80's WWF Expansion

http://culturecrossfire.com/wrestling/wrasslin-back-in-the-day-may-1985-part-1/

May of 1985 saw the debut of "Saturday Night's Main Event", which caused problems backstage between NBC execs and the WWF's booker, Roddy Piper goes outlaw from the WWF to work on a competitor's show, Inoki and McMahon butt heads over Hogan and Andre working in Japan, another old timer puts on the tights to work for the WWF, fans in Boston riot, Jim Crockett runs a stadium show in a WWF town, St. Louis books brawlers from different generations for a unique tag team match, plus more news and notes!
 
http://culturecrossfire.com/wrestling/wrasslin-back-in-the-day-may-1985-part-2/

Part 2 of May 1985 saw the AWA lose another headline star, the WWF bounced the AWA from one of their established cities, Rick Martel finds a rowdy new batch of challengers to his AWA gold, the WWF gets a future billionaire to give them some free press on TV, Montreal teases their biggest money feud of 1985, Jim Crockett played hard ball with Verne Gagne over "Pro Wrestling USA", a local legend returned to Memphis after a 5 year gap, David Schultz added to his reputation as a rebel via a live promo, Ron Fuller prepared to make a national push, plus more news, notes and results!
 
http://culturecrossfire.com/wrestling/wrasslin-back-in-the-day-may-1985-part-3/

Part 3 of my look back at May of 1985 includes the story of how three WWF stars bucked the system and went to work for the territories without Vince McMahon's approval.

The WWF snags two Florida stars as their quest for national dominance continues.

. Kamala continues his vagabond lifestyle as he appears and disappears from another headline spot.

A legend begins his long road to the world title. World Class puts on a huge tag team spectacular in Texas Stadium.

Mike Von Erich is arrested.

The WWF draws a smaller crowd than many indy shows do today as the Fed continues to invade Dallas.

WTBS and Bill Watts split.

ESPN's wrestling time slot is the new desire for every promotion dreaming of competing with the WWF and JCP.

Watts finds a new black Superman.

Jim Crockett begans demolitioning the NWA infrastructure.

Rumors have Tully Blanchard leaving JCP to work for an old friend.

Plus other news, notes and results!
 
http://culturecrossfire.com/wrestling/wrasslin-back-in-the-day-wwf-msg-6-21-1985/

The WWF fans came to MSG in June 1985 to see a bloody steel cage main event with Hulk Hogan defending his title against the Magnificent Muraco.

- The Dragon and the Hammer have a stiff battle
- Adrian Adonis busts out a DDT that leaves Gorilla Monsoon and Mean Gene baffled.
- Bobby Heenan brings the comedy as he tangles with Animal Steele
- Randy Savage debuts and becomes a top heel within 15 minutes
- Jim Brunzell debuts and cements himself in midcard hell within 15 minutes.
- Brian Blair talks about the AWA on a WWF show.
- A ref ruins the finish of the match for the new monster heel in town
- The women wrestlers deliver table bumps. She's hardcore!
- Mean Gene calls the wrestlers out for blown spots
-Lanny Poffo debuts with a heel haircut and works so loose it exposes the business.
 
http://culturecrossfire.com/wrestling/wrasslin-back-in-the-day-may-1985-part-2/

Part 2 of May 1985 saw the AWA lose another headline star, the WWF bounced the AWA from one of their established cities, Rick Martel finds a rowdy new batch of challengers to his AWA gold, the WWF gets a future billionaire to give them some free press on TV, Montreal teases their biggest money feud of 1985, Jim Crockett played hard ball with Verne Gagne over "Pro Wrestling USA", a local legend returned to Memphis after a 5 year gap, David Schultz added to his reputation as a rebel via a live promo, Ron Fuller prepared to make a national push, plus more news, notes and results!
I was at that 1st AWA card.
 
