Month: October 2020

SUMMARY:                             RUNNING TIME: 25:30 Min.

Recorded live on July 16, 1988, for a NWA Great American Bash house show in Greensboro, NC, this showdown features these five-man squads:

• “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes; “The Russian Nightmare” Nikita Koloff; “Dr. Death” Steve Williams; “The Total Package” Lex Luger; & the Road Warriors’ manager “Precious” Paul Ellering,

vs.

• The Four Horsemen: (NWA World Heavyweight Champion “Nature Boy” Ric Flair; NWA U.S. Heavyweight Champion Barry Windham; NWA World Tag Team Champions Arn Anderson & Tully Blanchard) and manager J.J. Dillon.

Rhodes is generally credited with devising this two-ring, roofed double-steel cage ten-man grudge match.  The teams pit their initial two combatants in a five-minute one-on-one brawl.  A coin toss then determines a handicap advantage as the other participants enter in two-minute intervals. Hence, one side will enjoy a repetitive handicap advantage until all ten men are inside the two-ring cage . 

During the so-called “Match Beyond” (featuring all ten combatants), there’s no escape, as the losing squad is forced to either submit or surrender.  There isn’t a commentary track, as Tony Schiavone serves only as an ever-present time-keeper.    

In 2013, the WWE released this match as part of a collection of War Games matches (in DVD and Blu-ray formats) entitled WWE War Games: WCW’s Most Notorious Matches. 

Notes: This match occurs after the first Great American Bash PPV, which was held on July 10, 1988, at Baltimore, MD.  Also, just as a heads-up: Anderson throws an obscene finger gesture at fans just before entering the cage.

REVIEW:

While heavily relying upon War Games formula (i.e. Rhodes & Anderson square off first yet again), the absence of the Road Warriors is an intriguing risk.  Courtesy of fresh recruits Windham and Williams, this War Games brawl still ends up as entertaining as its predecessors. 

The supposed vendettas pitting Rhodes vs. ex-protégé Windham and ex-Horseman Luger vs. his former cronies offer high-caliber NWA storytelling.  The same idea applies to putting an energetic “Total Package” out there as a Hulk Hogan-like hero (without cartoony mannerisms).  In a way, this battle epitomizes evil wrestling technicians vs. charismatic powerhouses – it’s a can’t-miss cliché for 80’s pro wrestling.  

Beyond holding their own, what’s impressive is how the Horsemen sell signature impact moves from the likes of Luger, Koloff, and Williams.  The fact that, along with veteran bleeder Rhodes, these Horsemen are willing to take a grisly pounding to make War Games appear ‘real,’ demonstrates pride in their heel craft.  Also, given a high-profile opportunity, rugged ex-UWF Champion Williams is the underrated factor, as he solidifies himself as a big-league star.  Only an over-confident Dillon gleefully hams it up, which telegraphs this slugfest’s likely finish.

Ultimately, these NWA icons bust tail to satisfy fans with nearly a half-hour of steel cage mayhem.  The unusual lack of commentary (short of Schivaone’s annoying time-elapsed reminders) lets this slugfest speak for itself — in short, this match can ideally be watched on ‘mute.’

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                          7 Stars

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SUMMARY:                                        RUNNING TIME: 27:00 Min.

Recorded live on July 10, 1988, for the NWA’s Great American Bash ’88 – “The Price for Freedom” Pay-Per-View (PPV), from Baltimore, MD, this Tower of Doom showdown features these five-man squads:

• The Road Warriors: Hawk & Animal (with “Precious” Paul Ellering); “Dr. Death” Steve Williams; Ron Garvin; & “Gorgeous” Jimmy Garvin (with his real-life wife/valet, Precious),

vs.

• Kevin Sullivan & Mike Rotunda of ‘The Varsity Club;’ Al Perez (with Gary Hart); & The Russians: Ivan Koloff & the masked  Russian Assassin –Vladimir Petrov (with Paul Jones).

Lifting this high-concept gimmick from the Von Erichs’ World Class Championship Wrestling (WCCW), this 40-foot high, triple stacked-cage match requires the ten combatants to first climb a ladder to the top.  The much-smaller top two cages means close-quarters combat above a standard-size bottom ring.  Participants must enter through a trap door atop the highest cage before then fighting their way down.  At two-minute intervals, the trapdoors between cages open. 

The first complete team to exit the ground-level cage through the door wins.  Enigmatically ‘torn’ between husband Garvin and psychotic stalker Sullivan, Precious holds the keys unlocking the last cage.  The ringside commentators are Jim Ross and Tony Schiavone.

In 2013, the WWE released this match as part of a collection of War Games matches (in DVD and Blu-ray formats) entitled WWE War Games: WCW’s Most Notorious Matches.   

