‘WCW BEACH BLAST 1993’ Recap + Thoughts – Superpowers vs. Masters of the Powerbomb, Flair vs. Windham

DATE: July 18, 1993
VENUE: Mississippi Coast Coliseum (Biloxi, MS)
COMMENTATORS: Tony Schiavone & Jesse “The Body” Ventura

WCW Beach Blast 1993 features a tag team main event as Sting & Davey Boy Smith join forces against Big Van Vader & Sid Vicious aka The Masters of the Powerbomb. The NWA World Heavyweight Championship is also on the line as Barry Windham defends against “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair and Dustin Rhodes defends the United States Heavyweight Championship against “Ravishing” Rick Rude in an Iron Man Match. 

BUT FIRST, a movie:

Read more

WWF SUMMERSLAM 1991 Recap + Review – Match Made in Heaven, Match Made in Hell, Virgil’s Shining Moment, Hart vs. Perfect

DATE: August 21, 1991
VENUE: Madison Square Garden (Manhattan, NY)
COMMENTATORS: Gorilla Monsoon, “Rowdy” Roddy Piper, & Bobby “The Brain” Heenan
VIEWING METHOD: Peacock

WWF SummerSlam 1991 features a Match Made in Heaven (the wedding between Randy Savage and Miss Elizabeth) and a Match Made in Hell (Hulk Hogan & Ultimate Warrior vs. Sgt. Slaughter, Gen. Adnan, & Col. Mustafa with Sid Justice as the special guest referee), a legendary Intercontinental Championship match, a JAILHOUSE MATCH, and arguably the biggest moment in Virgil’s career that isn’t related to meat sauce at the Olive Garden. This is the first PPV I ever watched live so the nostalgia for me is STRONG, let’s see how it holds up.

CHAMPIONS

  • WWF CHAMPION: Hulk Hogan
  • WWF INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPION: Mr. Perfect
  • WWF TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS: The Nasty Boys (Brian Knobbs & Jerry Sags)

LINEUP

  • The Dragon, The Texas Tornado, & The British Bulldog vs. The Warlord and Power & Glory (**1/2)
  • Bret Hart [c] vs. Mr. Perfect for the WWF INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP (****1/4)
  • The Bushwhackers vs. The Natural Disasters (*)
  • Ted DiBiase [c] vs. Virgil for the MILLION DOLLAR CHAMPIONSHIP (****)
  • JAILHOUSE MATCH: The Big Boss Man vs. The Mountie (*1/2)
  • STREET FIGHT: The Nasty Boys [c] vs. The Legion of Doom for the WWF TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP (**)
  • Greg Valentine vs. Irwin R. Schyster (*1/2)
  • THE MATCH IN MADE IN HELL: Hulk Hogan & The Ultimate Warrior vs. Sgt. Slaughter, Gen. Adnan, & Col. Mustafa [w/ Sid Justice as the Special Guest Referee (*1/4)
  • THE MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN: The Wedding of Randy Savage & Miss Elizabeth (NR)

Read more

‘WWF WRESTLEMANIA 2’ Recap + Review – Hogan vs. Bundy, Dream Team vs. Bulldogs, 3 Venues in 3 Cities

DATE: April 7, 1986 VENUE 1: Nassau Coliseum (Uniondale, NY) VENUE 2: Rosemont Horizon (Rosemont, IL) VENUE 3: Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena (Los Angeles, CA) COMMENTATORS: Various After taking a big gamble with their first WrestleMania the year before, the WWF decided to ride their wave of popularity and one-up what they had done … Read more

[PPV Recap] ‘WWF ROYAL RUMBLE 1991’ – Warrior vs. Slaughter, Virgil Becomes His Own Man, Also a Rumble

DATE: January 19, 1991
VENUE: Miami Arena (Miami, FL)
COMMENTATORS: Gorilla Monsoon & “Rowdy” Roddy Piper

The 1991 Royal Rumble features a WWF Championship match for the first time on its card as The Ultimate Warrior defends against the traitorous Sgt. Slaughter. Also on the show The Big Boss Man slaps meat with The Barbarian, The Mountie makes his WWF PPV debut, and oh right there’s a Royal Rumble match too. How silly of me.

