WWF Superstars of Wrestling – November 16th, 1991

November 16, 1981

From the Allen County War Memorial in Fort Wayne, IN

Your hosts are Vince McMahon, Roddy Piper, and Randy Savage. The crowd chants “reinstate” as Piper wants President Jack Tunney to let Savage wrestle at Survivor Series.

This week, Hulk Hogan is on the “Funeral Parlor.” The featured match is IRS vs. Greg Valentine. Also in action are Repo Man, Natural Disasters, and British Bulldog. Plus, an update on Jim Neidhart’s condition and more.

The Rockers defeat Barry Horowitz & Mark Buenavera in a match first shown on the 11/11 edition of “Prime Time Wrestling.”

WWF Update with Gene Okerlund. We see clips from last week when Ric Flair destroyed Jim Neidhart’s leg after their match. Then, as Neidhart was being helped backstage, The Beverly Brothers came out for their match and jumped Neidhart from behind. After that, Okerlund tells us that Neidhart has been ruled out of the Survivor Series and a replacement has yet to be named. The Beverly Brothers & Genius tell Neidhart they are not sorry and for him to never get in their way again.

Reno Riggins vs. Repo Man

Vince wants to know who will take Neidhart’s place as Savage volunteers himself because he’s hungry to compete. Vince then notes Tunney is softening on his position of Savage’s suspension. Repo Man beats on Riggins as the announcers make jokes over their cars being repossessed. Vince asks Savage about the sightings of “Mr. Madness” as Savage plays dumb then Repo Man grapevines the leg for the win (1:05). After the match, Repo Man ties up Riggins and hangs him on the ropes before yanking him up by the hair. Repo Man then yells into the camera how we better pay our “stinking” bills.

Thoughts: Nothing much to see here as they are trying to get the Repo Man gimmick over.

Sgt. Slaughter is inside of an elementary school classroom leading the students into reciting the “Pledge of Allegiance” as he needs approval of the people in order to get his country back. Slaughter then grabs the flag and kisses it while crying, stating he got his country back. The segment ends with the students running over and hugging Slaughter. Well, it looks like these vignettes are now over as the next step is for Slaughter to get a feud going.

Irwin R. Schyster vs. Greg “The Hammer” Valentine

Before the match, IRS tells the crowd layoffs are not an excuse to avoid paying taxes. Valentine beats on IRS in the corner. He follows with a pair of elbow drops then starts to soften up the legs. Valentine then hits a clothesline but IRS bails after that while the announcers compare Valentine and Ric Flair’s figure four leg locks. Valentine heads outside but IRS reverses an Irish whip and sends Valentine into the steps. Back inside, IRS stomps away. He applies a chinlock but Valentine escapes and lands some forearm smashes. Valentine chops away in the corner then takes IRS down with a hip toss but is whipped into the corner and collides with the ref. Valentine then checks on the ref but IRS hits him from behind with his briefcase. IRS covers but Big Bossman runs out and the match is ruled a DQ (3:44) *.

Thoughts: A bit odd they protected Valentine here since he has been downplayed significantly as a babyface. This was about advancing the IRS/Valentine feud.

Survivor Series Report with Gene Okerlund. We learn that an official statement regarding Savage’s reinstation will happen before the show ends. Okerlund thinks we might find out who Neidhart’s replacement will be next week.

We now hear from Tunney. He talks about the overwhelming show of support for Savage by the public and that the office will take this under consideration before making a final decision over Savage’s reinstatement.

Burt Stiles & Tom Stone vs. The Natural Disasters w/ Jimmy Hart

The Disasters beat down Stone to start. Savage talks about his issues as the Disasters put Stiles away with a double splash combo (1:47).

Thoughts: Most of the focus was on Savage but the Disasters win another squash match.

Funeral Parlor with guest Hulk Hogan. Bearer is rubbing the custom casket he made for Hogan. Bearer talks to Hogan as Ric Flair comes out and laughs. Flair gets in Hogan’s face to say he has been waiting for this moment for years and is now on his doorstep with the real World Heavweight Title. Flair then steals Hogan’s catchphrase but Hogan rips off his shirt and runs down Flair but The Undertaker pops out of a casket prop and whacks Hogan from behind with the urn. Vince screams how Savage & Piper have left the booth as we see them with chairs. Savage hits Undertaker in the arm with a chair but Undertaker does not flinch then yanks the chain off of Hogan’s neck and drops it before leaving. The camera zooms in on Hogan clutching his chain while Undertaker’s music plays. Savage & Piper carry off Hogan while Vince says this will be Hogan’s darkest day will be at the Survivor Series. Having Undertaker not even budge after getting hit with a chair was so badass and made Undertaker look like a major threat. Bearer himself said he thought it wouldnt get bigger than being on a segment with Hogan & Flair and has a picture of this segment hanging in his office.

Mike Samples vs. British Bulldog

Bulldog beats on Samples as Vince hopes we get an update on Hogan soon. Bulldog stays in control then hits a running powerslam for the win (1:08).

Thoughts: A cool-down segment after the Funeral Parlor with the focus being on Hogan’s condition.

Next week in action are Texas Tornado, Jake Roberts, and featured match of Big Bully Busick vs. Bret Hart with the Intercontinental Title on the line. We hear from both competitors in the featured match. Plus, a conversation with Elizabeth and an update on the condition of Hulk Hogan.

Final Thoughts: The Funeral Parlor was the main highlight and a well-executed segment. The Savage reinstation storyline took its next step with Tunney considering the public support and Slaughter’s begging paid off as he now has his country back. With just one more episode before the PPV we will have to wait and see what happens with Savage at the Survivor Series.

Here is my schedule for the next several days:

Wednesday: WWF Wrestling Challenge 11/17/91

Thursday: WWF Prime Time Wrestling 11/18/91

Friday: WWF Superstars of Wrestling 11/23/91

Saturday: Mid-South Wrestling 10/6/83

Sunday: WWF Wrestling Challenge 11/24/91

Monday: WWF 1991 Survivor Series Showdown

Tuesday: WWF 1991 Survivor Series