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Post by randomone on Jun 3, 2022 8:41:37 GMT -6
This wraps up the Superstars recaps I've had in the can!
The New Rockers vs The Hardy Boys
June 1, 1996
Leif & Matt start with Hardy getting taken down & Cassidy putting the boots to him, tagging Marty as they hit a double hip toss, elbow & toss Jeff inside. Matt accidentally backdrops his brother to the floor as Marty takes over & Jeff tags in, eating a right hand. He blinds Jeff pulling his headband over his head & Hardy sells it great as Cassidy hits a slingshot legdrop & does a little shuffle. Belly to belly as Marty tags in & hits a knee lift as they put Jeff away with a terrible looking Ally-Oop/Top Rope clothesline for the win.
Smoking Gunns vs The Hardy Boys
June 15, 1996
Sunny has a shit ton of security escort her to the commentary area with Perfect, JR & Vince as Bart works a headlock on Jeff, then shoulder tackles him down. Jeff tries a sunset flip, but Bart powers him up & launches the young Hardy to the corner before gorilla pressing him down. Inset promo by The Godwinns as Phineas is still longing for Sunny, who mocks him. We get an intense lock up between Matt & Billy, which Billy literally just loses interest in halfway through, so Matt grabs a headlock, only to get murdered with a lariat. The Gunns hit the Side Winder (side suplex/guillotine leg) for the 3 count and the Tag Champs hit their finish a hell of a lot better than The Rockers did 2 weeks prior.
Duke Droese vs Brooklyn Brawler
June 29, 1996
TL Hopper on commentary with his plunger Betsy as he tries to show it off to Mr. Perfect, who is repulsed. Brawler with the sneak attack early, driving shoulders into the mid section. Vince asks Hopper if wrestling in the WWF is better than “snaking drains” and honestly, I don’t think it is, Vince. Brawler got caught leaping out the corner & planted with the Trash Compactor for the 3 count. Brawler took almost this whole match. WCW was just about to begin their NWO storyline the next month, while the WWF had TL Hopper. Yikes.
Salvatore Sincere vs Dan Jesser
July 6, 1996
Amazingly the ring announcer puts an Italian accent for Sal’s name, then does the same accent when saying Dan Jesser. Vince asks who this is & answers himself saying it’s Sal Sincere. We see a fan ringside that’s confused by Sincere and he yells for him to “GO FIGHT GOLDUST!” which is questionable. Jim Ross plugs the Superstar Line in the United Kingdom, which is also weird. Anyways, Sal hits a corner splash & Vader Bomb/Elbow Drop out of the corner as well. He goes for a splash, but eats a boot as Jesser goes for a double axe, but Sal hits a punch to the ribs & a Side Russian Leg Sweep. Mr. Perfect finally talks as I had zero idea he was there. We’re told TL Hopper is also making his debut tonight as this show is star studded! Sal hits the Sincerely Yours full nelson slam for the win.
TL Hopper vs. Duke Droese
July 13, 1996
Duke the Dumpster’s last TV match and what a fitting way to go out. Duke showed off his strength early with a shoulder block and Hopper already retreated. Nice snap suplex and bodyslam, but Duke missed a corner charge, as Hopper went after the ribs. Backbreaker and back body drop, as Duke is down, which allowed the plumber to pull his britches up. Duke fought back with a powerslam and went for his finisher Trash Compactor, but Hopper grabbed the top rope and took out the leg. Brainbuster put away Duke with Down the Drain for the win. Post match, Hopper plunged the face of Duke, as Hopper kissed his plunger to end it. That’s literally how they said goodbye to Duke, who was there since I think almost 2 years, which is crazy if you think about it.
The Bodydonnas vs Todd Becker & Rock Wagner
July 13, 1996
Kloudy is with Skip & Zip, which was a dude dressed as Sunny, member that shit? Wagner fights his way out of the BD corner, but gets scared by Kloudy. The Gunns & Sunny make their way to the entrance ramp and the crowd immediately starts caring more about her than the actual match, myself included. We get a fucking rest hold in a squash from Chris Candido, which is crazy, as it led to a second rope frankensteiner and top rope Bombs Away from Zip for the quick 3. This was lead up to the Bodydonnas & Gunns at the PPV in a…non title match, riveting.
Steve Austin vs Sonny Rogers
July 20, 1996
After a pre-match promo, Austin brutally attacks Rodgers with rights, boots & clubbing blows as he drops him with a Stunner and the match doesn’t even technically begin. Austin didn’t have time for this shit, so much so they had to air his inset promo as he walked to the back.
The Bushwhackers vs RT Williams & Rod Bell
July 20, 1996
Butch & Luke still puttering along mid 96, which is baffling. I’m not covering the match, just know that Brian Pillman came down the aisle during the match and tried to get the crowd behind the Bushwhackers. He’s doing the Bushwhackers dance with his crutches, giving Butch & Luke the thumbs up as they go out there with him and lick his face, which triggers Pillman and he lays out Butch with his crutch to the back! I love it!
Alex Porteau vs Timothy Flowers
July 27, 1996
The Pug is in action, using The Steiner Brothers old WWF theme as he takes down Flowers with a headlock & we get some counter wrestling as Brian Pillman makes his way down the aisle, getting into the face of some fans. Overhead belly to belly almost murders Flowers as he misses a cross body off the second. Butterfly suplex by The Pug, who takes Flowers down with a pinning combination for the 3. Zero people cared as Pillman took away all the attention from this one. Pillman tells Jim Ross he’s there for the fans, for the despair of the fans.
Sid vs Brooklyn Brawler
July 28, 1996
Big boot. Choke Slam. Powerbomb. 3 count. You know, the Sid Special. He stretched it out long enough for the British Bulldog to cut an inset promo.
TL Hopper vs Barry Horowitz
August 3, 1996
We are 1 year removed from Barry beating Skip for his first win in the WWF. Now he’s…wrestling a plumber. Perfect says his career has gone down the toilet as an inset promo by Hopper is shown, calling out Shawn Michaels. He slams Barry down by the head & hits a back elbow as he’s moving at a snail’s pace. Missed headbutt as Horowitz hits a dropkick & nice butterfly suplex for 2. Hopper answers with a powerslam & gets the 3 out of nowhere. Post match, he grabs his plunger & jabs it in the throat of Barry before smashing it into the mouth of poor Horowitz. This is where we’re at, folks.
Freddie Joe Floyd vs Uncle Zebekiah
August 3, 1996
So the manager of Bradshaw is wrestling here as Dutch Mantel takes on Tracy Smothers. Zeb attacks immediately, but Floyd hits a school boy for 3. That’s it. Zeb says he wasn’t ready & shit talks Floyd, who runs back to the ring and we have a rematch. Floyd hits a cross body 1…2…3! Zeb again says he wasn’t ready and says he can last 5 minutes as Floyd hits the ring again (why?) as he grabs Zeb by the beard & wrenches away as Justin Bradshaw hits the ring & lays out Floyd with a lariat & pumphandle slam. They go to brand him when Savio Vega runs out & chases them away.
The Bodydonnas vs Sumito & Randy Taylor
August 3, 1996
Kloudy has already hit the bricks thankfully as The New Rockers join commentary, making 5 people on commentary for a squash. Leif Cassidy is a goofball, while Marty is just there. Mr. Perfect just wanted to shake Marty’s hand. I just noticed, Cassidy has a broom, saying they’ll sweep up the competition. The action in the ring has been boring until Zip hits a gut wrench powerbomb on Taylor, tag to Skip, who hits a frankensteiner off the second & that’s it. Jim Ross looked so bored out there.
The Goon vs Doug Allen
August 10, 1996
We get vignettes from The Good before the match starts! Vince trying to hype this up is ridiculous as the bell sounds and The Goon charges and brawls with Allen. There’s an inset promo Goon, who says he’s going to be the highest scorer in the WWF and then BLOWS A SNOT ROCKET AT THE CAMERA! Lovely. Poor Bill Irwin, this gimmick fucking sucked. He hits a terrible looking reverse Samoan Drop (I guess?) as Mr. Perfect is trying to put over this offense. He hits a suplex, which looks just dumb considering the gimmick, but Allen hits a flying forearm to fight back. He goes up top, leaps & Goon slams him into the mat before hitting a weak tackle outside. He gets a running start up the aisle & hits another “cross check” and wins via countout. This was a fucking disaster.
Faarooq vs Adrian Lester
August 10, 1996
The camera angle for Sunny making her entrance can only be compared to a New Japan camera man for Maria a few years ago. Snap powerslam right out the gate as Lester tries a crucifix, but Faarooq just slams him down. He tells Ahmed Johnson this is what he’s going to look like at Summerslam (a match that never happened) as he hits the Dominator for 3.
Steve Austin vs ?
August 24, 1996
We never hear who Austin’s opponent is, but he gets a quick school boy for 2 as Austin just smirks & suckers him in with a handshake & right hand. Snap suplex as Austin trash talks his opponent before hitting another one. Stone Cold ain’t messing around as he hits a Stunner for the quick win. Squash matches in 96, oh hell yeah!
Faarooq Asad vs Chris Harris
August 25, 1996
YES, THE WILDCAT! I can’t believe we’re like 6 years away from TNA. Faarooq is wearing his weird blue head gear and a very leggy Sunny is his manager. The crowd is screaming for Sunny as Faarooq punts Harris in the kidneys and just hits clubbing blows & a snap powerslam. This leads to the Dominator for the easy win over the future Braden Walker.
Faarooq vs Barry Horowitz
September 8, 1996
Barry doesn’t get an entrance anymore, just his music while he’s “currently in the ring”. Sunny comes out looking as booby as ever while a fan holds up an America Online cd with Sunny on the front. Ah 1996, you were special. Faarooq dares Horowitz to hit the ropes, so he does & gets laid out with a shoulder. Barry tries for a leapfrog, but Faarooq hits him in mid air with a shoulder. Powerslam connects as he’s just toying with Horowitz already as he plants Barry with the Dominator for the super fast win.
Steve Austin vs Freddie Joe Floyd
September 9, 1996
We get a vignette from The Stalker Barry Windham to lead us to Austin vs Smothers with Pillman on commentary. That’s a crazy sentence right there. Smothers gets a headlock to start as he hits a running cross body for 2, as Austin pops up first & takes him down with a headlock of his own. Leapfrog by Smothers, but Austin hits a right hand to the mush. Pillman & Perfect are jaw jacking at each other about Bret Hart as Pillman takes a jab about Summerslam 91 and Perfect sort of gets hot. Austin hits a Thesz Press (there’s fans already running to the entrance, knowing it’s over) as he hits a Stunner for the 3 count. This match could’ve been so much more.
Crush vs David Haskins
September 22, 1996
Crush charges immediately and rubs Haskins face into the mat. The ref tells Crush to ease up, allowing Haskins to chop block Crush, who turns around and flattens him with a lariat & suplex. Stalling leg drop as he’s daring Haskins to hit him before laying the boots in on the jobber. Big boot is the prelude for the Heart Punch to give Crush the easy win.
Marc Mero vs Lou Marconi
September 22, 1996
I implore you to seek out Lou Marconi’s Wikipedia page, he clearly wrote it himself as it’s so long and detailed for an independent wrestler. Anyways, Mero gets a headlock takeover & holds him down for a 2 count, which, could you imagine winning off a head lock? Japanese arm drags by Mero, who works the arm for like 2 minutes, hits a bodyslam & Wild Thing shooting star for the 3 count. The fuck you working the arm for minutes to set up a shooting star, Marc?
The Smoking Gunns vs The Spiders
September 29, 1996
The Spiders are the future Headbangers as we’re never told which is which, as they’re masked with the same gear. The Spiders hit a diving clothesline off the second, but Billy just pops up and rakes the eyes, tagging his brother. Bodyslam, knee drop and the Gunns hit a springboard corner clothesline as they lay out one of the Spiders with a Side Winder for the quick 3. This was when the Gunns were about to break up since Sunny left them and Billy was hearbroken.
Fake Diesel vs Aldo Montoya
October 6, 1996
Shockingly Aldo gets his pyro at this point in his career as so does Diesel, so I wonder how much money was spent on pyro for this match? Corner knees & elbows, aka The Nash Special as Diesel hits a corner clothesline & drops the leg in the ropes. Side suplex is what’s next on the Diesel Checklist as Aldo starts throwing punches & hits some clotheslines, but Diesel doesn’t go down. Flying clothesline off the second does knock the big man down as Aldo charges & eats a big boot. Diesel with corner forearms as he puts away the Man O War with a Jackknife for the 3 count.
Flash Funk vs Brian Walsh
November 24, 1996
The Funkettes go to the back after the entrance and that’s unfortunate as Jim Ross clarifies Flash isn’t related to Terry or Dory. Handspring elbow gets the crowd into it by Funk as he dropkicks Walsh to the apron. Somersault Pele Kick sends Walsh flying to the floor as Funk hits a suicide plancha before heading back inside. Bodyslam and the 450 Splash gets Funk his TV debut victory. Scorpio could’ve done so much more in the company, he was such a great wrestler & flyer.
The Executioner vs Bury Cinteno
December 1, 1996
Terry Gordy in a hood, that made some money, pal. Vertical suplex is what starts it for Executioner as he slams Burt into the corner & hits multiple short arm clotheslines. Back body drop & knees to the ribs as you can hear crickets here for a pre-taped show. One leg dropkick as a little Bam Bam comes out of the Executioner as I think he forgot his gimmick for a second. Corner splash as he starts shaking the hand out & hits a clothesline before applying the Spike into the side of the neck for the win. This gimmick was the drizzling shits.
