World Wrestling Federation: 1991

[Chrononaut]

SUNDAY, APRIL 28, 1991 -- WWF WRESTLEMANIA VII

Following the half-hour Preview Show hosted by Mean Gene Okerlund and Bobby "The Brain" Heenan, the pay-per-view kicked off with Gorilla Monsoon and Jesse "The Body" Ventura at the broadcast position from the back of the arena. After shilling the top matches for this afternoon, Monsoon introduced the third member of today's announce team, making his debut with the WWF... none other than the legendary "Nature Boy" Ric Flair! The Nature Boy, recently retired from WCW, wore an expensive Armani suit as he strutted out to a deafening pop from the crowd and joined Monsoon and Ventura on the stage. Flair claimed that in this business, there was only one place to be, and that is WrestleMania, and he was proud to finally be a part of the WWF. The Body and Gorilla welcomed him to the WWF and told him to put on his seatbelt, as they threw it to ring announcer Howard "The Fink" Finkel in the squared circle.

Texas Bullrope Match: Rhodes Family (Dusty & Dustin Rhodes) vs. Power & Glory (Hercules & Paul "Romeo" Roma)

Slick escorted Romeo & Herc, who carried the steel chain, while the Rhodes Family brought their bullrope and cowbell with them. After both squads were introduced, WWF President Andre The Giant lumbered down to ringside to perform the coin toss, which Dusty won by calling "heads" as opposed to Slick's "tails", thus making this contest a Texas Bullrope Match, which meant that all four competitors would be in the ring at the same time, all joined at the wrists to two eight-foot-long bullropes, with two brass cowbells, each one attached to the center of each rope. The Doctor Of Style protested the coin toss and pleaded for a "best-out-of-three", but the request was denied and the battle was underway, with Power & Glory blindsiding their opponents, who were distracted by Slick. The blood precedent was set early at WrestleMania, as the heels busted open the American Dream with the cowbell right off the bat, and then went to work on the rookie Dustin, competing in his first WrestleMania. Monsoon explained that the winning team would be the duo that was able to touch all four turnbuckles in succession, but other than that, there were no rules, while Flair put Dusty over as the master of the Texas Bullrope Match. Dustin bled as well, as Power & Glory were merciless in their attack, until Dusty mounted a comeback and went after both Roma & Hercules with punches and elbowsmashes. Soon after, Dustin got back into the fight and engaged in a tug-of-war with the Mighty One, outsmarting him by letting him win and flooring him with a big lariat when Hercules tugged on the rope. After a brutal "family feud", the Rhodes Family seemed to be on the verge of winning when they clotheslined both Herc & Romeo with the bullrope and went on to touch three turnbuckles in a row, but were stopped before the fourth as Herc used what was left of his immense might to pull and tug on the ropes, haulting the Texans' progress while Slick passed the steel chain to Roma. Roma bashed Dustin in the back of the head with the chain, drawing the attention of Dusty, who tried to avenge his son by wrapping the bullrope around Roma's neck and choking him. Meanwhile, Slick passed another steel chain, hidden under the ring in case Power & Glory won the coin toss, to Hercules, who wrapped the chain around his fist and coldcocked the American Dream with it. The Mighty One was then able to drag his two opponents, as well as his own partner, around the ring as he touched all four turnbuckles in succession, taking the victory for Power & Glory. The commentators put it over as a huge win that would do a lot to move Power & Glory up the ladder of contention in the WWF Tag Team Division. (77%)

Jake "The Snake" Roberts vs. "Ravishing" Rick Rude

The Snake entered first without the sack containing Damian, showing how serious and focused he was for this match-up, while the Ravishing One strutted out in his trademark "Simply Ravishing" robe, under which he was clad in painted tights depicting a frightened Jake Roberts. Jake started off chasing Rude around ringside, falling into the trap as Rude rolled back into the ring first and assaulted Jake when he slid back in. Rude maintained control with methodical offense, slowing down the pace and frustrating Roberts, as the commentators pointed out that Rude appeared to be in the best shape of his career, and smartly kept the short hair rather than growing back the oh-so-'80s long curly hair. With the crowd rallying behind him and his anger fueling his growing rage, Roberts broke out of a neck vice and opened up on Rude, unleashing his pent-up aggression on his nemesis with furious lefts and rights before taking the Ravishing One down to the canvas and choking him out. After a couple of minutes of drawing out the punishment, Roberts leveled Rude with the short-arm clothesline, as the fans began to chant "D-D-T". The Snake signaled for the lethal finisher before pulling Rude to his feet, when suddenly a rather stocky man dressed in black, wearing a black mask, appeared in the aisle. The masked man waved to Jake, who let go of Rude and walked over to the ropes to get a better look, daring the unidentified person to come into the ring. Meanwhile, Rude snuck up behind Jake and hooked him by the head, dropping him with a vicious Rude Awakening for the 1-2-3. The crowd booed heartily as Rude went out to the aisle afterwards and shook hands with the masked man, whom Ventura claimed was the Snake's psychiatrist, Dr. Schultz. Monsoon actually put some credence behind this theory, pointing out that the masked man has a similar build as that of the doctor, and suggested that we hadn't seen the last of this issue. (86%)

WWF Tag Team Title Match: The Hart Foundation (Bret "Hit Man" Hart & Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart) [champions] vs. The Nasty Boys (Brian Knobbs & Jerry Saggs)

Jimmy Hart accompanied the challengers as the commentators recounted the history between these two tag teams, while Flair added that Bret Hart was one guy he wished he had the opportunity to wrestle during his career. This was a straight-ahead, hard-hitting brawl that went back and forth, putting over the prestige of the WWF Tag Team Championship. The Foundation worked like a well-oiled machine and scored a few near-falls, until the Mouth Of The South interjected himself to turn the tide. The Nasties took control, working over the Hit Man with quick tags and rough-housing double-teams, displaying the tag team finesse hidden under their nasty exterior. Saggs & Knobbs each came close to getting the pin several times, most notably following the Pit Stop Drop, but the count was interrupted by the Anvil, triggering an all-out donnybrook with all four men in the ring. The rhino-like Neidhart disposed of the legal man, Knobbs, before hoisting Saggs up in a bearhug while Bret ran off the ropes and nailed him with the Hart Attack. Knobbs then climbed back into the ring and attempted to blindside the WWF Tag Team Champions, but they stopped him and took him down with the Hart Attack as well. The Hit Man covered Knobbs for the three-count while the Anvil hurled Saggs out to ringside. The commentators put the Nasties over for their impressive effort, but referred to the Hart Foundation as "arguably" the greatest WWF Tag Team Champions of all time and wondered who would be able to dethrone them. (86%)

Powers Of Pain (Barbarian & Warlord) vs. Legion Of Doom (Hawk & Animal)

Paul Ellering led out his monstrous Powers Of Pain, making doomsday proclamations along the way, while the Legion Of Doom charged out when they were introduced and went on the offensive right off the bat. Animal & Hawk quickly cleared Warlord & Barbarian from the ring, leaving Precious Paul all alone with his former proteges. Ellering begged off but the LOD had no mercy, whipping the manager into the ropes and blasting him with a leaping double shoulderblock. They signaled for the Doomsday Device, getting a big pop from the crowd, but the Powers returned to the ring and assaulted the LOD from behind, beating them down with heavy forearms and double-axhandles while Ellering retreated to the floor. As expected, this was strictly a power battle, with the Powers truly holding their own against their more experienced opponents. Both teams pulled out the heavy artillery as they fought for supremacy, using bone-rattling high-impact power moves and vicious double-teams in the quest for survival. Late in the match, all four men were slugging it out in the ring, when the LOD took the advantage, knocking the Warlord out to the floor and signaling for the Doomsday Device on the Barbarian. However, Ellering jumped up on the apron, waving his rolled-up Wall Street Journal and berating Animal & Hawk, who went over and slingshotted him into the ring. Animal lifted Ellering up on his shoulders while Hawk went to the top turnbuckle, but before they could trigger the Doomsday Device, the Warlord intervened and tossed Hawk from the turnbuckle all the way down to the floor. The Barbarian, meanwhile, caught Animal from behind with a knee to the kidney, freeing Precious Paul, who exited the ring while the Warlord floored Animal with a big boot to the side of the head. Barbarian went to the top turnbuckle as Warlord hoisted the 300-pound Animal up for a powerbomb, putting him in position for the diving shoulderblock from the Barbarian. Following the devastating End Of Days, Warlord hooked the leg to pick up the win, much to the surprise of the commentators and the fans. The Powers joined a slightly dazed Ellering in the aisle, raising their arms in victory while the LOD began to stir. (86%)

Dog Collar Match: Demolition (Smash & Crush) vs. The British Bulldogs (Davey Boy Smith & Dynamite Kid)

Ax marched out alongside Demolition, barking encouragement at Crush & Smash to get them fired up for what the commentators predicted would be a brutal dogfight, "pun intended". Once the British Bulldogs entered the ring, all four competitors had to put on studded leather dog collars around their necks, the collars connected by 15-foot-long chain link leashes, as Monsoon explained that the only way to win was via pinfall, while Flair and Ventura warned that this match would not be for the squeamish. After the two squads talked some trash, they tore into each other like rabid pitbulls, exchanging kicks, punches, facerakes, eye gouges, and other street-fight tactics. This was straight-up violence from both sides, as the Bulldogs were looking for revenge, while for Demolition, brutality is their nature. It didn't take long for the blood to flow, as Crush & Smash used the chain leash to bust open both Bulldogs, who battled back and managed to open up cuts on both of their facepainted opponents, displaying a level of aggression and intensity that had not been seen from them very often. Seeing their own blood only seemed to spur Demolition to a higher plane, as they stepped up their assault and bombarded the Englishmen with even more heavy-duty offense, coming close to the pinfall on several occasions. Growing frustrated with the tenacity of the Bulldogs, Smash & Crush wrapped the chain around Davey Boy's neck and scooped him up, preparing to throw him over the top rope to hang him again, but Dynamite prevented it by clipping both Demolition members' knees from behind. Dynamite wrapped the chain around Crush's legs to keep him grounded while Dynamite stomped and kicked him, giving Davey Boy the opportunity to free himself from the makeshift noose and tie up Smash's legs as well so that he could punish the brute from Parts Unknown. Demolition managed to pull themselves up eventually as each Bulldog scaled a turnbuckle, wrapping the chains around their hands before diving with chain-assisted double-axhandles to the top of their facepainted heads. Dynamite then covered Smash while Crush was pinned by Davey Boy to secure the blow-off victory for the British Bulldogs. Ax groaned with disappointment as the bloody, sweaty Englishmen celebrated their accomplishment and were unlocked from the dog collars. (89%)

WWF Intercontinental Title Match: Mr. Perfect [champion] vs. Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat

There were a lot of expectations from both fans and mat critics going into this match-up, taking into account the transcendent talents of the two competitors, considered quite possibly the two greatest workers in the long history of professional wrestling. Before locking up, they exchanged some heated words, followed by a humiliating slap from Mr. Perfect that led to the lock-up. They put on a true wrestling clinic, pulling out hold after hold and move after move, each man trying to one-up the other, which created an impressive back-and-forth athletic contest. Flair put over both men, calling Steamboat his toughest opponent ever, while predicting that Perfect could surpass the Nature Boy. An incredible amount of near-falls and innovative pinning combinations, keeping the crowd hot all the way through as a title change was teased numerous times. The WWF Intercontinental Champion snared the Dragon in the Perfectplex at one point, but Steamboat was somehow able to get a shoulder up, shocking everybody. Steamboat mounted a comeback shortly thereafter, firing off a salvo of stinging chops that literally blistered Perfect's chest, followed by a resounding slap across the face in retaliation for the slap he received earlier. Perfect tried to make his own comeback, but Steamboat stopped it short and continued to dish out everything he had, as the commentators compared this match to the Steamboat/Savage classic from WrestleMania III in terms of the action, drama, and athleticism. The Dragon floored Perfect with a spinning heel kick off the ropes before ascending to the top turnbuckle, signaling for the Reign Of Fire. However, while referee Joey Marella checked on Perfect as he was trying to drag himself to his feet, the masked "Man In Black" from earlier appeared and began yelling at Steamboat. This distracted Steamboat long enough for Rick Rude to emerge from the crowd and grab the Dragon's leg, yanking it and crotching Steamboat on the turnbuckle. Monsoon was confused, as the Ravishing One hid with the masked man at ringside while Perfect climbed up on the turnbuckles, hooking up Steamboat and dropping him out of the corner with an incredible "SuperPerfectplex" that earned the Intercontinental Champion the 1-2-3. Afterwards, the masked man sent Rude into the ring to help Perfect stomp and kick the Dragon, double-teaming him until Jake Roberts sprinted down the aisle to make the save, chasing Rude and Perfect out of the squared circle. Perfect, Rude, and the masked man backed up the aisle while the Snake threatened them from the ring. As the heels approached the curtain, the masked man pulled off his mask, revealing himself as... Bobby "The Brain" Heenan! Heenan pointed to his head and laughed before slipping away through the curtain with Rude and Perfect, as Roberts charged after them. (92%)

Million Dollar Belt Match: "Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase [self-proclaimed champion] vs. "Rowdy" Roddy Piper

As always, Virgil seconded the Million Dollar Man, who had to hand his Million Dollar belt over to referee Tim White before Hot Rod was introduced. However, when Howard Finkel made Piper's ring introductions, he didn't appear. A second try garnered the same result as the curtain remained motionless. After a third attempt, DiBiase and Virgil chuckled to each other as Monsoon admitted that he hadn't seen the Rowdy One all day and questioned what kind of condition he was in after last night's assault on Saturday Night's Main Event. Ventura guessed that he had suffered another concussion, while Flair claimed that Piper had always been off his rocker and maybe he had finally been committed. DiBiase allowed one more try, and when his challenger still didn't show up, the Million Dollar Man and his lackey headed up the aisle and passed through the curtain as the crowd booed heavily. The boos soon turned to cheers when DiBiase was beaten back into the arena through the curtain by an enraged Hot Rod, who had his kilt wrapped around DiBiase's head as he drove him toward ringside with a succession of hard punches. Piper grabbed DiBiase by the kilt and whipped him into the ring steps before rolling him into the ring. Virgil came running down the aisle, holding his head as the commentators speculated that Piper had assaulted him backstage as well, but Piper blocked his attack and fired back with rapid-fire right hands, finishing with a big left hook that floored the muscular servant. When Piper slid into the ring, DiBiase was ready for him and unloaded with stomps and kneedrops to the back of the head, exploiting the Scotsman's recent head injuries. He used Piper's own kilt against him, wrapping it tightly around the Rowdy One's neck and choking him out until the official threatened to disqualify him and take his belt. The Million Dollar Man remained in control for the most part, with brief comebacks from Piper before DiBiase regained the lead, while the commentators put over how important the Million Dollar belt was to DiBiase's ego. Once he determined that Piper was sufficiently weakened, DiBiase applied the Million Dollar Dream, which took its toll on Piper, sapping the energy from his feisty frame as the fans rallied behind Hot Rod. The ref dropped Piper's arm twice, but on the third attempt, the arm shot up in the air as Piper revived himself and struggled to his feet, slipping out of the Dream and dropping DiBiase with a back suplex. Piper got his second wind as he unleashed the last few months of anger on the Million Dollar Man, before knocking Virgil off the apron when he tried to get involved. DiBiase tried a blindside attack, but Piper dodged it and clamped the Sleeperhold on his nemesis, dragging him to the middle of the ring and increasing the pressure. DiBiase tried to fight it but faded fast, as the ref dropped his arm three times, awarding the victory and the Million Dollar belt to Piper. Afterwards, Virgil snuck into the ring and tried to jump the Scotsman, but Piper turned in time and took a homerun swing, cracking Virgil across the head with the solid gold and diamond-studded belt. The crowd gave Hot Rod a thunderous ovation as he exited with the Million Dollar belt held proudly over his head. (87%)

After a quick promo for next month's WWF War Zone "affordable" pay-per-view, the familiar gospel strains of "The Brother Love Show" cranked up as the red spotlights shone on the smiling Brother Love, who was behind the pulpit on the set, spewing his "LOOOOOOVVVE" rhetoric. He said that there was a fine line between "loooove" and hate, bringing him to his two very special guests this afternoon at WrestleMania VII, claiming that he took WWF President Andre The Giant's probation warning to heart and wanted to help his guests resolve their differences on his show, before introducing first, the two-time former WWF Champion... the legendary "THE IMMORTAL" HULK HOGAN! "Real American" kicked in and the fans went wild as the Hulkster himself walked out and looked around, pointing at the thousands of Hulkamaniacs in attendance, before joining Love on the stage. When the cheers finally died down a couple of minutes later, Hogan said it was great to be back in the WWF, especially at WrestleMania, but admitted that he was still unsure about his future, adding that no matter what happens, he would never forget his Hulkamaniacs. Love asked Hogan about his upcoming movie, "Suburban Commando", but Hogan saw through the red-faced preacher's blatant kissing-up and changed the subject to Jerry Lawler, questioning the King's motives for calling him out. Love said he didn't know, but they were here to get to the bottom of it, so he introduced the King, who was greeted with a solid round of boos. Lawler stood face-to-face with Hogan (although the King was shorter, obviously) not flinching as they exchanged some heated words, with Lawler accusing Hogan of getting rid of the red, and now being just yellow. Hogan explained that he had never backed down from a challenge and would be more than happy to prove to Lawler that the King was no longer a big fish in a small pond, but rather a "tiny little bottom-feeder" in the biggest ocean of them all, the WWF, ruled by "the most deadliest Great White Shark in the sea, brother, and that's the Hulkster!" Lawler seemed slightly embarrassed and dared Hogan to put his money where his mouth was, while Hogan replied that he would "uncrown" the King any time, any place, dude. Lawler considered it for a moment before firing off a right hand, blocked by Hogan, who responded with a series of his own punches, followed by an elbowsmash that knocked the King down. The crowd erupted as the King scurried away like a rat from the Hulkster, who went through his popular posedown routine as "Real American" started up again. After pleasing the Hulkamaniacs for a few minutes, Hogan headed off the stage, but Lawler reappeared from behind, picking up Love's podium and busting it across Hogan's broad back as the fans began to boo. Hogan stumbled off the set to the floor, still on his feet, as Lawler charged and dove down on Hogan with a fist to the side of the neck, briefly knocking Hogan off of his feet. Lawler picked up a piece of the broken podium and smashed it over Hogan's head before helping the Immortal One up to his knees, where the King put him in position and spiked him with a nasty Piledriver on the concrete floor. The boos grew louder as the King dragged the Hulkster up again and drilled him with another Piledriver, after which Lawler pulled the semi-conscious Hogan up once more and planted him on the hard floor with a third Piledriver. Lawler signaled for one more, but a veritable army of WWF referees and road agents flooded out, stopping the King from inflicting any more damage. The King walked away laughing as medical personnel arrived on the scene, stabilizing the motionless Hulkster's neck and loading him onto a stretcher. Monsoon was afraid that this could be the end of Hulkamania, while both Flair and Ventura were proud of Lawler and claimed that this day was a long time coming. (95%)

WWF Championship Match: Ultimate Warrior [champion] vs. "Macho Man" Randy Savage

The crowd was still in a state of shock in the beginning, as Monsoon promised to have an update on Hulk Hogan's condition tomorrow night on Prime Time Wrestling. After the ring introductions for both challenger and champion, the fans got back into the show as the Macho Man and the Warrior stood face-to-face and nose-to-nose in mid-ring, snorting and grunting various threats at each other. Savage shoved Warrior, who shoved back before they locked up collar-and-elbow, kicking off the intense action that was to come. This was a match truly worthy of being the WrestleMania main event, showcasing the considerable skills of both superstars, the Warrior with his superhuman strength, power, and will to win, while Savage shot back with his superior speed, agility, and technical prowess, mixed with some underhanded heel tactics to combat the WWF Champion's overwhelming size advantage. The fans were hot throughout the grueling contest and all three commentators were on the top of their game as they called the blazing action, which featured numerous near-falls on both sides. Savage carried Warrior to the greatest match ever in the Ultimate One's career, surpassing even last year's Hogan/Warrior classic at WrestleMania VI, as they exchanged move after move, each competitor trying to wear the other man down. Flair put the WWF Championship over, expressing regret that the one title he never held was also the richest prize in professional sports, stressing how crucial the big gold belt was to the careers of both Warrior and Savage. After almost 30 minutes of non-stop action, which included Savage kicking out of the Warrior Splash and Warrior kicking out of the Flying Elbowdrop, the Macho Man slipped out of the Gorilla Press and knocked the Warrior out to the floor with a running knee to the back. Savage quickly went to the top turnbuckle and dove all the way down to the floor, nailing the Warrior with the awesome flying double-axhandle before immediately rolling him back into the ring and climbing up top again. The Macho Man dove with the breath-taking Flying Elbowdrop once again and hooked the leg as referee Earl Hebner administered the fateful three-count to end the match and award the WWF Championship to Randy Savage for the second time in his career. The commentators praised the gut-wrenching bout and the "never say die" attitude of both superstars, while the crowd gave a very loud mixed reaction to the brand-new WWF Champion, apparently having gained some respect for the Macho Man as he won the match cleanly. Savage celebrated with his belt as the sweaty Warrior rolled out of the ring, while Monsoon, Ventura, and Flair signed off, thanking fans for joining them at WrestleMania VII. (94%)

Overall: 87%

Buyrate: 1.71

Attendance: 17,922

PPV Revenue: $4,275,000

Ticket Sales: $1,075,320

-----

Wow...personally, I was impressed by how well the PPV came out, so I guess I built up the feuds well enough. Obviously, the Steamboat/Perfect and Roberts/Rude angles are far from over, and I'm pretty excited about some other ideas I have for new storylines. Unfortunately, Ric Flair really did retire from WCW to become an announcer, so don't get your hopes up about seeing the Nature Boy compete in the WWF, but at least we got him as a commentator. The predictions were wicked, some of them were right on, while others gave me some ideas for the future. Thanks guys, and I hope you enjoyed WrestleMania VII!

[Chrononaut]

MONDAY, APRIL 29, 1991 -- WWF PRIME TIME WRESTLING

Vince McMahon and Jesse "The Body" Ventura began the show LIVE from ringside, excitedly talking about how amazing WrestleMania VII was last night, before announcing tonight's lineup: the Hart Foundation defending the WWF Tag Team Championship against Les Canadiens, Bushwhacker Butch taking on Rick Rude, the Honky Tonk Man & Colonel Robert Fuller meeting the Conquistadors, the Texas Twister in action, an announcement from WWF President Andre The Giant, and more.

Bobby "The Brain" Heenan kicked things off by walking down the aisle to a huge heel pop, grinning like the Cheshire Cat as he entered the ring and grabbed the microphone from ring announcer Howard "The Fink" Finkel. The Brain admitted that he wasn't scheduled to come out yet, but he was sick and tired of being stuck behind a desk carrying "a talentless oaf like Gorilla Monsoon", so now he was going to do things "the Heenan way", just like he did last night at WrestleMania VII. He accused the WWF front office of trying to squeeze him out of managing and forcing him into the "broadcast journalist" role, one which he said that he excelled at, but that he still had a lot of headaches to give to WWF brass, so he wasn't through with managing quite yet. Heenan stated that his ultimate goal was to make WWF President Andre The Giant's administration a nightmare, and promised that Andre would forever regret manhandling the Brain and dumping him at last year's WrestleMania VI, adding that nobody treats Bobby Heenan that way and gets away with it, not even a 7'4", 500-pound Giant. To that end, Bobby announced that the Heenan Family was back in a big way, and introduced "Ravishing" Rick Rude and WWF Intercontinental Champion Mr. Perfect, who strutted out together to thunderous boos from the fans. Ventura told McMahon that the WWF was in a lot of trouble now with the resurrection of the Heenan Family, while Perfect and Rude both gloated about their victories at WrestleMania, calling Ricky Steamboat and Jake Roberts a couple of dummies who were easily outsmarted courtesy of the Brain. Heenan then ordered Rude's opponent to be introduced and flipped the mic back to Finkel, who missed the catch as the Heenan Family laughed at him. (92%)

"Ravishing" Rick Rude vs. Butch

Bobby Heenan and Mr. Perfect stayed at ringside in the Ravishing One's corner as the lone Bushwhacker marched out to a nice reaction. McMahon explained that Butch's partner/cousin, Luke, was injured during a "sheepherding exhibition" back home in New Zealand, giving Ventura endless ammunition for insults toward the Bushwhackers, while they also discussed Rude's on-going conflict with Jake Roberts. This was a surprisingly entertaining little match-up, with Butch getting in enough offense to maintain his credibility, without making Rude look weak. Rude seems to have all the tools to finally become a major top-level player in the WWF, and he showed it here, avoiding a one-man Bushwhacker Battering Ram near the end and dropping Butch with the Rude Awakening to win his in-ring return to Prime Time Wrestling. (81%)

After the match, Mr. Perfect joined Rick Rude in continuing the assault on Butch, stomping and kicking the Bushwhacker while Bobby Heenan egged them on and the fans booed. However, the boos turned to cheers when Jake Roberts and Ricky Steamboat charged out wearing their street clothes, at which point the Ravishing One and the WWF Intercontinental Champion retreated along with the Brain. The Heenan Family departed with smug grins on their faces as the Dragon and the Snake shouted threatening words at them. (90%)

In the Prime Time studio, Gorilla Monsoon welcomed his new co-host, the legendary "Nature Boy" Ric Flair, who informed Gorilla that Bobby Heenan himself had personally asked the Nature Boy to take his place from now on, and he was more than happy to do it, wishing the Brain well in his reborn managerial career. Monsoon rolled his eyes and said that he thought nobody could be worse than the Brain, but admitted that Flair might prove him wrong, before they talked about last night's WrestleMania VII and what a tremendous event it was. They went through some of the results and highlights before introducing their first guest, WWF President Andre The Giant, who lumbered in and joined the WrestleMania discussion. The President was very pleased with how the show turned out, but was angry about Jerry Lawler hospitalizing Hulk Hogan, informing viewers that the Hulkster suffered a severe pinched nerve and would be out of action indefinitely. Andre added that he would deal with the situation appropriately, as talk turned to the reformation of the Heenan Family and the Brain's thinly-veiled threats tonight directed toward Andre, who shrugged it off and matter-of-factly stated that nobody would strong-arm him, vowing to uphold the integrity of the WWF Presidency. Andre announced that the next pay-per-view was WWF War Zone, taking place on Sunday, May 26, and his announcement tonight would have an impact on that show. He began by putting over the impressive quality of tag team competition recently, calling the current WWF Tag Team Division possibly the deepest and most talented it has ever been. He then pointed out that in the Singles Division, there were two titles to gun for, so with the increased number of skilled tag teams, as well as the increased importance of wrestling on television, he had decided to create a brand-new tag team title: the WWF Television Tag Team Championship. Andre announced that there would be an eight-team tournament held over the next few weeks, culminating in the final to crown the first-ever WWF TV Tag Team Champions on May 26 at WWF War Zone. He said that the tournament would kick off this weekend on Saturday Night's Main Event with the Legion Of Doom facing Demolition, the winners of which would meet the victors of a match between the Orient Express and the Rockers the following week. The other first-round bouts were scheduled to be the British Bulldogs taking on the Nasty Boys, and a WrestleMania rematch pitting Power & Glory against the Rhodes Family, which would take place next week on Prime Time. Monsoon thanked the Giant for his time and predicted that the WWF Television Tag Team Title Tournament would be filled with excitement. (86%)

Honky Tonk Man & Colonel Robert Lee Fuller vs. The Conquistadors (Conquistador #1 & Conquistador #2)

The commentators discussed the brand-new WWF Television Tag Team Championship, agreeing that tag team competition was at an all-time high, while the Colonel & Honky Tonk made their entrance, looking as cocky as always. This was a solid, but rather heatless, bout that gave the commentators the opportunity to hype the upcoming tournament, as well as WWF War Zone on Sunday, May 26. They pushed Fuller & Honky as possible contenders to whomever ends up as the WWF TV Tag Team Champions, and wondered whatever happened to the "Honkymania" marketing blitz that Fuller had promised a few weeks ago. The Southerners finished off the masked men when Honky covered #1 following the Shake Rattle 'n' Roll. (62%)

In the Prime Time studio, Gorilla Monsoon and Ric Flair talked about the possibly career-ending injury brutally inflicted upon Hulk Hogan by Jerry Lawler on "The Brother Love Show" last night at WrestleMania VII, with Gorilla hoping that the Hulkster would be able to return, while the Nature Boy stood up and gave the King a literal standing ovation, which disgusted Gorilla. After that argument, they introduced their next guests, Mr. Fuji along with Abdullah The Butcher & The Great Muta, who both looked slightly out of place in the studio setting. While Muta watched intently as Abdullah gnawed on the desk, Fuji asked Monsoon if he enjoyed WrestleMania VII and wondered if Monsoon could guess what Fuji's favorite part of the show was. When he gave up, Fuji told Monsoon that he took great pleasure in watching the Ultimate Warrior lose the WWF Championship, because it proved what he had known since the Warrior arrived in the WWF, that Warrior was a warrior in name only. Fuji explained that he had trained and managed vicious warriors, and that the Ultimate One was a disgrace to the art of war, but suggested that under the proper tutelage, Warrior could become a truly great warrior. He challenged the Warrior to do battle with a true bloodthirsty warrior, Abdullah The Butcher, next week on Prime Time, calling it a test to determine whether or not Warrior was worthy of his ancient teachings, and added that he wanted a response by this weekend on Saturday Night's Main Event. (76%)

"Texas Twister" Kevin Von Erich vs. "Playboy" Buddy Rose

Before they locked up, the Playboy motioned to his waist and blew up his cheeks, absurdly insinuating that the Twister was overweight and in need of the "Blow Away" diet powder. Your basic competitive squash, during which the commentators discussed Mr. Fuji's interesting proposal, with Ventura suggesting that the Ultimate Warrior should take Fuji up on his offer and join the Dojo. This one ended in submission when the Twister applied the Von Erich Claw on the obese Rose following the second-rope Twister Punch. (66%)

In the Prime Time studio, Gorilla Monsoon and Ric Flair hyped tonight's upcoming WWF Tag Team Championship main event featuring Les Canadiens challenging the Hart Foundation, and talked about Ted DiBiase losing his precious Million Dollar belt to Roddy Piper last night, before bringing in the Million Dollar Man himself, accompanied by Virgil. DiBiase looked like a child who just had their favorite toy taken away, while Virgil was stone-faced as always, as they sat down at the desk. DiBiase snapped at Monsoon before he could even open his mouth, telling Gorilla to wipe the smile off of his face before he had Virgil do it for him. Undaunted, Gorilla asked how it felt to lose his most prized possession at WrestleMania VII in front of the world, provoking an angry sneer from DiBiase, who barked that it was one of the most embarrassing moments ever in his life and called it "highway robbery", accusing the Rowdy Scot of cheating and having the referee in his back pocket. However, DiBiase said that was fine, because he has bigger goals in mind, namely the WWF Heavyweight Championship of the World. He congratulated Randy Savage on his impressive victory last night, ending the one-year reign of the Ultimate Warrior, but wondered how he could pull it off, bringing up the Macho Man's errant interference on Saturday Night's Main Event a couple of weeks ago that caused DiBiase & Virgil to lose to Piper & Warrior. The Million Dollar Man admitted that that was in the past now, and he was willing to let bygones be bygones, as he claimed that he had an offer that the brand-new WWF Champion wouldn't be able to refuse. When Monsoon asked what the offer entailed, DiBiase replied that the details were still being worked out by his "Million Dollar Legal Team", but that everybody, including Savage, would find out on "The Brother Love Show" this weekend on Saturday Night's Main Event. (83%)

Back at the arena, Mean Gene Okerlund was in the locker room to interview Jimmy Hart, Dino Bravo, & The Mountie, who were psyching themselves up for their shot at the Hart Foundation's WWF Tag Team Championship tonight. The Mouth Of The South expressed disappointment that his Nasty Boys couldn't get the job done against the Anvil & Hit Man at WrestleMania VII last night, but claimed that Les Canadiens matched up more evenly with the titlists and would therefore bring the belts home to the Hart Organization...NEXT! (83%)

WWF Tag Team Title Match: The Hart Foundation (Bret "Hit Man" Hart & Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart) [champions] vs. Les Canadiens (The Mountie & Dino Bravo)

Jimmy Hart escorted his challengers, as Ventura explained the Mouth Of The South's claim about Les Canadiens matching up evenly with the Hart Foundation, comparing the raw power of Dino Bravo with that of Jim Neidhart, and the rugged wrestling skills of the Mountie with those of Bret Hart. The theory proved to be true as the two teams meshed well and put on a great contest, featuring several near-falls, as well as the interference of the Mouth that almost led to a title change. The commentators mentioned that the Nasty Boys took a lot out of the champions last night at WrestleMania VII, putting over the Canadians' chances of winning the belts tonight. Although Bravo & Mountie came close, they ultimately failed when the Hit Man covered the Canadian Strongman following the Hart Attack. (82%)

After the match, as the Hart Foundation were celebrating with their WWF Tag Team Championship belts, the Powers Of Pain suddenly stormed the ring out of nowhere and blindsided the titlists. Paul Ellering appeared at ringside, directing traffic as Warlord & Barbarian hammered both Bret Hart & Jim Neidhart, whom McMahon pointed out were already worn down from last night's hard-hitting match against the Nasty Boys as well as tonight's grueling victory over Les Canadiens. After flooring the Anvil using a brutal double foot to the face, the Powers crushed the Hit Man with their patented End Of Days. Neidhart groggily tried to save his partner, but became the victim of the Tag Team Champions' own finisher as the Warlord hoisted the Anvil in a bearhug while the Barbarian rebounded off the ropes and caught him with a vicious rendition of the Hart Attack clothesline. McMahon cried out for someone to stop the carnage, while the Powers picked up the Harts' title belts and examined them curiously before dropping them on the fallen frames of Neidhart & Hart, as Precious Paul climbed in and raised the POP's arms triumphantly. McMahon and Ventura put over the destructive nature of the monstrous Powers Of Pain and hyped this weekend's Saturday Night's Main Event before closing the show. (83%)

Overall: 80%

Rating: 5.85

Attendance: 8,034

Ticket Sales: $482,040

-----

As announced, Rick Martel officially retired from the WWF at the end of April. We thank him for his years of service and he will no doubt be a future Hall Of Famer.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Celebrating birthdays in April were...

Dino Bravo (43)

Brooklyn Brawler (29)

Bad News Brown (48)

Crush (27)

"Rowdy" Roddy Piper (40)

Dustin Rhodes (25)

Sato (37)

Slick (34)

-----

SATURDAY, MAY 4, 1991 -- NBC/WWF PRESENT: SATURDAY NIGHT'S MAIN EVENT

Marv Albert and Mike Tenay opened the LIVE network broadcast by introducing the new third man in the booth, "Nature Boy" Ric Flair, who strutted into the picture, sliding in between Tenay and Albert and putting over the intense action he has witnessed during his first week in the WWF. They ran through tonight's show, featuring the return of young Shane "Top Gun" Douglas against Greg Valentine, Tito Santana & Koko B. Ware taking on the Orient Express, the Powers Of Pain in action, Ted DiBiase on "The Brother Love Show", and the first round of the WWF Television Tag Team Championship Tournament kicking off in the main event with Demolition battling the Legion Of Doom.

The Orient Express (Kato & Sato) vs. Tito Santana & Koko B. Ware

Mr. Fuji waddled out with his Orient Express as Tenay explained that Kato had been back home in Japan over the last couple of months training under some of the Far East's deadliest samurai and ninjas, and it showed here as the masked man was quicker and more lethal than ever. A solid, though unspectacular, contest that ended when Kato pinned the Bird Man with the Banzai (Sato thrust kick into Kato german suplex). (68%)

Sean Mooney came down to ringside after the match to interview the Orient Express and Mr. Fuji, who put over Sato & Kato's new finisher, the Banzai, pointing out its effectiveness on Koko B. Ware. Fuji promised the same results for any other "useless American tag team", especially the Rockers next week on Saturday Night's Main Event during their WWF Television Tag Team Championship Tournament opening-round match-up, before reiterating his challenge to the Ultimate Warrior. (82%)

In the locker room, Mean Gene Okerlund interviewed the Powers Of Pain and Paul Ellering, who began by gloating over the Powers' surprising victory over the Legion Of Doom last Sunday at WrestleMania VII. Precious Paul insisted that it wasn't an upset as some have claimed, but that it proved he was the force behind the LOD's success, and he vowed to lead Warlord & Barbarian to heights greater than Animal & Hawk have climbed, namely the WWF Tag Team Championship. While the Powers grunted and snorted behind him, Ellering threw out a challenge to the Hart Foundation to defend their title against his monsters at WWF War Zone, promising a repeat performance of what happened at the end of last Monday's Prime Time Wrestling. (74%)

Powers Of Pain (Barbarian & Warlord) vs. Rob Zakowski & Scott Taylor

Paul Ellering led his facepainted monsters to the ring as footage was shown of the Powers Of Pain assaulting the Hart Foundation on Prime Time. Flair put over the managerial prowess of Precious Paul, which Albert had to agree with, while Tenay reminded viewers of Zakowski's near-upset against Mr. Perfect for the WWF Intercontinental Title a couple of weeks ago. Total squash here though, as the massively muscled Powers steamrolled over their much smaller opponents, finishing them off when the Barbarian covered Taylor following the End Of Days. (74%)

A promo aired next, hyping the huge main event for next week's Saturday Night's Main Event, featuring Mr. Perfect defending the WWF Intercontinental Championship against Jake "The Snake" Roberts. The video recapped the events of WrestleMania VII that intertwined Perfect's feud against Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat with the Roberts/Rick Rude angle, resulting in the rebirth of the Heenan Family. Should be a hot match next week. (89%)

Greg "The Hammer" Vaentine vs. "Top Gun" Shane Douglas

Jimmy Hart seconded the Hammer, while it looks like Shane Douglas has been repackaged with a Navy jet pilot gimmick similar to Tom Cruise's "Maverick" character in the movie "Top Gun", as he entered the ring wearing a pilot uniform, which he removed to reveal shiny grey trunks and boots. Tenay explained that since the last time we saw him in the WWF, Douglas had been honing his skills in Canada's Stampede Wrestling and emerged as the "Top Gun" in his class. He showed it here, taking everything that the veteran Hammer could dish out and firing back with his fast-paced offense, all the while "hot-dogging" and showing off, which seemed to please the fans. After countering the Hammer's Hartbreaker, Douglas put Valentine away with a nice-looking missile dropkick from the middle turnbuckle right to the face. (68%)

A pre-recorded segment from the Ultimate Warrior aired that featured the Warrior lamenting his loss of the WWF Championship to Randy Savage last Sunday at WrestleMania VII. The Warrior admitted that it was a clean, honorable victory for the Macho Man and claimed that the loss had raised doubts within himself whether he was worthy of the name "Warrior". He rambled on about gods and cosmic forces as he brought up Mr. Fuji's challenge from Prime Time to battle Abdullah The Butcher this Monday, referring to the Butcher as "a mutant outlaw in the realm of humanity". Warrior babbled about destiny creating him to destroy such creatures, adding that he wanted to prove to himself and to the universe that his Warrior spirit was still strong. In other words, I think he accepted the challenge. (87%)

Back in the arena, Brother Love was all smiles on the set of "The Brother Love Show" as he mockingly wished Hulk Hogan a speedy recovery from the injuries inflicted upon him by Jerry Lawler at WrestleMania VII last Sunday, wondering aloud what the WWF would be like if the Hulkster were forced to retire. Still grinning, Love was about to introduce his "Million Dollar Guest" for tonight, but instead WWF President Andre The Giant walked out unexpectedly as the huge fake smile on Love's face disappeared and the fans cheered. Love nervously asked the President why he was honoring "The Brother Love Show" with his unscheduled appearance, and Andre repeated his probation warning from a couple of weeks ago, bringing up the King's attack on the Hulkster during the special WrestleMania edition of "The Brother Love Show". The red-faced preacher claimed that he had nothing to do with it, and in fact was "downright disgusted" at Lawler's behavior last Sunday, but Andre pointed out Love's comments from just moments ago and added that he had it on good authority that Love knew of Lawler's plans ahead of time. Love tried to protest, but Andre grabbed the microphone and said he had two words for the Brother: "YOU'RE...FIRED!" The crowd popped as Love dropped to his knees, begging the Giant for another chance, but Andre kicked him away and proceeded to destroy the set, pushing down the background walls and hurling the podium down to the concrete floor, smashing it. Love made a feeble attempt to stop the 7'4" 500-pound President, but Andre casually dismissed him with a massive headbutt. Andre lumbered off the ruined set, leaving Love laying unconscious amidst the wreckage as Flair worried about Ted DiBiase's interview time. (76%)

Mean Gene Okerlund was backstage in the locker room interviewing Ax, Smash, & Crush of Demolition as Crush & Smash got ready for their WWF Television Tag Team Championship Tournament first-round match-up against the Legion Of Doom. Ax growled about Animal & Hawk being on a losing streak "as long as the yellow streaks down their backs", bringing up their loss to the Powers Of Pain last Sunday at WrestleMania VII and pointing out that since Demolition dominated Warlord & Barbarian two years ago at WrestleMania V and throughout 1989, they would have no trouble disposing of the LOD tonight. Smash added that he and Crush have been the most dominant tag team on television so far in 1991 and would rightfully be crowned TV Tag Team Champions, starting by "kickin' the LOD's stinkin' teeth straight down their stinkin' throats!" (85%)

WWF Television Tag Team Title Tournament - Opening Round: Demolition (Smash & Crush) vs. Legion Of Doom (Hawk & Animal)

Ax marched out alongside his Demolition compatriots while Tenay claimed that Animal & Hawk were offered equal time to speak their minds, but they have declined all interview requests since last Sunday's WrestleMania VII. Flair suggested that their loss to the Powers Of Pain shocked and rattled them, since the LOD have always believed they were invincible. The LOD stormed out looking deadly serious and started the match off fast and furious, as all four facepainted brutes began slugging it out at once, while Ax retreated to ringside. Once the chaos settled, this became a pretty good power brawling contest, as these two teams have gotten very familiar over the last several months and work well together, battling back and forth, with the LOD wrestling like they had something to prove. The commentators mentioned that the winner of this one would meet the winners of next week's Rockers/Orient Express match-up in the semi-final round, as the LOD and Demolition just kept battering the crap out of each other with heavy-duty, high-impact maneuvers, neither squad giving an inch in their quest for victory. Late in the bout, as Hawk rebounded off the ropes, Ax nailed him with a double-axhandle across the small of his back from ringside, which prompted a raging Animal to go after the former co-WWF Tag Team Champion on the floor. Meanwhile on the inside, Smash draped Hawk across his knee in a backbreaker as Crush dove off the top turnbuckle with the Demolition Decapitation Elbow, after which Smash scored the three-count on Hawk. Afterwards, Ax motioned for Crush & Smash to go back to the locker room while he took a nasty beating from Animal, who rammed the facepainted coach into the ringpost and pressed him overhead, dropping him throat-first across the iron ringside railing. Referee Joey Marella stopped Animal from continuing his attack and sent him into the ring to check on Hawk, who was still laying on the mat holding his lower back. Flair put over Ax's "martyrdom" managerial style as Ax staggered and stumbled up the aisle. Thinking the show was over, Albert began to sign off, but was suddenly cut off by an unscheduled commercial break. (82%)

Following the surprise commercial break, the catchy refrain of "Money, Money, Money" cranked up in the arena as "Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase, escorted as always by Virgil, swaggered down the aisle and stepped into the ring, while Virgil snatched the microphone for him. The Million Dollar Man first expressed his disgust at the way that "the so-called President of the WWF", Andre The Giant, treated his friend, Brother Love, earlier and claimed that it was also unfair to DiBiase himself, since he was booked as this week's guest on "The Brother Love Show" and had told everybody to tune in. However, DiBiase reminded fans that "everyone and everything has a price", including NBC Sports' Dick Ebersol, insinuating that he had paid off the executive and purchased a five-minute "overrun" to get in his missed interview time. DiBiase added that it wouldn't be the only transaction he was making tonight, bringing up the mysterious offer he had announced on Prime Time Wrestling before calling out the new WWF Champion "Macho Man" Randy Savage, who strode out to a loud mixed reaction from the crowd. Savage had an odd look of curiousity on his face as DiBiase bragged about his unlimited resources and how he could buy or sell anyone or anything he wanted, and he could be either your best friend in the whole world or the worst enemy on the entire planet. DiBiase posed the question of which he wanted to be to Savage, who looked slightly puzzled and asked DiBiase to elaborate. The Million Dollar Man laughed and said it was simple: he was offering the new two-time WWF Champion "protection" throughout the spring and summer in exchange for a title shot at the next major event, SummerSlam '91, in August. The crowd booed as a smirk broke out across the leathery face of the Macho Man, who unstrapped the WWF Championship belt from his waist and looked it over, then nodded and looked back up at DiBiase. In the broadcast booth, Flair urged Savage to accept the offer, "take it from me, brother", a wink to his days as the NWA World Champion as leader of the Four Horsemen. A grinning DiBiase handed the mic over to Savage, who admitted that it was a very tempting offer, as the WWF Title means more to him than anything, but added, "well, ALMOST anything" before explaining that his pride as not just any man, but as the Macho Man, was the most important thing in his life. He recounted how Hulk Hogan helped him win his first WWF Championship in the WrestleMania IV tournament final against the Million Dollar Man himself, but said that this time, he won the belt all by himself, without any outside interference, and he was going to keep it that way. As DiBiase's face began turning red, Savage gave his official response: "If you want a WWF Title shot at SummerSlam, you got it, but what I don't need is your protection, OOOHHHHHH YEEEEAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH, DIG IT!" before hauling off and popping DiBiase with a straight right hand as the crowd exploded with cheers. Virgil swiftly moved in to assist his boss, but the Macho Man caught him with an elbowsmash and planted him with a bodyslam before going to the top turnbuckle and crushing the lackey with the Flying Elbowdrop. The Million Dollar Man, who had retreated to ringside, reached in and dragged Virgil out by the leg while the Macho Man stood on the turnbuckles holding his WWF Championship belt and soaking in the adulation of the fans. Albert, Tenay, and Flair were in shock at Savage's apparent face turn as they signed off. (89%)

Overall: 79%

Rating: 6.64

Attendance: 8,046

Ticket Sales: $482,760

-----

SUNDAY, MAY 5, 1991 -- WWF SUPERSTARS OF WRESTLING

Booker: Vince Russo (Writer)

Quality: 72%

Rating: 5.40

Attendance: 8,030

Ticket Sales: $481,800

-----

Because I have nothing better to do right now, and because my internet seems to be down at the moment, here are my current WWF staff members, their positions, and their talent.

