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WWWF All-Star Wrestling Review 07-15-78

By
Crazymax Jack
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It’s BONZO GONZO in the main event of this Retro Rasslin’ Review!

WWWF ALL-STAR WRESTLING 07-15-78

All-Star Wrestling is taped from the Fieldhouse in Hamburg, Pennsylvania.
Taping date is June 28, 1978.  Your announcer is Vince McMahon

 

MATCH #1: DINO BRAVO & JOHNNY RIVERA VS. JOSE ESTRADA & JOHNNY RODZ

Referee here is Dick Woehrle. Rivera starts for the baby face time and the heels just totally annihilate Rivera. Johnny usually gets in some ddecent offense, but the heel team just uses tons of quick tags and double teams to keep Rivera down. Rivera finally manages a tag to Dino, who comes in and immediately takes over, first dropping Estrada and then nailing Rodz with a nice dropkick.  The heels do manage to once again go back to double teaming Bravo, but Dino quickly tags back to Rivera. And once again Rivera is immediately dismantled with the quick tags and double team efforts in their corner. They begin to work the leg of Rivera with Estrada holding it while Rodz comes off the top repeatedly with a flying stomp. They pummel the leg for quite some time. Rivera sells the leg something bad. Johnny finally breaks free and hot tags to Dino Bravo. Dino comes in a house of fire on both heels. AIRPLANE SPIN on Estrada, AIRPLANE SPIN on Rodz. Bravo dumps Rodz on top of Estrada and pins them both in 4:57.

As soon as Bravo gets the win he rolls to the floor, picks up Johnny Rivera over his shoulder and carries him to the dressing room.

Winners are Bravo & Rivera

 

 

 

 

[spacer height=”20px”]Notes: Fun match. The Rodz and Estrada team have always been underrated, really great heel work and team work to boot. They made a great team. If Rodz had been a few years younger I’d imagine he would have worked as the other Conquistador with Jose Estrada. Rivera sold the leg great, great team work by the heels, Bravo comes in and just OWNS them. My only peeve is Dino dumped Rodz on top of Estrada face down, and Rodz was technically the legal man. Not that it mattered I suppose. Bravo also immediately rolling out and scooping Rivera up and storming off to the back almost came off heelish, or at least made Rivera look like garbage. Maybe Dino was pissed about losing the tag titles. ;)[spacer height=”20px”]

 

MATCH #2: “RUSSIAN BEAR” IVAN KOLOFF (w/LOU ALBANO) VS. SPECIAL DELIVERY JONES

Albano shouts to Vince, letting him know that a front facelock is also called a front chancery. Meanwhile, Koloff works over Jones and pitches him to the floor where Lou can get in a cheap shot on SD. Koloff eventually follows Jones outside and rams SD into the ring post. HEEL! As SD climbs back inside he fights back with a headbutt but not much more as Koloff cuts him right back off. Lots of choking by Koloff as he drops SD across the top rope. A nice backbreaker by Koloff gets the 3 count in 4:54.

Winner is Ivan Koloff

 

 

 

 

[spacer height=”20px”]Lou Albano taunts SD Jones after the match and Jones knocks him off the apron. Koloff attacks Jones and sends him to the floor. Ivan slams SD into the wooden steps to teach him a lesson about going after the Captain.

Notes: The definition of a squash. Solid heel squash here with Koloff dominating Jones and using enough heel tactics to draw the necessary heat. Albano got his cheap shots in too. Made for a fine TV squash match.[spacer height=”20px”]

 

RINGSIDE INTERVIEW WITH LOU ALBANO & THE YUKON LUMBERJACKS

Vince McMahon is with Albano and the NEWWWWWW WWWF Tag Team Champions, The Yukon Lumberjacks. This episode was taped only two days after winning the titles from Bravo & DeNucci at MSG. Eric (Scott Irwin) speaks first but then tries to calm down Albano. Pierre speaks in his thick French Canadian accent. Albano finally takes over, he mentions he’s had 7 World Tag Team Champions. Albano starts naming random wrestlers he’s issuing tag team challenges to. Eric cuts Albano off and challenged names like Bob Windham (AKA Blackjack Mulligan). Well, that was random. Albano cuts Eric off and says he doesn’t know what he’s talking about. WTF? Pierre starts ranting in French, Albano says Pierre is challenging anyone to a match for the titles.

Vince asks both Lumberjacks about their controversial win over the former champs. Eric denies any controversy. Pierre says the fans are happy the Lumberjacks won. Albano touts himself as the maker of World Champions and the guiding light of the team. Well that promo was all over the place.[spacer height=”20px”]

 

MATCH #3: GEORGE “THE ANIMAL STEELE VS. DAVE DARROW

Steele takes Darrow down quickly and has some fun with him on the mat. Steele goes over and begins to gnaw at a turnbuckle pad and eat the stuffing. Vince explains the story Albano told on a previous episode, where Steele’s tongue is green because he is aroused by turnbuckle pads. Jesus. Steele rubs some stuffing in the eyes of Darrow and begins using the infamous white foreign object. Darrow falls to the outside. Steele never leaves the ring but grabs Darrow through the ropes and rams his head into the time keeper’s table. Darrow is then whipped out of the ring on the opposite side, and Steele again reaches through the ropes and rams Dave head first into the wood steps and the ring post. George stomps the arm of Darrow before clobbering him with the foreign object. George hides the object in his mouth as Dick Woehrle searches him for it. Flying Hammerlock ends this in 5:50.

And George goes back to groping the turnbuckle with stuffing and saliva dripping off his tongue. Beautiful.

Winner is George Steele

 

 

 

 

[spacer height=”20px”]Notes: I don’t know if Steele was being lazy by not going outside the ring, or just trying to be different. Honestly, I loved it. It was different than everyone else by just reaching through the ropes and delivering offense. It made me take notice, which is always a good thing. I really enjoyed heel Steele in the 70’s. Another fun heel squash. This show has been solid TV so far, BUT THAT’S ALL ABOUT TO CHANGE with our next match…..[spacer height=”20px”]

 

MATCH #4: LUKE GRAHAM (w/THE GRAND WIZARD) VS. FRANKIE WILLIAMS

I don’t know if it’s me, but it seems like “Crazy” Luke Graham is on every episode. Why? Was it because he was so awful that Vincent the elder made him wrestle 10 times more to get his money’s worth out of Luke? Or was Vince Sr. just as cynical as his son and wanted to torture the fans? Luke grabs a hammerlock and a half nelson at the same time. Referee Wee Willie Webber calls for a break, though I have no idea why, and neither does Vince. Webber must have been thrown off by Graham actually applying a wrestling hold.

Graham applies a sleeper on the mat, but it’s so crappy that even Frankie Williams won’t pass out. Graham moves on to a head scissor. Anything to lay on the mat. Frankie goes for a backdrop but Graham kicks him and drops a…. I honestly don’t know WTF that was he just pretended to drop on Frankie. AWFUL.

