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WWF Coliseum Home Video: Hulkamania 2

by Scrooge McSuck

- I'm in a weird funk where I just don't know what to review, so I figured I would go back to my roots, and hark back to one of my childhood favorites: Hulk Hogan. Yes, we all know his issues with the "smart" crowd, but as a kid, Hulk Hogan might as well have been named God or Jesus. He was THAT awesome and my idol. In honor of my Hulkamaniac attitude, I thought I would do my best to recap some of the tapes released, dedicated entirely to the man named Sting. Sorry, Hulk Hogan. Just force of habit there... hmmm... that wouldn't be a bad idea... oh sorry, got off track. I've already recapped the first Hulkamania tape in the series, and it was mostly an enjoyable romp, so let's see how well Hulkamania 2 turns out.

- Mean Gene Okerlund is our host, which is all we're going to need to know about that for the rest of the tape.

Hulk Hogan & Hillbilly Jim vs. Big John Studd & King Kong Bundy (w/ Bobby Heenan):

From the April 22nd, 1986 card held at Madison Square Garden, and I'm already dreading this decision. Gorilla Monsoon, Lord Alfred, and I think Ernie Ladd are calling the action. Studd and Jim lockup, and HBJ quickly goes for a slam, but Studd grabs the ropes. Studd scoops up Jim, and casually slams him (casually meaning lazily). The commentary team subtlely mock the effort behind it, too. Hogan tags in and gets pounded on, as well. Studd with a pair of slams, and Hogan is crawling for mercy. Hogan returns the favor with a slam of his own (does he get the money?), then a slam for Bundy to really prove who the dominant force in sports entertainment is. Hogan and Hillbilly celebrate with some dancin' and cart-wheels to the delight of Lord Alfred. We cut out a bit of Studd stalling, and they lockup. Whip to the corner, and Hogan charges in with a clothesline. Hogan goes for another slam, but Studd blocks and pounds the back. Bundy tags in and drops an elbow across the chest. I forgot, this was the main event to WrestleMania 2, held only two weeks earlier. Bundy with a side back breaker for a two count, then a short-splash for another two count. Studd tags back in and it's bearhug time... (plays the Song of Storms). Sorry, was having horrible flashbacks to that show from Puerto Rico. Studd seems to be whispering sweet nothings in Hogan's ear, or maybe calling the next spot. You decide. Hogan escapes, but gets laid out with a shoulder. Bundy misses an elbow, and Hillbilly Jim gets the "hot" tag. Whip to the corner, and Bundy comes back out with a clothesline, then drops a knee for a two count. Bundy with a snapmare, followed by an elbow drop, and it's chinlock time! Studd tags in and does little to keep my interest. Studd with a bearhug, and we get a clip job... thank you, Coliseum Video editor. Jim escapes, Hogan gets the hot tag, and it's all over but the shouting(tm Gorilla Monsoon). Irish whip, and a big boot, followed by an atomic drop. Hogan drops the big leg, and the count is broken by Heenan, drawing the Disqualification at 10:34... seriously, mid-86 John Studd needed protection? Bundy accidentally gives Heenan the Avalanche (to a big pop), then runs for it as Hogan and HBJ clear the ring. Bundy/Hogan was watchable, but that was roughly 60-seconds of the match. HBJ and Studd sucked, no matter who was in the ring with them.

WWF Championship Match:
Hulk Hogan © vs. King Kong Bundy:

