World Wrestling Federation circa 1988

[murphy42782]

I have got a new computer and was planning on continuing my WWWF circuit, but things haven't gone the same. It just didn't feel the same. So I started the morning of WrestleMania IV. March 27th, 1988 to be exact. I am running the same event for the most part with some twists and taking it from there.

WWF TV in 1988 was intense. They had 5 shows, I've reduced it to 4 and removed the recap show that aired on Sundays (Wrestling Spotlight).

Prime Time Wrestling was THE show in 1988. Airing on Tuesday Nights, PTW was the show everyone tuned in to see.

Superstars of Wrestling, aired on Saturdays, was the B-Show. It showcased top talent and feature matches. Feuds were born and continued.

All American Wrestling and Wrestling Challenge were on Sunday Mornings/Afternoons and was mostly supplemental action. Served as a free for all of sorts before Major PPVs.

CHAMPIONS
WWF World Title - Vacant
WWF Intercontinental Title - Honky Tonk Man
WWF Tag Team Titles - Strike Force (Rick Martel & Tito Santana)

ROSTER
Andre The Giant
Ax
B. Brian Blair
Bad News Brown
Bam Bam Bigelow
Boris Zhukov
Bret Hart
Brutus Beefcake
Butch Reed
Danny Davis
Davey Boy Smith
Dino Bravo
Don Muraco
Dynamite Kid
George Steele
Greg Valentine
Haku
Harley Race
Hercules
Hillbilly Jim
Honky Tonk Man
Hulk Hogan
Jacques Rougeau Jr.
Jake Roberts
Jim Brunzell
Jim Duggan
Jim Neidhart
Jim Powers
Junkyard Dog
Ken Patera
Koko B. Ware
Marty Jannetty
Mr. Perfect
Nikolai Volkoff
One Man Gang
Paul Roma
Randy Savage
Raymond Rougeau
Rick Martel
Rick Rude
Rick Steamboat
Ron Bass
Sam Houston
Shawn Michaels
Sika
Smash
Tama
Ted DiBiase
The Ultimate Warrior
Tito Santana
Virgil

UPCOMING CARDS
3/27/88 - All American Wrestling
The Rougeau Brothers vs The Hart Foundation w/Jimmy Hart
plus Bad News Brown and Jim Duggan will be in action

3/27/88 - Wrestling Challenge
The Debut of Mr. Perfect

3/27/88 - WrestleMania IV
14 Man Tournament for the vacant WWF World Title
Strike Force defends the WWF Tag Team Titles against Demolition w/Mr. Fuji
The British Bulldogs vs The Islanders
Brutus Beefcake attempts to win the Intercontinental Title from defending champ Honky Tonk Man
The Ultimate Warrior vs Hercules
plus a 20 Man Battle Royal

[JoshiQ]

Looks good, bud. Can't wait to see it.

[fwaroc]

Where's Jamison?! ( yes, i know he came in later )

[murphy42782]

All American Wrestling - 3/27/88

Jim Duggan pinned Virgil with the Three Point Stance in 0:04:11.
Rating: **
Virgil came out like a house of fire attempting to get the better of his employers 1st round opponent here. Duggan managed to weather the storm and nailed Ted DiBiase's Butler with his patented Three Point Stance. Duggan told the camera he was coming for DiBiase next.

Bad News Brown pinned Koko B. Ware with the Ghetto Blaster in 0:03:03.
Rating: ** 3/4
During the bout Bad News Brown cut an insert promo about how a Battle Royal is the perfect environment for a loner like himself as it was every man for themselves. Brown made short work of Koko here hitting the deadly Ghetto Blaster

Vignette of Mr. Perfect
A video is shown hyping the debut of Mr. Perfect. In the video he is doing extremely difficult things, well perfectly. He starts by doing 100 push ups without breaking a sweat. Hitting on two women on the beach and leaving with both in his arms much to the chagrin of their boyfriends. And he finishes by bowling a perfect 300 game. At the end of the clip, Mr. Perfect states that wrestling and the WWF will be the next thing he "Perfects"

Shawn Michaels pinned Sam Houston with the Side Suplex in 0:07:32.
Rating: ***
This one was a battle of up and coming superstars. Shawn Michaels makes up one half of the exciting young tag team, The Rockers. Sam Houston is no slouch, but it was the energy and highflying attack of Michaels that won this one.

