WWF Tag Team Champions (WF015)

WWF TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS (WF015)

Finally we get to see some real important matches…sort of. Most of the WWF tapes so far have been about 90 minutes or so but apparently this will be a two hour package of tag team champions going back to the late 70’s. The WWF champion usually had reigns of years upon years and the Intercontinental championship was invented in 1979-80, but the belts that changed the most were the tag team titles. This tape will highlight various tag team champions but because there were so many of them, the matches will all most likely be joined in progress. It should also be mentioned there will be A LOT of guys on this tape that either you’ve never even heard of or haven’t seen in a long time. I’ll do the best I can to bring the fans up to date on who these guys were. Hell, because the matches are clipped, introducing these guys may take longer than the actual match. This tape was one of the first released in 1986. Alright let’s stoke it up….cue the Coliseum Video opening and we got Mean Gene as our host today. Gene says we’ll be taking a look at TWENTY different matches. Good grief we’ll be here all day. He says we’ll see the recent champions as well as the past. Gene blows the ending to our first match by saying the title will not change hands.

Match 1

The British Bulldogs (Davey Boy Smith and Dynamite Kid) vs The Dream Team (Greg Valentine and Brutus Beefcake) with Johnny V for the WWF Tag Team Championship

Commentators: Vince McMahon and Bruno Sammartino

We begin with the most recent match, and by that I mean it was from September 10,1985. Valentine and Beefcake had dethroned The US Express 17 days earlier in Philadelphia. Valentine is wearing standard blue trunks with Beefcake in the long blue. The Bulldogs are in the long maroon. We begin at the bell with Valentine and Dynamite and Kid puts Valentine in a headlock. Bruno says the Bulldogs have the advantage because they’ve been together longer. Greg sends Dynamite off and Kid blasts Greg with a shoulderblock that sends him crashing through the bottom rope and onto the apron. Dynamite and Greg lock up and Dynamite sends him head first into Beefcake. Davey Boy tags in and here’s an indication of how much steroids each guy was on at the time, Dynamite was more jacked than Davey at this point in 1985. Beefcake tags in and walks into a wristlock. Beefcake goes to punch his way out but Davey alertly takes him to the mat. Beefcake goes for the scoop slam but Davey holds on to the wrist and just flips him over. Dynamite tags in with an off the top axehandle to the arm before tagging back out to Davey who does the same. Davey gets the hammerlock applied but Beefcake rakes the face to escape. Brutus sends Davey off and attempts a back body drop but Davey lands on his feet and floors Brutus with a dropkick. Valentine charges but is greeted with a dropkick as well. Smith gets the scoop slam and cover for 1 then applies a nerve hold. Beefcake powers out of it and tags in Valentine. Beefcake and Valentine execute a double back elbow smash but Greg’s cover only gets two. Greg scoop slams him but misses the elbow drop. Davey makes the tag to Dynamite (which Vince goofs by calling him Davey) who greets Greg with a headbutt. Beefcake gets in but Dynamite cuts him off and rams him head first into Valentine. Dynamite sends Greg off and catches him with a left arm lariat that stuns the Hammer. Dynamite executes a backbreaker and covers for a long two as Vince bitches the ref was out of position. Dynamite does the falling headbutt but Beefcake breaks up the cover. Davey runs over and nails Beefcake as Dynamite goes upstairs. Johnny V jumps up and shoves Dynamite off right in front of the ref, who calls for the bell. Valiant gathers his troops and Beefcake snatches the tag belts from the ref as Howard Finkel announces the Bulldogs have won the match but not the titles. That was very good for four minute crash style and it was more or less a sneak preview of their future Wrestlemania 2 match. The story being told was the Dream Team couldn’t hang with the Bulldogs so they had Johnny V pull all sorts of unsavory tactics to help keep the belts. The Bulldogs got smart and later enlisted the help of Captain Lou Albano to counter Johnny V. As for now, the Dream Team retains in a match that would be perfect for modern day Raw.

Time of match 4:08
Winners: British Bulldogs by DQ (Dream Team retains)

Match 2:

Dino Bravo and Dominic DeNucci vs Professor Toru Tanaka and Mr. Fuji (with Freddie Blassie) for the WWWF Tag Team Championship

Commentator: Vince McMahon

We go way back for this one on March 14, 1978. Tanaka wasn’t yet a Chuck Norris adversary on the big screen and Fuji still had mobility in his knees. As I’ve mentioned before, neither one of these guys were real Japanese. In fact, Tanaka’s mother was part Chinese. For those who didn’t already know, DeNucci was an Italian wrestler who was somewhat over in his day but became more famous for being the one who trained Mick Foley, “Franchise” Shane Douglas and manager turned referee Mark Curtis (he was the head ref of Smoky Mountain Wrestling and later reffed in WCW until his unfortunate death of cancer in 1999). Yes, that’s also the same Dino Bravo who wrestled in the late 80’s and early 90’s only he wasn’t jacked up on steroids or had bleached his hair blonde yet. DeNucci had tagged with his “brother” Dino as Dominic Bravo in the 70’s but the original Dino Bravo was long gone, replaced by the man we know. I don’t know how it happened but Bravo was a legitimate Italian which is why he was teaming with DeNucci but because he became a huge star in Montreal, he was later hailed from Montreal and given the French Canadian gimmick. Tanaka and Fuji are in the long black tights while Dominic is in standard red trunks and Bravo standard Green. We join the match in progress and Tanaka is locking up with DeNucci. Who would have thought this would be Bravo’s Coliseum Video debut years before he appeared regularly. DeNucci takes Tanaka over but Toru recovers and sends Dominic off. Tanaka goes for the big chop but DeNucci blocks it and delivers a forearm to the chest. Fuji tries to sneak in the ring but Bravo notices and threatens to follow suit, causing Fuji to bow his head and return to his corner. DeNucci takes Tanaka over again as Vince says Blassie put the belts on the line because he didn’t consider the Italians to be worthy competition despite the champs losing to the challengers recently in a non-title affair. Tanaka gets up and whips Dominic off, who boots Tanaka in the head when Toru goes for the back drop. Dominic covers but only gets a two count. Tanaka gets in the headlock and they botch something so Tanaka runs off the ropes again only to be rammed into the corner by DeNucci. Bravo tags in and he doesn’t look anywhere close to how he’d look ten years later, and he was already 30 at this point. Although off roids, he’s a much faster worker and he quickly drops a leg and covers Tanaka for a 2 count. Then he sprints to nail Fuji in the corner. Bravo rallies with right hands on both men before we get a TAPE EDIT. Tanaka has a chokehold on Bravo and DeNucci gets in to protest. As the ref is shooing Dominic away, Fuji and Tanaka pull the switcheroo. Obviously the ref falls for it as Bravo begins to power out of Fuji’s nerve hold. The crowd chants for Dino and Bravo escapes with the double slap to the ears (bell-ringer). Dominic does the double knee to the head as the crowd cheers. Bravo dropkicks Fuji and covers for 1…2…foot on the rope. Fuji takes over with forearms to the back but Bravo makes it to DeNucci who tags in. A forearm only enrages Dominic so Fuji tries a bell-ringer of his own. The heels double-team DeNucci in the corner and Tanaka tags in. Toru attacks Dominic but the camera guy is behind Mr. Fuji and I can’t see anything. Dino Bravo interferes which causes referee Dick Woehrle to usher him away and once again Fuji pulls the switch. Fuji unloads with a right hand before tagging Tanaka back in. Once again Bravo gets in, and yes…they pull the switch. Vince says we’re running out of time as Fuji continues to work over DeNucci with chops. Tanaka tags in and picks up where Fuji left off. This time Bravo makes it past Woehrle and attacks Tanaka only for Fuji to come help his partner. They tie Bravo up in the ropes and Fuji tells Toru to finish him off. Tanaka sends Dominic off and goes for the big punch, but Dominic catches the arm and puts him an airplane spin. Fuji runs in and is kicked in the face for his trouble. DeNucci slams him down and covers for 1…2…3 and we got new tag team champions! The fans actually jump the guardrail and untie Bravo but we cut before the new champs are presented with the belts. Ironically this would be the only gold Bravo would ever win in his long tenure. As for the former champs, this was pretty much their last hurrah. According to Blassie’s book, the two men didn’t get along as much as it seemed. Tanaka was the consummate professional while Fuji was the scheming hellraiser who played very mean ribs on people. Most practical jokes were done to get a rise out of people, Fuji took it to a whole different level to where someone could get fired. He’d have a guy’s engine removed from his car so the guy couldn’t make his booking and he would call the hotel of another guy and have his wake up call changed. Blassie claimed in his book that Tanaka was the one who planned out the matches with opponents in the back and had to control Fuji. Kind of ironic given both were in their mid to late 40’s by the late 70’s. After teaming with each other for a few more years in the territories, they went their separate ways. Fuji made his way back to WWF where he would team with Mr. Saito while Tanaka headed for Hollywood and starred in some successful movies. As for this match, standard 70’s action with the quick ending. Interesting to see Bravo work babyface for once.

