WWF Classic: Mean Gene Okerlund & Corporal Kirchner Interviews + Bonus Match [Videos]

During the height of the Hulkamania era, the World Wrestling Federation was filled with larger-than-life superstars, colorful gimmicks, and patriotic heroes. One of the more overlooked names from that period was Corporal Kirchner (Michael Penzel), the camouflage-wearing US Army paratrooper who had served in the 82nd Airborne Division and marched to the ring waving the American flag. While Penzel started in the WWF as a jobber in 1984, he really got his opportunity to shine as a pro wrestler when he took on the gimmick of Corporal Kirchner.

While he was never pushed as a main-event attraction, for approximately two years from August 1985 to July 1987, Corporal Kirchner became a familiar face to WWF fans through his appearances on syndicated wrestling programs, his LJN action figures, his energetic squash matches, and his interview segments with the legendary Mean Gene Okerlund.

TNT

August 1985

All American Wrestling

September 1985

WWF Wrestling Challenge

September 1985

Bonus Match:

Corporal Kirchner vs. John K-9

WWF PRIME TIME WRESTLING

February 1987

Maple Leaf Gardens

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

For longtime wrestling fans, revisiting performers like Corporal Kirchner is part of the fun of exploring wrestling history. Not every wrestler from the Hulkamania era became a global superstar, but many played important supporting roles that helped shape the atmosphere and identity of WWF television during the 1980s.

Perhaps the most surprising part of Kirchner’s pro wrestling story came later, when few could have predicted that the flag-waving Corporal Kirchner of the WWF would later reinvent himself as the horrifying Leatherface in Japan’s hardcore wrestling scene.

Vintage Wrestlers: Freddie Blassie vs. Rikidozan [Videos]

March 28, 1962. Los Angeles. The legendary Olympic Auditorium. "Classy" Freddie Blassie entered as the hated WWA World Heavyweight Champion, a man so despised that police protection was often needed after his matches. Standing across the ring was Japanese icon Rikidozan, whose popularity had reached superhero status. By night's end, the title had changed hands, one man was left a bloody mess, and the other was perhaps preparing to enlist his "great friend..." President Kennedy... to investigate the outcome of the match. Classic!

WWA World Heavyweight Championship Match

"Classy" Freddie Blassie vs Rikidozan

March 28, 1962

Post Match Interview with Dick Lane

Freddie Blassie Interview

Vince McMahon interviews "Classy" Freddie

WWWF Television

1974

When Terry Funk Came for Hulkamania: The Forgotten 1985 Trilogy [Videos]

Terry Funk vs Hulk Hogan match that aired on NBC

Terry Funk entered the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) in the summer of 1985, a former NWA World Heavyweight Champion, he had last wrestled in what was now known as the WWF in the early 1970s. By late 1985, Funk had an opportunity to challenge Hulk Hogan for the WWF World Heavyweight Championship. Hogan wasn't facing another giant or cartoon-style supervillain. He was dealing with a former World Champion who brought unpredictability, mind games, and pure chaos. Across Philadelphia, Toronto, and NBC's national television broadcast of Saturday Night's Main Event from Tampa, Florida, Hogan and Funk quietly created a forgotten trilogy of forgotten matches that blended Hulkamania spectacle with Terry Funk insanity.

And watch the slow count by Dave Hebner...

Hulk Hogan vs Terry Funk

WWF on PRISM Network

Philadelphia, PA

December 7, 1985

Hulk Hogan vs Terry Funk

Maple Leaf Wrestling

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

December 15, 1985

Hulk Hogan vs Terry Funk

Saturday Night's Main Event

NBC

Tampa, Florida

Filmed on December 19, 1985

Aired on January 3, 1986

It was reported 1985 was Funk's best financial year in pro wrestling

More at:

Classic Matches: Hulk Hogan vs Terry Funk [Videos]

LJN Wrestling Superstars: The WWF Wrestling Figures of the 1980s [Videos]

Growing up in the 1980s, few toys captured the excitement of professional wrestling quite like LJN Wrestling Superstars. Long before highly detailed collectibles and endless articulation points became the standard, these oversized rubber figures ruled toy aisles and bedroom floor main events across America. Featuring many of the biggest WWF stars of the era—from Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage to Jake "The Snake" Roberts and The Hart Foundation—LJN figures felt larger than life.

But the LJN line was more than just a collection of toys—it became a snapshot of the WWF's explosive rise during the Rock ’n’ Wrestling era. Between 1984 and 1988, five series of figures were released in the United States by LJN, capturing the changing landscape of the WWF roster as new stars arrived and legends emerged. Then, after LJN’s run came to an end, one final chapter remained: a last series released in Canada in 1989 by another company, giving fans one more chance to add a few final superstars to the toy box.

