Superstars of Wrestling 1/10/1987

What’s up everyone? It’s time to bring you a review of yet another vintage wrestling show.

Today, we get an episode of Superstars of Wrestling from January 10, 1987.

The Junkyard Dog, George “The Animal” Steele and Billy Jack Haynes vs. Frenchy Martin, Mike Lucca and Tim Patterson

Type: Six Man Tag

Haynes and Martin started off, with Martin trying to gain the upper hand, but Haynes swiftly took it. Steele was tagged in, taking over for Haynes and slamming Patterson repeatedly. Dog came in and continued.

Winners: Junkyard Dog, George “The Animal” Steele and Billy Jack Haynes.

For a six man tag match, that was quite slow. Not a very good way to open the card either. It was ok, lots of slams from everyone. I do like how it began. 2/5

Mr. Wonderful gave a promo, where he said he loved snapping men’s necks…

Honkytonk Man and Jimmy Hart visit Graceland.

The Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff (with Slick) vs. The British Bulldogs (with Matilda the Bulldog)

Smith started off strong against Volkof, who quickly turned it around with along with Sheik. Volkoff came back in and continued to work on Smith, who found an opening when Sheik came back in and tagged Kid. Kid controlled the match until Slick hit him with his cane. Kid proceeded to take Matilda and chase him through the arena. The referee only saw the second part.

Winners: The Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff via disqualification.

Good match, I like the balance of power and an interesting ending. 3/5

Randy Savage was Piper’s guest in Piper’s Pit.

Savage said Piper didn’t have the guts to take someone out of professional wrestling like he did to Steamboat. After giving Piper a Randy Savage action figure, Piper returned the favor by giving him a ringside ticket to Steamboat’s return match. Great comeback.

Alex Knight vs. Hercules (with Bobby “The Brain” Heenan)

And Hercules dominates the match.

Winner: Hercules

It may have been a one side domination, but Hercules has been built up to be that powerful. 3/5

Savage promo, who prided himself on making Steamboat almost choke on his own tongue

Jake “The Snake” Roberts vs. Billy Anderson

Roberts had the edge in the early match. Though Anderson tried to take it, Roberts wouldn’t let go of his grasp.

Winner: Jake “The Snake” Roberts

Pretty good match. Anderson did have a good attempt at trying to take the match away. 3/5

Steamboat Promo, who thanked his fans for all their concern and that he wasn't responsible for what would happen if his opponent was thrown out of the ring during his Lumberjack Match at The Garden

Jack Kruger and Kevin Collins vs. The Rougeau Brothers

The Rougeau’s began the match acting in sync to take out Collins. Though Kruger tried to turn the match around, Rougeau got out of the way and ended the match.

Winners: The Rougeau Brothers

Great match, especially in the way Kruger tried in vain to turn the match around. It was a great ending as well. 4/5

Outback Jack Promo. Looked interesting, but could barely understand it.

The Natural Butch Reed (with Slick) vs. Reggie Parks

The early match had a struggle to see any sort of control, but Reed was able to gain the advantage. From then on, Parks had a moment where he almost turned it around, but Reed denied him.

Winner: Butch Reed

The match was great. It was very energetic, with Parks almost turning it around. 4/5

It was a pretty good night, earning a 3.2/5

That’s it for today, coming up Wednesday, it looks like another Superstars of Wrestling

Superstars of Wrestling 12/27/1986

Rundown for Superstars of Wrestling from 12/27/1986. I guarantee you that there is video of the next match. I’ve checked.

Randy “Macho Man” Savage (with Miss Elizabeth) vs. Nick Kiniski

Winner: Randy Savage

“Adorable” Adrian Adonis (with Jimmy Hart) vs. David Gold

Winner: Adrian Adonis

Moondog Spot and Tim Patterson vs Mike Rotundo and Danny Spivey

Winners: Mike Rotundo and Danny Spivey

Sivi Afi vs. King Harley Race (with Bobby “The Brain” Heenan)

Winner: King Harley Race

3/5

Superstars of Wrestling 12/29/1986

Rundown of Superstars of Wrestling for 12/20/1986. Yay.