Time of match: Joined in progress
Winners: Bravo and DeNucci by pinfall (new tag team champions)

Match 3

The Yukon Lumberjacks (Eric and Pierre) vs Dino Bravo and Dominic DeNucci for the WWWF Tag Team Championship

Commentator: Vince McMahon

Three months after the Italians had dethroned Fuji and Tanaka, they take on the Lumberjacks on June 26, 1978 in Madison Square Garden. Who are these guys? Pierre was a French Canadian wrestler who teamed with Rene Goulet in Dick The Bruiser’s territory (WWA) in the mid 70’s before getting into a legitimate fight with each other, thus, disbanding. By the time of this match he was 39 years old and near the end of his career. Eric was actually American born and Verne Gagne trained Scott Irwin. Irwin was one of the first opponents of a rookie named Dick Blood later known as Ricky Steamboat in 1975. By now he was 26 and teaming with Pierre as a heel tag team. We’re joined in progress with Pierre in the ring with Bravo. Bravo is in the red trunks with white stripe with Pierre in standard black. Eric is also in standard trunks but has a big blonde afro. DeNucci has standard red but no stripes. Pierre nails Bravo with a forearm to the lower back but Dino runs over and nails an unsuspecting Eric off the apron. Bravo rallies on Pierre as well and crawls over to tag DeNucci. Pierre cuts him off and rams him face first into the knee of Eric. Pierre holds him and Eric comes off the top with an axehandle to the back. Eric whips Dino off but Dino executes a perfect sunset flip for 1…2..nope. Again this is NOTHING like the Bravo we’ll later see from 88-91. Bravo tags in DeNucci who Eric cuts off with forearms to the back. DeNucci then rallies with a headbutt and forearms to the chest. Pierre interferes and is met with the same treatment. DeNucci wipes out Eric with a double axehandle to the side of the head and delivers a jumping headbutt. Dominic covers but Pierre breaks up the pin. Dominic gets a knee to the back before raming his face into the mat. DeNuccci stomps on Eric then catches him with a big right hand and another sweeping axehandle. He covers but once again Pierre breaks it up. DeNucci cleans Pierre’s clock then clocks Eric too. Bravo tags in who backdrops Eric then catches him with a flying dropkick. He covers and Pierre saves the day again. DeNucci tags in who sends Eric off the ropes and ties him up in an abdominal stretch. Just when Eric looks to be saying uncle, Pierre once again makes the save. Bravo tags in and executes a Russian leg sweep and covers for 1…2..nope. Bravo tags in DeNucci and sends Eric into a DeNucci airplane spin…only for Pierre to boot him in the ribs. Dino has enough and attacks Pierre on the far side of the ring. The ref then shoos Bravo away only for the Lumberjacks to team up and deliver a double sweeping axehandle to the throat. Pierre makes the cover 1….2….3 its over. The Lumberjacks are the new champions. We cut before any post-match celebrations take place. This was the end of the line for Bravo and DeNucci would split. DeNucci would get a few cracks at Pat Patterson’s new Intercontinental Championship before settling into semi-retirement where he would become a famous trainer. Bravo would bounce around in the early 80’s but would resurface in 1987 as a heel. Interesting to see Dino work face for once in these tag team matches.

Time of match: Joined in progress
Winners: Yukon Lumberjacks by pinfall (new tag team champions)

Match 4

Larry Zybysko and Tony Garea vs The Yukon Lumberjacks (Eric and Pierre) with Lou Albano for the WWWF Tag Team Championship

Commentators: Vince McMahon and Bruno Sammartino

5 months after the Jacks won the titles, they took on Garea and Zybysko on November 21, 1978. Garea was already a two time tag champion with Haystacks Calhoun and Dean Ho while Larry was still a year and change away from his famous feud with Bruno. We pick up with everyone wearing standard black trunks although Pierre has grown a beard and let his hair grow out since the last match. Albano wasn’t at ringside when the Jacks took the titles but is very visible at ringside this time. Pierre headlock punches Zybysko and then kicks him in the head. Pierre continues the punch/kick assault until Zybysko counters with a scoop slam. Pierre recovers first and rams Larry’s head into the knee of Eric, who tags in. Garea gets in to get in a shot at Pierre but Eric ignores him and continues to work over Larry. Eric headlock takeovers Larry but the ref is out of position and only counts two. Zybysko crawls over to Garea but Eric cuts him off with a big kick. Larry then crawls through the legs of Eric and makes the tag to Garea. Tony cleans house of both men before whipping Eric into the corner. Garea stomps and punches away before whipping Eric into the opposite corner. Tony charges but eats knee. Eric brings a dazed Garea into his own corner and punches him before Pierre tags in. Pierre starts where Eric left off while Eric catches a sneaky Zybysko and boots him into the corner. The Jacks go for the double whip but the faces dosey-do and nail the Jacks with forearms to the chest. Now this time the faces whip the Jacks into each other. Bruno says he likes what he sees as Garea and Zybysko whip Pierre, but Eric ducks under and Pierre bounces off the ropes….only for Eric to turn around into a charging Pierre. Eric is knocked goofy in the center of the ring while Pierre crashes by the ropes. Garea makes the cover and Zybysko intercepts a charging Captain Lou for 1….2…3 and we got new champs. The crowd goes berserk as Zybysko literally jumps on the fallen Albano before tackling Garea in celebration in the corner. Bruno “My god Vince they did it!” The microphone lowers and the announcer delivers the news. Albano gets pissed outside the ring and throws his shirt at Pierre who shouts at him and throws it back at him. Albano jumps in the ring and the new champs knock him right out of it. Albano whacks Pierre with his shirt again then leaves and we cut here. Zybysko wins his first and only gold in his WWF tenure and it was the end of the line for the Lumberjacks. Pierre outright retired and Eric moved on to another territory where he would form a team with his real life brother “Wild” Bill Irwin…..oh yeah, you may remember (or may not want to remember) him as The Goon. As for this match, not exactly catch as catch can but the fans paid to see the Jacks and Albano get beat up and that’s what they got. So its all good.

