DINO BRAVO VS. DON MURACO

Today would have marked Dino Bravo's birthday, back in 1988 he was one of 14 men chosen for a one night tournament to crown a new WWF Champion after the controversy involving Ted DiBiase and Andre the Giant at The Main Event, both of whom are involved in the tournament tonight. The winner of this match faces Ted DiBiase in the next round. Gorilla Monsoon and Jesse Ventura are on commentary for this match. Dino Bravo is already in the ring following Brutus Beefcake's interview with Mean Gene, he wants the Intercontinental championship. Jesse Ventura says Dino Bravo got slighted being billed as Canada's Strongest Man, he should be the World's Strongest Man after Royal Rumble in January. Gorilla Monsoon isn't so sure. Don Muraco comes down to the ring with Billy Graham, Jesse Ventura claims to be the innovator of Tye dye in wrestling.

DINO BRAVO VS. DON MURACO (WWF Championship Tournament round 1)

WWF Wrestlemania 4 (27^th March 1988)

They lock up to a stalemate as Ventura gets a Terminator reference in, Billy Graham said “I'll be back” so it's only natural. Dino Bravo sends Muraco into the corner from the second collar-elbow tie-up, Dino Bravo chops at Muraco's chest but is sent across the ring, Muraco follows with a clothesline and Dino Bravo stumbles out of the corner into a slam. Don Muraco fluffs a fancy elbow drop from the middle turnbuckle but covers anyway, Dino Bravo powers out but runs into a backdrop then an arm drag. Muraco takes a phantom back bump so Dino Bravo runs the ropes for a jumping elbow drop, then another follows from a standing position. Dino Bravo hits a gutwrench suplex and stomps on Muraco before sending his head into the turnbuckle and Muraco gets sent corner to corner. Dino Bravo awkwardly kicks Muraco in the gut and sends him back again. Don Muraco avoids the knee in the corner and kicks at Bravo's leg to drop him to the mat. Muraco tugs and kicks at the knee before allowing Dino Bravo to get up momentarily then knocking him down again with a running forearm shot. Don Muraco locks in a spinning toe hold, Frenchie Martin is seen hovering around near the referee's position so Graham chases him off. Don Muraco drops to the mat for more pressure then goes back to the spinning toe hold. Dino Bravo is able to shove Muraco off, twisting his neck in the ropes! Dino Bravo gets an elbow shot in as Muraco makes it back in the ring. Dino Bravo hits Muraco's own Piledriver on him but hesitates to cover and only gets a nearfall. Don Muraco blocks the second Piledriver attempt and sends Bravo over with a backdrop. Don Muraco ducks the first clothesline and we get a double-down. Don Muraco is the only one to connect with right hands, he knocks Bravo down with a running forearm and a scoop slam follows. Dino Bravo pulls the referee in the way of another forearm shot attempt, then takes advantage to hit the side slam. Dino Bravo covers as the referee wakes up, he taps Dino Bravo on the shoulder and Dino celebrates with Frenchie Martin but it's been called in Don Muraco's favour!

WINNER: “THE ROCK” DON MURACO

This is the only problem with one night tournaments if you have too many matches. You get shit like this, it looked clunky and seemed to have no rhythm so instead of making the loser look good in the match it had the opposite effect and made Muraco look terrible in victory in my opinion, but the crowd seemed into it. – WORKRATE: 1.5/5 PERSONAL ENJOYMENT 1/5 OVERALL 2.5/10