American-Asian born player to be of NBA relevance, I think that it should not matter one bit. If he was black would it still be a big deal? Yes. If he was white would it still be a big deal? Yes. A player who was on the edge of being cut who comes of the bench to lead a team on a winning streak would be a big deal no matter what the color of his skin. Especially in the huge market of NYC. Can we all for once look past the race card and just look at Jeremy Lin as a good basketball player?
The answer to that question is NO. It is an absolute NO. Jason Whitlock, who I know nothing about, proved that by his ignorant tweet "some lucky lady will feel a couple of inches of pain tonight." Mr. Whitlock, if Jeremy Lin was a black player (excuse me for not saying "African-American") would you have tweeted something along the same lines? Or what if he was a white player (again, excuse me for not saying "Caucasian"). My guess is no to both. For those of you who know me well, you know I am the last person to bring up the race card unless it is for a joke. But what Whitlock did, while moderately funny, proved a huge point on where we, as Americans, stand on racism in our culture. Whitlock's tweet was incredibly racist and I think we can all agree on that. But let's say the tables were turned and it was a white (Caucasian) sports reporter tweeting about Visanthe Shiancoe's unfortunate moment where his penis was exposed during a post game locker room interview. If the white (Caucasian) reporter were to comment on the size, ect. of Shank's penis in a general statement that generalizes all blacks (African-Americans) what do you think would have happened? The reporter would have been nothing short of crucified. Jay Caspian Kang of Grantland said it best that there is a double standard in this country when it comes to racism, and the Asian-American community appears to be receiving the short end of the stick.
My only plea is this, America, can we all just recognize Jeremy Lin as a great story and a legit NBA player like everyone else? My personal view, and again for those who know me will agree, is that I want to be treated like everyone else in this country and don't want to be seen as anything different than I am. Can we all just see Jeremy Lin for what he is? He was this close to being cut and now is the PG on the Knicks who is leading them to wins. Let us all just leave it at that and understand that while he may be Asian that he is a fantastic basketball player.
Finally, the Ryan Braun story.
In his "press conference" Ryan Braun said that the truth is on his side and that is what got him off the hook. IALTO. Braun, you got off the hook because some part time chumbolone employee decided to hold your piss sample in his fridge for a couple days before sending it off. While you claim to be clear and you would be the first to admit if you did take something, the fact remains that you never really tested negative. And I get that you offered to take a DNA test to prove the piss was yours and MLB said no, which was a big deciding factor the the arbitrator. If I'm MLB, I see that as an out and of course will say no so that my NL MVP winner can stay "clean" and that MLB can continue to fight against PED's. The point I'm trying to make is that Ryan Braun the truth was not on your side (and you had herpes) but the real test will come this season and numbers do not lie. If you blow ass this year then it doesn't take Sherlock Holmes to figure it out, but if you perform how you did before then more power too you. Don't piss on my leg and tell me it is raining Ryan, we will all see who you really are this season. And even just going through this mess will undoubtedly screw with your reputation, so you best get clean and crush it this year or else go the way of Barry Bonds.
That's all for now blog reader(s) and expect more now that my favorite time of the year (March Madness) is coming along.
WWE Royal Rumble '91
WWE Royal Rumble ‘91
January 19, 1991
Miami Arena
Miami, Florida
The 1991 Royal Rumble came at rather unique times, as we had just began the first gulf war so there was a patriotic theme to not only this show, but certainly WrestleMania VII which was a little over 2 months away. Speaking of that, the WWE was still planning on trying to have WrestleMania at the LA Coliseum. Getting 100,000 people to come see that show was going to be difficult, but as of Royal Rumble time, they still were advertising that it was going to happen. Logic suggests that you go with a Hogan-Warrior rematch for the ages, but I’m not sure that was ever in the cards. They didn’t really seem to know what to do.
Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon and Rowdy Roddy Piper
Orient Express (Kato and Tanaka) w/ Mr. Fuji vs. Rockers (Shawn Michaels and Marty Jannetty)
Sato was out, and in comes Kato (Paul Diamond in a mask). This would actually be an upgrade for the team, and when you plug in their opponents, this match is absolute gold. This is a classic match that has to be seen to be appreciated. It has everything you want in a tag team contest and also includes some heel tactics from Fuji on the outside. The Rockers pretty much were at their peak as well and could do no wrong. After their aborted tag team title reign back in October, there really were no plans to put the tag titles on them, and the Legion of Doom was destined to be the tag champions. The problem at this time was there were just too many baby face tag teams at this time. That’s why in less than a year, the Rockers would break up and Shawn Michaels would be on his way to stardom. This is a sensational tag team match as the Rockers prevail. ****3/4
Big Bossman vs. Barbarian w/ Bobby “The Brain” Heenan
The Bossman-Heenan Family feud continues here, and this match is better than you might think. Bossman was pretty much at his peak as a worker, and Barbarian is pretty athletic for a big man. The feud began with Rick Rude and Heenan insulting Bossman’s mother. Rude left so the Bossman turned his attention at Bobby Heenan and the Heenan family. It was actually a simple and pretty good feud. Bossman wins by reversing a cross body into a pin. **1/2
WWE Championship
Ultimate Warrior (champion) vs. Sgt. Slaughter w/ General Adnan
You see, Sgt. Slaughter is an Iraqi sympathizer, and Hulk Hogan is a real American hero. So in one of the most shocking (not really when you look back though) events ever, Sgt. Slaughter defeats the Ultimate Warrior for the title. The best part of the match though is that it probably gives the Warrior-Savage feud something greater to feud over than the WWE title ever could. Savage cost Warrior the match against Slaughter, so at WrestleMania Warrior will want his career. And unlike the Undertaker-Shawn Michaels match 2 years ago, that career match will actually feel like everything is on the line. This match was pretty bad, but does get a little bit of an upgrade with the Savage stuff. *3/4
Mountie w/ “Mouth of the South” Jimmy Hart vs. Koko B. Ware
This was a match that was left off of the Coliseum Video version of this show. Monsoon and Piper spend most of the match complaining that Slaughter is the new champion. Mountie is Jacuqes Rougeau, and he recently made his debut. He beats Koko rather easily here. 3/4*
“Million Dollar Man” Ted Dibiase and Virgil vs. Dusty Rhodes and Dustin Rhodes
This match is historical for the aftermath of it. The match itself wasn’t in doubt. Dusty and Dustin would be in WCW less than a week after this show so Dibiase was going to go over here and he did. The aftermath was truly special though. After years of waiting, Virgil finally left Dibiase after years of abuse. This set up the long awaited Dibiase-Virgil feud. Match was decent enough. **1/4
Main Event
Royal Rumble
After the Slaughter title win, this match became a formality. They had to send the fans home happy, and there was only one way to do that. Hogan wins, but this is a fun Rumble. Bret Hart gets some good face-time coming out #1 as they began to prep him for his big singles run. We saw great performances out of Greg Valentine and Rick Martel. Undertaker made his Royal Rumble debut as did the Legion of Doom. It didn’t have near the star power or raw emotion of the 1990 Rumble though but it was still pretty good. Really hard to have a bad Rumble. The Final four came down to Hogan, Earthquake, Nasty Boy Brian Knobbs, and the returning British Bulldog Davey Boy Smith. Hogan gets the big blow off win over Earthquake and celebrates with the usual. ****
Final Analysis: The Warrior experiment is finally over. Ironically, people were more interested in the Warrior right after he lost the title than they were in the 9 months prior during his reign. Everything was now setting up for Hulk Hogan to regain his title from Sgt. Slaughter at WrestleMania. Dibiase-Virgil was also in place, as well as Snake-Martel. They had something going after this show, unlike at Survivor Series 2 months before.
January 19, 1991
Miami Arena
Miami, Florida
The 1991 Royal Rumble came at rather unique times, as we had just began the first gulf war so there was a patriotic theme to not only this show, but certainly WrestleMania VII which was a little over 2 months away. Speaking of that, the WWE was still planning on trying to have WrestleMania at the LA Coliseum. Getting 100,000 people to come see that show was going to be difficult, but as of Royal Rumble time, they still were advertising that it was going to happen. Logic suggests that you go with a Hogan-Warrior rematch for the ages, but I’m not sure that was ever in the cards. They didn’t really seem to know what to do.
Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon and Rowdy Roddy Piper
Orient Express (Kato and Tanaka) w/ Mr. Fuji vs. Rockers (Shawn Michaels and Marty Jannetty)
Sato was out, and in comes Kato (Paul Diamond in a mask). This would actually be an upgrade for the team, and when you plug in their opponents, this match is absolute gold. This is a classic match that has to be seen to be appreciated. It has everything you want in a tag team contest and also includes some heel tactics from Fuji on the outside. The Rockers pretty much were at their peak as well and could do no wrong. After their aborted tag team title reign back in October, there really were no plans to put the tag titles on them, and the Legion of Doom was destined to be the tag champions. The problem at this time was there were just too many baby face tag teams at this time. That’s why in less than a year, the Rockers would break up and Shawn Michaels would be on his way to stardom. This is a sensational tag team match as the Rockers prevail. ****3/4
Big Bossman vs. Barbarian w/ Bobby “The Brain” Heenan
The Bossman-Heenan Family feud continues here, and this match is better than you might think. Bossman was pretty much at his peak as a worker, and Barbarian is pretty athletic for a big man. The feud began with Rick Rude and Heenan insulting Bossman’s mother. Rude left so the Bossman turned his attention at Bobby Heenan and the Heenan family. It was actually a simple and pretty good feud. Bossman wins by reversing a cross body into a pin. **1/2
WWE Championship
Ultimate Warrior (champion) vs. Sgt. Slaughter w/ General Adnan
You see, Sgt. Slaughter is an Iraqi sympathizer, and Hulk Hogan is a real American hero. So in one of the most shocking (not really when you look back though) events ever, Sgt. Slaughter defeats the Ultimate Warrior for the title. The best part of the match though is that it probably gives the Warrior-Savage feud something greater to feud over than the WWE title ever could. Savage cost Warrior the match against Slaughter, so at WrestleMania Warrior will want his career. And unlike the Undertaker-Shawn Michaels match 2 years ago, that career match will actually feel like everything is on the line. This match was pretty bad, but does get a little bit of an upgrade with the Savage stuff. *3/4
Mountie w/ “Mouth of the South” Jimmy Hart vs. Koko B. Ware
This was a match that was left off of the Coliseum Video version of this show. Monsoon and Piper spend most of the match complaining that Slaughter is the new champion. Mountie is Jacuqes Rougeau, and he recently made his debut. He beats Koko rather easily here. 3/4*
“Million Dollar Man” Ted Dibiase and Virgil vs. Dusty Rhodes and Dustin Rhodes
This match is historical for the aftermath of it. The match itself wasn’t in doubt. Dusty and Dustin would be in WCW less than a week after this show so Dibiase was going to go over here and he did. The aftermath was truly special though. After years of waiting, Virgil finally left Dibiase after years of abuse. This set up the long awaited Dibiase-Virgil feud. Match was decent enough. **1/4
Main Event
Royal Rumble
After the Slaughter title win, this match became a formality. They had to send the fans home happy, and there was only one way to do that. Hogan wins, but this is a fun Rumble. Bret Hart gets some good face-time coming out #1 as they began to prep him for his big singles run. We saw great performances out of Greg Valentine and Rick Martel. Undertaker made his Royal Rumble debut as did the Legion of Doom. It didn’t have near the star power or raw emotion of the 1990 Rumble though but it was still pretty good. Really hard to have a bad Rumble. The Final four came down to Hogan, Earthquake, Nasty Boy Brian Knobbs, and the returning British Bulldog Davey Boy Smith. Hogan gets the big blow off win over Earthquake and celebrates with the usual. ****
Final Analysis: The Warrior experiment is finally over. Ironically, people were more interested in the Warrior right after he lost the title than they were in the 9 months prior during his reign. Everything was now setting up for Hulk Hogan to regain his title from Sgt. Slaughter at WrestleMania. Dibiase-Virgil was also in place, as well as Snake-Martel. They had something going after this show, unlike at Survivor Series 2 months before.
WWE Survivor Series '90
WWE Survivor Series ‘90
November 22, 1990
Hartford Civic Center
Hartford, Connecticut
After SummerSlam Rick Rude departed the WWE. The Warrior was transitioning to a feud with Randy Savage, but in explicably they didn’t captain teams against each other here. The WWE had some feuds brewing but they were really lost at this point as they didn’t seem to know where they were going in terms of building towards WrestleMania VII. This show is a prime example of that, as the usual raw emotion of storytelling that they were known for, was not there.
Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon and Rowdy Roddy Piper
8 Man Survivor Series Elimination Match
The Warriors (Ultimate Warrior (captain), Legion of Doom (Hawk and Animal), and “Texas Tornado” Kerry Von Erich) vs. The Perfect Team (Mr. Perfect (captain), and Demolition (Ax, Smash, and Crush)) w/ Bobby “The Brain” Heenan and Mr. Fuji
Perfect at this time was still chasing Von Erich trying to get his IC title back. That would happen a few weeks after this. The Warrior as stated before was feuding with Randy Savage but was teaming up with the LOD here in their feud with Demolition. LOD and Demolition was a dream match for most, but by the time it actually happened the magic was long gone. Basically Demolition jobbed like crazy to LOD. Warrior knocks out Ax, and then Demolition and LOD get disqualified, leaving Perfect against the Tornado and Warrior. Perfect got a small bit of revenge in pinning Von Erich clean, but Warrior makes a comeback and beats Perfect. Match was only good for Perfect bumping all over the place. **
8 Man Survivor Series Elimination Match
Dream Team (“American Dream” Dusty Rhodes (captain), Hart Foundation (Bret “The Hitman” Hart, and Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart), and Koko B. Ware) vs. Million Dollar Team (“Million Dollar Man” Ted Dibiase (captain), Rhythm and Blues (Honky Tonk Man and Greg “The Hammer” Valentine), and Mystery Partner) w/ Virgil and Jimmy Hart
The mystery partner turns out to be a guy that became rather famous. You might have heard of him. His name is the Undertaker. This is one of the best debuts of all time, as he totally had everyone in the palm of his hand. No one had ever seen anyone like him before. He was impressive in the ring as he squashed Koko right away, and pinned Dusty Rhodes, until getting himself counted out to beat up Rhodes to save his manager Brother Love. The match boils down to Bret Hart vs. Ted Dibiase and it is an outstanding one on one encounter and really saves this match and makes it a pretty solid one. Dibiase wins by reversing a cross body into a pin. Excellent match with the debut of Undertaker and then the exciting finish. ***
8 Man Survivor Series Elimination Match
Visionaries (“The Model” Rick Martel (captain), Power and Glory (Hercules and Paul Roma), and Warlord) w/ Slick vs. Vipers (Jake “The Snake” Roberts (captain), Rockers (Shawn Michaels and Marty Jannetty) and “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka)
This match featured the most emotional feud of the night. Not a surprise when one of participants of that feud is Jake Roberts. Rick Martel sprayed Roberts in the eyes with his “cologne” called “arrogance”. So for this match, Jake could only see out of one eye. Shawn Michaels, bless his heart, does his best to carry this thing, but it just wasn’t going to happen. The match gets down to 4 on 1. Jake scares Martel away with Damian, but gets counted out and for the first time ever, an entire team survives. *3/4
8 Man Survivor Series Elimination Match
Natural Disasters (Earthquake (captain), Dino Bravo, Barbarian, and Haku) w/ Jimmy Hart and Bobby Heenan vs. Hulkamaniacs (Hulk Hogan (captain), Tugboat, Big Bossman, and “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan)
Hogan and Earthquake were still in their feud. Piper does a nice job illustrating that these two teams are the two most evenly matched teams of the card. Match is ok. Bossman gets a small bit of revenge on the Heenan family by pinning Haku. Earthquake goes over strong by pinning Bossman clean. Then the match spills out of control, Duggan gets disqualified by using his 2x4, and Tugboat and Earthquake brawl to a double count out. That leaves Hogan and Barbarian, and that outcome is about as easy to predict as anything. **1/4
8 Man Survivor Series Elimination Match
Alliance (Nikolai Volkoff (captain), Bushwhackers (Luke and Butch), and Tito Santana) vs. Mercenaries (Sgt. Slaughter (captain), Orient Express (Sato and Tanaka), and Boris Zhukov) w/ Gen. Adnan and Mr. Fuji
This is one of the worst survivor series elimination matches you’ll ever see. Everyone but Slaughter gets eliminated on the Mercenaries and everyone but Tito on the Alliance gets eliminated before you can blink, leaving Tito getting a disqualification win over Slaughter. Good for Tito, but the match is putrid. DUD
Main Event
Grand Finale Match of Survival
Ted Dibiase, Rick Martel, Warlord, Paul Roma, and Hercules vs. Ultimate Warrior, Hulk Hogan, and Tito Santana
For the first and thankfully only time in WWE history, all of the survivors come back and meet in a grand finale match. Same concept as a normal Survivor Series contest, except obviously this is 5 on 3. Tito eliminates Warlord right away with the flying jalapeño, but Dibiase eliminates Santana shortly after. The rest is predictable. Hogan pins Roma, Warrior chases Martel away, Hogan pins Dibiase, and finally Warrior finishes Hercules. No surprise here as the two biggest baby faces survive. *
Final Analysis: This is really a bad show. I mean really bad. The debut of the Undertaker is cool and has some historical value, but really, this show is bad and the decline has begun. Things would really begin to change in 1991. Some for the better, some for the worse. One thing was certain here though. The Ultimate Warrior experiment was not working, and it wouldn’t be long before they turn back to Hogan.
November 22, 1990
Hartford Civic Center
Hartford, Connecticut
After SummerSlam Rick Rude departed the WWE. The Warrior was transitioning to a feud with Randy Savage, but in explicably they didn’t captain teams against each other here. The WWE had some feuds brewing but they were really lost at this point as they didn’t seem to know where they were going in terms of building towards WrestleMania VII. This show is a prime example of that, as the usual raw emotion of storytelling that they were known for, was not there.
Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon and Rowdy Roddy Piper
8 Man Survivor Series Elimination Match
The Warriors (Ultimate Warrior (captain), Legion of Doom (Hawk and Animal), and “Texas Tornado” Kerry Von Erich) vs. The Perfect Team (Mr. Perfect (captain), and Demolition (Ax, Smash, and Crush)) w/ Bobby “The Brain” Heenan and Mr. Fuji
Perfect at this time was still chasing Von Erich trying to get his IC title back. That would happen a few weeks after this. The Warrior as stated before was feuding with Randy Savage but was teaming up with the LOD here in their feud with Demolition. LOD and Demolition was a dream match for most, but by the time it actually happened the magic was long gone. Basically Demolition jobbed like crazy to LOD. Warrior knocks out Ax, and then Demolition and LOD get disqualified, leaving Perfect against the Tornado and Warrior. Perfect got a small bit of revenge in pinning Von Erich clean, but Warrior makes a comeback and beats Perfect. Match was only good for Perfect bumping all over the place. **
8 Man Survivor Series Elimination Match
Dream Team (“American Dream” Dusty Rhodes (captain), Hart Foundation (Bret “The Hitman” Hart, and Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart), and Koko B. Ware) vs. Million Dollar Team (“Million Dollar Man” Ted Dibiase (captain), Rhythm and Blues (Honky Tonk Man and Greg “The Hammer” Valentine), and Mystery Partner) w/ Virgil and Jimmy Hart
The mystery partner turns out to be a guy that became rather famous. You might have heard of him. His name is the Undertaker. This is one of the best debuts of all time, as he totally had everyone in the palm of his hand. No one had ever seen anyone like him before. He was impressive in the ring as he squashed Koko right away, and pinned Dusty Rhodes, until getting himself counted out to beat up Rhodes to save his manager Brother Love. The match boils down to Bret Hart vs. Ted Dibiase and it is an outstanding one on one encounter and really saves this match and makes it a pretty solid one. Dibiase wins by reversing a cross body into a pin. Excellent match with the debut of Undertaker and then the exciting finish. ***
8 Man Survivor Series Elimination Match
Visionaries (“The Model” Rick Martel (captain), Power and Glory (Hercules and Paul Roma), and Warlord) w/ Slick vs. Vipers (Jake “The Snake” Roberts (captain), Rockers (Shawn Michaels and Marty Jannetty) and “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka)
This match featured the most emotional feud of the night. Not a surprise when one of participants of that feud is Jake Roberts. Rick Martel sprayed Roberts in the eyes with his “cologne” called “arrogance”. So for this match, Jake could only see out of one eye. Shawn Michaels, bless his heart, does his best to carry this thing, but it just wasn’t going to happen. The match gets down to 4 on 1. Jake scares Martel away with Damian, but gets counted out and for the first time ever, an entire team survives. *3/4
8 Man Survivor Series Elimination Match
Natural Disasters (Earthquake (captain), Dino Bravo, Barbarian, and Haku) w/ Jimmy Hart and Bobby Heenan vs. Hulkamaniacs (Hulk Hogan (captain), Tugboat, Big Bossman, and “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan)
Hogan and Earthquake were still in their feud. Piper does a nice job illustrating that these two teams are the two most evenly matched teams of the card. Match is ok. Bossman gets a small bit of revenge on the Heenan family by pinning Haku. Earthquake goes over strong by pinning Bossman clean. Then the match spills out of control, Duggan gets disqualified by using his 2x4, and Tugboat and Earthquake brawl to a double count out. That leaves Hogan and Barbarian, and that outcome is about as easy to predict as anything. **1/4
8 Man Survivor Series Elimination Match
Alliance (Nikolai Volkoff (captain), Bushwhackers (Luke and Butch), and Tito Santana) vs. Mercenaries (Sgt. Slaughter (captain), Orient Express (Sato and Tanaka), and Boris Zhukov) w/ Gen. Adnan and Mr. Fuji
This is one of the worst survivor series elimination matches you’ll ever see. Everyone but Slaughter gets eliminated on the Mercenaries and everyone but Tito on the Alliance gets eliminated before you can blink, leaving Tito getting a disqualification win over Slaughter. Good for Tito, but the match is putrid. DUD
Main Event
Grand Finale Match of Survival
Ted Dibiase, Rick Martel, Warlord, Paul Roma, and Hercules vs. Ultimate Warrior, Hulk Hogan, and Tito Santana
For the first and thankfully only time in WWE history, all of the survivors come back and meet in a grand finale match. Same concept as a normal Survivor Series contest, except obviously this is 5 on 3. Tito eliminates Warlord right away with the flying jalapeño, but Dibiase eliminates Santana shortly after. The rest is predictable. Hogan pins Roma, Warrior chases Martel away, Hogan pins Dibiase, and finally Warrior finishes Hercules. No surprise here as the two biggest baby faces survive. *
Final Analysis: This is really a bad show. I mean really bad. The debut of the Undertaker is cool and has some historical value, but really, this show is bad and the decline has begun. Things would really begin to change in 1991. Some for the better, some for the worse. One thing was certain here though. The Ultimate Warrior experiment was not working, and it wouldn’t be long before they turn back to Hogan.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
WWE SummerSlam '90
WWE SummerSlam ‘90
August 27, 1990
The Spectrum
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
After WrestleMania, Hogan took a little time off to film his movie Suburban Commando. The Warrior was the new champion and a new era had begun. There was one enormous problem. There weren’t a lot of big time heels in the company at the time. You had Randy Savage, Rick Rude, and Mr. Perfect. Mr. Perfect was set to dominate the IC title rankings and couldn’t really afford to be jobbing to the Warrior at every house show spot, and Savage was kind of in limbo and still feuding with Dusty Rhodes. That left Warrior’s old nemesis Rick Rude. The WWE was in a definite state of limbo here. As I mentioned in the WrestleMania VI review, I started watching wrestling not long after that. Monday Night Prime Time Wrestling was my favorite time of the week. In other words, this was the first show that I really got to look forward to. Of course, living in a small town and with very few options for satellite television, PPV was not available for me (and even if it was, I doubt my parents would ever spring for the show anyway). So I was forced to wait for results to be told to me on WWE television. I also began picking up WWE Magazine at the local grocery store and eventually subscribing to it. Anyway, the point of the story is I was hooked for life.
Commentators: Vince McMahon and Rowdy Roddy Piper
Power and Glory (Hercules and Paul Roma) w/ Slick vs. Rockers (Shawn Michaels and Marty Jannetty)
Power and Glory was recently formed right before this. Shawn Michaels had a legitimate knee injury before this match too, so they worked an angle where Hercules attacked Shawn with his chain. Nice way to make it a virtual handicap match without saying so. Marty did a really nice job against two guys, and this was actually a fun match up. Eventually the heels took control and hit one of the coolest tag team finishers ever. Hercules would hit a superplex, and Roma would come off the top rope at almost the same time with a splash. Very cool! Really too bad that Shawn wasn’t able to go, because this could’ve been a classic. As it stands, it was short, but decent for what it was. *3/4
WWE IC Championship
Mr. Perfect (champion) w/ Bobby “The Brain” Heenan vs. “Texas Tornado” Kerry Von Erich
After the Warrior won the WWE Title at WrestleMania from Hogan, his IC Championship was vacated and put up for grabs in an 8 man tournament. Mr. Perfect won the tournament in the finals with help from Heenan over Tito Santana. This match here was originally supposed to be Brutus Beefcake getting the title here, but the aforementioned parasailing accident cut his WWE career short. Von Erich had recently debuted, and got substituted in on short notice. Von Erich would win here in what would be deemed as an enormous upset. Crowd loved it though. Could have used more time, but Perfect overselling everything is always fun to watch. **
Tito Santana vs. Warlord w/ Slick
The Powers of Pain split up earlier in the year. Barbarian went with Bobby Heenan, and Warlord went with Slick. Tito as previously mentioned is JTTS. Warlord is a slug, but he was being pushed as a strong heel midcarder. He wins with a running powerslam. *
WWE Tag Team Championship – 2/3 Falls
Demolition (Smash and Crush) (champions) vs. Hart Foundation (Bret “The Hitman” Hart and Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart)
Bill Eadie (Ax) suffered a temporary heart condition apparently shortly after WrestleMania VI in Japan. In a shoot interview he said it was due to some shellfish. This caused the WWE to come up with the concept of 3 members of Demolition and they brought in Crush. This gave Demolition a decisive advantage over their opponents. I still for the life of me, even in kayfabe, didn’t understand how this was legal. This match is outstanding, and the shining moment for the Hart Foundation. The Harts on this night were almost (I said almost) as popular as Hulk Hogan. The first fall was Demolition getting the pinfall. The 2nd fall went to the Harts on a disqualification when the inexperienced Crush stopped the ref from counting. During the chaos between falls, Ax came out and hid under the ring. In the 3rd fall Smash switched out with Ax and hid under the ring and the Harts were against all odds. They switched again, but this time the Legion of Doom (recently debuted) came out and solved the big mystery. During the melee Anvil hit Crush with a flying shoulder tackle into a schoolboy roll up from Bret Hart. This is a tremendous tag team contest that probably could’ve been even better with more time, but it was pure gold, and I still get goose bumps watching it today. This is an excellent example of how to build up an underdog story. ****
Special Guest Referee: Big Bossman
Jake “The Snake” Roberts vs. Bad News Brown
This is basically like the Andre the Giant feud, without the star power of Andre. Bad News is afraid of snakes. For whatever reason, the Bossman was entered in here as the special referee. I can’t remember if there was an actual reason for that or not, but his involvement wasn’t really necessary. He disqualified Bad News for using a chair on the outside. I remember this feud actually being rather decent at the time, but this match was just not there at all. DUD
“Hacksaw” Jim Duggan and Nikolai Volkoff vs. Orient Express (Sato and Tanaka) w/ Mr. Fuji
Volkoff had recently turned baby face and was now an American sympathizer. Anyway, this match was pretty much dominated by Duggan and Volkoff, and totally just an excuse to have Volkoff and Duggan sing “God Bless America”. I’m not kidding. Orient Express gets credit for bumping for the two power houses. 1/4*
“American Dream” Dusty Rhodes vs. “Macho King” Randy Savage w/ Sensational Sherri
This match is terrible, but it was significant in one way. Sapphire had been getting lavish gifts from some mystery person for weeks leading up to the show. At SummerSlam the source revealed himself as, of course, “The Million Dollar Man” Ted Dibiase. Dibiase came out and cut a promo rubbing Rhodes’ nose in dirt. Macho took advantage and beat Rhodes after a shot to the head with the loaded purse. Nice transition from Savage to Dibiase. ¼*
Co-Main Event
Earthquake w/ “Mouth of the South” Jimmy Hart and Dino Bravo vs. Hulk Hogan w/ Big Bossman
As I said earlier, Hogan left for a little while to film Suburban Commando. To write him off, they had Earthquake attack Hogan on the Brother Love Show and knock him out with injuries to his ribs. They really laid it on thick to and even had a Get Well Hulk campaign. It worked on me. I wrote a letter, in crayon, telling the Hulkster to get well. Here is problem #1 though as to why the Warrior wasn’t going to work out. Despite being champion, this feud got more play on TV. Hogan was still perceived to be bigger than the Warrior. This match was actually ok, as despite his enormous size, Earthquake was pretty athletic for a big man. Interesting booking here as Hogan wins by count out. Apparently the thinking was to keep Earthquake strong because they needed Hogan and Quake to draw on the house show circuits. So in other words, Hogan was still on the A list show, while Warrior was headlining the B list show. **1/2
Co- Main Event
WWE Championship – Steel Cage Match
Ultimate Warrior (champion) vs. “Ravishing” Rick Rude w/ Bobby Heenan
So after WrestleMania, the Warrior began to feud once again with Rick Rude. Rude cut his hair short and went with a marine look. He did some cool training vignettes in preparation for the big showdown with the Warrior. The match is ok as steel cage matches go, but the outcome was never in doubt. Even as a young kid I knew there was no chance that Warrior wasn’t going to come away with the title. Warrior wins by escape. **3/4
Final Analysis: So the Warrior era marches on. Thankfully he would begin a new program with Randy Savage and get a little more credible, but the big title match never happened. Instead, the war in the gulf got escalated and they turned to Hogan again to face down the Iraqi sympathizer Sgt. Slaughter. But that is for another time. This show has a really nice flow to it and I’ve always liked it for nostalgia.
August 27, 1990
The Spectrum
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
After WrestleMania, Hogan took a little time off to film his movie Suburban Commando. The Warrior was the new champion and a new era had begun. There was one enormous problem. There weren’t a lot of big time heels in the company at the time. You had Randy Savage, Rick Rude, and Mr. Perfect. Mr. Perfect was set to dominate the IC title rankings and couldn’t really afford to be jobbing to the Warrior at every house show spot, and Savage was kind of in limbo and still feuding with Dusty Rhodes. That left Warrior’s old nemesis Rick Rude. The WWE was in a definite state of limbo here. As I mentioned in the WrestleMania VI review, I started watching wrestling not long after that. Monday Night Prime Time Wrestling was my favorite time of the week. In other words, this was the first show that I really got to look forward to. Of course, living in a small town and with very few options for satellite television, PPV was not available for me (and even if it was, I doubt my parents would ever spring for the show anyway). So I was forced to wait for results to be told to me on WWE television. I also began picking up WWE Magazine at the local grocery store and eventually subscribing to it. Anyway, the point of the story is I was hooked for life.
Commentators: Vince McMahon and Rowdy Roddy Piper
Power and Glory (Hercules and Paul Roma) w/ Slick vs. Rockers (Shawn Michaels and Marty Jannetty)
Power and Glory was recently formed right before this. Shawn Michaels had a legitimate knee injury before this match too, so they worked an angle where Hercules attacked Shawn with his chain. Nice way to make it a virtual handicap match without saying so. Marty did a really nice job against two guys, and this was actually a fun match up. Eventually the heels took control and hit one of the coolest tag team finishers ever. Hercules would hit a superplex, and Roma would come off the top rope at almost the same time with a splash. Very cool! Really too bad that Shawn wasn’t able to go, because this could’ve been a classic. As it stands, it was short, but decent for what it was. *3/4
WWE IC Championship
Mr. Perfect (champion) w/ Bobby “The Brain” Heenan vs. “Texas Tornado” Kerry Von Erich
After the Warrior won the WWE Title at WrestleMania from Hogan, his IC Championship was vacated and put up for grabs in an 8 man tournament. Mr. Perfect won the tournament in the finals with help from Heenan over Tito Santana. This match here was originally supposed to be Brutus Beefcake getting the title here, but the aforementioned parasailing accident cut his WWE career short. Von Erich had recently debuted, and got substituted in on short notice. Von Erich would win here in what would be deemed as an enormous upset. Crowd loved it though. Could have used more time, but Perfect overselling everything is always fun to watch. **
Tito Santana vs. Warlord w/ Slick
The Powers of Pain split up earlier in the year. Barbarian went with Bobby Heenan, and Warlord went with Slick. Tito as previously mentioned is JTTS. Warlord is a slug, but he was being pushed as a strong heel midcarder. He wins with a running powerslam. *
WWE Tag Team Championship – 2/3 Falls
Demolition (Smash and Crush) (champions) vs. Hart Foundation (Bret “The Hitman” Hart and Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart)
Bill Eadie (Ax) suffered a temporary heart condition apparently shortly after WrestleMania VI in Japan. In a shoot interview he said it was due to some shellfish. This caused the WWE to come up with the concept of 3 members of Demolition and they brought in Crush. This gave Demolition a decisive advantage over their opponents. I still for the life of me, even in kayfabe, didn’t understand how this was legal. This match is outstanding, and the shining moment for the Hart Foundation. The Harts on this night were almost (I said almost) as popular as Hulk Hogan. The first fall was Demolition getting the pinfall. The 2nd fall went to the Harts on a disqualification when the inexperienced Crush stopped the ref from counting. During the chaos between falls, Ax came out and hid under the ring. In the 3rd fall Smash switched out with Ax and hid under the ring and the Harts were against all odds. They switched again, but this time the Legion of Doom (recently debuted) came out and solved the big mystery. During the melee Anvil hit Crush with a flying shoulder tackle into a schoolboy roll up from Bret Hart. This is a tremendous tag team contest that probably could’ve been even better with more time, but it was pure gold, and I still get goose bumps watching it today. This is an excellent example of how to build up an underdog story. ****
Special Guest Referee: Big Bossman
Jake “The Snake” Roberts vs. Bad News Brown
This is basically like the Andre the Giant feud, without the star power of Andre. Bad News is afraid of snakes. For whatever reason, the Bossman was entered in here as the special referee. I can’t remember if there was an actual reason for that or not, but his involvement wasn’t really necessary. He disqualified Bad News for using a chair on the outside. I remember this feud actually being rather decent at the time, but this match was just not there at all. DUD
“Hacksaw” Jim Duggan and Nikolai Volkoff vs. Orient Express (Sato and Tanaka) w/ Mr. Fuji
Volkoff had recently turned baby face and was now an American sympathizer. Anyway, this match was pretty much dominated by Duggan and Volkoff, and totally just an excuse to have Volkoff and Duggan sing “God Bless America”. I’m not kidding. Orient Express gets credit for bumping for the two power houses. 1/4*
“American Dream” Dusty Rhodes vs. “Macho King” Randy Savage w/ Sensational Sherri
This match is terrible, but it was significant in one way. Sapphire had been getting lavish gifts from some mystery person for weeks leading up to the show. At SummerSlam the source revealed himself as, of course, “The Million Dollar Man” Ted Dibiase. Dibiase came out and cut a promo rubbing Rhodes’ nose in dirt. Macho took advantage and beat Rhodes after a shot to the head with the loaded purse. Nice transition from Savage to Dibiase. ¼*
Co-Main Event
Earthquake w/ “Mouth of the South” Jimmy Hart and Dino Bravo vs. Hulk Hogan w/ Big Bossman
As I said earlier, Hogan left for a little while to film Suburban Commando. To write him off, they had Earthquake attack Hogan on the Brother Love Show and knock him out with injuries to his ribs. They really laid it on thick to and even had a Get Well Hulk campaign. It worked on me. I wrote a letter, in crayon, telling the Hulkster to get well. Here is problem #1 though as to why the Warrior wasn’t going to work out. Despite being champion, this feud got more play on TV. Hogan was still perceived to be bigger than the Warrior. This match was actually ok, as despite his enormous size, Earthquake was pretty athletic for a big man. Interesting booking here as Hogan wins by count out. Apparently the thinking was to keep Earthquake strong because they needed Hogan and Quake to draw on the house show circuits. So in other words, Hogan was still on the A list show, while Warrior was headlining the B list show. **1/2
Co- Main Event
WWE Championship – Steel Cage Match
Ultimate Warrior (champion) vs. “Ravishing” Rick Rude w/ Bobby Heenan
So after WrestleMania, the Warrior began to feud once again with Rick Rude. Rude cut his hair short and went with a marine look. He did some cool training vignettes in preparation for the big showdown with the Warrior. The match is ok as steel cage matches go, but the outcome was never in doubt. Even as a young kid I knew there was no chance that Warrior wasn’t going to come away with the title. Warrior wins by escape. **3/4
Final Analysis: So the Warrior era marches on. Thankfully he would begin a new program with Randy Savage and get a little more credible, but the big title match never happened. Instead, the war in the gulf got escalated and they turned to Hogan again to face down the Iraqi sympathizer Sgt. Slaughter. But that is for another time. This show has a really nice flow to it and I’ve always liked it for nostalgia.
