What the World Was Watching: WWF Superstars – August 10, 1991

Vince McMahon, Roddy Piper, and Randy Savage are doing commentary for the last episode from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

Opening Contest: The Big Bossman (25-0-1) pins Mike Starr after the Bossman Slam at 2:12:

In the split screen, the Mountie and Jimmy Hart tell the Bossman to get ready to be handcuffed and fingerprinted after their SummerSlam match. The Cobb County law enforcement officer methodically beats on Starr and finishes with the usual. After the bell, the Bossman handcuffs Starr to the middle ropes and runs to the locker room.

Gene Okerlund’s Update segment replays Sid Justice’s interaction with Hulk Hogan and the Ultimate Warrior on last week’s show. Hogan and the Warrior promise to give Justice the same punishment as Sergeant Slaughter, Colonel Mustafa, and General Adnan if he crosses them.

The Beverly Brothers (w/Coach) (7-0) defeat Brian Jewel & Louie Spicolli when Beau pins Jewel after an elevated mat slam at 2:44:

Before the match, Blake carefully combs his hair, which must be a weak attempt at character development. The Beverly’s effort to matter also takes a hit when McMahon spends most of the match talking about how he cannot tell Beau or Blake apart. Not much happens until the Beverlys finish Jewel with an elevated mat slam.

Sean Mooney announces that SummerSlam will feature a six-man tag team match that pits the British Bulldog, the Dragon, and the Texas Tornado against Power & Glory and the Warlord. The babyface team gives a generic promo about how they will prevail. WWF Tag Team Champions the Nasty Boys and Jimmy Hart talk about how the SummerSlam stipulations for their match against the Legion of Doom fit them like a glove.

Irwin R. Schyster’s squash from Prime Time Wrestling is shown.

The British Bulldog (24-2) pins Tim Patterson after the running powerslam at 1:54:

The Bulldog recovers from his shocking loss to Colonel Mustafa on Prime Time Wrestling but running through Patterson with a vertical suplex, clothesline against the turnbuckles, and running powerslam.

Non-Title Match: The Nasty Boys (WWF Tag Team Champions w/Jimmy Hart) (17-2) beat Doug Carson & Ken Johnson when Brian Knobbs pins Carson after a running powerslam at 2:42:

The Legion of Doom do an insert promo about how they love the SummerSlam stipulation because the Nasties cannot run or hide. In keeping with a pattern on the show, the squash is devoid of energy. Jerry Sags’ right hand is heavily bandaged. That affects the finish as Knobbs pins Johnson after a running powerslam rather than having Sags win with a flying elbow drop.

Jake Roberts is shown in a cemetery talking about how the Ultimate Warrior trusts him. The Warrior is shown digging a grave, which Roberts likens to the Warrior digging up the past. The Warrior breaks open a casket and grabs a skull, which Roberts takes from him. Roberts then starts burying the Warrior in the hole he dug as the Warrior screams “Bury me snake man! Bury me!” Time lapses to where the Warrior is buried up to his head and Roberts puts the skull in front of his face before walking away. The premise of the segment was silly, but Roberts is so good that it worked.

Okerlund does the SummerSlam Report. Sergeant Slaughter, Colonel Mustafa, and General Adnan argue that Sid Justice will have to count down Hulk Hogan and the Ultimate Warrior’s shoulders and raise their arm in victory. Intercontinental Champion Mr. Perfect and Coach claim that a perfect victory is coming in New York City. Bret Hart rebuts that Coach cannot save Perfect or his title. The Natural Disasters and Jimmy Hart talk about getting to slay the Bushwhackers and Andre the Giant in the same night. The Bushwhackers and Andre rebut that they will stop the big men.

Ted DiBiase (w/Sensational Sherri) (16-2-1) beats Bobby Jones via submission to the Million Dollar Dream at 2:11:

Savage doubts that Virgil is smart, arguing that Virgil would pawn the Million Dollar Championship in three days if he were to win it from DiBiase. That almost causes McMahon to corpse. Virgil does an insert promo about how he will start his domination of DiBiase at SummerSlam. DiBiase slams Jones on the floor, rolls him in, powerslams him, and locks in the Million Dollar Dream for a tenth-straight win. After the bell, DiBiase stuffs a $100 bill down Jones’ throat, which Sherri retrieves for herself.

Bobby Heenan is shown holding the NWA World Championship Belt. He says that the titleholder is the “real world’s champion” and under contract with a rival company. Heenan reveals that this is Ric Flair, who he would be happy to advise should be come to the WWF.

Tune in next week to see the Texas Tornado, the Berzerker, Jimmy Snuka, and the Legion of Doom in action! Also, there will be one final step into darkness for the Ultimate Warrior! And more will be heard about the situation with Ric Flair!

The Last Word: The last segment with Bobby Heenan was shocking at the time because no one ever believed that the NWA World Championship Belt would be shown on a WWF broadcast. The possibility of a Hulk Hogan-Ric Flair bout was at the top of dream match lists at the time as well, so it was a segment that got people talking. Aside from this, Jake Roberts hit another segment out of the park with the Ultimate Warrior, finding a way to make a silly segment serious and dark. So on the angle level this show was great, but it is notable that the Flair and Roberts bits do not affect SummerSlam, which does not have a lot of intrigue surrounding it.

Up Next: Wrestling Challenge for August 11!