SPORTS-(RASSLIN)
Archive
More from "OrangeGoblinFan". I feel a bit guilty about doing a hatchet job on this one.
Roughly 12 matches in this report have already been covered elsewhere on
this crappy website. To keep things fresh, I editted those matches out.
Re-runs (and re-reads) are always a pet peeve of mine. Hope this doesn't
piss him off... and that he'll still send us more nifty Guest Columns.
!---------------------begin guest column-----------------!
WWF Tape Review: Random WWF Television Matches from 1987-1992!!
Finally, a custom tape of matches I've always wanted, or just would want. Thanks to Chris Duncan for this tape (you can email him @ Smakethdown638@aol.com if you'd like to set up a trade with him), as it features almost 6 hours of awesome-ness. On this tape ranges over 30 matches between 1987-1992, including several rare matches, some SNME footage, and even more Madison Square Garden footage. If you like Demolition, you're in store for a special treat. This review was hand wirrten so if there seems to be a major slock off period toward the end, thats the reason why.
- The Islanders vs. Demolition:
Taped from Madison Square Garden in either February or March 1987, and it's the MSG Debut of Demolition. Randy Culley is still Smash and looks almost nothing like his Smash descendant Barry Darsow. Islanders as babyfaces seems odd to me, and even more, Haku is clean shaven. Monsoon & Heenan on call pimp for Wrestlemania III, and basically mention several of the last minute under-card matches, so this is likely March. Demolition take forever to remove the studded masks, which was a often-occuring part of their matches. Ax has some FUNKY face-paint, black with red and blue inside a silver lining. Tama and Smash start with a lockup and Smash plants a knee into the midsection. Irish whip leads to a stale-mate shoulderblock. Tama bounces off the ropes and a Smash shoulderblock puts him down this time. Haku tags in illegally and the Islanders easily send Smash out of the ring with a double drop-kick. Smash back up and The Islanders with a double chop. Haku tags in and Demolition take him to their corner for some punishment. Haku fights back against Ax and is put down with a headbutt. Haku applies an armbar and connects with a series of elbows across the bicep of Ax. Tama in off the top rope with a double-axehandle and reapplies the hold followed by a hammerlock. Irish whip by the Islanders and they put Ax down with a double back elbow. Haku teases a ball-shot and eventually nails a stomp to the midsection of Ax. Haku follows up with several elbows across the knee of Ax and applies a twisting ankle hold. Tama tags in with a headbutt to the knee and re-applies the hold. Ax fights back and Smash tags in stomping away. Smash soon dumps Tama outside, where Ax throws him into the security railing, sending him into the crowd. Haku comes over to help him back to the ring and Smash catches him in a choke lift and slam. Ax comes in and Demolition with a double shove into the corner. Tama attempts a comeback but Ax sends him outside the ring in a kickout attempt. Smash comes over to attack, but Haku comes over for the save and they brawl. Back in the ring, Ax with an Irish whip and back elbow for a two count. Smash comes in and drops Tama throat first across the top rope followed up by a bearhug. Tama fights free but Ax stops him with an elbow drop across the back of the neck. Irish whip by Smash and Tama plants a kick in the face of Smash. Haku with the HOT TAG~! and he goes nuts on Smash with chops and headbutts. Irish whip and Drop-kick connects on Smash. Another irish whip and Haku with a reverse crescent kick. Tama tags back in and they connect with simultanious headbutts. Tama heads to the top rope and connects with a cross body press on Smash for two. A Pier-six brawl errupts, and Tama is taken down by Smash. Haku is sent back to his corner while Smash connects with a back breaker, seeting up for the Demolition Decapitation which is good enough for the three count at 8:47. **1/4 Overall a surprisingly decent match, but it's still funny to see a different Smash, who was a worse wrestler than the second one. Islanders carried this match pretty good as babyfaces, which makes me wonder why a heel turn was needed.
- $50,000 Tag Team Battle Royale:
(Participants: The Killer Bees, The Rougeau Brothers, The British Bulldogs, The Islanders, The Machines, The Dream Team, The Hart Foundation, Nikolai Volkoff & Iron Sheik, King Kong Bundy & Big John Studd, Mike Rotundo & Special Delivery Jones, Cheif Jay Strongbow & Steve Gatorwolf)
From a Madison Square Garden event, and most likely put on an early Coliseum Video. I'll ignore the PBP as Battle Royales are mainly punching and kicking with a little hugging in the ropes thrown in. The first elimination is S.D. Jones being tossed out by Greg Valentine (1:27), also eliminating Mike Rotundo, who never leaves the ring until about a minute later. Steve Gatorwolf is out next being eliminated by The Sheik & Volkoff (2:09). One of the Machines tosses out Iron Sheik (2:55), splitting his head open on the concrete floor in the process. Bret Hart & Dynamite Kid do a hug session in the ropes, and both go tumbling over (3:31) and continue to brawl afterwards. Greg Valentine with his second elimination of the night, tosses out "Jumping" Jim Brunzell (4:29). The Rougeaus try eliminating Studd, but it's no use and Studd dumps out Jacques soon after (5:23). Brutus Beefcake is quickly back-dropped out of the ring by Super Machine (5:52), and his partner is tossed moments later by King Kong Bundy (6:13), leaving the two fat guys managed by Bobby Heenan against two Samoans to be managed by Heenan later on, The Islanders. The Big guys control the Islanders, but a Double-team has King Kong Bundy shoulder-block Big John Studd over the top rope to the floor, giving the Islanders the win and "$50,000" at 7:57. I really don't know how to rate Battle Royales, so I'll just say this one was decent, but didn't have enough time to it.
