SirEdger

Rollins & Murphy have invoked their rematch clauses against the Street Profits.

Very much looking forward to Sting vs Flair at the Clash. Beating Dr. Death is no small feat and he deserved every inch of this. Also, Rick Rude & Jimmy Hart are quite the pairing. Rude isn't the typical heel you're used to see with the Mouth of the South but he is his best shot at the World Heavyweight Championship as Hart's meal ticket!

Something interesting that I noticed last night....in the opening segment with Brock and Drew...at the end of the opening segment, after the 3rd Claymore by Drew, if you listen carefully and pay attention, you can hear Brock tell Drew "Don't forget to pick up the title" to make sure everything goes right in the segment. When Brock cares about building someone, he really goes all out.

That segment was beautiful through and through. Notice all the people that came to check on Beth, wrestlers and agents; all friends and close to Edge. Very thoughtful storytelling.

Apparently, Matt Riddle is there too.

That could definitely work.

So...what are the possibilities that ROH & NWA just become one entity going forward in the foreseeable future? Because if Corgan pulls out of this, I don't know how much Lagana can invest to keep it running.

One of the reasons why I'm always trying to find stuff about Dragon Gate is because I heard so much about their rivalries and matches that I really wanna see what it's all about. What matches between these two should anyone be looking into?

February 27th, 1988 Hosted by: Vince McMahon & Jesse "The Body" Ventura Match #1 Randy "Macho Man" Savage beat Mike Kelly with the Flying Elbow Drop And now, for an update in the WWF Control Center with Mean Gene Okerlund: Mean Gene Okerlund: Alright, everyone, this is Mean Gene Okerlund in the Control Center at Titan Sports headquarters and it has been a very tumultuous couple of weeks here in the World Wrestling Federation, starting with the controversy surrounding the WWF Championship Match a couple of weeks ago on the Main Event in which Andre the Giant defeated Hulk Hogan in controversial fashion to win the championship. And if it wasn't bad enough that referee Dave Hebner seemingly made a major mistake in his officiating, it now looks like Andre the Giant had the intention of selling the WWF championship to somebody else. However, we couldn't find out who it was until we went off the air on the Main Event. We have now this exclusive footage to show you moments after the conclusion of the Main Event with Andre & Bobby Heenan celebrating in their locker room when the mystery was resolved: (Cut to VTR footage of Andre & Bobby Heenan celebrating in the locker room as Lord Alfred Hayes is standing there, trying to get a word with Andre & Heenan) Lord Alfred Hayes: After a shocking turn of events, I feel like it is my duty towards World Wrestling Federation fans to get to the bottom of that controversy we've just witnessed. I will try to get a word with Bobby Heenan and clear everything up....Excuse me, Mr. Heenan? Bobby Heenan (ecstatic): WOOOOO! ALFRED, CAN YOU BELIEVE IT? WE FINALLY DID IT! WE KILLED HULKAMANIA! HAHAHAHAHA! Lord Alfred Hayes: Well, that is your interpretation of the situation but it is fairly obvious that there are still some things that need to be explained here and the big question is if Andre was serious in his claims of selling the WWF Championship to somebody else? Bobby Heenan: Now, hold on, just a minute, Alfred. You might've had a bit too much of that tea and crumpets because I never heard Andre say that he would "sell" the WWF championship to somebody else. Andre, you didn't say you would sell the title, did you? Andre the Giant: No. Bobby Heenan: See, you completely misheard. Or misinterpreted. What Andre meant was that he was looking to "pass on" the WWF Championship to somebody else. I mean...as imposing as Andre is, it is no secret that he's not the same Andre he used to be. The WWF Championship wasn't merely the point here. What mattered to Andre is to avenge that miscarriage of justice from Wrestlemania 3 and beat Hogan for the title. And that's what he did. So, after doing some consulting work, we figured out to whom Andre would pass on the WWF Championship. Lord Alfred Hayes: You can't do that and you both know it! Bobby Heenan: And who's gonna stop us, Alfred? You? Absolutely not! But let's not make you wait any further, shall we? You wanna meet the new WWF Champion, Alfred? Here he is: (A man enters the camera shot and it's...it's.... (IT'S NICK BOCKWINKEL!!! The former AWA World Champion enters the Heenan Family locker room and gives a big hug to Bobby Heenan and shakes hands with Andre. Andre then takes the WWF Championship and puts it on the shoulder of Bockwinkel) Lord Alfred Hayes: I am absolutely appalled here! Nick Bockwinkel, a man of your class and dignity! How could you stoop to such a degree of cowardice? Nick Bockwinkel: Lord Alfred Hayes, what I did isn't being a coward; it's being an astute businessman. But I wouldn't expect you to understand this. Many years ago, Hulk Hogan was a thorn in Bobby and my side and he did everything he could to take away my World Championship from me. And he almost did...But he didn't. You know why? Because Hogan is as dumb as a brick. Bobby and I always were one step ahead of him. And when he realized that he couldn't beat me