[1985-05-25-WWF-Philadelphia, PA] Hulk Hogan vs Ken Patera

[Superstar Sleeze]

WWF World Heavyweight Champion Hulk Hogan vs Ken Patera - WWF, Philly 5/85

 

Anyone who has watched Hogan in his prime and still does not think Hogan can work; just does not like fun. Hogan is just so friggin' entertaining in these matches. Yeah they are no Flair classics, but they are just great popcorn, action blockbusters. All the facial expression and flexing are so much fun. This spot had my single favorite spot that I have seen in months: Patera was pissed that had gotten shoved off in a coller elbow tie up so he comes charging at Hulk who drops down thus Patera runs into the turnbuckles and as he ricochets Hogan tabletops him! I marked out so hard for that. Hogan double noggin knocker on Patera and Heenan to a huge pop. Test of strength and Patera gets him down with kicks. Hogan powers up and lifts him in the hold to the top turnbuckle and then he rams into the post. The crowd is just loving this. This was a rare challenge for Patera as usually Studd, Piper and Orndorff were the rivals of Hogan with Patera focused on Andre. Suplex struggle and Hogan wins that one and just great histronic selling by Hogan after that. I wish Patera got some more challenges because as a big bumping heel that could match strength with Hogan, it was a cool combination of talent that Hogan did not get a lot of. Eye rake by Patera and then double axe handle for two. HULK UP! Heenan trips Hogan before legdrop and Patera runs into the Brain. Roll up does in Kenny P. Very entertaining Hogan title defense. I would imagine Patera' incarceration is why he did not get more title shots. It is too bad they would have had a great series. I think Patera would have been my choice for Wrestlemania II. Really fun.

[paul sosnowski]

The date for this is May 25, 1985