Choking and biting by Graham. Frankie fights back, Graham takes a turnbuckle smash in slow motion. Graham “loads” his thumb and jams it into the throat of Williams to get the win after 6:02

Winner is Luke Graham

Notes: That did NOT need to go 6:00. Dreadful. I don’t know how Luke kept this job for so long. I’d go so far as to say I could see Luke being a pretty damn entertaining heel in his prime years, but those were long gone. The scary thing is, he was only 38 years old here.[spacer height=”20px”]

 

MATCH #5: WWWF TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS THE YUKON LUMBERJACKS (w/LOU ALBANO) VS. CHIEF JAY STRONGBOW & TONY GAREA

 

 

 

 

[spacer height=”20px”]This is non-title, even though Lou Albano just challenged anyone to a title match only 3 segments ago. So much for Garea planning a singles career. Eric and Pierre try to have their way with Garea early, slapping him in the face on breaks. Tony returns the favor, slapping Pierre in the face. Strongbow tags in and does a crisscross spot with Pierre, leading to Chief catching Pierre in his patented Sleeper Hold, but Eric breaks it up. Eric tags in and goes to work on Strongbow. The Lumberjacks begin double teaming Strongbow in the heel corner. Garea finally has enough and tries to make the save. but the Lumberjacks beat down Garea as well.

Finally, Strongbow is able to tag out to Tony, but Garea continues to take a beat down. Now Strongbow comes in for the save, but Pierre flings the Chief out over the top rope. Eric beats down Strongbow on the floor, and the Lumberjacks double team Garea in the ring, the referee isn’t even counting. All four men take it to the floor and big brawl ensues. Dick Woehrle counts both teams out after 6:37.

Strongbow takes a bar stool and bashes it over Pierre’s head, Eric’s head, Albano’s head. The crowd is standing and pushing towards the fight, trying to see more. The Lumberjacks are whipped into each other on the floor. Chief chokes Pierre with a camera wire. The faces are beating the crap out of the heels and the crowd is eating it up. Gorilla Monsoon is out to try and pull the faces off the Lumberjacs. IT’S PANDEMONIUM!

The result is a double DQ (I think it was a count out)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[spacer height=”20px”]Notes: Now that was fun TV. The early part of the match was bland, but when the Lumberjacks threw the rules out and refused to leave the ring with the double teaming business picked up. They were a great bruiser tag team as you can see here. The brawl on the floor was really refreshing, I haven’t seen an angle that hot on an episode yet I don’t believe. The fans really loved it. I would have been eating it up too. Hell, I’m eating it up now 40 years later. A wild brawl ends the show as we go off the air after the official announcement. Good stuff.[spacer height=”20px”]

Closing Thoughts: We kick off with 3 solid squashes and end with a fun 4 man brawl all over the floor. As shitty as the last episode was, this one was that good. One of the better episodes to date. And after the crap episode last time we needed a fresh pick-me-up and this episode did the trick for me. I recommend you checking out the heel team work from Rodz and Estrada, and I really recommend the main event for the fight at the end. Nice solid show.

Hardcore History Episode 6: 5-11-1993 ECW Review

By
xstat32x
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0

ECW Hardcore History: Episode 6 – May 11th, 1993

Introduction:
Welcome back everyone to CrazyMax’s very own Hardcore History. Last week we saw the debut of the one and only Paul E. Dangerously. We also saw the Sandman in action against ‘Wildman’ Sal Bellomo. We saw another cheap finish in an ECW Tag Team Title match between the Super Destroyers vs. Larry Winters/Tony Stetson. Tonight we are going to see the rematch, and for the 3rd time in as many episodes, a hair vs. title match between the two tag teams. What else are we going to see from Hot Stuff International as well as the Dangerous Alliance. What else is Terry Funk doing at the Double Cross Ranch. Lastly, what else is going to happen between the ECW Champion the Sandman and the Rockin’ Rebel? We will find out all of that and more right here on CrazyMax’s Hardcore History. Lets get to the action.

Show Opening:

The show opens up with Jay Sulli and Tod Gordon standing ringside. Tod Gordon tells us this is going to be one of the biggest shows in the history of ECW. The tag team title match will be fought in a no disqualification, falls count anywhere, hair vs. mask match. Hot Stuff International will also be in action but Tod Gordon questions if it is the Dangerous Alliance or Hot Stuff International? We will also have a lumberjack match between Johnny Hotbody vs. Tommy Cairo. Tod Gordon also announces, time permitting, a mixed tag team match between Sandman/Peaches vs. Rockin’ Rebel/Tigra. They go to a recap video on what has happened between the Sandman and the Rockin’ Rebel.

Tod Gordon said he has signed a Texas chain match between Eddie Gilbert and Terry Funk. Paul E. Dangerously comes out and interrupts Tod Gordon. Dangerously says the chain match has been cancelled. Gordon says since Dangerously is new to the the ECW he will give him the benefit of the doubt. Gordon says the contract has been signed months before Dangerously was even in the company. Dangerously says his lawyers say that the match is off. Gordon says his contract vs. Dangerously’s lawyers, sue him but he will be disappointed. Gordon walks off as Dangerously continues to talk.

Dangerously says that the only person that has disappointed Dangerously in his life was Gordon’s wife last night. Wow what the hell is going on here. A low blow like that on TV? Man ECW was awesome. Dangerously says if Gordon wants to get personal with him, Eddie Gilbert, Jimmy Snuka, Don Muraco then it goes like this. Dangerously says we will take the whole damn promotion not because we hate your guts, because we’ve done it before and we will do it again. Dangerously says it is the Dangerous Alliance’s opinion that there will be no chain match between Terry Funk and Eddie Gilbert because Tod Gordon is as useless as a woman from Philadelphia. Man Paul E bringing the heat early. What a difference he makes to the shows and to the company. Now if he could just get the book…


Promo by Terry Funk at the Double Cross Ranch

Terry Funk says he has a mighty fine tractor. Funk says just like being in the wrestling ring or ranching or farming you have to have the right equipment. He says when you ring you have to be a great wrestler. Some bum walks into the promo and Funk says that don’t you know this is private property. Funk then berates this individual and says that if he was from Texas he would know that you can’t just walk on private property like he is. Funk asks the guy who he is. He says he is Eddie Gilberts brother from Tennessee. Funk then asks him what his name is and he says real Hot Stuff.

Funk the punches the guy in the gut then he picks him up and magically he becomes a stuffed dummy. Funk spins the dummy around and then body slams him into the lift of a tractor. Funk then gets on the tractor and raises the lift up and dumps him. Funk then backs up and runs the dummy over numerous times while he has a sadistic laugh going. This is so corny and stupid and a waste of time. Funk then says he can’t wait to get Eddie Gilbert in the Texas Chain Match Massacre as we cut to commercial.

