JHawk
April 1987, Monday, Week 2
Terry Gordy has officially signed a guaranteed deal with New Japan Pro Wrestling and has given notice. He will work Superblast on Saturday and TV on Sunday and be gone at that point.
Sting failed a drug test for an unapproved steroid and was fined his entire payoff from last night. Sting has given his word he will get clean. Steroids are legal but many have side effects that are just becoming known, so the UWF is cracking down since the government is expected to make most steroids illegal without a prescription.
Official attendance in Tulsa last night: 4,279.
April 1987, Tuesday, Week 2
The UWF is advertising The Missing Link vs. One Man Gang for the UWF Heavyweight Title at Superblast on Saturday. I’m serious. Why are you laughing?
April 1987, Wednesday, Week 2
Ted DiBiase has signed to be part of New Japan Pro Wrestling’s next tour. While not an exclusive deal, this will greatly limit DiBiase’s UWF appearances, even moreso than they already are.
April 1987, Thursday, Week 2
Pez Whatley has officially left Jim Crockett Promotions and will join the UWF as of Superblast using the Shaska Whatley gimmick.
April 1987, Friday, Week 2
Just added to tomorrow’s Superblast card will be The Fabulous Freebirds against The Angel of Death, Bill Irwin and Buzz Sawyer. That’s six matches announced and at least four wrestlers working twice. This roster is far too deep for that.
April 1987, Saturday, Week 2
Here’s a preview for tonight’s Superblast show, which is apparently being taped despite no plans to air it on TV and the fact that Superdome is likely to be almost empty for this show.
One Man Gang vs. The Missing Link for the UWF Heavyweight Title: Gang isn’t losing the title anytime soon and certainly he isn’t losing to the Missing Link of all people.
Sting & Rick Steiner vs. Chris Adams & Terry Taylor for the UWF Tag Team Title: A title change is likely here. Management is very high on Sting and Steiner and Taylor and Adams have been teasing a split.
Eddie Gilbert vs. Sam Houston for the UWF Television Title: This was initially billed as a title match because of the hope it would be available on pay-per-view. The pay-per-view fell through but since it was advertised as a title match, it will remain a title match. I’d expect Gilbert to retain.
Savannah Jack vs. Iceman King Parsons in a “Ghetto Street Fight”: No rules, anything goes, come dressed as you are. This is the blow off which traditionally means Jack as babyface would go over, but Jack might be on the way out which could give Parsons the edge.
Michael Hayes & Buddy Roberts vs. Chavo Guerrero & The Missing Link in a coal miner’s glove match: I have no idea why this match was even signed. I’d assume the Freebirds go over.
The Fabulous Freebirds vs. Bill Irwin & Angel of Death & Buzz Sawyer: Yes, Hayes and Roberts are wrestling twice. I’d expect the Freebirds to win but Gordy being pinned on the way out is a possibility.
This show has the potential to be really good but could also be really bad as well. I’m told at least four or five more matches will take place as well.
Superblast coverage (April 1987, Saturday, Week 2)
The show was moved at the last minute from the Superdome to the New Orleans Municipal Auditorium due security concerns. Probably the best decision for all involved.
In an extremely short match, Gary Young defeated Mike George in 0:48 by pinfall with a Piledriver. I was looking forward to this and it gets under a minute. After the match, Jim Ross interviewed Young who issued a challenge to Chavo Guerrero.
Bill Watts, doing commentary with Ross for…some reason…interviews Steve Cox. Standard rookie “I’m looking to improve and move up the ladder” promo.
Steve Cox pinned Tim Patterson in 3:13 with a Russian Leg Sweep.
Chavo Guerrero is interviewed backstage by Jim Ross, he hypes an upcoming singles match against Gary Young. I assume that means the match is a go at some point.
Chavo Guerrero defeated Action Jackson in 1:13 by pinfall with a German Suplex. Guerrero looked good but the crowd is already tiring of the short matches.
Terry Taylor comes to the ring and challenges Buzz Sawyer to a match. I want to see that match. The timing is strange. No response from Sawyer.
Angel of Death pinned Rick Steiner in 4:43 with a Piledriver. Why is Steiner even wrestling now with a title match later?
Michael Hayes and Buddy Roberts had an interview hyping their upcoming match against Chavo and Missing Link. This was followed up by Chavo and Link doing a similar promo. Did you know Dark Journey is still around? Neither did I until she showed up with Link here.
In a coal miner’s glove match, Michael Hayes and Buddy Roberts defeated Chavo Guerrero and The Missing Link in 5:21 when Hayes retrieved the glove and pinned Link after Guerrero had been taken out by Gary Young. The crowd hated this finish but so far the finish is the only thing that’s made sense the entire show so far. After the match, the Freebirds apologized to Link and Guerrero saying they’d rather have not had the help, but now they had to focus on their six man tag later in the show.
