Best of The WWF Volume 7 (WF024)

BEST OF THE WWF VOLUME 7 (WF024)

We’ve made it to Volume 7 of the Best of series and now there’s no excuse not to have recent matches…..but they don’t. After a trip down memory lane with WRESTLING’S LIVING LEGEND: BRUNO SAMMARTINO, we pick up things in the spring of 1986. WRESTLEMANIA 2 pretty much ended any and all feuds that were leading up to that point so the WWF had to present new ones. There wouldn’t be another pay-per-view until the following year so monthly Coliseum Videos was all the fans could look forward to besides the magazines and weekly shows. Roddy Piper had taken a hiatus following Wrestlemania 2 and Andre the Giant also took a vacation so new stars had to step up to replace them. Let’s get this one started. Cue the 1985 Coliseum video opening and “Mean” Gene Okerlund is our host today. He welcomes us and says this is for our “permanent home video collection”. Apparently Gene must think other tapes were going to magically disappear 6 months later. He reminds us the British Bulldogs made their debut in BEST OF THE WWF VOLUME 3 and Pedro Morales fought Don Muraco in BEST OF THE WWF VOLUME 2. We also saw Andre and Hogan in a handicap tag team match in BEST OF THE WWF VOLUME 1. Now he runs down some of the card for this one. We got the never before seen Dream Team vs Unamericanz heel vs heel challenge, Toru Tanaka and Mr Fuji vs Haystacks Calhoun and Tony Garea in 2 out of 3 falls match from 9 years earlier, and Hulk Hogan vs Randy Savage. Sounds good to me, let’s get started.

 

Match 1

Pedro Morales vs Terry Funk (with Jimmy Hart)

Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon and Jesse “The Body” Ventura

January 11, 1986 in the Boston Garden is the site of two classic brawlers, don’t expect to see much technical wrestling in this one. Although any time Funk is in a WWF ring its sure to be entertaining. Morales is in the orange tights and Terry the red. Funk throws mock jabs as Okerlund calls Morales the first triple crown champion in WWF history.  Funk slaps Pedro and immediately begs off.  Morales backs him down as Ventura says its strategy by Funk to get Pedro to lose his cool. Morales slaps Terry a bunch of times and he staggers around before falling outside. Back inside as Ventura says Hart never sleeps as a manager. That explains why he’s so hyper all the time, too much coffee. Funk throws Morales over the top rope onto the announce table. Morales sells a hamstring injury as Funk yells at the crowd. He allows Morales to gather himself by running outside and threatening some hecklers.  Pedro gets to his feet on the apron and Funk lands some boxing jabs to drop him. Monsoon says Funk is most dangerous when he’s got his opponent hurt. Back in the ring Funk continues to jab away at the face of Morales as Monsoon bitches about the taped fists of Terry. A spinning boot eye rake has Ventura say “ohhhhhh.” Funk punches Morales through the ropes onto the announce booth again, only this time he goes outside to put the boots to him. Funk reaches through the ropes and slaps the headset off of Monsoon. Gorilla says something inaudible and puts his headphones back on while giving him the death glare. Jesse “I think he wants a piece of YOU Monsoon!” Funk continues to put the boots to Morales as Monsoon says if Terry gets in range he’ll get a payback shot. Ventura says the Gorilla is coming out of retirement as Monsoon says no, he’ll get him in the parking lot. Funk tries to slide Morales out through the second rope like a battle royal before putting the boots to him again. The ref shoves Terry who begs off as Ventura says Funk wants Morales, Monsoon and the whole Boston Garden. He’d probably attack the Celtics while he was it it. Funk pulls out the foreign object and rakes the eyes with it, before throwing it out. Hart distracts the referee as Funk chokes out Morales with adhesive tape. Hart distracts the referee but this time Morales beats the crap out of terry with the tape and puts it in his trunks. Pedro unloads on Terry with left hands  Terry bumps outside and knocks over the wooden ring steps. Morales rams Terry’s head into steps and Terry tries to hide underneath them (BRILLIANT!). Morales goes up to the top rope but thinks better of it. Funk gets on the apron and Morales rams Terry’s head into the ring post. Terry staggers and falls off the apron to the parquet floor. Back inside Morales lands more left hands that has Terry staggering around throwing jabs at the air. Pedro sends him off the ropes and drops Funk with a left punch to the ribs. Pedro throws Terry over the top to the floor. Pedro chases Jimmy Hart underneath the ring. Terry reaches underneath and grabs a wooden chair, heaving it into the ring. The ref immediately kicks it out of the ring. Back inside Pedro rams Terry’s head into the buckle as Jesse says he’s enjoying this one. Funk rams his own head into the buckle then falls halfway out of the ring. Monsoon says if Funk loses this one, he loses a chance to face Hogan for the title. Pedro grabs Funk’s tights as he falls out and they ride up, exposing his bare ass to the Coliseum Video crowd. Hart hands him the megaphone as the ref pries Morales away and with half his ass hanging out, Funk nails Morales in the head with it. The ref turned around too soon so he had to pretend he didn’t see it as Funk drops the megaphone back to Jimmy outside. Funk pulls his tights up and covers 1….2….3 its over. The bell rings as Hart pulls Terry out of the ring who staggers around selling the blows Pedro landed. Ventura points out the megaphone is bent where Terry clocked him. We go to the replay and Monsoon bitches about it but Jesse says it’s a win. There wasn’t a single technical wrestling hold that whole match but mostly due to the antics and psychology of Terry Funk, it was very entertaining. Terry Funk was special and there will never be another one. Good stuff. Did it belong on a tape like this? You had the NWA Heavyweight Champion brawl with the former WWWF Heavyweight champion….so yes.

Time of match: 10:36

Winner: Terry Funk by pinfall

 

Next up is the Mega Powers explodeeeeeeeee……3 ½ years early. Two “Best of” tapes in a row that features Terry Funk on first and Hogan vs Savage on second.

 

Match 2

“Macho Man” Randy Savage (with Miss Elizabeth) vs Hulk Hogan for the WWF Heavyweight Championship

Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon and Jesse Ventura

This match is from Monday January 27, 1986 in Madison Square Garden. Its got a big time feel to it with Monsoon and Jesse on commentary even though the explosion won’t be for another three years. Hogan slides in the ring wearing standard yellow tights and Macho Man in the purple robe, tights and shades massacres him before the bell even rings.

Okerlund in the voiceover says Savage came the closest to ever dethroning Hogan. Yeah, and the fact he never did dethrone him EVER made Savage rightfully angry at Hulk until Randy’s death. Randy rakes the eyes then comes off the top with an axehandle.  Savage still puts the boots to the Hulk and tears his shirt off, choking him with it. Savage waffles Hogan with the belt and Monsoon bitches that referee Dick Woehrle does nothing about it. Savage nails Hulk with it again still with the robe and shades on. He goes up to the top and nails Hogan in the kidneys with the belt. Savage does the Macho Man pose and the crowd is LIVID. Liz hops up on the apron to tell Randy to knock off the rough stuff and Savage turns to deal with her. Hogan begins to Hulk up and when Randy turns around, Hulk nails him with a right hand that gets a HUGE pop from the crowd. Hulk drops Savage and puts the Macho Man’s shades on to mock him. Hulk drops Randy with another roundhouse right and chokes Savage with his headband. The commentary team flips the script with Ventura bitching about cheating and Monsoon saying to let it go. Hulk atomic drops the Macho Man and prances around like a fairy to mock Savage. Hulk drops Randy with another roundhouse right. Hogan throws Savage through the ropes and to the outside. Hulk still has the shades on and he launches Savage head first into the ring post. Ventura demands a disqualification and I wish Monsoon could have said “Savage can’t win the title that way” but instead says the ref is very lenient. Monsoon says Savage should have been DQ’d earlier. Hogan unloads on Savage who’s now busted wide open. Back inside Hogan lands some left jabs then a thunderous right hand that Savage sells like he was hit by a cannonball. Hogan chokes Savage over his head until Liz hops up on the apron. Hogan blows her a kiss that enrages the Macho Man. Savage sends him outside and goes berserk with kicks. Randy throws Hulk into the post, goes upstairs and drops Hogan with a flying axehandle on the floor. Hogan rolls in and Savage goes upstairs, hitting another axehandle smash. Monsoon asks if Hulk is busted open but Ventura points out no, its all Randy’s. Randy drops Hulk and goes for the flying elbow drop. He gives the sign AND HITS IT! Savage covers and Hulk kills the move by kicking out at 1. Hogan Hulks Up, no sells Randy’s punches and unloads on Savage. A whip into the corner is met with a clothesline as the crowd responds to every move. Hulk drops Randy with a running elbow to the head. Randy goes to bail but Hulk stops him. Hogan delivers the big boot as Ventura says to stop the match, Savage can’t see. Hulk throws Randy out of the ring again and follows suit. Hogan rams Randy headfirst into the apron and goes for another rocket launch, only this time Liz stops him. Randy escapes, shoves Hogan into the post and slides in to beat the count. Savage wins it by count out! The crowd is bullshit as Randy goes to leave but Hulk stops him. Hulk bearhugs Savage into each corner with the crowd continuing to cheer every impact. Tiger Chung Lee and “Iron” Mike Sharpe hit the ring to pry Hulk off of Savage. Dan Spivey, George Welles and Mario Mancini join in and finally subdue Hogan…long enough for Savage to cheap shot Hogan, bail to the outside and hightail it out of there with Sharpe and Lee as Hogan is PISSED in the ring. Welles, Spivey and Mancini stick around as Howard Finkel announces Savage has won it. The crowd is pissed and even Hogan is mad about it. You’re still the champ, what the hell are you bitching about? The crowd chants either bullshit or Hogan but is too loud to decipher which. Finkel calms the crowd by saying that Hulk is still the champ even though he’s still pissing and moaning to Woehrle. That was another wild brawl much like Funk/Morales and the crowd was into every last second of it. Honky Tonk Man once said in a shoot interview that Hulk was the best money drawing champion in history, bigger than Cena and Austin in an era where you couldn’t walk in a store and buy t-shirts. Say what you will but Honky’s right about that. Hulk had the entire Madison Square Garden crowd on its feet the whole match and tickets were much cheaper in the 80’s than they are now. Even with today’s prices, Hulk would have sold out the Garden and would have set records not even Austin could have touched. He didn’t do it alone though, the fans loved to hate Savage so much to cheer Hogan’s every move. This could have been a huge money-making feud since they had already main evented back to back Madison Square Garden shows, but Hogan was preparing for King Kong Bundy at Wrestlemania so Vince had to hold off. A month later, Vince rewarded Savage for his nightly performances by giving him the Intercontinental championship, thus making a feud with Hogan impossible. Even when Honky was IC champ he rarely challenged Hogan because the IC champ had to draw on his own in those days. So we had to wait 3 full years for Savage and Hogan to have the main event, big pay per view matches…and it was totally worth it. Two straight brawls, two straight great matches that belonged on this tape.

Time of match: 8:33

Winner: Randy Savage by count-out (Hogan retains)

 

Its as if someone who was editing tape realized, “How the hell do we top the first two matches? Well, we can’t, so let’s not even try.” The next match goes back to the archives where Arnold Skaaland takes on perennial coward Captain Lou Albano. You gotta be kidding me.

 

Match 3

Arnold Skaaland vs Captain Lou Albano

Commentators: Vince McMahon

Talk about falling off a cliff after the first two amazing matches on this tape. Arnie was a great wrestler in his prime but by December 19, 1977 he was 52 years old and semi-retired. Lou Albano was 44 at the time and was even worse. This match is in Madison Square Garden as Arnie was managing Bruno Sammartino at the time and in December of 77, Albano was managing Mr Fuji and Professor Tanaka…I think. Howard Finkel is in a horrible silver 70’s tux as Albano admonishes the ref. Both are in standard gear as Skaaland gets a HUGE pop for starting the match by nailing Albano with forearms. Albano bails to the outside and the crowd boos. Lou re-enters the ring and does the “hiding the foreign object” routine by nailing Arnie with it. He sheds his ring jacket and nails Arnie with the object again. The crowd is livid already as Albano nails Arnie with it again but the ref catches him putting it back in his tights. He puts it in his mouth and it looks to be a giant pencil as the ref checks the tights. Lou once again nails Arnie with it. This is the third straight match we’ve seen zero wrestling holds but the crowd’s into it. Can’t expect Steamboat/Savage from two managers above 40 years old. The repeated object thrusts are building heat for Arnie to make the big comeback. The ref checks Albano again and he’s got nothing. Arnie tries to fight back but Albano continues to use the giant pencil. Finally Albano goes for another strike but Arnold blocks the punch and the giant pencil drops. Arnold picks it up and blasts Albano with it. Since Lou was hiding it the whole match, the ref let’s this go.  Arnold beats the shit out of Albano with right hands and the crowd eats every second up.  Arnie shoves the ref away and continues to punch the daylights out of Lou, who blades on camera and bleeds everywhere. More right hands rock and roll Lou before he hits the deck.  Lou crawls outside and bails to the back, as per norm, to take the count-out. The ref raises Arnold’s arm in victory as McMahon on commentary says Skaaland gets the duke. The fans paid to see Albano get his ass kicked and that’s what they got. Who cares if no holds were involved? Does it belong on a Best of tape? I’m gonna have to say no. Going back to the archives is fun, but that’s for hot feuds at the time, not for four minute manager brawls. So far this tape is 2 for 3.

Time of match: 4:35

Winner: Arnold Skaaland by count out.

 

We stay in the archives for the next bout.

 

Match 4

Mr. Fuji and Professor Toru Tanaka vs Haystacks Calhoun and Tony Garea for the WWWF Tag Team Championship in a 2 out of 3 falls match

Commentator: Gorilla Monsoon

On July 23, 1977 in Madison Square Garden these two teams hooked up for the tag team straps held by Garea and Haystacks. Haystacks is in the black t-shirt and overalls, Gares was in the zebra striped tights and Fuji and Tanaka are in standard gear. Okerlund says keep watch on the ladies in the front row. Back then there were no barricades so when Tanaka throws salt into the corner, some old lady hops up and sweeps it away. The old lady then makes the kiss my ass sign as the crowd pops. The guys in suits at ringside just laugh at her. She swats Fuji on her way back to her seat as Fuji turns and looks like “What the fuck was that?” A lady in another corner does the same thing and now it starts to get silly, where’s security? The bell finally rings as Monsoon calls Tanaka “Chopstick Charlie” which ironically was Tanaka’s real name…Charlie, not Chopstick. We TAPE EDIT to Garea with Tanaka in a side headlock which shockingly is the first actual wrestling hold on this tape. Tanaka turns him into a pinning combination a few times. They chain wrestle right out of the 90’s cruiserweights with trading of arm drags with Garea getting the upperhand. Calhoun gets too excited and enters the ring to clap on Garea. The ref throws him out which allows Fuji time to kick Tony off of Toru.  Tanaka chops Garea in the corner where Fuji chokes Tony with the tag rope. Calhoun gets in to complain but Fuji continues when the ref gets Calhoun out of there. Fuji gets the tag and he chops Tony down. Fuji backdrops Tony but a second attempt eats boot. Tony drops Fuji with a double knee to the head. Fuji begs off but we TAPE EDIT to Fuji getting the upperhand. Garea rallies with right hands and a back drop. Tanaka tags in and slowly makes his way into the ring.  Tony whips Tanaka into Calhoun but Tanaka gets Tony in a chinlock. He’s armdragged by Tony who tags in the big man, Haystacks uses his monsterous thighs to nail Tanaka. Fuji comes in with a running chop but nails Tanaka instead. Tanaka falls and Haystacks sits on him. Garea intercepts Fuji and Calhoun stands up long enough for Tony to throw Fuji on top of Tanaka before Haystacks sits on both of them. Garea stands on Calhoun’s back as the crowd pops. Poor Tanaka. Garea nails Fuji as Calhoun is raked by Tanaka. Garea makes the tag but Tanaka cuts him off with chops to the throat. Tanaka whips Tony into the corner and nails him. Tony reverses a whip to send Tanaka in the corner and nails him with a forearm. A series of shoulderblocks drops Tanaka and Garea covers…but the referee is so far out of position even Monsoon yells at him. Tanaka kicks out  and Garea charges but eats a thrust kick to the ribs. Tanaka covers him for 1…2….3 and Calhoun takes to long to make the save. First fall goes to the challengers.

Fall 2 begins with Garea being stalked by Tanaka. Tony fights back with forearms and a punch to the ribs. An elbow to the back of the neck and a big right hand drops the Professor. A front facelock on Tanaka leads to a TAPE EDIT with Fuji now in the ring chopping Garea down. Tanaka tags in and Garea rallies with right hands but Fuji sneaks in and tosses Tony over the top to the floor.  Calhoun gets in the ring as Tanaka and Fuji double team him in the corner. The ref calls for the bell….what? Apparently Fuji and Tanaka were disqualified for beating up Calhoun in the corner. Complete bullshit but that evens it at one fall apiece.

We clip to the third fall where Calhoun is still dazed from the double team attack. He gets out of the ring and the third fall is Garea and Tanaka. Tanaka wants a handshake but suckers him into a chop to the throat. Tanaka works Tony over in the corner before whipping him off the ropes. Tony ducks under a chop and rallies with forearms and elbows on Toru. He tags in Calhoun. Tony backdrops Tanaka and Calhoun smushes Tanaka with a big splash. The cover gets 1…2….3 and the champs retain. The faces celebrate after the match and Calhoun splashes Tanaka again for good measure. Kind of a bad match due to the tape edits and there wasn’t much Calhoun could do since he was practically immobile. Does it belong on a tape like this? We hardly ever see Tanaka or Calhoun so what the hell? We’re 3 for 4 with the only dud being Skaaland/Albano.

Time of match: Clipped

Winner: Garea and Calhoun 2 falls to 1 (Still WWWF Champions)

 

We stay in the archives for another match from Showdown at Shea. So much for keeping things recent.

 

Match 5

Tony Atlas vs Ken Patera (with The Grand Wizard) for the WWWF Intercontinental Championship

Commentator: Gorilla Monsoon

Oh joy…heel Patera and he’s got Wizard with him! This was one of the undercard matches from Showdown at Shea on August 9, 1980 at Shea Stadium in Flushing, NY where the main event was Bruno Sammartino vs Larry Zybysko in a cage, not Hogan vs Andre as Hulk wants you to believe. Atlas is in the red tights, Wizard is in the gold sequined suit, Vince McMahon Jr is the ring announcer in a nice business suit. Patera is in the Olympic singlet. McMahon says Atlas is 239 pounds and Patera is 269 pounds…..I think Vince has it backwards. Patera sheds his warmup gear with help from Wizard as we get started. They tie up with Atlas getting the upper hand with strikes and a dropkick. Patera begs off in the corner and tries to kick at Tony but Atlas grabs the foot. Tony punches him in the ribs and gorilla press slams Patera down. Tony caters to the crowd and lets Patera get to his feet. A knee to the head stops Tony in his tracks. Patera clotheslines Atlas and drops an elbow on him. He covers for 1..2…no, Atlas literally press slams the Olympic powerlifter to the ropes, nearly out of them. THAT’S power. This is also the strangest WWF ring I’ve ever seen, the ropes are silver and the canvas is royal purple. Patera rams Tony’s head into the buckle who no sells Ken’s offense. Atlas stalks Patera as Monsoon says 2 demerits for Wizard for not doing his homework.  A jumping headbutt drops Patera to one knee and a second floors him. Atlast drops an elbow and another headbutt. A big splash gets 2 as the ref is out of position. More headbutt stagger Patera and he falls underneath the bottom rope. Patera gathers himself on the apron and chokes Atlas using the top ropes. He snaps Atlas off the top rope and jumps off the rope rope….well if he was going for a kneedrop, he failed that one. Patera displays his own power with a press slam, throwing Atlas halfway across the ring. Patera locks in the swinging full nelson but the taller Atlas makes it to the ropes. Monsoon says Patera retired him which is somewhat true, Patera was his last opponent before he retired. Patera uses the 4 count to his advantage by keeping the full nelson on then standing on the fallen Atlas. Ken then goes for the blatant choke and the ref just stands there. Atlas breaks it and delivers a second rope headbutt that knocks Ken goofy. Atlas can’t capitalize and slumps into the ropes. On their feet Tony beats up on Ken with strikes and a vertical suplex. Atlas covers but doesn’t hook the leg and he gets a deuce. Tony whips Patera and catches him with a sleeper. Patera smartly hot shots Atlas off the top rope. Ken covers for 1…..2..nope, forgot to hook the leg. Atlas catches Patera by surprise with a bodypress for 1….2…NOOOO. Almost had him. Patera sends Atlas to the outside with a forearm. Patera goes out after him and they slug it out. The ref continues the count but stops when both men reach the apron. Patera clotheslines Atlas back inside and THEN the ref calls for the bell. Good god almighty that was lousy officiating. From a kayfabe standpoint he stopped the count, how the hell did Patera get counted out? Patera continues to put the boots to Tony and throws him over the top rope after the bell. Patera raises his arms in victory as Vince enters the ring. Atlas stalks Patera who finally leaves the ring and bails to the dug-out. Vince announces Atlas wins the match but not the title. Atlas gets on the mic and says “As long as as you live, forget about rasslin for a minute, get your butt in here and I’ll whoop it!” Patera comes back and hops in the ring. He teases a fight before bailing to a chorus of boos. The cops escort Patera away as Tony is mad in the ring. That was a decent power vs power match for 1980 standards even if the ending was complete shit, but that’s more the ref than the match. Does this match belong on the Best of? Actually yeah, this is how you do power vs power. Trading impact blows, not boring bearhugs and nerve holds. We’re four for five and looking good so far.

Time of match: 8:23

Winner: Atlas by count-out (Patera retains)

After going nonstop for 5 matches its time for a break in the action to check out the 1985 Slammy highlights. Gene Okerlund in a trench coat annoys the daylights out of a few fans in a car to ask them “Who’s gonna win the Slammy’s” without naming anyone involved or what they are winning. One young fan shouts “Hulk Hogan!”. An old lady has no idea what’s going on. Gene sets up an actually funny joke to another lady before asking a hot blonde who’s gonna win best performance in Land of 1,000 Dances. She has no idea what that is and asks Gene if Little Richard does HIS song. Gene has to tell her it’s the other way around. Michelle is the ladies name and Gene doesn’t even want to hug her because she’s too cold. He chases down a black gentleman who also has no idea who he is, so he walks away. He runs into a stuttering black man and asks him about Baltimore crabs and who’s gonna win the Slammy’s. He says Hulk Hogan and Gene says no its him. He then asks a security guard who he voted for and he says he can’t disclose that information. Gene says jabroni and kayfabe in the same sentence which was huge for 1985 standards. Verne Gagne and Bill Watts would have fired him on the spot. The guard refuses to answer and Gene hams it up anyway. He asks another freezing couple who’s gonna win best song. They say Gene’s Tuiti Fruiti. Gene say that’s the first time someone’s mentioned him after 2 ½ hours of interviews. Jesus, this was December of 1985 in Baltimore, if he was out there freezing for 3 hours you’d think he’d start punching folks. Gene then checks out the landmarks and gives an oral history (no pun intended) of a plaque dated by the dental association.  Gene then asks an intoxicated young man if he’s gonna be at the Slammy’ and the guy pulls out I Heart Wrestling stickers. Gene then pulls out the guy’s bottle of Jim Beam and says he’s his kind of guy. The camera begins shaking as its obvious even the camera guy is laughing his ass off. Gene goes to interview someone else but someone gets in his way and we cut here. The segment did drag, but this was about as real as it got. These people clearly had no idea what was going on since this was during the day, not before the show that night. I gotta respect the complete fly by the seat of your pants approach though.

Next up is Jesse Ventura who’s inside the men’s room and he brings Mean Gene over. Jesse asks why he’s sweating and Gene says he ran 7 ½ miles. Jesse scoffs and says he couldn’t drive 7 ½ miles. Heh! Gene gets mad and leaves and Jesse goes to the stalls looking for Roddy Piper. Piper is in the middle of taking a shit and even tells Jesse he’s a little busy right now. Piper make fun of Michael Jackson and David Lee Roth before we cut here. Jesus Jesse, you couldn’t have waited for him to wipe his ass or something?

We cut to the actual Slammy ceremony. Vince and Gorilla host but Vince has to let Gorilla knows his fly is unzipped…ha..ha. Gorilla “25 years in the squared circle and I’ve never been humiliated.” Vince says the WWF Academy of Arts and Sciences voted on the Most Ignominious Wrestler. There was only nominee and that’s Nikolai Volkoff. Nikolai comes out in the cheap suit with Iron Sheik in full wrestling gear in tow. Sheik trips and falls for real and Monsoon busts out laughing. Volkoff thanks everyone for the award as the number one singer and Vince has to correct him. Volkoff has no idea what ignominious mean and asks what it means. Vince “Best defined as degrading, humiliating and despicable.” Volkoff gets pissed and says he shouldn’t have won, he should have got second place and everyone in America should be tied for first place. Hahahahaha, good recovery.  We cut to best personality in Land of 1,000 Dances and its “Rowdy” Roddy Piper. Piper also comes out in full wrestling gear and carrying a broom. Piper taunts the crowd and picks up the trophy only for it to fall apart in his hands for real. Monsoon and Vince are shocked and even Piper is taken off his game for a second. He recovers to say he ran into Tina Turner in the hallway then tosses the broom. Piper complains about the trophy and says its typical of MTV, otherwise known as Music To Vomit by. Piper asks if they can afford nicer trophies and stirs the pot by saying he plays Sun City. For you youngsters, South Africa was in the process of ending apartheid where the racist white government was being overthrown. A lot of music artists refused to play Sun City, South Africa in support of ending the racism…so naturally Piper says he’s for playing there. Of course, if he said that now, he’d have the social justice termites up his ass for a week and a half plus Vince would have to apologize to all those offended. Piper smashes the rest of the trophy and says he was going to do that anyway. Piper tells Vince to knock himself out as we cut.

The 1985 Slammy’s was pretty much a waste of time in terms of wrestling but it was more about the mainstream appeal they were going for with the aid of MTV. The Rock N Wrestling connection was in full swing at this point. This segment was pretty much a waste of time as they could have cut the Okerlund interviews and Jesse in the men’s room completely. Gorilla, Volkoff and Piper’s segments were good so I’ll give this a half point. Let’s get back to the ring.

 

Match 6

British Bulldogs (Davey Boy Smith and Dynamite Kid) vs The Hart Foundation (Bret Hart and Jim Niedhart with Jimmy Hart)

Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon and Jesse Ventura

The last time they met in July of 85 they went the 20 minute time limit distance. We’ll see how this one goes as they hook up again on September 23, 1985 in Madison Square Garden. The Bulldogs are in the long red tights and the Foundation are in the black. Gene in the voiceover says this is turning into one of the classic feuds in wrestling. He was right on the money. Bret and Dynamite, the brothers in law, start….no, that’s not a typo. Bret’s now ex-wife is sisters with Dynamite’s now ex-wife. Then Bret’s sister Ellie married Jim Niedhart and his other sister Diana married Davey Boy Smith. Dynamite drops the Hitman with a shoulderblock. Bret gets caught and Dynamite slingshots him into the corner. Dynamite drops a knee and we get a TAPE EDIT…you gotta be fucking kidding me. Hey, whoever edited this tape, you left Gene Okerlund ranting for 10 minutes but you clip THIS??? Ugh….when action resumes its still Bret and Dynamite in the ring. Dynamite applies a hammerlock and Bret reverses, only for Dynamite to use Bret’s momentum against him by sending him through the ropes and to the outside. He almost cleaned out the director sitting next to Monsoon and Ventura. Anvil asks referee for a time out as Bret gathers himself and gets back in. Jimmy is irate as Bret tags out to Anvil and Dynamite tags out to Davey Boy…time for power vs power. Anvil bodyslams Davey but Smith ducks under an elbow and one handed slams Niedhart. Gorilla makes the claim the Hart Foundation are future tag team champion. Good call. Davey leapfrogs over Anvil and dropkicks him down. Niedhart bails to the outside to regroup with Jimmy before making the tag to Bret. Bret clubs away at Davey in the corner before whipping him into the other corner where Davey leaps over Bret and victory rolls him for 1…2..nope. Davey gets a pop from the crowd for that as Bret regroups with Niedhart. Ventura says the fFoundation is frustrated. Davey eats a knee to the ribs and Bret drops an elbow then a leg. The Harts cut the ring off and they make frequent tags, wearing down Davey Boy. A European uppercut drops Davey which you could hear the impact. Niedhart tags in and Monsoon says he would have a great career in football and Ventura says he didn’t like the padding. Yeah, let’s go with that.  Niedhart gets Davey in a bearhug but Davey escapes and makes the hot tag to Dynamite. Kid whips Jim into Bret. Dynamite goes nuts on both of them but an outside knee to the back from Bret quells that uprising. Now its Dynamite who the Harts have cut off. Bret comes off the top with an elbow illegally as Hart pesters Gorilla at ringside enough to make him stand up. Better run Jimmy. Niedhart throws Dynamite outside the ring where Bret scoop slams him on the floor. Davey Boy runs over to pick him up but Niedhart kicks him away. Back inside Niedhart locks in a chinlock and we get a TAPE EDIT. Jim puts the boots to Davey Boy and another double team effort has Bret ramming Dynamite head first into the mat. Jimmy laughs at Dynamite through the megaphone as Dynamite takes the sternum bump into the corner. Bret baits Davey into the ring and drops another second rope elbow. A cover gets 1…2…nope. Bret executes the side backbreaker but the cover only gets 2 which raises the ire of the Hitman. Bret makes the tag to the Anvil who works the ribs of Dynamite. Jim gets Kid in a front facelock as Jesse says Niedhart should go for the powerslam and get the pin. Dynamite slowly makes his way toward Davey and just before he get there Hitman cuts off Davey. Davey chases Bret and Jimmy around the ring as Niedhart chokes Dynamite in the corner. Now the ref is preoccupied with Niedhart as Bret chokes Dynamite in the corner. Niedhart gets another front headlock in and Dynamite drives him toward Davey but this time the ref cuts Bret off…and they do the “face makes the tag but the ref doesn’t see it” routine.  Davey unloads on Niedhart but the ref tells him to get lost. Bret ties Dynamite in the ropes Andre style and beats on him before letting him go and headbutts him. Bret and Dynamite botch a tilt-a-whirl so Bret knees him in the back on the ground. Jimmy outside the ring shouts Dynamite is out on his feet. Dynamite catches Bret in a backslide out of nowhere but the ref is out of position, allowing Niedhart to cut off the pinfall attempt. Bret ties up Dynamite again but does a lousy job. Dynamite breaks free as Bret crotches himself on a dropkick attempt. Davey gets the hot tag and he cuts off Niedhart with a dropkick before whipping Bret into him. Bret takes the sternum bump in the corner and Davey covers for 1..2…nope. Davey executes the gorilla press slam and Niedhart breaks up the pinfall attempt as Ventura admires the slam by Davey. Bret executes the side backbreaker as Anvil axehandle smashes him. Niedhart forgets to tag in but gets in anyway and make the tag to Bret. They execute the Hart Attack off the second rope and Bret covers, but the ref is preoccupied with Niedhart. Dynamite comes off the top with a smash, rolls Davey out and covers Bret for 1…2…3 and that’s it. The Bulldogs get the illegal pin but since they’re babyfaces the crowd doesn’t give a damn. The Hart’s are beside themselves as Ventura says he can’t blame Jimmy for being irate. We go to the replay of the Hart Attack, Dynamite’s smash and the illegal pin. This was just the beginning for these two teams who will face each other countless times in the next 3 years. Another great match and YES it does belong on this tape. We’re 5 ½ out of 7 on this tape.

Time of match: Clipped

Winners: British Bulldogs by pinfall

 

Moving right along to the Coliseum Video debuts of The Rougueau Brothers, Jacques and Raymond. Jacques Rougeau Sr was the famous promoter in Montreal and his sons were a great tag team, much like the Bulldogs in England or the Harts in Stampede. Jacques would stick around in some capacity in various roles from 86 to 94 before making a brief comeback in 98. Raymond was a part time boxer and a tough customer in his own right.

 

Match 7

The Moondogs (Spot and Rex) vs The Rougeau Brothers (Jacques and Raymond)

Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon and Alfred Hays

We’re on an Australian tour here which is an odd place for The Rougeau’s to make their debut. This was from February 28, 1986 from Sydney, Australia which is the most recent match on the tape. Raymond Rougeaus is in standard black trunks….and so is Rex for some reason. Rex also ditched the bleach blonde hair as well. Jacques has on standard red while Spot still has the customary jean shorts but what’s with Rex? We’re joined in progress of Raymond unloading on Rex with fists until he falls backwards over the top to the floor. Alfred says he hit his head so he’ll be okay. Rex continues to bump around for Raymond as Rex gets caught in the top rope. Alfred says the Rougeau’s will make a difference in the tag team division. Rex begs off but Ray catches the foot. Ray atomic drops Rex as Alfred says Rex is coming back from injury. Ray covers but only gets a 1 and makes the tag  to Jacques. We get a nice sequence with Jacques dropkicking Rex into Raymond who slams him, then Jacques hits a big splash cover for 1…2…no. Rex finally makes the tag to Spot who taunts the crowd. Jacques and Spot circle but Ray takes a swipe at Spot which allows Jacques to deliver a running roll up for a near fall. Monsoon “Spotty doesn’t have a whole lot of money holed up for ring attire.” Spot gets a headlock on Jacques and drops him with a shoulderblock. Alfred says this is the Rougeau’s debut and they need a win to establish themselves. Thanks for giving away the purpose of putting this match on here Alfred….meanwhile Jacques hiptosses Spot.  Spot runs to the wrong corner and eats a Raymond right hand and a drop toe hold by Jacques. The Rougeau’s hit a wishbone on Spot and we get a TAPE EDIT. Spot has Raymond in a bearhug as once again Monsoon makes fun of the jean shorts of Spot. Rex tags in and puts the boots to Raymond. Rex rams him in the corner but misses a charge in the corner. Jacques gets the hot tag as Spot tags in, but Jacques cleans house with dropkicks. A doublenoggin knocker stuns the Dogs. The Dogs bump around for Jacques before they go for a double clothesline. Ray trips up Spot and Jacques hits a bodypress on Rex for 1..2….3 and the Rougeau’s win it. Alfred calls it a fantastic victory for the Rougeaus to come to the other side of the world to win. Normally a match like this doesn’t belong on a tape like this but it’s a debut so I’ll give a half point for it. 6 out of 8 with one match to go.

