WWE WRESTLEMANIA ANTHOLOGY, VOLUME 1 {1985-1989} (WWE)

INTRO:

In March 1985, by piggy-backing off MTV, Vince McMahon’s WWE launched WrestleMania by merging pro wrestling with mainstream pop culture. It was initially dubbed the “Rock ‘N’ Wrestling Connection.” Why else would one find Muhammad Ali, Liberace, Mr. T, Cyndi Lauper, baseball manager Billy Martin, etc. together in attendance, but at a pro wrestling show? This glut of celebrity glitz evidently masked how putrid many of the 1985-86 matches actually were at the first two WrestleManias.

By 1987, the WWE grasped that a bigger event meant better everything. Hence, the classic third WrestleMania enjoyed vastly upgraded production values and effectively balanced their hired celebrity guests. As seen on this five-disc set, these improvements solidified the formula for the WWE’s biggest annual event for years to come.

SUMMARY (1985): RUNNING TIME: 137 Min.

On March 31^st, at New York City’s Madison Square Garden, announcers “Gorilla” Monsoon and Jesse “The Body” Ventura co-host this inaugural event. Celebrities include Muhammad Ali (as the main event’s special referee), ringside “manager” Cyndi Lauper, main event participant Mr. T, New York Yankees manager Billy Martin (as the main event’s ring announcer), and Liberace (as the main event’s time-keeper).

Tito Santana vs. the (Masked) Executioner.

S.D. “Special Delivery” Jones vs. King Kong Bundy.

Ricky Steamboat vs. Matt Borne.

David Sammartino (with father Bruno Sammartino) vs. Brutus Beefcake (with Johnny Valiant).

Junkyard Dog vs. WWE Intercontinental Champion Greg “The Hammer Valentine (with Jimmy Hart).

WWE World Tag Team Champions U.S. Express (Barry Windham & Mike Rotundo, with Lou Albano) vs. Iron Sheik & Nikolai Volkoff (with Freddie Blassie).

André the Giant vs. “Big” John Studd (with Bobby Heenan) in a $15,000.00 Body Slam Match.

WWE Women’s Champion Lelani Kai (with the Fabulous Moolah) vs. Wendi Richter (with Cyndi Lauper).

WWE World Champion Hulk Hogan & Mr. T (with “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka) vs. “Rowdy” Roddy Piper & “Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff (with “Cowboy” Bob Orton).

REVIEW (1985): RATING: 3/10

If judged solely on its first four matches, then the original WrestleMania reeks. These bores are one dose after another pitting a mid-card star vs. an expendable jobber TV junk. The remaining five matches are watchable, as Hogan & Mr. T predictably deliver the goods in a short finale. Though these bouts aren’t remotely stellar, a few (i.e. André vs. Studd; Hogan & Mr. T vs. Piper & Orndorff) still merit nostalgic viewings. Of historical curiosity is a charismatic Richter’s only ‘Mania, considering how her rising-star WWE career tanked soon afterwards. In terms of this set’s entertainment value, WrestleMania I is easily the least-satisfying.

SUMMARY (1986): RUNNING TIME: 183 Min.

On April 7^th, a star-studded WrestleMania 2 ambitiously featured three separate venues (New York, Chicago, & Los Angeles) via closed-circuit. At the Nassau Coliseum, Ray Charles leads off with his classy, piano-accompanied rendition of “America the Beautiful.”

In addition to celebrity co-hosts Susan St. James, Cathy Lee Crosby, and Elvira, pop culture cameos include: Joan Rivers; Smokin’ Joe Frazier; Cab Calloway; G. Gordon Liddy; basketball player Darryl Dawkins; Wendy’s Clara “Where’s the Beef?” Peller; and Burger King’s ad spokesperson, ‘Herb.’ In the Los Angeles segment, additional cameos are made by L.A. Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda and actors Robert Conrad & Ricky Schroeder.

