WWE Recap: Wrestling Classic (11/7/85)

Before the Royal Rumble, Survivor Series, or Summerslam, the WWF looked to add another Pay Per View to the schedule. The Wrestling Classic, in 1985 was that event. It came at the end of the year, and though it wouldn't stick around, and not many remember it, it was WWF's second ever big pay per view event.

Vince McMahon greets us after the opening, and talks up the 16-man tournament scheduled for tonight. He also welcomes...ah *%$ it's Lord Alfred Hayes. They go through the matchups and show some of the highlights from the draws. Gorilla Monsoon and Jesse "The Body" Ventura are our ringside announcers.


Tournament Match: Adrian Adonis w/ Jimmy Hart vs Corporal Kirchner

Adonis has a sort-of biker look happening. This will change drastically later on. They start out trying to maul each other, then Kirchner hits a few arm drags. The ring mat sounds like it's made of tin. Both men go for wear-down holds, which doesn't seem smart with a ten minute time limit, but ok. Kirchner eventually goes for a suplex, which Adonis reverses into a DDT for the pin. Winner: Adrian Adonis

Not the greatest of openers here. It was a couple of headlocks, a reversed suplex, and a pin. Then again, how many people wanted a long match between these two guys?




Tournament Match: Dynamite Kid vs Nikolai Volkoff

The Dynamite Kid was another star in the making for the WWF. Like Randy Savage and Ricky Steamboat, he brought a high flying, high impact, exciting style to the ring. Here, as Volkoff finishes the Soviet national anthem, the Kid climbs to the top rope and delivers a massive drop kick. That's all it takes for the win. Winner: Dynamite Kid

This lasted about three seconds, and most of that was the pin. The kick from the ropes was very impressive, and the crowd loved it.




Tournament Match: Ivan Putski vs Randy "Macho Man" Savage w/ Elizabeth

The Macho Man plays cat and mouse to open the match. Putski spits on Savage when they finally lock up, which Savage didn't like, of course. The Polish Hammer shows off his power early in the match, beating Savage with repeated fists. It was a one-sided affair, except Macho Man suddenly yanked Putski down, then covered him with his feet up on the second rope. The referee didn't see it. Winner: Randy "Macho Man" Savage

It was another short match, by necessity, but it could have been better. Savage basically got in no offense, and the ending was awkward.




Tournament Match: Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat vs Davey Boy Smith

This one opened hot. Both men moved well, slipped in and out of moves and reverses. The action looked slick and was well-executed. Davey Boy showed of his power, pressing Steamboat over his head and slamming him to the mat, but it's only good for a two-count. Then Steamboat hits a really nice suplex. Now this is a great match. Unfortunately, it ends strangely, with Smith trying to jump at The Dragon by the ropes and instead lands balls-first on the top rope. The ref calls for the bell immediately. Winner: Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat

It's a shame this one wasn't longer. These are two of the most talented guys on the roster, and it showed. Their moves looked crisp, the action was fast, and the crowd was into it. More of this please.




Tournament Match: Iron Sheik vs Junkyard Dog

The Sheik attacks before the bell, choking JYD with his robe. Then he begins to throw some punches, but JYD channels his inner Hulk, no-selling each of them. The Dog hits some headbutts, and takes control. After a momentary escape outside the ring, Sheik gains the advantage again and locks in the Camel Clutch. Usually, that ends the match, but Sheik breaks the hold after a few minutes. This one ends when the Sheik turns around and shoves the referee, and JYD grabs him and delivers the big headbutt for the pin. Winner: Junkyard Dog

The crowd roared at the finish, but it was, like most of the rest of these, not very good. A few punches were thrown, few actual moves were used, and the pin was quick.




Tournament Match: Moondog Spot vs Terry Funk w/ Jimmy Hart

Funk immediately grabbed the microphone and suggested to Spot that they just not fight, and take a draw instead. Both men start to walk back down the aisle, but, predictably, Funk attacks Spot from behind and tries to race back to the ring for a cheap win. Spot catches him, and then Funk accidentally tosses him into the ring just before the 10-count, costing him the match. Winner: Moondog Spot

This was the dumbest match yet. I have no words.




