WWF Superstars of Wrestling (November 21, 1987)

 

Original Airdate: November 21, 1987 (taped October 27)

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

The British Bulldogs v Gladiator and Dusty Wolfe: The Bolsheviks split screen in here, promising to get down at Survivor Series. I’d like to see that (don’t moon me)! The Bulldogs with a combo at 3:18. ¼*

Craig DeGeorge is in the studio with Update, and the big news is that Superstar Billy Graham is out of Survivor Series following the attack by Butch Reed, and will be replaced by Don Muraco

Various fans share their plans for watching Survivor Series 

Rick Rude v Gary Starr: Rude with a backbreaker rack at 1:31. DUD

DeGeorge catches up with WWF Intercontinental Champion Honky Tonk Man, who promises that his girlfriend, Peggy Sue, will be coming in to keep Miss Elizabeth out his business when he faces Randy Savage again

Ted DiBiase may not be in Survivor Series, but he’s got lots of cash to counteract the FOMO

Jim Duggan v Iron Mike Sharpe: Harley Race split screens in here, reminding Duggan that he’s a mere peasant. Duggan with the three-point stance at 3:03. DUD

Gene Okerlund catches up with Andre the Giant, Rick Rude, Butch Reed, and One Man Gang ahead of Survivor Series

Survivor Series cable availability ad

One Man Gang v Dick Flanagan: “He’s just so big, there’s so much mass there,” notes Vince. In Dick? Slick split screens in here, gloating about his spread in the latest WWF Magazine. Gang with a splash at 1:31. DUD

DeGeorge brings WWF Champion Hulk Hogan, Don Muraco, Ken Patera, Paul Orndorff and Bam Bam Bigelow out for a podium interview, and man, Hulk has been all about that dumb tassel bangs headband lately, hasn’t he?

The Islanders v Bill Wood and Leo Morgan: Jesse wonders if Hulk can trust Orndorff, given their shaky history in that department. That went nowhere, but I appreciate the effort to create some drama there nonetheless. Meanwhile, the Islanders split screen in to hype Survivor Series. The Islanders wrap this up at 3:33. DUD

Backstage, Honky warms up… by tuning his guitar 

More fans share Survivor Series plans

WWF Intercontinental Title Match: Honky Tonk Man v Ricky Steamboat: This is Steamboat's first TV match since losing the title to Honky. Honky brings his entire Survivor Series team out with him, so Steamboat walks out before the bell, and returns with his! Well, you knew that was coming. And that’s the first of what would become a classic booking trope for Survivor Series over the years. Steamboat dominates early on, but he telegraphs a backdrop, and Honky clobbers him. Honky adds a hangman clothesline, and he dumps Ricky over the top, but Steamboat skins the cat, and dropkicks him over the top. Randy Savage forces Honky back in for Steamboat to roll up for two, and a clothesline gets another two. Steamboat with a flying tomahawk chop for two, so Honky tries a charge, but misses, and Steamboat covers for two. 2nd rope bodypress, but Honky ducks it, and Steamboat wipes out. Honky goes right to work with pounding on him, and he connects with a backelbow. Honky delivers a fistdrop for two, but Steamboat counters a bodyslam into a cradle for two, so Honky pops him with another elbow to the jaw. Honky with the swinging neckbreaker, but he sees Jake Roberts, and gets distracted. That leads to everyone coming in, and the referee throws it out at 3:42. This was fun. *

DeGeorge catches up with Macho Man, who doesn’t care about Peggy Sue

Brutus Beefcake is ready to finally get Greg Valentine one-on-one; Greg thinks Brutus is a fruitcake. I’m pretty sure he’s a man. Anyway, Greg promises to take Brutus to wrestling school next week. I think Beefcake should seriously consider accepting that kind and generous offer

BUExperience: Pay per view was still a new concept at this point, and they were pushing the hell out of Survivor Series here.