Time of match: Joined in progress

Winners: The Rougeau’s by pinfall

 

We move right along to the final match on the tape.

 

Match 8

The Unamericanz (Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff with Freddie Blassie) vs The Dream Team (Brutus Beefcake and Greg Valentine with Johnny V) for the WWF Tag Team Championship

Commentator: Gorilla Monsoon

We go back to December 14, 1985 in Poughkeepsie NY for a rare “battle of the brutes” as they used to say in Louisville. A heel vs heel encounter was a rarity in those days and the Dream Team are the babyfaces by default because we can’t root for those evil, scheming foreigners right? Brutus is in the long blue tights, Greg and Nikolai in the standard red with Sheik in the plaid groin covers. Sheik backs Greg in the corner and Greg hiptosses him.  Greg scoop slams him and Sheik gets up in the wrong corner, eating an elbow by Beefcake. Both Dream Teamers elbow Sheik before Beefcake tags in to lock in an armbar. Monsoon says Sheik’s training techniques have paid off with Nikolai. Sheik puts the curled boot to Brutus but Beefcake catches the second attempt. Brutus caters to the crowd so its obvious they’re working face in this one. Brutus catches Sheik with an atomic drop and a right hand. Brutus backs Sheik into the corner where Nikolai tags in. Blassie holds the boot of Beefcake allowing Nikolai to unload. A headlock by Volkoff brings Sheik into the ring, but Nikolai turns around too fast for Greg to come off the top. Beefcake nearly powers out of it but Nikolai is too strong. Volkoff charges but eats boot. Beefcake makes the tag to The Hammer and Greg comes off the top with an elbow. Greg locks in an arm ringer as Nikolai begs for mercy. Another elbow drops the Russian but Greg puts his head down leading to a kick to the head. Sheik tags in and methodically chops Greg down. A nonchalant cover gets 2 as Monsoon admonishes him for it. Sheik locks in an abdominal stretch but he doesn’t have it locked in. Valentine hiplocks him but misses the falling elbow. Sheik dropkicks the Hammer down. Sheik covers but they are too close to the rope. Nikolai tags in who puts his head down and Greg elbows him. Brutus gets the hot tag and cleans out the heels amidst cheers….wait, he’s a heel too….well not tonight he’s not. All four men get in the ring but Valentine gets Sheik out of there. Brutus goes up to the second rope but misses the splash. Nikolai misses with a right hand but catches Beefcake with a bearhug. Beefcake escapes with a bell ringer and Nikolai tags in Sheik. Gut wrench suplex is folloed by Sheik going for the camel clutch. Sheik has it on but Greg makes the save. Monsoon says the title was about to fly out the window. Yes, picture a tag title belt literally with wings flying away. Greg vertical suplexes Sheik and gives the sign for the figure four. Volkoff cuts him off and we got another brawl when Beefcake enters. All four men go at it and even Blassie stalks around the ringside area looking for Johnny V. The ref calls for the bell and this one’s over. Dream Team cleans out Sheik and Volkoff and they retreat to the back. Fink announces the double dq as Valentine and Beefcake celebrate in the ring as they’re still champions, which gets a pop from the crowd, We cut here and I have to say that was pretty good all things considered. It was kept short and sweet and it had the DQ finish to save both teams’ heat. Makes no sense for one heel team stealing the heat from another. Does it belong on a tape like this? Yes, a heel vs heel encounter was a rarity in those days. We’re 7 of 9 on the tape….great batting average.

Time of match: 7:30

Winners: No one, double DQ (Dream Team retains)

 

The credits roll and we get the orchestral ending followed by the customary previews. We got BEST OF THE WWF VOLUME 8, RANDY SAVAGE + ELIZABETH and WWF’S EXPLOSIVE TNT SHOW. As for this tape, that was awesome. It had a mix of old matches with new and all but one of them were very good. If you cut the Gene Okerlund pestering fans, picked ANYTHING besides Skaaland/Albano and add more time to Bulldogs vs Foundation and this would have been a perfect 5 star tape. We got to see the Rougeau’s make their debut and a rare heel vs heel encounter. Savage and Hogan gave a preview of the money drawing matches they were capable of 3 years later and who’s gonna complain about Harts vs Bulldogs? I give the tape 4.5 out of 5 stars with a few minor dull moments here and there. This is a must see for any wrestling fan if you got an hour and 45 minutes to kill. The next tape after this is WWF’S EXPLOSIVE TNT SHOW….great. Someone get me drano.

Wrestling’s Living Legend Bruno Sammartino (WF023)

WRESTLING’S LIVING LEGEND: BRUNO SAMMARTINO (WF023)

What can you say about Bruno Sammartino that hasn’t already been said? He carried the WWWF on his back for the better part of 20 years as wrestling shifted from reality to sports entertainment. From 1963 to his first retirement in 1980, Bruno was synonymous with the WWF. Then when he came back in 1985 to help his son, he competed again on and off for 2 more years before having a falling out with Vince McMahon. Of course, that’s a story for another day. This was 1986 and Bruno was still in Vince’s good graces. With personality profile tapes on Hulk Hogan (HULKAMANIA 1) Roddy Piper (ROWDY RODDY PIPER’S GREATEST HITS), ANDRE THE GIANT, and even Captain Lou Albano (THE LIFE AND TIMES OF CAPTAIN LOU ALBANO), it was time for Bruno to get his fair share. Unfortunately most of Bruno’s best work in the 60’s and early 70’s has been lost to time. But is there enough of his second and third runs to make this tape watchable? Let’s find out. Cue the 1985 Coliseum Video intro and “Mean” Gene Okerlund greets us. He says he won’t be the only host, he brings in Bruno Sammartino himself to guest host. Gene runs down the action before sending us to our first match.

 
Match 1

Nikolai Volkoff vs Bruno Sammartino (with Arnold Skaaland) for the WWWF Heavyweight Championship

Commentator Vince McMahon

 

October 25, 1976 (Mean Gene incorrectly says 1975) in Madison Square Garden saw Nikolai gun for the title. Nikolai had just turned 29 years old at the time and Bruno had just turned 41, both of their birthdays were in October. Bruno is in the navy blue trunks and Nikolai in the standard black. Bruno and Nikolai start with a test of mercy as Bruno in the voiceover says he didn’t come to wrestle, he came to annihilate him. Bruno wins the test of the strength with a boot to the mid-section. Volkoff charges but Bruno arm ringers him down. Volkoff gets to his feet but Bruno turns it into a headlock. They charge into each other with Volkoff dropping the champion twice. A third charge is met with an arm drag by Bruno. Bruno goes for the riding pin but Volkoff bridges. Once again we go to a test of strength and this time its Nikolai who goes for the riding pin. Bruno gets to his feet and Volkoff puts the boots to him. Oh no it’s the blatant choke! Volkoff poses for the irate crowd before kicking away. Bruno gets up and now we get the fisticuffs. Left, right, boot, turnbuckle smash. Right, right, right, left, right left right, down goes Volkoff. Bruno covers for 1…no, foot on the rppe. The ref gives Volkoff a standing eight count for some reason before we TAPE EDIT. Bruno synches in a headlock but a bull rush drops both men. A big right hand stuns Volkoff and the cover gets 1…2..nope. Vince says Volkoff could be running out of gas as Bruno rams his head into the mat twice. The ref gives Volkoff another standing eight count but Bruno stomps away to break the count twice. A third kick sends Bruno to the apron where Bruno stands on him until kicking him to the floor. The ref admonishes Bruno and Sammartino refuses to take the count-out victory. Back inside Bruno rallies with a series of right jabs and hooks, plus a big kick to the head. Volkoff staggers around the ring and raises his arm in victory. The ref quickly tells him no. A big headbutt to the mid-section drops the champion and Volkoff gets in a big stomp to the ribs. The cover gets a deuce and we TAPE EDIT again. Bruno whips Nikolai into the corner and rolls him up for 1….2….3 and Bruno wins it. The fans go nuts as Arnold Skaaland gets in the ring to raise Bruno’s arm in victory. We go to the replay before we cut there. Typical Bruno match. A lot of brawling mixed in with a few holds, but then again that was Nikolai’s style as well. Usually that doesn’t translate well and the crowd didn’t appear to be into it…but then again that could just be sound mixing which WWE is notorious for now. Not the most exciting of contests but let’s move on.
Time of match: An unofficial 8:15 (officially 19:11)

Winner: Bruno Sammartino by pinfall (still WWF Champion)
No nonsense, onto the next one.
Match 2

Baron Von Raschke (with Classy Freddie Blassie) vs Bruno Sammartino (with Arnold Skaaland) for the WWWF Heavyweight Championship

Commentator: Vince McMahon

 

Now here’s a treat, Baron Von Raschke in a WWF ring. For you youngsters, Baron was a mainstay in the AWA on and off for 20 years. He was a state wrestling champion in high school, Big Eight champion in college, the AAU Greco-Roman AND freestyle wrestling champion and was on the 1964 olympic wrestling team but didn’t place. He then turned into Baron Von Raschke, an evil German (he’s from Nebraska) who had a gangly body and shaved head. His trademark catch phrase was “and that is all the people need to know!” and his finisher was the claw. This match was from March 28, 1977 one month before he would drop the title to Superstar Billy Graham. Age and injuries caught up with the 41 year old champion and this would be one of his last big title defenses. Baron is in his standard gear of long black trunks with red stripe with Bruno in the green. Baron doesn’t wait for the bell, attacking Bruno in the corner. Baron wraps up Bruno with his robe and pounds away on him. Baron stomps away as Bruno in the voiceover brings up Raschke’s amateur background and he caught him off guard with brutal brawling as he expected scientific wrestling. Baron slugs away in the corner, whips him and hiptosses Bruno. An elbow drop and cover gets a 1 count as the ref was out of position. Rashcke gives the sign for the claw but Bruno kicks him in the ribs and floors him with an uppercut. A big uppercut has the crowd roaring and charges with the big knee in the corner. Bruno unloads with lefts and rights in the corner and sends him down with a big knee. The crowd is much more into this than they were with Nikloai shown earlier. Raschke bails to the apron before he gets back in. A whip of Bruno is met with a scoop slam by Baron. The cover gets a nearfall and he gives the sign for the claw again. They exchange brawling tactics before Bruno whips Baron into the corner. A whip off the rope is met with a backdrop and the cover gets a deuce. Two arm drags have Baron bailing to the outside as we TAPE EDIT to what looks to be 10 seconds later. Baron gestures toward Skaaland and to the irate crowd as the NY police backs the crowd up. Back inside Baron begs off but Bruno comes back with boots and uppercut. Bruno pounds away on Baron then delivers a running boot that has Baron in the Andre spot. Bruno kicks away as the ref releases Raschke. Finally Baron gets some offense with a headlocked punch as he stalks Bruno around the ring. Forearms drop the champion and Baron applies a nerve hold. We get another TAPE EDIT that looks to be 10 seconds later as Bruno begins the comeback. A right hand breaks the hold as Bruno favors the left shoulder. Baron continues to stalk Bruno but he evades him with a series of boots and a hiptoss. Bruno covers but the ref is out of position, near fall. Bruno charges but Raschke scoop slams him. Baron misses the big elbow and a shoulderblock by Bruno drops them both. Bruno shoots the half and gets 1…2…nope, Baron kicked out. Baron begins to slowly puts the boots to Bruno and covers for 1….2.nope. Bruno goes back with punches and knees to the head as some fan in the crowd shouts for Bruno. Bruno goes to the fisticuffs that drop Rashcke and Bruno covers….foot on the rope. Another TAPE EDIT has Bruno kicking Raschke around the ring. Another uppercut sends Raschke over the top rope to the floor. Bruno goes out to get him but Raschke sends Bruno in, getting his foot caught in the rope. Raschke grabs a plastic chair and slides into the ring. Baron waffles Bruno with it. Someone pelts the ring with garbage as Baron continues to kick away at the champion. The ref finally calls for the bell as the crowd starts getting unruly. Baron applies the dreaded claw but Tony Garea, Larry Zybysko and someone else hit the ring to pry Raschke off. Meanwhile the referee and Arnold Skaaland try to free Bruno. Having three guys to pry Baron off is good for heel heat. The announcer says Bruno has won by DQ as a sign in the crowd says “Bruno is Uno”. We cut here. Another match that turned into a brawl. Lou Thesz once said Bruno couldn’t wrestle, all he could do is brawl. Sounds a lot like Hacksaw Jim Duggan to be honest. Sure both he and Bruno COULD wrestle, but it was better for their character that they didn’t. Then again Bruno never played a character. Back then, Bruno got away with it because fans paid to see realism and that’s what they got. My grandfather used to scoff when I had wrestling on as a kid and Lex Luger would pop up after getting beat on for 5 minutes like nothing happened. Bruno would make the big comeback but would be winded or favoring a body part. The art of selling got lost in the 90’s and its even worse now. In terms of match quality, the crowd was into it but not his best work. I can forgive it only because Bruno was physically weak after carrying the company for the past 12 years. Think Hogan in 1992 or Austin by 2002 (although in his case, 4 years). Bruno would drop the title a little more than a month later.

 

Time of match: An unofficial 8:12 ( officaly 17:45)

Winner: Bruno Sammartino by DQ (still WWWF Champion)
Moving right along to the next match
Match 3

Bruno Sammartino (with Arnold Skaaland) vs Ken Patera

Commentator: Vince McMahon

 

After Bruno dropped the title to Billy Graham in Baltimore, Bruno shifted to Ken Patera the Olympic strongman. August 29, 1977 in Madison Square Garden saw the two legitimate strongmen go at it. We’re joined in progress as Patera is in the gray singlet and Bruno the green trunks. Bruno has a rear chinlock on as Bruno in the voiceover says he trained for the match by power lifting to match strength. Bruno says its one of the greatest bouts he ever had. Bruno stomps away at Patera flails and begs around as Bruno challenges him to come on. Bruno goes to the fisticuffs in the corner as Patera looks dazed. The ref gives Patera the standing eight count but Ken recovers with a series of boots to the head. Patera “Get up boyyyyy!” The crowd boos as Bruno does, in fact, get up. Bruno is whipped to the buckle as Patera scoop slams him. Patera drops an elbow but misses the second attempt. Patera clutches his right elbow but knees Bruno in the head. Once again we get fisticuffs as a shoulderblock drops both men as the bell inadvertently rings. Vince on commentary doesn’t mention it but the crowd is totally confused. Meanwhile Patera continues the onslaught with forearms to the neck. Patera misses the mark as Bruno rams his head into the mat. Bruno dazes Ken with a knee to the forehead and follows with a scoop slam. Bruno covers for 1…2…nope. A big right hand staggers Ken and an atomic drop sends Ken through the ropes to the apron. The referee gives Patera the standing eight count but Bruno stops the count with repeated kicks. Ken falls like a tree as Bruno backdrops Ken. Vince says victory appears imminent for Bruno but the cover only gets two. Patera rolls to the apron and babyface Sammartino lets him lie there. Patera slides back in and Bruno greets him with an uppercut. Patera returns the greeting with a low blow. Vince “Patera reaching for the abdominals”, bullshit Vince. Patera wobbles to the corner where he drops second rope boots to the back. Patera really sells being dizzy and we get a blatant choke! What a heel! Ken whips Bruno off and scoop slams him. Patera poses for the irate crowd and says “Wooooooo:” Patera covers Bruno but only gets a two. They brawl for a bit before Bruno slugs him into the corner. More fisticuffs end with a whip to the other corner. Patera bails to the apron and applies a full nelson from the outside. He follows Bruno back in the ring and Bruno goes for the “momentum rams Patera” spot but Patera stops and reapplies the full nelson. Bruno kicks off the buckle and it turns into a german suplex pin. The ref counts 1….2..Bruno gets the shoulder up…3…and there’s your winner. Ken thinks he’s won it as the crowd knows the truth. The ref raises Bruno’s arm in victory as Patera can’t believe it. Fink gets in the ring with a really bad comb-over and even worse 70’s tux and announces Bruno the winner. Another bad match and actually, I’m starting to believe what Ole Anderson said in his shoot interview. He said that Bruno was limited as a wrestler and the only reason he lasted so long at the top was that he wrestled the big cards every few months so fans didn’t see him often. That’s actually a great point because by the mid 90’s when guys were on once or twice a week, fans saw them more often and would point out every flaw they could. Great Khali was roasted over the coals for his “work” but that’s because fans saw him once or twice a week instead of every 3 or 4 months.
Time of match: 12:13

Winner: Bruno Sammartino by pinfall
We keep rolling to one of the most infamous feuds of the 70’s.
Match 4

Killer Kowalski vs Bruno Sammartino for the WWWF Heavyweight Championship

Commentator: Vince McMahon

 

Back to April 29, 1974 in Madison Square Garden for this epic encounter between the legendary Kowalski and Bruno. I’ll give a disclaimer before the match, this isn’t going to be pretty. Both were brawlers and both were nearly or over 40 but let’s see if the crowd intensity carries it. We’re joined in progress as Kowalski is in standard gear with Bruno in the black trunks. Bruno chases him around the ring and tackles him as Okerlund in the voiceover says Kowalski was such a madman he ripped an opponent’s ear off and laughed at him in the hospital. The truth is Kowalski dropped a knee on Yukon Eric (no not the Lumberjacks from TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS) who had badly cauliflowered ears and the ear came off by accident. Kowalski visited Eric in the hospital and they laughed together about the incident. The newspapers didn’t want to break kayfabe so they printed that Kowalski came to the hospital to laugh AT him. It established Kowalski as a viscious heel that carried him his whole career. Think Chris Benoit getting the nickname “crippler” by breaking Sabu’s neck. Anyway Bruno fireman carries Kowalski down, who crufixes the champion. Bruno in the voiceover praises Killer for his stamina, saying he once wrestled him for 90 minutes straight. Not bad since Kowalski was 47 years old at this time. Bruno and Killer exchange actual wrestling holds for pinfall attempts as Bruno in the voiceover says Killer was the toughest man he ever faced. Killer chokes Bruno on the bottom rope before kicking him on the ground. Killer goes for the blatant choke and the ref doesn’t even attempt to stop him. The crowd gets into it as Killer goes up to the top. Bruno throws him off the top and scoop slams him. Bruno covers for 1…2…nope. Bruno goes for a surfboard but Killer makes it to the ropes. Bruno looks out toward the crowd and they chair before dropping a knee to the back. Bruno pounds away in the corner but Kowalski gets the upper hand with the iron claw to the ribs. Killer bites the head of Bruno and does the big stomp off the second rope. Back to the iron claw, Bruno kicks him away a few times before picking him up with a double leg shot and dumping him over the top rope. Nice classic wrestling there. Bruno rams him into the post as Killer begins to stall. Back inside Kowalski lands a mediocre forearm as they both look gassed. A dropkick by Kowalski sends Bruno through the ropes to the outside. Back inside Killer scoop slams Bruno and covers for 1…2..nope. 2 big foearms sends Bruno through the ropes to the outside. Some old lady in the front row shouts at Killer as Bruno gets back to the ring steps. Killer catches Bruno on his way into the ring and bites the forehead. Kowalski punches in the corner and continues to bite Bruno. Sammartino finally blades but Kowalski won’t stop punching him in the corner Kowalski shouts at Skaaland and continues to bite and punch. Vince “How much can one man take?” Kowalski continues the onslaught in the corner as Bruno appears to be going for the big comeback. Bruno “Hulks up” ten years before Hogan would and starts beating the ever loving shit out of Kowalski much to the crowd’s delight. The crowd nearly blows the roof off as Bruno annihilates Kowalski with boots and fists. Eventually Kowalski fights back and they continue to slug it out. The crowd goes nuts as the ref calls for the bell…you gotta be kidding me. At least use a chair or do it on the outside if you’re gonna go with that finish. Arnold Skaaland tries to pry Bruno away from Kowalski as Chief Jay Strongbow, Pedro Morales and one of the Japanese wrestlers get in to stop the fight. Kowalski bails to the back as Vince says its absolute mayhem in the Garden. Sammartino complains to Morales as the announcer gets in the ring. The crowd isn’t happy with the decision but Bruno stomps around the ring, ready for round two with Kowalski. Arnold and Strongbow raises Bruno’s arms in victory as we cut here. Now that’s more like it. Ring of Honor spotfest jagoff marks can complain about the match being “shit” but they don’t know shit about wrestling to begin with. The story being told is Bruno trying to counter the dirty tactics of Kowalski with brawling. After Kowalski opened him up, he made the big comeback and the crowd loved it. The fans left thinking “Damn that was fun” and that’s the point. Who cares if they didn’t do triple moonsaults into reverse monkey fuckers or worked a half crab leg lock like Ole Anderson for 30 straight minutes?
Time of match: Joined in progress (officially 24:15)

Winner: Draw, Double DQ.
We now break the action for a little interview in the studio with Bruno and Okerlund. Okerlund says Bruno main evented the Garden 211 times and Okerlund says Bruno is the greatest of all time. Bruno says he’s been on top for 22 years (in WWWF, he started in 1959) as we get a graphic saying Bruno won the heavyweight title in 55 seconds on May 17, 1963. Bruno to this day claims the match was a shoot and knowing Buddy Rogers reputation, Bruno may be right. Bruno says he wrestled in Italy and played soccer until World War 2 broke out. He started power-lifting when he got to America because he was physically weak hiding in the mountains of Abruzzi. He set the world records in weight lifting in 1959 and a graphic shows Bruno picking up the 600 pound Haystacks Calhoun. Okerlund says Bruno vs Pedro in Shea Stadium was one of his favorites. Bruno says it rained all weekend and it was still a great match. Wish they could have shown that one on this tape. Bruno says you need to put forth your best effort in wrestling. Bruno is actually sweating and says in life, take care of your friends and family. We TAPE EDIT (yeah, on an interview) and Okerlund asks which generation is better, old or new. Bruno says he prefers the old school because of the athletic skill instead of the “screaming” which he means the promos. Bruno “Everything is hate, hate hate” It’s a nice babyface interview but the reality would be far worse which I’ll get to later. Okerlund asks him how he’s transitioning to announcer and Bruno says he’s not the best at it and gives credit to Gene, Monsoon and Vince for being able to do it. Gene asks if Bruno will come out of retirement and Bruno says he doesn’t do it for the money, he does it for the challenge. He says he wants to go in there against guys half his age and beat them because of his clean lifestyle. He was right on the money there. He’s still alive and kicking in 2016 while most everyone who competed at Wrestlemania’s 6 and 7 five years after this tape was released are currently dead. Okerlund concludes the interview by calling him the king of sports. The REAL reason Bruno started to detest wrestling was because it went from wrestling to sports entertainment. The sillyness of TNT plus the pageantry of Wrestlemania and the onslaught of fake wrestling, culminating in Vince coming out in public saying wrestling is scripted….drove Bruno away. He pretty much said to hell with WWE from 1988 to 2013 when he returned to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Those 25 years gone was a waste of time that nobody would ever get back. Good interview.

 

Next up is a special Piper’s Pit from October 21, 1985 in Madison Square Garden. Piper tells the crowd to kiss his ass and Bruno says “I never liked Piper” in the voiceover. Piper in real time “Ladies….no wait, we’re in New York. PEOPLE!!!” Hahaha. Bruno runs out and Bob Orton sets up a chair next to Piper’s. Bruno “You want to interview me? Get rid of this garbage” and he motions toward Orton. BURN! Bruno threatens Piper that he’ll bring in one of his friends to counter Orton unless Bob leaves. Orton wants to rumble but Piper whispers in his ear and sends him away. Piper “I have nothing to fear.” Piper “Are you a happy person now? Have a seat.” Piper “You’ll still be able to get up won’t you?” Piper waves the air “Garlic for lunch? You know we sit here face to face and I look at you, you’re so much uglier than I am.” Piper says people told him to call Bruno the “living legend”. Bruno cuts him off “You know why they call me the living legend, is because I’ve met many, many big mouthed people and I shut them all.” Piper gets up and retreats and Bruno stands up as well. Piper “You fought here at Madison Square 211 times, correct?” Bruno “That’s correct” Piper “How stupid can you be to wrestle 211 times when you’re all washed up?” Bruno “The 211th time I kicked my opponent’s butt so I couldn’t have been too washed up.” Piper “I noticed you lost a little weight” Bruno “I’m no longer 265, I’m 245. I’m in shape.” Bruno “I lost a lot of hair, just like my father, he lived to be 95.” Piper “Where are you from?” Bruno “I’m from Italy. By the way, in Italy we don’t wear skirts.” The crowd cheers and Piper retreats. Piper “It aint me that’s got a fat, little puke son running around imposing on daddy’s name.” Bruno “Don’t you get smart with me, interview me like a man or get out of here.” Piper “You think 15 years ago in your prime you could take someone like me who’s in my prime now. I know your ears are nasty and your nose is smeared all over your face, but try to think about it.” Bruno “15 years ago I would have squashed you like a grape and I could squash you like a grape now.” Piper “You stupid wop man!” Oh snap! Bruno shoves Piper on his ass and the crowd goes nuts. Piper waffles Bruno with the chair and goes to town on Bruno with it. The crowd pelts the ring with garbage as Piper rips Bruno’s shirt off. Piper kicks away at Bruno and sheds his own shirt. Monsoon on commentary says people will come out to save Bruno soon. Ventura on commentary says Bruno started it. Bruno then rallies with right hands, grabs a chair, swings at Piper and misses. Piper runs into Orton outside and they bail to the back. Bruno stands tall in the ring. The crowd starts a Bruno chant and we cut here. Now that was pretty damn good. Piper stung with insults but Bruno answered every single one of them. This was to set up Piper/Bruno now that Piper/Hogan had ended.
Match 5

Bruno Sammartino vs “Rowdy” Roddy Piper

Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon and Jesse “The Body” Ventura

 

December 7, 1985 in the Boston Garden saw the 31 year old Piper take on the now 50 year old Bruno. We’re joined in progress as both men are in standard blue trunks. Bruno rams Piper’s head into the ring post and Bruno in the voiceover saying he warned fans before the match that this was going to be a wild brawl. At least he was honest. Bruno on the floor rams Piper into various scenery as Monsoon calls this a pier six brawl. Piper is already busted open as Piper drops from a boot to the ribs. Piper begs off as Monsoon brings up the Piper’s Pit that brought this on. Bruno wipes out the referee after going to town on Piper and he apologizes. Piper takes advantage with a low blow and covers for 1…2…nope. Monsoon and Ventura praise Bruno’s stamina at 50 years old. Piper then goes to town on Bruno with a series of punches as referee Danny Davis checks the wound. Bruno rallies with right hands but an eye gouge stops the momentum. Piper sends Bruno to the outside and goes out after him. Piper rams Bruno head first into the steel barricade as Ventura says Piper looks to be in rough shape. Monsoon calls Piper gutsy as Bruno rallies with kicks that sends Piper outside. Piper goes for the exit but Bruno gets out and throws Piper back in. Piper and Bruno continue to brawl as Piper tries to bail again. Once again Bruno catches him and throws Roddy back inside. Piper begs off as the crowd cheers Bruno. Piper crawls away and Bruno exposes Roddy’s ass trying to bring him back in the ring. Piper punches and claws to stall Bruno and an axehandle floors Bruno. Ventura says before the match he’d give the stamina edge to Piper but now he’s not so sure. Monsoon says Bruno’s been running 5 miles a day 3 times a week. Did I mention he was 50? No wonder he’s still alive now. Bruno unloads on Piper when Cowboy Bob Orton runs in for the DQ. Bruno cuts him off and starts pounding away on Orton. Bruno cleans both of them out,tossing Orton over the top to the floor. Bruno visciously attacks Piper when Orton cracks Bruno with the cast on the back of the neck. Orton and Piper get the upperhand as Orton tosses Danny Davis aside. Piper even decks Davis for good measure. Orton and Piper tie Bruno in the ropes Andre style. Orton drops Davis one more time as Piper and Orton celebrate. We cut here and that was pretty good. Once again, throw catch as catch can out the window and go by pure intensity and story. The 50 year old Bruno proved he can still hang with the contemporaries.
Time of match: Joined in progress

Winner: Bruno Sammartino by DQ
Moving right along to the next match.
Match 6

Bruno Sammartino and “Mr Wonderful” Paul Orndorff vs “Rowdy” Roddy Piper and “Cowboy” Bob Orton

Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon and Jesse “The Body” Ventura

 

This match actually predates the last one. This was from September 28, 1985 in Boston Garden. Orndorff has a cast on his right arm to counter the one on the left of Orton. Both are in standard red trunks. Bruno and Piper are in the blue trunks. Paul and Bruno clear the ring as Orndorff drops Piper with the cast. Bruno and Piper brawl on the outside as Paul rams Piper and Orton’s head together. Finally we get started with Paul and Roddy in the corner. Paul chokes Piper with the tag rope and nails Orton for good measure. Orndorff revs up the crowd and tags Bruno in. Piper tags in Orton and Bruno clobbers him. Orton gets the upperhand with his cast and tags in Bruno. Piper slaps Bruno who responds by kicking his ass out of the ring. Bruno follows but Orton catches him. Orton distracts the ref and Piper clobbers Bruno with a wooden chair. Paul throws the chair inside and the referee takes it away. Bruno slides back in as Piper throws away the wooden steps, only for Orton to throw Bruno into them. Piper and Orton do the “I love you” sign in the center of the ring amidst a chorus of boos. Ventura says Bruno should have stayed retired. Ventura “Same thing could happen to you Gorilla” Bruno rallies in the corner and nails Orton but that gives Piper enough time to rake the eyes. Bruno ducks under a clothesline and wallops Piper with a forearm to the chest. Bruno tags in Orndorff who nails Piper with the cast. Paul nails Orton as well and goes for the piledriver on Piper. Bruno runs in to stop Orton but the ref intercepts him. Orton goes to the top and nails Orndorff with the cast. Piper rolls on top and the ref counts 1…..2….NOOOOO, Paul kicked out. Piper rams Orndorff into the corner as some idiot throws a Frisbee into the ring. Piper throws it at Bruno (perfect spiral too) and Orton makes an illegal tag in the ring. Orton covers Orndorff for 1…..2..nope. Orndorff rallies with the cast but Piper tags in. Piper unloads with right hands on the ground but Orndorff goes for the sunset flip. Orndorff pulls Piper’s trunks down and we get an uncensored shot of Piper’s ass as he goes down for 1…2..nope, Orton breaks the count. Piper continues to stomp away with his trunks down before making the tag to Orton. Orton pounds on Orndorff and goes for the piledriver but Orndorff counters with a backdrop. Paul clotheslines Orton down. Bruno finally gets the hot tag as Orton tags in Piper. Bruno throws Piper to the outside and they brawl on the ground. Orton and Orndorff go at it inside. Bruno chucks a chair and Piper’s head and it just barely misses. Piper pokes Bruno in the eyes 3 Stooges style and rolls into the ring to beat the count. The crowd doesn’t like it as Piper gets his hand raised. Piper and Orton retreat to the back before the faces can get to them. The announcer says the heels have won it by a count-out. That was a high intensity match but what’s the point of showing Sammartino losing? Once again, on a profile tape, Bruno loses. Unlike the almighty Hulkster who can’t lose….right? Ventura goes to the replay as Monsoon says both of them should have been counted out.
Time of match: Joined in progress

Winners: Piper and Orton by count-out
We finish up by going back to the past…..WHY?
Match 7

George “The Animal” Steele vs Bruno Sammartino for the WWWF Heavyweight Championship in a Steel Cage Match

Commentator: Gorilla Monsoon

 

We go back to July 25, 1970, no idea where we are, joined in progress during Bruno’s first run as champion for the cage match with Steele. This is pretty grainy footage and Steele attacks Bruno, tearing Bruno’s wig off. Steele also attacks Bruno with turnbuckle stuffing. Steele kicks Bruno from pillar to post and Bruno makes the exact same comeback he made against Killer Kowalski earlier. Monsoon says that was his trademark. Steele goes to escape and Bruno goes apeshit on him. Bruno sends him into the cage and continues to unload with punches. Bruno rams him into the steel ringpost. Bruno sends him into the cage again and Steele is out cold. Bruno steps through the ropes, down the steps and out of the cage as the crowd cheers. At least it was short. No idea why this was placed at the end but oh well.
Time of match: Joined in progress (officially 13:14)

Winner: Bruno Sammartino (still WWWF Champion)
The credits roll and this one is history. Time for the previews. We get BEST OF THE WWF VOLUME 8, MACHO MAN RANDY SAVAGE AND ELIZABETH and WWF’S EXPLOSIVE TNT SHOW. As for this one, it’s a shame we couldn’t get Bruno’s best work. Most of Bruno’s best work was during his first run as champion back before video footage was commonplace. Ole Anderson was right when he said seeing Bruno too often would explose his limited wrestling skills so seeing Bruno punch and kick for 80 minutes straight did become a bit redundant. But that’s just the in ring work, in terms of match intensity, storylines and realism, you bet your sweet ass this tape delivered. Wrestling was presented as real back then and Bruno embodied it. Natural muscles, natural conditioning and brawling tactics anyone would use in a street fight. Fans still talk about Bruno to this day as one of the greatest and this shows why. By 1986 he was nearing the end of the line and it was great for Vince to showcase him before he left. I give the tape 3 out of 5, 2 points off for the crappy in-ring work but definitely worth watching for classic, realistic wrestling. Plus the Piper segments were gold. We go from real to silly very quickly as the next tape after this is Best of The WWF Volume 7.

