The Wrestling Classic (WF014)

THE WRESTLING CLASSIC (WF014)

 

  What’s that you say, what exactly is Wrestling Classic? Believe it or not this was the first ever pay-per-view released by the World Wrestling Federation. Since Wrestlemania 2 was months away Vince decided to put together a wrestling tournement not unlike the King of The Ring house shows that were taking place in Massachusettes/Rhode Island. The only difference was pay per views had a time window whereas house shows could go all night. This tournament would be the first and last of its kind, although it gave the basic premise for the Wrestlemania 4 title tournament, later on moving King of the Ring to pay per view and of course the Deadly Game tournament in 98. Cue the Coliseum Video opening and Vince himself is our host for the evening. Vince shills the action then sends us over to Alfred Hays and some woman named Susan to check out the brackets. Most are face vs heel but the two matches that aren’t are a face encounter between Ricky Steamboat and Davey Boy Smith and a heel encounter between Moondog Spot and Terry Funk. The main event would be a one on one encounter between “Rowdy” Roddy Piper and WWF Champion Hulk Hogan….the war that didn’t settle the score.

 

NOVEMBER 7, 1985

ROSEMONT HORIZON

CHICAGO, IL

           

Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon and Jesse “The Body” Ventura

 

 Apparently we get some highlights before we get started of who faces who and what not. The competitors draw names out of an actual fishbowl….weird. Ricky Steamboat draws Davey Boy Smith of the British Bulldogs and acts surprised even though he clearly knew. Miss Elizabeth draws Ivan Putski as Randy Savage’s opponent and Macho Man yells at her. Mr Fuji draws Tito Santana on behalf of Magnificent Muraco and laughs….FINALLY lets go to ringside to get the night started.

 

 

First Round Match 1

 

Corporal Kirchner vs Adrian Adonis (with Jimmy Hart)

 

 28 year old Corporal Kirchner was brought in the WWF to be the face militant of the company since Sgt Slaughter bolted for the AWA, which was in the middle of their last boom period. This is also Kirchner’s Coliseum Video debut. 31 year old Adrian Adonis had begun to pile on weight even though he still could bump and sell like he did 100 lbs ago, which led to his infamous Adorable gimmick. Kirchner had a reputation of being a very stiff worker inside the ring and Adonis is no slouch either so lets see how this turns out. First round matches have a 10 minute time limit so these 8 matches should breeze by…..hey wait, I just noticed there are no turnbuckle pads on the turnbuckles, what the hell? Anyway, they lock up as Gorilla mentions the tag team title reign of Ventura and Adonis (no love for Dick Murdoch apparently), then Adrian wrestles Kirchner into the corner. Kirchner arm drags Adonis twice before applying a standard headlock, which is countered into a back suplex. Adrian goes on offense with left elbows and a snap mare then drives an elbow into the chest area. Adrian applies a rest hold before Kirchner powers out of it in the corner. Kirchner goes for a suplex but Adonis counters it into a double arm DDT, innovative for the time period. Adrian covers for 1….2….3 and that’s it, Adonis advances to the second round. Short and sweet, damn that DDT was ahead of its time.

 

Time of Match: 2:37

 

Winners: Adrian Adonis by pinfall

 

 

 There is no segment, on to the next match.

 

 

 

First Round Match 2

 

“British Bulldog” Dynamite Kid vs Nikolai Volkoff

 

  Dynamite looks ready to roll in singles action but before the match starts, Nikolai demands the mic in order to sing the Soviet National anthem. Nikolai belts out the tune as Dynamite Kid has enough by the end and goes upstairs. The bell rings when Volkoff is done and Dynamite comes off the top with a dropkick then covers for 1….2…3 holy crap that was fast. Nikolai still had his shirt on and his hat in his hand while being pinned, guess Dynamite needed to save his strength for the next round. 8 seconds is all it took…..can’t really rate a match that short but it was entertaining to see Volkoff get nailed just like that.

 

 

Time of match: 8 seconds

 

Winner: Dynamite Kid by pinfall

 

 

 

First Round Match 3

 

“Polish Power” Ivan Putski vs “Macho Man” Randy Savage (with Miss Elizabeth)

 

 Talk about a passing of the torch match. 44 year old Putski’s career was winding down while 33 year old Savage had just begun in the WWF. Savage enters to Pomp and Circumstance being the first wrestler to enter to music all night as Jesse makes fun of his former rival Putski. The bell rings and Putski chases Savage out of the ring before he gets back in. Savage goes for a quick full nelson but Putski counters and spits his in his face as Ventura scoffs. Savage bails to the outside and moves Elizabeth around for no reason then climbs back in the ring. Savage locks up with a side headlock but runs into a shoulderblock. Putski poses to the crowd’s delight as Savage throws him into the corner…cept Putski counters by ramming Randy headfirst into the turnbuckle tape. Savage rakes the eyes then goes on offense but Putski counters with a headlock/punch combo. Ivan hammers away with big right hands and whips him into the corner where he continues to fire away. All of a sudden Savage scoops the leg and puts his feet on the ropes (the Flair pin) for 1….2….3 and Savage wins it. Putski and Gorilla scoff as Ventura says “He outsmarted em Gorilla!”

 

 

Time of match: 2:46

 

Winner: Randy Savage by pinfall

 

 

There is no segment, moving right along to the next match

 

 

 

First Round Match 4

 

Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat vs “British Bulldog” Davey Boy Smith

 

 Now this is a little more like it. The first 3 matches have all been mismatches talent wise so lets see if this can be salvaged. They shake hands to show good sportsmanship before locking up as Ventura says there could be a heel turn in the works. Its funny because Steamboat in his entire 20 plus years in the business NEVER worked heel while Davey Boy wouldn’t turn heel for another 10 YEARS. They go through standard go-behinds before 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.

 

 

Time of match: 2:54

Winner: Ricky Steamboat by stoppage

 

 

 There is no segment, on to the next match

 

 

 

First Round Match 5

 

Junkyard Dog vs The Iron Sheik

 

 Sheik is wearing his standard wrestling trunks rather than those plaid groin-covers he wore at Wrestlemania….and he immediately attacks JYD with his ring robe while still wearing his turban. Sheik continues to fire away on JYD and eventually strangles him with the turban. Sheik gives the arm and the elbow to the fans, allowing JYD to recover. Dog no-sells a few blows before going to town with right hands and a headbutt. Sheik bows to JYD but he’ll have none of that so he headbutts him again. Sheik bails to regroup then gets back in the ring before applying a full nelson. JYD powers out of it and hits a very sloppy looking clothesline then covers for 1…2..nope. JYD snap mares Sheik and goes for the falling headbutt but Sheik rolls out of the way. Sheik calls for the Camel Clutch and applies it, Monsoon says its over but the Dog manages to stay on his knees, where eventually Sheik lets go. Sheik doesn’t know what to do next so he fires away in the corner, the ref steps in so Sheik shoves him out of the way. Both Monsoon and Ventura say that’s a bad idea to push referees and Sheik does it again, then right on cute JYD hits a big headbutt and covers for 1….2…3 and this turd is finally over. JYD sure is loved by the fans and Sheik has a great amateur background but they don’t mesh well at all, maybe it was the time limit but either way it sucked…next.

