27th

WWF Superstars of Wrestling December 27th, 1986

26th November 2014 by Scott Keith

December 27, 1986

From the Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Phoenix, AZ

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

In action tonight will be Randy Savage, Adrian Adonis, and a six-man tag featuring the Dream Team & Dino Bravo vs. Hillbilly Jim & Tito Santana & Pedro Morales plus a look at the career of Andre the Giant.

Nick Kiniski vs. Randy “Macho Man” Savage w/ Elizabeth

Kiniski starts the match by taking Savage down with an arm drag then grounds him with a headscissors. Danny Davis is shown in an insert promo saying he doesn’t care about the fans and only pays attention to the action in the ring. Kiniski hits a Thesz Press for then Savage rolls outside for a  breather. Back in the ring, Kiniski backdrops Savage then fires away in the corner. Dropkick gets just one then Davis stops him from beating on Savage. Kiniski tries a crossbody but Savage ducks that then boots Kiniski out of the ring after kicking out of a small package. Savage rolls Kiniski back inside and slams him down before putting him away with the flying elbow drop (3:28).

Thoughts: Kiniski got a lot of offense here. He had a good look and was passable in the ring but lacked charisma thus never rising above jobber status. The fans weren’t even into him as much as you think they would be. The announcers talked about Steamboat at the beginning of the match but that was all.

WWF Update with Gene Okerlund. This week’s subject is the Steamboat/Savage feud as we get a clip of Savage injuring Steamboat then we hear from Steamboat at home as he struggles to speak. Steamboat’s acting was very, very bad.

Jesse Ventura interviews B. Brian Blair as he show a video clip of him running his wrestling academy for kids that is associated with the police department in Tampa. Ventura then tells him he should teach kids important things in live such as dressing like himself.

Dream Team & Dino Bravo w/ Johnny V. vs. Hillbilly Jim & Tito Santana & Pedro Morales

Valentine and Jim trade shots in the corner to start. Jim catches Valentine with a headscissors then the face team makes a few quick tags. Valentine ducks outside after Tito attempted a figure-four then Beefcake tags and gets beat on for a minute. Valentine and Tito are slugging it out in a nice sequence until Valentine ducks a flying forearm attempt. He tries a figure four but Tito stops that then makes the hot tag to Pedro, who beats on Bravo. Then, in a terribly contrived spot, Pedro uses a double noggin-knocker on Bravo and Johnny V then Bravo just ducks through the ropes and stands on the apron as Pedro attempts to suplex him back inside but Johnny V pulls the leg of Pedro and Bravo falls on top and gets the win (3:49).

Thoughts: These six-man tags between these guys were going nowhere. The fans still loved Tito and went nuts seeing him face off against Valentine as their feud was still fresh on their minds, despite ending two years ago.

Ken Resnick is with the British Bulldogs. They promise that 1987 will be even better than 1986 and welcome all challengers for their Tag Team Titles.

Another Blackjack Mulligan vignette from his ranch. The same its been for the past two months.

Lord Alfred Hayes narrates a review of Andre the Giant’s career as we get clips of him from various matches and interviews. Hayes also talks about how Andre was recently reinstated into the WWF and we are shown the interview he had with Jesse Ventura. The segment ran about 5 minutes long as was a nice recap of his career as he was about to re-enter the WWF.

Resnick is with Randy Savage and asks him how promoters think he has gone too far for what he did to Steamboat. He then talks about his opponent in Boston, Bruno Sammartino, and how he is a punk and that he will end his career once and for all.

A replay of Jesse Ventura trying to intimidate the Can-Am Express but they just laugh at him.

“Adorable” Adrian Adonis w/ Jimmy Hart vs. David Gold

Adonis knocks down Gold then picks him up and puts him away with the Good Night Irene (Sleeper) as he gets the win (0:35). Adonis roughs up Gold after the match.

Thoughts: Very quick win for Adonis, who looked like a major threat here and not a joke.

Piper’s Pit with guests Bobby Heenan and Hercules. Heenan tries to tell Piper that Hercules made Hulk Hogan tap on “Saturday Night’s Main Event” then puts over his strength and how he can tear down anything so Piper asks Hercules to tear off his chain but Heenan stops him.

Moondog Spot & Tim Patterson vs. U.S. Express

Before the match we get an insert promo from Don Muraco & Bob Orton who are not impressed with the U.S. Express. They are stuck feuding with the lower ranked tag teams now. Spot and Rotundo trade arm wringers to start. Spivey tags and he goes to work on the arm of Spot as Vince disses Jesse for being unable to get any information about Andre the Giant. Patterson tags as Spivey catches him with a dropkick then a slam. Rotundo tags as Jesse promises he will get the information out of Andre next week then Rotundo catches Patterson with an airplane spin for the win (1:37).

Thoughts: Just time filler here as the U.S. Express were an afterthought.

Ventura asks WWF President Jack Tunney if he will ban Kamala from coming off of the top rope. Tunney said he would like to but then would have to ban everyone else who comes off of the top so he will not be banning him, much to Jesse’s delight.

Another vignette of Outback Jack in the swamp as he says the only place left for him to go his the WWF.

Sivi Afi vs. King Harley Race w/ Bobby Heenan

Before the match we get an insert promo from Junkyard Dog who says that this is a free country and he does not have to bow down to anyone. Race avoids a crossbody from Afi then drops a pair of elbows before getting the win with the cradle suplex (0:37).

Thoughts: They teased a feud between JYD and Race with an insert promo but that was the only thing you could take away from the match.

Resnick is with Lanny Poffo, who comes out wearing a full suit of armor. He wore that for the Bunkhouse Battle Royal that was featured on a Coliseum Video Tape. Dick Slater comes out and rambles on about driving up to the “Northern land” in his pickup truck so he can take home the $50,000 prize. Blackjack Mulligan comes out and talks about how his grandfather started the first bunkhouse match in 1887 and promises to win. Well, he did.

Next week is the 1986 Year in Review show. I will not be reviewing that episode.

Final Thoughts: Not much of a show this week. They did a great job treating Andre’s eventual return as a huge deal and teased a new feud between JYD and Race but that was really all that happened. At least the company has some good feuds heading into the new year as the road to WrestleMania III was slowly starting to heat up.

Rants →

WWF Superstars of Wrestling September 27th, 1986

25th August 2014 by Scott Keith

September 27, 1986


From Baltimore, MD


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

Tonight, we will have the showdown between Adrian Adonis and Roddy Piper. Plus, the return of Superstar Billy Graham, a surprise from Slick, the featured bout of Tito Santana vs. Jimmy Jack Funk and more.

Mike Kelly vs. “King” Harley Race


Kelly is actually Shane Douglas. Race goes right after Kelly and hits a gutwrench suplex. Race roughs him up in the corner and hits a double underhook suplex before finishing him off with a cradle suplex (1:37).

Thoughts: Race made quick work of Kelly but the crowd was very quiet. Race as the King took a bit to get over.




WWF Update with Gene Okerlund. This week’s subject is Ricky Steamboat as they show a ridiculous training video of Steamboat fighting off ninjas.

Ventura is with Billy Graham, who says that Jesse copied his style and that he is in fact the Superstar. Jesse looked shocked at the end.

Bob Bradley vs. Superstar Billy Graham


Graham comes out to “Bad to the Bone” by George Thorogood and appears to be struggling just to walk down the aisle but makes sure to slap hands with the fans and even kiss a baby on the head. Graham tosses his ring attire in the crowd before the match. Graham tosses Bradley to the floor then knocks him off of the apron with a forearm to the chest then makes Bradley submit to the bearhug when he enters the ring. The crowd pops for the finish (1:22).

Thoughts: I believe that this was Graham’s last match on TV. He could barely even walk at this point.




Ken Resnick is with Bobby Heenan, who says he will expose the Machines in Boston. Big John Studd & King Kong Bundy come out and tell Piper that he will pay the price for stepping into the ring with them.

Tony Parks vs. Kamala w/ The Wizard & Kimchee


Kamala tosses Parks around like a rag doll to start. He uses headbutts and chops to rough him up then chokes him out against the ropes as Vince goes off on referee Danny Davis with Jesse sticking up for him. Kamala slams Parks down then gets the win with a top rope splash (2:21).

Thoughts: More continuation of the Danny Davis angle of being a crooked referee. It was obvious that they were going somewhere with this.




Resnick is with Tito Santana, who will be facing Harley Race in Boston. Santana says he is looking forward to the match and that Boston is his town. I was unaware of that. Santana then closes out the promo in Spanish.

And now, it is the showdown between Piper and Adonis. Both the “Flower Shop” and “Piper’s Pit” sets are next to each other. The crowd goes nuts for Piper. Adonis asks Bob Orton who is the best host and he says that Adonis has class and that Piper needed him as a backbone. Piper then comes over and calls Adonis ugly and that Orton couldn’t hold his jockstrap on his best day. Piper calls Orton a sellout then jiggles the moobs of Adonis as he invites the cameraman to his set and says that Adonis is a disgrace to wrestling and that he took it upon himself to return. Piper then welcomes out Don Muraco and thanks him for doing a job of imitating him. Muraco takes offense to that as Piper make fun of his stutter and wardrobe. Muraco disses his skirt and the fact he wears the same shirt as they go back and forth. Adonis tries to convince Muraco that his show is the best. In the background, Orton and Adonis are huddling as Muraco tells Piper that Adonis is better and that Piper is jealous of him. Piper calls Muraco fat and that leads to Orton and Adonis hitting Piper from behind. Muraco then holds up Piper as it is a 3-on-1 attack. Muraco ties his jacket around Piper’s leg as Adonis whacks it with a chair. Orton is destroying the set as Piper is getting absolutely destroyed. Hart is hilariously jumping around as he stuck his head through the face of Piper’s picture. Great segment that really jump-started the feud between Adonis and Piper.

Slick promises us a surprise so great that it will “knock sight into the blind.” I miss Slick.

William Tabb vs. “The Natural” Butch Reed w/ Slick


Reed attacks Tabb as soon as the bell rings. He catches Reed with a knee smash then takes him down with a flying shoulder tackle from the second rope before getting the win with a gutbuster (1:01).

Thoughts: Tabb was a huge guy, even bigger than Reed, but terrible in the ring. He would actually go on to wrestle as the Black Assasin in Florida, managed by Oliver Humperdink, several months later. Reed looked okay in his debut.




Jimmy Jack Funk vs. Tito Santana


Santana works the arm to start. We then get to listen to Pedro Morales and Miguel Alonso on Spanish Commentary as Jesse offers to translate and tells us that they are wondering when the tequila sunrises they ordered are coming. Santana hits an atomic drop and a dropkick as Funk rolls out of the ring. Funk comes back in and drops Santana throat-first on the top rope then roughs him up. Swinging neckbreaker gets two. He tries another neckbreaker but Santana twists out and hits a suplex. Santana slugs away then makes Funk tap to the figure-four leg lock (3:31).

Thoughts: This match, to me, signaled the end of Tito & Pedro as a duo and focused on Tito as a singles wrestler. Poor Jimmy Jack as he was without Jimmy Hart and the writing was on the wall for him at this point.




Resnick is with Super & Big Machine. George Steele comes out and this leads to a goofy segment revolving around Steele, ending with all three men right in front of the camera.

Backstage, Billy Jack Haynes and the Islanders are holding back Piper, who is on the ground battered and bloodied and tossing around chairs.

Next week in action will be Paul Orndorff, Randy Savage, and the debut of the Honky Tonk Man. Plus, Jesse Ventura will interview Hulk Hogan and an update on the condition of Roddy Piper.

