WWF Prime Time Wrestling – February 18th, 1991

February 18, 1991

Your hosts are Vince McMahon and Bobby Heenan

We get a new opening here with an announcer jokingly referring to Stamford, CT as the entertainment capital of the world. Its now in front of a live studio audience with Lord Alfred Hayes as the announcer. Basically, a more modern late night talk show setup now.

We get some dialogue from Vince and Heenan then we find out that The Bushwhackers will be here tonight. Also, we will see Big Bossman vs. The Barbarian, Marty Jannetty vs. Crush, and Earthquake vs. Tugboat. Also, we will see a Tag Team Battle Royal where the winner faces the Hart Foundation for the titles at WrestleMania.

The Tag Team Battle Royal that first aired on the 2/16 edition of “Superstars of Wrestling” is shown.

In the studio, Heenan tells us that Haku & The Barbarian are signed to face The Rockers at WrestleMania VII. Heenan said if Haku & The Barbarian were in the battle royal the other teams would have not bothered to show up. The news is broken here first on Prime Time of the Rockers/Haku & Barbarian match.

We now get a tour of Washington D.C courtesy of Gene Okerlund. We see two people with Nancy Reagan and Barbara Bush masks as Okerlund lists off all sorts of things that caused conflict between the two. It was actually topical and amusing but we would see more throughout the show.

Vince tells us that Gorilla Monsoon is now the right-hand man of President Jack Tunney. We now go to the desk for “Prime Time News.” Vince talks about Bill Wyman (Bassist for the “Rolling Stones”) getting married to a 20 year old as Heenan said the real reason she left is because she could not stand being called “Mick.” This was not funny at all.

The Roddy Piper & Virgil interview from the2/17 edition of “Wrestling Challenge” is shown

Viking defeats David Isley from the 2/17 edition of “Wrestling Challenge.”

Okerlund in Toys R Us with Jim Duggan as they trade WWF action cards.

Dale Wolfe vs. “The Model” Rick Martel

This also aired on the 2/24 edition of “Wrestling Challenge.” Martel toys with Wolfe then is shown in an insert promo pissed off over having to face Jake Roberts in a Blindfold Match, even screaming in French. Martel stays in control and hits a backbreaker before using the Boston Crab for the win (1:49).

Thoughts: An easy win for Martel who remains pissed over not realizing he signed a contract to face Jake in a Blindfold Match.

Okerlund continues to narrate his Washington D.C. tour. We see the Nation’s Capital as Barbara and Nancy are fighting with each other.

WrestleMania Report with Gene Okerlund. Same as we saw from this past week’s syndicated shows.

Back in the studio, we get a weather report from The Bushwhackers. They did their typical excited screaming bit. It ends with them marching around the studio. It was fine for what it was.

Big Bossman vs. The Barbarian

This match is joined in progress from the 1/25 Copps Coliseum show. It was also featured on the “Super Tape 4″ release from Coliseum Home Video.” Barbarian works over the back then puts Bossman in a bearhug. Barbarian then sets up for an elbow drop from the middle rope but takes forever and Bossman rolls away. Bossman slugs away and knocks Barbarian down with an enziguiri that gets two. Bossman tries a crossbody but Barbarian rolls through for a two count. Barbarian blocks a piledriver then a sunset flip and flexes but Bossman takes him over and gets the win (5:05) *. After the match, Haku jumps Bossman from behind. Haku & Barbarian then beat the crap out of Bossman.

Thoughts: Unlike their match at the Royal Rumble, which was action-packed and hard hitting, this was slow and plodding. I assume they showed the match to highlight Barbarian & Haku working together because they’ve been announced for a Mania match despite never really teaming together or being associated together outside of Heenan as their manager.

Back in the studio, Heenan gloats over his men beating up Bossman then talks about Hennig vs. Bossman at WrestleMania for the Intercontinental Title.

Back to D.C. where Okerlund narrates facts about the Lincoln Memorial with Nancy and Barbara now dueling. This bit is starting to wear thin.

Crush w/ Mr. Fuji vs. Shawn Michaels w/ Marty Jannetty

This is from the 1/29 “Wrestling Challenge” tapings in Savannah, GA and also featured on “Supertape 4.” Crush beats on Shawn to start. Shawn escapes from the corner then finally takes Crush down with a flying shoulder block. Crush flings Shawn outside on the kickout then heads out to inflict more punishment. Back inside, Shawn counters an overhead press with a headscissors then grounds Crush with a front facelock. Crush catches Shawn with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker then gets a two count with a rack drop. Crush now applies a bearhug then uses a bodyscissors on the mat as Marty cheers on his partner. Crush heads up top but misses a knee drop as both men are now down. Crush is up first but Shawn kicks him from the mat. Shawn then chop blocks Crush then Fuji gets on the apron. Crush catches Shawn with a crossbody but Marty comes off the top to push Shawn on top and the ref turns around and fast counts for the win (7:18) *1/2.

Thoughts: Shawn dragged as much out of Crush as he could have here. The company continues to phase out Demolition and rightfully so at this point.

Back in the studio, Heenan is asked a series of questions by Vince. Much like the Nancy/Barbara stuff the Heenan/Vince segments are running out of steam.

Tugboat defeating Earthquake via disqualification from the 2/9 edition of “Superstars of Wrestling”is shown.

Full Nelson Challenge between Davey Boy Smith and The Warlord from the 2/17 edition of “Wrestling Challenge” is shown.

Okerlund tells us about the Washington Monument as we get more wackiness from Nancy and Barbara.

We get Lord Alfred narrating like a fashion commentator as Luke marches around in a towel. Butch then comes out wearing a pillow case and Lord Alfred does the same. This is what you would have seen on “Tuesday Night Titans” if it had still been on in 1991.

Texas Tornado defeats Darryl Woodworth from the 2/16 edition of “Superstars of Wrestling.”

Vince says there is a rumor that Andre the Giant will be here next week as Heenan looks shocked. Then, the masked Nancy and Barbara throw a bucket of water on Heenan.

Final Thoughts: The change in format of the show was needed. The ratings were at an all-time low and the format was stale. This new format was exciting for the first half hour but then it ended up being a more modern TNT with more reliance on wacky skits than getting over the performers. Heenan is a lot more entertaining than Lord Alfred at least. The action here was not much to speak of but Vince and Heenan did display some good chemistry. The ratings were up a bit here but as Dave Meltzer noted in the “Wrestling Observer Newsletter” it still had less viewers than the two main WCW weekend shows on TBS.

Here is my schedule for the next several days:

Tuesday: WWF Superstars of Wrestling 2/23/91

Wednesday: WWF Wrestling Challenge 2/24/91

Thursday: WWF Superstars of Wrestling 3/2/91

Friday: WWF Wrestling Challenge 3/3/91

Saturday: Mid-South Wrestling 6/16/83

Sunday: WWF Superstars of Wrestling 3/9/91

Monday: WWF Wrestling Challenge 3/10/91