Friday, November 30, 2012

Starrcade 1986


Are you ready for my last actual review of 1986? You better be because after this, there’s only bare bones rundowns until 1987. 

Today, I bring you NWA Starrcade 1986: The Night of the Skywalkers, aired from the Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, North Carolina and The Omni in Atlanta, Georgia.

NWA World Tag Team Championship Match: Rock & Roll Express (Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson) (c) vs. Ole and Arn Anderson
Type: Cage Match
The match started with Ole and Gibson squaring off, with Arn being tagged in soon. Gibson did a fine job, but eventually, Morton came in and was able to dominate over Arn and Ole. There was a brief lull, in which the Andersons were able to gather some steam. Though Gibson was dragged around the ring and worn down for a while, he was able to find a foothold and tag Morton back in, who got taken down as well. The Andersons remained in control for the rest of the match, but when Gibson drove a cheap shot to Arn, who had Morton ready for a slam, causing Morton to fall on his opponent.

Winners: Rock and Roll Express to retain the championship
A good match and a great way to open the card. The Andersons were in control for nearly all of the match, but Express did get some great moments. While the ending wasn’t perfect, it didn’t seem forced. 3/5

Ron Garvin vs. Big Bubba Rogers (with Jim Cornette)
Type: Louisville Street Fight
Anything goes anywhere.
Garvin began with a few good shots over Rogers, eventually bringing him to the floor. Bubba was able to throw Garvin outside the ring twice. The second time coming back, Garvin tossed water in Bubba’s face and proceeded to use the distraction to his advantage. While Garvin did go down after being clocked in the face, he was able to come back up and regain some advantage over Bubba. After Garvin hit a piledriver, Cornette decided to hit Garvin and neither man responded to a 10-count. The winner was decided by… first man to his feet? Of course the referee is distracted when Garvin gets up and Cornette knocks him back down.

Winner: Big Bubba Rogers
That was an interesting, but good match. Garvin was the underdog due to not being as big as Bubba, but he was able to hold his own. Street fight rules were not taken to their full advantage though. I also think the ending should have been a draw 3/5

Paul Jones vs. Jimmy Valiant (with Big Mama)
Stipulation: Hair vs. Hair
For some reason, Manny Fernandez is locked in a cage above the ring.
Jimmy Valiant immediately started on Jones when the bell rang, working all over him in a very methodical manner. Jones was able to bring Valiant down for a bit and pay him back, but when going for a headlock, Valiant turned it around.

Winner: Jimmy Valiant
Good match, I think Jimmy Valiant’s gimmick right now is that he’s just a little off and it’s working well, especially in the beginning. I do like how Jones was able to control he match in the middle until Valiant found an opening. 3/5

NWA World Television Championship Match: Tully Blanchard (with J. J. Dillon) vs. Dusty Rhodes (c)
Type: First Blood
Before the match even began there was heat. Dillon tried to put the match in Blanchard’s favor with headgear, which ended up in a push between him and the referee. Dillon also poked Rhodes, who went after him.
Now for the match itself.
For the early match, there was no real control. Blanchard kept going for strikes and Rhodes kept taunting Blanchard. Finally, Rhodes was able to headbutt Blanchard and exert some sort of domination. The referee gets hit twice and Rhodes continues beating up Blanchard, resulting in blood, but the referee is unable to see it. It gets cleared up and Blanchard throws blood in Rhodes’ face, which the referee sees when coming to.

Winner: Tully Blanchard to win the NWA World Television Championship
This was one of those times when a downed referee not seeing the obvious win worked. But I don’t have to like it. It was a great match though, with Blanchard acting very sneaky to win from behind. Rhodes showed great power and charisma. There wasn’t any shortage of energy either. 4/5


The Midnight Express (with Jim Cornette) vs. The Road Warriors (with Paul Ellering)
Type: Scaffold “Skywalkers” Match
It’s kind of hard to call a match like this, both of the Express lagged in getting up onto the scaffold and once the match started, the Warriors were all over them. Express was able to recover to try to get the Warriors to fall. However, the Warriors subverted their attempts. At one point, one of the Express was simply hanging on to one of the Warriors’ leg. Animal and Eaton were fighting on the supports at one point and all of them were hanging off of the underside near the end. Condrey fell first, Eaton second.