Notes: Ronnie Garvin’s heel turn on this same PPV was so ill-received that he finished up the 80’s in the AWA and later the WWE.  In another Tower of Doom showdown, WCW’s 1996 Uncensored pitting the legendary Mega-Powers (Hulk Hogan & Randy Savage) vs. eight villains (including Ric Flair, Lex Luger, Arn Anderson, and even the WWE’s ex-Zeus) is an unintended, anything-goes camp classic.

REVIEW:

Judging by the lengthy pre-match footage, it’s no wonder how convoluted this Tower of Doom is — especially as referee Tommy Young is shown forty feet up methodically cinching the trap door pulley.  It comes down to the wrestlers entrusted to make such a gimmicky concept work. 

Considering this particular cast, it’s hard to say if anybody could overcome its reality game show-style logistics — short of some trusted WWF main-eventers (Randy Savage, Curt Hennig, Bret Hart, Rick Rude, Haku, etc.), if there had been a Tower of Doom had in a late-80’s Survivor Series.

Shocking no one, this wonky bout struggles to impress from the get-go.  While the Jimmy Garvin & Precious vs. Kevin Sullivan feud is well-played (aside from a cheap ‘damsel-in-distress’ post-match angle), everyone else merely hop aboard for an awkward ride.  Even the Road Warriors’ magic only extends so far – particularly when opponents must clumsily pass through trap doors.  It’s akin to watching wobbly wrestlers struggling to maintain their balance during a scaffold match.    

While the makeshift action is decent, its sheer lack of impact is attributable to a quintet of sluggish bad guys.  Aside from Mike Rotunda’s knack for making ‘dull’ seem nefariously cool, these particular heels exude the least amount of charisma imaginable.  Had Rick Steiner and/or virtually anybody else been substituted in for the sleep-inducing ‘Russians,’ this match’s watch-a-meter might have soared (i.e. some worthy opposition for the Road Warriors). For instance, one could imagine the Powers of Pain (Warlord & The Barbarian) would have participated, had they not previously left for the WWF.

If anything, this Tower of Doom’s best asset is possibly settling the Garvin vs. Sullivan feud.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                          4 Stars

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SUMMARY:                                  RUNNING TIME: 22:00 Min.

Recorded live on July 31, 1987, for the NWA’s Great American Bash outdoor house show at Miami’s Orange Bowl, the heated rematch from War Games # 1 features these two squads:

• The Super-Powers: (“The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes & “The Russian Nightmare” Nikita Koloff) and The Road Warriors: (Hawk & Animal) & manager “Precious” Paul Ellering,

vs.

• The Four Horsemen: (NWA World Heavyweight Champion “Nature Boy” Ric Flair; Arn Anderson; NWA World TV Champion Tully Blanchard; and NWA U.S. Heavyweight Champion Lex Luger); & the masked War Machine (aka Ray ‘Big Bubba Rogers’ Traylor).  Manager J.J. Dillon and Blanchard’s then-valet, ‘Dark Journey,’ are stationed at ringside.

Rhodes is generally credited with devising this two-ring, roofed double-steel cage ten-man grudge match concept.  The teams pit their initial two combatants in a five-minute one-on-one brawl.  A coin toss then determines a handicap advantage, as the other participants enter in two-minute intervals. Hence, one side will enjoy a repetitive handicap advantage until all ten men are in. 

During the so-called “Match Beyond” (featuring all ten combatants), there’s no escape, as the losing squad is forced to either submit or surrender.  Tony Schiavone is the commentator.

In 2013, the WWE released this match as part of a collection of War Games matches (in DVD and Blu-ray formats) entitled WWE War Games: WCW’s Most Notorious Matches.   

Notes: 1. At the time, Rhodes & The Road Warriors were NWA World Six-Man Tag Champions.  2. Prior to this rematch, Luger had vanquished an ‘injured’ Koloff for the U.S. Title inside a steel cage during a Bash house show.

REVIEW:

As the primary U.S. rival to Vince McMahon’s WWF, the NWA/WCW (essentially, Jim Crockett Promotions) again goes all out to please fans with this gritty entertainment.  While there aren’t high-tech graphics (let alone, cartoony antics) comparable to the WWF, this match’s nice video quality speaks for itself.  Minus the substitution of a masked Ray Traylor (aka the WWF’s future Big Boss Man) for an injured Dillon, this second War Games virtually replicates the first War Games. Suffice to say, the implied gory finish is nastier than its predecessor.      

In fairness, there was likely no necessity to change the match’s script much, considering its crowd-pleasing success the first time.  Besides, only those present at the Atlanta house show would have sensed any déjà vu re: recycled plotting.  Other than predictable bleeding by Rhodes and Flair, among others, the ten players ensure that loyal fans get their money’s worth in the form of steel cage mayhem. 

