June 14, 1987
From the War Memorial in Rochester, NY. This was the TV taping in which the Rockers showed up to and got fired a few days afterwards.
Your hosts are Bobby Heenan and Gorilla Monsoon
In action this week will be Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake, Killer Khan, Junkyard Dog, and the Ricky Steamboat vs. Honky Tonk Man match from the 6/13/87 edition of "Superstars of Wrestling."
Don Driggers & Mario Mancini vs. Sika & Kamala w/ Mr. Fuji & Kimchee
Mancini has shaved off his trademark mustache this week in an attempt to look younger but it fails as Sika kicks his ass. Kamala tags and beats him down some more. Driggers tags in and gets kicked down a few times and tags Sika, who catches Driggers with a Samoan Drop then tags Kamala, who gets the pin with a splash (2:21).
Thoughts: Kamala & Sika weren't really doing much here other than TV squash matches. They were not set up for any feuds or even being discussed in the Tag Team Title picture.
Wrestler's Rebuttal with Craig DeGeorge, who is with the Can-Am Connection. They are still pissed off at the Islanders for turning on them. Their promos were not good at all.
Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake vs. Dusty Wolfe
Beefcake frustrates Wolfe by strutting around as we get an insert promo from the Rougeaus as they talk about haircuts. It went nowhere and was terrible. Back to the match as Wolfe lands a few shots but Beefcake struts around then catches him in a powerslam before putting him away with a sleeper (2:29). After the match, Beefcake puts on his smock and cuts the hair of Wolfe.
Thoughts: Beefcake started to do his signature taunts (Strut, go to sleep motion) and this was good in that the crowd was responsive to him. The haircutting after the match is also catching on with the crowd. All important things when pushing a new character.
Gene Okerlund is with the Killer Bees. They talk about the WWF Tag Team Division as Blair tells us a story about talking to Hogan as he gets lamer and lamer until it eventually ends. As talented in the ring as the babyface teams of the 80's, they were the exact opposite on the mic.
Killer Khan vs. Eric Cooper
Khan beats on Cooper while screaming like a lunatic. He hits a Russian leg sweep, which Gorilla calls a "suplex" then shortly after that he puts him away with a top rope knee drop (1:56).
Thoughts: They continue to build up Khan as a possible threat to the World Title.
Okerlund is with Slick and puts him over for bringing in the One Man Gang, who eventually enters the interview. Slick said the ultimate goal in wrestling is the World Title and he is convinced the One Man Gang can bring it home. They are building up another monster heel as a possible World Title threat.
Steve Lombardi vs. Junkyard Dog
Match starts with JYD tossing Lombardi around. We get an insert promo from Slick and Nikolai Volkoff as they both tell him he will be sent back across the tracks. JYD works the arm then hits a few headbutts and an atomic drop before getting the win with a powerslam (2:11).
Thoughts: JYD really looks awful at this point and as a result, spent the rest of his run putting guys over or winning over lower card guys but never involved in any major storylines.
DeGeorge is with Ron Bass, who does not attack people from behind but rather looks them in the eye. He then calls out Hulk Hogan and a few other babyfaces as he promises to bring in his whip "Miss Betsy." They are trying to get over Bass and his whip.
A replay of the Superstar Billy Graham recovery piece.
The replay of the Honky Tonk Man vs. Ricky Steamboat match from the 6/13/87 edition of Superstars is shown.
Iron Mike Sharpe & Cowboy Bob Orton & Don Muraco vs. Hillbilly Jim & S.D. Jones & Billy Jack Haynes
Orton hip tosses Haynes then celebrates. Haynes comes back with one of his own then hits a few more. He then takes down Muraco as he runs in while Heenan calls him a "show off."The announcers talk about the Honky Tonk Man winning the IC Title as Gorilla wonders if Heenan is jealous of Hart for managing the IC and Tag Team Champions. The match breaks down as all the faces ram the heels in the corner. S.D. headbutts Muraco a few times but gets caught with a powerslam. Muraco is dazed and tags in Sharpe as Orton is pissed. Muraco and Orton argue on the apron then Muraco tries to clothesline S.D. from the second rope behind the referee's back but he ends up hitting Sharpe by accident then S.D. covers for the pin (3:25). After the match, Muraco and Orton argue in the aisle as the faces celebrate.
