superstars

http://botchamania.com/2017/11/16/botchamania-355/

http://botchamania.com/2017/10/29/botchamania-354/

With TLC, non-cooperating tables, weird dives, Shockmaster, Cuphead, french commentary, Stevie Ray with a hat, Simpsons references and everything else wrestling.

http://botchamania.com/2017/09/04/botchamania-350/

Sorry for the delay, moving house and having a SSD drive shite itself will do that.

Containing Summerslam, Simpsons, tables, Simpsons, Duck Game and Simpsons.

http://botchamania.com/2017/08/13/botchamania-349/

Botchamania 349!

With the most awkward match of 2017, Nia Jax’s elbow, Stevie Ray talking about BIG T and Simpsons references.

http://botchamania.com/2017/07/16/botchamania-347/

Botchamania 347!
Featuring Great Balls of Fire, ambulances, NJPW commentating, Sabu vs. fans and Pokemon jokes.

–Vince McMahon recaps how the Smoking Gunns became the new WWF Tag Team Champions on Monday Night RAW when they defeated Bob Holly and the 1-2-3 Kid.

–McMahon and Jerry Lawler are doing commentary and they are announcing taped matches from one of the WWF’s favorite locations:  Corpus Christi, Texas!

WWE Superstars #331
Air Date: August 14, 2015
Venue: Xfinity Center, Everett, Washington
Announcers: Rich Brennan, Byron Saxton, Jimmy Uso

If Smackdown is the neglected middle child between Papa Vince’s first born, RAW, and newborn baby NXT, then Superstars is the boy who lives in the cupboard under the stairs.

In this week’s review, we talk about the jobberific new tag team of Jack Swagger and Fandango vs. The Ascension, Bo Dallas vs. R-Truth, and I will attempt to fix Bo Dallas.

August 29, 1987

From the Dane County Expo Center in Madison, WI

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

In action this week will be Paul Orndorff, Junkyard Dog, and Strike Force. Plus, Brutus Beefcake is with hairstylist Sal Fodera and more.

August 15, 1987


From the Dane County Coliseum in Madison, WI

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

This week we will have the in-ring debut of the “Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase (well, as the “Million Dollar Man” character anyway). Also in action will be Randy Savage, Sherri Martel, and Jake Roberts.

We see a limo pull up to the arena where Virgil gets out and opens the door for Ted DiBiase.

Steve Lombardi vs. “Macho Man” Randy Savage w/ Elizabeth


Vince was fawning all over Elizabeth here. Jesse thinks that Savage is getting a bit soft for letting Elizabeth walk in front of him instead of behind as they are more blatant in their attempt to turn Savage face. Savage backs Lombardi against the ropes then gets attacked from behind when complaining to the referee. We see an insert promo of Elizabeth saying she was not in the running to manage Bam Bam because Savage was the premiere wrestler in the WWF. Back to the match as Savage hits a kneelift but misses a charge as Lombardi follows with a clothesline for a nearfall. Savage then gets dumped to the floor to a mixed reaction but he fights back. Savage slams Lombardi to the floor and follows out with a double axe handle then heads back inside where he hits the flying elbow smash for the win (2:38).

Thoughts: With Vince praising Savage while Jesse was criticizing him, the face push is well on its way. The fans were basically treating him like one and add that to the fact he was facing a heel jobber it was easy to figure out. Plus, Savage was not bullying Elizabeth here either.






WWF Update with Craig DeGeorge. This week’s subject is the One Man Gang as they show clips of last week’s show in which Gang laid out a referee and other wrestlers with his front suplex. We then see Jack Tunney telling us that Gang has been fined $10,000 and will be placed on a 30 day probation period and if he does something like this again, “more severe action” will be taken. Slick is then shown saying $10,000 is a “whole lotta mo-nay” for a first offense then he laughs it up with Gang about this not being a problem. They are hyping up Gang to feed to Hogan.

We are now shown Michael Caplan of A&R Epic Records as we learn about the Wrestling Album titled “Piledriver.” We will hear a whole lot about that for the next several weeks.

Sherri Martel vs. Angie Minelli


Before the match, Martel grabs the mic and tells us all she will be known as “Sensational” Sherri. The match starts with Sherri working the arm of Minelli then yanking her down by the hair. Minelli fights back and hits what Vince calls a “really sloppy” forearm before taking Sherri down with a monkey flip. We are then shown an insert of the French commentary team, which includes Frenchy Martin, as Martel then hits a suplex then finishes of Minelli with an awful-looking splash for the win (2:33).

Thoughts: It appears that they are going to push the Women’s division again. Its been over  ayear since a women’s match has been shown on TV. This was the birth of Sensational Sherri. The match was nothing much to Vince seemed a little harsh on Minelli for some reason. She wasnt that bad.






Gene Okerlund runs down the 8/22 Madison Square Garden show card.In a production change, the graphics of the matches are now shown on the screen in sync with Okerlund. We then hear from Ricky Steamboat, who will be facing the Honky Tonk Man for the IC Title in a Lumberjack Match. He runs down Honky for stretching the rules and cheating to retain the title when they faced off last month. Much better than the typical Steamboat promo from this era. And the previous match they had was awesome.

We see a clip of the Honky Tonk Man singing his song for the Piledriver album. Honky rips on Elvis Presley then expresses anger over Hulk Hogan being on the cover of the album.

Jake “The Snake” Roberts vs. Dave Wagner


The crowd goes nuts for Jake here. He beats on Wagner as we get an insert promo from Danny Davis, saying things are getting out of hand in the WWF as evidenced by Jake using his snake after his matches and that if he was the referee, this would never happen. Back to the match as Wagner gets tossed to the floor then rammed into the ring post. They head back into the ring where Jake hits a kneelift then shortly after that gets the win with the DDT (2:37). After the match, Jake brings out the snake while Jesse leaves the booth, saying that he has an interview to conduct.

Thoughts: Jake was insanely over here. The bit with Davis seemed more geared towards his feud with Mr. T and the other WWF officials rather than Davis but that ended up being dropped fast when Mr. T was fired.






Okerlund runs down the 9/11 card at the Meadowlands before bringing out Brutus Beefcake, who will be facing the Million Dollar Man. Beefcake tells us he is burning like a “wildfire” and unable to be put out as he cuts a generic promo about Virgil and DiBiase.

Jesse is backstage with Johnny V. in the “Battle for Bam Bam” segment as we learn that Bam Bam has declined Johnny’s services. Johnny does not take to kind to the news.

New Dream Team vs. Brady Boone & Sonny Rogers


Johnny V. is not out here for the match. Bravo beats on Boone in the corner. Boone flips off of Bravo’s chest then tries a monkey flip but gets caught with one painful looking inverted atomic drop. Johnny V. finally runs out and is still pissed as he slaps the apron repeatedly. Valentine tags and hits Boone with a suplex as we are shown the Spanish broadcast team, including Tito Santana. Boone fights back with a dropkick then tags Rogers, who fails to do anything. Bravo tags and softens up Rogers until he tags Valentine, who gets the win with the figure four (3:02).

Thoughts: The New Dream Team was a flop and this was really just filler. Also, it was the beginning of the end for Johnny V. as once the Beefcake feud ended, he was a complete afterthought.






DeGeorge is at the podium with Rick Rude and Bobby Heenan, who tells us that Rude has the greatest physique in the whole Heenan Family and that everyone has welcomed him with open arms. DeGeorge then asks the whereabouts of Paul Orndorff as Heenan gets defensive and says he is on vacation. DeGeorge then brings up how Orndorff fired Heenan two years ago as Heenan promises to bring out Orndorff next week and claims Orndorff will tell Rude that he has the best physique in the Heenan Family. The seed is planted for the Rude/Orndorff feud.

Rick Martel vs. Barry Horowitz


Martel starts by using his agility to gain the advantage against Horowitz. We are then shown Heenan and the Islanders in an insert promo making fun of Martel and the Islanders as they threaten to put him out of wrestling. Back to the match as Horowitz is working the arm. Martel then comes back with a dropkick and an armdrag but Horowtiz uses a turnbuckle smash after an eye rake. Martel then fights back with a hiptoss then gets the win with a crossbody from the middle rope (2:28). After the match, the Islanders come out and surround Martel, eventually beating him down. However, Tito Santana runs out to the ring, wearing his announcing attire, and clears the ring. After the Islanders retreat, Santana walks Martel to the back.

Thoughts: The match was fine but the more important thing here was what occurred after the match as we saw what led to the formation of Strike Force.






Radio host Kal Rudman is here putting over the Piledriver album, specifically the production. Rudman also did some of the backstage interview segments at the Philadelphia Spectrum shows. They are going all out here to promote this album.

The British Bulldogs are here to tell us that Matilda does indeed talk then the camera zooms in on the dog as a voiceover says “headbutt, Dynamite.” This was really awful.

“Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase w/ Virgil vs. Jerry Allen


Before heading into the ring, DiBiase tells the crowd to beg him for some money as he throws some on the floor and makes them fight over it for his amusement. Match starts with DiBiase beating on Allen. He hits a slam and a backdrop as Jesse is impressed with his skills. Allen ducks a chop and comes back with a crossbody for two. However, DiBiase hits Allen with a stungun then puts on a Cobra Clutch then hits a Russian leg sweep for the win (1:51).

Thoughts: DiBiase looked good here but the crowd did not react as much as you would think. They were not all that loud. Not a good sign. That would change but it took time for him to get over with the crowd.






Next week in action will be Ken Patera, Butch Reed, Kamala & Sika, and Koko B. Ware. Plus, more on the “Battle for Bam Bam” and Paul Orndorff appearing to confront Rick Rude and Bobby Heenan.

Final Thoughts: An action-packed show this week. We saw how Strike Force was created, the birth of the Sensational Sherri character, the news about the Piledriver album, the beginning of the Rude/Orndorff feud, and how they are starting to push Savage as a babyface. A lot of stuff happened here.

Here is my schedule for the next several days:

Tuesday: WWF Boston Garden 8/15/87
Thursday: RF Video Shoot Interview with Rey Mysterio (2015)
Friday: WWF Wrestling Challenge 8/16/87
Saturday: RoH The Tradition Continues 10/16/03
Sunday: WWF Superstars of Wrestling 8/22/87

I do not have the 8/2 or 8/9 editions of Wrestling Challenge so we will be skipping over them.


August 8, 1987

From the Civic Center in Glens Falls, NY

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

In action this week will be Jake Roberts, Demolition, Hart Foundation, George Steele, and the One Man Gang.

Jesse Ventura is backstage with Jimmy Hart in a segment titled “The Battle for Bam Bam.” Jesse wants him to tell us the news as a nervous Hart tells us that Bam Bam Bigelow has rejected him as a manager but that he still manages two champions.

Joe Mirto & Don Muraco & Cowboy Bob Orton vs. Hillbilly Jim & Tito Santana & Junkyard Dog

Match starts off with a brawl between everyone except JYD, who stands off to the side. The match settles down as Jim overpowers Mirto before tagging out. JYD hits Muraco with some crawling headbutts as the crowd barely responds to that. Muraco ducks out for a breather and argues with Orton before tagging out. Orton and Santana fight over a lockup then Orton takes control and tries for a tombstone piledriver but Santana breaks the hold. Muraco tags and now tries the superplex but Orton pushes Santana on top as Muraco gets pinned (3:02). After the match, Orton and Muraco argue. Orton then slaps Muraco as that triggers a brawl that ends up outside and then into the crowd.

Thoughts: The Muraco/Orton split seems to be final here. The crowd didnt react much to this but they clearly made Orton out to be the instigator here.



WWF Update with Craig DeGeorge. This week’s subject is Superstar Billy Graham and how he got attacked by Butch Reed during their posedown from last week. They focused on Reed attacking Graham’s surgically repaired hip and Graham fighting back. We then see Slick and Reed, who promises to send Graham back into retirement.

Demolition w/ Mr. Fuji vs. Sivi Afi & Brady Boone

Ax beats down Afi to start. We then see an insert promo of Fuji telling us he will sign Bam Bam. Boone tags in as Smash destroys him. Boone slingshots in with a dropkick and does a few flips but gets caught with a backbreaker. Boone fights back with a kneelift but gets caught with a stungun then Demolition puts him away with the decapitation (2:52).

Thoughts: Another impressive showing for Demolition and more confusion about who will actually manage Bam Bam.



Gene Okerlund is with Jim Brunzell. He reminds him how Blair and himself have beaten the Hart Foundation twice in a row as Brunzell proceeds to cut a painfully dull interview that leads to nothing. This was a counterproductive segment as it made the Bees out to be the dullest team of all-time instead of title contenders.

A clip of the Million Dollar Man giving a lady in the crowd $100 to wipe the sweat off of him as a voiceover tells us we will all do what he asks as everyone has their price.

George “The Animal” Steele vs. Dusty Wolfe

Wolfe’s mullet was tremendous tonight. Steele stands outside of the ring as he is introduced. He immediately attacks Wolfe and tosses him to the floor. Back inside, Steele bites open a turnbuckle then grounds Wolfe with a hammerlock then puts him away with the flying hammerlock (1:48). After the match, George scares off the referee while Vince cackles like an idiot.

Thoughts: The crowd loved Steele’s antics and this was the best use of him.



Okerlund is with Bobby Heenan and King Harley Race, who says he put the gold around his waist. Heenan then tells Hogan that his days are numbered. I dont think people were buying Race as a threat here.



Hart Foundation w/ Jimmy Hart & Danny Davis vs. Paul Roma & Jim Powers

Before the match, Howard Finkel introduces Mr. T as the special enforcer for this match as the fans go nuts. They teased a confrontation between Mr. T and Danny Davis here too. Match starts with the Hart Foundation working the back of Powers. We get an insert promo from Davis, who tells us that the officiating in the WWF stinks. Vince puts over Roma & Powers and notes their improvement. Powers sidesteps a charging Hart and tags Roma, who runs wild. The fans get into this a bit s Roma looks good out there. Hart blocks a monkey flip then rolls him up while putting his feet on the ropes and gets the pin.  However, Mr. T comes into the ring and tells the referee what happened then Finkel informs us that the decision has been reversed as Powers & Roma have won the match (2:56). Powers & Roma then clear the Hart Foundation from the ring with dropkicks as they stand tall with Mr. T.

Thoughts: A huge win for Roma & Powers. This was supposed to lead to Mr. T being there manager but according to Roma in his shoot interview, Mr. T no-showed a bunch of dates and as a result, Mr. T was gone.



DeGeorge is at the podium with the Islanders and Bobby Heenan. They bring up how Zenk quit, without mentioning him by name, as Heenan says Martel should follow suit and go back to Canada and find a job shoveling snow or sweeping the street. The Islanders then declare themselves as the number one tag team.

Jake “The Snake” Roberts vs. Barry Horowitz

Horowitz backs Roberts into the corner but eats boot on a charge. Roberts uses a short-arm clothesline and roughs him up until he hits the DDT for the win (1:09).

Thoughts: Not much to this to be honest.



One Man Gang w/ Slick vs. David Stoudemire

Gang stomps on Stoudemire and slams him down as we get an insert promo from Slick saying he has signed Bam Bam. Gang then hits Stoudemire with the gordbuster for the win (0:58). Jesse notes how it will be interesting to see him face Hogan as Gang then shoves the ref and hits another gordbuster to Stoudemire then another to the referee. A few more referees come into the ring but Gang chases him off. Some of the jobbers run out to save Stoudemire but they also get hit with the move as Gang then taunts the crowd to a scattering of boos.

Thoughts: They put Gang over as a monster here to mixed crowd reaction. Then again, the crowd was flat for this show, which was the last of the taping. This was the beginning of Gang’s push as he would soon be facing Hogan at house shows.



Okerlund is with Jimmy Hart and asks him about his plans. Hart brings out the newest copy of “WWF Magazine” that features the Honky Tonk Man on the cover. Honky finally comes out with his guitar as Okerlund runs down the list of competitors for his title. Honky then cuts a generic promo about how people want a lot of things but no one will get his IC title. Less entertaining than most of Honky’s promos.

In action next week will be in-ring debut of the Million Dollar Man, Jake Roberts, Randy Savage, and more news on the “Battle for Bam Bam.”

Final Thoughts: The show was okay this week. Next week with DiBiase making his debut as the Million Dollar Man should be fun. And Hart not being a manager for Bam Bam furthers that story along.

Here is my schedule for the next several days:

Sunday: WWF Superstars of Wrestling 8/15/17
Tuesday: WWF Boston Garden 8/15/87
Thursday: Shoot Interview TBD
Friday: WWF Wrestling Challenge 8/16/87

August 1, 1987

From the Civic Center in Glens Falls, NY

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

In action this week will be Brutus Beefcake & The Rougeau Brothers, Ken Patera, and the Honky Tonk Man. Plus, the posedown between Butch Reed and Superstar Billy Graham and more

Bubba Kirk & Rick Renslow & Dave Wagner vs. The Rougeau Brothers & Brutus Beefcake

The Rougeaus hit Wagner with a double dropkick. Renslow comes in for a cheapshot and gets hit with a double dropkick himself. Beefcake and Kirk tag in as we get an insert prom from the New Dream Team as they tell Beefcake he will not get away for what he did to them. He hits a back suplex then tags out as the Rougeaus get the win with the Rougeau Bomb (1:54). After the match, Beefcake cuts Kirk’s hair then spray paints a giant “B” on his chest.

Thoughts: Not much to the match other than Beefcake cutting the hair of Kirk at the end. This also continues the feud the three winners have against the New Dream Team.

WWF Update with Craig DeGeorge. We see a clip of the Fabulous Moolah losing her Women’s Title to Sherri Martel at a House Show in Houston. Martel got the win after rolling through a slam attempt.

