Directly after the marathon known as TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS comes this tribute to one of the most colorful managers in wrestling history. This tape was one of the first released in 1986. Lots can be said about Lou Albano both as a manager and as a cross-over entertainer but the bottom line is he’s been entertaining in every single thing he’s ever done. He was instrumental (no pun intended) in the Rock N Wrestling Connection forming with his ties to Cyndi Lauper and as a heel manager he was one of the greats, forming the unholy trio with Grand Wizard and Freddie Blassie. This tape will be highlighting various parts of his WWF career from his heel manager days to his face turn during the MTV crossover. Its interesting to note that THE AMAZING MANAGERS covered all the managers in the WWF going back to the Grand Wizard days but yet Albano was the first to get his own tape. Come to think of it, he was the ONLY one to get his own tape as Bobby Heenan wouldn’t get his own profile for 25 years. Alright let’s stoke it up. Cue the Coliseum Video opening and Gorilla Monsoon is our host today. Gorilla says Albano was one of the most influential managers in history. Monsoon says there’s personalities like Bruno and Hogan that are immortalized but Albano was champion wrestler (with his partner Tony Altomare as The Sicilians) and manager of 15 tag team champions (at the time) and the heavyweight champion (he managed Ivan Koloff the night Ivan defeated Bruno for the title). Monsoon also brought up his real life role as the chairman of the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation (which is mainly how he turned face). We then go to a sneak preview of a 6 man tag match we won’t see until later which pits Andre, Hillbilly Jim and Lou against Bobby Heenan, Big John Studd and King Kong Bundy. We cut this to go to our REAL first match
Match 1
Lou Albano vs Tony Angelo
Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon and Lou Albano
This goes way back to the 1960’s when he was still a heel wrestler working for Vince Sr. Lou himself joins Monsoon on commentary. Angelo is what King Kong Bundy would look like if he lost 200 pounds and he was known as a manager himself. He managed The Monguls Geeto and Beppo (Beppo is more well known as Nikolai Volkoff) and was a manager for Ivan Koloff as well. Here Tony nails Albano with a forearm and snaps him over by the hair. Lou gets to his feet and the chubby Angelo attempts a dropkick that catches Albano in the gut. Albano collapses in the corner and Angelo jumps up and down in celebration. Angelo sets him up in the ropes for what we now know is Shattered Dreams but instead just punches him in the gut a bunch of times much to the crowd’s delight. Lou on commentary says he was a bit heavier in those days than he was at the present time (1986). Instead of kicking Albano in the gonads Goldust style, Angelo continues to kick Albano in the gut repeatedly. Albano breaks free but Tony tosses him through the ropes and to the outside. Albano walks up the steps onto the apron where Tony greets him by ramming his head into the buckle. Albano blades (try getting away with that now) and eats a few forearms upon getting back in the ring. Monsoon says this match predates his alliance with Tony Altomare as Angelo whips Lou into the corner then nails him with a big knee. Tony whips Lou into the other corner but misses the big knee. Lou literally just falls on him and the ref counts 1..2….3 and its over. Lou on commentary says he was lucky to win that one. Albano says Angelo was a great seasoned veteran and in the ring, Lou is so out of it he instinctively reaches for the tag in the corner even though it was a singles match. The ref raises Albano’s hand in victory as we cut here. You’ll notice a pattern is that Lou was kind of a lousy wrestler but he had a gift of gab so to speak, which is why he eventually became a manager. Lou would wrestle most of the 60’s with his partner as The Sicilians with the gimmick being they were mafia connected. That was until REAL Chicago mob boss Tony Accardo paid the two a visit and told them kindly to cease and desist using the term “mafia”. The duo won the WWWF tag team championship but its not recognized for some reason. Ultimately, it was Bruno who suggested to Vince Sr that Albano should be made a manager in 1970. Great idea Bruno, as for the match….it showed Albano get his ass kicked then come out on top, perfect for a heel.
