Coliseum Collection #1: Best of WWF Volume 12, by PaperClip Mike

As kids and teenagers, we never had a lot of money. Both my biological father (fuck that guy) and my dad (we never used ‘step’ in my family) were factory guys. Don’t get me wrong, I was grateful for what we had. We always had clean clothes, food on the table, and a roof over our heads. But we didn’t always have a lot for other things. So, we did not have money for PPV’s, and we sure as hell did not have money to go to a house show or taping. So when I needed my wrestling fix, I relied on TV shows and VHS tapes from the video store.

Recently, not only did Sony say it would stop making physical copies of games in 2028, but it also removed hundreds of digital movies from PlayStation, even after people had bought them. So, having physical media is very important. As a kid who loved (and still loves) movies, I loved going to the video store on the weekend.  Picking movies based on the cover sometimes worked; other times you got a crappy movie for the weekend. The beaded curtain that held the room with mommy/daddy movies, the horror section I was afraid of: video stores were an experience.

This was how I watched the big wrestling shows. While there were always WWF and WCW/NWA ppv’s, the compilations were where it was at. These things were magical. At least with the WWF tapes, you have Coliseum Video to thank for this. A lot of the compilation videos were a treasure trove. Wanna see a dream match you never thought would happen or only saw pictures in magazines? They were here. A lot of matches from TV tapings that were never used or filmed after the taping? Got them here? Maybe matches were removed from the PPV tape? Got them here. Hell, some of the matches felt like you hit the randomizer on WWE 2K.

I wrote an article at the end of last year about Peacock and how a lot of the library was disappearing in the ether. I also mentioned how they did make several YouTube channels for different eras, promotions, etc. Am I miffed that I am likely not getting the Mid South library again or many Wrestling Challenge or Superstars tapings? For sure. But in their defense, we are getting a lot of stuff for free, and many channels are doing live stream marathons as well. 

As the resident MEWN retro guy, I wanted to cover all of the stuff they had, but they released stuff in a non-chronological order, which makes sense. But I like doing things in order, as you well know. Shout out to @MissKatBourne on X, as they painstakingly made playlists of everything in all of the vaults in chronological order, so if that is your thing, go follow them. So, long-winded rambles finished, let’s go with the first Coliseum video available, timeline-wise…Best of WWF vol. 12

The video opens with clips of WWF action flying through space as a jaunty tune plays/. Any old school gamers will recognize this as the intro song for the WWF WrestleMania video game on Nintendo. We then go to the studio and our hosts, Craig DeGeorge and “Lucious” Johnny V. Craig mentions Brutus Beefcake to Johnny, which hits a sore spot. See, Brutus Beefcake and Greg Valentine were known as the Dream Team and were managed by Johnny before Brutus left and turned face at WrestleMania 3. So we know the in-studio stuff was filmed sometime after that, so we can imagine the scene is likely from 1986-87.

Craig mentions there are a couple of new features to these videos. The first one is called the ‘Dark Match’, which is a match that was never seen anywhere else before. The first one is former Intercontinental Champion (and my first-ever favorite wrestler as a kid) Tito Santana vs. Kamala. We are also told about what is called ‘Coliseum Classics’. In this video, we will see a tag match between The Mongols and the team of Pedro Morales and Gorilla Monsoon. That one has piqued my interest.  We then went out to our first match, being…

Kamala w/ Mr. Fuji and Kimchee vs. Ricky Steamboat

Nothing like getting a match with your GOAT, Ricky Steamboat, as he is against the over 400-pound Ugandan Giant. For those unaware, the masked manager Kimchee was Steve Lombardi, mainly known as The Brooklyn Brawler. Interesting that we are getting both Kamala matches back-to-back. First this one, then the aforementioned one with Tito Santana. Interesting that Craig DeGeorge mentions that Steamboat is a former IC champ here. He did win it at WrestleMania 3, which we already established happened after the tape’s studio segments. And since Steamboat lost it to Honky Tonk Man on June 2, 1987, some of the voice-over was recorded afterward. Sorry, nerded out for a bit.

To the match, finally! Steamboat uses his fantastic speed in the early moments to dodge the slower Kamala. Steamboat kept sliding under Kamala’s legs and even tried a test of strength. This was all a ruse to scare Kamala and single him out. 

Looking into this as I was curious when this was filmed, the match was from June 20, 1987, from the Philadelphia Spectrum, so this was actually only a few weeks after Steamboat dropped the title. Anyway, another tangent aside, Steamboat keeps being elusive as even Kamala gets in the action with his own leapfrog and a side kick to cut off Steamboat. For his size, Kamala was always super agile, and it shows here. Kamala takes over with huge chops and clubbing blows.

