Saturday Night's Main Event #16 - 3/12/88

The reviews keep coming. Today’s is Saturday Night’s Main Event from March 12, 1988. Held in Nashville, Tennessee’s Municipal Auditorium.

First? Promos from all the guys in matches saying how they'll run the other guy into the ground. 

We’ve got McMahon and Ventura on commentary making a redneck joke before laying down the card. Classy.

First off, there was a recap of The Main Event, where Hogan lost to Andre.

An interview with Jimmy Hart and Greg Valentine, who said Valentine carried Brutus Beefcake during their tenure as tag team champions. Followed by an interview with Brutus that had terrible haircutting puns.

Match: Greg “The Hammer” Valentine (with Jimmy Hart) vs. Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake

The match started with Valentine outside the ring, seemingly scared of Beefcake’s shears. Once Valentine got back into the ring, the two men briefly struggled for control. Valentine gained the upper hand until Beefcake covered a whip with a high knee and body slam. After a boot to the face, he executed a couple atomic drops and an elbow to the head. He went for a failed cover before cornering him by the turnbuckles. Valentine started cowering but pulled off a cheap shot and turned the match around. He flew off the top rope and tried to pin Beefcake. Valentine started going for a leglock but Beefcake was able to grab a hold of the ropes. Valentine hammered on the knee, which prompted Beefcake to slide out of the ring.

Honkytonk Man interrupted, mocking Beefcake while he was out of the ring.

The match then resumed with Valentine tossing Beefcake back into the ring and working on Beefcake’s head. Valentine kept the momentum, continually softening the leg. In going to for the Figure Four, Beefcake countered and was able to take momentum back and gave Valentine an elbow to the face. He executed a sleeper hold, but Valentine was able to make it to the ropes. The two fell outside the ring and continued fighting. Beefcake tried going back, but was stopped by Hart. He tried chasing him, but Valentine stopped, dragged Beefcake back in and performed a suplex. Valentine got the three count, even though Beefcake got the shoulder up. The win was reversed in Beefcake’s favor.

After the match Beefcake chopped off a tiny bit of Hart’s hair.

Winner: Greg “The Hammer” Valentine

This was a great match and the perfect way to open the card. Both men had good momentum and Beefcake’s knee didn’t stop him from turning the match around. Interesting how the decision was reversed due to the three count going after the shoulder was up. 4/5

Now for an interview with King Harley Race and Bobby Heenan, who said all mortal men will bow to the king.

Another interview with Hogan, who said the wheels of Hulkamania are still churning and that Race was just an obstacle in the way of reclaiming the title.

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

Hogan started off by chasing Heenan, who fled from ringside.

Hogan slid into the ring and Race started elbow dropping. He continued by headbutting Hogan after he stood up. None of it fazed Hogan who started hammering away on Race. Now the match officially started and Hogan clotheslined Race three times, the third time Race went over the ropes onto the timekeeper table. Hogan shoved Race into the ring post as Heenan came back. When distracted, Race went for Hogan. Though when going for either a drop or piledriver, Hogan countered and dropped Race a couple times. He suplexed him before throwing him back into the ring. Hogan continued to elbow and chop Race before taking his tape and chocking Race twice. Hogan viciously choked Heenan as well, before Race used the distraction to his advantage and turned the match around. Race eventually suplexed and kneed Hogan before performing a piledriver. Race threw Hogan out of the ring and placed him on the timekeeper table. He dropped and Hogan moved out of the way causing Race to drop onto the table. Hogan went back into the ring, and Race followed, continuing to hammer on Hogan. After a top rope headbutt, Race tried to pin and Hogan went into God Mode after breaking the count. He clotheslined and legdropped for the win.

Winner: Hulk Hogan

Let me say this was an interesting match, especially with Hogan blatantly chocking Race and Heenan. I liked it though, it showed how Hogan was willing to do anything to win and move onto WrestleMania IV to get the title back. The table spot was also good. Great match. 4/5

An interview with Ted DiBiase who said no one has faith in Hogan or Savage anymore. He also promised a surprise in his corner “worth its weight in gold.”

Then an interview with Randy Savage, who said he’d bounce DiBiase all over the ring and that Elizabeth was worth more than gold.

Match: Ted “Million Dollar Man” DiBiase vs. Randy “Macho Man” Savage

Before the match, DiBiase’s surprise, Andre the Giant, revealed himself.

