Superstar Sleeze

I always thought it was Standard Operating Procedure to use a heel transitional champ (Koloff, Stasiak, Graham). Face vs Face matches always ended up in inconclusive finishes because if done wrong it could lead to an alienation of a portion of fanbase. Theoretically (practically in the 80s), having heels job/look bad does not lead to alienation of any segment of the fanbase. Hogan over Sheik is a guaranteed 100% pop. Hogan over Backlund you cant be sure. So why risk it. Plus I don't know what the plans for Backlund were in a Hulkamania world. I know a heel turn was in order and have heard that it bandy around that it included a dye job, but I don't think was much value to Backlund passing the torch to Hogan and I think that is fleshed out by how much of a cash cow the Hulkamania era was. There was no point in damaging babyface Backlund.

I do not think there is a tag team more suited for the hyper-compressed, spot-oriented style of WWF wrestling moreso than the British Bulldogs. Even the fast-paced Rockers weren't so reliant on spots and moreso on traditional babyface shine and heel heat segments. The Bulldogs, on the other hand, were designed to be crowd-popping machines. Every move seems like a highlight reel moment to amaze the crowd. Selling and bumping get in the way of the next crowd pop and are only to be done if necessary to advance the story that is being foisted on them. Heel heat segments in Bulldog matches are like dance breakdowns functionally necessary, but they stand between you and the hook. As opposed to a Rock N Roll Express, where heel heat segments are the hook that bridge to the climax. Both matches get you to the same place, but they take different paths. Those paths are not always equal. Dynamite and Davey, especially Davey, don't strike me as a couple MENSA members. Dynamite was in there because he is a violent muthafucka and seemed like when he was in the ring he was addicted to speed. Davey seemed like he was physically capable to do absolutely anything in the ring, but had no fucking clue how to structure a match. He is like a way more athletic Sting. Quite frankly, you could at least excuse Davey on grounds of ignorance, (though you think someone would have taught him). Is Bret the one that claims Flair never taught Sting and Luger psychology or is that Steiner? Clearly, Bret didn't teach Davey Boy psychology. Dynamite didn't give a fuck. He just wanted to do another snap suplex or headbutt. I feel like I maybe oversimplfying, but that is how I feel Bulldog matches would go unless some like Valentine or Bret reigns them in. They are the WWF equivalent of the Steiner Brothers (so their time periods dont overlap), but I think the comparison is valid. I don't think the Bulldogs should win any greatest of all time awards, but just like blockbuster action movies they have their place in wrestling. You don't have to overthink Bulldogs matches. They just are fun. The British Bulldogs vs The Hart Foundation - 7/85 MSG One of my favorite Bret spots is his leverage spot which results in someone taking a dive out to the floor. What I like about it most is that either Bret or his opponent could take it, which makes it one of the versatile spots in wrestling. Bret is definitely a big fan of the kneelift to set up his heat segments during this time period. Everything does even back in 1985 just looks so crisp. I know Bret prides himself on this, but I still cant help but compliment him on his ability to execute moves without being stiff. I like stiff wrestling as much as the next wrestling fan, but I think it is pretty nifty that Bret can make everything he do look so good without being stiff. Bret gives Davey a backbreaker so Anvil can deliver Demolition Decapitation. Wait, I thought this was the Bulldogs thread. Just on cue, here come Dynamite to bring the offense to this match with his nasty hooking clothesline and Davey Boy comes back in with a running powerslam. Now he takes the leverage move to the outside. After trading a couple Boston Crabs, they are just killing time to the curfew finish. This was an ok first match from these two "vaunted" teams of the golden era of the tag division. It was definitely action-packed, but it felt oddly directionless and unheated for a match involving Bret Hart. I always feel like Bret is more likely to have a boring match than a directionless match. At the same time, the Bulldogs seemed to keep things moving, but didn't bust out their big guns for the match. Recommended only if you are a completist, but arent all we . Dynamite Kid vs Bret "The Hitman" Hart - 9/85 Great opening sequence sees a quick criss cross sequence end with Bret Hart taking a catapult into the turnbuckle and bumping to the floor. Hart takes an atomic drop hard and then a snap suplex. Dynamite, oddly, goes for a chinlock, but Bret reverses into a hammerlock and Bret takes his own leverage bump to the floor. I see the chinlock was needed to get Bret to do his bump, I hate those sequences. They do the Stampede reverse of the wristlock, but Bret goes to do it: he just kips up and punches Dynamite. I liked that a lot. Bret hits the knee lift to start his heat segment. Everything Bret hits just looks so crisp. He was a big fan of the bodyslam on the concrete during his heat segments. Bret is actually pretty decent at working the crowd at this point, it just seems like no one cares because they just see him a newbie. Dynamite and Davey Boy are perfectly capable of selling they just seem unwilling to do it like it is nuisance. Whereas, Bret actually takes the time to sell one of his own headbutts. The sunset flip by Dynamite gets a decent pop so maybe I spoke too soon. No one bites on the backslide. Bret does the attempted backbreaker/opponent flips/opponent hits backbreaker or bodyslam spot, which looks good. One of the reasons, Bret and Flair set themselves apart is because they already have whole matches developed unto themselves. They have multiple spots for their opponents to do to them, which takes the onus off less talented wrestlers. Bret is up first and ties Dynamite up only to take his throw himself in the ropes bump. Dynamite up with his hooking clothesline, hair pull/throwdown (Bret did it earlier) and Bret takes his patented bump chest first into buckle bump. Wicked sweet back suplex by Dynamite only get two follows that up with a second-rope kneedrop and only gets two. On a criss cross sequence, Dynamite trips over Bret and takes a header into the ropes. I have seen plenty of Bret matches and I dont recognize that as one of his spots. Is it a Dynamite spot? If so, it is a really good one. Dynamite takes the Bret leverage bump and while we are on replay we almost miss Dynamite winning with a reverse cradle. This was a helluva sprint for 11 minutes. You could already tell Bret was main event material in the way that this was the total Bret show. Almost every spot was a Bret concoction that he would learn to craft into fantastic 30 minute affairs. Dynamite is a great offensive dynamo and holds up his end on selling. It isn't anywhere near the best Bret match, but it is an important match to show how many tools Bret already had in his arsenal in 1985. The British Bulldogs vs The Hart Foundation - 9/85 Great match! This one had the better shine than the July affair. The Hart Foundation really milks it and the Bulldogs are bringing their A game offense with Dynamite's catapult, Davey Boy's powerslam and victory roll. Bret does his knee lift to seemingly set up Davey Boy for a heat segment, but it is a pysch out as Dynamite comes in. Only this time, for Dynamite to run the ropes and take a blind knee to the back (a Hart Foundation staple). Dyanmite really throws himself into the bumps thats the good thing, but apparently thinks selling just consists of laying motionless. Bret hits his bodyslam on the outside. Bret and Davey Boy do a good chase sequence, which breaks up the heat segment nicely. The transition is the same as the previous match with Bret tying up Dynamite in the ropes and Bret eating ropes. I would be remiss to mention that they botch the Bret backbreaker->DK flip out->DK backbreaker spot, but thankfully they don't redo the spot. Davey Boy comes in and cant stop Irish Whipping people. The Hart Foundation love having their opponents Irish Whip Bret into Anvil or vice versa. That's the first time I have brought up the Anvil that just seems wrong because he has been entertaining, but I guess nothing noteworthy so far. Davey Boy hits his gorilla press slam, but the Hart Foundation counters into Demolition Decapitation and then a top rope version of the Hart Attack. However, while the ref was distracted Dynamite comes flying off with a diving headbutt and rolls Davey Boy on top. So, I actually watched this match a couple days ago (I am behind on my writing of reviews), but watched the Hart/DK match just now, which is why that one is so much more comprehensive. I am going based off some notes I took at like 2 am, but I do remember thinking that this match was great. I wouldn't say as good as the Dream Team/Bulldogs 2 out of Three Falls, but still very entertaining. I feel like the Hart Foundation are eating up the Bulldogs a bit too much and this match definitely felt more like the Bret show. I think Valentine was able to play to the Bulldogs strengths better. WWF World Tag Champs The British Bulldogs vs Heenan's Family (Studd/Bundy) - 5/7/86 Smart big man vs small man match that only lasts 5 or so minutes. The Bulldogs can only gain the advantage momentarily with quickness or with a double dropkick (I prefer their double dropkick to the RnRs or the Rockers). Bundy is more agile than Studd and is more entertaining to watch. I actually got King Kong Bundy's autograph when I was a kid when he did a local New England Indy (NWA New England, I believe). He is one big dude. Studd looks massive compared to the Bulldogs. Dynamite comes in illegally to put Studd in a sleeper and Studd tosses a ref for a DQ. Bundy tries to Irish Whip Studd into Smith, but he eats turnbuckles causing dissension in the Heenan Family. Was Studd supposed to turn babyface? If so, why, there is nothing, about Studd that makes him seem like a decent babyface. WWF World Tag Champs British Bulldogs vs Sheik/Volkoff - SNME 5/86 2 Out Of 3 Falls What a weird match. We find out in the 3rd fall that Dynamite was injured as up until the final minute Davey Boy wrestled the whole match. First fall sees Volkoff wrangling Smith and dropping him throat first across the ropes. Sheiky Baby comes in with a wicked back suplex and makes him humble old country way. McMahon goes overboard with how gallant Davey Boy is while wondering why Smith hasn't tagged out. The whole fall is Smith taking heat from the Iranian and Soviet. Sheik hits his sweet gutwrench suplex and Volkoff busts out a nice rolling armbar into a pin, seriously that was the coolest thing I have ever seen Volkoff do. However, "that idiot thinks he won the match" and Bulldog rolls him up from behind to win the second fall. The third fall sees Davey Boy continue to make his comeback by hitting a running powerslam, but can't negotiate a pinfall. He tags in Dynamite who is immediately bearhugged to death while McMahon says they will go after the legs (someone didn't get a memo). Gutwrench suplex and Sheik is ready to break his back and make him humble, but Davey Boy thwarts him and rolls him up for the victory no tag. I would say the past couple matches have defied my hypothesis that the Bulldogs are offensive dynamos and dont take heat often, but I think those matches are anomalies of TV wrestling having a different purpose than house show wrestling. In Studd/Bundy, the goal was to put over the size of the Heenan Family versus the quickness of the Bulldogs. This match was to put over how the Bulldogs were fighting champs and gallant. Though that match suffered from the hypercompression of SNME. I may try another Sheik/Volkoff match (I am really digging the Iron Sheik lately) or skip ahead to the late '86 feud against the Hart Foundation.

