WWF Battle Royal at the Royal Albert Hall (10/3/91)

Royal Albert Hall

London, England

October 3, 1991

Commentators: Bobby Heenan and Gorilla Monsoon

Ring Announcer: Mel Phillips

In between Summerslam 91 and Survivor Series, the WWF had a ppv worthy card....for residents of the United Kingdom anyway. The Royal Albert Hall was a concert venue usually reserved for orchestras but for some reason the WWF made its way there. We have a bunch of cold matches but the storylines did carry over like Roddy Piper vs Ric Flair and the rise of The Undertaker. Plus the star of the show was naturally "British Bulldog" Davey Boy Smith. After all the matches, everyone that worked will be in a battle royal to decide who wins the Samovar Trophy....which is just an oversized urn used to boil tea. Before we do anything we actually had a dark match strictly for the home crowd.

Dark Match:

Brian Maxine vs Steve Regal

Two World of Sport stars have a match for the local crowd. Maxine was 53 years old and played a flamboyant character in British wrestling in the 70's. Regal was the inspiration for Darren Matthews to become Lord Steven (later William) Regal. Regal won the match.

Winner: Steve Regal

We start off with Heenan and Monsoon greeting us, "Sir Robert of Heenan" or "Lord Brain". He says he should be treated with dignity and Monsoon says he'll be sitting on his dignity in a few minutes. This is going to be a LONG recap with nearly 3 hours of their commentary. Monsoon says let's get to our first match.

Match 1

The Rockers (Shawn Michaels and Marty Jannetty) vs The Nasty Boys (Knobbs and Sags) with Jimmy Hart

Oh boy, a preview of Survivor Series next month. Heenan says it feels like they're in Madison Square Garden and Monsoon agrees. Monsoon says the venue is 120 years old and Heenan says so is Alfred Hays. Shawn swipes Sags' jacket at the bell and whips him with it to start before Knobbs gets in to take a beating as well. Marty puts the jacket on then blows his nose in it to get Sags totally irate. They stall to start for crowd reaction and Sags finally starts with Shawn. Shawn backs him in the corner but Sags reverses it and gets in some right hands. Sags misses a clothesline but Shawn gets caught in a bearhug. Shawn fights out of it and hits the superkick on both Sags. Knobbs runs in to eat a superkick and Marty flies off the top to take them both out. The heels regroup outside and Sags gets back in to tag in Knobbs. He calls Marty "buttface" and demands he get in. Shawn tags in Marty and Knobbs gets in a knee to the ribs. Knobbs hammers away in the corner but a charge eats boot. Marty hits a second turnbuckle facebuster and Shawn does one to an interfering Sags as well. The heels regroup outside a second time as Knobbs tells a fan to shut its face. The referee starts counting the Nasties out with the Rockers counting with Joey Marella. Marty somehow trips up Knobbs with a single leg takedown then gets in a side headlock. Knobbs heads for the ropes and blocks the O'Connor Roll but Marty sunset flips for two. Knobbs makes a hasty retreat to tags in Sags who eats a drop toe hold. Marty gets in a front headlock as Monsoon says the Rockers have taken the Nasties off their game. Sags backs Marty in the ropes but eats an armdrag. Marty stretches the left arm and Sags makes it to the ropes but Shawn pushes him off. Hart screeches and the faces pull a switcharoo with Shawn taking over on the arm. Isn't that a heel move? Marella asks the fans if they tagged and naturally they say yes. Knobbs gets in to protest and they do the switcharoo again as Hart gets even more irate outside. Knobbs gets in a third time and we get a third switcharoo. Hart screams to the camera the referee is stupid. Sags powers out of it and boots Shawn in the ribs. Sags charges in the corner but Shawn slides under him and pulls him nut first into the ringpost. Shawn hits a reverse atomic drop and goes off the ropes, but Brian pulls the top rope down too early and Shawn HAS to go over the top to the floor despite looking right at him from across the ring. Monsoon says he'd love to go down there and sucker punch Jimmy Hart as the heels bait Marty in the ring so Knobbs can clothesline Shawn on the floor. Sags taunts the fans from inside the ring and pulls Shawn to the apron, snapping him off the top rope. Knobbs tags in to drop and elbow and cover for 1...2...nope. Knobbs clubs away in the corner but Shawn tries to fight out of it. Knobbs grabs Shawn by the leg and Sags makes the tag. Shawn is whipped off into a bearhug and does the fade then revive routine. Shawn hits a bell ringer but goes for the scoop slam unsuccesfully. Sags tags Knobbs who drops an elbow to the back before locking in a chinlock. Heenan "I think I heard him give it up." Monsoon "From HERE? Will you stop." Shawn picks up Knobbs and slams him backwards then gets the hot tag to Marty....but wait, Marty had one foot on the rope so Marella won't let it count. Knobbs whips Sags in to the corner but Shawn ducks him and clotheslines Knobbs. With both Nasties down finally Marty gets in. Jannetty cleans house with dropkicks and right hands. Marty moves and Knobbs runs right into Sags, causing Marty to cover for a deuce. Marty rams their heads together as Shawn revives to whip the Nasties together. Marty covers Sags for 1...2...nope. The crowd cheers thinking its over and it even fools Monsoon. Heenan says its not over yet and Shawn throws Marty on top of Sags. The ref tells Shawn to beat it and Knobbs uses the distraction to waffle Marty with the megaphone. Sags covers Marty for 1..2...3 to win the match. Monsoon blames "the pipsqueak" as Heenan says no, "Shawn put his hands on Jimmy and the megaphone went flying and hit Shawn." Wasn't too formulaic and the Rockers always made any tag team match better. The third man outside made the difference as the Nasties win it.