Savage immediately fell for Virgil’s distraction of getting close to Elizabeth. DiBiase took the opening it was and started to work on Savage. He whipped and dropped him before shoving him against the turnbuckle. As he strutted and let Savage get to his feet, he launched from the top onto Savage, getting him back down. DiBiase brutally smeared Savage and though the referee got him off, Andre was able to sneak in a hit. Savage was able to counter a whip and give DiBiase a knee to the face and back. The latter sent DiBiase out of the ring. Savage retrieved him and was able to get in an Atomic Elbow. He bounced him off the top rope and kicked him in the chest. DiBiase rolled out of the ring and came back in after Savage was able to bask in the momentum. DiBiase returned and turned the match around, dropping Savage and performing a few elbow drops. Once Savage returned to his feet, DiBiase chopped him and whipped him into the buckles. As he charged, Savage kicked DiBiase in the face and elbowed him. After a false pin, he slammed him and missed a knee drop, letting DiBiase get the strength to start a leglock. Savage kicked him and launched him back out. The two men eventually went outside the ring and brawled until Andre distracted him and Virgil attacked from behind. The referee tried to order Virgil to the back. When the match resumed, DiBiase was able to get Savage back in and launched for an elbow to the head and another false pin. DiBiase applied a headlock and kept  hold while kneeing Savage. He was able to get up, but DiBiase forced him back down and kneed him a few more times. After fighting it, Savage got back to his feet and elbowed DiBiase and gained enough momentum for a clothesline. Savage whipped and body dropped DiBiase off the ropes. DiBiase was able get a couple hits in before being whipped into the referee. Savage threw DiBiase out of the ring and flew off the top rope. While outside, Andre headbutted Savage and threw him into the ring post. DiBiase took this time to get back into the ring, Elizabeth went into the back and Andre kept brutalizing Savage. The referee woke back up and DiBiase blocked him from seeing Andre’s attacks. Savage was counted out. DiBiase and Virgil decided to continue wailing on Savage until Hogan came out with a chair to save Savage. DiBiase, Virgil and Andre decided to leave.

Winner: Ted “Million Dollar Man” DiBiase

While DiBiase won, I really liked this match. Andre was a good surprise and Hogan’s coming to Savage’s rescue once again after being caught in the losing beatdown helps solidify what’s forming between the two. The match itself was great as well. Tons of momentum, heat and energy.  4/5

An interview with Heenan and the Islanders, with Heenan talking about smoking bees.

Match: The Killer Bees vs. The Islanders (with Bobby “The Brain” Heenan)

Brunzell and Tama started off, with Brunzell immediately covering. He tagged in Blair, who also tried for a pin. Blair worked the arm, tagging Brunzell back in to work on the arm. Brunzell went for another pin, whipping Tama before failing a jump kick. Tama took the opportunity to pick up Brunzell and was able to suplex him. Tama went for a pin, failed and tagged in Haku. He whipped and successfully executed a jump kick, but failed for the pin. Tama was tagged back in and kept going for the head. Brunzell was able to execute an Atomic Drop before Tama tagged in Haku and both were downed from a double clothesline. Tama and Blair were tagged in. Blair was able to knee drop Tama and suplex both of them before attempting to roll up Tama. It failed when Brunzell went into the ring to stop Haku and the referee stopped the count. Tama then reversed the roll.

Winners: The Islanders

It was a short but good match with both sides showing good strength. 3/5

Interview with Slick and One Man Gang, where slick said the US Olympic team was a bunch of losers.

Match: Ken Patera vs. One Man Gang (with Slick)

Gang attacked Patera before he was able to get his pants off and choked him with said pants. Gang hammered away at Patera’s head. Patera was able to return the favor and corner Gang. He whipped Gang and gave him a bear hug before Gang’s punches to the head were too much. He got away for a moment before giving Gang a full nelson. Patera continued wailing on Gang before Gang was able to corner Patera who reversed he roles and whipped him again and kneed Gang in the chest. Another whip, but Gang clotheslined Patera

Winner: One Man Gang

Another good match, not entirely one sided by Gang and Patera had his moments. 3/5

All in all, this was a great show, earning 4/5 I’d say my favorite match was Savage/DiBiase. Great heat, good power, and excellent energy.

Coming up next, another Superstars of Wrestling. 

1988 Overview

Well, everything’s been searched for, rooted through, categorized, found, and documented in one way or another. So that means the vintage reviews are on their way back.