Time of match: Joined in progress (officially 9:20)
Winners: Garea and Zybysko by pinfall (new tag team champions)

Match 5

The Valiant Brothers (Jerry and Johnny) with Jimmy Valiant and Captain Lou Albano vs Tony Garea and Larry Zybysko for the WWWF Tag Team Championship

Commentator: Vince McMahon

March 6, 1979 in Allentown, PA saw Garea and Zybysko defend against the Valiants. As I mentioned in THE AMAZING MANAGERS, “Handsome” Jimmy Valiant contracted hepatitis so they brought in John “The Stomper” Hill to be “Gentleman” Jerry Valiant while Jimmy got treatment. It’s essentially 4 against 2 with the three Valiants and Albano out there. Garea is in the standard red trunks and Zybysko black. Johnny has Jerry Lawler-esque blue and white tights with stars down the sides while Jerry has the same pattern only in black. The first scene shown is Garea putting Johnny into a small package only for Jerry to make the save. Zybysko jumps in and punches Jerry for good measure before leaving. Johnny makes it to his feet and tags Jerry in legally. Garea rams Jerry into his corner and tags in Zybysko who clocks Jerry with a series of right hands. Larry sends Jerry off and delivers a back drop before punching Johnny off the apron. Jimmy goes nuts outside the ring as Larry is whipped off the ropes and botches a leapfrog, actually getting forearmed in the gonads by Jerry. Jerry is actually knocked goofy and Johnny goes to check on him only for Garea to get him and introduce him to a right hand. While the ref is busy shooing Tony away, Jimmy gets in and drags Jerry underneath the bottom rope. Johnny crawls over and covers Zybysko even though there was no tag made. The ref actually counts 1…..2….3 and the Valiants win. Albano gets in and raises Johnny’s arm in victory awhile Jimmy raises Jerry’s hand outside. Eventually all 4 get in the ring and celebrate as the crowd pelts the ring with garbage. We cut here and that was pretty balsy, no pun intended. Not long after this they hacked the Wide off the company name and from then on it was the WWF from April 1979 to May of 2002. Like I said earlier, this was Zybysko’s only gold in his tenure while Garea would find a new partner eventually. As for the Valiants, when Jimmy was ready they actually defended the belts using the Freebird rule even though the Birds hadn’t yet formed. Shouldn’t it be the Valiant rule instead? Clipped match so not worth rating.

Time of match: Joined in progress (official 10:54)
Winners: The Valiants by pinfall (New tag team champions)

Match 6

Tito Santana and Ivan Putski vs The Valiant Brothers (Jerry and Johnny) for the WWF Tag Team Championship

Commentator: Vince McMahon

After a 6 month reign of terror, the Valiants put the gold on the line against a makeshift team of Putski and Santana on October 22, 1979 in Madison Square Garden. There’s no Albano at ringside and we begin with Santana in the standard black trunks putting an armbar on Johnny wearing the long purple. Johnny rakes the eyes and locks in a headlock as Jerry taunts the crowd on the apron. Santana whips Johnny off but eats shoulderblock then gets to his feet only to be kicked in the head. Johnny whips Tito into his corner and distracts the ref so Jerry can strangle Santana with the tag rope. The ref turns around and makes Jerry release at once. When the ref gives Jerry a tongue lashing, Johnny takes the time to strangle Tito with the tag rope as well. Once again they take turns strangling Tito until Johnny scoop slams him. Jerry makes the tag and stomps away on the fallen Tito before applying a nerve hold. Santana tries to power out of it but Jerry pulls him down by the hair. Vince says this is the first time the Valiants are defending the straps at the Garden without Captain Lou. Apparently Albano wasn’t managing them anymore at this point. After a long while, Johnny comes in to distract the ref and Santana does the “make the tag but ref doesn’t see it” spot. The ref tells Putski to hit the bricks and the Valiants double team Santana in the corner. Santana goes for another tag and they do the exact same thing. Jerry headlock punches Tito and goes for the front facelock. Santana punches his way out but Jerry mule kicks him down. Jerry whips Tito off but is kicked in the head for his troubles. Santana staggers into the wrong corner where Johnny grabs him by the tights. Putski runs in and clocks Johnny but Tito’s still in there taking a pounding. Johnny comes in without a tag and the ref sees the whole thing but lets Jerry leave. Vince calls the ref on it as Johnny scoop slams Santana. Vince “The referee is confused.” Jerry tags in and asks Johnny to hold Tito…but Santana ducks and Jerry nails Johnny with a forearm. Santana gets the hot tag to Putski and Jerry begs off. Putski then goes to work with rights and a whip to the corner. Putski whips Jerry into the other corner where he throws himself over the top rope and out of the ring. Johnny gets in the ring and is met by a flurry of forearms to the back. Ivan whips Johnny over the top rope to the floor. Ivan poses for the crowd before bringing Jerry back in the ring the hard way. All of a sudden the bell rings for no reason. Even the ref waves it off as Putski makes the tag to Santana. Tito whips Jerry off and he and Johnny both drop down as Jerry continues to jump over both of them back and forth. The bell continues to ring as Jerry finally crashes into Johnny. Santana comes off the ropes with a flying bodypress and the ref counts 1…2….3 and we got new champions, I think. The bell finally rings for good (was the timekeeper asleep or something?). The new champs celebrate as Fink hands them the belts. The crowd pops as Fink announcers the faces as the new champions. We cut here and that was the end of the line for the Valiants. Albano had moved on to manage another team, “Handsome” Jimmy moved on to another territory and soon after this match Jerry would depart as well, leaving Johnny V all by himself until he became a manager. This was the first of two tag title reigns by Santana and the only gold Putski would ever win.

Time of match: Joined in progress
Winners: Putski and Santana by pinfall (New tag team champions)

Match 7

The Wild Samoans (Afa and Sika) vs Ivan Putski and Tito Santana for the WWF Tag Team Championship

Commentator: Vince McMahon

We’re at the Philadelphia Spectrum on April 12, 1980 to see the gruesome Samoans get a crack at the tag belts. We begin with all four men shoving each other in the ring. Putski is in the standard yellow trunks while the others are in their normal gear. The faces get the upperhand with rights until they whip the Samoans together. Santana dropkicks Afa out of the ring and sends Sika into a Polish Hammer by Ivan. Santana makes the cover for 1…2…nope, Sika kicks out. Santana goes to work on the left leg before Putski tags in and picks up where Tito left off. We get a TAPE EDIT and Putski still has a leg-lock on Sika. Putski has a bandage on his head as Vince says Afa hasn’t gotten into the match yet. Right on cue Sika rolls through the hold and makes the tag to Afa. Putski ducks under a punch and applies a full nelson to the surprised Samoan. Sika tries to take a sing at Putski but he moves out of the way. When Sika goes for another chop, Afa had reversed the hold so Sika waffles Afa instead. Tito gets in a few shots at Afa before Putski corners him. Putski whips him into opposite corners before Tito tags in who delivers a forearm uppercut. Putski tags in and nails Afa with a forearm to the ribs. Afa is whipped once again but tosses a charging Putski face first into the corner. Afa punches away at the fallen Putski before dropping him with a headbutt. Afa calls for the head and rams Afa into Sika’s cranium. Sika tags in and delivers a headbutt of his own. Sika whips Putski but Ivan counters with a kick to the face. Putski makes the tag to Santana who rallies with right hands a delivers a flying doubleaxehandle of his own. Would that be called Mexican Power? Afa charges but Santana cuts him off with a dropkick. Tito scoop slams Sika then goes upstairs. Santana comes of the top with a bodypress but rolls around in agony clutching his thigh. Vince says Santana must have missed the mark as Sika continues to attack. Sika delivers the Samoan drop and covers for 1…..2….3 that’s it. Putski was caught completely by surprise and so was the crowd as the Samoans take the titles. Putski claims it was a fast count as Vince says its official. Gary Michael Capetta delivers the bad news to the crowd as the Samoans win the first of their three tag team championships. Santana and Putski would return to singles competition and like I said, that was the first and only gold Putski would win in his 10 years or so with the organization.

