We’ve been wrestling fans a long time and it’s always fun to pull out something from the past, whether it’s a VHS tape, a DVD, a book or a record. You’ll find those treats from the past in the SlamWrestling.net Retro Reviews.
Invasion of the Bodyslammers
1993
1 hour and 57 Minutes
Host: Lord Alfred Hayes
Source: WWE Network
For a release that has The Undertaker against Razor Ramon, Bret “Hitman” Hart versus Shawn Michaels and Mr. Perfect versus “Nature Boy” Ric Flair the producers sure picked a crap graphic for the cover. No offense as they were both decent talents but who the hell would get excited about a tape featuring Tatanka and Kamala on the cover instead of a picture from one of those three headline matches? The Hitman, Undertaker, Ric Flair, those are faces that would move merchandise and garner interest. The worst part of Invasion of the Bodyslammers is the running gag featuring Slick teaching Kamala how to bowl. They even showcase that fact right there on the cover! So, now that we know the marketing was complete trash let’s look at the actual content which definitely has some great gems from the nineties.
Content Listing
Earthquake vs. Yokozuna (1993)
A true battle of the heavyweights. A little gag begins the match with Yokozuna wanting to face-off sumo style against Earthquake who used to be a sumo wrestler in the past. The story of the match is who can take the other off their feet. Not many spinning toe holds or hurricanranas in this short bout.
Rating: 2 / 10
The Nasty Boys vs. The Beverly Brothers (1992)
The pretty boys against the Nasty Boys. Bobby Heenan’s commentary makes a mediocre match worth the watch. Lots and lots of punches, kicks, clotheslines and stomps.
Rating: 6 / 10
The Undertaker vs. Razor Ramon (1992)
Taker gets his hands on Ramon. Courtesy: WWE Network.
These two facing off was a very big deal at the time. Much of the machismo is drained by the unstoppable Undertaker. Clotheslining Taker over the top rope results in him landing squarely on his feet, for example. Ramon has to resort to taking the fight to the floor and clocking Taker with his own urn to gain the advantage. The ending of the match slams the final rating.
Rating: 6 / 10
Typhoon vs. Bam Bam Bigelow (1993)
Another battle of the big men in this collection. Perhaps they were sucking back the ICOPRO at the time? A more lively match from two of the WWE’s larger superstars at the time.
Rating: 7 / 10
Repo Man Segment
The Repo Man is filmed repossessing cars as someone films him with a camcorder. Somewhat amusing for its time.
Bret “Hitman” Hart vs. Shawn Michaels – Intercontinental Championship Match (1992)
The Hitman has HBK all locked up. Courtesy: WWE Network.
Macho Man on commentary: Sensational Sherri must have a cold because her chest is swollen.
This match takes place a long time before Shawn and Brett had their infamous falling out. A clinic in how to present reversals and chain wrestling fluidly and realistically. Hart is portrayed as the veteran so he has the advantage throughout the match. Stay tuned for some nice payback after the match ends.
Rating: 8 / 10
Kamala vs. Doink The Clown (1993)
Stupidly short and senseless with Kamala depicted as a bumbling clown and not a fearsome warrior.
Rating: N/A
The Undertaker vs. Papa Shango (1992)
Both supernatural superstars try to out-gimmick each other. Not much to this disappointing match other than that although Shango shooting fireworks out of his staff was pretty cool.
Rating: 7 / 10
16-Man Battle Royale (1993)
From an episode of Monday Night Raw. There isn’t many major stars in the match so that eliminates much of the intrigue. You can pretty much guess who the final four will be if you followed wrestling at that time. No surprises there.
Rating: 6 / 10
Tatanka vs. Repo Man (1992)
Not a bad match but not a very interesting one either.
Rating: 7 / 10
Mr. Perfect vs. “Nature Boy” Ric Flair (1993)
Mr. Perfect is having a great time at Ric Flair’s expense. Courtesy: WWE Network.
This match is significant in the fact that Perfect is the face and takes place after his partnership with Flair and Heenan has ended, the angle that would be a big part of Flair’s time in WWE especially leading up to WrestleMania VIII. They don’t make much of an issue about that during the commentary which probably should have indicated to viewers at the time that Flair was assuredly on his way out of the WWE.
Rating: 8 / 10
RELATED LINK
Invasion of the Bodyslammers
The great matches are few and far between. It is just a lot of mediocre, second-rate match-ups and content. The ongoing Kamala skit is so very cringe. This is definitely a “skip to the good stuff” compilation.
