Month: February 2021

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WWE Vintage Collection Report (10/26/08)

February 2, 2021 | News | No Comments

WWE Vintage Collection Report: 26th October 2008
By Shaun Best-Rajah.com Reporter
Hosted by: Mean Gene Okerlund

Welcome aboard to the WWE vault. First off I need to thank reader Steve, who pointed out my minor cock-up in last week’s report. I claimed Jim Powers and Paul Roma were the Wild Stallions when they were actually the Young Stallions. Bill & Ted (of movie fame) were actually the Wild Stallions. What a flick. Today’s archives take us back to two points in the 80s. We have four matches on tap. The first three take us back to December 1988 and to the LA Sports Arena. Ron Tronguard and Superstar Billy Graham are the commentators, as we kick things off with ladies action for a change.

WWF Women’s Title
Rockin’ Robin vs Sensational Sherri
Robin ended Sherri’s 15 month reign as champion in October 1988. This was Sherri’s chance to regain her gold. Joined in progress. Sherri looked different to me with no face paint. Just a thought. Sherri hits a shoulder tackle. Robin gets Sherri to look up, so she can deliver a gut punch. That’s the oldest trick in the book Sherri. Robin briefly works the arm. Robin Irish whips, Sherri avoids a charge and takes control. Sherri slaps on a camel clutch, chinlock then head vice. Sherri rakes Robin’s face and back. Sherri delivers a single leg takedown and leg twist. Robin pushes Sherri off the ropes, Sherri ricochets back with a clothesline. Sherri applies a reverse chinlock followed by a side russian legsweep. Robin comes back with a double leg takedown and several drop down shots onto Sherri’s leg. Robin applies a boston crab. Both go back and forth until Sherri counters out into a rollup for two. Sherri attacks the gut. Robin ducks a clothesline, Sherri ducks a flying bodypress. Sherri stalks before covering Robin for a nearfall. Sherri ducks Robin’s shots and attacks her with forearms. This is until Robin fakes a shot and catches Sherri with punches of her own. Robin tries to put Sherri away with a backelbow and powerslam, but each time, Sherri gets a foot on the ropes. Robin slams and heads up top as Sherri gets up. Robin jumps over Sherri. Sherri levels Robin with a clothesline for two. Robin hits a bulldog off the ropes to retain her title. 1-2-3. Good back and forth opener between two women who could go. Here is Your Winner: ROCKIN’ ROBIN.

We cut to an outside ghetto, where Mean Gene Okerlund is with Slick, (who is holding a boom box) and some tribesmen. From the ashes of the One Man Gang, we see the rise of the African Dream Akeem. As the tribesmen silently shout Akeem and run around, Slick calls this the greatest night in wrestling history. Gene keeps calling Akeem, One Man Gang by mistake. Apparently, Akeem is a new man and can talk. This is because One Man Gang never spoke. Slick and Akeem shuffle out to the sound of Jive Soul Bro as Gene tries to get down. Truly a Wrestlecrap moment. Speaking of Akeem, he’s up next.

Akeem w/Slick vs Koko B. Ware
Koko climbs the corner to punch free from a test of strength spot. Koko turns to frustration and stall tactics, by constantly crawling underneath Akeem and listening in on Slick’s advice. When Akeem corners Koko, we cut to a commercial break. When we return, Koko fights out of a bearhug. Akeem uses punches, knees and boot chokes, before squashing Koko in the corner. Koko avoids a second squashing and ‘birds up,’ even though Frankie isn’t here. Koko staggers Akeem into a corner with flying forearms, a headbutt and dropkick. Akeem avoids a stinger splash, Koko falls down and Akeem squishes him with a splash. 1-2-3. A crap waste of time. Why was lots of Koko’s stalling shown over Akeem’s offense? Oh yeah Akeem’s offense sucked. If this was Akeem’s debut then he showed nothing here. He was much better in Twin Towers mode. Here is Your Winner: AKEEM.

