BEST OF THE WWF VOLUME 2 (WF007)
After ANDRE THE GIANT came this tape. The first one looked at some historical matches as well as some of the top matches from the current era. This one is more historically oriented with matches centered in the 70’s and even the 60’s. As we approach 30 years since the tape came out, modern technology can keep track of every match that happens nowadays. Unfortunately a lot of the good stuff from the early 60’s and 70’s has been lost because of lack of footage. I’m guessing this is what they could salvage. We open the tape with the Coliseum Video intro and Gorilla Monsoon (in a bowtie) welcomes us to the video room. The guy behind him is wide awake this time, unlike in ANDRE THE GIANT. Monsoon says the tape will be mostly a look at old footage of matches that younger fans have never seen before, which is no understatement. Remember this was 1985, there was no internet plus VCR’s were in their infancy. Sucks because some of the legends like Killer Kowalski have been dead now longer than some of the children watching WWE today have been alive. Anyway let’s get to the first match, which is historical.
Match 1
The North/South Connection (Adrian Adonis and Dick Murdoch) vs The Soul Patrol (Rocky Johnson and Tony Atlas) for the WWF Tag Team Championship
Commentators: Vince McMahon and Gene Okerlund
We go back to April 17, 1984 to see if two white guys can defeat the popular black tag team champions. Behind the scenes there was a lot going on which I’ll get to at the very end. Speaking of very end, Rocky Johnson was 4 months away from turning 40 which ironically would be the end of his WWF career. Atlas was a full 10 years younger than Rocky. Dick was 37 and Adonis was 29 so these guys were a good group of veterans. Monsoon tells us Rocky Johnson used to spar with Muhammad Ali (hence why Rocky did the Ali shuffle) as the champs enter. Adonis and Murdoch are in the black tights and both champs are in red although Johnson has white stars on his. Murdoch gives Atlas shit as the bell rings. It’ll be Johnson and Adonis starting things off here. Monsoon in the voice over tells us while Adonis and Murdoch have inferior physiques, they’re the superior wrestlers with eons of experience. It’s a study in contrast how Murdoch and Adonis represented the old school wrestlers while the others represented the incoming bodybuilder era. Adonis runs into a series of armdrags and Murdoch interferes to receive the same treatment. Murdoch retreats and Adonis eats another armdrag into an armbar. Adonis reaches his feet, trips up Johnson, gets pushed into the ropes but cartwheels away from the monkey flip attempt. Adrian runs off the ropes but right into a scoop slam. Adonis is in the wrong corner so he gets tagged with a right hand by Atlas. Rocky takes him over with another armdrag and turns into an arm bar. Adonis scoop slams Johnson and makes the tag, but Murdoch runs into another armdrag. Atlas tags in and picks up where Rocky left off. Murdoch nips up, they exchange armbars and Okerlund wonders how Murdoch nipped up like that. Murdoch backs Tony into the corner and unloads with right hands. Atlas whips him into the opposite corner but a charge eats elbow. Murdoch rams Tony’s head into Adrian’s knee and tags him in. Adonis unloads with left fists and forearms all over Atlas. Murdoch tags in and together they deliver a double back elbow smash. Dick gets in a few more shots before Tony lands in a big haymaker followed by a headbutt that sends Murdoch flying. Atlas staggers into the wrong corner where Adonis snaps him throat first off the top rope. Dick drops an elbow and makes the cover but Tony powers out and sends Murdoch on top of referee Dick Kroll. Tony delivers a headbutt to the gut and Dick tags Adrian back in. Atlas nails Adrian with a jumping headbutt then makes the tag to Johnson. Rocky dropkicks Adonis down as Murdoch interferes and gets met with unfriendly right hands. Atlas gets back in and the champs whip the Connection together. Murdoch sprawls out of the ring while Johnson turns Adonis over into a Boston crab. Kroll shoos Atlas out of the ring giving Murdoch enough time to get in a boot to the back of the head of Johnson. Atlas sends Murdoch flying over the top rope with a right hand then takes off in hot pursuit. Johnson headbutts Adrian over the top rope as Murdoch climbs on the apron. Atlas intercepts him and lifts him up in a gorilla press for Johnson to get some shots in. All of a sudden Adrian catches Johnson with a running roll up for 1….2…3 AND WE GOT NEW TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS! Okerlund “Ohhhh no! You have gotta be kidding me!” Adonis and Murdoch celebrate in the corner with the belts as Johnson is irate at himself. Okerlund “I am in shock!” The ring announcer confirms it as the bad guys get a loud cheer from the crowd despite Vince’s claim to otherwise. We go back to the instant replay to see Adonis get the cover (and it was a clean one too, no tights pulling). So as I was saying earlier, there were a lot going on behind the scenes. According to Atlas, he and Johnson didn’t get along. One time Rocky went as far as to leave Tony behind at the hotel so he would miss his booking. Realizing that as over as they were on television, Vince simply couldn’t have his tag champs wanting to kill each other so he took the belts off them. Rocky’s career in the WWF would soon draw to a close with Atlas chugging on for a few more years. Does this match belong on the “Best of”? Considering it was a title change, yes.
