Sage Cortez
Alright, so it’s time for the build to WrestleMania III! I can’t believe that I’ve watched this much wrestling over the last few months, but here I am. One thing I’d like to point out is that some of the Andre/Hogan stuff I’ll be sharing is from January as well. That shouldn’t be any surprise. This should be a long article, with reviews of quite a few matches, so let’s get started!
– Taped to air February 1st, 1987, on Wrestling Challenge, from Hersheypark Arena in Hershey, Pennsylvania
Koko B. Ware vs. King Harley Race (w/Bobby Heenan)
Pre-Match Thoughts: No expectations, but it was a chance to watch Koko wrestle. I don’t turn those down yet. For some reason, Koko is wearing a singlet. That’s a different look for him. Danny Davis is our official.
Match Review: To start the match, Harley charges at Koko, and is given a backdrop. That ring is super hard, could figure that out when Harley took the bump. Koko also gives him a hip toss, but Harley comes back with a belly to belly suplex for a 1 count. He drops a knee as well, which gets 2. Harley then tries a diving headbutt from the second rope, but misses it. Koko heads up top himself, and with Danny Davis distracted, Heenan shoves him down. Harley capitalizes by covering for a super quick 3 count at around 2:30. Drat. After Race leaves the ring, Junkyard Dog comes in, and gives Danny Davis a hip toss!
My Thoughts: This Danny Davis angle has been excellent entertainment. I don’t know how anyone could have disliked it, at least at this point. *1/2 for the match, liked the post-match a lot.
Andre the Giant & Hulk Hogan Piper’s Pits
Well, here we go. On the taping for January 17th, Hulk Hogan is presented with a trophy. It is apparently a trophy for having been champion for three years. During the middle of Hogan’s speech, Andre the Giant comes out, and says that Hogan has been a champion for a long time. Then they shake hands, but Andre apparently did it…very hard.
Now, on January 24th, it’s time for Andre to be honored. He is being given a trophy for being undefeated in the WWF. Ha. Andre gets huge cheers when he makes his entrance, and before he starts his speech, Hogan intrudes. Hm. Hogan talks about how great Andre is, and uh…Andre winds up being the heel here? This sounds awfully jealous. Andre leaves the set because of it.
It’s January 31st, and Roddy Piper calls out Jesse Ventura to the Pit, for talking a bunch of stuff about friction between Andre and Hogan. Piper isn’t a fan of Jesse’s conduct. Jesse also wonders why Andre has been reinstated from his suspension. Jesse says that Hogan’s trophy is bigger than Andre, so where’s the fair treatment? Because they’re getting so angry at each other, Jesse suggests that he and Piper have a match. That sounds great to me. However, Jesse’s other idea is for Andre and Hogan to have a discussion next week on the Pit. Those were all taped at the Meadowlands.
Now, the traveling circus is in Tampa, and it’s the taping for February 7th‘s show. Hogan is on the Pit. Now, here comes Andre the Giant as well. But he’s coming with Bobby Heenan! What a surprise that had to have been. Hogan pleads with Andre to keep Heenan on the sidelines, but that’s not going to happen. Heenan says that Andre is sick and tired of Hogan. EXCELLENT. Hogan never offered Andre a title shot, which Heenan points out. Andre then tells Hogan to look at him, and that he wants a title shot at WrestleMania. When Hogan says it won’t happen, Andre tears the shirt and cross off of Hogan. Don’t know if the cross part was deliberate, but that was super well done.
February 14th now, and Hogan will be joining Piper on the Pit once again. It’s a dead giveaway that this is taped on the same day, because Hogan has bandages on his chest from where Andre cut him open with his cross. Hogan is depressed now. Piper then asks Hogan if he’s going to face Andre at WrestleMania III. And the answer is…YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS.
Included in the last video, is the contract signing. I don’t know on which show this contract signing aired, but…I’ve seen WrestleMania III around 20 times. I hate contract signing angles. I don’t think the match is any good. But I AM HYPED. To say this was anything less than a perfect build is an understatement. Highest recommendation and a great way to kill 20 minutes.
