Post by Shatter Machine on Dec 19, 2015 12:53:58 GMT -5
Baltimore, MD
1987.04.10-11
In the Late 80's, the NWA held a Tag Team Tournament for a few years, bringing in guys from all the different territories, although most of the top notch talent was from Jim Crockett's Mid-Atlantic territory, which was snapping up all the other little regional promotions, like Georgia, Florida, and soon after this, Bill Watts' UWF. The tournament would take place over two days each year, and was won in 1986 by the Road Warriors.
I really wish that WWE would do something like that, or even better, a round robin like they do in Japan, with NJPW's G1 (Grade One) Tag League and AJPW's Sekai Saikyō Taggu Kettei Rīgu-sen (which translates literally to "World's Strongest Tag Determination", but is more commonly known as the "Real World Tag League" in the West.). It would be a great way to fill up programming during the summer, and could be done over the course of two months.
The top eight teams were given byes, and seeded. They were: The Superpowers, Rick Rude and Manny Fernandez, The Road Warriors, The Midnight Express, Shohei Baba and Isao Takagi, The Rock 'N' Roll Express, Arn Anderson and Kevin Sullivan, and Tully Blanchard and Lex Luger.
For the most part, everything on this tape is clipped, and a ton of matches are missing. I'll cover them after each round.
Tony Schiavone is our host.
Bill Dundee and Barbarian
Vs
Tim Horner and Mike Rotundo
Clipped to Rotundo getting beat down on the floor, then getting the KICK OF FEAR from the Barbarian. Barbie goes to a chinlock, and Dundee is screaming that it's over. Rotundo fights out with a flurry of elbows, but gets clotheslined and slammed. Barbarian misses the diving headbutt, and Horner gets the hot tag. Second rope cross body gets two, but Dundee sneaks behind the referee with some knucks, and Barbarian gets the pin. 1/2 *
Lazor-Tron and Jimmy Valiant
Vs.
Teijo Khan and Pez Whatley
JIP, and Valiant gets his ass kicked by the heels. Whatley was like a poor man's Iceman Parsons. Lazor-Tron gets a hot tag, gets a flying headbutt for the cover, but a brawl breaks out, and Valiant tosses Khan over the top for the lame DQ. BTW, Lazor-Tron was Hector Guerrero, aka the Gobeldygooker. DUD
Ivan Koloff and Vladimir Petrov
Vs.
Bob and Brad Armstrong
JIP, as Bob gets murdered by the heels. Ivan misses the sickle, and Bob gets the hot tag to Brad, who cleans house on the heels. Brad gets a sleeper, and Ivan nails him with the chain for the lame DQ. DUD
In other first round matches:
The Thunderfoots (Thunderfeet?) d. Bobby Jaggers and Rocky King
Jim and Ron Garvin d. Italian Stallion and Ricky Lee Jones.
Todd Champion and Denny Brown d. The Mulkeys
Steve Keirn and George South drew with Nelson Royal and Mike Graham
The M.O.D. Squad d. Wahoo McDaniel and Baron Von Raschke
SECOND ROUND:
Jim and Ron Garvin (with Precious)
Vs
The Midnight Express (with Jim Cornette)
Big brawl to start this one, which was Stan Lane's big show debut as a member of the ME. The Garvins chase Cornette all around, then we get clipped to the Midnights pounding Jimmy Garvin. Bobby works the chinlock for a bit, then the heel miscommunication allows Ronnie to come in. Ronnie goes for a piledriver on the floor on Bobby, but Cornette whacks him with the tennis Racket, and Ron gets counted out. * Ronnie gets pissed and knocks out the ref.
That was the only second round match on the tape, oddly enough.
Robert Gibson comes out to withdraw from the tournament, due to the injury of Ricky Morton.
The other second round results were:
Rude and Fernandez d. Thunderfoots
Rhodes and Koloff d. Barbarian and Bill Dundee
Road Warriors d. Whatley and Khan
Baba and Takagi d. Champion and Brown
Armstrongs d. Anderson and Sullivan
Blanchard and Luger d. The M.O.D. Squad
There was a feature match for each day of the tournament, and the first day's is a real stinker.
Steel Cage Texas Death Match:
Ole Anderson
Vs.
