Tuesday, July 31, 2012

1986 Overview


It’s quite funny how I keep making mistakes. The Saturday Night’s Main Event that I thought was aired on December 19th was actually taped on that date and aired January 4, 1986. So what does that mean?

It means we’re out of 1985 and into the new year! So let’s see what this year has in store for us!

We have five airings of Saturday Night’s Main Event on January 4, March 1, May 3, October 4, and November 29. Superstars of Wrestling begins in September. And as for Pay Per Views:
WrestleMania II on April 7
Starrcade on November 27

*note: NWA/WCW did have a Great American Bash in 1986. However, it was a general name for a tour of 13 shows all called Great American Bash. This tour will not be covered.

It promises to be a good year!

Monday, July 30, 2012

Starrcade 1985


It’s time once again to delve into the past! Today, I correct my mistake at the end of last Friday’s post: Starccade ’85 was on November 28, obviously before the December 19th Saturday Night’s Main Event and therefore will be covered today. The pay per view was showcased in two venues: Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, North Carolina and The Omni in Atlanta Georgia. Let’s get to it!

We start off with bob Caudle and Tony Schiavone promising a night to remember with every title on the line and grudges to be settled.

Match: Sam Houston vs. Khrusher Khrushchev for the Mid-Atlantic Title
In a match of power vs. speed, both men started out strongly, with Khrushchev slowly gaining the edge. Houston had a second wind somewhere along the way, almost winning, but Khrushchev was able to take quick advantage.

Winner: Khrusher Khrushchev with a pin to become the new Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Championship
This was an ok match. What was promised as speed vs. power didn’t really have a lot of speed to it. Houston’s second wind was nice, but it should have gone on longer and the “I believe I’ve won so I’ll let myself be pinned” didn’t feel right in this case. 2/5

Match: Ragin’ Bull vs. Abdullah the Butcher (with Paul Jones) in a Mexican Death Match
In essence, it’s a Hat on a Pole Hardcore Match. Bwuh?
Anyway, Abdullah had the weight advantage to begin with, which was eventually used against him, with Bull utilizing his own boot and belt. Soon, none of them had any real favor going for them.

Winner: Ragin’ Bull
This match was good. It was intense with neither man having any clear ground. It had a good finish with Abdullah making a small miss, allowing Bull to get the hat. 3/5

Match: Cowboy Ron Bass vs. Black Bart (with J. J. Dillon) in a Texas Bullrope Match
Both men are tied together with the Bullrope, anything goes.
Bass early on had the strength to dominate Bart with a cowbell. Bart’s attempts to turn it around were met with being tossed out of the ring and more cowbell.

Winner: Cowboy Ron Bass with a cowbell and pin
This was a very weak match. Sometimes dominated hardcore matches are good, but when it just results in getting clocked in the head over and over again with a cowbell? I kept wondering to myself when Bass was just going to have mercy and stopped caring. Maybe if Bart was able to get a hit in edgewise I’d find it to be ok. 1/5

Match: Cowboy Ron Bass vs. J. J. Dillon (with Black Bart) in a Texas Bullrope Match.
No matter how many times I wish it was, this is not a typo. Apparently the stipulation going into the Bass/Bart match were that if Bass won, he got a shot at Dillon in the same style match.

Dillon didn’t even wait for Bass to get up from the matt after pinning Bart, he just went into it. Bass was able to retaliate with… more cowbell.
I refuse to put Walken on.
The ref got knocked down, Bart came in piledrived bass, dragged Dillon onto Bass and the ref woke up.

Winner: J.J. Dillon with Bart’s interference and a pin.
The above is the only play-by-play detailed description I will give of any match. That’s exactly how it went. What was the point? Stupid Stipulation with stupid timing (right after the match? Really?) with really stupid decision making. 1/5

Match: Superstar Billy Graham vs. The Barbarian (with Paul Jones) in an Arm Wrestling Match.
Arm wrestling. We go with this now? What kind of booking is this?
It looks like both men are physically straining with this and Graham looks like he’s passing a kidney stone the size of a walnut. I cannot and refuse to buy this. And Paul Jones hit Graham upside the head with his cane.

Winner: Billy Graham by disqualification
Worst. Booking. Ever. 0/5
You see that? I gave it a zero. That’s what happens when you have something this stupid. The Dillon/Bass match was incredibly stupid, inane, and asinine (yes, I realize they are all synonymous. Deal with it.), but at least it had something akin to professional wrestling, not grown men struggling with a child’s game. If this is what I have to look forward to with WCW, I’m going to be having an aneurysm by 1989.

What next?
Match: Superstar Billy Graham vs. The Barbarian (with Paul Jones)
What?
Match: Superstar Billy Graham vs. The Barbarian (with Paul Jones)
What?
Match: Superstar Billy Graham vs. The Barbarian (with Paul Jones)
They shorten everything, for an awful arm wrestling match and THEN put the two together in a real match? WHERE THE OUTCOME IS THE SAME!!!!!!!!!!!

Seriously, the same thing happens. Paul Jones hits Graham, who then wins by disqualification.
I wish I were kidding.
1/5  because it was at least a professional wrestling match.

OK then. I refuse to even comment on the rest of the pay per view. I will give the matches, the winner, and a rating, but will not comment for fear of losing my sanity.

Match: Terry Taylor vs. Buddy Landel (with J.J. Dillon) for the NWA National Heavyweight Championship
Winner: Buddy Landel to become the new champion
3/5

Match: Ole and Arn Anderson vs. Wahoo McDaniel and Billy Jack Haynes for the National Tag Team Title
Winner: Ole and Arn Anderson to retain the championship
2/5

Match: Magnum T.A. vs. Tully Blanchard (with Baby Doll) in an “I Quit) steel cage match for the NWA United States Heavyweight Championship
Winner: Magnum T.A.
4/5

Match: Midnight Express vs. Jimmy Valiant and Miss Atlanta Lively (with Big Mama) in an Atlanta Street Fight
Winner: Jimmy Valiant and Miss Atlanta Lively
3/5

Match: The Rock ‘n’ Roll Express vs. Ivan and Nikita Koloff in a steel cage for the World Tag Team Championship
Winner: The Rock ‘n’ Roll Express
3/5

Match: Dusty Rhodes vs. Ric Flair for the World Heavyweight Championship
Winner: Dusty Rhodes
3/5

It actually did pick up after the second Graham/Barbarian match, but it really was lousy booking in the start to the show. When that happens, it makes me lose quite a bit of interest. Granted, the later matches were better, but I honestly stopped caring because of how it began. However, using this show as a learning experience, I won’t stop commenting because I don’t like how I feel the show is doing.

The night as a whole? 2.6/5 The arm wrestling and rehash matches are what killed it. Also the Pay-Per-View was quite a gimmick-filled night. I would say my favorite match was the Magnum/Blanchard “I Quit” match.

That’s it for today. Wednesday is our last night in 1985!

Friday, July 27, 2012

The Wrestling Classic


Greetings and welcome to another edition of the Vintage Wrestling Review. Today we  finish off the week with The Wrestling Classic, taking place in the Rosemont Horizon in Rosemont, Illinois on November 7. It consisted of a title match and a 16 man elimination tournament. Plus, “Back in Time” by Huey Lewis and the News as a theme. That song makes anything worthwhile.

