In this WWF Summerslam 1990 review, The Ultimate Warrior defends the WWF title against Rick Rude, Hulk Hogan seeks revenge on Earthquake, and much more.
Let’s jump in!
- Show: Summerslam 1990
- Date: August 27, 1990
- Location: The Spectrum in Philadelphia, PA
ON THE STAGE: Vince McMahon and Roddy Piper hype the matches, and boy does the crowd love them some Hot Rod.
The Rockers vs. Power and Glory (w/Slick)
Hercules jumps Shawn Michaels with the chain before the match even begins, and they’re playing up a knee injury for Michaels with Hercules and Paul Roma taking advantage of the outmatched Marty Jannetty. However, Jannetty fights back and momentarily gains control with multiple hip tosses. Meanwhile, Jannetty has a roll-up on Roma, but Slick distracts the referee to prevent the count as Hercules breaks it up.
Michaels finally climbs on the apron, and Hercules isn’t having any of that. He pops him in the knee again and Michaels is back down on the outside. Another attempt from Michaels, with Roma knocking him down yet again. Vince notes that there was an earlier report on Michaels’ injured knee. Roma and Hercules on the attack, but Jannetty with a powerslam and diving elbow drop on Roma. Hercules breaks up the count though with the referee occupied with Slick.
Underhanded tactics from Hercules puts Power and Glory back on the offensive, while Michaels is still holding his knee in pain. Hercules with the suplex off the top, and Roma hits the splash from another to score the win.
IN THE RING: Hercules and Roma bring Michaels in and kick the shit out of both babyfaces. There’s a portion of the crowd that’s into Power and Glory, so maybe they’re the babyfaces to some people. The stretcher comes out for Michaels and he’s selling it like his knee has been destroyed.
Blake’s Take: If you didn’t know the timeline, you’d think this was the precursor for Michaels’ eventual heel turn on Jannetty. Vince sold it as such, but then again, that was Vince’s commentary at times – over the top lines that didn’t always connect point A to point B. Nonetheless, a solid showcase for Power and Glory (who had the crowd behind them at a couple points), though the bigger story was Michaels’ knee issue preventing him from ever entering the match.
BACKSTAGE: Sean Mooney with Mr. Perfect and Bobby Heenan. Perfect accepted the challenge from “Texas Tornado” Kerry Von Erich on short notice, but he’s fine with that because he’s perfect. Heenan knows a lot about Tornado and says he’s got his head in the clouds and makes more weather jokes.
BACKSTAGE: Mean Gene Okerlund with Tornado. He continues the weather theme and says he’s gonna destroy everything in his path, including Perfect.
“Texas Tornado” Kerry Von Erich vs. (c) Mr. Perfect (w/Bobby Heenan) – Intercontinental Title
A young Mike Chioda is the referee for this showdown. I’m not sure Perfect will be able to top his match with Tito Santana on the 7/28/90 edition of Saturday Night’s Main Event, but let’s see how it plays out. Tornado with a furious series of offense in the early going to send Perfect flying to the outside. Tornado works over Perfect’s arm, but Perfect responds with a clothesline to the head. Perfect applies the sleeper and delivers multiple right hands in the corner. Tornado sling shots Perfect and hits the Tornado Punch to win the title.
Blake’s Take: The crowd popped for the Tornado victory, and Perfect was pretty great both in selling the punch and with his stunned reaction after the match. I liked that the “Perfect taking the match on short notice” story played into how the match unfolded. Tornado caught him off guard, and that was that. A nice moment for Von Erich.
BACKSTAGE: Gene had planned to talk with Sapphire, but she’s not available. Heenan walks in screaming about Tornado breaking the rules. Perfect is pissed and they’re both yelling like maniacs.
IN THE RING: Howard Finkel introduces Sensational Sherri, then does the introduction for Sapphire. But she’s nowhere to be found. They play Dusty Rhodes’ music again but still no Sapphire. Fink notes that if Sapphire doesn’t arrive in 30 seconds, she’ll forfeit the match. Sherri grabs the mic and counts down as Fink rewards Sherri the match. There’s a reason for this, which would play out soon enough.
BACKSTAGE: Gene with Dusty. He has no idea where Sapphire is and only that she disappeared 10 minutes after they got to the building. He’s worried, but here comes Hacksaw Jim Duggan. “Hey Hacksaw, have you seen Sweet Sapphire, baby?” And Hacksaw says, “No, no I haven’t Dust, but we’re all still looking for her.” I’m not sure why I crack up at this every time, but I do. HO! Gene pushes the anonymous gifts that Sapphire has been receiving. Dusty runs down the list of lavish gifts, which includes a brand new Cadillac.