– Taped to air February 7th, 1987, on Superstars of Wrestling, from the Sun Dome in Tampa, Florida
The Hart Foundation (w/Jimmy Hart) vs. The British Bulldogs for the WWF Tag Team Championships
Pre-Match Thoughts: My initial reaction, after reading about Dynamite’s injury, was that I couldn’t believe he even showed up for this match. This is a bit sad, to be honest. Danny Davis is the official, of course…
Match Review: The match begins with Davey Boy running into the ring, as Dynamite stands up against the ring on the outside. The guy looks like a bag of bones. And as everything is crazy between Neidhart, Bret, and Davey, Dynamite gets clocked in the back of the head by Jimmy Hart’s megaphone. Davey continues to beat up both members of the Hart Foundation, giving Bret a hard clothesline, and Neidhart a bodyslam. Davey gives Bret a huge delayed vertical suplex, and dumps Neidhart to the outside as Danny Davis continues to watch Dynamite. He’s not even paying attention to the match! Davey sends Bret into Neidhart with a whip so that Neidhart goes outside of the ring again, then shoots Bret into the corner, where he takes his full speed chest bump. Ouch. This is wild stuff. Davey shoots Neidhart into Bret now, and gives Bret a dropkick to knock him to the outside. Now it’s Neidhart and Davey, and Davey gives Neidhart his finisher, the POWERSLAM. Conveniently, Danny Davis goes to the outside to check on Dynamite again, so there isn’t a cover. Davey then grabs Davis by the hair, only for Bret to rush in and save the crooked official. Davis leaves the ring again, as the Hart Foundation gives Davey a double back elbow. Then, the Foundation gives Davey a DOUBLE DDT. Now they line him up for the HART ATTACK, and BLAMMO. 1-2-3, NEW TAG TEAM CHAMPS after 2:57 of wild action.
My Thoughts: Crappy way of having to win it, but I’m glad to see the Hart Foundation’s hard work be rewarded. Most people thought they wouldn’t have the belts for long, and that the Can-Am Connection was going to be the next pair of champions. That’s sort of how it turned out, but it took a bit longer. In addition to that, Jim Neidhart had legal problems after being accused of hitting a flight attendant. So, the company must have truly believed his account of the incident to have put a belt on him. Sadly, the way that the Bulldogs lost this match gives off the impression that once Dynamite is healed up, they’re going down the card. Awful way for their great title reign to end, just shy of a year after winning the belts. ** for the match, at least it was quick and entertaining. If I was a Bulldogs mark, I would’ve been highly upset with Danny Davis. It’s nearly time for that gimmick to end, by the way.
– February 7th, 1987, from Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts
The Fabulous Rougeau Brothers vs. The Hart Foundation (WWF Tag Team Champions)
Pre-Match Thoughts: This is a non-title match. What do they say about non-title matches? That the champions lose them? I do believe that’s exactly what “they” say. Belts look right on the Hart Foundation, I’d say. Neidhart is sure to state on the house microphone that this isn’t a title match. Let’s see how many of the fans in attendance paid attention to that. Part of this card is on the WWE Network if you want to check it out.
Match Review: It’s going to be Bret against Raymond to start the match. Of course, the commentary team of Gorilla Monsoon & Ken Resnick starts hyping up the Can-Am Connection. Anyone could have seen that coming! Bret and Raymond do an excellent bit of athletic chain wrestling, and Raymond lands a cross body for 2. Raymond takes Bret down with an armdrag as well, then once Bret gets to his feet from being armbarred, Jacques tags in. He dropkicks Bret from behind, Raymond slams him, and Jacques gives him a splash for a 2 count. Very fluid. Neidhart tags in now, and taunts Jacques because Jacques can’t bodyslam him. Neidhart slams Jacques fairly easily, getting a decent face reaction for that. Cool crowd here. Jacques then powerslams a running Neidhart on his head. DAMN. Raymond comes in, and now the commentary is talking about Demolition, who have just made their debut. As they should! Neidhart drops Raymond throat-first onto the top rope, and tags in Bret, who chokes Raymond repeatedly. He also distracts the official so that Neidhart can choke Raymond. GREAT HEELING. Neidhart switches into the ring, and Bret does the smae thing from the apron. Neidhart then shoots Raymond into the ropes, and Bret catches Raymond with a knee to the back for a 2 count. The Foundation switches again with the referee distracted, and Bret lands an inverted atomic drop for 2. He gives Raymond a bodyslam, and tags in Neidhart for a beautiful slingshot splash. Wow. Bret comes back into the ring, and gets thrown full speed into the turnbuckle. With the official distracted, Neidhart drags Bret on top of Raymond, and that gets another 2 count. Bret tries a powerslam of his own, then blocks a cradle attempt, and gets dropkicked over the top rope by Raymond. Great stuff yet again.
