The Great American Bash ’89: The Glory Days!

Coming off the heels of Terry Funk’s violent assault of World Champion Ric Flair (who was left with a kayfabe compressed vertebra and a fractured disc) Funk was signed by the promotion and he proceeded to injure five more men in short order, including Brad Armstrong, Ranger Ross and Eddy Guerrero.

Funk would go on and declare that the NWA title should be vacated since he ended Flair’s career. In another interview, Funk called number one contender Ricky Steamboat’s son a “half-breed” and that motivated Steamboat to sign a bout with Terry Funk at the next Clash of the Champions. Steamer would go on to win the match by DQ. Funk continued his berating of the injured champion until Flair announced in early July that he would indeed return to the ring and Funk would get his desired title match at the Great American Bash. In the mean time, Sting took up for Flair and challenged Funk to matches at many of the shows during the Bash tour.

The NWA World tag team titles, having been vacated thanks to the Varsity Club’s actions at Wrestle War, were put up in an 8 team tournament. Michael Hayes and the returning Jimmy Garvin would ultimately win the titles in June by beating The Midnight Express in the finals. The NWA US Tag titles were vacated and temporarily dissolved when Rick Steiner disbanded from Eddie Gilbert in order to start teaming up with his brother Scott. Eddie was injured. Together the Brothers incurred the continued wrath of the Varsity Club, who was now down to Mike Rotundo and Kevin Sullivan as Dr. Death split with the group and Dan Spivey disappeared for a few weeks before reemerging as half of the Sky Scrapers with Sid Vicious. Williams went on to feud with Terry Gordy briefly during the summer. This led to Williams aligning with the Midnight Express.

The Road Warriors and Samoan SWAT team went to battle almost right after Wrestle War. The teams ended up in several four-way brawls and cost one another several matches along the way.

A War Games match was then announced for the Great American Bash PPV with Dr.Death, The Midnight Express and The Road Warriors facing the SWAT team and The Freebirds. The heels attempted to eliminate the Warriors from the match early by delivering a 5 on 2 beatdown to them in a steel cage during a TV taping prior to the PPV.

Lex Luger beat Michael Hayes to regain the US title only two weeks after losing it. That makes the decision to even bother to take it off Luger even more baffling. Hayes was already taking part in the World tag team tournament, so everything worked out for him anyway. Meanwhile, Luger became disenfranchised with being the bridesmaid and started taking on a nasty edge. His heel turn was cemented when he attacked Ricky Steamboat at the Clash following Steamboat’s war with Terry Funk.

Gary Hart started to focus The Great Muta toward Sting in a quest to obtain the NWA TV championship. Muta also was faced with rebuffing the challenge of Eddie Gilbert. Muta had sprayed mist into Missy Hyatt’s face and also attacked Eddie with a kendo stick. Gilbert retaliated by coming after Muta with fire. They wrestled several times during the Great American Bash tour. Sting’s alignment with Gilbert during their time together in the UWF was brought up during the build to Sting facing Muta at the Bash PPV.

Ron Simmons and Ranger Ross teamed up as part of the tag title tournament but Simmons turned on Ross soon after their elimination. Ron was courted by Teddy Long, who already had Butch Reed signed to his stable. The two men took to teaming briefly, which made the fact that they added masks to their ensemble later in the year all the more silly. The team only lasted a few shows and then the tandem was split and Long took on the Sky Scrapers as clients.

Newcomers to the NWA included:

Norman the Lunatic (who was aligned with Teddy Long),
Brian Pillman (who was pushed as an upcoming star right away),
Woman, who portrayed “Robin Green” Rick Steiner’s girlfriend.
Bill Irwin, who was a solid veteran presence in the mid card.
Tommy Rich, former NWA World champion, who was trying for one final gasp for glory.
Scott Hall, who was nicknamed “Gator” and did vignettes of hunting alligators while the James Bond theme played (?) and finally the tag team that was to revolutionize wrestling in the 90’s:
THE DING DONGS!!!!!!!!! They were gone after one match, that just happened to air live on national TV.

