saturday — page 11

BoD Saturday Night Thread

17th November 2013 by Scott Keith

On tap for tonight:

UFC 167
College Football
NHL
NBA
Boxing on HBO, highlighted by Andre Ward vs. Edwin Rodriguez.
Saturday Night Live is all new tonight, with Lady Gaga performing as both host and the musical guest.

Also, the 2 Cold Scorpio shoot won with 46% of the vote. The recap will be posted Thursday afternoon.

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BoD Saturday Night Thread

10th November 2013 by Scott Keith

On tap for tonight:

College Football
NBA
NHL
UFC in Brazil

Just a note, I will not be able to put up my shoot interview recap until Thursday due to life stressors (nothing bad).

However, here is the trailer to the new RF Video Shoot with Paul Roma. He just goes off on everyone here.

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WWF Saturday Night’s Main Event: May 11th, 1985

6th November 2013 by Scott Keith

Unfortunately, my old VHS copy of this show was not working so I watched in on YouTube, which did not have the interview with Lauper & Albano before her music video was shown.

May 11, 1985

Your hosts are Jesse Ventura and Vince McMahon

Vince welcomes the crowd, which is absolutely jacked, and runs down the show. Both Mr. T and Cyndi Lauper will be here. Also, two championship matches will take place as Wendi Richter defends her Women’s Championship against the Fabulous Moolah and Hulk Hogan defends his World Heavyweight Championship against Bob Orton.

Iron Sheik & Nikolai Volkoff & George “The Animal” Steele w/ Freddie Blassie vs. Barry Windham & Mike Rotundo & Ricky Steamboat w/Capt. Lou Albano

Windham works over Sheik to the delight of the crowd. The faces then all take turns working on the arm until Rotundo grabs a front facelock. The match breaks down then the faces clear the ring of the heels. Back from break, Steamboat is working the arm of the Sheik. He hits a powerslam then a missile dropkick. Flying body press gets two after Volkoff breaks up the pin. The faces take turns beating on Volkoff for a bit. Rotundo gets a few nearfalls until the Animal tags into the match. He runs around then looks for a tag but his partners bail and that allows Windham to rolll him up from behind for the win (6:29) **1/4. After the match, Sheik and Volkoff return to beat on the Animal. Albano comes into the ring and consoles his former client.

Thoughts: Good action and it was weird to see the faces completely dominate the match. Also, the first ever segment on SNME had George Steele turn to the lovable babyface he portrayed until he retired.

Piper’s Pit with guest Paul Orndorff. The segment starts with Orndorff ordering Orton to the corner, quoting Eastwood’s “make my day” line. Piper flips out about this then Orndorff finally sits down and calls out Piper for abandoning him after their match at WrestleMania. Piper accuses Orndorff of losing his guts then says that he has drinking “too much of his own bathwater.” Piper flat out calls him a piece of garbage and calls Orndorff an embarrassment to him, Orton, and his family. Piper tries to cheapshot Orndorff but he blocks it and goes after Piper and Orton. He has Piper up for the piledriver but Orton attacks him from behind. They beat on him until Mr. T runs out for the save. Good stuff.

Okerlund is with Hulk Hogan. He asks him about what just happened on “Piper’s Pit.” Hogan says that Orndorff felt what it was like inside to have people behind him and says that he now has a change of heart and wishes him the best.

WWF Heavyweight Championship Match
“Cowboy” Bob Orton w/Roddy Piper vs. Hulk Hogan (Champion) w/ Mr. T

Mr. T and Hogan rip off each other’s shirts in an attempt to showcase wrestling’s homoeroticism to a national audience. Orton tries to attack from behind ut Hogan catches him. He chases him around then gets a backdrop and a few slams. Orton bails then Hogan works the arm when he re-enters the ring. Orton comes back ith a knee smash then hammers away for a few minutes until Hogan hulks up. He hits a clothesline then drops an elbow for two. He works on him in the coner but Orton breaks that up with an inverted atomic drop. He sets him up for the superplex as the crowd is in awe but Hogan knocks him off the top and hits an elbow smash. Hogan then drops the leg but Piper cheapshots him and the ref rings the bell for the DQ (6:54) *3/4. After the match, Mr. T runs out but he gets duble-teamed in the corner. Orndorff runs out to back the faces, officially cementing his turn.

