PPV/Supercard Talk #15: Royal Rumble 1988/1989

These both happened before I became a fan, I never saw the 88 Rumble until I had the WWE Network, but I watched the hell out of the 1989 Royal Rumble on VHS, Warrior being on the box is what drew me to it as a kid.

I am skipping the 88 Rumble as I would be just making stuff up.


Royal Rumble 1989

1) What do you rate this event? (1-5, 5 being the best): 4

2) What were you looking forward to or most excited to see at this event?: When I got this as a kid, I had already seen the 1990 and 1991 Royal Rumbles so I was most excited to see the actual RRumble match and also the pose down between Warrior and Rick Rude. Plus, that VHS I got as a kid came with a mini poster so I was excited about that too.

3) What did you like most about this event?: Ax and Smash coming in at 1 and 2 and just beating the hell out of each other

4) What did hate most about this event?: I have never been a fan of Big John Studd being the winner, it should have been Hogan, would have added even more fire to Randy Savage's jealousy. Also, I think the womans match on this show is boring as hell, feels like it lasts forever!

5) What could/would have made this event better to/for you?: Hulk Hogan winning the Royal Rumble.


a) best match: The Rumble match, but I also love the six man tag match too, I am pretty sure this was the first ever 2 out of 3 falls match I saw.

b) worst match: Womans match

c) fav match: The Rumble



**Final Thoughts**:

With this being quite an early VHS that I got, I do have a ton of nostalgia for this show and it is a pretty fun show.

Royal Rumble 88



1) What do you rate this event? (1-5, 5 being the best): 3

2) What were you looking forward to or most excited to see at this event?: with it being a TV special, it wasn’t available on official VHS. I ended up buying a copy of a copy of a copy from eBay. I was just looking forward to seeing the event.

3) What did you like most about this event?: the first (televised) rumble, where the concept began. As there was no real prize, was good that the winner wasn’t one of the usual suspects.Aldo the islanders winning by two straight falls.

4) What did hate most about this event?: nothing really. Retrospectively it was average at best but I do enjoy its place in history.

5) What could/would have made this event better to/for you?: 30 instead of 20 entrants.


a) best match: Rumble match

b) worst match: nothing that stands out.

c) fav match: Islanders v Young Stallions - Haku one of my favourite wrestlers and Jimmy Powers one of my favourite jobbers. What’s not to like! Also love the crank it up theme tune!



**Final Thoughts**: I remember the excitement of seeing it on eBay and getting the chance to see what I’d only read about. Wrestling for me is as much about hype as anything so was a buzz waiting on it coming. Been a while since I have seen it but from what I can remember was enjoyable enough,

Royal Rumble 89



1) What do you rate this event? (1-5, 5 being the best): 4

2) What were you looking forward to or most excited to see at this event?: the event itself. Was one of the first VHS I bought after I started getting in to wrestling, not long after the 92 Rumble. Loved the concept of the Rumble so couldn’t wait to see a different event.

3) What did you like most about this event?: Ax and Smash going at it. I’d only ever seen them in action at WMV so was excited that they were 1 & 2.

4) What did hate most about this event?: again nothing

5) What could/would have made this event better to/for you?: Possibly a different winner. Not sure if there was plans for Studd that didn’t materialise but think someone else could have benefited from the win. Still in its infancy, there was no real prize as such (I.e. winner gets a title shot) it would have been good if it was used as the catalyst for a Hennig (maybe too soon) or a Dibiase to progress their career,


a) best match: Rumble

b) worst match: woman’s match

c) fav match: Rumble



**Final Thoughts**:

I remember my dad buying me the video. My parents split up when I was young and was at my dad’s for the weekend. Was watching the event at his whilst he was preparing dinner. I kept shouting him through to come and see the event or certain moves that had happened. A great memory for me. Also, the excitement of finding out about previous events and storylines in the pre internet days was pretty cool as well. Really enjoyed the super posedown angle and the mega powers reaching boiling point. I’d already seen WMV at this point so this event helped put some of the pieces together for that event.