LowBlowPodcast

Freebirds, Grapplers, Doom, Horsemen, Funk/Murdoch, Rock N Roll, Eddie and John.... WCW is STACKED in the tag division. I like the addition to WCW with Lawler coming in... Piper's pit is going to be electric... now we've got Power Plant Power Hour (trademark pending) with some new names coming up.

I have always heard good things about Dino as a babyface... wouldn't mind seeing how that goes here. The use of WWF guys to put some of the MLW wrestlers on the map is a great idea... January 28th is shaping up... no doubt that we've got a rocket strapped to the Anvil.

I like to see the influx of talent coming through... I've got high hopes for the Fantastics. Blockbuster Brian is also a guy who is making a name for himself. AWA is looking different in 1989 and that's a good different... an exciting different...

NWA continues to set the stage for its consistency. I like that tournament... WCW and NWA did these back in the day... US title and US Tag Titles if I remember correctly. Baby Doll next to John Studd is a great image. Superbrawl 2 is on the Horizon... I have a feeling there will be some awesome spots leading up to this marquee event.

1/22 - Superstars of Wrestling w/ Vince McMahon & Jesse the Body Ventura Dusty Rhodes defeated Mikey Wallace via the Bionic Elbow. Dusty is all the way live in his promo and he talks about entering the Royal Rumble and going the distance for all of America! He will keep the dream alive and show the world that the American Dream is the way of the future! The Powers of Pain defeated Mike Dukes & Connor Shaw - During the contest we hear from Mr. Fuji who says he can’t wait to unleash his Powers of Pain into the Royal Rumble and can’t wait to let them demolish and destroy everyone in their path! Demolition defeated Kyle Yates & Mike McGregor - We hear from Vince and Jesse about the team of Demolition and their counterparts… the Rockers. Vince wonders who would win and if and when it would happen… Jesse says that he hears the contracts are signed by one team but not the other… he’s stirring it up. Tommy Rich defeated Randolph White - Wild Fire is live on the mic putting over the Royal Rumble and his entry. He says he is going to light the ring up and show the world that the Wild Fire won’t be put out by anyone! Rick Rude defeated Bob Green - Heenan goes off about how Haku, Bundy, and Rude all have a shot in the Royal Rumble to change the fate of the Heenan Family… it is because of this that Bobby will be the true winner of the Rumble! Honky Tonk Man defeated Phil Williamson - Rick Martel pops in to let us know that when he faces Honky at the Rumble he will only be singing the blues. Martel is the IC champ and he wants to stay that way and he will do whatever it takes! Brutus Beefcake defeated Frankie DeMarco - Terry Taylor says that the time for talking has come and gone and it is time to get in that right and see just who has what it takes. He wonders if Beefcake has the conditioning to last with him in the Rumble! Hercules defeated Erick Strong - Bobby Heenan pops back in and says he has heard what kind of garbage Hercules has been saying about the Family. Heenan says he’s going to unleash the power of the family on Hercules and put him down and out once and for all! Big Bossman One Man Gang Davey Boy Smith Brutus Beefcake Terry Taylor Ravishing Rick Rude King Kong Bundy Haku Hercules The Warlord The Barbarian Koko B Ware ST Jones Andre the Giant Maniac Matt Demolition Ax Demolition Smash Rocker Shawn Michaels Rocker Marty Jannetty Greg Valentine Dino Bravo Jacques Rougeau Raymond Rougeau Kevin Sullivan Mike Rotundo Rick Steiner Scott Steiner Tommy Rich Dusty Rhodes Bad News Brown or Ultimate Warrior Plus just signed… The Great Muta will be taking on The Z-Man, The Ultimate Warrior vs Bad News Brown - The Winner of this match will get the final spot in the Royal Rumble later on in the evening, Rick Martel defends the Intercontinental Championship against the Honky Tonk Man, and WWF Champion Randy Savage defends against Hacksaw Jim Duggan! Brother Love will host former tag team champions Kerry and Kevin Von Erich!

Not so fast my friend Bryan Clarke vampire warrior savio Vega and Jose Luis Rivera resign with the wwf

WWF makes the following releases: Vampire Warrior Savio Vega Bryan Clarke Jose Estrada (To retire after 1990) Jose Luis Rivera

I am excited to see what we've got going on here with some new faces and I expect some good stuff from Big John Studd. Dynamite Kid makes his presence known. We've also got Jimmy Snuka making the reigns... Adrian Street with a good win... Ronnie better keep his eyes on the prize because I feel like there's lety of people who would like a shot against him. I don't want to stir the shit... but makes me wonder who has the real Horsemen in our world with the two conflicting groups...I see both making a claim to the prize.

Music City is making Tennessee a hot bed of wrestling... making sure no one else can match their excellence. I like the Assassins as a top draw. I am glad we have this promotion in our world as the last true territory in the US.