Time of match: clipped (7:36 official)
Winners: Wild Samoans by pinfall

Match 8

Rick Martel and Tony Garea vs The Wild Samoans (Afa and Sika) for the WWF Tag Team Championship

Commentators: Frick and Frack

This isn’t on the tape but a little bit of history here. On the undercard of Bruno vs Larry aka Showdown at Shea on August 9, 1980, WWF champion Bob Backlund teamed with former champion Pedro Morales to defeat The Wild Samoans for the tag belts. Due to kayfabe rules, the world champion was not allowed to co-hold any other title so the belts were vacated shortly after. The Samoans would defeat Garea and Rene Goulet for the vacant belts on September 8, 1980. Garea wanted another crack at the tag belts and settled on 24 year old Rick Martel, fresh off a stint in Pacific Northwest Wrestling (the Portland territory) as his new partner. This match was for the gold on November 8, 1980 at the Philadelphia Spectrum. Martel is in the standard red trunks as he circles with Afa to start. I have no idea who the commentators are so I’ll just ignore them. They exchange shoves until Martel dismisses him with a wave. Martel turns his back and Afa goes for the axehandle but Rick turns around in time and gets in a punch to the mid-section. Martel gets raked and Afa whips him into the corner but misses the charge. Martel gets in an arm bar and makes the tag to Garea who gets in a knee to the arm. Garea tags back to Martel who leapfrogs Garea onto the arm of Afa. Martel and Garea alternate taking shots at the left arm of Afa until Garea gets in an armbar. The play by play guy says Garea wants the belts back while Martel has never had them before. The color guy says its “now or never” for Garea since he’s in mid-30’s and had the belts 3 times already. My how times have changed, nowadays age is barely mentioned. You think anyone cared how old Edge, Shawn Michaels or Chris Jericho was in high profile matches once they hit 40? Afa sends Garea off who jumps over him and nails Sika on the apron. He turns his attention back to Afa And gets in the armbar. Martel makes the tag with a second rope elbow to the arm. We get a TAPE EDIT and Martel makes the tag to Garea who continues to work over the arm. Afa whips Tony off but eats a series of shoulderblocks but Afa counters the third attempt by tossing Garea over the top rope and out of the ring. Not to go on a rant but it seemed like the WWF was the only one who didn’t have the over the top rope DQ rule, which I always found to be ridiculous as well (the rule that is). Sika slams Garea on the concrete floor as Martel comes over to protest. Referee Dick Woehrle counts but Martel rolls Garea back inside to beat the count. Afa whips Garea arm first into the rope and we get another TAPE EDIT. Garea floors Afa with a shoulderblock, leapfrogs over him and hits a flying bodypress for 1…2…nope. Sika gets in and strangles Garea with the tag rope. Martel gets in to protest and finally the ref makes him break up. Sika goes for the cover but Garea kicks out. Afa tags in and headbutts Tony into the corner. He snap mares him and applies a nerve hold. Martel reaches for the tag but Tony is too far away. Garea finally powers out of it but runs into a shoulderblock. They both drop but Afa tags out to Sika first…only Tony makes the hot tag to Martel. Rick cleans house of both Samoans and backdrops Sika. Garea pops up like no damage was ever done and the faces go to work. They execute a double monkey flip and double dropkick combo. They go for a double whip but Afa manages to reverse and Garea goes crashing into Sika. Afa covers Garea but Martel sunset flips Sika and the ref counts 1…2….3 and its over. Who was the legal man? Who wins it? Afa and Martel both celebrate and the announcers are confused. Gary Michael Cappetta gets in the ring and Woehrle tells him who wins. Cappetta gets on the mic and says the winners….and…NEW…champions, Tony Garea and Rick Martel. Afa and Sika go berserk as Martel and Garea celebrate. The crowd pops as we go to the instant replay. Martel comes over to the announce table and says he was the legal man. He must be right and with that we have new champions. The Samoans would leave the territory for a bit to work for Mid-South, Georgia and Mid-Atlantic but they would be back. As for the new champs, Garea wins his 4th tag team championship and Martel his first.

Time of match: clipped (officially 14:29)
Winners: Garea and Martel by pinfall (new tag team champions)

Match 9

The Moondogs (Rex and King) with Lou Albano vs Tony Garea and Rick Martel for the WWF Tag Team Championship

Commentator: Vince McMahon and Pat Patterson

Like I’ve said before, the Moondogs were pretty much a white version of the Wild Samoans and they got a crack at the straps on March 17, 1981. The champs are in matching blue tights with red trim while the Moondogs are in their normal attire. Rex was Randy Colley, a 31 year old rookie who would eventually become the original Smash of Demolition and later Deadeye Dick (don’t ask). King was a 32 year old veteran who worked the Canadian territories as Sailor White. We’re joined in progress with Martel locking in an armbar on King….or at least I think its King. They look exactly alike although Rex was taller. Garea tags in after a kick to the mid-section but runs into a shoulderblock by King. Another shoulderblock floors the Moondog and a sunset flip attempts gets a two count. Martel tags in and he goes to work on the left arm. Patterson calls Garea and Martel a fantastic team. The ref tells Rex to beat it as Martel gets a rake to the face. Rex tags in and gets a running kneelift before executing a side backbreaker. A cover gets a two count and Rex headbutts Martel and rams his head into the corner. King gets in a shot on the outside as Rex rams Martel head first into the corner. Rex goes for the same move but Martel just throws him into the corner. King gets the tag and goes for a face rake. The crowd chants “Let’s go Rick” as Albano tells the crowd to shut up. King makes the tag to Rex and they double team until Garea pounds on King. King and Garea leave as Rex sends Martel off the ropes. Rex puts his head down and Martel kicks him down. Martel goes to make the tag but Rex intercepts him and locks in a headlock. Martel sends him off the ropes and they collide in a double shoulderblock. Rex makes the cover for 1..2…nope. King tags in and stomps on Rick before executing a backbreaker. Another cover gets a near fall and King rams Martel face first into Rex’s knee. Rex tags in and measures him for a forearm to the chest. Patterson says the Moondogs can smell the championship as Rex rams Martel into his corner. Rex shields the ref from vision so King snaps Martel off the top rope. Martel attempts to rallies with boots to the gut but Rex tackles Martel before he can make the corner. Martel stuns Rex with a right hand, crawls under him and gets the hot tag to Garea. Tony rallies with right hands and a back drop. Garea locks Rex in an abdominal stretch but King makes the save with an axehandle to the back. Martel dropkicks King through the ropes and to the outside. Garea then goes apeshit by strangling Rex and tossing the ref to the ground. With the ref incapacitated, Albano sneaks into the ring. Garea delivers a suplex to Rex and Martel cuts off Albano. Unfortunately for them, neither one of them notices King sneak in who waffles Tony with his dogbone. King rolls Rex on top of Tony and beats a hasty retreat. Martel continues to pound on Albano as the ref comes to and sees Rex on top..1…..2…3 and its over. The crowd goes nuts as we cut the celebration to catch the replay. If Garea hadn’t tossed the referee, he wouldn’t have lost. Once again Albano is in control of the tag team titles. End of the line for King as I mentioned in an earlier review, he couldn’t get a work visa so he could no longer wrestle for WWF which was based primarily in America. Garea and Martel would get their re-match but for now Rex and King reign supreme.