The show begins with Vince McMahon and Lord Alfred Hayes playing the entire tournament up as well as introducing the pairings which were drawn from a hat.

Match: Adrian Adonis (with Jimmy Hart) vs. Cpl. Kirchner
Kirchner started off on a good offensive, getting Adonis in a side headlock. Eventually, Adonis countered with a suplex and kept the edge.

Winner: Adrian Adonis with the pin
It was a good match to start the show off with. Both men were able to have their respective offensives and paced it rather well. The ending was interesting and worked well for the match. 3/5

After the match, Okerlund interviewed Hart and Adonis, who said he would teach everyone and that he was going to rewrite wrestling.

Match: Dynamite Kid vs. Nikolai Volkoff
As Volkoff was singing the Russian national anthem and denouncing America, Kid went to the top rope and dropkicked Volkoff.

Winner: Dynamite Kid with a dropkick and pin
That was… fun. I guess even Englishmen get tired of the gimmick too. It wasn’t much of a match, but it was greatly executed. 4/5

Okerlund then interviewed Randy Savage and Miss Elizabeth who said he was ready to face Putski and had so much to burn that no one could touch him.

Match: Macho Man Randy Savage (with Miss Elizabeth) vs. Ivan Putski
Savage immediately bails, comes back and bails again after being hit by Putski. He comes back in and Putski gets the offensive. Despite attempts to turn it around, Putski kept his ground, until Savage cheated.

Match: Macho Man Randy Savage with the pin by cheating
This was an ok match. Putski had most of the offensive and Savage never really got anything going for him until the end, which seemed rushed and forced. 2/5

Nikolai Volkoff complained to Vince McMahon about how he was robbed of the match, called for American justice and said it wasn’t over yet. At least that’s what I think he said. Volkoff is very hard to discern at times.

Match: Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat vs. Davey Boy Smith
Both men started off having equal offensive, each having near wins. Smith was eventually able to get the match going in his favor, even with some comebacks by Steamboat. Ultimately, an encounter with the ring ropes injured Smith.

Winner: Ricky Steamboat with the referee conceding the match due to Smith’s injury.
This was a great match, highly energetic and really fun to watch. Neither man had an immediate advantage, making it interesting. It might have been an amazing match had it ended properly and not with Smith getting hurt. 4/5

Junkyard Dog was interviewed by Okerlund, saying you couldn’t take The Iron Sheik for granted and that he was giving thanks to the man above to be there.

Match: The Junkyard Dog vs. The Iron Sheik
Before Junkyard Dog could get ready, Sheik started attacking and gained an early advantage. Quickly though, Dog turned it around, making Sheik beg for mercy. At one point Sheik got The Camel Clutch in, but gave up, giving Dog what he needed.

Winner: Junkyard Dog with the pin
This was a pretty good match. I like how JYD was able to turn the advantage towards him quickly and how it looked like Sheik was going to win at one point. I do think that The Clutch shouldn’t have been given up so quickly though. 3/5

Okerlund interviewed Funk, who said he wanted the chance for the World Heavyweight Champion and that Roddy Piper was going to win the championship

Match: Terry Funk (with Jimmy Hart) vs. Moondog Spot
Funk immediately came out and said he didn’t want to wrestle Moondog and that he hoped Moondog didn’t want to wrestle him. He didn’t and both men walked away until the bell rang and Funk double-crossed Moondog. Before Funk could get back in the ring, Moondog dragged him away and got in himself.
After the “match” Funk and Hart started attacking Moondog and the referee.

Winner: Moondog Spot with Funk being counted out
Terrible. That is all. 1/5

Mr. Fuji and Don Muraco were with Okerlund, claiming Santana had met his match and that Muraco would beat the best.

Match: Tito Santana vs. Magnificent Muraco (with Mr. Fuji)
Muraco started heavy at Santana, having the early upper hand. Santana had a few spurts of advantage before getting the true offensive edge.  Muraco soon stole the match back until a mistake ended it.

Winner: Tito Santana with a surprise pin.
This match was good. Santana should have had more on offense though, but other than that, the two had good power. I like how it ended too, with Muraco thinking he won until Santana stole it from him 3/5

Okerlund had an interview with Bobby Heenan about how his men weren’t in the tournament. He claimed that Bob Orton was going to win the tournament.

Match: Paul Orndorff bs. Cowboy Bob Orton
Orndorff had control early on in the match, focusing mainly on Orton’s arm. Orton was able to gain some advantage, but eventually Orndorff came back only for to Orton to use his cast against him.

Winner: Paul Orndorff with a Disqualification.
Now this was a great match. Orton and Orndorff did very well in their moves, and it was very energetic. It was an interesting finish too, with Orton using his cast against Orndorff. I have no complaints, nor can I say what would have brought this match from great to amazing. 4/5

We then go to the leaderboard and Terry Funk throwing a tantrum about how the referee was arrogant, he should be having a title match and that he can beat anyone. Who’s arrogant?

QUARTERFINALS

Match: Adrian Adonis (with Jimmy Hart) vs. Dynamite Kid
Neither men had an early advantage, but Adonis picked up speed after leaving the ring for a quick second. While Jesse Ventura left the announce table to talk to Randy Savage, Adonis dominated Kid. Soon enough, Kid was able to get the offensive.

Winner: Dynamite Kid with a pin
This was a good match. Adonis wouldn’t let Kid get any true offense in until the end, which I believe should have gone on a little bit longer. But other than that, the two did very well. 3/5

Gene Okerlund spoke with Jesse Ventura after the match, who said Randy Savage was ready to face Ricky Steamboat. Ventura also said his commentary was never prejudiced and biased in his commentary.

Match: Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat vs. Macho Man Randy Savage (with Miss Elizabeth)
Before Steamboat could do anything, Savage pulled Miss Elizabeth in front of him as a shield. Quickly after, Savage had some good offense until Steamboat pulled him out of the ring and turned the match into his favor. At the end, Savage struck Steamboat with a foreign object.

Winner: Randy Savage with a foreign object and pin.
This match was good. Savage had some good heel steam in the very early match, but didn’t quite get any back and Steamboat did well once he brought it into his favor. Savage brought the object out too early though. He should have gotten a false lead only to have it taken away by Steamboat before he used it. 3/5

Gene interviewed Moondog Spot, who merely grunted and said nothing intelligible. I smell squash match.

Match: Junkyard Dog vs. Moondog Spot
Spot started for Dog before the bell rang, but Dog was able to turn everything around and… count the pin himself? Can he do that?

Winner: Junkyard Dog with a pin he counted by himself.
I smelled right. 33 seconds, I counted. As a squash match, this wasn’t that good. Why did I like the one at WrestlMania? Because it worked, plain and simple. This one didn’t. Plus, since when can the wrestler count his own pin? 1/5

Gene then interviewed Heenan again who said Hogan was drained and ready to be picked clean of his title. I side with Heenan for once.