Final Thoughts: Fun show. The Adonis/Piper stuff was great. We got the return of Graham and the debut of Reed. They also continue the angle with Danny Davis and pushed the Machines feud, which was just not getting over without the involvement of Andre. Everything else here was fine as well, especially the much improved commentary with the addition of Jesse Ventura. He really made the broadcast lively.

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Ring of Honor Crowning a Champion July 27th, 2002

27th July 2014 by Scott Keith
July 27, 2002
Murphy Rec Center Philadelphia, PA

Tonight, the first ever RoH Champion will be crowned in a four-way, sixty minute iron man match between Low Ki, Christopher Daniels, Spanky, and Doug Williams. 

Low Ki starts with a promo about his memorable matches so far in RoH. He then tells Christopher Daniels that he will never be the champion as long as he is around and that tonight, the only thing his opponents can do is be ready.
A highlight package of the competitors in the Championship Match is shown set to an awful techno sound.
Steve Corino is backstage with Simply Luscious. He tells us that the big question in RoH is what’s going on between himself and Simply Luscious. He says that the chemistry is there and that her relationship with Christopher Daniels is business as part of the Prophecy but his business with her is personal. It ends with them kissing.
The Christopher St. Connection are talking about practicing on bananas. They open a door and see Special K dancing around (They were not yet named at this point). One of the CSC guys get’s their banana stolen.
Tony Mamaluke and James Maritato are backstage when the Natural Born Sinners arrive. They ask Maritato about shooting as Mamaluke tells the Sinners that the only thing they know about shooting is with a gun in a dark alley. Homicide challenges them to a tag match in Boston (Actually, the show was in Wakefield, MA, about fifteen minutes North of Boston) and while Maritato says that he would never tag with Mamaluke as he wants to keep the FBI gimmick going, a challenge was made and the match will happen.
Jeremy Lopez vs. Tony Mamaluke
This match does not feature commentary. Lopez wrestled some matches on WCW Saturday Night in 2000 and I am shocked that he never wound up working for TNA during their infancy as basically everyone who was based out of the South got at least one TNA match. Match starts with both guys taking it to the mat. Lopez is noticeably shorter than Mamaluke. Lopez puts Mamaluke in a bow-and-arrow lock then they go back and forth on the mat until Mamaluke works a side headlock. Lopez is hanging over the bottom rope then Mamaluke hits a slingshot leg drop. Lopez blocks a suplex attempt then comes back with a discus forearm smash that gets two. Neckbreaker gets two. Lopez places Mamaluke on top but ends up getting hit with a tornado DDT. Loepz then takes down Mamaluke and locks on a crossface. Lopez then chops Mamaluke until he gets taken down by a hiptoss. Mamaluke goes to work on the arm. Lopez blocks a tornado DDT then hits Mamaluke with a double underhook DDT that gets two. Tiger Driver gets two! They trade go behinds until Mamaluke hits a double underhook DDT then turns that into a Butterfly Stretch for the win via submission (7:24) **1/4.
Thoughts: A decent enough match to start off the show. A lot of it was mat based but still enjoyable.
Backstage, the Christopher St. Connection offer Divine Storm bananas after hitting on them. A lot of the CSC on this show tonight.
Prince Nana & Jacobs Ladder vs. Christian York & Joey Matthews w/ Alexis Laree
The crowd chants “Low Ki killed you” at Nana. Jacobs is covered in tattoos and bald. Never heard of the guy but a quick search on the web reveals that he has wrestled some death matches for IWA Mid-South several years ago. Nana gets on the mic and asks his opponents not to hit him as he has permanent injuries but he and his partner end up jumping York and Matthews. Nana chops Matthews in the corner then the match breaks down as Nana gets hit with a double enziguiri and rolls out of the ring and heads up the aisle then Matthews puts Ladder across his shoulders as York comes off of the top with a leg drop for the win (1:45) DUD.
Thoughts: A waste of time, really. This was all just a set up for the following segment and to start a storyline for Nana, who was not getting over.
Backstage, the Christopher St. Connection try to help out Nana, who is pissed and orders them to stay away. The CSC then arrive to the ring with Allison Danger and kiss a few guys in the stands before arriving in the ring to confront York, Matthews, and Laree. The CSC then say that they find one of York & Matthews attractive but Danger says they are not “butch” enough for the CSC and that sparks a catfight between Laree and Danger then York & Matthews beat up the CSC. The crowd and commentary wasn’t as homophobic as usual. The CSC win that then go in the ring and bend Laree over their knee as Danger puts sparkles on her hand and spanks her.
The TWA guys arrive to the arena as Michael Shane acts like he is better than everyone else, including his partner Bio-Hazard, who then complains about Shane to Rudy Boy Gonzalez.
Michael Shane & Bio-Hazard vs. Paul London & Don Juan
Whoever scores the pinfall wins an RoH contract. Bio-Hazard and London start off then Shane tags as they trade stuff until London takes Shane down with a pair of armdrags. We are then shown Shane outside with his partner as London hits them with a flip dive, nearly killing himself in the process. No wonder London is the way he is today. Dude half-killed himself doing these moves. Back inside, Shane stomps Don Juan as Corino rags on TWA trainer Rudy Boy Gonzalez. London tags and Shane sends him into the corner with an overhead suplex. Bio-Hazard and kills London with a back suplex that gets two. London escapes and tags Juan, who gets hit with a jawbreaker then a Northern lights suplex. Shane tags and gets two with a superplex. Bio-Hazard tags and hits a snap suplex then he and Shane keep tagging each other in as the winner of this gets a contract with the company. Juan gets his knees up on a springboard moonsault then makes the tag. London goes wild and busts out a dropsault and a moonsault. Shane catches London with a super kick. Bio-Hazard tags but London kicks him down. Shane breaks up a pinfall attempt then stretches out London with Charlie Haas’ old finishing move (Haas of Pain) until Juan breaks that up. The match breaks down again then London breaks up Juan’s pinfall and they argue but as that happens, Shane catches Juan with an enziguiri then immediately after that London hits Bio-Hazard with a DDT and the ref counts to three as there are two pin attempts going on but Shane gets the win as he had the pin first (8:34) *3/4. After the match, Shane grabs the mic and calls out Spanky because he is in the Championship match and is not as good as him. Shane then likens himself to his cousin, Shawn Michaels, but London grabs the mic and talks about his outstanding moves and this leads to a brawl that is eventually broken up by Rudy Boy Gonzalez. The camera follows them all to the locker room as they have a war of words. Rudy Boy then says they will face each other at the next show.
Thoughts: The match itself was disjointed but this set up the feud between Shane and London, which ended up being very good for RoH and put both guys on the map. It also helped make London a valuable commodity in the world of professional wrestling.
Da Hit Squad vs. Divine Storm
Both teams go face-to-face to start then end up brawling. In the ring, Monsta Mack catches Quiet Storm with an overhead suplex as Mafia and Divine brawl outside then come back into the ring. Divine escapes from the Burning Hammer then catches Mafia with a Death Valley Driver and a spinebuster for nearfalls. Mafia blocks a cutter from Divine then tags Mack and he destroys Divine for a bit. Storm knocks down Mack and hits a frog splash for two. Divine escapes from another Burning Hammer then gets clotheslined. Storm is tossed outside then Divine takes Mack over with an overhead suplex but tries a rana and Mack turns that into a powerbomb for the win (4:35) *1/2.
Thoughts: This felt like more of an exhibition than an actual match as it was just a collection of moves without any rhyme or reason. Despite that, it was entertaining enough and seeing how these two teams were not exactly the greatest, this style of match was probably for the best.
Backstage, Xavier wishes Low Ki luck and to keep him in mind when he wins the title.
Jay Briscoe w/ Mark Briscoe vs. James Maritato
They start the match with matwork as Briscoe does a fine job keeping up with Maritato. Briscoe takes Maritato down and applies an STF. The announcers talk about how Mark is jealous that he is too young to wrestle in Pennsylvania because of that, wants him to lose. Maritato keeps targeting the left arm of Briscoe, who comes back with a jawbreaker that gets two. Briscoe gets caught coming off of the top with a forearm as Maritato attacks the arm. They each miss a pair of jumping attacks then Briscoe hits a Death Valley Driver. Dropkick gets two. Brisco hits the Niagara Slam then they fight on top until Briscoe gets shoved off then drilled with a missile dropkick that gets two. Briscoe counters a superplex with a front face suplex that gets two. Maritato gets powerbombed but comes back with a low dropkick. Briscoe blocks the Kiss of Death then hits a DDT for two. Mark Briscoe then heads back to the locker room, flipping off Jay who looks confused and that allows Maritato to hit the Kiss of Death for the win (8:30) **1/2.
Thoughts: Solid match. The storyline between Mark and Jay Briscoe has been excellent so far. Jay is very impressive in the ring considering his age too. 
Christopher Daniels is backstage with Simply Luscious and says that the Code of Honor is based on lies and hypocrisy. He talks about the three-way between the American Dragon and Low Ki at the RoH debut show and how it took two men to beat him. The Fallen Angel gimmick was such shit and probably held Daniels back to be honest. He has loads of charisma and was stuck doing this crap that just about anyone could pull off.
Doug Williams has some kid in a stretch muffler as he talks about how this kid is going to end up just like his opponents tonight.
Bunkhouse Stampede Match
Natural Born Sinners vs. Carnage Crew
Match starts as all four competitors are brawling. The camera focuses on barbed wire wrapped around the ringpost as Devito uses it to bust open Homicide. At this point, there is actually blood on the camera lens. Outside of the ring, Devito is destroying Homicide with unprotected chairshots to the head. Good lord these are brutal. In the ring, HC Loc busts open Boogaloo with a cowbell. These guys are damn near killing each other in this match, especially Homicide and Devito who are brawling in the crowd. Now, Devito is destroying Boogaloo outside of the ring with chairshots to his back. Homicide is now whipping Loc and Devito with a leather belt.  In the ring, Homicide hits Devito with a shining wizard for two. Devito flips out of a Cop Killer attempt and takes down Homicide with a clothesline. He then sends him into the corner with an overhead suplex as he is tangled in the barbed wire. Devito takes the barbed wire and puts it on Homicide then hits him with a moonsault as both men feel the pain. Devito covers as Homicide kicks out at two. Boogaloo wraps the barbed wire around his arm then takes down Devito with a lariat. Loc is outside of the ring sitting in a chair against the guardrail as Homicide flies out with a tope and ends up in the crowd. Homicide took a crazy bump with that move. Inside of the ring, Boogaloo wraps the barbed wire around Devito’s mouth then pulls him back in a surfboard or sorts as Devito submits (9:36) ***1/2. Holy shit was that a sick finisher. The crowd starts chanting “ROH” then Loc and Devito attack the Sinners with hubcaps until Da Hit Squad run out for the save. However, Homicide yells at Da Hit Squad for helping them out, screaming “I don’t need your fucking help” before storming off.
Thoughts: A wild, brutal brawl. Some of these chair shots were absolutely sickening and the finish was something that I have never seen before. A feud with the Sinners and Da Hit Squad seems like it is coming soon. 
Spanky talks about how he has beaten Low Ki and Daniels and has sacrificed more than anyone else in wrestling as he has moved all over the world sleeping on floors trying to be a better wrestler. He closes by saying he has giving up his soul for wrestling. Spanky showed some solid promo ability here.
Danny Drake is being wheeled in by his partner, Mike Tobin. They run into Rob Feinstein and Tobin says that he has no partners in the six-man tonight but Rob gives then Dunn & Marcos as partners, which does not make Tobin happy at all.
Elimination Match
NWA-TNA X Division Championship Match
Adam Jacobs vs. David Young vs. AJ Styles
