WWF Superstars of Wrestling – December 28th, 1991

December 28, 1991

From the Frank Erwin Center in Austin, TX

Your hosts are Vince McMahon and Mr. Perfect

This week’s featured match has the Legion of Doom defend the Tag Team Titles against The Rockers. Plus, Roddy Piper as guest on the “Funeral Parlor.” Also in action are Repo Man, Big Bossman, and Rick Martel then we learn about the rest of the Royal Rumble competitors.

New Foundation vs. Brian Donahue & Brian Costello

Neidhart tosses down Costello as the announcers put over the New Foundation. Owen hits a few different suplex variations then a flying elbow drop before Donahue tags into the match. Owen shows off his agility against Donahue then the match breaks down before the New Foundation use the Rocket Launcher for the win (2:38).

Thoughts: Once again, Owen shined on TV but teamed with Neidhart and wearing goofy attire is not going to get him over.

WWF Update with Gene Okerlund. He lists off the rest of the Rumble competitors which include: The Rockers, Greg Valentine, Sid Justice (who is shown in a promo saying 29 people have to go through him), Sgt. Slaughter, Jimmy Snuka, Hercules, Big Bossman (cuts a promo saying he is walking out with the title) Barbarian, Rick Martel (billed as returning from Europe), and Col. Mustafa (who cuts a promo about being the champion again). We then learn about another match and that is Bret Hart vs. The Mountie for the IC Title and Okerlund says we will find out more news later on in the show. The big news here is that Sid will be returning, which was rumored to happen last week. Also, the Intercontinental Title will be defended on the show. The rest of the Rumble competitors are not that inspired but there are several legitimate favorites to win anyway and you need people to get tossed to make them strong.

Dale Wolfe vs. “The Model” Rick Martel

The announcers talk about the newly named Rumble competitors as Martel takes Wolfe down with a pair of side headlocks. Perfect says Martel took a break from his busy modeling schedule for a chance to win the title at the Rumble. Martel then shakes Wolfe’s hand and after that the two men trade arm wringers then end in a stalemate. Martel now offers another hand shake and it goes fine despite the crowd urging Wolfe to refuse. Martel knocks Wolfe outside with an elbow smash after an Irish whip sequence then we hear from him in an insert promo saying he will become the “model” champion. Martel holds the ropes down for Wolfe to get in then attacks and dumps Wolfe back outside. Martel roughs up Wolfe then brings him back in an puts on the Boston Crab for the win (3:02).

Thoughts: I really enjoyed how Martel worked this match. He started off sincere in his return then became aggressive and got the win. While billed as returning to the WWF from his modeling gigs, the reality was that Martel

Vince plugs the “Ultimate Personal Fitness Weekend” and the ticket info is shown on the screen. Its for an address in Stamford, CT.

Big Bossman vs. ???

The enhancement talent was not named and I do not recognize him myself. Bossman knocks this guy down after getting hit a few times. We then hear from IRS in an insert promo saying Bossman will be serving hard time sooner or later. Back to the match as Bossman stays in control while Perfect shits on the state of Georgia then Bossman uses a sidewalk slam for the win (0:55).

Thoughts: More hype for the lukewarm Bossman/IRS feud. Perfect ragging on Georgia was a bit funny though.

Larry Sampson vs. Repo Man

Repo Man dumps Sampson outside then delivers a kick. Repo Man takes the action back inside as we hear from him in an insert promo as he promises to take the title at the Rumble. Repo Man then grapevines the leg for the win as Vince asks Perfect what will happen if Ric Flair draws #1 in the Rumble match (1:19).

Thoughts: The focus here was the teasing of Flair possibly being the #1 entrant in the Rumble match.

We then see a vignette for Chris Chavis, who Vince says is a “full-blooded Indian.” Chavis tells us that his ancestors were the first Americans who lived in peace and harmony. He also says they are proud, brave, and not afraid to die for their beliefs. Chavis then does a chant to end the segment. For those wondering, this is in fact Tatanka who was going by his real name.

Funeral Parlor with guest Roddy Piper. The announcers talk about Piper never holding a title in the WWF. Piper tells Bearer about preaching the dark side and nastiness but wants the kids to dream in life and not listen to jerks like Bearer. Piper said it does not matter if you are black or white then talks about being a 5 year old and wanting to be big and strong then at 15 he wanted to be a wrestler and only weighed 167 lbs then got laughed but the laughing has now stopped. Piper talks about his desire to win the Rumble match as Bearer asks him about The Undertaker but Piper does not care. The story they are pushing with Piper is that its his dream to become a champion in the WWF. He cut a passionate promo here.

Royal Rumble Report with Gene Okerlund. We learn that the New Foundation will face the Orient Express. Odd, since Tanaka and Kato have only been seen wrestling in enhancement matches on TV for the past few months but not together as a team.

WWF World Tag Title Match: The Rockers vs. Legion of Doom (c)

The announcers talk about The Rockers recent problems as Animal shoves Shawn into the corner. Marty tags in and gets two with a victory roll. Animal comes back with a press slam as Perfect said the way to beat a big man is to wear him out. Hawk is in now and he hammers away on Marty until he misses an elbow drop. Shawn tags in and counters a press slam with a headscissors but Marty tried to help him and dropkicked his partner in the process. The LoD cut off the ring until Shawn gets his knees up on a splash then tags out. The Rockers take down Animal with an assisted sunset flip but Hawk runs in and clotheslines Shawn. The match breaks down now but The Rockers fight back. Animal catches Marty’s crossbody attempt and Shawn tries to dropkick his partner on top of Animal but Animal turned himself around and ends up hitting a front falling slam for the win (3:39) *3/4. After the match, Shawn looks pissed and Perfect does not blame him. Shawn then blames Marty for the loss and starts poking him in the chest and head. Marty tries to explain what happened and goes for a hug but gets shoved. Perfect then puts over Shawn’s skills and how Marty cannot keep up as Shawn now slaps Marty. Shawn pushes Marty again then uses another slap so Marty grabs him and threatens to punch but instead leaves as Shawn rips off his armbands then gets booed by the crowd.

Thoughts: The action itself was pretty good but the real story is what happened afterwards. On commentary, Perfect sided with Shawn and Perfect was the heel so that was key. Shawn also slapped Marty twice then Marty stopped himself from hitting Shawn and left so its quite obvious Shawn is the one who will be turning.

Next week in action are British Bulldog, Beverly Brothers, Roddy Piper, and The Undertaker. Plus, an interview with Randy Savage & Elizabeth.’

Final Thoughts: The final Superstars of ’91 was action-packed. We found out the rest of the Royal Rumble match competitors and saw the Tag Team Title match with The Rockers fighting each other after it was over. Plus, a vignette hyping newcomer Chris Chavis and the return of Rick Martel as the Rumble hype will only intensify until the PPV.

Here is my schedule for the next several days:

Friday: WWF Wrestling Challenge 12/29/91

Saturday: Mid-South Wrestling 10/27/83

Sunday: WWF Madison Square Garden 12/29/91

Monday: WWF Superstars of Wrestling 1/4/92

Tuesday: WWF Wrestling Challenge 1/5/92

Wednesday: WWF Superstars of Wrestling 1/11/92

Thursday: WWF Wrestling Challenge 1/12/92