Reviews

In this Mid-South Wrestling 2/27/82 review, Ted DiBiase defends the North American title against The Grappler, Bob Roop sets his sights on Dusty Rhodes, and much more.

Let’s jump in.

• Show: Mid-South Wrestling
• Date: February 27, 1982

RINGSIDE: Boyd Pierce and Dusty Rhodes welcome us and hype the action. As mentioned on the previous episode, Dusty is the guest commentator this week.

Larry Higgens vs. Coco Samoa

A bit of a size difference in this one, to say the least. Higgens is about 6-foot-4 while Samoa is around 5-foot-11. Dusty is already great on commentary, and I do mean great. He’s breaking down the psyche of each wrestler and really getting into it. Awesome stuff. Back and forth match, but it’s Coco with the splash off the top for the win. (*)

Paul Orndorff vs. Frank Monte

Two of my Mid-South favorites here. Orndorff yells at Dusty before the match and wants a piece of him. Once again, Dusty is a national treasure with stories of Monte’s gym habits, his interest in the North American title, and more. Monte takes it to Orndorff in the early going, but Orndorff attacks Monte while he’s in the ropes.

However, Monte comes back with an impressive flying head scissors. Orndorff quickly regains momentum and hits the backbreaker and thinks about going for the pin before inflicting more damage. Then he hits a huge powerslam to notch the victory. (**)

The Grappler vs. (c) Ted DiBiase – North American Title

TITLE MATCHES ON TELEVISION. The Mid-South way. Dusty calls DiBiase one of the greatest young wrestlers in the game, and it’s hard to disagree based on what we’ve seen thus far in our review series. This is the big rematch given that DiBiase beat Grappler for the title, and Boyd hypes the timeline and backstory between these two.

DiBiase works on the arm, but Grappler takes control by stomping a mudhole in DiBiase in the corner. Then DiBiase hits a VICIOUS forearm that doesn’t seem to faze Grappler. More offense from Grappler until a sunset flip pin from DiBiase gets a near fall. The crowd is screaming for DiBiase to make his move, which leads to Grappler missing consecutive elbow drops.

DiBiase mounts his comeback, but Grappler uses the LOADED BOOT on DiBiase’s leg. Dusty is livid. In a terrific spot, DiBiase sells the knee and goes to suplex Grappler off the top, but the leg buckles as Grappler falls on him for the near fall. I totally bit on that one.

Grappler goes for the loaded boot one more time, but DiBiase has it scouted and hits the back suplex for the pin to retain the title. This was excellent storytelling and one of the best Mid-South matches I’ve seen to this point in our series. And Dusty was so, so good on commentary. (***1/2, Recommended)

RINGSIDE: We’re set for a match with Bob Roop and Bill Ash, but an angry Roop makes his way to the commentary booth. He wants true competition and says he’s gonna do something about it. Roop walks off, and Dusty brings up seeing Roop lose to The Junkyard Dog. Roop is pissed and challenges Dusty, who gets attacked from behind by Orndorff. But Dusty regroups and momentarily gets the upper hand, including a fake pin on Orndorff. However, the heels regain the edge and beat down Dusty and Ash. Eventually, Brian Blair and other babyfaces run Orndorff and Roop off. Hell of an angle with a hot crowd.

Ed Wiskowski vs. Mr. Olympia

Another matchup of two favorites. Boyd ponders Dusty being fined $2,500 dollars for leaving the commentary booth. Boyd is the best. This match is all about power, and they each showcase some nice offense throughout. However, it’s Olympia who ducks an attack from Wiskowski before rolling him up for the win. (**)

Bob Sweetan vs. Tony Torres

This seems like one of those standby matches that ends in a draw due to the show going off the air. But then again, it’s pretty clear that Sweetan is the more favored of the duo. Sure enough, he is and drops the knee on Torres’ face for the victory. (SQUASH)

The Samoans (w/Skandor Akbar) vs. The Junkyard Dog and Brian Blair

Boyd continues to push Mike George’s back injury after the attack from the Samoans during the memorable tag title match a few weeks ago (REVIEW). JYD comes out pissed off, but the champs work over Blair for the majority of the match. The fans are SALIVATING at the possibility of Blair tagging JYD.

Of course, he finally does, and JYD takes out frustration on both Afa and Sika. And here comes Akbar to cause the distraction, which allows Sika to throw Blair into the ring post on the outside. Afa and Sika just destroy JYD, and the referee eventually catches an inadvertent headbutt from JYD during his comeback.

More destruction from Afa and Sika until Olympia hits the ring and runs wild on Afa, Sika, and Akbar. We’ve got a BROUHAHA on our hands as JYD and Olympia send the champs reeling. The official decision is a DQ on JYD for the interference from Olympia. Yet another hot angle. (*1/2)

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BLAKE’S TAKE ON MID-SOUTH WRESTLING 2/27/82

Overall Rating: 8.5/10

Thoughts: What a fun episode. The North American title match was fantastic, as it featured one of my favorite Mid-South matches thus far in our review series. DiBiase and Grappler were both excellent in their roles in that one, and they had the crowd into it from start to finish. Meanwhile, the show-closing angle was entertaining, and so was the Roop and Orndorff storyline with Dusty. Great stuff across the board.

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For more of my show reviews, visit the Pro Wrestling Reviews section!

In this WWF Wrestling Challenge 9/20/86 review, Randy Savage is in action, Andre the Giant dons a mask, and much more.

Let’s jump in.

• Show: WWF Wrestling Challenge
• Date: September 20, 1986

RINGSIDE: Gorilla Monsoon, Ernie Ladd, and Johnny V are once again on commentary, and they preview the action.

The Hart Foundation (w/Jimmy Hart) vs. The Islanders

Just for reference for those who weren’t watching in this era, Haku and Tama are the Islanders. Gorilla’s “mountain of misinformation” line is always hilarious, and this time around, he applies it to Jimmy Hart. Bret and Neidhart in control, as we get an inset promo from Jimmy, who calls the Islanders clowns and says he hates pineapples.

Action going on inside and outside of the ring, and the steel railing is down. Then it’s Tama flying over the top onto Neidhart, and the referee calls for the bell as these two teams continue to brawl. It’s the Islanders that get the better of the exchange. This was some nice storyline advancement to continue the theme of the loaded tag team division coming for the British Bulldogs. (NR)

VIDEO: Wrestlers’ Rebuttal time, and it’s highlights from Adrian Adonis wanting a debate with Roddy Piper on Piper’s Pit, only for Piper to pull his chair from under him.

Tony Garea vs. “Macho Man” Randy Savage (w/Elizabeth)

Garea, of course, was a WWF regular who also had a long career as a road agent. Savage isn’t playing around in this one, and neither is Superstar Billy Graham, who does his third inset promo in as many weeks to hype his return to the company. Savage destroys Garea and hits the flying elbow for the easy win. After the match, the replay shows referee Danny Davis giving Savage an assist before the match begins. (SQUASH)

BACKSTAGE: Ken Resnick with Jake “The Snake” Roberts. Jake runs down Ricky Steamboat and says he’ll treat him like he would a woman, and it’s an interesting comparison, to say the least. He also hypes the Snake Pit.

Al Navarro, Tiger Chung Lee, and JJ Jackson vs. The Machines (w/Captain Lou Albano)

Lord Alfred Hayes hasn’t a clue what Jackson’s name is, so he asks him before announcing it. Hilarious. They’ve been hyping The Machines coming to Wrestling Challenge for a few weeks, with the idea that Albano has built this legendary unit from overseas. In actuality, it’s very clear that Andre the Giant is under a mask posing as one of the Machines, which plays into the storyline of Bobby Heenan campaigning for Andre to be suspended.

So, we get an inset promo from Heenan who isn’t happy with Albano building this Machine stable, though there’s no reference to Andre. It’s the Andre chop from the apron that allows the Machines to earn the victory. A fun old school storyline right here. (SQUASH)

BACKSTAGE: Resnick with Koko B. Ware. Koko is jamming with the boombox on his shoulder, and Resnick starts dancing with him.

VIDEO: Commercial for the JLN WWF action figures, which included the best action figure ring ever. There’s also a commercial for the thumb wrestlers featuring The Iron Sheik. SHEIKY BABY HUMBLE YOUR THUMBS!

The Dream Team vs. Dick Slater and Leaping Lanny Poffo

Slater and Poffo is quite a pair. Mr. Fuji promo, and he essentially promises destruction for Slater. Johnny V isn’t happy with the babyfaces controlling the start of the match, so he leaves the broadcast booth to go to ringside. The action breaks down with all four in the ring, and that provides an opportunity for Valentine to use underhanded tactics to allow Beefcake to get the pin for the win. (*)

VIDEO: The Snake Pit featuring Paul Orndorff. The more I watch Orndorff’s work in the 80s (MID-SOUTH WRESTLING REVIEW), the more I appreciate him. He shows off his body and taunts Hulk Hogan. Heenan pumps Orndorff up, and Orndoff is gonna become champ.

Sika (w/The Wizard) vs. Rick Hunter

My guess is Sika is going to be hunting Rick. Honky Tonk Man promo and he promotes Memphis and his ’57 Cadillac. This is all Sika, as he tries to rip open Hunter’s mouth at one point before hitting the Samoan drop for the victory. (SQUASH)

VIDEO: The Rougeau Brothers are riding motorcycles, driving boats, and water skiing to the tune of some cheesy 80s music. This is glorious.

Terry Gibbs and Jack Foley vs. The Killer Bees

Yes, Jack Foley is indeed Mrs. Foley’s baby boy. Seeing Mick Foley on Wrestling Challenge in the mid-80s is fun, though Johnny V thinks he’s someone who hangs around the house and cuts the grass and walks the dog. He also thinks he looks like Dracula’s mother-in-law. Foley takes a beating in this match, and B. Brian Blair pins him for the win. (SQUASH)

BACKSTAGE: Resnick with Heenan. He pushes Mr. Wonderfulmania. It doesn’t quite have the same ring to it as Hulkamania, but I see what Heenan is doing. Orndorff enters and once again states he’s gonna win the title.

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BLAKE’S TAKE ON WWF WRESTLING CHALLENGE 9/20/86

Overall Rating: 6.0/10

Thoughts: Another solid episode, which includes several interesting tidbits with Andre wrestling under a mask, Mick Foley making an appearance, and more. The main storyline theme was Orndorff chasing Hogan for the title, and Orndorff and Heenan were great in their respective roles.

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For more of my show reviews, visit the Pro Wrestling Reviews section!

With WCW only a few weeks away from WrestleWar, it seemed to have things figured out in terms of giving fans a mega main event feud heading into this Clash of the Champions X review.

However, as was seemingly always the case with this company, things did not go according to plan.

Let’s jump in.

Date: February 6, 1990

Location: Memorial Coliseum in Corpus Christi, TX

ON THE STAGE: Jim Ross and Jim Cornette welcome us with Cornette using his racket as a gun to really promote the Texas Shootout theme. JR also tells us that we can call the hotline to talk to Sting. Great to hear.

RINGSIDE: Terry Funk essentially tells everyone to take out their guns and aim them at their TV sets. If only we had in-home cams at this point, as I’m willing to bet that hundreds of people actually did this.

BACKSTAGE: Gordon Solie with the Road Warriors and Paul Ellering. They run down the Skyscrapers.

ON THE STAGE: JR reminds that Sting is on the hotline. CALL STING, DAMNIT.

VIDEO: Back from commercial where we get what can only be described as one of the greatest video packages in history, as Dr. Death Steve Williams jumps out of an ambulance, grabs a man who is clearly having issues, and puts him back in the ambulance before performing CPR. He then yells at the driver to get this man to the hospital. An Oscar-worthy performance here.

Samoan Savage (w/Big Kahuna) vs. Dr. Death Steve Williams

Williams hammers Savage from behind to send him reeling. Back inside and football tackles everyone from Williams. But Savage reverses eventually with a huge clothesline before sending him outside. Kahuna gets a choke in while the ref’s back is turned. Woman makes her way to ringside and sits in a chair while Savage keeps beating up on Williams. Cornette makes a border patrol joke about the number of Spanish fans in attendance, and something tells me that wouldn’t go over well in 2019. Williams fights back but Savage gets the power slam for a near fall.

Sunset flip attempt from Williams but it gets block. Williams doesn’t care as he hits a clothesline before missing an elbow. Savage covers for another two count before going back to the chin lock. More attacks from Savage which sends Williams back outside. Kahuna gets another shot in and Savage gets things back in the ring. Savage goes up top but misses the splash. Williams picks him up for the press slam and then hits a dropkick. Savage goes for a move, but Williams counters into a backslide for the pin at 7:55. This wasn’t terrible and actually a little better than expected.

• Rating: **

VIDEO: We get an absolutely incredible WrestleWar promo video, and by incredible, I mean as cheesy as it gets. It’s clear that the company was going after the WWF style here, but the execution was less than stellar. This is basically a rap video that has to be seen to be believed.

IN THE RING: Terry Funk welcomes The Four Horsemen, which of course was Ric Flair, Sting, Arn Anderson, and Ole Anderson. Flair says they’re gonna make a statement. Ole tells Sting to pay attention. Ole then proceeds to tell Sting that he’s no longer in the Horsemen because of the fact that he decided to sign the upcoming title match with Flair. Ole says that Sting can stay in the group if he cancels the match with Flair. Ole gives him two hours to make up his mind, and Sting gets pissed as he grabs Ole’s jacket. That sets off Flair, who nails Sting before Ole and Arn join the attack. Flair says he tried to warn Sting and then kicks him again. Great stuff here to send the Horsemen back to be full-on assholes while Sting becomes their enemy.

The Mod Squad vs. Brian Pillman and The Z-Man

Quick pin attempt from Pillman as JR and Cornette argue about Sting. Arm drag from Pillman and here comes the Z-Man. Another arm drag and then a leap frog from Z-Man. Double team move from the good guys and then Spike makes the save on the pin attempt. Spike and Basher go for a double team move of their own, but Pillman catapults from the apron to deliver a double clothesline as Z-Man ducks out of the way. Double dropkicks clear the ring and then we get the JUMPING HIGH FIVES from Pillman and Z-Man.

Pillman in control until Spike hits a face buster. Then we get a top rope move from Basher which leads to a near fall. Shenanigans with the ref’s back turned as JR absolutely loses his fucking mind about this Sting thing. Basher with a headlock on Pillman and then Spike tags in to go right back to the headlock. Pillman finally gets a leapfrog and flying elbow but can’t manage to make the tag. Crucifix pin from Pillman for a two. Spike goes up for the flying elbow but misses, and that allows Pillman to make the hot tag to Z-Man. He runs wild before hitting the flying cross body for the pin at 9:53. Not sure this match needed 10 minutes.

• Rating: *1/2

Cactus Jack Manson vs. Mil Mascaras

Holy shit where did this match come from? Gary Michael Cappetta botches Foley’s name and calls him Captain Jack, so we’re off to a great start. It’s strange to see Foley without a shirt, but Mascaras doesn’t care as he goes into the bow and arrow. Head scissors takeover from Mascaras and then we get a flying headbutt and dropkick to send Cactus outside. Cactus proceeds to go after Cappetta, but then backs into a chair and falls flat on his ass. The theme here is that Cactus is an idiot. If you don’t believe that, here’s what JR had to say: “Cactus is an idiot.” There you go.

Cactus backs Mascaras into the corner, but he’s gotta know that Mascaras isn’t selling for anyone. Boston crab from Mascaras but Cactus gets to the ropes. Cactus gets a few shots and throws Mascaras out onto the floor. Eventually Cactus goes on to the apron but Mascaras sneaks around and dropkicks Cactus to send him off the apron before landing back-first onto the hard concrete floor. JR and Cornette go crazy about Cactus hitting his head. Cactus gets back in and Mascaras comes off the top with the cross body to get the victory at 5:00. Foley’s character work was great here, but man the fall off the apron was rough to watch.

• Rating: *

VIDEO: Missy Hyatt promos something while wearing a revealing dress. Go figure.

RINGSIDE: Cactus Jack is going after the band. Cactus then hammers one of the drummers, and the drummer starts brawling with him.

BACKSTAGE: Solid with Norman the Lunatic. Norman is confused by the falls count anywhere match stipulation until he realizes he can pin Kevin Sullivan at the hot dog stand.

VIDEO: We see Norman at the zoo as he says one of the pigs looks like Sullivan. Hope the producer of that segment was paid extra for that masterpiece.

Kevin Sullivan vs. Norman the Lunatic – Falls Count Anywhere Match

Cornette calls Norman a child molester before the match, and I’m pretty sure Cornette would’ve gotten fired approximately 879 times already for his commentary work on this show. Sullivan attacks from behind to start things off and sends him outside. Norman reverses and sends Sullivan into the ring post before taking things back in the ring. Sullivan goes for a sunset flip but Norman squashes him with his thighs of steel. Norman goes for a big splash in the corner but Sullivan gets the boot up.

Sullivan goes up top but Norman grabs him and slams him. Now Norman up top for a splash but he misses. Back outside and Sullivan body slams him and gets a two count. Sullivan goes for a back suppler and manages to lift Norman about a half inch off the ground before getting another near fall. Sullivan starts choking Norman with his shirt and keeps destroying him for several minutes before Norman finds some offense.

Norman starts choking Sullivan with the shirt and then they start going back up aisle. Norman sends Sullivan off the rail and gets a two count. Sullivan hits a big back drop for a near fall, and they go through the curtain where Sullivan winds up in the women’s restroom. Norman goes in after him as the door locks shut, but Solie enters the picture and HOLDS THE MIC ON THE DOOR. That’s a true journalist right there. Sullivan comes stumbling out and Norman isn’t far behind with a toilet seat in hand, with the ref declaring Norman the winner at 7:26. To put it simply, this was a bad match.

• Rating: DUD

IN THE RING: Funk apologizes for the actions against Sting and then starts calling fans morons for seemingly no reason at all. That escalated quickly. He then welcomes Lex Luger, who complains about Sting being the No. 1 contender. Luger keeps yapping as the fans chant for Sting. Luger also hypes up his list of “alocades” which may in fact be the same thing as accolades. Luger keeps hyping himself until Funk basically tells him to shut up because he’s gotta send it to commercial.

The New Skyscrapers (w/Teddy Long) vs. The Road Warriors (w/Paul Ellering)

Another WWF legend enters the scene here with Mean Mark Callous (you may know him as The Undertaker) forming the New Skyscrapers with Dan Spivey. Hawk goes for a quick offensive move but Spivey attempts to throw him outside, but Hawk hits a vicious clothesline. Shoulder block from Hawk sends Spivey reeling. Here comes Callous as he and Animal go back and forth before Callous misses a big cross body.

Spivey gets the tag and Hawk goes after him in the corner but goes shoulder-first into the post. That sends things outside where Spivey spears Hawk’s shoulder into the post again. Spivey keeps working on the shoulder before making the tag. Callous in and it’s OLD SCHOOL time as he walks the ropes and comes down on Hawks shoulder. More shoulder work and he goes for the old school move again but Hawk reverses and makes the hot tag to Animal. Powerslam on Spivey for a two count and Callous back in to try a double-team move, but Animal reverses and hits a double clothesline.

Another double clothesline sends Callous outside as Hawk and Animal hit the finisher on Spivey. But Teddy gives Callous a chair, and he comes off the top and nails Animal with it as the ref is distracted with Hawk for some reason. Ellering up on the apron and he clocks Teddy. Now everyone is brawling and Spivey attempts a pile driver on the chair, but he literally misses the chair by about 478 feet. Spivey beats the hell out of Hawk with the chair to the point that the chair is completely dented. Fans are throwing trash everywhere as Spivey and Callous walk to the back, so I guess we can call this is a DQ at 7:26. Typical hoss match that was there to further heat between the two.