Jacobs worked in NWA Wildside but never for NWA-TNA. He has “All That” written on the back of his trunks. This starts off with all guys going back and forth. Young takes down AJ with a rana then Jacobs fucks up a twisting neckbreaker that the crowd boos. They then work a cool sequence that saw Jacobs slingshot in with a sunset flip on Young, who hit AJ with a German suplex but AJ flipped out of the move and broke up the pin. AJ hits Jacobs with a dropkick then tries a moonsault off of the apron on Young, who sidesteps the move and smashes AJ’s head against the apron and busting him open. Young hits AJ with a quebrada then Jacobs takes them all out with a senton. Back inside, Young and Jacobs slug it out then try a double clothesline on AJ but he ducks and hits them both with the Phenomenon. The crowd loves AJ by the way. AJ hits a moonsault kick on Jacobs but walks into a German suplex from Young. AJ attempts to hit Young with the Styles Clash but Jacobs breaks that up. AJ and Jacobs fight on top and Jacobs gets shoved off and Young hits him with a spinebuster. AJ then takes down Young with a Dragonrana that gets two. AJ dodges a charge from Young then hits him with the Spiral Tap for the pin (5:30). Jacobs immediately attacks AJ then plants him with a super kick that gets two. AJ comes back with a flying forearm as both men are down. AJ is up first and they go back and forth for a little bit until Jacobs hits him with a tornado DDT for two. Jacobs tries a rana but AJ Blocks that and turns it into a Boston Crab. AJ goes up top but Jacobs cuts him off. He tries a top rope rana but AJ blocks that and hits a Super Styles Clash for the win (8:00) **1/2. Crowd chants for AJ after the match.
Thoughts: Some good stuff here. Jacobs badly botched a neckbreaker and after that, the crowd never reacred to him, no matter what he did. He was alright after that mess up. AJ is a fan-favorite in RoH and continues to showcase loads of ability. Young had a decent showing and was a solid worker but had nothing in terms of personality. 
They announce that at the next RoH show in Philadelphia on 9/21, Steve Corino will face off against Rudy Boy Gonzalez. Also, Mike Modest from Pro Wrestling NOAH will be there. Rudy Boy comes out and runs down Corino for a bit.
We are shown a one minute-long highlight package of the six-man tag between Mike Tobin & Dunn & Marcos vs. Brian XL & Izzy & Dixie. It looked terrible. After the match, a huge Rastafarian man wearing a black suit destroys the winners. This man would later be revealed as “Slugger.” I am shocked that he did not get even a look from the WWE due to his size and look alone.
Scoot Andrews vs. Xavier
This match has no commentary. Andrew starts by getting a rollup after a handshake. He stays on the attack as this match is clipped and now shows Xavier chopping away. The editing in this match is brutal by the way. Xavier is now busted open then gets hit with a leg lariat that gets two. Tiger Bomb gets two for Andrews. He tries the Force of Nature but Xavier turns that into a rollup. He then fights back and knocks down Andrews with a forearm smash. He destroys Andrews in the corner then gets two with a Splash Mountain. Andrews fights back and hits a front slam as both men are down. Andrews whiffs on a dropkick then Xavier hits him with a pumphandle slam for two. They mess up when Xavier overshoots a moonsault block. Andrews blocks a kick then hits the Force of Nature for the win (5:01) shown **.
Thoughts: What was shown was solid. Neither guy has built any momentum since the company has started though. 
RoH Championship Match
Low Ki vs. Spanky vs. Doug Williams vs. Christopher Daniels
The rules are that only two men can be in the ring at the same time. The scoring system is that you gain two points for scoring a pinfall but lose one point when you are pinned. Daniels begs Low Ki to come into the ring then immediately tags Williams. Low Ki and Williams start things off on the mat. Williams hammers Low Ki while grounding him then puts him in a butterfly lock that Ki turns into an armbar as Corino puts over the Williams vs. Dragon match from last month. Williams works an armbar as Ki tries to fight out. Ki escapes but Williams takes him down with a judo throw and they end up in a standoff. Williams uses some wacky holds on the mat but Ki escapes and tags Spanky, who the crowd cheers for loudly. Williams turns a test of strength into a chokehold using both of Spanky’s arms. Williams grounds Spanky and grabs a front facelock but Spanky escapes then Daniels tags himself into the match. Williams grabs Daniels in an armbar then rams him into the corner a few times. Williams tags Spanky, who comes in and works the arms of Daniels. Spanky switches to a headlock and works that for a couple of minutes but Daniels counters it with a back suplex then takes control. Daniels tags Ki and sneaks out of the ring immediately afterwards. Ki uses a figure four necklock on Spanky but that is quickly broken up and Spanky makes the tag to Williams, who works the leg of Ki and softens him up before tagging Daniels, who quickly beats on Ki until tagging Spanky. Ki manages to put on a dragon sleeper but Spanky slithers out and tags Daniels. Ki floats over on a slam attempt and chops him down but Daniels quickly takes control. Williams tags but Daniels kicks him down. Williams no-sells some headbutts then takes down Daniels and puts him in an armbreaker. He targets the arm some more then lays into Daniels with European uppercuts. Daniels kicks Williams when he ducks his head then cheapshots Ki. Williams hits a lariat for two before tagging Spanky, who grabs a nearfall with a discus forearm smash. Spanky works the arm of Daniels, which has been targeted all throughout the match. Daniels comes back with a neckbreaker then drags Spank into the middle of the ring. He tags Williams and he puts Spanky in a surfboard. Spanky escapes and tags Ki, who puts Williams in a reverse chinlock. Williams breaks free and goes to work on Ki’s leg. These two start striking each other on the mat as Williams has Ki in a leg lock. Daniels runs in and stomps Ki before the ref backs him away. Williams then puts Ki in the stretch muffler (Brock Lock) then tags Spanky. These two have a slugfest but Spanky stops that with a dropkick to the leg of Ki. Spanky hits  a shinbreaker and goes back to work on the leg. Ki fights back with a vicious kick to the back off the head that gets two. Daniels cheapshots Spanky from the apron as Ki gets a nearfall with a suplex. He hangs Spanky from the top rope then kicks him hard. Daniels tags himself in and beats on Spanky. Suplex gets two. They take it to the mat and Daniels wins that then grabs a neck vise as Donnie B lets us know that Donovan Morgan will face the American Dragon at the next show. Ki tags himself in and chops the shit out of Daniels. He then kicks him but Daniels ducks and chop blocks his leg. Daniels cheapshots Spanky again but Ki grabs him as Spanky heads up top. Daniels dodges Spnaky’s missile dropkick that hits Ki. Daniels then goes for the Last Rites but Williams hits him with a flying clothesline then the match breaks down. Williams hits Daniels with a Tornado DDT then Spanky hits him with the Sliced Bread #2. Ki then immediately hits Spanky with a release tiger suplex then Daniels hits Ki with a Flatliner as all four men are down with the fans going crazy. Ki pushes Spanky off of the top rope then Williams gets tossed outside. Ki tries a kick but Daniels hits him with antoher chop block, setting up for the Last Rites and the first pinfall of the evening (25:59)
(Daniels 2, Spanky 0, Williams 0, Ki -1)
Daniels tries another pin but Ki is able to kick out. Spanky tags and dropkicks Daniels for two. Daniels fights back and tags Williams, who works a neck vise. He targets the neck but Spanky comes back with a jawbreaker before tagging Daniels. Williams works the arm on the mat then tags Spanky. Daniels hits Spanky with a DDT for a nearfall then targes the neck. Spanky is able to lock on an armbar then tags Williams who also targets the arm. Daniels now is in control and works on the neck and after a visible spot call by Daniels, he hits Williams with a spinebuster. He tags Spanky who immediately covers Williams but only gets two. Spanky escapes a rear choke hold with an eye rake then Williams tags Daniels for some reason. Daniels takes Ki off of the apron but Spanky is able to grab a few nearfalls then tags Williams, who goes back to work on the arm of Daniels. Spnaky tags Daniels and hits Williams with a pair of dropkicks. Daniels hits Williams with a backbreaker and holds him over his knee as Spanky comes in with a tope con hilo. Williams fights off both men then hits Spanky with the Chaos Theory but Daniels breaks up the pin then hits Williams with the Last Rites and turns that into a Koji Clutch. Ki breaks that up with a double stomp from the top rope. Daniels backs into Ki, who was on the apron, then gets chopped and Ki tags himself into the match. Williams has Ki in the Gory Special and rams into the corner a few times before taking him down with a dropkick as the fans go nuts. He puts Ki on the top rop. Ki fights back and comes off the top with a rana but Williams rolls through that and puts Ki in the Triangle Sleeper then slams him down. Ki works the arm but Williams eventually lifts up Ki and slams him down. Ki hits double chops and a forearm smash before sending Williams In the corner. Spanky blind tags himself into the match as Williams hits the Chaos Theory on Ki, who flips out of the move and takes down Spanky with a Dragon Sleeper and Spanky taps out (41:51).
(Daniels 2, Low Ki 1, Williams 0, Spanky -1)
Daniels tags himself into the match and goes right after Ki. He hits a springboard moonsault that gets two then puts on a leg lock that Spanky breaks up after tagging himself into the match. Spanky then hits Daniels with a flying forearm but misses a frog splash. Spanky manages to catch Daniels with a pedigree that gets two. Daniels tags Williams, who hits Spanky with three consecutive facebusters but that still cannot score a pinfall. Daniels tags himself in but Williams takes him down with a flying knee smash. Ki sneaks in and covers Daniels but Williams breaks that up with a flying knee drop. Spanky then takes them both down with a double clothesline. Spanky fails to hit Williams with the Sliced Bread #2 then Ki tags himself into the match and repeatedly headbutts Williams. Daniels tags and hits an STO then the Best Moonsault Ever but that only gets two as Daniels is in disbelief. Williams backdrops Daniels to the floot but Spanky hits him with a crossbody after tagging himself into the match. Ki tags Spanky and ends up putting Williams in the Hanging Dragon but has to break before the five count. Daniels comes as the match breaks down. Spanky and Daniels both spill outside as Ki hits Williams with the Phoenix Splash for the pin (48:45).
(Low Ki 3, Daniels 2, Spanky -1, Williams -1)
Daniels and Ki trade chops until Daniels hits an uranage. Ki rolls away from the BME but comes off of the top as Daniels gets his knee up just in time. Both men are down until Daniels tags Spanky. He quickly covers Ki but just gets two. Ki then blocks a Sliced Bread #2 attempt and hits Spanky with a tombstone piledriver but Daniels breaks up the pin and tosses Ki outside. Daniels hits Spanky with a reverse Death Valley Driver then Williams tags himself in and piledrives Daniels, who gets his foot on the ropes. Williams then catches Ki’s Tidal Wave and turns that into a sitout powerbomb but Spanky breaks up the pin. Ki tosses Spanky off the top then hits him with a 450 splash but is in pain and rolls outside. Daniels throws Ki inside then tags in the match but Spanky hits him with a DDT for a nearfall then a frog splash that Ki breaks up at two. Ki tags Daniels but Spanky hits a back suplex and that almost gets a pin. Williams trips up Spanky, who flies out and hits him with a plancha. Daniels is inside and hits a front Russian leg sweep that gets two. Ki charges at Daniels but gets caught with a Blue Thunder Bomb as the fans are on their feet. Williams and Spanky are on the floor outside as an “ROH” chant breaks out. Ki blocks a Last Rites attempt but Daniels puts him in a dragon sleeper in the middle of the ring. Ki starts punching him in the face, as the crowd counts down the final seconds of the match. Ki counters the Dragon Sleeper with the Last Rites as time runs out and Low Ki becomes the first ever Ring of Honor Champion (60:00) ****1/2. Daniels complains that while he actually pinned Ki in the match, he is not the champion. The crowd then yells at Daniels to shake Ki’s hand.
Thoughts: Excellent match and a “Match of the Year” candidate for sure. The last several minutes were a bit messy as the rules seemingly changed to allow guys to enter the match without tagging. I thought the story-telling was tight too, with guys working over a certain part of the body and the side-story between Daniels and Ki. Each guy looked like a star in this match too. 
Backstage, Ki breaks down and is on the floor. He then sits in a chair with the RoH title belt over his shoulder and dedicated his win to Russ Haas (Brother of Charlie Haas who passed away several months before this match of a heart attack. They wrestled together for Maryland Championship Wrestling) and tells Charlie that it is for him too when he gets a hold of the tape. I thought this whole segment was excellent and made the match look even more meaningful and the belt look more prestigious. 
Backstage, Mark teases Jay about losing his match. Jay then shoves Mark into the wall, who says that he is not allowed to wrestle here in Pennsylvania. Jay then reminds Mark that next month in Boston (Again, it was Wakefield) they do not have a commission and he challenges him to a match. Mark accepts, saying that Jay will just end up losing again.
Simply Luscious consoles Daniels backstage, who sees the referee and pins him against the wall and threatens him for how he called the match.
Final Thoughts:The best RoH show to date. I thought the Championship match was awesome and gave the belt prestige as a result, which was really the main goal of the show. Not all of the matches were good but there was an entertaining Bunkhouse Match and the company is starting to build feuds and improve character development. Sure, there were some segments that were painful and overall, the tag team division is garbage but top to bottom, a solid show.