Tournament Match: The Magnificent Muraco w/ Mr Fuji vs Tito Santana

Santana is the Intercontinental champion, but that title is not on the line. Muraco starts off by showing his power. Santana gets a couple of near-falls, but loses the advantage again. This also ended awkwardly. Muraco power-slammed Santana and the ref gave the three count. The bell rang, but the ref realized that Santana's foot was on the ropes, meaning it wasn't a legit pin. Nobody told Muraco, and Santana sneaked behind him and rolled him up for the win. Winner: Tito Santana

Sigh. Yet another gimmick ending in this tournament. It really was a ripoff to Muraco, who heard the three count, and the bell, and correctly thought he had won. Tito doesn't need to win that way.




Tournament Match: Cowboy Bob Orton vs "Mr Wonderful" Paul Orndorff

The $50,000 bounty issued by Bobby Heenan is still on Orndorff's head. Mr Wonderful goes to work on Orton's "injured" arm. The situation changes when Orton catches Orndorff with a knee in the corner. Orton gets a near-fall, but now it's Orndorff's turn to take control. He lands a couple of big right hands, then takes things outside the ring. Back inside, Orton adjusts his cast and slams it over Orndorff's head. The referee immediately calls for the bell. Winner: "Mr Wonderful" Paul Orndorff via disqualification

 The match itself wasn't terrible, though we still didn't get a clean finish. At least this one made some sense.


We cut back up to Vince McMahon where Lord Alfred Hayes is sexually assaulting the young woman helping with the tournament board. Terry Funk shows up to complain about his loss.


Tournament Quarterfinals: Dynamite Kid vs Adrian Adonis w/ Jimmy Hart

Adonis takes a lead early in the match, and gets a couple of two-counts. Dynamite Kid is selling the moves so well. The Kid hits an impressive back suplex, but Adonis retakes control and works on his opponent's leg. The Kid gets tossed into the corner, but nearly gets a pin with a reverse cradle. Then he goes on the offensive. He lands a couple of nice shots, then hits a huge knee drop from the ropes, but Adonis kicks out. The Kid goes after Jimmy Hart who is up on the apron, and Adonis grabs him from behind and rolls him up, but it's the Dynamite Kid's turn to kick out. His kickout drives Adonis towards Jimmy Hart, whose megaphone hits Adonis in the face. The Kid covers for the three-count. Winner: Dynamite Kid

This was a huge improvement over the first round matches. It was back and forth, with both men getting close calls. The Kid, again, excited the crowd by flying around and putting his body on the line for the big moves. Very good match.

 


Tournament Quarterfinal: Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat vs Randy "Macho Man" Savage w/ Elizabeth

This is a dream matchup. Macho Man attacks from behind to start the match, but is quickly beaten back. They fight outside the ring twice in the first few minutes, trading punches, then heading back inside. Savage goes to the top rope, but is met by Steamboat on the way down. The Dragon presses the advantage, and lands a big suplex, then makes his own way to the top rope. He hits a flying cross body, but Savage kicks out of the pin. Savage rolls out to the apron, and Steamboat comes after him. The referee, however, stops Steamboat from attacking his man until he is in the ring. Savage takes the opportunity to pull brass knuckles from his trunks. Steamboat dodges the Macho Man's attempt at using them, and picks him up for a back drop, but Savage punches him with the illegal weapon on the way down, knocking The Dragon out. Savage gets the pin. Winner: Randy "Macho Man" Savage

This wasn't the classic that it could have been, but it was good. Savage really didn't get much offense, but both men showed off their quickness and ability to use the entire ring. Savage winning by cheating was the right call.


 Tournament Quarterfinal: Moondog Spot vs Junkyard Dog

There was no referee for this match. JYD hit a couple of headbutts after Spot missed a top rope attempt. He covered, then had to count his own pin. I'm not sure what happened, but it was bizarre. Winner: Junkyard Dog

I don't even have any words for this.


Tournament Quarterfinal: Tito Santana vs "Mr Wonderful" Paul Orndorff

 The two men shake hands, and away we go. Things started slowly, with Santana locking in a long headlock, then head scissors to begin. Then Orndorff locks in an armbar. Somebody make sure the crowd is still awake. Finally, Mr Wonderful hits an atomic drop and Santana really sells that he is hurt, limping badly. Orndorff shows concern, but does continue to work on that leg. Things pick up as the match spills outside, but both men wind up getting counted out. Winner: Both lose via double count-out

This was a stinker. There was only 3 really long holds, then a couple of punches, and no real ending. C'mon man. Since there wasn't a winner, neither man advances, and JYD advances to the Finals automatically.