 

 

Time of match: 3:27

 

Winner: Junkyard Dog by pinfall

 

 

There is no segment, on to the next match

 

 

 

First Round Match 6

 

Terry Funk (with Jimmy Hart) vs Moondog Spot

 

  Terry Funk in a WWF ring? Talk about a welcome rarity, and he’s bringing Moondog Spot with him! The Moondogs were basically American versions of the Wild Samoans in terms of crazed lunatics. They had their run in the early 80’s but were old news by this point. Funk gets on the mic and says he doesn’t want to wrestle Spot while Spot says he doesn’t want to wrestle Terry. Funk says they should both leave and have a draw so Spot complies. They make their way to the back when Funk doublecrosses Spot and runs to the ring. Spot catches him in time and pulls Terry off the apron. Spot charges and Funk backdrops him into the ring where the ref completes the count…….oh my god. Terry Funk, the hardcore legend former NWA and eventual ECW Heavyweight champion….jobbed to Moondog Spot. I think I’m gonna hurl, Funk is irate and he beats up Spot after the bell. I wonder what WWF fans in 1985 thought when they saw Spot being put over instead of Terry Funk, because in 2014 it looks really stupid.

 

 

Time of match: 31 seconds

 

Winner: Moondog Spot by count out

 

 

There is no segment, on to the next match

 

 

First Round Match 7

 

WWF Intercontinental Champion Tito Santana vs The Magnificent Muraco (with Mr Fuji)

 

  After the last two steaming piles, maybe this one will be good with both workers in their prime. Tito is the current IC champ but his title is not on the line, only a spot in the next round. Muraco pushes the action with his superior muscle strength to start. Muraco beats on Santana as Ventura questions why Santana is even in the tournement because if he gets hurt, he’ll have to forfeit the title. Muraco is a former champ himself and he continues to control the match with right hands until Santana executes a flying bodypress out of nowhere for 1…2..nope. Muraco comes back with right hands but Santana applies a sunset flip for another 2 count. Muraco appears to be attempting a Stone Cold Stunner but Tito counters with a backslide for another near fall. Santana whips Muraco in the corner and he Flair Flips back into the ring. Santana works over the arm and applies an armringer for a bit. Muraco counters by bodyslamming Tito throat first on the top rope then working him over with knee drops. Muraco clotheslines Santana, drops an elbow then drops a knee before the cover gets a 2 count. Muraco continues to fire away with forearms then hits a powerslam. Muraco goes to hook the leg but doesn’t and instead covers just the shoulders for 1…2…3 and that’s it. No wait, apparently Santana got the leg on the ropes and the referee notices thus negating the pinfall, way to give away the finish Muraco! Santana pounces and delivers a small package on Muraco for 1..2…..3 and there’s your real winner. Ventura doesn’t have a clue to what’s going on and Monsoon has to point out that Santana’s foot was on the rope. That was a good 4 minutes although I agree with The Body that it was a cheap ending.

 

 

Time of match: 4:19

 

Winner: Tito Santana by pinfall

 

 

We go to Mean Gene who’s with Bobby Heenan and the gist of this is that since none of his men such as King Kong Bundy are in the tournement, he’s put a 50,000 dollar bounty on the head of Paul Orndorff. He is quite sure someone will collect it, hmmmmm didn’t Harley Race do the same bit 2 years earlier against Ric Flair?

 

 

First Round Match 8

 

“Mr Wonderful” Paul Orndorff vs “Cowboy” Bob Orton

 

 The first high profile match of the night as these 2 used to be part of Piper’s crew until the Hot Rod and Orton left Orndorff for dead at Wrestlemania. Orndorff and Orton chain wrestle to start as Paul goes for the injured arm of Orton. Paul executes an atomic drop which sends Orton shoulder first into the ringpost. Orndorff continues to attack the injured arm covered by the infamous cast until Orton catches him with a headlock takeover. Orndorff headscissors out of it then arm drags Orton before continuing to work over the left arm with a leglock snapback…..impressive. Orton begs off in the corner but Orndorff has none of it but the charge eats knee. Orton drops a few knees and hot shots Paul off the top rope, then continues to stomp away. Orton resorts to a punch kick offense until Orndorff attempts a sunset flip….which Orton counters with more punches. Orndorff eventually hooks the tights to get the flip for a near fall, then Orton goes to the rest hold. Bob applies a head scissors and after a while Orndorff flips over, but Orton bridges then turns it into a backslide for 1….2…nope. Orton goes for a flying head scissors but Orndorff moves causing Bob to crotch himself on the top rope. Why did Bulldog get the shaft and not Cowboy Bob? Orndorff gets his second wind and takes over with right hands before catching Orton with a back elbow smash. Paul rams Orton’s head into the mat then punches Bob over the top rope to the floor. Back inside Orton re-adjusts the cast on his arm and waffles Orndorff with it right in front of referee Dave Hebner. Hebner calls for the bell as Orndorff wins it by DQ and advances to the next round. Guess Heenan’s 50 grand will have to go to someone else because Orton has failed.

 

 

Time of match: 6:30

 

Winner: Paul Orndorff by DQ

 

 

We go back to Vince and Alfred who go over the second round brackets. Adrian Adonis will take on Dynamite Kid which should be awesome. Randy Savage vs Ricky Steamboat…..no need to tell you that’s gonna rule because you already know. Moondog Spot vs Junkyard Dog…ugh. Last is a face vs face encounter between Tito Santana and Paul Orndorff which also should be good….the next round has a 15 minute time limit so the matches should…keyword SHOULD be long and exciting to watch. Lets go back to ringside

 

 

 

Quarterfinal Match 1  (Match 9 overall)

 

 

Adrian Adonis (with Jimmy Hart) vs Dynamite Kid

 

 Now here’s a match I’d never thought I’d see, but I won’t complain. They lock up and Dynamite runs into a shoulderblock before arm dragging Adrian twice in about 3 seconds, damn he’s quick. Adrian retreats to the outside and regroups with Jimmy before getting back in. Adrian goes to work on offense with shots and an elbow to the dome then slingshots him into the corner. Jesse figures out the next match is Savage and Steamboat so he bails to go talk to Savage….wtf is that about? Monsoon’s left all alone meanwhile Adrian covers for only a 1, for a second I thought Ventura was going to interfere on his former partner’s behalf but instead he actually does leave the ringside area. Adrian catches Dynamite with a suplex then covers for another 1 count then applies a rest hold as Monsoon says how Ventura was supposed to be a future tag team partner of the Macho Man…..good thing that never happened. Dynamite eventually powers out of it with a back suplex but misses the headbutt attempt. Adonis works over the left leg and applies…the sharpshooter? Wow, the sharpshooter in 1985 no less, Bret was still in Stampede while Sting was a Bladerunner out in Memphis, props to Adonis. Dynamite makes it to the rope so Adonis lets go then throws him into the corner then charges into a beautiful sunset flip by Dynamite for 1….2..nope, Adonis kicks out in time. Adonis goes back to work on the left leg then goes for a bulldog but instead is thrown shoulder first into the ringpost by Kid. Dynamite drops a knee then clotheslines him down, then runs up the ropes (10 years before Rob Van Dam and Sabu) and delivers a flying knee drop. Dynamite covers for 1….2..negative, Adonis gets the shoulder up. Dynamite delivers a snap suplex and another falling headbutt. Jimmy Hart hops on the apron distracting Dynamite long enough for Adrian to deliver a running roll up for 1…2. nope, Dynamite kicks out and Adonis runs right into Hart. Dynamite covers a fallen Adrian for 1….2…3 and Dynamite wins it. After the match Hart protests that his foot was on the rope, which the camera shows Adonis wearing boots with the New York Yankees logo on them, no wonder he lost haha. Adonis throws a temper tantrum in the ring as Monsoon goes to the replay, that was fun. That was a good match but it was too short, perfect crash style but this is NOT supposed to be crash style.

 

 

Time of match: 5:28

 

Winner: Dynamite Kid by pinfall

 

 

We go to Gene Okerlund who’s with Jesse Ventura. Jesse says he’s working with Savage and Elizabeth and preparing him for the rest of the tournement. I guess they wanted Ventura to become a future tag partner for Savage but with Jesse unable to work around his career ending Illness and the fact Savage was way too good on his own, it never happened.

