WWF Saturday Night's Main Event XV Review

WWF Saturday Night's Main Event XV Review
February 13, 2014 (Edited: November 7, 2025)
By Ryan Porzl

Event: Saturday Night's Main Event XV
Tagline: None
Date: March 12, 1988
Location: Nashville, Tennessee
Live or Tape: Taped (March 7, 1988)
Arena: Nashville Municipal Auditorium
Attendance: 10,000
Announcers: Vince McMahon and Jesse “The Body” Ventura
Interviewers: “Mean” Gene Okerlund and Jesse “The Body” Ventura
Other: None
Broadcast: NBC

We start with the intro promos. “Macho Man” Randy Savage with Miss Elizabeth says there's no room in the Dangerzone for Ted Dibiase and his money. He says Dibiase is a bad check and he will bounce Dibiase out for good. Macho talks and money walks.

“Million Dollar Man” Ted Dibiase with Virgil says the Macho Man has taken one too many guitar shots to the head as the Million Dollar Man brings class and fiscal responsibility to the World Wrestling Federation. He says you'll see what he brings to the ring and it's worth it's weight in gold.

Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake says you're on the cutting edge of sports entertainment. Tonight will feature his hair raising match against Greg “The Hammer” Valentine and it will be a shear delight.

Slick with the One Man Gang says Ken Patera will do what American Olympians do best: lose to the One Man Gang.

Bobby “The Brain” Heenan with “King” Harley Race says the last Main Event we saw Andre humble Hulk Hogan and now he'll get on his hands and knees to show respect to the King. Race says Hogan will bow or break.

Hulk Hogan says the Hulkster doesn't bow or break. Better men have tried to conquer the power of the Hulkamaniacs. Harley Race will be crowned like he's never been crowned before.

We go to the intro which has a new theme composed by longtime WWF composer Jim Johnston which debuted at the 1987 Slammy Awards and was used for the Main Event. While I miss Obsession, this theme is awesome and it makes me miss the days when WWF/E composed their own music for their TV shows since I'm more of an outdated guy. I never got into the “real” music they used during the 2000s, 2010s, and 2020s. But then again I miss the days when Johnston composed music.

We get Vince and Ventura opening the show and preview the show.

“Mean” Gene Okerlund interviews Greg Valentine & Jimmy Hart and asks if Hart has any second thoughts. Hart asks if Okerlund is kidding and he goes into the whole “He carried the team” while calling him a hot dog and says Valentine will show what rump roast he is. Valentine says he'll tenderize that meathead with the hammer. Okerlund asks if Hart is scared of Beefcake getting his hair but Hart asks what Okerlund would know about hair. An average promo from Hart though I think Valentine bounced off Hart's stuff well.

Okerlund interviews Brutus Beefcake. Beefcake asks if they were snippy and Okerlund says they were insulting claiming he was a poor wrestler. Beefcake says he can cut it in the ring and Okerlund says he knows but asks if he's ready for Valentine. Beefcake says when it comes to wrestling, he's got the edge. An ok pun type interview.

Brutus Beefcake vs. Greg Valentine (w/Jimmy Hart)- This was the blow off to this feud between the former Dream Team. The story was the Dream Team broke up at Wrestlemania III the year earlier like a broken up couple with Valentine (along with Dino Bravo and Johnny V.) left Beefcake in the ring by taking the motor cart to the back while Beefcake had to walk back. By this point, Beefcake was beginning to transition into a feud with another Hart client the Honky Tonk Man. Sadly, I don't think they got enough out of this feud. This could've been a fun feud but didn't go far due to Valentine spending most of 1987 with Dino Bravo in the New Dream Team leaving Beefcake with Johnny V a lot of the time.

Beefcake chases Valentine out of the ring with the hedge clippers. Tie up to start which no one wins. Another tie up and Beefcake shoves Valentine to the canvas. Another tie up is teased but Valentine knees Beefcake in the stomach and works him over with forearms. Valentine whips Beefcake to the ropes, misses the clothesline, and Beefcakes comes off the ropes with a jumping knee to a pop. Beefcake follows with a bodyslam and Valentine begs off. Beefcake whips Valentine to the ropes and catches him with a big boot which makes Valentine timber. Beefcake struts as Valentine gets up. Beefcake gets a few punches, dodges one, and hits an atomic drop. Another one follows and Valentine is feeling it. Beefcake hits a running elbow and jackknife pins for 2. Valentine goes to the corner, Beefcake follows with the mounted corner punches, and Valentine timbers again. Back in the corner and Valentine gets a cheap shot as the ref tries to separate them.

