WWF Superstars of Wrestling – November 18th, 1989

November 18, 1989

From the Kansas Expocentre Landon Arena on Topeka, KS

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

This week’s featured match is Mr. Perfect vs. Tito Santana. Also in action are Rick Rude, Brutus Beefcake, and the Bolsheviks. Plus, The Hulkamaniacs as guests of the “Brother Love” show and more!

Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake vs. Scott Colton

Beefcake takes control as we hear from The Enforcers Survivor Series team as they run him down. Back to the match as Beefcake hits a slam then locks on a sleeper for the win (1:58).

Thoughts: Quick squash match to hype up the Survivor Series.

WWF Update with Gene Okerlund. We are shown the Ultimate Warrior getting attacked during last week’s test-of-strength by Dino Bravo and “John” from West Virginia. We then hear from Bravo, Hart, and John, who is now called the “Canadian Earthquake” as Bravo screams briefly about proving he is the strongest man.

“Ravishing” Rick Rude w/ Bobby Heenan vs. Warren Bianchi

Rude hits a slam as we hear from Heenan in an insert promo disgusted over the fact Roddy Piper is on the cover of “WWF Magazine” and that he’ll lose at the Survivor Series. Rude taunts the crowd then hits the Rude Awakening for the win (1:15). After the match, Rude gives a lady a kiss.

Thoughts: More Survivor Series hype as the Rude/Piper feud continues as well.

Sean Mooney is in the Event Center to hype the 11/19 Hartford Civic Center show. Dusty Rhodes promises to serve justice to the Big Bossman while Honky Tonk Man & Jimmy Hart laugh about the Red Rooster’s antics and promises to play a tune on him.

Rick Martel is on the interview platform modeling some clothes as Lord Alfred Hayes is narrating. Martel then said if looks could kill that he would be Jack the Ripper and to observe him at our own risk. And this is the beginning of Martel’s transformation into “The Model” character.

Jim Neidhart vs. Bobby Jaggers

Odd seeing Jaggers taking TV enhancement talent work with the WWF. He’s really out of shape and sporting “Kansas” on his trunks. For those unaware, Jaggers teamed with Dutch Mantell as the Kansas Jayhawks. Neidhart takes the early advantage as Vince talks about the Survivor Series and that he heard the Heenan Family are not getting along right now. We then hear fans in an insert talk about the food they are excited about for Thanksgiving as Jesse jokes that you can tell they definitely flunked a few grades in their day. Jaggers lands a few shots but Neidhart fights back and hits a powerslam for the win (1:58).

Thoughts: A nothing match with basic Survivor Series hype as Neidhart as a singles was floundering but Jesse making fun of the fans was amusing.

Mooney is back in the Event Center for the 11/19 Hartford Civic Center show. The Bushwhackers talk about facing The Bolsheviks and call it a “Russian Invasion” while Rude promises to take care of business and beat Piper as he’s sick of Piper making him look foolish.

The Bolsheviks vs. Red Tyler &

We hear from The Bolsheviks in an insert promo as they tell us they are back. They suplex Tyler around then Zhukov clotheslines the other guy for the win (1:28).

Thoughts: I honestly do not what happened to Volkoff if he got hurt or just left and came back but this team was awful.

Brother Love Show with The Hulkamaniacs Survivor Series team. They all talk about team unity and how they are not driven by money, very similar to all the other promos they’ve been cutting leading up to the show. Again, another uninspired promo that was the same stuff we’ve been hearing for weeks.

Survivor Series Report with Gene Okerlund.

Tito Santana vs. Mr. Perfect w/ The Genius

Tito takes Perfect down with a hip toss then Perfect takes a break on the apron. Perfect then cheap shots Tito and hammers away as we hear from Mr. Perfect brag about his perfect record in an insert promo before he calls out Hogan. Tito fights back as Perfect takes some crazy bumps then he sends Perfect over the top rope with a flying forearm. He suplexes Perfect back inside but Perfect got his foot on the ropes. Perfect thumbs Tito in the eye then hits him with a Perfect Plex for the win (4:37) **.

Thoughts: Good action while it lasted. Tito is getting a lot of “featured match” action heading into Survivor Series but its not like his career was booming or anything.

Next week in action are Dusty Rhodes, Colossal Connection, Demolition, Macho King Randy Savage, and the featured bout between Jimmy Snuka and the Honky Tonk Man.

Final Thoughts: More Survivor Series hype here and a featured match, which was solid. However, there is very little momentum heading into the PPV and this show did nothing to make you want to order it if you haven’t already.

Here is my schedule for the next several days:

Wednesday: EVOLVE 81 3/31/17

Thursday: Highspots Shoot Interview with Curtis Hughes

Friday: WWF Wrestling Challenge 11/19/89

Sunday: Mid-South Wrestling 8/19/82

Sunday: WWF 1989 Survivor Series

Monday: WWF Superstars of Wrestling 11/25/89

Tuesday: WWF Madison Square Garden 11/25/89