Sage Cortez
Coming off Starrcade, Jim Crockett Promotions is certainly on a high. Despite their shortly reversing the Dusty Rhodes title change, I don’t believe that the fake finish stunted their momentum in any way. The best thing about JCP is that over the next few weeks of December, they ran hot angles and matches on TBS. They gave away a lot for free! I lied about reviewing the Martel/Hansen title change, I’ve decided not to do that. I think in the future I may backtrack to deal with reviewing some territory stuff, and that would be one of those things. This also means that I won’t review the Flair/Windham match from Florida.
There are a few things to discuss along the way that don’t fit into a review format. The first of these is that on December 7th, an episode of Worldwide was shown where the Russians hung Road Warrior Hawk with a chain. I’ve looked everywhere for a video of that which I can link and can’t find it.
– Taped to Air December 7th, 1985, from World Championship Wrestling in Atlanta, Georgia
Magnum TA (US Champion), Billy Jack Haynes, & Sam Houston vs. Tully Blanchard, Ole & Arn Anderson (National Tag Team Champions) (w/Baby Doll)
Pre-Match Thoughts: Some very preliminary Four Horsemen stuff going on here. It is stunning to some degree that Crockett would give these matches away on free TV while the WWF wouldn’t give away a thing. In addition, there is a six man tag later in the month that is on one of Flair’s DVD’s which is even more stacked, which I won’t be reviewing because I don’t have the DVD!
Match Review: Arn and Houston will start the match, but Arn begs to face one of Houston’s partners, apparently he thinks they’re REAL MEN. Haynes tags in, and here we go. Haynes puts Arn in a headlock, which Arn shortly breaks. Magnum tags in, and comes off the top rope with a double axehandle on Arn. Ole tags in, locks up with Magnum, and shortly tags in Tully. Tully and Magnum trade bombs, and Magnum gives him a big press slam. Magnum gives Tully an atomic drop, but Tully pulls Magnum by his trunks into the ring post. Both men trade bombs again, and Tully backs up into his corner, where he tags in Arn Anderson. Houston tags in, and elbows Arn’s left arm from the top rope. Arn gives the kid a drop toe-hold, Houston goes behind and gets position on Arn, which he breaks in the rope. Ole tags in, and old ass Ole gives Houston a CLUBBERING. Houston fights back with some big right hands, which causes Ole to fall into the wrong corner to take more punishment, and Houston gives him a dropkick. Ole refuses to tag out until he drives Houston towards his corner, at which point he tags in Arn. Houston escapes and tags in Magnum, who punches Arn quite a bit. Haynes tags in, and puts Arn in a chinlock. David Crockett puts over Haynes biceps, while Arn quickly fights out, only to get press slammed. Tully runs in and Haynes does it to him as well, and then Haynes does a THIRD to Ole. I’m pretty sure Crockett wanted to put this guy over like a God before he walked out. For all the talk about Vince liking guys on steroids, I’m quite sure at this point that Jim Crockett would have had big plans for Billy Jack. Tully gouges his eyes, but Haynes tries for a FULL NELSON, which Tully sells like death, and fortunately runs into his corner so it can be broken. Haynes does the same thing to OLE, LOCKS IT IN, and Ole barely is able to tag Arn. Arn stomps a mudhole in Haynes, and goes to a chinlock of his own. Ole runs interference with the ref so that Tully can attack Haynes from the top rope, and Ole tags in too. Tully tags in and applies a front facelock, as we go to a commercial.
We come back with all six men brawling in the ring. Once things normalize, it’s Tully Blanchard beating up Magnum TA, until Ole tags in. Ole drops an elbow on Magnum, for a 2 count. After throwing Magnum into the turnbuckle, he tags in Arn, who puts an armbar on Magnum. Magnum punches his way out, but Arn locks up his leg so he can’t make the tag. After a knee to the gut and a knee drop, Arn gets a 1 count as Haynes breaks up the cover. The studio crowd is quite into the match at this point, and Ole tags in to put his own armbar on Magnum. The crowd wants Magnum to break out, but Ole won’t allow it yet. Tully comes in and rolls up Magnum for 2, then goes back to the arm. Arn winds up in the ring and puts on his own armbar, but Magnum gives him a fireman’s carry. Tully comes in and chokes the US Champion, keeping him from making a tag. Tully tags in Ole, who bodyslams Magnum. They trade punches from their knees, and Magnum gets the best of it. Arn switches into the ring again, keeping Magnum from making a tag. Magnum then RAMS Arn’s head into the mat, and goes for a tag, which he still can’t make. Crowd bought it. Ole tags in, keeping Magnum from making the tag. Then Tully comes in, and goes for a suplex, which Magnum blocks and gives Tully one of his own.