Here is a schedule of my upcoming reviews:

Sunday: WWF Championship Wrestling 8/2/86
Tuesday: WWF Championship Wrestling 8/9/86
Thursday: RF Video Shoot Interview with Shawn Daivari
Friday: WWF Championship Wrestling 8/16/86
Saturday: RoH Honor Invades Boston 8/24/02
Sunday: WWF Championship Wrestling 8/23/86

Email me at [email protected] with any questions or feedback

Follow me on Twitter at twitter.com/mrbayless1982

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Ring of Honor Night of Appreciation April 27th, 2002

26th April 2014 by Scott Keith
April 27, 2002
Your hosts are Steve Corino and Donnie B.  

The show was named “Night of Appreciation” as this was Eddy Guerrero’s last show before he made his return to the WWE.  

HC Loc and Tony DeVito meet each other before the show. DeVito tosses around a couple of guys setting up the arena before they walk away.
The whole theme of this show was to show appreciation to Eddy Guerrero, who would be heading up to the WWE after this show.
Quiet Storm is trying to practice a submission on Brian XL, who wants no part of it. Brian sounds like he is 13 years old.
The Christopher St. Connection attempt to pump up the fans as they wait in line before the show. They will kick the asses of Da Hit Squad. They then kiss each other as the crowd boos but the Da Hit Squad runs them off. They then yell about how they are the only ones who rile up the crowd before the show. They swear a lot and the fans respond well.
Backstage, Quiet Storm approaches the American Dragon asking him to teach a submission hold. He wants him to make it extra tight as they show Brian XL tell Chris Divine that he is not a “biatch” repeatedly then Dragon comes up from behind and stretches him out as Storm is seen laughing.
Da Hit Squad are with Boogaloo. They mention how Homicide is in Japan and that Boogaloo has nothing planned for tonight. DeVito walks in and keeps calling Boogaloo “boy” then walks away. Looks like those two will have something planned for the show.
PA State Athletic Commissioner Frank Talent tells us how all of the big wigs from Harrisburg will be here as Spanky is sarcastically clapping along while wearing his headphones along after coming in late. They give a round of applause to Guerrero and acknowledge that this is his last show before heading up to the WWE then Talent yells at Spanky to take his headphones off before telling them to go 110% for Guerrero.
Da Hit Squad vs. Elax & Prince Nana & Simply Luscious vs. Christopher St. Connection
This was all set up by a terrible segment that happened in the ring in which Allison Danger announced that it would be a three-way when Da Hit Squad and CSC were brawling on the floor. They all gang up on Da Hit Squad until Nana tosses Elax out of the ring then declares that Luscious will be his partner. Allison Danger is hitting on Luscious, who is intrigued, but Nana is mad at her then they all argue until Da Hit Squad takes them out. Nana walks out now as Da Hit Squad suplex everyone else. They nearly snap Luscious in half when she got chokeslammed off of an alley oop then Mafia puts her away with the Burning Hammer (5:19) ¼*. After the match, Elax runs in to check on Luscious but ends up getting put through a table by Monsta Mack. The fans applaud afterwards.
Thoughts: This was a complete clusterfuck. It did serve a purpose though as they are trying to elevate the team and the crowd digs them.
Jay Briscoe w/ Mark Briscoe vs. Tony Mamaluke
Before the match, Mark made fun of Jay for losing his first two matches, with Jay bringing up how he hasn’t even wrestled a match for RoH. He was not allowed to wrestle in PA as he was only 17 years old .The match starts with both guys taking it to the mat. The announcers bring up how Mamaluke is still playing the FBI gimmick despite the fact that James Maritato wanting to get rid of it forever. Jay shows off some solid chain wrestling here. They trade hiptosses until Jay hits a spinning wheel kick. Snap suplex gets two. Mamaluke floats over and puts Jay in a Fujiwara armbar. He breaks and hits an overhead belly to belly before going back to the arm. Corino talks about all of the RoH rule changes and the “Code of Honor,” with half of the codes broken in the opening match alone. They trade chops until Jay pancakes Mamaluke. They trade off a bunch of reversals and rollups until Jay hits the Jay Driller for the win (7:20) **1/4. The crowd applauds as Mark looks unhappy on the outside over the fact is brother won. Mamaluke disrespects the Code of Honor when Jay helps him up.
Thoughts: Decent action but the match itself was all over the place. They see their parents backstage and they yell at Mark for dissing his brother. Maritato then yells at Mamaluke to ditch the comedy act and get serious, because they are in Ring of Honor. Mamaluke says that he knows who he is, calling Maritato the only comedy act.
York & Matthews cut a terrible promo backstage about how they are back and in full effect.
Divine Storm w/ Brian XL vs. Joey Matthews & Christian York
Storm and Matthews trade off a bunch of overly choreographed stuff. Their timing wasn’t the best, either. York tags and gets two off of a missile dropkick. Storm takes him down with a flying headscissors and a rana before tagging his partner. Divine and York work an ugly sequence for a while. York hits a slam then turns the Inverted Boston Crab into the pendulum swing that Storm breaks up. York hits him with a springboard elbow smash but walks into a spinebuster from Divine. York is in trouble as Divine Storm use quick tags and double-team moves to stay in control. York gets sent outside by Divine after a convoluted spot and gets taken out by a back flip dive courtesy of Brian XL, who gets yelled at for almost costing them a match by violating a Code of Honor. Back inside, Divine gets a nearfall with a powerbomb but York is able to take him off the top rope with an inverted atomic drop then eventually makes the tag. Matthews runs wild on both guys. He sends Divine to the floor with a backdrop but he is able to run in and make the save for his partner. York and Divine spill outside and in the ring, Matthews blocks a Storm Cradle Driver attempt. Storm then goes behind Matthews and puts him in a leg lock, getting the win via submission (8:43) *.
Thoughts: Bad match. Just a collection of moves without any psychology and worse of all, these teams had zero chemistry.
James Maritato vs. Scoot Andrews vs. Xavier
The two guys that Xavier beat get to face him in a three-way. Scoot and Maritato trade off a bunch of stuff to start, even knocking down Xavier as he approaches. They work a choreographed shot in which Xavier went for a reverse neckbreaker on Andrews but Maritato caught his leg and flipped him over, hitting Andrews with a DDT in the process. Xavier lays into Maritato in the corner but runs into a dropkick. They use a tower of doom-type spot as everyone is down. They get up an all engage in a slugfest, knocking each other down in the process. Maritato and Briscoe trade chops until Andrews catches Xavier off of a slingshot suplex attempt and hits the Force of Nature (Pumphandle Reverse Piledriver). Maritato breaks up the pin but Andrews hits him with a powerslam for two. Maritato and Andrews trade moves for a bit as Xavier goes up top. Andrews cuts him off but Maritato takes him down with a Russian Legsweep. Xavier comes off the top but Maritato catches him in a Fujiwara armbar and gets the win (6:26) *1/2.
Thoughts: Mediocre match. I dont care for Xavier at all but even I dont get why he lost this match. If you wanted to push him, have them beat these two again instead of losing via tapout. 
Simply Luscious is angry and approaches Rob Feinstein backstage, who is on his cell phone. She wants to be treated better than having to team with Prince Nana as Feinstein tells her not to worry and she will be treated fine at next month’s show.
AJ Styles cuts a promo about giving the people what they want, which is a battle. This was two months before TNA had it’s debut show. AJ’s delivery was awkward.
AJ Styles vs. Low Ki
The crowd is jacked for this match. It starts on the mat, with Ki gaining the upper hand. Now they are trading kicks and that end with Ki tackling Styles. They stay on the ground for a bit then end in a stand off. Ki kicks Styles in the face after a lockup. AJ takes him down as they roll around on the mat until Ki drills Styles in the face with a kick the follows up with some stiff strikes. AJ takes him down with the kip-up rana then gets two off of a lariat. Neckbreaker gets two. Ki comes back with some more devastating kicks and chops. Styles fights back and nails Ki with a dropkick. Ki is outside the ring where AJ drills him with a super kick. Back inside, Ki comes back with a Mafia Kick that sends AJ to the floor. Ki tries a Ki Krusher on the apron but ends up with the Hanging Dragon instead. In the ring, he tries for the Ki Krusher but Styles counters with a DDT mid-move as the crowd goes crazy. After jockeying for position, AJ comes back with the Phenomenon for two as the crowd loses their minds and chant for AJ. Ki catches AJ with a powerbomb for a nearfall then repeatedly kicks him in the face. Tiger suplex gets two as the crowd applauds. AJ comes back with a short-arm clothesline then hits a few suplexes for nearfalls. Ki hits a gordbuster and follows that with the Tidal Wave. AJ gets his knees up on the Phoenix Splash by Ki then drops him right on his head with a DDT from the Razor’s Edge position but that only gets two. Holy shit. AJ goes up top but misses the Spiral Tap. Ki kicks him down but AJ escapes the Ki Krusher then goes for the Styles Clash but Ki turns that into a small package for the win (18:14) ***3/4. That finish was terrible as it was clear that AJ kicked out before three.
Thoughts: Awesome match but a terrible finish. These two have always had tremendous chemistry in the ring. Not their best match but still worth checking out and by far the best on this show. 
Christopher Daniels says he is happy that RoH has brought in someone like himself, Donovan Morgan, who is a top wrestler and deserves to be in the ring with him.
Dunn & Marcos vs. Carnage Crew
Dunn & Marcos are skinny kids who put together the ring. Carnage Crew destroy them with the awful-looking offense. Half of what they do isn’t he close to connecting. Loc puts Marcos on his shoulders as DeVito takes him off with a missile dropkick. He suplexes him in the corner but misses a moonsault and Marcos hits a Tornado DDT and tags Dunn, who hits a missile dropkick. The Carnage Crew fight back with stereo side suplexes then put Dunn away with a Razor’s Edge/Neckbreaker combo (3:13) DUD. After the match, the Carnage Crew beat their opponents with hubcaps, which the announcers state came from Boogaloo’s car.

