WWF Superstars of Wrestling (January 9, 1988)

 

Original Airdate: January 9, 1988 (taped December 9, 1987)

From Tampa, Florida; Your Hosts are Vince McMahon, Bruno Sammartino, and Jesse Ventura

The Islanders v Lanny Poffo and Jerry Gray: Vince is not finding any humor in the Matilda situation, but Jesse thinks it’s funny as hell, of course. Meanwhile, the British Bulldogs split screen in, and you can hear the tears in their voice, as they struggle with the loss of Matilda. Great acting from the Bulldogs here, they legitimately sound distressed. Haku scores the pin on Jerry at 3:05. DUD

Craig DeGeorge brings WWF President Jack Tunney out, and he requests that Bobby Heenan and the Islanders join them on the podium. Once everyone is out, Tunney announces that the Islanders are suspended, and will remain so until Matilda is located. Heenan loses his mind, of course, and threatens legal action

Jake Roberts v Wellington Wilkins: Jesse thinks Heenan should just buy them a new dog, and call it a day. Roberts with the DDT at 1:50. DUD

Gene Okerlund catches up with Ron Bass, and he’s tired of all these ugly fucks he has to wrestle

Dino Bravo v Scott Casey: I can’t hear Dino coming to the ring without thinking of the Beatles, which may be the widest quality void of all time. Frenchy Martin split screens in, excited about speaking English. Bravo with a side suplex at 2:18. DUD

Okerlund catches up with Rick Rude, and it’s hilarious to hear Gene explain the details of the Royal Rumble match when he can’t even get the name right. No matter, Rude isn’t in it anyway, he’s crushing Ricky Steamboat at the show

Sam Houston v Terry Gibbs: Danny Davis split screens in here, making his new years resolution to get rid of Houston. Sam with a bulldog at 2:48. DUD

We take a look back at Saturday Night’s Main Event, where Andre the Giant attacked WWF Champion Hulk Hogan, and choked him down in dramatic fashion. And man, it’s a scene! Great segment, immediately adding a ton of fresh fire to the already smoking Hogan/Andre program 

DeGeorge brings Ted DiBiase out for a podium interview about his failed efforts to purchase the WWF Title, and Ted introduces a new wrinkle: bringing Andre and Heenan out. Ted has paid Heenan handsomely for Andre’s services, and the angle now is that Andre will go out and win the title from Hulk, and then turn it over to DiBiase. And, much like at The Main Event, Andre just can’t say ‘World Wrestling Federation title,’ though at least this time he just says ‘world world wrestling federation…’ and trails off, instead of calling it the tag title, or whatever. Great angle

Butch Reed v Sivi Afi: Listening to poor Bruno try to hype WWF Magazine articles is something. He just has no feel for this role. He’s good at analyzing matches, but he rarely ever does that in this squash heavy environment, and he sucks as a hype guy. Reed with a flying clothesline at 2:09. DUD

Demolition v Mike Richards and Jim Evans: Jesse goes on a whole run here about how he’s a movie star now, and wants the recognition for it. Yeah, as if a professional wrestler could ever break into Hollywood. That’ll be the day. Demolition with their finisher at 3:07. DUD

Randy Savage is ready to get his payback on Honky Tonk Man, and Miss Elizabeth supports it

BUExperience: The new year is off to a good start.