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)

Superstars of Wrestling 9/13/1986

It’s time to get the ball rolling once again now that we’re back to a regular schedule. So Wednesday, we began Superstars of Wrestling. Today, we have another episode aired on September 13!

The show starts off with McMahon, Sammartino and Ventura presenting the night’s card. What are we waiting for!

Match: Mr. Wonderful Paul Orndorrf (with Bobby “The Brain” Heenan) vs. Sivi Afi

Orndorrf enters using Hogan’s entrance music, mimicking him the whole time.

Orndorrf and Afi begin the match locked with Orndorrf gaining the early advantage with cheap shots. Afi was able to counter and get in some offense, but a failed high risk move gave Orndorrf the window to execute a piledriver.

Winner: Paul Orndorrf

This was a great match to open the card with. It had great energy and pacing with both men able to get in some pretty strong moves. I like how Afi’s risky move didn’t pay off as well. Orndorrf coming into the ring acting like Hogan was pretty funny too. 4/5

Match: Sika (with King Curtis) vs. Don Driggers

The announcer wasn’t even able to announce Driggers, with Sika immediately heading straight for him. All throughout the match, Sika had control over Driggers, not letting him even get a hit in.
Winner: Sika

My notes say this was Sika’s return to the WWF. If true this was a good match for him to return to. It showed his wildness and brutality. I’m surprised the match didn’t go on longer, but for the length it was, Sika showed the WWF he still had it. 3/5

Randy Savage had an interview concerning his No DQ Intercontinental Title match at the Boston Garden where he called the match a disgrace to him and the title.

The Islanders vs. The Moondogs

 The Moondogs… this shouldn’t take long.

The early match saw three reversals from Rex and King Tonga, eventually giving Tonga the early edge. Eventually, Spot and Tonga Kid were tagged in, with Spot wearing Kid down. Somehow Tonga Kid gained a second wind against Spot.

Winners: The Islanders

  

An ok match, it didn’t really excite me and there was nothing really notable about it. It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t great. 2/5

Now an interview with King Harley Race and Bobby Heenan. Race was ready for his match and Heenan questioned what Rowdy Roddy Piper was doing, throwing his hand in with the Machines.

Troy Martin vs. Randy “Macho Man” Savage (with Miss Elizabeth)

Finally a match where Savage doesn’t spend half the time being chased out of the ring.

Savage began the match in control over Martin, going for a couple early pins. Savage eventually did leave the ring after jumping off the top rope onto Martin and the two fighting outside the ring. Martin having no luck, was thrown back into the ring, where savage did two more leaps.

Winner: Randy Savage

This was a good match and I’m happy Randy Savage didn’t flee three times before actually fighting. I would have liked it if Martin was able to get in a few strikes, seeing as Savage isn’t one of the frighteningly crazy, wild wrestlers, but it was good. 3/5

Now on Piper’s Pit, an interview with Ken Resnick, with an interruption by Adrian Adonis to challenge Piper to a showdown of Flower Shop vs. Piper’s Pit.

Match: Super Machine, Big Machine, and Giant Machine vs. Rick Hunter, J.J. Jackson, and Al Navarro.

Super Machine and Navarro started off with Super in control, even after tagging off to Jackson. Big Machine was tagged in and dominated Jackson with a punch to the sternum

Winners: The Machines

Fun jobber match. It wasn’t that bad and had a nice finish. 3/5

Match: Davey Boy Smith and The Dynamite Kid (with Capt. Lou Albano) vs. Les Thornton and Jack Foley

(An early Foley sighting)

Smith and Thornton started off in the ring, with both men searching for ground. Smith found his grasp, giving everything he had to Thornton. After Foley was tagged in, Kid and Smith still had the advantage.

Winners: The British Bulldogs

This was a good match. Kid clotheslined Foley amazingly. My notes say it was so hard that Foley couldn’t eat solid food for weeks. It would have been better had the other two been able to get on even a small offensive run, but it wasn’t bad. 3/5

This was a good episode, earning a score of 3/5

It’s interesting to see where the whole Machine angle is going to go as well as the Orndorrf betrayal. The only poor match of the night was the Islanders/Moondogs match and that was just because it was slow and boring. I’d say my favorite match of the night was either the Main Event of Bulldogs/Foley and Thornton or the opener of Orndorrf/Afi

Superstars of Wrestling 9/6/1986

After an extended break, I’m glad to say that I’m finally back.

