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 

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. 

Executive Decision

Friends and readers,

After the last string of rundowns, I've been thinking.

I want to continue this review blog, but it’s difficult to do so when video of full or partial shows cannot be found, especially of 10 ½ months straight. I don’t want to turn this into a simple rundown blog of the card and nothing else. I thought of giving them all average ratings because I thought that only a handful of episodes weren't uploaded. It was my way of just bridging them.

I don’t want to do that with almost a whole year’s worth of shows. What if the episode is amazing? What if it sucks? I either give it more than it should have or not enough.

So from now on, instead of bridging missing shows with simple 3’s. I’m just going to mention them in the head of the next review and get on to the next show I can actually find. If at least one individual match from the show can be found, then the post will go up and that one lone match will be reviewed. That is the one case where I won’t mind doing a rundown of the rest of the show.

It is quite upsetting to me too. Like I said in my first post, I wanted to watch all of the greatest and worst moments I’ve read about in context. The context of the WrestleMania III match between Hogan and Andre the Giant was one that I had been anticipating. I can’t help that I was born in 1991, wasn’t allowed to watch wrestling as a kid and got into it in late 2009. At least I got some context. That’s better than nothing. Here’s to the 90s.

Anyway:  Saturday Night's Main Event from January 3, 1987 tomorrow. 

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. 

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 9/13/1986

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

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

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

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

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

Winner: Paul Orndorrf

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

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

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

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

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

The Islanders vs. The Moondogs

 The Moondogs… this shouldn’t take long.

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

Winners: The Islanders

  

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

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

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

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

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

Winner: Randy Savage

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

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

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

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

Winners: The Machines

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

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

(An early Foley sighting)

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

Winners: The British Bulldogs

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

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

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

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!

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!

The Wrestling Classic

Greetings and welcome to another edition of the Vintage Wrestling Review. Today we  finish off the week with The Wrestling Classic, taking place in the Rosemont Horizon in Rosemont, Illinois on November 7. It consisted of a title match and a 16 man elimination tournament. Plus, “Back in Time” by Huey Lewis and the News as a theme. That song makes anything worthwhile.

The show begins with Vince McMahon and Lord Alfred Hayes playing the entire tournament up as well as introducing the pairings which were drawn from a hat.

Match: Adrian Adonis (with Jimmy Hart) vs. Cpl. Kirchner

Kirchner started off on a good offensive, getting Adonis in a side headlock. Eventually, Adonis countered with a suplex and kept the edge.

Winner: Adrian Adonis with the pin

It was a good match to start the show off with. Both men were able to have their respective offensives and paced it rather well. The ending was interesting and worked well for the match. 3/5

After the match, Okerlund interviewed Hart and Adonis, who said he would teach everyone and that he was going to rewrite wrestling.

Match: Dynamite Kid vs. Nikolai Volkoff

As Volkoff was singing the Russian national anthem and denouncing America, Kid went to the top rope and dropkicked Volkoff.

Winner: Dynamite Kid with a dropkick and pin

That was… fun. I guess even Englishmen get tired of the gimmick too. It wasn’t much of a match, but it was greatly executed. 4/5

Okerlund then interviewed Randy Savage and Miss Elizabeth who said he was ready to face Putski and had so much to burn that no one could touch him.

Match: Macho Man Randy Savage (with Miss Elizabeth) vs. Ivan Putski

Savage immediately bails, comes back and bails again after being hit by Putski. He comes back in and Putski gets the offensive. Despite attempts to turn it around, Putski kept his ground, until Savage cheated.

Match: Macho Man Randy Savage with the pin by cheating

This was an ok match. Putski had most of the offensive and Savage never really got anything going for him until the end, which seemed rushed and forced. 2/5

Nikolai Volkoff complained to Vince McMahon about how he was robbed of the match, called for American justice and said it wasn’t over yet. At least that’s what I think he said. Volkoff is very hard to discern at times.

Match: Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat vs. Davey Boy Smith

Both men started off having equal offensive, each having near wins. Smith was eventually able to get the match going in his favor, even with some comebacks by Steamboat. Ultimately, an encounter with the ring ropes injured Smith.

Winner: Ricky Steamboat with the referee conceding the match due to Smith’s injury.

This was a great match, highly energetic and really fun to watch. Neither man had an immediate advantage, making it interesting. It might have been an amazing match had it ended properly and not with Smith getting hurt. 4/5

Junkyard Dog was interviewed by Okerlund, saying you couldn’t take The Iron Sheik for granted and that he was giving thanks to the man above to be there.