Note: Peller is the Chicago battle royale’s guest time-keeper. Her two attempts at shouting her famous catch-phrase are completely inaudible.

NASSAU COLISEUM (Long Island) : (Co-Hosts: Vince McMahon & actress Susan St. James)

“Magnificent” Muraco (with Mr. Fuji) vs. “Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff.

Note: Orndorff makes a despicable race-baiting gesture at Fuji.

WWE Intercontinental Champion Randy “Macho Man” Savage (with Miss Elizabeth) vs. George “The Animal” Steele.

George Wells vs. Jake “The Snake” Roberts (with Damian the snake).

Mr. T (with the Haiti Kid & “Smokin’” Joe Frazier) vs. “Rowdy” Roddy Piper (with “Cowboy” Bob Orton & Lou Duva) in a Boxing Match.

Note: This segment includes a flashback to a recently televised Saturday Night’s Main Event, where Mr. T was infamously belt-whipped by Piper & Orton. The set-up was a Mr. T vs. Orton boxing match.

ROSEMONT HORIZON (Chicago): (Co-Hosts: “Gorilla” Monsoon, “Mean” Gene Okerlund, & actress Cathy Lee Crosby)

WWE Women’s Champion the Fabulous Moolah vs. Velvet McIntyre.

Cpl. Kirschner vs. Nikolai Volkoff (with Freddie Blassie) in a “Flag Match.”

20-Man WWE vs. NFL Battle Royale (with Ed “Too Tall” Jones & Dick Butkus as guest referees). NFL: William “The Refrigerator” Perry; Bill Fralic; Jimbo Covert; Russ Francis; Ernie Holmes; and Harvey Martin. WWE: King Tonga (Haku); the Hart Foundation [Bret Hart & Jim Neidhart]; Pedro Morales; the Iron Sheik; Bruno Sammartino; the Killer Bees [B. Brian Blair & “Jumping” Jim Brunzell]; “Golden Boy” Danny Spivey; “Mr. USA” Tony Atlas; Ted Arcidi; Hillbilly Jim; “Big” John Studd; & André the Giant. Guest Commentator: Ernie “The Cat” Ladd.

WWE World Tag Team Champions Greg “The Hammer” Valentine & Brutus Beefcake (with Johnny Valiant) vs. the British Bulldogs [Dynamite Kid & Davey Boy Smith] (with Capt. Lou & Albano & Ozzy Osbourne).

L.A. SPORTS ARENA: (Co-Hosts: Jesse “The Body” Ventura, “Lord” Alfred Hayes, & actress Cassandra “Elvira” Peterson)

Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat vs. Hercules Hernandez.

Uncle Elmer vs. “Adorable” Adrian Adonis (with Jimmy Hart).

Terry Funk & Dory “Hoss” Funk Jr. (with Jimmy Hart & Jimmy Jack Funk) vs. The Junkyard Dog & Tito Santana.

WWE World Champion Hulk Hogan vs. King Kong Bundy (with Bobby Heenan) in a Steel Cage Match. Note: This segment includes a flashback to a recently televised Saturday Night’s Main Event, where a triple-teamed Hogan’s ribs are ‘injured’ by Bundy, Muraco, & Heenan. The set-up is his interrupted title defense vs. Muraco.

REVIEW (1986): RATING: 5½/10

It’s split down the middle — a half-dozen matches are terrific! The other six, unfortunately, are putrid. Due to its fractured tone, WrestleMania 2 relies far too much on its excessive horde of celebrities. Case in point: McMahon fails to rein in St. James’ annoying commentary, other than her chuckle-worthy line: “Alright, George, eat his leg!” during the cartoony Savage-Steele title bout.

Maintaining her dignity, Cathy Lee Crosby is reasonably good in the Chicago segment. Elvira shares some fun chemistry with Ventura, which compensates for a blathering Hayes. The WWE evidently realized the problem with too many talking heads, as Ventura & Monsoon effectively co-anchored the next four WrestleMania’s. It’s too bad that Ernie Ladd only appeared at this WrestleMania, as his commentary is a treat.

