home | wrestling | flashback_reviews | wwe | house_shows
WWF @ Maple Leaf Gardens- March 23, 1986
by Scrooge McSuck
We're taking a trip to Toronto, Ontario, Canada to see the stars of the WWF in action, just two weeks away from WrestleMania 2, presented live from no less than three separate locations, available only on a Pay-Per-View basis. I hope you read that in the voice of Sean Mooney, even if this card predates his WWF employment by a solid 2 years.. and it's also a cheap plug for my WrestleMania 2 re-visit where I feel there's enough meat on the bone to save Mania 2 from the bottom tier of WrestleMania.
Gorilla Monsoon and Jesse "The Body" Ventura are calling the action, unless otherwise noted. The WWF also ran a show in Richfield, OH that day with the following lineup: The British Bulldogs & Lou Albano def. The Dream Team & Johnny Valiant, Tito Santana def. IC Champ Randy Savage by DQ, King Kong Bundy def. Hillbilly Jim, Big John Studd def Pedro Morales (sub for Uncle Elmer), George Steele def. The Iron Sheik, Nikolai Volkoff def. Tony Atlas, and Sivi Afi def. SD Jones (sub for Adrian Adonis). After those first two matches, that card falls apart and hard.
King Tonga vs. Paul Christy:
Tonga would switch to "Haku" by the end of 1986, but he's a fresh face here, coming over from Montreal along with the Rougeau Brothers. If I've covered a Christy match before, you've probably read about his
infamous appearance on Tuesday Night Titans. Bell rings and Christy immediately hides in the ropes. No elbow or knee pads suggests this guy does not take a lot of bumps, and the Toronto crowd is on him for being a coward. It is NOT a good sign when Gorilla is talking about random amateur wrestling stories. Tonga controls by working the arm. I don't know what Christy is trying to do, but he's all over the place, and none of it is good. He looks and works like an early 70's prelim guy. Tonga with a slam but he meets the knees when attempting a splash. Christy chokes a bunch and Tonga starts his comeback. He throws Christy out of the corner, hits a "karate" kick and finishes with a jumping splash at 9:35. If I may borrow from one of my colleagues, this was a turd, mostly because of Christy's lack of effort. I'm all for prelim matches keeping it simple, but these guys were in different books, let alone different pages. ½*
The Rougeau Brothers vs. The Moondogs:
I guess I shouldn't be surprised to see the Rougeau Brothers (Jacques and Raymond) after talking up their jump along with Tonga. The Moondogs are Rex and Spot, and could best be described as the tag team JTTS (jobbers to the stars). The Rougeaus would not debut on TV until after WrestleMania 2. Raymond and Rex start as we hear a debate over what animal the Moondogs' bones come from. Raymond busts out a Biel throw and dropkick to excite the crowd. Jacques gets a blind tag and we get a nice combo sequence from the brothers from Montreal. Rex reaches desperately for a tag, but is denied. Spot eventually gets the tag and is immediately caught in the same predicament as his partner. Jacques with a roll-over cradle, but Rex distracts the referee from seeing it, drawing the ire of the fans. The Rougeaus give the Moondogs a taste of their own medicine, distracting the ref from seeing a tag, forcing Rex out.
Things turn around for the Moondogs as Raymond gets caught in the wrong part of town. Raymond gets dumped, allowing Spot to take some shots on the floor. Rex brings Raymond in from the apron with a suplex and makes a sloppy cover for a near-fall. Moondogs with more near-falls as Raymond refuses to give up. The crowd LOSES IT for Raymond countering a suplex on Rex, but Spot keeps him from getting to his corner. Now the referee misses the Rougeaus making a tag. Raymond teases another hope spot before getting cut off by Rex. Raymond smacks the ears to escape a bearhug and Jacques FINALLY gets the tag to a huge ovation. He runs wild on both Moondogs with forearms and dropkicks. THIS CROWD IS GOING BANANAS. DOUBLE NOGGIN KNOCKER. Heck breaks loose with all four men in the ring. The Dogs are sent into each other and Rex is put down with a sleeper at 16:05. This was perfectly solid for a prelim tag match, with some fun spots and an active crowd. The Moondogs were an underrated team, and the Rougeaus could GO as babyfaces. ***
Leaping Lanny Poffo vs. "Ace Cowboy" Bob Orton:
OK, I'm usually not that gung ho for Lanny Poffo matches, but Bob Orton? You have my attention now. Orton is still Piper's muscle and not a major player when it comes to chasing titles, but he was still bringing the goods in the ring, and Poffo's style will no doubt be enhanced by working with someone of Orton's caliber. They don't waste time, jockeying for position. Orton catches Lanny with an arm drag and grabs a wrist-lock. Poffo bridges and flips over to counter and hook an arm bar. Poffo slips out of a slam and takes Orton over with an O'Connor Roll for a two-count. Woah, I just noticed Orton isn't wearing the cast! Orton with an arm drag through the ropes and Poffo keeps the hold applied as they hit the ramp! Orton grabs a front chancery, but Poffo with another counter. Ortn rams Poffo in the midsection with a shoulder, sending him through the ropes, and keeps delivering punishment as they land on the ringside table. These guys are awesome, and I hope they keep going for another 20-minutes.