Savage/Warrior is a masterpiece, very few matches will ever touch it. Garvin/Savage's cage match still is not as good as the Tito No DQ match, Steamboat (Toronto & Wrestlemania) or Savage/Adonis vs Bruno/Tito in a cage. Unless there is magical unearthing of Valentine's Mid-Atlantic work, I will associate Valentine with WWF. WWF World Tag Champs British Bulldogs vs Dream Team - 2 Out of Three Falls SNME 10/86 One impressive thing about this series so far has been that these teams have really gone out and had different matches each time. This match saw the Dream Team in control of majority of the match. Hell, Brutus Beefcake looked shockingly competent. Valentine gets a hold of Dynamite's knee early, but Davey Boy comes in and the Dream Team overwhelm him bringing the injured Dynamite back in. I got to give the man some credit, but the Beefer worked Dynamite's knee pretty well, before Valentine was able to wrangle him into a figure 4 and garner the first fall. They continue to work over Dynamite's leg at the beginning of the second fall. But Valentine goes for the always tempting second-rope elbow and misses allowing for Davey Boy to come in like the proverbial house afire. Bulldog hits his dropkick, delayed vertical suplex and running powerslam on Valentine before re-doing that wicked bitchin finish from the non-title match with Dynamite leaping off Beefcake and doing a headbutt on Valentine for the second fall. Towards the beginning of the 3rd fall, there is a strike exchange, which makes me wish there was a Dynamite vs Greg Valentine match. Snap suplex by Dynamite, but he misses the standing headbutt. Valentine is back on the leg, but Dynamite pushes him off on the figure-4 attempt and tags out to Davey Boy. Beefcake gets the tag simultaneously and cuts off Davey Boy (I always want to write Bulldog, but have to stop myself). Valentine hits a suplex and Brutus connects with a high knee, but Dynamite saves. Brutus goes in for a high knee in the corner, but Davey Boy side-steps and picks up the win with a fisherman's suplex. I would say it is close with the Wrestlemania II, but this is the my favorite match that I have seen between these teams. The match runs through the heels more, which is something I prefer. Hell, Beefcake came through in the clutch and proved me wrong in this match. Valentine was his usually violently awesome self. It is not like the Dream Team ate up the Bulldogs. The Bulldogs got in all of their offense and looked both resilient and impressive in their match. I actually think the other matches were too lop-sided in the favor of the Bulldogs that it actually made the Dream Team look like chumps. This match actually made the Bulldogs look more badass for overcoming the Dream Team in a way that just being on offensive never would. Dynamite sold really well throughout the match and Davey Boy is a really good hot tag. I would say this is my pick for best WWF 80s tag match I have seen so far.

Actually isn't his WWF work a fair representation by default. He worked WWF against Backlund in '79 and '81. He worked full-time for the WWF from 1984-1991. Seven years of prime Valentine is hard to ignore as the definig representation of Valentine as a worker. Outside of the Dog collar match with Piper, does he have any notable matches outside of the WWF? I acknowldge that Valentine was clearly a Crockett-style worker working for the WWF, which lends his matches in the WWF a different atmosphere to them, but that doesn't stop the fact that at the end of the day Valentine was a WWF performer for the majority of his career. If WWE Hall Of Fame required to pick your hat like the Baseball Hall Of Fame, then there is no doubt that Valentine would choose a WWF hat because of the success and length of his WWF run.

Greg Valentine vs Davey Boy Smith - 10/20/86 MSG I was pretty pumped when I found out this match exists, but it never reaches unheralded classic status I hoped it would. If Davey Boy bothered selling, maybe things could have been different, but as the match is it is just a plain 'ol good match between two very good wrestlers. What sets Valentine apart from the rest of WWF at this point is just how stiff he lays in his shots. It really gives his matches a special feel. They trade bearhugs, which is actually a unique way for Davey Boy to show off his power. Valentine really starts to lay into Davey Boy with forearms and then his shoulderbreaker. I am not against the shoulderbreaker, I think it is a move that should be utilized more frequently, but I don't really get why "Master of the Figure 4" Greg Valentine would be using it. Valentine begins working on the leg, but that ends up being no sold as Davey Boy slaps on the Sharpshooter of all things. Had Bret even debuted the Sharpshooter at this point? So much for that leg work as Davey Boy does a delayed vertical suplex and his powerslam. Valentine does his cat and mouse game trick. Does anyone really believe Valentine could outrun Davey Boy? Davey Boy was struggling to go slow enough to not overtake Valentine, maybe if he sold the leg it wouldn't look so phony. Valentine with some stomps and here comes the figure-4, but Davey Boy gets to the ropes. Davey Boy immediately hits a dropkick. What is selling? Weird finish as Valentine pretty much out of nowhere double legs Davey Boy and hold onto the ropes to pick up the victory. This match suffered from the 80s WWF hyper-compression issues. Did any WWF match from '84-86 ever go over 25 minutes? The finish didn't make sense because the Bulldogs were about to be programmed with the Harts and the Dream Team shunted down the card. Plus it felt like they just cut the match off prematurely. There is good stuff here and there is no reason to believe that these two could not have delivered an all-time classic, but I just dont think Hulkamania era WWF was the right setting for these two to deliver that.