Big Bubba Rogers (with Jim Cornette)
Lots of brawling from the start, then we get clipped to them brawling near the ropes, with Ole bleeding. Ole had been turfed from the Horsemen for Lex Luger just prior to this. Bubba runs him to the cage, and the ref gets to nine, then the same thing again. They do the cheese grater spot, and Ole begins his comeback. Bubba eats boots on a charge which gets six, then they do it again. Ole keeps knocking Bubba down, but can't keep him down. Bubba takes off his suspenders and chokes Ole out. Ref gets to three, then Bubba comes off the top, missing a splash. Ole gets a piledriver (and a sloppy one at that) for the win. Eh. 1/2 *
Tony Schiavone talks to Magnum TA, who was hurt in a car accident about eight months prior. They go through three of Magnum's best matches.
1985.03.23; Charlotte, NC
NWA US Title:
Wahoo McDaniel (Champion)
Vs
Magnum TA
This is a cage match, and was on TV, I believe, because Tony Schiavone and David Crockett are doing commentary. Wahoo was a heel here, for some reason shrouded in the mists of time. absolute ton of mat wrestling here, as you really don't get much more old school than this. Wahoo works a side headlock, using the hair to hold on. Lots of big chops by Wahoo. Magnum fires back, knocking Wahoo down with several big punches. Wahoo rakes the eyes, and runs him into the cage. They are just teeing off on each other, and the crowd is just JACKED. The heat is just constant. Magnum works the arm, then gets a back fist. Dropkick gets two, but Wahoo is in the ropes. Wahoo gets a small package for two. This is just back and forth. Magnum sends Wahoo to the cage, drawing blood. Magnum gets a headbutt in the corner, nearly knocking himself out. Wahoo leverages Magnum into the cage, then runs him into it again. Chop gets two, then another two, then another. Wow. Several more two counts, then Magnum gets the break. Wahoo is getting frustrated, as no matter what he tries, he cannot put Magnum away. Magnum gets a boot on a backdrop attempt, and both men are down. Wahoo with a rollup for two, then Magnum reverses for two. They brawl a bit more, and Wahoo tries to climb out of the cage. Magnum back suplexes him off the top, but that gets two. Wahoo charges and Magnum catches him, Belly-to-belly suplexes him for the pin and the US title at 10:44. Very good old school match, in fact, probably the best Wahoo match I've ever seen, which isn't saying much, because I haven't seen anything from his prime. ** 1/2
1985.07.06 Great American Bash '85
Charlotte, NC
NWA US Title:
Magnum TA (Champion)
Vs.
Kamala (with Skandor Akbar)
This one is completely butchered by the Turner Editors, but that's okay, because even Magnum cannot carry Kamala's useless ass to a watchable match. Kamala chokes, Magnum fights up. Clipped to after the fall, as Magnum hits a belly to belly and counts his own fall. Bah. Magnum won by DQ. No match, so no real rating.
1985.11.28 Starrcade '85
Greensboro, NC
"I Quit":
Magnum TA
Vs.
Tully Blanchard (US Champion, with Baby Doll)
This is a clipped version of the full match.I have Starrcade '85 somewhere, plus this shows on the WWE Starrcade DVD set. These guys hated each other, and Tully had stolen the Title from Magnum some months prior. They go right to the mat, brawling like crazy. It's so great, as the hatred between the two is just a palpable thing, even now, some 16 years later. They go toe to toe, and Magnum gets the better of it. Magnum tries to cheese grate Tully, but cannot get it. Tully gets in a couple of shots, then sends Magnum to the cage. Magnum is cut like three minutes in. Tully gets a chinlock, then we get the famous shot of Magnum powering out of the chinlock. What a great visual. Tully tries to send Magnum into the cage again, but it gets reversed, and Magnum press slams Tully into a clothesline on the top rope. Tully is rubber legged, but manages to pull Magnum into the cage. They fight with the microphone, screaming "SAY IT! NO!" Then the loud "THUNK" of the microphone against the other guy's head. This has rapidly degenerated into a bloody brawl. It's great to see them roll around on the mat. Tully has bladed his ARM at some point. Wow. Tully walks along the top rope, and drops a forearm across Magnums head. More of the hijinks with the mic. Tully misses the elbow, and Magnum takes over, doing the whole "SAY IT! NOOOOOOOOO!" thing. Magnum tries to shove the mic down Tully's throat at this point, and they roll around on the mat. They are working so stiff. It's great. They're on their knees, just wailing away at each other. Tully gets the first wrestling move of the match, an atomic drop out of the corner, then he grabs the mic and starts pounding Magnum with it. Tully tosses the ref down, and Baby Doll throws the balsa wood chair into the ring, which breaks immediately. They fight over a spike, and Magnum gets it, and digs it into Tully's head, and Tully quits at 13:45. Wow. That was awesome. ***** Best Starrcade match ever.
