Sunday 28 June 2020

WWF Survivor Series 1992 Review

Survivor Series (1992) - Wikipedia


Hello and welcome to another edition of Seanomaniac Wrestling Reviews, the only wrestling review series on the internet that does not take advantage of underage talent in the wrestling business. All jokes aside, to the likes of David Starr and Joey Ryan, you are vile disgusting pieces of shit who deserve everything thrown your way. Now onto wrestling, it’s WWF Survivor Series 1992 where the big match of the night focuses on Mr. Perfect returning to the ring to team with Macho Man Randy Savage against Ric Flair and Razor Ramon. Are you ready for a casket match? Well, it’s a coffin match according to Vince which will feature The Undertaker vs Kamala. Finally, the WWF Championship will be defended as Bret Hart defends against newly crowned WWF Intercontinental Champion Shawn Michaels. This will be the second Survivor Series to feature matches that are not all traditional Survivor Series matches which is a nice change of pace. Let’s see if WWF can end 92 on a high!

High Energy vs The Headshrinkers W/ Afa

Goodbye Neidhart, hello Koko. Samu shoves down Hart to start this match, make it double. Side headlock from Hart, Samu and Hart collide off a shoulder block. Samu and Hart leapfrog and dodge one another before a crossbody from Hart for two. Dropkick into an arm-drag into another dropkick, tag to Koko. Samu drags Koko to the corner, Samu hits Fatu by mistake as Koko dodges. Koko stomps on the feet of The Headshrinkers, Koko tries the noggin knocker but The Samoans shake that off. Afa cracks Koko with some stick, Fatu lands a huge slam on Koko. Tag to Samu, double headbutt to The Birdman.


Hart is with the referee as Koko is isolated in the corner. Fatu uses axe handles on Koko, Fatu bites the head of Koko. Irish whip and big clothesline from Fatu, tag to Samu. Shoulder-claw from Samu, Koko fights back but Samu cuts off the attacks of Koko. Tag to Fatu, knee to the ribs. Whip off the ropes, Fatu ducks his head. Sunset flip from Koko for two, superkick from Fatu takes down Koko. Fatu and Samu double team Koko, Afa continues to enjoy chicken at ringside. Samu covers for two, face rake from Samu. Samu measures Koko for a headbutt, slam to the mat. Whip to the buckle, Koko dodges Samu’s splash.


Hart gets the tag, dropkicks all around. Whip off the ropes, back body-drop for Samu. Diving crossbody, Fatu breaks that up. Spinning heel kick for Fatu, Samu reverses the whip. Hart runs into the powerslam from Samu, tag to Fatu. Diving Splash from Fatu and this match is over.


Headshrinkers have been established with a pay per view win, surprised that Hart ate the pinfall on this one but that’s business my friend. Crowd seems hot which helped what could have been a flat tag team match, Samoans can always work and these two can be fun with the right team. Overall, it kept me entertained despite never believing in Hart and Koko.


Winners: The Headshrinkers over High Energy via Top Rope Splash!

(Nightstick On A Pole Match) The Big Bossman vs Nailz

Nailz was put in prison by Bossman, Nailz is out and wants revenge. The match starts with Bossman racing to the ring to stop Nailz grabbing the stick. Nailz whips Bossman to the corner, big punches and chokes from Nailz. Eye rake from Nailz, jabs from Nailz. Whip to the buckle, Bossman blocks an oncoming Nailz. Right hands and one straight knocks Nailz to a knee. Nailz stops Bossman from grabbing the stick, Bossman is tossed to the mat. Gut-buster from Nailz with more choking for good measure, Bossman battles back but Nailz is too strong for Bossman. Nailz begins climbing, Bossman drags Nailz down onto the top rope where Nailz falls on the rope groin-first.


Nailz is up first, knee to the ribs. Whip off the ropes but Bossman lands a clothesline on Nailz, both men collapse to the mat. Bossman begins climbing to the nightstick, Bossman pulls it down and waffles Nailz in the head. Nailz lands a low blow though, Nailz has the nightstick and Bossman is waffled in the neck and the back. Nailz misses the swing with the nightstick, Bossman lands two big rights before scoring with The Bossman Slam for the win.


Brief and they sold the match well with both men desperately battling for control of the nightstick. However, once both men were smashed with the nightstick multiple times without major damage, they kind of lost me. You are centring around the idea of the nightstick being a match-ender but here we are, both men smack one another about three times before Bossman lands a Bossman Slam for the win. Kills the stipulation but the match was mercifully short so I will let it slide for now.

Winner: The Big Bossman over Nailz via Bossman Slam!

Rick The Model Martel vs Tatanka

Stealing another man’s feathers is just not on ladies and gentlemen but this is not the first time these two met, Tatanka came out on top in their last encounter while Martel moved onto a seemingly babyface program with Sherri Martel and Michaels but that is a distant memory now. Back to these two wanting to murder one another, Martel slaps Tatanka to start the match. Tatanka chops back at Martel hard, back body-drop out of the corner. Dropkicks floors Martel who is on the floor for a breather, Tatanka reassumes control inside of the ring.


Atomic drop and clothesline to the floor, Martel is down once again. In the ring, it’s a knee from Martel. Tatanka sends Martel into the buckle, Martel reverses an Irish whip and stun-guns Tatanka. Martel poses for the fans, front chancery from The Model. Tatanka fires up for a suplex, Martel regains control though with a big slam into the mat. Doink is here, making balloons. Interrupting our match here, Doink continues to take up camera time so I have no idea what is going on in the ring. Front chancery from Martel, Tatanka places Martel on the apron. Tatanka pulls Martel into the ring the hard way, Martel stabs Tatanka in the throat. Beautiful neck-breaker from Martel for two, Tatanka is caught in a front chancery once more.


The front chancery continues as Doink is having fun with the fans, Tatanka fires up again. Martel’s grip is broken, clothesline from Tatanka. Whip to the buckle, Martel reverses. However, Martel runs shoulder-first into the ring-post. Tatanka chops the arm, backslide for two. Arm-drag from Tatanka, Martel side-steps Tatanka who crashes to the floor. Martel attacks the back and ribs, gut shot from Martel. Martel’s middle rope axe handle backfires as Tatanka lands a gut shot. Tatanka is on the warpath, headbutt and chops. Scoop slam, Tatanka climbs high. Diving chop, whip off the ropes and massive Samoan Drop for the win.


I did not expect this one to go this long, the feud had a bit of steam to it but it just felt the match was filling time for the antics of Doink. A lot of the match had the camera on Doink but also Martel’s repeated and long front chanceries drove me nuts, not a glowing review from me for this one.

Winner: Tatanka over Rick Martel via Samoan Drop!

Mr. Perfect & Randy Macho Man Savage vs Razor Ramon & Scott Hall

Plans have been changing, The Ultimate Warrior is no more in the WWF thanks to continued issues with Vince Mcmahon. However, WWF discovered quite the way to salvage the situation, the return of Mr. Perfect. Savage requested Perfect to be his partner, Bobby Heenan belittled Perfect which led to Perfect stepping up to the challenge, massive tag team match right here. Ramon and Perfect start, the two trade slaps and a toothpick to the face. Ramon outpowers Perfect but Perfect is too quick. Shoulder block from Ramon, drop toehold answer and slap from Perfect. Ramon is irate, Flair is livid too.


Perfect is on the floor, smiling away at his former associate Flair. Perfect and Flair trade words which allows Ramon to grab Perfect by the hair, Perfect chops his way out of the heel corner. Ramon and Flair are not happy, in tags Flair. Flair runs into massive rights from Perfect, Flair is in the corner. Whip to the opposite buckle and back body-drop from Perfect, big dropkick and clotheslines. Chop in the corner, Flair flip which leads to Savage cracking Flair with a right hand. Tag to Savage, Savage goes high. Diving axe handle to the spine, side headlock from Savage. Shove off from Flair, shoulder block from Savage. Savage slaps Flair before jabbing away at The Nature Boy, Ramon eats rights from Savage too.


Flair goes low, Irish whip from Flair. Clothesline misses as Savage nails repeated clotheslines before Flair whips Savage into the knee of Ramon. Ramon tees off on Savage, Ramon goes for the knee. Savage protects his knees, kicking off Ramon before Ramon grabs Savage by the throat. Two-handed throat toss from Ramon, Savage is stomped into the mat repeatedly. Flair is legal, Ramon lands massive rights on Savage. Flair whips Savage to the buckle hard, chops and right hands from The Nature Boy. Into the knee of Ramon again, Savage is wincing in pain in the heel corner. Kidney shots from Ramon, abdominal stretch from Ramon. Ramon grabs Flair’s hand for leverage, Perfect is getting frustrated on the apron.


Savage manages to hiptoss his way out of the hold but misses the elbow, Ramon stomps away at Macho Man. Ramon shoves Savage back-first into the buckle, tag to Flair. Savage is unceremoniously dumped to the floor, Ramon bounces Savage off the steel steps. Cover by Flair for two, knee drop from Flair before Ramon comes in with a single leg Boston crab. Perfect starts walking towards the ramp, frustrated by the lack of action. Perfect looks at the crowd before deciding to continue the match, Savage has been busted open by the knee of Flair. Ramon clocks Perfect when Perfect is back on the apron, Ramon clocks Savage multiple times behind the referee’s back.


Flair enters the ring, two for Flair. Flair tries for a hip-toss, Savage counters for a backslide. Ramon stops that pin-fall, Ramon is legal now. Repeated stomps from Ramon, chokeslam from Ramon. Perfect saves the match, breaking up the pin-fall. Savage catches Ramon for a small package, two for Savage. Tag to Flair, Flair unloads a flurry of punches to Savage. Hard Irish whip to the corner, Flair struts his way over to Savage. Corner clothesline from Flair, Flair asks Perfect to bring it on. Perfect is looking very frustrated at this point, Flair climbs to the top rope. Savage catches Flair, slam to the canvas. Perfect wants in badly, Savage tags Perfect.


