January 28, 1989
From the Von Braun Civic Center in Huntsville, AL
Your hosts are Jesse “The Body” Ventura and Vince McMahon
Demolition vs. Tommy Causey & Alan Kinsey
Demolition destroys Causey as we hear from the Powers of Pain & Mr. Fuji in an insert promo as they call out the champs. Kinsey tags and gets tossed outside then Demolition beats him down until they hit the Decapitation for the win (3:16).
Thoughts: Still more of the Demolition/Powers of Pain feud being pushed on TV. It never really got that over with the crowds though.
WWF Update with Gene Okerlund. This week’s focus is on the “Super Pose Down” from the Royal Rumble where Rick Rude attacked the Ultimate Warrior. We then hear from Rude, who tells Warrior that he was the one who walked out the winner. They are ready to put these two into a big feud together.
“Mr. Perfect” Curt Hennig vs. Paul Bryant
In Alabama and the WWF puts out a jobber named after legendary Alabama football coach Bear Bryant. Perfect slaps Bryant down then walks on top of him. We get to hear from Bryant, who vows to show Hennig he is not perfect but he is still unable to muster any offense. Bryant yells at Perfect after getting slapped again then Hennig takes him down and works the leg while slapping Bryant again. Perfect chops Bryant down a few times but acts nonchalant and walks into a clothesline. Bryant gets a slam but ducks his head for a backdrop and gets booted then Hennig hits the Perfect Plex for the win (2:49).
Thoughts: This was quite the squash match. Bryant actually got in some offense and the opportunity to show personality and to be honest, it made this fun. Its clear they are gearing Hennig up for a big push though.
Sean Mooney is in the Event Center. We hear from Jimmy Hart and Danny Davis, who has an open contract to face anyone. Davis would go back to being a referee and ended his wrestling career in the WWF a couple of months later. We then hear from the Bushwhackers as they believe 1989 will be the greatest year ever.
Hercules vs. Tony Burton
Vince lets us know that Hercules will face off against Ted DiBiase this Friday night, which is the “Main Event” show. Hercules beats on Burton as we hear from DiBiase in an insert promo as he promises to make Hercules his slave. Back to the match as Hercules continues to dominate until getting the win with a backbreaker submission (2:32).
Thoughts: A good showcase for Hercules as he gets some momentum heading into Friday’s “Main Event “show.
Mooney is back in the Event Center. Tito Santana talks about 1989 starting out great as his former partner is back to health and talks about his singles career. Andre the Giant & Bobby Heenan talk about how tough Andre is and that he has never been pinned.
The Brainbusters w/ Bobby Heenan vs. Tim Horner & Jose Luis Rivera
Jesse voices his displeasure over having to announce with Vince Friday night as Arn and Rivera start off the match. Horner tags and dropkicks Tully after an Irish whip sequence. Horner tries a headscissors but Arn snaps his neck off of the ropes from the apron. Tully beats on Horner for a bit but misses a charge as Horner tags out. Rivera runs wild and gets a nearfall with a missile dropkick as Arn ran in for the save. Horner comes in and the ref orders him back onto the apron but as that happens the Brainbusters hit Rivera with the spike piledriver for the win (2:29).
Thoughts: Solid action here as the Brainbusters are actually getting the spike piledriver over as a finisher.
Brother Love Show with guests the Mega Powers & Elizabeth. He talks about their match against the Twin Towers as Hogan calls it the biggest tag team match of all-time. Brother Love then wants to know if the Mega Powers are on the same page as Hogan tells him that he loves Elizabeth like a sister and Savage like a brother and will go after the Twin Towers if they lay a finger on Elizabeth. Savage then talks about the Twin Towers as Brother Love compares Elizabeth to Jezebel and if she will be more of a “hurt” than a “help” but Hogan says that Elizabeth is the foundation of the Mega Powers and reminds Savage of when the Big Bossman grabbed her arm a few weeks ago on “Saturday Night’s Main Event.” Hogan certainly talked about having a strong alliance with Savage, who did not seem to be giving it back in return.
The Brookyln Brawler” Steve Lombardi w/ Bobby Heenan vs. Reno Riggins
Lombardi attacks Riggins as we get an insert promo from the Red Rooster, who tells Lombardi he will go straight through him before getting to Heenan. Lombardi continues to beat on Riggins until he hits a superplex for the win (2:24).
Thoughts: Its certainly something to watch Lombardi being the one doing the squashing after five years of watching him as an enhancement talent. He now gets his feud with the Red Rooster.
Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart vs. Jerry Price
Neidhart no-sells a few punches than headbutts Price down. We hear from Greg Valentine in an insert promo as he promises to make Neidhart suffer then Neidhart gets the win with a powerslam (0:56).
Thoughts: They are still loosely playing up that Bret is hurt after the Honky Tonk Man hit him with the guitar so Neidhart is by himself and feuding now with Honky’s new partner, Greg Valentine.
We get an insert promo from Big John Studd. He declares that he is back and looking for competiton. This face push just did not work at all.
Steve Reese vs. Bad News Brown
Bad News beats Reese down as Vince refers to the jobber as “geeky.” Vince then rags on his body as Jesse makes fun of Vince for how he looks as Bad News stays in control until hitting the Ghetto Blaster for the win (1:41). After the match, Bad News tosses Reese outside as the guy appears to have landed straight on his head.
Thoughts: Bad News destroyed this poor guy as his undefeated streak was not really played up here.
Mooney is back in the Event Center. We get old promos from Ronnie Garvin putting over the toughness of the WWF and Jim Duggan talking about the American flag and his 2×4.
Next week in action will be the Red Rooster, Fabulous Rougeau Brothers, Big Bossman, Jake Roberts, and the featured match between Bret Hart and Danny Davis.
The show closes with Slick & the Twin Towers hyping up their match against the Mega Powers.
Final Thoughts: They really pushed the Mega Powers vs. Twin Towers feud on this show. They also showed Steve Lombardi win his first TV match and are going full blast with the Ultimate Warrior/Rick Rude. Overall, a decent show.
Here is my schedule for the next several days:
Thursday: RF Video Shoot Interview with Bam Bam Bigelow
Friday: WWF Wrestling Challenge 1/29/89
Saturday: Mid-South Wrestling 4/1/82
Sunday: WWF Los Angeles Sports Arena 1/29/89
Monday: WWF The Main Event 2/3/89
Tuesday: WWF Superstars of Wrestling 2/4/89