http://culturecrossfire.com/wrestling/wrasslin-back-in-the-day-june-1985-part-one/
In the first portion of my look back at June of 1985 the stories covered are:
- Ken Patera and Masa Saito's trial, including the variety of wrestling personalities who testified on their behalf, as well as how the men adapted to their prison enviroments
- Verne Gagne loses another top star to the WWF, who goes from headliner to comedic gimmick overnight.
- Roddy Piper attempts to work for JCP and the WWF simultaneously
- Inoki beats the WWF's biggest stars
- The WWF parts ways with a headline act due to his rampant drug issues.
- A WWF performer wins an NWA title.
- A Canadian Hall of Famer returns to the mat wars.
- A former NWA World champ joins the WWF circus,
- One of the biggest stars of the 80s and 90s debuts for TItan, and immediately gets heat for messing up a show.
- The AWA loses one of their key arenas to the WWF.
- One wrestler works on JCP and the WWF shows within days of each other.
- Plus more news, notes and results!
 
http://culturecrossfire.com/wrestling/wrasslin-back-in-the-day-june-1985-part-one/
In the first portion of my look back at June of 1985 the stories covered are:
- Ken Patera and Masa Saito's trial, including the variety of wrestling personalities who testified on their behalf, as well as how the men adapted to their prison enviroments
- Verne Gagne loses another top star to the WWF, who goes from headliner to comedic gimmick overnight.
- Roddy Piper attempts to work for JCP and the WWF simultaneously
- Inoki beats the WWF's biggest stars
- The WWF parts ways with a headline act due to his rampant drug issues.
- A WWF performer wins an NWA title.
- A Canadian Hall of Famer returns to the mat wars.
- A former NWA World champ joins the WWF circus,
- One of the biggest stars of the 80s and 90s debuts for TItan, and immediately gets heat for messing up a show.
- The AWA loses one of their key arenas to the WWF.
- One wrestler works on JCP and the WWF shows within days of each other.
- Plus more news, notes and results!

IIRC, I am not sure the year ('86?) or publication -- maybe it was The Wrestler or Inside Wrestling -- they had reported that Ken Patera was uncooperative and claimed he had a bad back had been transferred to a maximum security prison.
 
http://culturecrossfire.com/wrestling/wrasslin-back-in-the-day-june-1985-part-2/

Part 2 of my look back at June 1985 in the wrestling world includes:
- St. Louis debuts a rookie giant
- Verne Gagne turns to legal methods to stop the WWF's talent raids.
- The AWA promotes a show headlined by a man in prison.
- A legend proves to be a mole for the WWF as he ends his career in the AWA and jumps into a WWF office spot.
- One territory star moonlights as a WWF bum.
- Pro Wrestling USA endures many no shows (AGAIN)
- The Road Warriors dictate their own bookings to their boss, Verne Gagne.
- The Warriors hard ball another promoter, who vows to never book them again due to their business practices.
- Montreal sees perhaps the biggest angle of the summer for the wrestling world as their local wrestling royalty is left laying by devious heels.
- Verne Gagne tries to buy out another struggling promoter.
- Plus more news, notes and results!

-
 
http://culturecrossfire.com/wrestling/wrasslin-back-in-the-day-the-last-battle-of-atlanta/

With the WWE Network recently uploading "The Last Battle of Atlanta", I had to backtrack my timeline for a bit and take a look at the event for my history series.
- Tommy Rich and Buzz Sawyer show their love of the blade.
- The Road Warriors fight the Boogie Woogie Man and Pez Whatley in a shocking little match
- Ron Garvin and Kabuki provide Ambien in wrestling form.
- Les Thornton steals the show in a grappling clinic.
- A champion is absolutely destroyed, yet he keeps his title due to ridiculous bylaws.
- Mr. Wrestling II attempts to fight his doppelganger
 
http://culturecrossfire.com/wrestling/wrasslin-back-in-the-day-june-1985-part-3/

The last round of news and notes from June 1985 includes:
- Ann Gunkel's return as a behind the scenes manipulator
- Jerry Lawler teams with one of his all-time greatest rivals
- Mid-South ran another loaded Superdome show with Ric Flair, Sgt. Slaughter and Muhammad Ali
- A nasty injury spawns a famous moment in wrestling lore
- Two muscle men get into a locker room shoot
- A legend breaks his leg, leaving his career in doubt
- Jim Crockett takes control of the NWA World title
- JCP shuffles around headliners for a pair of big shows
- A future World champion is born
- Plus more news, results and historical highlights!
 