• Rating: *1/2

Doom (w/Woman) vs. (c) The Steiner Brothers – NWA Tag Team Titles

The stipulation here is that Doom must unmask if they lose, which is pretty comical since you can legitimately see most of their faces already. Powerslam from Scott on Simmons and then a belly-to-back suplex for good measure. Reed in now as Cornette says it takes Rick an hour and a half to watch 60 Minutes. Scott sends Reed to the floor before tossing him back in. Scott goes after the  mask and then Rick comes in barking. Reed goes to work on Rick but Rick reverses and tries to get the mask. Then Rick hits an impressive belly-to-belly suplex before Scott gets back in the mix.

Simmons in control after a sneaky double team move. Scott tries to scurry over for a tag but Simmons doesn’t allow it. Scott gets thrown outside as Reed drops him on the steel rail. Simmons hits the spinebuster on Scott for two as we get another double team. Scott goes for a quick pin attempt but that leads to a brutal piledriver from Reed. Yet another double team sends Scott outside the ring where Simmons gets in some offense. Back inside and Scott with a sunset flip for a two but he can’t quite make the tag.

Franksteiner from Scott nearly breaks his neck and that leads to the hot tag to Rick. He goes wild and eventually unmasks Reed, who then gets rolled up by Rick for the pin at 13:04. After the match, Cappetta announces that Simmons must unmask or he’ll be suspended. So he does and no one seems to care since, again, you could see almost his entire face already anyways. The crowd was hot during the match, so that gives it a little bit of a bump.

• Rating: **1/4

ON THE STAGE: JR and Cornette recap the Sting situation.

BACKSTAGE: Solie with the Horsemen. Ole says he explained things clearly and that Sting better make a decision quick. Flair talks about how great he is.

Buzz Sawyer, The Great Muta, and The Dragonmaster vs. Ric Flair, Arn Anderson, and Ole Anderson – Steel Cage Match

This is the most budget cage ever, and Arn and Buzz go at it right off the bat. Sawyer goes flying head-first into the cage, and that’s not smart. Then he throw Arn into the cage as Flair comes in to chop Sawyer, who complete no sells them and starts going at Arn again. Sawyer then goes flying into the cage again as Arn moves out of the way. Flair in and he and Sawyer are throwing haymakers at each other. Dragonmaster in and Flair chops him. Ole in and Dragonmaster starts chopping.

Double team from Arn and Ole, but Dragonmaster sells nothing and just walks over and tags Muta. The fans go nuts as Muta hits the springboard and HERE COMES STING. He climbs the cage and tries to go after Flair as Pillman and Z-Man are here to try to break things up. As Sting goes to hit Flair with a hard punch, he accidentally carries through and hammers Pillman right in the head. Pillman isn’t happy at all as he holds his nose. Meanwhile, in the ring Ole does a hard move on Sawyer, who sells absolutely nothing again.

Lots of guys holding Sting back but he runs after the cage again. Sawyer up on the top of the cage, but he misses a splash. Arn hits a spine buster on Dragonmaster and there’s chaos everywhere. Arn with a DDT and he pins Dragonmaster at 6:10. The match was all about Sting, and during the melee, he started noticeably limping. Well, that’s because he tore something in his knee coming off the cage and had to undergo surgery, which obviously sidelined him for months while changing the main event at WrestleWar.

• Rating: *1/2

SHOW SUMMARY

Seeing a few future WWE legends here during the early stages of their career is great and all, but this show was awful. The matches weren’t very entertaining, and the hot Flair/Sting feud went nowhere due to the knee injury.

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In this WWF Raw 2/3/97 review, Shawn Michaels and Bret Hart make it clear that they don’t like each other, two titles are on the line, and much more.

Let’s jump in!

• Show: Monday Night Raw
• Date: February 3, 1997
• Location: SkyDome in Toronto, Ontario
• Raw Rating: 2.6
• Nitro Rating: 3.1

VIDEO: Replay of the controversial finish to the Royal Rumble match.

Vader vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin

Bret Hart hits the ring before the match starts, and we’ve got a BROUHAHA with Bret going after both men. Austin in Bret brawl in the aisle as officials pull all three apart. Yet again, this is awesome booking to push Bret’s hatred towards Austin. The match finally starts, and Austin and Vader are going at it.

Vader tries to go to the top rope for the Vader Bomb, but the referee tries to stop him. Vader slaps him, which allows Austin to hit a low blow. Ref bump after that leads to commercial. More back and forth, and then Austin gets pissed and hits the Stunner on the referee. Hilarious. Austin and Vader brawl on the outside with officials once again getting involved and the bell rings, with Vince noting that Austin loses via DQ.

I loved the DGAF attitudes of both Austin and Vader towards the referee. I’m not sure it was the intent, but Austin just stunning the referee outta nowhere made me laugh.

VIDEO: Hype for Thursday Raw Thursday which, I assume, is on a Thursday.

RINGSIDE: Jim Ross questions Savio Vega turning on Ahmed Johnson and joining the Nation. Vega doesn’t give a shit about the fans.

Flash Funk vs. Savio Vega

Dok Hendrix is on commentary for this one. Vince plays up Farooq and Crush not being ringside with Vega, but other Nation members are. Funk takes control and hits his impressive splash off the top for a near fall. Funk then goes up top again and flies off onto the future D’Lo Brown and others. However, that allows Vega to regroup, and he moves out of the way of Funk’s third flying attempt and covers him for the win. After the match, Farooq and Crush greet Vega in the aisle. This was all about the Vega push.

IN THE RING: JR with Sycho Sid. Once again, I love Sid’s music playing in the background. JR wants to know what Sid thinks of Shawn Michaels. Sid talks about his roller-coaster relationship with Michaels and basically says he’ll kick Michaels’ ass.

BACKSTAGE: Owen Hart and British Bulldog in the locker room. Vince, being the instigator he is, shows replay footage of Owen throwing Bulldog out in the Rumble match. Owen downplays it, then Vince shows more footage which gets Bulldog going. That leads to arguing between the two. Vince Springer strikes again!

Doug Furnas and Phil LaFon vs. (c) Owen Hart and British Bulldog – Tag Team Titles

The previous match between these teams was very good, so this should be entertaining. LaFon goes for a takedown early and Vince sells it like Hulk Hogan’s leg drop. You’ve gotta love Vince’s theatrics on commentary. Vince also reveals that Furnas is dealing with the flu, and JR points out his toughness. Furnas makes his way in and goes at it with Bulldog, then Owen and Bulldog use some teamwork to work over Furnas for a while.

Furnas goes for a quick pin on Owen, but the referee is distracted with Bulldog. Owen tries to tag Bulldog, but he’s too busy flexing to some fans. Furnas nearly gets the roll-up for the pin, but when Owen kicks out, it sends Furnas into Bulldog and knocks him off the apron.

The tension builds between Owen and Bulldog as Furnas finally tags LaFon. He runs wild with some nice offense and the referee counts to three on a pin attempt on Owen. But he quickly realizes Owen had his foot on the ropes, so the match continues. Double team move from Owen and Bulldog goes sideways, and Owen is selling a knee injury on the outside. The referee counts him out to give Furnas and LaFon the win.

Owens sprints down the aisle after the match and tries to calm Bulldog. Owen jumps up and down after Bulldog goes through the curtain. Great stuff from Owen.

BACKSTAGE: Ahmed has a message for the Nation, which includes him saying he’s not on his Prozac anymore. That’s interesting. Ahmed watches Crush make his entrance, then The Undertaker comes out of nowhere and grabs him by the throat. They go face to face.

Crush (w/Clarence Mason) vs. Goldust (w/Marlena)

It’s always funny hearing Vince or JR hyping upcoming live shows and seeing the “phone number no longer active” sign slapped on the screen. The crowd isn’t exactly into this one, but Hunter Hearst Helmsley walking down the aisle gets a rise from them. That allows Crush to get the advantage on Goldust for a long stretch.

The action picks up with a few near falls, then the referee gets distracted and doesn’t see Savio Vega hit Goldust with a spinning heel kick. Crush then hits the heart punch to Goldust to score the victory.

VIDEO: The Blackjacks are coming to destroy some fools.

IN THE RING: Vince welcomes Shawn Michaels. The fans are booing Michaels, and since it’s Bret Hart country, it’s understandable. Michaels says the belt has brought out the worst in him, and he’s fine with being bad. He only cares about being No. 1. Michaels takes a shot at Bret and here he comes. Bret thinks Michaels is more like Dennis Rodman than Muhammad Ali. He just doesn’t like Michaels. Bret also pushes Michaels as a degenerate, which we know would eventually stick.

Bret calls him a punk, and Austin hits the ring and attacks Bret. Sid makes his way down and he has a staredown with Michaels. Back from break, and Michaels and Bret have their own staredown with Bret stepping on the belt as Michaels tries to take it. They tease a brawl as Bret throws the belt down and flips off Michaels. Another tremendous segment in how it built the tension between these two.

VIDEO: JR throws it to highlights of Tinger Ali Singh signing his WWF contract before the show, and we see younger versions of Shane McMahon and Bruce Prichard in the background.

Marc Mero vs. Hunter Hearst Helmsley – Intercontinental Title

JR reveals Gorilla Monsoon has banned the managers from ringside for this match. Reminder that LA FEMME NIKITA is up next! A back and forth affair and Mero build some momentum as Vince seemingly takes a shot at WCW pushing someone possibly showing up, whereas Taker, Mankind, and more will actually show up on this show. I’ll have to research that reference.

Mero hits a hurricanrana off the top, but Helmsley kicks out at two and a half. Merosault off the top for another near fall. The referee gets distracted by putting the corner pad back, which allows Helmsley to use a secret object to hit Mero and notch the pin to retain the title.

Farooq and Mankind vs. Ahmed Johnson and The Undertaker – No Holds Barred Match

Two interesting teams here. All action from the start, with Farooq and Ahmed splitting off in the ring, and Mankind and Taker fighting in the aisle. Vince keeps pushing NO BAIT AND SWITCH on this edition of Raw, so once again, that’s clearly a shot at something on Nitro. JR points out there’s been no teamwork, and Vince basically says he doesn’t give a damn because it’s all about action.

Crush makes his way down before the break, and Mankind locks in the Mandible Claw on Taker when we come back. Ahmed hits the Pearl River Plunge on Mankind, then Faarooq hits the Domination on Ahmed. Chaos everywhere with Ahmed going after Crush, and he eventually runs Farooq off with the 2×4.

Meanwhile, Vader comes in and attacks Taker, but then accidentally hits Mankind in the head with a chair. Vader hits Taker with a chair, but it doesn’t faze him. Taker then hits the Tombstone on Mankind on the chair for the win. This was wild and entertaining.

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BLAKE’S TAKE ON MONDAY NIGHT RAW 2/3/97

Overall Rating: 7.5/10

Thoughts: I laugh about Vince’s over-the-top commentary about the amount of action on this show, but he’s right. The angles involving the top stars like Bret, Michaels, and Austin were fantastic, as was the tension between Owen and Bulldog. The company was in a groove with its storyline execution at this point. Lots of fun stuff on this card.

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For more of my show reviews, visit the Pro Wrestling Reviews section!

In this Starrcade 1987 review, Ric Flair challenges Ronnie Garvin for the NWA World title in a Steel Cage Match.

Apparently Vince McMahon wanted to squash the NWA on Thanksgiving night in 1987, as he ran Survivor Series head-to-head with this event. He even threatened cable companies not to run Starrcade, or else they’d be left out of the WrestleMania IV viewing party. Classic, Vinnie Mac.

Which show won the battle? Let’s find out.

• Date: November 26, 1987
• Location: Chicago, IL

ANNOUNCE BOOTH: Tony Schiavone is sporting a beautiful mustache and Jim Ross is sitting beside him trying not to laugh.

Sting, Gorgeous Jimmy Garvin, Michael PS Hayes vs. Eddie Gilbert, Rick Steiner, Larry Zbyszko

The lighting is absolutely atrocious. But that’s no shocker given the time period and company. Sting sends this crowd into a frenzy almost immediately by flying over the top and nailing Steiner on the floor. That was awesome. And even a blind man could tell you Sting was a star here.

This is essentially a showcase for Sting to do his thing. It’s a lock of back and forth, and the ring announcer continues to remind us that the 15-minute time limit is getting closer and closer to expiring.

The crowd erupts as Hayes goes for the pin on Zbyszko late, but we get the classic foot on the ropes. The countdown continues and after a couple of near falls, we get Hayes pinning Gilbert at the buzzer but the ref for some reason doesn’t count the three.

Wait that’s right. Because the match has to be a draw at 15:00. This wasn’t great.

BACKSTAGE: Missy Hyatt speaks and no one listens. But hey she was hot.

Barry Windham vs. (c) Steve Williams – UWF Title

Reminder that this was when they were doing the UWF crossover stuff. The UWF was not in great shape at this time. Jim Ross was hyping up the Oklahoma football team even back in 1987. Some things never change.

Schiavone says this could be one of the greatest scientific matches of all time. I’m going to put that theory to the test at the end of this match.

Well it’s not looking good early, Tony. Especially when Williams goes to jump over Windham and instead gets headbutted directly in the testicles before falling to the mat in pain. Williams legitimately gets up and holds his balls for about a minute and the crowd is in full-on hate mode at this point. Williams is clearly injured.

A few minutes later Williams gets the pin at 6:50 in one of the worst matches I’ve ever seen. Schiavone was just a little bit off on his earlier prediction. Just a little. They even turn the lights off after the match and nonchalantly announce Williams as the winner. Brutal.

Midnight Express vs. Rock N Roll Express – Skywalkers Match

This is of course a scaffold match. Big Bubba Rogers (Big Bossman later) is in here beating the hell out of Ricky Morton in the ring. Meanwhile the Midnight Express destroy Gibson until Morton makes it up with tennis racket in hand.

Can we all agree that a scaffold match is one of the dumbest concepts in wrestling history? I get the suspense but it’s just stupid. Gibson and Eaton are busted wide open but unfortunately JR doesn’t yell about crimson masks.

Lane is the first to fall and then Morton and Gibson beat up Eaton with the tennis racket to send him down as well. Rock N Roll with the win at 10:23.

Big Bubba goes up on the scaffold after the match and Morton escapes as always to leave him up there looking like a buffoon. Didn’t hate the match. But didn’t think it was all that great.

BACKSTAGE: Freebirds interview. Garvin at one point says “it’s not my fault.” GARVIN WAS FORESHADOWING THE GENE SNITSKY DEBUT NEARLY 20 YEARS BEFOREHAND. Incredible. Williams then gets interview time and says he’ll go 210% to keep his UWF title. Well unless he gets headbutted in the scrotum.

(c)Terry Taylor vs. (c) Nikita Koloff – Unification Match for NWA TV Title

Champion vs. champion match here. Taylor had the UWF TV title while Koloff had the NWA one.

So let’s just say this: the match has some slow spots, but overall, it is simply outstanding. Koloff was always one of my favorites due to his general badassness, and it was no different in this match. An incredible back and forth match that has the hot payoff of Koloff unifying the belts.

Well done on all fronts. Crowd ate it up with a spoon.

The Road Warriors (w/Paul Ellering) vs. (c) The Brain Busters (w/JJ Dillon) – NWA Tag Team Titles

Road Warriors vs. Brain Busters in 1987? SIGN ME UP. The match starts with the level of heat that you’d expect from a hometown match for Hawk and Animal.

At one point Animal goes full shoulder press mode and starts pressing Arn above his head. That was a neat visual. Kids, this was also back in the day when there was no padding outside the ring. So when these dudes hit the floor, they really hit the floor. Even the referee takes a floor bump. Straight up mayhem.

After ther ref bump, the Road Warriors hit the Doomsday Device and win the titles at 13:27 as the crowd LOSES THEIR MINDS.

But wait. Tommy Young (the original referee) overturns the Earl Hebner (who came in when Young was out on the floor) decision and DQ’s the Warriors for throwing their opponent over the top rope. DUSTY FINISH AT ITS FINEST. Crowd goes apeshit.

Good match, but as always, the Dusty finish leaves a lot to be desired.

BACKSTAGE: Nikita Koloff basically says that he’s a badass. “To be the only TV champion, make my heart feel good.” So true. JJ Dillon then gets interview time, and he hypes up his belief in Ric Flair and Lex Luger and also discusses his hatred for Dusty Rhodes.

Dusty Rhodes vs. (c) Lex Luger (w/JJ Dillon) – Steel Cage Match for U.S. Heavyweight Title

If Dusty loses, he gets a 90-day vacation and can’t wrestle anywhere in the world. Sounds like a decent deal to me.

Lots of rest hold work early on. AND THEN BUSINESS PICKS UP BECAUSE DUSTY RHODES IS BUSTED WIDE OPEN. Who saw that coming? Luger eventually goes for the Torture Rack but Dusty uses the cage to get out of it. The crowd picks it up a notch and Dusty tries to escape the armbar but it doesn’t work. This is seriously the longest armbar spot in wrestling history.

We get the inevitable Dusty comeback and he tries to take control. Meanwhile on the outside, Dillon knocks out the key keeper Johnny Weaver and throws a chair into the ring. Chase for the chair! Dusty hits a DDT on Luger on the chair and we have a new champion at 16:28.

JR hypes this up as though Dusty just achieved world peace. This match was painfully slow and not very good.

Ric Flair vs. (c) Ron Garvin – Steel Cage Match for World Heavyweight Title

My goodness was Flair so ridiculously good. Garvin chops the holy hell out of Flair early in the match, and the entire arena is chanting “Garvin sucks.” He’s your babyface. Go figure. How could anyone with a brain possibly cheer against Flair?

He locks on the Figure Four and you’d think it was Hulk Hogan locking it on Sgt. Slaughter at WrestleMania VII. The people love Flair and hate Garvin. Chicago rules.

Flair goes into the cage multiple times and now he’s bleeding like a stuck pig after Garvin rakes his head all over the steel. The crowd goes mild as Garvin locks on a Figure Four of his own.

They eventually brawl on the top rope and Flair racks himself. We then get a couple of quick near falls and the crowd is anxious. Quick ref bump on Tommy Young and Flair sends Garvin head first into the cage and scores the pinfall to win the title for the fifth time at 17:38. Decent match with the right and inevitable winner.

SHOW SUMMARY

Some fine matches on this PPV, but also some horrendous ones. Taylor vs. Koloff was surprisingly the best thing on show, with the tag title and heavyweight title matches not too far behind.

The overall winner on Thanksgiving in 1987? The WWF. Survivor Series was a better show from top to bottom.

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For more of my show reviews, visit the Reviews section!

In this Saturday Night’s Main Event 1/7/89 review, Hulk Hogan goes one-on-one with Akeem as the tension builds with The Mega Powers.

Let’s jump in.

• Show: Saturday Night’s Main Event
• Date: January 7, 1989
  
• Location: USF Sun Dome in Tampa, FL

Ron Bass vs. Brutus Beefcake – Hair vs. Hair Match

Well this should be special. It feels like this feud has been going on for centuries at this point. Bass jumps on Beefcake immediately and chokes him with Betsy the lasso. Beefcake steals it away and Bass retreats. He keeps trying to get back in the ring but Beefcake keeps pummeling him before he can make it back.

