Superstar Sleeze

AJ Styles vs Tetsuya Naito - Wrestle Kingdom 9 Remember what I said about Shinsuke Nakamura, I was wrong. AJ Styles is the best wrestler in the world. He never ever lets up. You really feel like he is wrestling to win a match and that's the most important thing to me. He just absolutely rocked it from the opening bell to the closing bell. Yes, the finishing sequence was not as hot as Nakamura/Ibushi and there is nothing in this match that will blow your minds, but it is just excellent pro wrestling. Right off the bat, AJ jumpstarts the match and looks for the Styles Clash not once, but twice. Immediately, he sets the tone, he is here to win and he is not fucking around. That's what this match has in spades: urgency. Naito is a capable high flyer, but AJ brings out the best in him because AJ makes him earn everything. Even when they are on the floor, AJ is always moving forward before being blown away by a dropkick from the apron. Naito is ready to go through his routine in the corner and AJ counters into a legbreaker. AJ works the leg perfectly. This is such high quality. His offense looks amazing. Everything has purpose. Naito uses his speed to combat AJ, but he does sell. I love when Naito gives AJ the high ground of the top rope, AJ fires back with headbutts before nailing his signature springboard flying forearm. Naito has to resort to headkicks to try to keep AJ off balance, but he will not be denied tonight. He busted a perfect Calf-Killer and I would have loved to seen that as the finish. AJ runs through his signature set-sup for the Styles Clash, but now it is Naito who adds the wrinkle sending Styles flying out to the floor. WHAT A BUMP! That's Naito's big nearfall essentially as it is about 18 before AJ gets back in. The finish is friggin awesome as Naito goes for the top rope frankensteiner and Styles catches him and nails the Styles Clash. Absolutely pitch perfect performance from AJ. Every facet of pro wrestling, he nailed in this match. I loved the structure with AJ pretty much on top of the whole match and kicking ass, but giving enough to Naito so not to squash him, makes Naito look good and AJ even better for winning. You walked away with no doubt in your mind who the better wrestler was both in kayfabe and analytically. AJ makes you work for everything, everything he does flows from logical perspective and builds to the Styles Clash or Calf-Killer and it is done with urgency. That's why he is the best pro wrestler in the world. ****1/4

IWGP Intercontinental Champion Shinsuke Nakamura vs Kota Ibushi - Wrestle Kingdom 9 Shinsuke Nakamura's entrance was Five Fucking Stars! Wow! Hearing Jim Ross' voice out of nowhere was wicked jarring. I forgot he and Striker did this match. It was weird they felt like they were reviewing the match as smart marks rather than as announcers. It was not too distracting, but there were times were both were grating. I may be in the minority, but I prefer Japanese commentary in Japanese matches. There is a certain rhythm the Japanese commentators have with the wrestlers that just works so well. The story of the match is one that I always dig and that is the young, pretty boy trying to prove he can hang with the grizzled vet. Ibushi did a great job varying his attack between fighting fire with fire and working his own game. Ibushi proved here he could hang with the hardest hitter in New Japan as he gave as good as he got with some blistering strikes. Those chops and kicks from him had me ooooohhhh and aaaaahhing as much as those ones from the King of Strong Style. At the same time, he knew if he wanted to win the match he was going to have to rely on what brought him to the dance namely his high flying arsenal, which wowed as much as it did damage. The extra element I really appreciated from Ibushi was his ability to combat Nakamura in gamesmanship. By mocking Nakamura's eccentricities, it added an extra level of chippiness and personal hate that took a great match and made it a classic. Nakamura is a license to print money. He is so over with the Japanese audience. He is a far cry from the apathetic wrestler of the late 2000s. He actually has been able to channel that apathy into a cockiness that people including myself really enjoy. As much fun as he is, he knows when to get down to business. I think he played the grizzled veteran perfectly in this match. When Ibushi mocked his jerky leg in the corner, he made him pay with an onslaught of knees. Nakamura was a great counter wrestler in the 2000s and here it is on full display against the speedy Ibushi using a ground to air missile dropkick to drop Ibushi out of the sky. I thought the beginning of the match did have its flat moments mostly resulting from a lack of struggle. Nakamura ran through his badass knee strikes and then Ibushi used a hurricanarana to keep Nakamura off balance, but that came right after he took a backstabber. The selling and flow just was not always there. The offense was top notch, but there was a bit of let me be ragdoll for you and then you will be a ragdoll for me. The last 5-8 minutes was absolutely world class professional wrestling. When Ibushi missed the Phoenix Splash, Nakamura nailed the Boma Ye knee to the back of the head, but he collapsed to the mat. At this point of the match, I thought the drama in the match went through the roof and never came back down. I love the spot of Ibushi going for the high risk home run, crashing & burning and Nakamura immediately capitalizing with his home run shot. It was a perfect way to level the playing field. Nakamura just started to whip some serious ass and when Ibushi started to fire up you could feel him becoming a man before your eyes. Their strike exchanges were not the boring stand there and let me hit you. They were fighting through each other's stuff. I don't love simultaneous punches, but holy shit did they pull it off perfectly! Really the best use of that spot ever. Also, this match featured a really great use of the rare closed fist. Ibushi was tired of Nakamura's shit and he started to wailing on him. Nakamura shoved the ref into Ibushi, which allowed him to deck Ibushi with a straight right. What a dick and what a great spot. I love Japanese punches because they look like match enders and are treated as such! Ibushi's flying double stomp to a running Nakamura was insane. Then in the climax of the match Ibushi mocks Nakamura's mannerisms in the corner before nailing the Boma Ye knee and Nakamura kicked out. It was just so perfect. You know that Ibushi has the confidence and he can hang with Nakamura, but he just is not there yet. They over reach on a neat in your head, but not in practice move with Ibushi trying to German Suplex Nakamura over the top rope while standing on the top rope. That was Ibushi's big false finish, before Nakamura roared back with a pair of Boma Ye Knees. Absolutely fantastic finish run. Nakamura looked like the best wrestler in the world with his offense and mannerisms. Ibushi proved that he was not just a high flyer and that he could hang in a stand up contest and he had the balls to mock the biggest star in the company. I was not in love with the beginning of the match and I think there have been better matches in 2015, but this was great. ****1/4