Winners: The Road Warriors
This was an interesting match. It was good, but it was a little slow. This was the first scaffold match I’ve ever seen though, so maybe it was good in the context of scaffold matches. Other than that, nothing really wrong with it. 3/5

NWA World Heavyweight Championship Match: Nikita Koloff vs. Ric Flair (c)
Koloff started powerfully against Flair, throwing him around until he left the ring.  He remained strong until Flair was able to back him into the post to chop him and leave again. Flair kept having sudden spurts, but Koloff held ground until Flair was able to execute a suplex and turn it over. Koloff eventually found a second wind and showed his retribution. At the end, both of them pushed the referee out of their way. It took the entire locker room to break them up.

Double Disqualification; Ric Flair retains
Great match and in this case, the ending of the two throwing the referee to the side wasn’t forced. It came off as both of them trying to legitimately settle their score. 4/5

There were other matches on the card, but they didn’t show up. They included
Tim Horner and Nelson Royal vs. Don and Rocky Kernodle
Winners: Tim Horner and Nelson Royal 3/5

Hector Guerrero and Baron Von Raschke vs. Shaska Whatley and The Barbarian
Winners: Hector Guerrero and Baron Von Raschke 3/5

Wahoo McDaniel vs. Rick Rude (with Paul Jones)
Type: Indian Strap Match
Winner: Wahoo McDaniel 3/5

Jimmy Garvin (with Precious) vs. Brad Armstrong
Draw 3/5

NWA United States Tag Team Championship Match: The Russians vs. The Kansas Jayhawks (c)
Type: No Disqualifications
Winners: The Russians to retain. 3/5
NWA Central States Heavyweight Championship Match: Sam Houston Houston (c) vs. Bill Dundee
Winneer: Sam Houston to retain. 3/5

I thought this was a pretty good show, unfortunately, the missing matches will end up giving it a 3.16/5

I think my favorite two matches were the Blanchard/Rhodes match and the Rock and Roll Express/Anderson match.
That’s it for today, Monday: Superstars of Wrestling

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Superstars of Wrestling 11/22/1986


I think there are only two or three more individual shows that I can find video of for this year. But, I’ll continue to update even without video. But I’ll make sure this doesn’t turn into a simple run down blog, there are too many of those on the internet.

Tonight, we have an edition of Superstars of Wrestling from November 22, 1986.

Randy “Macho Man” Savage (with Miss Elizabeth) vs. Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat for the Intercontinental Championship
I fully expect Savage to retain, but let’s see.
Savage doesn’t leave the ring? Finally. Steamboat and Savage were evenly matched in the beginning, but Steamboat was able to gain the advantage, almost pinning him. Despite Savage’s several attempts to turn it around, Steamboat was able to hold his own for a long while. At one point, Steamboat decided to punch Savage instead of pin him… but was still able to attempt another after a while, but since the referee was knocked out, Steamboat’s pin of far more than 3 seconds didn’t count. Steamboat’s argument with the referee was all the advantage Savage needed. With Savage’s beatdown of Steamboat, it seems the victim swallowed and was choking on his tongue. As paramedics tried to help, Savage kept attacking.

Winner: Randy “Macho Man” Savage to retain the Intercontinental Championship
Well, I hated the ending, but that doesn’t detract from how amazing the match was. Steamboat was able to give Savage a great enough match that he almost won. It was highly energetic and great moves. Perfect first match. A feud should come from this. 5/5

The Junkyard Dog vs. Al Navarro
Hard act to follow.
And Junkyard Dog goes heavy on Navarro… winning in the first minute.

Winner: Junkyard Dog
While it was a hard act to follow, a one minute squash match was not what was needed after that. Terrible booking. 1/5

Hulk Hogan had an interview, where he spoke of his championship match between Kamala in Boston. Guess who wins?

Kurt Kauffman vs. Dino Bravo (with Johnny V)
Bravo started off with no mercy to Kauffman and ended the match in 55 seconds.

Winner: Dino Bravo
Another squash match, but I’ll have to admit, this one was a bit more entertaining than the last one. 2/5

The Islanders gave an interview, who said they were the real men, not Greg Valentine or Brutus Beefcake

Jimmy Jack Funk vs. Dick Slater
Funk started wailing on Slater before the bell rang. Soon though, Slater was able to turn the match in his favor. Though Funk had some more steam near the end, it wasn’t enough.  