Time of match: 16:21

Winner: Nasty Boys by pinfall

"Mean" Gene Okerlund is with "Nature Boy" Ric Flair in front of the tea boiling urn.....sorry, "coveted Samovar Trophy". Gene asks him about his match with Tito Santana and the battle royal. Flair says Santana is going to find out why Flair is the greatest and Roddy Piper can run but he can't hide in the battle royal. Wooooo!! On to the next match.

Match 2

Tito Santana vs "Nature Boy" Ric Flair

Even though Santana was in the process of becoming El Matador, he still comes out in the white trunks and standard theme song. Heenan "There's a rumor Flair will be prime minister." Monsoon "Will you stop?" Flair opens his robe to reveal the WCW Heavyweight Championship, in your face Jim Herd. Heenan stands up and Monsoon says he'll have him taken out of there. Heenan "Want some tea and trumpets?" Monsoon "Its crumpets!" They lock up to start and Flair gets the advantage in the corner, saying WOOOO. Tito drives him to the other corner and slaps him down. Referee Danny Davis admonishes Santana as Flair gets dropped with a shoulderblock. Monsoon says Flair has never won the WWF title as Ric gets in a wristlock. Santana and Flair trade momentum then Flair gets in an arm-bar. Flair continues to pull the hair much to Danny's dismay. Santana nips up and Flair begs off in the corner. Santana unloads with right hands and whips Flair into the corner. Santana hits a back drop and two dropkicks causing a Flair Flop. Flair bails outside but Santana comes out and rams him face first into the side of the ring. Santana rams Flair's head into the barricade but Ric chops Santana and rams Tito's head into the barricade. Heenan says he smells picante as Santana gets elbowed on the apron. Santana goes for the sunset flip for 1...2....nope. Santana goes for a drop-toe-hold but Flair falls on his back instead. Tito goes for a leglock as Heenan cheers on Flair. Monsoon tells him to go to the ring and do that as Flair makes it to the ropes. Santana pulls Flair into the center and drops an elbow on the knee. Santana works the left leg as Flair begs off in the corner. Santana fires away but Flair trips him up and goes for the Flair Pin for 1...2....nope, Davis catches him. Ironic how just 4 years earlier Santana and Danny Davis were against each other at Wrestlemania. Santana does six top rope punches but Flair counters with a reverse atomic drop. Ric kicks Santana in the ribs and drops the knee. Flair covers with his feet on the ropes and Davis catches him again. Ric shoves Danny as Heenan says "No no no no no" and Davis shoves him back. Heenan "Don't touch the referee." Ric chops Santana in the corner and punches away before whipping Tito into the other corner. Flair whips him in the opposite corner and delivers a snap mare. Ric covers with his feet on the ropes again for 1...2...and Danny Davis stops the count without Tito kicking out, so Flair on the fly gets up and starts yelling at someone in the crowd. Santana rallies with chops and 90% of the crowd are children judging by the cheers. Flair does a Flair Flip in the corner and Santana clotheslines him on the apron. Santana suplexes Ric back in the ring and Ric begs off. Santana turns a hiptoss attempt into a backslide for 1..2.....noooo. Flair gets a thumb to the eye and a headlocked punch. Flair chops Tito down and covers for a deuce before delivering a back suplex. Flair applies the figure four as Heenan says to just ring the bell. Flair holds on to the ropes for leverage but the crowd rallies around Tito to roll over and reverse the hold. Flair breaks the hold and a regular forearm causes a Flair Flop. Santana belts Flair over the top to the floor and scoops slams him. Ric pulls Tito out and chops him on the floor. They slug it out but Flair rolls Tito back inside. Flair goes up top but Santana catches him and slams him off the top. Santana covers for 1...2...nope. Heenan starts gagging and Monsoon says to take it easy. Flair whips Santana into the corner but Tito runs out and clotheslines him. He covers for 1...2...noooo. The camera pans to Heenan going nuts in the broadcast booth but Santana hits THE FLYING JALAPENO!! Tito covers for 1...2....foot on the rope. Santana goes for the O'Connor Roll in the corner for 1....2...Flair reverses it and hooks the tights for 1...2....3 to win the match. Santana has always been a great babyface and he works perfectly with Flair, Tito would have fit right in 5-6 years earlier in the NWA and vice versa in the WWF. Great match between the two.

