AUDIO: First Saturday Night's Main Event Review

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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We’re just a couple weeks away from the 35 year anniversary of the very first Saturday Night’s Main Event. The show debuted May 11, 1985, from the Nassau County Coliseum.

So, I’ve turned to Jason Skull of the Skullbuster WrestleCast to take a trip down memory lane and chat more about that first episode. From Hulk Hogan to Roddy Piper to Wendi Richter, the show was stacked. Listen to the podcast here.

I’d love to know what you think about this show. Please follow My 1-2-3 Cents on social media: Facebook, Instagram and Twitter (@my123cents). You can also subscribe to the My 1-2-3 Cents blog and YouTube channel. And follow the Jittery Monkey Facebook page for updates too. Thanks!

Check out the Pro Wrestling Tees store too. And shop COLLARxELBOW with promo code MY123CENTS. Right now you can save at least 10 percent on items.

The 5 best main stream songs associated with wrestling

Iceman King Parsons & Kerry Von Erich
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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Long before Jim Johnston started composing music for the WWE or before Superstars sang their own theme songs on The Wrestling Album and Piledriver, wrestlers would come out to mainstream music. Michael Hayes is often credited with being the first to come to the ring with music, or at least rock music. Then, of course, the whole "Rock 'n Wrestling" connection happened a short time later and neither industry was the same again.

Here are my five favorite songs from the radio that were made even more popular by the wrestlers (or companies) who used them. By the way, these are in no particular order.

1. Another One Bites the Dust. Before he belted out "Grab Them Cakes" on the first Wrestling Album, Junkyard Dog used to come to the ring to this hit by Queen. It's been more than 30 years since that happened, but I still think of the Dog and his post-match ritual of dancing with the fans on Superstars of Wrestling. 

2. Tom Sawyer. Growing up, Kerry Von Erich was my absolute favorite wrestler. He was the Modern Day Warrior, so it only made since he came to the ring to Rush's Tom Sawyer, with the opening line "Modern day warrior mean mean stride..." I still think of those crowded shows at the Dallas Sportatorium as Kerry would get mobbed making his way to the ring as the song blasted over the PA.

3. Carry On My Wayward Son. This is the theme song of former Stride Pro Wrestling Champion Ax Allwardt. He's used it for as long as I've known him, which dates back to All American Pro Wrestling shows I attended in 2008. Now he's got a tag team partner in Scott Phoenix and as Stride Pro Wrestling tag team champs, they've changed their tune to Rock You Like a Hurricane, another classic hit from my childhood. But it's Kansas that gets the nod for this list as well as Ax for keeping the 80s alive when he steps into the ring.

4. Obsession. Saturday Night's Main Event was a huge deal to me growing up. I would check the TV Guide religiously hoping a new episode would be on. After the Superstars who would be wrestling that night would cut a quick promo, the sweet sound of a synthesizer would take over and clips of my favorite Superstars would play. 

5. Take Me Home. And then after that 90-minute rollercoaster ride of wrestling emotion, Phil Collins would wrap things up. Take Me Home would play as the pics or video from the night would recap and the credits would role. To this day, I love the song but hearing it made me sad early Sunday morning as I knew it would be weeks until another SNME would be on.

What say you? What are your favorite mainstream hits to make it to the wrestling world? Weigh in here or on Facebook.

Cyndi Lauper's Mother's Day Party

Cyndi Lauper's Mother's Day Party
Courtesy: WWE Network

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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I've been a bit nostalgic this week with my wrestling blogs. Since Monday I've written about Bobby Heenan & Brother Love, Bruiser Brody, Terry Funk, Kevin Von Erich and the very first Saturday Night's Main Event. I'm keeping the trend alive for today's Mother's Day post. It was that first SNME that aired in May 1985 that featured a segment honoring the moms of some of the WWF Superstars.

Junkyard Dog & his mom
Courtesy: WWE Network

Cyndi Lauper was at the top of the music charts at the time and had become involved in the Rock 'n Wrestling Connection, seconding Wendi Richter in her feud against the Fabulous Moolah. Before the party started, Richter successfully defended the WWF Women's Championship against Moolah and Junkyard Dog beat Pete Doughtery. JYD's mom, Bertha, was ringside for the match. She got in the ring and celebrated after Dog's victory. Hulk Hogan had also dedicated his championship defense to his mother.