fair and square, Hogan took his ball and went home and he decided to show up right here. But Bobby and I, we didn't forget that. We remember every step of the way and we knew we would get our revenge on Hogan one way or another. So we bided our time and waited for the perfect opportunity. And that perfect opportunity was The Main Event. Lord Alfred Hayes: Are you insinuating that you've paid off Dave Hebner to give Andre the title? Nick Bockwinkel: We did no such thing, Alfred. It was just happenstance. Andre didn't need a crooked referee to win the WWF Championship. He would've done it anyway. But as Bobby so eloquently put it, while Andre wants to be a fighting champion, he realizes that his best days are behind him and he can't be the fighting champion that this company needs. And this is where I, Nick Bockwinkel, come in. I can make things happen, I can defend that championship with dignity and pride and I will represent the World Wrestling Federation to the bestest of my abilities. So Hogan, I have an idea. I could tell you that we could wrestle on Saturday Night Main Event in a few weeks or we could do things at Wrestlemania in Atlantic City but I know that you're probably impatient to get your hands on me so I'll make things easier. Next week, on Wrestling Challenge, I will make my WWF debut and I will team with Andre the Giant right there. All I need you to do is to find yourself a partner and we've got a deal. I will be waiting with bathed breath... (The celebration continues while we go back to the Control Center with Mean Gene Okerlund) Mean Gene Okerlund: As you could see, it was quite the surprise to see the legendary Nick Bockwinkel here in the World Wrestling Federation. However, WWF President Jack Tunney has made it abundantly clear that he will NOT recognize Nick Bockwinkel as the World Wrestling Federation Champion and as of right now, the title will be vacant. We understand that President Tunney will make an announcement about the championship the next time we'll be live on NBC on Saturday night March 12th, for Saturday Night's Main Event. In the meantime, we can now tell you that Hulk Hogan has accepted Bockwinkel's challenge as he and a partner of his choosing will take on Andre the Giant & Nick Bockwinkel next week on Wrestling Challenge. And before we go, let's take a closer look at somebody trying to follow in the footsteps of his illustrious father, the legendary Bruno Sammartino as David Sammartino is looking to make a name for himself in the WWF. This was Mean Gene Okerlund at Titan Towers for the WWF Control Center. (Footage of David Sammartino along with his father Bruno is being played.) Match #2 Michael P.S. Hayes beat Baron Von Raschke (w/Gary Hart) Match #3 "Loverboy" Dennis Condrey beat "The Real Living Legend" Larry Zbyszko by DQ after hitting Condrey with the ring bell Match #4 Ole Anderson beat Johnny V with an armbar MAIN EVENT Match #5 "Gorgeous" Jimmy Garvin (w/Precious) beat Super Samoan Sakalia ******** February 28th, 1988 Hosted by Gorilla Monsoon & Jesse "The Body" Ventura Match #1 WWF Intercontinental Champion The Honky Tonk Man (w/Johnny V) beat "Hollywood" John Tatum (w/Missy Hyatt) with the Shake, Rattle & Roll And now, for an update in the WWF Control Center with Mean Gene Okerlund: Mean Gene Okerlund: Alright, everyone, this is Mean Gene Okerlund in the Control Center at Titan Sports headquarters and it has been a very tumultuous couple of weeks here in the World Wrestling Federation, starting with the controversy surrounding the WWF Championship Match a couple of weeks ago on the Main Event in which Andre the Giant defeated Hulk Hogan in controversial fashion to win the championship. And if it wasn't bad enough that referee Dave Hebner seemingly made a major mistake in his officiating, it now looks like Andre the Giant had the intention of selling the WWF championship to somebody else. However, we couldn't find out who it was until we went off the air on the Main Event. We have now this exclusive footage to show you moments after the conclusion of the Main Event with Andre & Bobby Heenan celebrating in their locker room when the mystery was resolved: (Cut to VTR footage of Andre & Bobby Heenan celebrating in the locker room as Lord Alfred Hayes is standing there, trying to get a word with Andre & Heenan) Lord Alfred Hayes: After a shocking turn of events, I feel like it is my duty towards World Wrestling Federation fans to get to the bottom of that controversy we've just witnessed. I will try to get a word with Bobby Heenan and clear everything up....Excuse me, Mr. Heenan? Bobby Heenan (ecstatic): WOOOOO! ALFRED, CAN YOU BELIEVE IT? WE FINALLY DID IT! WE KILLED HULKAMANIA! HAHAHAHAHA! Lord Alfred Hayes: Well, that is your interpretation of the situation but it is fairly obvious that there are still some things that need to be explained here and the big question is if Andre was serious in his claims of selling the WWF Championship to somebody else? Bobby Heenan: Now, hold on, just a minute, Alfred. You might've had a bit too much of that tea and crumpets because I never heard Andre say that he would "sell" the WWF championship to somebody else. Andre, you didn't say you would sell the title, did you? Andre the Giant: No. Bobby Heenan: See, you completely misheard. Or misinterpreted. What Andre meant was that he was looking to "pass on" the WWF Championship