1988 has just begun, and what better way to kick off the new year with a new chapter of Saturday Night’s Main Event? Tonight’s episode is from the Capital Center in Landover, MD. Vince McMahon and Jesse “The Body” Ventura are your hosts this evening.
strike Force v. The Bolsheviks – 2 out of 3 falls.
Strike Force is fresh off of winning the WWF Tag Team Titles from the Hart Foundation and is riding high as one of the WWF’s hottest tag teams. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. The WWF’s tag team roster during between 1987 and 1989 was the biggest and best that it ever had in the history of the company. They had so many teams that there would have been room for an Intercontinental Tag Team Title if Vince had wished it. I wrote several columns on the tag team scene in the WWF and the NWA during this time period. I originally posted them on the Oratory. Let me know if you’d like me to post it here. Anyway, back to the story:
Strike Force was Tito Santana and Rick Martel. Both Martel and Santana had held WWF Tag gold in years past, but with different partners. Martel in 1986 and 1987 was actually paired with Tom Zenk and were known as the Can-Am Connection. Money disputes led to Zenk abruptly quitting the WWF, leaving Martel without a partner. They actually worked that into an angle, as the Can-Ams were just starting a feud with the newly heel turned Islanders (Haku & Tama). With Zenk gone, we saw several interviews with Martel talking about how Zenk quit and left him high and dry because he couldn’t handle the pressure. Enter Tito Santana, who came to Martel’s aid during a 2 on 1 attack by the Islanders. Santana & Martel drove the Islanders off, and the WWF’s newest tag team was born. Strike Force was the WWF’s teenie bopper tag team, and they looked great together. They worked great together as well, with Santana proving to be an even better match for Martel than Zenk. With Strike Force running wild, it was only a matter of time before they managed to get a title match against the Hart Foundation, and with Jim Neidhart submitting to Martel’s boston crab, Strike Force became the WWF’s new Tag Team Champions.
The Bolsheviks were Boris Zukov and Nikolai Volkoff. They were basically a “Jobber to the Stars” tag team, and were used to get the bigger teams over. And tonight was no different. At the start, The Bolsheviks sing the Russian National Anthem while we look back on footage of Strike Force winning the Tag Titles from the Hart Foundation. At the opening bell, Zukov gets a headlock on Tito, who shoots Zukov to the ropes. Zukov returns with a shoulder block, taking Santana down. Boris bounces off the ropes and runs right into a body slam by Santana. Boris gets to his feet and hiptosses Tito but gets kicked in the face when he goes for the cover. Santana arm drags Boris and applies an armbar before tagging Martel. A little double teaming by Strike force as they whip Boris to the ropes and deliver a double punch to the gut. Martel twists Boris’ arm and tags Tito. Tito twists Boris arm, and tags Martel. Boris manages to hit Martel with a forearm and tags in Nikolai Volkoff who goes for a body slam, but Martel slips over the top and behind him and attempts a reverse rollup but only gets a 2 count.
Nikolai clubs Martel, but gets caught in a small package for another 2 count. Volkoff pounds Martel again and tags in Zukov. Zukov tries to ram Martel in the corner, but gets rammed himself. Martel tags in Tito, who runs off the ropes and catches Boris with a cross body block, but Volkoff breaks the count. Martel runs in to help his partner, and referee Joey Marella makes him go back to the ring apron. Of course, this allows the Bolsheviks to double team Santana. With Martel and Zukov out of the ring, Volkoff nails Tito with a clothesline. Volkoff covers Tito for 2. Nikolai tries to press the advantage with several kicks and then chokes Tito on the bottom rope. When the ref admonishes Volkoff, Zukov chokes Tito for good measure. Zukov tags in and delivers a back suplex for another 2 count. Volkoff then goes to a side head lock. Santana breaks the hold, but Zukov slams him and goes for an elbow drop but misses, allowing Santana to make the hot tag to Martel. The crowd screams in delight as Martel goes crazy in the ring beating the hell out of Zukov and nailing Volkoff on the apron as well. A Back body drop by Martel and a Boston Crab on Zukov gets the submission and the first fall for Strike Force.
