Original Airdate: February 14, 1987 (taped January 26)
From Tampa, Florida; Your Hosts are Vince McMahon, Bruno Sammartino, and Jesse Ventura
Craig DeGeorge catches up with President Jack Tunney, who has an update on referee Danny Davis, but before he can give it, Davis heads out to the ring, so Jack takes off after him. Davis wants to referee the opening bout with Tito Santana in action, but Tunney suspends him for life! That draws Jimmy Hart out, and he leads a furious Davis away from ringside
Tito Santana v Terry Gibbs: Gibbs tries to sneak attack as Tito is caught up with the whole Davis deal, but Santana quickly fights him off, and uses the jumping forearm at 0:20. The match was just there to give the angle a platform, and that’s all good. DUD
Gene Okerlund is in the studio for Update, who hypes tickets for WrestleMania III. Apparently, they’re looking to set some sort of attendance record
WrestleMania III ad
Don Muraco and Bob Orton v Lanny Poffo and Leo Strohein: Lanny has a poem about Hulk Hogan’s decision making process for the Andre the Giant challenge. I’d really appreciate a poem about Hulk’s decision making process for a lot of other things. Hillbilly Jim split screens in here, offering his thoughts on Hogan/Andre. I appreciate how they’re making this a promotion-wide deal. Muraco with a tombstone on Leo at 3:16. DUD
Gene catches up with WWF Champion Hulk Hogan, who isn’t ready to talk about the challenge. The poem didn’t mention this
Adrian Adonis promises to make Roddy Piper’s retirement consideration a much easier decision for him
Junkyard Dog v John Valkower: Valkower is a big dude, and looks like could have been a star, but I can’t find much on him at all. This might be his only professional match, in fact. The American Express split screens in here, weighing in on Hogan/Andre. JYD with a powerslam at 1:49. DUD
Gene catches up with the Fabulous Rougeau Brothers, who are ready to make the most of their tag title shot against the Hart Foundation
Demolition v Sivi Afi and Mario Mancini: Still no theme music, and still with Johnny Valiant as a manager. Also, Smash with a buzz cut, and both guys in weird makeup. The whole thing feels like Demolition off Temu. Demolition with a combo at 1:13. DUD
Roddy Piper is out to host Piper’s Pit, with guest Hulk Hogan. Roddy recaps the last few weeks of his show, and then Hulk kind of stumbles out, looking like a broken man, and without any of his usual entrance. He has the broken crucifix necklace hanging in his hand, as he tells us how shocked he is at what’s been going on with Andre. Roddy presses him about the challenge, until Hogan gives us an enthusiastic ‘YESSS!’
Backstage, Jimmy Hart reveals that he’s offered Danny Davis a contract to wrestle as a member of his stable
Ricky Steamboat v Tom Laxton: I get a kick of how they always announce Steamboat as simply ‘from Hawaii.’ George Steele split screens in here, requesting to be in Steamboat’s corner at WrestleMania. Steamboat with a snapmare to set up a tomahawk chop drop at 2:03. ¼*
WrestleMania III ad
Honky Tonk Man and Jimmy Hart visit one of Elvis’ old planes, which Honky thinks would be too small for him
The Can-Am Connection v Tiger Chung Lee and Gladiator: Bob Orton and Don Muraco split screen in here, ready for the Connection at WrestleMania. The Connection put this one away at 3:16. DUD
Gene catches up with WWF Tag Team Champions The Hart Foundation, who promise to be fighting champions, because they just can’t get enough of the money
BUExperience: Now that the WrestleMania build has kicked into gear, it’s one big, highlight reel moment after another.