Match 1: ECW Tag Team Title Match: Super Destroyers (C) vs. Tony Stetson/Larry Winters

Before the bell can be rang, Stetson and Winters attack both of the Super Destroyers. All four men head outside where they continue to brawl. Out comes Cairo and he handcuffs himself to Hunter Q. Robbins the Third. Winters rams one of the Destroyers into the steel post and then rolls him back into the ring. The match starts in the ring with Winters vs. Super D #1. They sure Robbins outside furious that he has to be cuffed to Cairo.

Super D #2 gets the tag and he hits Winters with a power slam off the ropes. Winters turns the tables and starts kicking Super D #2 in the gut. Winters tags in Stetson and he lays in some shoulder blocks. Super D #2 goes for the tag but Stetson prevents it. Stetson drags #2 over to the ropes and tags in Winters. Winters and Super D #2 trade some lefts and rights until Winters gets control and lays in a chop. Winters tags Stetson back into the ring and he clubs Super D #2 in the back. Stetson goes for a cover and gets a 2 count and he quickly tags back in Winters.

Super Destroyer #1 gets the tag as well. Winters charges at him but Super D #1 goes for a low blow. Super D then throws Winters outside and then he climbs up to the middle rope on the outside and drops a double ax handle on Winters. All four men are brawling outside until Super Destroyer #1 gets back in the ring. Winters is going back into the ring and Super D #1 goes for a baseball slide but Winters moves out of the way and Super Destroyer misses. Its hard as hell to follow this match because they keep going to the crap outside with Cairo and Robbins. You miss a lot of action and it’s dumb.

Winters drops a knee to throat after he tags in Stetson. Super Destroyer does a double leg swoop on Stetson and then drops a head butt to the mid-section area as the Destroyers get control of the match. Stetson goes for a cover and they keep rotating pins until they both roll out of the ring. All four men are battling outside once again. Super D #2 picks up a chair and clocks Winters in the back. Winters is back in the ring with Super D #1 and he lays in the boots.

Winters tags in Stetson and he lays in some right hands on Super D #1. Hunter throws in his cane to the ring and Stetson ends up picking it up. He then rams the cane into the throat of Super Destroyer #1. Stetson goes for the cover and gets the 1-2-3. Your winners and NEW ECW TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS….LARRY WINTERS AND TONY STETSON!!!!!


Recap:
Theres not much to say about this match. It wasn’t as good as the match from last week. It was also hard to follow because they would just show Cairo and Robbins on the outside at times when stuff was going on in the ring. It detracted from the match and made it not as good as it could be. I’m surprised at how much Stetson and Winters controlled the match. This was essentially a squash match because the Super Destroyers didn’t have control of the match hardly at all. This wasn’t as good as the prior weeks match but it still worth watching to see the title change.

Match 2: Eddie Gilbert/Jimmy Snuka vs. JT Smith/Max Thrasher

Paul E. Dangerously takes over the mic and introduces Jimmy Snuka and Eddie Gilbert to the crowd. Paul joins the commentary team with Jay Sulli when the match starts. The match starts with Snuka and JT Smith tying it up. Smith pushes Snuka into the ropes and we get a clean break. Eddie tries to distract JT but he keeps his eye on both guys. They tie up again and JT gets Snuka in a head lock. Snuka pushes off and we get a criss cross. JT drops down first then he hits Snuka with an arm drag. He follows that up with a drop kick and then a fall away slam.

JT goes for the cover and gets a 2 count. JT gets an arm bar then whips Snuka into the ropes. He goes for a backdrop but Snuka clubs him in the back. Snuka then makes the tag to Eddie Gilbert and he comes in and lays in about 4-5 right hands to the face. Eddie then snap mares JT and he rakes him in the face. Eddie then hits a couple of boots and then throws JT to the outside. Snuka then slams JT’s face into the table then throws him back into the ring. Gilbert lays in a kick to the mid-section and he follows that up with a body slam. Eddie holds open JT and tags in Snuka who kicks him in the gut.

Snuka then chops JT into the corner and he finally gets a tag to Max Thrasher. Thrasher comes in and throws in some right hands and drives Snuka into the ropes. Muraco holds the leg of Thrasher and he falls down. Eddie picks him up and hits Thrasher with a back breaker. Snuka then goes up to the top rope and nails a beautiful Superfly Splash. He goes for the cover and gets the 3 count. Your winners of the match via pinfall….Superfly Jimmy Snuka and Hot Stuff Eddie Gilbert!


Recap:
There wasn’t much special to the match here. It was just a squash match for Hot Stuff International. The splash from Snuka at the end of the match was amazing. He got a big time leap and it was one of his better splashes that I have seen. It’s really the only reason to watch this match. Seems like the two are just going through the motions collecting a paycheck and it comes across during the match.

Backstage Promo: Salvatore Bellomo

They come back from commercial and it goes straight to Sal Bellomo. He says he doesn’t like anyone especially in this Philadelphia area. He says Philadelphians are lazy and they don’t do anything and just sit on the couch and watch TV. He says the only thing he likes is the little kids because no one else does. Thats pretty much it for the promo. What garbage.

Match 3: Sal Bellomo vs. Canadian Wolfman

Bellomo attacks the Wolfman in the corner but he responds with some rights of his own. Bellomo then rakes the eyes then snap mares him. Wolfman gets back up to his feet and Bellomo decks him with a forearm. Bellomo then picks up Wolfman and nails him with a standing drop kick. Bellomo then chokes the Wolfman in the corner. Bellomo then snap mares the Wolfman again then rakes his back.

Wolfman gets up to his feet and rakes the eyes again until the 4 count. Bellomo clubs the Wolfman in the back then snap mares him over again. Bellomo drops a knee to the back. Wolfman gets up in the corner and Bellomo hits him with a couple of right hands then body slams him in the middle of the ring. Bellomo goes off the ropes and hits the big splash on the Wolfman and he gets the 3 count. Your winner by pinfall…Sal Bellomo!


Recap:
This was nothing more than your typical squash match. Wolfman is disgusting to look at with his prison quality tattoos. Bellomo is lazy and boring as hell to watch. The sooner these two guys are out of the ECW and off my screen the better off we are all going to be.

Match 4: Lumberjack Match: Tommy Cairo vs. Johnny Hotbody

They start with a collar and elbow tie up and they roll around the ropes. They get a clean break and Cairo lays in some right hands on Hotbody. Cairo then decks him with a clotheslines and tries to kick him out of the ring. The wrestlers on the outside quickly get him back in the ring. Cairo then hits Hotbody with a hip toss. Cairo then throws him into the corner and hits him with a back splash. Cairo picks up up Hotbody and gets him in a suplex. Cairo lays in some lefts then hits Hotbody with a spinning wheel kick after he threw Hotbody into the ropes. Hotbody rolled out of the ring where his friends were waiting for him and allowed him to catch a breather.

Once Hotbody gets back into the ring Cairo hits him with a body slam then drops and elbow onto Hotbody. Cairo then hits him with another elbow drop. Cairo picks up Hotbody and throws him across the ring from the corner. He then throws Hotbody on to the outside and the wrestlers throw him back into the ring. Cairo goes to pick up Hotbody but Hotbody hits him with a low blow and it allows him to gain control of the match. Hotbody then drops and elbow and goes for the cover but Cairo kicks out and throws him to the outside.