Bobby Heenan heads to the ring with King Harley Race and Hercules. He tells us that he has been in pain for months due to Ken Patera but will no longer worry about that as he can relax as he has found the newest member of the Bobby Heenan family, “Ravishing” Rick Rude. As he heads inside, Rude removes his robe then flexes as Jesse is in awe.

Mario Mancini & Rick Hunter & Jerry Allen vs. King Harley Race & Hercules w/ Bobby Heenan

Rude starts the match as he powerslams Allen, the man we fought in his MSG debut a week prior. Race tags and beats on Allen as we get Heenan in an insert promo saying that Rude will also help him sign Bam Bam as they are good friends. Back to the match as Hunter gets roughed up until Rude puts him away with a slingshot suplex (1:38). Jesse also puts over Rude as a National Arm Wrestling Champion.

Thoughts: Solid TV debut for Rude as the WWF continues to add more talent to the roster. Hercules and Race were just their are garnish, to borrow from Dusty Rhodes.

Gene Okerlund is with Hulk Hogan, who will be facing Killer Khan at the Cow Palace on August 25th. Hogan flexes to the side of the camera then he tells us how after Khan spit mist in his eyes, he spoke with Oliver North to devise a battle plan to take care of Khan and Fuji. Goofy promo from Hogan. Well, goofier than usual.

A Million Dollar Man Ted DiBiase vignette airs. He asks the clerk at the hotel for the finest room but is informed that the Honeymoon Suite has been reserved for months and the people have already checked in but Virgil throws her enough money to let them have the room. We then see Virgil ordering the just married couple out of the room as DiBiase is off to the side telling us its not the clerks fault as she has her price, just like us. He also adds that in ten years that couple would probably want separate rooms. When we get back to the show, Jesse is laughing saying that guy probably didn’t know what to do on his wedding night.

Ken Patera vs. Terry Gibbs

Gibbs sneak attacks Patera but that fails as Patera rams Gibbs head into the corner. Patera then roughs him up until he finishes him off with the bearhug (1:21). Patera poses to the crowd after the win, getting a decent reaction.

Thoughts: Quick squash as they are still trying to put over Patera. Its not really working.

Okerlund is now with The Islanders. Haku puts over the leadership they are receiving from Heenan and will get the belts. Tama then tells us what Heenan wants is what they get and they will get the belts. I never heard Haku speak for this long during a promo. It was odd.

Joe Malano vs. Honky Tonk Man w/ Jimmy Hart

Malano is built like a swimmer who stopped training a year ago. Honky stomps on Malano after hitting a back elbow match. Hart is then shown in an insert promo saying that he will sign Bam Bam, who will be making an announcement about this next week. Honky stays on the attack and takes Malano down with a clothesline before hitting the Shake, Rattle, and Roll for the win (2:22). After the match, Honky thanks the crowd then sings and dances for them as they boo.

Thoughts: Honky’s heel act was quite enjoyable.

DeGeorge is now on the podium with Rick Martel. He asks Martel about his partner, who quit, as Martel tells us it was hard to take. They will not mention Zenk by name. Martel then tells us he is not a quitter and does not care if he is by himself as he will fight the Islanders for what they have done. He then puts over the crowd for being behind him. They are going to continue this feud without Zenk and even here it seemed set up to give Martel a new partner.

Howard Finkel welcomes Okerlund to the ring as he is the host of the posedown. Both competitors eventually make it to the ring. Okerlund goes over the rules, which has the guys do four poses each, and tells the fans that they are the judges, which will be based off of their noise. They pose and it is boring until Reed attacks Graham, going after his hip. Graham fights back and tosses Reed to the floor. Graham goes nuts in the ring, as do the fans, while we see Reed and Slick head up the aisle. The segment wasn’t much but the crowd was really into it and it was a smart idea to have this take place in a WWF town like Glens Falls.

Outback Jack tells us about the dangers of Killer Khan’s mist, comparing it to mace.

Killer Khan w/ Mr. Fuji vs. Eric Cooper

Khan immediately knocks down Cooper then stomps away. Fuji is shown in an insert promo telling us he will sign Bam Bam because he signs all of the “big men.” Back to the match as Khan sprays mist into the face of Cooper then hits a backbreaker setting up for the top rope knee drop and the win (1:13).

Thoughts: Quick match to put over Khan and his mist. The only thing Jack did good in the WWF was putting over Khan’s mist.

Okerlund is with Mr. Fuji, who tells Hogan to be on his toes when he faces Killer Khan. Demolition then walk in as they talk about their match against Ken Patera & Billy Jack Haynes. That match never happened as Patera got hurt and was replaced by George Steele. These Cow Palace matches actually took place before a “Wrestling Challenge.” The Demolition interview was unmemorable and they are usually entertaining with Okerlund.

Next week in action will be Jake Roberts, Demolition, Hart Foundation, George Steele, and the One Man Gang.

Final Thoughts: Not a bad show at all. Rude made his TV debut, DiBiase had another great vignette, and they are at least doing a good job of building up Khan as a challenger to Hogan by focusing on the mist. Also, they made a big advancement in the Bam Bam storyline as they made it appear that Hart was the frontrunner, with an announcement next week.

Here is my schedule for the next several days:

Thursday: RF Video Shoot Interview with Kevin Steen
Friday: WWF Wrestling Challenge 8/2/87
Sunday: WWF Superstars of Wrestling 8/8/87
Tuesday: WWF Wrestling Challenge 8/9/87

July 25, 1987


From the Civic Center in Glen Falls, NY

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

In action tonight will be Koko B. Ware, The Islanders, Randy Savage, and the return of Superstar Billy Graham

Before the show, we see still photos of Ricky Steamboat and his wife with their newborn son. Ricky and his son were both dressed in his entrance gear in a really awkward staged photo. I assume this idea was okayed by his wife, Bonnie.

Barry Horowitz vs. Koko B. Ware


Koko hits a dropkick then takes Horowitz down with a few armdrags. Horowitz takes a breather then comes back in to hit a dropkick of his own but stops to give himself a pat on the back and that allowed Koko to dropkick him. Koko hits a slam then a missile dropkick before hitting the Ghostbuster for the win (1:41).

Thoughts: Despite Vince going out of his mind when Koko was dancing, Koko still had nothing going on in the company. This match is a must-see for dropkick aficionados.






WWF Update with Craig DeGeorge. This week’s subject is the “Million Dollar Man” Ted Dibiase as they show a clip of him at a house show of Virgil taking off one of his boots as a fan kissed it in order to give us $100. This gimmick was simple yet amazing. Instant heel heat.

DeGeorge is with Rick Martel as we find out that Tom Zenk has quit the WWF. Martel warns the Islanders that he is not a quitter and will fight them himself if needed. Jesse jokes that Martel should get Oliver North to be his new partner. They wouldn’t even mention Zenk by name going forward as his quitting fucked up the WWF’s Tag Team Division.

S.D. Jones & Scott Casey vs. The Islanders w/ Bobby Heenan


The match starts with Jones & Casey beating on Tama as Heenan is shown in an insert promo telling Martel that he should quit like his partner so he does not get hurt. Tama catches Jones with a jumping back elbow smash as the Islanders take control. Jones misses an attack then tags out as Casey runs wild until Haku attacks him from being then tosses him outside as the Islanders put Jones, the illegal man, away with double jumping headbutts (2:26).

Thoughts: With Zenk gone, they are now going with the idea that Martel would be insane to try and fight against the Islanders by himself.

Gene Okerlund is with Hulk Hogan, who will be facing Killer Khan at the Cow Palace on August 25th. Hogan comes out and cuts a wacky promo about how he consulted with Oliver North, Donna Rice and Gary Hart on how to get rid of Killer Khan. Political Hulk!

We see a video package on Jake Roberts, specifically his DDT, set to what sounds like a Tom Petty song. Not bad.

“The Outlaw” Ron Bass vs. “Leaping” Lanny Poffo


Poffo’s pre-match promo is about Bass calling his whip “Miss Betsy” because its the closest he can get to a date, which Bass responds by beating the piss out of him. Poffo rolls away then starts throwing punches before taking Bass down with a dropkick. Poffo hits a slam and gets two with a moonsault but ducks his head on a backdrop and gets kicked then Bass gets the win with the gourdbuster (1:27).

Thoughts: They are giving Bass a midcard push with the bullwhip gimmick now. He had been doing a whole lot of promos and not wrestling prior.






Okerlund is with Brutus Beefcake, who will be facing Danny Davis at the August 25th Cow Palace show. Beefcake, sporting a barbers coat with all the tools, tells us that he is looking forward to this match as he talks about his new “School of Style.”

Steve Lombardi vs. Superstar Billy Graham


Graham gets a nice ovation as he walks down the aisle. He is walking very, very slowly by the way. Lombardi gets shoved through the ropes as he did all the work on that one. Graham uses a forearm smash and an eye poke before getting the win with a sleeper (1:18).

Thoughts: I give Lombardi all the credit in the world for working 99.9% of the match. Graham could barely even walk down the aisle, nevermind wrestle a match. The fans did give him a great ovation and having his debut take place in the Northeast was a smart move as they were more familiar with him.






