WWF Prime Time Wrestling (June 17, 1987)

 

Original Airdate: June 17, 1987

Your Hosts are Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby Heenan from the studio

Nikolai Volkoff v Corporal Kirchner: From Philadelphia Pennsylvania on May 9. Kirchner attacks to prevent the anthem, but Volkoff fights him off with the flagpole. Volkoff throws a knee, but a turnbuckle smash fires Kirchner up, and he attacks again. Kirchner with an earringer, so Volkoff grabs a headlock, and tags him with a punch. Volkoff with a tree of woe, but Kirchner manages to sweep him, and wants to use the post, but the referee intervenes. That allows Volkoff to pop Kirchner with another knee, so Kirchner says ‘fuck it,’ and posts him. The referee doesn’t disqualify him, so who can take his zebra ass seriously? Kirchner with a legdrop to the groin, and a 2nd rope kneedrop gets him two. Volkoff fights him off and takes control. He gets a bearhug locked, but Kirchner fights, so Volkoff switches to a Mexican surfboard. Kirchner escapes, and dropkicks Nikolai out of the ring. Kirchner follows with an axehandle from the apron before rolling things back inside, where he tags Volkoff with a clothesline. Kirchner adds an elbowdrop for two, and a small package is worth another two. Kirchner hooks a backslide for one, but misses a charge in the corner, and Volkoff delivers a backbreaker at 11:08. ½*

Craig DeGeorge is in the studio to remind us of how the Islanders turned heel, and joined the Heenan Family

DeGeorge is in the control center with yet another update on Superstar Billy Graham. Apparently, he’s slightly less old and broken down this week, and might even make a comeback

The New Dream Team v The Young Stallions: From Wrestling Challenge on June 7 (taped May 13) in San Diego California. Dino Bravo and Paul Roma start, and Greg Valentine quickly rushes in, but Paul cleans house. Meanwhile, the Rougeau Brothers split screen in, upset that Bravo is trying to represent French Canada. The heels manage to get control of Roma, as Gorilla announces that Randy Savage will be defending the Intercontinental title next week… before correcting himself by remembering that Ricky Steamboat is, in fact, the current champion. I’m surprised they didn’t cut that out, but I miss when they’d leave the flaws in like that. It gave the shows (and characters) character. Greg misses a legdrop, then also misses a fistdrop, allowing the hot tag to Jim Powers. He runs wild, but telegraphs a backdrop, and gets clobbered. Bravo comes in, but Jim is raging, and runs wild again. Powers hits Valentine with an elbowdrop, but the referee is distracted by Valiant, so no count. That also allows Bravo to nail Jim, and Valentine hooks the leg at 4:12. Just stuff. ¼*

Gene Okerlund catches up with Ken Patera, who is still a lousy jailbird, and the menace to society that Bobby Heenan always says he is

Pedro Morales v Steve Lombardi: From Philly on May 9. Top notch stuff here. Pedro with a backbreaker at 5:43. DUD

Brutus Beefcake v Tim Patterson: From Superstars of Wrestling on June 6 (taped May 12) in Anaheim California. You know Vince is really into Beefcake, because he busts out a very enthusiastic version of his phony laugh. Beefcake split screens in here, promising more haircuts for the New Dream Team. His form of revenge is a very odd and specific one. Beefcake with a sleeper at 2:39. Patterson took his time going down for that one. Which I both appreciated, and couldn’t help but think he’s way too full of himself. Jobber. DUD

Okerlund catches up with Slick’s crew, today Butch Reed and Nikolai Volkoff. Gosh, where did Iron Sheik disappear to all of a sudden? Must be fighting Jim Duggan somewhere

Don Muraco and Bob Orton v Sivi Afi and Corporal Kirchner: From San Diego on May 13. Someone in the crowd actually took the time to make a giant banner that says ‘Sivi Afi is the BEST,’ which is an interesting use of time and resources. Afi makes that assholes day by dropkicking Orton out of the ring right away, and Bob rushes back in with a turnbuckle smash, but Afi no sells. Tag to Kirchner with a wristlock, and he gives Bob a turnbuckle smash that does work. Kirchner with an elbowdrop for two, so Bob dumps him to the outside, where Don is waiting with a shot using Mr. Fuji’s cane. That allows Orton to dive with a flying axehandle on the floor, but Kirchner reverses a vertical suplex once they’re back inside, and he tags. Afi runs wild, and a bodypress on Muraco gets two. Tags all around, and Kirchner nails Orton with a clothesline, but Bob fires back with an inverted atomic drop. That allows Muraco to tag in for a combo that gets two, and the heels work him over. Orton gets his balls whacked when trying a pump splash, which allows the hot tag to Afi, and he runs wild… again. Usually, when matches have two heat segments, it’s the other guy getting the hot tag on the second go. Don kills him with a tombstone at 7:15. This was actually a very peppy and entertaining bout. Nothing crazy, but solid. * ½ 

Judy Martin and Donna Christianello v Chigusa Nagayo and Lioness Asuka: From Boston Massachusetts on March 8 1986. Joined in progress, and if you guys think you’re getting play by play for this, you’re fucking nuts. Asuka pins Donna at 14:44 shown of 15:33. DUD

George Steele v Kamala: From Philly on May 9. Steele dodges a few charges at the bell, and stands tall. Nothing at all happens for an extended period of time here, as they’re doing comedy spots, and just kind of standing around. Finally, Kimchee distracts George, and Kamala gets control. He goes to work, but misses a splash, and George makes a comeback. He gets too jazzy chasing Kimchee around, however, and ends up getting counted out at 5:57. DUD

BUExperience: Fifteen minute old lady wrestling match. Fifteen minute old lady wrestling match.