Blake’s Take: Someone has a lot of money to be giving away those kinds of gifts. Who could it be….
The Warlord (w/Slick) vs. Tito Santana
Again, Tito is coming off a match of the year candidate with Perfect on Saturday Night’s Main Event. Now he’s gotta take down Warlord, who shows off his strength by throwing Tito as the match begins. Three straight dropkicks from Tito sends Warlord reeling. Vince is talking about Warlord’s “hard, big guns” and then proceeds to inform us that Warlord is “big all over.” Piper has no choice but to ask “is that right?” Classic Vince.
Tito goes for a pin on Warlord, but the big man kicks out by throwing Tito through the ropes. Warlord then rams Tito into the ring post with Slick distracting the referee. Warlord works on Tito’s back much to the approval of the Slickster. Tito eventually reverses momentum with a clothesline, but Warlord powers out of the pin yet again. Flying forearm from Tito, but Warlord gets a foot on the ropes at two and a half. Warlord hits the running powerslam and that’ll do it.
Blake’s Take: Tito legitimately is one of the best pure babyfaces I’ve seen in professional wrestling. This was nothing more than a way to push the strength of Warlord, but Tito’s performance was still a highlight.
VIDEO: Survivor Series is coming on November 22.
BACKSTAGE: Mooney with Demolition. They play up their strength in numbers and that any combination could face The Hart Foundation or The Legion of Doom. Demolition make their way to the ring, and it’s Smash and Crush doing the work again for Demolition.
BACKSTAGE: Gene with The Hart Foundation. Bret Hart admits he thought it would be Ax and Smash, and Jim Neidhart is ready to kick some ass.
The Hart Foundation vs. (c) Demolition – 2 Out Of 3 Falls Match for the Tag Team Titles
Bret and Smash start things off, but Neidhart quickly gets involved as Bret gets a roll-up for two. Vince keeps pushing that it’s nearly impossible to tell the Demolition members apart. Double team action from the Hart Foundation, and Bret takes it to the mat to work on Smash’s arm. But Smash uses his power to slam Bret and tag in Crush. He hits a slam of his own but misses a splash. Bret tries to regain momentum, but Crush catches him on an irish whip for another slam.
Bret with a desperation roll-up attempt for two, and both men make the tag. Shoulder tackle from Neidhart, then Crush uses the knee to the back to put Demolition back in control. Neidhart manages to tag Bret, and he runs wild on Smash and Crush. Bret with the ball buster to Smash, and he shoves Smash into Crush to send him outside. Bret with the near fall on Smash and he tries it again after a move off the top, but Crush breaks up the count. Neidhart is selling his injuries on the outside, and that allows Demolition to hit their finisher on Bret to win the first fall. Demolition leads 1-0.
Smash and Crush double team Bret with the ref occupied with an angry Neidhart. They work over Bret for a bit as the crowd gets behind him. Crush doesn’t care and knocks Bret down before tagging in Smash. Bret with a hard clothesline to Smash, who gets an assist from Crush’s leg to try to prevent the hot tag. It doesn’t work after the referee breaks it up, and HERE COMES THE ANVIL. He power slams Smash for a near fall, and the crowd is pissed. Bret and Neidhart hit their own finisher, but instead of jumping on Bret to break the count, Crush figures he’ll jump on the referee and throw him towards the corner. Well that was dumb as it gives the second fall to the Hart Foundation via DQ. Tied at 1-1.
With Demolition throwing Bret outside, here comes Ax running down the aisle with the referee distracted yet again. Ax slides under the ring, so you know what the champs are up to. Bret sunset flips into the ring for a near fall on Smash. Shoulder block from Neidhart, then he picks Bret up off the top and slams him into Smash. However, Crush breaks up the count at two. And here comes the ol’ switcheroo, with Smash sliding under the ring and Ax taking his place. The referee is clueless though as literally everyone else in the building knows it’s Ax. Vince is once again saying it’s impossible to tell Ax and Smash apart, which is absolutely hilarious.
Ax and Crush with some offense, then the action breaks down with the referee getting occupied with Crush and Neidhart. That allows Ax and Smash to double team Bret, and they switch places with Ax going back under the ring. There’s a HUGE pop for the Legion of Doom as they aren’t gonna stand for this chaos. This flusters Ax and Smash, and Neidhart hits a flying shoulder tackle on Crush to allow Bret to get the pin to win the titles. Another big pop from the crowd for the finish.