Well there is no shortage of Bulldogs/Dream Team online that is for sure. Thanks! I watch a shit ton of wrestling so I figure I might as well start documenting my reactions. Plus I think any and all writing helps one's writing/communication skills so I have have deluded myself into think that this is improving myself. So how do you guys put your prolific wrestling writing output on your resumes? WWF World Tag Champs Dream Team vs British Bulldogs - Wrestlemania II Beefcake's total amount of time in this match is literally one minute. Thank God. At one point, Gorilla says Valentine has been in there a while and whilst the Hammer conferring with Luscious Johnny V remarks he can't believe Johnny V wouldn't advise a tag out. All I have to say is Gorilla have you seen Beefcake wrestle? Of course, Beefcake's one big move is actually a nice hammerlock slam that was perfectly fed to him by Davey Boy and perfectly setup by Valentine's arm work, but it doesn't stop Gene and Gorilla from going gaga over the Beefer's one move. Give me Dino Bravo every day over that chump. This begins as less of an offensive showcase for the Bulldogs. They still get in their assortment of suplexes (Davey Boy- delayed vertical and Dynamite's snap) and Davey Boy does a gorilla press slam, but Valentine is able to get in a few forearms edgewise throughout. I wouldn't go so far to call spot monkeys like the Steiners (who I love, even though I know most people around these parts arent too fond of), but you do get the feeling that don't really give much of a fuck about structure. Case in point, Dynamite forces Valentine to do the TIMBAHHH bump twice, when he could have done a better job to maximize its effectiveness. Valentine irks me as he randomly just picks up Dynamite at one point and gives him what can be best described as a reverse tombstone piledriver. It just annoys because it felt so much like "Ok now it is my turn" rather him even doing an eye rake to set that up. That does setup Valentine doing his best Flair impersonation, crotching himself and then taking the gorilla press slam. The Bulldogs go for the rocket launcher diving headbutt, but Valentine does some cat and mouse is able to the knee the fuck out of Dynamite (those were pretty vicious). Davey Boy comes in only for his shoulder to eat steel setting up the face in peril segment. Valentine shoulder-breaker and usual hammerlock related offense including Beefcake's sole contribution to the match, I mentioned above. Valentine makes the cardinal mistake of overconfident heels and picks up Davey Boy after the shoulderbreaker. Davey Boy throws Valentine off who collides with Dynamite head first standing on the turnbuckle. Dynamite takes a wicked bump off-camera and the Bulldogs win the titles. I actually like that finish as a callback to the SNME finish. This match was an outstanding one man effort by Valentine as he was bumping and selling for the Bulldogs better because he made this into more his style match as a brutal strike based match. However, he still let the Bulldogs get their spots in. As evidenced by Beefcake's inability to take Dynamite's hooking clothesline in the last match, he clearly was not the man to do that. I have watched the Funks vs Tito/JYD recently, while that is good. This match is still my pick for the best match at the woeful Wrestlemania II card.

Incidentally, enough I was just about to rave about The Hammer's forearm exchange. Just gotta love when everyone is on the same wavelength. Tabling the Rougeaus for now, but the New Dream Team got me reinterested in Valentine. I never was able to find the cage match with Tito in full. I am skipping to the first SNME match with the Bulldogs. Seems like the Dream Team only feuded with the Bulldogs during their reign. WWF World Tag Champs Dream Team vs British Bulldogs - SNME 3/1/86 They show a clip of the Bulldogs beating the Dream Team non-title and the finish was sweet for any time period. Davey Boy did his running power slam on Beefcake and then hoisted up Valentine fireman's carry style and then Dynamite jumped on Valentine while he was on Davey Boy and hit his diving headbutt to win. I marked out. This was an offensive showcase for all the Bulldogs' high tech offense, plain and simple. Matches like these will never be rated among the greatest, but at the same time I never complain about them especially when a team like the Bulldogs is being showcased because they are so good at offense. It never feels like heel in peril because there are literally no holds. It just slam bang spots from the Bulldogs. The only problem is that it is Valentine and Beefcake taking them. I like Valentine a good bit, but this match isn't exactly his forte. He is much better in even, long-ish brutal or scientific matches. These matches pretty show he has his one "TIMBAHHHH" bump and other than that he doesn't do a great job putting over the Bulldogs. It is serviceable, but not great. Beefcake sucks. I forgot how truly shitty he is. The best parts of the matches were the Hammer's forearm exchanges with each of the Bulldogs. On the first one, Bulldog answered with a dropkick, but in a nice touch he really sold Valentine's offense (maybe he didnt have to ). Then second exchange with Dynamite led to the very brief face in peril segment where the Hammer actually hit his second rope elbow. Dynamite pushes him off on the figure-4 attempt; Valentine takes the Flair gorilla press slam bump off the top. Just as the Bulldogs seem like they are closing in on the titles, Dynamite and Valentine collide on a criss-cross and Valentine falls on top. If I ever wanted to show somebody the Best Hits of the Bulldogs, so to speak this would be the match. I actually think that was a good finish because the story of the match was how much the Bulldogs dominated, but fell short due to unfortunate circumstances. It makes you want to see the Wrestlemania II match. It is an effective and fun match.

