WWF The Wrestling Classic (11/7/85)

What's that you say, what exactly is Wrestling Classic? Believe it or not this was the first ever pay-per-view released by the World Wrestling Federation. Since Wrestlemania 2 was months away Vince decided to put together a wrestling tournament not unlike the King of The Ring house shows that were taking place in Massachusettes/Rhode Island. The only difference was pay per views had a time window whereas house shows could go all night. This tournament would be the first and last of its kind, although it gave the basic premise for the Wrestlemania 4 title tournament, later on moving King of the Ring to pay per view and of course the Deadly Game tournament in 98. Vince McMahon himself is our host for the evening. Vince shills the action then sends us over to Alfred Hays and some woman named Susan to check out the brackets. Most are face vs heel but the two matches that aren't are a face encounter between Ricky Steamboat and Davey Boy Smith and a heel encounter between Moondog Spot and Terry Funk. The main event would be a one on one encounter between "Rowdy" Roddy Piper and WWF Champion Hulk Hogan....the war that didn't settle the score.

NOVEMBER 7, 1985

ROSEMONT HORIZON

CHICAGO, IL

            

Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon and Jesse "The Body" Ventura

 

Apparently we get some highlights before we get started of who faces who and what not. The competitors draw names out of an actual fishbowl....weird. Ricky Steamboat draws Davey Boy Smith of the British Bulldogs and acts surprised even though he clearly knew. Miss Elizabeth draws Ivan Putski as Randy Savage's opponent and Macho Man yells at her. Mr Fuji draws Tito Santana on behalf of Magnificent Muraco and laughs....FINALLY lets go to ringside to get the night started.

First Round Match 1

Corporal Kirchner vs Adrian Adonis (with Jimmy Hart)

 28 year old Corporal Kirchner was brought in the WWF to be the face militant of the company since Sgt Slaughter bolted for the AWA, which was in the middle of their last boom period. This is also Kirchner’s Coliseum Video debut. 31 year old Adrian Adonis had begun to pile on weight even though he still could bump and sell like he did 100 lbs ago, which led to his infamous Adorable gimmick. Kirchner had a reputation of being a very stiff worker inside the ring and Adonis is no slouch either so lets see how this turns out. First round matches have a 10 minute time limit so these 8 matches should breeze by.....hey wait, I just noticed there are no turnbuckle pads on the turnbuckles, what the hell? Anyway, they lock up as Gorilla mentions the tag team title reign of Ventura and Adonis (no love for Dick Murdoch apparently), then Adrian wrestles Kirchner into the corner. Kirchner arm drags Adonis twice before applying a standard headlock, which is countered into a back suplex. Adrian goes on offense with left elbows and a snap mare then drives an elbow into the chest area. Adrian applies a rest hold before Kirchner powers out of it in the corner. Kirchner goes for a suplex but Adonis counters it into a double arm DDT, innovative for the time period. Adrian covers for 1....2....3 and that's it, Adonis advances to the second round. Short and sweet, damn that DDT was ahead of its time.

 

Time of Match: 2:37

Winners: Adrian Adonis by pinfall

 There is no segment, on to the next match.

First Round Match 2

"British Bulldog" Dynamite Kid vs Nikolai Volkoff

  Dynamite looks ready to roll in singles action but before the match starts, Nikolai demands the mic in order to sing the Soviet National anthem. Nikolai belts out the tune as Dynamite Kid has enough by the end and goes upstairs. The bell rings when Volkoff is done and Dynamite comes off the top with a dropkick then covers for 1....2...3 holy crap that was fast. Nikolai still had his shirt on and his hat in his hand while being pinned, guess Dynamite needed to save his strength for the next round. 8 seconds is all it took.....can't really rate a match that short but it was entertaining to see Volkoff get nailed just like that. Remember how the "record" for fastest fall was "nine seconds" earlier that year with King Kong Bundy pinning SD Jones? This was literally 8 seconds and not even mentioned.

Time of match: 8 seconds

Winner: Dynamite Kid by pinfall

First Round Match 3

"Polish Power" Ivan Putski vs "Macho Man" Randy Savage (with Miss Elizabeth)

Talk about a passing of the torch match. 44 year old Putski's career was winding down while 33 year old Savage had just begun in the WWF. Savage enters to Pomp and Circumstance being the first wrestler to enter to music all night as Jesse makes fun of his former rival Putski. The bell rings and Putski chases Savage out of the ring before he gets back in. Savage goes for a quick full nelson but Putski counters and spits his in his face as Ventura scoffs. Savage bails to the outside and moves Elizabeth around for no reason then climbs back in the ring. Savage locks up with a side headlock but runs into a shoulderblock. Putski poses to the crowd's delight as Savage throws him into the corner...cept Putski counters by ramming Randy headfirst into the turnbuckle tape. Savage rakes the eyes then goes on offense but Putski counters with a headlock/punch combo. Ivan hammers away with big right hands and whips him into the corner where he continues to fire away. All of a sudden Savage scoops the leg and puts his feet on the ropes (the Flair pin) for 1....2....3 and Savage wins it. Putski and Gorilla scoff as Ventura says "He outsmarted em Gorilla!"

Time of match: 2:46

Winner: Randy Savage by pinfall

There is no segment, moving right along to the next match

First Round Match 4

Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat vs "British Bulldog" Davey Boy Smith

 Now this is a little more like it. The first 3 matches have all been mismatches talent wise so lets see if this can be salvaged. They shake hands to show good sportsmanship before locking up as Ventura says there could be a heel turn in the works. Its funny because Steamboat in his entire 30 plus years in the business NEVER worked heel while Davey Boy wouldn't turn heel for another 10 years. They go through standard go-behinds before Davey hiplocks Steamboat to the ground. Davey Boy back drops Ricky in a pinfall position for 1....2...nope, Dragon bridges out of it and turns it into a backslide for 1...nah. Steamboat runs off the ropes into a overhead press slam. Davey covers for a near fall then applies a front headlock as Ventura says Stemboat's giving up a lot of strength to Bulldog. Davey hits another overhead press slam for another 2 count as Monsoon scoffs at Davey for not hooking the leg. Davey goes for a suplex but Steamboat counters with a delayed suplex of his own.....Davey Boy's trademark. Ricky goes for a splash but Bulldog gets the knees up to counter. Davey Boy executes two standing dropkicks which send Steamboat into the ropes. Bulldog goes for a third dropkick but Ricky moves out of the way and Davey Boy crotches himself on the top rope. The ref runs over, checks on Davey and calls for the bell......what the hell? Steamboat also goes and checks on Davey Boy as the ref awards the match to Dragon.....first and last time I've ever seen a match end this way. Cheap ending but it was a good match for a 3 minute crash style.

Time of match: 2:54

Winner: Ricky Steamboat by stoppage

 There is no segment, on to the next match

First Round Match 5

Junkyard Dog vs The Iron Sheik

 Sheik is wearing his standard wrestling trunks rather than those plaid groin-covers he wore at Wrestlemania....and he immediately attacks JYD with his ring robe while still wearing his turban. Sheik continues to fire away on JYD and eventually strangles him with the turban. Sheik gives the arm and the elbow to the fans, allowing JYD to recover. Dog no-sells a few blows before going to town with right hands and a headbutt. Sheik bows to JYD but he'll have none of that so he headbutts him again. Sheik bails to regroup then gets back in the ring before applying a full nelson. JYD powers out of it and hits a very sloppy looking clothesline then covers for 1...2..nope. JYD snap mares Sheik and goes for the falling headbutt but Sheik rolls out of the way. Sheik calls for the Camel Clutch and applies it, Monsoon says its over but the Dog manages to stay on his knees, where eventually Sheik lets go. Sheik doesn't know what to do next so he fires away in the corner, the ref steps in so Sheik shoves him out of the way. Both Monsoon and Ventura say that's a bad idea to push referees and Sheik does it again, then right on cute JYD hits a big headbutt and covers for 1....2...3 and this turd is finally over. JYD sure is loved by the fans and Sheik has a great amateur background but they don't mesh well at all, maybe it was the time limit but either way it sucked...next.