Hotbody gets back into the ring and gets Cairo in a roll up and nearly gets the 3 count. Hotbody stomps Cairo then throws him to the outside of the ring. Bellomo throws Cairo back into the ring and Hotbody gets a 2 but Cairo gets out. Hotbody whips Cairo into the ropes and nails him with a drop kick. Candido is trying to help out his partner but Bellomo attacks him and gets Hotbody back into the ring. Cairo hits Hotbody with a double under hook suplex. Hotbody rolls outside of the ring again and Hotbody gets a little bit of a breather until Larry Winters throws him back in.

Hotbody gets back into the ring and decks Hotbody with a clothesline. Cairo then goes off the top rope and hits Hotbody with a clothesline off the top rope. There is no ref in the ring. Hunter Q Robbins comes running out from the back and nails Cairo in the back with his cane. Hotbody rolls Cairo over and gets the 1-2-3. Your winner by pinfall….Sir Jonathan Hotbody!


Recap:
This match was decent but not very good either. You can tell Cairo was one of the better wrestlers that they had at the time. It’s a shame they didn’t really let him show his skills until later on. He could have made some of these shows a little bit better. Hunter Q gets his revenge on Cairo for costing his team the tag team titles so I am a little bit interested to see where this goes. All in all not a terrible match but nothing special either.

They show the Terry Funk promo from last weeks show.

Match 5: Mixed Tag-Team Match: Sandman/Peaches vs. Rockin’ Rebel/Tigra

The Rebel attacks the Sandman from behind before the bell can be rang. Rebel gets in a few punches and kicks and he eventually throws the Sandman over the top rope. Sandman gets up on the apron and hits a shoulder to the midsection. Sandman then does a sunset flip and goes for the pin but Rebel hangs on until Peaches slaps him. Sandman then whips Rebel into the ropes and hits him with a drop kick followed by a clotheslines. Rebel gets back up and he gets hit with another clothesline. Rebel goes for the tag of Tigra but she’s not on the apron and doesn’t want any part of the match.

Sandman then snap mares Rebel and gets him in a head lock. Tigra finally gets up on the apron like she is going to get in the ring. Rebel gets back up to his feet and hits some elbows to the midsection to break free. Rebel comes off the ropes but Sandman hits him with a clothesline. Rebel goes for another tag but Tigra drops off the apron again. Sandman hits a few chops and then he throws him into the ropes and hits him with another chop off the rope. Rebel grabs the Sandman by legs and drops him then he drops a head butt to the mid-section. Rebel picks up the Sandman and hits an elbow on the Sandman. He goes for a pin and gets a 2 count.

Rebel whips Sandman into the ropes and goes for a elbow but Sandman hits the Rebel with a lay down clothesline. Sandman goes for the pin and gets a 2 count. Sandman is about to him Rebel with a reverse DDT but the Rebel drops to the mat and busts the chin of the Sandman. Rebel charges at the Sandman and Sandman back body drops him over the top rope. Sandman makes the tag to Peaches and in comes Tigra. They start a cat fight but the show comes to an end before we can really see anything. Keeping us guessing on what happened at the end of the match.


Recap:
Nothing special here either. We didn’t get the full match because they ran out of TV time so that kind of took away from it. Adding the women to the match added a little bit more to the action but the fact that they ended the show right when they got in the ring kind of sucked. I guess they want us to pay for these two getting in contact with each other. With no outcome and the so so action there isn’t much to write home about as far as this match is concerned.

Show Recap:
The only good thing about this show was the tag team title change. The match was pretty good but it was hindered by the shit camera activity because whenever something good was going on they would cut to Cairo and Robbins on the outside. The rest of the matches were just squash matches trying to get other guys over. At the end of the day the only reason to watch this show is to see the Heyman promos and the tag team title switch. Other than that don’t waste your time.

Click here to view this episode in pictures

ScreenCaps: ECW 5-11-1993 in Pictures

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xstat32x
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Screen Caps from ECW Hardcore TV 006 – May 11th, 1993












































































































































































































Update On Pay For Greatest Royal Rumble And If Female Talent Has Been Paid

By
Jim Somers
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0

There’s no word yet on what the pay is for WWE’s Greatest Royal Rumble event from Saudi Arabia because as of a few days ago, it still had not come in. The Wrestling Observer Newsletter notes that nobody knew about pay ahead of time besides the top talents who made one-shot deals.

PWInsider and Jerry Lawler’s podcast have noted before that WWE was expected to pay their female talents for the Greatest Royal Rumble event, even though they were unable to work the show due to the culture in Saudi Arabia. The Observer reports that none of the female Superstars have been paid for the show yet and they are not expecting to be paid. It’s still possible that the female talents are paid for the event but it would be a surprise to them if it does happen.

WWE received a lot of negative feedback from fans and others in the business for running the Saudi Arabia event without female talents, especially with the way they have been pushing the women’s revolution. WWE Co-President Michelle Wilson defended the decision during the recent WWE earnings call.

“I think everyone is familiar with the fact that we have obviously been very vocal about our female performers and re-branding them as Superstars,” Wilson said. “We feel really good about our continued commitment on that front. There are many countries around the world where we perform and we’re respectful to the cultures there but we certainly hope to be a part of the change moving forward.”

Wilson added that WWE is onboard for the long-haul as they have 10 years to work with the Kingdom under the current deal.

“We’re proud and happy with how the event went,” Wilson added. “And we will continue to treat those cultures respectfully while hoping to be a part of some of the change that will be taking place.”

Credit: Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Samoa Joe Comments on WWE Raiding Indie Promotions

By
Jim Somers
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0

Samoa Joe recently sat down with POPCulture.com and said he’s all for WWE raiding indie promotions around the world and signing their established stars.

“Hey, you know whose fault it is, that your favorite wrestler got bought out? The company he was working for, cause they were too cheap to pay him what he was worth. So he should get paid what he’s worth, and if WWE comes and pays him what he’s worth, that’s on your sorry ass. Get the money right. And start paying these dudes,” Joe said.

Joe had strong words for critics who are against WWE picking up all the top stars from the indies.

“There are too many crazy talented dudes out there that aren’t getting paid, and if you have a problem with WWE making those dudes rich, you can kiss my ass,” Joe said. “Cause those dudes deserve to be rich, cause they’re talented as hell.”

The Samoan Submission Machine praised WWE for being the #1 company in the world and said their aggressive tactics have helped put them at the top.

“It’s funny because people are like, ‘oh, well that’s kind of messed up,’ No. No. That’s how you win,” Joe said. “That’s why they’re the number one company in the world. You go out there and you get the best dudes. You don’t get mad at a tiger for being a tiger.”