Time of match: 16:14

Winner: Flair by pinfall

Back to Mean Gene who's with Big Bossman. Okerlund wants to go see Suburban Commando for his birthday....ugh. He says the sheriff is in town and Bossman says the law applies all over the world. He calls Earthquake a piece of trash and he's going to take it out. He's going to celebrate by winning the match then the battle royal. Mean Gene says we'll be right back and we cut to Okerlund now out in the arena for an interview with Earthquake and Jimmy Hart. Hart says London needs earthquake insurance. Earthquake says its a really long boat ride to England, which is why they flew in a plane...ha. Quake says he came a long way to win this match and he and Typhoon will win the battle royal. On to the match.

Match 4

Big Bossman vs Earthquake (with Jimmy Hart)

Big man match with two guys that can move, this should be good. Bossman sprints to the ring and the heels clear out instantly. Quake tells the camera he's not going in the ring until Bossman gets rid of the stick. Bossman puts it away and we begin with a tie up. Quake shoves Bossman into the ropes and then into the corner as Hart laughs maniacally. Bossman takes a walk on the apron before getting back in. Bossman punches Quake as Monsoon says that got his attention. Bossman lands an uppercut to stun the big man and the crowd cheers. Quake throws Bossman in the corner and scoop slams him. Quake goes for the big stomp but Bossman rolls out of the way. He rolls out of the way of an elbow drop and chases Jimmy Hart around the ring. Back inside Bossman punches away at Quake but gets whipped into the corner. A charge misses and Bossman schoolboys him for a deuce. Bossman gets in a headlock and works it for a full minute before getting shoulderblocked down. Quake misses the elbow drop and Bossman goes to the second rope. Bossman hits an axehandle and rams Quake's head into the buckle. Back to the second rope, a double axehandle by Bossman has the big man down on his ass. Bossman goes all the way to the top but Earthquake catches the crossbody attempt in mid-air. Quake powerslams Bossman and steps on him before posing for the crowd. Quake hits a forearm to the back and chokes him on the second rope. Quake shoulderblocks Bossman in the corner then whips him to the other corner. Earthquake smushes Bossman in the corner and he drops. Earthquake sits on him then slaps him. Bossman comes to life with right hands but a thumb to the eye stops the momentum. Quake again slams him against the corner then locks in a bearhug. Monsoons says the hold isn't applied well and Bossman escapes with a bell ringer. Quake lands a forearm to the back to drop Bossman then stomps on him. Quake locks in a chinlock as Monsoon asks who's bigger, Earthquake or Typhoon. Heenan says Quake by six pounds which causes Monsoon to crack up laughing. Bossman powers out of it and goes for shoulderblocks, but Quake goes nowhere. Bossman runs into a clothesline and Earthquake stomps on him. Quake chokes Bossman with his boot as Hart hams it up for the camera. Bossman rolls outside and gets on the apron but is kneed off. Earthquake sends Bossman into the steel steps and rolls inside. Bossman rolls inside and Quake covers for a 1 count as Bossman gets a foot on the ropes. Quake elbows Bossman twices and a clothesline sends Bossman off the ropes, but he doesn't go down. Bossman backs Quake in the corner and goes to town with a series of headbutts before he's whipped into the other corner. Quake hits the avalanche and chokes him with his boot. Bossman goes for a baseball slide but Earthquake trips on him. Bossman on the fly recovers to hit an enziguiri (!!!) to drop the big man. Monsoon "He kicked him in the external occipital pertuberance area" Heenan "He kicked him in the back of the neck!" Monsoon "That's what I said. Bossman covers for 1...2....noooo. Hart gets on the apron but is knocked off by Earthquake. Bossman rolls up Quake for 1....2...nope. Bossman hits a series of clotheslines as The Mountie comes down to help up Jimmy. Earthquake is tied up in ropes Andre style and Bossman crossbodies him. Mountie trips up Bossman and Earthquake drops the big elbow. He covers for 1...2...3 to win the match. Monsoon "Boy did that stink!" Both guys were out of gas at the end and that should have been better than it was. Bossman was about to feud with IRS on TV but Mountie gets the last word here.

Time of match: 15:47

Winner: Earthquake by pinfall

Bossman chases Mountie to the back after the match as Heenan yells at the director to follow them. We cut to Mean Gene with the trophy again. Okerlund gives the rules of the battle royal and "Texas Tornado" Kerry Von Erich walks in. Okerlund says he's a favorite to win and Kerry says this is the toughest match and the winner will be king of the mountain. He says he's going to win and Okerlund says he's got The Mountie up next. Von Erich says Mountie is real tough with the shock stick but he won't have it in their match. Okerlund says they'll be back shortly. When we come back, Mean Gene is in the arena for an interview with The Mountie and Jimmy Hart. Mountie's music hits and they come out. Hart says the organization sticks together and Tornado will suffer the same fate as Big Bossman. Mountie says "forget about Terry Von whatever" and he's the only royalty around here. After he beats KEVIN Von Erich, he'll win the trophy too. Mountie can't get the name right to save his life, good for heel heat. On to the next match.

