This is a part of what host Vince McMahon calls the WWF Collectors Series.
The date on the WWE Network is listed as 1/1/85, but matches hare are from after that. I think the Network folks got this confused with the original “Hulkamania” Coliseum tape.
Vince hosts in red bow tie and tuxedo.
The bonus here is you get to see Hulk Hogan working in all his tight colors – vs. Beefcake in the famous yellow, vs. Sheik in the classic blue, and vs. Muraco in the creepy white.
1. WWF World Heavyweight Title: Hulk Hogan [c] vs. Brutus Beefcake w/ “Luscious” Johnny Valiant (Philadelphia Spectrum 2/16/85)
Just a classic mid-80s Hogan title defense, with the crowd DELIGHTED at seeing him kick ass. Hogan is so big with his mannerisms – Beefcake shoves him early and he is just EXASPERATED. Beefcake earns his paycheck by bumping big and looking like a goofball – at one point Hogan slams his head on the turnbuckle and he does a well-timed pause before doing a Flair flop. Hogan does a strut in response to Beefcake’s strut too and the crowd just cannot contain themselves.
The finish sees Hogan drop the leg, only for Valiant to jump on the apron and Beefcake hit a knee from behind. Beefcake pins Hogan for 2, which he and Valiant are convinced is 3 so they grab the title, and Hogan rolls Beefcake up for 3. Thumbs up. ***1/4
A clip is shown of Iron Sheik winning the WWF Title from Bob Backlund at MSG in December 1983 to setup the next match.
2. WWF World Heavyweight Title: Iron Sheik [c] w/ “Classy” Freddie Blassie vs. Hulk Hogan (MSG 1/23/84)
Just an awesome, classic new star title change… actually a lot like Goldberg/Hogan almost 25 years later. 5 minutes, HOT crowd, Sheik bumps big, Hogan shows off his strength and SPITS on Sheik, Sheik gets a bit of offense, Hulk powers out of the camel clutch, leg drop. The pre-match backstage shot of Hulk in the “American Made” shirt, followed by him walking past Vince McMahon Sr. on his way to the ring, is incredible. This was so simple but so good and kicked off a huge run. ***1/2
This tape also includes the post-match with Andre the Giant pouring champagne on Hogan and Hogan’s folks awkwardly standing next to him as he rants and raves about winning the title.
3. WWF World Heavyweight Title: Hulk Hogan [c] vs. Iron Sheik w/ “Classy” Freddie Blassie (JIP; Philadelphia Spectrum 5/5/84)
Pretty cool to see the rematch after Hogan’s title win. This is clipped but provides a glimpse of the chaos – Hogan is bleeding and makes a comeback by reversing a suplex, then drops the leg but doesn’t cover. He unties Sheik’s boot and loads it up causing Lord Alfred Hayes to WOOO with excitement. Before he can do too much damage, a few babyfaces run-in and pull Hulk off as the crowd goes crazy. Result is announced as a double countout.
4. Steel Cage Match – WWF World Heavyweight Title: Hulk Hogan [c] vs. Magnificent Muraco (6/21/85)
Don had beat Hogan by countout previously, then Fuji threw salt at Hogan for a DQ in the second match, so now we are inside a Steel Cage – makes sense to me. Hogan enters and THROWS the championship at Muraco like he is some kind of Tetsuya Naito. The match isn’t much – they keep it moving, the crowd is into it, and both guys bleed, but it’s pretty lumbering and the bare minimum of a mid-80s Steel Cage Match. Muraco does his tied-up-in-the-ropes gimmick and Hogan escapes to win. **
This has nothing close to must-see unless you haven’t seen the Hogan title win before – in that case, see it. It does act as a decent snapshot of Hulk early in the big run, but this isn’t the best stuff. 3/10
