10 Fascinating WWE Royal Rumble 1989 Facts

9. Haku Vs. Harley Race Was Omitted From The Video Release

Savage Hogan Royal Rumble 1989
WWE.com

The old Coliseum Video releases could feature some curious edits, as WWE didn't always feel it was pertinent to include pay-per-views in their entirety. One such chopping compromised the VHS release of the 1989 Royal Rumble, and it was a singles match with actual stakes.

The match pitting Haku against an essentially-babyface Harley Race was for two prizes: the physical crown that made its holder the unofficial "King of the World Wrestling Federation", and the continued managerial services of Bobby Heenan. Haku ended up victorious.

If you bought the VHS later in 1989, you had no idea that the match even took place, as it was left off the video entirely. It was never really made clear why, but it may have had something to do with the next entry...

Contributor
Contributor

Justin has been a wrestling fan since 1989, and has been writing about it since 2009. Since 2014, Justin has been a features writer and interviewer for Fighting Spirit Magazine. Justin also writes for History of Wrestling, and is a contributing author to James Dixon's Titan series.