TJR Retro: WWE The Wrestling Classic 1985 Review
The Wrestling Classic took place on November 7, 1985, which was the same year as the first WrestleMania. The concept behind the show was to do a tournament with 16 wrestlers in it, which meant they could have 15 tournament matches. It ended up being 14 tournament matches because there was one double countout, but the point remains that it was a lot of matches on one show. There was also a WWE Title match between Hulk Hogan and Roddy Piper.
The unique thing about this show is that there were 15 matches that took place with the longest match going around nine minutes. In other words, it goes by quickly and in a lot of cases, there isn’t a lot to analyze in terms of the matches.
The only PPV known as The Wrestling Classic did around 47,000 PPV buys. Keep in mind that this was when pay-per-view was really in its infancy, so it’s not a surprise that it was a low number. The first WrestleMania took place earlier that year although that wasn’t under the traditional pay-per-view model, then WrestleMania II followed in 1986 and they were off to the races in terms of PPV events. Two years later in 1987, WWE decided to go with Survivor Series, but The Wrestling Classic will always hold the distinction of being the first non-WrestleMania PPV in WWE history.
This show followed WrestleMania 1 and led up to WrestleMania 2 as well.
Here is the synopsis on WWE Network:
“Hulk Hogan defends the WWE Championship against “Rowdy” Roddy Piper. Plus, a gigantic 16 Superstar Tournament. First round matches include Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat vs. Davey Boy Smith, The Junkyard Dog vs. The Iron Sheik, Paul Orndorff vs. Bob Orton Jr., “Macho Man” Randy Savage vs. Ivan Putski, and more.” PG (V)
The VHS looks like this:
Check out the full list of my WWE PPV Review archive right here. Let’s get to the show.
WWF The Wrestling Classic
November 7, 1985
Rosemont Horizon in Rosemont (Chicago), Illinois
The show began with photos of the wrestlers in the 16-man elimination tournament with Howard Finkel saying their names.
Vince McMahon was shown in the arena hosting the show. Vince had Lord Alfred Hayes along with some woman named Susan. They were standing by some giant tournament brackets that were on a board. They went over all the matches coming up on the show.
They showed some footage of the wrestlers picking the names of opponents out of a fishbowl. Riveting footage.
Mean Gene Okerlund was interviewing WWE President Jack Tunney. There wasn’t much here other than Jack was excited for the show.
Gorilla Monsoon and Jesse “The Body” Ventura were at ringside to call the action. They worked a lot of shows together with Jesse as a heel announcer while Gorilla was a classic babyface play-by-play guy.
First Round: Adrian Adonis (w/Jimmy Hart) vs. Corporal Kirchner
Pre-match notes: Adrian Adonis was the heel while Corporal Kircher was the babyface.
Kirchner hit a couple of armdrags to start the match. Kirchner controlled Adonis with a headlock until Adonis came back with a belly-to-back suplex. Adonis took control with two elbows to the head. Adonis bounced off the ropes with another elbow drop and a chinlock. Kirchner went for a suplex, but Adonis countered into a move like a DDT (I think before the DDT was a regular thing) and Adonis got the pinfall win at 3:20.
Winner by pinfall: Adrian Adonis
Analysis: * Good finish for Adonis there using a counter to get the win. It looked impressive especially since Adonis was the bigger man.
There was a quick interview with Adrian Adonis, who said he’s going to come out victorious in the tournament.
First Round: Dynamite Kid vs. Nikolai Volkoff
Pre-match notes: Kid was the face while Volkoff was the heel.
Before the match could begin, Volkoff sang the Soviet national anthem, which drew huge boos from the crowd. The bell rang, Kid went up top and hit a missile dropkick for the pinfall win at 0:07. The fans popped big for that.
Winner by pinfall: Dynamite Kid
Analysis: No point in rating that. Just a quick match to give Kid the win to make the fans happy after Volkoff did his singing routine.
Randy Savage was interviewed before his match. Savage was hyper, ready and nervous as usual with Elizabeth by his side. Savage’s opponent was already in the ring while Savage had his full entrance shown with Gorilla complaining about how Savage made Elizabeth walk behind him.
First Round: “Macho Man” Randy Savage (w/Elizabeth) vs. Ivan Putski
Pre-match notes: Savage was the heel while Putski was a face.