Time of match: 4:58
Winners: Adonis and Murdoch by pinfall (New WWF Tag Team Champions)
On to the next one
Match 2
Don “The Magnificent” Muraco vs Pedro Morales for the WWF Intercontinental Championship
Commentators: Vince McMahon and Gorilla Monsoon
We go back to January 22, 1983 in Madison Square Garden to see Morales defend the IC title against Muraco. Morales was the first triple crown champion in history, winning the IC title nearly a decade after capturing the WWF Heavyweight championship. Morales is wearing a red ring jacket over his red tights a Muraco is wearing a red t-shirt over his black tights with white lightning bolt on the ass. Don attacks Pedro before the bell. Referee Dick Kroll tries to pull Muraco apart but Morales answers with an eye rake. Monsoon tells us it was Muraco who dethroned Morales’ first title reign in June of 1981. Morales regained the title in November 81 and held it to this current point. In all, Morales was a 2 time IC champ, 1 time world champ and one time tag champ (with Bob Backlund). Morales rips the front of Muraco’s shirt clean off and punches him with it. The bell finally rings as Pedro sheds his ring jacket and the belt. Morales waffles Muraco with the belt and sends him flying, which would have been an instant DQ nowadays. The crowd pops as Pedro slams Muraco using the ankles. Pedro rips the right side of the t-shirt off and nails Don with it as Monsoon brings up their last match which ended in a double DQ. Pedro rings Muraco by the neck with the shirt remnants and heaves him into the center of the ring. Muraco begs off in the corner as Vince chastises Pedro for letting him rest in the corner. Kroll pushes Pedro back so Muraco can stagger to his feet. Pedro charges and nails Muraco with a forearm. Don reverses a whip and sends Pedro in, who sunset flips the charging Muraco for 1…2..nope. Pedro sends Don reeling out of the ring with a hard left hand. Morales reaches through the ropes and sends Don face first into the side of the ring. Muraco still has remnants of his shirt on as he crawls back to his feet only to be driven into the apron again. Don makes it to the apron and Pedro sends him into the ringpost. Muraco flair flops down on the concrete floor. Pedro goes up to the top but Muraco crawls under the apron to avoid the jump. Don crawls back inside and begs off again. Don retreats to the corner but Pedro catches him with a left hand. Don sends Pedro off the ropes and drops down but the alert Morales kicks him in the head. Morales gets a “Pedro, Pedro” chant going as Muraco begs off in the corner again. Pedro goes to a hammerlock but Muraco mule kicks him in the gonads, ouch. Muraco grabs what’s left of his t-shirt and chokes Pedro with it. Pedro then mule kicks Muraco in the balls as Vince says it’s returning the favor. Kroll tells Morales to knock it off rather than disqualify him, looks like the rules were much more lenient back in the day. Monsoon “Doesn’t make it right but it makes it even.” Kroll finally gets the last bit of t-shirt out of the ring and we’re almost a full 5 minutes into the match. Pedro gets in a left hand and whips Pedro into the opposite corner. Muraco moves out of the way and a charging Morales goes crashing knee first into the corner. Both men are down as we get an instant replay of what just happened. Muraco goes to work on the injured left knee including a 1st turnbuckle flip. Our first TAPE EDIT now has Muraco going for a spinning toe-hold only to be booted shoulder first into the ringpost. Pedro clocks him with a left hand and executes an atomic backbreaker on the injured knee. Monsoon “I can’t believe he did that!” Vince “Not a smart move.” Morales is back on his feet and turns him over into a boston crab, but crumbles to the mat in pain. Morales gets in a left punch then goes for a scoop slam…only for his leg to give out and Muraco lands on top of him. The ref makes the cover 1…2….THREE AND WE HAVE A NEW CHAMPION! We go to the replay and cut right there. Wow, no time for a post-match celebration? Either way this was the beginning of the end for Pedro as the 40 year old had passed the torch to Muraco. Pedro would hang on for a few more years but his best days were behind him. Muraco would go on to have several important matches over the next 5 years, some of which as IC champion. Does this belong on this kind of tape? Once again, title changes mean yes.