Valentine starts dropping the hammers. He goes to the top and connects with a diving bionic elbow. Valentine drops another elbow for 2. Valentine goes for the figure four but Beefcake's close to the ropes so Valentine blatantly grabs the ropes for added pressure before breaking it up. Beefcake rolls out while Valentine argues with the referee. Honky Tonk Man comes out and grabs the mic to insult Beefcake to some good heat. Eventually the officials force him to go to the back as we go to a commercial. We're back as Valentine throws Beefcake back in and works him over with bionic elbows as the fans rally behind Beefcake. Valentine prepares for the figure four as he headbutts the stomach and snaps the leg to hyper extend it. Valentine goes for the figure four but Beefcake pulls Valentine's trunks to get him off. Valentine drops a double ax handle and goes back to the figure four but Beefcake kicks him off which sends him into the turnbuckle.

Beefcake comes back with an elbow and works over Valentine. Beefcake whips Valentine to the ropes and hits an elbow to a pop. Beefcake signals for the sleeper hold. Beefcake applies it but Valentine makes it to the ropes and they both tumble to the floor. Hart wakes Valentine up but Beefcake hit's a few double ax handles. Beefcake throws Valentine back in the ring as Hart tries to attack him which doesn't work. Beefcake chases Hart back into the ring but Valentine jumps him back in. Valentine hits a belly-to-back suplex and bridges for the pin but Beefcake gets his shoulder up while the ref counts Valentine's down for the pin at 9:02. Valentine thinks he won but it's revealed that Beefcake got his shoulder up while Valentine's were down for 3 to a good pop. After the match, Ventura complains as Beefcake sneaks up on Valentine and cuts a little of his hair. Beefcake then sneaks in the hedge clippers as Valentines comes in to confront him only to scare him off. Beefcake then grabs Hart who escapes after taking off his coat.

Thoughts: ***1/2 Very good match between the two which is expected as both are reliable in the ring and obviously know each other very well. I enjoyed the exchanges, the crowd was also hot for it which is great, Beefcake chasing Hart into a Valentine ambush was good, and Honky's appearance was also a nice subtle way to hype the Honky/Beefcake match at Wrestlemania IV. Normally, I'm not a fan of that ending but it was justified with both having to look strong as Beefcake was challenging for the Intercontinental Championship while Valentine was in the WWF Championship Tournament at Wrestlemania IV.

Okerlund interviews “King” Harley Race and Bobby “The Brain” Heenan. Okerlund says Heenan has to shoulder some of the responsibility of Hogan losing the championship which Heenan gladly accepts. Heenan then mocks the Hulkamaniacs for crying about Hogan's loss to Andre and invites them to watch Hogan humble and bow to Harley Race. Race says Hogan proved he's mortal and all mortal men bow to the king. Solid promo from both. I like Heenan's mindset of thinking Hogan was broken in The Main Event and Race will finish him here.

Okerlund interviews Hulk Hogan. Hogan says that first of all, Hulkamania will not die. The big wheels of Hulkamania keep turning away and Harley Race is the one thing in Hogan's way before he gets to Wrestlemania and gets back to the World Title. Hogan brings up Heenan selling Andre's contract because he knew Andre couldn't beat him. Hogan says he only bows to the big dude who walks on water. He then says all the Weasels horses and all the Weasels men won't be able to put the King back together again. Good promo as I like Hogan coming off more intense.

Hulk Hogan vs. Harley Race (w/Bobby “The Brain” Heenan)- Wow. The pretaped interview matches the ringside footage. Hogan tore his shirt and he comes out with a torn shirt. This match was an underrated dream match. It's a shame the WWF didn't bring up Race's NWA credentials and his 8 NWA World Title reigns (though 7 were recognized at the time) and have this be a feud because it could've drawn some big money and more great matches. Hogan has his right hand taped up for this match which is a cool addition. Hogan chases Heenan to the back as we go to a commercial.