Kamala is able to floor Ricky and wants to go to the top rope, but is discouraged by Mr. Fuji and Kimchee. Kamala changes plans and goes for a nerve hold under the arm of Steamboat. Kimchee is able to distract the referee so Kamala can press Steamboat against the ropes with the hold, as Fuji helps with his cane. Kamala keeps up the strikes, as we see how good Steamboat was at making people feel sympathy. He is my GOAT for a reason. Kamala pays him back by lifting Ricky with both hands by the throat and dropping him down.

Ricky does try to make a comeback a few times, but is easily swatted away by Kamala. Kamala goes for a corner splash but misses as Steamboat dodges it, making the crowd erupt. Steamboat starts to rain blows down on Kamala, staggering, but not dropping him. Kimchee gets on the apron, but is decked by Steamboat, who then goes to the top and lands a flying chop to Kamala, which drops him to a knee. Mr. Fuji then gets on the apron as Steamboat tries to go to the top again. Kimchee grabs Steamboat before getting kicked off. The distraction was enough as Kamala recovered and press slams Ricky off the top rope and landed a running splash for the win.

Kamala w/ The Wizard and Kimchee vs. Tito Santana

We get our second consecutive Kamala match as he goes against another former Intercontinental Champion, and my first-ever favorite wrestler as a kid, Tito Santana. According to research, this match took place on November 20th, 1986, in Rockford, Illinois. The match with a similar start, with Tito using his speed advantage to run around and confuse Kamala. Neat spot where Kamala goes for a chop to Tito with Santana against the ropes, Tito dodges, and the momentum from Kamala almost causes him to fly over the top rope. A lot of back and forth stalling as Kamala tries to offer a test of strength that feels like it is going on too long.

They finally lock in the test of strength, and to the shock of absolutely no one, Kamala wins the test. Santana was able to fight back with some leg kicks, but gets a brain chop for his troubles. Santana was able to dodge a corner avalanche, but got a throat thrust for having the audacity of fighting back. The Ugandan Giant then proceeds to choke a downed Santana.

Tito tries to fight back with some blows, but his attacks are quickly snuffed out. Kamala keeps it up with strikes, blows, and chokes for a while. If it’s not broken, don’t fix it, I guess. Tito dodges what seems to be a clothesline and starts to fight back, waking up the crowd. Tito comes off the top with a sledgehammer blow. Santana runs off the ropes, seemingly going for his flying forearm finisher, but is tripped by The Wizard. One running splash later, and Kamala picks up the win.

The Machines (Big, Super, and Piper) vs. King Kong Bundy, Big John Studd, and Bobby “The Brain” Heenan

This match took place at Boston Garden on October 4th, 1986. Big Machine was Blackjack Mulligan, and Super Machine was Bill Eadie, better known as Ax from Demolition. If you don’t know who Piper Machine was, I don’t know what to tell you.

Funny bit as Piper Machine lifts his mask to taunt the bad guys behind the ref’s back. I don’t think it was supposed to be a secret, but great work from Piper, nonetheless. Also, while he is known as one of the greatest managers ever, Bobby Heenan actually started as a wrestler. I have not seen any footage, but from reports I have read, he was actually really good.

We start the match with Super and Bundy. Bundy tries to go for the Avalanche right away, but Super dodges and boots a cross body. Kind of cool where it looked like Bundy caught him. Eadie was billed at 291, so a hell of a cache, even for someone like Bundy. Now we get both Bigs, Machine and John Studd. I also forgot to mention, we have Gorilla Monsoon and “Mean” Gene Okerlund on commentary, so this makes me happy. 

We get a spot that I like when the big beefers collide in the ring and just stand there, no one falling. The crowd is going insane, wanting Piper Machine to get tagged in, and Big Machine obliges. Piper impressively gets a sunset flip on Studd, but it is broken up. Piper then starts throwing hands with everyone on the other team. This is how good Piper was; he is not really doing a lot of things, but the crowd is ballistic for it. Studd was able to get Piper in his team's corner, but he was able to dodge the attack and give Bundy an eyepoke for his trouble.

Piper Machin chased Bobby Heenan around, and Studd used this distraction to start to batter Piper in a corner and focus on the injured leg of Piper. He then tags in Bundy, who goes to work on the injured leg. Bobby Heenan finally tags in for the first time to try to pick up the scraps. But as he goes to fist drop Piper’s knee, Piper raises it and knees Bobby in the face. Heenan was able to tag in Studd, who cuts off Piper and keeps pouring on the damage.

