April 13, 1985
Your hosts are Bruno Sammartino and Vince McMahon
This week, in action are Big John Studd & Ken Patera. Plus, Ricky Steamboat, King Kong Bundy, Greg Valentine and David Sammartino. We will also see clips of the Women's Title match from WrestleMania.
Greg "The Hammer" Valentine w/Jimmy Hart vs. Doc Butler
Doc looks fairly young and is in decent shape. He also has one of the hairiest chests I have ever seen. Valentine knocks him down and hits a few kneedrops. He hits a gutbuster and a scoop slam then goes to work on the arm. Valentine tosses him to the floor and McMahon mocks Hart's voice, which actually got Bruno to laugh. I dont mention it much in my reviews but Bruno was pretty useless on commentary. He only spoke when asked something by Vince. Valentine beats on Butler then tosses him back in for some more punishment before applying the figure four and the win (3:41).
Thoughts: This went on a bit too long but Valentine squash matches were good around this time so it was fine. Vince made it a point on commentary to mention how annoying Hart sounds.
WWF Update with Lord Alfred Hayes. This week, we get an update on Hillbilly Jim. We are told that he is out of the hospital after suffering torn ligaments in his knee at the hands of Brutus Beefcake. We are show still photos of Jim on crutches as Hayes lets us know that Jim will be back in the ring between 4-6 months. That injury really cost Jim in the long run.
Dave Barbie vs. David Sammartino
Barbie jumps Sammartino before the bell. Sammartino fights back and boots him down. He hits a few suplexes then chops him against the ropes before getting the win with a powerslam (1:00).
Thoughts: Sammartino got a few cheers at the beginning but the push isnt working. He did hit some nice power moves though. He didnt look the part of a wrestling star and did not have anywear near the amount of charisma as his father so the fans didnt care about him.
The camera pans to the crowd and shows various fans who are either wearing WWF merchandise or holding up programs. A lot of shots featuring fans wearing the "Hulkamania" hats too. This is the hardest push on merchandise I have seen on these shows at this point.
Gene Okerlund is with the British Bulldogs. Davey says that they are cousins as Dynamite calls out the tag champs, Sheik & Volkoff. Not much of an interview.
Aldo Marino vs. King Kong Bundy w/Jimmy Hart
The crowd is all over Bundy, which is a great sign for a guy who debuted a month ago. Bundy grinds Marino into the mat then chops him in the corner. Bruno goes on about Bundy's physique then tells us while in Japan, Bundy wrestled five guys at once. Bundy hits the Avalanche then finishes off Marino with a knee drop, making the referee count to five (2:38)
Thoughts: Bundy continues to impress. The fans react well to him too. Its clear that he will be a major player very shortly.
Gene Okerlund is with Ricky Steamboat, who was apparently between workouts. He has Ricky about the talent in the WWF as Steamboat mentions how on magazines and TV news, you see the WWF. He then gives a message to everyone that conditioning is what makes you get to the top. Okerlund asks about the South Pacific Connection, his team with Jimmy Snuka, as Steamboat tells the tag division to take notice. This interview was pretty bad but they did try to establish his team with Snuka.
Ricky Steamboat vs. Rusty Brooks
Steamboat hits a few armdrags but runs into a clothesline. Brooks hits a dropkick, which is impressive for a short obese man, but gets taken down with a hip toss. Steamboat gets two off a throat thrust but Brooks fights back. Steamboat then chops him down and goes back to work on the arm. He takes him down with a forearm smash to the chest. Brooks fights back and they mess up a float over so Steamboat hits a few dropkicks the goes up top and hits a splash for the win (3:03). Vince makes it a point to mention that he used the same move as Snuka.
Thoughts: These guys were not on the same page. The main point of the match though was to establish that Steamboat and Snuka were a solid team. That is tough to do without Snuka present.
Piper's Pit with Roddy Piper and Bob Orton. This takes place in the locker room. Piper mentions how they never lost at anything before then Piper goes on about how he had no idea that Orndorff had no guts. Orton said that Orndorff didnt have the strength to go on as Piper said that no one wants to fight them and they are victorious. With the heels bashing Orndorff, its clear that they will have an altercation sooner or later.
