WWF Superstars of Wrestling – July 22nd, 1989

July 22, 1989

From the Community War Memorial in Rochester, NY

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

In action this week are the Big Bossman, Demolition, Rick Rude, and King Duggan. Plus, comments from Randy Savage & Zeus and Hulk Hogan & Brutus Beefcake along with Dusty Rhodes as a guest of the “Brother Love Show.”

King Duggan vs. The Gladiator

Before the match, Duggan leads the crowd into a Pledge of Allegiance. Duggan beats on the Gladiator then takes off his robe. The crowd chants USA as Duggan stays in control and finishes off The Gladiator with a Three Point Stance (1:54).

Thoughts: A quick match for Duggan to show off his patriotic king gimmick.

WWF Update with Gene Okerlund. This week’s focus is on the SummerSlam PPV. The main event is Randy Savage & Zeus vs. Hulk Hogan & Brutus Beefcake. Also, we learn that Rick Rude will defend the Intercontinental Title against the Ultimate Warrior and Demolition & King Duggan will face Twin Towers & Andre the Giant. Other matches are Dusty Rhodes vs. Honky Tonk Man, Ted DiBiase vs. Jimmy Snuka, Hart Foundation vs. Brainbusters, and Red Rooster vs. Mr. Perfect. Next week, more matches will be announced. We now have several SummerSlam matches announced and can build towards that.

Jim McPherson vs. Big Bossman w/ Slick

McPherson dodges an attack in the corner and tries to use his speed to his advantage but misses a crossbody as Bossman boots him in the ribs. Bossman then hits a jumping headbutt and taunts McPherson to get up before putting him away with a sidewalk slam (1:26). After the match, Bossman appears to go to his post-match routine of beating his opponent but Dusty Rhodes comes out and takes it away. Slick tries to sneak behind Dusty and handcuff him but Dusty takes those away too then hits Bossman with the nightstick. Dusty starts dancing as his theme music plays with the crowd into his act.

Thoughts: Looks like we are getting a Dusty vs. Bossman feud now as the Twin Towers team seems destined to be put on the backburner.

Sean Mooney is in the Event Center to hype the 7/28 Nashville show. We get repeated promos from previous weeks here from Ted DiBiase and Hulk Hogan & Elizabeth.

The Brainbusters w/ Bobby Heenan vs. Dave Paradise & Mike Peskin

The Brainbusters destroy Peskin to start as Jesse picks the Brainbusters to beat the Hart Foundation at SummerSlam as they’ve been teaming up more lately while the Hart Foundation are wrestling as singles. Vince lets us know that Heenan quit his job on “Wrestling Challenge” as the Brainbusters now beat on Paradise. Heenan is then shown in an insert promo talking about carrying “Wrestling Challenge” and will not come back as he is now thinking about himself. Back to the match as Heenan is shown laughing after Arn hit a spinebuster then the Brainbusters hit Paradise with a spike piledriver behind the referee’s back (2:39).

Thoughts: We got more of the Heenan/Gorilla feud here and they continue to put over the Brainbusters strong. There was also no mention of their feud against the Bushwhackers.

Chris Evans vs. Red Rooster

Rooster takes control as we hear from Mr. Perfect in an insert promo as he will show what he is all about at SummerSlam. Rooster stays in control then puts Evans away with a flying chicken wing (2:01).

Thoughts: Brief match to put over the Rooster vs. Perfect match at SummerSlam.

We hear from Randy Savage, Sensational Sherri, and Zeus. Savage tells Hogan & Beefcake they are fools for accepting their challenge as Zeus is banging his chest as this ends with a freeze frame that has drool hanging out of Zeus’s mouth.

Rick Martel w/ Slick vs. Terry Daniels

The crowd taunts Martel with “Tito” chants. The Genius is shown in an insert promo telling us how it would not take Martel long to defeat Tito Santana as Daniels hits a dropkick. Martel avoids a second attempt and stays in control. Martel talks into the camera to tell Tito this is for him as he puts Daniels away with a top rope knee drop (2:54).

Thoughts: Martel looks strong as they pushed his feud against Tito.

Brother Love Show with guest Dusty Rhodes. He introduces Dusty as a “marked man” as Dusty comes out with the Big Bossman’s hat, night stick, and handcuffs. Dusty talks about having the Big Bossman’s stuff and that he is not the judge and jury of “Americana” then ends by having his music played as we are treated to more dancing. They are really going with a Bossman vs. Dusty feud now it seems.

Tony Durante vs. “Ravishing” Rick Rude w/ Bobby Heenan & Andre the Giant

Rude overpowers Durante as Heenan is shown in an insert promo putting over his show. Durante hits a dropkick but runs into a clothesline then Rude hits the Rude Awakening for the win (1:17).

Thoughts: The Warrior vs. Rude feud continues.

Hogan & Beefcake talk about not falling for Savage’s trap and how Zeus is out of his mind. Beefcake talks about having to go just as far as Savage & Zeus to make them stronger to fend off the “madness” that is spreading all over. Hogan then talks about being just as crazy as them because he drinks his own sweat to survive. More wackiness from Hogan here as the SummerSlam main event is destined to get hyped through taped promos.

Demolition vs. Sandy Beach & Iron Mike Sharpe

Demolition beats on Sharpe to start as the announcers talk about their six-man tag match at SummerSlam. Beach tags in and gets his ass kicked to until Demolition puts him away with the Decapitation (2:36).

Thoughts: The announcers hyped the six-man tag at SummerSlam here and not the Towers/Demolition feud.

Another Event Segment to hype the 7/28 Nashville show.

Next week in action are Jimmy Snuka, Mr. Perfect, Brutus Beefcake, and the Powers of Pain. Plus, another SummerSlam report and for the first time dueling guests will be on the “Brother Love Show” as he welcomes Andre the Giant and the Ultimate Warrior.

Final Thoughts: Good show this week. We got an angle to start a new feud and several matches for SummerSlam were announced as well. With the PPV card almost all set, the shows now have a strong focus.

Here is my schedule for the next several days:

Tuesday: WWF Wrestling Challenge 7/23/89

Wednesday: Revolution Pro Wrestling High Stakes 1/21/17

Thursday: Shoot Interview TBD

Friday: WWF Superstars of Wrestling 7/29/89

Sunday: Mid-South Wrestling 6/3/82

Sunday: WWF Saturday Night’s Main Event 7/29/89

Monday: WWF Wrestling Challenge 7/30/89