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WWF Championship Wrestling: August 3rd, 1985

August 3, 1985

Your hosts are Bruno Sammartino and Vince McMahon

In action tonight are Barry Windham & Mike Rotundo, Hart Foundation, and the British Bulldogs. Plus, Randy Savage and Terry Funk in singles action and “Piper’s Pit” with guest Tito Santana


Barry O. & Larry Finnegan vs. Barry Windham & Mike Rotundo w/Capt. Lou Albano

Rotundo and Barry O. go at it for a minute. We then see Greg Valentine, Brutus Beefcake, and Jimmy Hart ringside, scouting the champs. Hart is calling his men the “Dream Team” through his megaphone. Windham hits Barry O. with a dropkick and a slam then tags Finnegan. Vince calls Finnegan the “biggest piece of garbage that he has ever seen” as that is a fitting line for a piece of shit like him. The champs hit Finnegan with a double dropkick then shortly after that, Windham puts him away with the bulldog (3:18).

Thoughts: Looks like the tag champs are moving on to a new feud already, which is a good thing because they have been spending the past several months wrestling Sheik & Volkoff. And for anyone wondering why I have been calling Finnegan a piece of shit, this is why:

http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/Angela-Carella-Stamford-s-bloody-June-of-1988-4594639.php


WWF Update with Lord Alfred Hayes. This week’s subject is Corporal Mike Kirchner, who is in the 82nd Airborne Division. We then are shown a vignette of Kirchner jumping out of plane with a parachute and when he lands, he says that is next jump will be to the WWF and he will “kick butt.” Kirchner’s delivery was wooden to say the least. For those who are unaware, Kirchner previously wrestled as jobber R.T. Reynolds. He would go on to have success in Japan as Leatherface after leaving the WWF.


Jim Londos vs. Missing Link w/Bobby Heenan

Londos hits a few dropkicks with minimal effect. Link headbutts him down then rams him into the corner, causing the entire top rope to fall down. Hillbilly Jim joins the announcers table and talks about voting Lou Albano for the “Manager of the Year” award as Link is destroying Londos with the turnbuckle. Link then puts away Londos with  a flying headbutt (1:33). After the match, some fan wearing a multi-colored wig starts to taunt Link, who then picks up the stairs and places it on the apron, whacking his own head against it repeatedly.

Thoughts: The rope falling off and Link using the fallen turnbuckle as a weapon made for a cool visual. However, the crowd usually sits on their hands when the Link is wrestling.


Gene Okerlund is backstage with Paul Orndorff, talking about his match against Roddy Piper. Nothing stood out about this interview.


Hart Foundation w/Jimmy Hart vs. George Wells & Joe Mirto

Wells starts by working the arm of Hart. Neidhart pulls down the ropes on Wells, who is able to skin the cat and take Bret down with a headscissors, who then takes down Neidhart. Wells works on Neidhart and tags Mirto, who gets taken right down. Hart hits a dropkick then they hit a few double-team moves. Wells chases Jimmy Hart away then the Hart Foundation hit the Hart Attack for the win (2:40).

Thoughts: Wells has officially made the transition to a jobber. Anyway, the Hart Foundation continue to improve and are starting to get more of a reaction from the crowd but in no way are they over as a heel act yet. Jimmy Hart is the reason for their heel heat


Mr. Fuji and Don Muraco are “via satellite” talking about their match against JYD and Ricky Steamboat at the Boston Garden. Again, nothing out of the ordinary from these two.


Jim Young vs. Terry Funk

Funk brought a branding iron with him to the ring. He chops Young before tossing him to the floor. He then stomps him from the apron before bringing him back into the ring. Funk drops an elbow then kicks him in the face. Young comes back with a hip toss and a dropkick. He hits a slam but misses an elbow drop then Funk drops him throat-first on the top rope before putting Young away with a sleeper (3:43). After the match, Funk retrieves his branding iron and puts it right on the chest of Young. He then starts slapping Young around then starts stomping him on the mat.

Thoughts: I liked the fact that Funk would sell for anyone. He continues to get over as a heel and the branding gimmick adds something new to the promotion, even if it is a cheap way to get heat.