Thoughts: This is the beginning of the split between Orton and Muraco. The way in which it happened was not all that exciting. It's shocking to see S.D. score the pin here too.
Okerlund is with Jimmy Hart, who is gloating about the Honky Tonk Man's win. The Hart Foundation walk in and say there is not stopping them and that Danny Davis will be Hulk Hogan to win the World Title. The Foundation then turns their attention to the Killer Bees and call them cheaters, wondering how they can even sleep at night. Neidhart says that they do not have to hide their faces under masks then talk about the other teams. Great interview here.
We are shown the heel locker room celebration as the Honky Tonk Man enters after winning the IC Title. Randy Savage was the first person to congratulate him.
Next week in action will be the Honky Tonk Man, Ken Patera, The Islanders, Koko B. Ware, and Demolition.
Final Thoughts: Not that much going on here, unless you missed the title change on Superstars. They focused on the Tag Team Division and focused on building up some of the midcard guys but beyond that it was forgettable. Its clear the WWF was struggling at this time due to firings, injuries, and pushing stale talent. It was a real down time until the end of the year.
Here is my schedule for the next several days:
Saturday: RoH Bitter Friends, Stiffer Enemies 8/16/03
Tuesday: WWF Madison Square Garden 6/14/87
Thursday: 1989 WCW Timeline as told by Jim Cornette
Friday: WWF Superstars of Wrestling 6/20/87
From the War Memorial in Rochester, NY. This was the TV taping in which the Rockers showed up to and got fired a few days afterwards.
Your hosts are Bobby Heenan and Gorilla Monsoon
In action this week will be Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake, Killer Khan, Junkyard Dog, and the Ricky Steamboat vs. Honky Tonk Man match from the 6/13/87 edition of "Superstars of Wrestling."
Don Driggers & Mario Mancini vs. Sika & Kamala w/ Mr. Fuji & Kimchee
Mancini has shaved off his trademark mustache this week in an attempt to look younger but it fails as Sika kicks his ass. Kamala tags and beats him down some more. Driggers tags in and gets kicked down a few times and tags Sika, who catches Driggers with a Samoan Drop then tags Kamala, who gets the pin with a splash (2:21).
Thoughts: Kamala & Sika weren't really doing much here other than TV squash matches. They were not set up for any feuds or even being discussed in the Tag Team Title picture.
Wrestler's Rebuttal with Craig DeGeorge, who is with the Can-Am Connection. They are still pissed off at the Islanders for turning on them. Their promos were not good at all.
Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake vs. Dusty Wolfe
Beefcake frustrates Wolfe by strutting around as we get an insert promo from the Rougeaus as they talk about haircuts. It went nowhere and was terrible. Back to the match as Wolfe lands a few shots but Beefcake struts around then catches him in a powerslam before putting him away with a sleeper (2:29). After the match, Beefcake puts on his smock and cuts the hair of Wolfe.
Thoughts: Beefcake started to do his signature taunts (Strut, go to sleep motion) and this was good in that the crowd was responsive to him. The haircutting after the match is also catching on with the crowd. All important things when pushing a new character.
Gene Okerlund is with the Killer Bees. They talk about the WWF Tag Team Division as Blair tells us a story about talking to Hogan as he gets lamer and lamer until it eventually ends. As talented in the ring as the babyface teams of the 80's, they were the exact opposite on the mic.
Killer Khan vs. Eric Cooper
Khan beats on Cooper while screaming like a lunatic. He hits a Russian leg sweep, which Gorilla calls a "suplex" then shortly after that he puts him away with a top rope knee drop (1:56).
Thoughts: They continue to build up Khan as a possible threat to the World Title.
Okerlund is with Slick and puts him over for bringing in the One Man Gang, who eventually enters the interview. Slick said the ultimate goal in wrestling is the World Title and he is convinced the One Man Gang can bring it home. They are building up another monster heel as a possible World Title threat.