DeGeorge, on a platform near the crowd, is with Slick and Butch Reed, who is not impressed at all with Graham. This was the first time they used the interview in front of the live crowd in this way. Reed then challenges Graham to a pose down next week.

Killer Bees vs. Tiger Chung Lee & Iron Mike Sharpe

The Bees are wearing their masks here. Vince hypes up the Bees as he brings up how they beat the Hart Foundation in a non-title match a few weeks ago. Match starts with the Bees working over Sharpe. Lee tags as Brunzell slams him down. Sharpe breaks up a pin then the match breaks down a bit as Jesse goes off on the Bees for wearing masks. The match breaks down again then Brunzell puts Lee away after a pair of dropkicks (3:39).

Thoughts: The Bees are being pushed as the #1 contenders, despite being a vanilla team. The crowds were somewhat into the masked confusion stuff.



We get a segment called “The Battle for Bam Bam” in which all the managers are shown telling Bam Bam Bigelow why they should sign with them.

Omar Atlas vs. “Macho Man” Randy Savage w/ Elizabeth

Vince is fawning all over Elizabeth as she heads down the aisle. Atlas takes Savage down with a jumping side headlock takeover. Savage tries a slam but Atlas falls on top and gets two off of that as Savage rolls outside. Savage heads back in and kness Atlas. He slams him on the ropes and roughs him up for a bit before taking him down with a clothesline. Savage then slams Atlas and heads up top, as a lot of fans are standing and cheering on camera, then drops the elbow for the win (2:01).

Thoughts: The cheers Savage was getting at this time were very noticeable.



Okerlund is with Mr., Fuji, who will be managing Demolition against Billy Jack Haynes & Ken Patera at the Cow Palace. Fuji tells Haynes & Patera that he hates the state or Oregon and has told Demolition to destroy them. Demolition finally come out as they talk trash about their opponents before leaving. Killer Khan comes out as Fuji tells the people of San Francisco that he loves them because they are “sick” and “funny” as Khan stares into the camera. Typical wackiness from Fuji here.

Superstar Billy Graham tells us that he has conquered everything and is back and will also accept Butch Reed’s challenge for the posedown.

In action next week will be Rougeau Brothers & Brutus Beefcake, Ken Patera, and the Honky Tonk Man.

Final Thoughts: The first few months after WrestleMania III saw the WWF have a lot of bad luck with their feuds due to wrestlers getting fired, taking time off, or quitting. The Islanders vs. Can-Ams feud was hot at the time too so that one hurt when it ended abruptly. The Graham return just never worked out and the rest of the show was focused on pushing soon-to-be debuting acts, which were hyped up wonderfully.



Here is my schedule for the next several days:

Saturday: RoH Glory By Honor 9/20/03
Sunday: WWF Wrestling Challenge 7/26/87
Tuesday: WWF Superstars of Wrestling 8/1/87
Thursday: RoH Straight Shootin’ Series with Dusty Rhodes
Friday: WWF Wrestling Challenge 8/2/87

July 18, 1987


From the Market Square Arena in Indianapolis, IN

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

In action this week will be Brutus Beefcake, Demolition, One Man Gang, and the Junkyard Dog & Billy Jack Haynes & Hillbilly Jim vs. Cowboy Bob Orton & Don Muraco & Ron Bass

Cowboy Bob Orton & Don Muraco & “The Outlaw” Ron Bass vs. Junkyard Dog & Hillbilly Jim & Billy Jack Haynes


Bass beats on JYD to start as we see him in an insert promo with his bullwhip, Miss Betsy, and how you better show her some respect. JYD fights back and it looks terrible but Bass is able to tag Muraco before getting hit with the crawling headbutts. Haynes also tags in and eventually knocks him down. Orton tags in and slugs it out with Jim then gets sent outside with a big boot in a spot that definitely “exposed the business” so to speak. Amateur hour stuff. Muraco goes out to check on his partner but gets decked, as the announcers play up that Orton had no idea it was Muraco, then they have a shove each other and argue as the referee as counted out Orton (2:53). Muraco leaves his partner and Bass behind as the faces all dance in the ring.

Thoughts: This was all about the Muraco/Orton split as that intensifies this week. The other four in the match really didnt have anything going on at all.






WWF Update with Craig DeGeorge. This week’s subject is Ted DiBiase as we see him in a vignette telling us that “everyone has a price” and that he is also the most gifted and talented athlete the WWF will ever see. DiBiase and Virgil then enter a restaurant as DiBiase tells the host he does not wait for anything after being told it will be a half-hour wait as he has Virgil bribe him until he gets seated. Another patron asks him why he cannot wait like everyone else then Virgil stares him down, to show that DiBiase hides behind Virgil. DiBiase then gets seated as he tells us that everybody as a price. These introductory vignettes for DiBiase were as good as it gets.

One Man Gang w/ Slick vs. Sonny Rogers


Gang immediately attacks Rogers then puts him in the tree-of-woe as he get an insert promo from Slick that he will have Bam Bam Bigelow as the announcers are all confused as to who will be Bam Bam’s manager then Gang gets the win with a gordbuster (1:20).

Thoughts: Another segment to add drama on who will actually manage Bam Bam Bigelow.






Gene Okerlund is with Hulk Hogan, who will be facing Killer Khan at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. He asks him about his eyes (Khan sprayed him with mist that was shown in some markets on the “Snake Pit,” including the copy that I have as most markets saw Mr. T appear) as Hogan tells Khan and Fuji they made the biggest mistake of their lives.

Another clip of Jesse from “Predator.”

The Shadows vs. Rougeau Brothers


The Rougeaus send Shadow #1 to the floor with a double dropkick. Shadow #2 comes in as Jacques takes him down with a monkey flip. Shadow #1 holds #2 back as Jacques missed a dropkick as the Shadows take control of the match. Jacques comes back with a double dropkick then makes a tag to Raymond as he runs wild briefly until they hit #1 with the Rougeau Bomb (2:57).

Thoughts: Before the match Vince talked about the Rougeaus article from “WWF Magazine” that showed their goofy side and I guess that was a small attempt to push them as a team more personable than they came across on TV.






Okerlund is now with Billy Jack Haynes, who will be teaming with Ken Patera to face Demolition at the next Cow Palace show. Haynes puts over Patera for paying his dues in jail and tells the fans to support them as it will be a tough match.






The British Bulldogs are with Matilda as they plug over the WWF Ice Cream Bars. At the beginning, Vince actually said that the Bulldogs always take care of Matilda. Over the years we have learned that was not always the case.

Omar Atlas & Scott Casey vs. Demolition w/ Mr. Fuji


Ax beats on Casey to start the match as we see an insert promo from Fuji telling the other managers that they are crazy because he is the one who will manage Bam Bam Bigelow. Atlas tags in as Smash brushes away all his offense then shortly after that Demolition scores the win with the Decapitation (2:35).

Thoughts: Another dominant squash by Demolition and another manager (Mr. Fuji) claims that he will manage Bam Bam.






Snake Pit with guest Hulk Hogan. The crowd goes nuts for Hogan as he says he feels sorry for the next guy to step into the ring with him. Mr. Fuji and Killer Khan come out as Fuji asks Hogan if he wants to experience the dark side. Khan gets in Hogan’s face and they have a staredown that ends with Khan spraying mist into Hogan’s face. Jake wipes away the mist as Hogan, with his face covered with the mist, is in agony on the ground. We get a slo-mo replay of the mist at the end and it did look good at least. They did as good of a job as they were going to in building up this feud.

Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake vs. Pete Sanchez


Jesse talks about how Mr. T, and how he was just on the Snake Pit, as like Beefcake, does not have a license for his practice. Sanchez rakes Beefcake’s eyes then lands some forearm smashes but gets caught with a powerslam and shortly after that Beefcake catches him with a sleeper for the win (1:06). After the match, Beefcake gives Sanchez a haircut then shows him the results as Sanchez flips out and runs away.

Thoughts: The barber gimmick continues to be a big hit among the fans in attendance.






We now get a “posing routine” from “The Natural” Butch Reed that is set to generic 80’s porn music. This was more fuel to the fire for his feud with Superstar Billy Graham, who had a similar posing routine that was shown last week. I am not really feeling this feud.

Jimmy Hart is shown as he tells all the other managers that he will manage Bam Bam Bigelow and shows us footage of him for the first time as the camera first zoomed in on the flames tattoo on his head as Bam Bam is then shown grunting and looking like a monster. Finally, we get to see Bigelow and it seems like we actually have a front-runner to manage him as well.

Mike Richards & Jerry Allen vs. Hart Foundation w/ Jimmy Hart 


Neidhart brushes away a dropkick from Allen then beats him down. The Hart Foundation beat on Richards as the announcers talk about Jimmy Hart having the inside track on signing Bam Bam Bigelow then the Hart Foundation put Richards away with the Hart Attack (1:20). After the match, the Hart Foundation toss Allen to the floor then beat up on Richards.

