Saturday Night’s Main Event #11
Date: May 2, 1987
Location: Edmund P. Joyce Center, Notre Dame, Indiana
Attendance: 9,345
Commentators: Vince McMahon, Jesse Ventura

It’s another classic one and in this case we have the fallout from Wrestlemania III. There are a pair of title matches on the show and that is quite a stacked card. In addition, Hulk Hogan and Andre The Giant are likely to have something to say about what happened in the biggest match of all time so let’s get to it.

Randy savage is sick of George Steele, who cost him “his World Wrestling Federation Title” at Wrestlemania. Tonight, it’s their final confrontation.

Ricky Steamboat is ready to melt Hercules’ chains.

The Hart Foundation is ready to shut the British Bulldogs up for good.

Jim Duggan is not standing for Nikolai Volkoff singing the Russian National Anthem and even breaks his 2×4.

Bobby Heenan, in a neck brace, has footage to prove that Andre The Giant won at Wrestlemania.

Hulk Hogan thinks that’s nonsense.

There’s the classic opening, now with Wrestlemania III footage.

Ventura and McMahon welcome us to the show and run down the card. There’s something interesting about the two of them sharing one microphone.

We see footage from earlier today (on television) with Bobby Heenan and Ken Patera having a debate. Heenan went after him with a belt which went as well as you would expect, resulting in Heenan’s neck injury and the need for the brace.

Mr. Fuji is now managing Kamala and promises to be ready to overcome his fear of snakes. Kamala and Kim Chee run away at the mention of a snake so this isn’t off to a great start.

We look at Honky Tonk Man bashing Jake Roberts with his guitar on the Snake Pit back in February.

Gene Okerlund thinks that guitar shot is the only reason Roberts would be crazy enough to face Kamala. Roberts offers to have Okerlund ask Damien about that.

Kamala vs. Jake Roberts

Mr. Fuji and Kim Chee are here too. Roberts sends Damien into the ring to scare Kamala outside but spends way too long tying the bag, allowing Kamala to get in a cheap shot. The comeback is cut off by a shot to Roberts’ throat and we hit the bearhug. Roberts gets smart by stomping on the bare feet and hammers away, only to get choked even more.

Kamala mixes it up with some foot choking and Roberts falls out to the floor. The chase is on and Roberts gets in a knee lift on the way back inside. A middle rope knee lift (that’s cool) connects but Fuji offers a distraction so Chee gets in a cheap shot. The big splash gives Kamala the pin at 4:19.

Rating: C. There wasn’t much to this one, save for that rather good looking middle rope jumping knee. The point though was to have Fuji looking good as Kamala’s new manager and continuing Roberts’ tough stretch. Granted it helps to have three managers, which is quite a lot even by 80s standards.

Post match Chee takes off his mask and reveals the Honky Tonk Man. Ventura asks if Honky Tonk Man has been Kim Chee all along and somehow makes it sound both mocking and serious at the same time. Honky Tonk Man gets in a Shake Rattle And Roll to leave Roberts laying. That was one heck of a surprise, as you didn’t get angles like this very often. The fans were surprised and ticked off so that seems to be a success.

We take a quick look at Wrestlemania III, including the iconic opening shot from the start of the stadium and Hogan/Andre’s staredown.

George Steele doesn’t seem to get the idea of a lumberjack match but does understand Elizabeth.

The lumberjacks come out for the match and Honky Tonk Man and Kim Chee both being there has commentary confused.

Ricky Steamboat accuses George Okerlund of TRYING TO CONFUSE George Steele. Okerlund denies it but Steamboat will be escorting Steele to the ring.

Randy Savage, with Elizabeth, is not happy about being called the former Intercontinental Champion. He blames Steele for his issues and wants his title back from Steamboat, who will be at ringside too.

George Steele vs. Randy Savage

Lumberjack match. Steele goes after Elizabeth before the bell and gets jumped from behind but is sent outside. Savage, with his sunglasses still on, goes over to see his friends on the floor before getting back inside so Steele can bite him. Steele sends him outside, where the British Bulldogs send Savage back inside.

This time Steele gets tied in the ropes and punched in the face, with Steamboat and company helping him back inside. Naturally Ventura doesn’t like this because he didn’t like much at all. The top rope ax handle connects for Savage and he’s thrown outside for the group stomping. Duggan gets the 2×4 for the save and chases Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff (of course), earning himself an ejection as we take a break.

We come back with Steele fighting back against the lumberjacks and getting to choke Savage a bit. Naturally Steele goes after a turnbuckle pad, allowing Savage to get in a rather low suplex. Back up and they take turns getting sent to the floor for the expected results. The lumberjacks get in their fight and Danny Davis (who Steele punched earlier) comes in with the bell to knock Steele sillier. The big elbow finishes for Savage at 6:40.

Rating: D+. These guys feuded for the better part of ever (remember that they fought at last year’s Wrestlemania II) and I don’t think they ever had a single good match. That’s rather impressive as you would think that Savage would be able to make anything work. The match was another mess but thankfully it had a bunch of people out there to give us other options other than the match itself.

Post match Steamboat goes after Savage so Hercules breaks it up. The lumberjacks get in and the brawl is on until Jake Roberts runs back in with Damien to go after Kim Chee.

Gene Okerlund sits down with Bobby Heenan and Andre The Giant, with Heenan insisting that Andre won the match at Wrestlemania III. Andre says he was cheated, with Heenan claiming that all of the referees in Hogan’s matches are biased. We see the opening of the Wrestlemania match and Heenan insists that Hogan was pinned off the failed slam attempt. Okerlund points out that the referee counted two, with a desperate Heenan shouting that HE’S LYING. Heenan wants a rematch or for Andre to just be made the champion.

Ventura thinks Heenan might be on to something. And that’s how you make an angle like this work.

Jim Duggan threatens Nikolai Volkoff again.

Gene Okerlund (dude earns his money on these shows) yells at the Hart Foundation for STEALING the Tag Team Titles from the British Bulldogs and calls them a black eye on the face of professional wrestling. Jimmy Hart says the crying Bulldogs will get their shot but Okerlund says it won’t be fair with Danny Davis around. Davis LUNGES at Okerlund (that fiend) and has to be held back.

Tag Team Titles: Hart Foundation vs. British Bulldogs

The Harts are defending in a 2/3 falls match and Jimmy Hart/Danny Davis and Tito Santana are here too. Matilda goes after Jimmy Hart and even bites the Megaphone, with Hart claiming to have been bitten in the leg. Bulldog takes Hart down by the arm to start but gets caught in a headlock. Hart knocks him down and hands it off to Neidhart, who allows Hart to choke in the corner.

It’s already back to Hart for a backdrop and legdrop but Bulldog finally gets a boot up in the corner. That’s enough for the tag off to Dynamite to clean house but everything breaks down. Bulldog is knocked outside and Davis gets in a few cheap shots, earning a chase from Santana. The Harts stomp on Kid and it’s a DQ for the first fall at 4:33. We take a break and come back with Dynamite still in trouble and something like a Demolition Decapitator getting two.

A headbutt looks to get Dynamite out of trouble but Neidhart is there to grab a front facelock. That’s broken up and Hart misses a charge into the ropes, which allows the tag off to Bulldog. Some dropkicks have the Harts in trouble and a clothesline gets two. Neidhart takes over on the Bulldog but hits Hart with a forearm by mistake. Santana has to take Davis out and Bulldog tosses Dynamite onto Hart for the pin and the second fall at 9:48.

Rating: B. The crowd reaction alone was great, though Ventura’s laughing should tell you that something is up. The thing here though as just reminding you how great the tag division was at this point. These teams were able to have some great matches and there are all kinds of teams waiting to come up and go after the titles. It was so awesome to see and these were two of the best teams around (both then and ever).

The fans go NUTS on the fall…and it doesn’t mean a title change because the first fall was a DQ. That’s the definition of a cheap wrestling rule and while it can be done for stuff like this, the whole idea of “you can’t win the title on a DQ” doesn’t work so well when it comes after a pinfall.

Hulk Hogan is still fired up after winning at Wrestlemania and we see some of the same footage from the Andre match. The right hands were going off “like Mount Susuvius” but even he thought he was done when the slam didn’t work. We see some stills of the slam and it’s quite the visual to go from Andre getting two to being upside down. As for Bobby Heenan’s comments, Hogan says go ahead and have your investigation but he’s not giving up the title.

Intercontinental Title: Ricky Steamboat vs. Hercules

Steamboat is defending and Bobby Heenan is here with Hercules. We also cut to Randy Savage and Elizabeth watching in the back, with Savage saying he wants Steamboat to win so he can take the title back himself. Hercules wins a strike off to start so Steamboat slides between his legs and fires off some dropkicks. Even Ventura approves as it’s a smarter strategy, with an atomic drop having Hercules in more trouble on the floor.

Back in and Hercules sends him into the corner as Savage is shown cheering in the back, which has Ventura befuddled. Hercules drops some elbows but gets kicked in the face as Ventura thinks Savage might be too selfish even for himself. The comeback is cut off and Hercules gets the full nelson and Savage storms off, shouting DON’T SURRENDER! Cue Savage in the arena to pull Savage into the ropes for the save. Heenan accurately says that should be a DQ and we take a break as the arguing continues.

We take a break and come back with Hercules’ top rope splash hitting raised knees (it was quite the length too as Hercules could go the distance (yes I am that much of a Disney geek)). Back up and Hercules missing a big elbow, leaving Heenan looking like he’s near death. A missed charge in the corner lets Steamboat chop away as Savage demands that he “SAVE IT FOR ME”. Hercules gets in a knee to the back and with Steamboat down, Heenan throws in the chain for Hercules to choke him for the DQ at 6:43.

Rating: C+. Well that was…something. I’m not entirely sure what as it was mainly Savage losing his mind on the floor (ok that’s not a big leap) and taking the focus off of the match. Hercules is of course a good choice for a challenger, even if he didn’t actually win at Wrestlemania. Steamboat was his usual self here, though the focus was all on Savage, who was his usual insane self.

Post match Hercules chokes with the chain even more to leave Steamboat laying. Savage comes in to help turn Steamboat over and then gives him the big elbow, with Ventura being far too happy.

Jim Duggan is in the front row to again praise America and say that Nikolai Volkoff won’t be singing his national anthem. Yes he’s been banned from ringside but he bought a ticket (which looks like a raffle ticket) and will be watching Volkoff.

Slick says that America cannot deny Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff their freedom of speech.

Can-Am Connection vs. Nikolai Volkoff/Iron Sheik

Slick is here with Sheik and Volkoff, the latter of whom sings the national anthem. That’s enough for Jim Duggan to come in and hit Volkoff with the 2×4 and give the rather pro-American speech. We take a break and come back to start with Martel jumping over Volkoff in the corner and hitting some dropkicks. Zenk comes in and gets kicked down, setting up Sheik’s gutwrench suplex for two.