Charlotte/Paige doing a match centered around Flair spots was entertaining as hell. Even from the outside, Flair is a broomstick worker. #GWE

The surprise Ambrose win, at least I didn't see it coming, got over huge live! I really liked the finish. The rest of the match was them rolling their spots and going through the motions. Ladder match is match of the night. Everything else had been mediocre. The lighter fluid got me pumped because I have never seen a flaming table live so that got some good heat.

Sasha wins with UNITY~! Fun Mid 90s throwback work rate match with a strong finish I enjoyed all the near falls have not seen it in a while.

Buddy Rose & Ed Wiskowski vs Roddy Piper & Ricky Martel - PNW 8/02/80 This match is for the vacant Pacific Northwest Tag Team Championship since the Sheepherders left for New Zealand. The one thing I remember most about this match is the call of "Handy Dandy" Sandy Barr looking like a Popsicle. It was probably my favorite moment of doing the Portland Titans shows and had forgotten it happened in this match. This is definitely an all time great Portland match, but that's what stuck with me about this match. The early shine is tremendous and shows Rose & WIskowski at their bumping best. Piper and Martel are kicking ass, the heels are bumping huge and the crowd is lapping everything up with a spoon counting along with every headlock crank. Everytime people say stupid bullshit like the babyface shine does not matter they really ought to watch a segment like this and tell me it does not matter. Piper runs into a knee and Rose is able to tag out before Piper can tag out. Wiskowski grinds the match to a half with a stomach claw and then a body scissors. The energy may have gone down, but the drama was at a fever pitch because how they played the possibility of a tag. Piper always so close, but it is not to be. My favorite is when Piper is scrambling, clobbers both and dives for the tag and MISSES! You really think he was going to get it. I think the false hot tag can be as as effective or moreso than the false finish. He does get the tag and OUI, OUI RICKY MARTEL~! One of the all time great hot tags shows how it is done, winning the fall with a hurricanarana. Piper & Martel 1-0. Rose & Wiskowski are reeling. Martel catches each one of them in a headlock. Piper & WIskowski get into it on the outside and "Handy Dandy" Sandy Barr sends the Polish Prince to his corner, which allows Piper to switch in without a tag. Cute. Martel misses a dropkicks, which gives Rose enough time to tag out. Wiskowski focuses on the back with simple, but effective clubbering. He applies the bearhug in his corner and then Rose applies the Argentine Backbreaker. Rose gets tired so they transfer Martel in a cool spot. Rose breaks the bottom turnbuckle by jumping on it. Someone get this man on a diet pronto. Of course, he clobbers Martel in the back with the turnbuckle. Deviant genius. Martel is selling so well and he is trying his best to do everything to avoid dropping a decision, but the Rose backbreaker does him in. Tied 1-1. The third fall begins as the second fall began by working on Martel's back. but he wins a suplex struggle. Martel suplexes Rose twice. HOT TAG TO HOT ROD! Two huge knee lifts! I love Wiskowski's bumps. Wiskowski catapulted into Rose who backdrops him over the top. Melee ensues. Martel wants to unmask Buddy Rose. Everyone is on the outside and the babyfaces run the heels heads together and everyone is counted out. The melee continues and each team ends up with one belt. This will have to be settled on Tuesday! Great TV match that makes you want to see the big match. Very close second to the awesome Rose vs Martel match. ****1/2

