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WWF at Madison Square Garden
July 25, 1987

by Scrooge McSuck

We've recently covered shows at the Spectrum in Philadelphia and rec-center in Johnstown via Fan-Cam coverage, and now we're back in the World's Most Famous Arena as we inch closer to our next set of TV tapings. It should be no surprise that the WWF ran two other shows on this date with different lineups, in Baltimore, MD and Bristol, TN. The Bristol card looks the weakest except for the fact they got HULK VS MACHO MAN for the WWF Title. Seriously, that lineup is a C-Show any other day. Baltimore got Ken Patera vs. Paul Orndorff, George Steele vs. Danny Davis... ugh, never mind, THIS is the C-Show, even if there's slightly more star power underneath.

Gorilla Monsoon and Lord Alfred Hayes are ringside to call the action, unless otherwise noted.

Brady Boone vs. Dino Bravo (w/ Johnny Valiant):

Is there anything of interest I can say here? Boone is fresh in the company, and they've dragged the New Dream Team vs Rougeau Brothers program out all Spring and into the Summer... and we're not even getting that match! Valiant and Bravo heel it up by hugging. Lockup and Bravo shows off his superior strength. Whip to the corner, Boone avoids the charge and sends Bravo out of the ring with a dropkick. Back inside, Boone frustrates Bravo with his agility and sends him into the corner with an atomic drop. Bravo quickly turns things around, countering the mounted position in the corner with an inverted atomic drop. We're forced to listen to Valiant as Bravo slows it down with a chin-lock and switches to a bear-hug. Boone with the escape, but he misses a cross body press and gets dumped out of the ring. Back in the ring, Boone surprises Bravo with a sunset flip for two. He gets dumped again, with Valiant getting his shot in. Boone's offense has been limited to a short flurry early in the match and a couple of surprise pin attempts. Bravo misses another charge into the corner, opening the door for Boone's comeback. It's short-lived as well, missing a dive into the corner, and Bravo finishes with the side slam at 10:50. Just a boring one-sided quasi-squash. *

Rick Martel vs. Tama (w/ Haku):

SWEET LORD, this is the THIRD time I'm getting this match in one week?! Haku cheapshots Martel and it's a 2-on-1 assault. Nice of them to ring the bell now to start the match. Martel comes back with a double clothesline and pair of dropkicks to clear the ring. Tama stalls then offers the very sincere handshake of truce. Martel gets the sucker punch, but turns things around in a hurry and sends Tama out of the ring following a pair of slams. Back inside, lockup to the ropes and Tama gives a clean break. Another lockup and Tama's Sportsmanship quota has already been filled. He plants Martel with a slam, but the leg drop misses, giving Martel favorable position to work the leg. Tama fights free, but Martel cuts him off and returns to the leg lock.

Tama with a leverage move to send Martel out of the ring, followed by Martel being rammed into the post. Haku gets a few shots in while Martel struggles getting to his feet. Back inside, Tama with a diving back elbow for a two-count. He punishes the neck and grabs the tongan nerve hold. Martel with elbows, but he's cut off with a knee to the midsection. Another escape, another cut-off, with Tama nailing a short-arm clothesline before going to the hold a third time. Martel sends Tama into the corner, but a twisting body press hits an empty pool. Haku gets more shots on the floor and Tama brings Martel back in with a suplex for two. Martel digs down deep to stun Tama, but it's only briefly. Tama with a slam, but he misses a flying splash. Martel unloads with lefts and a back elbow sends Tama tumbling over the top rope. Martel with a slingshot, knocking Tama into Haku, and the bell rings at 19:20, but the match keeps going! Tama dives off the top with a body press, but Martel rolls through for three at 19:51?! Martel is declared the winner, but it doesn't matter, as the Islanders beat him into a pulp. Followed a similar script, just stretched a little longer, and the confusion over the bell ringing, but a good match is a good match. ***

Hillbilly Jim vs. "The Natural" Butch Reed:

Yikes, this will most definitely NOT be a good match. Reed is positioned for a feud with Superstar Billy Graham and Jim is a guy who is happy to be here. Jim offers a handshake and Reed is all "shove it, pal." We get plenty of schtick to start. Lockup to the ropes and Reed gives a clean break! Reed's shoulder block has zero effect on Jim. He dares Jim to try his luck and Jim whacks him with a right hand instead. CHEATER. Reed counters a back body-drop but misses a knee drop. Jim plays to the crowd before dropping his weight across the midsection. Now, Reed wants a test-of-strength, and this doesn't go well for him, either. Reed uses dirty tactics to take control, but Jim fights to his feet, drives a pair of knees to the body, and stomps Reed's hands. Reed asks the referee to check the hands and uses the opportunity to club Jim across the side of the head, and continues using all the dirty tricks he has in his arsenal. Reed with a big slam and jumping fist drop for two. Whip across the ring, Jim brings up a boot and comes off the ropes with a clothesline. Reed avoids an elbow drop, then Jim rolls away from an elbow of Reed's. Whip is reversed, Reed with a high knee, and a flying clothesline finishes at 11:00. This wasn't as bad as expected, though it went too long with what they brought to the table. *½