Time of match: 3:27

Winner: Junkyard Dog by pinfall

There is no segment, on to the next match

First Round Match 6

Terry Funk (with Jimmy Hart) vs Moondog Spot

  Terry Funk in a WWF ring? Talk about a welcome rarity, and he's bringing Moondog Spot with him! The Moondogs were basically American version of the Wild Samoans in terms of crazed lunatics. They had their run in the early 80's but were old news by this point. Funk gets on the mic and says he doesn't want to wrestle Spot while Spot says he doesn't want to wrestle Terry. Funk says they should both leave and have a draw so Spot complies. They make their way to the back when Funk doublecrosses Spot and runs to the ring. Spot catches him in time and pulls Terry off the apron. Spot charges and Funk backdrops him into the ring where the ref completes the count.......oh my god. Terry Funk, the hardcore legend former NWA and eventual ECW Heavyweight champion....jobbed to Moondog Spot. I think I'm gonna hurl, Funk is irate and he beats up Spot after the bell. I wonder what WWF fans in 1985 thought when they saw Spot being put over instead of Terry Funk, because in hindsight, that was stupid. Were they trying to save Funk from losing in the next round?

Time of match: 31 seconds

Winner: Moondog Spot by count out

There is no segment, on to the next match

First Round Match 7

WWF Intercontinental Champion Tito Santana vs The Magnificent Muraco (with Mr Fuji)

  After the last two steaming piles, maybe this one will be good with both workers in their prime. Tito is the current IC champ but his title is not on the line, only a spot in the next round. Muraco pushes the action with his superior muscle strength to start. Muraco beats on Santana as Ventura questions why Santana is even in the tournement because if he gets hurt, he'll have to forfeit the title. Muraco is a former champ himself and he continues to control the match with right hands until Santana executes a flying bodypress out of nowhere for 1...2..nope. Muraco comes back with right hands but Santana applies a sunset flip for another 2 count. Muraco appears to be attempting a Stone Cold Stunner but Tito counters with a backslide for another near fall. Santana whips Muraco in the corner and he Flair Flips back into the ring. Santana works over the arm and applies an armringer for a bit. Muraco counters by bodyslamming Tito throat first on the top rope then working him over with knee drops. Muraco clotheslines Santana, drops an elbow then drops a knee before the cover gets a 2 count. Muraco continues to fire away with forearms then hits a powerslam. Muraco goes to hook the leg but doesn't and instead covers just the shoulders for 1...2...3 and that's it. No wait, apparently Santana got the leg on the ropes and the referee notices thus negating the pinfall, way to give away the finish Muraco! Santana pounces and delivers a small package on Muraco for 1..2.....3 and there's your real winner. Ventura doesn't have a clue to what's going on and Monsoon has to point out that Santana's foot was on the rope. That was a good four minutes although I agree with The Body that it was a cheap ending.

Time of match: 4:19

Winner: Tito Santana by pinfall

We go to Mean Gene who's with Bobby Heenan and the gist of this is that since none of his men such as King Kong Bundy are in the tournement, he's put a 50,000 dollar bounty on the head of Paul Orndorff. He is quite sure someone will collect it, hmmmmm didn't Harley Race do the same bit two years earlier against Ric Flair?

First Round Match 8

"Mr Wonderful" Paul Orndorff vs "Cowboy" Bob Orton

 The first high profile match of the night as these 2 used to be part of Piper's crew until the Hot Rod and Orton left Orndorff for dead at Wrestlemania. Orndorff and Orton chain wrestle to start as Paul goes for the injured arm of Orton. Paul executes an atomic drop which sends Orton shoulder first into the ringpost. Orndorff continues to attack the injured arm covered by the infamous cast until Orton catches him with a headlock takeover. Orndorff headscissors out of it then arm drags Orton before continuing to work over the left arm with a leglock snapback.....impressive. Orton begs off in the corner but Orndorff has none of it but the charge eats knee. Orton drops a few knees and hot shots Paul off the top rope, then continues to stomp away. Orton resorts to a punch kick offense until Orndorff attempts a sunset flip....which Orton counters with more punches. Orndorff eventually hooks the tights to get the flip for a near fall, then Orton goes to the rest hold. Bob applies a head scissors and after a while Orndorff flips over, but Orton bridges then turns it into a backslide for 1....2...nope. Orton goes for a flying head scissors but Orndorff moves causing Bob to crotch himself on the top rope. Why did Bulldog get the shaft and not Cowboy Bob? Orndorff gets his second wind and takes over with right hands before catching Orton with a back elbow smash. Paul rams Orton's head into the mat then punches Bob over the top rope to the floor. Back inside Orton re-adjusts the cast on his arm and waffles Orndorff with it right in front of referee Dave Hebner. Hebner calls for the bell as Orndorff wins it by DQ and advances to the next round. Guess Heenan's 50 grand will have to go to someone else because Orton has failed.

Time of match: 6:30

Winner: Paul Orndorff by DQ

We go back to Vince and Alfred who go over the second round brackets. Adrian Adonis will take on Dynamite Kid which should be awesome. Randy Savage vs Ricky Steamboat.....no need to tell you that's gonna rule because you already know. Moondog Spot vs Junkyard Dog...ugh. Last is a face vs face encounter between Tito Santana and Paul Orndorff which also should be good....the next round has a 15 minute time limit so the matches should...keyword SHOULD be long and exciting to watch. Lets go back to ringside

Quarterfinal Match 1  (Match 9 overall)

Adrian Adonis (with Jimmy Hart) vs Dynamite Kid

 Now here's a match I'd never thought I'd see, but I won't complain. They lock up and Dynamite runs into a shoulderblock before arm dragging Adrian twice in about three seconds, damn he's quick. Adrian retreats to the outside and regroups with Jimmy before getting back in. Adrian goes to work on offense with shots and an elbow to the dome then slingshots him into the corner. Jesse figures out the next match is Savage and Steamboat so he bails to go talk to Savage....wtf is that about? Monsoon's left all alone meanwhile Adrian covers for only a 1, for a second I thought Ventura was going to interfere on his former partner's behalf but instead he actually does leave the ringside area. Adrian catches Dynamite with a suplex then covers for another 1 count then applies a rest hold as Monsoon says how Ventura was supposed to be a future tag team partner of the Macho Man.....good thing that never happened. Dynamite eventually powers out of it with a back suplex but misses the headbutt attempt. Adonis works over the left leg and applies...the sharpshooter? Wow, the sharpshooter in 1985 no less, Bret was still in Stampede while Sting was a Bladerunner out in Memphis, props to Adonis. Dynamite makes it to the rope so Adonis lets go then throws him into the corner then charges into a beautiful sunset flip by Dynamite for 1....2..nope, Adonis kicks out in time. Adonis goes back to work on the left leg then goes for a bulldog but instead is thrown shoulder first into the ringpost by Kid. Dynamite drops a knee then clotheslines him down, then runs up the ropes (10 years before Rob Van Dam and Sabu) and delivers a flying knee drop. Dynamite covers for 1....2..negative, Adonis gets the shoulder up. Dynamite delivers a snap suplex and another falling headbutt. Jimmy Hart hops on the apron distracting Dynamite long enough for Adrian to deliver a running roll up for 1...2. nope, Dynamite kicks out and Adonis runs right into Hart. Dynamite covers a fallen Adrian for 1....2...3 and Dynamite wins it. After the match Hart protests that his foot was on the rope, which the camera shows Adonis wearing boots with the New York Yankees logo on them. Adonis throws a temper tantrum in the ring as Monsoon goes to the replay, that was fun. That was a good match but it was too short, perfect crash style but this is NOT supposed to be crash style.