A regular suplex gets the same and the cover is so weak that even Ventura calls him out on it. Sheik’s belly to belly bangs up the ribs so he grabs an abdominal stretch, which is finally broken up with a hiptoss. Everything breaks down and Zenk is sent outside in front of Duggan while Martel is sent outside as well. Duggan comes inside with the board because security around here is that bad, with the distraction letting Martel roll Sheik up for the pin at 3:57.

Rating: C+. There is something so awesome about watching Sheik doing those suplexes. The gutwrench suplex was his biggest signature move outside of the camel clutch and it looked good every time. On the other hand you have the Connection, who were as white meat of a white meat team as you could have gotten around this point. They were on fire here and dang it would have been fun to see them stay together.

Post match all three villains beat Duggan down but the Connection makes the save. Duggan gets back up and marches around the ring a bit.

Commentary recaps the night and we’re out.

Roll credits.

Overall Rating: B. This was a heck of a fallout show from Wrestlemania, with the focus being on the aftermath of the two big Wrestlemania matches. Hogan vs. Andre is clearly not done and Savage is still obsessed with Steamboat. Throw in the tag division still being awesome and the pretty cool Honky Tonk Man angle and this show was a blast.

Results
Kamala b. Jake Roberts – Splash
Randy Savage b. George Steele – Top rope elbow
British Bulldogs b. Hart Foundation 2-0
Ricky Steamboat b. Hercules via DQ when Hercules used his chain
Can-Am Connection b. Nikolai Volkoff/Iron Sheik – Rollup to Sheik

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Best Of The WWF Volume XI
Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon, Gene Okerlund, Lord Alfred Hayes, Slick, Bobby Heenan
Host: Gene Okerlund

So this is a series of VHS tapes (twenty in total) that the WWF put out in the 80s, mainly comprised of a bunch of house show matches and some other things. That makes for some interesting selections as you never know what you might be seeing. These things can be anywhere between a blast or a disaster so let’s get to it.

Gene Okerlund welcomes us to the tape and previews some of the bigger matches.

From New York City, New York, January 19, 1987.

Can-Am Connection vs. Dream Team

Okerlund’s intro talks about how this match previews the issues between the Dream Team that would lead to their split at Wrestlemania III so this was likely released in the spring of 1987. Martel works on Valentine’s arm to start and armdrags him down, with a legdrop to the arm keeping Valentine in trouble. Back up and Valentine misses an elbow, allowing Zenk to hit a dropkick dropkick to send him back into the armbar.

The Dream Team’s manager Johnny V grabs the mic to promise a quick Dream Team victory, even as Beefcake comes in to miss an elbow. An atomic drop sends Beefcake into the corner, followed by one to Valentine as well. Martel comes back in to stay on the arm but Beefcake finally gets him into the corner. Valentine’s middle rope forearm sets up Beefcake’s backbreaker for two, with Zenk having to make the save.

Beefcake grabs a chinlock (with his tongue sticking out for some reason) for a bit until Martel fights up for two off a backslide. That’s cut off by Valentine but Martel makes a heck of a slugging comeback (that looked great). Valentine sends him into the corner though and gets in a knee to the back as Martel is in trouble again. A suplex from Valentine sets up a bearhug from Beefcake, causing Martel to shake a lot. It’s back to Valentine to send him into the corner for two but Martel crawls between the legs for the tag off to Zenk.

House is cleaned for a bit but Zenk charges into a clothesline from Beefcake to cut that off in a hurry. The abdominal stretch goes on for a bit before Beefcake gives him an atomic drop. Martel gets the tag but the referee doesn’t see it, meaning it’s a double belly to back suplex to Zenk. The Figure Four goes on as Martel is taken out on the floor, only to come back in with a slingshot splash to pin Valentine at 17:57 shown (apparently out of 18:36 so they didn’t clip much at the beginning).

Rating: B+. Yeah this was rather good stuff and it’s easy to see why the Connection was becoming the hottest team in the company around this time. They’re the definition of white meat stars and the fans loved what they were doing. The amazing thing is that it got even better when they evolved into Strike Force. For now though, it worked very well.

From New York City, New York, November 24, 1986.

Kamala vs. George Steele

Please be short? Maybe? Kamala is messed up by all of the booing to start and they stall for a good minute. Kim Chee’s distraction lets Kamala get in some chops so Steele bails to the floor. Back in and Steele stomps on the bare toes, allowing him to hammer away in the corner. Steele has to go after the Wizard (because Kamala has two managers), who sends in his horn. A shot to the back knocks Steele silly and it’s a splash, followed by a top rope splash, to give Kamala the pin at 3:17.

Rating: D. You know, I’m not even mad at that. The action (and there was just so much of it) was squeezed into about two minutes, which included two people interfering and a weapon shot. Of course it’s terrible, but it’s a case where they’re in and out so fast that it’s not even worth getting annoyed.

Post match Kamala gets in another splash, adding about 10% to the total amount of offense.

From the same show.

Here is Roddy Piper for a live Piper’s Pit. He’s not used to being cheered (that’s an understatement) but he’s still the same son of a b**** he’s always been. We’re clipped to Paul Orndorff and Bobby Heenan (the guests) having a conference in the corner and Piper saying Orndorff needs a partner. Heenan: “I don’t need you to make a fool of me Piper.

Heenan picks Harley Race to team with Orndorff and we’re clipped again to Piper needing a partner of his own. Piper talks to his non-existent (or maybe invisible) manager, with Heenan not liking this. VLADIMIR THE SUPER FAN of all people gets on the apron, suggesting that Piper team up with Hulk Hogan. Orndorff absolutely loses it as Piper hits Heenan in the eye with the mic and leaves.

From the same show.

Harley Race/Paul Orndorff vs. Hulk Hogan/Roddy Piper

This should be good and Bobby Heenan is here too. The double brawl is on to start with the villains being cleared out. Hogan and Piper tease fighting but just tear their shirts off so Hogan can pick Piper up and swing him at the other two. Piper works on Race’s arm and reluctantly hands it off to Hogan for a middle rope ax handle.

Hogan and Piper take turns kicking at the arm, with Hogan looking at Piper like “I could get used to this”. Race starts to get over to Orndorff but Piper pulls him back for a lot of twisting and another staredown tag (a running theme) brings Hogan back inside. Race finally gets in a shot to Piper and Orndorff comes in for the elbow drop.

It’s already back to Race to drop an elbow, which brings Hogan in for the save. A powerslam drops Piper and it’s back to Orndorff, with Hogan running in for the save. This time it’s actually enough for Piper to get over for the tag to Hogan. The legdrop hits Race but Orndorff makes the save (after a weird camera cut to the crowd). Hogan goes after Heenan and Orndorff clotheslines Race by mistake, giving Piper the pin at 8:16.

Rating: B. This was a heck of a house show tag match with no combination being dull. The best part was of course Hogan and Piper not trusting each other but wanting to be all manly and staring the other down. This was a very fun and entertaining match, as you knew it would be the second it was announced.

Post match the brawl is on again and Hogan is left on his own, only to fight them all off without much trouble. Piper is….I have no idea actually.

From New York City, New York, February 23, 1987 (the intro says January 26, 1987 but the company wasn’t in New York that day) for Piper’s MSG farewell.

Randy Savage/Harley Race/Adrian Adonis vs. Roddy Piper/Junkyard Dog/Ricky Steamboat

Elimination tag and one heck of a Wrestlemania preview. Piper and Savage start things off but Piper hands it off to Steamboat, with Savage panicking. Race comes in and gets rammed into Dog’s head, allowing Dog to fire off the all fours headbutts, with the fans going NUTS. That’s enough for Race to take a breather on the floor but he comes back in to take over.

Savage drops a knee and goes up, only for Steamboat to offer a distraction. It’s back to Steamboat to chop away at Savage but Adonis gets in a suplex. Adonis spits at Piper, who looks ready to kill. Piper does indeed come int o go after Adonis and everything breaks down, with Steamboat being sent crashing out to the floor. Things calm down and it’s a double suplex to Piper, with Steamboat making the save.

Piper gets the sleeper on Adonis, with Race casually coming in to break it up. It’s back to Dog, with Monsoon and Slick arguing over his literacy. Adonis’ elbows to the head just wake Dog up as everything breaks down. Piper chairs Adonis up the aisle but Piper is back in to belly to back suplex Race. Savage makes a save before the count and….apparently Dog and Adonis were counted out at 7:58.

Monsoon wants to know how the referee knew who was legal as Race clotheslines Piper. It’s back to Savage to hammer away in the corner but Piper reverses a suplex into one of his own. That’s enough for Steamboat to come back in, sending us into a discussion of whether or not karate is legal in wrestling. A top rope shot tot he head gets two, with Savage making the save. Steamboat gets a small package but Savage turns it over and Race gets the pin at 11:42.

So it’s down to Piper vs. Race/Savage and the fans are loving this new hero thing he’s doing. Piper knocks Race outside and slugs away but has to blocks Savage’s chair shot. Back in and Piper gets double teamed again but manages to ax handle his way to freedom. A gutwrench suplex puts Race down so Savage is right back for the save. Savage ax handles Race by mistake though and can’t make the save in time, with Piper getting the pin at 15:57.

We’re down to Piper vs. Savage because this match hasn’t been awesome enough yet. Piper bites the hand but Savage’s running clothesline gets two. Savage’s slam doesn’t work so he goes with the choking before they shoulder each other down. Piper plays possum as Savage goes up top, meaning the elbow misses. A small package finishes Savage at 20:26.

Rating: B+. Oh of course this was excellent and there was no reason to think it would be anything else. The talent in here is incredible, as the Dog, who was incredibly popular in his own right, was a distant last on the in-ring abilities meter. Piper got to look like a superhero out there, even using his odd style. Heck of a match here and these matches were so popular around the horn that the Survivor Series was created as a result.

From Saturday Night’s Main Event X.

Piper is ready to leave wrestling for good (right) and talks about how much he’s given to wrestling over the years, with wrestling giving him even more back. We get a tribute video to Piper, which is set to the ending theme from Coliseum Video, which was originally Frank Sinatra’s My Way.

From New York City, New York, November 24, 1986 (again).

Lord Littlebrook/Little Tokyo vs. Karate Kid/Pepe Gomez

This is your midget match, which was a recurring theme on these things. We’re joined in progress as Tokyo works on Kid’s arm and chops away. Kid kicks his way out of trouble and hits a running corner dropkick as everything breaks down. Littlebrook and Tokyo get caught in the rowboat and the former has a lot of trouble walking.

We settle down to Kid getting choked in the corner but Gomez makes the save and switches Tokyo with Kid, leaving Kid to get choked instead. Tokyo recovers enough to slam Gomez, whose kickout sends Kid onto the referee. Said referee tosses Tokyo so Littlebrook wants to fight. Kid comes back in to full nelson Littlebrook, who reverses into one of his own.

Tokyo hits him by mistake though and Littlebrook finally knocks Tokyo into the corner. A backdrop puts Kid down again and Littlebrook adds two of his own. Littlebrook crossbodies Tokyo by mistake though and it’s a dog pile pin to finish Tokyo at 7:19 shown of about 13:30, so they probably clipped a bunch of comedy.