 

 

 

Quarterfinal Match 2 (Match 10 overall)

 

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

 

Now we’re really talking, even though they have a 15 minute time limit this should rock the house. 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

 

 

There is no segment, on to the next match.

 

 

 

Quarterfinal Match 3 (Match 11 overall)

 

Junkyard Dog vs Moondog Spot

 

   The match starts and there’s no referee, what the hell? Spot attacks JYD and knocks him down then goes up to the second rope but misses the splash attempt. Dog headbutts Spot a few times from the ground then delivers a real headbutt. Dog covers and looks around for the ref but there isn’t one so he counts 1…2….3 himself. Dog angrily walks out of the ring and I guess its official but Monsoon says otherwise until Spot himself leaves so Monsoon says the judge at ringside made it official…..whatever. Ventura says “I’ve seen it all now Gorilla” yeah no kidding, that’s pretty bizarre to not have a referee in a match. The first and last time I’ve ever seen that happen, I can’t even rate the match it was so weird, you be the judge.

 

 

Time of match: 31 seconds

 

Winner: Junkyard Dog by pinfall

 

 

 We go to Mean Gene who’s with Heenan again, this time Heenan’s downtrodden since Orndorff survived the first round. Mean Gene says that since Paul’s facing the face Tito Santana that he won’t be giving out 50 grand but Heenan says ya never know. Heenan then says that Piper will be the new champ since Hogan is “tired” from basically wrestling non stop as champion for the past 2 years.

 

 

Quarterfinal Match 4 (Match 12 overall) “Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff vs Tito Santana

 

 Here we got a face vs face encounter with two great technicians, maybe this match will approach the 15 minute mark. They shake hands to start then tie up as Jesse says Tito may turn on Orndorff….wouldn’t it make sense for it to be the other way around? Tito goes for the side headlock as Jesse notices a bandage on Santana’s thigh and speculates that Muraco may have done something to him. Santana continues to work on the headlock before Orndorff powers out of it only to be head scissored by the IC champ. Santana holds him there for an unusually long time as Ventura says that the REAL Paul Orndorff may show up, referring to the heel he portrayed for a year and a half. Orndorff flips over and the ref covers 1…2..nope, near fall. Orndorff chain wrestles into a hammerlock then chicken wings it to the ground, looks painful. Santana gets to his feet and reverses the hammerlock until Orndorff makes it to the ropes to break the hold. Ventura says its just a matter of time before Orndorff goes to his cheating ways as they tie up again then Santana clean breaks when they roll into the ropes. Tito applies another headlock but Orndorff delivers an atomic drop that injures Santana’s thigh. Santana limps around as Paul looks to be concerned about Tito;s health until he applies a drop toe hold to the injured leg. Lot of mat wrestling so far, which is a welcome sight to some of the matches that went far too short, the crowd boos but I don’t care. Santana goes for an elbow drop/leg lock combination before Santana gets to his feet. They tie up as Orndorff backs Santana to the ropes and delivers a forearm that knocks Santana out of the ring, guess Ventura’s right about Orndorff’s heel tactics shining through. They trade blows outside the ring as Santana throws Orndorff into the ringpost, but then the referee counts them both out..you gotta be kidding me! The match was just getting good. Not only are both men out of the tournement, but they ruined the story by having Orndorff turn with 10 seconds remaining in the match. Who booked this damn thing, George C Scott?

 

 

Time of match: 8:06

 

Winners: None  (Double countout)

 

 

 We go back to Hays and McMahon who go over the rest of the brackets. Savage will face Dynamite in the semi-finals while JYD has a bye all the way to the final match, well that’s stupid. Why wouldn’t Savage have the bye to set up a face longshot against rested heel finals? Oh well, we get Savage and Dynamite so I’m not complaining. Piper makes his way to the ring with a bagpipe band as we go over to Mean Gene for an interview with Hulk Hogan himself. Total count….Dude: 0, Brother: 3, Jack: 0, Man: 2, if you took the under then you win.

 

 

Match 13

 

“Rowdy” Roddy Piper vs Hulk Hogan for the WWF Heavyweight Championship

 

  The big re-match from the war that didn’t settle the score, Hogan and Piper one more time. Finkel says there’s a one hour time limit…..HAHAHAHAHA! None of the matches have reached 10 minutes so this ain’t goin anywhere near an hour. Piper throws Hogan outside then Hulk pulls Piper out then throws him into the steel guardrail. Hogan chases Piper inside the ring where they exchange eye rakes, fists and knees….a sheer contrast to what we just saw between Santana/Orndorff. Hogan clothesline Piper in the corner as Roddy does a Valentine Flop, then Hulk continues to fire away with rights and a back suplex. Hogan drops a series of elbows then Hulk returns to the punch kick offense in the corner. Piper answers with punches and kicks then climbs the second rope….then jumps into a bearhug. Piper gets the finger to the eye to get out of the bearhug then continues to punch away before covering for a one count. Piper sends Hogan off the ropes and catches him with his SLEEPER HOLD….champ’s in big trouble, Hogan actually grabs the top rope but the ref doesn’t make Roddy break the hold meaning either Hogan screwed up or the ref is blind, maybe both. Hogan fades as Ventura says we’re gonna have a new champion then the ref lifts the arm..1…..2…noooooo, Hogan revives right on cue. He runs over to the ropes with Piper still on his back and they topple to the floor together. Hogan throws Piper into the ringpost then Hulks Up on the outside of the ring before chasing Roddy back inside. They trade blows in the center of the ring before Hogan delivers a sloppy big boot that doesn’t even knock Roddy off his feet. Hogan executes an atomic drop then goes for a clothesline but Piper moves and Hogan crashes into the referee…D’OH! Piper goes outside and grabs a steel chair…10 years ahead of its time, then waffles Hulk with it.  Piper goes to hit him again but Hulk takes it away then nails Roddy with it. Hogan puts Piper in the sleeper until out of nowhere Bob Orton hits the ring and lays waste to Hogan. Orton and Piper doubleteam Hogan until Paul Orndorff of all people runs in with the chair to save Hogan. Hogan and Orndorff celebrate in the ring as the heels make their exit, wow that was tough to sit through but at least it was short. The one match I’m actually glad that it was short, hopefully the next match will be long.

 

Time of match: 7:07

 

Winner: Hulk Hogan by DQ (Still world champion)

 

 

 

Semi-Final Match  (Match 14 overall)

 

“Macho Man” Randy Savage (with Miss Elizabeth) vs Dynamite Kid

 

  Maybe now that we’re nearing the end of the night the matches will actually go at least 10 minutes, because both these guys rule. Savage enters with a different robe, foreshadowing his Wrestlemania 4 tournament performance. Ventura scoffs at the fact JYD has a bye while Monsoon scoffs at Savage for using Elizabeth as a shield and even Jesse can’t back that disgusting display (for 1985) up. Nowadays women get hit with chairs and chainsaws but in 1985 if you so much as poked a female in the stomach it was a big deal. Savage ties up with Dynamite in a nice feeling out sequence where Savage goes behind with a 2 point take down and Dynamite tries to turn in. Savage rides but eventually Dynamite escapes which causes Savage to go outside and stand on the guardrail….Macho Madness at its finest. They tie up in the ring and roll around the ropes all the way around the ring before Savage gets a sucker punch in.  Savage rams Dynamite head first into the turnbuckle then delivers an elbow to the temple. Dynamite rallies with right hands and a sideheadlock into a shoulderblock sequence. Dynamite hits a back bodydrop and a flying crossbody but they roll into the ropes so there’s no count. Dynamite goes for a sunset flip but Savage drops down on him to counter the hold. Gorilla says Dynamite is in better shape than Savage but just by looking at them I have to disagree, Savage was ripped back then and Dynamite was about 20 lbs over what he should have weighed, too much muscle on a small frame. Dynamite goes for another crossbody but missed that one before doing a double clothesline spot. Savage goes upstairs but takes too long and Dynamite dropkicks him down into the turnbuckle. Dynamite climbs up and does a superplex that the crowd pops then they both cradle each other on the ground. The ref counts 1….2…..3….and the match is over, the tape clearly shows Savages right shoulder off the mat so Randy is announced the winner. Ventura creams his pants as once again a potentially awesome match is crammed into 5 minutes, dammit. Savage is literally carried out of the arena by the security staff to show how exhausted he is.