Match: Tito Santana vs. Paul Orndorff
Santana started off with a side headlock and head scissors, which Orndorff reversed into a hammerlock to give him the offensive. It eventually resulted in a brawl outside the ring.

Double Countout and elimination from the tournament
This match wasn’t that good. While it had great tension, it was just slow and boring. The double countout and double elimination was interesting, but also seemed like a forced way to end the match. 2/5

We go back to McMahon and Hayes who played up the next Dynamite Kid/Randy Savage match and how Junkyard Dog had luck of the draw.  

We’re now at the Championship match. Will Hogan retain? Will Piper grab the title away? Do I even need to ask these questions?

Hogan told Okerlund that he was ready and that the whole country gets to witness Piper getting the full brunt of his wrath. Because watcha gonna do… when the Hulkster is getting shoved down your throat?

Match: Hulk Hogan vs. Rowdy Roddy Piper for the WWF Heavyweight Championship
Piper ripped the belt away from Hogan and threw him out of the ring just as the bell rang. The two started fighting outside the ring for the beginning of the match. Once in, Piper was on the immediate offensive. Both men went back and forth quite equally. At one point, Hogan ran into the referee, Piper picked up a chair and Cowboy Bob Orton ran out and interfered.

Winner: Hulk Hogan to retain the championship by Disqualification.
This actually wasn’t that bad of a match. It went back and forth with no real edge to it at all. There were even times when Piper cut Hogan down a few notches and brought the match back from a runaway finish. But the ending… was terrible. Was interference by Orton really necessary? Was Piper getting disqualified again really necessary? This honestly should have been settled in a cage. At least then it would have ended in either Piper getting pinned or having Hogan being counted out. He would have still remained champion with a fine ending. 3/5
Would have been 4 if Orton didn’t show up.

Okerlund interviewed Junkyard Dog, who said he trained hard enough and he was ready to win the tournament. Jimmy Hart showed up and was completely manic about the embarrassment Junkyard Dog showed him in the last Saturday Night’s Main Event.

SEMIFINALS

Match: Macho Man Randy Savage (with Miss Elizabeth) vs. Dynamite Kid
The early match saw no one have an immediate offense, but Savage finally found it. Kid tried to get an edge by dropkicking and superplexing Savage off the top rope, but it didn’t work.

Winner: Randy Savage with a countered pin
This was a good match. It was fast and furious in the beginning, with no one having a clear offensive edge. With Savage getting it and Kid trying to turn it around, only to have it stolen by Savage was a nice finish. 3/5

Some fan named Michael Hamley won a Rolls Royce. No one cared. Okerlund interviewed Hogan who said he wanted to face Piper and Orton again. Orndorff agreed. Yay.
Final Match: Macho Man Randy Savage (with Miss Elizabeth) vs. The Junkyard Dog
Oh look. Savage started off by using Elizabeth as a shield and hightailing it out of the ring. Savage would get back in only to immediately leave again. Thrice. Once in, Junkyard Dog had an immediate offensive advantage. Savage was able to get an edge in, incapacitating Dog outside of the ring. Once back in, Dog was able to turn it around.

Winner: Junkyard Dog with a countout.
This was a good match. Savage’s heel persona was very much evident in the beginning with using Elizabeth and getting in and out of the ring numerous times. While they both had good offensives (Savage outside of the ring and Dog inside the ring), the finish to the match was nicely ironic: JYD throwing Savage out of the ring to be counted out. 3/5

The pay per view was pretty good, with some good and great matches. Unfortunately, because of some horrible matches (the worst ones involving Moondog Spot. Pattern?), the show only gets an all around 2.8/5

I think my favorite point of the night was when Dynamite Kid dropkicked Nikolai Volkoff to immediately end the match. It was hilarious and worked really well, unlike the Junkyard Dog/Moondog Spot squash match.

I’m honestly glad this show’s over. Coming up Next week, we have a Saturday Night’s Main Event from December 19th on Monday, Starrcade ’85 on Wednesday, and Friday, we move on into 1986 with an edition of Saturday Night’s Main Event from February 15.

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Saturday Night's Main Event 11/2/1985


The archives continue once again with Saturday Night’s Main Event. Today I bring to you the Halloween edition aired on November 2 in Hershey, PA.  

The show opens with Okerlund interviewing Bobby Heenan. To emphasize what King Kong Bundy and Big John Studd were going to do to Hulk Hogan and Andre later on, he smashed two pumpkins together. So… they’re going to ignore them and form a mediocre rock group in Chicago?

Oh but then Hulk Hogan comes on, calling Heenan a weasel and continued to rant about how tonight was going to be a fair fight until Andre the Giant cut him off to get ready. Thank you Andre. Have a peanut.

Piper told Jesse Ventura that he loved interrupting the wedding and that Elmer and Hillbilly Jim were going to be made fools of on Piper’s Pit.

Finally, Okerlund interviewed Terry Funk and Jimmy Hart about Funk’s debut against Junkyard Dog. Funk claimed he was going to house train the Dog.



Match: Junkyard Dog vs. Terry Funk (with Jimmy Hart)
Dog dominated the match, even driving Funk from the ring and going after Hart. Eventually Dog would be so distracted by Hart that Funk was able to clock him with Hart’s dropped megaphone. After the match, Junkyard Dog pulled Hart’s pants off and made his mark with Funk’s branding iron.

Winner: Terry Funk with a megaphone and pin.
This match was good. It had a strong start, but slowed after Dog went for Hart the first time. It might have been better if Funk got the megaphone the first time instead of letting Dog get distracted a second time. Hart getting branded was amusing though. 3/5

It’s the Halloween episode so the show cuts to a pie eating contest. Randy Savage and Miss Elizabeth were dressed as Tarzan and Jane, Junkyard Dog was a mummy, King Kong Bundy was Abe Lincoln, Tito Santana was Zorro, Hulk Hogan was Hercules, Hillbilly Jim, Uncle Elmer, and Cousin Junior were the Three Musketeers, Captain Lou Albano was Julius Caesar, Bobby Heenan was Davy Crocket, and finally The Iron Sheik and Nikolai Voloff were… Batman and Robin. Excuse me while I die a little inside. Captain Lou won.

Up next was Piper’s Pit. Piper continued to mock the wedding on the previous Saturday Night’s Main Event. The segment is usually good, but this one was completely forgettable.

Then there was the pumpkin dunk contest between Cousin Junior and Bobby Heenan, who won.

Andre the Giant and Hulk Hogan (with Lou Albano) vs. King Kong Bundy and Big John Studd (with Bobby Heenan)
Hogan and Bundy started off, Hogan on the primary offensive (is there any other way a match can start with Hogan?). However, Studd was able to get the drop on Hogan for a few seconds, but it didn’t last. Once Andre was in, he got tangled in the ropes, causing Bundy and Studd to go completely after him. After the match, Hogan and Andre made the point that the two can’t ever beat them fairly.

