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DVD Review: Timeline - The History of the WWE - 1987

DVD Review: Timeline - The History of the WWE - 1987

Posted: Apr 21st 2009 By: CMBurnham

If you?ve ever dreamed of becoming a WWE historian, Kayfabe Commentaries has opened up its college, and is providing its lesson plans via DVD with the debut of its latest series ?Timeline : The history of the WWE?

Each edition of the series plans to focus in on a specific year in the long and storied history of the WWE. The first entry looks at 1987, it?s story is told by the Honky Tonk Man,who at the time was climbing the ladder rather quickly after having debuted with the company a year prior. The WWE was starting its build toward the record setting Wrestlemania 3, and the wrestling business was booming.

The DVD begins by catching up with the Honky Tonk Man and quickly transitions to looking at the feuds and matchups he was involved in as 1987 began. Some of you may recall this time in history as he was being featured in Elvis themed vignettes, and It?s while Honky Tonk explains the filming of these segments that one of the cool features of this DVD debuts as a ticker tape runs across the screen with a Timeline fact eluding to something that needs to be mentioned or is a quirky fact from the time. It appears several times throughout the feature and is an informative and appreciated addition.

January 3rd 1987 begins the overall story as it would set the stage for much of what was to come that year as WWE?s syndicated programs debuted on Fox, while the largest live wrestling crowd in Northern California in 12 years in drawn in Oakland and during a superstars of wrestling taping in New Jersey, the Andre the Giant/Hulk Hogan feud begins during the filming of Pipers Pit. The build toward Wrestlemania 3 occupies much of the talk for the first hour of the 2 hour feature.

To say the least The wealth of information to be learned is immense, Honky Tonk gives a detailed look at how the business was working at the time including the head to head faceoffs between the WWE and NWA, the insane road schedules which included shows up until the nights before Wrestlemania and just how different working Wrestlemania was at the time compared to nowadays.

Along the way all of the major happenings of the time is also covered, such as Jim Neidhart?s arrest for allegedly attacking a stewardess, The Dynamite Kid?s back injury and how he went against doctors order?s to drop the belts on TV to the Hart Foundation, the debuts of Tom Magee, Jim Duggan and Outback Jack, whether or not Roddy Piper was intending on retiring, and all the major happenings from the tapings of Saturday Night?s Main Event and Superstars of Wrestling.

From there Wrestlemania 3 is looked at, Honky Tonk offers his thoughts/memories of the matchups, celebrity implications and whether or not the 93 thousand in attendance was papered as some have suggested throughout the years and also tells the most hilarious story about Roddy Piper?s electrocution leading into Mania.

The last two thirds of the year is then looked at in a less in depth way but still touches on the major events including the returns of Ken Patera and Superstar Billy Graham, the Iron Sheik/Jim Duggan arrest for possession of drugs, the David Schulz incident and subsequent lawsuit, the debut of Brutus?s Barber gimmick, as well as the mega powers and the first ever Royal Rumble and Survivor Series matchups


The coverage goes deep enough to give you a detailed overview, yet at the same time, flowing look at the historical events of the year. This is often the challenge to any documentary video maker and time and time again Kayfabe Commentaries successfully finds the right balance. The afformentioned ticker tape as well as timeline story boards help this immensely as important things that are worth mentioning for historical purposes but not worthy of Honky Tonk Man talking about are listed on the storyboards.

This series has the potential to be something huge once it is complete. I thoroughly enjoyed this DVD and look forward to the future releases as it not only gives you a chance to learn about the history but at the same time gives you insider insight so even if you knew of the majority of these events you still get something from the guest host in question.

Timeline ? The History of the WWE ? 1987 as told by the Honky Tonk Man is available on DVD now from Kayfabe Commentaries. For more information on this you can check out their website at www.kayfabecommentaries.com as well as www.thehistoryofwwe.com who teamed with the KC crew to help relive the period of time. Also to read my previous DVD reviews head on over to www.wrestlingdvdreviews.vze.com

 

Tags: WWE, The Honky Tonk Man, Andre the Giant, NWA, Jim Neidhart, Jim Duggan, Roddy Piper, Ken Patera

