WWE Classics Report 5-22-02
Submitted by Segaboyno on Wednesday, May 22, 2002 at 4:56 PM EST



Hello again and welcome to this week's instalment of WWE Classics, delayed on Sky TV due to the live coverage of the Judgment Day pay-per-view this past Sunday night. Before I go any further, i'd like to dedicate this week's report to Davey Boy Smith, and send out my condolences to his friends, family, and fans. He was a true legend in the business, and shall be missed by fans around the world.

Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby "The Brain" Heenan welcome us to the show this week, as the Nashville Municipal Auditorium is our venue once again. After the introductory video montage, we find out that on the card today will be Macho Man Randy Savage, The British Bulldogs, Greg "The Hammer" Valentine, and The Junkyard Dog. In addition to this, there will be the much-anticipated WWF debut of Bad News Brown! Let's go up to ringside.

Match #1
The Junkyard Dog vs. Tiger Chung Lee
The bell makes it's presence known as the two begin to test one another out, with Tiger taking the initiative. He locks on a headlock, albeit briefly, before shoulder charging JYD down to the canvas. Tiger then runs the ropes, but JYD jumps up and delivers a hiptoss, which sends Tiger to the outside of the ring, through the bottom rope. He re-enters and locks up with JYD once again, but gets stuck in an armlock. However, he reverses it, but the ropes get in the way, forcing a clean break to be made. They lock up once again with JYD pushing Tiger down to the mat, but as he gets to his feet, knocks down JYD with some right hands, before stomping on his head. Tiger goes for an irish whip but it is reversed, and he instead gets sent upside down into the turnbuckle. JYD follows this up with a headbutt, followed by a powerslam for the pinfall victory.
Winner - The Junkyard Dog via pinfall, at 02:08

The Special Report with Craig DeGeorge is up next, and he informs us that for the first time since Wrestlemania III, Hulk Hogan defends his WWF Championship against Andre the Giant, this upcoming Friday night, on February 5, in a televised show from Indianapolis. Also on the card, the tag team Champions, Strike Force will defend their belts against the team that they defeated for those very same belts, The Hart Foundation - footage is then shown of the match from late 1987 in which the switch occurred. In addition to this, Macho Man Randy Savage challenges The Honky Tonk Man for the Intercontinental Title, in an attempt to regain the same belt that he lost, at Wrestlemania III the previous year. DeGeorge ponders whether or not this will be the end of Hogan's successful title reign, and footage is shown from a recent Saturday Night's Main Event show, revealing that after Hogan defeated his opponent, Andre attacked him from behind, and choked the life out of Hulkamania. We then get comments from Ted DiBiase who is standing by with Andre and Virgil, and he announces that as soon as the "8th wonder of the world" pins Hogan for the belt, he will deliver the world title to The Million Dollar Man - after all, everyone has their price.

Match #2
Greg "The Hammer" Valentine (w/ Jimmy Hart) vs. Scott Casey
Jimmy Hart enters the ring carrying a rather large banner, which says, "Ban the Barber", and features a pair of scissors in between a red circle, with a cross over it. This is in relation to Brutus Beefcake, and Jimmy is upset at the way he persists to cut off opponents hair after his matches, and so has formed a petition to put an end to the mayhem! The bell sounds and as they go to lock up, Valentine takes Casey down with a leg trip right away, and then backs off as he gets to his feet. They lock up and Valentine then delivers a bodyslam, before Casey retaliates, and delivers a bodyslam of his own. They lock up, and Casey gets some right hands in, and after several attempts, manages to knock Valentine off his feet. Pre-recorded comments from Brutus Beefcake are then shown, and he says that his clippers are bigger, and he is stronger, so he will come after Valentine's golden locks. Back between the ropes, Casey attempts to clothesline Greg out of the ring, but Valentine ducks, and instead back bodydrops Casey to the outside. He returns to the apron but gets pounded down with a chop to the chest, followed by another, which is even harsher. As Casey drops down to the floor, he reaches up and grabs hold of Valentine's boot and trips him, before entering and nailing Valentine with a bodyslam. He then goes to the top rope but misses with an elbow, allowing Valentine to go to the rope and drop an elbow to the fallen foe. He then locks in the figure four leglock, and Casey gives in seconds later. After the bell he keeps the leglock held in for another thirty seconds, prompting the crowd to start a "Brutus" chant. He never came though, and instead the winner leaves with his manager, who is still actively campaigning.
Winner - Greg "The Hammer" Valentine via submission, at 02:19

