Warlord

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

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

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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 SURVIVOR SERIES 1990’ – A Legacy Begins, an Egg is Hatched

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DATE: November 22, 1990 VENUE: Hartford Civic Center (Hartford, CT) COMMENTATORS: Gorilla Monsoon & “Rowdy” Roddy Piper Survivor Series ‘90 features a unique (and sadly one time only) spin on the Survivor Series format as the survivors of each match will go on to a final Survivor Series match to determine the ULTIMATE winner of … Read more

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

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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 VII’ – Hogan vs. Slaughter, Warrior vs. Savage

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

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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 (**)

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[PPV Recap] ‘WWF SummerSlam 1990’ – Hogan vs. Earthquake, Warrior vs. Rude

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Date: August 27, 1990
Venue: The Spectrum (Philadelphia, PA)
Commentators: Vince McMahon & Roddy Piper

WWF returns to one of its most hallowed grounds, the Spectrum in Philly, to present its third annual SummerSlam event, which features the returning Hulk Hogan taking on the man who put him out of action Earthquake as well as The Ultimate Warrior‘s first PPV defense of the WWF Championship, taking on longtime rival Rick Rude in a steel cage.

CHAMPIONS

  • WWF CHAMPION: The Ultimate Warrior
  • WWF INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPION: Mr. Perfect
  • WWF TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS: Demolition (Ax, Smash, & Crush)

LINEUP

  • The Rockers vs. Power & Glory (**1/2)
  • Mr. Perfect [c] vs. Kerry Von Erich for the WWF INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP (**1/2)
  • Sapphire vs. Queen Sherri (NR)
  • Tito Santana vs. The Warlord (*3/4)
  • 2 OUT OF 3 FALLS: Demolition [c] vs. The Hart Foundation for the WWF WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP (**)
  • Jake Roberts vs. Bad News Brown [w/ Big Boss Man as the Special Guest Referee] (1/2*)
  • Jim Duggan & Nikolai Volkoff vs. The Orient Express (*3/4)
  • Dusty Rhodes vs. Randy Savage (1/4*)
  • Hulk Hogan vs. Earthquake (**3/4)
  • STEEL CAGE MATCH: The Ultimate Warrior [c] vs. Rick Rude for the WWF CHAMPIONSHIP (**)

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[PPV Recap] ‘WWF WrestleMania V’ – The Mega Powers Explode, Warrior vs. Rude

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Date: April 2, 1989
Venue: Atlantic City Convention Hall (Atlantic City, NJ)
Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon & Jesse ‘The Body’ Ventura

At WrestleMania IV The Mega Powers combined. Now one year later at WrestleMania V The Mega Powers EXPLODE as the dastardly Randy Savage defends the WWF Championship against Hulk Hogan. Also on the show ‘Rowdy’ Roddy Piper returns to host an in-ring Piper’s Pit, Run DMC performs a WrestleMania Rap, and The Ultimate Warrior puts his Intercontinental Championship on the line against ‘Ravishing’ Rick Rude. Fingers crossed this one is a lot more interesting.

CHAMPIONS

  • WWF CHAMPION: ‘Macho Man’ Randy Savage
  • WWF INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPION: The Ultimate Warrior
  • WWF WOMEN’S CHAMPION: Rockin’ Robin
  • WWF TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS: Demolition (Ax & Smash)

LINEUP

  • Hercules vs. Haku (**1/4)
  • The Rockers vs. The Twin Towers (***)
  • Brutus Beefcake vs. Ted DiBiase (**)
  • The Bushwhackers vs. The Fabulous Rougeaus (*1/2)
  • The Blue Blazer vs. Mr. Perfect (**1/2)
  • Handicap Match: Demolition [c] vs. Mr. Fuji & The Powers of Pain for the WWF WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP (*1/2)
  • Ronnie Garvin vs. Dino Bravo (**)
  • Strike Force vs. The Brain Busters (**1/2)
  • Jake Roberts vs. Andre The Giant (3/4*)
  • The Hart Foundation vs. The Honky Tonk Man & Greg Valentine (**1/4)
  • The Ultimate Warrior [c] vs. Rick Rude for the WWF INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP (**1/2)
  • Jim Duggan vs. Bad News Brown (1/4*)
  • The Red Rooster vs. Bobby Heenan (NR)
  • Randy Savage [c] vs. Hulk Hogan for the WWF CHAMPIONSHIP (***1/4)

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[PPV Recap] ‘WWF Royal Rumble 1992’ – It’s Not Fair to Flair!

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Date: January 19, 1992
Venue: The Knickerbocker Arena (Albany, NY)
Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon & Bobby ‘The Brain’ Heenan

Happy Royal Rumble season everybody, let’s celebrate by reviewing what I think is one of, if not the, greatest Rumble match of all-time. Also we’ll tackle the undercard too, I guess.

CHAMPIONS
  • WWF CHAMPION: VACANT
  • WWF INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPION: The Mountie (no, seriously)
  • WWF TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS: The Legion of Doom (Hawk & Animal)
LINEUP
  • The New Foundation vs. The Orient Express (**3/4)
  • The Mountie [c] vs. ‘Rowdy’ Roddy Piper for the WWF INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP (**) 
  • The Bushwhackers vs. The Beverly Brothers (1/2*)
  • The Legion of Doom [c] vs. The Natural Disasters for the WWF WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP (**1/2)
  • 1992 Royal Rumble for the vacant WWF CHAMPIONSHIP (****1/4)

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[MSG TV Recap] WWF @ MSG 2.19.90 – Hogan & Beefcake vs. Perfect & Genius, Rhodes vs. Akeem

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Venue: Madison Square Garden (Manhattan, NY)
Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon, Hillbilly Jim, & Bobby ‘The Brain’ Heenan

Back in the day the WWF used to hold regular house shows at their home arena, Madison Square Garden in New York City, airing locally on the MSG Network (and sometimes nationally thru the old Prime Time Wrestling TV show). I’m a huge mark for these old shows despite their very rocky quality as they tend to feature matches you wouldn’t have been able to see on TV otherwise as well as occasionally a dry run for a future PPV. These will pop up frequently and very much out of order whenever I feel like recapping them. First up is this one from February 19, 1990 on the road to WrestleMania VI as Hulk Hogan teams with Brutus ‘The Barber’ Beefcake to take on Mr. Perfect and his manager (and secretly damn good wrestler) The Genius. Let’s see how it goes.

CHAMPIONS
  • WWF CHAMPION: Hulk Hogan
  • WWF INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPION: The Ultimate Warrior
  • WWF TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS: The Colossal Connection (Haku & Andre The Giant)
LINEUP
  • Tito Santana vs. Buddy Rose (3/4*)
  • Ronnie Garvin vs. Earthquake (*3/4)
  • The Red Rooster vs. Rick Martel (**)
  • Hulk Hogan & Brutus Beefcake vs. Mr. Perfect & The Genius (**1/4)
  • Jim Brunzell vs. Bad News Brown
  • Dusty Rhodes vs. Akeem
  • Jim Duggan & The Rockers vs. Mr. Fuji & The Powers of Pain

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