Time of match: 5:28

Winner: Dynamite Kid by pinfall

We go to Gene Okerlund who's with Jesse Ventura. Jesse says he's working with Savage and Elizabeth and preparing him for the rest of the tournament. I guess they wanted Ventura to become a future tag partner for Savage but with Jesse unable to work around his career ending Illness and the fact Savage was way too good on his own, it never happened.

Quarterfinal Match 2 (Match 10 overall)

Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat vs "Macho Man" Randy Savage (with Miss Elizabeth)

Now we're really talking, even though they have a 15 minute time limit this should rock the house. Before the match Savage sticks a finger into Ricky's face who slaps it away then Savage runs and hides behind Elizabeth, heh what a heel. Stemboat turns his back so Savage attacks him from behind while still wearing his headband and cape. Steamboat slides under Savage and chops him through the ropes to the outside. Randy pulls Ricky out and brawls with him outside before they roll back in. Savage takes over on offense with right hands in the corner until Steamboat counters with a head scissors over the top rope to the floor.  Steamboat chops Savage on the floor then atomic drops him to the concrete. Ricky throws him inside then hits his karate chop to the chest of a running Macho Man. Savage ducks under a second chop and delivers a back suplex as Ventura makes his way back to the commentating table. Savage goes upstairs but Ricky catches him in the gut with a right hand then delivers a knee lift. Steamboat unloads with a series of fists drops then suplexes Savage halfway across the ring. Steamboat goes upstairs and hits THE FLYING CROSSBODY for 1...2...thre...no wait, Savage kicked out at 2. Ventura is openly cheering for Savage and Steamboat chops and punches Savage to the ring apron. Savage reaches into his tights for a Foreign Object and when Steamboat goes for a back suplex, Savage nails Ricky with whatever he had. Savage covers for 1....2...THREE???? You gotta be kidding, that was WAY too short for 2 guys as talented as they were. It was going good too, damn.....should have been much longer. Monsoon says that Ventura gave Savage brass knuckles in the back as Ventura scoffs. This was pretty much a three minute preview of what was to come at Wrestlemania 3.

Time of match: 3:26

Winner: Randy Savage by pinfall

There is no segment, on to the next match.

Quarterfinal Match 3 (Match 11 overall)

Junkyard Dog vs Moondog Spot

   The match starts and there's no referee, what the hell? Spot attacks JYD and knocks him down then goes up to the second rope but misses the splash attempt. Dog headbutts Spot a few times from the ground then delivers a real headbutt. Dog covers and looks around for the ref but there isn't one so he counts 1...2....3 himself. Dog angrily walks out of the ring and I guess its official but Monsoon says otherwise until Spot himself leaves so Monsoon says the judge at ringside made it official.....whatever. Ventura says "I've seen it all now Gorilla" yeah no kidding, that's pretty bizarre to not have a referee in a match. The first and last time I've ever seen that happen, I can't even rate the match it was so weird, you be the judge.

Time of match: 31 seconds

Winner: Junkyard Dog by pinfall

 We go to Mean Gene who's with Heenan again, this time Heenan's downtrodden since Orndorff survived the first round. Mean Gene says that since Paul's facing the face Tito Santana that he won't be giving out 50 grand but Heenan says ya never know. Heenan then says that Piper will be the new champ since Hogan is "tired" from basically wrestling non stop as champion for the past 2 years.

Quarterfinal Match 4 (Match 12 overall) "Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff vs Tito Santana

 Here we got a face vs face encounter with two great technicians, maybe this match will approach the 15 minute mark. They shake hands to start then tie up as Jesse says Tito may turn on Orndorff....wouldn't it make sense for it to be the other way around? Tito goes for the side headlock as Jesse notices a bandage on Santana's thigh and speculates that Muraco may have done something to him. Santana continues to work on the headlock before Orndorff powers out of it only to be head scissored by the IC champ. Santana holds him there for an unusually long time as Ventura says that the REAL Paul Orndorff may show up, referring to the heel he portrayed for a year and a half. Orndorff flips over and the ref covers 1...2..nope, near fall. Orndorff chain wrestles into a hammerlock then chicken wings it to the ground, looks painful. Santana gets to his feet and reverses the hammerlock until Orndorff makes it to the ropes to break the hold. Ventura says its just a matter of time before Orndorff goes to his cheating ways as they tie up again then Santana clean breaks when they roll into the ropes. Tito applies another headlock but Orndorff delivers an atomic drop that injures Santana's thigh. Santana limps around as Paul looks to be concerned about Tito's health until he applies a drop toe hold to the injured leg. Lot of mat wrestling so far, which is a welcome sight to some of the matches that went far too short, the crowd boos but I don't care. Santana goes for an elbow drop/leg lock combination before Santana gets to his feet. They tie up as Orndorff backs Santana to the ropes and delivers a forearm that knocks Santana out of the ring, guess Ventura's right about Orndorff's heel tactics shining through. They trade blows outside the ring as Santana throws Orndorff into the ringpost, but then the referee counts them both out..you gotta be kidding me! The match was just getting good. Not only are both men out of the tournament, but they ruined the story by having Orndorff turn with 10 seconds remaining in the match. Who booked this damn thing, George Scott?

Time of match: 8:06

Winners: None  (Double countout)

 We go back to Hays and McMahon who go over the rest of the brackets. Savage will face Dynamite in the semi-finals while JYD has a bye all the way to the final match, well that's stupid. Why wouldn't Savage have the bye to set up a face longshot against rested heel finals? Oh well, we get Savage and Dynamite so I'm not complaining. Piper makes his way to the ring with a bagpipe band as we go over to Mean Gene for an interview with Hulk Hogan himself. Total count....Dude: 0, Brother: 3, Jack: 0, Man: 2, if you took the under then you win.

Match 13

"Rowdy" Roddy Piper vs Hulk Hogan for the WWF Heavyweight Championship

  The big re-match from the war that didn't settle the score, Hogan and Piper one more time. Finkel says there’s a one hour time limit…..HAHAHAHAHA! None of the matches have reached 10 minutes so this ain't goin anywhere near an hour. Piper throws Hogan outside then Hulk pulls Piper out then throws him into the steel guardrail. Hogan chases Piper inside the ring where they exchange eye rakes, fists and knees....a sheer contrast to what we just saw between Santana/Orndorff. Hogan clothesline Piper in the corner as Roddy does a Valentine Flop, then Hulk continues to fire away with rights and a back suplex. Hogan drops a series of elbows then Hulk returns to the punch kick offense in the corner. Piper answers with punches and kicks then climbs the second rope....then jumps into a bearhug. Piper gets the finger to the eye to get out of the bearhug then continues to punch away before covering for a one count. Piper sends Hogan off the ropes and catches him with his SLEEPER HOLD....champ's in big trouble, Hogan actually grabs the top rope but the ref doesn't make Roddy break the hold meaning either Hogan screwed up or the ref is blind, maybe both. Hogan fades as Ventura says we're gonna have a new champion then the ref lifts the arm..1.....2...noooooo, Hogan revives right on cue. He runs over to the ropes with Piper still on his back and they topple to the floor together. Hogan throws Piper into the ringpost then Hulks Up on the outside of the ring before chasing Roddy back inside. They trade blows in the center of the ring before Hogan delivers a sloppy big boot that doesn't even knock Roddy off his feet. Hogan executes an atomic drop then goes for a clothesline but Piper moves and Hogan crashes into the referee...D'OH! Piper goes outside and grabs a steel chair...10 years ahead of its time, then waffles Hulk with it.  Piper goes to hit him again but Hulk takes it away then nails Roddy with it. Hogan puts Piper in the sleeper until out of nowhere Bob Orton hits the ring and lays waste to Hogan. Orton and Piper double team Hogan until Paul Orndorff of all people runs in with the chair to save Hogan. Hogan and Orndorff celebrate in the ring as the heels make their exit, wow that was tough to sit through but at least it was short. The one match I'm actually glad that it was short, hopefully the next match will be long.