Lots of punches from Beefcake but Bass lands the atomic drop to take over. Bass in full control and Beefcake’s hair could be in control. Just kidding. Bass continues the destruction in the corner and then hits a piledriver. But like any good moron he stops he the ref’s count and keeps working on Beefcake. He stops the pin yet again and I’m not sure if Bass has ever seen a wrestling match, but this strategy will not end well.

So he finally goes for an actual pin and Beefcake kicks out at two. Then Beefcake ducks the clothesline and locks on the sleeper to win it at 7:40. Bass gets the choppy choppy of his hair after the commercial break.

BACKSTAGE: Gene Okerlund with Boss Man and Akeem. Slick hypes his two awesome dudes while Okerlund rambles. Then we get the Hulk Hogan interview. Okerlund says he’s outmanned and here comes Randy Savage.

Akeem (w/Slick and Big Boss Man) vs. Hulk Hogan (w/Elizabeth)

We get the cut-in backstage during Hogan’s entrance, with Savage and Okerlund watching on a TV. Savage seems to be a little concerned when Hogan holds the ropes for Elizabeth. I SMELL JEALOUSLY. Hogan makes Akeem look like an idiot early and then decides to make Boss Man and Slick look like idiots as well.

Back in the ring, Hogan tries to go for the slam but Akeem turns the tide. Now we’ve got Hogan back on top and he knocks Boss Man off the apron. Akeem takes hold of the arm but Hogan comes back and knocks Akeem down with the elbow to the dome. And then Boss Man looks stupid again after Hogan throws Akeem into him on the apron.

Hogan throws Akeem to the corner and Akeem pulls the ref in front of him. REF BUMP. Naturally Akeem and Boss Man go to work. Then we get another backstage cut-in with Okerlund essentially asking Savage if he’s gonna help him. Savage says he’ll be fine. SAVAGE MOVE. Noe Liz goes running around backstage trying to find Savage. Hogan is down and out in the ring.

Another cut-in of Savage and Liz yells at him to come out and help. Okerlund’s acting here is must-see because of how truly awful it is. This is also where Jesse starts leaning Savage’s direction, saying if he came in he could get Hogan DQ’d. Hogan starts hulking up and making his comeback, with Savage happy backstage and saying he told everyone he’d make the comeback. Big boot time and then he slams Akeem. Boss Man trips Hogan before he can get the leg drop for the DQ at 8:06.

Elizabeth is in here watching Hogan getting beat with the nightstick. Then they go after Elizabeth and here comes Savage with a chair. After all this, Savage gets more jealous that Elizabeth is all over Hogan trying to help him. Jesse smells a rift. JESSE IS NEVER WRONG.

Beautiful storytelling. He wouldn’t come down for Hogan, but he would for Elizabeth. The match was nothing, but the storyline advancement was outstanding.

Honky Tonk Man (w/Jimmy Hart) vs. (c) The Ultimate Warrior – IC Title

Brawling on the outside early, which results in Warrior pressing Honky and throwing him in the ring. Back and forth and then Jimmy throws Honky the megaphone while the ref’s back is turned. Honky hammers Warrior with it several times.

Even more shenanigans with Jimmy choking Warrior while Honky distracts the ref. Warrior back in control and he bounces Honky’s head off the turnbuckle about 95 times. Then it’s clothesline and running splash time, but Honky gets the knees up. But the flying tackle scores the win for Warrior at 5:07. This was what it was.

BACKSTAGE: Slick is ecstatic that the Twin Towers destroyed Hogan. He also plants more seeds about how close the Mega Powers actually are.

MORE BACKSTAGE: Jesse interviews Bobby Heenan and Red Rooster. They make fun of Rooster for a few minutes.

Red Rooster (w/Bobby Heenan) vs. Tito Santana

Heenan is mic’d for the match. He pretty much gives Rooster hell from the very beginning. Then Heenan goes over and yells back and forth with George Steinbrenner. Rooster and Tito are working hard but the big focus is Heenan yelling at Rooster.

After several minutes, we get the shoving match on the outside between Heenan and Rooster. This continues on for a while until Tito gets the roll-up on Rooster for the victory at 7:27.

After the match, Heenan slaps Rooster and then Rooster clocks him in the corner several times before throwing him off the turnbuckle.

BACKSTAGE: Mr. Perfect talks about the birth of the PERFECT PLEX. It’s here.

Mr. Perfect vs. Koko B. Ware

Koko tries to make the fans think he has a chance. He doesn’t. He does get a lot of momentum early, and Jesse even points out that he’s out-wrestling Perfect. That won’t last long.

But Koko destroys himself in the corner and then Perfect Plex happens to give Perfect the squash win at 3:10. Perfect was out there SQUASHING JOBBERS.

BACKSTAGE: The Mega Powers seem to be just fine. Hogan has no problem with Savage’s delay in helping him. They breathe the same air, drink the same water, and sleep the same sleep. That’s what Hogan says. Then Savage says his body hurt when Hogan was getting attacked. Hogan then says he felt like he was getting choked when Elizabeth was getting choked by Boss Man. SUPER HANDSHAKE TIME. Everyone seems happy and weird at the same time. I’m sure this will work out well for them.

OVERALL

The Mega Powers tension was good stuff. They had good foils in Boss Man and Akeem, and obviously we all know where this is headed. Enjoyable show here, and you also have the debut of the Perfect Plex. Fine all the way around.

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With Ric Flair and Terry Funk in the main event in this Clash of the Champions IX review, you know you’re gonna get something special.

The company was on the road to Starrcade, and there were plenty of twists and turns along the way in terms of both the tag team and main event feuds.

Let’s get to Blake’s Clash of the Champions IX Review.

• Date: November 15, 1989
• Location: RPI Fieldhouse in Troy, NY

VIDEO: Terry Funk and Ric Flair hype their title match.

RINGSIDE: Jim Ross and Gordon Solie talk about the card and discuss the “I Quit” stipulation in the Flair/Funk match.

The Fabulous Freebirds vs. The Road Warriors (w/Paul Ellering)

Unlike at Halloween Havoc, the crowd is not having the Freebirds’ shit as they chant “Freebirds suck” at the top of their lungs. Hawk and Animal in control early until Animal misses in the corner and allows the Freebirds to start the double team strategy.

More double teaming from the bad guys until Hawk realizes that this match is actually quite boring, so he decides to pick up Tommy Young and slings him into the corner for the instant DQ at 5:18. This was a nothing match.

• Rating: 1/2*

RINGSIDE: Ross with Terry Funk and Gary Hart. Funk says he and Flair both love wrestling, and Hart tells Funk not to embarrass Texas. Funk responds by saying he doesn’t need anyone’s help because he’s the fucking best.

ON THE RAMP: Ross with Bill Apter, who says the fans voted Sting as the most popular wrestler in the world. Sting comes out in a sweet leather jacket and gets a big trophy. Sting yells and thanks the fans. Apter then gives another award for wrestler of the decade, and it’s Flair. He gets a trophy as well. They walk off with their trophies.

VIDEO: Woman says she has a large surprise for Rick Steiner.

Tommy Rich and Eddie Gilbert vs. Doom (w/Woman)

Ross with the not safe for work comment about Butch Reed and Ron Simmons being thick and big everywhere. You learn something new every day. Gilbert with some quick offense before tagging in Rich, who is clearly still recovering from his Halloween Havoc classic against the Cuban Assassin.

Good guys in control until a side slam takes Gilbert down. Big suplex and Doom takes control. Near fall on Gilbert before Rich tags in and goes bananas. Eventually we get a brouhaha with all four men in the ring, and the referee gets distracted with Gilbert which allows a double team from Doom for the win at 5:15. Better than the opener, but that’s not saying much.

• Rating: *

ON THE RAMP: Jim Cornette with a special edition of the Louisville Slugger. His guests are the Steiners, and Cornette asks Scott about his special move. Rick interrupts and calls it the Frankensteiner. Rick says Sid looks like Herman Munster. Scott says he can suplex anyone before Cornette mentions Woman’s surprise. Scott says his mom said not to hit a lady, but that she isn’t a lady. Rick rambles and that’s that.

The Dynamic Dudes vs. The Midnight Express (w/Jim Cornette)

Johnny Ace riding a skateboard down the ramp is worth the price of admission alone. Back and forth holds to kick things off until Cornette complains to Nick Patrick that Stan Lane had Shane Douglas by the hair. This continues the theme of everyone wondering if Cornette would remain in a neutral corner.

Ace gets in some offense, and then Douglas hits an impressive cross body over the top on Eaton on the outside. Back inside and Eaton eventually gets Douglas up top for a superplex attempt but it’s countered into a near fall. Pretty good back and forth action before Lane hits a karate kick to the SOLAR PLEXUS of Ace. Crowd is loving the Midnight Express as Lane just keeps kicking ass.

Rocket launcher attempt but Ace counters and tags in Douglas. He cleans house and we’ve got another tag team brouhaha in the ring. Cornette hops in and tells Douglas to go after Eaton but IT’S A SWERVE, BRO! Cornette nails Douglas with the tennis racket and Eaton gets the pin at 9:22. Fun stuff.

• Rating: ***

The Super Destroyer vs. Dr. Death Steve Williams

Norman comes down the ramp dressed as Santa Claus as the match starts. Destroyer is running wild until Williams decides he’s had enough. Military press slam before sending Destroyer onto a table outside. Oklahoma Stampede and that will do it at 1:41. Norman gets in after the match and gives Williams a teddy bear before they hug.

• Rating: DUD

The Skyscrapers (w/Teddy Long) vs. The Steiner Brothers

Rick comes out of the crowd with a box of popcorn for some reason. Big suplex from Rick on Spivey to start the match and then he sends him over the top with a clothesline. Back inside and Spivey hits the tombstone piledriver which only gets a two court. Rick might not have a future in this business if he keeps no-selling The Undertaker’s finisher.

Scott eventually gets in the mix and he goes nuts while the crowd is eating this up with a 1989-sized spoon. Sid goes for a splash in the corner but Scott moves. That doesn’t last long as Sid delivers a, well, VICIOUS clothesline. More back and forth, with Scott making the tag to Rick. Powerslam to Spivey and now the Steiners are double teaming.

Here comes Doom to give us our third tag team brouhaha of the night, but Scott hits the Frankensteiner. Chaos ensues as Tommy Young calls for the bell to give the Steiners the DQ victory at 6:08. Woman hits Rick with her shoe, but before Rick can get his revenge, a big unknown behemoth enters the ring to save her. Skyscrapers and Doom go to to work on the Steiners but here come the Road Warriors. DOUBLE TAG TEAM BROUHAHA as the crowd loses their fucking minds. This was fun all the way around.

• Rating: **1/2

RINGSIDE: Ross with the Steiners and Road Warriors. He hypes up the Starrcade matchups. Scott and Animal yell uncontrollably. Hawk basically says they’re gonna ruin lives, and Ellering hypes all four men.

Brian Pillman vs. (c) Lex Luger – NWA United States Heavyweight Title

Heel Luger is a national treasure. Luger stalls on the outside after Pillman gets in some offense, and some fan in a blue shirt visibly gives him the middle finger as he gets back in. Luger goes back to the outside to regroup before eventually making his way back in. Pillman skins the cat and Luger retreats to the corner, with Pillman going up top for a huge dropkick for a near fall.

Pillman decides to go chopping and he’s kicking Luger’s ass. But Pillman wants more, as he removes the padding around the post and throws Luger’s arm into it. Now he’s throwing the arm off the steel railing. Now he’s chopping the shit out of Luger. Pillman is not playing around. Back inside with Lugers regaining control with a back body drop. Military press from Luger and he throws Pillman down while the majority of the crowd is cheering him uncontrollably. Pillman tries to get some offense in but Luger slings him to the outside.

Luger goes to work on the outside and then goes back in the ring, where a fan has decided to throw some trash. WHAT A TRASHY MOVE. Luger suplexes Pillman but only gets a two count. Pillman then gets the school boy for a two. Luger with the power slam but another school boy from Pillman for the near fall. Back and forth until Pillman hits the cross body off the top and manages to hit the ref in the process. Pillman naturally gets several pitfalls while Patrick is down for the count.

Luger then goes outside and hits Pillman with one of the loudest chair shots you will ever hear, and you won’t believe this, but the REF DIDN’T HEAR IT. He crawls over and Luger gets the pin at 12:38 to retain. Luger beats the shit out of Pillman with a chair after the match before locking on the Torture Rack.

STING IS HERE. Luger grabs the mic and says it’s about time Sting had the guts to confront him. Sting slaps him silly and the crowd wants these two to go at it. Naturally, Luger gets the hell outta there. Sting chases him down the aisle and pops him. Luger still isn’t having it and heads to the back. Good stuff here.

• Rating: ***1/2

VIDEO: Flair hypes the match with Funk.

Terry Funk (w/Gary Hart) vs. Ric Flair – I Quit Match

Flair is ready to go to CHOP TOWN as soon as the match starts. Funk goes reeling over the rail outside and takes his trademark swing and miss at a fan. You just can’t beat Terry Funk, folks. Back inside and more chops. Then the action moves outside where Funk hits a cameraman before Flair chops him. Flair goes for the choke in the ring and Funk gains control as Ross and Solie get the hell out of the way when the fight goes to the apron.

Back in the ring and Flair gives a ridiculous chop. That doesn’t stop Funk as he throws Flair outside and goes to work. Funk grabs the mic and the two exchange chops before Funk rolls back in and regains the advantage. Funk beats on Flair in the corner and puts the mic in his face. Flair will have none of that as he hits the atomic drop.

More back and forth as Flair hits three straight chops to send Funk outside the ring. These chops are just insane. Funk’s mannerisms are just pure gold. Flair tells Funk to quit but that’s not happening. Flair gets distracted by Hart and Funk is back on offense. Now Tommy Young is playing the role of interviewer as he shoves the mic in Funk’s face as he yells. Young now asking Flair if he quits. NO SIR.

Funk hits the piledriver and another no from Flair. The fans are seriously concerned about Flair, but Funk does not give a damn as he tosses Flair outside again. Funk then delivers the piledriver on the floor and the Flair dynasty is over according to Solie. Back in the ring as Funk continues to go to work while Ross reminds us that this is where Mike Tyson got his last two parking tickets. JR is a gem.

Funk positions the table outside as Flair starts mounting his comeback. Flair throws him into the table and Ross lets us know that Funk is on SPAGHETTI LEGS. Flair is pissed as he sends Funk flying into the table again. Folks, Flair isn’t playing around. He decides to hit the elbow to the head of Hart and Funk eventually stumbles his way back inside the ring.

Flair drops Funk’s little funkers on the steel rail and goes back to the chops. We then get Flair dropping the knee on Funk in the ring. Flair starts working on the leg as Funk hobbles around. Funk escapes outside and Flair tracks him down so he can go after the leg again.

Flair suplexes Funk back in the ring and goes for the Figure Four but it’s blocked. And then Flair manages to suplex Funk on the apron before chopping like a madman. Flair locks in the Figure Four as Funk refuses to quit for a while before having no choice to say it at 18:33 to give Flair the win. Funk and Flair shake hands afterward but Hart is angry and goes after Funk. Flair then beats the hell out of Hart as The Great Muta and The Dragonmaster hit the ring to beat down Flair.

That brings out Sting who cleans house with Flair. Luger makes his way out and hilariously struggles to get a chair away from a fan. He then nails Sting with the chair and there is chaos everywhere with the bad guys standing tall. Luger then takes it a step further by breaking Sting and Flair’s trophies. THAT BASTARD. Great match and the angle certainly made you want to see Starrcade.

• Rating: ****1/2

SHOW SUMMARY

There was a lot of really good stuff on this show, with the main event scene tremendous at this point. Flair/Funk and Luger/Pillman are both fun, and most of the tag team matches offer quality entertainment ahead of Starrcade.

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For more of my show reviews, visit the Pro Wrestling Reviews section!

In this Mid-South Wrestling 2/20/82 review, Dusty Rhodes makes his return to take on Ed Wiskowski, The Junkyard Dog and Mr. Olympia team up, and much more.

Let’s jump in.

• Show: Mid-South Wrestling
• Date: February 20, 1982

RINGSIDE: Boyd Pierce and Bill Watts run down the card and recap the recent storyline developments with Skandar Akbar and Ernie Ladd.

Bill Ash vs. Coco Samoa

Our first look at Coco here (at least in the ones we’ve reviewed going back to late 1981) as Watts details his recent venture to Mardi Gras. Coco’s look and style resemble Jimmy Snuka, and my research tells me there was a strong friendship between the two so that makes sense.

Watts also reveals Ash has not yet lost on Mid-South television. I think he’s been in several standby matches that didn’t have a finish. These two go back and forth for a bit, but it’s Coco hitting the splash off the top to score the win. (*)

BACKSTAGE: Reeser Bowden with Akbar. He taunts all the top babyfaces, including using “The American Nightmare” to describe Dusty Rhodes.

The Samoans (w/Skandor Akbar) vs. Brian Blair and Frank Monte

This is a non-title match, so Blair and Monte fans shouldn’t get too excited about their tag title hopes. The babyfaces did their best in this spot, but you know how this was gonna unfold. Eventually, it’s the Samoans using their savage nature to notch the victory. (SQUASH)

Larry Higgens vs. Ted DiBiase

Another non-title match here. Watts announces that DiBiase will defend the North American title against The Grappler next week. Higgens is a big dude, and DiBiase works his usual style by taking things to the mat. Then DiBiase locks on the Figure Four for the win. (SQUASH)

Bob Roop vs. Rick Ferrara

Ferrara gets in more offense than you would expect in this kind of match, with Roop playing the frustrated heel. But our friend Rick wasn’t gonna come out victorious, as it’s Roop who hits the shoulder breaker for the victory. (*)

The Grappler and Bob Sweetan vs. The Junkyard Dog and Mr. Olympia

This is the first we’ve seen of Sweetan since we started this review series, and well, to say that he had an interesting career would be an understatement. You can do the research on the one. Watts hypes the jealousy between Grappler and Olympia since they both wear masks, which is both ridiculous and awesome at the same time.

As always in these tag matches, the action breaks down, and Sweetan uses an illegal move to get the better of Olympia. But miscommunication from the heels leads to JYD hitting the slam on Sweetan to earn the win. (*1/2)

Ed Wiskowski vs. Dusty Rhodes

THE AMERICAN DREAM IS BACK. It’s his first appearance in a month since the six-man tag team match (REVIEW). The crowd loves Dusty, and his charisma keeps them hooked throughout the match. I’m gonna continue to refer to Wiskowski’s strikes as “clubbing” his opponent since that’s basically what he does.

Wiskowski decides to come off the top with a splash, and that wasn’t a great idea as Dusty gets the knees up. Then it’s Dusty hitting the elbow to pin Wiskowski for the victory. Short and sweet. (*1/2)

Paul Orndorff vs. Tony Torres

Once again, I love Orndorff’s run in this era. Regular readers know I’ve also been reviewing WWF Wrestling Challenge, and Orndorff’s ’86 work against Hulk Hogan is terrific stuff. Orndorff controls the match and puts on the Figure Four to mock DiBiase for the victory. (SQUASH)

RINGSIDE: Boyd and Watts reveal Dusty will be the guest commentator next week. That should be a treat.

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BLAKE’S TAKE ON MID-SOUTH WRESTLING 2/20/82

Overall Rating: 5.5/10

Thoughts: Not much from a storyline standpoint in this one as it was mostly about the matches. But the crowd enjoyed Dusty’s return, and there was at least an interview from Akbar to continue to push his agenda of destroying everyone. And there was also mask jealous between Grappler and Olympia!