The Undertaker vs Fake Diesel
December 22, 1996
Kane vs Taker in 96 as Diesel attacks at the bell with knees & elbows in the corner. Credit to Kane, he had the Kevin Nash formula down as Diesel. Taker with a headbutt in the corner & uppercut shots as he keeps shooting Diesel to the corners, but eats a boot & clothesline by Big Daddy Cool. Taker fights back with chops to the throat, but runs right into a side suplex by Diesel. Repeated elbows as Diesel goes to the top rope as Taker sits up & Diesel with what’d become a signature flying clothesline for 2. Slugfest ensues as Taker gets the upper hand as Taker clotheslines him to the floor. Vader runs in and causes the DQ as Diesel rushes in and attacks from behind. It’s pretty cool seeing Vader & Kane beat up Undertaker as Diesel holds down Taker so Vader hits the Vader Bomb as the heels stand tall over the Dead Man.
The Sultan vs Matt Hardy
January 5, 1997
Dropkicks by Hardy to start, but Sultan hits a Fatu-esque Samoan Drop & thrust chop as Bob Backlund is rambling on commentary while Sultan hits a Saito Suplex before applying the Camel Clutch for the submission win. Poor Matt, who didn’t even get his name said on commentary in this match.
The Undertaker vs The Goon
January 5, 1997
Goon gets clotheslined to the floor, where he gets a shot to the throat with his hockey stick as he takes over on Taker as we go to commercial break. Back & Taker is in control with uppercuts before the ref gets bumped & Goon falls to the floor. He grabs the hockey stick again & gives a gentle tap to the back of Taker, then hits him harder as Taker no sells & levels the holy hell out of The Goon with it in his back. Choke Slam & Tombstone right as the referee recovers for the 3 count.
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Optimisn
Moderator
The Voice of Reason
Posts: 33,708 
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Post by Optimisn on Jun 3, 2022 12:35:23 GMT -6
That's a collection.
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Post by realfrankdrebin on Jun 4, 2022 11:39:08 GMT -6
Just watched Chyna's Queen of the Ring.
Some nice spots and good facials.
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Post by randomone on Jul 26, 2022 22:21:18 GMT -6
Back to the vault we go to chip away at all the matches I had reviewed during the pandy that never got posted. I have over 100 matches from Wrestling Challenge to post, here's some from 1986-1988.
Hercules vs Jack Foley
November 30, 1986
Bloomington, Indiana is far away from Truth or Consequences as Mick Foley takes on the mighty Hercules, managed by Bobby Heenan at this point. Herc pulls Mick down by the hair, stomps away, then drops Mick again with an elbow & bodyslam. Another slam as Foley throws two punches, Herc no sells & murders him with a clothesline, then the Torture Rack for the quick win.
Kamala vs Jack Foley
December 7, 1986
The ring announcer fucks up and says Mick weighs 147 pounds, which Gorilla makes a correction & says 253 pounds and calls him Hoffman, which baffles me. Also I guess Gorilla moonlights as one of those dudes at carnivals who guesses your weight? He just took a look at Mick & said “yeah, 253 looks about right”? Kamala does his usual chops & shockingly hits a bodyslam, then hits one splash & goes up top to hit a huge splash for the 3 count. Poor Mick.
King Harley Race vs Jerry Monti
January 12, 1987
Gorilla points out whoever beats Race will be the King of Wrestling, so we could see King Jerry Monti, haha. Swinging neckbreaker immediately by Harley, who hits a knee drop & then another. Bodyslam could’ve gotten 3, but Race picks him up at 2. Brutal elbow drop, but Race lifts him up again. No hand headbutt lands flush, then a diving one as he pulls Monti up a third time. Fisherman’s Suplex connects & this time the King gets 3.
Kamala vs Jack Foley
January 25, 1987
Rematch baby! Not only is Mick announced as hailing from Boston, he’s now Nick Faley. The caption said Nick Foley, so this ring announcer has butchered poor Mick’s name almost every time out. Kamala throws Mick down, hits a shitty superkick & bodyslams him down, hits one splash & gets the 3 count. This went 20 seconds. Post match, Kamala hits the top rope splash and the crowd pops. “Nick Foley is going to need help, maybe for the next several months.” Oh Gorilla, if you only knew the damage poor Mick would endure over his career.
One Man Gang, Butch Reed & The Bolsheviks vs The Killer Bees, Lanny Poffo & Ricky Hunter
January 17, 1988
What a Survivor Series caliber team this is? This was Slick’s murderer’s row before Power & Glory and Warlord came along. The Bees dropkick Nikolai out of the ring before he could sing the Anthem as Blair is a house of fire early, sending the Bolsheviks into each other. Tag to Brunzell, who immediately gets raked in the eyes as Nikolai applies a bear hug. Brunzell claps out & tags Poffo as Boris clocks him in the back & here comes The Natural. Snapmare & right hand drop as Reed plants him with a back elbow, but Poffo leaps & tags in Hunter. Reed nails a high knee & gut buster as he tags in the Gang, who just hits the 747 for the 3 count. Gang had no time for this. The landing Hunter had for that finish looked brutal on his knee, even Gorilla pointed out he might have broke his knee.
Koko B. Ware vs Danny Davis (w/Jimmy Hart)
February 28, 1988
Davis attacks with right hands & a choke in the corner as the Dangerous One is beating the shit out of Koko, who floats over in the corner gets a roll up & a 2 count. Davis cuts him off & hits knees to the midsection, shooting Koko to the corner, he leaps out with a cross body for another 2 count. Davis drops him again, misses a back elbow, Koko hits a leaping small package for 2 again. Koko hits a dropkick, then plants Davis right on his fucking head with the Ghostbuster for the 3. Damn that finish was always brutal.
Bam Bam Bigelow (Sir Oliver Humperdink) vs Terry Gibbs
March 20, 1988
The ovation Bammer gets in just a squash is amazing; I can’t believe he didn’t do more in his initial run. Gibbs attacks & chokes in the corner, then bites away. Bigelow starts fighting back with a hip toss, then a beal clear across the ring. Rick Rude inset promo saying he’ll get past Jake Roberts in the Mania 4 tournament, then take out Bam Bam. Yeah, neither of those things happened. Bigelow with a corner splash & diving headbutt for the easy victory.
Honky Tonk Man vs Outback Jack
April 10, 1988
Jack hits some corner punches, shoots Honky off & nails a bodyslam, but misses a corner elbow drop. Honky hits a snap clothesline, then connects with Shake, Rattle & Roll for the super quick win. Outback Jack was forgotten completely at this point.
Bam Bam Bigelow (w/Sir Oliver Humperdink) vs Iron Mike Sharpe
May 1, 1988
Bam Bam gets a shoulder block & right hands as Slick does an inset promo about how Bam Bam better never get in the ring with the One Man Gang. This had to have been taped friggin months before, as Bigelow lost to the Gang at Wrestlemania a month prior. Anyways, Bigelow drops Sharpe, shoots him to the corner, Iron Mike reverses charges & misses a splash. Bigelow connects with a slingshot splash off the apron for the 3 count.
Big Bossman vs Mark Ming
June 26, 1988
This might be Bossman’s debut, as Gorilla & Bobby are baffled that Bossman is wrestling in his cop attire. Inset promo with Slick calling out JYD & Randy Savage. Bossman just beats the shit out of poor Mark Ming, clubbing & choking away. He plants him with a spinebuster slam, then connects with the Bossman Slam for the 3 count.
Iron Sheik (w/Slick) vs Kim Yates
August 7, 1988
Sheiky Baby getting squashes this late? Sheik clocks Yates with the Iranian flag as the bell sounds & he rips the shirt off Yates, who has the build of your local plumber. Iron Sheik cuts an inset promo, rambling about Randy Savage and how he wants his WWF Title back. He drops the leg on Yates hung up in the corner, then hits a brutal back suplex before applying the Camel Clutch for the win. Even in 88, Sheiky was having trouble moving around.
Terry Taylor vs Scott Casey
August 14, 1988
Pre-Rooster Taylor debut here. They both throw right hands at each other before Taylor gets a cheap shot in. Casey tries a crucifix & gets a 2 count, then a bodyslam as he flattens Taylor with a shoulder tackle, charges & Taylor hits a Stun Gun. Taylor does an inset promo calling himself the Mecca of Manhood (which is a name Shawn Stasiak used in the dying days of WCW). Casey gets raked in the eyes, but he makes his comeback with rights and a corner clothesline. The crowd is dead silent as Casey tries & misses a running bulldog as Taylor hits a spinebuster, then applies a Sharpshooter for the submission win! Eat your heart out, Bret!
George Steele vs Larry Stevens
September 11, 1988
The Animal still getting squash matches this late in 88? Stevens tries a sneak attack & Animal drives him into the corner head first 11 times. He applies a flying hammerlock & that does it. Yikes.
The Blue Blazer vs Trent Knight
October 2, 1988
Two leapfrogs & a two dropkicks start things off for Blazer as he hits a flashy hip toss & vertical suplex. Big back body drop and overhead belly to belly (which Gorilla calls a gut wrench suplex) as Blazer hits a missile dropkick, kipping up afterwards. Heenan asks what is under the mask & Gorilla says a nose & two eyes (clever Gorilla). Blazer hits a bodyslam & a picture perfect moonsault for the 3. I don’t think I ever saw Owen do a moonsault before (aside from his entrance as the Blazer), it was perfect.
Akeem vs Bob Emery
October 16, 1988
The first appearance of the African Dream as he gives a fist bump to the Slickster before hitting clubbing blows & a bodyslam. Hard shoulders to the midsection in the corner as Akeem struts over, high fives Slick, then hits a back elbow before calling Emery a “turkaayy”. He hits the 747, but gets up at 1 and opts for Air Africa for the 3 count.
Ultimate Warrior vs Porkchop Cash
October 30, 1988
Warrior is holding the IC title in the air as Cash starts throwing shots & Warrior stands there and lets Porkchop punch the belt. He chucks Cash to the floor & Warrior starts shaking the ropes before heading outside & tossing Porkchop over the top into the ring. Clothesline, gorilla press slam & leaping splash get the easy 3 count. Poor Porkchop Cash.
Mr. Perfect vs Scott Casey
November 20, 1988
Miraculously, both of these guys made it to the Survivor Series PPV. Casey was a last minute replacement for someone (I want to say B. Brian Blair or Brunzell, I could be wrong), but he was a job guy. Perfect cuts an inset promo about how great he is, then takes down Casey & boasts some more. It’s pretty much 1 move, pose, repeat. Finally Casey hits a bodyslam, but misses the elbow & Hennig hits a few of his own. Chinlock applied, but Casey ultimately gets a backslide for 2, but Hennig pops up and clobbers him with a forearm, then hits another that misses entirely, yet he covers Casey for the win. Pretty bad ending, but damn, Perfect didn’t have a finisher until the Perfect Plex.
Red Rooster vs Sam Houston
December 4, 1988
Rooster managed by The Brain here as he bodyslams Houston down to start things off. They trade float overs & Houston hits a knee lift, then head scissors into a 2 count. Thesz Press gets another near fall as Taylor bails outside & gets berated by Heenan. Houston drags him back in & Rooster nails a swinging neckbreaker to regain control. Knee drop, jawbreaker & some work in the corner by the Rooster, but he wastes too much time & Houston gets a sunset flip for 2. Flying forearm connects, but Rooster hits a stun gun, then slaps on the Sharpshooter for the submission win.
Ted Dibiase vs Tim Horner
December 18, 1988
Dibiase turns his back & Horner gets an arm drag and bodyslam for 2. He charges in the corner & eats a Dibiase back elbow, as the Million Dollar Man is in firm control now. Stiff clothesline as we get a Hercules inset promo about how he’s pissed he was bought as Dibiase’s slave. Fist drops by Ted (VINTAGE DIBIASE!) as he connects with a double axe off the second. Snap powerslam is the set up as the Million Dollar Dream is applied & Horner fades fast.
Big Bossman vs David Heath
December 25, 1988
Here's a super young Gangrel, 10 years before signing. Bossman nails a big boot out the gate and he could honestly end it now, but opts to headbutt Heath down. He drapes the leg across the neck while in the ropes as we get an inset promo from Akeem, who alternates between Jamaican & English accents. Meanwhile, Bossman hits the Bossman Slam for the quick win. Post match, Bossman beats the living shit out of Gangrel with the nightstick, while handcuffed. Funny that these two would both be members of the Corporate Ministry in 1999.
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Post by The Original Kid Cairo on Jul 26, 2022 23:26:05 GMT -6
Terry Taylor was such a missed opportunity. He could always wrestle but man, that Red Rooster thing...nobody would have survived that.
I always read that Terry Taylor and Curt Hennig were both considered for the Mr. Perfect gimmick. It obviously worked out the way it should have, but I think Taylor could have pulled it off also. He did pretty good as Terrence Taylor in WCW later on.
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Post by randomone on Jul 27, 2022 0:00:40 GMT -6
And Bruce thought it was a good gimmick and Terry didn’t fully commit. He committed as much as one could with their gimmick being a fucking chicken.
Terrance Taylor fit in well with Alexandra York Foundation after Wallstreet left, but then they just added people for the sake of adding people. Richard Morton? Thomas Rich? Mr. Hughes briefly.
But then he randomly teamed with Greg Valentine with the US Tag Champions and being the Taylor Made Man, it was just weird.
Then we got Terrific Terry Taylor, which was just him without a gimmick in WWF.
