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WWF TV Taping: Worcester, MA - April 23, 1987

by Scrooge McSuck

We are FINALLY putting WrestleMania III and some lame duck television in our rearview mirror and pushing forward with MORE 1987 World Wrestling Federation action! Following WrestleMania III, the WWF only ran a select number of shows in the Quebec and Alberta area, with the roster getting time off for what feels like forever. Relaxing time is over and it's back to work, as we've got "sweeps” month to get through! All content taped for Superstars of Wrestling will bring us through the weekend of May 16th-17th.

To my surprise, the WWF tried for a THIRD time to get something out of Missy Hyatt and "Missy's Manor”, taping interviews with Randy Savage and Elizabeth, Bobby Heenan, Ken Patera, and Adrian Adonis and Jimmy Hart. Yep, four interviews for three weeks of TV, and as we all know, none of it was used for TV and this is it for the Hyatt experiment and trying to replace Piper's Pit with a new, unique talk-show setting. The Snake Pit would continue through the Summer, and that would be it for these style of segments until the late-Spring/early-Summer of 1988, but we're getting ahead of ourselves. In place of these set interviews, they would send people like Gene Okerlund or Craig DeGeorge out to interview the Superstars on the raised platform.

I'd normally follow this with a long run-down of matches intended for the live audience, but it looks like we have multiple matches that made it to TV or home video release, as well as an interesting scenario where a match was unusable and re-done. Of matches that didn't fit any of that, we had Jake Roberts taking on Kamala, and a showcase for those mysterious Shadows. With that said, we'll jump into a match taped for non-Superstars of Wrestling TV...

The Rougeau Brothers vs. The Magnificent Muraco & Bob Orton (w/ Mr. Fuji)

Taped for broadcast on the May 11th episode of Prime Time Wrestling. Both teams were on the losing end of their respective matches at WrestleMania III, and only the Rougeau Brothers seem to have a house show program worth mentioning. Jacques and Muraco start. Muraco sends Jacques to the ropes and staggers him with a shoulder block. Jacques is sent to the canvas with another tackle, but nips up and surprises the showboating Muraco with a victory roll for a two-count. Raymond goes for a top wrist-lock but Muraco throws him off with a handful of hair. Raymond gives Muraco a taste of his own medicine and Orton accidentally blasts his partner in an attempt to help out. Orton tries his luck and gets caught with a cross body press. Whip to the ropes and Jacques comes in from the apron with a sunset flip for two. Muraco walks into a series of arm drags and gets caught on the Rougeaus side of the ring. Whip to the ropes and Fuji trips up Raymond, finally turning the tide for his men. Orton with a belly-to-belly suplex for two. Fuji gets more shots in from the floor while the referee struggles to maintain order. Muraco with a sloppy swinging neck breaker for two. Most of this heat segment has been Raymond trapped in the corner getting choked or poked, and occasionally both. Raymond manages to create some separation and tags in Jacques. He runs wild on both men, including a DOUBLE NOGGIN KNOCKER. Whip to the ropes and a diving elbow to Orton gets two. Whip and Raymond with a crescent kick to the midsection for two. Whip and a double dropkick, but Muraco saves. Heck breaks loose with Muraco and Orton ignoring the referee's count and the bell rings at 10:20, awarding the match to Jacques and Raymond by Disqualification. Weak finish and just an OK match. It wasn't bad, but they never really took it off cruise control.

On top of loading episodes with more name vs name matches and filming a major angle (more on all of that later), there's also the usual emphasis on slotting a bunch of the JTTS level guys into matches, including Randy Savage squashing Special Delivery Jones, Ricky Steamboat having a semi-competitive match with Tiger Chung Lee, Paul Roma and Jim Powers teaming with Joe Mirto in a loss against Slick's trio of Sheik, Volkoff and Butch Reed, and the Killer Bees and Koko B. Ware all donning the Bees mask in a six-man against Terry Gibbs, THE DUKE OF DORCHESTER, and Steve Lombardi to go with our usual squash matches of lesser-known/local enhancement talent.

We're treated to one of the all-time memorable angles of 1987 (taped for broadcast on May 2nd), as "Mean” Gene Okerlund is stationed in the ring to host a face-to-face debate between Bobby "The Brain” Heenan and his former protege, Ken Patera. Home viewers are caught up with a recap of Patera's vignettes, as well as Heenan's reaction on the set of Prime Time Wrestling. Okerlund breaks down the rules that each man will be given equal time for opening comments, rebuttal and closing remarks. Heenan really lays it in hard to get everyone on Patera's side, constantly referring to him as ex-con in as degrading of a tone as possible, while Patera repeatedly mentions how he paid his debt to society and he's proud to have the opportunity to return to the WWF. There's a stretch where Heenan is bleeped out for the TV audience with a disclaimer that Heenan's comments were too heinous. Heenan has a letter that says Patera is a vicious and violent animal and throws the crumpled paper in his face. Patera says he's glad to be through with Heenan and his Weasel Family and vents frustration at Heenan abandoning him and breaking all contact from himself and his family. Heenan responds that he's a businessman, not a babysitter, and what Patera does outside the ring is none of his concern. Patera says there's one thing left for him to do and that's rid the world of scum like Heenan. Heenan threatens to throw every member of his Family to break Patera. All he was concerned with was pressing weights, but all he's good for is pressing plates. All Patera wanted was a belt, so Heenan gives him one, lashing him repeatedly. Patera cuts Heenan off, wraps the belt around his neck, and whips him across the ring with a spectacular bump (and one that, in storyline, leads to Heenan wearing a neck brace for most of 1987).