Jacques makes the tag, and gives the Foundation a double noggin-knocker. Then lands a couple of great looking dropkicks, and gives Bret a bodyslam. Jacques goes to the second rope, comes down with a fist drop, and that gets a close 2 count. Jacques puts a sleeper on Hart, but his back is turned to Neidhart, so the Anvil rushes in to clobber him. All of the four are in the ring now, and it turns out that the Foundation gets thrown into each other. Jacques gives Bret a bodyslam, tags in Raymond, and that’s going to be the end surely. Raymond comes off the top with the assisted cannonball that the Quebecers were more famous for using, and that’s a pinfall victory for the Rougeau’s at 11:37. During the pinfall, Jacques came off the second rope with a beautiful dropkick onto Neidhart. That made the finish even better!
My Thoughts: That was a very fun match. Not the best match I’ve ever seen, but it was the right length, and featured the right amount of action. It’s nice to see a well worked match where the wrestlers don’t ruin their bodies with a lot of bumps. There weren’t that many bumps to be taken here. ***1/4, and honestly, I think it’s a great match to watch for someone who hasn’t seen a lot of Rougeau matches. Recommended.
Bruno Sammartino vs. Randy Savage (w/Elizabeth) in a LUMBERJACK MATCH for the WWF Intercontinental Championship
Pre-Match Thoughts: This is what the people came to see. The crowd was a sell out because of this match. That’s rare for a Boston card, especially one that Hulk Hogan wasn’t on. What caused the sell out, was an earlier Savage vs. Bruno match that ended with Savage clocking Bruno with a chair. Then, Bruno kicked his ass. So, sell out. The card around this event wasn’t the best in the world, either! Our lumberjacks include: Pete Doherty, Terry Gibbs, Ricky Steamboat, The Islanders, King Kong Bundy, Frenchy Martin, Dino Bravo, SD Jones, Sika, Koko B. Ware, and some guy in a red shirt who’s wearing a mask. I can’t tell who that is!
Match Review: Savage attacks Bruno to start the match off, then heads up to the top rope…but Bruno hits him in the gut on the way down. Bruno tries going for a clothesline, but Savage bails to the outside. So, the lumberjacks throw Savage back in. Bruno gives Savage a big boot to a huge ovation, then Savage tries to leave the ring, and gets tossed back in. Ha. That happens a third time, and back in the ring, Bruno repeatedly rams Savage’s head into the turnbuckles. Savage digs in his tights for a weapon, and grinds it into Bruno’s face. CHEATING. Savage chokes the former World Champion, and knocks him to the outside. While Bruno’s out there, King Kong Bundy punches him in the face. HAHA. Savage heads up top now, and leaps across the ring to land a double axehandle. Bruno kicked out of that at 2. Savage drops an elbow for 2, but gets shoulderblocked. Bruno tumbles to the outside, blocks a punch from Bundy, and then knocks Frenchy Martin down. The crowd is loving this OLD MAN VIOLENCE. Bruno throws Savage over towards Steamboat’s side of the ring, and now they’re brawling! Steamboat pushes Savage back into the ring, and Bruno puts a BEAR HUG on Savage. So what happens then, is that Bundy hops into the ring to break it up, and that leads to a disqualification at 4:14.
Steamboat hops into the ring as well because of that, but Bundy tries holding Steamboat in place for Savage to hit him. So, Bruno attacks Bundy from behind! Steamboat kicks Savage’s ass now, and all the lumberjacks run into the ring. That’s what the people want to see! Then, everyone leaves the ring, leaving Bruno and Steamboat as the two guys in it.
My Thoughts: That was thoroughly entertaining, and only about 6 minutes long for the entire thing! Obviously Bruno isn’t going to wrestle a very long match at this point of his life, but in short doses he can be entertaining. **1/4, and this is something else people may want to check out. I’m glad I did.
So, on the show that was to air on February 14th, Danny Davis tried to officiate one of Tito Santana’s squash matches, but Jack Tunney had something to say to him. So Davis runs down to the ring, and pushes another official. Then Tunney grabs a microphone and makes the announcement that Davis is suspended from his officiating duties…FOR LIFE. That got an enormous pop from the crowd. After that, as we know, Davis essentially joins the Hart Foundation.