Match: The Junkyard Dog vs. The Iron Sheik

Before Junkyard Dog could get ready, Sheik started attacking and gained an early advantage. Quickly though, Dog turned it around, making Sheik beg for mercy. At one point Sheik got The Camel Clutch in, but gave up, giving Dog what he needed.

Winner: Junkyard Dog with the pin

This was a pretty good match. I like how JYD was able to turn the advantage towards him quickly and how it looked like Sheik was going to win at one point. I do think that The Clutch shouldn’t have been given up so quickly though. 3/5

Okerlund interviewed Funk, who said he wanted the chance for the World Heavyweight Champion and that Roddy Piper was going to win the championship

Match: Terry Funk (with Jimmy Hart) vs. Moondog Spot

Funk immediately came out and said he didn’t want to wrestle Moondog and that he hoped Moondog didn’t want to wrestle him. He didn’t and both men walked away until the bell rang and Funk double-crossed Moondog. Before Funk could get back in the ring, Moondog dragged him away and got in himself.

After the “match” Funk and Hart started attacking Moondog and the referee.

Winner: Moondog Spot with Funk being counted out

Terrible. That is all. 1/5

Mr. Fuji and Don Muraco were with Okerlund, claiming Santana had met his match and that Muraco would beat the best.

Match: Tito Santana vs. Magnificent Muraco (with Mr. Fuji)

Muraco started heavy at Santana, having the early upper hand. Santana had a few spurts of advantage before getting the true offensive edge.  Muraco soon stole the match back until a mistake ended it.

Winner: Tito Santana with a surprise pin.

This match was good. Santana should have had more on offense though, but other than that, the two had good power. I like how it ended too, with Muraco thinking he won until Santana stole it from him 3/5

Okerlund had an interview with Bobby Heenan about how his men weren’t in the tournament. He claimed that Bob Orton was going to win the tournament.

Match: Paul Orndorff bs. Cowboy Bob Orton

Orndorff had control early on in the match, focusing mainly on Orton’s arm. Orton was able to gain some advantage, but eventually Orndorff came back only for to Orton to use his cast against him.

Winner: Paul Orndorff with a Disqualification.

Now this was a great match. Orton and Orndorff did very well in their moves, and it was very energetic. It was an interesting finish too, with Orton using his cast against Orndorff. I have no complaints, nor can I say what would have brought this match from great to amazing. 4/5

We then go to the leaderboard and Terry Funk throwing a tantrum about how the referee was arrogant, he should be having a title match and that he can beat anyone. Who’s arrogant?

QUARTERFINALS

Match: Adrian Adonis (with Jimmy Hart) vs. Dynamite Kid

Neither men had an early advantage, but Adonis picked up speed after leaving the ring for a quick second. While Jesse Ventura left the announce table to talk to Randy Savage, Adonis dominated Kid. Soon enough, Kid was able to get the offensive.

Winner: Dynamite Kid with a pin

This was a good match. Adonis wouldn’t let Kid get any true offense in until the end, which I believe should have gone on a little bit longer. But other than that, the two did very well. 3/5

Gene Okerlund spoke with Jesse Ventura after the match, who said Randy Savage was ready to face Ricky Steamboat. Ventura also said his commentary was never prejudiced and biased in his commentary.

Match: Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat vs. Macho Man Randy Savage (with Miss Elizabeth)

Before Steamboat could do anything, Savage pulled Miss Elizabeth in front of him as a shield. Quickly after, Savage had some good offense until Steamboat pulled him out of the ring and turned the match into his favor. At the end, Savage struck Steamboat with a foreign object.

Winner: Randy Savage with a foreign object and pin.

This match was good. Savage had some good heel steam in the very early match, but didn’t quite get any back and Steamboat did well once he brought it into his favor. Savage brought the object out too early though. He should have gotten a false lead only to have it taken away by Steamboat before he used it. 3/5

Gene interviewed Moondog Spot, who merely grunted and said nothing intelligible. I smell squash match.

Match: Junkyard Dog vs. Moondog Spot

Spot started for Dog before the bell rang, but Dog was able to turn everything around and… count the pin himself? Can he do that?

Winner: Junkyard Dog with a pin he counted by himself.

I smelled right. 33 seconds, I counted. As a squash match, this wasn’t that good. Why did I like the one at WrestlMania? Because it worked, plain and simple. This one didn’t. Plus, since when can the wrestler count his own pin? 1/5

Gene then interviewed Heenan again who said Hogan was drained and ready to be picked clean of his title. I side with Heenan for once.

Match: Tito Santana vs. Paul Orndorff

Santana started off with a side headlock and head scissors, which Orndorff reversed into a hammerlock to give him the offensive. It eventually resulted in a brawl outside the ring.