Winner: Dick Slater
This was a good match. I like how Slater was able to turn it around and, even though he had some rough spots, keep the edge. 3/5

Piper’s Pit with Kamala, Kimchee and The Wizard
Kimchee and Kamala don’t speak English, so The Wizard told Piper he was going to need some friends someday. Piper went on to insult Kamala’s weight and face.

Billy Jack Haynes vs. Ray Vance
The match started before Piper’s Pit ended, with Haynes dominating Vance.

Winner: Billy Jack Haynes
Too quick, too boring. 1/5

Six Man Tag Team: Hillbilly Jim, Tito Santana, and Pedro Morales vs. Greg “The Hammer” Valentine, Johnny V, and Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake
Jim and Valentine started off, with Jim clocking Valentine and bringing in Morales, who was beaten down by Valentine, but when Beefcake came in, Morales was tag in Santana, who made short work of Beefcake. With Jim back in, Beefcake got the wind knocked out of him. Beefcake started to work on Jim, tagged in Valentine who continued as well as V. Santana was able to come in and work on V. Soon though, chaos erupted and a disqualification resulted.

Winners: Greg Valentine, Johnny V, and Brutus Beefcake
Not a bad match, all the talent had some good time in and it was an interesting end. The chaos wasn’t too chaotic and didn’t go on for too long. 3/5

Heenan gave an interview who said that Orndorrf had a news blackout, put down Junkyard Dog, while telling Hogan that he wanted what was left after Kamala got through with him.

At the end of the show, Sammartino gave an update on how Steamboat was doing, when Savage interrupted. The two exchanged verbal insults and Sammartino started choking Savage, having to be separated by various wrestlers.

Not that bad of a night, a solid 3/5 was the final score.
I’d say my favorite match was actually the first, it was a great way to open the card. The two matches that followed just drained any energy. The Funk/Slater and Six Man Tag matches did help to bring it back.

Coming up Friday: Starrcade 1986

Monday, November 26, 2012

Superstars of Wrestling 11/15/1986


Hope you enjoyed Saturday Night’s Main Event on Friday, because today is another simple rundown of Superstars of Wrestling from 11/15/1986. This was also when Capt. Lou Albano announced his retirement as well.

The Islanders vs. The Gladiator and Barry O.
Winners: The Islanders

Mario Mancini vs. Butch Reed (with Slick)
Winner: Butch Reed

Don Muraco and Cowboy Bob Orton (with Mr. Fuji and Jimmy Hart) vs. Jerry Allen and Don Driggers
Winners: Don Muraco and Cowboy Bob Orton

Rick Martel and Tom Zenk vs. Steve Lombardi and Moondog Spot
Winners: Rick Martel and Tom Zenk

The Hart Foundation (with Jimmy Hart) vs. Sivi Afi and Johnny Mann
Winners: The Hart Foundation

Big & Super Machine (with Capt. Lou Albano) vs. King Kong Bundy and Big John Studd (with Bobby “The Brain Heenan)
Winners: King Kong Bundy and John Studd


An unfortunately unreviewable show that must be thought of as average.

Wednesday: Superstars of Wrestling from 11/22/1986

Friday, November 23, 2012

Saturday Night's Main Event 11/29/1986


So today, I bring you another edition of Saturday Night’s Main Event. I’m a little out of order as I thought this aired November 15, but it actually aired November 29. But I said I would review this airing today, so let’s get to it, from the Los Angeles Sports Arena

We start off with the wrestlers having various intros. I think they can speak for themselves better than I this time

So before any match, Gene Okerlund interviews Jake Roberts, who says no one wants to shake his hand a second time because of the snake. He also says people are content with life passing them by. He’s not and no one will stop him, especially not Randy Savage. Yeah sure.

Now a rebuttal from Savage, who claimed he was going to skin Roberts and make a belt out of him.