Time of match: Joined in progress (officially 7:34)
Winner: Lou Albano by pinfall
Match 2
Lou Albano vs Rick Martel
Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon and Lou Albano
We’re at the Philadelphia Spectrum sometime in the early 1980’s and I’ll venture a guess Albano was managing The Moondogs since he’s wearing their colors. Martel enters wearing the red tights. The ref checks Albano first and then when he checks Martel, the dastardly Albano rakes the eyes of Rick. The ref calls for the bell and we’re underway. Lou tosses the dazed Martel through the ropes and to the outside. Albano makes fun of his own ring gear and says he must of spent $1.75 on it causing Gorilla to crack up. Martel staggers to the apron where Lou intercepts him and rams him into the ring post. Since Martel is wearing Tony Garea like tights, I’ll say this was during the Moondogs/Garea and Martel feud of 1981. Albano on commentary says Martel is a great friend now and a great wrestler. Martel gets back on the apron and they repeat the previous sequence. Monsoon makes a goof and says this was from 10 years ago (Martel would have been 20 years old at the time). Martel climbs back in the ring and gets a rake to the eye. Albano rakes the face again with his wrist tape. Monsoon asks how he got the tape and Lou says he had a wrist injury and said “what was it, the tibia? Fibula? Whatever it was” causing Monsoon to laugh. Albano says he weighed 318 here before he showered as Albano in the ring continues to rake the eyes repeatedly. Rick takes wild swings in the corner and Albano goes for yet another rake but this time Martel catches him with a boot to the gut. Rick rams Albano’s head into the buckle then strangles him with the tag rope left over from a previous tag team match. By the way, if this was indeed 1981, Lou would have been 47 or 48 depending on what month it was. Albano rallies with right hands and a blatent choke that Lou barely sells. Martel continues to strangle Lou with the tag rope as Monsoon admonishes the ref for doing nothing. Martel stomps on the fallen Albano until he crawls under the bottom rope and retreats to the back, taking the count out. The crowd is irate but that’s the mark of a good heel to do something cowardly like that. Monsoon says “here we see vintage Captain Lou Albano at his best.” That statement shows why he’s better off as a manager because if he could barely shamble around the ring at nearly 50 years old, having him as a manager was more productive. That match was terrible but what could you do with a mediocre wrestler and a speedster like Martel?
Time of match: 4:05
Winner: Rick Martel by count-out
Match 3
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 the exact same match shown in TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS so I’ll just repost. This was a 2 out of 3 falls match 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 only the first fall is shown on this tape. Normally I would complain but this is Albano’s greatest hits so masterminding a plot like this keeps the tape rolling.
Time of match: Unknown (only the first fall is shown)
Winners: Mr Fuji and Mr Saito (new WWF Tag Team Champions)
Match 4
Tony Atlas, Tony Garea and Rick Martel vs Mr Fuji, Mr Saito and “Captain” Lou Albano
Commentators: Dick Graham and Frack
Back to the Spectrum on February 20, 1982 to see Albano get in the ring with his tag champs against the former champs Garea and Martel along with Tony Atlas. We’re joined in progress for a 2 out of 3 falls match but this will be the 3rd fall only and Saito tosses Garea out of the ring. Everyone is in standard gear today. Albano from the outside grabs Garea and rams his head into the side of the ring. Martel chases Lou away and brings Garea back to their corner. Saito nails Tony off the apron with a chop to the throat then drags him back in the ring only to throw him out the other side. Albano comes over and rams his head into the side of the ring again. Tony Atlas comes over and tells the ref Lou is being a pest and of course Albano denies it. Garea elbows Saito upon getting back in then delivers another shoulder. He picks the leg to trip Saito then makes the tag to Atlas. Tony rallies with right hands and a bell ringer before staggering Saito with a jumping headbutt. Tony delivers an overhead press slam and covers for 1…2…nope, Fuji makes the safe. The dumb announcer calls him Garea instead of Atlas. Tony delivers a forearm to the back but Saito sneaks the tag to Fuji. Fuji nails Tony from behind and tags in Albano who does his customary eye rake. Lou nails Atlas with right hands until Tony starts to Hulk Up. Albano retreats to his corner and tags in Fuji, who drops Tony with a chop AND a kick to the throat. A double chest chop drops Tony then he tags in Saito. Atlas goes down on his own but only to roll into his corner and tag in a fresh Rick Martel. Rick goes crazy on Saito and hip tosses him to the other side of the ring. A series of dropkicks is followed by a TAPE EDIT. Now Fuji is in control and he makes the tag to Albano. Two sloppy forearms to the back is followed by one to the head. Another forearm drives Martel into the corner where Rick rallies with kicks to the gut. Albano quells the momentum with a headbutt while the idiot announcer says he had him in a sideheadlock. Lou tags in Fuji who chops him in the corner until Rick crawls under Fuji’s legs and makes the tag to a fresh Garea. Tony goes to work with two one legged dropkicks to the face. Tony whips Fuji off and catches him in an abdominal stretch. Saito comes in to bait Martel so Rick foolishly follows suit only for the ref to tell him to beat it. Saito alertly goes up to the top and nails Garea with a forearm off the top rope. Fuji falls on Tony and the ref counts 1….2….3 and the heels win. Albano kicks Garea for good measure as Ed Derian, who also did boxing rin announcing for the Blue Horizon, announces the heels the victors.
