20th

September 20, 2003

From the Murphy Rec Center in Philadelphia, PA

Your hosts are Chris Levy and CM Punk

Colt Cabana is shown hyping up the 4-man match tonight that includes AJ Styles, Chris Sabin, and Matt Stryker. He states that a win would put him in the “Top 5 Rankings.” They are now having Cabana take things seriously, well more than before.

Dan Maff is shown at home sitting in a chair wearing a neck brace. He talks about facing the Carnage Crew at the first Glory By Honor show and how they both hated each other and at Glory By Honor II, he is still full of hate because of Low Ki injuring him as he has to sit home with a pinched nerve and effects from post-concussion syndrome. He then tells Christopher Daniels that he will beat Samoa Joe for the RoH World Title as he is everything you look for in a leader as he wants Daniels to bring the title back home to the Prophecy. He then pulls out a flip phone as he tells us that Alison Danger will keep him updated all night and he will also give ups updates throughout the show. Maff did okay here but some of the overacting was painful.

We get the first of many memories from the Murphy Rec Center. This is the last show that ever took place here. I am not going to list them all here as they happen because this DVD is almost five hours long due to stuff like this.

Field of Honor
Block B
Jimmy Rave vs. BJ Whitmer

The match starts back and forth as Punk tells us the Field of Honor is not important because he is not in it while telling us Whitmer and Rave are both underwhelming. Whitmer busts out a Saito suplex for two as Levy tells us the winner of this tournament will see their career skyrocket. That was not the case. The crowd chants for Whitmer as he clotheslines Rave for two as Punk continues to rag on both guys, particularly Whitmer. Brainbuster gets two. Whitmer misses a charge as Rave now briefly takes control of the match until Whitmer comes back with a Dragon Suplex. They have a slugfest that Rave wins with a running forearm smash. Rave then hits a DDT on Whitmer on the apron then hits a shining wizard off of the apron. Back inside, Rave hits a hurricarana off of the top rope then works a cross armbreaker. Whitmer breaks free and kicks Rave in the back. Whitmer then hits some soft forearm smashes but Rave comes back with a Cobra Clutch suplex. Rave works the arm then sets Whitmer up top and tries something but Whitmer fights back and hits him with a top rope powerbomb for the win (9:24) **. That finisher was really dangerous. The crowd cheers for both guys.

Thoughts: It got a bit better at the end but the match was dull and it had zero heat. Punk on commentary was the only real highlight. In fact, Punk’s commentary as a whole was one of the few highlights here.



Whitmer is shown out back as he tells us Rave is a tough kid that will make it in “this business” and how the Field of Honor is the start of his rise to the top of RoH. They were trying to push Whitmer here but besides a decent look, he didnt have much else.

AJ Styles questions Rave as to why he had to get fancy at put Whitmer on the top rope instead of working the arm. They are still going with AJ acting as Rave’s mentor.

Samoa Joe talks about destiny and names the others who failed to take the RoH World Title away from him as he questions Daniels if he has what it takes of will he be another victim. After the promo ends, Steve Corino comes in and talks about CM Punk putting him in a match with Raven tonight. Joe said that Punk is “anti-social” and rough around the edges as Corino tells Joe the original plan was for him to be champ and Joe the enforcer as Corino wishes him luck.

Xavier is shown working out wearing nothing but a pair of shorts as Lollipop is checking him out. Looked like the opening scene of a porno film. For those who are unaware, Lollipop was one of the cage dancers that TNA featured during their weekly PPV era.

Field of Honor
Block A
John Walters vs. Xavier

Lollipop is now checking out Xavier at ringside then Alison Danger comes out as well but Xavier tells her to go back to the locker room. The match starts with both guys trading stuff and it came off quite choreographed. The crowd starts a dueling chant as Punk questions if half of Philadelphia is gay because they are not cheering for Lollipop. Xavier sends Walters to the floor with a belly-to-belly suplex then follows him with a 450 as the crowd applauds. Punk makes fun of Levy for liking “New Kids on the Block” then goes back to ragging on Whitmer as Xavier tries some acrobatic stuff that didn’t work as planned. Walters blocks the Cobra Clutch then cuts off Xavier up top and hits him with a lungblower as both men are down. Walters hits a rolling spear that looked odd then they engage in a pinfall reversal sequence. Walters hits the Hurricane DDT for a nearfall. Xavier comes back with a reverse neckbreaker but Walters hits him with a backbreaker shortly after that. Walters picks him up but Xavier kicks him low then rolls him up for the win (10:44) **. Xavier immediately leaves without shaking hands then Walters calls him out and promises he will find out what respects means next time they face off.

Thoughts: They did some nice moves but there was nothing resembling an actual match here, which seems counterproductive for a tournament designed to celebrate traditional wrestling.



The camera follows Xavier backstage as he cannot believe that Walters had the audacity to call him out and that he can fight him anytime, any place.

Christopher Daniels is with Alison Danger as he talks about bringing Joe into Ring of Honor and how a lot of twists and turns have happened since, like him laying out Joe after his first title defense. He then promises to win the title as the promo ends with Corino cutting in and tells Daniels that he is #1 and to go win the world title. Long-winded promo from Daniels and the stuff with Corino comes off confusing more than intriguing.

TJ Wilson vs. Teddy Hart

TJ Wilson is currently Tyson Kidd in the WWE. Hart, who was a couple of weeks removed from a tremendous performance at TNA’s 2003 Super X Cup, got a decent reaction from the crowd. Match starts with both guys squaring off before getting into a slap fight. Neither guy can get the advantage as the keep on ending their sequences with a standoff. Wilson sends Hart into the corner then follows with a big boot that wasn’t even close before choking him out. Hart then takes Wilson down with a drop toehold then works the leg as the crowd applauds. Punk talks about facing Terry Funk tonight as this match is not impressing. Wilson drops Hart on his head with a full nelson suplex as that gets two. Hart comes back and works the leg but Wilson reaches the ropes. Punk continues to talk about Funk as Wilson hits a springboard dropkick then places Hart up top and hits the Lambeau Leap move that Mr. Kennedy used for a nearfall. Hart comes back with an inverted floating DDT then heads up top and hits a swinging DDT to set up for the shooting star press that gets the win (7:42) 3/4*. The fans chat for Teddy after the match. As he heads backstage, Hart blows off Special K’s offer to party after they tell him he is not a high flyer.