The Islanders vs. Don Muraco and Cowboy Bob Orton (with Mr. Fuji)

Winners: The Islanders

Pedro Gonzales vs. Kamala (with The Wizard and Kimchee)

Winner: Kamala

The Honkytonk Man (with Jimmy Hart) vs. Jose Luis Rivera

Winner: The Honkytonk Man

Jerry Monti vs. Butch Reed (with Slick)

Winner: Butch Reed

Six Man Tag Match: Dennis Stamp, Mike Lucca, and Mike Ryder vs. Koko B. Ware, B. Brian Blair, and Jim Brunzell

Side note: What’s with all the six man tag matches?

Winners: Koko B. Ware, B. Brian Blair and Jim Brunzell

3/5

Superstars of Wrestling 11/13/1986

Rundown of Superstars of Wrestling for 12/13/1986. I don’t enjoy this any more than you.

Six Man Tag Match: Pedro Morales, Hillbilly Jim, and Tito Santana vs. Moondog Spot, Barry O. and The Raider

Winners: Pedro Morales, Hillbilly Jim, and Tito Santana

“Adorable” Adrian Adonis (with Jimmy Hart) vs. Mario Mancini

Winner: Adrian Adonis

Jimmy Jack Funk and Iron Mike Sharpe vs. Rick Martel and Tom Zenk

Winners: Rick Martel and Tom Zenk

Kamala (with The Wizard and Kimchee) vs. Jack Kruger

Winner: Kamala

Dick Slater vs. Jake “The Snake” Roberts

Winner: Jake Roberts

3/5

Superstars of Wrestling 12/6/1986

Superstars of Wrestling rundown for 12/6/1986

Champion Randy "Macho Man" Savage (w/ Miss Elizebeth) vs. S.D Jones

Winner: Randy Savage

Koko B. Ware vs. Bobby Colt

Winner: Koko B. Ware

Paul Roma vs. "Adorable" Adrian Adonis (with Jimmy Hart)

Winner: Adrian Adonis

Hercules (with Bobby "The Brain" Heenan) vs. Jose Luis Rivera

Winner: Hercules

Salvatore Bellomo vs. Kamala (with The Wizard & Kimchee)

Winner: Kamala  

Three Man Tag Match: Billy Jack Haynes, Jacques, and Raymond Rougeau vs. Greg "The Hammer" Valentine, Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake, and Dino Bravo (with Johnny V)

Double Disqualification

3/5

Superstars of Wrestling 11/29/1986

Hope you liked Starrcade ’86, because we’re rundowns for the rest of 1986.

King Harley Race (with Bobby “The Brain” Heenan) vs. Lanny Poffo

Winner: King Harley Race

Rick Renslow and Dave Wagner vs. Mike Rotundo and Danny Spivey

Winners: Mike Rotundo and Danny Spivey

Bob Boyer vs. Kamala (with The Wizard and Kimchee)

Winner: Kamala

The Hart Foundation (with Jimmy Hart) vs. Davey Boy Smith and The Dynamite Kid

Winners: The Hart Foundation

Max Blue vs. Butch Reed (with Slick)

Winner: Butch Reed 

As usual, rundowns get a 3/5

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

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

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.

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.

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 10/4/1986

It’s certainly been way too long. About a month too long to be exact.

Well I’m back, which I know I’ve said a lot of times before, but I’m really going to try this time.

Today, we get Superstars of Wrestling form October 4, 1986.

As always, the show starts off with McMahon, Sammartino and Ventura going over the night’s card.

Match: Randy Barber vs. Koko B. Ware

Koko starts off dodging Barber as well as tossing him quite a few times. Barber couldn’t get off the canvas in the early match, and was pretty much dominated by Koko. Barber was pinned after a successful Ghostbuster Piledriver.

Winner: Koko B. Ware

Fun match, it looked like Barber was going to be able to get some offense, but it just wasn’t in the cards. The match might have been a little bit better had that happened though, other than that, no complaints 4/5

We were then treated to Hillbilly Jim playing guitar, which was actually quite good

Match: Sika (with the Wizard) vs. Mario Mancini

Well, we’ve established Sika’s brutal animalistic insanity, so let’s see where this goes.