Thoughts: Brief squash to put over the Hart Foundation.






Okerlund is with Randy Savage and asks him about wanting to regain the Intercontinental Title. Savage says his sights are now set on Hulk Hogan and how he would rather die from exhaustion than starvation as he will go to the top and there is nothing Hogan can do to stop him. Okerlund asks about Elizabeth then about the Honky Tonk Man and if he is trying to “swerve” him about the Intercontinental Title. He even tells Savage he might have a shot at the IC title soon. They really set up the Savage face turn months before it happened, really as soon as Honky won the belt. Okerlund kept on goading Savage in interviews about going back after the title as Savage would dodge the question.

Next week in action will be Koko B. Ware, The Islanders, and more.

Final Thoughts: Solid show this week. They built up Hogan’s feud and showcased newer talents through vignettes. The action was so-so but they actually seem to have some traction going here as they try to get some feuds going again.






Here is my schedule for the next several days:

Tuesday: WWF Wrestling Challenge 7/19/87
Thursday: RF Video Shoot Interview with Greg Valentine
Friday: WWF Superstars of Wrestling 7/25/87
Saturday: RoH Glory By Honor II 9/20/03
Sunday: WWF Madison Square Garden 7/25/87

July 11, 1987


From the Market Square Arena in Indianapolis, IN


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

In action this week will be Ken Patera, Hercules & King Kong Bundy & King Harley Race, Honky Tonk Man, Can-Am Connection, and Jake “The Snake” Roberts

Iron Mike Sharpe vs. Ken Patera


Vince puts over Patera’s strength as he works the arm of Sharpe. Patera then hits a clothesline and slams Sharpe as Vince tells Jesse that Patera has already paid his debt to society when he referred to him as a jailbird then shortly after that, Patera got the win with a bearhug (2:46).

Thoughts: Vince was really pushing Patera hard here but the fans just weren’t buying.






WWF Update with Craig DeGeorge. This week’s subject is the “Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase as we see him tossing money out to the fans as he is heard in a voiceover saying he gives his money away because he enjoys watching “swine” fight over it as he proclaims that everyone has a price. This was such an interesting character and it instantly clicked as a top heel act. You can tell Vince was heavily invested in the gimmick too, which helped a lot.

Vince plugs the WWF Magazine “Win Lunch With Hulk” contest as Jesse cracks jokes about that.

Mario Mancini & Jim Evans & Paul Roma vs. Hercules & King Kong Bundy & King Harley Race w/ Bobby Heenan


Before the match, Heenan yells at the crowd to bow as they boo. Match starts with Hercules destroying Mancini then we get an insert promo from Heenan, who states that he has signed Bam Bam Bigelow. Back to the match as Bundy is now destoying Mancini. Evans tags as Bundy hits the Avalanche then drops an elbow then demands a five count and that gets the win (2:23).

Thoughts: The action was forgettable but the biggest takeaway again was the intrigue about Bam Bam Bigelow and the multiple claims by various matches that they have signed him. It was a good way to build for the debut of Bam Bam.





Gene Okerlund is with Brutus Beefcake, who will be facing Greg Valentine at Madison Square Garden. Beefcake talked about the rush he gets from cutting hair.

Can-Am Connection vs. Terry Gibbs & Dusty Wolfe


The Can-Ams take control early, hitting stereo monkey flips and atomic drops then partake in a lame celebration. The match settles down as they use their high flying offense while we get an insert promo from the Islanders as they promise to destroy the Can-Ams. Back to the match as Gibbs pulls the ropes on Martel as he dumps to the floor. However, Martel fights back shortly after that then holds up Wolfe as Zenk comes off the op with a missile dropkick as the Can-Ams get the win (2:56).

Thoughts: Zenk had actually quit the WWF by the time this made it to air, making this is last appearance on “Superstars of Wrestling.” They seemed to have big plans for this feud too.






Okerlund is now with Hulk Hogan, who will face Killer Khan at the August 1st show at the Meadowlands arena. Hogan promises to eat Khan alive and warns him and Mr. Fuji that Hulkamania is coming. After several weeks of strong build on TV, Khan is now facing Hogan for the title at house shows across the country.

A replay of last week where Khan sprayed mist into the face of Outback Jack as they build up Khan as a serious threat to Hogan in their upcoming matches.

Jake “The Snake” Roberts vs. Brian Costello


Jake beats on Costello in and out of the ring. Back inside, he hits the short-armed clothesline then follows with the DDT for the win (1:45). After the match, Jake dumps the snake on Costello, who freaks out and leaves the ring.

Thoughts: Not a whole lot of talk about Jake and his feud with Honky here as it was merely a showcase for Jake to get a quick win and for the fans to see him use the snake.






WWF Special Report with Craig DeGeorge. This is about Danny Davis as they show clips of him that led to Jack Tunney suspending him for life as a referee. Then, DeGeorge shows us the clip of Mr. T being named the new “Special Enforcer” of the WWF as we hear from Davis, who says that he is a good wrestler.

A small clip of Jesse Ventura from the film “Predator.”

New Dream Team w/ Johnny V. vs. Sivi Afi & “Leaping” Lanny Poffo

Poffo’s pre-match promo was poking fun at Johnny V’s haircut courtesy of Beefcake. The New Dream Team beat on Afi as we see Johnny V. in an insert promo saying that he has signed Bam Bam Bigelow. Beefcake joins the announcers table as Bravo hits Afi with a dropkick. Beefcake says that he has something special for the New Dream Team. Bravo misses a top rope senton as Poffo tags in and cleans hammers away. Valentine breaks up a pin after a moonsault then the New Dream Team take control of the match. Valentine stares down Beefcake then puts on the Figure Four as Poffo submits (3:32). Valentine keeps the hold on after the bell then Beefcake runs down to the ring and cuts off a piece of Valentine’s hair as the crowd goes nuts. The New Dream are flipping out as they are outside of the ring while Beefcake is playing with his hair.

Thoughts: They continued the Beefcake vs. Dream Team feud here as it was at least helping Beefcake get over. Bravo & Valentine sucked as a team but the important thing was getting over the guy with the new push and it worked in that aspect.



DeGeorge is with Slick and Butch Reed, who are not impressed with the latest Superstar Billy Graham video, which shows him in various poses. Reed then promises to show us a posedown next week.

Honky Tonk Man w/ Jimmy Hart vs. Omar Atlas

Atlas reverses an Irish whip then gets two with a sunset flip. However, he ducks his head on a backdrop attempt and gets kicked in the face as we see an insert promo from Jimmy Hart as he tells us that is the one who signed Bam Bam Bigelow, even promising us exclusive footage next week. Back to the match as Honky catches Atlas with a clothesline then puts him away with the Shake, Rattle, and Roll (1:41). After the match, Honky poses for his fans.

Thoughts: Match was nothing but this segment sure made Hart seem like the favorite to land Bigelow.

In action next week will be Brutus Beefcake, Demolition, One Man Gang and the featured match of Junkyard Dog & Billy Jack Haynes & Hillbilly Jim vs. Don Muraco & Bob Orton & Ron Bass. Plus, Mr. T will be the guest on the “Snake Pit.”

Final Thoughts: The show was fine this week in pushing newer acts. They put over DiBiase’s gimmick a lot and are hyping up Bam Bam as good as you can without having him actually appear on TV. They also are getting Beefcake’s barber gimmick over with the crowds as well. Hogan has a new opponent for house show matches in Khan, who they are making an attempt to get over by having him spew mist. Still, they need stronger feuds at the top of the cards and Patera vs. the Heenan Family is not working.




Here is my schedule for the rest of the week:

Thursday: RF Video Shoot & Undercover with New Jack (2004)
Friday: WWF Wrestling Challenge 7/12/87
Sunday: WWF Superstars of Wrestling 7/18/87
Tuesday: WWF Wrestling Challenge7/19/87

July 4, 1987


From the Market Square Arena in Indianapolis, IN

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

The featured matchup this week is Killer Khan vs. Outback Jack. Also in action this week will be Randy Savage, Kamala & Sika, Tito Santana, and Brutus Beefcake.

Sonny Rogers vs. Randy “Macho Man” Savage w/ Elizabeth


Rogers surprises Savage with a rollup but gets clotheslined shortly after that. Savage hits a double axe handle then yanks him up after two then dumps him outside and hits another one then  rolls him back inside and sets him up for the flying elbow smash as he gets the win (1:41).

Thoughts: Savage got a lot of cheers here, especially after winning. Not even blowing off Mr. T. could get him heel heat.






WWF Update with Craig DeGeorge. This week’s focus is on Ken Patera and the beatdown he suffered last week on Superstars at the hands of the Heenan Family. We are then shown footage from the locker room as Billy Jack Haynes and Brutus Beefcake tell Patera, whose back is covered in welts after getting whipped with a belt, that they are on his side. Patera is then shown in a promo telling the Heenan Family that they have created a monster while mispronouncing words such as “humiliated.” After this segment, they show Patera in the WWF Magazine as he holds his high school diploma as Jesse makes fun of him.

