2/2/85 - GCW Superstars

It's Saturday, which means here we go with GCW Superstars! We were joined this week as always by Gorilla Monsoon, but his partner in crime this time around was Lord Alfred Hayes. Hayes said that we would see Mark Niemiller later as he traveled to Quebec earlier this week for a special sitdown interview with Rick Martel. Monsoon speculated that Martel may make a decision about his future and the condition of his injured neck, but that remains to be seen. The wrestling action would be hot and heavy tonight. Lord Alfred was big on the TV debut of our World champion, Bob Backlund, especially after the recent attack he perpetrated on #1 contender Ricky Steamboat. Monsoon added that we would have an update on the Dragon's condition and his status going into February 23 in Pittsburgh. Also, two of the scariest men in all of GCW meet in the Television Title tournament, with Bruiser Brody taking on the Ugandan Giant Kamala! But first, the World Tag Team champions!

The Midnight Express (Dennis Condrey and Randy Rose) defeated Mario Mancini and Dave Barbie when Condrey pinned Barbie with the Flap Jack in 0:03:49.
Rating: -* 1/2

Jim Cornette insisted on introducing the Midnight Express, and after he had announced "Loverboy" Dennis Condrey and "Ravishing" Randy Rose, Condrey grabbed the mic and introduced everyone to Mama Cornette's favorite son, James E. Cornette. What kind of ego does a manager have when he insists on having his charges give him an introduction? That being said, what Cornette is doing is working, because the Midnight Express are the World Tag team champions, and they put on a great wrestling exhibition in the dismantling of Mario Mancini & Dave Barbie. After the match, Lord Alfred Hayes went down and tried to get a word with the champs, asking why they were avoiding giving the Rock 'N Roll Express a rematch. Cornette about flipped his lid, yelling at Hayes and saying that the interview was over.

As Hayes returned to the announce position, Monsoon asked him what that was all about. Hayes said he had never seen someone so high strung in all his life, and whether the titles were on the line or not, the Midnight Express wouldn't be able to avoid Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson in Pittsburgh.

INTERVIEW: EDDIE GILBERT & BOBBY HEENAN

When we returned from break, Gorilla Monsoon was joined at the interview area by "Hot Stuff" Eddie Gilbert and Bobby "the Brain" Heenan. Monsoon asked Gilbert about his recent issues with Bruiser Brody, showing replay from the recent show in Phoenix where Gilbert cheated to pin Brody in the Streetfight, followed by Brody beating the tar out of Hot Stuff after the match. Heenan interjected before Gilbert could speak, insulting Monsoon and calling him a big dumb ape that asks stupid questions. Gilbert said that Brody was a wildman, plain and simple, and that he should have been suspended for that unprovoked attack. "You lost fair and square - deal with it!" Monsoon reminded Gilbert that he has to meet Brody again on February 23 and that perhaps he would want to tread lightly. Heenan interrupted again, telling Monsoon he should treat Hot Stuff with a little more respect than that, and if he could beat Brody once, he could do it again. Gilbert finished the interview by saying he would prove to everyone why he is the hottest man in wrestling when he beats Brody 1-2-3 in Pittsburgh.

Bob Backlund defeated Chavo Guerrero when Chavo Guerrero passed out in the Crossface Chickenwing in 0:06:23.
Rating: ** 3/4

Back from commercial, Chavo Guerrero was already in the ring and was soon joined by his opponent, the World Heavyweight champion Bob Backlund. While Backlund was making his way to the ring, Monsoon & Hayes gave an update on the condition of Ricky Steamboat. As a result of Backlund slamming the Dragon's left arm into a car door in a brutal attack, Steamboat has suffered a considerable injury to his arm. On the bright side, the arm was not broken. Steamboat was told by doctors that it was strongly recommended that he take some time off to heal the injury, but the Dragon has stated that nothing will keep him from challenging Backlund for the World Title in Pittsburgh. Chavo Guerrero has just recently made his return to GCW, and he a win over the World champion in a non-title match would catapult him right back into relevancy. Backlund is just on another level right now though, 3 months into his third World Title reign. Chavo didn't have much of a chance to get out of the blocks as Backlund attacked him the second he entered the ring. Chavo got in some small flurries of offense, including a great flying headscissors, but Backlund was just mechanical and methodical in his assault, working over Chavo's shoulder. This was all a setup for the deadly dangerous Crossface Chickenwing. Chavo tried to hold on, but the pain would overcome him as he passed out in the hold. If Backlund can lock this on Steamboat in Pittsburgh, not only will he win the match, but he may end the Dragon's career. Monsoon said he admired Steamboat's heart, but wondered if taking this match was going to prove to be a huge mistake. Hayes added that he hated to admit it, but we may be seeing the last of Steamboat for a long time to come after February 23.

