6/7/86 - GCW Superstars

6/7/86 - GCW Superstars (TAPED: 5/13/86)
LOCATION: Mid-Hudson Civic Center - Poughkeepsie, NY

Welcome to the hottest TV program in wrestling today, GCW Superstars! Gorilla Monsoon & Mark Niemiler were on hand to intro the show, a show that will feature Andre the Giant! Also on the program, the Rougeaus will face the Power Company! Niemiller said he was excited about the return from suspension of Lex Luger, who was unfairly punished for getting rid of that fossil Wahoo McDaniel! Monsoon was deeply offended by that statement, but it didn't stop him from talking about our feature match, a rare World Tag Team Title match as the Rock 'N Roll Express defend the gold against their rivals, the Hart Foundation! They threw it to the ring to Howard Finkel and our first contest.

MATCH #1
Koko B. Ware vs. Dave Barbie

Koko B. Ware kicked off our wrestling today, and it was a great display by the spunky youngster who showed off his flashy high-flying style before putting Dave Barbie away with the Ghostbuster.

Koko B. Ware pinned Dave Barbie with the Ghostbuster in 0:03:54.
Rating: * 1/4

After the match, Koko B. Ware asked for some interview time with Gorilla Monsoon. Koko said that he was appalled by what Honky Tonk Man did to his friend Junkyard Dog last week, and wanted HTM to come out here so he could give him a piece of his mind. HTM did come out, and unlike in the past, looked a lot less apologetic than he was. HTM called Koko "little man" and said if Ware didn't quit running his mouth, he could end up next to JYD in the hospital. Koko told him to bring it on, and challenged him to a match in Tacoma! HTM laughed it off, but once Koko slapped him across the face, that laugh turned into a look of sternness. HTM agreed and the match will take place on June 17.

MATCH #2
The Rougeau Brothers vs. The Power Company (w/ Jimmy Hart)

The Power Company has been riding high since making their official debut at Super Cade, proving themselves to be a very formidable tandem. They definitely don't lack confidence as they have been known to spend a lot of time in the locker room posing in front of mirrors. They took that posing out to the ring with them today, and it cost them big against the Rougeaus. The bell rang, but Dino Bravo & Hercules blew Jacques & Raymond off, choosing to pose for each other instead of focusing on the match. The Rougeaus didn't much care for that and hit stereo dropkicks to both members of the Power Company. Hercules flew out of the ring but Bravo hit chest first on the ropes. Raymond would follow up with a rolling reverse cradle that surprised the Canadian Strongman long enough to get the 3 count!

The Rougeau Brothers (Jacques Rougeau and Raymond Rougeau) defeated The Power Company (Dino Bravo and Hercules) when R. Rougeau pinned Bravo after a rolling reverse cradle in 0:00:59.
Rating: * 1/4

This has to be considered a bit of an upset. Jimmy Hart came over and was yelling about what an outrage this was to Monsoon & Niemiller. Niemiller, of course, agreed, but Monsoon commented that this is what happens when you don't focus on your opponents. Word has it that Jimmy Hart is already attempting to get a rematch signed.

BOB BACKLUND WANTS THE TELEVISION TITLE, BUT HE'S NOT THE ONLY ONE

Lord Alfred Hayes was backstage with Bob Backlund. Backlund had comments regarding what a coward Tully Blanchard was for deliberately getting himself disqualified in their Television Title match last week. Backlund said that he is the rightful TV champion and wanted another shot at the gold. Backlund was interrupted, but not by the man he challenged, but by JIM DUGGAN. Hacksaw first put over how much he respects Backlund, but if anyone deserves the next title shot at Blanchard, it was him. He talked about how Blanchard ran from him until the time limit expired, and with all due respect to Backlund, he was asking for the next shot. GCW President Jack Tunney happened to be in the building today and came in saying he had a solution. He said both Backlund & Duggan were right that they deserved the next shot, so why not settle it in the ring? Tunney set up Backlund vs. Duggan for the Tacoma Dome, and the winner of that contest would get the next TV Title shot. Both men liked the idea, and they shook hands saying may the best man win.

MATCH #3
Andre the Giant vs. Primo Manzello/Mad Richard

Another week, and another fun appearance by Andre the Giant destroying two hapless much smaller men. Andre is greatly beloved here by GCW fans, but one has to wonder when he is going to take the next big step. Monsoon speculated that Andre could be World champion if he wanted to be. Niemiller had to agree, but said he was glad that Andre seems content just shaking hands and smiling at the fans.

Handicap-Match:
Andre the Giant defeated Primo Manzello and Mad Richard when Andre pinned Richard with the Elbowdrop in 0:02:50.
Rating: -* 1/4

MATCH #4
"The Total Package" Lex Luger (w/ Bobby Heenan) vs. Rob Van Winkel

Lex Luger was back off of his recent suspension levied on him by Jack Tunney for breaking Wahoo McDaniel's leg, and he was not in a good mood whatsoever. Luger didn't even really seem to be listening to his manager Bobby Heenan's instructions as he was simply brutalizing Rob Van Winkel. Luger would get the win with the Torture Rack, but almost had the decision reversed when he refused to release the hold. Danny Davis had to levy a 5 count after the match before Luger dropped the lifeless Van Winkel to the mat. This new bad attitude of Luger could spell trouble for the roster of GCW, and may lead to future suspensions if he's not careful.