You and I have spoken about Maple Leaf and what this could be. I like the choice of the Anvil as your top guy... makes sense but I think that the growth of others is going to be the major piece to this puzzle. I am excited to see some women getting some love here. Plus... PCO could be something special... perhaps we'll see more develop within our big little Canadian promotion... sky is the limit.

I appreciate your approach to the highlights and previews of WCW. There's plenty of star power here... which makes these shows so special and great to follow. I love the Power Plant... makes me want to have Patterson's ring boys... I mean... ugh... I need a developmental system. Safe to say Jake the Snake is going to take a bite out of the competition here in WCW and goes against the mold which sets him out from the rest.

1/15 - Prime Time Wrestling w/ Gorilla Monsoon & Bobby Heenan Bobby and Gorilla are really on point tonight - Bobby is putting over his family for the Royal Rumble and how he’s got three big chances and all three of them are better than anyone else. Terry Taylor defeated Tom Hughes - Brutus Beefcake comes out during the match… he is throwing… hair? He is making the sign for the clippers… Taylor isn’t happy about it but he gets the job done! British Bulldog defeated Kyle Yates - Bulldog looked spectacular here and he is in tremendous shape. Bulldog has an inset that he puts over his chances in the Royal Rumble and vows to show the word what he’s made of. Bobby and Gorilla put over the debut of Dusty Rhodes next week… they call him the American Dream and look forward to what he is going to bring to the WWF. The Big Bossman & One Man Gang defeated Willy Randolph & Tommy Rage - Slick is in there with an inst putting over his newest acquisition… he will be here before too long and when he is… it will be all over for everyone in his path! The Steiner Brothers defeated Bob Ryker & Nathan Shelly - Kevin Sullivan puts on a pretty interesting inset interview… from behind him rises non other than University of Georgia All-American… Dan Spivey! Spivey says that the Varsity club is bigger, stronger, and badder than ever… the Steiners are going to feel what it is like to get taken down by the best in the world! Gorilla and Bobby put over some of the new faces… we’ve got Dusty Rhodes coming in…. Tommy Rich who will be in action… Slick says he’s got someone coming in… now Kevin Sullivan has got Danny Spivey… the WWF is open season right now… anything could happen! Tommy Rich defeated Freddie Knight - Tommy cuts a nice little promo putting over his arrival in the WWF and how he plans to set the WWF on fire… a WILD FIRE if you will! Dino & The Rougeaus defeated Erick Strong, Kyle Wallace, & Vincent Price - Jimmy Hart cuts a promo putting over how he has got the greatest odds in the Royal Rumble… he assures us that not only will the Honky Tonk Man win the WWF Intercontinental Championship… but also the Royal Rumble! Rick Martel defeated Ricky Smith - Honky cuts a promo putting over their match at the Rumble for the IC title. These two have been at each other’s throats for a while… we’ll see what happens when they clash! Bobby and Gorilla put over the WWF title match with Savage and Duggan… Heenan says that the Family won’t be involved… but Gorilla says that he knows better. Hacksaw Duggan vs Greg Valentine w/ Jimmy Hart - A pretty fun matchup with these two beating the piss out of one another. Hacksaw has got all the momentum in the world right now but Valentine makes him look great. The huge clothesline sets up a big 3-count for Duggan and he has made a point to look great here tonight… is he ready for the Macho Man at the Royal Rumble?!? Special Video for Dusty Rhodes who will wrestle next week in preparation for the Royal Rumble! Event Center: The Royal Rumble so far… Big Bossman One Man Gang Davey Boy Smith Brutus Beefcake Terry Taylor Ravishing Rick Rude King Kong Bundy Haku Hercules The Warlord The Barbarian Koko B Ware ST Jones Andre the Giant Maniac Matt Demolition Ax Demolition Smash Rocker Shawn Michaels Rocker Marty Jannetty Greg Valentine Dino Bravo Jacques Rougeau Raymond Rougeau Kevin Sullivan Mike Rotundo That’s the list that was given to me and fans what a night it is going to be… next week we fill in the blanks with the final 5…Plus just signed… The Great Muta will be taking on The Z-Man, The Ultimate Warrior vs Bad News Brown, Rick Martel defends the Intercontinental Championship against the Honky Tonk Man, and WWF Champion Randy Savage defends against Hacksaw Jim Duggan! Brother Love will host former tag team champions Kerry & Kevin Von Erich!