Back before my unplanned hiatus, I had the blog set to be updated Mon-Wed-Fri. I’m not going to have a set update schedule now, but I will try to at least do so regularly. However, I will not go on another year-long break.

Anyway, I’m now in the middle of 1988 and that warrants an overview for the rest of the year.

For normal shows, we’ve got:

Saturday Night’s Main Event #16-20

Superstars of Wrestling

WCW World Wide Wrestling

WCW Main Event

Clash of the Champions I-IV

In the ways of pay per views:

WrestleMania IV

The Great American Bash

Summerslam

Starrcade

So without further ado, the next review will be up soon. 

Returning to a Computer Near You

I wish I could make a joke about how I’ve been absent for so long, but like any great professional wrestler, I’m making a return. But then it would be too forced and unfunny.

So here’s the truth: I kind of slinked away since December, but I’m coming back. I’ve been going through everything I said I was going to do just to see if I could find it. The good news is I can find most of everything! The bad news is there’s still some things and shows I can’t find. But if anyone remembers my second to last post, I’ll simply list them and go on from there.

However, there are two shows that I listed way back when that I was going to review that I won’t end up doing: Shotgun Saturday Night and Velocity. The reason being that they don’t really amount to much. I’m planning for the first two years of Heat, but it doesn’t look like there’s much of anything after 1999 for that anymore.

I should also mention that while I’ve been away, I’ve gone through a few events. I may do full reviews for them at a later date, but for now, I’ll just mention what stood out.

I watched WrestleMania III and quite enjoyed it, especially the Savage-Steamboat match. I read that it was named “Match of the Year” by a couple publications and I agree. 4/5

Saturday Night’s Main Event #12 from 11/11/87 was also pretty good, Savage fully turning face was good and the formation of the Mega Powers was interesting. 3/5

I liked the first Survivor Series as well, especially how Andre the Giant's team won against Hogan's. It was the first time a heel won a pay per view, which was interestingly bold. 4/5

 The 1987 Starrcade was pretty good, but I didn't really see anything that stood out. 3/5

As for 1988, the first Royal Rumble was fun and I like how Hacksaw Jim Duggan won it. The other matches on the card for the event were pretty good as well. 4/5

The last thing I’ve seen was the WWF Main Event  from 2/25/88, where Hogan lost the title to Andre the Giant who gave it to Ted DiBiase. It’s been a great angle. 4/5

Apart from that, I haven’t really gone anywhere. So, as soon as I finish up my rundown list of what I can find and where, I’ll be back.

Soon… very soon. 

1987 Overview

Well, say goodbye to 1986 and here’s hoping that there’s a lot more uploads of 1987. I’ve also decided  that I will conclude Vintage Wrestling Reviews after I review WrestleMania XXIX. I know by that time, it ceases to be vintage, but it can become a play off one of Cole's catchphrases. My reasoning is that I wanted to get a full spectrum for myself. I started watching sporadically in the summer of 2009 and only became really serious earlier in the spring of 2012. I'll overlap on what I've already seen yes, but by that time, I'll have formed my own opinions and be able to draw on those to see what I think about the current standings. Instead of, you know, letting my opinions be decided by the vocal majority of the IWC.

Anyway, what’s on our itinerary for 1987?

We continue with Superstars of Wrestling as the only weekly show

Saturday Night’s Main Event aired on:
January 3

March 14

May 2

October 3

November 28

In the way of Pay Per Views:

WrestleMania III aired March 29

Survivor Series debuted November 26

Starrcade ’87 aired November 26 as well

The Great American Bash was another set of tours, so it won’t be reviewed here again. 

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

Saturday Night's Main Event 5/8/1986

So we leave behind the terrible WrestleMania 2 for another edition of Saturday Night’s Main Event aired on May 5 held in the Providence, Rhode Island Civic Center.

Mactch: Hulk Hogan and Junkyard Dog (with the Haiti Kid) vs. Terry & Dory Funk Jr. (with Jimmy Hart)

The match started with the Funks trying to get in preemptive strikes, but were shut down by Hogan and Dog. Soon enough, Dog and Dory started off as the legal men, with Dog in control. At one point, the Funks were able to swing the match into their favor, but Hogan put a stop to it.

After the match, the Funks and Hart tried to brand Haiti Kid, who was saved by Hogan.