Time of match: 7:07

Winner: Hulk Hogan by DQ (Still world champion)

Semi-Final Match  (Match 14 overall)

"Macho Man" Randy Savage (with Miss Elizabeth) vs Dynamite Kid

  Maybe now that we're nearing the end of the night the matches will actually go at least 10 minutes, because both these guys rule. Savage enters with a different robe, foreshadowing his Wrestlemania 4 tournament performance. Ventura scoffs at the fact JYD has a bye while Monsoon scoffs at Savage for using Elizabeth as a shield and even Jesse can't back that disgusting display (for 1985) up. Nowadays women get hit with chairs and chainsaws but in 1985 if you so much as poked a female in the stomach it was a big deal. Savage ties up with Dynamite in a nice feeling out sequence where Savage goes behind with a two point take down and Dynamite tries to turn in. Savage rides but eventually Dynamite escapes which causes Savage to go outside and stand on the guardrail....Macho Madness at its finest. They tie up in the ring and roll around the ropes all the way around the ring before Savage gets a sucker punch in.  Savage rams Dynamite head first into the turnbuckle then delivers an elbow to the temple. Dynamite rallies with right hands and a sideheadlock into a shoulderblock sequence. Dynamite hits a back bodydrop and a flying crossbody but they roll into the ropes so there's no count. Dynamite goes for a sunset flip but Savage drops down on him to counter the hold. Gorilla says Dynamite is in better shape than Savage but just by looking at them I have to disagree, Savage was ripped back then and Dynamite was about 20 lbs over what he should have weighed, too much muscle on a small frame. Dynamite goes for another crossbody but missed that one before doing a double clothesline spot. Savage goes upstairs but takes too long and Dynamite dropkicks him down into the turnbuckle. Dynamite climbs up and does a superplex that the crowd pops then they both cradle each other on the ground. The ref counts 1....2.....3....and the match is over, the tape clearly shows Savages right shoulder off the mat so Randy is announced the winner. Ventura creams his pants as once again a potentially awesome match is crammed into 5 minutes, dammit. Savage is literally carried out of the arena by the security staff to show how exhausted he is.

Time of match: 4:52

Winner: Randy Savage by pinfall

We go to Mean Gene in the locker room, literally. He catches up with Orndorff and Hogan who rant and rave about Heenan, Piper and Orton.  Total count  Dude - 0  Brother - 1  Jack - 0  Man - 6  so if you took the under then you win.....barely

Finals (Match 15 overall)

Junkyard Dog vs "Macho Man" Randy Savage (with Miss Elizabeth)

JYD's wrestled two matches and were both a breeze while Savage had to win 3 matches against awesome workers such as Dynamite and Steamboat, the last one only minutes before. Usually its the face that's exhausted going into the finals but for some reason Savage is the longshot compared to the well rested Dog. Savage uses Elizabeth as a shield and JYD corners the both of them. Jesse Ventura "JYD looks like he's gonna punch Elizabeth *sarcastically* What a man he is!". Savage bails to the outside and grabs a chair as the bell rings to officially start. Savage throws the chair at the Dog who catches it then rams his own head into it...heh. Dog taunts Randy until he gets in the ring verrrrrrrry slowly 90 seconds after the bell. They lock up and JYD heaves Savage across the ring twice. Randy goes for a scoop slam but can't get the JYD up, guess Savage isn't as Macho as we think. JYD delivers a headbutt to the small of the back then a delayed atomic drop. JYD locks in a bearhug as Jesse scoffs at Savage wrestling 4 times before Mean Gene Okerlund joins the commentary team for some reason. Dog delivers a forearm and headbutts to the back as Gene says alls fair in love and war. Savage gets caught in the ring ropes as Dog headbutts him from inside. Dog runs into a left arm clothesline by Savage that he barely sells. Savage covers but Dog powers out of it at 2 then Savage throws him through the ropes to the outside. Randy goes upstairs and delivers the double axehandle to the floor. Savage rams Doggie into the ring post then goes upstairs where he delivers another axehandle to the floor. Savage picks up a chair and whacks Dog with it while referee Dave Hebner stands there and watches. Gene Okerlund asks why Savage isn't disqualified as am I but whatever, the match continues. Savage chokes JYD on the guardrail then drops an elbow as the crowd boo's before sending Doggie back in the ring. Savage climbs upstairs but he's gone to the well too often as JYD catches him with a punch to the midsection. JYD does his doggie headbutts and Savage sells like crazy before Randy begs off. JYD delivers a normal headbutt and Savage gets tied up in the ropes Andre style. Savage is untied then rakes the eyes to stop the momentum, then he charges but JYD backdrops him over the top to the cement floor. The referee counts but Savage can't make it back in....that's it, JYD wins by a count-out as Ventura scoffs. Savage carried that match, plus along with his other matches against the likes of Dynamite Kid was probably the main reason for giving him the Intercontinental Championship a few months after this.

Time of match: 9:33

Winner: Junkyard Dog by count-out

Mean Gene hits the ring to get a word with our first (and last) Wrestling Classic champion Junkyard Dog. Dog goes to answer a question when Jesse "The Body" Ventura gets in the ring and gets bent out of the shape, ranting how the Dog didn't wrestle as much as Savage. Randy gets helped to the back as JYD chases Ventura out of the ring as Monsoon starts laughing at him. We go to McMahon who signs off and that's the end of the show.

 Well that was horribly done. They had AWESOME talent in this tournament and the matches were way too short to be considered "Classic". This actually would have been a great Raw event from the late 90's in terms of crash style (Like the IC title tournament Ken Shamrock won) but as a pay per view this was NOT worth however much it cost back in the day. Eventually Vince would try it out with longer matches such as the Wrestlemania 4 version before settling on the King of the Ring format in 1993. This was the prototype for future tournaments but it was way too rushed, this may be the first and only time I'm complaining the matches were too short rather than too long. I'd give this tape 2 1/2 stars out of 5, make no mistake most of the matches weren't bad and talent wise, this was the best it got for the WWF in 1985 but everything was too short. This was part of Vince's feeling out process to decide what would be or wouldn't be worthy of a pay-per-view event. Wrestlemania 2 would be the next big one. As for this event, crash style in 1985 was interesting so 2 1/2 out of 5 for the interesting concept and historical perspective as the first ever WWF ppv.

WWF at Madison Square Garden: Wrestlemania (3/31/85)

