WWF Championship Wrestling (April 20, 1985)

 

Original Airdate: April 20, 1985 (taped March 26)

From Poughkeepsie, New York; Your Hosts are Vince McMahon and Bruno Sammartino

The British Bulldogs v Steve Lombardi and Barry O: The Bulldogs are moving very well here, and are a welcome addition to the tag scene. The Bulldogs give the jobbers a little too much here, but they make up for it with an awesome finish, that sees Davey Boy Smith press Dynamite Kid into a perfectly placed headbutt drop on Lombardi at 3:58. ½*

Lord Alfred Hayes is in the studio for Update, with a look at newcomer King Kong Bundy

Brutus Beefcake v Ron Dee: They were billing Beefcake ‘from parts unknown,’ surprisingly. I thought that was almost always saved for ‘mysterious’ types, not guys like Beefcake. Beefcake with a high knee at 2:14. DUD

Gene Okerlund catches up with Bob Orton, trying to find out more about the cast he’s sporting on his arm. It’s because Jimmy Snuka broke his arm! He needs it for protection, especially in the ring, where things are much more dangerous! Checks out to me

The Hart Foundation v SD Jones and Mario Mancini: This is the TV debut of the Foundation as a team (they wrestled one match as a team the day before, which aired on the April 27 All-Star Wrestling). Jim Neidhart already has the ‘Anvil’ moniker, but Bret Hart is billed as ‘Brett,’ and isn’t called ‘Hitman’ yet. The Hart Attack finishes Mario at 2:30. DUD

Okerlund catches up with Brutus Beefcake and manager Johnny Valiant, who just kind of flap their gums

Don Muraco v Sal Gee: Sammartino tries to shed light on Muraco’s workout regimen to explain why he’s looking so huge lately. Yeah, it’s just heavy lifting mixed with running, that’s all. So stop asking. Don with a tombstone at 2:05. DUD

Roddy Piper hosts Piper’s Pit, though not from the usual set, but from the locker room. This isn’t an official Piper’s Pit, what bullshit. Anyway, the guest this week is Jesse Ventura, who rants about the refereeing in the WWF. No wonder he and Gorilla got along so well

Hillbilly Jim vignette 

Tito Santana and Junkyard Dog v RT Reynolds and Mr. X: JYD with the scoop powerslam at 4:10 to end this lengthy, dull squash. DUD

Gene catches up with Don Muraco, who has been surfing to stay in shape, plus eating donuts. I knew Bruno was lying to us

Gene catches up with Ken Patera and Bobby Heenan, who are laughing about all of Muraco’s powdered sugar. Oh, I’ll bet they are

BUExperience: Kind of a weak episode this week, as things slow down after the big push to WrestleMania.