Savage spit on Putski. They did a lockup spot with Putski breaking free and spitting on Savage as payback. Putski looked very jacked and very unnatural as well. Putski sent Savage into the turnbuckle. Savage came back with punches, Putski grabbed a headlock and more punches. Putski worked over Savage with a big uppercut along with repeated kicks. Savage tripped up Putski by the turnbuckle and Savage got a pin with his feet on the ropes. Putski kicked out right after the three count at 2:45.
Winner by pinfall: Randy Savage
Analysis: *1/4 A cheap win for Savage using his feet on the ropes, which was not seen by the referee. Putski was on offense for most of It and then Savage found a way to cheat to win.
Vince McMahon and Alfred Hayes talked about the matches that have taken place so far. Nikolai Volkoff complained about his loss saying he was robbed.
First Round: Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat vs. Davey Boy Smith
Pre-match notes: They were both faces.
They exchanged some holds with Smith hitting a hiptoss. Steamboat bridged out of a pin attempt into a backslide pin attempt that Davey kicked out of. Smith with a press slam over his head for a two count. Smith grabbed a front headlock. Smith was able to hit another press slam over his head into a body slam for two. Steamboat countered a suplex into his own delayed vertical suplex. Steamboat off the ropes with a splash, but Smith blocked it with the knees and Smith hit two dropkicks. Smith went for a dropkick, Steamboat moved and Smith hit the ropes. The referee called for the bell saying Smith was hurt. It went 2:53.
Winner by referee’s decision: Ricky Steamboat
Analysis: ** Two talented wrestlers that worked well together. The finish was lame, but that’s what happens when you have a tournament where you need to book 15+ finishes by the end of the night.
Junkyard Dog did an interview before his match talking about how he can’t take The Iron Sheik for granted ahead of their match.
First Round: Junkyard Dog vs. The Iron Sheik
Pre-match notes: Dog was the face while Sheik was the heel.
Sheik was aggressive early on with some choking using clothes. The fans chanted “JYD” as JYD no-sold some punches leading to the punches and the headbutt, which got a good pop from the crowd. Dog with a headbutt, so Sheik bailed to the floor. Dog bounced off the ropes with a clothesline for two. Dog went for a headbutt, Sheik moved and Dog hit the mat. Sheik applied the Camel Clutch submission, Dog managed to get his arms free and then Dog collapsed to the mat, so Sheik let go of the hold. Sheik with blatant choking, Sheik shoved the referee out of the way, Dog hit a headbutt and that was enough to get the pinfall win at 3:25.
Winner by pinfall: Junkyard Dog
Analysis: *1/2 This was a fun match with Dog coming back from the cheating attempts from Sheik to find a way to win. I don’t think a headbutt from Dog is the best way to end a match like this, but that’s what happened.
Terry Funk was interviewed by Mean Gene Okerlund. Funk had Jimmy Hart with him. Funk said that he wanted a shot at the WWE Championship, which he claims will be won by Roddy Piper. Funk spit some tobacco into the camera. That’s gross.
First Round: Moondog Spot vs. Terry Funk (w/Jimmy Hart)
Pre-match notes: Funk was a heel. Spot got no reaction from the crowd.
Funk did a promo saying he didn’t want to wrestle Moondog Spot. Spot said he didn’t want to wrestle Funk. Terry suggested they both leave the ring and settle for a draw. Gorilla said that they would both be eliminated if that happens. Funk left the ring first, then Spot left the ring. The referee called for the bell. Funk hit Spot in the back, then Spot came back and they got into a fight on the floor. Funk did a back body drop to send Spot into the ring and Funk was out of the ring, so Funk got counted out to lose. It went 27 seconds. The fans cheered Funk losing the match.
Winner by countout: Moondog Spot
Analysis: DUD That was about as lame as it gets booking-wise, but it did get a reaction from the crowd. At least it was creative in terms of how Funk lost. Funk was clearly the better wrestler and bigger star, so he’s the one that should have got the win.
After the match, Funk and Hart were furious as Moondog Spot was announced as the winner.
There was an interview with “Magnificent” Don Muraco with Mr. Fuji with Mean Gene doing the interview. Fuji said that Tito Santana will be defeated and he feels sorry for him. Muraco said if he gets by this then he’ll win easily.
First Round: Tito Santana vs. “Magnificent” Don Muraco (w/Mr. Fuji)
Pre-match notes: Santana was the babyface Intercontinental Champion while Muraco was a heel.