Big Boss Man w/Slick vs Hulk Hogan
The Twin Towers and Slick appreciation show rolls on. Boss Man and Hogan were in the middle of a feud. Akeem would shortly be introduced into it. Boss Man is already in the ring and refusing to let Hogan in. Boss Man is really swinging his nightstick around. I feel the hatred he’s portraying towards Hogan. Hogan tempts Boss Man onto the apron, where Hogan trips him and takes possession of the nightstick. With the nightstick tucked into his yellow shirt, Hogan wellies Boss Man with a chair shot. This is legal as it’s before the bell. Back in the ring, Slick jumps on Hogan’s back, but ends up getting squashed in the corner, by a Boss Man charge. The referee takes the nightstick, as Hogan delivers a back suplex to Boss Man. Hogan handcuffs Slick to the ringpost. While punishing the Boss Man, Hogan constantly goes outside to slap the poor Slickster. Hogan works over the Boss Man with clotheslines, head rams in the corner, a slam and a couple of elbow drops. Boss Man finally turns the tide with a clothesline and spinebuster. Boss Man uncuffs Slick as we cut away for a break. When we return, Boss Man is still in control, as he gets a nearfall from a piledriver. Hogan counters a second piledriver with a backbodydrop out of the ring. Slick pulls Hogan out by the leg. Hogan chases Slick around the outside then back in, where Boss Man is waiting with a clothesline. Boss Man splashes. 1-2-no, Hogan kicks out with authority and begins to ‘Hulk up’. A big boot puts Boss Man outside. Boss Man pulls Hogan out and sends him into the ringpost. Boss Man handcuffs Hogan and pounds on him back in the ring. Hogan avoids a charge in the corner. As Boss Man gets crotched, Hogan breaks free from the cuffs. Hogan quickly hits a clothesline and legdrop to finish things off. 1-2-3. Post match sees Hogan send Slick into the Boss Man, with both heels taking a tumble to the floor. Akeem should have interfered here, as it was the perfect opportunity. Instead we got the predictable Hogan finish. That being said, the match was quite good, considering who was in it. Here is Your Winner: HULK HOGAN.

For our Main Event we switch gears to the Philadelphia Spectrum. It’s February 1983 and the commentators are Gorilla Monsoon and Dick Graham.

Playboy Buddy Rose, Mr Fuji, ‘The Crippler’ Ray Stevens, Superstar Billy Graham & The Magnificent Muraco vs
Rocky Johnson, Salvatore Belomo, Pedro Morales, Superfly Jimmy Snuka & Andre The Giant
This is one of the largest Main Events I’ve ever seen. This was a three out of five fall, ten man, tag match. We pick things up during the first fall. Belomo gets real dizzy following airplane spins from Muraco and Rose. After being briefly worked over, Belomo tags in Snuka, who headbutts his way through Stevens and Muraco. Muraco receives quick fire punches from Johnson, before an Andre headbutt makes Muraco wear the ropes like a tie. Thankfully, Muraco manages to free his neck from the unforgiving ropes. That looked painful and scary to watch. Andre and Belomo work over Muraco’s arms with a surfboard. Belomo soon finds himself in the wrong corner. Belomo goes on a roll with a dropkick and shoulder tackle to Fuji. However, the crafty Fuji manages to catch the onrushing Belomo with a belly-to-belly suplex, to win the first fall for his team. Belomo starts the second fall and is worked over by the heels. Rose delivers a vertical suplex, while Muraco slingshots him into a Fuji chop. Fuji pulls Belomo up after a suplex, not wanting a cover, as the crowd want Snuka in. As Fuji lifts Belomo up, Snuka dropkicks Belomo on top of Fuji to score the pinfall and level things up at 1-1. Belomo briefly starts the third fall before he manages to get the hot tag to Snuka. Snuka quickly leapfrogs over Rose and hooks him into a sunset flip. 1-2-3. The face team now have the advantage. Both teams talk tactics before heading into the fourth fall. Rose gets a side headlock and shoulder tackle on Snuka. Snuka comes back with leapfrogs and a stinging chop. Andre and Fuji are next to tangle. Fuji initially begs on his knees, before stinging Andre with a karate chop to the ears. Muraco comes in and foolishly heads up top. Andre catches him and throws him to the mat. Andre chops Muraco down in his own corner. Muraco tags in Rose who gets brought in the hard way by Andre. Andre uses Snuka’s head to daze Rose. A big boot puts the Playboy down and Andre sits on Rose to ensure the winning 1-2-3. The face team take this 3-1. Good nostalgia and a heated bout, despite some of the dicey work. Here Are Your Winners: ROCKY JOHNSON, SALVATORE BELOMO, PEDRO MORALES, SUPERFLY JIMMY SNUKA & ANDRE THE GIANT.

