Caught this on WWE 24/7, last night. I don't have total recall of every little segment, but here's the gist of it:
Bret "Hitman" Hart vs. Paul Roma (w/Jim Powers)
Joined in progress, right after the bell. Which leads me to believe that this match was taped when the Hart Foundation were still tag champs and that Hitman had a belt with him. It was probably a "roadblock match", from around the time the Young Stallions "stole" the Harts' supposed theme song of "Crank it Up". Also a little funny that while Powers is seconding Roma, Jim "the Anvil" Neidhart is nowhere to be found. Anyways, Hitman dominates about 75% of the match, although Roma gets in some minor offense, including his nice flying forearm/fist drop from the corner. Roma makes a comeback, but it's quickly killed when Hitman catches him in a backbreaker, then flies off the second rope with a diving elbow to get the pin. Wow, the Stallions were made out to be complete pussies in this match-- Hart had no trouble dealing with both of them (Powers tried to get involved once or twice) and easily wiped the mat with Roma.
Ultimate Warrior vs. Steve Lombardi
Pretty much an early squash for Warrior, although Lombardi controls for a bit. Stragely enough, Warrior also comes out to "Crank it Up". Nick Bockwinkel and Gorilla Monsoon call the action, as they mention Lombardi was a "graduate of the Terry Garvin School of Self-Defense" and how he patterned himself after Garvin and Pat Patterson. Ick. Bockwinkel then keeps taking points off of Garvin and Patterson as the match proceeds. Warrior blasts Lombardi with a powerslam off the ropes, then stops the cover, so he can gorilla-press-slam him and pin him with one foot.
Back in the studio, Gorilla and Bobby Heenan take more shots at Lombardi. Brain asks: "why didn't he pull Warrior's hair when he was up in that gorilla-press?" Gorilla answers: "well, he was in a compromising position at that point". Brain fires right with: "shyeah! He's been in a lot of compromising positions!" Yow...that works on both a kayfabe and behind-the-scenes level!
KoKo B. Ware vs. "Iron" Mike Sharpe
Sharpe, on his neverending quest for redemption fails once again as he can't make it over the "S.D. Jones Hump" and pin anybody about that level. When asked for comment, Sharpe said: "Yaaaaaaaaaa!" Koko wins convincingly with the Ghostbuster piledriver/suplex.
WWF Update with Craig DeGeorge
A recap of the recent dog-napping of the British Bulldogs' mascot, the lovable Matilda, by the dastardly Islanders. WWF Pres Jack Tunney declares the Islanders suspended without pay, until Matilda is returned.
Highlights of Hulk Hogan vs. King Kong Bundy from SNME
From the January 3, 1988 SNME, where Hogan finished off Bundy. A rematch from the November 1987 SNME, when Bundy beat Hogan by countout. Essentially, this match ended Bundy's first WWF tour, which lasted for about 3 years. But the big shenanigans occur after the match, as Andre the Giant entered the ring and choked out Hogan. Strike Force, the British Bulldogs and Jake Roberts can't break Andre's grip on the Hulkster! "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan finally breaks it up with his 2x4, but it also appears that Andre was simply done, for now.
A Very Special DeGeorge Podium Interview with Ted DiBiase (w/Virgil)
DiBiase isn't used to not getting what he wants. Even though Hogan turned down his offer to buy the WWF Championship, DiBiase has hired someone who will give the title to him: Andre the Giant! Back in the studio, Gorilla chides Heenan for selling out and abandoning his dream of someday managing the champion. Heenan doesn't care, as he's satisfied with simply having a championship manager's payday. Gorilla warns him that all the money will go back if Andre doesn't beat Hogan. Hmm...don't think that point will ever brought up, again.
"Leaping" Lanny Poffo vs. Danny Spivey
Joined in the progress of a BEARHUG, which instantly tells me to hit the head or get a snack. Spivey wins with a reverse neckbreaker (think: "Rude Awakening") after Poffo misses a drop-kick
A Very Special "Mean" Gene Okerlund Interview with Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat
Gene plugs the "Rumble Royale", then brings in Steamboat, who will be squaring off against "Ravishing" Rick Rude at the event. Steamboat says he's been sitting at home the past six months, but now he's back and ready to make a mark. Ehh....according to who you want to believe, Steamer worked a good chunk of matches from June to December 1987, he was just off of TV.
Heenan blasts Okerlund for calling the "Royal Rumble" the "Rumble Royale". He also refers to Steamboat as "Mr. Mom". They plug the upcoming FREE event some more and name the participants in the Rumble. Bam Bam Bigelow is announced, but he'll end up skipping the match. I'm wondering who replaced him... maybe Tito Santana? They also mention that the Rumble will feature a "face-to-face confrontation" between Andre and Hogan. Yet they don't mention the upcoming "MAIN EVENT".
Cowboy Lang vs. Lord Littlebrook
MIDGET MATCH from Paris, France. Lang actually comes out to "Crank it Up", as well! Littlebrook: "ayyy-yi-yi-yi-yi-yiiii!" Since it's a midget match, we get the obligatory butt-bite. Littlebrook finally wins by hooking the tights. This match was given TWO whole segments....but, as Heenan might say, it still came up short.
Brady Boone & Billy Jack Haynes vs. Demolition (w/Mr. Fuji)
Boone's filling in for the injured Ken Patera. Lots of pounding, although Boone and Haynes work pretty well as a team. Smash gets the pin with his "stun-gun" top-rope drop on Boone. Funny point, but there's no ringcrew, so Demolition has to carry their own masks, chaps and jackets back to the locker with them. Like Bundy, I think this was the end of Haynes' WWF tour.
Well folks, that wraps it up for this edition...
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