It’s best to ignore the glut of celebrity paycheck jobs, as only the NFL’s William Perry, Russ Francis and Bill Fralic contribute anything. While Fralic shares a fun interview with Studd, Jimbo Covert’s post-match whining hardly boosts his image. If anything, the show’s dubious achievement award for excessive celebrity flattery goes to McMahon’s straight-faced declaration introducing St. James to Nassau Coliseum fans as ‘America’s number one actress.’

Overall, the L.A. segment prevails; its only trash is the Uncle Elmer vs. “Adorable” Adrian Adonis match. Chicago evens out, as the Bulldogs’ historic victory and the high-profile battle royale far, far surpass the other two bouts. For instance, what’s the credibility of a ladies’ title match that lasts a few seconds?

At Nassau Coliseum, it’s a 3-1 ratio re: bad to good. The main event boxing dud (including Piper’s tasteless interviews) is nothing short of atrocious. Only the amusing Savage vs. Steele title showdown merits multiple viewings, no matter how routine their choreography seems. Then again, how often does one see a flower bouquet being used as a weapon? WrestleMania 2, accordingly, is the second-to-last on this set.

SUMMARY (1987): RUNNING TIME: 186 Min.

On March 29^th, at suburban Detroit’s Pontiac Silverdome, WrestleMania III conjures up a cohesive formula with vastly improved production values (including pre-match flashbacks of various feuds). Regardless of the incessant hype claiming a supposed in-door attendance record of 93,000+, the sweeping panorama of the in-house crowd is duly impressive. At their best, “Gorilla” Monsoon & Jesse “The Body” Ventura co-host, with “Mean” Gene Okerlund, Craig DeGeorge, & Vince McMahon conducting interviews.

This year’s celebrities are Bob Uecker & Entertainment Tonight’s Mary Hart, who contribute some fun match commentaries and a few interviews before assuming their main event gigs as ring announcer and time-keeper. Late in the show, Alice Cooper shows up as Jake Roberts’ sidekick. Introduced by McMahon, Aretha Franklin elegantly leads off with a poignant, piano-accompanied rendition of “America the Beautiful.”

“Magnificent” Muraco & “Cowboy” Bob Orton (with Mr. Fuji) vs. The Can-Am Connection [Rick Martel & Tom Zenk].

Billy Jack Haynes vs. Hercules (with Bobby Heenan) in a “Full Nelson” Challenge.

Note: The event’s only bloodshed (aka blading) occurs after this match.

King Kong Bundy, Little Tokyo, & Lord Littlebrook vs. Little Beaver, Haiti Kid, & Hillbilly Jim.

Note: As fair warning, Bundy’s stunt work with Little Beaver is offensive.

Junkyard Dog vs. “The King” Harley Race (with Bobby Heenan & WWE Women’s Champion Fabulous Moolah) in a “Loser Must Bow Before the Winner” Match.

The Dream Team [Greg Valentine & Brutus Beefcake] (with Johnny Valiant & Dino Bravo) vs. The Fabulous Rougueau Brothers [Jacques & Raymond Rougeau].

“Rowdy” Roddy Piper vs. “Adorable” Adrian Adonis (with Jimmy Hart) in a “Loser Gets His Head Shaved” Match.

Notes: Though hyped as Piper’s ‘retirement,’ he returned to part-time WWE duty in 1989. This match also inspired Brutus Beefcake’s hair-cutting-and-strutting gimmick.

WWE World Tag Team Champions the Hart Foundation [Bret Hart & Jim Neidhart] & Danny Davis (with Jimmy Hart) vs. the British Bulldogs [Dynamite Kid & Davey Boy Smith] (with Matilda the bulldog) & Tito Santana in a Non-Title Six-Man Match.