Thoughts: This match sucked. Why they wanted to push the Carnage Crew, I’ll never know. 

Donovan Morgan cuts a promo, showcasing his complete lack of personality.
Donovan Morgan vs. “Fallen Angel” Christopher Daniels
The announcers call this an “internet dream match.” After trading go-behinds, they take it to the mat, where neither guy can take advantage. Corino keeps on playing up how much these guys respect each other as they trade arm wringers. Morgan works a side headlock for a bit as the fans are applauding everything they do. Daniels breaks it up with a back suplex then works a neck vise. Leg drop gets two then Daniels applies a chinlock. He gets a backdrop and another back suplex, which gets two. Morgan hits a neckbreaker then uses a surfboard. Snap suplex gets two. Basement dropkick gets two. Daniels comes back with a lariat then punches away. Morgan gets a sunset flip for two then slaps on a leg lock while grapevining the leg. He hits an uranage and an elbow smash for nearfalls but ends up eating elbow on a charge. Daniels hits a German suplex as both men are down. The crowd is super into this match, which has been technically sound for the most part but nothing great or anything. Daniels is up first and fires away. He gets two off of a neckbreaker. Daniels then hits the Best Moonsault Ever but Morgan is able to kick out. Morgan is placed up top but kicks Daniels away then jumps off and hits an Impaler DDT, that gets two. Daniels puts on a crossface but Morgan was able to make it to the ropes. Daniels runs into a forearm smash. Morgan lands on the apron and tries to take Daniels over with a sunset flip but it is blocked. Daniels picks him up for a reverse DDT but Morgan counters and hits the Golden Gate Swing (swinging Fisherman suplex) but was unable to get the pin then hits the move again, this time holding onto the leg and gets the win (13:13) ***. After the match, Daniels grabs the mic and tells Morgan that since he beat him in a straight-forward singles match, tells Morgan that he respects him but will not shake his hand because the Code of Honor is a farce. However, since he proved to everyone he is a top talent, he is going to watch his back because “five-foot seven people” like Low Ki and the American Dragon are running around.
Thoughts: Good match. Morgan might have been something if he showed any personality but he never did. He had a good look and was a decent wrestler. Seems to be heading towards an alliance between Daniels & Morgan. 
Backstage, Spanky pisses off the rest of the TWA (American Dragon, Michael Shane, Paul London, John Hope) guys for coming late. He then acts like a douche, pissing off everyone, then states that he will win the gauntlet.
TWA Gauntlet Match
John Hope vs. Paul London
This was not shown on the DVD and a few clips were shown. London won with the shooting star press.
Paul London vs. Michael Shane
Simply Luscious joins the announcers table. They work a fast-paced Irish whip sequence that ends with Shane countering a powerbomb with a face crusher. He then kills him with an enziguiri but comes back with a rana. He then hits the dropsault and that gets two. Northern lights suplex gets two. Shane comes back with a spear then works a submission hold. London floats over and hits a facebuster then goes up top but misses the shooting star press. Shane goes up top and hits an elbow drop for the win (3:40) ¾*.
Michael Shane vs. Spanky
The announcers play up the rivalry between these two. The start by trading slaps and chops, with Shane winning that battle. Spanky slides outside for a breather and uses a headbutt on Shane from the apron but misses a top rope crossbody. Shane hits a gutbuster and a neckbreaker that gets two. Luscious leaves the announcer’s table because Corino kept hitting on her then Shane get sent outside and got busted open. Spanky lays into him with forearms and targets the cut. They go back inside where Spanky gets sent to the floor. Shane rams his head off of the guardrail. Back inside, Spanky pulls the ropes down as Shane charges, sending him to the floor. More brawling outside then Spanky rolls Shane in and hits a suplex. Shane fights back and hits a twisting senton. Spanky punches away as Shane begs him to hit him harder. Shane hits a clothesline and a backdrop. Spanky skins the cat but in the process gets sent outside with a dropkick. Shane follows him out with a somersault plancha as Corino makes jokes about Chris Marvel. Inside, Shane gets a nearfall with an Oklahoma roll. Spanky then takes control with a neckbreaker but Shane fights him off and climbs up top but staggers around and falls off, with Corino saying it was due to the blood loss. Spanky then tries for the Sliced Bread #2but Shane counters and catches him with a super kick for a nearfall. He tries another one but Spanky blocks it and eventually hits the Sliced Bread #2 for the win (10:07) **1/4.
Spanky vs. American Dragon
They start on the mat as Dragon is sporting new tights. Dragon works the arm but Spanky is able to escape. Dragon keeps going back to the arm but Spanky is able to grab a front facelock. Dragon chops Spanky then slams him down. Spnaky lands on his feet after a German suplex then snaps Dragon’s neck off of the ropes. Dragon kicks Spanky on the ropes as he falls back inside. Spanky knocks Dragon off of the apron with an elbow smash and rolls him back inside. He hits a springboard attack on the neck then takes Dragon down with a clothesline. Corino then tells a story of how Spanky walked in the snow in Alaska in his underwear to a store so he could get a Milky Way bar. Dragon tosses Spanky across the ring, whose pants are now split. Spanky comes off the top but his met with a forearm and Dragon takes control. They then trade off some suplexes until Dragon hits a powerbomb. He puts on a full nelson but Spanky reverses and hits the Sliced Bread #2. However, Bryan kicks out. Spanky eats boot off of a charge then Dragon hits the dragon suplex for two. He places Spanky on top for a back suplex but Spanky counters and hits the Sliced Bread #2 from the top rope for the win (13:41) **1/2. After the match, Spanky grabs the mic and proclaims himself as the best person to come from Shawn Michael’s Wrestling Academy and talks some more but the shitty production values prevent me from hearing most of this. He calls himself the “showstopper” but Dragon gets the mic and says that this is the first time that Spanky has beat him but Christopher Daniels comes out and says that he hates to interrupt recess and says that they are not in the same league as him and he will win the tournament to crown the first RoH Champion. Scoot Andrews, the “Black Nature Boy” comes out and talks himself up but Daniels cuts him off for speaking over him then Andrews hits him and wants Daniels as his first round opponent. Then, Xavier, Jay Briscoe, Prince Nana (who cuts an awful, long promo), and Low Ki all declare themselves as part of the tournament.

Thoughts: I was pretty disappointed by this. It went on for long and just wasnt anything special at all. The London vs. Shane match was short and unmemorable and the final two matches just struggled to find a flow. Spanky is getting a push here and that’s good, because he is showing a lot. I forgot how talented he was because the last time I saw him in TNA and at the end of his WWE run, he couldnt’ have cared less. 
Spanish Announce Team vs. Amazing Red & Eddy Guerrero
Red takes down Jose after a fast-paced sequence. Eddy tags and assists Red with a satellite headscissors then hits Joel with a backbreaker then works the arm. Joel comes back with a rana but Eddy takes him down and puts Joel in a sharpshooter. He then hits a tope con hilo and grabs a side headlock. Joel comes back with a backdrop then tags out. The SAT’s use some double-team moves on Eddy then toss Red to the floor as he tried to help his partner. Jose hits a few suplexes for nearfalls. He climbs up top but Eddy cuts him off and hits a superplex. He makes the tag to Red who hits Joel with a DDT. Red Star Press gets two. Red fires away until he got caught with a sitout powerbomb. The SAT’s use quick tags to neutralize Red. Eddy breaks up a pin attempt but the SAT’s go back to using double-tea, moves. Joel puts Red in a pendulum as Jose hits him with a slingshot leg drop in a sick spot for two. That was innovative. Red catches Joel with a spin kick as he came off the top rope as the crowd chants for Eddy, who was just tagged. Eddy goes a million miles an hour. He hits a brainbuster as the camera shows the roster watching the match near the entrance. Eddy clotheslines Joel and goes for the frog splash but Jose cuts him off. The SAT’s try the Spanish Fly but that fails. Jose blocks a rana but eddy alley-oops a charging Red who snaps him off the top rope. Red then takes out Joel with a flip dive. Eddy rolls through a top rope dive then hits Jose with the splash mountain for the win (13:11) **3/4. After the match, everyone applauds Eddy. Brian XL comes in and is pissed that he was not able to face Eddy, who takes the mic and calls him “Lil’ Bow Wow.” Brian hits him but Eddy pancakes them before throwing him all around the ring and finishing him off with the frog splash. After that, the crowd starts a “we will miss you” chant. Eddy grabs the mic again and talks about his new life of god and gives a heartfelt speech, thanking the fans.
Thoughts: Decent match but really, the only thing memorable was Eddy’s sendoff, which would have been better if I could have heard everything he said. The production values were awful in early RoH and the sound quality was the worst part. The SAT’s didnt suck in this match either. Eddy helped a lot with that part. 
Backstage, Low Ki and Dragon are coming back from ringside talking about how great it was that everyone showed respect for Eddy Guerrero. They then see Spanky, listening to his headphones and talking about how much he loves his pizza. They ask him why he wasn’t out there and Spanky avoids him so Ki rips off his headphones and breaks them. Spanky said that they pay to see him, not Eddy, then Daniels and Morgan walk in, with Daniels asking them if they are done “marking out” over Eddy and that leads to Ki punching him, then a brawl breaks out. Its broken up as Spanky, Daniels, and Morgan run away.
Final Thoughts: This was not a good show at all. The sendoff for Eddy was nice and the Styles/Ki match was pretty damn good but other than that, the backstage segments were horrendous and the commentary was as bad as ever. Doonie B and Corino might be one of the worst announcing duos of all time. This promotion also continues to struggle finding their identity. The segments are a bad mix of old-school wrestling with insider terms and information. No one gives a fuck about insider information on the actual wrestling shows. 
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WWF Championship Wrestling July 27th, 1985

25th December 2013 by Scott Keith

July 27, 1985


Your hosts are Bruno Sammartino and Vince McMahon

In action tonight are Junkyard Dog & George Steele, Nikolai Volkoff & Iron Sheik, and Pedro Morales & Tito Santana. Plus, Randy Savage and Paul Orndorff in singles action.

Les Thornton & Mr. X vs. Pedro Morales & Tito Santana


The fans go nuts for Tito. Morales takes Thornton over with a headlock and works that for a minute. Mr. Fuji joins the booth and says that he should win the “Manager of the Year” award. Tito tags and takes control for a bit. He ends up in the wrong corner but is able to escape and tag Morales. He roughs up Mr. X for a bit then Tito tags and gets the win with the flying forearm (3:40).

Thoughts: This was a nothing match. Thornton was billed as the WWF Jr. Light Heavyweight Champion but was used exclusively as a jobber during this run with the company. Morales might have been the laziest wrestler in the company in 1985. The crowd loved Tito though.

WWF Update with Lord Alfred Hayes. This week, Hayes lets us know that Greg Valentine believes he only lost his Intercontinental Championship due to an incompetent referee.

Mario Mancini vs. Randy “Macho Man” Savage


Mancini surprises Savage with an arm drag to start. Savage gets pissed then angers the crowd before taking control. He hits Mancini with a knee in the back of the head before tossing him to the floor. Savage hits his top rope double axe handle before rolling Mancini back into the ring. Savage hits a slam then goes up top but jumps off and rams him into the corner. I think Savage was pissed at Mancini, thinking he was going to stay down for his finish, so he slams him down then kills him with the top rope elbow drop, covering Mancini with his knee while flexing his muscles (3:06).

Thoughts: Fun match. Savage was so fucking good at antagonizing the crowd. They couldn’t stand him. The #1 free agent gimmick they used was awesome too. There was some truth to that as he was wrestling for an outlaw promotion before going to the WWF.