Rating: C+. They took a lot out of there and it was only so interesting, but at least the arguing partners thing worked out well enough. This was a staple of the WWF home video market back in the day and it only worked so well most of the time, but the fans seemed enough into the thing. Thankfully they cut this almost in half, because it was going to overstay its welcome in a hurry.

From the same show.

Hillbilly Jim vs. Don Muraco

Muraco is in a kilt to mock Roddy Piper and this is billed as a battle of fashion, including the tuxedoed Mr. Fuji on the floor. Jim grabs underneath the kilt and mocks him a lot, with Fuji getting up on the apron. That earns him a knock to the floor and Jim steals the kilt for even more mockery.

We settle back down to Jim grinding away at a headlock and then knocking him outside with a shot to the face. Back in and Muraco grabs the hair and stomps away, followed by the chinlock. Jim has to kick an interfering Fuji away and then kicks Muraco down as well. The bearhug goes on but Fuji comes in with the cane for the DQ at 6:11.

Rating: C. It was just ok with the comedy being ok at the start, though the ending was pretty clearly there to set up something else. Jim was one of the most popular stars on the roster and it makes sense to put him in a spot where he can keep it simple and get the reaction from the crowd. I’m sure Fuji will be perfectly fine and not get in any trouble over the interference either.

Post match the beating is on and Fuji rips the overalls, followed by the big beating with the cane. With the villains gone, Jim challenges Fuji to a Tuxedo match.

From New York City, New York, December 26, 1986.

Hillbilly Jim vs. Mr. Fuji

Tuxedo match. Jim goes extra evil to start by stomping on Fuji’s amazing bowler hat and then ripping Fuji’s jacket. Back up and Fuji chops him down to go for a sleeve. They take turns ripping shirts open and Fuji goes low, allowing him to get the rest of Jim’s shirt off. A headbutt gets Jim out of trouble though and he strips Fuji’s pants to reveal the heart underwear for the win at 4:17.

Rating: C+. This was exactly what you would have been expecting and that’s perfectly fine. Jim was never going to be a big time serious character and he played to his strengths rather well. I’ve long since thought that he would get a huge reaction if he came out on a modern show as a special surprise because he’s the kind of lovable, family friendly character that just works so well. Beating up and embarrassing a manager has worked for years and it worked again here.

Roll credits.

Overall Rating: B. This started off red hot and then cooled down a good bit, though dang that first two thirds or so with Piper focused stuff was outstanding. 1986 is kind of a forgotten time for the company as the focus often goes from Wrestlemania I to Wrestlemania III with only a glimpse at Orndorff vs. Hogan. There is some good stuff in there and this was a nice example, with hero Piper being a massive success. Check this out, but probably stop after the elimination match.

Head over to my website at kbwrestlingreviews.com with thousands of reviews from around the world and throughout wrestling history.

Hulk Hogan Unreleased
Commentators: Vince McMahon, Bruno Sammartino, Jim Ross, Jerry Lawler, Jack Reynolds, Ken Resnick, Dick Graham, Craig DeGeorge, Nick Bockwinkel, Michael Cole, Tazz

Well you knew there were going to be a bunch of tributes after Hogan passed away and this was the first things posted to the WWE Vault. The idea is that we have a bunch of things that have never been released before, though WWE has an interesting definition of “unreleased”. I have no idea what to expect here as I’ve somehow never seen this before. Let’s get to it.

We open with a highlight package of Hogan’s career, starting even before the first title win over the Iron Sheik.

A quick intro recaps the start of Hogan’s career (there is a quick intro/history package before each match on the set).

From Championship Wrestling, November 13, 1979.

Hulk Hogan vs. Harry Valdez

This is Hogan’s first appearance in the promotion and one of three matches he would have at this taping. Hogan shoves him down to start and hits a slam, followed by the big leg. That’s not even worthy of a cover yet as Hogan sends him into the corner a few times. A slam and knee drop set up a suplex as the squashing continues. Hogan finishes with an Argentine backbreaker at 2:53. Total destruction and you could hear the adulation on commentary.

Hogan takes his time letting Valdez go. After the match, Freddie Blassie praises Hogan (with his hairy chest and back), listing off his measurements. Hogan wants nothing but the superstars and plans to squeeze them hard. This was nothing like the Hogan promo you’re familiar with hearing.

From New York City, New York, September 22, 1980.

Hulk Hogan vs. Andre The Giant

Freddie Blassie is here with Hogan, Gorilla Monsoon is guest referee, and Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler are on commentary for a weird twist. Monsoon tries to hold them apart but finally gives up and rings the bell. Andre takes him into the corner, where Monsoon grabs the hair to get them apart, which is a bizarre visual. Hogan is sent outside but comes back in, with Andre driving him into the ropes. They trade bearhugs with Hogan LIFTING HIM UP before dropping him back down.

Some shots to the back, including the legdrop, have Andre in trouble as JR points out that Andre was only 34 here. It’s bizarre to imagine him being relatively young. Anyway Andre fights back and breaks out of another bearhug but misses the splash. Another bearhug has Hogan in trouble and Andre plants him, only to hurt his back in the process. Hogan slams him (Lawler: “I don’t know if that had ever been done before.”) and then tries it again but Andre falls on him for the (rather fast) pin at 12:25.

Rating: D+. Yeah this wasn’t exactly much to see, as a good chunk of those twelve minutes were spent in various bearhugs. This is more of a match about the historical aspect of things and that’s just fine, though my goodness what a weird mixture. If nothing else, having JR and Lawler calling it completely straight was weird enough.

From Detroit, Michigan, April 29, 1986.

WWF Title: Hulk Hogan vs. Randy Savage

Hogan is defending and Savage….isn’t wearing the Intercontinental Title for some reason, though he does have Elizabeth with him. Savage jumps him to start fast and beats on Hogan with the belt, which is eventually taken away. Hogan fights back and knocks Savage to the floor, where Savage is rammed head first into the post.

Back in and Hogan lifts him up for a choke before blowing a kiss to Elizabeth, who is up on the apron for no logical reason. Savage sends him outside and kicks away from the apron, only to get rammed into the corner back inside. An atomic drop sends Savage over the top rope but they switch places, with Savage hitting a top rope ax handle.

Back in and Savage gets two off a clothesline as the fans are getting into these kickouts. The top rope elbow connects and naturally the kickout sends Savage flying. The Hulk Up is on and Hogan sends him outside, where Hogan makes the mistake of going after Elizabeth. Savage gets in a shot and tries the elbow again, only to dive into a raised boot….for the pin at 11:44. Well that’s a new one.

Rating: C+. These two always had great chemistry together but that ending was a great example of the problems with their feud. Savage gets to hit his big finish and Hogan basically shrugs it off, only to beat him with a raised boot of all things. They also hadn’t figured out how to make their matches work yet so it was only so good, but they would get better.

Post match Savage jumps Hogan from behind and takes the belt. Savage tries to steal said belt but Hogan pulls him back and hammers away.

From Houston, Texas, June 26, 1987.

WWF Title: Hulk Hogan vs. Kamala

Hogan is defending. Kamala slaps his stomach a bunch to start (as is his custom) and they trade shoulders. Hogan tries it again and Kamala LEAPFROGS HIM, leaving Hogan more than a bit stunned. Some big chops have Hogan in trouble but he comes back with the running clotheslines in the corner. Kamala drops him again and grabs the pectoral claw, with Lawler reminiscing about the times that he spent in the hold. Hogan isn’t having that and Hulks Up, meaning it’s the usual to finish and retain at 5:54.

Rating: D+. Yeah this one really didn’t work, with Kamala never being the most versatile opponent for Hogan (the leapfrog was great though). This felt like a really low level title defense for Hogan and unfortunately it’s only about three months after Wrestlemania III. Once you beat Andre, why is any other giant going to feel like a threat?

Post match Kim Chee jumps Hogan, who shrugs it off and steals Chee’s hat before posing.

From Philadelphia, December 5, 1987.

WWF Title: Hulk Hogan vs. One Man Gang

Hogan is defending and Slick is here with the Gang. They tease a test of strength to start and Gang shoves him away. Hogan’s headlock works a bit better but Gang shoves him off again and runs him over. The slow beating (as per Gang’s custom) begins, including some choking on the ropes. Back up and Hogan sends him into the buckle over and over before firing off the chops.

Hogan can’t knock him down though and Gang is right back with the nerve hold. Gang runs him over again and starts dropping some ax handles to the back. Another comeback is cut off again and Gang stays on the back, this time with knees and a bearhug. Hogan fights out again but a clothesline cuts that off as well, allowing Gang to hit the 747. This time it’s the Hulk up though, complete with the waving finger (which Gang follows for a funny bit). The right hands, boot and legdrop retain at 11:18.

Rating: C-. This was pretty much the same thing as the Kamala match, albeit a bit better. Gang was a bit underrated in the ring as he’s remembered as nothing more than another big guy, but he could move around well enough. He was also mixing up the offense on Hogan’s back so this could have been a lot worse.

Post match Hogan steals Slick’s hat (this is a thing for him) and here is Andre The Giant for a staredown.

From Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, March 13, 1988.

Hulk Hogan/Bam Bam Bigelow vs. Ted DiBiase/Virgil

Andre is here with the villains. It’s a big brawl to start with the good guys cleaning house. Hogan gets in the double noggin knocker and then knocks DiBiase’s noggin into Bigelow’s for a bonus. Virgil gets in a cheap shot to take over though and Andre chokes away on the ropes. Some more shots from Virgil set up more Andre choking before they mix it up a bit by having Andre choke instead.

DiBiase grabs the chinlock for a good while before a double clothesline puts both of them down. Back up and Hogan makes the tag off to Bigelow as everything breaks down. Hogan cleans house and Bigelow drops a leg on Virgil. DiBiase elbows Virgil by mistake and it’s the legdrop into the splash to give Bigelow the pin at 11:04.

Rating: C-. This was a pretty hot feud on the house show circuit but it was only so good here. The bright side of it is the shifting away from Hogan vs. the giants, as DiBiase was a different kind of villain. It didn’t help that it was a question of which one would pin Virgil, but the match was just kind of there for the most part.

Post match we get a bit more brawling and posing.

From Smackdown, June 6, 2002.

Hulk Hogan vs. HHH

For a World Title shot and they were the final two in a battle royal earlier tonight. HHH backs him into the corner to start but Hogan slugs his way out of trouble. Some right hands have HHH out on the floor and Hogan knocks him over the barricade. They get back inside where HHH chokes away in the corner, followed by a chinlock. Hogan gets up after two arm drops and hits the big boot but misses the legdrop. The Pedigree is blocked as well and now the legdrop connects for two. Hogan is shocked and the Pedigree finishes clean at 6:45.

Rating: C. Weird way to end the set, but it’s nice to have something from a different era to wrap it up. Hogan doing a clean job is always strange to see, but he was already fresh off losing the title so he was only going to get so many more wins anyway. Just a quick TV main event which felt more like a dark match.