Luca PoiSoN's HALL of SHAME – TH3 Din9 d0ng2 by lucapoison

One interesting final note: Gordon Solie did segments during some NWA broadcasts that spoke about AWA, WWF and even independent group’s storylines.

July 23rd, 1989

Jim Ross and Bob Caudle on the call

Two Ring Battle Royal: Kevin Sullivan, Mike Rotundo, Bill Irwin, Ron Simmons, Dan Spivey, Sid Vicious, Brian Pillman, Ranger Ross, Scott Hall, Eddie Gilbert, Dr. Death, Rick Steiner, Scott Steiner and Terry Gordy

When you get tossed from ring one, you get a second chance in ring two. Typical battle royal as everyone pairs off. Half the guys punch, the other half hang on the ropes. Ron Simmons and Ranger Ross are the first tossed into the second ring and Simmons hits some nice clotheslines that jacks the crowd up. The Ranger tosses Simmons surprisingly. Gordy, Irwin and Hall are tossed into ring two. The original WCW tape glitches so the match is fast forwarded to only Pillman and Sid left in ring one. Everybody starts flying out at a rapid pace. Sid wins ring one. Dr.Death is left with former partners Rotundo and Spivey. Mike eliminates himself by missing a clothesline. Doc hits a series of clotheslines but Rotundo trips him and Spivey dumps Doc to win ring two.

The team of the 90’s The Sky Scrapers stand tall and agree to split the winner’s purse. Nothing special, but not bad either.

Brian Pillman vs. “Wild” Bill Irwin

Irwin jumps him to start but Pillman hits a dropkick and a headlock takeover. A head scissors sends Irwin to the floor. A sliding dropkick pops the crowd. Pillman walks into a side slam and Irwin suplexes him for good measure. Irwin asks Pillman if he want to fly and then tosses Pillman to the floor. A clothesline sends Pillman flying in a 360 and he lands in a lump. Pillman recovers with a few dropkicks and a flying clothesline. He scales the ropes for a flying dropkick I would’ve bought as the finish, but Brian misses. Irwin chucks Pillman into ring two, but Pillman makes his way up the turnbuckles and launches back into ring one with flying crossbody for the pin. Fun stuff.

Paul E. Dangerously promo: Paul was there at Starrcade ’86 taking pictures when Jim Cornette fell from the scaffold and destroyed his knees. He knows that Jim’s knees are still an issue and will be attacking that body part later tonight in their tuxedo match.

The Dynamic Dudes vs. The Sky Scrapers

Jim Ross rips on Hulk Hogan in veiled terms before the match. Spivey no sells an Ace dropkick and claws at his face. Hard clothesline sends Ace in retreat. Double dropkick fails to take Spivey of his feet. A flying crossbody only works when Shane trips Spivey simultaneously. Crowd spontaneously starts a “We want SID!” chant. Spivey no sells a kick and clotheslines Ace. Douglas tags in and is side slammed right away. Another, louder, “We want SID!” chant starts. Spivey powerbombs Shane. Sid finally comes in, hits a clothesline and poses to a loud applause. Sid locks on a claw to Shane’s back and then having exhausted his moveset with those 2 moves, tags Spivey back in. Crowd immediately boos Spivey for not being Sid. The Sky Scrapers accidentally clothesline each other. They manage a double team spine buster and Spivey finishes Ace with a power bomb. Fun squash.

Jim Cornette vs. Paul E. Dangerously

Heyman still has the same strut 25 years later. Corny gets a big ovation. Corny tears Paul E’s jacket off right away. Heyman tosses powder in his eyes and uses his phone to abuse Corny’s knee. Heyman slugs away and kicks at Corny’s knee. They take turns choking each other with the articles of clothes. Corny is sent into the ringpost. Jim eats some punches but starts to no sell and unloads on Paul E. Heyman tries to use powder again, but Corny kicks it in his face and strips him for the win. Not good, but watchable fun.

