WingedEagle

Cowboy Funk! How do you not love Funk bouncing off the ropes and his general ring movement & demeanor in the early stages of a match building up to and around a lockup? Some early comedy and stooging as he bounce outside and gets read to fight the camera man, then throws a chair into the ring. American menace Terry Funk! Funk is raging and threatening everyone. May not want to take that tact with local police. He spits at Windham and bails, then posts Barry when he follows and the heat is on. Piledriver on the floor! Another one! Tosses Barry into chairs! Just awesome violence and intensity here. Windham selling and bumping like a fool here, but somehow this still feels like the Terry Funk show as he just dominates the scene. Funk punching away and Barry even incorporates a Buddy Rose bump to the floor. Funk just pounding away with punches and finally a back kick low, but knocks himself loopy with headbutts and soon bumps to the floor when they collide running the ropes. Windham takes over outside and posts Funk, then works in punches & chops around Terry swinging wildly before slamming him into a table. Funk is just incredible selling everything here. Windham with an awesome jumping piledriver in the ring that only gets a 2 count! Barry takes it back outside and pays Funk back with a piledriver on the floor of his own, that sees Funk sell it with that great, seizure-like shaky leg. Its worth nothing that this is my absolute favorite kind of heel Terry Funk. We got the comedy bits out of the way early and then got into the meat with a mixture of committed, crazed violence and unparalled selling. Fantastic spot where Terry eats a punch and falls right into position for another piledriver. So ridiculously smooth and didn't feel forced at all. Back in the ring Funk tries for a reverse neckbreaker but Barry grabs the ropes to block it and drops a knee for a 2 count in yet another tremendous spot. This isn't even peak Barry Windham. He may not have Funk's presence in 1986, but this match doesn't reach this level without him bringing his "A" game. Funk is desperate now so while he can look for the Spinning Toehold its just something else for Windham to counter as the babyface is in absolute control here. One of the better sunset flip spots I've seen gets a great near fall. Just incredible timing and exection. Funk manages to get a chair wrapped around his head on the floor that lets Windham punch it off. Now that is how you use a prop. False finish when the ref counts 3 on a Windham jumping lariat but then realizes Funk's foot was on the rope, which sets up a cradle with tights for the win. With a proper finish this may very well have been one of the best matches of the 80s. I loved it that much. But I didn't love the finish, and that matters. Either way this is the runaway top match in Puerto Rico thus far and a straight classic. How did we never get to see them do this again here? In Crockett? Florida? Somewhere? Definitely missed out on one hell of a feud. A crazed Funk promo setting up his match the next night against Martel wraps things up, and its as awesome and out of control as this match. ****1/2

Rambo Ron looks incredibly grimy here. Given that attire and the stadium brawl that this followed, they oddly work a rather straight match with Invader using a hammlerock on the mat. Where's the blood? Starr kicks out at 1 off a chop. I love a 1 count kickout when not overused. Starr bailing for cover as Invader winds up for a huge punch arguably puts it over stronger than taking the punch. He then tells the crowd he's so smart and its great to see that kind of heel work. A woman is out to interfere by nailing Invader with a chair shot which brings the requisite blood and we eventually build to Invader's comeback with punches that pop the crowd. The finish here also held this back for me as it seemed rather sudden, but yet another fun, fast brawl leading up to it. ***1/4

No idea who's who as their outfits are basically identical and have similar builds. That doesn't matter for the opening, which features a ton of rapid fire punching that is just terrific. Unfortunately it peaked there as what follows is a long sleeper to presumably get their cardio back and a number of ref bumps. Lot of promise in that opening segment but not much of value thereafter. **1/2

This was some kind of crazy. They begin brawling in foul territory, down the stadium perimeter and then up into the stands and along the first concourse before eventually making their way into the ring. If we give points for creativity, set design and cinematography then this is close to a five star classic. It is incredibly unique and heated with highlights including one woman near the field who has to be held back from going after Starr, the obligatory WWC blood and a never ending supply of punches, chops and belt shots. After that 10 minute tour of the stadium we make our way to the ring where Starr hits a double underhook suplex and awesome flying sitout splash, before Invader gets his knees up on the second splash. Two flaws here -- 1) I didn't love the ref keeping a tight grip on the weight belt once they returned to the ring as though he needed to manage that prop for them, and 2) the double knockout finish didn't do anything for me. After everything else leading up to it that felt kind of flat. Nonetheless this was incredibly unique and a lot of fun. Hell of a way to kick off disc 3. ***1/4

What are the goals of your promotion?

Basketball has only been back for a couple hours and I'm already loving it and completely stoked about this season. Cannot wait for the Finals. NBA season means less time watching old wrestling each week, but sacrifices must be made.