- Bam Bam Bigelow vs. Andre The Giant:
(repeat- see WWF Rarities 1)
- Frank Tunney Memorial Tag Team Tournament Match:
The Can-Am Connection vs. Demolition (w/ Johnny V.):
For those who don't remember The Can-Ams are Tom Zenk (American) and Rick Martel (Canadian). Demolition still features Randy Culley as Smash, and Johnny V as manager before Fuji bought their contracts. From Toronto, Ontario for a Tournament to name a new #1 Contender for the Tag Team Titles, which were at the time held by the Hart Foundation (Bret Hart & Jim Niedhart). Taped several weeks before WM III, and Monsoon/Jimmy Hart is the commentary duo. The entrance has a ramp, which is pretty cool I think. Demolition stall to remove the masks again, but do so eventually. Smash & Zenk start the match and Smash pummels him with forearms. Irish whip and Smash connects with a shoulder block. Smash connects with more forearms and chokes away on Zenk. Irish whip and Zenk with a leap frog, followed by a double drop-kick by the Can-Ams to both Smash and then Ax. Zenk applies an armbar and tags Martel in to continue the working. Smash fights free and whips Martel to the corner, and missing an avalanch. Ax tags in to pummel Martel and connects with a snapmare. Martel catches Ax in an armbar and switches to a wristlock. Tag to Zenk who connects with a double axe-handle to the arm. Ax plants a knee-lift to Zenk and applies a reverse chinlock. Zenk reverses into an armbar and tags Martel in. Martel with an armbar, but Ax sends Martel into the boot of Smash. Smash stomps away on Martel and throws him outside where Ax works him over off camera. Martel back onto the apron and Smash clotheslines him across the top rope, sending him back down to the floor again. Ax brings Martel back inside and clubs him across the chest with several forearms. Ax with more forearms to the side of the head. Martel attempts to fight back with rights for a two count, but is sent through the ropes on a kickout. Back inside and Smash with an irish whip. Martel catches Smash with a sunset flip, but Ax tags in and stomps across the head. Ax irish whip but Martel connects with a forearm. Smash prevents the hot tag and the Demos shove him hard into the corner. Ax connects with a scoop slam and misses a headbutt. Martel makes it to the corner and gets the hot tag to Tom Zenk who unloads a series of rights on both Demolition members. Double noggin-knocker to Demolition and the Can-Ams whip the Demos into each other from opposite corners of the ring. Smash and Martel brawl outside the ring and on the ramp while Ax and Zenk spill on the floor. Zenk tries a bulldog, but Ax shoves him face-first into the steel ring post and rolls back into the ring, winning the match via count-out at 9:21. *1/2 Overall a nothing match, with a very odd flow to it for most of the middle portions. After the match, The Can-Ams want a piece of Johnny V., but he runs away scared moments later.
- Surprise time, as the tape has several old WWF Television openings for Primetime Wrestling and Superstars of Wrestling. I now know where they got the music for the in-game match music for WWF Wrestlemania on NES after seeing a 1987 Superstars of Wrestling opening title.
- WWF-Intercontinental Championship Match:
Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat (c) vs. The Honkytonk Man (w/ Jimmy Hart):
(repeat- see WWF Rarities 1)<
- Paul Roma vs. Boris Zhukov:
From April 1989 Madison Square Garden, and I'm wondering why in the hell did I ask for THIS match!? Paul Roma comes to the ring using "Crank It Up!" from the Piledriver album...which was released 18 months earlier. Zhukov stalls to mouth off with a fan at ringside. Lockup and Zhukov with a scoop slam. Another lockup and Zhukov shoves off Roma followed by another slam. Zhukov with a charging clothesline followed by a series of forearms to the back of the head. Irish whip and Zhukov with a shoulder block. Criss cross leads to a Roma slam followed by a hip toss and dropkick, sending Zhukov to the outside. Zhukov sells a knee injury, so Roma with a ingle leg takedown followed by a series of elbows across the knee. Spinning toe hold by Roma followed by a leg drop across the leg of Zhukov. Zhukov rakes the eyes of Roma to escape and hammers on Roma with forearms. Zhukov rams Roma's head into the turnbuckle followed by several headbutts. Slam attempt fails and Roma falls on top for a two count. Roma continues to work the knee of Zhukov but is put out of the ring with several headbutts. Zhukov follows and rams Roma's back into the ring. Forearms to back by Zhukov and he sends Roma hard into the corner. Bearhug time, so it must be the stall for time hold portion of the match. Roma fights free with a series of rights and goes for a cross body press, only to be caught and nailed with a back breaker by Zhukov for two. Sloppy vertical suplex by Zhukov gets another two count. Roma again comes back with rights but is caught in another bearhug. Zhukov lets go and attempts a splash, but Roma gets the knees up in the nick of time. Roma hammers away at the midsection of Zhukov and whips him to the ropes, connecting with more rights. Roma to the second rope with a single hand axe-handle. Roma goes to the top rope two more times for more axe-handles, putting Zhukov down. Dropkick staggers the big man, and an irish whip by Roma leads to a SWANK~! powerslam for the three count at 12:21! *3/4 Decent enough match, but this went on WAY TOO LONG for the participants in it. I wonder why Zhukov had to go solo here for such a long match.
