The Hitchhiker's Guide to Wrestlemania

MainOffender · January 21, 2020

So I'm assuming part of this Kerry stuff is a work and other parts are him actually having issues in the game.

Also, loving this Terry stuff and what's going on with Ted and the Rhodes.

Nice to see Bruiser doing well.

Ha, good idea that maybe I'll steal later... but NOPE. Not a work. Just wanted to convey to readers that dude is showing up loaded to every show.

joshspicer · January 21, 2020

Ha, good idea that maybe I'll steal later... but NOPE. Not a work. Just wanted to convey to readers that dude is showing up loaded to every show.

At the risk of getting into that territory, are any of the other Von Erichs still alive?

MainOffender · January 21, 2020

At the risk of getting into that territory, are any of the other Von Erichs still alive?

Oh, I should also mention that I'm emphasizing Kerry's condition because it informs a lot of the booking decisions I made during this month of messing with WCW. I think it ends up paying off in an interesting way. I'm not doing it to make light of his troubles, which were awful and sad.

All the Von Erichs (well, except for David who died before this mod started) are currently alive. Kerry and Kevin in WCW while Mike is working for Fritz's version of USWA. Chris hasn't made his debut yet. I've been extremely lucky with death in this save so far. Only seven guys have died between 87-90 and most of them were old like Lou Thesz and Don Owen. The only youngish death I've gotten was the 41 year old Kato Kung Lee.

MainOffender · January 22, 2020

<p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="R2GItUK.jpg?1" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/R2GItUK.jpg?1" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p> <span style="color:#800080;"><span style="font-size:18px;"><strong>WCW SATURDAY NIGHT</strong></span></span></p><p> <strong>December, Week 3, 1989. </strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="47165" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> The Jims were hyping tonight’s main event of Flair/Blanchard vs Kerry/Dynamite when Flair joined them at the desk. He talked some trash about Dynamite Kid and largely glossed over the potential of a showdown with fellow Horsemen Tully Blanchard. Pressed by a trouble-making Jim Cornette if Flair thought Blanchard resented him: “Look, the Horsemen have been running this business for the last five years, pal – jet flyin’ and limousine ridin’ – and Tully? WOO! He was there. He was on those jets. He was in those limos. But he wasn’t cutting the checks or swiping his black card. That was the Nature Boy.”</div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>GRADE:</strong></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> 100</div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> The team of Lex Luger, Barry Windham, and Rick Martel defeated the Awesome Twosome and Cactus Jack. Martel pinned Jack after a series of lariats and forearms from Windham and Luger. Rude and Fernandez appeared content to let the psychotic Jack do most of the work here. </div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>GRADE:</strong></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> 77</div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Owen Hart (with Magnum TA) defeated Ron Garvin. </div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>GRADE:</strong></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> 58</div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Eddie Gilbert stopped by the announce desk to complain about the lack of competition in the cruiserweight division. Overhearing, Magnum TA suggested Gilbert give a shot to his client Hart. Gilbert smugly accepted. </div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>GRADE:</strong></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> 58</div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Bam Bam Bigelow defeated Bobby Eaton with Greetings From Asbury Park. </div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>GRADE:</strong></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> 59</div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> The Steiner Brothers defeated the team of Norman Smiley and Tommy Rogers in a one-sided match. </div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>GRADE:</strong></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> 53</div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> We cut to a taped segment in the White Castle of Fear where Kevin Sullivan and Vader were signing a historic pact of aggression with the Iron Sheik. The ceremony was interrupted when the Warrior and Sting crashed through a skylight (who rented them a helicopter?). The Blade Runners trashed the throne room until Vader turned the tide against them. At that point, the Gunslinger emerged from the shadows and choke-slammed Vader through Sullivan’s favorite torture rack. The production values of this 15 minute epic were… not great, okay? </div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>GRADE:</strong></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> 64</div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Curt Hennig and Bruiser Brody defeated the Rock N Roll Express with “Billion Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase joining the Jims on commentary. </div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>GRADE:</strong></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> 79 </div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> After the match, Ted DiBiase cut a promo on that “blue collar bum” Dusty Rhodes, telling Dusty that if he really wanted the best for his son, he’d let DiBiase mentor him so the kid could have a chance. At that point, Dustin came to ringside. He thanked Mr. DiBiase for all the attention over the last few weeks, but ultimately… “I’m a Rhodes. We don’t cut corners. We don’t take handouts---“ DiBiase then offered Dustin a handout – a slap across the face! Having seen enough, Dusty Rhodes charged to the ring, once again joined by Kevin Von Erich. With Dustin’s help, they fought off Money Inc. </div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>GRADE:</strong></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> 78</div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> In the main event, Kerry Von Erich teamed with Dynamite Kid to battle Ric Flair and Tully Blanchard. KVE and Dynamite paired well together, exploiting the obvious tension between Flair and Blanchard. Growing frustrated, Blanchard eventually used the WCW World Title to lay out both KVE and Dynamite. The good guys picked up the DQ win, but “they don’t look like winners to me, JR!”</div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>GRADE:</strong></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> 80</div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> “You carried me?! You carried me?!” Blanchard wasn’t finished. He saved the most vicious beating for Flair, eventually piledriving his former ally onto the WCW World title. The show went off the air with Flair receiving medical attention for his neck and Blanchard standing tall over all three of his contenders.</div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>GRADE:</strong></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> 88</div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>OVERALL GRADE:</strong></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> 84</div></div></div></blockquote>