Bundy tags in and motions that he is going to unmask Piper Machine. Piper is able to land some blows to the gut of Bundy, who brings him down with one shot and tags in Heenan. Heenan headbutts Piper and gets the worst of it and tags Bundy back in. Piper is so close to tagging in, but is held back by Bundy. Studd comes in but meets a classic Piper eye poke. Piper falls back and tags in Super Machine to the crowd's approval.

The hot tag is quickly snuffed out by Bundy. Super Machine was able to dodge a Bundy kneedrop, but it was all for naught as Studd gets tagged in and keeps the pressure going. Super Machine was able to dodge a clothesline from Studd and tag in Piper Machine. That might not have been the best choice, as Piper has blows rained down on him by Studd. Piper Machine takes his mask off to reveal…Roddy Piper???!!! I am flummoxed, flabbergasted even. Piper unloads on Studd, even managing to body slam him. Bundy goes to drop an elbow on Piper as he covers Studd. Piper moves, so Studd takes the elbow. Piper covers him again and wins it for his team.

We cut back to the studio as Craig DeGeorge mentions that Johnny V is going to be a participant in the next match shown. He will be going one-on-one with one of the wrestlers he used to manage, Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake. We now got to that match… 

Johnny V vs. Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake

This match takes place on May 2nd, 1987, also from the Boston Garden. We are joined in commentary by Gorilla Monsoon and Lord Alfred Hayes. As Brutus went to put his entrance gear in the corner, Johnny tried to jump him from behind and was quickly thwarted. Brutus landed several blows and a huge bodyslam on Johnny, who quickly powders out. Johnny tries to head to the dressing room, but for some reason, Boston PD stops him and sends him back to the ring.

Brutus uses the ropes to slingshot Johnny inside and pours on the punishment more. Brutus gets six corner punches and a beel in on Johnny. Brusts signals for the sleeper hold, but Johnny counters with a couple of sucker punches to the gut. He lands a few more blows to Brutus. But an Irish whip reversal lands Johnny in the sleeper hold, giving the win to Brutus.

Back in the studio and we have something even I have yet to see. By the time I started watching wrestling, Gorilla Monsoon was already a commentator, but he spent years as one of the top wrestlers in the New England Territory. So we go to…

Gorilla Monsoon and Pedro Morales vs. The Mongols

This match takes place from the Philadelphia Arena on December 26, 1970. And as of this writing, it is the oldest match covered here at the Network. We start right away with Monsoon tagging in as Morales is in a headlock by one of the Mongols. Monsoon starts battering who we find out is Bepo Mongol, who would go on to greater success as Nikolai Volkoff. Also, a great bit of history to learn: this was a tag title match, contested under 2 out of 3 falls rules.

At this point of the match, the Mongols double-team Gorilla, who tumbles to the outside. The other Mongol, Geeto, is now in the ring working over Monsoon. Fun fact: one of the wrestlers Geeto trained was Bill Eadie, who we saw earlier as one of The Machines. Anyways, not a lot to discuss here. A lot of strikes and blows, as was the style then. But Geeto does climb the ropes very fast to stomp on Gorilla from the top. A second top rope stomp seals the first fall for the Mongols.

We now cut further into the match as Pedro Morales fights both Mongols at onceOrn. However, moments later, Morales is deep in trouble.  Geeto shoulder blocks Pedro down and into his corner to tag in Gorilla Monsoon. Monsoon locks in a bearhug, but it is broken up by Beppo. The Mongols stomp several mudhoples into Gorilla as the bell rings. The Mongols celebrate as they think they have won; however, they were disqualified for the lengthy double team.

We start the third fall as an injured Monsoon throws some chops at Geeto. Morales gets tagged in and drops some really nice dropkicks to both opponents. Pedro pins the Mongol in the ring as he and Monsoon won the third fall. As it was a condensed match, not sure how long the third fall was actually.

“Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff w/ Bobby “The Brain” Heenan vs. George “The Animal” Steele

This match took place at MSG on January 19th, 1987. As we go to the match, Bobby is holding up a poster of Miss Elizabeth, as Steele was infatuated with her at the time. As Steele gets into the ring, Bobby tears up the poster. As George chases Heenan out of the ring, Orndorff attacks poor George from behind. Orndroof has Steele slumped against the ropes as Paul stuffs the poster in George’s face.

This fires up George, who starts coming back and landing hard blows to Orndorff himself. George goes off to do one of his trademark moments where he rips a turbuckle pad open and pulls the stuffing out. However, he pulls the whole thing off. Orndorff goes to attack, but Steele drives him into the exposed buckle. Bobby distracts George, who chases Heenan to the back and, in the process, nearly gets himself counted out.