The second fall begins with Volkoff being thrown out of the ring by Santana. Santana & Martel then nail Zukov with a great double drop kick. Martel slams Zukov and immediately goes for another boston crab but Nikolai breaks it. Santana runs in to help his partner and gets ushered back to the ring apron. In the process, Volkoff and Zukov switch places in the ring without tagging. Volkoff drops Martel face first on the top rope and then hits him with a gut wrench suplex for a 2 count. Volkoff with a press slam on Martel and a cover that gets broken by Tito. Volkoff slams Martel in the Bolshevik’s corner and tags in Zukov who delivers several head butts to Martel’s back before tagging Volkoff back in. Nilolai works on Martel with several headbutts of his own. Martel tries to fight back, but can’t seem to make it to his corner for a tag. Tito complains to the ref about something, and both the Bolsheviks use the opportunity to nail Martel with a double clothesline before the ref can see what’s happening. With Zukov back on the apron, Volkoff drops a knee on Martel for a 2 count. Volkoff with an irish whip, but Martel attempts a sunset flip for 2. Both men run off the ropes and collide head to head. Volkoff gets to the corner first and tags in Zukov. Zukov tries to get to Martel in time, but Rick makes it to his own corner and tags Tito. Santana is on fire as he drop kicks both Bolsheviks several times before nailing Zukov with his patented “flying jalapeno”. Volkoff runs back in to break up the cover and all 4 men are in the ring again fighting it out. The ref as usual makes Martel go back to his corner (Why does the ref always make the babyface go back and not the heel?) allowing Slick to hand his walking stick to Volkoff. Zukov is holding Santana, but Tito moves out of the way causing Volkoff to blast his own partner with the cane. Tito covers the unconscious Volkoff for the 3 count and the match in 2 straight falls.
This was a good showcase for the new Tag Team Champions. You weren’t expecting a 45 minute classic out of the Bolsheviks, but they did exactly what they were supposed to do. They put the babyfaces in peril and bumped like crazy for them when they made their dramatic comeback. All in all, a good match.
Jake “The Snake” Roberts v. Sika
Both men lock up at the start, but Jake uses his speed to confound the Samoan with several arm drags and an arm bar. Sika goes for several right hands, but misses each time with Jake reapplying the arm bar after each attempt. Sika sends Jake to the ropes and misses a clothesline further angering the Wild Samoan. Jake continues to press the advantage, backing Sika into the corner and ramming several shoulders into his mid-section. Jake tries to whip Sika to the opposite corner, but Sika blocks it. Sika whips Jake to the corner, but Jake rebounds and nails the Samoan with a right hand. Unfortunately Jake hit Sika in the head, so of course, the blow had no effect (It’s a medical wrestling fact that Samoans and most Black wrestlers are immune to any blows to their heads). Jake runs to the ropes and Sika gives him a back drop to finally turn the tide in his direction.
Sika then goes to work on Jake, raking his back repeatedly and choking him. Sika’s manager Mr. Fuji is able to get a couple of cheap shots in as well. Sika is still pressing the advantage with more chokes, rakes and a headbutt before applying a pressure hold on Jake’s corrotid artery. Jake gets to his feet, and Sika sends him to the ropes. Sika goes for another back drop, but Jake nails him with a knee lift. Jake follows up with several left hands. Jake runs back to the ropes and Fuji interferes, allowing Sika to attack Jake from behind. Sika sends Jake to the ropes but Jake moves out of the way, causing Sika to crash into the turnbuckles. Jake then schoolboys him for the 3 count. Sika tries to attack Jake, but gets thrown out of the ring. Mr. Fuji goes after Jake, and gets a DDT for his trouble. Jake is ready to put his snake Damien on Fuji, but Sika gets him out of the ring just in time.