THERE’S the tag, to Sam Houston. Houston beats up everyone, gives Ole the BULLDOG, but the cover is broken up by Tully. Tully and Magnum fight on the outside, Houston slams Ole, but the referee walks Haynes back to the corner and Arn lands a double axehandle on Houston. Haynes then runs into the ring and puts Arn in the FULL NELSON. Simultaneously, Ole is on top of Sam Houston, and gets the cover and victory at somewhere near 18:00.
My Thoughts: This was a really good tag match. Studio matches are often capable of being good, this was no exception. Anyway, Haynes was clearly protected in the match and came out of it looking like a beast. It was obvious Houston was going to take the pin, and I have no problem with that. ***1/2, YouTube it.
It must be mentioned that in December, Dusty Rhodes won the National Heavyweight Championship from Buddy Landel in a phantom match. A phantom match means that there was no match. Landel was fired because he was into drugs and the like, and Crockett wanted rid of him. Of course Dusty Rhodes gets the title because he books the company and by proxy will elevate the standing of the title. As such, I agree with the decision.
– Taped to Air on December 28th, 1985, from World Championship Wrestling in Atlanta, Georgia
Ole Anderson (National Tag Team Champion) vs. Magnum TA for the United States Championship
Pre-Match Thoughts: This HAS to be good, I can truly see no way that it wouldn’t be. A 20 minute time limit has been slapped on this. Magnum has a promo in the segment before the match during which he runs down Ole Anderson.
Match Review: The two men lock up, reverse a few holds, and Magnum gets the worst of it as Ole pulls his hair. They struggle, and wind up as things started. They struggle once again, and Magnum gets the better of that with some punches. Ole thumbs Magnum in the eye, and throws him into the turnbuckle. After a bodyslam, Ole drops an elbow for a 2 count. Ole goes after Magnum’s left arm, and bars it. Ole pulls Magnum’s hair, and wraps up that left arm around his leg. Ole takes Magnum to the ropes and headbutts him, but gets clocked in the face, knocking him down. Both guys now punch each other from their knees, which is of course awesome. Magnum hits Ole with a big forearm for a 2 count, and works on Ole’s left arm. So it’s his turn! Ole fights back, then Magnum fights back, and knocks Ole to the canvas. Magnum slams Ole, which gets a 2 count. Ole drives Magnum over to the corner, and drives his shoulder into Magnum a few times. After a headbutt, Magnum kicks back, and lands some super realistic looking jabs. The thing about this style of match is that both guys throw such good worked punches that if the match is all punches, it would still be great! Ole pulls Magnum through the turnbuckles into the ring post, which knocks Magnum out of the ring. Ole stomps on Magnum as he sits on the ring apron, and we go to commercial.
Back from commercial, and it’s no different than the way things were. Not edited then! Ole pulls Magnum into the ring, and locks in the CHINLOCK. Arn Anderson shows up at ringside, YES. He encourages Ole to squeeze, and DUSTY RHODES walks out to be in Magnum’s corner. Ole gets no unfair advantage! Magnum fights out of the chinlock, but gets clobbered by Ole across the back of the neck. Ole heads to the second turnbuckle, and tries a double axehandle, but Magnum caught him in the stomach. Magnum swings and swings at Ole, which leads to a 2 count that sure as shit looked like a 3. Ole gives Magnum a big boot, which only gets a 2 count. Ole goes for a piledriver, but Magnum reverses it into a backdrop. Magnum gives Ole a dropkick for 2, and a small package, but they get caught in the ropes. Ole pokes Magnum in the eye, and once again Ole gives Magnum some crossfaces in the ropes. Ole rams Magnum’s face into the turnbuckle, and tries again, except Magnum is the one who does it to Ole. Magnum gives Ole the 10 punch turnbuckle combo, and Ole falls to the canvas face first. Magnum misses a leg drop, and Magnum trades punches with Ole from his knees for the third or fourth time! Both men collide in the center of the ring, giving them a much needed break. Magnum rams Ole’s face into the turnbuckle, and they trade punches again! This is a battle of attrition. Ole slams the US Champion, and stomps right on his face. Magnum quivers while lying on the canvas, and fights up to ram his shoulder into Ole, until Ole very intelligently lifts up his knee and Magnum drives into it. Ole lands a back elbow on Magnum, and drops the elbow. A cover gets a 2 count. Ole trips Magnum, and goes for a pin, but puts his feet on the ropes and gets caught. Very nearly had a new champion, though. Magnum lands another dropkick on Ole, and lands a big double axehandle from the 2nd rope. I thought for sure the match was going to be over with a Magnum victory, but the bell rang for the time limit. However, Jim Crockett runs out and says that the match must continue. Okay! Ole pushes the referee out of the way, and takes a powder on the outside. He’s complaining about something. Crockett tells Magnum there will be a short rest period. Good stuff.