Villains of the Squared Circle (WF022)

 

VILLAINS OF THE SQUARED CIRCLE (WF022)

Like I had mentioned on ROWDY RODDY PIPER’S GREATEST HITS, the WWF had hit on a revolutionary concept. Showcasing the top babyface stars was nothing new in wrestling. From Verne Gage acting in The Wrestler, to Jerry Lawler being all over Memphis to WWF’s own Hulkamania. However, what all the regional territories failed to capitalize on was the other side of the spectrum. You didn’t see a Nick Bockwinkel t-shirt or video tape. You saw Lawler but was there a spotlight on Bill Dundee? There was no 4 Horseman tape in the Carolina’s. The WWF was the first to truly market and specialize the heels as well as the faces. We saw Roddy Piper get his own tape and some of the heel managers were highlighted in THE AMAZING MANAGERS but this one, we got em all. This tape is to showcase the villains both past and present that ran roughshod over the WWF. Will it be good to highlight the bad? Let’s find out. Cue the 1985 Coliseum Video opening and Mean Gene Okerlund is our host today….scratch that. He introduces guest hosts Bobby “The Brain” Heenan, King Kong Bundy and Big John Studd. Heenan says Okerlund to keep his mouth shut. Studd says he’s not a villain, he’s a very aggressive wrestler. Bundy says they’re winners. Okerlund and Heenan go back and forth and Studd says Okerlund is gonna get the splash before the tape is over. Okerlund runs down what we’re about to see as the truo howl with laughter. We then go to our first bout.
Match 1

Jake “The Snake” Roberts vs Scott McGee

Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon, Alfred Hays and Ernie Ladd

April 22, 1986 in Madison Square Garden is the date and venue for this non-legendary squash match. Okerlund in the voiceover says Roberts is the newest heel in the WWF and Heenan scoffs at the terminology Okerlund uses to describe him. The bell sounds and Roberts is in the purple tights with green snake imprints while McGee is in the red trunks. Roberts unload with right hands and rams McGee into the corner. Studd says he’s not afraid of snakes and Bundy says there are no asterisks in the record books, only says whether they won or lost. Okerlund sends it to the actual broadcast team as Roberts decks McGee with a right hand. Roberts goes for the snake in the bag but then delivers a stomach breaker. Roberts smiles as he rams McGee’s face into the ground twice and slithers around. Ladd asks Monsoon about Miguel Perez Sr and Monsoon says his son is wrestling now. Yeah, 10 years later he’d be one of the founding fathers of Los Borriquas. Back to live action, Roberts counters a running roll up but turns around into a dropkick. Roberts runs into a snap suplex and McGee wastes no time with a gut-wrench suplex and a pinfall attempt for 1….2..no. Jake slithers out of the ring as Monsoon and Ladd scoffs. McGee chases him back into the ring where he hiptosses Jake. A kneedrop stuns Jake and a pinfall attempt gets two. Jake begs off but McGee drags him into the center of the ring. McGee stomps Jake in the stomach then takes him down. Monsoon says Jake landed on the external occipital protuberance area as Ladd says “you lost me at the last red light.” McGee misses a knee drop and Jake hits the arm wrench/short arm clothesline combo. Jake goes for a scoop slam but Scott rolls through and goes for another running roll-up. Jake counters and then catches Scott with the D-D-T! Jake taunts the crowd as he makes the cover..1…2….3 and this ones over. Jake immediately goes for the bag where he unleashes the giant python Damien. Ladd asks why they would let Jake bring a snake out to begin with. Alfred marvels at the snake as Fink gets in the ring long enough to announce Jake the winner before skedaddling. Jake sicks Damien on McGee as Monsoon says snakes bite. Yeah, in about 5 years ask Randy Savage how it feels. After a few minutes of torture the crowd starts chanting Hogan as the announcers scoff. In terms of match quality, it was a 4 minute squash so no sense squawking about that. Mainly it was to highlight how devious Jake was to sick a live python on people. It worked tremendously.
Time of match: 4:02

Winner: Jake Roberts by pinfall
Moving right along to the next match
Match 2

Tor Kamata vs Pat Patterson

Commentator: Gorilla Monsoon

The Showdown at Shea on August 9, 1980 was known for the Bruno/Zybysko main event with the Hogan/Andre undercard but this match was apart of it too. We all know who Pat Patterson is, but who the hell is Tor Kamata? He was known as Mr. Moto in the AWA and regional territories where he feuded with Freddie Blassie. His real name is McRonald believe it or not. He was given the name Tor Kamata based off Tomas De Torquemada of the Spanish Inquisition. Guess who gave him that name, Hawaiian promoter Sir Ed Francis, father of New England Patriots tight end Russ who competed in the WRESTLEMANIA 2 battle royal. Three years prior to this match Kamata was used as a heel to get Bob Backlund over, grooming Bob for his feud with Superstar Billy Graham. Kamata attacks Patterson at the bell who Pearl Harbors Patterson as the bell rings. Kamata is in the long black tights and white stripe while Patterson is in the standard black trunks. Monsoon calls him “the big Jap” as Kamata levels Patterson with a dropkick. Try getting away with saying that now. Kamata goes up to the top rope but misses the big splash. Patterson goes up to the top rope and drops a knee. Patterson sheds his ring jacket who stomps away on Tor in the corner. At the time Pat Patterson was 39 and Kamata was 43 years old. Just goes to show age doesn’t make a difference in wrestling sometimes. Patterson whips Kamata in the corner and backdrops him. Monsoon says he went down like yesterday’s garbage. Monsoon brings up Patterson’s heel past as well. Kamata reaches into his tights for the salt and throws it…missing Patterson completely and nailing referee Dick Kroll with it instead. IDIOT! Kroll calls for the bell and this one is over. Patterson rallies with right hands and a scoop slam. Patterson goes for the pinfall and Kroll actually counts a 1 but Kamata kicks out and bails. We go to the replay of Kroll getting nailed and we cut here. Absolutely no idea why this match was included on this tape since Kamata was never a top heel. Maybe Vince was mad at Dick Kroll one day and decided to throw this match into the tape to get back at him for something. Who knows.
Time of match: 2:05

Winner: Pat Patterson by DQ

 

Moving right along to match number three.

 

Match 3

George “The Animal” Steele vs Pedro Morales for the WWWF Heavyweight Championship

Commentator: Vince McMahon

June 30, 1973 in Madison Square Garden saw a different Animal that modern fans know and love. Before Steele became the loveable goofball in the mid 80’s he was a savage heel for many years prior. Here, he takes on the champion. Both are in their standard gear. Morales and Steele trade blows as Steele nails Pedro with a hidden foreign object the ref can’t find. Heenan, Bundy and Studd make fun of Steele in the voiceover saying he’s no longer worth anything since he turned face. Studd “He’s not one of US anymore.” Meanwhile back to 73, Steele stomps away on Morales, send him off and scoop slams him. Steele catches Morales in the throat with the object as the fans scoff. Steele tells the ref he didn’t do anything as he goes to bite the turnbuckle. Meanwhile Morales lands two left handed punches that have the Garden rocking. The camera focuses on the left hand of Steele as Morales backs him around the ring. Morales stuns Steele with an arm drag and Steele retreats to the corner. Morales lands a forearm as we get a TAPE EDIT to Steele dropping Morales with a big punch. The ref once again checks Steele but can’t find anything. George rams Morales into the steel ringpost as screams “yesssss” to the irate crowd. Steele rams him a second time as the ref tries to push Steele away. George rams Morales a third time but the 4th attempt is blocked. Morales rams Steele into the ring post as the crowd goes nuts. Morales rams him into each post and Steele blades. Morales rallies with lefts and rights as flashbulbs go off. Steele begs off and Morales bites the forehead. Morales continues to rally with left hands as the referee checks Steele’s head and calls for the bell. Steele protests but the ref raises Pedro’s arm in victory. George then pulls the foreign object out and waffles Pedro with it. George continues to pound away but Pedro backs Steele away with lefts before he steals the object. Pedro chases Steele to the back as the crowd cheers. Steele runs back out after the announcer gives the news to the crowd but we cut here. As a scientific match, it sucked monkey fuck. In terms of insanity, realism and storytelling, that was awesome. I would have loved to have been in the Garden that night and feel the buzz as Morales tried to counter the “foreign object” of the Animal. Steele was a loveable face, but he was a great, savage heel in his earlier days.
Time of match: 8:16

Winner: Pedro Morales by stoppage (still WWWF champion)

 

Continuing along to match 4
Match 4

“Big Cat” Ernie Ladd vs Andre the Giant

Commentator: Vince McMahon

April 26, 1973 in Madison Square Garden saw the battle of the giants. Ernie Ladd was a legit 6 foot 9 and had played on the 1963 American Football League Champion San Diego Chargers during his football career as a defensive lineman. Then he shattered racial barriers by becoming one of the first black top heels. Most black wrestlers up to that point were loveable fan favorites such as Bearcat Wright, Bobo Brazil and Thunderbolt Patterson…and here comes Ladd as a heel. Andre is in the black trunks and Ernie in the light blue. We’re joined in progress with Andre kicking Ladd around the ring. Andre lands a big punch as Heenan tries to say the taped thumb on Ladd’s hand was 100% legit. Andre hammers away with a big headbutt as Ladd sells it like his head was on fire. Another headbutt drops Ladd into the corner. The ref tells Andre to back off as Ladd reaches for something in his tights. He nails Andre with the big thumb twice, dropping him to the mat. By the way, this was the smaller, leaner 26 year old Andre that could still bump and move around. They’re about equal size here height wise and Andre does have a weight advantage. Andre gets his left arm caught in the top rope and Ernie goes to town with boots. Andre frees himself and Ladd continues t land big right hands including a headlocked punch. Andre then grabs Ernie’s hand and punches him with his own taped thumb. Vince calls it a taste of his own medicine. Andre whips Ernie off and backdrops him. Andre goes for the big splash but Ernie slides out of the way. Ernie bails to the outside and retreats to the back, earning a count-out win for Andre. Vince says Ernie chickened out as the crowd boos Ernie then cheers Andre. That’s one way to keep your heel heat without doing a job. Once again, catch as catch can went out the window but the crowd was still into it with Andre trying to overcome the heel tactics of Ladd. Always great to see both of them, but even better to see the mobile Andre.
Time of match; Joined in progress

Winner: Andre the Giant by count-out
Moving along to match number five
Match 5

Captain Lou Albano vs Gorilla Monsoon

Commentator: Vince McMahon

What a treat. On the same card as Pedro/Steele from earlier was Captain Lou going one on one with Monsoon himself on June 30, 1973. Lou would turn 40 a month later while Gorilla clocked in at 36. Albano was a little lighter In 1973 as Monsoon looks the same as always. Both are in standard gear as Monsoon doesn’t want to wait for the announcer or referee’s instructions. Albano begs off before he takes his ring jacket off. Big John Studd in the voiceover says we’ll be seeing big, giant jellyrolls. Bundy says they’re broken down, old windbags which is ironic as Studd was older at that time (38) than Monsoon was during this match. Albano is built at 275 pounds, Monsoon 401 pounds. The ref tries to hold Monsoon back as he checks him for objects. The ref checks Albano who caters to the irate crowd. The bell rings and immediately Albano bails. He does this a few times before Monsoon lands some forearms in the corner before Lou counters with an eye gouge. Another one follows before Lou hits a third. A fourth one has Monsoon shambles around as the ref asks Albano what he’s up to. Albano continues to work the eye gouge before landing a boot. Monsoon counters with a slap and an eye gouge of his own. Vince “Turnabout is fair play” Monsoon sends Albano off and drops him with a big chop. Two overhand chops has Albano down. Monsoon then chops Albano over the top rope. Albano runs away and Monsoon gets the count out win. The crowd cheers as the ref raises Monsoon’s hand in victory. We go to the replay where Albano flies over the top and bails. Well that was a waste of time. They were better off showing Albano’s victory over Tony Angelo from THE LIFE AND TIMES OF CAPTAIN LOU ALBANO. Instead they showed a minute of Albano eye gouging before running away. Sure he was a villain, but he could have been showcased better than that.
Time of match: 1:43

Winner: Gorilla Monsoon by count-out
No nonsense, onto match 6

Match 6

Andre the Giant and Chief Jay Strongbow vs Blackjack Lanza and Stan “The Man” Stasiak

Commentator: Vince McMahon

We’re still in 1973 as this was from November 12, 1973 in Madison Square Garden. Its also the Coliseum Video debuts of the former WWWF Champion Stasiak and one half of the blackjacks, Lanza. Stasiak’s physique wasn’t really that impressive but he was a vicious heel and would be challenging Pedro Morales less than 3 weeks after this match for the heavyweight title. Stasiak was the first to use the heart punch as a finisher. Lanza and Blackjack Mulligan terrorized the territories as big, bruising cowboy heels throughout the 70’s and early 80’s. Stasiak wants no part of Strongbow so he bails to the apron only for Jay to head scissor him into the ring. Stasiak goes to bail but Jay is snap mared in. An arm drag stuns Stasiak and we get a TAPE EDIT. Stasiak is in the long black tights with red strpe, Strongbow is in the multi-colored trunks. Andre has the blue trunks on, Lanza in standard gear. Stasiak sends Strongbow off the ropes and…rakes the eyes. Stan makes the tag to Lanza and we cut here. Well that was worthless….didn’t even get to see the ending. What the hell were they thinking? At least show the ending. What’s the point of showcasing heels if Lanza hadn’t been in the ring yet?
Time of match: Joined in progress

Winners: Unknown
I dread to think what comes next if they refused to show the ending to that one.
Match 7

Don “The Magnificent” Muraco with Captain Lou Albano vs Special Delivery Jones

Commentator: Vince McMahon and Pat Patterson

Before we get to the Jones match, we’re joined in progress for a quick highlight of Muraco heaving Pedro Morales over the top rope to the outside. Okerlund calls Muraco strange as Bundy, Studd and Heenan praise Don and insult Okerlund. Jones is in the red trunks and Muraco the standard. Jones drops Muraco with a series of arm drags that has Muraco bailing to the outside. Vince says a win over Muraco would make Jones a top contender to the title. Which title Vince? SD Jones hits the sunset flip we see in the 85 Intro before every tape for 1….2…no. SD goes back to the headlock before Muraco counters with a back breaker. Muraco misses a Vader Bomb and SD goes back to the headlock. Patterson praises Jones for his patience. Muraco powers out of the headlock but Jones headbutts Don in the back. A few right hands stun Don and Jones goes back to the headlock takeover. Patterson “Very nice” Vince “The headlock is a defensive type of a hold, not an offensive.” Good call Vince. Muraco gets the upper hand with rights but SD lands left jabs to stun Muraco and a headbutt. Muraco whips SD into the corner where SD goes for the bodypress…only Muraco counters with a powerslam. Muraco hooks the leg and the ref counts the pinfall like in the 85 Opening. Both highlights from this match were used in the montage, nice. Anyway Muraco gets the pinfall victory as Vince says “How about that?” We go back to the instant replay. Good victory by Muraco and its nice to see where the opening montage comes from sometimes.
Time of match: Joined in progress

Winner: Don Muraco by pinfall
We go straight to an episode of TNT where Muraco cuts a promo. Its the same exact one he cut in RICKY THE DRAGON STEAMBOAT except its clipped. Don says there’s no more titles to win and he runs the darkside. Vince says there’s only one way to go, down. Muraco makes fun of Ricky Steamboat saying he likes fat broads (ironic given Bonnie was a looker in her day). Muraco “Put that in your pipe and smoke it brotha”. We go right to the next match after.

Match 8

Ricky Steamboat vs Mr. Fuji

This is the same match from Ricky The Dragon Steamboat only this is just a clip. We’re at the part where Fuji has the nerve hold, Vince calls Fuji a world class wrestler. Steamboat does the fade-then-revive routine. Ricky rakes the eyes and chops Fuji down. Ricky goes upstairs and catches Fuji with the flying crossbody for 1….2..nope, Fuji kicks out. Ricky goes for the big splash but Fuji gets the knees up. Bruno says that’s the first time he’s seen someone kick out of that and Vince says Ricky didn’t hook the leg. Ricky rolls through a back suplex, rolls up Fuji and gets the 1..2….3 to win the match. Steamboat celebrates on the outside as a little girl jumps the guardrail and runs toward Ricky only for her to stop and turn around. Steamboat goes to leave but Don Muraco runs out and hits Ricky in the back with a stool. The stool breaks in half as Fuji runs out and picks up the other half. They continue to beat on Ricky before leaving. Vince calls them dastardly. Now I see why they cut the match short, to show the extracurricular activity by Muraco. What a heel.
Time of match: 4:06

Winner: Ricky Steamboat by pinfall
Next up are “Rowdy” Roddy Piper highlights. Once again we get a clipped showing of Piper’s Pit where he attacks Jimmy Snuka. Then we get the clip of him slapping Alfred Hays across the face on TNT. Then we get a clip of Piper attacking Frankie Williams on Piper’s Pit. Then we get a clip of Piper and Lou Albano exchanging unpleasantries showcased on Albano’s tape. Only this time its extended as Albano flicks Piper on the nose. Piper responds by punching Albano over the couch and calling him a fat piece of garbage. Then we get his exchange with Mr. T that set up Wrestlemania1. All of these highlights are available on his personality profile tape. Then we get some clips of Piper in the ring. Only before that, Bundy tells Okerlund to shut up for calling him a jellyroll. Ha! Studd “Piper is a great friend of ours.”The clips of Piper and Schultz beating up Andre, Piper’s match with Snuka from St. Louis, Piper and Orton against Snuka and Tonga Kid. Once again, every single clip here was from another tape. It would continue with our next match.
Match 9

“Macho Man” Randy Savage (with Miss Elizabeth) vs Tito Santana for the WWF Intercontinental Championship

Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon and Jesse “The Body” Ventura

Wonderful, it’s the exact same match from WWF GREATEST MATCHES. We’re clipped well into the match where both Savage and Santana are down in the ring. Santana goes for the figure four, but Savage counters it by kicking him off. Randy slides to the ring apron to pull out something from his tights. He swings and misses and Tito goes for a back suplex, however Randy clocks Santana with the object on the way down. Randy crawls over on top of Tito and Davis gets down 1……2….THREE AND WE GOT A NEW CHAMPION. Thinking quickly, Savage tosses the piece of steel to the outside as Davis never saw it. Its official, the Macho Man is your new Intercontinental Champion. Savage limps to the back as Monsoon scoffs at the blatent cheating by the Macho Man, Ventura says it’s brilliant. The camera shows the cold roll of steel Savage clobbered Tito with before going to the replay. Monsoon continues to complain as we cut here. Nice to include Savage on this tape but the constant clipping is getting on my nerves now.

Time of match: Clipped for the tape

Winner: Savage by pinfall (New WWF Intercontinental Champion)
Rolling right along, its time for Terry Funk.
Match 9

Aldo Marino vs “Terrible” Terry Funk

Commentators: Vince McMahon and Bruno Sammartino

This was Funk’s WWF debut match on the June 17, 1985 edition of Championship Wrestling. The referee is the infamous Rita Marie which I’ll get to later. Okerlund says in the voiceover the reason the match is on here is because of the attendant putting Funk’s hat on his head. Bundy says the guy deserved it for ruining the hat. Studd says he could care less about Marino or Mel Phillips and Funk did a good job. Basically what happened was Mel had too much stuff in his hands so he put the hat on his head in order to carry everything. Vince laughs but Funk gets enraged and beats the crap out of Mel. Vince scoffs as Funk throws Marino out of the ring. Funk continues to beat the daylights out of Phillips. Marino tries to help out but Funk sends him out of the ring again. Funk then tosses Phillips out for good as Vince continues to complain. Sammartino “That’s Terry Funk, he’s got some reputation.” The security guards literally carry Mel out of the arena as Funk goes to work on Marino with left hands and chops in the corner. Funk drops Marino and stomps on him as Rita Marie admonishes him. Funk heaves Marino through the ropes to the outside as Funk hits the floor himself and goes to attack a fan. Marino staggers back to the ring where Funk gets whipped to the buckle. Aldo then heaves Funk to the floor. Marino hits a dropkick that sends Funk over the top to the outside. Back inside Funk delivers a back suplex to quell the momentum. Funk kicks the guy in the head and snap suplexes him. Funk goes for the spinning toe hold and applies it. Marino gives it up and Funk is the winner. Funk goes to the outside and yells at the irate crowd and we cut here. Why was Rita Marie infamous? Several years later she went on the Geraldo Rivera show and claimed Vince raped her in a limousine. Why it took her 6 years to come out with it was partially the reason nobody ever thought much of it. Did it happen? Who knows. What DID happen is Funk beat the crap out of Mel Phillips…and it sure was funny.
Time of match: 4:05

Winner: Terry Funk by submission
Can we we keep the momentum going in match ten?
Match 10

Corporal Kirchner vs The Iron Sheik (with Classy Freddie Blassie and Nikolai Volkoff)

Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon, Alfred Hays and Ernie Ladd

After Kirchner dispatched Nikolai Volkoff at Wrestlemania 2, Sheik got the next crack at him on April 22, 1986 at Madison Square Garden. This was on the same card as Roberts vs McGee at the beginning of this tape. Sheik is in the yellow trunks with Kirchner in his standard gear. Kirchner hands his hat and American flag to Mel Phillips and does NOT attack him like Funk did earlier. The Iron Sheik DOES attack Kirchner as he gets to the ring still with his turban and robe on. Sheik whips Kirchner off and clotheslines him. Sheik chokes Kirchner with the head piece as Ladd notices the bell never rang. Sheik sheds the robe, whips Kirchner off and backdrops him as the bell finally rings. Sheik spits on Kirchner and caters to the irate crowd. Shiek gives the crowd the arm and the elbow as Hays says Sheik has no dignity. Monsoon brings up the world and tag title reigns of Sheik as Kirchner leapfrogs him and scoop slams him. Kirchner drops an elbow, drags Sheik to the corner and rams him ballsack first into the ring post, ow. Kirchner punches and headbutts the Sheik. Kirchner delivers a snap suplex then covers for 1…2…nope. A gut wrench suplex is followed by another cover for a nearfall. Kirchner misses a dropkick just as Ladd praises him. Sheik stops away then delivers a gut wrench of his own. The cover only gets a deuce and Kirchner is met with a kick to the head. Sheik goes for the abdominal stretch as Monsoon says he doesn’t have it synched in properly. Kirchner hiptosses Shiek and drops a knee….but misses the elbow drop. Sheik whips the corporal off and he goes for the sunset flip, but only gets a two count. Sheik whips Kirchner off but he gets kicked in the head this time. Sheik begs off but then sends Kirchner to the floor where Volkoff whacks Kirchner with Blassie’s cane. The ref counts to 10 and calls for the bell. Volkoff tosses Kirchner in the ring and they double team Kirchner. Sheik loads up the boot and kicks Kirchner in the chest. Volkoff goes to town with right hands until Kirchner tries to fight back. He goes outside and grabs a chair, which causes The Unamericanz to bail. Nice to see The Unamericanz and Freddie Blassie showcased.
Time of match: 6 minutes

Winner: Iron Sheik by count-out
As we head towards the end, now its time to highlight our three co-hosts. We begin with the Manager of the Year ceremony highlighted in Amazing Managers. I’ll just repost. King Kong Bundy and Big John Studd stand guard outside the ring while Bobby Heenan, Captain Lou and Hillbilly Jim stand next to the trophy with “Mean” Gene Okerlund our MC for the evening. Okerlund says the WWF has received one million votes and thanks the fans but Heenan grabs the mic. Heenan reels off the heel managers and says they all gave up their votes for Heenan to win. Added with Heenan’s votes alone, Heenan gets 519,711 votes. Bobby proclaims himself the manager of the year and grabs the trophy. Hillbilly Jim asks how many votes he has and Okerlund answers he has 316,428 votes. He asks how many Lou has and 314,166 is the total. Jim then gives up his votes to Lou which means…oh yes…CAPTAIN LOU ALBANO has won the 1985 WWF Manager of the Year award. Heenan goes beserk as Jim congratulates Captain. Heenan then nails Albano with the trophy as Okerlund hightails it out of there. Studd and Bundy hit the ring and suddenly Jim is down 2 against 1. Studd tackles Jim and Bundy splashes him again and again like we saw with Andre earlier in the tape. Heenan smashes the trophy. Bundy splashes Jim again but finally Cousin Junior and Uncle Elmer make their appearance. The Heenan family bail to the back as the hillbillies tend to Jim and Albano. Great way to maintain heel heat by Heenan’s crew.

Next is the attack on Andre the Giant by Bundy and Studd also highlighted on Wrestling’s Amazing Managers.
Match 11

Andre the Giant vs “Big” John Studd with Bobby “The Brain” Heenan

Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon and Jesse “The Body” Ventura

We’re joined in progress as Studd and Andre are locked up. Studd works over the left arm as Andre grabs the hair and headbutts him. Another headbutt stuns Studd but John counters a backdrop by dropping the giant with a kick to the head. Studd drops two elbows as Heenan hops up on the apron with a pair of scissors. He hands Studd the scissors but Andre grabs Studd’s wrist and bites it. Andre headbutts and chops Studd then kicks Heenan who attempts to retrieve the scissors. Andre punches him out of the ring and grabs the scissors. He grabs Studd, punches him and slams him to the mat. He goes to cut Studd’s hair as Ventura scoffs….but have no fear Jesse for Bundy is here. King Kong Bundy makes his way to the ring and nails Andre just as he’s finished cutting a strand of hair off. Bundy repeatedly nails Andre with forearms as Studd gathers his bearings. Andre tries to fight back but Studd tackles him to the ground, allowing Bundy to land a big splash. Studd continues to hold the legs and Bundy splashes Andre again….and again. The ref tries to get Bundy out of there but to no avail as Heenan whips Bundy who splashes Andree for a 4th time. Cousin Junior, Rick McGraw, The Killer Bees and Lanny hit the ring to save Andre. Studd is irate at Andre cutting a bit of his hair as Bundy and Heenan try to calm him down in the entrance way. Bundy was fast becoming a monster heel and this match is what set up the big Saturday Night’s Main Event showdown between Andre and Hogan teaming against Bundy and Studd.

Time of match: Joined in progress

Winner: Andre the Giant by DQ
Next we’re shown the highlight of King Kong Bundy’s attack on Hulk Hogan which set up Wrestlemania 2. Hogan was wrestling The Magnificent Muraco when Bobby Heenan accosted Hogan leading to Hogan attacking The Brain. Bundy hit the ring and beat up Hogan, avalanching him a few times in the corner with the aid of Muraco. Bundy even threw the referee to the outside to boot. Muraco drags Hogan to the center of the ring and holds him down as Bundy delivers a big splash. Muraco turns Hogan over and Bundy hits another splash. Bundy spits on Hogan as we cut here. More dastardly tactics which was the point of the tape. Now we head to the final match on the tape….which was previously covered on ANDRE THE GIANT.
Match 12
Andre the Giant and Special Delivery Jones vs “Big” John Studd and Ken Patera (with Bobby Heenan)
Commentators: Vince McMahon and Bruno Sammartino
Can we get anymore stock footage? I swear 90% of this tape is highlights previously featured on other tapes. Anyway, December 15, 1984 was the date for this infamous moment. Studd in the voiceover praises Patera who’s “not with us at the moment but still in the family” meaning Patera was in jail at the time for real. Okerlund tells Studd he stucks as a barber and Heenan tells him to shut up. Back to the match itself, Andre teams with mid-card jobber Jones to take on the Heenan Family members. Ken’s got the bleach blonde hair and Olympic singlet as Andre wears his Wrestlemania 1 tights (which wasn’t for another 3 ½ months). Jones starts out with former IC champ Patera. Jones leaps over Patera and hooks him arm for the big drag. Andre tags in and wrenches the arm then headbutts it. Jones tags in with an axehandle to the arm before flipping him over. Ken gets his arm free and executes a backbreaker before tagging in Studd. John delivers a series of forearms then floors Jones with a back elbow smash. Studd puts the boots to him then tags in Patera who picks up where Jones left off. Patera continues to slug away but a backdrop attempt earns a kick to the face. Jones hits a headbutt that sends Ken into the face corner where Andre tags in. Patera backdrops Jones over the top to the concrete floor as Andre stalks Ken in the ring. Andre pounds on Ken in the corner then ass bumps him a few times. Patera gets a knee to the back then delivers a forearm to the back of the head. Patera holds Andre for an interfering Studd and they both pound away on the giant. Both men are able to slam Andre together then they both put the boots to him. Studd holds Andre down as Patera scales the second rope for a kneedrop. The ref calls for the bell as Patera and Studd continue to punch and kick at the fallen giant. They trade dropping elbows before Patera holds Andre down for Bobby Heenan to toss a pair of scissors to Studd. Studd proceeds to cut Andre’s trademark afro. The referee makes no attempt to stop the two heels as Patera drops Andre. Studd continues to cut the hair as the fans pelt the ring with garbage. Heenan gets in the ring and kicks Jones out of the ring. Vince says they’re raping Andre of his dignity. Try getting away with saying that now. Heenan, Andre and Patera celebrate with chunks of Andre’s hair as the heels bail to the back. We go to the replay of Patera using his legitimate Olympic strength as Studd cuts the hair. Short match but fun for historical purposes. Andre had a big afro for his entire career but would wrestle the final years with short/medium length hair.

Time of match: 3:44
Winners: Andre the Giant and SD Jones by DQ
The credits roll and this one is history. Before we go, its time for the previews. Monsoon shills BEST OF THE WWF VOLUME 8, MACHO MAN RANDY SAVAGE AND ELIZABETH and MOST EXPLOSIVE TNT SHOW. As for now, that was an average tape. They had to cram years and years of heels into a 75 minute VHS tape. Nowadays this would be a 2 disc blu-ray with loads of extras, promos and footage. Can’t fault 1986 technology for its time period. The action ranged from decent to hot so no sense squawking about that. The only complaint I have is most of the footage was from previous Coliseum Video tapes so there was barely anything new, but then again, not everyone has all the tapes so they could be seeing this for the first time. As a standalone highlights tape, its worth a look. I give it 4 out of 5 despite the cram job. The next tape after this is BRUNO SAMMARTINO: WRESTLING’S LIVING LEGEND so I’ll see everyone there.

Wrestlemania 2 (WF021)

After the outstanding success that was WRESTLEMANIA shown on closed circuit television, Vince figured pay per views were the thing of the future, unfortunately his debut in 1985, WRESTLING CLASSIC ultimately bombed. This however would be his first real test, as for some peculiar reason he decided to show Wrestlemania in 3 separate venues across the country. The first portion would be held in New York, the second in Chicago and the third in Los Angeles. Now with 3 venues, the announce team was spread thin so they had guest commentators. New York would be Vince himself and Susan St James, the wife of NBC head honcho Dick Ebersol (which broadcasted Saturday Night’s Main Event). Chicago would be Mean Gene Okerlund, Gorilla Monsoon and Cathy Lee Crosby, the wife of Washington Redskins star QB Joe Theismann (who’s leg was so badly mangled he couldn’t even be in the battle royal). Los Angeles would be Jesse “The Body” Ventura, Lord Alfred Hays and Elvira….yes that Elvira. The Coliseum Video version opens with Mean Gene shilling the action for about 5 minutes until we get started. I should point out the original video is only 2 hours long while the Wrestlemania 97 Boxset version is 3 hours long. I’ll be doing the 3 hour version. Obviously the original Coliseum Video version had to drastically edit their stuff, I feel bad for the folks living around that time period.

APRIL 7, 1986

NEW YORK PORTION

NASSAU COLISEUM

UNIONDALE, NY

Commentators:  Vince McMahon and Susan St James

After a beautiful rendition of America the Beautiful by Ray Charles we are sent to an interview with Lou Duva, “Rowdy” Roddy Piper and “Cowboy” Bob Orton. Duva hypes up Piper as a better heavyweight prospect than anyone else at the time….which actually isn’t as farfetched as it seems, other than Mike Tyson and Trevor Berbick the division SUCKED in 1986. Anyway Piper cuts a promo in a very high pitched voice saying if Mr T knocks him out, he’ll retire from boxing, wrestling, tiddlywinks and dating girls. He also says you’ll never see him paint himself black, 4 years after this at Wrestlemania he did the exact thing he said he’d never do. Anyway, on to Susan and Vince to get things rolling.

Match 1

“Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff vs “The Magnificent” Don Muraco (with Mr. Fuji)

The storyline here was Orndorff had befriended Hogan since last Wrestlemania, and when Muraco and Bundy double-teamed Hogan prior to Wrestlemania, Orndorff vowed revenge for the Pearl Harbor job. The production for this event sucked so bad they had the pre-recorded comments played DURING THE MATCH as opposed to before. They compare physiques as the bell sounds before a test of strength solves nothing. Orndorff works a headlock before running into a scoop slam by Muraco. Orndorff counters with a nip-up and a slam of his own then makes fun of Mr Fuji (with the derby hat) in a racist manner before giving him the arm and the elbow much to the crowd’s delight. Muraco knees Orndorff in the corner but Paul reverses a whip and hits a backdrop/armdrag combo before applying an arm-bar. Muraco walks on the second rope to armdrag Orndorff but Paul holds on. Muraco’s sweating profusely even though the match is about 2 minutes into it. Orndorff continues to work over the left arm and shoulder as Vince says this is the first time they’ve ever wrestled….hmm. Susan says Orndorff is applying ancient chinese torture techniques….um, yeah. Muraco counters with a samoan drop and a right hand then rams Paul into the top turnbuckle. Orndorff ralies before they both slowly topple to the floor. They beat each other on the outside until the ref counts to 10 and the match is over. The crowd is PISSED at the double-countout and chant bullshit, Vince “The crowd certainly doesn’t like the outcome of this!” Vince sends it to the ring for the official announcement which never comes, so he goes to the back for an interview with Mr T and his entourage.