Okerlund wraps things up to end the show.

Best match: The Main Event for nostalgia reasons, although the women’s opener deserves a mention.
Worst match: Akeem vs Koko B. Ware.

I wasn’t keen on the small Akeem portion of the show, but apart from that I can’t complain. I really enjoyed the Main Event throwback. Ten Man tags are rarely done these days. This week, less (in terms of matches) was indeed more, so I’ll give this show a thumbs up.

Cyber Sunday picks and winners:

SHELTON BENJAMIN vs R-TRUTH (R-Truth by DQ)
CRYME TYME vs JOHN MORRISON & THE MIZ (Cryme Tyme)
MATT HARDY vs EVAN BOURNE (Matt Hardy in the match of the night)
SANTINO MARELLA vs HONKY TONK MAN (Santino Marella in the funniest match of the night. Hopefully we get the Haas impression and the real guest)
DIVAS COSTUME CONTEST (Kelly Kelly)
REY MYSTERIO vs KANE, NO HOLDS BARRED (Rey Mysterio)
UNDERTAKER vs BIG SHOW, LAST MAN STANDING (Undertaker)
TRIPLE H vs JEFF HARDY (Triple H….yawn…yet again. His superman act is wearing thin)
CHRIS JERICHO vs BATISTA w/Ref STONE COLD (Chris Jericho after stunners galore)

If anyone wants to sound off, chew the fat or talk wrestling get in touch. Comments/praise/feedback/criticism/discussion points please direct to shaunmb1@hotmail.com.

1950 

Montreal, Quebec, Canada:
– Bobby Managoff won the Montreal World Heavyweight Title by defeating Yvon Roberts

Des Moines, Iowa:
– NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion Leroy McGuirk beat Billy Goelz 2 out of 3 falls
– Farmer Jones beat Jack Hader 
– Lee Henning beat Vic Christy

1952 

Houston, Texas:
– Ray Gunkel and Miguel Guzman defeated Ivan Kalmikoff and Duke Keomuka to win the NWA Texas Tag Team Titles

1963

Houston, Texas:
– NWA World Heavyweight Champion Lou Thesz defeated Killer Kowalski 

1965

Vancouver, British Columbia
– The Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello and Roy Heffernan) defeated Don Leo Jonathan and Gene Kiniski for the Vancouver NWA Canadian Tag Team Titles
 
1966

Orlando, Florida:
– NWA World Title: Gene Kiniski defeated Klondike Bill in 2 out of 3 falls
– The Medics defeated Eddie Graham & Sam Steamboat in 2 out of 3 falls
– Jesse James defeated Red Roberts
– Jose Lothario defeated Tom Bradley

1968

Kansas City, Kansas:
– Bob Brown and Bob Geigel won the NWA North American Tag Team Titles by defeating Ron Etchison and Klondike Bill in a Texas Death Match
– Pat O’Connor defeated Pedro Valdez 
– Stan the Moose defeated Steve Bolus

1969

Omaha, Nebraska:
– Stan Pulaski defeated Mike DiBiase to win the AWA Midwest Heavyweight Title 

1972 

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania:
– King Curtis Iaukea and Baron Mikel Scicluna defeated Karl Gotch and Rene Goulet to win the WWWF World Tag Team Titles

1973

Kansas City, Kansas:
– Bob Geigel and Rufus R. Jones defeated Roger Kirby and Harley Race to win the NWA North American Tag Team Titles

