WWF SummerSlam Fever – August 19, 1990

August 19, 1990

From the Memorial Auditorium in Utica, NY.

Your hosts are Vince McMahon and Bobby Heenan

Tonight, we will see Jim Duggan vs. Earthquake, Boris Zhukov vs. Nikolai Volkoff, and both Hulk Hogan & Earthquake as guests on the “Brother Love Show.”

Smash vs Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart

Smash fails to knock Neidhart down then is taken to the mat with an armbar. Neidhart runs over Smash, who comes back with a knee smash then hammers away in the corner. Neidhart fights back and catches Smash with a boot in the face. He gets two with a clothesline then goes back to the armbar. Neidhart fights back but Smash cuts him off. Smash hits a clothesline the targets the back as the announcers talk about the 2/3 falls stipulation for the Tag Title match at SummerSlam. Smash misses an elbow drop then Neidhart fights back. Neidhart gets a two count with a dropkick then rolls Smash back inside and slingshots in with a sunset flip but Smash blocks that and holds on the ropes and gets the pin (6:08) *. After the match, Neidhart gets revenge on Smash by hitting him with the title belt but Ax & Crush attack him from behind in the aisle as its 3 vs. 1. Vince tells us that Bret is not here and that the other members of Demolition were not supposed to be here, either.

Thoughts: The match itself wasn’t very good at all but they did build up the Tag Team Title match well enough. The stipulation of only two members for Demolition allowed at ringside at the PPV was being pushed as they took advantage of being able to use all three men for this show, with the beatdown on Neidhart giving them an advantage.

Gene Okerlund is on the interview platform. He tells us Neidhart was supposed to be his guest then Demolition interrupts. Ax says they are controlling the Tag Team Title scene and tonight, Neidhart got a tiny taste of what they are all about and will get the full meal at SummerSlam. Smash promises they will leave the Hart Foundation laid out at SummerSlam.

Black Bart vs. “Texas Tornado” Kerry Von Erich

Heenan talks about Kerry’s challenge and how he will find out what will happen to him at SummerSlam. Bart shoves Kerry into the corner but Kerry takes him down. Bart rakes the eyes and lands some shots in the corner. Kerry fights back as Bart takes a breather outside. Bart returns but Kerry hammers away then soon after that hits a discus punch for the win (2:40).

Thoughts: An easy win for Kerry to hype up his Intercontinental Title match against Mr. Perfect at SummerSlam.

Okerlund now brings out Mr. Perfect & Heenan to the interview platform. Heenan says that Kerry’s coordination was off tonight and that he looked rusty. Perfect tells us he is what champions are made of and that he is the “big shot” of the WWF and that no one beats him.

“Pistol” Pez Whatley vs. The Warlord w/ Slick

Warlord blocks a reverse rollup but Whatley dodges an elbow drop then works the arm. The announcers talk about ordering SummerSlam on PPV as Warlord catches Whatley with a slam. Warlord hammers away as Heenan takes a shot at the Big Bossman’s mom by saying she is ugly. Whatley tries to fight back but Warlord cuts him off. Whatley comes back with a headbutt and several jabs then staggers Warlord with a headbutt from the middle rope. Whatley jumps off the middle rope again but is caught with an inverted atomic drop then Warlord hits a running powerslam for the win (2:53).

Thoughts: Despite not officially announced as being part of SummerSlam, and that will happen shortly, Warlord got a win on this show. We will find out soon about his participation at the PPV.

A package of all the Rick Rude training vignettes that have led to their match at SummerSlam.

Okerlund now welcomes the Ultimate Warrior to the interview platform. Warrior tells him that Rude is a desperate man who will never “walk” as the WWF World Heavyweight Champion. Warrior also says Rude has fear running through him then when asked about how he will exit the cage, he talks about the Warriors making that command. This title match remains ice cold and Warrior’s nonsensical promos are not helping him get over as champion.

We get a video package on Nikolai Volkoff becoming a “patriot.” Truly captivating stuff here.

Boris Zhukov vs. Nikolai Volkoff

Volkoff cuts off Zhukov’s rendition of the Soviet National anthem. Vince promises that we will see a brawl here. Zhukov attacks Volkoff from behind. Zhukov eats boot on a charge then Volkoff beats him down. They end up outside where Volkoff stays in control. He slams Zhukov on the floor then beats him down in the corner. Zhukov cheap shots Volkoff but ducks his head and gets slammed down. Volkoff follows with a backdrop then catches a kick and hits an atomic drop before the Russian Sickle gets him the win (2:37) 1/4*.