Thoughts: Not much of a match but decent enough. Lots of stalling and a good amount of attention was paid to the guys on the outside. We now have our main event matches set up for the next few months.

We are shown a music video from Cyndi Lauper’s song “Good Enough” from the “Goonies” sound track. The song was awful. Afterwards, Albano and Lauper call it the greatest song ever until Piper runs out and rants at Lauper, stating that Sreven Spielberg asked him to be in the video and she had him cut his part.


WWF Women’s Championship Match
Fabulous Moolah vs. Wendi Richter w/Cyndi Lauper

Before the match, Howard Finkel reads a note that orders Lauper to leave the floor and head back to the dressing room. Moolah kicks Richter out of the ring then stalls for a minute, allowing Richter to dropkick her out to the floor. Moolah gets roughed up for a minute then the girls slug it out in the ring. She pulls her off the ropes a few times but gets chopped and Moolah uses some cheap heel stuff until Richter hits her with a small package for the win (3:14) 1/4*. Lauper runs out with Dave Wolfe to congratulate with Richter.

Thoughts: The match was a lot of stalling but it most likely would have been a lot worse had it gone longer than several minutes.

Okerlund is with the Junkyard Dog and his mother. JYD says he took his mother to New York for Mother’s Day. That was it for this interview.

Pete Dougherty vs. Junkyard Dog w/Bertha

JYD headbutts Dougherty then hits a clothesline. Dougherty starts screaming outside then JYD yanks him up by the hair. In the ring, JYD no-sells a few punches then uses his crawling headbutts. He slams Dougherty off the top rope then uses some more headbutts then hits the powerslam for the win (3:15) 1/4*. After the match, JYD and his mother dance in the ring to the delight of Vince.

Thoughts: A long, dull squash match. I am pretty sure that Vince wanted to highlight JYD dancing on a national stage as he was always way into his dancing segments.

Okerlund is backstage with everyone at Lauper’s Mother’s Day party. Typical wackiness from the 80’s WWF including a drunk, ranitng Albano and Blassie lying to Okerlund about the hot young girl in a bikini being his mother. Moolah comes out, upset that she is not invited and ends up getting tossed into the giant cake that was on the table.

Final Thoughts: The wrestling wasn’t much but they ran a really hot angle and the production values were much better than their other shows so it turned out okay. Two free title matches on TV was a huge deal back then as well.

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Saturday Night Thread

3rd November 2013 by Scott Keith

Bayless DROPS THE MUTHAFUCKIN BALL. Well, there's a first time for everything.

So yeah, stuff happens tonight, I guess. Go sports? Bellator on TV for those who want the MMA version of TNA.

Dammit, Bayless, this is way out of my comfort zone…

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BoD Saturday Night Thread

20th October 2013 by Scott Keith

Thought I would post this early tonight seeing as it is a big night for sports.

Games and Events for Tonight include:

Game 6 of the ALCS
UFC 166
College Football
NHL Hockey
NASCAR

As usual, talk about anything else that is going on for tonight. Just a reminder, SNL is a rerun tonight of the season premiere with host Tina Fey and Musical Guest Arcade Fire. Also, for those wondering, the Paul Orndorff shoot won with 55% of the vote. The recap will be posted early Thursday afternoon.