Blake’s Take: Yes, the Ax and Smash switch was silly since they look nothing alike. Just don’t tell that to Vince McMahon since he was all in on selling them as twins. But it was pro wrestling in 1990, so absurd storylines like this were nothing new. The match itself is a good old school tag match with Demolition’s power vs. The Hart Foundation’s determination. The crowd reaction to both LOD’s appearance and the title change was something else. (Recommended)
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BACKSTAGE: Gene with Hawk and Animal as it’s the intermission interview portion of the show. They want a match with Demolition, which certainly had dream match potential for many fans. The Hart Foundation joins and they’re not gonna hide behind the belts.
BACKSTAGE: Mooney is listening to Demolition yelling about LOD in their locker room.
BACKSTAGE: Gene with Sherri. She mocks Sapphire for not showing up, then says she heard rumors that are too good to be true.
BACKSTAGE: Gene is back after the five-minute intermission to hype the other matches on the card, including footage of camera sneaking into Bad News Brown’s locker room to get a glimpse of the sewer rats. There’s also footage of Jake Roberts’ snake Damien taking a shower. Now it’s an interview with Big Boss Man. He’s gonna uphold the law as the special referee in that match.
BACKSTAGE: Mooney with Duggan and Nikolai Volkoff. They love America and they’re teaming for the first time, and they take aim at The Orient Express.
BACKSTAGE: Gene with Earthquake, Dino Bravo, and Jimmy Hart. Earthquake taunts the Hulkamaniacs and does the same to Typhoon after he squashed him. Bravo is gonna take out Boss Man. These guys mean business. Pretty great stuff from Earthquake here.
BACKSTAGE: Mooney with Jake. He’s not afraid of rats and makes it clear that Damien will eat rats.
Bad News Brown vs. Jake Roberts – Special Guest Referee: Big Boss Man
Quite the group of personalities in this match when you add Piper to the mix on commentary. Brown gets in Boss Man’s face, but he escapes a DDT attempt from Jake. Then Brown hits Jake in the midsection with a chair, but Boss Man doesn’t do a thing. I mean, he’s seen worse as a corrections officer I suppose. Brown takes control for a bit, then goes for the Ghetto Blaster but Jakes moves out of the way. Jake with the trademark left-handed jabs, but Brown counters the DDT once again. In another repeat, Brown grabs the chair and hits Jake with it. Boss Man decides to disqualify him since I guess two chair shots is too many.
IN THE RING: After the match, Brown tries to leg drop Damien, but Boss Man makes the save. Brown cheap shots Boss Man from behind, and Jake releases Damien from the bag to send Brown reeling.
Blake’s Take: This was a nothing of a match, but pro wrestling was very simple during this era. Give the fans what they came to see. They wanted to see Damien get a piece of Brown, and that’s what they got. Not much more to it than that.
VIDEO: WrestleMania VII is STILL headed to the L.A. Coliseum, but only if you buy tickets! You must buy tickets!
BACKSTAGE: Gene with Demolition. They call the Hart Foundation a bunch of cheaters, and they’re coming for Legion of Doom. It’s a shame the two teams never had an actual program since it was a dream feud for a lot of fans during this time period.
IN THE RING: Brother Love is in the City of Love, and he taunts random people and welcomes Sgt. Slaughter. He thinks America has become weak and presents Love with a medal. Slaughter then declares war on Nikolai Volkoff, who he calls “commie maggot scum.” Harsh. Then he says good things about Saddam Hussein, and the crowd doesn’t care for it.
BACKSTAGE: Mooney with The Orient Express and Mr. Fuji. They make fun of Duggan’s cross-eye, then threaten to give him another one. Sato even makes the facial expression by crossing his eyes. Mooney says they have breaking news, and he throws it to Gene, who has found Sapphire. However, she slams the door behind her before he can get a word. Gene says she’s safe and that Dusty and fans should be relived. Are you sure about that, Gene?!
The Orient Express (w/Mr. Fuji) vs. Hacksaw Jim Duggan and Nikolai Volkoff
Before the match, Duggan and Volkoff sing God Bless America in a duet. Yes, they did that. Duggan also thanks the troops in the Middle East. Sato and Tanaka try to jump them from the start, but Duggan and Volkoff gain the advantage. Fuji with a cheap shot with the cane to Volkoff while the referee’s back is turned. Hot tag to Duggan, and he hits a double clothesline before throwing a series of punches. Duggan and Volkoff with he double team, and Duggan hits the running clothesline for the victory.
