Chris Cooley Presents The WWE Vintage Collection Episode 100: Stunning Steve vs. Flyin' Brian, The Hitman vs. Booker T, Undertaker vs. Snuka, and Randy Savage vs. Ricky Steamboat

Chris Cooley Presents The WWE Vintage Collection Episode 100: Stunning Steve vs. Flyin' Brian, The Hitman vs. Booker T, Undertaker vs. Snuka, and Randy Savage vs. Ricky Steamboat

This is it, the 100th edition of the Vintage Collection. We’ve seen the rise and fall of some of the greatest superstars of all time. We’ve been on road trips to WrestleMania, the Royal Rumble, SummerSlam, and the Survivor Series. We’ve also seen enough Battle Royals to last us three lifetimes. What will this special occasion have for us?

Episode #100

We begin with a clip from All-American Wrestling, a WWF show from June 1986, showing ‘A Moment With Gene Okerlund’. ‘Mean’ Gene is on the phone to Vince, until he hangs after he finds out that it’s a collect call.

To modern day Gene, who has a go at someone because he won’t let him film at the Event Center, where the first clip took place. So Okerlund takes over, so this 100th edition, is from the Event Center, just like the old days.

We begin, with ‘Mean’ Gene’s golf game, and a golfing video from Bobby Heenan and Gene Okerlund. Sean Mooney is the interviewer, but he gets invited to join the golf game. ‘The Brain’ is dressed in attire U.S. Golf great, Payne Stewart, would be proud of. Okerlund shows us a perfect putt, whilst Bobby Heenan smashes the ball, then puts another ball in the hole, to make it look like he sunk it. It ends with Bobby and Gene rushing off, after they forgot to pay the green fees.

‘Rowdy’ Roddy Piper thanks us for 100 episodes, as we enter...

COMMERCIAL

With the Vintage Collection celebrating its 100th episode, I thought I’d look back at some Vintage Collections of old. Originally, Aaron Wood was the reviewer, and this is his review of the very first show. I’m sure AW won’t mind me bringing these back, it’s a special occasion.

www.worldwrestlinginsanity.com/am2/publish/WWE/vcep1.shtml

A recap of the first Survivor Series is shown, specifically the hatching of the Goobledy Gooker’s egg, and the events following the birth. The Goobledy Gooker is driving a cab in Des Moines, Iowa these days, according to Okerlund.

Next, is the first-ever interview from ‘Mean’ Gene, with the Undertaker. It took place at the 1990 Survivor Series, and ‘Taker’s manager, Brother Love, builds up the Deadman, before the Undertaker says his first words.

MATCH#1: Undertaker w/Brother Love vs. Jimmy ‘Superfly’ Snuka
DATE OF MATCH: January 21, 1991

This match took place in Madison Square Garden.

No matter what Snuka does, it seems to have no affect on the Undertaker, and it doesn’t take long for the Tombstone Piledriver to hit, giving the Deadman the victory

YOUR WINNER: Undertaker

‘Million Dollar Man’ Ted DiBiase thanks us for 100 episodes, and a commercial break follows.

COMMERCIAL

Episode 25, and Aaron Wood is still in control.

http://www.worldwrestlinginsanity.com/am2/publish/WWE/vcep25.shtml

We come back, to a clip from WrestleMania 20, where the Coach is investigating a noise, involving ‘Mean’ Gene and Bobby Heenan, coming out of a room, trying to hide the fact that they were in there with the Fabulous Moolah and Mae Young.

A video plays from July 16, 1990, and we’re at safari, with ‘Mean’ Gene, and Lord Alfred Hayes. They run into Koko B. Ware, who is looking for a mate for Frankie, and spot Jimmy Snuka running through the jungle. Next they see Akeem and Slick, who try to trick our explorers into going the wrong way.

Lord Alfred is narrating the whole thing, ala David Attenbrough, as he rescues Okerlund from ‘piranha-infested’ waters. This is the end of the clip, due to commercial.

COMMERCIAL

Episode 46. Why is this edition special? Because it’s my very first review for the show, and one of my first for the site.

http://www.worldwrestlinginsanity.com/am2/publish/WWE/42109.shtml

We return to December 18, 1993, and Gene Okerlund is interviewing ‘Stunning’ Steve Austin.

MATCH#2: United States Champion ‘Stunning’ Steve Austin w/Col. Rob Parker vs. ‘Flyin’ Brian Pillman
DATE OF MATCH: January 8, 1994

This match took place on WCW Saturday Night.

