Post by TheShowJordanRichards on Dec 15, 2015 12:51:31 GMT -5
Here is my review of the Great American Bash '89. Included are Meltzer's star ratings for each match. My review will be in bold italics throughout.
◾$50,000 Triple Crown Two-Ring King Of The Hill Battle Royal: Dan Spivey vs. Sid Vicious vs. Bill Irwin vs. Eddie Gilbert vs. Flyin' Brian vs. Kevin Sullivan vs. Mike Rotunda vs. Ranger Ross vs. Rick Steiner vs. Ron Simmons vs. Scott Hall vs. Scott Steiner vs. Steve Williams vs. Terry Gordy ~ Winner(s)~ Vicious & Spivey in 10:20 = *** Meltzer gave it 3 stars, which is a rating of significance. This was a pretty hot opener, though it was a "Battle Royal." The ending saw "Skyscrapers" partners Sid Vicious and Dan Spivey as the last two remaining. Manager Teddy Long declared that they would share the purse. This was a good way to build them as a monster team. They would embark on a feud with the "Road Warriors" soon after.
◾Flyin' Brian vs. Bill Irwin ~ Winner ~ Pillman in 10:18 = **1/2 This had a bit of clunkiness for me. I have never been fond of Irwin. Solid worker, but a touch sloppy for my taste. Pillman was a phenomenal athlete, but was still developing his fluidity. Decent second match, though.
◾The Skyscrapers (Dan Spivey & Sid Vicious) (w/Teddy Long) vs. The Dynamic Dudes (Johnny Ace & Shane Douglas) ~ Winners ~ The Skyscrapers in 9:14 = * One star is generous. This match was awful and went about seven minutes too long. I know that bookers were attempting to get the "Dudes" over by having them hang with the "Scrapers," but it was just horrid. A botched "Power Bomb" by Spivey ended this one mercifully.
◾Tuxedo Street Fight: Jim Cornette vs. Paul E. Dangerously ~ Winner ~ Cornette in 6:22 = *3/4 This match was a hoot to watch. The workrate was not much better than the previous match, but the story told sold it. It was a shorter match, which it needed to be. But, those two really went at each other in the time given. Cornette in the ring was always underrated in my opinion. He was never a 5-star guy, but he was a great salesman, much in the same vein as Bobby Heenan. Paul E. was serviceable in his role as well. Fun little bout.
◾Texas Tornado Tag Team: The Steiner Brothers (Rick Steiner & Scott Steiner) (w/Missy Hyatt) vs. The Varsity Club (Kevin Sullivan & Mike Rotunda) ~ Winners ~ The Steiners in 4:22 = *** This was a great match for the time given. The Steiners were the class of the tag team division. Before Scotty became a roided-up jerkoff, he was a great technical wrestler. Rick was explosive in his own right. Rotunda was always a gifted wrestler, in-ring. His personality left a little to be desired. The "Varsity Club" gimmick was perfect for him. Sullivan was not the worker he once was by this time. He no-sold more often than not and was a terrible bumper. But, his persona was sinister. I never really thought he fit with the "V.C.," but they needed a capable mouthpiece. If given ten minutes or more, this would have been rated higher.
◾NWA World Television Title: Sting (w/Eddie Gilbert) (c) vs. The Great Muta (w/Gary Hart) ~ Winner ~ disputed ending in 8:40 = ***3/4 Muta was a huge get for WCW/NWA at this time. Sting was coming into his own as the "Franchise." This made for a hot feud that carried both through the rest of the year. The double-pin finish created controversy and gave the angle legs. Muta eventually took the belt and remained unbeaten until "Starrcade." These were two hungry young lions who had good athletic chemistry and put on good matches. The fans were hot for this program. It was woven into the main event storyline, which also included Ric Flair and Terry Funk. Sting and Muta being elevated to that level gave them both a big time rub.
◾NWA United States Heavyweight Title: Lex Luger (c) vs. Ricky Steamboat ~ Winner ~ Luger by disqualification in 10:26 = ****1/4 Steamboat is the finest in-ring technician ever, in my opinion. He was coming off his historic run with Flair (which produced the greatest series of all time). Luger had just turned heel by attacking Steamboat. Rick had the match and the title won, then went berserk and waffled Luger with a chair, causing the DQ. This is where the rest of the feud went. Steamboat demanded a "No DQ" stipulation for a rematch and Luger continued to duck him. The feud never really completed itself, as Steamboat left the company (in a dispute) shortly thereafter. This was one of Luger's better matches. Steamboat was Steamboat. He made an in-ring turd like Luger shine. Hats off.
