Torch Arena Report Flashback - 23 years ago
Originally Published: Torch Newsletter #32

WWE at Madison Square Garden Arena Report
November 26, 1988
New York City

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(1) Leaping Lanny Poffo pinned Barry Horowitz. This one was a bit on the slow side. With all the moves these two men know, they made the audience look at three abdominal stretches, all by Horowitz. Poffo finally pinned him with a sunset flip.

(2) Curt Hennig pinned Paul Roma. Hennig threw Roma over the top rope three times. After the third time, Roma came back with some real looking punches before Hennig pinned him with the cradle suplex. While Roma was still in the ring, Mr. Fuji came out to announce that he was no longer Demolition's manager. As the crowd cheered this news, Roma dropkicked Fuji out of the ring and got attacked by the Powers of Pain. Roma did a stretcher job.

(3) Ted DiBiase pinned Hercules. DiBiase grabbed the microphone and said that Hercules had been bought and paid for. Same song, different verse. The fans got to see Hercules mop up the ring with Ted until the referee was "knocked out." Ted took something out of his tights, hit Hercules with it, and got the three count as the referee made the usual amazing recovery.

(4) Akeem pinned S.D. Jones. Yawn. Akeem did his dance before the match and SD did a fair imitation of it. The match itself wasn't much. Akeem got the pin after a splash.

(5) Demolition vs. Powers of Pain battled to a double DQ. This looked more like gang war than anything else. After various punches and kicks, Fuji threw his can in (what else?). Both teams used it and both were DQ'ed. Axe then broke the cane, which got more reaction than the match.

(6) Nikolai Volkoff pinned Iron Mike Sharpe. Terrible match. Sharpe loaded the forearm, as usual, but never got to use it. Volkoff cradled him from behind for the win.

(7) Tito Santana vs. Greg Valentine went to a time limit draw. Freddie Blassie was introduced before the match and sat down at the broadcast table. Santana spent much time trying to get Valentine's shin guard off. The match got interesting at one point where Santana pulled Valentine's tights down trying to pin him. (Why do they keep undressing each other?) I didn't time the match, but I'll take their word at a 20-minute draw.

(8) Rockin' Robin pinned Sherri Martel to retain the WWF Women's Title. Robin is using brother Sam Houston's music now. She pinned Sherri with a sunset flip, the second of the night.

(9) Hulk Hogan beat Big Bossman by count-out. Hogan attacked Bossman before the bell and stuffed his bandana into Bossman's mouth. This was the typical Hogan-type match until the end. Bossman got the handcuffs from Slick and apepared to be cuffing Hogan to the ropes, but when they stepped back, Bossman was handcuffed. Hulk clotheslined him over the top rope and Dave Hebner, not noticing the handcuffs of curse, counted Bossman out. Hulk then posed for the adoring fans.

Briefly: I've seen better cards than this, but I've seen worse, too.

[Torch photos credit Wade Keller (c) PWTorch.com]

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