Match #3
Sam Houston vs. Steve Lombardi
Ironically in bout number three, the jobber is actually the more famous of the two wrestlers, both then and now. Whilst nobody can deny the intimidation factor that is produced as a result of Houston's country and western entrance theme, even a blind man can see that Lombardi is as rough and as tough as they come. The bell rings and Lombardi backs Houston into the ropes, but gets pushed back into the centre of the ring. They lock up and Lombardi backs Houston into the ropes once again, followed by several consecutive headbutts to the midsection. Houston reverses an irish whip to escape, and after ducking an oncoming clothesline from Lombardi then nails him with a hiptoss, followed by an armdrag. As he sinks in an armlock, Monsoon begins to advertise the latest edition of WWF Magazine, featuring articles on both Danny Davis and The Islanders - but Heenan tells him that he already knows that. Lombardi gets to his feet and breaks the hold, but runs right into an atomic drop. This is the moment that we are told that the Jumping Bomb Angels are the new womens tag team champions, and won the belts at the recent Royal Rumble event. Houston goes for a schoolboy but only scores a one count, and so nails Lombardi with a hiptoss, and again applies the armlock. Lombardi gets to his feet and backs Houston into the corner, before unloading with rights and lefts. He whips Houston to the opposite corner, but he jumps to the middle rope, turns around, and then delivers a high cross body to the oncoming Lombardi. This scores the referee's one count once again, and so Houston delivers yet another hiptoss, followed by yet another armlock. Lombardi breaks it once again and then rams Houston's head into the turnbuckle, but gets caught out after ducking following an irish whip, and instead gets a kneelift to the face. Houston whips Lombardi to the ropes and scores with a gut wrench suplex, followed by a bulldog for the win. During the match, Heenan says that he's looking forward to this Friday night, where he will shake the hand of the WWF Champion following the title match. Monsoon, with possibly his most witty comment of all time, claims that Hogan probably wouldn't want to shake his hand.
Winner - Sam Houston via pinfall, at 02:49

Mean Gene Okerlund is standing by talking about the Hogan versus Andre match scheduled for this Friday, but also says there are other affairs that need to be talked about in the WWF also. To seemingly contradict this, he brings in Hacksaw Jim Duggan, he screams "Ho". When Okerlund asks about the level of competition in the WWF, he says that there are no days off, and everytime you step into the ring you have a top-grade opponent facing you. He also says that you have to keep an eye behind you for others willing to attack, and so says that is reason for his plank of wood. More specifically he is referring to King Harley Race, and Duggan says that he has been fooled one time, but that is not going to happen again, and he is going to get his hands on Race. In the quote of the show, Okerlund asks, "When you were playing football, did you go both ways?"

The fans are now speaking up on their predictions for the upcoming show on Friday, and the answers were somewhat controversial. One lady felt that Savage would win, and then teach Honky how to dance, whereas another lady felt that Honky would win because he has a better body. One man, clearly a Hulkamaniac, suggests that Andre is in no shape to beat Hogan, and so the title will be retained. Interesting points made by all.