 

 

Time of match: 4:52

 

Winner: Randy Savage by pinfall

 

 

We go to Mean Gene in the locker room, literally. He catches up with Orndorff and Hogan who rant and rave about Heenan, Piper and Orton.  Total count  Dude – 0  Brother – 1  Jack – 0  Man – 6  so if you took the under then you win…..barely

 

 

Finals (Match 15 overall)

 

Junkyard Dog vs “Macho Man” Randy Savage (with Miss Elizabeth)

 

JYD’s wrestled 2 matches and were both a breeze while Savage had to win 3 matches against awesome workers such as Dynamite and Steamboat, the last one only minutes before. Usually its the face that’s exhausted going into the finals but for some reason Savage is the longshot compared to the well rested Dog. Savage uses Elizabeth as a shield and JYD corners the both of them. Jesse Ventura “JYD looks like he’s gonna punch Elizabeth *sarcastically* What a man he is!”. Savage bails to the outside and grabs a chair as the bell rings to officially start. Savage throws the chair at the Dog who catches it then rams his own head into it…heh. Dog taunts Randy until he gets in the ring verrrrrrrry slowly 90 seconds after the bell. They lock up and JYD heaves Savage across the ring twice. Randy goes for a scoop slam but can’t get the JYD up, guess Savage isn’t as Macho as we think. JYD delivers a headbutt to the small of the back then a delayed atomic drop. JYD locks in a bearhug as Jesse scoffs at Savage wrestling 4 times before Mean Gene Okerlund joins the commentary team for some reason. Dog delivers a forearm and headbutts to the back as Gene says alls fair in love and war. Savage gets caught in the ring ropes as Dog headbutts him from inside. Dog runs into a left arm clothesline by Savage that he barely sells. Savage covers but Dog powers out of it at 2 then Savage throws him through the ropes to the outside. Randy goes upstairs and delivers the double axehandle to the floor. Savage rams Doggie into the ring post then goes upstairs where he delivers another axehandle to the floor. Savage picks up a chair and whacks Dog with it while referee Dave Hebner stands there and watches. Gene Okerlund asks why Savage isn’t disqualified as am I but whatever, the match continues. Savage chokes JYD on the guardrail then drops an elbow as the crowd boo’s before sending Doggie back in the ring. Savage climbs upstairs but he’s gone to the well too often as JYD catches him with a punch to the midsection. JYD does his doggie headbutts and Savage sells like crazy before Randy begs off. JYD delivers a normall headbutt and Savage gets tied up in the ropes Andre style. Savage is untied then rakes the eyes to stop the momentum, then he charges but JYD backdrops him over the top to the cement floor. The referee counts but Savage can’t make it back in….that’s it, JYD wins by a count-out as Ventura scoffs. Savage carried that match, plus along with his other matches against the likes of Dynamite Kid was probably the main reason for giving him the Intercontinental Championship.

 

 

Time of match: 9:33

Winner: Junkyard Dog by count-out

 

 

Mean Gene hits the ring to get a word with our first (and last) Wrestling Classic champion Junkyard Dog. Dog goes to answer a question when Jesse “The Body” Ventura gets in the ring and gets bent out of the shape, ranting how the Dog didn’t wrestle as much as Savage. Randy gets helped to the back as JYD chases Ventura out of the ring as Monsoon starts laughing at him. We go to McMahon who signs off and that’s the end of the show.

 

 

 Well that was horribly done. They had AWESOME talent in this tournament and the matches were way too short to be considered “Classic”. This actually would have been a great Raw event from the late 90’s in terms of crash style (Like the IC title tournament Ken Shamrock won) but as a pay per view this was NOT worth however much it cost back in the day. Eventually Vince would try it out with longer matches such as the Wrestlemania 4 version before settling on the King of the Ring format in 1993. This was the prototype for future tournaments but it was way too rushed, this may be the first and only time I’m complaining the matches were too short rather than too long. I’d give this tape 2 1/2 stars out of 5, make no mistake most of the matches weren’t bad and talent wise, this was the best it got for the WWF in 1985 but everything was too short. The next Coliseum Video release after this is TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS…..sort of. Actually we’ll be catching the three tape “collector’s series” set beginning with WWF’S GREATEST MATCHES. As for this one, buy this tape if it’s at a yard sale or cheap but certainly don’t break the bank for it.

Best of the WWF Volume 4 (WF013)

                                                BEST OF THE WWF VOLUME 4 (WF013)

 COUNTRY BOYS was an epic disaster that raked the eyes of any wrestling fan whoever had the displeasure of witnessing it. Hopefully this installment of Best of the WWF will be easier to sit through. Looking at the card, its not much. Like I said in previous reviews all the hot 1984-85 angles were done by the time Country Boys came out so it was time for something new. Unfortunately, this doesn’t seem like the “something new” with several matches being from several years earlier. Oh well, let’s stoke it up. Cue the Coliseum Video opening and Vince McMahon is our host today.

 

 