1974

St. Louis, Missouri: (Attendance: 9,479)
– NWA Champion Jack Brisco defeated Harley Race 2/3 falls. Pat O’Connor was special referee
– Dick Murdoch, Baron Scicluna and Big Bill Miller defeated Ron Fuller, Black Angus and Bobo Brazil 
– Billy Robinson defeated Hans Schmidt
– Wahoo McDaniel defeated Rene Goulet
– Red Lyons defeated Bob Orton via DQ
– Ronnie Etchison and Derrell Cochran defeated Kobayashi and The Viking in 2 out of 3 falls

Portland, Oregon:
– Killer Karl Krupp and Kurt Von Steiger defeated Dutch Savage and Jimmy Snuka for the NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Titles

1977

Tampa, Florida:
– Dusty Rhodes & The Assassin defeated Steve Strong & Superstar Billy Graham
– Buddy Wolff defeated Steve Keirn
– Jack & Jerry Brisco & Jos LeDuc defeated Pat McGinnis & Seigfried Stanke & Ox Baker
– Mike Graham defeated Bob Orton, Jr.
– Mr. X drew Skip Young
– Kevin Sullivan defeated Angelo Poffo

1980

Sapporo, Japan:
– Tatsumi Fujinami defeated Steve Keirn to win the NWA International Junior Heavyweight Title

Shreveport, Louisiana:
– Ted DiBiase defeated Mike George to win the Mid-South North American Heavyweight Title 

1981

Lake Charles, Louisiana:
– Leroy Brown and Ernie Ladd defeated The Junkyard Dog and Killer Karl Kox for the Mid-South Tag Team Titles

1982 

Memphis, Tennessee:
– Jay Strongbow, Jr. pinned Kenny Shane
– Roy Rogers & Ric McCord beat The Nightmare & Speed
– Stan Lane pinned Dream Machine
– Dutch Mantel, Ricky & Robert Gibson drew Bobby Eaton, The Cuban & Iranian Assassins
– Jerry Lawler beat Sweet Brown Sugar (5th Round) via DQ in a boxing match
– Southern Tag Champs Bill Dundee & Steve Keirn beat Norvell Austin & Dennis Condrey via DQ

1988

Memphis, Tennessee:
– Max Pain & Gary Young beat Jerry Bryant & Lou Winston
– The Rock-n-Roll RPMs beat Koko Ware & King Cobra
– Jeff Jarrett & Manny Fernandez beat Jimmy Jack Funk & Teijo Kahn
– Carl Fergie & Don Bass beat Jerry Lawler & Bill Dundee via DQ
– Ron & Don Harris beat Ken Wayne & Scott Hall forfeit
– Max Pain & Gary Young beat Ron & Don Harris
– Jeff Jarrett & Manny Fernandez beat The Rock-n-Roll RPMs
– Jeff Jarrett & Manny Fernandez beat Don Bass & Carl Fergie
– Max Pain & Gary Young beat Jeff Jarrett & Manny Fernandez to become the first CWA Tag Team Champions
– Jeff Jarrett & Manny Fernandez beat AWA Tag Champs Shawn Michaels & Marty Jannetty via DQ

1990

Memphis, Tennessee:
– Mike Rotunda pinned Ranger Ross
– Shane Douglas & Johnny Ace defeated Jack Victory & Rip Morgan
– Norman pinned Kevin Sullivan
– Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson defeated Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane
– The Road Warriors, NWA Tag Team Champions Rick & Scott Steiner defeated Doom, Mark Callous & Dan Spivey
– NWA World Champion Ric Flair pinned NWA US Champion Lex Luger

1991

WWF Saturday Night’s Main Event: Macon, Georgia:
– Hulk Hogan and Tugboat defeated Dino Bravo and Earthquake (with Jimmy Hart)
– Jim Duggan defeated WWF Champion Sgt. Slaughter (with General Adnan) by disqualification
– The Legion of Doom (Animal and Hawk) defeated The Orient Express (Kato and Tanaka) (with Mr. Fuji)