– February 17th, 1987, from the Civic Center, in Springfield, Massachusetts
Jake Roberts vs. Randy Savage (IC Champion, w/Elizabeth)
Pre-Match Thoughts: This is a non-title match, which was aired internationally. And thanks to the wonders of the internet, I can access it! Originally, George Steele was supposed to be in Jake’s place. This is nearly five years before their famous series of matches, so I want to see what it looks like from this perspective. Man, Savage gets a big face reaction before the match. So does Jake!
Match Review: Right from the start, Jake enters the ring with his snake out. Not his penis, but the python. I think I needed to clarify that. Of course, Jake puts the snake back in the bag, and it’s go time. Savage grabs onto the arm, but Jake very quickly reverses into an arm drag. Jake then chases Savage around the outside of the ring, and Savage bails to the outside once again when he realizes that he’s in the same corner that the snake is. Savage gives Jake a hip toss though, only to bail out again when Jake tries to give him the DDT. Back inside once again, and Savage runs away quickly for the same reason. Back inside, Savage takes Jake down with a clothesline, and knees Jake in the back as Jake is getting back into the ring. Savage heads up top now, and goes for the…double axehandle, which gets 2. Jake cradles Savage for a 2 count, but Savage goes to the chinlock to prevent a major change in momentum. He rams Jake’s face into the canvas for a 2 count, and tries again, but it’s Savage’s face which goes into the canvas this time. Jake fires off some punches, but has his backdrop get blocked. Savage heads up top yet again, but this time gets punched in the gut on the way down. Jake signals for the DDT, AND GIVES IT TO HIM. 1-2-3, at 6:22. Clean as a sheet!
Jake sorta threatens Elizabeth with the snake, but here comes Honky Tonk Man to attack Jake from behind. Then, Jake chases HTM to the back.
My Thoughts: I can’t believe how clean that finish was. Made Roberts look like an instant threat, and now I’m wishing they had done a feud back in ’87. But they didn’t. Fun little match. **1/2. These guys were huge personalities, and I’m not too sure that the WWF was in a place where they could have had one lose a feud to the other. So it made sense to not go that route.
– Taped to air February 22nd, 1987, from the Lee Civic Center in Fort Myers, Florida
The Snake Pit with Honky Tonk Man
To start off this segment, Jake insults HTM a bit before he enters THE SNAKE PIT. Jake still is only getting a bit of a babyface reaction. Which confuses me a little, as he got a bigger reaction at a TV taping when this hasn’t aired yet! HTM wants the snake to stay away from him. So, HTM is ready to sing, and can’t play his guitar properly. Haha. So, Jake scares HTM away with his snake. However, when Jake turns his back to talk to where he thinks HTM has gone, Honky comes around the other side, and clobbers him with his guitar. That had to hurt. I guess that’s a fine way to turn Roberts.
– February 23rd, 1987, from Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York
Junkyard Dog, Ricky Steamboat, and Roddy Piper vs. Adrian Adonis, Harley Race, and Randy Savage (IC Champion) in a 6 man elimination match
Pre-Match Thoughts: So, it would seem that managers won’t be at ringside. Roddy Piper has also announced that his match at WrestleMania III will be his last match. This was supposed to be a legitimate retirement. With this being Piper’s “last” match at MSG and all, I’m expecting him to go over pretty big. The crowd is going crazy for him before the match. This is a big one!
