WWE Madison Square Garden Classics, also known simply as Madison Square Garden Classics and MSG Classics, is a professional wrestling television program on the MSG Network, produced by World Wrestling Entertainment. It debuted in a two-hour block on July 12, 2006 and was hosted by longtime wrestling announcer "Mean" Gene Okerlund, primarily recapping and reairing WWF on MSG Network shows throughout the 1980s and early 1990s.
History On July 12, 2006, WWE programming returned to MSG Network for the first time since March 16, 1997. Two back to back episodes of MSG Classics air every Wednesday night. Each hour shows highlights of a WWF house show that took place at Madison Square Garden, originally telecast live on the network in the 1980s and 1990s.
Also featured are past episodes of Raw from the Garden, although only three such episodes to date have aired; on July 26, 2006, the very first Raw to take place at the Garden in September 1997; another featuring a past episode of Raw from MSG that took place in September 2002 aired on September 13, 2006; and a third with Raw from June 23, 2003 aired on September 5, 2007. Finally, the SummerSlam 1988 and SummerSlam 1991 pay-per-views along with "The War to Settle the Score" and "The Brawl to End it All" specials have also been shown. The show's run ended in 2008 but episodes 67-74 were rerun four times each from April 29, 2009 to August 26, 2009.
Episode list No.Air dateEvent profiledMatches/segments shown1July 12, 2006January 23, 1989The Brain Busters (Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard) vs. The Rockers (Shawn Michaels and Marty Jannetty) Hercules vs. Ted DiBiase (w/Virgil) Sean Mooney interviews Big Boss Man and Slick Big Boss Man (w/Slick) vs. Hulk Hogan2July 12, 2006August 30, 1982WWF Intercontinental Champion Pedro Morales (c) vs. Jimmy Snuka (Special Referee: Ivan Putski) WWF Championship: Bob Backlund (c) vs. Buddy Rose (w/The Grand Wizard and Sherri Martel) Six-man tag team two out of three falls match: André the Giant, Chief Jay Strongbow, and Jules Strongbow vs. Blackjack Mulligan, Mr. Fuji, and Mr. Saito3July 26, 2006June 21, 1985Randy Savage vs. Rick McGraw WWF Intercontinental Championship: Greg Valentine (w/Jimmy Hart) (c) vs. Ricky Steamboat Gene Okerlund interviews The Magnificent Muraco and Mr. Fuji Gene Okerlund interviews Hulk Hogan WWF Championship Steel cage match: Hulk Hogan (c) vs. The Magnificent Muraco (w/Mr. Fuji)4July 26, 2006Raw Is WarSeptember 22, 1997WWF Intercontinental Championship Tournament First Round Match: Rocky Maivia (w/Kama Mustafa, D'Lo Brown, and Faarooq) vs. Ahmed Johnson WWF Intercontinental Championship Tournament Semifinal Match: Owen Hart vs. Brian Pillman (w/Marlena) Vince McMahon interviews Steve Austin Falls count anywhere match: Cactus Jack vs. Hunter Hearst Helmsley (w/Chyna) WWF Champion Bret Hart vs. Goldust5August 2, 2006September 23, 1985André the Giant (w/Lou Albano) vs. King Kong Bundy (w/Jimmy Hart) The British Bulldogs (Davey Boy Smith and The Dynamite Kid) vs. The Hart Foundation (Bret Hart and Jim Neidhart) (w/Jimmy Hart) Gorilla Monsoon interviews Jimmy Hart and Terry Funk The Junkyard Dog vs. Terry Funk (w/Jimmy Hart)6August 2, 2006November 30, 1991Hulk Hogan vs. Ric Flair (w/Mr. Perfect) WWF Intercontinental Championship: Bret Hart (c) vs. The Mountie (w/Jimmy Hart) The Nasty Boys (Brian Knobs and Jerry Sags) vs. The Rockers (Shawn Michaels and Marty Jannetty)7August 9, 2006October 17, 1983Sgt. Slaughter vs. Ivan Putski WWF Championship: Bob Backlund (c) vs. The Masked Superstar Vince McMahon interviews Jimmy Snuka Vince McMahon interviews The Magnificent Muraco WWF Intercontinental Championship Steel Cage Match: The Magnificent Muraco (w/Lou Albano) (c) vs. Jimmy Snuka (w/Buddy Rogers)8August 9, 2006October 24, 1988WWF Tag Team Championship: Demolition (Ax and Smash) (w/Mr. Fuji) (c) vs. The Rockers (Shawn Michaels and Marty Jannetty) WWF Championship: Randy Savage (w/Miss Elizabeth) (c) vs. André the Giant (w/Bobby