WWF Summerslam 1989 Review

Hello and welcome to another edition of Seanomaniac Wrestling Reviews, the only wrestling review series with more shoot angles than a Vince Russo-Era WCW Match! WWF Summerslam 1989 built around Hogan’s blockbuster movie No Holds Barred! Yes, the WWF have taken movie villain Zeus and planted in the middle of the top angle heading into Summerslam. The main event will be Hogan and Beefcake against Savage and Zeus, not the worst match on paper with Savage more than likely doing the heavy lifting and the previous Summerslam having a tag match for a main event also! We have a Wrestlemania rematch with The Ultimate Warrior against Rick Rude which should be tremendous based on the antics of Heenan and Rude’s antagonizing persona. We also have The Brainbusters against The Hart Foundation, that should be some tasty tag team wrestling right there and Tony Schiavone calls the action with Jesse Ventura, let’s get it on!

The Brainbusters W/ Bobby Heenan vs The Hart Foundation

The Hart Foundation were previously a part of my favourite opening match of The Golden Era so to see them in an opening match once more, brings a smile to my face. They have come out on top of their feud with former manager Jimmy Hart and his Fabulous Rougeau Brothers, this match is a non-title match but this could put them in the title picture. Meanwhile, The Brainbusters I have fallen in love with since the very beginning, experts at the tag scene and rightly, holding the championships. This will be good I am 100% sure of it, no doubt in my mind.

Tully and Bret start, side headlock by Tully. Arm-drags off an Irish whip by Bret, arm-wringer with multiple shots to the left arm. Tully backs to his corner, tag to Anderson. Drop toehold from Anderson but Bret slips out for a hammerlock, scoop slam on that arm. Arm-wringer and tag to Neidhart, axe handle bow from Neidhart. Anderson knees Neidhart but Neidhart is too strong, Anderson is yanked to The Hart’s corner. Tag to Bret, right hands to the left arm. Tag to Neidhart, Anderson cannot reach Tully. Neidhart drags Anderson to his corner, tag to Bret. Arm-drag but Anderson counters with a head-scissors, Anderson tags Tully.

Tully misses his cheap shot, tag to Neidhart. Kick to the hamstring, arm-wringer from Neidhart. Knees from Tully, hip-toss is blocked. Mat slam by Neidhart with more arm work, tag to Bret. Tully flops his way over to Anderson, the tag does not count as Anderson was not holding the tag rope. Tag to Neidhart, arm-wringer. Chops from Tully have no effect, Neidhart keeps walking forward. Big chop, Irish whip to the turnbuckle. Chest-first goes Tully, tag to Bret. Hammerlock from Bret, Tully tries to sweep the leg or even try a snap-mare but Tully counters with a top wrist-lock. Tully uses his head before Bret bridges up, Anderson comes in but Bret arm-drags both Brainbusters. Such good stuff, crowd goes nuts.

Bret and Tully trade blows, Tully loses that war rolling to the floor. Tully tags Anderson in the ring behind Bret’s view, massive clothesline by Anderson. Anderson misses a middle rope splash, Neidhart and Tully are in the ring too. The Hart Foundation stand tall again, Anderson wants a timeout. I do not blame him at this stage, Heenan talks strategy with the champions. Bret punches Tully back into the ring, Tully is tripped by the leg. Stomp to the mid-section from Bret, tag to Neidhart. Irish whip to the corner, Tully is thinking middle rope crossbody. Neidhart counters with a bear-hug, Anderson smacks Neidhart hard. All four in the ring, Anderson knocked to the apron. Bret whips Neidhart to corner splash Tully but Anderson pulls Tully out of the way.

Advantage: Brainbusters! Neidhart clutches his ribs as Tully and Anderson go to work. Camel clutch from Tully, Neidhart is on his feet with Tully on his back but the tag has been made to Anderson. Neidhart is taken down, Irish whip and a gut shot from Anderson for two. Boot to the head, Neidhart meets Tully’s knee. Tag to Tully, rights and lefts. Tag to Anderson, Neidhart begins fighting back. Neidhart and Anderson smash heads in the middle of the ring, Neidhart whips Anderson off the ropes, Bret drives the knee into Anderson’s back.