Double Countout and elimination from the tournament

This match wasn’t that good. While it had great tension, it was just slow and boring. The double countout and double elimination was interesting, but also seemed like a forced way to end the match. 2/5

We go back to McMahon and Hayes who played up the next Dynamite Kid/Randy Savage match and how Junkyard Dog had luck of the draw.  

We’re now at the Championship match. Will Hogan retain? Will Piper grab the title away? Do I even need to ask these questions?

Hogan told Okerlund that he was ready and that the whole country gets to witness Piper getting the full brunt of his wrath. Because watcha gonna do… when the Hulkster is getting shoved down your throat?

Match: Hulk Hogan vs. Rowdy Roddy Piper for the WWF Heavyweight Championship

Piper ripped the belt away from Hogan and threw him out of the ring just as the bell rang. The two started fighting outside the ring for the beginning of the match. Once in, Piper was on the immediate offensive. Both men went back and forth quite equally. At one point, Hogan ran into the referee, Piper picked up a chair and Cowboy Bob Orton ran out and interfered.

Winner: Hulk Hogan to retain the championship by Disqualification.

This actually wasn’t that bad of a match. It went back and forth with no real edge to it at all. There were even times when Piper cut Hogan down a few notches and brought the match back from a runaway finish. But the ending… was terrible. Was interference by Orton really necessary? Was Piper getting disqualified again really necessary? This honestly should have been settled in a cage. At least then it would have ended in either Piper getting pinned or having Hogan being counted out. He would have still remained champion with a fine ending. 3/5

Would have been 4 if Orton didn’t show up.

Okerlund interviewed Junkyard Dog, who said he trained hard enough and he was ready to win the tournament. Jimmy Hart showed up and was completely manic about the embarrassment Junkyard Dog showed him in the last Saturday Night’s Main Event.

SEMIFINALS

Match: Macho Man Randy Savage (with Miss Elizabeth) vs. Dynamite Kid

The early match saw no one have an immediate offense, but Savage finally found it. Kid tried to get an edge by dropkicking and superplexing Savage off the top rope, but it didn’t work.

Winner: Randy Savage with a countered pin

This was a good match. It was fast and furious in the beginning, with no one having a clear offensive edge. With Savage getting it and Kid trying to turn it around, only to have it stolen by Savage was a nice finish. 3/5

Some fan named Michael Hamley won a Rolls Royce. No one cared. Okerlund interviewed Hogan who said he wanted to face Piper and Orton again. Orndorff agreed. Yay.

Final Match: Macho Man Randy Savage (with Miss Elizabeth) vs. The Junkyard Dog

Oh look. Savage started off by using Elizabeth as a shield and hightailing it out of the ring. Savage would get back in only to immediately leave again. Thrice. Once in, Junkyard Dog had an immediate offensive advantage. Savage was able to get an edge in, incapacitating Dog outside of the ring. Once back in, Dog was able to turn it around.

Winner: Junkyard Dog with a countout.

This was a good match. Savage’s heel persona was very much evident in the beginning with using Elizabeth and getting in and out of the ring numerous times. While they both had good offensives (Savage outside of the ring and Dog inside the ring), the finish to the match was nicely ironic: JYD throwing Savage out of the ring to be counted out. 3/5

The pay per view was pretty good, with some good and great matches. Unfortunately, because of some horrible matches (the worst ones involving Moondog Spot. Pattern?), the show only gets an all around 2.8/5

I think my favorite point of the night was when Dynamite Kid dropkicked Nikolai Volkoff to immediately end the match. It was hilarious and worked really well, unlike the Junkyard Dog/Moondog Spot squash match.

I’m honestly glad this show’s over. Coming up Next week, we have a Saturday Night’s Main Event from December 19^th on Monday, Starrcade ’85 on Wednesday, and Friday, we move on into 1986 with an edition of Saturday Night’s Main Event from February 15.

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. 

WrestleMania I

It is my pleasure to begin my journey into the archives of professional wrestling. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride as I shoot back into 1985 and take the slow path back home.

We begin with the very first WrestleMania, broadcast from Madison Square Garden on March 31.

Pre-Match interviews

Before their match, Gene Okerlund interviewed Tito Santana and The Executioner. Tito said he respected The Executioner, but that he wouldn’t get in the way of his goals and the other claimed he’ll be going after Tito’s injured leg. Only then will the WWF who the mysterious Executioner is.  

I thought it was pretty good, but needed more feeling. Executioner looked and sounded like he had just woken up and hastily put his mask on.  