Right hands and a biel from Perfect, snap-mare neck-breaker. Chops and rights from Perfect, atomic drop and right hand floors Ramon. Knee-lift from Perfect, Flair eats a knee-lift too. Savage and Flair are brawling, Flair waffles Savage with a chair. Perfect does not see Flair, Perfect tees off on Flair. Back body-drop for Flair, clothesline to the floor. Ramon attacks Perfect, Perfect runs into the referee by mistake. Perfect counters the razor’s edge with a back-drop, Perfect-Plex. No referee to count the pin, Flair makes the save before we have a three-count. Perfect-Plex on Flair, Ramon makes the save by stomping on Perfect. We have a DQ as the referees have lost control, Figure Four on Perfect from Flair. Savage saves Perfect from the chair shot, Perfect stabs Flair with the chair.


Disappointing to be honest but this was on short notice, have to give them the benefit of the doubt. Perfect was great in his return match, lots of fire and the crowd were in love with Perfect. Flair does a great job winding up Perfect throughout the match, I thought Razor was the weakest part of the match. I thought Ramon should have been more dominant and more in-control throughout but it just did not come together for me when it came to The Bad Guy. However, this would be the biggest match of Ramon’s career up to this point and it brings a lot of pressure as well as trying to steal the show when Perfect has his first match back. The finish was flat though, we did get visual pin-falls for Perfect though so they did have the excitement the match needed, shame it went out on a whimper.

Winners: Mr. Perfect & Randy Savage over Ric Flair & Razor Ramon via DQ!

Yokozuna W/ Mr. Fuji vs Virgil

Banzai! The next foreign heel is here to destroy your beloved WWF Superstars, Yokozuna takes on the man who despite his shortcomings, I feel was left high and dry by the WWF. Yokozuna stands before Virgil who is showing no fear in front of this awesome sight. Yokozuna pushes off Virgil and knocks him with ease, Virgil slides through the legs. Triple dropkicks stagger Yokozuna, superkick from Yokozuna takes down Virgil. Virgil dodges a strike before running into a uranage from this monster. Headbutt from Yokozuna, Virgil blocks a right hand and lands a Polish hammer on Yokozuna. Ducking the blows before a sidewalk slam ends that attack from Virgil. Leg drop flattens the throat of Virgil, Virgil leaps over Yokozuna out of the corner but a schoolboy goes wrong as Yokozuna flattens Virgil. Whip to the buckle, clothesline and right palm thrust onto Virgil. Banzai Drop and this match is over!


Good squash match to put over the next big thing in the WWF, Yokozuna is big but boy, he’s fun to watch and Yoko can move when he wants to, a sign of things to come with new stars coming into their own in the WWF. Razor, Yokozuna, Michaels and Hart rising up the card, we are getting into a new era of things in the WWF.

Winner: Yokozuna over Virgil via Banzai Drop!

Beverly Brothers & Money Inc. W/ The Genius vs The Natural Disasters & The Nasty Boys

Our one Survivor Series Traditional Style Elimination Match and it reflects where we are at in the current WWF era. Not the most stellar of divisions at the time, we have recently turned Nasty Boys teaming with The Natural Disasters who have been feuding with Money Inc & The Beverly Brothers. Not looking forward to this to be honest, the WWF tag division does not interest me at this time.


Blake and Typhoon start, Blake uses his speed to taunt and avoid Typhoon. Typhoon shoves down Blake with ease, lots of strutting. Sleeper from Blake, Typhoon backs Blake into the corner. Huge toss and a gut-buster from Typhoon, Argentine back-breaker from Typhoon. Tag to Earthquake who applies a bearhug, Blake and Beau are squished in the corner. Running powerslam by Earthquake, tag to Knobbs. Knobbs is slapped by Blake, Knobbs slams Blake into the mat. Clothesline from Knobbs, tag to Sags. Blake goes low, tag to Beau who lands kicks before Sags sends Beau to the corner. Pumphandle drop from Sags, Sags wants Dibiase.


Beau lands an axe handle, butterfly suplex from Beau. Tag to Dibiase, chops from Dibiase. Whip to the buckle and clothesline, Sags blocks the suplex for a suplex of his own. Dibiase recovers though quicker and tags IRS, elbow from IRS. Leg drop for two, Sags ducks two clotheslines and lands hip-tosses on IRS. IRS begs off which leads to Dibiase eating a clothesline to the face, Beverlys are attacked too. Jimmy Hart distracts Sags, in comes Blake. Powerslam by Blake, tag to Beau. Boots from Beau, snap-mare into a leg drop for two. Tag to Blake, middle rope axe handle and neck-breaker for two. Sags is locked in a slepper, Blake and Sags collide after Blake escapes a sleeper from Sags.


Beau tags in but so does Earthquake, the reaction is mild. The ring fills up as everyone is brawling, Beau tries a crucifix but Typhoon counters for a Samoan Drop. Earthquake Splash and The Beverly Brothers are gone, not just the pinned brother. Dibiase sells his disgust and shock, IRS is not a happy man either. Dibiase decides to gut it out, shoulder block from Earthquake. Tags between Knobbs, Sags and Typhoon. They all take turns battering Dibiase, shoulder blocks from Earthquake. Whip to the buckle, Dibiase avoids the splash of Earthquake. Double back drop from Money Inc. elbow drop from IRS for two. IRS misses a splash in the corner but recovers to tag Dibiase, wishbone-split from Dibiase and IRS.


Tag to IRS, Earthquake is rammed into the buckle. Sleeper from IRS, Dibiase continues the beatdown of Earthquake. Whip off the ropes, clothesline to Earthquake. The big man staggers, chops from Dibiase. Dibiase looks for a middle rope axe handle, it connects. Two for Dibiase, tag to IRS. IRS gets a few shots in before tagging Dibiase, Dibiase tries a middle rope axe handle but eats a massive boot from Earthquake. Tag to Typhoon, right hands to IRS. Clotheslines to Dibiase and IRS, Splash on IRS. Dibiase makes the save, Nasty Boys clothesline Dibiase to the floor. Dibiase trips Typhoon who was running the ropes, elbow from IRS for the elimination before Knobbs comes in and rolls up IRS for the win.


Wow, that was torturous at times. Nothing remotely bad but interest from me and the fans was at an all-time low. I did not get the idea of having the heels be out-numbered during the match early on, granted I did not see The Beverlys beating anyone besides The Bushwhackers. Anyways, what did Money Inc. take on this battle against four monsters? Also why both eliminating The Natural Disasters for the match to end only seconds later? What could did that do for Money Inc or Natural Disasters? Answer: It did nothing, what a waste of time this match was.

Winners: The Nasty Boys over Everyone Else via Roll-Up!

(Casket Match) The Undertaker W/ Paul Bearer vs Kamala W/ Kim Chee & Harvey Whippleman

Summerslam rematch with a twist, The Undertaker looks to bury Kamala in a casket. The Deadman has been on a roll since turning face, nothing is going to stop Taker. Kamala is the first in a long list of monsters to stand in the way of The Deadman, Kamala is petrified of the casket which is great because Kamala is usually so imposing and powerful but the thought of being placed in that casket has this fearsome monster running for his life. Taker walks down his victim, Kamala continues to run. Kamala chops away at Taker, Taker staggers but the buckle has no effect on The Deadman. Taker strikes back at Kamala, Old School time.


Choke from Taker, whip from Taker. Taker drops the head, kick and chops from Kamala. Clothesline to the floor but Taker lands on his feet, Taker grabs the managers of Kamala but Kamala makes the save. Taker is bounced off the steps, throat thrust from Kamala. The Ugandan Giant is in firm control, Taker meets the steel steps hard. Kamala has a chair, wham across the back of The Deadman. In the ring, Kamala scoop slams Taker who sits right up. Throat thrust and scoop slam, Taker sits up which perplexes Kamala. Scoop slam with Taker continuing to sit up but this time Taker does spring up. Splash from Kamala, Kamala is delighted with himself. A second splash from Kamala, make it three.


Kim Chee trips Paul Bearer, Kamala and Kim Chee both hold onto the urn, neither man wants to use the urn though. This leads to Taker waffling Kamala with the urn, Kamala is out-cold. Kamala is pinned by The Deadman, this is not the end of the match though. Kamala is placed in the casket by Taker which leads to Bearer and Taker covering The Ugandan Giant and hammering the nails into place, it is all over for Kamala.


It was ok, thought the crowd was a little quiet for Taker. I enjoyed the glee of Kamala as Taker seemed to be beaten, was enjoyable to watch it come crashing down for Kamala. As it was the first, they had not really figured out a formula for drama, we even had a pin-fall in the match. Definitely a by the books performance from both men, serviceable but nothing memorable.

Winner: Undertaker over Kamala via Urn To The Head!

(WWF Championship Match) Bret Hart © vs Shawn Michaels

Champion vs Champion, the beginning of a legendary rivalry. Michaels defeated The British Bulldog to capture the Intercontinental Championship. Bulldog defeated Hart so Michaels is confident because he defeated the man who beat Hart. True changing of the guard here, I doubt anyone would have seen this match coming at the start of 1992 but here we are. Hart and Michaels lock-up, the two tussle around the ring before the referee has to step between the two of them. This is personal, these two hate one another.


Knee and take-down from Michaels, Hart quickly counters as Michaels scrambles to the ropes. Little bit of shoving, another lock-up. Wrist-lock from Hart, Michaels counters and yanks Hart down by the hair. Hart counters and wallops the arm, knee to the arm into a key-lock. Michaels looks to make space, Michaels grabs the hair behind the referee’s back. Clever from Michaels, wrist-lock and more punches from Hart. Michaels has the hair, drop-down and leap-frog before a drop toehold. Hart slips out though, catching Michaels for a hammer-lock.


Michaels counters for his own hammer-lock, Hart runs Michaels out of the ring. Hart yanks Michaels into the ring, transition into a key-lock. Michaels grabs the hair, whip off the ropes. Hart dodges the scoop slam, O’Connor roll is blocked but an apron sunset flip gets a two. Arm-drag into an arm-bar from Hart, Michaels has had enough of the arm-bars so decks Hart with a right-hand. Whip is reversed by Hart, Michaels survives the hip-toss but runs into a clothesline. Two for Hart, Hart clamps on a key-lock. Michaels goes back to grabbing the hair, Hart ducks before running into a stun-gun. Eye poke by Michaels, Hart reverses a whip to the buckle. Michaels dodges the corner spear, Hart hits the ring-post hard.