joshspicer · January 22, 2020

<p>Oh cool you kept the White Castle of Fear assault by Sting and company.</p><p> </p><p>

EDIT: And I'm assuming The Gunslinger is that young up and comer Mean Mark?</p>

MainOffender · January 22, 2020

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="joshspicer" data-cite="joshspicer" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="47165" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Oh cool you kept the White Castle of Fear assault by Sting and company.<p> </p><p> EDIT: And I'm assuming The Gunslinger is that young up and comer Mean Mark?</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Yeah that's Mean Mark. </p><p> </p><p> Love that stupid White Castle of Fear segment. I will honor it every chance I get.</p>

MainOffender · January 23, 2020

WCW SATURDAY NIGHT

December, Week 4, 1989.

#1 contender Kerry Von Erich opened the show with a victory over Norman Smiley.

GRADE:
68

After the match, Von Erich stopped by the announce desk. Slurring his words, Von Erich barely managed to get through a promo about Tully Blanchard. “No one, not even Ric Flair, deserves a beating like that…” Von Erich promised to restore honor to the WCW World title at Starrcade. Having heard enough, Blanchard emerged from the back. “Flair couldn’t even charter a private jet down here because no one wants to risk flying fragile cargo! Tomorrow night, Von Erich, I snap you like I snapped Flair.”

GRADE:
62

Owen Hart (with Magnum TA) defeated Stan Lane in a back-and-forth match that really tested the youngster. Cruiserweight champion Eddie Gilbert came out to watch.

GRADE:
60

Eddie Gilbert critiqued Owen’s performance and told Magnum TA he better get his boy back in the gym.

GRADE:
65

Rick Martel defeated Brian Knobbs with the Boston crab in a one-sided match.

GRADE:
61

As soon as the match ended, Cactus Jack launched himself into the ring to put a vicious beating on Martel. The unhinged TV champion made a real statement heading into Starrcade.

GRADE:
57

The Blade Runners and The Gunslinger went to a double DQ with The Iron Sheik, Vader, and Kevin Sullivan. The ring proved too small to contain all these powerhouses with magical powers. The referee gave up and the two sides were eventually separated by security and mystical fog.

GRADE:
74

Dusty and Dustin Rhodes are joined by Kevin Von Erich to discuss their no DQ six-man showdown with Money Inc. “The Rhodes family? We know hard times. The Von Erich family? They know hard times. Baby, tomorrow night, we gonna bring all that down on that Billionaire big shot and—“ Billionaire Ted and Bruiser Brody interrupted. “When I’m done with you, Rhodes, you’ll be wishing for the days when blowing a welfare check was your biggest worry…”

GRADE:
79

In a preview of Starrcade’s tag title match, Lex Luger fought Rick Rude. Luger managed to get Rude up in the Torture Rack, but Manny Fernandez grabbed Rude’s boot and dragged him to safety. Rude took a count out loss.

GRADE:
75

“You’re not worth it!” The Awesome Twosome shouted insults at Luger and Windham as they made their escape.

GRADE:
68

The crowd roared as Ric Flair arrived. The Nature Boy appeared to be favoring his neck as he settled into a ringside seat for the main event.

GRADE:
84

Dynamite Kid defeated Curt Hennig in a back-and-forth contest. Ric Flair observed the Kid’s victory from ringside.