Now it is Orndorff who spills to the outside and manages to get back in the ring before getting counted out. George Steele is distraught over the torn poster, allowing Orndorff to attack him from behind. Paul then takes a cable from one of the ringside cameramen and starts to strangle George with it. Paul goes for a running elbow in the corner, but Steele dodges, then chomps down on Orndorff’s arm. Steele works on the arm more, trying to set up his flying hammerlock finisher, when Bobby Heen comes back with another Elizabeth poster.

George grabs a chair and chases Heenan around the ring. He comes back in, and Steele accidentally hits the ref with the chair for the DQ. Both he and Paul Orndorff fight over the chair, but Steele stands tall at the end.

The Fabulous Moolah vs. Lelani Kai

In the last year or so, it has been nice to see Lelani Kai get her flowers from the wrestling community. One of the bigger names in her day. Not only a women’s champion, but she was tag champs with Judy Martin as the Glamour Girls. She was also at WrestleMania. As for Moolah…iykyk.

Weird way to start with the ref getting into a shoving match with Lelani regarding checking her boots for foreign objects. Moolah shows off her women’s title as Kai jumps her from behind. Forgot to mention that this match takes place on December 26th, 1986, from MSG, which explains why Moolah has a Christmas tree on her singlet. Short exchange from both women, mainly punches and hair tossing. This was really known as the ‘Moolah style’ as damn near any woman who wanted to be a wrestler had to be trained by Moolah. There is a lot to unpack there that could be its own article. In fact, there is a “Dark Side of the Ring” episode on this.

Both women are battering themselves around the ring. At the risk of(unintentionally) sounding like an ass, I can see why, outside of Japan, we really only got good women’s wrestling the last 25 years or so. Moolah hit Lelani with the receiver of a ringside telephone and bodyslammed her opponent before both women got in. This was more catfighting and less wrestling. I can see why women’s wrestling was set back decades. A flapjack from Moolah and a cross-body from Kai were some of the only moves seen so far. Not going to lie, this match is hard to watch. A bit more backy forty and Moolah half-ass dodges a cross-body. And it was purposefully shitty too. Every time one of the women is choking or raining down blows on the other, the ref pulls the women off and even starts to shove them. Bobby Heenan and Gorilla Monsoon, who are on commentary, actually agree that this is way out of the ref’s jurisdiction

The end mercifully comes as Moolah pushes Lelani into the ref and rolls her up for the win. There was not one thing in this match I liked, and Lelani was my fave as a kid. If you want good Lelani Kai, watch any of her series with the Jumping Bomb Angels when she was in the Glamour Girls.

Back to Craig and Johnny, who go to a video package of the announcers and some of their talents. We see Howard Finkel and his dashing suits, as well as a package, more of a training montage of Hulk Hogan training Mean Gene for a match. How ironic that we get this video package of Hulk Hogan as we go to the last match of this show…

Kamala w/ Kim Chee and The Wizard vs. Hulk Hogan- WWF Heavyweight Title Match

Kamala is 2-0 on this compilation so far; let’s see if he can go 3-0. This match is from the Boston Garden on December 6th, 1986. Man, the crowd is electric for this. Hogan goes for a slam, but can’t quite get Kamala over. You know that means he is slamming Kamala at the end of the match. Kamala does slam Hogan, however. And this is one of those loud wrestling rings, so the sound when Hogan hit was intense! 

Kamala starts to batter Hogan but misses some falling chops. Hogan gets up and starts punching Kamala, but it only makes the Ugandan Giant wobbly. Even Hogan's finisher from Japan, the Axe Bomber, doesn’t drop Kamala. Kim Chee gets on the apron, getting a shot from Hogan. However, this is the distraction needed for Kamala to recover and attack Hogan from behind. The Wizard tosses Kamala some object on a chain, and he cracks Hogan in the head with it. 

Kamala starts beating on Hogan’s now bleeding forehead. In an impressive show of strength, Kamala choke-lifts Hogan in the air with both hands. Hogan at the time was billed around 305 lbs. Hogan is in danger as Kamala is toying with him right now. Kamala started going to the top rope, likely for a splash, but Hogan crawled out of range of the attack. Kamala does land a running splash and very nearly gets a three-count.

Here it comes. Kamala starts punching Hogan as he starts to Hulk up. A hell of a sight with Hogan’s face covered in blood. At this point it is academic. We get the Hogan punches, the big boot, the bodyslam as foreshadowed, and the leg drop for the win

This tape was a lot of fun. I remember watching a lot of these guys as a young Paperclip. Outside of the women’s match, every match was fun. Big thanks to @MissKatBourne on X for painstakingly making chronological playlists. Also follow them for great content on X in general. As for me, follow all of my socials, and I will be back ASAP with a new article.