WWE WrestleMania VI
WWE WrestleMania VI
April 1, 1990
Sky Dome
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
This is a classic case of a show that isn’t very good from a workrate perspective (though it has its moments) but is just fun top to bottom and the electric atmosphere gives the show an epic feel to it. It is extremely well booked as most of these shows from the late 80’s are, and of course it has one of the best main events you could possibly ask for.
Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon and Jesse “The Body” Ventura
Koko B. Ware vs. “The Model” Rick Martel
Koko is always good for some really good fun offense and a great JTTS. Martel was in the middle of being re-branded as a heel with his “Arrogance” cologne. I always liked that gimmick and it would turn out to be very instrumental in Martel’s best feud with Jake Roberts later in 1990. This is pretty much what you would expect as Martel wins by submission with the Boston Crab. *1/2
WWE Tag Team Championship
Colossal Connection (champions) (Andre the Giant and Haku) w/ Bobby “The Brain” Heenan vs. Demolition (Ax and Smash)
Rather historic match here, as Demolition regains their tag titles for a third time cementing themselves as one of the greatest tag teams of all time. It’s a true mark out moment when they finally beat Andre and Haku, and really, this is the pinnacle of Demolition. It is also historic because it is Andre’s chance to ride off in the sunset, as he gets revenge on Haku and Heenan after the match and rides away on the ring cart to a standing ovation. It was a fitting way to send the Giant off and one of my personal favorite WrestleMania moments. The match is as good as you would expect given the limitations of all involved. **
Earthquake w/ “Mouth of the South” Jimmy Hart vs. Hercules
This served its purpose as Earthquake was in his mega push towards a main event feud with Hulk Hogan so the match was a formality and a glorified squash match. Hercules was about to turn heel not long after this and team up with Paul Roma as the Team Power and Glory. Earthquake hits his vertical splash a couple times for effect and Hercules sells the injury. Earthquake was a monster. *3/4
Mr. Perfect w/ Genius vs. Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake
As we saw at the Royal Rumble these two had issues, and this was the culmination. This would be as far as I know, Perfects first on-screen loss as Beefcake wins after the slingshot into the post (one of my favorite spots). Beefcake was pretty much at his peak as a worker, and these two were supposed to feud into SummerSlam before Beefcake’s tragic parasailing accident in July, that pretty much ended his WWE career. After the match the Genius gets another haircut. ***
Rowdy Roddy Piper vs. Bad News Brown
This would be an extension of their feud that began at the Royal Rumble where they eliminated each other and brawled to the back. Piper comes out in a very disturbing way as he has half of his body painted black, and nothing on the other side which illustrates the needless racial tension in this match. Speaking of the match, it’s one of the worst in WrestleMania history as they brawl to a double dq. DUD
Hart Foundation (Bret “The Hitman” Hart and Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart) vs. Bolsheviks (Nikolai Volkoff and Boris Zhukov)
Total squash here as the Harts win in less than a minute. DUD
Tito Santana vs. Barbarian w/ Bobby Heenan
Barbarian was recently acquired by Heenan, and Santana was pretty much a JTTS at this point in his WWE career and Barbarian was just starting his so the outcome here wasn’t in doubt. Tito is a true pro and can usually get something out anyone. This match is okay but nothing outstanding and pretty much just more filler on a show with not much in the way of great matches. Barbarian hits his always awesome clothesline from the top rope which Santana sells like death. *
Mixed Tag Team Match
“Macho King” Randy Savage and “Sensational Queen” Sherri vs. “American Dream” Dusty Rhodes and Sapphire w/ Miss Elizabeth
Good booking here as the addition of Sherri and Sapphire was a nice added attraction to the match. Sapphire was kept to a minimum here, as the other 3 were polished pros. Elizabeth comes into play by pushing Sherri into a schoolboy roll up by sapphire for the 3 count. Match wasn’t terrible. **
Orient Express (Sato and Tanaka) w/ Mr. Fuji vs. Rockers (Shawn Michaels and Marty Jannetty)
Disappointing match here between two teams that would have great matches together. This one is ok but not near as good as they would have. Fuji hits Jannetty in the face with salt for a lame count out win. Very disappointing on the Shawn Michaels scale. **1/4
Dino Bravo w/ Jimmy Hart and Earthquake vs. “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan
Oddly enough these two had been feuding with each other for the better part of the last two years, but never really had a marquee (I say that sort of facetiously) Duggan comes out on the cart and starts chanting USA in Canada. You can almost see all of them rolling their eyes. This match is awful, but the payoff is Earthquake squashing Duggan further making him into the monster. Match is awful though. DUD
Million Dollar Championship
“Million Dollar Man” Ted Dibiase (champion) w/ Virgil vs. Jake “The Snake” Roberts
Ahh, the days of long storylines that lasted longer than a few weeks. These two basically feuded from WrestleMania V to WrestleMania VI. Dibiase puts up his million dollar belt here and it’s a pretty good match. It’s severely clipped down on the coliseum video version of this, so you miss the Toronto crowd doing the wave (it was probably clipped because of that). As usual, Dibiase can never ever get a clean win, but here it makes sense because you don’t want one of your biggest baby faces to lose on the midcard, but at the same time you don’t want Dibiase to lose his belt (so why put it up to begin with). Dibiase wins by a cheap count out. After the match, Jake gets the DDT on Dibiase, but Virgil makes the save before Ted gets the Damien treatment. Jake hands out some money to the crowd at ringside, including Mary Tyler Moore. Good way to end a great feud. ***
Akeem w/ Slick vs. Big Bossman
Dibiase is still at ringside here and attacks the Bossman to escalate and put some heat on their feud during the spring of 1990. Bossman makes a quick baby face comeback and beats Akeem in a squash match as clearly the show is pressed for time. ¼*
“Superfly” Jimmy Snuka vs. “Ravishing” Rick Rude w/ Bobby Heenan
Rude was about to re-start his program with the Ultimate Warrior after this so this was pretty much a formality. Rude gets the win in a virtual squash match. Comedian Steve Allen joined Jesse and Gorilla for commentary here in one of the un-funniest comedic appearances in WrestleMania history. This match was nothing. ¼*
Main Event
WWE Championship – WWE IC Championship
Hulk Hogan (WWE Champion) vs. Ultimate Warrior (IC Champion)
*Rated #25 on my Greatest WrestleMania Matches of All time list*
I started watching wrestling not long after this event when my mom finally gave in and let me watch it regularly. Before that I had be sneaky and watch shows here and there on Saturday mornings without her knowing. I also was out of town with just my dad during a Saturday Nights Main Event where Hogan and Warrior faced Genius and Mr. Perfect. I remember that was one of the events that led to the ultimate challenge here. The point is, this was my first time getting to see a lead up to a big match. They don’t get much bigger than this either. This might have been Hogan’s finest performance as a worker because he carried Warrior here as Warrior blew up about a quarter of the way through the match. Legend has it that Pat Patterson basically scripted this match move by move, and spot by spot. It worked out perfectly. It’s a back and forth contest that has you on the edge of your seat the whole way through, until finally Hogan jobs clean (extremely rare) and a new era is born as Warrior wins with the big splash. Hogan does the baby face thing in congratulating the new champion and presenting him with the belt in a great moment. ****
Final Analysis: Overall, the wrestling can be downright brutal at times on this show, but everything was booked perfectly from top to bottom here and the atmosphere with the sky dome crowd is terrific. The matches are bad at times, but it’s a show that you can sit through and not feel that underwhelmed by the lack of match quality, and the main event is required viewing for any wrestling fan. The aftermath of WrestleMania VI was also intriguing. They tried so hard to make the Ultimate Warrior into Hulk Hogan but it just wasn’t meant to be, and a lot of that had to do with Hogan himself. The fans weren’t quite ready for someone else yet, so even though Warrior was made to be Hogan’s equal, he needed to be made to be stronger if he was going to take the torch and run with it.
April 1, 1990
Sky Dome
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
This is a classic case of a show that isn’t very good from a workrate perspective (though it has its moments) but is just fun top to bottom and the electric atmosphere gives the show an epic feel to it. It is extremely well booked as most of these shows from the late 80’s are, and of course it has one of the best main events you could possibly ask for.
Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon and Jesse “The Body” Ventura
Koko B. Ware vs. “The Model” Rick Martel
Koko is always good for some really good fun offense and a great JTTS. Martel was in the middle of being re-branded as a heel with his “Arrogance” cologne. I always liked that gimmick and it would turn out to be very instrumental in Martel’s best feud with Jake Roberts later in 1990. This is pretty much what you would expect as Martel wins by submission with the Boston Crab. *1/2
WWE Tag Team Championship
Colossal Connection (champions) (Andre the Giant and Haku) w/ Bobby “The Brain” Heenan vs. Demolition (Ax and Smash)
Rather historic match here, as Demolition regains their tag titles for a third time cementing themselves as one of the greatest tag teams of all time. It’s a true mark out moment when they finally beat Andre and Haku, and really, this is the pinnacle of Demolition. It is also historic because it is Andre’s chance to ride off in the sunset, as he gets revenge on Haku and Heenan after the match and rides away on the ring cart to a standing ovation. It was a fitting way to send the Giant off and one of my personal favorite WrestleMania moments. The match is as good as you would expect given the limitations of all involved. **
Earthquake w/ “Mouth of the South” Jimmy Hart vs. Hercules
This served its purpose as Earthquake was in his mega push towards a main event feud with Hulk Hogan so the match was a formality and a glorified squash match. Hercules was about to turn heel not long after this and team up with Paul Roma as the Team Power and Glory. Earthquake hits his vertical splash a couple times for effect and Hercules sells the injury. Earthquake was a monster. *3/4
Mr. Perfect w/ Genius vs. Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake
As we saw at the Royal Rumble these two had issues, and this was the culmination. This would be as far as I know, Perfects first on-screen loss as Beefcake wins after the slingshot into the post (one of my favorite spots). Beefcake was pretty much at his peak as a worker, and these two were supposed to feud into SummerSlam before Beefcake’s tragic parasailing accident in July, that pretty much ended his WWE career. After the match the Genius gets another haircut. ***
Rowdy Roddy Piper vs. Bad News Brown
This would be an extension of their feud that began at the Royal Rumble where they eliminated each other and brawled to the back. Piper comes out in a very disturbing way as he has half of his body painted black, and nothing on the other side which illustrates the needless racial tension in this match. Speaking of the match, it’s one of the worst in WrestleMania history as they brawl to a double dq. DUD
Hart Foundation (Bret “The Hitman” Hart and Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart) vs. Bolsheviks (Nikolai Volkoff and Boris Zhukov)
Total squash here as the Harts win in less than a minute. DUD
Tito Santana vs. Barbarian w/ Bobby Heenan
Barbarian was recently acquired by Heenan, and Santana was pretty much a JTTS at this point in his WWE career and Barbarian was just starting his so the outcome here wasn’t in doubt. Tito is a true pro and can usually get something out anyone. This match is okay but nothing outstanding and pretty much just more filler on a show with not much in the way of great matches. Barbarian hits his always awesome clothesline from the top rope which Santana sells like death. *
Mixed Tag Team Match
“Macho King” Randy Savage and “Sensational Queen” Sherri vs. “American Dream” Dusty Rhodes and Sapphire w/ Miss Elizabeth
Good booking here as the addition of Sherri and Sapphire was a nice added attraction to the match. Sapphire was kept to a minimum here, as the other 3 were polished pros. Elizabeth comes into play by pushing Sherri into a schoolboy roll up by sapphire for the 3 count. Match wasn’t terrible. **
Orient Express (Sato and Tanaka) w/ Mr. Fuji vs. Rockers (Shawn Michaels and Marty Jannetty)
Disappointing match here between two teams that would have great matches together. This one is ok but not near as good as they would have. Fuji hits Jannetty in the face with salt for a lame count out win. Very disappointing on the Shawn Michaels scale. **1/4
Dino Bravo w/ Jimmy Hart and Earthquake vs. “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan
Oddly enough these two had been feuding with each other for the better part of the last two years, but never really had a marquee (I say that sort of facetiously) Duggan comes out on the cart and starts chanting USA in Canada. You can almost see all of them rolling their eyes. This match is awful, but the payoff is Earthquake squashing Duggan further making him into the monster. Match is awful though. DUD
Million Dollar Championship
“Million Dollar Man” Ted Dibiase (champion) w/ Virgil vs. Jake “The Snake” Roberts
Ahh, the days of long storylines that lasted longer than a few weeks. These two basically feuded from WrestleMania V to WrestleMania VI. Dibiase puts up his million dollar belt here and it’s a pretty good match. It’s severely clipped down on the coliseum video version of this, so you miss the Toronto crowd doing the wave (it was probably clipped because of that). As usual, Dibiase can never ever get a clean win, but here it makes sense because you don’t want one of your biggest baby faces to lose on the midcard, but at the same time you don’t want Dibiase to lose his belt (so why put it up to begin with). Dibiase wins by a cheap count out. After the match, Jake gets the DDT on Dibiase, but Virgil makes the save before Ted gets the Damien treatment. Jake hands out some money to the crowd at ringside, including Mary Tyler Moore. Good way to end a great feud. ***
Akeem w/ Slick vs. Big Bossman
Dibiase is still at ringside here and attacks the Bossman to escalate and put some heat on their feud during the spring of 1990. Bossman makes a quick baby face comeback and beats Akeem in a squash match as clearly the show is pressed for time. ¼*
“Superfly” Jimmy Snuka vs. “Ravishing” Rick Rude w/ Bobby Heenan
Rude was about to re-start his program with the Ultimate Warrior after this so this was pretty much a formality. Rude gets the win in a virtual squash match. Comedian Steve Allen joined Jesse and Gorilla for commentary here in one of the un-funniest comedic appearances in WrestleMania history. This match was nothing. ¼*
Main Event
WWE Championship – WWE IC Championship
Hulk Hogan (WWE Champion) vs. Ultimate Warrior (IC Champion)
*Rated #25 on my Greatest WrestleMania Matches of All time list*
I started watching wrestling not long after this event when my mom finally gave in and let me watch it regularly. Before that I had be sneaky and watch shows here and there on Saturday mornings without her knowing. I also was out of town with just my dad during a Saturday Nights Main Event where Hogan and Warrior faced Genius and Mr. Perfect. I remember that was one of the events that led to the ultimate challenge here. The point is, this was my first time getting to see a lead up to a big match. They don’t get much bigger than this either. This might have been Hogan’s finest performance as a worker because he carried Warrior here as Warrior blew up about a quarter of the way through the match. Legend has it that Pat Patterson basically scripted this match move by move, and spot by spot. It worked out perfectly. It’s a back and forth contest that has you on the edge of your seat the whole way through, until finally Hogan jobs clean (extremely rare) and a new era is born as Warrior wins with the big splash. Hogan does the baby face thing in congratulating the new champion and presenting him with the belt in a great moment. ****
Final Analysis: Overall, the wrestling can be downright brutal at times on this show, but everything was booked perfectly from top to bottom here and the atmosphere with the sky dome crowd is terrific. The matches are bad at times, but it’s a show that you can sit through and not feel that underwhelmed by the lack of match quality, and the main event is required viewing for any wrestling fan. The aftermath of WrestleMania VI was also intriguing. They tried so hard to make the Ultimate Warrior into Hulk Hogan but it just wasn’t meant to be, and a lot of that had to do with Hogan himself. The fans weren’t quite ready for someone else yet, so even though Warrior was made to be Hogan’s equal, he needed to be made to be stronger if he was going to take the torch and run with it.
Monday Night RAW
My Monday Night RAW Experience
I wanted to write this on Monday night but the weather wasn’t too good as I left the Target Center, and I’ve been rather busy the last couple days. I got to the Target Center a little early to wait in line on the inside corridor. I did so, because I have NEVER, whether going to a Timberwolves game, a WWE event, or anything else, have had a pleasant experience in terms of getting into the arena. I don’t know what it’s like in other parts of the country but at Target Center it always seems to be (excuse my language) a shit show.
That has nothing to do with the WWE, because like I said, it doesn’t matter what the event is, it’s not fun at all. Thankfully I was waiting indoors, because it was one of the colder days what has been a pretty mild winter (for Minnesota standards).
This was my 7th live event, but first Monday Night RAW. I had been to SummerSlam ’99, Smackdown in 2002, and Judgment Day 2005; so this would be my 4th event that was televised. I’ve been very critical of the current WWE product, but one thing I am not critical about, is the fan experience at all of their live events. I’ve never been nothing but impressed with the production, and the sheer fun that the WWE provides for their fans. This event was no exception.
There were a couple things I was looking forward to going into the night, and one of them was John Cena, and more importantly the fans reaction to John Cena. I came in from a rather unique perspective in this regard. At Judgment Day 2005, Cena was on top of the world as a baby-face and trust me when I tell you, there wasn’t anyone in the crowd chanting “Cena Sucks” that night. Shortly after that event he was drafted by RAW and has been the mainstay on Monday Night for the past 6+ years. He has had that polarizing crowd reaction ever since that time. That was very intriguing to me to see what kind of reaction Cena get nearly 7 years later. Whether people love Cena or hate him, no one is without an opinion. One thing I will say in defense of WWE’s current PG business model, is the youth is definitely with this guy, and I find that to be a testament to John Cena.
The other thing that I could not wait for was a true deadman Undertaker entrance. I have only seen the Undertaker twice before live. He was at SummerSlam ’99 but he was in his lame ass Vince Russo bullshit Corporate Ministry phase at that point. In 2002 he was still doing his biker gimmick thing, and he wasn’t at Judgment Day in 2005. It was sort of my holy grail as a wrestling fan (along with seeing Hulk Hogan live, something I think I won’t ever get to see). I was not disappointed at all. I got my Undertaker entrance and it was very cool. So to the WWE, and the Undertaker, I say thank you.
The show from a wrestling perspective is pretty much what you would expect from a TV show. Nice to see both Sheamus and Daniel Bryan both go over strong, but I still say that it doesn’t make sense to continue to “swerve” us with these Royal Rumble winners and then relegate them in small time feuds. Either do something to make your B list “world championship” more meaningful, or have one world champion. That doesn’t make Sheamus and Daniel Bryan bad workers, I happen to like them both and think they are great, but they just aren’t investing enough into them and the title they are fighting over to make people care. Anyway, Bryan squashing Santino Marella made me beam for joy. Marella being in the championship hunt is the equivalent of “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan or Scotty Too Hotty being in that role.