The "Not Yet Fabulous" Rougeaus vs The New Dream Team - 9/87 MSG "Luscious" Johnny V has to rank among the most worthless managers in history. He is doing the Buddy Roberts wig gimmick since Beefcake chopped off his hair, but way lamer. The three members of the Dream Team do a lot of hugging. In 2012, hugging gets you babyface heat, o society how far you have fallen. Bravo and Valentine even do a heel miscommunication spot early and hug afterwards warming my cockles of my heart. So Bravo strikes me as an energetic, yet less smooth version of Don Muraco. He isn't half-bad. Valentine does his "TIMBAAHHHH" bump 4 times, but is like "Fuck you, if you expect me to do any other bumps or sell". The heat segment is better than expected even though the Raymond is quite boring as a face in peril because Valentine and Bravo have so much stuff. I guess that is what happens when both your heels used to be singles wrestlers. Jacques gets the hot tag and he is house afire, but his offense isn't impactful. Johnny V gets his wig knocked off, but it takes way from the match rather than add to it because it happens outside the ring. Double bodyslam by Dream Team sets up a Valentine figure-4, but the time limit expires even though the Dream Team thought they had won. Weird finish as it made the Rougeaus look like they were lucky to even be hanging with the Dream Team. It was clear looking at the Rougeaus match listing that they weren't getting over as faces so maybe the finish stems from that. At that same time, I don't think the New Dream Team was going anywhere. Maybe it was just Vince throwing a curveball. This is a better match to showcase that Valentine/Bravo were actually a pretty decent team, better than Valentine's one man show with Beefcake. However, it is not a good showcase for the Quebecois. The Fabulous Rougeaus vs The Young Stallions 6/88 Rougeaus are finally fabulous. They do a really great insincere gimmick between the waving of the American flags and the constant hand-shaking. They come off as great pricks. The Young Stallions don't fuck anything up. The Rougeaus are clearly the superior in wrestlers in every single way. This is your basic tit for tat match with Rougeaus playing the subtle heel. They trade Boston Crabs when Raymond comes in and blasts Roma with a forearm from behind and the Rougeaus drop the facade make quick tags working over Roma's back. Jim Powers comes in and Jacques feeds him like a champ. Small package by Powers is turned over by Raymond behind ref's back and Rougeaus win. Rougeaus keep it entertaining, but nothing to write home about. The Fabulous Rougeaus vs The Killer Bees - 7/88 This is the match where the Rougeaus finally turn heel. The best part of this is Jesse covering for the Rougeaus mixing up Memorial Day and Independence Day. I love The Body. There is a couple drop toeholds in this match, which is one of my favorite moves. Jacques stick his hand out to Brunzell at one point and then blows him off. Brunzell comes back and sticks out his hand, blows him off and rubs his hair in a nice sequence. They do a basic tag match only the Rougeaus start to cheat culminating in Raymond delivering a top rope double axe-handle to Brunzell while he was hoisting Jacques up causing Jacques to fall on top for the pin. I am sure these teams have had better matches against each other, but I watched it for the angle. It was a really anti-climatic way to turn heel. The Fabulous Rougeaus vs The British Bulldogs - Summerslam 88 This match was not as good as I remember, but it is a perfectly good wrestling match. This would be on the bubble if I were to make a Top 100 or 150 or what have you of 80s WWF matches. Things like Dynamite's offense, Davey Boy's selling and the Rougeau's heel work are tempered by long stretches of inactivity. At the beginning, the Rougeaus seem game to bump all around, but the Bulldogs seem content to armbar them. One funny moment was Raymond not wanting to take Dynamite's hooking clothesline full-on so he side-stepped it a bit, but still sold it. I like Jacques' attempt at an USA chant. One thing I hate about WWF tag wrestling is segments where they do prolonged leg work, which just amounts to twisting the guy's leg. You cant at least do a spinning toehold. The Rougeaus mix it up a bit more than that, but still that they spend most of the time doing that. Dynamite comes in and unleashes a volley of suplexes. Davey Boy back in with his running powerslam but Jacques makes the save. Dynamite back in but takes a back suplex off the turnbuckle from Jacques. This heat segment is my other pet peeve of WWF tag wrestling non-focused, non-descript work. Jacques & Raymond just alternate between the abdominal stretch and reverse chinlock. That amused me greatly. Also, what didnt amuse me is Gorilla and Superstar Graham, holy shit was a sucky announce team. They really couldnt come up with a better tagline than "Its a happening" for the first Summeslam. Dynamite gets a small package on Jacques while the ref's back is turned and MSG is standing. I notice while the crowd has really been into this match. There is one good sequence when Jacques has Dynamite in the ab stretch and he yells "Hey, ref" broadly gestures for the tag and Raymond comes in does a weird strut and kicks Dynamite in the abs. Dynamite recovers by headbutting Jacques in the gut and gives him a knife-edge. Davey Boy comes in and misses a dropkick, but is able to dump Jacques crotch first on the top rope. There is a big brouhaha and Davey Boy gorilla press slams Dynamite on Jacques, but the time limit expires. I feel like I sounded too harsh on this match because there was a lot of good work and the pace was quite good. The heat segments just weren't as good as they could have been. I actually thought Bulldogs looked really good for a team that I figured wasn't going to give a fuck since they were on their way out. The Rougeaus are definitely better suited as heels. Jacques had great energy for a hot tag, but didnt have the offense. Raymond is a sound wrestler, but isn't good at getting face heat. As heels, Raymond can wrestle and it much is easier for him to get heat just by doing things like a weird strut or hugging his brother. Jacques is clearly a great antagonist and his ability to show ass and bump make him much better heel. Next up we have the Rougeaus two most famous feuds against The Hart Foundations (after they adopt Jimmy Hart as their manager) and the Rockers. I will probably do two matches from each series and call it good on the Fabulous Rougeaus.

The "Not-Yet Fabulous" Rougeaus vs The New US Express 12/86 Boston I did not know Rotundo was around this late in the WWF. I have never really watched Spivey. No usual Rougeau BS early on, which I miss, but I presume that is due to it being face vs face. Gorilla notes the fan dont know who to root for in this match. Which is weird because they seem awfully of this guy named "Boring". So I am a bit higher on the work than the crowd, but I do see where they are coming from. The Rougeaus seem more game as this is close to their WWF debut whereas the US Express is on their way out. Spivey works an armbar in vanilla fashion why Jacques tries to get him to do anything. Rotundo is a little bit more willing and the Rougeaus work over the knee and Jacques slaps on a Figure-4 on the proper leg and is really working it. Spivey comes in with some brutish offense and tempers are starting to flare. Raymond busts out the rolling short arm scissors, which is always a treat. The finish is each team saves the other once. Finally the weakest Pier Six Brawl breaks out, I mean Katie slept through this and the door was wide open. Double DQ. Meh match, but the Rougeaus seem fun. WWF World Tag Champions Hart Foundation w/Jimmy Hart & Danny Davis vs The "Not-Yet Fabulous" Rougeaus 3/87 Boston The Hart Foundation are fresh off the screwjob of the Bulldogs so this match will at least have heat. I would say this maybe the best Hart Foundation match ever. We start off with a little Rougeau bullshit to get everyone revved up and Bret is at his slimy best. I really this is a great performance from him. He heels it up to 11 with the combination of "Look at me, Mom!" and cowardice. He milks a Rougeau slap for all its worth. Even the Anvil takes a nice bump for Raymond. They work over Bret's leg in an entertaining fashion, before they trap Raymond in the heel corner. The Harts worked this segment well varying Anvil's power with Bret's smarm and general douchebaggery. Raymond times his hope spots (backslide, sunset flip) well and Jacques was an excellent cheerleader. Once Jacques gets the hot tag, this place goes nuts! Some general fun like whipping the Harts into each other and such. Jacques, I believe, had Bret small packaged, but that Dastardly Danny Davis reversed it behind the ref's back. A very fun match, I would even say on par with Rockers/Busters match from early. I know there are a lot of people down on Bret's tag work, but I think this is a pretty good display of the Hart Foundation as an effective heel team in garnering heat until the place exploded for the freaking Rougeaus. This is the same crowd that was chanting "Boring" at the Rougeaus nary three months early. Rougeaus are team with good psychology and maybe I am wrong, but I dont think they were ever presented as an elite team, but they wrestled huge in this match and the Hart Foundation made them look great. Finally, the WWF missed striking alliteration gold and truing Danny Davis into the next elite heel for the Hulk Machine if they just called him "Dastardly" Danny Davis. "Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase vs Jacques Rougeau 10/87 Solid TV match, where Jacques may have added more than Ted. Jacques always brought great energy to the match. Ted pulls the hair three times, before Jacques drops the grappling and resorts to fisticuffs. He crashes and burns on a cross body block. Ted with standard heel offense. Jacques is dazed sitting on the middle rope and Virgil pulls him out and drops him to the floor in the spot of the match. Dibiase takes his usual punch to the gut front flip spot before. Jacques goes on a run before some Virgil-traction leads to a schoolboy. Lame finish to a pretty ho-hum match. Bret "Hitman" Hart vs Raymond Rougeau 10/86 MSG A bit better than the match above, but that is only because I am a big fan of Bret's offense and stooging. I always thought Bret had one of the more impressive offensive arsenals in North America. Bret missed his true calling as a cowardly heel as he is quite entertaining in this role. He freaks out over his sunglasses getting destroyed is a nice touch. Raymond does a monkey flip. Bret tries one, but telegraphs and Raymond just stomps on his face, great sequence. Bret grinds the match to a halt with a chinlock. Raymond makes him comeback, but is missing Jacques' spark. They sure did toss piledrivers like candy in the 80s as Raymond cant get the three. Bret bumps well off an atomic drop before he double legs Raymond (ref distraction) and puts his feet on the ropes for the win. Seems like the only major feud the Rougeaus had as babyfaces was with the New Dream Team. I have never watched Dino Bravo before so I will at least check out one of their matches. In short, only the title match with the Hart Foundation in Boston is worth seeing.

