March 11, 1990
From the Tuscon Convention Center in Tuscon, AZ
Your hosts are Tony Schiavone and Gorilla Monsoon
In action this week are the Ultimate Warrior, Mr. Perfect, Jake Roberts, Rick Rude, and Earthquake. Plus, comments from Hulk Hogan and an interview with Roddy Piper.
Jake “The Snake” Roberts vs. “Playboy” Buddy Rose
Jake works the arm to start as Gorilla plugs the newest edition of “WWF Magazine” with Big Bossman on the cover as there is an article on Jake. Rose targets the back of Jake but gets knocked outside. Jake heads out then ends up running Rose into the steps. Back inside, Rose kicks Jake then hits a slam but heads up top and gets slammed off before Jake puts him away with the DDT (2:36). After the match, Jake dumps Damien on top of Rose.
Thoughts: Fun squash match here. Interestingly enough, Bossman & Jake were going up against Akeem & DiBiase at the house shows around this time.
WWF Special Report with Lord Alfred Hayes. This is the same from “Superstars of Wrestling” as we learn that Mr. Fuji has sold The Warlord to Slick and The Barbarian to Bobby Heenan since he has a new tag team in the Orient Express.
Mr. Perfect w/ The Genius vs. Jerry Monti
Perfect taunts the fans after punching Monti in the face but Monti fights back. Perfect takes Monti down though then yells at him and roughs him up before hitting the Perfect Plex for the win (1:19).
Thoughts: A quick win for Mr. Perfect as he was still being pushed as a house show opponent for Hogan.
The Hulk Hogan and Ultimate Warrior promos from “Superstars of Wrestling.”
Earthquake w/ Jimmy Hart vs. Mark Ming
Earthquake catches Ming with a clothesline as the announcers talk about his WrestleMania match against Hercules. Earthquake then hits a dropkick and a slam as we hear him in an insert promo calling out Hercules before he puts Ming away with a sitdown splash (1:13). After the match, Earthquake hits two more splashes that end up with Ming leaving on a stretcher.
Thoughts: Earthquake showed off some impressive agility here while sporting the ugly brown singlet.
Gene Okerlund welcomes Roddy Piper to the interview platform. Piper faces away from Okerlund then turns around halfway. He talks about coming from Glasgow, Scotland then about how he asked Sapphire what they thought about Bad News Brown in Harlem. Sapphire told Piper they do not consider Bad News either white or black but rather a jerk then turns around fully to reveal half of his face painted black. He then talks about being either black or white if he wants because what matters is on the inside. Piper makes fun of Bad News for shaving his head before saying they were unable to find anyone else willing to face him before promising victory at WrestleMania. Yeah, this would never make it to air today. According to Bruce Prichard, Piper thought this angle would not come off as offensive because he was from another country. He was trying to make the point that you judge people on their actions and what they have inside but still did it with face half-painted black.
Pez Whatley vs. “Ravishing” Rick Rude w/ Bobby Heenan
Rude calls out Jimmy Snuka in an insert promo as he promises to teach the old dog some new tricks at WrestleMania VI. Whatley hits a backdrop and a dropkick but Rude brushes away a second attempt and soon after that hits the Rude Awakening for the win (1:11). After the match, Rude gives a woman the Rude Awakening.
Thoughts: A quick win for Rude as his match against Snuka at WrestleMania VI was pushed.
Hacksaw Jim Duggan vs. Iron Mike Sharpe
Sharpe taunts the crowd then they chant “USA” as Duggan sends Sharpe outside after a clothesline. Sharpe yanks Duggan out but gets run into the post then they fight back in the ring as the announcers talk about Duggan vs. Dino Bravo at WrestleMania before Duggan hits the Three Point Stance for the win (2:26).
Thoughts: Not a bad little match that would have been better eight years earlier in Mid-South. This was to put Duggan over for his match against Bravo at WrestleMania VI.
WrestleMania VI Report
Brooklyn Brawler vs. Ultimate Warrior
Warrior runs in and hits a clothesline before the press slam/splash combo gets the win (0:19). After the match, Warrior shoves Brawler underneath the ring before running backstage.
Thoughts: Really brief as Warrior continues to act stranger in the build to WrestleMania VI.
In action next week are the Hart Foundation, Demolition, Orient Express, and the Big Bossman. Plus, an interview with Macho King Randy Savage and highlights from the Hogan vs. Bravo match from “Superstars of Wrestling.”
Final Thoughts: Besides the Piper interview there was nothing else important that happened here as the Road to WrestleMania VI continues.
Here is my schedule for the next several days:
Saturday: Mid-South Wrestling 11/11/82
Sunday: WWF Prime Time Wrestling 3/12/90
Monday: WWF Superstars of Wrestling 3/17/90
Tuesday: WWF Wrestling Challenge 3/18/90
Wednesday: RevPro British J Cup 2017 7/8/17
Thursday: Shoot Interview TBD
Friday: WWF Superstars of Wrestling 3/24/90