We are shown the last few minutes of the Women's Title match at WrestleMania between Wendi Richter and Leilani Kai. Richter regained the belt after rolling through a crossbody. It was a bad match.
Jim Young & Joe Mirto vs. Ken Patera & Big John Studd w/Bobby Heenan
The crowd starts up with a "weasel" chant towards Heenan. Studd tosses around both men then tags Patera. Vince says that Patera is upset that his bench press record had been beaten as he tosses Young around the ring. Young continues to get destroyed by both men, who are frequently tagging in and out. Mirto finally tags and lands a few shots on Patera but ends up getting destroyed in the corner. The crowd chants for Andre as Studd pulls up Mirto before the three count. Patera suplexes Mirto then Studd drops the elbow for the win (4:45).
Thoughts: Long match but the crowd didnt mind, as they hate Heenan and Studd and love Andre.
Okerlund is with Jimmy Hart and two of his clients, Jim Neidhart and King Kong Bundy. Hart said that Valentine told him to go after these guys. Neidhart then screams about how he and Bundy are in great shape and no one else can do anything about that. Bundy says that he should be in the ring with a minimum of two men at a time then calls out a few of the face tag-teams. Okerlund mentions the five count and Bundy says that is because it leaves no doubt in anyone's mind that you have been defeated. Okerlund asks if they will be teaming together and Hart casually mentions that they probably will then says that his men are ready.
Next week, we will have a special feature on Hillbilly Jim from his home in Kentucky. Also, the debut of the team of Jim Neidhart and Bret Hart (not called the Hart Foundation). Plus, Don Muraco, the Junkyard Dog, and the British Bulldogs will be in action.
Thoughts: I thought this was a fun show. They continue to shape up the post-WrestleMania feuds as they ride their wave of mianstream popularity. They are focusing on newer stars such as Steamboat, Bundy, and the British Bulldogs. Also, they had a really intriguing episode of Piper's Pit and are starting to build up their tag team division.
Your hosts are Bruno Sammartino and Vince McMahon
This week, in action are Big John Studd & Ken Patera. Plus, Ricky Steamboat, King Kong Bundy, Greg Valentine and David Sammartino. We will also see clips of the Women's Title match from WrestleMania.
Greg "The Hammer" Valentine w/Jimmy Hart vs. Doc Butler
Doc looks fairly young and is in decent shape. He also has one of the hairiest chests I have ever seen. Valentine knocks him down and hits a few kneedrops. He hits a gutbuster and a scoop slam then goes to work on the arm. Valentine tosses him to the floor and McMahon mocks Hart's voice, which actually got Bruno to laugh. I dont mention it much in my reviews but Bruno was pretty useless on commentary. He only spoke when asked something by Vince. Valentine beats on Butler then tosses him back in for some more punishment before applying the figure four and the win (3:41).
Thoughts: This went on a bit too long but Valentine squash matches were good around this time so it was fine. Vince made it a point on commentary to mention how annoying Hart sounds.
WWF Update with Lord Alfred Hayes. This week, we get an update on Hillbilly Jim. We are told that he is out of the hospital after suffering torn ligaments in his knee at the hands of Brutus Beefcake. We are show still photos of Jim on crutches as Hayes lets us know that Jim will be back in the ring between 4-6 months. That injury really cost Jim in the long run.
Dave Barbie vs. David Sammartino
Barbie jumps Sammartino before the bell. Sammartino fights back and boots him down. He hits a few suplexes then chops him against the ropes before getting the win with a powerslam (1:00).
Thoughts: Sammartino got a few cheers at the beginning but the push isnt working. He did hit some nice power moves though. He didnt look the part of a wrestling star and did not have anywear near the amount of charisma as his father so the fans didnt care about him.
The camera pans to the crowd and shows various fans who are either wearing WWF merchandise or holding up programs. A lot of shots featuring fans wearing the "Hulkamania" hats too. This is the hardest push on merchandise I have seen on these shows at this point.
