Hello and welcome to another edition
of Seanomaniac Wrestling Reviews, the only wrestling review series on the
internet that is more dead in the water than the WWE’s Women’s Tag Team
Division! It’s WWF Survivor Series 1988! The Mega-Powers, The Ultimate Warrior,
Rick Rude, Jake Roberts and many, many more. All the matches tonight are
Survivor Series Elimination matches which means long-ass matches which might
just wipe me out when I think about it but all your favourite WWF Superstars
will be in action trying to survive! Will Survivor Series 1988 match Summerslam?
Let’s find out!
Team Ultimate
Warrior & Brutus Beefcake (Ultimate Warrior/Brutus Beefcake/Blue Blazer/Sam
Heuston/Jumpin Jeff Brunzell) vs Team Honky Tonk & Greg Valentine (Honky
Tonk Man/Greg Valentine/Dangerous Danny Davis/Bad News Brown/Outlaw Ron Bass)
What’s nice
about this match is everyone has issues with one another coming into the match,
Bass assaulting Beefcake on Main Event and Warrior beating Honky Tonk at
Summerslam for example. Valentine and Beefcake begin the match, former tag team
partners swinging at one another. Valentine whips Beefcake to the ropes, Davis
nails a boot from the apron. Tag to Davis, Irish whip reversal, leapfrog and a
Sleeper, Davis is in trouble. Davis is out-cold and we have an elimination!
Danny
Davis Has Been Eliminated Via Sleeper!
Valentine
takes out Beefcake, softening up the legs of Beefcake. Figure four is blocked,
tag to The Blue Blazer. Blazer nails a nice headscissors, arm-wrench and tag to
Brunzell. No Brian Blair, Valentine pummels his way out of the arm-wrench. Side
headlock from Valentine, tag to Brown. Brunzell dropkicks Valentine, not seeing
Brown coming into the match. Double team clothesline by the heels, Brown rakes
the eyes. Headbutt and boot from Brown, scoop slam and fist drop from Brown. Brunzell
rakes the eyes but Brown maintains control, Brown rams Brunzell into the
corner.
The two
trade blows, eye rake from Brown. Irish whip to the corner, counter by
Brunzell, Brunzell misses a running splash which leaves Brunzell opn to The
Ghetto Blaster, Brown connects and evens up the match for his team.
Jim
Brunzell Has Been Eliminated!
Sam Heuston
comes into the match, a house of fire before Brown cuts off Heuston with a
boot. Massive right hands from Brown, whip to the corner and a clothesline floors Heuston. Tag to
Valentine, right hand floors Heuston. Brown is tagged into the match, Valentine
nails Brown by mistake which pisses off Brown big time. Bass and Honky try to
stop the two brawling but Brown says he has had enough, screw team Honky Tonk
Man.
Bad News
Brown Has Been Eliminated Via Count-Out!
Valentine is
almost rolled up by Heuston before a tag to Bass leads to a beatdown for the
youngster. O Connor roll from Heuston but Bass powers out, boot out of the
corner from Bass. Lariat from Bass, two for Bass. Bass slams Heuston into the
mat for two, Irish whip to the corner. High crossbody counter from Heuston for
two, Irish whip and forearm shot by Bass. Elbow drop for two, Heuston avoids a
back drop, nailing right hands. A monkey flip is countered by Bass for a Powerslam, Heuston is out of this match.
Sam
Heuston Has Been Eliminated!
Warrior
comes in, running wild, shoulder blocks all around and a choke to Honky.
Warrior slams Bass, in comes Blazer with a splash for two. Bass tags Honky,
crossbody and dropkicks from Blazer leads to Honky tagging Valentine. Leapfrogs
and gutwrench suplex on Valentine, Blazer nails a big scoop slam. Blazer is
shoved off the top rope by Honky, Blazer clutches his knees which leads to a
Figure Four from Valentine, Blazer is out of the match.
Blue
Blazer Has Been Eliminated!
