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
IMAGE NOT AVAILABLE
