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WWF at The Boston Garden
May 2, 1987

by Scrooge McSuck

It feels like we haven't covered a house show in a good while on the 1987 deep dive, and for good reason: Since WrestleMania III, the WWF only ran a handful of live shows, mostly in the Quebec and Alberta area, giving a significant chunk of the roster most of the month of April off, except for taping TV in Worcester and New Haven, covering TV through the middle of May. With house shows back in the rotation, it feels like we have some normalcy again instead of trying to feast off the scraps of what TV tapings provide us for content beyond "X squashes Y in 90 seconds."

The WWF ran three cards, with what looks like a B-Show at Chicago's Rosemont Horizon headlined by Steamboat and Savage in a Cage, and then a C-Show in Clinton, NY, with Billy Jack vs. Hercules in a Chain Match as the featured attraction.

Nick Kiniski vs. Frenchie Martin:

Suddenly, my thanks for jumping back into the house show circuit turns sour as I'm treated to the dull-as-dishwater son of Gene Kiniski against all-schtick Frenchie. Kiniski offers a handshake like a goober and Martin casually waves him off. Lockup to the ropes and Kiniski gives a clean break. Martin with a side headlock, countered by Kiniski with a head-scissors. Whip to the ropes, Kiniski with a punt to the chest, followed by an arm drag into the arm bar. A very loud "BORING" chant picks up as Frenchie gets to the ropes. Martin with a cheap shot, but Kiniski quickly turns things around and goes back to the arm. We reset again, and move along with more of the same. Kiniski meets the buckle on a missed charge, allowing Martin to take control, working in his patented nerve hold. Kiniski to his feet, but he's cut off with a knee to the midsection and dumped to the floor. Kiniski back in with a sunset flip for a two-count. Whip and they smack heads for a double-down. Kiniski with a dropkick, and now he's all fired up. Frenchie keeps begging off, but Nick won't give him any mercy. Martin gets sent chest-first to the buckle and Kiniski finishes with a bridging german suplex at 11:33. Well, that was a nice finish. Kiniski didn't have much in his arsenal and probably would have been better off selling for more of the match, but then we're stuck with Frenchie doing all the work. Either way, not an ideal situation. *

The Islanders vs. Demolition (w/ Mr. Fuji):

Looking at the available results, it looks like Demolition was splitting their time working with the Islanders and Killer Bees (with Roma and Powers sprinkled in here and there). Some jabroni plays "Real American" for a few seconds before realizing they goofed. Lord Alfred notes that he doesn't believe that the Islanders have lost a match in 1987 (Spoilers: They've lost A LOT in 1987). Tama and Smash start. Tama flashes his speed and agility and goes to work on the left arm. Whip to the ropes and Tama hits a cross body press. Smash goes to the eyes of Haku and Ax catches him off the ropes with a slam. Haku avoids an elbow drop and stuns Ax with a reverse thrust kick. Whip to the ropes and Ax stiff-arm clotheslines Haku back to the Island of Tonga. Haku wins a strike exchange with Smash and brings Tama back in to keep punishing the arm. Ax with a cheap-shot from the apron and Fuji gets some shots in while the referee is distracted. Ax and Smash take turns working a chin-lock. Tama gets sent to the floor, but not before having his foot caught in the ropes, leaving him hanging out to dry. Back inside, Tama surprises Smash with a diving clothesline and makes the tag to Haku. He runs wild on Demolition, including a DOUBLE NOGGIN KNOCKER. Whip and a dropkick to Smash, followed by a double elbow and jumping headbutt. Heck breaks loose with all four men in the ring. Ax smashes Tama in the throat with Fuji's cane and Smash covers for three (despite Haku coming in early to interrupt the count) at 9:34. Perfectly cromulent match. Nothing special, but for the spot on the card, satisfactory and kept at a reasonable length. **½

Sivi Afi vs. Iron Mike Sharpe:

OK, I apologize to Nick Kiniski. I'll gladly watch his match with Frenchie Martin instead of the threat of Superfly Sivi vs. Iron Mike. It's a battle of two enhancement talents, so you can consider this a pick ‘em. My money is on Afi, but there's a good chance Sharpe gets his occasional W. Sharpe attacks while referee Jack Kruger is checking Sivi Afi's gear. Whip is reversed and Afi with a series of arm drags, sending Sharpe to the outside for a breather. Back inside, Sharpe cranks on a side headlock. He blocks a hip toss attempt, but Sivi audibles with a head-scissors. Afi with THE WORST ARM DRAG I'VE EVER SEEN, with Sharpe spiking himself on the spot. Sharpe calls for a test-of-strength and can't wait to plant a boot to the midsection to take control. Afi manages to reverse the hold and Sharpe powders again. Afi no-sells blows to the head, of course. He sends Sharpe to the corner but misses a dive, hitting the turnbuckles himself. Afi with an even worse sunset flip than arm drag. Good gravy… This just keeps going and the crowd doesn't care. Afi hits Sharpe with a diving double chop and comes off the top with a sledge for two. Whip across the ring, Afi pops Sharpe with a clothesline and comes off the top with a flying body press, but Sharpe rolls through and hooks the tights for three at 9:38. This felt like it wouldn't end. The only positive I can say is that it was kept under 10-minutes. ZERO STARS

WWF Championship Match: Hulk Hogan (c) vs. "The King" Harley Race:

OK, not to rain on the parade of what will likely be a good match, we're seeing the effects of unleashing Andre the Giant as Hogan's top threat for WrestleMania III; everybody else pales in comparison, especially a guy in a silly gimmick with zero reason to be invested in the match since there's no "heat" angle taped for syndication to give Race momentum. One fan somehow gets to ringside with their sign before being sent away. Lockup and Race with a knee to the midsection for the early advantage. Hogan reverses a whip to the corner and charges in with a clothesline before sending Race to the floor with a backwards over-the-top-rope bump. Race asks for mercy but Hogan won't grant his wish. The Champion's aggressive pursuit allows Race to land a headbutt to the midsection, but Hogan blocks a suplex and takes Race over with a suplex of his own.

Race with a handful of tights to send Hogan through the ropes. Back inside, Race drops a series of knees across the head for a two-count. The fight spills to the floor, with Race dropping his signature headbutt. Hogan counters a piledriver, dropping Race on the unprotected Boston Garden floor. Back inside, Hogan unloads with right hands and plants Race with a slam. Race avoids an elbow drop and grabs a sleeper. Hogan's selling is a bit comical as he slowly slumps to the canvas. Hogan fights to his feet and escapes with elbows to the midsection. Hogan with more rights and the AXE BOMBER~! Race with more headbutts to slow down the Hulkster's comeback. Hogan is showing color to sell the effects, and when someone headbutts you repeatedly, I can't disagree with using that moment to do it. Hogan is a MESS, but he manages to avoid a flying headbutt and rolls Race up for three to retain at 9:18. Post-match, Race interrupts Hogan's celebration, bashing him with the crown. Ignoring Race having little credibility as a title contender, this was a fine match that played to the strengths that Race could offer at this point. ***

During Intermission, we get a promo from Hogan challenging Harley Race to another match, but this time it's going to be no rules and no time limits. There doesn't need to be a referee either! Hogan says if he can't win, he'll quit wrestling and hand the belt over to Bobby "The Weasel" Heenan.

Ken Patera vs. The Honkytonk Man (w/ Jimmy Hart):

Patera is subbing for Jake Roberts, who is selling a shoulder injury (or maybe he's legit hurt. I don't know, but I know he's soon-to-be-suspended for a drug violation, so 1987 is not a great year for Roberts). Patera is a reasonable sub, I suppose, since they haven't burned through his star power quite yet (the arm injury was pretty much the door slamming shut on him). Honky with the chicken-sh*t routine on the floor to start. Lockup to the ropes, Honky misses a right hand and Patera slams him across the ring, sending Honky to the floor and comically bumping into the guardrail. Back inside, Patera works the back as Jimmy loses it at the broadcast table. Honky with a cut-off, but Patera quickly regains control, targeting the arm now. Jake earns his payday, taunting Honky with the ominous bag. Patera meets the post on a charge to the corner, allowing Honky to take over. 10-seconds of watching Honky throwing strikes is enough for me to beg for Patera to cut him off. Honky traps Patera in the Andre Special and gets some wide open shots. Honky taunts Jake a little too much, allowing Patera to recover. He hits Honky with an atomic drop and takes him over with a BAAAAACK body-drop. Whip to the ropes and Patera grabs a bearhug. Honky escapes, but is tripped up by Roberts soon after and Patera drops the elbow for three at 9:23. Honky complains and almost gets the Damian treatment, but Hart whacks Patera with the megaphone to save him from such an unfortunate fate. Lots of shtick to go with the smoke and mirrors of having Jake at ringside to keep this one interesting. *