Thoughts: Terrible match. I have no clue what they were trying to do for the first six minutes of the match. Hart, fresh off of an incredible performance at the TNA Super X Cup just a few weeks prior, did nothing here except for a shooting star press.



Raven is backstage and talks about selecting Terry Funk as CM Punk’s opponent tonight so he can teach discipline, respect, and intestinal fortitude. Raven then said he is unsure why Punk picked Raven as he has beaten him everytime they face and makes the match “Raven’s Rules.”

Raven’s Rules
Steve Corino w/ Veronica Stevens & Guillotine LeGrande vs. Raven

Stevens is the former Simply Luscious for those wondering. Corino’s ring announcer lists off all the people Corino has beaten over the years in one of the more grandiose ring introductions you will ever see. Although having him stop for a drink of water halfway through was pretty funny. Match starts off with a lot of stalling. Corino hits a few shoulderblocks but Raven fights back and hits a suplex. Corino gets his foot up on a charge then catches Raven with a back elbow smash. Corino chokes out Raven in the corner then they trade chops until Corino gets a thumb in the eye. Suplex gets two. Corino wedges a chair in the corner then whips Raven into it as he spills out to the floor. Corino gets in some weak shots on Raven outside then connects with a flying forearm. Raven ducks a lariat and comes back with a super kick as both men are down. Raven is up first and hits a few clotheslines and a kneelift. Raven gets two with a bulldog as Punk is screaming about how the referee is not doing their job. Raven sets up a chair as he sends Corino into it with a drop toehold but Stevens breaks up the pin. Raven corners Stevens then spanks Stevens as he drapes her over his knee so Punk leaves the booth. Corino puts Raven in the Cobra Clutch in the middle of the ring. Raven is able to get up and ram Corino into the corner then hits the Raven Effect but Punk pulls the referee out of the ring. Raven chases him around but runs into a super kick from Corino, who covers and gets the pin (13:08) **. After the match, Corino & Punk beat on Raven until Corino tells him he doesn’t need his help and slaps Punk across the face. They get into each other’s faces as Punk eventually leaves.

Thoughts: The “Raven’s Rules” stipulation was not needed for the match and the only purpose it served was for the screw job finish, which could have done in a number of other ways. This was wrestled like a mid 80’s WWF house show match, which I guess is why the call Corino “The King of Old School.”



Chris Sabin vs. Colt Cabana vs. Matt Stryker vs. AJ Styles

Punk is back in the booth and asks if he missed anything. The crowd is really into Cabana. Match starts off slow with lots of stalling and feeling each other out. Cabana and Sabin go back and forth until Cabana knocks him off the apron. Cabana then teases a dive but stops before the ropes and ends up hitting a double axe handle from the apron. Back inside, Sabin nearly kills AJ by landing on his head after a spinning heel kick then Cabana missed a top rope splash as everyone rolled out of the way. AJ tags himself in and keeps trying to hit Sabin with a Styles Clash but fails then hits him in the face with a basement dropkick. AJ comes back with a dropkick of his own after a fast Irish whip sequence as Levy notes that Punk will face AJ at the next show. Sabin gets beat on for a while by everyone then Cabana spits at AJ, who responds by throwing his gum at him. Sabin gets placed up top but is able to take Cabana off with a neckbreaker as both men are down. Stryker and AJ tag but AJ goes after Cabana. Sabin hits AJ with an enziguiri then hits some sort of swinging slam as the match finally settles down between the two legal men. Stryker and AJ go back-and-forth then Cabana tags in and stretches out AJ while Punk cant get over the fact that AJ threw his gum like a sissy. AJ is now the one who is in trouble as we learn that Cabana and Sabin will face each other in a Field of Honor match next show. AJ then comes back with a double Phenomenon on Stryker and Sabin as the match breaks down again. Everyone trades moves at a decent pace, including an awesome reverse hurricarana on Cabana courtesy of Sabin. Stryker suplexes AJ but gets grabbed by Cabana. Sabin charges at them but Cabana backdrops him then hits the Colt 45 on Stryker for the win (18:55) **1/2.

Thoughts: The match was formulaic and disappointing considering the competitors. Cabana winning was a bit of a surprise I suppose but that’s all I took away from this match.

Maff is talking to Alison Danger about the show. He tells her to talk to Rob Feinstein about something that he is upset about.

Gary Michael Capetta is with Colt Cabana, who says he has something special planned. However, CM Punk interrupts to talk about Steve Corino briefly then switches topics to Raven and Terry Funk and asks Cabana how it feels to get cut off, as Cabana says it feels weird.

RoH Tag Team Title Gauntlet Match

Carnage Crew & Justin Credible vs. Angel Dust & Deranged & Hydro

For some reason, this match starts off with a six-man “grudge” match due to the strap attack by Special K on these guys from Beating the Odds. However, the winning team will have to reduce to two members. The Special Guys jump the Carnage Crew to start. The Carnage Crew then take control as they beat the shit out Angel Dust. Becky Bayless distracts Credible and after kissing her and Levy making a bunch of whore comments at Becky, Angel Dust takes him off of the apron. Hydro tags as Special K regains control while Levy goes through his usual schtick about Special K spending their parents money on drugs. Deranged puts Credible in a chinlock in what feels like an eternity. Credible finally breaks free as he tags Loc while the crowd is silent. Loc cleans house as the Carnage Crew try to get the crowd going but they seemed burned out. They set up Angel Dust for the spike piledriver but the Special K flunkies run in to break it up. The Carnage Crew then use straps as Deranged gets whacked in the face as the ref rings the bell for the DQ as we learn that the Carnage Crew have been disqualified, despite Special K using blatant outside interference (9:06). This sucked.