Credit:  POPCulture.com

WWWF All-Star Wrestling Review 06-17-78

By
Crazymax Jack
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2

 

Sooooo… a Samoan, an Aussie, a Greek, and a Polish man walk into a bar…

WWWF ALL-STAR WRESTLING 06-17-78

All-Star Wrestling is taped from the Fieldhouse in Hamburg, Pennsylvania.
Taping date is June 7, 1978.  Your announcer is Vince McMahon

Vince announces that this week we were scheduled to have a DeNucci/Bravo vs. Lumberjacks non-title match, but Albano refused to allow his men to wrestle the champions unless the titles were on the line. So the match has been canceled. FOR SHAME!

 

MATCH #1: “POLISH POWER” IVAN PUTSKI VS. SYLVANO SOUSA

 

 

 

 

[spacer height=”20px”]Referee is Wee Willie Webber. Putski is jacked to the gills and has even lost the pot belly. Sousa tries to overpower Putski to start, which is funny in itself. Sylvano locks on a Full Nelson. Putski no sells the hold and gives a little wiggle before he escapes. But as Putski breaks the Full Nelson he keeps Sousa’s arms locked under Ivan’s arms. It’s actually pretty clever for anyone doing the strong man gimmick.

Putski finally releases Sousa’s hands but immediately hooks him in a grinding headlock. I really don’t know anyone who worked a headlock as good as Putski. He made a headlock seem like a viable hold.

Sousa is released and regroups by going outside to the floor to think things over. Sylvano returns to the ring and clobbers Putski with kicks and punches, but Ivan just walks into them and nails Sousa one time sending Sylvano out of the ring. As Sousa gets back in the ring Ivan no sells a few more shots, then lands a few punches, followed by a wind up punch, and Putski gets the win with a nonchalant cover after 4:44.

Winner is Ivan Putski

Putski gets on the mike after the match and calls out George Steele and Spiros Arion. He says he can beat them like he beat Ken Patera and Superstar Graham.

Notes: Putski was never one to put on a wrestling clinic, but I’ve found some of his squashes to be energetic and fun. This was not one of those matches. Ivan finished the guy off with a frickin Popeye punch.[spacer height=”20px”]

 

MATCH #2: “IRON GREEK” SPIROS ARION (w/FRED BLASSIE) VS. FRANKIE WILLIAMS

Nice judo hip throw by Arion gets a 2 count to start the match. Arion follows that up with a front facelock, then a chinlock. Yawn. Spiros ties Williams in the tree of woe in the corner, but doesn’t really follow up. Choking and punching from Arion. Spiros holds onto Frankie’s singlet to keep him standing for more punishment. Spiros picks Williams up off the mat at 2 to prevent a 3 count. Frankie tries to HULK UP, but it doesn’t work. Arion puts the boots to him and the over the shoulder backbreaker ends it in 4:53.

Winner is Spiros Arion

 

 

 

 

[spacer height=”20px”]Notes: Arion starts things out with a nice hip throw. Silly me, I almost thought we were going to be entertained after the first move. I was wrong. Stomps, punches, chinlocks, blah. The only thing remotely entertaining about this match was Arion grabbing Frankie by his singlet straps every time Williams was going to fall, to keep him standing for more punishment.[spacer height=”20px”]

 

RINGSIDE INTERVIEW WITH TONY GAREA

 

 

 

 

[spacer height=”20px”]Vince McMahon stands by with Tony Garea. Look at that f**king hair. Tony has supposedly been on a tour of the world. Garea promises there are great wrestlers in Australia and New Zealand and we will be seeing them in the States soon. Suuure buddy. Garea then talks about Japan. He says the wrestlers in America are much larger in weight and in Japan they or more slimmed down and athletic and they devote their lives to the profession. Garea really respects the Japanese wrestlers. I’d LOVE to see Garea’s win/loss record in Japan.

Garea says he’s been gone for three months and now that he’s back there’s new faces in the area like the Lumberjacks and Luke Graham. He refers to Luke as weird. Indeed. Vince asks Tony if he plans to return as a singles or tag team wrestler. Garea says the Tag Team Titles are in good hands with DeNucci & Bravo, so Tony wants to go at it alone for a while. Garea looks forward to competition like George Steele and Luke Graham.

Vince says he hopes Garea is back to stay… Well you got your wish, didn’t you? SIGH[spacer height=”20px”]

 

MATCH #3: TONY GAREA VS. STAN “THE MAN” STASIAK (w/THE GRAND WIZARD)

 

 

 

 

[spacer height=”20px”]So instead of Bravo/DeNucci vs. the Lumberjacks this week we get this schlock as our featured match. DAMN YOU, LOU ALBANO! Garea gets Stasiak in a head scissor early on as the Wizard screams it’s a choke. Stan finally escapes the hold. Garea with a SLOW MOTION armdrag. Slowest armdrag in history. Garea applies a top wrist lock, but Stasiak escapes when he starts using his taped fist. Stan takes over with his taped fist and then hooks Garea in a bearhug that goes on for too long.

Garea finally breaks free. Stasiak goes right for the HEART PUNCH, but GAREA BLOCKS IT and fires back. Stasiak manages to keep in control for a bit longer, but it doesn’t last forever as Tony starts fighting back and Stasiak winds up tied in the ropes. Garea nails Stasiak with a running kick while he’s tied in the ropes! Garea tries it a second time but Stasiak gets a boot up! Stan flings Garea to the floor.

Garea recovers and slides back in the ring. The two men trade punches, Garea unloads with some haymakers that almost send Stasiak over the top to the floor. Stan fights back however and he knocks Tony outside the ring. Stasiak follows Garea outside and props Tony up against the ring post. Stasiak cocks back for the HEART PUNCH, but GAREA DUCKS and STASIAK PUNCHES THE STEEL POST!!!!

OUCH, THAT’S GOTTA HOIT (hurt)!

Garea rolls back in the ring and Stasiak is counted out in 8:18.

Winner is Tony Garea by count out

 

 

 

 

[spacer height=”20px”]Notes: Say something nice, say something nice, say something nice…. Well…. It could have been a whole lot worse…[spacer height=”20px”]

 

MATCH #4: LUKE GRAHAM (w/THE GRAND WIZARD) VS. DAVE DARROW

Superstar Graham must be out of the territory for the time being, because Luke tells Joe McHugh he’s no longer from Phoenix, AZ, he’s from Atlanta, GA. Lots of stalling by Graham to start. The fans chant “Crazy Luke” and it upsets Graham verily. Darrow backs Luke into a corner but Graham doesn’t give a clean break and he rams his taped thumb into the throat of Darrow. Graham hooks Darrow in a Full Nelson but Darrow gets the ropes. Again, Graham doesn’t give a clean break as he clobbers Darrow across the back. Lots of taped fist shenanigans follow as Graham loads it, spiking Darrow with it repeatedly. Darrow goes down and Luke literally falls across him for the pin after 5:50.