Winners: Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant by Disqualification
This match was ok. It would have been better if either Studd or Bundy had more offensive without Andre being tangled in the ropes. The All Powerful Hogan should have been toned down a few notches here too. If Studd and Bundy would have won, the match probably would have been good. 2/5

Between matches, they cut to Vince McMahon at Roddy Piper’s rented American house, showing how he celebrates Halloween: bowling ball candy apples, foil covered bricks and stealing the kids’ candy, which turned out well for him when they were actually chocolate coated red peppers. This was pretty funny in a very odd sort of way.

Then Gene interviewed Hulk Hogan (don’t they have OTHER talent?), who said that those kids outsmarting Piper gave him faith in kids all over the world. So… getting even with someone you don’t like is honorable? That was pretty inconsistent with how Hogan usually is.

Match: Kung Fu match between Mr. Fuji (with Don Muraco) and Ricky “the Dragon” Steamboat
Mr. Fuji tried to get some starting in chops, but they were blocked by Steamboat who was able to get an early going. Fuji did get some good strikes and dominated in the middle of the match. Once Steamboat executed a suplex, he was able to get the edge back.

Winner: Ricky Steamboat with a dropkick and pin
This match was good and fun to watch. There’s nothing I can really say about it. It wasn’t one of Steamboat’s best matches, but it wasn’t bad. The suplex and dropkick that ended it were really good. 3/5

Match: Randy Savage (with Miss Elizabeth) vs. Tito Santana
My information says that this match was on the card, but I couldn’t find video for it. What I have says it ended in a double countout with both of them fighting on the floor outside the ring. Since I can’t watch it, I can’t really say anything about it.

The show closed with a pumpkin passing contest. The faces won.

This show… was ok. I wasn’t able to find one of the matches, but it probably wouldn’t have made it better. The Halloween sketches were pretty fun, and the thing at Piper’s house was the best of them. If I had to choose a favorite match, it’d be the Funk/Junkyard Dog Match. 2.67/5

That finished it for today! Coming up Friday: The Wrestling Classic!

Monday, July 23, 2012

Saturday Night's Main Event 10/5/85


Another day, another edition of Saturday Night’s Main Event, this time aired on October 5.

The show opens with Gene Okerlund interviewing Nikolai Volkoff, who says he’s going to go back to Russia with the belt with no guilty conscience in pushing the button to nuke the country if war broke out. Hulk Hogan retaliated with calling no threat to him or America, but seeing young Americans being shown the Russian flag burns him up. There’s more patriotic, America is best, Russia is evil spots later, so I’ll get to my thoughts on this at the end.

After that little treat, Hillbilly Jim plays up Uncle Elmer’s match, then his wedding before getting interrupted by Roddy Piper. Anything with Piper is hilarious and this wedding looks like it’s going to be a doozey. This wasn’t the first wrestling wedding ever, that dubious honor goes to Paul Vachon and Ophelia’s wedding on the December 18, 1984 edition of Tuesday Night Titans. Nothing good ever happens at them, so we’ll see how this turns out.

We then get a proper interview with Hogan, who says he stands for America, that he’s proud of his country and promises that the American Flag will remain standing in the ring.



Match: Hulk Hogan vs. Nikolai Volkoff (with Freddie Blassie) for the WWF World Championship
Hogan comes out to “The Star Spangled Banner” waving the flag around, and is almost immediately hit from behind before the bell rings. Volkoff’s strikes were soon countered, giving Hogan the invincible edge, until he was smacked into the ring post. Hogan was eventually able to counter a backbreaker and get back on the offensive.

Winner: Hulk Hogan with the legdrop and pin to retain the title.
After the match, Hogan shined his shoes and threw the Russian flag on the ground.
This match was pretty good. I honestly feel it should have gone on longer and been the main event and not the opening match. I do like how it seemed Hulk was going to lose, which would have been interesting. 3/5

After the match, Okerlund interviewed Hogan who said that if Volkoff didn’t get the message that the USA was the greatest country on the face of the earth, he would explain it slower next time. He was also excited for the wedding later.

We then had more to do about the upcoming wedding.  Elmer wasn’t worried about either his match or the wedding, good to know you’re not nervous about marrying someone right?

Match: Uncle Elmer (with Hillbilly Jim) vs.  Jerry Valiant
Umm. Valiant rushed at Elmer and got slammed in 6 seconds, a new WWF record.

Winner with no effort: Uncle Elmer
I can’t even call this a match. The squash match from WrestleMania at least had some effort. This was just pointless They shortened the title match for this? 1/5

Elmer and Okerlund were very excited about it in their post match interview. Can’t see why not, they just set a World Record!
Apparently Ahnold was in the crowd.

We then had Jesse Ventura’s “Body Shop” where he had Bobby Heenan as his guest. Heenan complained about Orndorff firing him. He subsequently put a bounty on the man’s head for $50,000 so he could put him out of wrestling. It should be interesting to see where this goes. They also played up the Piper/Orndorff match later on.

Okerlund had an interview with Orndorff. Wait, couldn’t Heenan just search the dressing rooms for the guy? He wouldn’t have to spend so much money that way. But oh well Heenan’s never really had much of a brain. Anyway, Orndorrf called Heenan no good and said Roddy Piper wouldn’t be man enough to collect the bounty. I’m interested to see what’s going to happen post-match.

Couldn’t someone in the crowd grab Orndorrf to collect Heenan’s bounty?

Okerlund then interviewed Piper who called Orndorff a sissy, and called himself a tough guy  and said he would collect the money from Orndorff’s grandmother if he had to. He also asked who wanted Uncle Elmer to get married when there would be five little Elmers in a few years. Cheap heat is good heat.

Match: Paul Orndorff vs. Rowdy Roddy Piper
The referee had to physically restrain Orndorff before the match, but the two immediately went at it, Paul on the offensive. The match quickly turned into a free for all street fight with Piper having the advantage. My video cut off before the two finished fighting so I wasn’t able to see how it ended.

Double Countout
This was nuts. I can’t call it a match because of what happened. Both men showed how much they hated each other by having the match immediately devolve into a flat out brawl. It was great. What would have made it better is if the two men started civilly, trying to wrestle, the having Piper instigate the brawl instead of Orndorrf immediately going for the man. 4/5

We then go to Elmer’s wedding, complete with horrible organ playing from Okerlund. But in the middle of the ceremony, surprise, surprise, Roddy Piper interrupted it. This man will never get boring. In his words, “the whole wedding stinks!” The crowd loved it. And so did I.
Side note: This wedding was actually legitimate.

Okerlund then interviewed King Kong Bundy and Big John Studd, who claimed that Andre the Giant was the number 3 giant of wrestling and they were going to put a stop to his run.

Match: Andre the Giant and Tony Atlas (with Capt. Lou Albano) vs. King Kong Bundy and Big John Studd (with Bobby Heenan)
Andre went straight for Bundy, choking him out and using Atlas’ head for a massive headbutt. While Andre was distracting Studd, Bundy illegally slammed Atlas before the two legal men got back to fighting. Bundy illegally went after Andre while Studd illegally worked on Atlas until the two double teamed Andre.
After the match, Andre was double teamed by Bundy and Studd until everyone’s favorite hero Hulk Hogan stepped in for an assist. So the small Hogan is able to take two giants on alone when Andre couldn’t? Nothing’s too unstoppable for America!

