WWF 1989-Managerial Armageddon

Main Show:

Gene Okerlund opened the show, talking about the matches tonight, seemingly really interested in both the implications of an Arn Anderson win on the tag title picture and also what a victory over Ted DiBiase would mean for the young Shawn Michaels.....then he spies a former WWF Champion in the front row.....It's the Iron Sheik! 'Mean' Gene goes over to him and says "Why you're the former WWF Champion the Iron Sheik! What are you doing back in the World Wrestling Federation?" The answer was simply *to see an old friend* (*translated from farsi) which having been said in his native persian tounge, left the WWF announcer none the wiser.


Opening Match: Ted DiBiase vs Shawn Michaels

The young Michaels put up a great fight but before too long, it was looking like it was only a matter of time before he took the big L here. DiBiase tried to lock in the million dollar dream but the plucky youngster slipped out of it. A kick to the chest staggered the more experienced worker but the Million Dollar Man still managed to duck under another kick, thumb Michaels in the eye and finally lock in the million dollar dream for the submission. Despite the fight in the youngster, he was show no respect and got a wad of one dollar notes shoved in his mouth for his efforts tonight.

Winner: Ted DiBiase
Grade: C+


Having learned from his mistake on the pre-show, Jimmy Hart is more cautiously approaching Akeem backstage. The big man seemed to be listening when the mouth of the south told him "I could make you a champion within 2 months baby!"


Match 2: Akeem vs Tim Horner

Akeem certainly did not dissuade people who think he might indeed be championship calibre, he absolutely ripped through Tim Horner here tonight. Barely a sweat and even less wasted movement in this performance and it was capped off, with a big splash that mercifully ended the match from Tim Horner's perspective anyway. Jimmy Hart can be seen enthusiastically applauding his potential new client from the entrance.

Winner: Akeem
Grade: C-


The camera cuts to Gene Okerlund and Bobby 'The Brain' Heenan at the nondescript interview position backstage. Heenan is asked what he thinks of the managerial shake-up and who he might be thinking of chasing after, now that everyone is up for grabs. He responds "First of all I don't have to chase after anyone, they've all been chasing me! You don't get to my position as an elite level manager and still need to chase after anyone like all those ham and eggers that call themselves managers these days. Secondly, about this  shakeup, I LOVE it! This is my chance to get my hands on the best of the best and an easy way out of my contract with a scrub like Terry Taylor....what was I thinking there?" The Brain shakes his head sadly. If Bobby Heenan had more to say, he was not to get a chance as the music of the Bolsheviks hit and 'Mean' Gene had to send us back ringside.


Match 3: The Bolsheviks vs The Bushwhackers

This was a pretty good match, with the crowd really getting into it. There's something about the energy and enthusiasm of these Bushwhackers that just strikes a cord with the audience. The hated Russians were doing their best to keep up but the New Zealanders were just that extra step ahead of them. Some old school cheating slowed the match down and briefly bought teams back on level pegging. However when Butch ducked a clothesline from Boris Zhukov and the russian accidentally sent his own partner flying out of the ring, that was pretty much it and a battering ram soon took out Zhukov to give the win to the Bushwhackers! We can see The Iron Sheik in the audience, shaking his head with obvious disgust.

Winners: The Bushwhackers
Grade: C


A video plays, highlighting the Royal Rumble from 1988. Special attention is obviously paid to 'Hacksaw' Jim Duggan for winning the whole match but also to Dino Bravo and Akeem's (then known as the One Man Gang) respective strong showings. It was also noted that Bret Hart had spent the longest time in the ring at just over 25 minutes and the question was asked, 'which WWF wrestlers will step up and force themselves to be noticed when the World Wrestling Federation comes to Hamilton, Ontario on January the 29th for the Royal Rumble?'


Match 4: Bret Hart vs the Brooklyn Brawler

The iron man of the 1988 Rumble was looking to make quick work of the Brawler tonight and head back to his native canada and the Royal Rumble, with some momentum. Well he got the win, albeit by disqualification but the momentum part was debatable as the Fabulous Rougeau Brothers hit the ring and started beating down the Hitman. His tag team partner Jim Neidhart ran down to help but the numbers, especially when the Brawler recovered and joined in, worked against The Anvil's attempted save. Jacques then spits on the fallen Hitman saying "Next week....si tu as le courage."

Winner: Bret Hart
Grade: C+


Tully Blanchard is in the back with Arn Anderson, Tully said he just got word from an old friend but he's sadly stuck down south for now. Arn says he got some better news about someone even closer than Barry......to which Tully replies "Not that cranky old ba....." Arn interrupts "Watch it...." Tully now has a rather smug look on his face but Arn just shakes his head, a slight bemused smile evident. He sends his tag partner on his way by saying "Go do something useful now, while I go out there and take care of business."