“Birdman” Koko B. Ware (with Frankie the macaw) vs. “The Natural” Butch Reed (with Slick).

WWE Intercontinental Champion Randy “Macho Man” Savage (with Miss Elizabeth) vs. Ricky
“The Dragon” Steamboat (with George “The Animal” Steele).

Jake “The Snake” Roberts (with Alice Cooper & Damian the snake) vs. the Honky Tonk Man (with Jimmy Hart).

The Killer Bees [B. Brian Blair & “Jumping” Jim Brunzell] vs. Nikolai Volkoff & the Iron Sheik (with Slick).

Note: “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan makes a high-profile guest appearance.

WWE World Champion Hulk Hogan vs. André the Giant (with Bobby Heenan).

REVIEW (1987): RATING: 10/10

In the WWE’s Pay-Per-View (PPV) debut, WrestleMania III is the epitome of a perfect pro wrestling epic. All of the necessary elements are in place: action; witty, tongue-in-cheek humor; slapstick; spot-on commentary; poignancy; well-produced interviews; smart pacing, crowd-pleasing moments, and especially the epic Savage-Steamboat title showdown that far surpasses the WWE’s comic book-brand of wrestling fare.

All that’s missing are the few WWE stars left off the card: i.e. The Islanders, Kamala, and “Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff. Beyond the Hogan/Andre battle-of-the-titans, fans get their money’s worth and more. In terms of balance and sheer entertainment value, III is the best and likely the most satisfying WrestleMania ever.

SUMMARY (1988): RUNNING TIME: 215 Min.

On March 27^th, WrestleMania IV, at Atlantic City’s Trump Plaza Hotel & Casino, features a heavily-hyped, 14-man WWE World Title Tournament. There are two other title defenses; a battle royale; a six-man tag bout; and a bonus grudge match.

“Gorilla” Monsoon & Jesse “The Body” Ventura return as co-hosts, with “Mean” Gene Okerlund, Bob Uecker, Vanna White, and Robin Leach helping out on interviews. Predictably, Donald Trump & his then-wife, Ivana, are shown at ringside. Gladys Knight launches the show with a nice rendition of “America the Beautiful.”

20-Man Battle Royale. The participants are: Bad News Brown; Hillbilly Jim; Junkyard Dog; “The King” Harley Race; the Fabulous Rougeau Brothers [Jacques & Raymond Rougeau]; Sika; “Dangerous” Danny Davis; the Hart Foundation [Bret Hart & Jim Neidhart]; the Killer Bees [“Jumping” Jim Brunzell & B. Brian Blair]; Sam Houston; the Young Stallions [Paul Roma & Jim Powers]; “Outlaw” Ron Bass; Ken Patera; the Bolsheviks [Boris Zhukov & Nikolai Volkoff]; & George “The Animal” Steele.

WWE World Championship Tournament (1^st Round):

“Hacksaw” Jim Duggan vs. “Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase (with Virgil & André the Giant).

Don “The Rock” Muraco (with “Superstar” Billy Graham) vs. Dino Bravo (with “Frenchy” Martin).

Note: André the Giant and Hulk Hogan each have 1^st Round byes.

Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat vs. Greg “The Hammer” Valentine (with Jimmy Hart).

“The Natural” Butch Reed (with Slick) vs. Randy “Macho Man” Savage (with Miss Elizabeth).

Bam Bam Bigelow (with Sir Oliver Humperdink) vs. One Man Gang (with Slick).

“Ravishing” Rick Rude (with Bobby Heenan) vs. Jake “The Snake” Roberts (with Damian the snake).

Hercules (with Bobby Heenan) vs. the Ultimate Warrior in a ‘Grudge Match.’

WWE World Championship Tournament (2nd Round – The Quarterfinals):

Hulk Hogan vs. André the Giant (with “Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase & Virgil).

“Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase vs. Don “The Rock” Muraco (with “Superstar” Billy Graham).