Post match HHH goes to leave but Hogan calls him back in for the handshake. HHH cuts him off from leaving too though and they pose together.

One more look back at Hogan’s amazing career, including a look at his Hall Of Fame induction, wraps us up.

Overall Rating: C-. It’s not the nicest feeling, but this really wasn’t worth much of a watch. The matches cover a lot of ground but there is a reason these haven’t been released before. Most of them are either matches that aren’t very interesting or have been done better elsewhere. Granted this is the VERY slimmed down version (this is just shy of two hours, while the full version is around nine hours), but I wasn’t so much interested in this as much as I was wondering how much longer it had.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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Wrestling Challenge
Date: October 25, 1986
Location: War Memorial, Rochester, New York
Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon, Bobby Heenan

We’re still going with a look back at this show, which makes for some very fun moments. It’s such a simpler time and yet the storylines are being advanced to make you want to see what happens at live events. I get why things have changed so much today, but it still makes for such easy to watch television. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Opening sequence.

Here’s what’s coming on the show.

Bob Orton/Don Muraco vs. Mike Kelly/Nick Kiniski

There’s quite a bit to unpack here actually. Muraco and Orton have Jimmy Hart and Mr. Fuji with them and Orton is in a kilt to mock Roddy Piper, along with coming to the ring to his theme song. Kiniski is the son of Gene, minus anything resembling the talent or interest. Kiniski gets taken into the corner and powered around by Orton, allowing Kelly to come in. Muraco (with an amazing beard) Tombstones Kelly for the pin at 2:11. Kelly would be a bit better when he changed his name to Shane Douglas.

We get a Wrestlers’ Rebuttal from Bobby Heenan and King Harley Race, with Heenan complaining about people not kneeling before royalty. And then the other wrestlers think they belong in the same ring as Race! What rudeness!

Hillbilly Jim vs. Al Navarro

Navarro bounces off of him to start and a hammerlock doesn’t seem to work much better. A big boot and the bearhug finish for Jim at 2:32, a lot of which was spent walking around before they got started.

As Jim leaves, he is given a picture of the new WWF Magazine with Miss Elizabeth, which he kisses. So he’s chosen death.

Jake Roberts says Ricky Steamboat beat him in a fluke and he’s not afraid of anyone. Bring on George Steele, Tito Santana or Koko B. Ware. If you bring Frankie B. Ware around his snake, Frankie B. Gone soon. Roberts isn’t afraid of anyone, and he wants the Intercontinental Title. Once you have that, you can face Hulk Hogan anytime you want. So why not just go after Hogan? Either way, he warns Randy Savage to be ready.

Butch Reed vs. Don Driggers

Slick handles Reed’s introduction and we get an insert promo from Junkyard Dog, who says there is nothing natural about the Natural. Reed shoves Driggers down to start and gets in the posing, which works so well that he does it again. Some forearms put Driggers down again and Reed plants him with a slam. The middle rope clothesline finishes for Reed at 2:41.

The Honky Tonk Man talks about being up for 48 hours and rocking all night. He’s ready to strut n stroll and rock n roll. And his favorite song is Great Balls Of Fire. This was a parody right? It has to be. I would say no one could be that stupid but….yeah.

The Machines tried to buy a compact car but asked about the price in yen. Why they’re in their wrestling gear isn’t clear. Of course they’re not quite able to fit into the car and hilarity…well is teased but it doesn’t ensue.

Dino Bravo vs. Sivi Afi

Bravo, with dark hair, is Johnny V.’s newest star. Bravo takes him down without much trouble and hits a clothesline. A hard chop puts Afi down for a knee to the head as the dominance is on. Afi misses a charge into the corner and a fairly nasty belly to back suplex finishes for Bravo at 2:38.

It’s time for the Snake Pit, with the Honky Tonk Man as the special guest. Roberts asks if he’s a strong and successful man like his mama wanted. Honky Tonk Man isn’t sure what Roberts would know what it means to make a mama happy. Roberts doesn’t see Honky Tonk’s name on any walls so has he ever been this close to a real man? That doesn’t work for Honky Tonk, who thinks anyone who plays with a snake is a sick human being. Honky Tonk isn’t scared of Roberts or the snake but leaves anyway.

Killer Bees vs. Moondog Spot/Jimmy Jack Funk

What a weird heel team. Heenan wants to know why the Bees are introduced in the masks, get their names announced, and then take the masks off. Monsoon brushes it off despite Heenan having a totally fair question. Blair works on Spot’s arm to start as we get an insert interview from Dave Hebner talking about how hard it is to be a referee, which doesn’t make Danny Davis look good.

It’s off to Brunzell, who gets slammed down by Funk as the villains actually take over. A middle rope fist drop gets two as Heenan insists he never makes excuses if his men lose a match. Brunzell’s jumping knee gets two as everything breaks down. An atomic drop/dropkick combination finishes Funk at 3:36.

Rating: C. Not bad here, with the Bees being yet another team added to the already awesome division. It says a lot when the Bees, who would be at the top of almost any tag division, are in the middle of the pack at this point. They’re good at what they do and this was the kind of match that helps them get established as a bigger deal.

Ricky Steamboat, in a sweet Saturday Night’s Main Event hat, says don’t do drugs.

Back in 1984, Kamala, with Freddie Blassie and Kim Chee (called Friday here), was on Tuesday Night Titans with Blassie talking about how brutal Kamala can be. Then Kamala was presented with a live chicken, sending Vince McMahon into quite the rant. Not on THIS show of course. They really couldn’t do something new here and needed to go back two years for such a clip?

Kamala vs. Tony Nando

Kamala, with the Wizard and Kim Chee, chops him down to start and chokes near the apron. A big boot sets up the splash for the pin on Nando at 1:25.

After the match, we see a photo from the previously mentioned Tuesday Night Titans with Kamala looking at the camera with feathers around his face.

Ricky Steamboat is ready for another round with Jake Roberts. When it comes to becoming a champion, just do as Hulk Hogan told you to do and say your prayers, take your vitamins and train hard. Steamboat would love to be the Intercontinental Champion because it makes you a top contender to the WWF Title. Elizabeth is mentioned but George Steele runs in to say Savage is USING Elizabeth. Steele worries about her and Steamboat is going to beat Savage. Maybe Steele will hurt Savage too!

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Roll the highlights.

Overall Rating: C+. I liked this one more than the previous week, as it felt like it was starting to build to some bigger things. You can see wrestlers starting to talk about each other and that should make for a good slate of house shows down the line. That has me wondering what we’re going to see and these shows are the appetizers on the way to the more important stuff.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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March To Wrestlemania IX
Date: March 28, 1993
Location: Cumberland County Civic Center, Fayetteville, North Carolina
Commentators: Vince McMahon, Bobby Heenan

The title kind of speaks for itself here, as we have about a week to go before Wrestlemania and this is the big final push towards the biggest event of the year. The WWF did some specials like this back in the 90s and that means we could have an interesting selection of matches on the way to Las Vegas. Let’s get to it.

We look back at the contract signing between Bret Hart and Yokozuna, with Yokozuna crushing Hart, who got up anyway to a big reaction.

Vince and Bobby run down the card in front of a green screen.

Yokozuna vs. Randy Savage

Yokozuna has Mr. Fuji with him. They take their sweet time getting going here with no contact being made in the first two minutes. Savage ducks a few lockups before getting shoved down, leaving him thinking twice about this. Yokozuna hits a running shoulder and sends Savage flying over the top in a big heap. With Vince praising Yokozuna as much as he can, Savage gets knocked down again as the USA chants are on.

Yokozuna keeps hammering away as commentary basically says Bret Hart has no chance at Wrestlemania. Savage gets in some left hands but a single chop puts him back down. The big legdrop crushes Savage but the charge in the corner misses. A top rope ax handle puts Yokozuna on one knee but Fuji shoves Savage off the top. Yokozuna grabs a belly to belly suplex for the pin at 6:37.

Rating: C+. This was designed to set up Yokozuna as the monster who is beating a former WWF Champion and that worked well. Savage’s comeback at the end was only enough to give him a sliver of hope and that’s all it needed to be. Yokozuna is the monster of monsters at this point and it’s clear that the company is entirely behind him, as they should be here.

Post match Yokozuna goes for the Banzai Drop but misses and….leaves. Well that was kind of stupid.

We look at Lex Luger’s debut at the Royal Rumble, with Bobby Heenan’s insanely over the top praise still being hilarious/uncomfortable.

Mr. Perfect vs. Skinner

Skinner jumps him to start as Heenan is VERY happy with the idea of Perfect getting beaten up. Perfect gets tossed over the top and Skinner gets in a bite on the floor. Perfect manages a posting, only for Skinner to get in a belt shot to the throat. A whipping ensues, with the referee having no issue with the foreign object. Vince goes NUTS, screaming that Heenan or Luger paid Skinner off to soften Perfect up before Wrestlemania. You know, because Skinner is a totally clean cut star otherwise.

Perfect’s eyes are raked over the top rope as Vince is AGHAST at this BLATANT RULE BREAKING! Perfect gets in a single shot though and the comeback is on, with the right hands in the corner having Skinner in more trouble. The knee lift lets Perfect choke in the ropes, where Skinner gets in an alligator claw to the face. Not that it matters as Perfect hits the PerfectPlex for the pin at 5:27.

Rating: C+. This was a bit better than I was expecting here, with Skinner beating Perfect up until the comeback came through. It really does amaze me to see how easy Perfect can make things look out there, as it feels like he’s just waiting to turn it on and win in the end. That’s not a level of talent you see very often and it is more impressive every time.

Hulk Hogan is coming back at Wrestlemania. This was some over the top praise.

Kamala vs. Kim Chee

Before the match, Slick thanks the fans for their support for Kamala and promises that he is going to take out Bam Bam Bigelow at Wrestlemania. Not exactly as the match didn’t happen but it’s a nice sentiment. Kim Chee wants Kamala to walk back into the darkness but we cannot let that happen. Can Slick get a witness?

Anyway, Chee gets in Kamala’s face to start and seems to scare him, allowing Chee to hammer away in the corner. A slap to the face wakes Kamala up and he grabs a quickly broken bearhug. Kamala superkicks him down and the big splash, plus some coaching to turn Chee over, is enough for the pin at 2:11. That’s all it should have been.

Post match Kamala knocks him to the floor and steals the pith helmet.

We get a Wrestlemania music video in all of its 1993 glory, with various wrestlers giving some rather generic promos. That being said, this is the old Wrestlemania theme, with the OOOH OOOH, WRESTLEMANIA, PUMP IT UP PUMP IT UP (better known as Linda McMahon’s theme) so I can’t complain much. For some reason Big Boss Man, who wasn’t on Wrestlemania, gets two promos.

Vince and Bobby hype up the Mega Maniacs vs. Money Inc.

We look back at Money Inc. attacking Brutus Beefcake, resulting in the return of Hulk Hogan to set up a match which does not feel important in the slightest despite being the second biggest match on the card. I was a huge Brutus Beefcake fan when I was a kid but this return run never worked. Much like Hogan in the early days of Raw, which never felt right.