Buddy Rose vs Rick Martel - PNW 4/26/80 Buddy Rose is debuting his mask & wig gimmick after Piper cut his hair earlier in the week. Buddy Rose has vowed not to let the fans see him with short hair because that is unbecoming for a Playboy like himself. I think this is a great way to continue the heat for the TV crowd and now every match has the hook can the opponent expose Rose's head. Rose jaws with the crowd and will lift up the mask portion, but keeps on the wig portion. Martel shows his quickness early and that genuine energy that is so irresistible. There is a magnificent criss cross sequence that ends in a Rose drop toe hold complete with roll up into a leg scissors. He transitions into a deathlock and the following leg work is amazing and only made that much more perfect by Martel's incredible selling. Martel goes after the mask to force Rose to break the deathlock, Rose kicks Martel's bad leg repeatedly to regain control. Rose applies a standard Indian Deathlock, which they reverse the peressure back and forth in a neat spot. Martel escapes with some heavy blows. Rose is relentless on the leg now going for the spinning toehold, but that ends in a Martel inside cradle for two. Rose now goes for seat drops and on the second seatdrop he misses. Martel wants to keep working over the ass so he goes for an atomic drop, BUT it is on his BAD leg. OH NO! Martel has been selling huge, but he takes it to the next level now. Rose wraps the leg around the post and the single leg crab takes the fall. Rose goes up 1-0. I love the beginning of the second fall with Martel doing everything he can to keep his good leg out in front and circle away from the Playboy. Eventually he is forced into the middle of the ring and Rose is able to use a single leg takedown to take control of the leg. He wraps the leg around the post, but Martel is able to smash Rose's head into the post. Martel does not go for the countout victory instead he rams Rose's back into the post. He makes sure to sell his leg and really let every spot breathe to allow for Rose to sell and for him to recover. It was really well done. Once he gets him in the ring, it is repeated elbows and double axehandles that the crowd counts out. The Boston Crab knots it up. Tied 1-1. Martel goes right back to the back with an Irish Whip and backbreaker. Rose cant bodyslam Martel due to his bad back so Martel bodyslams him. Martel is able to finally reveal Rose's bald head, but the Sheepherders run out and cover him out before shepherding him out of the arena. The camera cut away at the critical moment so the heat is still there for TV while the live audience is rewarded. Awesome double body part psychology match with great selling and offense by both men. It reminds me of the Bock/Martel 9/20/84 match. I love how in Portland thanks to 2/3 falls format they can do more submission victories without making their wrestlers seem like chumps. The lack of finish is the only thing that hurts this. Best Portland match I have ever seen. ****1/2

Buddy Rose vs Roddy Piper - PNW 9/13/80 Rose has shortish, brown hair here, but it is long enough that he can't let it drip dry! As a man, who usually has long hair (I just cut my hair off and I didn't even put anyone over in order to do it), never let it drip dry because wet hair is not glam. Buddy Rose gloating about how good looking he is and that if sex was an Olympic sport he would win a gold medal is pretty awesome. It has a totally different element from Flair because he sounds so delusional and he looks like Louie Fucking Anderson. This is the TV match that is hyping a loser leaves town match as Piper is getting ready to depart for the Carolinas. Rose jaws with crowd early as the crowd is chanting "Bye Bye Rose". Rose starts in control by ramming Piper's head into the turnbuckles and then hitting the chinlock. Piper fires up and jabs a thumb into the throat. The crowd is going wild for anything Piper does. Piper applies a sleeper to win the first fall and the crowd erupts. "Handy Dandy" Sandy Barr revives the Playboy. Buddy Rose is one of the all time greatest at working the cut. He bashes Piper's head into the steel and then gnaws at his forehead cutting him open. He is relentless working the cut. He even tries to wipe the blood on Sandy Barr. Every kickout from Piper gets a huge pop. The second time he tries to wipe the blood on Sandy Barr, Piper nails him with a wild punch. Piper gets an O'Connor roll to win in two straight falls. Basic wrestling psychology knows this tips the hand that he will lose the loser leaves town match, but in the kayfabe era this was a great way to get the crowd pumped for Tuesday. Rose is a sore loser and tries to attack Piper with a chair, but Piper is able to gain control of the chair and he attacks Rose and the other wrestlers with it. This is just a good popcorn match that is here to please the crowd and get them amped for the big Loser Leaves Town match on Tuesday. ***

Kelly stating Warrior was not as good as Flair or Jumbo as if it was a controversial statement was hilarious!

Parv calling Steven "naughty" during this podcast was a total mark out moment. Easily a contender of 2015 PTBN-PWO podcast moment of the year.

Smart to add Sasha vs Becky to card because when RAW was in Boston in early October, pockets of "We Want Sasha" were cropping throughout the show so that should quell those a bit, but I still fully expect them during Charlotte/Paige. Unfortunately, due to the timing, I probably wont be able to catch it, even though that would be my personal second anticipated match. Does the preshow match usually start at 730 or 745? I am going to the show and very pumped to see what my two favorite wrestlers Sheamus and Reigns can do in the main event. I would rather them do a straight up street fight as I think the ladder climbs will be mostly a hindrance. Still looking forward to it.

Roddy Piper vs Buddy Rose - Portland TV 5/19/79 Lumberjack Match I think I confused this with another Piper/Rose brawl I really liked. This match was still very entertaining, but there is another match that's a real humdinger. Piper is shocked at the positive fan response There are six lumberjacks, two heels including Ed Wiskowski and four babyfaces, but no Killer Brooks, who is Piper's best friend in this feud. Pretty straightforward story that Rose needs Wiskowski's help to maintain an advantage. At first, Piper was going aftre the arm, but a timely trip or two was able to allow Rose the advantage. He mainly used the chinlock. There is a good part where Rose keeps laying the books to Piper near apron and he tries to roll out, but Wiskowski pushes him back in. It is legal, but just feels so dickish. You really want them to lay off Piper and give him a chance. Rose clearly learned a thing or two from Nick Bockwinkel as he goes for pin attempts just like Bock. Piper is so great at the staggered selling and wild punch that nails his opponent. He has Rose reeling and at one point there is a HUGE KNEE LIFT, which Rose takes an equally HUGE BUMP off of. Rose trying to escape through the lumberjacks is highly entertaining as he really hams it up a couple times. Piper misses a dropkick as Rose really puts the brakes on and grabs the ropes. I love how Rose really hooked himself in there and Bonnema puts over Rose as a quick learner. We see the Airplane Spin, which I distinctly remember because of the call that this was an OLD TIMEY MOVE IN 1979! Rose ends up on the outside while Wiskowski does a number on Piper inside the ring. Sandy Barr is not supposed to be looking, but Sandy Barr does not give a fuck. Brooks makes his return sends Wiskowski packing and drops the leg on Rose giving Piper the victory as they embrace. Good TV, which sets up the Brooks return angle, but nothing hugely memorable in terms of in ring action or story. ***