Time of match: Joined in progress
Winners: The Moondogs by pinfall

Match 10

Tony Garea and Rick Martel vs The Moondogs (Rex and Spot) with Lou Albano for the WWF Tag Team Championship

Commentator: Vince McMahon and Pat Patterson

For a brief period after King was deported (in the storyline, they explained his absence by saying he was run over by a car), Rex would have a hodgepodge of partners ranging from Sgt Slaughter to even Hulk Hogan (before he was fired for doing Rocky 3) before settling on Larry Latham, one half of the Blonde Bombers in Memphis with Wayne Farris (later known as Honky Tonk Man). Larry would be redubbed Moondog Spot and continued in King’s place as if King never existed. Garea and Martel got their re-match on July 21, 1981 in Allentown, PA. Garea reverses a whip and uses Spot’s momentum to drag him down. Albano stomps around upset outside as Garea stomps away. Garea does the exact same momentum whip before tagging in Martel who drops Spot with a dropkick. Martel sends Spot off and tags in Garea who executes a back elbow smash. Tony nails Rex for good measure before scoop slamming Spot. Garea drops an elbow and covers for 1….2..no. Martel tags in and comes off the second rope with an elbow to the left arm. Spot manages to make the tag to Rex as Patterson says Spot has a bad arm to begin with. Martel armdrags Rex and locks in an armbar but Rex rams Martel’s head in the corner. Albano chastises Spot outside the ring as Rex puts his head down and eats a boot to the face by Martel. Garea tags in and stomps on the left arm. Rex gets up and sends Tony off the ropes but is met with a shoulderblock. Tony catches Rex with an armdrag who retreats and tags Spot in.who takes a series of armdrags. Martel tags in and drops an elbow on the left arm. Patterson says champs or not, Garea and Martel are the best team he’s ever seen. Rick applies an arm-bar as Patterson says the Moondogs have the advantage because they can get themselves disqualified. Spot makes the tag to Rex who waffles Martel with forearms. Rex charges but crashes into the corner. Martel tags in Garea who drops a knee on the left arm of Rex. Garea continue to work over the left arm until Rex rolls to the floor. Albano kicks Rex in disgust and walks away. Spot enters the ring and Garea nails him with a forearm that knocks the Moondog over the top rope to the floor. Rex is brought in the hard way and Garea makes the tag to Martel who sunset flips over both men. The pin attempt gets 1…2..nope. Martel armdrags Rex and locks in an armbar as Patterson says its easier when the crowd is behind you. Vince says the Moondogs have yet to get an offensive maneuver as Martel makes the tag. Tony comes off the second rope with an axehandle to the left arm while Martel intercepts a charging Spot with a right hand. Garea applies a hammerlock but eats an elbow. Rex charges but runs into a scoop slam followed by a snap mare. Garea misses an elbow drop but makes the tag to Martel who keeps Rex in the corner with an armbar. Rex rakes the eyes and sends Martel off the ropes, but Rick leapfrogs over him only to get a knee to the back by Spot on the outside. Albano rakes the eyes from the outside with the ref’s back turned as Patterson says the Moondogs aren’t looking the same. Rex rams Rick’s head into the corner and tags in Spot. Spot gets in a right hand, rams Rick’s head into the buckle and applies a rear chinlock. Martel powers out of it, tosses Spot into the corner, charges…and runs into the boot of the Moondog. Martel staggers into a second rope lariat by Spot. Spot covers 1….2..no. Rex tags in with a kick to the ribs but Martel clocks him with a big right hand then makes the tag to Garea. Tony cleans house of both Moondogs before hiptossing and dropkicking Rex. Tony makes the tag to Martel but sends Rex off the ropes where he leapfrogs him only for Rex to run into a running roll up by Martel for 1…2..nope, Spot breaks up the count. The ref shoos Garea away allowing the Moondogs and Albano to triple team Martel. Tony breaks free and wallops Rex with a right hook to the gut. Martel brings Spot in the hard way. All four men go at it in the corners before Rex snap mares Garea into the center of the ring. The ref is busy with Spot and Martel so Albano tosses Rex one of the dog bones. Spot comes over and asks for the bone himself but Martel dropkicks Spot into Albano, knocking both of them down. Martel then sunset flips Rex for 1…2..3 and its over. Martel wasn’t the legal man but who cares? The faces’ celebration is cut short as we cut here. Martel wins his second tag team title while Garea wins his 5th. The Moondogs would hang around for a few more years but would never again taste tag team goal. Decent match and the fans got to see what they wanted.

Time of match: Joined in progress
Winners: Garea and Martel by pinfall (new tag team champions)

Match 11

Mr. Fuji and Mr. Saito (with Lou Albano) vs Tony Garea and Rick Martel for the WWF Tag Team Championship

Commentators: Vince McMahon and Pat Patterson

This is the exact same match from BEST OF THE WWF VOLUME 2 but I totally forgot, so I reviewed the match a second time. With Toru Tanaka long gone, Fuji teams with a legitimate Japanese wrestler in Saito to form a new tag team. On October 17, 1981 in Allentown, PA they got a shot at Garea and Martel. All four men are in their standard gear while Albano looks ridiculous in a green kimono. Fuji and Saito incite the crowd by doing rituals before the match starts. Fuji and Martel circle to start but Fuji gets the upper hand with some devious tactics. Martel leapfrogs over Fuji and armdrags him. Fuji runs into a scoop slam then two more armdrags before retreating to his corner. Saito tags in and runs into an armdrag and armbar. Garea tags in and goes to work on the left arm as Albano protests. Saito whips Garea off but is dropped by a shoulderblock. Tony uncharacteristically runs into an arm drag but mule kicks Saito away. Fuji tags in who runs into an arm drag and armbar. Tony stomps away at Fuji’s left arm before Martel tags in and picks up where Tony left off. Fuji sends Martel off who counters with a flying bodypress for 1…2…nope. Another arm drag and armbar slows Fuji down as Patterson goes to say something but is cut off. Garea tags in and picks up where Martel leaves off only for Fuji to get in a chop to the ribs. Saito tags in but runs into yet another arm drag. It sounds like a broken record but Garea’s forte was torturing a body part not unlike Ole Anderson. Saito backs Garea into the corner and punishes him with right hands before Saito rams him into the knee of Fuji. The devious one tags in and double chops Tony in the ribs and chops him down before ramming him into the corner. Saito tags back in who kicks Garea down and covers for 1…2..no. Vince says Albano wants badly to be manager of the tag champions again. Saito attacks with chops and a back drop for 1…2..no, near fall. Saito rams Tony into his corner and Fuji tags back in with chops to the throat. Fuji sends Tony off and drops him with a big sidewinding chop. Saito tags in with a kick to the ribs and a thrust to the throat before covering for a near fall. Saito uses the 5 count to choke Garea before kicking at him. Two near falls in a row has Fuji tagging in who just keeps Tony from making the hot tag. Fuji kicks Tony down then double chops Garea at least three times. Saito tags in and comes off the second rope with a double chop to the back. Saito gets a nearfall then chokes down Tony. Martel rushes in and attacks Saito only for referee Dick Woehrle to step in and tell him to hit the bricks, allowing Fuji, Saito and Albano to triple team. Woehrle turns around and tells Albano to beat it as Saito retreats to his corner. Fuji makes no legal tag, he just gets in and applies a nerve hold. Patterson tries to bail out Woehrle saying they “kinda” look alike, nevermind the fact Saito has a full caveman look and Fuji was much thinner. The camera focuses on Martel begging for the tag as the crowd chants for Garea. Tony powers out of it with a series of forearms to the chest and a scoop slam. Tony misses a dropkick and Fuji makes the tag to Saito. He pounces on Tony for a two count. Saito kicks away at Tony and scoop slams before another pinfall attempt gets two. Saito goes up to the second rope and drops a knee, the cover gets 1..2..nope. Saito applies a front headlock as Vince says he’s had the bejesus out of him. Saito rams Tony into the corner and Fuji tags in for some double team only for Martel to barge over and wallop away at the heels until Woehrle shoos him away. The heels triple team Garea in the corner until Saito pulls Tony away and whips him into the opposite corner. Saito charges but misses and Tony makes the hot tag to Martel. Rick unloads on Saito with right hands, an arm drag, a head scissors and a big punch to Fuji for good measure. For whatever reason Tony tags back in and Martel nails Saito in the ribs and Garea sunset flips him for 1…2..nope. Garea whips Saito off where Martel tags him and greets Saito with a dropkick. Fuji interferes but the alert Garea cuts him off with a dropkick. Garea leapfrogs Saito and dazes him with a back elbow smash, Garea backdrops Saito into the center of the ring as Martel goes upstairs. As Woehrle gets Garea out of there, Fuji reaches into his tights for some salt. Just as Martel comes off the top, Fuji throws it in his eyes. Saito rolls through a bodypress and hooks the tights for 1…2….3 and we got new champions. Patterson protests as Martel rolls around in agony. Albano grabs the belts and hands him to the new champs. They pose quickly then get out of dodge before the fans riot. More officials hit the ring to tend to Martel as we go to the instant replay. Vince gets angrier as the replay goes along and we cut here. Garea and Martel would get a few rematches but Martel would leave for the AWA a few months later. Garea would never again wear WWF gold but he’d hang around a few more years. Lot of action in this match, it flowed nicely.