The Rockers vs The Brainbusters 3/89 MSG With these four in 1989, the question was how far above great could they get. I have watched this match a couple times and I enjoyed it the most this go around. The Rockers maybe the best babyface shine team in history as they know how to work a really fun opening ten minutes. Not to be out done, few bump, stooge and show ass as well as Arn & Tully. The Rockers do a great sequence of in sync spots with dropkicks and dives to the floor. I loved the transition of Shawn going for a headscissors and then being dropped on his head. You cant really beat Marty as a hot tag and Shawn as a babyface in peril in 1989 as both guys just have their act down. While Tully & Arn are at their best taking all sorts of shortcuts and working over Shawn slingshotting him into Tully's forearm or into the bottom rope throat-first. Marty gets the hot tag and explodes. This leads to a rocket launcher by Shawn before Arn pulls out the ref causing the DQ. The Rockers should have went over unless it was due to the fact they wanted to build Busters to get the belts. This is an excellent popcorn match that the Rockers excel. It felt more like a Rockers match than the typical Anderson tag match (hyperfocused limb work and extended heat segment). It was a real testament to the Rockers' ability at this time that AA would let them run their match.

Not to make anyone feel old, but I was 8 years old in 1997 when I started watching wrestling. I was a much bigger fan of WCW than the WWF due to the nWo and the luchadores. My parents still watch wrestling with me from time to time, but the height of their watching was in the late 90s when I was a child. Besides "Conspiracy Victim" Chris Jericho, there was no character my parents thought was more hilarious than Raven's Flock character. To this day, if one of us children starts to ask for something trivial. they will hit us with a "What about me? What about Raven?" as to mock our "whining" (Godamnit, $25 for the Steel Panther concert isnt that much! ). My mom especially was a huge Flock fan and became oddly attached to Lodi and his signs. My mom was also a big Glacier fan. I don't get it. So last year when I got Lodi to wish her Happy Birthday via Twitter, it ranked up there as one of her favorite present. So I thought this year I would get Raven to do it. Of course, Raven has to tweet how he gangbanged my mom with the Flock. All I wanted was a "Happy Birthday" from the shithead. I am a sucker for Raven's promos and angles in ECW and WCW. I always thought they were interesting. His stuff with Cactus when Cactus turned is probably the most well-done cebereal wrestling angle I have ever seen. The Pitbulls Dog Collar is a fun clusterfuck. He seems like a funny prick, but just don't ask him to wish your mom a Happy Birthday. I guess I was asking for it.

Holy shit, what an incredible match from Cena/Punk. I agree with Dylan this totally should have been the Wrestlemania. In a lot of ways, I feel this was the best 80s WWF match, only it happened in 2013. Punk did not really work a focused heat segment instead he was working on containing the awesome might of Cena. I dont know how many of you watched via Youtube, but you get what happened during the commercial breaks that way and the transition to Punk's dominance was an overhand right, which is such an 80s transition that Cena sold really well as a cheapshot. What I liked from Cena was every time he did break free from Punk, he would collect himself and pounce thus affirming Punk's fears of Cena's power. Punk was really good at capitalizing on his "big" little moves like a heel kick by immediately pinning Cena and then gaining head control. It displayed how much Punk wanted it. What I loved the most about this match was it the story of Cena earning every single thing. My the biggest complaints of Cena that I know is how he just goes through the motions of his comeback and it is academic. This match was all about him overcoming that Punk knew it was coming. He missed the first flying tackle to the outside, which led to a Punk dive. Then he did the flying tackle. Milestone unlocked. Then he tried the Proto-Bomb, but countered into the Anaconda Vice. Finally wrangles it. Milestone unlocked. But Punk kicks him in the face on the Five Knuckle Shuffle. Eventually, he overcomes more Punk offense to hit it, but Punk counters the FU. So he busts a powerbomb. He has to work heard to get the top rope rocker dropper by doing a test of strength on the the top rope. Then he hits the FU, but still not enough. I have to say along the way Cena's facial expression had been great conveying worry, exhaustion and stupor (especially after one of Punk's high-knees in the corner). I liked the use of the teased countout finish, G2S and then Punk busting out the piledriver after Cena's comeback because of how it made seemed like Cena's arsenal was tapped and now Punk was peaking at the right time. Before Cena pulls the out the mother of unforeseen moves: the Frankensteiner to setup the FU. The Frankensteiner was necessary to catch Punk unawares because Punk had been countering all his moves up to that point. In a non-kayfabe sense, they had built the match to such a fever pitch there was no way just a series of FU would feel satisfying. Cena's extended comeback was one of the best in WWE history. Punk following each of his offensive moves/strikes gave that match its urgent feel. Most importantly, this match was the story of Cena earning every inch of this match to go to Wrestlemania. The Royal Rumble just felt ho-hum like "O Cena Won." This match Cena had to claw for everything and win this match. If his opponent was anyone but a gassed Rock, I would say I am amped for Wrestlemania, but now it will feel like a letdown knowing it will damn near impossible to top this spectacle. I am going to say and will argue for it, Match of the Year Candidate.

We have a match that will give Tito/Muraco 1/84 a run for its money in suckitude in the form of Tito/Adonis 6/86. Adonis could clearly still work when wanted to see the killer steel cage match at MSG in July of 86 against Tito/Bruno with Savage. Holy shit was this dreadful. Incredibly boring for the first 10 minutes and then an absolute clusterfuck finish, which they actually have to redo the finish because they fucked it up the first time. Embarrassing match for two great workers.

jdw, I agree with all your points as you can see, I argued the beginning was pretty boring, but "hate" seems like a strong word for such a lame beginning. I did like the finish run a bit more than you it seemed as there were two really well-done comedy spots and the cool move was pretty nifty. A great five minutes doesn't make for a great match, but it salvaged that match to a degree. It does seem like Adonis & Murdoch were cashing in paychecks. I know the WWF set is being redone, but that doesn't stop the fact that the North-South vs Briscos was considered a Top 5 match in the original set. I have been watching Tito and Hogan matches, but I will get to it eventually. Man, I was heavy on hyperbole in my original review. Downgrade "wildly entertaining" to "entertaining" and the hypothetical North-South vs Slaughter/Backlund match to a hypothetically excellent WWF tag match.

Terry Funk vs Mr. Wrestling II - 11/25/85 MSG I have heard Dylan speak of this match; I know he likes the Poffo match (I liked it a good deal) more. I have never seen Mr. Wrestling II, but from my understanding he was as old as dirt in this match. So sorry, Mr. Wrestling II fans, this was The Funker show. Wrestling II was just there to supply some Dusty gyrations and knee lifts. So my question is how was doing the gyrations first: The American Dream or Mr. Wrestling II? Funk is on top of his game in this long match by WWF standards. He chases Mel Phillips around the ring in attempt to brand him. Wrestling II wrangles him. They dod a criss-cross sequence, but Funk continues after Wrestling II stops. I know I have seen that spot before, but it never gets old. Funk gets even more flustered and goes to kick to the turnbuckle, but hits the metal. OW! I have never seen that before. Funk seems to know how to work comedy better into his matches than Murdoch, who sometimes gets a little too Three Stooges. The Body seems a bit under the weather as he is not that energetic, maybe hung over? Jimmy Hart is at his most effective in terms of his WWF run here with the mega-phone. He is consulting and being an active participant. In the WWF, always felt he didnt do much with the Hart Foundation. I have not watched much Honky Tonk, though. Funk bodyslams and goes for an elbow misses. Misses another elbow. And another. Wrestling II up with a knee-lift and another great sequence and he shakes what his momma gave him to punctuate it. Funk hops over the guardrail and plans to leave through the fans and the police escort him back. Nuthin doin', Funker. Wrestling II backdrops Funk out of the ring and Hart and Funk struggle to get Funk back up. They do an excellent apron spot with Funk on the outside. Funk takes over on the outside. BIG chop by Funk! During a sleeper, Funk takes his elbow pad off and chokes Wrestling II. Never seen that either, great spot! Wrestling II chases the Mouth of South him under the ring and Funk is able to take over. Funk catches him with an knee as he bullrushes him in the corner and that's the finish. There were some dull stretches in there, but I chock that up to Wrestling II being old. He was moving in slow-motion on some of those sequences. I remember liking the Poffo match better, but this match maybe a better testament to Funk's ability.

