WWF Superstars of Wrestling (March 26, 1988)

 

Original Airdate: March 26, 1988 (taped March 9)

From Winston-Salem, North Carolina; Your Hosts are Vince McMahon and Jesse Ventura

The British Bulldogs v Iron Mike Sharpe and Bill Newkirk: The Bulldogs have Koko B. Ware in their corner, but still no Matilda. Yeah, gotta save that for pay per view, clearly. Bobby Heenan split screens in here, promising a ‘big surprise’ to counter Matilda at WrestleMania. Dynamite Kid with the flying headbutt drop at 3:14. DUD

Craig DeGeorge is in the studio for Update, with a look at the battle royal at WrestleMania IV

Fans get excited about WrestleMania

Hercules v Dave Stoudimiere: Hercules with the torture rack at 1:51. DUD

Jake Roberts v Pete Sanchez: Rick Rude split screens in, promising Jake a rude awakening in the first round of the title tournament. I wish they did a better job of giving these first round matches some spark, aside from just guys cutting promos on each other. I’m not saying for every match, but at least have some sort of physicality to build up one or two of them. Jake with the DDT at 1:46. DUD

Gene Okerlund catches up with WWF Intercontinental Champion Honky Tonk Man, who is not at all upset that he didn’t get tapped to sing America the Beautiful at WrestleMania

Okerlund catches up with Brutus Beefcake, who vows to make Honky sing the blues

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Okerlund and Bob Uecker hang out, and Bob is really excited about ring announcing

Demolition v Mike Richards and Mark Young: WWF Tag Team Champions Strike Force split screen in, ready to defend at WrestleMania. Demolition at 2:09. DUD

Okerlund catches up with One Man Gang

Okerlund catches up with Bam Bam Bigelow

Okerlund catches up with Butch Reed, as they spam last minute promos for the tournament

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Vanna White is looking forward to keeping time at WrestleMania

Jim Duggan v Tom Stone: Ventura goes on record that he’ll come out of retirement to challenge for the title if someone like Duggan ends up winning the tournament, since he’s a disgrace. I know it was a different era, but am I the only one who found it confusing when they kept telling you that you couldn’t see WrestleMania on ‘home TV,’ only on closed circuit in a theater or arena, or pay per view from the comfort of your home. I get what they meant, but the wording is super confusing. Jim with the three-point stance at 1:59. DUD

DeGeorge brings Andre the Giant and Ted DiBiase out for a podium interview to make their go-home case for WrestleMania

Okerlund is in the control center for the WrestleMania IV Report

Randy Savage v Terry Gibbs: Miss Elizabeth split screens in, thrilled to be a part of WrestleMania. Macho with a bodyslam to set up the flying elbowdrop at 1:27. Macho was getting great reactions, and was a good choice to go with as ‘the guy’ for a while, though his reactions are still not on par with Hogan’s. Hulk was blowing the roof of of joints with simple interviews. DUD

DeGeorge catches up with Hulk Hogan, and he’s really into the size of his back this week. He basically cuts a proto version of his more famous WrestleMania IV promo here, and it’s cool beans

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BUExperience: They really want you to buy WrestleMania, guys. I wouldn’t say this was a great go-home show by modern standards, but it worked for its time period.