Neidhart tags Bret, here comes Bret. Irish whip to the buckle, back elbow and scoop slams to Brainbusters. Anderson eats a dropkick, scoop slam to Tully. Middle rope elbow drop, suplex from Bret. All 4 men are brawling again in the ring, Bret clotheslines Tully. Neidhart sends Anderson to the floor, inverted atomic drop from Bret. Anderson runs into the ring-post, Neidhart nails his slingshot shoulder block. Neidhart slams Bret onto Tully, Nedihart is with the referee and Heenan, Anderson nails a middle rope axe handle and rolls on top of Bret for the win.

Very good tag team match, loved the beginning with Bret out-wrestling the heels with some great wrestling. Loved Tully and Anderson’s psychology, they just work so well together and work the tag team match to perfection. Always in the right places, always making the babyfaces look like stars and always cheating throughout the entire thing. Tully’s strut is one of my favourites in wrestling, the cockiness is off the scales. I want more of these two going at it, more heat and more babyface Bret in peril.

 Winners: The Brainbusters over The Hart Foundation via Axe Handle!

Dusty Rhodes vs The Honky Tonk Man W/ Jimmy Hart

What a WCW feel to this pay per view, here is The American Dream in his pay per view debut. Dusty back drops Honky and teases the elbow, Honky powders. Arm-wringer from Dusty, Dusty messes with Honky’s hair. Atomic drop and Bionic Elbow to Honky, ten punches in the corner. Dusty stretches the leg of Honky, boot to the head by Honky. Side headlock with closed fists before Dusty nails Honky with fists of his own. Jimmy Hart grabs Dusty’s leg, Dusty gives chase but leaves his megaphone behind to Honky.

Megaphone to the ribs, Honky covers but only gets two. Stomps and right hands from Honky, Jimmy Hart chokes Dusty on the apron. Sleeper from Honky, Dusty manages to escape but a well-placed knee from Honky keeps The Dream down. Another sleeper but Dusty is wriggling free thanks to the cheers from the crowd, shots to the ribs. Scoop slam, Honky dodges the elbow. Back into the chin-lock, Dusty pushes Honky to the corner. Shoulder thrusts by Dusty but Honky pokes the eye, right hands from Honky with Dusty firing back. Dusty begins jabbing Honky, Irish whip to the corner but Dusty misses the splash.

Honky hurls Dusty into the referee, Honky is asking for his guitar. Jimmy Hart is going to crack Dusty, Jimmy swings and Jimmy misses! Honky is walloped over the head with the guitar, Dusty seizes his opportunity and delivers a massive Bionic Elbow to the heart of Honky. 1…2…3! Dusty is victorious!

Enjoyable if not a bit too long, I enjoyed Dusty’s antics with Honky being the perfect heel to deal with The American Dream. Dusty should be going over easy on Honky but Honky got a lot of offense in this one and those chin-locks seem to stretch on for quite some time but the finish was some good old cheese and I enjoyed it immensely! Trim the fat a bit and this could have been a wonderful pay per view debut for The American Dream!

Winner: Dusty Rhodes over Honky Tonk Man via Bionic Elbow!

Mr. Perfect vs The Red Rooster

Perfect enters a shoving contest with Rooster, side headlock with a clean break from Perfect. Arm-drag from Perfect, hip-toss too for good measure. Fireman’s carry from Perfect, right hand from Rooster. Perfect is shocked, side headlock by Perfect. Leapfrog and bridges, scoop slam but Perfect counters and gets a close two. Stomps from Perfect, standing dropkick with Rooster dropping to the floor. Rooster seems to have hurt his leg badly, eye rake and Perfect is thrown to the floor. Lots of stalling, Perfect-Plex easy as that and it is over. DUD!

Winner: Mr. Perfect over The Red Rooster via Perfect-Plex!

