In this WWF WrestleFest ’90 review, it’s a look at a classic WWF Home Video release that features Mr. Perfect vs. Hulk Hogan, Randy Savage vs. Roddy Piper, and more.
Let’s jump in!
IN THE STUDIO: Sean Mooney runs down the card for this video. The WWF Hasbro action figures sitting on the desk are a nice touch of nostalgia. They were fantastic!
‘Macho King’ Randy Savage (w/Sensational Sherri) vs. Rowdy Roddy Piper
Mooney and Lord Alfred Hayes are on commentary. Sherri checks under Piper’s skirt, so she smacks her on the ass. It was a different era! Piper gains control and Sherri tries to distract him, but Piper isn’t having it. Savage is done with this and heads for the back, but Piper gives chase and brings the action back to the ring. Sherri slaps Piper, and it’s Savage who takes advantage with an elbow drop to the outside. Then Savage hits a double ax handle off the top for a two count. Savage sends Piper back outside, and Sherri clocks the man while Savage distracts the referee. A big knee to the face gives Savage the momentum, and he tries to choke out Piper.
The tide turns with Piper sending Savage into the corner, and the Macho King is stuck. Piper goes at him until Sherri sets Savage free. Airplane spin from Piper! Those things make me dizzy, and the same can be said for Piper who stumbles onto Savage for a near fall. Savage goes for the airplane spin, and this one is way faster. These dudes are SPINNING. Savage is all out of sorts, so he goes up top and proceeds to fall to the outside. What a great spot. The crowd eats it up with a spoon. Piper goes after Savage until Sherri yet again gets involved by jumping on Piper’s back for the DQ.
After the match, Piper puts the sleeper on Savage, but Sherri hits him in the back. So, Piper puts the sleeper on Sherri. Savage hits Piper with a knee to the back, but Piper throws Savage into Sherri. Piper then takes a strap and hammers Savage with it.
- Blake’s Take: This was a Superstars match between two top stars, so you weren’t getting a clean finish. Not much to it other than the airplane spins. **
IN THE STUDIO: Chase Tomlinson of Houston sends fan mail, and he wants to see The Ultimate Warrior vs. Dino Bravo. Mooney says ask and you shall receive.
VIDEO: Jimmy Hart says Chase asked for it, so Warrior is gonna get his ass beat. Warrior then says Chase is the only person who can command the viewing on Coliseum Video of his destruction. This would make me want to buy a tape, so bravo to the marketing team on this idea. I, too, could be the next Chase!
Dino Bravo (w/Earthquake and Jimmy Hart) vs. (c) The Ultimate Warrior – Intercontinental Title
Warrior hits the ring running, and he powerslams Bravo. Warrior off the top with an ax handle, and he tries to go up again but Earthquake grabs his foot. Bravo tries to use his strength to knock down Warrior, but that shit ain’t happening. Hip toss and bodyslam from Warrior, and Earthquake grabs Warrior’s foot again. Bravo clotheslines Warrior over the top, but Warrior retreats under the ring. Hart disappears under the ring, and he comes out without any pants. It was a pants party under the ring! Warrior pulls out Bravo and slams his face on the apron. Warrior hits a suplex and goes for the splash, but Bravo brings up the knees. It’s a test of strength that Warrior gets the better of, but Bravo throws him into the corner and hits a back suplex.
Bravo tries to lock in the bearhug but can’t get a good grip. Eventually he does, but Alfred is calling out Bravo for a ridiculous strategy. Warrior eventually breaks out, but Bravo rakes the eyes and hits an atomic drop. Bravo misses an elbow drop, but Warrior slams him and then favors the back. Bravo hits a knee to the back to send Warrior to the outside, where Earthquake bodyslams him with the referee distracted. Bravo with a sideslam for two, and it’s time for Warrior to hulk up. Warrior runs wild and hits the flying shoulder tackle and splash, but Earthquake breaks it up for another DQ.
Earthquake demolishes Warrior and goes up top for a squash, but HERE COMES HULK HOGAN to save the day. Hogan knocks off Earthquake, and that’s that.