1/8 Superstars of Wrestling w/ Vince McMahon & Jesse the Body Ventura Jesse and Vince are in living Color here and they are putting over a huge night of action. We’ll have ten more participants added to the Royal Rumble plus Hacksaw Jim Duggan on the Brother Love Show talking about his match with Randy Savage the WWF Champion at the Royal Rumble. Jesse says it is a new era in the WWF and someone is going to take their rightful spot at the top of the mountain… he thinks it will be Randy Savage but tonight we’ll see some others who are gunning for that spot! Rick Rude w/ Bobby Heenan defeated John Williams. Rude has an inset interview talking about being in the WWF Royal Rumble and how he is going to walk in and give everyone a Rude Awakening! Special video showcase of the one and the only… The American Dream Dusty Rhodes!!! The Steiner Brothers defeated John Mixon & Pat Trestman - We get an inset interview from Kevin Sullivan who is ranting and raving about the Steiner Brothers… he says that he is going to unleash the newest member of the Varsity Club on them at the Royal Rumble! Rick Martel defeated Ryane Skiles. We get a Honky Tonk and Jimmy Hart inset interview. They pump up the IC title match at Royal Rumble where Honky says he is going to play all his hits in one night and walk out with a gold record… I mean gold title! Brother Love Show with Hacksaw Duggan… Brother Love runs his shtick on Hacksaw who no sells it all. Brother Love is questioning whether or not Hacksaw can make a challenge for Randy Savage to which Hacksaw comes back and talks about America. He talks about being someone who will come back when all things are down and he will be the man to rise above and come out with the World Title… Tough Guy! Brother Love asks about Randy Savage’s friends throughout the WWF like the Twin Towers or the Heenan Family… Duggan says he is going to keep one eye on Savage and the other on any fools who try to get involved in this match! Davey Boy Smith defeated Geoffrey Simmons. Bulldog with a nice little promo putting over the Royal Rumble. We hear Jesse and Vince talk about Daey Boy and how he is going to strive, survive, or try to stay alive in singles competition! The Z-Man defeated Timmy Conway. We get an inset with Muta and Dangerously. Paul E lets everyone know that the Z-man’s days are numbered… just like Tito Santana before him and Rick Martel to come… the Great Muta will destroy any and all comers in his path and there will be none left standing… but many left bowing to his greatness! Debut of Wildfire Tommy Rich who gets a nice little pop from the crowd. Wildfire isn’t quite 1980 Tommy Rich, but he comes out and gets a nice little pop. He handles Fred Warner pretty easily while Vince and Jesse put him over. The finish is the Thesz Press and the 3-count. The Wild Fire is in the WWF… what in the world is going on! Event Center: The Royal Rumble so far… Big Bossman One Man Gang Davey Boy Smith Brutus Beefcake Terry Taylor Ravishing Rick Rude King Kong Bundy Haku Hercules The Warlord The Barbarian Koko B Ware ST Jones Andre the Giant Maniac Matt Demolition Ax Demolition Smash Rocker Shawn Michaels Rocker Marty Jannetty Greg Valentine Dino Bravo Jacques Rougeau Raymond Rougeau Gene puts over how we’ve got 7 more names to go… but who will join the frey? Right now the big money is on the Big Bossman… maybe Andre the Giant… how about Rick Rude… could the strength of Davey Boy Smith take him to the end? Plus signed… The Great Muta will be taking on The Z-Man, The Ultimate Warrior vs Bad News Brown, Rick Martel defends the Intercontinental Championship against the Honky Tonk Man, and WWF Champion Randy Savage defends against Hacksaw Jim Duggan! Brother Love will host former tag team champions!

Bad News Brown Chris Benoit Dan Spivey Davey Boy Smith Fred Ottman Honky Tonk Man Jerry Lawler John Tenta King Kong Bundy Koko Ware Maniac Matt Borne Sabu Savio Vega Tom Zenk Virgil Here is the current WWF Trade Block. Open to any and all offers. Let's work something out.

