WWF Superstars of Wrestling (October 25, 1986)

 

Original Airdate: October 25, 1986 (taped October 6)

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

Moondog Spot v Koko B Ware: Butch Reed split screens in, threatening to ‘pluck and fry’ Koko. He does realize that Ware isn’t an actual bird… right? Koko fights off an attack at the bell, and dominates for a bit, but eats a knee, and Spot punches him. Spot delivers a clothesline for two, as Jesse goes all in with the ‘Buckwheat’ stuff. Spot tries a backdrop, so Koko hooks a sunset flip for two, but Spot cuts him off with a front-facelock. Koko fights to a vertical base, so Spot uses a kneelift, and a bodyslam sets up a 2nd rope pointed elbowdrop, but Ware dodges. That allows him to go on the comeback trail, and a 2nd rope dropkick leads to the brainbuster at 2:59. ¼*

Gene Okerlund is in the studio with Update, giving us a look at Blackjack Mulligan, who promises to watch Hulk Hogan and Roddy Piper’s backs as soon as he gets back to the WWF. Doesn’t seem like he’s in much of a rush, seems pretty focused on his cattle

Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff v Pedro Morales and Tito Santana: Tito throws a dropkick to put a stop to the anthem, and the babyfaces clean house. The dust settles on Volkoff and Pedro, and Sheik immediately tries to interfere, but it backfires on him. Volkoff grabs a standing headlock, but Pedro quickly escapes, and tags. The heels double up on him, and Sheik throws a clothesline for two. He fails to cut the ring in half, however, and Morales gets the tag. He vertical suplexes Sheik, and a backbreaker follows, but Slick is distracting referee Danny Davis, so no count. Pedro keeps going with a Boston crab, but Volkoff saves, and covers at 3:12, despite not being the legal man. ¼*

Jesse catches up with WWF Tag Team Champions The British Bulldogs, so he can get a closer look at Matilda

Ken Resnick catches up with WWF Intercontinental Champion Randy Savage, who is ready to show Ricky Steamboat what ‘Macho Madness’ is all about

The Islanders v Steve Lombardi and Barry O: Jesse gets confused here, expecting the hockey team. Vince no-sells that one like he’s subbing for Hawk in a Road Warrior squash. Tama finishes this one up with a flying splash on Steve at 3:00. DUD

Resnick catches up with the Bulldogs, so they can give us yet another look at Matilda

Jake Roberts v Mike Kelly: Kelly is pre-fame Shane Douglas. Dick Slater split screens in, threatening to eat Jake’s snake, as we continue upping the ante with our animal theme for the week. Jesse wonders if Kelly is a ‘mama’s boy,’ which makes me laugh. Roberts with the DDT at 2:28. DUD

Roddy Piper hosts Piper’s Pit, with guest Mr. Fuji. Fuji brings fortune cookies with him, and of course, all of the messages are insults 

The Fabulous Rougeau Brothers v Jimmy Jack Funk and Steve Regal: Jesse wonders how Vince can tell the Rougeau’s apart. Okay, I was on his side before about the Killer Bees thing, but now I’m starting to think he just has eye problems, and shouldn’t take it out on others. Meanwhile, Dino Bravo split screens in to start a ‘I’m a better French Canadian than you’ themed feud. The Brothers pick up the win here at 3:08. Regal must have bought Funk a beer or something, because usually the JTTS guy doesn’t eat the pin. DUD

Sika is on the beach, eating sushi

Paul Orndorff v Lanny Poffo: Hulk Hogan split screens in here, and he’s not pleased with Paul stealing his music. And, you know, other stuff, too. Orndorff dumps him to the outside right away, and delivers a vertical suplex on the floor. Orndorff with a flying axehandle on the way back in, followed by a short-clothesline, and the piledriver at 1:04. I wasn’t expecting a complete and total squash, but I don’t criticize it from a booking perspective. Orndorff needed to look strong, he’s feuding with the world champion. ¼*

Resnick catches up with the Bulldogs again, and at least this time they’re talking about other teams, and not their dog

Piper nearly calls Don Muraco a ‘fat piece of shit,’ which is pretty wild, especially for 1986. I love Roddy’s fire here, ranting about the big money he makes from the cartoon show, and stuff

BUExperience: Good stuff, top to bottom. A little Bulldog heavy, though. What the fuck?