WWF Superstars of Wrestling (July 18, 1987)

 

Original Airdate: July 18, 1987 (taped June 23)

From Indianapolis, Indiana; Your Hosts are Vince McMahon, Bruno Sammartino, and Jesse Ventura

Six-Man Tag Team Match: Don Muraco, Bob Orton, and Ron Bass v Hillbilly Jim, Junkyard Dog, and Billy Jack Haynes: Bass and Dog start, and Bass slugs at him. He makes the mistake of trying a turnbuckle smash, however, and Dog throws headbutts. Tags to Muraco and Haynes, and Haynes wins a few criss crosses, before both guys tag to Orton and Jim. This is like Survivor Series, or something. Jim throws him around, but Bob manages to clobber him. Irish whip, but Jim reverses, and uses a big boot to knock Orton out of the ring. He gets into an argument with Muraco out there, and ends up getting counted out at 2:37. It really is like Survivor Series. Afterwards, Muraco gets pissed at Orton, and walks away from him. ¼*

Craig DeGeorge is in the studio with Update, giving us another look at Ted DiBiase. This week, Ted goes to a busy restaurant, and pays the host off to skip the line, and get a table. He’s in full 80s teen movie villain mode here, and it’s wonderful 

One Man Gang v Sonny Rogers: Slick split screens in here, hyping up Bam Bam. Clearly they all need to get together and work this out. Gang with a gourdbuster at 1:20. DUD

Gene Okerlund catches up with WWF Champion Hulk Hogan, who is going against doctor’s orders to face Killer Khan. Khan has recently blinded him with the mist, and Hulk isn’t fully recovered, but he’s coming for him. Hogan is in all his glory here. When did that happen, though? 

Clips of Jesse Ventura in Predator. No wonder Arnold loved the WWF, they were giving him free publicity like there’s no tomorrow 

The Rougeau Brothers v The Shadows: Vince questions Jesse about whether he has siblings, and the usually very verbose Ventura is suddenly giving one word answers. Odd. ‘Yes.’ ‘Older.’ ‘Yes.’ So unlike him. Anyway, the Brothers put this away with a combo at 2:48. Hey, at least it wasn’t a seventeen minute Shadows match. DUD

Okerlund catches up with Billy Jack Haynes, who will be teaming with Ken Patera to take on Demolition. Intriguing 

The British Bulldogs feed Matilda WWF Ice Cream Bars. That feels like the least abusive thing they probably did to her, the poor thing

Demolition v Scott Casey and Omar Atlas: Demolition have the classic look basically down at this point, but still don’t have the theme. And the face paint is still a little different than the more familiar look later, but the overall package is mostly there. Mr. Fuji split screens in here, and you can guess what two words he has for us. Demolition with a combo on Atlas at 2:10. DUD

Jake Roberts hosts the Snake Pit, with guest Hulk Hogan. Jake didn’t think Hogan had a chance at WrestleMania, but he got through it, and Jake is impressed. It’s July, Jake. That draws Killer Khan and Mr. Fuji out to give Hulk his next challenge, but Hogan brushes them off. Khan responds by spraying him in the eyes with mist, and Hogan, of course, sells the absolute shit out of that. Great segment, but what’s up with them running Hogan’s recovery ‘weeks later’ segment before this even aired? 

Brutus Beefcake v Pete Sanchez: The announcers talk about how Mr. T was the guest on the Snake Pit, which piques my curiosity. Turns out that, depending on the market, you either got Mr. T or the Hogan segment. Still doesn’t explain why it aired out of order, though. Beefcake with the sleeper at 1:04. DUD

Butch Reed posing routine, as a shot at Superstar Billy Graham

Jimmy Hart gives us our first look at Bam Bam Bigelow. Or ‘Bam Bam Bam Bam,’ per Jimmy. As predicted, we’ve gained an extra ‘bam’ for each passing week. Thank God Bigelow didn’t go with him, imagine what the WrestleMania XI poster would have looked like. Bigelow doesn’t speak here, just growls, and shows off his tattooed head. Good stuff

The Hart Foundation v Mike Richards and Jerry Allen: The WWF Tag Team title is not on the line. The Foundation pick up the pinfall at 1:17, then give poor Richards a second Hart Attack after the bell, for fun. DUD

Okerlund catches up with Randy Savage, who endorses Honky Tonk Man as the WWF Intercontinental champion, since he’s gunning for Hulk’s title now. IC, been there, done that

BUExperience: I really dug the Hogan/Khan angle. I didn’t buy him as a threat at all in the weeks they’ve been hyping him, but after that segment, I can’t wait to see the blow off. Great booking.