- Blake’s Take: We’re 2-for-2 on DQs to start this tape. Less than ideal! But it’s expected, and Hogan making the save for the Warrior was what this was all about. **
IN THE STUDIO: We zoom in on the Hogan action figure, which was a beauty. Mooney tells people to send postcards if they want to request a match. Be specific and tell them you want a clean finish, folks!
MANAGER’S PROFILE: Mr. Fuji teaches his teams to do devious things. That bastard! He also has them do 5,000 squats, which seems excessive. We get the great highlight of Fuji running the 5k race and his teams doing dirty deeds.
VIDEO: Brutus ‘The Barber’ Beefcake has an announcement, and Rick Martel is the main guest at his barber shop. Martel says he’s so much better than Beefcake, and Coliseum Video fans get to see what he’s talking about. Arrogance will reign supreme!
’The Model’ Rick Martel vs. Brutus ‘The Barber’ Beefcake
Gorilla Monsoon takes over on commentary. It sounds like Hillbilly Jim joining him. This is a Madison Square Garden match for those curious. Martel shows off his abs, and Beefcake does the same. The bell rang a half hour ago, fellas! Gorilla calls them out for it. Beefcake shakes his ass, and Martel has had enough. Nice to see Vladimir the superfan in the front row (read my documentary review here). Martel asks for a handshake, and Beefcake accepts by kicking him in the midsection. Beefcake with 10 punches in the corner, as Hillbilly notes he’s getting “plucked like a chicken.”
Back to the corner, but Martel hits an inverted atomic drop. Martel goes on offense for a bit as Gorilla and Hillbilly pontificate a variety of things, including whether referee Danny Davis can be trusted due to his past history. Gorilla and Hillbilly are absolute gems. Martel applies the sleeper for what feels like a century, and Beefcake eventually fights out until Martel hits a knee to the breadbasket. Hillbilly notes that Martel “didn’t come in on a load of turnips.” I couldn’t have said it better myself. Beefcake with a small package for a near fall, and Martel goes back to work. Vladimir approves!
Martel heads up top, but Beefcake shakes the ropes Warrior-style to rack him. Beefcake clotheslines Martel to the outside, and Hillbilly has questions for Davis since he’s holding back Beefcake. Devious Danny strikes again! Sunset flip from Beefcake, but Martel reverses and holds the ropes for leverage for the victory. Gorilla lets us know it’s a miscarriage of justice! Beefcake puts the sleeper on Martel after the match, and Davis stands there and does ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. Beefcake grabs the clippers, but Bobby Heenan throws water on Martel as he retreats.
- Blake’s Take: I enjoyed this. It wasn’t a classic and went longer than it probably needed to, but the combination of Gorilla/Hillbilly and quality heel work from Martel made this entertaining. **1/2
WRESTLEFEST PROFILE: The Hart Foundation say Coliseum Video requested an in-depth profile on them. Jim Neidhart rants about not getting the titles and Bret Hart has to calm the man down. Bret tells them to look at this match against the Powers of Pain.
The Powers of Pain (w/Mr. Fuji) vs. The Hart Foundation
Tony Schiavone and Lord Alfred Hayes are your commentary team. This was a Wrestling Challenge match based on the posters in the rafters. Two of my favorite teams from this era here. Neidhart and Barbarian start things off, and neither man will budge. We’ve got a HOSS FIGHT. Warlord grabs Neidhart, but Neidhart moves out of the way as Barbarian hits a clothesline on his partner. Bret is in, and a little double team action from the Hart Foundation. Alfred is thrilled with the aggression from them in the early going, and he notes the importance of the match with a potential opportunity against The Colossal Connection on the line.
Warlord reverses momentum with a slam to Bret, and Barbarian comes in with a headbutt to Bret’s back. Neidhart gets pissed, so the referee gets occupied with him while Barbarian and Warlord double team Neidhart in the corner. They work over Bret for a bit, but he eventually makes the tag to Neidhart. He hauls off on Barbarian and Warlord, and Barbarian accidentally drops an elbow on Warlord. Fuji trips Neidhart, which allows Warlord to jump off the apron onto Neidhart. Fuji swings the cane, but Neidhart moves and he hits Warlord. The referee counts out both teams because of course he does. Bret hammers Barbarian and Warlord with the cane after the match.
