Following the success of Wrestlemania the year previously, Vince McMahon opted to take an even greater risk when it came to Wrestlemania II in 1986. Unlike the previous years event which was held in Madison Square Garden, McMahon opted to host the event across three cities in America - the Nassau Veterans Memorial
Coliseum in Uniondale, New York, the Rosemont
Horizon in Rosemont, Illinois, and the Los Angeles
Memorial Sports Arena in Los Angeles, California. How you may ask? Simple. The first hour of the show would be broadcast from New York and after the hour mark a giant screen would come down and show the second hour live from Chicago. The second hour seen a great mid-card event before the main event was shown from Los Angeles. McMahon continued using a mixture of celebrities and wrestling stars as he wanted to establish his goal of making wrestling a mainstream and popular culture event. The event was a major risk for the company and failure would have caused the bankruptcy of the company due to the large financial expenditure being forked out to broadcast across three cities.
"Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff
vs. "Magnificent" Don Muraco w/ Mr. Fuji
The body building guys of the Federation competed in the opening bout of the night. Orndorff who was main eventing the previous event now seen himself opening the show. A large chant of Bullshit came from the crowd as both men were counted out after lightening difficulties made it hard to see what was occurring.
Match Rating: 3.5/10
The body building guys of the Federation competed in the opening bout of the night. Orndorff who was main eventing the previous event now seen himself opening the show. A large chant of Bullshit came from the crowd as both men were counted out after lightening difficulties made it hard to see what was occurring.
Match Rating: 3.5/10
Intercontinental Championship
Randy "Macho Man" Savage w/ Elizabeth def. George "The Animal" Steele
At the time, Savage was seen as a heel whilst George "The Animal" Steele was dubbed the babyface. Sadly it was Savage whose efforts were credited and not that of George. It's difficult to recall "The Animal" being involved in a hugely entertaining match and this was no difficult. The gulf in class between the two men was paramount as Savage done his best to work Steele over before stealing a victory with a cradle that seen his legs on the ropes. Steele had kicked out of the Elbow from Savage making it his biggest contribution arguably in wrestling.
Match Rating: 5.5/10
Randy "Macho Man" Savage w/ Elizabeth def. George "The Animal" Steele
At the time, Savage was seen as a heel whilst George "The Animal" Steele was dubbed the babyface. Sadly it was Savage whose efforts were credited and not that of George. It's difficult to recall "The Animal" being involved in a hugely entertaining match and this was no difficult. The gulf in class between the two men was paramount as Savage done his best to work Steele over before stealing a victory with a cradle that seen his legs on the ropes. Steele had kicked out of the Elbow from Savage making it his biggest contribution arguably in wrestling.
Match Rating: 5.5/10
Jake "The Snake" Roberts def.
George Wells
Jake "The Snake" at the time was becoming incredibly popular with the wrestling fans and his first major Wrestlemania appearance added to his growing reputation. A victory in three minutes over George Wells with his signature DDT seen a welcomed sight of Damien (who was un-named at this time) and even had George Wells frothing from the mouth. An enjoyable contest for the aftermath of the match and even to see the growth of Jake.
Match Rating: 5/10
Jake "The Snake" at the time was becoming incredibly popular with the wrestling fans and his first major Wrestlemania appearance added to his growing reputation. A victory in three minutes over George Wells with his signature DDT seen a welcomed sight of Damien (who was un-named at this time) and even had George Wells frothing from the mouth. An enjoyable contest for the aftermath of the match and even to see the growth of Jake.
Match Rating: 5/10
Boxing Match
Mr. T w/ Joe Frazier and the Haiti Kid def. "Rowdy" Roddy Piper w/ Cowboy Bob Orton by disqualification - Not the greatest thing you could sit and watch however it was all apart of Vince's attempt to make the WWF mainstream. Mr. T had become synonymous with WWF in the lead up to Wrestlemania in 1985 and helped pushed the event to popular culture. A rivalry between the two brewed as Piper geniunely did not like T after he was put in the main event at Wrestlemania much to Piper's disapproval. Over the following year Piper started a rivalry that accumulated at 'Maina in a boxing match. The event was dull and boring with Piper being disqualified for pushing the referee. A melee soon followed before the two had to be separated but the result ultimately going T's way.
