WWF Championship Wrestling (January 26, 1985)

 

Original Airdate: January 26, 1985 (taped December 17, 1984)

From Poughkeepsie, New York; Your Hosts are Vince McMahon and Bruno Sammartino

The US Express v Gino Carabello and AJ Petruzzi: Points off for not calling the jobber team the Italian Express. I mean, there are, what, 2,000 ‘Express’ teams in the world of professional wrestling, what’s one more? Barry Windham with a bulldog at 3:33. Crank the Springsteen! DUD

Lord Alfred Hayes is in the control center with Update, giving us a look at Roddy Piper being a dick to Cyndi Lauper at Madison Square Garden

Jimmy Snuka and Tonga Kid v Dave Barbie and Rusty Brooks: Vince notes that Kid is from the same ‘world’ as Snuka. Earth? Snuka with a flying splash at 2:06, which draws a great pop. DUD

Gene Okerlund catches up with Big John Studd, who is whiteknighting for Bobby Heenan. About time that someone does

Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff v SD Jones and Aldo Marino: The US Express are back out, waiving American flags in response to Volkoff’s singing of the Soviet national anthem. Sheik humbles Marino away with the camel clutch at 1:49. DUD

Okerlund catches up with Andre the Giant, who wants to introduce Studd to Kerry Von Erich, apparently?

George Wells v Paul Kelly: Wells gets the pin here at 2:02. You weren’t expecting play-by-play for George Wells squashes, were you? What, in the history of our relationship, would make you think that was going to happen? DUD

Roddy Piper hosts Piper’s Pit, with guest Blackjack Mulligan. You can guess what kind of shit Piper stirs up with him

The Moondogs v Steve Lombardi and Jim Young: The Moondogs get the win when Moondog Spot puts Young away following a combo at 2:39. It’s interesting to note that their combo is the same one Demolition would steal as their finisher later, so I guess Moondog Rex had a bigger impact on that team than he gets credit for. DUD

Don Muraco and Mr. Fuji hang out in Hawaii, as Don prepares to make his return to the ring

Hillbilly Jim v Terry Gibbs: Jim has WWF Champion Hulk Hogan in his corner here, and this is his TV debut for the WWF. Vince thinks he’s the greatest thing ever, right away. Jim with a bearhug at 2:50. DUD

Okerlund catches up with Paul Orndorff, who is really into his body

BUExperience: This show is always a lot of fun.