- Jake "The Snake" Roberts vs. "Million Dollar Man" Ted Dibiase (w/ Virgil):
From the same Madison Square Garden event as earlier, and might be the same match featured on the 1st Supertape Coliseum Video. They lockup and go into the ropes, and Dibiase with a shove to piss off Roberts. Lockup #2 and Roberts blocks a cheap shot, sending Dibiase running to the ropes. Lockup #3 and Robert again blocks the cheap shots to scare off Dibiase. Dibiase catches Roberts with a knee lift and connects with several rights. Roberts comes back with his own left jabs sending Dibiase outside of the ring. Eventual Test of Strength occurs and Dibiase controls. Roberts fights back, only to be caught with a boot to the midsection. Roberts with his own boot and tries for the DDT, but Dibiase escapes and runs to the outside. Back inside and Roberts applies an armbar, and turns it into a wrist lock. Dibiase reverses and continously pulls Roberts down by the hair, so Roberts reverses back and does the same thing. Lockup and Roberts goes back to the armbar. Irish whip leads to a knee lift by Roberts and he attempts the DDT again, but Dibiase runs once more. Roberts rams Virgil & Dibiase together, causing Dibiase to get pissed at Virgil. Dibiase attempts a sneak attack but Roberts catches him and puts him down with rights. Roberts rolls back inside but Dibiase catches him with a fist drop to turn the tide. Dibiase with a choke hold followed by a stomp to the face. Dibiase connects with elbows across the jaw from outside the ring followed by a knee to the face and more elbows. Roberts is sent to munch on a turnbuckle and Dibiase puts Roberts down with a series of rights. Dibiase comes off the second rope with a double axe-handle for a two count. Irish whip time and Dibiase connects with a clothesline. Dibiase bounces off the ropes and connects with a knee drop to the throat for another two count. Reverse chinlock applied followed by another fist drop for two. Dibiase goes back to the reverse chinlock, which lasts a while until Roberts fights free with elbows to the midsection, but runs into a knee lift soon after. Dibiase applies the Million $ Dream on Roberts, but he's able to get his foot on the bottom rope. Dibiase drags Roberts back into the middle of the ring and covers for a two count. Dibiase tries another reverse chinlock, but Roberts connects with a jaw breaker. Jabs by The Snake and he connects with a short-arm clothesline. DDT Attempt #3, but Virgil interrupts, allowing Dibiase to sneak from behind. Slam attempt is reversed and Roberts tries a roll up, but Dibiase holds onto the ropes. Dibiase gloats, so Roberts yanks down his tights and school boys him for the three count at 16:14. ** A decent contest, but the match seemed to be a little on the slow side and had a tad too much stalling. They had a better, mat-based wrestling match sometime later in December, and coincidently, from MSG.
- Bret "Hitman" Hart vs. Akeem:
From the January 15, 1990 Madison Square Garden event, and telecasted on an episode of Primetime Wrestling. Monsoon & Hillbilly Jim on the PBP for this one. Bret recieves a bouqet of flowers from a fan and stalls for time before the match. They lockup and Akeem with a vicious shove off into the corner. Lockup #2, and Akeem yanks the hair to put Bret down again. Akeem connects with several clubbing rights to the back and whips Hart to the ropes. Akeem catches Bret with a bearhug, but is bit on the nose to break. Bret plays "chase" and has Akeem tumble over the top rope. Bret hammers away on Akeem with rights but is stopped with an eye rake. Akeem punches the ring post by mistake and Hart works the hand back inside the ring. Bret bites away on the hand and wraps it around the top rope. Bret with a wristlock and he stomps on the hand. Hart with several headbutts, but he hurts himself in the process, allowing Akeem to put him down with a big boot. Elbows to the head by Akeem followed by a double axe-handle. Bionic elbow connects and Akeem rams Hart face first into the turnbuckle. Akeem chokes Hart across the top rope and plants a boot in the midsection. Elbow drop connects and he covers for several two counts. Akeem with double punches to the side of the head followed by forearms to the neck. Irish whip to the corner and Bret catches him with a big boot. Hart hammers away with roundhouse rights and rams Akeem into the turnbuckle thirteen times. Bret bounces off the ropes with a clothesline for a two count. Bret runs around Akeem and trips him up for a school boy for a slow two count.Irish whip is reversed and Hart goes for a sunset flip. Akeem blocks with a sit-down splash, and thats more than enough for a three count at 8:32. 1/2* Pretty bleh match, and Hart usually doesn't work well in this style of fighting. IE crappy brawling and working with a living stiff.
- WWF-World Championship Match:
Hulk Hogan (c) vs. Mr. Perfect (w/ The Genius):
Another match from the 1/90 MSG Show, which was the week before the 1990 Royal Rumble PPV. Earlier in the card, The Genius pinned Jim Niedhart, meaning the Hart Foundation pissed someone off to be jobbed in two matches on the same show. Perfect runs away to start but eventually comes back in for a lockup, which Hogan wins with a giant shove off. Perfect back in the ring for another lockup and Hogan with a hip toss followed by two scoop slams. Perfect runs outside again so Hogan follows and gives him and The Genius a double noggin knocker, followed by simultanious head slams into the ring apron. Slam on the Genius by Hogan and he heads back inside where Perfect stomps away, soon joined by Genius. Wouldn't that be a DQ? Stupid referee... Hogan leg sweeps Perfect down and throws him into the Genius in the corner. Irish whip and Hogan with a back elbow, sending Perfect over the ropes and getting hung up. The Genius takes two atomic drops, sending him to the outside. Hogan hammers away on Perfect with rights and goes outsides to slam Genius' head into the ring post. Hogan with more rights to Perfect followed by an Irish whip. Hogan connects with a back elbow and that sends Perfect outside again. Another double noggin-knocker to the heels and back inside we go for a clothesline by Hogan. Perfect is rammed hard into the turnbuckle followed by another clothesline. Irish whip and Perfect catches Hogan with a boot to the face followed by a clothesline. Perfect stomps away on the champion and chokes him across the top rope. Roundhouse rights by Perfect and he rams Hogans face into the turnbuckle. Back inside Hogan no-sells and tries slamming Perfect off the top rope, but Perfect blocks with an eye rake. Perfect applies a sleeper hold and that stalls for a quite a bit of time. Hogan with elbows to the midsection of Perfect but is shoved into the corner. Perfect heads upstairs for a moonsault (?) but Hogan crotches him up. Hogan follows him up and does the Cranium Crush to continuously ram Perfects crotch into the steel pipe holding the turnbuckle to the post. Back rake by Hogan followed by an atomic drop. Perfect stumbles around so Hogan repeatedly kicks his leg from under him. Hogan bounces off the ropes but misses an elbow drop, allowing Perfect to recover. Perfect-Plex connects, but it only gets a two count! This might be the first time anyone kicked out of the hold on Television. Hogan with the Hulk Up! Three roundhouse rights to Perfect. Irish whip and Hogan with a big boot, sending Perfect flying over the top rope. Both men exchange rights and Perfect takes over. He grabs a chair, but misses, hitting the steel post instead. He heads back inside while Hogan plays with the chair. Perfect gets a pair of fake brass knuckles from the Genius and lands a roundhouse to the jaw of Hogan, knocking him to the outside. Hogan beats the count back in and takes control again, steels the knuckles and blasts Perfect with them. Leg drop connects, but the referee sees the knuckles and disqualifies Hogan at 13:38! Hogan complains about the ruling even though he has the knuckles in his hand, saying they were Perfects. Hogan cleans house of the bad guys and does the pose-down anyway, because he rules damn it. **3/4 Very good by Hulk Hogan standards, but it could've been better if there was a clean finish. This would lead to the next MSG Card where the Genius & Perfect took on Beefcake & Hogan in a tag team match.