Match 1

“Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff vs “Rowdy” Roddy Piper

Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon and Alfred Hays

 July 13, 1985 at Madison Square Garden was the date for “The Match of Honor” which is hullaballo for a grudge match between Piper and Orndorff. As everyone knows, Piper and Orton left Orndorff to rot at Wrestlemania and neither side were too happy about it. Orndorff turned face to battle Piper and for some reason it took almost 4 months to get them in the ring. Vince does the voice-over before the match starts and quotes Piper saying “I made a mistake; I thought Paul would have more guts.” Piper was asked if he made a mistake turning his back on Orndorff, but in typical Piper fashion he’s saying he made a mistake choosing him to begin with. Piper’s by himself as Orndorff is introduced in slow motion. Once in the ring, Paul goes beserk and Piper equally throws a tantrum. People pelt the ring with garbage as Orndorff sheds his red robe. Piper is not amused by Orndorff’s standard red trunks and he attacks at the bell. The alert Mr. Wonderful ducks and Piper crashes into the corner, spins around and is greeted with right hands. The crowd erupts as Orndorff decks Piper with a right hand, who bails as the bell finally rings. Paul rams Piper’s head into the guardrail. Piper rolls inside but Orndorff goes upstairs and catches Piper with a forearm to the neck. Piper sells it like Captain Kirk screaming Khannnnnnn before Orndorff staggers him with a big right hand. Orndorff drills Piper’s head into the mat before locking in an arm-ringer. The crowd settles down as Monsoon hypes up Orndorff as Piper slaps Paul across the face. Roddy tries to ram Paul’s head into the buckle but Orndorff refuses to let go of the arm. Orndorff drops him to the mat with a hammerlock, ties the arm around his leg and falls backward. Piper begs off but Paul goes back to the arm-ringer. Wonderful whips Roddy to the buckle but a charge eats a knee to the face. Roddy sells the arm but delivers a running knee to the face. A scan of the crowd shows many of them have Hogan foam fingers. Piper continues to sell the arm ringer but continues to go to work on Orndorff with right hands. Orndorff ducks under a right hand and catches Piper in a back-slide for 1…2..nope. Piper shows Orndorff his two fingers before giving him a 3 stooges eye poke which has a little kid in the front row cheering. Monsoon “Talk about conceit!” Piper kicks Orndorff out of the ring as he still sells the arm ringer, a lost art today. Piper taunts the crowd then stops onto the apron to kick at Orndorff. A sign in the crowd saying “Orndorff Smokes The Piper” apparently fires Paul up as he pulls Piper off the apron and goes to town with right hands. Paul goes for a bulldog on the floor but Piper shoves him into the ring post, causing Paul to crash into the officials at ringside. The one armed Piper lets Orndorff back in and gets in a front face-lock. Piper turns it into a high school style pin but Orndorff powers out of it with right hands. Piper takes him back down with a headlock take-over but Orndorff scissors him only for Piper to flip over for 1….2..nope. Orndorff bridges out into a backslide but Piper is too far into the ropes for a count. Piper and Orndorff trade right hands but Paul gets the upperhand with a big uppercut that has Piper doing Fred Sanford jabs before falling backwards. Orndorff drops an elbow before Piper gets to his feet where Paul continues to rally with right hands. Paul goes for the crossbody but the momentum carries both men over the top rope to the floor. They brawl on the outside but Paul makes it in and grabs Piper by the hair. Paul rams Piper head first into the apron again and again. Wonderful brings Piper in by the hair and snaps him down to the mat as the crowd erupts. A sign in the crowd says “Rowdy Roddy Pipsqueak” as Paul goes upstairs. The crowd erupts as “Cowboy” Bob Orton finally makes his appearance and throws Paul off the top. The referee doesn’t call for the bell, only for Orton to hit the bricks. Orton goes to hit Paul with the cast but Orndorff catches him with right hands first. Soon, Piper grabs Paul by the leg and the heels double-team Orndorff. Orton levels Orndorff with the cast as the ref finally calls for the bell. Piper punches the ref but the ref no-sells it. Piper chases him around before Piper gets to his knees, busted wide open. Orton and Piper double-suplex Orndorff as the bell continues to ring. Alfred calls for someone to come help as the heels continue to double-team Orndorff. The crowd erupts as the British Bulldogs hit the ring but the heels hold their own. Piper and Orndorff fend off the Bulldogs but Orndorff gets to his feet, allowing the heels to retreat without a mark on them. The dogs tend to the bloody Orndorff as ring announcer Howard Finkel announces Orndorff the winner. That was a wild brawl that settled nothing, perfect for a feud starter. Unfortunately because Piper would be busy with Hogan for the rest of 1985, Orndorff and Piper never really had their own blowoff. This match was hot and not much to complain about really. Does it belong on a Best of, yes.

 

 

Time of match: 8:43

 

Winner: Paul Orndorff by DQ

 

 

 

 

Match 2

 

“Cowboy” Bob Orton and Don “Magnificent” Muraco (with Mr. Fuji) vs Hulk Hogan and Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka

 

Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon and Gene Okerlund

 

 We go back to May 18, 1985 in the Boston Garden for this one. Useless information but the Garden was available because the Boston Celtics were playing Game 3 of the Eastern Finals in Philadelphia that same night. This should be one of the final Coliseum Video showings for Snuka (in this era anyway) as he was most likely gone at the time this tape hit the shelves. Everyone is in their standard gear. The heels try a Pearl Harbor job but Hogan and Snuka fight them off. Hogan sends Muraco flying and a jumping head-butt by Snuka has Orton bailing to the outside. Hogan chases Muraco outside as Snuka catches Orton and tosses him back in.  Orton begs off when Snuka gets back in as Hogan catches Muraco and throws him inside. Mr. Fuji retreats to the other side of the ring. Orton and Muraco go back to back and beg off but Hogan rakes the eyes (because he’s such a role model) of Muraco and Snuka snapmares Orton. Okerlund says the match is like a texas tornado because the incompetent referee has yet to usher two of the guys out of the ring. Hogan rams Muraco into the buckle as Snuka works over the “bad” arm of Orton. Muraco and Hogan finally leave as Orton leapfrogs over Snuka but turns around into an arm-drag by Snuka. Hogan makes the tag who comes off the second rope with an axehandle to the bad arm. Somebody tries to throw garbage in the ring and misses completely as Hogan continues to work over the left arm of Orton. Hogan sends Orton shoulder first into the ring-post as Hogan spits at Muraco. Hogan tags in Snuka who comes off the top rope with an axehandle to the shoulder. Monsoon brings up that Orton originally hurt his arm at the hands of Snuka (and it never healed apparently). Snuka locks in another arm-ringer and tags in Hogan. Orton whips Hulk off who promptly boots him in the head. Hogan stomps on the left arm before sending Orton off the ropes where Orton counters with a knee to the ribs. Hogan no-sells and trades blows with Orton before raking the eyes. Hulk delivers an atomic drop and Orton desperately clings to Hogan before falling into his own corner where Muraco finally tags in 3 ½ minutes into it. Muraco stomps away at Hogan as Orton sells the arm-wringer on the apron. Don gets the upper hand as Fuji smiles in approval outside. Muraco throws Hogan head first into the buckle as Orton gets in a few cheap shots. We get a TAPE EDIT and now Orton is in the ring with Hogan. Orton delayed-suplexes the champion and takes too long to cover, getting a 1. Orton drops an elbow on Hogan and Muraco gets in to make sure Hogan doesn’t make the tag. Muraco goes to work before he and Orton deliver a double elbow. Orton leaves even though Muraco never tagged in. Wow, this ref sucks. Muraco makes the cover but Snuka makes the save. Hogan reverses a whip into the corner and clotheslines Muraco into the center of the ring. Hulk makes the hot tag to Snuka who unloads on Muraco and Orton. A double headbutt sends Orton staggering. A normal headbutt nails Muraco. Snuka scoop slams Muraco and goes upstairs as Fuji distracts the referee. Snuka goes for a crossbody but Orton catches Jimmy with the cast on his way down. Orton runs over and drops Hogan to the floor with a right hand. Muraco crawls over and makes the tag and Orton talks the dazed Snuka. Jimmy is busted wide open as Orton nails him with the cast, smearing blood on it. Muraco attacks Hogan on the outside and rams him into the ring post. Orton continues to work over Snuka inside the ring. A right hand drops Snuka as Okerlund oversells the blood. Orton drops Hogan off the apron again as we get another TAPE EDIT. Now Orton’s got Snuka in the corner but a reversed whip leads Orton getting nailed with a big chop. Snuka crawls over and makes the hot tag to Hogan. Hulk cleans house of Orton and Muraco but the heels get the advantage when Orton uses the cast to drop Hogan with it. Orton and Muraco double-team until the referee calls for the bell. Hogan ducks under a double clothesline and Hulks Up. The heels turn around and Snuka…uh…Snukas Up. A pier 6 brawl develops but Hogan and Snuka whip the heels together. Muraco and Orton bail to the back as Snuka gives chase. Hogan joins him and as Okerlund says they’re going to take this to Causeway Street. Even the fans start brawling in the front row as Boston’s finest hustle to quell the rowdy fans. Hogan and Snuka make their way back to the ring as the ring announcer announces them the victors.  Well that was wild and bloody but the non-finish accomplished nothing. I always had a pet peeve of seeing too many DQ’s on a videotape because we can watch DQ finishes for free on Superstars or Wrestling Challenge, why did we need to pay money to see that on video? Ah well, at least the babyfaces get the duke. Does it belong on a tape like this, yes.