◾War Games: Steve Williams, The Midnight Express (Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane) & The Road Warriors (Road Warrior Animal & Road Warrior Hawk) (w/Paul Ellering) vs. The Fabulous Freebirds (Jimmy Garvin, Michael Hayes & Terry Gordy) & The Samoan Swat Team (Fatu & Samu) (w/Paul E. Dangerously) ~ Winners ~ Williams, "Road Warriors," and "MX" in 22:18 = **** Not the best "War Games" I ever saw ("Horsemen" versions in '87 and '88), but not the worst (any "nWo" version). With the quality of teams involved, you would expect good action. I thought they did a fine job, all things considered. All "War Games" matches had the element of chaos, what with two rings and that many moving parts. This offering was no different. But, again, it was a solid performance all the way around the horn. Hawk got the submission with a "Hangman" choke on Garvin.
◾NWA World Heavyweight Title: Ric Flair (c) vs. Terry Funk (w/Gary Hart) ~ Winner ~ Flair in 17:23 = ****1/2 The Flair-Funk feud was easily the hottest thing in pro wrestling in 1989. It won every "Feud of the Year" award available. These guys had a real respect for each other outside the ring, so they agreed to push each other inside the ring. Flair has never been involved in a more hard-hitting program than he had with Funk. Terry played the unpredictable, unstable heel with complete mastery. Flair, though the babyface, was still the "dirtiest player in the game." He and Funk's styles meshed beautifully. This was also a double juicer. I'm all about blood, when used properly. Flair was out for vengeance and Funk was just a crazed, middle-aged man trying to recapture the glory of his younger days. It worked on every level. The best match they had was the "I Quit" in November 1989, but this was a stellar beginning to the program that would reach unsurpassed heights. Funk would smother Flair with a plastic bag (a highly controversial spot) in the fall. That's how insane the conflict became. From an entertainment standpoint, this was my favorite feud for Flair. Once Sting, Muta, Dick Slater, and Gary Hart were brought into the mix, the combustible elements ramped up even further. Classic wrestling and classic TV. By the way, Flair reversed a "Small Package" for the pin in this match. It kept Funk strong and kept the belt on Flair.
As far as I am concerned--and, I fancy myself a pro wrestler historian and aficionado--1989 in WCW (still NWA by name) was the company's greatest year. They were stacked to the gills with talent. The bottom of the card was filled with quality young athletes. The midcard was filled with a mix of young upstarts and viable veterans. The upper card was full of "Match of the Night" contenders every time out. The main event was manned by legendary performers. The tag team division was loaded. There was an even mix of heavyweights and junior heavyweights. The heel-to-babyface ratio was perfect. In 1989, Ted Turner had it all. I defy anyone to find a better combination of roster and match quality (in North America) than WCW 1989.
NWA The Great American Bash '89 - "Glory Days" (Baltimore Arena in Baltimore, Maryland on 7/23/1989)
◾$50,000 Triple Crown Two-Ring King Of The Hill Battle Royal: Dan Spivey vs. Sid Vicious vs. Bill Irwin vs. Eddie Gilbert vs. Flyin' Brian vs. Kevin Sullivan vs. Mike Rotunda vs. Ranger Ross vs. Rick Steiner vs. Ron Simmons vs. Scott Hall vs. Scott Steiner vs. Steve Williams vs. Terry Gordy ~ Winner(s)~ Vicious & Spivey in 10:20 = *** Meltzer gave it 3 stars, which is a rating of significance. This was a pretty hot opener, though it was a "Battle Royal." The ending saw "Skyscrapers" partners Sid Vicious and Dan Spivey as the last two remaining. Manager Teddy Long declared that they would share the purse. This was a good way to build them as a monster team. They would embark on a feud with the "Road Warriors" soon after.
◾Flyin' Brian vs. Bill Irwin ~ Winner ~ Pillman in 10:18 = **1/2 This had a bit of clunkiness for me. I have never been fond of Irwin. Solid worker, but a touch sloppy for my taste. Pillman was a phenomenal athlete, but was still developing his fluidity. Decent second match, though.
◾The Skyscrapers (Dan Spivey & Sid Vicious) (w/Teddy Long) vs. The Dynamic Dudes (Johnny Ace & Shane Douglas) ~ Winners ~ The Skyscrapers in 9:14 = * One star is generous. This match was awful and went about seven minutes too long. I know that bookers were attempting to get the "Dudes" over by having them hang with the "Scrapers," but it was just horrid. A botched "Power Bomb" by Spivey ended this one mercifully.
◾Tuxedo Street Fight: Jim Cornette vs. Paul E. Dangerously ~ Winner ~ Cornette in 6:22 = *3/4 This match was a hoot to watch. The workrate was not much better than the previous match, but the story told sold it. It was a shorter match, which it needed to be. But, those two really went at each other in the time given. Cornette in the ring was always underrated in my opinion. He was never a 5-star guy, but he was a great salesman, much in the same vein as Bobby Heenan. Paul E. was serviceable in his role as well. Fun little bout.