The Hart Foundation (Bret Hart and Jim Neidhart) defeated
The Rougeau Brothers (Jacques Rougeau Jr. and Raymond Rougeau) when B. Hart pinned J. Rougeau after an elbowdrop from the second turnbuckle in 0:20:44.
Rating: ***
The feature bout here today featured two teams that have been going at it for months. The charismatic crowd pleasers, The Rougeau Brothers, challenged The Hart Foundation unsuccessfully for tag gold last year. The Hart Foundation was as dangerous as ever with their mouthpiece, Jimmy Hart, barking orders at ringside. The Fans really let The Pink and Black attack know how they felt as Neidhart jawed with several fans. In what turned out to be a very competitive affair, Bret Hart got the pinfall and the momentum heading into the big 20 Man battle royal.

Card rating: ***

Match observations:
Bad News Brown and The Hart Foundation seized some momentum heading into the big Battle Royal at WrestleMania IV, while Jim Duggan looks to replicate his success here tonight in the WWF World Title Tournament.

A run down of WrestleMania IV:
14 Man Tournament for the vacant WWF World Title featuring -
Rick Rude, Jake Roberts, Bam Bam Bigelow, One Man Gang, Randy Savage, Butch Reed, Ricky Steamboat, Greg Valentine, Don Muraco, Dino Bravo, Ted DiBiase, Jim Duggan, Andre The Giant, and Hulk Hogan.

The Ultimate Warrior vs Hercules w/Bobby Heenan
IC Title Match - Brutus Beefcake vs Honky Tonk Man (c) w/Jimmy Hart
The British Bulldogs vs The Islanders
Tag Titles Match - Strike Force (c) vs Demolition w/Mr. Fuji


Plus tune into Wrestling Challenge for the debut of Mr. Perfect and some interviews with WrestleMania bound Stars!!!!

[JoshiQ]

Loved the vignette with Perfect.

Not very often you'd see a couple of faces like Michaels and Houston face off.

Bad News Brown's promo was a good one and it sets him up as the heavy favorite going into the battle royal.

[murphy42782]

Wrestling Challenge - 3/27/88

The Show opened with Rick Rude, Harley Race, The Islanders, Hercules, and Bobby Heenan in the ring.
Most of the Heenan Family was in the ring and Bobby Heenan was out hyping Andre The Giant and Rick Rude in an all Heenan Family Final, and saying Race would win the Battle Royal, while The Islanders and Hercules would take care of business against The Bulldogs and The Ultimate Warrior.

Harley Race then took the mic and told the crowd that he is one of the greatest of all time and its a travesty that he is in the battle royal instead of headlining the Show of Shows. He vowed to win the 20 Man Invitational and move on to bigger and better things. Rick Rude was next saying that outside of Andre nooone in the tournament scared him. He said that he would walk out of WM IV as champion and told any girl in the crowd that wanted a piece of him to get in the ring. A vivacious blonde stepped through the ropes and closed her eyes as she puckered up, only to have Haku move in for the liplock. The woman was disgusted and the show cut to a commercial.

Promos were shown of Randy Savage, Jake Roberts, and Jim Duggan claiming they would infact be the one walking out of WM with the gold

Ted DiBiase, with Andre The Giant and Virgil, claimed he had possession of the Gold last and should be the WWF champion after the sum he paid the Giant. Andre vowed redemption against Hogan and Jack Tunney for stripping his good friend, Ted DiBiase

Mr. Perfect pinned Marty Jannetty with the Perfect Plex in 0:09:50.
Rating: **
Mr. Perfect, making his long awaited debut, took on a very game Marty Jannetty. Jannetty was looking to spoil Perfect's first endeavor in the squared circle of the WWF, while matching his partner's, Shawn Michaels', success from earlier today. Perfect is a different opponent then Sam Houston, and the outcome would be different as well. Perfect took control and nailed a Perfect Plex. Mr. Perfect then took his white towel and shoved it down Jannetty's throat.

Mean Gene updated everyone on the entrants in the battle royal and WM rundown
Bad News Brown, The Hart Foundation (Bret Hart & Jim Neidhart), Harley Race, Danny Davis, Junkyard Dog, Ken Patera, The Young Stallions (Jim Powers & Paul Roma), The Killer Bees (B. Brian Blair & Jim Brunzell), Ron Bass, The Bolsheviks (Boris Zhukov & Nikolai Volkoff), Sika, Hillbilly Jim, The Rougeau Brothers (Jacques & Raymond), George Steele, and Sam Houston

Hulk Hogan Promo
The Show closed with comments from Hulk Hogan. Hogan stated how upset he was with Andre's betrayal, and his behavior since. Hogan vowed that at WrestleMania he would get back to being the role model we have grown accustomed to. He's been taking his vitamins and saying his prayers and come WrestleMania, brother, he was walking out with the gold.

Card rating: **

[murphy42782]

WrestleMania IV - March 27th, 1988 - Atlantic City, N.J.