Beefcake is
in the ring, Valentine elbows Beefcake before tagging Bass. Tag to Honky, Honky
tees off on Beefcake. Tag to Valentine, Team Honky beatdown Beefcake behind the
referee’s back. Honky looks for his finish but Beefcake back drops Honky. In
comes Bass, stun-gun from Bass for two. Honky is tagged in, a double axe handle
does not work for Honky, right hands by Beefcake. Clothesline from Beefcake,
Irish whip into The Sleeper! Honky rolls to the floor avoiding being pinned,
the two begin brawling on the floor and both men have been counted out of this
match.
Brutus
Beefcake & Honky Tonk Man Have Been Eliminated Via Count-Out!
Warrior is
all alone against Bass & Valentine, Bass elbows and chokes Warrior. Tag to
Valentine, elbow to the face of Warrior. Warrior comes back against Valentine
before an Irish whip to the corner. Bass nails a cheap shot but Warrior ducks
the clothesline attempt, double clothesline by Warrior. Axe handle on Bass for
the elimination. Valentine misses a clothesline and eats an axe handle of his
own, The Ultimate Warrior has defeated both his opponents!
That was a
fun opening match, I enjoyed the little feuds and spots featured in the match.
Davis being over-confident and being the first eliminated was great stuff,
Blazer injuring his knee which led to the Figure Four was also good stuff! Owen
Hart was so ahead of his time here, his matches with the likes of Liger and
others in NJPW and Stampede Wrestling gave him such a unique style in the WWF
at this time, shame the character was given more because Owen was awesome in
this match. Warrior stands tall and does not pin Honky, Honky and Bad News
Brown are protected by count-out finishes which is great for building potential
angles down the road, we could always have that rematch for the championship
between Honky and Warrior and just how bad of a man is Bad News Brown? The
match has left me wanting more, mission accomplished!
Winner:
The Ultimate Warrior Over Honky Tonk Man Via Survival!
Team
Demolition (Demolition/The Bolsheviks/The Brainbusters/Los Conquistadores/ The
Rougeau Brothers) vs Team Power Of Pain (Powers Of Pain/The Rockers/The Wild
Stallions/The Hart Foundation/The British Bulldogs)
That’s an
awful lot of tag teams, God help me with documenting this match. Interestingly,
we get to see Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard on WWF pay per view while this
would be our WWF pay per view introduction to one Shawn Michaels. Davey Boy and
Uno shall begin the match, scoop slam by Davey Boy. Uno tags Jacque, military
press slam by Davey Boy, slamming Jacque into Raymond. Next, we have Michaels
and Volkoff, Volkoff tags Zhukov. Zhukov misses a corner splash, Jannetty and
Michaels chop down Zhukov. Ax and Jannetty brawl, Ax wins that war. Anderson
comes in, Jannetty dropkicks and back drops Anderson which leads to Blanchard
coming into the match.
Jannetty and
the babyfaces pummel Blanchard which leads to Jacque coming into the match.
Irish whip into the corner, Jacque tries a crossbody but Jannetty dodges, tag
to Dynamite. Snap suplex and tag to Powers, Jacque tags in Raymond. Dynamite
and Raymond battle, shoulder block from Dynamite. Raymond sends Dynamite into
the corner, Dynamite avoids the shoulder thrust for a sunset flip, two count
for Dynamite. Powers and Zhukov brawl briefly before Smash smacks down Powers
before a dropkick from Jacque. Bret and Jacque are in the ring now, flying
elbow from Jacque for two. Jacque tags Raymond, Irish whip and Bret small
packages Raymond for the elimination.
The
Rougeau Brothers Have Been Eliminated Via Small Package!
Volkoff
enters the ring, Bret applies an arm-wrench before tagging in Roma, Roma nails
a diving double axe handle and grabs the arm of Volkoff. Eye poke from Volkoff,
Volkoff rams Roma off the turnbuckle before Roma blocks Vokoff and nails a top
rope crossbody. Roma tags Neidhart, dropkick to Volkoff. Volkoff tags in Smash,
Neidhart tags in Barbarian, Dos eats a big boot from Barbarian. Tag to Warlord,
Warlord stomps Dos, tag to The Hitman. Dos takes a punch and tags Smash, Smash
applies an arm-wrench. Tag to Ax, Demolition beat down Bret. Bret fires back at
Ax, Irish whip to the corner but Ax cuts off Bret with a knee. In comes
Blanchard, Irish whip but Bret fires out of the corner with a clothesline. Bret
tags Michaels, Blanchard tags Smash.