- Blake’s Take: That’s the third straight non-finish to start WrestleFest ’90. Classic! This was probably my least favorite of the trio. *1/2
VIDEO: Neidhart laughs about their match with Dino Bravo and Honky Tonk Man. We’re getting TWO Bravo matches on this tape? Like Jesse Spano in Saved By The Bell, I’m so excited, I’m so excited, I’m so….scared.
The Hart Foundation vs. Dino Bravo and Honky Tonk Man (w/Jimmy Hart)
Mooney and Alfred are back on commentary. Alfred got himself a tan! Bret and Bravo kick things off. Bret with a small package, and he hits a flurry of offense on Bravo. Honky comes in, and Bret tags in Neidhart. Wishbone to Honky’s tonk! Neidhart uses the bearhug, but a reverse atomic drop from Bravo swings the momentum. A double team from the heels with the referee distracted is up next. It’s a contractual obligation in every match. Both Honky and Bravo take turns going at Neidhart, and the teamwork – with the referee distracted again, of course – is somewhat impressive.
Honky misses a jumping punch, and that allows Neidhart to get the hot tag to Bret. He runs wild and eventually hits the vintage elbow drop off the second rope. The heels attempt more shenanigans, but that doesn’t work. Jimmy throws the megaphone in the ring, and Bret has the pin on Brabo but the referee doesn’t count. Neidhart grabs the megaphone and hits Honky and Bravo, so there’s your highly anticipated DQ finish!
- Blake’s Take: It was better than the previous match, but make it four in a row without a clean winner. It is what it is in this era in the WWF. **
VIDEO: Bret and Neidhart are back and talking about The Rockers. Now we’re getting somewhere! Surely we’ll get a straight-up winner this match….
The Hart Foundation vs. The Rockers
Mooney and Alfred are once again the commentary duo. Bret and Marty Jannetty start the match. Good teamwork from Jannetty and Shawn Michaels, and then we get the one-on-one showdown with Bret and Michaels. Reverse atomic drop from Bret to Michaels, and Neidhart is in with a big bodyslam. Bret throws Michaels’ face right into Neidhart’s boot, and then it’s bearhug time. Michaels with a desperation bodyslam to Bret, but Bret regains control and tags in Neidhart, who hits a huge dropkick for two. Neidhart with a backdrop for another near fall.
Bret catapults Neidhart into the ring, but Michaels dives out of the way. He can’t make the tag, and Bret is back in with a big boot to the face. Bret goes for the elbow drop off the top, but Michaels moves and finally makes the hot tag to Jannetty. A powerslam to Bret gets a near fall, and then it’s a knee to the face for another two. Double superkicks to Bret, but Neidhart breaks up the pin. Michaels with a snap suplex to Bret…but he kicks out at two and a half! Excellent reversal as Bret hits a clothesline on Michaels, and Mooney says you could call this one match a WrestleFest. Agreed.
Bret tags in Neidhart, and he pounces on Michaels. But Michaels throws Neidhart into the ropes, and it knocks Bret off the apron onto the steel barricade. Neidhart checks on Bret, and here come THE FABULOUS ROUGEAUS! They’re All-American boys! The bell doesn’t ring, but we know it’s a DQ. After the match, both babyface teams chase Raymond Rougeau and Jacques Rougeau to the back.
- Blake’s Take: Easily the best match on the tape. Not even the non-finish could make impact that. Great stuff from two legendary teams. ****
VIDEO: Alfred tells us about how the WWF moves the rings and equipment to each town. We even go under the hood with a look at the engines on the tractor-trailer trucks. Alfred’s promo is magical. The man is THRILLED about the efficiency of the ring crew.
IN THE STUDIO: Mooney throws it to the featured match of Mr. Perfect vs. Hulk Hogan for the WWF title at MSG.