The match on this tape is clipped to about ten minutes or so, but still is awesome.
Tony and Magnum talk about who's gonna win the Tournament
QUARTERFINALS:
The Road Warriors
Vs
The Midnight Express
Clipped to Animal powerslamming Eaton for two, then elbowing Lane right out of the ring. Cornette screams "A MILLION DOLLARS" at Lane to wake him up. Hawk comes in, hits a gut wrench, then a second rope clothesline for two. HE gets caught and double teamed by the Express, and Bobby chokes him out behind the ref's back. The Midnights keep distracting the Ref, and choking Hawk out behind his back. They pitch Hawk out over the top, and use the tennis racket, all without the referee noticing. Hawk gets in a gut shot, and nearly makes the tag. Stan hits a crescent kick, but when he pins Hawk, he gets sent flying out of the ring. He finally makes the hot tag, and Animal mauls Bobby Eaton, who collides with the ref. Animal hits a shoulderblock, but no ref. Cornette runs in, and tries to throw a fireball at Animal, but is prevented from getting near him by Paul Ellering, who grabs the tennis racket and clobbers both Express boys, just as the ref recovers to call for the DQ on the Road Warriors. * 1/2
Dusty Rhodes and Nikita Koloff
Vs.
Rick Rude and Manny Fernandez (with Paul Jones)
JIP, as Dusty nails a cross body on Manny. Rude and Fernandez were NWA World Tag Team Champions at this point. Rude was about a month or so from jumping to the WWF, even while still co-holder of the NWA straps. Tons of brawling in this one, as Dusty takes a shit-kicking from the heels. Manny hits a back elbow for two, then the pounding continues. I just noticed that Koloff is wearing a neck brace here for some reason. Hmm. Rude hits a top rope fist drop, but only gets two. Fernandez goes to a chinlock, and I get REALLY bored. Dusty fights his way free, and a pier four breaks out, and Koloff and Rude go to the floor, Dusty rolls through a top rope body-press and pins Fernandez to advance. I fail to see the logic in not having the Champs go over here, but then, hey, I'm not Dusty Rhodes. 3/4 *
Bob and Brad Armstrong
Vs.
Lex Luger and Tully Blanchard
Another JIP, as Brad is like perpetual motion here, just moving quick, and doing everything crisply, even hitting a top rope dropkick. Luger gets pissed and throws Brad over the top, behind the referee's back. Brad plays Ricky Morton, and then in a sight that I have to see again, Luger goes to suplex Brad, but Brad's arm slips off Luger's leg, so Luger just muscles him over easy as pie. Wow. Brad's foot is on the rope, so that only gets two. Brad gets a backslide, then sends Tully into Luger off an atomic drop. Bob Armstrong comes in, and takes on both guys. Luger and Brad brawl, and JJ and Tully double clothesline Bob for the pin after about twenty minutes. * 1/2
The other Quarterfinal match would have been The Rock 'n' Roll Express Vs Baba and Takagi, but the R'n'R had to forfeit, meaning Luger and Blanchard get a bye into the finals.
SEMIFINALS:
Dusty Rhodes and Nikita Koloff
Vs.