From the October 12th, 1985 card held at the Boston Garden. So we went from a few weeks removed from WrestleMania 2 to a few weeks away from the Wrestling Classic... awesome editing job, Coliseum Video. Gorilla Monsoon and Jesse Ventura are calling this one. Lockup, and Bundy quickly pounds away across the back. Hogan bounces off the ropes with big rights, but a third attempt is countered with a slam. Bundy drops a knee, and covers for a two count. Bundy tosses Hogan from the ring, but doesn't follow up, other than keeping him outside the ring. Hogan sweeps the leg and drags Bundy out, unloading with more rights. Back inside, and Hogan continues to bring the punishment. Bundy misses a field goal kick, and Hogan drops a pair of elbows, then calls for a slam. Irish whip, and Hogan with a big boot. Whip to the corner, and Hogan follows in with a clothesline. Hogan goes for a slam, but Bundy blocks it and drops an elbow for a two count. Bundy slaps on a chinlock, but it only keeps Hogan down temporarily. Hogan with shoulder tackles, but a Bundy elbow is enough to end the comeback. Bundy crushes Hogan with a mini-splash, but Hogan gets up at two, and it's Hulk Up time. Bundy with the avalanche, but Hogan no-sells it. Bundy misses a second attempt, Hogan powerslams him coming out of the corner, and covers for the three count at 5:28. There might've been a minor clip there, and pretty sure this was recycled for an episode of Primetime Wrestling leading up to WrestleMania III. Decent outing, and kept short enough to not be boring.

WWF Championship Match:
Hulk Hogan © vs. "Macho Man" Randy Savage (w/ Elizabeth):

From the June 27th, 1986 card held at Boston Garden. Randy Savage is the reigning Intercontinental Champion, but only the Hulkster's championship is on the line here. Savage throws his robe at Hogan and ambush attacks. Savage with the championship belt, and an axehandle off the top rope with it. Savage continues to control, with head band and glasses still on. Savage to the top, and he comes off with another axehandle. Savage yells at Elizabeth for whatever reason, allowing Hogan to get up and lay into Savage like he just slapped Hogan's momma. Hogan, with Savage's glasses on, lays into Savage with rights, then tosses him over the top rope. Hogan scoops Savage up and rams him into the ring post. I was expecting Elizabeth to run interference there, but not here. Back inside, and Hogan nails Savage off the ropes with a clothesline. Hogan with a back suplex, followed by choking. Elizabeth hops on the apron again, and gets sent away for it. Danny Davis is the referee, but not showing any favortism... yet. Hogan headbutt's Savage into the corner and slaps him around. Whip across the ring, and Hogan follows in with a clothhesline. Hogan with a suplex, followed by an elbow drop. Savage botches the Andre Special™, but it doesn't stop Hogan from biting his hand... ripping off the Three Stooges offense, eh? Savage sends Hogan out of the ring, and comes off the top with another axehandle. Savage throws Hogan into the security rail, and I think I saw something, but can't be too sure. Back inside, and Savage hits the elbow, but Hogan kicks out at two. UH-OH! Hogan sends Savage to the corner, flipping him upside down in the process. Irish whip, Hogan with a big boot, scoop slam, and the leg drop finishes Savage off at 7:14. Weird to see Savage do a clean job from this period. Suddenly, the heavyset woman I spotted in the front row reveals "herself" to be Adrian Adonis (sporting a wig as well as being in drag and wearing a hat), and it's a beatdown on Hogan. Hogan eventually mounts a comeback and cleans house. Hogan vs. Adonis never really materialized into anything from what I can remember. Decent, but these two had way better that year.

Hulk Hogan & Paul Orndorff vs. King Kong Bundy & Big John Studd (w/ Bobby Heenan):

