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WWF Superstars of Wrestling May 30th, 1987

May 30, 1987

From the Convention Center in Anaheim, CA

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

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




Can-Am Connection vs. The Islanders

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

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



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



Billy Anderson vs. Honky Tonk Man w/ Jimmy Hart

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

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



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



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



Iron Mike Sharpe vs. Hacksaw Jim Duggan

The crowd is loving Duggan as he hits Sharpe with an atomic drop. Jesse thinks that Jack Tunney should ban the 2x4 as Duggan stays in control of the match. Sharpe fights back briefly but gets clotheslined down. Duggan comes back with a shoulder tackle before getting the win with a running clothesline (1:53). After the match, Duggan leads the crowd into a "USA" chant.

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



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



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



Joe Mirto vs. King Harley Race w/ Bobby Heenan

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

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



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



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



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



Dusty Wolfe vs. Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat

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

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



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



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



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



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




Comments

  1. I'm sad there was no mention of the infamous Bruno and Vince dialogue.

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  2. Honky has theme music on this show. Didn't he have music at Wrestlemania III? You couldn't hear it very well, but he had some music for his entrance. Not sure if it was "Cool, Cocky, Bad" or not.

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  3. We never did see Hercules and Harley Race team up during this show.

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  4. Which dialogue

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  5. They didn't have a tag match together until June: http://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=1500&page=4&s=800

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  6. Bruno asks what is Heenan's new team, when this is the only team. Vince awkwardly goes - Scheduled later this hour is Mr. Race and I think we are going to see Hercules and Race in a tag I think. Jesse laughs, Bruno goes - what are you laughing at Jesse. Jesse: Nothin'

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  7. Christ, how did I miss that.

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  8. The one time Bruno actually decides to do his job and he gets a terse brush-off from Vince.

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  9. Dusty Wolfe was a real champ jobber. I actually had him as an avatar for awhile. Definitely looked a total jizzball and had much a awful mullet. Big fan.

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  10. If you're curious footage of it is around. I actually loved that touch. "There's only one tag match scheduled tonight...what's Heenan talking about?!"

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  11. ARRRRGH THE BARBARIANApril 22, 2015 at 12:10 AM

    I keep reading about Duggan's huge push that he lost. How far were they really going to push him? Put him over HTM? I don't think it effected his career that much.

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  13. Oh was this when they showed Graham's surgery, UNCENSORED?

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  14. This, I presume: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJdxMwgab0A

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