Muraco used his power early on with punches and a back elbow. Muraco with punches to the ribs. Santana ran the ropes with a running cross body block for two. Muraco was back up with a punch. Santana with a sunset flip for two. Santana with a backslide pin for two. Santana with a hard whip into the turnbuckle and Jesse called Tito “Chico” as usual. Santana applied an armbar on the mat, Muraco powered out of that and picked up Santana like a body slam into the top rope. Muraco with a clothesline along with a knee drop. Muraco with a powerslam by the ropes for the pinfall, but I guess Tito’s foot was on the rope. It was not shown. Tito got back up leading to an inside cradle for the pinfall win at 4:17.
Winner by pinfall: Tito Santana
Analysis: **1/4 There was a lot of action here since Tito wrestled an exciting style while Muraco was aggressive as well. They were also given more time than most of the other matches because they were capable in-ring performers. It was also a controversial finish since Tito’s foot on the rope wasn’t shown, so they missed that shot that was key to the match.
Bobby Heenan was interviewed by Mean Gene. Heenan said he was there because he had $50,000 that will go to whoever beats Paul Orndorff.
First Round: “Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff vs. “Cowboy” Bob Orton
Pre-match notes: Orndorff was the face while Orton was the heel with the cast on the left arm.
Good ovation for Orndorff in this final first round match. Orndorff with an armbar, then into an arm wringer and an atomic drop that sent Orton into the turnbuckle. Orndorff bounced off the ropes with a shoulder tackle, Orton with a headlock takeover, Orndorff got out of that and hit an armdrag. Orton with a knee drop on Orton’s left arm along with Orndorff wrenching back on the left arm again. Orndorff charged in with Orton hitting a boot to the face. Orton draped Orndorff’s neck across the top rope. Orndorff got a sunset flip for a two count. Orton slowed things down leading into a leg scissors around the throat. Orton with a backslide pin for two followed by a hiptoss. Orton went for a charging attack, Orndorff moved and Orton hit the ropes. Orndorff with a whip into the corner leading to two elbow smashes as the crowd came alive. Orndorff with a punch that led to Orton bumping over the top to the floor. Orndorff punched Orton back into the ring, Orton to the apron, Orton adjusted something on his cast (the referee wasn’t looking) and Orton hit Orndorff with the cast. The referee saw it, so Orton was disqualified. That was the longest first round match at 6:28.
Winner by disqualification: Paul Orndorff
Analysis: **1/2 I liked the story of the match with Orndorff working on the left arm, then Orton took control for several minutes and it built up well to the finish of the match. I think a pinfall win would have been better for Orndorff, but I guess when Orton’s out there with a cast then they might as well use it as part of the finish.
Post match, Orndorff got some payback with punches and Orton bumped out of the ring.
Vince McMahon and Alfred Hayes were back at the tournament board talking about the matches so far. Terry Funk showed up to say that he was robbed. Funk said that it was a display of arrogance from the referee. Funk claimed that he could beat everybody and called Hayes a “big-eyed jerk” as he continued to rant. Funk rules.
Quarterfinals: Dynamite Kid vs. Adrian Adonis (w/Jimmy Hart)
Pre-match notes: Kid was the face while Adonis was the heel. The matches in this round had a 15-minute time limit.
Kid used his speed with multiple arm drag takedowns so Adonis bailed to the floor to regroup. Adonis with a slingshot that sent Kid into the top turnbuckle. Adonis with a body slam for a two count. Jesse left commentary to go talk to Macho Man before his next match. Adonis with a suplex for two. Adonis slowed it down with a chinlock for about a minute until Kid came back with a belly to back suplex. Kid missed a headbutt when Adonis moved and Adonis did a knee drop on the left leg. Adonis applied a submission that was like a Sharpshooter years before we would learn more about that move, but Kid was near the ropes, so Adonis had to break the hold. Kid countered a charging Adonis with a sunset flip for a two count. Adonis with a kick to the back of the left leg. Kid countered a bulldog attempt by shoving Adonis into the turnbuckle. Kid with a knee drop followed by a running clothesline. Kid went to the middle rope and hit a knee drop for a two count. Kid with a snap suplex and a headbutt. Hart on the apron, Kid went after him, Adonis went for a rollup, Kid powered out of it and Adonis bumped into Hart on the apron, so then Kid pinned Adonis and that was enough for Kid to win by pinfall at 6:01.
Winner by pinfall: Dynamite Kid
Analysis: **3/4 This was pretty good for the time given. The crowd was really into it. Kid was one of the best wrestlers ever due to his innovative style while Adonis was moving well for a bigger guy. Adonis worked on the left leg for most of the match, Kid sold it well, and then Kid found a way to get the win.
