WWF Summerslam 1988 Review

Written by david ayres

Well so it begins - a look back at every Summerslam that ever happened. So this is where it all began with the first summer slam and the first match was
Davey Boy Smith and Dynamite Kid vs The Fabulous Rougeau Brothers. Let’s just get this started.

The British Bulldogs Vs. The Fabulous Rougeau Brothers

To be honest, I haven’t seen most of these Summerslams so I'm quite excited to see these. Both teams were executing great tag team tactics with cutting the ring in half and targeting the legs. The Rougeau brother's targeted the leg of Davey Boy brilliantly. When Dynamite Kid got in the crowd went mental. Gorilla Monsoon mentioned the rule book multiple times I wish the rules ment more today. This was a fun opener and just as the British Bulldogs were about to win the bell rings and it’s a time limit draw. After the match the Rougeau brother's do a cheap shot and the bull dogs chase them to the back.

It's announced that Brutus the barber beefcake will not compete for the intercontinental title

Bad News Brown Vs. Ken Patera

Bad News Brown jumps Patera to get the upper hand and they have a very competitive match. Bad News Brown wins with the Ghetto Blaster.

A backstage promo between the Mega Powers. “What you gonna do when the Mega Powers run wild on you?”. Randy Savage is amazing at promos.

Ravishing Rick Rude takes off his robe to show the “ladies what a real man looks like”.

Rick Rude Vs. Junkyard Dog

After a bit of dominance from Junk Yard Dog, Rick Rude takes control and of course we see rest holds - it's like watching Baron Corbin. It was a good match which was very entertaining. But Rick Rude reveals his underpants with a picture of Jake the snakes wife. Jake runs down to take out rude which cause the DQ and Rick Rude is the winner.

Backstage with the Honky Tonk man when mean Gean is about to reveal the Honky tonk man opponent but Honky stops him and says “Don’t tell me I like to be surprised”.

The Bolshiveks Vs. The Road Warriors

They start singing the national anthem of Russia and the boos reign down . The Bolshiveks cut the ring in half and are out wrestling the road warriors for a bit but when the road warrior's start u can't stop them they hit the power slam followed by a diving headbut for the win. A lot of diving headbutts so far.

Brother Love graces us with his presence. He introduces his guest Hacksaw Jim Duggan. “what a phony you are brother love”. “Don't you ever question Duggan’s patronage” Duggan counts to 5 and when 5 happens, Brother Love runs away to avoid the 2 by 4 going where the sun don't shine.

The Honky Tonk Man (C) Vs. The Ultimate Warrior (WWF Intercontinental Championship)

The Ultimate Warrior is the surprise opponent! This lasts about 30 seconds and The Ultimate Warrior wins with his signature moves.

Don Muraco Vs. Dino Bravo

This match goes about 5 minutes most of it involved either rest holds or strikes. Dino Bravo wins with a side Suplex.

Jesse Ventura is the special ref for the main event. “if somebody wants to give me money then I'm no fool and I'll accept that money”.

Demolition (C) Vs. The Hart Foundation (WWF Tag Team Championships)

This was an okay match that lasted about 10 minutes. Nothing amazing happened as it was just a fine match at the time it happened in. Bret Hart makes the tag after being worked over. And Jim Neidhart takes out both members of Demolition Jim goes after Mr Fugi which distracts the ref then the megaphone is used to take out Bret Hart and Demolition get the pin and the win.

Honky Tonk Man is furious about losing the belt to the warrior. “I said I'd take on anyone but not a warrior”.

The Big Boss Man Vs. Koko B Ware

Boss man destroys Koko for most of the match and had him beat but put his shoulder up cause he wanted to damage him more Koko comes back but boss man is to Strong and wins the match. After the match, Boss Man hits Koko with a Baton.

The Ultimate Warrior is celebrating his intercontinental title victory “I'm on a spaceship to parts unknown”.

Jake ‘The Snake’ Roberts Vs. Hercules

Jake unloading with punches in the corner. Jake almost immediately hits the ddt but Hercules dodges it and gets out of the ring and saves himself. Hercules drowns snake with headlock’s . Jake fights back with a short arm closeline almost hits the ddt. And a few more punches from Hercules and Jake finally hits the ddt and wins after the match Jake puts the snake on Hercules to end the segment.

We see a clip of what led to the main event of the night.

The Mega Powers Vs. Andre The Giant & Ted Dibiase

It's easy to see that Jesse Ventura is favouring the mega bucks. And it's a fairly ok match it went about 15 minutes the finish came when miss Elizabeth took off her skirt to distract the opposite team. Then the mega powers come back fighting they take out the giant and the 2 manager's they hit the elbow drop and leg drop combo for the win. I will say that I really enjoyed the commentary between gorilla monsoon and superstar Billy Graham.

Overall thoughts: On today’s standards it's a 3 out of 10 show but I enjoyed some of it so I can't complain to much.

Rating: 3/10