The Midnight Express (with Jim Cornette and Big Bubba)
The faces clear the ring early on, as we are clipped to the five minute mark. Koloff might as well be wearing a target on his neck with that brace on it. Cornette distracts the ref, and Bobby comes off the top, hammering Koloff's neck. The Express pounds Koloff's neck for quite a while, even allowing Big Bubba his shots at it. They do tons of double teaming, drawing the ref in a couple of times, until, out of nowhere, Nikita nails Bobby Eaton with the Russian Sickle for the pin. Can you tell they were getting winded? Cornette throws a fit afterwards. 1/4 *
NWA World Title Match:
Ric Flair (Champion, with JJ Dillon)
Vs
Barry Windham
JIP about ten minutes in, as Windham fires some shots at Flair's midsection. He gets the ten punch in the corner, but misses a dropkick, allowing Flair to get the figure-four. Flair gets several rope assisted two counts. The ref eventually catches Flair cheating and breaks the hold .Flair whips Barry into the corner, but gets nailed with a lariat coming out. Flair begs off in the corner, but nails the low blow. Windham stumbles around, and Flair hits a back elbow, sending Windham to the floor, over the top. Flair teases a piledriver on the floor, but the ref would have DQ'd him for it. Windham comes back in with a gorgeous sunset flip for two, then they go to the floor again. Back in, and they lock up again. They duke it out, and Flair flops to the mat, which get two. Windham does some mounted punches, and Flair is really taking a pounding. Outside-in suplex gets 2 1/2 . Barry goes to the top, but misses an elbow, and both men are down. Flair is up first, and he goes for the figure four, but Windham rolls him up for two. Flair gets a sleeper, and Barry sends him to the buckles. Windham clotheslines Flair over the top, and then they go on the floor again. What I want to know is, why isn't that a DQ? Sometimes going over the top is, sometimes it isn't. They should have been more consistent, is all. On the floor, Windham gets backdropped out of a piledriver attempt. He rolls in, and Flair tries a top rope cross body, but Barry rolls through for 2 1/2. Flair does the flip over the corner, then tumbles to the floor again. Barry follows, and Flair gets a low blow. Barry floats over on an outside-in suplex attempt, and gets a sleeper on Flair. Flair struggles to the ropes, and Barry gets a two count, but the foot is on the ropes. HE drags Flair to the middle, and goes to dive on him, but Flair gets the knees up. Flair nearly chops Windham out of his boots, but like a dope goes to the top again. Windham slams him off and gets his OWN figure-four. It gets several two counts. Flair makes the ropes, so Windham sends him off and hits a powerslam for another near fall. They collide at the ropes, and Flair tumbles over Windham, wrenching his neck back. Barry goes to the top, and nails a top rope dropkick, apparently for three, but Flair was in the ropes, so the match goes on. Lariat gets another two. Nice delayed suplex gets 2 1/2, and they do the bridge-reversal-backslide spot, and then Windham goes for a rolling reverse, but Flair rolls through, hooks the trunks, and gets the pin at about 26:00. **** 1/2 for the clipped version. REALLY Good match. Meltzer gave this one 5 stars, so the first ten minutes must not take anything away from it.
Magnum TA makes an emotional return, to be in the corner of the Super Powers.
CROCKETT CUP FINAL: Winner gets $1,000,000:
Tully Blanchard and Lex Luger (with JJ Dillon)
Vs.
Dusty Rhodes and Nikita Koloff
Nikita was US Champ at this point, Tully was TV champ. JIP, as Nikita takes Tully down by the throat. Nikita clotheslines Tully over the top, Cactus Jack style, and JJ runs over and pulls Nikita's neck brace off. The heels work Nikita's neck over like you would not believe, standing on his throat, elbowing, and hitting every variant of neckbreaker you can think of. Luger drops Nikita throat first across the top rope, and the beating continues. Luger absolutely LEVELS Nikita with a clothesline, but it only gets two. Tully goes to a chinlock, and I go eat dinner. When I come back, Tully still has the chinlock applied. They continually work Koloff's neck, and it looks bad for our Russian hero. He gets sent to the floor, and JJ Dillon hits him with his shoe. You'd think that kicking him would be easier. Poorly executed slingshot the bottom rope gets two. Nikita hits Tully coming off the second rope, and Dusty comes in, elbows a blazin'. His attack is short lived, as he misses a football tackle and goes to the floor. Tully hammers Koloff in the ring, as Dusty and Luger brawl on the floor. Dusty posts Luger, as Tully goes for a piledriver. Koloff blocks it, and Dusty comes off the top with a cross body that probably would have killed a normal man, but since Tully had so much coke in his system, it merely gets the pin after about eighteen minutes. Fair to middling match, with good psychology. ** 1/4
The fallout: Nikita's injured neck would prove to be fatal to his US Title reign, as he would be injured further during the first War Games. Flair would dominate the NWA scene for most of the rest of the year, not really having any top notch challengers. The Superpowers would remain a top team, until Dusty started challenging Lex Luger for the US Title late in the year. The Road Warriors continues their chase for the NWA World Tag Team Titles for almost another year and a half, before finally winning them in October, 1988.
