WELCOME TO ROCK STAR GARY REFLECTIONS!

WWF Saturday Night’s Main Event XXIV

Taped from Topeka, KS

Airdate: November 25, 1989 (taped 10/31)

Attendance: unknown

Hosted by Vince McMahon & Jesse “The Body” Ventura

Can Hogan retain the WWF title against Genius? What is Mr. Perfect’s involvement? Read on!

Maniacally, Ultimate Warrior opens the program by recounting the tale of Jack and the Beanstalk.

Intuitively, Heenan (w/ Andre) rebuts with Warrior living in his own fairy tale world. He’s not wrong!

Making his SNME debut, Rhodes seeks justice against the Big Bossman.

Judiciously, Slick (w/ Bossman) rebuts by channeling Batman.

Poetically, Genius captures his quest to win the WWF title in prose.

Academically, Hogan rebuts by listing some of the greatest scholars in history.

Opening montage.

After Ventura teases McMahon for eating too much pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving, we revisit Superstars when Andre attacked Warrior who was distracted by Heenan (aired 8/26, taped 8/8).

Backstage, Ventura interviews Heenan (w/ Andre) who uses an All In The Family reference regarding the Intercontinental title.

After Andre and Heenan make their entrance, “Mean” Gene Okerlund interviews Ultimate Warrior who has no fear of Andre.

Match 1 for the WWF Intercontinental title: Ultimate Warrior (champion) versus Andre the Giant (w/ Bobby “The Brain” Heenan)

Highlights:

Rating: -***

Summary: Worst match that I have EVER reviewed. This was AWFUL, a total embarrassment to the WWF, and insulting to wrestling fans globally. Why would they air something so putrid? Also, around the house show circuit, their matches averaged in the one- to two-minute range. Couldn’t we get that daily special too?

After the match, Warrior tries to nail Andre with his belt, but Andre blocks it and nails Warrior.

Backstage, Ventura interviews Genius who uses verse to mock Hogan. Clever!

After Genius makes his entrance, Okerlund interviews Hogan who tries to use mathematics to thwart Genius’ strategy. Unfortunately, his report card said otherwise.

Match 2 for the WWF title: Hulk Hogan (champion) versus the Genius

Highlights:

Rating: **1/2

Summary: Hogan got outsmarted by Genius thanks to shenanigans by Perfect. I think someone’s impressed.

After the match, Hogan chased after Perfect and Genius but not before they stole the WWF title belt.

We then revisit Superstars when Rhodes stole Bossman’s nightstick from Slick and nailed Bossman with it (aired 7/22, taped 6/28).

Backstage, Okerlund interviews Slick (w/ Bossman) who calls Rhodes a “habitual criminal.”

While Bossman and Slick make their entrance, Okerlund interviews Rhodes.

Match 3: The Big Bossman (w/ Slick) versus the “American Dream” Dusty Rhodes

Highlights:

Rating: **

Summary: There seems to be more to this story than meets the eye.

After the match, Bossman reads Slick the riot act and gives the woman at ringside an earful. To make up for the abuse, Rhodes invites her to dance with him in the ring. I smell a new partnership. Yes, folks, the woman at ringside became Sapphire.

Backstage, Okerlund interviews Rooster, but I don’t give a cluck. Ahem.

As Rooster makes his entrance, Ventura interviews Perfect who claims to be the #1 contender to the WWF title.

Match 4: Mr. Perfect (w/ the Genius) versus the Red Rooster

Highlights:

Rating: *

Summary: Showcase match for Perfect.

Backstage, Okerlund interviews the Rockers.

As the Rockers make their entrance, Okerlund interviews Heenan (w/ the Busters) who bicker throughout the segment. I smell dissension.

Match 5 (2 out of 3 falls): The Brain Busters (w/ Bobby “The Brain” Heenan) versus the Rockers

Highlights:

First fall:

Between falls, Heenan argued with the Busters.

Second fall:

After a commercial break, Ventura interviews Heenan who calls the Busters the “worst tag team he’s ever been associated with.” In fact, they’re fired. Wow!

Third fall:

Rating: ***1/2

Summary: Let’s all have a moment of silence for the Brain Busters as neither wrestler returned to active WWF competition for the rest of their careers after this match. I wonder where Arn will pop up next.

Backstage, Okerlund interviews Perfect. As he hammers on the WWF title belt. Perfect wants a title shot against Hogan.

After a commercial break, Okerlund interviews Hogan who cuts a passionate promo on Perfect.

Conclusion: Despite the abomination that was Warrior-Andre, the rest of the show was extremely entertaining. Also, the Busters’ last dance is a fine one to catch so don’t miss it!

Stay tuned for NWA Starrcade ‘89!

Rating: 8.70

Comments? Suggestions? Send them to me at rsg@rockstargary.com and follow me on Twitter (@rockstargary202).

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