Match 5

"Texas Tornado" Kerry Von Erich vs The Mountie

Before the match even starts we get Monsoon saying "Gorrilla Monsoon along with Bobby Heen...." he's cut off by Heenan who says "Sir Robert of Heenan!" There must be a malfunction with the sound speakers because The Mountie comes in and there is no music. After The Mountie protests, Monsoon says "He doesn't deserve any music anyway." Oh wait, the speakers are fine because we hear the Tornado's music and he makes it to the ring. Tornado gets in the ring and as Monsoon is shilling him Heenan says "He's in great condition, I'll have to agree with you." Monsoon replies "But I haven't said anything about his conditioning yet!" Heenan says "Don't worry you will, just keep looking." The bell rings and Heenan says the Tornado is in for a very shocking experience and Monsoon scoffs. Referee Danny Davis has a hard time removing the cattle prod from The Mountie before he gives in. They lock up and roll around the ropes as Heenan tells us The Mountie is going to be a guest speaker at Scotland Yard tomorrow. Monsoon then brings up his time in New York jail after his loss to the Big Bossman at Summerslam 91. Mountie stalls and then Tornado goes to hit him but Mountie counters with a boot to the ribs. Tornado staggers into the corner and Mountie taunts him until Tornado catches him with a right cross to the face. Mountie slides under the ropes and stalls. Mountie finally gets in the ring and stalls again until Von Erich puts Mountie in a wrist lock. After a while Mountie sends Tornado off the ropes and leapfrogs over him twice before Tornado catches him with a right hand to the head. Mountie retreats to the outside and stalls again until he gets back in the ring about a minute later. Heenan makes up for the stalling by rambling on how Mountie is given a bad rap. Mountie gets out of the ring again and stalls....BOOORING. Tornado has had enough and once Mountie gets in the ring, Tornado drives him into the corner with shots to the head. Mountie recovers and whips Tornado off the corner and into a sleeper. Heenan then says "The weather forecast is clearing up!" Tornado finally gets to his feet and breaks out of it, bounces off the ropes and runs right into another sleeper as Heenan jokes about Sherlock Holmes. Tornado does the "fade then revive" routine as Heenan tells the ref to ring the bell. Tornado runs into the corner and ducks down and Mountie gets rammed into the turnbuckle. Mountie recovers but Tornado sends him off the ropes into a sleeper of his own. Lots of stalling going on in this match. Mountie makes it to the ropes and Tornado breaks the hold. Von Erich then corners the Mountie with shots to the head and then whips Mountie into the other corner. Mountie gets out of the way of the charge and Tornado goes shoulder first into the ring post. Tornado staggers into the corner where Mountie puts the boots to him. Mountie hits a snapmare and drives a knee to the lower back. Tornado gets up but Mountie clotheslines him over the top rope to the outside. Heenan tells us The Mountie is ahead on points as Mountie rams Tornado's head into the steel steps. Monsoon scoffs at Heenan and says that after all these years of broadcasting together that something should have rubbed off by now, so Heenan says "Nah I don't have a rash!" Von Erich climbs to the ring apron but Mountie punches him back down to the floor. Monsoon says he wants some fish and chips and tells Heenan to get some so Heenan says "Hey! I'm sir Robert of Heenan, I'm no errand boy." Tornado trips up Mountie and pulls him to the outside, catches him with a few right hands and sends him face first into the steel steps. Tornado sets up Mountie against the ring but misses his tornado punch and catches the ring post. Tornado gets in the ring in agony and the Mountie takes advantage by ramming his hand from the ring apron into the ringpost. Mountie gets in the ring and pounds on Tornado in the corner and sends him off the ropes but Tornado counters with a clothesline. Tornado corners Mountie and tries a monkey flip but the Mountie blocks it, hooks the legs and puts his feet on the ropes as the ref counts to 3 to end the match. Heenan tries to say that it was an accident that Mountie put his feet on the rope but Monsoon says "WILL YOU SHUT UP! THAT'S A LIE, HE CHEATED!" The Mountie gets back in the ring as Danny Davis yells at him but Tornado comes back and nails Mountie. Tornado sends him off the ropes and hits a back body drop. Mountie retreats to the back as the crowd cheers The Tornado. Not the best match and Von Erich had no chemistry with Rougeau. Mountie was being groomed for a run with Bret Hart so he needed a win here against the ex-IC champ.

