Category: TV Series

SUMMARY:                     RUNNING TIME: 11:12  Min.

Taped at Hersheypark Arena, in Hershey, PA, supposedly on February 6, 1988, this bout leads off an episode of the WWF’s syndicated SuperStars of Wrestling TV series.  Commencing a rematch shortly after the WWF’s original Royal Rumble, Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat faces off vs. Bobby Heenan’s ultra-arrogant henchman: “Ravishing” Rick Rude. 

The commentators are: Vince McMahon, Bruno Sammartino, & Jesse “The Body” Ventura, who tease the ‘major’ WWF World Championship controversy stemming from NBC’s The Main Event the night before.   

REVIEW:

Though this bout isn’t as good as their Royal Rumble clash, Ricky Steamboat and Rick Rude exude terrific in-ring chemistry.  To start tilting viewers towards hype for the upcoming WrestleMania IV, additional star power is included from “The King” Harley Race, Hercules, “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan, and a young Ultimate Warrior. 

Overall, this Steamboat vs. Rude encounter isn’t DVD-worthy, but it still packs sufficient fun for at least one viewing.  Also, one should consider this bout (not to mention, their Royal Rumble showdown) as a prelude to Steamboat & Rude’s awesome slugfests in WCW four years later.    

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:               5½ Stars

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SUMMARY:                          RUNNING TIME: 6:23  Min.

Though the arena isn’t identified, this match was taped for WCW Monday Nitro on August 11, 1997.  On one side is the NWO’s “Macho Man” Randy Savage, with his ex-wife/valet/manager, Elizabeth.  Opposing them is WCW’s latest recruit from the rival WWF: Curt Hennig – the former “Mr. Perfect,” who hasn’t decided yet on what faction he will likely join.  For historical purposes, this TV bout pits the WWF’s sporadic ‘Perfect Team’ from 1992-93 against each other.    

On commentary are Tony Schiavone, “Iron” Mike Tenay, and Bobby “The Brain” Heenan.  Guest appearances are made by Diamond Dallas Page, Scott Hall, and “The Total Package” Lex Luger. 

REVIEW:

Slowed by accumulative injuries, the 39-year old Hennig has trouble keeping pace with a still-spry, 44-year old Savage.  What little viewers witness won’t nostalgically remind them of Savage & Hennig’s chemistry at the WWF’s 1992 Survivor Series.  Playing a tweener, Hennig simply looks lethargic against Savage’s more aggressive and relentless heel (including his patented move of cowering behind Elizabeth). 

What sinks this already mediocre bout is plenty of pointless outside interference – i.e. why would Page pounce on Hennig, if Savage is his current arch-enemy?  Once Page, Hall, and then Luger all hit the ring, Hennig goes conveniently out of sight and is instantly forgotten.  Hence, the focus inexplicably shifts to Luger protecting Page from Savage & Hall’s NWO gang beating. 

Had WCW trusted Savage and Hennig to conjure up a decent TV showdown (including an actual conclusion), what they had going was sufficient – just barely.  Yet, by resorting to the typical WCW trash finish, this bout’s meager potential is unsurprisingly wasted for viewers.    

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                  3½ Stars

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SUMMARY:                             RUNNING TIME: 6:32  Min.

This match’s latter portion appeared on the NWA’s World Championship Wrestling TV program, on or about June 25, 1988.  

Taped at the James L. Knight Center, in Miami, FL, the bout actually occurred at Clash of the Champions II: Miami Mayhem (June 8, 1988).  This match’s uncut running time is 11:51. Setting up a feud for the annual “Great American Bash” house show tour, “The Russian Nightmare” Nikita Koloff faces off vs. Gary Hart’s protégé: former WCCW (World Class) Champion “The Latin Heartthrob” Al Perez.  As an outnumbered Koloff is wary of, the possibility is open that Hart’s other nefarious associate, Larry Zbyszko, may intervene.   

After announcers Tony Schiavone and David Crockett introduce this match (already in progress), the ringside commentators are Schiavone and Bob Caudle.   

REVIEW:

For what little viewers get, pitting Perez’s athleticism against Koloff’s reliable in-ring star power suggests solid potential.  While the underrated wrestling itself is good, what’s missing is some necessary heel charisma from Perez.  The 3-on-1 post-match attack on Koloff offers typical NWA TV shenanigans, but this villainous sequence is hardly must-see viewing. 

Though Koloff vs. Perez offers a decent brawl, a better choice is Koloff battling “Ravishing” Rick Rude (with Madusa) in 1992. 

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                 5½ Stars

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SUMMARY:                              RUNNING TIME: 7:36  Min.

Recorded May 27, 1995, in Charlotte, NC, WCW Saturday Night offers this second-round battle in the WCW U.S. Title tournament pitting “Macho Man” Randy Savage vs. “Stunning” Steve Austin.  Cigar-smoking manager, Col. Robert Parker, appears in his blond protégé’s corner.  The question: will the WWF’s future “Stone Cold” legend end up eating one of “Macho Man” Savage’s patented flying elbow sandwiches?    