Gary Hart promo: He claims the TV title is the second most valuable title other than the World title. Muta is calling on the sprits of the Orient to guide him over Sting tonight.

The Steiner Brothers vs. Mike Rotundo and Kevin Sullivan

This is Texas Tornado rules so all four men go at it. Rick no sells some plunder shots from Sullivan, but is dumped crotch first on the railing anyway. Sullivan and Steiner take turns whacking each other into and with a table. Scott misses a charge and flies to the floor. Rick hits a belly to belly and a powerslam on Sullivan. Sullivan blocks a sunset flip attempt, so Rick retaliates for the crotching on the railing from earlier & headbutts him in the nuts a number of times. Sullivan tries a slam on Rick but Scott hits a flying crossbody into both men and the Steiner dog pile on Kevin for the pin! Intense, fast paced, brawl. I couldn’t keep up with the action.

Sting is wound up tight and Eddie Gilbert is trying to calm him down. Gilbert promises to nullify Gary Hart tonight.

TV Title: Sting vs. The Great Muta

Muta is undefeated. Muta seems confused by the two rings, so Sting launches over both sets of ropes and unto him. Sting then chases him to the floor but Hart distracts Sting and Muta hits a flying chop from the top and a cartwheel elbow smash. A moonsault attempt is avoided by Sting but Sting no sells a follow up spin kick. Enziguri sends Sting to the floor and Muta crashes into him with a flying crossbody. Sting rallies with a flying clothesline and a dropkick. Muta tries to slow the pace with an “Oriental” sleeper. Sting escapes and catches Muta with a press slam. A “Muta” chant breaks out. Muta uses his martial arts kicks to wound Sting but another cartwheel elbow misses and Sting explodes on him with a facebuster. Muta accidentally blinds the ref with his mist. A Stinger splash misses and Muta hits a moonsault from a LONG ways away! A back up ref comes too late and misses the 3 count. Sting hits a German suplex and both men’s shoulders are down for the 3 count. Muta takes the title in protest. Crowd chants “bullshit!” Another exciting match.

US title: Lex Luger vs. Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat

Steamboat is carried to the ring on a small platform while holding a large lizard. The smarks strike again as a big “Luger” chant breaks out. Luger poses on a platform that appears that it was suppose to rotate as he poses, but it didn’t work. A “steroids” chant greets Luger. Steamboat uses his speed to trap Luger in several quick pinning predicaments and he then dropkicks him to the floor where The Dragon proceeds to chop away at Luger’s chest. Luger clubs back and lays him out with a vicious clothesline on the floor. Steamboat slams Lex’s head into the Maryland State Athletic Commission’s table – those guys are lucky Luger didn’t go after them for costing Lex the World title one year earlier. Steamboat is caught trying a flying chop and the Total Package nails a back breaker. Press slam. Lex nails 3 vicious clotheslines and The Dragon is maimed. Powerslam earns a 2 count. Steamboat gets a desperation neck breaker. Luger launches at Ricky and ends up splattered on the cement floor. Ricky slams Luger off the top rope and connects with the flying chop. Lex backdrops Ricky into ring number 2. Luger grabs a chair and threatens to smash Ricky. Steamer leg sweeps him and sling shots him into the turnbuckle – while he is still clinging to the chair, which then thumps off Lex’s face. That was a bit of a contrived spot. Steamboat grabs the chair and cracks Luger with it multiple times. He chases Luger all the way to the back. Good match, sort of a lame ending.