This is going to be a different kind of post because the first Wrestlemania was actually the March 1985 Madison Square Garden show.  There’s a lot of backstory that went into the making of it and I’ll try to do the best I can to piece it all together. It started when Vince McMahon Jr purchased Georgia Championship Wrestling from Jim Barnett in May of 1984. GCW had been broadcast on Ted Turner owned TBS “The Superstation” for a decade and it featured classic NWA wrestling. In what would later be called “Black Saturday”, on July 14, 1984 Vince McMahon appeared on Georgia Championship and switched the programming from NWA wrestling to re-runs of WWF matches. The predominantly southern fans revolted as the difference in product between the NWA and WWF was severe. Instead of classic wrestling they got cartoon wrestling. The ratings hit the toilet almost immediately and Turner was pissed. To get back at Vince, Ted allowed a half hour timeslot for Ole Anderson’s Championship Wrestling From Georgia featuring anyone that refused to go to the WWF when first bought (among those were Jake Roberts, Gordon Solie and Ted Dibiase). Vince was pissed and felt that only he should be allowed on the Superstation. Turner told him to improve the ratings or get lost. Vince then sold his timeslot to Jim Crockett Promotions for a huge chunk of cash. What did he do with that cash? That’s the second part of the story. While all this was going on, in his own company, Hulkamania was running wild. Hulk Hogan was a huge ratings draw wherever he was booked and was starting to get national attention. Something was missing though, Vince knew if he wanted to hit the big time, he needed to be in the mainstream. That’s when a lucky plane ride changed the course of wrestling history. Captain Lou Albano just happened to be on the same plane as rock star Cindi Lauper and the two struck up a friendship. Cindi then asked Lou to play the role of her father on her world famous video “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun”. Soon after Cindy began popping up at WWF events which led to MTV taking notice. In what would become the “Rock N Wrestling Connection” 9 days after Vince started airing his crap on GCW, MTV aired “Brawl To End It All” which launched WWF into the national spotlight. This was followed up by “War To Settle The Score” which featured Hulk Hogan taking on top heel “Rowdy” Roddy Piper (who was stolen from the NWA a year prior). Now with the mainstream attention and a huge chunk of change from the GCW sale, Vince needed a home run show. Supercards were nothing new, Starrcade 83 had been the most successful for the NWA. Vince knew he needed something bigger. Something that would revolutionize the wrestling business and how supercards should be run. TV tough guy Mr. T had befriended Hulk Hogan and Vince decided to run a supercard featuring a tag match featuring his top heels (Piper and Paul Orndorff) and Hogan/T. He had the venue set for Madison Square Garden and he had the finance, he just needed a name. Howard Finkel…yes, The Fink himself suggested “Wrestlemania” and Vince ran with it. Shown on closed-circuit television, Wrestlemania 1, the first of what would become the pinnacle of wrestling events was held on March 31, 1985 and it featured the biggest showdown of the year with television superstar Mr T along with WWF Champion Hulk Hogan taking on the biggest heel in not only the WWF but in wrestling as well "Rowdy" Roddy Piper and "Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff. I'm not kidding about the heel line, even though Flair was a heel as a part of The Horsemen he was loved in his role and over in the AWA did anyone give a damn about Stan Hansen? Piper was definately the number 1 heel in wrestling at this point so to see him get his possible comeuppance from the Hulkster was something everyone wanted to see.  Also included was the famous 15,000 dollar slam match where if Andre slammed Big John Studd he'd win 15 grand but if Studd won Andre would retire. Plus we get a tag team title match between the original Un-Americans Nikolai Volkoff and Iron Sheik against the US Express Barry Whindam and Mike Rotundo. Now before I go any further I must point out to anyone reading this NOT to judge this card like a modern day Wrestlemania. Back in these days the monthly MSG, Boston Garden and Philadelphia Spectrum shows would feature 2 or 3 good matches with cucka filling the undercard. Even though this was the first Wrestlemania, Vince still booked the show as a monthly MSG show only with a bit more pizazz. Judging the show by 2020's standards is a waste of time. This event started it all so let’s get right down to it. Vince McMahon's voice appears and runs down the card before we get sent to Monsoon, Ventura and Gene Okerlund who sings the national anthem (ugh).

MARCH 31, 1985

MADISON SQUARE GARDEN

NEW YORK, NY

            

Commentators: Gorilla Monsoon and Jesse "The Body" Ventura

Match 1

Tito Santana vs The Executioner

  You know.....I think its really dumb they had to hide "Playboy" Buddy Rose (The Executioner) like this, but since this was a one time appearance I guess it was justified. I still get a kick how Mean Gene Okerlund would interview both participants in the matches mere seconds after the other departed the screen...and this was back when kayfabe was still a big deal. Executioner (who clearly looks and sounds like Buddy Rose) says he's gonna go after Santana's leg while Tito says he's gonna win....arriba! Bells gone and they run the ropes adjacent from each other before Santana hits a backdrop and a dropkick on The Executioner who falls through the ropes to the outside. Ventura utters his famous "Woodstock was to rock n roll what Wrestlemania is to wrestling" line. Well put. Back inside Santana hits a headlock who walks up the rope and turns it into a headlock takeover. Executioner and Santana trade blows before Executioner takes over in the corner and hits a knee to the solar plexus. Executioner goes for a figure four but Santana blocks it, then he goes for a step over toe wrench which Santana counters into a cradle for a near fall. Santana fires away in the corner and goes for a piledriver, but Executioner counters with a back drop. He hits a bodyslam and goes upstairs but Santana catches him with a slam off the top. Santana goes for a big splash but Executioner gets the knees up just in time, then he works over the left leg on the second rope before Tito kicks him over the top rope into the time-keeper's table. Tito hits a power slam from the apron to the ring and hits the flying forearm out of nowhere. Tito drags him to the center of the ring and locks in the figure four as Executioner submits quickly though the time keeper's asleep and takes forever to ring the bell. Howard Finkel gets in the ring with the official word as Santana takes the first match in Wrestlemania history. Now for judgement sake, keep in mind this was March of 1985 so expecting Rey Mysterio vs Juventud Guerrera or Chris Benoit vs Chris Jericho is a waste of time. For its time it entertained the crowd and established Tito as number 1 contender to Greg Valentine's Intercontinental championship.

Time of Match: 4:40

Winners: Tito Santana by submission

 Alfred Hays in the aisle way shills the upcoming King Kong Bundy/SD Jones showdown who sends it to Okerlund who interviews Jones first. SD "I'm gonna get down with the biggest man in town" and 5 seconds after Jones leaves in walks Bundy and Hart.....like I said earlier, this was back when kayfabe was a real big deal so we're supposed to believe Bundy let him stand there and say all this stuff? Bundy says he's gonna avalanche the poor guy and get the 5 count. Back to ringside....

Match 2

King Kong Bundy (with Jimmy Hart) vs Special Delivery "SD" Jones

  SD Jones was your basic mid-card face at the time while Bundy was a rising monster heel, fresh from being a member of the Legion of Doom in the NWA. Jones runs into Bundy at the bell and Kong catches him in a bearhug then rams him into the corner. Jones crumples to the floor then gets up as Bundy hits the avalanche followed by the big splash for 1...2....3 and its over just like that. Monsoon and Ventura can't believe it as Howard Finkel gets on the mic. "Time of the fall....9 SECONDS...your winner King Kong Bundy" Um, what? I specifically counted 23 seconds (which Monsoon ironically says is the previous record) so this was all just hooplah to get Bundy over as Hogan's future opponent. My guess is SD wasn't supposed to fall to the floor after the bearhug in the corner so they went with 9 seconds as per plan anyway. Bottom line is Bundy is established as a mean looking fella.

Time of match: 23 seconds

Winner: King Kong Bundy by pinfall

     Back to Alfred Hays who shills the upcoming match as Bundy makes his way back to the locker room. Mean Gene interviews Borne first and he says Steamboat's too nice of a guy and he's gonna beat him up then Ricky comes in and scoffs at Borne for basically calling him a wuss and says he's gonna take him out.

Match 3

"Maniac" Matt Borne vs Ricky Steamboat

   This could be the sleeper as match of the night because Borne was more talented than he looked (and this was 8 years before he became Doink the Clown) and we all know how great Steamboat was. Borne was competing in both Portland and Mid-South when he was brought in for the match. Ventura hypes Matt's father "Tough" Tony Borne who wrestled many moons ago including an encounter with Gorilla himself. They tie up to start before Steamboat leapfrogs over Borne and goes for the double chop but Matt catches himself, then runs into the double chop anyway. Steamboat hits a snap mare and a headlock as Monsoon hypes up him and Jimmy Snuka as possible tag team title contenders. Steamboat rolls through an atomic drop attempt and hits one of his own, then mocks Borne's selling of the maneuver. Steamboat goes back to the side headlock before Borne hits an inverted atomic drop and a knee lift. Borne fires away in the corner but Steamboat hits a boot to the head (yeah yeah!) and a chop from the second rope. Steamboat hits another double karate chop as the announcers shill Ricky's physique and Borne's intelligence. Borne backs Ricky in the corner and hits a series of knee's to the mid-section followed by a BtB suplex. Matt hits a snap suplex and covers for 1..2...nope, they trade blows in the ring before Steamboat gets the upper hand with karate chops. Steamboat hits a back suplex, a reverse neckbreaker and 2 knee drops for a cover of 1..2...nope. Steaboat leapfrogs over Borne and hits some sort of double punch to the face, then he goes upstairs and hits the FLYING CROSSBODY for 1...2....three and we have a winner. Short and sweet....so much for my match of the night prediction. Then again, that's judging it by today's standards when every match was supposed to be 10 minutes because there were so many of them packed into one show. Still good for what it was.

