WWF Prime Time Wrestling – July 10th, 1989

July 10, 1989

Your hosts are Bobby “The Brain” Heenan and Gorilla Monsoon

The show starts with Heenan and Monsoon arguing as Monsoon said Heenan went to the producer and wanted it to be the “Bobby Heenan Family” program. Heenan is pissed that no members of his family will be featured on the program and that he does not get enough time to do what he wants on the show.

Akeem w/ Slick vs. Chris Allen

This is from the 6/28 “Superstars of Wrestling” taping from Rochester, NY. Tony Schiavone & Lord Alfred Hayes are on commentary. Akeem destroys Allen and beats him down until putting this poor guy out of his misery with a splash (2:08).

Thoughts: Not much to say about this other than their was no mention of the Twin Towers.

Replay of the “WWF Update” segment which covers Tito Santana attacking Rick Martel & Slick on the “Brother Love Show” after the two kept trash-talking him.

Back to the studio, Heenan tells Monsoon he is talented enough to get his own show as Monsoon tells him to go make it happen.

Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake vs. Chris Evans

This was also shown on the 7/16 edition of “Wrestling Challenge.” Beefcake hammers away on Evans then hits a slam. He picks Evans back up for a press slam and after that signals for the sleeper and puts that on for the win (1:26). After the match, Beefcake gives Evans a haircut.

Thoughts: Say what you want about Beefcake being Hogan’s friend but he was insanely over at this point with the crowds. He warranted this push on that alone.

Replay of the match where referee Ronnie Garvin disqualified Dino Bravo for not breaking in the corner. Garvin then knocked Bravo down.

The Bushwhackers vs. Barry Hardy & Sonny Austin

This match also aired on the 7/15 episode of “Superstars of Wrestling” taping with Schiavone & Hayes on commentary. The Bushwhackers embarrass Austin then do the same to Hardy. Austin tags back into the match and gets hit with the battering ram then the Bushwhackers put him away with a double gutbuster (2:25).

Thoughts: The Bushwhackers did their usual antics to the delight of the crowd.

We are in the studio again as Heenan is told by Monsoon he is not needed and can be replaced. Heenan says he can buy the show and the entire crew. The arguing between the two has really intensified this episode.

Honky Tonk Man w/ Jimmy Hart vs. Al Bermice

This match also aired on the 7/15 edition of “Superstars of Wrestlng.” We hear from Jimmy Snuka in an insert promo telling Honky to enjoy himself as he will soon find out what the Superfly is all about. Honky puts Bermice in a chinlock then beats him down and taunts the crowd. Honky stays in control before putting Bermice away with the Shake, Rattle, and Roll (2:10).

Thoughts: Quick match to continue the Honky/Snuka feud.

Greg “The Hammer” Valentine w/ Jimmy Hart vs. Koko B. Ware

This is from the 6/7 “Wrestling Challenge” Tapings in Rockford, IL. Schiavone & Hayes are on commentary. Valentine hits a pair of slams as Hart mocks Koko from the outside. Both men trade chops in the corner as Koko ends up taking Valentine down with a headbutt. Valentine begs for mercy after getting dropkicked but ends up getting hit with an atomic drop. Koko gets two with a headbutt as Valentine grabbed the ropes. Hart now shouts into his megaphone at Frankie as Valentine takes over. Koko wins a slugfest but Valentine takes him down and puts his feet on the ropes for leverage as he rolls up Koko for the win. However, Ronnie Garvin comes into the ring and talks with referee Joey Marella and tells him that Valentine cheated by using the ropes as the referee reverses the decision (4:53) *1/2. After the match, Koko dropkicks Valentine, who is irate and ends up leaving.

Thoughts: The action was alright but they’ve now furthered the story between Garvin and Valentine, with Garvin actually costing Valentine a match.

Replay of Okerlund interviewing Demolition from the 7/9/89 edition of WWF Wrestling Challenge.

Back in the studio, Heenan and Monsoon argue again as Heenan finally leaves and tells Monsoon to fill his chair with someone else. Monsoon tells us he will be back, like he always does.

Jimmy Snuka squash match win from the 7/8/89 edition of Superstars.

Tony Schiavone is in the “Coliseum Corner” as we are shown clips of the Hart Foundation & Jim Duggan vs. Fabulous Rougeaus & Dino Bravo match from the Royal Rumble.

Monsoon is on the phone telling someone about the vacant seat on the show.

Ultimate Warrior vs. Mike Williams

This is another match that would be shown from the 7/15 edition of “Superstars of Wrestling.” Warrior immediately beats on Williams then yells at the camera about reclaiming the Intercontinental Title. Rick Rude is shown in an insert promo mocking Warrior for losing to him at WrestleMania V then Warrior gets the win with a press slam/splash combo (1:56). After the match, Warrior carries Williams backstage.

Thoughts: The Warrior continues to destroy everything in his path as he is on a mission to reclaim the Intercontinental Title.

Replay of the “Brother Love Show” from the 7/8 edition of Superstars where Randy Savage & Zeus challenge Brutus Beefcake & Hulk Hogan to a match.

Dusty Rhodes butcher shop vignette airs.

Heenan comes back to the studio and lets us know he’s stopping by and after meeting with the USA Network, he will have his own show starting next week and no one else on the crew will have anything to do with him. Heenan then throws stuff around and takes his sign as he tells Monsoon he will never be on the show as Monsoon does not care.

“Million Dollar Man” Ted Dibiase w/ Virgil vs. Mario Mancini

Another match that aired on the 7/15 edition of “Superstars of Wrestling.” DiBiase shows off the Million Dollar Belt then brags about putting Jake Roberts out of wrestling. DiBiase taunts Mancini but gets decked and taken down with an armdrag. DiBiase regroups before beating the crap out of Mancini and puts him away with the Million Dollar Dream (1:24).

Thoughts: DiBiase’s current gimmick is now bragging about putting Jake Roberts out of wrestling.

Hillbilly Jim vs. Boris Zhukov

This is billed as the “featured match” of the show. It was also taped at the 6/28 Superstars taping. Zhukov stalls as he complains about the lucky horseshoe that’s placed in the corner. Jim kicks Zhukov then catches his leg and stomps the foot. He puts Zhukov in a side headlock then sidesteps a backdrop attempt with a cartwheel. Jim softens up the leg but Zhukov fights back and stars biting and using eye rakes. Jim decks Zhukov in the gut as Zhukov goes over to the horseshoe but that allows Jim to attack from behind and eventually get the win with a boot to the face (3:16) DUD.

Thoughts: Terrible match and the finish looked awful. No idea why Jim was getting a midcard push at this time.

Monsoon is back in the studio and tells us next week there will be a new co-host and its going to be a surprise.

Final Thoughts: The big news here was that Heenan was getting his own show thus being replaced as the co-host. Its the reason I chose to recap this episode. Other than that the rest of the show was really dull and none of the matches were worth going out of your way to see.

Here is my schedule for the next several days:

Monday: WWF Nassau Coliseum 7/10/89

Tuesday: WWF Superstars of Wrestling 7/15/89

Wednesday: Revolution Pro Live at the Cockpit 12 1/8/17

Thursday: Shoot Interview TBD

Friday: WWF Wrestling Challenge 7/16/89

Saturday: Mid-South Wrestling 5/27/82

Sunday: WWF Prime Time Wrestling 7/17/89