Heenan) Sean Mooney interviews Rick Rude and Bobby Heenan DDT vs. Rude Awakening Match: Jake Roberts (w/Cheryl Roberts) vs. Rick Rude9August 23, 2006December 17, 1979Hulk Hogan (w/Fred Blassie) vs. Ted DiBiase Texas Death match for the vacant WWF Championship: Bob Backlund (w/ Arnold Skaaland) vs. Bobby Duncum (w/Lou Albano) NWA World Heavyweight Championship: Harley Race (c) vs. Dusty Rhodes10August 23, 2006February 23, 1987WWF Tag Team Championship: The Hart Foundation (Bret Hart and Jim Neidhart) (w/Jimmy Hart and Danny Davis) (c) vs. The Killer Bees (B. Brian Blair and Jim Brunzell) Jake Roberts vs. King Kong Bundy (w/Bobby Heenan) Roddy Piper, Ricky Steamboat, and The Junkyard Dog vs. WWF Intercontinental Champion Randy Savage, Adrian Adonis, and Harley Race Gorilla Monsoon interviews Roddy Piper11September 6, 2006January 21, 1991The Undertaker (w/Brother Love) vs. Jimmy Snuka The Legion of Doom (Hawk and Animal) vs. Demolition (Smash and Crush) (w/Mr. Fuji) The Nasty Boys (Brian Knobs and Jerry Sags) (w/ Jimmy Hart) vs. The Bushwhackers (Luke and Butch) Lord Alfred Hayes interviews Randy Savage and Sensational Sherri Steel cage match: Randy Savage (w/Sensational Sherri) vs. The Ultimate Warrior12September 6, 2006February 20, 1984Roddy Piper and David Schultz vs. The Invaders (#1 and #2) WWF Intercontinental Championship: Tito Santana (c) vs. The Magnificent Muraco (w/Lou Albano) Vince McMahon interviews Hulk Hogan WWF Championship: Hulk Hogan (c) vs. Paul Orndorff (w/Roddy Piper)13September 13, 2006April 25, 1988Bret Hart vs. Bad News Brown WWF Championship: Randy Savage (w/Miss Elizabeth) (c) vs. Ted DiBiase (w/Virgil) Gorilla Monsoon interviews Ted DiBiase and Virgil Lord Alfred Hayes interviews Randy Savage and Miss Elizabeth Gorilla Monsoon interviews Demolition and Mr. Fuji Lord Alfred Hayes interviews Strike Force WWF Tag Team Championship: Demolition (Ax and Smash) (w/Mr. Fuji) (c) vs. Strike Force (Rick Martel and Tito Santana)14September 13, 2006RawAugust 26, 2002Triple H promo Jeff Hardy vs. Chris Jericho Terri Runnels interviews WWE Undisputed Champion Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman Unification match for the WWE Intercontinental and Hardcore Championships: Rob Van Dam (Intercontinental) vs. Tommy Dreamer (Hardcore) WWE Undisputed Championship number one contender's match: Triple H vs. The Undertaker15October 4, 2006December 26, 1983Jimmy Snuka and Arnold Skaaland vs. The Magnificent Muraco and Lou Albano Lord Alfred Hayes interviews Jimmy Snuka and Arnold Skaaland after the match Sgt. Slaughter vs. Chief Jay Strongbow WWF Championship: Bob Backlund (w/Arnold Skaaland) (c) vs. The Iron Sheik (w/Fred Blassie) Lord Alfred Hayes interviews new WWF Champion The Iron Sheik and Fred Blassie after the match Lord Alfred Hayes interviews Bob Backlund and Arnold Skaaland after the match16October 4, 2006January 27, 1986Paul Orndorff vs. Big John Studd (w/Bobby Heenan) Terry Funk (w/ Jimmy Hart) vs. Scott McGhee WWF Championship: Hulk Hogan (c) vs. Randy Savage (w/Miss Elizabeth) WWF Tag Team Championship: The Dream Team (Greg Valentine and Brutus Beefcake) (c) (w/Johnny V) vs. The British Bulldogs (Davey Boy Smith and The Dynamite Kid) (w/Lou Albano)17May 16, 2007October 28, 1991Ric Flair (w/Bobby Heenan) vs. Roddy Piper Sean Mooney interviews Ric Flair and Bobby Heenan after the match WWF Intercontinental Championship: Bret Hart (c) vs. The Berzerker WWF Tag Team Championship: The Legion of Doom (Hawk and Animal) (c) vs. The Natural Disasters (Earthquake and Typhoon) (w/ Jimmy Hart)18May 16, 2007September 22, 1986The Rougeau Brothers (Jacques and Raymond) vs. The Hart Foundation (Bret Hart and Jim Neidhart) (w/ Jimmy Hart) Harley Race (w/ Bobby Heenan) vs. Tito Santana Gorilla Monsoon interviews King Kong Bundy, Big John Studd, and Bobby Heenan Gorilla Monsoon interviews Hulk Hogan and The Machines WWF Champion Hulk Hogan and The Machines (Big Machine and Super Machine) vs. King Kong Bundy, Big John Studd, and Bobby