Marv Albert: Announcer, 95.

Gerald Brisco: Road Agent, 100.

Eddie Chandler: Writer, 100.

Alex Chrichoton: Medical, 90.

Ed Ferrera: Writer, 80.

Howard "The Fink" Finkel: Ring Announcer, 77.

"Nature Boy" Ric Flair: Announcer, 100.

Tony Garea: Road Agent, 100.

William Gilzenberg: Writer, 70.

Todd Gordon: Writer, 80.

Rene Goulet: Road Agent, 85.

Lord Alfred Hayes: Announcer, 66.

Dave Hebner: Referee, 80.

Earl Hebner: Referee, 95.

Mark Johnson: Referee, 90.

Jim Johnston: Production, 100.

Jack Lanza: Road Agent, 90.

Michael Leisner: Medical, 95.

Joey Marella: Referee, 85.

Danny Marsh: Referee, 66.

Shane McMahon: Referee, 75.

Vince McMahon: Announcer, 83.

Gorilla Monsoon: Announcer, 100.

Sean Mooney: Announcer, 67.

Mean Gene Okerlund: Announcer, 80.

Pat Patterson: Road Agent, 100.

Vince Russo: Writer, 80.

George Scott: Writer, 80.

Chief Jay Strongbow: Road Agent, 90.

Mike Tenay: Announcer, 85.

Jesse "The Body" Ventura: Announcer, 97.

Tim White: Referee, 86.

Dr. Zahorian: Medical, 100.

[Chrononaut]

MONDAY, MAY 6, 1991 -- WWF PRIME TIME WRESTLING

Vince McMahon and Jesse "The Body" Ventura introduced tonight's show LIVE from ringside: the Ultimate Warrior battling Abdullah The Butcher in the main event, a WrestleMania VII rematch pitting the Rhodes Family against Power & Glory in a WWF Television Tag Team Championship Tournament first-round bout, Jake Roberts and the Nasty Boys in action, and more.

The Nasty Boys (Brian Knobbs & Jerry Saggs) vs. Rob Zakowski & Scott Taylor

Jimmy Hart escorted his Nasties out while the commentators hyped their WWF Television Tag Team Championship Tournament opening-round match-up next week against the British Bulldogs, and put them over for coming very close to winning the WWF Tag Team Championship from the Hart Foundation at WrestleMania VII. They also talked about the Ted DiBiase/Randy Savage altercation on Saturday Night's Main Event, Ventura calling it the worst decision that the Macho Man has ever made. This was a competitive squash, ending when Saggs covered Zakowski following the Pit Stop Drop. (73%)

In the Prime Time studio, Gorilla Monsoon and "Nature Boy" Ric Flair discussed the British Bulldogs/Nasty Boys match for next week and predicted that it would be a very stiff, hard-hitting affair, before displaying the WWF Television Tag Team Championship Tournament bracket and talking about this weekend's first-round contest on Saturday Night's Main Event featuring the Orient Express against their first guests tonight, the Rockers. Shawn Michaels & Marty Jannetty entered the studio and sat down as Monsoon pointed out that they had wrestled the other two incarnations of the Orient Express (Sato & Tanaka, Tanaka & Kato) in the past, but wondered if they would be able to handle the combination of Kato & Sato. Jannetty admitted that the previous versions of the Orient Express were tough, quick, and sneaky, making them difficult opponents, and said that the same was true for the current Japanese duo. Michaels gave the devil his due, crediting Mr. Fuji for molding his men into lethal assassins, but still felt confident that the Rockers would be advancing to the semi-final to face Demolition. When asked how they would fare against the much larger Crush & Smash, Shawn told Monsoon that they would cross that bridge when they came to it, while Marty added that the Rockers were going to "rock and roll" all over the tournament and emerge as the first-ever WWF TV Tag Team Champions. (80%)

A pre-recorded vignette aired, featuring Shane "Top Gun" Douglas at an airfield, looking slightly cocky with a mischievous grin on his face as he talked about being the "Top Gun" in his class. He said that the WWF superstars would soon find that out the hard way, before putting on his flight helmet and climbing into a near-by jet fighter. The plane was shown taking off and zooming through the air, performing a few stunts as it flew upside-down. After a few moments, the plane landed and Douglas was seen climbing out, removing his helmet once he hit the ground. The Top Gun claimed that he had a lot in common with jet fighters, in that they're both taking off, and they will take your breath away. (70%)

Up next was a promo for this coming weekend's Saturday Night's Main Event, hyping yet another return of "Piper's Pit". It showed "Rowdy" Roddy Piper himself in a warehouse somewhere overseeing the construction of a new set for the Pit, stopping to wink at the camera and whisper, "Thanks, Ted." The segment ended with the announcement that the Scotsman's guest on Saturday night would be "The King" Jerry Lawler. (89%)

Jake "The Snake" Roberts vs. Conquistador #1

The commentators hyped Jake's upcoming shot at WWF Intercontinental Champion Mr. Perfect this weekend on Saturday Night's Main Event as he stalked down the aisle with his python Damian in the sack slung over his shoulder. As soon as he slithered into the ring and laid eyes on his masked opponent, Jake lost it and charged over, crunching the Conquistador with a clothesline in the corner. He never once let up, completely and thoroughly dominating #1 with punches, kicks, eyerakes, kneelifts, and various other painful moves. The Snake floored #1 with the short-arm clothesline and pointed at the camera, telling the Heenan Family this was for them as he planted the Conquistador with the DDT for the 1-2-3. Afterwards, still affected by his loathing of masked men, Roberts drilled the Conquistador with another DDT before unleashing Damian on him, sending referee Danny Marsh running for cover. (72%)

In the Prime Time studio, Ric Flair protested Jake Roberts' post-match activities, while Gorilla Monsoon basically ignored him and grudgingly introduced their next guests, the Heenan Family: Bobby "The Brain" Heenan, "Ravishing" Rick Rude, & WWF Intercontinental Champion Mr. Perfect, who all walked in wearing nice suits and greeted the Nature Boy warmly. The Brain thanked Flair for taking over his "broadcast journalist" role and asked Gorilla if he missed him yet, but Gorilla responded negatively and wondered why the Heenan Family always attacked two-on-one from behind, considering the superb athletic skills of both Perfect and Rude. Heenan's response ("Hey, it's not OUR fault they turn around!") was pretty funny, before Perfect interrupted and pointed out that Ricky Steamboat snuck up behind him and flattened him with the Reign Of Fire a couple of weeks ago, so what happened at WrestleMania VII was just a little payback. Rude agreed and applied the same argument to the Snake, claiming that Jake kept trying to get to him backstage and in parking garages across the country between the time that the Ravishing One returned to the WWF and WrestleMania. When asked why they assaulted Bushwhacker Butch after the match last week, Rude said that he didn't matter and it was just another "food chain thing". Heenan sarcastically said that it was so sweet to see Steamboat & Roberts palling around so much lately after they tried to kill each other a few years ago, and suggested that if they wanted to be "buddies", maybe they should form a tag team and meet his "Perfectly Rude" combination two-on-two. Perfect chimed in, adding that it would only take place if he decided not to beat Roberts too badly this weekend on Saturday Night's Main Event. The Heenan Family laughed and shook hands with Flair again while ignoring Monsoon before they left. (92%)

Backstage at the arena, WWF referees and road agents were trying to keep Power & Glory and the Rhodes Family apart as they engaged in a very loud argument in the hallway. Accompanied by his personal bodyguard Bad News Brown, Slick arrived on the scene and convinced Paul Roma & Hercules to head to the ring where it counts. (83%)

WWF Television Tag Team Title Tournament - Opening Round: Power & Glory (Hercules & Paul "Romeo" Roma) vs. Rhodes Family (Dusty & Dustin Rhodes)

Slick and bodyguard Bad News Brown accompanied Romeo & Herc while Ventura argued that they should have been given an automatic bye to the semi-final since they already defeated the Rhodes Family in the brutal Texas Bullrope Match at WrestleMania VII. This was another good match-up between these two teams, who both pulled out all the stops in hope of advancing to the next round against the winners of next week's Nasty Boys/British Bulldogs bout. Late in the match, after absorbing a great amount of punishment, Dustin was finally able to make the hot tag to his father, who charged in and unloaded on Roma before knocking Hercules off the apron for good measure. Not long after, the American Dream tagged his exhausted son back in and told him to hold Herc up while he rebounded off the ropes. However, the Mighty One muscled out of the rookie's grasp and made the tag to Roma as Dusty accidentally laid Dustin out with a running Bionic Elbow. Hercules then clotheslined Dusty out of the ring while Roma came off the top turnbuckle with the Romeo Swandive Splash on Dustin to score the victory and advance to the semi-finals. Afterwards, Power & Glory took off with Slick and Bad News while Dusty returned to the ring to help up Dustin, who shoved his father away and had some heated words. They had a brief argument before the American Dream convinced his son to leave with him. (77%)

In the Prime Time studio, Gorilla Monsoon and Ric Flair briefly discussed the apparent dissension within the Rhodes Family before talking about the Powers Of Pain's post-match assault on the Hart Foundation last week, followed by Paul Ellering's challenge to the WWF Tag Team Champions on Saturday Night's Main Event over the weekend. For the answer, they introduced Bret Hart & Jim Neidhart, who came into the room wearing street clothes and carrying their title belts over their shoulders. The Hit Man mentioned that Bobby Heenan had tried to talk to them in the hallway, but Monsoon told them to ignore the Brain and brought up Precious Paul's challenge. The Anvil pointed to the ugly-looking black eye he was sporting and blamed it on the Powers last week, hollering about how badly he wanted a piece of Warlord & Barbarian, getting more and more agitated as he talked about the facepainted monsters. The Hit Man attempted to calm Neidhart as he coolly discussed how the Hart Foundation had overcome bigger and tougher men, both in the ring and out, and agreed to put the WWF Tag Team Championship on the line against the Powers at WWF War Zone, warning them to "bring a lunch" because it would be a long night for Barbarian & Warlord. Neidhart added that if Ellering wanted to get involved, they would take care of him too, before emitting his trademark laugh. (76%)

Mean Gene Okerlund was backstage at the arena in the locker room to interview Mr. Fuji and Abdullah The Butcher, who stood there and made strange sounds while Fuji repeatedly rapped him on the head with his cane, eventually snapping the cane in half as the blows got harder and harder. While the Butcher stared into the camera with blood trickling down his face, Fuji cackled and said that this was what the Ultimate Warrior would be dealing with tonight, a bloodthirsty beast who just wanted to maim the former WWF Champion and eat him alive. Abdullah licked his lips hungrily after that comment and followed a smiling Fuji as they headed out. (80%)

Abdullah The Butcher vs. Ultimate Warrior

Mr. Fuji waddled out with the bleeding Butcher, while the Warrior sprinted out alone and got this main event off to a quick start as he and Abdullah immediately began slugging it out, banging away with heavy closed fists. Both competitors seemed impervious to pain, unflinching as they continued to fire away on each other until the brawl spilled out to ringside, where they traded the advantage, hurling each other into the ringpost, ring steps, and the iron railing around ringside. Ventura called Abdullah the most unpredictable opponent that the Warrior has ever faced, and it looked that way as the Madman From Sudan took control by repeatedly whacking Warrior across the back with a metal folding chair while Fuji distracted referee Joey Marella. Abdullah maintained control even back in the ring with a variety of odd, unusually painful maneuvers, before the Warrior made his superhuman comeback and turned up the volume, blocking Abdullah's blows and running off the ropes, flooring the Butcher with a leaping shoulderblock. The Warrior unloaded with a succession of stiff clotheslines until the Butcher stopped getting up, at which point Fuji climbed up on the apron, waving his cane. Warrior quickly charged over and knocked the Devious One down to the floor with a big roundhouse right, then attempted to scoop up Abdullah, who had gotten back to his feet. Unfortunately, the Warrior's weakened back gave out and the 360-pound psycho fell on top on him for a two-count. The Great Muta soon hit the ring and attacked the Warrior as he was getting up, drawing a disqualification, but that didn't seem to stop the action as Muta and Abdullah hammered on the former WWF Champion. Fuji encouraged the carnage as the Butcher bludgeoned the Warrior with a spike hidden inside his humongous pants, busting him open. The Butcher backed off on the orders of Fuji as Warrior struggled to get to his feet, when Muta blasted him in the face with yellow mist spewed from his mouth. Warrior collapsed, clutching his face, allowing Muta & Abdullah to continue stomping and kicking him until "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan rushed out swinging his 2x4 to chase the heels from the squared circle. Still smiling, Fuji pointed at Duggan and the fallen Warrior as he led Muta and Abdullah up the aisle, while McMahon and Ventura ended the show. (80%)

Overall: 79%

Rating: 6.30

Attendance: 9,033

Ticket Sales: $541,980

-----

SATURDAY, MAY 11, 1991 -- NBC/WWF PRESENT: SATURDAY NIGHT'S MAIN EVENT

Marv Albert, Mike Tenay, and "Nature Boy" Ric Flair opened the LIVE network broadcast, running through tonight's lineup: the Rockers taking on the Orient Express in a WWF Television Tag Team Championship Tournament first-round match-up, Bushwhacker Butch meeting Virgil, Jerry Lawler on "Piper's Pit", Ricky Steamboat and the British Bulldogs in action, and in the main event, Jake Roberts challenging WWF Intercontinental Champion Mr. Perfect.

The British Bulldogs (Davey Boy Smith & Dynamite Kid) vs. "Playboy" Buddy Rose & Brooklyn Brawler

This was a semi-competitive squash, with the Bulldogs looking strong although they still appeared a little banged-up from the violent Dog Collar Match against Demolition at WrestleMania VII. This was used mainly as a vehicle for the commentators to hype the Englishmen's WWF Television Tag Team Championship Tournament first-round bout with the Nasty Boys this Monday on Prime Time Wrestling, the winners to face Power & Glory in the next round. The Bulldogs finished off their opponents when Dynamite scored with the Diving Headbutt on the bulbous Playboy following the Running Powerslam from Davey Boy. (73%)

Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat vs. Conquistador #2

Flair sarcastically questioned how WWF officials could be sure that it was Conquistador #2 under the gold mask and bodysuit and not Conquistador #1, but added that it didn't matter because they were both losers anyway. The commentators discussed Jake Roberts' brutal treatment of #1 on Prime Time, as well as putting over the tremendous Steamboat/Perfect match-up at WrestleMania VII, during this semi-competitive squash. It ended when the Dragon flattened the Conquistador with the Reign Of Fire. (75%)

After the match, while Ricky Steamboat was celebrating in the ring, Mr. Perfect sprinted out and tried to attack him, but the Dragon was ready for him and deftly blocked his strikes, firing back with chops and punches. The scuffle continued with Steamboat assuming the upper hand until "Ravishing" Rick Rude ran down and assaulted the former WWF Intercontinental Champion as well. Steamboat defended himself valiantly but was overwhelmed by the two Heenan Family members, who beat him down to the canvas with kicks, stomps, and heavy forearm blows. Tenay wondered where Jake Roberts was, as the Snake and the Dragon have been watching each other's backs, when they cut to the parking lot, where Roberts had chased Bobby Heenan, who had tossed the burlap sack containing Damian on the ground and was in the process of entering a rental car. As Jake watched in horror, the Brain hit the gas and ran over the sack, making a sickening "squish" sound. Heenan quickly exited the car and retreated as Jake attended to the flattened bag, while back in the arena, Rude lifted Steamboat up as Perfect leapt off the middle turnbuckle, drilling the Dragon with a vicious spike piledriver. Perfect and Rude left Steamboat laid out motionless in the ring as they met up with a triumphant Heenan by the entrance curtain. The Heenan Family raised their arms victoriously as the crowd booed and Albert and Tenay were disgusted at their despicable behavior, hyping the scheduled Perfect/Roberts main event for later tonight. (82%)

In the locker room, Mean Gene Okerlund interviewed the Orient Express and Mr. Fuji, who described some of the unique training techniques that he has used to turn Sato & Kato into the efficient wrestling machines that they are. Fuji claimed that the "typical American" Rockers were more concerned with partying and having a good time, which would cost them their spot in the WWF Television Tag Team Championship Tournament...NEXT! (83%)

WWF Television Tag Team Title Tournament - Opening Round: The Orient Express (Kato & Sato) vs. The Rockers (Shawn Michaels & Marty Jannetty)

Mr. Fuji escorted his Orient Express down the aisle as Tenay analyzed Fuji's "Dojo", calling it one of the more underrated stables in professional wrestling, briefly discussing the Abdullah The Butcher/Ultimate Warrior main event from Prime Time. The commentators also talked about the heinous actions of the Heenan Family and lamented the loss of Jake Roberts' python Damian, with Albert suggesting that the ASPCA should step in. As expected, this was a very athletic, fast-paced contest that saw the advantage shift back and forth numerous times as both squads utilized some breathtaking double-team maneuvers. The fans are starting to buy Sato & Kato as effective, deadly, ninja-style martial arts assassins, and it helped this match-up. After about 15 minutes of non-stop intense action, the Rockers knocked Kato out to the floor with a beautiful double superkick and nailed Sato with the Flying Double Fistdrop, allowing Jannetty to pick up the pinfall and advance the Masters Of Motion to the semi-finals, where they will square off against Demolition. (79%)

Following a commercial break, spotlights focused on the new-and-improved "Piper's Pit" set as a row of bagpipers stepped out of the shadows and began playing gold-plated bagpipes. The Pit was lavishly decorated with silver, gold, and diamonds, as well as the traditional tartan design, with a huge portrait of Roddy Piper hanging in the center of the back wall above the bagpipe players. Finally, the Rowdy One himself emerged from behind the curtain and raced out onto the set, basking in the glory and greeting the bagpipers as the fans popped big-time for him. Grinning, Piper picked up the microphone from the expensive-looking couch and welcomed everybody to the new "Piper's Pit", but said that first they had to thank the man that made it all possible: the "Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase. Piper announced that after winning the Million Dollar belt at WrestleMania VII, he had pawned the belt and donated some of the money to charity, gave some of it to his family, and used the rest of the cash to renovate the Pit after WWF President Andre The Giant gave Brother Love's "timeslot" to the Hot Rod. Piper mockingly gave a round of applause to the Million Dollar Man before introducing his guest tonight, Jerry Lawler. The King walked out, shaking his crowned head disapprovingly at the new luxurious Pit and told Piper that all of this extravagance was wasted on a common peasant such as the Scotsman. Piper informed him that they weren't there to talk about Piper himself, and brought up the King's assault on Hulk Hogan on the special WrestleMania VII edition of "The Brother Love Show", asking Lawler if he was proud of what he did. Lawler proudly admitted that he enjoyed every moment of it, because he destroyed Hulkamania on the event that the Hulkster made famous, WrestleMania. Piper interrupted and pointed out that Hogan didn't "make" WrestleMania all by himself, inferring that he had something to do with it as well. Lawler shot back that "that's not what the history books will say", which visibly infuriated Piper, who tried to settle down and repeated his question about the King being proud of himself, adding that the blindside attack on Hogan was the act of a gutless coward. Before letting Lawler answer, Piper admitted that he hated Hogan, and that he may still not send him a Christmas card every year, but that he always met the Hulkster face-to-face and man-to-man, unlike Lawler. Lawler claimed that he would have been able to do the same thing if he had gone head-on with Hogan, so Piper got right into his face, nose-to-nose, and uttered, "Prove it." The King asked if Piper was challenging him, to which Hot Rod responded affirmatively and said that they needed a war zone to duke it out... maybe WWF War Zone on Sunday, May 26. Lawler accepted the offer and told Piper he would see him then, before turning to walk off the set. Suddenly, the King turned back for a cheapshot, but Piper blocked the punch and unleashed a salvo of right hands before winding up with his left hand and poking Lawler in the eyes, "Three Stooges" style. Piper grabbed the blinded Lawler by the hair and charged across the stage, hurling the Memphis legend off the set and down to the concrete floor. As Lawler attempted to pull himself together, Piper picked up the King's crown, dusted it off, and wore it on his head to mock Lawler. Lawler whined about his crown while the commentators hyped their match for WWF War Zone. (83%)

After a promo for WWF War Zone, "Money, Money, Money" cranked up as Ted DiBiase walked out alongside Virgil, who was wearing his white Million Dollar Man style wrestling attire. Once they entered the squared circle, the Million Dollar Man grabbed the microphone from ring announcer Howard "The Fink" Finkel and began to rant about WWF Champion Randy Savage turning down his offer of "protection" from last week. DiBiase was irate, barking that "NOBODY says 'no' to the Million Dollar Man" and warning that the Macho Man would live to regret his decision. Pacing around the ring, DiBiase announced that he was placing a bounty on Savage's head, offering the astounding sum of ten million dollars to any man who could defeat the Macho Man and sell the WWF Championship to him. He reminded long-time fans of his previous failed attempt to purchase the WWF Title from Andre The Giant in 1988, but claimed that his "Million Dollar Legal Team" had found a loophole that would allow him to legally complete the transaction this time, adding that there was nothing the WWF could do about it. Virgil tapped his boss on the shoulder and pointed at himself, requesting a crack at the bounty. DiBiase thought about it for a moment before nodding his head and issuing a challenge for the Macho Man to defend his WWF Championship against Virgil next week on Saturday Night's Main Event. He finished by telling Savage to watch Virgil in action before accepting the challenge, and threw the mic back to Finkel, who dropped it. (97%)

Virgil vs. Butch

The Million Dollar Man exited out to ringside as the Bushwhacker marched down the aisle to a nice reaction, while Flair briefly considered collecting DiBiase's bounty, but said that it would be too easy to beat the Macho Man and he already had enough money to stay retired anyway. This was a solid bout, with Virgil displaying his improving skills as he controlled most of the action, although the veteran New Zealander got in his share of offense as well. Virgil put Butch down with the Million Dollar Dream with bodyscissors for the submission. Afterwards, DiBiase raised Virgil's arm while the commentators warned Savage not to take Virgil lightly if he accepts the challenge for next week. (73%)

Backstage, Mean Gene Okerlund was in the locker room to interview Jake Roberts, who turned from looking sad and forlorn to looking extremely intense and pissed-off. The Snake slung a full burlap sack over his shoulder, disturbing Okerlund, who asked if Damian's remains were in the bag. Jake informed him that the bag that Bobby Heenan ran over was a decoy, as part of the ruse to distract Jake while Mr. Perfect & Rick Rude decimated Ricky Steamboat. Jake warned the Heenan Family that he would never forget and never forgive them for making him feel the way he felt when he thought the Brain had killed Damian. He promised that Damian would exact his revenge for himself, Roberts, and the Dragon tonight after Jake wins the WWF Intercontinental Championship from Perfect. (85%)

WWF Intercontinental Title Match: Mr. Perfect [champion] vs. Jake "The Snake" Roberts

Bobby "The Brain" Heenan seconded Mr. Perfect to a tremendous heel pop, while the challenger got a great reaction as he stalked out with Damian in the bag slung over his shoulder. This was as good as you would expect, with two masters of ring psychology squaring off in a very heated main event, exchanging holds and counter-holds as well as playing mind games with each other. Fueled by rage, Jake took the early advantage, dominating Perfect, until Heenan made a move toward Damian's sack at ringside, which distracted Jake long enough for the champion to score with a cheapshot and turn the tide. The match-up continued back-and-forth with several near-falls and teased title changes keeping the crowd hot throughout the contest. Near the end, after the Snake cut Perfect down with the short-arm clothesline and dragged him back up for the DDT, Heenan put on a pair of rubber gloves and picked up the burlap sack containing Damian, taunting Jake, who dropped the Intercontinental Champion and chased the Brain up the aisle. Meanwhile, Perfect distracted referee Earl Hebner as Heenan dropped the bag in the aisle and was gripped around the throat by an angry Roberts, who violently shook the Brain until Rick Rude popped out from behind the curtain and blindsided the Snake with a metal folding chair across the back of the head. Jake dropped like a rock as the Ravishing One and Heenan hid, before the ref saw Jake laid out and administered the ten-count, awarding the decision to Perfect via count-out. (86%)

After the bell rang, Rick Rude and Bobby Heenan came out of hiding and began stomping the barely-conscious Jake Roberts. Mr. Perfect quickly joined his Family members in the aisle, stomping and kicking the Snake while Damian slithered around in his bag near-by. This got the attention of the Heenan Family, who started to poke the sack with their toes as huge smiles broke out across their faces. Rude and Perfect jointly lifted the sack with cruel intentions in mind, but Ricky Steamboat came staggering out, doing his usual killer overdramatic sell-job of the spike piledriver earlier, and picked up the chair that the Ravishing One had used on Jake. The Dragon swung it around, causing Perfect and Rude to drop the bag and hightail it out of there along with Heenan. Once the Heenan Family had retreated, Steamboat clutched his neck and fell to his knees beside the downed Roberts, attending to the Snake while Albert, Tenay, and Flair signed off. (95%)

Overall: 83%

Rating: 6.85

Attendance: 9,026

Ticket Sales: $541,560

-----

SUNDAY, MAY 12, 1991 -- WWF SUPERSTARS OF WRESTLING

Booker: Ric Flair (Announcer)

Quality: 66%

Rating: 5.23

Attendance: 9,002

Ticket Sales: $540,120

-----

I think we are off to a strong start for our post-WrestleMania period as attendance continues to grow along with our public image. Hopefully, WWF War Zone will further our goals. Here's the card so far for the Sunday, May 26 PPV...

WWF Tag Team Title Match: The Hart Foundation [champions] vs. Powers Of Pain

WWF Television Tag Team Title Tournament - Final: Demolition OR The Rockers vs. Power & Glory OR The Nasty Boys OR The British Bulldogs

Roddy Piper vs. Jerry Lawler

[Chrononaut]

MONDAY, MAY 13, 1991 -- WWF PRIME TIME WRESTLING

Vince McMahon and Jesse "The Body" Ventura opened the show LIVE from ringside, announcing tonight's lineup: the last WWF Television Tag Team Championship Tournament first-round match-up featuring the British Bulldogs against the Nasty Boys, Power & Glory & Bad News Brown battling the Rhodes Family & Kevin Von Erich in a six-man encounter, the Great Muta taking on Bushwhacker Butch, Jerry Lawler in action, a special interview with WWF Champion Randy Savage, and more.

The royal entrance music of Jerry Lawler started up as the crownless King was carried down to the ring, where he stepped in and took the microphone from ring announcer Howard "The Fink" Finkel. He proceeded to run down Roddy Piper, insulting him and promising to put the Scotsman "in his place" at WWF War Zone, as well as demanding the return of his crown, before approaching his young opponent, who was standing idly in his corner. The King asked the youngster his name, which was Scott Taylor, and then handed him a red-and-yellow "Hulkamania" bandana, asking him to put it on. Taylor accepted the "gift" but refused to wear it, skeptical of Lawler's motives, at which point the King caught him with a cheapshot. (92%)

"The King" Jerry Lawler vs. Scott Taylor

The Memphis legend followed up on the cheapshot with stomps and kneelifts in the corner, as he thoroughly trounced Taylor throughout this total squash while the commentators hyped the Lawler/Piper match-up for WWF War Zone. The King ended the thrashing when he planted Taylor with the Royal Piledriver. Afterwards, with Taylor semi-conscious at best, Lawler retrieved a kilt from underneath his cape in the corner and put it on the youngster before dragging him to his feet and drilling him with another Piledriver. Lawler stood triumphantly over Taylor and threatened Roddy Piper. (72%)

The Great Muta vs. Butch

Mr. Fuji wobbled out with the Great Muta, while McMahon pointed out that Butch was having some difficulty adjusting to singles competition in the WWF, which Ventura explained by saying that Luke must have taken the half a brain that the Bushwhackers used to share. This was a surprisingly entertaining match-up, as Butch continues to do a great job of helping make his opponents look good, the distinct contrast in styles creating an interesting dynamic. After some heated action, Muta put the Bushwhacker away with the Rising Sun. (80%)

After the match, as Butch was struggling to regain his vertical base with the assistance of the ropes, Abdullah The Butcher unexpectedly came waddling down the aisle and into the ring, charging past the Great Muta and whacking the Bushwhacker with a flagpole, which had the dirty, torn remnants of an American flag still attached to it. Ventura recognized it as the flag that the Butcher stole from Jim Duggan a few weeks back and laughed as Abdullah continued to hammer Butch with the pole. Muta joined in the assault until the crowd popped, signaling the arrival of Hacksaw and the Ultimate Warrior, who rushed out together and drove Muta & Abdullah from the squared circle. Fuji led his maniacs away, pointing his cane at Warrior & Duggan and muttering something about WWF War Zone. (74%)

In the Prime Time studio, Gorilla Monsoon and "Nature Boy" Ric Flair discussed the possibility of a two-on-two battle at the upcoming PPV between the Ultimate Warrior & Jim Duggan and the Great Muta & Abdullah The Butcher, before announcing a tag team match that had been officially signed over the weekend for WWF War Zone, pitting Rick Rude & Mr. Perfect against their first guests tonight, Jake "The Snake" Roberts & Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat. The Dragon admitted that he had a stiff neck from the spike piledriver he received from the Heenan Family on Saturday Night's Main Event, while the Snake looked angry and said that his head was still ringing from the chairshot he took. However, they promised that they would be ready for Perfect & Rude at WWF War Zone to exact their revenge, warning Bobby Heenan that he would be next after the match. Flair tried to drive a wedge between the two animal lovers, asking Steamboat if he had forgotten how it felt when Roberts drilled him with the DDT on the concrete floor five years ago. Steamboat glanced at Roberts and told Flair that he hadn't forgotten, but that their wars all those years ago had instilled respect for one another since neither of them ever gave up and kept on fighting. Jake added that his matches against the Dragon were some of the toughest bouts of his career, explaining that he and Steamboat "beat the hell out of each other", but they both survived and suggested that it made them a stronger tag team. They announced that they would be honing their tag team skills this weekend on Saturday Night's Main Event and invited the Heenan Family to watch them. (85%)

Backstage at the arena, Kevin Von Erich was mediating a dispute between Dustin & Dusty Rhodes. Dustin blamed his father for costing them their first-round match in the WWF Television Tag Team Championship Tournament against Power & Glory last week, while the American Dream explained that he tagged his son back in so quickly because he wanted Dustin to score the winning pinfall. The Texas Twister said that that was last week and urged them to move on, focus on tonight's six-man contest against Paul Roma, Hercules, & Bad News Brown, and uphold the fine tradition of the Rhodes Family, just as he was doing for the Von Erich name now in the WWF. Father and son agreed that the Twister was right and shook hands, hugging each other before heading out with Von Erich. (85%)

Six-Man Tag Team Match: Power & Glory (Hercules & Paul "Romeo" Roma) & Bad News Brown vs. Rhodes Family (Dusty & Dustin Rhodes) & "Texas Twister" Kevin Von Erich

Slick escorted his "Jive Soul Bros" to ringside while McMahon predicted victory for the Texans tonight due to their six-man win back at WWF March To WrestleMania, but Ventura disagreed since Bad News was superior to Rick Martel. This was a solid contest that went back and forth as the commentators hyped Power & Glory's WWF Television Tag Team Championship Tournament semi-final match-up next week against the winners of tonight's British Bulldogs/Nasty Boys main event. There was miscommunication on both sides here, with Brown inadvertently catching Roma with a roundhouse right at one point, while later Dustin accidentally smashed Dusty with a flying Bionic Elbow from the middle turnbuckle, which led to a brief argument. The Twister was able to smooth it over, and eventually the Texans took it home when Dustin wrapped Bad News up in a small package for the three-count. The Rhodes Family & Von Erich quickly exited the ring afterwards before Slick and his boys could get them. (74%)

After the Rhodes Family & Kevin Von Erich headed back to the dressing room, Mean Gene Okerlund came down to interview Slick at ringside while Bad News Brown & Power & Glory fumed behind him. The Doctor Of Style began to talk about next week's WWF Television Tag Team Championship Tournament semi-final, but Bad News grabbed the microphone and yelled about being embarrassed by Dustin Rhodes tonight. Bad News claimed to be the baddest man walking the streets and challenged Dustin to face him one-on-one next week so he could kick his "Texas cracker butt" all over the ring. Slick reiterated the challenge and said that Bad News would turn Dustin's lights out next week, before he and his boys left. (83%)

In the Prime Time studio, Gorilla Monsoon and Ric Flair brought up the $10 million bounty that Ted DiBiase placed on Randy Savage and the WWF Championship this past weekend on Saturday Night's Main Event, as well as Virgil's subsequent challenge issued to Savage, before introducing the Macho Man himself, who walked in wearing blue jeans, a leather jacket, sunglasses, and a bandana on his head, with the WWF Title belt over his shoulder. The Macho Man started off by talking about how proud he was of himself for putting his pride and self-esteem ahead of power and money when he turned down the Million Dollar Man's offer, claiming that he wanted this WWF Championship reign to be based on his own skills and merits. He said that he welcomed any challenge from any "bounty hunter" that wanted to try him on for size, and started to offer the Ultimate Warrior a rematch, but the Nature Boy interrupted him and asked about Virgil's challenge over the weekend. Savage nodded and reminded Flair that he already whipped Virgil, but he accepted the challenge and agreed to put the WWF Championship on the line against the burly lackey this weekend on Saturday Night's Main Event. (90%)

At the arena, Mean Gene Okerlund was in the locker room interviewing Jimmy Hart and the Nasty Boys, who were psyching each other up for their first-round WWF Television Tag Team Championship Tournament bout next against the British Bulldogs. The Mouth Of The South expressed his disappointment that Saggs & Knobbs didn't win the WWF Tag Team Championship from the Hart Foundation at WrestleMania VII, but said that they would make it up to him by bacoming the first-ever WWF TV Tag Team Champions, promising to "Nastify" the Bulldogs tonight, then Power & Glory in the semi-final next week, and either the Rockers or Demolition in the final at WWF War Zone. (76%)

WWF Television Tag Team Title Tournament - Opening Round: The Nasty Boys (Brian Knobbs & Jerry Saggs) vs. The British Bulldogs (Davey Boy Smith & Dynamite Kid)

Jimmy Hart accompanied his Nasties to the ring while the commentators put over the WWF TV Tag Team Title, claiming that tag teams around the world were clamoring to get into the WWF with the advent of a second tag championship. This was a hot, wall-worked, hard-hitting contest featuring plenty of stiff shots as none of the four competitors held anything back. The Bulldogs looked great, taking control with their superior speed and technical skill, until the Mouth Of The South interfered to turn the tide back to Saggs & Knobbs, who dominated Dynamite with their street-fighting, brawling tactics and scored several near-falls. However, Dynamite battled back, rolling out of the way of the Pit Stop Drop and making the hot tag to Davey Boy, who charged in and cleaned house, throwing both Knobbs & Saggs around with slams and suplexes. Soon after, Smith tagged the Kid back in and planted Knobbs with the Running Powerslam, followed by the Diving Headbutt from Dynamite for the 1-2-3. Afterwards, Saggs attempted to gain a measure of revenge, but Smith scooped him up and pressed him over his head before walking over to the ropes and dropping the Nasty Boy out to the floor. The Bulldogs then celebrated their victory while McMahon and Ventura hyped their semi-final match-up next week against Power & Glory before closing the show. (83%)

Overall: 81%

Rating: 5.79

Attendance: 9,050

Ticket Sales: $543,000

-----

SATURDAY, MAY 18, 1991 -- NBC/WWF PRESENT: SATURDAY NIGHT'S MAIN EVENT

Marv Albert, Mike Tenay, and "Nature Boy" Ric Flair kicked off the LIVE network broadcast by hyping tonight's show, featuring the Powers Of Pain taking on the Big Boss Man & Bob Backlund, Jake Roberts & Ricky Steamboat meeting the Conquistadors, Demolition in action, Bobby Heenan on "Piper's Pit", and in the main event, Randy Savage defending the WWF Title against Virgil.