Demolition
beat down Michaels, Irish whip and Smash brings Michaels to the corner, the
heels batter Michaels. Volkoff is the legal man, military press into the
backbreaker. Irish whip, knee lift from Volkoff. Blanchard is the legal man,
tag to Anderson and Spinebuster for two. Uno tags in, right hands to Michaels.
Scoop slam for two, Michaels tags Jannetty. Irish whip into a powerslam, right
hand and Uno tags Dos. Knees to the ribs by Dos, hiptoss is countered and
Jannetty lands a scoop slam for two. Tag to Volkoff, Irish whip but Jannetty
dives through the legs and nails a dropkick for two. Roma is in the ring now,
arm-wrench and tag to Davey Boy.
Scoop slam
for two, Volkoff nails a heel kick, smashing Davey Boy into the heel corner.
Blanchard is legal, back body drop and a series of elbows, Davey Boy avoids the
third elbow. Both teams make tags, Warlord and Uno are legal. Warlord military
presses Uno, we have Ax and Warlord. They trade blows, Ax loses the war,
tagging Smash. Smash is caught by the boot by Warlord, Warlord tags Barbarian.
Irish whip, flying enzuigiri by Barbarian. The two trade bombs, knees from
Smash. Tag to Blanchard, military press slam from Barbarian. Tag to Neidhart,
running powerslam for two.
Neidhart
tags Dynamite, Blanchard pulls Dynamite to the floor. Anderson is legal now,
kicks to Dynamite’s head. Tag to Dos, Dos stomps Dynamite which leads to a tag
to Zhukov. Zhukov misses a knee drop, Dynamite tags Powers. Powers nails a back
body drop, Irish whip to a corner. Diving crossbody from Powers goes wrong as
Zhukov rolls through to eliminate The Wild Stallions.
The Wild
Stallions Have Been Eliminated!
Michaels
comes in, diving fist drop on Zhukov. Tag to Barbarian, flying shoulder tackle.
Zhukov tags Blanchard, Blanchard tags Volkoff. Lock-up, Barbarian shoves down
Volkoff. Volkoff knees Barbarian allowing for a tag to Ax, Ax beats down
Barbarian. Uno and Volkoff make quick tags, headbutts by Volkoff. Barbarian
fights back, big boot knocks down Volkoff. Michaels comes in attacking Zhukov
who tagged in on Volkoff. Jannetty blinds tag in off Michaels, diving sunset
flip for the elimination, The Bolsheviks are out of here!
The
Bolsheviks Have Been Eliminated!
Uno and
Jannetty are now in the ring, Uno attempts a back-body drop but Jannetty
counters for a sunset flip, two for Jannetty as Uno scratches the eyes. Tag to
Dos, big back-body drop by Dos. Tag to Ax, Ax pummels Jannetty before a tag to Anderson. Irish whip looking for the
spinebuster but Jannetty rams Anderson’s head into the ring-mat. Davey Boy tags
in as does Blanchard, Blanchard whips Davey Boy into the turnbuckle. Knee to
the face, tag to Smash. Smash with the snap-mare, front chancery into the heel
corner.
Uno and
Davey Boy square off, Irish whip to the corner. Davey Boy kicks away Uno, tag
to Neidhart who combines with Bret for a backbreaker and elbow combination. Tag
to Michaels, dropkick from Michaels. Tag to Jannetty, flying reverse elbow,
Jannetty tags Dynamite. Snap suplex, Dynamite climbs the middle rope for a knee
drop. Two for Dynamite, backbreaker for two. Tag to Barbarian, clothesline from
Barbarian. Blanchard tags in from Uno, Blanchard asks Heenan for advice,
Blanchard lures in Barbarian. Knees and right hands before Demolition beat down
Barbarian. Reverse chin-lock from Smash, Barbarian powers out of the hold.
Smash maintains control, tagging in Anderson.