I can’t believe I didn’t google any of that
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Post by Positivity Peeps on Jul 27, 2022 0:09:11 GMT -6
Richard Morton was such a fucking dumb idea. The others were fine. But taking a super over babyface and making him a corporate heel was pretty on brand for Jim Herd.
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Post by randomone on Jul 27, 2022 0:18:45 GMT -6
Yeah and Ricky & Robert had a match on PPV or a Clash and it was awful.
Tommy Rich was primarily an enhancement guy since like 89 at this point and randomly was made Thomas as just a guy who ate pins. I don’t think he was with them long.
The whole concept was really ahead of its time and I wonder if it would’ve gone further had Rotundo not became IRS. Terri was great in her role.
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Post by The Original Kid Cairo on Jul 27, 2022 10:13:56 GMT -6
The York Foundation should have been limited to a three-person group. Taylor as the wrestler, Terri as the manager, and Hughes as the bodyguard. Maybe you add Stunning Steve later on, but that's about it.
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Post by randomone on Jul 27, 2022 10:27:04 GMT -6
Imagine the Dangerous Alliance was actually the York Foundation a year earlier in 91 and instead of Paul E managing them, it was Alexandra York
Steven Austin
Richard Rude
Lawrence Zbyszko
Robert Eaton
Arnold Anderson
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Post by The Original Kid Cairo on Jul 27, 2022 10:52:58 GMT -6
Best stable in wrestling. Take my money now.
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Post by randomone on Jul 31, 2022 21:30:41 GMT -6
Rugged Ronnie Garvin vs Steve Lombardi
January 8, 1989
Not yet the Brawler, as Garvin gets a waist lock takedown, but Lombardi gets the rope break. Forearms by Lombardi, but Garvin answers with a back drop & the Garvin Stomp. Double stomp to the gut follows, as he chops the shit out of poor Lombardi, then we get an inset promo from Garvin. Lombardi gets a shot to the midsection, tries a sunset flip, but Garvin punches out & drops an elbow. High knee is sloppily hit as Garvin wins it with the piledriver.
Bad News Brown vs Bill Mulkey
January 15, 1989
Mulkey looks like the dude from Mask, not the Jim Carrey movie, the Eric Stoltz & Cher one. Bad News pulls him to the floor & posts him as he tosses him inside & chokes away. It’s just all right hand & elbows after that as he levels Mulkey with a Ghetto Blaster for the quick win. Mulkey got more offense in almost every NWA match he was involved in.
Demolition vs Alan Kinsey & Iron Mike Sharpe
January 22, 1989
Sharpe gets absolutely clocked by Ax to start, as Smash tags in immediately and we get the double team clubbing blows. Neck crank by Smash, who just beats Sharpe down. He forces Sharpe to tag Kinsey & Smash chucks him to his corner, where Ax tags in and beats down Kinsey with a clothesline. Snapmare & neck crank, as Smash is yelling at Kinsey and it’s really strange Demolition were viewed as babyfaces at this time. Smash murders Kinsey with a lariat, then they hit the Demolition Decapitation for the 3 count.
Red Rooster vs Danny Davis
January 29, 1989
Rooster has had his fall out with The Brain, but Jimmy Hart is still with Davis here, who eye pokes Rooster, but gets clocked with a right hand. Atomic drop into an arm drag as we get an inset promo from Bobby Heenan & The Brooklyn Brawler, while Rooster keeps targeting the left arm of Davis. Sunset flip gets a 2 count, then we’re back to the arm bar. Finally Davis grabs the hair & slams Rooster down, putting the boots to him. Big back body drop by Rooster, who slams Davis down & he clucks at him before hitting a jawbreaker. Davis with a throat chop, tries for a bodyslam, but Rooster turns it into a small package for 3. Red Rooster needed a flash pin to defeat Danny Davis.
Twin Towers vs The Pitbulls
March 12, 1989
Pre-ECW Pitbulls as Wolfe gets just battered by Bossman with a running powerslam almost immediately as Akeem drops a big elbow & does his weird little dance. Durante gets the tag & just rag dolled down by Bossman as Slick slaps him a few times as Bossman drops the leg on him in the ropes. Akeem does the same thing as Bossman gets back in, hits the Bossman Slam and Akeem connects with Air Africa for the win. For good measure Bossman cuffs Wolfe to the ropes & beats him down post match.
Bushwhackers vs Conquistadors
March 19, 1989
Heaven help me I’m watching this for reasons I don’t know as Uno & Dos try attacking early, but collide with each other as Butch & Luke hit double boots & do their dance around the ring. Luke hits 1 punch before tagging in Butch, who hits a back drop & tags in Luke again. These are a 1 & done team as Butch tags in after 1 punch, they hit the Battering Ram and double gut buster for the win. That could’ve been a whole lot worse & luckily it went only a minute.
Blue Blazer vs Danny Davis
April 16, 1989
Blazer works the arm early before hitting a monkey flip, but misses a dropkick follow as Davis puts the boots to him. I forgot how bad Danny Davis was as a wrestler. Overhead belly to belly by Blazer, who hits his dropkick this time, goes to the top & hits a cross body for the 3 count. Super quick win for the future Rocket.
Haku vs Big John Studd
May 7, 1989
Haku attacks at the bell with chops & kicks as Studd barely sells it as he tries a bodyslam & doesn’t get anywhere. Studd jaw jacks with Heenan ringside before hitting a clothesline & forearm to the midsection as he bodyslams Haku down & locks on the bearhug. Studd sees Andre ringside & gets superkicked in the back of the head & hung up in the ropes as Andre & Haku do a number on Studd. The referee puts a 5 count on this before disqualifying Haku, which makes zero sense. Jim Duggan “the policeman of the WWF” says Monsoon, who clearly forgot about the Big Bossman, makes the save & that’s that. We cut to a child awkwardly staring into camera eating a WWF Ice Cream bar.
Rick Martel (w/Slick) vs Jerry Lynn
June 4, 1989
Always forget Martel was managed by the Slickster post heel turn. Leg sweep & cart wheel by Martel as he slams Lynn down before picking him apart in the corner. Beautiful dropkick & back elbow put down the future New F’N Show as the chants of Tito are getting to Martel as Lynn gets 1 punch before Martel continues the beating, driving the knee down off the top rope for the 3 count. Pre-Model finish was the diving knee, not the Boston Crab, which was another thing I forgot.
Koko B. Ware vs Barry Horowitz
June 18, 1989
Ronnie Garvin is the referee as his wrestling career had “ended” thanks to Greg Valentine. Barry beats up Koko early with an elbow to the throat & slingshot under the bottom rope. Leaping back elbow gets a 2 count as it’s been all Horowitz in the early going. Koko eats a boot, Barry drops a leg for another 2, then finally Barry misses a cross body. Koko hits a clothesline & top rope dropkick, landing on his feet for a 2 count. Then MURDERS Horowitz with a Ghost Buster for 3. It’s such an uncomfortable finisher to watch as Koko nearly paralyzes his opponent every freakin time he hits it.
Brain Busters vs The Pitbulls
July 16, 1989
Pre-ECW Pitbulls return here as they actually get the upper hand on Arn early, but it lasts for like 10 seconds as he beats them both down & hits a Spinebuster on Durante while they just rake Wolfe’s face onto the ring floor. Tully takes over on Durante & the Busters are just beating the holy hell out of the Pitbulls with quick tags as Durante barely manages a tag to Wolfe, who gets beat up just as badly. Tully dropkicks Durante to the floor as the Busters hit a spike piledriver on Wolfe for the easy win. You forget how awesome the Brain Busters were in the WWF.
Hillbilly Jim vs Sandy Beach
July 16, 1989
We get an inset from Genius & we still haven’t started yet as Jim has been stalling with cartwheels & dancing before a failed bodyslam by Beach turns into a slam by Jim. Hard buckle by Beach as Jim locks on a bear hug for 3 seconds before dropping him & hits a big boot for the 3 count. Hillbilly Jim was not a good wrestler, but the crowd popped for the music & jig he did, so there’s that.
Boris Zhukov vs Ronnie Garvin
August 27, 1989
Big Boris attacks with Garvin’s back turned & lights him up in the corner before we get a slugfest that Garvin wins. He pulls Boris up by his beard & headbutts him as he hits a back drop, Hand of Stone right for the quick win. Garvin had dinner plans, he had no time for Boris’ bullshit.
Mr. Perfect vs Mark Young
October 29, 1989
Inset poem by The Genius as Perfect takes down Young & toys with him, but Young gets a hip toss, bodyslam & dropkick. Young barely gets the dropkick as Perfect is up & pissed as he chops Young down & hits clubbing blows before Young tries a somersault senton off the top rope (not kidding) but misses & Perfect hits the Perfect Plex for the win. Zero clue where that twisting senton came from, but it was refreshing to see a WTF? move attempted by a job guy.
Dusty Rhodes vs Akeem
November 19, 1989
Akeem misses a corner splash as Dusty starts dishing out elbows & 10 punches in the corner that pops the crowd huge. Snap jabs as we get an inset promo from Bossman, Martel & Honky, the other members of the Survivor Series team with Akeem (who didn’t end up making the show and was replaced by Bad News Brown). Slick hooks a leg as Akeem immediately applies a rest hold that Dusty literally starts dancing out of. Slick gets into a fans face ringside (Sapphire) as after a few minutes, Dusty finally gets out of the dreaded Akeem nerve hold, but eats a back elbow. Slick demands Sapphire sit down as Akeem goes out to get in her face and promptly gets counted out like a moron. 2 and ½ minute match that had a 2 minute rest hold. Dusty danced post match, so the crowd was happy. The match was garbage.
Ronnie Garvin vs Brooklyn Brawler
November 26, 1989
They scrap to the corner as Brawler wants a hip toss, but Garvin reverses it as we get an inset promo from Greg Valentine that desperately needed subtitles. I could only make out Garvin’s name and that’s it. Brawler rakes the eyes & takes over, but Garvin fights out of a sunset flip with a right hand, then does the Garvin Stomp & locks on the Sharpshooter for the submission win.
Dino Bravo (w/Jimmy Hart & Earthquake) vs Paul Roma
December 3, 1989
Leap frogs by Roma, who hits a back body drop & cross body for 2, but Bravo hits an atomic drop to take over. Big elbow drop & side suplex gets the quick win for Bravo, as Quake quickly gets in the ring & hits his teabag special on Roma for good measure. This was Roma’s limbo jobber roll between the Young Stallions & Power and Glory.
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Post by The Original Kid Cairo on Aug 1, 2022 8:58:28 GMT -6
Back to the 80s!
So many weird guys who made cameos as jobbers. Had no idea the Pitbulls ever saw a WWF ring.
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Post by randomone on Aug 1, 2022 13:35:00 GMT -6
I just now realized the last post was almost unintentionally bookended by Garvin vs Brawler. Both different matches, mind you.
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Post by randomone on Aug 5, 2022 22:32:26 GMT -6
Rhythm & Blues vs The Mulkey Brothers
February 11, 1990
Double team right away by R&B as Hammer chops a Mulkey down, then slams him down, tagging Honky. They take turns slamming Mulkey down & making quick tags as Hammer hits a shoulder breaker for 2, then chops Mulkey in the face as he tags his brother. Hammer with a back drop & tag to Honky, who punts Mulkey in the ribs, then hits the Shake, Rattle & Roll for the win.
Dusty Rhodes vs Rick Martel
February 18, 1990
First few minutes is with Sapphire in the ring, as Martel mocks her, so Dusty just starts throwing bionic elbows that send Martel to the outside. He fires himself up and wants a boxing match, but Dusty does the Ali shuffle, catching a Martel boot & hits a few more bionic elbows. Martel rakes the eyes & gets another cheap shot, putting the boots to Dream, dropping axe handles to the throat. He stomps the ol’ belly welly, dives off the second, but Dream gets a right hand to the gut. He lights up Martel in the corner, then Dusty shoves the referee down & Martel sprays him with Arrogance right in front of the ref, who disqualifies Martel. He stalks Sapphire with it, but Dusty just wipes his eyes clean and knocks Martel to the floor. Apparently Martel didn’t spray him that good, he fucking blinded Jake later in the year with this shit.
Ultimate Warrior vs Brooklyn Brawler
March 11, 1990
Warrior sprints to the ring, hits a clothesline, gorilla press & leaping splash for the 3 count. This lasted 20 seconds. Warrior sprinted to the back immediately after as it was obvious he had to piss.
Roddy Piper vs The Conquistador
April 8, 1990
So, at first, I thought this could've been taped post WrestleMania with black face Piper, since Skaaland & Andre dumped out the stuff to get the paint off, so Piper was fucked and had to rock with it a little while longer. HOWEVER, I have found promos with Piper in half black face leading up to the match, so he did this a lot more often than I thought. So he’s just black face Piper here without any explanation. Conquistador chokes Piper with his towel & snap mares him over, but Piper fights back with punches, then hits a swinging neckbreaker for 3. Piper didn’t waste time with squashes, they usually ended in seconds. Post match Piper unmasks the Conquistador, but he uses the towel to cover his face.
Tugboat vs Bob Bradley
May 20, 1990
Tugger launches Bradley high in the air & they cut to a shot of Hulk Hogan watching through the curtain, but you can tell this was shot before anyone was in the arena as it’s shot horribly. Tugboat gets a backbreaker as Bradley rolls to the outside, then chokes him back inside. Heenan explains why Barbarian was wearing antlers & new gear, his explanation was “well, he came one day with antlers, I don’t know” so that solves that. Tugboat gets a splash in the corner, then his big tidal wave splash for the 3 as Hogan comes to the ring & raises the hand and steal Tugboat’s spotlight.