In a bout that had solid in-ring action and average heat, Eddie Gilbert defeated Sam Houston in 14:13 by count out to retain the UWF Television Title. Another finish the crowd hated but the match was really good. Iceman King Parsons attacked Houston at ringside after the match, and Gilbert joined in a double team until Savannah Jack ran them off. Ross stopped Parsons and Gilbert on their way to the back and said that nobody will be standing in Hotstuff International’s goal of dominating the UWF.
In a special “catfight” that had an average crowd reaction but featured terrible wrestling, Sunshine defeated Baby Doll, Missy Hyatt and Dark Journey in 5:34 when Sunshine defeated Dark Journey by pinfall. The less said about this the better.
Eddie Gilbert comes out with his clients, Sting & Rick Steiner. All three begin to mercilessly taunt Chris Adams and Terry Taylor, claiming the UWF Tag Team Titles will be coming home within the hour.
In another extremely short match, UWF Tag Team Champions Chris Adams and Terry Taylor defeated Sting & Rick Steiner in 4:58 when Taylor pinned Sting with a Five Arm. Good but I can’t figure out why this didn’t get more time.
Gary Young has an interview in which he taunts Chavo Guerrero. “Chavo Guerrero’s mom wanted a girl, his father wanted a boy, and they were both satisfied! Woooo!” He’s no Ric Flair.
In a Ghetto Street Fight that had an average crowd reaction and some decent in-ring action, Savannah Jack pinned Iceman King Parsons in 9:35 with a Piledriver. Between cheap finishes and piledrivers, the entire roster is in a rut right now.
Jim Ross interviews Alfred Neely, the referee assigned the UWF Heavyweight Title match between One Man Gang and The Missing Link. Neely says he will give the two men as much leeway as possible, but “we do have rules and my job is to make sure they’re followed”.
Bill Watts then interviews Gang, who said he will be taking the title belt home with him one way or another.
The Missing Link defeated UWF Heavyweight Champion One Man Gang in 9:21 by disqualification. Neely allowed both men to use chairs but finally called for the bell when Gang threw the referee to the canvas. Better than expected but not good. After the match, Gang stopped by the announce table and told him “I TOLD you I’d keep this belt” because not being able to pin The Missing Link is apparently something to be proud of.
In a match that had some good action and average heat, The Fabulous Freebirds (Michael Hayes, Terry Gordy and Buddy Roberts) defeated Buzz Sawyer, Bill Irwin and Angel of Death in 15:14 when Michael Hayes defeated Angel of Death by submission. Odd way to close the show but probably the best match of the show.
What a strange show.
April 1987, Sunday, Week 2
Chris Adams continues to get heat with management, this time nearly getting into a fight with Angel of Death backstage before the show.
Last night’s Superblast show drew a modest 4,319 last night, or roughly about five percent of what the dome would have held had the show not been moved. Despite the strange booking and disjointed line up, most of the feedback we received in our offices was highly positive.
The TV show airing on KWTV just before last night’s show drew the usual .04 rating.
Buzz Sawyer failed a random steroid test and was fined 25% of his purse after last night’s show.
It hasn’t been officially announced but it’s been strongly hinted that there will be a rematch for the UWF Tag Team Titles tonight.
UWF Power Pro Wrestling live coverage (April 1987, Sunday, Week 2)
Live from the Ahearn Field House in Manhattan, KS.
UWF Television Champion Eddie Gilbert pinned Savannah Jack in 1:59 with a Hot Shot.
Buzz Sawyer defeated Bobby Fulton in 1:32 by pinfall with a Diving Splash.
Bill Irwin pinned The Missing Link in 1:05 with a Bicycle kick. They’re rushing through these matches tonight.
Sting & Rick Steiner defeated Joe Savoldi and Mike George in 1:37 when Steiner pinned George with a Flying Bulldog. After the match, Jim Ross interviewed Sting, Steiner and Gilbert at ringside, and they issued a challenge to Chris Adams and Terry Taylor for a title rematch later tonight.
Ross interview Adams and Taylor. Taylor was very quick to accept the challenge while Adams seemed like he wanted to wait until a later date.
Chavo Guerrero pinned “Vicious” Sid Steele, lifting the larger man for a German suplex in 1:01. After the match, Ross interviewed Guerrero who said Gary Young was in his sights and it was only a matter of time until he got his revenge.
Steve Cox pinned Randy Rose in 1:27.
Sam Houston defeated Tim Patterson in 3:09 by submission with a Half Boston Crab.
And now we see why the first half of the show was rushed through. Sting and Rick Steiner (w/Eddie Gilbert) defeated Chris Adams and Terry Taylor in 19:01 to win the UWF Tag Team Title. Adams hit Sting with a Superkick which sent Sting out to the ring apron. Adams went to suplex Sting into the ring, but Gilbert tripped him. Sting landed on top, and despite Adams’ foot clearly being on the bottom rope and his shoulder apparently being up, the referee counted the fall. The crowd was furious, and I’m not sure if it’s because the finish was odd or if they hate the new champions.
Great main event, which makes the show a thumbs up.