From an episode of Championship Wrestling, July 1986, and yes, it's that match. Before the match, Orndorff still seems upset about the "missed phone call" and Hogan is telling him to let it go. Several times. Anyone else surprised Hogan got to star in such wonderful motion pictures like No Holds Barred and Mr. Nanny? Something must be up, because Hogan rarely ever made in-ring appearances on these squash shows. You could probably count all of them on both hands, with fingers left over. Orndorff insists on starting the match, and gets to do so with Studd. Lockup, and Orndorff pounds away with rights. Orndorff counters a slam and uses the tights to complete a sunset flip. Orndorff slaps on a headlock, and takes Studd down with a hip toss! Bundy tags in, and lays out Orndorff with an elbow, but misses a splash. Orndorff avoids a charge to the corner and "hammers away" with rights. Orndorff threatens to slam Studd, but Studd blocks. Irish whip, and Orndorff sends Studd flying with a dropkick. Orndorff with a dropkick to Bundy, and he cups the ear to listen to the crowd. Hogan tags in and slugs it out with Studd. Whip to the corner, and Hogan with a clean scoop and slam of Studd... where's the $15,000? Orndorff seems upset about Hogan's celebrating. Things get back underway, and Hogan puts Studd down with an atomic drop. Hogan runs into a clothesline on a charge attempt, and gets pounded on by both men. Bundy with a knee drop for a two count. Hogan rakes everyones eyes, then accidentally nails Orndorff off the apron in the struggle. Bundy and Studd double team Hogan until the referee calls for the Disqualification at around the 6-minute mark. Orndorff claims injury, then suddenly makes the save, clearing Studd and Bundy from the ring. Orndorff helps Hogan back up, raises his arm in victory, and lays him out with a clothesline. Orndorff gives a him a piledriver to really drive the point home, and the crowd instantly turns on him. The Job Squad of '86 rush the ring to protect Hogan (looks like Rotundo, Spivey, and Sivi Afi) as Orndorff leaves with the Heenan Family. I was too young to watch firsthand, but it seems like the first instance where Hogan's opponent had a chance for carry-over fans, who felt Orndorff had a right to be upset with Hogan's selfish attitude and one-up'smanship. Match was balls, but the angle kicked off spectacularly.

WWF Championship; Steel Cage Match:
Hulk Hogan © vs. "Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff (w/ Bobby Heenan):

From the January 3rd, 1987 episode of Saturday Night's Main Event. This is pretty much the blowoff to their program in television time, but still kept working house shows for a bit leading up to WrestleMania III. Orndorff attacks before the bell and whips Hogan with his own championship belt. Orndorff with a quick move for the door, but Hogan hooks the ankle. Orndorff with elbows across the back of the head, then another failed escape. For whatever reason, Danny Davis is at ringside, as well as lead and official referee, Joey Marella. Orndorff climbs out, but Hogan pulls him back in by the hair... I HATE THESE SPOTS. Hogan rams Orndorff into the cage a few times, but it's the dumb blue bars, so there's little chance for blood. Hogan with a choke, using his bandana as a weapon. Hogan makes a move to escape, but no dice, Jim Rice. I just got thinking... in these "escape only" cage matches, has a title ever changed hands (back when the belts meant something)? It would seem anti-climatic for the new champion to be crowned by just escape. Hogan goes for the door, but it's conveniently locked. Orndorff regains control with clubberin' offense. Hogan blocks tasting cage until both men get rammed at the same time. They go to opposite sides of the ring and climb, with both men escaping and touching the floor at the same time (almost) at 6:25. Marella declares Hogan winner, and Davis raises the arm of Orndorff... who's the winner?! Davis shoves Marella down, then gets an earful from Hogan until Orndorff attacks from behind with a running high knee.

We all know what happens next... we restart the match, of course! Orndorff tosses Hogan back inside, and Ventura wisely points out that Orndorff, climbing the top rope, has to have both feet in the ring before he can make an escape attempt. Orndorff with an elbow from the top, followed by a pair of knee drops. Orndorff drags Hogan off the canvas and lays him out with a short-arm clothesline. Suddenly, Hogan starts his Hulk Up routine. Hogan unloads with roundhouse rights and chops. Hogan with a handful of hair, and he slams Orndorff face-first into the cage. Hogan continues using the cage to his advantage, and still no blood. Hogan with a back breaker, followed by the leg drop. McMahon claims blood shed, but I don't see it. Heenan makes an effort to stop Hogan, but it backfires. Hogan with an atomic drop on Orndorff, then whips Heenan into the cage. Hogan climbs and Orndorff crawls, with Hogan making it out to retain the gold at 12:45. Not as good as I remembered, but a decent brawl, and while I don't find cage matches to be a satisfying ending when it's not pinfall finishes, it did help continue to establish Danny Davis' evil referee storyline... too bad this is HULK HOGAN'S tape, not Danny Davis or the Hart Foundation.