This show is terrible, except for the Windham-Flair match. Strong Recommendation to Avoid.
1987.04.10-11
In the Late 80's, the NWA held a Tag Team Tournament for a few years, bringing in guys from all the different territories, although most of the top notch talent was from Jim Crockett's Mid-Atlantic territory, which was snapping up all the other little regional promotions, like Georgia, Florida, and soon after this, Bill Watts' UWF. The tournament would take place over two days each year, and was won in 1986 by the Road Warriors.
I really wish that WWE would do something like that, or even better, a round robin like they do in Japan, with NJPW's G1 (Grade One) Tag League and AJPW's Sekai Saikyō Taggu Kettei Rīgu-sen (which translates literally to "World's Strongest Tag Determination", but is more commonly known as the "Real World Tag League" in the West.). It would be a great way to fill up programming during the summer, and could be done over the course of two months.
The top eight teams were given byes, and seeded. They were: The Superpowers, Rick Rude and Manny Fernandez, The Road Warriors, The Midnight Express, Shohei Baba and Isao Takagi, The Rock 'N' Roll Express, Arn Anderson and Kevin Sullivan, and Tully Blanchard and Lex Luger.
For the most part, everything on this tape is clipped, and a ton of matches are missing. I'll cover them after each round.
Tony Schiavone is our host.
Bill Dundee and Barbarian
Vs
Tim Horner and Mike Rotundo
Clipped to Rotundo getting beat down on the floor, then getting the KICK OF FEAR from the Barbarian. Barbie goes to a chinlock, and Dundee is screaming that it's over. Rotundo fights out with a flurry of elbows, but gets clotheslined and slammed. Barbarian misses the diving headbutt, and Horner gets the hot tag. Second rope cross body gets two, but Dundee sneaks behind the referee with some knucks, and Barbarian gets the pin. 1/2 *
Lazor-Tron and Jimmy Valiant
Vs.
Teijo Khan and Pez Whatley
JIP, and Valiant gets his ass kicked by the heels. Whatley was like a poor man's Iceman Parsons. Lazor-Tron gets a hot tag, gets a flying headbutt for the cover, but a brawl breaks out, and Valiant tosses Khan over the top for the lame DQ. BTW, Lazor-Tron was Hector Guerrero, aka the Gobeldygooker. DUD
Ivan Koloff and Vladimir Petrov
Vs.
Bob and Brad Armstrong
JIP, as Bob gets murdered by the heels. Ivan misses the sickle, and Bob gets the hot tag to Brad, who cleans house on the heels. Brad gets a sleeper, and Ivan nails him with the chain for the lame DQ. DUD
In other first round matches:
The Thunderfoots (Thunderfeet?) d. Bobby Jaggers and Rocky King
Jim and Ron Garvin d. Italian Stallion and Ricky Lee Jones.
Todd Champion and Denny Brown d. The Mulkeys
Steve Keirn and George South drew with Nelson Royal and Mike Graham
The M.O.D. Squad d. Wahoo McDaniel and Baron Von Raschke
SECOND ROUND:
Jim and Ron Garvin (with Precious)
Vs
The Midnight Express (with Jim Cornette)
Big brawl to start this one, which was Stan Lane's big show debut as a member of the ME. The Garvins chase Cornette all around, then we get clipped to the Midnights pounding Jimmy Garvin. Bobby works the chinlock for a bit, then the heel miscommunication allows Ronnie to come in. Ronnie goes for a piledriver on the floor on Bobby, but Cornette whacks him with the tennis Racket, and Ron gets counted out. * Ronnie gets pissed and knocks out the ref.
That was the only second round match on the tape, oddly enough.
Robert Gibson comes out to withdraw from the tournament, due to the injury of Ricky Morton.
The other second round results were:
Rude and Fernandez d. Thunderfoots
Rhodes and Koloff d. Barbarian and Bill Dundee
Road Warriors d. Whatley and Khan
Baba and Takagi d. Champion and Brown
Armstrongs d. Anderson and Sullivan
Blanchard and Luger d. The M.O.D. Squad
There was a feature match for each day of the tournament, and the first day's is a real stinker.
Steel Cage Texas Death Match:
Ole Anderson
Vs.