Time of match: 4:38

Winner: Ricky Steamboat by pinfall

   Back to Alfred Hays who hypes up the upcoming David Sammartino/Brutus Beefcake showdown before sending it over to Okerlund with the pre-match interview. David says he and his dad Bruno have been training hard and he's gonna avenge Hillbilly Jim by taking Beefcake out. Hillbilly Jim got hurt a few months earlier and  Bruno says if Johnny V interferes he's gonna knock him out.  Beefcake and Johnny enter WHILE DAVID IS STILL ON SCREEN....are you kidding me? Verne Gagne would have a heart attack if he saw this going on in the AWA. Anyway Johnny V cuts a funny promo saying he'll stick his schnozz wherever her wants. Its funny how Johnny Valiant became a manager for WWF while kayfabe brother Jimmy was still competing for Crockett at this time.

Match 4

Brutus Beefcake (with Johnny Valiant) vs David Sammartino (with Bruno Sammartino)

    Poor David, the old man's shoes were too big to fill and even when matched up against someone like Beefcake, he STILL gets laughed at. There's no referee in the ring so they stall for a while as Monsoon and Ventura discuss the possibility of Beefcake being "Luscious" Johnny Valiant's son. They exchange tie-ups after the bell before David hits a drop-toe hold as the camera pans to Bruno outside. They exchange go-behinds and takedowns before Brutus slides under the ring and regroups with Valiant. Back inside David hits a series of old school takedowns and goes to the front headlock, a Sammartino trademark. Beefcake threatens to pound the ref before David counters a scoop slam with an arm-bar. David drops a leg on the left shoulder before Beefcake gets up and hits a high school style headlock for 1...2..nope. Brutus hits a shoulder-block and an arm=drag but Sammartino nips up and catches Beefcake with a double toe-hold. Beefcake powers out of it but David catches the leg and applies a step-over. Brutus counters a figure four attempt but Sammartino continues with the leg lock as Beefcake doesn't even sell it....seriously, he adjusts his arm pads and barely looks like he's in pain. Beefcake gets a thumb to the eye and hits a backdrop before hitting a series of forearms to the sternum. Beefcake hits a scoop slam and goes back on offense with elbows in the corner. Beefcake hits a hard irish whip into the corner, poses, then hits a series of knees to the mid-section. Bruno gets the crowd to chant for David as Beefcake runs straight into a back body-drop. Sammartino rallies with clubbing right hands and jabs before hitting a weak looking boot to the mid-section. David hits a big knee to the head and a snap suplex then covers for 1...2..negative. Beefcake throws David out of the ring where Valiant pounces and slams him on the concrete floor...causing the old man to toss Valiant in the ring for an ass kicking. Bruno waffles Johnny with a series of forearms before Beefcake pounds away to stop the momentum. David comes over and all 4 men go at it as the ref calls for the bell before the Sammartinos clean house. The crowd erupts but then boos when Finkel announces the match is a draw. The first and last appearance of David Sammartino on any major WWF event as Beefcake was just getting started. For those wondering why a Wrestlemania match ended in a draw, see previous explanations.

Time of match: 11:40

Winner: No one...double DQ

    Back to Alfred Hays who shills the upcoming IC title match before sending it over to Gene Okerlund for the pre-match interviews. Valentine says he's the master of the figure four and he's gonna hammer JYD before Dog comes in and says he's going to get his hands on Jimmy Hart. Back to ringside with Gorilla and Jesse.

Match 5

Junkyard Dog vs Greg "The Hammer" Valentine (with Jimmy Hart) for the WWF Intercontinental Championship

    JYD, one of the most popular black athletes in wrestling history, gets a title shot here. JYD had come over from Mid-South wrestling (damn near crippling the promotion as he was the top star) for this one. Valentine enters first as Another One Bites The Dust hits and JYD enters. I should point out JYD is the first person to use entrance music as everyone else to this point didn't have any. They fake hitting each other as JYD jukes and jives to the crowd's delight before hitting an arm twister. Valentine whips JYD off but Dog catches the foot then catches Greg with a right hand. Valentine hits a knee and an elbow but misses a forearm so JYD hits his trademark headbutts on the ground before the camera pans to the Garden crowd. Monsoon says Hart is now the manager of Jim Niedhart, Bundy and Valentine before Valentine goes back on offense. Greg hits a forearm to the back of the neck and an elbow drop to the mid-section before going over the right leg of JYD. Valentine goes for a half-crab and stretches the knee as the crowd begins to roar for JYD. Valentine hits a headbutt to the midsection but JYD counters the figure four attempt and sells the injury well. Valentine works him over in the corner before Dog rallies with right hands and headbutts as Valentine does the flop. Jimmy Hart gets on the apron and Dog grabs him but moves out of the way causing Valentine to hammer Jimmy to the floor. Dog backs Valentine in the corner with forearm and a headbutt before Valentine rake the eyes and scoops the legs with his feet on the rope for 1...2...3 and Valentine wins it. All of a sudden Tito Santana hits the ring and tells the ref Valentine had his foot on the rope. I don't know what kind of magic power Tito has but the ref calls for the match to continue making him the smartest ref in the history of wrestling up to this point. Unfortunately Valentine wants no part of it and stays out of the ring. Dog wins by count-out but the title does not change hands on a count-out so The Hammer is still the champ. Santana and Dog taunt Valentine in the ring as Greg teases getting in to fight them before walking to the back. That was supposed to be a 1 hour time limit and it didn't even go 7 minutes. This had the pace of a 1998 Monday Night Raw card and this was 1985.

Time of match: 6:53

Winner:  Junkyard Dog by count-out (Valentine retains the title)

   Back to Hays who shills the upcoming tag team title match before sending it over to Okerlund for the pre-match interviews. Iron Sheik says down with America while my favorite manager of all time "Classie" Freddie Blassie says we're looking at the next champions. Gene says "Ok commie...er comrade" and Nikolai Volkoff says "I came, I saw, I conquer". After the heels leave, Captain Lou Albano walks in with a beer in his hand and says the US Express is gonna win, now THAT'S confidence.

Match 6

The Un-Americanz (Nikolai Volkoff and Iron Sheik) with Freddie Blassie vs The US Express (Barry Windham and Mike Rotundo) with Captain Lou Albano for the WWF Tag Team Championship

  The men who would become IRS and The Stalker (and father to Bray Wyatt & Bo Dallas) take on Sheik and Volkoff here. The Express had beaten the North/South Connection (Adrian Adonis and Dick Murdoch) for the belts two months prior. Before the match Nikolai does his pre-match ritual by singing the Soviet National Anthem as the Garden crowd heaves garbage in the ring. Sheik "RUSSIA NUMBA VUN....IRAN NUMBA VUN...AMERICA HACK PATOIE!" Born in the USA by Bruce "The Boss" Springsteen hits and the Express make their entrance. With 3 out of the 4 wrestlers in their prime, this could be the sleeper that Borne/Steamboat wasn't. Rotundo starts off with Sheik as Ventura says you'll see bad world series and superbowls but not Wrestlemania....yah wait until Wrestlemania 11. Rotundo hits an armdrag, dropkick, a scoop slam and a headlock takedown as Ventura shills. Windham makes the tag and hits an elbow from off the top rope then hits a boot to the mid-section. Sheik backs Barry back in the corner and Volkoff holds, but Windham escapes and Sheik dropicks Volkoff instead. Volkoff tags in and the camera shows an instant replay of the dropkick before going back to live action where Rotundo hits a back elbow smash. IRS...er Mike locks in an arm-bar then tags in Windham who once again comes off the top onto the elbow. Rotundo follows with the same elbow drop before Nikolai takes over and rams Rotundo's head into Sheik's legendary loaded boot. Sheik backdrops Rotundo and hits an elbow drop for 1...2...nope, near fall. Iron Sheik executes a gut-wrench suplex and covers for a deuce before Rotundo blocks a snap suplex and hits one of his own. Nikolai tags in and drops him throat first on the top rope as Blassie shouts "Kick em!" Rotundo switches out of a hammerlock as the crowd gets a USA chant going. Mike hits a sunset flip for 1..2...noooo, Volkoff quickly gets up and puts the boots to him. Volkoff hits a knee to the mid-section and boots before ramming Mike's head once again into Sheik's boot. The heels double team Rotundo before Sheik applies an abdominal stretch as the camera pans to Blassie and Albano trading invectives. Rotundo escapes and Volkoff tags in but Mike finally makes it to Windham, who fires away at Nikolai with fists and a dropkick. Windham hits the bulldog and covers for 1..2...nope, Sheik cuts him off. Rotundo gets in and dropkicks Sheik to the floor but Blassie sneaks the cane into Sheik's hands. The ref is distracted by Rotundo as Sheik breaks the cane over the back of Windham who crumbles to the floor. Nikolai rolls him over and covers for 1....2...3 and we got new tag team champions. Iron Sheik becomes the first superstar since Bob Backlund to be both World champion and Tag champion in their careers. I should point out that Barry left the company not long after this and Windham wouldn't compete in another Wrestlemania for 12 more years. Meanwhile Rotundo resurfaced 7 years later as I.R.S. Again, crash style match and it was good for 85 standards.