1/1 Prime Time Wrestling w/ Gorilla Monsoon & Bobby Heenan Prime Time with a new opening… guess who isn’t in there? Well guys like Randy Savage, Ultimate Warrior, The Rockers, Demolition, The Big Bossman, Andre the Giant, and Rick Rude are highlighted in this new video and we cut to Gorilla and Bobby… it is a festive set but Gorilla is looking somber while Heenan is smile from ear to ear… Gorilla goes on about how 1989 has started with a bang, tonight we’ve got a big tag team championship match for the fans, but Heenan continues to interrupt. Gorilla then goes on to state that an era here in the WWF has come to a stop but hopefully not an end. The Era of Hulkamania has paused and now it is time for someone else to pick up the torch and run with it. Bobby isn’t as simple, he says that this is a business and if you can’t handle the business and you take it personal you get the boot. Heenan says he has got big plans for 1989 but one of his biggest tasks was already done for him. He is done talking about the red and yellow and now it is time to focus on the GOLD! The Heenan Family will hold the gold in 1989 and there is nothing anyone can do about it! Gorilla shakes his head… perhaps the gravity of this situation is more than some expected… but it is time to get 1989 started with the Ultimate Warrior!! The Ultimate Warrior defeated Kevin Stevens - Bad News Brown with an inset here and he puts over his big match with the Ultimate Warrior at the Royal Rumble. He says he is going to beat the paint right off of him! Haku w/ Bobby Heenan defeated Bob Ryan Brutus Beefcake defeated Chael Rollins - Terry Taylor puts over his issue with Brutus and says that time is ticking and the hair is going to come out soon. Taylor and Beefcake are going to meet and only one man will be left with their hair and their pride! Event Center: Mean Gene puts over the Royal Rumble coming up on Saturday the 27th of January! We’ll be live from Cleveland for this big event. Big matches already signed… we will see the Ultimate Warrior take on Bad News Brown. Plus, the Intercontinental Champion Rick Martel defends against The Honky Tonk Man! Additionally, we’ll see the number one contender for the WWF Championship, Hacksaw Jim Duggan challenging WWF Champion, Randy Macho Man Savage! Don’t forget the 30-man royal rumble, a new participant every 2-minutes… eliminations can only occur via being thrown over the top rope to the floor. We have 5 names already entered… the Big Bossman, The One Man Gang, Davey Boy Smith - the British Bulldog, Brutus Beefcake, and Terry Taylor. 25 more names will be announced as we head to the Royal Rumble! The Warlord & Barbarian w/ Mr. Fuji defeated Shawn Marcus & Walter Black Big Bossman w/ Slick defeated ST Jones - Slick gets on the mic and lets everyone know that Bossman and One Man Gang are both in the rumble and they are going to be tossing out pieces of garbage left and right and there will be no one left standing but the Twin Towers of Power! Koko B Ware defeated Conquistador 1 The Great Muta w/ Paul E Dangerously defeated Bob Holly - Tito Santana cuts a promo as he looks to be pretty beaten up… he says that Muta did hurt him pretty good but not bad enough to keep him out. He isn’t afraid of getting back in the ring and he will avenge his loss but more importantly regain his honor! WWF TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP Demolition © vs Greg Valentine & Dino Bravo w/ Jimmy Hart A pretty fun main event with Demolition looking prime right now. Valentine and Bravo are a dream team to many but here they just work well. Soon enough we see the Rougeaus come out and join the fun. They are trying to get the ire of Demolition while Valentine and Bravo continue to do battle. We get closer to the finish but the Rougeaus are now putting themselves in a position to eradicate any chance for Demolition… that is until the Rockers come running down and the crowd goes apeshit. Michaels and Jannetty come in and pound away at the Rougeaus… Valentine is distracted and here comes Smash with the roll up and the 3-count!

WWF update No. 9 Between the MSG Matinee Show yesterday and 12:00pm est, Hulk Hogan (along with his lawyers) and Vince McMahon (with his lawyers and team) were together in various places. I am told that leaving dinner everyone seemed to be in good spirits and McMahon and Hogan even hugged one another. The next meeting was held at an Oyster Bar in which Linda McMahon and a couple others like Bruce Prichard and Gerald Brisco were present. This meeting was said to be very cordial but when the meeting moved behind closed doors, with only McMahon (Vince) and Hogan, the tide changed. Hogan left the club, even after being stopped by Linda McMahon. They were said to have some words and then Vince McMahon came out and he and Hogan had words before Hogan left the club in a limo with his team, that also included Linda Hogan. This morning there was a meeting at 8:00am est at the WWF Headquarters in Stamford, CT. All the different powers to be were there and it was said to be an amicable decision for Hogan's contract to end and then not be renewed or extended (depending on who you'll believe). It appears, for all intents and purposes, that Hulk Hogan has left the WWF (for the time being). I have had an opportunity to speak with some talent about the news and they were completely shocked and some even applauded the decision. There is no doubt that Hogan held a lot of power backstage but also when it came to payoffs. Some wonder if his absence will allow others to make more money... but the next question... will there be enough money for others to make now that he's gone? It is no doubt that the WWF was running high with Hogan vs Savage as a headline and crowds were really coming in numbers to see these matches... but now without Hogan... what happens? We'll find out tomorrow night when the WWF is set to be back on the road, the Hogan vs Savage Main Events have been scrapped and now it is Savage vs Andre/Duggan/Tito or Warrior depending on the town. I am excited to have a special interview with Andre the Giant in the coming days and I am told he will have a lot to say on the matter with regards to Hogan and his leaving... fans this is a whale of a way to start off 1989!