Above all, this rematch rewards wrestling buffs who recall these NWA icons in their prime.  This video is a wrestling time machine to an era when fans had an exciting alternative to the WWF.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                        7½ Stars

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SUMMARY:                                      RUNNING TIME: 23:00 Min.

Recorded live on July 4, 1987, at the NWA’s Great American Bash house show in Atlanta, GA, this ten-man slugfest features these teams:

• The Super-Powers: (“The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes & NWA U.S. Heavyweight Champion Nikita “The Russian Nightmare” Koloff) and The Road Warriors: (Hawk & Animal) & manager “Precious” Paul Ellering,

vs.

• The Four Horsemen: (NWA World Heavyweight Champion “Nature Boy” Ric Flair; Arn Anderson; NWA World TV Champion Tully Blanchard; and Lex Luger); & manager J.J. Dillon.  Blanchard’s then-valet, ‘Dark Journey,’ is also at ringside.

Rhodes is generally credited with devising this two-ring, roofed double-steel cage ten-man grudge match concept.  The teams pit their initial two combatants in a five-minute one-on-one brawl.  A coin toss then determines a handicap advantage, as the other participants enter in two-minute intervals. Hence, one side will enjoy a repetitive handicap advantage until all ten men are inside the two-ring cage. 

During the so-called “Match Beyond” (featuring all ten combatants), there’s no escape, as the losing squad is forced to either submit or surrender.  Jim Ross and Tony Schiavone are the co-commentators.

In 2013, the WWE released this match as part of a collection of War Games matches (in DVD and Blu-ray formats) entitled WWE War Games: WCW’s Most Notorious Matches. 

Notes: 1. At the time, Rhodes & The Road Warriors were NWA World Six-Man Tag Champions.  2. For the videotaped July 31^st rematch, Dillon is replaced by Ray “Big Bubba Rogers/Big Boss Man” Traylor as the masked ‘War Machine.’ 

REVIEW:

Competing against the popularity of Vince McMahon’s WWF, the NWA/WCW (aka Jim Crockett Promotions) delivers the goods for fans with this macho entertainment.  There aren’t flashy graphics comparable to the WWF, but this match’s video quality is still plenty good.  The ringside blow-by-blow coverage from Ross & Schiavone is an extra treat.    

Aside from predictable bleeding by multiple players and an obscene finger gesture by Rhodes, this intense first War Games establishes an entertaining formula.  Specifically, this excuse for wrestling violence relies on basic storytelling – as in the ruthless Horsemen must stand and fight this time vs. ganging up on outnumbered foes and/or getting a cheap DQ to escape a title loss.  Not surprisingly, in order to appease fans, the no-holds-barred War Games heat locked in a repetitive booking scheme for the follow-ups over the next eight years – except for 1991’s plausible twist ending. 

Still, this battle’s gritty novelty and spot-on choreography will reward long-time fans who still remember these NWA icons in their prime.  It’s a wrestling time machine where seeing the mid-to-late 80’s NWA again becomes a nostalgic gift. 

Note: Watch for Ellering’s pugnacious effort challenging Flair (it also happens in War Games # 2 and, briefly, # 3).  Just for chuckles, one can only wonder why he never got his own World Title shot against “The Nature Boy,” as seemingly everyone else did. 

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                   8 Stars

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SUMMARY:                                          RUNNING TIME: 14 Min.

Filmed by Mid-South Wrestling (later known as the UWF — Universal Wrestling Federation), the match occurs on March 22, 1985, in Houston, Texas, at the Sam Houston Coliseum.  The loaded-up stipulations are: it’s a coal miner’s glove, tuxedo (where the wrestlers rip each other’s tuxedos off) steel cage match where the loser gets out of town, or more likely, a vacation, for thirty days.  As perennial rivals/ex-friends, “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan (in a white tux) faces off vs. “The Big Cheese” Ted DiBiase (in a black tux). It’s left to announcer Jim Ross to call the shots (literally) at ringside.  The match appears on the WWE’s 2013 Legends of Mid-South Wrestling DVD and Blu-Ray sets. 

Note: In 1987, both Duggan and DiBiase separately left the UWF for WWE to enjoy the biggest runs in their prospective careers.

REVIEW:

If there’s an everything-but-the-kitchen sink-style match in pro wrestling, then this one likely has it.  Ironically, the only cartoony aspect of this slugfest is its outrageous rules.  What viewers actually get is a somewhat bloody, knockdown brawl in a cheapo steel cage seemingly made out of playground monkey bars.  The macho action is fairly good (minus watching two guys stripping each other) — but there’s no mistaking that neither Duggan nor DiBiase (at the time, saddled with an unimaginative nickname) were allowed to play up much, if any, charisma.  Case in point: compare this showdown to their glitzy WrestleMania IV bout from March 1988 — DiBiase & Duggan’s formulaic wrestling there is okay, but their exaggerated in-ring personas are genuinely entertaining.