WWF Championship Match:
Hulk Hogan © vs. Brutus Beefcake (w/ Johnny Valiant):

From the August 17th, 1985 card held at the Capital Centre in Landover, MD... yes, we are REALLY digging deep now to fill out the rest of the tape. By the point this was released, Beefcake was set for a babyface turn... nice selection. I'm sure this was also used on the Brutus Beefcake Coliseum Video... maybe I should check that one out in the future. Lockup, and Beefcake shoves Hogan to the corner. Beefcake struts away from a lockup and poses, to the delight of no one. They do the spot again, but this time Hogan does it to mock Beefcake and the crowd loves it. Whip to the corner, and Hogan follows with a clothesline. Hogan with an atomic drop, sending Beefcake out of the ring. Hogan with some insensitive gestures in Beefer's direction, but he's a babyface, so it's OK. Back inside, and Beefcake puts Hogan down with a series of forearms. Hogan blocks being sent to the buckle and makes Beefcake taste it (almost) ten times. Hogan chokes, to the ire of Ventura, then connects with a back breaker for a two count. Whip to the corner is reversed, and Beefcake puts Hogan down with a clothesline. Beefcake with choking before knocking Hogan to the outside. Hogan sweeps the leg and drags Beefcake out, then connects with an atomic drop. Hogan tries for more, but Beefcake pushes him off, into the ring post. Should've went back in the ring when you had the chance, guy. Beefcake with knee drops for a two count. Beefcake with a powerslam for another two count. Irish whip, and Beefcake slaps on a bearhug. It's not as impressive when he does it compared to, for example, King Kong Bundy or John Studd. Hogan eventually breaks the hold and takes Beefcake's head off with a clothesline. Hogan pounds away and hits a running clothesline. Irish whip and big boot, followed by a slam. Hogan with the leg drop, but he gets up to attack Valiant. Heel miscommunication happens, and a school boy is enough to put Beefcake away at 12:21. Match wasn't as bad as I was expecting it to be, but it wasn't very good either, especially that bearhug spot that dragged everything to a hault.

Hulk Hogan & George Steele vs. Randy Savage & Adrian Adonis:

From the August 9th, 1986 card held at the Boston Garden, and oh joy, a George "The Animal" Steele appearance. Much like the Bushwhackers, I absolutely loath Steele, as a babyface because I hate comedy wrestlers, and as a heel, because he sucked in the ring. Steele comes to the ring, sporting a Hogan t-shirt, then tears it off, Hulkster style. I'll give 'em credit for a nice touch, there. Steele eats buckle, and Hogan accepts the offer for a taste. Adonis attacks with his scarf, but Hogan quickly fights back. In the meantime, Savage gets a faceful of stuffing from Steele as the turnbuckle stuffing gets tossed all over the place. Steele attempts to start with Savage, but Savage runs away before contact is made. Hogan tosses Savage back in, right to the clutches of Steele. Hogan and Adonis tag, and Hogan uses the same gestures he made in the Beefcake match. Adnois takes Hogan to the corner, but gets nailed with a clothesline, and Steele adds a headbutt for good measure. This match is all over the place. Irish whip, and Hogan with a big boot on Adonis. Savage tags in and comes off the top rope with a double axehandle. Hogan barely sells long enough to tie your shoes, and Steele tags in to take a bite out of Savage. Adonis tags in and pulls the hair... on Steele's back. That's definitely a unique move. Adonis with a snapmare, followed by an elbow drop for a two count. Adonis with a scoop slam, and he comes off the top rope with a forearm for another two count. Savage tags in, and quickly goes for some choking. Steele comes back with arm biting, but a clothesline sends him over the top rope. Hogan gets the coldest hot tag I've ever seen. Adonis with a suplex, but it only gets a two count. Adonis with another suplex for two, again. Adonis slaps on a sleeper hold, then heads to the top again, but meets the knees coming off. Savage comes in to take another beating from Hogan. Everyone's in the ring and Hogan quickly drops the leg on Adonis for the three count at 10:29. This was a mess that stopped being enjoyable once the pre-match shenanigans came to an end. Tag team matches should be left to teams with actual chemistry, not only as opponents, but as partners as well.

