Keith's Look Old School WWF, WCW, Indy etc Video releases

[Keith]

WWF Hottest Matches

Year: 1990 (summer time)

Rick "The Model" Martel VS. Tito Santana
First thing, some Monsoon/Heenan awesomeness as they bet each other dinner on the winner of the match! This is a good solid wrestling match, with lots of logic and a good crowd reaction. Santana focuses on the ankle for the first half of the match, and returns to it as it looks as if Martel is about to turn the tables, the heel sells it well. The Model uses more cheap rough house tactics, there's a good change over when Martel misses a spring board cross body and sustains a "high" back body drop and Santana's flying forearm which luckily for his ex-strike force partner sends him to the floor. At this point the hot headed Santana is too keen to get Martel back inside and ends up throwing the ref aside, which then opens the door for Martel to use his spray and gain the cheap victory. But remember kids its only cheating if you get caught.

***1/2

Lord Alfred Hayes tracks the history of the tag team championship over the last couple of years starting with Demolition's win over Strike Force at Mania 4 and ending with the start of The Heart Foundation's second reign against the same team at Summerslam 90. LAH also explains some of the key traits a good team must process, it is amusing to hear how he skips over the Brain Buster's brief reign.

Mooney's getting over heated back in the studio.

Tag Team Match of the Month
The Rockers VS. The Orient Express
A slower paced stiffer mat based affair than the explosive all out war of rumble 91, the Rockers lead much of the match, until the heels trap Jannetty in their half and Fuji's cane comes into play, things then explode briefly until the count out finish.

***

Fan Favourite match
Dusty Rhodes VS. Greg Valentine
Can't fault either's effort or the pacing of the match, but this just felt too much like a clash of styles.

**1/2

Jake "The Snake" Roberts profile
Roberts (wearing cool green and blue tights) VS. Akeem (yeah he's back)
Poor match.

**

Roberts VS. The Million Dollar Man
This is a good teaser for the feud to come, Robert takes out both bodyguard and employer at the start, then it settles down into a superb display of mat wrestling, an intense match, with some fun exchanges between Jake and Virgil.

***1/2

Brutus Beefcake VS. Haku
Boring!

**

Manager profile - Sensational Queen Sherri (not much of a profile just her screaming about how she tends to the Macho King's every need and is more than just a great manager, but a great woman, I love Sherri, but C'mon!).

Shawn Michaels VS. The Million Dollar Man
This is Rocker Michael's a long way off his HBK run and even further of true greatness. Its passible, nothing more, nothing less.

***

Superstar workout (WTF!)

Dusty Rhodes & Sapphire (with Miss Elizabeth) VS. Macho King & Sensational Queen Sherri (with Brother Love)
Fun back and fourth heels/faces match, lots of good heel antics including from Love. Good chelmstry between Rhodes and Savage as they do some hot brawling, another strong crowd response too.

Heenan: "There's a rumour that Lady Di is considering having her makeup done like Sherri"
Monsoon: "Would you be serious":

***

Verdict: Most of the add-ons are needless, bar the tag title history one, however most of the matches range from good to solid. There is nothing exception, but imo a watchable two hours.

Coming up next I will be reviewing WWF's High Flyers

 

[Keith]

WWF High Flyers

Year:1988

Hosted by:'Mean' Gene Okerlund

A collection of matches which are supposed to highlight some of WWF's best risk takers at the time.

Virgil (w/Ted Dibiase) VS. The Macho Man Randy Savage (W/Elizabeth looking damn fine!)
This felt more like a handicap or feud advancement match, with most of the action taking place between Dibiase and Savage. Plus Macho only does two
high risk moves in the whole match.

