The Masked Mauler
Episode 36
Season 2, 1985
Introducing: --
Instead of watching KI performing like
everyone else, Riley is fascinated with a wrestling match on TV, much to the consternation
of Gloria. A particularly nasty wrestler
named The Masked Mauler takes up the entire screen as he declares he’s the best
wrestler ever. He’s so confident in
fact, that he offers to give $100 to anyone who will take him on. Guess who’s cocky and money-mad enough to do
it?
The Kid is instantly sure that he can
defeat the Mauler. Despite the inherent
danger, everyone but Gloria seems to think it’s doable. She only goes along for damage control and an
I-told-you-so.
Lucky for Kid, Mario is the
school’s best wrestler and willing to teach him some techniques. He might have his work cut out for him, though,
as Kid isn’t the best student. Right
away he loses a match to a chair. Ryan and
Gloria try to get him to back out, but it’s no use.
The Kid is determined to make good on his word…even if it is the last word he
says.
Later that day, Kid Krusher makes his
wrestling debut. In person, Masked Mauler is
much bigger and crazier than they realized. Ryan
tells Kid that it’s okay to call it off now, as a brave man can admit what he
can’t do without any shame, but Kid insists it’s too late for that. Then Ryan has a better plan: stall for time with a song. “NO. SONGS.” grunts the Mauler…but
somehow, it works.
That is, it works until the Mauler gets
the upper hand. Ryan attempts to jump in and
save Kid, but quickly becomes the new victim. When Kid attempts to ask
him to please put Ryan down, the Mauler calls him a chicken. This finally spurs Kid into action. He leaps onto
the Mauler’s back and removes his mask. The
Unmasked Mauler freaks out and leaves the ring, leaving Kid Krusher the winner.
I gave this episode 3 mics because it
seemed to be mostly filler. Season 2 had some
great episodes, but in between, there were a few that most people either forget or
don’t completely remember.
The fact that no one, even the Masked
Mauler himself, thinks it’s strange for a grown man to be wrestling an 11-year-old
boy is one of the reasons this episode is weird. Threats
have been made a couple of times, but no actual violence has ever been committed towards
any of the kids on the show. Also, Kid is
supposed to win $100. Riley presents him with
a trophy. I think someone forgot the initial
reward that inspired him in the first place.
Guest star: Eric Mitchell as the Masked
Mauler
Invention count: 0
4 in total
Vocab:
“I’ll discabooberate him!” No
idea what it means exactly, but threatening nonetheless
Continuity, gags and themes:
Again with the $100 – this time it’s the prize for beating the Mauler
New Locations: Not sure if this counts, but somewhere in town
there is a coliseum/stadium where the wrestling matches are taking place.
Pop culture references:
Wrestling terminology is used: full nelson, half nelson
Solos:
Renee (1) = 11
Kid (1) = 19
Gloria (1) = 33
Episode Total: 3
Total: 106
Performance outfits:
Pink/purple
Red/yellow sweats and workout clothes
-
Riley is apparently a big fan of wrestling.
-
Despite appearing to be an elementary/middle school, the school has a wrestling team. Conveniently, Mario is the best wrestler on the
team.
-
Ryan and Stacy have this cool dance move where they both lean to opposite sides. They will use it again in ’87 and do it not
once, but twice..
- Sneaky little Stacy: During “The Heat is On”, it only appears that Stacy is able to lift weights easier
than Kid – but you can see her adjusting the weight before she lays on the bench.
Songs:
Angel –
Call Me –
The Heat is On –
How Did I Wind Up Here? – 
Music for the Modern World – (nothing personal; I’ve just always preferred the ’87
Stacy version)
Here’s how you voted!
The Masked Mauler –
Angel –
Call Me –
The Heat is On –
How Did I Wind Up Here? –
Music for the Modern World –