Time of match: 9:48
Winners: Fuji and Saito by pinfall (new tag team champions)

Match 12

Mr. Fuji and Mr Saito (with Lou Albano) vs The Strongbows (Jay and Jules) for the WWF Tag Team Championship

Commentators: Vince McMahon and Pat Patterson

This is where the tape starts getting out of order. The match we’re about to see is the 2 out of 3 falls re-match AFTER The Strongbows took the belts. This is from July 13, 1982 and here’s a bit of irony. There was a wrestler/promoter from the 30’s to the 60’s named Jules Strongbow, which was the inspiration for the Italian Joe Scarpa to become “Chief” Jay Strongbow in 1970. Fast forward twelve years later and rookie Frank Hill becomes Jules Strongbow, storyline brother of Chief Jay. I wonder what the real Jules would feel about that but he’s long passed away. Jules is in the black singlet and Jay the red. Fuji and Saito are in standard gear but Albano ditches the kimono for a white jacket and jean shorts. Jay Strongbow had been a previous two time WWWF tag team champion and this was his 3rd title win, first with Jules. People liked to give WCW shit for the ages of their wrestlers, well the Strongbows were new to the tag team scene and Jay was 53 years old. After Fuji and Saito do their pre-match ritual salt tossing, Fuji starts it with Jules. Immediately Saito attacks from behind, allowing for Fuji to reach into his tights. Jules turns around and Fuji nails him with the salt he pulled out. Jay charges in and gets a face full himself. As the ref nearly disqualifies Saito, Fuji delivers a diving headbutt to the gonads. Fuji covers and the ref turns around..1….2….3 and that’s it, just like that. Jay staggers and falls into the entrance way and the heels triple team Jules in the ring. Saito then tosses Jules out of the ring as the announcer makes it official. Albano gets in a few cheapshots outside to both Strongbows. Patterson questions whether the Strongbows can return for the second fall and we go to the instant replay. This was supposed to be 2 out of 3 falls but due to tape time constraints, this is all we see of this match although Fuji and Saito would go on to win the match and titles. Why they put this match first is beyond me.

Time of match: 47 seconds (first fall only)
Winners: Fuji and Saito by pinfall (new tag team champions)

Match 13

The Strongbows (Jay and Jules) vs Mr Fuji and Mr Saito for the WWF Tag Team Championship

Commentator: Vince McMahon

If we were running in chronological order, THIS should have been first. This was from Madison Square Garden on June 28, 1982 and Ivan Putski is the special guest referee. Everyone is in their standard gear like the match we previously saw. Saito and Jay lock up and Saito gets a quick upper hand with chops. Jay ducks under one, slides under another and nails Saito with a big chop of his own. Strongbow gets Saito agitated by running away every time Saito rears back for a chop, then slides under him before delivering another chop of his own. Strongbow poses for the crowd before we get a TAPE EDIT and now Fuji has Jules in a nerve hold. Jules breaks out of it and tags Jay who does the “hey-how-are-ya” stomp (think Hulk Up) before going on the warpath (chop, knee, dance, another knee). Fuji counters with a thrust to the throat, whips him off and delivers a big foot to the chest (would be a big boot but he’s barefooted). Fuji covers for 1…2…nope. Saito tags in and picks up where Fuji left off, dropkicking Strongbow sideways. Saito covers for 1…2..nope. Fuji tags back in and he kicks Jay in the chest before delivering another big foot. Fuji runs off the ropes but misses the running senton. Jay covers and Putski checks the shoulders, oblivious to the foot on the rope……1…..2…3 and we got new champions. Jules hits the ring and celebrates as obviously a finish like this would lead to a re-match. Still, at 53 years old, Jay Strongbow has tag team gold again. I’m sure the boys in the back were pissed a rookie like Jules is wearing tag team gold but that’s the way it is sometimes.

Time of match: Joined in progress
Winners: Strongbows by pinfall (new tag team champions)

Match 14

The Strongbows (Jay and Jules) vs Mr Fuji and Mr Saito for the WWF Tag Team Championship

Commentators: Vince McMahon and Pat Patterson

Finally we’re back in chronological order. Mean Gene on the voiceover tries to make it sound like this match was a re-match of the last one but it really wasn’t. This was from October 26, 1982 and this time the only change in ring attire comes from Jay who’s wearing a black singlet instead of red. Jay bites the hand of Saito and does the same routine of sliding under to avoid a chop only to nail Saito with a chop of his own. Strongbow catches Saito with a double tomahawk chop and covers for 1…2..nope. Jules tags in and nails Saito with a running forearm then a chop in the corner. He covers but only gets two. He makes the tag to Jay and whips Saito into a big chop from Jay. Chief sends Saito off the ropes and catches him with a sleeper hold. Fuji makes the save before Saito gives up and tags in. Jay makes the tag to Jules who sends Fuji off and drops him with a big chop. Jules goes on the warpath with falling chops before getting chopped in the side of the leg. Fuji delivers a falling headbutt before tagging in Saito who Vince calls a silver medalist, bringing up his legitimate amateur past. A kick to the face and cover gets a two count as Saito delivers a Russian leg sweep. A cover only gets one and he rams Jules into the corner. Fuji tags in and kicks away before chopping Jules into a tag from Jay. Fuji alertly cuts him off and chops him several times, including a big chop. Fuji tags Saito who makes a quick cover for a near fall. Saito sends Strongbow off the ropes and kicks him full force in the ribs. He covers for 1…2..nope. Saito continues to stomp and kick away before Jay comes off the ropes with a Thesz press for 1….2…3 and just like that its over. First time I’ve seen a Thesz press done by anyone other than Steve Austin in WWE and it wins the Strongbows the tag team titles. So what happened to the Japanese tag team after this? They hung around for a while before Saito got in trouble for throwing a boulder through a window and beating up cops with Patera. Fuji would eventually become a wrestling manager. New champs in a match either short or clipped for time constraints

Time of match: Joined in progress
Winners: Strongbows by pinfall (new tag team champions)

Match 15

The Wild Samoans (Afa and Sika) vs The Strongbows (Jay and Jules) for the WWF Tag Team Champions

Commentators: Vince McMahon and Pat Patterson

Fresh off their tour with Mid-Atlantic, the Samoans are back in New York (that’s what the territory was called) to take on the Strongbows on March 8, 1983 in Allentown, PA for the tag belts. Everyone’s in their standard gear for this one and the first thing we see is Sika choking Jules Strongbow against the ropes. Afa sends him off but puts his head down and gets kicked for his troubles. Jules makes the tag to a balding Jay…seriously, he’s cut his hair since the previous match and because he’s balding, it looks like he went from 44 to 54 overnight. Old or not, Jay comes in and delivers a big knee lift that floors Afa. Afa gets to his feet, lands a chop and rams Jay headfirst into the cranium of Sika. Sika tags in and chops Jay in the throat before headlock punching him. Jules thinks he’s made the tag but he doesn’t, so when the ref tells him to beat it, the Samoans double team poor Jay. Sika leaves the ring but Afa was further away from Jay so Chief makes the tag to Jules. The younger of the two rallies with right hands and big chops. Sika interferes but he’s cut off by Jay. All four men are in the ring but the Samoans double headbutt Jay over the top and out. Jules tries to hold his own against both Samoans but is overtaken and double clotheslined. Albano stomps on Jay outside the ring as Afa annihilates Jules with a samoan drop. He covers for 1….2…3 goodnight Strongbows. The Samoans win their 3rd WWF tag team championship. The crowd pelts the ring with garbage as Albano celebrates with the new champs. Patterson complains and we cut here. End of the line for Jules Strongbow as he would leave shortly after and Jay became a semi then fully retired road agent.

