Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby Heenan handle studio duties for tonight’s show.
Opening Contest: Earthquake (w/Jimmy Hart) (5-0) pins Mark Young after the Earthquake Splash at 1:31:
This is a great squash to put over Earthquake as Young does a backward flip sell from a clothesline and then Earthquake does a powerslam, elbow drop, and Earthquake Splash to polish the breakdancing youngster off.
After the match, Earthquake drops two additional Earthquake Splashes on Young, who goes into convulsions when loaded onto a stretcher. When Monsoon complains about Earthquake’s behavior, Heenan has a good retort that Monsoon does not care when Brutus Beefcake cuts people’s hair after matches.
The Update segment recaps the announcement of the WrestleMania VI main event. Heenan predicts that the WWF Championship and Intercontinental Championship will not be defended because Hulk Hogan and the Ultimate Warrior do not want to risk losing them.
Hacksaw Jim Duggan (5-1) pins Carl Nelson after a three-point stance clothesline at 1:51:
Duggan throws a few headbutts to depart from his usual formula, but still throws lots of punches to set up the three-point stance clothesline.
The Shawn Michaels-Bret Hart match from Wrestling Challenge airs.
A replay of the Colossal Connection squash match from Wrestling Challenge is shown.
In Event Center promos, Bad News Brown says he does not like Hulk Hogan because his mother told him that anyone that wears yellow deserves to get beat up.
A recap of the Big Bossman’s babyface turn several weeks ago is shown, along with Ted DiBiase’s promo about how anyone that crosses him will pay a price. Monsoon and Heenan argue over the merits of whether the Million Dollar Championship is legitimate.
Al Perez (1-0) beats Paul Roma (0-1) after rolling through a flying body press at 6:13 shown:
This match took place in Madison Square Garden on January 15 and is joined in progress. It has some weird spots as Perez backs up into the ropes to break Roma’s effort at a sunset flip and then he argues with the referee as Roma steps away and takes a breather in the corner. The New York crowd also tires of it quickly, compounded by Perez repeating a sequence of spots where he drops a knee and goes to a chinlock. Roma provides all of the bout’s energy, but his comeback is cut off when Perez rolls through a flying body press to score his second win of the year. Rating: ½*
The Brother Love segment with Rick Martel on Superstars airs.
A replay of the Demolition-Powers of Pain main event on Superstars is shown. Monsoon puts over the idea that Demolition wants to three-peat as tag team champions. Heenan says that the only way that happens is if they put up enough money to get another title shot against the Colossal Connection. He says his team would rather forfeit the titles than do a match where they are not paid their worth.
More Event Center promos air. The Brooklyn Brawler issues an open challenge to the WWF locker room while Hillbilly Jim says he is just happy to be in the company.
Monsoon cracks up as Heenan talks up Rick Rude and urges female fans to tune in for the next match.
Rick Rude (w/Bobby Heenan) (2-0-1) pins Jerry Monti after the Rude Awakening at 2:03:
Rude departs from his usual “sweat hogs” promo bit, referring to Florida fans as “Florida flunkies.” He dismantles Monti by targeting the back before executing the Rude Awakening.
Following the match, Rude kisses a fan after she says she does not want to kiss someone with a skirt. Monsoon says that he is impressed with Rude, while Heenan takes credit for making him so good. After the commercial break, Monsoon and Heenan hype ticket sales for WrestleMania VI.
Rhythm & Blues (w/Jimmy Hart) (5-0) wrestle Ronnie Garvin & Jimmy Snuka to a time-limit draw at 19:10 shown:
This is also a Madison Square Garden bout from January 15 and it offers a blend of the Greg Valentine-Garvin and Honky Tonk Man-Snuka matches that were featured on the house show circuit at that time. Most of the match is Valentine trading stiff strikes with Snuka and Valentine, highlighted by Valentine putting Garvin in the figure-four and it having no effect due to Garvin’s Hammer Jammer. The pace is painfully slow, though, and much of the action means little. Things improve a lot after Snuka gives Garvin a hot tag since Garvin shows much better babyface fire. Honky gets Garvin’s Hammer Jammer off, but Snuka breaks up another figure-four effort and moments later Garvin takes off Valentine’s Heartbreaker. However, the time limit expires before Garvin can lock in a reverse figure-four leglock. The match could have been better if Garvin was placed in peril for most of it instead of Snuka. Rating: **
After the bell, Garvin slams the Honky Tonk Man to set up Snuka’s splash but Valentine is able to save his partner.
Tune in next week to see Bret Hart against Akeem! Also, Tugboat will be in action!
The Last Word: This was a flat episode relative to last week as Heenan’s humor as not as good and the Madison Square Garden bouts dragged. Al Perez has looked awful in his two television appearances and it is little wonder that the WWF gave up on him quickly. However, the tag team match got better by the end, though, and is worth checking out if you liked the Ronnie Garvin-Greg Valentine series.
Up Next: WWF Superstars for February 16!