WWF Superstars of Wrestling March 12, 1988

March 12, 1988

From the Kansas Coliseum in Wichita, KS

Your hosts are Bruno Sammartino, Jesse “The Body” Ventura, and Vince McMahon. (This is Bruno’s final appearance as a commentator)

In action this week will be the Ultimate Warrior, Bam Bam Bigelow, Bad News Brown, and Hacksaw Jim Duggan

Ultimate Warrior vs. Tom Stone

Warrior beats on Stone outside of the ring as the announcers talk about his WrestleMania match against Hercules. The action heads back inside as Warrior takes Stone down with a clothesline. The fans are loving the Warrior as we get an insert promo from Hercules, who tells Warrior he has been condemned and will be destroyed at WrestleMania IV. Warrior then hits a scoop slam before putting Stone away with a splash (2:12).

Thoughts: The Warrior continues to get over here as he heads into WrestleMania to face Hercules.

WWF Update with Craig DeGeorge. This week, we look back at the four year title reign of Hulk Hogan as we see him beating the Iron Sheik for the title at the 1/23/84 Madison Square Garden show and that is followed by the “Real American” video. After that, we see a clip of Hogan almost losing to Andre the Giant at WrestleMania III and the events that led to their match at the “Main Event,” where we got the “evil referee” angle, resulting in the title being vacated with a new winner crowned at WrestleMania IV in a tournament. Hogan is then shown telling us that Hulkamania is growing and that anyone it is way will get “ground up and spit out” as Hulkamania will never die. A nice, little recap of the Hogan’s title reign.

Bob Uecker is with Jake Roberts, who promises to teach Uecker how to hold Damien for WrestleMania IV. Uecker is afraid of the snake but tries to maintain is composure. As usual, Uecker was good in his role.

Hacksaw Jim Duggan vs. Barry Horowitz

Duggan wins a slugfest to start. He beats on Horowitz in the corner then catches him with a clothesline. Vince predicts that Duggan will beat Ted DiBiase in their first-round match at WrestleMania IV as Duggan catches Horowitz with a slam before hitting the Three Point Stance for the win (1:35).

Thoughts: Quick match to put over Duggan as a threat in the title tournament.

DeGeorge is with Koko B. Ware and the British Bulldogs, who are happy that Matilda will be back at ringside for their match at WrestleMania IV. Koko also sings about the match briefly before we are shown a promo from The Islanders and Bobby Heenan, who promises to make the “vet” some money after their match. The anti-animal Heenan stuff would never make it to air today.

Vanna White is telling us that the “puzzle will be solved” at WrestleMania IV when a new WWF World Heavyweight Champion is crowned. About as corny as it reads.

Bad News Brown vs. Lance Allen

Brown attacks Allen before the bell. He roughs him up for a bit as the announcers talk about his involvement in the WrestleMania IV Battle Royal then we get an insert promo from Bad News, telling people who step in his way that the better have the “insurance paid and the will made out.” Brown roughs up Allen some more then gets the win with an enziguiri (1:40).

Thoughts: They were still trying to establish Brown’s character here. His finisher was not known as the “Ghetto Blaster” yet at this point.

Gene Okerlund is with Mr. Fuji and Demolition, who say they train to demolish people and win. Ax tells Strike Force they cannot hide any longer then we are shown Strike Force’s promo as they promise to show Demolition what kind of team they are when they face off at WrestleMania IV. Weak promo from Strike Force, which isnt much of a shock.

Brian Costello vs. Bam Bam Bigelow w/ Oliver Humperdink

Bigelow knocks Costello down as the announcers put over his agility. He hits a slam as we get an insert promo from Slick, who informs Bigelow that as of March 27th, he will fall on hard times as the One Man Gang pins him en route to Slick being crowned as the first black manager of the World Champion. Bigelow then puts Costello away with a diving headbutt (1:29). Vince notes that Bigelow could be our next champion.

Thoughts: Much like the Duggan match, the goal here was the same: Put over the winner as someone with a legitimate shot to win the tournament.

DeGeorge is on the interview platform with Virgil, Ted DiBiase, and Andre the Giant, who is asked about facing Hogan in the second round. Andre points out that he has beat Hogan before saying that the Hulkamaniacs will all want to be like him after he beats him again. DiBiase talks about being ripped off and how the only satisfaction he has is that the belt is no longer around Hogan’s waist. He then moves on to his opponent in the first round, Jim Duggan, and says that he is a “bumbling idiot.” I am really digging Andre’s promos leading up to WrestleMania IV.

WrestleMania IV Report with Craig DeGeorge. He runs down the matches on the show and the celebrities that will be appearing.

Dino Bravo w/ Frenchy Martin vs. Johnnie Stewart

Before the match, Martin mumbles in French and it actually draws some heel heat for once. Bravo backs the “Illustrious One” in the corner then hammers away. Bravo hits a slam and an elbow drop as Vince accuses Jesse of assisting Bravo in setting the World Bench Press record. We get an insert promo from Don Muraco, telling Bravo not to look past him in the first round but rather to look him in the eyes. Bravo continues to overpower Stewart before putting him away with a side slam (1:53).

Thoughts: They pushed the Muraco/Bravo first-round match, which is arguably the least exciting of the entire tournament.

DeGeorge is with Brutus Beefcake, who will prove to the world he can beat the Honky Tonk Man at WrestleMania. We are then shown a clip from the Honky Tonk Man and Jimmy Hart’s interview as they state Beefcake will not be “cutting and strutting” when they face each other. Basic interview segment to hype their match.

In action next week will be Strike Force, Koko B. Ware, and the One Man Gang. Plus, we will hear from Gladys Knight and the Pips.

Final Thoughts: Lots of WrestleMania hype here. With a majority of the show revolving around the tournament, the hype is becoming repetitive due to the fact there are not many feuds to progress. Even still, they are doing everything they can to make the matches seem important.

Here is my schedule for the next several days:

Sunday: WWF Saturday Night’s Main Event 3/12/18

Monday: PWG 2015 Battle of Los Angeles, Final Stage 8/30/15

Tuesday: WWF Wrestling Challenge 3/13/88

Thursday: RF Video Shoot Interview with Mr. Fuji

Friday: WWF Superstars of Wrestling 3/19/88

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