Deranged & Hydro vs. Briscoe Brothers 

The Briscoes take control early. Deranged hits a few hurricaranas on Jay but Mark tags and pancakes him. Hydro is in and clotheslines Mark after a fast-paced sequence. Mark then places Hydro up top and hits a springboard Ace Crusher. Deranged runs in and hits a Code Red as this is essentially under scramble rules. Jay tags and hits Hydro with the Jay Driller for the pin as Mark attempted to make it a spike but overshot his springboard dive (11:52). Brief but decent action at least.

Briscoe Brothers vs. Dunn & Marcos

Marcos hits the Sliced Bread #2 as he celebrates but Mark hits him with a springboard dropkick and shortly after that the Briscoes put Dunn away with a springboard Doomsday Device (13:34). Total squash.

Briscoe Brothers vs. Izzy & Dixie

The Briscoes immediately beat on Izzy and Dixie. They focus on Dixie as Levy tells us the winner of this fall will go up against the Backseat Boyz for the title. Dixie rakes the eyes of Mark then tags Izzy as Punk leaves the booth after Levy brought up Lucy and after that Ray Murrow finally enters. Mark comes back with a crossbody as both men are down. Izzy tags but Mark rolls away and makes the tag. Jay runs wild then Mark hits Izzy with a moonsault but Dixie breaks up the pin and the Special K guys pull Jay out of the ring then distract the ref as that allows Izzy to hit Mark with a Blockbuster for the pin (18:50). The ending was a mess but most of it actually resembled a wrestling match at the very least.

Izzy & Dixie vs. Backseat Boyz

The Backseat Boyz pounce on Izzy & Dixie as they hit all sorts of double-team moves. Kashmere takes out Special K with a dive on the outside. Acid tries to dive out but Dixie stops him and flings him off the top in a really pathetic looking spot. Kashmere comes back in and they hit the Dream Sequence but Izzy manages to hit Kashmere with a springboard senton at the end. Acid and Izzy work a fast but sloppy sequence that ends with Izzy hitting an inverted hurricarana for a nearfall. Kashmere gets hit with a double team move then Izzy takes Acid off of the top with a rana. They then signal for the T Gimmick as they try to hit it on Acid but Kashmere spears them both then the Backseat Boyz hit Izzy with the T Gimmick for the win and the Tag Team Titles (22:42) 1/2*. After the match, Dixie breaks up the celebration then takes out the Backseat Boyz with a weak-looking dive to the floor as Special K are beating on the Backseat Boyz but the Briscoes come out for the save then Teddy Hart comes out and hits an insane springboard corkscrew quebrada onto Special K then heads inside to raise the hands of the Backseat Boyz.

Thoughts: I personally couldnt think of a better way to match the Tag Team Titles seem less important than RoH did with this monstrosity of a match. The whole thing was filled with awful action and the end was filled with zero doubt or drama as to who would win. Joke teams like the Special K guys and Ring Crew Express showed the lack of depth and how those teams were essentially unable to even work an actual tag match. I dont know who Dixie was blowing to get his spot on the roster because he was by far the worst in the match. And he was treated as one of the top guys in the Special K stable. The Backseat Boyz did not even look impressive in winning the belts and who do they feud with now? Special K? The Briscoes are the best team but they would seemingly want revenge on Special K, who fucked them over. Not only was the match shit but they dont even have a good tag feud to run with now.






Homicide, who is in Japan, cuts a promo on Low Ki, telling him that he forgot where he came from and that he even trained him so he could be the superstar that he is today. He then tells Ki to come find him in the “projects” as he is pissed for Ki telling him not to bring in “thugs” into Ring of Honor. He then tells Samoa Joe to be ready and will beat his punk-ass, just like he will do to Ki. Now, both Maff and Homicide are looking to go after Ki.

Alexis Laree comes out to cheers as streamers come down from the ceiling. Gary Michael Cappetta wishes her luck as she just signed a Developmental Deal with the WWE. The fans chant “please don’t go” as she looks emotional but Special K’s music interrupts then Joey Matthews, who was in rehab the announcers tell us, comes out and hugs her then clotheslines her down as its revealed he is back with Special K. The Special K guys hold up Alexis as Joey grabs a chair. Slugger comes down and Joey gives him the chair as Hydro tells him to hit Alexis but he gets slapped down as the Special K guys are scared shitless as they leave the ring, dropping Laree to the mat. Julius Smokes runs in and lays out Hijinx as he now have a match between Laree and Hijinx.

Alexis Laree vs. Hijinx


Hijinx wants no part of Alexis, who takes him down with a flying headscissors and a rana as Smokes, who is now the ref apparently, counts to two. Hijinx knocks her down then hits a backbreaker but misses a senton off of the middle rope then after a reversal sequence, Alexis gets the win with a DDT (1:15) 1/4*. After the match, Slugger raises Alexis on her shoulder as the fans applaud.

Thoughts: No idea what the stuff with Smokes and the Rottweilers were about but it was a nice sendoff for Laree.






We get a promo from Jim Cornette, who tells us he is back in Ring of Honor after the Prophecy attacked him at Wrath of the Racket. He tells them that he is back in town. Okay then.

Punk comes out for his match against Terry Funk as he tells us Funk retired for the first time in 1983 and that he could shit on his career and family all night long if he wants but its all been done before. He says that Funk keeps on coming back because he is a “drunk, pilled-up, schizophrenic, multi-personality dickhead.” Punk then says that RoH put him in with a guy who has to take pills to get up in the morning and that he will finally dismantle Punk forever, which is repeats several times. Punk’s mic work has been the only highlight of the show at this point.