Buddy Rose vs Roddy Piper - Portland 5/12/79 Frank Bonnema is shocked that Roddy Piper is being cheered and is still acting the exact same way. Proving Piper truly was Rowdy (i.e. anti-hero) before Rowdy was cool. He does mention that pretty much that going up against Buddy Rose makes you an insta-face. They cant wait to get their hands on each other and this one is off to the races fast. As Piper yanks the Playboy out of the ring and sends him into the chair. I love when Piper has that incensed look on his face and is shaking his hair. Big knee lift from Piper. Rose winds up and starts wailing on Piper's head and Piper just absorbs. Rose claws at a wound on Piper's head he caused and finally he claws Piper open. He bites at the cut. Rose uses the chinlock to keep Piper at bay, but Piper knees out of it. Piper is swinging for the fences against Rose and hits with not one, but two swinging neckbreakers to take the first fall. Piper 1-0. Rose teases leaving the match, but makes back by the fans' count of 19. Piper kicks his ass and I love how Rose is flailing while Piper just unleashes his fury on him. The Pillsbury Doughboy breaks the middle turnbuckle with his fat ass and Piper misses a dropkick because of it. Rose attacks Piper with the turnbuckle. Dutch Savage, special enforcer, pries him off, but damage is done. Rose is like a surgeon dissecting the back of Piper whipping it hard into buckles and strikes to back. On the outside he delivers a backbreaker and then back first into the post. This all to set up his Billy Robinson backbreaker, which he hits, but much like Piper he lifts up during the fall. Piper puts up some fight making you believe Rose's hubris would get the best of him, but Rose nails another Robinson backbreaker to knot this one up. Tied 1-1. They brawl to begin the 3rd fall. Tomorrow is Mother's Day and Mothers get in free at Sandy Barr's Flea Market! Rose nails an atomic drop, but only gets a two. Bearhug to work on Piper's back, but Piper fires back. I like how Piper slowly gains more and more steam first with punches then bashing Rose head into mat and then full control by whipping Rose into buckles. Rose turns it into a track meet. Neither one of these guys would be consider speed demons as they put run like they got a load in their pants. I love Rose's HUGE headbutt to Piper's midsection when Piper was on apron. Sandy Bar The Flea Market there is a Pier-Six Brawl a brewin! Ed Wiskowski comes out and slams Piper's head into post knocking him out. Buddy Rose tries to take credit for a countout victory, but Dutch Savage & Sandy Barr are smarter than than and disqualify Buddy Rose. Buddy is hilarious in his post-match victory claiming victory because he got to the Crow's Nest first for the interview. I think that is just the most childish and hilarious thing in a while. Piper was at his absolute craziest for Portland and he was so happy for the Lumberjack match. Great match and brawl, perfectly heated, but giving too much a way so to make you want to come out to the big show on Tuesday. Piper is a compellingly scrappy anti-hero. Buddy Rose is the perfect guy to ensure Piper is the babyface. Loved the second fall from Rose and the 3rd fall was good angle advancement. I remember LOVING lumberjack match. Cant wait! ****

NWA World Heavyweight Champion Ric Flair vs Roddy Piper - MACW, Charlotte 1/1/83 Based on the result of a pinfall victory by Flair and the fact that Piper was full on babyface, I believe this to be the New Years Day 1983 matchup between the two because according to Hisa all other defenses by Flair against Piper in the Mid-Atlantic area were decided by DQ. This was a revenge match for Piper because Flair/Valentine teamed up to rub Piper's face into the mat. This is the proto-Flair/Morton, which I think is the greatest match in pro wrestling history. So I liked this one, but needed more Flair heat. Flair was in total let me get my ass kicked, which is fun, but puts a cap on the match. Piper was totally focused on the face of Flair, punching him, gouging him, rubbing his face in the mat. Flair was exasperated trying to escape and use his knee to midsection, but Piper was a man possessed. Piper is utilizing all the same gritty offense, but by changing his demeanor (instead of doing it out of self-preservation, but to take charge) and Flair being such a great heel this works in compelling fashion. The only meaningful Flair offense is a kneecrusher, but that gets turned on him into a Piper figure-4. Flair rakes the eyes, but then is sent into the post and Piper uses a chair. Flair is busted open and Piper biting Flair's face. This is a great revenge match for Piper because he is getting all his heat, but we all know what the finish has to be, which is Flair retaining. He reverses a cross body and with his feet on the ropes, he wins the match. In a match that Flair had to win, they did everything they could to make sure Piper got his revenge short of winning the match. It is satisfying, but without a stronger offensive presence from Flair it falls short of being a great match. ***