Rhythm & Blues vs Hillbilly Jim & Randy Fox
June 17, 1990
Hammer tries a cheap shot on Jim, but gets blocked & hit with a head scissors & head clap. Hammer flops as Fox gets a tag & immediately gets blindsided by Honky as R&B take over. They pick apart Fox with quick tags & keep him isolated in their corner as they’ve made like 6 tags and only done like 3 moves. Double back suplex drives Fox down & Hammer gets the pin. Poor Hillbilly Jim.
Orient Express vs Hercules & Jim McPhearson
July 8, 1990
So this was before Hercules started teaming with Roma, so he was just randomly thrown out there. Herc dumps down Sato early with a big gorilla press, but Tanaka distracts him long enough for Sato to hit a super kick. McPhearson gets the tag & dropkicks Sato down, but misses the follow up. Gorilla says McPhearson’s partner didn’t show up, so that’s why Herc is teaming with him, so there’s at least an explanation. Sato destroys McPhearson with a superkick, then a powerbomb & the 3. The Japanese Veg-a-matic. Sato & Tanaka attack Hercules post match and would you look at this, Paul Roma sprints down to make the save.
Legion of Doom vs Al Burke & Bob Bradley
August 1990
The LOD’s debut on Challenge as we get generic entrance music is awful for LOD, who hit a gorilla press & dropkick early before we get a Demolition inset calling them imposters. Smash said that LOD doesn’t know there’s 3 of them and 2 LOD members, which, I think they knew that. Big boot by Hawk on Burke, who quickly tags Animal who hoists Burke up for the Doomsday Device for the 3 count. Bradley did next to nothing & I don’t blame him,
Demolition vs Ronnie Garvin & Troy Williams
August 19, 1990
Garvin freefalling down the card at this point as its Ax & Smash to represent the tag champs, with Crush on the floor. Ax hits some rights, slamming Garvin down, but misses the elbow follow up as Garvin quickly tags Williams, who eats a lariat. Boot to the corner by Smash, who dishes out axe handles, then tosses him to Crush outside, who press slams Williams back inside. Stun Gun by Smash, who tags Ax & we get the Demolition Decapitator for the 3 count. Garvin really didn’t give a shit what happened to his partner.
Bushwhackers vs Iron Mike Sharpe & Pistol Pez Whatley
August 19, 1990
All Star Enhancement crew here as Pez & Butch start off, with Whatley hitting a leap frog & he struts all around the ring. He wants a hug from Butch, who shoves him & Luke knelt behind him and he falls down (old school). Tag to Sharpe, who takes the fight to Butch in the corner, but misses a splash. Tag to Luke, who gets some right hands, ducks a clothesline & Whatley trips up Luke. Sharpe loads up the hand, charges at Luke, being held by Whatley, but Luke moves & Sharpe clocks his partner. The Bushwhackers hit the Battering Ram to the back of Sharpe & pin him. This was the least offensive Bushwhackers match I’ve seen. It was still terrible, but it wasn’t near the level of awful they usually are.
Orient Express vs Shane Douglas & Mark Thomas
August 26, 1990
Tanaka & Douglas immediately go at it as the future Franchise gets a dropkick, arm drag, but eats an elbow in the corner. Sato gets taken down by Douglas, but he knees him in the ribs as he tags Thomas. Flying forearm by Tanaka as Sato tags in with a crescent kick & a powerbomb for the easy win. Like 3 years later Douglas would be ECW champ.
Tugboat vs Buddy Rose
September 1990
Huge size differential as Tugboat takes on a cruiserweight like Rose, who bounces off Tuggers like a ball after trying a shoulder tackle. He tries to pick Tugboat up, but he’s so light due to the Blow Away Diet that he can’t lift him. Punches to the ribs by Rose as Tugboat sells that due to the attack a few weeks prior by Earthquake. Rose tries an Irish whip, but he gets reversed & back dropped down. The ref essentially yells “GO HOME!” as Tugboat hits a slam & splash for 3.
Sgt. Slaughter vs Jim Powers
September 9, 1990
Knees to the gut repeatedly as Sarge drops the Young Stallion down. Powers reverses a corner whip, ducks a clothesline & Sarge clobbers him with a follow up lariat. Gutbuster connects, then a double foot stomp, as Slaughter is targeting the midsection now, as he hits a back elbow to the gut. Powers ducks another clothesline, but Sarge hits a Stun Gun, then drives his fist into the side of the head of Powers, who submits. This was a silly looking finisher, the Camel Clutch looked so much better.
Saba Simba vs Brooklyn Brawler
September 23, 1990
Vince flat out calls him Tony Atlas as Heenan thinks Saba Simba is Ugandan for Room Service. We get an insert promo from Akeem & Slick as Vince asks them about another African American in the WWF, Saba Simba (hahaha) as Akeem says he’ll show Slick he’s the toughest African American in the WWF. Wow. Simba hits overhead chops, kick to the ribs & a horrible boot to the chest, then hits a Samoan Drop for the easy win. Needless to say, this was a really bad gimmick for Tony Atlas.
Battle Kat vs Bob Bradley
October 14, 1990
Kat backflips off the top into the ring as he works the arm, but after a back & forth hitting the ropes, nails a flying butt bump. Headlock takedown out of the corner as Bradley knocks Kat down & chokes away. Bradley does a backflip back elbow to the corner as Kat answers with a spin kick to the ribs & face, then hits a snap suplex for 2. Bradley rakes the eyes, slams Kat down, tries for another, but Kat with a victory roll for the 3!
Shane Douglas vs Paul Diamond
October 28, 1990
Standard start by Douglas hitting the ropes a bunch & getting some takedowns, with Diamond bailing to the floor, so Douglas hits a suicide dive over the top & skins the cat back inside. Inset promo, his goal is simple, go to the top & stay there. Belly to belly back inside as The Franchise goes up top, flying cross body for the 3 count to put away the future Max Moon.
Dustin Rhodes vs The Genius
December 2, 1990
Dusty is in his sons corner for this one as Genius offers a handshake & Dustin takes him down. Cartwheel by Poffo, who hits a superkick to the ribs, but runs into a hip toss, bodyslam & some arm drags as Genius gets dropkicked to the floor. Suplex back inside as Dusty cheers Dustin on as Genius rakes the eyes & tries a moonsault, but Dustin gets his knees up. Clothesline in the corner & the Bulldog win it for Dustin. Always wondered what would’ve happened had Dusty & Dustin stuck around in the WWF.
Cain The Undertaker vs Rick Sampson
December 11, 1990
The TV debut of Taker following his Survivor Series PPV debut, as he added Cain to his name for a few weeks. Clubbing blows as he hits a one handed chokeslam on a running Sampson and almost dropped him on his head. Hard bodyslam & leaping elbow connects as Brother Love cuts an inset promo with Cain. Flying clothesline lands as he does the rope walk & comes crashing down on the arm before hitting the Tombstone for the 3. RIP, pal.
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Post by The Original Kid Cairo on Aug 6, 2022 10:55:14 GMT -6
I wake up and it's Christmas! randomone is back in 1990. I will have thoughts on this later.
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Post by randomone on Aug 10, 2022 15:32:18 GMT -6
Hart Foundation vs Orient Express
WWF Tag Team Titles
February 3, 1991
Anvil & Tanaka kick things off with the big man hitting a shoulder, but Tanaka fights back with chops, tagging in Kato, who immediately gets taken down. Bret tags in, hits a back elbow, but Kato reverses a whip to the corner & Bret takes his signature chest bump. Express makes quick tags, but Bret nails a double clothesline & gets the hot tag. Anvil with a dropkick & backdrop that Tanaka takes so well, then a clothesline that turns him inside out for 2. Tag to Bret, who hits the inverted atomic drop, but gets attacked by Kato, who gets clocked with a superkick by Tanaka by mistake. Bret goes to the second & Anvil uses him as he hits a running powerslam onto Tanaka for the 3 count.
The Viking vs David Isley
February 16, 1991
HUSS, HUSS, MOTHERFUCKERS!! He wasn’t yet The Berzerker, but he’s still Hussing away as this was even before Mania 7. He hits a big boot on Isley early, then hits a leaping dropkick. Front slam as Gorilla says he’s a few oars from the shore. Jumping knee drop & a running boot before hitting a front suplex (like the One Man Gang’s 747) before launching Isley over the top to the floor for the countout win. Huss to the fuckin Huss!
Tito Santana vs Brooklyn Brawler
February 24, 1991
Chico works the arm for the opening minutes, that’s right, minutes, as Brawler regroups & gets a cheap shot. We get an insert promo from Mountie, who will wrestle Santana at Wrestlemania, in a match that absolutely sucked. Tito fights back with right hands & a back drop before hitting the Flying Jalapeno for the 3 count. This went better for Tito than Mania did.
Greg Valentine vs Dino Bravo
February 24, 1991
Former partners collide as Bravo attacks immediately, but Hammer backdrops & hiptosses Bravo down before dropping him with a few clotheslines sending Dino outside. Bravo gets an atomic drop back inside & puts the boots to Hammer as he slams him down, but misses an elbow, then another. Hammer returns the atomic drop & kicks the legs out from under Bravo, signals for the Figure Four as here comes Earthquake & he attacks for the DQ. This is pretty much to set up their Mania match as Quake & Bravo destroy Hammer. We then get an appearance of a masked man (Brutus Beefcake) making the save, then running to the back.
Bret Hart vs The Genius
April 21, 1991
Genius tried a drop down, but Bret put the brakes on & dropped an elbow. Snap mare & another elbow by Bret as Genius scatters away, tries for a superkick to the ribs, but Bret catches it, only to eat a right hand by Genius. Bret fights back in the corner with an uppercut & a flying clothesline as Jim Neidhart is on commentary saying the Sharpshooter is coming & Heenan is confused as to what that is. So this must be the first time he has a name for his finisher. Genius submits & that does it.
Mr. Perfect vs Tugboat – Intercontinental Title
May 5, 1991
Tuggers still tugging along here as Perfect does what he does best in the opening minutes, bumping like a mad man. Heenan towels him off and Perfect slaps Tugboat back inside, pissing the big man off, as Perfect bails to question his strategy. He does the same fucking thing & Tugboat just stares at him, wiping off the chops thrown. Tugboat gets a bear hug & Perfect punches his way out, but Tugboat shoots him to the corner, only to miss a big splash, Perfect with the cover 1…2…kick out. Tugboat hits a bodyslam, then tries a splash off the second rope, misses & Perfect covers him for 3! What a shitty ending to a shitty little match. This was a title match.
The Beverly Brothers vs Bill Gatlin & Stephan DeLeon
June 30, 1991
Bevs debut here, as Heenan calls Beau & Blake the Team of the 90s, which was not accurate. They’re managed by Coach and wearing shower curtains instead of their purple robes. Coach was like early Bill Alfonso with that fucking whistle. Blake hoists Gatlin up in a bodyslam position, but just tosses him over his head instead. Full Nelson applied into a snap mare as he tags his brother. Blake does the same exact moves before choking Gatlin in the corner. Blake trash talks his opponent & just lets Gatlin tag in DeLeon, who he takes down quick & rubs his face in the mat. Back elbow turns him inside out as Beau hits a beautiful overhead belly to belly. They hit the Shaker Heights Spike for the easy win. Luckily this was one of the few times that Enos & Bloom didn’t murder their opponent with their finisher.
Big Bully Busick vs Mario Mancini
August 25, 1991
Debut for the Bully, who rakes Mario’s face across the top rope. Harvey Wippleman’s debut too, who cuts an inset promo. Bully bodyslams Mario into the corner as Harvey takes the ref, so Bully can choke his opponent. Powerslam connects as Mario screams loudly in pain as the Stump Puller is applied for the submission win. That submission needs to be brought back.
Mr. Perfect vs Mark Thomas
September 1, 1991
This was “one day after” Summerslam & Perfect losing the title. Heenan says Perfect had a falling out with Coach as he almost threw Mike McGirk out of the ring & slaps Thomas in the face, then takes him down with a pinning combination for 3. Perfect is pissed he lost the title & showed it.
Koko B. Ware vs Pete Doherty
September 1, 1991
Koko takes it to the Duke of Dorchester early with a back drop & back suplex, then a snap mare & powerslam as Koko flaps his wings. Doherty lowers his head for a back drop, but Koko fucking murders him with a Ghost Buster for the 3. For a babyface, Koko had one of the scariest finishers in the WWF.
Big Bully Busick vs Sid Justice
September 29, 1991
Harvey Wippleman makes Mike McGirk cry during his entrance, so here comes Sid to answer Bully’s Open Challenge. Sid jumps in the ring, flying splash in the corner, one handed chokeslam & powerbomb for the easy win. It’s insane how over Sid was already in the WWF.
Ric Flair vs Jim Powers
September 29, 1991
Side headlock by Powers & a shoulder block as Flair rakes the eyes & chops away in the corner. Hard right hands as we get an inset promo of just the WCW Title & Flair talking about Hogan and Piper. Knee drop & a back suplex is the prelude as Flair slaps on the Figure Four for the quick win.
The Warlord vs Mike Fury
October 13, 1991
Gorilla compares Warlord to Primo Carnera as he hits a shoulder block. Brain knows Primo’s sister Gladys Carnera. Bodyslam, fist drop & a stalling back suplex as he takes Fury’s head off with a lariat before getting the Full Nelson for the win. Heenan says Warlord will be the next IC Champ, not quite.