CM Punk vs. Terry Funk


The crowd goes nuts for Funk. Match starts with Punk slapping Funk after they shook hands. Funk backs Punk into then corner and breaks cleanly. After an armdrag by Funk, they roll around on the mat and end up outside as Punk retreats. Back in the ring, Punk takes down Funk and grabs a chinlock. Funk reverses it and works a hammerlock on the mat. Funk hits a neckbreaker then follows Punk outside but gets beaten on then Punk grabs the mic and declares this a hardcore match. Funk then roughs him up as they go back inside, where Funk punches him down. They then trade chops outside of the ring but that stops when Punk gets whipped into the guardrail. Funk hits Punk with a chair across the back. Punk then smashes Funks head off of the table then whacks him with the chair as Funk challenges Punk to hit him harder. Punk fires away at Fun, who is caught between the ropes, but Funk fights back and ends up suplexing Punk from the apron and through a table. Funk repeatedly slams Punk’s head on the table then heads back inside and goes for a moonsault but Punk rolls away as both men are down. Funk sells the knee like a champ then Punk goes right on the attack as he targets the knee as Funk calls him a “prick” and a “bastard.” Funk comes back with a stunner but is still in too much pain to follow up with anything as Punk brings him into the middle of the ring and works the leg before putting on the figure four as Punk taunts him. Levy tells us that the referee was warned before the match to not let anything dangerous happen to Funk, who now reverses the hold. Funk rolls outside and has trouble standing as Punk follows him up and rolls Funk back into the ring. Punk then grabs a chair and whacks the injured knee repeatedly then puts on the figure four again as Funk reaches the ropes but Punk pulls him back into the center of the ring to try it again. Funk fights back and eventually puts Punk in the spinning toe hold but Punk takes him down as Punk puts the figure four back on as Levy wants the ref to call the match in order to protect Funk, who reaches the ropes. Punk tries to yank Funk away from the ropes then puts the hold back on and refuses to break the hold as the ref calls for the bell as Funk wins by DQ (15:48) **1/2. Punk still refuses to break the hold as Colt Cabana comes down to tell Punk to break the hold, only to put it on himself and doesnt stop until Raven runs them off. However, Tommy Dreamer stops Cabana in the aisle as they bring him back in the ring as Funk hits him with a stunner. Funk, Dreamer, and Raven all shake hands together as the crowd applauds.

Thoughts: This match was about as good as it could have been but the Dreamer stuff felt all like deja vu and the Raven/Punk feud in general has lost a lot of steam.






RoH World Title
Christopher Daniels w/ Alison Danger vs. Samoa Joe (Champion)


Joe starts the match by drilling Daniels with a kick that almost got the win. Joe continues to rough up Daniels, who eventually comes back with a leg lariat. Daniels gets two with an Arabian Press but Joe knocks him down with a spinning backhand. Joe then destroys Daniels in the corner as the announcers list off all the title defenses Joe has had as he puts Daniels in a Boston Crab. Danger comes in as Joe goes for a face wash but Daniels knocks him to the floor and follows with another Arabian Press. He grabs a chair and sits down Joe as he tries an Ole kick but Joe cuts him off then hits one on Daniels. Joe hits the move again then they head inside where Joe hits the rolling cradle. Daniels comes back with a German suplex as both men are down. Daniels charges but Joe catches him with a powerslam for a nearfall. Daniels then blocks a kick and hits a pair of enziguiris. Daniels fires away then hits a Samoan drop. The crowd is into Daniels here. Daniels then hits a STO then follows with the Best Moonsault Ever but Joe is able to kick out at two. Joe comes back with an STO of his own then knees Daniels in the head. Joe gets a few nearfalls then catches a breather but Daniels comes back with the Koji Clutch but Joe is able to reach the ropes. Daniels gets two with a Blue Thunder Driver. He then places Joe up top and tries a superplex but Joe blocks the move. Daniels is able to take him off with a hurricarana then hits the Angels Wings and covers but Joe kicks out. However, the timekeeper rang the bell as Daniels is in disbelief. Daniels tries for the Last Rites but Joe reverses and takes him down with the Coquina Clutch. Daniels finally makes the ropes but Joe connects with an enziguiri then gets the win with the Island Driver (15:02) ***3/4. The announcers then talk about who will ever be able to beat Joe. Daniels gets a standing ovation once he makes it back up to his feet.

Thoughts: Really good match but not a classic like the announcers made this out to be or anything like that. After the win, Joe now needs someone to feud with.






Maff is shown again as he tells Daniels that he had the match won and everyone knew it too before telling us that he will win the Field of Honor. His final comment is for Low Ki as he tells him that he is a “self-righteous, egotistical son of a bitch” and that he will be back and it will having nothing to do with winning a match as he promises to hurt him as he rips off his neck brace. Good, intense promo from Maff this time but he isnt someone who is worth all this promo time to begin with f you ask me.

Backstage, the Carnage Crew are talking about how they are disrespected every day in their lives before they warn Special K that they will kick their ass.

The Backseat Boyz gloat over the fact that they have won the RoH Tag Team Titles then tell is that they are the best tag team in the world. They then tell us they are going down to Atlantic City to get some hookers, room service, and shrimp.

Colt Cabana is now hosting his own talk show in the Murphy Rec Center hallway as his first guest is Julius Smokes, who is flanked by the Rottweilers. Cabana tries a “the man” joke then asks Smokes introduces us to . Smokes then tells us the Rottweiler Express is coming. A sad attempt at comedy by Colt Cabana.

Final Thoughts: A really disappointing show. It was more dull than horrible I suppose but that is the best I can say about the show as a whole. Besides the main event and Punk, everything else was either forgettable or awful. They are lacking in compelling feuds and the tag team division is complete shit at the moment. They might as well have just put the Briscoes vs. Backseat Boyz for the titles and built off of that because the other teams should be nowhere near a title belt. Also, the Field of Honor stuff has been a major disappointment so far. No one is looking like a breakout star from being a part of this tournament. One of the weaker shows RoH offered in 2003.