Blake’s Take: Once again, it’s all about simplicity. The crowd popped huge for the finish, even if it was a basic 80s tag match. Give them what they want, and they’ll love you for it.
BACKSTAGE: Gene with Dusty, who is knocking on the locker room door to try to get Sapphire to come out. Dusty is worried and says he needs her ringside.
BACKSTAGE: Mooney with Randy Savage. He says the rumors must be true about Sapphire. What rumors?! Savage was such an awesome promo.
ON THE STAGE: Ted DiBiase says everybody has a price for the Million Dollar Man. He says his money can buy anybody and anything, and what do you know, here comes Sapphire wearing fancy clothes to join DiBiase and Virgil. She’s also got a bag full of money. Dusty is angry and goes after DiBiase, but Savage jumps him from behind.
Dusty Rhodes vs. “Macho King” Randy Savage (w/Sensational Sherri)
Savage chokes out Dusty, then Sherri gets her a few shots in. Dusty gains the momentum with some big punches, and a dropkick sends Savage to the outside. Savage uses Sherri as a shield, which allows her to hand Savage a weapon while the referee is occupied with Dusty. Sherri hops in the ring, and Dusty goes after her. The referee tries to hold back Sherri, and Savage hits Dusty with the loaded purse for the win.
Blake’s Take: Not exactly the classic some would expect from these two since it was more about the angle with Sapphire than the match.
IN THE PARKING LOT: Mooney tries to get answers from DiBiase, and he reiterates that there’s nothing his money can’t buy. Meanwhile, Dusty gives chase as the limo takes off.
BACKSTAGE: Gene with Hogan and Boss Man. Hogan thanks the Hulkamaniacs for their letters and says he’s dedicating the match to THE TUGSTER. He means Tugboat. Boss Man is gonna help Hogan deliver justice. Hogan is gonna chop down trees like Thomas Jefferson. History buff Vince is loving it.
Earthquake (w/Jimmy Hart and Dino Bravo) vs. Hulk Hogan (w/ Big Boss Man)
Hogan spits on Earthquake before the match in true babyface fashion. It was the Hulkster, so many fans were fine with even if it wasn’t the most heroic action. Earthquake’s strength forces Hogan to retreat, and he gets a pep talk from Boss Man. Back inside, Hogan goes for the bodyslam but Earthquake blocks it and starts working over the back. Hogan with a boot to the face in the corner, then he wallops Hart and Bravo. Big punch to finally knock down Earthquake, and the heels retreat. Hogan and Boss Man go after them on the outside, with Boss Man hammering Earthquake. DQs are optional in this match!
All four men in the ring, and it’s a double big boot to Bravo, then another to Earthquake. The referee, who is in no way doing his job, gets distracted by Boss Man while Hogan tries to bite Earthquake’s face off. Bravo hits Hogan from behind, and Vince begs for the referee to turn around. He’s not gonna do anything! Has Vince been watching the last few minutes of this match? Bravo and Earthquake slam Hogan, and Earthquake drops the elbow on Hogan for a two count. Earthquake heads up top and hits a flying axe handle to Hogan’s back, then locks on the Boston Crab. Hogan reaches the ropes and rolls outside, but Bravo slams him while the referee is occupied with Earthquake and Boss Man.
Earthquake misses an elbow drop, and here comes the Hulkster. It’s funny hearing Piper root on Hogan given the history between the two. Hogan with an eye rake and he goes for another slam, but Earthquake falls on him for a near fall. Earthquake goes to the standing bearhug and focuses on Hogan’s injured ribs. The referee grabs Hogan’s arm to drop it, but Hogan gets a boost and rips the refs shirt. Then he does it again. A TRUE BABYFACE! Hogan breaks loose, but Earthquake stops the momentum by catching Hogan for a slam.
Earthquake with the Earthquake Splash, then he gets up so he can hit another one. However, Hogan kicks out at two and it’s hulk up time. Hogan with the big boot, but Earthquake doesn’t go down. So, Hogan picks him up for the bodyslam and leg drop. Hogan goes for the pin, but Bravo hits the apron to distract the half-shirted referee. Hart hits Hogan from behind, so he throws Hart onto Earthquake. Boss Man throws out Bravo, and Hogan and Earthquake fight to the outside. Hart tries to hit Earthquake with the megaphone, but Hogan ducks. Hogan picks up Earthquake and slams him on a ringside table, and the referee counts out Earthquake to give Hogan the win.