Anderson
scores with a few cheap shots before a tag to Dos, Dos is caught for an
inverted atomic drop before Ax blind tags in, saving Dos. The Brainbusters make
quick tags, an Anderson spinebuster goes wrong as Barbarian counters with a
kick, Jannetty and Neidhart make quick tags assaulting Anderson before Anderson
takes down Neidhart, tagging in Blanchard. Blanchard nails a diving crossbody
for two before The Hart Foundation take turns battering Blanchard. Right hands
by Bret, Blanchard whips Bret to the corner, Bret leapfrogs Blanchard nailing a
German suplex but Bret’s shoulders were down while Blanchard got one shoulder
up, The Hart Foundation are gone!
The Hart
Foundation Have Been Eliminated!
The
Brainbusters and The Rockers lose control and begin to destroy one another, the
referees have been knocked down multiple times by both teams which means The
Brainbusters and The Rockers are gone from this match for their behaviour
inside of that ring, they continue brawling to the back.
The
Brainbusters & The Rockers Have Been Eliminated!
In the ring,
Smash and Dynamite go to war. Flying crossbody by Dynamite, two for Dynamite.
Smash tags Uno, Uno misses a top rope senton. In comes Warlord, quick slam
before a tag to Barbarian. Boot by Barbarian, Uno tags Dos while Davey Boy is
tagged in by Barbarian. Davey Boy suplexes Dos, Dos tags Smash. Davey Boy
arm-drags Smash, tag to Dynamite. Davey Boy comes in and Uno comes in for the
heels, military press slam by Davey Boy. Running Powerslam by Davey Boy, tag to
Barbarian. Double headbutt, Uno tags Ax. Ax stomps all over Barbarian after a
pin attempt, tag to Smash. Barbarian is on the floor, tag to Dos. Dos stomps
Barbarian and tags Uno, right hands and a dropkick by Uno.
Barbarian
fires back at Uno, tag to Davey Boy. Double elbow for two, tag to Dynamite.
Gutwrench suplex for two, falling headbutt by Dynamite for two. Tag to Warlord,
knee drop. Tag to Dynamite, Dynamite eats a massive boot to the head. Dynamite
battles back but misses a diving headbutt allowing Ax to nails a Lariat for the
elimination.
The British
Bulldogs Have Been Eliminated!
Ax and
Warlord are in the ring, Ax smacks down Warlord. Smash beats down Warlord, Uno
& Dos trade tags smacking Warlord. Ax comes in, snap-mare and an
arm-wrench. Smash comes in, Fuji is on the apron. Arm-wrench from Smash,
Warlord battles out and shoulder blocks Smash. Smash fires back with a
clothesline, Smash is tripped over the rope by Fuji, was it an accident? Smash
falls down hard and is counted out by the referee. Ax has words with Fuji, Fuji
smacks Ax, Fuji is no longer with Demolition as Ax slams Fuji on the canvas.
Demolition
Have Been Eliminated!
The Powers
of Pain help Fuji to his feet, what is going on in this match? Warlord and
Barbarian are helping Fuji over to their corner. Uno and Dos are beating down
Barbarian, Irish whip is reversed with Fuji tripping Dos. Barbarian nails a
falling headbutt for the win. Demolition and Powers of Pain brawl after the
match has ended!
Mercifully,
it comes to an end. I am all for a classic tag team Survivor Series Style
elimination match but this was ridiculous. This went for what seemed like
forever and the feuds that were intertwined with the match never raised this
match for me, it just seemed like a rinse and repeat. Irish whip, bump, tag and
on and on and on and on and God Damn On! The only thing notable about this
match as the turn of Mr Fuji on Demolition and it was done in such an awkward
manner that the camera missed it and that the fans had no idea who to cheer or
boo when it came to The Powers Of Pain and Demolition, the finish and brawl
after the match made nothing clearer!
Winners:
The Powers Of Pain Via Survival!
Team
Andre The Giant (Andre The Giant/Dino Bravo/Rick Rude/Harley Race/Mr. Perfect)
vs Team Jake Roberts (Jake Roberts/Jim Duggan/Tito Santana/Ken Patera/Tito
Santana/Scott Casey)
Patera and
Rude start, Patera pushes down Rude. Rude says Patera grabbed the hair, Rude
tags in Bravo. Bravo and Patera fight briefly, Perfect comes in for Team Andre.