Match: Jake “The Snake” Roberts vs. Randy “Macho Man” Savage (with Miss Elizabeth) for the Intercontinental Championship
Before the bell, Jake used Damien to intimidate both Elizabeth and Savage, who used her as a human shield.
The ref restores order, the bell rings… and Savage doesn’t go out the ring. He does keep stopping short of hitting Roberts at first. But when he does go for him, Roberts has a bit of an edge on him at first. Before he could pull off the DDT, Savage finally went out of the ring. Upon coming back in, Savage was able to make use of a second wind. Eventually, Roberts came back and the match remained pretty much even until the end, when they both pushed the referee.

Winner: Double Disqualification
So this was the perfect match to open the card. Both men were great and their abilities where evenly portrayed. Some great moments were when Savage left and hid Damien, causing Roberts to leave and get him back. Roberts also threatened Elizabeth at a couple times and it showed his sadistic side. It was a great match, but when Roberts shoved the referee, that was the only bad point as it looked forced.4/5

Okerlund interviewed Bobby Heenan, who spouted how he had all this pull in Hollywood. Probably a load of bull. Hernandez claimed he loved Heenan as a manager and that he would  become the champion.
An interview with Hulk Hogan, where he said Hercules is stronger and that he’s trained like he would be facing a powerful god… Um, how do you even do that?

Match: Hercules Hernandez (with Bobby “The Brain” Heenan) vs. Hulk Hogan for the World Championship
I haven’t seen Hogan for a while and at least he’s not yelling about how the championship is an All-American institution and that he’s going to keep it away from the dirty Reds.
Anyway, Hogan started off… losing? Interesting. Hernandez had the main edge at the beginning, but Hogan eventually found his steam. However, Hogan got cocky and tried to pull off one of his signature moves, which Hercules turned around to his advantage. At one point, Hernandez thought he had beat Hogan by submission to a backbreaker. The referee didn’t hear though, so it didn’t happen. Hogan was able to go into God Mode from there.

Winner: Hulk Hogan to retain the Championship
Not that much of a surprise, but it was a good surprise to see him almost beaten. I do think it’s time that the Reign of Hogan ended though.4/5

Ventura interviewed Cowboy Bob Orton, who claimed Piper used him when they were partners, hiding behind him. Tonight, he said Piper had no friends.

Okerlund interviewed Piper, who said he picked Orton out of the gutter. That, plus other indecipherable blabber. Classic Piper.

Match: Rowdy Roddy Piper vs. Cowboy Bob Orton (with Jimmy Hart and the Magnificent Muraco)
Muraco started off being a distraction to Piper, but he was taken back and Piper started wailing on Orton. For most of the match, Piper had the edge on Orton, who was eventually able to get some offense in until he missed. From then, Orton never had a chance

Winner: Rowdy Roddy Piper
Great match. Both were very energetic, and I liked how Orton got some offense in, but then got too proud of himself. 3/5

Okerlund interviewed the Hart Foundation who said he was going to clip the wings of the Killer Bees.

The Hart Foundation (with Jimmy Hart) vs. The Killer Bees for the Tag Team Championship
Brunzel and Hart started off, with Hart an unclear edge until the Bees found it. During the match, an interview was shown with the Bees with their masks on fooling Okerlund. Due to some dirty fighting, The Harts were able to turn the match over in their favor. Near the end, the Bees doned their masks and were able to regain offense

Winners: The Killer Bees to retain the championship
This was an ok match. The ending is what killed it for me. The masks are cool, but they should have gone into the match with them. Putting them on mid-match and acting as a lucky feather sort of thing makes it seem like a forced win. Especially when the Harts were obviously dominating. 2/5

Koko B. Ware had an interview with Okerlund, who took the reins of making fun of Russia from Hogan. That doesn’t work.

Ventura interviewed Slick and Volkoff. Slick kept talking about money and that Koko should beware. Volkoff called Slick an honest man, unlike most Americans. Yay propaganda.

Nikolai Volkoff (with Slick) vs. Koko B. Ware
Nikolai started beating Koko down before the bell rang, though he was able to find an opening and start returning the favor. Volkoff had a midmatch second wind, but it wasn’t enough, eventually giving Koko another opening.

Winner: Koko B. Ware
Short but good match. No real complaints 3/5

Match: The Magnificent Don Muraco (with Mr. Fuji) vs. Dick Slater
I don’t remember Slater ever winning, so this is pretty much a foregone conclusion
Yeah, Muraco decimated Slater, who only got in a couple hits and got taken out by Fuji.