Jim Powers & Mario Mancini vs. Kamala & Sika w/ Mr. Fuji & Kimchee


Powers tries to use his speed to get the best of Sika but misses a dropkick then gets chopped down. Kamala tags in and goes on the attack as we are shown an insert promo from Mr. Fuji, telling us that he will be managing “Bam Bam” as the announcers wonder who he is talking about. Back to the match as Sika hits Mancini with a Samoan Drop then tags Kamala, who gets the win with a splash (1:55).

Thoughts: Quick match to put over Kamala & Sika but the real story was about this “Bam Bam” that Fuji was talking about.






Gene Okerlund, wearing sunglasses, is with the Honky Tonk Man and Jimmy Hart. They hype their match next week against Jake Roberts as Honky guarantees victory. Actually, Jake never wrestled this match as he was replaced by Bruno Sammartino. Jake was still hurt at the time.

Another “Million Dollar Man” vignette is shown. DiBiase cannot believe that people put morals and value ahead of money and tells us that everyone has a price. We are then shown DiBiase and Virgil enter a public pool that is filled with children. DiBiase then bribes the guy running the pool to kick everyone out, even saying that he pays more taxes in a month then their parents pay in a year (Seems like a line Vince would write). Virgil yells at the kids to leave as DiBiase tells us not to get mad at the pool manager as he has a price, just like everyone else. Great stuff and it is easy to see how the WWF got over this gimmick. It was tremendous.

Terry Gibbs vs. Tito Santana


At this point, Santana was starting to grow his mullet out. Santana starts the match by working the arm of Gibbs. He hits a few armdrags and hip tosses then Gibbs comes back with some basic heel offense. Gibbs gets two with an elbow drop but Santana fights back. He dropkicks Gibbs then gets the win with a flying forearm (2:42).

Thoughts: Santana had nothing going on at this time but that was all about to change in the next couple of months.






Okerlund is with the Can-Am Connection. Martel warns the Islanders that they will not get away with what they did to them and in Boston, they will show how they are not pushovers. Zenk promises the Islanders they will not be smiling after their match. Another match that never took place as Zenk quit the day before the show and was replaced by the Junkyard Dog.

We are shown footage of Superstar Billy Graham’s workout video. After it airs, Butch Reed is with Craig DeGeorge and says he is not impressed as they try to build up this feud.

Outback Jack vs. Killer Khan w/ Mr. Fuji


Khan beats the crap out of Jack to start. Jack ducks a clothesline and comes back with a forearm smash and some other strikes that all look terrible. He then knocks Khan with a sorry excuse of a clothesline. Khan ducks underneath the ropes as the ref holds Jack back then gets up and super kicks Jack before spitting mist into his face. Jack rolls around like he has been pepper-sprayed then hits a backbreaker before putting him away with a flying knee drop (2:10). After the match we get a slo-mo replay of the mist and Khan did it perfectly as it went directly into Jack’s eyes. Jack is then shown being carried to the back with a towel over his face.

Thoughts: This match was really awful but I at least give Jack credit for selling the mist. It was the only thing about this match that didn’t suck. Speaking of Jack, this was the beginning of the end for him as he was essentially a TV jobber after this match.






Snake Pit with guests the Killer Bees. Good reaction for the Bees here, who are wearing their masks. Jake asks them about beating the champs last week as they talk about waiting two years for a title shot. They promise to counter Danny Davis and Jimmy Hart with masked confusion. Jake then picks up the snake to show them as the Bees then leave. They have now built up the Killer Bees as the #1 contenders.

Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake vs. Chris Curtis


Curtis cheapshots Beefcake after a break but ends up getting knocked down. Beefcake hits a clothesline then catches him with a sleeper for the win (1:11). After the match, Beefcake puts on his coat and pulls out the clippers as he cuts some hair, setting Jesse off. He gave Curtis one shitty haircut by the way. He then sprays the top of Curtis’ head with pink spray then surprises him with a mirror when he wakes up as Curtis flips out when he sees his new hairstyle

Thoughts: Beefcake continues to get over the barber gimmick as the fans are really digging the haircuts at the end of the match.






DeGeorge is with Danny Davis, who wants to talk about Jack Tunney giving Mr. T a referee’s license. DeGeorge then says that next week, Tunney will show us why Davis was suspended as a referee.

Now, we are shown another clip of the Jumping Bomb Angels as they wrestled the Glamour Girls from the 6/24 “Wrestling Challenge” tapings in Louisville, KY. That match was shown on the 7/20 edition of “Primetime Wrestling.” Vince promises us that we will see more of them in the coming weeks.

Frankie DeFalco & S.D. Jones vs. The Islanders w/ Bobby Heenan


Loud “weasel” chant by the crowd. Match starts with Haku beating on DeFalco. We are then shown an insert promo by Heenan, who promises that “Bam Bam” will be the newest member of the Heenan Family. S.D. is in and gets in some offense, including an atomic drop on Tama. DeFalco tags but Tama clotheslines him then he puts DeFalco away with a top rope splash after a powerslam from Haku (2:29).

Thoughts: More intrigue here as to who exactly was this “Bam Bam” the managers were talking about. The Islanders looked good in this match.






Okerlund, without the shades, is with Jake Roberts, who talks about his match against the Honky Tonk Man in Boston. Jake tells us that it will be stormy in Boston and that Honky will be unable to see what is going on and is now in a no-win situation. Good promo from Jake but those poor fans in Boston must have been pissed. The card for that show was terrible.

Next week in action will be Ken Patera, Hercules & King Kong Bundy and King Harley Race, Can-Am Connection, and Jake Roberts. Plus, an update on the medical condition of Outback Jack.

Final Thoughts: This show had some good stuff, like the Million Dollar Man vignette and the hype about “Bam Bam.” They put over Khan strong with the mist, although you can debate if he was even worth pushing at this time. However, the company doesnt have any hot feuds and too many older guys (Graham, Patera) are getting pushed the hardest on TV. They continue to struggle finding their groove.




Here is my schedule for the next several days:

Saturday: RoH Beating the Odds 9/6/03
Sunday: WWF Wrestling Challenge 7/5/87
Tuesday: WWF Superstars of Wrestling 7/11/87
Thursday: Shoot Interview TBD
Friday: WWF Wrestling Challenge 7/12/87

June 20, 1987

From the Memorial Auditorium in Buffalo, NY

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

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

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

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

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



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

Al Navarro vs. George “The Animal” Steele

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

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



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

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

Rick Renslow & Dave Wagner vs. Can-Am Connection

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

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



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

Killer Khan w/ Mr. Fuji vs. Brian Costello

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

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



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

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

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

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

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

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

June 13, 1987


From the Memorial Auditorium in Buffalo, NY

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

Tonight, our featured match will be for the Intercontinental Title as Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat defends the belt against the Honky Tonk Man. Also in action are the British Bulldogs, Islanders, and the returning Junkyard Dog. Plus, Jesse lets us know that we will see footage of himself from the film “The Predator.”

Before the show started, they replayed the comments from Steamboat and the Honky Tonk Man from last week as they are hyping up this match in a big way.

Johnny K-9 & Dusty Wolfe vs. British Bulldogs


K-9 spills out to the floor after running through a leapfrog by Davey. Back inside, the Bulldogs beat on K-9 as we are shown an insert of Matilda. Wolfe tags in and takes a goofy bump after getting whipped into the corner then Davey put him away with a diving headbutt (2:11).

Thoughts: The Bulldogs are on the down swing here. Also, Matilda is getting pushed stronger than the team itself. With Dynamite’s health, its not a shocker.






WWF Special Report with Craig DeGeorge. We are shown more footage of Superstar Billy Graham as he attempts to recover from hip surgery and return to the ring, despite doctors telling him that his a bad idea. Those doctors were right. They spent months and months hyping a return that lasted a handful of matches.

Outback Jack plugs the WWF Ice Cream Bars. When that ended, Jesse was laughing hysterically at Jack trying to bite into the bar as he made fun of his lack of teeth. I laughed.

Eric Cooper & S.D. Jones vs. The Islanders w/ Bobby Heenan


Match stars with S.D. slamming Tama as we get an insert promo from the Can-Am Connection as they warn the Islanders that they will not get away after attacking them. Back to the match as Cooper is getting his ass kicked. The match breaks down as Tama backdrops S.D. to the floor then the Islanders put Cooper away with a double diving headbutt (2:35).

Thoughts: The Islanders were a better heel team. Tama was very charismatic and pulled off the cocky heel role quite well. He also appeared to gain about 15lbs since the last TV taping.






Gene Okerlund is with the Can-Am Connection, who will be facing the Islanders at the July 11th show in Boston. They are pissed over the Islanders turning on them as they used to have respect for the duo. The Can-Ams also promise the Islanders will not be laughing after what they will do to them. Promos were really not Zenk’s strong suit, or Martel’s for that matter.

We are shown a clip of Jesse in “The Predator.”