- Billy Jack Haynes & George "The Animal" Steele (w/ Ken Patera) vs. Demolition (w/ Mr. Fuji):
I believe taped from Wrestling Challenge, or so says the banner. I really wouldn't know how to describe this one. Anyway, this was during the first actual feud Demolition had, where they would put jobbers out of action week after week. One week they tried putting Brady Boone out, but Billy Jack Haynes (Boone's cousin) and Patera made the save. Patera was injured soon after, so Steele is his replacement, and Patera is the ringside corner man. First match on tape with Barry Darsow as Smash (Finally) and Fuji has taken over their contracts from Johnny V, who was in his final days with WWF managing the New Dream Team. VERY ODD PBP Duo, Craig DeGeorge & The Magnificent Muraco! The tape starts to have skip problems near end of match, so the time may be off a little. We're partially J.I.P with Smash choking away on Steele. Irish whip and Steele bites the arm of Smash. Haynes tags in and hammers away on Smash with chops. Smash rakes the eyes and double axe-handle to the back of the head. Irish whip to the corner hard and he follows with a back elbow. Ax tags in with a snapmare followed by a reverse chinlock. Ax slips in Fujis cane and chokes Haynes with it as well. Haynes fights free and connects with an elbow drop. Steele bites on Smash in the corner. Haynes with a drop toe hold followed by an armbar. Steele tags in and pounds on Smash with rights followed by a scoop slam. Smash catches Steele with a knee lift followed by some double team punishment by Demolition. Ax tags in and stomps away on Steele and Fuji sneaks in a shot with his cane. Ax chokes Steele across the bottom drop and Smash tags in to do the same. Fuji with another cane shot behind the referee's back and we get some double stomping and chokes by Demolition. Smash with a front facelock, allowing Steele to make the fake hot tag. Referee is distracted so Demolition with a double fist to the midsection and cover for two. Ax applies a reverse chinlock and turns it into a front facelock followed by a knee lift. Ax rams Steele's face into the boot of Smash and he comes back in with a series of roundhouse rights. Ax chokes steele in the corner and Smash with a snapmare followed by a fist drop for two. Haynes makes the not-so hot tag and hammers on Smash with rights and chops. Irish whip followed by an elbow and clothesline for a two count. Steele hammers on Ax in the corner while Haynes attacks Fuji, who drops the cane in the ring. Full Nelson applied to Smash, but Ax uses the cane to smack it across the head of Haynes, allowing Smash to fall on top for the three count at 7:04. After the match, the good guys chase away Demolition as Haynes still recovers from the cane shot. * Nothing match, but it wasn't out-right bad. Just seemed way one-sided in Demolitions favor as they controled almost the entire pace of the match.
- Ken Patera & Billy Jack Haynes vs. Demolition (w/ Mr. Fuji):
Taped from Philadelphia in November of 1987, just a few months before Demolition's first Tag Team Title win at Wrestlemania IV. Craig DeGeorge and Dick Graham on commentary. Camera angle is a little bad and the vidoe quality isn't anything special, but it's not bad either. Demolition sneak attack to start, but the faces take over. Patera hammers on Ax in the corner and Haynes/Patera whip the Demos into each other. Patera boots Smash and Haynes follows up with a knee lift. Patera finally takes off his workout pants and chokes Smash with them. Irish whip by Patera and he connects with a bionic elbow, followed by a double elbow drop by the faces. Ax comes in and is met with a BJH dropkick. Atomic drop to Smash followed by an Irish whip. Smash reverses but misses a charge into the corner allowing a school boy attempt for two. Scoop slam followed by a fist drop. Knee to the face of Smash. Irish whip is reversed again and Fuji trips up Haynes with his cane. Smash catches Haynes with a clothesline to take over. Ax tags in and plants a boot in Haynes mouth followed by forearms to the back. Ax connects with a series of axe-handles and the Demos throw BJH hard into the corner. Smash whips Haynes into the corner hard and stomps away on him. Front facelock applied and Ax tags in to lay a beating. Ax chokes Haynes across the middle rope and snapmares him back to the center of the ring, followed by a reverse chinlock. Smash tags in and they shove Haynes into the corner again. Haynes fights back with rights but Smash trips him up. Ax tags in and nails a scoop slam, but misses an elbow drop. Patera gets the taf in and boots everyone in sight followed by roundhouse rights. Back breaker to Smash followed by a forearm. Smash is clotheslined and Patera with the garvin stomp! Irish whip to the corner and Ax catches him coming in with a big boot. Smash tags in to stomp on Pateras arm and wraps it around the ring ropes. Ax tags in to pull some arms out of the socket. Both Demolition switch off the tactic until Patera clotheslines Smash down. Haynes gets the real hot tag and hammers away on both Demolition members. Clothesline to Smash followed by another to Ax. Firemans back breaker by Haynes to Smash for a two count. Snap suplex connects and Haynes locks in the Full Nelson! Patera cuts Ax off with a clothesline, but Fuji comes in behind the referees back and clocks Haynes with the cane. Smash covers to get the three count at 8:02. The heels try a beatdown, but again, the babyfaces clean house to a anerexic face reaction. *1/4 Slightly better than the last match, but not much difference. At least Patera wasn't as God-awful as Steele was. Time to move on to...MORE DEMOLITION MATCHES!