Freddie Blassie & his "mom"
Courtesy: WWE Network

Then it was party time. For some reason, Iron Sheik, Nikolai  Volkoff and Freddie Blassie were invited. Blassie's "mom" Laura was a woman young enough to be Blassie's daughter. Hulkster's mom, Ruth was there too. Cyndi's mom, who was in several of the music videos was on hand. Moolah came in and crashed the celebration. Keep in mind there's a large cake in the shot and you know where that's headed. Moolah insulted Cyndi and her mom Catrine. The mother and daughter along with Richter lunged at the former champ knocking her and "Mean" Gene into the cake. 

Moolah and Mean Gene
Courtesy: WWE Network

Segments like these became commonplace on Saturday Night's Main Event. It definitely was a mix of sports and entertainment and as cheesy as it was, I miss those days, a lot. 

Foreign Object Friday: Terry Funk's branding iron

Terry Funk
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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When Terry Funk debuted in the WWF in 1985 he came with more than his traditional cowboy hat. The tough Texan toted a branding iron to the ring, along with his manager Jimmy Hart. The end of the iron had two crosses, representing Funk's residence of the Double Cross Ranch.

Funk leaves his mark
Courtesy: WWE

My memories of the branding iron include Funk using it to mark his opponents after a match. This paved the way for Jake "The Snake" Roberts to allow Damien to slither over opponents, Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake to cut the hair of his fallen foes and "Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase to stuff cash into the mouths of his Million Dollar Dream victims. 

Funk brands Hogan
YouTube/WWE

Even big names were branded by Funk. One night WWF Champion Hulk Hogan got the treatment. This lead to a feud between the two. Funk had also been battling the ever popular Junkyard Dog and once Dory Funk, Jr. was brought in, the brothers battled JYD and Hogan several times. The two teams clashed in the main event of a house show I attended in 1986 in St. Louis.

Jimmy Hart gets branded
Courtesy: WWE

Sometimes the tables were turned and the good guy would use the branding iron. JYD lost to Funk on Saturday Night's Main Event. But when Funk tried branding the Dog, JYD fought back and knocked the former NWA Champion out of the ring. During a tug-of-war with the Mouth of the South as the rope, the mouthy manager lost his pants. Hart squirmed feverishly as his butt got branded and the crowd cheered with delight. JYD getting pinned moments earlier no longer mattered.

Look closely there's blue ink on Orndorff's pecs
The branding iron is missing though

Obviously, the branding iron wasn't hot, but it did leave a mark. The same can be said about my LJN action figures. I learned quickly that pressing Funk's iron onto an ink pad leaves a lasting impression. More than 30 years later, "Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff is still a marked man.

Eventually, Funk's iron did get fired up in "extreme" situations in other companies. And who can forget when he traded in the iron for a chainsaw in the late 90s?

How the WWF made Saturday night's better

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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I hope the World Wildlife Fund doesn't sue me over the title, but it's a more accurate description for the topic at hand. It was on this date 32 years ago (May 11, 1985) that Saturday Night's Main Event first took to the airwaves. I was 12 years old and had been a fan of wrestling for a couple years at that point. Back then the only access to WWF programming I had was Tuesday Night Titans and WWF Superstars of Wrestling. There were also the VHS tapes the company produced and of course WrestleMania had just appeared on closed circuit TV.

As I was flipping through the TV Guide that afternoon (yes, I read TV Guide like a book) I came across an ad promoting Saturday Night's Main Event. (I tried finding a pic on Google, but had no luck) The wrestling show was filling the time slot held by Saturday Night Live. Hulk Hogan was featured in the black and white photo, as he was scheduled to face "Cowboy" Bob Orton for the WWF Championship.

Orton vs. Hogan
Courtesy: WWE

This was exciting news for several reasons. The Hulkster was wrestling on TV and against someone who posed a threat (remember, I was only 12). Other Superstars would be wrestling in matches that weren't the usual squash matches we'd grown accustomed to. And Wendi Richter was going to be in action (again, remember I was 12). There was no way I was going to miss any of this action. I stayed up late that night and watched the show on what now I realize was a small screen TV in my bedroom. 

Not only were the matches featuring more competitive opponents, the production value of the show was on point. I still think of SNME every time I hear the song Obsession by Animotion and Take Me Home by Phil Collins. The short promos that were cut at the start of each episode did exactly what they were supposed to do to get me excited for the matches. I also loved that the main event was either the opening match or near the start of the show so if I did doze off and forgot to set the VCR, I wouldn't miss the big event. I hated waiting weeks for a new show to air, but eventually grew to enjoy SNL.

Cyndi Lauper & Wendi Richter
Courtesy: WWE

It's been a long time since WWE replicated Saturday Night's Main Event. The last reboot was in 2006 and wrapped up in 2008. I'll never forget those early days and especially that first show. George "The Animal" Steele turning good after being attacked by Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff, Hulkamania running wild all over Bob Orton and Roddy Piper and Richter successfully retain the Women's Championship. 

