The Toronto crew is in tow for this show from Maple Leaf Gardens. Jack Reynolds, blessed with a classic radio voice and GRAVITAS, and former wrestler Billie Red Lyons are on commentary, while Norm Kimber, who feels right out of 1951, ring announces. There’s also a NOAH-style elevated ramp leading to the ring, which is so great.
1. WWF Intercontinental Title: Greg “The Hammer” Valentine [c] vs. S.D. Jones
Love Greg Valentine – he just looks at the crowd with disdain… I don’t need your god damn approval. Reynolds quickly establishes himself as an old man in the 1980s with a couple interesting calls: “I notice that there are a number of orientals here…” and “Good hammerlock being applied there by the reggae man… doing that reggae!” Classic 80s stuff here, they don’t do much but Valentine just stands around and sells and does a Flair flop and they are HOT. He keeps missing stuff and SD keeps taking advantage with a wristlock or something and the crowd is on the edge of their god damn seats. Once Valentine gets an opening, he goes after the leg to set up the figure-four. I remember when wrestling was easy to follow too. Finish comes when both go outside and SD throws Greg into the guardrail, but he’s slow to the apron thanks to his leg so Valentine brings him over the top with a backdrop for a 3 that SD totally kicks out at 2 on, which the crowd and SD doesn’t like. Racist referee! This isn’t the most exciting thing but damn did it work, and solid stuff like this was a fine complement to the better stuff. **1/2
2. Rocky Johnson vs. Nikolai Volkoff
Nikita Koloff vs. Rocky Johnson is a pretty crap match. It goes too long and is sloppy in a way that actively detracts from any of the big spots – like at one point Rocky gets a comeback and sets up a shot to the balls, milks it for all its’ worth… and then just doesn’t hit it very well. Has some fun moments here and there but doesn’t really click outside of being a run-of-the-mill heel vs. baby 80s match. Nikita does the Russian Anthem to start but it’s in Canada so the crowd isn’t THAT angry, though some fellas in cowboy hats in the front row seem displeased. Rocky is your classic WWF babyface… all fired up with his hands, ducking and getting shots in. Nikita applies a nerve hold and Rocky is SHAKING. There are shoulder tackles and test of strengths, Rocky does an Ali shuffle, and a snake eyes from Nikolai ends it. *1/2
3. Davey Boy Smith & Dynamite Kid vs. Goldie Rogers & Bobby Bass
Oh my god its’ the Bulldogs before they were the Bulldogs! They’re announced separately and in different gear… Davey Boy in long blue tights and Dynamite wearing long red tights and a CAPE!! This doesn’t have the most exciting beatdown but it’s a tremendous showcase for the soon-to-be Bulldogs. Goldie Rogers is from Hollywood, CA. Bobby Bass is from Toronto and gets booed anyways for being an ugly sonofabitch. Goldie milks taking off his jacket for a bit and the crowd is whistling. Dynamite is like from another planet on these shows… wristlocks, kip-ups, smooth chain wrestling the crowd pops for, big-ass front dropkick. Great timing and work from all these guys, match does a tremendous job as an enhancement match for the Bulldogs. Bass does an amazing sell when Davey sends him into a Dynamite headbutt. Goldie refuses to tag – he doesn’t want a piece of these nutjobs! Crowd’s loving the Davey missile dropkicking and Davey press slamming Dynamite onto Goldie and Dynamite’s front-flip kip-up. There’s a snap suplex somewhere too. Bass’ selling is fucking phenomenal… basically does a Flair flop on his head twice and tries to swat at nothing. He tries to break a pin and stomps Goldie. Goldie gets out of a chinlock with a snapmare and there’s some work over Davey. Goldie sells big on a kickout by Davey and Dynamite tags in. Bass refuses a tag – he don’t want none either. Dynamite tries a damn piledriver on the ramp but Goldie back drops out. Big missed diving headbutt by Bass who keeps his legs in the air for a beautiful sell… Davey tags in and Bass asks for a time-out. Ode to Bulldogs finishes it. **3/4
4. Steel Cage Match: Andre the Giant vs. Kamala w/ Friday
Oh my GOD what a great freakin’ match on paper!! MONSTERS. IN A CAGE. Friday’s leading Kamala to the ring!! Kamala’s scared of getting in the cage!! The shot of sillohuette Andre walking to the cage as Kamala stands in the ring is great. Andre has to awkwardly step into the cage. The announcer tries to start and Andre just starts kicking ass and sitting on Kamala!! The announcer announces the rules as they clobber each other. Kamala’s just choking Andre and the crowd is FIRED UP for the comeback. Kamala shakes on the cage to try to escape as Andre chops away at him. Nice shot by the cameraman of the wired mesh at the top – really sell that cage baby. Kamala chops at Andre and brings him down as the crowd rallies their giant. Kamala goes for the pin but there’s no pin allowed! That crazy monster doesn’t know the rules!! Kamala choking and slapping at Andre (who bleeds!) isn’t going to change the world but this is a damn spectacle, like the most bizzare ever Undertaker/Lesnar with Friday yelling at Kamala to beat on Andre or exit the cage vs. Heyman screaming “BROOOCKKK.” That may be too kind, I mean a lot of this was just Andre on his ass, but I was a mark for this thing. Friday on the hard cam arguing with the ref added to the festivities, and Andre swatting at him as he climbed the cage got a big pop. Andre bodyslams Kamala who convulses like he’s having a seizure, then drops the ass on him. Andre climbs to the TOP ROPE and walks the rope into a HUGE ass splash, and Friday tussles with the ref and tries to close the door but Andre waltzes out. And a guy pops in a cig and Kamala is led out of the ring. Amazing. **3/4
This isn’t much, but it’s only an hour and early Bulldogs and the Andre/Kamala cage showdown are worth it. 5/10