GRADE:
82

After the match, Dynamite Kid grabbed a mic and said he was glad to see Flair in one piece. “I don’t want any excuses when I beat you clean for the second time.” Before Flair could answer, Blanchard blind-sided Dynamite Kid, then went after Flair. When Tully set up Flair for another piledriver, Kerry Von Erich ran in for the save. Tully bailed, leaving his three contenders to engage in a stare down in-ring.

GRADE:
75

OVERALL GRADE:
80

AN EXCERPT FROM A SHOOT INTERVIEW WITH FORMER WCW BOOKER BILL WATTS

Kerry Von Erich was Turner’s guy, man. Ted saw how the business had changed, how McMahon had ditched Hulkamania and started promoting these unstoppable villains. Well, Turner wanted to bring the hero back. He thought Kerry was the guy. Didn’t realize what a mess Kerry was until he’d already bought that 10 year contract from Fritz. We signed Kevin to try to keep him under control, but he was just an enabler. Kerry would show up gnashing his teeth with a snow bank on his upper lip and you couldn’t say anything without Kevin getting in your face. I had guys – Ric, Tully, Christ even Tom – complaining they couldn’t work with the guy. We had to call an audible on his title run I don’t know how many times. It got to the point where I’d convinced Turner to get the guy some help. And then, well…

Then Starrcade goes down.

FOR THE WCW WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
Kerry Von Erich or Tully Blanchard vs Dynamite Kid or Ric Flair

FOR THE WCW WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
Tully Blanchard © vs Kerry Von Erich

FOR A SPOT IN THE MAIN EVENT
Dyanmite Kid vs Ric Flair

FOR THE WCW US CHAMPIONSHIP
The Iron Sheik © vs The Warrior

FOR THE WCW WORLD TAG TEAM TITLES
The Awesome Twosome © vs Lex Luger & Barry Windham

FOR THE WCW TV TITLE
Cactus Jack © vs Rick Martel

FOR THE WCW CRUISERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
Eddie Gilbert © vs Owen Hart (w/ Magnum TA)

NO HOLD BARRED TORNADO TAG MATCH
Dusty Rhodes, Dustin Rhodes & Kevin Von Erich vs Ted DiBiase, Bruiser Brody & Curt Hennig

HUNTING THE WHITE CASTLE
The Gunslinger vs Vader

EPIC GRUDGE MATCH
Kevin Sullivan vs Sting

PREDICTION FRIENDLY VERSION:
Kerry/Tully vs Dynamite/Flair
Tully vs Kerry
Dynamite vs Flair
Sheik vs Warrior
Awesome Twosome vs Luger/Windham
Jack vs Martel
Gilbert vs Hart
Rhodes/VE vs Money Inc
Gunslinger vs Vader
Sullivan vs Sting

smw88 · January 23, 2020

Kerry/Tully vs Dynamite/Flair

Tully vs Kerry

Dynamite vs Flair

Sheik vs Warrior

Awesome Twosome vs Luger/Windham

Jack vs Martel

Gilbert vs Hart

Rhodes/VE vs Money Inc

Gunslinger vs Vader

Sullivan vs Sting

joshspicer · January 23, 2020

"Then Starrcade goes down."

Oh.

Oh no.

Kerry/Tully vs Dynamite/Flair

Tully vs Kerry

Dynamite vs Flair

Sheik vs Warrior

Awesome Twosome vs Luger/Windham

Jack vs Martel

Gilbert vs Hart

Rhodes/VE vs Money Inc

Gunslinger vs Vader

Sullivan vs Sting

Aurora · January 24, 2020

Sting

Sting replacing Kerry

Richard Flair by cheating

Who cares ... I hate Sheik and Warrior, let's Warrior just because he is slightly less horrible as a human being

Awesome Twosome

Cactus Jack

Gilbert

Money Inc

Gunslinger

Sting

So my guess is that Kerry turns up wasted and Sting gets a rocket strapped to his back and takes his spot? Some stupidity is being hinted at and trying to think what I would do. Sting is the best HERO choice.

alpha2117 · January 24, 2020

I'm kind of with Aurora in that I expect things to go a little pear shaped. So many hopeless drug addicts and egomaniacs means that it could be literally anything going wrong. I read it that they were planning on sending Kerry to rehab but circumstances might have seen them put the belt on him instead (with potential terrible future results). I'm really intrigued to see what happens and I praise you for creating a real sense of mystery and anticipation for what is to come with some great foreshadowing

Kerry/Tully vs Dynamite/Flair

Tully vs Kerry

Dynamite vs Flair

Sheik vs Warrior

Awesome Twosome vs Luger/Windham

Jack vs Martel

Gilbert vs Hart

Rhodes/VE vs Money Inc

Gunslinger vs Vader

Sullivan vs Sting

MainOffender · January 24, 2020

STARRCADE ‘89

December, Week 4, 1989.