1985, '86 & '89 sure feel like the easy picks. 86 probably gets the edge because it was a much better year for Japan, and while '85 was incredible with everything you get in Midsouth and Flair's stops around the country, '86 still gives you his matches with Garvin, Morton, Windham and Dusty, the Tully/Garvin classic and a year of peak Horsemen. Plus an incredibly year from the AWA. '89 is so incredible for the NWA & All Japan as well as angle-wise in WWF, but the depth across promotions likely can't match up. Probably not a popular choice, but if we can ignore booking and just go on sheer volume of quality matches then the last couple years are really a great time. With WWE having as many hours of TV and PPV as they do every week/month, NJ shows every month and much more during G1, new stuff popping up from the UK, Mexico and US Indys just about every week, we're very possibly getting a great number of good matches on a regular basis than at any other time. Many will hardly be memorable, but a number of reasons, but the output is really incredible.

Cosign. Its been a godsend. Never again am I watching anything on the PC. Can't believe I did so for so long.

I haven't watched the finals yet, but Omega gave a very similar performance there. Goto is not Naito, so the match doesn't reach the level of this one but it wasn't too far off.

This is what I fully expect. Just seems odd that AJ would throw that out there when we know how much Vince hates hyping things he can't deliver. Then again, AJ seems like he's actually handling his own account. But he had to get the image from somewhere.

What in the world is going on here? https://twitter.com/AJStylesOrg/status/789193575737073668

Don't you worry my friend, the classics are coming edit. I count 6 matches I'd rate 5 stars 6??? Even if I'm more prudish on stars than others, apparently I haven't even scratched the surface. Yeah I absolutely cannot wait for the Funk stuff. The weekend cannot come soon enough. Hoping to start disc 3 then, which shouldn't be a problem with football season already over.

I haven't watched his matches with either in ages, but would likely go with either Juvy or Psicosis. Was blown away by what they did in ECW or WCW more than anything I saw from Rey in WWE. But I also think his peak was in WCW.

Outside of the Flair & Savage outings, disc 1 had me worried that perhaps PR wasn't for me. There are no such concerns after disc 2. Aside from a couple exceptions, this disc was incredibly easy to watch with fast, crazy, blood filled matches the entire way without bordering on death match nonsense. The incredible pace, blood and sheer violence most of the way translates to very little downtime or action that leaves you checking the clock. I'm not sure just how many matches here will fit what I call classics, as for me those are usually longer, more epic affairs and what we have here looks to be a lot of quick, wild hits. A total blast as I hadn't seen much PR before this and its always great to mix in new and different takes on wrestling.

Disc 2 Rankings: Carlos Colon vs. Abdullah The Butcher (6/15/86) Carlos Colon vs. Jos LeDuc (Barbed Wire Match) (2/22/86) The Invaders vs. Chicky Starr & Ron Starr (3/29/86) Carlos Colon and The Invaders vs. Abdullah the Butcher, Chicky and Ron Starr (4/26/86) Chicky Starr vs. Invader III (Scaffold Match) (May 1986) Invader I vs. Chicky Starr (1/6/86) Invader I vs. Eric Embry (June 1986) Carlos Colon vs. Abdullah the Butcher (March 1986) Kamala vs. Invader I (2/22/86) Invader I vs. Bruiser Brody (6/15/86) Los Pastores vs. The Invaders (8/2/86) Carlos Colon & Miguel Perez Jr. vs. Los Pastores (January 1986) Abdullah the Butcher v. Victor Jovica (Chain Match) (July 1986) Rock n Roll RPM's vs. The Crusher & Eric Embry (3/29/86) Invader III vs. Eric Embry (1/6/86) Rock n Roll RPM's vs. The Zambuie Express (3/29/86) Rock n Roll RPM's vs. Dan Greer & Don Kent (3/29/86)

Disc 1 Rankings: 1. Ric Flair vs. Carlos Colon (10/16/82) 2. Randy Savage vs. Hercules Ayala (3/2/85) 3. Ric Flair vs. Dusty Rhodes (12/21/85) 4. Ric Flair vs. Tommy Gilbert (9/4/82) 5. Los Pastores vs. Jay & Mark Youngblood (Spring 1985) 6. Carlos Colon & The Invader vs. Los Pastores (Ambulance Match) (12/21/85) 7. Abdullah the Butcher vs. Carlos Colon (September 1981) 8. Gino Dellaserra & Pierre Martel vs. Los Mercenarios (11/27/82) 9. Abdullah the Butcher vs. Andre the Giant (9/17/83) 10. Carlos Colon vs. Tully Blanchard (1983) 11. Carlos Colon vs. Bruiser Brody (Chain Match) (Summer 1984) 12. El Gran Apollo vs. Buddy Landell (5/8/83) 13. Carlos Colon vs. Abdullah the Butcher (9/21/85) 14. Hercules Ayala vs. Killer Tim Brooks (Taped Fist Cage Match) (October 1985) 15. The Invaders vs. Los Pastores (Barbed Wire Match) (9/21/85) 16. El Gran Apollo vs. Dick Steinborn (February 1983)