Demolition (Smash & Crush) vs. Italian Stallion & Reno Riggins

Ax marched out alongside his Demolition "brothers-in-paint", who exploded on their obviously intimidated opponents as soon as they hit the ring and tossed them out to the floor so that they could remove their studded leather entrance attire. Crush went out to ringside and pressed the pudgy Stallion over his head, hurling him back in for Smash to batter while the commentators hyped next week's Demolition/Rockers semi-final match-up in the WWF Television Tag Team Championship Tournament. This was a total massacre of a squash that ended when Crush covered the Stallion following the Decapitation Elbow from the top turnbuckle. (61%)

Sean Mooney came down to ringside afterwards to interview Smash, Crush, & Ax, who referred to Demolition as a "walking holocaust" and boasted that the Rockers didn't stand a chance next week in the WWF Television Tag Team Championship Tournament semi-final. Ax compared next week's match to a horde of tanks steamrolling over a parking lot full of Porsches, while Smash finished by threatening to kick the Rockers' "stinkin' teeth down their stinkin' throats!" (85%)

Mean Gene Okerlund was backstage in the locker room to interview the Powers Of Pain and Paul Ellering, who proclaimed his Warlord & Barbarian as the WWF Tag Team Champions already, calling the upcoming title match at WWF War Zone with the Hart Foundation a mere formality. Precious Paul claimed that the Powers were bigger, stronger, and faster than Jim Neidhart & Bret Hart, and promised to prove it one week from tomorrow night. (75%)

Powers Of Pain (Barbarian & Warlord) vs. Bob Backlund & Big Boss Man

Paul Ellering led his facepainted monsters down the aisle, while Tenay pointed to the Boss Man/Backlund combination as an example of current singles stars experimenting with tag team competition now that there are two tag team championships in the WWF, adding that Backlund is a former co-WWF Tag Team Champion. This was a pretty good match-up, with the Boss Man & Backlund working surprisingly well together and scoring a couple of near-falls on the Warlord. However, the Powers regained control and picked up the win when the Barbarian pinned Backlund following the End Of Days. Tenay put it over as a huge victory since Backlund is a former long-time WWF Champion, leading Flair to predict that the Powers would become the new WWF Tag Team Champions at WWF War Zone. (80%)

Following a commercial break, the bagpipe players emerged from the shadows on the set of "Piper's Pit" and began blaring as "Rowdy" Roddy Piper raced out onto the stage to a huge pop and picked up his tartan microphone. Hot Rod started with insults directed toward Jerry Lawler regarding their match next week at WWF War Zone before introducing his guest tonight, Bobby "The Brain" Heenan, who cautiously walked out as Piper assured the "Weasel" that he wouldn't hurt him. The Brain claimed that Mr. Perfect & "Ravishing" Rick Rude were the cornerstones of the Heenan Family, but that they were just the beginning of a new dynasty in the WWF, and that dynasty needed a foundation. The Heenan Family needed a tag team, but not just any tag team, they needed the best tag team in professional wrestling today. He said that he had a short list of his top choices before calling out his "number one draft pick", none other than the Hart Foundation. Piper looked confused and the crowd buzzed as the WWF Tag Team Champions appeared on the Pit with curious looks on their faces, standing on the opposite side of the Rowdy One across from Heenan, who looked confident. The Hit Man said that the offer sounded intriguing, but wondered what Heenan could do for them. Heenan brought up the Foundation's upcoming title defense at WWF War Zone against the Powers Of Pain, pointing out how dominant Barbarian & Warlord have been since coming under the management of Paul Ellering and suggested that the Harts needed a manager of their own, adding that his experience as the Barbarian's former manager would be invaluable. Neidhart & Hart nodded to each other before Bret recounted their stint being managed by Jimmy Hart, to which Heenan responded that with all due respect to his "close, personal, long-time friend" the Mouth Of The South, the Brain was the greatest wrestling manager of all time and this was an opportunity to "get in on the ground floor" as he rebuilds the Heenan Family. Heenan asked the champions to just consider his offer and get back to him next week, when Neidhart stepped forward and grabbed Heenan by the lapels, getting right in his face. As the fans cheered and Heenan dropped to his knees in fear, the Anvil roared down at him, "WE'LL... think about it." The crowd responded with a subdued mixed reaction as the Foundation walked off, leaving the Brain smiling on his knees while Piper just shook his head. (85%)

Another vignette aired for Shane "Top Gun" Douglas, interspersing clips of him hitting some cool highspots in both the WWF and Stampede Wrestling with footage of what was supposed to be him performing amazing stunts in a jet fighter, featuring cheesy shots of Douglas in a cockpit grinning and flashing the thumbs-up. It ended with the plane zooming over the huge "WWF" logo on the top of Titan Towers in Stamford, Connecticut and faded out on the name of "Top Gun" Shane Douglas spelled out in the clouds. (74%)

Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat & Jake "The Snake" Roberts vs. The Conquistadors (Conquistador #1 & Conquistador #2)

The commentators hyped the huge tag team match for WWF War Zone pitting Roberts & Steamboat against Mr. Perfect & Rick Rude while the Dragon & Snake tuned up their tag team skills here against the masked Latin Americans in what was a solid, competitive squash. Early in the contest, Rude, Perfect, & Bobby Heenan came out and stood in front of the entrance curtain to watch the action, speaking to each other as Flair pointed out that they were being smart by scouting their opponents, "no matter how much better the Heenan Family is". Their presence seemed to distract Jake, giving the Conquistadors the opportunity to get in some of their offense before Jake regained his bearings and snapped the DDT on #2. When the Snake covered #2, #1 ran in to break up the pin, but the Dragon swooped in off the top turnbuckle with the Reign Of Fire to stop him and allow the Snake to score the 1-2-3. Nice-looking finishing sequence. (73%)

After the match, when Ricky Steamboat & Jake Roberts headed up the aisle, they were blocked by Mr. Perfect, Rick Rude, & Bobby Heenan, who stood in front of the curtain and refused to move, daring the Snake & Dragon to force them out of the way. Tempers flared and things got heated as it looked like a pier-six brawl was ready to break loose, but a bevy of WWF road agents and officials saw what was coming and flooded out to keep the two sides separated. There was much shoving, pushing, and trash-talking, but the situation was diffused as road agents Jack Lanza and Chief Jay Strongbow could be heard yelling at the four men to save it for WWF War Zone. (91%)

Backstage, Virgil was shown warming up in the locker room as Ted DiBiase reminded him of the $10 million bounty that was on the line tonight against WWF Champion Randy "Macho Man" Savage. The Million Dollar Man kept hollering about how important this match was for Virgil, and rubbed his shoulders as they headed out. (76%)

WWF Championship Match: "Macho Man" Randy Savage [champion] vs. Virgil

Ted DiBiase seconded his muscular lackey as the commentators pointed out that Virgil has become one of the more underrated competitors in the WWF over the last few months, and could be a serious threat to the Macho Man tonight. Flair added that it didn't even really matter if Virgil wins the WWF Title, because the Million Dollar Man would still be happy if his servant just hurts Savage. The WWF Champion received a thunderous ovation upon his entrance and seemed to eat it up, soaking in the cheers until Virgil suddenly jumped him from behind, kicking off the main event. Flair claimed that that was why he never played to the fans during his career, as Savage blocked a big right hand from Virgil and fired back with his own rapid-fire punches. This was actually a great match, with Virgil putting on the best performance of his career as the crowd started to buy into his near-falls mid-way through the contest, as well as his submission attempts, working over the Macho Man's left arm. Savage looked to be in incredible shape as well and should make an exemplary WWF Champion, as he hit some crisp maneuvers and sold the damage to his left arm like crazy while from ringside, DiBiase continuously barked at Virgil to "break his arm!" Savage mounted a comeback as the fans rallied behind him, flooring Virgil with a flying double-axhandle, followed by the patented Flying Elbowdrop for the three-count and his first televised successful WWF Title defense. (83%)

Following the bell, the Macho Man pointed out at the Million Dollar Man at ringside before dragging Virgil off the mat by the ears and tossing him over the top rope to the floor at DiBiase's feet. Referee Earl Hebner then presented Savage with his WWF Championship belt as the fans cheered loudly for the Macho Man, who stood on the turnbuckles and celebrated, holding the gold high in the air. Suddenly, a very large tattooed man in street clothes emerged from the crowd and slid into the ring, charging over and blasting Savage across the lower back with a huge forearm shot. The bald man then took Savage off the turnbuckles with a massive powerbomb, planting the WWF Champion into the canvas as a laughing DiBiase climbed in and shook the man's hand. Astute fans recognized the attacker as Tenay identified him as wrestling's bounty hunter, Bam Bam Bigelow! Bam Bam picked up Savage's title belt and handed it to the Million Dollar Man, who raised it over his head as he and Bigelow stood triumphantly over the crumpled Macho Man. Albert, Tenay, and Flair wondered how many more "bounty hunters" from the WWF and elsewhere would be trying to collect the $10 million prize, before the broadcast ended. (87%)

Overall: 79%

Rating: 6.71

Attendance: 9,016

Ticket Sales: $540,960

-----

SUNDAY, MAY 19, 1991 -- WWF SUPERSTARS OF WRESTLING

Booker: Sophie (Personal Assistant)

Quality: 74%

Rating: 5.07

Attendance: 9,012

Ticket Sales: $540,720

-----

During the Update on WWF Superstars, the full card for WWF War Zone was announced, with a couple of matches officially added, so here is the lineup for next Sunday, May 26...

WWF Championship Match: Randy Savage [champion] vs. Bam Bam Bigelow

Grudge Match: Ricky Steamboat & Jake Roberts vs. Mr. Perfect & Rick Rude

WWF Tag Team Title Match: The Hart Foundation [champions] vs. Powers Of Pain

WWF Television Tag Team Title Tournament - Final: Demolition OR The Rockers vs. Power & Glory OR The British Bulldogs

Roddy Piper vs. Jerry Lawler

Ultimate Warrior & Jim Duggan vs. The Great Muta & Abdullah The Butcher

[Chrononaut]

MONDAY, MAY 20, 1991 -- WWF PRIME TIME WRESTLING

Vince McMahon and Jesse "The Body" Ventura kicked off the program LIVE from ringside, hyping WWF War Zone this Sunday before going through tonight's lineup, including the British Bulldogs taking on Power & Glory in a WWF Television Tag Team Championship Tournament semi-final match-up, the Big Boss Man facing Bam Bam Bigelow, Dustin Rhodes meeting Bad News Brown, Abdullah The Butcher & The Great Muta squaring off against Tito Santana & Bushwhacker Butch, and more.

"Money, Money, Money" (a.k.a. THE GREATEST FUCKING THEME SONG EVER!) cranked up right off the bat as Ted DiBiase, dressed in an Armani suit, made his way down to the ring accompanied by Virgil and grabbed the microphone from ring announcer Howard "The Fink" Finkel. The Million Dollar Man was all smiles as he gleefully recounted what happened on Saturday Night's Main Event this past weekend when Bam Bam Bigelow returned to the WWF and laid out Randy Savage. DiBiase announced for those who didn't watch Superstars yesterday that the Beast From The East would be challenging the Macho Man for the WWF Championship this Sunday at WWF War Zone in order to capture the $10 million bounty, which drew some boos as the Million Dollar Man introduced the newest addition to the "Million Dollar Empire", his own personal bounty hunter, Bam Bam Bigelow, who walked out in a black-and-green flame-covered bodysuit, trash-talking the fans along the way. Once in the ring, Bam Bam shook hands with DiBiase and high-fived Virgil before warming up for his match tonight. (80%)

Bam Bam Bigelow vs. Big Boss Man

Ted DiBiase and Virgil stood at ringside while the Big Boss Man ran out, more than ready to take on the Beast From The East. Ventura noted that Bigelow had been honing his skills in Japan since his previous stint in the WWF and was now more deadly than ever, anticipating seeing him use those skills against Randy Savage at WWF War Zone this Sunday. This was the definition of "slobberknocker", as these two huge gladiators slugged it out to prove their dominance, the battle going back-and-forth, with Bigelow taking everything the Boss Man had and answering back with his own high-impact offense. Most impressive was Bam Bam kicking out of the Boss Man Slam and shortly thereafter, scooping up the 340-pound Georgian over his shoulders in a fireman's carry and planting him with a devastating maneuver called the "Jersey Devil" (a.k.a. Death Valley Driver) to score the three-count. Good match that seemed to achieve its goal of putting over Bam Bam for the big match on Sunday. (76%)

Mean Gene Okerlund was in the locker room to interview Mr. Fuji while Abdullah The Butcher & The Great Muta exchanged strange sounds in the background. Fuji talked about the upcoming tag team bout at WWF War Zone against the Ultimate Warrior & Jim Duggan, referring to Muta & Abdullah as his personal "Human Torture Chamber" and cackling about how Hacksaw & Warrior would "go down in flames" this Sunday. He warned them to watch his maniacs tonight against Tito Santana & Butch to see what was in store for them. (73%)

Butch & Tito Santana vs. The Great Muta & Abdullah The Butcher

Mr. Fuji waddled out with his "Torture Chamber" while McMahon announced that Fuji's Orient Express would be taking on the Ultimate Warrior & Jim Duggan this weekend on Saturday Night's Main Event, the evening before WWF War Zone, which Ventura said was great strategy by Fuji since Sato & Kato can soften up Hacksaw & Warrior. This was a solid tag team encounter, although neither squad worked particularly well together. After some back-and-forth brawling action, the Butcher covered the Bushwhacker following a massive elbowdrop called the "Chopping Block". Afterwards, when Santana came in to check on Butch, Abdullah laid out the former WWF Intercontinental Champion, setting him up for Muta, who delivered the Rising Sun from the top turnbuckle. Fuji looked pleased with the carnage as they left. (76%)

In the Prime Time studio, Gorilla Monsoon and "Nature Boy" Ric Flair discussed the WWF War Zone matches that were announced yesterday on Superstars, including Randy Savage defending the WWF Title against bounty hunter Bam Bam Bigelow, and the tag team battle between Abdullah The Butcher & The Great Muta and their first guests tonight, "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan & Ultimate Warrior, who entered the room looking like a very odd couple. Flair pointed out what a destructive tag team Mr. Fuji had formed and asked how the two popular fan favorites would be able to deal with them. Duggan claimed that Muta & Abdullah weren't used to the sides being even, but at WWF War Zone, it would be two-on-two and when the smoke cleared, he and the Warrior would be walking tall. Monsoon inquired if they were concerned that the Orient Express would wear them down the night before the PPV on Saturday Night's Main Event, to which the Warrior responded that they were afraid of no challenge and after "laying waste" to Kato & Sato, they would "obliterate those interlopers from some sick, twisted, otherworldly dimension", Muta & Abdullah. Hacksaw finished with his "HOOOOOOOOOO...TOUGH GUY!" line while the Warrior snarled. (90%)

Back at the arena, Slick was in the squared circle clutching the microphone, putting himself over as the "silky-smooth" Doctor Of Style before introducing his "big, bad, black, butt-kicking, bone-breakin' bodyguard", Bad News Brown, who marched down the aisle with a nasty scowl on his face. After stepping into the ring, Bad News cut a brief promo on "that corn-fed, cracker-barrel, egg-suckin' punk rookie", Dustin Rhodes. (71%)

Bad News Brown vs. Dustin Rhodes

Slick stepped out to ringside, while the Son Of The Dream came out alone. Ventura claimed that Dustin's pinfall over Brown in the six-man tag team match last week was a fluke and would be proven tonight, while McMahon announced that the Rhodes Family would be facing the "Perfectly Ravishing" combination of Rick Rude & Mr. Perfect this weekend on Saturday Night's Main Event. Dustin has really improved over the last six months and showed it here as he put on a good match with the veteran Brown that played to both men's strengths, with Dustin selling like crazy for the Harlem Streetfighter until he ducked the Ghetto Blaster and brought down Bad News with the Rodeo Bulldog. When he went for the cover, Slick hopped up on the apron to distract referee Mark Johnson, which brought out Dusty Rhodes. The American Dream dragged the Doctor Of Style back down to the floor, allowing Dustin to hit another bulldog on Bad News for the 1-2-3. Dustin left with his father afterwards, although he seemed a bit distant, as if he didn't appreciate Dusty's interference. (77%)

A vignette aired, "Paid For By The Million Dollar Man", that featured Bam Bam Bigelow "on the job" as a bounty hunter. The video showed Bam Bam in street clothes entering some roughneck bar by the desert, searching for his target and brawling with several of the bar's large patrons. After looking like a total bad-ass and turning the establishment upside-down, the 360-pound Beast From The East found the man he was looking for and kicked his ass before scooping him up in a fireman's carry and carrying him out the door. On the way out, Bigelow looked into the camera and bellowed, "You're next, Savage!" (82%)

In the Prime Time studio, Gorilla Monsoon and Ric Flair ran through the rest of the lineup for WWF War Zone, centering on the match-up pitting "Rowdy" Roddy Piper against their next guest, "The King" Jerry Lawler, who had a sour face when he walked into the room. Monsoon asked the reason for the long face, which set Lawler off, ranting about Piper stealing his crown during his visit to "Piper's Pit" a couple of weeks ago and not returning it yet. The Nature Boy agreed that it was a disgrace, but the King calmed down and said that it was alright, because it would give him added incentive to snap Hot Rod's neck this Sunday just like he did to Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania VII. The King bragged about having the Hulkster's head stuffed and mounted in his trophy room at home, and promised to add the Scotsman's head to his collection at WWF War Zone, regaining his stolen crown in the process. Flair congratulated Lawler and said he would be rooting for him at the PPV while Monsoon rolled his eyes. (89%)

Mean Gene Okerlund was backstage at the arena to interview Power & Glory and Slick while a pissed-off Bad News Brown repeatedly smashed a metal folding chair against a locker, yelling about his loss to Dustin Rhodes and the interference of "that fat pig" Dusty Rhodes. Paul Roma & Hercules attempted to calm Bad News as the Doctor Of Style referred to his tandem as the "Team of the '90s", promising to prove it to the world when they put down the British Bulldogs tonight and walk out of WWF War Zone with the brand-new WWF Television Tag Team Championship belts. (71%)

WWF Television Tag Team Title Tournament - Semi-Final: Power & Glory (Hercules & Paul "Romeo" Roma) vs. The British Bulldogs (Davey Boy Smith & Dynamite Kid)

Slick escorted Romeo & Herc along with his raging personal bodyguard Bad News Brown, while the commentators discussed the other semi-final this weekend on Saturday Night's Main Event between the Rockers and Demolition. As expected, this was a very hot, well-worked contest that featured Dynamite and Roma trading athletic, fast-paced maneuvers while Hercules and Davey Boy engaged in a high-impact power struggle when they squared off. Mid-match, after Herc had pressed Dynamite over his head and dropped him out to the floor, Bad News immediately pounced on the Kid, taking out his frustration by ramming him head-first into the ringpost and stomping him at ringside. Referee Tim White caught the interference and instead of disqualifying Power & Glory, he ejected Bad News from ringside and sent him back to the dressing room, infuriating Brown even more. After a heat sequence on Dynamite, the Kid was able to make the hot tag to Davey Boy, who charged in and cleaned house on both opponents, backdropping Hercules over the top rope and overpowering Roma with slams and suplexes. Eventually, Smith dropped Roma with the Running Powerslam and hooked the leg, but Slick jumped up on the apron to interrupt the count. Smith got up while Dynamite came around and pulled Slick down, roughing him up at ringside. Hercules joined the scuffle as the ref tried to break it up, while Davey Boy slammed Romeo with the delayed vertical suplex. Suddenly, the Nasty Boys raced out and jumped Davey Boy behind the ref's back, drilling him the Pit Stop Drop as McMahon screamed for the official to return to the ring. Saggs & Knobbs then took off, yelling about last week's first-round match-up, as Roma covered Davey Boy to advance to the tournament final at WWF War Zone when the ref turned back to the action. Herc reached in and dragged Romeo out to the floor, celebrating with the discombobulated Doctor Of Style at ringside as McMahon and Ventura hyped WWF War Zone this Sunday and ended the program. (87%)

Overall: 79%

Rating: 6.30

Attendance: 9,016

Ticket Sales: $540,960

-----

SATURDAY, MAY 25, 1991 -- NBC/WWF PRESENT: SATURDAY NIGHT'S MAIN EVENT

Marv Albert, Mike Tenay, and "Nature Boy" Ric Flair opened the LIVE network broadcast hyping tomorrow night's WWF War Zone and introducing tonight's show, featuring the Ultimate Warrior & Hacksaw Duggan meeting the Orient Express, the WWF Television Tag Team Championship Tournament semi-final pitting Demolition against the Rockers, the Hart Foundation on "Piper's Pit", Bad News Brown in action, and Mr. Perfect & Rick Rude battling the Rhodes Family in the main event.

Bad News Brown vs. Rob Zakowski

Slick escorted his personal bodyguard, who still looked angry as the commentators brought up his loss to Dustin Rhodes this past Monday on Prime Time Wrestling. Bad News took his pent-up rage out on Zakowski, completely brutalizing him with his boone-rattling street-fighting techniques before finishing him off with the Ghetto Blaster. Afterwards, Bad News continued his vicious assault and tossed Zakowski over the top rope before spitting on him on the floor. (73%)

Sean Mooney came down to ringside to interview Bad News Brown and Slick, who happily pointed out the nasty mean streak of Bad News before bragging about Power & Glory's semi-final victory over the British Bulldogs on Prime Time. Bad News interrupted, wrenching the microphone from Mooney's hand and ranting about the Rhodes Family before issuing a challenge to Dusty Rhodes and vowing to end his career. (84%)

Backstage, Mean Gene Okerlund was in the locker room with the Orient Express and Mr. Fuji, who insulted the intelligence of Jim Duggan & Ultimate Warrior for taking on Sato & Kato tonight, only 24 hours before going into battle with the Great Muta & Abdullah The Butcher tomorrow evening at WWF War Zone. Fuji claimed that the Express would "slice and dice" Warrior & Hacksaw tonight so that Abdullah & Muta could cook and eat them alive at the PPV, before cackling sadistically. (72%)

The Orient Express (Kato & Sato) vs. Ultimate Warrior & "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan

Mr. Fuji led out his Orient Express as the commentators hyped the Duggan-Warrior/Abdullah-Muta match-up for tomorrow night's WWF War Zone. The Warrior & Hacksaw received a great pop upon their entrance, but were besieged by the Express when they hit the ring. The Express unloaded with kicks and chops, but Warrior & Duggan basically shrugged it off and fired back with a barrage of closed fists, driving the Japanese grapplers back as Fuji yelled orders to his tag team. The Warrior scooped up Sato and dropped him with the Gorilla Press, followed by the Warrior Splash, while Hacksaw mowed down Kato with the Three Point Stance. They both made covers as referee Shane McMahon administered the three-count to give the faces the win in a little over a minute. Fuji kicked his hat and swore revenge tomorrow night while Duggan & Warrior celebrated. (75%)

Following the commercial break, the bagpipe players began to blare as "Rowdy" Roddy Piper raced out onto the set of "Piper's Pit" wearing Jerry Lawler's crown on his head, picking up the personalized tartan microphone and trash-talking the King in preparation for their match tomorrow night at WWF War Zone. Hot Rod then introduced his guests tonight, WWF Tag Team Champions The Hart Foundation, who walked out and started talking about their title defense against the Powers Of Pain at WWF War Zone tomorrow night. Bret Hart claimed he would be able to outwrestle and outmaneuver Warlord & Barbarian, while Jim Neidhart boasted that his raw power would be enough to bulldoze over their warpainted challengers. At this point, Bobby Heenan appeared on the set with a big grin on his face and some papers in his hand. Piper made a move to eject him from the stage, but the Harts assured Hot Rod that it was okay. The Brain approached the Foundation and shook hands with both men, superficially asking how they were doing, before inquiring whether they had given any thought to his offer to manage them from last week. The Hit Man congratulated the Brain on forming what was already a formidable lineup for the Heenan Family, calling it one of the most successful "franchises" in wrestling history. The Anvil claimed that it would be an honor to join an elite group such as the Family, drawing a few boos from the crowd as Heenan handed the contracts he was carrying to each titlist, smiling all the time. The Foundation read the contracts over thoroughly and nodded at each other before Hart uttered a "Thanks..." into Piper's mic, to which Neidhart added, "...BUT NO THANKS!" The Anvil & Hit Man then tore the papers up to a loud pop from the fans and walked off the set, shoving Heenan out of their way. As the champions left, a humiliated, red-faced Heenan yelled into the microphone that the Harts could have been part of greatness, but now they will regret their decision. The Brain continued raving until Piper yanked the mic away and told the manager to shut up and "get the hell" out of his Pit. While Heenan stumbled off, Hot Rod ended the segment by promising to see the King tomorrow night. (90%)

WWF Television Tag Team Title Tournament - Semi-Final: Demolition (Smash & Crush) vs. The Rockers (Shawn Michaels & Marty Jannetty)

Ax marched out alongside Crush & Smash as the commentators analyzed the two possible match-ups for the final, concluding that a Power & Glory/Rockers pairing would be a more athletic contest, opposed to a Power & Glory/Demolition bout which would be a slugfest. This was a good, heated match that saw Demolition dominate the much smaller Rockers with their relentless power arsenal, beating down and working over Jannetty with stomps, forearms, and double-axhandles, as well as their famous double-team assaults. Jannetty got in a few hope spots, but Smash & Crush kept regaining control, until Marty finally avoided a double-team shot, causing Crush to nail Smash with a flying double-axhandle, and made the hot tag to Shawn, who slingshotted in with a double-dropkick on both Demolition members. Ax climbed up on the apron, but Shawn dispatched him with a flying forearm, then joined with Marty to catch both Crush & Smash with superb double superkicks. Crush tumbled out to the floor while Michaels & Jannetty ascended the turnbuckles and landed the Double Flying Fistdrop on Smash, allowing Michaels to score the 1-2-3 and advance the Rockers to the tournament final tomorrow night at WWF War Zone against Power & Glory. Afterwards, Crush returned to the ring and laid out the Rockers with a vicious double-clothesline from behind. Smash dragged himself to his feet and began stomping and raining down double-axhandles on both Rockers as Crush did the same. They continued to punish the motionless Masters Of Motion until Ax called his dogs off, leading them up the aisle to a resounding round of boos. (84%)

After Demolition left the area, several WWF officials helped the Rockers out of the ring and up the aisle, when Power & Glory rushed out and attacked Marty Jannetty & Shawn Michaels in the aisle, shoving the officials out of the way. Paul Roma & Hercules unloaded on the Rockers with heavy-duty forearms, punches, and stomps while Slick hopped around in the background, encouraging his prized tag team as they left Shawn & Marty laying in the aisleway. Herc & Romeo raised their arms triumphantly and exited with the Doctor Of Style as Flair approved of the brutal assault, calling it brilliant as it left the Rockers weakened for the tournament final tomorrow night at WWF War Zone. (80%)

Following a commercial break, Ted DiBiase strode down the aisle along with Virgil as "Money, Money, Money" echoed throughout the building. Virgil retrieved the microphone for the Million Dollar Man, who fired off insult after insult directed toward Randy Savage, rhetorically asking if the WWF Champion regretted turning down his offer of "protection" after Bam Bam Bigelow flattened him into the canvas last week. DiBiase claimed that Savage's "foolish pride" would be his downfall, calling him an idiot for accepting the match with Bigelow tomorrow night at WWF War Zone before beginning to question the Macho Man's machismo. Predictably, this drew out the WWF Champion himself, who received a loud ovation as he intently walked to the ring with his title belt over his shoulder and went face-to-face with the Million Dollar Man. After jawing with each other, Virgil attempted to blindside Savage, who fired back and exchanged punches with the burly lackey. DiBiase tried to attack as well, but Savage valiantly fought both men off until Bam Bam Bigelow ran in and clobbered the Macho Man with a headbutt to the back of the head. Bigelow and Virgil unloaded on Savage before holding him up, allowing DiBiase to slap him across the face. DiBiase placed the WWF Championship belt on the mat as Bam Bam hoisted Savage across his shoulders and planted him with the Jersey Devil right on the gold. The Million Dollar Man raised Bam Bam's arm and emitted his trademark laugh before they left the ring together with Virgil. (81%)

Mean Gene Okerlund was in the locker room to interview the Rhodes Family, who were warming up to face the "Perfectly Ravishing" tag team of Mr. Perfect & Rick Rude. Dusty first accepted Bad News Brown's challenge from earlier, agreeing to go one-on-one with him next week on Saturday Night's Main Event, before explaining to his son that he had wrestled both Rude and Perfect many times in his career, warning him of how treacherous they can be. Dustin kind of blew off the advice and told Okerlund that he was ready to make the Heenan Family's "livers quiver and their knees freeze"...NEXT! (88%)

The Rhodes Family (Dusty & Dustin Rhodes) vs. Mr. Perfect & "Ravishing" Rick Rude

Bobby "The Brain" Heenan accompanied his Heenan Family members as Flair predicted that the Hart Foundation would indeed regret turning down the Brain's invitation to join the Family, claiming that he would have been honored to have been managed by Heenan during his career. This was a hot, well-worked main event which proved that although his ring skills have greatly diminished, Dusty can still get the crowd into a match like few others can. Dustin again looked great against both opponents, as Tenay questioned the wisdom of Rude & Perfect taking on a tough duo such as the Rhodes Family the night before the big tag team grudge match against Jake Roberts & Ricky Steamboat at WWF War Zone. The contest went back-and-forth with both squads working well together, but near the end, Dustin elected not to tag out after absorbing a harsh beating, mounting his own comeback and scoring a few near-falls on the WWF Intercontinental Champion. However, Perfect regained control and tagged in the Ravishing One, who snapped on the Rude Awakening to pick up the pinfall. Afterwards, Rude rolled Dustin out under the bottom rope with his foot so that he and Perfect could celebrate with Heenan while the American Dream attended to his son at ringside. (88%)

While Bobby Heenan raised Rick Rude & Mr. Perfect's arms in victory, Ricky Steamboat & Jake Roberts charged down the aisle and into the ring, where they kicked off a show-ending brawl with "Perfectly Ravishing" as the Brain retreated to the floor. A sea of WWF agents and officials flooded out to separate the four superstars as Albert, Tenay, and Flair got in some final hype for tomorrow night's WWF War Zone and closed the broadcast. (86%)

Overall: 82%

Rating: 6.57

Attendance: 10,047

Ticket Sales: $602,820

-----

I'm having computer problems again, and going back to college starting tomorrow, but I hope to still continue this thing. Here's the card for WWF War Zone...

WWF Championship Match: Randy Savage [champion] vs. Bam Bam Bigelow

Grudge Match: Ricky Steamboat & Jake Roberts vs. Mr. Perfect & Rick Rude

WWF Tag Team Title Match: The Hart Foundation [champions] vs. Powers Of Pain

WWF Television Tag Team Title Tournament - Final: The Rockers vs. Power & Glory

Roddy Piper vs. Jerry Lawler

Ultimate Warrior & Jim Duggan vs. The Great Muta & Abdullah The Butcher

[Chrononaut]

SUNDAY, MAY 26, 1991 -- WWF WAR ZONE

The half-hour Preview Show prior to the pay-per-view was hosted by Mean Gene Okerlund and Mike Tenay, who analyzed each match on the card and predicted a night full of action. During the Preview Show, cameras showed Ted DiBiase in the locker room psyching up Bam Bam Bigelow for his WWF Title shot tonight against Randy Savage, constantly reminding the Beast From The East of the $10 million bounty on the Macho Man and the championship belt. Bam Bam looked to be in tremendous shape and came across as a true threat as he warmed up, grunting and growling while the Million Dollar Man laughed heartily. (90%)

Gorilla Monsoon, Jesse "The Body" Ventura, and "Nature Boy" Ric Flair kicked off the pay-per-view proper from the stage near the back of the arena, each man briefly offering their thoughts on the big event tonight before sending it up to ring announcer Howard "The Fink" Finkel in the squared circle.

Ultimate Warrior & "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan vs. The Great Muta & Abdullah The Butcher

The faces entered first, popping the crowd big-time, as Ventura got in a funny line, claiming that Duggan & Warrior have already made the record books by having the lowest combined IQ in the history of tag team wrestling, even moreso than the Bushwhackers. Mr. Fuji had an air of confidence about him as he waddled out with his crazed proteges, who immediately kicked off a brawl with all four men slugging it out as soon as they hit the ring. Although order was somewhat restored, the match was still pretty chaotic from bell to bell as three of the four competitors are more well-known for their brawling skills, which is what we saw here. Muta held his own against the more established WWF superstars and scored a couple of near-falls, but crashed and burned when he missed the Rising Sun on the Warrior, who rolled out of the way and unloaded on the Great One with a succession of hard clotheslines, followed by a leaping shoulderblock off the ropes. The fans cheered when Warrior signaled for the Gorilla Press and hoisted Muta up over his head, carrying him around to display his superhuman strength. Fuji climbed up on the apron to attract the attention of the Warrior, who approached the Devious One while still pressing Muta overhead, when suddenly Fuji unleashed a fireball into the warpainted face of the former WWF Champion. Warrior dropped Muta and began clutching his face as referee Mark Johnson quickly called for the disqualification. Muta knocked the burnt Warrior to the canvas with a spinning roundhouse kick, while Abdullah cut Hacksaw off at the pass when he tried to make the save, bludgeoning Duggan with the stolen flagpole. Fuji enjoyed his carnage, watching gleefully as Muta landed the Rising Sun on the Warrior, while the Butcher busted Duggan open with the pole. A bevy of WWF officials arrived on the scene to attend to Warrior & Duggan while Fuji led his "Torture Chamber" away from the ring. Monsoon was horrified, calling Fuji the most sadistic manager in the history of the WWF. (79%)

Backstage, Mean Gene Okerlund interviewed WWF Tag Team Champions The Hart Foundation, who talked about meeting and defeating every challenger they have come up against since winning the championship at SummerSlam '90. The Hit Man explained that he had seen a lot of big strong guys come and go throughout his career, so he wasn't intimidated by the Powers Of Pain, while the Anvil echoed those sentiments and added that if Paul Ellering tried to get involved in the match, he might suffer a "Hart Attack...HAHAHAHAHAHA!" (83%)

WWF Tag Team Title Match: The Hart Foundation (Bret "Hit Man" Hart & Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart) [champions] vs. Powers Of Pain (Barbarian & Warlord)

Paul Ellering led out his facepainted monsters, who both looked more intense and fired up than ever before, as Flair pointed out that this was "make or break" time for Precious Paul's managerial acumen. Early in the match, Bobby Heenan joined Monsoon, Flair, and Ventura on commentary, tormenting Gorilla, who told the Brain that he should be back in the dressing room getting Rick Rude & Mr. Perfect ready for their big grudge match later, but Heenan explained that he wanted to watch the Hart Foundation in action. The Powers Of Pain seem to have sharpened their skills, looking impressive here against the veteran WWF Tag Team Champions, as both teams traded the advantage numerous times, the Harts using their superior speed and scientific ability, while Warlord & Barbarian manhandled the titlists with their raw power. There were several near-falls from both squads, getting the crowd into it as a title change was teased more than once when the Powers used quick tags to control the Hit Man. Eventually, Hart escaped from their grasp and made the hot tag to the Anvil, who rushed in and cleaned house, repeatedly bodyslamming both Warlord & Barbarian before double-clotheslining them over the top rope by himself. Ellering jumped up on the apron and was brought in the hard way when Neidhart slingshotted him into the ring. Neidhart threatened to pound Ellering, but referee Tim White stopped the Anvil, while on the outside, the Powers were beating down the Hit Man. Suddenly, Heenan squealed with delight as two muscular men with long blond hair emerged from the audience and slid into the squared circle behind the official's back. Neidhart turned to look at the intruders and was quickly victimized by an incredible double-team maneuver where one man lifted the Anvil in the air while the other man leapt up, grabbed the Anvil's head, and spiked him face-first down to the canvas (*cough*3D*cough*). Heenan pretended not to know who they were at first, but then blurted out, "Hey, it's the Destruction Crew!" before leaving the broadcast position. The Barbarian held the Hit Man at bay while the Warlord covered the Anvil for the 1-2-3 when the ref returned to the action. Ellering was ecstatic, grabbing the title belts from the timekeeper's table and presenting them to his brand-new WWF Tag Team Champions while the two blond men met up with Heenan in the aisleway, pointing back at the ring and laughing at the Hart Foundation. The Brain hollered, "I TOLD you you'd regret it!" as he left with the Destruction Crew, followed by Precious Paul with the Powers Of Pain. Monsoon couldn't believe what had happened, but Ventura and Flair thought it was great. (87%)

"The King" Jerry Lawler vs. "Rowdy" Roddy Piper

Both men entered alone, although the King was carried out on the platform by his slaves, as usual, while the commentators put both Piper and Lawler over as two of the all-time greats in professional wrestling, adding that while both were known mostly for their verbal skills, they were also cagey veterans. The fans were into it from the opening bell, as Hot Rod wore the King's crown to the ring and kept it in his corner, angering Lawler, who tried to cheapshot Piper right off the bat, but Piper dodged it and opened up on Lawler with lefts and rights. The match-up continued with both men bending, if not outright breaking, the rules throughout the contest as they exchanged punches, kicks, eye gouges, facerakes, backrakes, thumbs to the eye, chokeholds, and all manner of street-fighting maneuvers, as well as some classic wrestling, while Flair mentioned that he had faced both Piper and Lawler during his career and said they were both "tough SOBs" who would never quit. Hot Rod managed to clamp the Sleeperhold on, but the King quickly countered it with a jawbreaker and then went for the Royal Piledriver, but Piper back-bodydropped out of it. The fans rallied behind the Scotsman, who built up some momentum with a series of Warrior-like clotheslines before unleashing his boxing talents on the King, flooring him with a big right hook. Piper dragged Lawler back to his feet and put him into position for a piledriver of his own, shouting out, "This one's for you, Hogan!", when Brother Love made a surprise appearance. Monsoon wondered what the evil preacher was doing in the aisle, as Piper foolishly dropped Lawler and hopped out to the floor. The Rowdy One made a beeline for Love while Lawler feigned a serious injury, distracting referee Danny Marsh. Piper caught up with Love and gripped him around the throat, when the Undertaker stepped out from behind the entrance curtain and charged at Piper, who saw the sneak attack coming and turned in time to block the Grim Reaper's punch. Piper responded with his own closed fists, but they did not seem to faze the Dead Man, who shrugged the punches off and grabbed Piper by the neck, chokeslamming him in the aisle. Undertaker pulled Hot Rod off the floor and nonchalantly scooped him up over his shoulder, carrying him down to ringside and burying him with the Tombstone on the thin blue protective mats. The Pale Destroyer peeled the barely conscious Scotsman up off the floor and rolled him back into the ring under the bottom rope before leaving with Brother Love, who was very happy with his Dead Man. Meanwhile, the King miraculously recovered from his "injury" and dragged Piper up, planting him with the Royal Piledriver to pick up the win. The crowd booed heavily as Lawler retrieved his crown from Piper's corner and headed up the aisle, soaking in the hatred of the capacity crowd as Ventura wondered if Piper would be joining Hulk Hogan on the disabled list after taking a chokeslam and a Tombstone on the floor, as well as the King's Royal Piledriver. (84%)

Backstage, Mean Gene Okerlund interviewed the Rockers, who both looked pretty banged-up after assaults from Demolition and Power & Glory last night on Saturday Night's Main Event. Shawn Michaels admitted that they weren't at 100% tonight, but claimed that their adrenaline and will to win would help them pull through in the tournament final against Power & Glory, whom he still blamed for injuring his knee last year at SummerSlam '90. Marty Jannetty added that the Rockers at 50% were still better than any other tag team in the WWF at 100% and finished by promising to lead his squad to the WWF Television Tag Team Championship. (83%)

WWF Television Tag Team Title Tournament - Final: Power & Glory (Hercules & Paul "Romeo" Roma) vs. The Rockers (Shawn Michaels & Marty Jannetty)

Slick, along with his personal bodyguard Bad News Brown, escorted Romeo & Herc to ringside while the commentators discussed each team's road to the tournament final, as the Rockers defeated the Orient Express and Demolition, while Power & Glory were victorious over the Rhodes Family and the British Bulldogs, impressive resumes indeed. Shawn & Marty limped out looking battered and bruised as the commentators reminded viewers the incredible amount of punishment they took last night on Saturday Night's Main Event both during and after their match, but the Rockers still put on an absolutely awesome tag team clinic with Hercules & Roma that went back-and-forth early on until Hercules took control with his massive strength. Power & Glory isolated Jannetty, cutting the ring in half and utilizing quick tags in and out to dominate him as Ventura called Slick's squad the most improved tag team of the last six months, highlighting their continuously-improving tagging skills which were quite evident here. After absorbing a ton of abuse, Marty broke free of the Power & Glory corner and made the hot tag to Shawn, while Roma tagged Hercules. Shawn springboarded in off the top rope with a breathtaking double-clothesline on Herc & Romeo, followed by a flurry of fists for both men, knocking Roma out to the floor. Shawn avoided a double-axhandle from the Mighty One and put him down with a superkick, at which point an exhausted Jannetty was already asking to be tagged back in. Michaels thought better of it but made the tag anyway before both Rockers ascended opposite turnbuckles for their trademark Double Flying Fistdrop. However, Jannetty slipped and crotched himself on the turnbuckle, while Hercules took advantage of Michaels, shoving him off the top all the way down to the floor before tagging Roma, who climbed to the top turnbuckle as Herc joined Jannetty on the opposite corner. They executed the Powerplex, giving Romeo the pinfall on Marty to become the first-ever WWF Television Tag Team Champions. Romeo & Herc celebrated with Slick at ringside as Monsoon announced that WWF President Andre The Giant would present Power & Glory with the brand-new belts on "Piper's Pit" next weekend on Saturday Night's Main Event, provided that Hot Rod will be able to host the Pit. (90%)

WWF Championship Match: "Macho Man" Randy Savage [champion] vs. Bam Bam Bigelow

Ted DiBiase seconded tonight's challenger, but referee Earl Hebner ejected the Million Dollar Man and sent him back to the locker room, despite DiBiase's blatant bribery attempt. The fans cheered as the irate former Million Dollar Champion stomped up the aisle, shouting back at Hebner to remember who paid him so well three years ago, referring to the infamous "Hebner Twin Switch" in 1988 involving twin brother Dave that robbed Hulk Hogan of the WWF Championship. Monsoon claimed that oddsmakers named Bam Bam as the underdog, which Flair agreed with, but pointed out that he had seen the Beast From The East in action in Japan last year and he was almost a completely different wrestler than he was when WWF fans last saw him at WrestleMania IV, as he proved against the Big Boss Man last Monday on Prime Time Wrestling. This was a tremendous WWF Title bout that did a lot to get Bam Bam over with today's WWF fans, as he was on offense for a majority of the match, with the Macho Man mounting comebacks here and there. Monsoon mentioned that, like the Rockers, Savage took a sound beating last night on Saturday Night's Main Event, putting forth the notion of a title change here as well. Bigelow seemed to be more intent on hurting Savage, crushing him with powerslams, splashes, and avalanches in the corner, although he also scored a few near-falls. Late in the match, after the WWF Champion wriggled out of the Jersey Devil, Bigelow attempted to Irish-whip Savage into the corner again, but Savage reversed it and sent Bigelow careening into the turnbuckles, accidentally squashing the official in the process. With the ref down, the Macho Man scaled the buckles and dove off with a flying double-axhandle, which staggered the New Jersey bounty hunter but did not knock him off his feet. Savage then tried to scoop Bigelow up for a bodyslam, but the weight was too much and the 360-pound Beast crashed down on top of him. The Million Dollar Man, along with Virgil, returned to ringside, grabbing the WWF Title belt from the timekeeper's table while Virgil checked on the motionless referee. DiBiase entered the ring with the gold, waiting for Savage to get up, when he charged at the Macho Man. However, Savage ducked and DiBiase bashed Bam Bam with the championship belt, knocking the Beast out cold. Savage quickly chased DiBiase out of the ring and climbed to the top turnbuckle, landing the patented Flying Elbowdrop on Bigelow as the ref came-to with the inadvertent assistance of Virgil and administered the three-count. Afterwards, the Macho Man picked up his belt and began to celebrate, but Virgil slid into the squared circle and tackled the WWF Champion down to the canvas, allowing the Million Dollar Man to kick Savage in the head while Bigelow dragged himself to his feet. Virgil and DiBiase pinned Savage to the mat, spread-eagled, as Bam Bam surprisingly climbed to the top turnbuckle, diving off with a humongous flying splash that sent the Macho Man into convulsions. DiBiase and Virgil held Savage in place again as Bigelow came off the top with another 360-pound splash, causing blood to flow out of Savage's mouth from what Monsoon guessed were internal injuries. At the insistence of the Million Dollar Man, Bam Bam lifted the Macho Man across his shoulders and planted him with the Jersey Devil. Pleased with his dirty work, DiBiase led Bigelow and Virgil back to the dressing room to a chorus of boos. (86%)

Mr. Perfect & "Ravishing" Rick Rude vs. Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat & Jake "The Snake" Roberts

Prior to the ring introductions, like true heels, Ventura and Flair celebrated all of the fan favorites that were seriously injured so far tonight at WWF War Zone, counting the Ultimate Warrior, Roddy Piper, and the Macho Man among the casualties and hoping that Rude & Perfect would be adding the names of Roberts & Steamboat to the list during this match-up. Monsoon was disgusted with their behavior, as well as that of Bobby "The Brain" Heenan, who accompanied his "Perfectly Ravishing" combination to the ring while Monsoon questioned the Brain's involvement with "the so-called Destruction Crew" that cost the Hart Foundation the WWF Tag Team Championship earlier tonight. The crowd was hot for this main event grudge match, in which all four men gave their all right from the start, engaging in a fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat thriller. Perfect & Rude were clearly far more experienced as a tag team, as the Nature Boy mentioned that they had been best friends since childhood, while the Body added that just a few years ago, the Snake and the Dragon were waging a blood feud against one another. The Heenan Family worked over Steamboat with heelish tactics and double-teams, but the Dragon would not stay down, kicking out of every pin attempt. Growing frustrated, the Ravishing One took an unnecessary high risk and missed a flying kneedrop from the top turnbuckle, which allowed Steamboat to make the hot tag. The crowd exploded as Jake rushed in and finally got his hands on Rude, pinning him to the canvas and raining down lefts and rights on his Ravishing face. When Perfect came in to make the save, Jake sprang up, catching the WWF Intercontinental Champion with a snapping right jab that knocked him through the ropes out to the floor. Jake immediately turned his attention back to Rude, who was trying to flee the ring, but the Snake snatched him by the back of the tights, exposing his famous buttcrack, and dragged him back to mid-ring, where he doled out the punishment on his tormentor. As the crowd cheered, Roberts gave the signal for the DDT and went for the short-arm clothesline, but Rude ducked and scrambled to his corner, tagging in Mr. Perfect and bailing out, heading up the aisle. The frustrated Snake tagged out to the Dragon and chased after Rude, both arch-enemies disappearing through the curtain while Steamboat and Perfect squared off, reminiscent of their WWF Intercontinental Championship match last month at WrestleMania VII. They went at it fast and furious, exchanging holds and counterholds at a rapid pace until the Flawless One tried to apply the Perfectplex, which Steamboat countered with a small package for a very close count. Back on their feet, Steamboat ducked a roundhouse right and delivered an inverted atomic drop, stunning Perfect long enough for the Dragon to snare the Intercontinental Champion in his own version of the Perfectplex for the 1-2-3. At ringside, Heenan threw a temper tantrum as a shocked Perfect rolled out of the ring, leaving Steamboat to celebrate on the inside while Monsoon declared that Steamboat proved that he deserves a rematch for the WWF Intercontinental Title. While the capacity crowd gave the Dragon a standing ovation, Monsoon, Ventura, and Flair signed off and hyped next month's King Of The Ring. (90%)

Overall: 85%

Buyrate: 1.89

Attendance: 20,974

PPV Revenue: $4,725,000

Ticket Sales: $1,258,440

[Guest Prototype]

Good diary. I liked WM VII and War Zone. You sure do get alot of shows up at once! It can make for a long read, but it's good.

