WWF Superstars of Wrestling – April 8th, 1989

April 8, 1989

From the Convention Center in El Paso, TX

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

The show starts off with highlights from the Hulk Hogan vs. Randy Savage match from WrestleMania V. After that, we are shown Gene Okerlund interviewing Elizabeth from after the match when Sensational Sherri interrupts to yell at Elizabeth, saying the better man did not win. Savage comes in and blames Elizabeth for the fact he lost the title. He then grabs her arm as Elizabeth goes down to her knees and says it hurts as Savage tells her that he is also hurting himself. He then winds up to hit her but Hogan runs in for the save. However, Sherri comes back and grabs Hogan’s hair as Savage hits him with the belt. Savage smashes the belt off of the floor twice before leaving as Hogan is furious, screaming that he is going to get him as he consoles Elizabeth. Good segment that allowed for them to write off Elizabeth for a while. The acting by Elizabeth was really bad here though I must say but not enough to ruin the segment.

Tito Santana vs. Jose Estrada

Tito catches Estrada with a hip toss then works the arm as the announcers talk about Rick Martel turning on Tito at WrestleMania. We then hear from Martel in an insert promo as he calls Tito a “loser” and that he was the real force behind Strike Force as Tito stays in control of the match. Tito works another armbar as Vince talks about the Strike Force breakup some more as Tito hits a pair of shoulder tackles before getting the win with a flying forearm (3:06).

Thoughts: They are now going forward with the Santana/Martel feud, which was an easy decision to make. I thought the way they split them up was clever and they were not that over of a team at this point anyway.

We now hear from “The Genius” Lanny Poffo as he reads us a poem telling us how many different languages he can speak and that he is the world’s smartest man. After that, Vince tells us he needs Pepto Bismol because it made him nauseous. This was the debut of the Genius character and I always thought it was clever and Poffo did a great job with the material.

Omar Atlas & Scott Casey vs. The Brainbusters

Casey tries to fight off the Brainbusters as we hear from the Bushwhackers in an insert promo as they talk about showing the Brainbusters who is the better team. Atlas tags but gets beaten down in the corner as they announcers debate whether or not the Brainbusters should be the #1 contenders for the Tag Team Titles. Atlas fights back but Arn helps Tully block a monkey flip then they distract the ref long enough to hit Atlas with a spike piledriver for the win (3:07).

Thoughts: With the way the announcers were talking, it certainly seemed like they were going to make the Brainbusters #1 contenders sooner rather than later.

Sean Mooney is in the Event Center to hype up the May 6th card in Nashville, TN. Demolition runs down the Twin Towers while Mr. Perfect says he will prove that Bret Hart is not perfect.

Clips of Bobby Heenan getting destroyed by the Ultimate Warrior from WrestleMania V after cheating him out of the title.

Frankie Valdez vs. Bad News Brown

Valdez tries to attack Bad News from behind in the aisle but ends up getting destroyed. Jesse then gloats and teases Vince that he was right in saying Rude would win the Intercontinental Title. Bad News continues to beat on Valdez until he puts him away with the Ghetto Blaster (2:12). After the match, Bad News slaps Valdez around.

Thoughts: Another dominating TV squash win for Bad News but there was no mention at all of his match against Jim Duggan at WrestleMania as they seem to be in the midst of trying to find something for him to do.

Mooney is back in the Event Center to tell us about the May 6th show in Nashville. Tito Santana cuts a promo on Rick Martel and promises to prove that he was force behind Strike Force. Brooklyn Brawler & Bobby Heenan cut a promo on the Red Rooster to hype up their match.

Ted DiBiase is with Virgil to gloat about being on the cover of “WWF Magazine” and for us to go out and by a copy before he sends Virgil out to by them all.

Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake vs. Steve Stone

Stone lands a few shots but gets hit with a knee smash. He beats on Stone and hits a slam but Stone comes back with an eye rake. Stone lands some chops in the corner but gets caught with a clothesline as Beefcake then puts him away with a sleeper (2:31). After the match, Beefcake gives Stone a haircut.

Thoughts: No mention of Beefcake’s match against DiBiase at WrestleMania as this was all about establishing his gimmick, much like what they did with Bad News in the match prior.

The announcers tell us that “No Holds Barred” will be coming to theaters soon.

Brother Love Show with the Twin Towers & Slick. Brother Love introduced them as the future Tag Team Champions. He puts them over for their size and power as Slick tells us he is right as they are the most awesome tag team ever assembled in WWF history and will eventually become Tag Team Champions. Basic promo as they seem to be starting a new Tag Team Title feud.

We are shown clips from the Andre the Giant vs. Jake Roberts match at WrestleMania V, with Big John Studd as the special guest referee. Studd is then shown telling Andre the whole world saw he is as big of a giant as him and that Andre is a giant with a yellow streak down his back. Studd then promises to slam Andre when they meet in the ring. Studd’s babyface promos left a lot to be desired as this is a feud that never amounted to anything.

Photos of Hogan in “No Holds Barred” are shown in the newest edition of WWF Magazine. Jesse is pissed that Hogan is invading Hollywood, saying its his territory.

The Barbarian w/ Mr. Fuji vs. Ricki Ataki

Barbarian beats on Ataki as we hear from Jim Neidhart in an insert promo as he tells Barbarian he better be able to take pain as much as he can dish it out. Barbarian then boots Ataki over the top rope before bringing him back in and hitting a flying clothesline for the win (1:37).

Thoughts: The Barbarian looked more impressive as a singles act than he did with the Warlord. Looks like the WWF is now running singles feuds with members of the Hart Foundation and Powers of Pain.

We are once again in the Event Center with Mooney to hype the May 6th Nashville show. Jimmy Hart and the Honky Tonk Man run down Hillbilly Jim while the Ultimate Warrior rants and raves while telling Rude he will begin to have a nasty nightmare for the rest of his life.

In action next week will be the Bushwhackers, Red Rooster, Mr. Perfect, and Jake Roberts. Plus, the Brother Love Show with Randy Savage as he will introduce us to his newest manager.

Final Thoughts: Good show. They focused on new feuds and the direction they will be going in now that WrestleMania has ended. They also introduced some new characters and next week Savage will announce his newest manager, even though they pretty much telegraphed that here.

Monday: WWF Wrestling Challenge 4/9/89

Tuesday: WWF Superstars of Wrestling 4/15/89

Wednesday: EVOLVE 69

Thursday: Kayfabe Commentaries Timeline Series: 2oo6 WWE Blue as told by Fit Finlay

Friday: WWF Wrestling Challenge 4/16/89

Saturday: Mid-South Wrestling 5/6/82

Sunday: WWF Superstars of Wrestling 4/22/89