This week let’s revisit some great matches in the library with “Hidden Gems Part 2”.
The Women of the WWF, released in 1988 is dominated by the classic female wrestlers of the golden age of professional wrestling. No Bra and Panties matches here. These ladies were mean and rough. A real highlight in this video is what is now known as the “Original Screwjob”.
On November 25th 1985 Richter was to defend her title against Spider Lady. Unbeknownst to the Ladies Champion Spider Lady was the Fabulous Moolah under a mask. During the match Spider Lady pinned Wendi to win the Ladies Championship. Wendi Richter had kicked out at the count of 1 but was still counted down for the 3. Ignoring the final bell, Richter continued to pound on Spider Lady, eventually unmasking her to find out it was Moolah. This wasn’t scripted. Reportedly, Richter fled the arena in her wrestling gear never to return to the ring.
On Supertape Vol. 3, The Legion of Doom and the Ultimate Warrior met the 3 man team of Demolition. The Legion of Doom had just surfaced in the WWF and for years, Demolition were seen as LOD imposters. So this was a dream match to WWF fans as these teams appeared to have so much in common. Add the WWF champion into the fold and you have got a classic.
This encounter was taken to the absolute limit when it came to a brawl, and Demolition certainly had what was coming to them. You have to see it to feel the excitement of what the summer of 1990 brought in action, drama and a big fight.
The next match under the spotlight comes from the Coliseum classic Grudges, Gripes and Grunts. Ric Flair and Shawn Michaels challenged WWF champion “Macho Man” Randy Savage and Intercontinental Champion Bret Hart. Taped in June of 1992, it had been 7 months since Michaels and Flair had been in the ring competing (find this in Hidden Gems Part 1).
In that time Shawn Michaels had broke away from Tag Team competition and had turned his back on his fans, yet had been successful in becoming a major contender for the Hitman’s Intercontinental Championship. In here, you can see four of the most successful superstars in wrestling history compete in a match exclusively filmed for Coliseum Video. The bout features fantastic technical wrestling and great action that sees two feuds captured in one match. This is definitely one to own, so make sure you do.
Our final match for the week’s column is Hacksaw Jim Duggan vs. Yokozuna. This grudge match took place and was shown live in France. It is brought to you courtesy of Coliseum’s video release, Global Warfare. In February of 1993 Big Yoko had put Duggan out of action with multiple Banzai Drops. Fast Forward to April and Hacksaw was looking for revenge in Europe.
This match was a must see for fans who wanted the American Hero to get revenge. As usual, Hacksaw put up a great fight but could he get the job done? Interestingly enough, Hacksaw was able to get the fans to chant USA in every country he competed in. Track this video down for highlights of the historic European tour of 1993.
That’s all we have time for in this edition of Coliseum Corner. Be sure to check these matches out again and let us know what you think. See ya next time.
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The “original screwjob” is interesting. I never heard or knew anything about that. I’d definitely like to get more details on the match. Wendi Richter seemed to be on good terms with WWE, especially being inducted into the Hall of Fame and all.
Actually, Royal Rumble ’88 was broadcast on USA Network. Was it ever released on VHS? Speaking of RR, the 1989 version on VHS edited out King Haku VS. Harley Race match.
It was indeed broadcasted on the USA network, but it was also advertised to be released in July of 1988 along with Best of the WWF Volume 16 & Hulkamania 3. If you watch the advertisements as the end of the SNME the Greatest Hits, Brutus Beefcake, & Best of Volume 15, they advertise that video with the other 2, and the lineup advertisted was different then what they actually released.
The same happened with the 1991 Royal Rumble. The VHS didn’t include The Mountie VS KoKo B. Ware. The PPV which was broadcast In the UK included that match but the Rockers VS The Orient Express was left off.
The Savage/Hart vs. HBK/Flair match is the same as the
one on the Macho Man DVD. However the HBK vs. Savage
singles match on World Tour 1992 Coliseum Video is from
4/14/92 and the DVD has the 4/19/92 match between the two
(both from the UK).
