Shining a Spotlight 01.13.11: 1991 Royal Rumble

While most didn’t know it at the time, the ‘90’s were a time when the entire wrestling landscape was about to change forever. It was harder to believe as when the decade began, the wrestling world was still doing business as usual. While World Championship Wrestling had technically existed for a while, January of 1991 was when WCW formerly replaced the NWA. The AWA, having fallen on hard times, finally went out of business for good while the USWA was going strong to highlight the independents but nothing that truly hinted at the wild times to come.

In WWF, it was mostly business as usual even though 1990 hadn’t been the banner year expected. The Ultimate Warrior had never taken off as hoped as WWF Champion and it was proven that Hulk Hogan was still the ones fans wanted on top. They lost some big heels like Bad News Brown and Rick Rude although they balanced that with entries like the Nasty Boys. Things were building up toward Wrestlemania VII, which Vince McMahon planned to sell out the L.A. Coliseum. But before that could happen, the Royal Rumble was about to hit. And the consequences of it would end up shifting WWF in this new decade more than anyone expected.

1991 Royal Rumble. Miami Arena, Miami, Florida. January 19th, 1991

The timing was unique to say the least. Just two days earlier, Operation Desert Storm (aka the first War with Iraq) had begun, much to the surprise of those who believed some sort of settlement would be reached first. So patriotic fervor was high, American flags around the arena and the show kicked off with the national anthem. The commentary was by Gorilla Monsoon and Roddy Piper, who was now really rooting for the faces.

The Rumble kicked off in terrific style as the Rockers faced the Orient Express. The Express were originally Pat Tanaka and the masked Sato. However, Sato was gone and replaced with Kato, who was really Paul Diamond. This actually made the team better as Tanaka and Diamond had been tag team champs in the AWA as Bad Company so knew how to work a good match. The reunited partners started things off fast, knocking Jannetty off the mat and sending Shawn flying with a huge backdrop. Marty came back in to hit them with kicks, sending both guys down for the famous shot of the Rockers flying through the ropes to hit the Express with stereo dives. The match finally got started with Marty and Kato doing a series of leapfrogs and reverse rollups, Kato doing a hiplock into an armbar that Jannetty reversed into a head scissors with legs on the mat. Two minutes and this was already better than any tag match WWE has had in about two years. Tanaka tried to distract Marty but he avoided the double team to slam them into each other. Shawn was tagged in and came off the top with a shot to Tanaka’s arm and started working on it. It’s interesting seeing the young Shawn, talented but no hints he’d be one of the biggest single stars around. Tanaka would hit Shawn with a great cross-chop off the ropes and a chinlock before tagging in Kato for a cool spot of Tanaka running over both of them before the Express got their heads bashed and Shawn pulling out a HHH style high knee for two.

Shawn went for a sleeper and Kato came in, Marty trying to rush too but the ref stopped him, allowing Kato to nail Shawn from behind with a cop off the second rope. Tanaka went on the offensive with a leg sweep and chops but Shawn reversed a corner throw and that bought all four guys in. As the ref pulled Marty out, Shawn did a terrific fight with Tanaka on the second rope and as Kato came at him, Shawn hit him with a moonsault. All four guys went at it, the Express trying double atomic drops but the Rocker flipped over to hit each with dropkicks and followed that with double flying presses. Man, it’s stunning to watch how absolutely in synch the Rockers were and more amazing they never had a reign as champs at the time. The Rockers did a double elbow to Kato before Shawn hit him with a delayed vertical suplex. Kato managed to throw Shawn toward the corner, Shawn trying to monkey flip but Tanaka slid across the apron on the outside to clothesline him off the top rope and Fuji followed it with his trusty cane. The Express took control with their old AWA moves that were ahead of their time and Jannetty made the mistake of keep trying to come in but the ref would be distracted, allowing the Express to pound on Shawn more. Shawn would be sent over the rope and Tanaka “helped” him back in with a wicked kick to the head. Tanaka sent Shawn for a backdrop but ended up getting his head slammed into the mat. Shawn crawled for the tag but Kato ran in to punch Jannetty off the apron. The Express pulled off their move of holding a black belt between them, trying to clothesline Shawn with it but instead, Shawn splashed onto the belt to knock them into each other. Finally, Shawn made the tag and Marty came out with fire, slamming and dropkicking the Express, fighting Kato for a backslide with Tanaka kicking Marty into it for two. Kato went to the ropes only to have Shawn strike back with a trip, causing all four to once more go at it at once. The Rockers went for their rocket launcher move but Tanaka broke it up, sending Michaels off the top rope to the floor. Kato then slingshot Marty into Tanaka, who hit him with a chop. They went for it again but as Kato turned his back, Shawn hit Tanaka from behind so when Kato flung Jannetty over, he was able to sunset flip a stunned Tanaka for the three count. Tag team wrestling at its best and right up there with Pillman/Liger as one of the best opening matches in PPV history.

