The Islanders (professional Wrestling) - History - Heel Turn

Heel Turn

Shortly after WrestleMania, the Islanders continued the losing to Demolition, but were scheduled for a match on the WWF Superstars of Wrestling. Their opponents were the popular Can-Am Connection (Rick Martel & Tom Zenk), in what was billed as a scientific match.

Manager Bobby Heenan appeared at ringside during the bout, seemingly surprising both teams, the referee, and the commentators. The confusion allowed the Islanders to attack the Can-Ams from behind, giving the Islanders a countout win. Tama's gave a flying headbutt to Tom Zenk on the arena floor as Bobby Heenan gloated over his new tag team. A summer feud with the most popular tag team in the federation was brewing, but was scrapped when Tom Zenk departed the WWF.

The Islanders appeared at the very first Survivor Series. They were part of the 10 team survivor Tag Team elimination match. While Haku lay on the mat during the match, Dynamite Kid of the British Bulldogs attempted a falling headbutt from the top rope; announcer Jesse Ventura immediately pointed out Dynamite Kid's mistake in mentioning, "Oh, no, you don't want to butt heads with these South Sea Island Boys." Dynamite Kid was practically knocked out, as Haku shook his head, arose, and landed a throat kick to Dyanmite Kid, pinning him.

As heels, The Islanders had two major feuds. The first was with Strike Force, who were formed in the wake of Tito Santana saving Martel — now without a tag team partner — from the Islanders' 2-on-1 attack. The second was with The British Bulldogs, whose mascot Matilda was "dog-napped" by The Islanders on an episode of WWF Superstars of Wrestling; in the weeks following the "dog-napping" incident, the Islanders and Heenan brought a leash to the ring and — to taunt their foes — would pantomime feeding and caressing a dog. The two teams met on opposite sides of a 6-man tag team match (along with Koko B. Ware teaming with the Bulldogs and Bobby Heenan with The Islanders) at WrestleMania IV.

"High Chief" Afi joined the tag team to make a trio for one episode of WWF Superstars of Wrestling, taped April 21, 1988 and aired on May 7, 1988. However, the trio would not last long. Tama's last match with the WWF took place on April 24, 1988 in Toronto's Maple Leaf Gardens and Haku and Afi would wrestle only a small number of matches through May as the Islanders before Afi was released. Haku stayed in the WWF for several more years afterwards as both a single and tag team wrestler.