Steve Lombardi vs. Junkyard Dog
Match starts with JYD tossing Lombardi around. We get an insert promo from Slick and Nikolai Volkoff as they both tell him he will be sent back across the tracks. JYD works the arm then hits a few headbutts and an atomic drop before getting the win with a powerslam (2:11).
Thoughts: JYD really looks awful at this point and as a result, spent the rest of his run putting guys over or winning over lower card guys but never involved in any major storylines.
DeGeorge is with Ron Bass, who does not attack people from behind but rather looks them in the eye. He then calls out Hulk Hogan and a few other babyfaces as he promises to bring in his whip "Miss Betsy." They are trying to get over Bass and his whip.
A replay of the Superstar Billy Graham recovery piece.
The replay of the Honky Tonk Man vs. Ricky Steamboat match from the 6/13/87 edition of Superstars is shown.
Iron Mike Sharpe & Cowboy Bob Orton & Don Muraco vs. Hillbilly Jim & S.D. Jones & Billy Jack Haynes
Orton hip tosses Haynes then celebrates. Haynes comes back with one of his own then hits a few more. He then takes down Muraco as he runs in while Heenan calls him a "show off."The announcers talk about the Honky Tonk Man winning the IC Title as Gorilla wonders if Heenan is jealous of Hart for managing the IC and Tag Team Champions. The match breaks down as all the faces ram the heels in the corner. S.D. headbutts Muraco a few times but gets caught with a powerslam. Muraco is dazed and tags in Sharpe as Orton is pissed. Muraco and Orton argue on the apron then Muraco tries to clothesline S.D. from the second rope behind the referee's back but he ends up hitting Sharpe by accident then S.D. covers for the pin (3:25). After the match, Muraco and Orton argue in the aisle as the faces celebrate.
Thoughts: This is the beginning of the split between Orton and Muraco. The way in which it happened was not all that exciting. It's shocking to see S.D. score the pin here too.
Okerlund is with Jimmy Hart, who is gloating about the Honky Tonk Man's win. The Hart Foundation walk in and say there is not stopping them and that Danny Davis will be Hulk Hogan to win the World Title. The Foundation then turns their attention to the Killer Bees and call them cheaters, wondering how they can even sleep at night. Neidhart says that they do not have to hide their faces under masks then talk about the other teams. Great interview here.
We are shown the heel locker room celebration as the Honky Tonk Man enters after winning the IC Title. Randy Savage was the first person to congratulate him.
Next week in action will be the Honky Tonk Man, Ken Patera, The Islanders, Koko B. Ware, and Demolition.
Final Thoughts: Not that much going on here, unless you missed the title change on Superstars. They focused on the Tag Team Division and focused on building up some of the midcard guys but beyond that it was forgettable. Its clear the WWF was struggling at this time due to firings, injuries, and pushing stale talent. It was a real down time until the end of the year.
Here is my schedule for the next several days:
Saturday: RoH Bitter Friends, Stiffer Enemies 8/16/03
Tuesday: WWF Madison Square Garden 6/14/87
Thursday: 1989 WCW Timeline as told by Jim Cornette
Friday: WWF Superstars of Wrestling 6/20/87
"As talented in the ring as the babyface teams of the 80's, they were the exact opposite on the mic." So very true!
ReplyDeleteThe Muraco-Orton break-up is among my earlier wrestling memories, so poor as it may have been it's still remembered fondly by me. That and Kamala & Sika losing on TV to Roma & Powers. That last one had me phoning a friend of mine at midnight just to mention it, since I was so excited. Sigh. A kayfabed kid. Easier times.
Love the bit on one of Shawn's DVDs where they talk about the quick hiring and firing with the classic "boots made for walking" line by Vince. He's up front on how he and Marty should have been fired a dozen times for all the crap they pulled but saved themselves by wowing fans and co-workers alike with their ring work.
ReplyDeletefuck you scott
ReplyDeleteIt was also the presentation....Monsoon and Heenan talked about everything in a way that said "This is a sport"
ReplyDelete