Winner: The Magnificent Don Muraco
This wasn’t that good of a match and wasn’t really needed. That’s all I have to say. 2/5

So it was a pretty great night, with the final score coming out to 3/5
I’d say my favorite match was one of the first two. They were great ways to open the card, but unfortunately the show got weaker as the night went on. Also, like I said, the last match was unnecessary and not even that good.

Coming up Monday: Superstars of Wrestling from 11/15/1986







Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Superstars of Wrestling 11/8/1986


Welcome back, today we get the rundown to Superstars of Wrestling from November 8, 1986. If I could find matches, I’d review them. Sorry.

Match: B. Brian Blair and Jim Brunzell vs. The Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff (with Slick)
Winners: B. Brian Blair and Jim Brunzell

Match: Koko B. Ware vs. Moondog Rex
Winner: Koko B. Ware

Match: Hercules (with Bobby “The Brain” Heenan) vs. Lanny Pofo
Winner: Hercules

Match: Davey Boy Smith and The Dynamite Kid vs. Dave Wagner and Rick Renslow
Winners: Davey Boy Smith and The Dynamite Kid

Match: Sika (with The Wizard) vs. John Nardow
Winner: Sika

 That was the night. Friday, we’ll actually get a full review with an episode of Saturday Night’s Main Event.

Monday, November 19, 2012

Superstars of Wrestling 11/1/1986


Sorry this is late, but at least it’s still on time on the right day.
Today, I bring you Superstars of Wrestling from November 1, 1986. However, I can’t find any of the matches. So… automatically average. Sorry everyone.
  
Match: Randy "Macho Man" Savage (with Miss Elizabeth) vs. Sivi Afi
Winner: Randy Savage

Matc: Moondog Rex vs. The Junkyard Dog
Winner: The Junkyard Dog


Match: King Harley Race (with Bobby “The Brain” Heenan) vs. Jose Luis Rivera
Winner: King Harley Race

Match: Al Navarro vs. The Honkytonk Man
Winner: The Honkytonk Man

Match: Kamala (with Kimchee) vs Don Driggers
Winner: Kamala

Match: Rowdy Roddy Piper vs. Mr. Fuji
Winner: Mr. Fuji via disqualification
My information says that Don Muraco and Cowboy Bob Orton interfered with the match, causing Piper to chase them which is what led to the disqualification. I wish I could have seen it because it sounds interesting

So that was the night. Coming up Wednesday: Superstars of Wrestling from November 8.

Friday, November 16, 2012

Superstars of Wrestling 10/25/1986


Well it’s that time again… Superstars of Wrestling from October 25, 1986.
But I can only seem to find one match out of the whole night’s card…

So I guess I go to the standby of average ratings.

Match: Koko B. Ware vs. Moondog Spot
Winner: Koko B. Ware
3/5

Match: The Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff (with Slick) vs. Tito Santana and Pedro Morales
Winners: The Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff
3/5

Match: The Islanders vs. Steve Lombardi and Barry O.
Winners: The Islanders
3/5

Match Jake “The Snake” Roberts vs. Mike Kelly
This was actually the only match on the card I could find.
The match started with the camera focusing on the snake bag, but also with Roberts dominating Kelly. Kelly was able to get the beginnings of some offense in there every now and then, but Roberts extinguished any of those hopes.  For the second half of the match, Roberts went uncontested, performing a DDT to end it.
 

Winner: Jake “The Snake” Roberts
This was a great match. Kelly actually did something to where he was able to try to get some offense, but Roberts’ ruthlessness quickly took it away. I guess it would have been a perfect match had it looked like Kelly would have won. But no other complaints. 4/5

The Rougeau Brothers vs. Steve Regal and Jimmy Jack Funk
Winners: The Rougeau Brothers
3/5

Paul Orndorff (with Bobby “The Brain” Heenan) vs. Lanny Poffo
Winner: Paul Orndorff
3/5

Unfortunately, I can’t exposit on a favorite match of the night, though with the absent matches. The night earns an uneventful 3.2
It does look like this will continue for about another week, but hopefully it will lighten up somewhere. Bare bones card on Monday: Superstars of Wrestling from November 1.