**

The Conquistadors VS. The Rockers
This is quite a one sided match with the mask men filling the role of jobbers, but at least it shows off the one thing the Rockers had going for them at the
time and the point of this release those flashing high risk and double team moves. Highlights are the double drop kick, Jannetty's monkey flip on both
Conquistadors, Michael's fist drop off the top and Billy Graham's claim that The Conquistadors shower with their masks on:white:

**1/2

Women's Tag Team Championship
The Jumping Bomb Angels (Noriyo Tateno, Hosuk Yamazaki)(c) VS. The Glamour Girls (Judy Martin, Leilani Kai) (w/Jimmy Hart)
Easily the stand out match of this video. The Bomb Angels make for compelling faces, with exciting aerial moves, skilful counter holds and unpredictable
brawling, while Glamour girls are the nasty, dirty heels who bring the heavy rough house tactics and a dynamic submission style to play. Tateno really
impresses with a snap there off the top, flying kicks and headbutt and the double underhook suplex. She scores the win with a rolling cradle on Martin
as Yamazaki takes out Kai with a drop kick. Match would have been even better if given five or six minutes longer. For those who have not seen it check
out the elimination match featuring these teams from Survivor Series 87.

***

The Shadows The Young Stallions
Rubbish filler match, nothing of note happens.

*

Koko B. Ware & The Blue Blazer VS. Danny Davis & Jose Astrander
The only thing I liked here was Koko's kick arse "Piledriver" theme.

**

Verdict: Baffling collection with only three of the five matches really selling the point of the release and two of them are one sided affairs. Also it was
an odd choice of Macho match.

Davey Boy Smith the British Bulldog

Year:1992 (matches from late 91)

There was a earlier collection of the British Bulldogs best matches as a team, this looks at the start of Davey Boy's solo run in the WWF.

Smith VS. The Warlord **
Very dull.

Smith VS. The 'Model' Rick Martel ***
Enjoyable match which would have better if given a bit longer.

Smith VS. Shawn Michaels (w/Sherri) ****
These two always had great chemistry and while not quite their best match, this is a fine blend of brawling, high flying and power wrestling with a great
flow as always.

Smith VS. Earthquake (w/Jimmy Hart) ***
Solid action, the clash of styles works well.

Smith VS. I.R.S. ***1/2
Nicely paced match, with the underrated Irwin working the British fans to perfection.

Verdict: Long before a WWF/WWE wrestler profile release meant more than just random matches crammed into an hour, this is one of the better ones. It
gives a nice taster of just why Smith was one of the finest all rounders in ring of the early 90s with a versatile range of bouts, with just the Warlord dud
expandable. It could have covered a longer period, but I recommend it.

My next review will be WWF's Greatest Hits (like Hottest matches a silly title).

 

[Keith]

WWF Greatest Hits

Year: November 1990 - February 1991

Intercontinental Championship
Texas Tornado (c) VS. Mr Perfect (w/ Bobby the 'Brain' Heenan)
At the start of the match Ted Dibiase buys off Howard Finkel making himself the guest ring announcer for the bout I smell a rat... Besides that story nothing much else happens here, this is even shorter than the summerslam match but not as good. That had a better flow to it and the way Tornado was booked as a unpredictable rookie (in WWF at least) was credible. This feud could have been so much better.

**

Marty Jannetty VS. The Model Rick Martel
Here Jannetty gives as good as he gets in a vert enjoyable back and fourth match, with some sound mat wrestling and strong selling, as well as creative high spots and well timed counters. The finish is pretty neat too as Jannetty attempts a sunset flip, but goes too high on it, and Martel ducks causing the Rocker to come crashing down on his head which is enough for Martel to steal the win.

***1/2

Tugboat & Hulk Hogan VS. Rhythm & Blues (w/ Jimmy Hart)
Most of the good action happens post match, with Hogan tossing the heels (including Dino Bravo and Hart) around in entertaining fashion before Earthquake comes out to a number on Hogan to tease their Summerslam meeting.

**

The Big Boss Man VS. The Barbarian
Pretty stiff, hard hitting match with The Barbarian put over in bad arse form and Boss Man taking one hell of a arse kicking but still showing that fighting spirit. Highlights include the Boss Man's jumping kick to the back of the head, the cross body off the top which is reversed by the Barbarian for a close two and the sunset flip for the Boss Man's win. Surprising how watchable it is and the rumble 91 match was even better.

***

WWF Championship
The Ultimate Warrior (c) VS. The Million Dollar Man Ted Dibiase (w/ Virgil)
A thrilling, well assembled and heated match with some exciting near falls. This felt different from about 95% of Warrior matches, easily in his top five and Dibiase proves just what a world class talent he was with one of his finest ever efforts. THIS IS A MUST SEE MATCH PEOPLE!!!

