WWF Superstars of Wrestling (January 16, 1988)

 

Original Airdate: January 16, 1988 (taped January 5)

From Huntsville, Alabama; Your Hosts are Vince McMahon, Bruno Sammartino, and Jesse Ventura

Craig Young, the marketing manager of the arena, welcomes the WWF to town

Strike Force v Iron Mike Sharpe and Dusty Wolfe: The WWF Tag Team title is not on the line, shockingly. I know, Dusty Wolfe is a bonafide contender in my book, too. I’d love to have been in the room when Vince gave Bruno the order to start doing these WWF Magazine hype bits during the matches. Meanwhile, Jesse hypes a big announcement later in the show. Tito Santana puts Sharpe away with a figure four at 3:26. This was really good, as far as squashes go. They actually made an effort to make it seem competitive, but didn’t need to overstay their welcome in doing so. ½*

Craig DeGeorge is in the studio with Update, and he announces Hulk Hogan v Andre the Giant for the WWF Title on The Main Event. It’s interesting how much they’re hyping this, compared to the little-to-no hype standard Saturday Night’s Main Event shows get

Greg Valentine v Van Van Horne: Apparently the announcement of the Hogan/Andre rematch is what Jesse’s news was. How was that ‘his’ news? Fans split screen in here, weighing in on Jimmy Hart’s campaign to get Brutus Beefcake’s hedgeclippers banned. Valentine with the figure four at 2:34. Two in a row for the figure four today, and Ventura makes it into something, noting that Greg got the submission with it much faster than Santana did. It’s little stuff like that which made him such an incredible commentator. He didn’t miss opportunities. DUD

Gene Okerlund catches up with Ted DiBiase and Andre the Giant, who are ready for the team of Hulk Hogan and Bam Bam Bigelow. Andre looks like he’s ready for a stick of deodorant 

Bam Bam Bigelow v Tiger Chung Lee: Bruno with some quality analysis here: “that Bam Bam is awesome.” I’m so glad he’s out there. Bam Bam with an awesome slingshot splash at 1:23. DUD

Ron Bass v Rex King: Scott Casey split screens in here, unhappy with Ron as a representation of Texas. Who the fuck cares what Scott Casey thinks about anything? Bass with a pedigree at 1:46. DUD

Okerlund catches up with WWF Champion Hulk Hogan and Bam Bam Bigelow, who are having ‘jelly wellies’ together while thinking about Andre the Giant

The British Bulldogs v Gino Carabello and Brian Costello: The Bulldogs are good and pissed with their lack of Matilda, and what a dick the production guy is who still brings her little platform out for their matches, despite knowing that she’s missing. A hilarious dick, but a dick nonetheless. Dynamite Kid with a side superplex for the pin at 3:19. Afterwards, the Bulldogs notice that Bobby Heenan has brought the Islanders to the podium with Craig DeGeorge, and Bobby wants the Bulldogs to be the first to know that the Islanders have been reinstated. ¼

Don Muraco v Dave Wagner: Muraco doesn’t have much going on, so this is just kind of ‘there’ as far as segments go. But, we do get Jesse hyping the Magazine, and he’s about 1000x better at it than Sammartino. Don with a tombstone at 3:14. DUD

Bad News Brown is coming

Ted DiBiase v Brady Boone: Boone is a ‘real fireplug,’ according to Vince. No, he said ‘buttplug.’ He’s heinous. DiBiase split screens in here, excited about Andre beating Hogan for the title, so he can immediately turn it over to him. Ted with the pin at 2:41. DUD

Okerlund catches up with the British Bulldogs, and they’re glad the Islanders have been reinstated, because they can’t wait to get their revenge. Meanwhile, Matilda has been located, and they’ll be getting her back soon

BUExperience: Tons of stuff going on, making this an easy watch.