Ok, that makes more sense in a context of mass appeal, but I know prefer elongated comeback. My all-time least favorite Hulk-Up is the one at Wrestlemania V because it is just so short and doesnt really do that angle justice. Then again I am still so terribly disappointed by that match given that the Mega Powers Explosion angle is my favorite WWF angle from any era. I watched Hogan's first two SNME matches against Orton (5/85) and Volkoff (10/85) neither one was worth writing home about so I am not going to dwell on either one, but will point that in both matches he does a faux-Hulk Up before the finish. Could his switch to one final Hulk-Up also be due to laziness? The Volkoff match was lame, but short. Volkoff has some really boring offense save for one really nice backbreaker. Hogan did his best to impart his energy to the match, but Volkoff was a blackhole. The Orton was more fun, but still nothing terribly exciting until the superplex tease, which got the fans on their feet. Hogan's arm work was decent before Orton took over with a dropkick/flying knees (didnt get full extension). This match didn't have the zaniness of the Funk match or Race's bump-o-rama. Hogan seems to always hold up his share, but it takes two tango. This match is a great example why people like Terry Funk and Harley Race are all-timers and Orton is a nice mid-card act.

Lets see how Bob does in a tag context... WWF World Tag Team Champions Adrian Adonis & Dick Murdoch vs Bob Backlund & B. Brian Blair - Philly 7/7/84 If you take the beginning of the Slaughter/Daniels and add to the last 5 minutes of this match, you have a classic tag match. The Terry Daniels babyface shine seemed much more effective because of how small Daniels was and how much effort Murdoch/Adonis put into putting him over. Adonis does the try for a tag but falls over the top rope spot again, which cracks me up again. Blair doesn't bring the spunk of Daniels and everything seems ho-hum. I remember the heat segment on Daniels not setting my world afire, but this was even more boring as Murdoch/Adonis seem content to working the arm in the most pedestrian fashion. Once Bob gets in, well business picks up for a lack of a better phrase. Backlund gets Adonis in the Crossface Chickenwing (Bret always said that legitmately hurt and I still figured that he was working us, but the way Bobby has it on Adrian seems like it is an uncomfortable move to take), but Tricky Dicky hits with an elbow smash from the top. We get a great Backlund heat segment where Murdoch/Adonis blatantly don't tag in and out something about the nonchalance of those two made me laugh. This climaxes with Bob going into amateur escape mode as he crawls in circles around the two before he wrangles Murdoch into an atomic drop. Hot tag to Blair! Well the hottest tag that Blair would ever experience. He sends Murdoch's head into Adonis's groin (Adonis was on the top turnbuckle). Adonis gets tangled into the ropes and Murdoch gets launched into him again. However, all this fun comes to an end when Murdoch is able to hoist Blair up while the ref detained Backlund and Adonis came off the top with a clothesline to pick up the pin. That is the second cool finish from North-South as they did Demolition Decapitation on Daniels in the Daniels/Slaughter defense. This is a wildly entertaining match once Backlund gets in there, but before that it is not much to write home about. Like I said North-South could have had a classic if you stick the first half of Daniels/Slaugher with the last half of Blair/Backlund. Of course, if they wrestled a Slaughter/Backlund super team with Backlund taking heat and Slaughter the hot tag then that could have been the greatest tag of all-time. I got to get around to watching the much vaunted North-South vs Briscos match.

Yeah bumping and selling are two horses of different colors. It is mutually inclusive proposition to be good at both. Hogan is a far better seller than he is a bumper, but his bumping is the drizzling shits. I have watched a lot of Hogan, but not a lot of recently, but when I was watching Harley it seemed to trigger memories of Hogan's very discrete selling. I prefer people that have a continuum of selling levels and modulate it for the point of the match or story. Hogan is either at 100% ready to kick ass or as soon as he gets punched to setup control, he is gasping for air whether it is a minute into the match or 10 minutes (well it is not like he was going 30 so on the relative scale that was his 20 minute mark). You would think almost by default then I would prefer Hogan's offense, but I think the fucker actually has a pretty good right hand and seeing the big lug get all worked up is still wicked fun. He busted the out the atomic drop, vertical suplex and his follow-up clothesline and they all look pretty good. He sometimes overdoes the babyface cheating to point where your scratching your head, but it was the 80s, baby! These are only recent conclusions and I dont find myself particularly tethered to them mostly because it is Hulk Hogan and I don't give too many fucks about him. I will re-evaluate as I watch more, but I standby that his offense looks good and I like long babyface shines so the fact he wrestles on top for a long time doesn't bother me especially since most of the heels he wrestled sucked. jdw, what do you mean that he had not perfected the Hulk-Up? I much prefer when the Hulk-Up leads to a cut-off before he ultimately polishes off his challenger. It adds dynamics and wrinkles to his matches. Were you being facetious? That is Misawa-level shit, baby! WWF World Heavyweight Champion Hulk Hogan vs Dr. D - Massacre in Minneapolis 6/17/84 Hulk Hogan is returning to the Twin Cities with the REAL belt, brutha! I have not seen Dr. D before and I thought he was pretty mediocre. Dr. D takes over right away and there is Hogan's death selling right away. Schultz pulverizes Hogan with a chair and the blood flows. See Hogan could have made this selling look better by gradually building to the climax of bleeding. I will say once he is hit with the chair his selling looks as it should and is very well-done. Schultz hits his big move: second-rope elbow. HULK-UP~! Hogan hits him with a standing elbow and leg drop, but picks him up on each fall. I don't think I have ever seen a wrestler win after doing that. Hulk Hogan is above Wrestling Laws. The selling has been completely turned off as he begs for Schultz to get up after he rammed into the post. Schultz is able to clothesline him coming out of the corner and oversell is kicked back on. Schultz misses the big elbow and Hogan with a clothesline to win. Dr. D was pretty underwhelming. This was a pretty passe Hogan match, but illustrates Hogan's two levels of selling: off/on, when most wrestlers have many more.

Sticking with Bob in Philly... WWF World Heavyweight Champion Bob Backlund vs Sgt Slaughter Steel Cage 3/21/81 Philly I remember thinking this match was pretty good, but nothing to write home about. Since jdw seem to feel pretty strongly towards I thought I'd give it another shot. had just watched the Bruno/Zbyszko Shea Stadium steel cage match, which I had think had good heat, but seemed kind of plodding. I liked everything after Larry Z busted open Bruno's arm and he made his great one-armed comeback. Well then watching this match, made this seem like a downright sprint. The action was energetic. It had the nice juxtaposition of Backlund looking to deliver some pain and Slaughter doing everything at all costs to escape Backlund. Backlund's groin sure took a lot of punishment in this match. This match also illustrates how Backlund can deliver an interesting match without using one single hold. When you hold this up against Backlund/Inoki '78 one hour draw, I think you see how amazing Backlund is as a worker. Very few workers could have worked both of these matches as well Bob did. Backlund had all of the fiery, violent spirit that you expect out of the wronged, WWF hero archetype. Slaughter, for his part, works on two levels in this match on one level he bumps like a madman for the Ragin' Backlund, but at the same time he brings a physical presence that lends him credibility as a huge threat and makes Bob look that much more impressive. This maybe my favorite 80s WWF cage match, but the style is inherently limited because the wrestlers are confined to the ring and the escape rules. Logically, the constant Slaughter escapes make sense, but that doesn't make them any less tedious. The best escape is at the end after Bob has already bloodied and battered the challenger because how hard Backlund works to get Slaughter back in the ring as he even takes the time to kick Slaughter in the hand holding the cage. I did greatly enjoy the amount of time Backlund committed to bloodying Slaughter. It is almost as if Backlund was deadset on not leaving the cage until he accomplished that feat. That was a very nice touch. The finish was well-executed with both men jockeying for position on the top turnbuckle before Bob is able to ram Slaughter's face into the cage, which sends him tumbling into the ropes. The two girls screaming for the Backlund at the finish totally makes this. The WWF was really into making sure that the fans knew the babyface was the better man in the cage matches as the babyface would often celebrate in the ring and saunter out as opposed to a much more dramatic finish. I wouldnt put this in my Top 5 Backlund matches, but that isn't a slight against this match, but really a testament to how much good Backlund is available.