Stamford, CT 11:30am est Titan Sports and the World Wrestling Federation would like to wish Hulk Hogan (Terry Bollea), a fond farewell after his contract expired on 12/31/1988. Hulk Hogan has long been a staple in the world of professional wrestling and has been instrumental in taking the WWF to heights never before imagined. The loss of Hulk Hogan to WWF programming will be felt by many but the new and upcoming talent will be sure to excite WWF fans all over the world. Be sure to tune in weekly for WWF Superstars and Prime Time Wrestling for all the latest action of the WWF and call your local cable providers for the Royal Rumble live on pay per view January the 27th!

WWF update No. 8 Crazy long night and with new years it has been crazy... plus I just got back from the MSG show... Let's go to yesterday - the cage match with Hogan and Savage... a nasty blade job by Hogan was really the story of the show as Hogan made it about himself. The inclusion of Bossman and One Man Gang was to add some size I guess. Either way, Savage retained in a messy match. We go to SNME which was a decent enough show... the three big things... one... the Muta vs Tito Match was not scheduled to happen and was added in late. Secondly, the Rockers winning two straight - that was a time decision - the match itself was three full falls but the second was edited out. Lastly, the Stan Hansen and Sherri angle was completely scrapped... the fans responded well to it in person but that is done and gone now and I am told Hansen has already given his notice to the WWF because of the botch. It was noted that last night Hulk Hogan and Vince McMahon were seen at dinner together and it appears as though everything was mutually respectable. That leads us to today... MSG... The show itself was highlighted by Andre winning a big battle royal. The WWF title was on the line in a lumberjack match... Hogan and Savage put on a great 18-minute contest. The finish was something else... Savage hit an elbow drop and it was a prime moment for Hogan to hulk up but instead he stayed down for the 3-count. Hogan stayed down and Savage won the contest in front of the MSG crowd and all the lumberjacks. Hogan got up selling his throat like Savage came down hard... but as the smoke cleared... we saw Heenan celebrating with Savage while the ring cleared... then Hogan grabbed Savage and Heenan and double headbutt! Heenan fell back into the ring and Hogan sent him to the ropes for a huge boot and then a bodyslam! Heenan sold like crazy and then Hogan posed for the crowd... he seemed to have some sentiment... There has been no new news on the contract situation... as it stands right now I would guess that Hogan will be on the road tomorrow... but there's a chance he won't... I don't know what that chance is. Hogan was seen coming out of MSG and going right into his limo... fans were crowding around him but no answers... I guess we will see what happens in the next couple of hours.