Jesse Ventura was backstage with Mean Gene Okerlund with Ventura talking about how he’s informed Randy Savage about what he has to do to win. Jesse claimed he will remain an unbiased announcer. Gene said Jesse wasn’t unbiased, but Jesse said that he was. This was just killing time.
Quarterfinals: Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat vs. “Macho Man” Randy Savage (w/Elizabeth)
Pre-match notes: Steamboat was the face while Savage was the heel.
This should be an awesome match. Savage hid behind Elizabeth before the bell rang and then Savage attacked from behind, but Steamboat came back with chops. Steamboat did a headscissors that sent Savage out of the ring. They were on the concrete floor with Steamboat delivering an atomic drop. Back in the ring, Steamboat knocked down Savage with a chop to the chest and Savage hit a belly to back suplex while Ventura was back on commentary. Savage went up top, jumped off and Steamboat came back with a punch. Savage was on the apron, so Steamboat suplexed him back into the ring. Steamboat up top and hit a cross body block for a two count. Savage grabbed an object out of his tights, Steamboat picked him up and Savage punched Steamboat in the head with the object (the referee couldn’t see it). Savage pinned Steamboat to get the cheap win at 4:02.
Winner: “Macho Man” Randy Savage
Analysis: ***1/4 It’s too bad it was only four minutes. They still had an awesome match and it was a nice tease of what they would do less than two years later at WrestleMania 3. The fans were really into it, they both moved around the ring so well as two of the best athletes of this era and I thought it was a technically sound wrestling match. Steamboat losing upset the fans, but that’s what happens when a heel like Savage cheats to win.
Moondog Spot was backstage for an interview with Mean Gene Okerlund. When Gene tried to ask questions, Spot just did some groaning without saying words.
Quarterfinals: Junkyard Dog vs. Moondog Spot
Pre-match notes: JYD was the face. Spot didn’t get much of a reaction at all.
Spot with punches and then a leaping attack off the ropes, but then Dog moved. Dog with some headbutts while on the ground and dog with a big headbutt. Dog covered Spot, there was no referee for some reason and Dog counted the pin himself. Dog left the ring, so that’s it? Sure. It went 0:45.
Winner by pinfall: Junkyard Dog
Analysis: 1/2* Quick match. Probably for the best. JYD was the bigger star. I have no idea why there was no referee. That was strange.
Bobby Heenan was interviewed by Mean Gene again. Heenan said that Hulk Hogan is the biggest name in sports today, but Heenan thinks he’s tired and Roddy Piper will be the new champion.
Quarterfinals: Paul Orndorff vs. Tito Santana
Pre-match notes: Both guys were babyfaces. Santana was also the Intercontinental Title. This was a non-title match.
Orndorff and Santana shook hands before the match. Santana grabbed a side headlock to control Orndorff on the mat, Orndorff fought out of it and Santana applied a headscissors around the neck. Orndorff countered into a pin attempt. They battled over an armbar for about a minute or so with Ventura saying he can feel the tension growing. Orndorff hit an atomic drop with Santana selling a left leg injury since Santana also had tape on his left hamstring. Ventura was mad at Orndorff for not going after the left leg, so then Orndorff did a takedown and wrenched back on the left leg for about a minute. Orndorff with an elbow drop to the left leg. Santana managed to kick Orndorff into the turnbuckle, then Santana favored the injured left leg some more and when they locked up, Orndorff hit a forearm to knock Tito out of the ring. They got into a slugfest on the floor, the referee was counting them out and Tito sent Orndorff into the ring post. They continued to fight on the floor, so they were both counted out at 8:01.
Match result: Double countout
The result meant that they were both out of the tournament.
Analysis: *3/4 They are two good wrestlers, but it was a boring match to watch with the crowd not really getting it. There were a lot of holds and reversals in the first half, so it was tough for the fans to react to it. The structure of this match didn’t work that well in terms of showing off the talents of Santana and Orndorff. The double countout finish is a way to book an ending that gives another wrestler an advance into the next round due to two guys being eliminated.
It was back to Vince and Alfred with the model on hand as the guys talked about the tournament results so far. Junkyard Dog moves on to the Finals while Randy Savage and Dynamite Kid face off in the Semifinals.
It was WWE Championship match time as “Rowdy” Roddy Piper made his entrance with some bagpipers joining him at ringside.
