The steel cage used to be a representation of a feud ending contest where no wrestler would be able to run away from their opponent. It also meant that no manager, second, or partner would be able to run interference on behalf of someone in the cage. Of course, a lot of the mythos behind the match has been ruined by modern companies who are more interested in using the cage as a cheap gimmick instead of a bloody war meant to settle a feud once and for all.
-Josh Matthews introduces the concept of the cage match and gives a little history.
WWE Championship: Bob Backlund (champion) vs. Pat Patterson (Intercontinental Champion) (09.24.79)
Match in Five Words or Less: Backlund Makes A Stand
Match Summary/Analysis: Howard Finkel’s introduction to the match should give you chills. How he isn’t still ring announcing is something I will never understand. Backlund was the champion for nearly five consecutive years with the exception of a couple hiccups that may or may not be an official part of WWE history. It’s odd to see Backlund in a cage match considering his reputation was more suited for the technical bouts. Vince McMahon is calling this match on his own as they start quickly. No real flow or psychology. They take turns beating on each other and then trying to escape the cage. It’s not rocket scientist but it works. Even better is they spend the majority trying to just leave out the door instead of climbing up and over. Something I’ve never understood about escape cage match rules. Creative spot as Patterson uses a part of the turnbuckle to nail Backlund in the face multiple times. And it’s all legal. Backlund’s face gets red as blood flows out, but he manages to cling to Patterson. Backlund nearly gets out as Patterson makes an attempt of his own. Patterson stops his own climb to battle Backlund back down to the mat. Patterson is bleeding for whatever reason. Backlund hits the ATOMIC DROP OF DEATH and begins climbing out. Patterson breaks out the brass knuckles. Backlund blocks multiple attempts on top of the cage. Patterson hangs in the corner upside down. Backlund practically falls out of the cage door to retain the championship. Very simple but effective match.
Winner (s)/Time/Rating: STILL WWE Champion- Bob Backlund/16:42/***
-WWE Championship: Bob Backlund (champion) vs. Jimmy `Superfly’ Snuka (05.19.1980)
Match in Five Words or Less: He Did What?
Match Summary/Analysis: This is a pretty famous match for reasons that we’ll get into later. A little bit different than the previous match as there isn’t as much climbing and battling on the cage. Snuka isn’t nearly the quality of a worker as Patterson however. The one big advantage Snuka has is he can come off the ropes to do moves. Crowd is scared for Backlund’s life whenever Snuka does this. Snuka takes a fairly good whooping as he bleeds barely five minutes into the match. Snuka comes off the top of the cage (where have I seen this before) but misses Backlund on a big splash attempt. The champion goes out the door to an enormous pop. Snuka would successfully splash Don Muraco three years later and start Mick Foley on his path to becoming a wrestler. Not as good as the first match, but the visual of Snuka diving made it worthwhile.
Winner (s)/Time/Rating: WWE Champion- Bob Backlund/10:34/**1/2
-Bruno Sammartino vs. Larry Zbyszko (08.09.1980)
Match in Five Words or Less: Sammartino’s Revenge
Match Summary/Analysis: Zbyszko was the protégé of Sammartino before turning on him by using a chair in a brutal attack. Back when beating someone with a chair meant something. This is from a fairly famous show at Shea Stadium where these two would finally settle their score. Zbyszko really hasn’t changed much in over 30 years with the exception of having less and darker hair. Josh Matthews and Matt Stryker call the match in lieu of no 1980 commentary. At least Stryker can bring a lot of historical background and knowledge to the proceedings. Sammartino starts out by kicking Zbyszko’s ass for a bit. Zbyszko hits a low blow on Sammarttino to gain control. All he wants to do from that point is leave the cage as quickly as possible. Knee to the ass and Sammartino regains his composure. Zbyszko with a kick to the gut and he goes back to beating up Sammartino. He focuses his effort on Sammartino’s right shoulder. Into the corner of the cage goes Zbyszko. Sammartino tosses his opponent around to all sides of the cage. One final insult as Sammartino delivers one more blow to Zbyszko before simply walking out. Ouch. Not a great match by any means, but there is a lot of historical significance.
Winner (s)/Time/Rating: Bruno Sammartino/14:05/**
–Josh Matthews discusses Fritz Von Erich being in one of the earliest cage matches ever. This leads into the next match naturally.