Time of match: An un-official 8:24
Winner: Don Muraco by pinfall (New Intercontinental champion)
On to the next one
Match 3
Killer Kowalski vs Pedro Morales
Commentator: Jesse Ventura
We go WAY back for this one, July 22, 1974 in Madison Square Garden, nearly 10 years prior to the previous match. Kowalski was a few months shy of his 48th birthday but they didn’t call him “Killer” for nothing. Kowalski, Freddie Blassie and Mad Dog Vachon were the true grandfathers of the rough-house style that relied on brutality rather than technical skill (although Mad Dog had plenty of technical skill). For the youngsters that don’t know, Kowalski trained many a wrestler including Triple H, Scotty Two Hotty, Chyna, “The Candyman” Jerry Seavey, Tony Roy, Kofi Kingston, Damien Sandow, Eddie Edwards and Mike Hollow just to name a few. Kowalski has long purple tights with a yellow lightning bolt and Morales has his standard red trunks. Monsoon gives us a background check of Kowalski as Killer backs Pedro in the corner and delivers a headlocked punch to the throat. Kowalski chokes Morales in the corner then climbs the ropes to punch him. Monsoon tells us about his finisher, the dreaded claw hold. Kowalski goes to work in the corner as Monsoon brings up the wrestling school he ran in Malden. Killer goes for a big right hand but Morales ducks it and drops him with a big left hand. Kowalski begs off in the corner as Morales acknowledges the crowd, giving Kowalski enough time to execute a single-leg takedown. Killer works over the left leg and applies the claw hold on the leg. We get a TAPE EDIT that can’t be more than a few seconds because Kowalski still has the hold on the leg only a few feet from where we cut. Ventura brings up Kowalski’s massive hands which made the claw hold so effective. Kowalski hooks the trunks and goes for the pinfall but the ref catches him. Kowalski bellows and continues to kick the injured leg. Morales gets to his feet and Kowalski continues to kick and punch. The ref pries Killer off of Pedro but Kowalski is undaunted, BITING Morales on the leg. Kowalski goes to bite him again but Morales grabs him by the hair and then rakes the eyes. Kowalski stomps around but walks right into a left forearm. Another big left haymaker sends Kowalski flying backwards into the ropes. Pedro grabs Killer by the ears, ducks under a right hand and sends Kowalski down with another left hand. The ref gives Kowalski a standing 8 count like it’s a boxing match while Ventura wonders why Morales doesn’t attack. Morales once again looks out to the crowd and Kowalski pounces on the injured leg. Kowalski hooks Pedro’s leg in the ropes as Killer hammers away at it. Finally the ref gets Kowalski back only for him to walk into a boot to the mid-section. Another punch to the throat staggers Killer and Pedro whips him hard into the buckle. Morales goes for an armbar but Killer punches his way out. They trade punches until Pedro scores with a big left to the ear that drops Killer to one knee. Killer goes for a high crotch takedown but Morales counters with a series of punches to the head. Pedro caters to the crowd and for the third time, Killer takes advantage with a single-leg takedown. He applies the dreaded claw hold in the center of the ring and for whatever reason we TAPE EDIT. Now Kowalski double stomps Pedro and re-applies the claw hold as Ventura says Killer would mix up his strategy, if attacking the leg didn’t work then go for the stomach. Morales gets to his knees as the ref asks if he’s had enough. Morales powers out of the claw hold with axehandles to the back but Killer comes back and bites him in the side of the face. Ventura says it’s a bad move because it’ll just piss him off. Sure enough Pedro comes back and bites Kowalski as Killer stomps around. Killer misses with a right hand and Pedro lands another haymaker to the throat. Pedro sends him off and delivers a punch to the mid-section. Another whip ends with Pedro backdropping Kowalski. Killer drops Pedro with a punch to the ribs then goes for the double stomp, but misses. Undaunted, Killer puts the boots to him then goes for the claw. Morales blocks it so Killer bites him again. Pedro pounds the mat in frustration and punches Kowalski through the ropes and to the outside. Pedro follows him and sends him into the ring-post. Killer punches Pedro and Morales tosses him back into the ring. Pedro climbs back in but the bell rings. Pedro chokes Kowalski under the bottom rope. The ref pries Morales off and they continue to brawl. Finally Killer’s had enough and he retreats to the back. Ventura “As you can see Killer Kowalski was not a fan favorite”. Well that match was something else, it was a 10 minute brawl really. Does it belong on this tape? Of course, any time Killer Kowalski’s in action is a good thing. Who cares if the IWG (Internet Wrestling Geeks) don’t like brawls?
