DOTT: The War of '84

[Rick Arnold]

I've decided to give a swing at a dynasty, using the WWF... Instead of starting in the beginning of '83, we've decided to start it off in mid-84, with a roster that while not accurate of the time, but reflects the starting point of Vince McMahon's war against the territories -- and the road to Wrestlemania I.

To kick it off, let's take a look at our roster:

WWF 1984 Roster:
(As of April, Week 2)

Main Event
Faces:
Hulk Hogan
Andre The Giant
Bob Backlund
Bruno Sammartino

Heels:
Stan Hansen
Jimmy Snuka
Roddy Piper
Superstar Billy Graham
Ray Stevens

Upper Midcard
Faces:
Ricky Steamboat
Junkyard Dog
Mark Lewin
Pedro Morales
Rocky Johnson
Tony Atlas

Heels:
Big John Studd
Don Muraco
Dick Murdoch
The Masked Superstar
Gino Hernandez
Afa
Sika

Midcard
Faces:
Chief Jay Strongbow
Jules Strongbow
Davey Boy Smith
Dynamite Kid
Jim Brunzell
B. Brian Blair
Tito Santana
Ivan Putski

Heels:
King Kong Bundy
Jumbo Tsuruta
Arn Anderson
Tully Blanchard
Bret Hart
Jim Neidhart

Lower Midcard
Faces:
Tony Garea
S.D. Jones

Heels:
Tiger Chung Lee
Tarzan Goto
Mr. Fuji
Rene Goulet

Opener
Faces:
Eddie Gilbert
David Sammartino

Heels:
Bam Bam Bigelow
Steve Austin

Enhancement Talent
Faces:
Salvatore Bellomo
Frankie Williams

Manager
Bobby Heenan
Lou Albano
The Grand Wizard
Freddie Blassie


Tag Teams
The Brainbusters (Arn Anderson/Tully Blanchard) (Can't do a game without two of the greats)
The Killer Bees (B. Brain Blair/Jim Brunzell)
The Hart Foundation (Bret Hart/Jim Neidhart)
The British Bulldogs (Davey Boy Smith/Dynamite Kid)
The Strongbows (Chief Jay Strongbow/Jules Strongbow)
Rocky Johnson and Tony Atlas
The Wild Samoans (Afa/Sika)
Mr. Fuji and Tiger Chung Lee

Stables

The Heenan Family:
Bobby Heenan
Big John Studd
King Kong Bundy
Arn Anderson
Tully Blanchard
Gino Hernandez
Steve Austin

Albano's Savages:
Lou Albano
Afa
Sika
Jimmy Snuka

Blassie's Army:
Freddie Blassie
Mr. Fuji
Tiger Chung Lee
Tarzan Goto


Champions

WWF World Heavyweight: Hulk Hogan
WWF Intercontinental: Don Muraco
WWF World Tag Team: The Strongbows


Stay tuned as we kick off our first WWF in Your Neighborhood, live from the heart of the Northeast!

[Mattyc]

This has promise to be an excellent dynasty. I look forward to your first show.

[shipshirt]

Yeah most definitely. This was around the time I started watching wrestling so it will be interesting to see where this goes!

[Rick Arnold]

In recent news around the States, WWF has offered several contracts to a plethora of talented youngsters, which include, but are not limited to:

*Gino Hernandez (Main Event Heel of Southwest Championship Wrestling and good friend of Tully Blanchard)

*Bam Bam Bigelow (A great talented big-man wrestler)

*Steve Austin (A young rookie with loads of Entertainment talent)

*Mike Rotundo and Barry Windham (The U.S. Express will make a great addition to an already hot tag division)

And on the not-so-young list, we have:

*Jumbo Tsuruta (One of Japan's most consistent workers, who'll surely add some depth to our IC Title scene)

*Cowboy Bob Orton Jr. (You knew it was coming... Orton is a solid worker, who can easily blend in to midcard ranks or tag team ranks)

[Rick Arnold]

April, Week 1, Thursday

WWF in Your Neighborhood
Live from the William H. Pitt Center in Fairfield, CT

Pre-Show:
Tony Garea vs. Rene Goulet

A simple match that runs while the fans are being seated. A by-the-books match that gives Garea the easy win over the Frenchman.

Result: Tony Garea at 5:45 by pinfall
Rating: C

Promo: Steve Austin

A short and sweet angle that gives the debuting youngster a chance to work his skills in front of the audience.