Greg “The Hammer” Valentine (with Jimmy Hart) vs. Randy “Macho Man” Savage (with Miss Elizabeth).

Note: The One Man Gang gets an official 2^nd Round bye.

WWE Intercontinental Champion Honky Tonk Man (with Jimmy Hart & ‘Peggy Sue’ aka WWE Women’s Champion ‘Sensational’ Sherri, in a peroxide blonde wig) vs. Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake.

Islanders [Tama & Haku] & Bobby Heenan vs. Koko B. Ware (with Frankie the Parrot) & the British Bulldogs [Dynamite Kid & Davey Boy Smith] (with Matilda the Bulldog) in a Six-Man Tag Match.

WWE World Championship Tournament (3^rd Round – The Semi-Finals):

Note: “Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase gets an official 3^rd Round Bye.

Randy “Macho Man” Savage (with Miss Elizabeth) vs. One Man Gang (with Slick).

WWE World Tag Team Champions Strike Force [Rick Martel & Tito Santana] vs. Demolition [Ax & Smash] (with Mr. Fuji).

WWE World Championship Match (4^th Round – The Finals):

“Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase (with André the Giant) vs. Randy “Macho Man” Savage (with Miss Elizabeth & Hulk Hogan).

REVIEW (1988): RATING: 6/10

It’s purely quantity over quality. This marathon is bogged down by monotonous pacing and its own elevated self-importance. Ventura, for instance, condescendingly advises viewers that “only the winners advance” in the tournament. Hence, Monsoon & Ventura’s overblown commentaries wear out their welcome long before the final bell.

The same applies re: far too much Bob Uecker (i.e. his ultra-tiresome storyline with Vanna White) – it’s no wonder that Uecker doesn’t three-peat at 1989’s WrestleMania V. This time, IV’s dubious celebrity achievement award goes to Gladys Knight inexplicably hawking ad space (in racecar driver-style) on an otherwise classy outfit. Not only diluting her rendition of “America The Beautiful,” it’s a crass reminder that WrestleMania’s paid celebrities are practically wearing blinking neon ‘For Rent’ signs.

Exposing the WWE’s formulaic fan favorite vs. heel booking, any aura of unpredictability fizzles. Hogan’s saving-face elimination at least confirms that the WWE sought a new torch-bearer after his four-year World Title run. Though Savage scores this show’s MVP, his four matches still fall short of his phenomenal Intercontinental Title loss to Ricky Steamboat the year before. Note: Savage and DiBiase’s March 1988 Saturday Night’s Main Event bout is an excellent precursor for their nearly six-month World Title feud.

Beyond the tournament’s disruption of the show’s pacing, the undercard is disappointing. The Bulldogs’ final WrestleMania should have rocked against the Islanders. Instead, Dynamite & Smith’s cartoony six-man tag match merely copies last year’s far-better clash vs. The Hart Foundation. The clunky Warrior-Hercules clash is expendable, as these two guys should have joined the battle royale (or eliminated each other in the tournament).

Beefcake’s charade vs. Honky Tonk & Co. is the likely the most wasteful I-C title match in WrestleMania history. Lastly, Demolition’s unimpressive work vs. Strike Force somehow launched their inexplicable two years plus of WWE dominance. Speaking of tag teams, it’s disappointing that a cameo from the vibrant WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions (The Jumping Bomb Angels) wasn’t somehow added to IV.

The WWE woefully miscalculated by overloading IV — of sixteen matches, only the main event is memorable – for historic purposes. The other tournament matches are still decent viewing, as compared to the dreck-fests of WrestleMania’s I-II. Ironically, IV’s yawn-inducing surplus of family-friendly entertainment ensures a safe third place for this set.

SUMMARY (1989): RUNNING TIME: 219 Min.