****

Verdict: It is a shame that most of the matches are cut down, however for different reasons the WWF Title and Martel VS. Jannetty are must see gems and Boss Man VS. Barbarian is also a solid big man encounter.

 

[Kiffy Lube]

Is that match with Ted Dibiase for Ultimate Warrior like his other 'good' matches with the likes of Rick Rude and Macho Man?

 

[Keith]

More like the Rude one from SS 89 if anything. What's quite different is how it turns into a quicker paced match in the second half, after being ground pace for the first half.

 

[Keith]

WWF Wrestlefest' 91

Year:April 1991

Hosted by:The Macho Man Randy Savage

We join our host poolside having a nightmare about his retirement match loss to the Warrior at Mania 7. Macho says he needs some therapy and hosting Wrestlefest is just the thing.

Fan Favourite match
Earthquake (w/Jimmy Hart) VS. The Ultimate Warrior
I am going to stick up for this match, partly because it was short and also because Earthquake controlled most of it and with a sound game plan and got some good crowd heat. The finish was dumb, Warrior powered out of Quake's sit down splash and then pinned him seconds later with a body slam and big splash. This made Earthquake look weak.

**1/2

Jimmy Hart - Manager cam. Now this was very funny, my favourite line is when he tells the ref to "quit picking your nose!" lol.
Bossman VS. Mountie

**1/2

The Rockers VS. Power & Glory (w/Slick)
Boring and sloppy match.

**

The Million Dollar Man VS. The Texas Tornado (w/Virgil)
This was good but needed to be a bit longer. It was partly to advance the Dibiase/Virgil feud. The story of the match is quite strong with Dibiase and Virgil having some heated exchanges at ringside and Tornado taking advantage with a quicker pace attack and some quick near falls through roll ups. Dibiase then turns the tables on the outside after TT misses a Tornado punch on the ring post and from there TMDM focuses on his injuried wrist, slamming it on the steps, back inside he strikes with a clothesline and fist drop. The heel ozes with confidence as Texas regroups outside, but as Dibiase brings him back inside, Virgil scoops the leg, allowing the Tornado to come down on Dibiase and with the ex-body guard holding onto the foot the ref counts three.

***

Haku VS. The British Bulldog
Now this is a cracking little gem, both men showing their range and giving the fans well how of a battle with Haku proving just why he was one of the 90s most underrated talents. The first highlight comes with the Bulldog's double leap frogs leading to a nice standing drop kick sending Haku to the floor. Back inside Haku catches Bulldog in the corner with some chops but is then caught in a sleeper off the ropes which he sells perfectly before countering with a arm drag. A monkey flip attempt is countered by a Haku atomic drop and he scores a two from a pile driver. Haku then applies a sleeper of his own which almost puts Davey Boy out, finally he powers out and pace quickers with a school boy countered before both collide with flying body tackles which Smith gets the better of for a hot two and a half count. Haku recovers with chops and a chin lock, but both men exchange blows until Haku misses with a drop kick and takes a back drop and clothesline for two. Davey drops his head too soon and is caught but as his foe charges off the ropes the Bulldog ducks behind and hooks the crucifix for the win. A thrilling match with great effort from both.

****

Beefcake gives the viewers some grooming tips and he uses MUD!!

The Model Rick Martel VS. Greg the Hammer Valentine
This is one of those matches which started slow and by the time it got was over. Valentine doesn't work as well as a face imo. Passible match. A bit of a comedown for Martel after feuding with Roberts at Mania 7.

**1/2

Koko B. Ware VS. The Warlord (W/Slick)
Total dud, never believed that Koko had a chance of pinning the Warlord.

