SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 6:58 Min.
Though the arena isn’t identified, this non-title house show bout was taped for WWF television on May 17, 1986. Occurring several weeks after WrestleMania 2, the WWF World Tag Team Champions – The British Bulldogs (Davey Boy Smith & The Dynamite Kid) face Bobby Heenan’s behemoth duo: King Kong Bundy and “Big” John Studd. One can hear Heenan wisely advising his befuddled charges to slow things down into their style of brawling vs. allowing the fast-paced action the agile Bulldogs excel in.
The commentators are: Vince McMahon, Bruno Sammartino, & Ernie Ladd. Having done the math, Sammartino mentions that Bundy alone outweighs the lithe Bulldogs.
REVIEW:
Seeing the Bulldogs in their championship prime is a welcome treat, even against sluggish opposition like Studd & Bundy. This inconclusive bout itself doesn’t accomplish much, but two elements are readily present.
First, the far smaller Bulldogs are impressive outclassing two of WWF World Champion Hulk Hogan’s biggest challengers. Indicating they could defeat them, it’s a bold move by the WWF stating somebody other than Hogan, the Junkyard Dog, & André the Giant can effectively trade blows with the lumbering Studd & Bundy. Suffice to say, even this match’s non-finish adds early depth to the Bulldogs’ title reign.
Secondly, the WWF teases a potential Bundy vs. Studd feud to gauge fan interest. This spot is decently played, though nothing further occurred prior to Studd’s departure from the WWF in late 1986. If anything, this relatively fast showdown is a neat reminder of how the Bulldogs revitalized the WWF’s mid-80’s tag team scene.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 6 Stars
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