On April 2^nd, WrestleMania V, at Atlantic City’s Trump Plaza Hotel & Casino, features the first WWE World Title showdown between Randy “Macho Man” Savage and Hulk Hogan in nearly two years. “Gorilla” Monsoon & Jesse “The Body” Ventura co-host again, with “Mean” Gene Okerlund & Sean Mooney on interviews. Celebrities include Run-DMC, Morton Downey Jr. (in a “Piper’s Pit” segment with Roddy Piper), and, of course, Mr. Trump. WWE Women’s Champion Rockin’ Robin starts things off with a modest rendition of “America the Beautiful.”

Hercules vs. “King” Haku (with Bobby Heenan).

The Rockers [Shawn Michaels & Marty Jannetty] vs. the Twin Towers [Akeem & Big Boss Man] (with Slick).

Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake vs. “Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase [the self-proclaimed “Million Dollar Champion”] (with Virgil).

The Bushwhackers [Butch & Luke] vs. The Fabulous Rougeau Brothers (with Jimmy Hart).

“Mr. Perfect” Curt Hennig vs. “Blue Blazer” Owen Hart.

WWE World Tag Team Champions Demolition [Ax & Smash] vs. The Powers of Pain [Warlord & Barbarian] & Mr. Fuji in a 3-on-2 Handicap Match.

Dino Bravo (with Frenchy Martin) vs. “Rugged” Ronnie Garvin.

Strike Force [Rick Martel & Tito Santana] vs. The Brain Busters [Tully Blanchard & Arn Anderson] (with Bobby Heenan).

André the Giant (with Bobby Heenan) vs. Jake “The Snake” Roberts (with Damian the snake).

Special Guest Referee: “Big” John Studd.

The Hart Foundation [Bret Hart & Jim Neidhart] vs. Rhythm & Blues [Honky Tonk Man & Greg Valentine] (with Jimmy Hart).

WWE Intercontinental Champion the Ultimate Warrior vs. “Ravishing” Rick Rude (with Bobby Heenan).

“Hacksaw” Jim Duggan vs. Bad News Brown.

Bobby Heenan (with “Brooklyn Brawler” Steve Lombardi) vs. “Red Rooster” Terry Taylor.

WWE World Champion Randy “Macho Man” Savage vs. Hulk Hogan (with Miss Elizabeth in a neutral corner).

REVIEW (1989): RATING: 7/10 Stars

Amazingly, this show drags on even longer than the over-booked WrestleMania IV. The pattern, however, is familiar: too many matches (no matter how short) makes V a slog to watch in one sitting. The blame is partially attributable to Piper’s excessive time-killer jawing away with Downey Jr.

In comparison, Run-DMC’s “WrestleMania Rap” is short and stays on point. Only the back-to-back bouts (Duggan vs. Brown & Taylor vs. Heenan) are awful, leaving the remaining undercard as generally solid. Among these bouts, Strike Force vs. Brain Busters; Hennig vs. Owen Hart; the shockingly good Hercules vs. Haku; and Warrior vs. Rude’s I-C Title bout merit multiple viewings. If anything, despite a predictable finish, V’s legacy is its timeless Savage vs. Hogan epic. WrestleMania V, accordingly, earns second place for this anthology set.

QUALITY CONTROL:

Even without re-mastering or HD upgrading, the picture quality is still excellent (with just a few blips). Re: remote control access, one can either watch the entire event by one command or click individual segments (including separate interviews). Even more specific than what is seen on its packaging, the order of matches, special attractions, interviews, and even the announcers’ closing comments are spelled out. However, there aren’t any bonus features.

PACKAGING:

Excellent! Not only is the packaging well-manufactured with vintage images of the wrestlers, the DVDS are carefully encased on hard plastic pages to help prevent scratching the discs. On two inside jackets, each event’s match line-up is spelled out. A commemorative booklet in the front left inside pocket lists each event’s matches and interviews in order. Each show’s running time is listed on the outside jacket.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8/10 Stars

Note: This overall rating rewards the better content and the excellent packaging.

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