Patera lifts Perfect to the babyface corner, Roberts comes in wrenching the
arm. Tag to Santana, Perfect shoulder blocks Santana. Arm-drag and scoop slam
from Santana. Santana eats an elbow from Perfect, Bravo comes in for a beatdown
of Santana. Casey comes in but eats an inverted atomic drop from Bravo, belly
to belly suplex from Race.
Knee drop
and suplex from Race, tag to Rude. Scoop slam and elbow to the throat, two for
Rude. Rude tags Perfect, massive clothesline. Casey escapes to tag Santana,
Santana tags Patera. Double Elbow to Perfect, tag to Duggan. Axe handle from
Duggan, Irish whip to the corner is reversed but Duggan explodes out with a
clothesline. Perfect fires back at Duggan, Duggan shakes off the right hands.
Perfect is smacked to the outside, arm-wrench from Duggan. Tag to Casey,
hammer-lock scoop slam. Casey misses a leg drop, being dragged to the heels’
corner. In comes Rude, clothesline and pose from Rude.
Rude misses
a corner clothesline, Casey tags in Santana. Irish whip and Flying Forearm from
Santana for two. Irish whip to the babyface corner, tag to Duggan. Irish whip,
Rude ducks the clothesline but eats a scoop slam, Duggan misses an elbow
though. Rude rakes the eyes, both men shoulder block one another. Patera tags
in, snap-mare and elbow to the nose. Irish whip to the corner, Patera comes crashing
into Rude’s knees. Rude Awakening and it’s all over for Patera.
Ken
Patera Has Been Eliminated!
Casey
attempts to take control but Rude drags Casey to the corner and tags in Race.
Irish whip by Race and a huge dropkick, elbow drop too. Tag to Bravo, Bravo
stomps and chops Casey. Casey backslide pins Bravo for two off an Irish whip,
another Irish whip. O Connor roll does not go well for Casey, Sidewalk Slam
from Dino Bravo and it’s all over for Casey.
Scott
Casey Has Been Eliminated!
In comes Santana,
looking to start a comeback for Team Duggan. Bravo tags in Perfect, Perfect
takes the back but Santana elbows his way out and tries a small package for
two. Santana grabs a front chancery, in comes Duggan. Irish whip by Duggan,
Duggan lowers the head and boot by Perfect. Duggan mounts a comeback but Andre
grabs Duggan from the apron. Headbutt floors Duggan, Perfect nails Duggan with
right hands. Rick Rude receives the tag, Rude eats a massive clothesline. Race
comes in but so does Santana, shoulder thrusts by Race. Race drags Santana to
the heel corner, in comes Bravo. Bravo misses clotheslines before a crossbody
from Santana for two.
Bravo misses
a corner spear, sunset flip from Santana for two. Bravo stops the tag, Race is
the legal man. Piledriver for two, massive clothesline from Race for two. Race
misses a clothesline as Santana ducks, Flying Forearm from Santana and The
Former King Harley Race is gone!
Harley
Race Has Been Eliminated!
Andre comes
in, choking the life out of Santana. Massive chops and Santana is down, Andre
drops all his weight on Santana’s chest twice. Bravely, Santana is fighting
back but Andre clubs down Santana, Irish whip and Andre sits down on Santana
after a failed sunset flip.
Tito
Santana Has Been Eliminated!
Duggan
charges in at Andre, Andre is tied up in the ropes from a clothesline. Duggan
tags in Roberts, Roberts pummels all the heels. Roberts chokes Andre, everyone
on Team Andre are trying to save Andre. Andre breaks free, headbutt and tag to
Rude. Rude whips Roberts to the corner, Rude poses for everyone. Another Irish
whip, Rude tags in Perfect. Perfect stomps all over The Snake, choke using the
bottom rope by Perfect. Rope hung guillotine by Perfect, Andre stomps on
Roberts’ head from the apron.
Perfect
slaps Roberts over and over, Roberts is battling back and trying to reach
Duggan. Perfect tags Bravo, Roberts pummels Bravo. Short-arm clothesline, Bravo
avoids the DDT thanks to Rude who clotheslines Roberts from the apron. Rude
tags into the match, Roberts takes a beatdown from The Ravishing One. A huge
right hand floors Roberts, two for Rude as Roberts reaches the ropes with his
foot. Rude tags in Bravo, Bravo piledrivers Roberts but the ropes save Roberts
again. Scoop slam from Bravo, Bravo misses two elbow drops as Roberts tags
Duggan.