June 20, 1987

From the Memorial Auditorium in Buffalo, NY

Your hosts are Bruno Sammartino, Jesse “The Body” Ventura, and Vince McMahon

In action this week will be the Can-Am Connection, George Steele, Killer Khan, and the featured match between the Killer Bees and the Hart Foundation

Killer Bees vs. Hart Foundation w/ Jimmy Hart & Danny Davis

This is a non-title match. Blair starts the match by working over the arm of Neidhart. He gets a quick rollup for two then tags Brunzell, who also works the arm. Bret tags in and Brunzell takes him down and works the arm briefly until he gets caught with a knee. The Hart Foundation neutralize Brunzell in their corner for a minute. Brunzell tries a comeback then Davis yanks Blair off of the apron as the referee orders Davis to the dressing room and as that happens, the Bees sneak underneath the ring and put on their masks as Blair is now in the ring. He cleans house then as Bret attempted to block a sunset flip, Neidhart came in trying to help him out but the ref ordered him back then Brunzell pushed Bret down as Blair gets the win with the sunset flip as Jesse flips out on commentary (4:18).

Thoughts: Fun match. It also ensures that the Bees will get a title shot in the future as they are still trying to determine the #1 contenders.



WWF Update with Craig DeGeorge. This week’s subject is the Honky Tonk Man as they show a clip of him beating Ricky Steamboat for the Intercontinental Title last week and the celebration in the heel locker room. DeGeorge is then shown interviewing Honky in the locker room as Honky thanks the fans and gloats about always being the champion.

Al Navarro vs. George “The Animal” Steele

Steele immediately attacks Navarro then chases off the referee. He then bites open a turnbuckle and throws the stuffing at the referee as he waits for Navarro to re-enter the ring. We get an insert promo from Davis talking trash about the referee’s for tossing him from the ring as Steele puts Navarro away with the flying hammerlock (1:18). After the match, Steele takes down the ref then raises his hand before biting open another turnbuckle.

Thoughts: This crowd loved Steele, who was used perfectly in the WWF at this time in short squash matches and wins over lesser talent at house shows to get good crowd reaction.



Gene Okerlund is with Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake, who hypes his match against Greg Valentine at the July Boston Garden show.

We now get a brief clip of the Jumping Bomb Angels in action as Vince tells us that we will be seeing them soon in the WWF. The clip didnt show much at all to be honest but the team was way ahead of its time.

Rick Renslow & Dave Wagner vs. Can-Am Connection

Zenk gets attacked by Wagner as Renslow distracts the referee. He comes back with a monkey flip then tags Martel, who hits a jumping back elbow smash off of Zenk’s back. We get an insert promo from Bobby Heenan and the Islanders as they laugh at the Can-Am Connection, who are in full control of this match. Zenk then gets briefly trapped in the corner but dodges an attack then makes the tag to Martel, who cleans house. Martel then tags Zenk before holding up Renslow as Zenk comes off of the top with a missile dropkick and gets the win (2:52).

Thoughts: Good action from the Can-Ams as their feud against the Islanders was heavily pushed here.



Okerlund is with Jake Roberts, who tells us that he is essentially stalking the Honky Tonk Man and will get a rematch and promises he will hit him with the DDT. Really good promo from Jake.

Killer Khan w/ Mr. Fuji vs. Brian Costello

Khan kneels down to pray before the match as Jesse tells us he does not believe Hogan can beat Khan. The match finally starts as Khan beats down Costello. He then hits a backbreaker and bows to Fuji before climbing up top and getting the win with a knee drop (1:42).

Thoughts: They certainly put Khan over as a title contender here. His finisher was cool but that was about it from him.



Snake Pit with guests Randy Savage and Elizabeth. Savage congratulates the Honky Tonk Man for winning the IC title then rubs it in Jake’s face. Jake then questions Savage for previously saying he wanted to make sure that he beats Steamboat to get back his belt. Savage switches focus to Hogan and how he wants to go after him then guarantees he will take down Hulkamania because Hogan is number two while he is number one as Jake keeps telling Savage he does not think he can get the job done. Good promo from Savage, who dodges all questions about not getting the IC Title from Steamboat, like he promised. Keep that in mind over the next few months.

WWF Special Report with Craig DeGeorge. We get another update on Superstar Billy Graham as he continues to rehab from surgery. These segments were all overly long and to push a star that was relatively unknown to the younger audience.

And missing from my copy are Billy Jack Haynes defeating Steve Lombardi and Hercules & King Harley Race & King Kong Bundy & Paul Orndorff vs. Jim Powers & Paul Roma & Mario Mancini & Don Driggers.

Final Thoughts: Not too bad from what I saw. The action was entertaining for the most part and we had excellent interviews between Roberts and Savage, as they are now positioned as the top two contenders for the IC Title.

Here is the rest of my schedule for the next several days:

Sunday: WWF Wrestling Challenge 6/21/87
Tuesday: WWF Wrestling Challenge 6/28/87
Thursday: Shoot Interview TBD
Friday: WWF Superstars of Wrestling 7/4/87
Saturday: RoH Beating the Odds 9/6/03

December 20, 1986


From the Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Phoenix, AZ


Your hosts are Bruno Sammartino, Jesse Ventura, and Vince McMahon

In action tonight will be Kamala, King Kong Bundy, Killer Bees and the featured match of Cowboy Bob Orton & Don Muraco vs. The Islanders.

Cowboy Bob Orton & Don Muraco w/ Mr. Fuji vs. The Islanders


Both teams start brawling as soon as they get into the ring. Haku then gets double-teamed but comes back with a clothesline on Orton and makes the tag to Tama, who is a house of fire. Muraco knees Tama in the back from the apron and hits a swinging neckbreaker. Orton tags but misses a top rope move and Tama is able to make the tag. Haku beats on Orton then hits a sunset flip that gets broken up by Muraco as the mach breaks down. Haku takes out Orton with a flying body press but Muraco hits him with a flying knee drop and tries to roll Orton on top of him then the referee rings the bell as the Islanders win the match via DQ (2:54). After the match, both teams brawl on the way back to the dressing room.