We're back with Race jumping Hogan with elbow drops as he enters but they have no effect. “Real American” is still playing as Race begs for mercy and catches Hogan with some headbutts but Hogan no-sells those and punches away at Race. Hogan comes off the ropes with a punch that knocks Race down and Hogan tears the rest of his shirt over Race to a pop as “Real American” stops playing. Hogan poses for the crowd and hits a clothesline as Race tries to sneak up on him with Race doing a great job selling it. Hogan hits another clothesline. Hogan hits a third clothesline that sends Race over and out onto the timekeeper's table. Heenan's back as Hogan follows Race out and rams in face first on the apron. Hogan picks Race up and rams his shoulder into the ring post. Hogan chases Heenan around to a pop which allow Race to get control by jumping Hogan with a double ax handle. Race goes for the piledriver but Hogan back body drops Race off to a pop.

Hogan follows with an atomic drop and rams Race into the post. Hogan slides back in the ring to break the count and goes back outside. Hogan hits Race with a bodyslam. Back in, Hogan nails a bionic elbow and a few chops. Hogan unwraps his tape and chokes Race with it. Race gets whipped to the ropes and Hogan clotheslines him with the tape and more choking. Hogan continues to work over Race until Heenan grabs Hogan's leg. Hogan grabs Heenan and pulls him onto the apron where he chokes him to a good pop but this allows Race to come back with a double ax handle from behind. Race follows with a headbutt and drops a headbutt. Race drops a knee. Belly-to-belly suplex and another knee drop follow. Race hits a piledriver as the fans boo. Race throws Hogan to the outside and sets him up on the timekeeper's table. Race heads back on the apron as fans chant “Hogan” and goes for a diving headbutt but Hogan moves and Race crashes through the table though it doesn't break all the way.

Race recovers first and throws Hogan back in the ring. Race knocks Hogan down and climbs the top rope. Diving Headbutt finds it's mark but Hogan kicks out at 2 and starts Hulking Up. Hogan no-sells the punches and comes back with his own. Hogan whips Race to the corner and follows with a charging clothesline. Hogan comes off the ropes with a clothesline to knock Race down and Hogan comes off with the leg drop for the 3 at 7:23 to a big pop. After the match, Heenan tries to attack Hogan with, I think, a foreign object which doesn't work. I thought he was the Brain, why would he be stupid to try that? Hogan chases him around the ring until Heenan does his awesome jump over the top spot to escape. Hogan poses for the fans.

Thoughts: **** Fucking awesome match. I loved Hogan's aggressive attitude since it made sense due to Hogan getting fucked out of the WWF Championship. Race was also great as he bumped around very well especially for a heavyweight wrestler who was a month away from turning 45 years old and had nice offense. I also liked Hogan changed up the finish a little bit. By the way, I love how Hogan is thought of with a cartoonish era and yet he was involved in some of the first table spots in WWF history (also including Earthquake at Summerslam 90). Sadly, the table did damage to Race as he suffered a hernia and was out for six months after Wrestlemania. The damage was also one of the reasons for Race's retirement in 1991 along with age.

Okerlund interviews “The Million Dollar Man” Ted Dibiase and Virgil. Dibiase responds to Hogan by saying he's not the same without the belt. When Okerlund mentions Dibiase doesn't have the belt either, Dibiase says it's politics and he'll take care of that at Wrestlemania IV. Okerlund asks what Dibiase meant when he said he'll have someone in his corner worth their weight in gold but Dibiase dodges the question. He tells Savage that he's the man who destroyed Hulkamania. There's no one more Macho than a man with money and he's got it all. Very good promo.

We get a clip of Savage and Elizabeth celebrating Savage's win at the Main Event.

Okerlund interviews “Macho Man” Randy Savage and Miss Elizabeth. Savage says Macho talks and Money walks. He says Dibiase tried to buy Hulkamania but he went bankrupt. He'll bounce Dibiase around the World Wrestling Federation. He has something worth more than gold and that's his platinum doll Miss Elizabeth and tells her they will cash in. Good counter promo from Savage.

Ted Dibiase (w/Virgil and Andre the Giant) vs. Randy Savage (w/Miss Elizabeth)- The someone worth their weight in gold is Andre. Savage and Dibiase stall to start until Virgil starts going after Elizabeth. Savage bails and slaps Virgil. Dibiase stomps Savage from behind on the apron, rams Savage face first on the apron, and throws him back in. Dibiase throws Savage into the corner and works him over with punches. Dibiase follows by choking Savage on the ropes and snaps him off the rope. Dibase whips Savage to the ropes and catches him an elbow. Dibiase taunts Elizabeth and stomps Savage. Dibiase throws Savage into the corner and rams him into the turnbuckle. Dibiase follows with shoulderblocks and starts taunting the crowd. Dibiase comes off the second rope with a bionic elbow and starts choking. Savage reverses an irish whip into the corner and catches Dibiase coming out of the corner with an elbow.