Piper’s Pit with guest Tito Santana. Piper said that he does not need fans cheering for him to pretend that he has guts. Tito asks him about having Orton in his corner and Piper said he is his friend then calls out Tito for not defending the belt and wrestling in tag matches. He then calls out Tito for being afraid to collect the bounty on Orndorff when he said that Orndorff was his friend. Piper was great at agitating Tito in this segment.


Paul Roma vs. Randy “Macho Man” Savage

Savage toys with Roma before putting him in an armbar. Roma manages a nearfall off of a sunset flip and hits a slam but ends up getting tossed through the ropes. Savage flies out with the double axe handle before rolling him back inside then finishes him off with the flying elbow smash (2:04). After the match, Savage calls out Hulk Hogan.

Thoughts: Fun match. Savage was such a breath of fresh air to the WWF. He was a star the instant he entered the company.


Hillbilly Jim gives the kids a Public Service Announcement about making sure they use the sidewalks and to be careful crossing the street.  


British Bulldogs vs. Jerry Adams & Moondog Spot

Spot and Dynamite go back and forth to start. Dynamite gets a nearfall with a crossbody block. Spot knocks him down and hits a fist drop from the middle rope for two. Vince informs us that Lou Albano has just surpassed Freddie Blassie for the lead in the “Manager of the Year” Award. Dynamite is able to tag out as Davey hits Adams with the running powerslam then Dynamite hits the flying headbutt for the win (3:40).

Thoughts: This was pretty dull, actually. The announcers spent a majority of the match hyping the “Manager of the Year” award too.


Okerlund is backstage with Piper. He asks him about Orton being barred from his match against Orndorff in Boston by Jack Tunney. Piper says that he hired Orton as his bodyguard because everyone is constantly trying to be around him. Piper then recalls when he was driving and Orndorff told him about his psychological problems and recommended that he call Dr. Ruth. Piper then goes insane for a minute, even  more so than usual, with his voice shrieking and face looking like it is about to explode. Great stuff by Piper


Final Thoughts: I thought this turned out to be a fun show. The “Manager of the Year” award angle is getting interesting and the angle between Piper and Orndorff is starting to heat up. Also, they teased a new feud for the Tag Team Champions and showcased their newer heels, Terry Funk and Randy Savage.

Comments

  1. Bret '92 vs. Danielson '06

    Flair '89 vs. Punk '13

    Hogan '87 vs. Austin '98

    Khali vs. Giant Gonzalez

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  2. Cena wins the title from Orton at the Rumble, while Bray wins the Rumble match itself. Bray taunts Cena for the next few months and frankly, his promo work is strong enough that I think he'd build himself as a good threat. The key is, of course, for Cena to never physically get one over on Bray until WM30 itself....or, Cena gives Bray the AA on some random Raw and Bray just no-sells it by laughing.

    This all being said, it's too early to run Bray as a WM headliner, for pete's sake. I'm a fan of the gimmick but come on.

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  3. Rock (2000) vs HBK (1997) - Its strange how they both spent there entire wrestling career in WWE, in the same general time period, and never had one damn match. These guys both kept coming and going from WWE at different times, so they were never top stars at the same time. A feud between these two would have been one of the biggest of all time, but it just wasn't meant to be..

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  4. Just wondering, why the Edit? I see you wrote something different in my e mail alert now it's just a period. Why?

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  5. I can't imagine any feud involving HBK being one of the biggest feuds (at least in terms of money) of all time. One of the best? Quite possibly. One of the biggest? Nah.

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  6. He's supposed to face Orton at WM?

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  7. Amsterdam_Adam_CurryDecember 27, 2013 at 5:05 PM

    I don't know if it would count as a technical match (though I can't think of what else to call it), but that Adam Cole/Matt Hardy match from Final Battle 2012 was fucking atrocious. I gave it 1/2* (probably because of my pro-Cole bias) when I reviewed the show, but after watching the match a couple more times it's more like -***.

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  8. Shit, if they're gonna throw someone new under the mask, why not Samuray Del Sol/Kalisto?

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  9. I thought the same thing, they're trying to weed out the leaks. And whoever leaked this one was a fucking moron.