Time of match: 10:27
Winner: None (Double countout)
Match 4
Sky Low Low and Little Brutus vs The Jamaica Kid and Billy The Kid
Commentator: Gorilla Monsoon
We go further back in time to August 1st, 1970 for some midget action. Jamaica Kid tries to interfere when Brutus attacks Billy so the ref picks him up and carries him back to his corner. A TAPE EDIT now has Low Low trapping Billy in a crucifix for a one count. Brutus runs in and pulls Billy back into the crucifix so the ref pushes Billy on top. He counts 1 before Brutus pushes Billy back only for the ref to push him back on top, ha…ha..ha… Eventually Billy turns himself over and gets to his feet, putting Low Low in a fireman’s carry. Low Low rakes the face as Brutus interferes and punches Billy in the stomach. Low Low falls on top and goes for the front headlock but Jamaica Kid nails him with a right hand to the crowd’s delight. Another TAPE EDIT now has Low Low and Brutus trapping Billy in the corner. Jamaica Kid then chases Low Low all around the ring until Low Low picks up the referee and drops him trying to escape. The irate referee brings Jamaica Kid back to his corner allowing Brutus to hold Billy for Low Low to get up to the top rope. Low Low loses his balance and falls down as Billy backs up Brutus into his corner and unloads with the heavy artillery. Billy backs up to the far side of the ring and launches himself full force into Brutus. He goes for another shoulder tackle but Brutus moves out of the way and Billy crashes into Jamaica Kid. Low Low tags in for another TAPE EDIT. Low Low goes for a big right hand but misses and lands flat on his ass. Brutus interferes and Billy sends Low Low into him. Billy makes the cover with the referee out of position. Finally the ref gets over 1…2….3 and its over. The crowd pops as Jamaica Kid dances in front of the heels until they chase him into the arms of the referee. The ref drops him and tells him to beat it.
Time of match: Joined in progress
Winners: The Jamaica Kid and Billy The Kid
Match 5
Sony Boy Hayes and Joey Russell vs Sky Low Low and Little Brutus in a 2 out of 3 falls match
Commentator: Gorilla Monsoon
Another midget match only Brutus and Low Low go after Sonny Boy and Joey. I don’t have the least idea when this match is but I’ll guess early 70’s. Brutus has an armbar on Russell who delivers a forearm to the chest. Russell runs to his corner and dives, making the tag to Hayes. Hayes chases Brutus around the ring and he hides behind the ref, then chases HIM around. Finally Hayes catches him and drops the poor guy with a forearm. Brutus goes to make the tag but Low Low runs away, wanting no part of Hayes. The ref admonishes Low Low and Brutus runs over to make the tag but again Low Low runs the other way. Brutus is pissed but finally he gets the upper hand and Low Low assists from the outside on a 2 on 1 beatdown. Russell interferes but the ref shoos him away allowing Low Low to come off the top with a double stomp to the back of Hayes’ head, ouch! Brutus rolls him up and hooks the tights for 1….2..3 and the heels take the first fall. TAPE EDIT now has Low Low and Russell in the ring. Once again Brutus and Low Low doubleteam in the corner. Brutus drops Joey with a forearm then scoop slams him. The cover gets nothing and Brutus slams him again. The cover gets 1 and Russell powers out, sending Brutus on top of the referee. Russell jumps on top of Brutus and Hayes jumps on top of him before Low Low completes the pig pile. Low Low kicks the poor guy for good measure as Brutus helps him to his feet. The irate ref kicks Brutus away……and we cut there. What? At least they could have shown the proper ending. Terrible….let’s move on.