- Billy Jack Haynes & Brady Boone vs. Demolition (w/ Mr. Fuji):
From Superstars of Wrestling in the Late Fall of 1987, and the commentary duo here is VERY odd. Sounds like Johnny V, Mike McGuirk, and some other guy (editor's note: I'm guessing it's
Pete Doherty..but don't quote me on that). Smash hammers on Boone to start. Irish whip and Boone connects with a diving back elbow. Haynes press slams Boone onto Smash for a two count and Boone applies an armbar. Irish whip to the corner is reversed and Smash misses a charge. Haynes comes in with a series of arm drags followed by an armbar. Boone tags in to apply his own armbar. Smash connects with a knee lift and reverses. Boone reverses back and Haynes tags in with another armbar. Ax comes in and Haynes catches him with an arm drag and ANOTHER armbar. Irish whip and Haynes does the same damn thing. Ax rakes the eyes and tags Smash. Smash comes in only to be scop slammed. More of the arm crap. Irish whip leads to Ax nailing Haynes from behind with a clothesline. Smash connects with a series of elbows and throws the Oregon an outside. Fuji comes over with a cane shot and Haynes is sent back into the ring. Smash connects with a clothesline and covers for two. Chinlock applied, and Ax tags in to do more of the same. Smash attempts a suplex but Haynes reverses with his own. Tag is prevented and Ax comes in to miss an elbow drop. Boone tags in and connects a spinning kick followed by a knee lift. Irish whip and Ax puts him down with a clothesline. Ax rams him into Smashs boot and we get some mudhole stomping. Smash with a series of axe-handles to Boone and Ax does more of the same. Boone is tossed outside now, but is sent back in quickly. Irish whip and Ax with a clothesline for a two count. Chinlock applied for a few moments and another irish whip. Boone catches Ax with a sunset flip, but Smash tags in and kicks Boone in the head for two. Irish whip sequence leads to a rollup attempt failing. Smash continues pummeling Boone and applies another chinlock. Irish whip and Boone leap frogs Smash to tag in Haynes. Haynes hammers everyone and clotheslines Ax. Irish whip and back elbow to Smash. Running Powerslam to Smash for two. Boone hammers Ax and mounts him in the corner. Double clotheslines to both men. Boone goes to the top rope and Smash tries a slam. Boone falls on top on the attempt. Irish whip and Smash catches Boone with a stun gun for the three count at 10:22. 3/4* Nothing match, and I don't see the praise for Boone. All he did was armbars basically. Haynes definitely didn't bring his imaginary workrate either.
- Demolition (w/ Mr. Fuji) vs. Omar Atlas & Rex King:
From a January 1988 edition of Wrestling Challenge. Rex King, I am thinking went on to be Timothy Well of Well Dunn in 1993-95, or whoever the brunette was. Atlas applies an armbar on Smash, but its all downhill for him there. Smash with a scoop up and he plants him on the turnbuckle where he and Ax demolish him with clubbering rights. Ax pounds him into his corner and King tags in to take a beating now. Ax pounds on King with double axe-handle smashes and rams him into Smash's boot. Smash hammers the midsection of King and throws him outside where Ax slams him on the floor. Back in the ring and Smash hammers him some more. Ax tags in with a snapmare and applies a chinlock. Atlas tags in and Ax puts him down with shoulder blocks. Smash tags in and hammers him with axe-handles. The jobbers take more beatings until King gets beat on by Ax and finished off with the Demolition Decapitation at 4:04. * Decent squash match, and Demolition really destroyed the jobbers with brutal stuff.
- WWF-Tag Team Championship Match:
Demolition (c) vs. The Colossal Connection (w/ Bobby Heenan):
Repeat (see Rassle Tape 8)
- Demolition Smash vs. Haku (w/ Bobby Heenan):
Repeat (see Rassle Tape 8)
- WWF-Tag Team Championship Match:
The Colossal Connection (c) (w/ Bobby Heenan) vs. The Rockers:
Repeat (see Rassle Tape 9)
- Footage from an interview with Demolition....Ax, Smash and Crush!!! We get a lame excuse for why the team is a threesome, and followed with some footage from Crush's debut where Vince McMahon is all shocked to see three men in Demolition. Clips of Demolition beating Paul Diamond and Joe Champ with the Decapitation. A Promo from the Hart Foundation follows up.
- Brother Love show time with The Hart Foundation. It isn't long until Demolition come out and talk smack to the challengers of their titles at Summerslam. Brawl errupts and the threesome of Demolition lay out the Foundation in the aisle. Footage backstage of some medics tending to Hart and Anvil, and they are pissed off.
