WWF Superstars of Wrestling (November 14, 1987)

 

Original Airdate: November 14, 1987 (taped October 27)

From Syracuse, New York; Your Hosts are Vince McMahon, Bruno Sammartino, and Jesse Ventura

Norman Rothschild (the building manager) is excited to have the WWF in his venue, since it’s always a big draw

Bam Bam Bigelow v Gino Carabello: “My only problem with Bigelow is looking at him,” notes Jesse. Never at a loss for words, that guy. Bigelow with a slingshot splash at 1:15. DUD

Craig DeGeorge brings Andre the Giant, King Kong Bundy, Rick Rude, Butch Reed, One Man Gang, Bobby Heenan, and Slick out for a podium interview, and Bobby can’t wait for Survivor Series, because it doesn’t matter how many guys are out there, eventually Andre is going to get his hands on Hulk Hogan. They then demonstrate what they’re going to do via a Hogan stretch doll. Fun promo

Survivor Series ad

Brutus Beefcake hair cutting montage 

The Bolsheviks v Mario Mancini and Jerry Allen: A casual squash here, ending in Boris Zhukov delivering a headbutt at 1:45. DUD

DeGeorge catches up with WWF Intercontinental Champion Honky Tonk Man and Jimmy Hart, and Jimmy isn’t looking forward to being suspended in a shark cage when Honky defends against Randy Savage

Paul Orndorff v Carmine Surace: The whole Orndorff’s physique versus Rude’s feels like such a flimsy basis for a feud, though, at least, this one leans heavily into Orndorff’s issue with Heenan to give it some weight. Paul with a piledriver at 2:35. DUD

Gene Okerlund catches up with Honky, Ron Bass, and Danny Davis to discuss Survivor Series

Survivor Series cable operator listings

Danny Davis thinks Sam Houston is a joke; Sam recalls some fatherly advice he received that will help him in this situation. God help us

Ultimate Warrior v Steve Lombardi: Jesse is immediately skeptical of Warrior. Meanwhile, Warrior split screens in here to yell nonsense about doors. Warrior with a press-slam and a splash at 2:07. He almost never did the slam later on, always the drop. The slam was cool. DUD

DeGeorge brings Ted DiBiase and Virgil out for a podium interview, and Ted want to offer some kid $500 to bounce a ball fifteen times. And you know where this goes

Demolition music video

Don Muraco v Dave Wagner: Jesse asks Bruno if he likes heavy metal music. “Some of it I like, you know? Not all of it.” Gosh, Bruno was hip. Muraco with a tombstone at 0:47. DUD

Survivor Series ad

Fans are excited for Survivor Series 

Superstar Billy Graham v Butch Reed: Reed sneak attacks to kickstart things, and he unloads, targeting the bad hip. Butch decides to up the ante by hitting the hip with a chair a few times, and he keeps hammering the part after that, as One Man Gang split screens in, talking up Slick. Reed tries a flying axehandle, but Graham blocks, and throws a series of rights to knock Reed out of the ring. Cue Slick for a distraction, so Graham attacks, but that allows Gang to come in for a DQ at 2:23. Afterwards, the heels destroy Graham, and leave him broken and laying. This is notable as Graham’s last televised match, effectively the end of his career. DUD

DeGeorge catches up with Randy Savage, who is going to get his gold back from Honky

Superstar gets stretchered out

Ricky Steamboat is going to take the title from Honky next week. Did he clear with his team captain Macho Man? Meanwhile Honky says it won’t happen

BUExperience: They’re really turning up the heat at this set of tapings.