WWF Intercontinental Championship Match:
The Honkytonk Man (c) (w/ Jimmy Hart) vs. Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat:

Interesting, Steamboat is subbing for Jake Roberts here, though being the man who lost the title to Honky under somewhat controversial circumstances makes it an easy match to just poof into existence. Honky tries getting the jump but Steamboat easily fights him off, hitting the ropes with extra gusto and getting an early near-fall off a cross body press. Steamboat chases Honky around the ring and takes advantage of heel miscommunication. Back inside, he continues dishing out the punishment. Honky takes a fantastic beating, I'll give him that. Steamboat with a bridging back suplex for two, with the referee pausing his count for whatever reason.

Steamboat disputes the count, giving Honky a chance to get some shots in. Steamboat blocks the buckle and regains control, taking Honky over with a snap mare and landing a series of blows across the neck. Honky wins the battle over a suplex and comes off the second turnbuckle with a fist drop for a two-count. Steamboat gets fired up, but gets caught setting too early for a back body-drop. Whip to the corner and Honky rams his own knees into the turnbuckle. Hart picks the ankle of Steamboat, leading to a chase around the ring. Honky gets hold of the megaphone during the commotion and whacks Steamboat with it for the slowest two-count in recorded history. Honky goes toe-to-toe with strikes but wastes time playing to the crowd. Steamboat can't capitalize, meeting the knees on a splash attempt. They fight for control of an abdominal stretch, with Steamboat being thrown over the top rope. Steamboat blinds Honky with a cup of Coca-Cola and lays it in with chops. A flying chop sends Honky through the ropes and it's our Honky Count-Out Special at 10:39, but instead of being on the floor, he's half in the ring and half hanging out, clinging to the apron skirt for the duration of the count. DUMB. Even with that unbelievably poor finish, one of the better matches I've watched with Honkytonk Man involved. ***¼

Tito Santana vs. Nikolai Volkoff:

Quite the contest to come out of intermission, but it's Tito, so we'll let it slide. Santana has nothing going on, and Volkoff is just taking up space without the Iron Sheik around. Volkoff takes a cheap shot in the ropes, Santana fires back and works the arm. Volkoff keeps going to the ropes for the break and catches Santana in the throat with an uppercut. Whip to the ropes and Nikolai drives a knee into the midsection. Santana teases a comeback, but Volkoff cuts him off by grabbing a bearhug. Tito smacks the ears for the escape, but Volkoff reapplies the hold. If you're having trouble sleeping, pop this match on. Volkoff lets go (thank God) and hits a sloppy clothesline for a slow two-count. Gorilla press into a back breaker as Monsoon calls out the baby poop soft work of Volkoff on every spot. Tito comes off the ropes with the Flying Forearm and finishes things at 8:21. It felt like half-an-hour of nothing. ½*

Then, for whatever reason, Ron Bass attacks Santana, with Outback Jack making the save, which transitions us into...

Outback Jack vs. "The Outlaw" Ron Bass:

In a very rare instance, the match begins as we throw it to a commercial break. I guess they're doing us a favor, considering one of the men involved. We come back with Bass in control in the corner. Good God, this is no better than the last match. Jack comes back with rights and has Bass begging off. Whip to the ropes and Bass casually cuts Jack off with a boot to the midsection. Jack reverses a whip to the corner and plants Bass with a slam. He wastes time playing to the crowd, missing a sloppy elbow drop, and Bass finishes with the face-buster at 3:00 (shown). At least it was short, and Bass casually noping out on whatever Jack was trying to do off the ropes was amusing. NR

Ricky Steamboat returns to the ring and he wants another crack at the Honkytonk Man!

Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake vs. Greg "The Hammer" Valentine (w/ Johnny Valiant):

The last 15-20 minutes has really killed my enthusiasm, but this has potential to be decent, with the right motivation. I swear, Beefcake and Valentine worked opposite each other 400 times in 1987. Beefcake won't allow Valentine and Valiant hug it out and gives them a match-opening double noggin knocker. Monsoon notes Valentine is a "slow starter" as Beefcake unloads with forearm bombs. Valentine reverses a whip but runs elbow-first into the turnbuckle. He tries to slink away, only to find himself straddling the post. Valentine with a handful of tights to send Beefcake through the ropes, giving Valiant a chance to get a few shots in.