Dibiase reverses a whip but lowers his head too early and Savage comes off with a kick to a pop. Savage hits a running jumping knee that sends Dibiase over and out. Savage jumps over the top and throws Dibiase back in the ring. Savage climbs the top and comes off with a diving double ax handle with Dibiase doing a cool sell job as the crowd goes nuts. Dibiase goes to the corner and begs off Savage. Dibiase goes for a kick but gets caught, Savage spins him around, and hits a clothesline for 2. Savage gets a hair pull hangmen with Dibiase, once again, selling his ass off doing that sick bump landing on his shoulders and the back of his neck. No wonder he had to later retire due to neck problems. Savage goes back in with a kick and off the ropes with a bionic elbow which sends Dibiase to the outside. Dibiase takes a second to regroup. Back in, the two tease a tie up but Dibiase hits a knee to the stomach and starts working over Savage.

Dibiase chops Savage down to the canvas and drops three million dollar fist drops. Dibiase whips Savage to the corner but charges into a knee. Savage drops an elbow for 2. Savage hits a bodyslam but misses a knee drop. Dibiase applies the spinning toe hold but Savage eventually kicks Dibiase off with Dibiase going over the top to the floor. Dibiase pulls Savage out and tries to ram him on the apron but Savage blocks and rams Dibiase. Savage goes for a suplex but Andre approaches which distracts Savage long enough for Virgil to nail Savage from behind. The ref sees it and forces Virgil to the back as we go to commercial. We're back with both in the ring. Dibiase hits a second turnbuckle double ax handle and drops an elbow for 2. Dibiase hooks in the chinlock and starts to wear Savage down. The ref checks the hands but Savage holds it up at 2. Savage starts to get up but Dibiase pulls him down with the hair and keeps applying pressure.

We get a funny spot as Ventura points out the referee asking Dibiase if he pulled the hair and sarcastically says like Dibiase would say he did. Savage eventually makes the come back by getting up and elbowing Dibiase off. Savage comes off the ropes and shoulder blocks Dibiase. Savage continues to run the ropes, jumps over Dibiase, ducks the clothesline, and comes off with a clothesline. Savage hits a bionic elbow. Savage whips Dibiase to the ropes and catches him with a back body drop. Dibiase begs Savage off before punching the stomach and applying a side headlock. Savage whips Dibiase to the ropes, Savage drops down, Dibiase jumps over Savage, and collides with the ref. Savage kicks Dibiase and throws him over the top rope to the floor. Savage climbs to the top and hits a diving double ax handle. Andre sneaks up, hits Savage with a headbutt and whips him to the ring post to boos. Dibiase makes it back to the ring and Elizabeth runs to the back as Andre destroys Savage. Eventually the ref comes to and counts Savage out at 11:39. After the match, Andre throws Savage back in as Virgil comes out and double teams Savage with Dibiase. Eventually Hogan comes out and chases them off with a chair to a big pop.

Thoughts: *** Another very good TV match. Both men not only wrestled well but sold well especially Dibiase who at times was a bumping machine. I wasn't a fan of Savage losing on a countout since he was going to beat Dibiase at Wrestlemania anyway and it would've added more heat to their match if he got the pinfall. The story was well told with Dibiase coming off as the biggest threat in the Wrestlemania IV tournament since he has Virgil and Andre in his corner as well as owning Andre's contract. This match was one of the first examples of a popular trick that wrestling companies pull off. Usually when one wrestler gets the last laugh on their rival at one of the last shows before the big one then they lose to the rival at the big show.

Ventura interviews Bobby “The Brain” Heenan and the Islanders. Heenan is wearing a bee mask and carrying a leash as he says this is his tribute to the Wild Kingdom. Ventura takes it Heenan likes animals and Heenan says he loves animals like bulldogs and bees like the Islanders. Another solid interview for Heenan that continues stuff with the Islanders and the British Bulldogs.