Orton brings Orton in from the apron with a powerslam for a near-fall. Orton sends Poffo to the corner and charges in to meet the post. Poffo unloads with rights and sends Orton into the post for a two-count. He tries to capture as many of Orton's legs and arms to keep him down, but Orton keeps a shoulder off the canvas. Orton forces a break in the corner and peppers Poffo with rights and lefts. ORTON WITH A BETA VERSION OF AN RKO FOR A NEAR-FALL. Poffo counters another Powerslam with a small package for a near-fall. Poffo blocks a suplex and counters with his own, then cradles Orton for a two-count. Slam and springboard senton splash for a near-fall. Another cover and another kick-out. Poffo transitions into a side-angle flurry of right hands and covers again, but now Orton is in the ropes. Poffo with a slam and moonsault for two. Orton is on rubber legs as he's introduced repeatedly to the turnbuckle. Whip and Orton flips over, catching himself in a tree of woe. Whip and a dropkick sends Orton over the top rope, to the ramp. Orton avoids another dropkick, causing Poffo to kiss the canvas. Poffo regains control, but Orton straddles him on the ropes and quickly puts him away with the super-plex at 12:19. This was a fantastic match, and they packed all that in only TWELVE MINUTES. What a performance from both men, and a true hidden gem if there ever was one. ****
Martial Arts Match: Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat vs. The Magnificent Muraco (w/ Mr. Fuji):
I never thought I'd say it, but I wonder if Steamboat has enough in him to get Muraco anywhere close to the quality of that last match. These two have gone around the horn for several months, often as the second most important attraction of a given card. Both men are to wear a Karate dogi for the match, so expect more shtick than action. The crowd chants "Beach Bum" at Muraco. The Dragon avoids Muraco's wild flailing and throws him across the ring. Steamboat does NOT give a clean break and an enzuigiri sends Muraco taking a big bump over the top rope. Something in the water in Toronto? Wow, Monsoon and Ventura are actually ringside. I figured it was added in post-production. Steamboat with a hip toss and slam, sending Muraco to the outside again. Muraco gets about 5-seconds of offense before another enzuigiri knocks him to the ramp. Monsoon jokes this could be for the Hawaiian Island Championship, but modern fans would expect it to be a real thing and get mad over too many championships. Steamboat grabs the hair to maintain control of a headlock and Muraco yanks the hair of Steamboat to create some separation. Crisscross and Steamboat surprises Muraco with a swinging neck breaker. They do an impressive sequence of running the ropes off a series of counters until Steamboat ends up in control of the situation.