Winners: Hulk Hogan and Junkyard Dog

To start the card off, this was quite a good match. The energy was there as well as good control by Hogan and JYD until the Funks started double teaming. 3/5

Might I say that Bobby Heenan on commentary is nothing short of amazing?

Match: King Kong Bundy vs. Uncle Elmer

Branded as “Battle of the Big Boys,” with Bundy being 468 lbs and Elmer being 430 lbs. 

Anyway, no one had any control over the beginning of the match, it being the human version of immovable object meets irresistible force. However, Bundy was able to bring Elmer to his knees and, despite a slight second wind, dominate the match.

Winner: King Kong Bundy

Well, this match was ok, but it wasn’t that good. I’ve seen much better “Giants Matches,” that had better pacing. This match should have gone on longer and Elmer should have gotten some better steam before starting to lose again. 2/5

Match: Paul Orndorff vs. Adrian Adonis.

Winner: Adrian Adonis 3/5

(couldn’t find the whole match)

Match: Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat vs. Jake “The Snake” Roberts
From what I had on my information, I really wanted to see this match, but couldn’t find it.

No Contest 3/5

Match: The British Bulldogs (with Capt. Lou Albano) vs. Nikolai Volkoff and The Iron Sheik (with Classy Freddy Blassie) in a 2 out of 3 Falls Match for the Tag Team Championship.

Davey Boy Smith and Volkoff started off in the ring with Smith providing the main offensive. But when Sheik came in, he executed the Camel Clutch for the first fall. After that Volkoff and Sheik started to dominate Smith. Eventually, Smith was able to turn it around for the second fall. In the final leg of the match, Sheik and Volkoff continued to have control over Smith and Dynamite Kid until Smith illegally came in.

Winners: The British Bulldogs to retain the championship

This was a great match. Sheik and Volkoff were very good challengers, giving the Bulldogs a run for their money. The match was rife with amazing tension that had points where it would seem the titles would change hands, but though the ending was fluid, it didn’t seem like a good way for faces to win a match. 4/5

Tonight’s show was better than WrestleMania 2, receiving 3/5. It might have been better had I been able to find those two matches, but we’ll never know. I would have to say my favorite match today was the Tag Team Championship match at the end, even if I didn’t like the ending that much.

That sums up this week. And unfortunately, for the next two weeks, I'll be unable to watch, write and update, so the next post will be August 27th, when we begin Superstars of Wrestling. 

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!

1986 Overview

It’s quite funny how I keep making mistakes. The Saturday Night’s Main Event that I thought was aired on December 19^th was actually taped on that date and aired January 4, 1986. So what does that mean?

It means we’re out of 1985 and into the new year! So let’s see what this year has in store for us!

We have five airings of Saturday Night’s Main Event on January 4, March 1, May 3, October 4, and November 29. Superstars of Wrestling begins in September. And as for Pay Per Views:

WrestleMania II on April 7

Starrcade on November 27

*note: NWA/WCW did have a Great American Bash in 1986. However, it was a general name for a tour of 13 shows all called Great American Bash. This tour will not be covered.

It promises to be a good year!

Saturday Night's Main Event 11/2/1985

The archives continue once again with Saturday Night’s Main Event. Today I bring to you the Halloween edition aired on November 2 in Hershey, PA.  

The show opens with Okerlund interviewing Bobby Heenan. To emphasize what King Kong Bundy and Big John Studd were going to do to Hulk Hogan and Andre later on, he smashed two pumpkins together. So… they’re going to ignore them and form a mediocre rock group in Chicago?

Oh but then Hulk Hogan comes on, calling Heenan a weasel and continued to rant about how tonight was going to be a fair fight until Andre the Giant cut him off to get ready. Thank you Andre. Have a peanut.

Piper told Jesse Ventura that he loved interrupting the wedding and that Elmer and Hillbilly Jim were going to be made fools of on Piper’s Pit.

Finally, Okerlund interviewed Terry Funk and Jimmy Hart about Funk’s debut against Junkyard Dog. Funk claimed he was going to house train the Dog.

Match: Junkyard Dog vs. Terry Funk (with Jimmy Hart)

Dog dominated the match, even driving Funk from the ring and going after Hart. Eventually Dog would be so distracted by Hart that Funk was able to clock him with Hart’s dropped megaphone. After the match, Junkyard Dog pulled Hart’s pants off and made his mark with Funk’s branding iron.

Winner: Terry Funk with a megaphone and pin.