Duggan whips
Bravo to the corner, big back body-drop and ten punches in the corner. Irish
whip to the opposite corner, clothesline by Duggan. Duggan wants his
three-point stance tackle but Frenchy drags Duggan out of the ring, Bravo scoop
slams Duggan on the floor so Duggan snaps and grabs his 2x4 and wallops Bravo
for the DQ.
Hacksaw
Jim Duggan Has Been Eliminated!
Roberts is
all alone, Roberts wants a piece of Perfect. Rude and Heenan talk strategy with
Perfect, lock-up with Perfect eating right hands from a cornered Roberts.
Clothesline from Roberts, Roberts stands his ground. Perfect and Roberts trade
right hands, Roberts wins the war. Knee lift from Roberts, the chants for DDT
continue to grow louder throughout the arena. Here comes Bravo, Bravo corners
Roberts. The two lock-up, Bravo out-powers Roberts. Roberts is back to his
feet, kick to the ribs and a DDT attempt but Bravo back-drops Roberts.
Rude is now
the legal man, Roberts stays in his corner suckering in Rude. Rude rakes the
eyes and slams Roberts into the turnbuckle. Roberts sells his disorientation as
Rude continues to smack around Roberts. Gut-buster from Rude, Rude stamps on
the face of Roberts. Slaps and taunting from Rude, Roberts is battling back
from his knees. Rude gouges the eyes to maintain control, Irish whip to the
corner. Roberts hits the corner hard, Rude whips Roberts hard once more. Scoop
slam and a bearhug, all the work targeting the back of The Snake.
Snap-mare
from Rude and a diving fist drop to Roberts, Rude poses on top of Roberts.
Roberts pulls down Rude’s pants, exposing his bottom to the world which
embarrasses Rude who tries to fix his pants which leads to a beautiful DDT for
the elimination.
Ravishing
Rick Rude Has Been Eliminated!
In comes
Andre, Andre chokes Roberts in the corner. Andre bites and chokes Roberts in
the corner. Andre chokes the life out of Roberts in the corner, Andre was
humiliated at the hands of Roberts on Saturday Night’s Main Event. Andre may
have been disqualified but there is no life left in Jake Roberts as Perfect
enters the ring and pins The Snake, Perfect and Dino Bravo are your survivors
in this match!
For me, this
match begins when Jake is all alone against four members of Team Andre. Roberts
is a master of psychology inside of that squared circle, you can see that on
full-display in this scenario. Roberts is reluctant to engage with any wrestler
in that ring outside of his territory which is that corner where his teammates
once stood, The Snake measures the risk against the reward when battling any
heel that entered that ring, struggling to keep the fight in that neutral
corner to avoid being battered by the heels. Roberts leaves the ring at one
point for a breather, a normally heelish manoeuvre but it makes so much sense
here, Roberts needs to catch his breath if he is to have any hope in this
match. Love Rude’s elimination, Rude’s over-confidence leads to a DDT which
Rude sells to perfection and then, the finish with Andre getting his hands on
Jake for Jake scaring Andre with the snake. Andre’s rage over being embarrassed
culminating in a DQ for Andre but Andre’s team wins and Jake knows that Andre
is nowhere done with him. This had so much story-telling and psychology
compared to the first two matches that it is simply unfair to compare as this
was great.
Winners:
Mr. Perfect & Dino Bravo over Everyone Else via Survival!
Team
Akeem (Akeem/Big Bossman/Ted Dibiase/King Haku/Red Rooster) vs Team Mega-Powers
(Hulk Hogan/Randy Savage/Hercules Hernandez/Koko B Ware/Hillbilly Jim)
Hogan
getting a separate entrance to his team? Well, this might be an issue down the
line! Anyways Savage and Hogan want Akeem and Bossman, the teams settle down
and it looks like we are ready to start. Savage and Dibiase begin the match,
shoulder block by Savage. Clothesline by Dibiase, rights and lefts by Dibiase.
Savage dodges a corner clothesline, jabs from Savage and hangman’s neckbreaker.
Hercules is tagged in, Dibiase runs far away as The Rooster comes into the
match.