Winner: Andre the Giant and Tony Atlas by Disqualification
It was an ok match. It was slow to begin with, but picked up speed once Atlas got in. Atlas wasn’t used too well in this match, he was able to get in a few good hits, but generally failed. And post match? We’re supposed to believe that Hogan is so great he can make two giants that another giant had trouble with flee? 2/5

A video package was shown with Okerlund and George Steele at the Detroit Zoo… This just seemed pointless, but it was funny hearing Steele call Heenan a lemur and Bundy a hippo.

Okerlund had an interview with Brutus Beefcake and Greg Valentine who said they would have a match anytime, anywhere and with anyone for the Tag Team Titles

Match: Leaping Lanny Poffo and Tony Garea vs. Brutus Beefcake and Greg “The Hammer” Valentine (with Johnny Valiant) for the Tag Team Championship
Valentine started off with very strong offense. Poffo was able to get some edge between tags, but interference cut it short. Garea was soon tagged in and had a great advantage until Valentine dropped the Hammer.

Winner Brutus Beefcake and Greg Valentine with the Hammer and Figure 4 Leg Lock
This was a good match. There were points where it seemed like the challengers were going to win, but it was constantly denied of them. It was energetic but just didn’t scream “main event.” It would have been perfect for a starter match or somewhere in the mid card. This should have been switched with the Hogan match. 4/5

 We finish up the night with Elmer and Joyce’s wedding reception. There was nothing really notable, except Tiny Tim showing up and Jesse Ventura’s hilariously mean poem which caused Hillbilly Jim to throw him into the cake.

 Before I get into what I thought of the night as a whole, I want to get into the whole America/Russia, thing that Hogan and Volkoff have as well as the America/Iran thing with Hogan and Sheik. It’s a fun angle and can really work when there’s more than one dimension to it. It should be more than “I’m good because I’m American, and you should cheer me because I’m American,” and “I’m evil because from Russia/Iran, and you should hate me because I’m not American.” That turns into a mindset of not caring about the misdeeds of one’s country because “well, I’m from Country X and Country X is the best country there is and it can do no wrong!” Yes, there’s black, white and about a hundred different shades of gray. I guess this comes from not ever having an 80s mindset, thinking that America is the best because it’s simply America. Don’t get me wrong, I love America, and I do think it’s a great country, but we have a lot of problems… wait, wasn’t I talking about wrestling?

Yes, yes. Honestly, this was a really lackluster night, earning 2.8/5
Two matches should have been switched and the squash match was just terrible, even for squash matches. Hogan had way too much airtime, but the wedding was nice, and so was the reception. Too bad Piper didn’t interrupt that one too.

That's all for today, Wednesday we get another Saturday Night's Main Event and Friday moves onto The Wrestling Classic

Friday, July 20, 2012

The 1985 Great American Bash


Today on Vintage Wrestling Review, we head into July 10, for NWA’s first Great American Bash in Charlotte, North Carolina’s American Legion Memorial Stadium.


Match: Buddy Landel (with J. J. Dillon) vs. Ron Bass
The match began with Landel with a kick and blow, throwing Bass out of the ring. The two fought furiously back and forth, Bass’ head being thrown onto the bell once early on and Landel being thrown into the ring posts numerous times.
Winner: Draw

Match: Ole and Arn Anderson vs. Buzz Sawyer and Dick Slater for the Tag Team Championship
The fight started before the bell, Sawyer and Slater heading straight towards the Andersons, and dominated nearly the entire match, save for an illegal switch at the end.
Winners: Ole and Arn Anderson with a pin to retain the National Tag Team Championship

Match: 6 Team Tag with “Superstar” Billy Graham, Konga the Barbarian, and Abdullah the Butcher (with Paul Jones) vs. Manny Fernandez, Sam Houston, and Buzz Tyler.
The match was pretty dominant from Graham, Barbarian and Abdullah’s side, once having Houston in their corner and all three completely thrashing him. Eventually though, Houston was able to escape from the torture, spark a brawl and make a pin in the midst.
Winners: Fernandez, Houston and Tyler with a sneaky pin.

Match: Jimmy Valiant vs. Paul Jones in a Dog Collar Match
Jones was in control for the beginning and most of the match, weaponizing the chain. Eventually, Valiant was able to gain leverage when Jones was on the rope and soon gained the upper hand. Jimmy eventually hit the Valiant Elbow and won. Though, Abdullah decided to beat on Valiant after the match.
Winner: Jimmy Valiant with the Valiant Elbow and pin.

Match: The Road Warriors (Hawk and Animal) (with Paul Ellering) vs. Krusher Khruschev and Ivan Koloff for the World Tag Team Championship
Hawk started this match doing very well against Koloff, even slamming him from the top rope. Eventually, Khruschev and Koloff were able to gain the advantage over Animal, working him down.  The match would end with all four men brawling in the middle of the ring, each using the same chair to hit each other.
Winner: Double Disqualification

Match: Magnum T.A. vs. Kamala (with Skandor Akbar) for the NWA United States Championship
Kamala began the match in complete control, though Magnum used his weight to gain a slight advantage at one point, but it was quickly lost. Somehow, over the hopeless beating, Magnum was able to turn it around with three dropkicks.
Winner: T.A. Magnum via Disqualification to retain the NWA United States Championship.

Before the next match, there was a short interview with Ivan Koloff, who stated that the Kremlin had chosen his brother Nikita to be the next NWA World Heavyweight Champion. Yay Red Scare!
Match: Ric Flair vs. Nikita Koloff (with Ivan Koloff) for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship with David Crocket as special referee.
Ric Flair landed in the stadium via helicopter along to Zarathustra. Gotta love that.
Anyway… Kolof started the match off brutally strong, putting Flair in a headlock. Flair tried to fight back, but to hardly any avail, but a Figure 4 Leg Lock almost did it. Finally, all bloodied up, Flair was able to gain the advantage by falling on Koloff. Afterwards, the Koloffs gave Flair a complete beatdown even with other wrestlers trying to stop it.
Winner: Ric Flair by deadweight fall and pin to retain the NWA World Heavyweight Championship

Match: Tully Blanchard (with Baby Doll) vs. Dusty Rhodes for the NWA World Television Championship in a Steel Cage
Rhodes started off the match quite strong, but Blanchard gained small headway before Rhodes retained control. Every leg up Blanchard tried to get was met with a counter by Rhodes until the piledriver.
Winner: Dusty Rhodes with the piledriver to win the NWA World Television Championship

Match Ratings
Landel vs. Bass.
Good match. Both men brutalized each other, but left no clear victor. Yet, sometimes no true winner is good when a feud needs more heat. Following the bell though, Bass staying in the ring to egg on Landel just didn’t feel right. If the feud was really that strong, he should have chased them to the back or out of the stadium. 3/5

Ole and Arn Anderson vs. Buzz Sawyer and Dick Slater
Good match. The illegal switch and pin were a good way to dirtily retain the titles. The beginning was good too with Sawyer and Slater not even waiting for the bell to ring. My only problem was sometimes the chaos with all four men in the ring made it confusing to watch. 3/5