Thoughts: Looks like these teams will be feuding now, which at least gives them something to do. Orton & Muraco did not have on the kilts to mock Piper as they are now seemingly out of that feud.





WWF Update with Gene Okerlund. This week’s topic is Ricky Steamboat as they show the clip of Savage crushing his throat with the timekeeper’s bell. Then after that they show the infamous clip of him trying to speak again but being unable to as he gets frustrated and pounds on the desk. The Steamer wasn’t much in the acting department, that’s for sure.

Pedro Gonzales vs. Kamala w/ Kimchee & The Wizard


Before the match we are shown a promo from Jack Kruger, the jobber that Kamala squashed last week. He actually cuts a pretty damn good promo about how devastating Kamala’s splash is and that he will never step into the ring against Kamala ever again. Well, he wasnt always a WWF jobber and wrestled as Sheik Ali Kassan and held tag titles in the Central States territory. Back to the match as Kamala has Gonzales in a lifting chokehold then slams him into the mat. Kamala slams Gonzales then hits him with a splash before climbing up top and hitting another splash for the win (0:56).

Thoughts: They did a great job at making Kamala look like an unstoppable monster and Kruger cut one hell of a promo too.





Ken Resnick is Randy Savage, who will be facing Bruno Sammartino at the Boston Garden on Jauary 3rd. Savage says that he is number one now and if he was around back when Bruno was active, he’d been #1 too.

Gonzales is shown being carried out on a stretcher.

Yet another vignette of Blackjack Mulligan at his ranch. Its been several weeks of the same exact thing. The re-introductory vignettes might have lasted longer than the comeback itself.

Jose Luis Rivera vs. Honky Tonk Man w/ Jimmy Hart


The debut of Jimmy Hart as Honky’s manager. Honky knocks down Rivera as Jesse is asked about Andre the Giant’s reinstatement and he claims he is unable to track down any information on how the hearing went down. Honky shows a lot of arrogance as he taunts the crowd. Honky then hits him with a clothesline before putting him away with the Shake, Rattle, and Roll (1:30). After the match, Honky gets on the mic and taunts the fans and gets a lot of heel heat in the process.

Thoughts: The fans still hate Honky. He didn’t need Hart to get heel heat but they made it work as Hart’s obnoxiousness went well with Honky’s taunts and mannerisms. They really were one hatable duo.





Resnick is with Jim Neidhart and asks him about the Bunkhouse Battle Royal in Boston. He mocks the other wrestlers about what they might wear to the ring then laughs as he says what he is wearing will be different. Neidhart is insane and this promo is proof of that.

Savage cuts a promo on Steamboat and makes fun of him for not being able to speak. Vince is outraged on commentary.

King Kong Bundy w/ Bobby Heenan vs. Steve Gatorwolf


Bundy squashed Gatorwolf several months prior on “Saturday Night’s Main Event” in a match that was taped at this very same building. Gatorwolf starts off the match hitting a few chops but Bundy tosses him in the corner and roughs him up then hits the Avalanche for the win after asking the referee to count until five (1:21).

Thoughts: Bundy is back on TV for the first time since the Machines gimmick finished but he never got near the top of the card again. Gatorwolf was a shitty wrestler and a far worse human being.





Piper’s Pit with guests the Hart Foundation and Jimmy Hart. Piper refers to them as the #1 contenders for the Tag Team Titles then has a few dog toys on the table that he uses to mock them. Piper asks them if Danny Davis is in fact part of the Hart Foundation and the deny the allegation. Not much of a segment here.

“The Natural” Butch Reed w/ Slick vs. Jerry Monti

Before the match, we get an isert promo from Reed and Slick where Reed tells us how mean he is then has Slick spell it out mean for us a “R-E-E-D.” Reed beats down Monti then rams him into the corner. Reed slams Monti off of the mat as all the announcers talk about his abilities then finishes Monti off with a flying clothesline from the middle turnbuckle (1:17).

Thoughts: Reed is now acting more aggressively than before as he has toned down the posing and taunting but he still was struggling to get over as a heel. He did have all the tools to be a star though.





We get a replay of Heenan blowing off Ventura when he asked about what took place at the Andre the Giant reinstatement meeting. The Andre stuff was great as you were pretty sure that Heenan was the one who got Andre’s suspension lifted but they still made you have some doubts. They milked this all to perfection.

Hogan cuts a promo telling us to wear our seatbelts, saying its the most important belt you can put around your waist.

Another Outback Jack promo as he hangs out with some local Aborigines. This lasted about 30 seconds long.

Buddy Ryder & Mike Lucca & Dennis Stamp vs. Koko B. Ware & Killer Bees


Oddly enough, Koko got his entrance by himself as the Bees were already in the ring with everyone. Well, the entrance was over. Koko even comes out wearing a Bee mask too, much to Vince’s delight. The Bees work over Stamp then tag Koko. He backdrops Stamp then knock Lucca off of the apron. Stamp continues to get worked over then his teammates make the save during a pin attempt. Ryder tags and Koko hits him with a thump as Lucca tags into the match. Brunzell also tag and gets two with a dropkick as Stamp & Ryder make the save then the match breaks down as Koko tries to sneak a cover but the referee stopped him as Jesse mentions how even Hebner can’t be that stupid to fall for that. Then as Hebner orders Koko back to the apron, Blair comes in and catches Lucca with a kneelift and gets the win (2:59). After the match, Koko teaches the Bees how to do the bird as Vince screams “GIT DOWN WITH THE BIRD!”