Roddy Piper vs Bob Smedley
October 20, 1991
Smedley is blonde, so Piper thinks he’s Ric Flair. Piper brawls with Smedley & hits corner clotheslines and a back drop. Running bulldog & that’s already it. This was long enough for Piper to cut an inset promo on Flair & that’s it.
El Matador vs Pat Tanaka
November 3, 1991
Tito steps aside a diving Tanaka because get it, he’s a bull fighter? He launches Tanaka back inside, but Tanaka gets a shoulder to the ribs, but Tito with a hip toss & arm drag. Big back drop as Tito lets out a big OLE & hits a high knee, then the Flying Jalepeno for the 3.
The Rockers vs The Natural Disasters
November 3, 1991
Clubbing blows by Typhoon early, who tries for a bearhug, but HBK bites out of it. Marty hits a slingshot dropkick & the Rockers snap the legs like a wishbone as Typhoon recovers as Marty just stares at him foolishly. Typhoon pushes him in his corner and tags Quake, but Marty quickly bails. He uses his speed & tries for an Irish whip on Quake, but he doesn’t move & just tosses Marty into the corner hard. Big time powerslam by Quake, who goes for his finish, only for HBK to trip him up. Tag to Typhoon, who hits a fucking brutal elbow (more like a senton splash), then goes for another & misses. Quick tag to Shawn, who hits a dropkick & does the 10 punches in the corner as Marty jumps off Typhoon’s shoulders to try a cross body, but Quake catches him & Shawn dropkicks them down. Marty dropkicks Typhoon in the back, but in doing so, he sandwiches Shawn between the Disasters & he crumbles. Jimmy Hart runs distraction on Jannetty, who chases him to the back. Quake drops an elbow, the hits his Teabag of Doom, before tagging Typhoon, who nails the Tidal Wave splash for the 3 count. Shawn is clutching his ribs, as Marty finally comes back out and they tease a stretcher job, but Michaels wakes up and is furious, throwing the stretcher away & charging at the referees trying to help him. Marty helps him to the back & I really don’t blame Shawn for turning on Marty, he bailed on him first!
Undertaker vs Texas Tornado
November 10, 1991
Von Erich is more distracted by Bearer to start as Taker chokes away in the corner. Tornado ducks a clothesline & sends Taker over the top with a hard right, then goes out after Bearer again, who drops the bodybag & Tornado picks it up and starts walking to the back (I don’t know why) as Taker attacks him in the aisle. Back inside, Taker hits his leaping clothesline, connects with the Tombstone and that does it. He slaughtered Tornado, who looked like a total boob in this match.
The Rockers vs Kato & Brooklyn Brawler
November 24, 1991
Brawler takes Marty down to start, but gets rolled up for a close 2 & arm dragged down. Inset promo by the Bushwhackers that desperately need subtitles. Marty hits a superkick as Kato & Shawn get tags as Kato hits shoulders to the ribs in the corner. HBK fights back with rights, Kato tries for a breather, but the Rockers hit rights & Kato scatters in to tag Brawler. Rest hold by Shawn briefly before the ref tells Shawn to go home & he hits an elbow to the head & they hit a pop up splash for the 3. Marty went to make the pin, but HBK shoved him off & got the pin. Seeds were already sowed for the Rockers falling out a month or 2 later.
Jim Duggan vs Jerry Sags (w/Jimmy Hart & Brian Knobbs)
November 24, 1991
Duggan with early clotheslines send Sags to the floor to regroup. Back inside, high atomic drop & a back elbow by Hacksaw, who climbs to the corner & dishes out 10 punches. He hits his spinning bodyslam & signals for the end and his 3 point stance, but Knobbs hooks the leg & Duggan goes after him. Sags drops a leg on the throat and Knobbs gets inside & they beat Duggan down for the DQ. They snap the American Flag over the throat & choke him with the flag until SGT. SLAUGHTER hits the ring, who has been doing promos about wanting his country back. He beats up both Nastys & gorilla presses Jimmy Hart onto them outside as he grabs the American Flag and Duggan is about to hit him with his 2x4, but Slaughter cowers. He finally shakes hands with Slaughter and the crowd goes crazy. Just like that, Slaughter is mid card babyface, after spending nearly all of 91 as a main event heel.
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Post by randomone on Aug 12, 2022 15:37:09 GMT -6
1992-1993! So much changed over these two years, it's pretty nuts.
Randy Savage vs Hercules
January 19, 1992
Royal Rumble was later that day, so Gorilla questions if it was smart to take a match with the Rumble later this afternoon (I love you kayfabe). They lock up & Hercules rakes the eyes as he tosses Savage to the corner , but hits back elbow. Herc fires back with a clothesline & drops an elbow for 2 as he looks for a splash, but Savage gets the knees up. Bodyslam & Flying Elbow Drop gets the 3 count. Savage’s arm was taped up due to getting snake bit & I bet it’s miraculously healed by the Rumble, which is again, in a few hours.
Texas Tornado vs Tanaka
February 9. 1992
Tanaka attacks as Tornado takes his robe off, but Von Erich unloads with roundhouse rights. He levels Tanaka with a clothesline as he works the arm before applying The Claw. He pulls Tanaka up & after a long time in the hold, nails the Discus Punch for the 3.
Shawn Michaels vs Kris Germany
February 23, 1992
Rhapsody in Blue plays HBK to the ring as he’s with Sherri, who was a babe during this time. Cheap shot right hand as HBK hits a back elbow sending Germany to the floor. Flying clothesline off the apron to the floor as Sherri is smitten with him. As back inside, Shawn hits a superkick & Teardrop Suplex for the quick 3. I loved Shawn with Sherri & wish it would’ve went on longer.
Tatanka vs Kato
March 15, 1992
“HIT THE DECK! INDIANS!!” screams Heenan as he thinks Tatanka’s red hair is a tribute to I Love Lucy. Kato gets a back elbow to start, but Tatanka pops up, eats a superkick, pops up again & hits some overhead chops. Big back body drop as we get a Rick Martel inset & said much like Wounded Knee, at Wrestlemania, he’ll give Tatanka a Wounded Head (not your best promo, Rick). Tatanka hit the Papoose To Go for the 3 as Heenan was convinced a flaming arrow just went by.
Repo Man vs Terry Davis
March 22, 1992
Repo clocks Davis with a cheap shot & chokes him in the corner, then locks on a leg lock & Davis already submits. This went 30 seconds tops & Gorilla and Heenan were talking about Hogan the whole time.
Bret Hart vs Doug Somers
April 5. 1992
The former AWA Tag Team champion locks up with the Hitman as Bret gets a headlock, then a shoulder as Somers misses a lariat & gets clocked with one by Bret. Snap suplex, back breaker & Sharpshooter wins it quickly for Bret, who is on his way to Mania to wrestle Piper in a fantastic IC Title match.
The Beverly Brothers vs Koko B. Ware & Ian Weston
April 12, 1992
So Weston & Koko get an entrance (why?) as Beau puts the boots to Koko in the corner to start, but gets hip tossed down & Koko goes to work on the arm. Quick tag to Weston, who immediately misses a dropkick & Beau hits a butterfly suplex. Blake tags in, snap belly to belly suplex & a Stun Gun as he tags Beau & they hit the Shaker Heights Spike for the 3. Luckily Koko dumped this dude & teamed with Owen shortly after this.
Jake Roberts vs Jim Powers
April 12, 1992
I think this was Jake’s last WWF match for 4 years (recorded before Mania of course) as Powers works a headlock for a minute straight before Jake chucks him to the floor. Back inside Jake hits his snap jab, tries for a short arm clothesline, but Powers ducks & dishes out some shots. Powers takes too long getting him out of the corner as Jake suckers him in with a clothesline, then signals for the end & hits a DDT for the 3 count.
Brooklyn Brawler vs Mark Kay (I think)
May 17, 1992
So Brawler gets a squash match in 92! Brawler bites Kay, but almost gets pinned off a sunset flip, but kicks out & hits a clothesline. Brawler stomps down on the gut as Heenan says something he’s never said before “one thing about Brawler, he’s dominating this match”. Back elbow, then Kay gets set up in the corner as Brawler hits a superplex for the 3 count. So trivia answer, the Brawler’s finisher was a Superplex.
Buschwhackers vs Beverly Brothers
May 17, 1992
Blake attacks Butch as he was easily distracted by something, but Butch hits a high knee & a bulldog to fight back. He tries for a cover, but Beau attacks & gets clotheslined to the floor by Luke. Whackers hit a double clothesline on Blake, but as the ref gets Luke to his corner, Beau clocks Butch with The Genius’ scroll & the Beverlys win it. This is how quick their Rumble 92 match should’ve went. Beverlys go to paint on the Bushwhackers post match, but Legion of Doom makes the save. However, with Hawk’s back turned, the Beverlys hit him in the back with the scoll as well and the Beverlys & Genius walk to the back victorious.
Virgil vs Kato
June 14, 1992
Virg gets a school boy for 2, but Kato gets up & works a hammerlock. Virgil reverses, gets popped with a back elbow as we get an insert promo from Virgil about the WBF as he takes over back in the ring. He tries for a roll up & Kato clocks him with a clothesline. Flying back elbow, but Kato doesn’t capitalize as Virgil gets a crucifix for the 3 count.
High Energy vs The Executioners
June 21, 1992
Heenan says Gorilla is break dancing in the booth as Koko hits a double clothesline on Pain & Agony (Duane Gill & Barry Hardy). Owen hits his spinning wheel kick & a hip toss. Overhead belly to belly by The Rocket as The Nasty Boys cut a promo on them in the insert. Nice gut wrench suplex by Owen, who gets raked in the eyes & The Executioners miss a clothesline, so Owen hits a double dropkick. Koko jumps in & goes to shoot Owen off the ropes, but Pain & Agony aren’t even in position yet, so it’s a little clunky, but Owen eventually hits the suicide dive through the ropes. Back inside, assisted missile dropkick by Koko gets the 3. Heenan said it’s a tough thing to pull off wearing Andre the Giant’s pants.
Ric Flair vs Jason Knight
July 12, 1992
Back elbow by Naitch as the crowd is Woooing loudly while Flair gets a snap mare & knee drop. Chops in the corner as Flair says in the inset that it’s his destiny to be WWF Champ one more time. Hip toss & a back suplex set the table for the Figure Four as Flair wins it quickly.
Max Moon vs WT Jones
November 29, 1992
Hip toss & arm drags as Moon works the arm, but Jones turns the tide & goes to work in return. They have an awkward exchange that ultimately ends up with Moon hitting a butterfly suplex & somersault senton. Wheel kick in the corner as Moon hits his springboard leaping bulldog, then springs to the top with a twisting cross body for the 3. Heenan was about to cry on commentary because they were talking about Survivor Series and Perfect turning on him & Flair.
Doink vs Bob East
January 31, 1993
The in ring debut of Doink as his heel music ruled so much. Fireman’s carry take over & single leg crab applied by Doink to start. He works the leg, laughing maniacally before hitting an enzugiri. Standing dropkick lands flush, as he snap suplexes East down & does the Stump Puller into a pinning combo for the quick win. Heel Doink was so awesome.
Steiner Brothers vs Glen Ruth & Dusty Wolfe
March 28, 1993
Fireman’s carry takedown by Scott as the future Headbanger Thrasher complains of a tights pull, so Scott hits a full nelson suplex planting him on his head. Wolfe tags in & immediately gets backdropped as Scott stretches him before tagging Rick, who decks Wolfe with a Steiner-line and elbow before slamming him in the corner & hits an overhead belly to belly off the second rope. Tag to Ruth as Scott hits a tilt a whirl side slam & signals Rick to go up as they hit their top rope Bulldog for the 3. Impressive showing as the Steiners were on their way to Mania to face the Headshrinkers in a match that has grown on me over the years. I thought it was a nothing match at the time, but man, is it an awesome stiff brawl.
Tiger Jackson (w/The Bushwhackers) vs Little Louie (w/the Beverly Brothers)
April 11, 1993
So Beau was still around this time as this was the last thing they did as a team. Tiger Jackson is Dink as we get Louie jaw jacking with Earl Hebner, who of course has to show him up and get in a little person’s face. Louie bites the ass of Tiger, who has to shake it out before getting a hammerlock & bitten again. Tiger then bites Hebner on the ass & a chase ensues, so Tiger dives into the arms of Butch & Luke. Tiger gets a cover on Louie, tossed off into Hebner’s arms, who tosses him back onto Louie for 2 and repeat the spot as Tiger hits some right hands as Louie hides behind Hebner, WHO SHOVES LOUIE DOWN!! Short arm rights (Heenan would be proud of me for that one) as the Beverlys start trash talking on the apron as Louie apparently tells Hebner a secret (or whispers sweet nothings into his ear) as we get a misdirect spot as a Beverly trips Tiger and Louie spins him on his head. Airplane Spin by Louie, who trips & falls as Luke jumps in with the ref distracted by the Beverlys & Butch, picks up Tiger & launches him at Louie as Hebner counts 3. Pure comedy.
Terrific Terry Taylor vs Joey Maggs
April 11, 1993
So the former Red Rooster, Taylor Made Man, Terrance Taylor is now just Terrific Terry Taylor in that he’s just a dude without a character, that’ll work. Side headlock takedown by Taylor, head scissors by Maggs, clean break from both as we get a standoff, then shoulder tackle by Taylor, only for Maggs to hit a back elbow & we get another stale mate. Taylor goes for a clothesline, misses, Maggs with a sunset flip for 2, but Taylor pops up first & levels him with a clothesline. Jaw breaker by Taylor, who hits a snap suplex, but Maggs keeps fighting back getting a boot to the mush. Taylor reverses an Irish whip & hits a sloppy ass spine buster for the win. Reviewed this simply due to Joey Maggs, the enhancement guy, being 100 times more interesting than Taylor.