-NWA World Heavyweight Championship: `Nature Boy’ Ric Flair (champion) vs. Kerry Von Erich (12.25.1982)
Match in Five Words or Less: The Feud Begins
Match Summary/Analysis: This match took place in World Class Championship Wrestling, and is one of the biggest matches of all time. Michael Hayes was voted the special referee by the WCCW fans, and Hayes made Terry Gordy the outside enforcer/gatekeeper. This match is completely different than anything else on the DVD to this point as both guys take their time and talk some trash before making physical contact. There is also an attempt at wrestling and psychology. Von Erich works the left leg of Flair. Flair does everything he can to run away, but of course he can’t because it’s a steel cage. Exchange of blows that Von Erich comes out on top of. Flair goes to work. The match is a bit awkwward because there are two referees inside who can count pins. Hayes and David Manning. Von Erich responds with a series of right hands. Suplex countered into a sleeper hold. Flair hits a side suplex. Von Erich recovers quickly and hits a fist drop. Flair’s reaction and selling are impeccable. Von Erich goes for a claw, but Flair gets out of it. Back elbow by Flair. Von Erich’s throat dropped on the top rope. Chop in the corner leads to a snapmare and an elbow drop. Von Erich twists around and applies an abdominal stretch. Hip toss but another elbow drop misses. Flair is sent into the cage twice. Von Erich rakes Flair’s head across the wire. Again to the claw but Flair avoids it. Flair is a bloody mess but goes to work on Von Erich’s right knee. Hayes continues to become physically involved multiple times throughout the match. Von Erich kicks out of the figure four leglock twice. Right hands by Von Erich and again Flair sent into the cage. More right hands. Knee drop misses and Von Erich sells his right knee. Flair locks the figure four leglock. Von Erich avoids being pinned before trying to pull Flair over. Flair’s right knee is twisted as Von Erich escapes the hold. Von goes to work on Flair’s leg. Flair tries escaping and has his tights pulled down. If Hayes becoming physically involved didn’t lead to such a huge angle, I’d point out how annoying he’s been throughout this match. Flair comes off the top rope right into the claw. Hayes notices Flair’s foot hits the rope and breaks the hold in a forceful manner. Crowd doesn’t like that. Von Erich gets mad at Hayes. Knee to the back. Flair chokes his challenger in the corner. Flair tosses Hayes out of the way. Right hand by Hayes. He tries to get Von Erich to make the cover, but the challenger doesn’t want the title this way. Shoving match. Hayes tries to leave. Flair with another knee. Gordy rams the cage door into Von Erich. What an ugly sound that made. Hayes comes back in the ring and tosses David Manning. Hayes counts three in an apparent screwjob. Manning doesn’t stand for that and tosses Hayes. A near riot breaks out on the floor as the Freebirds exit Reunion Arena. Flair goes to town on a weakened Kerry Von Erich. Von Erich tries a comeback. Tornado punch but Von Erich can’t make the cover. Referee has no choice but to call for the bell. One of the earliest examples of a ref stoppage you’ll ever see. An absolutely epic and incredible cage match between these two. Flair and Von Erich were at their best here and worked a tremendous contest. The Hayes dynamic worked because there was a payoff to it. A must see classic that started a Von Erich/Freebird feud that would last for over four years..
Winner (s)/Time/Rating: STILL NWA World Heavyweight Champion-Ric Flair/24:04/****1/4
-NWA World Tag Team Championship: Ivan & Nikita Koloff (w/Crusher Khruschev) (champions) vs. Rock `N’ Roll Express (Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson w/Don Kernodle) (11.28.1985)
Match in Five Words or Less: Rock And Roll
Match Summary/Analysis: The Rock ‘n’ Roll Express are one of the best tag teams of all time and never get the credit they deserve for being as such. The story of this contest is so simple. Ivan and Nikita Koloff are angry, powerful Russians who don’t like Americans. Morton and Gibson are pretty boy Americans defending the honor of their country and trying to get the world tag team titles. It’s so simple. When it’s a power battle, R’n’R have no chance. When it’s speed, Russians can’t keep up. Lots of double teaming early by the challengers. Great spot as Gibson seemingly sets up for an O’Connor roll but settles for sending Ivan into the cage. Pair of fist drops off the top by Morton lead to a two count. Rake of the eyes by Ivan and a tag to Nikita. Nikita leans back and sends Gibson hard into the cage. Heat segment on Gibson. Well, that’s just wrong. Morton is the one who pretty much invented the concept of the babyface being beaten up in a tag team match. Ivan misses Gibson on the middle rope, but no tag can be made. If this match is no DQ, why doesn’t Morton simply help his partner out? Ivan misses a leg drop, but Nikta again bails his partner out. Gibson is bleeding. Morton is shaking the cage trying to urge his partner on. Gibson dropkicks Ivan. Nikita comes in with a clothesline. Somewhere referee Earl Hebner took a bump and is struggling to get up. Tag to Morton. Ivan tries lifting Gibson up. Morton comes from behind in an O’Connor roll and gets the win and the titles. Fantastic finish to what was a solid match. I wish some company would rip this ending off. It’s so simple and easy to do. Russians beat up the new champions and leave them laying after the match for fun.
Winner (s)/Time/Rating: NEW World Tag Team Champions-Rock ‘n’ Roll Express/12:21/***1/4
-Road Warriors (Animal and Hawk w/Paul Ellering) vs. Michael P.S. Hayes & Gorgeous’ Jimmy Garvin (04.20.1986)
Match in Five Words or Less: What A Rush!