- The Legion Of Doom vs. Bob Bradley & Al Burke:
This is the In-Ring Debut for The LOD in the WWF, and their theme music is quite different from the one everyone is acustomed to. LOD attack from behind and Hawk press slams Burke. Animal Irish whips Bradley and connects with a dropkick. Animal with stomps to the midsection followed by a diving shoulder block. Hawk tags in with an Irish whip and connects with a dropkick. Snap suplex by Hawk followed by a jumping fist drop. Big boot connects and Animal tags in. He connects with a knee lift, and the Doomsday Device connects for the quick pin at 1:47. 1/4* Seeing LOD actually do dropkicks makes it above DUD.
- WWF-Tag Team Championship Match:
Demolition (c) (w/ Ax) vs. Tito Santana & "Jumping" Jim Brunzell:
Repeat (see Rassle Tape 10)
- Live Event Update with Mean Gene Okerlund. Flashbacks to a week earlier on Superstars of Wrestling as Paul Roma is in the ring when The Rockers come out for their match. They try helping him up, so Roma responds by shoving both men down, saying he doesn't want their help. Hercules comes to the ring now and sides with Roma, causing a little smack talk from Herc & Roma and The Rockers trying to explain themselves. None of that says Hercules and he shoves Jannetty, as does Roma to Michaels. Cheap shots by the men in black, so The Rockers respond with simultanious dropkicks. Promo from Hercules & Paul Roma, who bring out Slick, their new manager! He proclaims them as Power & Glory, setting up for Summerslam. I've always read about this, but never saw it, and it still looks like a flakey heel turn.
- WWF-Tag Team Championship Match:
Demolition (c) (w/ Ax) vs. The Rockers:
Repeat (see Rassle Tape 10)
- The Rockers vs. Power & Glory (w/ Slick):
Repeat (see Rassle Tape 11)
- WWF-Tag Team Championship; 2 out of 3 Falls Match:
Demolition (c) (w/ Ax) vs. The Hart Foundation:
Repeat (see Rassle Tape 11)
The Ultimate Warrior & Legion Of Doom vs. Demolition:
Repeat (see Rassle Tape 11)
- WWF-Tag Team Championship Match:
Demolition (c) (w/ Mr. Fuji & Jimmy Hart) vs. The Hart Foundation:
From the Summerslam 1988 Pay-Per-View. Bret & Ax start the match. Ax with a mega shove on Bret. They lockup and Ax with a knee lift followed by double axehandles. Scoop slam by Ax but he misses an elbow drop. Bret connects with a series of rights and pounds on Smash as well. Irish whip and fist to the midsection. Rollup gets a two count. Smash tags in and Bret with two arm drags followed by an armbar. Anvil tags in and connects with a second rope double axehandle. Armbar is applied and Niedhart with rights. Wristlock by Niedhart. Irish whip and Niedhart with a shoulder block. Irish whip is reversed and Ax boots Niedhart in the back of the head. Smash and Ax take turns giving a beating to Niedhart. Niedhart comes back with rights to bot men and Bret comes in. Dropkick connects to Ax. Irish whip is reversed and Bret is sent to the post and has his arm wrapped around the post. Smash stomps away on Hart and Ax continues the beating with fists. Demolition wrap Bret's arm around the ropes and Smash comes in with a shoulder breaker. Spinning wristlock and Ax comes in with extend the arm out of its socket some more. Irish whip is reversed and Hart connects with the Hart Attack clothesline. Tag to Niedhart isn't allowed so Smash rams Hart into the buckle. Irish whip to the corner and Bret connects with a boot to the face. Anvil gets the hot tag and hammers on Ax. Dropkick connects and he slams down both men. Smash is whipped into Ax and Niedhart nails a clothesline. Powerslam on Smash connects for a two count. Double team irish whip into Smash in the corner and Anvil covers for two again. Bret in with a back breaker for no count as all heck breaks loose. While Niedhart is all rough on Fuji Ax takes the mega phone and smacks it across the head of Hart. Smash with the arm over the chest cover for three at 10:49 to retain the tag team titles. * Pretty boring match, with very little interest. The whole basis was to evolve the Hart Foundation/Jimmy Hart feud.
- WWF-Tag Team Championship Match:
Demolition (c) (w/ Mr. Fuji & Jimmy Hart) vs. The Hart Foundation:
From the October 1988 Saturday Night's Main Event. Niedhart and Ax start. Anvil with a series of rights. Ax comes back and both Demos pound down Anvil. Smash tries a suplex but Anvil reverses with his own for a two count. Bret with a boot to Smash's face and rams his fist into Smashs midsection. Hart with a dropkick followed by a second rope elbow drop for two. Armbar by Hart so Smash clotheslines him down to break the hold. Irish whip to the corner hard and Ax comes in with stomps to the chest of Hart. Choking in the corner by Ax and Fuji with some of his own with the cane. Smash hammers on Hart with rights. Snapmare followed by the reverse chinlock. Ax tags in with a boot to the head followed by more choking across the top rope. Smash in and they do a double pounding. Smash with double axhandle smashes followed by more chokes on the top rope. Irish whip and Bret connects with a hart attack clothesline. Anvil with the taf and he hammers both me. Dropkicks connect on both men as well as a series of clotheslines. Anvil with a powerslam to Smash for a two count. Bret hammers away on Ax and whips him into Smash. The Rougeaus come out as Bret hammers on Fuji from the apron. In the mean time, Smash takes the mega phone and clocks Niedhart with it and covers for three at 5:55. *1/2 Slightly better than the Summerslam match, but still wasn't too much. This would continue more of the Hart/Foundation feud with the Rougeaus isnerted.