Terry Gibbs vs. Junkyard Dog


Its JYD’s first appearance on TV since WrestleMania III. Gibbs attacks JYD to start. JYD comes back with a hip toss off of a criss-cross but misses a falling headbutt then gets clotheslined. Gibbs hurts his hand punching JYD in the head and that allows JYD to fight back as we are shown an insert promo from him saying that he is back. JYD tosses Gibbs to the floor then shortly after that puts him away with a powerslam (1:43). After the match he invites several kids into the ring with him as they dance.

Thoughts: They tried pushing JYD as being bigger and faster than ever but the only thing bigger than ever was his gut. He was just awful in the ring at this point. Even the fans seemed a lot less into him and after almost three years of the same act, its not tough to figure out why. He didn’t ever bother to really smile when dancing with the kids.






Okerlund is now with “The Outlaw” Ron Bass, who is cracking his whip. Bass then tells us that he sees wrestlers with partners, managers, and friends so he didnt want to have a disadvantage so he got himself a whip, named “Miss Betsy.” Bass warns the “goody-goody guys that he will split them from one end to the other and there will be some changes. They gave Bass his new gimmick. I didn’t mind him to be honest but he was almost 40 at this point and looked older than that so he was going to get that much of a push.

New Dream Team w/ Johnny V. vs. Scott Casey & “Leaping” Lanny Poffo


The post match promo by Poffo is about the announce team and how Jesse turns them into the three stooges and how the fans hate him, which has Vince laughing like an idiot. Match starts with Casey getting the best of Bravo as the camera shows Johnny V., who is still pissed about Brutus Beefcake cutting his hair. Casey hits Valentine with a few armdrags and hip tosses but gets stopped with an eye rake. Bravo tags back in and misses an elbow drop as Poffo tags into the match. He runs wild on the New Dream team very briefly until Valentine knees him in the back from the apron then shortly after that Bravo puts him away with a side slam (2:48).

Thoughts: The WWF debut of Casey. He would be followed by future jobbers such as Barry Horowitz and Sam Houston in the coming months. All he did here was armdrags and hip tosses. The New Dream Team just isn’t working out. There is no chemistry at all between Bravo and Valentine.






Snake Pit with guests Hillbilly Jim and Little Beaver. Roberts tells Beaver he is lucky to be alive after getting elbow dropped by King Kong Bundy as Jim calls Bundy a coward and promises to go after him. Beaver tells Jim to go after Bundy in a jumbled promo. It was quite terrible, actually. Almost three months after their WrestleMania III match, Jim and Bundy resume their feud.

Ricky Steamboat tells us to “Say No To Drugs” and to get naturally high, just like himself. Okay.

WWF Intercontinental Title Match
Honky Tonk Man w/ Jimmy Hart vs. Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat


The crowd is pumped for this match as the announcers debate whether or not Honky deserves a title push while putting over Steamboat for being a fighting champion. Steamboat starts the match by skinning-the-cat, knocking over Hart as the fans hoot and holler. Back inside, he dumps Honky to the floor then hits a back suplex when he re-enters. Steamboat hits a few chops then gets a reverse rollup for two but Honky kicks out and ends up ramming Steamboat into the corner in the process as Jesse wonders if his larynx is hurt again. Honky attacks the throat briefly but misses an elbow drop. Steamboat fights back then gets hit by Honky, who sets up for the Shake, Rattle, and Roll. Steamboat counters that with a backdrop and follows with a bunch of chops. He hits a flying chop but Hart jumps up on the apron to distract the referee. Steamboat gets off of Honky and attacks Hart then dropkicks Honky into his manager. Steamboat then puts Honky in a small package but it gets reversed as Honky grabs the rope for leverage and ends up getting the win and the title as the crowd is shocked (3:53) *1/2. After some confusion it is revealed that Honky is the winner as the crowd boos. Jesse screams about how this is a major upset, rubbing it in the face of Vince and Bruno for not believing he was worthy of a title shot.

Thoughts: Fun while it lasted, although the finish looked terrible. Honky’s win was a major shock, especially when the babyface announcers, for weeks, kept on telling us that Honky was undeserving of a title shot to begin with. It worked as the announcers threw off the fans. This was the start off the longest IC Title reign in WWF history.






Silvano Sousa vs. One Man Gang w/ Slick


Gang immediately attacks Sousa and continues his assault as we get an insert promo from Gang and Slick, who puts over the Master Blaster finisher and that seeing his believing. Back to the match as Gang hits the Master Blaster then puts Sousa away with an elbow drop from the middle rope (1:31).

Thoughts: Another dominant performance from Gang, who is getting pushed up the card. This match also marked the first time I have ever heard Slick yell out his “turn out the lights, the party is over” line. I am a fan of Slick. The crowd was still in shock over the title change






Okerlund is with Mr. Fuji, asking him about Demolition, who eventually come out. Ax calls Gene “Howard” as he says its about time they got their names right then talks about listening to Fuji and destroying their opponents. Okerlund and Demolition and some decent chemistry together.






Back to the ring as the Honky Tonk Man returns to the ring, with Hart and the IC Title as he thanks the fans for their support. He also says the belt is the fans as he dances to his music. Great job at heeling the crowd.

Next week in action will be George Steele, Can-Am Connection, Killer Khan, and the Hart Foundation vs. the Killer Bees in the featured match.

Final Thoughts: This show is only memorable for the IC Title change and that was a good segment. Other than that, it was dull and showed just how little the company had going on at the time. Lots of feuds with washed-up guys were being featured. Track down the IC Title match but you could skip everything else and not miss a beat.

Here is my schedule for the next several days:

Thursday: Highspots Developmentall Speaking Shoot Interview with Brian Myers
Friday: WWF Wrestling Challenge 6/14/87
Saturday: RoH Bitter Friends, Stiffer Enemies 8/16/03
Tuesday: WWF Madison Square Garden 6/14/87

June 6, 1987


From the Convention Center in Anaheim, CA

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

In action this week are Koko B. Ware, Demolition, Ken Patera, Kamala & Sika, and Brutus Beefcake.

Paul Roma & Jim Powers vs. Demolition w/ Mr. Fuji


Before the match, Roma & Powers are shown in an insert promo talking about how they wanted a rematch because Demolition cheated last time and even though they might not win, Demolition will know that they have been in a battle with them after the match is over. Not exactly brimming with confidence. Powers hits a pair of dropkicks after dodging an elbow drop from Ax. Smash tags and catches Powers off of a crossbody attempt but Roma dropkicks his partner on top of Smash for a two count. Smash gains the advantage as Demolition hammers on Powers in the corner. Powers breaks free and tags Roma, who runs wild until he runs into a clothesline from Ax then gets pinned (2:54). Odd finish to that one.

Thoughts: Roma & Powers got in a lot of offense but losing off of a clothesline is very weak. They are slowly pushing the guys as underdogs who refuse to back down.






WWF Update with Craig DeGeorge. Back to the regular update desk here with the original song. This week’s subject are the Islanders and how they turned heel by aligning with Bobby Heenan after beating down the Can-Am Connection. We are shown a replay of the attack then get a promo from Heenan and the Islanders on how they are on a roll, referring to Tama as “Toma.”

Tiger Chung Lee vs. Koko B. Ware


Koko taunts Lee to start as we are shown an insert promo from Koko and Frankie plugging the WWF Ice Cream Bars and that ends with Frankie eating from it as that causes Jesse to no-sell an awful joke from Vince about wanting to see Frankie put his beak around Jesse’s nose. Koko uses his speed to elude Lee until he gets cheap-shotted off of a break. Koko comes back with a dropkick and hits a few more moves until putting Lee away with a terrible-looking missile dropkick (2:31).

Thoughts: Not much to note here as this was really a backdrop for Jesse to make “Buckwheat” jokes at the expense of Koko.






Gene Okerlund is with Hulk Hogan, who is facing King Harley Race in a Texas Death Match in Boston tonight. Typical Hogan promo here.

Jack Tunney reveals the results of the “Ban the DDT” vote as the move will not get banned, which has Jesse referring to him as a dictator.

Don Adams & Sivi Afi vs. Kamala & Sika w/ Mr. Fuji & Kimchee


Afi tries to slam Kamala, like and idiot, and fails that before getting caught with a thrust kick. Adams tags in and gets beat on by both guys until Kamala puts him away with a splash (1:15).

Thoughts: Same as every other Kamala & Sika squash match.






Okerlund is now with King Harley Race, who promises to end Hogan’s career in Boston tonight. He also promises to extinguish the legend of Hogan and how he will bow to his feet. Solid promo from Race and much less goofier than the usual stuff he was doing at the time.

WWF Special Report with Craig DeGeorge. This is about Superstar Billy Graham and how he is training for a comeback, against doctors orders. Nothing we haven’t seen before to be honest.

Jimmy Jack Funk vs. Ken Patera


Patera overpowers Funk to start as Vince goes after Jesse for making fun of Graham. Funk makes a comeback as we are shown an insert promo from Heenan, who puts down the “humanoids” for cheering for an ex-con and that he has a score to settle with him. Jesse then questions his colleagues on what is a humanoid then Patera gets the win with a bearhug.