Match #4
The Hart Foundation (w/ Jimmy Hart & Danny Davis) vs. SD Jones & Omar Atlas
Bret Hart starts out for the Foundation, but gets given a headlock takedown by SD Jones right away, followed by another. Bret slides to the outside to take some time out, and re-enters and tags Jim Neidhart. SD backs him into the ropes and then delivers a headlock, before tagging in Atlas. Neidhart whips Atlas to the ropes, and he is tripped by Bret from the outside, yet the referee is distracted whilst seeing that Jones is safely out of the ring. Meanwhile, comments are shown from Strike Force, who defend their tag team titles against the Hart Foundation on Friday, who say that after they defeat them for the second time, there can be no excuses left for them. Neidhart then scoops up Atlas and hangs him upside down in the turnbuckle, and distracts the referee whilst Bret sneaks in and does some damage, kicking Atlas in the head. Bret then tags back in and knocks Atlas down with a headbutt, before delivering a boot to the lower abdomen. Bret delivers a backbreaker to Atlas, and then tags Neidhart back in. He stomps away on Atlas, as Monsoon reminds us that the Jumping Bomb Angels are the new womens tag team champions. Heenan responds by exclaiming, "They had one of the biggest celebrations ever in the history of professional wrestling - they went through over twelve boxes of rice". Back in the ring, Neidhart hoists up Atlas, whilst Bret runs the ropes and delivers the clothesline, scoring the pinfall victory.
Winner - The Hart Foundation via pinfall, at 02:40

Gorilla Monsoon tells us that if we want to send a get well card to Matilda, you can do so to: Get Well Matilda, PO Box 3858, Stamford, CT, 06905. He says that the British Bulldogs are sure to appreciate it.

Mean Gene Okerlund is standing by with the bodyguard of the Million Dollar Man, none other than Virgil, who has a stash of cash in his hand. He starts sifting through it in front of Okerlund, before DiBiase and Andre the Giant enter the frame. DiBiase says that on February 5, history will be made, as DiBiase will collect on the biggest investment of his life. Andre says that he will definitely triumph, and says that he has a million reasons to come out on top. Andre then says he knows what he is doing, and will squeeze and squeeze on Hogan until he gets the belt.

Match #5
Macho Man Randy Savage (w/ Elizabeth) vs. Terry Gibbs
The match gets underway and they lock up, and Gibbs delivers a shoulder block, and scores a count of one. Savage then backs Gibbs into the ropes and delivers an elbow, before a kneelift to Gibbs. He then tosses Gibbs to the outside, before going to the top rope and nailing Gibbs with an axehandle to the outside. He rolls Gibbs back into the ring and nails him with another elbow, before delivering a headlock, followed by another elbow. He whips Gibbs to the ropes and delivers a clothesline, and then a bodyslam, as we go to comments from Savage who is awaiting his Intercontinental title match against the Honky Tonk Man this Friday night, and obviously feels confident about coming out victorious. Savage then goes to the top rope and finishes Gibbs off with the flying elbow, scoring the pinfall with a foot on the chest of Gibbs.
Winner - Macho Man Randy Savage via pinfall, at 01:44

Following the bout, the Honky Tonk Man, Jimmy Hart and Peggy Sue all appear on the interview podium in the arena, and taunt Savage, who is still celebrating his victory. Honky then gets on the microphone and demands that Savage's music be turned off, as he wants to hear some "Honky Tonk" music. Craig DeGeorge then begins asking questions, and Jimmy Hart says that on Friday night Honky will prove that he is the greatest Intercontinental champion of all time, and Savage can bring it on, but to no avail. Savage then approaches the podium, but Honky has his guitar, and threatens to nail the Randy one with it. Peggy Sue then accuses Elizabeth of trying to take her man away from him, which is of course, pure nonsense.

Match #6
Bad News Brown vs. Rex King
As previously mentioned, this is the WWF debut of Bad News Brown, so one would imagine that he is looking to make an immediate impact. He does just that, and attacks King not only before the bell is rung, but also before his name is introduced - something unheard of in times like this. He begins unloading on King with lefts and rights, and knocks him down to the canvas with a headbutt. He lifts up King and drops him onto the top rope, as Heenan says that Brown is the "Baddest man in Harlem". Bad News has backed King into the corner and executes some midsection blows, before nailing him with a bodyslam. He scoops King up and nails him with several more punches, and then rams his head into the turnbuckle. We go to pre-recorded comments from Bad News Brown, who rather patronisingly points out that the reason that he is called "Bad News", is because he brings on bad news to his opponents in the ring, and his comments are completed by a convincing finger point at the camera. Back ringside Bad News delivers King with an elbow, and begins talking trash to the young yellow-panted jobber. He whips King to the ropes and delivers a knife edge chop, followed by a reverse thrust kick to the back of the head for the impressive pinfall victory.
Winner - Bad News Brown via pinfall, at 02:03

