WWF Superstars of Wrestling – June 23rd, 1990
By Brian Bayless on 20th September 2017
June 23, 1990
From the Broome County Arena in Binghamton, NY
Your hosts are Jesse “The Body” Ventura and Vince McMahon
This week, we will have a special tribute to Hulk Hogan. In action are Demolition, Brutus Beefcake, and Dino Bravo. Plus, the Ultimate Warrior as guest on the “Brother Love Show” and more
Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake vs. Mike Durham
Durham would later go on to become Johnny Grudge of Public Enemy fame. Beefcake is shown in an insert promo saying he wants to give him a flat top as he takes control of the match. Durham lands some shots in the corner but Beefcake fights back. Beefcake hits a slam then lands some mounted punches in the corner before putting him away with the sleeper (3:23). After the match, Beefcake gives Durham a haircut while Jesse says he has a surprise for us later on in the show.
Thoughts: An easy win for Beefcake but the real big news is this supposed surprise Jesse has for us later on in the show.
WWF Update with Gene Okerlund. We first get the address for the “Come Back Hulk” letter campaign then Okerlund leads us to a tribute video. It starts off with Hogan’s theme and the screen would flash a giant “Hulk Rules” like every other second. However, the music turns somber with the clip of Earthquake attacking Hogan on the “Brother Love Show” and then we are shown the crowd react in horror when Hogan was attacked. The video ends with Hogan’s gear and cross hanging in a locker as the camera zooms in on that until the door shuts. This was the mother of all cheesy WWF tribute videos and needs to be seen by all. You can view it here
Scott Colontonio vs. The Barbarian w/ Bobby Heenan
Jesse wants everyone to let Hogan retire in peace but people are making him feel guilty. Barbarian attacks Colontonio and stays in control until putting him away with a flying clothesline (2:00).
Thoughts: More of a background for the announcers to talk about Hogan than anything else.
Hercules & Paul Roma are holding WWF Ice Cream bars and say that Superstars like themselves deserve them as they take a bite. A month or so prior in the “Wrestling Observer Newsletter,” Meltzer wrote that these two were going to be a lower card babyface tag team. It made sense since they were teaming up a bit on “Prime Time Wrestling.” However, that got changed as Roma himself stated he came up with the Power & Glory name and agreed to take and score all pins.
Demolition make their ring to the ring. However, there is a third member as Vince is shocked while Jesse laughs and tells us the third member is named Crush. Smash & Crush wrestle this match. According to Ax, he developed an allergic reaction to shellfish and went into anaphylactic shock but Vince thought he had heart problems and searched for a replacement and found Crush through Len Denton in Oregon.
Demolition vs. Paul Diamond & Joe Champ
Jesse tells us you can no longer prepare for which two members you will face. Diamond tries an Irish whip on Crush but that fails. Crush catches a crossbody attempt and hits a powerslam as Ax yells for Crush to “punish” him. Diamond rolls outside where Ax beats him down then we hear from the Hart Foundation, who want to know which two members will defend the belts and will triumph against all odds. Champ is in now as Crush works a bearhug then turns that into a belly-to-belly suplex and soon after that Demolition hit the Decapitation for the win (3:24).
Thoughts: Well, with the addition of Crush and Ax beating on his opponent outside of the ring, Demolition was giving off a heel vibe here. Crush looked alright in his debut but he did not leave a memorable impression or anything.
Tony Ulysses vs. Dino Bravo w/ Jimmy Hart
Bravo beats on Ulysses as we hear him in an insert promo running down Tugboat. Bravo stays in control and puts Ulysses away with a side suplex (1:36).
Thoughts: Hype for a Bravo/Tugboat feud. Oh boy!
We get an ad about SummerSlam taking place on Monday night, August 27th.
Brother Love Show with guest the Ultimate Warrior, who comes out and paces around the set. He also has different face paint with just a warrior symbol on his left cheek. Brother Love tells Warrior that Rick Rude will defeat him again but this time for the WWF World Heavyweight Title. Warrior tells Rude he will show him the ultimate power then asks Brother Love what he knows about love. Warrior says the love from the Warriors makes it possible to stand her as champion. He then talks about Warriors coming in all sorts of sizes as a little girl named “Amanda Ultimate Warrior” runs out as Warrior picks her up and says the biggest muscle he has is the part that pumps for his little Warriors as Amanda flexes for us then does a cartwheel and a handstand. With all of the Hogan stuff going on for weeks, Warrior has been somewhat of an afterthought. This was his first speaking appearance since the “Saturday Night’s Main Event” in April and they tried to humanize him here but it came off too much like a Hogan rip off. Warrior was awkward here but the kid was cute at least and she got over with the crowd. However, its clear Warrior is not ready to take over for Hogan as the centerpiece of the company.
Jim McPherson & Jim Powers vs. The Orient Express w/ Mr.Fuji
Powers backdrops Sato after an Irish whip sequence. McPherson tags in and gets beat down as the Orient Express stay in control until Sato hits a sit-out powerbomb for the win (1:40).
Thoughts: An easy win for the Orient Express as their feud with The Rockers continues.
Duane Gill vs. Hacksaw Jim Duggan
Duggan takes control early and tosses Gill around. We hear from Duggan in an insert promo as he calls out Earthquake and shows his 2×4, decorated with Hogan Friendship Bracelets, before he puts Gill away with the Three Point Stance (1:36).
Thoughts: More hype for the eventual Duggan/Earthquake match. Duggan is also selling us on the Hogan Friendship Bracelets.
In action next week are Tugboat, Rick Rude, Dusty Rhodes, and Earthquake. Plus, another update on Hogan and more.
Final Thoughts: The big news here is Warrior has returned to TV and Demolition acquired a third member. The Hogan video needs to be seen too. Other than that its more of the same for the rest of the midcard feuds.