Time of match: Joined in progress
Winners: Fuji, Saito and Albano by pinfall
Match 5
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
Reposted from TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS. 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)
Next up is a TNT interview with Albano and the former champs. Vince asks Albano if he takes responsibility for the loss and Lou stutters with both Afa and Sika sitting next to him. Vince tries to stir the pot saying Albano must think of them less because they lost and Albano stutters again, then says the Samoans may think less of Albano as well. Before Lou can answer we cut to commercial but when we return, the Samoans are gone and its just Lou. This time Lou is a lot more animated when Vince asks him if he was responsible. This is basically the same segment covered in BLOOPERS, BLEEPS AND BODYSLAMS and the short version is he’s not responsible and the Samoans should have been tougher. Albano says the Samoans are crybabies if they come out here for looking for sympathy. Vince asks Alfred if Albano was responsible and Hays says of course. Albano says he should have hit Alfred with the chair which is hilarious. They bicker back and forth before we TAPE EDIT. Albano says he’s got the medulla oblongata of a genius and every psychiatrist he’s been to says he’s got it all together. Vince has the most confused look on his face which makes Albano’s rant even funnier. Vince asks how much money he took from the Samoans and Cyndi Lauper. He at first says she takes 75% but then catches himself and says he takes 50 and she should pay HIM just for being there. He says the Samoans live well and Vince cuts him off.
We go to another TNT interview with Lou Albano but this one is from July 23, 1984. Vince says Albano is pleased with himself and Lou apologizes to Alfred. Lou says TNT is better than the Carson show which is ironic given that TNT is a direct ripoff. He then wants to talk about The Spoiler. Spoiler was originally apart of the Legion of Doom in Georgia (with Road Warriors, Jake Roberts and Paul Ellering) and was last seen at the posedown between Tony Atlas and Paul Orndorff in BLOOPERS, BLEEPS AND BODYSLAMS. Albano says Spoiler is 6’4 273 pounds and 7 years prior he got him a ball for him to squeeze repeatedly to enhance his grip strength. Albano says Spoiler can now apply 709.37 pounds per cubic inch which is mumbo jumbo to get Spoiler over as a master of the claw hold. Vince asks how long Greg Valentine will remain IC champion (he didn’t switch over to Jimmy Hart yet as covered in THE AMAZING MANAGERS) and Albano says as long as he (meaning Lou) says so. Albano makes a promise that he’ll take on all comers and defend against the best. He keeps ranting and raving as Vince tries to cut to commercial.
The next interview is from Brawl To End It All with Mean Gene, Moolah and Albano. Reposted from BEST OF THE WWF VOLUME 1. Albano rants and raves but calls Fabulous Moolah “often imitated, never duplicated” and ain’t that the truth. Nowadays “divas” are supposed to be beautiful as well as tough. Moolah was certainly attractive in her day but she was absolutely tough as nails. If she was in her prime today, she’d beat the ever loving shit out of every diva on the roster. Hell, this match was the day after she turned 61 years old (happy birthday Moolah) and she’s still in shape and kicking ass. Moolah says hi to her friends AND enemies and that she’ll come out on top. Albano goes to rant again but Gene cuts him off saying Cindy Lauper has Richter ready to go but Moolah scoffs. Albano says she’s held the belt for 12 years and Moolah says “27 years” which causes Albano to apologize. That was no joke either, due to shortage of ladies wrestling and because she was the best, Moolah really did have the belt since the Capitol Wrestling days of 1956.
