After uploading all of the Boston Garden shows from 1986, this show ends up the only trip to Boston for the WWE Network in 1987.
Gorilla Monsoon and the soon-to-depart Ken Resnick are on commentary.
1. Billy Jack Haynes vs. Hercules w/ Bobby Heenan
Heenan introduces Mr. Wonderful before the match, who comes out in a ridiculously 1980s maroon jacket and sweatpants to give The Brain a big hug over cascades of boos. Now in full WrestleMania promoter mode, Heenan jumps on commentary to talk up Andre the Giant’s turn on Hulk Hogan.
After a pretty sweet run in 1986, Hercules loses both the Hernandez and apparently his speed. Stiff muscle guys in wrestling are fine, sometimes even encouraged, but it’s disappointing after seeing this new guy rule so hard the year before. Haynes meanwhile was just never that good so we’ve got two immobile guys against each other here. They’re supposed to be tough but just come off clumsy. Haynes eventually gets a full nelson on Herc but as Heenan distracts the referee Orndorff jumps off the top with an elbow on Haynes’ neck – 1-2-3. *1/2
2. The Rougeau Brothers vs. The Hart Foundation
Jim Neidhart got arrested for something he eventually got both indicted and acquitted for on January 15th, and was full-time touring with the WWF the next day. He and Bret won the Tag Team Titles two weeks after it! They arrive here as champs, and Neidhart reminds everybody that this particular match is not for their belts.
This is one of those casually good Bret Hart matches, as he bumps and feeds for the Rougeau Bros like a champ then bullies them around with big Jim. There’s a great spot where Bret takes the chest-first corner bump, which Ray follows up with a dropkick at just the right moment. Ray and Jacques are able to sneak a win with an assisted somersault plancha, setting up a rematch in Boston next month. ***1/4
3. Ricky Steamboat vs. Sika w/ The Wizard
Sika goes at Steamboat as soon as he steps in the ring and stomps away before Steamboat fires back with a chop to a major league pop. Sika tries a splash in the corner but misses and gets rolled up at around 4 minutes. A very efficient match. **1/2
4. S.D. Jones vs. Dino Bravo
Dino Bravo is getting with the times, not bleach blonde yet but embracing the overt douchiness necessary to succeed as a heel in the WWF. There’s not much to this, a WWF house show match among the rest of them. *
5. Lumberjack Match – WWF Intercontinental Title: Macho Man Randy Savage [c] w/ Elizabeth vs. Bruno Sammartino
After a few years on commentary, Bruno Sammartino made a part-time ring return to the WWF and worked programs with their new top heels throughout 1986, namely Rowdy Roddy Piper and Macho Man Randy Savage in a series of tags and cage matches. Savage had beat Bruno in Boston the last month, and now here’s the return match with the WWF roster surrounding the ring. Bruno is as over as ever while Ricky Steamboat acts as one of the lumberjacks ready to mess Macho up.
Like all of Bruno’s last few matches, this doesn’t hit 10 minutes and is real simple punch-kick-comeback stuff but crazy over and a fun time. The way Savage hovers behind Liz to setup a sneak attack as soon as Bruno enters the ring is so good, and both guys sell huge for each other. Bundy attacks Bruno for a DQ, setting up a brawl where Bruno and Steamboat stand tall. ***1/4
Happy Thoughts: This is a pretty average show, but an exciting time for wrestling. As was common, the matches with Savage, Steamboat and Hart all delivered. 5/10