4/5

Match: Tito Santana vs. The Executioner

Santana started off strong, dropkicking Executioner out of the ring and going for headlocks and punches. Executioner was able to get in some offense, even working on the leg like he said he would. But in the end, Santana finished the match with a figure-4 leg lock.

Good match, Santana did a great counter in slamming Executioner from the top rope. Executioner got in a few good hits on Santana’s leg, but it would have been better if Santana had sold it a little better.

Winner: Tito Santana with a Figure-4 Leg Lock. 4/5

Pre Match Interviews

Gene interviewed S.D. Jones, who said he was ready to face King Kong Bundy and ready to get down. On the other hand, Bundy (with Jimmy Hart) called himself the biggest man in professional wrestling and told Jones to think about what he was going to do.

These were good interviews as well, really energetic, but probably a little too short.

4/5

Match: King Kong Bundy (w/ Jimmy Hart) vs. S.D. Jones

Jones quickly started after Bundy, who effortlessly annihilated him in 9 seconds.

Perfect squash match

Winner: King Kong Bundy with body slam & pin. 5/5

Pre Match Interviews

Okerlund next interviewed Matt Borne who called Ricky Steamboat too nice a guy, which was the only quality he missed. Steamboat, on the other hand called his next match a big test in developing his mean streak.

This was an ok interview segment. I would have rather Steamboat say he didn’t need to be mean, just less nice. 3/5

Match: Ricky Steamboat vs. Matt Borne

Both men started very well, with Steamboat getting in early offense and a good headlock. Both men were able to get in some moves against each other. Steamboat was able to close the match with a flying tackle from the top rope.

A great match. Both men did well and Steamboat closed the match very well.

Winner: Ricky Steamboat with flying tackle & pin. 4/5

Pre Match Interviews

The next interviews were with Brutus Beefcake and David Sammartino. Sammartino, with his father Bruno, mentioned Beefcake’s cockiness while proclaiming his readiness, while Beefcake, with Johnny Valiant, said nothing. Valiant did all the talking by shouting about Bruno Sammartino.

Not very good interviews. David’s was unenergetic and Beefcake’s was a little incomprehensible. 2/5

Match: David Sammartino (with Bruno Sammartino) vs. Brutus Beefcake (With Johnny Valiant)

The match started slow with Sammartino getting in holds and Beefcake executing quite a few slams. They went back and forth for a good while, each having a good advantage. Sammartino was able to come back after a bit, but Beefcake was able to throw him over the ropes. The match ended in a double disqualification after interference by Valiant sparked Bruno’s involvement.  

The match was OK. It was slow until near the end. Sammartino gave Beefcake a good suplex and Beefcake scored some nice slams. Valiant’s suplex on Sammartino, which brought Bruno into the match was interesting.

Double Disqualification. 3/5

Pre Match Interviews

Okerlunds next interviews were with Greg Valentine, with Jimmy Hart, and Junkyard Dog. Valentine exclaimed that he was in the greatest shape of his life and the match would show why he was the Intercontinental Champion as well as the master of the figure-4 leg lock. Junkyard Dog saw it as his biggest opportunity for the championship.

Great interviews, though Junkyard Dog’s bit could have been longer, but no serious complaints. 4/5

Match: Greg “The Hammer” Valentine (with Jimmy Hart) vs. Junkyard Dog for the Intercontinental Championship

Junkyard Dog began the match quickly, scoring the first hit, an arm twister and heavy offence. Although Valentine was able to get in some good hits, they were both evenly matched. Near the end, Jimmy Hart tried to distract the referee, but Dog caught it. When Valentine tried to use it to his advantage he clobbered Hart instead. Near the end, Dog dominated and Valentine was able to cheat and get a pin with his legs on the rope. However, Santana entered the ring to inform the ref who made the match continue. Valentine wouldn’t get back into the ring, was counted out and retained the title.

This was a really good match. Junkyard Dog had some really good offense, and I liked how Santana come into the ring to inform the referee of Valentine’s cheating. But the end could have been better. I like that Dog won, but it would have been better if Santana forced Valentine back in. Dog could have gotten more hits and Valentine could have made another cowardly retreat.

Winner: Junkyard Dog by countout, Greg Valentine retains Intercontinental Championship. 4/5

Pre Match Interviews

Okerlund’s next interviews were with Nikolai Volkoff and The Iron Sheik, with Freddie Blassie. The two claimed that they were in the prime of their lives and they would conquer. Next, Okerlund interviewed the US Express, Mike Rotundo and Barry Windham with Capt. Lou Albano, who said they were ready for Volkoff and the Sheik.