Time of Match: 4:34

Winners: No one:  Double count-out

Mr T along with boxing legend Smokin Joe Frazier and midget lesson Haiti Kid rants and for whatever reason, the cameras are filming this as Howard Finkel is announcing the results of the previous match. Told you the production values for this were non-existant. Mr T says he’s gonna beat the crap out of Piper. Anyway on to the next match….
Match 2

George “The Animal” Steele vs “Macho Man” Randy Savage (with Elizabeth) for the WWF Intercontinental Championship

The storyline here was actually enjoyable and fun to watch play out. Randy Savage was the cocky heel champion who treated Elizabeth like dirt, George Steele was everyone’s favorite clumsy beast who had the hots for Elizabeth. Steele was actually a high school teacher in Michigan so he used to wrestle in the 60’s and 70’s only in the summer, and with no Dave Meltzer and national syndication around back then no one in his home town would ever know his true identity. George was actually my father’s favorite wrestler of all time and he used to tell me how the ol Boston Garden crowd used to love the gimmick. Anyway, like I said before I ran off track, Steele had a crush on Elizabeth so Savage didn’t take too kindly to that, so we have this match for the IC title recently won by Savage at the ‘Gahden’ over Tito Santana. Savage enters to his famous theme song as a pre-recorded comment saying he’s Macho Madness and he’s gonna win, ohhh yeah. Susan wants George to win because of the way Randy treats Elizabeth and will openly root for The Animal the whole match. Steele Animal Taunts (raises his arm over his head and chases his opponent) Savage to the floor with great speed considering he was 9 days away from his 49th birthday. Savage gets back in and tries to psych out Steele….yeah right, like THAT’S gonna work. Savage goes outside, grabs a chair and swings it in George’s direction before getting back in. George and Savage plays a game of cat and mouse before George catches him and bites him on the calf. Susan “Allright George, eat his leg!” Savage hobbles around the ring before hitting a running knee, knocking Steele in the corner. Steele does a baldo bomb (!!!) to Savage before taunting the Macho Man. George sticks his body haflway through the ropes to say hi to Elizabeth so Savage spins him behind, getting the animal tied up in the ropes. BRILLIANT! Savage puts the boots to Steele before he’s untied. Savage goes upstairs and hits a very sloppy looking bodypress for 1…2….nope, Steele press slams him through the ropes to the outside. Steele punches away at Randy inside the ring then throws him through the ropes to the outside. Savage then crawls underneath the ring, re-appears on the other side, gets in and delivers a high knee to the back of the confused Animal. Savage goes for a clothesline but Steele catches him and bites the arm. In a comical spot, Savage goes to grab the hair…cept there isn’t any on Steele’s head, just all over his body as told by McMahon. Steele hammers away on Savage in the corner before Randy goes outside and grabs a bouquet of flowers. He hits Steele with the flowers but Steele again bites him on the arm. George grabs the flowers and shove them into Randy’s face then whacks him a bunch of times with them. Steele whips him in the corner but then goes for his trademark turnbuckle snack. Steele rips open the top turnbuckle with his teeth then attacks Savage with the stuffing inside. Steele grabs another handful and shoves it in his face, Vince “Here’s another swallow coming up!”. George grabs a third handful and rakes the eyes with it as Vince makes note the ref is letting a lot of this stuff go. Steele chases Savage outside again but Savage leads George over to Elizabeth, where the dumb animal trys to court her. Savage uses it to his advantage as he climbs to the top and hits the double axe-handle to the floor. Back inside Savage scoop slams Steele as Susan makes a great point how Randy uses Elizabeth to his advantage. Savage goes upstairs and hits the flying elbow drop and covers for 1….2…nope, Steele kicks out at 2. Steele grabs by Randy by the nose, Vince “The Animal with a handful of face, what’s he gonna do with it?” before throwing him into the corner. Steele charges but the ref stops him, so Steele shoves him out of the way only to be tripped up by Savage who Flair pins for 1….2…3 its over. Savage was bitten, attacked with flowers and turnbuckle stuffing yet is still the Intercontinental Champion. George eats another turnbuckle as a consolation prize. Well….in terms of catch as catch can the match didn’t deliver but in terms of entertaining, definately enjoyable to watch over and over again. Ironically this would be the only match other than the battle royal I was looking forward to, brace yourself for the rest. George attacks the ref with the stuffing and chases him out of the ring as George Wells enters the ring.

Time of match: 7:07

Winner: Randy Savage by pinfall

We go to Mean Gene Okerlund over in Chicago to kill some time as the turnbuckles are replaced, which begs the question why that match wasn’t shown last before the boxing fight? Anyway Bill Fralic of the Atlanta Falcons gets in Big John Studd’s face and calls him the dud as Studd squashes a football and say he’s gonna do the same to Bill. Studd “I’m gonna get Perry and I’m gonna get you punk!” Gene tries to restore order as we are sent back to Vince and Susan. Vince asks Susan if she likes snakes and she says maybe Jake will lose so we don’t have to see Damien….all good in theory.

Match 3

George Wells vs Jake “The Snake” Roberts (with Damien)

Here’s an interesting pair-off. George Wells was football and wrestling star for New Mexico State before being drafted by Tom Landry and the Cowboys in 1971. Although he didn’t really make in in the NFL, he became a star in the Canadian League in the 1970’s before becoming a mainstay in the Stampede Wrestling. Wells actually was more much accomplished as a wrestler than meets the eye as he travelled to Mid-Atlantic, Central States and even the occassional Japanese tour well before coming to the WWF. Wells was 39 years old at the time and he’s going up against hot new star Jake “The Snake” Roberts so we know who’s going over. By the way, this was also Jake’s Coliseum Video debut. Jake enters without music and George attacks him immediately, wasting no time. George rallies with right hands and a backdrop on the stunned snake. George goes to town with forearm uppcuts before Jake hits a knee to the gut and throws him outside. Jake slithers outside where Wells cuts him off with right hands again before rolling him inside. George ducks under a leapfrog and blasts Jake with a flying shoulder tackle, shades of his CFL days as mentioned by McMahon. George looks a little like Tony Atlas only shorter with a gut, so when he headbutts Jake I actually thought it was Tony for a second. George whips Jake into the corner and hits a flying head scissors as Jake calls for time-out. Wells scoop slams Roberts as Vince mentions George has gained about 30 lbs in the last 6 months…..uh oh, getting old sucks doesn’t it. George does a knee lift that Jake sells by almost flopping out of the ring. George sends him off and powerslams him for 1..2…nope, gotta hook the leg! Jake rakes the eyes then slithers out of the ring again as Wells chases. Jake slithers into the ring and does a knee lift to George as he enters the ring. BRILLIANT! Jake taunts the crowd and delivers the D…..D….T to George then covers for 1….2….3 and its over. Sheesh, this looked to be a jobber match for Wells until Roberts hit the DDT, just to show how deadly the move was considered back then. After the match, Jake lets Damien out and sicks him on George, who proceeds to foam at the mouth after Damien synches in on the neck. Susan is visibly grossed out as is everyone watching on ppv before Jake notices George is legit choking so he removes the snake and taunts the crowd. Susan says George blew his chance to win the match early on as Vince says Roberts is still undefeated. We go back to the replay which shows George rolling into the DDT which is HIGHLY dangerous. What a shame George Wells had a great CFL career and a dozen or so years in the wrestling business yet will only be remembered for frothing at the mouth at Wrestlemania 2.

Time of match: 3:06

Winner: Jake Roberts by pinfall

The next segment is Susan and Vince discussing what we just saw then going to a highlight package of the Piper/T feud. Mr T had been at it with Piper since the first Wrestlemania a year earlier and things escalated after Mr T beat Bob Orton in a boxing match. Piper…a legitimate boxer before his wrestling days took exception to this and challenged T to a fight at Wrestlemania. We then go to Jesse Ventura over in LA with an interview with Hulk Hogan. Hogan plays off his rib injury saying it won’t matter and he’ll beat Bundy then says T is going to beat Piper as Ventura scoffs. Lets go to Howard Finkel to get to the main event of the New York portion. I should point out that the Piper interview from earlier on this version is shown here on the Coliseum Video version. They may have edited out an hour worth of footage but at least they edited the interview in at the right spot.

Boxing Match

Mr T (With Haiti Kid and Joe Frazier) vs “Rowdy” Roddy Piper (with Lou Duva and Bob Orton)

Now here’s an oddity, rather than have them wrestle (which Piper would have dominated) someone figured to get Mr T involved by digging to his Clubber Lang roots in a boxing showdown with the Rowdy one. Only problem was Roddy was a former New York golden gloves fighter so Mr T is STILL overmatched. The guest ring announcer is motormouth actress Joan Rivers. The guest judges are NBA star Darryl Dawkins (who plays for the Nets so half the crowd boo’s and the other cheers, heh), Watergate judge G Gordon Liddy and actor Cab Calloway. The guest timekeeper is none other than Herb The Nerd of the old Burger King “Where’s Herb” commercials. Vince says Mr T is the more experienced fighter which had to be said or else it would give away Piper’s background, which was a big no-no in 1986 WWF world. There will be 10 rounds 3 minutes apiece and Piper completely ignores the referee’s instructions and insults Mr T the whole way. Bell rings and the fight’s underway….Piper controls early with the jabs and T just backs up. Piper hand’t boxed in years and T is not really a fighter so this looks sloppy. I used to be an amateur boxer so I know when someone’s dogging or not and its quite clear Piper could knock T out in 3 seconds but he’s carrying him to entertain the crowd. Mr T just kept backing Piper in the corner and its a mess at the end of the round. Joe Frazier grabs a hold of Lou Duva as the seconds try to pry the fighters apart. The second round begins as the crowd begins to boo the proceedings because the referee stops the fight to wipe sweat off Piper’s face. Piper continues to control with the jab and right hooks as T covers up. T fights back with sloppy looking hooks and jabs so Piper just stands there. Piper again controls with the jab and fires away in the corner with right hooks before Mr T attempts to rally. Piper blasts with right hook after right hook and then T goes down. T utitlizes the standing 8 count before Piper closes in at the end of the round and knocks him down as the bell rings, guess you can’t be saved by the bell in any round. Piper’s just kicking the crap out of Mr T so to save face they have Bob Orton throw a bucket of water in Mr T’s corner. The 3rd round begins and Mr T is obviously winded so Piper continues the rope-a-dope before T sneaks a nice uppercut in. T plods away at Piper with body punches in the corner and Piper actually goes down from a few blows. Piper gets up the count of 8 so its 2 knockdowns to 1 in favor of Piper, so T continues to press advantage. T punches Piper with a right cross and Piper sells it by falling through the ropes to the outside….that was staged, it barely touched him. Piper crawls back in to beat the count as the 3 knockdown rule is in effect so one more and Piper’s done. Nothing else happens the rest of the round and the bell rings, then Susan St James blows the ending saying Piper might try something unsavory in this round. Piper throws the stand at Mr T and almost takes his leg out. They exchange right hooks in the center of the ring and at this point its all stages as there’s no way these guys should be keeping their arms low after 4 knockdowns. They knock each other’s mouthpieces out before they cram into the corner. Piper shoves the ref down then scoop slams Mr T, so much for boxing. The ref calls for the bell and a pier 6 brawl erupts in the ring. Lou Duva and Joe Frazier wrestle each other before Joe moves over to Orton. The ref raises Mr T’s hand in victory before Piper jumps on him….gawd just end this mess will ya? That was so staged at the end, but anway that’s it for New York so lets send it to Chicago and Gorilla Monsoon.

Time of match: 4th round

Winner: Mr T by DQ

CHICAGO PORTION

ROSEMONT HORIZON

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS

Commentators:  Gorilla Monsoon, “Mean” Gene Okerlund and Cathy Lee Crosby

Gorilla says hello and hands the mic to Mean Gene who hypes the battle royal. Monsoon brings in Cathy Lee Crosby of That’s Incredible fame to give her two cents before sending things to the ring announcer to begin our second portion of Wrestlemania 2

Match 5

Velvet McIntyre vs The Fabulous Moolah for the WWF Women’s Championship

Moolah had won the Women’s title from Wendi Richter back in November in the original screwjob (Spider Lady) and Velvet was next in line. Both were phenominal workers and that was remarkable considering Moolah would turn 63 later in the year, so let’s see how this turns out. There is a one hour time limit but I don’t see this going THAT long. Moolah attacks Velvet at the bell although the ref got in her way at the beginning. Moolah takes her over with several hairgrab snap mares and a right hand. Not bad for a 62 year old I must say, Moolah levels Velvet with a clothesline but misses a second. Velvet delivers 2 one legged dropkicks and a back elbow smash. Velvet scoop slams Moolah and goes upstairs, but misses the splash. Moolah covers for 1…2….3…and its over….wow, Velvet’s foot was on the bottom rope the whole time and nobody saw it. Not the ref, Monsoon, Cathy Lee, Mean Gene or Chet Coppock the ring announcer. The match had a 60 minute time limit and it didn’t even go 60 seconds, which was a shame considering the talent level of Velvet. Although Velvet would gain a measure of redemption at the inaugeral Survivor Series a year later, this would be her first and only Wrestlemania appearance unfortunately. That was way too short but it was good while it lasted, Chet Coppock announces the winner as Monsoon goes to the replay where once again her feet are on the ropes but nobody sees it.

Time of Match: 59 seconds

Winner: Fabulous Moolah by pinfall (still Women’s champion)

We go to the announce table as Mean Gene and Monsoon hype up the upcoming tag team title match and the battle royal. Cathy Lee says the football players have no chance of winning the battle royal, heh. Back to ringside for the next match.

Match 6

Corporal Kirchner vs Nikolai Volkoff (with Freddie Bladdie) in a Flag Match

This concept was stupid, the winner gets to raise the flag he represents…..so basically the next week on WWF All American Wrestling Nikolai Volkoff could come out with the Soviet and go back to normal? Whatever….if it wasn’t for Classy Freddie Blassie I’d hit the fast forward button…..which I actually hit when Volkoff does his singing gig. Like I said on my WRESTLING CLASSIC review (in case you missed it) Sgt Slaugher bolted for the AWA they brought in Corporal Kirchner to basically be the face militant of the company. Kirchner was actually left off a lot of cards after Wrestlemania because he was so tough in and out of the ring, most of the guys in the back were legitimately afraid to work with him. Corporal enters to music which was unheard of at the time unless you were Hogan or Savage, heh. Monsoon reminds Cathy Lee how rotten Blassie is outside the ring as we get started.  Volkoff does his spinning kick to the mid-section and a knee lift. Volkoff throws Kirchner outside and rams him into the ringpost, then bites him Freddie Blassie style. Even ol Freddie has a smile on his face when Volkoff sinks the teeth into Kirchner. Volkoff rams him into the ringpost again then rolls back inside as Freddie taunts Corporal by saying “Get in there ya yellow belly!” Kirchner is busted wide open but he rallies with right hands back inside and then forearms the referee halfway across the ring. Freddie Blassie trys to throws his cane to Nikolai but Kirchner intercepts it and waffles Nikolai with it, then covers. Rather than disqualify Kirchner for belting him in the head (maybe he was afraid of him too) he goes down to make the count 1….2….3 and Kirchner wins the flag match. Kirchner gets an unusually loud pop from the crowd, guess he must have been over in Chicago. Bad match but its always nice to see Freddie Blassie again….albeit this would be the last time on pay per view. This would also be the last appearance of Kirchner on a ppv for he was fired within the next year for failing a drug test. He ironically would become a huge star in Japan for becoming the Texas Chainsaw inspired Leatherface gimmick which he portrayed for at least 15 years. As for this match….blah, but at least it was short.

Time of match: 1:36

Winners: Corporal Kirchner by pinfall

We head to Chet Coppock who calls the next match the main event of the Chicago portion, proving that the main event doesn’t have to be the last match on the card. Gene introduces the guest time keeper Clara Peller, who you may remember for being the old lady who says “Where’s the Beef?” in the old Wendy’s commercials. We get Herb the Nerd and now Clara Peller, using this logic that means Ronald McDonald will be the guest time-keeper for Hogan vs Bundy in LA, right? Anyway the special guest referees are Chicago Bears legend Dick Butkus and Cowboys legend Ed “Too Tall” Jones (who is booed because the Boys are in the NFC who the Bears face every year or so)

Match 7

20 Man Battle Royal

Guest commentator: “The Big Cat” Ernie Ladd

With the growing popularity of the NFL, Vince decided to cross-promote by having some of the NFL stars compete in a battle royal. Instead of just naming all 20 at once, I’ll name them as they come out in order of Okerlund announces. The funny part was Cathy Lee Crosby was married to Joe Theismann at the time hence why she’s apart of the show. The sad part is the S.O.B. sued her for pretty much everything for reason’s I can’t remember. The first entrant is announced from the Chicago Bears which gets a huge pop, only it fizzles because its not Perry but rather offensive tackle Jimbo Covert. Covert actually had a hell of a career opening holes for Walter Payton and Neal Anderson. Entrant two is the first WWF Triple Crown champion (Heavyweight, IC and Tag) Pedro Morales, who needs no introduction. The third entrant is former tag team champion and future african tribal warrior Tony Atlas. The 4th entrant is world strongest man Ted Arcidi…who was instrumental in Triple H and Chyna getting into the business. The 5th entrant is former superbowl mvp of the Dallas Cowboys, Harvey Martin. Martin had a great career as a defensive end and made Craig Morton’s life a living hell in the Super Bowl 12. The 6th entrant is “Golden Boy” Dan Spivey….9 years before Waylon Mercy and 2 years before The Skyscrapers. Entrant’s 7, 8 and 9 are Hillbilly Jim, King Tonga and The Iron Sheik, who we all know of course. Entrant 10 is Ernie Holmes…the LEAST known member of the Steel Curtain of the 1970’s Pittsburgh Steelers. Jack Lambert would have fit right in here but I’m just nitpicking. Entrants 11 and 12 are the Killer Bee’s, Brunzell and Blair whom we know. Entrant 13 is Big John Studd and entrant 14 is his rival for the night, Bill Fralic. Fralic was the NFL rookie of the year as an offensive lineman, back when o-lineman were 275 lbs or less. Even in the early 90’s he opened holes for Barry Sanders upon joining the awful Detroit Lions. Entrants 15 and 16 are the Bret Hart and Jim Niedhart, The Hart Foundation, if you don’t know them you’re either retarded or not a wrestling fan. Entrant 17 is none other than former Patriots tight-end Russ Francis, who’s actually the son of Hawaiian wrestling promotor Edmund Francis. Entrant 18 is wrestling legend Bruno Sammartino coming out of semi-retirement to make one final Wrestlemania appearance. Entrant 19 is the star of the show, Chicago Bears beloved defensive tackle William “The Refridgeator” Perry. Entrant 20 is the favorite to win every battle royal he’s ever in, Andre The Giant. The bell rings and half the ring tries to eliminate Fridge but his teammate Jimbo Covert makes the save. Harvey Martin puts Dan Spivey in a headlock which I find hilarious the way he does it. Covert tries to slam King Tonga out but Fralic comes from behind and dumps them both. Ernie Ladd mistakes Dick Butkus for Mike Ditka, which I shouldn’t laugh at because I did the same once. Ernie Ladd himself was really the first NFL superstar to cross over into being a successful wrestler unless you think Wahoo McDaniel was the better NFL star for the Dolphins. John Studd and Andre go at it for old times sake as Bret Hart and Jim Brunzell tie up. Sammartino lifts Ernie Holmes and dumps him out so we’re down 2 football players early. Andre headbutts Russ Francis to the ground then goes at it with Studd again. Andre tries to eliminate Fralic as The Hart Foundation team up and get rid of Jim Brunzell. Brian Blair attacks Bret in retaliation. The crowd erupts when The Fridge slams Tony Atlas over the top and out showing who the crowd wants to see. The Bears had beaten my beloved Patriots 46-10 (ugh..good thing I wasn’t born yet) so the Bears were HUGE in Chicago as you can imagine. Anyway back to action Pedro Morales and Bill Fralic tie up as Perry tries his luck with Big John Studd. Fralic and Martin team up to try to get rid of Andre to no avail. Brian Blair tries to get rid of his real life nemesis The Iron Shiek as The Hart Foundation catches a breather in the corner. Bill Fralic and Bret Hart try to get rid of Ted Arcidi when all of a sudden Harvey Martin and Pedro Morales topple over the top together. Ted Arcidi tries to press slam Blair out but Hillbilly Jim and Dan Spivey make the save. Blair actually aids Jim and Dan in eliminating Arcidi as NFC rivals Fralic and Fridge go at it. Sheik backdrops Dan Spivey out then dumps Hillbilly Jim and Brian Blair out together. 9 guys left at this point and Fralic goes at it with the Hitman as Perry goes at it with Niedhart. Big John Studd and Iron Sheik team up and eliminate Bill Fralic, thus making his pre-match predictions a washout as Studd gets the last laugh. Sheik hammers away at Bruno before Sammartino backdrops him over the top and out. Bruno then tries to dump Studd out in the corner as Francis goes at it with Andre while The Hart Foundation have Perry tied up in the corner. Studd throws Bruno over the top and out and we’re down to 6 men. Fridge is hiptossed by the Foundation but Perry hops up and shoulder tackles Bret and Niedhart halfway out of the ring. one of my favorite spots in the entire show. Bret sold it like he got hit with a cannonball, just to show how over Fridge was. Perry and Studd face off in the center of the ring and Perry shoulder tackles Studd in the corner. Perry goes for another tackle but is met with an elbow and is hiptossed over the top and out. The crowd is LIVID and actually begin to pelt Studd with garbage inside the ring. Perry extends a handshake and Studd stupidly goes for it so Fridge pulls Studd over the top and out to a huge pop. The final four is Russ Franics….the lightest football player of the whole group, Bret, Niedhart and Andre. Too Tall and Butkus have to break Studd and Perry apart before the camera pans back inside where Francis teams up with Andre to go against the Harts. The Foundation double dropkicks Andre into his top rope tie-up spot leaving Francis by himself. Francis tries to fend off the two but is overpowered and eliminated. Andre unties himself and is worked over by Bret and Jim in the corner. Bret slingshots Niedhart into Andre and try to dump him but can’t. Niedhart himself actually had a cup of coffee with the Dallas Cowboys and Oakland Raiders during pre-season games but ultimately winded up in Calgary, where the rest is history. Niedhart goes to slingshot Bret but Andre gets his boot up and Bret crashes to the mat. Andre grabs Niedhart by the goatee, sends him off the ropes and big boots him over the top and out. Niedhart was actually in the center of the ring so he actually had to walk over to the ropes and eliminate himself. Down to 1 on 1 Bret goes upstairs only to be caught by Andre and press-slammed over the top onto Niedhart by Andre to win the match. Was there any doubt Andre was going to win? Pretty short for a battle royal but fun for historical purposes and football buffs.

Time of match: 9:08

Winner: Andre the Giant

We go back to Vince and Susan in New York who interviews “Rowdy” Roddy Piper. He rips on Mr T and William Perry and calls them cheaters while saying again he’d never paint himself black….watch WRESTLEMANIA 6 and see how that turns out. Susan chimes in and calls him a coward before Piper just goes off on Mr T with borderline racist comments. Back to Chicago, Mean Gene interviews Jimbo Covert who claims Fralic cheated by sneaking up from behind……moron. If this was to hype up a rivalry between the two, it was pointless because both were offensive lineman meaning they’d never see each other when the Bears played the Falcons. Iron Sheik comes in who says “Gene Mean” again then talks in farci, confusing Okerlund then saying Iran Numba Vun! On to the tag match….

Match 8

The British Bulldogs (Davey Boy Smith and Dynamite Kid) with Captain Lou Albano and Ozzy Osbourne vs The Dream Team (Greg Vallentine and Brutus Beefcake) with Johnny V for the WWF Tag Team Championship

Hey its Ozzy Osbourne with the poofy hair….and wearing all pink to boot! The Dream Team had beaten The US Express for the belts back in August of 85 so they’ve had a long reign indeed. Bulldogs enter to Rule Britania and Albano leading the way. They take forever to start before Davey Boy starts out with Vallentine. They trade blows in the center before Vallentine begs off in the corner. Davey Boy runs into a hiptoss as Okerlund says the Bulldogs have been chasing the tag belts for quite some time. Davey makes the tag to Dynamite who works over the hammer, who flops in the middle of the ring. Dynamite bowls Hammer over and delivers his snap suplex then makes the tag to Davey Boy. Davey does his delayed suplex for 1…2…nope, got the shoulder up. The Bulldogs have done both their trademark suplexes so Vallentine bails to the outside and regroups with Johnny V. Vallentine gets the advantage backs inside and makes the tag to Beefcake who works over the arm ringer, until he’s press slammed by Davey Boy. Dynamite tags in and clotheslines Beefcake down for a near fall, A small package gets a near fall as Davey tags in who does A PERFECT PLEX for 1…2…nope. Beefcake leads Davey into the corner where Vallentine hot tags in with an off the top rope forearm to the back. Vallentine executes a snap suplex for a near-fall and locks in a rest hold as Okerlund says Cathy Lee is too young (a spry 41 at the time) to remember Johnny Vallentine. Dynamite Kid tags in and they trade blows in the center of the ring before Kid takes advantage. Kid shoulderblocks Vallentine in the corner then tags in Davey Boy, double shoulderblock and down goes Greg. Beefcake interferes for no apparent reason other than to give Greg the upperhand, and it doesn’t work as Kid sunset flips Vallentine for 1…2..negative. Dynamite delivers a side backbreaker but Beefcake makes the save as Gene makes a hillarious comment. Gene “Ozzy Osbourne looks like he’s shaking outside the ring” I don’t even want to try to figure out the ammount of drugs he was on at the time so Gene dropping that line is just awesome. Vallentine reverse tombstone piledrives Dynamie for 1…2….nooo, Kid kicks out. Dynamite knees Vallentine in the nuts then press slams him off the top rope when Vallentine goes up there. He makes the cover and Davey tackles an interfering Beefcake, but The Hammer kicks out at 2. Davey goes to press slam Dynamite onto Vallentine but Greg rolls out the way. Davey tags in and hits the running powerslam for 1..2….NOOOO, Vallentine kicked out of the finisher. Davey delivers a snap suplex for a 2 count but Vallentine sends Davey shoulder first into the ring post, ouch. Vallentine stomps away at the injured shoulder before Beefcake tags in to pick up where Greg left off. Bulldog goes for the diamond cutter but Beefcake counters by throwing him, wow. Hammer tags back in and delivers a shoulderbreaker for 1..2….Vallentine pulls him up at 2. Dynamite goes upstairs for some reason and Davey sends Vallentine crashing skull first into him. Dynamite falls off the top like King Kong while Vallentine flops in the ring, the cover by Davey gets 1….2….THREE AND WE GOT NEW TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS! Wow, the crowd did not see that as the finish at all, neither did I, Mean Gene, Captain Lou or the popcorn guy in the 4th row. Ozzy and Albano get in the ring and hold up the tag belts, now THERE’S a tag team for you. Cathy Lee Crosby gets in the ring as Davey goes outside to scoop up Dynamite. Okerlund hits ringside and interviews Albano who cuts a crazy promo then over to Ozzy who says “BRITISH BULLDOGS FOREVERRRRR” heh. The camera pans Davey and Dynamite outside and Kid looks completely out of it, must have been a harder fall than it looked. Davey staggers in the ring and says he’s gonna stay in the US….um, ok.  Either way The Bulldogs are the new tag team champions ending the 9 month reign of The Dream Team.

Time of match: 12:01

Winner: British Bulldogs by pinfall (New Tag Team Champions)

Back to Susan and Vince who hype what we just saw including the upcoming cage match between Hogan and Bundy. Vince speculates if Bobby Heenan will be a factor…are you kidding me? Vince sends things to Jesse with the beautiful Elvira and not beautiful Lord Alfred.

LOS ANGELES PORTION

L.A. SPORTS ARENA

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA

Commentators:  Jesse “The Body” Ventura, Lord Alfred Hays and Elvira

Jesse opens things up next to Elvira and Alfred, call me crazy but I’d rather much see Ventura and Elvira, makes a very flamboyant couple. Elvira seems into it as Ventura runs down the remaining 4 matches. Anyway lets get on with the final four so to speak.

Match 9

Hercules Hernandez vs Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat

Hercules was a newcomer heel supposedly managed by Freddie Blassie but since Fred was in Chicago, Herc will face Steamboat alone. The ring announcer is none other than Lee Marshall of AWA and WCW fame. Hercules wastes no time and attacks Steamboat at the bell with clubbing forearms to the back. Herc rams Steamboat into the top turnbuckle but Steamboat rallies with slides and a big chop to the chest. Steamboat executes a series of arm drags then applies an arm bar. Steamboat works over the left arm and shoulder for about a minute before Hercules sends him off the ropes, but then Steamboat flips over and delivers a crescent kick to the chest. He’s way too fast for Hercules both kayfabe and in real life, Herc can’t keep up with this pace. Once again Steamboat works over the left arm and shoulder of Hercules as even Ventura says that Herc can’t keep up this pace. Hercules gets to his feet and delivers an uppercut to the chest as Elvira says Steamboat looks like a wimp with the red scarf dangling from his knee. Steamboat’s anything but a wimp and he continues to take it to Hercules with chops, 2 leapfrogs and a back elbow smash that surprises Elvira. Ricky executes a beautiful snap suplex then continues to work over the left arm. Ventura says Herc better start moving and right on cue, Herc throws Steamboat in the corner then clotheslines him down. Herc slows the match down with boots to the side of the head as Elvira says The Dragon is hot. Ricky runs off the ropes but Herc catches him and falls backwards, hotshotting Steamboat off the top rope……now that was good. Steamboat rallies with chops an goes for a bodyslam but can’t hold him, Herc falls on top for a nearfall. Hercules methodically stalks the Dragon and rams him head first into the top turnbuckle. Herc catches Steamboat with a back elbow smash as Hays and Ventura hype up the remaining 3 matches. Herc dropes a series of elbows then poses for the irate crowd as Ventura scoffs for not going for the cover. Herc eventually makes the cover but Dragon kicks out at 2. Steamboat rallies with a series of chops but Hercules quels the momentum with a sloppy clothesline then covers for 1….2…nope, Steamboat covers. Hercules executes an overhead press slam as Ventura tells Elvira you’re suppose to hook a leg when covering….like she’s supposed to know or care? Hercules delivers another press slam then taunts the crowd again, bad idea. Hercules goes upstairs for a splash but Ricky gets the knees up in time. Ricky goes upstairs himself and delivers the FLYING CROSSBODY for 1….2….3 and its over. Steamboat wins it clean although Ventura says it was a fast count…wtf? Ted Dibiase once claimed on the Ultimate Warrior’s dvd that if Hercules didn’t have someone to lead him then he couldn’t have a good match, well he had Steamboat with him and he still messed up here and there. Anyway, Steamboat improves to 2-0 at Wrestlemania and we’re off and running in LA.

Time of match: 8:32

Winner: Ricky Steamboat by pinfall

There is no segment, on to the next match.

Match 10

Uncle Elmer vs “Adorable” Adrian Adonis

Uncle Elmer was a hilbilly gimmick not unlike Hillbilly Jim, but Elmer was actually 49 year old ring veteran Stan Frazier at the end of his career. Meanwhile Adrian Adonis had gotten too big for his Street Thug gimmick from the 70’s so a furious McMahon turned him into “Adorable” Adrian Adonis an openly gay wrestler. He changed his look from the New York Yankees ring jacket and black tights to a tent dress, dying his hair blond while caking his face with makeup. The whole thing was absurd but it got massive heat and Adonis was such a great bumper he made the gimmick work. Elmer enters to Don’t Go Messin With a Country Boy as Elvira says Adrian Adonis is the ugliest man she’s ever seen. The 6’8 Elmer chases Adonis out of the ring who hugs Jimmy Hart on the outside. Elmer catches Adonis with right hands upon entering the ring and whips Adonis into the corner where he Flair flips (at 300 lbs no less). Elmer clocks Adonis with a right hand and falls down from his own punch, the hell was that about? Adonis falls out of the ring and rips the ring apron completely off. Adonis climbs back in where another Elmer punch sends Adonis shoulder first through the ring post and outside on the timekeepers table, sheesh…he’s making Elmer look like Hogan so far. Ventura says Adonis is getting his dress dirty as Elmer pulls Adonis on the apron where he rips the dress off, yuck. Elmer slingshots Adrian in the hard way then delivers a very slow belly bump which Adrian sells by flying over the top rope backwards, doing a reverse Andre spot, Elmer pounds away on Adonis before he gets himself loose and delivers a punch to the chest. Adonis boots Elmer then shimmies out of his torn dress as Elvira is grossed out. Elmer whips Adonis in the corner and delivers an avalanche, which causes Adonis to crumple to the mat. Elmer gives the sign for the leg drop but misses it completely. Adonis goes upstairs and delivers a flying forearm drop…again at 300 lbs no less. A cover gets 1…2….3 and Adrian wins it. Ventura “You might not like Adrian Adonis but when it comes to wrestling he’s a very dangerous man.” Adonis shimmies around the ring while putting the boots to the fallen Elmer. Under normal circumstances that match would have sucked but Adonis fucking rules.

Time of match: 3:02

Winner: Adrian Adonis by pinfall

We then go to a pre-recorded interview with Alfred Hays who’s with Hulk Hogan. Hogan calls him Awful Alfred (Ha!) and says he’s not that hurt and he’s gonna beat Bundy. Total Count:  Dude – 0   Brother –  1  Jack – 0   Man – 3  so if you took the under you win. Back to ringside….