Time of match: Joined in progress
Winners: Who knows
Match 6
Chief Jay Strongbow vs Professor Toru Tanaka
Commentator: Lord Alfred Hays
Back to the vault again on December 19, 1977 to see future movie star Tanaka take on future road agent Strongbow. Toru Tanaka starred in Missing in Action 2 with Chuck Norris as well as Jesse Ventura in The Running Man. Tanaka is wearing sumo tights with Strongbow in the black with boots that have frills. They tease kicking at each other before locking up in the center of the ring. Tanaka was most noted for being the frequent tag team partner of his high school buddy Mr. Fuji. According to Freddie Blassie, the two had drastically different personalities. Tanaka was more of a professional while Fuji was the fun-loving practical joker. Tanaka starts out with a headlock before they criss cross each other. Tanaka stops and points at his head as Monsoon calls him an “oriental thinker”. Just like Mr Fuji, Tanaka was a full blooded Hawaiian portraying a stereotypical Japanese heel. Tanaka gets in a headlock but gets sent off only for Strongbow to put his hands up, confusing Toru long enough for Strongbow to deck him with a right hand. Tanaka complains to the referee then locks up again. Tanaka then tries the same tactic only Strongbow slides underneath Toru’s legs then punches him again. Strongbow whoomps around the ring causing Toru to beg off. Tanaka tells the ref that he’s got him now and goes to the armbar. Strongbow counters with back to back head scissor takedowns. Tanaka gets up and begs off. After some stalling they tie up again. Tanaka gets in a top wristlock as the crowd hoots and hollers. The hippie looking referee (he’s wearing khaki pants, a white t-shirt with scraggly hair and a beard…seriously, he looks like he came out of the crowd to ref the match) makes no attempt to check for a submission as Strongbow begins to shift the momentum. The crowd pops as Jay turns it into a hammerlock but a back elbow dazes Strongbow. A shoulderblock drops Jay but he runs right into a big tomahawk chop. The cover only gets a 1 count and Tanaka begs off yet again. Tanaka goes to the arm bar and locks it in on the mat. Tanaka goes to an old school heel tactic of twisting the thumbs which I haven’t seen in my lifetime to give an idea of how OLD that tactic is. It is humorous to see Tanaka say he’s got it on correctly with Strongbow kicking underneath him. Once again Strongbow scissors his way out of it as Tanaka points that his foot outside the ring (its not). Strongbow continues to apply pressure as we get a TAPE EDIT. Now Tanaka has got a
nerve-hold on Jay from behind. Jay’s hand drops 3 times but the ref does nothing. Eventually Strongbow makes it to his feet and powers out of it. He starts Indian dancing around the ring and drops Tanaka with a series of kneelifts. Strongbow rallies in the corner then rams him into the other corner. Tanaka then counterattacks with the same offense in the other corner. Tanaka reaches into his trunks for some salt but the ref smacks it out of his hand before he can throw it. The ref throws a fit and disqualifies Tanaka as Strongbow chops Toru. Tanaka complains as the ref raises Strongbow’s arm in victory.
Time of match: An unofficial 8:47
Winner: Chief Jay Strongbow by disqualification
We are now taken to a musical interlude with Captain Lou Albano, yes of course I’m serious. Albano plays the piano and well I may add before we go to Gene Okerlund singing Tutti Fruti. Good god, and Hogan’s playing the bass (which he did for his band in the 70’s) to boot. After 2 minutes of this we go to the next match. Hogan does a good job playing the bass I must say.
Match 7
“Mr Wonderful” Paul Orndorff vs Tito Santana for the WWF Intercontinental Championship
Commentator: Vince McMahon
September 1st, 1984 in St. Louis Missouri saw Santana take on Mr. Wonderful in one of the better matches of 1984. Santana is in the light blue tights and Orndorff in the red. They tie up and Santana gets run over with a shoulderblock. Santana goes for a drop toe hold but misses so he improvises with a series of arm drags. Paul bails to the outside and throws a fit. Paul stalls outside then slowly makes his way back in. Santana gets in a hammerlock but Paul reverses into a fireman’s carry takeover. Another lock up sees Santana gain the edge with a wristlock and takes him down with it. Orndorff powers out of it then turns around into a shoulderblock. Tito takes him down with a jumping armdrag, yes, a jumping armdrag. Santana gets a go-behind but Paul counters with back elbow smashes. Orndorff walks into another armdrag takeover. We get a TAPE EDIT and now Orndorff is on his feet but Santana still has the armbar. Santana gets sent off and runs right into an inverted atomic drop. Paul puts the boots to Tito as Vince goes to the instant replay of the atomic drop. A knee lift floors Santana and then Paul kicks him to the concrete floor. Paul flexes for the camera then goes outside to attack. Paul