Mr. T w/ Joe Frazier and the Haiti Kid def. "Rowdy" Roddy Piper w/ Cowboy Bob Orton by disqualification - Not the greatest thing you could sit and watch however it was all apart of Vince's attempt to make the WWF mainstream. Mr. T had become synonymous with WWF in the lead up to Wrestlemania in 1985 and helped pushed the event to popular culture. A rivalry between the two brewed as Piper geniunely did not like T after he was put in the main event at Wrestlemania much to Piper's disapproval. Over the following year Piper started a rivalry that accumulated at 'Maina in a boxing match. The event was dull and boring with Piper being disqualified for pushing the referee. A melee soon followed before the two had to be separated but the result ultimately going T's way.
Match Rating: 4/10
Women's Championship
Fabulous Moolah def. Velvet McIntyre to become new champion
Literally a two minute encounter in which Moolah dragged and pulled McIntyre around the ring before picking up a victory and becoming the new women's champion - despite being 61 years-old.
Match Rating: 1.5/10
Fabulous Moolah def. Velvet McIntyre to become new champion
Literally a two minute encounter in which Moolah dragged and pulled McIntyre around the ring before picking up a victory and becoming the new women's champion - despite being 61 years-old.
Match Rating: 1.5/10
Flag Match
Corporal Kirchner def. Nikolai Volkoff w/ Classy Freddie Blassie
The ultimate soap opera match as east meets west in a contest between the two. The mid-1980's seen many Cold War rivalries going on in the world and the WWF seen it as the perfect example to make the ultimate good vs evil match. The USSR's national anthem was played prior to the match to infuriate the fans before Volkoff dominated the beginning of the match. Biting, ring-post slams and Freddie Blassie encouraging the Soviet's added to the fans fury. As Blassie attempted to throw his stick towards Volkoff to prevent the Corporal gaining momentum, the Corporal intercepted it before bashing the Soviet ex-pat across the face to pick up the victory. Almost brings a tear to the eye!
Match Rating: 5/10
Corporal Kirchner def. Nikolai Volkoff w/ Classy Freddie Blassie
The ultimate soap opera match as east meets west in a contest between the two. The mid-1980's seen many Cold War rivalries going on in the world and the WWF seen it as the perfect example to make the ultimate good vs evil match. The USSR's national anthem was played prior to the match to infuriate the fans before Volkoff dominated the beginning of the match. Biting, ring-post slams and Freddie Blassie encouraging the Soviet's added to the fans fury. As Blassie attempted to throw his stick towards Volkoff to prevent the Corporal gaining momentum, the Corporal intercepted it before bashing the Soviet ex-pat across the face to pick up the victory. Almost brings a tear to the eye!
Match Rating: 5/10
WWE and NFL Battle Royal
Andre the Giant def. Jimbo Covert (Chicago Bears), Pedro Morales, Tony Atlas, Ted Arcidi, Harvey Martin (Dallas Cowboys), Dan Spivey, Hillbilly Jim, King Tonga, Iron Sheik, Ernie Holmes (Pittsburgh Steelers), Big John Studd, B. Brian Blair, Jumpin' Jim Brunzell, Bill Fralic (Atlanta Falcons), Bret "Hit Man" Hart, Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart, Russ Francis (San Francisco 49ers), Bruno Sammartino and William "Refrigerator" Perry (Chicago Bears)
Andre the Giant def. Jimbo Covert (Chicago Bears), Pedro Morales, Tony Atlas, Ted Arcidi, Harvey Martin (Dallas Cowboys), Dan Spivey, Hillbilly Jim, King Tonga, Iron Sheik, Ernie Holmes (Pittsburgh Steelers), Big John Studd, B. Brian Blair, Jumpin' Jim Brunzell, Bill Fralic (Atlanta Falcons), Bret "Hit Man" Hart, Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart, Russ Francis (San Francisco 49ers), Bruno Sammartino and William "Refrigerator" Perry (Chicago Bears)
Chicago's main event seen the battle royal take place between the WWF's big men and the celebrity mix of many of the NFL's finest stars. A major surprise for the fans seen former champion, Bruno Sammartino returning for the event in his only Wrestlemania match. There's not a whole deal to say about this match but the fact it was Bret Hart's first of 13 Wrestlemania appearances as he entered with his tag team partner, Jim 'The Anvil' Neidhart. King Tonga departed the match first in arguably the company's first Royal Rumble match. A good match finishing with Bret and Andre doing battle for the crown and it was undoubtedly Andre who came out on top as he launched Hart over the top and onto partner, 'The Anvil', for the victory. An enjoyable match already and especially for someone who loves the Giants of the wrestling world.