Lex Luger defeated Rob Van Winkel when Van Winkel passed out in the Torture Rack in 0:02:22.
Rating: * 1/2

LIVE EVENT REPORT W/ GENE OKERLUND

Mean Gene was on the scene (see what I did there?) for the Live Event Report. He ran down the card so far for Tacoma, which now officially includes 6 big matches (with more to be announced). He shilled that tickets are still available for the show which takes place on June 17. He was able to add one more match to the card, announcing that Dos Caras & Hector Guerrero will team to take on Television champion Tully Blanchard & "The Enforcer" Arn Anderson.

Okerlund had promised a big announcement for today as well, and he did not disappoint. He stated that on July 14, we will all witness the return of King of the Ring! Sullivan Stadium in Foxboro, MA will play host to the annual tournament this year, and it will feature 16 of the top wrestlers in GCW competing for the right to be called King. He couldn't name any of the participants yet as that is still be finalize by the GCW offices, but he was going to do his best to name some of those wrestlers next week on Superstars.

MATCH #5
World Tag Team Title Match
The Rock 'N Roll Express (c) vs. The Hart Foundation (w/ Jimmy Hart)

This could have been one of our best TV main events since GCW Superstars debuted, and there was definitely a lot on the line as the Rock 'N Roll Express defended the World Tag Team Titles against the Hart Foundation. These two teams had a fantastic clash in Pittsburgh and this one was no different. Both teams are just so evenly matched that when they get in the ring, it's almost impossible for them not to tear the house down. A great back and forth affair that ended with Jim Neidhart getting caught with the Double Dropkick that was barely enough to keep the Anvil to the mat for the 1-2-3.

The Rock 'N Roll Express (Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson) defeated The Hart Foundation (Bret Hart and Jim Neidhart) when R. Gibson pinned Neidhart after the Double Dropkick in 0:12:31.
Rating: *** 3/4
(The Rock 'N Roll Express retained the GCW World Tag Team Titles.)

Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson have had the Hart Foundation's number so far during their battles, but Monsoon commented on how these matches could all have gone either way. Niemiller echoed those sentiments and said that it's not a matter of IF Bret Hart & Jim Neidhart become the tag team champions, but WHEN. Monsoon ended by saying he wouldn't be surprised at all if that eventually happened.

JESSE VENTURA TRIES TO KEEP ORDER BETWEEN KING KONG BUNDY & HULK HOGAN

The show ended with the Jesse Ventura sitdown interview with World champion King Kong Bundy & "The Immortal" Hulk Hogan. There was extra security on hand to make sure this didn't erupt into a brawl. GCW President Jack Tunney was present as well, and we would find out as the interview went on. Ventura was clearly pro Bundy, but he did give Hogan the chance to speak. But of course, first he talked to Bundy & Bobby Heenan. Ventura said it was ridiculous for Hogan to imply that the Heenan Family was scared of him. The Brain wanted to make sure that King Kong Bundy is scared of NO ONE. He brought up Bundy's track record, and mentioned he has been the most dominant World champion in history. Heenan said that his jumping in and getting involved in Pittsburgh had nothing to do with saving Bundy's title, but because "you don't deserve to be here in the first place, Hogan!" Hogan rebutted, saying that was a load of bull and that Hulkamania was running wild in GCW whether the Heenan Family liked it or not. Hogan said he was born to be the World champion, and one way or another, that was going to happen. Ventura laughed at Hogan as he asked how his back was doing after Bundy laid into him with that leather strap. That's actually where Tunney interjected, saying he had a conversation with Hogan earlier, and the Hulkster had a unique request that he has granted. "If you want to use the strap so much, Bundy, you will have your wish, because on June 17 in Tacoma, WA, you will be defending the World Title against Hulk Hogan… in a STRAP MATCH!" Heenan was irate and threatened amongst other things to sue Tunney, but Tunney continued and said that to make sure the Brain doesn't get his man disqualified on purpose again, he will be suspended high above the ring in a steel cage! We are going to get a definitive winner one way or another!

Join us next week on GCW Superstars where we will see Bad News Brown in action, as well as #1 contender to the Intercontinental Title Barry Windham! Not only that, but we will have not one, not two, but THREE feature matches! One half of the World Tag Team champions Ricky Morton will face Adrian Adonis, "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan meets Jimmy Garvin, and Koko B. Ware squares off against Ricky Steamboat! We will also get the first names announced for the King of the Ring tournament, and we will have a special sitdown interview with Rick Martel! See you next week!

UPCOMING EVENTS

6/17/86 - Tacoma Dome - Tacoma, WA

WORLD TITLE STRAP MATCH - King Kong Bundy (c) vs. Hulk Hogan
INTERCONTINENTAL TITLE - Ted DiBiase (c) vs. Barry Windham
I QUIT MATCH - Rick Martel vs. Ricky Steamboat
#1 CONTENDER FOR THE TELEVISION TITLE - Bob Backlund vs. Jim Duggan
The Road Warriors vs. Sgt. Slaughter/Stan Hansen
The Barbarian vs. Big John Studd
Koko B. Ware vs. Honky Tonk Man
Dos Caras/Hector Guerrero vs. Tully Blanchard/Arn Anderson

7/14/86 - KING OF THE RING - Sullivan Stadium - Foxboro, MA

Participants TBA

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