July 18, 1987
From the Market Square Arena in Indianapolis, IN
Your hosts are Bruno Sammartino, Jesse "The Body" Ventura, and Vince McMahon
In action this week will be Brutus Beefcake, Demolition, One Man Gang, and the Junkyard Dog & Billy Jack Haynes & Hillbilly Jim vs. Cowboy Bob Orton & Don Muraco & Ron Bass
Cowboy Bob Orton & Don Muraco & "The Outlaw" Ron Bass vs. Junkyard Dog & Hillbilly Jim & Billy Jack Haynes
Bass beats on JYD to start as we see him in an insert promo with his bullwhip, Miss Betsy, and how you better show her some respect. JYD fights back and it looks terrible but Bass is able to tag Muraco before getting hit with the crawling headbutts. Haynes also tags in and eventually knocks him down. Orton tags in and slugs it out with Jim then gets sent outside with a big boot in a spot that definitely "exposed the business" so to speak. Amateur hour stuff. Muraco goes out to check on his partner but gets decked, as the announcers play up that Orton had no idea it was Muraco, then they have a shove each other and argue as the referee as counted out Orton (2:53). Muraco leaves his partner and Bass behind as the faces all dance in the ring.
Thoughts: This was all about the Muraco/Orton split as that intensifies this week. The other four in the match really didnt have anything going on at all.
WWF Update with Craig DeGeorge. This week's subject is Ted DiBiase as we see him in a vignette telling us that "everyone has a price" and that he is also the most gifted and talented athlete the WWF will ever see. DiBiase and Virgil then enter a restaurant as DiBiase tells the host he does not wait for anything after being told it will be a half-hour wait as he has Virgil bribe him until he gets seated. Another patron asks him why he cannot wait like everyone else then Virgil stares him down, to show that DiBiase hides behind Virgil. DiBiase then gets seated as he tells us that everybody as a price. These introductory vignettes for DiBiase were as good as it gets.
One Man Gang w/ Slick vs. Sonny Rogers
Gang immediately attacks Rogers then puts him in the tree-of-woe as he get an insert promo from Slick that he will have Bam Bam Bigelow as the announcers are all confused as to who will be Bam Bam's manager then Gang gets the win with a gordbuster (1:20).
Thoughts: Another segment to add drama on who will actually manage Bam Bam Bigelow.
Gene Okerlund is with Hulk Hogan, who will be facing Killer Khan at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. He asks him about his eyes (Khan sprayed him with mist that was shown in some markets on the "Snake Pit," including the copy that I have as most markets saw Mr. T appear) as Hogan tells Khan and Fuji they made the biggest mistake of their lives.
Another clip of Jesse from "Predator."
The Shadows vs. Rougeau Brothers
The Rougeaus send Shadow #1 to the floor with a double dropkick. Shadow #2 comes in as Jacques takes him down with a monkey flip. Shadow #1 holds #2 back as Jacques missed a dropkick as the Shadows take control of the match. Jacques comes back with a double dropkick then makes a tag to Raymond as he runs wild briefly until they hit #1 with the Rougeau Bomb (2:57).
Thoughts: Before the match Vince talked about the Rougeaus article from "WWF Magazine" that showed their goofy side and I guess that was a small attempt to push them as a team more personable than they came across on TV.
Okerlund is now with Billy Jack Haynes, who will be teaming with Ken Patera to face Demolition at the next Cow Palace show. Haynes puts over Patera for paying his dues in jail and tells the fans to support them as it will be a tough match.
The British Bulldogs are with Matilda as they plug over the WWF Ice Cream Bars. At the beginning, Vince actually said that the Bulldogs always take care of Matilda. Over the years we have learned that was not always the case.
Omar Atlas & Scott Casey vs. Demolition w/ Mr. Fuji
Ax beats on Casey to start the match as we see an insert promo from Fuji telling the other managers that they are crazy because he is the one who will manage Bam Bam Bigelow. Atlas tags in as Smash brushes away all his offense then shortly after that Demolition scores the win with the Decapitation (2:35).
Thoughts: Another dominant squash by Demolition and another manager (Mr. Fuji) claims that he will manage Bam Bam.
Snake Pit with guest Hulk Hogan. The crowd goes nuts for Hogan as he says he feels sorry for the next guy to step into the ring with him. Mr. Fuji and Killer Khan come out as Fuji asks Hogan if he wants to experience the dark side. Khan gets in Hogan's face and they have a staredown that ends with Khan spraying mist into Hogan's face. Jake wipes away the mist as Hogan, with his face covered with the mist, is in agony on the ground. We get a slo-mo replay of the mist at the end and it did look good at least. They did as good of a job as they were going to in building up this feud.
Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake vs. Pete Sanchez
Jesse talks about how Mr. T, and how he was just on the Snake Pit, as like Beefcake, does not have a license for his practice. Sanchez rakes Beefcake's eyes then lands some forearm smashes but gets caught with a powerslam and shortly after that Beefcake catches him with a sleeper for the win (1:06). After the match, Beefcake gives Sanchez a haircut then shows him the results as Sanchez flips out and runs away.
