DEMOLITION (C) VS. THE HART FOUNDATION

Unfortunately, Jim `The Anvil' Neidhart passed away recently, in tribute his daughter Natalya wore his ring jacket from this night for Summerslam 2018. As the chance to review this match came up I couldn't help but add my own tribute. Sean Mooney is backstage with Demolition, they don't specify which two members will be at ringside before calling their next challengers (should they win tonight) the Legion of Doom second-rate phoneys, ironic. They walk off and Mooney takes us back to Vince McMahon and “Rowdy” Roddy Piper on commentary for this match. Demolition makes their way to the ring, so Vince confirms it's Crush and Smash, taking it to Mean Gene in the back with The Hart Foundation. Bret Hart thought it would be Ax and Smash, that's the most experienced team. Anvil is just here to be tough, not to think. Bret Hart throws a Phil Collins quote in, then they make their way to the ring.

DEMOLITION © VS. THE HART FOUNDATION
(2 out of 3 Falls match for the WWF tag team Championships)

WWF Summerslam 1990 (27^th August 1990)

Bret and Smash start the match, slowly reaching for a lock-up. Crush enters the ring, bringing in Neidhart to send him packing as Bret plants his feet, both members of The Hart Foundation send Smash into the ropes, running back into a double back elbow. Bret gets a headbutt and a right hand but Smash reverses an irish whip. Bret goes over Smash's shoulder, landing on his feet and rolls him up for 2. Smash runs into an arm drag and Bret keeps him on the mat. Bret hammers at Smash's arm and tags in Neidhart. Jim Neidhart works on the arm but is sent into the corner. A running elbow by Smash hits the turnbuckle, softening the arm up more and allowing Neidhart to work on it using the rope. Neidhart bites the arm out of the referee's view and tags out again. Bret Hart comes off the middle rope with an elbow drop to Smash's back then goes back to the arm. They trade wristlocks, Bret takes Smash down and drops his leg across the arm and brings him into a top wristlock on the mat. Smash makes his way to his feet and slams Bret down before finally making the tag.

Crush throws Bret on a scoop slam but Bret Hart avoids the knee drop. Bret uses his head and backs Crush into the ropes, Bret gets a wristlock but the irish whip is reversed. Bret ducks a clothesline but Crush catches the crossbody! Bret Hart gets slammed to the mat again, he crawls to the corner and uses the ropes to stand. Crush sends his head into the top turnbuckle and keeps him in the corner with body shots. Bret Hart gets sent into the corner but meets Crush with a boot. Crush is out on his feet as Bret drops to the mat. Bret Hart is able to roll Crush up but only gets 2. They both tag their partners, with Neidhart getting the better of Smash, Neidhart gets sent off the ropes from a headlock but he runs through Smash. Crush knees Neidhart from the apron as he runs the ropes and Bret has the referee's attention. Smash drops an ax handle across Neidhart's back and tags Crush back in. Crush clubs at Neidhart in the corner and sends him across the ring, but Neidhart explodes back out with a clothesline!

Bret sends Smashoff the ropes and drops him with a clothesline and hits Crush with a dropkick. Crush interrupts the mounted punches so Bret jumps at him from the corner, hitting him with rights. Smash receives an inverted atomic drop before Crush gets sent to the floor with Neidhart. Bret Hart gets a nearfall from a backbreaker causing the arena to go insane. Jim Neidhart's on the floor after being sent into the railing as Bret hits a backbreaker. Bret Hart goes to the middle rope and hits the elbow drop but Crush breaks up the pin with a leg drop. It's quite funny hearing Vince call for a disqualification. Crush tags back in and the Demolition Decapitator connects on Bret Hart for the first fall.