Gene Okerlund is with Ricky Steamboat and asks him about last week’s attack by Don Muraco and Mr. Fuji. He cuts a promo about himself and partner at the upcoming Boston Garden house show, JYD, dealing with racism. He then proceeds to choke himself with his bandana and promises to unleash the “fist of fury” onto Muraco and Fuji. I admire Steamboat’s intensity in his promos but other than that, he was as over-the-top ridiculous as any other performer the WWF had in the 1980’s.

Salvatore Bellomo vs. Greg “The Hammer” Valentine w/Jimmy Hart, Brutus Beefcake, and Johnny Valiant


Valentine is pissed over losing the IC title. He backs Bellomo into the corner then hammers away. He hits a shoulderbreaker then the fans go nuts as Hillbilly Jim and Uncle Elmer make their way ringside. Valentine works the arm as Hart is squawking away on the megaphone. Bellomo makes a comeback, hitting a dropkick and a snapmare. He tries a reverse rollup but Valentine shakes him off then drops an elbow and shortly after that, he puts him away with the figure four leglock (3:23).

Thoughts: No idea what the deal was with the Hillbillies as they came out but no confrontation was teased.

Okerlund is with Roddy Piper about his match against Paul Orndorff. Piper mocks Okerlund for his comments about the match not being a “walk in the park” then claims that he once fought the entire city of Boston and won. He then blames Orndorff for losing at WrestleMania. Good promo by Piper

Keith Diamond & “Leaping” Lanny Poffo vs. Iron Sheik & Nikolai Volkoff w/Freddie Blassie


The crowd starts a “U-S-A” chant. Lanny gets a few nearfalls before tagging out. Diamond is sent to the floor by Volkoff. Sheik tags then hits a suplex before applying the Camel Clutch for the win (1:53).

Thoughts: This match was nothing, really. The crowd still hates Sheik & Volkoff and the Russian National anthem gimmick continues to draw a lot of heat.

Piper’s Pit with guests Adrian Adonis and Bobby Heenan, with the suitcase containing the $25,000 bounty. Piper talks about how Orndorff is wrestling tonight and could use the money. Adonis has his own briefcase and says he had awful partner but now has Bobby Heenan. Piper lets us know that Orndorff is wrestling next. It was pretty clear after this segment that Piper was going to be involved in some way in Orndorff;s match.

The Axe vs. Paul Orndorff


Orndorff gets attacked from behind but fights right back. He hits a slam then a clothesline before hitting the piledriver but Roddy Piper runs in and attacks Orndorff right as he makes a cover for the DQ (0:47). Piper tosses Orndorff to the floor then attempts to grab a chair from Heenan, who is now on the apron, but Orndorff is able to come back in and fight back. Bob Orton runs out and helps Piper beat on Orndorff as Heenan is screaming out orders. Tito Santana and several other jobbers run out and attempt to break up the fight. Several more jobbers then run out and things finally get under control.

Thoughts: This was all just a set up for the brawl between Orndorff and Piper and it worked great.

Captain Lou Albano gives us a PSA about wearing seatbelts.

Jerry Adams & AJ Petruzzi vs. Junkyard Dog & George Steele w/Capt. Lou Albano


The faces work the arm of Adams. JYD then hits a few headbutts before tagging Steele. He rams Allen in the corner then eats the turnbuckle, throwing the stuffing around. He does the same in the opposite corner but this allow Adams to tag out. The faces maintain control then Steele gets the win with a flying hammerlock (4:02). Steele proceeds to throw the stuffing all over the place as Albano finally gets him to stop. Then, JYD and Albano try to teach Steele to dance and he starts to mimic JYD.

Thoughts: It was weird seeing Steele tag in and out like a regular wrestler but the match as nothing and the crowd didnt seem to care at all about this team. There was no chemistry at all between JYD and Steele and honestly, it is tough to develop chemistry with Steele as a partner due to his gimmick. It only works as a singles wrestler.

Okerlund is backstage with Mr. Fuji. He cuts a wacky promo on Ricky Steamboat. He also laughed a lot too

Next week in action are the Hart Foundation (The first time on TV they are referred to as that), Barry Windham & Mike Rotundo, and the British Bulldogs. Also in action are Terry Funk, Randy Savage and the Missing Link plus “Piper’s Pit” with guest Tito Santana

Final Thoughts: This show was okay. The Piper/Orndorff feud continued and the brawl was great but everything else was forgettable. They also heavily promoted the feud between Muraco and Steamboat through backstage interviews. Besides that, it was a skippable show.










Rants →

WWF Philadelphia Spectrum April 27th, 1985

23rd October 2013 by Scott Keith

April 27th, 1985

Your hosts are Dick Graham and Gorilla Monsoon

Tonight, Hulk Hogan defends the WWF Heavyweight Championship against Paul Orndorff. Plus, a tag team battle royal featuring ten teams for the chance to win $50,000. This card also features the first tag team match between the Hart Foundation and the British Bulldogs.


Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart & Brett Hart vs. British Bulldogs

Jimmy Hart is not present for this match. The ring announcer also calls refers to Bret as the “Hitman” for the first time I have heard in the WWF. Dynamite and Bret start off with a lockup. Brett complains about a hairpull as Gorilla notes that Bret has had a recent change of attitude and says that the money offered from Jimmy Hart has changed him. Davey tags and Brett works a hammerlock until Davey uses his momentum to send him to the floor. Back in the ring, they have a rollup reversal sequence then Brett tags out. Davey hits the Anvil with a pair of hip tosses then Bret tags. He catches Davey’s foot but gets nailed with an enziguiri and the fans pop as Brett ducks outside. Back in, Dynamite hits a snap suplex but Anvil breaks up the pin. Brett catches Dynamite with a running knee smash then he and the Anvil double-team him. Neidhart works a chinlock for a minute then breaks and spits towards Davey on the apron, which angers the crowd. Dynamite catches Bret with a backslide but that Bret holds him up while Neidhart hits him with a dropkick. Dynamite catches the Anvil with a dropkick and after a struggle is aboe to make the tag but the referee did not see it and Davey goes back to the apron. Bret slams Dynamite on the floor then Anvil works another chinlock in the ring. Brett tags and Dynamite flips out of a side slam attempt and hits Brett with a backbreaker then tags Davey. He runs wild on both men, showing off his power and speed with the crowd going crazy, but gets outnumbered. Brett drops an elbow then beats on Davey in the corner. Anvil tags and pounds away on Davey. The match slows way down as Brett uses a nerve hold on Davey. However, the crowd gets behind Davey and he ducks a clothesline and hits an atomic drop as both men are down. Both guys thenget up only to collide. Brett takes control and Davey is now getting destroyed in the corner. Davey gets tossed outside but he is able to reverse an Irish whip and send Bret into the guardrail. Davey fights Neidhart on the apron and slingshots in with a sunset flip but is unable to get him over. Bret tags and goes up top but gets tossed off and Davey climibs up and hits a missie dropkick before tagging Dynamite. He runs wild on Brett until Neidhart attacks him from behind. After a minute, Dynamite hits Bret with a tombstone but Anivl breaks it up. Davey tags and hits a running powerslam before tagging right back out. The Bulldogs use quick tags to attack Brett but Anvil makes the save and tags himself into the match. Brett comes back in and the bell rings, signaling a time-limit draw (20:00) ***.

Thoughts: Good match but not the best from these two teams. It was slow at times but there was a lot of moves by the Bulldogs that were not usually seen on WWF shows. Brett (Yes, it is spelled like that here) continues to show little personality in the ring. His complaining of a hairpull was the most animated I have seen him in the WWF at this point.

Tito Santana & David Sammartino vs. Greg Valentine & Brutus Beefcake w/Luscious Johnny Valiant

Sammartino and Beefcake start things out. Sammartino gets a hiptoss and a press slam. Beefcake tries to bail and gets decked by Tito. He is able to regroup outside as David tries to ignite the crowd. Valentine tries to go in but the referee orders Beefcake back into the ring. He hits Samamrtino with a tag before tagging out. Valentine misses an elbow then Tito tags in but Valentine immediately bails. He stalls outside the ring then teases a confrontation with Tito before tagging out. Sammartino tags back in and Beefcake works a headlock. Sammartino catches him with a slam then works the arm. Tito tags and also works the arm but decides to attack Valentine on the apron. Valentine runs in and Tito continues to fire away and the heels briefly regroup. Tito puts Beefcake in a headlock then stomps away. Samamrtino tags and works the arm but Beefcake backs him into the corner and hammers away. Beefcake slams him and tags Valentine, who targets the back. He uses a reverse chinlock as this crowd is surprisngly dead for this match. The heels use quick tags to neutralize Sammartino, who tries to fight back  and finally makes the tag. Tito goes right after Valentine and beats the shit out of him as the crowd slowly awakes. Valentine gets his knee up on a splash attempt then chokes out Tito. Valiant slips something to Valentine and he hits Tito with a back suplex. He tries for the figure four but Tito shoves him into Beefcake, who falls off the apron. Valentine yells at Beefcake to get up then Tito uses a reverse rollup to score the win (11:04) **.

Thoughts: This was really dull at times but the stuff between Tito and Valentine was fun. Tito would really lay into Valentine with his punches.

Roddy Piper & “Cowboy” Bob Orton vs. George Wells & S.D. Jones

Piper and Orton stall to start then attack from behind. The faces come right back and double team Piper briefly but Orton comes off the rope and hits Jones on the back of the neck with his cast and Piper covers for the win (2:24) DUD.

Thoughts: Barely a match and the crowd did not even buy the finish. I did not get the point of making this match so short, especially considering the length of the other matches on the card.

Kal Rudman is backstage with the Tag Team Champions, Nikolai Volkoff and the Iron Sheik. Nikolai runs down the United States for inflation as the Sheik rants about winning the prize. Rudman then asks them about Piper & Orton stating their plan of hiding in the corner and waiting until everyone else beats each other up then throwing out the last team. Volkoff then goes on about Russia having more gold medals than any other country. Rudman was pretty good, actually. If you dont know who he is, Rudman was the host of “Friday Morning Quarterback” in Philadelphia and apparently was a huge philanthropist. I know this because BoD commenter Adam B. posted that on a previous review that I wrote. Thank you, Adam.

Iron Sheik & Nikolai Volkoff vs. Barry Windham & Mike Rotundo

This is a non-title match. Windham and Rotundo run down and attack the champs as they sing their national anthems. The crowd pops huge for that. The “U-S-A” chants rain down before Sheik and Windham start the match. Windham ducks a punch and Sheik goes over the top rope. Back inside, Sheik gets double-teamed and the action is all fast-faced. Volkoff holds up Windham but he escapes and Sheik takes him off the apron with a dropkick. Volkoff tags into the match and Windham rolls him up for two. Rotundo tags but Volkoff grabs his hair and backs him ino the corner. Rotundo is able to duck a charge and tags Windham. He works the arm of Nikolai for a minute but Volkoff escapes and targets the knee. Sheik tags and hits a backdrop then puts on an abdominal stretch. Windham takes him over but misses an elbow drop. Sheik gets two off a gutwrench suplex. After a struggle, Windham hits a delayed vertical suplex as both men are down. Both men then collide and are down again. Volkoff tags but so does Rotundo and he runs wild. He hits a dropkick then slams Volkoff for two. They work another collision spot then trade pinfalls. Rotundo jumps on Volkoff’s back and puts on a sleeper. Volkoff shakes him off then climbs up top and hits an axe handle. He works on Rotundo in the corner but Rotundo fights back and covers but Sheik breaks it up then the match breaks down. Volkoff misses a running knee smash in the corner then Rotundo rolls him up for the win (14:07) **3/4.