Time of match: 6:51

Winners: The Un-Americanz by pinfall (New Tag Team Champions)

    Mean Gene interviews the new champs and scoffs at Blassie for using the cane. Freddie "Cane? What cane? I didn't have no cane!" Sheik says Gene Mean and spits at the US again as Okerlund sends it back to Monsoon and Ventura who goes over what we just saw. Back to Alfred Hays who shills the upcoming $15,000 slam match who sends it back to Okerlund for the pre-match interviews. Big John Studd and Bobby Heenan enter with the duffel bag of money and its funny to see Okerlund try to stick his hand in as Heenan swats it away. Heenan "There's only 2 people that are gonna see this money, me and Studd....make it 3, the teller at the bank when we deposit the money." The next segment is shilling Wrestlemania merchandise which makes no sense because the announcer dude says "pick it up in the corridors" which is an insinuation people watching this commercial is at the Garden? Whatever....on to the match.

Match 7

Andre the Giant vs Big John Studd (with Bobby Heenan) in a $15,000 Slam Match

 Ok, the rules are simple.....if Andre bodyslams Studd he wins 15 grand but if Studd slams Andre then say goodbye to the Giant. Studd attacks Andre in the corner as the bell rings before Andre rallies with chop and a big headbutt. Andre boots Studd to the outside of the ring and John regroups with Heenan, back inside Andre taunts Studd until backing him into the corner. Andre chokes Studd in the corner and Ventura asks where the ref is, but this isn't a standard wrestling match so there are no DQ's to speak of. Andre hits a knee to the head and big hamhock to the head before executing avalanches in the corner. Studd goes for a bodyslam but Andre blocks it then chops away at Studd before hitting a bearhug. The fants chats for Andre to slam as Ventura says "25,000 strong chanting".....thought the building only held about 17,000 but nevertheless it is a sell out. The bearhug spot is worked for 2 full minutes before letting go and hitting a forearm to the back as Ventura says this could be the last time we could be seeing Andre. Andre hits a headlock and hits another hamhock to the mid-section as the crowd erupts. Andre whips Studd off and catches the foot, then hits another right hand to the face. Andre blocks a back elbow smash before chopping John in the corner. Andre kicks away at Studd's leg and I'll let Monsoon handle this one. "Andre now going to work on the leg, LOOK AT THIS...ANDRE PICKS EM UP...HE SLAMMED HIM!!!" This one's over and Andre wins the match with the big scoop slam. The crowd erupts again as Finkel hands Andre the bag of money. Andre begins throwing money into the crowd before Heenan sneaks up, steals the bag then runs to the back with Studd. Ventura "They don't call him The Brain for nothin Gino!" Andre poses in the ring and his career will resume....for a few more years anyway. I look at this match not for the catch-as-catch-can but for the drama and the storyline because in 1985, 15 grand or retire was a big deal so this match certainly was legendary.

Time of match: 5:52

Winner: Andre the Giant

   Back to Okerlund who interviews Andre who says in his booming voice that he doesn't care about the money and tries cutting a promo but is cut off as we send it back to Monsoon and Ventura. The man just saved his career, let him speak dammit! We send it back to Alfred Hays who tries to shill the upcoming women's match but is cut off by Fabulous Moolah who kisses him on the lips. Alfred "Good gracious!" then Leilani Kai kisses him before he finally sends it to Mean Gene. Okerlund interviews Cyndi Lauper and Richter then Cyndi in her thick Brooklyn accent she's gonna get her hands on Moolah. Richter says she's gonna get her belt back as the camera cuts off allowing Moolah and Leilani to enter....why couldn't they have done that all night to make it look like they weren't standing next to each other. Moolah is wearing flamboyant glasses and Okerlund says don't tell Ventura about them so he doesn't get any ideas. Back to ringside for the match.....

Match 8

Wendi Richter (with Cyndi Lauper and David Wolfe) vs Leilani Kai (with Fabulous Moolah) for the WWF Womens Championship

   Ironically this match was more hyped up than the previous seven (Andre included) because of the involvement of Lauper on MTV. Richter had originally dethroned Moolah and Moolah trained Leilani to get the belt back, which she did. Richter, Wolfe and Lauper come running out to Girls Just Wanna Have Fun as the crowd goes crazy for the trio. Cyndi gets in Leilani's face before the bell and Kai motions that she's crazy, haha good one. I don't know whether it was because I was a weird kid or not but when I first saw this match I thought Leilani was much more gorgeous than Wendi but Richter was the better wrestler. Monsoon says Cyndi stole her outfit out of Ventura's dresser as we get underway with the big title match. They tie up and roll around the ropes before Leilani backs Wendi in the corner. Wendi punches Leilani halfway across the ring then hits an armdrag but Leilani nips Richter off her. Kai hits an armdrag but Wendi turns it into a hammerlock before THROWING her in hammerlock position a good 3 feet in the air, how Leilani didn't tear a shoulder in the process I don't know. Leilani reaches back and hits a series of snapmares as Cyndi shouts encouragement for Wendi. Leilani goes back to old school holds, a tribute to Moolah I'm sure.  They trade blows in the ring before Leilani grabs Wendi by the hair and throws her into the corner, then hits a snapmare before choking her down. Wendi applies a body scissors from sex position and Leilani shows how strong she is by pulling her all the way to her feet but Wendi hits a forearm to the chest. They appear to go for the same gut-wrench suplex but Wendi being taller falls forward into a lateral press for 1...2....nope. Leilani holds on to the hair then snapmares her over as Ventura speculates what its like to be on the receiving end of something like that. Kai throws Richter in the corner but a charge eats double boot then Wendi covers for a near fall. Leilani distracts the ref so Moolah chokes Wendi on the bottom rope before Cyndi runs over to save the day. Leilani whips Wendi off and hits a boot to the mid-section but Wendi rallies with a forearm and a New Delhi Devastator (and this is 1985 no less). Wendi splashes on top for 1....2..nope, near fall. Wendi whips Leilani into the corner where she goes for a splash but Kai gets the knees up in time. Leilani puts the boots to Wendi and hits a backbreaker for 1....2..NOOOO, that was close. Leilani hits a scoop slam then goes upstairs and hits a flying crossbody, but then Wendi rolls through it for 1....2......3 and we got a new WWF Women's champion! Cyndi runs around and strangles Moolah with the towel before she trips getting into the ring. A funny spot that I find funny is Cyndi tries to pick up Wendi but can't and Wendi picks up Cyndi effortlessly. They then do a dose-do dance as Girls Just Wanna Have Fun once again blares to the Madison Square Garden crowd.  Monsoon goes to the replay of the finish and speculates when Leilani came off the top she hit her head on the canvas allowing Wendi to roll on top......good explanation but anyways we got a new champion. I should point out this would be the last Women's title change at a Wrestlemania for 16 years.