The Rockers & Tito Santana vs Rick Martel & The Fabulous Rougeau Brothers W/ Slick & Jimmy Hart

Martel and Santana broke up as a tag team as Martel abandoned Santana in their Wrestlemania match with The Brainbusters. Santana and Jacque to begin, Jacque wants this handshake badly, lock-up between the two. Jacque grabs the hair, The Rockers are not happy so we have a double hip-toss followed by Team Santana nailing dropkicks to clear out Team Martel. Jacque and Jannetty are the legal men, Jacque misses a middle rope crossbody with Jannetty nailing a right hand before Raymond distracts Jannetty. Raymond nails a massive thrust-kick before Martel tags in, Michaels is with the referee as Team Martel choke Jannetty.

Irish whip with Martel leap-frogging Jannetty, Jannetty nails a dropkick. Tag to Santana, Martel dives out of the ring, tagging Raymond. Side headlock by Santana on Raymond, leapfrogs before a right hand by Santana. Two for Santana, side headlock from Santana. Jacque grabs Santana’s foot off an Irish whip, Raymond nails a big dropkick. Tag to Jacque, double elbow from The Rougeaus.

Martel is in, double stun-gun with Martel dancing around the ring. Martel is furious with the fans for their chants, tag to Jacque. Dropkick from Jacque, Santana is fighting back, looking for the tag. Jacque grabs a front chancery, backing Santana to the corner. Martel is the legal man, Santana fights back but Jacque stops Santana’s offense. Martel looks for a corner splash, Santana counters with a sunset flip for two, vicious choke from Martel to maintain control. Back-breaker from Martel, tag to Raymond who applies a Boston crab. Jacque splashes Santana behind the referee’s back. Tag to Jacque, abdominal stretch to Santana.

Martel assists Jacque from the apron, Raymond nails cheap shots behind the referee’s back. Martel is legal again, Santana fights back but Martel is too fresh. Raymond and Jacque allow Martel to keep control, Jacque is the legal man. Missing a clothesline, Jacque eats a flying crossbody for two. Santana is very worn down at this stage, tag to Raymond who drives his feet into Santana’s face. Sunset flip by Santana off an Irish whip, two with Raymond clamping on a reverse chin-lock, tag to Jacque. Flying reverse elbow from Jacque for two, tag to Raymond.

Jacque nails Raymond by mistake with a flying knee, Santana is looking for the tag. Tag to Martel and a tag to Michaels, right hands by Michaels. Irish whip and a back body drop, shot to Raymond. Irish whip and massive dropkick, suplex from Michaels. Michaels is climbing high, diving fist drop. Tag to Jannetty, assisted splash. Jacque elbows Martel by mistake, Team Martel are Irish whipped into one another, Flying Forearm by Santana on Martel. Jannetty as Jimmy Hart but Jacque dropkicks Jannetty, O Connor roll by Jacque but Jannetty reverses! However, Martel is the legal man, clothesline and Team Martel steal this win.

Wow, that was an awesome six-man tag team match. The build up for that hot-tag to Michaels was tremendous, the foreigner gimmick is alive and well with The Rougeau Brothers, so antagonizing and the crowd love seeing them get dismantled. Santana vs Martel has the makings of a great feud with all the attention they gave it in this match. The crowd erupted for that flying forearm, that was just so much fun. I think this could be shaping up to one of my favourite pay per views of The Golden Era. An hour past and I have been loving this Summerslam!

Winners: Rick Martel & Rougeau Brothers over The Rockers & Tito Santana via Clothesline!

(WWF Intercontinental Championship Match) Ravishing Rick Rude © W/ Bobby Heenan vs The Ultimate Warrior

It all began at The Royal Rumble in The Super Pose-down, Rude being out-classed by Warrior was simply too much. Rude attacked Warrior which set them on a collision course for Wrestlemania. Rude would emerge victorious thanks to Heenan holding down Warrior’s feet for the three-count. The Heenan Family have tried to take out Warrior, Haku, Rude & Andre but you cannot keep The Warrior down for long, it is time for Warrior to regain his championship.

Warrior corners Rude, Rude ducks Warrior. Kick from Rude, no effect on Warrior. Rights and lefts from Rude, no effect. Warrior clotheslines Rude to the apron, Rude tries an apron sunset flip. Warrior survives and punches Rude square in the face, Gorilla press slam to the floor from Warrior. Rude is slammed off the ring apron, Rude meets the guard-rail. Rude is waffled with the intercontinental championship, suplex on the floor. Warrior throws Rude back into the ring, Rude is tossed to the floor once more.