Typhoon vs Barry Horowitz
April 25, 1993
Just a few short months from falling through a door & making history, Typhoon is still kicking here at the end of April as Horowitz tries a cross body foolishly and gets caught with a back breaker as Typhoon looks for an elbow & misses. Horowitz puts the boots to him (right on cue as Heenan called for it) as he hits a double stomp to the chest for 2. Uppercuts & headbutts by Barry, who gets sent to the corner & Typhoon splashes him. Heenan said the good thing about sharing a pizza with Typhoon is, you don’t have to cut it. Jim Ross accidentally calls Horowitz Barry Windham and Heenan said he never cared for him either as Typhoon hits the Tidal Wave for the 3. JR still in WCW mode at this point.
Kamala vs Mr. Hughes (w/Harvey Wippleman)
May 23, 1993
We’re in for an all time classic here in a King of the Ring Qualifier. Hughes attacks with Kamala distracted by Harvey as apparently Slick is gone & no longer with Kamala. He tries fighting back, but Hughes beats him down and HITS TWO DROPKICKS that drop the Ugandan Giant. Kamala fights back with chops aplenty as that’s all his offense is before hitting a side kick & splash, but he pins Hughes wrong. Kim Chee runs out to distract Kamala and he bolts after him, bodyslams him down & tries pinning Kim Chee at the ramp. Instead, he gets counted out in the actual match & Hughes advances to the PPV. This was next level terrible.
Smoking Gunns vs Damien Demento & Barry Horowitz
August 1, 1993
Demento still hanging around in August, which surprised me as I thought he was done before Mania as the Gunns make quick tags & hit a double leg sweep for 2. Billy eats a back elbow as Horowitz comes in & we get a brawl between the two with Horowitz raking the eyes, hits a back breaker for 2, but misses a leg drop. In comes Bart who hits a terrible flap jack & hoists Horowitz up as the Gunns hit the Side Winder for the 3 count.
Bushwhackers vs Blake Beverly & Barry Horowitz
August 15, 1993
It’s weird seeing Blake still hanging around as a job guy post Beverly Brothers. Buswhackers come out & Luke literally forcibly grabs a female child & licks her face during their entrance. Butch hits a high knee on Blake & sends him to the corner, but Beverly hits a back elbow. Horowitz misses a double axe & hits his partner as they start bickering before the Whackers step in & sends them into each other & old schools both guys, who stumble over them. Double clotheslines by the Whackers as Luke gets caught in a back breaker by Blake, who misses a head butt. Tag to Butch as Blake launches Horowitz into the ring as the Whackers send Barry into Blake, hit the Battering Ram for the 3. Bobby Heenan gave up all hope during this & so did I.
Heavenly Bodies vs Chuck Sloan & ?
August 22, 1993
This was the Bodies debut apparently as Prichard hits a sit out powerbomb & then Del Ray tags in, goes for a DDT, as PRICHARD CLOTHESLINES HIS PARTNER who hits the DDT. That makes zero sense as Del Ray hits a superkick & lariat before he hits a dropkick & does a dance. Prichard in & they hit a double flap jack before Del Ray hits a moonsault for the 3. I can’t get over Prichard clotheslining his own partner so he can hit a DDT.
123 Kid vs Pat Tanaka
October 16, 1993
Shoulder tackle, arm drag & dropkick for the quick start for the Kid, but Tanaka gets a superkick to take over. Lawler says the Kid is even afraid of Chinese food, thanks for that racial interjection, Jerry. Tanaka gets a side headlock; Kid shoots him off, leapfrog & takedown by the Kid that sends Tanaka outside. KID WITH A SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMB TO THE FLOOR!! Kid back inside, hits the ropes & nails a Suicide Dive! Back from commercial, Tanaka is in control (how, we’ll never know) as Kid takes a hard corner buckle, but pops out with a lariat. Lawler questions whether Kid will make it to the Survivor Series, which is ironic seeing as Lawler himself didn’t. Kid with a twisting cross body off the top, but can’t capitalize as he’s clutching his knee. Tanaka shoots Kid to the corner, charges, but Kid takes his head off with a wheel kick. Victory Roll by the Kid 1…2…3! Wish this would’ve gotten like 10 more minutes, but I understand why.
Bastion Booger vs Rick Martel
November 28, 1993
Clash of styles is one thing; clash of gimmicks is more like it as Martel is super reluctant to lock up due to Booger being Booger. This happens so long Mike Chioda said he’ll award the match to Booger if Martel doesn’t wrestle. Booger just goes to work on The Model as he’s doing a fantastic job of selling & being disgusted. Martel hits two dropkicks, tries a third, but Booger holds onto the ropes & The Model misses. Bodyslam by The Boogerman followed by a big time leg drop for 2. Booger goes for a splash, but misses as Martel starts choking away in the corner & punches Booger in the throat before dishing out knees. Booger turns the tables & hits a corner splash, signals for his teabag finish & HITS IT, but Martel grabs the ropes. The Model is about to puke after having Booger’s nether region on his chin as he grabs Arrogance & sprays Booger down from head to toe (ass included) as Martel blinds him & gets DQ’d. This was a nothing match in terms of wrestling, but a masterclass in selling & acting by Rick Martel.
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Post by Positivity Peeps on Aug 12, 2022 16:09:28 GMT -6
God early 90s WWF was good shit.
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Post by The Original Kid Cairo on Aug 12, 2022 17:03:55 GMT -6
God early 90s WWF was good shit. 1988-92 is my wrestling heaven. |
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Post by randomone on Aug 14, 2022 22:52:49 GMT -6
This wraps up Wrestling Challenge recaps
IRS vs PJ Walker
January 23, 1994
Walker got a win over IRS a few months prior due to distraction from Razor, it led to nothing for PJ. Snap suplex immediately by Irwin, he tries for another, but the future Justin Credible gets a roll up for 2. IRS chucks him face first into the corner, then posts his leg. He hits a butterfly suplex for the easy win. Quick squash as IRS was on his way to the Rumble for an IC Title shot vs Razor.
Earthquake vs Bastion Booger
February 20, 1994
Quake with a misdirection spot hitting the ropes as he hits a clothesline & big legdrop, but misses a corner splash. Booger knocks Quake down & hits a legdrop of his own & does hit a splash for a 2 count. Quake fires off clubbing blows & hits his corner splash this time, picking the 400 pound Booger up with a powerslam! Elbow drop as the tremors start & Quake hits the Earthquake Splash for the 3 count. For hoss guys, this was fine.
Owen Hart vs Bart Gunn
February 27, 1994
For the first 4 minutes, not kidding, they worked each other’s arms. Finally Owen hits an enzugiri to give us something new, then connects with his spinning wheel kick for 2. After that, he grabs an arm because we’ve gone 20 seconds without a rest hold. He lets go & tries for a corner splash, but Bart moves, hits a back drop & dropkick, slamming Owen down with a powerslam. He tries for a suplex, but Owen floats over, Side Russian legsweep & slaps on the Sharpshooter for the win, despite not working the leg at all during the match. I hate matches that work 1 body part the whole match & the finish has nothing to do with it. A fan did hold up a sign that said O-Wimp, which is hilarious.
Randy Savage vs ?
March 13, 1994
A rare Savage squash in 94 as they trade arm drags to start with Savage wanting a handshake, but he does a Flair fake out & shoves his opponent down. Back elbow, then a brutal looking Stun Gun gets a 1 count before he pulls his opponent up. Body slam & a top rope elbow drop gets Macho the win and we never learned the name of his opponent.
Steiner Brothers vs Duane Gill & Tom Alton
May 1, 1994
This was the Steiners last TV match in the WWF and I completely forgot they even made it this long. Hell, Scott lost a KOTR qualifying match to IRS, which I don’t remember either. It’s amazing how little they did with them post Survivor Series 93. Scott had his way with the future Gillberg, who pie faced and slapped Scott right in the face, which led to Scott murdering him with a tilt a whirl side suplex. Single crab applied, as Rick made the tag and hit cross face shots. Stan Lane promotes Scott & Todd in the morning, which was Todd Pettingil’s radio show that sucked, but was long running. Dropkick from Scott led to a double arm underhook suplex and the Steiner Screwdriver fucked Gill up for the win. Alton didn’t even get in, which is probably for the best. We didn’t get the Steiner Bulldog in their last match, which sucks.
Kwang vs Major Yates
May 1, 1994
Knife edge chops & a hook kick as Savio sprays green mist in the air as he chops Yates down over & over. Yates fights back briefly with a dropkick & hits a few clotheslines and they’re acting like Kwang’s never been taken off his feet. He destroys Yates with a leaping spin kick for the 3. Harvey Wippleman & Kwang keep putting the boots to Yates as the 123 Kid makes the save and it’s the start of a feud we never got, aside from the following match.
123 Kid vs Kwang
May 15, 1994
Kwang tried attacking at the bell, but Kid fought back with a somersault dive to the floor. Kid immediately ran into a thrust kick back inside, as Kwang sprayed green mist in the air, which Stan Lane called “Oriental Mist” which seems inappropriate looking back. Crescent kick got a two for Kwang, as the following three minutes was FOUR nerve holds, which sucks. Kid mounted a comeback with a wheel kick out of the corner, but missed a somersault leg drop off the top to give Kwang two. Kid blocked shots and lit up Kwang with his corner kicks until Harvey Wippleman tripped up Kid and Kwang hit a Hot Shot for the win. Harvey tripped Kid right in front of Tim White too. Harvey put the boots to Kid post match and Kid tackled Harvey until Kwang beat him up. Kwang held Kid while Harvey took his jacket off and got in some shots. Finally Sparky Plugg made the save as he & Kid sent Kwang & Harvey packing. This had potential to be good, but the constant rest holds from Kwang was ridiculous.
Virgil vs Reno Riggins
June 26, 1994
Seriously, a Virgil squash in 94? Cross body by Virgil for a 1 count to start as Reno misses a corner attack & gets rolled up for 2 this time. Reno tries a hip toss, but gets taken over with a backslide for 2, then a school boy for 2. Brutal chop to the corner by Virgil, who shoots Reno to the corner, but misses & eats the post. Clothesline by Riggins, who follows with a dropkick & a bodyslam. There’s some people chanting for Riggins I should point out. He tries for another bodyslam, but Virgil gets a crucifix for the 3 count. Riggins took 90% of this match, but Virgil won.
Owen Hart vs. Jim Powers
July 3, 1994
This was one of Powers last TV matches in the WWF, as he only had three more matches after this one aside from house shows. Owen picked apart the leg for about 4 straight minutes as an inset promo from Sparky Plugg is shown talking about Jim Neidhart ahead of their match the following week. There was more charisma typing this than ol’ Sparky showed. After having his knee worked over so long, Powers first move during his comeback was a knee lift, then dropkick, which doesn’t seem smart. Owen hit his signature spin kick, which led to the Sharpshooter for the easy win for the King of Harts.
Abe Knuckleball Schwartz vs George Anderson
September 25, 1994
I thought this gimmick was only around like a month or two, but the Brooklyn Brawler was this character for late 93 a couple shows, then back to the Brawler, then back to this from August 94 through November, winning more matches as this gimmick than the Brawler ever did. Anderson just stood there as MVP chopped him until he got an arm drag and shitty elbow. MVP hit a neckbreaker and reverse DDT. How convenient, as baseball slide to the floor, followed by an Irish whip into a back elbow. MVP set up Anderson for a superplex, you know, that good old baseball maneuver, for the win.
Mabel & Adam Bomb vs. Barry Horowitz & Reno Riggins
November 6, 1994
Mabel & Bomb were on Lex Luger’s team at Survivor Series, so that explains why they’re together here with Mo injured. Horowitz worked a hammerlock, but Bomb took him down into a chin lock, riveting. Barry hit headbutts and beat up Bomb in the corner, as Riggins got in some cheap shots. Riggins, sporting a plain black singlet and not his standard Vegas dice trunks. Side suplex from Bomb, tagged Mabel, as Gorilla Monsoon thinks the saying is “Oops, There It Is!” Mabel immediately missed a leg drop as Riggins & Barry try covers on top of each other, but Mabel threw them both off. A double arm drag from Mabel led to a punch to the gut on Barry, while Bomb made the tag and got a pump handle slam for the 3.
British Bulldog & 123 Kid vs ?
November 20, 1994
Kid hits his wheel kick early & lights up his opponent, whose name I didn’t catch, in the corner with his kicks before tagging the Bulldog. Here comes The Executioner & he gets backdropped instantly. Stalling vertical suplex, then a butterfly suplex by Davey, who I think was going to do antoher suplex, but forgot he already did that, so he hits his Running Powerslam & Kid hits the ropes and he launches him in the air down on the Executioner for the win. This was edited awkwardly, so I assume there were either botches or we were on a time crunch. Regardless it really seems like they just grabbed 2 guys dressed and said get out there and wrestle as a team.
Hakushi vs Chris Nelson
February 26, 1995
Side thrust kick to the chops by Hakushi as we get an insert promo by Shinja in all Japanese as Hakushi hits another side kick. He repeatedly chops Nelson down, drops a knee, but gets kicked in the chest by Nelson off a back drop attempt. Hakushi with a thrust chop & goes to the top for a flying shoulder tackle. He springs off the top with a splash for the 3 count.