*

Tag Team Match of the Month
The Hart Foundation VS. The Legion of Doom
Two awesome teams at the peak of their powers, WWE and TNA should both watch this tape now! The Harts take the lead as the heels for the match and it is pretty none-stop from the start. Neidhart and Animal collide with power moves first and take a double clothesline, before Animal hits a flying shoulder block at which point both teams tag, Bret escapes a Hawk press attempt but is then back dropped to the floor. Back inside the Hitman hits a neck breaker for a two count. The Harts tag in and out, with Bret getting a cheap shot on Animal from the outside, as they fight on the outside the ref is tyed up and the Anvil gets a two from a clothesline. Hawk is trapped in their corner and takes a power slam for another two, Bret scores another near fall with a elbow off the second rope then he floats over to apply a face lock. A Harts double team sling shot into the corner for a two, then Bret starts getting under Animal's skin and causes him to leave his corner and when the ref is trying to get him back the Hitman strikes with a flying clothesline as his partner holds Hawk in position, Animal breaks up the cover. Bret hits an atomic drop but then a double team sling shot misses in the corner, leading to the HOT Tag! Animal takes on both men then sending his own partner into Bret with a clothesline. Attempted Dooms Day device is blocked when Neidhart grabs Hawk and sends him to the floor. Back breaker from the Hitman, then more double teaming, shoulder block from the Anvil but then as he shoots Bret off the top for a cross body Animal catches him and turns it into a power slam and with Hawk grabbing onto Neidhart the L.O.D pick up a great win to remain undefeated in the WWF. The teams shake hands afterwards, fantastic match.

****

Marty Jannetty VS. Tanaka (w/Mr Fiji)
So-so match. Tanaka looks impressive and proving a good heel and leader of the match, but Marty is very off with his timing and looks green in singles (unlike during the Martel match from greatest hits).

**1/2

Verdict: Hit and miss, starts solid, then has a poor middle, but a very exciting finish. There are a couple of duds but it is worth it just for the Harts VS. Doom and Bulldog VS. Haku matches. I say check it out.

Next time I will review WCW The Best of the 1990s and The Undertaker: The Phenom

 

[Keith]

WWF Smack'em, Whack'em

Year: 1993 (matches between Spring and Fall 92 I think)

Host: Lord Alfred Hayes (at a Demolition site joined be Co-hosts the Bushwackers)

Crush VS. The Berzerker (one of Alfred's favorites) (W/Mr. Fuji)
Nothing much happens in this predictable power man match which is stuff full of random punches, kicks and power moves. Neither were really over, and Crushes backbreaker looked really crap. Dud!

* 1/2

The Repo Man VS. Earthquake
A pretty one sided, but fun filler bout. Earthquake cleans house like only he could!:lesnar:

** 1/2

"MEAN!! WOOO! GENE"!!!! Gets a taste of what Yokozuna's diet consists of in "Cooking for the Single Man". As the broadcaster has to sit through the long eating session he comes out with such belters as "That is the most incredible display I have seen" Seeing Gene almost vomit at such displays is priceless:alicia:

Bret Hart Video Profile
Monsoon interviews the WWF Champion inbetween matches.

Intercontinental Title Ladder Match Shawn Michaels (W/Sherri) VS. Bret Hart (c)
Compared to many ladder matches since and also the standards of the two involved this now seems a bit dated and maybe not up their efforts (I still think their Survivor series 92 effort was the best one on one between the two), however it is still very solid and worth checking out as the first match of its kind in WWF. The pacing early on is good, with a lot of teasing over who is going to grab the ladder first and attempt to either use it or climb to victory thus really selling the importance of this portion of the match. It is actually the Hitman who gets hold of the ladder first, but thanks to a distraction from Sherri HBK drags the ladder out of his hands and almost gets the title, before Bret's save. After exchanges in the corner it is Michaels who takes control by using the ladder as a weapon hitting Hart in the guts with it. Hart then dodges a second shot, but is irish whipped into the ladder. As the heel sets up the ladder for another climb, Bret grabs his leg and drags him down to the mat at which point the ladder crashes down onto the challenger. Hart goes for the gold, but is blocked and set head first into the ladder, but then Shawn takes a silly chance and runs into a Hitman boot. The tide is turning and Bret scores with an impressive flying clothesline, and slingshots Shawn into the ladder, he then hits a backbreaker and starts to set up the ladder again, but touches the title, but HBK cuts him off just in time, the two then collide head first off the ropes as Sherri goes nuts at ringside! The pair both climb, but end up knocking each other down, with help from his manager Shawn hits the superkick followed by a back suplex and seems to have the title in the bag, but Bret recovers in time to drop kick him to the floor allowing Bret to grab the title and the victory.

