In this Saturday Night’s Main Event 11/26/88 review, Randy Savage defends the WWF title against Andre the Giant, The Fabulous Rougeaus move to the United States, and much more.
Let’s jump in.
- Show: Saturday Night’s Main Event
- Date: November 26, 1988
- Location: Arco Arena in Sacramento, CA
Super Ninja (w/Mr. Fuji) vs. (c) The Ultimate Warrior – Intercontinental Title
This match would of course lead to the famous eight-year IC title reign by Super Ninja. Just kidding. Ninja chops away on Warrior and that shit doesn’t work. Warrior throws him outside and then goes outside and throws him back in. Sort of defeats the purpose of throwing him outside in the first place.
Warrior presses him and hits the splash for the win at 2:11. So much for Ninja being a serious threat. The match served its purpose. That’s all you could ask for here.
• Rating: 1/2
VIDEO: We get the events of Ted DiBiase turning on Hercules and trying to make him his slave. Then Jesse Ventura interviews DiBiase and name drops Donald Trump at one point.
Virgil (w/Ted DiBiase) vs. Hercules
If Herc loses, he becomes DiBiase’s slave. Double team on Herc early and then the chase is on as Herc wants DiBiase.
A little back and forth but this is mostly Herc squashing Virgil. He finishes him with the pin at 3:20. Afterwards, Herc throws Virgil over the top towards DiBiase. Squash.
• Rating: SQUASH
BACKSTAGE: Andre hates snakes and Gene Okerlund calls him out on it. We get the video of the snake incident with Jake Roberts at the previous SNME in October.
Andre the Giant (w/Bobby Heenan) vs. (c) Randy Savage (w/Elizabeth) – WWF Heavyweight Title
Big match. Andre gets in control early on and doesn’t let up for a bit. He uses the strap to choke out Macho. Attempted comeback by Savage, but trying to pick him up probably wasn’t the best idea he ever had.
Squash action until Savage starts fighting. Jesse points out that he’s using hit and run tactics. Very true. And here comes Jake Roberts with Damian in hand. He causes a ruckus and Andre is scared as usual. The ref makes Jake leave ringside and Heenan starts searching under the ring for Damian. Andre plays being possessed by knowing where the snake is, and that allows Savage to take control.
Heenan pretty much destroying the ringside area trying to find Damian. He finally finds him and Jake comes back to retrieve the bag. Heenan gets in the ring to escape Jake’s wrath and the ref calls for the DQ finish at 8:51. Andre gets tied in the ropes and Savage invites Jake and Damian in for a little fun. Andre manages to get out before the snake can get to him.
• Rating: **1/2
Boris Zhukov vs. Hacksaw Jim Duggan – Flag Match
This should be a total shitshow. It was. Hacksaw hits the charge to win at 2:27.
• Rating: DUD
VIDEO: We get the recap of Brother Love and Big Boss Man attacking Hulk Hogan. Awesome.
IN THE RING: Brother Love Show with Slick. He then brings out Hogan. Hopefully this doesn’t turn into the Bubba the Love Sponge Show. Love keeps asking Hogan questions and interrupting before he can respond. Hogan finally rips away the mic and then starts doing the same thing back to Love. This has already gone five minutes too long, and I can’t possibly watch the next five minutes of it.
The Fabulous Rougeaus (w/Jimmy Hart) vs. The Young Stallions
HUGE BREAKING NEWS BEFORE THE MATCH: THE ROUGEAUS HAVE OFFICIALLY MOVED TO THE UNITED STATES! Vince tries to hype up this being a good match, but we all know what’s coming.
Nothing more than a showcase for the Rougeaus. Short and sweet, as underhanded shenanigans get Jacques and Raymond the victory at 3:05.
• Rating: SQUASH
SHOW SUMMARY
It’s Saturday Night’s Main Event. There’s no reason to expect classics at this point. Nothing more than showcases for some of the stars and a little storyline advancement here and there.
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