Michaels whips Hart into the buckle sternum-first, two for Michaels. Reverse chin-lock from Michaels, Hart continues to try to fight out of the hold. Hart is fading fast though, Hart elbows his way out before Michaels lands a dropkick. Two for Michaels, back-breaker from Michaels for two. Michaels clamps on another sleeper, Hart manages to escape. Neck-breaker after hitting the ropes, Michaels ducked his head and got caught. However, Michaels is up first. Eye poke to The Hitman, boots to the head. Front chancery from Michaels, Hart backs Michaels into the corner. Shoulder-thrusts from The Hitman, Michaels sends Hart to the buckle. Hart counters Michaels with a boot, bulldog from Hart. Middle rope elbow drop misses, Michaels is relieved to have avoided that elbow.


Cover for two, whip off the ropes. Flying reverse elbow for two, Michaels is getting angry now. Front chancery from Michaels, Hart counters for a small package. Two for Hart, Michaels is right back on Hart. Hart is sent to the buckle, Hart leapfrogs Michaels and delivers a back suplex. More leapfrogs, Michaels runs into Hart. Catapult from the champion, Michaels is backing off. Right hands from Hart, Michaels is sent to the buckle. Hart rocks the ropes with Michaels straddling the ropes, back body-drop. Two for Hart, gut punch into a Russian leg-sweep for two. Back-breaker and Bret’s Rope Elbow Drop for two.


Bret places Michaels on the top rope, superplex connects. Michaels swings wildly, Hart clamps on the sleeper. Michaels backs into Hart who smacks into the referee, both men trade counters before Michaels sends Hart to the floor. Michaels sends Hart into the guard-rail, scoop slam for good measure. Whip to the buckle hard, Michaels gets two. Back body-drop from Michaels for two, Michaels is annoyed. O’Connor roll for two from Hart, Superkick from Michaels. Michaels wants his Teardrop Suplex, Hart survives the first attempt but gets caught in the second attempt. 1…2. Hart kicks out! Whip from Michaels, Hart answers with a forearm. Michaels fakes being caught in the ropes, Hart lunges at Michaels but gets nothing but rope.


Michaels is on his feet, exhausted and spent. Hart is writhing in pain on the canvas, Michaels is taking a risk. Michaels tries a middle rope dropkick, Hart counters tripping up Michaels for a Sharpshooter in the middle of the ring. Michaels scratches and claws, there is nowhere to go though. Hart has retained his championship and celebrates with Santa Claus? Whatever…


This was an interesting match for sure, Michaels has not found his rhythm just yet as a heel, that’s fair enough considering it was a big change from regular tag team wrestler to pretty boy heel. We have a lot of chin-locks and front chanceries throughout, it really slows down the match. On top of that, neither man is incredible on offence, they have their go-to moves of course but I do not see Michaels as a dominant strong heel nor do I see Hart as an exciting explosive babyface. That missing dynamic hurts this match for me, there was also a referee bump for no real reason? Was Hebnar just in the wrong place? I enjoyed the beginning of the match with Hart out-wrestling the cocky challenger, forcing Michaels to break the rules with a closed fist to the face but the arm-work never went anywhere. Finish was clever and different, the bonus of having such athletic young top-stars, you get to see Michaels launch himself into the sharpshooter, good stuff for sure. Overall, I think it was good but definitely did not feel like a top-tier calibre main event, it felt more like the foundations of a good match from two men who are eager to prove they belong at the top.

Winner: Bret Hart over Shawn Michaels via Sharpshooter!

That was WWF Survivor Series 1992 and it tells you a lot about the shape this company was in during that era. You kick off with a tag team match with The Headshrinkers being established as a tag team on the rise, nothing wrong there. They are quick, have devastating manoeuvres and their finish looks great. They should do fine moving forward although the tag team division is lacking (more on that below) Nailz vs Bossman was quick and painless, I was not all that invested due to seeing Nailz in the ring at Summerslam and both men make the stipulation meaningless as they are battered multiple times with the nightstick with little to no damage. Tatanka vs Martel was not very good, a lot of rest holds and the camera was on Doink for most of it, I would have rather not seen the match.

Things pick up with the real main event as everything centres around the big tag team match, it’s fine. When Perfect is in there, it’s exciting and the fans want to see him, that feeling continues during Savage’s babyface in peril segment. The finish is flat though, two Perfect-Plexes only for the referee to call for a DQ. Perfect shows he can still hang but I wasn’t satisfied when it was over, I wanted more. However, as I said this was not the original plan so I will give them a pass for now. Yokozuna squash was fine, the only Survivor Series Traditional Elimination Match was awful. I could not make sense of the booking nor why you would put together such a piss-poor match. I just did not care for any of the athletes involved, Undertaker vs Kamala was not great either. Kamala’s facials were good but nothing standout about the match, just another day at the office. Finally, the main event was good in parts, bad in others. Bret and Shawn will grow as performers though, their encounters will get better. Thanks for reading and remember: there’s always another night!

Sunday 7 June 2020

WWF Saturday Night's Main Event November 14th, 1992 Edition Review

Saturday Night's Main Event XXV | Pro Wrestling | Fandom


Hello and welcome to another edition of Seanomaniac Wrestling Reviews, the only wrestling review series that continues to cause more confusion than a political tweet from your favourite wrestler! The last Saturday Night’s Main Event of its original run, bizarre considering I have watched everyone to build up to the pay per views I have watched, they have been entertaining and downright awful at times but I will miss them dearly. The landscape of the WWF has changed dramatically once more, we last saw Randy Savage as our WWF Champion at Summerslam. That is no longer the case as Ric Flair had regained the championship before dropping it to rising main-eventer Bret Hart. Hart holds the championship and defends against Papa Shango. Money Inc. defend their tag team championships against The Ultimate Maniacs and The British Bulldog defends his Intercontinental Championship against Shawn Michaels. Let’s do it!

(WWF Tag Team Championship Match) Money Inc © W/ Jimmy Hart vs The Ultimate Maniacs

We start hot, the babyfaces rush the ring while Money Inc jump them. Warrior is sent to the floor before returning the favour to Dibiase, double clotheslines from The Maniacs. Dibiase and IRS are thrown to opposite sides of the floor as The Maniacs pose for the fans. Savage and Dibiase kick us off officially, atomic drop for Dibiase. Savage does his slingshot, tag to Warrior. Dibiase rakes the eyes, chops from Dibiase. Dibiase lowers his head off an Irish whip, suplex by Warrior for two. Warrior misses his flying shoulder tackle as Dibiase drives him head-first into the mat. IRS tags in and goes to work, IRS misses a clothesline but climbs on the back of Warrior for a sleeper.


Warrior shakes off IRS before Dibiase comes in, Million Dollar Dream from Dibiase. Savage interferes illegally, scoring with his knee. This was the break Warrior needed, clothesline with both men colliding in the ring as Warrior rallied. Savage receives the tag, IRS backs off. Punches and jabs by Savage, back body-drop for IRS. Dibiase eats a clothesline, scoop slam to IRS. Savage goes to end it, Diving Elbow Drop connects. Dibiase smacks Savage, Warrior rams Dibiase into the buckle. Back elbow for IRS, Warrior clotheslines Dibiase to the floor. Dibiase and IRS grabs their belts and they walk away, saving their championships.


Molten-hot crowd for this match, no surprise with two of the biggest stars in the company teaming together. Sadly, Warrior and Savage could not replicate The Mega-Powers but this match was a lot of fun, as brief as it was. We get a little angle sizzle following the match where Razor Ramon and Ric Flair jump The Ultimate Maniacs, building heat for their match at Survivor Series.

Winners: The Ultimate Maniacs over Money Inc. via DQ!

(WWF Intercontinental Championship Match) The British Bulldog © vs Shawn Michaels

Lock-up, Bulldog shoves away Michaels. Lock-up again, Bulldog shoves down Michaels once more. Frustration on the face of Michaels, Bulldog draws strength from the fans. Side headlock and shoulder block from Michaels, Bulldog continues to stand tall from Michaels. Slide through the legs and closed fist from Michaels, punch after punch from Michaels. Hip-toss does not work, eye poke from Michaels into the hip-toss and a beautiful short-arm scissors. Bulldog recovers to lift Michaels up with one arm. Michaels is driven into the mat, whip into a military press slam. Michaels is clotheslined to the floor, lock-up to the corner. Cheap shots from HBK, Bulldog counters Michaels with leg-strength before an arm-drag takes down Michaels.


Arm-wringer from Bulldog, a fist slows down Bulldog though. Michaels leap-frogs Bulldog but eats a shoulder block, Bulldog looks for a clothesline but Michaels side-steps Bulldog who crashes to the floor. Michaels is exposing the buckle, Bulldog enters the ring and gets smashed in the back. Michaels applies the abdominal stretch to continue hurting the back of The Bulldog. Bulldog shakes off Michaels but misses an elbow drop, Michaels covers for two. More fists to the spine, jumping knee drop from Michaels.


Whip off the ropes, abdominal stretch from Michaels. Bulldog breaks free and lands an elbow drop, facebuster from Bulldog. Michaels flips out of the corner, clothesline to Michaels. Catapult into the buckle, another clothesline from the champion. Two for Bulldog, delayed vertical suplex for two. Michaels manages to reverse the Irish whip, Bulldog hits the exposed buckle with that injured back. Michaels tries to whip Bulldog into the buckle again, Michaels is sent into the opposite buckle. Bulldog has Michaels in position for a superplex, Michaels manages to reverse the hold though. Bulldog’s back gives out on him, allowing Michaels to crash down on Bulldog, all his weight on the head knocking out Bulldog for Michaels to cover for the win.