Nothing out of the ordinary here. It’s pretty much a singles version of the previous match. The heel makes the face look good, and the face gets some additional exposure.
Hulk Hogan v. King Kong Bundy
This is a rematch from the previous SNME where Bundy won the match by countout. In the pre-match interview, Bundy’s manager Bobby “The Brain” Heenan announces that Andre the Giant will be at ringside in Heenan’s place for this match. Both men lock up at the start and go for a test of strength. Hogan wins it, pushing Bundy to the corner. Bundy charges at Hogan, but the champ moves out of the way, and proceeds to ram Bundy’s head into the corner multiple times, before whipping him to the ropes and sending Bundy out of the ring with a big boot. Andre then confers with Bundy in an effort to slow the match down. Back in the ring, Hogan goes back on the attack with several right hands and a running clothesline sending Bundy back out of the ring again.
Bundy gets back in and once again, It’s Hogan pouring on the pressure with several additional rights, and a wrist lock. Hogan proceeds to work on the arm with several elbows before Bundy reverses the wrist lock and then applies an arm bar of his own. Hogan fights his way to his feet and breaks the hold before running the ropes, delivering several shoulder blocks to Bundy. Bundy doesn’t go down though, and instead drops Hogan with an elbow smash. Bundy goes back to work on Hogan’s arm, ramming him into the corner and then re-applying the wrist lock. A yank of the hair brings Hogan down to the canvas and Bundy goes back to an arm bar. Hogan gets back to his feet, but still can’t break the hold. Hogan finally gets out of the hold and then Body Slams Bundy! Hogan misses an elbow drop though and it’s Bundy back on the offensive. Bundy slams Hogan himself, but just like Hogan, fails to connect with an elbow drop. Hogan finally makes it to his feet and fires Bundy to the corner and follows up with a running clothesline. Bundy reverses an irish whip and sends Hogan to the corner. The ref is in the way, and drops down just in time, allowing Hogan to go over him before hitting the corner. Unfortunately, he isn’t so lucky a few seconds later, as he admonishes Hogan for nearly colliding with him and ends up sandwiched as Bundy splashes both Hogan and the unfortunate ref in the corner.
The ref is out cold as Bundy misses another splash on Hogan. The rejuvenated Hogan goes on the attack and sends Bundy to the outside of the ring as a new referee comes to the ring and the EMTs stretcher the old one out. With order restored, and Dave Hebner taking over as the referee for the match, both men lock up again with Bundy going on the offensive with several powerful forearms and a running clothesline. Bundy drops a knee on Hogan and gets a 2 count. Bundy chops Hogan over the top rope and then hammers Hogan as he tries to get back in the ring. Hogan finally makes it back in the ring, and Bundy is taking his time administering further punishment on “The Hulkster”. Bundy takes Hogan down again with a shoulder block and an elbow drop for another 2 count before applying a rear chin lock. Bundy then whips Hogan to the corner and hit the Avalanche splash. Instead of covering him though, he sets him up and hits a second avalanche! Hogan hits the mat and Bundy splashes Hogan for the pin, but only gets 2 as Hogan kicks out and Hulks Up! Hogan delivers several rights and fires Bundy into the corner. One legdrop later and Hogan gets the clean pinfall. Afterward, Andre the Giant gets in the ring and chokes the hell out of the Hulkster. The British Bulldogs run in to help Hogan and after attacking the Giant, they both get thrown out over the top rope before Andre goes back to work on Hogan. Strike Force, Junkyard Dog and Jake Roberts all run in and pile on Andre to get him off of Hogan with absolutely no results. “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan then runs in and blasts Andre several times with his 2x4, and when Andre looks up (having completely no-sold the attack) to go after Duggan, the remaining babyfaces drag Hogan out of the ring and usher him to the back. This attack will tie into next month’s Main Event and then to the main event of Wrestlemania 4.