Rating: D (Road Agent Note: Get this man a manager!)

Promo: The Brainbusters Warn the Bees

Another pre-show segment, which allows the young tag team and their manager, Bobby Heenan, to put over their upcoming match against the Killer Bees tonight.

Rating: E (But Arn is steadily improving)

The Show:

Tito Santana/Ivan Putski vs. Mr. Fuji/Tiger Chung Lee

The opening match on the card pits Tito Santana and WWF’s resident loser, Ivan Putski, against Mr. Fuji and Tiger Chung Lee. The heels play their roles well, keeping Putski out of the ring, while pounding down the smaller Santana. Putski finally gets his chance to shine, but a well-placed chair shot from behind puts him out for the count.

Result: Fuji/Chung Lee at 5:50 with a pinfall
Rating: C+

King Kong Bundy vs. S.D. Jones

Bobby Heenan leads his huge client down to ringside, as the behemoth demands that a five-count is made, instead of the tradition three. It doesn’t really matter, as he easily manhandles his competition for an easy win following the Bundy Splash.

Result: King Kong Bundy at 1:11 with a pinfall
Rating: C- (Pre-Match: A)

The Brainbusters vs. The Killer Bees

The match is preceded by a Killer Bees interview. The match itself is a decent match, pitting two strong teams against each other, with each man getting equal offense, although the veteran of the ground, Blanchard, manages to score some big hits. The match finally ends as Tully Blanchard and B. Brian Blair get a double countout. The post-match includes the team and their manager celebrating, despite their loss. Gotta love that Heenan Family spirit!

Result: Double CO at 8:55
Rating: C- (Pre-Match: C-) (Post-Match: C-)

Intercontinental Title Match:
Don Muraco vs. Tony Atlas

Before the match begins, we’re treated a clip of Atlas training for his title shot against Magnificent Muraco, which is then followed up by Muraco hyping up his match. We’re treated to another open match, where each man gets their moments to shine, but it’s ultimately Muraco who comes through in the end.

Result: Don Muraco at 7:42 with a pinfall
Rating: B+ (Pre-Match: B-/B) (Road Agent Notes: Atlas got tired at the end of the fight… he’s more useless then originally thought)

WWF World Heavyweight Title Match:
Hulk Hogan vs. Ray Stevens

Hogan does his usual pre-match ramblings, which if you listen closely, have something to do with beating Ray Stevens -- maybe. Either way, the match isn’t too terribly long, as Stevens does his best to keep up with the younger man, but Hogan eventually triumphs for the win! Following the match, Roddy Piper manages to sneak down to ringside and lay into the Hulkster with the help of Stevens, leaving the champ brutally battered.

Result: Hulk Hogan at 5:53 with a pinfall
Rating: B (Pre-Match: B+) (Post-Match: C+)

Overall Rating: B-

Side Notes:

Mr. Fuji suffered a Major Concussion at the show last night. This isn’t a huge deal, as it allows us to move him in his managerial role quicker, as the protégé of Freddie Blassie. This does mean we’ll have to look around for a replacement partner for Chung Lee though.

Coming Up This Weekend on WWF Superstars!
Steve Austin vs. David Sammartino
The Hart Foundation vs. The Killer Bees
King Kong Bundy vs. Ivan Putski
Junkyard Dog vs. Masked Superstar
Ricky Steamboat vs. Jimmy Snuka
And More!

[Rick Arnold]

April, Week 1, Sunday

WWF Challenge
Taped at the Glens Falls Civic Center in New York

Pre-Show:

Eddie Gilbert vs. Rene Goulet

Gilbert has an even match with Goulet, ending with Gilbert getting the win.

Result: Eddie Gilbert at 4:53 with a submission
Rating: D

Steve Austin vs. David Sammartino

Meh… it’s a Sammartino match, what more can we say? Austin beat him.

Result: Steve Austin at 4:34 with a submission
Rating: E

The Show:

Bobby Heenan has Two Aces up his Sleeves

Heenan introduces his newest clients and members of the Heenan Family: Steve Austin and -- Gino Hernandez!

Rating: C-

The Hart Foundation vs. The Killer Bees

Two decent tag teams go at it, as the Hart Foundation manage to pick up the win over the Bees.