“Superstar” Billy Graham, Konga the Barbarian, and Abdullah the Butcher (with Paul Jones) vs. Manny Fernandez, Sam Houston, and Buzz Tyler.
Sometimes 6 Man Tag matches can be good and fun to watch. This was a great match with Sam Houston being demolished until the last second. He body slammed Graham for a partial pin, but when the other four came in, he scored another pin to win. My only problem for this match was that Houston should have gotten some more hits in than just a slam. But it was still great. 4/5

Jimmy Valiant vs. Paul Jones
Research shows that Vince Russo didn’t begin booking until 1992, and that was with the WWF. So I’m not sure who to blame for this. I’m not really into Dog Collar matches, but even so, this match was ok. Nothing really notable, except for Abdullah’s beating after the match. 2/5

The Road Warriors vs. Krusher Khruschev and Ivan Koloff
This was a good match. Both teams were evenly matched and had their own high points. I said before that sometimes no winner is a good move, but sometimes it doesn’t work. The double disqualification came with both teams using the same chair. I would have liked this match to have a clear winner, but the Double DQ could have worked if the first match hadn’t been a draw. It also got a little slow before the DQ. Other than that, good match 3/5

T.A. Magnum vs. Kamala
This was a good match. It would have been a great match if it hadn’t been for the disqualification thanks to Akbar. I like matches where the smaller guy turns it around to eventually win and Magnum had Kamala off his feet, it could have been great for a true pin. I do like how Magnum took the post match hit from Kamala to make it look like he won fairly, but it was still a poor finish. 3/5

Ric Flair vs. Nikita Koloff
It was an amazing match. Flair’s victory came out of nowhere after both men were going back and forth for quite some time. At one point a fan ran into the ring which, though stupid, was completely hilarious. I found nothing wrong with this match and the post match beatdown just proved how livid Koloff really was. 5/5

Dusty Rhodes vs. Tully Blanchard
This was quite a good match; Dusty really showed his drive and determination in stopping Blanchard whenever he could. On the other hand, Blanchard really didn’t have a chance, even though he got some offense in. I think there should have been a time where it looked like he was going to retain the title. Also, I don’t think it should have followed the Flair/Koloff match, it was a little less energetic and should probably have gone on a bit longer. 3/5

Show Rating: 3/5
It was a good card. Most of the matches were quite entertaining, and I liked all of them except for the Valiant/Jones match. For the most part, it was an energetic night with one good title change and a crazy fan. I’d say my favorite match was either the 6 Man Tag or Magnum/Kamala.

And so we’re almost halfway through 1985! Stay sharp, there’s two more airings of Saturday Night’s Main Event before the next Pay Per View!

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Saturday Night's Main Event 5/11/85


Off the heels of the first WrestleMania, we come to the very first Saturday Night’s Main Event, broadcast on May 2.

Promos
Cyndi Lauper coaches Wendi Richter on her upcoming match with The Fabulous Moolah and Hulk Hogan and Mr. T warned Rowdy Roddy Piper against interfering in Hogan’s championship match with Cowboy Bob Orton.
Good promos, but the Lauper/Richter coaching felt rushed to get to Hogan and Mr. T and Hogan stealing Mr. T’s catchphrase just seemed odd. Not a bad promo though, I enjoyed Lauper’s coaching and what Hogan had to say. 3/5

Interview
Gene Okerlund interviews the faces of the upcoming six man tag team match, Ricky Steamboat, Mike Rotundo, and Barry Windham, with Capt. Lou Albano. They felt that tonight was the night they would take care of Sheik and Volkoff, only wishing it was a championship match and Albano expressed what he would do to Blassie if he interfered. 4/5

Great interview, the team and Albano sounded like they were quite ready for the match.
Match: Six Man Tag Team Match, The Iron Sheik, Nikolai Volkoff, and George “The Animal” Steele (with Freddie Blassie) vs. Ricky Steamboat, Mike Rotundo, and Barry Windham (with Capt. Lou Albano)
Nothing like the faces coming out to beat down the evil foreigners while The Boss plays, that just slightly improved the match for me.
The match started with Sheik and Windham, who got the first strike and had and complete domination with his teammates. The match ended when Steele was abandoned by Sheik and Volkoff, giving Windham the opportunity to go for the pin. After the match, Sheik and Volkoff attacked Steele while he was eating the turnbuckle, and Albano came to console Steele.
It was a nice match. The faces had control throughout the fight and didn’t allow the heels to get a leg up. While I think it could have been better with the heels coming back before the faces got their second wind, Blassie pulling out Sheik and Volkoff to abandon Steele , was a good move. I also liked how Steele turned face, no honor amongst thieves (or communists, in this case) in deed.  
Winner: Ricky Steamboat, Barry Windham, and Mike Rotundo with heel abandonment and pin. 4/5

Interview
Okerlund interviewed Sheik and Volkoff, who claimed it was all Steele’s fault who came up and attacked them in retaliation. Perfect timing for a good, short interview 5/5

Piper’s Pit
Piper talked with Paul Orndorff about WrestleMania, Piper called Orndorff a loser, stating that he was the one doing all the fighting in their WrestleMania match. It ended pretty much the way they always do: insults and fighting. Orndorrf turned on Piper and Orton, having to be restrained by a newly arrived Mr. T. A great Piper’s Pit, would have been better had Mr. T not gotten involved and just had Orndorrf beat Piper and Orton around. 4/5

Interview
Okerlund interviewed Hogan about Piper’s Pit. Hogan felt that people like Piper should be out of the WWF and that his match was dedicated specially for his mother. He also felt that Orndorff was having a change of heart.
This interview felt completely out of place, especially with Hogan. I realize Hogan had a match right after this, but it might have been better if Orndorff was interviewed instead about what just went down. But the dedicating the match with Orton to his mother was nice. 2/5

Match: Cowboy Bob Orton (with Rowdy Roddy Piper) vs. Hulk Hogan (with Mr. T) for the World Heavyweight Championship
The match started with Hogan in control, Orton finally gained advantage at one point, even kneeing Hogan in the face. But once Hogan came to his feet, he went back in control. After Piper decided to level Mr. T, and make the odds uneven, Orndorff showed up, making Piper and Orton flee to get counted out.
Nice match. Nothing much to say about it, but Orndorff showing up was good. 3/5

Interview
Okerlund interviewed The Fabulous Moolah who stated that she was tired of Lauper and got her banned from ringside. Good heel action. He then interviewed  Richter and Lauper who expressed that she would never leave Richter’s side and that Moolah always interferes. The latter part comes off as whining and the interviews just seemed unnecessary. 2/5

Match: Wendi Richter (with Cyndi Lauper) vs. The Fabulous Moolah for the Women’s Champion
Moolah had the upper hand for most of the match, but Richter was able to gain the advantage, countering Moolah’s pin.
Honestly a mediocre match. I liked Richter getting in some good strikes in the middle, but it was mostly dominated by Moolah. It made Richter’s win look like dumb luck.
Winner: Wendi Richter with a counter to Moolah’s pin. 2/5

