March 8, 1987
From the Civic Center in Springfield, MA
Your hosts are Bobby Heenan and Gorilla Monsoon
In action tonight are the Can-Am Connection, Tito Santana, and Kamala. Plus, a special "WrestleMania" report.
Can-Am Connection vs. The Gladiator & Jimmy Jack Funk
The Can-Am Connection take the advantage early using quick tags while wrestling at a quick pace. We get an insert promo from Don Muraco, Bob Orton, and Mr. Fuji about how they are not flashly and just win matches. Back to the match as the heels work over Zenk while the announcers hype WrestleMania III. Funk gets a nearfall with a shoulderbreaker then the Gladiator tags in as Heenan tells us he has a new outfit designed for WrestleMania III. Zenk comes back with a dropkick on both guys then tags Martel, who runs wild. He hits the Gladiator with a backbreaker then tags Zenk and slingshots him in with a splash as he gets the win (5:03).
Thoughts: Nice showcase for the Can-Am Connection, who continue to rise quickly in the tag team division.
Gene Okerlund is with Bob Uecker, who talks about his parents used to wash the clothes of The Crusher. Not much to this but shows that Uecker at least has some knowledge about professional wrestling in that he is aware of the past stars.
Brutus Beefcake cuts a promo on Adrian Adonis, who accidentally cut his hair a few weeks ago. Beefcake hopes that Piper shaves Adonis's head after their match at WrestleMania. The promo was terrible but we can see the face turn for Beefcake developing.
Don Driggers vs. "Adorable" Adrian Adonis w/ Jimmy Hart
Adonis brushes off a dropkick attempt from Driggers then tosses him to the floor. Piper is shown in an insert promo holding a pair of scissors taunting Adonis, who is in control of the match. Adonis then chokes out Driggers for a bit before putting him away with the Good Night Irene (2:20).
Thoughts: Adonis could still work and the fans hated him but he was really at his fattest here. It was sad.
Okerlund is with Hercules and asks him about his match against Billy Jack Haynes at WrestleMania III. Hercules promises to put Haynes in the full nelson in a decent promo.
Highlight of Tito Santana going after Slick when he interfered in his match.
Barry O. vs. Tito Santana
Tito grabs Barry in a waistlock as Heenan tells us that Jimmy Hart spoke to him and says that Davis will surprise everyone in the ring. Davis is then shown in an insert promo blaming Tito and the British Bulldogs for getting suspended for life as a referee and promises to make them pay. Tito dropkicks Barry as we get a replay of that. Tito grabs a side headlock but Barry breaks that up with a hair pull then goes to work. He sends Tito to the floor then knees him off of the apron. Slick then runs out and whacks Tito in the back with his cane as the referee was dealing with Barry. Tito slugs it out on the apron but Barry slams him back in and gets two. Barry then whips Tito against the ropes but gets hit with a flying forearm as Tito gets the win (4:40).
Thoughts: It finally looks like they are breaking Tito away from his dead end team with Pedro Morales. Tito still had a lot of fan support at the time too.
Mary Hart is interviewing Okerlund and not letting him get in a word for a comedy segment. It worked fine as Okerlund was always great in these and Hart seemed to understand her role in these promos.
Okerlund is now with Savage, who proclaims that WrestleMania III will be his night. Typical Savage promo.
Another vignette for Hacksaw Jim Duggan, who was in a forklift inside of a warehouse to show us that he is not here for fame and fortune.
Jerry Monti vs. Kamala w/ The Wizard & Kimchee
Kamala starts the match by hitting Monti with a crescent kick. He then tosses him around briefly before slamming him down then hitting a pair of splashes for the win (1:03).
Thoughts: Without a feud and repetitive squash matches for months, Kamala lost a lot of heel heat among the fans as they even seemed to grow tired of the same thing happen over and over again.
Snake Pit with guests Hillbilly Jim, Little Beaver, and the Haiti Kid. Before the match, Jake runs down the Honky Tonk Man. Hillbilly then talks about how he will be protecting his partners as Jake tells them not to be afraid of the snake as he was just friend in a sign of Jake turning face.
Replay of the Andre the Giant/Hulk Hogan contract signing at WrestleMania III.
David Stoudemire vs. Honky Tonk Man w/ Jimmy Hart
Hart is shown in an insert promo running down Alice Cooper, joking about how tough could a man named Alice be as Honky beats on Stoudemire. Honky poses as the fans boo as Heenan makes fun of Cooper's first name too. Honky takes Stoudemire outside then follows him out to hit a backbreaker and shortly after that rolls him back in to hit the Shake, Rattle, and Roll for the win (2:46).
Thoughts: Lots of hype for the Honky/Roberts match but it was mostly about Alice Cooper's involvement.
Okerlund is with Billy Jack Haynes who again cuts a scary promo on Hercules about how he will not quit until his neck is broken. Dude is a lunatic.
Next week in action will be Billy Jack Haynes, Ricky Steamboat, and the Junkyard Dog. Plus, Andre the Giant as the guest on the Snake Pit.
Final Thoughts: Solid show as the build for WrestleMania III continues to be superb. "Wrestling Challenge" highlighted the midcard feuds as well as showing all of the top storyline advancements that happened on "Superstars of Wrestling."
And my schedule for the week:
Tuesday: WWF Superstars of Wrestling 3/14/87
Thursday: Highspots Shoot Interview with Ernie Ladd
Friday: WWF Saturday Night's Main Even 3/14/87
Saturday: RoH Death Before Dishonor 7/19/03
Sunday: WWF Wrestling Challenge 3/15/87
From the Civic Center in Springfield, MA
Your hosts are Bobby Heenan and Gorilla Monsoon
In action tonight are the Can-Am Connection, Tito Santana, and Kamala. Plus, a special "WrestleMania" report.