CHAMPIONS

  • WWF CHAMPION: The Ultimate Warrior
  • WWF INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPION: Mr. Perfect
  • WWF TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS: The Hart Foundation (Bret “Hitman” Hart & Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart)

LINEUP

  • The Rockers vs. The Orient Express (****)
  • Big Boss Man vs. The Barbarian (***1/2)
  • Ultimate Warrior [c] vs. Sgt. Slaughter for the WWF CHAMPIONSHIP (*3/4)
  • Koko B. Ware vs. The Mountie (*)
  • Dusty & Dustin Rhodes vs. Ted DiBiase & Virgil (*1/2)
  • THE 1991 ROYAL RUMBLE (***)

Read more

[PPV Review] ‘WCW HALLOWEEN HAVOC 1993’ – Spin the Wheel Make The Deal 2, Flair vs. Rude, Rhodes vs. Austin

DATE: October 24, 1993
VENUE: Lakefront Arena (New Orleans, LA)
COMMENTATORS: Tony Schiavone & Jesse “The Body” Ventura

The 1993 edition of Halloween Havoc tries its hand at Spin the Wheel, Make The Deal as Cactus Jack takes on Big Van Vader in a match to be decided in the main event. Also on the show Rick Rude defends his Big Gold Belt that’s also a World Title now against Ric Flair, Ricky Steamboat trades up from his scheduled opponent to take on “Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff, and Sting and Sid Vicious have a Halloween Havoc ‘90 rematch to decide who the franchise of WCW is.

CHAMPIONS

  • WCW WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION: Big Van Vader
  • WCW UNITED STATES HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION: “The Natural” Dustin Rhodes
  • WCW WORLD TELEVISION CHAMPION: “Lord” Steven Regal
  • BIG GOLD BELT CHAMPION GUY: “Ravishing” Rick Rude
  • WCW WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS: Marcus Alexander Bagwell & 2 Cold Scorpio

LINEUP

  • The Shockmaster, Charlie Norris, & Ice Train vs. The Equalizer & Harlem Heat (*1/2)
  • Ricky Steamboat vs. Paul Orndorff (***)
  • Lord Steven Regal [c] vs. Davey Boy Smith for the WCW WORLD TELEVISION CHAMPIONSHIP (***1/4)
  • Dustin Rhodes [c] vs. Steve Austin for the WCW UNITED STATES HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP (***1/2)
  • Marcus Alexander Bagwell & 2 Cold Scorpio [c] vs. The Nasty Boys for the WCW WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP (**3/4)
  • Sting vs. Sid Vicious (**1/2)
  • Rick Rude [c] vs. Ric Flair for the BIG GOLD BELT (**)
  • SPIN THE WHEEL, MAKE THE DEAL: Cactus Jack vs. Big Van Vader (**1/2)

Read more

[TV Review] ‘WWF Monday Night RAW’ 1.23.95 – Kid & Holly vs. Gunns, Royal Rumble Recap

COMMENTATORS: Vince McMahon & “The Heartbreak Kid” Shawn Michaels

One night after their Cinderella story victory at the Royal Rumble the unlikely team of The 1-2-3 Kid and Bob Holly put their newly-won WWF Tag Team Titles on the line against the returning Smoking Gunns. Also on the show Todd Pettengill predates podcasts by 20+ years with his recap of the Rumble PPV, IRS and Davey Boy Smith are in action, and new Intercontinental Champion Jeff Jarrett sets his sight on more gold.

CHAMPIONS

  • WWF CHAMPION: “Big Daddy Cool” Diesel
  • WWF INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPION: “Double J” Jeff Jarrett
  • WWF WOMEN’S CHAMPION: Alundra Blayze
  • WWF TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS: The 1-2-3 Kid & Bob “Spark Plugg” Holly

LINEUP

  • The 1-2-3 Kid & Bob Holly [c] vs. The Smoking Gunns for the WWF TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP (***1/4)
  • Irwin R. Schyster vs. Buck Quartermain
  • Davey Boy Smith vs. Black Phantom

Read more

[PPV Recap] ‘WWF Royal Rumble 1995’ – Diesel/Bret, Undertaker/IRS, Pam Anderson, & More

DATE: January 22, 1995
VENUE: USF Sun Dome (Tampa, FL)
COMMENTATORS: Vince McMahon & Jerry “The King” Lawler

The 1995 edition of the Royal Rumble features a much quicker namesake, as the Rumble match cuts the intervals between participants down to one minute. Was this done to be more exciting or was it done to get it over with as quickly as possible? We shall find out! Also on the show Diesel defends the WWF Championship against Bret Hart, Razor Ramon puts his Intercontinental Championship on the line against Jeff Jarrett, new Tag Team Champions are crowned, and the seeds are sewn for what is sure to be a massive hit main event at WrestleMania XI, no sir can’t foresee anyone thinking this is a bad idea.

CHAMPIONS

  • WWF CHAMPION: “Big Daddy Cool” Diesel
  • WWF INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPION: “The Bad Guy” Razor Ramon
  • WWF WOMEN’S CHAMPION: Alundra Blayze
  • WWF TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS: Vacant

LINEUP

  • Razor Ramon [c] vs. Jeff Jarrett for the WWF INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP (***)
  • The Undertaker vs. Irwin R. Schyster (*1/4)
  • Diesel [c] vs. Bret Hart for the WWF CHAMPIONSHIP (**3/4)
  • The 1-2-3 Kid & Bob Holly vs. Bam Bam Bigelow & Tatanka for the vacant WWF TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP (***1/2)
  • The 1995 Royal Rumble (***)

Read more

[TV Review] ‘WWF Monday Night Raw’ 1.2.95 – Luger/Davey Boy vs. Bigelow/Tatanka TWICE, King’s Court

Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon & “The Heartbreak Kid” Shawn Michaels

The first Monday Night RAW features Lex Luger & Davey Boy Smith taking on Bam Bam Bigelow & Tatanka, and in the main event…Lex Luger & Davey Boy Smith take on Bam Bam Bigelow & Tatanka! Also on this episode Jeff Jarrett teases singing, Todd Pettengill delivers a Royal Rumble report, and Jerry Lawler invites fellow king Owen Hart on The King’s Court.