I enjoyed the battle royal and was happy to see Jericho win (predictable, but good). Very much looking forward to seeing Jericho vs. Punk at WrestleMania as it should be a match of the night candidate. CM Punk is definitely big time, and an excellent WWE Champion (further proving that another world title is worthless).
The stuff with Eve and John Cena just doesn’t make any sense to me. It seemed like they were trying to get heel heat for Cena with it last week, but then they turn around and put all the heat on Eve this week, and Cena is perceived to be innocent on the whole deal? It just doesn’t make any sense whatsoever.
The two highlights of the night were John Cena’s promo that he cut on The Rock, and the Undertaker-Triple H confrontation. I can tell you this, there were a few boos early on when it was said that the Rock was going to be at RAW next week (and not this week). So when Cena came out and pointed that fact out he seemed to make some friends. I thought it was a great promo, and there was a lot of truth to what he said. I don’t fault Rock for making millions as a movie star, but as a WWE fan it is disappointing, and John Cena said what a lot of fans feel too. Don’t get me wrong, I love the Rock, and personally didn’t expect him to be at RAW on Monday, but there really isn’t anything John Cena said that wasn’t true. The promo was great and if I didn’t know better, I’d say Cena won some fans with it. I was looking forward to the match before RAW, now I can’t wait.
The other highlight was Undertaker and HHH. First things first. Of all people to “what”, why Undertaker, Minnesota? How annoying. Undertaker is out cutting a really good promo, and the Minnesota morons are doing the “What?” chant. Most of them don’t even know the origins of “what” (same with woooooooooooooooooooo) but they watched RAW one time and saw other people do it. Just awful, and I was ashamed to say I was from Minnesota on Monday night. The promo itself was awesome and even though I wasn’t particularly interested in Undertaker-Triple H III at WrestleMania, I am now. Not sure how a PG Hell in a Cell match is going to work with these two, but its WrestleMania so anything can happen. The promo almost made me want to see Triple H vs. Shawn Michaels but this is shaping up to be an excellent WrestleMania. I really don’t know who Undertaker is going to face if it isn’t HHH? Cena is facing Rock and vice-versa. Brock Lesnar is a pipe dream, and we’ve seen that already anyway, plus I don’t want Brock back unless he can wrestle more than just a one shot deal. So HHH-Undertaker it is, and I think it’ll be a good match.
All in all, this was a great experience, and if you’ve never been to a live WWE show before, please check one out, I promise you, and you won’t be disappointed! No matter how bad the product is, it’ll still be a great show.
I wanted to write this on Monday night but the weather wasn’t too good as I left the Target Center, and I’ve been rather busy the last couple days. I got to the Target Center a little early to wait in line on the inside corridor. I did so, because I have NEVER, whether going to a Timberwolves game, a WWE event, or anything else, have had a pleasant experience in terms of getting into the arena. I don’t know what it’s like in other parts of the country but at Target Center it always seems to be (excuse my language) a shit show.
That has nothing to do with the WWE, because like I said, it doesn’t matter what the event is, it’s not fun at all. Thankfully I was waiting indoors, because it was one of the colder days what has been a pretty mild winter (for Minnesota standards).
This was my 7th live event, but first Monday Night RAW. I had been to SummerSlam ’99, Smackdown in 2002, and Judgment Day 2005; so this would be my 4th event that was televised. I’ve been very critical of the current WWE product, but one thing I am not critical about, is the fan experience at all of their live events. I’ve never been nothing but impressed with the production, and the sheer fun that the WWE provides for their fans. This event was no exception.
There were a couple things I was looking forward to going into the night, and one of them was John Cena, and more importantly the fans reaction to John Cena. I came in from a rather unique perspective in this regard. At Judgment Day 2005, Cena was on top of the world as a baby-face and trust me when I tell you, there wasn’t anyone in the crowd chanting “Cena Sucks” that night. Shortly after that event he was drafted by RAW and has been the mainstay on Monday Night for the past 6+ years. He has had that polarizing crowd reaction ever since that time. That was very intriguing to me to see what kind of reaction Cena get nearly 7 years later. Whether people love Cena or hate him, no one is without an opinion. One thing I will say in defense of WWE’s current PG business model, is the youth is definitely with this guy, and I find that to be a testament to John Cena.
The other thing that I could not wait for was a true deadman Undertaker entrance. I have only seen the Undertaker twice before live. He was at SummerSlam ’99 but he was in his lame ass Vince Russo bullshit Corporate Ministry phase at that point. In 2002 he was still doing his biker gimmick thing, and he wasn’t at Judgment Day in 2005. It was sort of my holy grail as a wrestling fan (along with seeing Hulk Hogan live, something I think I won’t ever get to see). I was not disappointed at all. I got my Undertaker entrance and it was very cool. So to the WWE, and the Undertaker, I say thank you.
The show from a wrestling perspective is pretty much what you would expect from a TV show. Nice to see both Sheamus and Daniel Bryan both go over strong, but I still say that it doesn’t make sense to continue to “swerve” us with these Royal Rumble winners and then relegate them in small time feuds. Either do something to make your B list “world championship” more meaningful, or have one world champion. That doesn’t make Sheamus and Daniel Bryan bad workers, I happen to like them both and think they are great, but they just aren’t investing enough into them and the title they are fighting over to make people care. Anyway, Bryan squashing Santino Marella made me beam for joy. Marella being in the championship hunt is the equivalent of “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan or Scotty Too Hotty being in that role.
I enjoyed the battle royal and was happy to see Jericho win (predictable, but good). Very much looking forward to seeing Jericho vs. Punk at WrestleMania as it should be a match of the night candidate. CM Punk is definitely big time, and an excellent WWE Champion (further proving that another world title is worthless).
The stuff with Eve and John Cena just doesn’t make any sense to me. It seemed like they were trying to get heel heat for Cena with it last week, but then they turn around and put all the heat on Eve this week, and Cena is perceived to be innocent on the whole deal? It just doesn’t make any sense whatsoever.
The two highlights of the night were John Cena’s promo that he cut on The Rock, and the Undertaker-Triple H confrontation. I can tell you this, there were a few boos early on when it was said that the Rock was going to be at RAW next week (and not this week). So when Cena came out and pointed that fact out he seemed to make some friends. I thought it was a great promo, and there was a lot of truth to what he said. I don’t fault Rock for making millions as a movie star, but as a WWE fan it is disappointing, and John Cena said what a lot of fans feel too. Don’t get me wrong, I love the Rock, and personally didn’t expect him to be at RAW on Monday, but there really isn’t anything John Cena said that wasn’t true. The promo was great and if I didn’t know better, I’d say Cena won some fans with it. I was looking forward to the match before RAW, now I can’t wait.
The other highlight was Undertaker and HHH. First things first. Of all people to “what”, why Undertaker, Minnesota? How annoying. Undertaker is out cutting a really good promo, and the Minnesota morons are doing the “What?” chant. Most of them don’t even know the origins of “what” (same with woooooooooooooooooooo) but they watched RAW one time and saw other people do it. Just awful, and I was ashamed to say I was from Minnesota on Monday night. The promo itself was awesome and even though I wasn’t particularly interested in Undertaker-Triple H III at WrestleMania, I am now. Not sure how a PG Hell in a Cell match is going to work with these two, but its WrestleMania so anything can happen. The promo almost made me want to see Triple H vs. Shawn Michaels but this is shaping up to be an excellent WrestleMania. I really don’t know who Undertaker is going to face if it isn’t HHH? Cena is facing Rock and vice-versa. Brock Lesnar is a pipe dream, and we’ve seen that already anyway, plus I don’t want Brock back unless he can wrestle more than just a one shot deal. So HHH-Undertaker it is, and I think it’ll be a good match.
All in all, this was a great experience, and if you’ve never been to a live WWE show before, please check one out, I promise you, and you won’t be disappointed! No matter how bad the product is, it’ll still be a great show.
Monday, February 20, 2012
WWE Royal Rumble '90
WWE Royal Rumble ‘90
January 21, 1990
Orlando Arena
Orlando, Florida
With the benefit of watching almost every Royal Rumble (2011 is the only one I have not yet witnessed yet) I have plenty of matches to rate against each other. This one in particular I have a new appreciation for. The show itself was at an interesting time in WWE history. A lot of the older stars of the 80’s were still around, while some of the stars of the 90’s were about to be unleashed. Any more plans (if there were any) with Hogan and Zeus was pretty much scrapped. Hogan and the Warrior were on a collision course. Rhodes and Savage were now in a full-fledged feud, while Dibiase and Roberts were on the final sprint of their feud. Andre and Haku had recently defeated Demolition for the tag team titles, as that was more or less a way to say thank you to Andre as his career was winding down to an end. The best part of this show though and the Rumble in particular is the crowd. They loved every second of this thing and into every storyline.
Commentators: Tony Schiavonie and Jesse “The Body” Ventura
Fabulous Rougeaus (Jacques Rougeau and Raymond Rougeau) w/ “Mouth of the South” Jimmy Hart vs. Bushwhackers (Luke and Butch)
Pure comedy match here, and this is a rematch from their WrestleMania V encounter. This one is a much better match (not saying that much). Bushwhackers win with a double battery ram on Jacques. Rougeaus were on their way out and Jacques was going to get re-packaged as the Mountie. Fun, inoffensive match. **
Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake vs. Genius
This is the extension of a feud brewing between Beefcake and Mr. Perfect, whom the Genius manages at this point. This match is pretty awful, as it ultimately ends in a double disqualification. Beefcake was giving a haircut to Genius and Perfect came out and attacked Beefcake with a chair. That’s pretty much the only good thing about the match is that it did extend the feud. ¼*
Submission Match
“Rugged” Ronnie Garvin vs. Greg “The Hammer” Valentine w/ Jimmy Hart
Believe it or not, this is actually a really good match. Both guys were hitting their high impact stiff shots that they were both known for and the crowd was totally into the emotion of the feud that both guys were brilliantly telling. The match is just an emotional brawl. Garvin hits Valentine with the heartbreaker (a shin guard) and puts him in the sharpshooter (Garvin calls it the reverse figure four) and he wins the match and the crowd explodes. This was Garvin’s shining moment in WWE, as before this and after this, he’s nothing but a JTTS. Valentine would go onto dye his hair black and join up with Honky Tonk Man as the team Rhythm and Blues. It’s a match that really needs to be seen to be appreciated. ***3/4
Big Bossman w/ Slick vs. “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan
This is a surprisingly good match (for a Duggan match). Just a classic brawl that you would expect from these two. It ends in a Duggan win when Bossman hits him with the nightstick. Bossman was on the verge of turning baby face; Duggan would just continue to be Duggan. **
Main Event
Royal Rumble
This is one of the best Rumbles you’ll ever see. Everyone was on, and it was tremendously booked. Dibiase comes out #1 and they were playing off the fact that he got #30 at last year’s Rumble under rather dubious circumstances. Things are going ok until Jake Roberts comes out at #4 and the crowd just goes absolutely apeshit. Savage is next and he and Dibiase team up on Snake. Then comes Piper and the crowd is just out of control crazy. Eventually Rhodes comes in and goes after Savage and eliminates him to a huge pop. Andre also enters the fray and this is pretty much his last great performance. Demolition eliminates him in a fine moment for them. Dibiase is the iron man lasting over 40 minutes until the Warrior finally gets the honors of eliminating him. Everything is going smoothly and then Hogan comes out and then in one of the best moments in Rumble history the match dwindles down to Hogan and Warrior in the ring at the same time. You have to remember this was just insane at the time. These were the two biggest stars in wrestling, and the two biggest baby-faces. Seriously this was awesome. They exchange a couple blows, and then do the double clothesline spot. Barbarian comes in next and has free pickings. Then comes Rude and he re-vives his feud with Warrior. Barbarian and Rude are trying to get Warrior out, and like last year, Hogan “accidentally” eliminates Warrior. Hercules is out at #29 and Perfect comes in at #30. Barbarian gets eliminated by Hercules, and that is your Final Four. Hogan, Perfect, Rude, and Hercules. Herc gets eliminated right away, and Rude and Perfect double team Hogan. But Rude accidentally nails Perfect, and then Perfect accidentally pulls the rope down and Rude tumbles over, leaving Perfect and Hogan. Perfect inexplicably uses his perfect plex pinning maneuver in a rumble, and Hogan “hulks up” and eliminates Perfect for the win. Fantastic Rumble. *****
Final Analysis: Legend has it that Perfect was supposed to win here and Hogan balked. Not sure if that is true or not, but it doesn’t take away from the match either way. This is one of the most star-studded Royal Rumbles of all time when you consider who was in it. Andre, Dusty, Snake, Dibiase, Piper, Rude, Perfect, Hogan, Warrior, Demolition. It also had future stars like Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels (albeit briefly). It was brilliantly booked and left you begging for WrestleMania VI.
January 21, 1990
Orlando Arena
Orlando, Florida
With the benefit of watching almost every Royal Rumble (2011 is the only one I have not yet witnessed yet) I have plenty of matches to rate against each other. This one in particular I have a new appreciation for. The show itself was at an interesting time in WWE history. A lot of the older stars of the 80’s were still around, while some of the stars of the 90’s were about to be unleashed. Any more plans (if there were any) with Hogan and Zeus was pretty much scrapped. Hogan and the Warrior were on a collision course. Rhodes and Savage were now in a full-fledged feud, while Dibiase and Roberts were on the final sprint of their feud. Andre and Haku had recently defeated Demolition for the tag team titles, as that was more or less a way to say thank you to Andre as his career was winding down to an end. The best part of this show though and the Rumble in particular is the crowd. They loved every second of this thing and into every storyline.
Commentators: Tony Schiavonie and Jesse “The Body” Ventura
Fabulous Rougeaus (Jacques Rougeau and Raymond Rougeau) w/ “Mouth of the South” Jimmy Hart vs. Bushwhackers (Luke and Butch)
Pure comedy match here, and this is a rematch from their WrestleMania V encounter. This one is a much better match (not saying that much). Bushwhackers win with a double battery ram on Jacques. Rougeaus were on their way out and Jacques was going to get re-packaged as the Mountie. Fun, inoffensive match. **
Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake vs. Genius
This is the extension of a feud brewing between Beefcake and Mr. Perfect, whom the Genius manages at this point. This match is pretty awful, as it ultimately ends in a double disqualification. Beefcake was giving a haircut to Genius and Perfect came out and attacked Beefcake with a chair. That’s pretty much the only good thing about the match is that it did extend the feud. ¼*
Submission Match
“Rugged” Ronnie Garvin vs. Greg “The Hammer” Valentine w/ Jimmy Hart
Believe it or not, this is actually a really good match. Both guys were hitting their high impact stiff shots that they were both known for and the crowd was totally into the emotion of the feud that both guys were brilliantly telling. The match is just an emotional brawl. Garvin hits Valentine with the heartbreaker (a shin guard) and puts him in the sharpshooter (Garvin calls it the reverse figure four) and he wins the match and the crowd explodes. This was Garvin’s shining moment in WWE, as before this and after this, he’s nothing but a JTTS. Valentine would go onto dye his hair black and join up with Honky Tonk Man as the team Rhythm and Blues. It’s a match that really needs to be seen to be appreciated. ***3/4
Big Bossman w/ Slick vs. “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan
This is a surprisingly good match (for a Duggan match). Just a classic brawl that you would expect from these two. It ends in a Duggan win when Bossman hits him with the nightstick. Bossman was on the verge of turning baby face; Duggan would just continue to be Duggan. **
Main Event
Royal Rumble
This is one of the best Rumbles you’ll ever see. Everyone was on, and it was tremendously booked. Dibiase comes out #1 and they were playing off the fact that he got #30 at last year’s Rumble under rather dubious circumstances. Things are going ok until Jake Roberts comes out at #4 and the crowd just goes absolutely apeshit. Savage is next and he and Dibiase team up on Snake. Then comes Piper and the crowd is just out of control crazy. Eventually Rhodes comes in and goes after Savage and eliminates him to a huge pop. Andre also enters the fray and this is pretty much his last great performance. Demolition eliminates him in a fine moment for them. Dibiase is the iron man lasting over 40 minutes until the Warrior finally gets the honors of eliminating him. Everything is going smoothly and then Hogan comes out and then in one of the best moments in Rumble history the match dwindles down to Hogan and Warrior in the ring at the same time. You have to remember this was just insane at the time. These were the two biggest stars in wrestling, and the two biggest baby-faces. Seriously this was awesome. They exchange a couple blows, and then do the double clothesline spot. Barbarian comes in next and has free pickings. Then comes Rude and he re-vives his feud with Warrior. Barbarian and Rude are trying to get Warrior out, and like last year, Hogan “accidentally” eliminates Warrior. Hercules is out at #29 and Perfect comes in at #30. Barbarian gets eliminated by Hercules, and that is your Final Four. Hogan, Perfect, Rude, and Hercules. Herc gets eliminated right away, and Rude and Perfect double team Hogan. But Rude accidentally nails Perfect, and then Perfect accidentally pulls the rope down and Rude tumbles over, leaving Perfect and Hogan. Perfect inexplicably uses his perfect plex pinning maneuver in a rumble, and Hogan “hulks up” and eliminates Perfect for the win. Fantastic Rumble. *****
Final Analysis: Legend has it that Perfect was supposed to win here and Hogan balked. Not sure if that is true or not, but it doesn’t take away from the match either way. This is one of the most star-studded Royal Rumbles of all time when you consider who was in it. Andre, Dusty, Snake, Dibiase, Piper, Rude, Perfect, Hogan, Warrior, Demolition. It also had future stars like Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels (albeit briefly). It was brilliantly booked and left you begging for WrestleMania VI.
WWE Survivor Series '89
WWE Survivor Series ‘89
November 23, 1989
Rosemont Horizon
Chicago, Illinois
The 3rd annual Survivor Series came from Chicago and unlike most Chicago crowds, this one was rather apathetic. A big change was that they ditched the “Teams of Five Strive to Survive” concept and went to teams of four. One thing I loved about these early Survivor Series PPV’s is the interesting pairings that they came up with. This event seemed to revert to feuds that they had going before the summer. Demolition regained the tag titles from the Brainbusters not long before this event, and rekindled their feud with the Powers of Pain. The Rockers rekindled their feud with the Brainbusters, as the Rougeaus and Bushwhackers wound up on opposing sides in their match. Not everything was a re-hashing. Zeus was now with Dibiase and up against Hogan’s team, and Rick Rude and Roddy Pipers feud took all of the heat from SummerSlam and feuded throughout the fall of 1989. Everything at this point seemed to be keeping Hogan and Warrior strong for their eventual collision at WrestleMania.
Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon and Jesse “The Body” Ventura
8 Man Survivor Series Elimination Match
Enforcers (Big Bossman (captain), Honky Tonk Man, “The Model” Rick Martel, and Bad News Brown) w/ “Mouth of the South” Jimmy Hart and Slick vs. Dream Team (“American Dream” Dusty Rhodes (captain), Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake, Tito Santana, and Red Rooster)
Good choice for an opener here as Rhodes and Beefcake are both insanely over as baby faces, so this is an easy way to get the crowd into it. Match itself was decent enough as Survivor Series matches does at least keep the action relatively non-stop. It gets down to Bossman against the Rooster, Rhodes, and Beefcake. Bossman takes out the Rooster, but ultimately gets pinned by Rhodes, as he and Beefcake survive. **1/4
8 Man Survivor Series Elimination Match
4x4’s (“Hacksaw” Jim Duggan (captain), Bret “The Hitman” Hart, “Rugged” Ronnie Garvin, and Hercules) vs. King’s Court (“Macho King” Randy Savage, Earthquake, Dino Bravo, and Greg “The Hammer” Valentine) w/ Jimmy Hart and Sensational “Queen” Sherri
I always found it interesting that Bret Hart and Jim Neidhart were not paired together for this show. Barry Windham was supposed to be here, but Earthquake replaced him, and I found it to be an excellent way to continue Earthquake’s push. When I first started watching Earthquake scared me to death, and was one of the few big men that was viewed ALMOST as Hogan’s equal, but that’s for another time. Here he had just debuted and was just a monster squashing guys and sending them on stretchers. The best part of the match was when Bret and Macho went at it. I really wish they were given more time because they were on fire and the crowd was totally into it. Savage eventually pins Hart, but Hart looks strong and credible in the process, and it’s helped by the commentary of Jesse Ventura who puts him over too. That leaves Duggan against Savage, Bravo, and Earthquake, and ultimately Duggan gets counted out. Pretty sad considering the three survivors are no longer with us. I enjoyed this match, but I would have enjoyed it more if they gave me a little more Savage-Hart. **
8 Man Survivor Series Elimination Match
Million $ Team (“Million Dollar Man” Ted Dibiase (captain), Zeus, and Powers of Pain (Warlord and Barbarian)) w/ Mr. Fuji vs. Hulkamaniacs (Hulk Hogan (captain), Jake “The Snake” Roberts, and Demolition (Ax and Smash))
This match had a bunch of feuds and it’s pretty much the only match on the card that the crowd is totally into from beginning to end. Thankfully Hogan and Zeus start off first, and Zeus gets himself disqualified for, you guessed it, choking Hogan, and hitting the referee. Demolition is next to go leaving it 3 on 2, but then the ref disqualifies both the Powers of Pain. The best part here is Jesse’s commentary as he is completely outraged. This leaves Dibiase up against Hogan and Roberts. Dibiase and Roberts get to continue their feud (one of my all-time favorite feuds). Virgil comes in and gets a DDT for his efforts, but Dibiase is able to make the pin with feet on the ropes of course, leaving the two captains to fight it out for survival. Dibiase gets the upper hand but Hogan makes his comeback and finishes it with the usual. Actually a pretty decent match. **1/2
8 Man Survivor Series Elimination Match
Roddy’s Rowdys (Rowdy Roddy Piper (captain), “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka, and Bushwhackers (Luke and Butch)) vs. Rude’s Brood (“Ravishing” Rick Rude (captain), Mr. Perfect, and Fabulous Rougeaus (Jacques Rougeau and Raymond Rougeau)) w/ Jimmy Hart and Genius
Right away we notice that Bobby Heenan is not with Rude, further escalating the idea that there is dissention in the Heenan Family. This is a fun match as the Rougeaus get eliminated early and Rude and Perfect have trouble dealing with the unorthodox style of Roddy’s team, but eventually get things together and eliminate the Bushwhackers. Piper and Rude brawl and get themselves counted out. Looking back it’s odd that they paired those two in a feud, because both were notorious for not doing too many clean jobs, so obviously neither was going to look weak at any point in the feud. This leaves Perfect and Snuka, who have a little feud of their own, and it’s a decent little 1 on 1 contest to finish the match, and ultimately Perfect hits Snuka with the Perfect-plex to be the sole survivor and continue his undefeated streak. Not a lot of people like this match probably because the Bushwhackers are involved, but I can handle a little comedy now and then, and the right guy went over. **1/2
Main Event
Ultimate Warriors (Ultimate Warrior (captain), Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart, and Rockers (Shawn Michaels and Marty Jannetty)) vs. Heenan Family (Andre the Giant (captain), Haku, Arn Anderson, and Bobby “The Brain” Heenan)
The Brainbusters were pretty much out the door here, and Heenan replaced Tully Blanchard here. This is pretty much a formality match as the Warrior was on a huge mega push towards WrestleMania. I don’t know when Vince decided he would pull the trigger on Hogan-Warrior but it seems like it was sometime right after SummerSlam with Warrior’s great performance against Rick Rude. Warrior spent the fall beating Andre the Giant in squash matches at every house show in the US. It was pretty degrading to Andre, and a lot of fans are still bitter about it, but it did make Warrior into a giant star and cemented himself as Hogan’s equal. Speaking of squashing Andre, Warrior clotheslines him out of the ring and he gets counted out in the opening seconds of the match. I guess it’s all for the better as Andre couldn’t really do much of anything at this point in his career. Predictably the match ends up being Warrior against Heenan, and it ends as you would expect. Actually it is a fitting end to the Warrior-Heenan Family feud which lasted for nearly two years. **
Final Analysis: The wrestling isn’t superb, but nothing is horribly bad, and the show is watchable and is a nice way to close out the decade. With Warrior going out of 1989 so strong, it was clear that the WWE was going to go through major changes over the first few years of the 90’s.
November 23, 1989
Rosemont Horizon
Chicago, Illinois
The 3rd annual Survivor Series came from Chicago and unlike most Chicago crowds, this one was rather apathetic. A big change was that they ditched the “Teams of Five Strive to Survive” concept and went to teams of four. One thing I loved about these early Survivor Series PPV’s is the interesting pairings that they came up with. This event seemed to revert to feuds that they had going before the summer. Demolition regained the tag titles from the Brainbusters not long before this event, and rekindled their feud with the Powers of Pain. The Rockers rekindled their feud with the Brainbusters, as the Rougeaus and Bushwhackers wound up on opposing sides in their match. Not everything was a re-hashing. Zeus was now with Dibiase and up against Hogan’s team, and Rick Rude and Roddy Pipers feud took all of the heat from SummerSlam and feuded throughout the fall of 1989. Everything at this point seemed to be keeping Hogan and Warrior strong for their eventual collision at WrestleMania.
Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon and Jesse “The Body” Ventura
8 Man Survivor Series Elimination Match
Enforcers (Big Bossman (captain), Honky Tonk Man, “The Model” Rick Martel, and Bad News Brown) w/ “Mouth of the South” Jimmy Hart and Slick vs. Dream Team (“American Dream” Dusty Rhodes (captain), Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake, Tito Santana, and Red Rooster)
Good choice for an opener here as Rhodes and Beefcake are both insanely over as baby faces, so this is an easy way to get the crowd into it. Match itself was decent enough as Survivor Series matches does at least keep the action relatively non-stop. It gets down to Bossman against the Rooster, Rhodes, and Beefcake. Bossman takes out the Rooster, but ultimately gets pinned by Rhodes, as he and Beefcake survive. **1/4
8 Man Survivor Series Elimination Match
4x4’s (“Hacksaw” Jim Duggan (captain), Bret “The Hitman” Hart, “Rugged” Ronnie Garvin, and Hercules) vs. King’s Court (“Macho King” Randy Savage, Earthquake, Dino Bravo, and Greg “The Hammer” Valentine) w/ Jimmy Hart and Sensational “Queen” Sherri
I always found it interesting that Bret Hart and Jim Neidhart were not paired together for this show. Barry Windham was supposed to be here, but Earthquake replaced him, and I found it to be an excellent way to continue Earthquake’s push. When I first started watching Earthquake scared me to death, and was one of the few big men that was viewed ALMOST as Hogan’s equal, but that’s for another time. Here he had just debuted and was just a monster squashing guys and sending them on stretchers. The best part of the match was when Bret and Macho went at it. I really wish they were given more time because they were on fire and the crowd was totally into it. Savage eventually pins Hart, but Hart looks strong and credible in the process, and it’s helped by the commentary of Jesse Ventura who puts him over too. That leaves Duggan against Savage, Bravo, and Earthquake, and ultimately Duggan gets counted out. Pretty sad considering the three survivors are no longer with us. I enjoyed this match, but I would have enjoyed it more if they gave me a little more Savage-Hart. **
8 Man Survivor Series Elimination Match
Million $ Team (“Million Dollar Man” Ted Dibiase (captain), Zeus, and Powers of Pain (Warlord and Barbarian)) w/ Mr. Fuji vs. Hulkamaniacs (Hulk Hogan (captain), Jake “The Snake” Roberts, and Demolition (Ax and Smash))
This match had a bunch of feuds and it’s pretty much the only match on the card that the crowd is totally into from beginning to end. Thankfully Hogan and Zeus start off first, and Zeus gets himself disqualified for, you guessed it, choking Hogan, and hitting the referee. Demolition is next to go leaving it 3 on 2, but then the ref disqualifies both the Powers of Pain. The best part here is Jesse’s commentary as he is completely outraged. This leaves Dibiase up against Hogan and Roberts. Dibiase and Roberts get to continue their feud (one of my all-time favorite feuds). Virgil comes in and gets a DDT for his efforts, but Dibiase is able to make the pin with feet on the ropes of course, leaving the two captains to fight it out for survival. Dibiase gets the upper hand but Hogan makes his comeback and finishes it with the usual. Actually a pretty decent match. **1/2
8 Man Survivor Series Elimination Match
Roddy’s Rowdys (Rowdy Roddy Piper (captain), “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka, and Bushwhackers (Luke and Butch)) vs. Rude’s Brood (“Ravishing” Rick Rude (captain), Mr. Perfect, and Fabulous Rougeaus (Jacques Rougeau and Raymond Rougeau)) w/ Jimmy Hart and Genius
Right away we notice that Bobby Heenan is not with Rude, further escalating the idea that there is dissention in the Heenan Family. This is a fun match as the Rougeaus get eliminated early and Rude and Perfect have trouble dealing with the unorthodox style of Roddy’s team, but eventually get things together and eliminate the Bushwhackers. Piper and Rude brawl and get themselves counted out. Looking back it’s odd that they paired those two in a feud, because both were notorious for not doing too many clean jobs, so obviously neither was going to look weak at any point in the feud. This leaves Perfect and Snuka, who have a little feud of their own, and it’s a decent little 1 on 1 contest to finish the match, and ultimately Perfect hits Snuka with the Perfect-plex to be the sole survivor and continue his undefeated streak. Not a lot of people like this match probably because the Bushwhackers are involved, but I can handle a little comedy now and then, and the right guy went over. **1/2
Main Event
Ultimate Warriors (Ultimate Warrior (captain), Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart, and Rockers (Shawn Michaels and Marty Jannetty)) vs. Heenan Family (Andre the Giant (captain), Haku, Arn Anderson, and Bobby “The Brain” Heenan)
The Brainbusters were pretty much out the door here, and Heenan replaced Tully Blanchard here. This is pretty much a formality match as the Warrior was on a huge mega push towards WrestleMania. I don’t know when Vince decided he would pull the trigger on Hogan-Warrior but it seems like it was sometime right after SummerSlam with Warrior’s great performance against Rick Rude. Warrior spent the fall beating Andre the Giant in squash matches at every house show in the US. It was pretty degrading to Andre, and a lot of fans are still bitter about it, but it did make Warrior into a giant star and cemented himself as Hogan’s equal. Speaking of squashing Andre, Warrior clotheslines him out of the ring and he gets counted out in the opening seconds of the match. I guess it’s all for the better as Andre couldn’t really do much of anything at this point in his career. Predictably the match ends up being Warrior against Heenan, and it ends as you would expect. Actually it is a fitting end to the Warrior-Heenan Family feud which lasted for nearly two years. **
Final Analysis: The wrestling isn’t superb, but nothing is horribly bad, and the show is watchable and is a nice way to close out the decade. With Warrior going out of 1989 so strong, it was clear that the WWE was going to go through major changes over the first few years of the 90’s.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
WWE Elimination Chamber 2012
WWE Elimination Chamber 2012
February 19, 2012
Bradley Center
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
I figured since I’m going to RAW on 2-20, I should watch this show and see what I’m getting myself into. I think the names of these PPV’s are incredibly lame. I don’t see what the problem was with “No Way Out.” With that being said, after picking up the extremely good “Best PPV matches of 2011” DVD, I became impressed with some of what these younger stars are doing.
Commentators: Michael Cole, Jerry “The King” Lawler, and Booker T
WWE Championship – Elimination Chamber Match
CM Punk (champion) vs. Chris Jericho vs. Miz vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. R-Truth vs. Kofi Kingston
Great! They are putting the main event on first. Ugh! I like 5 of the 6 guys here so this should be good. Miz is the only one that I don’t find to be very entertaining. Punk and Kofi start and they make me want to see a 1 on 1 match. Dolph in next and he takes some sick sick bumps on the outside steel. R-Truth in and continues the action. Dolph takes some more sick steel bumps. Match is non-stop action until Kofi gets beat by Jericho. Jericho gives him the heel beat down, but then Punk hits Jericho with a kick to the head knocking him out. Then they just sit there and totally take the life out of the match. Then Punk and Miz go at it for a few more minutes, and Punk wins with the GTS. Man, this was absolute gold until the end. ***3/4
WWE Divas Championship
Beth Phoenix (champion) vs. Tamina Snuka
Tamina is Jimmy Snuka’s daughter. She takes a nice bump to the floor but that’s about all this match is good for. Crowd is absolutely dead for this. Beth hits a superplex which gets no sold basically. Tamina hits sweet chin music and then the superfly splash which Phoenix kicks out of and ultimately wins. ½*
RAW GM John Laurinitas comes out and says that he has petitioned to be GM of Smackdown as well. Alberto Del Rio, Mark Henry, and Christian come out and agree. Sadly this is the best part of the show so far. I’m hoping for a nice little stable here.
WWE World Championship – Elimination Chamber Match
Daniel Bryan (champion) vs. Great Khali vs. Cody Rhodes vs. Santino Marella vs. Wade Barrett vs. Big Show
Show and Barrett start it out and pretty much bore the crowd to death and 3 minutes in I’m begging for more guys already. Cody is in next and things pick up a little bit. Santino is out next and I’m hoping that Big Show will chokeslam him and eliminate him right away but no luck. Like the story of Show dominating here. Khali in next and he takes everyone out, but then eats a spear from Big Show, and he’s the first one gone. Show turns his attention towards getting to Daniel Bryan who is still in the pod. He breaks the chains and gets in there and gives Bryan a major league beat down. Bryan selling it like a champ too. Barrett makes the save and Rhodes and Barrett combine to knock Big Show out in a very creative way to pin him. But as Rhodes is celebrating, Santino sneaks behind him and rolls him up for a pin leaving Barrett, Santino, and Bryan. Bryan takes a sick bump into the cage which damn near kills him from Barrett. Barrett and Bryan are carrying this thing. Bryan hits a diving head-butt on Barrett. I didn’t think that move was allowed anymore after Benoit and all. Santino pins Barrett leaving Santino vs. Daniel Bryan. Santino hits the Cobra, which knocks a ¼* off this match, but Bryan kicks out and uses the Crippler Crossface to win the match. Slow start, but really good finish, as everyone was working really hard. ***3/4
WWE US Championship
Jack Swagger (champion) w/ Vickie Guerrero vs. Justin Gabriel w/ Hornswoggle
This is an impromptu match made by Smackdown GM Teddy Long. I guess because they only had 4 matches booked before the show started. Decent match as Jack Swagger wins with the ankle lock to retain. *3/4
Main Event
Ambulance Match
Kane vs. John Cena
So even though the show is named Elimination Chamber, this is the main event. Um okay. This is a prime example of a Cena match that could stand to have some blood involved and some pretty good violence. Instead we get the PG version and it just doesn’t work with a guy like Kane. Cena hits some of his high impact stuff which is always nice, but the match speaks for itself, it’s an ambulance match, which means someone is supposed to be hurt and hurt permanently, and the story just never comes across that way. Match picks up a little bit as they begin to brawl around the arena. Kane chokeslams Cena through the table, then takes a couple 13-14 minutes to get the stretcher just to roll Cena back to the ambulance, at which point Cena comes back and they fight to the top of the ambulance where Cena does the PG thing of FU’ng Kane off the top of it, throws him into the vehicle and wins the match. **1/4
Final Analysis: Two good elimination chamber matches, and the rest is ok. Not a very good show in terms of getting anyone excited for WrestleMania. The Jericho injury was strange, and the World title seems like small time, and that is what your Royal Rumble winner Sheamus seems to be going for. The positives are Laurinitis’s stable he seems to be creating. I guess we’ll see. One thing I’ll say is the WWE is doing SOME good things, as it does seem like there is something with a lot of the young talent. They had better too.
February 19, 2012
Bradley Center
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
I figured since I’m going to RAW on 2-20, I should watch this show and see what I’m getting myself into. I think the names of these PPV’s are incredibly lame. I don’t see what the problem was with “No Way Out.” With that being said, after picking up the extremely good “Best PPV matches of 2011” DVD, I became impressed with some of what these younger stars are doing.
Commentators: Michael Cole, Jerry “The King” Lawler, and Booker T
WWE Championship – Elimination Chamber Match
CM Punk (champion) vs. Chris Jericho vs. Miz vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. R-Truth vs. Kofi Kingston
Great! They are putting the main event on first. Ugh! I like 5 of the 6 guys here so this should be good. Miz is the only one that I don’t find to be very entertaining. Punk and Kofi start and they make me want to see a 1 on 1 match. Dolph in next and he takes some sick sick bumps on the outside steel. R-Truth in and continues the action. Dolph takes some more sick steel bumps. Match is non-stop action until Kofi gets beat by Jericho. Jericho gives him the heel beat down, but then Punk hits Jericho with a kick to the head knocking him out. Then they just sit there and totally take the life out of the match. Then Punk and Miz go at it for a few more minutes, and Punk wins with the GTS. Man, this was absolute gold until the end. ***3/4
WWE Divas Championship
Beth Phoenix (champion) vs. Tamina Snuka
Tamina is Jimmy Snuka’s daughter. She takes a nice bump to the floor but that’s about all this match is good for. Crowd is absolutely dead for this. Beth hits a superplex which gets no sold basically. Tamina hits sweet chin music and then the superfly splash which Phoenix kicks out of and ultimately wins. ½*
RAW GM John Laurinitas comes out and says that he has petitioned to be GM of Smackdown as well. Alberto Del Rio, Mark Henry, and Christian come out and agree. Sadly this is the best part of the show so far. I’m hoping for a nice little stable here.