Roddy Piper vs Jay Youngblood - MACW TV 10/81 Youngblood is seeking revenge for Wahoo McDaniel, who had defeated Piper for the US Championship and was then attacked by Piper's paid mercenary, Abby. Youngblood is defending Wahoo's honor because David Crockett says that Youngblood represents what Wahoo is. Caudle does not dance around the subject, he just says that Indian is angry! It was a funny moment of awkward 1981 political correctness. Roddy Piper reminds me of John McEnroe in this match as he is a total brat in all this especially to the ref and then in his actions down stretch. What I am really impressed with was how Piper was able to adapt to Mid-Atlantic's signature style. The action-packed,hard-hitting, high octane style that revolutionized wrestling, but is not how you think of Piper's style, which is more of a brawling, character-driven focus. Piper had not problem smacking leather with Youngblood. Youngblood had some fucking stiff chops. I loved the beginning of the match. Everything Piper throws at Youngblood, Youngblood counters in kind. Piper chops Youngblood so he chops harder. Piper tries to wrestle Youngblood shows him up on the mat. Each time Piper bitches out and stalls. Piper actually takes control using power of all things. It is a backbreaker and there is a short focus on the back that is until Youngblood headbutts Piper so hard he busts him open. OW! Piper jabs him in the throat with a thumb. Now thats the Piper I know! Piper sleeper, but he cant put Youngblood. They have a terrific Mid-Atlantic style finish stretch where Piper looks every bit like a Carolina boy as he stands toe to toe with the hard hitting Youngblood. They trade nearfalls back and forth, but there is a struggle and urgency to actually winning the match that misses from today's wrestling. Piper headbutts Youngblood so hard it knocks them both out as the time limit expires. Piper is a dick after match and attacks Youngblood from behind and punches him in the head repeatedly. Awesome TV match where there is never a dull moment, Youngblood is a great fired up babyface and Piper the consummate heel. ***1/4

Roddy Piper & Jimmy Snuka vs Ric Flair & Dewey Robertson - Maple Leaf Wrestling 5/4/81 Ric Flair is a ball of muthafuckin energy in this match. I wish we made more Flair from the late 70s/early 80s so we got more of a chance to see him as a fun bayface. Piper had just recently won the United States Championship from Flair at the beginning of 81. Was Piper one of Flair's recruits? Seems likely since Flair was a total mark for Piper and his comedy. Piper proves how thin line is between babyface and heel. He is able with his smile to convey if he is a babyface or heel. Same smile as always, but this one he looked like a smug, obnoxious prick and you just wanted Flair to wipe right off his face. Snuka looked like a total badass in this. Dewey Robertson was your token Canuck. Flair wanted some Piper bad and there is a lot of stalling early. Flair threatens to strip Piper out of that skirt if he did not get in the ring. Neither Snuka nor Piper want anything to do with Flair. FLAIR HITS A DROPKICK OUT OF THE STRUT! THAT WAS SO COOL! Flair gets trapped in the wrong corner and Piper chokes him with the tag rope. Flair from his knees choking Piper, thats how bad he wants him. Everything Piper does is for a reaction. He is either cowering or cheating his ass off, but in real gritty fashion. Dewey Robertson is actually a pretty damn good hot tag. I really thought the layout was cool. It was stalling to start, but Flair keeping crowd engaged, Flair heat segment into a babyface shine with a ton of nearfalls, back into a Dewey heat segment into the real finish run. It is definitely a layout that could be exploited more frequently. Piper was awesome at bumping during this run for Dewey, I liked his bump into the ropes. Dewey and Flair got a ton of explosive nearfalls on Piper, but Piper just kept going back to the eyes. Eventually Robertson is so affected, he could tag out to Snuka. They beat up Dewey, which is the most uneventful part of the match, but it is fine. The Flair hot tag rules all and he just beats up anything that moves. Flair puts Piper into the figure-4, but Snuka breaks it up. Dewey dropkicks Flair on top for the win. Really fun studio match. Flair & Piper were the clear highlights here. If the job is to make you want to see a United States championship match between these two, mission accomplished. ***

WWF World Tag Team Champions North-South Connection vs Sgt Slaughter & Terry Daniels - WWF, MSG 7/23/84 Terry Daniels certainly mastered the armdrag. Besides that and the dropkick, I dont know if he had much else. This was pretty fun mostly because Murdoch and Adonis were so selfless. They still used their size to bully Daniels but they created a ton of movement for him. I really liked the criss cross sequence where Adonis finally landed the big reverse elbow to get Daniels down. Slaughter pulled a Terry Funk and threw himself on the turnbuckle to save Daniels who then dropkicked Murdoch down. We get more Slaughter in this than we did Backlund, but again it leaves you wanting a Slaughter/Adonis or Slaughter/Murdoch match. Back in Daniels throws some more armdrags, before getting his shit kicked in. The dropkick is his transition to the hot tag. SLAUGHTER CANON! Clobbers Adonis. Cobra Clutch on Murdoch, but Adonis saves. Daniels in and he gets a hot nearfall off a crossbody. Daniels like Blair succumbs to a double team move this one more similar to Demolition Decapitation. This was similar to the Blair/Backlund match except Blair was more experienced and just better than Daniels who looked really green. Murdoch and Adonis did their best. This was a fun finish run. ***3/4

Any list that has the Da Crusher in the Top 35 is a fucking awesome list Im going to do the polka tonight with some hefty ladies in honor of my favorite character in wrestling.

