WWF Prime Time Wrestling is a professional wrestling television program that was produced by the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). Premiering on January 1, 1985, the original hosts of Prime Time Wrestling were Jesse Ventura and Jack Reynolds. The program featured wrestling matches (most of which were compiled from WWF "house show" matches from venues such as Madison Square Garden), interviews, promos featuring WWF wrestlers, updates of current feuds and announcements of upcoming local and pay-per-view events.
In addition, Prime Time Wrestling would also air wrestling matches and interviews from other WWF programming such as Superstars of Wrestling and Wrestling Challenge. Despite the format changes in its last years, the main focus of Prime Time Wrestling remained unchanged-recapping the highlights of the WWF's flagship syndicated programs and presenting exclusive matches taped from the house show circuit. Many of these were main event caliber and mid-card matches seldom seen on the syndicated programs, which tended to show primarily squash matches. Many wrestlers’ first WWF television appearances were also on this show.
The Golden Era of Monsoon and Heenan
The best-remembered Prime Time format featured Heenan and Monsoon introducing taped matches and analyzing them afterward, with Monsoon taking a babyface and sometimes neutral position and Heenan unashamedly cheering on the heels, especially members of The Heenan Family. The chemistry between Monsoon and Heenan made this show popular with fans for many years, despite the fact it was not considered one of the WWF's "primary" shows for most of its history.
Best of Bobby Heenan | March 1988 Prime Time Wrestling Highlights
Changes in Hosting
Heenan and Monsoon co-hosted Prime Time from 1986-1991. Roddy Piper replaced Heenan briefly in the summer of 1989, during the period Heenan "took over" the last half-hour of the Prime Time program for his own talk show; after Heenan returned to the main program, Piper was retained for the remainder of 1989 as a second co-host. Piper's final episode was the Christmas 1989 episode, where he attacked Heenan for dressing like Santa and badmouthing the Christmas season and insulting kids.
Guest Appearances
At times, guests have appeared on the studio set for cameo appearances or to sub-host for someone. Gene Okerlund was the most frequent guest, sometimes stopping by on the set for no reason other than to antagonize Heenan. Okerlund also was a substitute host for the series whenever Monsoon or Heenan were away; Vince McMahon was also a substitute host when Monsoon fell ill in early 1988. Tony Schiavone also guest hosted an episode of the series along with Sean Mooney, with the explanation being that Monsoon and Heenan were at the Trump Plaza for Wrestlemania V.
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Also notably, Freddie Blassie made an appearance in late 1989, antagonizing Heenan for owing him money and turning face in the process. For the rest of the episode, he remained as a special guest co-host alongside Piper in Piper's studio. The Red Rooster and The Brooklyn Brawler also appeared as guests in 1989 for the purpose of an angle where Lombardi knocked out Monsoon with a chair and beat up The Rooster, who had just fired Heenan as his manager. Rick Rude also guested in the summer of 1989 mostly to further his feud with Piper.
The Format Changes of 1991
On February 18, 1991, Prime Time changed formats to something vaguely resembling a talk/variety show, with an in-studio audience. Vince McMahon and Bobby Heenan hosted this version of Prime Time, with Lord Alfred Hayes serving as an announcer. WWF wrestlers were frequent guests during this particular incarnation of Prime Time, which was similar to the WWF's old Tuesday Night Titans program.
Transition to a Panel Discussion
Due to poor ratings with the audience format, Prime Time's final format debuted on November 11, 1991, and featured a panel of WWF personalities (including, at various points, Bobby Heenan, Gorilla Monsoon, Jim Duggan, Randy Savage, Mr. Perfect, Jerry Lawler, Slick, Sgt. Slaughter, and Hillbilly Jim) participating in a roundtable discussion about the goings-on in the WWF. The final episode of Prime Time Wrestling aired on January 4, 1993.
Notable Matches and Segments
Throughout 1991, Prime Time Wrestling showcased numerous matches and segments. Here are some highlights from specific episodes:
- January 7, 1991: Saba Simba vs. Greg Valentine ended in disqualification, with Valentine pushing the referee.
- January 14, 1991: Featured Hillbilly Jim & Gene Okerlund as in-studio guests.
- January 21, 1991: Paul Roma & Hercules defeated Saba Simba & Paul Diamond.
- January 28, 1991: Included Paul, an alleged blind man confined to a wheelchair, as a guest of the Brother Love Show.
- February 4, 1991: WWF Tag Team Champions Bret Hart & Jim Neidhart defeated the Orient Express.
- February 18, 1991: The debut of the new format with Vince McMahon replacing Gorilla Monsoon.
- February 25, 1991: Featured the Mountie & Jimmy Hart, and Andre the Giant as in-studio guests.
The February 18, 1991, episode marked a significant shift with the introduction of the new format. This episode featured a 7-team battle royal won by The Nasty Boys, earning them a WWF Tag Team Championship title match at WrestleMania VII.
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1991 Episode Match Highlights
Here's a summary of some of the notable matches that aired on Prime Time Wrestling in early 1991:
| Date | Match | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| January 7, 1991 | Saba Simba vs. Greg Valentine | Valentine disqualified for pushing the referee |
| January 14, 1991 | Orient Express vs. Sonny Blaze & Brooklyn Brawler | Orient Express wins after Tanaka pins Blaze |
| January 21, 1991 | Paul Roma & Hercules vs. Saba Simba & Paul Diamond | Roma pins Diamond after the Power Plex |
| January 28, 1991 | The Mountie vs. Reno Riggins | The Mountie wins with a double-handed chokeslam |
| February 4, 1991 | Bret Hart & Jim Neidhart vs. The Orient Express | Hart pins Tanaka after a reverse powerslam |
The End of an Era
Despite the changes and various attempts to revitalize the show, Prime Time Wrestling eventually came to an end in January 1993. However, it remains a cherished part of WWF history, particularly for the era of Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby Heenan.
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