Scoop slam on the floor, Warrior climbs to the top rope. Axe handle from Warrior for two, Warrior is sent to the turnbuckle hard. To the opposite corner we go, scoop slam for two. Big vertical suplex for two, inverted atomic drop by Warrior and a hip swivel from Warrior. Up to the top rope, Heenan distracts Warrior. Rude crotches Warrior, Rude hammers Warrior in the kidney area. Snap suplex from Rude for two, more shots to the kidney. Reverse chin-lock with Rude sitting down on the back of Warrior. Warrior is shaking off Rude’s attacks, Rude covers for two. Kick from Rude, Rude Awakening but Warrior grabs the hands of Rude. Warrior misses a clothesline, Rude jumps on the challenger’s back, sleeper from Rude.

Warrior shakes it off but Warrior collides with Rude and the referee is taken out, Heenan shakes Rude back to life. Warrior is coming back to life, chops from Rude have no effect. Chops by Warrior, back drop from Warrior. Clotheslines, Irish whip into a powerslam. Warrior begins waking the referee, Warrior nails a massive piledriver. The referee crawls over, Rude’s foot is on the ropes. A close two for Warrior, running powerslam from Warrior. Splash time but Rude lifts his knees, massive block. Ganso Bomb from Rude for two, Rude is looking for the fist drop and it connects, Rude gets a two count.

Roddy Piper is at ringside, Rude and Piper have had issues stemming back weeks. The crowd is going ballistic, Piper is at ringside watching the action. Rude spots Piper, Rude poses at Piper. Piper shows Rude his ass, Rude is going nuts. Here comes Warrior with a massive German suplex, flying shoulder block and Warrior is calling for the finish. Military press slam, The Ultimate Splash and Warrior is your new WWF Intercontinental Champion.

That was a lot of fun from Rude and Warrior, Warrior steamrolls Rude for the early portions of the match, Rude puts over Warrior by showing fear from the get-go, terrified to lock up with The Warrior. Some good selling from Warrior too, Rude gets in his heat and riles up the crowd. Roddy Piper coming out wow, I thought a fan was fighting at first with everyone looking towards the ramp off camera but man Rowdy Roddy Piper causing Rude’s downfall was just awesome, I cannot wait for these two to lock up. God damn you WWF!

Winner: The Ultimate Warrior over Ravishing Rick Rude via Ultimate Splash!

The Twin Towers & Andre The Giant vs Demolition & Hacksaw Jim Duggan

Duggan and Akeem kick us off, Akeem says he is sick of The USA. Duggan does not like that at all, Duggan goes to work on Akeem. Rights and lefts, Irish whip to the corner and a big right. Arm-wringer and tag to Ax, beatdown time. Simple yet effective, tag to Smash. Double beatdown, arm-wringer and tag to Duggan. Arm-wringer and Akeem goes shoulder first into the turnbuckle, tag to Ax. Akeem and Ax square off, elbow by Ax. Akeem chops Ax, tag to Bossman. Bossman and Ax, Ax staggers Bossman with right hands. Tag to Smash, Bossman grabs the hair from a wristlock. Smash tees off on Bossman, eye rake from Bossman.

Smash eye rakes Bossman, arm-wringer and tag to Duggan. Arm-wringers galore, tag to Ax. Front chancery from Ax, gut shots and an apron shot from Akeem send Ax to the mat. Andre is the legal man, huge splashes from Andre. Clubbing blow, choke-hold from Andre. Stomps and chokes from Andre, Ax is on the floor. Tag to Bossman, headbutt from Bossman. Tag to Akeem, Irish whip to the corner but Akeem misses a corner splash. Ax tags Smash, Smash cleans house with big scoop slams. Andre chops down Smash, Bossman knees Smash in the back. Ax and Bossman are brawling on the floor, Andre and Duggan are brawling. Akeem slams Smash, middle rope splash connects but Duggan waffles Akeem with the 2x4 as the referee deals with Andre. Team Demolition emerge victorious!