Time of match: 13:15

Winner: The Mountie by pinfall

When we come back from break its time for the Funeral Parlor with Paul Bearer and The Undertaker. Paul says all the royalty that's passed through the Royal Albert Hall are in the cemetery. Paul says Undertaker will beat Jim Duggan and win the battle royal. Undertaker says the sands in Duggan's hourglass are running out and there will be a mass burial in the battle royal. Bearer ends up saying "Rest In Peace" as some guy dressed as the Phantom Of The Opera plays The Undertaker's theme as he goes to the ring. On to the next match.

Match 6

"Hacksaw" Jim Duggan vs The Undertaker (with Paul Bearer)

Taker actually gets a nice cheer from the crowd even though Duggan gets the louder pop. Duggan bumrushes him but Taker catches him with strikes. A charge in the corner eats boot and Duggan goes on the offensive with big right hands. Duggan clotheslines him over the top to the floor but Taker lands on his feet. Duggan caters to the crowd and actually gets a USA chant from the London crowd. Monsoon acknowledges it but Taker stuns Duggan off the top rope. Bearer says "Its allllll overrrr" as Taker chokes Duggan inside the ring. Heenan "Taker gives a whole new meaning to "Jack The Ripper". Taker chokes Duggan on the middle rope as Bearer tells the crowd to shhh. Duggan tries to rally but Taker counters with another choke. The ref barely tries to stop Taker even with Duggan grabbing the ropes. Monsoon talks about what will happen later in the Battle Royal when Taker is in. Taker walks across the top rope and nails Duggan in the back. Monsoon yells at Heenan as Taker once again chokes Duggan in the corner again....and again....until Duggan catches him with an inverted atomic drop. Duggan then rallies with right hands into the corner and does 5 top rope punches. Duggan stops when he notices Paul Bearer running off with the 2X4 and goes outside to retrieve it. Taker stops him with a clothesline to the back before throwing him back inside. Taker hits the flying clothesline and calls for the urn. Duggan grabs the 2X4 and waffles Taker with it to earn the DQ....idiot. Duggan poses with the 2X4 but Taker doesn't sell it. Monsoon bitches that Taker should have been disqualified earlier for the choking as Duggan waffles Taker from behind with it, knocking him over the top rope. Duggan gets the babyface pop from the crowd but Taker walks out the victor. Bad match but Taker's original character was slow and methodical and Duggan was never the best worker, not much you can expect. Would have been nice for a decisive finish but oh well.

Time of match: 6:19

Winner: Undertaker by Disqualification

Monsoon sends us to Mean Gene who's with "Rowdy" Roddy Piper to talk about the battle royal. Roddy says he's "prouder than punch" to be at the Royal Albert Hall and says if the place let Heenan in, he'd be okay. Piper says Heenan lies more than the government does and he's gonna slap him. Roddy Piper compares Ric Flair to "Boy George Jr" and calls him a "feather wearing faggot freak!" which even Okerlund looks stunned to hear. Good luck saying that these days. Piper says he's going to beat Flair, win the battle royal and party with the football players.

After a break we come back with Gene standing by the trophy with Typhoon and Jimmy Hart. Jimmy says they have 5 chances to win the battle royal with the Nasty Boys, Natural Disasters and The Mountie all in it. Typhoon says if it comes down to him and Earthquake, they'll handle it themselves. Typhoon and Jimmy leave as Power & Glory arrive. Paul Roma says the LOD have nowhere to hide now and Hercules says they've come halfway around the world to win the belts. Gene says if they fail, they may not get another shot for a long time. Roma says they won't fail and they leave.

After another break the LOD walk in for their interview. Animal calls Power & Glory "little geeks" and says they've beaten everyone that they've faced. Hawk babbles on and calls them Sour & Gory and their own mothers won't recognize them. Gene asks them about the battle royal and if they were the last two. Hawk says "AERRGGHHHHHHH WHAT A RUSHHHH" Animal says they're gonna beat Power & Glory and win the battle royal. Just like the Disasters, they don't have an answer either.

Back to Monsoon who shills the upcoming matches and sends it to Mel Phillips for our next match.

Match 7

Power & Glory (Hercules & Paul Roma) vs The Legion of Doom (Hawk and Animal) for the WWF Tag Team Championships

