WWF/WWE Royal Rumble ’90 (1990) – A Retrospective Review
The WWF Royal Rumble on January 21, 1990, at the Orlando Arena in Orlando, Florida, was a pivotal event that marked the beginning of a new decade for professional wrestling. The card was packed with intense rivalries, classic characters, and, of course, the third annual Royal Rumble match. This event not only featured some of the biggest names in the WWF but also set the stage for storylines that would continue to develop throughout the year. Below is a comprehensive breakdown of the night’s matches, each steeped in the unique drama that only the WWF could deliver.
The Bushwhackers vs. The Fabulous Rougeaus
The Bushwhackers, known for their wild antics and unorthodox style, faced off against The Fabulous Rougeaus, a more polished and technically sound team managed by the ever-manipulative Jimmy Hart. This tag team match was a classic clash of styles: The Bushwhackers brought their brawling, chaotic energy, while The Rougeaus employed precision teamwork and strategy.
The match began with The Bushwhackers immediately getting the crowd on their side with their signature arm-swinging entrance, a routine that never failed to energize the audience. The Fabulous Rougeaus, playing the role of arrogant heels to perfection, used quick tags and double-team maneuvers to isolate Butch early in the match. The Rougeaus’ strategy appeared to be working as they cut the ring in half, preventing Butch from tagging in Luke. However, The Bushwhackers’ resilience and unorthodox style eventually turned the tide. The match reached its climax when Jimmy Hart attempted to interfere, only to be thwarted by Luke, allowing The Bushwhackers to hit their patented Battering Ram on Raymond for the victory.
Behind the scenes, this match was designed to showcase The Bushwhackers as fan favorites while continuing to build heat for The Rougeaus, who were nearing the end of their run as a tag team. The chemistry between the teams was evident, with The Rougeaus’ ability to generate heat playing perfectly into The Bushwhackers’ underdog appeal. The victory solidified The Bushwhackers’ status as one of the most beloved teams in the WWF, despite their comedic, less-than-serious approach to wrestling.
Brutus Beefcake vs. The Genius
The singles match between Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake and The Genius was as much about the characters involved as it was about the in-ring action. Brutus Beefcake, a popular babyface known for his flamboyant outfits and post-match haircuts, was up against The Genius, a pompous intellectual heel whose poetry readings and smug demeanor made him one of the most disliked characters in the WWF at the time.
The match itself was filled with theatrics, as The Genius used his wits and unorthodox tactics to frustrate Beefcake. Despite his smaller stature, The Genius managed to control portions of the match by employing a cat-and-mouse strategy, constantly avoiding Beefcake’s powerful offense. At one point, The Genius even resorted to using the ropes and quick escapes to dodge Beefcake’s attempts to grab hold of him.
However, Beefcake’s strength and determination eventually overcame The Genius’s trickery. The match took a turn when The Genius attempted a high-risk maneuver, only to be caught by Beefcake, who then unleashed a series of power moves. The crowd erupted as Beefcake applied his Sleeper Hold, rendering The Genius unconscious. In typical Beefcake fashion, he prepared to give The Genius a humiliating haircut, but before he could complete the deed, Mr. Perfect, The Genius’s ally, stormed the ring and attacked Beefcake, causing a disqualification.
The aftermath of the match set up a future feud between Beefcake and Mr. Perfect, adding another layer to the ongoing storyline. Behind the scenes, this match was seen as a way to keep Beefcake in the spotlight while furthering his rivalry with The Genius and Mr. Perfect. The disqualification finish allowed both competitors to maintain their momentum, with Beefcake continuing to be a top mid-card attraction.
Greg Valentine vs. Ronnie Garvin (Submission Match)
The Submission Match between Greg “The Hammer” Valentine and “Rugged” Ronnie Garvin was one of the most brutal and hard-hitting contests on the card. This feud had been building for months, with both men known for their stiff strikes and no-nonsense wrestling styles. The match was billed as the final showdown between these two tough competitors, with the added stipulation that victory could only be achieved by forcing the opponent to submit.