 

 

Time of match: Clipped

Winners:  Hogan and Snuka by DQ

 

 

Match 3

 

20 Man Battle Royal

 

Commentators: Vince McMahon

 

  Back to June 26, 1982 in the Philadelphia Spectrum and we got Greg Valentine, Pedro Morales, Jimmy Snuka, SJ Jones, Baron Mikel Scicluna, Jay and Jules Strongbow, Ivan Putski, Tony Garea, Adrian Adonis, Johnny Rodz, Tony Atlas, Blackjack Mulligan, Charlie Fulton, Mr. Fuji, Mr. Saito, Swede Hanson, Laurent Soucie, Jose Estrada and Steve Travis. I know what you’re thinking, who the hell are Travis, Hanson, Soucie and Estrada?  Estrada is the most famous of the four as he was one half of the original Los Conquistadors (with Jose Luis Rivera). Hanson was basically WWF’s version of Stan Hansen although he was a 30 year ring veteran himself at the time. Travis was “Quick” Rick McGraw’s old tag team partner and Soucie was a Dungeon dropout although he was an NCAA All-American in freestyle wrestling in 1975. Its bedlam as all 20 guys go at it with Valentine sneaking by SD Jones. If you hadn’t noticed, most of the battle royals covered are about 15 real starts with 5 jobbers/outside talent thrown in. Adonis has Jones all tied up as Atlas pounds on Valentine. Johnny Rodz tries to dump Jay Strongbow as Jules rakes the face of Scicluna. Rodz then tries to dump Jules next but Jules chops out of it. JIMMY SNUKA, of all people, is the first to go courtesy of Morales and Putski. Saito attacks Garea as Morales pulls Adonis out of the ring, neither appeared to have gone over the top though. Atlas and Saito go at it. Morales and Adonis get back in as  Saito attacks Putski then goes for Morales. IVAN PUTSKI and BLACKJACK MULLIGAN eliminate each other. Hanson and Soucie double-team Jones but Atlas makes the save. Jay Strongbow nails Hanson as Mulligan continues to stomp around at ringside. Jay nails Fuji as Valentine looks for someone to hammer. Hanson nails Soucie in the back as Vince says its “every man for himself”. Saito ducks a charge and TONY GAREA is gone. Sheesh, none of the jobbers are out yet and we’ve lost 4 stars already. Saito then goes after Valentine but Greg tells him to get lost because he’s got Morales, so Saito goes after Jay Strongbow instead. The Strongbows team up and dump MR. SAITO as Fuji’s save attempt fails. Rodz nails Adonis as Soucie and Scicluna go at it. Without Andre, I can’t really pick a winner other than maybe Valentine, which is a good thing because it’ll be interesting to see who really does win. Fuji goes after Jules Strongbow as Morales and Jones catch a breather in the corner. Atlas clocks Rodz as Jones then chokes Valentine on the ground. Steve Travis attacks Hanson. Charlie Fulton holds Jules but Strongbow ducks and Adonis clobbers Fulton instead. Scicluna pounds on Atlas but then sells his hand like he broke it over Atlas’ cranium. Soucie pounds on Valentine but Greg double leg pickups the former collegiate wrestler. Jules clubs away at Hanson as Scicluna gets in a punch to the throat of Chief Jay. We get a TAPE EDIT and STEVE TRAVIS is no longer with us. Now Rodz is choking Jones. Tony Atlas comes over to assist Jones as Adonis clocks Valentine by accident. Morales catches Adonis with a left who nearly flies over the top. Another shot has Adonis doing a 360. Mr. Fuji dumps JULES STRONGBOW and Chief Jay is mad. Jose Estrada assists Jay in dumping MR. FUJI but then Estrada assists Fuji from the outside to get rid of JAY STRONGBOW. Two days after this, The Stronbows would defeat Fuji and Saito for the WWF Tag Team Championship. As for now, 8 of 9 guys eliminated were stars so the jobbers are standing tall so far. Soucie headbutts Valentine in the ribs as Adonis does his reverse-Andre spot. Estrada and Soucie pound on Adrian then turn their attention on each other as Adrian slinks back in. The camera pans to the outside where the refs can’t seem to get the Strongbows to leave and then the camera pans back to the ring only to see SWEDE HANSON standing outside doing nothing, I assume he’s been tossed but the cameras missed it. Estrada and Rodz double team Atlas. Scicluna tries to dump Jones as Atlas and Rodz go at it in the center. Adonis, Estrada and Valentine team up and dump PEDRO MORALES. A scan of the ring shows Estrada, Valentine, Jones, Scicluna, Adonis, Fulton, Rodz and Soucie. Adonis atomic drops Fulton as McMahon says Soucie throws punches like a girl. Ha! Fulton pounds on Adonis until Adrian can take no more and dumps CHARLIE FULTON. Atlas delivers a jumping headbutt to Scicluna as a camera shot shows Valentine busted wide open. Valentine rallies on Scicluna and drops an elbow on him. Atlas ducks a shoulder and JOHNNY RODZ is out as Adonis tosses LAURENT SOUCIE out. A dropkick by SJ Jones sends JOSE ESTRADA over the top and out. Jones then tosses BARON MIKEL SCICLUNA and we’re down to four. Jones, Atlas, Adonis and Valentine. Jones and Atlas high five as it looks like a tag match from here on.  Adonis tries to clear the blood from Greg’s eyes. Atlas and Jones go back to back as the heels stalk. Adonis and Valentine crash into each other when the faces move out of the way. Atlas delivers a jumping headbutt and Valentine flops before begging off.  Atlas and Jones whip the heels together. Adonis walks into a jumping headbutt by Atlas. Valentine gets the upper-hand on Jones as Adonis powerslams Atlas. Valentine executes a running backbreaker as Adonis goes up to the top. Adonis nails a flying elbow drop as Valentine tosses Jones through the ropes, not over the top. Valentine stomps on Jones as Adonis locks in Goodnight Irene (his sleeper finisher) on Atlas. Jones catches Valentine with a headbutt that sends Greg into an Andre spot. Atlas powers out of the sleeper and uses the momentum to send ADRIAN ADONIS over the top and out. Atlas crumples to the mat as Jones pounds on Valentine. Greg unties himself and chokes Jones into the ropes. Valentine hammers on Jones then Atlas but Atlas gets the upper hand with a jumping headbutt. Valentine flops and begs off as Vince says you have to give credit to Valentine for getting busted open and now dealing with a two on one assault. Atlas headbutts Valentine into the ropes and Jones dropkicks him…..nowhere. A second dropkick finally sends GREG VALENTINE over the top and out, there goes my pre-match prediction. Down to the two babyfaces as they lockup….before hugging. We edit to a coin flip…yes, a coin flip. Believe it or not, Jones and Atlas refused to fight each other so they agreed to determine the winner on the flip of a coin. The ref picks up the coin and raises Tony Atlas’ hand in victory. Jones was better off trying to dump him out. Atlas gives him the obligatory press slam (gently of course) to the apron to signify the end. Ring announcer Gary Michael Capetta announces Atlas the winner as Jones gives him the congratulatory handshake. A creative way to end a battle royal but it wasn’t the last time one would end like this. 7 years later in WCW, the Skyscrapers were involved in a battle royal and when they were the final two, they agreed simply to split the money 50/50. Jones deserved a win for a change but instead Atlas gets the duke. Does it belong on a tape like this, yes.

