- Bob Morris

I was thumbing through wrestling video at the local rental store, and decided that I might take you back MANY years ago to early 80's WWF. And so, I sat down to take a look at the Best of WWF, Volume 1, and WWF's Inside the Steel Cage.

We'll start off with the Volume 1 tape, the first in a long series of highlights and matches from WWF way back when.

* Your host is Vince McMahon.

* Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant vs. Big John Studd, Adrian Adonis, and Dick Murdoch: Get this…the announcer is Gary Capetta. I had no idea he even worked for the WWF. Gosh, they show the heels walking backstage prior to the match. So it's not just limited to Crash TV. This match had a major clip job done by the tape producers. And get this…ANDRE plays Ricky Morton for part of the match. Hogan tags in, but gets caught by a Murdoch elbow, now he plays Ricky Morton. Andre tags in, headbutts for all. Studd runs for the back, as Andre goes after him, but decides to return to the ring. Murdoch and Adonis double team Hogan, but Hogan fights back. Andre, the legal man in the ring, returns and give a big boot to Murdoch and gets the pinfall. Not bad, just long and boring. 0 for 1.

* Women's title match: Fabulous Moolah vs. Wendi Richter: Richter has Cyndi Lauper with her, Capt. Lou Albano is with Moolah. More clipping here, and at bad times too. Lauper nails Moolah with what looks like a stuffed toy. Moolah with a roll up, but Richter raises her shoulder. The commentators play up the announcement as in being doubt, but when Howard Finkel announces Richter as the new champion, the crowd goes BATS**T. Yes, Richter, thanks to Lauper, was so over it was scary. 1 for 2 for being a markout moment at the time, although the match sucked.

* Gorilla Monsoon vs. a guy whose name I didn't get: I couldn't understand the announcer making the introductions here, but his name isn't important. Muhammed Ali is at ringside, and THIS is what is important. Monsoon knocks his opponent out of the ring, and Ali gets up and takes off his jacket and shirt and get into the ring to challenge Monsoon. Ali throws jabs which Monsoon evades, and he then gives Ali an airplane spin. Now THAT is the proper way to use a celebrity. have Monsoon is interviewed by Vince McMahon, and Monsoon, in talking about how a boxer like Ali has no business being in the wrestling ring, sounds no different from his work as a commentator. God rest your soul, Gorilla. 2 for 3 for entertainment value.  More...