JHawk
Quick programming note.
This column most likely will not be available next week. As you read this on Monday, I am in Las Vegas for the Cauliflower Alley Club reunion and have no plans on doing anything but mingling with my heroes and drinking away some brain cells. In some cases, both at the same time. If I’m conscious enough when I get back to Ohio, I might write a recap of that event, but I make no promises.
With that, let’s have some fun.
March 1987, Monday, Week 4
During the show last night, the UWF offices received word that Savannah Jack failed a steroid test. Officially he was fined his entire purse from last night’s show, but I’d expect his feud to last about as long as his blowoff match with Iceman King Parsons and that would be it for him.
The Angel of Death got a lot of heat backstage last night before the taping for pulling a tasteless prank backstage. Angel was apparently upset that nobody, management included, knew how to take a joke.
Last night’s show in Tulsa drew an attendance of 4,765. We heard a lot of people complaining about the two disqualification finishes but everybody said the show as a whole made up for it.
March 1987, Tuesday, Week 4
Negotiations with Shaw Cable in Canada to air next month’s Superblast card on pay-per-view have faltered, with Shaw claiming the UWF simply doesn’t have enough of a fanbase for them to take the risk on airing the show. There is no truth to the rumor that WWF stepped in claiming exclusivity as a way of blocking the broadcast.
Any hope of Steve Williams coming back to the UWF was taken away yesterday when Williams signed an exclusive contract with New Japan Pro Wrestling.
March 1987, Wednesday, Week 4
There is talk internally about offering Ted DiBiase an exclusive contract. DiBiase is considered by far the best wrestler on the UWF roster, but he has yet to make an appearance at TV this month due to his Japanese commitments. The idea is the UWF would get first use of DiBiase but make a talent trading agreement that would allow him to continue working in Japan. Not sure if an offer has been made but it’s definitely been discussed.
March 1987, Thursday, Week 4
The push for Eddie Gilbert and Sting should continue indefinitely. Gilbert is one of the best talents in the business and probably the top heel in the UWF right now, and with him helping Sting both in and out of the ring, the thought is that both could be key players in the future of the UWF. I’d be shocked to find out Sting is still a heel by the end of the year, as he gets good reactions already despite the association with Gilbert.
March 1987, Friday, Week 4
We talked yesterday about the potential in Eddie Gilbert and Sting as heels for the UWF. We should also make note of the babyface side of things and newcomer Shane Douglas. We have it on good authority that while Douglas is not in the immediate plans for the UWF, he is expected to be a key player in future plans by the end of the year. I’d expect to see him get a few wins here and there in fairly short order with a sustained push later this year.
March 1987, Saturday, Week 4
The UWF is advertising Eddie Gilbert defending the UWF Television Title against Sting for tomorrow night’s episode of Power Pro Wrestling “by order of UWF Commissioner Bill Watts”. I hope there’s a promo to explain this because on the surface it makes no sense.
March 1987, Sunday, Week 4
The rating for the Power Pro Wrestling replay on KWTV did a 0.04 rating.
UWF Power Pro Wrestling live coverage (March 1987, Sunday, Week 4)
Live coverage of the UWF TV broadcast at the Jack Stephens Center in Little Rock, AR.
Michael Hayes appears to be doing commentary with Jim Ross this week.
In a non-title match, Terry Taylor and Chris Adams defeated Mike George and Sid Steele in 3:24. Adams caught Steele with a Superkick and probably had him knocked out cold from that, but Taylor insisted on being tagged in and dropped a knee on Steele before gaining the pin.
Chavo Guerrero defeated Tim Horner in 2:03 by pinfall with a German Suplex. After the match, Guerrero was being interviewed by Jim Ross when Gary Young interrupted. Young said he was tired of seeing Guerrero fly around like a Mexican jumping bean and as soon as he had a chance, he’ll ground Chavo permanently. Young then slapped Guerrero which triggered a brawl.
In what has to be considered at least a minor upset, Steve Cox defeated Rick Steiner in 1:12 by pinfall with a Russian Leg Sweep. These two had great chemistry in the limited time they had and I hope they get a longer match sooner rather than later.
Terry Gordy (w/Michael Hayes) pinned Tim Patterson in 2:21 with a Powerbomb.
Ross interviewed Bill Watts, who said Sting has had a number of big wins at live events recently and has earned a shot at the UWF Television Title. He said he understands that Gilbert manages Sting but the match will take place later tonight whether Gilbert and Sting like it or not.
Gilbert retained the title when Sting refused to lock up with Gilbert and walked out to get himself counted out at 2:13. The crowd hated this as they wanted Sting to take a shot at him before he left. After the match, Sam Houston came to ringside and said he would not allow Gilbert to get an easy night like that and challenged him to a match on the spot. Gilbert said he would agree but only in a non-title match since “I just had the toughest title defense of my career”.
Sam Houston defeated Eddie Gilbert in 2:07 by pinfall with a Steer Buster. The crowd popped huge for this finish.
UWF Heavyweight Champion One Man Gang, Angel of Death and Bill Irwin defeated Joe Savoldi, Mike Jackson and The Missing Link in 4:52 when Gang pinned Savoldi with a Gourdbuster. Too short to mean anything.
Ross brings out Watts, who announces several matches scheduled to take place at Superblast in two weeks. Based on the big win earlier, Sam Houston will receive a shot at Gilbert’s UWF Television Title. Also, Watts announced a coal miner’s glove match between Michael Hayes and Buddy Roberts against Chavo Guerrero and The Missing Link. Ross asked about Guerrero vs. Young based on what happened earlier but Watts noted Guerrero was already contractually obligated for this match prior to the show going on the air. Watts did say he’s not opposed to Guerrero wrestling twice should he sign a waiver but he would not guarantee the match taking place.
The Fantastics defeated The Sheepherders in 3:20 when Bobby Fulton defeated Luke Williams by pinfall with a Rocket Launcher.
Ross announced at ringside that next week we’d see Chris Adams and Terry Taylor against Eddie Gilbert and Iceman King Parsons. The titles weren’t mentioned. He then interviewed Gilbert and Parson briefly at ringside, who guaranteed they would weaken the champions for Sting and Steiner. My assumption is this will be non-title but I wouldn’t guarantee that.
In a bout that had solid in-ring action and average heat, Buddy Roberts defeated Big Bubba Rogers in 7:08 by submission. When was the last time Rogers won a match?
A step down from last week’s show in my opinion but still a good show.