OK interviews, short but got their point. 3/5

Match: Nikolai Volkoff and The Iron Sheik (with Freddie Blassie) vs. The US Express (with Capt. Lou Albano) for the Tag Team Championship

Before the match, Volkoff sang the Russian National Anthem and Sheik cried the greatness of Russia and Iran and denounced the USA. Nice cheap heat.

The Sheik started strong with Rotundo in a headlock, but he was able to reverse it and had a good starting advantage with Windham. Though Volkoff and the Sheik were able to have better advantage later in the match, especially when the illegal man, Sheik, nailed Windham with Glassie’s cane, allowing for Volkoff to get the pin and win the Tag Team Championship.

This was a good fast paced and energetic match. Both teams had some good moves and the US Express had great teamwork.  The end was good, a dirty win for dirty heels.

Winner: Nikolai Volkoff and The Iron Sheik with Blassie’s cane and Nikolai’s pin to win the Tag Team Championship. 4/5

Post Match Interview

Okerlund now interviews the new Tag Team Champions. The two claimed they have proved that Iran and Russia are the best. Great interview 5/5

Pre Match Interview

Okerlund interviews Big John Studd, with Bobby Heenan, who showed the duffle bag full of money as the prize for Andre the Giant slamming Studd or retiring from the WWF.

An ok interview, but it would have been better Andre was interviewed afterward. 3/5

Match: Big John Studd (with Bobby Heenan) vs. Andre the Giant. $15,000 Slam Match with Andres career on the line.

Studd scored some early hits, but Andre dominated the match and finally slammed Studd.

It was a slow match, Andre put on quite a few holds and some good hits on Studd’s legs. The slam was good and powerful though.

Winner: Andre the Giant with a powerful slam. 3/5

Post Match Interview

Okerlund finally interviewed Andre the Giant who was excited that he did it and that he didn’t have to retire. This was a great interview, Andre’s expression was great and told of his excitement. 5/5

Pre match interview

Okerlund interviewed Wendi Richter, with Cyndi Lauper. The two exclaimed great a manager Lauper was and how dead set Richter was on getting the championship back. He then interviewed Leilani Kai, with The Fabulous Moolah. Kai simply said she was going to be the victor.

It was a nice interview, Kai’s part could have been longer and more boastful 4/5

Match: Wendi Richter (with Cyndi Lauper) vs. Leilani Kai (with The Fabulous Moolah) for the Women’s Championship

Both women went at it very quickly. Richter had good advantages early on with slams and locks. Kai was able to gain some ground and wear Richter down. Moolah tried to put Richter down, but Lauper stopped it as quickly as it happened. Richter was able to pull a win after reversing Kai’s pin after an elbow off the top rope.

Both women had some great offense. Richter slammed Kai very powerfully many times and locked in some good leg and scissor locks. Kai also wore Richter down well, but not well enough.

Winner: Wendi Richter with a pin to become the new Women’s Champion. 4/5

Post Match Interview

Okerlund interviewed Richter who gave Lauper her credit for helping her with the win and Lauper told how she had he eye on Moolah. Dave Wolf was there, but didn’t say anything. He should have. 4/5

Match: Hulk Hogan and Mr. T vs. Rowdy Roddy Piper and “Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff with Muhammad Ali as guest referee

Hogan and Piper began staring each other down, but T was let in before any fighting started. The two slapped each other multiple times before actually doing anything.  The match soon turned into chaos, but was under control quickly and Hogan assumed control. After a brief stint with T, Hogan threw Piper out of the ring and followed thanks to Orndorff. Once back in the ring after getting hit with a chair by Piper, the latter and Orndorff had the advantage over Hogan and T for a while. Interference by Cowboy Bob Orton that mistakenly hit Orndorff allowed Hogan to get the pin.

The match was slow to start, but quickly energized and slowed down again after the quick chaotic brawl. It sped up again shortly after Piper and Hogan were knocked out of the ring and Piper struck Hogan with a chair. Piper, Orndorff, and Hogan executed some great moves and provided a good match.

Winner: Hulk Hogan and Mr. T with a pin due to ill timed interference by Cowboy Bob Orton. 4/5

Post Match Interview

Okerlund interviewed Mr. T and Hulk Hogan for the final spot of the show. The two were very energetic in their win and it certainly showed. 5/5

The full show averages a 4/5. It was very good as a first WrestleMania with good interviews and many great matches. If I had to pick a favorite, I’d say it was the Steamboat/Borne match.

So that was WrestleMania I. My journey of 1000 miles has been started with the first step. Along the way, I’ll witness all the great moments as well as endure the bad.  It proves to be quite the experience.