The Foreign Legion (Dino Bravo, Nikolai Volkoff and The Iron Sheik) defeated Jon Bonello, Ben Alexander and Israel Matia when Bravo pinned Alexander after a small package in 0:04:51.
Rating: -**

The next match was a 6-man tag display pitting 3/4 of the Foreign Legion - Dino Bravo, Nikolai Volkoff, & The Iron Sheik - in action against Jon Bonello, Ben Alexander, & Israel Matia. During the match, Freddie Blassie briefly joined Monsoon & Hayes on commentary, much to the chagrin of Monsoon. When Monsoon bluntly asked what Blassie wanted, Blassie said it was an injustice that more of his men weren't put in the Television Title tournament, especially after Tony Atlas cheated to eliminate Bravo last week. Hayes reminded Blassie that Kamala would be wrestling in the tournament in tonight's main event. The Classy One said that it wasn't enough as Volkoff & Sheik should have been represented as well, commenting on an impressive legdrop by Sheik at that moment. Blassie then left all agitated after Monsoon told him he should be focusing on his clients instead of running his mouth. The match itself was what it was and was never in any real doubt as the Foreign Legion take the win.

SPECIAL SITDOWN INTERVIEW WITH RICK MARTEL

When we came back from break, we were in the home of Rick Martel, who was in a neck collar. Sitting across from him is Mark Niemiller. Niemiller thanked Martel for welcoming him into his home, and asked what everyone was thinking - how is the neck? Martel joked that his neck has clearly been better. Martel said that his neck is still obviously in a lot of pain, and he has to wear the neck collar for awhile longer. He said that he was fortunate when Nick Bockwinkel hit him with that Piledriver on the stage that the neck didn't break again, but it definitely caused a lot of damage. Niemiller next asked what Martel had been doing with his time. Martel said it's been tough because for years, wrestling was all he knew. He would be traveling so much and wrestling almost every night that he forgot what it was like to have a "normal" life. He says he has been trying to keep his mind off things with some hobbies - reading, building models, even catching on some television, namely "Cheers" as his favorite. It was a brief moment of laughter with Martel trying to do his impression of yelling, "NORM!" in his Quebec accent, but his laughter caused him to hurt his neck and wince sharply. The tone got serious again as Niemiller asked his final question - "Will we ever see Rick Martel wrestle in a GCW ring?" Martel answered as best he could - "I don't know." He said that if it was just his choice, without question he would get back in the ring and do what he does best. But he said that he has to listen to the doctors, and most importantly, to his wife. Martel finished by saying only time would tell, but he thanked all the fans for their support, saying he takes the time to read every letter that they send in. Niemiller thanked Martel for having him in his home.

Back from commercial, Monsoon & Hayes discussed the emotional interview. Monsoon said that Martel was brave and a good kid, but just didn't see how he would ever return from such a serious injury. Hayes retorted that it's not always that easy though, telling Monsoon that he as well as anyone should know how hard it is to let go once your in-ring career is over. Monsoon agreed, saying that he still occasionally entertains the thought of wanting to get back into the ring. They both wished Martel a speedy recovery before throwing it to the ring for our next match.

The British Bulldogs (Davey Boy Smith and Dynamite Kid) defeated Gino Carabello and Terry Manton when Dynamite Kid pinned Manton after a flying headbutt in 0:02:02.
Rating: * 1/4

The British Bulldogs had a little extra aggression behind them tonight as they were in tag action. Gino Carabello & Terry Manton literally didn't get in a single punch as Dynamite Kid & Davey Boy Smith were all over them, hitting them with some particularly stiff shots. It didn't take long before Davey hit Manton with a running powerslam and Dynamite connected with a flying headbutt. Carabello tried to save his partner but got a stiff clothesline from Davey Boy for his troubles as Dynamite got the pinfall.