Damn that was another fun match, big characters all around in this one and all very over superstars. The WWF is so hot at this time, these are standard six-man tag matches and I just find myself getting sucked into these matches. Andre can barely move and Demolition and Duggan basically brawl with The Twin Towers but I love it, I loved everything that happened in this match was just good old wrestling.

Winners: Team Demolition over Team Andre via 2x4!

Hercules Hernandez vs Greg The Hammer Valentine W/ Jimmy Hart

Ronnie Garvin is your guest ring announcer, Garvin makes fun of Valentine. Valentine talks smack and eats a right hand from Hercules. Rights and lefts, Irish whip with a big elbow. Two for Hercules, massive scoop slam for two. Valentine rolls to the floor and eyes up Garvin, Hercules rolls up Valentine for two. Valentine rolls to the floor, Hercules nails an apron axe handle. Hercules attempts re-entering the ring but eats a massive knee. Shin-guard out, figure four is blocked by Hercules. Snap-mare and Valentine is on the top rope, Hercules avoids the axe handle with a shot to the gut.

Irish whip but Hercules ducks his head, boot by Valentine. Hercules blocks the suplex, Valentine is planted with a suplex. Valentine begs for mercy, Hercules is tripped up by Valentine and Valentine uses the ropes for leverage. Hardly a match and more of an angle with Valentine and Garvin, Hercules is named winner by DQ? Valentine nails Garvin, Garvin nails Valentine. Meh filler and more of an angle than match.

Winner: Greg Valentine over Hercules via Roll-Up!

The Million Dollar Man Ted Dibiase vs Jimmy Superfly Snuka

Dibiase is claiming to have ended Jake The Snake Roberts career, good way to get heat for The Million Dollar Man. Snuka has comeback to the WWF, still over. Dibiase tries jumping Snuka, big mistake. Chops and headbutts, Snuka stares down Virgil. Dibiase uses the distraction but knees Virgil by mistake, atomic drop by Snuka with Dibiase bumping over the top rope. Side headlock from Dibiase, Snuka struggles to break free. Shove off, leapfrog and Snuka botches a leapfrog, landing on Dibiase. Dibiase is rammed off the buckle, Dibiase goes low with a boot. Snuka is down to a knee, chop and an Irish whip but Snuka reverses the Irish whip. Back body-drop by Snuka, Dibiase begs for mercy.

Shoulder block by Snuka, stun-gun counter from Dibiase slows down Snuka. Stomp to the face, Dibiase works the ribs of Snuka. Suplex by Dibiase for two, knees to the spine from Dibiase. Rib-breaker from Dibiase for two, scoop slam but the middle rope elbow drop misses for Dibiase. Snuka scores with chops, scoop slam by Snuka. Middle rope headbutt connects, Snuka wants The Superfly. Virgil is on the apron, distraction from Virgil. Snuka is attacked from behind by Dibiase, Snuka meets the ring-post hard and Dibiase wins by count-out!

These last two matches have slowed the pay per view down, there is no getting around it but they served their purpose. A buffer between the main event and the exciting tag match that came before, Snuka is still over while Dibiase’s selling is top notch as per usual. As a buffer match, it does its job not much more to say really.

Winner: Ted Dibiase over Jimmy Snuka via Count-Out!

Hulk Hogan & Brutus Beefcake vs Macho Man Randy Savage W/ Sensational Sherri & Zeus

Nice little introduction from The Genius before the match, the crowd proceeds to lose its mind as we enter the main event, Beefcake gets a great reaction and when Hogan’s music hits, my goodness. Sherri’s look is interesting for sure, we also continue the one of my favourite angles of all-time. Savage’s decent into madness, the high of Wrestlemania IV to the low of Wrestlemania V, losing Miss Elizabeth through jealousy and his massive ego. With Sherri at his side, Savage wants to proof that Elizabeth never really mattered. Savage’s confidence fades as Miss Elizabeth is here in Hogan’s corner. With shades on, you can tell Savage’s thought process, it is tremendous.