Match Review: It’s awesome that Slick is on commentary with Monsoon for this match. Piper and Savage start the match, and what a matchup that would be. However, Piper tags in Steamboat. Damn. Savage and Steamboat lock up, which is just as good, and Steamboat arm drags him. Race tags in, and Steamboat rams his head into JYD’s, who also tags in. The crowd goes insane for JYD giving Race a whole bunch of headbutts, and Race bails to the outside. Race comes back in, and gets punched over the top rope to the outside. Ha. Slick says that JYD is illiterate. HAHA. While he’s saying that, Race gives JYD a belly to belly suplex, and tags in Savage. Savage drops a knee for two, and heads up top for…nothing. Steamboat and Savage started punching each other out of anger, and the Dragon tags in to give him a chop. Savage tags in Adonis, and Adrian has gotten really fat, guys. Adonis gives Steamboat a back suplex, but Steamboat comes over to his corner to make a tag to Piper. Piper and Adonis start brawling, and then everyone comes into the ring. It’s like a battle royal! They brawl like crazy, and then Race and Adonis give Piper a double suplex. Well done. Cover gets 1, and now Steamboat and Savage are fighting with each other. Piper then shoots Adonis into the corner, but he comes out with THE SLEEPER. Piper reverses and puts on one of his own, then JYD tags in, as well as Savage. JYD slams Savage, and tries a cover, but Race comes in to break it up. Now Adonis tags in, and we get one of those “black guys have hard heads” bits. Awful. JYD tumbles through the ropes, as does Adonis, and now Piper fights with Adrian on the outside. Everyone’s fighting on the concrete floor, it’s wild as hell, and the referee basically does nothing about it. That was great. Back in the ring, Piper gives Race a GERMAN SUPLEX. LOOK AT THIS WORKING. A cover gets 2. Then, it is announced that Adonis and JYD were counted out at 7:50.
Now, Race is in the ring with Piper, and they’re ready to fight. Race gives Piper a clothesline, and Savage tags in to continue Race’s good work. He then tags in Race, who is given a suplex by Piper. Steamboat is in now, and he’s chopping Race like crazy. Talk about becoming your gimmick. Steamboat did that. A cover gets 2, and Piper comes in so that he and Steamboat can give Race a double clothesline. Then, while Piper is being ushered out of the ring, Steamboat goes up top…for the BIG FLYING CHOP. Cover is broken up. Steamboat rolls Race up now, but Savage overturns it…and Race gets the pinfall over Race at 11:42.
I feel bad for Piper, who now must face Race and Savage all by himself. Piper and Race are in the ring, brawling with each other. Piper shoots Race into the corner, and Savage dives in to help his partner gain some momentum. That’s cheating shit. Piper punches Race over the top, and he takes a great bump onto the floor. Piper also blocks a chair shot, and punches Savage to big applause. This is amazing stuff. Savage chokes Piper with the top rope now, and comes down from the top with a double axehandle for a 2 count. Piper keeps having to fend off double teams, and Race takes advantage by giving him a powerslam for a 2 count. He tries a gutwrench suplex as well, but Piper reverses into one of his own. The heels try yet another illegal double team, but Savage’s double axehandle lands on Race instead. Piper covers, and gets the 3 count at 15:43.
Here’s what people really want to see, a short 1 on 1 between Piper and Savage. I know I want to see that. To get Race off the ring apron, Piper throws Savage into him. Then Piper gives Savage a bulldog! And, to follow up, Piper bites Savage. Haha. Savage responds by spitting in Piper’s face, and this is getting unreal now. Piper chases Savage around the ring, with Savage using his smarts to attack Piper back inside of it. Piper tries a sunset flip, but Savage punches him in the jaw. Savage takes Piper down with a clothesline, and that gets a close 2. Savage tries a bodyslam, but Piper falls on top for a 1 count. Ridiculous match. Piper choke lifts Savage, showing strength I didn’t even know he had! They collide in the middle of the ring after that, and Piper plays possum afterward. Savage crawls back into the ring, and intends to give him the flying elbow! He comes down, and Piper not being hurt, he misses. Piper then gives Savage a small package, 1-2-3, and Piper wins at 20:22!
After the match, Piper cuts a promo in the back. He’s talking about the hair vs. hair match at WrestleMania III, and goes crazy while doing it. It’s a great interview, be sure not to turn that video above off after the finish.
My Thoughts: Fantastic match. Not only was it full of action, but it was crowd engaging, and in many ways had dream match aspects. Steamboat against Race? Race against Piper? Savage against Piper? Those were all singles matches that I’d love to have watched. All the interaction in this match were great, even the ones with JYD. I think this has catapulted into being one of my favorite matches, in fact. **** and highly recommended. Why would anyone not like this match? Race had put in some bad performances before this show, but his performance in this match was brilliant. Keeping JYD’s involvement to a minimum was great. Nobody can hate that!
