WWF Superstars of Wrestling (September 6, 1986)

 

Original Airdate: September 6, 1986 (taped August 26)

From Providence, Rhode Island; Your Hosts are Vince McMahon, Bruno Sammartino, and Jesse Ventura

Ricky Steamboat and Sivi Afi v Terry Gibbs and Roger Kirby: The commentary immediately improves with Ventura joining the booth. And, to his credit, Bruno understands that he should take a back seat to him, instead of trying to mark his territory, or whatever. Whenever McMahon says ‘Sivi Afi’ (and he always seems to call him by his full name), it sound like he’s saying ‘DiBiase,’ and it’s distracting the heck out of me. Afi puts this one away at 3:06. DUD

Gene Okerlund is in the studio with Update, giving us a look at the returning Superstar Billy Graham

The Hart Foundation v Paul Roma and Koko B Ware: This is Koko's TV debut, as well as Neidhart's first match back following four months away. Koko manages a takedown on Jim early on, and he passes to Roma, who runs into trouble in the heel corner. The Foundation hit him with a combo, and they go to work, as Jesse puts Bret Hart over the best technical wrestler in the promotion. That all the announcers continuously hammered on that went a long way in getting Bret over, since they all had credibility in those days. Koko split screens in, talking about how he’s going to take the WWF by storm… just as the Foundation finish Roma with the Hart Attack at 1:42. D’oh! ¼*

Ken Resnick catches up with WWF Intercontinental Champion Randy Savage who is ready for George Steele

Honky Tonk Man is a man, and he’ll tap dance on Paul Orndorff’s head, if Paul steps to him. Noted

Hillbilly Jim and Cousin Luke v Pete Doherty and Ron Shaw: This is Jim’s return, after a four month absence. Jim puts Pete away with a bearhug at 1:47. DUD

Resnick catches up with Freddie Blassie and Slick, who hype up their Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff’s challenge to the British Bulldogs’ WWF Tag Team title. That draws the Bulldogs in, and they scare the two managers away. Yeah, real big men when Sheik and Volkoff aren’t around

Kamala v Tommy Sharpe: This is Kamala's return to the WWF for the first time since November 1984. Unfortunately, this also means Wizard is here, fuck. Kamala with a splish splash he was taking a bath at 2:06. DUD

Adrian Adonis hosts the Flower Shop, with guest Roddy Piper, who promises the return of Piper’s Pit

The Fabulous Rougeau Brothers v Bob Bradley and Mike Fever: We get a split screen with the French commentary team here, which was not a thing I thought existed yet in 1986. The Brothers with a combo at 1:55. DUD

Back on the Flower Shop, Caption Lou Albano brings the Machines out for Bobby Heenan to inspect up close and personal, trying to determine who are under the masks. Bobby is brilliant here

King Kong Bundy and Big John Studd v Corporal Kirchner and SD Jones: Bundy finishes off Jones with the avalanche at 2:53. Kirchner got some shine, Jones ate the pin. As expected. DUD

Resnick catches up with the Machines, who are very, very Japanese, and not at all white guys

BUExperience: Tons going on for this debut episode, and an easy watch.