This is some level effort work from the Hammer and Brutus emptied the tank already with all his signature goof-around spots. Valentine works the back but Beefcake manages to counter a piledriver attempt. The comeback is cut short, as Valentine drops a headbutt across the midsection and slaps The Barber around. The Figure-Four is applied, but Beefcake reaches the ropes to force the break. Beefcake blocks a second attempt, sending Valentine into the turnbuckle. Beefcake with a flurry of mounted punches that made Ralphie's assault on Scut Farkus look believable. Whip into the corner and Beefcake with a big clothesline. Sleeper is applied, but Johnny Valiant rushes into the ring... and the referee just lets it go! Dino Bravo in, and NOW it's a disqualification at 13:12. The New Dream Team give a slight trim to Beefcake until the British Bulldogs save. This was very, very dull, but not completely unwatchable. The finish, however, was awful. *½

Jerry Allen vs. "Ravishing" Rick Rude:

I've hit that point in the show where I just want it to end. Rude demands the microphone lowered so he can do his schtick. Rude is still very new to the WWF, as we can tell by his competition on these early house show appearances. Lockup to the ropes and Rude breaks clean. Monsoon is very distracted by the colorful tights of Rude. Allen doesn't appreciate the taunting, shoving Rude back, then dipping the shoulder on the attempted retaliation. Rude quickly cuts Allen off, countering a body press with a back breaker, followed by a diving clothesline and flying fist drop. Rude is still doing the gimmick of giving up the pin attempts, instead opting to taunt the crowd and work on some rest holds. Rude busts out a snap suplex ("shades of the Dynamite Kid"), but goes to the well once too often, allowing Allen to snap off one of his own. Rude avoids a follow-up elbow and nails Allen with a dropkick. They mistime a second dropkick and it's time for Allen's comeback. He rushes through a few spots until Rude cuts him off with an inverted atomic drop and finishes with the over-the-shoulder back breaker at 7:14. It was shorter than I expected, and did the job it needed to put Rude over as a heel to pay attention to. **

The WWF returns to Madison Square Garden in four weeks on August 22nd! Jose Estrada faces Chavo Guerrero! Islander Tama goes against Scott Casey! The NEW Ladies Champion Sherri Martel defends her title against Velvet McIntyre! The Outlaw Ron Bass takes on Tito Santana! Islander Haku goes one-on-one with Rick Martel! Ax and Smash of Demolition battle it out with the Junkyard Dog and George "The Animal" Steele! And in the Main Event, the Intercontinental Championship is on the line as the Honkytonk Man faces Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat in a LUMBERJACK MATCH. TICKETS ON SALE AT THE GARDEN BOX OFFICE.

WWF Tag Team Championship Match:
The Hart Foundation (c) (w/ Jimmy Hart) vs. The British Bulldogs:

The final match of the night, and the Fink reminds us that the curfew has been WAIVED for tonight. The Hart Foundation won the titles way back in January (taping date) and are STILL running house show loops against the Bulldogs, and it's the big market, not some random town in Iowa. The Bulldogs have Matilda and she goes right for Jimmy Hart. Bret gets the jump on Davey Boy during the chaos and the Champs take turns working him over in their corner. Whip is reversed, with Neidhart and Bret bouncing off each other. Dynamite in with a DOUBLE NOGGIN KNOCKER and a snap suplex on Bret for a two-count. Davey back in, rocking Bret with a headbutt and hanging on with a side headlock. Whip to the ropes and he hooks Hart with a crucifix cradle for a near-fall.

Dynamite with a big clothesline and a flurry of strikes in the corner. Bret goes to the eyes to slow him down, but the Bulldogs remain in control. Davey with a clunky fisherman suplex for two. Dynamite is much more active AND bumping around now, and also the go-to option for the face-in-peril sequence. Combo back breaker and elbow drop gets a two-count. Bret lays it in with forearm uppercuts, but a slam attempt backfires with Dynamite shifting his weight to land on top for two. Neidhart makes the mistake of attempting a headbutt, but luckily for him, Bret scrambles in and cuts Dynamite off with a front face-lock. The referee misses the tag, but the double-team in the corner backfires. Bret meets the post and Neidhart is dumped over the top as Davey Boy gets the real hot tag. He runs wild on Bret with a clothesline, monkey-flip and flying knee drop for two. Delayed vertical suplex for a slow two-count. The Running Powerslam connects, but Bret manages to get his foot on the rope to break the count. Bret escapes a second slam and hooks a sleeper, but Dynamite sneaks in and drops Bret with a headbutt. Davey Boy with the gorilla press, dropping Bret across the top rope. He tries bringing Bret back in with a suplex, but Neidhart sweeps the leg and Bret cradles him for three to retain at 10:26. Heck continues to run wild after the bell, with the Bulldogs cleaning house and poor Jimmy getting thrown around. Perfect case of giving the live crowd false hope before pulling the rug from under them, but we got a legit finish instead of a cheap CO/DQ cop-out. Not quite the level the teams were hitting a year or so earlier, but a solid effort and satisfying conclusion to the night's action. ***½

Final Thoughts: The top matches delivered satisfying performances, so hard to complain too much. The under-card wasn't the most interesting, but very little was outright terrible, but a lot of uninteresting filler. I know you can find plenty of good matches between the Bulldogs and Hart Foundation, but them combined with Steamboat/Honky and Martel/Tama pushes this into the tier of a show worth checking out. Just skip that 20 minute stretch of Tito/Volkoff and Outback/Bass. There's nothing worth watching there and it sucks away at your soul (especially with an underwhelming Beefcake/Valentine following it).

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