‘WWE Vintage Collection TV Report #78 – November 29th, 2009

Shown on Sky Sports in the U.K.

By Stephen Lyon.

This week: Some early 1980's WWF action, back when Vince McMahon was a harmless announcer, put in a position by his father to be in a place where he couldn't get into any trouble. Matches featured were: King Kong Bundy vs Tony Garcia; Tito Santana vs Paul Orndorff; Superfly Jimmy Snuka & Junk Yard Dog vs Rowdy Roddy Piper & Cowboy Bob Orton; and in the main event, Pedro Morales vs Don Muraco for the Intercontinental title. 

The Show:

1) King Kong Bundy (w/Jimmy Hart in his corner) defeated Tony Garcia. This match was held at Madison Square Garden, New York, on June 21st, 1985. Announcers for this match were Gorilla Monsoon & Gene Okerlund. This was during the early part of both Hart and Bundy's tenures' in the WWF, with the Hart-Bundy pairing only lasting a few months before Hart traded Bundy's 'contract' to Bobby Heenan. This match was largely a squash, although Garea did get in some brief offence. Bundy bounced him around the ring, but missed with an elbow drop. Garea took down Bundy and worked over his left leg. Bundy regained control, using chops and reverse chinlock. Despite a brief Garea comeback, Bundy gave him the avalanche splash in the corner, then a big splash on the mat for the pinfall win.

2) WWF Intercontinental Champion, Tito Santana fought to a time limit draw with Paul Orndorff. This match took place in the Kiel Auditorium, in St Louis, Missouri, on September 1st, 1984. The sole announcer for this match was Vince McMahon. Most of this match aired. Santana tried to work over Orndorff's arm, but Orndorff gave him a spinebuster and put the boots to him, kicking him to the outside. Tons of 'Paula' signs in the crowd, mocking Orndorff. Santana tried to re-enter the ring  with a sunset flip over the ropes and on to Orndorff, but 'Mr Wonderful' blocked the move and sat down on him. Orndorff placed Santana in a chinlock, driving his knees into Santana's back. After a commercial break, Santana powered out of the chinlock and scored several nearfalls on Orndorff. Orndorff tried for a top rope move, but Santana brought his knees up and caught him in the ribs. Orndorff came back into the match, nailing Santana with a dropkick and scoring several nearfalls, before the bell rang signifying a time limit draw. Orndorff was booked to look strong here, and unlucky not to win Santana's Intercontinental title. Strangely, when the time came to change the title (three weeks after this match, in fact) it was Greg Valentine who defeated Santana, and not Orndorff.

3) Rowdy Roddy Piper & Cowboy Bob Orton defeated Superfly Jimmy Snuka & Junk Yard Dog in a 'Texas Tornado' match, where all four men could wrestle each other at the same time, with no tags required. This match was held at Madison Square Garden, New York, on January 21st, 1985. Announcers for this match were Gorilla Monsoon & Gene Okerlund. This was a wild brawl featuring all four wrestlers. Orton was knocked out of the ring early in the match, and Piper and Snuka brawled with each other around the ringside area, with Piper posting Snuka. The two heels took turns double-teaming both JYD and Snuka. At one point, Snuka tried to brawl with Piper back to the locker room, but Orton made the save for Piper in the aisleway, dragging Snuka back to the ring. Both heels placed Snuka and JYD in simultaneous chinlocks. After a commercial break, both babyfaces broke free from the holds. Orton tried a splash from the top rope on Snuka, but Snuka brought up his knees and Orton crashed into them. Finish of the match came with JYD squaring off against Orton, and Piper (who was outside the ring at this point) tripped JYD as he was running the ropes, allowing Orton to pin him for the victory.

4) Don Muraco defeated Pedro Morales to win the WWF Intercontinental title. This match was held at Madison Square Garden, New York, on January 22nd, 1983. Announcers for this match were Vince McMahon & Gorilla Monsoon. Muraco jumped Morales before Howard Finkel could complete the ring introductions, attacking the champion before he could even remove his title belt or ring jacket. Morales quickly turned the tables on Muraco, chopping him and stripping him of the t-shirt he was wearing, choking him with it. Morales dominated Muraco, ramming his head into the ring apron. Muraco did a Flair-flop off the ring apron, falling flat on his face at ringside. Morales teased jumping off the top rope on to Muraco, but Muraco rolled under the ring apron to move out of the way. After a commercial break, Morales charged at Muraco, but the 'Magnificent One' moved, and Morales charged knee-first into the turnbuckles. This was the big turning point of the match, as Muraco ruthlessly worked over Morales' injured knee.

Muraco placed him in a figure four leglock, but Morales managed to reverse the move and escape. Morales tried to comeback, using a backbreaker on Muraco - but on his own injured left knee, as Monsoon pointed out with incredulity. Morales tried to use a Boston Crab on Muraco, but had to break his own hold due to the pain in his knee. Finish of the match came when Morales tried to slam Muraco, but his bad knee gave out and buckled, causing Muraco to fall on top of Morales and allowing him to pin Morales for the win and title. This was an 'end of an era' moment,  as it was Morales' first pinfall loss at Madison Square Garden for 18 years. As the graphic aired on screen, 'Winner: The Magnificent One Don Muraco - Sunset Beach, Hawaii', McMahon and Monsoon put over Morales hugely, with McMahon saying, 'Very few individuals have electrified the fans here at Madison Square Garden like this man.... one of the truly gallant greats in the history of the World Wrestling Federation'.  

Closing thoughts: Interesting show this week. The Bundy vs Garea match was just a tv squash, nothing special. Santana vs Orndorff was pretty good, in front of a hot crowd in St Louis. Snuka & JYD vs Piper & Orton was an all action brawl. Morales vs Muraco was a little plodding and slow at times, but the story of the match was excellent, as was the finish.

Match Results:

1) King Kong Bundy (w/Jimmy Hart in his corner) defeated Tony Garcia - MSG, New York: 21/06/85).

2) WWF Intercontinental Champion, Tito Santana fought to a time limit draw with Paul Orndorff - St Louis, Missouri: 01/09/84).

3) Rowdy Roddy Piper & Cowboy Bob Orton defeated Superfly Jimmy Snuka & Junk Yard Dog in a 'Texas Tornado' match - MSG, New York: 21/01/85).

4) Don Muraco defeated Pedro Morales to win the WWF Intercontinental title - MSG, New York: 22/01/83).

Please note: I DO NOT sell DVDs or tapes of any of these shows. Sorry!

I hope you enjoyed this week’s report. For other reports like this one, be sure to check it out my website archive at http://www.classicwrestlingreports.com .

It’s no longer updated, but this website carries all of my previous WWE Classics tv reports that have been featured on the old WrestlingObserver.com website.

As always your questions, comments and thoughts are always welcomed, and you can contact me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Until next week, have a good week.

Stephen Lyon,
St Helens, England, U.K.