to somebody else. I mean...as imposing as Andre is, it is no secret that he's not the same Andre he used to be. The WWF Championship wasn't merely the point here. What mattered to Andre is to avenge that miscarriage of justice from Wrestlemania 3 and beat Hogan for the title. And that's what he did. So, after doing some consulting work, we figured out to whom Andre would pass on the WWF Championship. Lord Alfred Hayes: You can't do that and you both know it! Bobby Heenan: And who's gonna stop us, Alfred? You? Absolutely not! But let's not make you wait any further, shall we? You wanna meet the new WWF Champion, Alfred? Here he is: (A man enters the camera shot and it's...it's.... (IT'S NICK BOCKWINKEL!!! The former AWA World Champion enters the Heenan Family locker room and gives a big hug to Bobby Heenan and shakes hands with Andre. Andre then takes the WWF Championship and puts it on the shoulder of Bockwinkel) Lord Alfred Hayes: I am absolutely appalled here! Nick Bockwinkel, a man of your class and dignity! How could you stoop to such a degree of cowardice? Nick Bockwinkel: Lord Alfred Hayes, what I did isn't being a coward; it's being an astute businessman. But I wouldn't expect you to understand this. Many years ago, Hulk Hogan was a thorn in Bobby and my side and he did everything he could to take away my World Championship from me. And he almost did...But he didn't. You know why? Because Hogan is as dumb as a brick. Bobby and I always were one step ahead of him. And when he realized that he couldn't beat me fair and square, Hogan took his ball and went home and he decided to show up right here. But Bobby and I, we didn't forget that. We remember every step of the way and we knew we would get our revenge on Hogan one way or another. So we bided our time and waited for the perfect opportunity. And that perfect opportunity was The Main Event. Lord Alfred Hayes: Are you insinuating that you've paid off Dave Hebner to give Andre the title? Nick Bockwinkel: We did no such thing, Alfred. It was just happenstance. Andre didn't need a crooked referee to win the WWF Championship. He would've done it anyway. But as Bobby so eloquently put it, while Andre wants to be a fighting champion, he realizes that his best days are behind him and he can't be the fighting champion that this company needs. And this is where I, Nick Bockwinkel, come in. I can make things happen, I can defend that championship with dignity and pride and I will represent the World Wrestling Federation to the bestest of my abilities. So Hogan, I have an idea. I could tell you that we could wrestle on Saturday Night Main Event in a few weeks or we could do things at Wrestlemania in Atlantic City but I know that you're probably impatient to get your hands on me so I'll make things easier. Next week, on Wrestling Challenge, I will make my WWF debut and I will team with Andre the Giant right there. All I need you to do is to find yourself a partner and we've got a deal. I will be waiting with bathed breath... (The celebration continues while we go back to the Control Center with Mean Gene Okerlund) Mean Gene Okerlund: As you could see, it was quite the surprise to see the legendary Nick Bockwinkel here in the World Wrestling Federation. However, WWF President Jack Tunney has made it abundantly clear that he will NOT recognize Nick Bockwinkel as the World Wrestling Federation Champion and as of right now, the title will be vacant. We understand that President Tunney will make an announcement about the championship the next time we'll be live on NBC on Saturday night March 12th, for Saturday Night's Main Event. In the meantime, we can now tell you that Hulk Hogan has accepted Bockwinkel's challenge as he and a partner of his choosing will take on Andre the Giant & Nick Bockwinkel next week on Wrestling Challenge. And before we go, let's take a closer look at somebody trying to follow in the footsteps of his illustrious father, the legendary Bruno Sammartino as David Sammartino is looking to make a name for himself in the WWF. This was Mean Gene Okerlund at Titan Towers for the WWF Control Center. (Footage of David Sammartino along with his father Bruno is being played.) Match #2 Terry "Bam Bam" Gordy beat WWF Tag Team Champion Ax after a miscue from Smash. After the match, somebody runs through the entrance way and throws powder in the face of Terry Gordy! The camera gets a better shot of the individual and it's... GARY HART IS HERE IN THE WWF!!! That momentary lapse of distraction allows Demolition to double-team Terry Gordy and hit Total Decapitation on him! The 2 other Freebirds, Michael PS Hayes & Buddy Jack Roberts rush the ring to make the save but Demolition leaves the ring! What a coup for not only Demolition but for Gary Hart as well; making a huge power play in his debut on WWF TV!!! Match #3 King Tonga beat Jerry Grey with a diving headbutt. Postmatch.... Baron Von Raschke & Nord the Barbarian rush the ring and attack King Tonga! Tonga Kid rushes in to make the save but is taken down by Nord the Barbarian. Baron Von Raschke applies the claw on King Tonga while Nord ties up Tonga Kid in the ropes and starts pummeling him with body shots. Not too far from the ring, somebody we saw minutes ago is taking a closer look: Has Gary Hart also added Baron Von Raschke & Nord the Barbarian to his stable of mercenaries? Tune in next week!

