WWE Vintage Collection Report (11/13/11)

WWE Vintage Collection Report: November 13th 2011
By Shaun Best-Rajah.com Reporter
Hosted by: Mean Gene Okerlund & Rowdy Roddy Piper

Hot Rod rejoins Mean Gene this week to look back at WWF Superstars and Wrestling Challenge – two of the staple weekend shows from back in the day. Piper reveals he was on the very first episode of Superstars and it was an exciting time, as “you didn’t know what was coming.”

WWF Superstars: October 31st 1987
10 Man Battle Royal
(Bam Bam Bigelow, Outback Jack, One Man Gang, Junkyard Dog, Ultimate Warrior, Nikolai Volkoff, Boris Zhukov, Don Muraco, Bob Orton, Hercules)
Right from the get-go, Outback Jack and JYD combine to toss out One Man Gang. Jack soon follows suit, courtesy of Hercules. JYD eliminates Volkoff, but is immediately dumped from behind by Orton. Muraco gets eliminated off-camera by Hercules and Orton as we focus on the Warrior press slamming Zhukov out. Warrior starts to shake the ropes, allowing the sneaky Orton to strike again and throw him out. This was one of Warrior’s first outings under the Ultimate moniker, following his debut as a Dingo Warrior at the start of the month. Muraco has stayed at ringside to cheer on Bigelow, who gets cornered by Orton and Hercules. Both grab a leg, but can’t oust the Beast from the East. Bigelow shows them how it’s done, grabbing each heel’s leg and scooping both out. Jesse Ventura scoffs “it’s better to be lucky than good,” but Bigelow was getting quite the push. After arriving on the scene earlier in the year, he spurned the advances of every heel manager to take on the loveable Oliver Humperdink and even outlasted teammate Hulk Hogan at the inaugural Survivor Series. However, a serious knee injury would curtail his first WWF run, as Bam Bam disappeared after WrestleMania IV, opting to work for the NWA and a short stint in Japan before returning to the WWF as a heel in late 1992. Winner: BAM BAM BIGELOW.

WWF Superstars: November 21st 1987
Lumberjack Match – Intercontinental Title
Honky Tonk Man w/Jimmy Hart vs Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat
During the June 13th 1987 episode of Superstars, Honky defeated Steamboat for the title in a massive upset. All because Steamboat requested some time off to be with his newborn son Richie. Allegedly. Both men have their respective Survivor Series teammates in their corners. Honky has Harley Race, Danny Davis, Ron Bass and Hercules, while Steamboat has old rival (and recently turned face) Randy Savage, Brutus Beefcake, Jake Roberts and Hacksaw Jim Duggan. In studio, Piper admits he was never a fan of Honky’s singing, but conceded he could wrestle. Okerlund jokes about liking Peggy Sue (Jimmy Hart in drag.) Piper quips, “he couldn’t sing either.” Steamboat gets the advantage with chops, but puts his head down too early, giving Honky an opening to attack and toss the Dragon over the ropes. Steamboat skins the cat back in and dropkicks Honky to the floor. Honky beats a hasty retreat to stop Savage from getting his hands on him. (Honky had just bashed Savage’s brains in with his guitar during an episode of SNME.) Steamboat goes airborne to continue his attack. Honky misses a corner charge, but manages to avoid another high risk dive when Steamboat goes to the well once too often. Honky works Steamboat over and plays to the crowd. Honky sets up for the Shake Rattle ‘n’ Roll, only to stop and talk trash to another of his rivals he’s given a guitar shot to – Jake Roberts. Danny Davis runs in to blindside Steamboat, resulting in a ten man brawl. The referee throws the match out as a DOUBLE DQ, which was done more to set up Survivor Series than give Steamboat his chance at revenge. Steamboat would briefly retire after WrestleMania IV, before resurfacing in the NWA.

WWF Wrestling Challenge: November 16th 1986
The British Bulldogs & Captain Lou Albano vs The Dream Team (Greg Valentine & Brutus Beefcake) & Johnny Valiant
This is the Captain’s official retirement bout. The Bulldogs had beaten the Dream Team for the Tag Titles at WrestleMania II. In pre-recorded comments, a “happy” and “excited” Valiant says “it’ll be a pleasure to say sayonara to the Captain.” The Bulldogs control most of the early going until Davey Boy Smith briefly gets caught in the wrong corner. Valiant misses an elbow. Davey applies a sleeper and the crowd start chanting for Lou. Valentine breaks it up and everyone, bar the Captain gets involved. The Bulldogs do a dosey doe into a double dropkick to take care of the Dream Team. Valiant takes a Davey running powerslam, quickly followed by a Dynamite Kid diving headbutt, with Albano tagging in and picking up the pin. Bobby Heenan sarcastically calls it a “beautiful victory,” which took “a lot of wrestling ability and guts.” The crowd continue to chant for Lou as Rule Britannia rings out around the arena. Winners: THE BRITISH BULLDOGS & CAPTAIN LOU ALBANO.