Savage and Beefcake go to the floor, Hogan’s right hands do not hurt Zeus. Hogan rakes the eyes but Zeus blocks the slam. Choke by Zeus, Beefcake gets caught in the bear-hug, Hogan attacks Zeus from behind. A shoulder block knocks Hogan down, bear-hug from Zeus. Axe handle from Savage, Hogan is rammed into the corner. Scoop slam by Savage, to the top rope Macho goes and scores with an axe handle. Running knee to the spine and a clothesline, chin-lock from Savage.

Hogan is on his feet, big elbows and a shoulder block. Make it two before Zeus knees Hogan from the apron, hard Irish whip to the corner. Zeus and Savage whip Hogan around the ring, bear-hug from Zeus. Zeus squeezes the life out of Hogan, Hogan is not going to break free easily. Zeus has this hold for a little too long, Zeus carries Hogan to Savage. Hot-shot from Savage, Savage spits on Beefcake. Back suplex for two, Savage misses a leg drop and elbows. Savage is in trouble as Beefcake gets the hot tag, high knee for two. Sleeper from Beefcake, Savage backs Beefcake into the corner but Beefcake holds onto the sleeper. Savage runs Beefcake into the buckle head-first, tag to Zeus. Eye rake from Beefcake, Sleeper on Zeus.

Hogan is with the referee, Sherri hands Savage her purse. Savage knocks out Beefcake, Hogan makes the save. Savage spits on Hogan, Hogan clobbers Savage who runs away and hides behind Elizabeth. Hogan continues to save Beefcake who cannot stand, Savage rams Beefcake into Zeus’ foot. Tag to Zeus who chokes Beefcake with his leg, choke on the ground. Throat toss from Zeus, more choking. Tag to Savage, double knockdown in the middle of the ring. Beefcake kicks off Savage, in comes Hogan. Savage backs off, right hands by Hogan. Right hand to Hogan, boot to Savage who powders to the floor.

Savage grabs Hogan by the hair, apron suplex but Sherri pulls Hogan’s legs. Clothesline by Savage, Diving Elbow Drop from Savage but Hogan zips right back up. Savage is in utter shock, atomic drop. Zeus is in, right hands by Hogan which stagger Zeus. Zeus misses a clothesline, Hogan nails a clothesline which puts Zeus on his knees. Sherri is on the apron and Elizabeth trips Sherri, Beefcake trips Savage who had the loaded purse. Hogan picks up the loarded purse, Zeus is rocked. Scoop slam and an Atomic Leg Drop! Elizabeth waffles Sherri with the purse after the match and Sherri’s hair is cut!

This crowd is like molten lava for this match which more than makes up for a match that is all Savage, Zeus does well for somebody not trained. Hulkamania is alive and kicking which breathes such life into any main event. The psychology was top notch too, protecting Zeus like that with Zeus seeming impossible to knock down, it took Hulking Up and a loaded purse to defeat the monster. The crowd buys it and when Hogan sinks Zeus to one knee, the crowd is so loud. Elizabeth attacking Sherri was great too, Savage raving like a demented mad man was great and Beefcake did what he needed to do, he got his ass beat until the Hogan comeback.

Winners: Hogan & Beefcake over Savage & Zeus via Atomic Leg Drop!

That was WWF’s Summerslam 1989, arguably the best Golden Era pay per view that I have covered period. From top to bottom, this card was stacked. You had filler like any pay per view but it was over within minutes and it served as that buffer between the big matches and boy was their some big matches on this card. The opening match, Hart Foundation and Brainbusters, tag team wrestling and awesome, the six-man tag with Duggan and Demolition was enormous fun, Rude and Warrior with Piper’s return was awesome and the main event tag match was awesome too. This pay per view may have been the quickest 2 hour and a half pay per view I have watched in a very long time, it was a breeze and with so many stars, it is no wonder. It will be interesting to see when the likes of Flair and Undertaker come into the fold during the 90s because this roster is stacked and firing on all cylinders. My personal favourite Golden Era WWF pay per view thus far, it will be tough to beat! Thanks for reading and remember: There’s always another night!