Valentine, accompanied by his manager Jimmy Hart, entered the match with his patented Figure-Four Leglock as his primary weapon. Garvin, on the other hand, had developed his own counter to the hold, known as the “Hammer Jammer,” which he wore on his knee to neutralize Valentine’s signature move. The storyline leading into the match revolved around Garvin’s quest to prove that he was just as tough as Valentine and that he could beat him at his own game.
The match itself was a showcase of technical wrestling and sheer toughness. Both men exchanged stiff strikes and punishing holds, with neither willing to give an inch. Valentine focused his attack on Garvin’s legs, trying to weaken him for the Figure-Four, while Garvin targeted Valentine’s upper body with chops and submission holds of his own. The match saw multiple attempts by Valentine to lock in the Figure-Four, only for Garvin to escape or counter the hold.
As the match wore on, the physical toll became evident, with both men showing signs of exhaustion. The turning point came when Garvin managed to apply a Sharpshooter, a move he had rarely used before, forcing Valentine to submit in a dramatic conclusion. The victory was a significant moment for Garvin, who had been positioned as a tough, resilient competitor in the WWF. Behind the scenes, the match was praised for its intensity and for the performances of both Valentine and Garvin, who delivered one of the most memorable submission matches in WWF history.
The Big Boss Man vs. Jim Duggan
In a highly anticipated tag team match, “Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase and his bodyguard Virgil faced off against Dusty and Dustin Rhodes. This match was deeply personal, rooted in DiBiase’s mistreatment of Virgil and his constant humiliation of Dusty Rhodes. The addition of Dustin, Dusty’s son, added an emotional layer, as this was Dustin’s first major appearance in WWF.
The match began with DiBiase and Virgil using their underhanded tactics to gain the upper hand. DiBiase’s technical skill and ring awareness were on full display, as he systematically wore down Dusty with holds and strikes. Dustin, displaying a mix of youthful energy and raw talent, turned the tide with a flurry of offense against Virgil. The climax of the match saw a dramatic turn of events: Virgil, fed up with DiBiase’s abuse, finally stood up to him. This distraction allowed Dustin to hit a crossbody on DiBiase, but in the chaos, Virgil accidentally struck Dusty, leading to DiBiase scoring the pinfall.
Behind the scenes, this match was pivotal in transitioning Virgil from a subservient character to a sympathetic figure. The post-match beatdown of DiBiase by Virgil received a massive pop from the crowd, signaling the start of Virgil’s face turn and a feud with his former employer.
The Royal Rumble Match
The main event of the evening was the Royal Rumble match, a 30-man over-the-top-rope battle royal that had become one of the WWF’s most anticipated events. The 1990 Royal Rumble was particularly significant, as it featured some of the biggest names in the company, including Hulk Hogan, The Ultimate Warrior, Randy Savage, and Ted DiBiase. The match was a showcase of the WWF’s talent, with storylines being advanced and new rivalries being ignited throughout the contest.
The Royal Rumble began with Ted DiBiase drawing the unfortunate number one spot, a position that he had tried to avoid through his usual underhanded tactics. Despite the odds, DiBiase managed to survive for an impressive length of time, using his cunning and alliances to avoid elimination. The early portion of the match featured a mix of established stars and mid-card talent, with eliminations occurring at a steady pace.
One of the most memorable moments of the match came when The Ultimate Warrior and Hulk Hogan, two of the most popular stars in the WWF, found themselves face-to-face in the ring. The crowd erupted as the two powerhouses squared off, trading blows in a preview of what would become one of the biggest rivalries of the year. Their confrontation ended in a stalemate, with neither man able to eliminate the other at that point, but it was a moment that hinted at things to come.
The final stages of the Royal Rumble saw Hulk Hogan once again asserting his dominance, eliminating several competitors to secure his second consecutive Royal Rumble victory. Hogan’s win solidified his status as the top star in the WWF and set the stage for his eventual showdown with The Ultimate Warrior at WrestleMania VI.