Money Inc. vs. Reno Riggins/Jerry Sabin

Non-title and Sabin is better known as the Italian Stallion, right down to his trunks saying ITALY. The beating starts fast with DiBiase taking Sabin to the floor and hammering away. Back in and a double back elbow drops Riggins, followed by a suplex to do it again. IRS drops an elbow and the Million Dollar Dream finishes at 2:54.

Here are the Mega Maniacs (obviously in a different arena) for a chat. Hogan talks about Money Inc. hitting Beefcake in the face with the metal briefcase and he knew it was bad. He chilled, he goosebumped and he sweated from head to toe. It was so bad that he ran to the garage and got on Brutus’ motorcycle (which just happened to be there) so he could ride to Venice Beach and bury his ear in the sand. He heard (in the sand) millions of Hulkamaniacs praying for Beefcake.

Then he rode the motorcycle for seven days to New York City, where he went to the Ramada Inn and found Beefcake watching the Three Stooges with an ice pack on his nose. Beefcake talks about going to Florida with Hogan, where they dropped rockets (yes rockets) on his new metal mask and there wasn’t a scratch on it. If Hogan did one more pushup, those Pythons would explode.

Jimmy Hart recommends not investing money in Money Inc., whereas the Mega Maniacs will have new t-shirts, Nintendo games and posters. When they win the Tag Team Titles, their stock will go through the roof. Hogan says Beefcake is mad, with Beefcake saying he spent two days running up and down the aisles at K-Mart to find hair tonic. Then he went to the desert around Las Vegas, where he chopped down some cactuses (should be cacti) and mountains (no word on if it was with the edge of his hand), where he decided he’ll take Money Inc.’s hair out of their heads with his bare hands.

Hogan says he went fishing with his bare hands and caught some sharks, but they weren’t for eating. Instead, he’s filled the pool at Caesar’s Palace with salt water for the hammerhead sharks (and some mermaids). Beefcake is going to help Hogan open the sharks’ mouths so they can wrap the Tag Team Titles around their teeth.

That way, when they throw the bathing beauties and Hulkamaniacs in the pool (with the sharks), the sharks can’t hurt a hair on their chinny chin chins (of the bathing beauties you see). Hogan has two cases of suntan lotion and he wants all the female Hulkamaniacs to have an even tan from head to toe. Catchphrase and posing ensues. If you haven’t seen this promo, go find it somewhere, as the Ultimate Warrior would have thought this was totally insane. And then it just KEPT GOING as they talk for the better part of ten minutes.

We look at Tatanka pinning Shawn Michaels a few times, earning an Intercontinental Title shot at Wrestlemania.

Michaels is ready to play Tatanka like people get played in the Las Vegas casinos.

Tatanka vs. George South

Tatanka takes him down without much trouble as Heenan is insisting that Shawn Michaels is NOT in jeopardy. All this does is make me wonder how Heenan would have done as Shawn’s manager. Tatanka takes him into the corner but South gets in a few shots of his own. A ram into the buckle sends Tatanka onto the war path as Heenan rants about how he DOES NOT CARE about Sherri being at Wrestlemania. Some chops set up the Papoose To Go to finish South at 2:29.

Post match Michaels comes out to gloat so Tatanka wants to fight. Nah.

It’s time for the Wrestlemania Control Center with Gene Okerlund, who feels out of place in the WWF in 1993. He hypes up the toga party (because that really was a selling point) and the double main event, with Bret Hart being tired of hearing that he has no chance. Yokozuna could lose a lot more than face at Wrestlemania.

Crush is on a boat in Hawaii and, in a rather odd accent, promises revenge on Doink at Wrestlemania. Then he dives into the water and gets some octopuses.

The Steiners are ready to beat up the Headshrinkers.

Beverly Brothers/Little Louie vs. Bushwhackers/Tiger Jackson

Jackson would go on to become Dink The Clown. After some stalling, Beau punches Luke down to start as Heenan wants to say something important. Vince asks for a drum roll before Heenan insists he will NOT be wearing a toga. Heenan: “Imagine Gorilla Monsoon in a toga. It’ll look like an unmade bed.” We get a four person bite chain until Luke threatens to beat up Louie. Instead Jackson dances and hits Louie with a dropkick.

A splash gets two, with Louie’s kickout sending Jackson into the referee’s arm. Said referee throws Jackson back onto Louie for two before they do the sequence all over again. Louie gets in a shot of his own and Butch comes in to yell at Blake but not actually hit him. Blake gets in a cheap shot and hammers away as we get a rare BUTCH chant. Butch works on the arm and we get a chase from Louie and Jackson.

Beau comes in off the top with an ax handle to take over on Luke and we get some assisted choking on the ropes. Another top rope ax handle connects and Louie gets in a slap from the apron. Luke gets over and brings in Butch to clean house, which isn’t exactly hard on the Beverly Brothers. Everything breaks down and Jackson hits a high crossbody for the pin on Louie at 9:57. Heenan: “I didn’t understand anything I just saw.”

Rating: D. What in the world was the point of that? None of these people are on Wrestlemania and they get almost ten minutes, or longer than any other match on the show. That’s such a weird way to go and it was nothing that you wouldn’t see on a house show. It felt like they had nothing else to use on the show and picked a random comedy match.

We look at Giant Gonzalez debuting and taking out the Undertaker.

Bam Bam Bigelow vs. Undertaker

Paul Bearer is here of course. Bigelow slugs away to start but Undertaker drop toeholds him down. The chase is on with Bigelow getting in a shot, only to get caught with a running DDT. Old School connects but Bigelow knocks him down again as we take a break. Back with Bigelow hammering away on the floor, giving us Undertaker’s stagger sell. A hard whip sends Undertaker knees first into the steps but he gets up.

Back in and a slam has Undertaker sitting up again, with Heenan wanting Giant Gonzalez to come out here and take care of Undertaker. Some elbows make Undertaker sit up again and Bigelow misses the top rope headbutt. The comeback is on with a chokeslam sending Bigelow outside and he walks out for the countout at 7:40.

Rating: C+. This could have been a lot worse as they had a story here with Bigelow’s big man offense not being able to keep him down. It gave you just enough drama about whether or not Bigelow could stop him before walking out. Not a great match, but it made me want to see them doing something else.

Post match Giant Gonzalez comes out for the staredown, with Undertaker slowly going towards him. Referees break it up.

Vince and Bobby (who insists he does NOT have a tail) give us a quick final Wrestlemania preview to end the show.

Overall Rating: C-. There’s a reason Wrestlemania IX is so poorly remembered and a two hour preview for the show isn’t the best thing to see. This was a way to get people hyped up for the show, but then you realize just what you’re getting into. Throw in the completely out there mixed tag and the all time weird Mega Maniacs promo and this didn’t work. The decent wrestling you get is nothing worth seeing and the whole thing is kind of a mess as a result.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

Smack Em Whack Em
Date: 1993
Host: Lord Alfred Hayes, Bushwhackers
Commentators: Lord Alfred Hayes, Gorilla Monsoon

Ah here we go, as the WWE Vault continues to upload Coliseum Videos, though in this case we have one of the best ever released. There are some classic matches here with a major focus on Bret Hart, who was becoming the new star of the company now that the Hulk Hogan Era was mostly over. This should be a lot of fun so let’s get to it.

Lord Alfred Hayes welcomes us to a house that is needing to be renovated. The people fixing things up: the Bushwhackers, who wack in from off camera, naturally with their music playing. They have been hired to turn this place into the Bushwhackers’ Wrecking Room. The first thing we have to worry about is safety, so they give Hayes some safety glasses and a helmet. And a tool belt. And gloves. And now we’re off to the first match.

From Erie, Pennsylvania, November 23, 1992.

Crush vs. Berzerker

Crush starts fast by ducking a clothesline and hitting a belly to belly suplex. Berzerker is sent outside, followed by a flying shoulder to send him out there again. Back in and Berzerker hammers away, setting up a big boot to put Crush down for a change. This time it’s Crush getting knocked out to the floor, setting up a piledriver for two back inside. Crush’s arms get tied in the ropes so Berzerker kicks away, which wakes Crush up for some reason. A backbreaker and legdrop give Crush two and the head vice finishes Berzerker at 6:17.

Rating: C. They kept this short but it was a way to push Crush forward a bit more as his near mega push was on. You could see what the company saw in him as he had the look and style that had worked for them over the years. That being said, I’m not sure I could have seen him going all the way to the top. Beating monsters like Berzerker is a good way to go, but going beyond that might have been too far.

Back at the house and the Bushwhackers try to install a window but their measurements don’t quite work. Butch’s sledgehammer shots are a few feet low, but they think it’s fine because the dog can use the window.

From Dayton, Ohio, November 24, 1992.

Earthquake vs. Repo Man

Repo moves around to start but for some reason tries a waistlock. An elbow to the face knocks that away and Earthquake runs him over as commentary talks about owing debts on various things. The splash in the corner connects but Repo is back with some right hands and a middle rope clothesline actually puts Earthquake down. The neck crank doesn’t last long on Earthquake, who fights up but misses an elbow. Repo takes too long going up though and gets powerslammed, setting up the Earthquake for the pin at 4:24.

Rating: C-. Pretty much a nothing match here, as Repo was a weird choice to face a monster like Earthquake. At the same time, it’s a strange time for Earthquake, as the Natural Disasters were something of a lifeline to him. With Yokozuna coming in though, there wasn’t much of a place for Earthquake and that was becoming fairly obvious with something like this.

The Bushwhackers use a saw on the wood but say that their mother would be proud of them. Then they accidentally cut an electrical wire, but insist on safety first. Hayes is promptly electrocuted, and perhaps killed.

And now, eating for the single man with Yokozuna. He eats a lot and Gene Okerlund is impressed. This goes on for over ten minutes and it’s just him eating. They keep presenting more food to him and he eats it, with Gene trying some. I have no idea what the point of this is, but man he sure does eat a lot.

Now we get to something a lot more fun: a profile on new WWF Champion, Bret Hart. Gorilla Monsoon talks to Bret about some of the matches we’ll be seeing, including some newfangled thing called a ladder match. Bret even thinks that Shawn Michaels might have had secret ladder match experience.

From Portland, Maine, July 21, 1992.

Intercontinental Title: Bret Hart vs. Shawn Michaels

Shawn, with Sister Sherri, is challenging in the first ever (in the WWF at least) ladder match. After the belt is hung, Shawn starts hammering away but gets dropped with a quick clothesline. Bret comes back with some right hands and the always good looking headbutt but Shawn punches him down for a change. As Monsoon LOSES IT over Sherri having a tattoo on her chest, Shawn gets in a knee to the ribs for another knockdown.

That’s enough for the first ladder to be brought in but Bret cuts him off (starting a bit of a weird tradition in ladder matches of NO, I’M BRINGING THE LADDER IN FIRST) and hammers away on the floor. That means it’s time for Sherri to offer a distraction, allowing Shawn to set the ladder up inside. Bret cuts it off again but Shawn cuts him off just as quickly, with the ladder falling down.