My apologies, the match did take place in July…July 20th. That is a great fact about the Royal Rumble being bumped for the Women of the WWF. Considering the following Royal Rumble was broadcast on PPV you wouldn’t have expected that. Thanks RCS1988
No problem. If you watch at the end of SNME the Greatest Hits, they advertise Volume 16, Hulkamania 3, and a tape call Battle Royal, but show the Rumble match from 1/24/88, so maybe the theme of the tape was going to be battle royals, with the Rumble being the finale of the tape. On Brutus Beefcake & Best of Volume 15, they advertise the same 3 but instead of battle royal, they call it royal rumble, which made me think they were releasing the Rumble 88 event, but probably it would be lots of editing, so they went with the Women of the WWF, but it’s still an awesome thing. Another video that was advertised but got bumped was the Junkyard Dog. It ended up being replaced with the Hart Foundation video.
The Women of the WWF, released in 1988 is dominated by the classic female wrestlers of the golden age of professional wrestling. No Bra and Panties matches here. These ladies were mean and rough. A real highlight in this video is what is now known as the “Original Screwjob”. 
On Supertape Vol. 3, The Legion of Doom and the Ultimate Warrior met the 3 man team of Demolition. The Legion of Doom had just surfaced in the WWF and for years, Demolition were seen as LOD imposters. So this was a dream match to WWF fans as these teams appeared to have so much in common. Add the WWF champion into the fold and you have got a classic. 
The next match under the spotlight comes from the Coliseum classic Grudges, Gripes and Grunts. Ric Flair and Shawn Michaels challenged WWF champion “Macho Man” Randy Savage and Intercontinental Champion Bret Hart. Taped in June of 1992, it had been 7 months since Michaels and Flair had been in the ring competing (find this in Hidden Gems Part 1). 
Our final match for the week’s column is Hacksaw Jim Duggan vs. Yokozuna. This grudge match took place and was shown live in France. It is brought to you courtesy of Coliseum’s video release, Global Warfare. In February of 1993 Big Yoko had put Duggan out of action with multiple Banzai Drops. Fast Forward to April and Hacksaw was looking for revenge in Europe. 
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The “original screwjob” is interesting. I never heard or knew anything about that. I’d definitely like to get more details on the match. Wendi Richter seemed to be on good terms with WWE, especially being inducted into the Hall of Fame and all.
Try YouTube it might be on there
The “original screwjob” is the Backlund/Iron Sheik match that took place at MSG in December 1983. To Backlund’s credit, he never cried about it.
Actually, Royal Rumble ’88 was broadcast on USA Network. Was it ever released on VHS? Speaking of RR, the 1989 version on VHS edited out King Haku VS. Harley Race match.
It was indeed broadcasted on the USA network, but it was also advertised to be released in July of 1988 along with Best of the WWF Volume 16 & Hulkamania 3. If you watch the advertisements as the end of the SNME the Greatest Hits, Brutus Beefcake, & Best of Volume 15, they advertise that video with the other 2, and the lineup advertisted was different then what they actually released.
The same happened with the 1991 Royal Rumble. The VHS didn’t include The Mountie VS KoKo B. Ware. The PPV which was broadcast In the UK included that match but the Rockers VS The Orient Express was left off.
The Ultimate Warrior and classic (being used to describe a great old match) don’t sound like they’d go together.
I see what you mean, but it certainly was a match that many wanted to see in 1990.
Pretty Sure the HBK/Flair vs. Hart/Savage is on the Macho Man DVD.
The Savage/Hart vs. HBK/Flair match is the same as the
one on the Macho Man DVD. However the HBK vs. Savage
singles match on World Tour 1992 Coliseum Video is from
4/14/92 and the DVD has the 4/19/92 match between the two
(both from the UK).
The match was taped especially for Coliseum Video, but as you say, it is the one included on the Macho Man DVD
The HBK Flair Bret Savage tag was taped in July 92. Fun Fact. The Woman of the WWF replaced the Royal Rumble 1988 Coliseum Video.
My apologies, the match did take place in July…July 20th. That is a great fact about the Royal Rumble being bumped for the Women of the WWF. Considering the following Royal Rumble was broadcast on PPV you wouldn’t have expected that. Thanks RCS1988
No problem. If you watch at the end of SNME the Greatest Hits, they advertise Volume 16, Hulkamania 3, and a tape call Battle Royal, but show the Rumble match from 1/24/88, so maybe the theme of the tape was going to be battle royals, with the Rumble being the finale of the tape. On Brutus Beefcake & Best of Volume 15, they advertise the same 3 but instead of battle royal, they call it royal rumble, which made me think they were releasing the Rumble 88 event, but probably it would be lots of editing, so they went with the Women of the WWF, but it’s still an awesome thing. Another video that was advertised but got bumped was the Junkyard Dog. It ended up being replaced with the Hart Foundation video.