Match 11

The Funk Brothers (Terry and Hoss) vs Junkyard Dog and Tito Santana

Hoss Funk? Would it have killed them to call him Dory Jr? Still though, Terry Funk in a WWF ring during the 1980’s is well worth calling someone Hoss. The Funks enter first and Terry shoves ring announcer Lee Marshall halfway out of the ring for no reason….but it sure was funny. JYD and Santana enter to Grab Them Cakes and I notice Tito is wearing his red ring jacket from the first Wrestlemania, maybe he’s hoping it brings him good luck. Ventura bitches about JYD’s chain so Terry throws a chair into the ring, gotta love Terry folks. Hoss starts out with Junkyard Dog and Hoss gets the early advantage in the corner. Terry holds on to Hoss as he’s being whipped so Terry falls into the ring. JYD throws Hoss into Terry then scoop slams them both, then Tito gets in the ring and throws Terry outside where the Funks regroup with Hart. Hoss gets back in but makes the tag to Terry as Santana tags in on the other side. Terry chops Santana on the rope then for some reason nearly falls over the top rope himself, then turns around where Santana clothesline him over the top and out….that was weird. Hoss gets in and Santana dropkicks him twice for his troubles, then Hoss and Terry once again regroup on the outside. Terry climbs in so Tito tags out to JYD where they do a boxing segment. JYD gets in a few right hands then rams Terry’s head into the top turnbuckle 10 times. Terry staggers around and falls into the opposite corner where he rams his head into the turnbuckle 7 more times before finishing with a headbutt. JYD covers before Hoss interferes to break up the count, then JYD throws Terry over the top rope to the outside. After another regroup, Hoss tags in to do battle with the tagged in Santana. Hoss goes to work with european uppercuts until Satana leapfrogs over him and delivers the flying forearm. Santana covers and this one’s over 1….2..NOOOO, Terry dives in the ring (literally) and breaks up the count. Tito mount punches Funk until he rolls out of the ring and back to his corner. Tito and Hoss do a criss cross segment until Terry delivers a knee to the back to stop that. Terry tags in and throws Tito over the top to the floor where Jimmy Hart puts the sneakers to him. JYD chases Hart away as Terry and Hoss kick at Santana from the ring apron like 2 Texas vultures circling their prey. Elvira complains about Jimmy Hart’s megaphone as JYD rolls Tito back inside. Terry suplexes Santana then covers for a nearfall, then goes for another suplex but Tito counters it with a suplex of his own. Elvira notices the pulling on the tights during the suplex then says she hopes someone’s tights are pulled down so we get a little x-rated action…….let’s hope for her sake Hoss Funk and Junkyard Dog keep their tights on. Terry runs off the ropes and collides with Santana, but fortunately for Terry he falls into his own corner where Hoss tags in. Hoss delivers a double underarm suplex but the cover only gets 2 then he goes back to the european uppercuts. Elvira says Santana is hot and Jesse admonishes her for it, heh. Terry interferes and the Funks double clothesline Santana before Terry drops a leg. Funk covers 1…2….and no, Tito gets the shoulder up just in time. Terry goes for another leg drop but Santana moves and there’s nobody home, ouch. Tito crawls around to get away from Funk and makes the hot tag to JYD, who comes in like a house of fire. He unloads on the Funks and does a double noggin knocker then clotheslines them both. Terry tries to strangle JYD with some wrist tape but Dog turns around and headbutts Terry then backdrops him over the top rope to the floor. JYD goes outside then headbutts Hoss into the guardrail then bodyslams Terry on top of the time keeper’s table. Santana comes over and gets some shots in on Hoss for the hell of it. Terry climbs in the ring as JYD brings Hart up on the apron then punches him off…heh.  JYD nails Hoss then executes a small package on Terry for 1….2…nope, Hoss breaks up the count. Santana gets in, takes Hoss down and applies the figure four for a bit then lets him go. As the ref is telling Tito to take a hike, Hart tosses Terry the megaphone who waffles JYD in the back of the head with it. JYD falls like a dead deer and Terry limps over then covers for 1….2….3 and its over. Terry is either legitimately injured or he’s a terrific seller because he basically crawls out of the ring and falls to the cement. Cheap finish but The Funks win their first and only PPV match together and Santana begins a legendary Wrestlemania losing streak. It should be noted Dory “Hoss” Funk Jr would not make another WWF ppv appearance until the 1996 Royal Rumble while Terry didn’t resurface until the 1997 Royal Rumble. Bad match but fun because of Terry Funk’s antics, that’s why he’ll always be a draw in the business.

Time of match: 11:43

Winners: The Funk Brothers by pinfall

We are shown the cage being put together until we go to Mean Gene. In the background Hulk is lifting weights with Hillbilly Jim until we are shown highlights of Hogan beating the crap out of Magnificent Muraco until Bundy interferes and avalanches Hulkster a bunch of times. This sets up the main event, Hogan vs Bundy in a cage where Heenan or anyone else can’t interfere. We get sent to Ventura who interviews Bundy and Heenan, he calls Bundy “beautiful” which is downright creepy. Bundy says he’s gonna be the new champion and Heenan basically says the same thing only that Bundymania will run wild.

Match 12

King Kong Bundy (with Bobby “The Brain” Heenan) vs Hulk Hogan for the WWF Heavyweight Championship in a Steel Cage Match

Bundy in a cage, Hogan’s in deep trouble. The guest ring announcer is LA Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda, the special guest timekeeper is Ricky Schroeder of Silver Spoons fame. The special guest referee is Robert Conrad which is just for show since referees do nothing in cage matches. Hulk climbs the cage and tears his shirt off as the crowd cheers. The bell starts as everyone but Bundy and Hogan exits the cage and here we go, the monster match of 86. Hogan and Bundy are both in standard gear. Bundy stalks Hogan before they trade blows in the center of the ring, where Hogan eventually wins out by driving Bundy into the cage with right hands. Hogan whips Bundy into the ropes and delivers the big boot….30 seconds into it. Hogan chokes Bundy in the corner with his own singlet then rams him head first into the cage. Hogan chops Bundy then clotheslines him in the corner before chopping him some more. Hogan whips him off then delivers a big elbow that staggers the big man but Bundy counters the face smash by attacking the injured ribs. King Kong stalks Hogan then kicks him square into the ribs then floors the champ with an elbow to the back of the head. Bundy works over the ribs then scoop slams him, then stomps away at the fallen Hulkster. Ventura is eating this up as Bundy calls for the door to open, he makes it halfway out before Hogan lunges for the leg and holds on to it. Bundy goes back inside and slams Hogan back first into the cage then goes to leave again. Hogan holds Bundy to stop him as Heenan screams for Bundy to get out of the cage. Bundy rips the tape off Hogan’s ribs then strangles Hulk with it before tying him to the cage with it. Bundy makes his way for the foor but once again Hogan makes the save with a rake to the eyes. Hogan comes back with right hands then delivers a back elbow smash in the corner. Hulk throws Bundy head first into the cage as Bundy blades on camera. Hulk attacks the open wound of Bundy as Elvira screams at the sight of Kong busted open….ironic. Hulk rams Bundy’s head into the cage again….and again….and again. Hulk climbs the cage then stands on Bundy before continuing to attack the open wound. Hulk calls for a slam but can’t hold him up as Bundy falls ontop of Hogan. Bundy staggers around trying to find the door with Heenan on the outside trying to direct traffic, in the background you can see Hogan getting to his feet. Hogan walks over and strangles Bundy with the rib tape as noutorious Hogan basher Alfred Hays praises Hogan saying tit for tat. Elvira “Jealous you don’t have your own cartoon show Jesse?”  Ventura “Doooon’t you get on my case Elvira!” Bundy whips Hogan into the corner and delivers the avalanche, Hogan crumples to the mat where Bundy does the big splash. King Kong rolls toward the door but Hogan stops him at the last second, diving at the legs just in time. Elvira “All that blood in the ring is making me hungry!”…..riiiiight.  Bundy sets up Hogan and delivers another avalanche, but Hulk no sells it (Hulk Up time). Hogan reverses an irish whip into the corner then POWERSLAMS the 450 pound King Kong Bundy to the loudest pop of the night. Even Ventura can’t believe it as Hogan runs off the ropes and hits the big leg drop. Hogan climbs over the top of the cage where Heenan grabs a hold of the leg as Bundy makes his way behind Hogan to stop him, Hulk hammers Bundy until he falls to the center of the ring, Hulk then kicks Heenan off then drops to the floor to retain the title. Bundy falls out of the cage as Hogan chases Heenan into the cage. Ventura scoffs at Hogan trying to beat up a manager, Heenan tries to climb out the other side but Hogan stops him. Hulk punches Heenan then rams him face first into the cage before delivering an atopmic drop..sending Heenan crashing through the door and onto the cement floor. Tommy Lasorda announces Hogan the winner as he does his usual 5 minute posedown inside the ring. Not that bad all things considering, fitting ending to a bizzare ppv to begin with.

Time of match: 10:15

Winner: Hulk Hogan (still WWF Champion)

You know, people want to say WRESTLEMANIA 9 was the worst wrestlemania ever….I’d have to say this comes close. Most of the matches were crash style and other than the Savage/Steele match there really wasn’t anything truly noteworthy. Everything was rushed because of the venues and the short length of the matches didn’t help either, it was just a mess. Luckily Vince learned his lesson and this would be the first and last time a ppv would be scheduled at different venues at the same time. The next Coliseum Video release after this is VILLAINS OF THE SQUARED CIRCLE, stay tuned for that one.

Highlights of Wrestlemania (CS003)

I know what you’re thinking….”Hey, they already produced the inaugeral Wrestlemania, so what the hell is this?'” Good question, I myself was wondering what the purpose of a tape like this was. Believe it or not, this was the third in a short series of Coliseum Video’s that were called The Collector Series which also included THE HULKSTER HULK HOGAN and WWF’S GREATEST MATCHES. I honestly don’t know why these 3 tapes were separate from any other Coliseum Video’s that were out there at the time…but they’re very rare. Vince opens this tape and basically tells us we’re gonna be watching parts of each match from Wrestlemania. I mean it’s ok to have a tape like this for people with short attention spans, but you’re also saying “Don’t buy Wrestlemania, the best stuff is on this one anyway.” Vince runs down the card and says we’ll be seeing the main event in its entirety….what about Bundy vs SD Jones, how can we not see THAT match in its entirety?
Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon and Jesse “The Body” Ventura
WRESTLEMANIA 1

MARCH 31, 1985

MADISON SQUARE GARDEN

NEW YORK, NY

Match 1

Junkyard Dog vs Greg “The Hammer” Vallentine with Jimmy Hart for the WWF Intercontinental Championship
Woah woah woah….this match was NOT the first match at Wrestlemania, they switched up the order for this tape. We start off at the part where JYD has an arm ringer on Greg, Vallentine then whips JYD off but Dog catches the foot then catches Greg with a right hand. Vallentine hits a knee and an elbow but misses a forearm so JYD hits his trademark headbutts on the ground before the camera pans to the Garden crowd. Monsoon says Hart is now the manager of Jim Niedhart, Bundy and Vallentine before Vallentine goes back on offense. Greg hits a forearm to the back of the neck and an elbow drop to the mid-section before going over the right leg of JYD. Vallentine goes for a half-crab and stretches the knee as the crowd begins to roar for JYD. Vallentine hits a headbutt to the midsection but JYD counters the figure four attempt and sells the injury well. Vallentine works him over in the corner before Dog rallies with right hands and headbutts as Vallentine does the flop. Jimmy Hart gets on the apron and Dog grabs him but moves out of the way causing Vallentine to hammer Jimmy to the floor. Dog backs Vallentine in the corner with forearm and a headbutt before Vallentine rake the eyes and scoops the legs with his feet on the rope for 1…2…3 and Vallentine wins it. All of a sudden Tito Santana hits the ring and tells the ref Vallentine had his foot on the rope. All of a sudden the ref calls for the match to continue making him the smartest ref in the history of wrestling up to this point, but Vallentine wants no part of it and stays out of the ring. Dog wins by count-out but the title does not change hands on a count-out so The Hammer is still the champ, the segment ends right here.

Time of match; 6;09  (the actual match was 6:53 so they cut 45 seconds of the match out plus the extracurricular activities)

Winner; Junkyard Dog by count-out  (Vallentine retains)

There is no segment, onto the next match
Match 2

The Executioner vs Tito Santana
THIS was the real first match at Wrestlemania and unlike the last one, we’re well into it at the start. Santana fires away in the corner and goes for a piledriver, but Executioner counters with a back drop. He hits a bodyslam and goes upstairs but Santana catches him with a slam off the top. Santana goes for a big splash but Executioner gets the knees up just in time, then he works over the left leg on the second rope before Tito kicks him over the top rope into the time-keeper’s table. Tito hits a power slam from the apron to the ring and hits the flying forearm out of nowhere. Tito drags him to the center of the ring and locks in the figure four as Executioner submits quickly. Actually on this tape, it doesn’t even show the ending, just Buddy…er Executioner trapped in the figure four. Least they should have shown Tito getting his hand raised so even the dumbest fans wouldn’t be confused.

Time of match; 1:32  (the actual match was 4;40)

Winner; Tito Santana by submission
There is no segment, onto the next match
Match 3

“Maniac” Matt Bourne vs Ricky Steamboat
Heh, this was actually the third match on the card of Wrestlemania and its the third match on this tape, least it’s in the right order. We’re at the part where Matt hits a snap suplex and covers for 1..2…nope, they trade blows in the ring before Steamboat gets the upper hand with karate chops. Steamboat hits a back suplex, a reverse neckbreaker and 2 knee drops for a cover of 1..2…nope. Steaboat leapfrogs over Borne and hits some sort of double punch to the face,……and the segment ends. Well that was pointless, doesn’t even show the damn ending. If I had bought this tape back in the day I would have felt gyped, ah well…onwards and upwards

Time of match: 1:34 (actual time was 4:38)

Winner: Ricky Steamboat by pinfall (though it isn’t shown for some damn reason)

There is no segment, on to the next match
Match 4

Wendi Richter (with Cyndi Lauper and David Wolfe) vs Leilani Kai (with Fabulous Moolah) for the WWF Women’s Championship

This match was much higher on the card so why is it so early on the tape? Whatever, we’re at the part where Leilani holds on to the hair then snapmares her over as Ventura speculates what its like to be on the receiving end of something like that. Kai throws Richter in the corner but a charge eats double boot then Wendi covers for a near fall. Leilani distracts the ref so Moolah chokes Wendi on the bottom rope before Cyndi runs over to save the day. Leilani whips Wendi off and hits a boot to the mid-section but Wendi rallies with a forearm and a New Delhi Devastator (and this is 1985 no less). The segment ends right there and I’m starting to get pissed….why put a tape out like this if you’re not going to show the endings? I guess Vince was smart enough to think “If I put out a Highlights tape, lets not show the endings so the fans will go out and buy the real tape!” Well that’s all fine and dandy but that kind of thinking will land this tape in the bargain bin.

Time of match: 1:28 (the real time was 6:13)

Winner: Wendi Richter by pinfall (New Women’s Champion though it wasn’t shown…again)
There is no segment, on to the next match

Match 5

The Un-Americanz (Nikolai Volkoff and Iron Sheik) with Freddie Blassie vs The US Express (Barry Windham and Mike Rotundo) with Captain Lou Albano for the WWF Tag Team Championship

The last 3 matches have gone a minute and a half so start placing bets on how long this one goes. We’re at the part where IRS…er Mike locks in an arm-bar then tags in Windham who once again comes off the top onto the elbow. Rotundo follows with the same elbow drop before Nikolai takes over and rams Rotundo’s head into Sheik’s legendary loaded boot. Sheik backdrops Rotundo and hits an elbow drop for 1…2…nope, near fall. Iron Sheik executes a gut-wrench suplex and covers for a deuce before Rotundo blocks a snap suplex and hits one of his own….and the segment ends here, just as I thought.
Time of match: 1:28 (heh, right on schedule)

Winners: Not shown….but it was The Un-Americanz

There is no segment, on to the next match
Match 6

King Kong Bundy (with Jimmy Hart) vs SD Jones
Heh, I won’t give away the ending but I will say I’ll be shocked if we don’t see this match in its entirety. SD Jones was your basic mid-card face at the time while Bundy was a rising monster heel, fresh from being a member of the Legion of Doom in the NWA. Jones runs into Bundy at the bell and Kong catches him in a bearhug then rams him into the corner. Jones crumples to the floor then gets up as Bundy hits the avalanche followed by the big splash for 1…2….3 and its over just like that. Monsoon and Ventura can’t believe it as Howard Finkel gets on the mic. “Time of the fall….9 SECONDS…your winner King Kong Bundy” Um, what? I specifically counted 23 seconds (which Monsoon ironically says is the previous record) so this was all just hooplah to get Bundy over as Hogan’s future opponent. Not only did they show the match in its entirety but it also showed the pre-match introductions and the post-match celebration. Maybe because we’ve blown through the first 6 matches they’ll show more of the final 3

Time of match: 23 seconds

Winner: King Kong Bundy by pinfall
There is no segment, on to the next match
Match 7

Andre the Giant vs Big John Studd (with Bobby Heenan) in a $15,000 Slam Match

They start off showing Studd and Andre being introduced so I assume they’re going to show the match in its entirety. Tthe rules are simple…..if Andre bodyslams Studd he wins 15 grand but if Studd slams Andre then say goodbye to the Giant. Studd attacks Andre in the corner as the bell rings before Andre rallies with chop and a big headbutt. Andre boots Studd to the outside of the ring and John regroups with Heenan, back inside Andre taunts Studd until backing him into the corner. Andre chokes Studd in the corner and Ventura asks where the ref is, but this isn’t a standard wrestling match so there are no DQ’s to speak of. Andre hits a knee to the head and big hamhock to the head before executing avalanches in the corner. Studd goes for a bodyslam but Andre blocks it then chops away at Studd before hitting a bearhug. The fants chats for Andre to slam as Ventura says “25,000 strong chanting”…..thought the building only held about 17,000 but nevertheless it is a sell out. The bearhug spot is worked for 2 full minutes before letting go and hitting a forearm to the back as Ventura says this could be the last time we could be seeing Andre. Andre hits a headlock and hits another hamhock to the mid-section as the crowd erupts. Andre whips Studd off and catches the foot, then hits another right hand to the face. Andre blocks a back elbow smash before chopping John in the corner. Andre kicks away at Studd’s leg and I’ll let Monsoon handle this one. “Andre now going to work on the leg, LOOK AT THIS…ANDRE PICKS EM UP…HE SLAMMED HIM!!!” This one’s over and Andre wins the match as the crowd erupts again as Finkel hands Andre the bag of money. Andre begins throwing money into the crowd before Heenan sneaks up, steals the bag then runs to the back with Studd. Ventura “They don’t call him The Brain for nothin Gino!” Andre poses in the ring and his career will resume….for a few more years anyway. The segment ends here but I won’t complain, they got everything that needed to be seen here.
Time of match: 5:52

Winner: Andre the Giant

There is no segment, onto the next match
Match 8

“Mr Wonderful” Paul Orndorff and “Rowdy” Roddy Piper (with Bob Orton) vs Mr T and Hulk Hogan (with Jimmy Snuka)
Wait a minute, they’re showing the main event in its entirety meaning they purposely cut out Brutus Beefcake vs David Sammartino….heh, shows how much they thought of that fiasco. Hogan and Orndorff start and its well documented these 2 have not liked each other for a long time because of their childhood in Tampa where their high schools were football rivals or something to that extent. Orndorff teases going at it before tagging Piper in. Mr T hops up and down saying let me have him so Hogan tags him in. Piper made it clear on his DVD compilation he never liked Mr. T so this feud was more personal than it was business. Piper hated Mr T, Orndorff and Hogan hated each other so this maybe an out and out shoot by the end. Piper and T staredown nose to nose before they exchange slaps to the face before hitting a go-behind takedown. T tries to sit-out/turn in but Piper maintains the ride. Mr T finally switches out of it as Orndorff fires up Piper in their corner. Mr T puts Piper into a fireman’s carry then drops him like yesterday’s newspaper (Monsoon’s words not mine). Piper backs T into his corner where Orndorff gets in then a melee ensues when all 4 men brawl into the corner. Muhammad Ali and Bob Orton get in the ring as Snuka goes upstairs. Ali throws a punch that sends Piper out of the ring then takes a swing at Orton who retreats to the ground. The heels regroup outside as the camera shows Billy Martin laughing his ass off at the proceedings. Piper motions that they’re outta here as Monsoon scoffs and the heels actually leave the area. Patterson counts up to 8 before Hogan stops him and motions for them to come back and the heels in fact do walk back to ringside. Piper and Paul get in the ring to attack Mr T and Hogan but the faces clean house. They hit a double noggin knocker on the heels before Hogan clotheslines Roddy in the corner. Hulk hits a knoggin knocker on Piper and Orndorff before hitting an atomic drop on the rowdy one. Piper and Hogan trade blows before Hulk makes the tag to Mr T then they hit a double clotheslines. T hits a scoop slam on Piper and an arm-drag on an interfering Orndorff. T hits another slam on Piper and headbutts Orndorff before ramming Piper’s head into Hogan’s knee. Make no mistake about it, in terms of physical condition Mr T has the physique that is better than half the WWF roster so had he went into wrestling, he couldn’t have been any worse than anybody the AWA put out in the late 80’s. Hogan rakes the eyes and big boots Piper over the top rope to the floor. Mr Wonderful interferes and clotheslines Hogan out of the ring so Piper grabs a chair and waffles the Hulkster with it. Muhammad Ali chases Piper back in the ring but Orndorff sneaks out and throws Hogan into the ring. Piper puts the boots to Hogan as Orndorff sneaks in a cheap shot of his own. Mr T interferes so Piper and Orndorff double team the Hulkster. Piper and Orndorff execute a double atomic drop on Hogan as Muhammad Ali gets in the ring to chase Piper out. Fans may not be pleased with Ali’s constant interference but from a kayfabe standpoint he’s supposed to be the enforcer and that’s exactly what he’s doing. Patterson has to beg Ali to get out as Orndorff works over Hulk. Orndorff hits a snap suplex as Ventura says he’s the x-factor of this match being the most technically gifted of all 4 men involved…..well 6 including Snuka and Orton outside. Piper tags in and hits windup punches then a knee lift for 1…2..nope, Hogan kicks out. Piper holds Hogan as Paul tags in and hits a forearm to the back of the neck…..One of the unwritten laws of wrestling is not to hit moves on the back of the neck because you’re more prone to actual injuries, but Orndorff would ROUTINELY do this to Hogan in their matches, pissing off the Hulkster legitimately in the process. Paul covers for a near-fall before hitting a nice backbreaker before going upstairs. Orndorff goes for another forearm off the top but misses, before Hogan makes the hot tag to Mr T. T cleans house before Orndorff is able to take him down. Mr T and Orndorff go high school style as Mr T goes for a roll but Paul wizzers to make sure that doesn’t happen. Piper makes the tag then hits a front headlock on B.A. Barabus before T tags Hogan in.  Both heels interfere so Hogan hits a double noggin knocker on them then headlock punches Orndorff until Wonderful counters with a back suplex. Piper interferes but Patterson cuts him off so both Jimmy Snuka and Cowboy Bob get in the ring. Snuka hits a jumping headbutt that sends Orton over the top to the apron. Patterson is distracted by Snuka as Orndorff puts Hogan in a full nelson. Piper and Mr. T go at it as Patterson turns his attention to him as Orton goes upstairs. Orton comes off the top but Hogan moves and Ace catches Orndorff in the back of the head with the cast. Hogan covers as Snuka roughs up Orton and Patterson gets in position..1……2…..3….its overrrrrrrr!!!!  The ring becomes chaos as everyone gets in the ring before Piper knocks out Patterson, spits at Orndorff and takes off with Orton in tow. Back inside Mr T tends to Orndoff as Billy Martin announce Hogan and Mr T the winner. Orndorff springs to life as Snuka, T, Patterson and Hogan back off. The faces celebrate in the ring as Orndorff doesn’t have a clue what happened before heading to the locker-room. Hogan, Mr. T, Muhammad Ali, Pat Patterson, Snuka, Liberace and Billy Martin all pose and celebrate in the ring as the tape ends, least they showed the main event in its entirety.

Time of match: 13:21

Winners: Mr T and Hulk Hogan by pinfall

After the credits roll, the kickass 1985 trumpet theme plays as they plug the upcoming Coliseum Video releases…now THOSE are what people were buying back in 1985-86, not what we just witnessed. I really can’t badmouth this tape too much because it was only advertised as a highlights tape to begin with. Still though, cutting the matches down to bit segments and cutting an entire match really downplays the importance of the event. They may have showed 2 full matches but the show was DRASTICALLY cut to fit on a 45 minute tape. For that I can’t recommend buying it unless you’re trying to complete a collection like me. 1 star out of 5. Since this was the third and final of the short-lived Collector’s Series, just switch over to the normal Coliseum Video reviews that are up already or will be going up. Ironic how this match was the highlights of the first WrestleMania and the next tape will be WRESTLEMANIA 2

The Hulkster Hulk Hogan (CS002)

This was the second of the original Collector’s Series that included just 3 tapes so this shouldn’t take too long. HULKAMANIA 1 was already in stores so this tape was probably just trying to milk the name for as much as it was worth. We open the tape with just a Coliseum Video graphic, no opening montage. Vince McMahon in a red bowtie shills the action but making an error saying this was the first tape of the Collector’s Series (WWF’s Greatest Matches holds that honor) but no matter. Vince says at the time of this program, Hogan has been the reigning champion for over two years meaning this tape was released sometime in 1986. He says Hogan has defended the title in no less than 25 occasions, which is hogwash. Hulk as the champion would headline every card he’d appear on so he must have defended the belt at least 500 times at the time. Vince says you’ll see three title defenses as well as the match he won the title in against the Iron Sheik. Let’s get to the action.

Match 1

Brutus Beefcake (with Luscious Johnny V) vs Hulk Hogan for the WWF Heavyweight Championship

Commentators: Dick Graham and Gorilla Monsoon

Heh, these two would be buddies for years and years after this so its kind of shocking to see them go at it. This match was from February 16, 1985 in the Philadelphia Spectrum a month before the first Wrestlemania and a year into Hogan’s title reign. Brutus is wearing black and yellow lightning bolt tights and leopard print arm bands with Hogan in his standard yellow trunks. Hogan attacks Beefcake after Brutus takes too long to start with a right hand. Hogan atomic drops Brutus into the corner and he staggers out of the ring. Dick wins the David Crockett award for annoyance a minute into the match because all he does is whoop and holler after every move. Brutus regroups with Johnny V outside before sliding back in. They circle before Beefcake gets the upper hand on a tie up and shoves Hogan into the corner. Beefcake poses for the crowd while Dick calls Hogan “the Hulker”. Hogan goes to tie up but Beefcake struts away. They go to tie up again only this time they both strut away and Beefcake is irate. The crowd cheers when Hogan poses and Brutus charges only to be rammed headfirst into to the buckle. Hogan unloads with four left jabs and a windup roundhouse right. Hogan whips Beefcake into the corner and nails him with a back elbow smash. Hogan whips him off the ropes and floors Brutus with a running clothesline. Hogan drops the big…elbow then gets up to pose. Hogan bites Beefcake on the temple as Monsoon says he learned it from the Junkyard Dog. Hogan gets in a side headlock but Beefcake backs him into the corner and catches him off guard with a shoulderblock. Beefcake unloads with right hands and a forearm to the back. Monsoon says to watch for the high knee as Beefcake comes off the second rope with an axehandle smash that quiets the crowd. Beefcake drops another forearm but Hulk no sells. Beefcake goes to ram Hulk into the corner but he blocks it. Hulk rams Beefcake into the corner 10 times and Brutus flops to the ground. Hogan scoop slams Brutus and drops two elbows. Hogan picks up Beefcake, nails him with two right hands and gets reverse whipped into the corner. Beefcake levels Hogan with a big axehandle in the corner then stands on his head using the ropes for leverage. Brutus chokes Hulk on the second rope then rakes the eyes. Brutus chokes Hulk on the second rope then covers for 1….2….kicked out. Brutus delivers another axehandle to the back before going back to the blatant choke. He covers for a near fall as Gorilla says he’s not going to win the title that way. Brutus delivers a powerslam and covers for 1..2…nope, gotta hook the leg. Brutus drops a knee, a forearm and an elbow before another sloppy cover gets 1…2…HULK UP!!! You know the drill….no sell punches, right hand, right hand, right hand, whip, big boot, scoop slam, leg drop, cover. Oh wait, Johnny V gets on the apron. Hulk chases him off and grabs him by the collar only for Brutus to hit the high knee to the back. Brutus covers for 1….2..no, Hulk gets the leg under the bottom rope. Johnny and Brutus think they’ve won it so Johnny grabs the belt as Brutus celebrates in the ring. Beefcake and Johnny try to put the belt on as referee Joey Morella tells them no no no! Finally Hogan runs up, schoolboys Brutus for 1..2….3 and its over. Hogan is attacked by Beefcake and Brutus until he ducks and Brutus nails Johnny with a big forearm. Hulk rams their heads together. We cut there and thank God, I was sick of Dick whooping and screaming after every move. The one thing I’ll give credit to Vince for, for the most part he stayed away from whooping announcers in the David Crockett mold in favor of the articulate announcers like Gorilla and Jesse or Gorilla and Heenan. Bad match but what do you expect from Hulk and Beefcake?
Time of match: 10:40

Winner: Hulk Hogan by pinfall
We go back to December 1983 to a highlight of the Iron Sheik defeating 5 year champion (if you don’t count his loss to Antonio Inoki in Japan) Bob Backlund for the title to show how Sheik won it…..only to have Hogan take it away. It was a landmark match because of the fact that Backlund had it for 5 YEARS, think 6 months is too long to draw, try having it for half a decade. Vince knew Verne Gagne had dropped the ball in the AWA because he was too stubborn to deal with the growing ego of Hogan, but Vince was a smart business man. He knew that whatever he was going to take in based on the proceeds of Hogan being champion was going to be a hell of a lot more than Hogan was going to garner himself. While Verne frowned upon Hogan’s merchandise sales and Japanese tours, Vince thrived on it and would push other wrestlers to go on foreign tours to promote the product. Even though it was a group effort, one man was the key for Vince’s army….Hogan. The match we’re about to see has been replayed thousands of times and we’re about to take one more look at it.

Match 2

Hulk Hogan vs The Iron Sheik (with Ayatollah Blassie) for the WWF Heavyweight Championship

Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon and Pat Patterson
This is just a repost from HULKAMANIA 1. The match that started it all, the true dawning of Hulkamania in the national spotlight. This match came about when Bob Backlund was dethroned on December 26, 1983 by the Sheik. Rather than get his deserved rematch, Backlund brought out old Freddie Blassie crony Hulk Hogan. Hogan said he had denounced Blassie and was totally reformed, his mission was to destroy the Sheik and bring the belt back to the good guys. On January 23, 1984 Hogan met Sheik for the title in Madison Square Garden. Hogan crosses himself on his way out to the ring and guess who’s holding the curtain for him, 69 year old Vince McMahon Sr, dying of pancreatic cancer but fighting it long enough to see Hulkamania take off. If you pause your tape/dvd/etc to see that image, it’s an iconic one. The changing of the guard if you will. The regional territory era of Vince Sr is going by the wayside as Hulkamania was about to sweep the nation. It’s a shame the old man died when he did, he would have loved to have seen some of the gigantic crowds his son was about to draw. Sheik’s got the red trunks on. Hogan’s wearing his standard yellow trunks and a red t-shirt that says American Made on the front and Hulk-A-Mania on the back. After the introductions, Sheik turns to take his ring gear off but Hulk PEARL HARBOR’S him because he’s such a role model. Hogan sends Sheik into the corner with his robe still on and delivers an elbow smash. Hulk strangles Sheik with his own robe then sends him off and clotheslines him with the robe. The ref finally gets the robe away from Hogan. Hulk unloads in the corner then delivers a running clothesline. Hulk drops a knee to the throat, rakes the eyes and chokes him over his head. Hogan spits at Sheik and delivers the big boot. Hulk covers but the referee takes forever to get over there and Sheik kicks out at 1. Hogan drops Sheik with a running elbow then drops another elbow. Patterson goes crazy but the cover only gets 2. Hogan whips Sheik into the corner but misses a charge. Sheik finally gets an offensive move in 3 minutes into the match by stomping away at the Hulk. Hulk staggers to his feet and Sheik executes a backbreaker. Sheik covers but Hogan powers out at 2. Sheik goes back to work with boots to the chest then “loads up the boot”. Another boot leads to a Boston crab applied by the Sheik. Monsoon scoffs at the referee for being out of position but Hogan powers out of the hold. Pat wonders when Sheik will go for the camel clutch as he delivers a well executed gut-wrench suplex on Hogan. Another cover 1…2 and no. Sheik goes back to the boots to the kidney then locks in the camel clutch. Patterson says no one’s ever broken the hold as Monsoon says this is what did in Backlund a month earlier. Monsoon “Only the immense power of the Hulk can save him!” Hogan begins to Hulk Up and soon powers his way to his knees. Hogan stands up with Sheik on his back and rams him back in the corner. Sheik falls like a dead deer in the center of the ring. The crowd goes wild and Hogan drops the big leg! The cover gets 1…2…3 AND WE GOT A NEW CHAMPION! Madison Square Garden goes crazy as Hulkamania takes over New York City. Monsoon “History made in Madison Square Garden! Hulkamania….is here.” He wasn’t kidding, folks. Hogan kisses the belt (the same won worn by Backlund a month earlier before Sheik won it) as Fink announces Hogan the winner and new champ. Now Vince had his larger than life champion and the road to dominance was about to begin.

Time of match: 5:34

Winner: Hulk Hogan by pinfall (new WWF Champion)
Its only natural to re-visit the postmatch celebration in the locker room with Hogan ranting and raving to “Mean” Gene Okerlund. Hulk says he’d bring the belt back to the USA and he continues to rant saying the belt is the most beautiful thing he’s ever seen and its part of Mean Gene now too. Andre the Giant from out of nowhere pops the cork on a champagne bottle and douses Hogan with it. Andre shakes Hogan’s hand, says he’s proud of him and says something else in his broken English when Ivan Putski pops open another bottle and douses Hogan with it. Ivan “Hey I’m proud of ya Jack” as Gene says “Its super Monday at the Garden” and then HE gets doused from behind by Rocky Johnson. We cut the celebration there and skip forward to Gene interviewing Hulk with his parents, Pete (dad) on his right and Ruth (mom) on his left. His mom says her son is dedicated, he’s wonderful for the sport and its wonderful for him. Gene interviews his dad next and Pete says he’s proud of him and speaks softly until Hulk rants and raves at the top of his lungs. His father looks annoyed as his mother starts laughing. Gene signs off and we cut here. Talk about a party, the true dawning of Hulkamania and the beginning of the national takeover by Vince Jr. We go right to the next match.
Match 3

The Iron Sheik (With “Ayatollah” Blassie) vs Hulk Hogan for the WWF Heavyweight Championship)

Commentators: Dick Graham and Alfred Hays
After Hogan defeated the Sheik and Hulkamania took off, a re-match for the title was inevitable and this match was from May 5, 1984 at the Philadelphia Spectrum. We join the match already in progress as Hogan is wearing blue tights, not his standard yellow trunks with the Sheik in green. He boots Hulk in the throat then loads up the boot. Sheik rams Hulk head first into the boot and delivers a forearm to the head. We get a TAPE EDIT and Sheik taunts Hogan. Sheik goes for a snap suplex but is blocked and Hulk delivers one of his own. Referee Dick Woehrle checks Hogan who’s busted wide open as Dick whoops again. Sheik goes after the open wound but Hulk no sells a series of punches. Hulk lands two right hands, grab Sheik by the handlebar mustache and delivers a windup roundhouse right. Hulk scoop slams Sheik and drops the big leg but doesn’t cover. Hogan says he’s going to make Sheik pay so he undoes the left boot of Sheik. Hulk nails Sheik a few times but still can’t get it off. Hulk rakes the eyes and finally gets the boot off. Hulk caters to the cheering crowd and loads up the boot. Sheik bails but Hogan follows him and waffles him with the boot. Sheik blades on camera but we get a TAPE EDIT and the next shot we see is both Woehrle and Sheik flat on their asses with Hogan ramming the boot into the bloody head of Sheik. A host of jobbers hit the ring to pry Hulk off Sheik as he retreats to the back leaving Hulk to stand tall. Ring announcer Mel Phillips announces it was a double-count out and Hulk is irate. He keeps the belt so its all good. I wish I could have seen the full match because it had the intensity of a grudge match not usually seen on Coliseum Video. Did I just say that? Oh wow.