Big Bubba Rogers (with Jim Cornette)
Lots of brawling from the start, then we get clipped to them brawling near the ropes, with Ole bleeding. Ole had been turfed from the Horsemen for Lex Luger just prior to this. Bubba runs him to the cage, and the ref gets to nine, then the same thing again. They do the cheese grater spot, and Ole begins his comeback. Bubba eats boots on a charge which gets six, then they do it again. Ole keeps knocking Bubba down, but can't keep him down. Bubba takes off his suspenders and chokes Ole out. Ref gets to three, then Bubba comes off the top, missing a splash. Ole gets a piledriver (and a sloppy one at that) for the win. Eh. 1/2 *
Tony Schiavone talks to Magnum TA, who was hurt in a car accident about eight months prior. They go through three of Magnum's best matches.
1985.03.23; Charlotte, NC
NWA US Title:
Wahoo McDaniel (Champion)
Vs
Magnum TA
This is a cage match, and was on TV, I believe, because Tony Schiavone and David Crockett are doing commentary. Wahoo was a heel here, for some reason shrouded in the mists of time. absolute ton of mat wrestling here, as you really don't get much more old school than this. Wahoo works a side headlock, using the hair to hold on. Lots of big chops by Wahoo. Magnum fires back, knocking Wahoo down with several big punches. Wahoo rakes the eyes, and runs him into the cage. They are just teeing off on each other, and the crowd is just JACKED. The heat is just constant. Magnum works the arm, then gets a back fist. Dropkick gets two, but Wahoo is in the ropes. Wahoo gets a small package for two. This is just back and forth. Magnum sends Wahoo to the cage, drawing blood. Magnum gets a headbutt in the corner, nearly knocking himself out. Wahoo leverages Magnum into the cage, then runs him into it again. Chop gets two, then another two, then another. Wow. Several more two counts, then Magnum gets the break. Wahoo is getting frustrated, as no matter what he tries, he cannot put Magnum away. Magnum gets a boot on a backdrop attempt, and both men are down. Wahoo with a rollup for two, then Magnum reverses for two. They brawl a bit more, and Wahoo tries to climb out of the cage. Magnum back suplexes him off the top, but that gets two. Wahoo charges and Magnum catches him, Belly-to-belly suplexes him for the pin and the US title at 10:44. Very good old school match, in fact, probably the best Wahoo match I've ever seen, which isn't saying much, because I haven't seen anything from his prime. ** 1/2
1985.07.06 Great American Bash '85
Charlotte, NC
NWA US Title:
Magnum TA (Champion)
Vs.
Kamala (with Skandor Akbar)
This one is completely butchered by the Turner Editors, but that's okay, because even Magnum cannot carry Kamala's useless ass to a watchable match. Kamala chokes, Magnum fights up. Clipped to after the fall, as Magnum hits a belly to belly and counts his own fall. Bah. Magnum won by DQ. No match, so no real rating.
1985.11.28 Starrcade '85
Greensboro, NC
"I Quit":
Magnum TA
Vs.
Tully Blanchard (US Champion, with Baby Doll)
This is a clipped version of the full match.I have Starrcade '85 somewhere, plus this shows on the WWE Starrcade DVD set. These guys hated each other, and Tully had stolen the Title from Magnum some months prior. They go right to the mat, brawling like crazy. It's so great, as the hatred between the two is just a palpable thing, even now, some 16 years later. They go toe to toe, and Magnum gets the better of it. Magnum tries to cheese grate Tully, but cannot get it. Tully gets in a couple of shots, then sends Magnum to the cage. Magnum is cut like three minutes in. Tully gets a chinlock, then we get the famous shot of Magnum powering out of the chinlock. What a great visual. Tully tries to send Magnum into the cage again, but it gets reversed, and Magnum press slams Tully into a clothesline on the top rope. Tully is rubber legged, but manages to pull Magnum into the cage. They fight with the microphone, screaming "SAY IT! NO!" Then the loud "THUNK" of the microphone against the other guy's head. This has rapidly degenerated into a bloody brawl. It's great to see them roll around on the mat. Tully has bladed his ARM at some point. Wow. Tully walks along the top rope, and drops a forearm across Magnums head. More of the hijinks with the mic. Tully misses the elbow, and Magnum takes over, doing the whole "SAY IT! NOOOOOOOOO!" thing. Magnum tries to shove the mic down Tully's throat at this point, and they roll around on the mat. They are working so stiff. It's great. They're on their knees, just wailing away at each other. Tully gets the first wrestling move of the match, an atomic drop out of the corner, then he grabs the mic and starts pounding Magnum with it. Tully tosses the ref down, and Baby Doll throws the balsa wood chair into the ring, which breaks immediately. They fight over a spike, and Magnum gets it, and digs it into Tully's head, and Tully quits at 13:45. Wow. That was awesome. ***** Best Starrcade match ever.