Thoughts: Solid match. These two teams always had good chemistry too. Its clear that the feud between them will continue.

Kal Rudman is here to introduce us to the new “Rock ‘n’ Roll Connection” music video. Holy shit was this song corny. The odd thing about the video, which was all clips of matches and entrances, is that guys that hadnt been in the WWF for several months, like Buzz Sawyer and the Freebirds, were featured throughout the video. Some of the fans shown are really something else.


Charlie Fulton & Moondog Spot vs. Ricky Steamboat & Jimmy Snuka

Spot and Steamboat start things off. Steamboat hits a bunch of chops on then Fulton tags and gets taken down after trying to land a cheap shot off of a break. Snuka tags and works the arm and Fulton is able to reach for a tag. Gorilla lets us know that Moondog Rex has a knee injury that will keep him on the :injured-disabled list” as Fulton tags back in and works a side headlock. Thwy work a criss-cross and that ends with Snuka landing his trademark chop. Steamboat tags and works the arm for a long time. Steamboat runs into a clothesline but rolls away from an elbow drop and goes back to work on the arm. They work a criss-cross spot and Steamboat tags Sunka, who armdrags Fulton and goes to work on the arm. This match is dragging as Graham notices that Snuka looks “beefed up.” Fulton knocks down Snuka then nearly breaks his neck when it looked like Snuka was supposed to roll away from a knee drop and his back lands on the neck of Snuka. Fulton gets slammed shortly after that then in a cool spot, Snuka tags Steamboat and slingshots him in with a splash that gets two. Fulton hits a poor excuse of an inverted atomic drop then tags Spot. The action picks up as Spot goes to work on Steamboat. Steamboat is able to make the tag but the ref did not see it happen then doesnt see Fulton tag in but allows that. Steamboat gets backdropped then Spot tags and hits a gutbuster. The ref allows another blind tag as Fulton works a headlock as the crowd grows restless. Steamboat get the crowd back into the match a bit by kicking his feet on the mat but ends up getting double-teamed in the corner. Spot and Steamboat collide as both men are down. Steamboat hits a suplex but Spot is still able to tag. The heels use quick tags to neutralize Steamboat in the corner but Steamboat fights back and makes the tag. Snuka headbutts the heels then Steamboat flies of the top witth a bodypress on Fulton for the win (16:09) *1/2.

Thoughts: This was way too long. Fulton, who was usually competent in the ring, had a really bad match. Snuka couldnt move around much either. Spot and Steamboat worked well together at least.

Kal Rudman is with Hulk Hogan. He mentions how Hogan is on the cover of “Sports Illustrated” then suggests that he might even be on the cover of “Rolling Stone” holding his base guitar. Hogan calls Rudman “Killer Kal” then mentions how they both live in the fast-lane as Hogan brings up how Orndorff embarrased himself and his team at WrestleMania. He also brings up how Orndorff fired his manager and that he will beat him up in the middle of the ring by himself. Even the faces are burying Orndorff for choking at WrestleMania.

WWF Heavyweight Championship Match
“Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff vs. Hulk Hogan (Champion)

Hogan received a few boos here from the crowd. Orndorff gets right up in the face of the referee after a lockup. Hogan gets the crowd to start a “Paula” chant, which pisses off Orndorff. He attacks Hogan from behind and runs his face aganist the ring rope. Orndorff taunts the fans then Hogan fights back and rams his head off the turnbuckle repeatedly. Orndorff takes a timeout in the corner then ducks outside. He continues to stall, pissing off the crowd in the process. He finally re-enters the ring and Hogan puts him in a headlock. He takes Orndorff down with a shoulderblock then hits a back suplex. He clotheslines Orndorff in the corner then get two off of a backbreaker. He applies a chinlock as the crowd starts another “Paula” chant. Orndorff catches Hogan with a knee then goes to work. He hits a suplex then drops a knee but that only gets two. Hogan hulks up and knocks down Orndorff. He then dodges a charge in the corner then hits the leg drop for the win (10:06) *1/2. After the match, Orndorff extends his hand in a gesture of respect but Hogan looks confused about what to do. The fans are teling him no then Hogan reluctantly shakes his hand and the crowd goes nuts as Hogan is in shock that nothing happened to him. Orndorff leaves as Hogan poses in the ring.

Thoughts: This was mostly stalling but at least it was somewhat entertaining. The handshake deal at the end was unexpected at this time, especially since Orndorff was being portrayed as not trusting anyone since losing at WrestleMania.


Mel Phillips runs down the next card at the Spectrum show, which will take place on May 25th. Matches include Charlie Fulton vs. Swede Hanson, Bob Bradley vs. Johnny Rodz, Spoiler vs. Salvatore Bellomo, Big John Studd vs. Rocky Johnson, Iron Sheik & Nikolai Volkoff vs. Mike Rotundo & Barry Windham for the Tag-Team Championship, and the main event of Hulk Hogan vs. Ken Patera for the WWF Heavyweight Championship.

$50,000 Tag Team Battle Royal
Brett Hart & Jim Neidhart, British Bulldogs, Roddy Piper & Bob Orton, Tito Santana & David Sammartino, George Wells & S.D. Jones, Nikolai Volkoff & Iron Sheik, Mike Rotundo & Barry Windham, Charlie Fulton & Moondog Spot, Greg Valentine & Brutus Beefcake, Ricky Steamboat & Jimmy Snuka

The rules here are that you and you partner are eliminated if you get tossed over the top rope and land on the floor. During the ring introductions, Sheik & Volkoff and Windham & Rotundo brawled on the floor and continue when the bell rings then the ref disqualifies both teams. Steamboat almost has Piper eliminated but Valentine makes the save. Hart gets double-teamed by Snuka and Steamboat then Beefcake eliminates Santana for the first over the top rope elimination. Piper accidentally hits Orton when Snuka ducks a punch. Snuka goes towards Piper but Orton is able to make the save. Beefcake charges at Snuka then gets dumped to the floor and eliminated. It looked bad as Beefcake’s leg landed on the steps and he easily could have went back into the ring but instead rolled off and landed on the floor. Davey Boy eliminates Brett then Piper eliminates the Dynamite Kid. Orton and Piper thought they eliminated Steamboat but he skinned the cat as Piper and Orton are beside themselves. Snuka eliminates Spot and Orton is able to eliminate S.D. and that leaves Piper & Orton and Steamboat & Snuka as the last two teams. Spot & Fulton beat on Steamboat on the floor, who was tossed through the middle rope. In the ring, Orton and Piper almost have Snuka eliminated but Steamboat makes the save. Piper rolls through the botton rope and runs back in for a sneak attack but Snuka backdrops him to the floor as Snuka & Steamboat win the match (8:37) **. Piper then manages to run away with the winner’s money.

Thoughts: Pretty decent for a battle royal. The pace was quick and the end was a nice way to send the fans home happy.

Final Thoughts: The show was decent. Some of the matches dragged, which was usual back then but there was some good action across the card. The next Spectrum show seems like shit compared to this but I thought this was solid.

Rants →

WWF Championship Wrestling April 27th, 1985

20th October 2013 by Scott Keith

April 27th, 1985

Your hosts are Bruno Sammartino and Vince McMahon

In action this week are Barry Windham & Mike Rotundo, Tito Santana & Junkyard Dog, Iron Sheik & Nikolai Volkoff, Don Muraco, Brutus Beefcake, and David Sammartino. Plus, Piper’s Pit with guest Bobby Heenan.

Mr. X & Charlie Fulton vs. Tito Santana & Junkyard Dog

JYD works on the arm of Fulton then tags Tito, who does the same. The announcers put over how the styles of Tito and JYD compliment each other. Mr. X tags but he gets destroyed then tags out as Fulton reluctantly enters against JYD. Fulton uses an eye rake and lands a few punches then chokes JYD. Mr. X tags but runs into a clothesline then Tito tags and uses the figure four to get the win via submission (3:05). After the match, Tito dances just like JYD then dances with a kid for a second.

Thoughts: Standard squash match. They seem to be trying to not only establish them as a team but also as threats to the Intercontinental Title.

WWF Update with Lord Alfred Hayes. This week’s subject is Ricky Steamboat. Hayes says that he has a great personality and is very good looking and knows his way around the ring. They show a clip of him beating a jobber with a splash.

WWF Magazine Plug

Brutus Beefcake w/”Luscious” Johnny Valiant vs. Jim Young

A kid in the crowd shows a sign that reads “Broootos Flatcake.” Truly, a scathing insult. Young starts by taking him down twice with a headlock. He maintains the hold for a minute until Beefcake hits him with a back suplex. He hits a slam as the announcers bring up the injured Hillbilly Jim. The crowd starts a “Fruitcake” chant as he destroys Young then puts him away with a jumping knee smash (3:07). The crowd boos after the match as Beefcake does his strut.

Thoughts: Maybe the frequent mentioning of Beefcake injuring Hillbilly Jim has finally got him over as a heel with the crowd. They were actually mad at him for once.

Gene Okerlund runs down the card for the next Boston Garden show. Hulk Hogan comes out and plugs his match, teaming with Jimmy Snuka to face Bob Orton & Roddy Piper. He promises that it will be a brawl and puts over the win at WrestleMania.

Moondog Spot & Bob Wade vs. Mike Rotundo & Barry Windham

No Albano this week. The former champs work the arm of Wade. Spot tags and they work a nice fast-paced sequence that ends with Rotundo getting two off a crossbody. Spot takes control and hits a backbreaker but Windham tags in and fires away. He hits a dropkick then Spot tags Wade, who gets knocked down then Windham puts him away with the bulldog (2:54).

Thoughts: The ex-champs showed a lot of aggression here as they are pushing that they are angry abut losing the belts.

Okerlund is with Tito Santana. He will face Brutus Beefcake at the Boston Garden. This was set up when Beefcake was overly aggressive with Tito in his lumberjack match against Greg Valentine. He called him “Fruitcake” then promised victory.

Salvatore Bellomo vs. Don Muraco w/Mr. Fuji

Muraco backs Bellomo against the ropes then breaks cleanly. Muraco sidesteps a dropkick then hits a swinging neckbreaker. He drops him throat-first on the top rope then hits a Russian leg sweep. He knocks Bellomo outside with a bell clap then back inside, Bellomo lands a few feeble punches then Muraco catches him off a crossbody attempt and turns it into a tombstone for the win (3:01).

Thoughts: Bellomo was completely squashed in this match. He usually got in some offense in his squashed but he was dominated from start to finish. Even the announcers acted surprised that Bellomo did nothing at all.

Piper’s Pit with guest Bobby Heenan. Piper calls Heenan the greatest manager ever and tells us that Heenan has a special announcement. Heenan says that he can transform careers of everyone but tells us that Paul Orndorff has fired him as his manager. Heenan calls him a low-life then becomes angry and kicks over chairs as Piper calms him down by saying he is a coward and that he doesn’t have enough guts to stay with him. Heenan is pissed that Orndorff has put a blemish on his managerial record. Great segment and Heenan was fantastic. He really sold it well. I give a lot of credit to the WWF with this angle as they still left you with a little bit of doubt that Orndorff would still be a heel when he returned but also made it so when he returned and went after guys like Piper, they would explode.

Steve Lombardi vs. David Sammartino

Sammartino takes Lombardi down and grounds him with a hammerlock. He works the arm as Bruno reluctantly talks about his son after asked by Vince. It was painfully cleat that Bruno did not want to talk about David on commentary. Lombardi lands a few forearms but Sammartino blocks a hiptoss and hits a slam before going back to the arm. Lombardi comes back with a jumping back elbow smash and a slam but David fights back and hits a few suplexes before putting him away with a powerslam (3:45).