Rooster
whips Hercules, Hercules avoids a hip-toss and scores with a clothesline. Tag
to Koko, Irish whip to the corner. Rooster blocks with a boot, Akeem is now the
legal man. Akeem beats down Koko, tag to King Haku. Throat thrust, scoop slam
by Haku. Haku misses a leg drop, Koko tags in Hercules. Rights and lefts by
Hercules, tag to Hogan. Hogan nails right hands, axe-bomber from Hogan.
Multiple elbow drops and a rake with the foot, Hogan tags in Hillbilly Jim.
Double big boot by Hillbilly Jim, headbutt against Haku does not work.
Haku tags
Akeem who quickly tags in Rooster. Scoop slam does not work as Jim slams
Rooster. Stomp to the ribs by Jim, tag to Koko. Irish whip and powerslam by
Koko for two, Rooster lures in Koko to the corner. Koko fights back, fake
diving crossbody but Koko connects with the missile dropkick. Hogan receives
the tag, right hands and big boot by Hogan. Tag to Savage, scoop slam and
Flying Elbow Drop ends the night for The Red Rooster.
The Red
Rooster Has Been Eliminated!
The
babyfaces celebrate with the heels talking strategy, how will Heenan deal with
his protégé becoming the first elimination from this high-profile main event.
Savage and Haku lock-up, Haku sends Savage to the ropes which allows a Hogan
tag. Hogan stands toe to toe with Haku, Irish whip and dropkick by Haku. Chops
to the back of the head from Haku, Irish whip reversal from Hogan. Clothesline
by Hogan, tag to Hercules. Elbow drops by Hercules, Hercules applies a side
headlock which leads to a back suplex from Haku. Haku tags Akeem, Akeem nails a
huge scoop slam but Hercules avoids an elbow drop. Hercules tags Jim, Irish
whip by Jim to the corner but Akeem counters. Akeem eats a big boot, Jim is
backed into the corner by Akeem. Another Irish whip reversal leads to a
clothesline from Akeem, Akeem splashes Jim and it’s over for the country boy!
Hillbilly
Jim Has Been Eliminated!
Koko
dropkicks Akeem from behind, rights and lefts to Akeem. Tag to Hogan, Hogan
rams Akeem into the turnbuckle, tag to Savage. Savage nails a top rope diving
axe handle. Elbow to the head, make it two. Hercules enters the match, rights
and lefts from Hercules stagger Akeem but Akeem stands tall. Irish whip and a
reverse elbow, tag to Koko. Jabs from Koko, massive dropkick to the corner.
Koko misses a corner splash, allowing Akeem to tag The Bossman. Bossman Slam on
Koko, bye by to The Birdman.
Koko B
Ware Has Been Eliminated!
Hogan enters
the ring, wanting a piece of Bossman. Lock-up, eye-rake from Bossman. Hogan
battles back with right hands, Irish whip and an axe-bomber. Atomic drop to
Bossman, Bossman is pummelled by all the babyfaces. Corner clothesline, Hogan
bites the head of Bossman. Big boot from Hogan, Hogan calls for a slam. Scoop
slam on Bossman, a shoulder block does not budge Bossman as Bossman counters
with a spinebuster. Bossman tags Akeem, double reverse elbow by the duo. Akeem
tags Haku, slam from Haku before a quick tag to Bossman. Bossman nails a knee
across the back, Bossman stands on Hogan’s throat before a tag to Dibiase.
Dibiase tags
in, big clothesline to Hogan. Fist Drops from Dibiase, Dibiase stands proudly
over Hogan, cover and a two for Dibiase. Hogan is Hulking Up, atomic drop for
Dibiase. Hercules comes in for retribution on Dibiase, back-drop from Hercules.
Dibiase is rocked, lefts from Hercules. Knee lift from Hercules, multiple
clotheslines. Virgil trips Hercules which leads to Dibiase rolling up Hercules.
Hercules
Has Been Eliminated!
Dibiase
gloats about his victory allowing for Savage to sneak up on The Million Dollar
Man, eliminating Dibiase from this match, it’s 3 vs 2!
Ted
Dibiase Has Been Eliminated!
