WWF Superstars of Wrestling in London – October 10th, 1989

October 10, 1989

From the London Arena in London, England

Your hosts are Tony Schiavone and Lord Alfred Hayes

This was broadcast live on Sky One in the UK. Matches include: The Fabulous Rougeaus vs. The Rockers, Honky Tonk Man vs. Jim Duggan, and Hulk Hogan defending the WWF World Heavyweight Title against Randy Savage.

Boris Zhukov w/ Nikolai Volkoff vs. Koko B. Ware

Koko interrupts Zhukov’s rendition of the Soviet National Anthem. Volkoff distracts the ref so his partner can attack Koko from behind. Koko fights back with a pair of dropkicks then an armdrag as Zhukov bails. Back inside, they battle over a test-of-strength that ends with Koko taking Zhukov down with a monkey flip. Zhukov gets dumped out again Koko stays in control until Volkoff pulls the ropes down as Koko falls to the floor. Zhukov beats on Koko, who comes back with a sunset flip for two. Zhukov works a chinlock for a bit then catches a charging Koko with a boot in the corner. Zhukov uses another chinlock until Koko fights out. Zhukov gets two after Koko misses an elbow drop then lands a few shots. Zhukov rams into the post after missing a charge then Koko fires away until he puts Zhukov away with a missile dropkick (11:00) *1/4.

Thoughts: The crowd was rabid to kick off the show. Koko did as good of a job as you could in the ring with Zhukov. Volkoff appeared for the first time in several months too as the Bolsheviks are back. He looked really pleased too and that is pure sarcasm. Speaking of Koko, he was fired two days later after getting involved in a fight with WWF Executive Jim Troy after Troy slapped him across the face when Koko tried to intervene in a verbal altercation between Troy and Shawn Michaels, a story you can read about in my Koko B. Ware shoot interview recap

Dino Bravo w/ Jimmy Hart vs. Bret Hart

Bravo overpowers Bret to start. He hits an inverted atomic drop but Bret comes back with a crossbody for two. Bret runs wild as Bravo bails and regroups with his manager. Bret works the arm for a bit then drops an elbow to avoid a monkey flip before going back to the arm. Bret stays in control until Bravo headbutts him in the gut and kicks out to the floor. Back inside, Bravo works a chinlock then clotheslines Bret for a two count before using a reverse chinlock. Bravo switches to a bearhug but Bret fights back until he gets whipped into the corner. Bravo goes back to the bearhug for a bit but eats boot on a charge. Bret heads up top but misses an elbow then Bravo climbs up but Bret punches him in midair then fires away. He gets a few nearfalls then dropkicks Bravo to the floor. Bret flies out with a pescado then climbs inside but Bravo pulls him off of the apron and heads inside where he taunts the crowd. Bravo tries to suplex Bret inside but Bret floats over then Bravo reverses a rollup and gets the win (16:09) **1/4.

Thoughts: Good effort by Bret as he got a lot out of the bloated Bravo, who got the win here. Bravo was back to being pushed again on TV too for reasons no one can figure out.

Honky Tonk Man w/ Jimmy Hart vs. King Duggan

Despite losing the crown a few weeks prior on TV, Duggan was still the King here. I guess UK was behind on TV. We get stalling from Honky to start then Hart grabs the mic and tells the crowd if they do not shut up, Honky will not sing for them tonight as the fans cheer. Duggan heads out and fires away and rolls Honky outside. He hits a clothesline then goes knocks Honky out to the floor where Duggan uses a double noggin-knocker. Duggan stays in control until Hart grabs his leg as that allows Honky to attack from behind. Honky works a chinlock then drops an elbow for two. Duggan gets out of a chinlock but runs into a knee smash and gets kicked to the floor. Honky heads out and rams Duggan into the post then taunts the fans. Duggan misses a haymaker then Honky hits a back elbow smash for two before going back to working over the neck. Duggan fights out then gets raked in the eyes as Honky hammers away in the corner. Honky misses a charge in the corner then Duggan fights back and hits the Three Point Stance for the win (8:37) *1/2. After the match, Honky hits Duggan with the megaphone and gets beat down but Duggan rolls outside and chases them out of the ring with his 2×4.

Thoughts: This was entertaining enough. Honky really heeled on the crowd and Duggan was over and it was least entertaining despite lacking in action.