Thoughts: The main focus here was on Koko, who was still in the midst of a minor push and getting over too. The fans really dug him and Vince put over the dancing like crazy on commentary.





Resnick is backstage with Bruno Sammartino and asks him about his match against Randy Savage in Boston. They then show the clip of Bruno backstage after Savage attacked Steamboat as Savage himself mocked Steamboat, prompting Bruno to attack him. Sammartino then says that Savage will regret when he gets into the ring with him and is only out to expose him for the punk that he is and not for his IC Title. Good stuff from Bruno.

Next week we will get a special tribute to Andre the Giant. In action will be Randy Savage, Adrian Adonis and our main event of Dino Bravo & Dream Team vs. Hillbilly Jim & Tito Santana & Pedro Morales

Final Thoughts: The main angles are still going strong as we have another productive episode of “Superstars of Wrestling.” The only knitpick so to say are that these vignettes for Mulligan and Jack are getting tiresome. But other than that, they are giving the Steamboat/Savage feud a ton of airtime as they have been dominating the TV shows for the past month. And for historical purposes, the singles heel run for Honky with Jimmy Hart started on this show. The WWF was doing a solid job at TV.

September 20, 1986

This is the last show from the first-ever Superstars taping in Providence, RI

Your hosts are Bruno Sammartino, Jesse “The Body” Ventura, and Vince McMahon

The Dream Team w/ Johnny V vs. U.S. Express

Valiant was billed as “Johnny V” here. Valentine and Rotundo start out the match on the mat. Rotundo wins that battle and catches Valentine with a slam. Brutus runs in and gets slammed too as Rotundo hits Valentine with an atomic drop then gets a nearfall with an elbow drop. Valentine knocks down Rotundo after he lowered his head for a backdrop and takes control. Rotundo escapes and makes the tag as Spivey clotheslines Valentine. Leg drop gets two. Valentine is able to tag Brutus after raking the eyes of Spivey, who fights back. The U.S. Express work over Beefcake in the corner then the match completely breaks down. Rotundo catches Beefcake with the airplane spin and covers but Johnny V runs in and breaks it up with an elbow drop and the match is ruled a DQ (3:08). The heels briefly attack Rotundo until Spivey runs them off.

Thoughts: Good action for a three-minute match that seems to be setting up a few weeks of house show matches to follow. The U.S. Express never really got that much of a push in the WWF as there were far too many teams ahead of them.


WWF Update with Gene Okerlund. This week’s subject is the Honky Tonk Man as we show a clip of him in the recording studio. One of the worst ideas for a babyface character that Vince has ever had. Honky as a face was even less annoying than when he was a heel.

Tony Nardo & Steve Lombardi vs. Junkyard Dog & George “The Animal” Steele w/ Capt. Lou Albano

Steele beats on Lombardi then tags JYD, who slams Lombardi as we get an insert promo from Randy Savage, who says that JYD does not have what it takes to beat him for the Intercontinental Title. Nardo tags and JYD hits him with a powerslam for the win (1:25). After the match, the faces dance with a bunch of kids as Vince cackles like a lunatic.

Thoughts: JYD’s rapid deterioration continues as he can barely work a 90 second squash tag match. Typical stuff from JYD & Steele.


Ken Resnick is with Capt Lou Albano and  Super & Big Machine. They will be teaming with Hulk Machine to take on Bobby Heenan, King Kong Bundy, and Big John Studd. Hulk Machine then comes out, wearing a “Hulkamania” shirt and a white mask and talks about rice paddies and a few other Japanese stereotypes until the segment ends. Since the gimmick bombed, might as well have some fun with it before it goes away.

We get a replay of Roddy Piper insulting Slick on the “Flower Shop” from the 8/23/86 episode of “Championship Wrestling.”

Mario Mancini & Nick Kiniski & Billy Jack Haynes vs. Iron Sheik & Nikolai Volkoff & Hercules Hernandez w/ Freddie Blassie & Slick

The fans are all over Volkoff as he sings the Russian National Anthem. Kiniski hits Sheik with a hiptoss after a leapfrog but Sheik rakes the eyes then backs Kiniski into his own corner. Mancini tags and Sheik folds him in half with a back suplex. Hercules tags then puts him in the backbreaker as he gets the win via submission (1:18).

Thoughts: Haynes did not even get to tag into the match. Kiniski, along with Brad Rheingans and Brickhouse Brown, got a brief trial run with the company doing some house shows and TV jobs around this time but never got signed.


Resnick is with Hulk Hogan, who will facing Paul Orndorff at the October 3rd show at the Nassau Coliseum. Hogan says there are still a few people left who are not Hulkamaniacs and that Orndorff went from hero to zero after he sold out to Heenan.

We get another video of Superstar Billy Graham covered in spiders as we hypes up his return to the WWF. The hype lasted a lot longer than is in-ring return.

Jake “The Snake” Roberts vs. Tony Garea

Garea hits a few armdrags to start as Roberts laughs while retreating to the corner. Garea reverses an Irish whip then catches Roberts with a slam. He hits another slam then gets two with a crossbody that has Roberts slithering outside. Back inside, Roberts breaks up a wristlock with an eye poke then catches Garea with a DDT after a leapfrog for the win (1:49). After the match, Jake goes for the snake but the referee rolls Garea outside, pissing off Roberts.

Thoughts: As someone who rags on Tony Garea constantly, this guy was unbelievable. I wonder if he was an agent at this time because he took just about all of the offense then avoided the snake after doing the job. He had to have been the one protecting himself like this because I cannot imagine anyone else doing the same thing. The crowd wanted to see the snake as well but got snubbed due to Garea.  


We get a video from Hulk Hogan who talks about how Orndorff turning on has effected him and that he promises to get revenge. Decent stuff from Hogan

We see Adrian Adonis and Roddy Piper preparing for next week’s showdown. Adonis is talking about flowers as Piper is shown slapping around flowers with a broom and saying Adonis looks like he gave birth to a litter of puppies. Not the best hype video in WWF history.

