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 11/15/1986

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

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)

Saturday Night's Main Event 3/1/1986

Well I seem to have been dropping the ball recently haven’t I? I failed to have a review ready for last Friday. Well, I apologize and without further ado, here’s Saturday Night’s Main Event from March 3, 1986, held in the Veteran’s Memorial Coliseum in Phoenix, AZ.

Okerlund opens the show by interviewing Mr. T in the midst of working out, who goes off on him for interrupting his workout, but calls his 10 round Boxing Match (!?) with Cowboy Bob Orton a war.

Piper tries to mudsling Mr. T and does it almost as well as political parties do.

Mr. T has a proper interview with Okerlund now, who said he’s ready to take Orton out in 2-3 rounds. He also claims that Rocky III was just a movie and this is real life and he’ll win for sure. Right.

Match: Mr. T vs. Cowboy Bob Orton in a Boxing Match

Great way to start off a wrestling show… with a boxing match. Yeesh.

The match starts off with Orton striking T before the bell rings, which causes the match to start. Orton then had the greater advantage for the beginning. Orton thumbs T in the eye which causes the match to stall for a bit, but in starting back up, T had Orton on the defensive.  In the 2^nd round, T put Orton over the top rope.

Winner: Mr. T in the 2^nd round by countout.

This was an interesting idea, but it shouldn’t have started off the card. The match really should have gone on longer than two rounds and the ending was really disappointing. I am aware of the 20 count for being knocked out of the ring, but why make it so obvious? 2/5

After the match, Piper and Orton beat T down. The show can get better.

 Okerlund then interviewed Bobby Heenan, who said let Bundy get in the ring with Hogan for a shot at the title and King Kong Bundy, who said he wanted Hogan anywhere, anytime.

Match: Steve Gatorwlf vs. King Kong Bundy (with Bobby “The Brain” Heenan)

Oh look, an unknown name already in the ring. Time to squash the jobber.

I wasn’t wrong. Bundy dominated the entire thing.

After the match, Bundy called out Hogan anywhere, anytime.

Winner: King Kong Bundy

As far as squash matches go, this one was ok, but I think Bundy should have toyed with him a little more. Or at least have Gatorwolf actually look like he’s trying. 2/5

Okerlund now had an interview with Muraco, who said Hogan was behind Fuji’s sudden flu. Of course he is. Heenan was then revealed as Muraco’s temporary manager. Yay.

Now an interview with Hogan. He’s ready. He’s always ready. He doesn’t sleep because he’s always ready. Yeah.

Match: Hulk Hogan vs. The Magnificent Muraco (with Bobby “The Brain” Heenan) for the World Heavyweight Championship

No prize to guess the winner.

This is Hogan’s first entrance to “Real American”

Anyway, Muraco starts off with a strong offensive, giving Hogan no mercy. But Hogan was able to reverse things, giving Muraco everything back, plus more. Muraco was able to regain some steam mid match though, but Hogan took it away, only for Heenan to kick him in the head.

Winner: Hulk Hogan by disqualification to retain the championship

This had everything for a great match until Heenan kicked Hogan in the head. Every good title match should have a point where it looks like the champ is going to lose. This match had that from the beginning. Hogan had good offense to counter, but lost steam until he entered his cheat codes. And like I said, Hogan had a pin, it should have ended like that. Not ANOTHER disqualification. 3/5

After the match, Hogan attacked Heenan, but was stopped by Bundy, who then proceeded to smash.

Match: Dynamite Kid and Davey Boy Smith (with Capt. Lou Albano) vs Brutus Beefcake and Greg “The Hammer” Valentine (with Luscious Johnny) for the Tag Team Championship

Smith and Valentine started off with Valentine having the immediate edge and staying in control for most of the match, handing it off to Dynamite as well. Near the end of the match, Valentine and Beefcake were able to take some of the heat back.

Winners: Beefcake and Valentine to retain the championship

This was a very interesting match with a good ending to it. It really went back and forth, but the challengers were dominant in the beginning and the defenders had the offensive in the end. But the final seconds of the match saw the two legal men blindside each other, but Beefcake was able to get the pin. This was a good match. 3/5

Match: Junkyard Dog vs. Adrian Adonis (with Jimmy Hart)

The match started off with Adonis mocking Dog, who then brought the match into his favor. Mid match, after hurling Adonis outside the ring, Dog decided to mock Adonis and threw Hart into Adonis. At one point, Adonis and Hart kept the referee distracted to incapacitate Dog, bringing Adonis the upper hand. Dog was able to quickly turn it back around.

