[1987-02-23-WWF-MSG, NY] Ricky Steamboat, Roddy Piper & The Junkyard Dog vs. Adrian Adonis, Harley Race & Randy Savage

[corwo]

Being that this is an elimination match, they play a little fast and loose with the rules. For example, there are occasionally minor issues with the legality. But it's in the interpersonal dynamics that this truly shines, whether it's Race cartoonishly bumping and selling for the babyfaces to the delight of the crowd, Piper seething on the apron as he yearns to get his hands on Adonis by any means necessary, or Steamboat constantly getting one over on Savage.

We get some earnest moments of celebration from the babyface trio as well, particularly Steamboat. His egging the crowd on in their chants of "JYD" early on adds a feeling of camaraderie among our heroes. Each of them takes pot shots at Savage and, to further put over the latter's cowardice, he immediately bails to his corner. Piper gets this crazed look in his eyes when he finally gets his hands on Adonis, and amidst the chaos of everyone getting involved, the villains take Piper down with a double suplex. JYD misses a shoulder tackle, and all six get involved in a brawl on the floor. That sets up the first two eliminations, with JYD and Adonis getting counted out during the commotion. It's also clever booking, as it means we're robbed of Piper getting his hands on Adonis. And, as we'll see in the second and third acts, he'll have to work twice as hard to give the heels their retribution.

Piper's facial expressions are phenomenal, from his desperate kickouts to his fiery comebacks. He gets this wild, crazed look in his eyes every time, and it only makes the crowd love him more. A miscommunication from Savage and Race leads to Randy getting hung up in the ropes, after which Piper fights off a suplex from Harley. What follows is a delightful hot tag from Steamboat, full of energy and vigor. As Piper tries to prevent Race from interrupting a small package, Savage takes advantage of the chaos and reverses the pin to eliminate Steamboat.

The final act is a tale as old as time: Piper has to fight valiantly against two of his adversaries. It's during this part of the match where we get a lot of great hope spots from Piper, namely his dodging the chair shot from Savage with one hand and punching him in the gut with the other. Frustration begins to set in for the wrongdoers, as Piper's resolve shines through. A classic misfire off an ax handle means Piper gets Savage one-on-one.

Race attempts to get on the apron, but Piper sends Savage careening into him. Even something as simple as Race's frustration at the plan not working and his slapping the apron as he left ringside provides so much character to a match like this. Likewise, for Savage begging off in the corner, only to have Piper bite his hand. A wild-eyed Piper bonks heads with Savage, sending Randy spilling to the outside. Confused, Savage goes up for an elbow drop, but Piper plays possum and takes the win with a small package.

This match is an example of taking a bunch of established characters with varying levels of hatred, and all the ingredients mixing to create something unique and special. Everything leading up to the Piper and Savage fall was tremendous, and while that match-up may not have met expectations, it was short enough that I didn't feel robbed of anything. The babyfaces getting one up on the heels was effectively the narrative thread that held this together, and they capitalized on it perfectly with the finish.

 

* * * 3/4