- WWF-Tag Team Championship Match:
Demolition (c) (w/ Mr. Fuji) vs. The Rockers:
From the October 1988 Madison Square Garden event televised on the MSG Network. Gotta love that station. Ax and Shawn Michaels start the match. Lockup and Ax shoves down Michaels hard. Another lockup and Ax pounds down Michaels and chops him in the throat. Irish whip to the corner and Michaels with a cross body press off the second rope. Ax catches him though and slams him back down. Elbow drop misses, and Michaels with rights. Both teams make tags and they lockup. Jannetty ducks a cheap shot in the corner. Smash with a knee lift followed by axehandle shots to the back. Irish whip and Jannetty connects with a dropkick. Michaels catches him with a dropkick and Jannetty with another for a two count. The Rockers work through the wristlock sequence of frequent tags and axehandles to the bicep off the top rope. Smash takes over and tags Ax in, who pounds down Jannetty. Another wristlock sequence and Ax ends up tossing Jannetty down and stomps away. Smash tags in and Demolition with a double back elbow. Axehandles by Smash and Ax tags in with some more of the same. Hard irish whip into the corner. Smash with an Irish whip and Jannetty connects with a diving back elbow. Michaels tags in and is quickly spilled to the outside by Ax. Michaels takes a caning outside the ring and is suplexed back into the ring by Smash. Boston crab is applied by Smash and Ax tags in with an elbow drop across the back. Slam by Ax and he starts choking Michaels down. Smash comes back in and Michaels tries to fight back. Drop toe hold by Smash and Ax comes in with stomps. Demolition trade off bearhugs. Irish whip to the corner and Michaels with a boot to the face of Smash. Jannetty tags in and lands rights on everyone. Irish whip is reversed and Jannetty with a cross body press for two. The Rockers whip the Demos into each other and nail double dropkicks on both men. Double shoulder tackle to Ax and double clothesline to Fuji on the apron. Double slam to Smash gets a two count. Jannetty goes to the top rope and connects with a big splash for two. Jannetty tries a body press but Smash catches him, allowing Ax a stiff clothesline from the apron. Smash makes the cover to retain at 12:24. ** Little too long considering the finish, but it was an OK match. Nothing I'd go hunting for unless your a Demolition completionist...(looks away). This THANKFULLY is the final Demolition match to review.
- Sid Justice vs. Kato of the Orient Express (w/ Mr. Fuji):
This is Sid Justice's WWF In-Ring Debut from an episode of Superstars of Wrestling sometime in September 1991. Lockup into the corner, and Kato with shoulder thrusts and chops. Sid with a knee lift followed by forearms to the chest. Irish whip to the corner and Sid with a diving shoulder tackle. Choke throw into the corner followed by a chokeslam. Insert promo by Jake Roberts & The Undertaker as Sid knocks Kato to the outside. Sid drops Kato across the security railing and tosses him back into the ring. Boots to the midsection by Justice followed by the powerbomb gets an easy three count at 1:47. 1/4* The debut of the powerbomb on WWF Television gets a boost in ratings.
- Sid Justice vs. Big Bully Busick (w/ Harvey Wippleman):
Before Sid gets to the ring, Busick & Wippleman get up in McGuriks face, and Wippleman blows smoke in her face. Justice makes his entrance and quickly nails Busick with a shoulder tackle in the corner followed by a chokeslam. Sid poses to the crowd and quickly disposes of Triple B with the powerbomb at 0:37. DUD as if there were any other way in ratings.
- Sid Justice vs. El Diablo:
El Diablo seems to be a very big jobber with the karate doji he wears. Before the match starts, The Undertaker & Paul Bearer come to the ring with IRS' briefcase, and pay off Diablo to substitute him in the match. Match never really starts as the two big men choke each other when El Diablo comes back and attacks Justice. It's actually Jake Roberts! The heels do a beat down on Justice and tie him up in the ropes. Before any snake biting can occur, Hacksaw Jim Duggan clears the ring with his 2x4, saving Justice. No Match, No rating.
- Sid Justice vs. Col. Mustafa (w/ General Adnan):
Repeat (see Rassle Tape 16)
- "Rowdy" Roddy Piper vs. "Nature Boy" Ric Flair (w/ Bobby Heenan):
From the October 1991 Madison Square Garden event televised on MSG of course. Slightly joined in progress. They lockup and Piper with a standing side headlock followed by a shoulder block. Flair catches Piper with a knee lift followed by chops. Piper comes back with rights and a series of left jabs. Flair does his flop to the canvas face first and outside they go where Piper rams him into the security rail several times. Back into the ring and Piper with a shoulder block. Criss cross sequence and Piper with a roundhouse right. Both men exchange rights and Flair with a knee drop followed by chops. Snapmare and reverse chinlock by Flair, and Piper reverses with a head scissors. Reversal leads to a Piper bridge into a back slide for two. Piper is thrown outside the ring several times and Flair clotheslines him back down. PIper comes back with chops of his own and whips Flair to the corner. Back drop by Piper followed by a knee lift. Clothesline by Piper sends Flair over the top rope to the floor. Back inside we get a referee bump! Piper with a small package but no referee. A second referee comes in and Piper school boys Flair for a two count. Irish whip to corner and Flair goes upside down onto the apron and Piper clotheslines him off. Flair grabs a steel chair and nails Piper WEAKLY with it and covers eventually for a two count. Irish whip is reversed and Piper catches Flair in a sleeper hold! Flair breaks it quickly and goes to the top rope, only to be slammed off by Piper. Both men exchange rights and chops and Piper catches him with a swinging neck breaker. Piper grabs the chair but the referee restrains him. He sends Flair to the apron as the referee turns around, and Flair nails Piper with a roundhouse right, and covers him with his legs on the ropes for three at 10:22. Zuh?! I didn't even see Flair use fake brass knuckles there. **1/2 For a decent match, that could've used more time, and for a somewhat hot crowd. And people wonder why fans in NY questioned feuds when they saw MSG Shows televised and see someone get pinned and then the announcers act like it never happend on syndicated television. Possibly one of Heenans final appearences as a manager...er...a consecutive consultant, for Flair (and anyone for that matter) before handing him over to a "Retired" Mr. Perfect.
