What the World Was Watching: WWF Prime Time Wrestling – February 5, 1990

Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby Heenan host tonight’s show.

The Bushwhackers squash from the January 29 Wrestling Challenge episode airs. Heenan wonders whether fans need shots after the Bushwhackers lick them. He likens the spectacle to “a petting zoo on the road.”

A replay of the Update segment that focuses on the emerging feud between Brutus Beefcake and Mr. Perfect is shown. Heenan says that Perfect is a hero from rescuing a friend from Beefcake’s bullying.

Rick Martel’s squash from the recent WWF Superstars airs. Monsoon says that Beefcake did not steal Martel’s clothing last month because Martel left it on the interview podium. Heenan argues that Beefcake took Martel’s “one in a kind” clothing and turned it into “none of a kind.”

Monsoon tells fans to call 1-416-872-1111 to get WrestleMania VI tickets. Heenan immediately calls on the banana phone and tries to order 1,500 tickets.

The Rockers squash from last week’s Prime Time Wrestling airs. The WWF must have loved that match because this is the third time it has been shown in a week. Heenan takes issue with how the Rockers can flout rules about who the legal man is in the ring when WWF President Jack Tunney will not let the Colossal Connection do that. Monsoon chides Heenan for making Haku do the heavy lifting for the team.

The Tito Santana-Dino Bravo main event on Wrestling Challenge is shown. Heenan jokes about Santana’s condition after taking an Earthquake Splash, saying that Santana’s chest has not felt that bad since he last ate his mother’s cooking.

In Event Center promos, Demolition argue that no one is going to stop their road back to the top so they can regain the WWF Tag Team Championship. Rick Rude, with Heenan, argues that Hulk Hogan, the Ultimate Warrior, and Roddy Piper are jealous of him.

Rhythm & Blues (w/Jimmy Hart) (4-0) defeat the Mulkey Brothers when the Honky Tonk Man pins Bill after the Shake, Rattle & Roll at 3:01:

The Mulkey Brothers have developed a cult following among wrestling historians and fans in recent years ever since Jim Cornette talked about the Midnight Express escaping with their lives after defeating them in their hometown in the 1980s. Real life brothers, Bill and Randy, the duo were enhancement talents in the NWA, losing to the Road Warriors, Rock N’ Roll Express, and other top teams. Their sole highlight was qualifying for the Second Annual Jim Crockett Memorial Cup in 1987 after beating George South and Gary Royal.

In true WWF fashion the Mulkey’s get different names and are branded as Bill and Tony Mulkey. In the split screen, Hart puts over his team as his brand of number one hits. Schiavone, who is familiar with the Mulkeys work, makes fun of their pasty physiques. Any effort at creating Mulkeymania in the WWF is stymied by Rhythm & Blues deliberate offense. The Honky Tonk Man gets to use his finisher to end the match this time, getting some shine after Greg Valentine has won all four of the team’s squashes in 1990 to this point.

Heenan calls Valentine’s efforts to dance at the end of the squash match as “the Sledge,” cracking Monsoon up. Monsoon floats the idea that there is dissension on the team because Valentine and the Honky Tonk Man have distinguished singles careers and have big egos.

Hercules (2-0) beats Bob Bradley via submission to a torture rack at 1:50:

Tito Santana may have needed fourteen minutes to put away Bradley a few weeks ago on Prime Time but it does not take Hercules that long. Hercules does a few slams, a hiptoss, and the bell is rung too quickly for the finish as Hercules gets Bradley up for a torture rack and the bell goes off before he can flex or lock in the hold.

Heenan says he does not manage Hercules anymore because he could not take direction. After a commercial break, Heenan says that he thinks Jake Roberts is breaking into cars now.

The Jake Roberts-Ted DiBiase match from WWF Superstars is shown, along with the Big Bossman’s face turn. Monsoon says that Slick made a big mistake lying to the Bossman.

Heenan says that Koko B. Ware cannot have a high IQ because of how he dresses.

Koko B. Ware (3-0) pins Kerry Booth after the Ghostbuster at 1:49:

Ware flattens Booth with a missile dropkick and the Ghostbuster to win in less than two minutes. Booth lays out well for the Ghostbuster, staying straight almost all the way down to the canvas.

In the studio, Heenan is on the phone telling Ticketmaster to hold onto his tickets for WrestleMania VI and he will pay later. Monsoon complains that Heenan does this every year and it messes everything up. Monsoon moves on to discuss Heenan’s attire on tonight’s show. Heenan says he went clothes shopping with Rick Martel, stunning Monsoon who says Heenan’s clothes look “Very five and dimeish.”

For Event Center promos, Jimmy Snuka says he pounds canoes, fishes, scuba dives, and surfs to stay in shape. And fighting in the WWF keeps him in shape too, which is why he is here. Dusty Rhodes calls out Randy Savage, saying he and Sapphire are coming for the King and Queen of the WWF. After a commercial break Heenan says he fears Snuka because he is crazy but he makes fun of Snuka saying “TV Wonderland” in his recent promo. Monsoon chides Heenan for making fun of someone “who doesn’t know the English language.”

The Bolshevik squash on Prime Time Wrestling two weeks ago airs. After the match, Monsoon speculates that the Bolsheviks might be seeking political asylum in the United States. That would have been a good storyline twist if that is how the team ended up. The studio conversation shifts to the clash between Hulk Hogan and the Ultimate Warrior, hyping up how impressive the clash between the two was at the Royal Rumble.

A replay of the Hogan and Warrior promos from WWF Superstars are shown.

The Hart Foundation (2-0) defeat the Powers of Pain (w/Mr. Fuji) (2-1) via count out at 10:35 shown:

According to thehistoryofwwe.com, this match took place in Fort Myers, Florida on January 23. Before the match Bret Hart must have struggled to find any kids at ringside because he gives his glasses to a senior citizen, possibly the oldest person to ever receive the Hitman’s shades. The match is slow and dull as the Foundation spend a lot of time working over the Warlord’s arm and then the Powers deliberately wear out Bret. Even the hot tag segment seems uninspired, with the two teams brawling on the floor after Fuji trips Jim Neidhart. Fuji accidentally hits the Warlord with his cane in the midst of that brawl and that allows Neidhart to roll in for a cheap count out win. Rating: *

After the match, Bret uses Fuji’s cane to beat up the Powers and forces them to flee. Then, Neidhart breaks it when Fuji wants it back.

Monsoon promises that the WrestleMania VI main event will be revealed on next week’s telecast. Heenan spends the rest of the show putting over his appearances in Milwaukee, Minneapolis, and Scranton this weekend.

Tune in next week to see Jimmy Snuka & Ronnie Garvin face Rhythm & Blues!

The Last Word: This show was largely a recap of the weekend’s events. The Powers of Pain are struggling to get traction in 1990 and are becoming a forgotten act in the tag team scene.

Up Next: WWF Superstars for February 10!