February 16, 1991
From the Macon Coliseum in Macon, GA
Your hosts are Vince McMahon and Roddy Piper. A whacked out Piper sells us on the Tag Team Battle Royal, with the winner receiving a title shot at WrestleMania.
This week, besides the battle royal, we will have a new WrestleMania Report. The Undertaker will be a guest on the “Brother Love Show” and those in action include Tito Santana, Rick Martel, and Texas Tornado.
Tito Santana vs. Ted Oates
Vince tells us that he has heard a rumor of Tito being part of WrestleMania VII, making him one of the few that have been in every WrestleMania. Tito works over Oates then we hear from him in an insert promo where he tells us how he’s ready for WrestleMania and that seven is his lucky number. Piper tells us that Virgil is ready for WrestleMania as Oates beats on Tito. Oates gets a one count after a snapmare as Piper hints that Virgil will be facing DiBiase at WrestleMania then Tito fights back and hits the flying forearm for the win (1:58).
Thoughts: Two things here. First, they are building up Tito slightly by saying he has taken part of every WrestleMania. Second, it seems we are getting DiBiase vs. Virgil at WrestleMania based off of Piper’s comments.
The Virgil & Roddy Piper interview that was shown on this weekend’s “Wrestling Challenge” is shown.
Sonny Blaze vs. The Mountie w/ Jimmy Hart
The Mountie beats on Blaze then tells us in an insert promo that he solves what’s wrong. Hart tells us the Mountie always gets his man then Mountie picks up the win with a nerve hold (1:20). After the match, Mountie cuffs Blaze then shocks him with the cattle prod.
Thoughts: Another win to establish The Mountie as an act. His character is still being introduced to the audience.
Tag Team Battle Royal: Power & Glory, Demolition, Legion of Doom, Nasty Boys, The Rockers, The Bushwhackers, and The Orient Express
We get a giant brawl to start as Vince reminds us once a member of a team is eliminated then the entire team is eliminated. The uninspired brawling continues then The Rockers eliminate Smash with a double dropkick in one really goofy elimination spot (2:20). Smashed was way too far away from the ropes to make that look good. Crush refuses to leave then The Orient Express get rid of Bushwhacker Luke as we are down to four teams (2:40). Marty holds up Knobbs but is accidentally dropkicked by Shawn as The Rockers are eliminated (3:02). The Rockers then hug on the outside to show they are still on the same page. We get more brawling until Hawk dumps Kato with a back drop (4:49). Hawk also tosses Tanaka outside with a press slam. Roma slips outside but Animal tossing him back inside as Power & Glory and The Nasty Boys are teaming up against the LoD. Roma comes off the top with a crossbody but Animal catches him and dumps him out as we are down to the final two teams (5:51). The LoD now set up for the Doomsday Device but Roma pulls Hawk off of the top and he is eliminated as The Nasty Boys are going to challenge for the Tag Team Titles (6:19) *1/4.
Thoughts: The finish was creative and set up a new feud but the rest of the action was lacking. According to the Nasty Boys in their shoot interview with RF Video, Roma kept coming up to them pissed off stating they were originally going to win this match and it got to the point were he got Hercules fired up enough to try and fight the Nasty Boys. The Rockers elimination spot is something to keep in mind.
Texas Tornado vs. Darryl Woodworth
Tornado nails Woodworth as we see an insert of a “WWF Magazine” article on Tornado’s feud with DiBiase. Tornado then beats on Woodworth in the corner as Vince tells us about President Jack Tunney putting together a panel on instant replay as Tornado hits the Tornado Punch for the win (1:32).
Thoughts: The DiBiase/Tornado feud would get downplayed mighty fast in the coming weeks.
Brother Love Show with guest The Undertaker. Brother Love tells us that he is getting too busy spreading his message of love and will present to us someone whose service he has obtained to guide The Undertaker and brings out “Brother Bearer.” Wrestling fans would notice this as manager Percy Pringle with dyed black hair. Brother Love asks Bearer his first name as Bearer replies “Paul.” Brother Love then tells us he has a vision where he saw Macho King Randy Savage defeating the Ultimate Warrior at WrestleMania and ending his career. Brother Love then tells Warrior not to worry as when his career ends, The Undertaker, Paul Bearer, and himself will lower his casket into the ground. Bearer then tells Warrior to rest in peace.
WrestleMania VII Report with Gene Okerlund. Besides DiBiase vs. Virgil, other matches announced this week are Hart Foundation vs. Nasty Boys for the Tag Team Titles, Greg Valentine vs. Earthquake, and the Texas Tornado vs. Dino Bravo. They also showed the clip from the December ’90 MSG where Valentine turned on Jimmy Hart. Earthquake goes from headlining house shows against Hogan to facing Valentine in a meaningless match. And Tornado facing Bravo tells you what the company thinks of the DiBiase/Tornado feud. Also, Regis Philbin will be a co-host and Paul McGuire will debate instant replay with George Steinbrenner. They initially mentioned Bob Costas would debate with McGuire but he pulled out due to the Slaughter/Hogan storyline.
Okerlund is showing us all of the WWF merchandise available at Toys R Us. The LoD join him too. These spots would air every show during the next several weeks. Back then, WWF merchandise was not easy to come by and primarily acquired through a catalogue and Toys R Us really went all out in selling WWF items. (As a 9 year old, I recall going there and seeing posters of Hogan, Warrior, and The Rockers for the first time not to mention tons of new WWF toys which were common among my friends to give each other as birthday presents).
“The Model” Rick Martel vs. Tommy Landell
Martel works over Landell as we hear from Jake Roberts in an insert promo hyping up their Blindfold Match at WrestleMania. Martel then hits Landell with a backbreaker before using the Boston Crab for the win (1:15). Piper notes that submission holds will be almost impossible in a blindfold match. After the match, Martel attempts to spray Arrogance in his opponent’s eyes but a mysterious masked man runs out and beats him down before taking off. Vince says we will never forget whoever that was.
Thoughts: The big news here is the first appearance of the mystery man who attacked Martel. Although not named, it was Brutus Beefcake under a mask. I will have more about this character in the coming weeks.
We see a vignette of a man breathing fire. When he blows it out you can see Ricky Steamboat’s face. He will be returning to the company after almost three years.
Next week, Sgt. Slaughter will be in action. Also, Macho King Randy Savage & Queen Sherri will be guests on the “Brother Love Show.” The featured match is Virgil w/ Piper vs. Haku w/ DiBiase.
Final Thoughts: We saw the debut of Paul Bearer and Beefcake’s masked gimmick on this show. And found out that Ricky Steamboat will be returning to the company. Plus, the #1 contenders to the Tag Team Titles were crowned and more matches for WrestleMania were announced as we are starting to round of the rest of the card.
Here is my schedule for the next several days:
Saturday: Mid-South Wrestling 6/9/83
Sunday: WWF Wrestling Challenge 2/17/91
Monday: WWF Prime Time Wrestling 2/18/91
Tuesday: WWF Superstars of Wrestling 2/23/91
Wednesday: WWF Wrestling Challenge 2/24/91
Thursday: WWF Superstars of Wrestling 3/2/91
Friday: WWF Wrestling Challenge 3/3/91