Can-Am Connection vs. The Gladiator & Jimmy Jack Funk
The Can-Am Connection take the advantage early using quick tags while wrestling at a quick pace. We get an insert promo from Don Muraco, Bob Orton, and Mr. Fuji about how they are not flashly and just win matches. Back to the match as the heels work over Zenk while the announcers hype WrestleMania III. Funk gets a nearfall with a shoulderbreaker then the Gladiator tags in as Heenan tells us he has a new outfit designed for WrestleMania III. Zenk comes back with a dropkick on both guys then tags Martel, who runs wild. He hits the Gladiator with a backbreaker then tags Zenk and slingshots him in with a splash as he gets the win (5:03).
Thoughts: Nice showcase for the Can-Am Connection, who continue to rise quickly in the tag team division.
Gene Okerlund is with Bob Uecker, who talks about his parents used to wash the clothes of The Crusher. Not much to this but shows that Uecker at least has some knowledge about professional wrestling in that he is aware of the past stars.
Brutus Beefcake cuts a promo on Adrian Adonis, who accidentally cut his hair a few weeks ago. Beefcake hopes that Piper shaves Adonis's head after their match at WrestleMania. The promo was terrible but we can see the face turn for Beefcake developing.
Don Driggers vs. "Adorable" Adrian Adonis w/ Jimmy Hart
Adonis brushes off a dropkick attempt from Driggers then tosses him to the floor. Piper is shown in an insert promo holding a pair of scissors taunting Adonis, who is in control of the match. Adonis then chokes out Driggers for a bit before putting him away with the Good Night Irene (2:20).
Thoughts: Adonis could still work and the fans hated him but he was really at his fattest here. It was sad.
Okerlund is with Hercules and asks him about his match against Billy Jack Haynes at WrestleMania III. Hercules promises to put Haynes in the full nelson in a decent promo.
Highlight of Tito Santana going after Slick when he interfered in his match.
Barry O. vs. Tito Santana
Tito grabs Barry in a waistlock as Heenan tells us that Jimmy Hart spoke to him and says that Davis will surprise everyone in the ring. Davis is then shown in an insert promo blaming Tito and the British Bulldogs for getting suspended for life as a referee and promises to make them pay. Tito dropkicks Barry as we get a replay of that. Tito grabs a side headlock but Barry breaks that up with a hair pull then goes to work. He sends Tito to the floor then knees him off of the apron. Slick then runs out and whacks Tito in the back with his cane as the referee was dealing with Barry. Tito slugs it out on the apron but Barry slams him back in and gets two. Barry then whips Tito against the ropes but gets hit with a flying forearm as Tito gets the win (4:40).
Thoughts: It finally looks like they are breaking Tito away from his dead end team with Pedro Morales. Tito still had a lot of fan support at the time too.
Mary Hart is interviewing Okerlund and not letting him get in a word for a comedy segment. It worked fine as Okerlund was always great in these and Hart seemed to understand her role in these promos.
Okerlund is now with Savage, who proclaims that WrestleMania III will be his night. Typical Savage promo.
Another vignette for Hacksaw Jim Duggan, who was in a forklift inside of a warehouse to show us that he is not here for fame and fortune.
Jerry Monti vs. Kamala w/ The Wizard & Kimchee
Kamala starts the match by hitting Monti with a crescent kick. He then tosses him around briefly before slamming him down then hitting a pair of splashes for the win (1:03).
Thoughts: Without a feud and repetitive squash matches for months, Kamala lost a lot of heel heat among the fans as they even seemed to grow tired of the same thing happen over and over again.
Snake Pit with guests Hillbilly Jim, Little Beaver, and the Haiti Kid. Before the match, Jake runs down the Honky Tonk Man. Hillbilly then talks about how he will be protecting his partners as Jake tells them not to be afraid of the snake as he was just friend in a sign of Jake turning face.
Replay of the Andre the Giant/Hulk Hogan contract signing at WrestleMania III.
David Stoudemire vs. Honky Tonk Man w/ Jimmy Hart
Hart is shown in an insert promo running down Alice Cooper, joking about how tough could a man named Alice be as Honky beats on Stoudemire. Honky poses as the fans boo as Heenan makes fun of Cooper's first name too. Honky takes Stoudemire outside then follows him out to hit a backbreaker and shortly after that rolls him back in to hit the Shake, Rattle, and Roll for the win (2:46).
Thoughts: Lots of hype for the Honky/Roberts match but it was mostly about Alice Cooper's involvement.
Okerlund is with Billy Jack Haynes who again cuts a scary promo on Hercules about how he will not quit until his neck is broken. Dude is a lunatic.
Next week in action will be Billy Jack Haynes, Ricky Steamboat, and the Junkyard Dog. Plus, Andre the Giant as the guest on the Snake Pit.
Final Thoughts: Solid show as the build for WrestleMania III continues to be superb. "Wrestling Challenge" highlighted the midcard feuds as well as showing all of the top storyline advancements that happened on "Superstars of Wrestling."
And my schedule for the week:
Tuesday: WWF Superstars of Wrestling 3/14/87
Thursday: Highspots Shoot Interview with Ernie Ladd
Friday: WWF Saturday Night's Main Even 3/14/87
Saturday: RoH Death Before Dishonor 7/19/03
Sunday: WWF Wrestling Challenge 3/15/87
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