***

WWF Title Kamala (W/Harvey Whippleman, and Kimji) VS. Bret Hart (c)
Reasonable match considering Kamala's usual standards. The finish is a little odd as Bret gets the win using a school boy after confulsion at ringside with Kamala and Kimji.

**

WWF Title Bret Hart VS. Ric Flair (c) (W/Mr. Perfect)
This is a really gem between two guys at the top of their games, whatever you want to say about Flair, and ego problems during his first WWF stint, fact is he delivered here and did everything he could to make Bret the star. I rank this even higher than their WCW match which was very good also. Bret takes the first major control with a hammer lock, the two then trade holds in the corner, Flair gets in a reverse chop. Hart blocks a suplex attempt and gets a two count off a snap suplex, he then hits a back drop before teasing a sharpshooter, but instead gives Flair a shot down stairs. The champion reverses a headlock into a wristlock, but then is taken down into an armbar in the smooth sequence. A drop toe hold by Flair who then floats over, but Bret counters into another hammerlock (Flairs selling here is first class). Bret hits a leg drop on the arm, but Flair turns the tables and tosses Bret to the floor. The Hitman goes for a sunset flip, but Flair retains his balance and escapes, Hart gets it the second time around however, with the help of some tights for a two count. Bret then reverses a irish whip and hits a nice back drop, followed up with a couple of running clotheslines, and the champion takes a time out. Back inside Hart scores a two off a headbutt, but then takes a thumb to the eye (good old Ric!). Flair starts working over Bret's knee to set up the figure four. Following a snap there, Flair misses with a knee drop, Bret then goes for a figure four but is kicked into the corner. Flair locks in the figure four and gets back to back two counts before Hart makes the ropes. Bret gets a near fall off a back slide, then traps Ric in a sleeper, but the hold is quickly countered into a back suplex. The champion takes over with a small package and double under hook suplex for a pair of twos. Ric then disputes the count with the ref, allowing Hart to almost steal it with a roll up. Flair back on top, slaps on the figure four for at least a couple of minutes, before both men take turns in reversing the hold and end up in the ropes. Like a true pro Flair returns to the knee, Hart counters another figure four attempt with a package for two. Bret wins a fist fight, but then is caught by a boot. Flairs attempts to Fly, however is caught up top and takes a rocket launcher for his efforts. Bret scores a two with an elbow drop, then hits the side Russian legsweep for another two, a backbreaker and elbow drop off the top ropes follow, and he gets another two from snap suplex. A superplex is then followed by the sharp shooter for the emotionally victory in from of his home country fans. Excellent wrestling match, surely one of the best of 1992.

****

Razor Ramon VS. The Undertaker (W/Paul Bearer)
Take dominates most of the early going as his stalks Razor around the ring, the Bad Guy catches him back inside, but his blows have little or no effect. Powering through them Taker chokes Ramon in the corner. Follows this up THAT TOP WALK!! Ramon is able to get a knee lift in, but then takes a slam, although Taker then misses a elbow drop. Ramon clotheslines him to the floor, but Taker lands on his feet and hits a clothesline back in. Ramon then ducks a splash in the corner, and connects with a nice bulldog off the ropes. Outside the heel uses a chair and fires Taker into the ring steps (this is the only part of the match where Razor looked a threat). Back inside Taker sits up from a bodyslam and hits sidewalk slam, followed by elbow drops, however Ramon grabs the Urn from Bearer and strikes Taker with it (behind the ref's back), but can only get a two count, Undertaker regains the edge and hits a choke slam at which point Ramon decides to take the count out loss. Overall this was a flawed match, and certainly rushed, but given the amount of selling Razor had today, and the limitations of Undertaker at the time, it was pretty decent. Also, it is a good example of just how much Taker improved in the years since (but of course how unique that character was at the time), and also what a great heel Ramon was at the time.

***

Verdict: The tape gets off to a slow start, but really takes off with Bret's Video Profile, not only are the matches mostly rewarding, with one a true classic, but Bret also adds some depth in his interviews and they nicely trance his history and run up to the title. Thanks to Mean Gene and Mr Fiji the Yokozuna feature is also oddly entertaining. Solid viewing, I say give it a go!

Next up I should be reviewing SuperTape 92.