Fabulous Rougeau Brothers w/ Jimmy Hart vs. The Rockers

The Rockers hit the Rougeaus with stereo super kicks before the bell rings as their music was still playing. Jacques tries to bait Marty into copying his feats of athleticism so the Rougeaus can use a sneak attack but it fails. Shawn tags and tries to get Jacques to do a backflip off of the top rope as Jacques climbs up and is shaky while the fans clap but he gets off and tells them to be quiet before trying again as the Rockers shake the ropes and he gets crotched. The Rockers work over Jacques, embarrassing him at times. Raymond tags as Marty outsmarts him. The Rockers work over Raymond as Jacques yells at the crowd and calls the Rockers “cheaters.” The Rockers continue to outsmart the Rougeaus until Jacques yanks Shawn’s hair from the apron. The Rougeaus beat Shawn down for a while as they cut off the ring. The crowd is behind Shawn as the Rougeaus are targeting the back. Shawn manages a rollup as Jacques runs in to break it up then Raymond puts on a front facelock. Shawn almost breaks out but the Rougeaus keep him back at all costs as Jannetty is getting pissed. Shawn makes the tag but the ref did not see it and orders Marty back on the apron. Shawn avoids a flying knee as Jacques accidentally hits his partner then makes the tag as the crowd goes nuts. Marty runs wild and knocks Hart off of the apron then has Jacques in a backslide but the ref gets distracted and turns around to count for two. Raymond provides a distraction then Jacques hits a piledriver. The ref orders Shawn on the apron as Hart comes in with the megaphone but the ref catches Raymond and takes it away and drops it on the mat as he orders Raymond to the apron. Shawn comes in and grabs the megaphone and whacks Jacques in the back of the head and Jannetty falls on top and gets the win (23:30) ****.

Thoughts: Fantastic match. I loved the ending as the feud started with Shawn getting cheap shotted after getting in the mouth with the megaphone and ended with him getting the last laugh. It started off like an entertaining house show match and turned into a tag team wrestling clinic. A great match that all fans should seek out.

Brooklyn Brawler vs. Paul Roma

Brawler beats on Roma to start. Roma ducks a clothesline and fires away then Brawler bails after getting hit with a dropkick. Brawler returns and shoves Roma then they slug it out as Roma wins that battle. Brawler misses a charge as Roma works a headlock. Roma hits three forearm smashes from the middle rope as that gets two then Brawler rolls outside. Roma chases Brawler around but gets attacked while heading back inside. Brawler gets a nearfall with a backbreaker then heads up top but Roma slams him off. Roma hits a clothesline then catches him and hits a running powerslam for a nearfall. He then hits a delayed vertical suplex and climbs up top for a crossbody but Brawler rolls through and grabs the tights for the win (6:11) *1/2.

Thoughts: Roma showed good fire here but this was just a match for the fans to cool off before the main event.

WWF World Heavyweight Title Match: “Macho Man” Randy Savage w/ Sensational Sherri vs. Hulk Hogan (c) w/ Miss Elizabeth

The fans are rabid for Hogan as Savage is going nuts, running around outside. They lockup and Savage gets tossed as he is pissed and stands out on the apron. Hogan again knocks Savage down as Savage bails and tosses a chair inside but Hogan catches it and sits down in one fluid motion and gets a standing ovation. Savage bails again to avoid a big boot then uses Sherri as a shield before retreating and grabbing the mic where he brags about being quicker than Hogan and how he proved Hogan’s stupid too. Savage then dedicates his win to Sherri. Hogan is distracted by Sherri as Savage attacks from behind while the referee was talking to Elizabeth. Hogan fights back and sends Savage outside with an atomic drop then tosses Sherri out on top of Savage. Back inside, Savage rakes Hogan across the eyes for two then chases after Elizabeth. Hogan attacks Savage then back inside catches a kick attempt and hammers away. Sherri is on the apron as Hogan mocks her mannerisms then Elizabeth pushes Sherri inside as she was standing on the ropes. Savage sends Hogan outside after hitting him with Sherri’s shoe then attacks him from behind. Sherri kicks Hogan a few times as Savage flies out with a double axe handle. Back inside, Savage takes Hogan down with a sleeper. Hogan fights out then both guys clothesline each other and are now out on the mat. They miss elbow drops then Savage rolls up Hogan after a high knee as that gets two. Savage keeps covering but cannot put Hogan away so he works a chinlock to wear him down. Hogan gets up and fights out but Sherri trips him up. Hogan goes after her but Savage attacks from behind. Savage clotheslines Hogan on the top rope then Sherri gives Savage the loaded purse as he hits Hogan. Savage pulls up Hogan after a cover then heads up top for the flying elbow smash and connects. He poses but Hogan pops right back up and fires away. Hogan then holds up Savage for Elizabeth, who slaps Savage, then Hogan hits the leg drop for the win (14:04) ***1/2. After the match, Hogan taunts Savage & Sherri with the belt then poses while Elizabeth holds it over her shoulder.

Thoughts: Really good match and just a shade below what they did at WrestleMania V, IMO. Sherri was all over the place and there was never a dull moment. Hogan’s win got to send the fans home happy too. Another match from this show worth seeking out. This match is on the “Hulkamania Forever” DVD.

Final Thoughts: A good two. There were too excellent matches and nothing was terrible on the card. Everyone seemed to at least want to put on a good show and the fans had a good time. Definitely worth seeking out.

Here is my schedule for the next several days:

Sunday: Mid-South Wrestling 7/29/82

Sunday: WWF Superstars of Wrestling 10/14/89

Monday: WWF Saturday Night’s Main Event 10/14/89

Tuesday: WWF Wrestling Challenge 10/15/89

Wednesday: wXw 2017 16 Carat Gold, Night Two

Thursday: RF Video Shoot Interview with Lance Storm, Volume 1

Friday: WWF Superstars of Wrestling 10/21/89