delivers an atomic drop on the floor then gets back inside. Santana crawls up onto the apron where Paul snaps him throat first off the top rope. Orndorff then kicks him back down to the floor. Paul poses for the irate crowd as Tito crawls back on the apron. This time its Santana that does the offense as he shoulderblocks Paul then sunset flips back in…only to be met with an Orndorff right hand. Paul points to his head to taunt the crowd then stalls. Santana delivers some right hands to the ribs but Paul rakes the eyes to stop the momentum. Paul goes to the rear chinlock but Tito powers out of it with an elbow and a knee lift to drop the challenger. Paul recovers to deliver a back suplex and covers for 1…2..no. Slow count by the referee and Santana kicks out. Santana then catches Orndorff with a flying bodypress and the ref once again counts slow 1…2..negative. Least he’s consistent. Orndorff decks Santana with a forearm to the chin and covers (a highlight of the opening montage) for 1….2…noooo. Santana powers out and Orndorff crashes to the floor. Tito cuts him off as he enters and punches him several times in the kidney but misses an elbow drop. Orndorff drops a knee to the forehead then leaps to the second rope, but Santana gets the knees up at the last minute. Tito rallies with right hands and scoop slams him then slingshots him into the corner. Tito covers but the ref is out of position 1…2..nope. Santana ducks under Orndorff but runs into a stiff clothesline. The cover..1…the count..2…noooo. Orndorff goes back to the boots then gets whipped into the corner, but Santana’s charge eats knee. Paul covers….DING DING DING. Paul thinks he’s won it but the time limit has expired. The ref hands the belt to Santana as Orndorff protests. Paul pitches a fit as Howard Finkel announces the draw. Vince speculates Tito was saved by the bell but the bottom line is it was an outstanding match. Does it belong on this tape? Yes.
Time of match: 15 minutes
Winner: None (Time limit draw)
Match 8
Rocky Johnson vs Don “The Magnificent” Muraco for the WWF Intercontinental Championship
Commentators: Vince McMahon and Gorilla Monsoon
March 19, 1983 in the Philadelphia Spectrum saw this segment as “Some surprise endings!!!” Apparently the end of this match is a surprise. Johnson is wearing the purple tights this time and he dropkicks Muraco down, the cover gets a deuce. A big right hand busts Muraco wide open as the crowd pops. Johnson continues to rally with left and rights as a young referee Joey Marella tells Rocky to watch the fists. Rocky continues to jab at Muraco until Don pulls Joey in front of him….WHAM….Johnson levels the poor ref with a right haymaker. Muraco backdrops Johnson over the top to the floor as Marella comes to and calls for the bell. Gary Michael Cappetta announces that Johnson has been DQ’d for striking the referee (even though Muraco pulled him in front). Well that IS a surprise ending, usually when the hell pulls the ref in front for a bump, HE gets disqualified and not the babyface.
Time of match: Joined in progress
Winner: Don Muraco by DQ (still IC Champion)
Match 9
Bobo Brazil vs “Classy” Freddie Blassie
Commentator: Lord Alfred Hays
This is another of the “surprise endings” but we have to go WAY back to September 21, 1964 for this one. Bobo was the reigning WWWF United States champion (a title which wouldn’t be brought back for another 40 years) at the time. Nowadays, 6’6 wrestlers are common but back in the 50’s and 60’s, Brazil was considered a giant. Brazil gets in a shot to the gut as Blassie stumbles about in pain. Monsoon makes a goof in the voice over saying Blassie had a pro boxing bout with middleweight champion Archie Moore. It was actually a wrestling match but still, shows how much of a star Blassie was in that era. A headbutt by Bobo sends Blassie through the ropes as Monsoon says Blassie was one of the toughest and meanest to set foot in the ring. Blassie rakes the face a few times but Bobo is undaunted, continuing to attack Fred on the outside. Blassie gets his foot tied up in the rope and the ref counts him out. Yes, Blassie caught his foot in the rope getting back in and was counted out. Never seen THAT before. Brazil’s manager James Dudley wearing an impeccable green suit hops on the apron with his towel to discuss the situation. The announcer announces Bobo has won and Brazil hugs the referee. Bobo goes over to shake Blassie’s hand once he’s untied…then headbutts him down to the crowd’s delight. In his book “Listen You Pencil Neck Geeks”, Blassie said he hated working against Bobo because back then the crowd that what they were watching was 100 percent real plus security sucked. When Blassie had Bobo down the crowd would rush to the ring to legitimately beat the crap out of Freddie so Blassie had to flop down and roll Bobo on top just to save his own life. Good thing for him he got counted out in this one. Blassie then clocks the referee for good measure. That’s certainly a surprise ending.