In the back, Randy Savage was being interviewed by Shawn Mooney. “The King” had been getting new drive by challenging the Ultimate Warrior, the two having some pretty good house show matches that set Savage up as a threat. The Warrior, however, was going to be facing Sgt. Slaughter for the title that evening. Savage said that he had gotten a promise from Slaughter for a title match and that Sherri was going to do the same with the Warrior. They cut to the arena, where Gene Okerlund interviewed Sherri on a podium, Sherri demanding the Warrior came out, which he did. Sherri began requesting a title shot for Savage, going so far as to stroke the Warrior’s chest and get down on her knees pleading. The Warrior answered as only he could, shaking his head and literally frothing before hissing out “Noooooooooooo! Needless to say, Savage did not take that well.

Back in the ring, the Big Bossman was about to face the Barbarian, part of a larger feud in which the Bossman systematically destroyed every member of the Heenan family as payback for Rick Rude insulting his mother. Barbarian started it off pounding on the Bossman but he hit back a big boot and a reverse elbow off the ropes to send Barbarian out. Bossman followed to slam Barbarian into the post with Heenan trying to hide behind it. Barbarian hit back with an thumb to the eye but missed a top rope attack to get sent to the floor again. Barbarian hit back by blocking a hiptoss and hitting a nice vertical suplex, followed by shots that ended up tying Bossman’s foot in the ropes as he hung upside down outside the ring and Heenan was now brave enough to kick him in the gut before Barbarian rammed him into the post. We got a few bearhugs by Barbarian before Bossman broke it up but missed a corner charge to get rolled up for two. Barbarian went for a charge but Bossman managed to catch him and clothesline him off the rope for another two-count. Barbarian got up first to hit a clothesline off the top rope with the Bossman just managing to get his foot on the rope. Bossman then reversed an Irish whip into the Bossman Slam but Barbarian managed to get his fingers (yes, fingers) onto the rope to stop the pin. He managed to hit a jumping piledriver on Bossman and then went to the ropes, flying off with a cross body but Bossman rolled with it for the pin. It seemed everyone was charged up that night, leading to a much better match than most expected.

Backstage, things were being set up for the first ever WWF title match at the Rumble. Today, with 20/20 hindsight, the entire story arc of Sgt. Slaughter turning into an Iraqi sympathizer seems in very poor taste. But you have to keep in mind that when the invasion of Kuwait happened and even through the fall of 1990, most believed war would be averted. It wasn’t just that America wouldn’t want a conflict in a far-off land but also no one thought Sadaam Husain would be crazy enough to go to war with the might of America. Yeah, what did we know? By the time it was clear the war was actually going to happen, it was too late to back out as Slaughter with his ally General Adnan, cut a promo, growling and really mugging it up as he talked of his imment victory over “the Ultimate Puke” being a call to arms. The Warrior actually looked downright rational in his own promo, ready for battle.

