Saturday Night Slam Masters
 

 
STORY
Professional wrestling experienced a sudden increase in popularity during the early 1980s, where many professional wrestling organizations were started all over the world. A severe rivalry existed among the organizations. In order to resolve this conflict, 8 organizations combined to form the Capcom Professional Wrestling Association (CPWA), led by Victor Ortega, the CPWA's first champion.
 
One day, Ortega suddenly vanished. He was considered to be the axis of the sport and his unexpected disappearance caused the CPWA to enter an age of confusion and disorder. The BPWA, a dark underground wrestling organization, chose to take advantage of this opportunity and began moving. With "Fighters of Muscle Bomber = Destiny" as the theme, the CPWA chief executives decided to hold a world tour called the "Crash Carnival," to decide the new king of the CPWA. The gong that determines the new "Master of Muscle Bomber" is sounded...
 


 

 
ABOUTKnown as Muscle Bomber: The Body Explosion over in Japan, Saturday Night Slam Masters is a 2D pro-wrestling game released for the CP System by Capcom. Famed manga artist, Tetsuo Hara (Fist of the North Star / Hokuto No Ken) is behind the character designs and artwork for the game. Coming from Capcom, you might expect this series to take some cues from the likes of Street Fighter 2 and other 2D fighting games... and you'd be right.
 

Before El Blaze... Before El Fuerte... There was, EL STINGRAY.

 
There are 3 separate titles in the Slam Masters series: Saturday Night Slam Masters, Muscle Bomber Duo: Ultimate Team Battle, and Ring of Destruction: Slam Masters 2. The first game played approximately 75% like a wrestling game and 25% a fighting game, while the sequels became more and more like a traditional 2D fighter.
 
 

The original Saturday Night Slam Masters uses a very simplified 3-button layout (grab, attack & jump). Each character has 2 special attacks, a non-grapple move, and a finisher. When the opponent's health bar is empty, he must be pinned for a 3-count or submitted. There are 2 modes, of play: Single Match and Team Battle Royale (up to 4-players). The SNES port retains the 4-player Battle Royale mode (multitap compatible) but the Genesis version does not. Instead, the Genesis version introduces "Death Match mode," which basically just adds electrified ropes.

 

If ya smeeeelll... what Mike Haggar... is... cookin'!

  
The sequel, Muscle Bomber Duo, is an updated version of the original which removes 1-VS-1 matches, now focused only on 2-VS-2 Team Battle Mode. This version allows the same character to be chosen by more than one player for the first time, and gives all returning characters 2 new special attacks.
 
 

The final version, Ring of Destruction: Slam Masters 2, was released as a CPS2 title and exclusive to arcades. This version plays mostly like a fighting game, now featuring a 5-button layout (2 punches, 2 kicks & grapple). Players can now achieve victory through simply depleting the opponent's life bar, as pins or submissions are no longer required. There are also 4 new characters added in this version.
   
 

Page Updated: April 19th, 2023
Developer(s): Capcom
Publisher(s): Capcom
Designers: Tetsuo Hara   Character Design / Illustrations
Platform(s): Arcade, Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis, FM Towns Marty
Release Date(s): July 13th, 1993         Saturday Night Slam Masters
Dec. 1993
                      Muscle Bomber Duo
Sept. 2nd, 1994          Ring of Destruction
Characters Mike Haggar, Biff Slamkovich, Gunloc, The Great Oni, El Stingray, Titanic Tim, King Rasta Mon, Jumbo Flapjack, The Scorpion, Alexander The Grater
Slam Masters 2
Characters
Victor Ortega, Black Widow, Rip Saber, The Wraith

Featured Video:

Related Games: Final Fight: Revenge, Street Fighter: The Movie, Street Fighter Alpha 3, Street Fighter III: 2nd Impact, Super Street Fighter IV, Marvel Vs. Capcom 3, MVC3 Ultimate, Hokuto No Ken
  

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BOTTOM LINE

   

  

 

Final Words:

Long ago when I created this website, I decided NOT to feature "pro-wrestling" games on TFG... (even though I've a casual fan of pro-wrestling since I was a little kid in the 80's). This standard for TFG's Games library remains, however, I've obviously made an exception for Saturday Night Slam Masters.

Firstly, because this title is the true "fighting game debut" for Final Fight's Mike Haggar, and secondly, because Capcom made it. Saturday Night Slam Masters certainly is a unique part of fighting game history and deserves its spot in TFG's fighting games library at the end of the day.

I do remember trying the original SNSM at the arcades way back when, but it wasn't a game I played more than once or twice. I've never played either of the sequels, but after hearing that ROD: Slam Masters 2 plays mostly like a fighting game, I'm interested to try it out someday. If I ever get around to doing so, I'll consider reviewing it.

Since this game technically takes place in the same universe as Final Fight and Street Fighter... I do wonder where Hugo, Poison, Zangief, Darun & El Fuerte fit in with the CPWA. Alright Capcom, how about a next-gen SNSM sequel with all said characters. Hell, make it a crossover and include SNK & Tekken wrestlers too. It could be like the awesome 80's all over again... lol. One can dream.
~TFG Webmaster | @Fighters_Gen
 
 


 
 

SPECIAL MOVES ILLUSTRATIONS

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