Shawn rams the ladder into the ribs but eventually hits the post, forcing him to leave the ladder in the corner. Another knockdown lets Shawn go up and he touches the belt, only to be knocked back down with the ladder falling on him for a nasty crash. This time it’s Shawn knocking Bret off the ladder as the crashes continue to mount up. Bret knocks him off the ladder for no crash, but the ladder being put into the corner can’t go well. The middle rope clothesline puts Shawn down before slingshotting him into the ladder.

It’s too early to get the title though and Bret comes down, possibly twisting his knee in the process. A double down gives them a breather and Sherri is absolutely losing her mind. They both go up and then come crashing down so Sherri grabs Bret’s foot. That lets Shawn hit the superkick and the teardrop suplex before doing the really slow climb. Bret dropkicks the ladder over, sending Shawn crashing hard out to the floor. That’s finally enough for Bret to retain the title at 13:46.

Rating: B. The thing to remember here is that this was the first ladder match in WWF history. No it doesn’t have a bunch of huge spots or really anything else, but it’s not that kind of a match. Instead, this was a match which happened to have a ladder involved rather than a match focusing on a ladder. It helps that Bret and Shawn have great chemistry, which was on display here as they worked the ladder in very well. Good match and it’s a shame that it is so forgotten.

Gorilla talks about Bret defending the title so frequently. This includes a title defense against Kamala, when he was still all evil. Bret knew he had to be a fighting champion and that’s what he was going to do.

From Louisville, Kentucky, October 28, 1992.

WWF Title: Bret Hart vs. Kamala

Kamala, with Kim Chee and Harvey Wippleman, is challenging. Bret gives his glasses away as usual before ducking a lockup attempt as we’re over a minute in already. A waistlock doesn’t go so well for Bret as he gets taken into the corner, only to avoid a splash. Another missed charge lets Bret start in on the arm but he has to avoid some falling chops. Kamala has to go to the ropes (with his managers telling him to do it, then telling him he needs to let it go) before offering a test of strength.

Bret (eventually) tries it for some reason but catches the cheap shot, steps on the bare foot, and goes back to the arm. Kamala chops him down though and we hit the bearhug. For some reason that’s dropped in a hurry so Kamala can grab the pectoral claw. That’s broken up and Kamala actually leapfrogs him (COMPLETELY no sold by commentary) but Bret is back with a Russian legsweep. The middle rope clothesline into the middle rope elbow but the managers break up the Sharpshooter attempt. Instead Bret just rolls him up to retain at 8:50.

Rating: C+. This is one of those matches that shouldn’t have been very good but Bret did what he could to make it work. There was only so much that could be done with someone like Kamala, who was only going to do much. Nice stuff here, with Bret getting a defense against a rather scary looking monster, which often works.

Post match Kamala and the managers go after Bret again but he pulls Wippleman in the way of the splash and clears the ring.

Gorilla and Bret preview the title match against Ric Flair, with Bret saying this was his one chance to get the title and he was winning no matter what. He even sprains his ankle and dislocates a finger early on but kept going anyway. It’s rare to see them giving away the result early but it’s kind of a huge deal.

From Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, October 12, 1992.

WWF Title: Bret Hart vs. Ric Flair

Flair, with Mr. Perfect, is defending. Commentary makes a big deal about this being the hometown of Bret’s father Stu, just in case this wasn’t a big enough moment. Flair backs him into the corner to start and we get a clean break, plus a WOO for good measure. A headlock to the mat has Bret down but he reverses into a hammerlock, which gets a nice reaction.

Back up and Flair backs him into the corner for a chop as commentary talks about how good a match between Bret and Mr. Perfect would be. You know, like when Bret beat him for the Intercontinental Title and it was great? The threat of a Sharpshooter sends Flair outside and it’s a headlock to slow him down back inside. Bret wins the fight over a top wristlock as they’re firmly in first gear. A wristlock into a hammerlock keeps Flair down but he’s able to punch his way out of a sunset flip attempt.

Bret’s second sunset flip attempt results in Flair’s trunks coming down (of course) so Flair goes to the eyes to calm things down. Bret gets in a shot of his own but it’s way too early to get a Figure Four on Flair. Instead Bret drops some elbows on the leg (Flair: “OH GOD! NO!”) and now the Figure Four can work. After some quick two counts, Flair makes it over to the ropes for the break.

Bret gets two off a backslide before grabbing a sleeper. That’s countered with a belly to back though and they’re both down again. Flair goes after the leg as well and we’re quickly into the Figure Four, which lasts for a good while. Bret finally turns it over so Flair chops away in the corner and kicks away at the leg even more.

Another Figure Four attempt is countered into a small package for two but he charges into a boot in the corner. As usual, Flair goes up and gets slammed back down, allowing Bret to grab the Russian legsweep for two. The middle rope elbow and a suplex get two each, followed by a superplex. Bret grabs the Sharpshooter, keeps it on as Perfect gets on the apron, and makes Flair give up for the title at 26:28.

Rating: A-. This was as big of a shocker as you could get as Bret was a strong star but the idea of him winning the title was out of nowhere. It was great to see and came at the end of a very good match, which saw the crowd hanging in there for every second. Bret survived everything that Flair threw at him and then beat him clean with his finisher, which is (albeit about twenty minutes longer) about the same thing that Hulk Hogan did to the Iron Sheik. Heck of a moment here, and it more than holds up. Flair was finishing up and had an ear issue as well, so everything kind of came together and it went about as well as possible.

Gorilla praises Bret, who is ready to be a fighting champion.

We go back to the house (oh yeah that’s a thing), where it’s time to work on the plumbing. Naturally it’s safety first, but then it’ll be time to build a Bushwhackers bathroom. Luke uses a wrench on a pipe and Hayes is quickly soaked. We’ll get away from this too.

From Beaumont, Texas, January 4, 1993.

Undertaker vs. Razor Ramon

Ramon isn’t sure what to do with Undertaker to start so he slugs away, which goes about as well as you would expect. Undertaker comes back but misses the elbow, allowing Ramon to clothesline him to the floor. That earns Ramon a necksnap across the top rope but he’s fine enough to hit a middle rope bulldog to really stagger Undertaker for a change.

A chair to the back and a whip into the steps have Undertaker in more trouble and they head back inside. Ramon drops about ten straight elbows, which have Paul Bearer trying to get in for the save. Ramon takes the Urn and clocks Undertaker, who pops up at two and hits a chokeslam. That’s enough for Ramon to run off for the countout at 7:30.

Rating: D+. I didn’t like it when they did almost the exact same match (with an identical finishing sequence, even down to the elbows) on Invasion Of The Bodyslammers so this wasn’t much to see. It’s a weird way to go as a final match on the tape after all of the Hart stuff, but this was just disappointing, to the point where I was checking the other tape to make sure it just wasn’t the same match with new commentary. It really shouldn’t be that hard.

Back at the house, the Bushwhackers have a chair set up for Hayes so he can watch his favorite Coliseum Videos at the end of a hard day. This oddly works and Hayes wraps it up. Then the lights go out and the Bushwhackers say OH NO to end the tape.

Overall Rating: B. Why yes, a match with a big focus on Bret Hart as he’s becoming the top hero in the company is worth a look, as the two good matches are REALLY good, with the title change being great. That being said, there isn’t much else to see here, with the main event being flat out lame given that they did pretty much the same match just a few months earlier on another tape. Throw in the Bushwhackers stuff just not being funny and the whole thing was up and down, but dang those ups are worth your time.

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Monday Night Raw
Date: January 11, 1993
Location: Manhattan Center, New York City, New York
Attendance: 1,000
Commentators: Randy Savage, Vince McMahon, Rob Bartlett

So you might have seen this one before, as it is the premiere episode of the series as part of the celebration of the move over to Netflix. I’ve seen this one more than a few times but to call it historic would be an understatement, even if it might not have felt that way at the time. Let’s get to it.

Sean Mooney is outside and welcomes us to the show. Bobby Heenan tries to get inside but is told he’s been replaced by Rob Bartlett. There are no tickets left and he’s not getting in through the press entrance so yelling ensues.

Opening sequence.

Commentary runs down the card and Bartlett is already not funny.

Yokozuna vs. Koko B. Ware

Bartlett goes straight to the fat jokes, including saying Yokozuna has an “a** like amphitheater”. Ware gets shoved down a few times so he tries to get the fans behind him with the rhythmic clapping. That doesn’t work either, which shouldn’t be a major shock. The running shoulders have Ware bouncing off of Yokozuna and the big leg connects. Yokozuna crushes him in the corner and hits the Banzai Drop for the pin at 3:44.

Rating: C-. This was more the answer to a trivia question than anything else, with Yokozuna still being new around here and getting to destroy someone in the first match ever on Raw. There isn’t much to say about it either, as Ware was more known for his large pants at this point than anything else. Nothing match, and Bartlett’s jokes made it that much worse.

Bobby Heenan is very excited about Narcissus (Lex Luger, later named the Narcissist). Mr. Perfect is scared of the Narcissus, who will be debuted at the Royal Rumble.

Steiner Brothers vs. Executioners

Scott hammers on #1 to start before handing it off to Rick for more of the same. #1 is sent into the corner as Doink The Clown is walking through the fans. Rick sends #1 into the post and grabs a belly to belly. Scott hits another one and the Steiner Bulldog finishes at 2:59. Total destruction.

Bobby Heenan, in drag, can’t get inside. Where did he get that costume?

Here is Razor Ramon for an interview with Vince McMahon. He’s ready to get the WWF Title from Bret Hart at the Royal Rumble and will win the title way faster than Bret ever did. We see a clip of Razor attacking Owen Hart on WWF Mania and now it’s time for him to take the title from Bret. Simple and to the point here, even if the title match was nothing memorable.

There is a Headlock On Hunger show coming up and Randy Savage doesn’t seem to have the card in front of him in a weird bit.

Tatanka is ready for the Headlock On Hunger.

Intercontinental Title: Max Moon vs. Shawn Michaels

Michaels is defending. Feeling out process to start as Bartlett makes an unfunny joke about a WWF version of an upcoming movie. Moon starts jumping over him and takes Michaels down with a jumping hammerlock to take over. We take a break and come back with Bartlett talking about Michaels pulling a knife during the break. Michaels drops him throat first across the top rope…and Doink walks out again as Bartlett “calls in” as Mike Tyson.

Michaels hammers away as the Tyson thing finally wraps up and we hit the chinlock. Moon fights up and sends him to the floor for a seated senton off the apron. Back in and the Tyson bit goes on again as Bartlett somehow does not get that it’s dying out there. Michaels hits the superkick and teardrop superkick to retain at 11:23.

Rating: C. This is a rare care where the match was fine but my goodness commentary dragged it WAY down. There was nothing funny about this and while I’m sure the Tyson impression made Vince laugh, it was distracting and another level of terrible. The match was ok, but no one watching was going to be able to focus on it because of the Tyson nonsense. Stop doing that.

