Category: WWF/WWE (Pro Wrestling)

SUMMARY:                            RUNNING TIME: 30:48 Min.

Recorded September 28, 1985, at Chicago’s outdoor Comiskey Park, SuperClash ’85 – Night of the Champions was an NWA/AWA co-promotion meant to challenge the WWF’s popularity under their short-lived alliance known as ‘Pro Wrestling U.S.A.’ Interviewed separately by the AWA’s Larry Nelson, the combatants would then wrestle in a red-white-and-blue AWA ring.  Meanwhile, continuing his lengthy pursuit of the flamboyant “Nature Boy,” Magnum T.A. seeks a decisive victory to at last claim Ric Flair’s elusive NWA World Heavyweight Championship.

The solo ringside commentator isn’t identified, but a reasonable guess is Ken Resnick. Rod Trongard is the show’s credited announcer. 

Notes: The match’s official running time is 19:10. At least once, Resnick, Trongard, or possibly some other unidentified commentator mistakenly refers to the event as “StarClash ’85.” 

REVIEW:

In a terrific showdown, the athletic Magnum T.A. appears as a logical candidate to end Flair’s title reign.  As one can imagine, the ever-savvy NWA World Champion ensures that their playing field subsequently tilts in his own favor.  This bout benefits from excellent visual quality, good camera angles, and a remarkably articulate commentator (probably Ken Resnick). 

Though supposedly attended by an audience of approximately 20,000 fans, only Comiskey Park’s baseball field appears populated.  Hence, camera angles revealing innumerable empty decks throughout the stadium offers an otherwise bleak vibe.

Still, this underrated NWA World Title match delivers the necessary goods.  Flair, in particular, is on his game playing up Magnum T.A. as a most formidable challenger.  Magnum T.A. (aka Terry Allen) reciprocates in kind, as one of the industry’s most clichéd finishes is somehow made to appear spontaneous.  Their entertaining battle proves worth re-discovery.         

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                   8 Stars

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SUMMARY:                        RUNNING TIME: 16:51 Min.

Recorded on November 26, 1987, at Chicago’s UIC Pavilion, this NWA/UWF six-man tag bout served as the opener for Starrcade ’87: Chi-Town Heat – Glory Bound. The villains are: NWA veteran Larry Zbyszko (with Baby Doll), along with UWF stars “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert & Rick Steiner.  Opposing them are the strutting/moonwalking Freebird Michael “P.S.” Hayes, “Gorgeous” Jimmy Garvin (with his valet, Precious), and rising UWF powerhouse Sting — Gilbert & Steiner’s former associate.

Jim Ross & Tony Schiavone are the ringside commentators.  This match’s running time includes the entrance of Sting’s team.

Notes: With Jim Crockett Promotions having purchased Bill Watts’ Universal Wrestling Federation, this Pay-Per-View signified the UWF’s merger into Crockett’s portion of the NWA. Also, this ill-fated Starrcade’s same-day Pay-Per-View competition was the WWF’s inaugural Survivor Series.  

REVIEW:

Apart from unflattering camera angles revealing empty seats starting a few rows up, this six-man tag bout effectively gets the audience involved.  The combined in-ring chemistry will entertain all-age fans, even if the match is merely killing the clock towards its miniscule fifteen-minute time limit.  Exuding raw star power, in his Starrcade debut, a young Sting predictably lights up the crowd. It’s left up to his savvy partners (mostly Garvin) doing the harder work. 

On the flip side, an underrated Eddie Gilbert’s athleticism stands out, as neither Zbyszko nor Steiner have sufficient time to contribute much.  Even if the inconclusive finish is forgettable, the players still give fans a solid effort.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                         6 Stars

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SUMMARY:                            RUNNING TIME: 14:57 Min.

This title bout was taped in Memphis, TN, amidst the WWF/WWE and USWA’s 1993 talent swap.  Specifically, ex-WWF World Champion “Macho Man” Randy Savage returns to his old stomping grounds (pardon the expression) to challenge his long-time adversary, Jerry “The King” Lawler, for his USWA Unified World Title. 