Thoughts: The barber gimmick continues to be a big hit among the fans in attendance.
We now get a "posing routine" from "The Natural" Butch Reed that is set to generic 80's porn music. This was more fuel to the fire for his feud with Superstar Billy Graham, who had a similar posing routine that was shown last week. I am not really feeling this feud.
Jimmy Hart is shown as he tells all the other managers that he will manage Bam Bam Bigelow and shows us footage of him for the first time as the camera first zoomed in on the flames tattoo on his head as Bam Bam is then shown grunting and looking like a monster. Finally, we get to see Bigelow and it seems like we actually have a front-runner to manage him as well.
Mike Richards & Jerry Allen vs. Hart Foundation w/ Jimmy Hart
Neidhart brushes away a dropkick from Allen then beats him down. The Hart Foundation beat on Richards as the announcers talk about Jimmy Hart having the inside track on signing Bam Bam Bigelow then the Hart Foundation put Richards away with the Hart Attack (1:20). After the match, the Hart Foundation toss Allen to the floor then beat up on Richards.
Thoughts: Brief squash to put over the Hart Foundation.
Okerlund is with Randy Savage and asks him about wanting to regain the Intercontinental Title. Savage says his sights are now set on Hulk Hogan and how he would rather die from exhaustion than starvation as he will go to the top and there is nothing Hogan can do to stop him. Okerlund asks about Elizabeth then about the Honky Tonk Man and if he is trying to "swerve" him about the Intercontinental Title. He even tells Savage he might have a shot at the IC title soon. They really set up the Savage face turn months before it happened, really as soon as Honky won the belt. Okerlund kept on goading Savage in interviews about going back after the title as Savage would dodge the question.
Next week in action will be Koko B. Ware, The Islanders, and more.
Final Thoughts: Solid show this week. They built up Hogan's feud and showcased newer talents through vignettes. The action was so-so but they actually seem to have some traction going here as they try to get some feuds going again.
Here is my schedule for the next several days:
Tuesday: WWF Wrestling Challenge 7/19/87
Thursday: RF Video Shoot Interview with Greg Valentine
Friday: WWF Superstars of Wrestling 7/25/87
Saturday: RoH Glory By Honor II 9/20/03
Sunday: WWF Madison Square Garden 7/25/87
From the Market Square Arena in Indianapolis, IN
Your hosts are Bruno Sammartino, Jesse "The Body" Ventura, and Vince McMahon
In action this week will be Brutus Beefcake, Demolition, One Man Gang, and the Junkyard Dog & Billy Jack Haynes & Hillbilly Jim vs. Cowboy Bob Orton & Don Muraco & Ron Bass
Cowboy Bob Orton & Don Muraco & "The Outlaw" Ron Bass vs. Junkyard Dog & Hillbilly Jim & Billy Jack Haynes
Bass beats on JYD to start as we see him in an insert promo with his bullwhip, Miss Betsy, and how you better show her some respect. JYD fights back and it looks terrible but Bass is able to tag Muraco before getting hit with the crawling headbutts. Haynes also tags in and eventually knocks him down. Orton tags in and slugs it out with Jim then gets sent outside with a big boot in a spot that definitely "exposed the business" so to speak. Amateur hour stuff. Muraco goes out to check on his partner but gets decked, as the announcers play up that Orton had no idea it was Muraco, then they have a shove each other and argue as the referee as counted out Orton (2:53). Muraco leaves his partner and Bass behind as the faces all dance in the ring.
Thoughts: This was all about the Muraco/Orton split as that intensifies this week. The other four in the match really didnt have anything going on at all.
WWF Update with Craig DeGeorge. This week's subject is Ted DiBiase as we see him in a vignette telling us that "everyone has a price" and that he is also the most gifted and talented athlete the WWF will ever see. DiBiase and Virgil then enter a restaurant as DiBiase tells the host he does not wait for anything after being told it will be a half-hour wait as he has Virgil bribe him until he gets seated. Another patron asks him why he cannot wait like everyone else then Virgil stares him down, to show that DiBiase hides behind Virgil. DiBiase then gets seated as he tells us that everybody as a price. These introductory vignettes for DiBiase were as good as it gets.
One Man Gang w/ Slick vs. Sonny Rogers
Gang immediately attacks Rogers then puts him in the tree-of-woe as he get an insert promo from Slick that he will have Bam Bam Bigelow as the announcers are all confused as to who will be Bam Bam's manager then Gang gets the win with a gordbuster (1:20).
Thoughts: Another segment to add drama on who will actually manage Bam Bam Bigelow.
Gene Okerlund is with Hulk Hogan, who will be facing Killer Khan at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. He asks him about his eyes (Khan sprayed him with mist that was shown in some markets on the "Snake Pit," including the copy that I have as most markets saw Mr. T appear) as Hogan tells Khan and Fuji they made the biggest mistake of their lives.