Thoughts: The crowd is just not into Patera, who is now in the top TV feud with Duggan now fired at this point. You could see fans leave their seats and Vince trying to pretend that he got a huge ovation at the end did not work. They did put over the “humanoid” remark a lot though as they seemed to want to get that over.






Snake Pit with guest Outback Jack, who puts over the WWF competition and the wonderful people. Jack cuts a dopey promo about winning in the ring, giving you zero reason to cheer the guy. The beginning of the end for Jack, if the end hadn’t happened already. The History of WWE site lists Butch Reed, Iron Sheik, Nikolai Volkoff, and Slick as guests so I am guessing that when Sheik and Duggan got fired they replaced it with this in most markets.

Tito Santana & Billy Jack Haynes vs. Terry Gibbs & The Raider



Tito works the arm of Gibbs as Jesse makes ethnic jokes at his expense. The Raider tags as Tito takes him down with a flying headscissors then the match breaks down as the faces get the double noggin-knocker and Haynes puts The Raider away with a full nelson (1:43). Vince informs us after the match that next week Ricky Steamboat will defend his Intercontinental Title against the Honky Tonk Man.

Thoughts: Not much to this at all other than Jesse getting in jokes at the expense of Tito. Haynes got the win despite not being the legal man.






Another Killer Khan vignette airs. Fuji narrates as Khan does all sorts of training. These were quite bizarre.

Tim Patterson vs. Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake


Brutus is shown in an insert promo warning the New Dream Team that he will be doing more cutting and strutting the next time they face off. Brutus takes control of the match as the announcers talk about next week’s Intercontinental Title match, with Bruno and Vince saying Honky does not deserve a chance at the belt while Jesse questions them as to why. Patterson hits a shoulder block but shortly after that gets caught with a sleeper as Brutus gets the win (2:40). After the match, Brutus grabs his scissors and cuts Patterson’s hair, tossing it in the air afterwards to the delight of the crowd.

Thoughts: The Beefcake push continues as the fans were loving the hair cutting at the end of his matches.






Okerlund is with the Honky Tonk Man, who will be facing Koko B. Ware in Boston. He doesnt say anything of note then leaves. Demolition and Mr. Fuji come out next and talk about their opponents, the Can-Am Connection, as Fuji says they are looking for “fresh meat” as Demolition promises to destroy them. Decent promo from them.

Next week, Ricky Steamboat will defend the Intercontinental Title against the Honky Tonk Man and we comments from both guys.

Final Thoughts: The WWF is struggling to get a feud going. Duggan getting fired was a big loss as he was groomed as the #2 babyface. Patera is not cutting it in his feud against the Heenan family and most of these matches were with guys who had nothing going on at the time. Very skippable show this week but the next one is a memorable one.






Schedule for the next several days:

Sunday:  WWF Wrestling Challenge 6/7/87
Tuesday: WWF Superstars of Wrestling 6/13/87
Thursday: Shoot Interview TBD
Friday: WWF Wrestling Challenge 6/14/87

May 30, 1987

From the Convention Center in Anaheim, CA

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

Tonight, we will see the Can-Am Connection vs. The Islanders. Also in action will be Ricky Steamboat, Honky Tonk Man, Jim Duggan, and King Harley Race. Plus, a special report on the health of Superstar Billy Graham and more.

Can-Am Connection vs. The Islanders

The Islanders looked intense as they make their way to the ring, not stopping to slap hands with the fans. Martel and Haku lock up as we get an insert promo of the Islanders and what they think of the Can-Ams as Tama is shown laughing hysterically while Haku stands their with his hands folded. Zenk tags after Martel gets a nearfall with a crossbody and works the arm. Haku slams Zenk but misses an elbow as Zenk works the arm. Haku boots Zenk in the face then tags Tama as he goes back and forth with Zenk. Bobby Heenan is then shown in the aisle as the Can-Ams are distracted but that allows The Islanders to attack them from behind as Jesse starts to laugh. The Islanders beat the crap out of the Can-Ams from outside of the ring then roll back inside as they get the win via countout as Vince yells at Jesse for knowing all along that the Islanders were Heenan’s team as Jesse laughs some more (3:52). The Islanders then walk off with Heenan.

Thoughts: I thought the whole Islanders turn was brilliant. They got increasingly more aggressive each week and Heenan even made fun of them on commentary but as the team showed more anger, Heenan then said one week that they were missing something but did not know what and when Heenan announced that he had a new team the week prior, it all came to this. And the Islanders became over instantly as heels due not only by aligning with Heenan but also turning on the Can-Am Connection.



WWF Update with Craig DeGeorge. This week’s subject are the WWF Ice Cream Bars as we see clips of George “The Animal” Steele visiting the factory to see how they are made. The typical goofiness you would expect from Steele.

Billy Anderson vs. Honky Tonk Man w/ Jimmy Hart

Honky has theme music now as the fans boo while Hart carries the “Ban the DDT” sign. Vince reminds us that this is the last week to vote on whether or not to ban the DDT. Honky works over Anderson in the corner as we get Hart shown in an insert promo pleading with us fans to ban the DDT, even though Honky is not scared of the move. Honky stays on the attack until he puts Anderson away with the Shake, Rattle, and Roll (2:45). After the match, Honky thanks his fans then plays the guitar as a graphic is shown where you can send your vote for the “Ban the DDT” movement.

Thoughts: Honky remains loathed by the fans as his stock rises as a heel.



Gene Okerlund is with Hulk Hogan, who will be facing King Harley Race in a Texas Death Match at the Boston Garden. Hogan puts over the stipulation that he will quit wrestling if he loses as we promises to destroy Race.

We are shown another wacky video with Killer Khan and Mr. Fuji, who puts over just how vicious and dangerous Khan can be, saying that he has the “mind of the devil.”

Iron Mike Sharpe vs. Hacksaw Jim Duggan

The crowd is loving Duggan as he hits Sharpe with an atomic drop. Jesse thinks that Jack Tunney should ban the 2×4 as Duggan stays in control of the match. Sharpe fights back briefly but gets clotheslined down. Duggan comes back with a shoulder tackle before getting the win with a running clothesline (1:53). After the match, Duggan leads the crowd into a “USA” chant.

Thoughts: Unfortunately for Duggan, he was arrested with the Iron Sheik four days before this aired and was fired from the WWF as a result. It left a huge hole on the babyface side of the roster too as Duggan was in the midst of a huge push.



Okerlund is with George Steele, who gives Okerlund a note and he will be facing Danny Davis in Boston. Koko B. Ware then comes out and promises that he will play the guitar on top of the Honky Tonk Man’s head as those two will also be wrestling in Boston. I will be reviewing that Boston Garden show on the blog.

WWF Special Report with Craig DeGeorge. They show Superstar Billy Graham as he talks about making a comeback to the ring then they show footage of his hip replacement surgery then tease next week’s report as he is shown training. Not bad but Graham was old news to the younger fanbase.

Joe Mirto vs. King Harley Race w/ Bobby Heenan

Race knees down Mirto as Vince talks about the Islanders aligning with Heenan. Race slams Mirto around a few times before getting the win with a cradle suplex (1:52).

Thoughts: Race squash matches are usually dull and this was no exception.



Snake Pit with guests One Man Gang and Slick, who proclaims that the Gang’s Master Blaster finisher is more vicious than the DDT as we are shown that in an insert video. Gang then tells us that he will take no prisoners and eventually run through Hogan. Fine segment to help establish Gang as a monster heel.

We are shown clips of the Brutus Beefcake vs. Dino Bravo match from “Wrestling Challenge” last week where the Rougeaus ran in and saved Brutus from a 3-on-1 attack.

Another Ron Bass promo in which he promises to brand people.

Dusty Wolfe vs. Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat

Steamboat works the arm as we get an insert promo from Danny Davis, who wants a shot at the Intercontinental Title. Steamboat continues to work the arm as Vince and Bruno talk about how preposterous it is for Davis to challenge for the IC Title. Wolfe makes a comeback and goes to work on the arm as well. Steamboat fights back and slams Wolfe down before getting the win with a flying chop (3:42).

Thoughts: They continue the gimmick of Steamboat as a fighting champion here.

Okerlund is with Jimmy Hart and Danny Davis as they talk about George Steele. Honky comes out and briefly plays the guitar before leaving. Heenan comes out and says that while he was not there the last time, he will be there to see Race defeat Hogan for the belt in Boston. Another segment to sell the local house show.

Next week in action will be Koko B. Ware, Demolition, Ken Patera, and Kamala & Sika.

Final Thoughts: Solid show that was highlighted by the Islanders turn. They are trying to build guys up but old guys like Graham, Khan, and Patera are not very inspiring choices. They did hype the OMG and really put over the “Ban the DDT” gimmick so that was good. The WWF is still trying to establish a top feud at the moment but just aren’t there at this point.

I will have my shoot interview recap up on Thursday but cannot say for sure if I will be able to get anything else posted this week. Stay tuned for updates.