‘WCW BASH AT THE BEACH 1995’ Recap + Review – Hogan vs. Vader, Lifeguard Match, Coolest Wrestling Venue of All-Time

DATE: July 16, 1995
VENUE: Huntington Beach (Huntington Beach, CA)
COMMENTATORS: Tony Schiavone & Bobby “The Brain” Heenan
VIEWING METHOD: Peacock

Bash at the Beach 1995 brings the action of World Championship Wrestling to an honest to god beach, the only place that contain a main event as big as Hulk Hogan vs. Vader in a Steel Cage. Since we’re on a beach and Baywatch is a thing we’ve also got a Lifeguard match as Ric Flair and Randy Savage continue their year-long feud, The Renegade defends the Television Championship against “Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff, and…Jim Duggan takes on Kamala? We sure this is a WCW show?

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‘WCW THE GREAT AMERICAN BASH 1995’ Recap + Review – Savage vs. Flair, Sting vs. Meng, Hacksaw vs. Pitbull

DATE: June 18, 1995
VENUE: Hara Arena (Dayton, OH)
COMMENTATORS: Tony Schiavone & Bobby “The Brain” Heenan
VIEWING METHOD: Peacock

The Great American Bash returns to the WCW PPV lineup with this 1995 edition, headlined by the blood feud between Randy Savage and Ric Flair. A new United States Heavyweight Champion is also crowned as Sting & Meng battle waddle for the vacant wacant title witle, and Arn Anderson defends the World Television Title against The Renegade.

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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)

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‘WWF WRESTLEMANIA IX’ Recap + Review – Bret vs. Yoko, Mega Maniacs vs. Money Inc., Maybe I Don’t Hate Giant Gonzalez?

DATE: April 4, 1993
VENUE: Caesar’s Palace (Las Vegas, NV)
COMMENTATORS: Jim Ross, “Macho Man” Randy Savage, & Bobby “The Brain” Heenan

Long regarded as one of the worst WrestleMania events of all-time, the 9th edition of the event really leaned into their Caesar’s Palace (parking lot) location from the graphics to mostly everyone being decked out in togas. It was an interesting experiment that many considered a failure. But was it? Was it really?

Okay kinda but I think I did end up liking the show a lot more than most people. Let’s run down the show and I’ll tell you why.

CHAMPIONS

  • WWF CHAMPION: Bret “The Hitman” Hart
  • WWF INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPION: “The Heartbreak Kid” Shawn Michaels
  • WWF TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS: Money Inc. (“The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase & Irwin R. Schyster)

LINEUP (Personal Favorites in Bold)

  • Shawn Michaels [c] vs. Tatanka for the WWF INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP
  • The Steiner Brothers vs. The Headshrinkers
  • Crush vs. Doink The Clown
  • Bob Backlund vs. Razor Ramon
  • Money Inc. [c] vs. Mega Maniacs for the WWF TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
  • Mr. Perfect vs. Lex Luger
  • The Undertaker vs. Giant Gonzalez
  • Bret Hart [c] vs. Yokozuna for the WWF CHAMPIONSHIP
  • A TOTALLY FINE AND NOT ALL CONTROVERSIAL SECOND MATCH I WON’T SPOIL HERE

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[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 (***)

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[PPV Recap] ‘WWF SummerSlam 1989: Feel the Heat’ – Hogan/Beefcake vs. Savage/Zeus, Warrior vs. Rude

DATE: August 28, 1989
VENUE: Meadowlands (East Rutherford, NJ)
COMMENTATORS: Tony Schiavone & Jesse “The Body” Ventura

The 2nd annual SummerSlam features a blockbuster of a main event as Zeus leaves the confines of BEING A FICTIONAL CHARACTER IN A MOVIE to team with “Macho Man” Randy Savage against his hated rival Hulk Hogan and Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake. Wrestling rules.

CHAMPIONS
  • WWF CHAMPION: Hulk Hogan
  • WWF INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPION: “Ravishing” Rick Rude
  • WWF TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS: The Brain Busters (“The Enforcer” Arn Anderson & Tully Blanchard)
LINEUP
  • The Hart Foundation vs. The Brain Busters (****1/4)
  • Dusty Rhodes vs. The Honky Tonk Man (*1/2)
  • The Red Rooster vs. Mr. Perfect (*1/2)
  • Tito Santana & The Rockers vs. Rick Martel & The Fabulous Rougeaus (***1/2)
  • Rick Rude [c] vs. The Ultimate Warrior for the WWF INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP (***3/4)
  • Jim Duggan & Demolition vs. Andre The Giant & The Twin Towers (**)
  • Hercules vs. Greg Valentine (*1/2)
  • Jimmy Snuka vs. Ted DiBiase (*1/4)
  • Hulk Hogan & Brutus Beefcake vs. Randy Savage & Zeus (**1/2)