The match on this tape is clipped to about ten minutes or so, but still is awesome.
Tony and Magnum talk about who's gonna win the Tournament
QUARTERFINALS:
The Road Warriors
Vs
The Midnight Express
Clipped to Animal powerslamming Eaton for two, then elbowing Lane right out of the ring. Cornette screams "A MILLION DOLLARS" at Lane to wake him up. Hawk comes in, hits a gut wrench, then a second rope clothesline for two. HE gets caught and double teamed by the Express, and Bobby chokes him out behind the ref's back. The Midnights keep distracting the Ref, and choking Hawk out behind his back. They pitch Hawk out over the top, and use the tennis racket, all without the referee noticing. Hawk gets in a gut shot, and nearly makes the tag. Stan hits a crescent kick, but when he pins Hawk, he gets sent flying out of the ring. He finally makes the hot tag, and Animal mauls Bobby Eaton, who collides with the ref. Animal hits a shoulderblock, but no ref. Cornette runs in, and tries to throw a fireball at Animal, but is prevented from getting near him by Paul Ellering, who grabs the tennis racket and clobbers both Express boys, just as the ref recovers to call for the DQ on the Road Warriors. * 1/2
Dusty Rhodes and Nikita Koloff
Vs.
Rick Rude and Manny Fernandez (with Paul Jones)
JIP, as Dusty nails a cross body on Manny. Rude and Fernandez were NWA World Tag Team Champions at this point. Rude was about a month or so from jumping to the WWF, even while still co-holder of the NWA straps. Tons of brawling in this one, as Dusty takes a shit-kicking from the heels. Manny hits a back elbow for two, then the pounding continues. I just noticed that Koloff is wearing a neck brace here for some reason. Hmm. Rude hits a top rope fist drop, but only gets two. Fernandez goes to a chinlock, and I get REALLY bored. Dusty fights his way free, and a pier four breaks out, and Koloff and Rude go to the floor, Dusty rolls through a top rope body-press and pins Fernandez to advance. I fail to see the logic in not having the Champs go over here, but then, hey, I'm not Dusty Rhodes. 3/4 *
Bob and Brad Armstrong
Vs.
Lex Luger and Tully Blanchard
Another JIP, as Brad is like perpetual motion here, just moving quick, and doing everything crisply, even hitting a top rope dropkick. Luger gets pissed and throws Brad over the top, behind the referee's back. Brad plays Ricky Morton, and then in a sight that I have to see again, Luger goes to suplex Brad, but Brad's arm slips off Luger's leg, so Luger just muscles him over easy as pie. Wow. Brad's foot is on the rope, so that only gets two. Brad gets a backslide, then sends Tully into Luger off an atomic drop. Bob Armstrong comes in, and takes on both guys. Luger and Brad brawl, and JJ and Tully double clothesline Bob for the pin after about twenty minutes. * 1/2
The other Quarterfinal match would have been The Rock 'n' Roll Express Vs Baba and Takagi, but the R'n'R had to forfeit, meaning Luger and Blanchard get a bye into the finals.
SEMIFINALS:
Dusty Rhodes and Nikita Koloff
Vs.