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WCW Saturday Night: August 16, 1997

7th January 2013 by Scott Keith
August 16, 1997
This will not be a regular segment. I found a few of these shows on YouTube and reviewed them when I was sick. I will post them in chronological order with Tommy’s reviews.
A clip at the end of Road Wild with Dennis Rodman and the nWo.
Your Hosts are Dusty Rhodes and Tony Schiavone

Jim Powers vs. Eddie Guerrero

Dusty and Tony discuss the nWo Sting as Powers tosses Guerrero. Eddie rolls out and yells at the fans, who are chanting “Eddie Sucks.” Dusty talks about Eddie’s change in attitude and even said that he tried to talk to him in “Latino” today. Back in the ring, Powers hits a shoulderblock and wins a test of strength. Side headlock takedown by Powers who catches Eddie with a belly-to-belly suplex shortly afterwards. Guerrero catches Powers in a drop toehold. He hits a brainbuster to set up for the Frog Splash, getting the win (3:09). After the match, Eddie yells into the camera.
Thoughts: Dull squash to give Eddie a win. Dusty’s comment about speaking “Latino” was the highlight of the match.
Dusty and Tony discuss the Sting/JJ Dillon confrontation from Nitro and mention that Alex Wright will defend the Cruiserweight Title against Chris Jericho tonight.
A plug for the Clash of the Champions XXXV, which will air on Thursday.
Lenny Lane vs. “Dancing” Stevie Richards
This is the WCW in-ring debut for Richards. Tony brings up their “Grudge Match” that will happen at the Clash and talks about Raven refusing to sign a contract. Stevie gets a chop in the corner. Lane comes back with a poor excuse of a clothesline then chases Stevie around the ring. Stevie begs for mercy then the camera pans to the crowd and when we come back it appears that Stevie it Lane with a low blow. Was that not allowed on TBS? They then show a clip of the Stevie/Raven confrontation from Nitro and when they return to the match, Lane is in control. He gets two off of a missile dropkick and a bulldog. Stevie ducks an attack and hits the Stevie Kick for the win (3:09)
Thoughts: An unmemorable debut for Richards to say the least. They were trying to portray him as a face and his act is anything but that. His WCW tenure was a bust and he was done a few months later. Panning to the crowd and showing a clip of Nitro during this match speaks volumes.
Clip from Nitro where DDP attacked Curt Hennig during his match with Randy Savage. Scott Hall runs out and attacks DDP along with Savage. Lex Luger runs in and clears the ring.
Rick Fuller vs. Diamond Dallas Page
Tony says that Luger is here tonight then plugs the main event for this show, Wrath & Mortis vs. Ric Flair & Curt Hennig. DDP starts things off with an armdrag. They trade shots in the corner for a bit until DDP gets a back suplex. Fuller shoves DDP back in the corner and works on him as the crowd chants for DDP. Legdrop gets two then DDP fights back. He hits a facebuster which sets up the Diamond Cutter for the win (2:26).
Thoughts: The outcome was never in question here. Fuller, despite being huge, never got pushed past jobber status. There were a lot worse big men in the ring than him.  A quick win for DDP before his tag match with Luger against Hall & Savage at Clash of the Champions.
Mean Gene is in the locker room with DDP and Luger. DDP calls Hennig  a low-life backstabber then goes on about how he wanted respect from the other wrestlers. Luger talks about being a cohesive unit and taking a stand against the nWo. He promises they will take care of business at the Clash. Dull promo.
Texas Hangmen vs. Konnan & Syxx w/Vincent
The Texas Hangmen are the same guys in Disorderly Conduct. They are wearing masks and a full body costume. The nWo guys get jumped before the match but turn things around quickly and start posing in the ring. Syxx gets a Bronco Buster but Hangman #2 clotheslines him from the apron. Syxx gets double-teamed for a bit until he hits a spinning wheel kick and tags Konnan. He runs wild and hits his cradle DDT before Syxx tags and finishes the match with the Buzzkill (2:30).
Thoughts: A meaningless win for the nWo guys before their match at the Clash against Ric Flair & Curt Hennig, which no one cares about.