Their title showdown occurs inside a steel cage resembling multiple chain-link fences strung together.  With Lawler as the perpetual hometown favorite, the match’s wildcard is “Sensational” Sherri, who was Savage’s nefarious valet a few years earlier. The match’s USWA commentator isn’t identified. 

Notes: Back in 1985, Savage’s departure for the WWF/WWE in 1985 was written off on-screen as a result of a ‘loser-leaves-town’ match against Lawler for the AWA Southern Championship.  Suggesting an apparent discrepancy in the video’s length, the ring announcer repeatedly claims the match’s official length as 15:48.

REVIEW:

Surprisingly, the visual quality (let alone the various camera angles) are terrific.  Some other observations stand out, as Savage & Lawler resume their heated mid-80’s rivalry, without missing a single familiar beat. 

One: the muted crowd reaction (inside what appears to be a converted armory/fairgrounds) predictably tilts towards Lawler.  Yet, neither guy sparks much appreciation from a relatively sparse crowd.  Two: Between the ancient-looking cage, rubbery ring ropes resembling garden hoses, and Lawler’s hideous 70’s-style garb, it’s hard to believe that this bout occurs in the 1990’s!  Aside from the combatants’ forty-something age, the only other clue re: the match’s time period is one of Savage’s typically gaudy, two-piece outfits he liked wearing in the early ‘90s.

Three: Aside from excluding one of Savage’s famous flying elbow-drops, the bout likens to a lukewarm greatest-hits festival between these guys.  Exuding star power, Savage is reliably spry and conniving, but Lawler is mostly lethargic until the match’s closing minutes.  Relying on a cop-out finish in a cage match is disappointing, especially as it spells out how easy a cheapo USWA cage can be breached by supposed outside inference.  

Last and most dubiously, Four: Sherri’s standard-issue double-teaming is sullied by Lawler stripping off her leggings down to her panties … amidst Sherri fleeing a semi-bloodied Lawler’s wrath.  Not only does this misogynistic plot twist repeat Sherri’s sleazy exploitation during the WWF’s Savage-Ultimate Warrior cage matches in early 1991, it’s utterly poor taste resorting to this shock value tactic again. 

Disappointingly, despite an intriguing rehash of Savage and Lawler’s old-school chemistry, this title bout doesn’t add anything remotely new to the table.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                  3½ Stars

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SUMMARY:                         RUNNING TIME: 11:33 Min.

Recorded on December 10, 1987, this WWF grudge match occurred at the Sam Houston Coliseum, in Houston, TX.  The  backstory is that Paul Orndorff had recently spent several months recuperating from a real-life arm injury.  In the meantime, WWF newcomer Rick Rude had usurped Orndorff’s slot in the nefarious Heenan Family stable. 

Turning babyface, Orndorff’s vendetta against Rude included facing off on opposing teams in the inaugural Survivor Series’ main event.  A few weeks later, this match has a resentful Orndorff still seeking fitting payback. 

The commentary trio consists of: Bruce Prichard (the future ‘Brother Love’); ring announcer Michelle “Mike” McGuirk; and pro-heel Pete “Duke of Dorchester” Doherty. 

Note: In early January 1988, Orndorff quit the WWF, due to the lingering arm injury.  He wouldn’t resurface in mainstream pro wrestling until joining WCW come mid-1990.

REVIEW:

No matter how routine it is, this house show bout reminds viewers how athletic and versatile Orndorff was.  Along with Randy Savage, “Mr. Wonderful” merited among the most physically-gifted, smaller adversaries Hulk Hogan ever faced for his WWF World Title.  Working with a ultra-slick Rick Rude, the pugnacious Orndorff is still in vintage form.  Though this match’s finish isn’t surprising, Rude & Orndorff’s feud give fans a worthwhile brawl.

The same, however, doesn’t apply to the commentators.  An articulate Prichard is on a par with fellow mid-level WWF announcers like Craig DeGeorge and Sean Mooney.  Parroting Prichard in sound bites, McGuirk is likable enough, but her less-than-insightful commentary is amateurish.