CHAMPIONS

  • WWF CHAMPION: “Big Daddy Cool” Diesel
  • WWF INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPION: “The Bad Guy” Razor Ramon
  • WWF TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS: Vacant

LINEUP

  • Lex Luger & Davey Boy Smith vs. Bam Bam Bigelow & Tatanka (*1/2)
  • Duke Droese vs. Mike Bell
  • Jeff Jarrett vs. Buck Quartermain
  • Lex Luger & Davey Boy Smith vs. Bam Bam Bigelow & Tatanka (*1/2)

Read more

[PPV Recap] ‘WWF WrestleMania VII’ – Hogan vs. Slaughter, Warrior vs. Savage

Date: March 24, 1991
Venue: Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena (Los Angeles, CA)
Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon & Various

The 7th annual WrestleMania features the FIGHT FOR AMERICA as Hulk Hogan challenges turncoat Sgt. Slaughter for the WWF Championship. Also on the show The Ultimate Warrior and Randy Savage meet in a Retirement Match, Jake Roberts takes on Rick Martel in an infamous (for the wrong reasons) Blindfold Match, and also seven hundred other matches. It’s another beefy boi of a card, so strap in.

CHAMPIONS

  • WWF CHAMPION: Sgt. Slaughter
  • WWF INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPION: Mr. Perfect
  • WWF TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS: The Hart Foundation (Bret ‘Hitman’ Hart & Jim ‘The Anvil’ Neidhart)

LINEUP

  • The Rockers vs. Haku & The Barbarian (***½)
  • Kerry Von Erich vs. Dino Bravo (*)
  • Davey Boy Smith vs. The Warlord (**)
  • The Hart Foundation [c] vs. The Nasty Boys for the WWF TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP (**½)
  • BLINDFOLD MATCH: Jake Roberts vs. Rick Martel (*¾)
  • Jimmy Snuka vs. The Undertaker (*½)
  • RETIREMENT MATCH: The Ultimate Warrior vs. Randy Savage (****¼)
  • Genichiro Tenryu & Koji Kitao vs. Demolition (*)
  • Mr. Perfect [c] vs. The Big Boss Man for the WWF INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP (**)
  • Greg Valentine vs. Earthquake (*)
  • The Legion of Doom vs. Power & Glory (NR)
  • Virgil vs. Ted DiBiase (**)
  • Tito Santana vs. The Mountie (NR)
  • Sgt. Slaughter [c] vs. Hulk Hogan for the WWF CHAMPIONSHIP (***)

Read more

[PPV Recap] ‘WWF SummerSlam 1988’ – Mega Powers vs. Mega Bucks, A Warrior Emerges

Date: August 29, 1988
Venue: Madison Square Garden (Manhattan, NY)
Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon & ‘Superstar’ Billy Graham

The first-ever SummerSlam features a tag team main event, as The Mega Powers (Hulk Hogan & Randy Savage) take on The Mega Bucks (Ted DiBiase & Andre The Giant) with the SUPER IMPARTIAL Jesse Ventura as the special guest referee. Also on the show The Hart Foundation challenge Demolition for the Tag Team Championship, The Honky Tonk Man’s record-setting reign as Intercontinental Champion meets its ULTIMATE end, and…Ken Patera takes on Bad News Brown? If that last match doesn’t sell you on this show I’m not sure what will.

CHAMPIONS

  • WWF CHAMPION: ‘Macho Man’ Randy Savage
  • WWF INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPION: The Honky Tonk Man
  • WWF TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS: Demolition (Ax & Smash)

LINEUP

  • The British Bulldogs vs. The Fabulous Rougeau Brothers (**3/4)
  • Ken Patera vs. Bad News Brown (1/2*)
  • The Junkyard Dog vs. Rick Rude (1/4*)
  • The Powers of Pain vs. The Bolsheviks (*)
  • The Honky Tonk Man [c] vs. ??? for the WWF INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP (NR)
  • Don Muraco vs. Dino Bravo (1/4*)
  • Demolition [c] vs. The Hart Foundation for the WWF TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP (**1/2)
  • Koko B. Ware vs. The Big Boss Man (*1/2)
  • Jake Roberts vs. Hercules (**)
  • SPECIAL GUEST REFEREE – JESSE VENTURA: The Mega Powers vs. The Mega Bucks (**)

Read more