Winner: Junkyard Dog

JYD matches are almost always great, and this one was. I like how the cheating of Hart and Adonis were the only way to get offensive against JYD,  but still wasn’t enough. 4/5

The show almost reached “good” with a rating of 2.8/5 Maybe if they hadn’t had that bad boxing match and put a good wrestling match as a card opener, then the show could have reached it’s potential. The night was ok, it wasn’t bad but certainly could have been better. I think my favorite match was either the Tag Team Championship or the JYD match.

That’s it for today, coming up Wednesday, we have WrestleMania II! And Friday is another Saturday Night’s Main Event from May. Stick around!

Saturday Night's Main Event 1/4/1986

We’ve now hit a point of no return by entering 1986. And what a way to start the year off with an edition of Saturday Night’s Main Event held in the USF Sun Dome in Tampa, Florida on January 4

Before I get into the show, I wanted make something known. Video of some matches can’t be found sometimes, which is understandable. I will therefore just announce the match, the winner, and then give it a 3/5 rating. That’s just so I don’t cut the show as a whole short. Anyway, onto the show!

Before the credits, we’re treated to Hogan showing Gene how do to his signature pose and Piper watching Hillbilly Jim, Uncle Elmer, and Cousin Luke in inner tubes on the beach (creeper?) calling them Moby Dick with feet.

The show opens with Vince McMahon running down all the matches for the evening, before being cut off by Jesse Ventura, who called himself the only sports announcer to go into active competition. He also let Bobby “The Brain” Heenan replace him on commentary. It begins.

Okerlund also interviewed Piper and Orton who insulted the hillbillies’ idea of entertainment and then said that they were the ones who asked for the match.

He then interviewed the hillbillies who said they would win the match no matter what.

Match: Jesse “The Body” Ventura, Rowdy Roddy Piper, and Cowboy Bob Orton vs. Hillbilly Jim, Uncle Elmer, and Cousin Luke

This is apparently Jesse Ventura’s final in-ring match before completely retiring to commentary.

Ventura and Elmer started off in the ring, with Elmer gaining the upper hand. Piper eventually was able to get an advantage against Cousin Luke, which was handed off to Orton. The rest of the match was in control of the heels

Winner: Jesse Ventura, Rowdy Roddy Piper, and Cowboy Bob Orton with a sleeper hold

This was a pretty good match. I like how the heels were usually in domination and it erupted into chaos at all the right times. At least the Hillbillies were able to have a small advantage in the beginning. 3/5

Match: Hulk Hogan (with Junkyard Dog) vs. Terry Funk (with Jimmy Hart) for the WWF Championship

The match started with a quadruple reversal in Hogan’s favor. Funk’s every effort to turn it around, was met with failure. The time he tried to choke Hogan almost worked, but Hogan soon went into God Mode.  

Winner: Hulk Hogan with cheat codes.

An ok match, but what I’ve come to expect from Hogan. 2/5

Match: Randy Savage (with Miss Elizabeth) vs. George “The Animal” Steele (with Capt. Lou Albano)

The match started with Steele chasing Savage out of the ring. The third time, Steele was distracted by Elizabeth. Coming back in, both men continued to vie for an advantage until being Savage left the ring and used Elizabeth as cover. Savage used Elizabeth’s constant distractions to take care of Steele.

Winner: Randy Savage with Elizabeth as eye candy.

This match wasn’t that good. It was ok, but could have been a lot better. Like say, have the men spend more time in the ring than out of it? 2/5

Match: Nikolai Volkoff (with Freddie Blassie and The Iron Sheik) vs. Corporal Kirschner in a Flag Match

Winner: Nikolai Volkoff

3/5

Match: The Junkyard Dog and Ricky Steamboat vs. Mr. Fuji and The Magnificent Muraco

The match started in chaos, but soon the dust cleared with Muraco and Fuji in control over Junkyard Dog. Once Dog tagged in Steamboat, the match immediately turned around.

Winner: Junkyard Dog and Ricky Steamboat.

This was a good match, I like how Dog was the one to finish the match, but didn’t like how he was dominated in the early stages. Honestly, he’s better than this. 3/5

Well that was a quick night. The show averaged 2.6/5 and I don’t really think I have a favorite match. Not a great way to start the year off.

Oh well, we have another episode from March 1 coming your way on Friday!

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.