THE CAN-AM CONNECTION CHAMPIONSHIP BOUND!

The road to a championship is a long and difficult one: miles and miles of opposition. Sometimes things seem predetermined. The 1986 New York Mets winning the World Series was meant to happen. The British Bulldogs beating the Dream Team for the WWF World Heavyweight Tag-Team Championship was meant to happen.
 
 

The Mets came back again in 1987 to find themselves plagued by numerous pitching problems and injuries so bad that it will be a miracle if they retain their World Champion status. It will be a miracle too if the Bulldogs regain their World Championship from the ever resourceful [Hart] Foundation. They were plagued by the unfortunate back injury to the Dynamite Kid (who from all appearances will never again be 100%) and lack of determination is in their eyes. Fire is the most important ingredient in a contender, but they've lost the drive to be number one. Exit the British Bulldogs.

Enter the Can-Am Connection. Rick Martel and Tom Zenk will have it all. They've got great looks and great bodies, and they've got great looking women pursuing those looks and bodies. All that in addition to the best high flying attack since the Rock 'n' Roll Express. Being the most popular team, the Can-Ams are the top contenders for the rule breaker title. Most importantly, they do have the fire. They have the determination to go all the way to the top.

Rick is hungry for another World Championship. Being the AWA World Champion has given him the taste he needs. Ironically the WWF World Tag-Team Title is more prestigious than the AWA World Singles Title (now held by big shot Curt Hennig). Tom, on the other hand, is a young and talented rookie sensation who was sporadically successful in smaller promotions prior to teaming with Rick.

On a recent card at the Meadowlands Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey, the Can-Am Connection wrestled four times in one night! Four times before getting a shot at the Hart Foundation and nearly beating them! Martel and Zenk had the Harts on the run for most of the match, losing only because of the interference of Dangerous Danny Davis (what else is new?). In order to get that matchup they went through such teams as Bundy and Orndorff, Pedro Morales and Dan Spivey, The Killer Bees and The Old Dream Team.
 
Shaken by this threat to their bread and butter, and not sure of themselves anymore, the champions figure caution as the better part of valor. Taking advantage of their position as champions, and using their numerous connections on the WWF Championship Committee, they have set up roadblocks. Roadblocks to stop the Can-Ams in their tracks and take them out of competition. And out of the sport if necessary.

Those close to Jim "The Anvil" and Bret "Hitman" are able to sense an uneasiness around them. "The Bulldogs? Naw, the boys aren't worried about them anymore. The little guy is hurt too much. Those Can-Ams are causing a lot of trouble though. Brett and Jim better get some interference run for them .... maybe Heenan could do them a favor?"

Speaking of the ever popular "Brain"  - he was at Madison Square Garden recently, introducing his new Islanders.

Before the evening of action began Heenan was seen conversing with two unidentified individuals. "But what will I get out of all of this?" Heenan barked.

"You'll get what you deserve," he was told. "You want money, we got money. You want women, we got women. Just name it".

Heenan came back with a response that nobody except himself wanted to hear. "I want those belts!"

There was a moment of silence.

The big guy stroked his beard. "You take care of business and you'll have the number one contender's position". The smaller one broke in. "Then we'll see if you deserve a shot."

They both laughed as they scooted away to another part of the locker room.

A while later Heenan entered the ringside area to chants of "Weasel! Weasel! Weasel!" He paid scant attention to the fan disapproval as he took his position behind the commentator's microphone next to the overbearing Gorilla.

The first match featured the Can-Am Connection against the Shadows. For those of you who have not seen Martel and Zenk in action (although I don't see how its possible with all the Federation on TV nowadays), just think in terms of the Rock 'n' Roll Express, the Midnight Rockers or the High Flyers. Utilizing their quick tags, excellent teamwork and amateur background experience, they made short work of the masked blunderers.

Right after the match Heenan jumped up onto the canvas to challenge the victors, throwing insults at them and saying how scared they were of facing a real team - the new Islanders.
 

[the Islanders sneak attack]

Rick Martel grabbed the mike, accepting the challenge for anytime, preferably there and then. Obviously glad he had got the Can-Ams so hot under the collar Heenan called out his Islanders. It took several officials to hold back the two teams from ripping each other to shreds.

The new Islanders seem to be blocking the Can-Ams from their goal. The World Wrestling Federation has great tag-team action but the above two teams stand out above the rest.

An unofficial poll of the fans and exerts yielded the following opinions on the tag-team situation in the WWF:
 

Nicolai Volkoff and the Iron Sheik, former World Tag-team Champions: A powerful force to reckon with in wrestling. Its a pity they keep on fighting the same opposition all the time. They're getting stale. Besides, with Sheik's current suspension from the Federation, Volkoff will be taking on singles competition.

The Killer Bees: Jumpin' Jim [Brunzell] and B. Brian [Blair] have the talent to be champions, but lately the fans are getting less enthusiastic. Both they and the championship committee are getting tired of the mask idea, and tired too of all the six man tag team matches with their buddy Koko B. Ware. Without fan support, kiss the title shots good-bye.

The Rougeaus: French-Canadian pretty boys. (This team is personally annoying to me, but the women seem to go crazy over them - no accounting for taste.) They are talented, and if the Foundation ever defend their title up in Canada, they'll be the number one contenders. They'll fall short, though, because they lack experience in teaming.

Muraco and Ace Orton: If the WWF's policy of rulebreaker versus rulebreaker were different this could have been a terrific match-up. Muraco is probably the most underrated grappler in the sport. But given the recent falling-out of the two combatants, watch for them both to find new partners.

Demolition: Two big, strong and mean individuals. Some say Axe and Smash are Road Warrior rip-offs. In reality they more resemble rock's Kiss in their heyday of kabuki make-up. In style they are lumbering juggernauts not a smooth devastating machine like the Road Warriors. They have a hard time fighting quick and slick teams like the Hart Foundation. 

Sika and Kamala: Like Demolition this team is managed by Mr Fuji. He has to control them utilizing mind power. Even with Fuji's skill and management the team is disorganized, half the time not knowing where they are. Sika should drop Kamala and bring in Afa to reunite the Samoans.

The New Dream Team: Dino Bravo and Greg Valentine look naked without gold around their waists. Beefcake is going to make life difficult for the New Dream Team and Luscious Johnny V., keeping them occupied and off the championship trail.

The British Bulldogs: One of the greatest and most original teams in the sport, now or ever. It's sad to watch them now because the Dynamite Kid, one of the all time greats, looks like he has a back brace every time he wrestles. Even so the Bulldogs look impressive as a team. But not championship material anymore.
 

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