Thanks to the timing, the heat was incredible, the fans booing of Slaughter turning into a huge pop as the Warrior charged down the aisle and into the ring. Slaughter and Adnan tried to clothesline him with the flag but Warrior ducked twice before nailing them both, breaking the flag in half. He smacked them around, knocking Adnan over the ropes and then tore up the Iraqi flag to a huge cheer. Adnan walked away from the ring as the Warrior kicked Slaughter’s ass, smashing him into the corners and even stuffing the flag into his mouth. Just as he was getting going however, Sherri ran to the ring to grab at his leg. The Warrior chased her down the aisle only to be blindsided by Savage who smacked him with a studio light before racing off. Slaughter smartly kept interrupting the ref’s counts so the Warrior was able to stagger back to the ring and Slaughter took control. He hit Warrior with stomps and a backbreaker and spit on him. Say what you will about the politics but Slaughter seemed to really enjoy his heel act. Warrior was able to slam Slaughter but couldn’t capitalize, Slaughter hitting him with elbow drops and then a Camel Clutch, broken up when the ref saw Warrior’s foot outside the ropes. Slaughter thought he’d won it and as he argued, the Warrior crawled over to the ropes and began to shake them one by one, his version of “Hulking up.” Soon on his feet, Warrior took control, pounding Slaughter and hitting a flying shoulderblock as the crowd came alive. Warrior motioned for his gorilla press but Sherri raced to the ring again. The Warrior picked her up, pressed her high and then tossed her out of the ring onto Savage on the outside. Slaughter kneed him in the back and as the ref argued with him, Savage grabbed his scepter and smashed it across the Warrior’s head, a really hard shot in 1991. Slaughter pulled the stunned Warrior off the ropes, dropped an elbow and covered him for the three count. There was a stunned silence as the Warrior pulled himself up and staggered down the aisle where Savage and Sherri had left. Monsoon and Piper hoped someone would tell the ref what happened but instead, Howard Finkel announced Slaughter as the new champion to massive boos. I get at the time it made sense but still think it might have been better to have Slaughter win the belt earlier, Warrior regain it here and set up Hogan/Warrior II at Mania. But 20/20 and all that and the heat of having Slaughter winning the belt was huge.

A pretty forgettable Koko B. Ware vs Mountie match followed, basically a squash for the Mountie despite Koko’s attempts at high-flying. More important where the interviews as Savage gloated about costing the Warrior the belt and boasting of his greatness but when Mooney said the Warrior was looking for him, he and Sherri immediately hightailed it. Then Slaughter and Adnan celebrated in their own great gloating. That was followed by the traditional Rumble interview carousel as various wrestlers declared how they were ready to win it all.

It seemed strange to have any match besides the Rumble after the title bout but then, the crowd needed a big pick-me-up and this was a good way to do it. For months, Ted DiBiase had been trying to beat down Dusty Rhodes, going so far as to pick on Rhodes’ then rookie son Dustin. At the same time, Roddy Piper had been trying to talk manservant Virgil into finally standing up for himself and breaking away from DiBiase. Father and son took on DiBiase and Virgil in a tag match, the blow off to the feud as Dusty was soon going to be leaving back to WCW. The heels attacked the Rhodes only to be whipped into each other, DiBiase yelling at Virgil to take Dustin out. Virgil hadn’t been seen as much in the ring by many so no surprise when Dustin nailed him with a dropkick to the outside, where DiBiase slapped Virgil to get him back in the ring. Virgil did his best but Dustin kept countering all his attacks so an exasperated DiBiase tagged in and used his own experience to beat Dustin down. However, Dustin hit back with some bionic elbows, sending DiBiase to the outside. Dusty threw him back in and then tagged in himself, working a sleeper before Virgil broke it up. The commentary is interesting as Piper keeps telling Virgil to man up and not be dragged down by DiBiase even as he got the upper hand on Dustin, who injured himself hitting a knee on the turnbuckle. The heels double-teamed Dustin, slamming his knee on the ringpost but when DiBiase held him for a clothesline, Virgil accidentally hit him, doing a great pained expression after that. DiBiase lost it, attacking Virgil on the mat, beating him down before going back to the ring on his own. Dusty pounded him but DiBiase managed to roll him up, holding the tights for a three-count.

The match itself was average but it’s the post-match events that made it memorable. Dusty led an injured Dustin to the back as DiBiase took the mic and berated Virgil, demanding he come in and wrap the Million-Dollar Belt around his boss’s waist. Piper was disgusted as Virgil entered the ring with the belt (with the great line of wasting a dinner on the man “I’m a Scotsman, that don’t come cheap.”) but after glaring at DiBiase, Virgil threw the belt at his feet. DiBiase went all-out heel, threatening to cut off support for Virgil’s mother if he didn’t comply. Virgil knelt to get the belt and DiBiase laughed, turning to the crowd as he gloated how this proved anyone had a price. He turned around in time for Virgil to leap to his feet, smacking the belt into DiBiase’s chin and sending the crowd, and Piper, into massive cheers. Virgil dropped the belt onto a prone DiBiase and marched away to a big pop, instantly over with the crowd. A great moment after years of seeing DiBiase abuse Virgil with him finally fighting back.

