SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 17:33 Min.
Taped at the Boston Garden, on January 9, 1988, this ultra-rare WWF World Title match-up pitted champion Hulk Hogan vs. Bobby “The Brain” Heenan’s latest protégé, “Ravishing” Rick Rude. Though the two briefly squared off during the inaugural Survivor Series main event in November of 1987, this house show bout is apparently Hogan & Rude’s only World Title showdown among the few times they ever faced each other.
Unseen at ringside, the commentating duo is Gorilla Monsoon & Jimmy “Mouth of the South” Hart.
REVIEW:
Boosted by Monsoon & Hart’s entertaining chemistry, a seemingly routine Hogan title match includes a homage to Rude’s real-life past as a pro arm-wrestler. Yes, Hogan and Rude actually lay down mid-ring for an ‘impromptu’ arm-wrestling challenge. No matter this eye-rolling visual, this World Title bout still lives up to its scripted potential.
It’s a shame that, aside from the Ultimate Warrior’s 1990-91 World Title run, that the ultra-pompous Rude didn’t get sufficient opportunities challenging Mega-Powers Hogan and Randy Savage for the WWF Championship during that era. Such hypothetical title showdowns might well have inspired a Pay-Per-View main event worthy of pro wrestling history.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 6½ Stars
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