Match 6
The Wild Samoans (Afa and Sika) vs The North/South Connection (Adrian Adonis and Dick Murdoch) for the WWF Tag Team Championship
Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon and Alfred Hays
Captain Lou is the special guest referee for the ultra rare heel vs heel tag team showdown at Madison Square Garden on June 16, 1984. Albano left the Samoans high and dry but the Connection weren’t interested in his services. Albano was chosen as special guest ref with the storyline being would he turn on his former protégés or help them win? Murdoch and Adonis are in standard gear but the Samoans are wearing red tights for this one. Monsoon calls him the greatest walking advertisement for birth control. Albano goes over the rules and calls for the bell. Adrian will start with Sika and they tie up, Adrian backing him up into the corner and delivering a knee to the gut. Sika reverses a whip and backdrops him. Murdoch charges but is backdropped for his trouble. Afa gets in and apparently the Samoans will be working face in this one. They clean house as Adonis throws himself around like a pinball machine to make the Samoans look good. Murdoch gets back in and sticks a thumb to the eye even though Adonis was supposed to be the legal man. Murdoch goes to town with elbows to the head before Sika ducks under a whip and scoop slams him. Adonis charges but he’s scoop slammed as well. Afa gets in and both Samoans scoop slams the Connection. Afa headbutts Adonis who flies over the top rope as the Samoans hit a double clothesline on Murdoch. Sika brings Adonis back in the hard way and he stalks Adonis much to the crowd’s delight. Adonis bails to the floor as Albano doesn’t attempt to make a count. Murdoch sells a knee injury while Albano verrrry slowly starts counting until Sika stops him. Albano restarts the count which gives Murdoch time to recover and get back in. Murdoch consorts with Adonis until Albano comes over and tells Dick to get on with it. The Samoans are consorting with each other so Murdoch runs over and rams their heads together, which they no sell. Both get in the ring and stalk Murdoch who begs off. Albano tells Afa to get lost and that distracts Sika long enough for Murdoch to get in a cheap shot. Dick delivers a bionic elbow to the head, whips Sika but the charge eats knee. Murdoch goes for the tag in the wrong corner and Afa decks him. Sika headbutts Murdoch to the ground then tags in Afa. Afa backs Murdoch into his own corner where Adonis makes the tag. We get a TAPE EDIT and now Adonis scoop slams Afa. He goes upstairs but Afa cuts him off, causing Adrian to crotch himself. A headbutt by Afa sends Adrian spiraling down to the floor. Murdoch staggers into the ring where the Samoans greet him with a double headbutt. Afa makes the cover and Sika drops a running headbutt on Murdoch but all Albano does is shoo away Afa. Sika makes the cover and Albano takes forever to get over there….1………2…….Albano gets up and tells Afa to get in the corner. Sika gets up and Afa gets in to protest. They grab Albano and he calls for the bell. Lou raises Adrian’s hand and the Samoans scream at him. Albano tells Fink that the Samoans have been DQ’d and they go after Albano. Adonis and Murdoch attack from behind and Albano assists in stomping the Samoans. Sika then recovers and the Samoans chase the heels away. They toss down the tag belts left behind to a standing ovation from the Madison Square Garden crowd. They taunt the Connection to return until they do. Sika nails Murdoch with the title but Dick steals it away and nails Afa with it. He retreats with the belts and once again the crowd cheers the formerly heel Samoans. We go to the replay as Monsoon calls it a miscarriage of justice. That was a wild match that I thought was going to be heel vs heel but the crowd was clearly in the Samoans corner. What became of the face turn for the Samoans, nothing really. Afa would leave the company shortly after, leaving Sika to fend for himself in singles action for the next few years.