And we're off and running here with WCW! The Bad Man from Borger, TX is in the house!!

Yuka Sakazaki seems to be getting more over with the crowd. I think I like her a lot.

And all of a sudden, one can wonder if Archer might not have an impact on the finish of Jericho vs Moxley on Saturday night....

Are you talking about Mike Von Erich's septic shock?

But we don't know what's the reason for the suspension. I mean, it could be a technicality like it was for Paige and Bobby Roode for not filing paperwork correctly.

Samoa Joe officially suspended 30 for his first Wellness Policy violation. https://www.wwe.com/article/samoa-joe-suspended?fbclid=IwAR2VHGRvbEjjnw07P1S7DgqUdRarsOCXLnMzeuPvQW-OStO_QyFAWsxMD8Y Yeah, so much for an injury during a "commercial shoot".

I hope they honestly won't. He's everything they've been looking for in a Latino star in ages.

Of course, they had to do a Montreal Screwjob in Canada to a Canadian.

Also, Reggie Bennett and Ray Odyssey are listed twice in the free agents list.

WWF drops Jonathan Boyd and signs Rip Oliver

Pretty affordable indeed!

Looked a lot like Ali with the circle of light and the outline of his glove on the 2nd glitch.

The Fiend will have to rebound quickly from that loss to Goldberg. Having him beat Cena on the grandest stage of them all (and avenging his loss from Wrestlemania a few years back) is the best way to do that. And as for Roman vs Goldberg...like I said earlier, it's all about minimizing the backlash from Roman winning the title. With The Fiend...guaranteed it would happen. But Roman beating Goldberg will be way more accepted by fans.

I mean, it's baffling to see how they particularly nailed everything surrounding the Otis/Mandy/Dolph storyline while the Rusev/Lana/Lashley thing has been a Gooker Award candidate on Wrestlecrap already. How is that even possible?

WORLD WRESTLING FEDERATION OWNER: Vince McMahon ON-AIR AUTHORITY: Jack Tunney ANNOUNCERS: Gorilla Monsoon, Jesse Ventura & Vince McMahon Interviews: Mean Gene Okerlund & Lord Alfred Hayes ROSTER Hulk Hogan Randy Savage (w/Miss Elizabeth) Andre the Giant (w/Bobby Heenan) Nick Bockwinkel (w/Bobby Heenan) Paul Orndorff Greg Valentine (w/Bobby Heenan) Honky Tonk Man (WWF Intercontinental Champion, w/Johnny V) Bad News Brown (w/Gary Hart) Jerry "The King" Lawler (w/Missy Hyatt) Larry Zbyszko Brutus Beefcake Sgt. Slaughter Tito Santana "Gorgeous" Jimmy Garvin (w/Precious) The Crusher Miguelito Perez Sika the Wild Samoan Bobby Jaggers Mike Kelly Rip Oliver David Sammartino Owen Hart David "Fit" Finlay Baron Von Raschke "Hollywood" John Tatum (w/Missy Hyatt) Bunkhouse Buck (w/Gary Hart) Nord the Barbarian (w/Gary Hart) Wahoo McDaniel Jerry Grey Don Muraco Ole Anderson The Ultimate Warrior Jerry Lynn TAG TEAMS Demolition - Ax & Smash The Fabulous Freebirds - Michael P.S. Hayes, Terry "Bam Bam" Gordy & Buddy Jack Roberts The Original Midnight Express - Dennis Condrey & Randy Rose (w/Johnny V) The Islanders - King Tonga & Tonga Kid The Fabulous Rougeau Brothers - Jacques & Raymond Rougeau MANAGERS & VALETS Miss Elizabeth Bobby Heenan Gary Hart Precious Johnny V Missy Hyatt