Sika starts off brutalizing Mancini, giving him no mercy whatsoever. In the middle of the match, Sika threw Mancini out of the ring and into the barrier before controlling him back into the ring and finishing it.

Winner: Sika

Good match that furthered Sika’s character. If Mancini got in a hit, it would have broken the believability in how savage Sika was. 5/5

Match: The Honkytonk Man vs. Ron Shaw

Well, let’s see where this one goes.

Shaw starts out in control, but Honkytonk quickly turned it around. Shaw tried to get the advantage back a few times. At one point, he rested outside the ring, which did some good, but in the long run, Honkytonk took the second wind away from Shaw.

Winner: The Honkytonk Man

Pretty good match, I like the way it went and how it all went down. Except I think it should have been a little longer. Let Shaw have a bit more in his second wind. 4/5

Now an interview with Randy Savage, who was basically incoherent, but said there was going to be something special for his match in the Boston Garden

Match: Paul Orndorrf (with Bobby “The Brain” Heenan) vs. Dan Haskins

Orndorrf played the crowd a bit before starting the match off strong. Orndorrf had the edge for the entire match, even when throwing Haskins outside the ring.

Winner: Paul Orndorrf

Sometimes an one-sided match can be great, like when it’s Sika or Kamala. But when it’s Orndorrf? Sure it has great energy, but Haskins should have had a little bit of time to get something in. 3/5

The show cut to Piper backstage, hobbling on a crutch and taking a bat to the Flower Shop, claiming the war has just begun.

Match: Dan McGuire vs. Randy “Macho Man” Savage (with Miss Elizabeth)

Well, it’s not against George, so Savage may not be as cowardly this time.

And I’m wrong; he quickly vacates the ring before coming back in and taking immeidate control of the match. McGuire almost got counted out when Savage threw him into the barricade, but he came back in only to get elbow dropped.

Winner: Randy “Macho Man” Savage

Not that bad of a match. I’m still tired of Savage’s cowardice, but he has established that he’s a brutal when in the ring. I do wish McGuire had been able to get something in 3/5

Now an interview with Hulk Hogan who said that Orndorrf wasn’t a real American because his life wasn’t dedicated to the people. Hulkamania is the ultimate sentence… right.

Match: The Moondogs vs. B. Brian Blair and Jim Brunzell (The Killer Bees)

Rex starts dominating Blair, who turns it around. Spot comes in gets dragged to a tag in by Brunzell. Though, Spot is able to turn it around and get Rex back in. Brunzell eventually began fighting both of them and holding his own.

After the match, the Moondogs started fighting themselves.

Winners: B. Brian Blair and Jim Brunzell (The Killer Bees)

This was a good match that looked like it could have gone either way. The only complaint I have is that it should have gone on a bit longer (I think that a lot don’t I?) 4/5

It was a pretty good night, earning 3.8/5

The Orndorrf/Hogan feud is really going somewhere, and it should be nice to see the culmination.

I would say my favorite match of the night was the Sika match

That should be it. Coming up Wednesday: Superstars of Wrestling

Superstars of Wrestling 9/27/1986

It’s certainly been a while hasn’t it? I apologize for the long delay between reviews. I’ve had a lot of classwork to take care of. But now I’m back and so is the blog. Hopefully I’ll be able to be consistent. Now then, on we go to Superstars of Wrestling from September 27, 1986 aired from the Baltimore Arena.

Match: Mike Kelly vs. King Harley Race (with Bobby “The Brain” Heenan)

The match started with Race having a definite advantage over Kelly, not giving him an inch.

Winner: King Harley Race

This was a short match, but it was still good. They’re playing up how Harley is the king of wrestling quite a bit and it’s working quite well. I do wish that Kelly was able to get in at least one offensive hit. 3/5

We get an update on Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat, with Gene Okerlund telling us how when others take vacations, Steamboat goes to work. Clips were then shown with Steamboat fighting endless ninjas… okay.

Now there’s an interview between Superstar Billy Graham and Jesse “The Body” Ventura, where Graham accused Ventura of stealing his gimmick while Ventura claims the opposite.

Match: Bob Bradley vs. Superstar Billy Graham

Since this is a return, this match probably shouldn’t take very long. Graham started off doing very well, throwing Bradley over the ropes and pretty much dominating him.