Joe Mirto & Jack Kruger vs. Killer Bees

Brunzell works over Mirto as we get an insert promo from Jimmy Hart, who says that the Bees are in the Funks way of a title shot and that they will go right through them. Blair is in and slams Mirto as we are shown Kamala, Kimchee and the Wizard walking to the ring. Brunzell tags but Mirto catches him with a backbreaker. Kruger tags and elbows Brunzell then gets two with a flying body press. Blair tags and gets backed into the opposite corner but Blair pushes Mirto back into his corner and the Bees finish him off with the Bee Sting or the “Keister Bump” according to Vince. Jesse rags on Vince for using that term. (2:46).

Thoughts: The Bees were getting pushed as one of the top tag teams at the time and were a good team in the ring. The masked confusion gimmick did not exactly set the world on fire though.


And now we are shown a video package of Dick Slater giving us a tour of his ranch. He showed us his mule and we saw some dogs. Thrilling stuff.

Don Muraco w. Mr. Fuji vs. “Leaping” Lanny Poffo

They start it out on the mat as Muraco overpowers Poffo. Muraco then beats on Poffo and targets the neck. Vince complains about Danny Davis allowing Muraco to use a throat-thrust then when Fuji attacks Poffo outside of the ring as Davis was talking to Muraco. Poffo fires away on Muraco in the corner a Davis tries to break it up. Poffo gets two with a dropkick then gets a nearfall with a moonsault. Poffo charges but Muraco catches him with a slam then dedicates his tombstone piledriver to Jesse, who is standing up, and gets the win (3:43).

Thoughts: Match was alright for what is was but the main thing here was the continuation of the Danny Davis angle, with Vince making it a point to highlight his inconsistent officiating.


Resnick is with Bob Orton, who will be facing Roddy Piper in the Meadowlands. Orton tells Piper that he was his backbone and the reason he could run his mouth. Orton promises to hurt Piper.

Next week, Tito Santana, King Harley Race, and Kamala will be in action. Plus, the showdown between Piper and Adonis and Slick promises us a surprise.

Final Thoughts: Decent show. They pushed the top feuds and used a lot more vignettes to push wrestlers, which comes across well on television. We also had a few decent TV matches. Not everything wound up being a home run but the production of the show was really improved.

Upcoming Schedule:

Thursday: RF Video Shoot Interview with Christopher Daniels, Disc One (2014)
Friday: RF Video Shoot Interview with Christopher Daniels, Disc Two
Friday: WWF Wrestling Challenge 9/21/86
Saturday: RoH All-Star Extravaganza 11/9/02
Sunday: WWF Superstars of Wrestling 9/27/86
Tuesday: WWF Wrestling Challenge 9/28/86

Email me your feedback at [email protected]

Follow me on Twitter at https://twitter.com/mrbayless1982

April 20th,
1985

Greetings, buckaroos.

The topic from yesterday gave me the idea for today’s question…

What’s the most embarrassing situation you’ve been in, or bore witness to?

For me, it dates back almost 10 years ago. In my group of friends, as there is with all, there was one who was a complete asshole. The one who always got too drunk, who always talked too much shit, who always made the wrong choice at the wrong time, we’ll call him Max. Well, one of my friends, who we’ll call Steve, had his own place and had finally grown tired of my other friend and his anticts, so he was banned from there.
   After about 3 months, the New Year was coming and my friend was planning a large box social at his place. Feeling the warmth of the season, against his best judgement, he removed the guy’s ban, and he was allowed at the party. One thing you should know about Steve, he’s always had a thing for Asian women. Well, this particular evening he had a date with him, who of course was Asian.
   As the night moves along, Max was his typical idiot self and drank far more than he should have. So, at one point, about 10 minutes before it’s midnight, in the middle of the ENTIRE party, Max says to Steve “Dude, Steve, where’s all your Asian porn?! I know you’ve got a TON of Asian porn, cause you got the Fever!”. He then looked to Steve’s date, the Asian woman and said “He’s digging you cause yer’ Asian, which is cool cause yer’ hot!”.
   Man, my friend Steve showed more restraint than anyone I’ve ever seen, as he should have absolutely fucking KILLED, Max. No questions asked. Instead he told him to get the fuck out. Of course, the girl and my friend Steve never went out again, as she broke up him. My friend Max said that Steve was being a touchy bitch and should have just got over it.

Steve later told me it’s the angriest & most embarrassed he’s ever been. The reason he didn’t beat the hell out of Max was because the girl Steve was with had an abusive father, and detested violence. To this day I’ve never been witness to a more embarrassing situation. I wasn’t even the target of the whole thing, and I was embarrassed.

How say you?

Anyone with a QOTD, send’em on in to [email protected]

Thanks to everyone who’s been sending questions in. Today we’re gonna rock two questions, simply because I’m drunk with power. First one up is from a Mr. KSZero, offering up a simple question:


“Black Cat, or Black Widow?”

Well, I can’t imagine Black Widow not as Scarlett, which gives her an edge. So, unless Phoenix Marie plays Black Cat at some point, I’m gonna go with Widow.

Next up, a question from Officer Farva:

“What is the best, or your favorite, single episodic (trademark WWE) television episode? I’d choose either the season 1 episode of Homeland where ___  _____ is introduced as being alive, the season 1 finale of OZ, or the Curb Your Enthusiasm episode where Larry misspells “Aunt” as “Cunt” in an obituary (think season 2). 3 of my favorite series of all time.” 

I edited said question as to avoid spoilers right here on the main page. In the comments, go nuts. Great question. I have quite a few options, such as the episode of Married With Children where Al sells his soul, the ep of Seinfeld where Kramer finds the Merv Griffin set, or the pilot of Breaking Bad. Seriously, if that had been made into a movie, it’d be talked about amongst the greatest films of the last 20 years. It’s fantastic. 


How say you?