This was a good match with great story-telling, Michaels targeted the back from the beginning of the match, worked it throughout the match and it plays into the finish, I cannot ask for more than that ladies and gentlemen. Crowd is hot for this night, I know I have said it already but damn man, this is going to be a good last show. Hart as WWF Champion and Michaels as Intercontinental Champion, that is a big statement if I have ever seen one, how quickly things can change, less than a year ago Hogan was champion. Anyways, this was a fun match, Bulldog gives a good accounting of himself while the bumping machine known as Shawn Michaels continues to be the man to watch in the WWF.

Winner: Shawn Michaels over The British Bulldog!

(WWF Championship Match) Bret Hart © vs Papa Shango

That big angle never came for Shango did it? I think that run-in mess up at Wrestlemania ended the chances of Shango being a character that did well in the WWF. However, Shango would have his moment as a pimp nonetheless. Shango starts with clubbing blows, shot to the face. Shots to the chest, Hart sends Shango to the buckle. Monkey flip out of the corner, shoulder blocks from Hart. Shango stands tall, flying crossbody for two. Shango shakes off Hart to the floor, Hart slides in under Shango. Inverted atomic drop and clothesline to the floor from Hart. Plancha from The Hitman, punches form the champion. Hart is whipped to the buckle sternum-first, stomps from Shango.


Hart is sent into the buckle, bearhug from Shango. Hart bites the head of Shango, clubbing blows from Shango. Irish whip, back elbow from Shango, headbutt to the lower regions. Two-handed choke from Shango, Hart is tossed to the canvas. Hart fights back but a clothesline cuts off Hart, Shango slaps on a shoulder claw to wear down Hart. Hart breaks free, trying a sunset flip before Shango slams his own fist into the canvas. Shango charges in and eats a boot, sleeper from Hart. Shango runs Hart into the top turnbuckle, elbow drops from Shango. Shango is on the middle rope, Hart dodges the elbow drop.


Gut shots from Hart, Russian leg-sweep from Hart for two. Right from Hart, whip into the back body-drop for two. Middle rope for Hart, diving clothesline connects for two. Hart is whipped to the buckle, Shango misses the corner splash. Sharpshooter from Hart, Shango is caught and has no choice but to submit.


Again, the crowd is loud and carries the performance. Hart and Shango work an enjoyable match, Hart kicks off strong using his wits to outsmart Shango before Shango’s raw power kicks in, lots of impactful blows rain down on Hart who does not give up, one mistake from Shango and Hart slaps on the sharpshooter for the win.

Winner: Bret Hart over Papa Shango via Sharpshooter!

Lots of promos come before the show ends, we have Paul Bearer building up the coffin match between Kamala and The Undertaker as well as Flair and Ramon hyping up their match with the Ultimate Maniacs. All in all, that was an entertaining way to end this series for sure. Three big matches with popular superstars throughout, we even saw a championship change hands. Sad to see the series go, some of the biggest angles took place on Saturday Night’s Main Event so I shall miss this show. Thanks for the memories and thanks for reading, remember: there’s always another night!

WWF Summerslam 1992 Review

SummerSlam (1992) - Wikipedia


Hello and welcome to another blistering edition of Seanomaniac Wrestling Reviews, the only wrestling review series on the internet that is more disgusting than the Drake Maverick firing/hiring angle! It’s WWF Summerslam 1992, coming to you from Wembley Stadium! The big matches on tonight’s card include Bret Hart defending his WWF Intercontinental Championship against The British Bulldog. We also have Macho Man Randy Savage defending his WWF Championship against none other than The Ultimate Warrior. Lots of fun matches will WWF deliver in the UK? This is one of the big four, not a UK exclusive like Capital Carnage or One Not Only so I am expecting big things!

The Legion Of Doom W/ Paul Ellering vs Money Inc W/ Jimmy Hart

Vince Mcmahon and Heenan on commentary, this could be a very funny show commentary-wise. However, this match is no-laughing matter due to Hawk’s demons that he was battling at the time. Money Inc are no longer champions, thank God I do not have to see The Natural Disasters take on Money Inc. after their Mania match. Dibiase and Hawk to start, LOD chants annoy The Million Dollar Man. Kicks and chops by Dibiase, we go to the buckle. Irish whip, Hawk reverses the whip but Dibiase holds onto the rope. Animal attacks Dibiase who was caught napping, Dibiase eats clotheslines from both members of LOD. Animal tosses Dibiase into the ring, Dibiase scrambles to his corner and tags IRS. Hawk tags in Animal, lock-up. Knee and to the buckle from IRS, Animal reverses the whip. IRS hits the buckle hard, Animal has IRS by his tie.


Military press slam from Animal, Dibiase makes the save. Arm-wringer from Animal, tag to Hawk. Axe handle to the arm, arm-wringer from Animal. IRS rakes the eyes, sleeper from IRS. Hawk’s arm drops twice before Hawk powers up, Hawk backs IRS into the buckle. Whip to the opposite buckle, corner clothesline from Hawk. Hawk climbs to the top rope, Hawk goes for his diving clothesline and IRS times his dodge to the last second. Perfection from IRS, Hawk goes flying to the floor from the impact. Dibiase slams Hawk on the floor, Dibiase is now the legal man. IRS uses his boot on Hawk’s head, Hawk is rammed into the buckle back-first. Snap-mare and elbow drops from IRS, two for IRS. IRS tags Dibiase, eye rake from IRS. Dibiase bounces Hawk’s head off the buckle, more quick tags.


IRS has a reverse chin-lock on Hawk, quick tag to Dibiase who applies the same hold. Another switch as IRS applies the reverse chin-lock behind the referee’s back. Another tag to Dibiase, knee drop from Dibiase for two. Hawk is bounced off the buckle, Hawk blocks on the second attempt though. Dibiase meets the buckle, Dibiase tags IRS. Right hands by IRS, whip and Hawk ducks the clothesline to nail a clothesline of his own. IRS tags Dibiase, Dibiase stomps on Hawk. Right hands from Dibiase, front chancery from Dibiase. Hawk is edging towards his corner, IRS distracts the referee so the tag to Animal is missed. Double knockdown in the middle of the ring, Hawk makes it to Animal. Flying shoulder block from Animal to Dibiase, dropkick to IRS.


Dibiase is pounded in the corner, IRS makes the initial save. Animal clotheslines both, IRS is atomic dropped to the floor. Animal lands a corner clothesline on Dibiase, Hawk wants the doomsday. Jimmy Hart distracts the referee, IRS dropkicks Animal. Animal whips Dibiase into IRS and we have a Powerslam for the finish.


It was alright, having Dibiase in a tag team lessens my chances of marking out for how good he is because he is not in the ring as long as per usual. IRS just does not do it for me, I am open to see if things will improve as IRS gets more time as his gimmick to hone his craft. Animal holds it together for LOD here, I do appreciate that dodge on the dive for Hawk but it was alright when all was said and done. Nothing special and no Doomsday for the finish due to Hawk’s condition. A disappointment for sure but it’s the first match and those fans love LOD and they have more than enough goodwill built up with everyone.

Winners: LOD over Money Inc. via Powerslam!

Nailz vs Virgil

Another new wrestler for us to look at on the website, we have Nailz. A convict who went after the man who landed him in jail, The Big Bossman. Whacky? Yes! Cheesy? Yes! But I shall allow it and watch it, I feel for Virgil. It seems that Virgil could have been something following that feud with Dibiase and Piper as his mentor but that seems a long time ago as Virgil will be the sacrificial lamb for Nailz. The bell rings and Nailz chokes Virgil. Virgil is whipped to the buckle, clotheslines and dropkicks but Nailz is too strong. More squeezing and choking, clothesline misses as Virgil tries a sunset flip. Nailz misses a punch and gets rolled up for two. More choking, can we see something else?


Nailz hurls Virgil to the floor, Virgil is rammed off the ring apron. Virgil is back in the ring, hammering away at Nailz. Whip is reversed, Virgil is in the corner. Boot block from Virgil but Nailz lands a huge clothesline, blatant choke from Nailz. That’s it, Nailz chokes out Virgil.


Well it was not the most impressive display of power or array of moves but Nailz got it done, his facials are perfect anyway for the character that he portrays, Nailz looks every part the psychopath that he plays. Hopefully, we get more from this menacing and imposing figure in the near future but this match was not a flowing review for the mad man.

Winner: Nailz over Virgil via Blatant Choke!

Rick Martel vs Shawn Michaels W/Sensational Sherri

Shawn Michaels had cost Rick Martel potentially the Intercontinental Championship in a match with Bret Hart before Rick Martel came out to a Shawn Michaels match and flirted with Sensational Sherri. They winked at one another, could love be on the cards? So, are they both heels? I assume so as neither man are not allowed punch one another in the face. Martel looks more like a preppy Posh person rather than a Model. It’s a play on Wimbledon taking place in London, love me tennis sad I will not get to see Roger Federer this year thanks to COVID.


Wow Sherri, Martel looks at Sherri while Michaels looks at himself in the mirror that Sherri brought with her. Sherri undresses HBK, Martel grabs a side headlock. Michaels shoves off Martel, leapfrogs and drop downs. This will be the wrestling match of the night folks as Martel fakes out Michaels with a cartwheel. Headlock by Michaels, Martel misses two clotheslines before eating a dropkick. Martel axe handles Michaels, Martel is whipped to the corner. Middle rope crossbody misses, Michaels grabs an arm-wringer. Hair-pull from Michaels, Martel thinks about waffling Michaels but cannot so he pulls the hair of HBK.


More leapfrogs and drop-downs before Martel hurls Michaels to the floor. Martel pulls Sherri away from Michaels, Martel gives Sherri a cuddle. Axe handle to Michaels, back drop from Martel who does jumping-jacks. Michaels and Martel take turns doing O Connor rolls with their buttocks becoming exposed in the process. And who says wrestling is gay, Martel eats a kick to the ribs and a Superkick for two. Martel fights back from his knees before Michaels jabs at the ribs of Martel. Martel sends Michaels to the buckle, Michaels blocks an incoming Martel with a knee to the face. Michaels tries a roll-up using the ropes but the referee says no way. The two are shoving and talking-trash, slap to the face, Martel slaps back.