LOD gets a big pop from the crowd as Monsoon calls the heels "Herc and Jerk". Hawk & Roma start and Hawk wants a test of strength. Roma stalls for some heat before slugging away at Hawk. Hawk counters with a dropkick then chases him around the ring. Back inside Hawk hits a neckbreaker and a snap mare before dropping the big fist. A cover gets two then Animal & Hercules tag in. Hercules and Animal shoulder block each other to no-avail but Hercules drops him with a clothesline. Animal counters with one of his own then tags Hawk in to work over the arm. Hawk chops Hercules in the corner but Hercules counters with an atomic drop. Hawk rams Herc's head into the turnbuckle 10 times and Heenan says that won't bother him. Hercules tags Roma back in and they doubleteam Hawk in the corner when Animal runs in. Roma hits a piledriver on Hawk who no-sells it. Hawk counters with a boot and an overhead press slam. He throws Roma into Hercules and Animal clotheslines Hercules out. Hawk scoop slams Roma then goes up top. Roma moves out of the way and Hawk flies across the ring to the outside. Hercules drops Hawk on the guardrail before getting in the ring. Roma drives Hawk back first into the ring apron before Hawk slides back in. Hercules punches and kicks Hawk before dropping him throat first off the top rope. Heenan "Where do they put the ice for the hockey here?" Monsoon "WILL YOU STOP??" Hercules throws Hawk chest first into the buckle and shoulderblocks him down. Heenan "Hawk got rear-ended". Herc then sells it himself and Hawk makes the tag as well as Roma. Animal beats up Roma then dropkicks Hercules. Animal hits a powerbomb on Roma but Hercules breaks up the count. Herc and Hawk brawl outside as Roma scoop slams Animal. Roma goes for a crossbody but Animal catches him mid-air and powerslams him. The cover gets 1..2....3 and its over. LOD wins it much to the crowd's delight. Roma claims Animal hooked the tights to no avail as Monsoon checks out the replay. A lot of people wondered why Power & Glory got a title shot after being virtually nothing since Wrestlemania 7, the answer is Vince didn't want to have another rematch with the Nasty Boys or start the Natural Disasters feud yet. It made sense that Power & Glory would be expendable in London. Ironically Roma would leave the company literally a week later on this same European tour in Paris. He's still in the battle royal though.

Time of Match: 9:07

Winners: LOD by pinfall (still champions)

Back to Mean Gene who's with the star of the show, hometown hero "British Bulldog" Davey Boy Smith. Davey is excited to be home and he says he smells victory over not only against The Barbarian then the battle royal. He says he's going to get both Earthquake & Typhoon in the Royal Albert Hall. We go to the ring where Mel Phillips introduces Lord Alfred Hays to introduce the next match.

Match 8

The Barbarian vs "British Bulldog" Davey Boy Smith

Heenan makes fun of Alfred as Barbarian makes his entrance. Alfred gets excited to announce Davey as the crowd pops for his entrance. Heenan claims there were more women cheering for Flair than the Beatles and Monsoon goes "Will you be serious?" Barbarian starts with a headlock and a shoulderblock spot goes nowhere. Another one does nothing so Barbarian puts the boots to him. Heenan "You know he's a disgrace to London, right?" Monsoon "Who??" Heenan "Davey" Monsoon "HE IS NOT!" Barbarian bails to the outside and shouts at the camera as the crowd chants for Davey. Davey locks in an armringer as Heenan says they're evenly matched.  Davey sunset flips Barbarian as Heenan tells Barbarian to just sit down. Barbarian punches nothing as Davey slides underneath the legs and arm drags him. Heenan talks about Grambling and Monsoon says "Will you stop??" Bulldog ducks a clothesline and walks right into a big boot. Monsoon says he thought Bulldog would put him away quick with the battle royal looming and Heenan said "Noooooo." Barbarian slams Davey up against the ringpost then rolls inside. Barbarian pounds on Davey's chest then locks in a chinlock. Heenan says Hays was here when the Royal Albert Hall first opened and Monsoon goes "Will you be serious?!" Bulldog does the fade then revive routine but walks into another big boot. Barbarian piledrives Davey and covers for 1..2....nope. Barbarian slams Davey but misses a second rope elbow drop. Davey rallies with right hands and clotheslines Barbarian over the top rope to the floor. Davey and Barbarian trade blows on the floor but Barbarian clotheslines the ringpost. Davey sends him off and drops him with a clothesline. Davey covers for 1..2....nope. Monsoon admonishes Davey for not hooking the leg but Davey nails the delayed suplex. Bulldog pounds Barbarian in the corner then gets sent off. Barbarian misses a charge and Davey hits the running powerslam and covers for 1...2...3 that's it. Davey wins it. The audio strangely cuts out as Bulldog celebrates in the ring. Finally Monsoon and Heenan go over the replay and how Davey won it. Remember Davey vs Warlord and how boring those matches were? This was only slightly better. Barbarian could move a bit better and it showed here. Still, not much you can expect from these two.

Time of Match: 10:04

Winner: British Bulldog by pinfall

We go back to Mean Gene who's with the Nasty Boys and Jimmy Hart. Saggs says there's been a plague or two here but never has the UK seen the Nasty Boys. Knobbs says they're gonna win the battle royal like they won the tag match earlier. Gene says the battle royal is up next. Alfred Hays joins Monsoon and Heenan on commentary as Mel Phillips handles the introductions.