This segment served its purpose, and later in the taping, would lead to a match between Ken Patera and Hercules, intended for the May 16th-17th weekend of broadcast, but the match taped didn't deliver a satisfactory effort, and they ended up taping a second match the next night in New Haven, CT as part of the Wrestling Challenge taping. In Patera's defense, this was his first match since his sentencing, so the ring rust combined with a too-similiar style opponent like Hercules is not going to be the prettiest thing, but it's also not a good sign they had to tape the match twice to get something presentable for syndication.

"Adorable” Adrian Adonis (w/ Jimmy Hart) vs. Jake Milliman

Taped for the May 2nd episode of Superstars. Adonis is making his first appearance since WrestleMania III, sporting a newly shaved head that almost makes him look like Curly from the Three Stooges. Fans of latter day AWA might recognize Milliman as the undersized jobber that was part of the AWA Team Challenge Series and the infamous Great American Turkey Hunt. Milliman taunts Adonis by stroking his own hair. Adonis doesn't appreciate Milliman rubbing his head and throws some vicious strikes. Adonis flings Milliman across the ring with handfuls of the beard and finishes with Goodnight Irene at 1:10. And just like that, Adonis was terminated from the WWF, no doubt issues that had lingered and tolerated long enough to get through WrestleMania III. Adonis popped up immediately after in the AWA and toured with New Japan as he dropped some weight, but was involved in a car accident and passed away just a year later, on July 4th, 1988, at the age of 34.

Killer Khan (w/ Mr. Fuji) vs. Nelson Veilluex

More from the May 2nd block of matches. This is the first appearance of Killer Khan in the WWF since the Summer of 1982, and now Mr. Fuji is managing five men (Khan, Demolition, Kamala and Sika), which might be the most men he's ever been associated with at the same time. If you're unfamiliar with Khan, he started out in sumo before transitioning to pro wrestling, where he suddenly went from Japanese to Mongolian. Khan goes in for the attack and puts the boots to his unnamed opponent (he's not identified on TV, but we're using other sources to fill in the blank). Whip to the ropes and Khan with a double chop to the throat, followed by a running boot to the side of the head. He connects with a back breaker and comes off the second rope with a knee drop for the three-count at 1:27. This feels like we should expect the standard monster-of-the-month kind of push. In a bit of a rarity, Khan is in action in all three weeks worth of TV, so you know they're trying to rush him into a significant role before the hourglass runs out.

Tito Santana, Billy Jack Haynes, and Blackjack Mulligan vs. The Shadows & Iron Mike Sharpe

Taped for broadcast on May 16th. This feels like a match that might have been a "tape it and stick it somewhere” scenario if it wasn't intended for syndication. This is the TV debut of the mysterious Shadows (Jose Luis Rivera and Randy Colley) after making some dark appearances at previous TV tapings. For the TV audience, Ventura tries to introduce the idea that their names are "Light” and "Dark”, which I don't think took off. Mulligan starts, locking up and sending Sharpe into the corner. Sharpe hits the ropes for a shoulder block stalemate. Mulligan blocks a slam and plants Sharpe with a slam of his own. Santana tags in and snaps over Shadow #1 with a pair of arm drags. Whip to the ropes and Haynes joins in for a double elbow. Shadow #1 cuts off Mulligan and brings in #2. Mulligan decides to nope out on selling and we've got Santana and Sharpe in the ring again. This definitely feels like a "get out there and we might stick it somewhere” match. Santana gets caught and triple-teamed on the heel side of the ring. The referee misses the tag thanks to a distraction from Shadow #2. Haynes ends up getting the real hot tag (to no reaction) and lays it in on Sharpe before finishing with the Full Nelson at 4:40. Well, you need to protect the Shadows for when they do jobs on the house show loop for Paul Roma and Jim Powers.

Brutus "The Barber” Beefcake vs. Johnny V

Taped for the May 2nd episode of Superstars, and Brutus' first appearance for TV under his new nickname, which involves him wearing a barber's jacket to the ring. We might be able to pull off this character without that jacket, but we're going to work with it for a few months, minimum (NOTE: The TV audience is treated to a pre-tape where Johnny alleges he gave his men the night off, which could be his way of trying to cover up being sent out here to die). Valiant attacks before the bell and sends Beefcake into the buckle. Beefcake reverses a whip and plants Johnny with a slam. He winds up for a right hand, knocking Valiant over the top rope. Back inside, Johnny gets a few more shots before Beefcake puts him down with the sleeper at 1:42. Post-match, Beefcake puts on the gear and shaves the sides of Valiant's head. We're going to be working on that aspect of the character, too.

