WWF Superstars of Wrestling – April 22nd, 1989

April 22, 1989

From the Glens Falls Civic Center in Glens Falls, NY

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

This week’s featured match is “Rugged” Ronnie Garvin vs. Greg Valentine. Also in action will be the Twin Towers, Jake Roberts, and Rick Rude. Plus, Brutus Beefcake as a guest on the “Brother Love Show” and more!

Hacksaw Jim Duggan vs. George South

Jesse breaks the news that Danny Davis has been reinstated as a referee but in doing so had to give up being a wrestler. Duggan takes control as the announcers talk about Davis. He slams South then puts him away with the Three Point Stance (1:49).

Thoughts: This was really about the news of Danny Davis going back to the referee under a probation period as he is no longer a wrestler. He was really just a TV enhancement talent at this point anyway so the move made sense.

WWF Update with Gene Okerlund. This was the news of Randy Savage naming Sensational Sherri is new manager as we saw clips of that from last week’s show.

Big John Studd vs. Mitch Casey

Casey lands several shots with minimal effect and ends up getting tossed outside. We hear from Bobby Heenan and Andre the Giant, who tells Studd he is the only giant. Studd hits a suplex then makes Casey submit with a bearhug (1:21).

Thoughts: They are gearing up for the Studd/Andre feud

“No Holds Barred” will be released on June 2nd.

Slick heads down to the ring as Terry Daniels is awaiting his opponent. He says that he is here to introduce his newest protege and brings out Rick Martel.

Terry Daniels vs. Rick Martel w/Slick

Martel sidesteps Daniels with a cartwheel then jogs in place as he is acting very cocky. We hear from Tito Santana in an insert promo as he is pissed over Martel ditching him at WrestleMania V as he promises to end his plans. Martel then hits a dropkick and a gutwrench suplex before he puts Daniels away with a Boston Crab (1:39).

Thoughts: With Martel now being managed by Slick, its clear that he is going to be pushed as a singles act.

Sean Mooney is in the Event Center to hype the May 6th house show in Nashville, TN. Brutus Beefcake tells Savage he does not have to get through to him before getting to Hogan and promises to clip Savage’s wings. Mr. Perfect then tells Bret Hart is a shame all of his great techniques will be destroyed when he steps into the ring.

“The Genius” Lanny Poffo puts over how he is too smart for all games and crossword puzzles.

“Rugged” Ronnie Garvin vs. Greg “The Hammer” Valentine w/ Jimmy Hart

They start off by shoving each other until Garvin lands a punch. They trade chops then Garvin knocks Valentine down with a headbutt. Valentine comes back with a shinbreaker then taunts Garvin and tries for the figure four but Garvin catches him with a small package for the win (2:14). After the match, Tony Schiavone comes to ringside and interviews Valentine, who accuses the referee to being paid off as there is no way Garvin could ever beat him. He then issues a challenge to Garvin as he puts his career on the line and will quit wrestling forever if he loses.

Thoughts: Good action while it lasted. I could watch these two I also liked how they had Schiavone, making his “Superstars of Wrestling” debut, come out after the match to conduct an interview. Made it feel more important.

Mooney is back in the Event Center for the 5/6 Nashville show. The Twin Towers & Slick run down Demolition as the Ultimate Warrior tells Rick Rude & Bobby Heenan that they will pay the ultimate price.

A vignette for Jimmy Snuka airs as they continue to hype his return to the company.

Twin Towers w/ Slick vs. Dave Lanning & Tony Roy

Akeem beats on both guys as we hear from Demolition, who promise to stand tall against the Twin Towers. Roy is in as the Towers destroy him until Akeem hits a splash for the win (1:21). After the match, Bossman cuffs Lanning to the ropes and beat him with the nightstick.

Thoughts: Quick match to build up the Towers as they feud with Demolition for the belts.

Brother Love Show with guest Brutus Beefcake, who keeps putting down Sensational Sherri and says she should be called “Scary” Sherri and tries to get that chant going. Jesse gets in a dig saying “He doesnt like girls, does he?” as we see Sherri come onto the set. She slaps him for making fun of her and says she is the manager of Randy Savage and to never forget. She then has one more thing to say and that she is a “lady” as that allows Savage to attack Beefcake from behind. They both beat on Beefcake then go into his bag and start cutting his hair. They leave as a few officials try to wake up Beefcake, who is busted open. Great segment. This was the first time on TV that they really played up Beefcake being close to Hogan. The attack came off well too as we now have a new feud for Savage as Hogan is off hyping “No Holds Barred.”

Bret Hart vs. Chris Duffy

Vince tells us that Beefcake is irate in the locker room. Bret works the arm as we hear from Mr. Perfect in an insert promo as he says while Hart is good, he is not perfect. Hart gets dumped outside and Duffy tries to slingshot him in but it gets reversed. Bret then rolls Duffy inside and hits a backdrop before the piledriver gets the win (1:15).

Thoughts: The Bret/Perfect feud is still being pushed here as they are getting ready to go around the house show circuit.

The “No Holds Barred” trailer is shown.

Paul Smith vs. “Ravishing” Rick Rude w/ Bobby Heenan

Rude hits a back suplex as Jesse gloats over the fact he predicted Rude would win the Intercontinental Title. We hear from the Ultimate Warrior as he compares his next encounter with Rude to a nuclear war then Rude hits the Rude Awakening for the win (0:54).

Thoughts: Rude is getting a really good push with the IC Title, as Heenan’s gloating is also a nice touch.

Mooney is in the Event Center for the 5/6 Nashville show. The Blue Blazer puts over his high-flying moves as being able to beat Greg Valentine while Ted DiBiase tells Jake Roberts he did not want his snake, he just wanted it away from ringside.

Tony Schiavone is with both Ronnie Garvin and Greg Valentine as Garvin accepts his challenge. Valentine then wants Garvin to put his career on the line too as Garvin also accepts as these two will face each other next week. Also next week in action will be the Fabulous Rougeau Brothers and the Ultimate Warrior plus an update on the condition of Brutus Beefcake.

Final Thoughts: Good show this week. They started the Garvin/Valentine feud and built up next week’s match well and the Beefcake/Savage angle was awesome. The TV has gotten much better since WrestleMania V and a lot more exciting and unpredictable too.

Here is my schedule for the next several days:

Monday: WWF Wrestling Challenge 4/23/89

Tuesday: WWF Toronto Maple Leaf Gardens 4/23/89

Wednesday: EVOLVE 70

Friday: WWF Superstars of Wrestling 4/29/89

Saturday: Mid-South Wrestling 5/6/82

Sunday: WWF Wrestling Challenge 4/30/89