WAR GAMES~! “Dr. Death” Steve Williams, Bobby Eaton, Stan Lane, Hawk and Animal vs. Jimmy Garvin, Michael Hayes, Terry Gordy, Samu and Fatu

Dr. Death cuts a terrible pre-match promo. He’s going bird hunting and needs bug spray for “those Samolians” – then he compares himself and the Road Warriors to baked goods. The Road Warriors promise to hunt down the Freebirds families after they finish them off.
The Road Warriors come down to the ring on Harleys – riding in the bitch seat as other bikers drive. Eaton and Garvin start. They trade fists until Eaton’s facial flesh bounces off the unforgiving steel. Eaton is ground down and Hayes trash talks him from the outside of the cage.

Gordy is in next and he quickly bludgeons Eaton. Nothing of note happens until Dr. Death comes in a couple minutes later and he sends both heels flying. Gordy and Doc go to their own ring so they can beat the stuffing out of each other. Death gorilla presses Gordy EIGHT times into the top of the cage!

Samu is next and he hits a spinning thrust kick on Williams to slow his adrenal glands down. Animal is in next to even the odds and he runs through all three heels. Animal jumps over both sets of ropes to connect with a flying shoulderblock. Hayes tries to fire Fatu up by screaming “KILL KILL!!” in his face before he charges in. The Samoans double team Animal. Stan Lane comes in and gets a piece of each heel.

Hayes figures out he’s next by virtue of being the only member of his team not yet in the match, and he isn’t pleased. Hayes hits 3 quick DDTs and then goes off by himself to gloat. All the faces are down and out when Hawk roars into the cage with a double flying clothesline onto the Samoans and then he takes Gordy to the house of pain. Heyman tries to jam his phone in between the cage holes in a cute spot – Ref Tommy Young just stands by him and looks on with his arms folded and a scowl on his face. At least he was aware of the match stipulations and didn’t try to interfere like we tend to see nowadays.

Hawk hits Garvin with the flying clothesline, a neckbreaker and then a hangman submission that gets the duke. Armistice lasts about 10 seconds before Animal is caught on the way out and suffers a 5 on 1 beating before the faces can break in and make the save. Solid match with some real fun spots.

World title: Ric Flair vs. Terry Funk

Rough spot for these two to follow a War Games match. Flair attacks Funk right away and they brawl on the floor. Funk loses his mind and runs into the audience. Chairs are flung. Flair drives chops into Funk until Terry spills to the floor again. Funk slams Flair’s head into the post. Funk nails a suplex and tries another but Flair blocks it. Flair tries suplexing Funk over the ropes and both men collapse to the cement floor.

Funk tries a piledriver but is back dropped onto the floor again. Flair wrenches at Funk’s neck. Flair drives a knee into Funk’s neck and hits a piledriver and then ANOTHER. Funk is still kicking after that somehow.

Funk is back suplexed and Flair locks in a figure four. Funk uses his branding iron to break the hold up. Flair’s busted open. Flair is piledriven but his foot slips under the ropes to break up the pin. Smack a guy with a branding iron, piledrive him on concrete, no big deal. Body part passes through an arbitrarily-determined barrier? BREAK THE HOLD!

Funk chokes away on Flair and tries to piledrive him on the cement but Flair flips Funk over to avoid it. Funk getting backdropped out of a piledriver is turning into Flair climbing to the top rope. Funk uses neck breakers to up the torture. Flair whacks Funk with the branding iron to buy himself some recovery time. Funk is posted and is now also wearing the crimson mask. Funk attempts a spinning toe hold but Flair rolls him up, Funk reverses it and Flair reverses that for the fluky victory.

Muta charges the ring and blinds Flair with his mist. Muta and Funk both assault the champion. The fans are hip to the game and start to chant “We want Sting!” Sting charges in and we end up with a four way brawl. The heels are outgunned and they bail. Funk chucks another chair at Flair and that spawns another brawl!!! All four men fight to the entry way and finally the heels leave for good….JR and Bob Caudle start to wrap the show up and Flair and Muta suddenly brawl through them! Sting and Funk aren’t far behind. Flair gets the branding iron and briefly chases the heels off. Funk uses a chair on Flair and Sting chokes Muta with a belt. Now its seems to be finally over…WOW~!