Gene Okerlund is with the British Bulldogs. Davey says that they are cousins as Dynamite calls out the tag champs, Sheik & Volkoff. Not much of an interview.
Aldo Marino vs. King Kong Bundy w/Jimmy Hart
The crowd is all over Bundy, which is a great sign for a guy who debuted a month ago. Bundy grinds Marino into the mat then chops him in the corner. Bruno goes on about Bundy's physique then tells us while in Japan, Bundy wrestled five guys at once. Bundy hits the Avalanche then finishes off Marino with a knee drop, making the referee count to five (2:38)
Thoughts: Bundy continues to impress. The fans react well to him too. Its clear that he will be a major player very shortly.
Gene Okerlund is with Ricky Steamboat, who was apparently between workouts. He has Ricky about the talent in the WWF as Steamboat mentions how on magazines and TV news, you see the WWF. He then gives a message to everyone that conditioning is what makes you get to the top. Okerlund asks about the South Pacific Connection, his team with Jimmy Snuka, as Steamboat tells the tag division to take notice. This interview was pretty bad but they did try to establish his team with Snuka.
Ricky Steamboat vs. Rusty Brooks
Steamboat hits a few armdrags but runs into a clothesline. Brooks hits a dropkick, which is impressive for a short obese man, but gets taken down with a hip toss. Steamboat gets two off a throat thrust but Brooks fights back. Steamboat then chops him down and goes back to work on the arm. He takes him down with a forearm smash to the chest. Brooks fights back and they mess up a float over so Steamboat hits a few dropkicks the goes up top and hits a splash for the win (3:03). Vince makes it a point to mention that he used the same move as Snuka.
Thoughts: These guys were not on the same page. The main point of the match though was to establish that Steamboat and Snuka were a solid team. That is tough to do without Snuka present.
Piper's Pit with Roddy Piper and Bob Orton. This takes place in the locker room. Piper mentions how they never lost at anything before then Piper goes on about how he had no idea that Orndorff had no guts. Orton said that Orndorff didnt have the strength to go on as Piper said that no one wants to fight them and they are victorious. With the heels bashing Orndorff, its clear that they will have an altercation sooner or later.
We are shown the last few minutes of the Women's Title match at WrestleMania between Wendi Richter and Leilani Kai. Richter regained the belt after rolling through a crossbody. It was a bad match.
Jim Young & Joe Mirto vs. Ken Patera & Big John Studd w/Bobby Heenan
The crowd starts up with a "weasel" chant towards Heenan. Studd tosses around both men then tags Patera. Vince says that Patera is upset that his bench press record had been beaten as he tosses Young around the ring. Young continues to get destroyed by both men, who are frequently tagging in and out. Mirto finally tags and lands a few shots on Patera but ends up getting destroyed in the corner. The crowd chants for Andre as Studd pulls up Mirto before the three count. Patera suplexes Mirto then Studd drops the elbow for the win (4:45).
Thoughts: Long match but the crowd didnt mind, as they hate Heenan and Studd and love Andre.
Okerlund is with Jimmy Hart and two of his clients, Jim Neidhart and King Kong Bundy. Hart said that Valentine told him to go after these guys. Neidhart then screams about how he and Bundy are in great shape and no one else can do anything about that. Bundy says that he should be in the ring with a minimum of two men at a time then calls out a few of the face tag-teams. Okerlund mentions the five count and Bundy says that is because it leaves no doubt in anyone's mind that you have been defeated. Okerlund asks if they will be teaming together and Hart casually mentions that they probably will then says that his men are ready.
Next week, we will have a special feature on Hillbilly Jim from his home in Kentucky. Also, the debut of the team of Jim Neidhart and Bret Hart (not called the Hart Foundation). Plus, Don Muraco, the Junkyard Dog, and the British Bulldogs will be in action.
Thoughts: I thought this was a fun show. They continue to shape up the post-WrestleMania feuds as they ride their wave of mianstream popularity. They are focusing on newer stars such as Steamboat, Bundy, and the British Bulldogs. Also, they had a really intriguing episode of Piper's Pit and are starting to build up their tag team division.
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