12/28 SNME XVIII December 28th - Philadelphia, PA Hulk Hogan: Well you know… All my Hulkamaniacs are feeling happy and healthy this holiday season… but you Dino Bravo are about to feel what the power of Hulkamania is all about dude. Understand that the big man may have delivered presents to all the good girls and boys out there but tonight Hulk Hogan is going to deliver PAIN TO YOU! Dino Bravo: Hulk Hogan… you are gonna feel what the strongest man in the world feels like. Your spaghetti noodle arms are going to be nothing for me when I wrap you up and put you down for good! Jake Roberts: Funny thing about a present is you really don’t know what it is until you open it… well Rick Rude I have a present for you my man and trust me when I say… it is something that you won’t forget… or maybe even remember. Rick Rude: Jake Roberts… I am so sick and tired of your snaked together words… you are looking at the best looking body in professional wrestling and soon you are going to find out exactly why I deliver the Rude Awakening to everyone in my path! Bad News Brown: Warrior…. You gotta get some extra paint… because after tonight no one… not even your little warriors will know who you are when I am done with you! Ultimate Warrior: Bad News Brown… I have come from the sky and I have the powers of cosmos… that will deliver the destruction… you Bad News Brown are in for some bad news as I am going to show you what the power of all the little warriors is… but it is the true power of the Ultimate Warrior that will be your undoing and put and end to your tyranny forever! Andre the Giant: I am a man of few words… tonight Randy Savage… I want the belt… I WANT THE BELT! I WANT THE BELT! And Randy Savage… I am coming for it! Randy Savage: Ohh yeaaahhh… The Macho Man… the one true champion of the WWF and in reality the one true giant in the WWF! Andre… I want you to listen up really good… because I don’t know if the blood flows to your brain… but tonight I am going to put you down and I am going to drive my elbow right through that big heart of yours and show the world it doesn’t matter how tall you are because you will all go down when you face the MACHO MAN…. OHHH YEEEEAAAAHHHH! Vince and Jesse welcome us to Saturday Night’s Main Event from Happy Valley at the University of Penn State. Jesse is rocking his PSU shirt and makes fun of McMahon for failing out of the Ivy Leagues. They talk about a huge show ahead including two WWF championship matches including Randy Macho Man Savage defending against Andre the Giant… plus the Rockers defend the US Tag Titles against the Rougeaus in a 2 out of 3 falls. Fans it is time for the one, the only, the Immortal Hulk Hogan!! Hulk Hogan vs Dino Bravo w/ Jimmy Hart This is a pretty good showdown with two big time power houses. Dino works over Hogan who does some great selling… the fans are right there on the cusp of every move. Hogan even gives Dino a little more and gives up a couple of close two counts. He is really putting Dino over… well that is until he Hulks up and beats the hell out of him. We get a big boot… Dino wobbles and then BODY SLAM! LEG DROP! 3-COUNT! Hogan poses… works the fans… what a moment. Randy Savage cuts a quick promo with Jesse Ventura running through his match with the Giant. Savage once again says he is the one true giant in the WWF and this title is the reason why! He is going to give the giant a beating he could have never imagined! WWF CHAMPIONSHIP Randy Savage © vs Andre the Giant WWF Championship on the line and my oh my the crowd is going nuts for Andre and Savage. These two put together a decent enough 11-minute match with both getting something in but it is more of a cat/mouse and Andre taking the brunt of Savage’s punishment. Savage even gets Andre out of the ring and hits a double ax handle smash on him into the guardrail. Savage gets back in the ring and Andre gets back. He gets in some good offense and a huge bodyslam that throws Savage across the ring. We’re getting to the final moments but Andre hoists off Savage and throws him out of the ring to the floor! Andre looks like he’s going out after him… they throw hands outside of the ring… Savage goes and grabs the title belt… wait a moment…he lunges at Andre and nails him with the belt and Andre goes down hard. He looks to be busted open. Savage scurries back into the ring with seconds to spare… It is a count out and Andre gets up and goes for Savage who is running for his life! Jesse and Vince put this over in a big way as Savage has found a way to keep the title. Andre comes and goes for Savage up the aisle… is this one far from over? Bobby Heenan is in the back with Rick Rude and Mean Gene. They are putting over their contest with Jake Roberts. Rude says that Jake, like the snake that he is, couldn’t have woken up on the right side of the bed today because he’s due for a Rude Awakening! Jake Roberts vs Ravishing Rick Rude w/ Bobby Heenan These two slow the pace down for a couple of minutes and then build back up. Rude and Heenan are really working well together and getting some good heat from the fans. Jake is able to get Rude on his heels and hits all his siganture moves. We see the short arm clothesline and then the DDT! Jake covers but Heenan puts Rude’s foot up on the rope! Was that Robert’s only chance? He goes on the attack again but now Rude is getting the upperhand with some very stiff shots. There’s a forearm that knocks Roberts out on his feet… Jake is able to hit a big clothesline out of nowhere! Heennan is getting more animated outside of the ring and now he’s going for Damien… he’s in the corner but here comes Rude with a knee and Jake goes flying into the guardrail! He stumbles back and Rude grabs him with the RUDE AWAKENING! OH MY! 1…2….3!!! Rude has just taken down Jake Roberts and he rolls out of the ring. Heenan and Rude celebrate their way up to the entryway… Vince and Jesse put this over in a big way as to Rude possibly being the number one contender for the WWF Championship! Hulk Hogan is in the back with Mean Gene and talks about Randy Savage. He says he doesn’t need any special gifts because his Hulkamaniacs are the greatest gifts in the world. He is going to show Savage some seasons beatings! The Ultimate Warrior vs Bad News Brown Sloppy, ugly, and stiff… only way to describe this one. These two beat the piss out of one another and no sell each other like they’re going out of style. Bad News even goes to the streets and takes the fight outside but the Warrior brings his best brawling to the show. Vince and Jesse put this over in a big way and talk about how both men are out of their element but Jesse yells about Bad News bringing Warrior into his element! Warrior then hits a clothesline and Bad News goes over the top of the guardrail. Bad News then pushes a plant, I mean fan out of the way and when Warrior comes over he gets CRACKED in the skull with a chair! Referee Hebner calls for the bell and Warrior gets a DQ victory. Bad News comes over and starts hammering away at him as the referee pulls him off… Bad News goes in the ring and starts to celebrate but the Warrior is pumping up outside the ring and then he gets inside. He gets in and clothesline! Clothesline! Warrior then hits the ropes and hits a flying shoulder block that tosses Bad News out of the ring to the floor! Officials are there to back him off while Warrior wants him to keep coming. Vince and Jesse put this through the roof! In an interesting turn of events… we see the stage change up a little bit and here comes the next match… is this the same crowd? Tito Santana vs The Great Muta A nice showdown for these two… it was supposed to happen but maybe not here… don’t worry. These two go about 15-minutes with some power shots and then quick movements around the ring. The highlight is seeing Muta hit a shining wizard on Tito who is on the apron. Santana goes flying off the apron and then hits the guardrail. What in the hell is Paul Heyman doing out here? He’s got his damn phone… Muta pulls the referee and Tito turns around and Heyman jabs the phone right into his throat! Tito is selling like crazy and here comes Muta off the apron with a knee to his throat! Muta tosses Santana back in the ring and Muta waits in the corner for another SHINING WIZARD but that knee goes right into his throat! Tito is hurting here and Muta runs to the ropes and comes down with a knee right to the throat! Muta covers Tito for a 3-count. Muta is the winner but now we see his true side when he holds Tito down and sprays the green myst in his face! Muta is choking out Tito right in the middle of the ring and the referee is trying to hold him back… wait a minute… here comes Rick Martel! The Intercontinental Champion runs down and Muta backs off and smiles and winks… he sprays more myst in the air… Martel looks like he wants to throw down right now… SNME is back with Jesse in the back with Savage, who definitely doesn’t look the same, he is showered and cleaned up, but he’s got the belt… he puts over his reign as WWF champion and how he has beat all the pretenders of 1988 and soon he will defeat all the wishers and hopers of 1989! He says he is on the top of the mountain looking down and there is no one in his sights. OHHHH YEEEEAAAAHHHHHH!!! US TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP TWO OUT OF THREE FALLS The Rockers © vs The Rougeau Brothers w/ Jimmy Hart We’re back in the same/different/first arena and a different camera angle. These four have been on this stage before and they bring it down with a lot of fast paced action. We see Michaels really step it up a level with Jacques while Raymond and Jannetty slow things down. We get into our first fall when the Rockers back elbow Jacques over the top to the floor and then run up on Raymond and hit the double dropkick and a 3-count and the Rockers are up 1-0! We return for the second fall and the Rougeaus seem to be off on this one as they continue to argue with Jimmy Hart. This sets up the Rockers to hit some slick double team moves and even a double dropkick on Raymond who goes flying into Jimmy Hart outside… Jacques runs for a double clothesline but the Rockers duck and then hit a double superkick and Michaels covers for the 3-count! The Rockers get the win… 2-0. The Rockers with the clean sweep and they hold up the US titles… but they look at one another and then look in the camera… they tell Demolition they are next! What a way to end 1988… fans we’ll see what happens in 1989!

