WWF Superstars of Wrestling (May 30, 1987)

 

Original Airdate: May 30, 1987 (taped May 12)

From Anaheim, California; Your Hosts are Vince McMahon, Bruno Sammartino, and Jesse Ventura

The Can-Am Connection v The Islanders: Rick Martel and Haku start, as the Islanders split screen in to literally laugh at the Connection. So I guess they’re the heels here. Martel wins a criss cross, and uses a rana for two, so Haky bodyslams him. Again, but Rick hooks a small package for two, and then a 2nd rope bodypress for another two. Tag to Tom Zenk for an armdrag into an armbar, so Haku bodyslams him, but misses an elbowdrop. That allows Zenk to go back to the hold, but he telegraphs a backdrop, and gets nailed. Tag to Tama, and he tries a slam, but Zenk counters to a rollup for two. Meanwhile, Bobby Heenan shows up at ringside, pleading his case to the Connection about something. That allows the Islanders to attack, and they isolate Zenk for a beating. They leave him for dead on the outside, and it’s a countout at 3:48. Afterwards, Heenan rushes in to raise their hands, and we’ve got a heel turn. The match was going along fine for the minute or so it existed prior to the angle taking over, but was ultimately too short to amount to much. ½*

Craig DeGeorge is in the studio for Update, giving us a look at how WWF Ice Cream Bars are made. Letting George Steele on the factory line doesn’t exactly inspire feelings of confidence in the consumer 

Honky Tonk Man v Billy Anderson: Much like with Jeff Jarrett later, why does Vince make such a federal case out of whether the guy can sing and dance? He’s a wrestler! Bruno weighs in on the banning of the DDT conversation, but feels that the piledriver would be a better target. Oh, they’ll get there. Meanwhile, Jimmy Hart split screens in to make his case to ban. Honky with the swinging neckbreaker at 2:25. DUD

Gene Okerlund catches up with WWF Champion Hulk Hogan, who is used to being up against the odds in battles, and he’ll overcome them again against Harley Race

Killer Khan vignette 

Jim Duggan v Iron Mike Sharpe: Jesse notes that, perhaps, we shouldn’t be so worried about banning the DDT, when there’s a guy walking around with a weapon. Hacksaw puts this away at 1:48. DUD

Okerlund catches up with George Steele, who is looking to make Danny Davis pay for hitting him with a ring bell. What does this have to do with ice cream?

Gene catches up with Koko B. Ware, who is also casting doubts about Honky Tonk Man’s musical abilities. Again, WHO CARES?! Does anyone wonder how good Koko is at cleaning the newspapers out of Frankie’s cage?

DeGeorge is in the control center for a Special Report on the end of Superstar Billy Graham’s career

Harley Race v Joe Mirto: Race keeps pulling him up at two to break the jobber, before finishing with a cradle suplex at 1:44. DUD

Jake Roberts hosts the Snake Pit, with guests One Man Gang and Slick. This is mostly just an introductory promo, with general threats made at Hogan

Ron Bass threatens to brand his opponents from now on. Gosh, even the 2x4 isn’t sounding so bad now, is it?

Ricky Steamboat v Dusty Wolfe: The WWF Intercontinental title is not at stake, which is especially funny since Vince makes a big thing about what a ‘fighting champion’ he is. Jesse, rightly, points out the flaw in his logic there. Meanwhile, Danny Davis split screens in to angle for a title shot. I guess that was his master plan all along… get the belt off of Tito… wait until Savage loses it… get it for himself. The announcers laugh off the challenge, but Ventura, again rightly, wants to know why not, if Ricky’s such a ‘fighting champion.’ Steamboat gives Wolfe a lot here, before finally finishing him off at 3:46. ¼*

Gene catches up with Davis, who laughs off Steele’s threats of revenge 

Okerlund catches up with Honky, who is ready to fry up some bird

Gene catches up with Heenan, who is already celebrating Harley winning the WWF Title. I guess WrestleMania III was many things, but not a good education 

BUExperience: Solid episode. I’ve always wondered how the Islanders’ heel turn went down, so this was fun for me.