After the commercial, the match is restarted with Ole kicking the crap out of Magnum. Ole slams Magnum, and drops another elbow. He lands another, but misses a third, and Magnum fires up to his feet. Arn TRIPS MAGNUM, DUSTY RUNS TO THE OTHER SIDE TO BEAT UP ARN, OLE IS DISTRACTED AND WATCHING THIS, AND MAGNUM ROLLS HIM UP FOR THE VICTORY AT 21:00. That was awesome.
My Thoughts: That was among the best match restarts that I’ve seen. Short and to the point, and with the studio crowd going nuts. Studio wrestling at its finest, here. Everything was sold so well that I feel obligated to give this ****. Not going with a crappy draw makes me very happy. Matches like these are why I watch wrestling, period, end of story. Highly recommended. You won’t find many better studio matches. The interference was perfectly timed, as well.
Now, I am really pissed that the video I was watching of Garvin vs. Flair cut out right before the finish. It was on the same show as Ole vs. Magnum, so this was one of the best studio shows that Crockett could possibly do. Talk about bad timing. It was quite upsetting. Sucks that I can’t finish watching a ***3/4 match, but such is life. And with such disappointment, for the first time, I press the delete key on a review.
– Taped to Air January 4th, 1986, on NWA Worldwide, from Greensboro, North Carolina
Tully Blanchard Goes Insane
For some time, JJ Dillon has been planting a seed in Tully’s mind about Baby Doll’s loyalty. The obvious connection is that he wants to manage Tully himself and get rid of those losers he was managing around the time of Starrcade. That is true. So, Baby Doll says that she’s been gone because JJ gave her a plane ticket to Acapulco. JJ tells Tully that he didn’t give Baby Doll anything. She’s angry, Tully says that she’s bought and paid for, and SLAPS HER. HARD. JJ keeps David Crockett from attacking Tully, and in the midst of that, THE AMERICAN FUCKIN DREAM RUNS OUT AND PUSHES THAT PIECE OF SHIT TULLY TO THE GROUND to a HUGE pop. Then Dusty cuts a promo on Tully and says that Baby Doll belongs to him now. Well then. Didn’t he slap her about a year before this? I seem to remember having written about it. Anyway, my clip goes to Tully cutting a promo on Baby Doll, saying that he’s bought and paid for her. Well then. He says that he’s taking Dusty Rhodes National Heavyweight Championship. Can’t wait.
– Taped to Air January 4th, 1986, on World Championship Wrestling, from Atlanta, Georgia
The Barbarian (w/Paul Jones) vs. Magnum TA for the United States Championship
Pre-Match Thoughts: This is so strange that I must watch it. Despite what some people think, Barbarian isn’t green at this point. He had been wrestling for 5 years or so around the territories. This is a good chance to see where he’s at in the business and how good Magnum has become when not wrestling against guys who have been in the business for ages.
Match Review: Harley Race is sitting in on commentary during this deal. He looks quite old, even at this early date. Barbarian shoves Magnum back to the corner, but Magnum replies by using his superior technical wrestling ability and reversing a hold into a hammerlock, then once tripped kicking Barbarian over the top rope. Barbarian comes back in, gets backdropped, and Magnum gives him an armdrag. Barbarian misses a clothesline, and gets taken down to the mat with a hammerlock. Magnum gets pulled out of the ring by Paul Jones, Magnum chases him, and comes back in the ring and causes Barbarian to miss a charge to the corner. Barbarian breaks an armbar by making the ropes, and shoots Magnum into the ropes again, only to be prevented from doing anything again. Magnum puts the armbar back on, and Paul Jones comes over to the announce table for a few comments. He claims a moral victory for Barbarian. Okay.
After the commercial, we come back with Barbarian having Magnum in a chinlock. He then gives Magnum a big leg drop, and drops him throat first on the top rope. Barbarian picks Magnum up in a choke-hold and drops on the mat, then gives him a backbreaker. Cover gets 2. After a kick by Barbarian, he shoots Magnum into the ropes for a big boot. Cover gets 2 once again. Barbarian goes for a knee drop, and misses, then Magnum does his fired up shtick. Three punches, a dropkick, and a cover for 2. Barbarian headbutts Magnum, and goes for an atomic drop, which Magnum reverses into one of his own. The atomic drop takes out the referee, Magnum gives Barbarian the BELLY TO BELLY, but there’s nobody to make the cover. Paul Jones clocks Magnum with his CANE, Barbarian gives Magnum a falling headbutt, and for some reason Harley Race comes in to count the cover. Huh? He counts 3, raises Barbarian’s hand, and I don’t know what to think. Magnum gets up and KICKS HARLEY’S ASS, until Barbarian attacks him from behind. Harley gives Magnum a backbreaker, and both Harley and Barbarian head up top. Both land big diving headbutts on Magnum, Paul Jones beats him up with his cane, and FINALLY the Rock ‘n’ Roll Express and Jimmy Valiant run in to clear the heels out of the ring around 9-10 minutes into the match. Goddamn commercials messing with my timing.