Hulk Hogan was interviewed backstage by Mean Gene Okerlund with Hogan wearing the WWE Championship around his waist. Hogan said that the whole world is going to witness this when Piper feels the wrath of the Hulkster. Hogan made his entrance to a big ovation. There was some weird dubbing on the music, so I don’t know what song it was, but they had “Real American” playing as well. The fans loved Hogan.
WWE Championship: Hulk Hogan vs. “Rowdy” Roddy Piper
Pre-match notes: Hulk Hogan was the WWE Champion while Piper was the heel.
Hogan was wrestling in white trunks and boots, so it was before he went to the yellow look although a lot of fans had the yellow Hogan shirts. Piper attacked Hogan right away, then they went to the floor with Hogan pulling Piper out of the ring they fought on the floor a bit. Hogan with a knee lift and then back into the ring. Piper did an eye poke, Hogan with a corner whip and a clothesline leading to Piper falling forward on a bump. Hogan with a belly to back suplex followed by a body slam and elbow drop. Hogan with another elbow drop. They went up against the turnbuckle with Piper getting a cheap shot punch to the face. Piper jumped off the middle rope, Hogan caught him in a bearhug and Piper did another eye poke to break free. Piper with a sleeper on Hogan’s back, Hogan to the ropes and then Piper managed to wear him down, so that lasted for about a minute as Hogan laid on the mat for a big. Hogan powered out of it, Piper was on his back and Hogan went over the top to the floor to the floor with Piper bumping on the floor as well. Hogan shoved Piper into the ring post. A fan tossed popcorn that missed both guys. Piper with punches, Hogan was no-selling and that turned into a slugfest when they got into the ring. Hogan with a boot to the face and an atomic drop. Piper avoided a charge by Hogan and sent Hogan into the referee, who bumped to the mat. Piper with a steel chair and Piper hit Hogan in the back with it. Hogan blocked another chair attack, Hogan grabbed the chair and hit Piper in the arm with it. Hogan applied a sleeper on Piper. Bob Orton went down to the ring and hit Hogan with the left arm cast to the back. The referee called for the DQ at 7:06.
Winner by disqualification: Hulk Hogan
Analysis: ** It was okay with a lame ending that didn’t surprise me just because if you watched Piper matches you knew how they would end if he was on the losing end. The DQ finish wasn’t a surprise since Piper refused to get pinned in matches. I don’t think he got pinned in a WWE ring until 1992 against Bret Hart. I’m not sure why Piper was like that, but he was. Anyway, Bob Orton was a longtime Piper ally, so they often had that kind of finish with Orton getting involved and Hogan leaving with the title in his hands.
After the match, Piper and Hogan continued to attack Hogan, but Paul Orndorff ran out there with a steel chair, so the heels retreated. Hogan celebrated the win with the fans cheering while the weird music overdubbing happened again.
Junkyard Dog was interviewed by Mean Gene Okerlund. It was a simple interview talking about Dog getting a bye into the finals.
Semifinals: “Macho Man” Randy Savage (w/Miss Elizabeth) vs. Dynamite Kid
Pre-match notes: Savage was a heel while Kid was a face. Savage and Elizabeth had different outfits on for every round in the tournament.
They battled over some holds on the mat, so Savage left the ring and did some stalling to regroup. Savage took control with punches and sent Kid into the turnbuckle. Kid with a shoulder tackle along with a back body drop. Kid hit a running cross body block into the ropes. Kid went for a sunset flip, but Savage sat on top to sit on the face. They ran the ropes leading to a double clothesline or a double headbutt kind of spot that put them both out on the mat. Savage went up top, but Kid hit him with an impressive dropkick. Kid went for a superplex, he connected with it and then Savage hooked the legs of Kid for the pinfall win. Macho Man wins! Kid thought he won, but it was Macho Man hooking the legs for the pinfall win at 5:03.
Winner by pinfall: “Macho Man” Randy Savage
Analysis: *** A really good five-minute match between two of the best workers of this era. I’m sure they enjoyed working with eachother in this match and I wish it got more time, but this show was full of short matches. The finish was a clever one that was fresh at the time although as we have watched pro wrestling in the decades since then, it’s not as unique a finish now. For 1985, a superplex like that was a huge move. They executed it perfectly. Kid had a really strong showing in the tournament while Savage once again reminded us how awesome he was.
It was back to Vince McMahon with Susan to give away a Rolls Royce car. This took a few minutes with Lord Alfred Hayes announcing a Rolls Royce was won by somebody named Michael Hanley in Illinois. The fans booed when he said the name or maybe he just didn’t care. When Hayes asked for a cheer, the fans booed some more.