123 Kid vs Black Phantom
March 12, 1995
Super quick start with reversals aplenty by both as Kid hits a wheel kick, lowers his head, but Phantom throws him down & gets a 2. Bodyslam & chop to the throat as Phantom grabs a rest hold, then slams Kid down. He goes up top, but takes him like 20 minutes as Kid dropkicks him off the top & hits a wild spin kick sending Phantom to the floor. Somersault senton over the top as we head quickly back in & Kid hits a Guillotine Leg for the win. I always dug Kid squashes as he incorporated dives when a lot of guys didn’t in the WWF.
Men on a Mission vs The Italian Stallion & Ken Raper
March 26, 1995
This was off the heels of MOM attacking the Smokin Gunns last week, so Oscar apologized & we’re back to Mabel and Mo dancing and babyfaces. Ted Dibaise says they should get rid of Oscar; he’s dead weight (patience Ted) as Mo throws down Raper, who pops up, rakes the eyes, charges, but eats a lariat. Legdrop & tag to Mabel who hits a huge splash as they do their assisted splash out of the corner for the 3. Stallion didn’t even get in the match. Post match, they call out Billy & Bart to apologize again as they shake their hands & hug…THEN ATTACK THEM!! Men on a Mission turn heel as Oscar asks them why, so Mo drags him down & Mabel hits a legdrop on him! Gorilla is going crazy on commentary while Dibiase is laughing his ass off.
Heavenly Bodies vs Jerry Lynn & Lenny Carlson
April 30, 1995
Ironically enough, I was at this TV taping. starts with Lynn getting crotched by him not jumping high enough (and Prichard not getting down low enough) for a leap frog as Lynn hits a flying clothesline off the top, then misses a cross body. Prichard misses an elbow & tags in Carlson, as Del Ray tags in & levels him with a clothesline and a dropkick. Butterfly suplex & knee drop by Prichard as the Bodies have isolated Lenny Lane, who gets a sunset flip for 2, but wiped out by a clothesline by the Gigolo. Gut wrench powerbomb by Prichard as Del Ray goes up top & hits the Moonsault for the 3 count.
Hunter Hearst Helmsley vs Buck Zumhoff
April 30, 1995
Yup, I was there for this as well, seeing Triple H’s WWF TV debut! Waistlock takedown by Trips, but Buck rolls free and dares Hunter to bring it on (bit old for you, eh Buck?). Helmsley works a face lock, but Buck takes him down with an arm bar, but Trips starches him with a right. Hard uppercut & spinning heel kick connect as he paint brushes Buck, who fights back with a few shots, tries a hip toss, but Hunter counters into a Diamond Cutter for the 3 count!
Bam Bam Bigelow vs Brooklyn Brawler
May 7, 1995
New entrance attire, new music, new look for Bigelow, fresh off his split from the Corporation. Again, I was at this taping & remember the new pyro. Cartwheel into a dropkick by Bammer as he headbutt’s Brawler down, but he misses a splash as Brawler desperately takes over. He drives shoulders to the gut, but Bigelow takes him down, missing the follow up headbutt. Brawler to the top, but gets sent down as Bigelow goes up & hits the Top Rope Headbutt for the 3.
Skip vs Barry Horowitz
July 9, 1995
Arm drag by Skip, who does some jumping jacks, but Barry avoids a roll up, then ducks an enzugiri, cracking Skip with an uppercut & back body drop. Arm drag into an arm bar, but Skip gets out with a snap suplex. Hard right hand, then goes to the second, connecting with a fist drop as he hits a dropkick. Skip starts doing pushups, as Horowitz gets a three quarter nelson & gets 1…2…3!!! HOROWITZ WINS!! His first victory in the WWF! The crowd explodes & can’t believe it!
Phantasio vs Tony Devito
July 16, 1995
The one and only appearance from the former Spellbinder, as he takes on one of the future Baldies in ECW. He shoots Devito off the ropes & throws streamers out of his hands, causing Devito to take a bump. Hip toss, arm drag & another arm drag sends Devito to the floor to regroup. He works the arm, but Devito fights back as Gorilla asks where he keeps the hidden rabbit. Flying shoulder block by Phantasio & a few bodyslams follow. Atomic drop connects & he pulls Devitos underwear clean off of him without taking off the tights, gets a school boy for the 3 count. Post match, he pulls Earl Hebner’s underwear off as well, which is the weirdest thing I’ve typed this whole time.
Waylon Mercy vs Tony Roy
August 20, 1995
Handshakes for everyone, you know what I mean? Except Roy, who gets leveled with a clothesline & punted in the ribs. Chops in the corner as he keeps putting the boots to Roy before chucking him to the floor. Mercy kindly goes outside & picks him up, only to drop him with a DDT and take…the countout victory. Waylon apologizes profusely for what happened as he smirks headed to the back. Such a great character that never reached anything close to its potential.
Hakushi vs Barry Horowitz
August 27, 1995
Dragon screw by Horowitz of all things to start as Hakushi hits a spin kick to the ribs & takes him down as Skip & Sunny make their way ringside. Handspring elbow by Hakushi who follows up with a Bronco Buster! He misses a springboard splash as Horowitz hits uppercuts & a butterfly suplex and legdrop for 2. Hakushi sends Barry to the floor as Sunny takes the ref while Skip attacks outside. He tosses Horowitz back inside, but Skip gets clocked with a right hand. Barry gets dropkicked down for 2 as Hakushi floats over, tries for a German, but Barry with a roll up, Hakushi reverses, gets sent off & collides with Skip on the apron as Barry rolls him up for the 3! HOROWITZ WINS HOROWITZ WINS!! This was the last episode of Challenge that included actual matches.
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Post by The Original Kid Cairo on Aug 15, 2022 8:17:18 GMT -6
randomone, I need to know everything about that taping. I never had the fortune of sitting through one of those 5 hour WWF TV tapings from the 90s. What was it like? Were you guys completely drained from watching 5 hours of squash matches?
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Post by randomone on Aug 15, 2022 14:51:29 GMT -6
randomone, I need to know everything about that taping. I never had the fortune of sitting through one of those 5 hour WWF TV tapings from the 90s. What was it like? Were you guys completely drained from watching 5 hours of squash matches? I had just turned 8. I just remember Taker vs Kama was the opener and I was scared during Taker’s entrance with lights out thunder light show, lol. I bought a Diesel shirt and set of Pogs. HHH & Rad Radford both debuted. I saw Bret vs Mantaur. Bob Holly & Jeff Jarrett did the hot potato of the IC title at the taping. Sid vs Diesel was the main event and it went 40 seconds or something and it was all we saw of either man I think for the whole 5 hour taping. That’s all I remember. Just a shit ton of squashes. Exhausting but we saw some history that night. |
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Post by The Original Kid Cairo on Aug 15, 2022 16:01:50 GMT -6
I've always wondered, as an 8 year old watching them tape like four weeks of TV, did it kill kayfabe for you? It probably would've ruined wrestling for me.
Back when I used to watch Superstars and Wrestling Challenge and they'd be in the same city four weeks in a row, it never occurred to me that it was all one taping. I used to think they were literally in that city for a whole month.
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Post by randomone on Aug 15, 2022 18:23:59 GMT -6
Dude I was 8, I popped for a Duke Droese match. I ate that shit up all 5 hours, haha.
We got a RAW/Heat/Shotgun/Super Astros taping in 99 (few days after Owen died), but that was the real last marathon taping we had.
Been house shows and a one off RAW or SD since. Last being in 2015.
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Post by The Original Kid Cairo on Aug 15, 2022 18:35:14 GMT -6
Wait a minute...were you at the Raw where the Higher Power was revealed?  |
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Post by randomone on Aug 15, 2022 21:42:02 GMT -6
Wait a minute...were you at the Raw where the Higher Power was revealed? That was the week after. I got Beaver Cleavage only match and Tiger Mask on Super Astros. Also Kurt Angle wrestled Rob Conway on the dark match Aside from that it was your standard run ins/DQ finishes, but it was still a full roster like Taker, Austin, Hhh, Mankind, Rock, Vince. Also shitty KOTR 99 qualifiers. But I loved those marathon tapings! |
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Post by randomone on Aug 25, 2022 21:39:35 GMT -6
WWF New York
I decided to jump into a show I never saw a match from ever, since New York was Shotgun Saturday Night, but only in the New York market late at night. Let’s take a look at some gems and stinkers shall we?
Flash Funk vs. Owen Hart
July 12, 1997
Great mat counters to start with both man flipping out of arm bar counters into hip tosses. Owen got a takedown, but Funk backed him to the corner and drove shoulders to the midsection. Funk tried a standing splash, but Owen got his knees up. Kitchen sink from Owen, who stomped on the belly welly and hit a back breaker to follow. Nice gut wrench suplex for two as Owen hit a neckbreaker and a forearm off the second that would make his brother Bret proud. Funk moved in the corner and Owen crotched himself as Funk started firing up with a corkscrew kick for two. Owen floated over in the corner, got a close two and hit a nice German suplex for another near fall. Funk ducked the enzugiri, but Owen came right back with his signature spin kick for two. Funk fought back and hit a moonsault flush, but got two. Funk went for a hurricanrana, but Owen stepped back, let Funk crash and got the Sharpshooter for the win. Fun match, as these two only wrestled each other three times on TV, two on Shotgun/New York, the other on RAW.
20 Man Battle Royal
The Patriot, Mankind, Vader, Triple H, Henry Godwinn, Phineas Godwinn, Mosh, Thrasher, The Sultan, Savio Vega, Miguel Perez, Crush, Chainz, Brooklyn Brawler, D’Lo Brown, Sal Sincere, Faarooq, Ken Shamrock, Davey Boy Smith, Rockabilly
August 9, 1997
Nearly immediately Bulldog & Shamrock suplexed each other over the top to the floor since they were wrestling at Summerslam soon. Sal Sincere was chucked out by a Headbanger, while D’Lo went to the corner for 10 punches on Mankind and was promptly dumped out for doing such a thing. Brawler was tossed by a Headbanger, who himself was tossed out by a Godwinn. Crush backdropped the hairy body of Miguel Perez out. Chainz saw Savio & Crush in the ropes and just dumped out his buddy and Vega. We got to commercial and only see Rockabilly, Thrasher and Mosh get eliminated during break. When we come back, only Triple H, The Patriot, Mankind, Vader and Sultan remained. Zero idea what happened to Chainz & Faarooq, but they’re gone. This final 5 remained for a few minutes until Mankind hit the Cactus clothesline on Hunter to eliminate him, but Vader ran and knocked out Mankind off the apron. The Sultan put The Patriot in a sleeper for some reason, who immediately no sold it as soon as it was down to the final 3. Patriot fought off both Vader & Sultan, knocked down Sheiky baby off the apron, low bridged Sultan and clotheslined Vader out to win it. This was Patriots 3rd or 4th week in WWF and he had already beaten Bret Hart, Sultan and won a battle royal.
Vader vs. HHH
August 16, 1997
Vader beat the shit out of Hunter in the corner early and hit his standing body block. Hunter went for a sunset flip, but moved when Vader tried to splat him. Hunter clotheslined Vader to the floor and the brawl spilled outside. Vader went for a splash against the post, but Hunter moved and Vader collided with the post. Hunter drove Vader into the steps as Chyna distracted the ref. Back inside, Hunter hit a clean bodyslam and knee drop for two, but we went to break and came back with Vader in control. Vader charged for a splash and got it this time with Hunter doing a Flair flop. Vader nailed a standing splash for two and hit a perfect belly to belly. Chyna again took the ref, but Paul Bearer got a cheap shot in on Hunter and Chyna went after Paul. Vader slammed Hunter, went for a Vader Bomb, but Chyna jumped in and low blowed Vader for the DQ. Hunter & Chyna bailed as Vader just shook off the low blow and posed to end the show.
Rocky Maivia vs. Flash Funk
August 23, 1997
This was Rocky’s first match post joining The Nation, so a very green Rock here. D’Lo, Kama & Faarooq watched from the stage as I always wondered why Flash Funk never was recruited to join the Nation at any point. Rock controlled most of this and absolutely picked apart Funk dominating the action. Rock hit the early stages of the People’s Elbow, which is just so weird to see considering what it’d become. Funk started to fired up and hit his corkscrew kick for two. Funk signaled for the finish, hit a reverse high cross off the top for two. Funk went for a home run lariat, but Rock caught him with a Rock Bottom for the win.
Tiger Ali Singh (w/Tiger Jeet Singh & Iron Sheik) vs. Adam O’Brien
August 30, 1997
Singh attacked at the early going and just did the standard punches & kicks in the corner. O’Brien ate a corner clothesline and overhead belly to belly. More kicks, snapmare and elbow drops, as this sucks. Backbreaker hit, Singh went up top awkwardly and hit a bad looking bulldog for the win. Sheik, father & son put the boots to O’Brien post match and Tiger trash talked the crowd.
Steve Casey vs. Jerry Lynn
September 6, 1997
Here’s a fucking weird one, as Casey got music and full entrance as this was a Light Heavyweight Division contest with Lynn already in the ring. Casey cried a hair pull, slapped Lynn in the face and got a cheap shot. Lynn did a few leap frogs, arm drags and dropkick to fire up. Casey went outside, but Lynn hit a diving cross body to the floor from the top rope. Casey hung up Lynn throat first on the ropes and hit a standard Light Heavyweight special…a gorilla press slam. He went for another one, but Lynn hit a pop up dropkick and crucifix for two. Casey got a bodyslam and went to the top, but Lynn crotched him and hit a draping DDT off the top for the win! Jerry Lynn with a WWF win in 1997!