Main Event: Demolition Smash vs Arn Anderson

It was as hard hitting affair as expected. Fairly clean for most of it, with both men really wanting to prove a point about who is legitimately tougher. Of course with how any victory over a champion is definitely making a statement, Arn Anderson was prepared to bend the rules to get the job done here tonight. Still neither member of Demolition is a weakling and Smash was able to either counter or endure everything Arn attempted. A clothesline eventually puts his game opponent down and then Smash starts to get surprisingly scientific, targeting Arn's arms, looking for a submission to really drive home the point tonight. A break is gained when he manages to roll out of the ring and it turns into an advantage when he rams Smash's head against the guardrail. The referee admonishes Arn for the excessive violence but it puts him in prime position to win the match. The tag champion tries to claw his way back into the match but he still seems a little bit loopy. Smash ducks an attempted punch that looked like it could have finished him off but another knocks him to the mat. Arn feels confident now, stomps on Smash a few times and bends over to pick him up and finish him off. Smash was playing possum though! Attempted small package! Arn Anderson rolls through and grabs the ropes! It might be tainted but it's nevertheless a 3 count over one half of the tag team champions!

Winner: Arn Anderson
Grade: B-
Show Grade: C+

Main Show:

Jake 'The Snake' Roberts opens up the show with another edition of the snake pit. He has going that kind of unnerving Jake Roberts smile which is 1 part reassuring and 2 parts creepy as hell, as he brings his guest 'Rugged' Ronnie Garvin onto the set. He says that he's a great admirer of Garvin and that the two of them are pretty similar men, in that "One of us has hands of stone and the other has a heart of stone" Jake then laughs in that disturbing way of his but his guest just kind of shakes his head. From there they do start to discuss Ron Garvin's history to help the WWF fans learn more about one of the Federation's most recently signed wrestlers. When asked about his ultimate goals, Garvin admits to wanting to challenge for titles but for now, he's just content to knock down whoever the heck the WWF puts in front of him. Jake wishes him luck but offers a 'friendly' warning, "For now, we're okay but get in my way....and you may just come to know what the fuss over the ddt is all about...."


Opening Match: 'Ravishing' Rick Rude vs Iron Mike Sharpe

It wasn't the best start for the ravishing one, as Iron Mike got a bit of early offense in but very quickly Rude got it together and outwrestled his opponent. The occasional bit of showboating gave Iron Mike the odd hope spot here and there but it was clear Rude was cruising to a victory. He looks over to the commentary table and gestures to Bobby 'The Brain' Heenan to play close attention, mouthing "Show me the money" before finishing his opponent off with the rude awakening.

Winner: 'Ravishing' Rick Rude
Grade: C


A video plays, highlighting the Royal Rumble again but this time focusing even more on Hacksaw Jim Duggan. It also shows his recent feuds with Dino Bravo and Boris Zhukov. It ends on highlights of Dino Bravo's victory in the pre-show and his subsequent calling out of Duggan, asking the question of whether the american patriot will accept.


Match 2: Rhythm & Blues vs The Young Stallions

Greg Valentine and the Honky Tonk Man approached this match with a great deal of confidence and no wonder, with the record of the Young Stallions in recent months. Their arrogance only grew as they indeed found it easy going for the most part. The referee is struggling to maintain control of the musical duo, as they think so little of their opponents they are pretty much disregarding rules and hitting double team moves. At one point they slam both of them and Valentine goes for an elbow drop on Powers, while his partner looks to drop a fist on Roma. Summoning what must be their 4th wind by now, the Stallions roll out of the way. The underdogs start to go on a roll but they do not see a man in a suit and carrying an gaudy looking phone, climb over the guardrail. While Powers clotheslines Valentine out of the ring and follows him out to ringside, the unknown man climbs up on the apron and whacks Paul Roma on the back of the head with his phone. He crumples to the mat and Honky quickly gets his wits together and covers him. The referee had been keeping an eye on Powers and Valentine on the outside but turns around and goes to make the count. Jim Powers tries to get back in and break it up but Valentine gets a hold of his leg and holds him back from breaking up the 3 count.

Winners: Rhythm & Blues
Grade: C


After a quick ad break, Gene Okerlund has caught up to Rhythm & Blues and the strange man that helped them to victory. He introduces himself as Paul E. Heyman and he's known all over the wrestling world as a man who can recognize talent and a man who can get the best out of that talent and most importantly as a man who can use all that to make himself and the talent plenty of money! "With my help, Mr Valentine and Mr Honky Tonk here will soon be champions and richer than even Hulk Hogan himself!" Heyman then offers his hand to both men and they shake on it.


Match 3: Slick's new client vs Marty Jannetty

Jannetty is waiting in the ring, as Slick's music hits. The Slickster has a microphone and he addresses the rocker in the ring. "Now Marty, the Slickster doesn't have a problem with ya daddy but let me tell ya...you're in for a whole lotta BAD NEWS!" This is the cue for Bad News Brown to come out to the ring. To his credit, Marty Jannetty doesn't back down but he doesn't get a whole lot of offense here tonight. Not to say it was a 100% walkover for Bad News but the only reason it wasn't over in seconds, was the rocker's quickness and that allowed him to avoid the worst of it and prolong the inevitable. Inevitable was the right word as Jannetty was eventually put down for the count, with the ghetto blaster. Slick celebrates afterwards, while Bad News Brown just starts laying the boots into the fallen rocker.

Winner: Bad News Brown