Time of match: Joined in progress (an unofficial 3:53, the actual match was 14:18)

Winner: No one (Double Count-Out)

Onto the final match with no interviews or hoopla.
Match 4

Don “The Magnificent” Muraco (with Mr. Fuji) vs Hulk Hogan for the WWF Heavyweight Championship in a Steel Cage Match

Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon and “Mean” Gene Okerlund
This match was from June 21, 1985 at Madison square Garden and Vince overdubs saying this is the rubber match in the series (Muraco won the first match by count-out, Hogan took a re-match at Madison Square Garden by DQ, already covered in GRUDGE MATCHES) and there must be a winner here. Hogan enters the cage wearing the white tights with Muraco in his standard gear. Hogan tosses his bandana and shirt outside before throwing the belt at Muraco. Don goes to whip Hogan with the belt but Hulk ducks under and unloads on him with right hands. The bell rings and Hulk goes to nail Muraco with the belt but Don slides out of the way. The ref gets the belt out of the ring and slams the door as now it’s just one on one. Muraco knees Hogan and attempts to throw him into the cage, but Hulk blocks it. Hulk taunts Don and they circle again. Hulk fakes a tie up before kicking Muraco in the ribs and tries to send him into the cage. Don resists, Hulk rakes the eyes and whips him into the corner. Hulk unloads with a right hand but Don blocks another cage ram attempt. Muraco mulekicks Hogan in the gonads and stomps away at him. Don drops Hogan with a kneelift then continues to kick away. The crowd chants for Hogan as Muraco floors Hogan with another right hand. Muraco drops an elbow to the gonads which is all legal in this match. Muraco goes for the door but Hulk cuts him off with right hands. Muraco gets a thumb to the eye as Mean Gene says the winner is over the top or out the door, no pinfalls or submission. Muraco pounds on Hogan who HULKS UP!!  Rather than the usual head punches, Hogan nails Muraco with two bell-ringers, a whip, a clothesline and a big elbow drop. Hogan bites Muraco on the temple then headbutts him. Hulk torpedoes Muraco head first into the cage. Gorilla “Hulkster ramrodding Muraco into the steel cage!” Take away ‘into the steel cage’ and that doesn’t sound good at all. Muraco is busted wide open as Hulk torpedoes him into the cage again. Don staggers to his feet and Hulk greets him with a series of right hands. Hulk goes for the big clothesline but Muraco catches him and sends him head first into the cage. Muraco slingshots Hogan into the cage as Monsoon points out no one’s tried to leave the cage over the top. Hulk blades and right on cue Muraco goes for the top. He gets halfwayout but Hogan grabs him by the tights. Hulk rams Muraco into the top of the cage before we get a TAPE EDIT. Muraco drops Hogan with an elbow as both men are bloody messes. Monsoon says we got 28 grand in the house tonight which is BS. Muraco lands a right hand but Hogan ducks under another. Muraco runs right into the big boot that sends him through the ropes, getting his head stuck. Muraco unties himself and makes a leap to stop Hogan from leaving the cage. Hogan stomps at Muraco, drops him with a big right hand and exits the cage to win the match. We cut right then and there to the end of the tape. Decent cage match with both guys getting bloody. That’s two straight bloodbaths on this tape, very edgy for the time period.

Time of match: Clipped

Winner: Hulk Hogan
The credits roll with the Rock N Wrestling theme instead of the usual orchestral piece. We then get a montage with the Coliseum Video theme (where was that in the beginning?) for every Coliseum Video that was out at the time. The last one they highlighted was BEST OF THE WWF VOLUME 6 so I placed the Collector’s Series after those ones. As for this, I kind of liked this tape, standard mid 80’s action and it was kept short and sweet. It was only packaged as a collector’s Item so no sense blasting it for lack of matches. This was mostly pre-Wrestlemania stuff so it’s more valuable for its historical purpose than it is for the matches themselves. I give it 3 stars out of 5. One point off because Dick Graham is annoying and another off because they cut up the best match on the tape (the Spectrum bloodbath with the Sheik) and kept the worst one in its entirety (Beefcake). This was actually the second tape of the short lived Collector’s Series and the last one is next: HIGHLIGHTS OF WRESTLEMANIA.

WWF Greatest Matches (CS001)

Well, well well what do we have here? In 1986, WWF put out a three part “Collector’s Series” that were brief, 45 minute tapes that I believe was footage they had lying around and wanted to make a buck out of. That could only explain the choice of matches for 2 of the 3 tapes. So the next three reviews are for the “Collector’s Series” This tape starts out without the Coliseum Video opening. That’s a bad omen. We do start out with Vince McMahon as our host for the evening. He runs down the card and the record needle scratches for mebefore the first match as a tape with the “Greatest” matches features Uncle Elmer and Brutus Beefcake in Vince’s intro…not a good sign. We also get Randy Savage’s IC title win and Iron Sheik’s famous World Title win over long time champion Bob Backlund. Unless the matches are drastically edited, it shouldn’t be that bad of a tape.

Match 1

“Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff vs Hulk Hogan for the WWF Heavyweight Championship

Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon and Jesse “The Body” Ventura
Hogan and Orndorff were rivals dating back to high school so its no surprise they’d be taking on each other in the WWF. This may not be their most famous match (Wrestlemania 1, Big Event, or the Cage match) but this is one of the earlier bouts because there’s a ramp leading to the ring. Actually this match was from April 21, 1985 shortly after Wrestlemania. We’re in the Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto Canada as I can tell by some of the ambience in the background. We start off with Orndorff climbing the second rope as Vince is still yapping and Hogan delivering a back suplex off the second rope. Hogan is in the yellow trunks with Orndorff in the blue. Hogan sends Paul off and delivers a running clothesline knocking him flat. Paul begs off but Hogan caters to the crowd forcing Orndorff to bail to the outside. Orndorff makes his way back inside and then Hogan delivers a side headlock followed by a shoulderblock, then Orndorff bails again. Monsoon “A good little man has never beaten a good big man”….then again this was the dawn of Vince McMahon’s bodybuilder era and it would be 10 years before the “little” men such as Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels, 123 Kid, Brian Pillman among others got their due. They exchange right hands before Hogan goes to the eyes, no doubt pleasing Ventura. Hogan delivers a running clothesline into the corner then atomic drops Mr. Wonderful followed by a headbutt. Hogan covers for a deuce as Monsoon says there’s been a lot of trash talking going down between the two of them. Orndorff delivers his first offensive move 3 minutes in, a kneelift followed by his trademark forearms to the back of the head/neck area (which Hogan says have caused permanent damage, ouch). Orndorff now drops knees to the back of the head before heaving Hogan through the ropes to the outside. Outside, Paul sends Hogan into the steel guardrail before putting the boots to him. Orndorff climbs back inside and caters to the crowd before climbing out and putting the boots to Hogan again. Hogan rolls in so Paul continues to use heel tactics to weaken the champion. Orndorff executes a snap suplex then drops a knee to the throat, the cover gets 1….2…and he got him…no he didn’t. Damn, that was annoying just to type and I had to listen to Vince say it again and again for years. Orndorff continues to stomp away before Hogan begins to rally by ramming Paul’s head into the top turnbuckle a bunch of times. Orndorff staggers and Hogan catches him with a running elbow to the head. Hogan scoop slams Paul and goes for a running elbow drop, but Orndorff rolls out of the way in time. Paul stomps away then goes upstairs, he hits a flying bodypress that Hogan rolls through and the sloppy cover gets 1…2….3 to win the match. Ventura says Orndorff’s shoulders weren’t down but the replay shows they were. Win number 1,203 in a row for Hogan out of about….100,000 to go until 1988 or so. Wasn’t that bad of a match but certainly nothing on the level of their eventual cage match. This was definitely not one of the “greatest matches” they had.
Time of match: 7:25

Winner: Hulk Hogan by pinfall

There is no segment, onto the next match.

Match 2

“Macho Man” Randy Savage (with Miss Elizabeth) vs Tito Santana for the WWF Intercontinental Championship

Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon and Jesse “The Body” Ventura

This match would solidify Savage as a main event player so let’s go back to February 8, 1986 in the Boston Garden (sweeeeet). Macho Man has on the yellow trunks with Tito in the red. Savage jumps in the ring then locks up with Tito, they go back and forth shoving each other as Monsoon hypes the contest. They exchange go-behind’s before Savage hightails it to the ropes and bails to the outside. Back inside Randy headlocks Tito but Santana scissors out of it as Monsoon tells how Macho Man ripped up a bouquet of flowers someone handed to Elizabeth. Ventura “Can you imagine the gall of someone trying to hand her flowers?” They circle the ring as I notice the marquee saying the main event is Hillbilly Jim vs Big John Studd…..yeah, this match is much better. Camera cuts to the lovely Elizabeth as Savage sticks a thumb to the eye, pissing off Santana who chases him out of the ring. Savage yells at a security dude before turning around into right hands from Tito. Santana goes to ram Savage into the post but Randy stops him and throws the champ back inside. Macho Man goes upstairs but jumps into a right hand to the mid section as the Garden crowd applauds. Tito goes to work with right hands and a scoop slam but can’t deliver the flying forearm because Savage bailed to the outside. Santana chases after him but falls for the “first guy back in the ring clobbers the other guy” routine. Savage goes for a boot but Santana catches it, spins him around and delivers an atomic drop. Santana covers for the first pinfall attempt but Randy quickly gets the foot on the ropes. Macho Man goes for the eyes as Danny Davis admonishes him for it, dirty cheater! Randy delivers an axehandle to the back then covers for a 2 count. Savage delivers a left arm clothesline and covers for 1…2…thr….woah, nope. Santana kicks out in time as Savage goes upstairs and once again delivers an axehandle. Another cover gets a near fall as Randy protests to Davis, then Santana begins to rally before Savage gets another thumb to the eye. Santana falls to the arena floor as Randy goes upstairs to deliver an axe handle smash onto him. Ventura says you can’t win the title on the floor and says that’s how Santana escaped against Jesse himself…heh. Santana crawls on the apron where he’s greeted with a right hand right between the eyes. Santana reverses a charge and rams Savage into the ring post, back inside he punches Savage down before putting the boots to him. He hops on the second rope and delivers an elbow smash, the cover gets 1…2…nope, foot on the rope. Tito whips Randy into the corner but a charge eats knee then Savage gets a breather on the top turnbuckle, he covers but Santana throws him ontop of Davis. Tito hits a small package out of nowhere but Davis is still groggy and by the time he makes the count, Savage kicks out at 2. Tito charges but Randy counters with a back elbow smash, then goes for a knee drop but….hits it? He lands on Santana but then rolls around clutching his knee so someone screwed up. Tito pounces and goes to work on the injured leg but Danny Davis keeps getting in the way for some reason. Santana gives the sign for the figure four and applies it as the crowd goes wild, he’s got it locked in the center of the ring. Savage quickly rolls over and makes it to the ropes to break the hold. Savage rolls to the apron but Santana is relentless and suplexes Macho Man back inside the ring. Santana misses a move so Randy slides to the ring apron to pull out something from his tights. He swings and misses and Tito goes for a back suplex, however Randy clocks Santana with the object on the way down.  Randy crawls over on top of Tito and Davis gets down 1……2….THREE AND WE GOT A NEW CHAMPION. Thinking quickly, Savage tosses the piece of steel to the outside as Davis never saw it. Its official, the Macho Man is your new Intercontinental Champion. Savage limps to the back as Monsoon scoffs at the blatent cheating by the Macho Man, Ventura says it’s brilliant. Talk about a passing of the torch, Santana would never see another singles title in 7 more years with the company while Savage still had a yearlong IC title reign along with 2 future WWF Championship runs to go. Does it belong on a tape like this, yes! 1 out of 2 so far.
Time of match: 10:32

Winner: Randy Savage by pinfall (new IC Champion)

There is no segment, onto the next match
Match 3

The Iron Sheik (with Classy Freddie Blassie) vs Bob Backlund (with Arnold Skaaland) for the WWF Heavyweight Championship

Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon and Pat Patterson
The match that paved the way for the Rock N Wrestling connection to happen, let’s get some backstory out of the way first. Vince McMahon Jr bought the promotion from his father Vince Sr and decided to go national, something unheard of in the territorial days of wrestling. To do this however, he needed a larger than life star. His current WWF Champion Bob Backlund was one of the greatest mat-based wrestlers to ever step in the ring, but on the mic and on camera he was about as exciting as a glass of water. However, he noticed a muscular man with unparallel charisma in the AWA named Hulk Hogan and decided that if he could get this guy, the business would really take off. Once he signed Hogan, he had to get the title on him as soon as possible. The problem was Backlund refused to lose to someone without a realistic amateur background and in those days, babyface vs babyface matches were also unheard of. They needed what was known as a transition champion, someone to beat Backlund for the title and to drop it to Hogan. Vince looked at his roster for a heel with amateur abilities and found The Iron Sheik, a former Olympian for the Iranian national team and on December 26, 1983….Sheik met Backlund for the title in Madison Square Garden. To set the match up for more drama, Backlund was attacked by Sheik and Blassie the week before to drive home the point Backlund was not 100 percent going into the match. It should also be noted Backlund has his head shaved, up to this point in his career he had a full head of hair. Backlund usually wrestled in standard trunks but had on a red singlet for this one. Sheik is in the blue trunks and doesn’t wait for instructions to attack Backlund from behind as the bell rings. He strangles Bob with his turban while his robe is still on. Sheik tosses his turban away then strangles Bob with his robe as Blassie looks on with a smile. Sheik pounds away on the side of the injured neck then boots him a few times. Blassie shouts out “BALI BALI BALI!” a few times until some guy in the crowd shouts it back at him. Bali is actually an island in Indonesia and Blassie admitted in his autobiography he didn’t know what “Bali” meant but as a heel manager, he had to at least look like he knew the language of his wrestler (talk about a lost art). Sheik applies an arm-bar before Backlund arm drags out of it, however Sheik quicky pounces on him with more boots and another arm-bar. Sheik shouts “IRAN NUMBVA VUN!” as Backlund powers out of it and snap mares him over. Backlund favors his left shoulder as Sheik once again bars the arm up, Blassie yells out “SHEIK” and he looks over and smiles at his manager. Patterson shills Iron Sheik and says how determined he is to win the title as Backlund starts jiggling Sheik’s pectoral area (wtf???). Eventually Backlund gets to his feet and sends Sheik off the ropes but runs into a shoulderblock. Blassie yells “COME ON, COME ON!” as Sheik runs into a hiptoss by the champ. Backlund slumps to his knees as Monsoon notes how much pain Bob is despite the fact he hiptossed Sheik with his right arm. Sheik quickly recovers and puts more boots to the back then goes back to the arm-bar. Blassie yells to stomp and “kick em” and Sheik acknowledges him but remains with the arm bar. Sheik then shoots a reversen half and makes a cover but Backlund bridges out of it at 1. Patterson makes note of Sheik’s olympic medal past as Backlund powers out of the hold and delivers a forearm to the gut. Backlund delivers another forearm but then just sits there on his knees to Sheik applies a surfboard. We get a TAPE EDIT….and we skip about 30 seconds to a minute and when we return, Patterson says it helps to have a manager at ringside. Backlund tries to power out of the surfboard but Sheik takes command for another 15 seconds. Bob eventually tosses Sheik and goes for a Nautilus cover but Sheik rolls over and delivers a side headlock, which Backlund scissors out of. Sheik rolls to his knees and bridges so Backlund tries a backslide but his shoulder gives out allowing Sheik to put the boots to him. Sheik misses an elbow drop as Arnold at ring side looks concerned. Sheik goes for a snap suplex but Backlund rolls out of it and goes for his finisher, the rolling prawn hold but again his shoulder gives out at 2. Blassie shouts at Sheik to “kick em” but Sheik instead stands over Backlund giving the sign for the camel clutch. Blassie continues to shout “KICK EM!” but Backlund gets to his knees allowing Sheik to put him in his finisher. Monsoon and Patterson raise their voices to signify how deadly the camel clutch was at the time however Backlund refuses to give up. After 15 seconds Arnold Skaaland stands up and throws in the towel despite the fact Backlund never gave up (these turn of events actually would turn into an angle 11 years later but we’ll get to that at another time). The ref sees the towel and calls for the bell and the crowd goes LIVID. The Iron Sheik is the new WWF Champion and the 5 year reign of Backlund is over. Freddie Blassie climbs in the ring and celebrates loudly with Sheik in the ring, Fred revealed in his autobiography that he new the predetermined outcome of the match but the enthusiasm that one of his proteges had won the title was 100 percent real. Monsoon hypes up the new champ and Patterson says “I am stunned.” Most of the crowd is stunned too, everyone now thinks John Cena or Triple H holds the title too long after a few months….try 5 YEARS. Hogan had the title from 84 to 88 and even that was shorter than Backlund’s reign. With this win, Iron Sheik cements his status as a hall of fame wrestler, it opens the door for Hogan and the Rock n Wrestling connection to step in and dominate the industry and it also plants a seed for a comeback by Backlund 11 years later. Blassie puts the belt on upside down as Howard Finkel announces the new champ. Sheik’s reign would only last a month but the night was his, and no one can ever take that away. Does this belong as a “greatest” match? Absolutely! We’re 2 out of 3 so far.
Time of match: An un-official 11:50 due to the tape edit

Winner: The Iron Sheik by submission (new WWF Champion)

There is no segment, on to the final match.

Match 4

The Country Boys (Hillbilly Jim and Uncle Elmer) vs The Dream Team (Brutus Beefcake and Greg Vallentine) with Luscious Johnny V

Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon and Alfred Hays
On a tape titled GREATEST matches…..you mean to tell me that Brutus Beefcake, Hillbilly Jim and Uncle Elmer are capable of having a great match? Fortunately Greg “The Hammer” Valentine is involved so we’ll give this the benefit of the doubt for now since he’s capable of carrying a match. This Madison Square Garden match is from September 1985 since that’s after when the Dream Team beat The US Express for the belts, meanwhile Johnny V is wearing an impeccable suit. Hillbilly and Elmer enter without music as Monsoon says the advantage goes to The Dream Team based on their cohesiveness in the ring. Hays says the most dangerous wrestler of the match is Valentine (true) and Monsoon says he reminds him of Pedro Morales (also true). Brutus is in the long blue tights, Valentine is in the black trunks. Jim is in standard gear and Elmer has the white shirt on under the overalls. Greg starts out with Jim and the big guy cartwheels to show his injured leg has healed. (Dream Team did a number on him and Cousin Junior months earlier). Valentine wastes no time and springs with a headlock which Jim turns into a telegraphed big boot (seriously Greg, he put his foot up as soon as you left to run, how did you not see it coming?) Anyway Valentine does his “Valentine Flop” as Jim goes to work with a headbutt into the corner. Jim whips Greg off the corner and delivers a sloppy looking shoulder breaker which Valentine sells anyway. Hillbilly goes for the cover but the referee is out of position resulting in a one count. Jim goes to a side headlock then tags in Elmer who delivers a sloppy looking punch to the gut. Elmer picks Greg up by the throat and heaves him halfway across the ring. Valentine begs off in the corner before climbing up to the second rope as Elmer stands there shaking a fist at him. Valentine delivers a forearm to the back of the neck and I nearly spit out my popcorn….ELMER WAS WATCHING HIM GO UP THE TURNBUCKLE, WHAT DO YOU THINK HE WAS ABOUT TO DO? Valentine tags in Beefcake for the first time all match and he delivers a running boot to the neck. Beefcake stomps away then struts around the ring, heh. Valentine tags back in and delivers a running elbow drop to the fallen Elmer. Valentine drops another elbow then makes the cover, but Elmer tosses him off at 1. Beefcake tags in and baits Hillbilly Jim to get in the ring but neither one of The Dream Team does anything to take advantage. Beefcake continues to go to work but Elmer crawls his way to the corner and makes the tag to Jim. Hillbilly cleans house of Valentine and Beefcake before catching Brutus with a bearhug. Beefcake waves for Greg to help and he delivers a knee to the back of Hillbilly Jim, breaking the hold. Jim delivers a punch to the gut then somersaults into the corner to make the tag to Elmer. Elmer one arm slams Beefcake then drops a big leg on him before making the cover..1…nope, Valentine drops an elbow to save his partner. Hillbilly intercepts Valentine and now a brawl erupts, forcing Johnny V to make his way onto the apron. Jim headbutts him as Elmer does an avalanche to Beefcake in the corner. Elmer does a bearhug of his own in the middle of the ring on Beefcake but doesn’t see Valentine going upstairs. Greg comes off the top with a forearm that knocks Brutus on top of Elmer, and the ref turns around to see it..1…..2….3 and this one is over. Jim had more than enough time to make the save but didn’t turn around, which is why The Country Boys never did shit in their tenure, too stupid. First Elmer watches Valentine deliver a forearm and then Jim doesn’t have the presence of mind to turn his head 3 feet to notice his partner in trouble. Either way this mess is over and The Dream Team have retained the titles. Beefcake and Valentine bail with the belts as they are pelted with garbage then the credits roll.

Time of match: 4:59

Winners: The Dream Team by pinfall

Well, for a 4 match collector’s tape….it shockingly was pretty good. You had an awesome IC title match, the landmark title change from Backlund to Sheik, the talents of Greg Valentine and Paul Orndorff and of course the focal point of the company Hulk Hogan. The commentary was decent (shocking consider Alfred Hays was in one of the matches) and the tape was short and sweet for people that have lousy attention spans. Could have done without the edit job of Backlund’s match but other than that, nothing too much to complain about. Normally this would be a 4 star tape but this was supposedly the ‘GREATEST’ matches and I can’t forgive Uncle Elmer being in a match dubbed “the greatest” so a half star off for the obvious lie.  Another star off because that was not the best Hogan match they had either. 3 1/2 stars out of 5 and definitely watchable if you can get your hands on it. The next tape after this is THE HULKSTER HULK HOGAN so we’ll pick up there.

Best of the WWF Volume 6 (WF020)

We’ve made it to Volume 6 of the Best of series and hopefully now we can stay in the present. After RICKY THE DRAGON STEAMBOAT was somewhat of a disappointment, there’s nowhere to go but up. We will see Hogan vs Savage and that’s always entertaining. But will these be the BEST matches? Let’s find out. Cue the 1985 Opening and Gorilla Monsoon is our host today. He says we’re going to see Ricky Steamboat, Jesse Ventura, Hulk Hogan, Randy Savage, Ivan Putski, Johnny Valiant, Lanny Poffo, Terry Funk, midgets and more! Monsoon tells the fans to keep writing so they can provide the very best.
Match 1

“Leaping” Lanny Poffo vs Terry Funk

Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon and Alfred Hays

Always nice to see Lanny in action, I always loved how not once did they ever mention he was the Macho Man’s brother in their respective runs. This match is from July 13, 1985 in Madison Square Garden. Once again, we’re going back to the past. Terry is by himself with no Hart in the red tights and Lanny in the silver. Before the match starts Funk beats up Mel Phillips on the outside before getting in the ring. They lock up and Alfred says Terry’s never been beaten in a bar room brawl. Terry gets the upper hand with right hands before he ducks under a leapfrog. Lanny goes for a move but Terry catches himself and falls into the ropes, causing the crowd to chuckle. Funk goes to work with knife edged chops and a left hand. A headbutt staggers both men before an elbow rocks Poffo. Lanny reverses an irish whip and Funk falls into the ropes again. Lanny caters to the crowd as Funk bails and shouts at the cameraman. Lanny and Funk reverse arm bars before Lanny back flips on his feet and locks in an arm wringer. Lanny gets the foot up on the shoulder for leverage. Funk then slips the leg in and falls backwards, causing Lanny to topple over the top to the floor. Funk screams at the fans and kicks at Poffo. Some guy in a corncob pipe slides Lanny back in the ring. Back inside Terry goes for an atomic drop but Lanny reverses it into one of his own. Funk staggers and bails through the ropes and to the outside. Back inside Funk slaps the chest of Lanny in the corner then rallies with left hands. A series of boxing jabs staggers Lanny as Monsoon bitches at the ref about the closed fists. A headbutt by Funk drops Lanny then goes for the figure four. Lanny powers out of it but eats axehandles to the back. Left elbows in the corner is met with a crescent kick and right hand from Lanny. Poffo wobbles Funk with a series of right hands. Lanny kicks away in the corner but two headbutts stop the momentum. Lanny bounces off the ropes and floors Lanny with a shoulderblock but falls through the ropes again. Terry goes to suplex Lanny to the floor and does, but Lanny wisely landed feet first before he fell. No way was he taking a bump on the cement floor. Funk goes outside and doggie headbutts Poffo before going back in and posing for the irate crowd. Some clown in the crowd says “I’m on tv mom!” as Funk suplexes Lanny back in the ring from the apron. Funk covers for 1….2…negative. Funk pushes the referee who gets in his face and threatens a disqualification. Funk then hits the Rude Awakening years before it was called that then covers for 1…2…no. Lanny hits a sunset flip out of nowhere for a long 2 count and the bell inadvertently rings. Lanny goes to town in the corner and whips Terry who Flair flips in the corner. Lanny kicks him over the top to the apron then snap mares him back in. A scoop slam is a set up for the second rope moonsault which was Lanny’s finisher. He hits it and covers 1…2…nope, didn’t hook the leg. Funk and Poffo trade blows before Terry gets the upper hand. Lanny reverses an irish whip before a frankensteiner stuns Funk, the cover gets 1…2..no. Funk recovers, whips Lanny off and locks in a sleeper hold right in the center of the ring. The fans cheer for Poffo who gets to his feet only for Terry to trip him up again. The ref checks Lanny and calls for the bell. He didn’t submit but the ref called the match for safety. Terry gets the branding iron and brands Lanny on the chest, luckily its not hot so all it leaves is ash. That was a great match that showcased the wily veteran slipping by the hot youngster. Did it belong on a tape like this? Anytime Terry Funk is on a WWF tape is a good thing, so yes.
Time of match: 13:06

Winner: Terry Funk by submission

Next up is the Mega Powers explodeeeeeeeee……3 ½ years early.

Match 2

“Macho Man” Randy Savage (with Miss Elizabeth) vs Hulk Hogan for the WWF Heavyweight Championship

Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon and Alfred Hays

This match is from December 30, 1985 in Madison Square Garden. Hogan comes out to Real American for the first time in Coliseum Video history and is in the yellow tights. Savage is in the neon pink tights for this one. Hogan and Savage tie up and Hogan throws him to the ground. Savage gets a headlock in but is whipped off and shoulderblocked. Hogan chases Savage out of the ring and follows him to the floor. Savage gets Elizabeth to safety as Hogan taunts from the outside. Savage tosses a chair to the ring and Alfred says that accomplished nothing. They tie up and Savage gets a thumb to the eye and a snap mare. A knee drop stuns the champ and Hogan fakes Savage out. Savage went to jump on Hogan on the rope, but Hulk moved and Savage crashed to the mat. Hogan hits two right hands that send Savage into the corner. Hogan whips Savage into the other corner and clotheslines him down. Hogan hits an atomic drop that sends Savage through the ropes and to the outside. Hogan goes to attack Savage but Randy pulls Elizabeth in front of him. The crowd and Monsoon scoff as Hogan gets back in and demands Savage join him. Randy recovers and snap mares him. He goes upstairs but Hogan catches Randy mid-air and delivers a backbreaker. Savage bails and Hogan follows, then Randy pulls Elizabeth in front of him again. Savage tells the camera man to get lost before shouting at the irate crowd. Hogan nails Savage from behind and throws him into the ring. Savage alertly catches the champ with a knee then quickly goes upstairs and hits and axehandle. Savage covers for 1…2…nope. Savage throws Hogan to the outside then goes up to the top. An axehandle smash on the cement floor connects and Hogan is stunned. Savage slides in to break the count as Savage continues to go to work on the outside. Back inside Savage stomps away at the Hulkster then rallies with kicks and elbows. Another cover gets a 1, try hooking the leg! Hogan then Hulks Up and no-sells Savage’s punches. Hogan clotheslines Savage then stomps on his head. Hogan whips Randy off and big boots him to the outside. Hulk follows to the outside and Elizabeth stands over him. Hulk picks her up and throws her into the crowd….just kidding. He gently places her out of the way and throws Randy back inside. Randy is whipped off the ropes but gets a boot to the head. Randy goes for the flying elbow and HITS IT!!! He covers for 1……2….NOOOOOOO. Savage thinks he’s won it but the referee says no way. Savage turns around, sees Hogan coming and ducks, causing Hogan to clothesline Dick Kroll. Kroll is knocked goofy and Savage nails Hogan to the floor. Randy grabs the title belt and axehandles Hogan with it. Back inside Savage picks Kroll up and has him count Hulk out….IDIOT! You can’t win the title that way. Sure enough, the ref completes the count and Savage wins the match. Hulk is busted wide open as Elizabeth straps the belt around Savage. Fink gets in the ring and announces Savage the winner…..but….Hogan is still the champion. Savage goes berserk and knocks out Dick Kroll, then carries Elizabeth to the back…before Hogan stops him. Hogan nails Randy then picks him up in a fireman’s carry. Hogan rallies with right hands then clotheslines the Macho Man. Hulk picks his belt up and taunts Savage much to the crowd’s delight. Hogan whips Randy off but swings and misses with the belt. Savage beats a hasty to retreat as someone in the crowd holds up a Hogan Halloween mask. Monsoon says Hulk is guts personified. That was a great match with absolutely no rest holds. Did it belong on a tape like this? HELL YEAH! This was just a taste of things to come when these two would main event Wrestlemania 5.

Time of match: 10 minutes

Winner: Randy Savage by count-out (Hogan retains)

We go from two great matches to T.N.T. with Jesse Ventura with Alfred Hays hosting. Alfred opens a WWF Magazine and asks Ventura who’s better, him or Corporal Kirchner. Jesse “I was a former Navy Seal and we called those army guys ‘pukes’. Anyone who’s been in the military knows Navy Seals run circles around those pukes.” We go to Vince in the crowd with Robert Reid (no not the Houston Rockets player) who asks where Ventura got his ridiculous costumes. Ventura nonchalantly answers that its not a costume, its how he dresses. “One set of my clothes could probably buy your car.” Next up is Roger Korman (no not the famous movie director) and he wants to know if Rachel Ward is jealous of Miss Elizabeth being Jesse’s sidepiece. Jesse says there’s nothing going on between him and Elizabeth and Ward is old news. Finally an older man in a business suit named Phil Burke who’s nervous because Jesse is his favorite. He then babbles a question that’s too advanced for Jesse and Jesse says he can’t understand what he’s saying. We cut here thankfully. That looked to be heading in a funny direction and it was killed dead. No idea why this is on the tape other than to showcase Jesse. Next up is the midgets…..oh shit.