Muraco picks Steamboat on his back and plants him with a Samoan drop. Steamboat cuts Muraco off, but Fuji picks the ankle, drawing his attention long enough for Muraco to recover and get the jump on him. Fuji holds up a chair as Muraco sends Steamboat into it with a slingshot. BILL ALFONSO RIPPED OFF MR. FUJI. Steamboat is showing color as Muraco lashes him with his black belt. Steamboat's selling is absolutely amazing. These guys are fighting dirty and it fits the story of the match and most importantly their rivalry. Muraco tries choking the Dragon out but gets sent face-first to the post. Steamboat with a snap mare and a jumping chop across the face. He rips away at Muraco's dogi and returns fire with lashes from BOTH belts tied together. Whip and Steamboat clotheslines Muraco with the belts. Steamboat from the top rope with a chop to the top of the head. Muraco tries to run, but Steamboat pulls him back in. The referee tries to get in the middle of things after letting all of this violence go without issue. The referee gets sandwiched in the corner, and is unable to count as Muraco lays Steamboat out with a clothesline. Muraco with a body press, but Steamboat rolls through for the three-count at 16:13. Post-match, Muraco wraps the belt around Steamboat's neck and lays into him with Fuji's cane. Well, this was fantastic. Two guys who hate each other beating the crap out of each other for 15-minutes. This and the last match back-to-back is almost unbelievable for the WWF, considering the era and the schedule these guys were working. ****
Jesse Ventura is standing by for an in-ring edition of the Body Shop, hyping up the Boxing Match at the Nassau Coliseum, pitting his good friend "Rowdy" Roddy Piper and his guest at this time, "The star of the A-Team", Mr. T. T comes out with his signature chains and wearing a kilt. Ventura offers a seat, but T prefers to stand because he doesn't trust Ventura. Mr. T has a rubber chicken in unique attire because it symbolizes Piper. "He's a coward, a sneak thief and a dirty wrestler." Smokin' Joe is teaching T how to knock people out and he promises to win. "You thought I was tough in Rocky? That was nothing, Rocky was a movie." The crowd is starting to split with their reaction, with a mix of jeers after a fairly positive reaction for him coming out. Ventura predicts Piper by knockout in less than three rounds. Mr. T tells Ventura off and they tease a physical altercation, but Ventura says he wore his good clothes and isn't going to fight anyone before being ushered off by Monsoon. Well, that was certainly a segment I'll forget in about 10 minutes.
The Killer Bees vs. The Hart Foundation (w/ Jimmy Hart):
What a tremendous tag team match-up, sayeth Monsoon. Ventura has calmed down and rejoined Monsoon at the broadcast position at ringside. Ventura talks about Jimmy Hart's new megaphone. Neither team has much direction at the moment, but the Bees vs. Foundation is like Pizza. Even when it's not the greatest, it's still good. Bret and Blair lockup into the corner. Blair blocks a cheap-shot and sends Bret to the floor following a series of right hands. Back inside, Blair catches a boot and takes Bret down with a back suplex. Neidhart tries his luck and gets hit with a body press for a two-count. The Bees take turns working the leg of the Anvil as Bret watches on helplessly. Bret tags in and it's the same formula we saw with the Rougeaus and Moondogs. Bees with a double spinning toe hold and Blair applies a Figure-Four, but Anvil saves and the Foundation get away with an illegal switch.
Bret with a cheapshot from the apron, followed by the elbow drop/back breaker combination. Bret with a back breaker as Gorilla calls him the Most Improved Wrestler of 1985. Blair surprises Neidhart with a sunset flip but the referee is out of position (he's also trash at his counts). Brunzell makes the mistake of trying to make the save, allowing another switch. Blair fights to the corner, but Bret changes the formula by attracting BRUNZELL instead of the referee to spoil the tag. Blair reverses a whip, sending Bret crashing chest-first into the turnbuckle. Brunzell is AGAIN lured into the ring, this time by Neidhart. Blair fights through a front chancery, and now we get the spot where the referee misses the tag. The Foundation has a miscommunication, and this time the tag to Brunzell is allowed. He throws Bret into Neidhart and gives ‘em a DOUBLE NOGGIN KNOCKER. Whip and Brunzell with a high knee to the Hitman. An atomic drop sends Bret to the corner, where Blair smacks his ears. Whip and Brunzell with his patented dropkick for a near-fall. Heck breaks loose with all four men in the ring. Whip and the Bees with a double boot to the midsection of Bret. Neidhart lands a shot to the back of Brunzell's head, and Bret falls on top for three at 15:01. Another good match, with the Foundation doing some great heel work. ***
Cpl. Kirchner vs. Iron Mike Sharpe:
