WWF Superstars of Wrestling (October 18, 1986)

 

Original Airdate: October 18, 1986 (taped October 6)

From Syracuse, New York; Your Hosts are Vince McMahon, Bruno Sammartino, and Jesse Ventura

Hercules Hernandez v SD Jones: What’s up with Hercules being billed from ‘Tampa?’ That seems so basic, which is surprising for this promotion during this period. Anyway, Mike Rotundo split screens in, promising Danny Spivey will return to action from injury soon, and that they’ll scoop up the tag title when he does. He sounds about as enthusiastic as a waiter putting in their twelfth order of coleslaw at a diner. Well, Mike would eventually win the tag title, just not until six years later, and with a different partner. But it did happen! Hercules with the torture rack at 3:11. DUD

Gene Okerlund is in the studio with Update, which features Don Muraco and Bob Orton watching reruns of their assault on Roddy Piper over and over again, laughing all the while

Dino Bravo is happy to be back, and under the tutelage of Johnny Valiant 

Dino Bravo v Tony Parks: This is Dino's return after a nine month absence, and as noted, he's got Johnny Valiant as his manager now. Bravo with a side suplex at 2:26. The announcers did their best to make Bravo’s return seem like a big deal. DUD

Ken Resnick catches up with Roddy Piper, and Ken’s voice sounds raggedy at this point. He was probably at the end of a four hour promo marathon, poor guy

Greg Valentine gets a rub down from a blonde in a bikini, as Vince looks on, licking his lips. They… they knew the camera was there… right? Right?!?

The Killer Bees v Tiger Chung Lee and Bob Bradley: Ventura’s hatred of the Bees is one of my favorite parts of these old shows. Not that he was wrong in his criticism of their mask bullshit. The Bees with a combo on Bradley at 2:35. DUD

Resnick catches up with WWF Intercontinental Champion Randy Savage, who reminds Ricky Steamboat that Macho has won a title, something the Dragon can’t claim. And won’t claim, when they meet

Butch Reed v Rick Hunter: Jesse is great as he talks about how Reed’s hair color could ‘only’ be attained by spending ‘hours and hours’ in the sun, likely on a beach. Reed with a 2nd rope clothesline at 2:58. DUD

Roddy hosts Piper’s Pit, with guest Jimmy Hart, who has been promised immunity from any beating if he comes on the show. And Jimmy sweetens the deal, by bringing Roddy gifts. A lei from Don Muraco! A pink cowboy hat from Bob Orton! And panties from Mr. Fuji, for Roddy to wear under that ‘skirt!’ Piper is fuming, but he keeps his cool just long enough to make Hart sit down in a chair, before tying him to it, and pouring hand soap down his throat. This was great stuff, with a fired up Piper, and a strong performance from Hart as well

We get a look at Hillbilly Jim ‘down home’ at his grandmother’s house, where they do things like play the guitar, and drink moonshine

Ricky Steamboat v Iron Mike Sharpe: Sharpe is a top level jobber, and Steamboat appropriately gives him lots of shine, before finishing him with a flying bodypress at 3:03. Appropriately. ¼*

Resnick catches up with Don Muraco, and his voice sounds raggedy as well. Though, his is probably due to drugs. I don’t know what drug causes a horse voice, but I just think ‘drugs’ is always a safe bet for just about anything in 1986 pro-wrestling

BUExperience: The Piper’s Pit segment is great. Everything else is just business as usual, but this was a great period, so ‘business as usual’ isn’t a knock.