Harley Race is interviewed after the match, and claims that he did nothing wrong. Sure. The Road Warriors come out to cut their interview about something else, and obviously this segment is over.
My Thoughts: This was an interesting bit. First of all, I didn’t have Magnum feuding with Harley anywhere in my notes. So that was a surprise. Apparently it wasn’t in my notes because he didn’t. Race joined the promotion, and left it extremely shortly after. Not surprisingly, I was into this while it lasted. ** for a decent, lengthy TV match, a rarity in many promotions at the time, but not in this one.
Also on this date, Arn Anderson won the TV Title for the first time, in a tournament. In the final match he beat Wahoo McDaniel.
– Taped to Air on January 11th, 1986, on World Championship Wrestling, from Atlanta, Georgia
Sam Houston vs. Krusher Khruschev (w/Ivan Koloff) for the NWA Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Championship
Pre-Match Thoughts: Yes, a return match! The question here is, was the match part of the chase, or the final match in it? Who knows…
Match Review: Khruschev puts an armbar on Houston, but the young man quickly pops up and tries a shoulderblock, which does absolutely nothing. Khruschev gives Houston a huge shoulderblock, knocking him upside down. Koloff taunts Houston, as Houston and Khruschev and Houston trade wristlocks. Khruschev gives Houston another huge shoulderblock, and Houston replies with a drop toe-hold. The announcers put over the Superstars on the Superstation concept, speaking of that, I’ll be writing an article on the whole show. Houston puts a leglock on Khruschev, but gets his hair pulled and is forced to break it. Houston flips out of an atomic drop, and kicks Khruschev in the leg, knocking him down. And back to the leglock he goes. They’ve treated Khruschev like a beast of late, and this is no exception. Khruschev reverses a half-crab, but misses an elbow drop. Houston trips him again, and back to the leglock.
After the commercial, Houston seems to be working over Khruschev. Khruschev gives Houston a huge press slam, and Nikita Koloff’s presence at ringside is made clear. Khruschev gives Houston a backbreaker for 2. After a choke lift, Khruschev charges to the corner, and misses. Houston gets tossed out of the ring, though. Khruschev gives Houston a press slam on the floor, which silences the crowd as they believe Houston is dead. DEATH BUMP. Houston crawls back into the ring, and gets bodyslammed. Khruschev heads to the top rope, and gives him a big RUSSIAN SICKLE from there. Khruschev very clearly destroys his knee on that, and can’t even crawl over to cover Houston with his body. A few weak pins get 2 counts, and THE ROAD WARRIORS RUN TO RINGSIDE. They beat up the Russians, during which Khruschev throws Houston over the top rope. Houston basically lands on his feet, and Animal tosses him in for basically a flying bodypress on Khruschev, which leads to a cover. The referee turns around and doesn’t spot Animal holding down Khruschev’s leg, which means that Sam Houston wins by pinfall and is the NEW Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Champion. 8:09 the time.
The studio explodes, and the Road Warriors beat the turd out of the Russians. Dusty and Magnum come into the ring as well, and by God the Russians have been shown to be a little weaker than thought.
My Thoughts: This was a solid little match, which fell apart after the commercial due to the knee injury sell, and then the actual injury. Maybe it was a half-sell in the first place, I don’t know. But in any case, the match slowed down a bit, and was saved by a great run-in finish. Somebody had to get over on the Russians, and these three guys did. It also fits in with Houston’s underdog shtick. **1/2. Unfortunately, Khruschev’s knee really did explode, and as such he had to sit out for quite a few months. After that, he doesn’t do a whole lot before jumping to the WWF.
Unfortunately, to my knowledge not very much more happened in these two months. I did talk about some things I couldn’t review, which was unfortunate. Luckily, there is no shortage of things in the upcoming months. The Rock ‘n’ Roll Express vs. Midnight Express feud really picks up again, so does the Road Warriors vs. Russians feud, and there’s a TV special in February that I will review in full. No complaints there! Next up, I’ll jump back to the WWF to review assorted stuff from January and February of 1986. I will also be making a post on the forums with a rundown of the best of 1985. So yeah, check out the forums.