[Chrononaut]

Good diary. I liked WM VII and War Zone. You sure do get alot of shows up at once! It can make for a long read, but it's good.

←

[Chrononaut]

MONDAY, MAY 27, 1991 -- WWF PRIME TIME WRESTLING

Vince McMahon and Jesse "The Body" Ventura opened the show LIVE from ringside, briefly touching on last night's WWF War Zone before introducing tonight's program, including Hacksaw Duggan battling Abdullah The Butcher one-on-one, Bob Backlund taking on Dino Bravo, the Honky Tonk Man facing Superfly Snuka, Virgil squaring off against the Big Boss Man, and more.

Bobby Heenan kicked things off by coming down the aisle to a round of boos and taking the microphone from ring announcer Howard "The Fink" Finkel. The Brain smiled as he sarcastically wondered how the Hart Foundation were doing after losing the WWF Tag Team Championship to the Powers Of Pain last night at WWF War Zone, adding that Neidhart & Hart probably would still be champions if they had joined the Heenan Family. He then introduced his new tag team that made their WWF debut last night, Mike "The Machine" Enos & Wayne "The Train" Bloom, the Destruction Crew, who strutted out wearing black and red tights. Once they entered the squared circle, Bloom & Enos embraced Heenan, who claimed that his Crew could demolish any tag team in the WWF on any given night. (76%)

The Destruction Crew (Wayne "The Train" Bloom & Mike "The Machine" Enos) vs. Duane Gill & Barry Hardy

Bobby "The Brain" Heenan stepped out to ringside as the Machine and the Train charged over and took their opponents by surprise, battering them with fists and forearms before tossing Gill to the floor. The Crew looked good in their WWF wrestling debut, squashing their veteran opponents while Ventura put them over as "Minnesota's greatest tag team" and predicted that the Brain would lead them to the top in the WWF. They finished this one when Bloom covered Gill following the double-team spike maneuver that they used last night on Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart, called the "Wrecking Ball". (61%)

In the Prime Time studio, Gorilla Monsoon and "Nature Boy" Ric Flair talked about the two title changes at WWF War Zone, including Power & Glory capturing the vacant WWF Television Tag Team Championship by defeating the Rockers, and the Powers Of Pain taking the WWF Tag Team Championship from the Hart Foundation with some help from the Destruction Crew, before they introduced their first guests tonight, the Legion Of Doom. Hawk & Animal entered the room wearing tank tops and Zubaz pants, with their trademark facepaint, but they looked more subdued than usual as they sat down at the desk. Monsoon began by mentioning that we haven't seen the LOD in action in a number of weeks, but Flair interrupted and claimed that the LOD couldn't compete with today's tag teams in the WWF. Animal glared at the Nature Boy, but surprisingly admitted that their win/loss record over the last few months had been less than impressive. Hawk reluctantly agreed and suggested that they needed some time away from tag team competition in order to regroup and come back stronger than ever. When Gorilla asked if that meant they were temporarily retiring, Hawk announced that he and Animal were splitting up and going into the Singles Division. Animal nodded and said that after nearly 10 years as a tag team, they both needed a change, but left the door open for a reunion in the future. The former Road Warriors stood up, shook hands, and shared a brief embrace, thanking each other for always being there, while Monsoon called them one of the most legendary tag teams in the history of professional wrestling. (90%)

Backstage at the arena, Koko B. Ware was grooming his macaw, Frankie, when Bushwhacker Butch marched into the room. He complimented the Bird Man on his companion ("Whoooaaa, that's a mighty fine bird ya got there, mate!") and pointed out that lately, neither Butch nor Koko had been faring too well in singles competition. Koko nodded, as Butch suggested that they should form a tag team and try to knock off the Destruction Crew before moving on to "bigger and better" things. Koko thought that it sounded like a good idea, despite (or maybe because of) their contrasting styles, but asked Butch what they could name their squad. After thinking for a moment, Butch came up with "The Birdwhackers", which Koko liked. They celebrated by doing the "Bushwhacker Shuffle" and the "Bird Dance". (63%)

Dino Bravo vs. Bob Backlund

Jimmy Hart escorted the Canadian Strongman while McMahon informed viewers that WWF President Andre The Giant would be interviewed in the Prime Time studio after this match regarding the first-ever King Of The Ring pay-per-view coming up on Sunday, June 30. This was a slower-paced, somewhat plodding, old-school contest, with Backlund using his amateur grappling skills to counteract Bravo's overwhelming strength as the advantage shifted back-and-forth. In the end, Backlund wriggled out of a military press and trapped Bravo in a lateral guillotine for the three-count. Afterwards, the former WWF Champion escaped before the Quebecer could exact some revenge. (78%)

In the Prime Time studio, Gorilla Monsoon and Ric Flair mentioned that there had been rumors swirling over the format of the first-ever King Of The Ring event, and introduced the one man who could answer their questions, WWF President Andre The Giant, who lumbered into the room and started off by updating the status of the superstars that were injured last night during WWF War Zone: the Ultimate Warrior had suffered severe burns to his face as a result of the fireball thrown by Mr. Fuji, but vowed to return to action as soon as possible; Roddy Piper was diagnosed with a "stinger" due to the piledrivers he absorbed last night; and Randy Savage was inflicted with "internal injuries" but would be working through them, which was the Macho Man's own decision. The Nature Boy said that nobody cared about those guys anyway and inquired about the upcoming June 30 pay-per-view. The President sighed and informed Flair that the first annual King Of The Ring would consist of a single-elimination tournament to crown the true "King" of the WWF, beginning with the first round over the next few weeks leading up to the PPV, where the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final would take place. Andre announced that the opening round would kick off tonight with the match-up pitting the Big Boss Man against Virgil, as the tournament bracket graphic appeared on the screen, displaying the scheduled bouts: Boss Man vs. Virgil, Roddy Piper vs. Undertaker; Ricky Steamboat vs. Honky Tonk Man, Bob Backlund vs. Great Muta; Hawk vs. Jerry Lawler, Jake Roberts vs. Abdullah The Butcher; Ultimate Warrior vs. Bad News Brown, Animal vs. Rick Rude. Monsoon boasted that it should be an action-packed tournament and would make for a very unique event. (84%)

Honky Tonk Man vs. "Superfly" Jimmy Snuka

Colonel Robert Lee Fuller seconded the Greatest Intercontinental Champion Of All Time as the commentators buzzed over the 1991 WWF King Of The Ring tournament, announcing that Honky's opening-round match-up against Ricky Steamboat would take place next week on Prime Time, while the first-rounder between Abdullah The Butcher and Jake Roberts would be featured this weekend on Saturday Night's Main Event. As happened in his last appearance in the ring, the Superfly wandered out, expressionless and zombie-like, and rolled in under the bottom rope, where Honky Tonk immediately bombarded him with kicks, stomps, and fistdrops. Snuka absorbed each blow without fighting back or no-selling, until Honky put him away with the Shake, Rattle, 'N' Roll for the easy pin. Despite Snuka's strange behavior, Honky and the Colonel celebrated as if he had just won the WWF Championship, trash-talking the Dragon in preparation for next week, while the Superfly rolled out to ringside and staggered back up the aisle, still with a blank face. (76%)

In the Prime Time studio, Gorilla Monsoon and Ric Flair discussed the injuries to Randy Savage, Ultimate Warrior, and Roddy Piper, announcing that although Hot Rod would be unable to host "Piper's Pit" this weekend, WWF President Andre The Giant would still be presenting Power & Glory with the brand-new WWF Television Tag Team Championship belts on Saturday Night's Main Event. The Nature Boy chuckled at the Scotsman's stinger and could not wait to introduce the perpetrators, Brother Love and the Undertaker, who slowly walked in wearing their usual attire and sat down. Monsoon angrily asked why the Undertaker Tombstoned the Rowdy One last night at WWF War Zone, which wiped the huge smile off of the face of Love, who complained about what a travesty it was that "Piper's Pit" replaced "The Brother Love Show", suggesting that Piper influenced the President to "fire" the evil preacher from the show. Love claimed that Piper was jealous of the Show and how much better the Brother was as a television host, and now Piper would pay the price for disrespecting the "Ministry Of Love". The Undertaker gravely warned Hot Rod that he should stay in the hospital, because if he decided to show up for their scheduled King Of The Ring first-round match-up, the Reaper would bypass the hospital and deliver him directly to the morgue. The camera zoomed in on the Dead Man's pale, sallow face as he uttered, "Piper, you will rest... in... peace." (80%)

Abdullah The Butcher vs. "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan

Mr. Fuji waddled out with the Madman Of The Sudan, while Hacksaw had a bandage on his forehead, which McMahon explained was to cover the deep wound caused by the Butcher bludgeoning him with a steel flagpole last night at WWF War Zone. Before they locked up, Duggan jabbed his thick finger against Abdullah's flabby chest as he hollered in his face, vowing revenge for what happened last night, at which point they began slugging it out, trading hamhock-like fists. The match-up continued with the competitors tumbling out to the floor and brawling around ringside, exchanging hard-hitting strikes before returning to the squared circle, where Duggan popped the crowd by scooping and slamming the 373-pound cannibal. Not long after, Duggan set up for the Three Point Stance, but Abdullah sidestepped the move and followed up with the Meat Cleaver, which knocked the bandage off of the patriot's head and reopened the wound. Abdullah quickly dropped the Chopping Block on the bleeding Hacksaw and hooked the leg for the victory. Afterwards, the Butcher smeared Duggan's blood on himself as McMahon wretched and hyped the Sudanese Psychopath's first-round King Of The Ring match against Jake Roberts this weekend on Saturday Night's Main Event. (73%)

Mean Gene Okerlund was in the locker room to interview the Big Boss Man, who twirled his nightstick as he warmed up for his King Of The Ring opening-rounder against Virgil. The Boss Man recounted his loss to Virgil several weeks ago, blaming it on the outside interference of the Million Dollar Man, and admitted that rulebreakers have been running roughshod over the WWF as of late, but claimed that he was more determined than ever to enforce the law. Looking intently into the camera as he brandished his nightstick and handcuffs, Boss Man warned that that spelled bad news for Virgil...NEXT! (79%)

1991 WWF King Of The Ring Tournament - First Round: Virgil vs. Big Boss Man

Ted DiBiase accompanied his muscular lackey as the commentators talked about last night's Bam Bam Bigelow/Randy Savage WWF Title match that resulted in the Macho Man coughing up blood. This was a solid contest that began with the Boss Man opening up on Virgil with vicious body shots, battering the muscular servant around the ring as vengeance flowed through his veins. McMahon pointed out that the victor would go on to face the winner of the Undertaker/Roddy Piper match in the quarter-finals at the pay-per-view, and for a majority of the bout it looked like it would be the Boss Man advancing as he dominated Virgil while the Million Dollar Man barked orders at his loyal sidekick. Late in the match, DiBiase removed the turnbuckle pad, exposing the steel bolt, which Virgil whipped Boss Man into before catching him in a powerslam for the 1-2-3. Afterwards, clutching his back, Boss Man pulled himself up and went after Virgil, flooring him with a hard right hand before retrieving his handcuffs and nightstick from the corner. However, before he could use them to enforce the law, DiBiase snuck in from behind and stopped the Boss Man with a nasty lowblow. Virgil regained his composure and joined his boss in stomping the big Georgian, grabbing the handcuffs and locking the Boss Man to the ropes. With Boss Man helpless, Virgil picked up the nightstick and handed it to the Million Dollar Man, who began sadistically beating the former corrections officer with the weapon, cracking the stick across his head, ribs, and back. Virgil added some field-goal-style kicks, until suddenly WWF Champion Randy Savage sprinted down the aisle to make the save. Unfortunately, with the Boss Man still cuffed to the ropes and the Macho Man's lingering injuries from the previous night, Savage was overwhelmed by DiBiase and Virgil, who attempted to aggravate the internal damage by whacking the WWF Champion in the ribs with the nightstick. Soon after, a horde of WWF agents and officials flooded out to halt the attack while McMahon and Ventura closed the program. (76%)

Overall: 76%

Rating: 5.44

Attendance: 10,013

Ticket Sales: $600,780

-----

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Celebrating birthdays in May were...

Andre The Giant (45)

Brian Knobbs (37)

Jake "The Snake" Roberts (36)

Tito Santana (38)

"Superfly" Jimmy Snuka (46)

...and probably more, but the message cut off at the end. Hopefully that little oversight was corrected in EWR 4.0.

-----

SATURDAY, JUNE 1, 1991 -- NBC/WWF PRESENT: SATURDAY NIGHT'S MAIN EVENT

Marv Albert, Mike Tenay, and "Nature Boy" Ric Flair introduced the LIVE network broadcast, running through tonight's lineup: Jake Roberts taking on Abdullah The Butcher in an opening-round King Of The Ring match-up, Bad News Brown meeting Dusty Rhodes, the Powers Of Pain defending the WWF Tag Team Championship against the Texas Twister & Tito Santana, the tag team debut of the Birdwhackers against the Conquistadors, WWF President Andre The Giant presenting the WWF Television Tag Team Championship belts to Power & Glory, and more.

The Birdwhackers (Butch & Koko) vs. The Conquistadors (Conquistador #1 & Conquistador #2)

Koko B. Ware, now billed simply as "Koko", marched out with Butch wearing a more colorful version of the Bushwhacker's outfit, and they worked fairly well together in this heatless, competitive squash. The Birdwhackers finished off the Conquistadors when Koko covered #1 after using Butch's skull as a Battering Ram. (57%)

Sean Mooney came out to ringside afterwards to interview the Birdwhackers, who were celebrating their victory by doing their respective dances. Koko explained that they had an open contract to face any tag team in the WWF, including the Destruction Crew, and welcomed all challenges, while Butch agreed and licked Mooney's face and head before they marched up the aisle. (74%)

Following a commercial break, Slick was in the ring holding the microphone as he introduced the brand-new, first-ever WWF Television Tag Team Champions, The Mighty Hercules & Paul "Romeo" Roma, Power & Glory. The dynamic duo strutted out, looking more confident than ever as they stepped into the squared circle and high-fived the Doctor Of Style, who started to talk trash about the Rockers, calling them "pushovers", until WWF President Andre The Giant emerged from the entrance curtain and lumbered down the aisle, carrying a pair of beautiful, shiny, new gold belts. The President congratulated Power & Glory on winning the tournament as he handed the belts over to them, but stated that he did not condone their nefarious tactics. Andre informed the new champs that they would have to give the Rockers a rematch in the near future, which set off Slick, who refused to grant the Masters Of Motion a rematch and claimed that nobody could tell them what to do, not even the President. Slick babbled about Power & Glory being the most talented tag team on television today, until suddenly Shawn Michaels & Marty Jannetty raced out in their street clothes and attacked Romeo & Herc with a furious flurry of fists, chasing them from the ring. Slick quickly bailed out and followed his team up the aisle while the Rockers leaned over the ropes and threatened Power & Glory. (73%)

Mean Gene Okerlund was backstage along with new WWF Tag Team Champions Powers Of Pain and Paul Ellering, who gloated over leading Warlord & Barbarian to the title. Precious Paul pointed out that the Legion Of Doom had never won a championship without him and claimed that that was why they split up, before going on to say that the Powers would keep the belts as long as he wanted them to, and referring to Tito Santana & Kevin Von Erich as "sacrificial lambs" for the new tag team gods. (69%)

WWF Tag Team Title Match: Powers Of Pain (Barbarian & Warlord) [champions] vs. "Texas Twister" Kevin Von Erich & Tito Santana

Paul Ellering looked like a proud papa as he led out his Powers Of Pain while carrying the title belts over his shoulders. Flair called the Powers the most improved tag team of the year so far and credited it all to Precious Paul, putting him over as one of the most underrated managers in professional wrestling. This was a solid match-up, although somewhat heatless since nobody really gave Santana & Von Erich much of a chance. They showed some nice teamwork, but in the end, the Barbarian covered Tito following the End Of Days. Afterwards, the Hart Foundation stormed the ring armed with metal folding chairs and drove the new WWF Tag Team Champions from the squared circle, to the surprise and delight of the fans. (68%)

After Paul Ellering and the Powers Of Pain fled ringside with the WWF Tag Team Championship belts, Bret Hart retrieved the microphone and ranted about losing the title last Sunday at WWF War Zone, showing more emotion than ever before in recent memory. The Hit Man said that the Hart Foundation would have had the match won if not for the outside interference, and explained that after they regain the belts, they would be coming after the Destruction Crew. The Anvil took the mic next and warned Bobby Heenan that he had better hope that Barbarian & Warlord put the Foundation out of wrestling, because once they are through with the Powers, they promised to declare "Weasel Season" officially open. (84%)

Backstage, in a private, luxurious dressing room, Bobby "The Brain" Heenan was sitting around with "Ravishing" Rick Rude & WWF Intercontinental Champion Mr. Perfect, both dressed in track suits. The Brain admitted that WWF War Zone last Sunday didn't quite go the way they had planned, but with Ricky Steamboat gaining the pinfall on Perfect in the tag team match, Heenan claimed that it would work in the Family's favor since it would give the Dragon a "false sense of hope" if they ever grant him another title shot. The Ravishing One boasted that he easily lost Jake Roberts when the Snake chased him backstage at the PPV, insulting his intelligence, before Heenan stood up and informed Perfect & Rude that he wanted to officially introduce them to their new Family members, bringing the Destruction Crew of Wayne "The Train" Bloom & Mike "The Machine" Enos into the room. Rude & Perfect both got up and shook hands with Enos & Bloom, welcoming them to the Heenan Family, as the Brain smiled, proud of his new signings. (83%)

Bad News Brown vs. "American Dream" Dusty Rhodes

Slick escorted his pissed-off personal bodyguard while the commentators discussed how embarrassed the Doctor Of Style was due to the Rockers ruining Power & Glory's celebration ceremony earlier. The American Dream was greeted with a great pop, but the match itself left something to be desired, consisting mostly of Bad News thrashing upon Dusty's flabby carcass with kicks and punches while Tenay recounted Brown's loss to Dustin Rhodes a couple of weeks ago. Later in the contest, Dusty mounted a comeback and was on the verge of winning when Slick hopped up on the apron, attracting the Dream's attention. With big Dust exchanging words with Slick, Bad News charged from behind, but Dusty dodged it and sent Bad News crashing into the Doctor Of Style. While Slick fell to the floor, Dusty clobbered Bad News with the Bionic Elbow and hooked the leg for the 1-2-3. (66%)

After the match, Sean Mooney appeared at ringside to interview Dusty Rhodes, but Bad News Brown interrupted them and demanded a rematch with the American Dream. Dusty smiled his Stardust smile as he gleefully informed the Harlem Streetfighter that his schedule over the next couple of months was booked solid with tag team matches with his son Dustin, but mockingly promised that he would try to fit him in after his "summer holidays". Bad News threw a fit and physically threatened Mooney while Dusty taunted him and headed back up the aisle. (84%)

In the locker room, Mean Gene Okerlund interviewed Mr. Fuji while Abdullah The Butcher proudly pointed out the dried blood smeared across his obese torso. A disgusted Okerlund asked if that was "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan's blood from Prime Time Wrestling on Monday, to which Fuji happily nodded and said that indeed it was. Fuji explained that it helped to fuel the Butcher's bloodlust, which would lead him to victory over Jake Roberts tonight, and then against the rest of the competitors in the King Of The Ring tournament. The Devious One claimed that the Butcher would be crowned "King Abdullah" and begin a bloody reign of terror that would make Vlad The Impaler "look like schoolboy". (81%)

1991 WWF King Of The Ring Tournament - First Round: Abdullah The Butcher vs. Jake "The Snake" Roberts

Mr. Fuji waddled out behind the Madman Of The Sudan as he rolled into the ring, awaiting the arrival of the Snake. Tenay informed viewers that the winner here would meet the winner of the Jerry Lawler/Hawk first-rounder in the quarter-finals at King Of The Ring, while Flair mentioned that the presence of the Heenan Family backstage might distract Jake from this match-up, which was a solid, brawling-style affair that saw the Butcher get in quite a bit of his unusual offense and a few near-falls. The odds seemed to be against Jake as he appeared slightly distracted, and every time he gained an advantage against Abdullah, Fuji would get involved to turn the tide back. Eventually, Jake avoided Fuji's interference and managed to snap the DDT on Abdullah for the three-count. Afterwards, Roberts immediately exited the ring before the Butcher awoke and celebrated his advancement as Albert, Tenay, and Flair signed off. (71%)

Overall: 73%

Rating: 6.44

Attendance: 10,026

Ticket Sales: $601,560

-----

SUNDAY, JUNE 2, 1991 -- WWF SUPERSTARS OF WRESTLING

Booker: Ax

Quality: 68%

Rating: 4.91

Attendance: 10,023

Ticket Sales: $601,380

-----

I wasn't too impressed with our post-PPV week, as Prime Time seemed kinda weak (trying to build up some of the recently-ignored midcard guys) and SNME was one of those "1 in 25" crappy show deals, but I think the King Of The Ring tournament will produce some great matches and things will pick up again.

[Chrononaut]

MONDAY, JUNE 3, 1991 -- WWF PRIME TIME WRESTLING

Vince McMahon and Jesse "The Body" Ventura opened the show LIVE from ringside by announcing tonight's lineup, featuring Demolition and the Birdwhackers in action, the Mountie taking on Animal, an opening-round King Of The Ring match pitting Ricky Steamboat against the Honky Tonk Man, and more.

The Birdwhackers kicked things off by making their way down to the ring and dancing around for the fans. Koko took the microphone from ring announcer Howard "The Fink" Finkel and said that he and Butch were ready for whichever tag team had signed the open contract, which brought out a pair of stocky men in police uniforms and crew cuts, carrying a microphone. They introduced themselves as Sgt. Buddy Ray Parker & Lt. James Earl Wright, the State Patrol, and claimed that they came "up north" to the WWF to issue tickets to the Birdwhackers for "impersonating a professional wrestler". At ringside, Wright & Parker removed their hats and shirts before climbing into the squared circle. (66%)

The Birdwhackers (Butch & Koko) vs. State Patrol (Sgt. Buddy Ray Parker & Lt. James Earl Wright)

Although they have spent the last couple of years jobbing in WCW, McMahon acted as if the State Patrol were new to the sport, which may mean that there are plans for them. Obviously the WWF underestimates their fans, as they changed "Buddy Lee" to "Buddy Ray" so he wouldn't be confused with Robert Lee Fuller. This was a solid, but heatless, match-up that came to an end when Koko covered Wright following the double-team Battering Ram. (60%)

In the Prime Time studio, Gorilla Monsoon and "Nature Boy" Ric Flair discussed the first annual King Of The Ring tournament as the bracket graphic appeared on the screen, and announced that this weekend's Saturday Night's Main Event would feature the first-rounder between the Great Muta and their first guest tonight, Bob Backlund, who entered the room in a sweatsuit and politely shook hands with both hosts, although Flair pulled his hand away and laughed at the former WWF Champion. Flair claimed that that was always the problem with Backlund, that he was too trusting and too polite, which was why he couldn't survive in the WWF of 1991. Monsoon interrupted and admitted that Backlund's win/loss ratio since his return in January had not been as successful as it was 10 years ago, to which Backlund responded that he still had those years of ring rust to work off, but now he was in the best shape of his life. He explained that he was ready for a career renaissance and looked at King Of The Ring as the perfect opportunity to display his stamina and skill, as he was looking forward to matching up with talented competitors like the Great Muta. Backlund hoped for a fair match, causing Flair to chuckle, and vowed to do his best to be crowned the WWF's King Of The Ring. (86%)

Back in the arena, the updated heavy-metal Demolition theme blasted as Ax, Smash, & Crush marched into the ring and grabbed the microphone. Ax barked about his "brothers-in-paint" not receiving a WWF Tag Team Title shot despite an impressive run over the last few months, but said that they would just keep on busting up bodies until there were no other teams left to challenge for the championship. Smash added that he and Crush would "kick everybody's stinkin' teeth down their stinkin' throats" and wouldn't stop until WWF President Andre The Giant had no choice but to grant them a shot at either tag title. Ax then challenged any squad in the back that had "championship dreams" to come out and try to get through Demolition, at which point the gold masks and bodysuits of the Conquistadors stepped out from the entrance curtain to a surprising pop. With their expressive body language, the Latin Americans accepted the challenge and sped down to the ring, apparently signifying a full face turn as they played to the crowd. (69%)

Demolition (Smash & Crush) vs. The Conquistadors (Conquistador #1 & Conquistador #2)

Ax headed out to ringside as the Conquistadors took the much larger Crush & Smash by surprise when they hit the ring, bombarding them with a succession of dropkicks that knocked them out to the floor. It appears that Conquistador #2 is now being portrayed by a different, much smaller and more athletic worker, as the masked men dove over the top rope onto Demolition at ringside, popping the crowd. The contest continued as far more than a competitive squash, with the Conquistadors looking good and actually getting a few near-falls on Smash using some high-flying double-team maneuvers. It appeared that the Latin Americans might pull off the upset as the fans rallied behind them, but Smash regained the lead and Demolition put them away when Crush pinned #2 after the Decapitation Elbow. (77%)

A video ("Paid For By The Million Dollar Man") aired to hype Bam Bam Bigelow, featuring "testimonials" from several of his bounty hunter targets, with their faces and voices distorted to hide their identities. Each man, big, small, and in between, spoke about how dangerous the Beast From The East was with his lethal combination of raw power, cat-like agility, and cold, calculating intelligence. Each man thought they would be able to elude Bam Bam, but each man told the same story: in the end, Bam Bam brought each and every one of them down. Some were still visibly physically injured, while others said that the mental scars would last a lifetime, but they all warned any of his unfortunate targets in the WWF, including Randy Savage, to either give up and take the beating like a man, or to get on a plane and get away as fast as they can, as far away as they can. It ended with clips from WWF War Zone of Bigelow dominating the Macho Man, and Savage coughing up blood from his internal injuries afterwards. A well-produced segment that seemed effective in putting Bigelow over as a legitimately fearsome, unstoppable hunter. (82%)

In the Prime Time studio, Gorilla Monsoon and Ric Flair talked about Bam Bam Bigelow and his dominant performance at WWF War Zone before announcing a big tag team match for Saturday Night's Main Event this weekend pitting Ted DiBiase & Virgil against their next guests, the Big Boss Man & WWF Champion Randy Savage, who walked in together, still looking a bit beaten up from last week. The Nature Boy made a snide remark about their injuries, which provoked the Macho Man to stand up and growl about how many times he's been knocked down in his career, but that he still gets back up, unlike Flair who retired. The Boss Man said that guys like Flair and DiBiase can say whatever they want, but he and Savage would let their actions in the ring this weekend against Virgil & DiBiase speak louder than their words. Monsoon pointed that Boss Man & Macho Man had no experience as a tag team, but the Boss Man explained that he and Savage "beat the crap out of each other" during their matches against one another a couple of years ago, so they both know what the other is capable of. Savage admitted that the Boss Man took him to the limit many times, naming him as one of the top five or ten toughest men he had ever faced, which was why he felt comfortable going into battle with the big Georgian as his partner. Savage added that like himself, Boss Man was not adverse to bending the rules to ensure that justice was served. The Boss Man agreed and claimed that to uphold the law, sometimes a little "vigilante-style action" was necessary, especially in the WWF as of late. They ended the interview warning the "so-called Million Dollar Team" that despite their bumps and bruises, they would make DiBiase & Virgil serve "hard time" on Saturday Night's Main Event. (88%)

The Mountie vs. Animal

Jimmy Hart accompanied his corrupt Canadian law enforcer, while the commentators hyped Animal's King Of The Ring opening-round match-up next week against Rick Rude, adding that Gorilla Monsoon and Ric Flair would be interviewing the Heenan Family in the studio after this bout. This was a solid contest as both men looked good, although it is still strange to see Animal as a singles wrestler rather than as one-half of the Legion Of Doom. The Mountie tried to wear down the powerful Chicago native with striking attacks and submission holds, but made a tactical error when he went to the top turnbuckle. Animal climbed up with him and brought the Mountie crashing to the canvas with a super Samoan Drop for the three-count. Afterwards, the Mountie tried to exact some revenge but Animal shrugged it off and pressed the Canadian over his head, dropping him out to ringside right on top of the Mouth Of The South. (77%)

In the Prime Time studio, Gorilla Monsoon and Ric Flair discussed the prospects of Animal's foray into singles competition, including next week's first-round King Of The Ring match against Rick Rude, before bringing in the Heenan Family: Bobby "The Brain" Heenan, "Ravishing" Rick Rude, WWF Intercontinental Champion Mr. Perfect, Wayne "The Train" Bloom, & Mike "The Machine" Enos, who were all wearing black-and-red tracksuits. Heenan teased Monsoon, who asked Rude about the tournament bout against Animal next week, pointing out how impressive the former Legion Of Doom member looked tonight against the Mountie. The Ravishing One explained that while the Mountie may be a talented guy, "he is no Rick Rude", and Rude would be able to handle Animal, as Heenan reminded Monsoon of Rude's "resounding victory" over the Ultimate Warrior at WrestleMania V and stated that Rude has only gotten better since then. With that out of the way, Monsoon inquired about the Destruction Crew costing the Hart Foundation the WWF Tag Team Championship at WWF War Zone. The Brain responded that he warned Bret Hart & Jim Neidhart that they would regret turning down his invitation to join the Heenan Family, and he was right, mentioning that when you need to tear down a Foundation, you call in a Destruction Crew. While the Machine sat silently with his arms folded across his broad chest, the Train put the Heenan Family over as the most elite group of professional wrestlers on the planet and questioned why the Anvil & Hit Man would be stupid enough to snub the Brain, whom he called the greatest wrestling mind of all time. Heenan claimed that he would lead Enos & Bloom to the pinnacle of the tag team mountain, before Monsoon brought up Ricky Steamboat scoring the pinfall on Mr. Perfect in the tag team match at WWF War Zone, which he said should qualify the Dragon for another shot at Perfect's WWF Intercontinental Championship. Perfect called the pinfall a "fluke" in a "meaningless" tag bout and said that it meant nothing, and that Steamboat already had his title shot at WrestleMania VII, which he had lost, so it was time to defend the belt against more worthy contenders. When Monsoon asked who could possibly be more worthy than Steamboat, Heenan named competitors such as the Brooklyn Brawler, Reno Riggins, Buddy Rose, and Louie Spicolli, which made the whole Family laugh. Perfect added that if the Dragon could somehow win the King Of The Ring tournament, then "maybe" he would consider giving him another crack at the Intercontinental gold. Heenan felt that Steamboat wouldn't even make it past the Honky Tonk Man in the opening round tonight, and said that the Family would stick around the studio to watch the match, which caused Gorilla to roll his eyes. (87%)

Backstage at the arena, Mean Gene Okerlund was in the locker room interviewing Colonel Robert Fuller and the Honky Tonk Man, who was grateful for the "moral support" of not only the Colonel and the "legions of Honkymaniacs", but also the Heenan Family. Fuller claimed that the state of Tennessee would declare June 30 "Honky Tonk Day" when Honky wins the tournament, while Honky added that he was already the "King of Rock 'n' Roll", and soon he would also be the "King Of The Ring". (79%)

1991 WWF King Of The Ring Tournament - First Round: Honky Tonk Man vs. Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat

Colonel Robert Lee Fuller seconded the Honky Tonk Man as Ventura pointed out that this was the "rubber match" between these two, since Honky Tonk beat the Dragon for the WWF Intercontinental Championship in 1987, while Steamboat defeated Honky shortly after his return to the WWF earlier this year. McMahon added that the winner would advance to the quarter-finals against the winner of this Saturday's Great Muta/Bob Backlund first-rounder. This was a heated, entertaining contest that hopefully proved that there is still some mileage left in the Honky Tonk Man, as he worked the crowd masterfully when he was in control, riling them up by doing his dance as he rained kicks, stomps, elbowdrops, kneedrops, and fistdrops on the Dragon. The Colonel also got involved when Steamboat mounted a comeback, giving the advantage back to Honky, who scored several near-falls and worked his ass off to put on a good bout. However, when Honky went for the Shake, Rattle, 'N' Roll, Steamboat reversed it into a backslide for a near-fall. Steamboat continued his comeback, avoiding another attempt at interference by Fuller and diving from the top turnbuckle with the Reign Of Fire on Honky for the 1-2-3. They quickly cut back to the Prime Time studio, where Mr. Perfect and Bobby Heenan were at first outraged at the result until the rest of the Family calmed them and said that there was no way that Steamboat would be able to make it through three superstars in one night at the pay-per-view. Back in the arena, the Dragon celebrated as McMahon and Ventura closed the broadcast. (84%)

Overall: 78%

Rating: 5.73

Attendance: 10,043

Ticket Sales: $602,580

-----

SATURDAY, JUNE 8, 1991 -- NBC/WWF PRESENT: SATURDAY NIGHT'S MAIN EVENT

Marv Albert, Mike Tenay, and "Nature Boy" Ric Flair kicked off the LIVE network broadcast from the booth, introducing tonight's program, including the opening-round King Of The Ring match-up featuring Bob Backlund taking on the Great Muta, the British Bulldogs meeting the State Patrol, the Destruction Crew and Shane Douglas in action, and in the main event, the Big Boss Man & WWF Champion Randy Savage joining forces against the Million Dollar Team.

The Destruction Crew (Wayne "The Train" Bloom & Mike "The Machine" Enos) vs. Scott Taylor & Louie Spicolli

Bobby "The Brain" Heenan accompanied his Destruction Crew as Tenay informed viewers that Enos & Bloom were an accomplished tag team outside of the WWF, having held tag titles in "various organizations". The Crew looked strong again, pretty much squashing their opponents with fluid double-teams and power moves, putting them away when the Machine covered Taylor after the Wrecking Ball. (70%)

Sean Mooney appeared at ringside after the match to interview the Destruction Crew and Bobby Heenan, who claimed that Bloom & Enos were a perfect fit in the Heenan Family due to their killer instinct and knowing that they are better than every other tag team in the WWF. The Train stated that they loved to hurt people and make money while doing it, as the Machine stood beside him, squeezing his hands together and smiling before they headed up the aisle with the Brain. (88%)

In the dressing room, Mean Gene Okerlund interviewed Ted DiBiase, who bragged about he and Virgil beating the Big Boss Man & Randy Savage "to a pulp" on Prime Time Wrestling almost two weeks ago, and also put over how proud he was of Bam Bam Bigelow's "work" against the Macho Man at WWF War Zone. The Million Dollar Man felt that he definitely got his money's worth with the Beast From The East and predicted that at this time next month, he would have the WWF Title in his possession, Virgil would be the 1991 WWF King Of The Ring, and Savage & Boss Man would be nothing more than faded memories. He ended the interview with his trademark laugh. (83%)

The British Bulldogs (Davey Boy Smith & Dynamite Kid) vs. State Patrol (Sgt. Buddy Ray Parker & Lt. James Earl Wright)

Flair likened the State Patrol to a couple of "pitbulls in uniform" and suggested that they had some untapped potential. They did look solid here against the former WWF Tag Team Champions, as the commentators put over how close the Bulldogs came to the final of the recent WWF Television Tag Team Championship tournament, but that the interference of the Nasty Boys caused them to lose the semi-final to Power & Glory. The Bulldogs finished off the Patrol when Davey Boy pinned Parker following the Diving Headbutt from Dynamite. (73%)

After the match, the Dynamite Kid took the microphone and called out the Nasty Boys for halting the British Bulldogs' progress in the WWF Television Tag Team Championship tournament. He and Davey Boy Smith waited several moments, but when Saggs & Knobbs didn't show, they headed up the aisle. Suddenly, the Nasties burst through the entrance curtain and tried to use the element of surprise, but the Bulldogs were ready, and the four fighters brawled in the aisle and disappeared past the curtain, as Albert predicted that we had not heard the last of this issue. (72%)

A video aired showing "Rowdy" Roddy Piper recuperating at home from the vicious Tombstone on the floor that he took from the Undertaker at WWF War Zone. Hot Rod was wearing a soft neck brace and ripped into Brother Love, calling him a "self-righteous piece of garbage" and said that "The Brother Love Show" was canceled not because Piper was in the ear of WWF President Andre The Giant, but because it "absolutely sucked". The Scotsman called himself a "true survivor" and claimed that he and the Undertaker did have something in common: no matter what people throw at them, they both get right back up and fire back twice as hard. Piper announced that he would be ready for their opening-round King Of The Ring match in two weeks on Saturday Night's Main Event, where he said they would find out "which one of us ain't gonna get up no more, jack." (93%)

"Top Gun" Shane Douglas vs. "Playboy" Buddy Rose

The Top Gun zoomed out in his jet fighter pilot uniform, while the commentators all agreed that it could be "career suicide" for Roddy Piper to step into the ring against the Undertaker so soon after sustaining a neck injury, although Flair pointed out that the Rowdy One was never known for his brainpower. This was a rather heatless, pedestrian contest, although Douglas did show off a couple of cool highspots to live up to his gimmick. In the end, Douglas caught the bulbous Playboy with the missile dropkick from the middle turnbuckle for the duke. (63%)

Backstage, Mr. Fuji approached Bob Backlund in the locker room and offered him one last chance to back out of tonight's first-round King Of The Ring match-up against the Great Muta. The Devious One warned the former WWF Champion that Muta could easily put an end to his comeback before it even really gets started, but Backlund informed Fuji that he knew him well enough to know that he would never back down from a challenge, and told the manager that he would see him out there. Backlund headed out of the room, leaving Fuji shaking his head. (77%)

1991 WWF King Of The Ring Tournament - First Round: Bob Backlund vs. The Great Muta

Bob Backlund walked out first to a respectful reaction from the fans, as Tenay said that King Of The Ring could be the perfect event for the former WWF Champion because of his legendary stamina, even at 40 years of age. Mr. Fuji waddled out with Muta, bowing to each other before Muta entered the ring for this great bout, which was the very definition of "contrasting styles", providing a very interesting and entertaining struggle. Muta utilized his speed, agility, and underhandedness, while Backlund fought back using his mat tactics to keep the Great One disoriented. The commentators discussed the two possible outcomes as they related to the quarter-finals, concluding that a Muta/Steamboat match would likely be aerial-based, while Backlund/Steamboat would be an awesome display of technical wrestling. After a sweaty 20-minute battle, Muta managed to land the Rising Sun on Backlund to advance to the quarter-finals. Backlund appeared rather distraught afterwards, but received a nice ovation for an incredible effort. (84%)

Mean Gene Okerlund was in the locker room with WWF Champion Randy Savage & Big Boss Man, who were warming up for the tag team main event against the Million Dollar Team. The Macho Man ranted about the Million Dollar Man trying to end his title reign and his career, inviting him to keep on trying, while the Boss Man reinforced his comments from Prime Time regarding Virgil & DiBiase serving "hard time" between the ropes...NEXT! (88%)

"Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase & Virgil vs. "Macho Man" Randy Savage & Big Boss Man

The self-professed Million Dollar Team strutted out together, while the Boss Man & Macho Man had separate entrances, but charged into the ring together to kick the match off with a brawl right away. This was a hot main event, with Virgil & DiBiase using quick tags to isolate and work over the WWF Champion, softening him up for future title matches as they focused their attack on his midsection. They controlled a majority of the contest until Savage and Virgil collided head-to-head and desperately crawled to their respective corners, both men making the tag. The crowd popped as the Big Boss Man rushed in and cleaned house on both DiBiase & Virgil, hurling the muscular lackey over the top rope to the floor before opening up on the Million Dollar Man with rapid-fire lefts and rights to the face and body. The Boss Man seemed more inspired than he has since his heel run against Hulk Hogan shortly after his WWF debut, the fans rallying behind the big Georgian as he picked up a few near-falls on DiBiase. While this was happening on the inside, Virgil had gone around to assault the Macho Man at ringside, which drew the attention of referee Joey Marella. Meanwhile, the former corrections officer planted DiBiase with the Boss Man Slam, but there was no ref to count, so he got up just in time for Bam Bam Bigelow to come in out of nowhere and blast him in the back of the head with a massive headbutt. The Beast From The East then scooped up the Boss Man and drilled him with the Jersey Devil before exiting the ring, while the Million Dollar Man threw himself on top of the Boss Man to score the three-count when the official returned to the in-ring action. Afterwards, Bigelow pulled DiBiase out of the squared circle while the WWF Champion dragged himself back in. Virgil and Bigelow helped carry DiBiase away as Savage checked on the Boss Man, while Albert, Tenay, and Flair ended the program. (85%)

Overall: 80%

Rating: 6.92

Attendance: 10,042

Ticket Sales: $602,520

-----

SUNDAY, JUNE 9, 1991 -- WWF SUPERSTARS OF WRESTLING

Booker: Bad News Brown

Quality: 68%

Rating: 4.91

Attendance: 10,023

Ticket Sales: $601,380

-----

That's better. So far, we have one quarter-final determined for the King Of The Ring, which is set up as follows...

1991 WWF King Of The Ring Tournament - Quarter-Final: Ricky Steamboat vs. The Great Muta

1991 WWF King Of The Ring Tournament - Quarter-Final: Ultimate Warrior OR Bad News Brown vs. Animal OR Rick Rude

1991 WWF King Of The Ring Tournament - Quarter-Final: Virgil vs. Roddy Piper OR The Undertaker

1991 WWF King Of The Ring Tournament - Quarter-Final: Hawk OR Jerry Lawler vs. Jake Roberts

[Chrononaut]

MONDAY, JUNE 10, 1991 -- WWF PRIME TIME WRESTLING

Vince McMahon and Jesse "The Body" Ventura started the show LIVE from ringside by introducing tonight's lineup: an opening-round King Of The Ring match-up pitting Rick Rude against Animal in the main event, as well as the Rhodes Family taking on the Nasty Boys, the Texas Twister meeting Sato of the Orient Express, the Rockers facing the State Patrol, and Bam Bam Bigelow in action.