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A few more interviews followed along with a nice bit where fans sent out messages to loved ones serving overseas. Then Okerlund interviewed Hogan, in full patriotic fervor, hitting a new level when Okerlund related a rumor that Slaughter had defaced the American flag in celebration of his win. Whatever else, when Hogan got all “red white and blue” he was pretty great to watch.

The Rumble began with Bret Hart (then part of the tag team champions but being set up for his singles run) and Dino Bravo. They traded atomic drops before Greg Valentine came in at #3, the former partners going at it as Bret recovered. Valentine was blindsided while distracted by Jimmy Hart but Valentine blocked a charge, sent Bravo into the corner and made him the first elimination. When Hart got on the apron to yell, Valentine hit him only to turn into an atomic drop and clothesline by the Hitman. Paul Roma was #4, then over as a member of Power & Glory which most expected to be the next tag champs at the time. He and Valentine double-teamed Bret but then Roma turned on the Hammer, giving Bret the chance to ram their heads together. They tried to dump Bret together but he shoved them back and took a breather while they beat on each other. Kerry Von Erich sprinted at #5 to attack Roma before hitting a discus punch on Valentine. Everyone was soon fighting on the ropes before #6 Rick Martel entered, oozing arrogance. He tried to toss Roma as Bret and Kerry double-teamed Valentine. #7 was Tony Atlas doing the rather insulting Saba Simba act (don’t ask) to battle Roma. We got the usual “close elimination” fighting you’d expect from a Rumble with Kerry hitting the Claw on Roma. Bushwhacker Luke was #8, spending a few seconds stomping in the ring first. Atlas (I’m not calling him by that other name) tried to slam Martel over the top but Martel hung on, pulling him to the floor. Number 9 was Jake Roberts who went right after Martel for blinding him a few months earlier, nailing a stomach-breaker and short-clothesline, Martel barely escaping a DDT and going under the ropes to the floor. Jake chased him around and back into the ring only to be caught by a Valentine elbow drop.

Hercules was #10, immediately aiding partner Roma against Butch as Martel tied Jake up in the ropes to choke him with Von Erich coming to the rescue. #11 Tito Santana showed a long memory by going right after former partner Martel as Jake backdropped a charging Roma over the top. The Undertaker (still managed by Brother Love) made his Rumble debut next, walking toward the ring and immediately tossing out Bret. He fought everyone in his way, taking no damage from blows as Roberts and Martel continued their private fight. Jimmy Snuka was #13 as Taker eliminated Butch and then fought Kerry. Things were getting pretty crowded, lots of righting by the ropes as the British Bulldog came in at #14. Snuka head-butted Undertaker to no avail as Martel and Roberts continued to fight it out. Smash was #15 as Martel managed to pull Roberts over the top rope to finally score another elimination. As Martel gloated, Snuka came over grabbing Hercules by the hair, grabbed Martel and knocked the two together. #16 was Hawk who drilled everyone with shots before being ganged up on. The Undertaker actually pulled an atomic drop on Santana as Hawk and Hercules brawled. A very young Shane Douglas was #17 as Taker ducked a discus punch to send Kerry over the top rope and Hawk eliminated Snuka. In an interesting pairing, Smash and Martel double-teamed Tito as the buzzer rang for #18 but no one came out. We got some more brawling but nothing notable until Animal hit the ring at #19, aiding Hawk against the Undertaker. The Legion double-teamed him, Taker grabbing them both by the throat but they kicked him in the gut and hit a double-clothesline to send him out to a big pop. However, Hawk took too long celebrating and was tossed by Martel and Hercules.

By this point, Martel was impressing folks with how he managed to escape constant attempts at elimination, he and Valentine both in the ring over a half hour at this point (with Monsoon mentioning how “it takes that long for (Valentine) to warm up.”) Crush was #20, getting an actual pop, hinting at his future singles run. Demolition united to take on Davey Boy while Tito and Martel were back at it once more. Hacksaw Jim Dugan was next, running to beat on Smash, then Martel, who was then bear-hugged by Animal. Things were getting a bit slow now, lots of guys but no serious action but it looked like it was picking up as Earthquake came out at 22, thinning the herd immediately by dumping Animal. #23 was Intercontinental Champion Mr. Perfect who took his sweet time walking to the ring with a priceless bit of throwing his towel over his shoulder and Bobby Heenan catching it behind his back. Once in the ring, he wasted no time eliminating Dugan before hitting a nice dropkick on Smash.