WWE World Championship – Elimination Chamber Match
Daniel Bryan (champion) vs. Great Khali vs. Cody Rhodes vs. Santino Marella vs. Wade Barrett vs. Big Show
Show and Barrett start it out and pretty much bore the crowd to death and 3 minutes in I’m begging for more guys already. Cody is in next and things pick up a little bit. Santino is out next and I’m hoping that Big Show will chokeslam him and eliminate him right away but no luck. Like the story of Show dominating here. Khali in next and he takes everyone out, but then eats a spear from Big Show, and he’s the first one gone. Show turns his attention towards getting to Daniel Bryan who is still in the pod. He breaks the chains and gets in there and gives Bryan a major league beat down. Bryan selling it like a champ too. Barrett makes the save and Rhodes and Barrett combine to knock Big Show out in a very creative way to pin him. But as Rhodes is celebrating, Santino sneaks behind him and rolls him up for a pin leaving Barrett, Santino, and Bryan. Bryan takes a sick bump into the cage which damn near kills him from Barrett. Barrett and Bryan are carrying this thing. Bryan hits a diving head-butt on Barrett. I didn’t think that move was allowed anymore after Benoit and all. Santino pins Barrett leaving Santino vs. Daniel Bryan. Santino hits the Cobra, which knocks a ¼* off this match, but Bryan kicks out and uses the Crippler Crossface to win the match. Slow start, but really good finish, as everyone was working really hard. ***3/4
WWE US Championship
Jack Swagger (champion) w/ Vickie Guerrero vs. Justin Gabriel w/ Hornswoggle
This is an impromptu match made by Smackdown GM Teddy Long. I guess because they only had 4 matches booked before the show started. Decent match as Jack Swagger wins with the ankle lock to retain. *3/4
Main Event
Ambulance Match
Kane vs. John Cena
So even though the show is named Elimination Chamber, this is the main event. Um okay. This is a prime example of a Cena match that could stand to have some blood involved and some pretty good violence. Instead we get the PG version and it just doesn’t work with a guy like Kane. Cena hits some of his high impact stuff which is always nice, but the match speaks for itself, it’s an ambulance match, which means someone is supposed to be hurt and hurt permanently, and the story just never comes across that way. Match picks up a little bit as they begin to brawl around the arena. Kane chokeslams Cena through the table, then takes a couple 13-14 minutes to get the stretcher just to roll Cena back to the ambulance, at which point Cena comes back and they fight to the top of the ambulance where Cena does the PG thing of FU’ng Kane off the top of it, throws him into the vehicle and wins the match. **1/4
Final Analysis: Two good elimination chamber matches, and the rest is ok. Not a very good show in terms of getting anyone excited for WrestleMania. The Jericho injury was strange, and the World title seems like small time, and that is what your Royal Rumble winner Sheamus seems to be going for. The positives are Laurinitis’s stable he seems to be creating. I guess we’ll see. One thing I’ll say is the WWE is doing SOME good things, as it does seem like there is something with a lot of the young talent. They had better too.
WWE SummerSlam '89
WWE SummerSlam ‘89
August 28, 1989
The Meadowlands
East Rutherford, New Jersey
This would be another transitional show, as new feuds and storylines came after WrestleMania V and into the summer of 1989. Demolition had recently dropped the tag team titles to Bobby Heenan’s Brainbusters with help from Andre the Giant. Jake the Snake was injured at the hands of Ted Dibiase and he wouldn’t let anyone forget about it as their feud escalated. Dusty Rhodes had recently made his debut and he was as over as he ever was adding another top baby face to an already stacked roster. That of course leaves Hulk Hogan. He won his title back from Randy Savage who was at his absolute best of his career as a heel. He had filmed “No Holds Barred” with co-star Tommy Lister who portrayed the heel in the movie came to the WWE to portray himself as Zeus, the man of destruction and feud with Hogan. Now I don’t know if this is true or not, but apparently, the original plan was for Hogan to beat Zeus at WrestleMania VI. Whether it was true or not I think we can all be thankful that it didn’t happen. Even still, for entertainment value, it wasn’t the worst thing in the world as the WWE was trying to transition itself to the 90’s as the golden years were almost over.
Commentators: Tony Schiavonie and Jesse “The Body” Ventura
Hart Foundation (Bret “The Hitman” Hart and Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart) vs. Brainbusters (Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard) w/ Bobby “The Brain” Heenan
Jesse and Tony immediately discuss the fact that this is a non-title match and how goofy that is. I would agree with Tony here, as it does take a little bit off the match itself… but it doesn’t take that much off. This match is pure tag team gold as two of the greatest teams ever go toe to toe. The Brainbusters were only in WWE for a year, but man did they have some fantastic matches. They got to work with the Rockers, the Harts, Demolition, all of the top teams, and all were outstanding. This match is really unheralded (probably because it was a non-title) but should be checked out. Jesse points out that even though it is non-title, that if the Harts don’t win they may not see another shot for another year. He would prove to be right as the Busters win and the Harts in fact did not see another title shot for another year. This was great tag team action. ****
“The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes vs. Honky Tonk Man w/ “Mouth of the South” Jimmy Hart
As mentioned before, Rhodes just came into the WWE. He mentioned in his DVD how it was a nice little reprieve to just go out and perform, whereas he was kind of running things in the NWA. Rhodes is insanely over, as the crowd just loves everything he does. Say what you want about Dusty Rhodes, there aren’t many guys in history that know how to work a crowd. Honky Tonk is also still tremendous at getting the cheap heel heat, but he was pretty much stuck in midcard hell at this point. The match was predictably going towards a guitar shot to Honky, and Jimmy accidentally nails him with the guitar. Rhodes drops the big elbow, and gets the win. Match wasn’t great, but both guys had the crowd eating out of the palms of their hands. *1/4
Mr. Perfect vs. Red Rooster
Perfect is on fire so this match is a formality. It would’ve been a match of the night contender, but Roosters messes up his knee early in the match so it gets cut short. Perfect hits Rooster with the Perfect-plex and finishes it with the usual. ¾*
6 Man Tag Team Match
Rick Martel and Fabulous Rougeaus (Jacques Rougeau and Raymond Rougeau) w/ Slick and Jimmy Hart vs. Tito Santana and Rockers (Shawn Michaels and Marty Jannetty)
The show continues with its nice flow and another gem here. You can’t go wrong when you put 6 talented guys like this out there and say “go have fun”. This is just non-stop action from beginning to end, with Santana playing “face in peril”. He gets the hot tag to Michaels, and more insanity ensues until finally Martel gets the pin on Jannetty to win the match. Excellent match! ***1/2
WWE IC Championship
“Ravishing” Rick Rude (champion) w/ Bobby Heenan vs. Ultimate Warrior
I think this is the match that Vince decided he would pull the trigger on the Warrior as getting the big prize in the future. One of my favorite matches ever here, as Rude was on fire as a worker, and the ability to get a good match out of the Warrior. And a good match this was, one of the best of both guys’ career, certainly the Warrior. They go back and forth, even exchanging piledrivers and several false finishes. The match winds down as Rowdy Piper comes out to distract Rude, and Warrior finishes him off with a gorilla press and a splash. Sensational match and as I said, one of my personal favorites. ****
6 Man Tag Team Match
Andre the Giant and Twin Towers (Akeem and Big Bossman) w/ Bobby Heenan and Slick vs. King Duggan and Demolition (Ax and Smash)
Another 6 man here as the feud between Demolition and Twin Towers and Andre continues. Andre of course cost Demolition the tag titles. This is a feud that would actually culminate at WrestleMania the next year, but here it’s just a typical 6 man tag. Short and inoffensive, but certainly nothing great. Duggan hits Akeem with the 2x4 and Smash gets the pin. ¼*
Hercules vs. Greg “The Hammer” Valentine w/ Jimmy Hart
“Rugged” Ronnie Garvin is the special guest ring announcer here, basically to put the bad mouth on Valentine to continue their feud, and that was pretty much the only reason for this match. Valentine wins the match with the cheap foot on the rope, but Garvin comes in and claims that Hercules won. Kind of stupid, but the point comes across as Garvin and Valentine progress their storyline which would actually end in a pretty good match at the Royal Rumble in 1990. This match was garbage though. ¼*
“The Million Dollar Man” Ted Dibiase w/ Virgil vs. “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka
Dibiase comes out and brags once again about being the man who ended Jake Roberts wrestling career. Snuka had just returned after being out of the WWE for a few years. He wasn’t yet JTTS quite yet which is why Dibiase only wins by a cheap count out, as I guess they still felt it necessary to protect Snuka. Match was ok, but pretty much just an excuse to give these two something to do. Dibiase was the king of these cheap count out wins during this time period. ½*
Main Event
“Macho Man” Randy Savage and Zeus w/ Sensational Sherri vs. Hulk Hogan and Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake w/ Miss Elizabeth
Savage joined up with Sensational Sherri after WrestleMania to really turn up the heat on his heel character. He was pretty much can’t miss at this point in his career. Zeus might be the worst wrestler of all time, so thank god this is a tag match and his role is pretty much limited. Seriously all he does as yell and choke. Beefcake and Savage really carry this match and make it fun as Savage is great, and Beefcake was really coming into his own as a work. Very under-appreciated. They had a very underrated Saturday Nights Main Event match before this that helped hype up this show too. The match ends when Sherri tries to interfere in the match but Elizabeth stops her and the loaded purse is available for Hogan to nail Zeus, slam him and finish it with the usual. Fun match worthy of main event status, and the Zeus stuff was kept to a minimum. ***
Final Analysis: What a great show! The wrestling was good, the crowd was hot and the main event sent fans home happy. Problem is, other than Warrior getting his title back, nothing really historic happened. Savage would go onto beat Duggan for the King of the Ring crown and then feud with Rhodes. Demolition would regain their titles from the Brainbusters a few weeks later, and then the Busters would leave the WWE again after Survivor Series. Still, it’s a fun show with some really good matches.
August 28, 1989
The Meadowlands
East Rutherford, New Jersey
This would be another transitional show, as new feuds and storylines came after WrestleMania V and into the summer of 1989. Demolition had recently dropped the tag team titles to Bobby Heenan’s Brainbusters with help from Andre the Giant. Jake the Snake was injured at the hands of Ted Dibiase and he wouldn’t let anyone forget about it as their feud escalated. Dusty Rhodes had recently made his debut and he was as over as he ever was adding another top baby face to an already stacked roster. That of course leaves Hulk Hogan. He won his title back from Randy Savage who was at his absolute best of his career as a heel. He had filmed “No Holds Barred” with co-star Tommy Lister who portrayed the heel in the movie came to the WWE to portray himself as Zeus, the man of destruction and feud with Hogan. Now I don’t know if this is true or not, but apparently, the original plan was for Hogan to beat Zeus at WrestleMania VI. Whether it was true or not I think we can all be thankful that it didn’t happen. Even still, for entertainment value, it wasn’t the worst thing in the world as the WWE was trying to transition itself to the 90’s as the golden years were almost over.
Commentators: Tony Schiavonie and Jesse “The Body” Ventura
Hart Foundation (Bret “The Hitman” Hart and Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart) vs. Brainbusters (Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard) w/ Bobby “The Brain” Heenan
Jesse and Tony immediately discuss the fact that this is a non-title match and how goofy that is. I would agree with Tony here, as it does take a little bit off the match itself… but it doesn’t take that much off. This match is pure tag team gold as two of the greatest teams ever go toe to toe. The Brainbusters were only in WWE for a year, but man did they have some fantastic matches. They got to work with the Rockers, the Harts, Demolition, all of the top teams, and all were outstanding. This match is really unheralded (probably because it was a non-title) but should be checked out. Jesse points out that even though it is non-title, that if the Harts don’t win they may not see another shot for another year. He would prove to be right as the Busters win and the Harts in fact did not see another title shot for another year. This was great tag team action. ****
“The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes vs. Honky Tonk Man w/ “Mouth of the South” Jimmy Hart
As mentioned before, Rhodes just came into the WWE. He mentioned in his DVD how it was a nice little reprieve to just go out and perform, whereas he was kind of running things in the NWA. Rhodes is insanely over, as the crowd just loves everything he does. Say what you want about Dusty Rhodes, there aren’t many guys in history that know how to work a crowd. Honky Tonk is also still tremendous at getting the cheap heel heat, but he was pretty much stuck in midcard hell at this point. The match was predictably going towards a guitar shot to Honky, and Jimmy accidentally nails him with the guitar. Rhodes drops the big elbow, and gets the win. Match wasn’t great, but both guys had the crowd eating out of the palms of their hands. *1/4
Mr. Perfect vs. Red Rooster
Perfect is on fire so this match is a formality. It would’ve been a match of the night contender, but Roosters messes up his knee early in the match so it gets cut short. Perfect hits Rooster with the Perfect-plex and finishes it with the usual. ¾*
6 Man Tag Team Match
Rick Martel and Fabulous Rougeaus (Jacques Rougeau and Raymond Rougeau) w/ Slick and Jimmy Hart vs. Tito Santana and Rockers (Shawn Michaels and Marty Jannetty)
The show continues with its nice flow and another gem here. You can’t go wrong when you put 6 talented guys like this out there and say “go have fun”. This is just non-stop action from beginning to end, with Santana playing “face in peril”. He gets the hot tag to Michaels, and more insanity ensues until finally Martel gets the pin on Jannetty to win the match. Excellent match! ***1/2
WWE IC Championship
“Ravishing” Rick Rude (champion) w/ Bobby Heenan vs. Ultimate Warrior
I think this is the match that Vince decided he would pull the trigger on the Warrior as getting the big prize in the future. One of my favorite matches ever here, as Rude was on fire as a worker, and the ability to get a good match out of the Warrior. And a good match this was, one of the best of both guys’ career, certainly the Warrior. They go back and forth, even exchanging piledrivers and several false finishes. The match winds down as Rowdy Piper comes out to distract Rude, and Warrior finishes him off with a gorilla press and a splash. Sensational match and as I said, one of my personal favorites. ****
6 Man Tag Team Match
Andre the Giant and Twin Towers (Akeem and Big Bossman) w/ Bobby Heenan and Slick vs. King Duggan and Demolition (Ax and Smash)
Another 6 man here as the feud between Demolition and Twin Towers and Andre continues. Andre of course cost Demolition the tag titles. This is a feud that would actually culminate at WrestleMania the next year, but here it’s just a typical 6 man tag. Short and inoffensive, but certainly nothing great. Duggan hits Akeem with the 2x4 and Smash gets the pin. ¼*
Hercules vs. Greg “The Hammer” Valentine w/ Jimmy Hart
“Rugged” Ronnie Garvin is the special guest ring announcer here, basically to put the bad mouth on Valentine to continue their feud, and that was pretty much the only reason for this match. Valentine wins the match with the cheap foot on the rope, but Garvin comes in and claims that Hercules won. Kind of stupid, but the point comes across as Garvin and Valentine progress their storyline which would actually end in a pretty good match at the Royal Rumble in 1990. This match was garbage though. ¼*
“The Million Dollar Man” Ted Dibiase w/ Virgil vs. “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka
Dibiase comes out and brags once again about being the man who ended Jake Roberts wrestling career. Snuka had just returned after being out of the WWE for a few years. He wasn’t yet JTTS quite yet which is why Dibiase only wins by a cheap count out, as I guess they still felt it necessary to protect Snuka. Match was ok, but pretty much just an excuse to give these two something to do. Dibiase was the king of these cheap count out wins during this time period. ½*
Main Event
“Macho Man” Randy Savage and Zeus w/ Sensational Sherri vs. Hulk Hogan and Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake w/ Miss Elizabeth
Savage joined up with Sensational Sherri after WrestleMania to really turn up the heat on his heel character. He was pretty much can’t miss at this point in his career. Zeus might be the worst wrestler of all time, so thank god this is a tag match and his role is pretty much limited. Seriously all he does as yell and choke. Beefcake and Savage really carry this match and make it fun as Savage is great, and Beefcake was really coming into his own as a work. Very under-appreciated. They had a very underrated Saturday Nights Main Event match before this that helped hype up this show too. The match ends when Sherri tries to interfere in the match but Elizabeth stops her and the loaded purse is available for Hogan to nail Zeus, slam him and finish it with the usual. Fun match worthy of main event status, and the Zeus stuff was kept to a minimum. ***
Final Analysis: What a great show! The wrestling was good, the crowd was hot and the main event sent fans home happy. Problem is, other than Warrior getting his title back, nothing really historic happened. Savage would go onto beat Duggan for the King of the Ring crown and then feud with Rhodes. Demolition would regain their titles from the Brainbusters a few weeks later, and then the Busters would leave the WWE again after Survivor Series. Still, it’s a fun show with some really good matches.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
WWE WrestleMania XXVII
WWE WrestleMania XXVII
April 4, 2011
Georgia Dome
Atlanta, Georgia
Thought I would change it up a little bit and review this show, being that Mania is less than two months away. I watched this show on the live broadcast. Whether you are attending a live event or simply watching it as it happens, there really is only two ways you can view the show. You either vastly overrate the show or vastly underrated the show. Typically it’s on future viewings when you can look at it objectively. Rarely have I watched a show live and had the same exact opinion of it when I watched it later. This is a show that I admittedly dumped on when I first viewed it. I had seen everything but HHH-Taker. When I purchased the DVD a while back I watched Triple H – Undertaker because it was a match that had a lot of people that loved it and a lot of people that hated it. It wasn’t until today that I viewed the show in its entirety a 2nd time.
Commentators: Josh Matthews, Jerry “The King” Lawler, and Michael Cole
The Rock comes out and cuts 15 minute promo to open the biggest show of the year. You see, because he’s the host. I love the Rock, but my god they pretty much made this Monday Night RAW in a big domed stadium with a big fancy stage. Rock hypes up the show, and runs down John Cena to hype the main event… of WrestleMania 28. I’m immediately reminded of the main reason I did not like this WrestleMania. Again, great to see the Rock and he’s always entertaining, but really? It’s WrestleMania. It’s not RAW, it’s not even Fatal Four Way.