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Superstars of Wrestling 10/11/1986


Hey look! I’m actually on time and on schedule today!!!
Today’s review is of Superstars of Wrestling from October 11, 1986, so let’s get started.

Obviously we open with the usual, Vince, Bruno and Jesse going over the card

Before any match, Ventura interviewed the Bulldogs, who have Matilda the Bulldog as their new mascot.

Match: The British Bulldogs vs. Greg “The Hammer” Valentine and Brutus Beefcake (with Luscious Johnny Valentine)
Both Valentine and Beefcake started wailing on the Bulldogs before the referee could get control of the match. Once he did, Dynamite Kid started having a good offensive edge on Valentine, who was able to turn it around and tag in Beefcake. Valentine started to look like he was down until he tagged in Smith, who started well, but was put down momentarily by Valentine. It went back and forth between Valentine and Beefcake wearing Smith down. However, Smith was able to turn it around for a quick second until he accidentally hit the referee. Things went haywire from there; illegal tags made and repeated attempts to cover.

Winners: The British Bulldogs
Great match with great energy. Like I said, it went haywire at the end, and it got sort of confusing, which I saw as the only flaw. 4/5

We then had an interview with Jake “The Snake” Roberts, who ranted about fear and survival.

Match: Sivi Afi and Billy Jack Hays vs. The Magnificent Don Muraco and Cowboy Bob Orton (with Mr. Fuji)
The match started off with Billy Jack and Afi working well against Muraco, until Orton was tagged in and started having the edge against Hays. Muraco then started working on Afi, and gave it over to Orton.

Winners: The Magnificent Don Muraco and Cowboy Bob Orton
Short  match, but good. It started well, looking like Billy Jack and Afi would have the edge, but it shifted over to Muraco and Orton quickly. Maybe Afi and Hays should have gotten a false second wind in there. 3/5

Randy Savage then started trying to psycho out Ricky Steamboat before their title match over the weekend.

Match: King Kong Bundy and Big John Studd (with Bobby “The Brain” Heenan) vs. Dick Slater and Ricky Hunter
Seems like a night full of tag matches.
Studd and Slater started off with Slater pounding on Studd, who used his power to turn it over to Bundy. Hunter came in after Slater was able to get away from Bundy. Though he tagged in  Studd, who was took the match back.

Winners: King Kong Bundy and Big John Studd
Good match, it was sort of a squash without it expressly being a squash. Slater and Hunter seemed like they could take the match in the beginning, but once Studd found power, it was all over. 3/5

Now Ricky Steamboat gave a rebuttal to Randy Savage, who told him it would be the best fight of their lives.

Match: The Rougeau Brothers vs. Hercules and Barry O.
The match went back and forth between the four quite evenly, but I can’t really call it that well.

Though I wasn’t able to call it well, I found the match to be good, but a little too short 3/5

Cut to construction of the new Piper’s Pit.

Match: The Islanders and Pedro Morales vs. The Hart Foundation and Kim Clover (with Jimmy Hart)
No singles matches tonight?
The Islanders and Morales attacked the Harts and Clover before the bell, but after the bell, The Islanders started off well against Clover. And ended it swiftly.
After the match, the Hart Foundation beat up Clover for losing
Winners: The Islanders and Pedro Morales
That was way too short for a three man tag match, but it was an ok match for what it was. 2/5


Match: The Junkyard Dog and George “The Animal” Steele vs. Steve Regal and Terry Gibbs.
Dog and Regal started against each other, with Dog headbutt charging Regal. Steele was tagged in, ate the turnbuckle, roughed up Regal and tagged Dog back in, who ended it.

Winners: Junkyard Dog and George “The Animal” Steele
Another quick match, Gibbs and Regal never had a chance. I do like that Steele quickly ate the turnbuckle instead of how he usually slowly does it. But I do wish it would have been a little bit longer and that Gibbs was able to get in. 2/5

The night receives a 2.8, one more point and it would have been a good night instead of an ok night. Maybe if the last two matches had been longer.

I think my favorite match of the night was the card opener with the British Bulldogs/Valentine and Beefcake.

So that’s it for today, coming up Friday: Another Superstars of Wrestling (I personally can’t wait to get t 1988, when WCW Main Event starts)