WWF Championship Match:
Hulk Hogan © vs. Kamala (w/ Kimchee & The Wizard):

From the December 26th, 1986 card held at Madison Square Garden, with Monsoon and Bobby Heenan calling the action. Along with Paul Orndorff, Kamala was also working the house show circuit with Hogan leading up to WrestleMania III. I find it weird, looking back, that neither man made the WrestleMania lineup that year. Kamala seemed to come and go a lot with the WWF, never really hanging around long enough to do anything noteworthy. We get a stalemate on a shoulder block challenge. Kamala leap frogs Hogan and bowls over him with a third attempt. Pun intended with the bowling joke, of course. Lockup, and Hogan fails at a slam attempt, allowing Kamala to control with chops. Hogan mounts a comeback and nails Kamala with a clothesline and high knee. Hogan takes a shot at Kimchee, allowing Kamala to recover and nail Hogan with a weapon courtesy of the Wizard. In the meantime, it looks like a bunch of cops ambushing a fan in moderate view of the hard camera. Kamala with choking, and this goes on for a while. to change things up, Kamala with some biting. Kamala with a slam and the big splash, but Hogan kicks out at two. Hogan gradually Hulk's Up™, and he pounds away, then rams Kamala to the buckle. Whip to the corner, and Hogan with a clothesline. Hogan with the slam, but Wizard trips him up on a leg drop attempt. Kamala with another splash on Hogan, but the referee calls the Disqualification at 6:34. Kimchee tosses referee Marella from the ring, as Hogan continues to take a beating. Hogan fights everyone off to the delight of the New York crowd. Match was mostly a stinker, but it was kept short.

Hulk Hogan, Big & Super Machine vs. King Kong Bundy, Big John Studd, Bobby Heenan:

Final match of the tape, and we're still in Madison Square Garden, originally taped on September 22nd, 1986. Yes, Hulk is dressed up in complete Machines attire. Hulk Machine starts with Bundy, and while we run with the Machine gag, everyone is aware that it's Hulk Hogan under the mask. Hulk quickly slams Bundy while charging out of the corner, then talks smack to Heenan and Studd. Hogan pounds away on Studd, then tags out to Big Machine, who fails going for a slam. Bundy tags in, and Big Machine grabs a headlock. Super Machine tags in and gets trapped in the heel corner. Irish whip, and Super Machine with a cross body on Studd, then another failed slam attempt. Big Machine tags back in, and gets slammed with ease. Bundy goes for the mask, with little success. Bundy slaps on a front facelock, but that doesn't last long. Super Machine works over Studd, but a forearm brings an end to that. Bundy tags in and nails Super with an elbow, but misses a splash. Super Machine sweeps the leg and pounds away, but quickly loses control to the Heenan side. Heenan tags in, gets a few shots in, and Hulk gets the tag in. Hogan unloads with rights and whips Heenan into the corner. Hogan brings Heenan back in with a slingshot, but he eventually tags out to Bundy. Big Machine goes for another slam on Studd, but another failure. Bundy sends him to the corner and follows in with the Avalanche. Hulk does the illegal switch behind the back of the referee and the crowd loves it. Irish whip, Hogan ducks a clothesline and follows with a slam on Studd, and the leg drop finishes him off at 9:30. Another boring tag match in a series of them, but the goofy inclusion of Hogan as an honorary "Machine" just to dick with Heenan was a pretty cute idea. Everyone knew who the "Giant Machine" was, so having guys like Hogan and Roddy Piper dressed as Machine's, when it's obviously them and admiting it's them, was fun.

Final Thoughts: If you're into rarities, then this is the tape for you... Hogan dressed as a Machine, oddball team-up's with George Steele and Hillbilly Jim, and the match that feartured Paul Orndorff's heel turn? What more could you ask for? Quality wrestling, which is mostly missing from this tape. I can watch Hogan matches all the time, but THREE matches with Studd and Bundy, and stinkrs against Kamala and Brutus Beefcake make this a rather poor tape when it came to solid wrestling. I wouldn't recommend it, but I do agree, it has a rather unusual lineup.

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