It was a good first fall, allowing Demolition to work on the smaller member of the team and get the quick tags. They looked like a good team, picking Bret apart. W2.25 PE2.75 O 5

Jim Neidhart recovers and gets back in the ring and checks on Bret as the announcement is made and we see a replay of the finish, allowing for a rest period. The referee orders him out of the ring and Demolition take advantage, double-teaming Bret in the ring. Crush and Bret are still legal. Crush sends Bret Hart off the ropes but he ducks a back elbow. Crush grabs him by the throat and forces Bret Hart to the mat. Smash tags back in and immediately gets a nearfall from a back suplex. Another tag by Demolition leaves Bret on the mat in a chinlock. The crowd get behind The Hitman and he gets to his feet. Bret Hart tries to elbow free but gets cut off by a strike to the throat and drops to the mat. Smash is back in, he sends Bret Hart off the ropes but Bret ducks a clothesline, hitting a jumping version himself. Bret Hart drops from exhaustion, slowly crawling towards Neidhart. Crush reaches for Smash's boot through the ropes but the referee breaks it up. Bret gets to Neidhart, who backs Smash into the corner. Crush enters the ring but gets cut off by Neidhart. Jim Neidhart sends Smash across the ring and drops him with a high elbow for a nearfall. Smash runs into a powerslam by Neidhart for another nearfall.

Jim Neidhart backs Smash into the corner and rams his shoulder into the ribs. Bret Hart tags back in, Bret reverses an irish whip sending Neidhart into Smash in the corner. Bret Hart knocks Crush to the floor as Neidhart lifts Smash. The Hart Attack connects and Bret covers but Crush jumps over the pin and attacks the referee for the disqualification.

Demolition 1-1 Hart Foundation

As early as this you could see Bret's popularity. Demolition wore him down and Bret had the crowd in the palm of his hands. Jim Neidhart got a short burst to show his power game and then Demolition got to rid them of a proper win.

Crush knocks Bret out of the ring to start the third fall, allowing Ax a chance to run down and hide under the ring. Bret Hart gets to the apron and drives his shoulder into Smash, Bret brings himself in the ring with a sunset flip for a nearfall. Bret drops an elbow to the top of the head and hit an inverted atomic drop. Smash gets tripped and Bret stomps the midsection. Jim Neidhart enters the ring without a tag and sends Bret into Smash in the corner, Smash moves but Bret catches himself on the middle rope. Jim Neidhart drops Smash with a running shoulder tackle. He lifts Bret from the corner and slams him onto Smash for an innovative nearfall. Bret Hart knocks Smash down and he rolls out to the floor for TWIN MAGIC. Ax enters behind Bret's back as Neidhart is trying to tell the referee that paint doesn't reappear. Ax attacks Bret, clubbing him down to the mat. Bret Hart is back on his feet and he backs Ax into the corner. Ax is sent across the ring but comes back out with a clothesline, flattening Bret. A scoop slam gets Ax a nearfall, as does a Russian leg sweep.

Bret Hart goes into the corner the Hart way and drops to the mat. Jim Neidhart breaks up the cover at 2. Crush enters the ring without a tag as Vince mentions the rules can't really matter now. Crush hits a backbreaker and Neidhart breaks up the pin again. He swings at Ax but doesn't connect. Neidhart goes back to Crush in the ring as Ax drags Bret to the floor, holding him for Smash to hit him on the floor and sending him back inside. Crush sends The Anvil to the floor as Smash gets back in the ring with a Hot Shot to Hart behind the referee's back. Legion of Doom make their way to ringside to a cheer from the crowd and drag Ax out from under the ring. They interrupt the Demolition Decapitator attempt and leave, Crush chases them to the back leaving Smash alone. Jim Neidhart gets back in, knocking Smash down with a shoulder tackle over the top rope and Bret rolls him up for the win.

WINNERS: THE HART FOUNDATION (2-1)

Everybody got a chance to do what they do best. Neidharts segments were brief and hard hitting as they should have been, Bret Hart drew sympathy like it was second nature and Demolition showed their numbers advantage. Until it was compromised by Legion of Doom's eardrum-shattering appearance, showing Demolition the other side of power in numbers and allowing The Hart Foundation a more fair victory. – WORKRATE: 3.25/5 PERSONAL ENJOYMENT 3/5 OVERALL 6.25/10

This match is available on the newly released “30 Years of Summerslam” DVD and BluRay release.