Rowdy Roddy Piper vs Hulk Hogan (Heavyweight Championship)

They go at it right away, trading blows outside the ring. Back inside, Hogan goes on the offensive, landing several punches and a couple of big elbow drops. Piper hits a cheap shot, to which Jesse Ventura responds by saying Hogan is notorious for not listening to refs. He's not wrong. Anyway, Piper tries to come of the top rope, but Hogan catches him in a bear hug. The crowd chants for Hogan, but Piper locks in the sleeper. Hogan goes down, seemingly out of it. The refs checks by raising his arm up, and it drops. A second time, and it drops again. Once more and it's over. He raises the arm, but Hogan isn't done yet. The arm pops up, and the comeback begins. Both men go over the top and onto the floor. Once there, the champ starts to no-sell Piper's punches. They go back inside, where it looks like Hogan is taking control, but Piper shoves him into the referee, knocking him out. Piper grabs a chair and hits Hogan with it, but Hogan takes it away from him and hits Piper back. He then locks Piper in a sleeper. Suddenly, Cowboy Bob Orton runs in and attacks Hogan from behind. The two heels go to work on a prone Hogan, with Orton using the cast. Then the crowd explodes as Orndorff runs in with a chair and clears the ring. Winner: Hulk Hogan via disqualification

This was well done. The match was solid, with both guy looking strong, and the interference was actually a surprise. Orndorff making the save was a hit with the crowd and sets up further matches down the road.




Tournament Semi-Final Match: Dynamite Kid vs Randy "Macho Man" Savage w/ Elizabeth

This is two of the top athletes in the WWF at this time. They grapple around the ring for a bit, before Macho Man gains the advantage with a cheap shot. Dynamite Kid hits a shoulder block off the ropes that hurt me just watching. The Kid goes for a sunset flip, but Macho avoids it and takes control. There's a big collision in the middle of the ring, then Savage climbs to the top rope. Dynamite hits an amazing drop kick from the ring, hitting Savage despite him standing on the ropes. That was impressive. Then he climbs up and super-plexes Savage down into the ring. Huge spot that the crowd loved. The Kid goes for the pin, but Savage reverses it and gets the pin. Winner: Randy " Macho Man" Savage

Shew. That was excellent. These guys know how to put on a show. They hit some huge spots that looked amazing, and still kept the match to a relatively short amount of time. Nicely done.




Tournament Final Match: Randy "Macho Man" Savage w/ Elizabeth vs Junkyard Dog

Savage is coming off of a tough match with the Dynamite Kid, while JYD had a bye in the last round. We get some theatrics from Savage to start. He bails out of the ring three times, which really slows the beginning of the match. Once they get going, JYD shows off his strength advantage. Savage breaks a bear hug by raking the eyes, but JYD stays in control. They really play up the angle that Savage is tired, while JYD wrestled one less match. Macho Man finally does get ahead, and hits a move from the top rope all the way to the floor. He then drives JYD into the ring post. Savage uses multiple underhanded tactics, including a chair, and the metal railing. They take things back inside, and Savage goes back to the top rope. This time JYD is ready and turns the tide. Savage winds up with his arms tied up in the ropes. Savage tries to come back with an attack near the ropes, but JYD tosses him up and out onto the floor. He's unable to beat the count back in. Winner: Junkyard Dog

I am not a fan of the finish. If JYD is going to win this tournament, let him do so with a clean pin. Macho Man was impressive again, though JYD is limited. It wasn't a great main event. After the match, Jesse Venture got in the ring to complain about JYD fighting one less match, but it really didn't go anywhere.




Overall Impressions

It was a very hit-or-miss event. There were definitely some shining moments. Dynamite Kid was fantastic, as was the Macho Man. Too many of the matches ended in gimmicky fashion, and Savage does have a fair complaint. Overall, it wasn't really a must-see event, but there were some solid moments.

Winners: 
Junkyard Dog: Winning the tournament, and over Macho Man was a nice surprise.
British wrestlers: Dynamite Kid and Davey Boy Smith both looked excellent.

Losers:
The poor young lady working with Alfred Hayes: Sure, she seemed to accept him at the end, but the way he pawed at her the entire show, it was likely more a case of Stokholm Syndrome than actual love.
Terry Funk: He just looked incredibly stupid.
 



Things I Would Change

Junkyard Dog should have won clean. Having him win via count-out didn't help anybody.

Stop with all the weird endings. The first round was ridiculous, with all the non-endings to matches, and the tournament suffered as a whole.

I would have had Piper win the belt via cheat, then played that up as more revenge needed. Hogan and Orndorff would have had even more reason to further that feud.