Mean Gene is in the locker room with Flair and Hennig. Gene asks Flair if Hennig is a Horseman and Flair says that he is not but is confident that he will follow down the right path. Hennig says he is still a free agent but that Flair can “boogie woogie woogie” with the best of them and is leaning towards the Horsemen. Its very clear that Hennig is turning on Flair at some point soon.
Back from break and Okerlund is plugging the WCW Hotline including news of a wrestling promoter in Mexico who was kidnapped along with other news.
WCW Cruiserweight Championship Match
Chris Jericho vs. Alex Wright (Champion)
Wright won the belt from Jericho less than weeks ago on Nitro. Jericho attacks Wright as he is dancing. Wright begs for mercy in the corner and Jericho stomps away. Jericho gets a dropkick and a snap suplex as the crowd starts a “USA” chant, which prompts Dusty to tell us that Wright is from England. Jericho gets a hiptoss and a scoop slam then stomps on Wright in the corner. Jericho misses a charge in the corner and Wright goes to work. He taunts the crowd after hitting a back suplex. Wright works the back for a bit as Jericho comes back with a crossbody but gets taken down quickly with a clothesline. Wright knocks Jericho down again and starts dancing. He places Jericho up top but gets shoved down to the mat. Jericho leaps off the top rope but Wright catches him in mid-air with a dropkick. Wright chokes out Jericho, who fights back. Jericho misses a dropkick but manages to hit a missile dropkick shortly afterwards. He gets two off a flying back elbow smash but Wright comes back with an eye poke. He gets nearfalls with a gutwrench and a double underhook suplex. Wright blocks the Liontamer but Jericho gets it on during the second attempt and Wright eventually taps, making Jericho the new champion (8:39) **1/2. After the match, Jericho celebrates and Eddie Guerrero runs off the apron and pushes Jericho’s face, then walks away.
Thoughts: Match was fine but the Cruiserweight Title is completely meaningless at this point. Also, I have no idea why Jericho lost it only to regain it three weeks later to start a feud with Guerrero.
Chris Cruise calls from the road. He is in Birmingham, AL and went to the zoo and saw “Big Cat.” That was the entire segment.
The nWo celebrates their first birthday. Watching Nash fuck around in these type of things is still funny to me.
Clip from Road Wild where Jarrett threw his match where he teamed with Dean Malenko against Chris Benoit & Steve McMichael.
Mark Starr vs. Jeff Jarrett w/Debra
Good lord, Mark Starr was still wrestling on national TV in 1997. Jarrett gets a takedown and struts to start off. He gets caught in a drop toehold but Starr misses an elbow drop and Jarrett gets a slam before laying in the corner. Starr comes back with a clothesline, hiptoss, and a scoop slam. He gets in some mounted punches in the corner as Debra jumps on the apron to distract Starr. Jarrett gets a suplex and chokes Starr as a “Mongo” chant breaks out. Jarrett hits an enziguiri then ducks a clothesline and hits a back suplex. He then softens up the leg or Starr before slapping on the figure-four leglock and getting the win (4:12). Dusty warns Jarrett on commentary that “Mongo’s a comin’.”
Thoughts: Jarrett is not getting over as a star, despite the push. I know matches against Mark Starr is not helping but neither did Debra or the Horsemen angle.
Mean Gene is with Jarrett and Debra. Alex Wright interrupts and speaks with Debra, who says “no gold, no queen.” She says that Jarrett will be the champion.
Another clip from Nitro where the Giant is arrested for violating a restraining order put out by Bischoff.
Renegade vs. Super Calo
What a matchup! Calo gets a crucifix then sends Renegade to the floor with a dropkick. Renegade signals for a timeout but Calo takes him out with a tope. Back in the ring, Renegade sidesteps a dropkick then chokes out Calo. He hits a pumphandle backbreaker then stretches out Calo. Powerslam gets two. Splash gets two. Calo escapes from a Camel Clutch then the Renegade royally fucks up a sunsetflip attempt before missing a handspring back elbow smash in the corner. Calo then places Renegade up top and hits a headscissor takedown for the win (3:58).