The Jims welcome us to Starrcade and run down the contenders in tonight’s double title match.

GRADE:
77

Ric Flair and Dynamite Kid were up first to determine who would move on to the main event. Favoring his neck, Flair absorbed a numbers of suplexes from DK but refused to stay down. After a hard fought match, Flair slipped out of a vertical suplex and caught Dynamite Kid with a roll-up.

GRADE:
76

Next up, Tully Blanchard defended his WCW World Heavyweight title for the first time tonight against Kerry Von Erich. KVE wrestled a crisp and brilliant match, really getting the fans behind him. However, Blanchard’s aggression eventually proved too much. Blanchard won with a piledriver.

GRADE:
80

After the match, Flair ran out to spare KVE a further beating at the hands of Blanchard. The crowd are firmly behind Flair going into tonight’s main event.

GRADE:
100

Cactus Jack successfully defended the WCW TV title against Rick Martel via count out after knocking Martel out with a double-arm DDT on the outside.

GRADE:
68

In a choppy battle between high flyers that never found their rhythm, Eddie Gilbert retained the WCW Cruiserweight title over Owen Hart. After the match, Magnum TA consoled a disappointed Owen.

GRADE:
48

Sting dominated his match against Kevin Sullivan until Sullivan, while folded in the Scorpion Death Lock, thumbed the referee in the eye. This allowed Vader to hit the ring and powerbomb Sting. Sullivan stole the win.

GRADE:
64

Vader and Sullivan weren’t able to even leave the ring before it filled with mystical smoke. Mystical gunsmoke. The Gunslinger caught Vader off guard and had him up in a Tombstone seconds after the match officially started. The Gunslinger picked up a surprise victory.

GRADE:
58

The Iron Sheik and The Warrior were up next, with their respective allies still lingering around ringside. Sting prevented Sullivan from introducing the Iranian flag and soon the Sheik fell victim to a gorilla press. The Warrior won the WCW US title.

GRADE:
68

Lex Luger and Barry Windham defeated the Awesome Twosome for the WCW World tag titles after Fernandez submitted in Luger’s torture rack.

GRADE:
75

Next, Money Inc battled Dusty & Dustin Rhodes and Kevin Von Erich in a bloody no holds barred six-man. Dusty finally got a piece of DiBiase, but after enduring an early rally by the blue collar trio, Money Inc’s masterplan clicked into place. They handcuffed Dusty and Kevin to the guard rail and proceeded to brutalize young Dustin until Dusty verbally submitted on his son’s behalf.

GRADE:
83

Freed from his handcuffs, Dusty cradled his murdered son and swore vengeance against Money Inc.

GRADE:
77

In the main event, Tully Blanchard brutalized Ric Flair, who of course went full crimson mask. Flair stayed alive via his usual short cuts – the crowd popped hard for a low blow. Eventually, Flair broke out of a piledriver to apply the Figure Four, forcing Blanchard to submit. Ric Flair won his 7th WCW World Heavyweight title.

GRADE:
89

OVERALL GRADE:
90

AN EXCERPT FROM A SHOOT INTERVIEW WITH FORMER WCW BOOKER BILL WATTS

Then Starrcade goes down.

Turner doesn’t show up for much, but he shows up for Starrcade. What does he see? Von Erich looking like a god damn boy scout, clean as a whistle, the fans rocking for him. And here I’ve got the golden boy jobbing in the opener, rushing a face turn for Flair to put the belt back on him. Turner can’t believe it, says he’s canceling the stay at Betty Ford, and then he lays the whole thing on me. The bad start to the year, getting shown up by WWF at every turn – all because I wouldn’t push his pet junkie.

Anyway, that’s how Dusty got the book.