Time of match: 6:13

Winner: Wendi Richter by pinfall (New Women's champion)

   We go back to Mean Gene in the locker-room who interviews the new champ, where she says she beat "Leilani Cow". Captain Lou makes his way into the picture as Gene asks "Did Moolah get in your way Cyndi?" Wendi "Are you crazy??" Cyndi "Yeah she's bigger than me but I took care of her" before sending it to Howard Finkel in the ring. Fink turns things over to New York Yankees manager Billy Martin who is the special guest ring announcer. He gets a standing O from the crowd which is weird considering how many times he's been hired and fired as manager. He then introduces Liberace as the special guest time-keeper (who dances a jig with the Rockettes in the ring) Billy then introduces the special guest referee Pat Patterson and special guest enforcer former world heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali. Jose Torrez the former light-heavyweight champion leads Ali to the ring as the crowd gives a much deserved applause for the duo. Now its time for the main event......

Match 9

"Mr Wonderful" Paul Orndorff and "Rowdy" Roddy Piper (with Bob Orton) vs Mr T and Hulk Hogan (with Jimmy Snuka)

 A Bagpipe band makes their way to the ring signaling the arrival of wrestling's number one heel ROWDY.....RODDY....PIPER!!  The Rowdy one makes his entrance with Mr Wonderful and "Ace" Bob Orton. Not to nitpick, but couldn't this have been a six man tag match since Jimmy Snuka was equally as loved in the Garden as Hogan and Orton was Piper's bodyguard...ah well, no use squawking about it now. Mr. T, Snuka and Hogan make their entrance to Eye of the Tiger as the Garden crowd goes nuts. They take FOREVER to start before Liberace stands and rings his custom made bell to start the main event. Hogan and Orndorff start jawing each other as the tension builds. Orndorff teases going at it before tagging Piper in. Mr T hops up and down saying let me have him so Hogan tags him in. Piper made it clear on his DVD compilation he never liked Mr. T so this feud was more personal than it was business. Piper hated Mr T, Orndorff and Hogan hated each other so this maybe an out and out shoot by the end. Piper and T staredown nose to nose before they exchange slaps to the face before hitting a go-behind takedown. T tries to sit-out/turn in but Piper maintains the ride. Mr T finally switches out of it as Orndorff fires up Piper in their corner. Mr T puts Piper into a fireman's carry then drops him like yesterday's newspaper (Monsoon's words not mine). Piper backs T into his corner where Orndorff gets in then a melee ensues when all 4 men brawl into the corner. Muhammad Ali and Bob Orton get in the ring as Snuka goes upstairs. Ali throws a punch that sends Piper out of the ring then takes a swing at Orton who retreats to the ground. The heels regroup outside as the camera shows Billy Martin laughing his ass off at the proceedings. Piper motions that they're outta here as Monsoon scoffs and the heels actually leave the area. Patterson counts up to 8 before Hogan stops him and motions for them to come back and the heels in fact do walk back to ringside. Piper and Paul get in the ring to attack Mr T and Hogan but the faces clean house. They hit a double noggin knocker on the heels before Hogan clotheslines Roddy in the corner. Hulk hits a knoggin knocker on Piper and Orndorff before hitting an atomic drop on the rowdy one. Piper and Hogan trade blows before Hulk makes the tag to Mr T then they hit a double clotheslines. T hits a scoop slam on Piper and an arm-drag on an interfering Orndorff. T hits another slam on Piper and headbutts Orndorff before ramming Piper's head into Hogan's knee. Make no mistake about it, in terms of physical condition Mr T has the physique that is better than half the WWF roster so had he went into wrestling, he couldn't have been any worse than anybody the AWA put out in the late 80's. Hogan rakes the eyes and big boots Piper over the top rope to the floor. Mr Wonderful interferes and clotheslines Hogan out of the ring so Piper grabs a chair and waffles the Hulkster with it. Muhammad Ali chases Piper back in the ring but Orndorff sneaks out and throws Hogan into the ring. Piper puts the boots to Hogan as Orndorff sneaks in a cheap shot of his own. Mr T interferes so Piper and Orndorff double team the Hulkster. Piper and Orndorff execute a double atomic drop on Hogan as Muhammad Ali gets in the ring to chase Piper out. Fans may not be pleased with Ali's constant interference but from a kayfabe standpoint he's supposed to be the enforcer and that's exactly what he's doing. Patterson has to beg Ali to get out as Orndorff works over Hulk. Orndorff hits a snap suplex as Ventura says he's the x-factor of this match being the most technically gifted of all 4 men involved.....well 6 including Snuka and Orton outside. Piper tags in and hits windup punches then a knee lift for 1...2..nope, Hogan kicks out. Piper holds Hogan as Paul tags in and hits a forearm to the back of the neck.....One of the unwritten laws of wrestling is not to hit moves on the back of the neck because you're more prone to actual injuries, but Orndorff would ROUTINELY do this to Hogan in their matches, pissing off the Hulkster legitimately in the process. Paul covers for a near-fall before hitting a nice backbreaker before going upstairs. Orndorff goes for another forearm off the top but misses, before Hogan makes the hot tag to Mr T. T cleans house before Orndorff is able to take him down. Mr T and Orndorff go high school style as Mr T goes for a roll but Paul wizzers to make sure that doesn't happen. Piper makes the tag then hits a front headlock on B.A. Barabus before T tags Hogan in.  Both heels interfere so Hogan hits a double noggin knocker on them then headlock punches Orndorff until Wonderful counters with a back suplex. Piper interferes but Patterson cuts him off so both Jimmy Snuka and Cowboy Bob get in the ring. Snuka hits a jumping headbutt that sends Orton over the top to the apron. Patterson is distracted by Snuka as Orndorff puts Hogan in a full nelson. Piper and Mr. T go at it as Patterson turns his attention to him as Orton goes upstairs. Orton comes off the top but Hogan moves and Ace catches Orndorff in the back of the head with the cast. Hogan covers as Snuka roughs up Orton and Patterson gets in position..1......2.....3....its overrrrrrrr!!!!  The ring becomes chaos as everyone gets in the ring before Piper knocks out Patterson, spits at Orndorff and takes off with Orton in tow. Back inside Mr T tends to Orndoff as Billy Martin announce Hogan and Mr T the winner. Orndorff springs to life as Snuka, T, Patterson and Hogan back off. The faces celebrate in the ring as Orndorff doesn't have a clue what happened before heading to the locker-room. Hogan, Mr. T, Muhammad Ali, Pat Patterson, Snuka, Liberace and Billy Martin all pose and celebrate in the ring. Monsoon and Ventura go to the instant replay before sending it back to Mean Gene to interview the winners. Mr T says he trained hard,as Hogan shills Snuka and T before Superfly does the same thing.  Back to Monsoon and Ventura who sign off and thanks the fans for tuning in.

Time of match: 13:21

Winners: Mr T and Hulk Hogan by pinfall

     From an in ring standpoint this was on par with a lot of WWF action from 1985 and historically it did great numbers on closed circuit television. WWF was taking over the country and this would be the greatest year in wrestling (until 1998) for the AWA had their second wind after losing virtually their entire roster to McMahon, the NWA was awesome with the Horsemen against Dusty Rhodes and Magnum TA and of course WWF's Rock n Wrestling was a big seller. This was more of a modern day crash event with only two matches going over 10 minutes but that's basically how long WWF stars could go and still be entertaining. If you're looking for an in-ring classic ppv like Great American Bash 96 don't bother, but if you want a drama filled time capsule of fun then definitely get your hands on this priceless classic. Seriously, whoever was old enough to remember what wrestling was like during this time period can agree that this was ground breaking. As for this one, 4 stars out of 5 for the significance and a point off for the crash style. Some of them deserved to be longer.