Today marks the birthday of second generation wrestler, David Sammartino. David got an opportunity in WWF due to his father Bruno practically keeping the territory alive in the 1950's and 60's, however, the run didn't last. However, he did get this Wrestlemania opportunity out of it. Gorilla Monsoon and Jesse “The Body” Ventura are on commentary for this match. Lord Alfred Hayes stumbles through talking about the next match and throws it to “Mean” Gene Okerlund backstage. David Sammartino is ready for the match and he's been training hard. Bruno warns Johnny Valient not to get involved. Valiant does the talking for Brutus Beefcake, saying he does what he wants. Everyone has magically changed clothes as they get to the ring because at this point they were pre-taped.
DAVID SAMMARTINO VS. BRUTUS BEEFCAKE
WWF Wrestlemania (31st March 1985)
Beefcake and Valiant stall getting ready for the match, Jesse calls it a good psychological advantage. They lock up and Beefcake sends the youngster into the corner. David tries to lock up again but Beefcake struts away, they do lock up again and this time Beefcake is shoved into the corner. He charges out into a drop toe hold. They trade waistlocks in the ring as we see a small screen of Bruno looking on, David Sammartino scrambles away from the chain wrestling when Brutus takes him down, so Beefcake exits the ring. Johnny Valiant has words with the referee, someone bumps into Beefcake at ringside as he walks past, so he gets shouted at too. Brutus Beefcake gets back in the ring and they lock up, David Sammartino gets a hammerlock and trips Beefcake, grabbing a front facelock on the mat. Brutus Beefcake breaks the front facelock but Sammartino still has the hammerlock as Beefcake slides under the ropes. David Sammartino breaks the hold and Beefcake tells the referee he took too long. David Sammartino goes back to the arm, Beefcake slams him to the mat but Sammartino rolls through with an armbar. Brutus Beefcake breaks the hold and they both go to talk to their seconds.
Brutus Beefcake brings Sammartino into a headlock and takes him down, keeping him on the mat. David works to his feet and sends Beefcake off the ropes but Beefcake knocks him down with a shoulder tackle. Sammartino goes prone, Brutus Beefcake blocks a hip toss, getting one of his own but Sammartino kicks him off. Brutus trips into a drop toe hold and Sammartino gets a double toe hold, looking for a submission. David Sammartino moves his position to keep pressure on Beefcake, going to a standing toe hold but Beefcake kicks him off. David Sammartino goes right back to a standing toe hold though, putting pressure on Beefcake's knee and is kicked off again when he attempts a spinning toe hold. Brutus Beefcake gets to his feet but is immediately tripped. David Sammartino goes back to the leg work but Beefcake escapes the hard way. Brutus Beefcake gets to his feet and sends Sammartino off the ropes into a back drop. Brutus Beefcake drops his forearm onto Sammartino, beating him around as Bruno looks on. David tries to fight back but Beefcake boots him and starts clubbing at his lower back. Beefcake drops an elbow onto Sammartino and sends him across the ring from corner to corner. Brutus Beefcake hits more elbows and knees Sammartino in the gut. Brutus Beefcake hits another forearm strike and David Sammartino reverses an irish whip, Brutus Beefcake walks into a backdrop out of the corner. Brutus Beefcake is up first but Sammartino makes his way to his feet using punches. David Sammartino gets a big shot on Beefcake, who's seeing stars. David Sammartino hits a combination of jabs and Beefcake is sent off the ropes, Brutus Beefcake runs into a boot and Sammartino knees him in the head. David Sammartino hits a suplex for a nearfall. Brutus Beefcake headbutts David Sammartino in the gut and gets to his feet, sending him through the ropes. Johnny Valiant slams David on the mat, bringing over Bruno. Johnny Valiant gets thrown in the ring and Bruno goes after him, getting jumped by Beefcake. David Sammartino joins the fray as the referee calls the match off. The official announcement is made by The Fink that it is a double disqualification.
WINNER: DRAW (DOUBLE DISQUALIFICATION)
Well no one won this match, not even us. It's always good going to old events and looking at the evolution of how these shows were booked. This match led to a Bruno/David vs Beefcake/Valiant feud on the house shows, now that's reversed. David Sammartino showed some good wrestling and the match began to pick up after the first few minutes so it wasn't bad, but it wasn't particularly memorable either. – WORKRATE: 2.5/5 PERSONAL ENJOYMENT 2/5 OVERALL 4.5/10
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