This match was good. It had a strong start, but slowed after Dog went for Hart the first time. It might have been better if Funk got the megaphone the first time instead of letting Dog get distracted a second time. Hart getting branded was amusing though. 3/5

It’s the Halloween episode so the show cuts to a pie eating contest. Randy Savage and Miss Elizabeth were dressed as Tarzan and Jane, Junkyard Dog was a mummy, King Kong Bundy was Abe Lincoln, Tito Santana was Zorro, Hulk Hogan was Hercules, Hillbilly Jim, Uncle Elmer, and Cousin Junior were the Three Musketeers, Captain Lou Albano was Julius Caesar, Bobby Heenan was Davy Crocket, and finally The Iron Sheik and Nikolai Voloff were… Batman and Robin. Excuse me while I die a little inside. Captain Lou won.

Up next was Piper’s Pit. Piper continued to mock the wedding on the previous Saturday Night’s Main Event. The segment is usually good, but this one was completely forgettable.

Then there was the pumpkin dunk contest between Cousin Junior and Bobby Heenan, who won.

Andre the Giant and Hulk Hogan (with Lou Albano) vs. King Kong Bundy and Big John Studd (with Bobby Heenan)

Hogan and Bundy started off, Hogan on the primary offensive (is there any other way a match can start with Hogan?). However, Studd was able to get the drop on Hogan for a few seconds, but it didn’t last. Once Andre was in, he got tangled in the ropes, causing Bundy and Studd to go completely after him. After the match, Hogan and Andre made the point that the two can’t ever beat them fairly.

Winners: Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant by Disqualification

This match was ok. It would have been better if either Studd or Bundy had more offensive without Andre being tangled in the ropes. The All Powerful Hogan should have been toned down a few notches here too. If Studd and Bundy would have won, the match probably would have been good. 2/5

Between matches, they cut to Vince McMahon at Roddy Piper’s rented American house, showing how he celebrates Halloween: bowling ball candy apples, foil covered bricks and stealing the kids’ candy, which turned out well for him when they were actually chocolate coated red peppers. This was pretty funny in a very odd sort of way.

Then Gene interviewed Hulk Hogan (don’t they have OTHER talent?), who said that those kids outsmarting Piper gave him faith in kids all over the world. So… getting even with someone you don’t like is honorable? That was pretty inconsistent with how Hogan usually is.

Match: Kung Fu match between Mr. Fuji (with Don Muraco) and Ricky “the Dragon” Steamboat

Mr. Fuji tried to get some starting in chops, but they were blocked by Steamboat who was able to get an early going. Fuji did get some good strikes and dominated in the middle of the match. Once Steamboat executed a suplex, he was able to get the edge back.

Winner: Ricky Steamboat with a dropkick and pin

This match was good and fun to watch. There’s nothing I can really say about it. It wasn’t one of Steamboat’s best matches, but it wasn’t bad. The suplex and dropkick that ended it were really good. 3/5

Match: Randy Savage (with Miss Elizabeth) vs. Tito Santana

My information says that this match was on the card, but I couldn’t find video for it. What I have says it ended in a double countout with both of them fighting on the floor outside the ring. Since I can’t watch it, I can’t really say anything about it.

The show closed with a pumpkin passing contest. The faces won.

This show… was ok. I wasn’t able to find one of the matches, but it probably wouldn’t have made it better. The Halloween sketches were pretty fun, and the thing at Piper’s house was the best of them. If I had to choose a favorite match, it’d be the Funk/Junkyard Dog Match. 2.67/5

That finished it for today! Coming up Friday: The Wrestling Classic!

Saturday Night's Main Event 10/5/85

Another day, another edition of Saturday Night’s Main Event, this time aired on October 5.

The show opens with Gene Okerlund interviewing Nikolai Volkoff, who says he’s going to go back to Russia with the belt with no guilty conscience in pushing the button to nuke the country if war broke out. Hulk Hogan retaliated with calling no threat to him or America, but seeing young Americans being shown the Russian flag burns him up. There’s more patriotic, America is best, Russia is evil spots later, so I’ll get to my thoughts on this at the end.

After that little treat, Hillbilly Jim plays up Uncle Elmer’s match, then his wedding before getting interrupted by Roddy Piper. Anything with Piper is hilarious and this wedding looks like it’s going to be a doozey. This wasn’t the first wrestling wedding ever, that dubious honor goes to Paul Vachon and Ophelia’s wedding on the December 18, 1984 edition of Tuesday Night Titans. Nothing good ever happens at them, so we’ll see how this turns out.