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  10. Mr. Satan (Pat P. Pro)December 27, 2013 at 5:40 PM

    I was going to contribute but I'm hypnotized by this:

    http://i.imgur.com/zIklAGy.gif

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  11. Mr. Satan (Pat P. Pro)December 27, 2013 at 5:41 PM

    If Bray Wyatt doesn't even come close to Cena at WrestleMania, let's just all conclude that Dave Meltzer's a lying cunt.

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  12. Mr. Satan (Pat P. Pro)December 27, 2013 at 5:44 PM

    Meltzer? What is he, a misogynistic flamethrower?

    Get it?

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  13. I think Scott & Rick would have sent the Hardys to the morgue, with their willingness to bump like crazy and the Steiners' willingness to stiff someone into oblivion

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  14. I didn't pick him because I think he may have already given us the best technical match: Benoit vs. Angle (take your pick, but Rumble '03 comes to mind)

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  15. I recall Scott mentioning that in 2002, when HBK came back. Something along the lines of what if Shawn sacrificed his comeback to Brock instead of a HHH ego-fuck. The end result was just fine and Shawn stuck around for years after, but that was a legit point in summer '02

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  16. That would have been the end of Jeff Hardy's life. Dude is too willing to kill himself and Vader is perfectly willing to oblige

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  17. Love it. Steamer as the straight-laced babyface of old. Benoit & Angle as the guys willing to do whatever it takes, working the tweener roles simultaneously.

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  18. I wish a 1998-2000 return to WWE would have been possible for Randy Savage. Last-ghasp programs with Austin, Rock, Taker, even HHH and Mick.

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  19. ::lights you a cigarette::

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  20. For star power, go 5-on-5 WarGames:
    - Hogan, Savage, Hall, Nash, & Hart vs.
    Michaels, HHH, X-Pac, James, & Gunn

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  21. I would have liked to see '91 Big Bossman feud with the Four Horsemen. He had the promo and mannerisms that would have appealed to that audience. Don't know why Crockett ever gave him a real shot.

    Also, 99-00 3 I's Kurt Angle vs 97 Stone Cold. Angle was the embodiment of what the attitude fans were railing against. Would have been great to see that character feud with Stone Cold before both their characters were watered down

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  22. Then convince him to sign a real contract.

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  23. That was my initial thought. Would have been awesome to watchm

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  24. I thought they should have done this when he first came in. They should have saved all his dates for PPV matches.

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  25. I remember proposing that when he first came back. Have Lesnar ONLY wrestle every 30 days or so to keep his title and keep his appearances limited to pre-taped videos and the Raw before the PPV. They could tape at least 3 backstage interviews in one shot with even a few backstage fights.

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  26. He was in fantastic shape around that time.

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  27. Just to be different - Triple H 2000 vs. Ricky Steamboat 1989.

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  28. Early 90s Scott Steiner vs Early 2000s Kurt Angle

    Worst
    Giant Gonzalez vs Great Khali

    Highest Grossing
    Prime Hulk Hogan vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin

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  29. Steiner v Angle would be great.

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  30. Not a match but late 90's Scott Steiner but with the ability of early 90's Scott Steiner.

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  31. Yeah, I bet his contract specifies he only wrestles so many matches and "dates" are just appearances. Like there's no way they could have him show up on Raw and write him in to wrestle a match last minute.

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  32. What the hell does Brill mean??

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  33. That'd be awesome. 2000 HHH vs 93 Bret would be great also

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  34. Rey Mysterio vs Steamboat


    Daniel Bryan vs Eddie

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  35. Loved that match. Just found the relative small amount of Benoit inclusions interesting/surprising.

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  36. Black and gay John Cena vs white and straight John Cena. A John Cena for everyone!

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  37. 95-96 HBK vs. 2000 HHH

    98 Austin vs. 97 Hogan

    El Gigante vs. Khali

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  38. Admittedly, I'm not a big fan of face Batista, but does it annoy anyone else that in a year where fans have been vocally saying they wanted Daniel Bryan, they're going to get Batista? This is the first part timer that really bothers me because The Rock is The Rock, and Jericho comes back to give the rub to someone...