PREDICTIONS:

smw88 – 7/10

joshspicer – 6/10

Aurora – 6/10 (gold star for boldness)

Alpha2117 – 4/10

joshspicer · January 24, 2020

Holy crap. Yeah I suppose that sounds about right for what I should've expected.

Congratulations Dusty?

Or not, considering...

MainOffender · January 24, 2020

So my guess is that Kerry turns up wasted and Sting gets a rocket strapped to his back and takes his spot? Some stupidity is being hinted at and trying to think what I would do. Sting is the best HERO choice.

If I had the on-the-fly booking that's coming with TEW20, I definitely would've considered something like that. My plan going in was to put the title on Kerry, but he was so messed up all the time that I decided to hedge my bets with Flair. Of course, dude turns up sober to the big show.

Sting, unfortunately, has fallen victim to the AI's inability to make new stars in pop>perf companies. He starts the game with an average US popularity of 42. By 1990, that's only risen to 50. And here's the thing -- I noticed this problem in '89 and started to use the editor to give some pop bonuses to guys that I thought weren't becoming relevant quickly enough. Sting was one of them and I tweaked his popularity +5. That means he's only naturally gained about 3 points since '87.

I have a shortlist of guys I want to see become relevant. My rule has been that they should be gaining +5 pop every year until they auto-push into the main event of whatever company they're in. If they aren't getting that +5 naturally, I'm going in and doing it myself. I don't want to futz with the editor too much and I don't want to take away from the bizarre organic AI world. But I also don't want to see Harley Race as one of the most popular guys in wrestling come 1992. It's a tough call and I'm starting to think I might not have been aggressive enough. Ha -- sorry, getting into the procedural weeds here.

Holy crap. Yeah I suppose that sounds about right for what I should've expected.

Congratulations Dusty?

Or not, considering...

I really enjoyed booking that run in WCW but I'm not sure that I'm going to do it again in '90. The goal of this has always been to knock out as many WrestleManias as possible and with a new and shiny TEW coming, I feel like there's a time limit.

But then, maybe AI Dusty's booking will draw me in...

Aurora · January 25, 2020

At least I was bold

Yeah the AI simply doesn't understand how to make stars well.

MainOffender · January 25, 2020

THE BEST OF 1989

WRESTLER OF THE YEAR: Tatsumi Fujinami (NJPW)
US WRESTLER OF THE YEAR: Hulk Hogan (#2)
TAG TEAM: The Mega Powers
YOUNG WRESTLER OF THE YEAR: Shinya Hashimoto (NJPW)
VETERAN WRESTLER OF THE YEAR: Terry Funk [2] (AJPW/NJPW)
FEMALE WRESTLER OF THE YEAR: Bull Nakano [2] (AJW)
COMPANY OF THE YEAR: NJPW [11]
MOST IMPROVED COMPANY: LPW (Founded in 1988 by “Big Cat” Ernie Ladd, Louisiana Pro Wrestling runs an old school southern style. Their biggest draws are Rocky Johnson and Bad News Allen.)
CARD OF THE YEAR: WrestleMania V

My curated MOTY list excludes matches from non-events and includes at least one match from each Cult+ company:

10) Larry Zybsko d. Dick Slater, AWA April Supercard. 78. Another thrilling AWA bout for everyone’s grandpa.

9) Ric Flair d. Tully Blanchard to win the WCW World Heavyweight title, Starrcade ’89. 89. Hey, I booked this!

8) El Dandy d. Lizmark to retain the NWA World Middleweight title, EMLL Danos de Cerebro. 94. El Dandy continues to be the biggest star in Mexico.

7) Aja Kong d. Lioness Asuka to win the WWWA All Pacific title, AJW Remaining Heroes Fight. 97. Some great women’s wrestling coming out of Japan.

6) Stan Hansen d. Masa Saito, AJPW Excite Series. 99. This undercard brawl stole the show. AJPW would really miss Hansen when he jumped to NJPW weeks later.

5) Mach 2 (Steve Williams and Shinya Hashimoto) d. Akira Maeda & Keiji Mutoh, NJPW Super Grade Tag League block action. 99. Mach 2 would go on to lose in the Finals of the Tag League to Terry Funk and Yoshiaki Fujiwara.

4) The Mega Powers d. Ricky Steamboat & Paul Orndorff, WWF Saturday Night’s Main Event September. 100. The Mega Powers prove to be a huge draw against the uneasy alliance of Steamboat and Orndorff.