Analysis: I hit fast forward. This was a way to kill a few minutes to give the wrestlers a break before the main event.
Hulk Hogan and Paul Orndorff were interviewed by Mean Gene Okerlund in the locker room. Hogan said that it looks like Roddy Piper and Bob Orton want more of this. Hogan said that any time they want to step in the ring, they are ready. Paul Orndorff complained about how Piper and Orton were always interfering in matches. Hogan said he had a little surprise for when they meet them again. The interview ended abruptly.
Randy Savage made his entrance first with Miss Elizabeth for the finals of the tournament. Junkyard Dog was up next to a pretty good pop. They dubbed over his theme song, so the audio was all messed up for it.
Tournament Finals: “Macho Man” Randy Savage (w/Miss Elizabeth) vs. Junkyard Dog
Pre-match notes: Dog was the face and Savage was the heel.
Savage hid behind Elizabeth again and then Savage bailed to the floor. Savage grabbed a steel chair from ringside, he threw it at Dog and then Dog headbutted the chair repeatedly. The referee removed the chair from the ring. Savage kept leaving the ring to get more heat for being a coward. When Savage got back into the ring, Dog hit him with a headbutt to the lower back. Dog with an atomic drop sent Savage across the ring. Dog applied a bearhug with Savage doing an eye gouge to the face. Dog worked over Savage with two forearms to the back. Dog with another headbutt to the lower back. Dog put his boot on Savage’s throat and then Savage finally got some momentum going with a running clothesline. Dog did a power kickout to show he had a lot left. Savage dumped Dog out of the ring, then Savage jumped off the top and hit a double axehandle to the back. Dog was on the floor, so Savage left the ring and drove Dog back first into the ring post. Savage was up top and he jumped off with a double axehandle on Dog. That’s a spot that Savage did a lot in his career. Savage hit Dog with a steel chair to the back. The referee saw it and did nothing about it. What? That was strange. Savage choked Dog across the top of the barricade. The referee was counting, then Savage went into the ring and the referee stopped counting Dog on the floor. Savage rolled Dog into the ring. Savage jumped off the top and Dog punched Savage in the ribs, so both guys were down. Dog hit did some of his famous crawling headbutts to pop the crowd. Dog pulled Savage by the legs off the ropes. Dog with a headbutt that set Savage up against the ropes with Randy’s arms tied against the ropes briefly. Savage with an eye gouge, then Savage charged and Dog did a back body drop over the top onto the cement floor. Savage was out on the floor, the referee was counting him out and Savage was not back in before the ten count. Junkyard Dog won by countout at 9:03. That led to a classic Gorilla-ism: “This place is going bananas!”
Winner by countout: Junkyard Dog
Analysis: ** I wanted to like the match a lot more than I did, but there was a lot of stalling and not enough action for my liking. Booking a countout finish to end the tournament was pretty lame too. Maybe they wanted to protect Savage by not having him do the job, but I feel like they could have had a better ending than this. It was a good spot to do. I just think it was weak as a finish.
Junkyard Dog was interviewed by Mean Gene in the ring. Jesse Ventura complained about how Dog wasn’t the rightful winner since Savage had to wrestle in the semifinals while Dog got a bye into the finals. Ventura left the ring complaining about the same thing. That led to no victory speech by Junkyard Dog.
There were a few minutes left with Vince McMahon wrapping things up. Some photos were shown from the event as credits rolled on the screen. That was the end of the show.
This event had a runtime of 2:26:25 on WWE Network.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Show rating (out of 10): 4
It’s a bad show. If you are into nostalgia where you can see a lot of mid-1980s wrestlers in a tournament then you might like it, but it’s not like there are a lot of great matches on here. I thought Randy Savage and Dynamite Kid really stood out with their in-ring performances. I just wish they got more time for some of their matches.
FIVE STARS
- Randy Savage
- Junkyard Dog
- Dynamite Kid
- Ricky Steamboat
- Hulk Hogan/Roddy Piper
OPINIONS
Best Match: Randy Savage vs. Ricky Steamboat (***1/4 out of 5)
Worst Match: Moondog Spot vs. Terry Funk (DUD)
Most Memorable Moment: Paul Orndorff saving Hulk Hogan from the double team attack of Roddy Piper and Bob Orton. I’m not sure what else to pick.
That’s all for me. Check out the full list of my WWE PPV Review archive right here. Thanks for reading.
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John Canton
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