Sherri faints because they were going to punch one another in the face, Michaels checks on Sherri but accidently kicks her to the floor. Martel comes over to check on Sherri, Martel starts performing heart compressions. Right hand from Michaels in the face, Martel answers back with rights of his own. The two are brawling backstage as Sherri comes back to life.


We got some really nice sequences where I would love to see these two do battle again, Martel can still go and Michaels is starting to hit that stride. As for Sherri, she gives it 100% no matter her role and with whoever she is working with. I think giving 8 to 10 minutes with a championship on the line, that would have been fantastic.

Double Count-Out!

(WWF Tag Team Championship Match) The Natural Disasters © vs The Beverly Brothers W/ The Genius

Sneak attack to begin this match, Typhoon and Earthquake answer with clotheslines, Blake is sandwiched with a splash as is Beau. Beverlys are sandwiched together after that, Typhoon and Blake kick us off officially. Typhoon misses a leg drop, Blake rakes the eyes. Blake almost slams Typhoon but the weight was too great for Blake. Typhoon corner splashes Blake, Earthquake is legal and splashes Typhoon by mistake. Beau and Blake stomp Typhoon, I guess Earthquake is not legal. Slingshot splash from Beau for two, tag to Blake. Middle rope headbutt from Blake, big leg drop as Blake tells everyone the championships are coming to them.


Tag to Beau, Beau leapfrogs Blake and lands on the back of Typhoon, kicks to the gut from Beau. Middle rope choke, Blake joins in with a choke as Earthquake deals with the referee. Blake tags Beau, right hands from Beau. Blake uses the tag rope to choke Typhoon, Beau stomps away. Axe handle from Blake, headbutt for two. Referee is distracted missing the tag for Earthquake, frustration builds for Earthquake. Blake and Beau use the ropes to choke Typhoon. The Beverly Brothers whip Typhoon into the buckle three times before a massive clothesline floors both Beverly Brothers. Blake gets caught by Typhoon, Beau missile dropkicks Blake into Typhoon for a close two.


Typhoon slams Blake face-first into the mat using his hands, Beau distracts Earthquake with the referee stepping in between in them. The Genius hands his metal scroll to Blake, Blake cracks Typhoon but Earthquake flattens Blake with a running elbow drop. Earthquake receives the tag, right hands and a toss for Beau. Belly to belly suplex from Earthquake, Beau begs for mercy. Shoulder thrusts and pump kick in the corner, Blake tries to help. Shoulder block from Earthquake, Blake is tossed to the floor. Beau is in the corner, splash from Earthquake, running powerslam. Earthquake bumps Blake off the apron and squashes Beau for the win.


Fair-play to the crowd for staying with the match for the whole thing because I felt it really dragged with Typhoon in there, I guess part of it is hard to route for a guy who is so big, Typhoon does not really do himself any favours with his mannerisms or moves to elicit reaction from the fans. Earthquake is awesome, still could get that monster push and I would buy into that, knows how to work the crowd and is the fun when it comes to this match.

Winners: The Natural Disasters over The Beverly Brothers via Earthquake Splash!

Crush vs Repo Man

New stars galore as we have Crush taking on Repo Man, interesting as both men are former members of Demolition. Repo jumps Crush immediately, the punches have no effect as Crush presses Repo over and over for a slam. Repo rolls to the floor, Crush comes out and lands a clothesline. Crush throws Repo back in the ring, kicks from Crush. Repo jumps into the arms of Crush, Repo is laid across the top turnbuckle. Kick to the ribs from Crush, Crush lands a massive back-breaker. Repo lands a thumb to the eye, Repo sneaks up for a big right hand. Belly to back suplex from Repo, Repo forgets about Crush and eats a belly to belly suplex. Back-breaker, Crush misses a knee drop though. Repo lands right hands but Crush is shaking it all off.


Another thumb to the eye, Crush reverses an Irish whip but lowers his head. Crush is slammed into the mat, Repo covers but is tossed to the floor. Repo climbs high, Crush counters the diving crossbody for the powerslam. Kona Crush crushing the head of Repo Man for the win.


It was a match, Crush’s outfit is ridiculous colours and probably the most interesting thing about this match, why? Because it’s just there and feels like a house show level match between two opening match wrestlers. A nice break though between championship matches, it serves its purpose.

Winner: Crush over Repo Man via Crushing Of The Skull!

(WWF Championship Match) Macho Man Randy Savage © vs The Ultimate Warrior

Ric Flair was irate that he was not challenging for the championship at Summerslam, Perfect and Flair are trying to involve themselves in this match in someway and Mr. Perfect has wormed his way into the match because Perfect will be in one of the wrestler’s corners, who will it be? We also have a lot of history here due to Warrior ending Savage’s career at Wrestlemania VII. Both men come to the ring with no Perfect in sight, what does this mean? We start with both men talking to one another in the middle of the ring, this one is going to explode at any minute. Savage extends the hand to Warrior, Warrior is hesitant before the two shake hands but Warrior pulls Savage closer, both men shove one another and it’s game time!


Lock-up, Savage has a clean break for Warrior. They lock-up again, Warrior shoves back Savage, clearly the stronger of the two. Savage goes low with the knee, clothesline to the front and the back of the head for one. Savage goes high, Warrior counters the axe handle with a shot to the ribs. Delayed atomic drop, make it double. Savage holds his spine in pain, clothesline from Warrior. Two for Warrior, shoulder block and again from the challenger. Savage dodges the elbow drop, right hands and knee drop to the face from Savage. This draws boos from the crowd, Savage is heeling it up early. Reverse chin-lock is countered with a jaw-breaker from Warrior. Savage is slammed into the mat, two for Warrior.


 Savage is whipped to the buckle hard, Warrior kicks away at Savage. Clothesline from Warrior for two, Savage pulls Warrior into the buckle with a handful of tights. Clothesline to the floor from Savage, Savage lands a diving axe handle. Diving crossbody from Savage but Warrior catches the champion, two for Warrior off the slam. Savage is whipped to the buckle, corner clothesline from Warrior. Hard Irish whip from Warrior, right hand staggers Savage. Bearhug from Warrior, Savage is thrown to the mat for two. Small package from Savage for two, neck-breaker from Savage as Warrior lowered his head off an Irish whip.


Savage hangs Warrior with his clothesline, two for Savage. Savage tries a suplex, his back gives out. Warrior is staggering but is in control, shots to the spine of The Macho Man. Warrior suplexes Savage for two, Savage is against the ropes. Savage ducks the clothesline, Warrior hits the ropes and tumbles to the floor, Savage is on the top rope. Diving axe handle to the back of the head, Warrior is rammed into the steel steps. Warrior meets the ring-post too, Warrior makes it into the ring but almost gets pinned off a sunset flip. Clothesline by Warrior for two, here comes Flair and Perfect.


Warrior slams Savage, Ultimate Splash is blocked with the knees as Savage realizes this is his chance. Cover for two, Flair and Perfect are now ringside. Warrior reverses the Irish whip and both men collide with a clothesline in the middle of the ring. Warrior covers for two, Savage covers for two. Savage looks to run the ropes, Perfect trips up Savage. Warrior hammers Savage with a right, two-handed throat toss from Warrior. Savage is whipped into the referee, Warrior slams Savage. Warrior lands his own diving axe handle from the top, the referee is slow to count. Savage kicks out at two, Warrior is not happy with the slow count.


Warrior argues with the referee, Savage knees Warrior into the referee. Piledriver from Savage, Perfect is trying to wake up Warrior. Flair has brass knuckles and wallops Warrior with Perfect holding the challenger. Savage wakes the referee, scoop slam onto Warrior. Diving Elbow Drop and Warrior manages to kick out, unbelievable from Warrior. Warrior is shaking off all the attacks of Savage, Warrior fires up with clothesline and a flying shoulder block. Military press slam, Perfect distracts the referee so Flair can smash Warrior with the chair as he runs the ropes. Savage wakes up and figures out what happened, Savage is not happy about these turn of events. Savage decides this is not the way, Flair whacks Savage in the leg when he dives off the top rope. Warrior wins by count-out!


They put quite some time into this match and to have it end in a count-out is laughable at this stage. They had kind of booked themselves into a corner though, babyface vs babyface is an awkward to pull off if your intentions are not to have someone turn when the match is over, Savage dominates as this match drawing boos and jeers from the fans, unavoidable considering the circumstances. Flair and Perfect interfering in the ending sequence was fine, I just think they may have done a triple threat to get out of this scenario. Regardless, Savage and Warrior deliver an entertaining match for the fans, just not a classic or great match when it was finished.

Winner: The Ultimate Warrior over Randy Savage via Count-Out!

The Undertaker W/ Paul Bearer vs Kamala W/ Kim Chee

A downgrade from Taker vs Roberts but this could be entertaining though, Taker pummels Kamala to start this match. Corner choke from Taker, whip with Kamala reversing. Taker dodges the splash, uppercuts from The Deadman. Old School time, Kamala hurls Taker off the ropes when Taker tries it a second time. Kamala clotheslines Taker to the floor, Kim Chee is choked by Taker before a save from Kimala. Taker meets the steel steps, shots to the face from Kimala. In the ring, Kamala presses the advantage before Taker grabs the throat and lands a Chokeslam.


 Flying clothesline from The Deadman, Bearer signals for the end. Tombstone attempt, Kim Chee interferes attacking Taker in the ribs. Taker grabs Kim Chee, Kamala kicks at Taker as the two trade blows. Kamal slams Taker, splash from Kamala. Kamal climbs to the middle rope, big diving splash on Taker. Kamala is on the top rope, Top Rope Splash on Taker. Taker sits up which terrifies Kamala who runs off.


A DQ finish after the last match ending in a count-out? Not a fan of these finishes back to back plus they are saving this feud? Could you not just give us Undertaker destroying Kamala. The fans wanted, I think you could have delivered, it would have been awesome. Alas, a DQ finish which does little for this reviewer.

Winner: Undertaker over Kamala via DQ!

(WWF Intercontinental Championship Match) Bret Hart © vs The British Bulldog

The battle of the brothers-in-laws, Lennox Lewis leads out British Bulldog. Big reaction for Bulldog and this will be considered the pinnacle of Bulldog’s career. The crowd has woken up for sure with this main event, very excited to dissect this match.