3) Hulk Hogan d. Harley Race to retain the WWF World Heavyweight title, WWF Saturday Night’s Main Event October. 100. The WrestleMania rematch was better than the first, driven by the success of the Mega Powers angle.

2) Roddy Piper d. Junkyard Dog to retain the WWF World Heavyweight title, WWF Royal Rumble ’89. 100. How hot was Roddy Piper? Hot enough that he could get a 5 star match out of Junkyard Dog.

1) Yoshiaki Fujiwara d. Tatsumi Fujinami to retain the IWGP Heavyweight title, NJPW Best of the Super Juniors ‘89. 100. The best defense of Fujiwara’s year spanning reign as champion.

MainOffender · January 28, 2020

THE ROAD TO WRESTLEMANIA VI

WWF notes from January and February, 1990:

THE MEGA POWERS CONTINUE TO DOMINATE: Since WrestleMania V, Hulk Hogan turned back multiple challenges from Harley Race, Paul Orndorff, Andre the Giant, and Don Muraco. Meanwhile, Randy Savage won the Royal Rumble, securing another accolade for the alliance.

VACHON DETHRONED: After holding the title since WrestleMania V, Luna Vachon lost the belt to Tina Ferrari at the Royal Rumble. Ferrari’s first reign with the Women’s Title lasted only a month and totaled zero defenses, so she’s hoping for a better run this time around.

PIPE DOWN: Perhaps the biggest story in WWF – and in the wrestling world at large – took place entirely outside the ring. Contract negotiations between WWF and megastar Roddy Piper spilled into the public, with Piper making public claims that Vince McMahon had attempted to low-ball him and stiff him on health insurance. In response, McMahon noted that the WWF had moved beyond Piper, citing the success of the Mega Powers angle. After vacating the WWF World title in January ’89 to film a role in the blockbuster Total Recall, Piper never reclaimed his top spot in WWF, despite attaining a level of popularity comparable only to Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant. Rumors persisted that McMahon scaled back Piper’s role after he missed WrestleMania V, not feeling that he could trust the outspoken wrestler with one foot in Hollywood.

After contract negotiations stalled out, Piper was allowed to walk from WWF. He is now the biggest free agent in wrestling, although whether he returns to the ring or continues on in Hollywood is an open question.

</div>

WWF WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION

Hulk Hogan (March, 1989 – Present)
Harley Race (February, 1989 – March, 1989)
Roddy Piper (June, 1988 - January, 1989) *vacated when Piper was suspended
Randy Savage (March, 1988 - June, 1988)
Hulk Hogan (January, 1984 - March, 1988)

</div>

WWF INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPION

Adrian Adonis (June, 1989 – Present)
Paul Orndorff (June, 1988 – June, 1989)
Andre the Giant (February, 1988 - June, 1988) *vacated due to injury
Randy Savage (February, 1986 - February, 1988)

</div>

WWF WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS

Demolition (March, 1989 – Present)
The Patriots (Paul Roma and Jim Duggan) (January, 1989 – March, 1989)
Doom (March, 1988 - January, 1989) *vacated due to injury to Butch Reed
The Hart Foundation (January, 1987 - March, 1988)

</div>

WWF WOMEN'S CHAMPION

Tina Ferrari [2] (January, 1990 – Present)
Luna Vachon (March, 1989 – January, 1990)
Desiree Petersen (February, 1989 – March, 1989)
Susan Sexton (April, 1988 - February, 1989)
Tina Ferrari (March, 1988 - April, 1988)
Velvet MacIntyre [2] (January, 1988 - March, 1988)
The Fabulous Moolah [3] (July, 1986 - January, 1988)

</div>

NEXT TIME! ON PRIME TIME WRESTLING...

VS

WWF World Tag Team champions Demolition put the belts on the line against former champions The Hart Foundation! Plus, #1 contender Ricky Steamboat has a special announcement regarding his match at WrestleMania VI against WWF Champion Hulk Hogan...

</div>

alpha2117 · January 28, 2020

Go the Hart Foundation

I so want Steamboat to beat Hogan it's not funny.

MainOffender · January 28, 2020

PRIME TIME WRESTLING

March, Week 1, 1990.

The show opened with Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage in the ring, celebrating the yearlong success of the Mega Powers. They are joined by fellow Jimmy Hart clients Nikita Koloff and the Honky Tonk Man as well as Ms. Elizabeth who, as usual, smiles sweetly while dying inside. Honky Tonk Man performed a new song “The Ballad of Hulk and Randy,” which nearly brought Koloff to tears.

