WWF Superstars of Wrestling

For the most recent television series based on this series, seeWWE Superstars.For the nationally syndicated U.S wrestling program, seeSuperstars of Wrestling.For the 1970s Canadian syndicated television program, seeSuperstars of Wrestling (Canadian TV series).

WWF Superstars of Wrestling
Also known as	Maple Leaf Wrestling (Canada)
Genre	Professional wrestling
Created by	Vince McMahon
Starring	World Wrestling Federation alumni
Country of origin	United States
Original language	English
Production
Running time	60 minutes(inc. commercials)
Production company	Titan Sports
Original release
Network	Syndicated(1986–96) USA Network(1996–2000) TNN(2000–01)
Release	September 6, 1986(1986-09-06)– August 19, 2001(2001-08-19)
Related
WWF Championship Wrestling(1972–86)

WWF Superstars of Wrestling(later shortened toWWF Superstarsand toSunday Morning Superstars), also referred to asMaple Leaf Wrestlingin Canada, was an Americanprofessional wrestlingtelevision programthat was produced by theWorld Wrestling Federation(WWF, now WWE). It debuted on September 6, 1986, as the flagship program of the WWF'ssyndicatedprogramming.

In January 2019, select episodes ofWWF Superstarsstarting from April 1992 became available for streaming on theWWE Network.As of September 25, 2023, there are 339 episodes ofSuperstarsavailable for streaming on WWE Network, dating from April 18, 1992 to February 16, 1997 (omitting the September 14, 1996 "Best of Superstars" episode which was the last in syndication before the program was moved to the USA Network).

History

Early format

In September 1986,SuperstarsreplacedWWF Championship Wrestling.Before that,WWF Superstars of Wrestlingwas the name of a weekly recap show hosted byVince McMahon(orGene Okerlund) andLord Alfred Hayesthat lasted from 1984 through August 1986. The new version ofSuperstarswas the program on which all theanglesbegan and at times ended and on which the majority oftitlechanges took place if not at apay-per-viewevent (e.g.WrestleManiaorSummerSlam). Matches primarily saw top-tier and mid-level talent vs. Jobbers; pre-taped interviews with the WWF's roster of superstars; and promos featuring the wrestlers. At times, there was a "feature" match between main WWF talent. As with all syndicated WWF programming, another major aspect of the show was to promotehouse showsand TV tapings in each market.

During its syndication run, the program was re-branded and aired in some parts of Canada asMaple Leaf Wrestling(essentially replacing aprogram of the same namefilmed insouthern Ontario), despite having almost no Canadian content other than interviews promoting matches that were to be held in Canada, along with occasional program-exclusive matches taped atMaple Leaf Gardensin Toronto, Ontario. However, this repackaging was, at the time, sufficient to allow the program to count towardsCanadian contentrequirements for local television stations. Some Canadian viewers were able to watch American feeds of the show and/or "WWF Challenge."

The show also began airing in 1986 in the United Kingdom on Saturday nights onSky Channel.For a short time, it was shown on Tuesdays onEurosport.Early in the 1990s, it was featured in a Friday night time slot. In the mid-1990s,Superstarswas then moved to a Sunday morning time slot. For most of it original run in the United Kingdom Gorilla Monsoon was the play-by-play commentator with various color commentators throughout its history.

Beginning with the April 18, 1992 episode, the program was renamed toWWF Superstars,due to a successful lawsuit by another promoter, Albert Patterson, who had claimed prior rights to the phrase "Superstars of Wrestling".Since then, archival footage of the program has usually been shown with the words "of Wrestling" blurred out where applicable. When the WWF introducedMonday Night RawonUSAin January 1993, the live program usurped the show's once preeminent position in the company as the primary source ofstorylinedevelopment andpay-per-viewbuildup, andSuperstarsbecame secondary in importance.

Change in format

In September 1996,Superstarsleft syndication and moved to pay TV channelUSA Networkin place ofWWF Action Zone,which the network cancelled. Although for a brief period the show continued in its same format, as time went on more and more recaps of the WWF's other programming began to fill the hour. By March 1997,Superstarswas solely a summary program and continued in that manner until its eventual ending.