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For more of my show reviews, visit the Pro Wrestling Reviews section!

In this WWF Wrestling Challenge 9/13/86 review, Ricky Steamboat takes on Roger Kirby, everyone is coming for The British Bulldogs, and much more.

Let’s jump in.

• Show: WWF Wrestling Challenge
• Date: September 13, 1986

RINGSIDE: Gorilla Monsoon, Ernie Ladd, and Johnny V are back once again.

Jimmy Jack and Hoss Funk (w/Jimmy Hart) vs. The Junkyard Dog and George “The Animal” Steele (w/Captain Lou Albano)

What an interesting team JYD and Steele are. JYD starts bodyslamming dudes before the match even begins, which was unintentionally hilarious. Albano does an inset promo where he rants about pairing JYD and Steele together. The heels try some shenanigans, but Steele chases Hoss with a chair and JYD finishes off Jimmy Jack for the win. (SQUASH)

BACKSTAGE: Wrestler’s Rebuttal with The Hart Foundation. Jim Neidhart is pissed they’re being called nasty boys. Bret sends a message (or a rebuttal, I suppose) to their critics.

Mario Mancini vs. Kamala (w/The Wizard and Kim Chee)

Johnny V thinks Kamala looks like a go-go dancer from Harlem. That’s certainly a comparison. I give Mancini a 0.1 percent chance of winning this match, so let’s see if he can defy the odds. Narrator: He did not. Kamala squashes poor Mario in quick fashion for the easy win. (SQUASH)

BACKSTAGE: Ken Resnick with Albano. He hypes up Steele and tells a story about Steele being made fun of as a kid. Not gonna lie, this was a hell of a promo by Albano. Steele comes in and taunts Randy Savage.

Joe Mirto and Jack Kruger vs. Hillbilly Jim and Cousin Luke

Mirto and Kruger sounds like a law firm. Jimmy Hart taunts Hillbilly in an inset promo, and as always, I enjoy these. Hillybilly and Luke use a double team to take control, then it’s Hillbilly using the bearhug to notch the victory. (SQUASH)

BACKSTAGE: Resnick with The Rougeaus. They’re All-American boys….well, not yet. Raymond reels off the list of teams in the WWF, and Jacques pushes their bond as brothers.

BACKSTAGE: The Honky Tonk Man went out with Betty Sue, and he danced all night long. Good for Honky. He’s coming to the WWF, and he wants to get his hands on Paul Orndorff.

Roger Kirby vs. Ricky Steamboat

Had to do some research on Kirby, who defeated Danny Hodge for the NWA Junior Heavyweight title back in 1971. That’s quite an accomplishment. Kirby also won numerous titles in the NWA, GCW, WWA, and more during his career. He gets more offense in than most do in these squash matches, as he controls the majority of the match.

Kirby even gets a near fall after a backbreaker, but the tide swings in favor of Steamboat. That leads to him heading up top for the flying cross body to score the win. This was good stuff. (**1/2) 

RINGSIDE: The Snake Pit with Jake Roberts, and this week’s guest is Hillbilly Jim. Jake makes fun of Hillbilly’s grandmother’s recipes. What a heel. They do some verbal sparring and that’s that.

King Kong Bundy and Big John Studd (w/Bobby Heenan) vs. Paul Roma and Billy Jack Haynes

A nice mix of talent for the main event. Inset promo from “King” Harley Race, who is gonna rule wrestling. I WILL RULE YOU. Wait, wrong King (the 2000 WCW fans will get that reference). Bundy and Studd are a hell of a hoss team, I bet you can guess who is taking the fall in this one. Double team power moves from the heels, and Bundy destroys Roma for the win. (*)

The Iron Sheik, Nikolai Volkoff, and Hercules vs. Corporal Kirchner, Jim Powers, and Salvatore Bellomo

It took me a second to figure out who was in the match, as Kirchner’s team ran down and interrupted Nikolai singing the anthem. What’s funny is there is trash all over the ring during the match, once again showing you what Americans thought of the Russians. This was all bad guys, with Hercules racking Powers to notch the victory. (SQUASH)

BACKSTAGE: Resnick continues hyping the challengers for the British Bulldogs. Bret and Neidhart make their way in with Jimmy Hart. Back to the nasty boys theme, but I don’t see Brian Knobs or Jerry Sags. Neidhart is still pissed, and Resnick tries to call them out. Bret shuts him down and says they’re winners.

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BLAKE’S TAKE ON WWF WRESTLING CHALLENGE 9/13/86

Overall Rating: 6.0/10

Thoughts: Another easy watch, but Steamboat vs. Kirby was really the only thing of note. Still, the action is quick and inoffensive, and that’s what worked for an era that was more about character and storyline development.

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The red-hot feud between Ric Flair and Terry Funk officially boils over in this Clash of the Champions VIII review, as we get another memorable post-match moment featuring the two legends.

How does the rest of the card stack up?

Let’s take a look at Blake’s Clash of the Champions VII review.

• Date: September 12, 1989
• Location: Carolina Coliseum in Columbia, SC

VIDEO: We look at the events leading up to the Ric Flair/Sting vs. Terry Funk/Great Muta match. And my goodness were they highly entertaining.

RING AREA: Jim Ross and Jim Cornette hype the main event.

BACKSTAGE: Gordon Solie with Gary Hart. He says there’s no problems in the Hart camp and that it’s probably coming from Flair and Sting.

Samoan Swat Team (w/Paul E. Dangerously) vs. The Road Warriors (w/Paul Ellering)

This is a true HOSS BATTLE. Holy cow were Hawk and Animal jacked here. Also, this is clearly a NWA show since it’s dark as can be. Animal goes wild early, and Hawk gets in for a big boot on Samu. Hawk and Animal dominate things for a bit until Hawk misses in the corner and goes flying outside. A few cheap shots from Samu, including racking Hawk’s balls on the railing. Fatu kicks some ass and Hawk makes a tag but NICK PATRICK IS INCOMPETENT. He forces Animal out, so Hawk stays in and gets beaten like a drum for a while.

Fatu tries to keep the momentum going by flying off the top but Hawk raises the boot and nails him on the chin. We get the hot tag to Animal, and he goes nuts. Fatu grabs Paul E’s telephone and goes to hit Animal but Hawk knocks it away. Then Ellering throws the phone back in and Hawk hammers Fatu with it. Apparently this is a No DQ match all of a sudden. Doomsday Device from the good guys and that’ll do it at 6:46. The Samoans are pissed with Paul E afterwards. The crowd made this fun.

• Rating: **

The Cuban Assassin vs. The Z-Man

Here’s the debut for Tom Zenk, and let us hope that this company has learned how to book a proper squash match instead of repeating BUTCH REED AND STEVEN CASEY’s 17 MINUTE MATCH AT CLASH V. That was a disaster. Cuban with a little offense before Zenk locks in an arm bar. They go back and forth for a few minutes until Zenk locks on the sleeper hold for the win at 3:36. This was not the debut they were hoping for from Zenk.

• Rating: DUD

VIDEO: The South Carolina governor has declared it RIC FLAIR DAY. Did you know that Ric Flair day happens to be on the same day as Rusev Day?

Ranger Ross vs. Sid Vicious (w/Theodore Long and Dan Spivey)

Sid attacks Ranger before the match even starts and beats the hell out of him on the outside. Back in the ring and Ross hits a kick and a few punches. That leads to Sid hitting the DDT and an insane helicopter slam. Best move ever. Sid then hits the power bomb to complete the squash at 1:08. THIS IS HOW YOU SQUASH JOBBERS.

• Rating: 1/2*

VIDEO: Missy Hyatt and Robin Green (the future Woman) go shopping. Green was playing the role of a fan that was in love with Rick Steiner.

BACKSTAGE: Solie with the Fabulous Freebirds. They promise to retain their titles against the Steiners.

The Steiner Brothers (w/Missy Hyatt and Robin Green) vs. (c) The Fabulous Freebirds – NWA World Tag Team Titles

We get the lovely WWE Network generic music for the Freebirds, which is always disappointing. What’s not disappointing is Missy Hyatt in 1989. Scott and Hayes go back and forth in the early going, with the crowd still hot. Garvin works in and eventually gets a belly to back suplex from Scott. JR keeps talking about this being the night for the Steiners, which clearly means the Freebirds are winning.

Rick in now and he’s in full-on gremlin form. Cornette reels off Rick’s hobbies and interests, which is pretty hilarious. Rick slams both Hayes and Garvin before delivering the corner punches to Hayes. Cheap shot from Hayes but Rick regains control with a belly to belly suplex. Hayes gets out of the way of a Rick clothesline, which allows the tag to Garvin. Scott gets knocked outside as Garvin punches Rick repeatedly.

We go outside with Hayes throwing Rick into the rail. Back in and Hayes hits a vicious clothesline for a two count. Tag to Garvin and another two count for the champs. Garvin with the sleeper hold on Rick but the latter gets out and hits a suplex. Rick makes the hot tag, and since this is the NWA, the camera misses it. Scott comes in on a roll and gets a near fall. Scott then goes off the ropes and trips, which allows Hayes to hit a DDT and cover for the pin at 10:27.

The replay intentionally doesn’t show the angle to see how Scott tripped, and that leads to fans pointing at Green. Scott is unhappy and they go back and forth trying to figure out if it was Green or Hyatt. Good tag match, which isn’t surprising for the NWA in this era.

• Rating: ***

Norman the Lunatic (w/Theodore Long) vs. Brian Pillman

Pillman is electric to start the match, and he flies onto Norman on the outside. The tide turns as Norman hits a splash off the top rope but Pillman kicks out at two. They go back outside and Norman splashes Pillman on the ring post. He goes for a second splash and Pillman moves out of the way. And back in the ring again, where Pillman delivers a dropkick off the top. Pillman then hits a slam and a backdrop before Norman catches him off the top rope for a near fall.

Big clothesline from Norman for another two. Pillman then hits the crucifix and locks in the pin at 3:38. Teddy yells at Norman afterwards, and poor Norman is upset. Folks, this was only three minutes, but it’s one of the best three-minute matches you’ll ever see. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

• Rating: **1/2

BACKSTAGE: Solie with Hart again. Solie says he’s hearing Funk isn’t here. Hart says he’s here and leaves.

Mike Rotunda vs. Dr. Death Steve Williams

More generic theme music here, which could’ve easily been used in every 80s porn out there on the shelves. Williams military presses Rotunda five times to get things started. Rotunda gains control and takes it outside while Bill Apter lingers in the background. Crowd now chanting “Syracuse sucks.” Nice rest hold action from Rotunda until Williams reverses and gets a near fall. Rotunda goes back to the headlock AND MY GOODNESS DO THESE FANS HATE SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY.

Tommy Young reinforces the belief that he’s blind as a bat as Rotunda uses the ropes for leverage for what feels like an hour. They work to the corner and I’m fairly certain that both men nearly get nailed in the head by one of the cameras. This company, man. Rotunda goes up top but that was a bad idea, with Williams slinging him off. Corner punches from Williams, and then he misses in the corner.

Rotunda comes running but Williams drops to the mat and Rotunda flies outside. Back inside where Rotunda counters the slam but Williams rolls on top for the pin at 7:04. Another hard-worked match with plenty of heat.

• Rating: **

BACKSTAGE: Solie with Lex Luger. He calls himself the show piece and that he is on a platform by himself.

Tommy Rich vs. (c) Lex Luger – NWA United States Title

It should be obvious at this point how great heel Luger was in 1989. His mannerisms are just perfect. He complains early about Rich grabbing his hair. Rich with all the offense as Luger retreats into the corner. Eventually Luger hits the shoulder block and WE’VE GOT FLEXING BOOB MUSCLES. Fun sequence follows as Rich works to the arm bar. Power moves from Luger but Rich hits a flying cross body for a two count.

Back to the arm bar but Luger gets offense momentarily. Rich then goes to the school boy for two before a small package for two. Arm bar locked back on, with JR telling us that Mike Tyson and Don King are watching this show. I highly doubt it. Luger back in control and hits a power slam for a near fall. The champ goes at the lower back and gets another two count.

Rich gets thrown to the apron and he monkey flips over for a two. Luger then goes for the clothesline but goes flying over the top to the outside. Rich then tries to suplex Luger back into the ring, which leads to him DROPPING LUGER ON HIS HEAD. Holy shit that nearly decapitated the man. Luger falls on him for a near fall, and I’d be willing to bet that Luger is concussed. Another slam from Luger but Rich gets the shoulder up again. Luger calls for the rack and Rich goes for the reversal, except that Luger pushes him away.

Luger sits Rich on the top rope and luckily doesn’t drop him on his head as he delivers the superplex. And Rich kicks out of that too. Luger flies off the top and Rich moves out of the way at the last second. Rich with more offense and then drops the right hand off the top for two and a half. Thesz press from Rich but Luger gets his foot on the ropes at two.

Action goes outside and Rich hits his hand on the rail, which Cornette plays up. Rich then locks the sleeper on Luger on the apron but the champ turns it into a hangman and gets the pin at 10:36. I did not expect this match to be this good. Aside from Luger nearly getting a concussion, this was a ton of fun.

• Rating: ***3/4

BACKSTAGE: Solie is with Hart for a third time. Hart reveals a doctor’s letter and says that Funk is here. We go to a video of Funk in the hospital with his right arm in the cast. This was done to play up Flair beating the holy hell out of Funk with his own branding iron. Funk promises to beat the shit out of Flair.

BACKSTAGE: Solie with Flair and Sting. Flair says he isn’t surprised that Funk is here but that he’s a hurt man. Flair and Sting give each other a super duper high five.

The Great Muta and Dick Slater (w/Gary Hart) vs. Ric Flair and Sting

Crowd is super hot as Sting and Muta start. Sting sends both Muta and Slater reeling early on. Muta back in and Sting goes to work on the arm while JR and Cornette talk about Slater’s arm cast being a weapon. More back and forth, and Sting works back to the arm drag/arm bar combo. Flair gets the tag AND IT’S TIME TO CHOP. Muta takes some brutal chops before he’s able to tag in Slater.

Flair takes things to the corner and chops all over the place to Slater. Flair in control until he goes knocked outside. Muta then with the flying cross body over the top onto Flair, which immediately leads to Sting hitting his own flying cross body over the top on Muta. Here comes Slater and LOOK THE HELL OUT WE’VE GOT A BROUHAHA ON OUR HANDS. Flair and Sting gain the advantage and get back inside while Hart gives instructions to Muta and Slater. JR and Cornette then point out that Hart has Funk’s branding iron in the corner but didn’t have it a few minutes ago.

Good teamwork from Flair and Sting on Slater. Muta eventually gets in and more double-team action from the good guys. Muta manages to go back on offense after an eye rake to Flair. Slater back in and he works on Flair for a while. Tag back to Muta and damn does this dude have some awesome kicks. Flair sent outside where Slater slams his head on the rail. And Flair gets back to try to take advantage with a chop, but Muta does not appreciate that.

Flair finally manages to make the tag to Sting and he quickly gets caught in the wrong corner. He gets out and hits the gorilla press slam on Muta while Flair and Slater destroy each other outside. Tommy Young gets occupied with them as Sting locks Muta in the Scorpion Death Lock in the middle of the ring. Hart then gets in and hits Sting with the LETHAL ROLL OF COINS. Apparently Young can’t see the numerous coins now scattered throughout the ring. Muta goes for the pin but Sting kicks out at two and a half.

Powerbomb from Muta gets another two before Slater hits the boomerang under the bottom rope. Sting falls outside and gets a bodyslam from Slater. Muta drops down and the camera misses him throwing Sting into the steel railing. FLAIR IS PISSED THE FUCK OFF as he sprints around and chops the daylights out of Muta. Slater locks the sleeper on Sting back inside but Sting drops and breaks the hold. Slater goes for a piledriver but Sting flips him and makes the hot tag to Flair.

All four men in the ring where eventually Muta sprays Sting with the yellow mist. That leaves Flair to try to lock in the Figure Four on Muta, which leads to Slater nailing Flair in the head with the cast. Flair now bleeding profusely as Young apparently also got hit by Slater and is now woozy on the outside. Sting regroups but Muta nails him. HERE COMES TERRENCE FUNK. He hits the ring and he puts a PLASTIC BAG over Flair’s head to draw the DQ at 19:16. Holy shit he’s trying to kill the guy. JR’s commentary is fantastic here as Funk ties the bag on Flair’s head.

Meanwhile Muta and Slater hold Sting’s foot and nail it with the branding iron. This was simply awesome from start to finish, and once again, the post-match angle was just incredible.

• Rating: ****1/4

RINGSIDE: We come back from break where Sting and Brian Pillman are hovering over Flair. Apparently Pillman gave Flair mouth-to-mouth to try to help him breathe and now paramedics are working on the champ.

SHOW SUMMARY

This is one of those sneaky good shows that has something for everyone. While the main event and post match angle deserves plenty of attention, Luger/Rich was surprisingly great, and the tag title match was also a lot of fun. Not a bad show at all.

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For more of my show reviews, visit the Pro Wrestling Reviews section!

In this WWF Raw 1/27/97 review, Shawn Michaels addresses all his challengers for the WWF title, Vader and Mankind square off with The Godwinns, and much more.

Let’s jump in!

• Show: Monday Night Raw
• Date: January 27, 1997
• Location: Beaumont, TX
• Raw Rating: 2.2
• Nitro Rating: 3.6

VIDEO: Highlight package looking at the chaos from the previous episode of Raw, which was simply an awesome show built around the main event angle involving Bret Hart, Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Undertaker, and Vader.

Ahmed Johnson vs. Crush

Before the match, we see a recap of Savio Vega turning on Ahmed during a tag team match against the Nation at Madison Square Garden. Ahmed goes after PG13 before the match, which allows Crush to attack him from behind. Vince McMahon loves him some Ahmed. This is pretty much a power match with both men trying to showcase their strength. Crush takes aim at Ahmed’s kidney, and Farooq peeks out from behind the curtain. After commercial, Crush continues to dominate until Ahmed hits a standing dropkick as Crush flies off the top. Farooq runs down and throws Ahmed into the steel steps with Crush distracting the referee. Then Crush hits the heart punch for the win.

• Blake’s Rating: This was far from thrilling, and Ahmed loses yet again. *1/2

IN THE RING: Shawn Michaels struts out, and Vince asks him about THURSDAY RAW THURSDAY, where Michaels will have a rematch with Sycho Sid. Michaels is confident, so Vince starts asking about the four-way match. Michaels brings up that he’s a dude with attitude, then notes the attitudes of all four men towards him. He’s going to keep the WWF title and that’s that. Well, Vince decides to stir shit up by bringing out Bret. Spoiler: These two don’t like each other. Bret says he’s going to win and face Michaels again, which leads to Vince interrupting and saying Sid may be champion. Then Taker comes out and says he respects Bret, but he’s tired of his whining. Taker also wants the title. And now it’s Austin’s turn, with Jim Ross chasing him with a mic in the aisle. Austin isn’t getting in the ring for an ambush. Genius heel move. Austin runs his mouth and goes to get in the ring but thinks better of it. Then he taunts Vader near the entrance. Another solid segment, and Austin was the biggest star of the group.

