[1986-08-28-WWF-The Big Event] Hulk Hogan vs Paul Orndorff

[SmartMark15]

Orndorff goes in hot, ambushing Hogan to kick off the match. From there, they work a very tight, very close brawl leading to Orndorff getting an extended heat segment on Hogan. Hogan puts on a masterclass of sympathetic babyface selling. When he's down, he's down. This show was worked in front of 70,000 people and Hogan, more than Orndorff, understands this. You can see the way he begs for crowd support, how every bump and sell if just a little bigger than usual. My only gripe was the poor timing and execution of the comeback. Hogan just decides to pop right back up. There's usually a little more build to his comebacks than that. But once it gets going, it's hard not to get engrossed by it. A screwy finish to keep the feud going but this was a pretty good Hogan-formula match.

***1/2

[Mrzfn]

One of Hogan's best singles matches, for my money. He and Orndorff gelled well together and Heenan in the corner helped bump it up further, as usual. Watched this recently and enjoyed it much more than I thought I would, since I'm not a Hogan fan by and large.

[Superstar Sleeze]

WWF World Heavyweight Champion Hulk Hogan vs Paul Orndorff - WWF Big Event

Even though I love the heel turn angle, Mr. Wonderful has never been a draw for me. I often put off his matches but this was very good and I have high hopes for the rest of the feud I plan on watching the Philly series and have seen the SNME cage match already. I would argue this was the Hulkster’s first real feud in the WWF. Yes there was the Bundy angle but this feels different than Hogan vanquishing Giants or wrestling Terry Funk and Randy Savage. They got ~70k in Toronto for this match and this was the inspiration for going big for WrestleMania III. Very marquee and influential feud!

I love that Orndorff opens with an underhanded clothesline as the ref is checking Hogan nice play off the Clothesline that turned him heel. Great scuffle on the mat. Hogan gets the best of it. Very energetic fisticuffs follow. Hogan gets the best of it and sends Wonderful packing. I love how they fake out us a couple times before actually going to heat. Though eventually transition leaves a little to be desired. I liked Hogan chasing the Brain but the stomp to the back of the head didn’t look impactful enough to warrant a transition. Good heat segment by Orndorff nice suplex on the outside good heel offense focused on the throat. He signals for the Piledriver back drop out, but no Hulk Up. Nice Fist from Top Rope by Wonderful and a back Suplex. That triggers the Hulk Up! HOGAN HIGH KNEE WIPES OUT WONDERFUL & REF! HE RAISES ORNDORFF’s HAND AND CLOBBERS HIM WITH A CLOTHESLINE! How does that taste, Mr Wonderful? Piledriver with booty shake but Heenan hits Hogan with a stool triggering the DQ. Orndorff has the title Bur Hogan sends him packing and retrieves the title. The feud is off and running! Thought this was a very good Hogan formula match we get a bit more shine and I loved the finish with Hogan hitting the Traitor Clothesline on Wonderful for revenge. Hope the Philly matches are just as good. *** 1/2