Stare-down immediately, shoving contest. Bulldog is in go mode, Hart looks relaxed. Bulldog shoves back Hart, side headlock from Bulldog. Shove off, drop-downs and leap-frogs before Bulldog shoulder blocks Hart to the floor. Hart recovers, headlock takedown from Hart. Bulldog cannot use his feet to choke Hart the second time, Hart grinds down Bulldog with the headlock. Shove off, military press is countered for an O Connor roll, two for Hart. Small package for two, headlock takedown from Hart. Bulldog escapes, grabbing a hammerlock and driving knees into the arm. Back to their feet, Hart elbows Bulldog in the face. Arm-wringer from Hart, Bulldog rolls out of the hold and applies his own arm-bar.


Bulldog catapults Hart into the buckle, arm-bar once more from Bulldog. Bulldog continues to wrench the arm, Hart is on his feet pushing back Bulldog. Irish whip, crucifix pin from Bulldog for two. Back to the hammerlock, Hart tries a slam to escape but Bulldog continues to hold onto the hold. Hart shoves off Bulldog, drop-down and a knee to the ribs from Hart. The fans boo and Hart looks out to the crowd, taking in what is happening. It’s clear Hart is in enemy territory. Hart clamps on the reverse chin-lock, Bulldog elbows to escape before Hart lands a massive elbow to the face, elbow drop from Hart. Inverted atomic drop from Hart, Bulldog rallies attempting a crucifix but Hart lands a Samoan drop for two.


Hart clamps on another reverse chin-lock, Bulldog shoves him off. Shoulder block from Hart, Bulldog drops-down and lands a monkey flip. Headbutt for Hart, hard Irish whip to the buckle. Make it double, Bulldog charges for a clothesline. Hart blocks with a boot, running bulldog from Hart. Hart climbs to the top rope, Bulldog slams him off the buckle. Bulldog climbs high missing the diving headbutt, Hart has dodged the spectacular dive. Bulldog takes the back of Hart but Hart runs off Bulldog who falls to the floor. Plancha from Hart, Hart rams Bulldog into the ring-post back-first. In the ring, Bulldog is whipped to the buckle hard. Headbutt from Hart, transition to the Russian leg-sweep for two.


Uppercut from Hart, make it two. Three in a row, dropkick from The Hitman. Irish whip into a massive back-drop, Bulldog clutches the knee as Hart covers for two. Reverse chin-lock from Hart, suplex from Hart for two. Bulldog is showing heart, taking the punishment from Hart. Headbutt from Hart before Bulldog counters the uppercut for a backslide, two for Hart. Hart maintains control with an elbow to the head and a back-breaker, Hart climbs to the middle rope. Bret’s Rope Elbow Drop for two, punch to the back of the head. Hart pulls Bulldog by the hair and to the mat, the fans boo as Hart takes it all in from the fans.


Snap-mare and reverse chin-lock from Hart, right hands from Hart. Big sleeper, Bulldog breaks free but Hart is still in control, whip off the ropes for another sleeper. Bulldog smashes Hart back-first into the buckle but Hart holds onto the sleeper, Hart is sent into the buckle again. The two trading blows, Bulldog reverses an Irish whip and military presses Hart into the middle rope. Whip to the buckle, clothesline down goes Hart. Make it two, make it three. Gorilla press slam for two, Bulldog picks up Hart for a delayed vertical suplex. Bulldog crawls into the cover for two, Hart is whipped to the buckle sternum-first for two.


Bulldog calls for the end, Hart is dragged to his feet. Running Powerslam and Hart manages to kick out, Hart is being held up by the ropes. Hart blocks a suplex into the ring, German suplex for two and a half! Hart looks for a suplex, Bulldog places Hart on the top rope. Superplex from Bulldog for another close two, Hart and Bulldog meet in the middle of the ring for a massive clothesline. On the canvas, Hart looks to apply The Sharpshooter. Hart has the hold on Bulldog, middle of the ring. Bulldog manages to reach the ropes, his wife looks on in joy. Bulldog reverses an Irish whip, Hart goes for the sunset flip before Bulldog counters the flip to cover Hart with no escape, Bulldog wins the championship.


That main event delivered for sure, Hart carries Bulldog to a tremendous match. Despite being brothers-in-law, these two get nasty quite quickly due to the pre-match comments made by both men. Pushing and shoving before they gave you a battle of two men vying to prove they are the better man, Hart assumes control, clearly the heel due to Bulldog being the home country hero. Hart wears down the massive Bulldog with punishing shots and holds to take it all out of Bulldog. Each time though, Bulldog comes roaring back with that power that can destroy Hart at any minute. Loved the sharpshooter, similar to the match with Perfect, Hart applies the hold while lying prone on the mat as opposed to peering over his opponent, a clever more for sure that the disorientated Bulldog could not have anticipated. The finish is just beautiful, I am a sucker for inescapable pin-falls, like proper difficult pin-falls to escape from and Bulldog’s pin is just awesome. Seemingly, no way for Hart to escape it as he is rolled up without a single inch for movement. The home country hero pulls it off in front of his people, a happy end and the best of The Bulldog’s career.

Winner: The British Bulldog over Bret Hart!

That was WWF’s Summerslam 1992, a solid showing from the WWF. There were some big losses to the company following Wrestlemania VIII and you feel it on this show. It’s quite surprising to me because of how much people talk about doing another show in the UK considering they are basing that opinion around Summerslam 1992 because at times, this show was passable. LOD vs Money Inc. was fine, crowd loved LOD and that carried them through this match. Nailz vs Virgil was bad, Repo Man vs Crush was bad. Beverly Brothers vs Natural Disasters was rough and you have a count-out in the WWF Championship match followed by a DQ finish right after. That being said, Bulldog vs Hart is tremendous as everything seemed to align for that match. However, this was not a stellar show that blew me away and I cannot see why this could be a reason for WWE to run a show in London. I think it would be cool for WWE to do such an event but I hope people are not letting nostalgia distract them from the obvious: WWF Summerslam 1992 was solid at best. Thanks for reading and remember: there’s always another night!

Thursday 4 June 2020

WWF Wrestlemania VIII Review

WrestleMania VIII - Wikipedia

Hello and welcome to another edition of Seanomaniac Wrestling Reviews, the only wrestling review series on the internet that is tone-deaf as some of your favourite wrestlers when it comes to what’s happening in the world right now! It’s WWF Wrestlemania VIII, the pay per view where we did not get Hulk Hogan vs Ric Flair. No, it simply was not drawing on the house shows according to reports during the time so we enter Randy Savage vs Ric Flair. Flair producing photos claiming that Miss Elizabeth used to be with him, sending Savage into a downward spiral of rage and depression. Savage vows to win the WWF Championship but will The Macho Man be in the right frame of mind to cap off one of the best story-telling arcs of all-time in wrestling? We also have Sid Justice vs Hulk Hogan, former allies coming to blows with both men seeking to dominate the WWF. Hogan or Sid? Who knows who will walk out of that one! We also have the likes of Owen Hart and Shawn Michaels appearing in singles matches on the card, I sign of things to come and of course, Bret Hart vs Roddy Piper for the Intercontinental Championship. Arguably the best Wrestlemania that I covered from top to bottom was last year’s Wrestlemania VII where the big matches delivered and the older talent was phased out in favour of newer and younger talent, this might be one of the shortest Manias with an average pay per view run time, could it be a sign of things to come? Let’s find out!

El Matador Tito Santana vs Shawn Michaels W/ Sensational Sherri

Until the day I die, I shall proclaim Tito deserved better when it came to booking. Solid, reliable and over with the fans. His matches with Mr. Perfect on Saturday Night’s Main Event and his feud with Martel I will not forget. HBK is here though with Sherri singing his theme. Sherri has moved on from Dibiase to Michaels, Sherri is infatuated with The Sexy Boy which will make her trouble for Tito.


Michaels poses, feeling himself at this moment and time. Trash-talking ensues, Santana lands a massive right hand. Side headlock with Santana landing a flying crossbody for two. Another side headlock, Michaels is grounded by the veteran. To the ropes, Michaels looks for a clean break before attacking Santana but Santana leapfrogs Michaels before nailing a big clothesline to the floor. Sherri checks on Michaels on the floor, Michaels is on the apron before Santana drags him back in with a side headlock.


Michaels reaches for the hair, we are in the corner. Shoulder thrust from Michaels, right hands from HBK. Elbow to the head, Michaels leapfrogs Santana off an Irish whip to the buckle. Michaels tries it again but Santana catches the youngster, back to the headlock. Two off the headlock, Michaels rolls over for his own cover for two. Michaels looks for an atomic drop but Santana holds onto that headlock for a two. Small package from Santana before applying the headlock again, Sherri screams advice at Michaels. Michaels sidesteps Santana who is thrown to the floor, Michaels distracts the referee while Sherri looks on menacingly.


Santana on the apron, Michaels knocks him down hard. Back-breaker from Michaels for two, reverse chin-lock from Michaels. Tito fires up, elbows to the ribs. Santana runs into a thrust-kick from Michaels, teardrop suplex is avoided as Santana smashes Michaels in the face. Santana eats a boot after lowering his head off an Irish whip, Michaels tries an Irish whip. Flying Forearm from Santana, Michaels flops to the floor. Santana throws Michaels into the ring, slingshot forearm and knee-lift. Inverted atomic drop, Flying Forearm to the back of the head. Michaels is on the floor again, Santana tries a scoop slam from the apron but Michaels falls down on Santana to steal the win.


Did Sherri miss her cue? I think Sherri was meant to trip up Santana and maybe hold his legs down like Heenan and Warrior from Wrestlemania V. Questionable finish aside, you have Santana bringing the performance that always delivers where Santana has the crowd with him every step of the way. Underrated is the only word I have when it comes to Santana in the WWF, the guy is awesome. Michaels gives a good accounting of himself, a bit much on the posing side of things for me, I thought Michaels could have got more heat during the course of the match. However, as far as opening matches go, this might be one of the best in Wrestlemania history so far.