Mr. Perfect (w/The Genius) vs. (c) Hulk Hogan – WWF Title
And we’re back to Gorilla and Hillbilly. Perfect wants none of Hogan in the early going, but that doesn’t matter as Hogan hits multiple bodyslams to send Perfect retreating. DOUBLE NOGGIN KNOCKER to Perfect and Genius! Hogan slams Genius and throws him in the ring, which makes no sense. What also makes no sense is Genius kicking Hogan and the referee staring right out it without a DQ. Is this a Handicap Match? Hogan throws Perfect into Genius in the corner. Hogan then hits an atomic drop on Genius to send him reeling. Hogan rams Genius into the steel post, and HULKAMANIA IS RUNNING WILD. Hogan clotheslines Perfect to the outside and we’ve got another DOUBLE NOGGIN KNOCKER. Perfect just taking an absolute drubbing in this match.
However, Perfect delivers a kick to the face to shift the momentum. Perfect goes on the offensive and sends Hogan to the outside, Genius teases hitting Hogan with the scroll. Hillbilly is tired of the interference in the WWF, but he could simply be talking about WrestleFest ’90 and it would be an accurate statement. Vladimir is having fun as Perfect goes up top, and when Hogan tries to pick him up, Perfect uses the thumb to the eye. Perfect applies the sleeper for a good while, but Hogan eventually gets up and he gets rammed into the corner for his efforts. Perfect goes back up, and Hogan shakes the ropes to rack him. Hogan follows him up top, and he picks Perfect up by the hair and racks him a few more times. Double ouch!
Atomic drop from Hogan, and he kicks Perfect’s leg out from his leg. Hogan goes for an elbow drop, but Perfect manages to sneak out of the way. Perfect then hits the Perfect Plex but seemingly can’t lock the hands, so Hogan kicks out. Hogan with the big boot to Perfect, but it knocks him out of the ring. They brawl, and Perfect grabs chair but misses and hits the steel post. Perfect has a pair of something in his tights, and it’s not balls! It’s brass knuckles. Hogan grabs the knucks and hits Perfect with it, and the referee calls for the DQ. PERFECT WINS! NEW WWF CHAMPION! Just kidding, folks.
After the match, Hogan picks up Genius, but Perfect makes the save.
- Blake’s Take: They protected Perfect at MSG, which showed you where he stood at this point in his WWF career. I’m still of the opinion he should have won the 1990 Royal Rumble. Good match with a tremendous crowd. ***1/2
IN THE STUDIO: Mooney throws it to the next match, and we’ve got Hasbro figures to set it up. Beautiful.
IN THE RING: Howard Finkel reveals Big Boss Man as the special guest referee for the tag match.
‘Million Dollar Man’ Ted DiBiase and Akeem (w/Virgil and Slick) vs. Jake ‘The Snake’ Roberts and The Ultimate Warrior – Special Guest Referee: Big Boss Man
It’s another Mooney and Alfred pairing on commentary in what was a Superstars match. We start with DiBiase and Jake, and there’s plenty of history between those two. Jake quickly goes for the DDT, but DiBiase retreats. Jake works over DiBiase’s arm, he makes the tag to Warrior, and the place comes UNGLUED. To say that Warrior was on the rise would be an understatement. Akeem controls things for the heels by taking the fight to Jake. DiBiase does the same as he hits a piledriver, but Jake gets a foot on the rope. A reverse atomic drop and clothesline allows Jake to signal for the DDT, but DiBiase slows him down momentarily before Jake makes the hot tag to Warrior. My goodness, the crowd is losing it. Warrior hits the splash on DiBiase for the win. CLEAN FINISH! Bossman hits Virgil with the nightstick, and Jake hits the DDT on Virgil before letting loose Damian.
- Blake’s Take: You wanna talk about superstars. Warrior was on another level. This was short, but it was pretty sweet. **1/2
BLAKE’S TAKE ON WWF WRESTLEFEST ’90
A fine bit of nostalgia on this tape. The Hart Foundation vs. The Rockers, and the Hogan vs. Perfect matches were a lot of fun, despite anyone actually winning. But that was the story of all but one of these matches. The star power is what really stands out, as there are so many quality matchups in this particular lineup. Recommended for 80s to early 90s wrestling fans.
For more of my show reviews, visit the Reviews section!