Thoughts: At least this was short. Volkoff was getting the push and Zhukov was terrible (and not like Nikolai was much better) as he gets a win heading into the PPV.

Okerlund now brings out Macho King Randy Savage & Queen Sherri to the interview platform. Sherri’s face is painted like a cat or some sort of animal. Savage wants us to realize when you go in the ring against him you are facing the greatest wrestler in the past, present, and future. Sherri then calls out Sapphire and sounds insane as she wants her to look into her “animalistic” eyes to see what is in store for her at SummerSlam. Sherri drops to her knees and acts crazy while Savage promises they will all feel their wrath at SummerSlam. Sherri was out of her mind here but in reality their feud with Dusty & Sapphire was past its expiration date.

Replay of Tugboat being attacked on this past week’s episode of “Superstars of Wrestling.”

Brother Love Show is up next and taking place in the ring. Hulk Hogan comes out first as the crowd goes insane. The Earthquake music hits but only Jimmy Hart comes out to the ring. Hogan asks where Earthquake is but Hart says he’s afraid. However, Hart says Earthquake is not afraid of Hogan but rather afraid of what he will do if he comes out here tonight because of what happened last time they came on the “Brother Love Show” as Hogan was taking out on a stretcher. He also wants to make sure Hogan does not interfere in his match against Jim Duggan as Hart promises Hogan will never make it to SummerSlam if he does. Hart says that Hogan will cause the kids to cry and will be taken back to the hospital if he does then starts to laugh and twirl around. Hogan tells Hart he only answers to the “Big Hulkster up in the sky” and if the Earthquake has something to say, he can do so face-to-face. Hogan then says its time for a Pre-SummerSlam kickoff as he boots Hart in the ass and sends him out of the ring. Hart runs away then Brother Love yells at Hogan, calling him afraid, but Hogan says he will never be afraid with the Hulksters having his back. He then said Earthquake’s sneak attack as made Hulkamania stronger than ever and promises that Earthquake will fall to the feet of Hulkamania. Good promo by Hogan to show that he is strong and not afraid of Earthquake, even without Tugboat in his corner. The difference between Hogan and Warrior was crystal clear on this show as Hogan was someone you could relate to easier and get behind with his passion where as Warrior’s stuff was too far out there for kids and for older fans it was too ridiculous. The “co-main event” billing is in name only as Hogan vs. Earthquake is the real main event of show.

Power & Glory w/ Slick vs. Mark Thomas & Mike Williams

Roma taunts Thomas before catching him off guard with a clothesline. He follows with an impressive dropkick then beats on Williams. Hercules tags in and press slams Williams to the floor as Slick hopes that The Rockers are watching. Thomas is back in as Hercules hammers away then Power & Glory hit the Power Plex for the win (2:35).

Thoughts: Another impressive showing from Power & Glory. Roma in particular looked great.

Okerlund brings out Sapphire. He points out her jewelry and the fact she has received a fur coat, Cadillac, and a cruise around the world. We also see a clip of her coming to the building in a stretch limo. Sapphire then tells Sherri she will be covered in polka dots at SummerSlam but that she is falling in love with whoever is giving her these gifts. Okerlund then asks her about Dusty as she says he will go into SummerSlam as a winner and will leave the same way as she dances with Okerlund to end the show. Heenan gets another dig at Bossman’s mother here by saying she looks like Sapphire. Dusty managed to get the crowd behind him in his promo but you can tell Sapphire cares more about these gifts than anything else.

Iron Mike Sharpe vs. Jake “The Snake” Roberts

The announcers talk about Jake’s match against Bad News Brown at SummerSlam and the snake vs. rats aspect of the match. Jake takes control early as Vince continues to talk about rats. Sharpe mounts some offense but Jake catches him with the short-arm clothesline then hits the DDT for the win (2:37). After the match, Jake dumps Damien on top of Sharpe.

Thoughts: An easy win for Jake to hype up his SummerSlam match against Bad News Brown.

We now see a prerecorded segment with Bad News Brown as he dumps a large rat into a trash can because its still too small for him. Bad News says he is now picky and choosy for his mutant sewer rats and promises to hit Jake’s “marshmallow” head with the Ghetto Blaster while the rats take care of Damien. The rats vs. snake build for this match is really not good at all. Its too ridiculous to care about and totally waters down the Bad News gimmick.