Davey Boy Smith (w/ Dynamite Kid) vs. Bret "Hitman” Hart (w/ Jimmy Hart & Jim Neidhart)

Taped for the May 9th episode of Superstars. I'm going to guess they're still easing Dynamite back into the ring and not wasting any bumps on him for syndication when there's money to be made on the house show loop. Matilda goes after Jimmy Hart, who sells it so wonderfully. Lockup, Davey grabs a side headlock and sends Bret through the ropes with a shoulder block, extra gusto on the side. Back inside, Davey unloads with right hands and headbutts. Bret fires back and sends Davey to the canvas with a knee to the midsection. Bret with an inverted atomic drop and BAAAAAACK body-drop. Whip to the ropes, Davey attempts a crucifix cradle but Bret counters with a Samoan drop. Whip to the corner, Davey avoids Bret charging in and buries a series of shoulders to the midsection. Bret takes the chest-first bump into the opposite corner. Dynamite and Neidhart start brawling at ringside as Bret cuts off Davey with a dropkick. Davey flips through a side suplex, scoops Hart up, and finishes with the running Powerslam at 3:44. Wow, a CLEAN FINISH?! Post-match, "Dangerous” Danny Davis attacks Davey Boy from behind, helping Bret put the boots to him while Neidhart does his best defensive work on the floor, preventing Dynamite from making a timely save. As good of a match as you'll see in such a tight window of time. It looks like the Hart Foundation and Bulldogs have unfinished business, and we see that Danny Davis is definitely not going away any time soon.

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

Taped for broadcast on the May 16th episode of Superstars. Demolition is still finding their way on the heel side of the tag team division, but it feels like the Islanders are stuck in the mud as babyfaces, landing somewhere around or maybe slightly ahead of Koko B. Ware on that side of the depth chart. Haku and Ax start. Lockup into the ropes, Haku blocks a right hand and unloads with chops. The Islanders take turns working the arm. Smash tags in and gets more of the same. Whip to the ropes, Haku catches a boot and sends Smash into the corner with an atomic drop. Tama gets caught in the wrong side of town and Ax clubs him with bludgeoning rights. Haku tags back in and is immediately cut off. Whip is reversed and Haku pops Smash with a reverse crescent kick, followed by a double chop and jumping headbutt. Tama goes to the top, but Fuji trips him up, allowing Smash to drop the elbow for three at 3:51. The action was 50/50, but Demolition clearly looked like the team with long-term plans, at least in their current form.

And now, for our Main Event...

Hulk Hogan & Billy Jack Haynes vs. The Hart Foundation & "Dangerous” Danny Davis (w/ Jimmy Hart)

Featured on the Coliseum Video "Even More Unusual Matches.” Well, I guess a handicap match qualifies, though it's not exactly "Come As You Are Bunkhouse Battle Royal” levels of unusual. Haynes and Neidhart start. After some circling and taunting, Hogan tags in and now Neidhart doesn't seem to be having fun anymore. Bret rushes in to help, but Hogan easily clears the ring of the Tag Team Champions. Things settle down and Bret tries his luck 1-on-1 with Hogan, and it doesn't go well for him. Haynes and Hogan take turns working the arm of the Hitman. Crisscross and Haynes catches Bret in mid-air, connecting with an inverted atomic drop. Neidhart makes an illegal switch as referee Jack Kruger sends Hogan out of the ring. Hart comes off the second rope with the decapitation elbow. Davis gets some heat from the apron whenever the referee has his back turned. Now that Haynes is compromised, Davis tags in, taunting him with boots before tagging out to Hart. Whip and the Foundation with a double elbow. Haynes fights to his corner while trapped in a front face-lock, but that darn referee takes the bait from Hart and Davis, missing the tag. Haynes and Bret smack heads for a double-down, and the crowd explodes as Hogan gets the hot tag. He sends Neidhart into the corner and charges in with a clothesline. Whip to the ropes, Hogan with the big boot and leg drop for the three-count at 9:10. Post-match, Davis gets caught in the ring and sent over the top rope with a double atomic drop. Another fine, mid-level energy match. Davis' involvement was as minimal as possible, but the crowd was still loving him getting his comeuppance.

Final Thoughts: Probably the most eventful TV taping we've seen since they dropped the big Andre/Hogan bomb on us to set up WrestleMania III. We had our big angle with Ken Patera and Bobby Heenan in an attempt to slot Patera into an upper-midcard babyface role, a new heel in Killer Khan that they are putting on the fast track to a significant spot on the card, the development of Brutus Beefcake's "Barber” character, and a decent showcase of the WWF roster with some competitive matches to balance out the slog of taping three weeks worth of syndication. We've seen better, of course, but it's always fun to see more effort in putting on a quality night of entertainment that isn't centered around the JTTS squad.

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