WWF World Tag Team Champions North-South Connection vs Bob Backlund & B. Brian Blair - WWF, Philly 7/7/84 It is B. Brian Blair's career performance in a very fun WWF Tag Team Title defense. He got the entire shine, his own FIP segment and the finish run hot tag! Was Vince actually going to push this jabroni? Since unlike my co-host, Kelly Nelson, I am not a huge fan of B. Brian Blair it disappointed me to see Backlund relegated as an afterthought especially when the juicy Backlund/Murdoch match was right there. Regardless, this is undoubtedly a great match as Murdoch & Adonis went out of their way to bump their asses off for Blair. They were getting armdragged and bodyslammed all over the place. I love all their missed tag spots like Adonis flying around but just missing the tag or Adonis falling into the ring for the tag. Or Murdoch looking for the tag, but Adonis was just bodyslammed as well. It was all good fun. They also had a couple really false starts on the heat segment. Backlund whipped Adonis around and got a strong forearm blow on Murdoch, but that was that. I liked how North-South worked the Blair heat segment, with partner leaving the ring always making sure to cut off the ring so Blair could not get the tag. Blair was feisty in there, but always thwarted. Until he pushes Adonis off on a bulldog attempt that is always a good spot. Backlund looks to relive his glory days by kicking Adonis's ass, but Good Night Irene! Backlund breask free and puts his on the CROSSFACE CHICKENWING on and Murdoch comes crashing down on him. North-South send him to the outside and crack his head against the railing and then they focus on Backlund's throat. I love Adonis catapulting him into the bottom rope and Murdoch immediately driving two elbows into the throat. The Philly fans hate Murdoch, one woman flips him off and yells Fuck You to him! Backlund is trying to desperately to get to Blair with all he has got and he reverses an atomic drop into his own. Blair is the hot tag and Murdoch and Adonis put on a show for the ages. Murdoch is whipped into Adonis who is on the top turnbuckle and then again when Adonis is tied in the ropes. That was fucking awesome. Blair gets a couple good falls in before succumbing to Doomsday Device like move from North-South. You would not know Blair was the junior member of this tag team until eating the finish. Great WWF tag team match and an awesome performance from Murdoch & Adonis. ****

David Crockett vacillates between endearing and annoying & creepy. I am a HUGE Tony fan. He was the voice of my childhood and going back listening to his work in the 80s is a definite treat. You can tell how much he loved pro wrestling without losing a sense of professionalism.

Sgt. Slaughter vs Pat Patterson - WWF, MSG 5/4/81, Alley Fight The World Wrestling Federation in 1980-81 was a damn solid promotion. I feel like Bruno would have been in this role if he was still around, but instead we get Pat, which aint a bad thing at all. Slaughter had been tormenting jobbers on TV as part of his Cobra Clutch. Well Black Demon wasnt having any of it so he bailed on the whole thing. Patterson conducted the interview with Sarge, who called him yellow so it was on. Slaughter and Patterson have a great little mini match with Patterson trying to escape the Cobra Clutch and just as he is about to, Slaughter knees in the gut and then brutally attacks him with a chair and puts the Clutch back on. Titans favorites Middle Aged & Crazy Dom Denucci (Kelly), Tony Garea (Johnny) and Ricky Martel (Parv's) save the day as Denucci lives up to his name and goes crazy with the chair on Slaughter. It was a damn good brawl. I know I have seen the April MSG match that set up this match before. but I couldnt find it so I went straight to the Alley Fight. Hot damn! They just dont make bloody violent brawls like they used to. Patterson comes out in the famous I As a street fight this was badass, but I think the rules or lack of rules hurt the finish. I get what they were going for with no referee that was an unsanctioned, real deal street fight like you would see at a bar. It accomplished that all the way up until they needed a finish and it just lacked that climax that is the 1-2-3. I think "I Quit" rules would have also been perfect for this if someone had thought of that. Still one of the all-time classics and a top 5 WWF 80s match. ****3/4