Ad for WWF Mania. I could go for seeing some of that just for the flashbacks.

We get the Royal Rumble Report, with a focus on Shawn Michaels vs. Marty Jannetty. Michaels isn’t sure why Jannetty is getting a title shot, but Jannetty implies that Sherri will turn on Michaels during the match. That’s pretty much the story, with the Rockers not being mentioned.

Mr. Perfect is ready to win the Royal Rumble.

Mr. Fuji, with Yokozuna, is ready to crush everyone.

Jim Duggan isn’t sure if he’ll win, but he’ll give it all he’s got. Him winning the match a mere five years ago isn’t mentioned.

People are trying to get tickets for next week. Bobby Heenan’s beard disguise doesn’t work. Maybe he’ll try the roof.

We look at Kamala’s face turn over the weekend, as Reverend Slick convinces him to stand up to Harvey Wippleman and Kim Chee. If you need help standing up to those two goons, you’re already a lost cause.

Undertaker vs. Damian Demento

Undertaker starts fast and knocks him down, setting up Old School. Demento gets a boot up in the corner and hits a running shoulder to put Undertaker down again. That’s shrugged off and the Tombstone finishes Demento at 2:25.

Next week in a cage match: Woody Allen vs. Mia Farrow. I have no idea who this is supposed to appeal to but….no.

Doink The Clown isn’t scared of Crush, who comes out for a chase.

Heenan is allowed in as the show ends.

Overall Rating: C-. This is one of those shows where it is far more historic than memorable on its own. I’ve seen it a bunch of times over the years and there really isn’t anything that great on the whole thing. The wrestling is average at best and nothing on here makes you think it’s a special show.

At the same time, Bartlett is an absolute miss here and dragged the show WAY down. Now, that being said, I have seen a comment from Bartlett, who basically said he knew he was terrible in the role, but as a comedian, you can’t turn down a live mic on national television. Fair enough, but man alive did it not work. Overall, not a particularly good show, but that’s absolutely not the point here. This was about “this is the beginning” and that would be a huge understatement.

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WCCW TV
Date: April 30, 1983
Location: Dallas Sportatorium, Dallas, Texas
Commentator: Bill Mercer

I might as well look at some more of this place, as I have something from almost every year throughout the 80s save for 1983 so let’s check off a box. WCCW is a promotion with a great reputation from around this time and there is a good chance that they are going to be able to keep that going here. I have no idea what to expect from this show and that can be a lot of fun. Let us know in the comments below.

Opening sequence.

Bill Mercer welcomes us to the show and previews the main event. That main event will feature Texas Champion David Von Erich and Iceman Parsons, who join us to talk about how they’re ready for the Freebirds. They’re ready to go, though Parsons says he’s ready to boogie.

Chris Adams vs. The Mongol

Mongol (who looks like King Kong Bundy after a good diet and growing a strange beard) has Skandor Akbar with him. Mongol knocks him into the corner to start but Adams slugs his way to freedom. Adams gets knocked down to set up a chinlock, which is broken up without much effort.

A slam gives Mongol two but Adams is back up with….an unidentified shot to the stomach area. Adams drops him with a superkick (Mercer: “He must have learned that one from the Orient) and gets two off a rather difficult powerslam. Another superkick (which didn’t get overly close to the jaw) sets up another superkick in the corner but Mongol throws him over the top for the DQ at 3:59.

Rating: C. This was starting to pick up when they went to the DQ, which is likely to set up a rematch. Mongol feels like someone who could be a nice monster for someone to slay later on. I’m not sure if that is going to be Adams, but he looked good enough slugging away here. Nice opener, but it was only going to get so far in around four minutes.

Post match the brawl is on until referees break it up.

Chavo Guerrero (Senior, who looks a bit like Ricky Steamboat) talks about what it’s like on his ranch. He is now an American citizen but grew up in Mexico City. We hear about the Guerrero wrestling family and how glad Chavo is to make it to Dallas. Texas is his home and he knows the talent is here. Chavo throws in some Spanish and then jumps in the ring for his match. This was Chavo’s getting to know you segment, but it was kind of rambling.

We get a preview of the rest of the show in Spanish for a strange way to go.

Jimmy Garvin vs. Chavo Guerrero

I’m assuming this is Chavo’s debut and Garvin has Precious with him. It takes a good while to have Precious get Garvin ready to go, as tends to be Garvin’s custom. Chavo starts fast with some dropkicks and the upset Garvin is on the floor (Garvin: “HOW’S MY HAIR???”). Back in and Chavo takes him down with a headscissors, leaving Precious rather nervous.

Garvin slaps the mat, a good ten years before the tap out became a thing in wrestling. The headscissors is broken up and Garvin cranks on the legs, which is broken up for a standoff. Garvin doesn’t like standing off though and goes outside to yell about how Chavo escaped. Back in and Chavo takes him down into another headscissors before twisting his boots around Garvin’s head (and his HAIR).

Garvin gets up and tries to hammer away, only to have Chavo backflip over him out of the corner. Chavo pulls him into a surfboard as Garvin has no idea what to do here. Garvin gets outside again and comes back in for some right hands from Chavo. The Gory Stretch is loaded up as time expires at around 8:52 (called 10:00).

Rating: C+. Total star making performance here from Chavo, who was showing some insane stuff for the early 80s. Chavo was flipping around and making Garvin look lost as he couldn’t figure Guerrero out and it made for an entertaining match. The more I see of Garvin the more entertaining he is and that was certainly the case again here.

Post match Garvin thinks there is someone messing with him but now he has film on Chavo.

Kimala vs. Tom Renesto/Bill Rathke

Kimala is of course Kamala with Kim Chee, while the other two have Armand Hussein with them. The two of them jump Kimala to start and get chopped the head for their efforts. The double teaming doesn’t work either as Renesto gets chest clawed down and Rathke gets hit in the throat. Kimala sends them into each other, setting up some splashes to finish Rathke at 2:20. He has to pin both though so it’s some splashes to Renesto to finish for good at 2:53. Total destruction in a good way.

Post match Skandor Akbar brags about the power of Kimala.

David Von Erich/Iceman Parsons vs. Freebirds

Michael Hayes/Buddy Roberts for the Freebirds here and Jimmy Garvin/Precious are at ringside. Roberts and Parsons get things going with Roberts taking him down but having the spinning toehold broken up. Parsons monkey flips him down and scores with some dropkicks, meaning it’s time to dance. The fans want Hayes but have to settle for Parsons grabbing a headscissors.

Roberts can’t get up to drag him into the corner as Parsons keeps him in trouble. A rake to the eyes finally allows Hayes to get in for a slam and fist drop. That doesn’t last long as Von Erich comes in to take Hayes into the corner. The Freebirds need a breather on the floor, while Precious films things for some reason. Back in and Hayes gets in a cheap shot on Parsons to take over, leaving Parsons’ arm tied in the rope.

That lasts all of two seconds before it’s back to Hayes for a backbreaker. Parsons gets right back up and brings in Von Erich as everything breaks down. Von Erich is sent outside in a crash, where he teases smacking Sunshine. The distraction lets Garvin hit him with the camera as Parsons is sent outside. Garvin tosses Von Erich back inside where Hayes get the pin at 9:30.

Rating: C+. The action wasn’t exactly great but you could feel the energy here as the Von Erichs and Freebirds were the top stars in the promotion. The crowd HATED the Freebirds and it got worse as the match went on. Garvin as a Freebird associate makes sense, though that might be more him going after Von Erich and the Texas Title. Good main event though and the most energized part of the show by far.

A very quick preview for next week wraps us up.

Overall Rating: C+. World Class is a show that takes a lot of getting used to as they don’t really have much in the way of big stories. You would have feuds, but it was rare to see something specific about why these people are fighting this week. It’s more along the lines of “well, they were fighting last week so they’re still fighting this week.” until a big angle or moment takes place. That’s not a bad thing, but it’s different than what you would see later. The energy was certainly there though and you could see how unique this place was for its era.

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Wrestling Challenge
Date: September 13, 1986
Location: Civic Center, Hartford, Connecticut
Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon, Ernie Ladd, Johnny V

It’s the second episode and there is one simple question: how many times can Ernie Ladd use the terms “without a doubt” or “without a shadow of a doubt”? Last time was roughly 47 each in a show that didn’t even last an hour so he could get in his two statements dozens more time if he puts his mind to trying. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Quick host intro.

Opening sequence.

Here’s what’s coming this week.

Funks vs. George Steele/Junkyard Dog

Unfortunately it’s Jimmy Jack instead of Terry (with Jimmy Hart). Slightly more fortunately, Steele and Dog have Lou Albano with them. After Steele stops to eat a turnbuckle, Dog fires off some headbutts to clear out the Funks again. We actually start with Hoss (Dory) being rammed into the corner as Albano gives us an inset interview to talk about Steele and Dog working together well because they’re so different. He goes on so long that the inset window goes away mid sentence, which might be the best idea.

Steele gets taken into the corner as commentary bickers incessantly. It’s off to Dog for an awkward collision with Jimmy Jack in the corner and let’s try some hogtying! Steele makes the save with a chair and it’s a belly to back suplex to finish Jimmy Jack at 2:19. Somehow this was bad even in such a short amount of time.

Post match Jimmy Jack gets hogtied for fun. Then the winners, including Albano, dance as we get a referee (ignore the one count coming before Dog had the cover).

This week’s Wrestler’s Rebuttal is from the Hart Foundation, who don’t like being called nasty boys. They’ve been called Beer Belly and Greaseball but Bret says they’re the best there is, the best there was and the best there ever will be. Dang he got that one in earlier than I thought.

Kamala vs. Mario Mancini

Kamala (or Kamalee according to Lord Alfred Hayes) has Wizard and Kim Chee with him. After taking a good bit of time to get rid of his stuff, Kamala chops away on Mancini, even after he’s already down. The inset promo from the Wizard (identified as Curtis Iaukea by Monsoon) talks about getting a monster in Singapore as the squash continues. A kick to the ribs sets up more chops and the splash finishes Mancini at 1:59.

Captain Lou Albano talks about his psychologists/gynecologists (right) working with George Steele. Intelligence aside, he has the heart of a lion and knows every move. He may not use them, but he knows them you see. Steele grew up with a lisp but had a steel plate put over his tongue in a failed attempt to cure his speech impediment. Now he’s fighting….multiple sclerosis? Well that got serious quickly. Steele says he was told to be vicious, so he’ll do be vicious to Randy Savage.

Hillbilly Jim/Cousin Luke vs. Jack Kruger/Joe Mirto

The Hillbillies get jumped from behind to start but get cleared out without much trouble. Jim beats on Mirto as we hear from Jimmy Hart, who is sending his boys after the Hillbillies because he doesn’t like country music. Luke slams Mirto but misses an elbow, allowing Kruger to come in. Ladd says Luke’s tennis shoes are called “burglar boots” where he’s from as Luke fights up and brings Jim back in. A double slam sets up a bearhug to finish Kruger at 2:37. Hillbilly Jim was fun but adding in his relatives dragged the act down fast.

