Vince McMahon and Bobby Heenan are calling the action for today’s episode, which was taped in Springfield, Massachusetts on August 7. According to the historyofwwe.com, the show drew a crowd of 7,700. McMahon is substituting for Gorilla Monsoon, who was having a toe amputated. This is the “go home” show before SummerSlam.
Opening Contest: The Hart Foundation (15-0-1) defeat Barry O & Chris Duffy when Bret Hart pins Duffy after the Hart Attack at 3:24:
Barry O was the son of Bob Orton, Sr. and brother of WWF 1980s star Bob Orton, Jr. He wanted to be a musician but after that went nowhere by 1976, Orton jumped into the wrestling business and competed throughout the 1980s for Stampede Wrestling, Angelo Poffo’s ICW, Ole Anderson’s GCW, Mid-South, and the NWA. He started working for the WWF as an enhancement talent from 1985-1988 and this marked his reappearance.
In the split screen, WWF Tag Team Champions Demolition tell the Foundation to get ready for war tomorrow night at SummerSlam. The squash is longer than it should be, with the Foundation taking their time wearing down Duffy. Neidhart impresses by tossing Duffy halfway across the ring from a backdrop spot and the Foundation roll to a seventh straight win.
Lord Alfred Hayes’ Special Report segment recaps Tugboat being taken out last week on Superstars by Earthquake and Dino Bravo. Afterward, Earthquake, Bravo, and Jimmy Hart promise to put Hulk Hogan out of wrestling forever.
Ted DiBiase (w/Virgil) (17-1-1) beats Mario Mancini via submission to the Million Dollar Dream at 2:38:
Heenan makes some unsavory remarks about the Big Bossman’s mother, giving a clue about the next feud for his family after SummerSlam. Heenan also adds that DiBiase told him that he will be in Philadelphia for the pay-per-view. Mancini misses a reverse flying body press off the second rope and DiBiase follows up with a suplex, powerslam, and Million Dollar Dream for a second easy win over Mancini this year.
Gene Okerlund does the SummerSlam Report.
Non-Title Match: Mr. Perfect (Intercontinental Champion w/Bobby Heenan) (25-2) pins Scott Colontonio with the Perfectplex at 1:51:
The Texas Tornado does an insert promo, promising to win the Intercontinental Championship at Summerslam. Perfect dominates Colontonio after the jobber hiptosses him, showing a mean streak before tomorrow night’s title defense.
A replay of Brother Love’s interview with Hulk Hogan from Superstars airs.
A new Sergeant Slaughter vignette in camouflage. He says that he will talk with Brother Love at SummerSlam about their love of war. Slaughter promises to crush all the fans who are supporting Nikolai Volkoff.
The Orient Express (w/Mr. Fuji) (17-0) defeat Shane Douglas & Mark Thomas when Sato pins Thomas after a sitout powerbomb at 1:44:
For the second time in a week Douglas holds his own against the Express until his jobber partner loses the contest. This is the first time that Douglas is appearing on a show other than Prime Time Wrestling. In the split screen, Hacksaw Jim Duggan and Nikolai Volkoff dismiss the Express’ chances of beating them because they are coming for a fight and not an exchange of fancy moves.
Tune in next week to see Koko B. Ware, Rhythm & Blues, the Big Bossman, and Tugboat in action! Also, there will be a special interview with Sergeant Slaughter!
The Last Word: Fans were probably wondering why Tugboat was not going to be well enough to attend SummerSlam but would be okay to return to action six days later. This show did not provide any new build for SummerSlam, but the company is already laying the foundation for programs afterward between Nikolai Volkoff and Sergeant Slaughter and someone in Bobby Heenan’s family against the Big Bossman.
Here were results of the WWF’s house shows just prior to SummerSlam, with results coming courtesy of thehistoryofwwe.com:
Phoenix, Arizona – Veterans Memorial Coliseum – August 20, 1990 (7,500): Paul Roma pinned Jim Powers…The Warlord defeated Jim Brunzell…Tito Santana beat Black Bart…Rhythm & Blues beat the Bushwhackers…Jake Roberts defeated Bad News Brown via disqualification after Brown hit the referee…Hulk Hogan pinned Dino Bravo.
Long Island, New York – Nassau Coliseum – August 20, 1990 (9,600): Buddy Rose pinned Pez Whatley with a splash…The Orient Express defeated Marty Jannetty & Shane Douglas (substituting for Shawn Michaels) when Sato pinned Douglas with a clothesline…The Brooklyn Brawler beat Jose Luis Rivera with a powerslam…Jimmy Snuka pinned Hercules with the Superfly Splash…The Barbarian defeated Ronnie Garvin…The Big Bossman pinned Ted DiBiase with an inside cradle after avoiding a clothesline…The Ultimate Warrior & the Texas Tornado defeated Rick Rude & Mr. Perfect when the Warrior pinned Perfect with a splash at 15:25.
St. Louis, Missouri – St. Louis Arena – August 24, 1990 (2,500): Dustin Rhodes pinned Black Bart…The Orient Express defeated Marty Jannetty & Shane Douglas (substituting for Shawn Michaels)…Haku beat Barry O…Paul Roma pinned Jim Powers…Jimmy Snuka beat Mike Sharpe…Ted DiBiase defeated the Big Bossman via disqualification…Earthquake pinned Hacksaw Jim Duggan. Prior to the bout, Duggan busted himself open after throwing his 2×4 into the air and mistiming the catch.
Auburn Hills, Michigan – The Palace – August 25, 1990 (2,600): Buddy Rose pinned Jim Brunzell…The Brooklyn Brawler defeated Jose Luis Rivera (substituting for Shane Douglas)…Hercules wrestled Tito Santana to a draw…Hacksaw Jim Duggan, Marty Jannetty & Shane Douglas (substituting for Shawn Michaels) beat the Orient Express & Mr. Fuji…Jimmy Snuka pinned Conquistador #1 (substituting for Rick Martel)…Jake Roberts defeated Bad News Brown via disqualification…Dusty Rhodes & Sapphire (w/Miss Elizabeth) beat Randy Savage & Sensational Sherri (w/Brother Love).
Backstage News*: Tony Atlas’ new gimmick is reported to be something like a Zulu warrior.
*In talent relations news, the WWF has signed Mark Callous from WCW, who did not have him under contract. The WWF also has an interest in Sid Vicious when his WCW contract expires. It also appears certain the Davey Boy Smith will be returning sometime before the end of the year.
*Backstage news is provided courtesy of Dave Meltzer’s Wrestling Observer for September 3.
Up Next: SummerSlam ’90!