SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 15:01 Min.
Taped April 23, 1988, in Greensboro, NC, at the third annual Crockett Cup, the tournament finals pits Lex Luger & Sting, with Magnum T.A., vs. the NWA World Tag Team Champions Arn Anderson & Tully Blanchard of The Four Horsemen, with J.J. Dillon.
The quick backstory is that Sting, having previously lost tag partner Ronnie Garvin, to ‘injury’ would create a makeshift super-team with Luger, who lost his own partner, Barry Windham, to betrayal (along with the NWA World Tag Team Titles) a few days earlier. Hence, Luger is seeking some redemption against the Horsemen, as Windham shockingly accepted Luger’s previously vacant slot in the nefarious stable.
Commentators Tony Schiavone & Jim Ross are present at ringside. At stake for the winners is a huge silver trophy and a supposed one million dollars in prize money.
Note: Pro Wrestling Illustrated journalist/photographer Bill Apter makes a cameo appearance. Also, in a bit of irony, as partners representing the Horsemen, Luger & Blanchard lost in the previous year’s Crockett Cup finals to Dusty Rhodes & Nikita Koloff’s ‘Super Powers’ duo.
REVIEW:
Impressively, this bout opts for an even keel throughout, as both sides dominate for short stretches. Yet, there’s no mistaking what the match-making formula really is, with fan favorites Luger, Sting, & guest manager Magnum T.A. being presented as the NWA’s worthy equivalent of the WWF’s Mega-Powers (Hulk Hogan, “Macho Man” Randy Savage, & Miss Elizabeth).
Suffice to say, this energetic tag bout is a well-played and crowd-pleasing gem.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars
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