Still, for fans of these wrestling icons, the nostalgia of seeing them in their pre-WWE prime makes this bout worth watching.  Maybe this gritty skirmish isn’t meant for repetitive viewing, but the stipulations alone are a hoot.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                        6 Stars

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SUMMARY:                                    RUNNING TIME: 21:57 Min.

As part of the Extreme Rules 2019 undercard, The Undertaker would make an emphatic return to team up with ‘The Big Dog’ to go up against Drew McIntyre and Shane ‘O Mac.  Michael Cole, Renee Young, and Corey Graves call the action.  The match was held on July 14, 2019 in the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This bout appears on WWE’s Extreme Rules 2019 DVD and Blu-Ray sets.    

REVIEW:

If only for The Undertaker, this match is worth watching.  It shouldn’t come as a surprise that this bout was almost The Phenom’s last because that’s just how great he did.  Despite being in his mid-50s, he does the best out of the four.  Reigns, though a star in his own right, becomes a side attraction, with his only true offense being a right- handed upper-cut. Almost like that one friend who spams the punch button on a video game, Reigns uses about three or four moves through the entire match. 

Thankfully, The Undertaker dishes out most of the team’s offense. ‘Old School,’ ‘Snake Eyes,’ the choke-slam, you name it,  The Deadman’s greatest hits are all put on display in this bout.  Undertaker’s selling is just as good, too. For a good five minutes, he gets dragged around the ring by his opponents, with multiple points in the bout that leaves anyone questioning how he can still wrestle at such a high level.  For anyone wanting an older Undertaker match, this is arguably his best from his sporadic matches between 2016-2020.

With a run-in midway through the bout, this ends up feeling like a 3-on-1 handicap match, with Reigns knocked unconscious. This, however, shouldn’t take away from McIntyre or McMahon’s own performances.  Shane hits multiple WrestleMania-worthy spots, and it really shows what lengths he’s willing to go to put on a show.  As for Drew, it’s not a bad performance, but his, like Reigns, is an afterthought behind The Undertaker. He hits a few Claymores, throws a few punches, but he acts as little more than Shane’s waterboy, and that says something.

Is this match worth watching?  Definitely!  I know it sounds like it’s all about Undertaker’s performance, but that’s really all there is to it.  For a match that was on a secondary PPV like Extreme Rules, this match warrants a spot on any Big Four card — those being WrestleMania, SummerSlam, The Royal Rumble, and Survivor Series. The best part is, at the end of the match, Undertaker says, “It’s your yard now.”  Talk about really putting the exclamation point on this one.  Pure brilliance!

ROSCOE’S ODD MOON RATING:              8 Stars

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SUMMARY:                                         RUNNING TIME: 21 Min.

Filmed by the WWE in March 1987 (or possibly February 28, 1987), this Philadelphia Spectrum house showdown pits WWE World Tag Team Champions The Hart Foundation (Bret “Hitman” Hart & Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart) vs. The Islanders (Haku & Tama).  At ringside are the Harts’ manager, Jimmy Hart, and their new associate: evil ex-referee Danny Davis.  The two ringside commentators are unidentified, but they are evidently the Spectrum’s PRISM Network in-house team.

The match also appears on the WWE’s 2013 Bret Hart: The Dungeon Collection DVD and Blu-Ray sets. 

REVIEW:

Aside from viewing a Harts vs. Islanders battle as a rare opportunity, this title match demonstrates that the WWF’s 1987 tag team scene was very much at the top of its game.  All four competitors (with an assist from Davis) deliver solid performances, as it’s a shame that Tama & Haku weren’t given a high-profile push sooner. 

Note: After missing out on WrestleMania III, the Islanders excelled at the 1987 Survivor Series as Bobby Heenan’s new heel team. Yet, they were ultimately demoted to a dognapping angle with The British Bulldogs for March 1988’s WrestleMania IV, which was the Islanders’ last real hurrah.

The fact that The Islanders was excluded from WrestleMania III less than a month after this pretty good match speaks volumes.  Still, the Hart Foundation’s own progress as new World Tag Team Champions gets the right kind of polish here.  For that matter, even the low-key commentators (whoever they are) are surprisingly above-average, though they confusingly misidentify Tama as Haku and vice-versa.

The one downside is that, unsurprisingly, this tag bout relies on house show formula where the same finish was likely recycled most nights.

Note: Amusingly enough, the announcers mention that the Spectrum’s main event that night would be WWE World Champion Hulk Hogan & “Rowdy” Roddy Piper vs. Kamala & “Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff.  It’s a good bet that, in terms of tag action, the Harts and the Islanders outclassed them.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                        7 Stars

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