Only a few matches from this show are aired on the WWE Network. Missing in action are Quickdraw Rick McGraw vs. Jim Neidhart, Magnificent Muraco vs. Steve Lombardi, Ivan Putski vs. “Gentleman” Jerry Valiant, and the British Bulldogs vs. Moondog Spot & Barry O (Randy’s uncle). Can’t say I’m hot about it.
Love the Maple Leaf Gardens atmosphere – the elevated ramp, hot crowd, bored security guards in big police caps in the front row.
A few of these matches aired on Prime Time Wrestling, so Bret Hart vs. George Wells has Jack Reynolds and Jesse Ventura (hosts of Prime Time) on commentary, while the other two have Jesse and Gorilla.
1. Bret Hart w/ Jimmy Hart vs. George Wells
Reynolds and Jesse struggle to recall what team Wells played football for early. Jimmy is still smooth jazz Jimmy Hart and not the over-the-top carnival barker he’d eventually become. Young Bret has an attitude – perpetually pissed off, complaining of hair pulls. Totally basic stuff but cool to see late-20s Bret Hart already carrying a fella to something respectable. Lots of Wells out-wrestling Bret and Bret being all pissed and the crowd loving it. Cool basic wrestling exchanges like Bret trying to escape a hammerlock by driving Wells into the ropes, but Wells hops on the turnbuckle and does a flying(ish) headscissors, or Wells Irish whipping Bret, Bret kicking Wells, and Bret charging right into a powerslam. Jesse the Body adds the color as Bret works over Wells, saying he’s disappointed in Bret for a “sloppy cover” when Bret doesn’t hook the leg. Crowd goes positively buck wild for Bret heading up top and Wells throwing him down, and all of Wells comeback really. Sloppy cradle finish ends it, where Wells basically has to force himself over for Bret to steal the 3-count by grabbing the tights. Ultra-basic stuff, but cool to see Bret’s earliest appearance on the WWE Network, Wells’ offense gets over big, and the crowd popped for all the right stuff and booed the shit out of the finish. Undercard success. **
2. Ricky Steamboat & Tito Santana vs. Greg “The Hammer” Valentine & Brutus Beefcake w/ Jimmy Hart
Tremendous tag match… epic babyface team in Steamboat and Santana, double heat segments, MEAN heel work, hot comebacks, goofy heel bumps, crowd eating it all up = magic. Ricky Steamboat is the man here… first of all he is JACKED. Second of all, while Tito’s getting his ass kicked Ricky is the best of all corner men – waving his arms around on the apron, leading the crowd in claps. When he gets the hot tag he does his run then jumps up and touches his toes as he’s SO excited, and somehow it doesn’t come off silly at all. Then when it’s Steamboat’s turn to get beat up, it’s watching a master at work – selling big, desperately crawling around for the tag. You’ve also got the Tito/Valentine chemistry – Hammer’s clubbing and slapping and bailing and fun stoic reactions to taking offense mixed with Tito’s fire and general over-ness. Greg is such a mean bastard here, just straightforward shots Nice “Dark night of the soul” type spot as Greg stomps on Tito and Brutus wails on Ricky. Finish sees Greg do an atomic drop but Tito catches the leg and gets a figure-four on for the win. Jimmy Hart absolutely FLIPS OUT at this and the crowd goes nuts. Super basic stuff, but back when a time when super basic was all you needed – they played the hits to the highest level and everybody bought in. So much good stuff here, and a great example of just how good these guys are. ****
The shot of Steamboat chopping away at Brutus on the Maple Leaf ramp all the way to the back on the ramp is SO great.
3. WWF World Heavyweight Title: Hulk Hogan [c] vs. “Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff
God damn, pal, the most formula of Hulk Hogan matches but when the crowd’s out of their seats what is there to question? Hogan charges out all over as hell. Orndorff hops on the turnbuckle to stare down the crowd and gets a backdrop for his trouble. Hogan goes to work and has ENERGY. BIG. COLORFUL. ENERGY. It is truly spectacular, and though it got tired after so many years, watching it in its’ early years is special. Orndorff stalls, bumps big for a shoulderblock. Takes control, takes Hogan outside and throws him around. Tries to slam Hogan’s head into the turnbuckle, Hogan blocks it, goes to work, misses an elbow. Finally, Hogan reverses a crossbody for the win. ***
Big story is the post-match, as Orndorff extends his hand and Hogan reluctantly shakes it. Orndorff pops a thumbs up and walks off into the great babyface turn in the sky. I’m not sure when Orndorff officially ‘turns’ – there’s an angle a few weeks later on Saturday Night’s Main Event that kind of cements it. Either way, a MOMENT! A big, beautiful moment.
Amazing tag team wrestling here. Otherwise – basic Hogan title match, basic young Bret Hart match. Worth a watch for curiosity, and the wrestling is completely solid, but not essential or anything. 5/10
