WWF Championship Wrestling (March 16, 1985)

 

Original Airdate: March 16, 1985 (taped March 5)

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

The US Express v Terry Gibbs and Rusty Brooks: The WWF Tag Team Team title is not on the line for this. Barry Windham finishes Brooks with a bulldog at 2:43. DUD

Lord Alfred Hayes is in the studio for Update, with a look at the WWF Women’s title scene. Alfred sounds so drunk here that he can’t even pronounce Leilani Kai’s name without sounding like an idiot

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Ricky Steamboat v Steve Lombardi: So odd to hear Howard Finkel introduce Steamboat without hearing ‘the dragon’ as his nickname. This is effectively his TV debut (an appearance on WWF Georgia Championship Wrestling aired earlier). Ricky with a flying bodypress at 3:05. DUD

Gene Okerlund catches up with WWF Champion Hulk Hogan, who is looking forward to WrestleMania, but not looking past Don Muraco, who he has a contracted title defense signed for beforehand. But, he’s not worried, since Mr. T will be in his corner to watch his back against Mr. Fuji. The battle of the misters! 

King Kong Bundy v Mario Mancini: This is Bundy's TV debut, and he’s got a weird deal here where he wears sunglasses and a cape. That aspect got dropped very quickly. Bundy with the avalanche at 2:03. DUD

Okerlund catches up with Don Muraco, who isn’t sweating Mr. T being in Hulk’s corner

Okerlund was recently on location with Billy Martin, who is excited to be a part of WrestleMania 

Big John Studd v Jim Young: Young goes for the slam so he can collect the $15,000, but it goes nowhere for the idiot. Studd toys with him, but here comes Andre the Giant, and they brawl for the DQ at 1:11. DUD

Roddy Piper hosts Piper’s Pit, with guests Johnny Valiant and Brutus Beefcake, who are going to settle things with Bruno and David Sammartino at WrestleMania

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Okerlund is in a gym in mid-town Manhattan, where Roddy Piper and Paul Orndorff are getting ready for WrestleMania

Wendi Richter v Peggy Lee: Wendi with a sunset flip at 4:53. This was on the long side for what it was. DUD

Okerlund catches up with Hogan and Mr. T who have never been in a fight like they’re going to be in at WrestleMania

BUExperience: WrestleMania build and some big new stars, good stuff.