Result: The Hart Foundation at 8:32 with a pinfall
Rating: D (Pre-Match: D) (Road Agent Notes: Neidhart underperformed and tired out easily… Hart definitely needs a new partner… fast)

Gino Hernandez vs. Tito Santana

The pre-match includes an interview with Heenan and Gino. Hernandez puts on a sound match as he puts Chico Santana down for an easy 1-2-3.

Result: Gino Hernandez at 7:12 with a pinfall after cheating
Rating: C (Pre-Match: C+)

King Kong Bundy vs. Ivan Putski

Putski manages to hold out longer then S.D. Jones did last week… but Bundy easily rolls over the curtain jerker.

Result: King Kong Bundy at 2:32 with a pinfall
Rating: C (Pre-Match: C+)

Junkyard Dog vs. Masked Superstar

JYD looks particularly dangerous tonight, as he goes at with the Masked Superstar. But despite his best efforts, the heel comes out on top when he blasts JYD with a loaded headbutt.

Result: Masked Superstar at 5:54 with a pinfall
Rating: B- (Pre-Match: B)

Ricky Steamboat vs. Jimmy Snuka

The main event of the night starts out with a interview with Snuka and Albano. Snuka appears rather vicious in the ring, as he tears into Steamboat, but the plucky warrior fights on. He almost gains a pinfall, when Snuka’s stablemates, The Wild Samoans, storm the ring and attack. The three continue to pound on Steamboat, when Hulk Hogan storms the ring and chases the savages off.

Result: Ricky Steamboat at 8:29 via DQ
Rating: B (Pre-Match: B) (Post-Match: B)

Overall Rating: B-

Side Notes: We got lucky being able to pull off a B- overall with that horrible undercard. Luckily our main event matches were able to salvage it a bit. Combine that with a sold-out card and just under 97,000 viewers on TV… all-and-all it was a decent night.

[Rick Arnold]

PWI Weekly News:

It comes as no surprise, that on top of the WWF's recent signings, that they would be signing on even more talent on-board. The recent rumors include:

*Stan Hansen (The obvious would be to place him in a feud against Hogan)

*Dick Murdoch (Word is that Murdoch will be used mostly as Hansen's partner or for Battle Royal fodder)

*Mark Lewin (A strong Upper-Midcarder who, as a face, can work several matches against Muraco for his IC Title)

These recent signings would suggest that the WWF is looking towards a long-term movement in the Great Lakes region, and with stars like Andre, Hogan, Sammartino, Graham and Steamboat, who already have footholds in the region... it's going to be an interesting fight!

[Rick Arnold]

From this point on, I will merely be listing results, as well as any major interviews and feud going-ons, as I really suck at doing my pitiful attempts at “match descriptions”.

April, Week 2, Thursday

WWF in Your Neighborhood
Live from the Burkhardt Center in Dayton, OH!

Pre-Show:
Steve Austin d. S.D. Jones at 4:52 by CO (Rating: D) (Pre-Match: B-)
Tony Garea d. Tarzan Goto at 4:45 by DQ (Tiger Chung Lee) (Rating: C-)

The Show:
King Kong Bundy d. Pedro Morales at 2:38 by pinfall (Rating: C-) (Pre-Match: A)
The Strongbows d. The Hart Foundation at 6:11 by DQ (Rating: C) (Pre-Match: C)
Andre the Giant won a 10-Man Battle Royal which also featured: Big John Studd, Ivan Putski, Jumbo Tsuruta, Junkyard Dog, Ray Stevens, Billy Graham, Bam Bam Bigelow and the British Bulldogs (Rating: B-)
IC Title Match: Ricky Steamboat d. Don Muraco at by DQ (Rating: C+) (Pre-Match: B-)
WWF Heavyweight Match: Hulk Hogan d. Dick Murdoch at by (Rating: B) (Pre-Match: B+)

Overall Rating: C+

Side Notes: Heenan is definitely helping Austin out on the performance side, and the kid’s improving steadily. We just need to find him some decent opponents or a veteran partner. Infact, Heenan looks to be our premier manager, which comes as no shock. The man is gold with anyone. If only he could manage all our heels… (I’m looking at you, Hart Foundation!) On the plus side, Neidhart managed to NOT get tired out tonight, but he was off his game again. The Battle Royal proved to be a hit, with Andre looking spectacular in the ring. This match’ll give us a great chance to showcase some of our undercarded talent, as well as giving Andre the push he deserves. Steamboat and Muraco didn’t seem to gel in the ring though… The fans also expected more angle segments, so we’ll have to work on that next time. All-in-all? The show was a success, and we’ve made our first foothold on the Great Lakes region.