Ricky Steamboat interrupted the celebration. He held a sealed notice from WWF HQ, apparently containing an important announcement about their match at WrestleMania VI. He challenged Hogan to meet him in The Flower Shop later that night. “Come alone, Hogan, if you’ve got the guts!”

GRADE: 100

Razor Ramon defeated Dino Bravo with a Razor’s Edge. Ramon wrapped his fist in one of his gold chains and knocked Dino loopy to gain the advantage.

GRADE: 69

Koko B Ware attempted to help his partner in the Flamingos to the back, but the two were intercepted by Doom. After laying waste to Bravo and Ware, Simmons and Reed looked menacing while Slick reminded the crowd that his boys never actually lost the tag titles.

GRADE: 76

Big Boss Man defeated Nikolai Volkoff with a Sidewalk Slam.

GRADE: 72

After his match, Boss Man said he’s sick and tired of all the corruption and lawlessness he sees in the WWF, especially from guys like Razor Ramon.

GRADE: 76

Davey Boy Smith defeated Sika in a one-sided match.

GRADE: 82

Adrian Adonis welcomed us to The Flower Shop! The Intercontinental champion promised a major announcement of his own next week before introducing his guests – Ricky Steamboat and Hulk Hogan. Tensions were obviously high on the set, but Steamboat refused to be baited by Hogan. He turned over the sealed notice from WWF HQ to Adonis, who read…

“Due to the spate of outside interference during Hulk Hogan’s time as WWF World champion, it has been decided that his match with Ricky Steamboat at WrestleMania VI should take place – oh, baby – inside a steel cage! In addition, each wrestler will be allowed to select three ringside enforcers. All other members of the roster will be banned from ringside.”

At that point, Steamboat was joined by Andre the Giant, Harley Race, and Paul Orndorff – the reformed Heenan Family and some of Hogan’s greatest enemies. “I’ve already got my enforcers, Hogan!” A clearly rattled Hogan fled the set.

GRADE: 100

Luna Vachon defeated Noriyo Tateno.

GRADE: 61

Backstage, Davey Boy Smith flirted with Women’s Champion Tina Ferrari. The Bulldog reflected on what a wanker he’d been last year and credited Ferrari for helping him turn his life around. Vachon, returning from her match, watched this scene with disgust.

GRADE: 59

The Kings Club (Bob Orton and Brutus Beefcake) defeated Hammer & Hacksaw (Valentine and Duggan) in a back-and-forth match. Duggan continued to adopt the cold and methodical ways of Valentine, although that didn’t save him from passing out in the sleeper hold.

GRADE: 76

The Kings Club cut a promo demanding to face the winners of tonight’s main event.

GRADE: 83

In a lengthy, back-and-forth match, Demolition defeated the Hart Foundation after Neidhart fell victim to the Decapitation. During the match, Hart absorbed most of the damage and so was still down-and-out when Anvil came looking for a tag.

GRADE: 83

As the show was going off the air, cameras cut backstage to find the Mega Powers, Koloff, and Honky Tonk assaulting Andre the Giant in the parking garage. Andre couldn’t fend off the four men and eventually had his leg smashed in a car door by Hogan. The show ended with the fallen Giant screaming in pain.

GRADE: 100

OVERALL GRADE: 89

</div>

NEXT TIME! ON PRIME TIME WRESTLING...

VS

Nikita Koloff takes on Paul Orndorff! Plus, a special announcement from Adrian Adonis that will require “twenty strapping boys.” And… what is the condition of Andre the Giant heading into WrestleMania VI?

</div>

boydy · January 28, 2020

I am really enjoying this diary.

I am new to the forums, have you done any other diaries MainOffender ?

Aurora · January 30, 2020

This is so good, GO THE DRAGON!

MainOffender · January 30, 2020

I am really enjoying this diary.
I am new to the forums, have you done any other diaries MainOffender ?

This is so good, GO THE DRAGON!

Thank you both! This is my first diary, although I think I attempted one before... like 10 years ago at this point, ha.

MainOffender · January 30, 2020

PRIME TIME WRESTLING

March, Week 2, 1990.