Baltimore, Maryland:
– Brad Armstrong defeated Moondog Rex
– Bobby Eaton fought Tom Zenk to a draw
– Brian Pillman defeated Big Cat
– WCW Tag Team Champions Doom defeated Tracy Smothers & Steve Armstrong
– Terry Taylor defeated Brad Armstrong
– WCW US Tag Team Champions Rick & Scott Steiner defeated WCW TV Champion Arn Anderson & Barry Windham
– Sting & WCW US Champion Lex Luger defeated WCW World Champion Ric Flair & Sid Vicious via disqualification

1992

Charlottesville, Virginia:
– Firebreaker Chip fought Marcus Alexander Bagwell (sub. for Diamond Dallas Page) to a time-limit draw
– Todd Champion pinned Sgt. Buddy Lee Parker 
– Big Josh pinned Joey Maggs
– Johnny B. Badd pinned Ricky Morton 
– Rick & Scott Steiner defeated Tracy Smothers & Vinnie Vegas (sub. for Steve Armstrong)
– Abdullah the Butcher pinned Cactus Jack 
– WCW US Champion Rick Rude defeated Ricky Steamboat via disqualification
– Barry Windham, Dustin Rhodes, & Ron Simmons defeated Larry Zbyzsko, WCW Tag Team Champions Arn Anderson & Bobby Eaton in a steel cage match

Caguas, Puerto Rico:
– Ron Garvin defeated Carlos Colon for the WWC Universal Heavyweight Title 

1993

Memphis, Tennessee:
– Jeff Gaylord beat Danny Davis via DQ
– Mike Samples beat Paul Neighbors via DQ in a boxing match
– Miss Texas beat Bert Prentice in a street fight match
– Jeff Jarrett beat The Rock-n-Roll Phantom (Don Bass) via DQ
– Dutch Mantel beat USWA Southern Champ Brian Christopher via DQ
– USWA Unified World Champ Jerry Lawler beat Curt Hennig via DQ
– The Moondogs (Splat and Spot) defeated The Harris Brothers (Ron and Don) to win the USWA Tag Team Titles

1997

ECW Crossing the Line: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania:
– ECW World Heavyweight Champion Raven pinned Steve Williams to retain the title
– ECW Tag Team Champions The Eliminators (Kronus and Saturn) defeated Sabu and Rob Van Dam to retain the titles
– Terry Funk pinned Tommy Rich
– Tommy Dreamer and The Pitbulls defeated The Triple Threat (Chris Candido, Shane Douglas and Brian Lee)

2003

Osaka, Japan:
– Jushin Liger and Takehiro Murahama defeated Black Buffalo and Tsubasa for the Osaka Pro Wrestling Tag Team Titles 

Humacao, Puerto Rico:
 – Carly Colon won the WWC Universal Heavyweight Title from Chicky Starr

2004

Sapporo, Japan:
– Minoru Suzuki and Yoshihiro Takayama defeated Osamu Nishimura and Hiroyoshi Tenzan for the IWGP World Tag Team Titles

2020

NJPW New Beginning in Sapporo night one: Sapporo, Japan:
– El Phantasmo & Taiji Ishimori beat Tiger Mask & Yuya Uemura
– Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma & Toa Henare beat Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Manabu Nakanishi & Yota Tsuji 
– Will Ospreay & Sho & Yoh & Ryusuke Taguchi beat Zack Sabre Jr. & Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Desperado & Douki 
– Ryu Lee & Robbie Eagles beat Hiromu Takahashi & Bushi
– KENTA & Jay White beat Sanada & Tetsuya Naito 
– Minoru Suzuki & Taichi beat Kazuchika Okada & Jon Moxley 
– Tomohiro Ishii pinned Evil 
– Shingo Takagi pinned Hirooki Goto to win the NEVER Openweight title

Read More

— Former WWE Diva Dawn Marie is pregnant with her second child, reports prowrestling.NET. She is due to give birth in June. Dawn gave birth to her son Matthew on December 20, 2005.

— Speak of Dawn Marie, today is her birthday. She turns 38 years old today. Today is also the birthday of former WWE Diva Jackie Gayda-Haas, who turns 28 years old.