Another clip of Jesse from "Predator."
The Shadows vs. Rougeau Brothers
The Rougeaus send Shadow #1 to the floor with a double dropkick. Shadow #2 comes in as Jacques takes him down with a monkey flip. Shadow #1 holds #2 back as Jacques missed a dropkick as the Shadows take control of the match. Jacques comes back with a double dropkick then makes a tag to Raymond as he runs wild briefly until they hit #1 with the Rougeau Bomb (2:57).
Thoughts: Before the match Vince talked about the Rougeaus article from "WWF Magazine" that showed their goofy side and I guess that was a small attempt to push them as a team more personable than they came across on TV.
Okerlund is now with Billy Jack Haynes, who will be teaming with Ken Patera to face Demolition at the next Cow Palace show. Haynes puts over Patera for paying his dues in jail and tells the fans to support them as it will be a tough match.
The British Bulldogs are with Matilda as they plug over the WWF Ice Cream Bars. At the beginning, Vince actually said that the Bulldogs always take care of Matilda. Over the years we have learned that was not always the case.
Omar Atlas & Scott Casey vs. Demolition w/ Mr. Fuji
Ax beats on Casey to start the match as we see an insert promo from Fuji telling the other managers that they are crazy because he is the one who will manage Bam Bam Bigelow. Atlas tags in as Smash brushes away all his offense then shortly after that Demolition scores the win with the Decapitation (2:35).
Thoughts: Another dominant squash by Demolition and another manager (Mr. Fuji) claims that he will manage Bam Bam.
Snake Pit with guest Hulk Hogan. The crowd goes nuts for Hogan as he says he feels sorry for the next guy to step into the ring with him. Mr. Fuji and Killer Khan come out as Fuji asks Hogan if he wants to experience the dark side. Khan gets in Hogan's face and they have a staredown that ends with Khan spraying mist into Hogan's face. Jake wipes away the mist as Hogan, with his face covered with the mist, is in agony on the ground. We get a slo-mo replay of the mist at the end and it did look good at least. They did as good of a job as they were going to in building up this feud.
Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake vs. Pete Sanchez
Jesse talks about how Mr. T, and how he was just on the Snake Pit, as like Beefcake, does not have a license for his practice. Sanchez rakes Beefcake's eyes then lands some forearm smashes but gets caught with a powerslam and shortly after that Beefcake catches him with a sleeper for the win (1:06). After the match, Beefcake gives Sanchez a haircut then shows him the results as Sanchez flips out and runs away.
Thoughts: The barber gimmick continues to be a big hit among the fans in attendance.
We now get a "posing routine" from "The Natural" Butch Reed that is set to generic 80's porn music. This was more fuel to the fire for his feud with Superstar Billy Graham, who had a similar posing routine that was shown last week. I am not really feeling this feud.
Jimmy Hart is shown as he tells all the other managers that he will manage Bam Bam Bigelow and shows us footage of him for the first time as the camera first zoomed in on the flames tattoo on his head as Bam Bam is then shown grunting and looking like a monster. Finally, we get to see Bigelow and it seems like we actually have a front-runner to manage him as well.
Mike Richards & Jerry Allen vs. Hart Foundation w/ Jimmy Hart
Neidhart brushes away a dropkick from Allen then beats him down. The Hart Foundation beat on Richards as the announcers talk about Jimmy Hart having the inside track on signing Bam Bam Bigelow then the Hart Foundation put Richards away with the Hart Attack (1:20). After the match, the Hart Foundation toss Allen to the floor then beat up on Richards.
Thoughts: Brief squash to put over the Hart Foundation.
Okerlund is with Randy Savage and asks him about wanting to regain the Intercontinental Title. Savage says his sights are now set on Hulk Hogan and how he would rather die from exhaustion than starvation as he will go to the top and there is nothing Hogan can do to stop him. Okerlund asks about Elizabeth then about the Honky Tonk Man and if he is trying to "swerve" him about the Intercontinental Title. He even tells Savage he might have a shot at the IC title soon. They really set up the Savage face turn months before it happened, really as soon as Honky won the belt. Okerlund kept on goading Savage in interviews about going back after the title as Savage would dodge the question.
Next week in action will be Koko B. Ware, The Islanders, and more.
Final Thoughts: Solid show this week. They built up Hogan's feud and showcased newer talents through vignettes. The action was so-so but they actually seem to have some traction going here as they try to get some feuds going again.
Here is my schedule for the next several days:
Tuesday: WWF Wrestling Challenge 7/19/87
Thursday: RF Video Shoot Interview with Greg Valentine
Friday: WWF Superstars of Wrestling 7/25/87
Saturday: RoH Glory By Honor II 9/20/03
Sunday: WWF Madison Square Garden 7/25/87
Comments
Post a Comment