Winner: Shawn Michaels over Tito Santana via Pin-Fall!

Jake The Snake Roberts vs The Undertaker W/ Paul Bearer

Roberts planned on smashing Macho Man Randy Savage with a chair after their match, The Undertaker saved Elizabeth from having her face smashed by the devious Roberts. So, Roberts trapped Undertaker’s hand in a coffin and made The Deadman watch as Roberts laid out Paul Bearer with a DDT. Babyface Deadman, an unkillable beast how fun this will be for The Snake. Taker stalks Roberts, Roberts is constantly moving and backing up. Right hands from Roberts, Taker keeps walking forward. No matter what Roberts does, Taker is walking forward. Shots to the ribs, shots to the face and Taker is sent to the floor but lands on his feet.


Taker pulls out Roberts, Taker sends Roberts into the ring-post. Roberts sells the arm before hitting a knee-lift, more rights and they are starting to sting Taker. Whip to the buckle, hard goes Taker into the buckle. Taker returns the favour, Roberts hits the buckle hard. Taker chokes Roberts in the corner, another hard Irish whip. Taker chokes Roberts to the mat, elbow drop from The Deadman. Irish whip into a flying clothesline from Taker, Roberts avoids the tombstone for a DDT. Taker lays motionless, Roberts scoots away laughing at Bearer before Taker is on his feet. Taker has Roberts by the throat, knee by Roberts. Short-arm clothesline but Taker is up again.


DDT lands again, Taker is spiked hard into the mat. Roberts tells Bearer and the fans to stick it, Roberts is going after Bearer on the floor. Bearer backs away, Roberts seems to realize the urn is a source of power. Taker to the rescue, Taker Tombstones Roberts on the floor. Roberts is dragged into the ring, unconscious as Taker pins Roberts for the win, all hail The Undertaker.


Brief but powerful, this feud had a lot going for it despite how relatively short the build was for it. Taker as a babyface is so awesome, standing up for Bearer. Roberts has been sinister and despicable throughout his heel run, world championship calibre levels of heat and performance from The Snake. Taker stalking down Roberts was great stuff, you could see the fear in Roberts throughout the match. The confidence that consumes Roberts as that first DDT lands is tremendous, Roberts is on cloud-nine this match is over in his mind. The shock as Taker comes back and sits up, beautiful stuff and then, a sickening Tombstone on the floor which ends Roberts.

Winner: The Undertaker over Jake The Snake Roberts via Tombstone Piledriver!

(WWF Intercontinental Championship Match) Rowdy Roddy Piper © vs Bret Hart

A night for the young stars of the WWF to shine as we have an all-time legend Roddy Piper defending his championship against The Hitman. Friendly but deadly, these two respect one another and have fought alongside one another on a Survivor Series team but that’s in the past. Pride is on the line as this one begins, Piper’s intensity is captivating. The switch has been flicked, Piper is in game mode. The bell rings, the two lock-up. Arm-drag from The Hot Rod, lock-up again. Hart scores with his arm-drag, a third lock-up. Piper takes the back, Hart shakes off Piper who falls to the floor. Piper is irate, Piper spits on Hart. The crowd boos as Piper looks a little pissed off that he resorted to such a tactic, we have a test of strength.


Piper loses the battle, Hart works the arm. Piper chops at Hart, Hart hangs on with Piper grabbing the hair. Hart meets the buckle hard, Hart will not let go of the arm. Piper is slammed to the mat, hammerlock from The Hitman. Piper whips Hart, Hart ducks and lands a dropkick. Hart hurts his shoulder on the landing, Piper is caught in a small package. Piper slaps the shit out of Hart, Hart shoves back. The two talk shit, Piper shoves off Hart. Both men collide as Hart nails a crossbody, they tumble to the floor. Piper holds open the rope for Hart, Hart cautiously approaches, not trusting the intentions of The Hot Rod. Hart goes to tie his shoe, Piper waffles Hart with a right hand. Piper stomps all over Hart, closed fists to the head.


To the corner, Piper lands a running bulldog. Hart is bleeding from the face, unbelievable turn of events as Piper has opened up a cut on Hart’s head. Piper bites the cut, hard Irish whip from Piper. Knee-lift for two, whip off the ropes. Sunset-flip from Hart for two, Piper lands more shots to the cut. Two for Piper, Hart begins firing back at Piper. Huge clothesline from Hart, Piper is on the floor. Piper re-enters the ring, double clothesline spot with both men down. Piper is climbing to the top rope, Hart leaps to his feet. Piper is driven face first into the mat, inverted atomic drop and textbook suplex for two.


Russian leg-sweep for two, back-breaker from Hart. Sharpshooter time, Piper blocks the boot. Elbow from Hart, Bret’s Rope Elbow misses as Piper blocks with his foot. Piper is firing up now, the two are trading rights on their knees. Headbutt from Hart, Piper shoves Hart into the referee. Piper clotheslines Hart to the floor, Piper tosses Hart into the steel steps before throwing Hart into the ring. Piper grabs the ring-bell, Piper wants Hart to get to his feet. Piper looks to the crowd but cannot do it, Piper listens to the fans and throws out the ring-bell. Sleeper from Piper, Hart uses the buckle to kick off and flip Piper. Hart wins the Intercontinental Championship.


Can you say classic? Unbelievable from these two, Piper puts over The Hitman, the future ace of the company. From the beginning, both men’s pride are on display as neither man will allow the other to have the one-up. Things turn nasty though, Piper takes shortcuts, it is the old Hot Rod. Piper continues to pummel Hart, Hart blades which was illegal at the time doing so in convincing fashion, so convincing that Hart had Vince Mcmahon fooled. Piper thinks about using a ring-bell to strike down Hart but Piper looks to the fans, the people who have cheered him on throughout his career. Piper is not that man anymore who cheats his way to the top, Piper wants to beat Hart fair and square. With one last roll of the dice, Piper slaps on his Sleeper but Hart counters Piper for the win. Piper embraces the new champion and places the championship around his waist.

Winner: Bret Hart over Roddy Piper via Roll-Up!

The Nasty Boys/The Mountie/Repo Man W/ Jimmy Hart vs Big Bossman/Jim Duggan/Sgt.Slaughter/Virgil

We start with team babyface nailing a clothesline, seems thrown together. Duggan and Slaughter have been teaming together though, I feel Bossman has cooled off a bit since his feud with Perfect and Heenan. Duggan and Sags go at it, Sags smashes Duggan off the buckle. Duggan reverses the Irish whip, clotheslines from Hacksaw. Atomic drop from Duggan, tag to Slaughter. Sags thumbs Slaughter in the eye, tag to Knobbs. Slaughter whips Knobbs to the buckle, clothesline and gut-buster before a double stomp from Slaughter. Another whip, gut punch flips Knobbs. Tag to Bossman, big boot from Mr Hard Times.


Uppercuts and fist of fury for Knobbs, Bossman misses a corner splash. Knobbs tags Repo Man, gut punches from Repo before Bossman lands a shoulder block. Bossman misses a splash, Repo drops his weight on Bossman’s back before Bossman blocks and lands a huge right. Facemask Virgil is in, dropkick from Virgil. Diving crossbody from Virgil for two, Mountie attacks Virgil from behind. Belly to back suplex from Repo, The Nasty Boys attack Virgil behind the referee’s back. Sags is the legal man, massive pumphandle drop. Tag to Mountie, Bossman interferes and spinebusters Mountie.


Match breaks down, everyone is brawling around the ring. Slaughter meets the ring-post hard, Knobbs has Virgil while Sags has a chain wrapped around his hand. Virgil ducks the blow as Sags knocks out Knobbs and Virgil covers for the win as team babyface reign supreme.


Not much to say, it was just on the guard. Nothing memorable or special about this match, nice to see everyone get a payday.

Winners: Team Virgil over Team Team Mountie via Chain To The Face!

(WWF Championship Match) Ric Flair © W/ Mr. Perfect vs Macho Man Randy Savage W/ Miss Elizabeth

Let me some this motherfucker up right now: My favourite arc in all of wrestling! Randy Savage enters the WWF, dominates and becomes a babyface for standing up for Miss Elizabeth against The Honky Tonk Man. Savage wins the championship at Wrestlemani IV, the pinnacle for The Macho Man. A year later, Savage loses the championship and Elizabeth due to his jealousy of Hogan. Savage spirals into madness replacing Elizabeth with Sherri but Elizabeth is always there to watch Savage crumble, Savage suffers defeat at Summerslam and Wrestlemania thanks to Elizabeth being merely at ringside and in attendance. At Wrestlemania VII, Savage suffers his lowest moment losing his career and being kicked to the curb by Sherri. Elizabeth reunites with Savage as they embrace, she forgave Savage for all the horrible things he said and Savage realized that he was a colossal ass. They are married at Summerslam, they survive the devious Jake The Snake Roberts before Savage has a chance at winning the championship that he could not win without Elizabeth at his side. With Elizabeth back by his side, could Savage return to the top?.


Flair is smashed on the floor, Savage is dragged off by Perfect. In the ring, Savage clotheslines Flair. Punches in the corner, left-arm clothesline from Macho. Elbow to the face for two, Savage is intense as Flair plans on revealing pictures of Elizabeth to the whole world if he wins this match. Perfect distracts Savage, Flair back-drops Savage to the floor. Flair sends Savage into the ring apron, Flair steps on the head and back of the challenger. Flair chops Savage and lands a beautiful suplex for two, belly to back suplex from Flair for two. Big Irish whip into a chop, two for the champion. Knee drop from Flair, Savage is on the apron. Flair stomps Savage to the floor, Flair drops Savage onto the ring apron.


Flair wants the suplex in, Flair connects with it. Two for Flair, hard Irish whip to the buckle. More chops from Flair, Savage starts brawling back but Flair maintains control. Savage lands a neck-breaker dropping Flair though, jabs from Savage. Flair rakes the eyes, Flair climbs to the top. Savage recovers, Flair is yanked to the canvas. Whip to the buckle and back-drop, clotheslines from Savage. Flair begs for mercy, Flair flip out of the corner. Flair tries a diving axe handle. Savage clotheslines Flair for two, whip to the ropes. Savage ducks a chop and clotheslines Flair to the floor. Savage is on the top rope, diving axe handle to the floor. Flair smashes his face off the guardrail, Savage sends Flair into the steps and ring-post.