Interview
Junkyard Dog was interviewed with his mother, where he wished his mother a happy mother’s day.
I liked this interview. Instead of the average “I’m gonna win this match!” Dog wished his mother and all mothers a happy mother’s day and said he brought his mother here because she had never been to New York. A nicely done interview and nice sentiment. 5/5

Match: Junkyard Dog (with his mother) vs. Pete Dougherty
Junkyard Dog just completely demolished Dougherty. And it was great. Could have done without Dog’s mother dancing in the ring afterward.
Winner: Junkyard Dog with a pin. 4/5

Interview/Promo
Okerlund interviewed the Junkyard Dog who was excited about his previous victory. The Iron Sheik expressed distaste at Lauper’s Mother’s Day Party because they were unable to get their mothers out. Okerlund interviewed others and their mothers until Moolah crashed the party, insulting Lauper and her mother.
Umm. This was interesting. Parts of it were good. I want to know why Sheik and Volkoff were there. Weren’t there other talent that could have been there with their mothers other than Sheik, Volkoff, Blassie, Albano and Hogan?  Other than that, Moolah getting more cheap heat was fairly good. 3/5

The full show averages a 3/5, just average. Some of the interviews weren’t needed or could have been done differently, and the Mother’s Day Party should have had different talent to fill it. Otherwise, the matches were good and so was Piper’s Pit. My favorite?  Junkyard Dog’s match.

That leaves it for today’s Vintage Wrestling Review. Coming up on Friday: The 1985 Great American Bash. 

Monday, July 16, 2012

WrestleMania I



It is my pleasure to begin my journey into the archives of professional wrestling. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride as I shoot back into 1985 and take the slow path back home.

We begin with the very first WrestleMania, broadcast from Madison Square Garden on March 31.
Pre-Match interviews
Before their match, Gene Okerlund interviewed Tito Santana and The Executioner. Tito said he respected The Executioner, but that he wouldn’t get in the way of his goals and the other claimed he’ll be going after Tito’s injured leg. Only then will the WWF who the mysterious Executioner is.  
I thought it was pretty good, but needed more feeling. Executioner looked and sounded like he had just woken up and hastily put his mask on.  
4/5
Match: Tito Santana vs. The Executioner
Santana started off strong, dropkicking Executioner out of the ring and going for headlocks and punches. Executioner was able to get in some offense, even working on the leg like he said he would. But in the end, Santana finished the match with a figure-4 leg lock.
Good match, Santana did a great counter in slamming Executioner from the top rope. Executioner got in a few good hits on Santana’s leg, but it would have been better if Santana had sold it a little better.
Winner: Tito Santana with a Figure-4 Leg Lock. 4/5
Pre Match Interviews
Gene interviewed S.D. Jones, who said he was ready to face King Kong Bundy and ready to get down. On the other hand, Bundy (with Jimmy Hart) called himself the biggest man in professional wrestling and told Jones to think about what he was going to do.
These were good interviews as well, really energetic, but probably a little too short.
4/5
Match: King Kong Bundy (w/ Jimmy Hart) vs. S.D. Jones
Jones quickly started after Bundy, who effortlessly annihilated him in 9 seconds.
Perfect squash match
Winner: King Kong Bundy with body slam & pin. 5/5
Pre Match Interviews
Okerlund next interviewed Matt Borne who called Ricky Steamboat too nice a guy, which was the only quality he missed. Steamboat, on the other hand called his next match a big test in developing his mean streak.
This was an ok interview segment. I would have rather Steamboat say he didn’t need to be mean, just less nice. 3/5
Match: Ricky Steamboat vs. Matt Borne
Both men started very well, with Steamboat getting in early offense and a good headlock. Both men were able to get in some moves against each other. Steamboat was able to close the match with a flying tackle from the top rope.
A great match. Both men did well and Steamboat closed the match very well.
Winner: Ricky Steamboat with flying tackle & pin. 4/5
Pre Match Interviews
The next interviews were with Brutus Beefcake and David Sammartino. Sammartino, with his father Bruno, mentioned Beefcake’s cockiness while proclaiming his readiness, while Beefcake, with Johnny Valiant, said nothing. Valiant did all the talking by shouting about Bruno Sammartino.
Not very good interviews. David’s was unenergetic and Beefcake’s was a little incomprehensible. 2/5
Match: David Sammartino (with Bruno Sammartino) vs. Brutus Beefcake (With Johnny Valiant)
The match started slow with Sammartino getting in holds and Beefcake executing quite a few slams. They went back and forth for a good while, each having a good advantage. Sammartino was able to come back after a bit, but Beefcake was able to throw him over the ropes. The match ended in a double disqualification after interference by Valiant sparked Bruno’s involvement.  
The match was OK. It was slow until near the end. Sammartino gave Beefcake a good suplex and Beefcake scored some nice slams. Valiant’s suplex on Sammartino, which brought Bruno into the match was interesting.
Double Disqualification. 3/5
Pre Match Interviews
Okerlunds next interviews were with Greg Valentine, with Jimmy Hart, and Junkyard Dog. Valentine exclaimed that he was in the greatest shape of his life and the match would show why he was the Intercontinental Champion as well as the master of the figure-4 leg lock. Junkyard Dog saw it as his biggest opportunity for the championship.
Great interviews, though Junkyard Dog’s bit could have been longer, but no serious complaints. 4/5
Match: Greg “The Hammer” Valentine (with Jimmy Hart) vs. Junkyard Dog for the Intercontinental Championship
Junkyard Dog began the match quickly, scoring the first hit, an arm twister and heavy offence. Although Valentine was able to get in some good hits, they were both evenly matched. Near the end, Jimmy Hart tried to distract the referee, but Dog caught it. When Valentine tried to use it to his advantage he clobbered Hart instead. Near the end, Dog dominated and Valentine was able to cheat and get a pin with his legs on the rope. However, Santana entered the ring to inform the ref who made the match continue. Valentine wouldn’t get back into the ring, was counted out and retained the title.
This was a really good match. Junkyard Dog had some really good offense, and I liked how Santana come into the ring to inform the referee of Valentine’s cheating. But the end could have been better. I like that Dog won, but it would have been better if Santana forced Valentine back in. Dog could have gotten more hits and Valentine could have made another cowardly retreat.
Winner: Junkyard Dog by countout, Greg Valentine retains Intercontinental Championship. 4/5
Pre Match Interviews
Okerlund’s next interviews were with Nikolai Volkoff and The Iron Sheik, with Freddie Blassie. The two claimed that they were in the prime of their lives and they would conquer. Next, Okerlund interviewed the US Express, Mike Rotundo and Barry Windham with Capt. Lou Albano, who said they were ready for Volkoff and the Sheik.
OK interviews, short but got their point. 3/5
Match: Nikolai Volkoff and The Iron Sheik (with Freddie Blassie) vs. The US Express (with Capt. Lou Albano) for the Tag Team Championship
Before the match, Volkoff sang the Russian National Anthem and Sheik cried the greatness of Russia and Iran and denounced the USA. Nice cheap heat.
The Sheik started strong with Rotundo in a headlock, but he was able to reverse it and had a good starting advantage with Windham. Though Volkoff and the Sheik were able to have better advantage later in the match, especially when the illegal man, Sheik, nailed Windham with Glassie’s cane, allowing for Volkoff to get the pin and win the Tag Team Championship.
This was a good fast paced and energetic match. Both teams had some good moves and the US Express had great teamwork.  The end was good, a dirty win for dirty heels.
Winner: Nikolai Volkoff and The Iron Sheik with Blassie’s cane and Nikolai’s pin to win the Tag Team Championship. 4/5
Post Match Interview
Okerlund now interviews the new Tag Team Champions. The two claimed they have proved that Iran and Russia are the best. Great interview 5/5
Pre Match Interview
Okerlund interviews Big John Studd, with Bobby Heenan, who showed the duffle bag full of money as the prize for Andre the Giant slamming Studd or retiring from the WWF.
An ok interview, but it would have been better Andre was interviewed afterward. 3/5
Match: Big John Studd (with Bobby Heenan) vs. Andre the Giant. $15,000 Slam Match with Andres career on the line.
Studd scored some early hits, but Andre dominated the match and finally slammed Studd.
It was a slow match, Andre put on quite a few holds and some good hits on Studd’s legs. The slam was good and powerful though.
Winner: Andre the Giant with a powerful slam. 3/5
Post Match Interview
Okerlund finally interviewed Andre the Giant who was excited that he did it and that he didn’t have to retire. This was a great interview, Andre’s expression was great and told of his excitement. 5/5
Pre match interview
Okerlund interviewed Wendi Richter, with Cyndi Lauper. The two exclaimed great a manager Lauper was and how dead set Richter was on getting the championship back. He then interviewed Leilani Kai, with The Fabulous Moolah. Kai simply said she was going to be the victor.
It was a nice interview, Kai’s part could have been longer and more boastful 4/5
Match: Wendi Richter (with Cyndi Lauper) vs. Leilani Kai (with The Fabulous Moolah) for the Women’s Championship
Both women went at it very quickly. Richter had good advantages early on with slams and locks. Kai was able to gain some ground and wear Richter down. Moolah tried to put Richter down, but Lauper stopped it as quickly as it happened. Richter was able to pull a win after reversing Kai’s pin after an elbow off the top rope.
Both women had some great offense. Richter slammed Kai very powerfully many times and locked in some good leg and scissor locks. Kai also wore Richter down well, but not well enough.
Winner: Wendi Richter with a pin to become the new Women’s Champion. 4/5
Post Match Interview
Okerlund interviewed Richter who gave Lauper her credit for helping her with the win and Lauper told how she had he eye on Moolah. Dave Wolf was there, but didn’t say anything. He should have. 4/5
Match: Hulk Hogan and Mr. T vs. Rowdy Roddy Piper and “Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff with Muhammad Ali as guest referee
Hogan and Piper began staring each other down, but T was let in before any fighting started. The two slapped each other multiple times before actually doing anything.  The match soon turned into chaos, but was under control quickly and Hogan assumed control. After a brief stint with T, Hogan threw Piper out of the ring and followed thanks to Orndorff. Once back in the ring after getting hit with a chair by Piper, the latter and Orndorff had the advantage over Hogan and T for a while. Interference by Cowboy Bob Orton that mistakenly hit Orndorff allowed Hogan to get the pin.
The match was slow to start, but quickly energized and slowed down again after the quick chaotic brawl. It sped up again shortly after Piper and Hogan were knocked out of the ring and Piper struck Hogan with a chair. Piper, Orndorff, and Hogan executed some great moves and provided a good match.
Winner: Hulk Hogan and Mr. T with a pin due to ill timed interference by Cowboy Bob Orton. 4/5
Post Match Interview
Okerlund interviewed Mr. T and Hulk Hogan for the final spot of the show. The two were very energetic in their win and it certainly showed. 5/5
The full show averages a 4/5. It was very good as a first WrestleMania with good interviews and many great matches. If I had to pick a favorite, I’d say it was the Steamboat/Borne match.
So that was WrestleMania I. My journey of 1000 miles has been started with the first step. Along the way, I’ll witness all the great moments as well as endure the bad.  It proves to be quite the experience. 