Winner: Superstar Billy Graham

I knew it’d be short. It was almost longer than the last match, but not as good. It was ok, especially for a return match. 2/5

Another interview with Bobby Heenan, Big John Studd and King Kong Bundy, where the three of them state they are going to decimate Piper, Albano, and the Machines.

Match: Tony Parks vs. Kamala (with The Wizard and Kimchee

The match started with Kamala throwing Parks all over the ring mercilessly. Parks spent the whole match acting like a wet noodle, flopping all over the ring.

Winner: Kamala

This was fun in watching Kamala destroy Parks, and a good match, showing how brutal Kamala can be. 3/5

Tito Santana was then interviewed, telling Harley Race that he shouldn’t mess around in Boston, Santana’s city.

Then there was Adrian Adonis’ Flower Shop with Bob Orton claiming that The Flower Shop was better than Piper’s Pit. Orton also insulted Piper who came in and said Orton sold out for the Flower Shop. Piper brought the cameraman back to Piper’s Pit and brought in Magnificent Muraco, who called both The Flower Shop and Piper’s Pit a cartoon show. The segment ended with Muraco, Orton and Adonis beating down Piper and tearing down the Pit. That escalated quickly.

Match: Butch Reed (with Slick) vs. William Tabb

Reed rushed in and made quick work of Tabb

Winner: Butch Reed

Well that was energetic. But sometimes fast and energetic don’t make a good match. It worked for Kamala because he’s being played up as a wild beast. It worked for Harley Race because he’s currently the “King” of wrestling. This was played up as “Slick’s Surprise” and was over as fast as it started. It didn’t work. 1/5

Match: Jack Funk vs. Tito Santana

Funk started by grappling Santana who quickly reversed into an armbar and took control of the match. Funk was able to cleverly turn the match around in the middle, after offering some good defense. Funk got cocky, allowing Santana to reverse into a suplex and regain the advantage.

Winner: Tito Santana

This was a great match. Both men were able to get in some good offense and even when they were being thrown around, still had good defense. 4/5

All in all, the night ended up being ok with only 2.6/5 The main event may have been great, but it wasn’t enough with the Reed/Tabb and Graham/Bradley matches being mediocre and bad.

That’s it for today, coming up Wednesday, we get an episode of Saturday Night’s Main Event and then continue with Superstars of Wrestling on Friday.  

Superstars of Wrestling 9/20/1986

Vintage Wrestling Reviews starts of a new week, this time with another episode of Superstars of Wrestling, aired on September 20, 1986.

Opening

We start off with… nothing.

This is the unfortunate thing, my dear readers. Going through a weekly show that aired for such a long time, such as Superstars of Wrestling, there’s bound to be some episodes that just can’t be found. All I can really do is give what my information says, just the match pairings. I said with matches I can’t find that I’d just give a 3/5, so with entire missing airings, I’ll just have to assume it was average.

Match: Mike Rotundo and Dan Spivey vs. Greg Valentine and Brutus Beefcake (with Johnny Valentine)

Winners: Mike Rotundo and Dan Spivey with a disqualification           

Match: George "The Animal" Steele (with Capt. Lou Albano) and the Junkyard Dog vs. Steve Lombardi and Tony Nardo

Winners: George Steele and the Junkyard Dog

Match: The Iron Sheik, Nikolai Volkoff, and Hercules (with Classy Freddie Blassie and Slick) vs. Billy Jack Haynes, Nick Kiniski, and Mario Mancini

Winners: The Iron Sheik, Nikolai Volkoff and Hercules

Match: Jake “The Snake” Roberts vs. Tony Garea

Winner: Jake “The Snake” Roberts

Match: B. Brian Blair and Jim Brunzell vs. Joe Mirto and Jack Kruger

Winners: B. Brian Blair and Jim Brunzell

Match: Magnificent Don Muraco (with Mr. Fuji) vs. Lanny Pofo

Winner: Magnificent Don Muraco

That was the entire night. I wish I could report on what happened in the matches, but this happens sometimes. Hopefully entire missing airings won’t happen all that much.

On Wednesday, we get another airing of Saturday Night’s Main Event

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!