WWF Superstars: February 13th 1993
Shawn Michaels vs Tatanka (Non Title)
This is a random selection as we skip ahead several years. Piper makes light of both men in-studio. After dubbing Tatanka “Buffalo,” and making Indian noises, he pretends to spit on the floor when Michaels’ name is mentioned. Piper mocks HBK’s flexing, but says “the kid can kick,” (in reference to the Sweet Chin Music he received off Michaels during a Piper’s Pit appearance back in Summer 2005.) Michaels is the reigning Intercontinental champion, while Tatanka is a year into his undefeated streak. We join the match in progress. Tatanka counters a leapfrog with an inverted atomic drop and scores with a couple of tackles. Michaels uses Tatanka’s momentum against him, tossing the charging bull over the top rope. Michaels pulls Tatanka back in by his (red) hair. Tatanka escapes a couple of chinlocks. Michaels jabs away in the corner prompting Vince McMahon on comentary to decree “the name on the marquee is wrestling, not boxing.” Tatanka breaks into his wardance when Michaels tries to ram his head into the corner. Tatanka unleashes a flurry of chops. Michaels rakes the face to stop the Renegade drop. Tatanka ducks a superkick, stops a teardrop suplex, and delivers the Renegade drop at the second attempt to get the 1-2-3 and earn a title shot at WrestleMania IX. Winner: TATANKA.

WWF Superstars: May 21st 1988
Macho Man Randy Savage w/Miss Elizabeth vs Virgil w/Million Dollar Man Ted DiBiase (Non Title)
Savage had beaten DiBiase in the finals of the WWF Title tournament at WrestleMania IV. DiBiase was hell bent on revenge and sent his bodyguard (rocking a jacked up physique) to do his bidding. Hothead Savage chases Virgil away with the title to start. Savage talks trash to DiBiase enabling Virgil to get the jump and work over Savage in the corner with several battering rams. DiBiase chokes and cheap shots Savage as Virgil distracts the referee. Virgil slams, but misses a top rope splash. A high knee sends Virgil to the corner. Savage goes airborne with a double sledge and a slam sets things up for the top rope elbow, but DiBiase interjects himself and Savage jumps down. After holding the ropes open to invite DiBiase inside, Savage goes out after him. DiBiase uses Elizabeth as a shield. Virgil recovers to floor Savage from behind. Inside, Virgil picks up a couple of nearfalls before tossing Savage to the floor. Virgil scares Elizabeth away as she tends to Savage. DiBiase pulls out some cash to try and buy Elizabeth. Savage takes out Virgil with a double sledge then clotheslines DiBiase. Back inside, Savage drops Virgil throat first across the top rope and finishes him with his patented flying elbow. 1-2-3. DiBiase attacks Savage after the bell, stuffing a $100 bill into his mouth. Savage avoids a DiBiase clothesline and Virgil takes the hit. This prompts the lockerroom to empty as Rick Rude, Greg Valentine, Demolition, Don Muraco, Koko B. Ware and Bret Hart separate the heated rivals. Savage breaks free to take down Virgil from the top rope before he is restrained for good. This was a much better match than first anticipated. Savage carried Virgil to a passable effort and DiBiase’s antics kept things entertaining. Winner: MACHO MAN RANDY SAVAGE.

WWF Superstars: November 7th 1987
WWF Tag Team Titles: The Hart Foundation w/Jimmy Hart vs Strike Force
Piper cracks a joke about Strike Force’s Rick Martel before the bout, saying he was always worried about his hair, and now doesn’t have any. Okerlund notes it’s something he’s personally never had to worry about. We join the match in progress to see “Chico” Santana slug it out with the Anvil. Bret buries a knee into Santana’s back as he runs the ropes. The Harts work over Chico, with Bret using a backbreaker and Anvil resorting to biting. Anvil distracts the referee while Bret chokes Santana. The Harts deliver a backbreaker/elbow combo across the gut then isolate Chico some more in their corner. Chico manages to send Bret crashing face first into the corner to turn the tide. Martel dropkicks Anvil. Bret breaks up a cross body pin, but is knocked out of the ring by Santana. Martel winds Anvil with a gut punch. Strike Force combine to slam Anvil, then Martel turns him over with a Boston Crab and Anvil submits. The crowd pop like they’re at a Justin Bieber concert as the new champions embrace for what would be their one and only title reign. The Harts would come up short in return matches then turn face the following year. Winners: STRIKE FORCE.

Piper jokes about being kicked out and not being let back on the show. Okerlund suggests they go drinking, before revealing next week’s telecast will focus on matches and moments from Madison Square Garden. Hopefully, Piper returns as his enthusiasm adds to the programme.

Some really good offerings this week, although slightly disappointed that it’s only a one week deal. There’s enough material to put together a good month’s worth of Superstars/Challenge themed episodes. See you next weekend.

RIP Eddie Guerrero. Gone six years, but never forgotten. Viva La Raza!

Any comments or discussion points drop me a line at [email protected].

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