WWF 12/30 - Atlantic City Matinee The Rougeau Brothers vs Koko & Z-Man went to a 15-minute draw US TAG CHAMPIONSHIP The Rockers defeated The Twin Towers via DQ Tito Santana defeated Greg Valentine Rick Rude defeated Bob Holly Davey Boy Smith defeated Dino Bravo The Great Muta defeated ST Jones The Ultimate Warrior & Hacksaw Duggan defeated the Russians Andre the Giant defeated King Kong Bundy WWF CHAMPIONSHIP CAGE MATCH Randy Savage (c) defeated Hulk Hogan in a pretty controversial contest. Hogan was juiced early and really bled all over the ring. Savage hit an elbow off the top of the cage only for Hogan to then Hulk up and no sell everything. Hogan then tried to climb out of the cage and was met by the Twin Towers and Rick Rude who were fighting him and holding him up on the cage. Savage then crawled through the door... Savage retained the title but Hogan wanted everyone back inside the cage and the Bossman complied. Bossman and Hogan then had a fun little 5-minute throwdown with Hogan throwing Bossman through the cage door to the floor. Hogan then posed...

Wrestlecade was an absolute success in my opinion. There were definitely some surprises that popped up here in there but overall the execution was pretty damn good. The thing I like is that each match had a purpose and I know that even with the WWF sometimes I just throw matches on to have them whereas you put together a card that had meaning from top to bottom. Tully Blanchard coming in immediately makes the horseman something to be reckoned with for 1989. Lex Luger winning the WCW United States championship puts him in a prime spot to do get big things in 1989 and don’t discount Sting for being one of the guys that has got a rocket strapped to his back in the coming year. One thing to really notice and understand with all of this is how Roddy Piper and Terry Funk fit into the overall situation. I can see them both playing each side of the fence this week and then flipping the next week all the while looking for the world title from Ric Flair, and having to go through the Horsemen. With Dusty Rhodes, seemingly leaving, I think it opens up a big spot for somebody else to come in and take on that role to be another huge player. Speaking of huge players, dibiase, and Williams, retaining the world tag team titles is huge for them and for WCW. I have no doubt that they will be a team of the year force in 1989 if they stay together. Overall this was a great way to end WCW in 1988 and I feel like you’re getting your feet underneath you when it comes to how the late 80s were different in the early 80s but in all honesty I think that the way you do things works perfectly for any time. So just go with what you like and what you think is entertaining and I know will all continue to tune in.