- WWF-Intercontinental Championship Match:
Bret "Hitman" Hart (c) vs. The Berzerker:
Also from the October 1991 Madison Square Garden event. Berzerker attacks Hart before the bell with clubbing forearms. Choke in the corner with his boot and he keeps this up for a bit of time. Irish whip and Berzerker with a shoulder block. Knee drop misses and Hart hammers on berzerker with rights. Series of dropkicks by Hart followed by an arm drag and clothesline. Atomic drop by Hart and an inverted atomic drop follows. Berzerker catches Hart with a headbutt to the midsection followed by a boot to the face in the corner. Bret gets tossed outside the ring where Berzerker rams him into the security rail several times. Slam inside the ring and Berzerker misses a second rope leg drop. Berzerker goes for a slam but Hart falls on top for two. Berzerker with a knee lift followed by a reverse chinlock. Piledriver connects for two for Berzerker. Bret tries a cross body press but Berzerker powerslams him down for two. Bret hangs Berzerker across the top rope and nails the russian leg sweep for two. Small package by Hart gets another two count. Back breaker and second rope elbow drop follows for two again. Criss cross sequence and Hart with a crucifix pin for three at 10:17. 3/4* Nothing match here, as Berzerker just doesn't seem like a good enough worker for Hart to carry.
- "Texas Tornado" Kerry Von Erich vs. The Undertaker (w/ Paul Bearer):
Repeat (see Rassle Tape 16)
- "Texas Tornado" Kerry Von Erich vs. The Berzerker:
From November 1991 MSG Event, one of the final cards televised on MSG Network. Berzerker attacks Tornado from behind with roundhouse rights. Irish whip and Berzerker with a big boot. Irish whip and Berzerker with a diving shoulder block for a two count. Tornado comes back with rights followed by a clothesline sending him out. A back body drop sends him out again. Outside the ring and Tornado whips Berzerker into the security railing. The bell sounds out of nowhere at about the 2:00 mark, and Tornado wins it by count-out. The hell? DUD At least it was a short one.
- Hulk Hogan vs. "Nature Boy" Ric Flair (w/ Mr. Perfect):
From the same show from above match, and I don't even remember this match. I must've missed the show. Hogan chases Flair out of the ring and poses. We find out Tuesday in Texas is THIS tuesday. Chase outside the ring and Flair stomps on Hogan and chops him down. Eye rake by Flair so Hogan comes back with back rakes and roundhouse rights followed by his own chops. Irish whip to the corner and Hogan with a clothesline. Flair flops down to the mat and Hogan with mounted punches in the corner. Flair goes down again and Hogan with a standing side headlock followed by a shoulder block. Criss cross sequence and Hogan with a clothesline. A second clothesline sends him outside the ring. Flair eats the rail and Hogan with chops. Hogan with a suplex on the outside followed by a clothesline. Back into the ring and Hogan with a wristlock. Flair rakes the eyes and Hogan comes back with boots. Irish whip and Flair goes upside down to the apron and gets clotheslined off. Back in the ring Hogan with a shoulder block followed by some back rakes. Flair goes to the top rope and Hogan slams him off. Clothesline connects followed by more rights. Irish whip and Hogan with the big boot and leg drop...for TWO! Flair has his foot on the rope so Hogan doesn't see it. Flair takes out Hogans knee and wraps it around the ring post and the middle rope. Perfect with a cheap shot and Flair stomps the knee. Sit down splash across the knee followed by a knee drop. Flair with the figure four and Perfect gives him some added leverage. Hogan reverses so Flair gets a pair of brass knuckles and levels Hogan with them. Flair tucks them down his tights and covers Hogan for 3 (!) at 9:26. Flair celebrates until a host of officials check his pants and find the weapon, reversing the decision and giving Hogan the win via Disqualification. Hogan beats on Flair more after the match and celebrates to some happy fans. *** Overall, a good Hogan match, but nothing great. Flair sold like it was his last day and the crowd was incredibly hot for this one.
- The Undertaker (w/ Paul Bearer) vs. Kato of the Orient Express:
An anti-climactic way to the end the tape I shoud say, as the last match would've been a good note to end on. From Primetime Wrestling, and judging from the sudden occurence of the USA Network logo in the corner, this is from the dying days of the show before being replaced with Monday Night Raw. Kato attacks from behind with chops and boots to the midsection but Undertaker shrugs him off with shots to the throat. Irish whip to the corner and Kato with a boot to the face. Kato goes to the second rope but jumps rights into a choke by Taker. Irish whip by Taker sends Kato into the corner HARD. Kato with a weak clothesline but Undertaker catches him with a chokeslam. Tombstone piledriver soon after and Taker covers for three at about 2:59. 1/4* Undertaker squashing more people is fun!
Final Tally:
Madison Square Garden Matches: 12
Demolition Matches: 15
Undertaker & Sid Justice Squash Matches: 5
Final Thoughts: At somewhere around SIX HOURS LONG, having to hand write this review was incredibly hard. As far as match quality, nothing really touches "great", but their's plenty of good stuff on here, some rare title changes, and overall entertaining crap. Demolition marks would find this enjoyable, as well as MSG marks. As for someone who likes both, this is probably the tape for you. If you want to see these matches, email Smakethdown638@aol.com and he'll hook you up.
!-------------------end guest column-----------------!
Don't bug me, email the columnist!
Comment about this article on the NEW ES Board!
BACK to Rasslin index