Match Rating: 7/10
World Tag Team Championship
The British Bulldogs w/ Captain Lou Albano and Ozzy Osbourne def. The Dream Team, Brutus Beefcake & Greg "The Hammer" Valentine, w/ Luscious Johnny Valiant to become new champions
The Hammer and Davey Boy kicked off proceedings in a truly great wrestling match. Long before the TLC matches some of the companies greatest workers were in the tag-team division. The British Bulldogs took control of the match with both men showing off their impressive strength and dominating The Dream Team. Superb team-work from The Bulldogs controlled the match throughout whilst both opposition men struggled to gain any advantage. Eventually a blind tag to Valentine allowed The Dream Team to deliver somewhat of a fight but it wasn't to be enough as The Bulldogs secured the victory despite some close calls on both sides. After Davey Boy charged The Hammer into the Dynamite Kid's head, The Bulldogs managed to cover and secure the win. In a match that too'd and frow'd it was the best tag-team match Wrestlemania had seen until the year 2000.
Match Rating: 8/10
The British Bulldogs w/ Captain Lou Albano and Ozzy Osbourne def. The Dream Team, Brutus Beefcake & Greg "The Hammer" Valentine, w/ Luscious Johnny Valiant to become new champions
The Hammer and Davey Boy kicked off proceedings in a truly great wrestling match. Long before the TLC matches some of the companies greatest workers were in the tag-team division. The British Bulldogs took control of the match with both men showing off their impressive strength and dominating The Dream Team. Superb team-work from The Bulldogs controlled the match throughout whilst both opposition men struggled to gain any advantage. Eventually a blind tag to Valentine allowed The Dream Team to deliver somewhat of a fight but it wasn't to be enough as The Bulldogs secured the victory despite some close calls on both sides. After Davey Boy charged The Hammer into the Dynamite Kid's head, The Bulldogs managed to cover and secure the win. In a match that too'd and frow'd it was the best tag-team match Wrestlemania had seen until the year 2000.
Match Rating: 8/10
Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat
def. Hercules
One of the finest technician Wrestling has ever seen and a year before he stole the show, Ricky Steamboat defeated Hercules who was all power and all action. A major difference to The Dragon. An enjoyable match followed with the two styles actually complementing each other rather well. Despite being a relative rookie in the WWF, As it seemed Hercules was about to secure the win. Steamboat showed his class during the contest and managed to edge the victory over the power-house Hercules by performing a spectacular cross-body and secured the win. A truly brilliant performance between the two men and in my opinion the second best match of the night behind the Tag-Team championship match,
Matching Rating: 7.5/10
One of the finest technician Wrestling has ever seen and a year before he stole the show, Ricky Steamboat defeated Hercules who was all power and all action. A major difference to The Dragon. An enjoyable match followed with the two styles actually complementing each other rather well. Despite being a relative rookie in the WWF, As it seemed Hercules was about to secure the win. Steamboat showed his class during the contest and managed to edge the victory over the power-house Hercules by performing a spectacular cross-body and secured the win. A truly brilliant performance between the two men and in my opinion the second best match of the night behind the Tag-Team championship match,
Matching Rating: 7.5/10
"Adorable" Adrian Adonis w/
Jimmy Hart def. Uncle Elmer
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz........
Boring and two typical 1980's characters. It went on too long but then again anything longer than one second was dull. Thankfully this was Elmer's last television appearance in the WWF before his exit and it's not difficult to see why. A body slam from the Adonis after he spent minutes on the ground complaining about Elmer's approach. Not the most exciting thing you'll ever watch however there's nearly one match like so in every 'Mania event, and this one was certainly Wrestlemania's 2.
Match Rating; 2/10
Terry & Hoss Funk w/ Jimmy Hart def. Tito Santana & Junkyard Dog
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz........