Time of match: Clipped
Winners: North/South Connection (still tag team champions)
We go to the TNT show where Captain Lou gives love advice. Reposted from Bloopers, Bleeps and Bodyslams. The first letter says her husband is from the old world and doesn’t wear deodorant, which stinks her out. Lou says that’s fine and what she has to do is mix rubbing alcohol, olive oil, witch hazel and shaving lotion then rub it on him to get rid of the stench. Lou says he doesn’t wear deodorant because he doesn’t smell then laughs at himself. Heh, couldn’t even keep a straight face on that one. If you notice a pattern developing is that nobody is taking any of this shit seriously. Heels and faces alike are laughing at themselves and even Vince is laughing along with them rather than at them. The next letter says her husband is too fat and Albano says he can’t stand fat people. Vince asks what he classifies himself as and Lou claims he’s not fat, its an optical illusion. Lou then rants about fat people which I can’t type out to give the rant true justice, have to see it to appreciate it. The next letter says her husband never takes her cowboy boots off and Lou says he’s going to give the Aerosol companies a lot of business. He suggests that the guy put some alcohol in his boots before he puts them on. Also, he doesn’t want to be around when the guy croaks and they have to put him in a box. Hilarious, and Vince goes to commercial.
Now we go to another TNT show which was the beginning of Captain Lou’s face turn. He’s still heel here by claiming he made Cyndi Lauper, the hottest pop star at the time. Vince grills him about making Cyndi and Albano says he discovered her in a bar, taught her everything she knew including how to eat at the dinner table. I can’t give the rant justice; it has to be heard, especially with Vince looking confused at Albano.
Moving on, we go to a Piper’s Pit segment where Albano and Piper share a laugh. This is all progressing from 1984 which leads into 1985 so bear with us. Piper shakes Lou’s hand and Albano calls him “Mister” Roddy Piper. Albano shills Piper as the greatest of all time and wishes he could have managed him. Piper says Albano is the greatest manager not only in wrestling but being able to take Cyndi Lauper from nothing and make her a star. It should be noted that one of the spots reserved for the Roddy Piper poster has been replaced with a Cyndi Lauper poster for this particular Pit. We cut to a different Piper’s Pit but its more of the same mutual admiration society. This time Lou has US Today, The Music Paper, Record and Life magazines in front of him with Cyndi featured. Once again he claims he made her and all her success was because of him. He pulls out a gold record of Girls Just Wanna Have Fun and we cut here.
Yet another Piper’s Pit but this one has Cyndi Lauper herself being interviewed. Piper backs up Albano’s claim that he made Cyndi as her manager but Cyndi grabs the mic and says she loves Lou but he’s not her manager. This is the segment covered in BLOOPERS, BLEEPS AND BODYSLAMS but this is more of how it began. Piper is confused and asks if she’s calling Lou a liar and Albano makes his appearance. Lou comes in and takes credit for all her success, which Cyndi tells him to stop playing around. Piper starts getting animated as Lou asks Cyndi to tell the world HE wrote “Time After Time” and she says that Lou’s just kidding. Piper smells a rat and says Lou told him he took her from nothing and Cyndi calls BS. Lou tells her to shut up and says all women are slime. Piper backs up Albano and they both get in her face. Cyndi tells them don’t make her mad and Piper says he doesn’t care. Lou calls her a broad and she flips, literally, flipping over the table then attacking Lou and Piper. David Wolff himself runs out to save Cyndi before she kills them. I’d say before they killed her but she’s on the rampage.
Next is a TNT segment where Albano apologizes to Cyndi and begins his face turn. He’s also shed his usual slob clothes in favor of a nice 80’s tuxedo. That’s all this was, 20 seconds of him apologizing.