The Islanders (w/Bobby “The Brain” Heenan) vs. The Killer Bees- Brunzell jumps Tama to start. Brunzell hits a bodyslam and then a leg drop for 2. Tag to Blair with Brunzell holding the arm and Blair comes off with a second turnbuckle double ax handle on the arm. Blair schoolboys Tama for 2. Blair gets an arm wringer and tags Brunzell who gets his own arm wringer. Brunzell takes him down and pins for 2. Brunzell works over Tama, whips him to the ropes, and goes for the dropkick but Tama grabs the ropes and Brunzell crashes and burns. Tama hits a headbutt and rakes the back. Tama hits a Suplex for 2. Tag to Haku who whips Brunzell to the ropes and connects with a dropkick for 2. Haku rams Brunzell into Tama's foot and tags Tama. Brunzell fights back and hits an inverted atomic drop but Tama tags Haku. Brunzell gets whipped to the ropes, ducks a clothesline, both come off the ropes, and hit each other with a clothesline. Tags to Tama and Blair with Blair working over Tama. Blair ducks a punch and gets an atomic drop. Blair nails Haku off the apron and bodyslams Tama. Haku comes in but Blair hits a bodyslam on Haku. Blair and Tama go back and forth until Blair get an O'Connor roll for 2 as Haku and Brunzell both come in and while the ref tries to get Brunzell back on the apron, Haku clotheslines Blair off. Haku gets the (illegal) pin at 3:38.

Thoughts: DUD There's nothing to say here. Nothing bad but nothing impressive either as it was there. The Islanders winning made sense since they had one of the profile matches at Wrestlemania IV teaming with Heenan against The British Bulldogs & Koko B. Ware while the Bees were going to be in the opening battle royal. This match was actually a 2/3 falls match but only the first fall aired and was treated as a one fall match. I don't get why but it's very unusual.

Okerlund interviews Slick and the One Man Gang and asks about Slick talking about the US Olympic Team. Slick says US Olympic players are losers. The interview goes nowhere as Slick and Okerlund talk about the Olympics more than the match until Slick brings up not needing a team when you have the One Man Gang. Terrible promo. I don't how this hyped the upcoming match and I couldn't care less.

One Man Gang (w/Slick) vs. Ken Patera- Gang jumps Patera as he's taking his entrance attire off and starts choking him with his pants. Gang then works over Patera until Patera comes back with punches. Patera whips Gang to the corner and catches Gang coming out of the corner with a bearhug. Gang eventually escapes with an eye poke. Gang gets a few shots in but Patera comes back with a full nelson until Gang makes it to the ropes. Patera works over Gang in the corner until Gang counters by sending Patera in the corner and hits a shoulder block. Gang works over Patera until Patera gets Gang into a corner. Patera gets a few shoulder blocks and irish whips Gang back into the same corner. Patera hits a jumping knee and gets the mounted corner punches in the corner. Patera whips Gang to the ropes but Gang hits a clothesline and falls on top for the 3:47. After the match, the shit continues as the Gang tries to beat up Patera only for Patera to fight him off. Slick comes in with his cane but Patera still chases them off. Great job WWF if you wanted to make one of your monster heels look like a pussy.

Thoughts: DUD Match wise, this was fine and nothing wrong with it but booking wise it was atrocious. I don't get why Patera dominated the match since Gang was going into the WWF Championship Tournament at Wrestlemania IV while Patera was in the opening battle royal. Gang should've squashed Patera and looked like a monster since he was the second biggest wrestler in the tournament and was scheduled to go far in the tournament. On top of that, the finish also looked bad as it came off that Gang won on a fluke not decisively. Also, Patera wasn't a big star anymore as he was a midcard act by this point so there was no need to protect him booking wise.

Okerlund interviews Hulk Hogan who's laughing. Okerlund says he's never seen such maniacal behavior. Hogan says that's not maniacal behavior. He says that's the behavior of a stark raving maniac. He says Race is on his back after Dibiase, Heenan, Virgil, and Andre started passing checks and throwing the rule book. He then says to Andre fe-fi-fo-fum, here he comes. Short but good promo.

Vince and Ventura sign off.

Final Thoughts and Verdict
SNME 15 is easily one of the best SNME's I've seen. Three very good to great matches make this an easy thumbs up. Sure the last two matches didn't do much but they don't drag this event down and it's a nice special to lead up to Wrestlemania IV.

Recommended

SNME XV Facts-
First Saturday Night's Main Event to use the second SNME theme

Harley Race suffered a hernia by going through the table. Race would be out for six months after Wrestlemania IV and it would be one of the reasons for his retirement in 1991.

The Islanders/Killer Bees match was actually a 2/3 falls match for the fans at the arena but was 1 fall on TV.