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Spotlight in History

  • 1959 The Zebra Kid def. The Golden Giant for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
  • 1970 Johnny Valentine def. Killer Kowalski for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
  • 1984 Terry Taylor def. Krusher Khrushchev for the MSW Television Champion
  • 1986 Buzz Sawyer def. Chris Adams for the WCCW Television Champion
  • 2006 Bobby Burns def. Shane Morbid for the SRPW Heavyweight Champion
  • 2006 Beau Dalton became the SRPW X Division Champion
  • 2006 Ray Martinez became the SRPW X Division Champion
  • 2012 Big Business (Kevin Morgan & Damon Windsor) def. The Old School Suckas (Gary Tool & Randy Price) for the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 2017 Saints of Pro Wrestling (Scott Sanders & Shawn Sanders & Chaz Sharpe) def. Cursed (Kuda & Blade [2nd]) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champion
  • 2017 Nytronis A'Teo def. Saints of Pro Wrestling (Scott Sanders, Shawn Sanders, & Chaz Sharpe) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champion
  • 2023 Jason Simon became the MajCW Native American Champion
  • 2023 Dan Webber def. Cappuccino Jones for the UWE Heavyweight Champion

Week of Sun 06-16 to Sat: 06-22

  • 06-16 1959 The Zebra Kid def. The Golden Giant for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
  • 06-16 1970 Johnny Valentine def. Killer Kowalski for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
  • 06-16 1984 Terry Taylor def. Krusher Khrushchev for the MSW Television Champion
  • 06-16 1986 Buzz Sawyer def. Chris Adams for the WCCW Television Champion
  • 06-16 2006 Bobby Burns def. Shane Morbid for the SRPW Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-16 2006 Beau Dalton became the SRPW X Division Champion
  • 06-16 2006 Ray Martinez became the SRPW X Division Champion
  • 06-16 2012 Big Business (Kevin Morgan & Damon Windsor) def. The Old School Suckas (Gary Tool & Randy Price) for the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 06-16 2017 Saints of Pro Wrestling (Scott Sanders & Shawn Sanders & Chaz Sharpe) def. Cursed (Kuda & Blade [2nd]) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champion
  • 06-16 2017 Nytronis A'Teo def. Saints of Pro Wrestling (Scott Sanders, Shawn Sanders, & Chaz Sharpe) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champion
  • 06-16 2023 Jason Simon became the MajCW Native American Champion
  • 06-16 2023 Dan Webber def. Cappuccino Jones for the UWE Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-17 1957 Billy Raborn became the TSW Oklahoma Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-17 1958 Bull Curry def. Fritz Von Erich for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
  • 06-17 1983 Jimmy Garvin def. David Von Erich for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-17 1983 Kerry Von Erich & Bruiser Brody def. The Fabulous Freebirds (Terry Gordy & Michael Hayes) for the WCCW American Tag Team Champion
  • 06-17 2005 Kenny Campbell def. Shane Morbid for the SRPW X Division Champion
  • 06-17 2006 The Party Express (Mitch Carter & Cade Sydal) def. Impact Inc. (John Zorthos & Bernie Donderwitz) for the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 06-17 2008 Kunna Keyoh def. El Culo Intruso for the 3DW Violent Division Champion
  • 06-17 2017 Prince Mahalli def. Paul Puertorico for the WFC Hometown Heroes Champion
  • 06-17 2017 Michael Wolf def. Aaron Anders for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Champion
  • 06-17 2017 Randy Price def. Double D for the IZW Impact Division Champion
  • 06-17 2023 Alex Royal def. Justin Lee for the WFC Hometown Heroes Champion
  • 06-18 1964 Karl Kox def. Louie Tillet for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
  • 06-18 2004 Shane Morbid def. Dirty Harry Sanchez for the SRPW Hardcore Champion
  • 06-18 2004 Codie Mullins def. Shane Morbid for the SRPW Hardcore Champion
  • 06-18 2004 Dexter Hardaway def. Codie Mullins for the SRPW Hardcore Champion
  • 06-18 2004 Pork Chop def. Dexter Hardaway for the SRPW Hardcore Champion
  • 06-18 2004 Dexter Hardaway def. Pork Chop for the SRPW Hardcore Champion
