WWF Superstars of Wrestling – October 15th, 1988

Going forward, my WWF reviews that usually post Tuesday evenings will occur in the early afternoon due to Smackdown airing live Tuesday nights.

October 15, 1988

From the Market Square Arena in Indianapolis, IN

Your hosts are Jesse “The Body” Ventura and Vince McMahon

This week in action we will see Hercules, Rick Rude, Blue Blazer, and the Hart Foundation. Plus, Hacksaw Jim Duggan will be the guest of the “Brother Love Show” and more.

David Isley vs. “Ravishing” Rick Rude w/ Bobby Heenan

Rude continues to wear his Cheryl Roberts tights. Rude beats on Isley as Jesse specualtes that Cheryl is lusting after Rude because her husband Jake spends too much time with his snake. Rude gyrates then shakes his ass before putting Isley away with the Rude Awakening (1:13). After the match, Rude makes hot with some blond from the crowd.

Thoughts: Rude’s heel act was so awesome here. He was such a prick. And this feud is still going strong as it almost reaches the six-month point.

WWF Update with Gene Okerlund. This week’s focus is the Tag Team Division and how many challengers there are to Demolition. We are also shown an article in “WWF Magazine” about the Hart Foundation and the Rougeau Brothers feud, with Jimmy Hart managing the Rougeaus and still owning the Hart Foundation’s contracts. We get a clip of the Rougeaus and Jimmy Hart, as they talk about being “All-American boys.”

We get another plug for the Survivor Series PPV, which will air Thanksgiving Night.

Blue Blazer vs. Joe Cruz

Blazer works the arm to start as the announcers speculate who is under the mask as the Blazer, who hits Cruz with a flying body press for two. Blazer follows with a backdrop then a gutwrench suplex as Jesse compares the Blazer to “poetry in motion” in the ring. Cruz chokes out Blazer on the ropes but Blazer breaks free and sends him over the top rope with a dropkick. Blazer then flies out with a tope as the fans go nuts then Blazer suplexes Cruz back in from the apron before hitting the moonsault for the win (3:04).

Thoughts: A nice showcase for the Blue Blazer to show off his skill-set. The fans are reacting well to his moves as he is doing stuff no one else in the company really can at this point. Unfortunately, for him, it never led to anything.

Big Bossman w/ Slick vs. Jim Evans

Jesse refers to Vince as a “right-wing, born-again conservative republican” who should be in favor of law and order like the Big Bossman, who is beating on Cruz in the corner. We get an insert promo from Bossman, who tells us he loves to hurt people right before he puts Evans away with a sidewalk slam (1:10). After the match, Bossman cuffs and beats on Evans.

Thoughts: They are really putting over Bossman strong, particularly the post-match handcuff gimmick.

Sean Mooney is in the Event Center. We get a promo from Frenchy Martin and Dino Bravo. Frenchy tells us that is USA is still not okay as Bravo promises to teach us all, especially Jim Duggan, to respect the Quebec flag. After that, the British Bulldogs are shown with Matilda as they mumble about trying hard and for the fans to buy the Matilda dolls. The WWF was doing a lot of shilling of their products here. Dave Meltzer even reported that the company was really going to try and market Hulk Hogan’s war bonnets and push that for the Holiday season.

We get another Mr. Perfect vignette. This time he shows us how he is perfect while winning a game of chess. Much lamer compared to the other vignettes.

Hart Foundation vs. Rick Gantner & Tom Stone

I believe this is the first time the Hart Foundation came out to their theme music on TV. Neidhart runs through Gantner as the announcers talk about the Hart Foundation’s contract situation. Bret tags in and beats on Stone as we hear from the Hart Foundation in an insert promo telling Jimmy Hart they have no forgotten about the fact he is getting 25% of their contract, with Jesse joking the Hart Foundation are dumber than he thought for giving Hart that much when top Hollywood agents get about 10%. Back to the match as the Hart Foundation continue to beat on Stone until they put him away with the Hart Attack (3:25).

Thoughts: The Hart Foundation looked good as their feud with the Rougeaus is heating up. The fans are also fully behind the team.

