SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 8:15 Min.
Aired April 15, 1989, on TBS, this episode of the NWA’s World Championship Wrestling was presumably filmed at its Atlanta, GA studio. Months before officially turning heel as half of the masked Doom tag team (with Butch Reed), Ron Simmons challenges NWA World Champion Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat. It isn’t spelled out whether or not this face vs. face bout is a non-title match, but it mostly likely is.
The ringside commentators are Jim Ross and The Fabulous Freebirds’ Michael “P.S.” Hayes.
REVIEW:
Even if this rare Steamboat vs. Simmons encounter isn’t a classic, seeing “The Dragon” battle a future WCW World Champion still offers some first-class pro wrestling. In just over eight minutes, they deliver a satisfying performance by the NWA’s TV main event standards for that era.
For nostalgia purposes, this entertaining relic reminds fans of an era where NWA bouts typically preferred in-ring substance over the rival WWF’s cartoony style. Nicely played!
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 6½ Stars
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