IN THE RING: Earthquake quickly pops up and picks up Hogan for the choke. Boss Man with multiple chair shots to Earthquake’s back, but it doesn’t bother him. Earthquake and Bravo decide to retreat with Hogan and Boss Man standing tall. Hogan does one of his longest posing routines ever afterward.
Blake’s Take: This was the Hogan formula. He overcame the obstacles and got the victory over his nemesis, although this was less decisive than many others. They at least kept Earthquake strong with both the countout loss and post match no-sell of Boss Man’s chair shots. Think what you want about Hogan, but there was no denying the incredible crowd reactions to his every move in this era.
BACKSTAGE: Mooney with Rick Rude and Bobby Heenan. Rude says Warrior won’t be able to run inside the steel cage. He’s gonna become champ and have a statue beside Rocky Balboa. Heenan reiterates his message with more Rocky puns.
BACKSTAGE: Gene with Dusty. He’s pissed and says he’s in a storm with Sapphire. Dusty is coming after DiBiase.
RINGSIDE: Lord Alfred Hayes is standing near the ring as they construct the cage. The setup crew is apparently going for a record time. Alfred notes the purpose is to keep Warrior and Rude inside the cage.
BACKSTAGE: Gene with Hogan. He says they’re building Earthquake-proof buildings all over the world. Hogan calls Earthquake a “big fat dude” because that’s what heroes do! He says Hulkamania is gonna last forever, and he’s gonna get chase sharks in Venice Beach. Well that’s interesting.
RINGSIDE: Vince and Piper banter about Hogan and Earthquake, then it’s onto a preview of the main event. Piper picks Rude because of his experience.
BACKSTAGE: Mooney with Earthquake, Bravo, and Hart. Earthquake says the war with Hogan and Boss Man has just begun. Bravo goes off on Hogan too.
BACKSTAGE: Gene with Ultimate Warrior. He makes a ding dong joke about Rude and Heenan as compared to the Liberty Bell. Warrior adds even more historical references after that.
Rick Rude (w/Bobby Heenan) vs. (c) The Ultimate Warrior – Steel Cage Match for the WWF Title
The dubbed over entrance music for Rude is pretty brutal. Before the match, Rude wants the fat, out of shape, Pennsylvania piss ants to keep the noise down. Rude was so great. Warrior climbs the cage to meet Rude at the top to start the match. Warrior with an axe handle off the top rope, then he throws Rude’s face-first into the cage. Piper says if he were Rude, he’d tie Warrior’s armbands to the cage. I completely agree and have thought the same thing for years. Warrior keeps the momentum going by bouncing Rude around, but Rude ducks a body press to send Warrior into the cage. Rude starts climbing, but Warrior grabs his leg. Rude comes off the top with a punch to Warrior, and Rude is busted open.
Rude stays in control, and just as Warrior tries to reverse momentum, Rude pokes him in the eye. Rude goes for the Rude Awakening, but Warrior doesn’t allow him to drop to complete the move. Warrior goes for the splash, and Rude gets his knees up. Rude hits the Rude Awakening, but he decides to climb instead of exit the cage. Rude flies from the top of the cage with another punch to Warrior. And now Rude goes up yet again and flies from the top, but Warrior hits a blow to the midsection. Warrior tries to escape, and there’s Heenan to slam the door in his face. Rude goes for the pin but Warrior kicks out at two. Double shoulder block and both men are down.
Rude tries to climb out, but Warrior hands onto his foot as Heenan tries to pull Rude. Warrior then grabs Rude by the tights to expose his bare ass. Warrior brings Heenan in and wallops him before delivering an atomic drop. Warrior hulks up and hits three clotheslines, and he picks up Rude for the press slam. Warrior climbs over and drops to the outside to retain the title.
Blake’s Take: Rude was always Warrior’s best opponent, so this was entertaining for what it was. I liked their Summerslam 1989 match better, and that one also wasn’t upstaged by Hogan’s return match. The crowd was more into Hogan/Earthquake, but they popped for Warrior and the heel antics from Rude and Heenan. It’s not a classic, yet it’s enjoyable enough for a main event in this era.
BLAKE’S TAKE ON WWF SUMMERSLAM 1990
Recommended Matches: The Hart Foundation vs. Demolition (and Hogan/Earthquake and Warrior/Rude for the entertainment value)
Overall Rating: 6.0/10
Thoughts: What’s really highlighted with this show is the awesome cast of characters. There were so many fantastic ones that it’s impossible not to enjoy watching them do their thing. Some of the match finishes were head-scratchers, but there was solid storyline advancement across the board. An easy watch for the nostalgia.
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