Next is what brought WWF and MTV into the mainstream. Entertainment celebrity Dick Clark is in the ring at Madison Square Garden and we’re going to have an award ceremony for Cyndi Lauper. Storyline president Jack Tunney is behind him as Clark says she’s done more than anyone to bring rock and wrestling together. Clark presents her with an “achievement award” which is a nice looking trophy. Hulk Hogan, Dace Wolff and Wendi Richter are there for Cyndi and Hogan (of course) picks up the trophy for her. Cyndi then brings in Captain Lou wearing the same tuxedo from the previous apology segment. Lou is getting a charity service award for his work with MS awareness, which is partly how he turned face to begin with. He really was doing behind the scenes charity work for a Multiple Scleroses foundation. To keep him as a heel, they tried the best they could to not mention it until it eventually leaked. Nowadays WWE goes to great lengths and to a fault to convince their fans that what they do is an act and they’re not really bad guys by doing these “rise above bullying” campaigns and having every single charitable thing milked for all its worth. Back then it was groundbreaking for a heel to be involved in actual charity. You’d never see Roddy Piper at a charity event unless it was to mock someone, and in my personal opinion that’s the way it should be. You want to get Randy Orton over as a heel, have him no-show charity events or have a storyline where he scares the crap out of special needs kids, that’s exactly what most 80’s heels would have done. Enough ranting, back to Lou. Lou accepts his award until Roddy Piper himself appears behind him in his wrestling tights. Piper grabs the mic and says it was him that set this up and he wants to present the award to Lou. So, of course, he smashes it over Albano’s head. Hulk and Wendi are gone so its just Lou, Cyndi, Dick and David Wolff. Piper stomps Albano and Cyndi grabs hold of Piper’s leg so he literally boots her away. Piper picks up David Wolff and hits a running slam on him. Piper goes to stomp on Albano again with Dick Clark running around like a chicken with its head cut off and unfortunately we cut here. This was the birth of the Hogan vs Piper feud that carried over from 1984 to most of 1985. For you youngsters, think Randy Orton punting Lady Gaga back when Gaga was everywhere in 2009-10.
We cut to TNT with Albano in his tuxedo ranting to Vince. He says he’s ashamed to be a wrestler due to the actions of Piper. He claims he raised over 4 million for the foundation (which is no easy feat back then when there was no social media or cable television for that matter) and Piper ruined it. Albano is incensed that Piper beat up Cyndi and David and thanks Hogan for making the save (which was cut from this tape). Albano says Piper’s gonna pay and we cut here. Unfortunately this was the best face Albano ever got which I’ll explain later.
Now on TNT, its Piper himself gloating about what he just did. He’s wearing his kilt with red jacket and white shirt. Piper mocks Lou’s charity work which makes me have to go on another rant. Due to WWE nowadays being chickenshit afraid of their stockholders, tv sponsors, charity organizations, board of directors and fans with lawyers on standby, edgy stuff such as mocking charities can’t be done anymore, it sucks. The heels are so lame these days that one guy could be number one heel and in national news by simply doing what Piper’s doing. Beating up pop stars and mocking charities would get someone over in a big way now, but because WWE somehow lost their balls, it’ll never happen. Us old school fans can only scoff as Dolph Ziggler is portrayed as a bad guy yet the company goes out of their way to say behind the scenes he’s not so bad, thus killing any real heat. REAL heat is a lost art that may only come back once WWE is finally out of business whenever that may be. Anyway back to Piper, Vince says they raised 4 million dollars causing Piper to scoff and how much of it Lou stole. Out comes an irate Albano who gets in Piper’s face and grills him about calling him a thief. Alfred Hays retreats to the corner as Piper begs off then stands up. He says “put your fluffy little butt right there” as he sits next to Albano and says he carried Albano for years. Albano (correctly) points out he’s been there a lot longer than Roddy has. True that, Albano was managing or wrestling in New York off and on for 20 years at that point while Piper only came over from Crockett earlier in the year. Piper mocks him and Albano flicks him on the nose as someone drops something in the background, the camera sound picked it up. Unfortunately, again, we cut here before it gets really good. This was all to establish Albano turning face and it was really good, but once again it wasn’t to last which I promise I’ll get to later.