Footage aired of Ricky Steamboat visiting Andre the Giant in the hospital. Andre’s leg was broken by the Mega Powers in a heinous attack after last week’s show. He won’t be able to be one of Steamboat’s enforcers at WrestleMania.

GRADE: 83

Cutting to the ring, Intercontinental champion “Adorable” Adrian Adonis announced tonight’s Beautiful Battle Royale. The winner shall receive the honor of losing to Adonis for the Intercontinental title at WrestleMania. “The ring WILL be decorated…” The aspiring interior designer really riled up the crowd.

GRADE: 100

Jake Roberts squashed Brad Rheingains, winning with a DDT.

GRADE: 79

Backstage, Doom shouted a promo about the Kings Club, who last week requested a shot at Demolition’s tag titles. “Ron and me, we don’t give a DAMN if you ROYALTY! NOBODY cuts DOOM in line.”

GRADE: 92

Making her WWF debut, Alundra Blayze defeated Susan Sexton. Throughout the match, Gorilla hyped Blaze as a well-traveled competitor and a major signing for the women’s division.

GRADE: 64

Backstage, Demolition responded to Kings Club and Doom, delighting in all the tension and potential violence. They promised to knock out the teeth of whichever team makes it to WrestleMania.

GRADE: 76

Up next, Nikita Koloff took on Paul Orndorff in a battle between WrestleMania enforcers. Orndorff started off strong, but it soon became clear that he was outmatched against Koloff who the announcers speculated might be as dangerous as Hogan or Savage. Koloff finished Orndorff with a Russian Sickle, but he wasn’t done there…

GRADE: 81

Koloff tuned up Orndorff with repeated Russian Sickles. Steamboat and Harley Race rushed out for the save, but the rest of the Mega Powers were lying in wait. Hogan, Savage, and Honky Tonk blindsided Steamboat and Race, leaving all three men down and out.

GRADE: 100

After a commercial, we cut to the locker room where a frustrated Steamboat paced back-and-forth. He checked in on Orndorff as he was attended to by trainers. Despite his injuries, Orndorff promised he would have Steamboat’s back at WrestleMania. “Team Steamboat really needs a fourth man, Brain…” “If you ask me, Monsoon, they haven’t even found a FIRST man!”

GRADE: 92

With the ring ropes now decorated by strings of flowers that keep falling everywhere, it’s time for the Beautiful Battle Royale – featuring nineteen of WWF’s finest plus Paul Roma. Right off the bat, Razor Ramon and the Big Boss Man eliminated each other and brawled to the back.

The early-going was dominated by a highly motivated Doom, the two working as a team to eliminate a good portion of the field, including Bob Orton and Brutus Beefcake. Eventually, Doom came up against their old rivals in the Hart Foundation. When Neidhart and Simmons went over the top and battled on the apron, Hitman launched himself to take out Simmons – but accidentally caught Neidhart, too.

The final four came down to Hart, Reed, Davey Boy Smith, and Tito Santana. As the four collected themselves, Luna Vachon appeared alongside a hulking specimen with a shaved head and war paint. The Warlord hit the ring with one goal in mind – brutalizing Davey Boy Smith. The Bulldog was eliminated – albeit illegally – and cranked in a Full Nelson.

Butch quickly dispatched with Tito, but soon found himself outmaneuvered by Hart. The Hitman low-bridged Reed to secure a shot at Adonis’ Intercontinental title.

GRADE: 76

Adonis entered the ring to put a crown of flowers on the victorious Hart’s head. Adonis then low blow’d him.

GRADE: 92

As the show went off the air, we cut to the parking garage where Ricky Steamboat was leaving the arena. A voice spoke to him from the shadows. “You can’t win, Dragon. You got too much honor. The Mega Powers don’t play by the rules and you’ll never lower yourself to their level…”

“I can help with that,” offered Jake Roberts.

GRADE: 82

OVERALL GRADE: 85

</div>

NEXT TIME! ON PRIME TIME WRESTLING...

VS

Two weeks before WrestleMania VI and we give away a marquee match-up on TV! Plus, the Kings Club take on Doom and Bret Hart steps into the Flower Shop!

</div>

alpha2117 · January 30, 2020

Of course Jake the Snake and Steamboat would become allies … why …. because...wrestling!

joshspicer · January 30, 2020

Jake and Ricky, former partners turned enemies.

The former offers their help to the latter to help the latter even the odds by going a little bit into the darkness.

This is some prime movie sequel stuff and I love it.

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