  • 06-18 2004 S.K. Fulton def. Dexter Hardaway for the SRPW Hardcore Champion
  • 06-18 2004 Dirty Harry Sanchez def. S.K. Fulton for the SRPW Hardcore Champion
  • 06-18 2006 Ryan Davidson def. Angel Williams for the MSWA Mid-South Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-18 2011 Michael Barry def. Kenny Campbell for the IZW Impact Division Champion
  • 06-18 2016 Spyder became the SRPW United States Champion
  • 06-18 2016 Skylar Slice became the IZW Womens Champion
  • 06-18 2021 Lady Sensacion became the FIW Women’s Champion
  • 06-18 2021 Rodeo (Chandler Hopkins & Malico) def. Cam Cole & Johnny Bedlam for the TexPro Tag Team Champions
  • 06-18 2022 Duke Cornell def. Blue Bolt for the WFC Prime Champion
  • 06-18 2022 Maddox Jones def. Striker for the EPW Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-18 2022 Mike Gunns def. Jake Danielsson for the NAW Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-19 1977 Fritz Von Erich def. Bruiser Brody for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
  • 06-19 2010 Aaron Neil def. John O'Malley for the IZW Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-19 2015 Bree Ann def. Claudia for the NWA-TXO Rose Champion
  • 06-20 1972 The Continental Warriors (Bobby Hart & Lorenzo Parente) def. Tom Jones & Ivan Putski for the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 06-20 1977 Bill Watts became the TSW North American Champion
  • 06-20 1987 Barry Windham became the UWF Western States Heritage Champion
  • 06-20 2004 X-Cal def. John O'Malley for the ACW Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-20 2009 Dustin Heritage def. Dane Griffin for the IZW Impact Division Champion
  • 06-20 2009 BLK-OUT (Montego Seeka & Jermaine Johnson) def. Impact, Inc, (Johnny Z & Bernie D) for the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 06-20 2014 Bree Ann def. Miss Diss Lexia for the NWA-TXO Rose Champion
  • 06-20 2021 DNR (Drake Gallows & Revan) def. Malik Mayfield & Maui Mike for the ASP Tag Team Champions
  • 06-21 1982 Junkyard Dog def. Bob Roop for the MSW North American Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-21 1987 Al Perez def. The Dingo Warrior for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-21 2003 Kitty def. Manservant for the TPW Womens Champion
  • 06-21 2008 Tim Rockwell def. El Super Colibri for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Champion
  • 06-21 2008 Li'l Joe def. Xavior for the GPCW Cruiserweight Champion
  • 06-21 2014 Buster Cherry def. Havoc for the SWCW All-American Champion
  • 06-22 2005 Phillip def. Se7en for the ACW Hardcore Champion
  • 06-22 2018 Joe Cuedo def. Brock Baker for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Champion
06-16
  • Paul Jones Jun 16th Today!
  • Shawn Matthews III Jun 16th Today!
  • Brock Landers Jun 16th Today!
  • Ted Arcidi Jun 16th Today!
  • Ultimate Warrior Jun 16th Today!
  • Chuck Hinds Jun 16th Today!
  • Jef Tiger Jun 16th Today!
  • Ray Martinez Jun 17th
  • Mario Galento Jun 17th
  • Rob Justice Jun 17th
  • Talos Jun 17th
  • Bad Boy Jun 18th
  • Sashimi Deluxe Jun 18th
  • Bruiser Brody Jun 18th
  • Andy Dalton Jun 18th
  • Johnny Angel Jun 18th
  • Abe Jacobs Jun 18th
  • Cam the CODA Jun 18th
  • Top Dollar Bill Jun 19th
  • Miguel Padilla Jun 19th
  • Kodi Ocean Jun 19th
  • Billy the Kid Jun 19th
  • Canadian Red Devil Jun 19th
  • Wahoo McDaniel Jun 19th
  • Mike Two Jun 19th
  • David Kyzer Jun 20th
  • Jon Cross Jun 20th
  • Professor Ito Jun 20th
  • Koko B. Ware Jun 20th
  • Milton Winkelman Jun 21st
  • Super Star Jun 21st
  • Rick Russo Jun 21st
  • Jeff the Ref Jun 21st
  • Athena Jun 23rd
  • Don Kent Jun 24th
  • Gabe Wilder Jun 24th
  • Juan Sebastian Jun 24th
  • X-Storms Jun 25th
  • Kody Lane Jun 25th
  • Paul Puertorico Jun 26th
  • Sylvia Richmond Jun 26th
  • Kuda Jun 27th
  • Jason Kirby Jun 27th
  • Ignition Jun 27th
  • Dan Barnhart Jun 27th
  • Reckless Jun 27th
  • Boris Malenko Jun 28th
  • Damian Kincaid Jun 28th
  • J. J. Blake Jun 28th
  • Malico Jun 28th
  • John Tidwell Jun 28th
  • Doc Hearon Jun 28th
  • Bill Dromo Jun 28th
  • Kenny Mack Jun 28th
  • Voltio Santiago Jun 29th
  • Barbara Galento Jun 29th

More Look Back In History

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