We then get a proper interview with Hogan, who says he stands for America, that he’s proud of his country and promises that the American Flag will remain standing in the ring.

Match: Hulk Hogan vs. Nikolai Volkoff (with Freddie Blassie) for the WWF World Championship

Hogan comes out to “The Star Spangled Banner” waving the flag around, and is almost immediately hit from behind before the bell rings. Volkoff’s strikes were soon countered, giving Hogan the invincible edge, until he was smacked into the ring post. Hogan was eventually able to counter a backbreaker and get back on the offensive.

Winner: Hulk Hogan with the legdrop and pin to retain the title.

After the match, Hogan shined his shoes and threw the Russian flag on the ground.

This match was pretty good. I honestly feel it should have gone on longer and been the main event and not the opening match. I do like how it seemed Hulk was going to lose, which would have been interesting. 3/5

After the match, Okerlund interviewed Hogan who said that if Volkoff didn’t get the message that the USA was the greatest country on the face of the earth, he would explain it slower next time. He was also excited for the wedding later.

We then had more to do about the upcoming wedding.  Elmer wasn’t worried about either his match or the wedding, good to know you’re not nervous about marrying someone right?

Match: Uncle Elmer (with Hillbilly Jim) vs.  Jerry Valiant

Umm. Valiant rushed at Elmer and got slammed in 6 seconds, a new WWF record.

Winner with no effort: Uncle Elmer

I can’t even call this a match. The squash match from WrestleMania at least had some effort. This was just pointless They shortened the title match for this? 1/5

Elmer and Okerlund were very excited about it in their post match interview. Can’t see why not, they just set a World Record!

Apparently Ahnold was in the crowd.

We then had Jesse Ventura’s “Body Shop” where he had Bobby Heenan as his guest. Heenan complained about Orndorff firing him. He subsequently put a bounty on the man’s head for $50,000 so he could put him out of wrestling. It should be interesting to see where this goes. They also played up the Piper/Orndorff match later on.

Okerlund had an interview with Orndorff. Wait, couldn’t Heenan just search the dressing rooms for the guy? He wouldn’t have to spend so much money that way. But oh well Heenan’s never really had much of a brain. Anyway, Orndorrf called Heenan no good and said Roddy Piper wouldn’t be man enough to collect the bounty. I’m interested to see what’s going to happen post-match.

Couldn’t someone in the crowd grab Orndorrf to collect Heenan’s bounty?

Okerlund then interviewed Piper who called Orndorff a sissy, and called himself a tough guy  and said he would collect the money from Orndorff’s grandmother if he had to. He also asked who wanted Uncle Elmer to get married when there would be five little Elmers in a few years. Cheap heat is good heat.

Match: Paul Orndorff vs. Rowdy Roddy Piper

The referee had to physically restrain Orndorff before the match, but the two immediately went at it, Paul on the offensive. The match quickly turned into a free for all street fight with Piper having the advantage. My video cut off before the two finished fighting so I wasn’t able to see how it ended.

Double Countout

This was nuts. I can’t call it a match because of what happened. Both men showed how much they hated each other by having the match immediately devolve into a flat out brawl. It was great. What would have made it better is if the two men started civilly, trying to wrestle, the having Piper instigate the brawl instead of Orndorrf immediately going for the man. 4/5

We then go to Elmer’s wedding, complete with horrible organ playing from Okerlund. But in the middle of the ceremony, surprise, surprise, Roddy Piper interrupted it. This man will never get boring. In his words, “the whole wedding stinks!” The crowd loved it. And so did I.

Side note: This wedding was actually legitimate.

Okerlund then interviewed King Kong Bundy and Big John Studd, who claimed that Andre the Giant was the number 3 giant of wrestling and they were going to put a stop to his run.

Match: Andre the Giant and Tony Atlas (with Capt. Lou Albano) vs. King Kong Bundy and Big John Studd (with Bobby Heenan)

Andre went straight for Bundy, choking him out and using Atlas’ head for a massive headbutt. While Andre was distracting Studd, Bundy illegally slammed Atlas before the two legal men got back to fighting. Bundy illegally went after Andre while Studd illegally worked on Atlas until the two double teamed Andre.

After the match, Andre was double teamed by Bundy and Studd until everyone’s favorite hero Hulk Hogan stepped in for an assist. So the small Hogan is able to take two giants on alone when Andre couldn’t? Nothing’s too unstoppable for America!