This was basically a typical Hulk Hogan match. He starts out on top. The tide turns and he’s on the defensive. And after no-selling his opponent’s finisher, he hulks up, makes the comeback and pins his opponent after the customary leg drop.
Koko B. Ware v. Greg “The Hammer” Valentine
At the opening bell, Koko gets the side head lock. Valentine shoots him to the ropes, but gets taken down by a shoulder block. Koko runs the ropes again, but Valentine picks Koko up and drops him throat first on the ropes. Valentine drops several forearms on Ware and covers him for 2. Valentine proceeds to work on Ware with several elbows and forearms before trying for an early figure 4. Koko kicks him off though. Valentine responds by getting Koko in the corner and kicks the hell out of him before hitting a double ax handle from the top rope. Valentine drops an elbow and gets a 2 count before going to a rear chin lock to wear down Koko even further. Valentine gets Ware to his feet and throws him outside. With Koko back in, Valentine hits Koko with a clothesline and covers him for 2. Another cover gets another 2 count. Meanwhile, Valentine’s former partner Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake comes out to ringside. Valentine and Beefcake held the WWF Tag Titles in 1986 and continued to team up until the early part of 1987, before Valentine turned on Beefcake, leading to Brutus’ babyface turn at Wrestlemania 3. Since then, Brutus had been a continual thorn in Valentine’s side. This continued to be the case here, as Valentine is so distracted by Beefcake’s presence that he is nearly pinned several times here by Koko as he is obsessed with Beefcake. The referee finally argues with Beefcake and orders him to leave the ringside area.
With Beefcake gone, Valentine goes back to work on Koko dropping several elbows, but failing to score the successful pinfall. Bodyslam by Valentine, and he goes back to the top rope. Koko is there in time, and slams Valentine off the top turnbuckle. Koko fires away with several quick punches and a fantastic dropkick. Valentine finally goes down after a headbutt (remember what I told you about how hard Samoan and Black people’s heads are?). Koko drops a fist from the top rope and gets a 2 count. Koko gets a side headlock and punches Valentine repeatedly. Valentine though, lifts Koko up and drops him down on his knee, followed up by the figure 4 leglock for the submission victory. After the match, Valentine re-applies the figure 4 which brings Brutus Beefcake back out. Brutus then chases Valentine to the back. Meanwhile Koko grabs Valentine’s manager Jimmy “Mouth of the South” Hart. Brutus makes his way back to the ring and starts cutting Hart’s hair before aiding Koko B. Ware who is still on the mat in pain from the figure 4.
Much like the Strike Force and Jake Roberts matches, the outcome was never in doubt, as Koko was really cannon fodder here. The main goal was to further the feud between Valentine and Beefcake. Strangely enough, the feud was pretty much dropped after this match with no explanation. Still, this wasn’t a bad match, as both men did a good job here.
We then go to an interview with Andre the Giant and Bobby Heenan who are both ecstatic about having destroyed Hulk Hogan earlier in the night. Heenan announces that he’s inches from signing a huge deal that will guarantee him the WWF World Title. .
As far as this episode went though, I’d give it a 7.5. There was nothing bad here, but nothing stood out either. It seemed to be more of a “filler” episode with several average matches and no real significant plot development to any current storylines besides Hogan being attacked by Andre the Giant following the Bundy match. This episode of SNME was something of a let down considering the quality of the last 2 episodes. Fortunately, SNME will pick up again with the significance of Andre’s attack on Hogan and Heenan’s promise of a huge deal becoming evident in the next episode of SNME . Trust me, if you thought that the 10/3/87 episode where the Megapowers formed was great, wait until you see the 2/88 episode. It will rank right up there with 10/3/87 episode as one of the best episodes ever shown.
Thanks again for reading folks. Talk to you soon.
Corey - gnagus@comcast.net