Match Summary/Analysis: We move to the AWA for this contest. Hayes and Garvin are the Freebirds for the purpose of this contest. This match is also held in a building that deserves to be blown up, the Metrodome. Hayes piledrives Hawk almost immediately. Clearly, Hayes doesn’t watch wrestling based on that attempt. Hawk goes to town on Hayes. Garvin refuses to tag in because he’s a coward. Hayes tries climbing out. Battle on top of the cage. Headbutt by Hawk and a splash. Slap tag that Garvin sells in a funny moment. He doesn’t fare much better. Animal comes in and nails an immediate bodyslam. Hayes walks away from his partner as Garvin wants out. Shot to the gut and the Freebirds manage some offense on Animal. Huge elbow on Hayes. Hayes is bleeding from his forearm. Elbow and once again Garvin comes into the ring. Heat segment on Hawk. Animal in with a series of stomps. Freebirds work together but can’t do much. Hayes comes off the top and nails his own partner with brass knuckles. Hawk covers and gets three. Not much of a match and I have no idea why this was even included.
Winner (s)/Time/Rating: The Road Warriors/7:21/*1/2
-Abdullah the Butcher (w/Gary Hart) vs. Bruiser Brody (10.12.1986)
Match in Five Words or Less: First Time
Match Summary/Analysis: It’s amazing that despite the amount of professional wrestling I’ve watched, I’ve never seen either one of these two in a match. I’ve seen Abdullah in some comedy BS in Dragon Gate, but that doesn’t count. Match takes forever to get going as special referee Fritz Von Erich checks Abby. Von Erich becomes way too involved. Couldn’t they just let these two beat the hell out of each other? No one is paying to see these two lock up or have a feeling out process. I’d like to see Brody in the ring with another opponent because Abby is basically immobile and very sloppy. I’ve never understood Abby’s appeal and likely never will. Abby brings out an object. Well, this is pretty shocking. When does Abby ever bring out weapons to use. Fritz takes the fork away and begins nailing Abby with it. He pulls Brody by the hair and puts him on top before counting three. That’s some biased officiating if I’ve ever seen it. And somehow Fritz is the babyface in this situation. I question the inclusion of this match as well. There’s some useless post-match BS as well.
Winner (s)/Time/Rating: Bruiser Brody/8:03/*
-AWA Tag Team Championship: Midnight Rockers (Shawn Michaels and Marty Janetty) vs. `Playboy’ Buddy Rose & `Pretty Boy’ Doug Somers (w/Sherri Martel) (12.25.1986)
Match in Five Words or Less: Bloodbath
Match Summary/Analysis: Rockers start out immediately by tossing Somers and Rose about. There’s also no escaping the cage. Pin or submission only. Match settles into a regular tag for whatever reason. Somers eats a whole lot of cage in the first five minutes . Rose gets crotched on the top rope. Rose hits a low blow on Janetty and begins choking him. Right hands by Janetty but he refuses to let the referee count three. Janetty powerslams Somers for a near three count. Michaels hits a nice elbow drop but lifts Somers up at two. The irony is Sherri would go on to manage Michaels six years later in WWE. Rose comeback. All but Janetty are now bleeding. Heat segment on Michaels. Rose rakes Michaels’s bloody face all across the fence in a rather gruesome moment. Back first into the cage. These two teams are bumping and bleeding their asses off. Michaels hits a stiff kneelift before collapsing into his partner for the tag. Somers into the cage. Rose into the cage. Powerslam on Somers for two. Rose tries to escape, but Janetty insures that won’t happen. Janetty punches Rose off the top of the cage. Michaels hits a superkick on Somers. Janetty hits the crossbody to win one of the most incredible cage matches I’ve ever seen. These four had a bloodbath and gave the dying AWA a little bit of hope. Rockers are forced to fight off Somers and Rose after the match as well. Very heated post-match as well.
Winner (s)/Time/Rating: NEW AWA Tag Team Champions-The Midnight Rockers/ 17:22/****3/4
-Hulk Hogan vs. Andre the Giant (w/Bobby Heenan) (07.31.1988)
Match in Five Words or Less: Blah
Match Summary/Analysis: From one extreme to the next. I’m not expecting near the amount of blood or bumping in this one. I would pay to see Andre try and climb the cage. I don’t see how it’s possible. Andre was pretty much immobile by this point, and thus is pretty much one of the worst and most boring cage matches you’ll ever see. There isn’t even the drama of watching both guys desperately try to climb or battle on top of the cage. Hogan clotheslines him down. Leg drop. Heenan comes in the ring and nails Hogan from behind. Hogan punches Heenan down. Andre climbs the cage! Hogan punches him down, and Andre gets caught in the ropes. Heenan takes the only bump of the match after being sent face first into the cage. Hogan climbs up and over instead of going out the door. I’m adding a half star for Andre trying to climb the cage and Heenan’s bump.
Winner (s)/Time/Rating: Hulk Hogan/9:56/*Match in Five Words or Less: Blah
Disk 1 Thoughts: A definite mixed bag of matches.
Thanks for this review.
I like to read about matches I haven’t seen or just heard about.
I look forward to purchasing this DVD.