http://culturecrossfire.com/wrestling/wrasslin-back-in-the-day-great-american-bash-1985/

The Great American Bash 1985 is an underrated gem of a show that should be uploaded to the WWE Network pronto:
- Ric Flair battles Commies in a fierce main event that sees the fans nearly riot!
- Dusty Rhodes clashes with Tully Blanchard inside a cage with money, titles, women, and fame all on the line
- The Boogie Woogie Man is remarkably over as he and Paul Jones continue their endless series of battles.
- AWA tag team champions Hawk and Animal come to the NWA to challenge the communist champions from Russia.
- Magnum TA faces a foe from outside of JCP's realm as Kamala brings his special brand of chaos to the ring
- plus other action with the Andersons, Manny Fernandez, Abdullah the Butcher, Billy Graham, Buzz Sawyer and others!
 
http://culturecrossfire.com/wrestling/wrasslin-back-in-the-day-great-american-bash-1985/

The Great American Bash 1985 is an underrated gem of a show that should be uploaded to the WWE Network pronto:
- Ric Flair battles Commies in a fierce main event that sees the fans nearly riot!
- Dusty Rhodes clashes with Tully Blanchard inside a cage with money, titles, women, and fame all on the line
- The Boogie Woogie Man is remarkably over as he and Paul Jones continue their endless series of battles.
- AWA tag team champions Hawk and Animal come to the NWA to challenge the communist champions from Russia.
- Magnum TA faces a foe from outside of JCP's realm as Kamala brings his special brand of chaos to the ring
- plus other action with the Andersons, Manny Fernandez, Abdullah the Butcher, Billy Graham, Buzz Sawyer and others!

I remember renting this a couple of times...........30 years ago.
 
http://culturecrossfire.com/wrestling/mid-south-wrestlefest-1985/

Mid South Wrestling holds an outdoor show at the Tulsa Fairgrounds headlined by a mega tag match with Bill Watts, Dick Murdoch and Hacksaw Duggan partnering up to face Gen. Akbar, Kareem Muhammed and Kamala. Dusty Rhodes attempts to wrest the NWA title from Ric Flair in the co-feature. Plus Jake the Snake battles Ted Dibiase. Butch Reed, Eddie Gilbert, John Nord, the One Man Gang and others take part in action on the undercard. A fine afternoon of rednecks, country music and wrasslin!
 
http://culturecrossfire.com/wrestling/wwf-the-boston-garden-8-3-1985/

- A former world champ has perhaps the worst match on the card.
- We learn that the Honky Tonk Man is probably broke, if the commission rules are accurate
- Roddy Piper and Mr. Wonderful get a little hardcore
- Terry Funk gives Rick McGraw a chance to shine
- Ricky Steamboat and the JYD dispense some retribution to the dastardly villains, Mr. Fuji and Don Muraco.
- We test the theory that smaller wrestlers mean better workrate.
- A former football player teases his potential as a wrestler.
 
http://culturecrossfire.com/wrestling/wrasslin-back-in-the-day-july-1985/

July 1985 sees
- One of the most famous cage match finishes ever leads to the end of a long feud.
- Ricky Steamboat kicks off a new blood feud after being attacked on TV
- The Mystery of the missing Giant
- A heel's antics almost gets the WWF banned from a NY arena.
- The first King of the Ring features some bizarre booking choices.
- Philly fans are treated to a loaded JCP card as they attempt to gain a beach head.
- The AWA headed to New Jersey with the Road Warriors and Freebirds to crack into Vince's backyard.
- The Midnight Express can't compete with the awesome force of Bob Brown.
- Dear God, RAMBO GREG GAGNE has arrived!
- An all-time great tag team partners for the last time.
- The WWF makes a business deal that gives them control of Montreal.
- The Rougeaus draw big in another bloodbath revenge match with the Garvins.
- Plus more results, news and notes.
 
http://culturecrossfire.com/wrestling/wrasslin-back-in-the-day-july-1985-part-2/

The second part of July 1985 sees:

- The Freebirds head to Memphis. But will they be a friend or foe of the King?
- Jarrett brings in one of the worst wrestlers ever
- An old friend of the Von Erichs comes back to aide in their feud with the Dynamic Duo
- A legendary wildman tries to return to the promoting scene in the middle of the new wrasslin' boom.
- Spurned by ESPN, Ron Fuller moves to go national anyway
- A locker room fight changes Florida booking plans.
- A huge underdog wins a once heralded title.
- Mid South puts on a big show under the hot Tulsa sun.
- JCP hits a home run with a massive stadium show featuring Ric Flair defending his title and America against the Russian Nightmare, plus the AWA and NWA World tag champs collide!
- Tag team legends debut and win the World titles their first night in.
- A champion quits over payoffs.
- Flair sets an arena record for a match against his doppelganger
- Bill Watts makes a rare appearance outside of his home promotion
- Plus more news, notes and results!
 
http://culturecrossfire.com/wrestling/wwf-the-cap-center-8-17-85/

The WWF heads to the Cap Center
- A manager and a jobber work a mild hardcore style to nearly steal the show
- Hillbilly Jim brings in help that instead seem helpless.
- Jesse Ventura does his best to put over his friend Adrian Adonis, despite his massive weight gain
- Terry Funk wrestles the proverbial broomstick.
- Ricky Steamboat gives us a lesson on playing the irate babyface.
- The Macho Man lays waste to a young and pesky wrestler.
- The Hulkster works with his best friend, forcing him to tweak his formula a bit.
 
http://culturecrossfire.com/wrestling/pro-wrestling-usa-the-meadowlands-8-16-1985/

Pro Wrestling USA teases us with what kind of potential a true AWA/NWA co-promotion could provide as they invade the New Jersey Meadowlands.
- Sgt. Slaughter and Ric Flair try to keep it clean, but the "Dirtiest player in the game" just can't help himself.
- Sarge doesn't know how to execute a figure-four. Intentional incompetence to tell a story or a legit error?
- Lucha Sarge leads to a botch.
- The main event finish sets up a rematch that was never to materialize.
- Road Warrior Hawk has an intriguing match within a match with Terry Gordy as they struggle to see who the real head rooster in this hen house is.
- The Botch Fairy sprinkles her dust on Animal as well.
- We finish with another screwy finish, because even babyface champions can't earn a clear win.
 
http://culturecrossfire.com/wrestling/wwf-the-maple-leaf-gardens-8-18-1985/

Maple Leaf Gardens August 1985:

- Jesse Ventura continues to try and defend Adrian Adonis' ballooning weight.
- An influx of Montreal talent shakes up the mid-card a bit.
- A top heel is showered with love from the fans just for being so cool.
- Andre the Giant is taken out by the Bobby Heenan family in a major injury angle.
- A Jobber infringes on a popular babyface's gimmick.
- Terry Funk puts on a one man show as he tangles with the JYD.
- The Dragon seeks blood and revenge as he battles Don Muraco to end the show.
 
http://culturecrossfire.com/wrestling/wrestling-for-a-cure-awa-benefit-show-8-26-1985/

Wrestling for a Cure!

- The AWA had a prime time special on Boston TV to benefit MDA.
- They allowed Killer Kowalski and local sports radio host Eddie Andelman to do the commentary, leading to perhaps the worst announcing on any "major" show until Art Donovan's infamous King of the Ring 94 performance.
- Andelman nearly breaks kayfabe as he questions the nepotism of Verne Gagne's son winning on a show Gagne promoted. He also makes up silly names for moves, calls out how old the talent is, calls some matches "boring", plus many many other faux pas'.
- The commentary talks about the wrestlers for using pills, and complain that the AWA is making up rules for BS finishes
- Billy Robinson is forced to be seconded by two local DJs, who decide to dress up in costumes that basically mock wrestling gimmicks.
- Out of date graphics adds to the charm of the AWA's poor production.
- The Road Warriors are caught on camera watching their opponents promo. The interviewer then points them out and the segment goes off the tracks.
- Jerry Lewis appears to give a stilted plug for the AWA.
- Sgt. Slaughter sings!
- A current right wing goof makes a surprise cameo to support the fan favorites.
- We end the night with a quasi riot from the fans.
- This is either one of the worst shows I have ever seen, or one of the best. I am torn!
 
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