Vader vs. The Sultan
September 20, 1997
Sultan still kicking and Vader is babyface now. Vader destroyed Sultan with corner shots to start and a standing body block. Vader went up to the second for a diving clothesline and standing splash for two. Sultan ducked a shot and hit a thrust kick that would almost seem like he was a Headshrinker in a previous life. Vader was clotheslined to the floor, but landed on his feet. Sultan threw Vader into the steps and Vader shook it off quick. Sultan was slow to follow and Vader turned him inside out with a lariat. Vader Bomb soon followed and Vader won it.
Jesse James & Rockabilly vs. Los Boricuas (Jesus & Jose)
September 20, 1997
Before the Outlaws formed, these two teamed randomly here despite feuding for quite a while in mid 97. Jose got a nice head scissors on Billy, but James got a knee to the back and Billy took out Jose with a clothesline. A precursor to the Roll the Dog a Bone knee drop Road Dogg would do connected, but Billy missed a corner splash and hit the post, doing a jig before face planting. I guess the Boricuas are babyfaces here, as Jesus tagged in and cleaned house. Jose cross bodied Billy to the floor, Honky Tonk Man was going to attack, but the ref stopped him. Billy tripped Jesus, gave him a brutal guitar shot and James made the cover for the win. James couldn’t believe Rockabilly used the guitar, as Savio & Miguel hit the ring and laid out Billy & James because it’s late 97 and the Boricuas had to look strong on the D show for some reason.
Jesse James vs. Flash Funk
September 27, 1997
James is heel here and he is just about to become Road Dogg, but he’s showing all the mannerisms already. Funk cut him off with a dropkick, leap frog and diving clothesline dropkick combo. James reversed a whip, did his Elvis shake and clothesline before posing to the crowd. Suplex connected, but Funk fought back with a corner splash. Friggin John Woo style dropkick off the top from Funk got a two count, as James got an eye rake, but Funk hit the corkscrew kick for two. Funk hit a somersault leg drop off the second rope for two, signaled for the end, but Jerry Lawler crotched Funk before he could hit anything. James picked up the scraps with a pump handle slam for the win. Lawler helped because Funk wrestled Brian Christopher or was going to wrestle him, either way it was weird.
Brian Pillman vs. The Patriot
October 4, 1997
This was sadly Brian Pillman’s last televised match before passing away tragically. Marlena was with him in a dress that Terri Runnels would gladly wear a year later at it was super short and very booby. Pillman & Patriot traded chops and punches early with Pillman getting hit with an inverted atomic drop and clothesline. Patriot got a boot up in the corner, dove for a shoulder off the second, but Pillman slammed him to the mat. Camera is wisely more focused on the distraught Marlena, who clutched the ring post in fear. Patriot made a comeback with left hands, atomic drop and back suplex. Patriot hit a back elbow to send Pillman outside, who ripped away Marlena’s purse, but Goldust sprinted to the ring before Pillman could use it. Referees separated Goldust from him and Pillman ran off with Marlena and that’s sadly the last we would see of Brian Pillman.
Dude Love vs. Jose Estrada
October 11, 1997
Dude Love hit a spinning clothesline out the gate to start for a two count. Dude did the Cactus bang bang, turned his back and got sucker punched as a result. We got to commercial and Jose is still in control when we returned with a clothesline for two. Dude Love started hulking up, but Jose hit a bodyslam and fist drop. As he went for another one, Dude Love punched him mid move to take over, which was actually clever. Dude hit a running bulldog and hit 10 corner slams of the noggin in the buckle. Dude loaded up the shin and hit Sweet Shin Music into the double arm DDT for the win and the crowd went nuts.
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Post by The Original Kid Cairo on Aug 26, 2022 5:29:15 GMT -6
This series is a treasure trove of tidbits.
I had no clue Jerry Lynn did a WWF shot between his Mr. JL run and his ECW run.
And that Marlena 30-day servant outfit...fkn hot!
And Flash Funk...why Vince? Why?
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Post by randomone on Aug 28, 2022 21:14:31 GMT -6
Flash Funk vs. Rockabilly
October 11, 1997
Historic match here as it’s the end of Rockabilly…oh, and the formation of the New Age Outlaws, I guess that’s important. Funk floated over a slam, hit a massive hip toss, bodyslam and clothesline for two. Funk got a rest hold on an arm bar; Billy turned the tables and got a rest hold of his own until Funk escaped with his corkscrew kick for two. Funk went to the top for a reverse high cross, but crashed and burned. Billy went for a whip, Funk reversed and Honky Tonk Man tripped his client, Funk got a victory roll and won the match. Honky was pissed; Billy was upset and out walked the newly christened Road Dog (one G). He made the pitch to Rockabilly, told him to kick him to the curb and said Willy Will are you with me? Which I always thought sounded fucking dumb. Honky mocked Road Hog, Billy said he’d go with Honky and gave him a guitar shot, thus creating one of the best tag teams of the next year and a half.
New Blackjacks vs. Road Dog & Billy Gunn
October 18, 1997
Road Dog (one G still) is already calling Billy ‘Bad Ass’, which they are bleeping out. Jim Ross said this is the first time he’s seen them team, despite them literally teaming a few months ago. Bradshaw popped both Road Dog & Billy with big boots as Windham got a few arm drags and right hand on Billy. The future Mr. Ass remained isolated until Billy back dropped out of a powerbomb attempt. Match breaks down as Windham hit a lariat on Billy and some miscommunication had Dog accidentally drop an elbow on Billy to break up a pin attempt. Bradshaw knocked Dog off the apron, but turned into a Billy DDT, but Bradshaw answered with the Clothesline From Hell. Dog broke up the count and it broke down again with Windham wiping out Billy with a lariat. For some reason the ref is scolding Bradshaw from getting in, as Windham tried a suplex, Dog tripped and held the leg and they stole the match. Dog said that’s the first win and wait until Monday night, which I looked up, they beat the Headbangers. Pretty crazy they were only a team for a month before they won the tag titles, which shows you how shit the tag division was in WWF in late 97.
British Bulldog & Jim Neidhart vs. The Patriot & Goldust
October 25, 1997
Diving shoulder tackle by Patriot on Bulldog, who quickly scattered to Anvil, as Goldust jumped in as well. 10 punches in the corner from Goldy as we go to break and comeback to Goldust doing a sunset flip for two. Bulldog popped up and hit a clothesline with Anvil tagging in to keep Goldy isolated until he hit a double clothesline to make the hot tag to Patriot who cleaned house. Anvil was fucking gassed as it was Bulldog taking all the bumps in the comeback. Patriot went to the top and hit a diving clothesline for two, which Anvil broke up. Goldust punched him to the floor, Patriot hit the Uncle Slam on Bulldog, but with the ref turned to Goldust, Anvil hit Patriot in the head with a the UK flag and put Bulldog on him for the tainted win. This fucking sucked.
Taka Michinoku & Scott Taylor vs. Brian Christopher & Tajiri
November 1, 1997
The future Too Cool started things off with Grandmaster Sexay getting one up on Scotty 2 Hotty until Scotty got a tilt a whirl head scissors. Taka made a quick tag, as did Tajiri, who quickly took down Taka with a surfboard. Taka spun through and worked the arm, but Tajiri got a head scissors and spin kick that sent Taka outside. Asaii moonsault hit for Tajiri, but Taka floated over a suplex back inside, sent Tajiri to the floor and hit a no hand springboard dive outside. Christopher trapped Taka from behind, but Tajiri hit his partner with a dropkick. Taka hit a Tornado DDT on Tajiri for two, then randomly slapped on a sleeper. Christopher broke that up quick, as Tajiri hit a series of head kicks. Snap German by Christopher, but Taka answered with a hurricanrana as Taylor made the hot tag, cleaning house. Somersault kick that looked goofy by Taylor, as he caught Christopher with a hook kick. Tajiri was dropped with a clothesline, as Taylor & Taka hit a double suplex. Tajiri was rammed into his partner and stumbled back into the Michinoku Driver for the win. Post match, Christopher laid out Tajiri with a full nelson face buster, as Tajiri just rolled outside and walked the back, barely selling.
Mankind vs. The Sultan
November 8, 1997
Sultan attacked at the bell with headbutts and Mankind just started pulling his own hair out to hulk up. We get a slugfest, which Mankind won as Mankind went for the Mandible Claw but SULTAN’S MASK BLOCKS THE MOUTH SO MANKIND IS FUCKED! Holy shit I loved that, as Mankind was confused. Thrust kick from Sultan, but Mankind reversed a whip to the corner and hit a running bulldog. Clubbing corner shots and running knee to the face, as Mankind went for the Claw again, lifted the mask of Sultan up and he faded to the Mandible Claw. Mankind was a psycho, but a smart psycho.
Taka Michinoku vs. Flash Funk
November 29, 1997
Sunny came out in her hot pants, as this is where she’s at in her WWF career now, ring announcing on the D show. Flash controlled the action early, grounding Taka, who hit a pop up dropkick to send Flash to the floor. Taka missed a baseball slide and ate a Flash lariat. To the apron they went, were Taka hit a hurricanrana off the top that sent Flash flipping off the apron to the floor! Flash battled back and hit a slingshot flipping splash from the apron into the ring. Diving shoulder tackle off the second, the tamest high flying move I’ve ever seen 2 Cold Scorpio do, got a two count, as he went to a dragon sleeper. Gut wrench slam from Flash, as Jim Ross compares Taka to Tiger Mask as Flash hit a top rope splash for two. Taka fought back with a spin kick & hurricanrana for two of his own. Taka floated over a powerbomb into a moonsault off the second for two. Up top went Taka, but got crotched by Flash. Superplex connected for Flash, which was followed up with a corkscrew somersault leg drop off the top for the win! Taka was set to be in the semi finals of the Light Heavyweight Title tournament that Monday, so him losing here is strange, hell, Taka won that tournament! Granted that division never amounted to much, the fact that Scorpio was never in it was lame.
The Jackyl & Kurrgan vs. The Hardy Boyz
November 29, 1997
Jackyl is already doing his cult leader gimmick and isn’t wearing his Truth Commission gear anymore. This is pretty much a handicap match, as Jeff & Matt tried dropkicks on Kurrgan, who steamrolled them with clotheslines. Headbutts flatten the Hardys followed by a double noggin knocker. Huge hip tosses, big boot on Matt, but Kurrgan missed a corner splash. Matt & Jeff tried double clotheslines, but ran into a double sidewalk slam. Kurrgan stacked them and took a seat for the win.
Doug Furnas & Phil Lafon vs. The Hardy Boyz
December 13, 1997
Hardys hit a quick Poetry in Motion on Lafon, as he & Furnas went to regroup on the floor. An infamous botch happens here as Jeff went for a springboard moonsault off the top, but the ropes go out right from under and he nearly kills himself in the process. Back inside, Lafon hit a reverse bodyslam off the top rope on Jeff for two, as Matt broke the count. Jeff floated over a slam and hit a bulldog to make the tag to Matt. Jeff is fucked up as Matt cleaned house with dropkicks and a bodyslam. Matt successfully hit a springboard moonsault for two, as Jeff barely hit a springboard splash. Furnas jumped in and backdropped Jeff over the top, as Jeff fell head first to the floor! Lafon hit a thrust kick on Matt, Furnas hit the lightest clothesline in the back and Lafon hit a DDT for the win. This was Furnas & Lafons’ second to last match in WWF as their last would come the following night.
The Undertaker vs. The Sultan
December 13, 1997
Another fucking Sultan sighting, this time against a BSK brother. Sultan attacked at the bell with headbutts aplenty. Taker got a boot up in the corner and clothesline that turned Sultan inside out. Taker hit a chokeslam and powered Sultan up for a Tombstone for the quick win. Sultan really landed on his noggin with that finisher, luckily he’s Samoan.
Vader vs. Marc Mero
December 20, 1997
Mero is a dick and sent Sable to the back pre-match. Stalling from Mero early which led to a trading of punches until Vader hit his body block. Mero wanted a sunset flip, but suckered Vader into dropping down and hit a running clothesline. Body shots from Mero, who went up top with a massive double axe handle for one. Mero got a few punches, but foolishly went for a suplex and Vader turned the tables. We see Tom Brandi taking a seat next to Sable backstage to watch the match with her. Vader hit a huge splash for two as Goldust & Luna walked to the ring. Goldust is dressed in some crazy ass shit and does a ballet dance down the aisle. Marc Mero just punches Vader in the dick and the ref calls the DQ as Goldust & Luna put the boots to Vader as Mero just walks off. What a massive waste of time for all involved.
Mark Henry vs. The Sultan
December 27, 1997
Ok, this HAS to be the last appearance of The Sultan, right? I legit thought he was done after like Mania 13, but he’s still puttering around at the end of the year. Henry hit a running clothesline and bodyslam immediately and hit another bodyslam 60 seconds in. Sultan took a hard corner buckle and just crumbled as a result. A clothesline turned Sultan inside out that only he could sell for a two count. Henry just hit nasty clubbing shots to the ribs and kidneys until Sultan hit a thrust kick to drop Henry. A ducked clothesline led to Henry getting a bear hug and the quick submission. This was really odd, as Sultan got one offensive move and Henry got a running bear hug for the finish. I looked it up, this was indeed Sultan’s last TV match, as he had three more house show matches in the start of 98.
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