Flair is bleeding on the floor, suplex on the floor. Savage mounts Flair landing right hands. Savage climbs to the top rope, diving axe handle for a close two. Savage climbs to the top rope, Diving Elbow Drop connects with Perfect pulling out Savage. Unbelievable, Savage is irate. Savage has Perfect in the ring, the referee is in between them. Perfect throws something to Flair, Savage is clocked with the brass knuckles to the face. Flair covers Savage, 1….2.. Savage manages to kick out! Flair pummels Savage, Perfect has a chair. Savage is smashed in the knee, Elizabeth has seen enough.


Elizabeth is not happy, the referees are trying to stop Elizabeth. Flair starts yanking at that leg of Savage, dropping is weight on that ankle. Flair has spotted Elizabeth, shin-breaker from Flair to Savage. Figure Four from Flair, Elizabeth is screaming for Savage to escape the hold. Perfect is holding Flair for leverage, Savage continues to survive. Flair slaps Savage over and over, Savage turns the hold over. Flair is caught in a small package for two, Flair talks trash to Elizabeth. Flair has the leg of Savage, Savage smashes Flair with a right hand and a schoolboy for the roll-up win!


With Elizabeth by his side, Randy Savage is back on top in the WWF. Elizabeth was always what made Savage the man, Savage could not see it before but we believe it now ladies and gentlemen. This moment is everything for Savage, 4 years of story-telling leading to one moment. Was the match spectacular? Well, I thought the leg work was solid at the end and Elizabeth cheering on Savage in the final moments was great stuff. This moment being quickly spoiled by a pull-apart brawl was not a great choice, it leaves it open for a rematch but I am not happy with that when all is said and done. The WWF Champion deserved that moment, Elizabeth and Savage deserved that moment and even though we get it after Flair and Perfect are gone, we just needed those two in the ring alone. So, for me this match was all character work and years of story-telling being paid off, I am of the feeling that a majority of Flair matches are similar and are hard to truly appreciate unless you are in the mood.

Winner: Randy Savage over Ric Flair over Roll-Up!

Tatanka vs Rick The Model Martel

I feel I have not seen The Martel in forever, nice to see the man in a feud once more. However, I do not think things will be going well for Martel as other new star to our screens for pay per view is here, it’s Tatanka. Lock-up, Martel smashes Tatanka with his knees. Tatanka reverses an Irish whip with Martel smashing into the buckle. Hip-toss and scoop slams before Martel bails, Martel whips Tatanka to the buckle. Martel misses a corner spear, Tatanka lands a massive chop on Martel. Martel slams Tatanka down, choke hold from The Model.


Tatanka is tossed to the floor, Martel lands clubbing blows. Martel climbs to the top rope, Tatanka is on his feet. Martel is crotched on the top rope, chops from Tatanka. Whip to the buckle and back body-drop, more chops from Tatanka. Martel is whipped off the ropes, Tatanka lowers his head. Boot from Martel, scoop slam from Martel. Clothesline takes down Tatanka, Martel misses a clothesline and Tatanka lands a flying crossbody for the win.


Another new star gets a win, not much of an exciting match though. Martel has been a delight throughout the years so hoping that he gets something more meaningful in the future.

Winner: Tatanka over Rick Martel via Flying Crossbody!

(WWF Tag Team Championship Match) The Natural Disasters vs Money Inc © W/ Jimmy Hart

Former associates of Jimmy Hart are coming for the gold, odd to see Money Inc. as champions because I feel the LOD reign meant nothing just like The Hart Foundation’s reign after the classic with Demolition. Regardless, Typhoon and Earthquake are coming after Dibiase and IRS. Earthquake and IRS to start, Dibiase wants to start against Earthquake. Lock-up, Earthquake shoves back Dibiase. Dibiase gets shoved twice, Dibiase tries a key-lock but Earthquake shoves him down. IRS talks strategy with Dibiase, whip from Earthquake into a clothesline, clotheslines for both champions. Typhoon and Earthquake slam the heels’ heads together.


 IRS takes the arm, Earthquake reverses it and smacks the arm of IRS. Tag to Typhoon, Typhoon lands a hip-toss. IRS backs up big time, Typhoon whips IRS hard. IRS is bounced off the buckle, Typhoon misses a corner splash. Tag to Dibiase, chops from Dibiase. Typhoon stops that quickly, Dibiase eats headbutts from Typhoon. Typhoon tries a clothesline and lands on the floor. IRS slams Typhoon into the steps, knees from Dibiase. Tag to IRS, whip to the ropes. Double clothesline, quick tags by Money Inc. Double elbow from Money Inc, front chancery from IRS. Earthquake almost comes in but the referee misses the tag, Dibiase whips Typhoon. Typhoon ducks and we have a double clothesline, the referee begins counting.


Earthquake receives the luke-warm tag, headbutts and shoulder thrusts, clotheslines for Money Inc. Dibiase is on the floor, Typhoon splashes IRS. Earthquake wants to splash IRS, Dibiase and Jimmy Hart pulls out IRS to safety. It seems Money Inc. are walking away, a count-out at Wrestlemania?


Ok, it felt like filler which should not be the case for the tag team championships, not really feeling a rematch between the two either because while I like a lot of the performers in this match, this did not come together on this night. Probably the most disappointing match on the card.

Winners: The Natural Disasters over Money Inc. via Count-Out!

Skinner vs Owen Hart

Skinner jumps Hart, shoulder-breaker and right hands from Skinner. Headbutt from Skinner, Skinner wrenches Hart over the ropes. Gut punch from Skinner, falling reverse DDT from Skinner for two. Headbutts from Skinner, Hart skins the cat. O Connor roll for the win, Skinner has been beaten. Quick match, another young star goes after and I am all for it.

Winner: Owen Hart over Skinner via Roll-Up!

Sid Justice W/ Harvey Wippleman vs Hulk Hogan

Hulk Hogan’s last match, Sid promises it is the end for Hulkamania. This all started at The Royal Rumble, Sid eliminated Hogan as it was every man for himself but Hogan was not happy, Hogan pulled at Sid’s arm and this allowed Ric Flair to win the rumble and the WWF Championship. Sid jumps Hogan to start, no messing around here. Hogan lands huge rights on Sid, Sid is knocked to the floor. Sid tries entering the ring, Hogan smashes Sid in the ribs. Clothesline takes down Sid, Sid recovers before coming back into the ring. Hogan and Sid engage in a war of words and a stare-down, knees from Sid.


Sid rips at the face of Hogan, whip off the ropes. Hogan tricks Sid and knocks Sid to the floor, Hogan is all fired up for tonight. Sid slowly walks towards Hogan, talking more trash. Sid wants a test of strength, Sid has Hogan down on his knees. Hogan fires up, Sid continues to dominate. Knees in the corner, Hogan whips Sid to the buckle. Corner clothesline, Sid chokeslams Hogan after a distraction from Wippleman. Sid poses for all the fans, Sid batters Hogan in and out of the ring, Hogan is beaten down with a doctor’s bag from Wippleman.


Shoulder claw from Sid, Hogan fades before fighting back. Sid shuts that down with a sidewalk slam, Sid calls for a powerbomb. Powerbomb from Sid, Hogan kicks out at two. Hogan begins Hulking Up, right hands from Hogan. Sid meets the buckle, then the opposite buckle. Big Boot from Hogan, scoop slam and Atomic Leg Drop! 1…2.. Sid kicks out, Wippleman is thrown at Sid. Sid catches him, here comes Papa Shango. Shango attacks Hogan, Hogan is tied up in the ropes. Here comes The Ultimate Warrior, we have not seen him in months. Shango is clotheslined to the floor, Sid cracks Warrior with the chair. Hogan saves Warrior, happy ending for all as Shango & Sid leave as Hogan & Warrior celebrate.


Ok your main event ended in DQ…… Let’s just move on from that, Sid was great throughout this match. Menacing and dominate, believable and downright evil. The Ruler of The World took great glee in going after The Hulkster, wishing to end Hulkamania at Wrestlemania. Hogan did all his regular spots, selling for the big man. Props for the chokeslam and powerbomb spot, they were fantastic, loved the Sid promo before the match too. Shango missing his cue is hilarious while Warrior’s run-in is unexpected but the match is over by this point so it’s impact is lost on me. I see huge potential in Sid, the guy is just insane while losing Hogan will be a big loss to the WWF. I can’t imagine this being the match Hogan wanted to go out on but that’s what we had at the time and I guess it will do.

Winner: Hulk Hogan over Sid Justice via DQ!

That was WWF Wrestlemania VIII, another good Wrestlemania in my books. Wrestlemania VII & VIII have been the strongest when it comes to booking for me and matches that have not sucked the absolute life out of me which is really a problem when looking at the earlier Manias. Big performances from the future of the company in Shawn Michaels, Bret Hart and The Undertaker. The opening match was solid, a bit of a messy finish but Michaels is getting there in terms of character and in-ring work. Bret Hart vs Piper is a classic, the torn Piper and the one-upmanship throughout the match is fantastic, Piper sinking low resorting to closed fists and busting Bret open only for Bret to come out on top is great drama and excitement. Undertaker vs Roberts is a very enjoyable match, loved Roberts as a heel and the two work a very entertaining match with Undertaker coming out the victor. The establishing of new stars continues with victories for Tatanka and Owen Hart, no problems here while the only real drag on the show is the tag team match for me. I just could not get behind it, do not look forward to the possibility of a rematch. The main event is entertaining due to Sid being awesome, it’s a regular Hogan match beyond that with a screwy finish. Not what I imagined for the main event of Mania, that could be off-putting for many which is understandable. However, despite Wrestlemania ending in a DQ, I would call this a successful show for the WWF. We are entering a new era though with younger stars, let’s see what they can do! Thanks for reading and remember: there’s always another night!