OK, I think the streak of strong matches is about to end. Kirchner started off as an enhancement talent for the WWF, but when word came out he had legitimate background as a member of the 82nd Airborne Division, he was taken off TV and repackaged. Kirchner comes out with old glory over his shoulder and waving the Canadian flag. Lockup, Sharpe grabs a side headlock and they crisscross a bunch until Kirchner catches him with a slam. Sharpe powders but Kirchner brings him back in with a slingshot. Sharpe takes a long walk down the entrance ramp ("maybe Mike went back to the dressing room for a drink"). Monsoon mentions Sharpe's lengthy shower habits. As I expected, this is rough to watch, with Kirchner being very limited in what he could do. Sharpe comes off the ropes with a big clothesline for two. Whip and a sloppy back body-drop for two. Kirchner surprises Sharpe with a dropkick and takes him out of the corner with a monkey-flip for two. Sharpe hangs back to avoid a second dropkick and digs into his tights to load up the forearm support. Kirchner avoids the strike, SMACKS SHARPE WITH HIS OWN FOREARM, and covers for three at 7:54. Well, that was unique, I'll give them that. Sharpe with some decent heel work, otherwise, a turd. ¾*
George Wells vs. Jake "The Snake" Roberts:
Woah, what are they doing, giving away a WrestleMania 2 match like this?! Honestly, I don't think the match was announced on TV until the week of the show, since Roberts only debuts (on TV) about a week before this match. Wells' claim to fame is being a former member of the CFL and, well, WrestleMania 2. Ventura mentions Wells is coming off an eye injury and it will take time to get readjusted in the ring. Lockup in the ropes and a clean break as Roberts gives a devilish smile. Wells with a shoulder block, sending Roberts bouncing across the ring. Wells with more shoulders, sending Roberts slithering out of the ring. Roberts starts punishing Wells but the crowd doesn't seem all too interested. Roberts with a slam and knee across the chest for two. He rides Wells with a chin-lock as he taunts him with the bag containing Damian. Wells attempts a sunset flip but Roberts blocks. Roberts gets too cocky and Wells rallies, hitting him with some football blocks. He misses a dive into the corner, smacking the turnbuckle face-first, and Roberts drops an elbow for three at 8:57 (with a handful of tights, as well). I think these two did us a favor having a shorter match two weeks later at the Nassau Coliseum, because this wasn't good. ½*
Andre The Giant & The Junkyard Dog vs. Terry & Hoss Funk and Jimmy Hart:
Final match of the night, and this should be a heck of a match based on just Terry Funk and Jimmy Hart's involvement. Jimmy Hart is introduced at a weight of 159 pounds to a great reaction. Andre is not moving too well. Monsoon and Ventura both have jokes regarding Hart's attire. Andre elects to start and easily overpowers Terry, who is middle-aged and crazy (Monsoon's words). Jimmy nearly jumps into the crowd as Andre approaches him. JYD with slams to both Funk brothers and Jimmy over-sells the idea of being hit. If this match wasn't already pure comedy, JYD tricks both Funk's into running the ropes until they put on the brakes and think it over. Hoss actually antagonizes ANDRE, but JYD chooses to remain in the ring. Terry hits JYD with a piledriver and tags in Jimmy to get some free shots before JYD no-sells and scares him into having an involuntary bowel movement. JYD gives Terry ten tastes of the turnbuckle (how do you like that alliteration?) then misses a follow-up headbutt. Hoss and Terry continue to take turns working on the Dog with sleeper holds, and we're all waiting for Andre's hot tag at this point. Andre gets the coldest hot tag ever (as in no set up, it just happens). He gives The Funk's a double noggin knocker and the crowd erupts when he gives Jimmy Hart the business. Hoss is able to get Andre to his knees and chokes him across the middle rope. Andre makes his own comeback, slapping the skin off Hoss' chest. Whip to the ropes, Hoss ducks a big boot and knocks Andre into the ropes. JYD makes the save, allowing Andre to free himself. He no-sells Terry's strikes and lays in shots of his own. The referee watches Jimmy come off the top rope to smack JYD with the megaphone, and it's an immediate Disqualification at 12:17. Andre cleans house to send the fans home happy. Bless Terry, "Hoss", and Jimmy for trying, because Andre and JYD had only so much they could bring to the table. I think it would have been OK for Hoss to take the fall here, but whatever, it's nearly 40 years later, I'm not going to nitpick a house show with regional TV coverage that hard. *
Final Thoughts: The last 35-40 minutes of the show is mostly a dud, but it's not nearly bad enough to ruin what was otherwise an outstanding card (especially based on the standards of the time for a WWF show). You had genuinely awesome matches with Steamboat vs. Muraco and Poffo vs Orton, as well as very good tag team matches in the Rougeaus vs Moondogs and Killer Bees vs Hart Foundation. We would be lucky to get two matches of such quality on a given night, but FOUR? If you're a fan of the era, definitely track down this show and at least give that hour of content a look, you'll be pleasantly surprised.
Sound Off!
Comment about this article on Da' Wrestling Boards!