Monsoon said he was very impressed by the British Bulldogs, and felt that 1985 was their year. Hayes agreed, saying he was very proud of his fellow countrymen and said that the sky was the limit for Dynamite Kid & Davey Boy Smith. A stagehand then came into the shot, handing Monsoon a note. Monsoon skimmed over the note and grimaced as he announced that the note was from Bobby Heenan. The Brain said Nick Bockwinkel and he had watched the interview with Rick Martel, and that they will officially respond to it on next week's Superstars.

LIVE EVENT REPORT WITH GENE OKERLUND

"Mean" Gene Okerlund joined the program now for the weekly installment of the Live Event Report. The next big show coming up is on February 23 from the Civic Auditorium in Pittsburgh, PA, and Mean Gene for one was particularly excited for the show. He started by discussing the main event which will feature World champion Bob Backlund defending the World Heavyweight Title against the man who pinned him in a tag team match in Phoenix, Ricky "the Dragon" Steamboat. Okerlund recapped Backlund's vicious attack on Steamboat, showing the clip of Backlund slamming Steamboat's arm in a car door recently in Charlotte. Okerlund stated he has talked to GCW doctors, and though he will be hurting, Steamboat will be going for his first World championship. His attention then turned to the Intercontinental Title match, as Dusty Rhodes will also be trying to win a title for the first time, challenging reigning champion Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka. This is a big deal for the American Dream, as if he can capture the title, he will become only the second Triple Crown winner in GCW history. Not only that, but the World Tag Team champions will be in action, albeit in a non-title match. Jim Cornette somehow managed to manipulate the system and make the match with his Midnight Express & the Rock 'N Roll Express non-title. But in breaking news, Okerlund announced that President Jack Tunney has made a decision that if Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson can win this match, they will get a World Tag Team Title shot at Super Cade! The other matches on the card so far are Bruiser Brody taking on Eddie Gilbert, and just announced, the British Bulldogs will meet the North-South Connection. Adrian Adonis & Dick Murdoch have had a rough start to their quest for the World Tag Team Titles and have challenged the Bulldogs in order to get back on track. Davey Boy Smith & Dynamite Kid are never ones to turn down a fight, and the match has been signed.

[TV TITLE TOURNAMENT - FIRST ROUND]:
Bruiser Brody battled Kamala to a double disqualification in 0:04:36.
Rating: DUD

You'd be hard-pressed to find two more intimidating monsters in all of wrestling than Bruiser Brody & Kamala (with King Kong Bundy also high on that list). Everyone was excited to see these two go at it to see who would move on in the Television Title Tournament. A lot of other competitors in the tournament were watching this one with great interest, especially Eddie Gilbert, who we got a shot of watching the match in the back along with his manager Bobby Heenan. It took everything in referee Dick Kroll's power to keep these two at bay before the bell rang, and once it did, he had little to no success in keeping these two brawlers at bay. Brody doesn't exactly heed authority very well, and even with "Classy" Freddie Blassie there, Kamala is still a savage from Uganda who reacts strictly on instinct most of the time. As a result, we got two scary men beating the holy hell out of each other. The fight disintegrated into an all-out pier sixer, and Kroll tried in vein to get some semblance of order. When he realized he couldn't, he threw the match out, making this a double disqualification, and in the bigger picture, eliminating both men from the tournament! The telecast went off the air with these two beasts still clubbing away at each other and referees and officials doing their best to break it up.

Match observations:

Next week on Superstars, the TV Title tournament continues with Sam Houston meeting Tully Blanchard. Barry Windham & Ted DiBiase will be in action, as well as the Superstars debut of "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes. Not only that, but Rhodes' upcoming opponent will be wrestling with Jimmy Snuka taking on Jim Powers in a non-title match. And finally, not only will Nick Bockwinkel respond to the interview we had with Rick Martel tonight, but he will be in our feature match teaming with King Kong Bundy taking on the Rougeau Brothers!

2/23/85 - CIVIC AUDITORIUM - Pittsburgh, PA

WORLD TITLE - Bob Backlund (c) vs. Ricky Steamboat
INTERCONTINENTAL TITLE - Jimmy Snuka (c) vs. Dusty Rhodes
Non-Title - The Midnight Express (c) vs. The Rock 'N Roll Express
Bruiser Brody vs. Eddie Gilbert
The British Bulldogs vs. The North-South Connection

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