The Rockers (Shawn Michaels & Marty Jannetty) vs. State Patrol (Sgt. Buddy Ray Parker & Lt. James Earl Wright)

McMahon put the Rockers over for coming "thisclose" to becoming the first-ever WWF Television Tag Team Champions at WWF War Zone, and announced that State Patrol would be squaring off against the Hart Foundation this weekend on Saturday Night's Main Event. Both teams looked pretty good here, especially the Masters Of Motion, but the Patrol once again came up on the short end of the stick when Michaels covered Parker following the Double Flying Fistdrop from he and Jannetty. (71%)

Mean Gene Okerlund appeared at ringside after the match to interview the Rockers, who requested a rematch against Power & Glory for the WWF Television Tag Team Championship. Shawn claimed that if it weren't for both Demolition and Power & Glory assaulting them the night before WWF War Zone, the Rockers would have captured the title. Marty agreed and hinted that maybe it was time for the Masters Of Motion to start bending the rules to get what they wanted in the WWF. (77%)

In the Prime Time studio, Gorilla Monsoon and "Nature Boy" Ric Flair brought up the Rockers' impressive performances this year before introducing their first guests tonight: Slick, his personal bodyguard Bad News Brown, and new WWF Television Tag Team Champions Power & Glory. Bad News stood behind the Doctor Of Style as he sat down, while Paul Roma & Hercules also took their seats and immediately began bragging about being "the most stylish tag team on television today", as evidenced by their shiny new gold belts. Monsoon admitted that they had gelled into a world-class combination, but credited their championship tournament victory over the Rockers at WWF War Zone to the brutal attacks from Demolition and themselves the night before on Saturday Night's Main Event. Romeo took offense and claimed that that was absurd, because they could defeat the Rockers anytime, anywhere, while Herc flexed his bulging biceps, pointing to them as he boasted that the Rockers couldn't compete with his mighty muscles. Monsoon wondered, if that were true, whether or not they would grant Marty Jannetty & Shawn Michaels a return match for the title. Slick responded that they would love to, but the Rockers blew it for themselves when they interrupted Power & Glory's celebration ceremony on Saturday Night's Main Event, explaining that he wouldn't want to reward their "bad behavior". The Doctor Of Style added that Herc & Romeo would be making their first title defense next week on Prime Time Wrestling against a tag team that impressed him last week, the Conquistadors. Monsoon agreed that the Conquistadors put on an incredible performance against Demolition last week, but pointed out that they haven't won a match "in years" and were undeserving of a title shot, accusing the new TV Champions of ducking the Rockers. This set off Slick and his boys, who all stood up and loudly scolded Gorilla before storming out of the room. (78%)

Bam Bam Bigelow vs. Al Perez

The Beast From The East marched out looking all-business as McMahon made a huge announcement regarding the upcoming King Of The Ring on June 30, adding a big tag team co-main event in addition to the tournament, featuring Bam Bam Bigelow & "Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase battling the Big Boss Man & WWF Champion "Macho Man" Randy Savage. The commentators hyped that match while Bam Bam ripped Perez apart and finished him off with the Jersey Devil. (68%)

In the Prime Time studio, Gorilla Monsoon and Ric Flair displayed the brackets for the 1991 WWF King Of The Ring tournament and discussed the upcoming matches, including the first-rounder this weekend on Saturday Night's Main Event between "The King" Jerry Lawler and their next guest, Hawk, who walked in wearing facepaint, tank top, and Zubaz pants. The Nature Boy put the former Road Warrior over as one of the most powerful opponents he had ever faced in his illustrious career, but questioned whether Hawk could cut it as a singles competitor in the WWF. Hawk admitted that wrestling one-on-one, without a partner to tag out to, would take some adjustment, but welcomed his first big test in the form of the King in such an important match. Hawk was sick of the King waltzing into the WWF and acting like he was better than everybody else, barking about taking Lawler "back to the streets, Chicago-style". Monsoon brought up Animal's opening-round bout with Rick Rude later tonight and mentioned that if both Animal and Hawk make it through the tournament, the former Legion Of Doom tag team partners could end up facing each other in the final. Hawk promised that if the tournament came down to him and Animal, it would be "a hell of a brawl", but that no matter what, he plans on being the King Of The Ring. (84%)

Sato vs. "Texas Twister" Kevin Von Erich

Mr. Fuji waddled out with his Orient Express member while Ventura congratulated the Devious One on guiding the Great Muta past Bob Backlund in a King Of The Ring opening-round match-up on Saturday Night's Main Event this past weekend. This was a solid bout, albeit unremarkable and rather heatless, that allowed the commentators to hype the King Of The Ring tournament as well as the big Savage-Boss Man/DiBiase-Bigelow tag team war for the PPV. In the end, Sato submitted to the Von Erich Claw after the Twister Punch. (71%)

Mean Gene Okerlund was in the locker room to interview the Nasty Boys and Jimmy Hart, who expressed his disappointment that Saggs & Knobbs have thus far been unable to win neither the WWF World nor Television Tag Team Championships, but blamed it on biased WWF officials. The Mouth Of The South promised that his Nasties would work their way back up the ladder, beginning with the Rhodes Family tonight. Knobbs threatened to "Nastify" Dusty, Dustin, and even "Old Lady Rhodes", while Saggs invited the British Bulldogs to be their next victims. (76%)

The Nasty Boys (Brian Knobbs & Jerry Saggs) vs. The Rhodes Family (Dusty & Dustin Rhodes)

Jimmy Hart led his Nasties to the ring for this slobberknocker of a tag team match-up, featuring plenty of "clubberin'" from both squads. The commentators addressed the recent tension between father and son, but McMahon explained that a Rhodes Family sit-down had smoothed it over, as Dustin & Dusty were signed for a number of tag team bouts in the near future against some of the top tandems in the WWF. The Texans came close to victory, but the involvement of the Mouth Of The South from ringside made the difference as he distracted Dustin, which led to the Pit Stop Drop and the pinfall by Saggs. (79%)

In the Prime Time studio, Gorilla Monsoon and Ric Flair showed footage from WWF War Zone of Mr. Fuji unleashing a lethal fireball in the face of their next guest, the Ultimate Warrior, who slowly entered the room in street clothes, with his head bowed so that his hair hung over his face. Monsoon asked how the former WWF Champion was doing after sustaining that fireball from Fuji, and the Warrior responded in a reserved tone that he had suffered moderate burns to his face which may heal in time, but what would remain "for eternity" were the wounds on his soul. Still bowing his head, the Warrior rambled about making Fuji and the Great Muta pay "the ultimate price" when he gets his hands on them. Monsoon mentioned that Warrior was getting ahead of himself, as he still has to deal with Bad News Brown next week in a first-round King Of The Ring match-up, asking the Warrior if he would be physically, mentally, and emotionally ready to wrestle. The Warrior began to answer, but the Nature Boy interrupted and started making wisecracks about barbecue and roasted marshmallows, at which point Warrior leapt to his feet, flipping his hair back to reveal his charred face, covered by his trademark warpaint. Warrior roared about destroying Bad News to appease his gods of war, only a small step toward his ultimate goal of subjecting Muta and Fuji to the agony and torment they inflicted upon him when they unleashed the fireball at WWF War Zone. Warrior claimed that throughout his travels over the cosmos, he had never come across Hell, but vowed to create one for Muta and Fuji. (88%)

Backstage, Mean Gene Okerlund interviewed Animal, who looked fired up and intense as he shouted about smashing Rick Rude to pieces tonight during their King Of The Ring opening-round match-up. The former Road Warrior likened himself to a lion and planned to emerge from the tournament as ruler of the "Animal Kingdom", even if it meant having to tear through his Legion Of Doom "brother-in-paint", Hawk, in the final. (81%)

1991 WWF King Of The Ring Tournament - First Round: "Ravishing" Rick Rude vs. Animal

Bobby "The Brain" Heenan accompanied the Ravishing One as McMahon pointed out that the winner here would face the victor of next week's Bad News Brown/Ultimate Warrior opening-rounder. Ventura said that he would love to see Animal battle Warrior, but predicted that the quarter-final would turn out to be Rude vs. Brown. Animal kicked this main event off by taking the fight right to Rude, displaying his immense strength as he manhandled the former WWF Intercontinental Champion with press slams, powerslams, and a variety of suplexes. After Heenan provided a distraction, Rude gained control and kept Animal grounded with mat holds, supplemented by chokes, eye rakes, and other underhanded tactics. With the fans rallying behind him, Animal powered out of a camel clutch, lifting Rude up on his shoulders and hurling him to the canvas. Animal was on a roll with a series of clotheslines, but the Brain tripped him up from ringside, allowing Ravishing Rick to lower the boom with a knee to the spine, followed by the Rude Awakening for the 1-2-3 to advance to the quarter-finals. Rude bailed out to ringside afterwards, celebrating with Heenan while McMahon and Ventura ended the program. (86%)

Overall: 78%

Rating: 5.92

Attendance: 10,001

Ticket Sales: $600,060

-----

SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 1991 -- NBC/WWF PRESENT: SATURDAY NIGHT'S MAIN EVENT

Marv Albert, Mike Tenay, and "Nature Boy" Ric Flair opened the LIVE network broadcast, discussing the lineup for this evening, featuring the Hart Foundation meeting the State Patrol, the Mountie taking on Hacksaw Duggan, Tito Santana facing Bad News Brown, the Birdwhackers in action, and in the main event King Of The Ring opening-round match-up, Jerry Lawler squaring off against Hawk.

Mean Gene Okerlund was in the locker room with the Hart Foundation, who were not happy campers as they talked about their recent problems with the Destruction Crew and new WWF Tag Team Champions Powers Of Pain. Bret Hart claimed that neither team would agree to step into the ring with them, and offered to accept Demolition's open challenge from a couple of weeks ago. The Anvil explained that they needed a couple of "punching bags with painted faces" to practice what they planned to do whenever they get a rematch with Barbarian & Warlord, daring Smash & Crush to meet them next week on Saturday Night's Main Event. (87%)

The Hart Foundation (Bret "Hit Man" Hart & Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart) vs. State Patrol (Sgt. Buddy Ray Parker & Lt. James Earl Wright)

When Tenay questioned why the Powers Of Pain would not grant the Harts a return match, Flair claimed that they should have to work their way back up and earn a WWF Tag Team Title shot. This was a solid contest, with the Patrol actually looking respectable against the former WWF Tag Team Champions and gaining a couple of near-falls. The Foundation regained control, though, and put the Patrol away when the Hit Man pinned Parker after the Hart Attack. (73%)

A video aired hyping a movement called "Honky Tonk Mania", showing an obviously phony gathering of thousands of screaming females around an outdoor stage, bringing back memories of Elvis Presley and The Beatles. Colonel Robert Lee Fuller appeared on the stage and asked the crowd to calm down, which only incited them even more. The Colonel then introduced the Honky Tonk Man, who strutted on-stage to a loud reaction and asked if the crowd wanted to "hear the Honky Tonk Man sing his song" and "see the Honky Tonk Man do his dance". When the crowd responded positively, Honky grinned and refused to perform as the Colonel applauded his man. The gathering began to boo and throw things as Honky walked off, leaving the crowd with these words: "Thank you, thank you, you've been a beautiful audience!" (83%)

The Birdwhackers (Butch & Koko) vs. Brooklyn Brawler & "Playboy" Buddy Rose

Basically a heatlessly competitive squash, during which the commentators discussed the "Honky Tonk Mania" vignette, with Tenay accusing Colonel Fuller of setting up the audience since nobody would willingly gather to watch the Honky Tonk Man perform. They also announced for those viewers who had not seen Prime Time Wrestling that a big tag team grudge main event pitting the Big Boss Man & Randy Savage against Bam Bam Bigelow & Ted DiBiase had been added to the card for June 30's King Of The Ring. This bout mercifully came to an end when the Bird Man covered the Brawler following the Birdwhacker Battering Ram. (62%)

Jesse "The Body" Ventura was backstage to interview Bad News Brown and Slick, who warned Tito Santana that he only had a few more minutes to evacuate the premises before Bad News marched down to the ring and sent Tito "back to Mexico like ground beef in a taco shell". Jesse then mentioned that it would be his pleasure to be sitting at ringside this Monday on Prime Time when Bad News trashes the Ultimate Warrior in their King Of The Ring first-round match-up, as Bad News made various threats directed toward the former WWF Champion. (82%)

Tito Santana vs. Bad News Brown

Slick escorted his personal bodyguard, who went on the offensive right away against the former WWF Intercontinental Champion, pounding him with punches and stomps in the corner while the commentators pushed the King Of The Ring first-rounder against the Ultimate Warrior for this Monday's Prime Time. Santana mounted a comeback, but Bad News eventually finished him off with the Ghetto Blaster. (74%)

In the locker room, Mean Gene Okerlund interviewed the Mountie and Jimmy Hart, who said that he was sick of seeing Jim Duggan wave his flag in everybody's face, espousing fair play while hitting people with a 2x4. The Mountie informed Hacksaw that he was wanted on charges of "excessive patriotism" and "carrying a deadly weapon", and he promised to bring him to justice...NEXT! (84%)

The Mountie vs. "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan

Jimmy Hart accompanied his Mountie, waving the Canadian flag along the way, while Hacksaw marched out carrying his 2x4 and the American flag. Not a technical masterpiece by any means, but the fans seemed to enjoy it, chanting "U-S-A" when the Mountie had Duggan locked in a nerve pinch, which gave him the impetus to break free, tossing the Mountie over the top rope in the process. Shortly thereafter, the Mountie returned to the ring and Duggan mowed down the Canadian with the Three Point Stance for the three-count. Afterwards, the Mountie and the Mouth Of The South threw a temper tantrum, demanding a rematch. (73%)

A vignette was shown featuring Brother Love in a hospital ward late at night, with the lights dimmed. The patients in the beds all appeared to be in a coma, as Love explained that they had all suffered paralyzing head and neck injuries, and if any were unfortunate enough to wake up, they would find themselves resigned to a horrible fate as quadriplegic, brain-damaged vegetables. Love claimed that he had performed the last rites for many patients in the hospital, some of whom survived in this tortuous living hell for years afterwards, and asked if that was really how "Rowdy" Roddy Piper wanted to end up. The red-faced evil preacher advised Hot Rod to consider his options before he decides to show up next week on Saturday Night's Main Event for the King Of The Ring opening-round match-up against the Undertaker, to really think about whether or not it was worth risking everything, including his family. Love warned Piper to stay home next week, before stopping to check a patient's pulse. A pearly white grin broke out across his red face as Love stated, "This one's cold!", at which point the Undertaker stepped into the room and violently ripped the plugs of the various medical equipment from the wall. After Love performed the last rites on the poor soul, the Undertaker wheeled the bed out while Love laughed evilly and told Piper he was only trying to help him maintain his quality of life. "Why? Because AHHHHHHHHHH LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE YYYYYYEEEEEEEEEEWWWWWWWWW!!" (76%)

Backstage at the arena, Jesse Ventura was alongside Jerry Lawler, who held his crown under his arm and declared that the King Of The Ring tournament was just a formality, a roadblock set up by WWF President Andre The Giant to hamper his quest to ascertain royal dominance over the WWF. Lawler admitted that Hawk was bigger and stronger, but he was not a King, and that would make the difference. The Body wanted to finally personally congratulate the King on crippling Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania VII, which Lawler gloated over once again and warned that his opponents in the tournament would be sent on an extended vacation as well. (79%)

1991 WWF King Of The Ring Tournament - First Round: "The King" Jerry Lawler vs. Hawk

The King had to walk out on his own, looking very sour as Tenay explained that WWF President Andre The Giant banned the "slaves" from carrying him out now that the King Of The Ring tournament was underway. Hawk rushed out, clad in shiny new tights with a stylized hawk printed down each leg, and went after Lawler right off the bat. Tenay reminded viewers that the winner here would meet Jake "The Snake" Roberts in the quarter-finals, as Hawk and Lawler engaged in an entertaining, back-and-forth main event contest. In the end, the King dodged the flying clothesline from the top turnbuckle and planted Hawk with the Royal Piledriver for the 1-2-3. While the King stood on the turnbuckles and celebrated, Albert, Tenay, and Flair put the Piledriver over as a lethal finisher before signing off. (81%)

Overall: 77%

Rating: 6.97

Attendance: 10,034

Ticket Sales: $602,040

-----

SUNDAY, JUNE 16, 1991 -- WWF SUPERSTARS OF WRESTLING

Booker: Bobby "The Brain" Heenan

Quality: 68%

Rating: 5.34

Attendance: 10,018

Ticket Sales: $601,080

-----

Here's the card so far for the King Of The Ring on Sunday, June 30...

Grudge Match: Randy Savage & Big Boss Man vs. Ted DiBiase & Bam Bam Bigelow

1991 WWF King Of The Ring Tournament - Quarter-Final: Ricky Steamboat vs. The Great Muta

1991 WWF King Of The Ring Tournament - Quarter-Final: Ultimate Warrior OR Bad News Brown vs. Rick Rude

1991 WWF King Of The Ring Tournament - Quarter-Final: Virgil vs. Roddy Piper OR The Undertaker

1991 WWF King Of The Ring Tournament - Quarter-Final: Jerry Lawler vs. Jake Roberts

[Chrononaut]

Here's where I'm missing a week (June 17-23) so if for some reason anybody has it, please let me know. Thanks.

MONDAY, JUNE 24, 1991 -- WWF PRIME TIME WRESTLING

Vince McMahon and Jesse "The Body" Ventura opened the program LIVE from ringside, hyping the King Of The Ring this Sunday as they introduced tonight's show, featuring the Dynamite Kid battling the Undertaker, the Destruction Crew meeting the Texas Twister & Tito Santana, WWF Tag Team Champions Powers Of Pain in non-title action, and in the main event, Bam Bam Bigelow & Ted DiBiase squaring off against the Rhodes Family.

Non-Title Match: Powers Of Pain (Barbarian & Warlord) vs. Al Perez & Chris Walker

Paul Ellering led his WWF Tag Team Champions down the aisle as McMahon announced that they would be defending their belts against the Big Boss Man & Randy Savage this weekend on Saturday Night's Main Event. Basic squash here, the monstrous Powers utterly dominating their young opponents before finishing them off when the Warlord covered Walker following the End Of Days. (67%)

After the Powers Of Pain tossed Chris Walker & Al Perez out to the floor, Sean Mooney entered the ring to interview the WWF Tag Team Champions and Paul Ellering, who disputed accusations that Warlord & Barbarian were ducking the Hart Foundation. Precious Paul pointed to the Powers' scheduled title defense on this weekend's Saturday Night's Main Event as proof that they were fighting champions, and added that the Powers were hoping to collect the bounty on Randy Savage's head set by Ted DiBiase. Ellering warned that the Macho Man & Big Boss Man might not make it to King Of The Ring. (78%)

In the Prime Time studio, Gorilla Monsoon and "Nature Boy" Ric Flair hyped King Of The Ring, showing the tournament bracket for this Sunday before bringing in their first guest, Jake "The Snake" Roberts, who was wearing a sweater, black jeans, and snakeskin boots. Monsoon brought up all of the Snake's problems with "Ravishing" Rick Rude and asked if he would be able to focus on his quarter-final match-up against "The King" Jerry Lawler. Jake vowed that Rude would eventually get what was coming to him, but knew that he had to concentrate on the King, whom he referred to as a "sneaky rat in king's clothing". Jake pointed out that snakes eat rats, especially "plump, juicy, arrogant, self-centered rats who think they're better than the rest of the pack", and planned on making a meal out of Lawler this Sunday. He claimed that he would take great pride in being the one to knock "the man who would be King" out of the King Of The Ring tournament, and promised to slither through the rest of the competition, hoping to meet the Ravishing One in the final. (87%)

Mean Gene Okerlund was backstage at the arena with the Destruction Crew and Bobby Heenan, who bragged about what an impressive faction his Heenan Family was, with Mr. Perfect as the WWF Intercontinental Champion, Rick Rude about to become the 1991 WWF King Of The Ring this Sunday, and the Destruction Crew to be the future WWF Tag Team Champions. The Brain put Enos & Bloom over as being a class above the rest of the tag teams in the WWF, including Tito Santana & Kevin Von Erich. (82%)

The Destruction Crew (Wayne "The Train" Bloom & Mike "The Machine" Enos) vs. "Texas Twister" Kevin Von Erich & Tito Santana

Bobby "The Brain" Heenan accompanied his Destruction Crew for this solid match-up, which the commentators explained stemmed from the eight-man tag team bout on Saturday Night's Main Event this past weekend where Bloom scored the winning pinfall on Santana. The Crew looked great, as did Santana & Von Erich, but in the end, the Machine put the Twister away after the Wrecking Ball from he and the Train. (77%)

In the Prime Time studio, Gorilla Monsoon and Ric Flair talked about the talented lineup of the Heenan Family before moving on to the King Of The Ring quarter-final pitting the Ultimate Warrior against their next guest, "Ravishing" Rick Rude, who started the interview by putting over his fellow Family members, the Destruction Crew, for their commanding performance tonight. When asked about the quarter-final match-up at King Of The Ring, Rude cut a very intense, inspired promo on the Warrior, claiming to be the first man to ever score a pinfall victory over the Ultimate One when he defeated him for the WWF Intercontinental Championship at WrestleMania V. Rude said that he and Warrior were skeletons in each other's closets, admitting that his loss to the Warrior in the Steel Cage Match at SummerSlam '90 was a big factor in him leaving the WWF shortly thereafter, since he had trained so hard and was so dedicated to capturing the WWF Championship, but had fallen short in his quest. The Ravishing One promised that he wouldn't let the same thing happen again, and would rectify the situation by beating Warrior en route to winning the 1991 WWF King Of The Ring, which he hoped would lead to another WWF Title shot. Rude brought up Jake Roberts' comments from earlier and claimed that he could "personally guarantee" that the Snake wouldn't be in the tournament final this Sunday, at which point Roberts burst into the studio surrounded by security personnel. Roberts screamed and yelled incomprehensibly while Rude stood up and ordered the security to kick him out of the building, accusing Jake of stalking him. The guards forced Jake back through the door as Rude laughed about it with the Nature Boy. (96%)

Backstage at the arena, the Dynamite Kid was warming up for his match against the Undertaker when Davey Boy Smith walked into the dressing room. They discussed what a dangerous opponent the Dead Man would be, especially with the presence of Brother Love at ringside, but Dynamite assured Davey Boy he would be alright. Davey Boy slapped Dynamite on the back and told him that he would be watching on the monitor just in case. (83%)

Dynamite Kid vs. The Undertaker

Brother Love seconded his Grim Reaper as the commentators mentioned that "Rowdy" Roddy Piper was in rough shape after the Dead Man choked the life out of him on Saturday Night's Main Event and were uncertain of Hot Rod's status for the quarter-final against Virgil this Sunday at King Of The Ring. This was an entertaining bout, with Dynamite selling like crazy for the Pale Destroyer while also popping the crowd with his comebacks and hope spots, including a near-fall off of a reverse cradle. Late in the contest, Dynamite had the big guy staggered and dove from the top turnbuckle with a flying bodypress, but Undertaker caught him and planted him with the Tombstone for the three-count. Afterwards, Love entered the squared circle to perform the last rites, but Davey Boy Smith charged down and stopped the evil preacher, which led to a vicious chokeslam from the Undertaker on Davey Boy. Love then led his Undertaker out of the ring, leaving the British Bulldogs laid out almost side-by-side. (84%)

In the Prime Time studio, Gorilla Monsoon and Ric Flair dissected the King Of The Ring quarter-finals and talked about some possibilities for the semi-finals and final, before introducing Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat, who as usual was very soft-spoken and polite despite attempts by the Nature Boy to rile him up. Flair brought up Mr. Perfect's statements from a few weeks ago where the Flawless One said that he "might" consider giving the Dragon a rematch for the WWF Intercontinental Championship if he wins the 1991 WWF King Of The Ring. Steamboat first put over the talent pool remaining in the tournament as a very talented collection of the top stars in the sport and admitted that it would be difficult for anyone to emerge with the crown. He explained that Perfect and the Intercontinental belt were always on his mind, but he would shift them to the back of his thoughts on Sunday when he goes one-on-one with the Great Muta in the quarter-final. Steamboat claimed to be very impressed with Muta since his WWF debut and hoped that Mr. Fuji would not interject himself into the match-up so that he and Muta could test their considerable skills against one another without any outside interference. Monsoon announced that the Dragon would be taking on Abdullah The Butcher on Saturday Night's Main Event the evening before King Of The Ring and asked how that would factor into the quarter-final bout at the PPV. Steamboat informed Gorilla that he knew all about Abdullah and was aware that the Madman Of The Sudan would be looking to soften him up for Muta on Sunday, but promised to give 100% every time he stepped between the ropes and believed that his hard work would pay off at King Of The Ring. (95%)

At the arena, Mean Gene Okerlund was in the locker room to interview the Rhodes Family, who talked about how Ted DiBiase had menaced them over the past year. Dusty recalled how the Million Dollar Man had bought off his "Sweet Sapphire" and tried to humiliate his son on national television. Dustin added that that altercation last year was what led to him joining the WWF full-time, warning DiBiase that he had only himself to blame for whatever damage the Son Of The Dream does to him...NEXT! (80%)

The Rhodes Family (Dusty & Dustin Rhodes) vs. "Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase & Bam Bam Bigelow

Virgil came out alongside the Million Dollar Man while the commentators hyped this Sunday's King Of The Ring, including the DiBiase-Bigelow/Savage-Boss Man tag team war and Virgil's scheduled quarter-final against Roddy Piper. This main event was a very solid, heated match-up that went back-and-forth, with the Beast From The East looking particularly dominant against both father and son. Just as he did last week against State Patrol, the American Dream attempted to wrestle the majority of the match for his team, which allowed the Million Dollar Empire to gain control once the veteran ran out of steam. Dustin eventually received the hot tag and cleaned house, scoring a couple of near-falls on DiBiase, until Dusty tagged himself back in to help his son. Soon after, Dusty was drilled with a double-team variation of the Jersey Devil, leading to Bam Bam picking up the 1-2-3 over the legendary Stardust. Afterwards, Bigelow & DiBiase celebrated with Virgil while McMahon and Ventura closed the show by hyping King Of The Ring this Sunday. (83%)

Overall: 82%

Rating: 5.44

Attendance: 10,044

Ticket Sales: $602,640

-----

SATURDAY, JUNE 29, 1991 -- NBC/WWF PRESENT: SATURDAY NIGHT'S MAIN EVENT

Marv Albert, Mike Tenay, and "Nature Boy" Ric Flair kicked off the LIVE network broadcast from the announcing booth, shilling tomorrow night's King Of The Ring before running through this evening's lineup: Ricky Steamboat taking on Abdullah The Butcher, Jerry Lawler facing Superfly Snuka, Virgil in action, a special interview with Rick Rude, and the main event featuring the Big Boss Man & WWF Champion Randy Savage challenging the Powers Of Pain for the WWF Tag Team Championship.

Backstage, Mean Gene Okerlund interviewed the Million Dollar Empire regarding King Of The Ring tomorrow night. Ted DiBiase appeared confident as he predicted total victory for he and Bam Bam Bigelow over Randy Savage & Big Boss Man, sarcastically hoping that nothing would happen to them later during their match with the Powers Of Pain. The Million Dollar Man then turned to Virgil's quarter-final bout against Roddy Piper, boasting about how Virgil already defeated Hot Rod back at WWF March To WrestleMania, and predicting that history would repeat itself tomorrow evening. (84%)

Virgil vs. Scott Taylor

Ted DiBiase and Bam Bam Bigelow walked out alongside Virgil for this complete squash in which the muscular lackey showed off his wrestling and boxing skills. Virgil tossed Taylor out to ringside at one point and distracted referee Danny Marsh, while the Beast From The East pressed Taylor over his head and dropped him throat-first across the iron guardrail. Bam Bam yanked Taylor back up and Irish-whipped him toward the Million Dollar Man, who nearly took the youngster's head off with a nasty clothesline. Bam Bam then lifted Taylor overhead again and hurled him back into the ring, where Virgil easily applied the Million Dollar Dream with bodyscissors for the submission. (62%)

Another video on the Birdwhackers aired, this time showing Koko taking Butch back to his hometown of Union City, Tennessee. Butch tried to eat Southern food but ended up wearing most of it on his shirt, horrifying the other patrons of the diner, before working up a nasty sweat when Koko attempted to teach the Bushwhacker some funky dance moves. Koko then went shopping with Butch for a nice suit, which the New Zealander wore when he went to church with the Bird Man. The segment ended with the Birdwhackers singing in the gospel choir as Butch performed a very interesting rendition of "Go Tell It On The Mountain" alongside Koko. (68%)

Vince McMahon, back in the arena, was standing on the interview platform as he introduced "Ravishing" Rick Rude and Bobby "The Brain" Heenan, who both strutted out looking as smug as always. McMahon asked if Heenan and Rude had come up with any special strategy to combat the Ultimate Warrior tomorrow night in their King Of The Ring quarter-final, which led to the Ravishing One and the Brain cracking jokes between each other about the Warrior's "crispy" face. They continued making fun of the Warrior until the former WWF Champion finally appeared, drawing a nice pop, and joined them on the stage, standing face-to-face with Rude. Warrior and Rude exchanged heated words, growling back and forth, culminating in Rude shoving Warrior, who responded with a shove of his own. Rude answered back with a resounding slap across the face, which enraged the Warrior and kicked off a footrace as the Ultimate One chased Rude off the platform and up the aisle. When they reached the entrance area, Rude escaped through the curtain, but the Warrior was greeted by the Destruction Crew, who blindsided him. The Warrior struggled to fight off Mike Enos & Wayne Bloom, but Rude returned and struck Warrior with a double-axhandle from behind. The Ravishing One, the Train, and the Machine stomped the Warrior into the floor until Jake "The Snake" Roberts arrived on the scene and chased off the Heenan Family. (86%)

Mean Gene Okerlund was in the locker room to interview Jerry Lawler, who was glad to see that Jake Roberts still had his mind on Rick Rude rather than their quarter-final match-up at King Of The Ring tomorrow night. The King spoke about Hulk Hogan, hoping that he had a television set up in front of his hospital bed so that he could watch the Memphis Monarch prove to the world that he was not just a King in name only. (85%)

"The King" Jerry Lawler vs. "Superfly" Jimmy Snuka

The King entered first, looking sour as he had to walk himself down to the ring, while the Superfly again wandered out like a zombie with his blank, expressionless face. Lawler seemed confused at first, but soon began bombarding Snuka with punches, kicks, kneedrops, fistdrops, and elbowdrops while the commentators speculated on Snuka's whereabouts between his seemingly random appearances in the ring. Lawler easily put Snuka away with the Royal Piledriver. Afterwards, the Superfly rolled out to the floor and crawled up the aisle, dragging himself along as if his mind were forcing his body to do something the body was physically incapable of doing. Meanwhile, the King celebrated his victory by holding his crown aloft to a round of boos from the fans. (71%)

Backstage, Jesse "The Body" Ventura interviewed Mr. Fuji and Abdullah The Butcher in a darkened dressing room with candles set up in a circle. Abdullah sat in the middle of the circle, seemingly meditating, while Fuji explained to Ventura that he would do everything in his power to ensure that the Great Muta would walk out tomorrow night as the 1991 WWF King Of The Ring, including sending the Butcher after Muta's quarter-final opponent, Ricky Steamboat. Fuji cackled as he vowed to make the Dragon suffer. (82%)

Abdullah The Butcher vs. Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat

Mr. Fuji waddled out with the Madman Of The Sudan while Flair questioned the Dragon's intelligence for accepting this match the night before King Of The Ring. As expected, the Butcher went full throttle against Steamboat, who seemed ready for the onslaught and returned fire with his own chops and dropkicks. The contest eventually spilled out to the floor, where Abdullah took over and battered the former WWF Intercontinental Champion around ringside. Fuji got involved, distracting referee Mark Johnson so that Abdullah could grab ring announcer Howard "The Fink" Finkel's chair and charge at Steamboat. However, Steamboat dodged the shot and Abdullah ended up smashing himself when the chair bounced off the ropes and smacked him in the face. Steamboat quickly helped Abdullah roll in under the bottom rope before ascending to the top turnbuckle, soaring with the Reign Of Fire for the three-count. Afterwards, while Steamboat celebrated his victory, Abdullah clobbered him from behind with the Meat Cleaver. The Butcher then dropped the Chopping Block and proceeded to maul the Dragon until a bevy of WWF officials made the save. (73%)

In the locker room, Mean Gene Okerlund interviewed the Big Boss Man & WWF Champion Randy Savage as they were preparing to challenge WWF Tag Team Champions Powers Of Pain. The Boss Man was fired up and admitted that Warlord & Barbarian were probably paid off by the Million Dollar Man to hurt them, but said that he was looking forward to his first taste of gold in the WWF. The Macho Man seconded the notion and explained how sweet it would be to co-hold the WWF Tag Team Championship, since it would be one more title that Ted DiBiase didn't have. Savage added that if he and Boss Man won the belts tonight, they would defend them against DiBiase & Bam Bam Bigelow tomorrow evening at King Of The Ring. (84%)

WWF Tag Team Title Match: Powers Of Pain (Barbarian & Warlord) [champions] vs. "Macho Man" Randy Savage & Big Boss Man

Paul Ellering led his warpainted monsters down to the ring as the commentators hyped Boss Man & Macho Man's tag team war against Bam Bam Bigelow & Ted DiBiase at King Of The Ring tomorrow night. Tenay did his job, pointing out that if the faces were to win the WWF Tag Team Championship, Savage would become a member of the elite "Triple Crown Club", having held the three traditional WWF titles. This was a solid main event that went back-and-forth until DiBiase, Bigelow, & Virgil showed up in the aisle, which distracted the Macho Man long enough for the Barbarian to assert himself and take the advantage. The Powers worked over the WWF Champion with quick tags and powerhouse double-teams, but Savage continued to kick out. After several minutes, Savage managed to duck a big boot from the Barbarian, who accidentally nailed the Warlord, and made the hot tag to the Boss Man. The big Georgian charged in and cleaned house on the WWF Tag Team Champions, ramming their heads together. Soon after, he caught Barbarian in the Boss Man Slam and went for the pin, but Precious Paul hopped up on the apron to distract referee Earl Hebner. Virgil & Bigelow dragged Savage down to the floor, while the Million Dollar Man grabbed the WWF Championship belt from the timekeeper and entered the ring, bashing the gold across the Boss Man's head. DiBiase exited the squared circle as the Barbarian climbed to the top turnbuckle and dove off with a flying headbutt to score the 1-2-3. (74%)

After the match, Bam Bam Bigelow and Virgil threw Randy Savage back into the ring and followed him in, hammering on the WWF Champion while the Powers Of Pain continued to punish the Big Boss Man. Ted DiBiase was in his glory, directing traffic as the carnage went on until an army of WWF agents and referees rushed out to stop the brutality. The Million Dollar Man laughed and led his minions away while Albert, Tenay, and Flair got in some final hype for tomorrow night's King Of The Ring before signing off. (92%)

Overall: 79%

Rating: 6.91

Attendance: 10,004

Ticket Sales: $600,240

-----

One more time, here is the lineup for King Of The Ring...

Grudge Match: Randy Savage & Big Boss Man vs. Ted DiBiase & Bam Bam Bigelow

1991 WWF King Of The Ring Tournament - Quarter-Final: Ricky Steamboat vs. The Great Muta

1991 WWF King Of The Ring Tournament - Quarter-Final: Ultimate Warrior vs. Rick Rude

1991 WWF King Of The Ring Tournament - Quarter-Final: Virgil vs. Roddy Piper

1991 WWF King Of The Ring Tournament - Quarter-Final: Jerry Lawler vs. Jake Roberts

[Chrononaut]

SUNDAY, JUNE 30, 1991 -- 1991 WWF KING OF THE RING

Following the half-hour Preview Show hosted by Mean Gene Okerlund and Mike Tenay, the pay-per-view kicked off with Gorilla Monsoon, Jesse "The Body" Ventura, and "Nature Boy" Ric Flair at the broadcast position from the back of the arena. They bantered between the three of them while discussing tonight's event before sending it to ring announcer Howard "The Fink" Finkel in the squared circle.

1991 WWF King Of The Ring Tournament - Quarter-Final: Virgil vs. "Rowdy" Roddy Piper

While Virgil strutted out to the strains of "Money Money Money", the commentators brought up his count-out victory over the Rowdy One back at WWF March To WrestleMania, but pointed out that Virgil was on his own tonight since Ted DiBiase was busy preparing for his tag team co-main event later. Hot Rod slowly made his way out, still showing the effects of the Undertaker choking him out eight days ago on Saturday Night's Main Event, which allowed Virgil to gain the early advantage, opening up on the Scotsman as soon as he hit the ring. The muscular lackey maintained his lead with some surprising power moves, wearing down the already weakened Piper and scoring a number of near-falls. After several minutes, Piper rallied back, blocking Virgil's punches and answering with his own flurry of fists as the fans cheered Hot Rod on. Soon after, Piper snatched Virgil in the Sleeperhold, locking it in tight for the submission to advance to the semi-finals. Afterwards, Piper dropped to his knees, already looking exhausted as Ventura questioned how he would fare in the next round against the winner of the Jake Roberts/Jerry Lawler match-up. (80%)

1991 WWF King Of The Ring Tournament - Quarter-Final: "The King" Jerry Lawler vs. Jake "The Snake" Roberts

The commentators went over the first-round matches that led to this quarter-final: the King pinning Hawk, and the Snake slithering past Abdullah The Butcher. This was a well-worked bout, with Roberts looking sharp on offense, while Lawler came back with his underhanded heel tactics, as the advantage shifted back and forth. Lawler worked over Jake's neck with reverse chinlocks and neckvices, but Jake broke out of a chinlock, getting the crowd behind him as he hammered away on the Memphis Monarch with lightning-like lefts and rights before flooring him with the short-arm clothesline. Roberts signaled for the DDT and went for it, but Lawler managed to stand up and back-bodydrop out of it. At this time, Wayne Bloom, Mike Enos, and Bobby Heenan strolled down to ringside, immediately attracting the attention of the Snake, who reached out to grab the Brain and his Destruction Crew. The King quickly took advantage, scoring with a sneaky lowblow from behind, followed by the Royal Piledriver to pick up the three-count on the Snake. Lawler bailed out afterwards, leaving with the Machine, the Train, and the Brain as they shook hands and laughed at Roberts. (83%)

1991 WWF King Of The Ring Tournament - Quarter-Final: "Ravishing" Rick Rude vs. Ultimate Warrior

After a brief promo for next month's "Wrestlefest 1991" pay-per-view, Bobby "The Brain" Heenan was ready to go again as he accompanied the Ravishing One to the ring. The Ultimate Warrior charged out next, warpaint still covering his burnt face, and kicked off the contest with rapid-fire clotheslines, until he finally pressed Rude over his head and hurled him out to the floor. Ventura acted as the analyst, stating that this was the bout he was looking forward to the most as he recounted the immense historic rivalry between Warrior and Rude, including WrestleMania V and SummerSlam '89 for the WWF Intercontinental Title, and SummerSlam '90 for the WWF Championship, as well as last night on Saturday Night's Main Event when Rude lured Warrior into a sneak attack from the Destruction Crew. Heenan got involved, distracting the Warrior long enough for Rude to return to the ring and blindside the former WWF Champion. This was a classic battle, easily one of the top three match-ups of the evening, that went back and forth, featuring Rude trying to counter Warrior's superhuman strength with his agility and skullduggery. It was almost as if someone had edited the best parts of their previous bouts into one match, and the fans loved every minute of it. In the end, Warrior dropped Rude with the Gorilla Press and rebounded off the ropes to follow up with the Warrior Splash, but Rude was able to roll over and get his knees up, catching the Ultimate One in the midsection. Rude got right up and snapped the Rude Awakening on the Warrior, getting a close two-count that popped the crowd. However, another pair of Rude Awakenings did the trick, garnering the clean quarter-final win for Ravishing Rick in a hard-fought battle. The Brain was ecstatic afterwards, embracing Rude as they wasted no time in heading back to the dressing room. (89%)

1991 WWF King Of The Ring Tournament - Quarter-Final: The Great Muta vs. Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat

Mr. Fuji waddled out with the Great Muta as the commentators predicted what a mindblowing athletic contest this could turn out to be, and they were right on the money. For the most part, Fuji did not interfere, leaving these two amazing athletes to do their thing in the squared circle, trading some absolutely breathtaking maneuvers and hot near-falls that the crowd completely got behind. When Muta assumed control for an extended period, Ventura did mention that Abdullah The Butcher took a lot out of the Dragon on Saturday Night's Main Event. Muta took a huge step towards that next level as he wore Steamboat down with not just flashy moves, but also some good old-fashioned solid mat work, including unique submission holds from the Far East that nearly earned him the win a couple of times. Steamboat managed to mount a comeback, exchanging nasty reverse knife-edge chops as the near-falls came fast and furious between both competitors, heating up the crowd for the finish, which saw the Dragon soar from the top turnbuckle with the Reign Of Fire, but Muta rolled through and landed on top. However, Steamboat used the remaining momentum to roll through one more time for the decisive pinfall to advance to the semi-finals. The crowd seemed to applaud both men afterwards for their incredible performance, although Fuji instructed Muta to ignore the fans as they took off while Steamboat celebrated. (89%)

1991 WWF King Of The Ring Tournament - Semi-Final: "Rowdy" Roddy Piper vs. "The King" Jerry Lawler

The commentators brought up the match between these two last month at WWF War Zone that saw the Undertaker interfere and use the Tombstone on the floor to damage Piper's neck, which was still bothering him when he walked out. Flair called Hot Rod a "crybaby", while Ventura questioned how much gas was left in the Scotsman's tank after the grueling quarter-final match-up against Virgil earlier. This was apparent when Piper, who entered first, attacked Lawler as soon as the King stepped through the ropes, battering him with kicks and stomps as well as punches and chops, taking the Memphis Monarch by surprise. The Rowdy One kept up the pace, dominating the King until he began to slow down, his offense waning as exhaustion began to set in, which allowed Lawler to come back and take over. Lawler punished Piper with his methodical offense, while Flair predicted that Lawler would become the "legitimate King of the WWF" tonight. Piper kicked out of all pinfall attempts, frustrating Lawler, who finally went for the Royal Piledriver, but Hot Rod stood up and back-bodydropped the King. Suddenly, the Undertaker appeared at ringside and grabbed Piper's ankle, dragging him out to the floor. Piper was ready when his feet hit the floor, opening up on the Dead Man and driving him up the aisle with all manner of street-fighting tactics. Meanwhile, referee Danny Marsh administered the ten-count, awarding the decision via count-out to Lawler, who raised his arms in victory to a round of boos. On the outside, Piper and the Undertaker brawled up through the curtain and disappeared as Monsoon hoped that WWF agents and officials would be able to separate them backstage. (84%)

1991 WWF King Of The Ring Tournament - Semi-Final: "Ravishing" Rick Rude vs. Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat

Bobby Heenan again accompanied his Ravishing One while the commentators tried to kill time by displaying the updated tournament bracket, featuring Jerry Lawler in the final against the winner of this match-up. Ventura suggested that this match would have the same result as the last semi-final, since Steamboat's quarter-final happened after Rude's victory over the Ultimate Warrior. Nonetheless, this was a fantastic contest that proved the incredible stamina of both competitors, as they both looked fresh despite already wrestling 15-to-20-minute matches tonight. The action started off slowly, but the pace increased as the bout went on, both men at the top of their game as the advantage shifted between them numerous times. Flair referred to Rude as the Heenan Family's "enforcer", as the Brain was counting on him to eliminate the Dragon from the tournament so that he would be unable to demand another shot at Mr. Perfect's WWF Intercontinental Championship. Ravishing Rick wore Steamboat down with some bone-crunching power moves and general heelishness, while the Dragon used his superior speed and agility, almost reversing the dynamic of the Rude/Warrior quarter-final. Late in the contest, Rude was in control, but the fans helped Steamboat turn the tide, cheering him on as he mounted a comeback with stiff chops and martial arts expertise. Steamboat downed Rude with a nice savate kick and scampered up to the top turnbuckle for the Reign Of Fire, but a desperate Heenan interjected himself, yanking on Steamboat's leg and crotching him on the turnbuckle as Monsoon recalled that a similar situation occured during the Steamboat/Perfect encounter at WrestleMania VII. Rude climbed up on the corner with Steamboat and brought him crashing to the canvas with a double-arm superplex that wowed the audience, but when Rude covered him, the Dragon managed to get his leg over the bottom rope to break the count. The enraged Ravishing One dragged his tenacious opponent off the mat for the Rude Awakening, but Steamboat escaped and trapped Rude in a backslide for a very close near-fall. Heenan climbed up on the apron, attracting the attention of referee Randy "Pee Wee" Anderson (making his WWF debut after being released by WCW earlier in the month) as well as that of Jake Roberts, who stalked down to ringside and pulled the Brain back to the floor. The Snake menaced Heenan, distracting Rude long enough for Steamboat to sneak up from behind and take Rude down in a crucifix cradle for the 1-2-3 to go on to the tournament final. Afterwards, Roberts tossed Heenan into the ringpost and left with the sweaty Dragon as he pointed into the ring at the embarrassed Rude. (91%)

"Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase & Bam Bam Bigelow vs. "Macho Man" Randy Savage & Big Boss Man

The crowd was buzzing for this tag team war, booing Bigelow & DiBiase heartily while popping big-time for the separate entrances of the Boss Man and the Macho Man. Monsoon announced that Virgil did not accompany the Million Dollar Empire squad because he was still feeling drowsy from Roddy Piper's Sleeperhold earlier, which made this a fair-and-square two-on-two match-up. The Boss Man looked strong at the outset against the Beast From The East, but the heels took control after the WWF Champion missed the flying double-axhandle from the top turnbuckle to the floor when Bam Bam sidestepped Savage and sent him crashing ribs-first against the iron guardrail. Utilizing quick tags and double-teams, DiBiase & Bigelow worked over Savage's midsection in an attempt to re-aggravate the internal injuries he suffered at WWF War Zone last month, gaining several near-falls on the WWF Champion. After what seemed like an eternity, the Million Dollar Man went to apply the Million Dollar Dream, but Savage managed to charge toward a neutral corner, stopping short and sending DiBiase flying into the turnbuckles. Boss Man received the hot tag and came in like a house afire, whalloping both DiBiase & Bigelow with hard lefts and rights before clotheslining Bam Bam over the top rope. The former corrections officer continued to unload on the former Million Dollar Champion, much to the delight of the fans, using closed fists, big boots, bodyslams, powerslams, and clotheslines while the Macho Man recuperated on the apron. Boss Man pointed to the top turnbuckle and tagged Savage before Irish-whipping DiBiase into the ropes, catching DiBiase on the rebound in the Boss Man Slam, followed by the Flying Elbowdrop off the top from Savage. Bigelow rushed in to break up the pin and ended up splashing his own boss, kicking off a pier-six brawl as referee Joey Marella lost control. During the mayhem, while the ref tried to usher Bam Bam and Boss Man out of the ring, Savage bodyslammed DiBiase and went up top again. However, a 300-pound bearded man with shaggy hair and rather unkempt clothing emerged from the audience, brandishing a metal folding chair, and pasted the Macho Man across the back with the chair, knocking him to the canvas. The commentators wondered who the wildman was as he crouched at ringside while the Million Dollar Man crawled over and hooked the leg, scoring the pin on the WWF Champion. Bam Bam joined the toothless madman on the outside, dragging DiBiase out to the floor and helping him up the aisle while the Boss Man attended to the Macho Man. (84%)

1991 WWF King Of The Ring Tournament - Final: "The King" Jerry Lawler vs. Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat

With only the previous tag team match as a break, the Dragon seemed to be at a disadvantage from the outset, receiving a great pop from the crowd on his way out before the King assaulted him as soon as he entered the squared circle. Lawler maintained control with his methodical, deliberate offense while the commentators listed the wrestlers the two finalists had beaten throughout the tournament: Lawler had triumphed over Hawk, Jake Roberts, and Roddy Piper in the previous rounds, while Steamboat defeated the Honky Tonk Man, Great Muta, and Rick Rude on his road to the final. Monsoon referred to Steamboat as the "Iron Man of the WWF" for his gutsy performances tonight, as Steamboat staged a comeback, breaking free of Lawler's neckvice with a series of elbows to the midsection, followed by a salvo of loud chops across the chest of the King. The remainder of the bout went back-and-forth with both superstars playing to their strengths and swapping numerous near-falls to really hook the crowd into the action, which got more and more intense as time went on. Steamboat got his sixth wind of the evening as he began to dominate Lawler, at which point Mr. Perfect made a very unwelcome appearance, strolling down to ringside and standing in the King's corner to root him on. The Dragon ignored the presence of the WWF Intercontinental Champion and ascended to the top turnbuckle, diving with the Reign Of Fire, which would have spelled the end of the bout, but Perfect reached in and put Lawler's leg over the bottom rope to stop the pinfall. Steamboat leapt to his feet and reached through the ropes, dragging Perfect up to the apron while referee Earl Hebner tried to separate them. Amidst the commotion, Perfect took something out of his pocket in his fist and hammered Steamboat, who turned around and staggered right into the Royal Piledriver from the King for the final three-count. Afterwards, as the fans voiced their unhappiness, Perfect departed with a smug grin on his face while Lawler kicked Steamboat out of the ring and celebrated, demanding his immediate coronation. (86%)

After another promo for Wrestlefest 1991 (to be held in New York's Yankee Stadium) on Sunday, July 28, Vince McMahon, holding a microphone, stood alongside the exhausted Jerry Lawler in the ring, which now had an extravagant throne set up. McMahon announced that Lawler was indeed the "Undisputed WWF King Of The Ring" and began the coronation ceremony, placing the cape around Lawler's shoulders and the crown on his head. The Memphis Monarch sat on the throne and grabbed the mic from McMahon, taunting him and the fans, who responded with loud jeers. Lawler claimed that McMahon never thought he would see Lawler sitting in a WWF ring as the one true King of Wrestling, but that he knew he could outlast the "so-called WWF superstars" to earn the crown. The King bragged about defeating all of the WWF's top stars and putting Hulk Hogan out of action at WrestleMania VII, when suddenly the crowd erupted as "Real American" cranked up. The Hulkster sprinted out in red-and-yellow street clothes and stormed the ring, snatching Lawler before he could escape and unloading on him with a succession of big right hands, the fans popping for each shot. Hogan whipped Lawler into the ropes and caught him with the big boot to the face on the rebound, followed by the patented Hulkster Legdrop. The Immortal One peeled the King off the canvas and tossed him over the top rope before picking up the crown, dusting it off, and parading around the ring with it on his head. Hogan ripped his shirt off and posed for the overjoyed crowd with the crown still on his head, while Monsoon, Ventura, and Flair hyped the return of the Hulkster and signed off. (98%)

Overall: 89%

Buyrate: 1.97

Attendance: 20,672

PPV Revenue: $4,925,000

Ticket Sales: $1,240,320

-----

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Celebrating birthdays in June were...