WWE World Championship
Edge (champion) w/ Christian vs. Alberto Del Rio w/ Brodus Clay
Immediately my thought here was and still is, why is there a World title match (with the 2011 Rumble winner no less) on the opening match of the biggest show of the year? It really makes all parties involved, and the world title itself less prestigious and less important. The match is solid, especially when you consider that this would be Edge’s last match due to injury. I also really like Del Rio as a performer. Edge hits the spear out of nowhere and gets the win to retain. This would be the 4th WrestleMania in a row that the Royal Rumble winner doesn’t leave with the title. This is a prime example of why there shouldn’t be two world titles. This seemed so much like an afterthought. Really, it’s too bad. ***1/4
Cody Rhodes vs. Rey Mysterio
Mysterio comes in his captain America costume. Always love Rey and his WrestleMania outfits. Mysterio broke Cody Rhodes nose with his knee brace doing a 619. Cody now where’s a protective facemask which predictably comes into play here and gets used as a weapon. This is a fantastic match with a clever finish of Rhodes getting a hold of Rey’s knee brace and nailing him as Rey was trying a suicide dive. Great match. ***1/2
8 Man Tag Team Match
Big Show, Kane, Santino Marella, and Kofi Kingston vs. The Corre (Wade Barrett, Ezekial Jackson, Heath Slater, and Justin Gabriel)
This actually looks ok on paper, but looks can be deceiving. The match ends in less than two minutes and the Corre gets squashed. ¼* for Kofi
CM Punk vs. Randy Orton
Here is a match that I underrated a little bit upon first viewing, but it is a damn fine match with CM Punk working on Orton’s leg. Orton’s selling was very good, and he couldn’t do his little punt to the head move at one point in the match. Excellent storytelling by both guys. Match ends when Orton catches Punk with the RKO as he’s coming off the ropes. ***1/4
Special Referee: “Stone Cold” Steve Austin
Jerry “The King” Lawler vs. Michael Cole w/ Jack Swagger
Booker T and Jim Ross come out to join Josh Matthews on commentary for this match. This was actually a rather entertaining storyline coming into the match, however some idiot in booking decided it would be a great idea to give these two 11 minutes for a match. The match is pretty awful as the only entertaining thing is Austin. I have no idea why this match got so much time as it escalates into one of the worst WrestleMania matches I’ve ever seen. The finish is even worse as Lawler wins by making Cole tap out to the ankle lock. Then the computer GM (I shit you not) announces that because Austin got physically involved that Cole wins by disqualification. The match itself was 11 minutes, but there was like 10 minutes of entrances and beer celebrations too. Meanwhile Sheamus and Daniel Bryan got taken off the main show at the last minute and made into a dark match. DUD
Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler finish out commentating duties for the rest of the show.
No Holds Barred Match
Undertaker vs. Triple H.
*Rated #40 on my Top 50 WrestleMania matches of all time*
As stated before, this has been a very polarizing match from a lot of fans. I’ve seen people rate this thing *****, and others (even some I have a lot of respect for) do not like this match at all. I guess you can call me in the middle. It is an absolutely brutal match which fits these guys’ styles. Triple H takes a SICK back body drop from the announce table directly to the padded floor. The problem with the match is however, that they start brawling all over the ringside area and hitting these brutal spots to the point where the rest of the match consisted a lot of laying around as both guys recovered. A lot of people knock the match because it was for the most part dominated by HHH and those people don’t like HHH too much. I thought the story was outstanding, and it is simple that Undertaker CANNOT lose at WrestleMania, and if anyone can give him the beat down of his life, it’s Triple H. HHH tries everything, hitting him with pedigree after pedigree, chair shot after chair shot, and even a tombstone. Finally he goes for the sledgehammer but Undertaker catches him in his submission hold and HHH fights but eventually taps. To sell the significance of the beat down that HHH gave, Undertaker does a stretcher job. These are the only two guys who could put a match like this on just because of their style. ***3/4
6 Person Intergender Tag Team Match
Dolph Ziggler and LayCool (Michelle McCool and Layla) w/ Vickie Guerrero vs. John Morrison, Trish Stratus, and Snooki
Pretty bad match here as you would probably be able to predict but it is short and inoffensive. Snooki comes in and does some nice athletic moves and shocks pretty much everyone watching, and gets the pin. ¼*
Main Event
WWE Championship
Miz (champion) w/ Alex Riley vs. John Cena
Both guys get pretty cool videos and entrances. Cena as usual gets some unique entrance, this time with a church choir singing. The match is ok, but extraordinary underwhelming for the main event at WrestleMania. And it turns into a raw finish as it ends in a double count out, and then Rock comes out and re-starts the match, and rock bottoms Cena, and Miz retains. So Rock buries both the guys in the main event like Hogan did at WrestleMania IX, only at least Hogan had the title to show for it. Miz just looks like a chump here, as they are just hyping up Cena-Rock for the NEXT YEARS show. Ugh. **1/2 for the match -1/2* for the lame finish. **
Final Analysis: Wrestling-wise the show was pretty solid with 4 matches over ***. It just didn’t feel like a big show though. I absolutely hated that finish, and it really dragged the entire show down. I have to admit I am looking forward to Rock vs. Cena at this year’s WrestleMania, but man, what a waste last year.
April 4, 2011
Georgia Dome
Atlanta, Georgia
Thought I would change it up a little bit and review this show, being that Mania is less than two months away. I watched this show on the live broadcast. Whether you are attending a live event or simply watching it as it happens, there really is only two ways you can view the show. You either vastly overrate the show or vastly underrated the show. Typically it’s on future viewings when you can look at it objectively. Rarely have I watched a show live and had the same exact opinion of it when I watched it later. This is a show that I admittedly dumped on when I first viewed it. I had seen everything but HHH-Taker. When I purchased the DVD a while back I watched Triple H – Undertaker because it was a match that had a lot of people that loved it and a lot of people that hated it. It wasn’t until today that I viewed the show in its entirety a 2nd time.
Commentators: Josh Matthews, Jerry “The King” Lawler, and Michael Cole
The Rock comes out and cuts 15 minute promo to open the biggest show of the year. You see, because he’s the host. I love the Rock, but my god they pretty much made this Monday Night RAW in a big domed stadium with a big fancy stage. Rock hypes up the show, and runs down John Cena to hype the main event… of WrestleMania 28. I’m immediately reminded of the main reason I did not like this WrestleMania. Again, great to see the Rock and he’s always entertaining, but really? It’s WrestleMania. It’s not RAW, it’s not even Fatal Four Way.
WWE World Championship
Edge (champion) w/ Christian vs. Alberto Del Rio w/ Brodus Clay
Immediately my thought here was and still is, why is there a World title match (with the 2011 Rumble winner no less) on the opening match of the biggest show of the year? It really makes all parties involved, and the world title itself less prestigious and less important. The match is solid, especially when you consider that this would be Edge’s last match due to injury. I also really like Del Rio as a performer. Edge hits the spear out of nowhere and gets the win to retain. This would be the 4th WrestleMania in a row that the Royal Rumble winner doesn’t leave with the title. This is a prime example of why there shouldn’t be two world titles. This seemed so much like an afterthought. Really, it’s too bad. ***1/4
Cody Rhodes vs. Rey Mysterio
Mysterio comes in his captain America costume. Always love Rey and his WrestleMania outfits. Mysterio broke Cody Rhodes nose with his knee brace doing a 619. Cody now where’s a protective facemask which predictably comes into play here and gets used as a weapon. This is a fantastic match with a clever finish of Rhodes getting a hold of Rey’s knee brace and nailing him as Rey was trying a suicide dive. Great match. ***1/2
8 Man Tag Team Match
Big Show, Kane, Santino Marella, and Kofi Kingston vs. The Corre (Wade Barrett, Ezekial Jackson, Heath Slater, and Justin Gabriel)
This actually looks ok on paper, but looks can be deceiving. The match ends in less than two minutes and the Corre gets squashed. ¼* for Kofi
CM Punk vs. Randy Orton
Here is a match that I underrated a little bit upon first viewing, but it is a damn fine match with CM Punk working on Orton’s leg. Orton’s selling was very good, and he couldn’t do his little punt to the head move at one point in the match. Excellent storytelling by both guys. Match ends when Orton catches Punk with the RKO as he’s coming off the ropes. ***1/4
Special Referee: “Stone Cold” Steve Austin
Jerry “The King” Lawler vs. Michael Cole w/ Jack Swagger
Booker T and Jim Ross come out to join Josh Matthews on commentary for this match. This was actually a rather entertaining storyline coming into the match, however some idiot in booking decided it would be a great idea to give these two 11 minutes for a match. The match is pretty awful as the only entertaining thing is Austin. I have no idea why this match got so much time as it escalates into one of the worst WrestleMania matches I’ve ever seen. The finish is even worse as Lawler wins by making Cole tap out to the ankle lock. Then the computer GM (I shit you not) announces that because Austin got physically involved that Cole wins by disqualification. The match itself was 11 minutes, but there was like 10 minutes of entrances and beer celebrations too. Meanwhile Sheamus and Daniel Bryan got taken off the main show at the last minute and made into a dark match. DUD
Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler finish out commentating duties for the rest of the show.
No Holds Barred Match
Undertaker vs. Triple H.
*Rated #40 on my Top 50 WrestleMania matches of all time*
As stated before, this has been a very polarizing match from a lot of fans. I’ve seen people rate this thing *****, and others (even some I have a lot of respect for) do not like this match at all. I guess you can call me in the middle. It is an absolutely brutal match which fits these guys’ styles. Triple H takes a SICK back body drop from the announce table directly to the padded floor. The problem with the match is however, that they start brawling all over the ringside area and hitting these brutal spots to the point where the rest of the match consisted a lot of laying around as both guys recovered. A lot of people knock the match because it was for the most part dominated by HHH and those people don’t like HHH too much. I thought the story was outstanding, and it is simple that Undertaker CANNOT lose at WrestleMania, and if anyone can give him the beat down of his life, it’s Triple H. HHH tries everything, hitting him with pedigree after pedigree, chair shot after chair shot, and even a tombstone. Finally he goes for the sledgehammer but Undertaker catches him in his submission hold and HHH fights but eventually taps. To sell the significance of the beat down that HHH gave, Undertaker does a stretcher job. These are the only two guys who could put a match like this on just because of their style. ***3/4
6 Person Intergender Tag Team Match
Dolph Ziggler and LayCool (Michelle McCool and Layla) w/ Vickie Guerrero vs. John Morrison, Trish Stratus, and Snooki
Pretty bad match here as you would probably be able to predict but it is short and inoffensive. Snooki comes in and does some nice athletic moves and shocks pretty much everyone watching, and gets the pin. ¼*
Main Event
WWE Championship
Miz (champion) w/ Alex Riley vs. John Cena
Both guys get pretty cool videos and entrances. Cena as usual gets some unique entrance, this time with a church choir singing. The match is ok, but extraordinary underwhelming for the main event at WrestleMania. And it turns into a raw finish as it ends in a double count out, and then Rock comes out and re-starts the match, and rock bottoms Cena, and Miz retains. So Rock buries both the guys in the main event like Hogan did at WrestleMania IX, only at least Hogan had the title to show for it. Miz just looks like a chump here, as they are just hyping up Cena-Rock for the NEXT YEARS show. Ugh. **1/2 for the match -1/2* for the lame finish. **
Final Analysis: Wrestling-wise the show was pretty solid with 4 matches over ***. It just didn’t feel like a big show though. I absolutely hated that finish, and it really dragged the entire show down. I have to admit I am looking forward to Rock vs. Cena at this year’s WrestleMania, but man, what a waste last year.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
WWE WrestleMania V
WWE WrestleMania V
April 2, 1989
Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino Convention Center
Atlantic City, New Jersey
For the 2nd year in a row WrestleMania takes place at this glorified bingo hall. According to the “History of WrestleMania” dvd there was some deal that Donald Trump had that Vince couldn’t pass up to hold it there for a 2nd year in a row. I always liked the atmosphere, but as with WrestleMania IV, it really made for a very apathetic crowd. The show was of course centered on the Mega Powers finally exploding in one of the biggest main events of all time. It’s another lengthy show with a ton of matches that may not be every fan’s cup of tea but I personally still find it very enjoyable.
Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon and Jesse “The Body” Ventura
King Haku w/ Bobby “The Brain” Heenan vs. Hercules
This match was really more pushing the Hercules-Heenan feud. Heenan tried to sell Hercules as a slave to Ted Dibiase after SummerSlam the previous year. This turned Herc baby face. He feuded with Dibiase, but for some reason they never really had a blow off match. This match was clipped up on the Coliseum video version, but didn’t really do the match justice. Hercules wins on a double pin spot. Good opener. **3/4
Twin Towers (Akeem and Big Bossman) w/ Slick vs. Rockers (Shawn Michaels and Marty Jannetty)
This would be the WrestleMania debut of the Big Bossman, and the Rockers (notably Shawn Michaels aka Mr. WrestleMania). This is big vs. little and it’s an action packed gem of a match. Loved the psychology of it throughout as the Rockers get the Towers to chase them around. The commentary here is terrific too as Monsoon and Ventura guide the viewing audience nicely. Shawn in particular was overselling like it was going out of style literally carrying the match himself. Towers get credit here too for actually selling a little bit for the Rockers making them look believable. This is one of the most underrated WrestleMania matches you’ll ever see. Towers win, when Akeem hits the splash on Shawn (which he sells like death). ***
“Million Dollar Man” Ted Dibiase w/ Virgil vs. Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake
This is a classic case of having nothing to do with two of your upper mid carders except throwing them together in a match. It’s another solid match on a show that is full of them. It has a lame double count out finish though as clearly they were trying to protect both guys. **3/4
Bushwhackers (Luke and Butch) vs. Fabulous Rougeaus (Jacque Rougeau and Raymond Rougeau) w/ “Mouth of the South” Jimmy Hart
They were going for a comedy match here, but it was a pretty poor attempt. They would do a better job at the Royal Rumble in 1990, but this one was pretty awful. Bushwhackers win fairly easily here with their battering ram double stomach buster combo. ¼*
Mr. Perfect vs. Blue Blazer
Blue Blazer is of course the late great Owen Hart in a mask. Perfect is in the middle of his big initial push where he was undefeated. In other words he had the perfect record. It was a great storyline that was… perfect for the character. This was a nice fit for Perfect as Owen is a tremendous worker, and it made for yet another solid match. It goes back and forth but ultimately the outcome wasn’t in doubt as Perfect hits his perfect plex for the 3 count. **3/4
WWE Tag Team Championship – 3 on 2 Handicap Match
Demolition (Ax and Smash) (champions) vs. Powers of Pain and Mr. Fuji
Fuji turned on Demolition and joined up with the Powers back at the Survivor Series and this would be the apex of the feud. This feud really fizzled off as the excitement of seeing the two teams square off wore off. This is just punch, kick, punch, kick etc. Pretty disappointing. Fuji seemed to be added to the match just to do the job, which he does and the Dems retain. *
Dino Bravo w/ Frenchy Martin vs. “Rugged” Ronnie Garvin
More filler here trying to get guys’ paydays. Bravo wins, Garvin gets to beat up Frenchy. I guess that makes everyone happy here. ¼*
Strike Force (Tito Santana and Rick Martel) vs. Brainbusters (Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard) w/ Bobby Heenan
This match did two things. Put the Brainbusters over strong as they would get the tag titles in a couple months, and more importantly break up Strike Force. Loved the break up, as Santana nailed Martel by accident with the flying jalapeño, and Martel gets pissed and leaves the lamb to be slaughtered. The Busters hit a beautiful spke piledriver and get the big win. This match was pretty much non-stop action and completed its two objectives. ***
Special Referee: Big John Studd
Andre the Giant w/ Bobby Heenan vs. Jake “The Snake” Roberts
This was the blow off to one of my favorite feuds ever. Andre was not in a good way so the match wasn’t a Flair-Steamboat classic or anything, but both guys did what they could given the limitations. Studd was there just to argue with Andre, while one feud ends and another begins as Ted Dibiase attacks Roberts and sets off a year long feud. Andre attacks Studd and gets disqualified. Certainly not a technical marvel or anything but it’s not horrible. Andre didn’t have much time left. *
Hart Foundation (Bret “The Hitman” Hart and Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart) vs. Honky Tonk Man and Greg “The Hammer” Valentine w/ Jimmy Hart
I’ve always wondered why the Harts didn’t face the Rougeaus here. Certainly would’ve been better than the Bushwhackers against the Rougeaus. I guess this match is good for consolation as it is a team managed by Jimmy Hart. This would be a fine tag team contest and another match that really needs to be seen to be appreciated. I love the little things like the heels trying a cheap tactic of hitting the illegal man (Neidhart) to draw him into the ring and distract the ref. The psychology is that the Harts are an experienced tag team (as opposed to Honky and Hammer who are largely singles wrestlers) so Neidhart doesn’t fall for it. The finish is nice too as Neidhart was chasing Jimmy who tried to leave the megaphone for Honky, but Neidhart doesn’t fall for that either and he gets the megaphone, tosses it to Bret and the Harts win. Cheap finish but the psychology needs to be appreciated. **3/4
WWE IC Championship
Ultimate Warrior (champion) vs. “Ravishing” Rick Rude w/ Bobby Heenan
These guys would go on to have better matches but this one was good to. I never really appreciated upon first viewings. Part of the problem there is that I’m quite certain this match is brutally clipped on the Coliseum Video version of the show, and doesn’t do it justice. I like that you get the feeling that Rude just won’t be denied in this match, and even though he needs help from Heenan to win, you can’t help but feel that Warrior just can’t beat Rude on this night, because the Warrior really kicks his ass early on. Good, solid, IC title match, as Rude wins the title. ***
Bad News Brown vs. “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan
At this point, the apathetic crowd is even deader as they just want to get to the main event. This match is pretty much as terrible as you would expect it to be and it ends in a double dq. DUD
Bobby “The Brain” Heenan vs. Red Rooster
Poor Terry Taylor. Gets stuck with the rooster gimmick. Arguably the worst gimmick ever. This would be his shining moment as he beats Heenan in less than a minute. DUD
Main Event
WWE Championship – Miss Elizabeth in a neutral corner
“Macho Man” Randy Savage (champion) vs. Hulk Hogan
*Rated #29 on my Top 50 WrestleMania Matches of all time*
“This is truly the meaning of Main event” – Jesse Ventura. He was absolutely correct. My favorite storyline ever culminates here. The match has an epic feel to it. Savage pulls out every dick heel tactic you can think of here. Turns into a classic Hogan-formula match. They would go onto have tons more matches both in WWE and more so in WCW, but they would never re-capture the magic. Hogan finally drops the leg for the big finish and re-captures the WWE title for a 2nd time. ****
Final Analysis: This card was pretty solid overall. Only a couple really horrible matches, but they were short. Even still though, it is very long, and with only one match topping **** it makes for some pretty tough viewing at times. Even still, I personally love the show, but these 80’s shows are not everyone’s cup of tea.