Boring and two typical 1980's characters. It went on too long but then again anything longer than one second was dull. Thankfully this was Elmer's last television appearance in the WWF before his exit and it's not difficult to see why. A body slam from the Adonis after he spent minutes on the ground complaining about Elmer's approach. Not the most exciting thing you'll ever watch however there's nearly one match like so in every 'Mania event, and this one was certainly Wrestlemania's 2.
Match Rating; 2/10
Terry & Hoss Funk w/ Jimmy Hart def. Tito Santana & Junkyard Dog
The best contest - no! A good contest, HELL YEAH! All four men went into the match as fan favourites, especially the JYD who was gaining many admirers at the World Wrestling Federation. A great wrestling match showing the strength of all four men followed with the fans truly behind the four men in the ring. Early advantage gave Santana a lot of the limelight before the Funk brothers (managed by the mouth of the south) overturned the advantage when Terry Funk and JYD got into a brawling match which was incredibly entertaining. It continued to look as though the JYD and Santana would get the victory however it was the Funk's who edged it when The JYD became distracted by Jimmy Hart enabling Terry to hit him with a megaphone behind the referee's back for the 1,2,3.
Match Rating: 7/10
Main Event: WWE Championship Steel Cage
Match
Hulk Hogan def. King Kong Bundy w/ Bobby "The Brain" Heenan
The build up to this match was the biggest in the company's history as of yet. The ultimate heel met the biggest face of the company and the build up had Bundy constantly sneaking up on Hogan beating him down and causing havoc. It all added to the hype as everyone was hoping to see the good-guy beat down the bad Bundy. Hogan's preparations seen him strapped in bandages seemingly weakening him ahead of the contest in the steel cage. Hulk was made out to be the hero as he went against doctors advise to compete when he was previously advised not to and claimed he only done so, 'cause of the Hulkamaniacs'. Bundy dominated the early stages and continued to press on the damaged ribs of Hogan who was suffering from bruised ribs. As Bundy made an attempt for the door Hogan managed to pull the giant back in who continued his damage of the champion. King Kong took of Hogan's bandages before he managed to choke him plus tie him to the ropes but once again Hulk managed to prevent Bundy from winning the championship . Momentum started to turn as Hogan swiftly gained the advantage and even busted Bundy open by smashing him into the steel bars on numerous occasions. The fans were loving Hogan's domination and he managed to seal the win with a leg-drop followed by escaping the cage. The crowd erupted with delight before Hulk stole the show with his signature celebrations. Most critics have dubbed this main event a farce however personally I feel it was one of the best in 'Mania history. The event itself I indefinitely enjoyed despite some rating the show as one of the worst, if not the worst, in Wrestlemania history.
Match Rating: 8/10 (For build up and significance, not wrestling)
Event Rating: 65/100
Hulk Hogan def. King Kong Bundy w/ Bobby "The Brain" Heenan
The build up to this match was the biggest in the company's history as of yet. The ultimate heel met the biggest face of the company and the build up had Bundy constantly sneaking up on Hogan beating him down and causing havoc. It all added to the hype as everyone was hoping to see the good-guy beat down the bad Bundy. Hogan's preparations seen him strapped in bandages seemingly weakening him ahead of the contest in the steel cage. Hulk was made out to be the hero as he went against doctors advise to compete when he was previously advised not to and claimed he only done so, 'cause of the Hulkamaniacs'. Bundy dominated the early stages and continued to press on the damaged ribs of Hogan who was suffering from bruised ribs. As Bundy made an attempt for the door Hogan managed to pull the giant back in who continued his damage of the champion. King Kong took of Hogan's bandages before he managed to choke him plus tie him to the ropes but once again Hulk managed to prevent Bundy from winning the championship . Momentum started to turn as Hogan swiftly gained the advantage and even busted Bundy open by smashing him into the steel bars on numerous occasions. The fans were loving Hogan's domination and he managed to seal the win with a leg-drop followed by escaping the cage. The crowd erupted with delight before Hulk stole the show with his signature celebrations. Most critics have dubbed this main event a farce however personally I feel it was one of the best in 'Mania history. The event itself I indefinitely enjoyed despite some rating the show as one of the worst, if not the worst, in Wrestlemania history.
Match Rating: 8/10 (For build up and significance, not wrestling)
Event Rating: 65/100
No comments:
Post a Comment