 

 

Time of match: Edited

 

Winner: Tony Atlas

 

 

  Our first non-match segment involves a montage of the various finishing moves of WWF guys at the time titled “SPECIALTY OF THE HOUSE. At first, Barry Windham (or “Wyndahm” in the graphic) delivers a bulldog to Nikolai Volkoff at WRESTLEMANIA. Ricky Steamboat hits Valentine with chops and a dropkick with his finisher called “Karate”…yes of course I’m serious. No love for the flying cross-body. Brutus Beefcake delivers a backbreaker to David Sammartino. Apparently he wasn’t using the sleeper yet. Paul Orndorff bridges on Roddy Piper from the match we saw earlier and his finisher is called “Strength”. Sheesh, no love for the piledriver. Finally a real finisher as we see Iron Sheik putting the camel clutch on Hulk Hogan in their famous world title match. Hilbilly Jim catches Rene Goulet in a bearhug…ugh, guess the stench from Country Boys followed us to this tape. Stan Hansen catches Bruno Sammartino with “the lariat” which he actually did use. Bruno’s is simply “all the right moves” as we see him dominate Larry Zybysko, Bruno never really had a distinct finisher which is a lost art today. Hogan makes his appearance beating up Dave Schultz with “the clothesline and the elbow” Wow, no love for the leg drop? Greg Valentine drops “the elbow” on Tito Santana before putting the figure four on Jim Powers….finally a real finisher. Bob Orton does a “superplex” and King Kong Bundy does the avalanche to Tony Garea.

   Now we go to “interesting walks” where Brutus Beefcake struts away from Hulk Hogan. Hogan then mocks him as well. Jesse Ventura drops a knee on Ivan Putski before strutting. Jimmy Snuka does the Superfly splash and its apparent all the footage they’re using is from previous videos. The British Bulldogs use “acrobatics on the Hart Foundation. Guess Powerslams and Diving headbutts are for the birds. Alright I’ve seen enough, on to the next match.

 

 

Match 4

 

Andre The Giant vs Killer Khan in a Stretcher Match

 

Commentator: Vince McMahon

 

   No, not THAT match. This is the return bout. For those who don’t know, Andre was legitimately hurt in 1981 and Killer Khan got the storyline credit but “breaking Andre’s ankle”. This was the “return” match on November 14, 1981 in the Philadelphia Spectrum. Andre is wearing the blue tights with Khan in the black. Ring announcer Gary Michael Capetta gives the rules to the crowd as Vince in the voice-over says the first one to place the incapacitated wrestler on a stretcher wins. The stretcher itself is a dead give-away of who wins as its fit for a normal sized person. There’s no chance in hell Killer Khan would be able to get Andre on it without it crumbling underneath him. Vince brings up the infamous match at Boston Garden where Andre was originally hurt. Andre headbutts Khan who bails to the apron but Andre brings him in the hard way. An overhand chop rocks Khan and a knee lift sends Khan bailing to the outside. Andre reaches through the ropes and brings him back in. A right hand staggers Khan and Andre whips him off the ropes where he delivers a giant boot to the head. Andre sits on Khan, moves the referee back and calls for the stretcher. Khan kicks the stretcher away then goes for Andre’s ankle. Andre catches him, grabs the tights and does a Terry Funk style piledriver. Andre misses a falling headbutt. Khan stomps away then ties the “injured” ankle into the ropes and kicks away at it. The ref tries to free the leg but why, its supposedly no dq? Khan yells in between boots to the injured leg. Andre grabs the tights and pulls him down but Khan recovers to drop a knee on the giant. Khan drops another knee and calls for the stretcher. Vince says its over as the ref, stretcher man and Khan try to roll Andre onto the stretcher. Andre is rolled onto the stretcher but wakes up, hops up with the stretcher and threatens to hit Khan with it. Andre does indeed clock Khan with it then goes to town with the giant offense. Andre kicks the stretcher out and we get a TAPE EDIT. Andre stomps on Khan and sits on him twice. The ref calls for the stretcher and tries to roll Khan on it but Khan resists. Then Andre gets mad and sits on him a bunch of times. The ref once again calls for the stretcher and again Khan resists.  Andre pounds on Khan in the corner as Vince praises Killer’s fortitude. Andre does his legendary hiptoss and follows with a big splash. The ref waves off Andre and calls for the stretcher again. This time Khan is lifeless as the ref and the aide get him on the stretcher then take him away. Andre wins it even though it was the ref that made the call. Modern stretcher matches have the wrestlers pushing each other past the finish line, back then you had to incapacitate your opponent and the ref made the judgement call. By the way, was Killer Khan really a Mongolian? Hell no, he was Japanese. Bad match but fun for historical purposes, it belongs on here.

 

Time of match: Who cares?

 

Winner: Andre The Giant

 

 

Match 5

 

Andre the Giant vs Big John Studd in a steel cage match

 

Commentator: Gorilla Monsoon and Dick Graham

 

 This one is joined in progress from September 24, 1983 at the Philadelphia Spectrum. You’ll notice a pattern is that most WWF shows were centered in 3 areas. Old timers considered the territory “New York” but really it was the northeast triangle of Boston, New York and Philadelphia. Dick Graham of PRISM Network joins Monsoon for this one. Studd is busted open already as Andre sends him into the cage. Andre rams John’s head into the cage and whips him off the ropes but Studd ducks under the giant boot. John stuns the giant with a clothesline. Studd hits a double axehandle that sends Andre to the mat. Studd crawls for the door but Andre catches him and drops a leg on the back of his neck. Andre goes for the door but John grabs a hold of the leg. Andre makes John let go by simply sitting on his head, ouch. Andre slams bodyslams Studd that Monsoon says is worth 10 grand. Andre goes to the second rope and does the Whoopie Cushion on Studd. John isn’t getting up and Andre waves to the crowd as he walks out the door. Andre wins and he turned Studd into a pancake in the process. Its funny how wrestling angles are booked on flat out lies sometime. Wrestlemania 1 was booked that Andre couldn’t slam Studd and he’d have to retire if he couldn’t. This match held 2 years earlier showed Andre slamming him with ease and winning the match no problem, good thing it wasn’t shown on tv. Too short to rate but its nice to see Andre on his last legs before he became the lumbering giant we all saw in the mid 80’s. Does it belong on here, unedited yes.

 

 

Time of match: Joined in progress

 

Winner: Andre the Giant

 

 

Match 6

 

Andre the Giant (with Captain Lou Albano) vs King Kong Bundy (with Jimmy Hart)

 

Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon and Jesse Ventura

 

  We’re at Madison Square Garden on September 23, 1985. This is supposedly called “The Colossal Jostle” and its got a big time feel to it with Monsoon and The Body on commentary. Remember in THE AMAZING MANAGERS where Bundy and Studd beat the crap out of Andre? Well this was the revenge match so to speak. Bundy was climbing up the card and this was before the Adonis and Link for Bundy trade Hart and Heenan pulled off. Bundy is in the ring while Captain Lou leads Andre to the ring. Andre is in the red tights with Bundy in standard black. Lou dances around the ring as Ventura says this is the biggest test in Andre’s career. Monsoon brings up the Maple Leaf Gardens incident as Andre and Bundy roll around in a tie up. Andre has Bundy in the corner and delivers a giant chop to a huge roar from the crowd. Andre chokes Bundy in the corner and Ventura bitches. Andre hits another chop and Bundy bails to the outside. We get a TAPE EDIT and now we’re really far into the match as both men are sweating profusely. They trade blows in the center of the ring before Andre unloads a headbutt that sends Bundy through the ropes and to the outside. Nailing a chair next to Monsoon’s announce table. Jimmy Hart frantically jumps up and down to get Bundy back in the ring. Ventura “I felt the floor shake on that one!” Another TAPE EDIT has Bundy back in the ring nailing Andre in the back with forearms. Bundy has Andre down in the corner and chokes him in the corner with his boot. The crowd chants for Andre as Bundy continues to stomp away on the fallen giant. Monsoon bitches at the referee since he won’t make Bundy release the chokehold on the ropes.  Andre reaches out and grabs Bundy’s left leg and makes it to his feet in the corner. Andre shoulderblocks Bundy in the corner and Monsoon bitches again. Bundy whips Andre into the corner but the avalanche attempt eats boot. Andre sits on Bundy….but wait! BIG JOHN STUDD hits the ring and lays waste to Andre, causing the dq finish. Andre headbutts Studd and chokes him in the corner but Studd moves out of the way and Bundy avalanches Andre. Captain Lou gets nailed for his trouble. Andre bails to the outside and grabs a chair, smashing the announce table and gets in the ring. Studd and Bundy bail to the back with Bobby Heenan and Jimmy in tow.  Captain Lou grabs Howard Finkel’s mic and screams to “get em out here!” The heels stay put and Andre is your winner by dq. Andre screams at referee Dick Woerhle but that’s it.This was the start of the angle which led to the trading of Bundy from Hart to Heenan. The match was way too clipped, all it was was the ring introductions, a big headbutt and the non-finish. Does it belong on here, once again unedited yes.