Time of match: Joined in progress
Winner: Bobo Brazil by countout
The next match isn’t really a match. Apparently Andre the Giant beat a fellow by the name Black Demon and while Demon was dazed, Andre was leaning through the ropes signing autographs (imagine that today). Demon then attacks Andre as the kids outside head for the hills. Andre gets the upperhand and headbutts the poor guy then rips his mask off. WWWF Tag team champions Rick Martel and Tony Garea hit the ring to congratulate Andre as the Demon grabs a towel and wraps his head around it.
Match 10
The Moondogs (King and Rex) vs Tony Garea and Rick Martel for the WWWF Tag Team Championship in a Texas Death Match
Commentator: Lord Alfred Hays (overdubbing over someone)
February 14, 1981 in the Philadelphia Spectrum saw the dastardly Moondogs go for the gold in a no-holds barred death match. The special guest referee is none other than Gorilla Monsoon himself. Rex has Garea in a chinlock as Monsoon tells King to get the hell off the second rope. Garea powers out of it but runs into a big knee. The rules favor the challengers as the Moondogs were basically the white version of the Wild Samoans and the champs were two mat technicians. Actually, the Moondogs are pretty much the Bushwhackers….and hell the Moondogs have almost similar attire as well, guess the Whackers ripped them off. King chokes Garea in his corner as Monsoon tells him to knock it off…which I don’t understand because this match is supposed to be anything goes. Garea tries to escape to his corner but Rex tosses him back into his own. Garea rallies with right hands and makes the tag to Martel. Martel cleans house with dropkicks and right hands as Monsoon tells Rex to get back in the corner. Martel scoop slams King then drops a knee. Rex interferes to make sure there’s no count. Martel sends King off then catches him in an abdominal stretch. Monsoon asks if King wants to give it up when out of nowhere Rex comes off the top with an axehandle smash to Monsoon. Garea interferes and Monsoon gets to his feet, chopping Rex down and out to the crowd’s delight. Garea and Martel hit a double backdrop then Martel covers..1….2..3 and its over. The champs celebrate as the crowd goes nuts. King bails to the outside as Gary Michael Cappetta announces the decision. We go back to the replay to see Rex attack Monsoon and Gorilla retaliating. Now here’s another surprise. A month after this the Moondogs would defeat Garea and Martel for the tag team titles only for King to be replaced by Spot (who was running his own Moondog stable in Memphis). In real life the Canadian born King was denied entry in the US when a rival wrestling promoter alerted the police to King’s police record. King would never appear in the WWF again as Spot and Rex continued to defend the titles until getting dethroned by Garea and Martel in July of 1981.
Time of match: Joined in progress (8:57 in real life)
Winners: Garea and Martel (still tag team champions)
Match 11
Mr Fuji and Mr Saito (with Captain Lou Albano) vs Tony Garea and Rick Martel for the WWF Tag Team Championship
Commentators: Vince McMahon and Pat Patterson
After regaining the titles from the Moondogs, Garea and Martel met their match on October 13, 1981 in Philadelphia, PA against Albano’s Japanese group. Mr Saito, as sad as it sounds, was the only real Japanese wrestler as both Toru Tanaka and Mr Fuji were Hawaiian. Saito placed 7th in the 1964 Olympics for freestyle wrestling so he could get it done in the ring big time. Captain Lou looks ridiculous outside the ring in Japanese gear but that was the point. Fuji starts out with Martel and Fuji eats a hiptoss early. Martel scoop slams Fuji then arm drags him twice. Saito tags in and is met with an armdrag as well as Albano goes nuts outside. Garea tags in and goes to work on the left arm and shoulder. Saito begs off then whips Garea off the ropes only to be dropped with a shoulderblock. Garea mule kicks Saito down where he tags Fuji back in. Garea armdrags Fuji then goes to work on the left arm and shoulder. Martel gets the tag and picks up where Tony left off. Martel ducks under a chop and catches Fuji with a flying bodypress for 1…2..no, that was close. Another arm drag has Albano pacing back and forth outside the ring. Martel tags Garea back in who nails Fuji with an elbow smash off the second rope. Fuji gets in a punch to the ribs then tags in Saito who runs into yet another armdrag. Garea works over the arm but Saito rallies in the corner with right hands. Saito rams Tony’s head into Fuji’s knee then tags Fuji back in. They double team Garea until referee Dick Woehrle tells Saito to beat it. Fuji decks Garea with a double chop then rams his head into the turnbuckle. Saito tags in and makes the cover but only gets the two. Saito attacks Garea with double chops