British Bulldog (w/Owen Hart and Clarence Mason) vs. Doug Furnas (w/Phil Lafon)

These two teams had an excellent tag match on the previous Raw. The action spills outside in a hurry, and Bulldog decides to pick up the steel steps and throw them on top of Furnas. Once again, that does not equal a DQ in this era of the WWF. However, countouts are still a thing. Back from commercial, and Ahmed is destroying the Nation’s locker room trying to find them. Bulldog controls the majority of the match, and the most entertaining part is Owen calling LaFon a loser on the outside. Furnas reverses the momentum, and Owen decides to get involved. Furnas throws Bulldog into Owen, who has the Slammy. However, Bulldog regroups and reverses a Furnas pin attempt into his own pin for the victory.

• Blake’s Rating: Obviously, not as good as the tag match, but it did a fine job furthering the tension between Owen and Bulldog. **

IN THE RING: After the match, Bulldog is pissed and tries to take the Slammy from Owen. They bicker back and forth with Bulldog angry at Clarence. Owen tries to calm him down, but it’s not happening. Owen’s character work was so good. They eventually shake hands.

VIDEO: Another replay of Vega turning on Ahmed at MSG, and then it’s Shotgun Saturday Night highlights with Todd Pettengill questioning Vega. Then Vega beats down Rocky Maivia, and he’s officially a member of the Nation.

Vader and Mankind (w/ Paul Bearer) vs. The Godwinns (w/Hillbilly Jim)

Vince hypes LA FEMME NIKITA coming up after Raw. He also announces that next week, USA Network has allowed the WWF to air the entire Rumble match on Raw. As for the match, they tease dissension between Vader and Mankind, with Bearer serving as the middleman trying to keep them on the same page. Lawler’s jokes are outta control at this point, as he’s got one for everything single thing that Vince says. I suppose that is impressive. We’ve got a BROUHAHA with all four men going at it on the outside. After commercial, order is restored as Vince reveals Ahmed is destroying the backstage area looking for the Nation. Vader on the outside with Henry, and that leads to Mankind “accidentally” hitting Vader with the chair after Henry moves. The referee counts out Vader to give the Godwinns the win.

• Blake’s Rating: Again, more about the angle with Vader and Mankind than the match. *1/2

IN THE PARKING LOT: Ahmed has the 2×4 and he chases after them as the Nation drives off in a limo.

Blake’s Take on WWF Monday Night Raw 1/27/97

• Best Match: British Bulldog vs. Doug Furnas
• Show MVP: Owen Hart
• Overall Rating: 5.0/10
• Thoughts: This certainly didn’t match the awesomeness of the previous Raw, but it still managed to further a lot of the top storylines throughout the show. It’s fun to watch Austin continue his rise to stardom, and there is intrigue with the WWF title situation heading into the Final Four match. Also, Owen was pretty great with his mannerisms towards Bulldog’s frustrations, so he earns the MVP award.

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For more of my show reviews, visit the Pro Wrestling Reviews section!

In this WWF Prime Time Wrestling 1/5/87 review, Bobby Heenan reveals his New Year’s resolutions, Jake Roberts goes one-on-one with Tito Santana, and much more.

Let’s jump in.

• Show: WWF Prime Time Wrestling
• Date: January 5, 1987

IN THE STUDIO: Gorilla Monson taunts Bobby Heenan and discusses the featured match, which is Don Muraco vs. Hillbilly Jim. Heenan says 1987 is gonna be a better year for him and groans about Gorilla being too loud.

The Dream Team (w/Johnny Valiant) vs. The Islanders

Brutus Beefcake and Greg Valentine make up the Dream Team, while Haku and Tama are the Islanders. Gorilla and Lord Alfred Hayes are on commentary for this one at Madison Square Garden, and Johnny V joins them shortly into the match. Gorilla thinks the winner should challenge The British Bulldogs for the Tag Team titles, then Johnny V rants about something. Gorilla calls him a FOUNTAIN OF MISINFORMATION.

Haku and Tama control the early part of the match and we head back to the studio, where Gorilla taunts Heenan again about not having a team in championship contention. Gorilla wants Heenan to write down a new year’s resolution, and that’s our hook for the rest of the show. This thing is all Islanders, and Johnny V is back on commentary pushing a conspiracy. Valentine gains some momentum and that puts the heels in control for a bit.

They work to a hot tag for Haku, and he runs wild on Valentine and Beefcake. Johnnyu V hops on the apron and Tama headbutts him. However, Valentine stradles Tama on the top rope with the referee’s back turned, and that allows Beefcake to score the pin for the win. The fans are throwing trash in the ring because this was the 80s.

IN THE STUDIO: Gorilla says President Jack Tunney is gonna take a hard look at manager interference in 1987. He wants to know what’s on Heenan’s list, but he’s not done yet.

VIDEO: Gorilla throws it to a video hyping Hulk Hogan, which irks Heenan since he thought it was for one of his clients. It’s a 1986 year in review, which features Paul Orndorff’s memorable turn on Hogan in July, then Hogan getting his revenge in August. There’s also highlights from a February match with Randy Savage, and a July match with Beefcake. The crowd pop is INSANE when Beefcake hits Johnny V and Hogan rolls Beefcake up for the win. Just a different level.

IN THE STUDIO: Heenan isn’t impressed with Hogan’s accomplishments last year and thinks the footage doesn’t show enough of Hogan’s flaws.

Tito Santana vs. Jake ‘The Snake’ Roberts

This match was taped at The Summit in Houston, and Ken Resnick joins Gorilla commentary. Jake’s heel antics are great as always. He’s incredible working the crowd, while Tito plays the ultimate babyface. Tito hits a Flying Cross Body but Jake manages to get his foot on the ropes. Tito takes the match to the mat, where he locks on the sleeper until a desperation counter from Jake nearly breaks Tito’s jaw. Gorilla and Resnick push how Savage is delaying a potential Intercontinental title defense against Tito.

Back from commercial and a great response from Heenan when asked if he’s into snakes: “I’m not into snakes, but I’ll tell you what I am into. There’s this dancer….” and we head back to the match before he can finish his sentence. This is why Prime Time Wrestling was so great. Jake has Tito in a headlock when we return to the match, and eventually we get a DOUBLE NOGGIN KNOCKER with both men hitting the mat.

Jake hits the short-arm clothesline but only gets two after a cocky pinfall attempt. More aggression from Jake and he calls for the DDT, but Tito avoids it. Jake takes it back to the ground with the headlock and uses the ropes for leverage. Tito eventually fights back, so Jake kicks him in the head. Jake goes for the DDT again but Tito back drops him. Tito locks in the Figure Four but Jake reaches for the snake bag as the bell rings for the time limit draw.

After the match, Jake brings out Damian and threatens to go after Tito and referee Dave Hebner.

IN THE STUDIO: Heenan is still working on his list. Gorilla taunts him some more and Heenan wants to know if they’re gonna get along this year. Gorilla taunts him again. Classic! Heenan wants to know why Gorilla didn’t come to his New Year’s party. Back from commercial and Heenan says King Harley Race wants recognition from the fans this year.

King Harley Race (w/Bobby Heenan) vs. Sivi Afi

Afi was trained by Peter Maivia, so that’s your trivia note for the episode. We get an inset promo from Junkyard Dog, who makes it clear that he has no king. Vince McMahon, Jesse Ventura, Bruno Sammartino are on commentary, and they don’t have to say much since Race hits his finisher for the quick win.

IN THE STUDIO: Heenan is pissed that Gorilla left the room for Race’s match. Heenan calls it one of the greatest matches in wrestling history. Gorilla mocks Race’s crown being too small, and that once again leads to Heenan trying to defend him.

BACKSTAGE: Resnick with The Hart Foundation. Resnick questions referee Danny Davis’s actions, and Jim Neidhart says he won’t drink wine until they have the Tag Team titles. Bret Hart says they’re on the heels of the British Bulldogs, who are drinking shanties and listening to WHAM! records in England. Incredible.

VIDEO: Highlights of the biggest title changes in 1986, including Savage winning the Intercontinental title from Tito via shenanigans, and the Bulldogs winning the Tag titles from Valentine and Beefcake at WrestleMania II.

IN THE STUDIO: Heenan points out the illegal way that the Bulldogs won the Tag titles, though he conveniently didn’t see anything illegal about Savage’s win.

VIDEO: Highlights from Captain Lou Albano pinning Johnny V in his WWF retirement match and getting a champagne bath and a cake to the face in the locker room.

IN THE STUDIO: Gorilla asks Heenan what he has accomplished that’s anywhere close to Albano’s achievements. Heenan says Albano is out of professional wrestling and that’s good for him.

Adrian Adonis and The Hart Foundation (w/Jimmy Hart) vs. SD Jones & The US Express

Can always appreciate a Mike Rotunda and Danny Spivey appearance. The babyfaces control things in the early going, and we get an inset promo with Jimmy Hart calling his team the ultimate trifecta. Adonis hits a huge powerslam on Rotunda but misses an elbow drop. Bret and Neidhart use a double team on Rotunda, and we’ve got a BROUHAHA with all six men in the ring. The referee gets distracted, and Adonis locks on the sleeper on Jones for the victory.

IN THE STUDIO: Heenan takes a shot at Ricky Steamboat after the attack from Savage. Heenan then reveals number on his list, and it’s to manage the tag team champs. He’s not sure which combination of his clients though. Back from commercial and he reads number two, and he wants to manage the IC champ, whether it’s King Kong Bundy, Hercules, or someone else.

Hillbilly Jim vs. Don Muraco (w/Mr. Fuji)

Back to MSG, and Muraco is absolutely jacked at this point. Hillbilly humiliates Muraco before the match, and the New York crowd is eating it up. Gorilla and Alfred note that Muraco came to the ring with Roddy Piper’s entrance music, so that feud is in full swing here. They stall for a good several minutes before the match gets started, which includes Fuju losing his and Hillbilly wearing the kilt on his head.

They return to the studio, and Gorilla wants to know what took so long for the match to start. Heenan expresses his love of Fuji’s hat. It’s all Hillbilly until Muraco reverses momentum, and Fuji grabs Hillbilly’s leg. However, Hillbilly picks Muraco up for the bearhug, and that’s when Fuji hits him with the cane for the DQ.

Fuji continues the attack after the match as Muraco holds Hillbilly to the mat.

IN THE STUDIO: Gorilla once again brings up why managers are under the microscope from the WWF rules committee, and Heenan tells Hillbilly that he should dress like a wrestler and not a hick. Heenan’s next resolution is to become the WWF manager of the year again, and Gorilla says he’s never won it. Heenan also wants to make more money than ever, and he wants to manage the world champ. Heenan wants to become commentator of the year as well. Heenan’s phone rings and it’s Miss Betty, and Gorilla makes a joke about him being a married man and not doing those kinds of things.

SHOW SUMMARY

A fun start to 1987, with Gorilla and Heenan showcasing their legendary chemistry. The matches are what they are on this show, but the highlight packages for Hogan and the title picture were a nice setup for the year.

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For more of my show reviews, visit the Reviews section!

In this WWF Saturday Night’s Main Event 7/28/90 review, The Ultimate Warrior defends the WWF title against Rick Rude, Mr. Perfect and Tito Santana square off for the Intercontinental title, and much more.

Let’s jump in!

• Show: Saturday Night’s Main Event
• Date: July 28, 1990
• Location: Civic Auditorium in Omaha, Nebraska

IN THE JUNGLE: Lord Alfred Hayes is in the jungle. Actually, it’s an office with a huge lion’s head staring at him. We head to the arena where Vince McMahon dubs this WWF Wild Kingdom, and we’ve got an 80s graphic to prove it. Vince calls the WWF the wildest kingdom of all, with Jesse Ventura joining him for the rumble in the jungle. Wild, indeed. The Ultimate Warrior -aka the King of the Jungle – will defend the WWF title against Rick Rude, while Demolition defend the Tag Team titles against The Rockers, and Mr. Perfect defends the Intercontinental title against Tito Santana. What a tremendous lineup there. Vince also pushes the return of Hulk Hogan.

BACKSTAGE: Rick Rude and Bobby Heenan play up the jungle theme, with Heenan calling it survival of the fittest. Rude is gonna devour Warrior. Rude calls himself the deadliest predator of all. WILD KINGDOM. Warrior also makes jungle puns and says he’s the ultimate animal.

Blake’s Take: That’s it, I’m officially all in on this themed edition of Saturday Night’s Main Event. Jokes aside, themed episodes of television have always been a great idea in professional wrestling. I hate themed PPVs (for example, WWE Hell in a Cell, where matches that should’n’t be in a cell are….in a cell), but coming up with stuff like this to make a recurring television show feel different is a smart move. Also, bring back the wrestler green screen graphics!

Rick Rude (w/Bobby Heenan) vs. (c) The Ultimate Warrior – WWF Title

Rude attacks Warrior (or is it Animal?) from behind before the bell rings. That doesn’t last as Warrior repeatedly rams his head into the turnbuckle. Warrior takes it to Rude and hits an atomic drop and clothesline to send him to the outside. DOUBLE NOGGIN KNOCKER to Rude and Heenan. It’s all Warrior as he hits a clothesline in the ring. Warrior goes up top and wallops Rude in the face. Rude changes the tide by moving out of the way of the Warrior splash, with Warrior rolling to the outside.

Meanwhile, Rude grabs the belt, and Heenan distracts referee Joey Marella. Rude clocks Warrior in the face with the title, then goes back out to break the count. Rude back up top, but Warrior hits him in the midsection on the way down. Atomic drop from Warrior, but Rude reverses again with a knee to the face and clothesline. Rude goes to work on Warrior’s back before trying to go for the bodyslam. However, Warrior blocks it and hits a slam of his own. But Rude reverses a second slam attempt into a sleeper. Just when you think Warrior is done for, he keeps his leg up on the third drop and fights back.

Rude quickly gets back in control and goes for the Rude Awakening, but Warrior gets out. Rude hits his signature move and Warrior kicks out. Vince loses his mind at this development. Triple clothesline from Warrior, who is running wild on Rude. Warrior hits the splash, but Heenan grabs him by the head to break up the count. Vince and Jesse argue about whether Marella saw it as Warrior goes after Heenan in the aisle. Warrior tries to press Rude back in the ring, but Heenan hits him from behind. Warrior corners Heenan in the ring, and Marella counts out Rude. Or it may have been a DQ on Heenan. Either way, Warrior celebrates since he’s still the champ.

Blake’s Take: It was obvious there wouldn’t be a clean finish in this match since the two are set to clash at Summerslam for the title, which begs the question: Why did they do this match? Perhaps it was to give them more ring time together, though I’d argue that Rude was Warrior’s greatest opponent in terms of chemistry. Still, this was solid enough to further the storyline ahead of their showdown at Summerslam.

IN THE JUNGLE: Hayes is back in the jungle lodge, and Gene Okerlund is with him. They’re dressed for a safari as Gene makes a Pete Rose joke.

VIDEO: A video package looking at Earthquake SQUASHING Hogan on the Brother Love Show. Yes, this had the dark “Real American” theme and all to push the potential demise of Hulkamania. The camera panning to a crying kid in the crowd holding a Hogan doll was top-notch presentation work. There’s also the locker door shutting with Hogan’s gear in it! He’s done, brother.

IN THE RING: Vince welcomes Hogan, and Vince playing with his ear to signify the loudness of the crowd is always hilarious. Hogan thanks the Hulkamaniacs for writing letters to him, and he says he’s gonna personally answer each one of those letters. DID HE? DID HE REALLY? Hogan talks about being “Pearl Harbored” by Earthquake, but thanks to the prayers and vitamins, he’s back. Vince asks about Dino Bravo being in Earthquake’s corner, but Hogan reveals he’ll have Tugboat in his corner. There are some audible boos at this point, though they’d pick up the following year. Here comes Earthquake and Bravo with Jimmy Hart telling into the megaphone. TUGBOAT MAKES THE SAVE. Jesse is great on commentary here with his hatred of Hogan.

VIDEO: Alfred and Gene are actually in the jungle this time around, with Gene being scolded for taking a piss. Koko B. Ware flies in out of nowhere, then leaves. Gene trips and he’s face to face with a snake. Luckily, Jake Roberts is shirtless and wearing his trunks in the middle of said jungle, so he wrangles the snake. Then it’s onto Alfred and Gene crossing the train tracks, and here come the Bushwhackers bushwhacking their way down the track. A stellar performance by all parties involved.

The Rockers vs. (c) Demolition – Tag Team Titles

Demolition is using Freebird rules at this point, so it’s gonna be Smash and Crush doing the work in this one. Vince and Jesse argue about whether Ax should be ringside. Smash goes at Marty Jannetty right off the bat, but a flurry of offense from Jannetty sends Demolition retreating. A pair of head scissors and dropkicks from Jannetty and Shawn Michaels sends Demolition reeling again. The good guys continue to showcase their athletic offense, but Crush puts a stop to that. But the Rockers do their thing again to get back on offense.

Jannetty flips over Crush for a near fall, and now Ax gets involved with a huge clothesline on Jannetty on the outside with the referee’s back turned. Demolition takes control on Jannetty, with Crush coming off the top with a shot to Jannetty’s back. Then it’s a backbreaker to Jannetty. More double team offense from Smash and Crush, and Smash locks on the bearhug. Jannetty tries to fight out of it, but Smash tags in Crush to continue the beatdown.

Jannetty finally makes the hot tag to Michaels, and he’s dropkicking everyone in sight. The crowd is losing it as the Rockers both go up top to try to finish off Smash, but Crush breaks up the count. Michaels has Smash rolled up, but Ax wallops him with the referee occupied with Jannetty and Crush. Ax proceeds to cover Michaels with his head tucked, and Demolition scores the victory via shenanigans to retain the titles.

IN THE RING: Here come The Hart Foundation and The Legion of Doom. They’re protesting the finish, but Marella still awards the match to Demolition.

Blake’s Take: While I wouldn’t put this in the SNME classic territory of the Rockers and Brain Busters from 1989, it’s still a good showcase for two of the top tag teams of the era. The Rockers really did stand out with their unique offense, and Demolition was Demolition. (Recommended)

IN THE JUNGLE: Mean Gene is getting bitten by mosquitos, including a bite right to the ass cheek. Gene starts acting like he’s contracted a disease, so Alfred uses his knowledge to save him. Tremendous.

BACKSTAGE: Sean Mooney with Mr. Perfect and Bobby Heenan. They take aim at Tito Santana, with Mr. Perfect calling himself the perfect animal.

Tito Santana vs. (c) Mr. Perfect (w/Bobby Heenan) – Intercontinental Title

Jesse calling Tito matches is always a treat. Tito comes out with a series of offense to get the crowd on their feet, but Perfect reverses the momentum. Heenan yells that he doesn’t have to beat Tito, but Tito has to beat him. It’s a solid point. Perfect with some cheap tactics with Heenan distracting the referee, but Tito reverses the tide. Somehow the referee gets in the middle of the action and goes down with a broken ankle or something.

Tito locks in the Figure Four and he thinks he has it won. He tries to get the referee on his feet, then hits the flying forearm to go for the pin. The referee hobbles over, but Perfect kicks out at two and three quarters. That was close. Tito off the top with another flying forearm, and Perfect kicks out again in dramatic fashion after a slight delay from the referee. The crowd is EATING THIS UP. Tito calls for another referee and we head to commercial with Vince hyping that this thing will continue.

Perfect recovers and hits a cheap shot, but Tito hits a cross body for yet another near fall. Perfect back on the attack and they trade punches until Perfect hits a thrust kick to Tito’s face. Chops and punches from Perfect, then Tito does the same with Perfect doing the trademark flip over the top in the corner. Tito throws Perfect across the ring, and he racks himself on the post trying to get out of the ring. A great spot there. Tito with a big clothesline and the crowd thinks it’s over, but Perfect kicks out again. Small package from Tito, but Perfect reverses it at two into his own pin to retain the title.