And now, for the very first episode of WWF Superstars of Wrestling, shot in the Providence Civic Center in Providence Rhode Island and aired on September 6.

The show opens with Vince McMahon, Jesse Ventura and Bruno Sammartino giving a rundown of the show, so let’s get going!

Match: Terry Gibbs and Roger Kirby vs. Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat and Sivi Afi

The match started with Gibbs and Kirby trying to ambush Steamboat and Afi, but the latter two were able to subvert their attack and get onto the offensive. Soon, Gibbs and Kirby were able to isolate Afi, wearing him down. Somehow, Afi tagged Steamboat, who was able to return the favor to the other two.

Winners: Ricky Steamboat and Sivi Afi

This was a pretty good match and a good card opener. Ricky always does well bringing offense back into a match to save himself or his partner. Afi could have gotten more in, instead of being Gibbs’ and Kirby’s punching bag, but that’s just me. 3/5

Gene Okerlund gave an update, stating the return of Superstar Billy Graham

The Hart Foundation (Bret “Hitman” Hart and Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart (with Jimmy Hart) vs. Koko B. Ware (debut) and Paul Roma

Koko and Neidhart started off, with Koko on the immediate edge, passing it off to Roma. Quickly though, Neidhart started gaining an advantage over Roma.

Winners: Bret “Hitman” Hart and Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart

Honestly, this match was ok. It wasn’t a very good debut match for Koko, who lost and wasn’t even in the match for very long either. The heelish nature of the Harts was shown very well though, when they double teamed Koko after the match ended though. 2/5

We then have an interview with Capt. Lou Albano, The Big Machine, The Super Machine and The Hulk Machine. Albano kept yelling about how Heenan was going to pay at the moment of truth. Hulk Machine said they were going to stuff Heenan into the back seat of a Honda. Hulk Machine looks very familiar, but I can’t put my finger on it….

Match: Ron Shaw and Pete Doherty vs. Hillbilly Jim and Cousin Luke

It’s the hillbillies, who have no wrestling ability at all, so I’m sensing a squash match coming on.

Jim and Shaw started the match off, with Shaw being thrown all over the place, that honor being passed off to Doherty.

Winners: Hillbilly Jim Cousin Luke

This was also an ok match. It was entertaining as a tag team squash match, but it just wasn’t that great of a wrestling match. 2/5

It was Heenan and Orndorff’s turn to mention how they were going to send a message to Hulk Hogan, with Steamboat as the messenger.

Match: Tom Sharpe vs. Kamala (with King Curtis and Kimchee)

Kamala started off strong and in charge, beating Sharpe every which way he could. Sharpe tried to return the favor, but to no avail.

Winner: Kamala

A good match, it wasn’t that long, but Kamala certainly showed his size, agility and strength. It would have been better had Sharpe been able to actually do something. 3/5

It was time for the flower shop with Adrian Adonis, with Rowdy Roddy Piper as his guest. Piper had statistics of the WWF ratings, mentioning how the Flower Shop was the best bathroom break. Leaving, Piper handed Adonis a piece of paper proclaiming the segment would be replaced by Piper’s Pit. Great.

Match: The Rougeau Brothers vs. Bob Bradley and Mike Fever

The match started off with Bradley and Fever being dominated by the two brothers.

Winners: The Rougeau Brothers

Another ok match. Nothing really notable to say, nothing really happened except Rougeau domination. 2/5

An previous edition of the Flower Shop where Heenan inspected The Machines, suspecting he knew who they were. I wonder why.

Match: Giant John Studd and King Kong Bundy (with Bobby “The Brain” Heenan) vs. Corporal Kirchner and Special Delivery Jones

Kirchner and Studd began the match, with Studd dominating Kirchner, who was able to subvert it and get some good strikes in before Bundy intervened. Eventually, Kirchner was able to get a second wind, tagging in Jones, who had some steam before being avalanched by Bundy

Winners: Giant John Studd and King Kong Bundy

This was actually a good match. Special Delivery Jones should have had more time in the ring, but the power of Studd and Bundy gave them great domination. Jones and Kirchner weren’t completely overshadowed though, letting them have some good moves in. 3/5

The show was OK. Most of the matches were very short and not a lot went on in them except squashing and domination. Some of them were good though, and my favorite match of the night was the Studd and Bundy/Kirchner and Jones match. 2.5/5

Coming up on Friday is another edition of Superstars of Wrestling!

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.