Saturday, July 14, 2012

1985 Overview

So we begin in 1985.


WWF produced four airings of Saturday Night’s Main Event on May 10, October 3, October 31, and December 19.

There were four events broadcast via pay per view this year:

WrestleMania I on March 31
The Great American Bash on July 10
The Wrestling Classic on November 7
Starrcade on November 28

Sounds like a short, but good year. My thoughts coming soon. 

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Programs and Scale


These four companies have produced numerous programs over the years (and RAW is nearing its 1000th episode). Therefore, I wanted to note which shows I will write on and rate.
·         WWE
o   Saturday Night’s Main Event (1985-1992/2006-2008)
o   WWF Superstars of Wrestling (1986-1997)
o   Monday Night RAW (1993-present)
o   Sunday Night Heat (1998-1999)
o   Smackdown (1999-present)
o   ECW (2006-2010)
o   Superstars (2009-present)
o   All Pay Per Views
·         WCW
o   Main Event (1988-1998)
o   Clash of the Champions (1988-1997)
o   Power Hour (1989-1994)
o   Nitro (1995-2001)
o   Thunder (1998-2001)
o   All Pay Per Views
·         ECW
o   ECW Hardcore TV (1993-2000)
o   ECW on TNN (1999-2000)
o   All Pay Per Views
·         TNA
o   iMPACT (2004-present)
o   All Pay Per Views

What I want to do is go by year and list the programs and the pay per views that year brought. I will then take each week individually and rate each individual show produced during that week. Each promo, interview, and match will be commented on and the matches rated on a 1-5 scale. The final show will be rated on the averaged ratings for the entire show.

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

It Begins.


Haven’t we all felt the need to archive binge on something? To find our favorite comic strip, television show, movie or book series and read or watch all the entries again? Well, I’m preparing to start rooting through one of the biggest archives of them all: Professional Wrestling.


WWE started off as the World Wide Wrestling Federation in 1963 when Vincent McMahon Sr. left the NWA. In 1984, Vincent McMahon Jr. took his father’s company and changed it from the territorial wrestling promotion and turned into the global phenomena, known as the WWF, and now WWE.

But WWE hasn’t been alone in the wrestling business over the years. WCW started in 1983 as Jim Crocket Promotions and became WCW in 1988. In 2001, WWE bought them out. ECW started in 1992, was bought out by WWE in 2001, and was brought back as a WWE program from 2006-2010. TNA began in 2002 and is still going.

I want to do this because I only recently began watching WWE, in the summer of 2010 the week after the NXT riot. I read about the shows as well as individual matches and promos and felt like I missed out (which I'm sure quite a few people would agree with). I could just look up the best of the best matches and watch them individually, but then I wouldn't get context. I want the good along with the bad, including the infamous Fingerpoke of Doom. This is going to take quite a long time, but I'm sure it will be very enjoyable. 

WWE, WCW, ECW, and TNA have and continue to produce numerous shows. Join me on my Archive Binge as I watch the shows and write about them. And there is no other place to begin than WrestleMania I, in 1985.