SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 11:05 Min.
To further hype their imminent WrestleMania VI mixed-gender tag match (set for April 1, 1990), the ultra-flashy “Macho King” Randy Savage would tangle with “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes at a WWF Wrestling Challenge taping. Their future tag partners are at ringside: Savage’s nefarious manager, “Sensational” Queen Sherri and Dusty’s new valet, Sapphire.
For historical purposes, the date and location of this TV showdown are deceptive. Ringside commentators Vince McMahon and Jesse “The Body” Ventura misinform viewers that this Savage/Rhodes clash takes place a mere week before WrestleMania VI. In actuality, the match was recorded during a syndicated WWF Wrestling Challenge taping on March 7, 1990, at San Francisco’s Cow Palace.
It was then aired March 25, 1990, on WWF Prime Time Wrestling’s ‘Ultimate Challenge Special’ for The USA Network – to then justify McMahon & Ventura’s fictitious claim re: when the match took place.
REVIEW:
If not for its trashy mixed-gender theatrics, this Savage/Rhodes showdown displays potential for a relatively good TV bout. Unsurprisingly, Savage manages to mostly hide an aging Dusty’s one-dimensional in-ring work. Yet, the overt male chauvinism concocting the Sherri vs. Sapphire rivalry proves too much – predictably where Savage & Rhodes retaliate against each other’s female valet.
By peddling the WWF’s cartoonish take on misogyny, this exploitative match, just like the feud itself, belongs in pro wrestling’s dustbin.
Note: Subsequently, even Miss Elizabeth’s classy star power at WrestleMania VI wouldn’t salvage the highest-profile salvo in the wretched Rhodes/Sapphire vs. Savage/Sherri angle.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 2½ Stars
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