WWF Superstars of Wrestling (February 7, 1987)

 

Original Airdate: February 7, 1987 (taped January 26)

From Tampa, Florida; Your Hosts are Vince McMahon, Bruno Sammartino, and Jesse Ventura

Randy Savage v David Gold: The WWF Intercontinental title is not on the line. Macho is wearing red and yellow here, looking like it’s mid-1988 for him already. Meanwhile, Miss Elizabeth split screens in here, offering thoughts on Ricky Steamboat’s return. She just hopes no one gets hurt when he has his inevitable confrontation with Savage. Yeah, I wouldn’t count on that. Savage with the flying elbowdrop at 1:36. Lots of energy from Randy this week. ¼*

Gene Okerlund is in the studio for Update, and the big news this week is the location of WrestleMania III: some place called ‘Pontiac,’ where some kind of ‘Silverdome’ exists. And they’re going all in, with Okerlund already promising a new indoor attendance record of over 90,000. Talk about calling your shot

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WWF Tag Team Title Match: The British Bulldogs v The Hart Foundation: Davey Boy Smith comes in fighting both heels, and he hits Bret Hart with a hanging vertical suplex, then dumps Jim Neidhart to the outside, as Dynamite Kid sells a megaphone shot that happened before the bell on the outside. Smith keeps dominating both challengers, and he hits Jim with the running powerslam, but referee Danny Davis is too busy checking on Kid, so no count. Davey goes to drag him in, but that allows Bret to attack, and the Foundation double team. They hit Davey with the Hart Attack, and we have new champions crowned at 2:49. There wasn’t much to it, but it was a great moment, and coupled with a great angle. ½*

Okerlund catches up with Savage, Harley Race, and Jimmy Hart - who are ready for a showdown with Steamboat, Roddy Piper, and Junkyard Dog. Hart is standing in for Adrian Adonis, of course

Hercules v Buddy Blake: What a quality jobber name. Billy Jack Haynes split screens in here, ready to prove that he’s the master of the full nelson. Hercules with his full nelson at 2:59. DUD

Okerlund catches up with Steamboat, who is still speaking at a whisper, but he’s got fire on his tongue 

Outback Jack v Steve Lombardi: FINALLY. This is Jack's TV debut, of course, and Hillbilly Jim is here to personally introduce him. Jack picks up the win at 2:48. This wasn’t exactly a blockbuster debut. DUD

Roddy Piper hosts Piper’s Pit, with guest Jesse Ventura. As promised, both men produce WWF Champion Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant, respectively, but not expected: Bobby Heenan is here too. Hulk is in shock, and immediately starts freaking out, but Andre just stands there stonefaced. Bobby airs all of Andre’s grievances, and when Andre finally speaks, it’s to challenge Hulk for a title match at WrestleMania III. Hulk is in shock, so Andre tears Hogan’s shirt and crucifix off, and he rips so hard that Hulk is left with blood running down his chest as the heels leave. Hogan is near tears, and Piper is in complete shock, just mumbling ‘you’re bleeding’ over and over. This was incredible, and it’s amazing how efficient the segment is. It lasts all of a few minutes, but gets so much across, and advances all the necessary storypoints

The Killer Bees v Jimmy Jack Funk and Al Navarro: Everyone is still reeling from the Pit angle, and Jesse is just as shocked as everyone else that Andre is now aligned with Heenan. The Bees put Navarro away with a combo at 5:24. This went on for way, way too long. I mean, the announcers just used it as background for their discussion of the Hogan/Andre angle anyway, but this did not need over five minutes. DUD

Backstage, Craig DeGeorge catches up with Okerlund, who was just with Hulk, who is ‘psychologically deflated.’ That sounds serious

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Butch Reed v David Stoudemire: Koko B. Ware split screens in here, promising to add some ‘natural’ knots to Reed’s head. Reed finishes this up at 1:51. DUD

Okerlund catches up with Demolition, who are still super out of place with Johnny Valiant

BUExperience: Huge episode this week! The Andre heel turn, a title change, and even Outback Jack’s debut.