WWF Superstars 1/21/1989

Written by: Bob Colling

World Wrestling Federation presents Superstars
Date: 1/21/1989
From: Huntsville, AL

Matches:
1.) Jim Duggan defeated Rusty Riddle
2.) The Bushwhackers defeated Tom Stone & Jerry Price
3.) Rick Rude defeated John Stroud
4.) Powers Of Pain defeated Reno Riggins & Johnny Ziegler
5.) Rick Martel defeated Barry Horowitz
6.) WWF World Champion Randy Savage defeated Akeem by disqualification in a non-title match

Angle Developments/Notes:
1.) Dino Bravo and Frenchy Martin came out to ringside during Jim Duggan’s match waving their flag. The distraction didn’t bother Duggan, who won his squash match easily.

2.) We see footage of Bobby Heenan slapping Red Rooster on PrimeTime Wrestling, and then attacked by Steve Lombardi with a stool! Lombardi even hit Gorilla Monsoon over the back with the stool! Lombardi slams Rooster on some kind of platform. Lombardi will be known as the Brooklyn Brawler. That was actually an effective segment for Lombardi, I thought.

3.) This is the television in-ring debut of the Bushwhackers on Superstars, at least.

4.) Ultimate Warrior shared some pre-tape comments on Rick Rude. Warrior tells Rude to not walk around with his head raised too high.

5.) Tito Santana shared some pre-tape comments during Rick Martel’s match. Santana wishes Martel luck on his return. Santana would love to team with Martel should that happen. This is Martel’s return to the WWF following an injury in June of ’88.

6.) Brother Love has Andre the Giant and Bobby Heenan as his guests this week. Love mentions that people think that Andre is afraid of snakes, but Heenan denies that. Instead, Andre just doesn’t like to be surprised. Love has a snake in a bag, and Andre is getting freaked out at the thought of a snake in there. Andre prevents Love from opening the bag and Heenan says it is obvious that Andre isn’t afraid of snakes. Love ends the segment saying that Andre isn’t afraid of snakes and isn’t afraid of Jake Roberts either!

7.) Akeem works over Savage at the start with a few blows in the corner, but Savage ducks a wild strike and hammers away on Akeem. Akeem stops Savage with a shot to the midsection. Savage kicks Akeem after running the ropes and attempts a scoop slam but Akeem prevents that from happening. Savage sends Akeem into the corner and delivers several right hands in the corner but Akeem stops the champ with an atomic drop. Savage avoids an elbow drop. Big Bossman makes his way down to ringside to distract Savage. Savage avoids a sneak attack by Akeem but is sent into the corner and Akeem hits a splash in the corner. Akeem clotheslines Savage for a near fall. Akeem works over Savage in the corner with a few strikes. The fans are chanting for Hogan, it sounds like. Akeem power slams Savage and leaps off the middle rope but misses a big splash. Savage gets a second wind and nails Akeem with several elbow strikes. Savage drops Akeem throat first across the top rope and comes off the top rope to hit a double axe handle. Savage leaps off the top to hit an elbow drop but Bossman enters to cause the disqualification. After the match, Hulk Hogan wastes no time sliding into the ring and cleaning house on the heels! (*1/2. The crowd was electric for it, but it was a basic match and Akeem was rather boring while in control. Still, an effective TV match. Should be interesting if they play up how quickly Hogan came to the ring compared to Savage taking his time to help Hogan when the role was reversed.) Hogan is posing for the fans and Savage seems to be annoyed about something. Hogan gets Savage to pose with him and seemingly forget about the aftermath.

Final Thoughts:
A lot going on here and I enjoyed it. Martel’s return gives some depth in the singles mid card role. The segment with Andre and Heenan was done well and is kind of comical. The slow build for the Hogan/Savage issues is progressing nicely, as well. A strong episode following the Rumble pay per view.

Thanks for reading.