“Rugged” Ronnie Garvin vs. Mr. Perfect w/ Bobby Heenan

Perfect shoves Garvin then they fight over a lockup. Perfect shoves Garvin again but gets slapped then Perfect backs off. They trade chops in the corner until Perfect bails after getting tossed across the ring. Garvin stomps on Perfect’s hand as it was on the apron then the crowd starts a “weasel” chant. Back inside, Garvin drops Perfect with a right hand as Perfect rolls outside to regroup once again. Perfect returns then knees Garvin in the gut and hammers away. They trade strikes until Perfect boots him in the corner. Garvin chops back then places Perfect up top and punches him off. Perfect begs for mercy but Garvin lands a headbutt. Garvin gets nearfalls with a jackknife cradle and with a splash then applies a chinlock. Perfect gets out and lands more strikes in the corner but Garvin knocks him down. Garvin tries for a suplex but Perfect quickly reverses it into the Perfect Plex and gets the win (5:56) **1/2.

Thoughts: This was by far an away the best match on the show. Perfect sold like a champ for Garvin’s hard-hitting offense yet still came out looking strong.

Okerlund brings out Jimmy Hart and Earthquake to the interview platform. However, Bravo comes out with Hart instead. Bravo talks about who will now be standing in Hogan’s corner as Hart mocks Tugboat’s chant. They both cannot wait for Earthquake to finish off Hogan once and for all then says if he interferes tonight he will never end up making it to SummerSlam.

The Orient Express w/ Mr. Fuji vs. Shane Douglas & Sonny Blaze

Vince brings up “Fuji Vice” and how it was shown on USA years ago. Douglas fights off both men to start. He tags out after Sato hits him with a shinbreaker as Blaze gets destroyed then put away with a powerbomb from Sato (2:08).

Thoughts: An easy win for the Orient Express as they will be facing Duggan & Volkoff at SummerSlam.

Hacksaw Jim Duggan vs. Earthquake w/ Jimmy Hart & Dino Bravo

Bravo tries to mess with Duggan before the match then the ref kicks him out. Earthquake shows off his power then mocks Hogan’s poses, greatly amusing Heenan in the process. Earthquake backs Duggan into the corner but Duggan fights back. Earthquake sidesteps a charge and sends Duggan to the floor then follows out and rams him into the post. Back inside, Duggan fights back and tries for a slam but that fails as Earthquake then applies a bearhug. Duggan’s arm stays up to avoid the three count then avoids a charge in the corner. Duggan tries to knock Earthquake down then sets up for the Three Point Stance but Earthquake holds himself up in the ropes. Bravo runs down into the ring and goes after Duggan then the ref rings the bell for the DQ (6:20) *1/2. Bravo & Earthquake beat on Duggan but Hogan runs out and grabs the 2×4 and clears Bravo & Earthquake from the ring. Hogan and Duggan pose in the ring as Earthquake is irate.

Thoughts: The match wasn’t much but the end was good as Hogan gave Earthquake, Bravo, and Hart some payback for injuring Tugboat.

Okerlund is in the locker room as Earthquake, Bravo, and Hart are all flipping out and say that Hogan will pay for what he did as Bravo shows us the welts on his back from the 2×4. Earthquake says Hogan had no right to run in and use a foreign object and at SummerSlam, Hogan will belong to him.

Now, Okerlund is backstage with Brother Love. He asks him about SummerSlam as Brother Love says Sgt. Slaughter is the greatest leader since Sadaam Hussein. They also run through the card with Brother Love favoring the heels then the screen turns black as Okerlund left him in the room with the lights turned out as the show ends.

Final Thoughts: The action was not very good but the goal of the show was to sell SummerSlam for casual fans and I think they did a fine job putting over the feuds, particularly Hogan vs. Earthquake. Sure, some of the feuds were stale but for those not watching weekly they made them at least feel special. Those who watched weekly might not have cared for this but occasional WWF viewers might have enjoyed it more but in reality the buy rate of this show was down from the previous year, which can be attributed to a overall poor creative direction the company was in at the time.

Here is my schedule for the next several days:

Monday: WWF Superstars of Wrestling 8/25/90

Tuesday: WWF Wrestling Challenge 8/26/90

Wednesday: PWG 2017 Battle of Los Angeles, Final Stage

Thursday: RF Video Shoot Interview with Matt Borne

Friday: WWF 1990 SummerSlam

Saturday: Mid-South Wrestling 3/10/83

Sunday: WWF Superstars of Wrestling 9/1/90