The sudden turn of events involving Ted Turner and his purchase of Jim Crockett Promotions also had many ramifications all the way to Stamford, CT at Titan Towers. With Ted Turner proving to be aggressive and snatching the likes of King Kong Bundy, the Rougeau Brothers, the Hart Foundation and Jake Roberts from under his nose, Vince McMahon was certainly in a bit of an unusual situation. A situation that lead to some of the midcard talents leaving the company and trying their luck elsewhere, whether it is in the other territories still available or perhaps even in Japan. But Vince McMahon certainly had a couple of tricks up his sleeves and while the World Wrestling Federation is looking drastically different than it was a few months ago, the expanding juggernaut has still been able to pull off some major talents. The purchase of the UWF by Jim Crockett and everything that unfolded afterwards still left some scars and a bitter taste in the mouth of several individuals. Terry Gordy certainly was an intrical part of UWF at one point an a former UWF Heavyweight Champion. And while a chance to make a move to the new WCW would've been tempting, there were still some questions as to how well the Freebirds could be used in that environment - especially considering the era of uncertainty now that Dusty Rhodes was seemingly being cast aside following the disastrous year that was 1987. And in the back of their minds, the Fabulous Freebirds had a rare second chance to make a good first impression; Vince McMahon offered them an opportunity on a silver platter to make more money than ever before while gaining national exposure; something that the Freebirds failed to do in their first stint with the company a few years back. The arrival of the Fabulous Freebirds would certainly be considered a major shot in the arm of the tag team division in the WWF. Michael Hayes would also help WWF to bring in another interesting name; "Gorgeous" Jimmy Garvin, who was teaming with Michael Hayes as the Freebirds in the AWA. Garvin, disgusted by the way Dusty treated Ron Garvin's title reign, didn't hesitate to hand his notice to Turner and sign with WWF. Vince would also secure the services of the Original Midnight Express of Dennis Condrey and Randy Rose as well as the Super Samoans to fill in some spots. But Vince's biggest coup were yet to come as two iconic figures of past territories would soon make their way to the company. Using his connection with Bobby Heenan, Vince McMahon was able to convince the former AWA World Heavyweight Champion Nick Bockwinkel to sign with WWF to finish his in-ring career with his good friend The Brain and reform the Heenan Family. WWF would also be able to lure more names from the AWA like Larry Zbyszko and Sgt. Slaughter as well as Baron Von Raschke and The Crusher, in hopes to establish a firm grip in the Midwest area and undercut Ted Turner's projected expansion with WCW. But perhaps that McMahon's most shocking move came to convincing Jerry "the King" Lawler to sign with the WWF, a surprising decision for many, considering how legendary Lawler is in the Continental area. It looks like Vince McMahon's strategy was to eventually convince some of the most refractary "former" employees who opt not to re-sign with the company to come back in the fold and be part of that expansion. Time will tell if Vince's strategy will pay off. He realizes that the Four Horsemen is still a driving drawing force for Turner's new company and it's probably why Vince was so aggressive in trying to lure Barry Windham away from them but ultimately failed to do so. McMahon has said privately to his inner circle that this is one of his major disappointments in the whole situation, as he felt like Windham has the potential to be a major star if he had jumped ship to WWF. The World Wrestling Federation certainly has a lot on his plate as the build to Wrestlemania IV at the Trump Plaza Hotel in Atlantic City, NJ is well under way with the controversial events of the Main Event. While the controversy surrounding the WWF Championship was planned, the same can't be said for the WWF Tag Team Championship; with one half of the tag team champions Strike Force, Rick Martel choosing to leave as his contract expired while being champion, WWF is now forced to scramble and find a way to draw interest in their tag team division. Fortunately for them, there still is a Saturday Night Main Event scheduled for March 12th that could help the company figure out the plans for Wrestlemania in that regard. It will be interesting to see what WWF will book for Wrestlemania IV, which will be straight up against WCW's first Clash of the Champions event on March 27th. In the meantime, many of the new faces in WWF will debut in the upcoming weeks on WWF Wrestling Challenge & WWF Superstars.