In 1997, the format ofSuperstarsas aired in the United Kingdom also changed and began to only feature weekly summaries ofMonday Night Raw.Following the premiere ofSmackDown!,Superstarsserved as a summary show forSmackDown!as well.

When the WWF moved its cable TV contract toTNN(later known as Spike, now known as theParamount Network) on October 1, 2000,Superstarsmoved with it. The show was then discontinued in August 19, 2001. The show continued until December 2002 in the UK, until it was replaced byHeatin January 2003.

Title changes

Many of these title changes were not aired for up to several weeks after they took place. As these shows were aired in an era before the Internet was popularized, the previous title holder sometimes defended his title at house shows as though he were still the champion until the title change was aired on television.

• The Hart Foundation(Bret "Hitman" HartandJim "The Anvil" Neidhart) defeating theBritish Bulldogs(Dynamite KidandDavey Boy Smith) for theWWF World Tag Team Championshipon February 7, 1987 (taped January 26, 1987).
• The Honky Tonk MandefeatingRicky "The Dragon" Steamboatfor theWWF Intercontinental Heavyweight Championshipon June 13, 1987 (taped June 2, 1987).
• Strike Force(Rick MartelandTito Santana) defeating the Hart Foundation for the WWF World Tag Team Championship on November 7, 1987 (taped October 27, 1987).
• Demolition(AxandSmash) defeating theBrain Busters(Arn AndersonandTully Blanchard) for the WWF World Tag Team Championship on November 4, 1989 (taped October 2, 1989).
• The Colossal Connection(André the GiantandHaku) defeating Demolition for the WWF World Tag Team Championship on December 30, 1989 (taped December 13, 1989).
• Mr. Perfectdefeating Tito Santana for the vacant WWF Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship on May 19, 1990 (taped April 23, 1990).
• Mr. Perfect defeatingKerry Von Erichfor the WWF Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship on December 15, 1990 (taped November 19, 1990).
• DieseldefeatingRazor Ramonfor the WWF Intercontinental Championship on April 30, 1994 (taped April 13, 1994).

Commentators

The commentary team onSuperstarsunderwent many changes as the years passed. ThehostsofSuperstarsare listed below in chronological order along with their debut episode.

• Vince McMahon,Jesse "The Body" Ventura,andBruno Sammartino(September 6, 1986)
• McMahon and Ventura (March 19, 1988)
• McMahon andRowdy Roddy Piper(August 25, 1990)
• McMahon, Piper, and"The Mouth of the South" Jimmy Hart(for one week only)
• McMahon, Piper, andThe Honky Tonk Man(December 8, 1990) (only lasts through January 19, 1991)
• McMahon, Piper, and"Macho Man" Randy Savage(March 30, 1991)
• McMahon, Piper, andMr. Perfect(November 30, 1991)
• McMahon and Mr. Perfect (December 14, 1991)
• McMahon andBobby "The Brain" Heenan(briefly, after Mr. Perfect's face turn in 1992)
• McMahon, Heenan andJerry "The King" Lawler(December 12, 1992)
• McMahon, Savage, and Lawler (January 2, 1993)
• McMahon and Lawler (October 23, 1993)
• McMahon andReo Rodgers(for one week only)
• McMahon andStan Lane(November 27, 1993)
• McMahon andJohnny Polo
• McMahon andDok Hendrix(April 15, 1995)
• McMahon,Jim Ross,and Lawler
• McMahon, Ross, and Hennig (December 2, 1995)
• Ross and Hennig
• Ross andJim Cornette(November 10, 1996)

Interviewers

• "Mean"Gene Okerlund(1986-1993)
• Ken Resnick(1986-1987)
• Craig DeGeorge(1987-1988)
• Sean Mooney(1988-1993)
• Stan Lane(1993-1995)
• Todd Pettengill(1993-1997)

Trademark infringement

WWE abandoned theSuperstars of Wrestlingtrademark when they changed the show's name toWWF Superstarsin the early 1990s. Albert Patterson, a Wisconsin independent wrestling promoter, successfully trademarked the phrase in 1993.Although there has been litigation between the WWE and Patterson, WWE has not been able to settle with Patterson for the usage of "Superstars of Wrestling".Due to this issue, WWE blurs theSuperstars of Wrestlingbanners when archival content is shown on theWWE Network.

External links

• WWE SuperstarsatIMDb