Blake’s Take: What an excellent match. These two worked this thing to perfection (pun intended) with Tito putting on a babyface masterclass and Perfect playing off of him with the right heel moves. I’d have to think this is one of the best matches in Saturday Night’s Main Event history (maybe THE best match), and it’s easily one of the matches of the year in the WWF. (Must-See)

BACKSTAGE: Jesse with Earthquake, Bravo, and Jimmy Hart. Earthquake is gonna send Hogan to the hospital, and Bravo is gonna keep Tugboat in line.

IN THE JUNGLE: Now it’s Jimmy Snuka running through the jungle. Alfred and Gene search for food before running into Akeem and Slick. My goodness would I have loved to be there for the outtakes for these segments. Gene falls into the piranha-infested waters and apparently is being eaten. But Alfred saves him yet again.

Kerry Von Erich vs. Buddy Rose

This is the WWF debut for The Texas Tornado. He slams Rose a few times in the early going and gives him a ride into the corner. Dropkick from Von Erich for a two count, then Rose finds himself locked in the ropes. Rose falls to the outside, but gets back inside and goes up top. That wasn’t a good idea, as Von Erich throws him off the top and hits his finisher for the victory.

Blake’s Take: A simple squash match to highlight Von Erich’s skills.

BACKSTAGE: Jesse with Rude and Heenan. They reveal the cage match challenge for Summerslam, with Rude saying he’ll be the new WWF Champion.

BACKSTAGE: Mooney with Warrior. He says he’ll leave Summerslam as the champion and the ultimate animal.

IN THE JUNGLE: Alfred and Gene are back in the lodge with a monkey. Because of course they are.

BLAKE’S TAKE ON WWF SATURDAY NIGHT’S MAIN EVENT

Recommended Matches: Demolition vs. The Rockers, Tito Santana vs. Mr. Perfect

Overall Rating: 8.0/10

Thoughts: These Saturday Night Main Event shows usually hit the right nostalgia notes, and this edition was no different. However, what was different about this episode was the silly Wild Kingdom theme and a match of the year candidate in Tito vs. Perfect. Combine those two with a solid tag match, a perfectly acceptable WWF title match, and the Hogan/Earthquake stuff, and it’s an easy watch for 80s wrestling fans.

For more of my show reviews, visit the Pro Wrestling Reviews section!

This has to be one of the hottest shows in the history of wrestling, and the Clash of the Champions VII review will showcase exactly what I mean by that.

There’s plenty of excitement about the main event, but will the rest of the card deliver?

Let’s take a look at Blake’s Clash of the Champions VII review.

Date: June 14, 1989

Location: Fitz-Epps Fitness Center in Fort Bragg, NC

RINGSIDE: Jim Ross and Bob Caudle welcome us to the military base at Fort Bragg as the crowd goes insane. We get the Star-Spangled Banner to kick things off.

VIDEO: We see the Steiner Brothers, Missy Hyatt, Ranger Ross, and others going through military training earlier in the day.

The Dynamic Dudes vs. The Fabulous Freebirds (w/Terry Gordy) – NWA World Tag Title Tournament Semifinals

The fans pelt the ring with trash before the match even starts. If you look at everyone’s shirts, it appears that it’s approximately 437 degrees in the building. It’s all Johnny and Shane early until Garvin takes control and tags in Hayes. JR reminds us that there’s plenty of exciting action to come, including the DEBUT OF THE DING DONGS. If you want to scroll ahead to that masterpiece, I completely understand.

Johnny gets a near fall on Hayes but then misses a flying cross body. Garvin back in and he gets some offense but Hayes throws Johnny into the railing outside. Trash still flying at the bad guys. We work to the hot take to Shane who delivers the DOUBLE NOGGIN KNOCKER. Near fall on Garvin and we’ve got a brouhaha in the ring.

The Dudes dropkick Hayes outside and then work on Garvin. Shane with a school boy but Hayes sneaks in and hits the DDT, which allows Garvin to score the pain at 7:14. Lots of heat for this one.

• Rating: **

Ranger Ross vs. The Terrorist

This is as 1989 as it gets. Something tells me things are not in the Terrorist’s favor here. Ranger completely decimates the Terrorist and hits the Combat Kick for the win at 1:25.

• Rating: U-S-A, U-S-A, U-S-A!

VIDEO: We get a Road Warriors hype video with “Iron Man” as the song of choice.

IN THE RING: JR is drenched in sweat as he welcomes Great Muta and Gary Hart. There are also two jobbers in the ring, and my goodness is everyone sweating profusely. Hart makes a few jabs and then Eddie Gilbert hits the ring to try to get revenge on Muta, but the GREAT BALL OF FIRE hits one of the jobbers in the face. This segment is worth watching solely for the sweat.

The Ding Dongs vs. Cougar Jay and George South

Holy shit do the people hate these ding dongs. The fans are booing these guys out of the building. The gimmick is that one of the ding dongs has a bell in the corner while the other is wrestling. The bell is ringing like crazy, and I’ve never been a bigger Cougar Jay and George South fan than I am at this moment. AND THEN THE BELL BREAKS IN HALF. Biggest pop of the decade for that.

Ding or Dong nearly falls off the top rope before they hit their finisher for the win at 3:39. It’s usually not a good sign when JR says this when the match is over: “Oh that was horrible.”

• Rating: DUD

The Midnight Express (w/Jim Cornette) vs. The Samoan Sweat Team (w/Paul E. Dangerously) – NWA World Tag Title Tournament Semifinals

Before the match a fan hits the ring and the military members remove him before he can get his ass kicked. Eaton did give him a nice little shove on the head on the way out. Cornette charges at Paul E to start the match and it may legitimately be hot enough to cook a steak on the ring mat. Eaton and Lane kicking ass in the early going until Lane catches a kick to the face.

Samoans dominating, and Fatu gives Eaton a suplex on the outside. Paul E smiling while on his phone, which hopefully means that he’s located an air conditioner. Back inside and Fatu missed a spear in the corner. That allows the hot tag to Lane. He hits the side Russian leg sweep for a two count. All four men going at it and Nick Patrick goes down. AND HERE COME THE ROAD WARRIORS. They destroy the Samoans, and Lane gets the pin at 6:00. Holy hell did the crowd love them some Road Warriors.

• Rating: **1/2

RINGSIDE: JR shows us the video of Terry Funk obliterating Ric Flair at Clash of the Champions VI. Someone please get JR some water. We go to another video previewing the TRIPLE CROWN KING OF THE HILL DOUBLE RING BATTLE ROYALE. Say that five times fast, folks.

Terry Gordy vs. Dr. Death Steve Williams

My goodness is this a hoss fight or what? Williams hits the ring immediately and we’ve got a brawl on our hands. Hard punches from each man as Williams takes control and knocks Gordy to the mat. The majority of the audience has lost their shirts at this point, and I can’t blame them.

We work to Gordy locking in the headlock as ring announcer Gary Michael Cappetta looks on in what can only be described as a dehydrated state. Williams back on offense as a slam to Gordy sends the latter retreating to the outside. Back inside and Williams hits the high cross body for a two count. Dropkick to Gordy and then things escalate to the aisle where they keep fighting. Gordy keeps walking to the back and Williams goes after him to gives us the double countout at 6:26.

The crowd chants “bullshit.” OR WERE THEY CHANTING “DING DONGS!” Perhaps we’ll never know.

• Rating: *

Norman the Lunatic (w/Teddy Long) vs. Mike Justice

Fun fact: Justice is the jobber that didn’t get the great ball of fire in his eye from Gilbert’s earlier mishap. Unfortunately his jobber friend wasn’t so lucky. This match is over as soon as it starts as Norman hits a running splash in the corner for the victory at :47. The mental ward employees come out with the gurney afterwards to take Norman back home. They wheel him out of the place.

• Rating: 1/2*

VIDEO: Another look at the upcoming battle royal at Great American Bash.

RINGSIDE: Freebirds out here talking to JR. Garvin says no one can beat them. Gordy talks about Williams before JR sends it to a video hyping Brian Pillman.

The Varsity Club vs. The Steiner Brothers (w/Missy Hyatt)

Scott with a hot start until Rotunda comes in and that leads to all four men going at it. Scott hits a nice slam to Sullivan and the latter makes the tag to Rotunda. The crowd wants Rick, so Scott tags him in. All Steiners at this point. We get some technical action from Rick and Rotunda, but Rotunda gets the momentum by hitting a back suplex.

Sullivan in and he gets a little offense before we switch to Scott and Rotunda. Double team from Rotunda and Sullivan with Patrick having his back turned. Sullivan absolutely destroys Scott on the outside, and he even tosses the stairs as Scott’s knee. Holy hell. Patrick with his back turned again as Rotunda tags in.

Big dropkick from Rotunda and the Club is back to dissecting Scott. Double arm suplex from Rotunda gets a two as JR puts Scott over like pure gold. HOLY SHIT THEY SHOW SCOTT’S BACK AND THE BRUISE IS MASSIVE. That happened during Sullivan’s attack on the outside. Hot tag to Rick, but it doesn’t do much as Patrick goes to the outside with Rick and Sullivan. Rotunda then suplexes Scott on a chair and Patrick rolls into the ring to count the pin at 8:36. This was entertaining.

• Rating: ***

RINGSIDE: JR with Cornette. He runs down the Freebirds and hypes the upcoming match.

Bill Irwin vs. (c) Sting – NWA TV Title

Irwin goes to work to start things off but my guess is that won’t last long. It doesn’t, as Sting decides he’d like to start whipping some ass. Suplex gets a one count, and WILD BILL IRWIN is back on offense. Sting misses the Stinger Splash, and Irwin catches Sting off the top rope in a fun spot.

Irwin goes to the corner to brag with the bull whip but Sting splashes and rolls him up to retain the title at 3:14.

• Rating: 1/2*

VIDEO: Scott Hall is a man on a mission, and that mission apparently includes taunting alligators. This may be the greatest video package ever created.

VIDEO: A non-sweaty JR is at Flair’s house in Charlotte. JR talks about whether Flair will wrestle again. JR goes inside and shakes Flair’s hand, with the latter wearing a cool combo of a neck brace and a Los Angeles Lakers jacket.

Flair is concerned about not wrestling again and is really selling the Funk attack. JR asks how he feels mentally, and Flair says it’s been the hardest part. JR talks about the NWA waiving the 30-day clause on the champion defending his title. Flair says he’ll announce his decision on July 1 whether he will come back or relinquish the title.

JR asks what Flair would say if Funk was watching. Flair says if his neck could carry his heart, Fun wouldn’t make it out of Fort Bragg. Then he tells Funk not to sleep at night. This was very, very good.

The Fabulous Freebirds (w/Terry Gordy) vs. The Midnight Express (w/Jim Cornette) – NWA World Tag Title Tournament Finals

Before the match, Paul E comes outta nowhere and nails Cornette with a loaded racket. THE DYNAMIC DUDES ARE HERE TO SAVE THE DAY. Actually, they don’t save the day and do nothing but check on Cornette while wearing their neon green hats. They carry Cornette out as the Midnights look flustered in the ring as the match starts.

Lane with arm drags all over the place and a double team leads to a two count. More double team action from the Midnights and another near fall. Garvin and Hayes taunt the crowd which is pretty much shirtless men at this point. Freebirds gain control and Eaton gets sent outside. Hayes on the offensive back inside and Eaton gets throw outside yet again. Eaton then gets sent off the apron face-first into the steel rail.

Freebirds with all the momentum and Garvin works to a chin lock on Eaton in the ring. Finally the hot tag to Lane and he hits a big DDT on Hayes. And now Lane tags back to Eaton and they double team both Freebirds. Gordy steps on the apron but gets knocked down. Another double team on Garvin and only a one count. But then Tommy Young get distracted with corner action, and naturally, Gordy gets in and power bombs Eaton. Gordy hops out and Garvin scores the pin to win the titles at 10:03.

• Rating: **

Ricky Steamboat vs. Terry Funk

The story here is that Steamboat is the No. 1 contender for the title and Funk is the No. 10 contender, so the latter is far away from a title shot despite attacking Flair. IT’S CHOP TIME early as both men exchange some vicious slaps to the chest. Steamboat now slapping the hell out of Funk’s face. Steamboat rocking and rolling with a dropkick that sends Funk retreating.

Back inside and Funk turns things around by hurling Steamboat outside. Steamboat reverses and throws Funk into the rail before sending him back in the ring. Funk back on top as he punches Steamboat repeatedly. Neckbreaker from Funk and that looked painful. Two count for Funk and then Steamboat comes back chopping.

JR continues to put over Steamboat’s ranking being in jeopardy, and then Steamboat sends Funk to the corner and over the top. Steamboat on the top rope and Funk hops on the apron and then walks to the other corner before falling off. Steamboat flies off the top and delivers the chop to the head. And now Steamboat picks Funk up and walks around the entire outside of the ring before slamming him. Excellent spot.

Steamboat completely dominating as he sends Funk over the top rope yet again. Funk finally gets some offense in as he goes back to punches and chops. Funk then delivers the piledriver, but Steamboat kicks out at two. Then we get the loudest chop ever from Steamboat straight to the chest of Funk. This leads to a corner spot where Nick Patrick gets nailed and he’s out of commission.

We go to the outside and there’s another piledriver on Steamboat. Funk gets back in and wakes Patrick up. Somehow Steamboat gets back to the apron and Funk suplexes him into the ring. Funk pulls Patrick over for the count and Steamboat kicks out again at two. This pisses Funk the hell off as he nails Steamboat with punches.

Funk dives off the top but Steamboat counters with the knees. Irish whip and Steamboat punches Funk in the abdomen. Another Irish whip and a chop to the ab. Steamboat up top and chops Funk on top of the noggin. Funk falls on the announce table and picks up a mic and hammers Steamboat with it, which causes the DQ at 14:00.

Funk goes to continue the beatdown but HERE COMES LEX LUGER to send Funk reeling. He calls for a mic and says there’s been talk of him having too big of an ego. Luger then picks up Steamboat AND CLEANS HIS CLOCK. Luger then grabs a chair and nails Steamboat in the back before throwing him in the Torture Rack. Sting flies in to make the save as Luger leaves. This entire sequence was just fantastic, and it’s a situation where the match isn’t hurt by the DQ finish since it made the most sense.

• Rating: ****1/4

SHOW SUMMARY

The main event and the Flair interview were the best things on the show, but other reasons to watch include Ranger Ross obliterating a terrorist, Scott Steiner’s massive bruise, and of course, the DING FUCKING DONGS.

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In this Mid-South Wrestling 2/13/82 review, The Junkyard Dog defends the Louisiana Heavyweight title against Bob Roop, The Samoans are in action, and much more.

Let’s jump in.

• Show: Mid-South Wrestling
• Date: February 13, 1982

RINGSIDE: Boyd Pierce is joined by Skandor Akbar, who was the center of controversy on the previous week’s must-see episode (REVIEW). Boyd basically calls him a gangster, and Akbar responds with accusations of Ernie Ladd being responsible for The Iron Sheik being sent back to Iran.

VIDEO: Highlights of Akbar swooping in to take The Samoans from Ladd. As I said in the review, a terrific angle. Back ringside, and Boyd wants to know the identity of the mystery man who attacked Ladd, but Akbar won’t reveal who it is. Boyd tells him off and they throw to another video with The Samoans winning the tag titles via shenanigans. Akbar says he has his army in place, and Boyd goes off again.

The Samoans (w/Skandor Akbar) vs. Rick Ferrara and Bill Ash

This is a non-title match, but let me just say how fantastic that start was to the show. It was a hot angle, and they replayed it for anyone who may have missed it. Then, they transition to the Samoans in action. Great, old school storytelling. Boyd is still pissed about The Junkyard Dog and Mike George being injured by the Samoans. Dominant performance from the tag champs to secure another win. (SQUASH)

Paul Orndorff vs. Brian Blair

If you missed last week’s episode, Orndorff had a tremendous match with Mr. Olympia (***1/2). Blair goes the technical route early on, and he uses a roll-up for a two count. More back and forth a few near falls, as they both go to the mat for their offense. Blair nearly gets another roll-up pin but Orndorff kicks out.

Boyd is STUNNED that Orndorff is using legal maneuvers in this match. How can you not love Boyd? A clothesline sends both over the top, but it’s Orndorff who regroups and comes off the top with the knee to Blair to score the win. (**1/2)

Bob Roop vs. (c) The Junkyard Dog – Louisiana Heavyweight Title

Boyd points out the trend of two title changes in consecutive weeks (Mr. Olympia winning the Mississippi title and the Samoans winning the tag titles), which is a nice touch. JYD uses his power for some emphatic offense and that sends Roop retreating to the outside.

The momentum changes when Roop hits a running knee to JYD’s face, then they work to Roop’s leg getting tangled in the ropes. A rare mid-match commercial and we come back to Boyd revealing that the match ended during the break. But since he’s a generous man, he’s gonna show us what happened.

Orndorff comes down to help Roop, then he goes to hit JYD but he ducks and Orndorff clocks Roop. JYD throws Orndorff onto Roop and he’s not done yet because he throws Bob Orton Jr. onto Orndorff on the outside. JYD then pins Roop for the victory. I like the development of having a match end during commercial, as it adds the thought that you can’t turn the channel or you may miss something. (**)

Ed Wiskowski and Bob Orton Jr. vs. Ted DiBiase and Mr. Olympia

Love this group of talent. I’d be fine with a future Olympia vs. Wiskowski match, which I assume we’ll get at some point. Boyd pushes that the winner could get a tag title shot soon. They build up to Olympia getting a hot tag, but the referee doesn’t see it so he’s sent back out.

Orton uses underhanded tactics to regain the advantage, but Olympia turns the tide. We’ve got a BROUHAHA now with all four in, and Orton is tossed as DiBiase pins Wiskowski for the win. (**)

Ron Cheatham vs. Frank Monte

Another standby match, so I think you know what’s coming here, folks. Give Frank Monte a win! Monte works on Cheatham for a bit, then Cheatham takes it to the mat for a few technical exchanges. Monte gets several near falls but that’ll do it as the bell rings for the time limit draw.

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BLAKE’S TAKE ON MID-SOUTH WRESTLING 2/13/82

Overall Rating: 7.0/10

Thoughts: Entertaining episode as usual with a variety of engaging storylines. I loved the opening sequence with Akbar pushing his alliance with the Samoans, and there several solid matches on the card with lots of star power on display.

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For more of my show reviews, visit the Pro Wrestling Reviews section!

In this WWF Wrestling Challenge 9/6/86 review, it’s the debut edition of the show with Cowboy Bob Orton explaining his split with Roddy Piper, Jake Roberts and Randy Savage forming an alliance, and much more.

Let’s jump in.

• Show: WWF Wrestling Challenge
• Date: September 6, 1986

RINGSIDE: Gorilla Monsoon welcomes us to the debut episode, with Ernie Ladd and Johnny Valiant joining him.

Mike Sharpe and Don Muraco (w/Mr. Fuji) vs. Mike Rotundo and Danny Spivey

Ladd on commentary is always my jam, so our first venture into Wrestling Challenge should be fun. We get an inset promo early in the match from Superstar Billy Graham, who hypes his big comeback. The action breaks down with all four men in the ring, and Spivey helps Rotundo reverse Sharpe’s pin attempt into his own pin for the win. (*)

VIDEO: It’s the Wrestlers’ Rebuttal segment of the week, and Randy Savage is PISSED about Elizabeth getting cheers. Macho wants the cheers! Old segments like this are so simple but effective at developing characters.