This is why I love this forum, I would have never thought to check out Hogan/Kamala and now I just got to see it. WWF World Heavyweight Champion Hulk Hogan vs Terry Funk 1/4/86 SNME I think it is pretty safe to assume that the house show matches are better. That being said this is a fun 8 minute TV match where Funk sells for Hogan in his unique dazed way much better than Harley did in his national broadcast. Early on, a lot of Hogan offense sends Funk sprawling over the ropes and Funk does a great job getting over the middle aged and crazy. Hogan is ON tonight with just a lot of energy. Owing to Dylan's point that Funk matches usually includes a spot you have never seen point, on the drop down-criss cross, Hogan steps on Funk on each pass in a really neat pass. Funk does the furniture toss gimmick, which I love. In a nice sequence, Funk low blows Hogan and goes to the top to capitalize and Hogan shakes the top rope crotching Funk on the ropes. Some timely distraction from the Mouth of the South, leads to Funk choking Hogan with his tape. Piledriver by Funk (they need to bring the piledriver back) gets only 2. Hulk-up ->Branding Iron cutoff ->Clothesline finishes. In the Race match you get the wicked table bump and a little bit more heel offense. In this match, you get Terry Funk making Hulk Hogan look like a million bucks with smaller, more plentiful bumps and some fun no good cheating. I like Hogan's punches and think they rate in the upper tier of good worked punches. I think this match is a better representation by Hogan was such a phenomenon.

I needed something to break the pace of non-stop Backlund and Hogan before I went to bed, but also was short. I settled on Windham/Murdoch (Philly 2/85), which seemed to do well in the DVDVR circles. I had seen the match before, but wasn't blown away by it. Barry Windham vs Dick Murdoch Philly 2/85 Windham is one-half of the tag champs with Rotundo. The US Express beat North-South to win the titles and this is a singles grudge match that stems from that. Rotundo/Adonis would interest me. The storyline seems to be gritty veteran guile vs youthful athletic prowress, with a side of Southwestern Saucy Sass. I love the build up to the first punch, which Murdoch sells marvelously. Murdoch has to work a bit more, but he gets his first punch in. The difference is Murdoch follows his right up with nasty elbow and claws Windham's face, which establishes the theme of the match. Windham with a high sunset flip, but nothing doing. Windham punches out of a armbar and grabs his own. Murdoch with some forearms and displays how pleased he is with himself by readjusting his trunks. Windham grabs an abdominal stretch, but gets tossed over the ring. Murdoch won't let him re-enter as he is just pounding him with rights and Windham is selling like a champ by hanging like deadweight on the top rope. Windham makes his rousing comeback on the outside and Murdoch goes full-on Three Stooges with the facial contortions and the weak windmill punches in the ring while Barry slugs away. Windham crashes and burns on a flying splash attempt. Murdoch mounts a counterattack with some pretty lefts and rights, which leads to Windham doing a nice bump to the outside and into the railing. Murdoch attacks with a crutch, but when he tries to bring Windham in with a powerslam; Windham rolls through it and picks up the pin. Murdoch, infuriated, attacks Windham with a mic. I think this is a good match, but is lacking a certain je ne sais quoi to really put it over the top. The middle is just kind of there. Windham's selling is superb and Murdoch's is awesome in his own way, but maybe it is due to time compression this doesn't come off as special to me. It is a fun popcorn match, but I wouldn't say it is one of the all-time classics. Their '87 UWF is a much better outing in my opinion.

I have seen Hogan work a decent double wristlock in a different match and I think he was always a decent wrestler. He seemed like he knew his holds better than Piper or Sting. On 3/83, Backlund/Muraco what pissed me off was the lack of heat, hatred or violence in a Texas DEATH Match. There was no excuse to wrestle that kind of match under Texas Death rules. I have watched a ton of Bob in Japan and have been impressed, but will talk about more in depth when I am more awake.

