WWF Prime Time Wrestling (December 31, 1987)

 

Original Airdate: December 31, 1987

Your Hosts are Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby Heenan, still at Caesars in Atlantic City, New Jersey

Randy Savage v Killer Khan: From Houston Texas on October 9. This is an odd combination, but it kind of makes sense, seeing as Khan was coming off of a run with Hulk Hogan, and they were clearly looking at Randy as another top babyface, so it makes sense to see how he does with Khan. Macho outmoves him early on, so Mr. Fuji gets involved, and Randy is left down. Khan chokes him between cheap shots from Fuji, and eventually Macho is left on the outside, in trouble. Khan goes for a backbreaker rack, but Macho escapes, and hits a flying axehandle for two. Khan fires back with a superkick to cut the comeback off, but the mist misses, and Randy schoolboys at 4:39. The crowd was into it, and definitely got behind Savage, but the match itself was atrocious. DUD

Ken Patera and Billy Jack Haynes v Iron Mike Sharpe and Van Van Horne: From Fort Myers Florida on December 10. The announcers note that Patera and Haynes have a ‘hatred of Demolition in common.’ I’d hope a lot more than that, considering they’re a tag team now. I always chuckle when they feature these squash matches from TV tapings that didn’t make it onto Superstars or Challenge, as if the world would be worse off if they missed them. Haynes with a full nelson on Horne at 4:23. Afterwards, Demolition come in to attack them, and they’ve got the ‘classic’ look down at this point. They deliver a beatdown, but the babyfaces get fired up, and manage to clean house using Fuji’s own cane. ¼*

From Superstars of Wrestling, Craig DeGeorge brings Ted DiBiase out for a podium interview, and DiBiase thinks Hulk Hogan is simply a fool for passing on his offer to buy the WWF Title. But, Ted isn’t letting his frustration get the better of him, promising to get the deal done, one way or another

Fans react to Hulk refusing to sell to DiBiase. “Anyone who knows the Hulkster knows he doesn’t have a price,” says a guy who clearly does not know the Hulkster 

Back at Caesars, Heenan brings Ted DiBiase onto the set, and Ted immediately curries favor by tossing Bobby a $1,000 casino chip

Sam Houston v Dusty Wolfe: From Houston on December 11. Gosh, booking Sam Houston in the Sam Houston Coliseum had to be the biggest slam dunk these bookers ever came up with, huh? I’m sure they were chuckling about that to each other for hours. Anyway, Sam gets the pin with a bulldog at 8:35, in this extended squash. Someone should let him know he’s not in JCP any longer, he doesn’t need to spend eight minutes squashing guys. No wonder he never got over. DUD

Koko B. Ware v Pete Doherty: From Boston Massachusetts on December 12. Other than singing Piledriver, did Koko have anything going on during this period? He’s just kind of around. Koko with the brainbuster at 7:17. DUD

Greg Valentine v Ken Johnson: From Houston on December 11. Valentine with the figure four at 3:02, as he calls out for Brutus Beefcake. Greg, not Ken. To be clear. It would be kind of funny if Ken was calling out for Beefcake, though. Johnson and Beefcake, what a pair. Honestly, that’s the name they should have given him instead of ‘Brutus’ - Johnson Beefcake. Would have been world champion in the Russo era. DUD

We get highlights of the Slammy Awards

The British Bulldogs v The Islanders: From Superstars of Wrestling on December 26 (taped December 9) in Tampa Florida. Bobby Heenan refuses to let the Islanders wrestle until Matilda is removed from the premises. The Bulldogs refuse, so the Islanders walk. They get to the curtain before abruptly turning back, and sneak attacking the Bulldogs. They hammer them down, and then kidnap Matilda, leaving with her before the match gets officially underway.

Back at Caesars, Heenan has taken a powder, so DiBiase takes his spot at the table. Though, he’s less interested in talking than he is in counting his cash

WWF Intercontinental Title Match: Honky Tonk Man v Jake Roberts: From Fort Myers on December 10, with Gorilla describing Jake as a ‘former champion who is trying to get the title back.’ Monsoon made mistakes, sure, but that was a pretty glaring one for him. Jake unloads with jabs to get things going, and a corner whip sets up a charge, but Honky gets a knee up to block. Honky keeps coming with an axehandle drop, and he puts the boots to the challenger. Backdrop, but Jake blocks with a kneelift, and he tries for the DDT, but Honky bails. Jake chases to smash his head together with Jimmy Hart’s, and he forces the champion back inside for more jabs. Hart trips him up, and Jake stupidly takes the bait, chasing Jimmy on the outside. Honky goes out for a sneak attack, and Jake is in trouble as they head back into the ring. Meanwhile, Gorilla again describes Roberts as the former champion, and what the fuck?! He’s so certain that I’m starting to think Jake really did have a run I forgot about. Honky works Jake over, but Roberts blocks the swinging neckbreaker, so Honky tries a desperation charge, but wipes out in the corner. That allows Jake to properly go on the comeback trail, so Honky grabs the megaphone, and nails him for the DQ at 6:00. They told a story, engaged the crowd, and Honky did some good bumping here. *

BUExperience: A very squash heavy episode for a Prime Time.