– March 7th, 1987, from Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts
Roddy Piper, Billy Jack Haynes, and Hulk Hogan (WWF Champion) vs. Paul Orndorff, Hercules, and Adrian Adonis (w/Bobby Heenan & Jimmy Hart) in a 6 man elimination match
Pre-Match Thoughts: This is an interesting play on the previous elimination match, but there are only two links to the first one. Obviously, they are Adonis and Piper. I don’t have the same expectations for this match, but I’m hoping to watch something that was good fun. The crowd is on fire, as you’d expect.
Match Review: The babyfaces attack when the bell rings, and Hogan throws Adonis into Hercules. They clear the ring, and things calm down after that, until we’re ready for a regular match to take place. Hercules acts like a really big man, until Hogan comes in the ring. Then they lock up, and Hogan follows Hercules into the corner with a clothesline. Haynes tags in, and goes to work on his rival. He lands a knee lift, but Hercules tags in Orndorff, who does not appear to be in great shape at this point. Mr. Wonderful is given a cross body by Haynes, and it gets 2. They then exchange holds, with neither man getting an edge, until Adrian Adonis tags in. Adonis takes Haynes down with a shoulderblock, but is quickly given a backdrop. And of course, Haynes slams him as well, before making the tag to Piper. Adonis tags in Orndorff, which leads to a different version of a Piper/Orndorff match. The roles are reversed! They test each other’s strength, and of course, Piper finds a way to do better at it, and tags in Hogan, who comes into the ring and gives Orndorff a double axehandle from the second rope. He cuts Orndorff off from making a tag, and tags in Haynes, who works on Orndorff’s arm. The one that still has muscle, that is. Orndorff crawls over to tag Hercules, and all three men work a triple team, choking Haynes in the corner. Evil stuff. Haynes comes back by chopping Hercules relentlessly, but he is then given a SUPER HARD clothesline. Adonis tags in after a Hercules bodyslam, and drops an elbow on Haynes. He follows with a powerslam, and tries an atomic drop, during which Piper makes a tag in. Adonis and Piper trade bombs to the crowd’s delight, then Adonis gets thrown into the corner and over the top rope. Everyone starts brawling, until Adonis and Piper are counted out at 11:25. They continue to brawl with each other, using chairs and the like. Piper tries coming into the ring with the chair, but he and Adonis have been eliminated.
Hercules attacks Hogan from behind, clotheslining him to get the match going once again. The best parts of the match are now gone, so a decline in quality is expected. Hercules keeps dropping elbows on the champion, then tags in Orndorff who does the same thing. Orndorff begins to miss those, and Hogan rams the heels heads into, well, their heads. Hogan tries for a backdrop, and gets kicked by Orndorff. Orndorff tries to punch Hogan, but hits Hercules instead, and Hogan rolls up Mr. Wonderful at 15:26. Well, damn.
Orndorff continues to beat up Hogan after the fall, for quite a while in fact. Hercules uses that distraction to hit Haynes in the nuts, and Orndorff punches the official shortly afterward. What a poor sport. At least he left the ring. Or not. Then, while that’s going on, Hercules gave Haynes an elbow drop. He covers, the referee counts the pin, and that’s it on that front at 16:23. What the hell.
Hercules and Hogan are all alone now, with this match having taken a tumble downward from the first eliminations. Hercules puts Hogan in the TORTURE RACK, but Hogan doesn’t quit and Hercules eventually drops him. WHY? He tries covering, it gets 2, and it’s HULK UP TIME. Hercules goes from turnbuckle to turnbuckle, is given a clothesline, and Hogan DROPS THE LEG. 1-2-3, it’s over at 18:04. Heenan takes a big turnbuckle bump to the outside, Hogan poses, and everyone goes home happy.
My Thoughts: This started off very well, but slowly turned into something that was less than expected. Piper probably should have been given the spotlight role, but that meant Hogan would have to get eliminated in an important match, which for whatever reason wasn’t supposed to happen. If the reason was because it would make people less interested in the Andre match, it’s a stupid reason…but it’s a very legitimate reason because that’s how crowds work. **1/4. Nowhere near as good as the first elimination match, sadly. I’d say it started at a *** pace, wound up down there or worse, and I settled.
– March 14th, 1987, from the Spectrum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The Islanders vs. The Hart Foundation (w/Jimmy Hart & Danny Davis) for the WWF Tag Team Championships
Pre-Match Thoughts: I am fairly certain this will be an excellent match. Not only is it on one of Bret’s officially released WWE DVD’s, but these are two great teams who knew how to put on a fantastic show. Bret has some comments on the DVD before the match, where he talks up Philly and the Spectrum. I liked that. Danny Davis gets pretty big heat.