Heenan19May 23, 2007March 18, 1989Mr. Perfect vs. Ronnie Garvin Sean Mooney interviews Big Boss Man and Slick Steel Cage Match: Hulk Hogan vs. Big Boss Man (w/Slick) The Rockers (Shawn Michaels and Marty Jannetty) vs. The Brain Busters (Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard)20May 23, 2007February 18, 1983Mr. Fuji vs. Tony Garea Mr. Fuji interview after the match Ray Stevens (w/Fred Blassie) vs. Chief Jay Strongbow Vince McMahon interviews The Magnificent Muraco Vince McMahon interviews Bob Backlund WWF Championship: Bob Backlund (c) (w/Arnold Skaaland) vs. WWF Intercontinental Champion The Magnificent Muraco (w/Lou Albano) The Magnificent Muraco interview after the match21May 30, 2007December 28, 1984Jimmy Snuka and The Tonga Kid vs. Roddy Piper and Cowboy Bob Orton Dick Clark presents an award to Cyndi Lauper WWF Tag Team Championship: Dick Murdoch and Adrian Adonis (c) vs Jack Brisco and Jerry Brisco WWF Championship: Hulk Hogan (c) vs The Iron Sheik (w/Fred Blassie)22May 30, 2007October 19, 1990The Warlord vs. Koko B. Ware WWF Intercontinental Championship: The Texas Tornado (c) vs. Mr. Perfect (w/Bobby Heenan) Ted DiBiase (w/Virgil) vs. Dusty Rhodes Lord Alfred Hayes interviews Dusty Rhodes after the match Lord Alfred Hayes interviews Ted DiBiase and Virgil after the match WWF Tag Team Championship: The Hart Foundation (Bret Hart and Jim Neidhart) (c) vs. Rhythm and Blues (The Honky Tonk Man and Greg Valentine)23June 13, 2007September 29, 1988The Rockers vs. Los Conquistadores The Junkyard Dog vs. King Haku (w/Bobby Heenan) WWF Championship: Randy Savage (c) (w/Miss Elizabeth) vs. André the Giant Sean Mooney interviews André the Giant and Bobby Heenan WWF Intercontinental Championship: The Ultimate Warrior (c) vs. The Honky Tonk Man (w/Jimmy Hart)24June 13, 2007May 19, 1980$15,000 16 man Over the Top Rope Battle Royal WWF Championship Texas Death Match: Bob Backlund (c) vs. WWF Intercontinental Champion Ken Patera Six man tag team two out of three falls match: Tony Atlas, Ivan Putski, and Pat Patterson vs. The Wild Samoans (Afa and Sika) and Peter Maivia 25June 27, 2007January 19, 1987Paul Orndorff (w/Bobby Heenan) vs. George Steele WWF Championship No Disqualification Match: Hulk Hogan (c) vs. Kamala (w/The Wizard and Kim Chee) Gorilla Monsoon interviews Harley Race and Bobby Heenan The Junkyard Dog vs. Harley Race (w/Bobby Heenan) WWF Tag Team Championship: Davey Boy Smith (c) and Billy Jack Haynes vs. The Hart Foundation (Bret Hart and Jim Neidhart) (w/Jimmy Hart)26June 27, 2007September 30, 1989WWF Intercontinental Championship: The Ultimate Warrior (c) vs. André the Giant (w/Bobby Heenan) WWF Tag Team Championship: The Brain Busters (Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard) (c) (w/Bobby Heenan) vs. Demolition (Ax and Smash) Lord Alfred Hayes interviews Roddy Piper Lord Alfred Hayes interviews Rick Rude and Bobby Heenan Roddy Piper vs. Rick Rude (w/Bobby Heenan)27July 4, 2007May 21, 1984WWF Intercontinental Championship: Tito Santana (c) vs. Paul Orndorff Sgt. Slaughter vs. The Iron Sheik (w/Fred Blassie) Sgt. Slaughter promo WWF Championship: Hulk Hogan (c) vs. David Schultz28July 4, 2007June 3, 1991Jim Duggan vs. Col. Mustafa (w/General Adnan) Bret Hart vs. The Barbarian (w/Mr. Fuji) The Mountie vs. Big Boss Man Sean Mooney interviews Hulk Hogan WWF Championship Desert Storm Rules: Hulk Hogan (c) vs. Sgt. Slaughter (w/ General Adnan)29July 11, 2007January 21, 1985André the Giant vs. Ken Patera (w/Bobby Heenan) Texas Tornado Match: Roddy Piper and Bob Orton vs. Jimmy Snuka and The Junkyard Dog WWF Intercontinental Championship: Greg Valentine (c) vs. Tito Santana30July 11, 2007April 24, 1989Jake Roberts vs. Ted DiBiase (w/Virgil) Bret Hart vs. Mr. Perfect WWF Championship: Hulk Hogan (c) vs. Randy Savage (w/Sensational Sherri)31July 25, 2007March 16, 1997Jim Ross interviews Owen Hart and The British Bulldog WWF Tag Team Championship: Owen Hart and The British Bulldog (c) vs. Doug Furnas and Philip Lafon