WWF World Heavyweight Champion Bob Backlund vs Sgt. Slaughter - WWF, Philly 3/21/81, Steel Cage Match "He hit him where he lives and where he loves." - Kal Rudman on when Slaughter punches him in the testicles. For my money, the best WWF steel cage match of the 1980s, but it is close. It is a perfect combination of bumps and violence. Backlund at avoiding moves to elicit a big pop. Slaughter smashes his hand and head into the steel cage because Backlund ducks. Backlund throws Slaughter into the cage a couple times and Slaughter really launches himself into the cage. Kal's bloodlust is working in overdrive during this match as he eagerly awaits the bloodletting of Sarge. Slaughter after getting his ass kicked goes low and then inverted atomic drop on the balls. He throws Backlund shoulder first into the cage twice. Dick lets us know that Backlud shoulder was injured by Hansen at MSG. Backlund shows great wherewithal always grabbing Sarge's foot before Slaughter can exit via the door. BACKLUND PILEDRIVER! Here comes a classic Titans of Wrestling line about pablum, which was a classic Johnny Sorrow/Parv interaction. Backlund tries to climb out, but Slaughter is able to yank him down. Slaughter tries to climb the cage himself so Backlund gets some payback and smashes Slaughter's balls. Both men are down and to quote Kal Rudman, They are on Weird Street! Again Slaughter tries to exit the door and Backlund is able to stop him by grabbing the foot. BIG SLAUGHTER BUMP OVER THE TURNBUCKLES INTO CAGE! Kal's bloodlust is revving up. Backlund is teeing off on Slaughter's head and throwing him into the cage. Kal cant believe there is no blood. It is only a matter of time, Kal says, Backlund with big hammer punches on Sarge. Kal is so excited when the blood gushes and even says he is working on the cut. That's exactly what I was going to say! Slaughter backs him into the corner and Backlund moves as Sarge rames his head into the post on a mistimed shoulderblock. LOVE IT! Backlund rakes Sarge's face on the steel. THAT IS BLOOD! Kal exclaims. Backlund's awesome punches are on full display here. He punches Slaughter so hard he falls to the door. This is the best escape struggle. He slams Slaughter's head into the steel doorframe. OW! We get a closeup of Sarge's fingers on the door and then Backlund stomps those fingers on the steel! OUCH! Awesome! Slaughter goes back to work on the nuts of Bob Backlund because that is his only offense. There is a quick cut in my version. Backlund slams Slaughter's head into top of cage. Backlund triumphantly parades out to a roaring crowd. The cut hurts the finish and makes it feel a little lackluster. This was a great Backlund asskicking. As with most Backlund matches, I do wish we get some more heat on Backlund, but after the January match you wanted to see Backlund kick the shit out of him and that's what you got. Sarge took some awesome, awesome bumps. Classic steel cage match. ****1/2

AWA World Heavyweight Champion Nick Bockwinkel vs Curt Hennig - AWA Superclash II 5/2/86 I did not see any build up other than the matches. I know Larry Z had been feuding with Bockwinkel by basically being the new devious heel on the roster. I don't know if Larry Z was trying to subvert Hennig before the match because otherwise the finish seems out of nowhere. It does make sense from Hennig's growing disillusionment with the system and having been screwed out of the title. Hennig turning heel just seems so fucking stupid. The promotion needed a babyface and the crowd was behind Hennig. Plus the need for Hennig to win by cheating affirms that system is broken and that good cannot triumph. That's not good for the promotion. I think people turning because they have been cheated is a fine storyline but when AWA desperately needed a new face to keep the company afloat that was not one needed. Hennig should have triumphed by right and might with Bockwinkel shaking his hand in respect and passing the torch. Then on top of all this, Hennig did NOT even win the title by hook or by crook. The title was held up. That's just so Death of WCW. No one wins and no one is better for it. The match is damn great, but the booking really leaves a sour taste in your mouth. Larry Z in all his epic mullet glory challenges the winner. Unfortunately for him, there would be no winner in this match. Hennig is ready to rock n roll in this match. He throws Bock off on top wristlock. Bock tries the slap again to intimidate Hennig like in past matches. Hennig wins a headlock/headscissors battle with a headlock. They make use of movement to keep it entertaining, but Hennig always gets back on top with the headlock. Hennig rams into the post and Bockwinkel is in his element playing King of the Mountain. Bockwinkel is laying in some absolutely massive shots. Bockwinkel targets the arm with big blows and some tight holds. Hennig uses a slam to get out of the hammerlock, but Bock kicks off and gets back to the arm. I really like Bockwinkel's double wristlock takedown into a short arm scissors. I love Bockwinkel smiling and jawing with the fans. It is nice to see him having fun in there. The fans however did not like it and thought it was boring. Similar to how Hennig pried open the figure-4 on the headlock in the March match, he does it here and it leads to some phenomenal leg work. Bockwinkel sold his leg so well in this match. Hennig kicks Bock's leg out from under him and then spinning toehold into figure-4 shades of the November match. Hennig shows his mean streak and continues attacking the leg in the ropes. Bockwinkel uses hair and punches in the midsection to stop his momentum. Bockwinkel hits one of his great kneelifts, but cat capitalize due to the leg work. They slug it out and Hennig unleashes a bevy of nearfalls. It is punctuated with the AXE~! and piledriver, but Bockwinkel was too close to the ropes. They knock the heads and Larry Z gives Hennig a roll of coins to win the match until the ref sees all the dimes on the floor. Leading to the title being held up. The match is awesome and great display of dueling limb psychology leading to a hot home stretch, but the finish sucked. ****1/2