Adrian Adonis (w/Cowboy Bob Orton and Jimmy Hart) vs. Tommy Sharp

I don’t like ‘ol Tom Sharp’s chances in this one. As you would expect, the heels play the number game as Hart distracts the referee while Orton comes in for the double team on Sharp. That allows Adonis to come off the top and score the easy win. (SQUASH)

BACKSTAGE: Ken Resnick with Orton. He says Adonis and Hart offered him more than Roddy Piper. Again, such a simple way to push the reason why Orton decided to leave Piper and join Adonis and Hart.

Bob Bradley vs. Koko B. Ware

Valiant jokes that Koko’s name reminds him of a breakfast cereal. I mean, the connection makes sense. Koko’s inset promo is all energy, and one could even say it’s high energy. And since this was the mid-80s, Valiant proclaims the female referee should be home doing the dishes. Of course he said that. Koko does several high-flying moves and notches the victory. (SQUASH)

BACKSTAGE: Resnick with Hart. He gives his side of the story on bringing in Orton.

Troy Martin vs. Paul Orndorff (w/Bobby Heenan)

Orndorff comes out to Hulk Hogan’s music in a great heel move. For the wrestling trivia buffs out there, Martin is the future Shane Douglas. Inset promo from Honky Tonk Man, who isn’t happy with Orndorff. I’m sure there’s a backstory to Honky playing a babyface, but I have no idea what it is. Orndorff destroys Martin on the outside, then brings him back in and hits the piledriver for the win. (SQUASH)

VIDEO: The Snake Pit with Jake Roberts features Kamala. This was such an 80s presentation, but I absolutely love it. Short segment with the Wizard hyping Kamala’s uniqueness.

VIDEO: And now it’s the coronation of King Harley Race. All the heels are gathered around the throne, with Heenan reading off of a scroll. Vince McMahon is losing it on commentary at this whole display, especially when Big John Studd and King Kong Bundy carry Race away.

VIDEO: We get a random replay from Superstars of The Machines coming out for a match.

The Moondogs vs. The British Bulldogs (w/Captain Lou Albano)

Ladd pushes the importance of a win for The Moondogs in their quest for the tag titles. It’s the little things. Valiant is still pissed at the Bulldogs beating The Dream Team at WrestleMania 2 (review). DOUBLE NOGGIN KNOCKER makes an appearance in this match. All four men get involved, and it’s Bulldog diving off the top with the flying cross body to earn the pin for the win. (*1/2)

BACKSTAGE: Resnick with Jake Roberts. His white jacket is full-on Don Johnson. Jake addresses the critics who want the DDT banned. In comes Savage, and these two on the same page is a dangerous thing. What a duo.

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BLAKE’S TAKE ON WWF WRESTLING CHALLENGE 9/6/86

Overall Rating: 6.5/10

Thoughts: An entertaining trip down memory lane with this inaugural edition of Wrestling Challenge. The character development was just on another level in this era of wrestling, and that’s what I love most about these 80s WWF shows. A fun watch for old school wrestling fans.

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For more of my show reviews, visit the Pro Wrestling Reviews section!

Ric Flair and Ricky Steamboat’s first two matches were five-star classics. Will we get a third in the WrestleWar 1989 review?

Hint: You probably already know the answer to that.

Let’s jump into Blake’s WrestleWar 1989 review.

• Date: May 7, 1989
• Location: Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, TN

IN THE RING: The Oak Ridge Boys sing the national anthem. It’s Nashville. You gotta have a popular music group in the house.

Doug Gilbert vs. The Great Muta (w/Gary Hart)

Well this was advertised as Muta vs. Junkyard Dog but that didn’t happen. Muta kicks him immediately and Gilbert is about to get the beating of a lifetime. But wait! Gilbert hits multiple clotheslines to get some momentum and this Tennessee native might just have a shot here. Never mind. Muta rakes the eyes and delivers the running elbow drop.

Gilbert tries to find more offense but Muta regains control. He goes up top for the moonsault but Gilbert moves out of the way and Muta still lands on his feet. Eddie Gilbert is now at ringside. Muta flies over the top onto Doug. Back inside and Muta hits the moonsault to win it at 3:16. STONE COLD, STONE COLD. Muta was awesome as usual.

• Rating: **

BACKSTAGE: Lance Russell with Ric Flair. He’s got the beautiful blue robe here. He calls Steamboat the greatest wrestler in the world but says to be the man, he’s gotta beat the man.

Butch Reed vs. Ranger Ross

Ross gains the advantage but Reed takes over with power moves. HERE COMES ROGUE TEDDY LONG. JR talks about how he was fired after he screwed over the Road Warriors at Clash of the Champions VI. Teddy stands around the ring surveying the talent.

My goodness this match is rough. Hard to believe Reed has fallen this far. Reed goes up top to hit the shoulder block for the win at 6:58. Dreadful.

• Rating: 1/2*

BACKSTAGE: Lance with Lex Luger. He doesn’t like how Michael Hayes has been running his mouth. That’s about it.

Dick Murdoch vs. Bob Orton (w/Gary Hart) – Bullrope Match

WHY, WHY, WHY? Who decided this was a good idea? The Bullrope match concept is generally terrible anyways. They fight for a bit and then there’s noticeable editing on the WWE Network. What I saw of it was terrible.

• Rating: DUD

The Samoan Swat Team (w/Paul E. Dangerously) vs. The Dynamic Dudes

Johnny Ace and Shane Douglas carrying surfboards and sporting blonde mullets is truly a sight to see. Johnny with the momentum early as he’s slamming everyone in sight. Shane gets in and makes the Samoans look like idiots. Samu and Fatu do not like that and start beating the shit out of Johnny. PEOPLE POWER.

Double team from the Samoans keeps their momentum going. Samu delivers a hell of a chop to Johnny in the corner. Johnny pretty much getting destroyed at this point. That lasts for a good while and even includes Samu slobbering all over Johnny. Paul E grabs the mic and tells Johnny he’s as useless as a woman from Nashville.

Finally we get the hot tag and Shane gives the dudes some confidence. Johnny hits a dropkick off the top, which allows Shane to cover for the upset win at 11:02. Surprisingly decent.

Rating: **

BACKSTAGE: Lance talks with Lou Thesz, Pat O’Connor, and Terry Funk. They’re the judges for tonight’s title match.

Michael PS Hayes (w/Hiro Matsuda) vs. (c) Lex Luger – NWA US Title

These two were tag partners until Hayes turned on him for some reason. Cross body from Hayes early gets a one count. Hayes regroups on the outside after some offense from Luger. They exchange punches in the ring and Luger slams Hayes. Luger in control now and he locks on the armbar.

Hayes eventually fights out and goes for the sunset flip, but we’re back to the armbar. Out again but Luger hits the backbreaker and gets a two count. Hayes throws the chops in the corner and then hits a clothesline. No sell from Luger has he picks him up and throws him into the corner. Punches in the corner from Luger but then he misses a flying cross body and goes flying over the top.

Hayes goes to work on the outside and throws Luger into the post. Hayes gets a two count back in the ring and he locks on the chinlock. Bulldog from Hayes gets another two count. Matsuda gets involved by throwing Luger into the rail while referee Nick Patrick is distracted by Hayes. Back to the chinlock. Luger throws Hayes across the ring and has the momentum. Hip toss to Hayes and then Luger hits a big clothesline for a two.

Military press from Luger and then another military press. Nashville crowd eating this with a spoon. A THIRD MILITARY PRESS. He goes for the Torture Rack but Hayes counters into a DDT. Ref bump and you know where this is headed. Terry Gordy comes out and pushes Hayes on top of Luger and we’ve got a major upset at 16:06. Hayes wins the title. Good heat and back and forth action. Much better than I thought it would be.

• Rating: **1/2

The Iron Sheik (w/Rip Morgan) vs. (c) Sting – NWA TV Title

SHEIKY BABY IS HERE. Sheik nails Sting with the flag pole before the match even starts. Sting takes control and hits the Stinger Splash. Then he locks on the Scorpion Death Lock and damn it Sheik taps at 2:12.

• Rating: 1/2* for the match, ***** for the SHEIKY BABY

Ric Flair vs. (c) Ricky Steamboat – NWA World Heavyweight Title

Flair comes out with 40 women standing in the aisle. 40! Just another weekend for the Nature Boy. Meanwhile, Steamboat comes out with his son riding a fucking pony. Perhaps the greatest combination of entrances ever. So odd to have this match go on here, as we’ve still got the two tag title matches to come. BUT HERE WE GO.

Shoulder block from Flair to start the match but Steamboat counters with a hip toss. THE CHOPS ARE BACK. Like seriously, there’s never been a chopping show quite like this. Not even when Yamaguchi Son choppy choppied Val Venis’ pee pee. Steamboat gets pissed the hell off and he comes back with perhaps the hardest chops of this entire three-match series. He then sends Flair reeling to the outside.

Armbar from Steamboat as he drops a few knees into the shoulder. Arm drag from Steamboat and Flair isn’t liking this one bit. Flair reverses, but Steamboat reverses back to the hammerlock. Half-nelson time from the Dragon. Flair brings the chops but Steamboat once again gets back to the hammerlock. Forearms from Flair and then guess what? CHOPS. Flair throws them, then Steamboat throws them even harder. That leads to a Flair flop as we see Thesz taking notes at the judges’ table.

Flair picks up Steamboat and puts him on top. Steamboat flies off but misses. However, Steamboat hits the dropkick to knock Flair back outside. Flair regroups a bit and then hits a few knees. But Steamboat continues to work on the elbow and shoulder of Flair. Hip toss from Flair but he misses the elbow. Steamboat goes back to work on the arm. Flair delivers shoulders to Steamboat’s abdomen in the corner. JR reads the judges’ cards, and they all give the first 15 minutes to Steamboat.

These chops from Flair are hellacious. So are Steamboat’s chops. Flair throws Steamboat outside but Steamboat immediately gets back in the ring and chops and punches the shit out of Flair. But Flair manages to get back momentum by throwing Steamboat over the top. Some random fan approaches Steamboat to tell him to get up.

IT’S STILL REAL TO THAT FAN DAMNIT. Steamboat gets sent into the first row after a Flair chop. Now we have an exchange of chops as they chase each other outside.

Back inside and the pace has picked up with Steamboat dominating. Flair with the corner flip bump and Steamboat chops him on the apron. Steamboat then goes back to the armbar. Steamboat goes for the flying splash but Flair moves out of the way, which sends Steamboat over the top rope. Flair keeps chopping away and Steamboat is on SPAGHETTI LEGS. Multiple pin attempts from Flair get nothing. Another two count and Flair is frustrated. He drops the elbow but Steamboat kicks out again.

Flair misses a chop but he catches Steamboat and throws him off the ropes. No count as Steamboat’s hand is under the ropes. Back to the outside and Flair suplexes Steamboat on the floor. Counter from Steamboat inside gets a near fall. Back and forth we go as both men go flying over the top in an awesome spot. Flair throws Steamboat back inside, but Steamboat throws Flair off the top. More near falls as the crowd is on their feet. Steamboat sets Flair up on the turnbuckle and hits the superplex.

Steamboat goes for the double chicken wing but Flair uses the ropes to stop it. However, Steamboat hits the flying chop off the top and then goes up top again. But Flair stumbles into the ropes and knocks Steamboat onto the floor. Flair hits the vertical suplex to bring Flair back inside. Now Flair locks in the Figure Four. Steamboat tries to reach the ropes as we hit the 30-minute mark. He finally does to break the hold.

More chops in the corner from Flair but Steamboat fights back. Flair wooooooos but Steamboat hits the kick to the back of the head. Steamboat goes for the slam and Steamboat’s leg buckles as Flair falls on him to score the pin and win the title at 31:37. After the match, they shake hands as Steamboat sells the knee. This was unheard of at this point in time.

You already know what rating this match is getting. Many people have tried to rank the three Flair/Steamboat matches, and I’d argue you could put them in any order and I wouldn’t disagree. Personally, I’d probably go Clash at No. 1, this at No. 2, and Chi-Town Rumble at No. 3.

• Rating: *****

INSIDE THE RING: JR praises Flair and Steamboat. Flair says Steamboat is the greatest champion he’s ever faced. Funk comes into the ring and says he wants to be the first to congratulate Flair. He then says he would have voted for Flair had it gone 60 minutes. Funk says he’d like to be the first to challenge Flair for the title. Flair says he’s honored but Funk’s been in Hollywood while he’s been the world champ. Funk gets upset and asks Flair if he thinks he isn’t good enough. Flair says he’s not in the top 10 when it comes to challengers. Funk says he was just kidding and then clocks Flair right in the dome.

Funk throws him outside and beats the living hell out of him. He throws Flair off the table and then PILEDRIVES HIM ON THE TABLE. Keep in mind this was a 1989 table and that shit didn’t break in half. Funk starts beating Flair with a chair and even threatens to duke it out with a fan. Funk goes over to JR with the mic and basically calls Flair garbage. ABSOLUTELY PHENOMENAL. One of the best post-match angles in wrestling history.

The Road Warriors vs. (c) Mike Rotunda and Steve Williams (w/Kevin Sullivan) – NWA World Tag Titles with Nikita Koloff as Special Referee

Koloff immediately throws Sullivan out much to the crowd’s delight. Give the crowd credit for being hot after the awesomeness that came before this. Animal in control early as Hawk and Williams make their way in. Williams misses an elbow drop and Hawk drops the fist. Hawk with a clothesline off the apron.

While Koloff is occupied with Animal, Rotunda throws Hawk into the ringpost outside. Animal back in to gain the momentum and go for a pin, but Williams breaks it up. Hawk goes after him while Rotunda misses Animal and flies over the top. Hawk and Animal hit the Doomsday Device but Dan Spivey comes out and pulls Koloff out of the ring. All hell breaks loose and the Road Warriors are awarded the DQ win at 6:06. This started well but went nowhere thanks to the finish.

• Rating: *

Dan Spivey and Kevin Sullivan vs. (c) Eddie Gilbert and Rick Steiner (w/Missy Hyatt) – NWA US Tag Team Titles

Brouhaha to start the match but all I care about is Hyatt. Spivey rams Steiner into the ringpost multiple times and that’s not good for the champs. The challengers control the match and they are beating the hell out of both Gilbert and Steiner. JR says there will be a ruling on the world tag title situation before the end of the show.

Spivey throws Gilbert around like a rag doll and then hits a dropkick. Steiner in pain on the apron. Gilbert flips out of a Spivey move and nearly breaks his back on the backdrop. Sullivan gets in and does nothing before tagging back out. Spivey dominating until Gilbert makes the tag but Tommy Young doesn’t see it. Steiner hits the clothesline which allows Gilbert to score the pin at 6:41. After the match, Sullivan and Spivey destroy Gilbert and Steiner. Sullivan goes over and grabs Hyatt but Gilbert runs him off with a chair. A total nothing match.

• Rating: 1/2*

OUTSIDE THE RING: JR informs us that Rotunda and Williams have been stripped of the NWA World Tag Titles. Fantastic.

SHOW SUMMARY

Yet again, Flair and Steamboat put the show on their back and walk 500 miles with it. The Funk/Flair angle after the match was pure gold, and it would lead to yet another incredible sequence of events leading up to the Great American Bash. Everything else on the show was just kind of there.

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In this WWF Raw 1/20/97 review, Gorilla Monsoon addresses the controversial finish to the Royal Rumble match, Stone Cold Steve Austin squares off with The Undertaker in the main event, and much more.

Let’s jump in!

• Show: Monday Night Raw
• Date: January 20, 1997
• Location: Lamar University in Beaumont, TX
• Raw Rating: 2.2
• Nitro Rating: 3.7

VIDEO: Vince McMahon, Jim Ross, and Jerry Lawler narrate the highlights from the Royal Rumble, including the controversial finish to the Rumble match.

RINGSIDE: The announce trio is hyping the action, and here comes a pissed off Bret Hart. He gets in the ring and takes aim at Vince, saying that Vince promised him a WWF title shot when he decided to come back to the company. Bret then plays up a conspiracy theory with Vince and Shawn Michaels. Bret wants to know where his opportunity is at says he’s been screwed by Michaels, Austin, Vince, and the WWF. Man, how prophetic that line, minus Austin, would become. Bret then says he quits the WWF and leaves through the crowd. And here comes Austin. His mic isn’t working, so he runs down the mic handler. Austin taunts Bret, then does the same to Gorilla Monsoon, Sycho Sid, and The Undertaker. Vince walks to the back in disgust. This was an AWESOME way to start the show.

Doug Furnas and Phil LaFon vs. Owen Hart and British Bulldog

Before the match, we see the recap of Owen eliminating Bulldog in the Rumble while trying to eliminate someone else. Also, this is a non-title match. Furnas and LaFon were such an underrated duo. These dudes could go in the ring. Furnas showcases that with a hurricanrana on Bulldog that pops the crowd. JR also reveals that Taker has been fined for chokeslamming a referee at the Rumble. Pretty much all Furnas and LaFon in this one until Owen hits a beautiful dropkick off the top to Furnas. Coming up after Raw is LA FEMME NIKITA. What a television program. Back and forth with Furnas getting a near fall, then Owen hits an enziguri for another near fall. The crowd is into it as Owen misses a flying headbutt, and they work to a hot tag to LaFon. He runs wild and gets multiple two counts on Bulldog. The action breaks down from there, and Owen hits LaFon with the Slammy while the ref is occupied with Furnas, which allows Bulldog to hit the Running Powerslam for the win.

• Blake’s Rating: This was great stuff between these four, but that’s not exactly a surprise given the talent involved. ***

VIDEO: Highlight package of Michaels’ entrance at the Rumble. You know the company is behind you when you get a highlight package of your entrance.

Farooq vs. Bart Gunn

Farooq is coming off the match with Ahmed Johnson at the Rumble, and my guess is Ahmed gets involved in some form or fashion. Speaking of getting involved, PG13 use some underhanded tactics on Bart while Lawler informs us Bill Clinton is tuning into Raw. Who am I to doubt the King? Farooq wears down Bart, but Bart mounts a comeback and hits a bulldog. However, more PG13 shenanigans and Bart goes after them, but he gets hammered by Farooq. Crush rolls Bart back in, and Farooq hits the Dominator for the victory.

• Blake’s Rating: Not much to this match, though it was an effective way to push the Nation’s advantage over its opponents. *1/2

IN THE RING: Vince is out with Gorilla, who is not happy with Bret leaving. Gorilla says Austin did technically win the Rumble, but he’s no longer guaranteed a title shot at WrestleMania. And then comes the announcement of Austin vs. Taker vs. Vader vs. Bret in a four-way No DQ elimination match, with the winner set to challenge for the WWF title at WrestleMania. Austin comes out pissed and says Bret quit. Then he says there’s no instant replay in the WWF before calling Gorilla a jackass. The fans are loving Austin, who says he’ll win the match and beat up Gorilla afterward. Austin gets in Vince’s face, and BRET IS BACK and accepts the match. Wild pull-apart brawl in the aisle as Bret throws Austin into the steel steps as they go to commercial. Back from commercial and they’re still jawing at each other as Taker comes out and brawls with Bret. Then Austin jumps Taker from behind and now these two are brawling. This was just tremendous.

Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. The Undertaker

The crowd is going nuts as the match starts and these two just go right at each other. Taker takes control early, but Austin reverses the momentum and starts to wear him down. Lawler leaves commentary and yells for Austin to go after Taker’s ribs. However, Taker mule kicks Austin right in the balls, but then Austin hits him with the Stunner. Meanwhile, the camera cuts backstage, where superstars are holding back Bret and Vader. Love it. Austin tries to go up top, but Taker racks him. But Austin goes back up and hits the elbow drop for two. LA FEMME NIKITA is next, folks! Here comes Vader, and there referee calls for the bell as Taker chokeslams Vader. Bret runs in and all heel breaks loose with these four with referees doing their best to pull them apart, but it doesn’t work. They continue to brawl as the show goes off the air.

• Blake’s Rating: Solid match that was mostly there to push the post-match angle, but given the excellence of the angle, there’s nothing wrong with that. **

Blake’s Take on WWF Monday Night Raw 1/20/97

• Best Match: Doug Furnas and Phil LaFon vs. Owen Hart and British Bulldog
• Show MVP: Stone Cold Steve Austin
• Overall Rating: 9.0/10
• Thoughts: This is just a fantastic edition of Raw built around the most engaging storyline in the company. What makes it work is it’s not just one segment dedicated to the storyline, but rather, the storyline being a running thread in nearly every segment on the show. That’s how it should be when a storyline is that good. The crowd was into it, and it was terrific work from everyone involved, including the announcers.

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For more of my show reviews, visit the Pro Wrestling Reviews section!

In this WWF Survivor Series 1987 review, Hulk Hogan’s team faces off with Rick Rude’s team in the inaugural edition of the Thanksgiving tradition.

Let’s jump in.

• Show: Survivor Series 1987
• Date: November 26, 1987
• Location: Richfield Township, OH

We immediately get a shot of a guy that looks like Harvey Whippleman in the crowd. This show is already off to a great start.

ANNOUNCE BOOTH: Gorilla Monsoon and Jesse Ventura are real and they are spectacular.

BACKSTAGE: The Honky Tonk’s team is jacked and ready to kick the Macho Man’s back.

Honky Tonk Man, Harley Race, Hercules, Danny Davis, Ron Bass vs. Macho Man, Ricky Steamboat, Hacksaw Jim Duggan, Brutus Beefcake, Jake Roberts

This was back when Beefcake was manageable to watch. Macho’s team is quite stacked, no?

Macho tagging in Steamboat makes your heart melt after the classic that these two had at Wrestlemania III. Of course the crowd goes ballistic when Duggan comes in, and in true Duggan fashion, he brawls with Race on the outside and they both get counted out. Jesse calls it a dumb elimination, which it was.

Beefcake eliminates Bass. Then Beefcake gets worked over for a while and finally gets eliminated by Honky. Good. Get the bum out of there.

Hercules has always been underrated in my mind. He could have made for a great Hogan villain. Had the look and style that Vince loved. Danny Davis gets eliminated by Roberts.

Steamboat finally gets a hot tag and brings the crowd awake again after a few rest hold spots. He then destroys Hercules, and Macho finishes him off with the elbow drop to leave Honky by himself.

The beatdown on Honky is highlighted by Gorilla calling him a piece of garbage. Gorilla was a national treasure. Of course a clean finish was impossible during this day and age, so Honky gets himself counted out to give Macho’s team the win at 24:00.

This dragged a bit but was fine overall.

BACKSTAGE: Interview with Andre’s team of Rick Rude, Butch Reed, King Kong Bundy, and One Mang. Bobby Heenan and Slick also involved. What a damn squad that is.

Judy Martin, Lelani Kai, Dawn Marie, Donna Christianello, Sensational Sherri vs. Velvet McIntyre, Rockin’ Robin, Jumping Bomb Angels, Fabulous Moolah

Oh my. This could be a gem. It’s a shame that the Dawn Marie involved in this match isn’t the Dawn Marie from ECW.

This match starts rather slow but I don’t have to tell you that. Christianello and Marie are the first two to go. Immediately the Jumping Bomb Angels make the match worth watching as they’re just flying all over the place.

That’s really all this become. A showcase for the Angels, as they really put on a show here. Yamakazi’s pin on Martin wins it for the good girls at 20:00. This wasn’t as bad as you thought it would be.

BACKSTAGE: Heenan hypes up the upcoming Survivor Series match featuring all the tag teams.

Strike Force, Young Stallions, Fabulous Rougeaus, Killer Bees, British Bulldogs vs. Hart Foundation, Dream Team, The Islanders, Demolition, The Bolsheviks

Reminder that this is a 10 vs. 10 elimination match. 10 VS. 10. Seeing all these guys in the ring prior to the match is truly a sight to behold. Also worth a reminder that one man getting pinned means the entire tag team is eliminated.

Considering the insane amount of talent in the match, it’s no shocker to see the Bolsheviks get eliminated first. THE TAG TEAM SCENE WAS LOADED. Rougeaus are the next to go. And then Demolition gets eliminated because Smash throws the referee halfway to China and they get the DQ shaft.

Now we got the Hart Foundation going at it with the British Bulldogs. Phenomenal. Jim Powers is spending a lot of time in the ring and he was juiced up nicely as always. Poor Tito gets eliminated by Neidhart. Powers is back in the ring. He’s taken over this match. Finally Powers gets the hell out of there and we get a good sequence with Bret and Bulldog before Haku eliminates the Bulldogs.

I don’t to alarm you but Powers is back in the match. Roma finally gets him the hell out of there and pins Valentine. Brunzell eliminates Hart. Of course he did.

So to recap, we have the Young Stallions and the Killer Bees remaining with the Islanders. Of all those teams, these are the three left. Stallions and Bees get the win at 37:00. Long match, but made sense given how many people were included.

VIDEO: Million Dollar Man is just riding around in fancy cars flashing cash. Then we get a video of him challenging a kid to do 10 pushups. The kid stops at 9 and DiBiase tells him that isn’t good enough and he gets no money. Then we get the kid dribbling the basketball trying to win $500 dollars, and DiBiase even insults the kid and basically calls him poor. Then he kicks out of the kid’s hand at No. 14 to miss the 15-dribble mark. AWESOME.

Rick Rude, King Kong Bundy, Butch Reed, One Man Gang, Andre the Giant vs. Bam Bam Bigelow, Ken Patera, Don Muraco, Paul Orndorff, Hulk Hogan

Hulkamania was clearly alive and well at this stage. The people go ballistic. We get Hogan vs. Rude early and I’m on cloud nine. This was my dream match. Rude is one of the greatest ever.

Patera comes in and immediately the match gets ugly. Go figure. Hogan eliminated Reed fairly quickly with the leg drop of doom. We then get Patera vs. Andre, which was not my dream match. Thankfully Andre gets out of the ring and lets Bundy do the work. Patera gets the hell beat out of him for a while. Massive “Andre sucks” chant as Patera finally gets eliminated by the Gang. Beautiful.

Rude uses the tights to eliminate Orndorff, but then gets pinned by Muraco. Terrible. Just terrible.

Gang then eliminates Muraco after beating on him for a bit. 3-2 advantage for the bad guys right now. Something tells me this won’t last.

Andre finally gets in the ring and we get the showdown with Hogan. This was what the people paid to see. They go at it a bit and then Hogan goes outside to slam Gang and Bigelow. The problem? Hulkster gets counted out. HULK IS GONE AND PEOPLE ARE NOT HAPPY. To add insult to injury, the ref tells Hogan if he doesn’t hit the road then he will reward the match to Andre and company.

So in a strange turn of events, it’s Bigelow vs. Andre, Bundy and Gang. HOSSES EVERYWHERE. Bigelow sends Bundy packing to get closer to the pinnacle. Then Bigelow elminates Gang. Bigelow is out here about to win this match.

Just kidding. Andre gets in and takes care of business to get the victory at 22:00.

After the match, Hogan comes in wielding his title belt and nails Andre with it. Jesse rightfully calls him a sore loser and Hogan does the usual shenanigans in the ring to close the show.

And in the best line of the night, Jesse says that only in Cleveland would they boo a loser. Phenomenal.

BACKSTAGE: Heenan tells Hogan if he wants Andre, he’s got him. Andre is all smiles.

OVERALL

This is a very enjoyable show. The match featuring the tag teams was the best one, but the rest were all entertaining for what they were. And you had the surprising women’s match. Great start to the Survivor Series concept.

For more of my show reviews, visit the Reviews section!

In this Saturday Night’s Main Event 4/28/90 review, The Ultimate Warrior era has begun in the WWF, and his first title defense comes against a henchman of a familiar foe.

Plus, Hulk Hogan makes history against Mr. Perfect. And if you’re a Perfect fan, it’s not the good kind of history.

Let’s jump in.

• Date: April 28, 1990
• Location: Frank Erwin Center in Austin, TX

VIDEO: We get a video package hyping the WWF title match between The Ultimate Warrior and Haku, and the big showdown between Hulk Hogan and Mr. Perfect.

RINGSIDE: An old western song starts playing as we cut to Vince McMahon and Jesse Ventura, who are both wearing cowboy hats, RIDING UP THE AISLE ON HORSES. This is already the greatest Saturday Night’s Main Event ever. They hype the big matches.

BACKSTAGE: Sean Mooney with Perfect and The Genius. Perfect talks about his sports prowess and mocks Hogan for losing at WrestleMania.

BACKSTAGE: Mean Gene Okerlund with Hogan. He calls Perfect and Genius perfect fools. Hogan gives a motivational speech about getting back up after getting knocked down.

Mr. Perfect (w/The Genius) vs. Hulk Hogan

Vince is all over the Texas theme as he calls this match a shootout. Hogan quickly throws Perfect into the corner and he retreats to the outside. Back inside where Perfect hits a hip toss on Hogan as Genius dances around the ring. Hogan with a hip toss of his own and then he hits several bodyslams to send Perfect retreating once again. Perfect starts going to work on Hogan in the corner and he takes control with punches and chops.

Perfect with an Irish whip and Hogan reverses to try to hit the big boot, but Perfect holds onto the ropes and heads outside. Hogan follows him and throws Perfect into the post as Jesse is losing his shit about Hogan resorting to dirty tactics. They head back in the ring with Hogan hitting a big clothesline and then another in the corner. Hogan with hard rights and chops before hitting another clothesline. Hogan throws Perfect in the corner and hits a running reverse elbow as Perfect flips over to the outside.

Hogan heads outside the ring with more hard punches, and Genius sneaks up behind him. Hogan turns around and delivers a haymaker as Genius slides into the ring. Meanwhile, Perfect grabs the metal scroll and nails Hogan with it as the ref turns his attention to Genius. Perfect gets back in the ring, and Vince lets us know that the TUSSLE IN TEXAS will resume after the break. We return to see Perfect kicking Hogan’s ass on the floor. He throws Hogan into the steel rail before throwing him back in the ring.

Jesse keeps bashing Hogan as Perfect bounces Hogan’s head off the top rope. I mean, he didn’t actually take his head and throw it. That would probably be a felony. Perfect goes for an elbow drop but Hogan moves out of the way. Hogan with several right hands before attempting a back body drop, but Perfect kicks him in the face. Perfect then hits the Perfect Plex, and wouldn’t you know it, Hogan becomes the first person to kick out of it. Hulk up time as he runs wild and hits the big boot and leg drop for the win at 8:03. After the match, Genius tries to hit Hogan with the scroll but gets thrown over the top for his troubles. Hot match with an obvious finish.

• Rating: **1/2

VIDEO: Rick Martel, who is wearing a cowboy hat while sitting on a horse, hypes his new fragrance ‘Arrogance’.

BACKSTAGE: Jesse with Earthquake and Jimmy Hart. Earthquake is going to beat the hell out of Hillbilly Jim.

BACKSTAGE: Gene with Hillbilly Jim. He tells a story about pigs and reading a story about a guy named Earthquake.

Earthquake (w/Jimmy Hart) vs. Hillbilly Jim

Earthquake tries to attack from behind but Hillbilly moves out of the way. Hillbilly rams Earthquake’s head off the turnbuckle several times and hits a few chops before doing a cartwheel. Jesse basically calls Hillbilly an idiot for doing cartwheels, and it’s hard to disagree since Earthquake takes control. But Hillbilly regains the advantage with more chops as Hart climbs on the apron. Hart grabs Hillbilly’s horseshoe, and that allows Earthquake to hit a big splash on Hillbilly in the corner. Earthquake drops and elbow and hits the splash to win it at 1:58. Earthquake hits a few more splashes and elbow drops after the bell, which leads to Hillbilly doing a stretcher job. SQUASH.

• Rating: NR

VIDEO: More hype for ‘Arrogance’. Martel sprays it around and then two women walk out with him.

BACKSTAGE: Jesse with the Hart Foundation. Jesse praises them for challenging for the tag team titles before even knowing who the champs would be after WrestleMania. They hype their match with the Rockers.

BACKSTAGE: Gene with the Rockers. They want a shot at the tag titles too.

The Hart Foundation vs. The Rockers

Bret Hart and Marty Jannetty start things off. Jannetty slides between Hart’s legs and they exchange reversals before Shawn Michaels tags in and flies off the top onto Bret, who flips over to reverse it into a pin for two. Double team moves from Michaels and Jannetty, which leads to Jim Neidhart getting pissed and clocking both of them with a double clothesline. Neidhart tags in and he goes to work on Jannetty. Neidhart with a big shoulder block, but Jannetty quickly counters and hits a drop toe hold.

Michaels back in and he leapfrogs over Neidhart and hits a dropkick for two. Michaels goes for a cross body but Neidhard counters into a bodyslam. Bret back in and he hits the atomic drop before tagging Neidhart, who whips Michaels off the ropes as Bret holds the rope down. Back body drop from Neidhart to Michaels and Bret comes back in and whips Michaels into the corner. Another tag with Neidhart working on Michaels’ back.

Neidhart with some vicious shoulder drives to Michaels’ midsection, which leads to a near fall. Bret tags in but Michael uses the sunset flip for a pin attempt, but the crowd starts going nuts as Demolition make their way down the aisle. Bret hits a backbreaker on Michaels and then turns his attention to Ax and Smash. However, Michaels hops up and dropkicks Bret over the top. Ax and Smash try to help him back in the ring but Bret shoves them away.

Back from commercial with Bret beating up on Michaels. Bret with an Irish whip but Michaels reverses, with Bret caching him with a kick to the face.  Bret comes off the top with an elbow, but Michaels moves out of the way and makes the hot tag to Jannetty. The crowd goes apeshit for Jannetty who hits a powerlsam on Bret and then a super kick for a near fall. Jannetty counters an Irish whip attempt and uses a sunset flip for a two count. Jannetty tries to go back on offense but Bret hits a neckbreaker before tagging Neidhart, who catapults over but misses a splash on Jannetty.

Tag to Michaels who gets destroyed by a huge shoulder block by Neidhart for a near fall. Neidhart goes for a back body drop but Michaels hits an elbow to the face for two. Neidhart catches Michaels off the top, with Michaels falling on him for another two count as Neidhart’s kick out sends Michaels to the floor. Ax and Smash rolls Michaels back in which doesn’t please Jannetty as he hits Ax. Jannetty and Smash go it and all six men hit the ring for a good ‘ol fashioned BROUHAHA for the double DQ at 9:30. Despite the DQ finish, this was still a really good match.

• Rating: ***

BACKSTAGE: Mooney with Earthquake and Jimmy Hart. Earthquake says he’s gonna finish Hogan.

BACKSTAGE: Gene with Hogan. He says he’s a Texas tornado and that he’s gonna mow him down. Gene hypes up Earthquake’s strength and we get another speech from Hogan about fighting adversity.

VIDEO: Vince recaps the Hogan/Warrior match from WrestleMania.

BACKSTAGE: Jesse with Haku and Bobby Heenan. They run down Texas, and Heenan talks about the state being known for shit among other things. Haku says he’s gonna win the title, with Heenan running down all the historical figures from Texas.

BACKSTAGE: Gene with Warrior. We get the usual wild promo which includes grains of sand, being chosen to lead warriors into darkness, and threats towards Heenan and Haku. Gene’s facial expression during this entire thing is just pure gold.

Haku (w/Bobby Heenan) vs. (c) The Ultimate Warrior – WWF Title

Haku charges at Warrior and chops away at him, but Warrior uses some kicks to the midsection before hitting a back body drop. Haku rolls outside the ring as Warrior finally takes the belt off. They slide back inside where Warrior hits a shoulder block and ducks a clothesline. More chops from Warrior as he goes to work on Haku’s arm. Warrior then throws Haku over the top.

Warrior chases Haku back into the ring, which allows the latter to take control momentarily before Warrior rams Haku’s head 10 times into the turnbuckle. Multiple clotheslines from Haku and a dropkick to Warrior for a two count. Backbreaker from Haku gets another two. And then Haku hits a back suplex for yet another near fall. Haku with a bodyslam and he delivers a splash for……wait for it…..a two count. Warrior has had enough of this shit as he goes nuts with a clothesline and shoulder block before hitting the splash to retain at 4:49. Successful first title defense for Warrior.

• Rating: *1/2

VIDEO: Martel is playing tennis and he starts spraying ‘Arrogance’ everywhere.

VIDEO: We recap Ted DiBiase attacking the Big Boss Man before his match with Akeem at WrestleMania.

BACKSTAGE: Mooney with Akeem and Slick. They talk about DiBiase giving them an offer they can’t refuse.

BACKSTAGE: Gene with Boss Man. He bashes DiBiase’s money and says there are some things that can’t be bought. He adds that everything is bigger in Texas, including the ass-kicking he’s about to get.

Akeem (w/Slick) vs. Big Boss Man

Boss Man goes right at Akeem and throws him across the ring. Boss Man with the leg drop on Akeem’s neck before he misses a splash in the corner. Akeem whips Boss Man into the opposite corner and hits a huge clothesline. Then we get Akeem using the vaunted ASS SMASH to Boss Man’s face. Akeem with more offense and he hits a big splash, but Boss Man kicks out with authority at two.

Akeem goes for a piledriver, but Boss Man back body drops him over the top. Akeem gets back on the apron and Boss Man flips him into the ring. Boss Man whips Akeem into the corner and catches him for the side slam but here comes DiBiase and Virgil to force the DQ at 3:18. DiBiase and Virgil beat down Boss Man and handcuff him to the corner. Virgil grabs Boss Man’s nightstick and hands it to DiBiase. But Boss Man pulls out the key to the handcuffs and breaks loose to send DiBiase and Virgil scurrying to the back. The match was there to further the hot storyline between DiBiase and Boss Man, and there’s nothing wrong with that.

• Rating: 1/2*

VIDEO: Martel continues to promote ‘Arrogance’ as a hot woman hops in his car. He also insulates that it’ll improve your engine’s performance. Basically Martel was doing his own BlueChew ad read before BlueChew was a thing.

BACKSTAGE: Mooney with Heenan. He says he noticed weaknesses with Warrior and announces that Rick Rude is coming for the WWF title.

BACKSTAGE: Gene with Warrior. He yells about being out of control.

ON THE STAGE: Vince and Jesse hype the Warrior/Rude and Hogan/Earthquake feuds before hopping back on their horses. We also get a hilarious closing visual with Jesse sharing a carrot with a horse.

SHOW SUMMARY

It’s incredible how entertaining wrestling shows can be when they focus on building stories and characters. Saturday Night’s Main Event accomplished just that throughout the years, and this was another example of how to do it effectively by pushing multiple main event feuds, the loaded tag team title scene, and Martel’s awesomeness.

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