Match 9

20 Man Battle Royal

The participants are "Texas Tornado" Kerry Von Erich, Earthquake, Typhoon, Tito Santana, The Mountie, Marty Jannetty, Shawn Michaels, The Barbarian, Big Bossman, Hercules, Paul Roma, Jim Duggan, Knobbs, Sags, Ric Flair, Hawk, Animal, British Bulldog, The Undertaker and "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, Double duty for almost everyone as everyone that worked is back, including Barbarian who Monsoon acknowledges was just out there. The only two who didn't were "Rowdy" Roddy Piper and Typhoon of all people. Could have cut a few minutes off each match to have them two work but oh well. Piper comes out last to a huge ovation and goes right after Flair without even taking his shirt off. Bossman beats the crap out of Knobbs as The Rockers go after Sags. Alfred calls it a "tremendous tussle" as Piper and Flair run around the floor. Piper chokes Flair with an electrical chord as Bossman chases Mountie around. Roma clubs away at Animal as Heenan says the first man out is the first man who makes a mistake. The camera pans around the ring as Flair and Barbarian double team Piper. Jannetty saves Bossman from Earthquake and Bossman gets back in. HERCULES jumps over the top and eliminates himself then grabs a chair to attack Hawk with it. Referee Danny Davis tells Hercules to beat it as Knobbs ducks a discus punch to eliminate TEXAS TORNADO. Piper throws Knobbs over the top rope but he stays on the apron. KNOBBS swings and misses and Piper uses two fingers to push him out. Bulldog brings Sags over to Piper who kicks away at him. Typhoon picks up MARTY JANNETTY and drops him out. Heenan points out Undertaker has taken it easy so far and its good strategy. Tito Santana dumps THE BARBARIAN as Mountie bails to the outside for a breather. Earthquake grabs TITO SANTANA and throws him out. Flair chops at Piper as Hawk and Sags slug it out until Sags ducks a charge to eliminate HAWK. Duggan and Animal come over to dump SAGS out and Hawk dropkicks him outside for good measure. The only tag team still intact are the Natural Disasters as Undertaker chops Animal. SHAWN MICHAELS skins the cat only to be dumped by Mountie anyway. Earthquake misses the avalanche in the corner and Duggan tries to get rid of him. Hawk press slams Flair down as Earthquake tosses JIM DUGGAN. Duggan pulls a sore loser and waffles EARTHQUAKE out with the two by four with an assist to Animal. Piper and Flair brawl on the floor as even Alfred admonishes Duggan for cheating. Piper ducks a charge and RIC FLAIR is gone. Heenan goes speechless after Flair is tossed. Roma saves Mountie from Bossman danger as Bulldog has Typhoon halfway out. Piper crotches Taker but Taker headbutts him away. Bulldog ducks a charge and PAUL ROMA is out. Say goodbye to Roma as he had a match in Paris then left the company.  Animal hits a running clothesline on Undertaker but Taker ducks a second attempt to eliminate ANIMAL. We're down to six, make it 5 as Piper ducks a charge to eliminate THE UNDERTAKER. Uh oh, Taker pulls a sore loser and pulls RODDY PIPER out. The final four are Bulldog, Bossman, Mountie and Typhoon. Jimmy Hart's crew are in one corner with him with Bossman and Bulldog in the other. Bossman and Mountie square off with Davey and Typhoon. Bossman chases Mountie around while Typhoon drops the Bulldog. Bossman punches Typhoon away and drops Mountie with a big right hook. Bossman sets Mountie up on the second rope and jumps on him. He then slides outside and decks Jimmy Hart. Back inside Bossman charges, but Mountie then pulls the top rope down and BIG BOSSMAN flies out. Typhoon headbutts Davey in the corner and Mountie joins in for the double team. Mountie holds Bulldog in the corner and Typhoon charges, but the Bulldog moves which causes Typhoon to avalanche The Mountie instead. Davey Boy goes nuts and drives Typhoon into the corner with right hands and proceeds to pick up Typhoon by the legs as Alfred Hays shouts for Davey to get rid of him as Heenan tells Hays to shut up. Mountie nails Bulldog from behind and the crowd goes silent. Typhoon puts the boots to Davey and Mountie comes over and slaps him in the face. Monsoon and Hays observe it as a sign of dissention but Heenan correctly points out Mountie is just firing him up. Mountie and Typhoon put the boots to the Bulldog for a while then fire him off the ropes and nails him with a double clothesline. Heenan tells us the place is gonna go quiet once the Bulldog hits the floor. Monsoon says Bulldog was in a war just before the battle royal with The Barbarian. Mountie holds Bulldog while Typhoon comes off the ropes for a clothesline....but Davey ducks and Typhoon waffles THE MOUNTIE over the top rope to the floor, eliminating him. Alfred Hays cheers and tells Bulldog to get out of the ring and get some rest as Bobby Heenan tells Typhoon to sit down so Bulldog can't pick him up. Bulldog and Typhoon do the Force meeting Object routine until Typhoon misses a clothesline and Davey hits a dropkick. Bulldog gets Typhoon in the corner but Typhoon reverses a whip to the other corner and hits an avalanche as the crowd gasps. Davey staggers and Typhoon catches him with a clothesline. Heenan says the people are making their way to the exit signs as Monsoon says that they are NOT! Typhoon charges but Bulldog ducks and TYPHOON flies out of the ring as Hays creams his pants. Davey Boy wins it as the crowd goes wild. Typhoon gets back in as Earthquake runs back as well. The Natural Disasters double team Davey as Earthquake hits the powerslam. Hays cries foul as Quake calls for the aftershock. Davey slides out of the ring but the Disasters corner and avalanche him. All of a sudden Andre The Giant of all people comes out and rams the Disasters' heads together. Andre whacks both of them with the crutch and they retreat. That was short for a battle royal but they were at the end of the show. It served its purpose of sending the fans home happy.