1st Round
Rick Rude pinned Jake Roberts after a Hotshot in 0:04:43.
Rating: ***

Bam Bam Bigelow pinned One Man Gang after a diving headbutt in 0:07:29.
Rating: **

Randy Savage pinned Butch Reed with the Flying Elbow-Drop in 0:11:59.
Rating: **

Rick Steamboat defeated Greg Valentine by disqualification in 0:10:17.
Rating: *
[Jimmy Hart interfered against Rick Steamboat.]

Don Muraco defeated Dino Bravo by disqualification in 0:07:02.
Rating: *
[Frenchy Martin interfered against Don Muraco.]

Ted DiBiase made Jim Duggan submit to a cobra clutch in 0:05:40.
Rating: -* 1/2

The show kicked off with 1st round action. All 14 men in the World Heavyweight Title Tournament are a real threat to walk out with gold. Highlights of the first round included Rick Rude beating Jake Roberts after hitting him with a hotshot and a hand full of tights. But the first round match that had everyone talking was the slugfest that was "Macho Man" Randy Savage versus "The Natural" Butch Reed. A back and forth match saw Reed suplex Savage on the outside and throw him into the ringsteps. Somehow Savage found the intestinal fortitude to make a comeback and ended it with a Flying Elbowdrop. Other first round winners included Bam Bam Bigelow, Ricky Steamboat, Don Muraco, and Ted DiBiase.

20-Man Battle Royal:
x JYD threw out Volkoff in 0:01:39
x S. Houston threw out J. Rougeau in 0:02:05
x B. Hart threw out R. Rougeau in 0:05:05
x Race threw out Patera in 0:08:16
x Ron Bass threw out G. Steele after a chokehold in 0:10:04
x Sika threw out S. Houston in 0:12:19
x Hillbilly Jim threw out Race after a headlock takedown in 0:16:59
x Sika threw out Brunzell in 0:18:10
x Sika threw out Hillbilly Jim after a kneelift in 0:18:15
x D. Davis threw out JYD after a chokehold in 0:18:47
x B. Blair threw out Sika in 0:19:28
x Zhukov threw out Neidhart after a headbutt in 0:21:06
x Powers threw out Zhukov in 0:21:46
x D. Davis threw out Ron Bass in 0:22:31
x Bad News threw out B. Blair in 0:23:38
x D. Davis threw out Powers in 0:25:02
x Roma threw out D. Davis in 0:26:08
x Bad News threw out B. Hart after a front-layout suplex in 0:27:08
x Bad News threw out Roma in 0:28:04
Rating: ***

At the 23 minute mark sides were clearly drawn as The Young Stallions and B. Brian Blair were up against Bad News Brown, Bret Hart, and Danny Davis. 5 eliminations later and Bad News stood victorious after turning on Hart. Post Match, Bret Hart returns to the ring and destroys Brown and his trophy as the fans cheer. We found out that on Prime Time, the Hart Foundation and Jimmy Hart will give us an explanation for his actions.

2nd Round

Hulk Hogan pinned Andre the Giant with the Big Leg Drop in 0:06:51.
Rating: -*** 1/4
[Bobby Heenan interfered against Hulk Hogan.]
This was by far the most anticipated match of the tournament and these two are the reason there is a tournament in the first place. If you remember back a few weeks, Andre defeated Hogan for the gold and then sold it to Ted DiBiase leading to Jack Tunney stripping Andre of the title and announcing this tournament. Hogan and Andre didn't disappoint and in the end Hogan narrowly escaped with the victory.

Ted DiBiase made Don Muraco submit to the Million Dollar Dream in 0:08:52.
Rating: *** 3/4
During this bout and irate Andre the Giant and Bobby "The Brain" Heenan cut an insert promo about making Hogan pay. DiBiase meanwhile made short work of a very game Don Muraco. Muraco was unable to escape the Million Dollar Dream and Ted DiBiase would be moving on.

Randy Savage pinned Rick Steamboat with the Flying Elbow-Drop in 0:08:32.
Rating: **
[Butch Reed interfered against Randy Savage.]
As if Randy Savage didn't have a rough enough go of it in round one, he found himself across the squared circle from Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat in round 2. Steamboat was very active from the bell and looked to be in tremendous shape to move past the worn out "Macho Man". Savage fought back though and this one had shades of their epic Intercontinental Title match 1 year ago. However, Butch Reed made his way down and as the ref checked on a downed Steamboat at ringside Reed snuck in and blasted Savage with a vicious lariat and a back breaker. Reed walked away thrilled with himself as the official and Steamboat made their way back into the ring. Again Randy perservered and kicked out at the last second. Reed was irate in the aisle way and Savage mounted a comeback complete with a set of ten fists to the forehead in the corner and a superplex. Savage connected with the Elbowdrop and that was all she wrote.