Right now we go to a tape exclusive interview with Albano conducted by Monsoon. Monsoon asks Lou where the nickname “Captain” came from and Lou says the captain is supposed to be the leader and save the ship so he dubbed himself that. Gorilla asks how long he’s been active and Lou says 33 years to that point. As the interview goes on, we get a montage of Lou in the ring. Lou says he was a wrestler for 17 years and a manager the last 16. Gorilla asks him where the wrestling world has taken him and Lou answers all over the world. He said the hottest was in Mexico where it got up to 119 degrees and the coldest was a town 50 miles north of Montreal where it was 51 degrees below zero. Monsoon asks who Leonardo Albano was and Lou goes into a promo of how he invented music as a caveman. Don’t believe me? Listen to Captain Lou’s History of Music track on the Wrestling Album. Monsoon “That’s incredible.” Monsoon then asks why he’s managed more tag champions than singles and Lou says its because he himself was a tag teamer and he knows how they work. The next overlapping montage is Albano getting beat up in the Spectrum by Pedro Morales and Andre. Monsoon then asks about how he met Cyndi Lauper and he gives the truth. He also apologizes again for his chauvinist attitude he had before. He then says he’s not a nice guy, he’s still Captain Lou and he’s still going to raise money for MS. That’s where I have to butt in and explain why he somewhat fizzled as a face manager. Most heel managers when they turn face, don’t change much other than attacking and insulting heels instead of babyfaces. Jim Cornette and Paul Bearer were equally entertaining as faces as they were heels. The problem with Lou, whether it be himself or the way the company was at the time, he became more of a cartoon character rather than himself with the volume turned up. His promos became less entertaining because as a heel, he can rant and rave all he wants and it’ll get heat because the fans just want him to shut up. As a face, you sound like a blithering idiot. In other words, he became less entertaining as a face than he was as a heel. Before we sign off with the interview, Albano says he and Cyndi Lauper raised 4 million plus in 1985 and he hopes to raise ten million in 1986. Monsoon thanks him and Albano says if Gorilla ever wants to make the big comeback, come see him. Monsoon says thanks but no thanks, he’s staying retired.
Now we go to TNT where Vince McMahon is wearing a horrible orange suit. He introduces Lou Albano who comes out dressed as a giant pumpkin. Good grief. He does say one funny line as he says “Hope I don’t have to go to the bathroom, I’ll be in trouble. You’ll have a wet pumpkin.” Vince asks where he got it and Lou answers it was custom made in Italy. Vince says a lot of little kids look up to him and he asks if little kids want to dress like a pumpkin, go ahead, just don’t be 300 pounds like he is. He also says his ancestor was the first pumpkin carver in 24 AD. We then go to a horrible skit where Tito Santana is sitting at a hot dog shop and wonders who took a bite out of his hotdog. Lou is working the grill and says he tastes the food before serving it. Santana is a great wrestler but a lousy actor, I’ll pretend I didn’t see that. Back to Pumpkin Lou who says his ancestor was the first pumpkin carver in Rome. Then they cut to Albano who carves a pumpkin for Vince and Alfred. He cuts the top off, reaches in for pumpkin seeds and gunk and throws it at both Alfred and Vince. He cuts out the eyes, the nose and the mouth. Albano then slices another pumpkin in half and eats the innards as Alfred runs away. I can’t really describe this, you have to see it to appreciate it so let’s move on.
We go to Piper’s Pit where Albano says he’s going to cook spaghetti for Piper and Orton. The funny part was Piper was trying to act a heel but even he chuckled when Albano says he crushed the tomatoes with his feet. Piper and Orton says they want to eat so Albano says have some wine first. Piper smiles “Ok if you insist.” Albano “Look out stomach here it comes!” Albano works the stove as Piper grabs a hanging sausage and tosses it behind him. Piper asks Orton if he likes garlic and Orton says he’s married. Haha poor Randy. Albano then sneaks in a bunch of hot sauce on the plates of Piper and Orton. Albano serves and says “bon appétit.” Orton and Piper takes bite and both of them spit it all over Albano, who’s cracking up. Piper and Orton gag and spit up all over the table. We cut here and again, early face Albano was the best it got.
We come to the last match of the tape, joined in progress of course.