Match 3

Butch Cassidy vs The Haiti Kid

Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon and Alfred Hays

Just what we needed, a midget match on a ‘best of’ tape. This better be good. This was on the December 30, 1985 Madison Square Garden undercard of Savage vs Hogan from earlier because you can see the exact same fans in the exact same spots. Haiti Kid is in the black trunks and Butch in ridiculous looking polka dotted long tights. At least Cassidy is well built. If he was 8 inches taller he could give Rey Mysterio Jr a run for his money. Monsoon says he’s almost as tall as referee Gil Roman. Haiti Kid chases Butch to the apron as Monsoon says midget matches were his favorite. He lists off Sky Low Low (of BLOOPERS, BLEEPS AND BODYSLAMS), Fuzzy Cupid, Lord Littlebrook (who would make an appearance 2 years later) and Little Beaver (of BIGGEST, SMALLEST, STRANGEST, STRONGEST). They tie up and Haiti Kid makes a clean break on the ropes. Butch backs Haiti in the ropes and clean breaks. Kid armdrags Cassidy twice and he complains about the tights pull. Kid gets in a headlock, Butch whips him off and eats a shoulder block. Kid bounces off the ropes, jumps over a confused Butch and scoop slams him. Butch eats two arm drags and locks in an arm bar. Monsoon says on his knees, Butch is as tall as Haiti Kid and if he grew any taller he’d be out of a job. Butch sends Kid off the ropes, leapfrogs over him but Kid reverses an arm drag. A backdrop stuns Cassidy and a standing dropkick sends Butch to his knees. Butch begs off and Haiti Kid rolls him up…and the ref doesn’t bother to count. Kid holds him for a good 10 seconds and Gil still doesn’t bother to make a count. Finally Cassidy lays flat on his back and Roman counts 1 before Kid pulls him up by the legs and midget spins him. Kid snaps the nose 3 stooges style and floors him with a right hand. Then they do the “one midget gets pinned, other one pushes him off into the ref’s arms and he drops him back on top” routine. Kid pushes the referee as everyone howls with laughter. Even Cassidy gives him a shove for good measure. Monsoon says Cassidy and Roman would make a good match. Butch takes Kid down with a go behind, Kid sits out, turns in and escapes. Monsoon asks if you can imagine being a high school wrestling coach with a 99 pound wrestler as a freshman who was still 99 as a senior? I’ve seen it happen. Cassidy wins a test of strength and goes to stomp on the hands, but Kid pulls them back in time, double stomps the feet of Cassidy who lands flat on his ass. Kid motions he’s going to kick Cassidy in the gonads but instead slingshots him across the ring. A series of chops send Cassidy into the second rope. Kid whips him off, nails him with a double chop, drops an elbow and covers for 1,….2….negative. Kid rams Cassidy into the second turnbuckle. Kid goes to town on Cassidy before nailing him with his finisher, the headbutt. He covers and gets the 1…2…NO. Cassidy slipped his arm through. Butch begs off and goes for a handshake only for Kid to bite him on the hand. Cassidy responds with an eye gouge and an elbow to the head. He rams Haiti Kid’s head into the buckle who no sells it and taunts Cassidy. A headbutt staggers Cassidy and two more stun him, A dropkick connects and Kid makes the cover 1….2..no, foot on the rope. Cassidy calls for time as Monsoon scoffs. Back inside Cassidy works over Kid in the corner, whips him to the other corner and hits a knee to the ribs. An elbow to the head is followed by a reversal of a whip by Kid and a backdrop, sending Cassidy on his back. Three chops drop Cassidy but a sloppy cover only gets two. Kid executes a swinging neckbreaker as someone in the crowd shouts to put him in a piledriver. An eye rake stops Kid’s momentum. Cassidy whips him off and executes a beautiful dropkick then an equally impressive snap suplex. Cassidy covers for 1…..2….nope. A gassed Cassidy scoop slams Kid and covers for a two count, forgot to hook the leg. Cassidy gets him up and executes a reverse shoulderbreaker. That should have done it but he has no gas left. A criss cross ends with Kid putting Cassidy in an airplane spin. Both men are staggering around but Kid recovers enough to shoulderblock Cassidy to the ground. Kid bounces off the ropes and Cassidy goes for the drop down but the alert Kid gets the feet in position and Little Louie rolls Cassidy for the 1..2…..3 and its over. WOW! I’m shocked…stunned! That was a good midget match. Yes it had some silly tactics but it wasn’t over the top silly and the guys actually put on a decent story. Does it belong on a tape like this, well this was probably the best midget match I ever saw so YES!

Time of match: 10:32

Winner: Haiti Kid by pinfall

We go back to the archives for the next match.

Match 4

Ivan Putski vs “Luscious” Johnny Valiant (with Captain Lou Albano)

Commentator: Vince McMahon

September 24, 1979 at Madison Square Garden saw a non-roided Putski take on Johnny in singles action. The Valiant’s were the reigning tag team champions and ironically it would be Putski and Tito Santana that would have the next title shot a month later. Johnny is in the long blue tights with white stars on them and Putski is in the black trunks. They announce Putski as undefeated and the guy’s thighs are enormous. This look NOTHING like the Hulkamania Putski we’d later see. Referee Terry Terranova has a problem getting Putski back to start the match and of course Lou Albano doesn’t help matters. Putski stalks Albano across the ring until Valiant attacks from behind with forearms. The bell rings and Valiant rakes the eyes. Valiant contines to work with boots to the gut who Putski no-sells. Headlock punches has the ref ticked about the open fist. More punches are no sold as Putski begins to get mad. Putski then goes wild with right hands until Valiant bails to the apron. Putski turns his back for one second and Valiant goes back to work with throat chops. Valiant pounds away as the crowd tries to rev up Putski. Ivan gets in a side headlock and two punches stun Valiant. Johnny goes down and begs off as Ivan stomps away. A Headlock has the crowd roaring and 3 headlocked punches has Johnny stunned. A big headbutt as Valiant staggering into the corner and Putski rams his own head into the buckle to psych himself up. Valiant drops to his knees and wants a handshake, Putski will have none of it. The crowd says no and on cue Putski drops Valiant with a right hand. Valiant sells it tremendously and Putski hip tosses Valiant halfway across the ring. Ivan whips Johnny off and backdrops him to the center of the ring. Valiant begs off again but gets the eye gouge in. More punches rock Ivan until he whips Johnny off the ropes. Ivan drops down twice before nailing Valiant with THE POLISH HAMMERRRRR….right in the chest. The crowd roars as Putski hits an aftershock splash for 1….2….3 its over. Madison Square Garden roars as Putski remains undefeated. Valiant retreats as we go to the replay to see Putski wallop Valiant with the Polish Hammer. Vince “Lusicous Johnny is not so luscious anymore”.  As a catch as catch can match, that was the drizziling shits. In terms of entertainment, selling and storytelling, that was a fun 4 minutes. The crowd was into it and everyone wanted to see the hammer, and they got it. Valiant was an average wrestler but he could talk, which is how he made the transition to manager. Does this match belong on a tape like this? Usually no but its for nostalgia purposes.
Time of match: 4:31

Winner: Ivan Putski by pinfall
Remember Freddie Blassie, Bobby Heenan and Lou Albano giving love advice on T.N.T.? Now its Lord Alfred Hays’ turn. I swear TNT was a god awful abomination but it got more play on these tapes than Championship Wrestling. All-Star Wrestling and almost every other program in syndication. We only have about 20 minutes of tape left so hopefully this will be quick and painless. Alfred is in his standard tux while Vince is in a dress shirt and dress pants. He asks Alfred what the difference is between English love and American love. Alfred says the gentlemen needs to hold hands while wearing gloves on the first date. He says on a second date you could go for a stroll in the park and kissing on the cheek could be too much action. Vince wants some action and says to jump to the 5^th date. Alfred says on the 5^th date you hug her but no kissy kissy. Vince “We’re getting nowhere fast here. How long would it take to become intimate!” Alfred  “Well on a normal courtship, I’d say about 5 to 6 months you’d finally get a kiss on the lips.” Vince pauses to milk the crowd’s laughter than says “Thank you for joining us. We’ll be back after this.”  Well that was funny but not in the classic sense. Alfred really did sound serious while Vince really was looking for some down and dirty action. Good news was the segment was short, but it sure as hell doesn’t belong on this kind of tape. Save it for something else. Anyway, onto the final match.
Match 5

Ricky Steamboat vs “Cowboy” Bob Orton

Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon and Gene Okerlund
Well at least we’ll end the tape with a great match since everything Ricky did in the 80’s usually was great. Actually this is the exact same match featured on BEST OF THE WWF VOLUME 3 only without some of the edits so I’ll just re-post. Orton’s in the green trunks with Steamboat in the black, plus Orton still has the cast on. Orton comes off the ropes and narrowly avoids a karate kick. Orton bails to the outside and complains to the ref before slowly making his way back to the ring. Steamboat gives Orton crap about the cast on his arm before the tie up. Steamboat eats a shoulderblock but leapfrogs Orton and armdrags him. Steamboat wrenches the “injured” arm and does a number on it. Ricky whips Orton into the corner and chops him. Orton falls and Ricky continues to work over the left shoulder. Orton begs off but Steamboat shakes his head nooooo. Orton tries to bail but Ricky drags him back into the ring via the top rope. Steamboat goes back to the arm wringer, blocks a punch and continues to go to town on him. Steamboat wrenches the hammerlock with his FEET and falls backward twice. Ricky continues to work the arm with a kneedrop. Orton recovers and catches Ricky with a boot to the ribs. Ricky reverses a whip but Orton baseball slides right into a big chop from the future Dragon. Another armdrag takes Orton down as Okerlund says we’re witnessing something special. Ricky has the arm-bar locked in but Bob counters with a scoop slam. Ricky quickly recovers and scoop slams Orton. ANOTHER arm drag has the crowd popping. Monsoon shills the action until Orton gets to his feet. He tries a hiptoss but Ricky blocks it. Orton finally powers out of an arm-bar with a headbutt in the corner. A big forearm is followed by hiptossing Steamboat halfway across the ring. Orton executes a flying head scissors but the second attempted misses and he flails over the top rope to the floor. Orton grabs a fan’s drink and throws it at Steamboat who sells it like he had acid thrown on him. Orton goes on offense as Okerlund says the fan must be pissed without actually saying that. A big punch is followed by ramming Ricky’s head into the buckle. Orton lands another big right and follows it with a facebuster. A knee lift drops Ricky as Orton poses for the crowd and gets a decent pop actually. Orton still sells the arm wringers from earlier (a lost art today) but still catches Steamboat with a right hand. Orton applies a neck wrench and takes Steamboat to his knees with it. Orton snaps the neck then drops an elbow to the throat, but the cover only gets a two. Orton applies a rest-hold and goes to drop the cast on Ricky….but he moves out of the way in time. Orton sells the left arm and Ricky catches him with a chop. Ricky goes for the scoop slam but collapses with Orton on top 1…2..noooo, too close. Orton goes back to the standing chinlock then slams him down. Think of a rock bottom but without going underneath the arm. Orton covers for a deuce then shouts at the crowd “I came this close” and poses. Okerlund says that means nothing and Orton methodically stalks Ricky. They trade blows in the center of the ring before Ricky gets the upper hand with chops in the corner. A big right drops Orton but Bob counters with a punch to the ribs. Orton goes for a piledriver but is backdropped by Steamboat. Ricky goes up to the top rope and delivers the flying crossbody for 1…2..NOOOOOO. Orton becomes the first guy ever to kick out of Steamboat’s finisher. Ricky sends Orton off the ropes and catches him with a back elbow smash. A karate chop to the head is followed by a cover for 1….2…no. Okerlund “Come on Richard, gotta hook the leg.” Orton counters with an inverted atomic drop and throws Ricky over the top rope, but Steamboat skins the cat back in. Steamboat catches Orton with a running enziguri and Orton throws himself over the rope to the floor. Orton gets back on the apron and is met with a right hand. The ref tries to stop Steamboat from attacking which allows Orton enough time to get in an eye gouge. Orton goes to superplex Steamboat outside but Ricky counters by suplexing him back in. Ricky goes for a big splash but Orton gets his knees up. Bob adjusts his cast then goes up to the top rope. Stemboat staggers into a big left forearm off the top. The ref notices Orton used the cast and calls for the bell….WOW! A classic match ends with a cheap ending. The ref raises Ricky’s arm in victory and Orton goes berserk in protest. Orton chases Ricky with the cast but Steamboat ducks under and chops him. A series of chops sends Orton retreating to the back as Steamboat stands tall in the ring. We go to the instant replay with Okerlund and Monsoon giving their two cents Outstanding showing by both guys and Orton keeps his heat despite the loss. Did this belong on a tape like this? Considering it belonged on Volume 3, it definitely belongs on Volume 6.
Time of match: 12:37

Winner: Ricky Steamboat by DQ
The credits roll with the orchestral theme and this one’s history. Before we finish we get our standard 3 previews. BEST OF THE WWF VOLUME 7, VILLAINS OF THE SQUARED CIRCLE and BRUNO SAMMARTINO: WRESTLING’S LIVING LEGEND. That was a pretty damn good tape. The TNT segments were useless but 4 of the 5 matches were special.  The action was solid even though the tape only ran 75 minutes. At least we saw the Steamboat/Orton match in its entirety after it was clipped for the tape it was previously on. The only gripe I have is that the calendar had turned to 1986 but they were still showing matches from 1985 and prior. A lot of guys from the old guard plus even from 85 such as Jimmy Snuka were gone. The tag team era was about to take place with the Killer Bees, Hart Foundation, British Bulldogs and others while newcomers like Randy Savage and Ricky Steamboat were going to match the NWA’s highly touted cast of wrestlers. The problem was none of the tag teamers were featured here. It’s a shame they couldn’t clip a tag match in there just to showcase them. Still, the tape was pretty much a sneak preview of the future with Ricky Steamboat, Randy Savage and Hogan lighting up the cards. As for this tape, 4 stars out of 5. The Valiant match didn’t really belong and the TNT skits were useless. They could have substituted the skits with another match. I still HIGHLY recommend this tape. The next tape after this will get a little tricky, instead of the next video in the main lineage, we will look at the “Collector’s Series” beginning with WWF’S GREATEST MATCHES.

Ricky The Dragon Steamboat (WF019)

To have a personal profile tape this early in the Coliseum Video lineage, you have to be special. Discounting the god awful COUNTRY BOYS tape, the only ones who had personal profiles were the top stars ANDRE THE GIANT, Roddy Piper and Hulk Hogan (THE LIFE AND TIMES OF LOU ALBANO doesn’t count because Lou was a manager). Steamboat getting his own tape was a testament to his amazing talent as he wasn’t a champion nor was he even in the WWF as long as Hogan, Andre and Piper were. Tito Santana was a two time IC champion and he didn’t have his own tape (or ever get one). Does Steamboat deserve it though? Absolutely. He had some classic matches in the NWA and seemed ready to break out as a top star but he was held back by Dusty Rhodes. Going to WWF meant more exposure for sure, but he also had to play second fiddle to Hogan like he had to play to Rhodes. Ah well, least he got his own tape in WWF. Let’s stoke it up. Cue the 1985 Opening…oh and props to 411mania to discovering the two guys in the black and white segment of the opening were Lou Thesz and Rikidozan. Thesz needs to introduction while Rikidozan was pretty much the Thesz of Japan. He was Japan’s top star until he turned the page to his top two students, Antonio Inoki and Giant Baba….yes, All-Japan and New Japan’s founders. Gorilla Monsoon is our host tonight and he brings up how Steamboat has only been around a year and yet has had amazing matches. He says Steamboat will take on The Hammer, Don Muraco and Randy “Not so Macho Man” Savage (Monsoon’s words). We go to our first match before he’s even done with the introduction, geez, someone’s in a hurry.

Match 1

Ricky Steamboat vs Greg “The Hammer” Valentine (with Jimmy Hart) for the WWF Intercontinental Championship

Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon and Gene Okerlund
This match is from June 21, 1985 in Madison Square Garden and its joined in progress. Steamboat is in the long black tights and Greg is in the red trunks. Steamboat stalks Greg with a karate pose until Greg tries to scoop slam him. Ricky blocks it until Greg turns it into a takedown. Ricky switches into a single leg takedown and chops Valentine in the gut. Greg staggers to his feet and Ricky goes to work with chops until Greg bails. Hart screams “No karate!” and Gene scoffs “Whataya mean no karate?” Jimmy “Hey ref, watch that kung fu karate!” Greg goes for forearms in the corner but Ricky blocks all of them and  chops Greg all the way to the ropes where he snap mares him then does the Perfect neckbreaker all in two swift motions. Damn he’s good. He locks in a chinlock until Greg gets to his feet and turns it into an arm ringer. Ricky reverses it and drops the champ with a reverse crescent kick. Monsoon and Okerlund agree they’d love to stick Jimmy’s megaphone in his ear. A quick thrust kick and back elbow smash sends Valentine to the match. Ricky stalks Greg in the corner before landing 5 kicks to the jaw. A chop to the chest is met with a Gene Okerlund “Hiyah!” The first cover of the match gets a two count. Ricky ducks under a clothesline and lands a crossbody for 1….2…nope, referee was out of position and he didn’t hook the leg. Steamboat goes to the front headlock until Greg backs him in the corner. Greg pounds away on Ricky in the corner with forearms. Ricky falls to the apron and Valentine delivers two forearms to the chest. Ricky recovers with a shoulderblock and two chops to the forehead before going upstairs. He stuns Greg with a flying chop and he tackles him to the ground. Ricky covers for 1…2..no. A scoop slam by the Dragon is wasted as Valentine gets his knees up on a splash attempt. Greg drops a knee to the ribs and we TAPE EDIT. Valentine works on the leg and goes for the figure four, only for Ricky to counter it with a cradle for 1….2..and no. Ricky does something to stun Greg but we miss it due to an unnecessary shot of the crowd. Ricky goes for a scoop but Hammer lands on top of him for 1….2…nope. Valentine catches Ricky with a forearm to the rubs and Steamboat goes tumbling through the ropes and to the outside. Hart taunts Ricky until the Dragon gathers his bearings. He looks to the crowd for support who pops. Ricky gets fired up, pounds the mat then starts no selling Greg’s offense. They trade blows until Steamboat gets the upperhand with overhand and knife edge chops. Greg goes down and Ricky has the crowd in an uproar. Two more chops drop the champ and Monsoon says he won’t get the pin because he didn’t hook the leg. Once again the cover gets a two and an elbow drops the Hammer. Ricky goes upstairs and delivers his flying crossbody for 1….2….NOOOOO, foot on the ropes. Greg recovers and back suplexes the Dragon. Greg drops two running elbows and covers for a two count, failing to hook the leg. Valentine goes for a figure four but Ricky counters by kicking him into the corner. More chops are followed by a roundhouse kick that sends Greg over the top rope to the floor. Hart picks Greg up and throws him back in but the bell rings. Stemboat chops both Greg and Jimmy through the ropes as the Fink gets in the ring. Monsoon speculates Greg was DQ’d but Fink announces Steamboat has won by count out. That was a pretty quick count by Dick Woehrle since the announcers missed it as well as the fans and Steamboat himself. We go to the replay as Monsoon says the title does not change hands on a count-out. We end the match here and that was something else. Classic booking as Steamboat beat up Valentine six ways from Sunday yet Greg retained the belt. Was it a good match? Yes it was, the story being told was the methodical Hammer could barely keep pace with the speed of the Dragon. These two would meet again years later, but for now Ricky gets the duke.
Time of match: clipped

Winner: Ricky Steamboat by count-out (Valentine retains)
Next up is a September 1985 interview on The Body Shop with Jesse Ventura. Ventura praises his own shades as he’s wearing jeans, cowboy boots and a yellow t-shirt with Manhattan written on it in the shape of NYC, clever. Ricky comes out in his black karate gi and takes a seat next to Jesse. Ventura asks how he’s doing and Ricky says pretty good. Jesse asks where the name Steamboat comes from and Ricky says he’s carrying on the family tradition. This is half true actually. When Ricky first started out he went under his real name, Richard Blood. Once he ended up in the Florida territory, Eddie Graham felt that the name sounded too heel like (compared to Dick Blood?) and decided to re-name him. Since he had Hawaian blood, Graham had him renamed Ricky Steamboat, the son of Hawaiian legend Sammy Steamboat. The funny part was nobody bothered to tell Ricky before he went to the ring the night he was renamed. The announcer referred to him as Ricky Steamboat, son of Sammy and Ricky tried to tell him that’s not his name, only for the announcer to mutter “shaddup, that’s your name now” or something like that. Ventura then says “so wait, your great great grandfather didn’t climb a coconut tree, see a steamboat and say that’s a good name for himself?” Ricky counters “No, he was standing on a volcano.” Ventura then goes into fashion mode asking what’s the deal with the outfit and says that kung fu he’s been using is illegal. Ricky “Illegal?” Ventura bitches that he’s going for the throat and Ricky says he’s checked the WWF rules and says he uses open hands, not fists like Jesse uses. Ventura “waiiiiiit a minute!” Ventura says “You don’t bend the rules?” Ricky answers no so Jesse gets bent out of shape and ends the show right then and there. Its funny because Ricky really never did bend the rules. There’s a very, very short list of guys that had a long, productive career that never worked heel. The three names I can think of are Tito Santana, Rey Mysterio Jr and Ricky Steamboat. That’s also why Ric Flair says Ricky is NOT the best wrestler of all time, because he never worked heel. It would have been interesting to see Ricky come out strutting with shades and telling the fans to stick it, but since he never did it, its hard to imagine that.
We go from an interview with Jesse to an infamous “training” segment. Once again Vince couldn’t leave well enough alone and had to give Ricky a “personality”. No he didn’t sing and dance on T.N.T. (that I know of) but he did have this “training” portion on the show. The segment is called “Becoming the dragon: the three moments of truth”. Gene Okerlund is on location with Ricky at the temple of Chang-Lao. They walk across a wooden bridge as Gene admires the scenery. Ricky says it wasn’t always serene and that it was the site of his first test: The Bridge of Serenity. We then cut to Ricky beating up ninjas in black masks…yes of course I’m serious. Now many say that the ninjas were midgets, but they’re not. They just happen to be a bit shorter than Ricky, but they’re not full fledged midgets. The object is to cross the bridge and Ricky does that after beating up the two ninjas. Some of the blows were definitely choreographed but at least they didn’t have any goofy sound effects. Back to Gene and Ricky and the Dragon says years of training saved him there. Gene and Ricky walk into the “Garden of Tranquility”. Its not really a garden as it is a stone walkway with rocks around. Ricky says this is where he went through his second test. He’s fighting ninjas again only with sticks. He dispatches them quickly as we go back to Gene and him. Gene brings us to the third test, “The Temple of Chang-Lao” where Ricky says it was the hardest one of all since he had to do it in front of all the monks. This time he’s attacked by four ninjas who he completely annihilates in short order. He bows to Chang Lao himself who presents him with a black belt for surviving the three tests. As silly as this sounds, it could have been a lot worse. It did show Steamboat beating the crap out of groups of ninjas by himself, and if he can do that, guys like Greg Valentine and Don Muraco stand no chance. Onto the next match.
Match 2

Ricky Steamboat vs Brutus Beefcake (with Luscious Johnny V) in a Street Fight

Commentators: Jack Reynolds and Billy Red Lyons

May 26, 1985 in what appears to be the Maple Leaf Gardens saw Steamboat take on Brutus in what Monsoon in the overdub calls a No-DQ, No count-out affair. So it’s a street fight without actually calling it that…great. Steamboat is in the long black tigts and Brutus is in the long zebra striped tights. Beefcake attacks Steamboat from behind before he can take his gi off. He drags Steamboat to the apron where he pounds away with forearms to the chest. Once Ricky is outside, Brutus sends Ricky to the barriet and chokes him with his own black belt. The referee isn’t counting and I wonder why until the bell rings once Brutus sends Ricky inside. NOW the match has officially begun. Brutus sends Ricky off and clotheslines him. Billy says it was a mistake for Ricky to wear that outfit to the ring and Brutus drops the Dragon with a right hand. Brutus poses for the irate crowd and drops a boot off the second rope. A scoop slam is followed by more boots to the sternum. Brutus struts for the angry crowd before Ricky begins to rally with right hands. Karate chops from Ricky sends Brutus into the corner. Brutus reverses an irish whip and drops Ricky with a clothesline. Brutus drops a big forearm and covers, the referee takes forever 1…..2…no. Beefcake pulls the top part of the gi over ricky’s head hockey style and pounds away. Ricky finally sheds the gi and Jack finally calls it such after calling it a kimono up until this point. Guess Vince was in his ear in the production truck. Beefcake rams Ricky’s head into the buckle and pounds Ricky’s chest with forearms. Ricky just beat the crap out of four ninjas armed with weapons and now he can’t beat up Brutus Beefcake? Beefcake continues to pound away only now Ricky is no-selling it. Ricky blocks a turnbuckle attempt and rams Brutus’ head into it. Ricky chops Beefcake but falls on a scoop slam attempt. Brutus covers for 1….2….noooooo. Ricky kicks out just in time. Brutus lands a series of boxing jabs followed by two forearm smashes. Steamboat then blocks a series of forearms before sliding under Brutus’ legs. A chop stuns Brutus before a big chop drops him. Ricky rings the arm then crescent kicks Brutus three times until he drops. A knife edge chop to the throat staggers Brutus who swings and misses. A knee to the ribs stuns the Dragon but Ricky ducks under a haymaker. Ricky swings and misses himself and Brutus makes him pay with a clothesline that nearly decapitates the Dragon. We get a TAPE EDIT and now Steamboat is rallying. Brutus then counters a scoop slam with a back suplex then bridges for 1…2…..nope. Ricky gets the shoulder up at 2 3/4. Brutus kicks away at Ricky and taunts him. Brutus punches, kicks and stomps the Dragon. Beefcake goes to the outside, drags Ricky out and slams him on the cement floor. Beefcake gets in the ring but distracts the ref, allowing Johnny to attack…but he doesn’t. Ricky gathers his bearings but Beefcake reaches through the ropes and brings him back in the ring. Beefcake goes for the piledriver but Ricky counters with a backdrop. Reynolds reiterates that this is No count outs and no DQ. Ricky catches a foot and chops Brutus down. A running chop drops Brutus then Ricky does the swinging neckbreaker. More chops follow and a reverse atomic drop stagger Brutus. Beefcake goes upstairs and hits the flying crossbody. The cover gets 1…2…..no. The ref’s arm doesn’t drop for three but the fans and the announcers say Ricky has won it. The lights go on as well but there was no 3. Everyone was fooled on that one. The lights go back off as Ricky rallies in the corner. Brutus reverses an irish whip but misses the charge. Ricky goes for a scoop slam but Johnny holds the foot of the Dragon. Brutus falls ontop with Johnny still holding on…1…..2….3 its over. The lights go on but all of a sudden the ref for whatever reason waves off the pinfall. Brutus raises his arms in victory but the ref snaps it downas the lights go off again. He tells Beefcake that he saw Johnny holding the foot, which is the correct call but why did he count 3 to begin with? Brutus throws Ricky over the top rope and argues with the ref. Ricky skins the cat back in, runs and rolls up Brutus for 1…2…..3 and NOW its over. The lights go on for a final time as Johnny V jumps into the ring to protest. Johnny takes a swing at the ref as he exits the ring with the victorious Steamboat. Jack says the referee’s name is Frank Gore…no, not the San Fransisco Giants running back. We go to the replay to see the real pinfall and we cut here. That was a wild match that Brutus controlled for most of it. Ricky got the pinfall but he didn’t look too impressive during it. Not only that, it was a street fight that wasn’t even all that violent. Then again, not much Ricky can do with Brutus but get beat up and make the comeback. I’m just glad its over.
Time of match: 13:27

Winner: Ricky Steamboat by pinfall
To set up the next feud, we have to go to an episode of T.N.T. where Vince in a decent looking brown suit interviews Don Muraco and Mr. Fuji. Vince brings up Steamboat and Muraco says his actions speak louder than words. Vince, Fuji and Muraco look at footage of Muraco attacking Steamboat and hanging him. Don says King Curtis Iaukea was the only Hawaiian wrestler that he admired and he has no love for Ricky. Fuji and Muraco hang Steamboat and glad-hand each other on the TNT set. Muraco says that Ricky’s too soft and he’s in his world now. Muraco says he’s as far as he going to go and doesn’t need any more titles. Kind of stupid and Vince counters “Well if you’re on top, there’s only one way to go, down!” Muraco says he won’t go down, but he’ll spit down at people under him. Muraco says he’s got some fat broads for him and he’s having a heck of a time with Mr. Fuji.  So the dastardly Muraco fired the first shot and its now time for revenge one step at a time.

Match 3

Ricky Steamboat vs Mr. Fuji

Commentators: Vince McMahon and Bruno Sammartino

After being hung by Fuji and Muraco, Ricky vowed revenge. On August 20, 1985 he got Mr. Fuji first. Fuji is in the long red tights and Ricky the long black. Ricky sprints to the ring and attacks Fuji before the bell rings. Howard Finkel almost didn’t make it out of the way. Ricky chops Fuji, sends him off and chokes him with the black belt. Ricky strangles Fuji as Vince says its payback from before. Referee Dick Woehrle doesn’t even bother to make a 5 count. Ricky chops and punches Fuji before delivering an atomic drop. Ricky lands a double chop but Fuji counters with a punch to the gonads…ow. Ricky pounds the mat in frustration as Fuji drops Ricky with his own chops. A falling headbutt has the crowd chanting “Steamboat!” Fuji locks in a nerve hold but Ricky powers out of it with a chop to the head. Fuji retaliates with a chop of his own before reapplying the hold. Ricky once again powers out of it with chops and a leapfrog but Fuji alertly gets a knee to the ribs. Going back to the nerve hold, Vince calls Fuji a world class wrestler. Steamboat does the fade-then-revive routine. Ricky rakes the eyes and chops Fuji down. Ricky goes upstairs and catches Fuji with the flying crossbody for 1….2..nope, Fuji kicks out. Ricky goes for the big splash but Fuji gets the knees up. Bruno says that’s the first time he’s seen someone kick out of that and Vince says Ricky didn’t hook the leg. Ricky rolls through a back suplex, rolls up Fuji and gets the 1..2….3 to win the match. Steamboat beats a hasty retreat as Fuji is stunned in the ring. Decent crash style match but that made Steamboat look bad. They should have booked Steamboat to leave Fuji a bloody mess in the ring and say that Muraco is next. Instead he’s booked to barely beat Mr. Fuji the MANAGER! If he can barely beat Fuji, how’s he going to beat the former IC champion Muraco? Still, decent crash style match
Time of match: 4:06

Winner: Ricky Steamboat by pinfall

BUT WAIT THERE’S MORE! After the match, Muraco runs out and attacks Steamboat with a chair. He breaks the wooden thing over him and Fuji assists in stomping him. Muraco and Fuji leave to a chorus of boos as Vince puts over Muraco as a heel, calling him every name in the book. Vince goes to the replay of Muraco breaking the chair on Steamboat’s back. Bruno says the duo should be fined and suspended and we cut here. Muraco was building tremendous heat and you know the grudge match would come eventually.
Match 4

Ricky Steamboat vs Don “The Magnificent” Muraco (with Mr. Fuji)

Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon and Alfred Hays

October 18, 1985 in the Capital Center saw the long awaited grudge match between Steamboat and Muraco. We’re joined in progress and Muraco is in standard gear with Steamboat in the….you guessed it…long black tights.  Muraco stands on the apron as Ricky gets bent out of the shape in the ring. Ricky ducks under two clotheslines, reverses a whip and drops Muraco with a big chop. A hiptoss is followed by a scoop slam. A knee lift sends Muraco to the floor and the ref has to hold Steamboat back. Monsoon scoffs at the ref for holding him back as Muraco regroups with Fuji. A test of strength is won by Muraco who pounds away at the Dragon in the corner. Ricky reverses a whip and backdrops Don before hip tossing him again. A scoop slam has Muraco sliding through the ropes onto Monsoon and Alfred’s announce table. Monsoon says Muraco is in their lap, literally. Gorilla taunts him as Muraco gets to his feet and says “Shut up you sonovabitch.” Muraco gathers his bearings and slowly makes his way into the ring. Don purposely stalls then lands a right hand to Steamboat’s head. Ricky rams Muraco’s head into the buckle and lands a right hand. He goes for another right hand but referee Dick Woehrle grabs his arm which allows Muraco to connect with a right hand. Monsoon gives Woehrle a tongue lashing as Steamboat staggers around. “You cannot do that!” Muraco gets a thumb to the throat and delivers a back suplex. Muraco drops a knee and snap mares him over. Muraco slingshots Ricky throat first onto the bottom rope. An atomic spike staggers Ricky and Muraco scoop slams him down. Another scoop slam is followed by a clothesline but Ricky keeps getting up. A slam and another clothesline sends Ricky over the top rope to the outside. Muraco reaches through the ropes to slam ricky’s head into the apron. Muraco slides outside and drops Ricky throat first onto the barrier. Alfred says Muraco should go for the piledriver as Ricky makes it to the apron. Muraco clotheslines him down as Ricky slides into the ring. Muraco whips Steamboat off but Ricky ducks under the right hand and executes a desperation clothesline. Muraco slides to the apron then goes upstairs. Ricky catches him and slams him off the top rope. Ricky scoop slams Don and caters to the crowd. ANOTHER scoop slam has Ricky fired up and he atomic drops Muraco, who catches his head in between the ropes. Ricky chops away at Muraco as Woehrle unties him. On the floor, Ricky sends Muraco into the side of the ring. Steamboat goes upstairs and chops Muraco on the apron, who falls off. On the floor again Ricky rams his head into the apron before sliding back into the ring. Ricky suplexes him into the ring and caters to the crowd. Sensing victory, Ricky chops Muraco twice before unloading with a series of right hands. Woehrle literally throws Ricky off of Muraco and Monsoon gets pissed. Dick does it twice more and Ricky goes upstairs, executing the big chop. Fuji hops up on the apron and Ricky grabs his cane. Woehrle tries to wrestle the cane away as Fuji reaches into his hat and hands a pair of brass knuckles to Muraco. Sure enough, Ricky sends Muraco off who eats a big chop. Ricky goes for another chop but Muraco sneaks a punch to the throat, then falls ontop of Steamboat for 1….2….3. Muraco wins it! Great match…but what the hell? Did Piper, Andre or Hogan lose on their profile tapes? No? So why did Steamboat? Wow, who the hell thought that was a good idea? We cut here so even if Ricky beat him up after the bell, we won’t see it. So Ricky gets hung and Muraco gets the last word? Wow….not a great booking job for this tape at all.

Time of match: Joined in progress

Winner: Don Muraco by pinfall

We now go to a special Piper’s Pit with Ricky in the rare blue trunks, a purple warm up jacket and white boots with “Cowboy” Bob Orton standing behind Roddy Piper (in standard Pit gear). Piper sarcastically calls Ricky a new heart-throb but Piper says he’s just as hot. Piper says Ricky hasn’t had a match longer than 5 minutes and wonders why he hasn’t wrestled anyone good yet. He also calls Ricky a cheater for using martial arts just like Ventura did earlier. Piper “You may be fooling them, but you’re not fooling me for a second.”  Ricky “Well I’m sorry about that RODNEY.” Piper gets pissed and says “My name is Roderick, short for Roderick the Conquerer” Ricky “Oh, I’m sorry Conker.” Piper “That’s Conquerer! My name is Roddy Piper!” Ricky “Well what is it, Roddy, Piper or Conker?” Piper “I’ll tell ya what it is!” Orton slowly makes his way over and he and Piper sandwich Steamboat while Piper taunts him. Ricky sheds his jacket and Piper looks ready to go….and we cut. OH COME ON!!! That looked to be heading somewhere but instead we cut HERE? We had to watch the ridiculous training video in its entirety but THIS got clipped? What the hell ever…on to the next match.
Match 5

Ricky Steamboat vs Davey Boy Smith

Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon and Jesse Ventura

If cutting Piper’s Pit wasn’t bad enough, we’re ending the tape with two matches we’ve already seen. Steamboat’s two matches from WRESTLING CLASSIC. So yes, another loss is coming up. First he goes up against Davey Boy in the first round. I’ll just re-post from the earlier Classic post. Davey is in the long red tights while Steamboat is in the long black. They shake hands to start the match then go through standard go-behinds. Davey hiplocks Steamboat to the ground. Davey Boy back drops Ricky in a pinfall position for 1….2…nope, Dragon bridges out of it and turns it into a backslide for 1…nah. Steamboat runs off the ropes into a overhead press slam. Davey covers for a near fall then applies a front headlock as Ventura says Stemboat’s giving up a lot of strength to Bulldog. Davey hits another overhead press slam for another 2 count as Monsoon scoffs at Davey for not hooking the leg. Davey goes for a suplex but Steamboat counters with a delayed suplex of his own…..Davey Boy’s trademark. Ricky goes for a splash but Bulldog gets the knees up to counter. Davey Boy executes two standing dropkicks which send Steamboat into the ropes. Bulldog goes for a third dropkick but Ricky moves out of the way and Davey Boy crotches himself on the top rope. The ref runs over, checks on Davey and calls for the bell……what the hell? Steamboat also goes and checks on Davey Boy as the ref awards the match to Dragon…..first and last time I’ve ever seen a match end this way. Cheap ending but it was a good match for a 3 minute crash style. Monsoon says Ricky didn’t want to win this way and Ventura scoffs. We go to the replay and Ventura calls what we just saw.