Thoughts: Sammartino seemingly always has a match on Championship Wrestling. This was really no different than any other match he has had at this point.

Ron Dee & Jose Luis Rivera & Tony Garea vs. Nikolai Volkoff & Iron Sheik & George “The Animal” Steele w/Freddie Blassie

Steele made his own entrance as everyone else was already in the ring. Vince tells us that Blassie has brought Steele back. Garea hits Sheik with a hiptoss and a slam before tagging Rivera, who gets a crossbody for two. The Sheik boots him down then hits a backdrop. Steele tags and bites the forehead of Rivera. Dee tags and Steele throws him before tagging Sheik. The heels use quick tags to work the arm of Dee then Steele gets the win by making Dee submit to a lifting hammerlock (2:49).

Okerlund is with Roddy Piper and Bob Orton. They know get to speak about the tag match in Boston. Piper said that the first thing he does when he gets into Boston is to beat up the entire city then goes on another one of his crazy rants. Good stuff.

Bruno and Vince tell us that next week, Paul Orndorff will return to action. Plus, Don Muraco, King Kong Bundy, Ricky Steamboat, Brett Hart & Jim Neidhart and the British Bulldogs. Also, Piper’s Pit with Barry Windham and Mike Rotundo

Final Thoughts: Another good show as they continue to keep things interesting after WrestleMania. The Orndorff angle has been great and they are still showcasing the tag team division as well as newer talents.

Rants →

QOTD – August 27th, 2013

27th August 2013 by Scott Keith

Greetings, boogalooshrimps.


Caliber,
hope all is well.  I was filling out some insurance paperwork for an ER
patient I had a few weeks ago…she had gotten into a fight with her
husband so decided her best method of retaliation was to take his
denturs and hide them up her vagina.  They punctured her internal vagina
and gave her a bacterial infection, hence her visit to the ER. 
This got me thinking of a good QOTD…whats the craziest
relationship/breakup/cheating etc. story you guys have?  I love these
types of stories.  Ill divulge mine in the thread.  Thanks
MH – officerfarva
That is stunning. I mean, she truly thought that would be the best place to hide them? Sometimes when you hear about how stupid people can be, you wonder how things ever get done at all.

Well, as for my story, it goes a little something like this….

I was 16 at the time, and my friend introduced me to this girl online who his girlfriend was good friends with. So, we got to talking, and things were going good. So, I finally meet her, and she’s alright looking, nothing special. Well, we date for 2 weeks, and I realize that all the stuff she was saying at the beginning of our courtship, the music & movies she said she dug [same as me] wasn’t exactly true. She’d basically said that stuff to get me interested. So, on top of this, I realize she’s a bit crazy. She had this dog that she loved, which I totally relate to. So, one day we’re sitting in her basement and she pulls out this rock from her pocket. She tells me that her dead dog’s spirit lives in this rock and protects her. She’s stone cold serious. This, on top of her not being who I thought she was, sour me on the relationship and I end it. 
But she isn’t having it. 
She begs me to stay with her, which only cements my decision to break-up. Well, over the next few weeks I notice her next door at my friend’s house. I pay it no attention. 
Well, a month or so later, a friend of mine I only knew from online says she started talking to this girl who’s an up-and-coming pornstar, and is pretty cool. So, I start talking to her for a few days, and she’s telling me all about her life, in big time detail, with all these sorted adventures, we talk about my break-up, and we even do a few chats with all of her friends. Well, for some reason I just get this feeling that something isn’t right. I all of a sudden get this suspision that it’s my ex. I get a hold of a mutual friend, and he admits that he knows she’s been posing as this pornstar girl. I then find out she also became friends with my next door neighbor, so she could watch me walk to school, and arrive home! She devised this whole pornstar thing as a way to get back into my life! Apparently she thought I was dating a new girl, and said she’d kick the shit out of anyone who was dating her ‘boyfriend’.
I told her off, and said I never wanted to see her again. Well, a few months later, in December, I’m walking outside to my car, at nighttime, when she comes out of the shadows. Instantly I’m thinking I’m going to die while she yells “I WILL NOT BE IGNORED, DAN!”. Instead, she has a gift. It’s a calendar devoted to PAWGs. She says she saw it, and thought of me. She’s acting as if NOTHING has happened. It terrified me. So, I told her in no uncertain terms that if she EVER, EVER came by my house again, or ever spoke to me again, I’d beat the living shit out of her. She believed me, as I never saw her again. I tell you, there’s few things scarier than having someone obsessed with you.

So, how say you?

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QOTD – June 27th, 2013

27th June 2013 by Scott Keith

Howdy, buckaroos.

First off, thanks to everyone who’s sending in questions. Do keep them coming.

Today I’m going to go with a question I’ve been wanting to ask for a few weeks now, and tomorrow I’ll resume with the questions that have been sent in.

What’s the most surprised you’ve been since entering the realm of Smarkdom? Once you become a smark, hip to the game, it’s almost impossible to be surprised, because news just isn’t kept. However, from time to time it can happen. So, how’d they get you?

For me, it was when DDP was revealed as the stalker. Weeks prior I heard the unaltered voice, and was rather disappointed that Vince McMahon was once again going to be a payoff. Boo to that, I thought. Then I was watching at home, and holy shit, it was DDP. I literally jumped up to my feet in excitement.

Also, when Cena debuted at the 2008 Rumble that was pretty great too.

How say you?

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WWF Championship Wrestling October 27th, 1984

29th May 2013 by Scott Keith
October 27, 1984
Your hosts are Bruno Sammartino and Vince McMahon
This week’s featured match is the Tonga Kid vs. Roddy Piper. Also, JYD, Paul Orndorff, Adrian Adonis & Dick Murdoch, and Brutus Beefcake will all be in action.

John Callahan vs. Junkyard Dog
Callahan attacks JYD as he enters but gets knocked down quickly. JYD hits a forearm smash then uses his crawling headbutts. Callahan comically oversells everything as Vince cant get enough of JYD’s taunts. He bites Callahan’s forehead then eventually gets the win with a running forearm smash (3:31). After the match, JYD dances with the fans as Vince talks about how he can boogie in and out of the ring.
Thoughts: Match was pretty bad but JYD was really over with the crowds. They were desperate for faces in the mid-card and JYD was an instant success.
WWF Update with Lord Alfred Hayes. This week’s subject is Kamala and his translator Friday. They show a clip of him beating Jose Luis Rivera from a few weeks ago. Kamala would be gone from the WWF in a few weeks.
Rick McGraw vs. Paul Orndorff
The “Paula” chants are in full effect. Orndorff starts by shoving McGraw, which triggers a brawl. Orndorff wins that easily then hits a backdrop. He hits a backbreaker then drops an elbow before grabbing a chinlock. McGraw breaks and starts a comeback. He hits a dropkick and gets two off a sunset flip. He tries a flying headscissors but Orndorff tosses him throat first on the ropes. He hits a swinging neckbreaker then gets the win with a piledriver (2:39).
Thoughts: Orndorff beat the shit out of McGraw. Orndorff squash matches are usually entertaining and this was no exception. Orndorff is another wrestler who needs a feud but the lack of quality faces is the problem.
Gene Okerlund plugs the November 26th show at Madison Square Garden. He brings out Greg Valentine, who talks about his rematch against Tito Santana. He promises to put him in the figure-four leg lock.
David Sammartino vs. Charlie Fulton
Sammartino shoves Fulton away a few times before they lock up. Sammartino hits a backdrop then goes to work on the arm. He ducks a clothesline and hits a scoop slam before going back to the arm. Sammartino hits several forearm smashes before catching him with a powerslam for the win (3:19). Finkle calls him David Bruno Sammartino.
Thoughts: Decent enough but Sammartino is not getting that much of a reaction. He is okay in the ring but lacks the charisma that his father has, to say the least.
Gene Okerlund is with Big John Studd and Bobby Heenan. He wants to put up $15,000 against Hulk Hogan’s title. He is outraged that he lost to Hogan in Los Angeles. Heenan says that they will win the belt in the Battle Royal on the November 27th show in Los Angeles.
Mario Mancini & Tony Garea vs. Adrian Adonis & Dick Murdoch
Garea and Murdoch start out, with Vince mentioning his previous title reigns. Garea ducks an attack and knocks down Murdoch. They do some matwork and Murdoch manages to tag out despite being in a headscissors. Adonis comes in but Garea knocks him out of the ring and cleans house. Murdoch tags in and Garea puts him in an abdominal stretch. Adonis breaks that up and Garea tags out. They rough up Mancini until Adonis gets the win with a top rope elbow drop (3:19).
Thoughts: It’s ridiculous to see how they protect a jobber like Garea. Hell, they protected him then better than the WWE protects their current Intercontinental Champion. Adonis and Murdoch were a good team. Adonis was also packing on the pounds at this point.
Piper’s Pit with Greg Valentine and Capt. Lou Albano. The Captain wants Valentine and Piper to “bury the hatchet,” which was in reference to their feud in the NWA from last year. They shake hands as Piper puts over Albano. It was a love-fest between the heels and a fine segment.
Salvatore Bellomo vs. Brutus Beefcake w/Luscious Johnny Valiant
Vince drools over Beefcake’s physique. Bellomo blocks a punch and grabs a headlock. They then fuck up an armdrag spot and Bellomo uses a hiptoss as Beefcake takes a breather in the corner. Beefcake ducks an attack and hits a flying knee smash for the win (1:49).
Thoughts: Awful match. No one cares about Beefcake as the fans are silent whenever he appears. He was not over at all when he first started, no matter how much Vince talks about his physique. Bellomo was is usual self, which meant he was terrible.
Tonga Kid vs. “Rowdy” Roddy Piper
Piper stalls by slowly walking around the ring. He pulls down Tonga and goes in the ring and beats him down. Tonga somersaults underneath a clothesline attempt and gets a crossbody block. He beats on Piper in the corner and hits a few headbutts. He hits a dropkick and the fans are going nuts. Piper begs for mercy for a bit then uses Tonga’s momentum to toss him over the ropes. Piper rolls Tonga back in the ring and grabs a chair. Tonga ducks a chairshot and knocks Piper down. He hits a top rope headbutt grabs the chair instead of covering and wails on Piper as the ref rings the bell for the DQ (3:40). Hw goes nuts as several heels run in to get him away. Tonga goes back and jumps on Piper, who gets taken out of the ring. Tonga celebrates in the ring.
Thoughts: The match was fine but the finish was wild and it turned the Tonga Kid into a star. Piper was awesome, nailing all of the heel mannerisms to go along with his brilliant selling of Tonga’s offense. Speaking of the Tonga Kid, he did great and showed a ton of fire, especially for someone who was only 19 years old that the time.
Gene Okerlund is with Ken Patera, who states everal magazines wrote about how he  beat Bruno Sammartino in 1979 then runs down his son, David, and says that Lou Albano will be in his corner when he faces Sammartino at MSG on Noember 26th.
Bruno Sammartino holds up the chair from the previous match as the camera closes up on a dent. Vince states that since Piper brought in the chair, Tonga Kid won by disqualification. They plug next week’s featured match, which is Judy Martin vs. Wendi Richter in a non-title match.
Final Thoughts: The featured bout was great. There was some really bad wrestling but the Piper/Tonga feud is really hot and they are continuing to get JYD over as a face act. They need to work on a feud for the tag-champs as the Samoans were about done and they were using JYD & Slaughter to go against Sheik & Volkoff for the house shows.
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