As for a cringe-worthy Doherty, his nasally sarcasm will grate nerves somewhere between Gilbert Gottfried and actor William Hickey’s ‘Uncle Lewis’ from National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.  Despite Prichard’s decent efforts, the distracting commentary does an otherwise solid Orndorff & Rude showdown no favors.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                       6 Stars

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SUMMARY:                          RUNNING TIME: 28:08 Min.

Taped for Boston Garden’s in-house NESN Network, this early (possibly February or March) 1987 six-man elimination tag match is an obscure prelude to March 1987’s iconic WrestleMania III.  Gorilla Monsoon first interviews “Rowdy” Roddy Piper, who reiterates this six-man tag will be his last bout at the Boston Garden before his imminent retirement. 

On one side is Piper’s arch-nemesis, “Adorable” Adrian Adonis (with Jimmy “Mouth of the South” Hart); along with The Heenan Family’s Hercules and “Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff (with Bobby “The Brain” Heenan).  Opposing them are Hercules’ current adversary, Billy Jack Haynes; the legendary “Rowdy” Roddy Piper; and WWF World Champion Hulk Hogan. 

Monsoon is the sole commentator. 

Note: Of these six combatants, only Orndorff doesn’t subsequently appear at WrestleMania III.  Monsoon even implies that “Mr. Wonderful” is scheduled for a WrestleMania III match; yet, whoever his opponent was supposed to be is unknown.  One rumor is that Orndorff was held in reserve to substitute for a frail André the Giant, if necessary, as Hogan’s WWF World Title challenger.

REVIEW:

It’s no wonder that dynamite six-man elimination showdowns like this one inspired the inaugural Survivor Series later that year.  After sufficient action, the WWF could have reasonably opted for a six-man count-out finish; still, give Vince McMahon’s company credit for letting this brawl play out to the end. 

Nicely hyping two WrestleMania III grudge matches (Piper vs. Adonis in a ‘haircut’ showdown signifying Piper’s supposed retirement); and Haynes vs. Hercules), plus a perpetual World Title rivalry in Hogan vs. Orndorff, the showdown focuses on this six-pack of combatants. 

The low-key presence of Heenan & Hart is an added bonus, as their usual ringside shenanigans aren’t needed to boost this match’s considerable star power.  Even Monsoon deserves the necessary goods, as he is remarkably articulate on the mike without Jesse Ventura, Heenan, or McMahon to help sell the action to fans.   

Though the eventual finish is standard-issue, Hogan deserves credit for pushing Piper to absorb the audience’s mass applause.  It’s a welcome alternative to the Hulkster’s usual insistence on ‘sharing’ the credit.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                     8 Stars

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SUMMARY:                          RUNNING TIME: 28:48 Min.

On April 11, 1987, in Baltimore, MD, on the 2^nd Annual Crockett Cup’s closing night, perennial contender Barry Windham challenged “Nature Boy” Ric Flair for his NWA World Heavyweight Championship.  Without either manager J.J. Dillon or his fellow Four Horsemen, Flair would face Windham alone continuing their long-running title series.

REVIEW:

For that time, there’s only a handful of American stars that could equal a wily Flair in his prime, in terms of pure ring substance.  One could visualize DiBiase, Hennig, Steamboat, Savage, and Bret Hart, but 1987’s remarkably agile (and no-nonsense) Barry Windham likely merits ranking No. 1 on such a short list. 

Long underrated, Windham & Flair’s reliable title series was the NWA blue-collar answer to the WWF’s high-profile Savage vs. Steamboat (for the Intercontinental Title) feud, as far as dazzling its fanbase.  This seemingly routine bout — at least, by this duo’s extraordinary standards — is no exception, given how Windham’s lanky athleticism alone pulls off some impressive feats, i.e. a top-rope dropkick.    

Even if it dubiously looks like a ‘Battle of the Peroxide Blondes,’ this Windham-Flair showdown epitomizes gritty, no-frills NWA entertainment. During this era, Flair and Windham likely concocted innumerable title matches surpassing this one, but their Crockett Cup encounter is still a gem for any fan.     

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                          9 Stars

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