Time of match: 2:54

Winner: Ricky Steamboat by stoppage
We don’t bother with a segue, onto the final match of the tape.

Match 6

Ricky Steamboat vs “Macho Man” Randy Savage (with Elizabeth)

Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon and Jesse Ventura

Once again I have no idea we’re ending the tape with another loss but what the hell. I’ll go with another re-post. Randy comes out to Pomp and Circumstance and the purple trunks. Ricky is in the long black tights. Before the match Savage sticks a finger into Ricky’s face who slaps it away then Savage runs and hides behind Elizabeth, heh what a heel. Stemboat turns his back so Savage attacks him from behind while still wearing his headband and cape. Steamboat slides under Savage and chops him through the ropes to the outside. Randy pulls Ricky out and brawls with him outside before they roll back in. Savage takes over on offense with right hands in the corner until Steamboat counters with a head scissors over the top rope to the floor.  Steamboat chops Savage on the floor then atomic drops him to the concrete. Ricky throws him inside then hits his karate chop to the chest of a running Macho Man. Savage ducks under a second chop and delivers a back suplex as Ventura makes his way back to the commentating table. Savage goes upstairs but Ricky catches him in the gut with a right hand then delivers a knee lift. Steamboat unloads with a series of fists drops then suplexes Savage halfway across the ring. Steamboat goes upstairs and hits THE FLYING CROSSBODY for 1…2…thre…no wait, Savage kicked out at 2. Ventura is openly cheering for Savage and Steamboat chops and punches Savage to the ring apron. Savage reaches into his tights for a Foreign Object and when Steamboat goes for a back suplex, Savage nails Ricky with whatever he had. Savage covers for 1….2…THREE???? You gotta be kidding, that was WAY too short for 2 guys as talented as they were. It was going good too, damn…..should have been much longer. Monsoon says that Ventura gave Savage brass knuckles in the back as Ventura scoffs.
Time of match: an unacceptable 3:26

Winner: Randy Savage by pinfall

We end the tape with the credits and the previews but I don’t care. I still don’t understand why in a 6 match tape, 2 losses were included. You didn’t see Piper, Andre or Hogan losing so why did Steamboat get the shaft? Guess Vince was once again trying to make the NWA look bad by having one of their top stars look inferior to Hogan and Andre. Still, the immense talent of Steamboat saved him from obscurity, even after Randy Savage appeared from Memphis and took the IC title away from Tito Santana. As sad as it sounds, Steamboat’s tape came out in early 1986 and he’d still have 2 years worth of good matches (including one special) still to come. Did I like the tape? For the most part yes, but again, you want to make your stars look as good as possible…YOU DON’T SHOW THEM LOSING! I mean, everyone has to lose at some point to put someone else over, and Steamboat had no problem with that…but there’s a time and a place for that. I give this tape 3 stars out of 5….1 point off for the losses and 1 point off for it only being 80 minutes long. They could have squeezed 10 more minutes of footage in there. The next tape after this is BEST OF THE WWF VOLUME 6, hopefully Steamboat will have better luck on that one.

WWF Grudge Matches (WF018)

As 1986 was in full force, BEST OF THE WWF VOLUME 5 still went back to 85 and earlier. This tape appears to be doing the same with only one match being from this year. Looking at some of the matches listed, it does make for a good tape but if you’re trying to promote new action, going back to the past becomes repetitive after 18 tapes. Still, I can’t blame Vince for when you have so much footage in the library and can only show it in 90 minute intervals (DVD’s were still nearly 15 years away), guess it takes 18-20 tapes to cover everything. This tape will showcase some of the best grudges of the past decade apparently so let’s stoke it up. Cue the 1985 opening and Gorilla Monsoon is our host today wearing a red bow-tie. Monsoon says they have received “thousands of requests” for these matches. We get a montage of the matches we’re about to see. Hulk Hogan takes on Don Muraco, star of Fuji General. Monsoon warns the fans at home that these matches will be unusually violent and bloody. Now we’re talkin’. He sends us to our first match, the champ himself.
Match 1

Don “The Magnificent” Muraco (with Mr. Fuji) vs Hulk Hogan for the WWF Heavyweight Championship

Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon and Gene Okerlund.

May 20, 1985 in Madison Square Garden saw Hogan defend the title against Muraco in a “return bout”. Muraco has the blue trunks on while Hogan comes out in the white trunks. Coliseum Video overdubs with a Monsoon voiceover so Vince doesn’t have to pay royalties on Eye of The Tiger. Muraco attacks Hogan as he gets in the ring so he still has on the belt, headband and the t-shirt on. Muraco tears at the shirt and puts the boots to the Hulkster. The belt falls off as Muraco pounds Hogan all across the ring. Muraco chokes Hogan with Hulk’s t-shirt. Muraco catches Hogan with right hands in the corner before Hogan rallies with right hands and a headbutt of his own that sends Muraco through the ropes and to the outside. Hogan chases and clotheslines him. He delivers an atomic drop on the floor, removes the ripped shirt and chokes Muraco with it. Hogan throws Muraco back in and removes his headband. Hogan puts the boots to Muraco in the corner, whips him across and clotheslines him with the t-shirt. Hogan drops Muraco then scoop slams him. Hogan drops the big elbow and follows with right hands. There’s a sign in the crowd that says “Beach bum” in reference to Muraco. Hogan pounds on Don outside until Muraco grabs a nearby chair and nails Hulk with it. Hogan takes the chair and clocks Muraco in the back with it. Hogan rolls in and out to break the count then pounds on Muraco. Okerlund says Don is busted wide open except he’s not. Back inside Hogan executes a back suplex and throws Muraco over the top rope to the outside. Its funny how the WWF was the only promotion not to utilize the “over the top rope DQ” gimmick. Hogan rams Muraco into the steel post head first. Hogan poses on the apron as Okerlund once again says Muraco is busted open only now he really is. Hogan bites the wound and suplexes him from the apron into the ring. Hogan calls for the big leg drop as Okerlund says not to waste time. Hogan scoop slams Muraco, runs off the ropes and hits the big leg drop. Goodnight 1…2…..nope, Fuji puts the foot on the ropes. The crowd cheers and the bell rings prematurely, but this one’s not over. Fuji hands salt to Muraco and when Hogan comes over, Don hits him right between the eyes. The referee sees it and calls for the bell. Muraco doesn’t even bother dealing further damage, he gets the hell out of there and retreats to the back with Fuji. Hogan staggers around the ring as Howard Finkel announces the champ the victor. Hogan is mad and wants Muraco to come back but we cut here. This was actually a good little post-Wrestlemania feud going between Hogan and Muraco that will be settled another time. This one was pretty quick and to the point with no rest holds. Good stuff.

Time of match: 6:12

Winner: Hulk Hogan by DQ (still champion)
Moving right along to the next match.
Match 2:

Junkyard Dog vs Terry Funk (with Jimmy Hart)

Commentators: Vince McMahon and Bruno Sammartino

The most recent match on the tape from January 28, 1986 edition of Saturday Night’s Main Event sees a rarity, Terry Funk in a WWF ring. He goes to attack Howard Finkel during introductions and he’s got the red trunks on. Monsoon does a voiceover so Vince doesn’t have to pay royalties on Another One Bites The Dust. JYD has the long red tights on. Funk attacks him as he gets to the ring and they brawl outside. Funk cuts him off in the ring but eats a backdrop from JYD. A scoop slam is followed by doggie headbutts that sends Funk outside to the cement floor. Its funny Hart is the manager of Funk as there was a feud in Memphis wrestling years earlier that saw Funk team with Koko B Ware and Jerry Lawler against Hart’s crew. Funk regroups with Hart outside the ring as the crowd chants “JYD”. Some fan holds up a Beware of Dog sign as Funk eats right hands and then rams Terry’s head into the buckle 10 times. He repeats the process in the other corner as Funk staggers around. Into a third corner JYD rams him 5 times before Hart has enough and grabs the leg. No wonder Funk is crazy, he just ate 25 shots to the buckle. JYD chases Jimmy Hart outside of the ring as Vince says he’s running for his life. Back inside Dog hits a clothesline and covers for a two count. JYD headbutts Terry who ties himself up in the ropes Andre style. Jimmy goes to whack JYD in the back with the branding iron but JYD cuts him off and takes it away by sending Hart to the buckle. Terry can’t break free as the crowd cheers when JYD teases branding Terry with it. All of a sudden, Dory Funk Jr hits the ring in full suit and tie. He takes his cowboy boot off and waffles Dog in the back with it. Vince and Bruno recognize Dory and wonder how he got there, meaning this was Dory’s TV debut. The Funk brothers stomp JYD as an irate fan throws a cup of something into the ring. Jimmy hart takes his shirt and jacket off then pounds on JYD. Its funny because Jimmy still has his tie on. A host of jobbers enter the ring to save JYD as the Funks and Harts scatter. We cut to an entirely different SNME so that ends this match. It was hot and it set up the big Wrestlemania 2 tag match. Always great to see heel Terry.

Time of match: 4:30

Winner: Junkyard Dog by DQ

We cut to an interview with Mean Gene and JYD who says its his day…get it? Every dog has its day? Nevermind.
Match 2

Junkyard Dog vs Terry Funk (with Jimmy Hart)

Commentators: Vince McMahon and Jesse Ventura

Believe it or not, this match pre-dates the last one. This was on the November 1, 1985 episode of Saturday Night’s Main Event and it was a rematch after Funk branded JYD during a prior encounter. JYD in the long red tights attacks Terry on the apron before he can get his hat and chaps off. JYD brings Funk in and drops him with a right hand, then goes outside to chase Jimmy Hart. Funk gets on the second rope and JYD pulls the leg, crotching Terry on the top rope. Terry hobbles around the ring then goes outside as Jimmy Hart comes out from under the ring. Funk gets the chaps off and he’s in the black trunks in this one. Funk scoop slams JYD inside but misses the big elbow drop. JYD scoop slams Terry to the mat then scoops him up and drops him over the top to the cement floor. Jimmy runs over to pick his man up and Funk rolls on top of him and threatens to punch him out thinking its JYD. Terry walks back in and they lock up,. JYD sends him into the corner and scoop slams him. He doggie headbutts him until Funk does his Fred Sanford jab routine, flopping to the apron. The crowd chants JYD as Terry literally goes outside and jumps over the fan barrier to threaten someone. As Funk makes his way back in, Vince says a win by Funk should vault him into a future title shot against Hogan. How sweet would have that been, a former NWA Champion against the WWF Champion? Hart trips up JYD inside the ring and he bails to go after him. Ventura scoffs but JYD catches up with Jimmy only to see Terry coming up from behind. Dog backdrops Terry onto the floor as Ventura says “I hope he’s proud of himself!” Back inside JYD headbutts Terry but Funk comes back with boxing jabs and an uppercut. Terry covers for a two count then catches the Dog in a sleeper hold. The crowd chants JYD as Hart celebrates outside the ring. JYD powers out of it and ducks under a clothesline to lock in a sleeper of his own. Jimmy hops up on the apron and JYD drops Funk in the middle of the ring. JYD tries to bring in Jimmy but Hart actually lands neck first in the ring, very dangerous. Hart’s ok and he begs off before trying to slide under the ring. JYD catches him by the foot and drags him back in. Hart holds onto the rope and the ref tries to get JYD to let go, not noticing Funk waffling JYD from behind with the megaphone. Terry gets rid of the evidence and makes the cover 1…2…..3 goodnight. Hart brings the branding iron into the ring and Funk goes to brand JYD but he catches it at the last second. He waffles Funk with the iron who falls through the ropes to the outside. JYD finally gets his hands on Jimmy and decks him with a right hand, the fans go nuts. JYD takes Jimmy’s pants off and headbutts Terry. Ventura “This is ridiculous!” JYD holds Hart down and brands Jimmy on the ass, causing the little runt to squeal and squirm much to the crowd’s delight and Ventura’s disgust. Funk wins the match but JYD gets the last word. Like I said, this feud would culminate at Wrestlemania 2…but for now JYD gets one over on Funk and Hart. Modern day hipster geeks may not like the fact there were no triple flips and moonsaults, but this was a grudge match and that’s what the fans got.  Good stuff.
Time of match: 5:10

Winner: Terry Funk by pinfall
No nonsense, just the next match.
Match 4

Ivan Koloff vs Bruno Sammartino for the WWWF Heaveyweight Championship

Commentator: Gorilla Monsoon

No, not THAT match from 1971 when Koloff took the title. This was from November 17, 1975 during Bruno’s second reign. The storyline was pretty simple, Koloff beat him for the title once before and thought he could do it again. Bruno’s in the light blue tights and van is in his standard black singlet. We’re joined in progress as Koloff pounds on Bruno in the corner. Ivan sends Bruno into the corner and boots him. Gorilla on commentary says Bruno had a broken clavicle the night he lost the title to Ivan the first time. A criss-cross ends with both men colliding. Referee John Snyder counts both men but Bruno gets up and puts Ivan in a headlock. Bruno gets shot off and a shoulderblock by Ivan sends Bruno through the ropes to the outside. By the way, want to know why this match was 40 years ago yet both men are still alive today? They’re 100 percent all natural strength and conditioning. No pain pills, no steroids, no uppers, no downers, no cross country flights with 3 hours sleep and no 8 hours at the gym ruining their joints to keep their herculean physiques so they don’t lose their jobs. Bruno climbs back in and Ivan rams his head into the buckle. Bruno drops Ivan with a double kick to the eyes.Right hands stuns the big Russian and he gets dropped with a big kick in the ribs. Some felts pelt the ring with garbage as Bruno continues to attack. We TAPE EDIT and Bruno plays a game of mercy with Ivan. Monsoon says this match was 8 or 9 years ago so Monsoon’s overdub is from 1983-84. Ivan wins the game of strength with boots to the ribs. Both men trade blows and Bruno rams Ivan’s head into the buckle before whipping him into the other corner. Bruno stomps away on the Russian and stands on him as Ivan’s face tells the story. Ivan recovers to get a headlock in and he nails Bruno with a shoulderblock. Bruno counters with a back drop and knees to the back. A chinlock is applied before Bruno locks in the bearhug, Bruno’s finisher. We TAPE EDIT to Koloff still trapped in the bear hug. A thumb to the eye stops the momentum and Koloff bails to the outside. Monsoon is acting like Koloff is the champion even though he’s not. If this was 1975, Bruno is the champ. Hell, Bruno never had a rematch after Ivan took the title in 1971, Pedro Morales got the first crack and beat him. Ivan rams Bruno in the corner and chokes him with the boot. Koloff pounds on Bruno who’s busted wide open. The ref checks the wound and Koloff continues to pound away. The ref halts the bout and tells the ringside doctor to get in here and check. Yes, back then they had legitimate doctors at ringside to give the match legitimacy. The doc checks and Bruno says get the hell out the way. The doc leaves as Bruno gets fired up. He pounds away at Ivan before sending him out of the ring. We TAPE EDIT again and both men are in the center of the ring. They trade blows before the ref steps in and Ivan clocks him by accident. All of a sudden Tony Parisi and Dominic Denucci hit the ring to break up the fight as the bell rings. Monsoon himself, Blackjack Lanza, Blackjack Mulligan, Arnie Skaaland and a few others hit the ring as well to restrain the two. Bruno is declared the winner by DQ as Monsoon says Koloff keeps the title……Bruno was the champ, sorry Gorilla. After the decision is announced, the two break free and go at it again. Monsoon on commentary says he took a couple of shots in there too. Monsoon also says Arnie has blood all over his suit and he’s not happy about it. Wild brawl and the tape edits actually kept the action moving.  Old school wrestling may not look as crisp as choreographed, but at least it was presented as real. When was the last time a legit doctor was present at ringside?
Time of match: Joined in progress

Winner: Bruno Sammartino by DQ (still champion)
No BS, on to the next match.
Match 5

Greg “The Hammer” Valentine (with Lou Albano) vs Tito Santana for the WWF Intercontinental Championship

Commentators: Jack Reynolds and King Kong Mosca

Ask and you shall receive. I wondered in Best of the WWF Volume 5 if we’d ever see the Valentine/Santana title changes and here we are. September 24, 1984 broadcast of All-Star Wrestling had Santana the defending champion against the Hammer. Monsoon blows the ending of the match as Santana comes out in the red tights. Albano in the ring taunts him and Santana is distracted long enough for Valentine to sneak in a few cheap shots to Tito’s left leg. Tito hobbles around outside while Valentine in the black tights celebrates in the ring with Albano for the dastardly deed. Btw, Jack Reynolds was a veteran announcer and Mosca was an ex-football player turned wrestler. Hell, think Tony Schiavonne and Steve McMichael only less annoying. Santana hobbles inside amidst a “Tito!”chant as the bell rings. We TAPE EDIT right off the bat and now a sweaty Santana backs Valentine in the corner who begs off. Valentine catches Tito and goes to work on the left leg. Santana rallies with right hands as Mosca says Santana has heart. Valentine drops Santana and goes for the figure four but Tito kicks him. Mosca “This is the hour of power Jack! I’ve never seen anything more exciting in my life!” Ok, maybe I was wrong about the less annoying part. Anyway Valentine slugs Santana in the ropes and continues to work over the left leg. A “Tito!” chant breaks out as he catches Valentine with the Flying Forearm. He crawls over and makes the cover..1….2…3!!!! Noooooo…the bell rings but the ref waves it off. Valentine’s foot was outside the ring. Santana celebrates thinking he’s won but the ref says now. Valentine gets a knee to the back and Santana drops to the ground. Valentine covers and hooks the leg for 1…2….3 WE GOT A NEW CHAMPION!!! The fans are totally confused as Albano gets in the ring with the belt. Mosca cries foul as Albano and Valentine celebrate with the title. Santana rolls around in agony as Albano shows the belt to the referee with a big cigar in his mouth. Red Auerbach would approve of the victory cigar. The announcer gives the crowd the bad news as Valentine is the new champ. After the match, Valentine attacks Santana and applies the figure four. The ref doesn’t do anything to stop Greg and Santana screams in agony. Valentine releases the hold and leaves with the belt. The match was drastically edited for this tape’s purpose but the point was showing how Santana lost the belt which sets up the big grudge match later.

Time of match: clipped

Winner: Greg Valentine
Now we go to a vignette of Santana in a hospital bed saying he’s about to have surgery on the injured leg. All fine and dandy but he’s wearing sunglasses for some reason. Santana says he’s got torn cartilage and maybe a torn ligament and he’s about to go into surgery. A montage of Tito being prepped for surgery is shown to give some legitimacy to the angle. A doctor says he’s going to scope the knee as a telephone rings. Tito is wheeled into the operating room, prepped and put under. This was a very real procedure going on, they wouldn’t go through this much trouble if his leg was not seriously hurt. We cut to post-op where an out of it Santana says the surgery was a success. You can tell he had anesthesia because he talks softly and looks goofy. He stutters and says the cartilage tear was worse but its all taken care of. He says “you can bet your butt Greg Valentine that I will get better, and I will come after you, and payback will be hell. Arriba.” See how easy that was? Rather than come up with some stupid storyline that Greg wants Tito’s wife or he’s jealous that Tito was on TV, all he did was injure the guy and put him out of action. Fans garner sympathy for Santana while Valentine mocks him on TV any chance he gets which sets up the long awaited return bout…..which is next.

Match 6

Tito Santana vs Greg “The Hammer” Valentine (with Jimmy Hart) for the WWF Intercontinental Championship in a steel cage match

Commentator: Gorilla Monsoon
After almost a year, Santana gets his long awaited rematch for the title on July 6, 1985 in the Baltimore Civic Center and its in the obligatory cage match. Valentine has nowhere to hide and Jimmy Hart can’t save him. I already covered in a previous tape that Hart replaced Albano as Greg’s manager so no need to talk about it further. Valentine is in the black trunks and Santana in the red. Santana grabs Valentine and brings him in the ring the hard way as referee Dick Woehrle slams the cage door shut. Santana is fired up and Valentine paces around with nowhere to go. Valentine goes for a forearm but Santana rallies with right hands. Valentine recovers and goes for the door but Santana stops him. Santana rams Greg’s head into the buckle as Monsoon says the only ways to win are over the top or through the door, no pinfall or submission. Santana makes a break for it but Valentine catches him. Santana slugs away on Greg but Valentine drops him with a big forearm. Greg makes a break for it but Santana has him by the foot. Hart bellows into the megaphone but thankfully Monsoon’s overdub drowns him out. Valentine goes to ram Tito into the cage but Santana blocks it. On the other side of the ring, Santana blocks another ram job as Monsoon scoffs at Jimmy Hart. Valentine drops a hammer as Hart laughs maniacally. Greg goes to leave over the top but Santana stops him. Tito fires away at Greg’s left leg as both men climb up the cage. Monsoon says Tito has a handful of tights and we could get x-rated here. Luckily Greg’s tights stay up and Tito drops Valentine down with right hands. Valentine crotches Santana then puts the boots to him. Hammer delivers a shoulderbreaker as Hart laughs again. Greg calls for the door but a Santana lunge stops him at the last second. Santana does pull on the tights but the camera angle doesn’t show it thanfully. Santana goes for the door but Greg stops him. Greg pounds away on Santana and tries to go out only for Santana to drop him in the center of the ring. Greg drags Santana into the ring and goes for the figure four, but Tito kicks him off. Valentine unloads with right hands and sends Tito off the ropes where Santana ducks under the clothesline and waffles Valentine with the flying jalepeno as Heenan calls it. Somehow Greg gets to his feet first and he nails Santana with a back suplex. Monsoon praises Valentine’s discipline as Tito blocks Greg from leaving the cage. Greg picks up Santana and drives him backwards into the cage. Greg rams his head into the cage as the crowd chants for Santana. Valentine puts the boots to Tito then stuns him with a series of right hands. Greg tosses Santana head first into the cage then climbs the second rope. An elbow right between the eyes connects and Tito is busted wide open. Valentine goes to leave but Tito stops him just in time. Santana nails Valentine with a right hand and he flops. A big elbow drop floors Santana but a second figure four attempt is blocked. Tito kicks Valentine head first into the cage and staggers around. He climbs to the top rope and gets one foot out of the cage. Tito drops Valentine with a right hand and gets both feet over the top of the cage. Valentine goes for the door but Santana kicks it shut in Greg’s face. Santana drops to the floor and WE HAVE A NEW CHAMPION!!! Santana regains the title although Greg is not happy. Greg smashes the belt around the ring as Santana gets back in the ring. Valentine is pelted with garbage as he throws the belt into the cage and walks out disgusted. Santana picks the belt up and holds it up, its all busted up. This would lead to a new belt being made who’s design would last from 1985 to 1998. Ring announcer Mel Phillips announces Santana the new champion. Tito puts the belt on and stands tall in the ring. The only thing I have to squawk about is Santana had to wait nearly a year to get his revenge and even though he won the match, he got beat up for most of it. Instead of Greg getting his daylights beat in, Santana barely escaped with the match. Still, Tito got the belt back and wins the feud.

Time of match: 11:32

Winner: Tito Santana
Moving right to the next bout.
Match 7

Bruno Sammartino (with Arnold Skaaland) vs “Superstar” Billy Graham (with The Grand Wizard) for the WWWF Heavyweight Championship

Commentator: Gorilla Monsoon

No, this isn’t the match where Graham took the title. That was in April of 1977 in Baltimore. This was August 1, 1977 in Madison Square Garden. Bruno is in the green trunks and Graham is in the long black. Monsoon is the special guest referee and Monsoon on the overdub says he was 423 pounds here. Graham attacks Bruno before the bell rings and Monsoon pries him off.  The bell finally rings and Bruno goes to work on Graham with right hands. Bruno backdrops Billy and puts the boots to him. Billy begs off as Monsoon says Bruno looks in great shape here and he didn’t look great in Baltimore. Bruno rams Billy into the buckle then waffles him through the ropes and onto the floor. Monsoon on the overdub says he wasn’t going to count him out. Back inside Bruno puts the boots to him then stands on him. Graham begs off and Bruno continues to stomp away before landing an uppercut that drops the champion. Monsoon says Bruno was bench pressing over 500 pounds in the early 1960’s, no steroids, no suppliments. Monsoon brings up Ted Arcidi’s 705 bench press but I say Bruno’s is more impressive. Graham slides under the bottom rope, grabs Bruno’s foot and pulls him out. Graham chokes Bruno on the apron then grabs rope from under the ring. Graham slides in the ring but Monsoon notices and pounces on him. Bruno then takes the rope and strangles Graham with it and Monsoon subjectively makes Bruno cease and desist. Billy begs off but Bruno sends him into the corner. Billy reverses an irish whip but crashes knee first into the corner. Bruno goes to work on the left leg, ties it in the ropes and stomps it. Bruno caters to the crowd then continues to work over the leg, turning Graham into a half crab, We TAPE EDIT to when Graham makes the ropes. Bruno continues to work on the leg with leg twist as Monsoon motions he’s going to stop the match. Billy refuses to give it up and gets a thumb to the eye and a low blow that ref Monsoon missed but commentator Monsoon caught. Billy punches away at the ribs then goes up to the top rope. He badly misses a knee drop and Bruno shakes his head at him. Billy begs off but Bruno whips him into the corner. This time its Bruno who goes knee first into the corner. Graham boots him to the outside and he regroups with Skaaland. Bruno slides back in as Graham slides out to the other side to grab the championship belt. Monsoon tries to hold him back but he still clocks Bruno with it. Monsoon on commentary says he refused to DQ Graham because he wanted Bruno to win the title back. Bruno is now busted wide open as Graham works over the wound with fists. Bruno rallies with fists and a scoop slam. Bruno kicks him out of the ring and Graham says to heck with it. He goes to leave but Monsoon chases after, puts him in a fireman’s carry and throws him back in the ring. Bruno slugs away at the champ and rams him into the ringpost. Now Billy is busted open and Bruno sends him into another ring post, headfirst. Monsoon checks the blood on Billy’s head but Bruno goes apeshit on him. Rights, lefts, rights, whip into the ropes, BEARHUG! Monsoon goes to ring the bell and Graham punches HIM instead. Once again he refuses to DQ the champ because he wants Bruno to win clean. Monsoon wipes the blood off Graham’s head on his shirt as Bruno continues to slug away. Monsoon’s shirt is totally covered red at this point. All Bruno does is punch, punch, punch. Finally Monsoon calls for the bell as Graham falls to the mat. The ring announcer can’t get the mic to come down. The official decision was Monsoon said neither man could continue and declared it a draw. Complete bullshit as Bruno was on a roll but that was the best they could do to have Graham keep the title but not make Bruno look bad. We got to the replay where Monsoon carries Graham back to the ring and the crowd goes nuts. As a wrestling match, it totally sucked but as a pier six brawl it was awesome. Bruno was primarily a classic brawler but that’s what the fans wanted to see; a hard punching Italian laying waste to the marauding horde of infidels trying to take his title. Graham was no mat technician either but he bumped and sold everything Bruno hit him with.
Time of match: 13:05

Winner: No one, Draw
On to the final match of the tape…which looks familiar.
Match 8

“Mr Wonderful” Paul Orndorff and “Rowdy” Roddy Piper (with Bob Orton) vs Mr T and Hulk Hogan (with Jimmy Snuka)

Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon and Jesse “The Body” Ventura

That’s right it’s the main event of WRESTLEMANIA 1. We clip the intros for this tape’s purpose and Hogan and Orndorff start.Its well documented these 2 have a history in Tampa, Florida. Orndorff teases going at it before tagging Piper in. Mr T hops up and down saying let me have him so Hogan tags him in. Piper made it clear on his DVD compilation he never liked Mr. T so this feud was more personal than it was business. Piper hated Mr T, Orndorff and Hogan hated each other so this maybe an out and out shoot by the end. Piper and T staredown nose to nose before they exchange slaps to the face before hitting a go-behind takedown. T tries to sit-out/turn in but Piper maintains the ride. Mr T finally switches out of it as Orndorff fires up Piper in their corner. Mr T puts Piper into a fireman’s carry then drops him like yesterday’s newspaper (Monsoon’s words not mine). Piper backs T into his corner where Orndorff gets in then a melee ensues when all 4 men brawl into the corner. Muhammad Ali and Bob Orton get in the ring as Snuka goes upstairs. Ali throws a punch that sends Piper out of the ring then takes a swing at Orton who retreats to the ground. The heels regroup outside as the camera shows Billy Martin laughing his ass off at the proceedings. Piper motions that they’re outta here as Monsoon scoffs and the heels actually leave the area. Patterson counts up to 8 before Hogan stops him and motions for them to come back and the heels in fact do walk back to ringside. Piper and Paul get in the ring to attack Mr T and Hogan but the faces clean house. They hit a double noggin knocker on the heels before Hogan clotheslines Roddy in the corner. Hulk hits a knoggin knocker on Piper and Orndorff before hitting an atomic drop on the rowdy one. Piper and Hogan trade blows before Hulk makes the tag to Mr T then they hit a double clotheslines. T hits a scoop slam on Piper and an arm-drag on an interfering Orndorff. T hits another slam on Piper and headbutts Orndorff before ramming Piper’s head into Hogan’s knee. Make no mistake about it, in terms of physical condition Mr T has the physique that is better than half the WWF roster so had he went into wrestling, he couldn’t have been any worse than anybody the AWA put out in the late 80’s. Hogan rakes the eyes and big boots Piper over the top rope to the floor. Mr Wonderful interferes and clotheslines Hogan out of the ring so Piper grabs a chair and waffles the Hulkster with it. Muhammad Ali chases Piper back in the ring but Orndorff sneaks out and throws Hogan into the ring. Piper puts the boots to Hogan as Orndorff sneaks in a cheap shot of his own. Mr T interferes so Piper and Orndorff double team the Hulkster. Piper and Orndorff execute a double atomic drop on Hogan as Muhammad Ali gets in the ring to chase Piper out. Fans may not be pleased with Ali’s constant interference but from a kayfabe standpoint he’s supposed to be the enforcer and that’s exactly what he’s doing. Patterson has to beg Ali to get out as Orndorff works over Hulk. Orndorff hits a snap suplex as Ventura says he’s the x-factor of this match being the most technically gifted of all 4 men involved…..well 6 including Snuka and Orton outside. Piper tags in and hits windup punches then a knee lift for 1…2..nope, Hogan kicks out. Piper holds Hogan as Paul tags in and hits a forearm to the back of the neck…..One of the unwritten laws of wrestling is not to hit moves on the back of the neck because you’re more prone to actual injuries, but Orndorff would ROUTINELY do this to Hogan in their matches, pissing off the Hulkster legitimately in the process. Paul covers for a near-fall before hitting a nice backbreaker before going upstairs. Orndorff goes for another forearm off the top but misses. Hogan makes the hot tag to Mr T. T cleans house before Orndorff is able to take him down. Mr T and Orndorff go high school style as Mr T goes for a roll but Paul wizzers to make sure that doesn’t happen. Piper makes the tag then hits a front headlock on B.A. Barabus before T tags Hogan in.  Both heels interfere so Hogan hits a double noggin knocker on them then headlock punches Orndorff until Wonderful counters with a back suplex. Piper interferes but Patterson cuts him off so both Jimmy Snuka and Cowboy Bob get in the ring. Snuka hits a jumping headbutt that sends Orton over the top to the apron. Patterson is distracted by Snuka as Orndorff puts Hogan in a full nelson. Piper and Mr. T go at it as Patterson turns his attention to him as Orton goes upstairs. Orton comes off the top but Hogan moves and Ace catches Orndorff in the back of the head with the cast. Hogan covers as Snuka roughs up Orton and Patterson gets in position..1……2…..3….its overrrrrrrr!!!!  We clip to Hogan, T and Snuka leaving and the tape ends here.  Said it a million times, great match due to the high intensity.
Time of match: 13:21

Winners: Mr T and Hulk Hogan by pinfall

The credits roll and this one’s over. Before the tape ends we get previews for the next three tapes. We got BEST OF THE WWF VOLUME 7 which highlights a British Bulldogs and Hart Foundation match. We also have VILLAINS OF THE SQUARED CIRCLE which highlights the classic heels of the company. The final tape highlighted is BRUNO SAMMARTINO: THE LIVING LEGEND which highlights Bruno of course. We’re shown a clip of Bruno and Killer Kowalski going at it. I can say right now that’s going to be a bad “wrestling” match but get ready for a bloody brawl when that comes up. As for this tape, that was certainly great grudge matches. Almost all of them were wild, bloody, full of mayhem and high intensity. It’s a shame as modern WWE prohibits blood, bad language and blows to the head to keep the kiddies happy…when old school wrestling like this had no bad language, skimpy bimbos or inappropriate storylines. Then again, WWE doesn’t claim to be wrestling, they’re “sports entertainment”. Yeah…right. Anyway mostly all the matches were good or watchable. I give it 4.5 out of 5, a half a point off because they had to clip Santana’s title loss to Valentine. Nit picking, yes, but still a valid point. I wanted to see the full match..dammit!  The next tape after this is RICKY THE DRAGON STEAMBOAT.