SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 6:32 Min.
This match’s latter portion appeared on the NWA’s World Championship Wrestling TV program, on or about June 25, 1988.
Taped at the James L. Knight Center, in Miami, FL, the bout actually occurred at Clash of the Champions II: Miami Mayhem (June 8, 1988). This match’s uncut running time is 11:51. Setting up a feud for the annual “Great American Bash” house show tour, “The Russian Nightmare” Nikita Koloff faces off vs. Gary Hart’s protégé: former WCCW (World Class) Champion “The Latin Heartthrob” Al Perez. As an outnumbered Koloff is wary of, the possibility is open that Hart’s other nefarious associate, Larry Zbyszko, may intervene.
After announcers Tony Schiavone and David Crockett introduce this match (already in progress), the ringside commentators are Schiavone and Bob Caudle.
REVIEW:
For what little viewers get, pitting Perez’s athleticism against Koloff’s reliable in-ring star power suggests solid potential. While the underrated wrestling itself is good, what’s missing is some necessary heel charisma from Perez. The 3-on-1 post-match attack on Koloff offers typical NWA TV shenanigans, but this villainous sequence is hardly must-see viewing.
Though Koloff vs. Perez offers a decent brawl, a better choice is Koloff battling “Ravishing” Rick Rude (with Madusa) in 1992.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 5½ Stars
IMAGE NOT AVAILABLE