Match 7
King Kong Bundy, John Studd and Bobby Heenan vs Hillbilly Jim, Andre the Giant and Lou Albano
Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon and Jesse Ventura
This is a clip from a November 22, 1985 event at Madison Square Garden. Bundy, Jim and Studd and Heenan are in their standard gear while Andre has the red trunks on. Albano is dressed in his manager’s clothes he always wears at ringside. We begin with Bundy missing an elbow drop on Hillbilly. Bundy recovers to kick away at Jim before taking him over with a snap mare. Bundy drops a knee and covers, but Jim kicks out at two. Bundy pounds away at Jim but Jim rallies back with right hands of his own. Jim makes the tag to Andre who backs Bundy down. Andre grabs Bundy by the throat and Jesse bitches that it’s a choke. Monsoon scoffs and says its payback for when Bundy and Studd doubleteamed him earlier that year. Andre strangles Bundy with his own singlet. Andre chops Bundy but King pounds away at him. Ventura says Andre hasn’t been the same since the double-team. Gorilla bitches at the referee for not doing anything as Bundy tags in Studd. Monsoon says neither manager has gotten involved yet. Studd pounds on Andre as Heenan unties the tag rope. Andre knocks Studd and Bundy’s head together but Studd tags Bundy in. Bundy gets in a front facelock and holds it for a while. Andre finally gets to his feet and powers out of it. Studd runs in and nails him which allows Bundy to apply a shoddy looking bearhug. 2 right hands from Andre rocks Bundy who tags in a fresh Studd. Studd pounds away but Andre chops him and tags in Hillbilly. Jim pounds Studd into the corner then pounds away on the second rope. Jim sends Studd into the other corner but a charge by Hillbilly eats elbow. Studd teases a scoop slam but rams Jim into the corner. Bundy tags back in and pounds away as Ventura speculates when the avalanche comes. Bundy snapmares Jim and drops an elbow, A cover gets 1…2..and no. A reverse chinlock is applied. Heenan tags in and pounds away on Jim who doesn’t even flinch. Jim grabs Heenan and headbutts him before tagging in Andre. Heenan retreats and tags in Studd. Bundy drags Heenan back in as the ref disallows the tag to Studd. Andre drags Heenan into his corner where Albano makes the tag. Andre holds Bobby and Albano clocks him with right hands. Heenan begs off and Albano eggs him on. Heenan rakes the eyes but Albano rallies with right hands. Albano whips Heenan who flair flips over and out. Ventura scoffs “What a tough guy Albano is.” Studd and Andre tag back in. Andre says no way and Heenan is still the legal man so Heenan reluctantly enters only to tag in Bundy. Once again Andre says no and the referee orders Heenan back in. At this point I’m confused and even Heenan hater Monsoon is saying this isn’t right. Heenan stalls and Andre clocks him but he makes the tag to Studd before any further damage. Andre backs Studd into the corner with shoulderblocks. He then traps Bundy with them and then Heenan gets caught too. Hillbilly gets behind Andre and looks like he’s literally raping him up the ass as Andre continues to shoulderblock the heels. At least Albano in the back is safe…ewwwww. Andre and Jim whip Bundy and Studd together. Albano throws Heenan into Andre’s giant boot and Bobby is D-E-A-D dead. Andre makes the cover 1,..2…3 and its over. Andre chases Studd out of the ring and literally kicks Heenan out. Andre, Jim and Albano celebrate as we cut here. Bad match but fun to see Heenan get beat up.
Time of match: Joined in progress
Winners: Andre the Giant, Hillbilly Jim and Lou Albano
The credits roll and this one is history. We got previews for GRUDGE MATCHES, RICKY THE DRAGON STEAMBOAT and BEST OF THE WWF VOLUME 6. As for this tape, at least it was interesting. Heel Albano was clearly superior to face Albano and the heel segments/matches were far more entertaining. Face Albano was more of a cartoon character somewhat on par with his goofy depiction in Hulk Hogan’s Rock N Wrestling which I’ll get to another time. Was this tape worth watching though? I’d say yes, it did show a little bit of continuity of his career. Nowadays he’d get a 2 disc blu-ray with over 6 hours worth of footage but back then this 90 minute tape was the best they could do. It was a shame that most of the footage from the 70’s have been lost to time because it would have been great to see more of heel Albano managing various tag teams coming through the territory. The only problem I have is they should have included Butcher Vachon’s wedding because he was HILARIOUS in that, but we already saw it in BLOOPERS, BLEEPS AND BODYSLAMS so I guess recycling footage wasn’t their style yet. He, Freddie Blassie and the Grand Wizard were known as the unholy trio and to this date only Albano got his own tape/dvd/etc. Anyway I give this tape 3 out of 5, mostly due to the interviews rather than in-ring work. The next tape after this is BEST OF THE WWF VOLUME 5 so we’ll pick up there.
Timeline: History of WWF/E Home Video 