Hercules (41)

Koko (34)

The Mountie (31)

Ultimate Warrior (35)

Virgil (29)

[Chrononaut]

MONDAY, JULY 1, 1991 -- WWF PRIME TIME WRESTLING

Vince McMahon and Jesse "The Body" Ventura opened the show LIVE from ringside, putting over the tremendous competition last night at King Of The Ring before announcing tonight's lineup, featuring the main event pitting Davey Boy Smith against the Undertaker, as well as the Rhodes Family taking on Les Canadiens, the Rockers meeting the Conquistadors, and much more.

"Money Money Money" blasted throughout the arena as Ted DiBiase led Virgil and Bam Bam Bigelow to the squared circle, where Virgil retrieved the microphone from ring announcer Howard "The Fink" Finkel and handed it to the Million Dollar Man. DiBiase gloated over the tag team victory he and Bigelow scored over WWF Champion Randy Savage & Big Boss Man at King Of The Ring last night, bragging about outsmarting the Macho Man once again. He admitted that they had a little "outside help" and introduced the newest addition to the Million Dollar Empire, one of the most dangerous bounty hunters in the sport of professional wrestling, straight from Truth Or Consequences, New Mexico, none other than Cactus Jack Manson! The long-haired, bearded Cactus Jack wandered down the aisle wearing his traditional wrestling tights and printed boots, with a "Macho Madness" t-shirt with the sleeves ripped off, as he pointed his fingers like guns and shouted "bang bang!" repeatedly. The fans booed as Manson rolled into the ring under the bottom rope and embraced Bam Bam, high-fived Virgil, and shook hands with the Million Dollar Man. McMahon was horrified at the scruffy sight of the unpredictable New Mexican Wildman, while Ventura called him a lethal addition to DiBiase's Empire. (85%)

Cactus Jack Manson vs. Louie Spicolli

Ted DiBiase, Bam Bam Bigelow, and Virgil stepped out to ringside as Louie Spicolli entered the ring and was immediately besieged by Cactus Jack, who ambushed the youngster with a knee to the head followed by a flurry of closed fists. Manson continued to savage Spicolli throughout this total squash, enjoying the punishment he was inflicting as the Million Dollar Man encouraged him from the outside. Jack finished off Spicolli with a brutal double-arm DDT that Ventura claimed was called the "Bang Bang". (70%)

In the Prime Time studio, Gorilla Monsoon and "Nature Boy" Ric Flair put over the WWF debut of Cactus Jack Manson and his interference in the tag team match at last night's King Of The Ring before introducing their first guest this evening, WWF Champion "Macho Man" Randy Savage, who walked in looking very intense with the title belt over his shoulder. The Nature Boy mocked the Macho Man for losing the tag team match to Ted DiBiase & Bam Bam Bigelow last night, but Savage kept his cool and told Flair that he could make all the jokes he wanted, because he could admit his loss. Monsoon pointed out that the Macho Man & Big Boss Man seemed to have the bout won until Cactus Jack made his surprise appearance and smacked the WWF Champion with a chair, which Savage agreed with, although he added that he wasn't the kind of guy that makes excuses. Savage said that the only thing that mattered was that the Million Dollar Man pinned his shoulders to the mat at King Of The Ring, but he planned on erasing that mistake by squashing DiBiase in August at SummerSlam '91. But first, Savage brought up Wrestlefest 1991 on July 28 and stated that he wanted to get his hands on the man that caused him to lose last night, Cactus Jack. Savage claimed that he was sick of DiBiase bringing in new henchmen every month and announced that he was going to start shipping them right back out of the WWF, offering to put the WWF Championship on the line if that was what it took to get Manson in the ring at Wrestlefest. The Macho Man finished by promising to bring the Million Dollar Empire crashing to the ground, "OOOOOOOOHHHH YEEEEEEEAAAAAHHHHH, DIG IT!" (93%)

Mean Gene Okerlund was in the locker room at the arena to interview the Mountie, Dino Bravo, and Jimmy Hart, who claimed that Les Canadiens were the only duo in the WWF who could simultaneously compete in both the Singles and Tag Team Divisions with successful results. Bravo & Mountie yelled in French about the Rhodes Family and, in honor of Canada Day today, vowed to turn the "American Dream" into a "Canadian Nightmare"...NEXT! (84%)

Les Canadiens (The Mountie & Dino Bravo) vs. The Rhodes Family (Dusty & Dustin Rhodes)

Jimmy Hart waved the Canadian flag as he escorted his Quebecers to the ring for this smashmouth-style tag team bout that once again saw Dusty attempt to wrestle the majority of the match, with mixed results. The American Dream held his own after being tagged in by Dustin, but eventually ran out of gas and fell victim to Le Bombe De Rougeau, after which the Mountie covered him for the win. Afterwards, Dustin grudgingly came in to check on his father, but Les Canadiens laid the Son Of The Dream out with Le Bombe De Rougeau as well before leaving with the Mouth Of The South. (77%)

In the Prime Time studio, Gorilla Monsoon and Ric Flair discussed the prospects of Les Canadiens' tag team career before bringing in their next guest, "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan, toting his trusty 2x4 and the American flag. Duggan presented Monsoon with the flag and told him that it was an early "Fourth of July" gift for the studio, setting it up on the wall in the background while the Nature Boy rolled his eyes. When Duggan finally sat down at the desk, Monsoon thanked him for the present and asked about the Mountie's challenge from a couple of weeks ago for a rematch with Hacksaw held under "Province Of Quebec Rules". Duggan claimed that Gorilla had known him long enough to know that the Tough Guy had never backed down from a challenge before, and he wasn't about to start now, accepting the challenge and suggesting that the bout take place in the middle of Yankee Stadium at Wrestlefest 1991. In a funny bit, after Flair inquired if Duggan knew what "Province Of Quebec Rules" were, Duggan stared at him blankly before responding with a simple, soft, "no". Duggan then went back to his usual loud voice as he informed Flair that it didn't matter what the stipulations were because he would kick the Mountie's "maple leaf butt" on behalf of "every red, white, and blue-blooded American across these United States, TOUGH GUY...HOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" (83%)

Backstage at the arena, Marty Jannetty & Shawn Michaels were shown hanging out in the dressing room, laughing about their escapades while out on the town over the weekend. The Rockers turned their attention to their match tonight with the Conquistadors, looking forward to a clean athletic contest, and mentioned their upcoming shot at the WWF Tag Team Championship against the Powers Of Pain this weekend on Saturday Night's Main Event. They said that after they win the belts, the party would never stop for the Masters Of Motion. (84%)

The Conquistadors (Conquistador #1 & Conquistador #2) vs. The Rockers (Shawn Michaels & Marty Jannetty)

The commentators hyped the Rockers' shot at WWF Tag Team Champions Powers Of Pain on Saturday Night's Main Event this weekend while both of these young, flashy tandems made their entrances. All four competitors shook hands prior to the match, which was a tremendous display of crisp scientific wrestling and dazzling aerial maneuvers, the advantage going back-and-forth as the "new" Conquistadors continue to impress with their innovative double-teams. In the end, Jannetty pinned #1 following the Double Flying Fistdrop from he and Michaels. (83%)

Davey Boy Smith was in the locker room, discussing strategy with the Dynamite Kid for his match tonight against the Undertaker. Davey Boy wanted revenge for the Dead Man chokeslamming him and Tombstoning the Kid last week, but Dynamite warned him to be careful and promised that he would be watching his back. (88%)

In the Prime Time studio, Gorilla Monsoon and Ric Flair talked about last night's King Of The Ring tournament, showing the finished tournament bracket and running through the results before bringing in "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, who looked a little banged-up when he walked into the room. Monsoon congratulated Hot Rod on working through his injuries to make it to the semi-final, but Piper replied that he could have done better as he had his eye on the crown until "Lurch" got involved. The Nature Boy called the Scotsman stupid for leaving the ring to go after the Undertaker, which got him counted-out. Piper admitted that it wasn't smart, but explained that he was known for going with his heart rather than listening to his brain, and his heart told him to "beat the crap out of Boris Karloff". Flair responded that Piper had nobody to blame but himself for Jerry Lawler becoming the Undisputed WWF King Of The Ring last night, but Piper snapped back that he had a problem with that, claiming that Lawler wasn't the Undisputed King, because he disputed it. Piper announced that he would be facing Lawler one more time on Saturday Night's Main Event this weekend and promised that he would "dispute the King's royal butt" all over the ring. Hot Rod added that if the Undertaker wanted to show up again, he would be more than ready this time. (97%)

Davey Boy Smith vs. The Undertaker

Brother Love accompanied his Grim Reaper to ringside for this heated main event in which the Pale Destroyer started off strong, dominating the opening minutes with his preternatural strength and speed. The British Bulldog made his comeback when he avoided a charging clothesline in the corner and followed with some impressive power moves, including a big scoop slam and the delayed vertical suplex. The Undertaker continued to sit up and absorb the punishment, culminating in the Running Powerslam from Davey Boy that got a close near-fall, popping the crowd. Soon after, the Dead Man regained control and buried Davey Boy with the Tombstone for the three-count. Afterwards, Brother Love ordered his Undertaker to throw Smith out to the floor as the arena lights dimmed appropriately. Love then stood beside the deadly Undertaker and celebrated while McMahon and Ventura closed the show. (82%)

Overall: 84%

Rating: 5.44

Attendance: 10,032

Ticket Sales: $601,920

-----

Bushwhacker Butch suffered a neck injury while taking the Wrecking Ball finisher from the Destruction Crew during a dark match prior to the live broadcast of Prime Time Wrestling, joining his cousin Luke on the disabled list and ruining the semi-push of the Birdwhackers squad with Koko B. Ware, who will apparently go back to singles competition under his "Bird Man" gimmick. Butch should be back within nine months, and we wish him a speedy recovery.

-----

SATURDAY, JULY 6, 1991 -- NBC/WWF PRESENT: SATURDAY NIGHT'S MAIN EVENT

Marv Albert, Mike Tenay, and "Nature Boy" Ric Flair started the LIVE network broadcast by mentioning last Sunday's King Of The Ring and shilling tonight's show, including the Ultimate Warrior meeting the Destruction Crew's Wayne Bloom, the Rockers challenging the Powers Of Pain for the WWF Tag Team Championship, the Honky Tonk Man taking on Koko B. Ware, the Big Boss Man in action, and in the main event, Roddy Piper battling Jerry Lawler in a rematch from King Of The Ring.

Big Boss Man vs. Sgt. Buddy Ray Parker

Tenay put the Big Boss Man over for his main event effort against Bam Bam Bigelow & Ted DiBiase at King Of The Ring, and the former corrections officer looked good here too in this competitive squash. Parker got in some heelish offense before the big Georgian put him away with the Boss Man Slam. (66%)

Mean Gene Okerlund came to ringside after the match to interview the Big Boss Man, who ranted about losing the tag team match at King Of The Ring thanks to the interference of Cactus Jack Manson. The Boss Man claimed that there were warrants out for Cactus Jack's arrest all over the country, and challenged the New Mexican Wildman to a match next week on Saturday Night's Main Event, adding that Manson would have to go through him to get to WWF Champion Randy Savage. (70%)

A "Honky Tonk Mania" montage video aired showing the Honky Tonk Man and Colonel Robert Lee Fuller on their travels across the country, being mobbed by overenthusiastic fans and groupies in '50s attire. It was designed to look like the Colonel had set everything up to make Honky seem like a huge star, and it was pretty funny. (74%)

Honky Tonk Man vs. Koko B. Ware

Colonel Robert Lee Fuller seconded the Greatest Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion Of All Time, while the Bird Man still wore his Birdwhackers outfit. As expected, this was a solid but unspectacular contest that went back and forth while the commentators discussed Honky's delusions of grandeur, perpetuated by the Colonel. In the end, Honky finished off Koko with the Shake, Rattle, 'N' Roll. (71%)

Jesse "The Body" Ventura was in the locker room with WWF Tag Team Champions Powers Of Pain and Paul Ellering, who talked about tonight's challengers, the Rockers, boasting that Warlord & Barbarian eat "pretty boys" like Marty Jannetty & Shawn Michaels for breakfast. Precious Paul said that the Rockers could run, but they couldn't hide, and they would end up on the scrap heap alongside the Hart Foundation. (81%)

WWF Tag Team Title Match: Powers Of Pain (Barbarian & Warlord) [champions] vs. The Rockers (Shawn Michaels & Marty Jannetty)

Paul Ellering led his WWF Tag Team Champions to the ring for this well-worked championship bout, pitting the speed and science of the Rockers against the brute force and raw power of the Powers, creating a very entertaining "David vs. Goliath" dynamic. The Powers looked dominant, but the Masters Of Motion made their comebacks, stinging both Warlord & Barbarian with their lightning-quick double-teams and aerial maneuvers to score several near-falls throughout the contest. The fans really got behind the Rockers as they built some momentum late in the match-up, nailing the Double Flying Fistdrop on the Barbarian, but Power & Glory made their way down to ringside and lured Michaels away from the squared circle as he went after the WWF Television Tag Team Champions. Meanwhile on the inside, the Warlord received the tag and covered Jannetty following a vicious double spinebuster to retain the belts. Afterwards, Power & Glory left Michaels laid out in the aisleway before leaving with Slick. (84%)

In the locker room, Mean Gene Okerlund interviewed the Destruction Crew and Bobby Heenan, who first gloated about Rick Rude's King Of The Ring quarter-final victory over the Ultimate Warrior last Sunday. The Brain turned to tonight and predicted the same result when the Warrior faces Wayne Bloom, claiming that Mike Enos would be at ringside with him in case anybody tried to put their hands on the Brain, like Jake Roberts did during the King Of The Ring semi-finals. Heenan insulted Okerlund before he and his Crew headed out. (85%)

Wayne "The Train" Bloom vs. Ultimate Warrior

Bobby "The Brain" Heenan and Mike "The Machine" Enos accompanied the Train for his first big WWF challenge, while the Warrior stormed out alone and tried to kick off the match as usual with a series of clotheslines, but Bloom was prepared and ducked a clothesline, bringing down the former WWF Champion with a drop-toehold. Flair credited it to the brilliant strategic planning of the Brain, as Bloom held on to his advantage, keeping Warrior grounded and working him over. The Warrior eventually made his comeback, powering out of a front-facelock and hammering the Train with a succession of clotheslines and shoulderblocks, pleasing his "Little Warriors" in the audience. Warrior soon scooped up the Destruction Crew member and dropped him with the Gorilla Press, but when he ran into the ropes for the Warrior Splash, Heenan grabbed his ankle. Warrior turned and grabbed Heenan, dragging him up onto the apron and shaking him, when suddenly Mike Enos entered the ring and attacked the Ultimate One from behind, prompting referee Tim White to call for the bell, disqualifying Bloom and awarding the decision to the Warrior. (79%)

After the bell, Mike Enos slugged it out with the Ultimate Warrior until Wayne Bloom regained his vertical base and blindsided the former WWF Champion. While Bobby Heenan shouted words of encouragement, the Destruction Crew double-teamed the Warrior, battering him down to the canvas with kicks, stomps, punches, forearms, and double-axhandles across the back. The beating continued until Jake "The Snake" Roberts sprinted out with his python Damian in hand, clearing the Heenan Family members from the ring. The Brain, the Train, and the Machine quickly exited while the Snake stood over the Warrior. (83%)

Backstage, Jesse Ventura congratulated Jerry Lawler on emerging from last Sunday's pay-per-view as the Undisputed WWF King Of The Ring, but pointed out that there was one man who was disputing the King's crown: Roddy Piper. The Memphis Monarch scoffed at the Rowdy One and debunked his accusations, claiming that the only thing that mattered was that he outlasted 16 of the "so-called WWF superstars" to earn the throne that he already owned. Lawler promised to end Hot Rod's career once and for all tonight, and added that Hulk Hogan could keep the crown he stole last Sunday because Lawler's own crown looked much more regal than the "tacky" crown that the WWF had created for the King Of The Ring. (82%)

"The King" Jerry Lawler vs. "Rowdy" Roddy Piper

The Undisputed 1991 WWF King Of The Ring was once again carried down the aisle by his jobber slaves, looking more arrogant and smug than ever before in his short WWF career as the commentators put him over for winning the tournament "by hook or by crook". Hot Rod charged out before the royal procession had made it to the ring, attacking the slaves and toppling the King's throne, which popped the crowd. Piper immediately took the fight right to Lawler, brawling in the aisle and around ringside, ramming the Memphis Monarch against the iron guardrail, ring steps, ringpost, and the ring apron before bodyslamming him on the floor. Piper peeled back the thin blue protective mats and prepared to piledrive Lawler on the exposed concrete floor, but the King stood up and back-bodydropped out of it. The King quickly stepped into the ring and ordered referee Joey Marella to count Piper out, but the Scotsman didn't take long to roll in under the bottom rope, where Lawler began bombarding him with kneedrops, elbowdrops, and fistdrops, before choking him. Tenay reminded viewers of the Undertaker's lethal choke from two weeks ago that nearly ended the Rowdy One's career, while Piper writhed as Lawler kept breaking at the count of four and then reapplying the chokehold. Finally, the official threatened to disqualify Lawler, which distracted the King long enough for the weakened Piper to roll him up for a surprise near-fall. This main event continued to go back-and-forth with some old-school brawling action, although the choking seemed to take a lot out of Piper. Late in the bout, Lawler ducked a roundhouse right from Piper that inadvertently struck the ref, who went down like a sack of bricks. Piper caught Lawler in the Sleeperhold, clamping it on tight until the lights suddenly went out. When the lights came back on several moments later, the Undertaker was standing on the apron, gripping Piper by the throat, while Lawler was sprawled on the mat and Brother Love was attending to the referee. The Dead Man chokeslammed Hot Rod while standing on the apron and leapt back to the floor as the King crawled over to Piper. Lawler hooked Piper's leg for the pin while Love revived the official, who slowly administered the three-count for the King. Afterwards, the Undertaker climbed into the ring and continued his merciless assault on the Scotsman, while the King pulled himself up and joined in the attack, stomping and kicking Piper. Lawler and Undertaker pounded Hot Rod until the crowd popped as Hulk Hogan raced down the aisle and slid into the squared circle, where he managed to drive off both heels. The King and the Undertaker slowly backed off with Brother Love while the Hulkster checked on Hot Rod as the program ended. (86%)

Overall: 78%

Rating: 6.44

Attendance: 10,039

Ticket Sales: $602,340

-----

SUNDAY, JULY 7, 1991 -- WWF SUPERSTARS OF WRESTLING

Booker: Brian Knobbs

Quality: 79%

Rating: 5.29

Attendance: 10,030

Ticket Sales: $601,800

-----

During the Update with Sean Mooney on Superstars, the following two matches were confirmed for Wrestlefest 1991 on Sunday, July 28...

WWF Championship Match: Randy Savage [champion] vs. Cactus Jack Manson

Province Of Quebec Rules Match: Jim Duggan vs. The Mountie

[Guest Prototype]

I liked King of the Ring. Lawler was a good choice. I dont know about Cactus coming in. I dont know if he would fit in in 1991, but we'll see how his character develops. Im assuming we will see Hogan and Piper vs Lawler and Taker at WrestleFest, or singles matches between the four.

[Chrononaut]

MONDAY, JULY 8, 1991 -- WWF PRIME TIME WRESTLING

Vince McMahon and Jesse "The Body" Ventura introduced the show LIVE from ringside, hyping tonight's lineup: the British Bulldogs squaring off against the Undertaker & Jerry Lawler in the main event, Hacksaw Duggan facing Greg Valentine, Hawk meeting Lt. James Earl Wright of the State Patrol, the Nasty Boys in action, and more.

Mean Gene Okerlund was in the locker room to interview the British Bulldogs, who were looking forward to the tag team main event tonight against the Undertaker & Jerry Lawler. Davey Boy Smith stated that the Dead Man could keep knocking the Bulldogs down, but they would keep on getting right back up and biting twice as hard, while the Dynamite Kid claimed that "every dog has his day" and that this would be the Bulldogs' day. (83%)

The Nasty Boys (Brian Knobbs & Jerry Saggs) vs. Al Perez & Chris Walker

Jimmy Hart escorted his Nasty Boys to ringside for this squash while Ventura complained about them being left out of the WWF Tag Team Championship scene ever since losing to the Hart Foundation at WrestleMania VII. The Nasties thrashed their opponents here, finishing them off when Saggs covered Walker following the Pit Stop Drop. (69%)

Sean Mooney showed up at ringside after the match to interview the Nasty Boys and Jimmy Hart, who dredged up "ancient history" as he pointed to their loss to the British Bulldogs in the semi-final of the WWF Television Tag Team Championship tournament as the beginning of the Nasties' recent downward spiral. Saggs claimed that the Bulldogs couldn't hide from them forever, while Knobbs added a challenge to a "Number One Contenders" match for Wrestlefest 1991 if the Bulldogs could survive Jerry Lawler & Undertaker tonight. (79%)

In the Prime Time studio, Gorilla Monsoon and "Nature Boy" Ric Flair talked about tag team competition in the WWF heating up ever since the WWF Television Tag Team Championship was introduced a couple of months ago, before bringing in their first guests this evening, the Rockers, who entered the room looking like they just came from a trendy nightclub. When asked how they felt after Power & Glory cost them their shot at the WWF Tag Team Title this past weekend on Saturday Night's Main Event, Marty Jannetty snapped back at Monsoon, sarcastically asking, "how do you THINK we feel?" and ranting about Paul Roma & Hercules stealing the TV Tag Team Title at WWF War Zone and now costing them the World belts as he got increasingly agitated. Shawn Michaels tried to calm his partner down, but Jannetty was wired, demanding a rematch with Power & Glory at Wrestlefest 1991, even offering to put the Masters Of Motion's tag team career on the line. Michaels seemed surprised but went along with it, agreeing to the terms if that was what it would take to get a title shot at Romeo & Herc on July 28 and promised that if the champions didn't accept, the Rockers would be a thorn in their side for a long, long time. (77%)

Hawk vs. Lt. James Earl Wright

During this semi-competitive squash, the commentators discussed the Rockers' and the Nasty Boys' challenges for Wrestlefest 1991 to, respectively, Power & Glory and the British Bulldogs. Wright snuck in some offense but Hawk no-sold most of it and put the State Patrol member away with the Bird Of Prey. (65%)

In the Prime Time studio, Gorilla Monsoon and Ric Flair brought up July 28's Wrestlefest 1991 and the WWF Championship match announced over the weekend featuring Randy Savage defending the title against their next guest, Cactus Jack Manson, who stalked in wearing similar attire as last week, except with blue jeans instead of wrestling tights. The New Mexican Wildman wandered around the room, smiling his toothless grin like a lunatic before finally sitting down. When asked by Gorilla, Manson admitted that right now he was a "virtual unknown", but very soon he would be "everybody's new best friend", especially after he secures Ted DiBiase's $10 million bounty on the Macho Man and the WWF Title. Jack claimed that he may look crazy, but he's no idiot, and he knew exactly what ten million dollars could do for him, expressing a bizarre interest in writing books. Monsoon reminded Cactus of his upcoming bout against the Big Boss Man on this weekend's Saturday Night's Main Event, inquiring how he would handle one of the WWF's biggest, toughest superstars. Cactus grinned again and said that he hoped the Boss Man would bring his nightstick and handcuffs, "hell, even that ball and chain he used to carry around!", because he liked to feel pain almost as much as he loved dishing it out, promising that the former corrections officer would feel some pain this Saturday, just like the WWF Champion would at Wrestlefest. (72%)

Greg "The Hammer" Valentine vs. "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan

Jimmy Hart seconded his Hammer for this stiff, solid match-up that predictably featured a lot of punches, clotheslines, chops, and elbowsmashes from both of these rawboned competitors. The advantage shifted both ways while McMahon announced another contest for Saturday Night's Main Event this weekend, pitting Les Canadiens against Duggan and a partner of his choosing, which prompted guesses from both McMahon and Ventura as to who Duggan might pick, ranging from the Texas Twister or Bob Backlund to Hulk Hogan or even Valentine himself. In the end, Hacksaw mowed down the Hammer with the Three Point Stance for the 1-2-3. (73%)

In the Prime Time studio, Gorilla Monsoon and Ric Flair briefly discussed the only other officially announced bout for Wrestlefest 1991, the "Province Of Quebec Rules" match between the Mountie and Hacksaw Duggan, before introducing WWF President Andre The Giant, who claimed that he had another addition to the July 28 PPV, but first brought Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat, as well as WWF Intercontinental Champion Mr. Perfect and Bobby "The Brain" Heenan, into the room. Heenan and Perfect sat on one side of Andre with the Nature Boy, while the Dragon sat on the other side beside Gorilla, all of them looking perplexed. The Brain impatiently asked what was going on, but the President ignored him and congratulated Steamboat on almost winning the 1991 WWF King Of The Ring tournament, announcing that as a reward, he would be receiving another shot at Perfect's WWF Intercontinental Championship at Wrestlefest in a rematch of their WrestleMania VII classic. Perfect and Heenan became livid, arguing that the deal was that Steamboat would get his rematch only if he actually won the crown, but Andre sternly informed them that HE was the President and HE made the decisions. The devious duo continued to loudly protest, but the Giant stood up, slammed his massive fist on the table, silencing everyone, and stated that his decision was final and that Perfect would defend the Intercontinental Title against Steamboat at Wrestlefest 1991 before lumbering out of the studio along with the happy Dragon. After the President left, the Brain, Perfect, and Flair complained about Andre's "personal bias" against the Heenan Family while Monsoon rolled his eyes. (85%)

Backstage at the arena, Mean Gene Okerlund interviewed Brother Love, the Undertaker, & Undisputed 1991 WWF King Of The Ring Jerry Lawler, who were preparing for the main event against the British Bulldogs. Love bragged that his Grim Reaper had buried both Dynamite Kid & Davey Boy Smith by himself in singles matches, so he predicted a return to "Pet Cemetary" for the Bulldogs tonight. The King agreed and brought up this past weekend's Saturday Night's Main Event where Hulk Hogan showed up to save Roddy Piper, mockingly saying how sweet it was that they had "kissed and made up" after their wars during the '80s. Lawler suggested a tag team encounter at Wrestlefest 1991 pitting himself and the Pale Destroyer against the Hulkster & Hot Rod, warning Piper & Hogan that he wanted a response "soon". (88%)

The British Bulldogs (Davey Boy Smith & Dynamite Kid) vs. "The King" Jerry Lawler & The Undertaker

The Englishmen entered first to a great pop, followed by the Undisputed WWF King Of The Ring being carried out on his throne by his slaves, and finally the Dead Man slowly walked out, accompanied by Brother Love. This was an entertaining main event, the Bulldogs working like a well-oiled machine as they controlled the King, scoring several near-falls, until the Memphis Monarch turned the tide with a thumb to the eye and tagged in the huge Undertaker. The Grim Reaper unloaded on both Dynamite & Davey Boy with his impressive strength and skill, tossing the Bulldogs around the ring as if they were weightless. The Bulldogs managed to mount a comeback and hit the Pale Destroyer with a powerful double dropkick that staggered the big man back to his corner, where he tagged out to the King and kicked off a donnybrook with all four men slugging it out. The heels took over, Lawler gaining a number of near-falls before Smith got his second wind and made the hot tag to Dynamite, who charged in and cleaned house. This was when the match broke down, as referee Joey Marella had a hard time getting the Undertaker back out to the apron, while the Nasty Boys and Jimmy Hart showed up at ringside unexpectedly, slamming Davey Boy from the apron down to the floor flat on his back. Saggs & Knobbs stomped Davey Boy on the outside while on the inside, the King planted Dynamite with the Royal Piledriver to pick up the three-count. (85%)

After the match, the Nasty Boys left with Jimmy Hart while Jerry Lawler rolled the Dynamite Kid out of the ring so that he and the Undertaker could celebrate along with Brother Love. Just when the King's regal entrance music began to play, the crowd erupted as Hulk Hogan and Roddy Piper stormed out to the squared circle and ran off the Undertaker, Love, and Lawler while McMahon proclaimed that this must be Hot Rod & Hulkster's response to the challenge from earlier, sarcastically wondering if the answer came "soon" enough. The heels backed off up the aisle as Hogan & Piper exchanged words, looking a bit leery with each other before they both ripped off their shirts. Piper & Hogan traded poses in the ring for the cheering fans while McMahon and Ventura hyped Hogan-Piper/Lawler-Undertaker for Wrestlefest 1991 and ended the show. (92%)

Overall: 80%

Rating: 6.23

Attendance: 10,038

Ticket Sales: $602,280

-----

SATURDAY, JULY 13, 1991 -- NBC/WWF PRESENT: SATURDAY NIGHT'S MAIN EVENT

Marv Albert, Mike Tenay, and "Nature Boy" Ric Flair opened the LIVE network broadcast by announcing the lineup for this evening, including the Ultimate Warrior & Jake Roberts joining forces to battle the Destruction Crew, Les Canadiens taking on Hacksaw Duggan and a partner to be named later, WWF Television Tag Team Champions Power & Glory in action, and in the main event, Cactus Jack Manson facing the Big Boss Man.

Non-Title Match: Power & Glory (The Mighty Hercules & Paul "Romeo" Roma) vs. Al Perez & Chris Walker

Slick and his personal bodyguard Bad News Brown escorted the WWF Television Tag Team Champions while the commentators talked about Power & Glory's ongoing issues with the Rockers. This was a basic squash, showcasing the TV Champions' tag team skills, that ended when Romeo covered Walker following the Powerplex by he and the Mighty One. (67%)

Mean Gene Okerlund appeared at ringside after the match to interview Power & Glory and Slick, asking them about the challenge issued by the Rockers on Prime Time Wrestling this past Monday. The Doctor Of Style balked at the retirement stipulation because if, by some fluke, Marty Jannetty & Shawn Michaels were to win the match at Wrestlefest 1991, he would be short two clients. Slick suggested that if the Rockers wanted their shot at the WWF Television Tag Team Championship so badly, they would let him "modify" the stipulations: "when, not if" Power & Glory win, both Rockers would have to retire, but if the Rockers somehow walked out of Wrestlefest with the gold, only the man that got pinned would be retiring. Paul Roma & Hercules seemed less than thrilled, but they were confident they would remain TV Champions. (79%)

A vignette aired featuring Cactus Jack Manson wandering inside an abandoned old house that looked eerily similar to the house in "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre", giving his unique comments on life, death, truth, consequences, and the WWF. During his ranting and raving, Cactus promised to fry the Big Boss Man "like the donut-eating pig that he is", and challenged Randy Savage to accept another stipulation to their WWF Championship match at Wrestlefest 1991: Falls Count Anywhere. As the camera faded out, Manson kept screaming, "Welcome to my world! WELCOME TO MY WORLD!" (72%)

At the arena, Jimmy Hart and Les Canadiens were just entering the ring, waving their Canadian flag as they awaited their opponents. "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan marched out next and stood in the middle of the aisle, carrying his trusty 2x4, as ring announcer Howard "The Fink" Finkel introduced his tag team partner for tonight: none other than Dusty Rhodes, who strutted out to a nice pop, waving the American flag. The American Dream & Hacksaw shook hands in the aisle and wasted no time in charging down to the squared circle. (78%)

Les Canadiens (The Mountie & Dino Bravo) vs. "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan & "American Dream" Dusty Rhodes

Jimmy Hart quickly bailed out to ringside as Rhodes & Duggan hit the ring, basically no-selling Les Canadiens' attempted ambush and firing back with lefts and rights, knocking Bravo out to the floor and focusing on the Mountie. The crowd seemed to be solidly into this match-up, which was no technical masterpiece, while the commentators hyped the "Province Of Quebec Rules" match for Wrestlefest 1991 between the Mountie and Hacksaw. Les Canadiens were the more polished tag team and took control, working over Duggan for the middle portion of the contest with basic double-teams and some outside assistance from the Mouth Of The South. With Dusty leading the crowd in a "U-S-A" chant, Duggan rallied back and rammed the Quebecers' heads together before making the hot tag to the American Dream, who rushed in and cleaned house on both Canadians. Soon after, Hacksaw knocked the Mountie out of the ring with the Three Point Stance while Dusty whalloped Bravo with the Bionic Elbow for the three-count. (74%)

After the match, Les Canadiens tried to exact some revenge, but Dusty Rhodes & Jim Duggan fought back, all four bruisers slugging it out in the ring. Duggan & Rhodes had the upper hand until Greg "The Hammer" Valentine ran out to tip the scales, blasting the American Dream & Hacksaw with brutal elbowsmashes across the back of the head. The 3-on-2 disadvantage was too overwhelming, as the Mountie, Dino Bravo, & Valentine beat down the patriotic Americans while Jimmy Hart hopped around, jabbering through his megaphone. Satisfied with their work, the Hammer & Les Canadiens finally exited with the Mouth Of The South, leaving Rhodes & Duggan laid out in the squared circle. (81%)

Backstage, Mean Gene Okerlund interviewed the Ultimate Warrior & Jake Roberts, who were preparing to meet the Destruction Crew. The Snake stated that he and the Warrior were "two peas in a pod", because they had both been abused and scarred, but they couldn't be kept down, as they would prove tonight against the Heenan Family members. Warrior pointed to his burnt face, covered by warpaint, and roared about the misdeeds done to him by the hand of fate, warning that the hand of fate would soon strike down upon Bobby Heenan, Mr. Fuji, and others like them. (95%)

The Destruction Crew (Wayne "The Train" Bloom & Mike "The Machine" Enos) vs. Jake "The Snake" Roberts & Ultimate Warrior

Bobby "The Brain" Heenan accompanied his Destruction Crew to the ring as the commentators recounted the brief history here, including the Crew assaulting the Warrior the night before King Of The Ring, and the Snake coming to the aid of the former WWF Champion last week. This was a heated tag team bout that went a long way in getting Enos & Bloom over as they isolated Jake, cutting the ring in half and wearing him down with quick tags and punishing double-teams, which scored them a few near-falls. Jake managed to battle back and make the hot tag, bringing in the Warrior, who charged in and cleaned house, mowing down both members of the Crew with hard clotheslines. Unfortunately, referee Randy Anderson had been distracted by Heenan and missed the tag, so he tried to usher the Warrior back to his corner, which allowed Bloom & Enos to double-team Roberts behind the official's back. Flair mentioned that Rick Rude must be enjoying watching this wherever he was, as the Crew held the advantage until Jake mounted another comeback and made the hot tag (right in front of the ref this time) to the Warrior, who came in like a house afire and unloaded on the Machine and the Train with punches, clotheslines, and shoulderblocks. Warrior clotheslined the Train over the top rope and went to work on Enos, tossing the brawny Crew member around with slams and back-bodydrops before scooping him up over his head and dropping him with the Gorilla Press. As soon as Enos fell to the mat, Heenan climbed up on the apron, attracting the Warrior's attention, as well as the referee. Warrior and Heenan exchanged some nasty words before the Warrior wound up and smashed the Brain with a big-time roundhouse right. The ref attended to the Brain as Warrior went back over to Enos, when the Great Muta and Mr. Fuji appeared at ringside. Warrior immediately headed their way, leaning over the ropes and yelling out at them about his scarred face. Fuji attempted to whack the Warrior with his cane, but the Ultimate One caught it, at which point Muta suddenly spewed red mist in Warrior's face. While Muta and Fuji retreated up the aisle, the blinded Warrior turned around and staggered into the Crew's Wrecking Ball, the Train viciously spiking the former WWF Champion's head into the canvas. The Train then held the Snake at bay as the Machine pinned the Warrior. Afterwards, Heenan led Enos & Bloom away from the ring while Roberts checked on Warrior, who was just beginning to stir. (80%)

In the locker room, Mean Gene Okerlund was standing by with the Big Boss Man, who brandished his nightstick and handcuffs as he promised that justice would be served tonight when he stepped into the ring with Cactus Jack Manson. The Boss Man informed Mean Gene that he wouldn't be "playing nice" and said that he was going to make Manson earn his Wrestlefest 1991 WWF Title shot at Randy Savage by forcing him to serve "hard time"...NEXT! (74%)

Big Boss Man vs. Cactus Jack Manson

The Big Boss Man entered first, eagerly awaiting his opponent, as Tenay hoped that we would get a response from WWF Champion Randy Savage regarding Manson's "Falls Count Anywhere" challenge tomorrow night on Superstars. Jack looked good in his first real test in the WWF, showing off the "Cactus Clothesline" that sent both competitors tumbling over the top rope to the floor, where they brawled around ringside and up the aisle as the advantage shifted back and forth. The Boss Man continued to prove that he may be worthy of a high-profile push, putting on an entertaining slugfest that the fans seemed to be into as the scuffle returned to the ring. The advantage shifted back and forth several times, neither man seeming particularly interested in gaining a pinfall as they just kept battering each other. In the end, Cactus drilled Boss Man with the Bang Bang for the 1-2-3. (79%)

After the match, Cactus Jack Manson had a sick, toothless grin on his twisted face as he went to the Big Boss Man's corner to retrieve his handcuffs and nightstick. The dazed Boss Man managed to pull himself up and charged over to prevent him from using them, but Manson rammed the nightstick into the big Georgian's midsection before whacking him upside the face with the weapon. Manson tossed the Boss Man through the ropes to the floor and stepped out to the apron, gripping the nightstick by the handle and running down the apron, leaping off with the nightstick-assisted Suicide Elbow, crashing down on the former corrections officer. The commentators put the Elbow over as hurting Jack almost as much as it hurt Boss Man, while Jack sat beside Boss Man still grinning and shouting "bang bang!" like a lunatic. Albert, Tenay, and Flair wondered if Randy Savage knew what he was getting himself into at Wrestlefest 1991 before they closed the program. (74%)

Overall: 77%

Rating: 6.77

Attendance: 10,015

Ticket Sales: $600,900

-----

SUNDAY, JULY 14, 1991 -- WWF SUPERSTARS OF WRESTLING

Booker: Brooklyn Brawler

Quality: 67%

Rating: 5.12

Attendance: 10,042

Ticket Sales: $602,520

-----

During the Update with Sean Mooney on Superstars, Randy Savage indeed accepted the "Falls Count Anywhere" stipulation for his WWF Title defense against Cactus Jack. Here is the updated card, as announced on Superstars, for Wrestlefest 1991 on Sunday, July 28...