I actually think Hogan is way better at offense than he is at selling. I think we can all agree that Hogan couldnt bump worth a shit. It seems like he was physically incapable. This stands out as the number one reason why his matches are not held to the same standard. So I watched Backlund vs Hogan the other day (you can find my thoughts on the match in the Bob Backlund thread) and got me thinking if there was ever a better Hogan match. The only two matches that came to mind were both from WCW (Flair BATB '94 and Vader SB V). I thought that was downright weird. I really started racking my brain about his WWF run. There is the Desert Storm match with Slaughter that I think could be his best, but I have not seen the full thing. Hogan/Savage always feels like a good pairing that could never break out have a transcendent classic match, but there have been a couple matches in Boston ('86 & '89) that get pimped that I have not seen. As is, I would say their January '85 MSG match is my favorite of their series. Wrestlemania V has such an incredible angle, but I don't feel like the hate is at the fever pitch that it should have been at (especially since I know Savage can get to that level). I like Hogan/Warrior quite a bit, but I would have to watch it again. I need to watch the Orndorff and Bockwinkel matches again, but as is I would say the Backlund match from 1980 is his best match. I want to focus on his first reign because it is so long and seemed to be provide with such slim pickings of classics. That being said, I do want to get back to Backlund, Crockett and All Japan so I don't know how long this little survey of Hogan matches will go. My first opponent choice will Harley Race. The way I see Race is like a supped up Mr. Perfect, bumps just as well, but with wicked offense. Hulk Hogan/Roddy Piper vs Heenan Family (Mr. Wonderful/Harley Race) Let me get this out of the way early, Harley Race looks foolish in his "King" regalia, but everyone needs a gimmick. The face target Harley's arm with quick tags. The quick tags work on two levels by isolating Race and building trust between two former bitter rivals (Piper and Hogan play up each tag with a staredown). Race sends Piper into Wonderful's knee and hits the first big move of the match, a belly-to-belly. Orndorff looks content to garner heat and grind it out. Harley aims to impress with his powerslam and kneedrop. I like Piper as a face in peril because he is so scrappy and dogged. It is a fun take on the babyface in peril. Hogan is annoying on the apron. Hogan cleans house and eventually a heel miscommunication leads to Piper picking up the win. It was a fun little inoffensive match where Race and Piper looked like the best workers. WWF World Heavyweight Champion Hulk Hogan vs Harley Race MSG 5/87 This match was a total clusterfuck, but it was still entertaining. Hogan and Race seemed to have a hard time figuring out how they wanted to structure the match. Hogan was at his worst about turning his selling on/off. This match exposed Hogan as only having two discrete conditions: offensive superman and nearly dead mortal. He was overselling right off the bat and would quickly turn it off. Race, for his part, was no better as he was flip-flopping between ridiculous bumps and weak offense (punches, stomps and chinlock). The bumps were pretty spectacular and definitely the best part of the match. The first bump where he had landed belly first on the apron and sprung backward into chairs and the guardrail was quite good. The match finally got going when Race cut off the Hulk Up with a nasty headbutt, which Hogan bladed off of (maybe the hardway?). Race missed a diving headbutt and Hogan rolls him up for 3. Race attacks him post-match to set up the return bout. I know it sounds like I was being harsh about the match, but there really was not anything interesting besides the Race bumps. It was Hogan by the numbers, but with Race bumping better than most. WWF World Heavyweight Champion Hulk Hogan vs Harley Race MSG 6/87 Texas Death Match Great match! Hogan/Race is never going to be a masterpiece, but this is a huge improvement. Hogan is all dressed up and raring to go. He throws Race all around the ringside area and chokes him with his tape, which is punctuated by popping Race in the head with a chair and the cushion pops out. So Race is left wearing the chair around his neck in a cool visual. Already, this is way better than the Backlund/Muraco '83 Texas Death Match snorefest. Race takes over with a well-placed low blow. Race is out to throw out all his offense: headbutts, a piledriver and a gutwrench suplex. Hogan irish whips Race to the outside, who flies outta the ring. I am still amazed a 44 year old could take these bumps. Hogan gets distracted by the Brain and Race sends him into the post. Of course, with Hogan prone lying on that cold concrete, I mean how could Harely resist. Yep, you guessed it Harley eats concrete. Harley when will you learn. Here comes Hogan with chairshots, ring post and piston punches. The biggest flaw of the match is that Race just decides that Hogan needs to eat a piledriver on the floor. Another low blow is all I am asking to set up that spot. Race brings him back in and hits him with the belt. Once again, Hogan is just lying their prone on that mat, I mean how could Harley resist. Oh, Harley! He eats title belt for his troubles and Hogan doesn't even drop a leg, but collects his victory. This was bell-to-bell action with Harley and Hogan, I ain't gonna complain, but to quote Joe Walsh, sometimes I still do. Hogan hit overdrive on his selling kind of early and Harley did have one rushed transition in order to get to the finish. In terms of a heated Hogan sprint, besides the early Savage matches, I don't think you will find a better. This is easily one of my new favorite Hogan matches and one of the best matches from the height of Hulkamania. Hulk Hogan vs Harley Race 3/88 SNME This is right after the infamous twin Hebner-Andre-DiBiase screwjob, but before Wrestlemania IV. Since Race was already used around the horn might as well squeeze every bit out of him and have him job on national TV. That is really smart booking if you ask me. This match suffers from compression issues and trying to get over a storyline that doesnt concern Harley Race. Hogan comes out hot, but it doesnt feel the same. In the first match, it felt like he was vengeful against Harley Race. In this match, it feels like Race is not at his level and Hogan is just venting his frustration. Hogan no-sells a bunch of headbutts (I am debating whether that is worse than his overselling of them). Race's bumping and selling is even too cartoonish for me as he looks like a Popeye opponent selling an uppercut (even though he is being hit by overhand rights). Hogan's rulebreaking is way too much and The Body doesn't miss a beat to point it out. Everything is really heated, but it just isnt as fun as the last match. Race takes over after Hogan is distracted by the Brain. Race is wicked excited to get his stuff in now as he hits a falling headbutt, belly-to-belly, kneedrop and a piledriver. Finally Race feels like he has him and he sets him up on a table to the outside. Hogan is laying prone on that sweet wood and Race was going to drive him through it. I mean after all, third time is the charm. Alas, we all know how this story ends. In fact, that is the bump that apparently fucked up Harley pretty badly as he went abdomen first into the table. He left a pretty good impression into it and it was a total holy shit bump, but Harley if only you could have left well enough alone. What the fuck? So Harley no-sells what I believe is a legit injury because he is all-man and hits a diving headbutt on Hogan in the ring. What? Call me crazy, but that seems like a waste of a really good bump. Kick out -> Hulk Up. Besides the ridiculous brainfart not to have the table bump be the momentum swing spot this was a perfectly fun little match, but nothing on the level of the previous match. So far, Backlund/Hogan remains in my No. 1 spot, but I will say Hogan's selling in these 4 matches was very discrete. Either he was feeling superhuman or he was on his death bed. I know there are matches where he does a better job, but that is definitely a weakness that he didnt modulate his selling better. He still couldnt bump worth a shit. I actually like Hogan's offense. The best part of Hogan matches is they dont overstay their welcome. His matches are like the punk rock songs of wrestling. Too bad, I happen to be a guy who likes guitar solos.

WWE.com had the entirety of Hogan vs Backlund up from 4/12/80 Philly and I just had to watch. JR and Lawler are on commentary. Was there originally no commentary? Lawler lets us know that Hogan had some pretty gnarly back hair back in his day and because he thought it was unsightly would shave it. Lawler credits Hogan with starting this trend in wrestling. WWF Heavyweight Champion Bob Backlund vs Hulk Hogan - 4/12/80 Philly One of the best tit for tat matches, I have ever seen. Backlund seemingly has a chip on his shoulder just as much as the challenger because wants to prove that even though Hogan is bigger anything that Hogan can do Backlund can do better. Hogan does a bodyslam/elbow drop combination then not to be outdone Backlund does one. Hogan picks up Backlund out of a headlock onto the top turnbuckle and almost slaps him, well Backlund doesnt forget and 10 minutes later in the match Backlund picks Hogan up out of a short arm scissors and places him on the top and slaps him. They trade vertical suplexes late and finally they trade airplane spins late, but Bob's ego is his demise. As he is trying to prove himself, Backlund loses sight of where he is and does an airplane spin on the floor, which leads to him getting counted out. Couple this with incredible opening 10 minute stretch of Backlund out-wrestling and using his quickness to stymie and frustrate Hogan and you have me asking: Best Hogan Match Ever? I think Flair BatB '94 and Vader SB V are the only ones that can compete, but I haven't watched the Bockwinkel matches in forever. I expected the out-wrestling and the utilization of Backlund's quickness in a battle of Hogan's might. However, what really put this match over the top for me was the wrinkle of Bob trying to replicate everything Hogan could do. In the end, this showing of pride robbed him of winning the match. I think the action was better in the '84 Valentine match, but this was the best story I have seen so far out of Bob.

Don't know where I am going to put all the North-South matches, I will be watching, but Cap'n Redneck seems to get plenty of love from the people, here. So might as well show the Adorable One a little love. Is it the North-South Connection or North-South? WWF World Tag Team Champions North-South Connection vs Sgt Slaughter & Terry Daniels 7/23/84 MSG http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xte2fc_ad...rt#.URz2ox19KSo I know I bitched about the Final Conflict and I am going to back and watch it. But, I couldnt help but think the babyface shine segment with Terry "Half-Squat" Daniels was done 1000x better than the Final Conflict one. You think Daniels would be the one over his head, but he uses his quickness and fundamentals (read: armdrags and dropkicks) to really throw Murdoch and Adonis off. Murdoch and Adonis do a really good job keeping something so basic so entertaining by bumping and stooging huge for this guy. This is the department where I think Adonis actually out-worked Murdoch for this one match. Adonis was just on fire with his movement and his bumping. Honestly, I felt that Daniels ended up with too much time on offense, but that might be the Crockett fan in me. I know the 80s WWF was babyfaces run show. The heat segment on Daniels was brief, but did include a sweet running Oklahoma slam by Adonis. Hot tag to Slaughter and he cleaned house that had the Garden rocking. The finish was excellent as Adonis knees Slaughter in the back during his cobra clutch. Daniels in with three dropkicks and then a cross-body block on Adonis, which people actually bought as a false finish. That is a testament to Slaughter's rub and Adonis/Murdoch bumping all over the place for "Half-pint". After some timely ref distraction. North-South hit Demolition Decapitation on Daniels to end a really fun match. This was really well executed popcorn match that made "Little" Terry Daniels seem like one of the giants of the industry. Sarge was an effective senior member of the tag team. Adonis and Murdoch were flying all around in this match. I really enjoyed this one.