More comments from the fans are up next, who appear to be nothing more than a group of marks. The first guy says that he has money on a Hogan win, but to contrast this, another gentleman assumes that the duke will belong to Andre. The next man says that whilst Savage is in good shape, Honky is more slinky, and so will triumph, yet another believes that Savage needs the belt, as he has been without it for too long. A lady then says that the Hart Foundation have been around for too long, and so Strike Force will pull it out of the hat.

Match #7
The British Bulldogs vs. Barry Horowitz & Dusty Wolf
The Bulldogs are still without Matilda, but her whereabouts is now known, and she is been treated with the proper care that is deserved. The bell sounds and Davey Boy locks up with Horowitz, and they exchange blows. Davey Boy then lifts up Horowitz for several seconds, before delivering the suplex. He then head butts Horowitz back down, and then tags in the Dynamite Kid. He nails Horowitz with a clothesline, before delivering a snap suplex of his own. He rams Horowitz into the turnbuckle, and then tags in Davey Boy, who bodyslams Horowitz into his corner. We then see footage of Monsoon wearing a t-shirt with a photo of Matilda in it, and he waves at the camera. This frustrates Heenan to a significant degree, and he says that it's unfair. Wolf tags in and goes to work on Davey Boy with some right hands, but gets scooped up, and Davey Boy delivers a running powerslam, yet chooses not to register the pinfall. He tags in Dynamite, who nails Wolf with rights and lefts, followed by a backbreaker. Davey Boy returns and delivers another suplex, followed by a piledriver. He once again chooses not to score the pinfall, and so Dynamite tags back in and delivers a knee to the cranium of Wolf. Heenan says that they are inflicting more damage for Heenan's benefit, and so he says that if they want to beat up "Dusty Baker - or whatever his name is" all night long, then they can go ahead! Dynamite then drops an elbow and tags Davey Boy back in, who whips Wolf to the rope and delivers a clothesline. Davey delivers a headbutt and tags in Dynamite, and they knock Wolf down with a double shoulder block. Davey Boy sets Wolf up on the top turnbuckle. and Dynamite delivers a back suplex off the top rope for an impressive victory.
Winners - The British Bulldogs via pinfall, at 04:13

Mean Gene Okerlund is still lurking in the shadows, and is alongside Butch Reed. He says that Slick is not with him, as he is taking care of his own business. Reed says that he is offended by Okerlund sticking his nose in, but goes on to say that he (Reed) is one of the best in the west. He says he is tired of a whole lot of people in the WWF, such as Don Muraco, and says that he will end his career, just like he did to Superstar Billy Graham - the falling star.

We get final comments from this weekend's combatants, and Hulk Hogan says that if DiBiase were to buy the title it would be a fate worse than death, and so he will have to take care of Andre just like he did at Wrestlemania III. He adds that he is awaiting the rematch far more than Hogan is.

That's all for this week, but joining us next week on Challenge will be Ravishing Rick Rude, Hacksaw Jim Duggan, Butch Reed, The Young Stallions, and The Ultimate Warrior will take on Hercules! With any luck we may also be given details on the big title matches that take place on February 5 - but I won't be counting on it.

That's all for this week, but on Monday i'll be back with the next enthralling edition of Wrestling Challenge. In the meantime you can catch the return of Mean Gene Okerlund on Saturday night, on the brand new WWE show. I've no idea what it's name is, but it should be one to watch - especially with the Shawn Michaels interview. Now that I've stopped marking out like a 6-year old girl, I can inform you that you can e-mail me should you choose to do so: Segaboyno@aol.com, or those who can send an AOL Instant Message can find me there. Take care, and stay safe.








*NEW GALLERY* Must SEE VERY HOT Pix of G4 TV's Olivia Munn! WHOA!!

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