 

Famer Friday: "Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff

Meeting Mr. Wonderful in 2012

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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In 1987 I thought for sure "Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff was going to win the WWF Heavyweight Title from Hulk Hogan. The two had been feuding for months and things culminated on a Saturday night in January. I had been on a camping trip that weekend so Sunday afternoon when I got home I popped the tape into the VCR and watched Saturday Night's Main Event. Since I was using a VCR this was obviously long before the internet was around to spoil results.

Cage match
Courtesy: WWE

I watched in excitement as Orndorff climbed up the big blue steel cage and down the other side. But Hogan was doing the same thing across the ring and the Superstars' feet hit the arena floor at the same time. It was a tie. Arugebly that would be the closest "Mr. Wonderful" would ever get to winning gold during his tenure in the WWF.

Being a "rebellious" teenager, I parted ways with the Hulkster and had a new hero in Orndorff. What wasn't to love? He had the patented pile driver, awesome sequined robes and the greatest manager of all time in his corner; Bobby "The Brain" Heenan. 

Courtesy: WWE

Not only did Orndorff not capture the title that night, but he essentially disappeared from the company for months. He wasn't a part of WrestleMania III which always baffled me until recently. He told Ric Flair during a podcast he was injured at the time. It was weird because his absence was never explained and just months earlier was a half step away from winning the gold. But he did re-emerge and feuded again with Heenan after the Brain acquired the contract of "Ravishing" Rick Rude.

Pretty Wonderful

His time in WWF was limited and he headed off into the sunset for a bit. Eventually Orndorff arrived in WCW, winning the TV Title and tag team championships with Paul Roma. The team was known as Pretty Wonderful and they were, as was Orndorff's career in general. I'm glad to hear the cancer he had been battling is in remission.

Wayback WhensDay: Saturday Night's Main Event

Photo courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

I'm excited that WWE has added Saturday Night's Main Event to its Network.  I loved watching the show as a kid, wishing it was a regular part of the NBC lineup.  I remember when the first episode aired back in May 1985, I just happened to see an ad for it in the TV Guide (yes, I just dated myself with that reference).

At that point, all we had in terms of big wrestling shows was Wrestlemania and the two events that MTV had aired.  There was also Starrcade for NWA fans.  Otherwise, the weekly programming was mostly made up of squash matches.  We'd get a few marquee matches on Superstars or Prime Time Wrestling.  But SNME almost always featured a WWF championship match or at least a match with the champ involved.  

It was something special for sure, and in hindsight, I'm glad it didn't become a weekly or even monthly thing.  I've heard before that the show garnered great ratings for NBC in that late night time slot, even doing better than the show it replaced Saturday Night Live.

I have not had a chance to watch any of the episodes on the Network yet, but going from memory, here a few of my favorite moments...

The Battle Royal
Photo courtesy: WWE

The Battle Royal from the episode leading to Wrestlemania III.  Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant were weeks away from battling each other at the Silver Dome, but before that match up, the two ended up in the same ring on SNME.  The two started to battle through 18 other men, as they tried to get to one another.  I had just turned 14 and bled red and yellow.  I was shocked after the champ threw Paul Orndorff over the top rope, only to be grabbed by the Giant, headbutted, and the easily tossed over the top rope.  

Hogan & Orndorff in a cage
Photo courtesy: WWE

A few months before that, Hogan had defended the world title against Orndorff inside a steel cage. I thought this was the biggest threat to Hogan's title up to that point.  The two competitors climbed either side of the cage and each hit the arena floor at the same exact moment.  Orndorff claimed he won the match, but the referee saw it definitely and forced both men back into the cage.  Moments later, Hulkamania was running wild again.

A new union
Photo courtesy: WWE

There was also the night that Hogan came out thanks to Elizabeth to save "Macho Man" Randy Savage from being attacked by the Honky Tonk Man and Hart Foundation.  It was an unlikely union, but one that fans came to quickly love.  Another strange moment involved Hogan befriending "Rowdy" Roddy Piper.  Hot Rod came out after Hogan was being double teamed by Orndorff and Adrian Adonis.  This completed the Piper face turn in 1986.  I also enjoyed Uncle Elmer's wedding and Piper interrupting things. 

What are some of your favorite moments from this memorable wrestling program?  Share them here and be sure check out the archive here!

Boo: 1985

Team Heenan
Saturday Night's Main Event 1985
Photo from WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

I'm able to tie in another Halloween topic with the Throwback Thursday theme this week.  We go back in time to 1985 for the first ever WWF Halloween party.  It happened on Saturday Night's Main Event. In between the matches, there were several Halloween games and skits to entertain the fans.