Winner is Luke Graham

Notes: That was pure lazy. Just crap. And who keeps booking Stasiak and Graham back to back when they both worked the taped hand gimmick? The finish was just ridiculous. Graham literally ran off the ropes, stopped and fell across Darrow for the cover like a giant sloppy blob. I should have GIF’ed it. This match was just another Luke Graham Special. #LukeGrahamSpecial[spacer height=”20px”]

 

MATCH #5: ‘HIGH CHIEF” PETER MAIVIA VS. MOOSE MONROE

Peter backs Moose up to the ropes to start and gives a clean break. Monroe returns the favor after he backs Maivia up against the ropes, but Maivia pats him on the butt and it upsets the Moose. HOMOPHOBE! The guys trade a series of rest holds. Wristlocks, bearhugs, chinlocks, armbars, toe holds, all that fun stuff. Maivia lays in some stiff forearm uppercuts, Moose wants to shake hands. Maivia hits Monroe with a spear-like tackle and Moose goes down like a sack of potatoes because he didn’t know how to take the move. Maivia nails a headbutt and a big bodyslam ends it after 6:58.

Winner is the High Chief

Notes: There was a lot of rest holds throughout this match. Maivia had a great charisma but it didn’t translate to great wrestling on this episode. I was impressed with the finishing slam on Moose because it looked like pure dead weight Maivia was picking up, and Moose was easily 300 plus pounds and much taller that Maivia. Don’t let it be said that Chiefy wasn’t super Samoan strong.

 

Closing Thoughts: This was a pretty bad week all around. The wrestling was sub par, the interview segment was with “Mr. Personality” himself Tony Garea, and even the managers couldn’t save this one. This may be the worst show of the bunch thus far, or at least in the top 2 or 3 worst. I literally have nothing to say about this episode. Sorry guys…

The Retro Rasslin’ Review shall return!

WWWF All-Star Wrestling Reviews 06-03-78

By
Crazymax Jack
-
0

A rare WWWF Title defense by Bob Backlund headlines this edition of the Retro Rasslin’ Review!

WWWF ALL-STAR WRESTLING 06-03-78

All-Star Wrestling is taped from the Fieldhouse in Hamburg, Pennsylvania.
Taping date is May 17, 1978.  Vince McMahon is your announcer.

 

MATCH #1: LUKE GRAHAM (w/THE GRAND WIZARD) VS. JIMMY RAYE

Graham spends the duration of the match jabbing his opponent with the infamous TAPED THUMB. He did manage to knee his foe once before returning to using the thumb to the throat and getting the quick win in 3:19.

Winner is Luke Graham

Notes: Well that wasn’t as bad as previous matches, only because it was kept short and Graham tried to do as little as possible. It sucks for as many times as Luke Graham has teamed with “Superstar” Billy Graham so far here in 1978, we haven’t gotten to see one of them. Instead, we have another Crazy Luke singles match.[spacer height=”20px”]

 

MATCH #2: STAN “THE MAN” STASIAK (w/THE GRAND WIZARD) VS. JIM OLIVER

We go from a man with a taped thumb to a man with a taped fist. Both men being in Wizard’s stable, I wonder if they split the cost on all that tape. Based on introductions, Stasiak is still living off his short stint as a former WWWF Champion. Stasiak with a  decent takeover to begin the match, but then he reverts to hammering his opponent with the taped fist. Sound familiar? Oliver with a nice single arm takeover, but Stasiak counters into a head scissor. Stan wants no part of actually wrestling so he goes back to punching and stomping on Oliver. And stomping on Oliver. And stomping on Oliver. HEART PUNCH ends this in 2:55.

Apparently the Heart Punch knocked Oliver out. A blow to the chest knocked him out? Might want to call a doctor.

Winner is Stan Stasiak

Notes: Too short to be offensive. I’ve seen worse.[spacer height=”20px”]

 

RINGSIDE INTERVIEW WITH WWWF WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION BOB BACKLUND

Vince McMahon interviews the champ, who will meet Strong Kobayashi in a super rare World Title defense on TV today. Backlund talks about what it’s like to be champion. The traveling, the training, preparing for specific opponents. They discuss Backlund’s choice of selecting Arnold Skaaland as his manager. Bob is happy with Arnie handling all of the managing duties, scouting challengers, handling the bookings, etc…

Vince turns to the match at hand tonight, Kobayashi. Kobayashi has mastered the Martial-Arts which Backlund has to watch out for. Bob says he focuses on one match at a time, he doesn’t think about tomorrow. He’s thinking about Kobayashi tonight and he’s ready to defend.

 

MATCH #3: HAYSTACKS CALHOUN & LARRY ZBYSZKO VS. SYLVANO SOUSA & MOOSE MONROE

It’s Larry and Frank the Moose to start things. Larry catches a near fall early. Moose gets up in the wrong corner and Calhoun unloads on Monroe repeatedly. Calhoun holds the Moose while Zbyszko lands a free shot. Moose takes a big swing at Larry, but Zbyszko ducks and Monroe goes flying over the top rope to the floor. Sousa now tags in and it isn’t long before Sylvano also takes a spill outside. Larry finally gains control with an armbar to slow things down. Sousa goes to the eyes of Zbyszko and takes over control for a bit. The burly Sousa for some reason can’t pick Larry up for a slam… Seriously??? Larry reverses with a slam on Sousa and rolls Sylvano back into a crucifix roll up for the abrupt finish after 4:39.

Winners are Zbyszko & Haystacks

Notes: The matches are shorter tonight, likely to give time for the WWWF Title match. Calhoun NEVER EVEN TAGS IN. I’ve noticed Larry and Calhoun like to work some heel spots as a team. They do it in a way that it doesn’t seem heelish, but they do it in every match. Just something I noticed. This match was nothing. Haystacks basically got paid to stand there.[spacer height=”20px”]

 

MATCH #4: WWWF WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION BOB BACKLUND VS. STRONG KOBAYASHI (w/FRED BLASSIE)

 

 

 

 

[spacer height=”20px”]We start the match with Backlund hooking a waistlock and Shozo Kobayashi sitting out. Backlund rides Kobayashi as he continues to sit out until he gets to the ropes. They reverse positions and now Kobayashi rides Backlund, but Bob being the amateur champion sits out and finally manages to escape the waist lock. We get some more tit for tat between the two as they try some basic holds on each other, armdrags, head scissor escapes, etc… Bob moves like a cat in there, very quick and always grabbing a body part. It’s evident in the world of shooting that Bob’s a dangerous dude. Backlund grabs a hammerlock but Kobayashi grabs the ropes for a break.

When the match resumes Kobayashi relies on his martial arts as he chops Backlund down to the mat and then stomps him with his bare feet. Kobayashi nails a backbreaker but Backlund kicks out on 2 with authority, throwing Kobayashi off of him. HANGMAN’S NECKBREAKER by Shozo gets another near fall. Nice.