"The Duke of Dorchester" Pete Doherty vs. Sika (w/ Mr. Fuji):

Yay, another appearance from Doherty. I forgot, it was a rule to book this bozo whenever they came to the Boston Garden. Lockup into the corner and Sika claws and bites the dirty homeless man. Whip to the ropes, Doherty ducks a clothesline and knocks Sika out of the ring with a dropkick. Back inside, Sika no-sells some right hands and lays Doherty out with a chop. Doherty goes to the eyes to create separation. Sika with another cut-off, staggering Doherty with a headbutt. Doherty goes after the toes but Sika is done selling. Whip to the ropes and a Samoan drop finishes at 3:08. About 3-minutes too long. ZERO STARS

Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake vs. "Luscious" Johnny Valiant:

Valiant is working the house show loop as the fill-in for "Adorable" Adrian, who was terminated shortly after WrestleMania III for being Adrian Adonis. Poor Valiant was doomed to countless hair trimmings through the Spring and Summer. Beefcake puts the boots to Valiant and plants him with a slam, sending Johnny V to the floor for a powder. Beefcake brings Valiant in with a slingshot and unloads in the corner with right hands. This is like a miserable syndication squash, with a crowd not really into it because Valiant has so little credibility and it's not exactly Beefcake vs Adrian Adonis. Johnny throws some punches but is quickly cut off and put down with a sleeper at 3:19. Post-match, Valiant gets some more public humiliation. I hope he has some miracle hair growth from the local drug store. ZERO STARS

WWF Tag Team Championship Match:
The Hart Foundation (c) (w/ Jimmy Hart) vs. The British Bulldogs:

It should be interesting to see how much Dynamite does in the ring. These teams have been at it for all of 1987 over the Tag Team Titles. Matilda goes after Jimmy's megaphone while the Bulldogs don't waste time working over the Champions. Neidhart and Bret are knocked into each other, sending Bret to the floor. Jimmy picks the ankle of Smith, allowing the Foundation to take control. Davey Boy hangs back to avoid a dropkick and rams Bret into the head of Dynamite. Dynamite tags in, hits a short-clothesline, and tags back out. Whip and Davey with a crucifix cradle for a near-fall. Dynamite back in, and it's clear he doesn't have much behind any of what he does, and seems to feel the immediate effects of a falling headbutt. Anvil and Bret take turns working over Dynamite with mostly basic stuff that doesn't require much bumping (they do slip in the combo elbow and back breaker, but protect him well). Dynamite teases a snap suplex, but Bret blocks. We get the missed hot tag as Dynamite fights through a front face-lock to get to his corner. The Foundation has a miscommunication, allowing Davey to get the hot tag. He nails Neidhart with a dropkick and clothesline but Bret saves. Davey Boy with a sleeper hold and Bret saves again. Dynamite shuffles in as heck breaks loose. Jimmy sneaks in, but Davey knocks the megaphone from his hands and uses it on Bret and Neidhart, drawing the cheap disqualification at 7:48. As good as you're going to get when one guy on a team shouldn't be physically cleared to compete. It's borderline distracting knowing how bad of shape he's in and trying to work through it. **

Final Thoughts: One of those cards that doesn't really have much promise and isn't a complete waste of time either. Hogan/Race is solid, though the lack of credibility based on his WWF run makes it feel like a foregone conclusion, and there's a couple of decent tag team matches, but one is as bad as a match as you're getting when you advertise the Hart Foundation vs British Bulldogs, and the rest of the card feels extra lifeless, with a few quick squashes thrown in to pad things out. Hogan/Race worked a bunch in the Spring, so you're likely to find a better match on a better card and can leave this one behind.

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