WWF Survivor Series

This 3rd Survivor Series was the first one to feature 4 on 4 matches, rather than 5 on 5. I like it both ways, but the Survivor Series were way better and more entertaining then than any have been in the past few years. The first match is Dusty Rhodes, Brutus Beefcake, Red Rooster (newly turned good guy) and Tito Santana vs. Big Boss Man, Bad News Brown (subbing for Akeem), Rick Martel and Honky Tonk Man. This match was one of the best of the night, with Dusty Rhodes in those polka dots. In my opinion, Dusty vs. Bossman is a good match up. I am not sure why Akeem did not appear, so if anyone who reads this knows please e-mail me to let me know. I think that the outcome might have been different had he been there.

The next match is Macho Man Randy Savage, Dino Bravo, Earthquake (subbing for Barry Windham) and Greg Valentine vs. Hacksaw Jim Duggan, Bret Hart, Ronnie Garvin, and Hercules. I really didnt think this one was as cool as the first, but I thought it was cool to see the Dream Team (Greg Valentine and Dino Bravo) together again for this one match. Again, I am not sure why Barry Windham did not appear and I would like to know if anyone knows.

The middle match was billed as the main event, with Hulk Hogan, Jake the Snake and Demolition Smash and Ax vs. Ted Dibiase, Zeus and the Powers of Pain. I thought the team of Hogan, Snake and Demolition looked pretty good together, but the match was pretty dull considering 3 of the 4 'bad guys' were disqualified rather than beaten by the fan favorites.

The next match has Roddy Piper, Jimmy Snuka, and the Bushwackers vs. Mr Perfect, Rick Rude and the Rougeau Brothers. Good match in the second half, unfortunatly the Rougeaus and Bushwackers are just a waste of time at first.

The last match of the night (and the best) is Ultimate Warrior, Jim Neidhart and the Rockers vs. Haku, Arn Anderson, Andre the Giant (who is counted out right when the match starts) and Bobby Heenan. It was cool to see Heenan wrestling again, and I think it was a great idea to have him replace Blanchard when he was fired before the event. I also believe this is Arn Andersons last WWF match. I rate this tape 10 out of 10

The first two Survivor Series events had not impressed me at all. I was bored by the tag-only format and they just didn't seem all that exciting.

This 1989 edition, however, really turned things around and made the event watchable to me (for the first time in its existence) for a couple of reasons:

-The match pairings seem more logical this go-round. Each matchup is usually comprised of two dueling tag teams paired up with rival WWF superstars. I could see a clear "angle" in every match. -This event may be the peak of the Gorilla Monsoon and Jesse Ventura announcing team. The announcing table is oh so important to these events, and in my mind there may not be any better than right here. -Even the production values (in terms of graphic and presentation) seem better in '89.

I won't go into the individual matches here, but suffice it to say that they are all entertaining. I had considering dropping this event altogether in my watching of classic WWF pay-per-views, but was re-energized by this '89 edition.

Dusty Rhodes, Brutus 'the Barber" Beefcake, Terry Taylor and Tito Santana vs. Big Boss Man, Bad News Brown, Rick Martel and Honky Tonk Man Survivors: Dusty Rhodes and Brutus Beefcake

Randy Savage, Dino Bravo, Earthquake and Greg "the Hammer" Valentine vs. Hacksaw Jim Duggan, Bret "Hitman" Hart, Hercules and "Rugged" Ronnie Garvin Survivors: Earthquake, Dino Bravo and Randy Savage

Hulk Hogan, Demolition and Jake "the Snake" Roberts vs. Ted DiBiase, Powers of Pain and Zeus Survivor: Hulk Hogan

Rick Rude, Mr. Perfect and the Rougeau Brothers vs. Rowdy Roddy Piper, Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka and the Bushwackers Survivor: Mr. Perfect

The Ultimate Warrior, Jim "the Anvil" Neidhart and the Rockers vs. Andre the Giant, Bobby "the Brain" Heenan, Arn Anderson and Haku Survivor: Ultimate Warrior

Overall Mark: C

Survivor series 89 on thanks giving night . The show kicks of with superstars saying what there thankful for. "I am thankful that a am absolutely perfect " Mr Perfect Then Vince gives us the teams of 4 this year and there team names. Gorilla Monsoon wrestling with Jesse the body Ventura on the mics always a dream team. Members of former tag team strike force find themselves on opposite teams in the opening match. Sapphire in the crowd cheering on dusty Rhodes . Can loner Bad news be a team player this year? A pretty average opening match just going through the motions. 4x4 hacksaw Jim Duggans team funny interview If there ring entrance does not make you smile or laugh 😆 I don't know what will. Much better energy & action Tempo in this match. Match 3 Is no holds barred Zeus Hogan building towards movie release. The referee would have the most eliminations in this one but an enjoyable bout . Match 4 again sees Jimmy Hart in the corner a very busy night for him. Match 5 warriors and giants and a Bobby Heenan selling master class. This was funny survivor series. Very focused on Turkey 🦃 dinners and a fun easy watch.