Kobayashi goes back to the chops, but Bob fights back. They trade blows until Backlund gets the upper hand. Bob goes to the arm and tries to hyperextend Kobayashi’s arm. Shozo finally manages to reach the ropes for a break and he unloads with cheap shots to drop Backlund. Shozo wears Bob down with a front facelock and then goes back to chopping Bob relentlessly. A whip off the ropes and a big knife edge chop on the champ gets another 2 count. Kobayashi is becoming frustrated as he goes back to chopping away on Bob.

Kobayashi sends Bob off the ropes for another big chop, but Backlund ducks and BOB BACKLUND WITH THE RUNNING ATOMIC DROP ends this after 12:56.

Winner is Bob Backlund

 

 

 

 

[spacer height=”20px”]Notes: This match was given a lot of time. Longest match I’ve covered on an All-Star episode, mainly because most matches have a 10 minute TV time limit. While not very exciting by any means, it made for a good TV title defense. Bob was never really in much trouble here but the fans got a Championship match on free TV and it went long enough for the fans to feel like they got a real title defense out of it. It would have been nice if Shozo’s offense wasn’t 85% chops, but I get the old strategy of find a move you’re good at and stick to it. lol. At the end of the day it was nothing more than an average TV match that can easily be skipped if you’re not interested in this era, but it wasn’t dull and it didn’t feel like it was dragging. So for that I was happy with it.[spacer height=”20px”]

 

MATCH #5: WWWF TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS DINO BRAVO & DOMINIC DENUCCI VS. TANK PATTON & BUTCHER VACHON

 

 

 

 

[spacer height=”20px”]Non-title. DeNucci starts with the Tank. Patton manages to hook DeNucci in a Full Nelson and tags in the Butcher. Paul Vachon has far less success against Dominic and he decides to bring back in the Tank. Patton comes in and clobbers DeNucci with a pair of big padded elbows across the back of the head. Dominic stumbles into the corner and Bravo tags in. Dino with a simple tackle, dropdown, leapfrog, backdrop spot, by the numbers, on the Tank. Dino locks on an armbar, but Patton swings his way close enough to tag out to the Butcher. Bravo blasts Vachon with a running forearm and the cover, but Butcher gets his foot on the bottom rope to stop the count. Patton back in again, Bravo reverses a whip and nails a dropkick that somehow gets the abrupt win after 3:58 of action.

Winners are Bravo & DeNucci

Notes: It kind of sucks to get stuck in the final match spot on TV because when an episode is crunched for time the match suffers majorly. I think this could have been more competitive given more time, but when time runs short these guys see the signal to go home no matter where they are in the match or how abrupt the finish is. This was what it was.[spacer height=”20px”]

Closing Thoughts: What a treat it must have been to not only see the WWWF Champion wrestle on TV, BUT the title is actually on the line against what was considered a competent challenger. The majority of the in ring time was given to Backlund, as it should have been, so the rest of the show was a bunch of short squash matches. And with guys like Luke Graham and Stasiak competing I can only express how delighted I was that their matches were kept short. We got to see the Tag Champs on the same show is the Heavyweight Champion, which was pretty cool. Haystacks was also on the card for a novelty act, though he did next to nothing. The squashes were so short that they didn’t have time to stink, the tag team champs match was cut short, Backlund had an average TV match with the belt on the line. There’s not a whole lot to rave about here, but if you’re looking for a rare WWWF Title defense then I think you’ll be satisfied with Backlund vs. Kobayashi.

WWWF All-Star Wrestling Reviews 05-13-78

By
Crazymax Jack
-
0

Ladies and gentlemen… The Golden Terror.

WWWF ALL-STAR WRESTLING 05-13-78

All-Star Wrestling is taped from the Fieldhouse in Hamburg, Pennsylvania.
Taping date is April 26, 1978. Your announcer is Vince McMahon.

Wow does Joe McHugh stretch out the intros sometimes.THIS is one of those times.[spacer height=”20px”]

MATCH #1: WWWF TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS DINO BRAVO & DOMINIC DENUCCI VS. TANK PATTON & THE GOLDEN TERROR

 

 

 

 

[spacer height=”20px”]On paper this looks like a competitive TV match. Let’s see how it plays out on screen. DeNucci and Terror exchange holds to start things off. Dominic finds himself on his back and tags in Bravo. Terror botches a Bravo leapfrog by not ducking, but Dino still hits a backdrop and a slam which sends the Terror to the heel corner. In comes the big Tank. Vince is impressed that Bravo easily bench presses over 400 pounds on average. Maybe they should make that into a segment on a Network special in 10 years…

DeNucci tags in and picks up where Bravo left off. The Terror is back in and getting his ass handed to him. DeNucci whips Terror into Bravo on the apron. DeNucci when catapults the Terror into the corner and Dino nails him again. Tank Patton comes in to stop the count. The champs work over the Terror in the face corner, BRAVO SPINS TERROR’S MASK AROUND, HE CAN’T SEE!!!! LOL.

The Terror comes out of the corner swinging blindly at anything, but gets nailed by DeNucci. Patton finally tags in but he gets more of the same. Dino with a nice dropkick on Tank, and Terror is right back in. A dropkick to the Terror as well. And ANOTHER dropkick by Dino. DeNucci tags in, AIRPLANE SPIN on the Golden Terror for the win after 6:23.

Then after the match Patton AND DeNucci try to help keep Terror on his feet, but the masked man is too dizzy and takes a slow fall on his face. LOL

Winners are DeNucci & Bravo

Notes: A couple of fun comedy spots by Pete Doherty here under the mask as the Golden Terror. The match was fine, Patton tagged in twice for a total of maybe 20 seconds of ring time. Doherty was the work horse in this match.[spacer height=”20px”]

 

MATCH #2: GEORGE “THE ANIMAL” STEELE VS. GENE CRESPO

 

 

 

 

[spacer height=”20px”]Steele makes his WWWF All-Star Wrestling return. George starts the match on the floor, wearing the same shirt he’d be seen in at WrestleMania IV TEN YEARS LATER. Referee Willie Webber checks Steele for the often used foreign object early on, George hides it in his mouth as he has been known to do. Steele pops Crespo with the taped object as the first sign of offense. Steele dumps Crespo out of the ring upside down backwards. The Animal rams Crespo into the ring post. Steele reverts back to using his foreign object, just for the hell of it. Webber continues to search Steele but can’t find the object as George keeps hiding it in different places after every use. Vince makes mention of Steele’s green tongue. More choking and foreign object use by the Animal. Steele bites Crespo’s arm. FLYING HAMMERLOCK ENDS THIS in 5:31.

Steele goes after Crespo’s arm post match before making love to a turnbuckle.

