The SmarK Rant for WWF Superstars – 12.27.86

The SmarK Rant for WWF Superstars – 12.27.86

Originally written 07.12.26

Time to wrap up 1986.

Taped from Phoenix, AZ on 12.09.86

Your hosts are Vince McMahon, Bruno Sammartino & Jesse Ventura

Randy Savage v. Nick Kiniski

This is a special “Intercontinental non-title contest” according to Vince. Nick gets a couple of takedowns on Savage, while we get an inset from Danny Davis, who talks about not being concerned about the booing of the fans when he referees matches. Savage gets some shots in the corner, but Kiniski gets a bodypress for two and chases him to the floor. Back in, Nick gets a backdrop for two as well. Nick with a hiptoss and dropkick out of the corner for two, but he misses a bodypress out of the corner and lands on his face. But then he gets a small package on Macho for two, and Savage finally hits him with the clothesline and then sends him to the floor for the double axehandle. Back in, Macho drops the big elbow to put him away at 3:25. Man Savage gave him a TON of offense and they must have had some plans for the kid. He did pretty good for himself in the AWA after this but never really went anywhere in the business.

UPDATE! WITH MEAN GENE OKERLUND!

Let’s talk about the Savage-Steamboat ringbell incident again, as they’re really hitting it hard week after week, and this time we get a promo from Steamboat, whose voice is now coming back.

Meanwhile, Jesse Ventura introduces B. Brian Blair, who talks about running his charity wrestling school for underprivileged kids. Jesse is unimpressed and thinks he should be teaching them how to get to Hollywood instead.

The Dream Team & Dino Bravo v. Tito Santana, Pedro Morales & Hillbilly Jim

Danny Davis is refereeing the second match in a row this week as they really hit that one hard in preparation for what’s coming. Pedro and Jim work on Valentine in the corner as we get a Finkel voiceover for an upcoming house show at the Queensborough Community College, featuring such stars as JYD and the midgets, but no actual matches announced. Well we’ve gotta check THIS one out.

WWF @ Queens, NY – Queensborough Community College – January 4, 1987 (2,500)
Jacques & Raymond Rougeau defeated Barry O & Tiger Chung Lee (sub. for Iron Mike Sharpe)
Hercules defeated Pedro Morales
Jose Luis Rivera fought Tiger Chung Lee to a draw
The Karate Kid & Little Coco defeated Little Tokyo & Lord Littlebrook
The Junkyard Dog defeated Jake Roberts via count-out

Goddammit if I had bought my ticket for Iron Mike Sharpe I’d be PISSED. Also lucky Tiger Chung Lee getting to work twice AND doing a Broadway with Jose Luis Rivera.

Anyway it’s over to Brutus and he gets dominated by Tito and chooses to tag out to Hammer again. Tito and Greg of course still hate each other and slug it out, but Tito misses the flying forearm and Valentine goes for the figure-four. Tito fights him off and we get Pedro slugging it out with Bravo next, and Bravo gets rammed into Johnny V. But then Pedro tries a suplex and V hooks the leg, putting Dino on top for the pin at 3:27. Vince tries to blame Danny Davis for that one, but that’s a pretty big reach.

Meanwhile, Blackjack Mulligan rides his granddaddy’s wagon into the WWF but never seems to actually wrestle any matches.

Meanwhile, we get a “Tri-BEAUT” to Andre the Giant, as Vince pronounces it. So we get some clips of the WM2 battle royale, and the MSG match with Bundy, and whatever MSG match was held on Mar 31 1985. And we get his interview from London, and then Jesse promising to find out the real reason he was reinstated.

Meanwhile, Jesse chats with the Can-Am Connection, and he’s impressed! But he flexes at them anyway.

Adorable Adrian Adonis v. David Gold

Adonis quickly clotheslines Gold, who certainly lives up to his name based on the amount of tanner he’s using, and Good Night Irene finishes at 0:30.

Piper’s Pit with special guest Hercules. We get a clip from SNME with Herc putting Hulk in the backbreaker, and Herc claims to be the uncrowned champion who can move houses, but Piper keeps telling him to “prove it” and then disgustedly tells Herc and Bobby to get lost.

The US Express v. Moondog Spot & Tim Patterson

Well I guess Rex is gone for good then. Hopefully they find something for him to do. The Express double-teams Patterson, as Jesse wonders if he’s the son of Pat Patterson. Haha. Double shoulderblock and Rotundo finishes him with the airplane spin at 1:34. Jesse: “Well he certainly wrestles like Pat Patterson.”

Meanwhile, Jesse talks with corrupt old Jack Tunney, who declares himself helpless to stop Kamala from coming off the top rope.

Meanwhile, Outback Jack is still on his way. Eventually.

King Harley Race v. Sivi Afi

Afi immediately misses a bodypress out of the corner and Vince completely buries him. Vince: “That’s one of the worst moves I’ve seen in a long time!” And then King drops a pair of elbows and finishes with the cradle suplex at 0:30. Vince: “That wasn’t much of a match.”

NEXT WEEK: 1986 THE YEAR IN REVIEW. Yeah I distinctly remembrer that show. Buckle up, we are about to get to the fireworks factory as we enter 1987!