WWF Championship/Falls Count Anywhere Match: Randy Savage [champion] vs. Cactus Jack Manson

Grudge Match: Hulk Hogan & Roddy Piper vs. Jerry Lawler & The Undertaker

WWF Intercontinental Title Match: Mr. Perfect [champion] vs. Ricky Steamboat

WWF Television Tag Team Title/Retirement Match: Power & Glory [champions] vs. The Rockers

Province Of Quebec Rules Match: Jim Duggan vs. The Mountie

[Twinfuture06]

awwwwh is the rest of the year gonna get posted?

[Chrononaut]

Sorry guys, kinda forgot about this. I'll try to get all the shows posted. Thanks for reading, and enjoy

MONDAY, JULY 15, 1991 -- WWF PRIME TIME WRESTLING

Vince McMahon and Jesse "The Body" Ventura opened the program LIVE from ringside, introducing the lineup for this evening: the main event six-man tag team bout pitting the Ultimate Warrior, Jake Roberts, & Ricky Steamboat against the Destruction Crew & Rick Rude, the Hart Foundation taking on the Honky Tonk Man & Colonel Fuller, Abdullah The Butcher battling Hawk, Tito Santana facing Bam Bam Bigelow, the Rhodes Family & Hacksaw Duggan in six-man action, a special studio interview with Hulk Hogan, and more.

Bam Bam Bigelow vs. Tito Santana

The commentators put over Bam Bam's fellow "Million Dollar Bounty Hunter", Cactus Jack Manson, for his brutality against the Big Boss Man this past weekend on Saturday Night's Main Event, and hyped the New Mexican Wildman's upcoming Falls Count Anywhere WWF Championship match with Randy Savage at Wrestlefest 1991. This was a solid bout, with the fans really getting behind the underdog Tito as he made comeback after comeback against the dominant Beast From The East, even getting a near-fall on Bigelow after the Flying Forearm. In the end, Bam Bam planted Santana with the Jersey Devil for the duke. (76%)

In the Prime Time studio, Gorilla Monsoon and "Nature Boy" Ric Flair brought up last week's main event, where the Undertaker & Jerry Lawler beat the British Bulldogs after the Nasty Boys got involved, before bringing in their first guests tonight, the Dynamite Kid & Davey Boy Smith. The Englishmen walked in and shook hands with Gorilla, who asked them about the Nasty Boys' interference last week, as well as their challenge to the Bulldogs for a "Number One Contenders" match-up at Wrestlefest 1991. Dynamite seemed perturbed as he pointed out that Saggs & Knobbs didn't need to interfere in their match last week to get them to say yes, and claimed that the Nasties interjecting themselves only served to turn the Bulldogs rabid. Davey Boy said that he wasn't sure whether the "Number One Contenders" stipulation pertained to the World or Television Tag Team Title, but added that it didn't matter because the Bulldogs were hungry to get their paws on any championship in the WWF, officially accepting the challenge. The Bulldogs ended the interview by promising to "take a bite" out of Nastyville at Wrestlefest. (82%)

Backstage at the arena, the Rhodes Family were arguing as Jim Duggan attempted to mediate. The American Dream wanted to know where his son was during Saturday Night's Main Event this past weekend when members of Jimmy Hart's Organization were triple-teaming he and Hacksaw. Dustin had a tinge of jealousy in his voice as he told his father that he felt he wasn't needed since Dusty already had a tag team partner that night, glaring at Duggan. Duggan tried to smooth things over and seemed to be successful as Dustin smiled and promised that the three of them would defeat Les Canadiens & Greg "The Hammer" Valentine this weekend on Saturday Night's Main Event, winking and stating that the victory would come because he was there. (88%)

Six-Man Tag Team Match: "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan & The Rhodes Family (Dusty & Dustin Rhodes) vs. "Playboy" Buddy Rose & Brooklyn Brawler & Iron Mike Sharpe

Ventura admitted that Dustin had a lot of potential, but claimed that he should dump his "dead weight" father, while McMahon hyped the six-man bout for this weekend's Saturday Night's Main Event between the Rhodes Family & Hacksaw and Greg Valentine & Les Canadiens. This was your basic semi-competitive six-man squash that allowed the faces to tune up for Saturday evening on NBC, ending when Dustin tagged himself in and put Iron Mike away with the Rodeo Bulldog. (65%)

In the Prime Time studio, Gorilla Monsoon and Ric Flair introduced the Mountie, Dino Bravo, & Greg "The Hammer" Valentine, who entered the room along with Jimmy Hart, looking proud of themselves as Monsoon mentioned their three-on-two assault on Hacksaw Duggan & Dusty Rhodes this past weekend on Saturday Night's Main Event. The Hammer claimed that "those two slobs" just got what was coming to them after they "cheated" to win over Les Canadiens, and he was proud to be able to help out his friends. Bravo stated in his thick accent that he hated Americans, except for Hart and Valentine of course, and looked forward to destroying the Rhodes Family & Duggan this coming weekend. The Mouth Of The South compared his boys with the face squad, pointing out that the Hammer & Les Canadiens have been friends for years and were more like a family than the Rhodes Family, as Dustin & Dusty couldn't even get along anymore. The Mountie brought up his "Province Of Quebec Rules" match against Duggan coming up at Wrestlefest 1991 as he stood up and walked over to the back of the studio, where the American flag that Duggan presented a couple of weeks ago was hanging. The corrupt law enforcer ripped the flag off the wall and wiped his boots on it as he vowed to do the same thing to Hacksaw this Saturday and at Wrestlefest. (78%)

Honky Tonk Man & Colonel Robert Lee Fuller vs. The Hart Foundation (Bret "Hit Man" Hart & Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart)

McMahon announced a WWF Tag Team Championship bout for next week featuring the Powers Of Pain defending the belts against Demolition, during this entertaining tag team contest. The Colonel & Honky Tonk worked very well as a tandem, using some nice double-teams and sneaky offense as they focused on the Hit Man, isolating him in their corner and working him over. After the heels scored several near-falls on him, Bret mounted a comeback and cracked the Southerners' heads together before making the hot tag to Neidhart, who charged in like a rhino and cleaned house. Soon after, the Anvil covered the Colonel following the Hart Attack from he and the Hit Man. Afterwards, Honky & Fuller tried to gain some revenge, but Hart & Neidhart managed to fight them off. (84%)

After the Hart Foundation cleared the Honky Tonk Man & Colonel Robert Fuller from the ring, Mean Gene Okerlund stepped into the squared circle to interview the former two-time WWF Tag Team Champions. While the Anvil stood beside him cackling maniacally, the Hit Man pointed to their hard-fought victory tonight as proof that they were more than deserving of another shot at the WWF Tag Team Championship, and issued a challenge to the winners of next week's Demolition/Powers Of Pain title bout for July 28's Wrestlefest 1991. Neidhart added that they didn't care whether it was Barbarian & Warlord or Smash & Crush, but they wanted a Steel Cage Match to prevent any outside interference so that the Foundation could regain what was rightfully theirs: the championship belts. (84%)

Abdullah The Butcher vs. Hawk

Mr. Fuji waddled out with the Madman Of The Sudan while McMahon announced that the Butcher would be going one-on-one with Hulk Hogan this weekend on Saturday Night's Main Event in the Hulkster's first match in over six months. This was a fun power brawl, although it was rather sloppy and featured plenty of no-selling, but the fans seemed to be into it as these two beasts tore into each other with reckless abandon. They brawled around ringside and back into the squared circle, where Hawk appeared to have the bout won when he hit the Bird Of Prey from the top turnbuckle, but Fuji wandered into the ring, prompting Hawk to go after him. Hawk pressed the Devious One over his head, walking around the ring to display his incredible strength before slamming Fuji to the canvas. When Hawk turned back to his opponent, Abdullah waffled him with the Meat Cleaver and dropped the Chopping Block to pick up the three-count. (76%)

In the Prime Time studio, Gorilla Monsoon and Ric Flair hyped the Hulk Hogan/Abdullah The Butcher match for this weekend's Saturday Night's Main Event, speculating that Jerry Lawler may have hired the Madman Of The Sudan, through Mr. Fuji, to do some damage to the Immortal One. They introduced the Hulkster himself as their next guest, providing a legendary moment when the Nature Boy got out of his seat and stood face-to-face with Hogan when he entered the studio. After they cautiously shook hands with each other, they both sat down as Monsoon inquired about Hogan's health, mentioning the neck injury inflicted upon him by the King at WrestleMania VII. The Hulkster admitted that it was his least favorite WrestleMania moment and that he seriously thought his career was over, especially when he heard a "crunch" in his neck on the third Piledriver, but he knew he had to come back when he saw Lawler on TV every week taking credit for the death of Hulkamania. Hogan explained that "Hulkamania was just on a little vacation, brother" because Hulkamania would never die, rising from the ashes like the mighty phoenix. Flair interrupted and asked how the inevitable ring rust would affect Hogan's performance against the bloodthirsty Butcher this Saturday, to which Hogan replied that while he may be a bit rusty, he would have the support of his Hulkamaniacs that would help him topple "Abby". The Immortal One claimed that he and "Rowdy" Roddy Piper would also harness that same power at Wrestlefest 1991 to vanquish the King & The Undertaker, finishing by roaring, "WHATCHA GONNA DO, EVIL DUDES, WHEN THE POWER OF HULKAMANIA, THE LARGEST ARMS IN THE WORLD, AND THE HOT ROD RUN WILD ON YOU!" (90%)

Mean Gene Okerlund was in the locker room at the arena to interview Rick Rude, the Destruction Crew, and Bobby Heenan, who was readying his Family members for the six-man main event against the Ultimate Warrior, Jake Roberts, & Ricky Steamboat. The Ravishing One dared the Snake to take him out tonight, while the Brain predicted another big victory for his Family over "those overhyped ham'n'eggers" before he led his squad out. (84%)

Six-Man Tag Team Match: "Ravishing" Rick Rude & The Destruction Crew (Wayne "The Train" Bloom & Mike "The Machine" Enos) vs. Jake "The Snake" Roberts & Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat & Ultimate Warrior

Bobby "The Brain" Heenan accompanied his Heenan Family members as they all walked out to the Ravishing One's theme music, while the faces had separate introductions before storming the ring and chasing the Family away. The Snake started off for his team and Rude teased leading off for the Family, but he weaseled out of the opening lock-up and tagged out to the Machine, who received the brunt of Jake's anger toward Rude. This six-man main event continued at a fairly fast pace, packed full of chaotic action as the advantage shifted back-and-forth throughout the contest, with the Family displaying the better teamwork but the faces battled back with their considerable individual skills. Late in the match-up, referee Joey Marella lost control yet again as all six superstars slugged it out in the ring, when suddenly Mr. Perfect appeared at ringside, tossing his WWF Intercontinental Championship belt to Rude before the Dragon spotted the Flawless One and chased him back to the dressing room. Meanwhile, while the official was busy trying to get Roberts out to the apron, Rude pasted the Warrior with the title belt and threw the gold back to the Brain. Enos & Bloom held Roberts at bay as the ref returned to the action to administer the 1-2-3 when Rude pinned Warrior. Afterwards, Heenan and his troops retreated while McMahon and Ventura closed the show, hyping the return of Hulk Hogan on Saturday Night's Main Event. (83%)

Overall: 81%

Rating: 5.92

Attendance: 10,040

Ticket Sales: $602,400

-----

SATURDAY, JULY 20, 1991 -- NBC/WWF PRESENT: SATURDAY NIGHT'S MAIN EVENT

Marv Albert, Mike Tenay, and "Nature Boy" Ric Flair kicked off the LIVE network broadcast, announcing this evening's lineup, including a six-man match-up featuring Les Canadiens & Greg Valentine against the Rhodes Family & Hacksaw Duggan, the Undertaker & Jerry Lawler facing the Conquistadors, Shawn Michaels taking on Hercules, the Texas Twister & Koko B. Ware meeting Demolition, a special interview with the Ultimate Warrior, and in the main event, Hulk Hogan returning to the WWF ring to battle Abdullah The Butcher.

"Texas Twister" Kevin Von Erich & Koko B. Ware vs. Demolition (Smash & Crush)

Ax marched out with his Demolition brothers-in-paint as the commentators hyped their upcoming WWF Tag Team Title shot against the Powers Of Pain on this Monday's Prime Time Wrestling. This was a solid opening tag team bout featuring some good teamwork from both squads, although Demolition dominated most of the contest, finishing off their opponents when Crush covered the Bird Man following the Decapitation Elbow from the top turnbuckle. (76%)

After the match, Mean Gene Okerlund came out to interview Demolition at ringside, asking about Prime Time Wrestling this Monday night and their title shot at WWF Tag Team Champions Powers Of Pain. Ax barked that it was about time they received a title shot and warned that, even though Crush & Smash had joined forces with Warlord & Barbarian in the past, they were going to blast "those Demolition wanna-bes" to pieces and take the championship that he declared should have been theirs all along. Smash added that after they kick the Powers' "stinkin' teeth down their stinkin' throats" on Monday, they would accept the Hart Foundation's Steel Cage challenge and annihilate them "back to the stone age" at Wrestlefest 1991. (84%)

Six-Man Tag Team Match: Les Canadiens (The Mountie & Dino Bravo) & Greg "The Hammer" Valentine vs. "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan & The Rhodes Family (Dusty & Dustin Rhodes)

Jimmy Hart waved the Canadian flag and jabbered through his megaphone as he led his Hart Organization members to the ring for this heated six-man contest that featured hard-hitting action from all six bruisers. Both trios worked well together as the advantage shifted back-and-forth throughout the contest with several near-falls and chaotic brawling. Late in the bout, a donnybrook erupted with all six competitors slugging it out as referee Shane McMahon seemed to lose control. While the official tried to separate Hacksaw and the Mountie, the Mouth Of The South used the opportunity to toss his megaphone to Valentine. However, Dustin intercepted the throw, catching the megaphone as Dusty grabbed hold of Valentine, much to the fans' delight. Dustin went to hit Valentine, but he ducked and Dustin accidentally clobbered his father with the megaphone. Bravo moved in and knocked Dustin out through the ropes while the Hammer hooked the American Dream's leg for the 1-2-3. Afterwards, Duggan and Dustin attended to Dusty while Jimmy Hart and his men took off, happy with their victory. (74%)

Jesse "The Body" Ventura was in the locker room along with Slick, personal bodyguard Bad News Brown, and co-WWF Television Tag Team Champion Hercules, who was flexing his massive muscles as he warmed up for his match against Shawn Michaels. The Doctor Of Style held the Mighty One's title belt in his hands as he explained that tonight was just a little preview of what was going to happen at Wrestlefest 1991 when Power & Glory put the Rockers out of tag team competition. Herc smiled and said that he was ready to snap Michaels in half. (84%)

Shawn Michaels vs. The Mighty Hercules

Slick, along with his personal bodyguard Bad News Brown, escorted the co-WWF Television Tag Team Champion, while the Rocker was flying solo tonight. This was indeed a good preview of the upcoming Rockers/Power & Glory match-up at Wrestlefest 1991, as Hercules controlled Michaels with his famed power attack, while Michaels kept fighting back with his tenacious aerial assault and lightning-quick agility, providing an entertaining contest. During the bout, Paul "Romeo" Roma joined Slick and Brown at ringside to cheer on his tag team partner, only getting involved once when he provided a distraction. In the end, Shawn went for a high cross-body off the ropes but the Mighty One caught him and managed to get him into position across his broad shoulders, stretching him with the Horizontal Backbreaker (a.k.a. Lex Luger's Torture Rack in WCW) for the submission win. Afterwards, Roma climbed into the ring and stomped Michaels while Hercules retrieved his steel chain from the Doctor Of Style. Suddenly, Marty Jannetty sprinted out and jumped on Romeo, unfurling a flurry of fists, but Herc lowered the boom and smashed Jannetty from behind with the chain. The WWF Television Tag Team Champions kicked the Masters Of Motion a few more times before leaving with Slick and Bad News as the fans booed. (83%)

Cameras backstage showed Brother Love leading the fearsome Undertaker down a hallway while reciting passages from the Bible-like "Book Of Love". Love had a zealous smile across his chubby red face, while the Dead Man looked as deadly serious as always as they headed to the entrance area. (80%)

"The King" Jerry Lawler & The Undertaker vs. The Conquistadors (Conquistador #1 & Conquistador #2)

Carrying the Book Of Love, Brother Love accompanied his Grim Reaper, while the Undisputed 1991 WWF King Of The Ring was carried to the ring on his throne. This was basically a competitive squash, although the masked Latinos did garner a couple of near-falls on Lawler until the Dead Man was tagged back in and destroyed both Conquistadors. The Undertaker covered #1 following an impressive double-team Spike Tombstone with the King pushing on the Conquistador's feet. Afterwards, when #2 came in to check on his tag team partner, the King attacked the smaller Conquistador and planted him with the Royal Piledriver. Before they left, Love stepped into the ring and performed the last rites on the Conquistadors. (78%)

A video aired on Cactus Jack Manson, showing him wandering around his hometown of Truth Or Consequences, New Mexico, and the surrounding areas, including the ruins of an old ghost town. The shots of Cactus revisiting his youth were interspersed with comments from townsfolk (the usual old ladies and old men) who talked about him causing trouble ever since his parents abandoned him in "T Or C". One middle-aged woman suggested that he was raised by a pack of rabid coyotes in the surrounding desert, while the proprietor of a barber shop claimed that "that boy was just born bad" and would remain that way until the day he dies. The segment ended with Manson standing atop an abandoned military fort, ranting about WWF Champion Randy Savage and screaming, "Bang bang!" over and over again. (76%)

Back in the arena, Vince McMahon was standing on the interview platform holding a microphone as he introduced the Ultimate Warrior, who came out to a nice pop from the crowd. McMahon announced that the Warrior would be challenging Mr. Perfect for the WWF Intercontinental Championship on Prime Time Wrestling this Monday evening, but the Ultimate One appeared somber as he admitted that fate had been against him in recent weeks. He recounted the fireball thrown by Mr. Fuji at WWF War Zone that may leave him scarred for life, as well as the quarter-final loss to Rick Rude at King Of The Ring, and the tag team losses last week on Saturday Night's Main Event and this past Monday on Prime Time, claiming that he had disgraced his gods. Warrior informed McMahon that the only way to redeem himself was to face the Great Muta in his own element and emerge triumphant. When McMahon asked what exactly he meant, the Warrior made it clear, challenging Muta to a "Mouth Of Hell" match in which the ring would be surrounded by fire, and the winner would be the man who could throw his opponent into the flames. The fans, as well as McMahon, seemed confused and shocked as the Warrior walked off the stage and headed toward the curtain, where Muta himself charged out to ambush the former WWF Champion. However, Warrior was ready and traded punches and chops with Muta as they brawled around the aisleway and back through the curtains. (80%)

In the locker room, Mean Gene Okerlund interviewed Mr. Fuji while Abdullah The Butcher stood behind the Devious One, gnawing on a "Hulk Rules" t-shirt. Fuji first accepted the Ultimate Warrior's challenge to the Great Muta for Wrestlefest 1991, grinning deviously as he uttered the words "Mouth Of Hell", before Okerlund asked about Abdullah's bout tonight against Hulk Hogan. Fuji explained that, for as long as he'd been managing in the WWF, the Hulkster had always gotten the better of his men, but claimed that Hogan had never come face-to-face with a bloodthirsty animal like the Butcher. Jerry Lawler entered the scene and shook hands with Fuji, both men grinning as the King told the Madman Of The Sudan to hack the Hulkster to pieces. Fuji and Abdullah went to leave, but suddenly Muta and Warrior came barging in, brawling around the room as WWF agents and officials tried to separate them. (80%)

Abdullah The Butcher vs. "The Immortal" Hulk Hogan

Mr. Fuji waddled out with the Madman Of The Sudan as the commentators hyped the Ultimate Warrior/Great Muta "Mouth Of Hell" match at Wrestlefest 1991, the first of its kind ever in the WWF. The Hulkster strode out to a huge pop, greeting his Hulkamaniacs on his way down the aisle as Flair pointed out that Hogan's last match took place in January on Prime Time Wrestling, where he lost to Randy Savage, pushing the "ring rust" factor. Although the Immortal One started off strong, the dreaded ring rust set in as Abdullah took control, busting Hogan open with a hidden spike while Fuji distracted referee Earl Hebner. Abdullah spent the next several minutes punishing Hogan with all manner of nefarious, yet unorthodox, tactics including biting, choking, and clawing at the wound on the Hulkster's forehead. The Butcher continued to thrash Hogan when the main event spilled out to ringside, ramming Hogan against any stationary object he could find. Back on the inside, Hogan "hulked up", popping the crowd as he unloaded on Abdullah with a series of right hands before Irish-whipping him into the ropes and nailing him with the big boot on the rebound. However, Abdullah did not go down, until the Hulkster displayed his tremendous strength as he scooped up the 375-pound Sudanese Psychopath and planted him with a big-time bodyslam. Hogan then ran off the ropes and dropped the patented Hulkster Legdrop for the three-count. Afterwards, Jerry Lawler appeared at the entrance curtain looking unhappy as "Real American" blared throughout the arena. The Hulkster went through his famous posedown routine to a thunderous ovation while Albert, Tenay, and Flair signed off. (80%)

Overall: 79%

Rating: 6.71

Attendance: 10,003

Ticket Sales: $600,180

-----

SUNDAY, JULY 21, 1991 -- WWF SUPERSTARS OF WRESTLING

Booker: Brother Love

Quality: 69%

Rating: 5.12

Attendance: 10,049

Ticket Sales: $602,940

-----

Here is the updated card, as announced on Superstars, for Wrestlefest 1991 on Sunday, July 28...

WWF Championship/Falls Count Anywhere Match: Randy Savage [champion] vs. Cactus Jack Manson

Grudge Match: Hulk Hogan & Roddy Piper vs. Jerry Lawler & The Undertaker

WWF Intercontinental Title Match: Mr. Perfect [champion] vs. Ricky Steamboat

WWF Television Tag Team Title/Retirement Match: Power & Glory [champions] vs. The Rockers

Mouth Of Hell Match: Ultimate Warrior vs. The Great Muta

Number One Contenders Match: The British Bulldogs vs. The Nasty Boys

Province Of Quebec Rules Match: Jim Duggan vs. The Mountie

BREAKING NEWS!

Over the weekend, Titan Sports Inc. hammered out a deal that saw them purchase the United States Wrestling Association from Jerry Jarrett, who had seen a severe downturn in business after the WWF stole some of their top stars, including Jerry Lawler, Kevin Von Erich, and Robert Fuller, earlier this year. Although details are sketchy at this early stage, apparently the WWF will be moving their development territory from Calgary's Stampede Wrestling to the USWA in Memphis, keeping some of the USWA workers that the WWF thinks have potential. Other members of the USWA roster, including WWF veterans such as Lanny "The Genius" Poffo and "Dangerous" Danny Davis, will be used on WWF television as "enhancement talent", possibly as soon as next week, while the remaining workers, mostly working on verbal contracts, were scheduled to be released this week. Pat Patterson will continue to oversee the development program as it relocates to Memphis.

-----

MONDAY, JULY 22, 1991 -- WWF PRIME TIME WRESTLING

Vince McMahon and Jesse "The Body" Ventura started the show hyping Wrestlefest 1991 this Sunday in Yankee Stadium, before running through tonight's program: Mr. Perfect defending the WWF Intercontinental Championship in the main event against the Ultimate Warrior, Demolition challenging the Powers Of Pain for the WWF Tag Team Championship, Marty Jannetty meeting Paul Roma one-on-one, Bob Backlund in action, a special studio interview with Hulk Hogan & Roddy Piper, and more.

Bob Backlund vs. The Black Phantom

McMahon announced that Bob Backlund would be facing Cactus Jack Manson this weekend on Saturday Night's Main Event, during this semi-competitive squash that saw the former WWF Champion wrestle circles around his masked opponent. Backlund forced the Phantom to submit to the Cross-Face Chicken-Wing. (62%)

Mean Gene Okerlund was in the locker room along with Slick, bodyguard Bad News Brown, and co-WWF Television Tag Team Champion Paul Roma, who was sitting on a bench shining his title belt. The Doctor Of Style looked pleased as he recounted Hercules' victory over Shawn Michaels this past weekend on Saturday Night's Main Event and predicted a similar result tonight for Romeo against Marty Jannetty. Roma claimed that not only would he win tonight, but that Power & Glory were going to put the Rockers out of the WWF "for good" this Sunday at Wrestlefest 1991, pointing out that he was in the prime of his career and was not about to be forced into an early retirement. (75%)

Paul "Romeo" Roma vs. Marty Jannetty

Slick, along with his personal bodyguard Bad News Brown, escorted the co-WWF Television Tag Team Champion while the commentators hyped the retirement stipulation for the Power & Glory/Rockers bout this Sunday at Wrestlefest 1991, explaining what a blow it would be to any of the four competitors involved, as both Rockers and Roma were in their prime, while Hercules was experiencing a career renaissance over the last several months. As expected, this was a fast-paced, well-worked contest with plenty of action and near-falls. At one point, Hercules joined the Doctor Of Style and his bodyguard at ringside, but was soon followed by Shawn Michaels, who stood in his fellow Rocker's corner to root him on. Later in the match-up, after Jannetty nailed a sweet superkick on Roma, Slick hopped up on the apron to distract referee Randy Anderson, which gave Hercules the opportunity to pass his steel chain to Romeo. Michaels attempted to enter the ring to prevent any rulebreaking, but Bad News sprang into action, yanking the blond Rocker off the apron and ramming him into the ringpost. Meanwhile, Roma blasted Jannetty with the chain when Marty unknowingly dove from the top turnbuckle with the Flying Fistdrop. Roma quickly disposed of the evidence before the official returned to the action and administered the 1-2-3 for Romeo. (77%)

In the Prime Time studio, Gorilla Monsoon and "Nature Boy" Ric Flair ran down half of the card for this Sunday's Wrestlefest 1991, including Power & Glory defending the WWF Television Tag Team Championship against the Rockers, Cactus Jack Manson challenging Randy Savage for the WWF Championship in a Falls Count Anywhere match, Hacksaw Duggan facing the Mountie in a Province Of Quebec Rules match, and in a Mouth Of Hell match, the Ultimate Warrior battling their first guest this evening, the Great Muta along with Mr. Fuji. Once they both sat down, Monsoon announced that Muta would be taking on Roddy Piper this weekend on Saturday Night's Main Event, and wondered if Jerry Lawler still had Fuji in his back pocket. Fuji admitted that he and the King had a "business arrangement" that could be very profitable if Muta were to knock off Hot Rod the night before Wrestlefest, but added that the Rowdy Scot was also a stepping stone for Muta as he climbs the ladder of contention in the WWF. Fuji grinned when Monsoon brought up the Mouth Of Hell match and explained that Muta has no fear, which would give him the advantage since the Warrior had first-hand experience with what can happen when you play with fire. Fuji cackled deviously before he and Muta left. (81%)

Backstage at the arena, Mean Gene Okerlund interviewed Paul Ellering while WWF Tag Team Champions Powers Of Pain grunted and snorted in the background. Precious Paul started by telling Mean Gene that after Warlord & Barbarian retain their belts tonight, they would "consider" defending the gold inside the 15-foot-high steel cage at Wrestlefest 1991 against the Hart Foundation. When Okerlund suggested that they were overlooking the formidable Demolition, Ellering claimed that he "invented" the idea of facepainted tag teams, referring to the Legion Of Doom, and boasted that imitators could never overcome the originator. (70%)

WWF Tag Team Title Match: Powers Of Pain (Barbarian & Warlord) [champions] vs. Demolition (Smash & Crush)

Ax marched out with the challengers, while Paul Ellering led his WWF Tag Team Champions down the aisle, for this rare heel vs. heel championship bout which Ventura explained stemmed from the Powers Of Pain's botched interference in the Demolition/Hart Foundation match from about a month ago. This was a slightly disappointing, slow, plodding match-up that nonetheless featured plenty of treachery from both squads and interference from both managers, resulting in a few near-falls, as the commentators mentioned Ax & Smash's victory over the Powers & Mr. Fuji two years ago at WrestleMania V. As expected, a pier six brawl erupted with all four warpainted brutes slugging it out at once, when the Hart Foundation stormed the ring, grabbing the championship belts from the timekeeper's table along the way. The Anvil & Hit Man utilized the element of surprise, laying out both teams with the belts while referee Joey Marella called for the bell and ruled the match a no-contest. (70%)

After the match, Demolition were ushered away by referee Joey Marella while the Powers Of Pain re-entered the ring and tried to exact some revenge on the Hart Foundation, but Jim Neidhart & Bret Hart were ready and whacked Barbarian & Warlord with the WWF Tag Team Championship belts, driving them from the squared circle again. The Anvil & Hit Man hollered that the title would be theirs once more this Sunday at Wrestlefest 1991 before throwing the belts down at the Powers as they headed up the aisle with Paul Ellering, who yelled back that their challenge was officially accepted. (81%)

In the Prime Time studio, Gorilla Monsoon and Ric Flair went through the rest of the Wrestlefest 1991 card for this Sunday, including the Hart Foundation apparently challenging the Powers Of Pain in a Steel Cage match for the WWF Tag Team Championship, Mr. Perfect defending the WWF Intercontinental Championship against Ricky Steamboat, the Nasty Boys meeting the British Bulldogs in a Number One Contenders match, and the Undertaker & Jerry Lawler squaring off with their next guests, "Rowdy" Roddy Piper & Hulk Hogan, who walked in together, the Immortal One with a bandage on his forehead. Hot Rod brought up his upcoming bout with the Great Muta this weekend on Saturday Night's Main Event and said that he was looking forward to "kicking some Japanese butt", but the Nature Boy interrupted and tried to instigate trouble as he asked how Hogan & Piper would function as a tag team at Wrestlefest after their many public battles over the years. The Rowdy One snapped at Flair, telling him to "shut up" and explaining that there was a fine line between love and hate, admitting that while they may be straddling that line these days, they shared a blood bond and a common hatred for their opponents. The Hulkster claimed that their ring wars throughout the '80s actually brought them closer together, pointing out that even though Piper never defeated him, he still respected the Scotsman. Hogan & Piper finished the interview with a combined "Whatcha gonna do... WHEN THE HULKSTER... AND THE HOT ROD... RUN WILD ALL OVER YOU!" (91%)

Mean Gene Okerlund was in the locker room at the arena to interview Bobby Heenan and WWF Intercontinental Champion Mr. Perfect, who was warming up for his title defense tonight against the Ultimate Warrior. The Brain whined about how unfair it was for Perfect to have to face the Warrior less than a week before his scheduled match with Ricky Steamboat at Wrestlefest 1991, but Okerlund suggested that if the Flawless One were to lose the belt tonight, it would be the Warrior going on to defend against the Dragon, so he need not worry about it. Perfect interrupted as his manager was about to freak out, assuring Heenan that he would handle things the way he always has: Perfectly. (87%)

WWF Intercontinental Title Match: Mr. Perfect [champion] vs. Ultimate Warrior

Bobby "The Brain" Heenan accompanied his WWF Intercontinental Champion for this main event, as McMahon pointed out that the Great Muta and Mr. Fuji would be unable to interfere since they were in the studio earlier. This one started off slowly as Perfect kept stalling, slipping out of lock-ups and putting his leg through the ropes, but things got hotter when the Warrior dragged Perfect away from the ropes and opened up on him with roundhouse rights. Warrior dominated the opening minutes with his power arsenal until Heenan interfered to turn the tide, allowing Perfect to take the former WWF Champion to the canvas and keep him grounded with mat holds, which Ventura said was a great strategy. After several minutes, the fans rallied behind Warrior as he powered back to his feet and escaped from a rear-chinlock, rocking Perfect with clotheslines and shoulderblocks. The Warrior even pulled out the flying double-axhandle from the top turnbuckle for a very close near-fall, popping the crowd. Soon after, when Warrior went to scoop up the Intercontinental Champion, Perfect countered with a small package for a near-fall of his own. When both men got back up, Perfect scored with a quick kick to the groin and snared the Warrior in the Perfectplex for the three-count. (80%)

Following the match, Mr. Perfect paraded around the ring holding the WWF Intercontinental Championship belt over his head while the Ultimate Warrior solemnly marched up the aisle. Bobby Heenan retrieved the microphone for Perfect, who bragged about his victory over the Warrior before calling out Ricky Steamboat, assuming that he wasn't in the building tonight. However, the Dragon sprinted out in street clothes, pointing up at the Flawless One as he slid into the ring and kicked off a heated brawl with the Intercontinental Champion, trading fists and chops. The scuffle continued until a horde of WWF road agents and officials flooded down to the squared circle to separate the two rivals. Meanwhile, McMahon and Ventura hyped Wrestlefest 1991 this Sunday as the program ended. (92%)

Overall: 79%

Rating: 5.92

Attendance: 10,039

Ticket Sales: $602,340

-----

SATURDAY, JULY 27, 1991 -- NBC/WWF PRESENT: SATURDAY NIGHT'S MAIN EVENT

Marv Albert, Mike Tenay, and "Nature Boy" Ric Flair opened the LIVE network broadcast with hype for tomorrow evening's Wrestlefest 1991 before introducing this evening's lineup: Cactus Jack Manson meeting Bob Backlund, the Hart Foundation squaring off against WWF Tag Team Champions Powers Of Pain in singles matches pitting Bret Hart against the Barbarian and Jim Neidhart against the Warlord, the Nasty Boys & The Mountie battling the British Bulldogs & Hacksaw Duggan in six-man action, and in the main event, the Great Muta taking on Roddy Piper.

Mean Gene Okerlund was in the locker room along with Paul Ellering and WWF Tag Team Champions Powers Of Pain, who were preparing for their separate singles matches against the Hart Foundation tonight. Precious Paul claimed that he had demanded these one-on-one encounters after Jim Neidhart & Bret Hart attacked Warlord & Barbarian during their title defense against Demolition this past week on Prime Time Wrestling, so that the Powers could completely massacre the Foundation using the old "divide and conquer" strategy. He promised that he would be keeping the belts for a long, long time. (76%)

Bret "Hit Man" Hart vs. Barbarian

Paul Ellering followed his co-WWF Tag Team Champion down the aisle for this highly entertaining opening bout, which saw some hot back-and-forth action. The Barbarian tried to slow the tempo with his methodical power attack, obviously attempting to soften Hart up for the Steel Cage tag team match tomorrow evening at Wrestlefest 1991, while the Hit Man mounted a comeback using his speed, intelligence, and pure wrestling skill. In the end, the Hit Man rolled the Barbarian up in a reverse cradle after the Power Of Pain missed a charge into the corner. Afterwards, when Bret retreated from the ring and backed up the aisle, the Warlord charged out and laid him out from behind with his championship belt. Warlord stood over Hart, asking him how it felt as Barbarian joined him in the aisle to further the damage, but Jim Neidhart arrived on the scene and chased the Powers and Precious Paul off. (85%)

Jesse "The Body" Ventura was backstage to interview Jimmy Hart, the Mountie, and the Nasty Boys, who were all looking forward to mauling the British Bulldogs & Jim Duggan in a few minutes. The Mouth Of The South boasted that Wrestlefest 1991 tomorrow evening would be easy after the six-man match tonight, because there would be nothing left of the Dynamite Kid, Davey Boy Smith, or Hacksaw once his Hart Organization were through with them. Saggs, Knobbs, & Mountie all echoed those statements before they headed out with Jimmy. (86%)

Six-Man Tag Team Match: The Mountie & The Nasty Boys (Brian Knobbs & Jerry Saggs) vs. "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan & The British Bulldogs (Davey Boy Smith & Dynamite Kid)

Battle of the flags here, as Jimmy Hart waved the Canadian flag when he escorted his Organization to the ring, while the Bulldogs carried the Union Jack and Duggan raised the American flag when their trio came out. This was a hard-hitting, well-worked six-man encounter that allowed the commentators to hype two separate matches for Wrestlefest 1991: the Bulldogs meeting the Nasties in a Number One Contenders bout, while Hacksaw and the Mountie tangle in a contest held under Province Of Quebec Rules. The advantage shifted many times throughout the course of the match-up, although the Hart Organization members were more of a well-oiled machine than their opponents. Late in the contest, Saggs & Knobbs squashed Dynamite with the Pit Stop Drop, then held Duggan & Davey Boy at bay while the Mountie covered the Kid for the 1-2-3. Afterwards, all six bruisers brawled back to the dressing room. (78%)

Warlord vs. Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart

Paul Ellering led his larger half of the WWF Tag Team Champions to the ring, while the Anvil marched out looking very disturbed as he climbed into the squared circle and immediately began brawling with the Warlord. The commentators mentioned that Bret Hart was receiving medical attention backstage after being whacked with the tag title belt earlier, while Neidhart looked impressive against the massive Power Of Pain, who took control when he caught Neidhart as he was attempting a cross-bodyblock off the ropes. The awesome display of strength awed the crowd as Warlord powerslammed Neidhart for a surprising near-fall. The Warlord dominated the next several minutes with his crushing power arsenal, wearing down the Anvil until the fans rallied behind the former two-time co-WWF Tag Team Champion as he broke out of a bearhug and mounted a comeback. The Anvil was on a roll until Precious Paul distracted referee Mark Johnson while the Barbarian raced down the aisle and stood up on the apron, motioning for a headbutt. However, when Warlord Irish-whipped Neidhart toward him, the Anvil reversed it and the Warlord crashed into the Barbarian, knocking him to the floor while Warlord turned around and staggered into a powerslam from Neidhart for the three-count when the ref returned to the action. Afterwards, the combined forces of the Powers Of Pain overwhelmed the Anvil, pounding him down to the canvas until the Hit Man appeared and chased off the WWF Tag Team Champions. (84%)

In the locker room, Mean Gene Okerlund interviewed Cactus Jack Manson, who had a sick grin on his hairy face as he spoke about the many ways he could hurt WWF Champion Randy Savage during their Falls Count Anywhere match tomorrow evening at Wrestlefest 1991. The New Mexican Madman said that they may start out in Yankee Stadium, but the match-up could end in Shea Stadium, promising to splatter the Macho Man's blood all over New York in the name of the Million Dollar Man. Before leaving, Cactus warned Savage to watch what he was about to do to Bob Backlund...NEXT! (71%)

Bob Backlund vs. Cactus Jack Manson

Tenay stressed the total difference in styles here, although these two meshed surprisingly well as opponents, creating a great match-up that saw Backlund try to counter Manson's reckless brawling technique with his tremendous mat game, taking down the 300-pound bounty hunter and stretching him with amateur-style submission holds. Flair pointed out that it may not have been very bright to wrestle Backlund the night before the big match at Wrestlefest 1991, since the former WWF Champion was a marathon man who could take Cactus to the limit and really wear him out, leaving Manson exhausted for tomorrow's Falls Count Anywhere contest with reigning WWF Champion Randy Savage. When the bout spilled out to ringside, Cactus was completely in his element and grabbed the advantage, hurling Backlund against the ring steps and ramming him head-first into the ringpost. After dropping the Suicide Elbow from the apron to the floor, Jack rolled Backlund back into the ring and drilled him with the Bang Bang to secure the victory. (83%)

Following the match, Cactus Jack continued to assault Bob Backlund until the former WWF Champion somehow got his second wind, struggling to his feet and battling back against the New Mexican Madman. While Manson and Backlund scuffled, Bam Bam Bigelow & Virgil stormed the ring, followed by Ted DiBiase, and blindsided Backlund, knocking him to the mat and stomping the hell out of him. This vicious, unprovoked, four-on-one assault continued until the crowd popped as WWF Champion "Macho Man" Randy Savage rushed down to the squared circle and chased off the Million Dollar Empire. However, when the Macho Man focused on the Million Dollar Man, the numbers game came back to haunt him as Manson, Bigelow, & Virgil swarmed the WWF Champion, hammering him down to the canvas and leaving him laying near Backlund before the four members of the Empire exited triumphantly. (87%)

Backstage, Roddy Piper was warming up for his main event bout tonight against the Great Muta when Hulk Hogan entered the dressing room. Hot Rod eyed him somewhat suspiciously as the Hulkster explained that he took on Abdullah The Butcher last week, so he knew how devious Mr. Fuji truly was. The Immortal One assured the Scotsman that he would be watching his back tonight so that both of them would be at 100% for tomorrow evening's Wrestlefest 1991. The Rowdy One nodded at Hogan before heading out for his match-up. (89%)

The Great Muta vs. "Rowdy" Roddy Piper

Mr. Fuji waddled out with his Asian Sensation while the commentators hyped Muta's Mouth Of Hell match against the Ultimate Warrior tomorrow evening at Wrestlefest 1991, calling it the first of its kind in the history of the WWF and warned that it might not be for the weak of heart. This was a hot main event, contrasting the innovative, high-risk, aerial offense of Muta with the traditional, straight-ahead, street-fighting style that Hot Rod employs, which made for a very interesting contest featuring relatively fast-paced action and several near-falls from both competitors. Fuji interfered at one point, hooking Piper's foot with his cane, to give control to the Great One for an extended period as he continues to push himself higher up the card in the WWF with his impressive performances. During the match-up, referee Tim White got bumped when Piper ducked a spinning heel kick from Muta that inadvertently nailed the official. The Scotsman used the opportunity to open up on Muta with lightning-like lefts and rights, finally flooring him with a roundhouse right after a poke to the eyes. Piper then clamped the Sleeperhold on Muta as Fuji climbed up on the apron from behind, raising his cane over his head as he prepared to crack the Rowdy One with it. Fortunately, the Ultimate Warrior sprinted out and grabbed the cane out of Fuji's clutches before yanking the Devious One down to the floor and decking him with a short-clothesline. Meanwhile, the ref awoke and dropped Muta's arm three times, awarding the decision via submission to Hot Rod. (87%)

After the bell rang, Roddy Piper slapped the Great Muta across his painted face a few times to wake him up, then tossed him over the top rope to the floor, where the Ultimate Warrior caught him. Warrior and Muta brawled back to the dressing room while Hot Rod climbed up on the turnbuckles, celebrating his main event victory. Suddenly, the lights went out for several moments and when they came back on, the Undertaker was in the ring, gripping the Rowdy One by the throat while Brother Love and "The King" Jerry Lawler surrounded him, encouraging the Grim Reaper as he brutally chokeslammed Piper into the mat. Love snuck in a few kicks before the King dragged Piper up into position for the Royal Piledriver, threatening to "snap his neck" one more time, when finally Hulk Hogan made the run-in, swinging a metal folding chair. The King and the Brother were scared off immediately, but the Undertaker didn't budge until the Immortal One drove him against the ropes using the chair. The Dead Man fell over the top rope but landed on his feet, glaring up at Hogan as Love and Lawler pulled the Pale Destroyer with them up the aisle. Hogan helped Piper regain his vertical base in the squared circle while Albert, Tenay, and Flair hyped Wrestlefest 1991 tomorrow evening one more time before closing the show. (88%)

Overall: 83%

Rating: 6.44

Attendance: 10,020

Ticket Sales: $601,200

-----

Here we go, the big event is tomorrow evening as Wrestlefest 1991 will be broadcast LIVE from New York's Yankee Stadium on Sunday, July 28, featuring the following card...