The Midnight Express (with Jim Cornette and Big Bubba)
The faces clear the ring early on, as we are clipped to the five minute mark. Koloff might as well be wearing a target on his neck with that brace on it. Cornette distracts the ref, and Bobby comes off the top, hammering Koloff's neck. The Express pounds Koloff's neck for quite a while, even allowing Big Bubba his shots at it. They do tons of double teaming, drawing the ref in a couple of times, until, out of nowhere, Nikita nails Bobby Eaton with the Russian Sickle for the pin. Can you tell they were getting winded? Cornette throws a fit afterwards. 1/4 *
NWA World Title Match:
Ric Flair (Champion, with JJ Dillon)
Vs
Barry Windham
JIP about ten minutes in, as Windham fires some shots at Flair's midsection. He gets the ten punch in the corner, but misses a dropkick, allowing Flair to get the figure-four. Flair gets several rope assisted two counts. The ref eventually catches Flair cheating and breaks the hold .Flair whips Barry into the corner, but gets nailed with a lariat coming out. Flair begs off in the corner, but nails the low blow. Windham stumbles around, and Flair hits a back elbow, sending Windham to the floor, over the top. Flair teases a piledriver on the floor, but the ref would have DQ'd him for it. Windham comes back in with a gorgeous sunset flip for two, then they go to the floor again. Back in, and they lock up again. They duke it out, and Flair flops to the mat, which get two. Windham does some mounted punches, and Flair is really taking a pounding. Outside-in suplex gets 2 1/2 . Barry goes to the top, but misses an elbow, and both men are down. Flair is up first, and he goes for the figure four, but Windham rolls him up for two. Flair gets a sleeper, and Barry sends him to the buckles. Windham clotheslines Flair over the top, and then they go on the floor again. What I want to know is, why isn't that a DQ? Sometimes going over the top is, sometimes it isn't. They should have been more consistent, is all. On the floor, Windham gets backdropped out of a piledriver attempt. He rolls in, and Flair tries a top rope cross body, but Barry rolls through for 2 1/2. Flair does the flip over the corner, then tumbles to the floor again. Barry follows, and Flair gets a low blow. Barry floats over on an outside-in suplex attempt, and gets a sleeper on Flair. Flair struggles to the ropes, and Barry gets a two count, but the foot is on the ropes. HE drags Flair to the middle, and goes to dive on him, but Flair gets the knees up. Flair nearly chops Windham out of his boots, but like a dope goes to the top again. Windham slams him off and gets his OWN figure-four. It gets several two counts. Flair makes the ropes, so Windham sends him off and hits a powerslam for another near fall. They collide at the ropes, and Flair tumbles over Windham, wrenching his neck back. Barry goes to the top, and nails a top rope dropkick, apparently for three, but Flair was in the ropes, so the match goes on. Lariat gets another two. Nice delayed suplex gets 2 1/2, and they do the bridge-reversal-backslide spot, and then Windham goes for a rolling reverse, but Flair rolls through, hooks the trunks, and gets the pin at about 26:00. **** 1/2 for the clipped version. REALLY Good match. Meltzer gave this one 5 stars, so the first ten minutes must not take anything away from it.
Magnum TA makes an emotional return, to be in the corner of the Super Powers.
CROCKETT CUP FINAL: Winner gets $1,000,000:
Tully Blanchard and Lex Luger (with JJ Dillon)
Vs.
Dusty Rhodes and Nikita Koloff
Nikita was US Champ at this point, Tully was TV champ. JIP, as Nikita takes Tully down by the throat. Nikita clotheslines Tully over the top, Cactus Jack style, and JJ runs over and pulls Nikita's neck brace off. The heels work Nikita's neck over like you would not believe, standing on his throat, elbowing, and hitting every variant of neckbreaker you can think of. Luger drops Nikita throat first across the top rope, and the beating continues. Luger absolutely LEVELS Nikita with a clothesline, but it only gets two. Tully goes to a chinlock, and I go eat dinner. When I come back, Tully still has the chinlock applied. They continually work Koloff's neck, and it looks bad for our Russian hero. He gets sent to the floor, and JJ Dillon hits him with his shoe. You'd think that kicking him would be easier. Poorly executed slingshot the bottom rope gets two. Nikita hits Tully coming off the second rope, and Dusty comes in, elbows a blazin'. His attack is short lived, as he misses a football tackle and goes to the floor. Tully hammers Koloff in the ring, as Dusty and Luger brawl on the floor. Dusty posts Luger, as Tully goes for a piledriver. Koloff blocks it, and Dusty comes off the top with a cross body that probably would have killed a normal man, but since Tully had so much coke in his system, it merely gets the pin after about eighteen minutes. Fair to middling match, with good psychology. ** 1/4
The fallout: Nikita's injured neck would prove to be fatal to his US Title reign, as he would be injured further during the first War Games. Flair would dominate the NWA scene for most of the rest of the year, not really having any top notch challengers. The Superpowers would remain a top team, until Dusty started challenging Lex Luger for the US Title late in the year. The Road Warriors continues their chase for the NWA World Tag Team Titles for almost another year and a half, before finally winning them in October, 1988.
This show is terrible, except for the Windham-Flair match. Strong Recommendation to Avoid.