then backdrops him in the center of the ring. He covers for a deuce then rams him into the corner where Fuji tags in. A thrust to the throat floors Garea as Patterson calls Fuji “very sneaky”. Fuji whips Garea off then sends him flying with the big chop. Saito makes the tag and he kicks Garea in the ribs. A cover gets 1…2..nope. Saito chokes and stomps Garea then covers for another near-fall. Fuji makes the tag and prevents Tony from tagging in Martel. A karate kick drops Tony and Fuji double punches him in the mid-section. Saito tags in and nails Garea with a second rope big chop. Saito covers for a near-fall then chokes Garea. Martel can take no more and interferes, kicking Saito in the back but Woehrle tells him to hit the bricks. With assistance from Albano outside, the trio chokes Garea until Woehrle catches them. He’s too busy barking at Albano to notice Fuji and Saito have pulled a switch. Fuji applies a nervehold as McMahon praises the continuity of the challengers. The crowd chants “Let’s go Tony” as Garea revives. A forearm to the chest rocks Fuji then Tony scoop slams him. Tony misses with a dropkick and Fuji tags in Saito who quickly covers for a deuce. Saito scoop slams Garea for yet another near-fall then ascends to the second rope. The kneedrop connects but the cover only gets two. Saito reaches for his amateur background for a front headlock but then rams Tony’s head into the buckle, tagging in Fuji. Martel interferes and Albano pulls something out of his tights…and drops it on the ground, oops. Saito whips Tony into the corner but misses the charge. Tony staggers to his corner to make the hot tag to Martel. Rick cleans house and tosses Saito all around the ring then head scissors him. Martel runs over and nails Mr Fuji as Albano hops up on the apron to protest. Martel tags in Garea then punches Saito in the ribs, setting him up for a sunset flip by Garea that gets 1..2…noooo. Martel tags in and dropkicks Saito down as Fuji gets in the ring. Garea cuts him off with a dropkick and later gets the tag. Tony leapfrogs over Saito then sends him backwards with a back elbow smash. Albano hands a bag of salt to Fuji as Martel tags in. Martel climbs upstairs and as he dives for the crossbody, Fuji throws the salt in his eyes. Saito rolls through the cover and the ref counts…..1….2….3 WE GOT NEW CHAMPIONS!. One fan in the crowd cheers while the rest look on in horror. 2 fans rush the ring to protest and uniformed cops try to usher them away. Martel rolls around in agony as Albano, Fuji and Saito celebrate. The ring announcer confirms the bad news as Albano hands the tag belts to the new champs. The heels get out of dodge before they’re attacked by the crowd as Martel continues to roll around in agony. Vince goes to the replay and gets agitated. Wow, what a finish. Does this belong on a tape like this, yes it does. The aftermath to this match would be a prolonged reign by Fuji and Saito as Garea and Martel would soon split up. Saito himself would be embroiled in some controversy down the road. The popular story that’s circulated for years was Mr Saito and Ken Patera were arrested in 1984 for heaving a boulder through a McDonalds window then beat up a bunch of cops. What really happened was they were denied service so they picked up a boulder and heaved it through. Then later on police came, took the statement from the stunned workers at McDonalds and tracked down the two wrestlers in their motel room. This is where the stories differ but the part that was true was that Patera and Saito did hold their own against at least 6 cops until the guns were drawn. Saito and Patera were convicted a year later and went to prison, Saito for one year and Patera for the full two year sentence. As for Martel, he hung around for a few more months before bolting for the AWA. Good match and the credits roll to end the tape.
Time of match: 9:42
Winners: Fuji and Saito by pinfall (New Tag Team Champions)
After the credits roll we get a commercial for WRESTLEMANIA available this June for 40 dollars, wow. Also advertised are BEST OF THE WWF VOLUME 3 then BIGGEST, SMALLEST, STRANGEST, STRONGEST and ROWDY RODDY PIPER’S GREATEST HITS. Well this tape was pretty good actually. It had a lot of historical footage and title changes that many fans weren’t able to see due to VCR’s being in their infancy in the early 80’s. It also highlighted a lot of wrestlers that were rarely highlighted again. All in all I give this tape 4 out of 5. One point off for the brief highlight of Andre and no mention of Hulk Hogan. How can you have the best of without the world champion? Still, 4 stars out of 5 is great and if you can find this collector’s item, get it. The next tape after this is Biggest, Smallest, Strangest, Strongest so look for that one soon.
Timeline: History of WWF/E Home Video 