Mooney is back in the Event Center. We hear from Don Muraco, who says you never stop learning and has never known about defeat since leaving the dark side as he continues to learn. He had more time to learn as he was fired a day or so after this aired. Bobby Heenan and Andre the Giant put over Andre’s size and the fact he is undefeated. Andre then screams about staying undefeated.

“Leaping” Lanny Poffo vs. Red Rooster w/ Bobby Heenan

Poffo’s pre-match promo refers to Terry Taylor as a “flop.” Heenan then takes the mic and tells us from this point on, Taylor will be introduced by his new name, the “Red Rooster.” Rooster attacks Poffo before the bell and hits a jawbreaker. Taylor follows with a clothesline then runs over to take advice from Heenan. We get an insert promo from Heenan, who tells us he is going to groom a man with limited ability, size, and intelligence into a champion. Back to the match, Taylor stays in control as Jesse pleads to the kids and even adults at home to not try any of these moves at home. Poffo stars fighting back but Taylor boots him in the stomach then hits a double underhook suplex before putting Poffo away with a Scorpion Death Lock (2:38).

Thoughts: Man, they really shit all over Taylor here, including Poffo. This gimmick was death before he even wrestled his first match. Taylor did not have the red streak in his hair yet and was not cackling like an actual rooster either.

Brother Love Show with guest Hacksaw Jim Duggan. Brother Love introduces Duggan for not having any love for himself, fellow man, or even his country as he refers to him as “Doogan.” Duggan comes out and yells at Love to get out of his face as he yells “hoooo” to the crowd. Frenchy Martin and Dino Bravo come out as Duggan yells at Love for questioning is patriotism. Duggan tells Bravo that he might not be a strongman but is not a dumbbell and will fight back. Bravo and Duggan go back-and-forth on the mic until Duggan chases everyone off with his 2×4 then leads the crowd into a “USA” chant. Another Duggan feud against an evil foreigner. At least the crowd liked Duggan.

“The Outlaw” Ron Bass vs. Mike Richards

Before the match, Bass chases Richards around with his spurs. He puts them away then starts gauging the eyes of Richards as the announcers put over the article in “WWF Magazine” on the Bass and Brutus Beefcake feud. Bass catches Richards with a back elbow smash as a mild chant for Beefcake breaks out then Bass gets the win with a gourdbuster (1:28). After the match, Bass hangs Richards over the rope with Miss Betsy.

Thoughts: They are continuing to push Bass as a badass while he feuds with Beefcake.

Another Survivors Series add airs.

Hercules vs. Barry Horowitz

Hercules also has new theme music. Hercules side steps a charge then hammers away on Horowitz. Hercules slams Horowitz then drops an elbow as Jesse accuses Vince of jumping on the Hercules bandwagon because he is no longer managed by Heenan. We get an insert promo from Ted DiBiase, who says Hercules is his slave and will beat him so he can learn his new position in life. Back to the match as Hercules remains in control until putting Horowitz away with the backbreaker submission (1:38).

Thoughts: Hercules got some cheers here in his first appearance on TV as a babyface.

Mooney is once again in the Event Center. We hear from Jimmy Hart and the Honky Tonk Man as they are upset over the face the Ultimate Warrior is the Intercontinental Champion as the fans want to see him as the champion and listen to his music instead of “heavy metal.” Koko B. Ware then sings to Frankie about climbing to the top of the WWF.

Next week in action will be the Powers of Pain, Akeem, King Haku, and Jake Roberts. Plus, the Brother Love Show with guest Hulk Hogan and more!

Final Thoughts: Overall, a decent showing. They put over the top feuds and reminded us again that Survivor Series was coming back, which I’m sure we will find out about more next week when Hogan makes an appearance on the “Brother Love Show.” They also introduced the Red Rooster gimmick and strongly put over the rest of the wrestlers who appeared on the show.

Here is my schedule for the rest of the week:

Wednesday: EVOLVE 64 7/16/16

Thursday: Highspots Presents: Crockett Diaries with Jim Cornette

Friday: WWF Wrestling Challenge 10/16/88

Saturday: WWF Superstars of Wrestling 10/22/88

Saturday: Mid-South Wrestling 1/28/82

Sunday: WWF Wrestling Challenge 10/23/88

Monday: WWF Madison Square Garden 10/24/88

Tuesday: WWF Superstars of Wrestling 10/29/88