Time of match: Joined in progress
Winners: Samoans by pinfall (new tag team champions)

Match 16

The Soul Patrol (Rocky Johnson and Tony Atlas) vs The Wild Samoans (Afa and Sika) with Lou Albano for the WWF Tag Team Championship in a No-DQ match

Commentators: Vince McMahon and Pat Patterson

This is the exact same match covered in BLOOPERS, BLEEPS AND BODYSLAMS only this will be more than just a clip. This match was from November 15, 1983 in Allentown, PA. Atlas and Johnson are in matching red tights with the Samoans in their standard gear. We’re joined in progress when Afa has Rocky in a nerve hold and Johnson is powering out of it. Johnson drops him with a shoulderblock. Johnson somersaults under a chop attempt but Afa doesn’t miss a second time. Sika makes the tag and they both stomp away before Sika covers for a near fall. Sika applies a nerve hold before Johnson powers out of it again. Sika puts his head down and Rocky kicks him in it for his troubles. Albano teases going to attack Johnson but referee Dick Woehrle comes over and tells Lou to beat it. Sika tags Afa who clocks Rocky upon entering. Afa whips Rocky off and they collide with both men going down. Rocky goes for a scoop slam but Afa’s too heavy and he falls on top for 1….2..no, that was close. Sika tags in with a kick to the ribs and the cover gets a near fall. Afa goes back to the nerve hold but Johnson powers out of it and makes the hot tag to Tony Atlas. Tony cleans house and rams the Samoan’s heads together. All four men get in the ring and Johnson takes Sika out of the ring with him. Atlas goes for the scoop slam but Afa’s legs takes out Woehrle on the way up. Atlas covers but the refs out so Albano makes his way into the ring. Atlas cuts him off with a headbutt but Afa clocks Tony from behind. Albano grabs a wooden chair outside as Afa holds Atlas for him. Albano winds up but Tony moves and WHAM, Albano not only clocks Afa with it, it gets stuck on his head on the way down. Atlas covers for 1….2….3. and we got new champions. The crowd in Allentown goes berserk as Atlas and Johnson celebrate. Atlas grabs the belts and they pose with them as Afa gets to his feet with the chair still around his neck. The ring announcer gives the good news to the crowd as Afa makes his way to the back bleeding with the chair still around his neck. Vince goes to the replay of what just happened and we cut here. It was a landmark event for this was the first time two blacks would be tag team champions (Sonny King was the first with Jay Strongbow). As I said before, watching in a New York bar that night was an 18 year old college freshman named Mick Foley. Also watching somewhere in Florida was Rocky Johnson’s 11 year old son Dwayne. Wonder if Mick and Dwayne had aspirations for the tag belts? Hmmmm.

Time of match: Joined in progress (8:22 official)

Winners: Soul Patrol by pinfall (new tag team champions).

Match 17
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

Reposted from BEST OF THE WWF VOLUME 2. 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. Racism was still rampant no matter what anyone says. 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.

Time of match: 4:58
Winners: Adonis and Murdoch by pinfall (New WWF Tag Team Champions)

Match 18

The US Express (Barry Windham and Mike Rotundo) with Lou Albano vs The North/South Connection (Adrian Adonis and Dick Murdoch) for the WWF Tag Team Championship

Commentator: Vince McMahon

The new kids in town, Mike and Barry got their title shot on January 21, 1985. Both came up from Florida and 24 year old Windham was a second generation wrestler with his father being Blackjack Mulligan. The 26 year old Mike was a varsity wrestler at Syracuse U who’d later marry Barry’s sister. Mike’s son eventually became a cult leader but we’ll get to that another time. Albano has turned face by this point and allied himself with the Express. We’re joined at a badly lit Hartford Civic Center (must be the house show camera footage) with Murdoch pounding away on Rotundo. Mike rallies with right hands until Dick makes the tag to Adonis. Mike goes to make the tag but Dick stops him by pulling his tights all the way down. Gene’s voiceover makes no mention of it as the ref tells Murdoch to beat it. Adonis picks him up in a suplex position and drops him on the top rope. Adonis taunts the fallen Rotundo and scoop slams him. Adrian sprints across the ring and Mike backdrops him over the top rope to the floor. The alert Adonis pulls Barry off the apron so Mike can’t get the hot tag. Adonis rams him into the guardrail as Murdoch gets in a cheap shot inside the ring. Barry makes it back to the apron but Adonis tags in Murdoch. Dick scoop slams Mike then goes for the Boston crab. Mike kicks him into the corner and crawls his way over to make the hot tag. Windham comes in like a house of fire and cleans house of both men. Windham whips Adrian into the corner then rams their heads together. More right hands has Murdoch staggered before he falls to the mat. Windham goes for the bulldog but Adonis cuts him off with an axehandle to the head. Rotundo gets in but Murdoch cuts him off with a boot to the ribs. All four men go at it with Mudoch getting a snap mare to Rotundo while Windham and Adonis go at it outside the ring. Barry sends Adrian into the ring post and slides into the ring. Barry sunset flips Murdoch (they were the legal men) for 1…2…3 and we got new tag team champions. The Express celebrate in the ring and we cut here. Talk about the changing of the guard, the new guys were coming in and Dick Murdoch was leaving. Adonis would wrestle most of 1985 in singles while the Express remained centered around the tag belts. Murdoch wouldn’t appear in the WWF for exactly 10 years.

Time of match: Joined in progress
Winners: Express by pinfall (new tag team champions)

Match 18

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

Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon and Jesse Ventura

This was from WRESTLEMANIA 1 and the intros are skipped for this tape’s purposes. Everyone but Sheik is in standard gear while Sheik has on these plaid groin covers. Rotundo starts off with Sheik when the bell tolls as Ventura says you’ll see dead world series and superbowls but not Wrestlemania….yah wait until Wrestlemania 11. Rotundo hits an armdrag, dropkick, a scoop slam and a headlock takedown as Ventura shills. Windham makes the tag and hits an elbow from off the top rope then hits a boot to the mid-section. Sheik backs Barry back in the corner and Volkoff holds, but Windham escapes and Sheik dropicks Volkoff instead. Volkoff tags in and the camera shows an instant replay of the dropkick before going back to live action where Rotundo hits a back elbow smash. IRS…er Mike locks in an arm-bar then tags in Windham who once again comes off the top onto the elbow. Rotundo follows with the same elbow drop before Nikolai takes over and rams Rotundo’s head into Sheik’s legendary loaded boot. Sheik backdrops Rotundo and hits an elbow drop for 1…2…nope, near fall. Iron Sheik executes a gut-wrench suplex and covers for a deuce before Rotundo blocks a snap suplex and hits one of his own. Nikolai tags in and drops him throat first on the top rope as Blassie shouts “Kick em!” Rotundo switches out of a hammerlock as the crowd gets a USA chant going. Mike hits a sunset flip for 1..2…noooo, Volkoff quickly gets up and puts the boots to him. Volkoff hits a knee to the mid-section and boots before ramming Mike’s head once again into Sheik’s boot. The heels double team Rotundo before Sheik applies an abdominal stretch as the camera pans to Blassie and Albano trading invectives. Rotundo escapes and Volkoff tags in but Mike finally makes it to Windham, who fires away at Nikolai with fists and a dropkick. Windham hits the bulldog and covers for 1..2…nope, Sheik cuts him off. Rotundo gets in and dropkicks Sheik to the floor but Blassie sneaks the cane into Sheik’s hands. The ref is distracted by Rotundo as Sheik breaks the cane over the back of Windham who crumbles to the floor. Nikolai rolls him over and covers for 1….2…3 and we got new tag team champions. Iron Sheik becomes the first superstar since Bob Backlund and Pedro Morales to be both World champion and Tag champion in their careers. Howard Finkel announces the heels as the new champions as Sheik grabs the mic and says IRAN NUMBA VUN! We go to the instant replay and cut afterwards. Even though the Express would get their rematch, this would be Rotundo’s last Wrestlemania until appearing as IRS at 8 and Windham wouldn’t make another appearance until 13.