Behind the scenes, the 1990 Royal Rumble was a carefully crafted match designed to elevate the existing storylines while creating new ones. The interactions between Hogan and Warrior were a deliberate tease of their upcoming feud, while DiBiase’s endurance performance further established him as one of the top Behind the scenes, the 1990 Royal Rumble was a carefully crafted match designed to elevate the existing storylines while creating new ones. The interactions between Hogan and Warrior were a deliberate tease of their upcoming feud, while DiBiase’s endurance performance further established him as one of the topheels in the company. The Royal Rumble match, as always, served as a perfect platform to showcase the depth and diversity of the WWF roster, giving both rising stars and established veterans the opportunity to shine on a grand stage.
Behind the Scenes: The Planning and Execution
The 1990 Royal Rumble was not just a spectacle for fans but also a carefully planned event behind the scenes. Vince McMahon and the WWF creative team had a clear vision for how the night’s matches would unfold, particularly with the main event, which was designed to advance key storylines heading into WrestleMania VI. The confrontation between Hulk Hogan and The Ultimate Warrior was planned well in advance as a way to build anticipation for their eventual clash at WrestleMania, a match that would become one of the most iconic moments in wrestling history.
The decision to have Hogan win the Royal Rumble for the second year in a row was part of the larger plan to keep him as the top babyface in the company. Hogan was the face of the WWF, and his victories were seen as essential in maintaining the company’s mainstream appeal. However, the inclusion of The Ultimate Warrior as a major force in the Rumble match was a signal that the WWF was preparing for a potential passing of the torch, recognizing Warrior’s growing popularity with the audience.
Ted DiBiase’s performance was another highlight of the match. His endurance and strategic alliances throughout the Rumble were intended to solidify his role as the top villain in the WWF, someone who could be relied upon to carry major storylines. DiBiase’s ability to stay in the match for as long as he did, despite entering first, showcased his in-ring intelligence and craftiness, further endearing him to fans as the man they loved to hate.
The Royal Rumble match itself required meticulous planning. With 30 participants, the timing of each elimination had to be carefully coordinated to ensure that the match progressed smoothly and maintained the audience’s interest. Key moments, such as Hogan and Warrior’s confrontation and DiBiase’s near-endurance to the end, were scripted to maximize their impact. The chaos and unpredictability of the match were, in many ways, controlled chaos, with the wrestlers following a loose script to achieve the desired outcomes while still allowing for some improvisation in the ring.
Legacy of the 1990 Royal Rumble
The 1990 Royal Rumble is remembered not only for the matches themselves but also for its significance in the broader context of WWF history. It was a pivotal event that set the stage for the biggest match of the year, Hogan vs. Warrior at WrestleMania VI, and showcased the WWF’s ability to create compelling narratives that captivated audiences.
The event also highlighted the importance of the Royal Rumble match format as a storytelling tool. By bringing together so many wrestlers in one match, the Rumble allowed for multiple storylines to intersect and evolve, providing a unique opportunity to advance numerous feuds and rivalries simultaneously. This formula proved so successful that the Royal Rumble would continue to be a cornerstone of WWF (and later WWE) programming for decades to come.
Behind the scenes, the success of the 1990 Royal Rumble reinforced Vince McMahon’s approach to long-term storytelling. The decision to tease Hogan vs. Warrior at the Rumble, rather than rushing into the match, demonstrated McMahon’s understanding of the importance of building anticipation. The slow build to their WrestleMania showdown made the eventual match feel like a truly epic encounter, a strategy that would be used repeatedly in WWF/WWE’s booking philosophy.
In conclusion, the 1990 Royal Rumble was a masterclass in wrestling promotion and storytelling. From the tag team opener to the dramatic conclusion of the Royal Rumble match, the event was a showcase of the WWF at its best, combining athletic competition with larger-than-life characters and compelling narratives. The night’s action laid the groundwork for one of the most memorable years in WWF history, proving once again that when it came to creating unforgettable moments, no one did it better than Vince McMahon and the WWF.
