[1980-12-11-AWA-Winnipeg, MB] Mad Dog Vachon vs Bobby Heenan

[paul sosnowski]

 

[Stephen-]

As the only poster in this thread, I will give a more detailed breakdown as well as my review.

 

This starts off with a great segment where 'Mean' Gene Okerlund reveals Heenan's opponent to be Mad Dog Vachon, to which Heenan and Bockwinkel LOSE IT and Heenan gripes that Vachon has no interest in a wrestling match, but rather to rip him apart. Heenan is likely correct. We then cut to Mad Dog Vachon, who claims he feels ashamed to get paid for the match against Heenan because he is going to break [insert limb]. Heenan was correct. The bell rings after a good two minutes of Heenan absolutely terrified to start and Mad Dog immediately stalks him out of the ring. Heenan is warned by the referee for repeated attempts to flee. Heenan eventually chooses to simply turn his head and take his beating, and does he. Vachon rails his head into the turnbuckle a good few times, causing Heenan to roll out and vomit (maybe just spit? but i enjoy marking) on the outside. Vachon lands a peach of a right hand that Heenan sells like it came from George Foreman. The crowd at this point is hot and wants to see Vachon batter Heenan. Heenan strings together some stiff offense and works on Vachon as Mad Dog is trapped in the corner. Vachon maybe makes Heenan's offense look a little stronger than he should, but oh well. Vachon stumbles across the ring after a few more Heenan punches and takes a minute to recuperate, but Heenan pounces. Vachon eventually counters one of Heenan's punches, and makes Heenan pay in a serious way. After Vachon gets in his groove and starts raking the back of Heenan, Heenan decides he has had enough and runs out of the ring. Vachon wins by count out.

 

This is pretty good stuff. Not the best from either man, and I do think Vachon probably should have dominated a little more than he did, but Heenan was such a damn coward weasel here and Vachon's constant stalking was terrifying. Vachon also sells his rear end off for Heenan, and again I do not think he should have to that degree, but it looked great. He made Heenan look like a serious threat. Heenan, in fairness, did have some beautiful looking offense to counter. I really enjoyed this! I think it's worth checking out. *** 1/2.