The Name on the Marquee: WWF Championship Wrestling (10.6.1984)

-Originally aired October 6, 1984.

-Your hosts are Vince McMahon & Bruno Sammartino.

ANDRE THE GIANT vs. RUSTY BROOKS
-Andre clamps on a headlock in a standing position, puts Brooks against the ropes, and leans on top of him. Brooks stupidly tries for a back suplex and a fireman’s carry, and that goes nowhere, of course. Hammerlock by Andre as Kamala & Friday arrive at ringside to retaliate for last week’s vicious sneak-ring-circling. On the one hand, I like the simplicity of old wrestling angles, but on the other hand, this is so simple it’s stupid. “I’m gonna stare at you!” “Fuck you, I’m gonna stare at YOU!”

-Andre continues beating on Brooks while Kamala circles. Big boot and a legdrop by Andre to finish. Kamala wants to brawl right now, but Friday drags him away.

UPDATE
-Lord Alfred Hayes looks at the Moondogs, who have returned to the WWF after an extended absence, this time with no manager. We get some footage of their bout against Spike Huber and B. Brian Blair, and Lord Alfred Hayes can’t imagine a tag team that could beat them. I can—Spike Huber and B. Brian Blair.

BRUTUS BEEFCAKE vs. JOE MIRTO
-“Fruitcake” chant erupts while Vince McMahon reveals that Freddy Blassie has just made Brutus Beefcake the most lucrative offer that he has ever made any free agent. Captain Lou Albano arrives at ringside to scout Beefcake himself.

-Beefcake lays a beating on Mirto while we get another announcement from Vince, stating that Beefcake will reveal his new manager next week. Vince reports that Arnold Skaaland is carefully considering signing Beefcake, in hopes of molding Beefcake in his own style. Beefcake wins with an almost-botched-but-he-saved-it-slam.

JUNKYARD DOG vs. GENTLEMAN JERRY VALIANT
-Bruno says that JYD is “cool, as the old saying goes.” Valiant attacks before the bell and strangles JYD with his own chain. Dog fires right hands to break free. Valiant goes to the ropes and charges but JYD knocks him down with the chain before the referee finally gets rid of it. No need—JYD finishes immediately with the Thump.

IRON MIKE SHARPE vs. JOE MASCARA
-Tremendous introduction with Sharpe standing directly behind Howard Finkel and holding up two homemade posters for himself.

-Sharpe rakes his controversial forearm brace across Mascara’s face and then clubs him down with it, so give him props for having a pretty versatile illegal weapon there. HARD chop by Sharpe and he keeps pounding away with the brace. Mascara goes out to the floor for a retreat, but Sharpe just boots him. Clothesline by Sharpe gets the three-count.

PIPER’S PIT
-This week, Hot Rod talks to the Dynamite Kid, calling himself the brightest young star from England today. Piper gives him props for being a tremendous wrestler, although he’s no Roddy Piper. Dynamite says a few words when suddenly Al DeRusha interrupts the segment to deliver a letter to Piper. It’s from a family member of Jimmy Snuka, saying he’d like to be a guest on Piper’s Pit. Piper storms off in a huff.

DAVID SAMMARTINO vs. RON SHAW
-Slam by Sammartino, and Bruno is noticeably silent during this match. Takedowns by David as Vince finally forces him to talk, and Bruno says he likes being objective and takes credit for teaching David takedowns. Press slam by Sammartino followed by a powerslam, and it’s all over for Shaw.

FABULOUS FREEBIRDS (with David Wolff) vs. COWBOY BOB ORTON, STEVE LOMBARDI, & CARL FURY
-Wow, who did Cowboy Bob piss off?

-Brawl starts things off and referee manages to get everybody separated to get a proper match going. Gordy locks up with Lombardi, slams him, and rams Orton in the turnbuckle to celebrate. Hayes comes in to make it a double-team effort. Lombardi is trapped in the wrong corner. Everybody goes for a pin, but Lombardi keeps kicking out.

-Lombardi gets his neck snapped over the top rope and Lombardi is too hurt to even crawl to the corner. Roberts misses a corner charge and Lombardi elects to beat on Roberts instead of tagging. Mistake, because Roberts goes for the eyes and tags out. All six men wind up in the ring together. Orton gets in a fistfight with Gordy while the jobbers get Irish whipped into each other, and the referee counts two simultaneous pinfalls to give the Freebirds the win.

The 411: Semi-eventful week, with new and newish talent being showcased and a little angle development here and there. That's all you can ask for.
Final Score:  6.6   [ Average ]