Superstars of Wrestling 3/12/1988

Off the heels of that great Saturday Night’s Main Event, we come to Superstars of Wrestling from March 12, 1988, held in Wichita, KS at the Kansas Coliseum. Will the show be as good? Or will it suffer from mediocrity?

Let’s find out!

Match: The Ultimate Warrior vs. Tom Stone

Stone immediately fled the ring and Warrior went after him, knocking him all over the place. He bodydropped and tossed Stone back into the ring. Warrior got Stone up and chopped him before whipping, spearing and clotheslining him. Warrior did the same again, without the spear and went for another drop and bodyslammed stone, going for the cover.

Winner: The Ultimate Warrior

Well I have to say, that match wasn’t all that great. In fact it was a terrible way to open the show. Stone seemed like a coward and Warrior just dominated the guy. Stone did moderately well a couple weeks ago in a tag team match… 1/5

Now for an update, looking back at various points in the history of Hulkamania, centering especially on the feud between Hogan and Andre.

Also a promo with Jake Roberts whose manager seems terrified of snakes.

Match: Hacksaw Jim Duggan (with 2x4) vs. Barry Horowitz

Duggan started by hammering away on Horowitz’ head and was unfazed when he returned the favor. Duggan got Horowitz on the turnbuckle then clotheslined him. Duggan slammed Horowitz and went for a chokehold. He got up, but Duggan was able to body slam and then a flying clothesline.

Winner: Hacksaw Jim Duggan

This was actually a better match because Horowitz both tried to get something in and didn’t run away like a frightened puppy. It also had a lot of energy that the first match lacked. Even though Warrior had speed and power, it just seemed to lack the energy. 3/5

Now a look at WrestleMania IV, interviewing The British Bulldogs and Koko B. Ware who said they’re completely ready for the six man tag match. Bobby Heenan responded by saying he’ll make a doctor very wealthy.

Match: Bad News Brown vs. Lance Allen

The match started before the interviews were over and Brown was completely dominating Allen. He kept working behind, then drop punching, screaming no mercy. After a body slam and kick, he did another drop punch. Brown whipped Allen into the turnbuckle and continued beating Allen, who was able to counter a whip, but Brown quickly recovered and clotheslined Allen.

Winner: Bad News Brown

Although Brown dominated, Allen at least made it a good fight as well. I do like how he was able to counter a whip, even though it got nowhere. 3/5

An interview with Demolition and Mr. Fuji, who said they have waited long enough and that Strike Force were going to pay. Strike Force responded by guaranteeing they were ready.

The WrestleMania IV Report, where everyone said they’d win it all. Vanna White as Guest Timekeeper, Bob Ueker as Guest Ring Announcer, Robin Leech presenting the belt.

Match: Dino Bravo (with Frenchy Martin) vs. Johnny Stewart

Bravo and Stewart grappled and vied for power before Bravo forced Stewart into the turnbuckle, only to chop, whip, and clothesline him. Bravo then slammed him and elbow dropped before a false pin. Bravo bounced Stewart off the ropes and as Stewart went to try and lift, Bravo countered with a piledriver and another false pin. Bravo elbowed Stewart’s head, whipped and kneed him in the gut before another side suplex.

Winner: Dino Bravo

Not that bad of a match, if only Stewart could something. Good power, good speed, ok energy. 3/5

The show ended with interviews with Brutus Beefcake and Honkytonk Man. Brutus said he’d cut Honkytonk’s hair after he won. Honkyonk said he’d prove why he’s the best.

So how did tonight fare? 3/5 Not quite as good as the previous SNME, but still good. If only the first match was actually good.

Up next? WrestleMania IV 

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 11/22/1986

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