In Other News: WWF has signed a PPV deal with Public Access Select. Expect to see their very first PPV (King of the Ring) to debut next month.

[the ismailite]

I like your match descriptions. Somehow without 'em, the show is different. Just me tho.

good stuff tho.

[Rick Arnold]

I dunno... I can only describe David Sammartino getting rolled over by a better wrestler so many times, before I get bored out of my mind. I may do a few match descriptions for the bigger matches, but Bruno Jr., Putski and the rest of them will have to be content with getting nothing.

[the ismailite]

Maybe it's time to can those guys.

[Rick Arnold]

It comes as a major shock to us at the WWF -- but The Grand Wizard has decided to step up and take on the challenge of managing one of the WWF's hot teams -- The Hart Foundation.

The manager is expected to help get the team back on track after losing their title shot at the last show.

And with TV stations looking for new programming here, the WWF will surely be looking to get WWF Challenge broadcasted in the Great Lakes region.

[Rick Arnold]

Originally Posted by the ismailite

Maybe it's time to can those guys.

Perhaps. But Putski still serves his purpose as a mildly-popular worker to throw at Bundy.

That and Sammartino is always fun to bury...

[Rick Arnold]

April, Week 2, Sunday

WWF Challenge
Taped at the Mid-Hudson Civic Center at Poughkeepsie, NY

The Pre-Show:

Steve Austin d. Tony Garea at 5:32 by pinfall (Rating: C-) (Pre-Match: B-)
Bam Bam Bigelow d. Eddie Gilbert at 7:43 by pinfall (Rating: E)

The Show:

The Hart Foundation d. The Killer Bees at 4:46 by pinfall (Rating: D) (Pre-Match: C-)
The Brainbusters d. The British Bulldogs at 9:38 by pinfall (Rating: D) (Pre-Match: D)

Hansen Demands a Title Shot and Hogan Accepts -- Next Week
Stan Hansen comes out to ringside, where he demands that Hulk Hogan faces him with a title shot. The champion appears to agree to the Texan’s challenge -- but at their next show in Ohio. (Rating: B+/A)

Gino Hernandez d. Ivan Putski at 5:16 by DQ (Rating: C+) (Pre-Match: C)
WWF Tag Title: The Strongbows draw The Wild Samoans at 6:59 by Double CO (Rating: B) (Pre-Match: B+)
Roddy Piper d. Bob Backlund at 8:30 by submission (Rating: B) (Pre-Match: B)

Overall Rating: B-

Side Notes: Austin and Garea seemed to gel, which should give Austin someone to kick around for awhile. Bam Bam, on the other hand, was winded by the end… thank god for dark matches. Note for the future: stick him in some quick squash matches. I think we’re going to have to bite the bullet on Neidhart though… the man is consistent… consistently off his game. He’s just going to drag Bret Hart down, it would seem. The Busters/Bulldogs series ran for too long, which effectively made Davey Boy about as useful as a Mulkey brother. The Hansen/Hogan angles pulled big marks -- can’t wait to see these two waging war in the Great Lakes next week. I think we can expect to see The Strongbows and Samoans pull a few more decent matches before we go for a title change… and Piper and Backlund in a feud? After Piper’s win, you can almost guarantee it!

[Rick Arnold]

PWI Rumor Mill:

Some big news is abrewing in the wrestling industry today, as insiders claim that a recent interview with WWF owner, Vince McMahon Jr., and head booker, Rick Arnold, signifies that the WWF is planning to pull what some call a "roster split", to allow them to effectively work their way in Northern and Southern markets.

Q: How does the WWF plan to make itself the premier promotion in America?

McMahon Jr: Where we are right now, it's going to be difficult for us to effectively get our promotion out there to the entire US, without getting a National TV deal.

Arnold: Which is why one of the ideas we've been spitballing is creating two seperate rosters. It would allow us to evenly blanket the US.

McMahon: Of course, that's merely speculation. A move on that magnitude would require the hiring of wrestlers popular in the other regions.

Arnold: Ric Flair's always available.

Could the WWF be looking to hire the Nature Boy in an attempt to place a foothold in the Southern markets? It's too early to tell right now -- considering they're waging a war in the Great Lakes, but we can expect more news following their first PPV next month.