Love the Invaders again working quick tags and in very un-WWC fashion this is some basic, straight wrestling at the start with wristlock and arm action on the heels. They eventually build heat on #3 to set up #1's hot tag before a screwy DQ finish. Fun sprint. **3/4

Not a whole lot doing here besides blood and some basic cut offs as each man tried to touch the four corners. Probably Abby's weakest outing yet but at least they didn't waste too much time. Rating is almost entirely for the gore factor. Funny to hear Savinovich call this the biggest upset in professional wrestling. **1/2

Looks like Embry has lost a hair match since we've last seen him. He sells a low blow really well, just like Ron Starr. Some really fun brawling all around the building here. Absolutely loved the spot where Invader dropped his head to set up a back body drop and Embry countered with a flash piledriver. Really great execution on that cut off. Embry bleeds here because someone must always bleed. Looks like we get a double countout, but it comes too soon in a match that more mileage. ***

Abby comes out in a mask borrowed from your latest terrorist video. Great shine with Colon hopping around as he throws punches, and then gets down to business with the fork. Just maniacal violence from these guys every time out. They really love shots to the gut as transitions. Here Abby catches Colon with a kick. Abby's blood literally flies up onto the camera! WWC production! That's an additional quarter star. Abby really doesn't do much here beyond bleed and take punches and biting, but he does it so damn well. More blood on the camera as Colon digs into Abby's eyes. This is just some nasty, intense violence. This match must play much better to the TV audience than the live crowd. Our big high spot that pops the crowd is actually Colon hitting Abby with a monkey flip. Eventually a ref stoppage as Abby is bleeding buckets while Colon is carried on fans' shoulders afterwards. This was some incredible violence yet never reached the point death match nonsense where I want to forget I knew it existed. I know Colon/Hansen will top this but if a whole lot else does there is a lot of goodness to come. ****

These outdoor matches are just awesome. Double juice because there must always be double juice. And I mean that in the most positive way possible. Chair shots, biting, chops, low kicks. Brody sells a low blow very nicely. Invader chases Brody off with a chair for what's presumably a double countout before the fans literally carry Invader out on their shoulders like a conquering hero. So weird watching this match for obvious reasons, but it was another fun, fast brawl. With more time to develop this could've been even better, but what we got was a lot of fun. If I sound like a broken record, that's because it applies to most of the disc. But that is a good thing. **3/4

Just an awesome scaffold match. It is so high and rickety, but at least looks wider than normal giving them some room to maneuver. We get blood even up high on a scaffold, and some great teases. They even work in a suplex which on any scaffold, but especially this one, feels like sheer madness. Invader finally takes an insane bump bump into the ring as he basically lands on his feet. Given the limitations this was pretty incredible. Not sure how you could do much more without inviting serious injury. ***1/4

I love Hiram Birthorn Stadium. Such a phenomenal setting for wrestling. Babyfaces entering from the dugout with robes on is some great imagery. It immediately kicks off as a 6-way brawl featuring a great bump from Ron Starr on a kick low. Then its Chicky's turn to bump around for the faces until raking the eyes and we settle into a traditional tag. Barely any heat before Colon is in on a hot tag, and then Invader 1 is in to work on Ron. Chicky throws a nice low blow to cut him off and bring in Abby for the power game and choking. Now the heels are working some awesome, rapid tags. Great spots where Abby stretches #3 over the top rope while setting him up for the Starrs to unload with punches while the ref holds back the babyfaces. Basic, clean babyface & heel psychology. Put that together with selling & violence and you have a great match. The only reason I don't rate this higher is because like most matches on this disc it was rather short. But great fun while it lasted. ***1/2

Still just not a fan of the RPMs. They work a decent southern tag with heat so its far from bad, but they seem like terrible babyfaces that are tough to get behind. Fun finish with the RPMs swapping position leading to a small package. The best part of this is the post-match attack from the heel with spike piledrivers, including one to Wendi Richter. Give me more of that and less of the bell to bell and there is a lot of potential here. **1/2

This was an awesome southern tag and a great change of pace from the blood that's become PR's calling card. The Invaders are a tremendous babyface team and work quick tags so well. I'm a huge fan of teams rapidly tagging in & out for a strategic edge, and we got that here in spades. Heat on Invader 3 builds to #1's hot tag and then he finds himself getting worked over by the Starrs before a finish that protects everyone and serves no one. Add 6-8 minutes and a decent finish it and you've got a great match here. As it is stood out in a great way on the set. ***1/2