We got a closer look at "Rowdy" Roddy Piper's home and how he prepared for Halloween.  Hot Rod was still a heel at this point and was trying to pass off bowling balls and bricks as treats for the kids who came to his door.  Of course when he drops the heavy items in the treat bags, they bust open and the kids lose their candy.  Pure heel, but the kids get revenge, including one dressed like Hulk Hogan, after giving Hot Rod chocolate covered hot peppers.

Albano vs. Bundy: Pie Eating Contest
Saturday Night's Main Event 1985
Photo from WWE

A team of heels all dressed in costume took on a team of faces.  Bobby Heenan, King Kong Bundy, Roddy Piper, "The Macho Man" Randy Savage and others battled the Hillbillies, Hulk Hogan, Junkyard Dog, Capt. Lou Albano, and Tito Santana in pumpkin passing contests, a pumpkin bobbing event, and a pie eating contest.  (No Rock sightings, as he was only 13 years old at the time)

It was a fun evening of Halloween activities, the costumes were creative as well.  I loved the fact that Iron Sheik and Nikoali Volkoff dressed like Batman and Robin.  Savage and Elizabeth made a great Tarzan and Jane.  The Junkyard Dog was a mummy and Tito Santana dressed like Zorro.

Hogan & Andre vs Bundy & Studd
Saturday Night's Main Event 1985
Photo from WWE

Four matches were also a part of that show, it wasn't just 90 minutes of Halloween games.  Savage got his first shot at the Intercontinental title that night and battle Santana to a double count out.  Terry Funk beat the Junkyard Dog, Ricky Steamboat beat Mr. Fuji in a Kung Fu Challenge match and Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant beat Bundy and Big John Studd by disqualification.

Stroll down memory lane and check out some of the clips from that night.  I've include a few of the challenges here.

 

Saturday Night Special

One of my favorite memories of wrestling from my childhood is Saturday Night's Main Event.  I was 12 when the very first one hit the airwaves in May 1985.

I loved the way each show started off with the quick promos featuring the guys who would be going at it that night.  Then "You're My Obsession" would start to play and lead us to Vince McMahon and Jessie Ventura standing by.  I think it's appropriate they picked "You're My Obsession" because as a skinny, ugly duckling wrestling was my obsession as the girls didn't want to have much to do with me.

I can still remember what I think was the opening match, George "the Animal" Steele, Nikolai Volkoff, and the Iron Sheik vs. Ricky "the Dragon" Steamboat, Barry Windham, and Mike Rotunda.   That was the night the Animal turned face and joined forces with Capt. Lou Albano.


That night also featured Hulk Hogan and "Cowboy" Bob Orton going one on one.  "Rowdy" Roddy Piper and Mr. T and eventually Paul Orndorff all got involved in the match.

As you might imagine from the picture to the left, I've been strolling down memory lane with the Best of DVD.  It's been fun watching the old matches and segments and also hearing from the superstars talk about their memories today.

I'm not sure if it was because I was a kid or because wrestling wasn't so overexposed, but those were some great times back then.  We were seeing matches on TV that we normally didn't.  It was usually SD Jones or Steve Lombardi or Jose Luis Riveria getting beat upon by King Kong Bundy, Ricky Steamboat, or Jake "the Snake" Roberts each Sunday morning on SuperStars.

Now, each week twice a week (3 if you count SuperStars) we're treated to matches without the constant jobbers.  They're pretty good matches.  Stuff back then we only got every 6 or 8 weeks on SNME or had to wait to see on pay per view (which ran only 4 times a year)

I've talked about it before, I think it would be nice to go back to that formula, at least for the pay per views, but with the almighty dollar being as important as it is, I don't see that happening.  There's no more suspense or build up.

Look at the Hulk-Andre match at Wrestlemania 3.  The only time they touched each other prior to the match (in a physical way) was about 30 seconds in that SNME battle royal prior to Mania.  There were a few punches thrown, a shoulder tackle and then Andre headbutted Hogan and tossed him over the top rope.  That was it.

Today, we get confrontations and tag team matches leading up to the big event.  By the time the PPV rolls around, we've seen some version of the match happen at least once before they lock up and we pay for it.

I guess that's just a sign of the times.  Maybe I'm just an old, cranky mark who misses the good ol' days.  Don't get me wrong, I'll never stop watching wrestling, but since this is My 1-2-3 Cents, I figure I have to complain every once in a while.  Thanks, and check out My 1-2-3 Cents on YouTube too!