Time of match: 14:37

Winner: "British Bulldog" Davey Boy Smith.

Mel Phillips announces Davey the winner as Andre shakes his hand after the match. Davey is presented the trophy as the announcers sign off. The matches ranged from great (Flair/Santana) to holy crap that was BAD (Tornado/Mountie). Its a wonder why Typhoon and Piper didn't wrestle as they were the only two who didn't have a match prior to the battle royal. The battle royal and show itself was just to get British Bulldog over, so mission accomplished. This was also one of the last times Andre The Giant would be seen as well. If you're wondering where everyone else on the roster was, while this show was going on a separate crew was in Miami for a house show. I'll see you there.

WWF at Hartford Civic Center (11/25/88)

Hartford Civic Center

Hartford, CT

November 25, 1988

The day after Thanksgiving, Vince McMahon was such a wonderful boss he ordered a triple shot for his entire roster. Not even the prelim guys could enjoy their Black Friday. One of their matinees would be held at the Hartford Civic Center. The main event of this one would be the Big Bossman against Hulk Hogan. With the roster spread thin, the talent would be in dire straits in some of them. But let's get to the action.

Match 1

Barry Horrowitz vs Lanny Poffo

Why Poffo didn't work Survivor Series is anyone's guess. This is the classic opening match and naturally Poffo got the duke.

Winner: Poffo by pinfall

Match 2

Sensational Sherri vs WWF Women's Champion Rockin Robin

The women's division was being represented here and Sherri had been after Robin since Robin took the crown. Robin successfully defended her title.

Winner: Robin (Still WWF Women's Champion)

Match 3

Tito Santana vs Greg "The Hammer" Valentine (with Jimmy Hart)

The former IC title rivals meet here in Hartford. The two fought to a draw.

Winner: No one (Draw)

Match 4

SD Jones vs Akeem (with Slick)

Any time you need someone to job to a monster heel, call SD Jones. Naturally Akeem won the match.

Winner: Akeem

Match 5

The Powers of Pain (The Warlord and The Barbarian) with Mr. Fuji vs WWF Tag Team Champions Demolition (Ax and Smash) for the WWF Tag Team Championship

Boy the fans in Hartford must have been surprised when they saw Mr. Fuji with the Powers of Pain after he turned on Demolition the night before....if they hadn't seen the pay-per-view that is. They fought to a double disqualification.

Time of match: 5:17

Winners: No one (Demolition retain)

Match 6

"Iron" Mike Sharpe vs Nikolai Volkoff (with Slick)

We got a battle of the brutes here with two heels taking on each other. Due to the xenophobic nature of the crowd, Sharpe from Canada was the defacto babyface against the evil Russian. Sadly for the crowd, Volkoff gets the duke.

Winner: Volkoff by pinfall

Match 7

Virgil vs Hercules

It was Virgil who tripped up Hercules and caused him to be eliminated the night before at Survivor Series. Now Herc gets his hands on him one on one. Hercules got the win here.

Winner: Hercules by pinfall

Match 8

Paul Roma vs Mr. Perfect

Perfect had scored the winning pinfall for his team the night before and now he takes on Paul Roma in this Black Friday showdown. Perfect got the win.

Winner: Perfect by pinfall

Match 9

Big Bossman (with Slick) vs Hulk Hogan

Bossman said he wanted Hogan last night at Survivor Series and now he's got him one on one at the Hartford Civic Center. Bossman was in control most of the match but Hogan rallied at the end....only for Akeem to run in for the DQ. Hogan dispatched the two brutes and posed for the crowd to end the day.

Time of match: 10:46

Winner: Hogan by DQ

This would have been a fun live card to see live despite some of the jobbers in it. Some of the feuds make sense with the PoP against Demolition, Virgil against Hercules and Hogan/Bossman so watch for that moving forward. With the crew spread so thin, this was still worth the price of admission. Good stuff! The next show is a thousand miles south in Pensacola, Florida. I'll see you there.

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.