Match Review: For a long time, the match is stalled as the teams don’t decide who will start the match. Neidhart and Haku will start the match off, and Haku (who is continually called Tama), chops Neidhart until he leaves the ring. Back in, Haku gives him a dropkick. A headbutt follows, and it’s time for Bret to tag in. Bret works a headlock, until he’s given a stiff savate kick to the face. Haku gives Bret an atomic drop, and tags in Tama, who follows with a wishbone split to Bret’s legs. Ow. Tama applies a headlock for some time, and begins to run Bret over and knock him down with repeated chops. These announcers…how can they not tell Haku and Tama apart. Bret goes over to hug Jimmy Hart, which gets more heat on the match. I love that spot. Neidhart and Haku tag in, and Taku comes back in quickly with a flying chop off the top rope. He puts a wristlock on Neidhart for a bit, until tagging in his partner, who switches to an armbar. Tama tags back in again, and the Islanders give the Anvil a double chop. Unfortunately, Tama catches the Foundation’s attempt at a double team, but Neidhart attacks him from behind and tags in Bret. Bret gives Tama an atomic drop, a leg drop, and an elbow drop. That’s how he goes to work. With the referee distracted, the Foundation also chokes Tama with the tag rope, as Neidhart comes into the ring. Neidhart then drops Tama’s throat onto the ropes, and the two men switch relentessly, cheating like crazy. Neidhart throws Tama to the outside, and Danny Davis gets in some shots. HAHA. Bret tags in, and dropkicks Tama, which gets a 2 count. These announcers are such fucking morons, I swear. Tama tries a sunset flip, but Neidhart tags in during the flip. Good hope spot, and no count was made. Neidhart knocks Tama over the top rope with a huge elbow, and Bret tags in to give him a backbreaker. Haku breaks up the cover, and Neidhart tags in, only to miss a clothesline. Then we have a collision, and Tama tries a slam after that. Unfortunately, the referee is distracted, so Bret dropkicks Neidhart to make him land on top of Tama. Tama reverses, but the referee was distracted and could only count 2.
Haku tags in now, and here we go. Big backdrop for Bret, Neidhart gets taken out, and for some reason Tama tags back in. Haku slams Bret, and rushes over to knock Danny Davis off the ring apron. Then Tama tries a flying bodypress, it lands, and Danny Davis rushes in to reverse the cover so that…Bret gets the pinfall for his team at 18:22.
My Thoughts: Very strong match here. Tama took some really big bumps, and Bret was on point with his offense. The crowd was into the match, and Danny Davis was used appropriately in the finish. I’m glad the Davis thing was only short term, but it seems to have been well utilized during that short term. ***1/2, it was very good, and nobody in it looked weak at all.
– March 21st, 1987, on Superstars of Wrestling, from Hara Arena in Dayton, Ohio
HACKSAW JIM DUGGAN’S TV DEBUT, TOUGH GUY!
Sorry for the bad video quality, but this is what I needs to see. The WWF thought that Duggan would be a major draw for them. That didn’t really work out as expected, but those are the breaks. Personally, I love Hacksaw.
Duggan’s supposed to be facing Iron Sheik in a match, but Duggan’s cutting a promo in the back…and he’s ANGRY. He says that Volkoff isn’t going to be allowed to sing his national anthem, and here comes Duggan! Of course, Duggan CLEARS THE RING with his 2×4, but now we don’t have a match. The crowd loves it. Now, in front of the crowd, he says that Volkoff will never be allowed to sing the Soviet anthem as long as HACKSAW LIVES. HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
To call the WrestleMania build “good” may be understating it. It’s actually great, and there’s no surprise that it turned out to be such a huge show for the WWF. The turns and twists leading to the show were perfectly planned. Throwing in a few debuts along the road (not just in February and March), like Duggan’s, was a case of perfect timing. I’m eagerly anticipating SNME #10, which I have never seen before. It’s the last show before WrestleMania III, and my expectations are really high. As they should be.
Best: Hogan/Andre build. For real.
Worst: Harley Race trying to make JYD bow to him. It’s too far for me, but that’s wrestling for you.