1984

LJN Wrestling Superstars Commercials

1984/1985

LJN WWF Superstars Commercial

with Hulk Hogan, Jimmy Snuka, and The Iron Sheik

Narrated by Vince McMahon

1984/1985

LJN WWF Wrestling Superstars Commercial

with Hulk Hogan, The Iron Sheik, Big John Studd

1986

LJN WWF Superstars Commercial

with Junkyard Dog, "Rowdy" Roddy Piper,

Brutus Beefcake, Greg "The Hammer" Valentine,

Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat, George "The Animal" Steel

Narrated by Vince McMahon

1987

LJN WWF Wrestling Superstars Commercial

with "Macho Man" Randy Savage, Miss Elizabeth,

S.D. Jones, Kamala, and The Killer Bees

1989

Grand Toys WWF Wrestling Superstars Commercial

LJN WWF Wrestling Superstars
Complete Series Breakdown

Between 1984 and 1988, LJN released five major WWF Wrestling Superstars series in the United States, chronicling the rapid rise of Hulkamania and the changing WWF landscape. After LJN’s run ended, the line received one final curtain call in Canada in 1989 through Grand Toys. Looking back today, each series almost serves as a time capsule of its era.

1984 – Series 1

The debut wave introduced many of the stars who launched the national expansion era of the WWF.

Andre the Giant
Big John Studd
Hillbilly Jim
Hulk Hogan
Iron Sheik
Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka
Junkyard Dog
Nikolai Volkoff

"Rowdy" Roddy Piper

1985 – Series 2

The second wave expanded the roster as Hulkamania continued to grow.

Andre the Giant
Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake
George "The Animal" Steele
Greg "The Hammer" Valentine
King Kong Bundy
"Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff

1986 – Series 3

By 1986, WWF had become a pop-culture force. This wave expanded significantly and included managers, announcers, and personalities in addition to wrestlers.

Bobby "The Brain" Heenan
Bruno Sammartino
Captain Lou Albano
"Classy" Freddie Blassie
Corporal Kirchner
Davey Boy Smith
Dynamite Kid
Jesse "The Body" Ventura
Jimmy Hart
"Macho Man" Randy Savage
Magnificent Muraco
Mean Gene Okerlund
Mr. Fuji (with cane)
Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat
Special Delivery Jones
Terry Funk
Tito Santana

1987 – Series 4

With WrestleMania now firmly established, the line reflected a changing roster and featured future legends.

"Adorable" Adrian Adonis
Billy Jack Haynes
B. Brian Blair
Bret "Hitman" Hart
"Cowboy" Bob Orton
Elizabeth
Hercules Hernandez
Jake "The Snake" Roberts
"Jumping" Jim Brunzell
Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart
Ken Patera
Kamala
King Harley Race
Koko B. Ware
Outback Jack
Ted Arcidi
Vince McMahon

1988 – Series 5

The final U.S. LJN release closed out the original era.

"Adorable" Adrian Adonis
Bam Bam Bigelow
Demolition Ax
Hacksaw Jim Duggan
Honky Tonk Man
Hulk Hogan
"Luscious" Johnny Valiant
One Man Gang
Referee
Rick Martel
Slick
Ted DiBiase
Tito Santana

1989 – Series 6 (Grand Toys Canada / Black Card Series)

LJN’s final chapter came north of the border. Produced by Grand Toys in Canada, these figures have become some of the most recognizable and collectible releases in the line.

Andre the Giant
Big Boss Man
Demolition Ax
"Hacksaw" Jim Duggan
Honky Tonk Man
Hulk Hogan
Randy "Macho Man" Savage
"Ravishing" Rick Rude
Ultimate Warrior
Warlord

Tag Team Two-Packs

Tag team sets featuring some of the WWF’s most memorable duos were also released:

British Bulldogs
Dream Team
Hart Foundation
Killer Bees
Strike Force
Iron Sheik & Nikolai Volkoff
Hillbilly Jim & Hulk Hogan

Whether they stood proudly on bedroom shelves or battled for tiny plastic championships, LJN Wrestling Superstars became more than action figures—they became many fans’ first true wrestling collection.

Decades later, in 2025, WWE helped bring the spirit of Wrestling Superstars back to a new generation by reintroducing retro-style figures inspired by the classic LJN designs. From toy store shelves in the 1980s to collector displays decades later, LJN Wrestling Superstars continue proving that legends never truly retire—they just make another entrance.

Owen Hart's Infamous WWF Slammy Award Speeches [Videos]

By the mid-90s, Owen Hart was money on the mic as a classic pro wrestling heel. Whether he was accepting a Slammy in 1996 and thanking absolutely nobody but himself or stealing the spotlight in 1997 as the presenter and taking the award for himself, Owen’s timing and personality made these moments unforgettable.

1996 WWF Slammy Awards

Anaheim Marriott

USA Network

March 30, 1996

1997 WWF Slammy Awards

Westin Hotel in Chicago

USA Network

March 21, 1997