 

 

Time of match: Clipped

 

Winner: Andre the Giant by DQ

 

Match 7

 

Ricky Steamboat and Tito Santana vs The Dream Team (Brutus Beefcake and Greg Valentine) with Jimmy Hart

 

Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon and Jesse Ventura

 

   We’re at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto for this pre-Dream Team match on April 21, 1985. The next 2 ½ years are a little weird as Valentine would be managed by Jimmy Hart for solo matches but by Johnny V in tag team action. Valentine is the current Intercontinental champion and Santana was still number one contender. Steamboat and Beefcake are the throw-ins. Steamboat is wearing short blue tights which is weird because he usually wore long ones in his WWF run. Santana is also wearing standard blue trunks as Beefcake and Valentine are in black. Steamboat and Beefcake start as both Ventura and Monsoon praise Greg’s work as IC champ. They tie up and Steamboat leapfrogs twice and hiptosses Beefcake before hiptossing a charging Beefcake. The heels bail but Steamboat takes off in hot persuit. Ricky throws Beefcake back in but slingshots himself back in with a karate chop that drives Brutus backwards into a right hand from Santana. Ricky drops Beefcake with a chop then nails Valentine on the apron with one as well. Ricky sends Brutus into a knee from Santana. Tito tags in and they deliver a double back elbow smash before Santana drops Valentine again outside. Tito does the “ring my bell” double knee smash and Beefcake throws himself to the ground. Monsoon mentions a one hour time limit as Santana slaps on a front headlock. Ventura says if the quick pace continues it will come down to conditioning.  Beefcake makes it to the ropes and Tito must release. Beefcake consorts with Valentine and Tito yells at Greg to get in the ring. Greg refuses as Monsoon brings up the history between Valentine and Santana. Beefcake gets a thumb to the eye and scoop slams him. Valentine tags in but misses an elbow drop, the crowd pops when Santana unloads with rights and lefts. Greg bails to the ramp and the referee stops Santana from going after him. Back inside Ventura speculates a title shot would be in order if the faces win although a tag title shot as well, foreshadowing perhaps? Valentine gets the upperhand with forearms and elbows before a snapmare and knee drop.Santana rallies with forearms but Greg counters. Santana ducks under an elbow and drops Greg with a clothesline. Santana whips Valentine into a chop by Steamboat. Santana motions for the figure-four but instead delivers a headbutt to the mid-section. Now Santana goes for the figure four but Valentine blocks it. Valentine gets a kick to the mid-section and drops and elbow. A cover gets 1….2..nope. Greg delivers a shoulderbreaker and bitch slaps him. Brutus tags in and chokes down Tito. Ventura says you got a 5 count to use. A rake of the face stuns Santana and Beefcake has the ref distracted for Valentine to do a number on Tito from behind. Jesse “Whether you like it or not, its called teamwork.”  Beefcake scoop slams Tito but misses the elbow drop. Santana crawls over to his corner but Valentine nails Steamboat off the apron. Two security guards make their way to the barrier to make sure no one climbs over while Ricky is on the floor. Valentine wails on Tito in the corner and scoop slams him as Beefcake sneaks over to wail on Steamboat on the outside. Valentine locks in an arm ringer as the crowd chants for Tito. Beefcake tags in and locks in a headlock. He looks over at Steamboat and tells the ref to go check on him. The ref refuses so Beefcake baits Ricky in the ring and he foolishly falls for it. Valentine nails Santana from behind as Beefcake turns around. Santana tries to crawl to his corner but Brutus stops him until Tito alertly goes underneath the legs and makes the hot tag to Ricky. He goes up to the top and Brutus watches him the whole way without doing anything. Steamboat delivers the big karate chop then unloads on Valentine. Steamboat drops them both then rallies with chops. Steamboat cleans out Valentine then snap suplexes Beefcake. A diving knife edge stuns Beefcake then locks in the sleeperhold, ironic. Beefcake gets a thumb to the eye and tags in Valentine. A karate chop stuns Greg but the Hammer gets a thumb to the eye. A stomachbreaker is followed by a cover for 1…2..nope. Beefcake tags back in for a double whip into the corner before Greg tags back in deliver an inverted atomic drop. Valentine tags in Beefcake and they double team Ricky. Beefcake drops Steamboat with a clothesline but the sloppy cover only gets two. A blatant choke is followed by Valentine tagging in with an off the top rope hammer smash. A second rope elbow to the neck is followed by a knee to the hamstring. Valentine goes for the figure-four but Steamboat cradles him up for a 2 count. The heels try to trap Ricky in the corner but he fights his way out, somersaults and tags in Santana. Tito comes in and rallies with right hands to both men before following with a double noggin-knocker. Beefcake runs into a forearm (not the flying one) and Tito waffles Greg with the actual flying forearm. Tito makes the cover but Brutus makes the save. Steamboat comes in to protest and Beefcake throws him through the ropes and to the outside. The heels double team Santana inside the ring until Steamboat makes it to the top rope and drops Beefcake with a big karate chop. Valentine goes for an atomic drop but Santana catches the leg and applies the figure four. Steamboat stands guard and Valentine gives it up….it’s over. Steamboat chases Jimmy Hart away as the ref raises their arms in victory. That was pretty good and not too formulaic. It’s interesting to see the Dream Team pre-Johnny V even though they did the job here. By the end of the fall they would be tag team champions and Santana would be IC champion. Also, it’s interesting to see Steamboat in short tights as I’ve never seen that in his WWF run. All in all it was great to see the match from beginning to end without clips and cuts, which doesn’t sound like much, but compared to everything else that’s clipped it’s a breath of fresh air. Does it belong on here, yes.

 

Time of match: 15:33

 

Winners: Santana and Steamboat by submission

 

 

The credits roll and this tape is over. We get sneak previews for BEST OF THE WWF VOLUME 5, THE LIFE AND TIMES OF CAPTAIN LOU ALBANO and TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS. All in all it wasn’t a bad tape all things considering. Once again the clips ruin some of the matches but the overall tape was good. It’s interesting to see what they thought qualified for “Best of” matches but for the most part they’re right on the money. The opener and ending matches were outstanding and the battle royal had a unique finish. Hogan made his one appearance while Andre has three in a row. At this point the winds of change were about to blow as 1985 turned to 1986, technology would improve as some tapes would be longer than 90 minutes. The next tape after this one is the 1^st pay-per-view the company ever produced, THE WRESTLING CLASSIC. As for this one 3.5 out of 5. Point and a half off for the edits.