Winner is the Animal

 

 

 

 

[spacer height=”20px”]Notes: The offense was a little monotonous but nothing too bad. Steele was a pretty damn good heel. It proved to be a genius idea to turn an aging Steele babyface and use his character as a beloved fan favorite to the kids. Steele embraced his baby face run and worked it well, but his time as heel was clearly where he really made some money on top. It was a great character, both physically to look at but also in Steele’s mannerisms and ring work as an “Animal”.[spacer height=”20px”]

 

RINGSIDE INTERVIEW WITH LOU ALBANO & GEORGE STEELE

Vince McMahon is with the Captain and the Animal. Lou communicates with Steele. Next is probably one of my favorite lines ever as Vince asks Albano about Steele’s green tongue. Albano explains the origin of George Steele’s green tongue… It’s a “scientific fact” that WHEN AROUSED some people will produce a SECRETION from their pancreas. It comes up through the esophagus and coats the tongue green. THIS IS A FACT a green secretion WHEN AROUSED. Apparently turnbuckles make George Steele HORNY… Which explains a lot if you look at the facials he makes here in the 70’s when groping the buckles.

Albano seems to go blank as he starts searching for things to say. Blassie isn’t alone in singling out the fat ringside fan, Albano makes mention of him as well. Albano says Steele challenges Bravo, Gorilla, Zbyszko, Putski, Dusty Rhodes, DeNucci, Backlund. We run out of time as Albano goes nowhere with his promo, and I will never look at that green tongue the same way EVER again.[spacer height=”20px”]

 

MATCH #3: THE YUKON LUMBERJACKS (w/LOU ALBANO) VS. SPECIAL DELIVERY JONES & CHARLIE BROWN

SD Jones holds his own against Pierre as things get started. Charlie Brown tags in and soon finds himself in trouble against the Lumberjacks. Eric tags in and he just mauls Brown, very reminiscent of a Bruiser Brody style offense from Eric (Scott Irwin). Really nice jumping elbowdrop from Eric. The Lumberjacks dominate Brown for several minutes before he can get a hot tag to Jones. SD comes in a house of fire on Eric, stunning him with a series of heabutts. SD makes a mistake and tags back to Charlie Brown. Brown tries to come in and take over, but Eric just begins NO SELLING everything Charlie is doing. Brown tries to trade blows with Eric, but Eric is having no part of selling it. A tag to Pierre and the Lumberjacks nail Brown with the double-double axe chop for the win after 5:26.

Winners are the Lumberjacks

Notes: This was a simple paint by numbers squash. Jones held his own for his brief moments in the ring, while Brown was used as the rag doll. Scott Irwin was really impressive here in 1978 as a big man. Another solid squash by the future tag team champions, the Lumberjacks.[spacer height=”20px”]

 

MATCH #4: “THE IRON GREEK” SPIROS ARION (w/FRED BLASSIE) VS. PETE AUSTIN

Austin is starting to make his Wildman transformation, as he’s now permed his hair and is growing a beard. His new look doesn’t seem to help him much here as Arion chokes Austin repeatedly over the ropes. Finally, Pete has enough and begins coming at Arion with some right hands and an Irish whip, but Austin runs into a boot from Spiros and we’re right back to the choking over the ropes. Spiros eventually jerks Austin up for the over the shoulder backbreaker, but Austin is a big boy and Spiros can’t even get him up all the way. Austin hangs upside down as the referee rushes to call for the bell and Arion dumps Austin right on his head. Match was 3:38.

Winner is The Iron Greek

Notes: That was awful. How do you suck THAT BAD in a match that short? Not only was the match terrible, but Arion tries to pull off a strongman move against a large opponent, and when he can’t get him up right he just drops him on his head. CRAP.[spacer height=”20px”]

 

MATCH #5: HAYSTACKS CALHOUN, LARRY ZBYSZKO, PETER MAIVIA VS. BUTCHER VACHON, STRONG KOBAYASHI, MOOSE MONROE

 

 

 

 

[spacer height=”20px”]You might remember this match from the old “Most Unusual Matches” VHS tape. This match on Coliseum Video was how I got my first look at essentially everyone involved in this match, besides Zbyszko. Well no, there was the whole Butcher Vachon TNT wedding, I suppose. Zbyszko and Vachon start things out. Nothing happens here. So Kobayashi tags in and Larry gives him a couple of armdrags, sending Koby out of the ring. Haystacks and the Moose tag in. Calhoun grabs a full nelson on Monroe and allows Larry to take a cheap shot. Calhoun with a couple of belly splashes in the corner before he bearhugs Monroe.

Zbyszko has a short stint against the Moose before tagging Maivia. The High Chief comes in and lands a GUTBUSTER on the Moose and tags right back to Calhoun. Haystacks comes in for the GIANT SPLASH and this thing is over in only 3:27.

During the cover, but Zbyszko and Maivia took turns standing on the back of Calhoun, as if he needed the added helps. Larry and Maivia block Vachon & Kobayashi from interfering Haystacks got the win.

Winners are Haystacks, Larry Z, and the High Chief.

Notes: Well that was…. short. Maivia came in for one move, Larry did the lion’s share of the work, if there is such a thing in a 3 minute match. Then, Haystacks came in and gave the people what they were waiting for, the big splash got the win. It was neat to see the pairing of Maivia and Calhoun together, but they never really interacted. This match gave the people the only move they cared about in this match, the Calhoun splash, so on that level the match was a success. As a match it never really got going.[spacer height=”20px”]

Oh-ho-ho, but this show isn’t over yet!!!

With 4 minutes of TV time remaining we’re treated to an INTERVIEW WITH HAYSTACKS CALHOUN & LARRY ZBYSZKO

Larry and Calhoun explain the complications of a 6-man tag. Calhoun says the BIG SPLASH STILL WORKS. Indeed. Calhoun says he forgets to watch his back because guys like Larry and Maivia watch it for him. Larry talks about their “Statue of Liberty” spot where Calhoun splashes a man and Larry stands on his back. Larry says it’s a salute to America…. Then Vince asks Calhoun to explain the “Doggy in the Window” spot… LOL. WTF. Calhoun explains it’s an old (children’s) song. Apparently the move  involves Haystacks partner hitting an opponent then crawling through Haystacks legs to hide while Calhoun protects them… LOL. He named THAT? Sounds more like a Andre spot, or a big guy and midget spot.

Haystacks explains the origin of the Big Splash. He used to go down to the creek as a young man and he would jump in the creek “and splash the creek dry”. LOL. Haystacks also brings up his old segments when he used to splash and break 2×12’s. That was a fun way to end the show.[spacer height=”20px”]

 

Closing Thoughts: I thought the opening tag match was what you’d expect from a fairly competitive TV match, and the Golden Terror was a hoot. I’ve been enjoying the Lumberjacks thus far with their smash mouth snug work as the top heel team. Albano explaining Steele’s green tongue by insisting it’s from being “aroused” was classic Lou talking out of his ass. While not much of a match I enjoyed seeing the Animal here, same can be said for Haystacks giving us the splash. I even liked Calhoun getting promo time at the end of the show as I haven’t seen much of Haystacks on the mike. He clearly wasn’t short for words. Probably the best show so far based on the number of segments I found enjoyable. The only segment on this show I strongly disliked was Spiros Arion, who somehow managed to keep his job for the rest of the year.

Signing off for this edition of the Retro Rasslin’ Review… 10-4, over and out, goody buddy.

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