— Courtesy of Devin Cutting: Former WWE Stars Appearing In France On 12/20/2008. Gangrel and Joe E. Legend (aka Just Joe) will be appearing at the ICWA event in Lille, France on December 20th, 2008. Go to icwacatch.com for info about the ICWA and evenements-lutte.tk for info about upcoming wrestling shows worldwide.

— Trish Stratus was in attendance at the 17th Annual Bell Gala this past Thursday night, in support of the SickKids Foundation. The event, which was held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, drew more than 2,000 guests and 100 plus Canadian celebrities in support of the SickKids Foundation. Injured SmackDown star Adam “Edge” Copeland — who has grown a beard — was also in attendance at the event and the two posed for photos together.

See photo of Trish with Edge! (>>)

ECW Preview For Tonight: Manchester Gets Extreme

February 2, 2021 | News | No Comments

Here is a spoiler-free preview for tonight’s ECW on Sci Fi, taped yesterday afternoon from Manchester, UK:

– The Miz, John Morrison & Jack Swagger vs. Cryme Tyme & Tommy Dreamer.

– Mark Henry vs. Oliver from Leeds

– Matt Hardy defends the ECW title against Finlay

Huge *SPOILER* On Christian Cage’s Future: Staying With TNA or Back To WWE?

According to multiple reports, Chris Jericho was involved in an altercation with multiple fans as he was leaving the arena following yesterday’s Raw brand house show in Victoria, British Columbia. A female fan spat on him while he was getting into his car, which provoked an incensed Jericho to strike at the girl and knock her to the ground. At that point, a man in the crowd rushes in to attack Jericho, but he shoves him away. It then turns into a melee, and Jericho can he heard scolding security to do their job. Click here to see a clear video of the incident.

Here is one report:

I just got back from the WWE RAW/ECW house show in Victoria BC. At the end of the show (which seemed to end pretty quickly and was about 1hour and 45 mins), a ton of fans were waiting outside by the exit ramp of the arena where the wrestlers arrive and leave. Chris jericho got into his car and had already left the exit ramp. Just as he was about to turn after a stop sign, a fan swarmed the driver’s side , and proceeded to bang loudly on the window and repeatedly flashed middle fingers. Jericho then opened the door on the driver’s side and tried to get the fan to leave, but the fan forcefully pushed it against jericho. This prompted Jericho to step out of the vehicle and a war of words began. This led to a ton of fans flocking over to where they were, and subsequently clogging up exiting traffic. I was not close enough to hear what was being said as I didn’t want to associate myself with those fans but I could tell it was serious because Jericho’s face was beet red. Then quickly jericho pounced on the guy and threw a couple punches (prompting the crowd to disperse and some shrieks of horror) before jumping into his rented car and speeding away. One of the WWE guys stayed behind and relayed the information to the cops. The security team that was recruited to control the crowd was absolutely pathetic in attempting to cool down the situation as well as controlling the crowd as a whole. Jericho also supposedly muttered “Can’t the security do it’s job properly?” or something to that effect In my opinion jericho is not at fault as what he was doing was self-defense, and to ward off idiotic fans.

Victoria has always had a bad string of luck regarding incidents with wrestlers. In 2005 a fan jumped the rail and tried to attack triple H after the main event, and in 2007 a couple fans nearly got into a fistfight with Jimmy Korderas and Tony Chimmel at ringside. WWE usually comes here every 2 years to this town, but I’m guessing this incident will get reported to WWE HQ and subsequently the wait will be even longer. It is quite sad and disheartening to see fans go to such lengths to piss off the wrestlers outside of the ring. During the show, sure that’s what you get for paying but not as they’re trying to catch a flight to the next city. The event was overall very entertaining but unfortunately this incident caused it to end on a sour note on a personal level.

Also…

I forgot to add some details. During the pre-match promo jericho built heat by saying that he could get into the stands and “beat the living crap out of any and all of the fans”, and that he disliked canada. I guess some idiot took this way to seriously and decided to try him. Shows how ignorant and foolish some wrestling fans are.

See second cell phone video of Chris Jericho’s incident with fan