Prior to the match, Dusty Rhodes & Eric Bischoff hype Savage’s feud with “Nature Boy” Ric Flair from Slamboree 1995.  At ringside, the commentators are Tony Schiavone and Bobby “The Brain” Heenan. 

Next up for the match’s winner in this title tournament is a clash with “Nature Boy” Ric Flair.

Note: Savage’s 1995-96 feud with Flair extended through seven WCW Pay-Per-Views: Slamboree, The Great American Bash, Bash at the Beach, the first World War 3, Starrcade ’95, SuperBrawl VI, and Uncensored ’96.  Including four WCW World Title changes, their storyline would rage on-and-off through to the 1996 Great American Bash.

REVIEW:

It isn’t a shocker amidst WCW’s Hulk-A-Mania era that Savage’s dominating star power prevails against a brash Austin … regardless of the younger star’s prior WCW World TV and U.S. title reigns, etc.      

What’s stunning (pardon the expression), however, is that this video’s meager length includes: 1. Rhodes & Bischoff’s introduction, 2. Austin and Savage’s ring entrances, 3. quick post-match highlights, and 4. Savage’s post-match interview with Schiavone.  A fast-paced TV bout is somehow squeezed in, as its initially competitive fire gives way to a squash finish.  Remarkably, Savage & Austin’s showdown is already finished with two minutes still to go in this video.    

Still, there’s some good news.  With a lithe Savage (close to his mid-80’s physique) and Austin sharing comparable size and compatible ring styles, this sampler is really more a glimpse of a tantalizing what-if.  One can just imagine a mid-90’s feud between these immortal WWF/WWE Hall-of-Famers in a WCW ring.  Hence, this 1995 flashback previews a fantasy Pay-Per-View showdown. 

Of what little viewers get, Savage and Austin demonstrate terrific in-ring chemistry, though a game Austin is scripted to lose far too soon.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                    4½ Stars

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SUMMARY:                       RUNNING TIME: 9:14 Min.

Recorded on the January 15, 1998 edition of WCW Thunder, this tag team match’s location isn’t identified.  “The Total Package” Lex Luger opts to go it alone without his already-injured partner, Diamond Dallas Page.  As for the nefarious New World Order (NWO) faction, “Macho Man” Randy Savage (with Elizabeth) isn’t getting along with his own partner, WCW World Champion “Big Sexy” Kevin Nash. 

Despite lingering issues with his longtime Mega-Powers cohort, “Hollywood” Hulk Hogan is present as a mediator between Savage and Nash.  Inflaming the situation further is The Giant (Paul Wight) and seemingly the entire NWO horde.

The ringside commentators are Bobby “The Brain” Heenan, “Iron” Mike Tenay, & Lee Marshall.      

Note: The match’s short running time includes ring entrances.

REVIEW:

The match-up is potentially good, but the result is predictable WCW TV dreck.  Having Page play injured and thereby subject to more of the NWO’s ringside gang abuse (without ever tagging in) proves pointless.  Though Luger supplies a welcome amount of offense, this bout’s purpose is strictly to sell nothing more than NWO internal dissension.  Seeing Savage & Nash turn on each other is fun (beyond Luger’s contributions), but the rest is pure WCW trash.  Backfiring as comedy, Hogan’s ridiculously overplayed facial expression realizing that the formidable Giant is standing behind him in the ring is proof enough.    

Even worse, the long-mandatory WCW non-finish where the entire NWO storms the ring (this time, against The Giant) instantly renders this match’s impressive star power inconsequential.  The fact that fans are cheated out of anything close to a watchable finish is, of course, besides the point.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                       2 Stars

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SUMMARY:                 TOTAL RUNNING TIME: 13:01 Min.

Recorded January 25, 1993, for the WWF’s Monday Night RAW TV series, the match occurs at the show’s Manhattan studio.  Concluding their WWF rivalry, “Mr. Perfect” Curt Hennig faces off vs. two-time WWF World Champion “Nature Boy” Ric Flair.  The ringside commentators are Vince McMahon, Bobby “The Brain” Heenan (still Flair’s supposed advisor), and Rob Bartlett.  

Note: Flair had agreed to ‘put over’ Hennig as a means of concluding his WWF contract early in order to promptly return to WCW. 

REVIEW:

There’s no mistaking that this is a TV-caliber bout instead of a 20+ minute Pay-Per-View epic it really ought to have been.  More satisfying than their sluggish WCW bouts circa 1998, a bloodied Hennig leaves no doubt, when fully healthy, he is Flair’s in-ring equal. 

Though this abbreviated showdown isn’t a classic, Flair & Hennig (along with Heenan) ensure that fans get their money’s worth, including a clean finish.  Given television’s formulaic constraints, one really can’t expect much more. 

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                       7 Stars

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