Thoughts: The Renegade sucked and if they wanted to give Calo a win, couldn’t they have at least threw in a Luchadore in the match to make it interesting. Speaking of Renegade, I forgot he was even in the promotion at this point.
Another WCW Hotline Plug
Steve “Mongo” McMichael vs. Hector Guerrero
Dusty talks up the Guerrero’s as Mongo hits a shoulderblock. Mongo hits a sideslam and hammers away. Guerrero takes down Mongo and works the leg as Dusty tells us how Virginia and Ohio pale in comparison to Texas when it comes to “whuppins” before he starts to sing “Miss America.” Guerrero sidesteps the Three Point Stance and gets two off a sunset flip. Flying headbutt gets two. Mongo then catches Hector with a powerslam before hitting the Tombstone for the win (3:44). After the match, Jarrett runs in and attacks Mongo’s legs and puts on the Figure Four before Chris Benoit runs in and clears the ring.
Thoughts: Hector could still go at his age, which was 42 at this point. He made Mongo look decent. Further continuation of the Mongo/Jarrett feud.
Clip from Nitro with JJ Dillon in the ring with Mean Gene. JJ has a contract for Sting, who comes from the rafters. JJ tells him he can have a match with any member of the nWo and he says Syxx before ripping up the contract. Fans start a “we want Hogan” chant.
Jerry Flynn vs. Yuji Nagata
Flynn starts with some kicks then lets out an evil laugh. They do some matwork for a bit until Flynn hits a suplex. Nagata fires back with kicks then gets an enziguiri. He gets a back elbow smash but Flynn catches him with a hook kick then chokes him out. Nagata fights back then catches Flynn’s leg and turns it in to an ankle lock. He hits an overhead belly-to-belly suplex then makes him tap to the Nagata Lock (The leg lock one, not the crossface) (3:33).
Thoughts: I believe Nagata was like a tweener at this point and didn’t re-align with Onoo for another few months. He was an awful babyface at this point though.
Wrath & Mortis w/James Vandenberg vs. Ric Flair & Curt Hennig
Hennig and Wrath start things out. Wrath easily escapes a go-behind and Hennig goes over to talk with Flair. More stalling from Hennig before Wrath works the arm and grabs a headlock. Shoulderblock gets two from Wrath, who tags Mortis. He misses an elbow drop and that allows Hennig to tag Flair. They beat on Mortis, quickly tagging in and out. Mortis gets two off a rollup on Flair. Neckbreaker gets two. They double team Flair in the corner for a bit. Wrath hits a sideslam for two. Mortis tags but misses a top rope leg drop and that allows Flair to tag Hennig. The crowd is silent as Hennig runs wild before hitting the Fisherman’s Suplex for the win (5:39) ½*.
Thoughts: Bland match. The crowd was silent for this but after watching this show, who could get excited for a boring match like this. Hennig was not really over that much at all, actually. His WCW run was not too memorable.
Final Thoughts: When you had Nitro go two hours, there was no reason at all for this show to go on longer than an hour. The Crusierweight title changing hands was the only competitive match. A lot of unimpressive squash matches and clips from Nitro and Road Wild were showcased. They attempted to put over the Clash and I still didn’t care about the show. Dusty on commentary is a highlight in that its unintentional comedy but this show had nothing going on. With all of the talent on the roster, they could have used this as a show to give the younger guys a chance and give the cruiserweights some matches but instead it was a clip show with a bunch of squashes that lasted two hours.
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Fwd: Daniel Bryan vs Tyson Kidd Saturday Morning Slam

26th October 2012 by Scott Keith

———- Forwarded message ———- Hey Scott, Long time reader…keep up the fantastic work! Don't know if you saw this match yet or not, but it is a serious Match of the Year Candidate hidden on Saturday Morning Slam. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3keykHR6JWw&feature=related Thanks Scott. ——————— Santino was pretty great on commentary too, acting as the questioning kid watching the show.  WWE is so insular now and it's refreshing to have a simple show with the goal of EXPLAINING this stuff to new viewers.

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