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[TV Recap] ‘WWF Saturday Night’s Main Event’ 1.27.90 – Hogan/Warrior vs. Perfect/Genius, Duggan vs. Savage

AIRDATE: January 27, 1990
VENUE: UTC Arena (Chattanooga, TN)
COMMENTATORS:
Vince McMahon & Jesse “The Body” Ventura

On this edition of Saturday Night’s Main Event the two biggest stars in the WWF team up as Hulk Hogan and The Ultimate Warrior take on Mr. Perfect and The Genius. Can they co-exist after throwing hands at the Royal Rumble just a week prior? We will find out! Also on the show Jake Roberts takes on Greg Valentine, Dusty Rhodes faces Rick Rude, and we get a whole lot of hype for an appearance on next month’s show…that doesn’t end up happening. Awkward.

CHAMPIONS

  • WWF CHAMPION: Hulk Hogan
  • WWF INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPION: The Ultimate Warrior
  • WWF TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS: The Colossal Connection (Haku & Andre The Giant)

LINEUP

  • Jim Duggan vs. Randy Savage (**1/4)
  • Hulk Hogan & The Ultimate Warrior vs. Mr. Perfect & The Genius (***)
  • Jake Roberts vs. Greg Valentine (**1/2)
  • Dusty Rhodes vs. Rick Rude (*1/2)
  • Ronnie Garvin vs. Dino Bravo (*)

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[PPV Recap] ‘WWF Royal Rumble 1990’ – Hogan/Warrior Tease, Garvin/Valentine Potato Fest

DATE: January 21, 1990
VENUE: Orlando Arena (Orlando, FL)
COMMENTATORS: Tony Schiavone & Jesse “The Body” Ventura

The 1990 Royal Rumble features no championship matches, but some nice early build headed towards WrestleMania VI including an ULTIMATE SHOWDOWN during the Rumble match between the two biggest stars in the WWF.

CHAMPIONS

  • WWF CHAMPION: “The Immortal” Hulk Hogan
  • WWF INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPION: The Ultimate Warrior
  • WWF TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS: The Colossal Connection (Haku & Andre The Giant)

LINEUP

  • The Bushwhackers vs. The Fabulous Rougeaus (*1/2)
  • Brutus Beefcake vs. The Genius (**)
  • SUBMISSION MATCH: Ronnie Garvin vs. Greg Valentine (***1/2)
  • Jim Duggan vs. The Big Boss Man (*3/4)
  • The 1990 Royal Rumble (***1/4)

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[PPV Recap] ‘WWF WrestleMania VIII’ – Hogan vs. Sid, Savage vs. Flair, Piper vs. Hart

Date: April 5, 1992
Venue: The Hoosier Dome (Indianapolis, IN)
Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon & Bobby ‘The Brain’ Heenan

WrestleMania VIII features a “double main event” as Ric Flair defends the WWF Championship against Randy Savage and Hulk Hogan takes on Sid Justice in Hogan’s “final match”. Lots of quotations going on here folks. Also on the show Roddy Piper defends the Intercontinental Championship against Bret Hart, a newly babyface Undertaker faces off against former friend Jake Roberts, and much more! I don’t think I’ve watched this since the live PPV and I was five back then, so let’s see how it holds up now.

CHAMPIONS

  • WWF CHAMPION: ‘The Nature Boy’ Ric Flair
  • WWF INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPION: ‘Rowdy’ Roddy Piper
  • WWF TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS: Money Inc. (‘The Million Dollar Man’ Ted DiBiase & IRS)

LINEUP

  • Tito Santana vs. Shawn Michaels (***)
  • The Undertaker vs. Jake Roberts (*¼)
  • Roddy Piper [c] vs. Bret Hart for the WWF INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP (***¾)
  • Jim Duggan, Sgt. Slaughter, Big Boss Man, & Virgil vs. The Mountie, Repo Man, & The Nasty Boys (*½)
  • Ric Flair [c] vs. Randy Savage for the WWF CHAMPIONSHIP (****)
  • Tatanka vs. Rick Martel (**)
  • Money Inc. [c] vs. The Natural Disasters for the WWF TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP (¾*)
  • Owen Hart vs. Skinner (NR)
  • Hulk Hogan vs. Sid Justice (DUD)

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[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 (***)

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