April 2, 1989
Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino Convention Center
Atlantic City, New Jersey
For the 2nd year in a row WrestleMania takes place at this glorified bingo hall. According to the “History of WrestleMania” dvd there was some deal that Donald Trump had that Vince couldn’t pass up to hold it there for a 2nd year in a row. I always liked the atmosphere, but as with WrestleMania IV, it really made for a very apathetic crowd. The show was of course centered on the Mega Powers finally exploding in one of the biggest main events of all time. It’s another lengthy show with a ton of matches that may not be every fan’s cup of tea but I personally still find it very enjoyable.
Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon and Jesse “The Body” Ventura
King Haku w/ Bobby “The Brain” Heenan vs. Hercules
This match was really more pushing the Hercules-Heenan feud. Heenan tried to sell Hercules as a slave to Ted Dibiase after SummerSlam the previous year. This turned Herc baby face. He feuded with Dibiase, but for some reason they never really had a blow off match. This match was clipped up on the Coliseum video version, but didn’t really do the match justice. Hercules wins on a double pin spot. Good opener. **3/4
Twin Towers (Akeem and Big Bossman) w/ Slick vs. Rockers (Shawn Michaels and Marty Jannetty)
This would be the WrestleMania debut of the Big Bossman, and the Rockers (notably Shawn Michaels aka Mr. WrestleMania). This is big vs. little and it’s an action packed gem of a match. Loved the psychology of it throughout as the Rockers get the Towers to chase them around. The commentary here is terrific too as Monsoon and Ventura guide the viewing audience nicely. Shawn in particular was overselling like it was going out of style literally carrying the match himself. Towers get credit here too for actually selling a little bit for the Rockers making them look believable. This is one of the most underrated WrestleMania matches you’ll ever see. Towers win, when Akeem hits the splash on Shawn (which he sells like death). ***
“Million Dollar Man” Ted Dibiase w/ Virgil vs. Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake
This is a classic case of having nothing to do with two of your upper mid carders except throwing them together in a match. It’s another solid match on a show that is full of them. It has a lame double count out finish though as clearly they were trying to protect both guys. **3/4
Bushwhackers (Luke and Butch) vs. Fabulous Rougeaus (Jacque Rougeau and Raymond Rougeau) w/ “Mouth of the South” Jimmy Hart
They were going for a comedy match here, but it was a pretty poor attempt. They would do a better job at the Royal Rumble in 1990, but this one was pretty awful. Bushwhackers win fairly easily here with their battering ram double stomach buster combo. ¼*
Mr. Perfect vs. Blue Blazer
Blue Blazer is of course the late great Owen Hart in a mask. Perfect is in the middle of his big initial push where he was undefeated. In other words he had the perfect record. It was a great storyline that was… perfect for the character. This was a nice fit for Perfect as Owen is a tremendous worker, and it made for yet another solid match. It goes back and forth but ultimately the outcome wasn’t in doubt as Perfect hits his perfect plex for the 3 count. **3/4
WWE Tag Team Championship – 3 on 2 Handicap Match
Demolition (Ax and Smash) (champions) vs. Powers of Pain and Mr. Fuji
Fuji turned on Demolition and joined up with the Powers back at the Survivor Series and this would be the apex of the feud. This feud really fizzled off as the excitement of seeing the two teams square off wore off. This is just punch, kick, punch, kick etc. Pretty disappointing. Fuji seemed to be added to the match just to do the job, which he does and the Dems retain. *
Dino Bravo w/ Frenchy Martin vs. “Rugged” Ronnie Garvin
More filler here trying to get guys’ paydays. Bravo wins, Garvin gets to beat up Frenchy. I guess that makes everyone happy here. ¼*
Strike Force (Tito Santana and Rick Martel) vs. Brainbusters (Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard) w/ Bobby Heenan
This match did two things. Put the Brainbusters over strong as they would get the tag titles in a couple months, and more importantly break up Strike Force. Loved the break up, as Santana nailed Martel by accident with the flying jalapeño, and Martel gets pissed and leaves the lamb to be slaughtered. The Busters hit a beautiful spke piledriver and get the big win. This match was pretty much non-stop action and completed its two objectives. ***
Special Referee: Big John Studd
Andre the Giant w/ Bobby Heenan vs. Jake “The Snake” Roberts
This was the blow off to one of my favorite feuds ever. Andre was not in a good way so the match wasn’t a Flair-Steamboat classic or anything, but both guys did what they could given the limitations. Studd was there just to argue with Andre, while one feud ends and another begins as Ted Dibiase attacks Roberts and sets off a year long feud. Andre attacks Studd and gets disqualified. Certainly not a technical marvel or anything but it’s not horrible. Andre didn’t have much time left. *
Hart Foundation (Bret “The Hitman” Hart and Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart) vs. Honky Tonk Man and Greg “The Hammer” Valentine w/ Jimmy Hart
I’ve always wondered why the Harts didn’t face the Rougeaus here. Certainly would’ve been better than the Bushwhackers against the Rougeaus. I guess this match is good for consolation as it is a team managed by Jimmy Hart. This would be a fine tag team contest and another match that really needs to be seen to be appreciated. I love the little things like the heels trying a cheap tactic of hitting the illegal man (Neidhart) to draw him into the ring and distract the ref. The psychology is that the Harts are an experienced tag team (as opposed to Honky and Hammer who are largely singles wrestlers) so Neidhart doesn’t fall for it. The finish is nice too as Neidhart was chasing Jimmy who tried to leave the megaphone for Honky, but Neidhart doesn’t fall for that either and he gets the megaphone, tosses it to Bret and the Harts win. Cheap finish but the psychology needs to be appreciated. **3/4
WWE IC Championship
Ultimate Warrior (champion) vs. “Ravishing” Rick Rude w/ Bobby Heenan
These guys would go on to have better matches but this one was good to. I never really appreciated upon first viewings. Part of the problem there is that I’m quite certain this match is brutally clipped on the Coliseum Video version of the show, and doesn’t do it justice. I like that you get the feeling that Rude just won’t be denied in this match, and even though he needs help from Heenan to win, you can’t help but feel that Warrior just can’t beat Rude on this night, because the Warrior really kicks his ass early on. Good, solid, IC title match, as Rude wins the title. ***
Bad News Brown vs. “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan
At this point, the apathetic crowd is even deader as they just want to get to the main event. This match is pretty much as terrible as you would expect it to be and it ends in a double dq. DUD
Bobby “The Brain” Heenan vs. Red Rooster
Poor Terry Taylor. Gets stuck with the rooster gimmick. Arguably the worst gimmick ever. This would be his shining moment as he beats Heenan in less than a minute. DUD
Main Event
WWE Championship – Miss Elizabeth in a neutral corner
“Macho Man” Randy Savage (champion) vs. Hulk Hogan
*Rated #29 on my Top 50 WrestleMania Matches of all time*
“This is truly the meaning of Main event” – Jesse Ventura. He was absolutely correct. My favorite storyline ever culminates here. The match has an epic feel to it. Savage pulls out every dick heel tactic you can think of here. Turns into a classic Hogan-formula match. They would go onto have tons more matches both in WWE and more so in WCW, but they would never re-capture the magic. Hogan finally drops the leg for the big finish and re-captures the WWE title for a 2nd time. ****
Final Analysis: This card was pretty solid overall. Only a couple really horrible matches, but they were short. Even still though, it is very long, and with only one match topping **** it makes for some pretty tough viewing at times. Even still, I personally love the show, but these 80’s shows are not everyone’s cup of tea.
Monday, February 13, 2012
WWE Royal Rumble '89
WWE Royal Rumble ‘89
January 15, 1989
The Houston Summit
Houston, Texas
1989 was one of my favorite years ever for pro wrestling, and my only regret is that I was a fan to see it while it was happening, but as I mentioned in the previous recap, my mom wasn’t having any of it for a long time. This would be the first Royal Rumble held on PPV as the escalation of the inevitable breakup of the Mega Powers continues with this show. Some feuds though are in full force as the WrestleMania V card starts to take shape, like Snake-Andre, Rude-Warrior, and Demolition-Powers of Pain.
Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon and Jesse “The Body” Ventura
6 Man Tag Team Match – 2/3 Falls
Hart Foundation (Bret “The Hitman” Hart and Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart) and “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan vs. Fabulous Rougeaus (Jacques Rougeau and Raymond Rougeau) and Dino Bravo w/ “Mouth of the South” Jimmy Hart and Frenchy Martin
God I love the Rougeaus and Hart Foundation. This is one of my favorite matches for entertainment value as all 6 guys were bringing the goods. It’s 2 out of 3 falls so they get plenty of time here and they do not disappoint. Just the epitome of a fun match as the heels take the first fall, but the baby faces make the comeback in the 2nd fall, until finally it turns into a pier 6 brawl and Duggan nails Bravo with the 2 x 4 (I don’t know why I’m entertained by that foreign object spot so much) and Dino gets pinned. Crowd was loving every second of it and Gorilla and Jesse were at their absolute best on commentary. This one had a little bit of everything. ***1/2
Super Posedown
Ultimate Warrior vs. “Ravishing” Rick Rude w/ Bobby “The Brain” Heenan
Not really a match, just a posedown here. I make mention of it because it sets off a feud that lasts for the better part of the next year and half between these two. It runs a little long, but it is very entertaining between Jesse giving a running commentary of the poses and Bobby kissing the crowd’s ass. It predictably ends with Rude attacking the Warrior and bingo bongo, you have your IC Title feud for the next 8 months. It’s basically what you might see on RAW or Smackdown these days, but just pure gold.
WWE Women’s Championship
Rockin’ Robin (champion) vs. Judy Martin
Sensational Sherri comes out at the beginning of the match and challenges the winner. She then graces us by joining Gorilla and Jesse on commentary for this match. I have the coliseum video version and this match is clipped down significantly and for good reason. Match was ok but it just goes on and on and on and on. Goes on for way too long. This would be the last women’s title match on PPV for several years as women’s wrestling was pretty much died off in North America at this time. ¼*
Crown Match
King Haku w/ Bobby Heenan vs. Harley Race
This would be King vs. Former King, and the irony of course is that Heenan managed both of them. Race had suffered a serious abdomen injury early in 1988 in match with Hulk Hogan and pretty much ruined his career. Race was King of the Ring at that time so Heenan crowned Haku in Race’s absence. Race came back and wants it back. For some reason this match is completely omitted from the coliseum video version of the show, but is included on the full PPV broadcasts of the anthology version. This is a pretty good match but the crowd is dead as it usually is in these heel vs. heel contests. Seeing Bobby cheer for both men during the match is funny though. Haku hits Race with his version of sweet chin music and pins him clean. This is Harley’s last hurrah in the WWE as his career was just never the same after the injury. ***
Main Event
Royal Rumble
This rumble is basically split up into thirds. Each third features 1 or 2 of the big players in 1988. The first third is dominated by Andre the Giant as he comes out #3, but not before Ax and Smash of Demolition come out #1 and #2 respectively. That was a very important moment in Rumble history because it truly establishes the main concept of the match which is that it’s every man for himself. The crowd is just loving every second of this match and explodes when Jake Roberts finally comes out and he goes after Andre, but gets eliminated right away. He would come back and throw in the snake and Andre eliminates himself progressing their feud. The 2nd third of the Rumble features the Mega Powers angle and it is brilliantly booked as Hogan and Savage are able to play off of Savage’s mini-feud with Bad News Brown. Hogan goes to eliminate Brown, but eliminates Savage in the process. Savage is understandably pissed and Miss Elizabeth has to come out and keep Hogan and Savage from killing each other. It’s some of the best storytelling of all time. For them to get to that edge of explosion but pulling back is the mark of 2 of the greats. One of the things that happened before the match was that the Million Dollar Man seemed to have bought himself a good number and it had something to do with the Twin Towers. Now I’m not sure how logically this would have worked but perception is reality and sure enough, the Twin Towers are out next and they work over Hogan and eliminate him. Almost as if Dibiase knew he had no chance of winning without getting rid of Hogan, so he paid off the Towers to do it for him. Anyway, Hogan and Bossman are still feuding so Hogan eliminates him and they brawl to the back. This brings us to the final 3rd of the match which of course features Ted Dibiase himself, who in fact, bought #30. The match gets down to Rick Martel, Ted Dibiase, Akeem, and the returning Big John Studd. Martel gets dumped quickly, and Akeem then starts to work Studd over with Dibiase basically just standing here. Crowd at this point is pretty burnt out and the match does lose some steam after the Mega Powers get eliminated. Anyway, Studd is able to eliminate Akeem, and have his way with Dibiase to with the Rumble. Kind of an underwhelming finish but I think they were hoping to do more with Big John Studd than they were able to. Still the first two thirds of the Rumble are absolute gold and brilliantly booked. The finish is underwhelming but it doesn’t take that much away as far as I’m concerned. Good rumble. ****
Final Analysis: Even watching it today I’m still entertained and amazed at the storylines and feuds. Unlike other PPV’s that feature way too many matches, this one could have stood to have another match on the undercard. They were forced to have a women’s title match for way too long (ok so it was about 7 minutes but it felt like 17), and the posedown probably lasted a bit long too. Those are very small complaints though. This is definitely a show worth checking out.
January 15, 1989
The Houston Summit
Houston, Texas
1989 was one of my favorite years ever for pro wrestling, and my only regret is that I was a fan to see it while it was happening, but as I mentioned in the previous recap, my mom wasn’t having any of it for a long time. This would be the first Royal Rumble held on PPV as the escalation of the inevitable breakup of the Mega Powers continues with this show. Some feuds though are in full force as the WrestleMania V card starts to take shape, like Snake-Andre, Rude-Warrior, and Demolition-Powers of Pain.
Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon and Jesse “The Body” Ventura
6 Man Tag Team Match – 2/3 Falls
Hart Foundation (Bret “The Hitman” Hart and Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart) and “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan vs. Fabulous Rougeaus (Jacques Rougeau and Raymond Rougeau) and Dino Bravo w/ “Mouth of the South” Jimmy Hart and Frenchy Martin
God I love the Rougeaus and Hart Foundation. This is one of my favorite matches for entertainment value as all 6 guys were bringing the goods. It’s 2 out of 3 falls so they get plenty of time here and they do not disappoint. Just the epitome of a fun match as the heels take the first fall, but the baby faces make the comeback in the 2nd fall, until finally it turns into a pier 6 brawl and Duggan nails Bravo with the 2 x 4 (I don’t know why I’m entertained by that foreign object spot so much) and Dino gets pinned. Crowd was loving every second of it and Gorilla and Jesse were at their absolute best on commentary. This one had a little bit of everything. ***1/2
Super Posedown
Ultimate Warrior vs. “Ravishing” Rick Rude w/ Bobby “The Brain” Heenan
Not really a match, just a posedown here. I make mention of it because it sets off a feud that lasts for the better part of the next year and half between these two. It runs a little long, but it is very entertaining between Jesse giving a running commentary of the poses and Bobby kissing the crowd’s ass. It predictably ends with Rude attacking the Warrior and bingo bongo, you have your IC Title feud for the next 8 months. It’s basically what you might see on RAW or Smackdown these days, but just pure gold.
WWE Women’s Championship
Rockin’ Robin (champion) vs. Judy Martin
Sensational Sherri comes out at the beginning of the match and challenges the winner. She then graces us by joining Gorilla and Jesse on commentary for this match. I have the coliseum video version and this match is clipped down significantly and for good reason. Match was ok but it just goes on and on and on and on. Goes on for way too long. This would be the last women’s title match on PPV for several years as women’s wrestling was pretty much died off in North America at this time. ¼*
Crown Match
King Haku w/ Bobby Heenan vs. Harley Race
This would be King vs. Former King, and the irony of course is that Heenan managed both of them. Race had suffered a serious abdomen injury early in 1988 in match with Hulk Hogan and pretty much ruined his career. Race was King of the Ring at that time so Heenan crowned Haku in Race’s absence. Race came back and wants it back. For some reason this match is completely omitted from the coliseum video version of the show, but is included on the full PPV broadcasts of the anthology version. This is a pretty good match but the crowd is dead as it usually is in these heel vs. heel contests. Seeing Bobby cheer for both men during the match is funny though. Haku hits Race with his version of sweet chin music and pins him clean. This is Harley’s last hurrah in the WWE as his career was just never the same after the injury. ***
Main Event
Royal Rumble
This rumble is basically split up into thirds. Each third features 1 or 2 of the big players in 1988. The first third is dominated by Andre the Giant as he comes out #3, but not before Ax and Smash of Demolition come out #1 and #2 respectively. That was a very important moment in Rumble history because it truly establishes the main concept of the match which is that it’s every man for himself. The crowd is just loving every second of this match and explodes when Jake Roberts finally comes out and he goes after Andre, but gets eliminated right away. He would come back and throw in the snake and Andre eliminates himself progressing their feud. The 2nd third of the Rumble features the Mega Powers angle and it is brilliantly booked as Hogan and Savage are able to play off of Savage’s mini-feud with Bad News Brown. Hogan goes to eliminate Brown, but eliminates Savage in the process. Savage is understandably pissed and Miss Elizabeth has to come out and keep Hogan and Savage from killing each other. It’s some of the best storytelling of all time. For them to get to that edge of explosion but pulling back is the mark of 2 of the greats. One of the things that happened before the match was that the Million Dollar Man seemed to have bought himself a good number and it had something to do with the Twin Towers. Now I’m not sure how logically this would have worked but perception is reality and sure enough, the Twin Towers are out next and they work over Hogan and eliminate him. Almost as if Dibiase knew he had no chance of winning without getting rid of Hogan, so he paid off the Towers to do it for him. Anyway, Hogan and Bossman are still feuding so Hogan eliminates him and they brawl to the back. This brings us to the final 3rd of the match which of course features Ted Dibiase himself, who in fact, bought #30. The match gets down to Rick Martel, Ted Dibiase, Akeem, and the returning Big John Studd. Martel gets dumped quickly, and Akeem then starts to work Studd over with Dibiase basically just standing here. Crowd at this point is pretty burnt out and the match does lose some steam after the Mega Powers get eliminated. Anyway, Studd is able to eliminate Akeem, and have his way with Dibiase to with the Rumble. Kind of an underwhelming finish but I think they were hoping to do more with Big John Studd than they were able to. Still the first two thirds of the Rumble are absolute gold and brilliantly booked. The finish is underwhelming but it doesn’t take that much away as far as I’m concerned. Good rumble. ****
Final Analysis: Even watching it today I’m still entertained and amazed at the storylines and feuds. Unlike other PPV’s that feature way too many matches, this one could have stood to have another match on the undercard. They were forced to have a women’s title match for way too long (ok so it was about 7 minutes but it felt like 17), and the posedown probably lasted a bit long too. Those are very small complaints though. This is definitely a show worth checking out.
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