◾Texas Tornado Tag Team: The Steiner Brothers (Rick Steiner & Scott Steiner) (w/Missy Hyatt) vs. The Varsity Club (Kevin Sullivan & Mike Rotunda) ~ Winners ~ The Steiners in 4:22 = *** This was a great match for the time given. The Steiners were the class of the tag team division. Before Scotty became a roided-up jerkoff, he was a great technical wrestler. Rick was explosive in his own right. Rotunda was always a gifted wrestler, in-ring. His personality left a little to be desired. The "Varsity Club" gimmick was perfect for him. Sullivan was not the worker he once was by this time. He no-sold more often than not and was a terrible bumper. But, his persona was sinister. I never really thought he fit with the "V.C.," but they needed a capable mouthpiece. If given ten minutes or more, this would have been rated higher.
◾NWA World Television Title: Sting (w/Eddie Gilbert) (c) vs. The Great Muta (w/Gary Hart) ~ Winner ~ disputed ending in 8:40 = ***3/4 Muta was a huge get for WCW/NWA at this time. Sting was coming into his own as the "Franchise." This made for a hot feud that carried both through the rest of the year. The double-pin finish created controversy and gave the angle legs. Muta eventually took the belt and remained unbeaten until "Starrcade." These were two hungry young lions who had good athletic chemistry and put on good matches. The fans were hot for this program. It was woven into the main event storyline, which also included Ric Flair and Terry Funk. Sting and Muta being elevated to that level gave them both a big time rub.
◾NWA United States Heavyweight Title: Lex Luger (c) vs. Ricky Steamboat ~ Winner ~ Luger by disqualification in 10:26 = ****1/4 Steamboat is the finest in-ring technician ever, in my opinion. He was coming off his historic run with Flair (which produced the greatest series of all time). Luger had just turned heel by attacking Steamboat. Rick had the match and the title won, then went berserk and waffled Luger with a chair, causing the DQ. This is where the rest of the feud went. Steamboat demanded a "No DQ" stipulation for a rematch and Luger continued to duck him. The feud never really completed itself, as Steamboat left the company (in a dispute) shortly thereafter. This was one of Luger's better matches. Steamboat was Steamboat. He made an in-ring turd like Luger shine. Hats off.
◾War Games: Steve Williams, The Midnight Express (Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane) & The Road Warriors (Road Warrior Animal & Road Warrior Hawk) (w/Paul Ellering) vs. The Fabulous Freebirds (Jimmy Garvin, Michael Hayes & Terry Gordy) & The Samoan Swat Team (Fatu & Samu) (w/Paul E. Dangerously) ~ Winners ~ Williams, "Road Warriors," and "MX" in 22:18 = **** Not the best "War Games" I ever saw ("Horsemen" versions in '87 and '88), but not the worst (any "nWo" version). With the quality of teams involved, you would expect good action. I thought they did a fine job, all things considered. All "War Games" matches had the element of chaos, what with two rings and that many moving parts. This offering was no different. But, again, it was a solid performance all the way around the horn. Hawk got the submission with a "Hangman" choke on Garvin.
◾NWA World Heavyweight Title: Ric Flair (c) vs. Terry Funk (w/Gary Hart) ~ Winner ~ Flair in 17:23 = ****1/2 The Flair-Funk feud was easily the hottest thing in pro wrestling in 1989. It won every "Feud of the Year" award available. These guys had a real respect for each other outside the ring, so they agreed to push each other inside the ring. Flair has never been involved in a more hard-hitting program than he had with Funk. Terry played the unpredictable, unstable heel with complete mastery. Flair, though the babyface, was still the "dirtiest player in the game." He and Funk's styles meshed beautifully. This was also a double juicer. I'm all about blood, when used properly. Flair was out for vengeance and Funk was just a crazed, middle-aged man trying to recapture the glory of his younger days. It worked on every level. The best match they had was the "I Quit" in November 1989, but this was a stellar beginning to the program that would reach unsurpassed heights. Funk would smother Flair with a plastic bag (a highly controversial spot) in the fall. That's how insane the conflict became. From an entertainment standpoint, this was my favorite feud for Flair. Once Sting, Muta, Dick Slater, and Gary Hart were brought into the mix, the combustible elements ramped up even further. Classic wrestling and classic TV. By the way, Flair reversed a "Small Package" for the pin in this match. It kept Funk strong and kept the belt on Flair.
As far as I am concerned--and, I fancy myself a pro wrestler historian and aficionado--1989 in WCW (still NWA by name) was the company's greatest year. They were stacked to the gills with talent. The bottom of the card was filled with quality young athletes. The midcard was filled with a mix of young upstarts and viable veterans. The upper card was full of "Match of the Night" contenders every time out. The main event was manned by legendary performers. The tag team division was loaded. There was an even mix of heavyweights and junior heavyweights. The heel-to-babyface ratio was perfect. In 1989, Ted Turner had it all. I defy anyone to find a better combination of roster and match quality (in North America) than WCW 1989.