Interviewer Ken Resnick talks about how many great teams there are here and brings in the undefeated Rougeaus. They want to face every team to get their hands on the British Bulldogs for the Tag Team Titles. They inspire each other and while they respect the Bulldogs, they like the titles more. Both of them are a bit chatty but they were a fine team.

Honky Tonk Man is coming soon and talks about going out dancing last night with the 57 Chevy top down. He wants Paul Orndorff too. This gimmick as a face is an all time WHAT WERE THEY THINKING moment.

Ricky Steamboat vs. Roger Kirby

Steamboat leapfrogs him a few times to start but gets hiptossed for his efforts. The armdrags into an armbar put Kirby down and that works so well that Steamboat does it again. An atomic drop gets Kirby out of trouble and he kind of awkwardly kicks at Steamboat in what might have been a bit of miscommunication. Steamboat can’t chop out of the corner but he can ram Kirby into the buckle. Kirby is fine enough to knock him into the ropes though and Steamboat’s leg gets tied up. Back in and Steamboat slides between the legs, hits a slam, and finishes with the high crossbody at 4:23.

Rating: C-. This was a bit of a weird one as Steamboat was beaten up more than you would have expected him to be. That being said, I could watch Steamboat all day as there are very few people who can make wrestling look so smooth. That slide through the legs and high crossbody looked great and Steamboat is one of the only few who can pull that off.

We go to the Snake Pit with Hillbilly Jim as this week’s guest. Jake talks about putting together one of his mom’s recipes but Jim isn’t impressed. Instead, Jake tells him to stomp twice if he doesn’t understand him. Jim says he’ll stay quiet and let the fools talk. They trade witty expressions (Jake’s is about a bird and Jim says sometimes the lights are on but no one is home). This was a weird one even by Jake standards.

King Kong Bundy/Big John Studd vs. Billy Jack Hayes/Paul Roma

Hayes can’t get anywhere with Studd so we’ll go with an insert promo from Harley Race, who brags about being a king. Studd has to block some slam attempts and hands it off to Bundy for an elbow to the face. The splash misses in the corner though and Roma comes in to clean house. That must last for a full seven seconds before Bundy hits the Avalanche in the corner for the pin at 2:34.

Corporal Kirchner/Jim Powers/Salvatore Bellomo vs. Hercules/Iron Sheik/Nikolai Volkoff

Slick and Freddie Blassie are here with the villains. It’s a big brawl to start as the Americans break up the Russian national anthem (which earned some trash in the ring). We settle down to Sheik suplexing Bellomo and Hercules coming in to knee Powers in the ribs. As commentary suggests that Slick has an army of ladies of the evening in his employment, Sheik hits a running crotch attack to the back of the neck. We get an insert promo from Billy Graham, talking about his chimney being made of human skulls. With that out of the way, Hercules torture racks Powers for the win at 2:54.

Jimmy Hart and the Hart Foundation don’t like being called nasty boys. They’ve been accused of cheating and insist it is their skill/muscle that make them great. They’re coming for the British Bulldogs.

Here’s who’s coming next week.

Here is your musical review to wrap it up.

Overall Rating: C. They keep this show moving and that is a lot of fun every time. It is great to see the show have so much packed into about 45 minutes as opposed to one thing dominating the show. This was another easy to watch show and we’re inching closer to some of the biggest stuff the WWF will ever do, so it’s just getting started.

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Wrestling Challenge
Date: September 6, 1986
Location: Civic Center, Hartford, Connecticut
Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon, Ernie Ladd, Johnny V

It’s the debut episode so this is kind of a big one. This is one of those shows that is right up my alley as it is actually a standard show rather than a collection of house show matches. In short, Wrestling Challenge (the new form of All Star Wrestling) debuted at the same time as Superstars (the new form of Championship Wrestling), as the WWF takeover continues. Since there are 23 episodes on Peacock, we might as well have some fun. Let’s get to it.

Commentary welcomes us to the show. Well Gorilla does, as the other two don’t say anything.

Opening sequence. Dang that’s a lot of Hogan.

Here’s who you’ll see on the show.

US Express vs. Don Muraco/Iron Mike Sharpe

That would be Mike Rotundo/Dan Spivey, the lesser version of the team. Fuji is here with the villains and Lord Alfred Hayes is the ring announcer for some reason. Muraco stalls in the corner to start before grabbing a headlock as we get an inset promo from Billy Graham of all people, talking about facing the elements. He’s on his way back to the boogaloo on the scene, event as Spivey comes in for a slam into some armdrags on Muraco.

It’s off to Sharpe to send Spivey into the corner but a bad backdrop and not great dropkick put Sharp down. Rotundo airplane spines Sharpe and everything breaks down. A small package has Sharpe in trouble but Muraco turns it over, only to have Spivey turn it over so Rotundo can get the pin at 3:05.

Rating: C-. So that’s the first match in the history of Wrestling Challenge and it was as basic as you could get. The Spivey version of the US Express wasn’t very good and that was on full display here. They’re fine for a midcard team but you would think the WWF might want to start things off a bit hotter than this. The ending was good though.

We get a Wrestler’s Rebuttal from Randy Savage, who doesn’t like fans cheering for Elizabeth so much. They should be cheering for him instead, so GET ON THE BANDWAGON! Savage could make milk and cookies intense.

Adrian Adonis vs. Tommy Sharp

Adonis has Jimmy Hart and Bob Orton with him. Adonis rolls around to start and takes Sharp down, with Johnny V saying “Iwo Jima, out of ammo”. Monsoon says Adonis chewing gum during the match is dangerous before we get an inset promo from Orton, who says the money and working conditions are better under Adonis than Roddy Piper. He’s even starting to like the smell of the flowers!

Adonis works on the arm and sends Sharp outside for daring to try his own armbar. Hart offers a distraction so Orton can come in with a belly to back suplex/top rope clothesline combination to give Adonis the pin at 2:57. Commentary makes sure to point out that referee Danny Davis was more than a bit off with Hart’s interference. That was a big finish for a match that didn’t even last three minutes.

Bob Orton talks about how much better an offer he received from Adrian Adonis and Jimmy Hart. Roddy Piper went off to Hollywood and stopped sending him the checks so their contract was off. Yeah he wears a pink hat and he is well paid to do so. Orton stood behind Piper so he could say everything he wanted and now he’ll stand behind Adonis as well.

Koko B. Ware vs. Bob Bradley

Ware has been around for all of a few weeks at this point at most (he doesn’t even have Frankie yet). Dancing ensues on the way to the ring as Johnny V thinks Koko sounds like a breakfast cereal. We get an inset promo from Ware, complete with a mini boom box on his shoulder, where he says he wants everyone in the WWF to do the Bird. Feeling out process to start with Bradley grabbing a headlock but Koko is back up with a running crossbody. Bradley slugs away as commentary is a bit split over the idea of the match’s female referee. Koko elbows him in the face and hits a pair of dropkicks. A middle rope dropkick and a splash finishes Bradley at 3:03.

Rating: C-. You can see the skill in Koko but he needs to polish things up a bit. There are some things that can change him up enough and that will make things work. Ware can do the fast paced style and that is always going to get over, with the dancing making it even better. This wasn’t the best match though as Bradley got in a bit too much offense, especially with Ware being a newcomer.

Jimmy Hart says he needs a lot of bodyguards, which is why he hired Bob Orton. Oh and Adrian Adonis will be the next World Champion.

Paul Orndorff vs. Troy Martin

Orndorff has Bobby Heenan with him and comes out to Real American in an angle I would love to see used again. He even throws in the hand to the ear for a nice bonus. We get an inset interview from Honky Tonk Man, who doesn’t like Orndorff stealing from HIS FRIEND Hulk Hogan. Honky Tonk Man promises to get Orndorff somewhere as Martin is sent over the barricade. Back in and Orndorff hits him in the face before walking around a bit. The piledriver finishes Martin at 1:44. He would do a bit better when he changed his name to Shane Douglas (or Troy Orndorff, when he was billed as Paul’s nephew).

And now, the first ever Snake Pit, featuring Jake Roberts promising to bring us thunder. That would be in the form of Kamala, with the Wizard (King Curtis Iaukea) and handler Kim Chee. The Wizard brought Kamala 22,000 miles to unleash evil here. One day the Wizard was in the VIP lounge in Singapore (this isn’t where I was expecting it to go) and the Sultan of Brunei wanted Kamala to wreck people. That was a weird way to go but at least they had Iaukea’s creepy voice.

We go to a clip (which had aired before) of Harley Race being crowned King of the WWE. Bobby Heenan reading the proclamation. Race comes to the ring with Lord Littlebrook carrying his crown as the ring is full of various villains. Heenan officially crowns him the King and the fans are so incensed that they hold up signs that say BOO. The LONG LIVE THE KING chants are on (at least from Heenan) and Race is taken out on King Kong Bundy and Big John Studd’s shoulders. Well that was awesome in a rather 1986 way.

We see a clip of Lou Albano’s new team (yeah I’m shocked too): THE MACHINES! That was so stupid that it was hilarious.

British Bulldogs vs. Moondogs

Non-title and Lou Albano (he gets around) is here with the Bulldogs. The Moondogs jumps them before the bell and the fight starts fast. That’s fine with the Bulldogs who send the Moondogs into each other. We settle down to Spot tripping Dynamite from the floor before coming in for a suplex and a near fall.

Rex comes in and elbows Dynamite in the face but a sunset flip and crossbody get Dynamite out of trouble. Well for all of three seconds or so as the Moondogs take him back into the corner to keep up the beating. A clothesline drops Spot though and the hot tag brings in Davey to clean house. The suplex gets one on Spot as everything breaks down. The Moondogs double team Dynamite but Davey comes in off a blind tag for a high crossbody and the pin at 4:21.

Rating: C. Can we call it a dog fight? Anyway, the Bulldogs were a step ahead of just about everyone else and the Moondogs were little more than a quick opponent for them to fight off. It wasn’t even a title match so how much of a threat was this going to be? The Moondogs don’t get the attention that they deserve as they were rather decent as an oddball team and stayed around for a rather long time.

Jake Roberts, fresh off DDTing Ricky Steamboat on the concrete floor on Saturday Night’s Main Event, isn’t worried about the calls to ban the DDT. The DDT is cruel but fair and Roberts walks the way he wants to. He’ll drop you so fast that your whole family will feel it. Randy Savage comes in as Roberts says everyone has rainbows to look at. Savage: “I’ve seen rainbows before.” They march to their own beat because they’re their own men. Yep, that’s a scary team.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

We get a musical review (Gorilla’s words) of this week’s action, meaning a quick highlight package.

Overall Rating: C. This is about as fun of a show as I could ask for and that was the case this week. It is such an 80s show, but it is a little weird to not have Hogan around in some way. For now though, we got a nice mixture of squashed and interviews, which is a nice way to spend about 45 minutes. This is about the fun instead of the quality, and I’m certainly good for twenty two more shows.

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