Any signs of boredom ended when the buzzer to #24 counted down and you heard some kid yell out “It’s Hulk Hogan!” Sure enough, down came the Hulkster to a monster pop, shrugging off punches to throw Smash out and then went after Earthquake to continue their feud. Haku was next as Quake hung Hogan by the ropes but Hogan fought back to finally dump out Valentine. Perfect was doing some nice overselling as Rick Martel officially broke the record for the longest time in the Rumble. #26 Jim Neidhart sprinted to the ring as Quake tossed out Santana. We got a classic moment as Bushwhacker Luke stomped down at #27, entered the ring, Earthquake grabbing him and tossing him out the other side in four seconds and Luke just stomping right back down the aisle without breaking stride. #28 was Nasty Boy Brian Knobbs (not sure why partner Jerry Saggs wasn’t in it), managing to eliminate Hercules as Hogan and Perfect brawled it out. #29 was Warlord who went after Bulldog, foreshadowing their Wrestlemania battle. Crush made the mistake of climbing up to try and hit Hogan and was sent to the floor for his efforts. Hogan came alive, clotheslining Warlord over the top as more brawls broke out. Finally, Tugboat was the last entrant and as he made his way to the ring, Monsoon and Piper realized Randy Savage had been #18. Piper was confused since Savage seemed so sure of winning this until Monsoon suggested that the Warrior had chased Savage out of the building which soon became the official story.

Douglas was tossed by Knobbs in the confusion as future tag partners Earthquake and Tugboat fought it out. A fun bit had Perfect knocked to the mat and Quake nonchalantly stepping right on him to target someone else. Showing how it was “every man for himself,” Tugboat went after best friend Hogan, dumping him over the top rope. Hogan managed to hang on and run back to send Tugboat to the floor. Another fun bit came as Perfect was crotched on the top rope by Davey Boy, who then hit a dropkick to knock Perfect to the floor and an exasperated Heenan threw the towel up into the air. Martel managed to throw out Neidhart as Bulldog dumped out Haku. Martel decided to go after Hogan, getting hammered for his troubles. He then went after Bulldog, going to the top rope only for Davey Boy to shake the ropes so Martel fell onto them crotch-first. Bulldog then clotheslined him out, ending his amazing fifty-two minute run to a big pop. That left Bulldog, Hogan, Knobbs and Earthquake and Davey Boy raced to help Hogan against the heels but was double-teamed by Hart’s boys and soon tossed.

Hogan was pounded by Knobbs and Quake, who slammed him to the mat and then hit his Earthquake Splash. The two celebrated together only for Hogan to pop right back up, face flushed and nostrils flaring. The heels turned in time to catch a double clothesline as the crowd went nuts. Knobbs staggered to his feet and ate a big boot that sent him over the top rope, leaving Hogan and Quake. Hogan pounded Quake with punches and when Jimmy Hart leapt onto the apron, Hogan nailed him too for a big pop. He tried to slam Quake only to fall back with Quake on top of him. Quake took control with some punches and an elbow drop, and covered him after a powerslam. Monsoon scoffed that pinfalls didn’t matter but Piper defended Quake by pointing out that after a while, you forgot those things wearing a guy down. It didn’t matter as Hogan kicked out and Hulked up, pounding Quake, hitting him with the big boot and then slammed him. Winding up, Hogan waited for Earthquake to get to his feet and hit him from behind with a clothesline to send him to the outside. Hogan celebrated for the fans, waving the flag at one point, milking “Real American” for all he could.

Summation

The undercard of this was solid with a fantastic tag team match, a surprisingly good Bossman/Barbarian encounter and the long-awaited Virgil turn. Slaughter losing to Warrior was a true shockwave for the fans, a major blow for a patriotic night. The Rumble itself had slow spots but notable for Martel’s amazing longevity, some good eliminations and Hogan proving how he had the crowds in his hand with his big win. It was the first of many shakeups WWF would have that year and showcased how the wild ‘80’s still had some life in them as the new decade began.

For this week, the spotlight is off.