Winner: Andre the Giant and Tony Atlas by Disqualification

It was an ok match. It was slow to begin with, but picked up speed once Atlas got in. Atlas wasn’t used too well in this match, he was able to get in a few good hits, but generally failed. And post match? We’re supposed to believe that Hogan is so great he can make two giants that another giant had trouble with flee? 2/5

A video package was shown with Okerlund and George Steele at the Detroit Zoo… This just seemed pointless, but it was funny hearing Steele call Heenan a lemur and Bundy a hippo.

Okerlund had an interview with Brutus Beefcake and Greg Valentine who said they would have a match anytime, anywhere and with anyone for the Tag Team Titles

Match: Leaping Lanny Poffo and Tony Garea vs. Brutus Beefcake and Greg “The Hammer” Valentine (with Johnny Valiant) for the Tag Team Championship

Valentine started off with very strong offense. Poffo was able to get some edge between tags, but interference cut it short. Garea was soon tagged in and had a great advantage until Valentine dropped the Hammer.

Winner Brutus Beefcake and Greg Valentine with the Hammer and Figure 4 Leg Lock

This was a good match. There were points where it seemed like the challengers were going to win, but it was constantly denied of them. It was energetic but just didn’t scream “main event.” It would have been perfect for a starter match or somewhere in the mid card. This should have been switched with the Hogan match. 4/5

 We finish up the night with Elmer and Joyce’s wedding reception. There was nothing really notable, except Tiny Tim showing up and Jesse Ventura’s hilariously mean poem which caused Hillbilly Jim to throw him into the cake.

 Before I get into what I thought of the night as a whole, I want to get into the whole America/Russia, thing that Hogan and Volkoff have as well as the America/Iran thing with Hogan and Sheik. It’s a fun angle and can really work when there’s more than one dimension to it. It should be more than “I’m good because I’m American, and you should cheer me because I’m American,” and “I’m evil because from Russia/Iran, and you should hate me because I’m not American.” That turns into a mindset of not caring about the misdeeds of one’s country because “well, I’m from Country X and Country X is the best country there is and it can do no wrong!” Yes, there’s black, white and about a hundred different shades of gray. I guess this comes from not ever having an 80s mindset, thinking that America is the best because it’s simply America. Don’t get me wrong, I love America, and I do think it’s a great country, but we have a lot of problems… wait, wasn’t I talking about wrestling?

Yes, yes. Honestly, this was a really lackluster night, earning 2.8/5

Two matches should have been switched and the squash match was just terrible, even for squash matches. Hogan had way too much airtime, but the wedding was nice, and so was the reception. Too bad Piper didn’t interrupt that one too.

That's all for today, Wednesday we get another Saturday Night's Main Event and Friday moves onto The Wrestling Classic

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. 

1985 Overview

So we begin in 1985.

WWF produced four airings of Saturday Night’s Main Event on May 10, October 3, October 31, and December 19.

There were four events broadcast via pay per view this year:

WrestleMania I on March 31

The Great American Bash on July 10

The Wrestling Classic on November 7

Starrcade on November 28

Sounds like a short, but good year. My thoughts coming soon. 

Programs and Scale

These four companies have produced numerous programs over the years (and RAW is nearing its 1000^th episode). Therefore, I wanted to note which shows I will write on and rate.

·         WWE

o   Saturday Night’s Main Event (1985-1992/2006-2008)

o   WWF Superstars of Wrestling (1986-1997)

o   Monday Night RAW (1993-present)

o   Sunday Night Heat (1998-1999)

o   Smackdown (1999-present)

o   ECW (2006-2010)

o   Superstars (2009-present)

o   All Pay Per Views

·         WCW

o   Main Event (1988-1998)

o   Clash of the Champions (1988-1997)

o   Power Hour (1989-1994)

o   Nitro (1995-2001)

o   Thunder (1998-2001)

o   All Pay Per Views

·         ECW

o   ECW Hardcore TV (1993-2000)

o   ECW on TNN (1999-2000)

o   All Pay Per Views

·         TNA

o   iMPACT (2004-present)

o   All Pay Per Views

What I want to do is go by year and list the programs and the pay per views that year brought. I will then take each week individually and rate each individual show produced during that week. Each promo, interview, and match will be commented on and the matches rated on a 1-5 scale. The final show will be rated on the averaged ratings for the entire show.