Rick Rude pinned Bam Bam Bigelow with the Rude Awakening in 0:10:45.
Rating: *** 1/2
Rick Rude and Bam Bam battled for the right to fight Randy Savage in the semifinals. While Bigelow certainly seemed up to the task, Rude seemed to have an answer every time. The Semifinals are set Hulk Hogan vs. Ted DiBiase and Randy Savage vs. Rick Rude

The Ultimate Warrior pinned Hercules with the Big Splash in 0:1:15.
Rating: ** 1/2
[Bobby Heenan interfered against The Ultimate Warrior.]
Trying to stop the Ultimate Warrior is like trying to stop a mack truck. He always seems to be in overdrive and seems to be cruising past his competition. After an impressive victory like this he has to be on the Honky Tonk Man's radar.

The Islanders (Haku and Tama) and The British Bulldogs (Davey Boy Smith and Dynamite Kid) battled to a draw in 0:15:00.
Rating: ** 1/4
This bout was supposed to settle the differences between two of the top contenders to tag team gold. But it managed to solve nothing. DBS and Dynamite Kid looked to be ahead on points, but this one would have to be settled another day as the time limit was reached.

[Semi-Finals]:
Ted DiBiase defeated Hulk Hogan via pinfall in 0:00:26.
Rating: *** 3/4
As Hogan made his way to ringside he passed Heenan and The Islanders. As they were passing by Hogan warned Heenan to watch his mouth. Just then Andre the Giant ambushed Hogan. As the Hulkster fought back he was mugged from behind by The Islanders. After the 3 on 1 assault, Andre dumped Hogan over the top rope to a waiting Ted DiBiase and the ref was forced to ring the bell by Haku and Tama. A reluctant referee made the 3 count and DiBiase was giftwrapped a spot in the finals.

[Semi-Finals]:
Randy Savage pinned Rick Rude with the Flying Elbow-Drop in 0:11:37.
Rating: *** 3/4
Following the shenanigans of last match, Jack Tunney ejected Virgil, Bobby Heenan, The Islanders, and Andre the Giant from the building. Rude still seemed to have an advantage over an exhausted Randy Savage. Savage as he has all night found a way to overcome adversity and went on to win this match, but Rude showed he is a future World Champion with his performances here tonight.

Honky Tonk Man defeated Brutus Beefcake after the Shake Rattle, and Roll in 0:05:40.
Rating: -*
(Honky Tonk Man retained the WWF Intercontinental Title.)

Demolition (Ax and Smash) defeated Strike Force (Rick Martel and Tito Santana)
when Smash defeated Martel when Martel passed out in a full nelson in 0:17:43.
Rating: ** 1/4
[Mr. Fuji interfered against Tito Santana.]

The two scheduled title matches had very dissatisfying results for fans. Honky Tonk Man and Demolition drew the ire of the crowd, but came out on top. HTM saved his Intercontinental Title with a victory over Brutus Beefcake and seems destined for a match with The Ultimate Warrior while Demolition gained the Tag Team Championship from Strike Force after and extremely intense battle between the two best teams in the business. Demolition will have to deal with Strike Force and The Hart Foundation if they hope to stay on top of the heap.

[Finals]: Match for the vacant WWF World Title:
Randy Savage pinned Ted DiBiase with the Flying Elbow-Drop in 0:25:03.
Rating: **** 1/4
(Randy Savage won the WWF World Title.)

In what turned out to be the match of the night, one would have suspected DiBiase to be a bit flustered as all his allies were tossed from the arena. But DiBiase showed why he was in this tournament in the first place and really seemed to prove his worth as this match wore on. Savage has shown the heart of a champion all night long and looked to claim his first World Title. After 25 minutes of some of the most intense action we've seen in recent years two exhausted competitors found themselves on the top rope fighting for position. The Million Dollar man looked to be in position for a superplex but at the last second, Savage locked his leg around the turnbuckle and shoved DiBiase to the mat. Savage then climbed the ropes and delivered one final Flying Elbowdrop for the night and 3 seconds later his hand was raised and he was handed his WWF World Heavyweight Title.

[JoshiQ]

Savage taking the title was the right decision. It wouldn't make much sense for DiBiase to have won it since he was just stripped of it, Hogan and Andre have been involved with the title for awhile now, and it was time for some new blood.

Glad to see you didn't stray too far from what happened in real life. Putting the title on Rude or Bigelow would not have worked quite yet. I do hope to see those two get a push in the future.

Also loved to see Bret Hart still turned on Bad News after the battle royal. That's one of the first things I saw as a child watching wrestling.