Austin has control of the match, trying to keep Pillman grounded, until Flyin’ Brian breaks an Armbar, and gains momentum. The run stops when Stunning Steve sends his former partner to the outside, whilst Col. Parker attacks Pillman. However, the attack doesn’t help, as Brian rolls up Austin for the three.

YOUR WINNER: Brian Pillman

‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin thanks us for 100 episodes. Guess what happens next? You guessed it.

COMMERCIAL

Episode 50, and I’m getting comfortable in the position.

http://www.worldwrestlinginsanity.com/am2/publish/Vintage_Collection/vc50.shtml

An interview from January 25, 1999, with Bret Hart from WCW is shown. Bret is challenging Booker T to a match, in which Booker’s career is on the line. Okerlund asks about Booker getting a US Title shot, Bret instead names someone he’d rather face... El Dandy.

MATCH#3: United States Champion Bret Hart vs. Booker T
DATE OF MATCH: January 25, 1999

We join the match in progress, with Booker in control, nailing an Axe Kick. The man from Harlem Heat then hits the Spin-a-roonie, after another move, and Booker is in full control. Bret didges the Harlem Hangover attempt, then runs out to grab his US Title. He tried to nail Booker from the middle rope, but the future 5-time WCW champion, gets his foot up, countering the move.

Both men to the outside, Booker gains control, and whilst the referee is taking a cable out mof the ring, Bret nails Booker with the title, getting the fall.

YOUR WINNER: Bret Hart

The Hitman then thanks us for 100 episodes of the show. Do I really need to say what’s coming next...?

COMMERCIAL

Episode 75. Three quarters to the ton, as I took a look back at some matches from the Survivor Series.

http://www.worldwrestlinginsanity.com/am2/publish/Vintage_Collection/vc75.shtml

April 24, 1991, and an interview with Andre The Giant is shown. This interview took place on the UK Rampage event.

FUN FACT: Andre liked to play Gin/Rummy and Cribbage.

MAIN EVENT: WWF INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Randy Savage (c) w/Miss Elizabeth vs. Ricky ‘the Dragon’ Steamboat w/George ‘the Animal’ Steele
DATE OF MATCH: March 29, 1987

This is the famous match, from WrestleMania III.

Neither man can gain control, until Steamboat hits a Cross Body, followed by an Arm Drag, but Savage soon gains the advantage. Dragon to the outside, and Macho Man sends Steamboat into the crowd. As the referee is checking on Steamboat, George Steele helps Steamboat back toward the ring. Ricky ends up back on the outside, as Savage jumps off the top rope.

Ricky ‘the Dragon’ Steamboat thanks us for 100 episodes of the Vintage Collection.

COMMERCIAL

Episode 96. This is in fact a double edition along with Episode 95. Not only that, it’s my 50th episode. I only just realized that during this review.

http://www.worldwrestlinginsanity.com/am2/publish/Vintage_Collection/vc95.shtml

Back to the match, and Steamboat is in the ring, trying to fight back with chops, but Savage counters, only to be thrown over the top rope by the challenger. Back in, the Dragon heads up top, and nails the Macho Man, but it only leads to a near fall. Steamboat continues with chops to the face of the champion, before sending Randy to the outside. The Dragon gets another near fall with a Sunset Flip, for a two, then straight away kicks out of another pin attempt.

Steamboat slams Savage, then slingshots him into the turnbuckle post. Dragon gets another near fall from this, but then Macho Man reverses, and gets a near fall of his own. Randy avoids an attack by Steamboat, and Ricky ends up in the turnbuckle, shoulder first. The referee gets knocked down, as Savage heads up top, and connects with the Macho Man elbow. Randy goes for the cover, but the referee is still out, so he heads up top with the ring bell, but the Animal Steele takes the bell. Savage gets it back and looks for the elbow again, but George pushes the Macho Man off the ropes. Steamboat then manages to get a roll up in, and become the new champion.

YOUR WINNER AND NEW INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPION: Ricky Steamboat

‘Mean’ Gene then thanks everyone for thanking him, and he tells us that he’ll be around for 200, 300, even 400 episodes. Okerlund then heads for the men’s room, as the show ends.

It’s been a pleasure being able to review these shows. My thanks to Aaron Wood for bringing you the first 45, and for JG, for allowing me the chance to replace him. Will I be here for the next 100? Who knows? But I do know this, I will be here next week, for Episode 101.