WWF Championship/Falls Count Anywhere Match: Randy Savage [champion] vs. Cactus Jack Manson

Grudge Match: Hulk Hogan & Roddy Piper vs. Jerry Lawler & The Undertaker

WWF Intercontinental Title Match: Mr. Perfect [champion] vs. Ricky Steamboat

WWF Tag Team Title/Steel Cage Match: Powers Of Pain [champions] vs. The Hart Foundation

WWF Television Tag Team Title/Retirement Match: Power & Glory [champions] vs. The Rockers

Mouth Of Hell Match: Ultimate Warrior vs. The Great Muta

Number One Contenders Match: The British Bulldogs vs. The Nasty Boys

Province Of Quebec Rules Match: Jim Duggan vs. The Mountie

[Chrononaut]

SUNDAY, JULY 28, 1991 -- WWF WRESTLEFEST 1991

During the Preview Show hosted by Mean Gene Okerlund and Mike Tenay, Vince McMahon interviewed the Hart Foundation in the locker room regarding this evening's Steel Cage match against the Powers Of Pain for the WWF Tag Team Championship. As Bret Hart & Jim Neidhart spoke about Warlord & Barbarian, the Destruction Crew stormed into the room and blindsided the former two-time WWF Tag Team Champions. While Bobby "The Brain" Heenan egged them on as he blocked the doorway, Mike "The Machine" Enos & Wayne "The Train" Bloom beat the Anvil & Hit Man down to the floor, laying them out. The Brain reminded the Foundation that he would make them pay for turning down his offer to join the Heenan Family, before exiting with his Crew as McMahon called for help. (85%)

The pay-per-view itself kicked off with Gorilla Monsoon, Jesse "The Body" Ventura, and "Nature Boy" Ric Flair on a special broadcast platform set up against the wall in the outfield of Yankee Stadium, with the ring set up in the middle of the baseball diamond, surrounded by the crowd all over the field. They announced the attendance at over 40,000, but according to insiders, almost half were either guests, Yankee executives, or let in for free to make the crowd look good on TV. Still, it looked impressive. The commentators said that it was a beautiful summer evening in New York as they discussed some of the top matches on the card before handing it over to ring announcer Howard "The Fink" Finkel in the squared circle.

Number One Contenders Match: The Nasty Boys (Brian Knobbs & Jerry Saggs) vs. The British Bulldogs (Davey Boy Smith & Dynamite Kid)

Jimmy Hart escorted his Nasty Boys for this very important opening contest as Ventura recalled how close the Nasties came to becoming WWF Tag Team Champions back in April at WrestleMania VII. Smart choice for a hot opener, as the crowd popped for almost everything the Bulldogs did, while booing the Nasties whenever they were in control. This was a well-worked bout with double-teams and near-falls galore from both squads, going back-and-forth as all four competitors struggled to eke out a victory. In the end, the Bulldogs emerged with the duke when Davey Boy covered Saggs following the Diving Headbutt from Dynamite. Afterwards, while the Bulldogs celebrated in the squared circle, Knobbs & Saggs argued with the Mouth Of The South at ringside before they left together. (85%)

Province Of Quebec Rules Match: The Mountie vs. "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan

Jimmy Hart made another appearance, waving the Canadian flag as he walked out alongside his Mountie, while the commentators wondered exactly what Province Of Quebec Rules were. Hacksaw marched out holding Old Glory high, playing to the crowd as referee Danny Marsh took the microphone and explained that "you both know the rules", adding that there would only be one warning allotted to each competitor before he would call for the disqualification. While Duggan protested that he didn't know what the rules were, the Mountie blindsided him with a forearm shot, following with a series of European uppercuts before taking Duggan to the mat and stretching him as the commentators speculated on the rules. Duggan rallied back, breaking out of a top-wristlock and cocking his fist to deliver a punch, but the official stopped him and warned that closed fists were an automatic disqualification. Duggan then prepared to kick the Mountie, but the ref informed him that straight kicks were also illegal, so Hacksaw went to Irish-whip the Canadian into the corner. Again, the ref stopped him and motioned that Irish-whips and moves in the corner were both illegal as well. The Mountie took advantage of the confusion, rolling up Duggan for a two-count, as the bout continued this way, Duggan discovering that even elbowsmashes, shoulderblocks, and clotheslines were against the Province Of Quebec Rules. Monsoon speculated that the Mountie had made up the rules to cancel out most of Hacksaw's offense, which seemed to be the case as Duggan was stymied. Left with nothing else to work with, Duggan shocked everyone by taking the Mountie down with a go-behind waistlock and proceeding to surprise the corrupt law enforcer with a succession of smooth amateur-style holds and maneuvers, turning this bout into a clean scientific match-up. Late in the contest, Duggan executed a nice belly-to-belly suplex and got into position for the Three Point Stance, drawing the attention of the official, who threatened to disqualify him. While Duggan argued with the ref, another Mountie emerged from underneath the ring and dragged the original Mountie out to the floor before taking his place, laying on the canvas holding his head. Hacksaw came over, thinking it was the Mountie as he pulled the man to his feet. The false Mountie quickly scored with a reverse mule kick to the groin and an inside cradle to pick up the win, as the ref signaled that lowblows were in fact legal. The second Mountie rolled out to ringside, where he and the first Mountie celebrated with the Mouth Of The South as the commentators recognized him as none other than the Mountie's brother, Raymond Rougeau, sans mustache. The Rougeaus and Hart mocked Duggan as he struggled to get to his feet, looking more confused than ever. (73%)

WWF Tag Team Title/Steel Cage Match: Powers Of Pain (Barbarian & Warlord) [champions] vs. The Hart Foundation (Bret "Hit Man" Hart & Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart)

While the cage was being constructed, a promo aired for SummerSlam '91 on Sunday, August 25, which the commentators discussed as the finishing touches were being done on the cage. Paul Ellering led out his WWF Tag Team Champions first while Ventura speculated on the condition of the Hart Foundation after the Preview Show assault by the Destruction Crew. After a few moments, Hart & Neidhart roared down the aisle, the Hit Man scaling the outer wall of the cage while the Anvil charged in through the door and mowed down both Powers with a simultaneous double-clothesline. When Barbarian & Warlord got back up, Bret dove from the top of the cage with an awesome flying bodypress that knocked both of the warpainted brutes off of their feet. The Foundation managed to maintain control for the opening minutes until their fatigue from the backstage attack earlier kicked in, allowing the Powers to take over, busting open both Neidhart & Hart along the way. Probably the best match that either Warlord or Barbarian have ever been in, as the action turned more back-and-forth as time wore on, showing the superior stamina of the former two-time WWF Tag Team Champions. At one point, the Powers squashed the Harts with brutal powerbombs before ascending the cage to escape, but the Anvil & Hit Man recovered in time to climb up the cage with them and bring them crashing to the canvas with stereo belly-to-back superplexes from the middle of the cage wall. The Harts stumbled toward the door as referee Tim White opened it, but Precious Paul rushed over and slammed the door, smashing Hart & Neidhart with the steel frame. The crowd booed loudly as the Foundation staggered back away from the door, while the Barbarian loaded up his boot and nailed the Anvil with the big foot to the face. The Warlord grabbed the Hit Man and hammered him with massive forearms across the back while the Barbarian climbed up to about the middle of the cage and turned around. Warlord then hauled Bret up in a powerbomb as Barbarian leapt with the flying shoulderblock to complete the End Of Days. Neidhart struggled to get to his feet, only to be floored by a running double boot to the head from both Powers Of Pain before they stepped out the door to retain the WWF Tag Team Championship. Ellering looked proud as he presented the belts to his facepainted monsters, although Monsoon suggested that the attack earlier from the Destruction Crew weakened the Hart Foundation, contributing to their loss. (86%)

WWF Television Tag Team Title/Retirement Match: Power & Glory (The Mighty Hercules & Paul "Romeo" Roma) [champions] vs. The Rockers (Shawn Michaels & Marty Jannetty)

Slick, along with his personal bodyguard Bad News Brown, escorted his WWF Television Tag Team Champions to the squared circle for this highly anticipated title bout, as the commentators pushed what a life-altering stipulation a Retirement Match can be. Flair mentioned that he had to retire due to accumulated injuries, which was bad enough, but it would have been a thousand times worse if he had been forced into retirement in the prime of his career. This was a tremendous, athletic contest that showed both squads at the peak of their game, utilizing quick tags, double-teams, and numerous near-falls to provide a very even, back-and-forth flow to the match-up. Hercules' size and strength seemed to be the deciding factor later in the contest as Power & Glory assumed control, cutting the ring in half and targeting Michaels' knee, which Ventura recalled Romeo & Herc injured almost a year ago at SummerSlam '90. Michaels refused to stay down, kicking out of all pinfall attempts and earning himself more punishment from the titlists, who held on to the lead until Shawn mounted a comeback when the TV Champions went for the vaunted Powerplex. Michaels blocked the superplex from Hercules, knocking the Mighty One down to the mat, where he was accidentally squashed by Roma's Romeo Swandive. This backfire allowed Michaels to make the hot tag to Jannetty, who rushed in and helped his partner clean house, knocking Roma out of the ring with a high double dropkick before flooring Hercules with a sweet double superkick. The Masters Of Motion both scurried to opposite top turnbuckles and dove with the Double Flying Fistdrop, after which Jannetty hooked Herc's leg for the pin, securing the WWF Television Tag Team Championship for the Rockers. The fans popped as referee Randy Anderson awarded the belts to Marty & Shawn, while Hercules rolled out to ringside, where Slick and Roma berated and verbally abused him before the Mighty One grabbed the Doctor Of Style by the jacket and violently shook him. Bad News quickly sprang into action, clobbering Herc from behind with the Ghetto Blaster to rescue Slick. Romeo, Bad News, and Slick took off, leaving Hercules on his hands and knees on the floor. (88%)

WWF Intercontinental Title Match: Mr. Perfect [champion] vs. Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat

Bobby "The Brain" Heenan accompanied his WWF Intercontinental Champion to the ring while the commentators put over the Steamboat/Perfect classic from WrestleMania VII, hoping that tonight's bout could live up to its predecessor. Once again, they did not disappoint, starting off slowly as Perfect used some psychological warfare, backing out of the Dragon's lock-up attempts and strolling over to his corner to consult with the Brain. After this happened a number of times, the uncharacteristically frustrated Dragon charged over to Perfect, who suckered him in with a kneelift to the midsection, followed by a series of closed fists and a gorgeous standing dropkick. The action continued fast and furious with both superstars trading athletic maneuvers, mat holds, and some of the loudest, most painful chops known to mankind, turning each other's chests almost purple with the ferocity of their reverse knife-edges. There may also have been a record number of near-falls throughout the contest, as the commentators stressed the importance of the WWF Intercontinental Championship to both competitors, as well as to all of the WWF superstars. At ringside, Heenan seemed to have a heart attack every time Steamboat gained a near-fall, and would be relieved only when Perfect regained the advantage. The fans were immersed in this incredible bout, popping for nearly everything and rallying behind Steamboat as the match kept up the pace for over 20 minutes. Late in the contest, Steamboat countered the Perfectplex with a small package for a very close two-count, before climbing to the top turnbuckle and flattening Perfect with the Reign Of Fire. Referee Joey Marella administered the three-count, but the bell unexpectedly rang just before the ref's hand slapped the mat for the third time. The Dragon leapt to his feet thinking he had won the belt as the crowd cheered, until ring announcer Howard Finkel informed the audience that the 30 minutes had expired, thus ruling the decision a time-limit draw. The fans booed loudly and Steamboat appeared to be in shock as he spoke with the official, allowing Perfect to blindside the Dragon with the title belt across the back of the head before retreating with the Brain, acting as if he had pinned Steamboat to retain his championship. Monsoon couldn't believe what had happened and worried that Steamboat might not receive another rematch. (92%)

Mouth Of Hell Match: The Great Muta vs. Ultimate Warrior

Another promo for next month's SummerSlam '91 aired, prompting discussion of tonight's events thus far by the commentators, to give the technicians the chance to surround the ring and the apron with fire, leaving only one passage around the ring steps. Mr. Fuji waddled out with the Great Muta and stood outside the ring of fire, while the Ultimate Warrior charged out and up the steps, where he and Muta stared each other down. Monsoon announced that the WWF had to hire a new referee, John Finnegan, just to officiate this deadly match since the other referees refused to work it, and added that the New York City Fire Marshall was on hand just in case the flames got out of hand due to the open-air atmosphere in Yankee Stadium. The official was armed with a fire extinguisher throughout the contest, as Ventura explained that there were no disqualifications and that the only way to win was to, horrifically enough, set your opponent on fire. The crowd was hot (no pun intended...or was it?) as these two enemies tore into one another, exchanging punches and chops until Warrior ducked a roundhouse right and executed an atomic drop on Muta that almost sent the Asian Sensation into the flames. The bout, the first of its kind in the WWF, continued along the same vein with the Warrior unleashing his full power arsenal, while Muta fired back with his speed, agility, and general sneakiness, both competitors struggling to toss the other into the tall flames on the apron. At one point, Fuji smothered the end of his cane in gasoline from a rag he had hidden in his pocket, before climbing up the steps and setting the tip on fire as he stood by the ringpost. Muta then Irish-whipped the Warrior toward Fuji, but Warrior put on the brakes before Fuji could hit him with his flaming cane. Warrior grabbed the cane away from Fuji and used it on the Devious One, setting a small part of the manager's suit coat on fire. The terrified Fuji raced up the aisle, his jacket aflame, and disappeared through the entrance area. Meanwhile, Muta grabbed the fire extinguisher from the ref and bashed the Warrior over the head with it from behind, but the Warrior wouldn't go down, staggering around as Muta had to smash him twice more with the object to knock him down. The ref forcefully took the extinguisher back while Muta went to the top turnbuckle, moonsaulting down with the Rising Sun, but the Warrior pulled his knees up, catching the Great One in the midsection. The Warrior got up and unloaded on Muta with a salvo of hard clotheslines before running into the ropes, almost lighting himself on fire in the process in an unintentionally funny misstep, and flooring Muta with a leaping shoulderblock. Warrior paced around the ring, signaling for the Gorilla Press, before he went to drag Muta off the mat. However, Muta surprised the Warrior by literally spitting a fireball into the face of the former WWF Champion, who reeled back, clutching at his already-scarred face while the official called for the bell to award the decision to the Great Muta. Muta gripped a handful of the writhing Warrior's hair and held him near the flames on the apron, almost burning him even more until the ref quickly used the fire extinguisher to eliminate the surrounding fire. Muta kicked the Ultimate One out to the floor amidst the flames there before posing in mid-ring, bowing to the booing crowd while medical personnel arrived at ringside to assist the Warrior. (85%)

"The King" Jerry Lawler & The Undertaker vs. "The Immortal" Hulk Hogan & "Rowdy" Roddy Piper

Clutching his Book Of Love, Brother Love seconded his Grim Reaper, while the Undisputed 1991 WWF King Of The Ring was carried to the squared circle upon his throne. Piper & Hogan had separate entrances as well, each getting a massive pop from the fans, and met in the aisle before storming the ring and kicking off a match-opening donnybrook with all four superstars slugging it out. Tbat ended when Hot Rod clotheslined the King over the top rope while the Hulkster did the same to the Dead Man, who landed on his feet at ringside. This left Brother Love all by himself, cowering in a corner, so the two "superfaces" dragged the evil preacher away from the turnbuckles, each grabbing one side of the red-faced manager and throwing him over the top rope to the floor. The heels returned to the ring and attacked them from behind as they were mocking Love, knocking Hogan out through the ropes and focusing on Piper. The Undertaker & Lawler utilized quick tags in and out to dominate the Scotsman, working him over as they kept him isolated from his corner, where the Immortal One clapped and rooted for his partner. Every time Piper fought back, Lawler would tag out to the Undertaker, who would pummel the Rowdy One with his overwhelming strength. Still, Piper kept kicking out of every pinfall attempt and eventually rallied back as the crowd cheered, cracking Lawler & Undertaker with the double noggin-knocker before lunging toward his corner and making the hot tag. However, Brother Love had climbed up on the apron and distracted referee Earl Hebner, so the ref missed the tag and forced the raging Hulkster back to his corner, while the King dragged Piper back to the heel corner and tagged in the Undertaker to dominate Hot Rod for the next several minutes. The Pale Destroyer gripped Piper by the throat for a chokeslam, but the Scotsman managed to sneak in a kick to the groin, popping the crowd as the Undertaker staggered back and tagged Lawler. Meanwhile, Piper lunged toward his corner and finally made the hot tag to the Hulkster, who charged in and bodyslammed the Undertaker, then back-bodydropped the King when he rushed at him. Hogan maintained control as things began to get chaotic with all four competitors in the ring at once. Piper rushed the Undertaker and hit him with a high cross-body that sent them both tumbling over the top rope to the floor, while Hogan played to the fans as he pounded on Lawler. At ringside, the Scotsman Irish-whipped the Dead Man into the iron guardrail and rammed him head-first to the ringpost before yelling that he had something special for the Undertaker hidden underneath the ring. Hot Rod grinned as he reached under the ring and pulled out a bodybag, but his grin faded when he unzipped the bag and "Superfly" Jimmy Snuka leapt out, clawing at Piper's face. The commentators had no idea what was going on as the zombie-like Superfly sent Piper careening into the ring steps, while Brother Love attracted the attention of the referee. Meanwhile, the Hulkster floored Lawler with the big boot to the face and ran into the ropes for the trademark Legdrop, but when he hit the ropes, Snuka grabbed a handful of his (remaining) hair. When Hogan turned to face him, Snuka waffled him with a headbutt and scaled the turnbuckles, soaring off the top with the Superfly Splash before sliding back out to the floor. The King then dragged Hogan off the mat and planted him with the Royal Piledriver as the official returned to the action and counted the 1-2-3. Afterwards, at the orders of Love, the expressionless Superfly assisted the Undertaker in zipping Piper up in the bodybag at ringside, while on the inside, Lawler stood over the Hulkster and gloated. (90%)

WWF Championship/Falls Count Anywhere Match: "Macho Man" Randy Savage [champion] vs. Cactus Jack Manson

While the deranged New Mexican Wildman wandered down the aisle, pointing his fingers and screaming "bang-bang!", the commentators recounted Ted DiBiase's ruthless quest to own the WWF Title since just after WrestleMania VII, sending Virgil, Bam Bam Bigelow, and now Cactus Jack to take out the Macho Man over the past two or three months. The WWF Champion walked out looking slightly banged-up from the Million Dollar Empire's four-on-one mugging last night on Saturday Night's Main Event, and Cactus took full advantage as he ran up the aisle to meet the Macho Man, kicking off the match-up. Savage was ready for his challenger though, slugging it out with Manson in the aisle before the scuffle knocked over a guardrail and spilled out into the crowd as the commentators pushed the Falls Count Anywhere stipulation. Fans scattered, not used to such up-close interaction with the wrestlers, as Manson and Savage brawled through the audience and ended up in the squared circle for the first time, engaging in a straight one-on-one encounter. Jack put on an impressive performance for his WWF pay-per-view wrestling debut, really holding his own against one of the WWF's premier veterans and picking up a few near-falls. Savage mounted a comeback, but Jack took both the Macho Man and himself back out of the ring over the top rope with the Cactus Clothesline. Savage answered back by clotheslining Manson over the guardrail into the crowd again, brawling through the scattering audience once more and out into the outfield, coming near the commentators' position. They fought underneath the broadcast platform and along the outfield wall, as Manson slammed Savage on the ground and proceeded to grind the WWF Champion's face against the grass. The slugfest continued toward the crowd again, taking a detour as Cactus hurled Savage down into the dugout and followed in with a diving double-axhandle. Cactus found a batting helmet and put it on before charging at Savage, who sidestepped the challenger and sent him head-first against the wall, then rolled him up for a nice near-fall. Cactus got right back up and unloaded a series of headbutts on Savage using the batting helmet, dazing the Macho Man while Jack picked up a baseball bat and cracked Savage with it, busting him WIDE open. Now that's a manly bladejob, I say, as Flair wondered how the Yankees would feel about having the WWF Champion's blood all over their dugout when they get back. They battled into the locker room, where Cactus bled after several chairshots from the Macho Man, and throughout the inner Stadium, working their way upwards and somehow ending up in the seats above the dugout, where they brawled into the aisle. Cactus hooked up Savage for the Bang Bang, but the Macho Man managed to stand up and back-bodydrop his way out of it, sending the 300-pound Million Dollar Bounty Hunter tumbling all the way down the stairs, hitting the railing before the dugout. Manson dragged himself up as Savage raced down the stairs, but Manson was able to duck down and back-bodydrop Savage over the railing onto the top of the dugout. The commentators put Jack over for absorbing so much punishment, with Flair using the old "takes a lickin' but keeps on tickin'" tagline. When Savage stood up, Jack dove over the railing and flattened him with a sloppy bodypress for a near-fall as referee Mark Johnson was having trouble keeping up with the competitors. Savage and Manson slugged it out on top of the dugout before Cactus went for a hiptoss, which Savage reversed, which Cactus re-reversed, which Savage re-re-reversed, which Cactus finally re-re-re-reversed, tossing the WWF Champion all the way down to the ground. Manson backed away from the edge, raised his arm, and rushed toward the edge, diving off the dugout with the Suicide Elbow, but Savage rolled out of the way and Cactus crashed to the ground with a sickening thud. The Macho Man climbed back up on top of the dugout, looking exhausted, and dove off with the patented Flying Elbowdrop on Cactus Jack for the final three-count to retain the WWF Championship. Afterwards, as the bloody Macho Man got up and was handed his WWF Title belt, the Million Dollar Man, flanked by Bam Bam Bigelow & Virgil, appeared in the dugout and threatened Savage. A bevy of WWF agents and officials flooded into the dugout to keep the two sides separated as DiBiase warned the crimson-covered Savage that he would see him next month at SummerSlam '91. The staredown between the Million Dollar Man and the Macho Man continued as Monsoon, Ventura, and Flair invited viewers to join them again on Sunday, August 25, for SummerSlam before they signed off. (89%)

Overall: 86%

Buyrate: 1.93

Paid Attendance: 20,699

PPV Revenue: $4,825,000

Ticket Sales: $1,241,940

[Chrononaut]

MONDAY, JULY 29, 1991 -- WWF PRIME TIME WRESTLING

Vince McMahon and Jesse "The Body" Ventura opened the show LIVE from ringside, putting over last night's Wrestlefest 1991 before announcing tonight's lineup, including the Rockers defending their newly-won WWF Television Tag Team Championship against the Rhodes Family in the main event, the return of Danny Davis taking on Animal, Bad News Brown in action, a special studio interview with Ted DiBiase, and more, but they were interrupted by the catchy tune of "Jive Soul Bro".

Slick led his personal bodyguard Bad News Brown down to the squared circle, where Bad News retrieved the microphone from ring announcer Howard "The Fink" Finkel and handed it to the Doctor Of Style. The Slickster admitted that last night was not a good night for him, since not only did he lose a client, but more importantly, he also lost the WWF Television Tag Team Championship. He claimed that he had a plan to get the TV Title back, but said that he also had his sights set on the Singles Division. Slick pointed at Brown's opponent, Chris Walker, and said that this was not the way to get to the top, before ordering Bad News to "get rid" of his young opponent. Bad News assaulted Walker in the corner and nailed him with the Ghetto Blaster before tossing him out to the floor. The Doctor Of Style challenged anybody in the back to come out and face "the baddest man in Harlem" one-on-one tonight, which surprisingly brought out Hercules, who emerged from the curtain carrying a microphone. Slick's eyes went wide as he told Herc that he was supposed to be retired after last night. The Mighty One informed him that he would indeed live up to the retirement stipulation, but announced that he had received special permission from WWF President Andre The Giant to have one final match on Prime Time Wrestling, and told Slick that he wanted Bad News in the ring later. Slick agreed and warned Hercules that he had the opportunity to retire as a relatively healthy man, but now he will leave the sport on a stretcher. Herc shook his head, pointing up at Bad News, before leaving. (72%)

"Dangerous" Danny Davis vs. Animal

The commentators talked about the Dangerous One's past as a WWF referee-turned-heel-wrestler before moving on to discuss Wrestlefest 1991 last night during this basic semi-competitive squash. Not a very good match, although it allowed Animal to show off his incredible strength, repeatedly pressing Davis over his head several times. Animal finally put the evil zebra away with a familiar combination, the Gorilla Press followed by a big splash off the ropes, which McMahon referred to as the "Stampede". (63%)

In the Prime Time studio, Gorilla Monsoon and "Nature Boy" Ric Flair went through some of the results from last night's Wrestlefest 1991 including the big tag team war that saw the Undertaker & "The King" Jerry Lawler defeat Hulk Hogan & Roddy Piper with some help from "Superfly" Jimmy Snuka. Monsoon then introduced their first guests tonight, the Undertaker along with Brother Love, who was wearing a black-and-red minister's outfit, giving him a much more sinister appearance. Monsoon's first question was regarding the Superfly, describing his appearances over the last several months as "zombie-like", and asked what his relationship was with Love and the Dead Man. Love responded that Snuka had finally seen the light and had completely given himself over, body and soul, to the Ministry Of Love, but when Gorilla asked point-blank if they were somehow "controlling" the Superfly, Love informed him that the answers he was seeking would be revealed this weekend on Saturday Night's Main Event, announcing that they would be Hot Rod's guests on "Piper's Pit". The Undertaker looked into the camera and repeated his vow that he would do everything within his power to ensure that Roddy Piper would "rest... in peace." (73%)

At the arena, Jimmy Hart walked out to the ring carrying his megaphone and the Canadian flag, which he propped up in the corner before taking the microphone from ring announcer Howard Finkel. The Mouth Of The South announced that last night at Wrestlefest 1991, the world witnessed the reformation of the most "fabulous" tag team in the WWF and introduced Jacques & Raymond, the Fabulous Rougeau Brothers. The former Mountie and his brother strutted out in their flashy, glittery, blue-and-gold robes and wrestling attire as their old theme song, "All American Boys", played throughout the building. The Rougeaus hugged Hart and awaited their opponents as the crowd booed the second-generation French-Canadians. (75%)

The Fabulous Rougeau Brothers (Jacques & Raymond Rougeau) vs. Johnny Tatum & Rex King

Jimmy Hart stepped out to ringside for this unfortunately heatless tag team bout, which saw USWA mainstays Tatum & King get in quite a bit of offense despite being relative unknowns to most WWF fans. The Rougeaus looked good and pulled off many of their old double-teams, while Ventura insulted "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan for getting fooled by Raymond & Jacques at Wrestlefest 1991 last night. In the end, Raymond covered King after Le Bombe De Rougeau from he and Jacques. (58%)

A vignette aired featuring the Genius in a huge library, sitting at a desk reading books. The scholarly superstar announced that he would soon be returning to the WWF, and promised to once again outsmart the competition, whom he referred to as "thick-skulled dullards". The Genius finished with a poem declaring how much better, smarter, and multi-talented he was than the other wrestlers in the WWF. (70%)

In the Prime Time studio, Gorilla Monsoon and Ric Flair discussed last night's deadly Mouth Of Hell match at Wrestlefest 1991 in which the Great Muta triumphed over their next guest, the Ultimate Warrior, who entered the room in street clothes but without his facepaint. Monsoon congratulated the former WWF Champion on a fine effort last night, but the Warrior claimed that he had disgraced himself, his gods, and his "Little Warriors" to the point that he had decided to retire from professional wrestling. Monsoon begged him to reconsider, but the Warrior informed him that he had no other choice but to concede that Muta was the better man. Warrior put Muta over as someone who could possibly reach the heights that the Warrior attained in his career if he were to dump "that blood-sucking leech" Mr. Fuji, and also wished well to his "brothers-in-paint", Hawk and Animal. The Warrior explained that he had passed the Gorilla Press/Warrior Splash combination along to Animal, and hoped that if Animal and Hawk don't reform the Legion Of Doom, that they would achieve the individual goals they had set for themselves. Warrior thanked everybody who had helped him along the way and mentioned both Muta and the Texas Twister as stars on the rise. Finally, the Ultimate One acknowledged the "Little Warriors" that had supported him since day one and promised that he would never forget them, hoping that in turn they would never forget him. The Warrior stood up and shook hands with Monsoon and Flair before a series of highlights from the Warrior's WWF career were shown to commemorate his retirement. (84%)

Bad News Brown vs. The Mighty Hercules

Slick escorted his personal bodyguard to the ring while McMahon and Ventura talked about the Ultimate Warrior's unexpected retirement and wished him luck in his future endeavors. They did the same for Hercules when he marched out to a nice pop, greeting the fans along the way. This was a rather plodding contest, with both men slugging it out for several minutes. Late in the match, Brown had taken control and went for the Ghetto Blaster, but the Mighty One ducked it and launched himself off the ropes, hitting Bad News with a nice leaping clothesline to pick up the three-count. Hercules stood triumphantly in the ring afterwards, celebrating his final match, while Bad News and Slick argued with referee Shane McMahon at ringside. (68%)

In the Prime Time studio, Gorilla Monsoon and Ric Flair called this evening "historic" due to the retirements of two of the mightiest superstars in the history of the WWF, Hercules and the Ultimate Warrior, before introducing their next guest, Ted DiBiase, accompanied by Virgil. The Million Dollar Man shook hands with the Nature Boy and sat down, apologizing for the absence of Bam Bam Bigelow and Cactus Jack Manson, as they were "on assignment" currently. When Monsoon inquired as to the nature of the assignment, DiBiase responded that it was none of his business, but he assured Gorilla that it would greatly interest WWF Champion Randy Savage, and announced that everybody would be able to find out this weekend on Saturday Night's Main Event if everything goes according to plan. Flair brought up the violent Falls Count Anywhere bout last night at Wrestlefest 1991, congratulating DiBiase on bringing Cactus Jack into the WWF. DiBiase boasted that he got his money's worth when he invested in the New Mexican Wildman, as well as the Beast From The East, predicting that the Macho Man would be easy pickings on August 25 at SummerSlam '91 when he challenges him for the WWF Championship. DiBiase alluded to a back-up plan just in case and reminded Savage to be on Saturday Night's Main Event this weekend, before doing his trademark Million Dollar Man laugh and leaving with Virgil. (85%)

Backstage at the arena, Mean Gene Okerlund interviewed brand-new WWF Television Tag Team Champions The Rockers, who were excited about winning their first title in the WWF. Shawn Michaels announced that, unlike Power & Glory, they would be "fighting champions" and promised to defend the belts against any tag team that wanted a title shot, including friends like the Rhodes Family tonight. Marty Jannetty added that each and every team could step up to the plate, but they would all be "rocked and rolled" by the Masters Of Motion. (75%)

WWF Television Tag Team Title Match: The Rockers (Shawn Michaels & Marty Jannetty) [champions] vs. The Rhodes Family (Dusty & Dustin Rhodes)

This was a good faces vs. faces main event that began with handshakes among all four competitors while Ventura was appalled at the display of sportsmanship, especially with a championship on the line. Both teams worked hard, using quick tags as they jockeyed for the advantage, which shifted back and forth between the two squads with a few near-falls. Late in the contest as the action was picking up, Jannetty inadvertently lowblowed himself when he attempted to leapfrog over Dustin but couldn't quite negotiate the jump and ended up with Dustin's head banging into his crotch. Dustin stood over Marty, debating whether or not to take advantage of the accidental lowblow, while the American Dream yelled at his son from the apron to help the Rocker up. Dustin turned to look at Dusty, at which point Jannetty crawled up from behind and rolled up the Son Of The Dream for the 1-2-3. Afterwards, referee Joey Marella presented the Rockers with their belts, but Dustin grabbed Jannetty's strap before the official could hand it to him. Michaels helped Jannetty to his feet as Dustin stared intently at the gold, while his father pleaded with him to give the belt to its rightful owner and shake hands. After many tense moments, Dustin passed the belt to Jannetty and shook hands with both Rockers before leaving ahead of Dusty, who also shook hands with Shawn & Marty before he left. The Rockers celebrated their first successful TV Championship defense while McMahon and Ventura closed the program. (76%)

Overall: 72%

Rating: 6.17

Attendance: 10,015

Ticket Sales: $600,900

-----

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Celebrating birthdays in July were...

Colonel Robert Lee Fuller (36)

Bret "Hit Man" Hart (34)

Shawn Michaels (26)

Jerry Saggs (30)

-----

Both Hercules and the Ultimate Warrior officially retired from professional wrestling at the end of July. Hercules had some nagging injuries accumulated over the years, while the Warrior opened his own gym franchise as well as a comic book publishing company. The WWF will miss these two, but wishes them well.

As we are making money every month, the WWF and NBC purchased a large video wall to use at Saturday Night's Main Event broadcasts. While not quite a "TitanTron", it will be set up in the arena so that fans in attendance get to see the backstage angles and interviews.

-----

SATURDAY, AUGUST 3, 1991 -- NBC/WWF PRESENT: SATURDAY NIGHT'S MAIN EVENT

Marv Albert, Mike Tenay, and "Nature Boy" Ric Flair introduced the LIVE network broadcast by going through this evening's lineup, featuring Ted DiBiase's "surprise" for WWF Champion Randy Savage, the British Bulldogs taking on a debuting tag team called "The New South", the Texas Twister meeting the Great Muta, the Undertaker and Brother Love on "Piper's Pit", and in the main event, Jake Roberts squaring off against the Destruction Crew's Mike Enos.

"Jive Soul Bro" kicked in as Slick strode to the ring followed by his personal bodyguard Bad News Brown, who retrieved the microphone for his employer. The Doctor Of Style announced that he was still on the lookout for a "diamond in the rough" to lead to the top of the WWF's Singles Division, but claimed that he had filled his tag team vacancy. Slick warned the Rockers to enjoy the WWF Television Tag Team Championship while they have it because he planned on taking it back where it belongs, as he introduced his new tag team: Paul "Romeo" Roma & "Sweet" Stan Lane, known together as the Gangsters Of Style! Romeo & Sweet Stan strutted out in matching purple trunks and boots, absorbing the fans' boos as they entered the squared circle and embraced the Slickster while Bad News watched with a scowl on his face. (77%)

The Gangsters Of Style ("Sweet" Stan Lane & Paul "Romeo" Roma) vs. Jim Powers & Joey Maggs

Slick and Bad News Brown stepped out to ringside as Flair put Sweet Stan over heavily as a talented tag team competitor and revealed that Lane was the only man he had ever trained, explaining that it was because "he was just that good". Tenay mentioned that this was Jim Powers' first match back from the knee injury he had suffered at the hands of Power & Glory early in the year, so he would be looking for revenge tonight against his former Young Stallions tag team partner, Roma. Nonetheless, this was a rather dull affair, although the Gangsters seem to have potential once they gel as a duo. The Gangsters put their opponents away when Lane covered Maggs following a double-team maneuver that Flair dubbed the "Style Clash", which consisted of Sweet Stan holding the opponent spread-eagled off the mat while Romeo dove from the top turnbuckle with a flying legdrop. (59%)

Mean Gene Okerlund was in the locker room to interview the British Bulldogs, who talked about their hard-fought victory over the Nasty Boys in the Number One Contenders match last Sunday at Wrestlefest 1991. Davey Boy Smith said that they were looking forward to receiving their shot at the WWF Tag Team Championship at SummerSlam '91, while the Dynamite Kid mentioned that they weren't looking past the New South tonight, admitting that they didn't know a lot about their opponents but warned them that they should have taken heed to the "Beware Of Dog" sign when they entered the WWF. (78%)

The New South (Bob Holly & Brian Christopher) vs. The British Bulldogs (Davey Boy Smith & Dynamite Kid)

The fans were unfamiliar with the New South, although Christopher managed to rile the crowd a bit with his obnoxious persona, backed by the angry young man Holly. This was a solid tag team bout with some good, fast-paced action, during which Flair scoffed at the Bulldogs' chances of winning the WWF Tag Team Title from the Powers Of Pain at SummerSlam '91. Mid-match, Paul Ellering appeared in the aisleway, apparently to scout his champions' Number One Contenders. The Englishmen ignored his presence and finished the Southerners off when Dynamite scored with the Diving Headbutt on Holly following the Running Powerslam from Davey Boy. (70%)

Afterwards, Paul Ellering picked up the microphone and entered the ring, where he faced the British Bulldogs and began to rant about how they had no chance against his WWF Tag Team Champions Powers Of Pain at SummerSlam '91. As the Dynamite Kid & Davey Boy Smith exchanged words with Precious Paul, Barbarian & Warlord stormed the ring and blindsided the Englishmen, beating them down to the mat. The Powers left Davey Boy & Dynamite laying while Ellering advised the Bulldogs to back out of the SummerSlam title match or suffer the consequences. (69%)

The Great Muta vs. "Texas Twister" Kevin Von Erich

Mr. Fuji waddled out with the Asian Sensation as Tenay recalled that the retiring Ultimate Warrior had highlighted both the Twister and Muta as rising future superstars in the WWF. This was a solid match-up featuring both competitors uncharacteristically going to the mat and working a very nice ground-based contest. After trading holds, counterholds, and near-falls, the pace picked up as they both used some aerial offense. In the end, Muta landed the Rising Sun on Von Erich for the 1-2-3. (72%)

After a brief promo for SummerSlam '91 on Sunday, August 25, the bagpipers blared and the spotlights focused on the set of "Piper's Pit", which in its updated form resembled a basement den, as "Rowdy" Roddy Piper himself was already seated on the large couch, holding the tartan microphone. Hot Rod recapped the tag team war last Sunday at Wrestlefest 1991 that he and Hulk Hogan lost to the Undertaker & Jerry Lawler, adding that by the end, he found himself sealed inside of a bodybag that he himself had hidden underneath the ring to use. Piper leapt to his feet and introduced his guests this week, Brother Love and the Undertaker, who slowly walked out onto the set as the Rowdy One assumed a defensive position. Piper cracked a few of his usual dated "Lurch/Herman Munster/Boris Karloff/Bela Lugosi" jokes before turning serious and demanding to know exactly what their relationship was with "Superfly" Jimmy Snuka. When Love sarcastically responded that he didn't know what he was talking about, Piper explained that he violently feuded with "Snookums" for years, but that the Superfly that popped out of the bodybag at Wrestlefest wasn't the same man he had battled throughout the '80s. Love suggested that Piper should ask Snuka himself, as the Superfly suddenly appeared out of nowhere and assaulted Hot Rod from behind. The expressionless Superfly brutally hammered Piper down before picking up the coffee table and busting it across Piper's back. The Undertaker and Love watched with pleasure as Snuka continued his relentless assault, stomping and kicking the Rowdy One before turning the couch over onto him. Snuka proceeded to drop a series of headbutts on Piper, busting him open in the process. The attack continued until a stocky, thick man in a black hooded robe wandered out onto the Pit and pulled his hood off, staring at Snuka, who stopped his assault. Although the commentators claimed to have no idea who this mysterious individual was, it appeared to be Kevin Sullivan with a jet-black hair dye job and a skull painted on his face. The man grabbed a handful of Snuka's hair as he looked down at the bleeding Scotsman and laughed, while Brother Love produced a bodybag and handed it to the Undertaker, who stuffed Piper in the bag and zipped it up. The fearsome foursome walked off the stage together, leaving Piper writhing on the floor as he was sealed inside the bodybag. WWF agents and officials soon arrived on the scene to rescue him, as the commentators were a little freaked out, unsure of what to think. (81%)

In the locker room, Mean Gene Okerlund interviewed Bobby Heenan and Mike Enos, who was getting ready for the main event against Jake Roberts. The Brain bragged that the Destruction Crew were undefeated as a tag team so far in the WWF, and claimed that the parts by themselves were just as powerful as the whole, warning the Snake that the Machine would send him to the scrap heap...NEXT! (93%)

Mike "The Machine" Enos vs. Jake "The Snake" Roberts

Bobby "The Brain" Heenan accompanied his Destruction Crew member for this well-worked main event, although Roberts and Enos didn't seem to really gel as opponents until near the end. Enos held his own though and got in quite a bit of offense on the more experienced Snake, battering him with some nice power maneuvers and picking up some near-falls. The Snake eventually rallied back as the fans rooted him on, striking the Machine with some quick jabs and a big kneelift. Jake built some momentum and took Enos down with the short-arm clothesline as the crowd chanted for the DDT, but before he could apply his lethal finisher, "Ravishing" Rick Rude sprinted into the ring and attacked Jake, drawing a disqualification for Enos from referee John Finnegan. (71%)

After the bell rang, Mike Enos and Rick Rude proceeded to beat Jake Roberts down, as Wayne "The Train" Bloom ran out to join his fellow Heenan Family members in the assault. The three-on-one thrashing continued until the Hart Foundation raced down the aisle to a nice pop and made the save, chasing off the Ravishing One, the Machine, and the Train, who all left with the Brain. The Anvil & Hit Man attended to the Snake while hollering various threats at the fleeing Heenan Family. (74%)

Following a commercial break, "Pomp And Circumstance" blasted triumphantly as WWF Champion "Macho Man" Randy Savage marched out to the ring impatiently and took the microphone. The Macho Man recalled that Ted DiBiase had promised a "surprise" for him tonight, but claimed that he had not seen the Million Dollar Man all night and wondered where he was hiding. Savage began to rant about his scheduled WWF Title defense against DiBiase at SummerSlam '91 and how cold hard cash wouldn't be able to buy DiBiase a victory over the WWF Champion, when "Money, Money, Money" suddenly cranked up, interrupting him. Savage looked around defensively as a spotlight shone on the old interview platform past the crowd, where Virgil stood beside the Million Dollar Man, holding a microphone for his boss to speak. DiBiase laughed at Savage, mocking his nervousness, but told him to relax because he wasn't going to hurt him...physically. Savage seemed puzzled as DiBiase mentioned SummerSlam and admitted that right now, as the WWF Champion, Savage had the advantage, but in a few short moments, DiBiase himself would have the upper hand. DiBiase asked Savage if he was ready for his surprise, to which the Macho Man snapped back to "get on with it". The former Million Dollar Champion introduced the surprise, pointing to the new video wall, which showed Bam Bam Bigelow and Cactus Jack Manson inside what appeared to be an abandoned building of some sort at an undisclosed location. Between them, they had a large white sheet covering someone sitting in a chair, apparently struggling. As Savage watched intently, DiBiase gave the order for Manson and Bigelow to pull the sheet off, revealing none other than the lovely Miss Elizabeth, tied to a chair with her mouth gagged. Tears were flowing from her eyes as Bam Bam and Cactus Jack cackled, while the Million Dollar Man explained to the shocked Macho Man that although Savage and Elizabeth had tried to keep it private, DiBiase had found out that the one-time "First Couple Of Wrestling" had reconciled and were engaged to finally be married in the fall. Savage was speechless, his mouth open as he stared at Bigelow and Manson on the video wall terrorizing the helpless Elizabeth. DiBiase laughed his infamous laugh before he and Virgil took off from the platform, rushing back through the dressing room and escaping into a waiting limousine, which peeled away as soon as the Million Dollar Man and his burly lackey got in. Meanwhile, the video wall shut off as the Macho Man looked around and dropped to his knees in the middle of the squared circle, crying publicly on WWF TV for the first time, to end the show. (88%)

Overall: 76%

Rating: 6.37

Attendance: 10,012

Ticket Sales: $600,720

-----

SUNDAY, AUGUST 4, 1991 -- WWF SUPERSTARS OF WRESTLING

Booker: Cactus Jack Manson

Quality: 68%

Rating: 5.40

Attendance: 10,046

Ticket Sales: $602,760

-----

Here are the matches officially announced so far for SummerSlam '91 on Sunday, August 25...

WWF Championship Match: Randy Savage [champion] vs. Ted DiBiase

WWF Tag Team Title Match: Powers Of Pain [champions] vs. The British Bulldogs