Time of match: 6:51
Winners: The Un-Americanz by pinfall (New Tag Team Champions)

Match 19

The US Express (Barry Windham and Mike Rotundo) with Lou Albano vs The Unamericanz (Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff) with Freddie Blassie

Commentators: Vince McMahon and Bruno Sammartno

The re-match from Wrestlemania held June 17, 1985. This time everyone dons the red tights except Rotundo. Windham applies a headlock, flips over backwards but Volkoff catches the leg and trips him up. Barry counters by kicking him off. Volkoff cartwheels away (not bad for a 37 year old) only to be dropkicked by Windham. They tie up and Volkoff gets the upperhand with forearms to the chest, only he’s in the wrong corner and Barry makes the tag to Rotundo. Mike schoolboys Nikolai for 1…2..nope. Bruno says its not going to be that easy. Volkoff gets the upperhand with forearms before Mike applies a headlock. Nikolai shoots him off and Sheik catches Mike with a knee to the back. Nikolai stomps away then makes the tag. Sheik sends him off and delivers a perfect backdrop before landing a series of kick to the ribs. Blassie tells Sheik to send him into Nikolai’s boot and he does. Sheik sends Mike off and devastates him with a big throat thrust. Sheik covers for a long two count then scoop slams him. Bruno says if Mike can’t make the tag this one’s over. Sheik executes a gut-wrench suplex and goes for the camel clutch. Sheik gets it on but Windham makes the save much to Blassie’s chagrin. Vince confuses Rotundo for Windham as Barry blocks a suplex and turns it into an inside cradle. Nikolai runs in and turns Sheik over in direct view of the ref so the ref tells him to get lost. This gives Windham the time to turn Rotundo back over and the ref turns around 1…..2…..3 and we got new champions!!!! Albano gets in the ring and celebrates as Blassie gets in to protest. We cut here before any kind of celebration. They were running out of tape time so this match was drastically edited, but it was a good solid 4 minutes I’ll say. Sheik and Volkoff would hang around the company in various capacities over the years but never would again taste championship gold.

Time of match: Joined in progress
Winners: US Express by pinfall (new tag team champions)

Match 20

The Dream Team (Brutus Beefcake and Greg Valentine) with Johnny V vs The US Express (Barry Windham and Mike Rotundo) with Lou Albano for the WWF Tag Team Championship

Commentators: Dick and Gorilla Monsoon

We’ve made it to the final match on the tape, talk about a long journey. August 24, 1985 in the Philadelphia Spectrum saw the Express defend against the makeshift team (at the time) of Beefcake and Valentine. Beefcake managed by Johnny V and Valentine by Jimmy Hart. We’re first shown Beefcake making the tag to the Hammer with Rotundo sprawled inside the ring. Everyone’s wearing standard trunks except for Beefcake of course. Hammer misses a few elbow drops and Rotundo gets the hot tag to Windham. Barry cleans house as Dick whoops and hollers again, ugh. Barry lands a dropkick on Valentine then turns his attention to a charging Beefcake. Barry whips him off and dropkicks him. Barry continues to nail both guys until he tosses Beefcake out of the ring. Barry calls for the bulldog and hits it on Valentine. He covers for 1…2…NOOOOO. Hammer kicks out and Barry calls for another one. Barry goes for another bulldog and nails him again with it. Valentine is D-E-A-D but Beefcake makes the save after a pinfall attempt gets two. Rotundo intercepts Beefcake and they trade right hands until the ref tells Mike to get lost. Johnny V hands something to Beefcake who proceeds to rub whatever he was handed into the eyes of Windham. Albano climbs up on the apron to get Rotundo to notice but its too late. Barry withers around in pain and Hammer drops the obligatory elbow on him, then covers for 1..2…Rotundo can’t make the save…3…its over. Dick can’t believe it as the Dream Team wins it. We go to the replay and this tape is over….finally. Too short but we were running out of tape so it was expected. Should be noted that the makeshift team ended up lasting 2 ½ years before Dino Bravo (shown earlier on this tape) replaced Beefcake but that’s a story for another time. Barry Windham would leave shortly after this match and head back to Florida. Rotundo bolted for the AWA (where he teamed with Windham for a one shot reunion) before he returned to the WWF and was briefly paired with “Golden Boy” Dan Spivey as the New US Express. Many claim this was a complete mis-match. Wrestlecrap.com’s RD Reynolds (cheap plug) said that Spivey looked too much like a serial killer (foreshadowing his later Waylon Mercy run) and instead of girls having posters of Windham on their walls, it was more like Spivey having girls hung to his wall or something similar. Bottom line was the team didn’t work and Rotundo went back to Florida in early 1987. Windham would resurface as The Widowmaker in 1989 while Rotundo would return in 1991 as IRS.

Time of match: Joined in progress
Winners: Dream team by pinfall (new tag team champions)

The credits roll and this one’s finally over. We get previews for GRUDGE MATCHES, RICKY “THE DRAGON” STEAMBOAT and BEST OF THE WWF VOLUME 6. Its funny how tapes back then came in 3’s so while this tape was released, 2 others were as well with 3 more on the way. As for this, what a chronicle. Most of the matches were edited to fit on this tape so at least the action never got boring. After all, with TWENTY matches not all of them can be classics. Its also interesting to point out that a lot of the guys featured on this tape were in other territories at the time. By 85, Larry Zybysko was in the AWA, Lumberjack Eric was in Georgia, Jimmy Valiant was in Mid-Atlantic, Dino Bravo was somewhere else and other guys were in different promotions. Compare that to 5-6 years later when Vince started acting like guys never existed if they went elsewhere or presented them as complete newcomers when first joining. Case in point, when Dino returned as the French Canadian strongman, his past with DeNucci was never mentioned. When Rick Martel returned from the AWA as one half of the Can-Am Connection, his past with Tony Garea was never mentioned. Both Barry Windham and Mike Rotundo would return to the WWF years after they departed as the US Express and their reigns were never mentioned. Unrelated to this tape but relevant to the topic, when Ricky Steamboat came back to the WWF in 1991 after his trio of classic matches with Ric Flair in WCW, Vince instructed his announcers to refer to him only as a newcomer called The Dragon without mentioning his past in the NWA or just 4 years earlier when he was WWF IC champion! So for a tape like this to be produced, either Vince didn’t have his inflated ego just yet or he didn’t give a damn back then. Either way this tape was a good history lesson of the tag team championship….at least from 1978. There are youtube videos of the some of the tag title changes BEFORE this tape from 77 but most of the footage has been lost to time. I have to give this tape 4.5 stars out of 5. It was a great chronicle of the tag titles that featured so many wrestlers long forgotten and some classic moments. The .5 off is because they had to drastically edit the matches to fit on this one tape. Nowadays they have the luxury of 2 disc blu rays but back then you had 2 hours on a VHS and that’s it. So I understand why they edited it, but it still sucks. The next tape after this is THE LIFE AND TIMES OF CAPTAIN LOU ALBANO, this should be interesting. As for this tape, get it if you can as it’s a great history lesson.