February 15, 1986
Your hosts are Bruno Sammartino and Vince McMahon
Tonight, the featured match is Terry Funk vs. Junkyard Dog. Also, Bob Orton will box someone today as well as the debut of Jimmy Snuka’s cousin, Superfly Afi.
Superfly Afi vs. The Gladiator
For those wondering, “Superfly” Afi would quickly be known as “Sivi” Afi. He came out to what seemed like a knockoff version from the theme of the film “Superfly.” There are several vocal fans booing Afi immediately as everyone else seems quiet. Then, a boring chant breaks out as grounds the Gladiator and targets the ankle. The crowd is now shitting all over this as Afi is boring everyone to tears. He then uses Snuka’s double leapfrog/chop spot, which the crowd boos, then finishes the Gladiator with a top rope splash (3:49).
Thoughts: Oh man, what a flop this debut turned out to be. Afi was a really bad Snuka rip-off and the fans saw right through him. No one at all cheered for him. He didn’t have it at all in the ring.
WWF Update with Lord Alfred Hayes. The British Bulldogs are the topic this week as Hayes speaks about their chances to become Tag Team Champions.
A commercial for the “Wrestling Album” airs.
Steve Lombardi & Rusty Brooks vs. King Tonga & Ricky Steamboat
The faces came out to the same song that Ric Flair used for his theme music. Steamboat hits Lombardi with a crossbody after an Irish whip sequence. The faces use quick tags until Tonga hits a thrust kick then puts him away with a falling headbutt (2:25).
Thoughts Quick match that Brooks never even ended up tagging into. The team of Steamboat & Tonga were starting to click, actually.
Gene Okerlund is with Tito Santana, who is irate that Savage cheated to take his Intercontinental Title. He even brought the piece of steel that Savage used to knock him out for show. He promises to reclaim is belt.
Hart Foundation w/ Jimmy Hart vs. Tony Stetson & “Leaping” Lanny Poffo
Lanny reads us a poem about Adonis kissing Jimmy Hart, who is not happy. The crowd loved it though. Neidhart catches Poffo and slams in but Poffo comes back with a few dropkicks, even knocking Hart from the apron. Stetson tags but Neidhart sends him into Brett’s knee. The Hart’s take turns beating on Stetson until they put him away with the Hart Attack (1:53). After the match, the Hart’s destroy their opponents.
Thoughts: This was the strongest they have made the Hart Foundation look on television at this point. The post match beatdown was executed well too. They looked like a championship team instead of a team that was only good in the ring.
Mean Gene is with JYD, who will be teaming with Hulk Hogan to face Terry & Dory Funk at the March Boston Garden
Joe Mirto & Iron Mike Sharpe vs. Killer Bees
Sharpe lands a few shots on Blair, who fights right back. Mirto enters and Blair slams him as Sharpe is taking a break outside. Sharpe finally enters as the Bees take turns working on the arm. Blair gets backed into the opposing corner as Mirto tags. He slams Blair but misses an elbow drop. Blair tags Brunzell and he puts away Mirto with a dropkick, that looked like it caved in his chest (2:59).
Thoughts: The Bees looked good as they are starting to get a bit of a push.
Piper’s Pit with Jose Luis Rivera, who wants to challenge “Boxing” Bob Orton to a boxing match. Piper humiliates Rivera and makes fun of his accent as they then head to the ring.
Boxing Match
Jose Luis Rivera vs. “Boxing” Bob Orton w/ Roddy Piper
Orton takes the advantage early. Rivera makes a comeback then they go back and forth for a bit until Orton knocks him down and wins by knockout (1:35).
Thoughts: This was pretty bad. I do not understand why you would want your wrestlers to even box at all, even for a gimmick match, because it just looks awful. The match did not have much heat either.
A plug for the “Slammy Awards” that will air on MTV. I will be reviewing that too.
Terry Funk w/ Jimmy Hart vs. Junkyard Dog
Funk attacks JYD as he enters the ring. They brawl outside for a bit then end up back in the ring. JYD catches Funk with a backdrop. He hits a slam then sends Funk to the floor after several crawling headbutts. The crowd is rabid as JYD hammers away on Funk, who is doing a phenomenal job at selling. Hart grabs JYD’s ankle then gets chased around for a bit. JYD goes back in the ring and clotheslines Funk for a nearfall. Funk then gets tied up in the ropes as Hart tries to run in a brand JYD but that fails. He is on the floor as JYD picks up the iron and heads towards Funk but Dory Funk, dressed in a suit, runs in from behind and hits JYD with a shoe for the DQ (3:12). The Funks and Hart triple team JYD until the Killer Bees, Tony Garea, and Jim Powers run them off.
Thoughts: Great segment. The match was very fun while it lasted and the debut of Dory on TV was done well. It was odd that they advertised Dory teaming with Terry before he made is on-air debut.
Backstage, the Funk’s and Hart are with Okerlund. This was obviously taped earlier to everyone at home seeing as Dory is wearing completely different clothing. Terry talks about how his brother is better than John Wayne and that he killed a “mongrel” dog that bit him as a kid. Terry then says that they reached the pinnacle of the NWA and since Hulk Hogan and the WWF kicked over the NWA, they are going to humiliate the WWF by beating their champion and the jackass, JYD. Odd to hear them mention the NWA in the promo. Funk was great.
Next week, Hulk Hogan will be here. Also, footage from the Tito Santana vs. Randy Savage title change at the Boston Garden
Final Thoughts: They had a fun show this week. The featured bout was good and the tag matches were all decent enough .The Afi debut was shit and the boxing segment kinda sucked but overall, a fine hour of wrestling.
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