WWF update No. 7 12/28 - Hogan and Savage go rogue in the Lumberjack match. I am told that it was an extra measure to keep things on the level. There is some thought that Hogan might try to take the title from Savage... but we know Savage has enough in him to fight back... 12/29 - WWF is in Akron and Hogan vs Savage for the title was advertised and then cancelled... citing travel issues. Savage beat Santana and then Hogan came out to run him off and blame it on Heenan that he was late. 12/30 - There is a Matinee show tomorrow in Atlantic City and the marquee says Hulk Hogan challenging Randy Savage for the WWF title. I have no clue if this will end up being the match or not... it seems like it is a gamble, no pun intended, every night from here on. The biggest issue is SNME which will air tomorrow night... I have read the results of the show... but I have no clue what is going to happen. I have heard that the show has been heavily post-produced... will the angle with Sherri and Hansen even air? How will they cover it up? This is going to be one of the most interesting shows of the year and what a way to finish 1988. In additional news, the contract that was written about earlier in the week is said to be up in smoke. McMahon and Hogan couldn't agree on some of the specifics. The way many people see it... Hogan earns from 8-10 million dollars a year with all of his wrestling, advertising, merchandise, ppv buys, house gates, and bonus'. If the WWF were to get out of that contract they would have that 8-10 million available to work with... but the bigger problem is the 15-18 million that Hogan generates. Plus, 1989, the WWF is said to have 4 big pay per views, 5 Saturday Night's Main Events, 1 NBC Friday Main Event, and even a pair of network specials. Without Hogan, the ad revenue is down, the attendance is down, the merchandise is down. Is it fair to say that he is the most valuable commodity in professional wrestling? I think so... and then... is there a chance that he doesn't wrestle for the WWF after this weekend? Where would he go? Who can afford him? Outfits like the NWA and WCW do have good capital and Hogan joining them would be a complete coup. He would take them to the next level. the AWA and Pacific Coast are both long-shots but the money may not be there. Someone said that Hogan wants in on the business side because he knows his value... could one of these four companies come up with something that would allow him partial ownership? One has to think that Hogan's addition would also lead to more ad revenue and pay per view opportunities. The last option... Japan. Hogan has strong ties to New Japan... he has a positive relationship with Baba and All Japan... could he be the ultimate get for one of these two... would Hogan make the same kind of money? It is hard to say. I spoke with a colleague that said Hogan should start his own company... tour the world. He has the name value to draw the houses but in today's market... it is television and without it... well it doesn't equal anything. I am going to be watching SNME as it goes down tomorrow... I will have a written report from the Matinee in Atlantic City and the NBC event tomorrow night.

12/29 - WWF Wrestling @ Akron, Ohio Koko & Z-Man defeated The Russians The Ultimate Warrior defeated The One Man Gang via Count Out The Rougeau Brothers defeated ST Jones & Bob Holly Hulk Hogan vs Randy Savage was announced but then Finkel said that Hulk Hogan had some travel issues... he is on his way to the building. Taking his place will be Tito Santana! WWF CHAMPIONSHIP Randy Savage defeated Tito Santana Hulk Hogan comes out after the match and he and Savage has a little schmooz. Hogan gets on the mic to let everyone know that it was Bobby Heenan who sabatoged his travel tonight and cost him the chance at the WWF title... so now he and Andre are taking on Bundy, Rude, and Heenan tonight!!! Big Bossman defeated Hacksaw Duggan via DQ US TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP The Rockers defeated Bravo & Valentine The Great Muta defeated The British Bulldog in a 15-minute gem Andre the Giant & Hulk Hogan defeated Rick Rude, King Kong Bundy, & Bobby Heenan

12/28 the WWF is in Pittsburgh Big Bossman and One Man Gang defeated Koko & Z-Man The Ultimate Warrior defeated Nikolai Volkoff Davey Boy Smith & The Rockers defeated Valentine & The Rougeau Brothers WWF CHAMPIONSHIP - Special announcement that it has been made into a LUMBERJACK MATCH! Hulk Hogan defeated Randy Savage via DQ - This was a mess. We heard about the Lumberjack stipulation before the six-man. These two are very rough with one another and at one point we even get a very close two count with Hogan really locking up Savage. Savage seemed to be working with Bobby Heenan at ringside for some guidance. The finish saw Hogan Hulk up and go for the leg drop but Dino Bravo and Rick Rude come in to give Savage the DQ victory but then the good guy lumberjacks came in to clear the ring. Hacksaw Duggan defeated Boris Zhukov Dino Bravo defeated ST Jones The Great Muta defeated Bob Holly Andre the Giant & Tito Santana defeated Rick Rude, King Kong Bundy, & Bobby Heenan

Just wanted to clarify a mistake that was made. when I did my big trade with nwa weeks ago he had Nikolai Volkoff on the trade but that was meant to be Ivan Koloff, the reason Ivan not Nikolai was on my list but I have still been using Nikolai.