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  39. I'm leaning that way to. There's a different story as to what Cena will be doing each week and Wyatt/Cena just isn't happening. The whole "run him in the main event because he makes us money" thing might be planted for a heel turn to.

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  40. Yeah, I wanted to see this in 2012.

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  41. They had the World Title too. That could have been the more hotly-contested "working man's" title, while Brock spent the year holding the WWE title hostage and only defending once a month. Or vice versa. There were ways around his limited dates though

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  42. I'm definitely of the mind that this is a "flush out a leaker" sort of deal. Leak the idea of Cena-Wyatt to a select person(s) and see if it makes it to the Meltzers of the world.

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  43. Greatest Technical Match: 89 Steamboat vs. 03 Angle

    Most Entertaining Feud: 88/9 Savage vs. 97 Austin
    Highest Grossing/Drawing: 87 Hogan vs. 86 Flair
    Worst Technical Match: 88 Rocky Mountain Thunder vs. 91 El Gigante

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  44. It's amazing that the "Hogan vs. Austin as biggest program ever" thing is basically the most agreed-upon thing in the history of a wrestling blog (at least this one)....yet they were never able to make it happen in WWE.

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  45. Yea. Seems like it was never even close to happening either. You'd think the impending payday would be enough to get them to do business together at X8 but the egos and timing just never aligned.

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  46. Greatest Technical Match would certainly be:

    2013 Daniel Bryan vs. 2006 Bryan Danielson with 2010 Daniel Bryan as the special guest enforcer/referee.

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  47. Hogan rock was good enough. I don't see where scsa vs hogan would have been that much crazier (although Austin would have gotten a better match out if it). Not saying it wouldn't have been awesome but rock/hogan seems like it's a close indicator

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  48. Chris Benoit is twice more technical Bryan ever was. Benoit vs Bryan / Dynamite Kid would be the best technical match though.

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  49. Not sure if it was mentioned earlier, but 1986 Hulk Hogan vs. 1986 Nikita Koloff would have been all sorts of fun.


    Early 90's Sting vs. 2011/2012 Mark Henry would have been great like Sting/Vader.


    I feel like early 90's Steiner Brothers being thrown into the 2000 tag team mix with E&C, the Hardy Boyz and the Dudleyz would have led to some great matches.


    1990 Mr. Perfect as the corporate champion feuding with Austin in 1999 would have been a ton of fun.

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  50. I dont think Hogan/SCSA wouldve been able to top Hogan/Rock...

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  51. Technical - Bret Hart vs Kurt Angle
    These two would have had 5 star matches all over the world...

    Entertaining - Macho Man(1989) vs SCSA(1998)
    Heel Macho Man wouldve made this feud...

    Highest Grossing - Goldberg(1998) vs SCSA(1998)
    Easily wouldve been the biggest match during wrestling's most popular era..

    Worst - Goldberg vs Ultimate Warrior
    Two guys that would blow up minutes after entering the ring...

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  52. Holy shit, love this reference.

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  53. Sid Vicious' ''From Anywhere He Damn Well Pleases''

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  54. Look for Rude's son to debut on WWE TV as "Richard Mertz."

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  55. As a match, probably not. Austin,vs Hogan would have been even more punches and kicks

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  56. After the success of Rock-Hogan, Vince should have done whatever it took to do Austin-Hogan at WM19. In an alternate universe: Angle-Brock, Austin-Hogan, and Hbk-Hollywood Rock at WM19

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  57. Wrestlemania 19 was right there too

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  58. Chris Benoit never even technically existed.

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  59. The build for Hogan-Koloff would have felt EPIC as a kid in the 80s. Hogan-Slaughter felt contrived and I was only 8 years old then

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  60. Late to the party, and most of the obvious choices have been covered. So with a qualifier that I really only know major North American wrestling from the 80's onward, here's an all tag team edition:

    Technical: '86 Bulldogs vs '93 Hollywood Blonds

    Entertaining Feud: '00 Edge/Christian vs '84 Piper & '13 Punk

    Draw: '88 Mega Powers vs '96 Outsiders (assuming Hall is moderately sober)

    Worst: '(any year) Great Khali & Hornswoggle vs '90 Andre & '98 Jay Leno

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