In comes
Haku, Haku nails a clothesline. Diving headbutt misses, Haku eats a clothesline
as Savage tags in Hogan. Hogan comes in and eats a thrust kick, Bossman is now
legal. Headbutts to the spine of Hogan, big right hand from Bossman. Scoop
slam, two for Bossman. Throat thrust from Bossman, tag to Akeem. Akeem clobbers
Hogan, tag to Haku. Suplex from Haku for two, Haku stays in control with a
shoulder claw. Hogan fades under the pressure from Haku, Hogan survives the
hold but Bossman tags not the match, scoring huge with The Bossman Slam.
Bossman
positions Hogan for a top rope diving attack, Hogan lays prone in the middle of
the ring. Bossman launches himself, missing a massive splash. Hogan is dazed
but Savage receives the tag, Savage batters every heel in sight with axe
handles. Savage runs off the ropes but Slick nails Savage with his stick,
Bossman clubs down Savage. Slick intimidates Elizabeth, grabbing Elizabeth.
Hogan gives chase, knocking out Slick. Akeem and Bossman double team Hogan.
Bossman has handcuffs, Hogan is stuck to the bottom rope. Bossman is counted
out of the match but Bossman uses his nightstick to decimate The Hulkster.
Big
Bossman Has Been Eliminated!
Hogan is
hunched over by the steel steps, feeling the effects of Bossman’s attacks. Haku
and Akeem double team Savage while Bossman chokes Hogan with the nightstick.
Bossman nails Savage in the back with the nightstick, Bossman chokes Savage
while Akeem nails a splash on Savage. The tide has turned as Haku remains
against Savage and Hogan.
Akeem Has
Been Eliminated!
Haku
continues where Akeem left off, reverse elbow to Savage. Haku gets two, Hogan
is barely moving at this stage. Savage avoids an elbow drop from Haku, Irish
whip by Haku but Savage avoids the dropkick attempt of Haku. Savage is reaching
out for Hogan but Hogan cannot break free, Slick has Savage but Savage ducks,
Haku superkicks Slick by mistake. Hogan clotheslines Heenan, Elizabeth searches
Slick’s pockets and Hogan is now free from the handcuffs. Hogan climbs to his
corner, Haku slams Savage. Haku climbs high, top rope splash by Haku for two.
Haku thrust kicks Savage into Hogan, Hogan is in the ring. Big boot, scoop slam
and Atomic Leg Drop! Savage and Hogan win the match, The Mega-Powers survive!
Not as an
enjoyable struggle like the last match with Jake Roberts but a good main event
for this pay per view, the heels dominated for the majority of the match, I
like how Bossman and Akeem have been portrayed to be absolute monsters inside
of the ring, the sinister side of The Bossman callously attacking Hogan with
the nightstick is great, it stands out as there has not been such a despicable
heel in the WWF since Roberts. Hogan and Savage bring a level of excitement and
electricity to the match, the match is great on star-power alone but I love the
little hints that something is turning inside of The Macho Man. Hogan lifting
up Elizabeth and Savage reaching for a tag with no Hogan in sight, these are
the things that do not sit well with The Macho Man. Good story-telling, enough
action and fire added to the feuds taking place at the time leave this main
event as a good end to what could be a mixed night!
Winners:
The Mega-Powers over Everyone Else via Survival!
That was
WWF’s Survivor Series 1988, a mixed bag of a pay per view from the WWF. You can
split this show into two parts, the first two matches which are the lower card
guys and tag teams battling it out in matches that seem to drag on for too long
and leave you not wanting more despite the angle of Fuji turning on Demolition.
I think this could have been executed far better as everyone is confused who to
cheer when The Powers of Pain take in Fuji and win the match, if everyone is
confused, that is not a good sign. The second half of the night which has Team
Roberts vs Team Andre and Mega-Powers vs The Twin Towers is awesome. Great
story-telling in both matches, Jake The Snake knocks it out of the park in the
psychology department and feuds are intensified and interest is build in
anticipation of the rematches, you could not ask for hotter or better wrestling
coming out of these matches, you want Andre The Giant vs Jake Roberts, you want
The Mega-Powers vs The Twin Towers so based on the last two matches, this show
is worth seeing. Thanks for reading and remember: there’s always another night!