WWF World Heavyweight Champion Bob Backlund vs Sgt. Slaughter - WWF, Philly 1/10/81 I can hear Johnny Sorrow of Titans of Wrestling fame talking about Kal saying Backlund was "pumping pain" into Slaughter. Kal explains that these two are just living on weird street in this match. It is Gomer Pyle vs Howdy Doody. Dick & Kal blames Vince for getting Gomer Pyle over. Right in the front row there is a sign says "Kill Gomer Pyle" and there are constant chants of Gomer. Slaughter is really frazzled by all this and has a hard time concentrating. He muffs his ears. This is a really fun shine with the typical Backlund showing up his opponent, but Slaughter is extra good at taking the bumps. Slaughter tries to sneak attack with the swagger stick after giving Backlund the thumbs down. Them's fighting provocations. Slaughter totally whiffs on a punch and tumbles over the top rope. Love it. Backlund single leg pick up. Slaughter rams his shoulder into the post. The Backlund arm work is actually unusually lackluster. Slaughter uses headbutts to break the hold. He uses the headlock to cover up driving knuckles into Backlund's head. Backlund is really WOAHING tonight. I like Kal description of Slaughter looking like a cartoon character with his jaw, big eyes and his expressive face. The ref catches Slaughter cheating and thus he switches to the back with backbreaker and then using trunks to pull Backlund into hard strikes on the back. Backlund fires back and knocks Slaughter onto weird street with a big headbutt. HUGE PILEDRIVER! Slaughter needs a quick jab to the throat and Dick says that Backlund opponents have no alternative because Backlund is so good. He signals for the unbreakable Cobra Clutch, but Backlund slips out. Slaughter is press slammed off the top. Slaughter kicks off Backlund in the O'Connor Roll sending him crashing to the floor. Backlund is knocked loopy. This is when the match goes into overdrive. The fans are urging Backlund on as Slaughter gets a chance to recuperate. Slaughter drives Backlund back first into the railing and backbreaker on outside. He drives Backlund's head into the post and turnbuckle. Backlund is busted wide open and Slaughter is very proud of his work. Slaughter bites the cut and punches Backlund's forehead on apron.Slaughter punches himself out and Backlund fires back with two headbutts into the midsection that doubles Sarge over. Backlund whips Slaughter for him to take his signature bump. The crowd goes wild and so does Backlund who is incensed and kicks the shit out of Slaughter on the outside driving him into hard metal objects. They fight on the apron and Backlund knocks Slaughter back in the ring giving Slaughter a countout win. The post-match brawl is awesome with Backlund kicking major league ass. The ref brings the title in the ring and Slaughter uses it to crack Backlund and the ref into the head. I thought this match did a lot better job than the Backlund/Patera match in setting up the gimmick match. I really liked Backlund/Patera match as a classic wrestling match, but this is the match that makes you want to see a bloody steel cage match. Slaughter kicked the ass of Backlund and then left Backlund laying. Plus Backlund kicking ass was also awesome. A really awesome set up match for the steel cage match. ****1/2

WWF World Heavyweight Champion Bob Backlund vs Ken Patera - WWF, MSG 5/19/80 Damn, I forgot how good this match is. I have not watched much from the year 1980, but this feels so ahead of its time at least in America. It is an awesome slugfest/bombfest. Backlund comes from behind in this match and it really feels like a big challenge for to win this match. This actually probably represented the peak of his title reign and the toughest test he would face until dropping the title to the Iron Sheik. True to form, Backlund won this match by out-brawling and out-rule-breaking the biggest brawler, rule-breaker in the WWF at the time, Ken Patera. Patera was extra hot having just won the Intercontinental Title from Pat Patterson the month before in MSG. He came a short, but great promo before the match saying he would kick Backlund's ass just liked he kicked Patterson's and he would own all the title belts. Patera goes so far as to jumpstart the match and throw Backlund outside the ring. Patera showboats a bit too much, but hell it is pretty uncommon for anyone to get one up on Backlund early in match. Backlund drags him out by the boots and beats the shit out of him. Backlund wants him in the center of the ring to a big pop. They slug it out until Backlund rams his shoulder into the post. FULL NELSON! Backlund drives Patera's head into the turnbuckles. Flair Flop! Patera was a perfect blend of stooge and strongman. He toed the line wonderfully. Patera back drops him to outside and quickly follows up with a bodyslam on concrete. He goes back to the bearhug, which worked really well in Janaury. In Texas Death Match, Backlund does not have to scientifically get out of the bearhug, he can just hammer Patera's "facial area" as VinnyMac so awkwardly puts it (you can just call it his face). HUGE ATOMIC DROP! The one thing I definitively remember about this match was that atomic drop and Patera's amazing sell of it. MASSIVE PILEDRIVER! God Bless Bob and his piledriver. Patera quickly scoops up Backlund and puts him in a tree of woe and chokes him. He goes after Backlund's wind with a clothesline that Backlund sells as if he hit the throat and left agsping for breath. then drops him throat first on top rope and choking. Backlund is only getting hope spots this is all Patera. Backlund gets a hope spot of an ab stretch, but Patera hiptosses him out and really gets some heat. He steals the belt from the worst manager ever, Arnold Skaaland and beats Backlund with it. Then rams him headfirst into the railing to bust him open. Patera works the cut expertly. I love him avoiding Backlund's wild swings and then stinging him in the head with fists. Backlund fires up and kicks some major league ass. Backlund throws him over the top and sends him into hard metal objects head first so we get double juice. Backlund working his cut, but gets ballshotted. Backlund press slams Patera off the top. They end up outside where Backlund throws him into some chairs. Patera tries to use the chair, but Backlund evades at every turn and manages to get a hold of the chair. He hits Patera a couple times, but only gets two?!?!?!? What is this ECW? A crossbody ends the match as win for Bob Backlund for an absolutely fantastic match, easy top 5 WWF 80s match ever. I was not in love with all the transitions, but this was so badass. Patera and Backlund were just both in total asskicking mode. I loved Backlund coming from behind in this one constantly. Patera was fluctuating perfectly from asskicker to stooge. The standing ovation for the match by MSG was ridiculous, It was massive sustained heat. which was incredibly rare was there ever another time in the kayfabe era? They earned that Standing O. ****3/4