dawho5

That Murahama vs Tanaka match is really, really good.

Roadies vs. Moondogs is a match I would have loved to see in a TV studio. In a bar it's a can't miss match. Not a huge Steiners fan but the Roadies would make good opponents.

I don't know what to add to the praise here. As well executed as all of the different stories being told could be really. I will say that the Sheepherders are a nice addition to that particular feud. And in a promotion with as much emphasis on teaching, a young brawler could learn a lot from those 2.

Great TV top to bottom. Smiley and Jones would have been really good. Tanaka pulling the big upset is a nice surprise for the fans.

Moondogs really make a name for themselves here. Those poor, poor jobbers. I loved Dave's reaction to Lee's accusations that Fuller brought the can opener in the first time. Fuller cut an all time great fiery babyface promo there and I will miss him when he's gone.

Five piledrivers is a bit much, but if we're sending Embry home for a few weeks it makes sense. The match seemed as much about making Miss Texas and CJ a feud as dealing with Embry and Pritchard. I can hope not for CJ's sake.

Jake with some incredibly dark and twisted words. And Hacksaw follows with "tough guy!" Uh huh.

Sting keeping the Scorpion on as long as he did was a great bit of booking, as was him not immediately on the receiving end of a heel beatdown. Good stuff.

Good not great 6-man. This was at least 5 minutes too short to be great. But with all of the talent they had in the ring I was just enjoying the ride. DA were damn good throughout. Barry's post-match attack saves the day, but they can't rely on him if he's going to heal.

Despite the lack of offense for Muto/Hase, I liked this one a lot. You can see Norton's limitations, but they don't work against the match. He comes across as a viable gaijin monster. I don't like how sudden the finishes seem in these Muto/Hase tags, even if I see the advantage of painting them as underdogs who need to have good teamwork and time their comebcks well if they are going to stand a chance. Problem for me is it looks like Hash or Norton would wipe the floor with either in a singles match.

As much as I love Embry the moron, Embry pissed off is even better. That deal with Bad News and Ronnie both wanting and qualified to be the loner badass is so awesome. Dutch can't seem to win. Everywhere he goes he has bounties on him. Embry being aided by Leatherface is all kinds of great. Great card with some exciting brawling and a Kerry stretcher job for Kamala. And the lesser von Erichs winning a tag team battle gauntlet to nobody's surprise.

I liked that the majority of the show was heels using weapons and the decision coming from that. Makes the two babyface interjections (Sawyer and Taylor) stand out in a good way.

Lawler vs Flair as an interview and a match never disappoints. Tar and feathering Smothers is such an awesome piece of heel business. Rich/Armstrong against Long Riders is my kind of brawl. Luger vs Reed in a cage! Holy shit Power Pro jumped out to a fast start and finished big. Murdoch vs Oliver is must see. Nikita is such a monster right now. I also think you have the best stable of Southern ring announcers ever assembled. Headlined by good ole' JR and Lance Russell. Both of the big shows really delivered, especially the mains. Duggan getting the win is surprising and awesome.

I'll give the Pistols credit for being pretty good at stalling. Not Freebird levels, but their offense is better than Garvin & Hayes. Definitely a carry job as Chip and Todd bring nothing at all to the match. Tony actually does a really good job of pointing out aspects of Southern tag psychology here, way to go Tony. Not a top shelf WCW tag, but a good look at the Pistols doing something they aren't exactly known for. Were Chip and Todd Powerplant guys? I doubt it was even a thing yet, but they remind me of later 90s guys that WCW tried pushing fresh out of the Powerplant.

Really great TV that builds up your big storylines. It seems to be a pattern that unique heel voices tend to be the highlights of the shows and Rock Riddle is no exception. I like how you use the squashes to set up storylines like 80s TV would do. Hayes making an appearance to disrupt Tully is a great way to build to Battle of the Belts. The Greenville show is a nice way to build off of your TV for the live fans. Both big tags and singes matches really delivered.

I would love to go into specifics about all of the stuff I didn't get to comment on this week. The new pairing is indeed awesome and I need more Fit Finlay in my life. White getting kicked out and then proving himself in a major way is awesome. Snakepit vs. Buzz Sawyer is a feud I would willingly be watching back today if it had happened.

SNME and the KOTR tournament was fantastic booking. Never saw Heenan and Windham joining forces coming until the Perfect match. The main would have been incredible and the tag team situation just keeps developing. I am going to third, fourth and fifth loving the idea of Sting and Tonga Kid being teamed up. The theme of the show being Windham's betrayal is exactly how it should be. As is finishing with Savage ranting.

That TV was insanely great. Birds and Martel/Rougeaus is immediately one of the hottest feuds in the NWA. Los Infernales imploding can't be a good thing for anyone. Khan v. Adonis is an incredible feud. The Fullers continue to want to die. And a great Paul E. promo as the cherry on top. I enjoy how you seem to have a plan for Satanico and crew. Brito vs. Rogers is a sneaky great wrestling match. Adonis and Khan would have been fun fro 6 minutes and left everyone wanting more. Good setup and great execution on the 8 man tag.

None.

Sorry for being so late this week, things really piled up and I didn't have things done in advance due to my own stuff last weekend. Originally aired 2/14/86 (Originally airing in Spanish on WAPA Channel 4 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. This broadcast is translated to English where applicable.) The opening montage featuring highlights of Carlos Colon, Chicky Starr, Invader 1, Invader 2, Invader 3, Abdullah the Butcher, Hercules Ayala, Bam Bam and Dutch Mantell plays. Carlos Colon doing a cartwheel and coming up fists at the ready leads to the WWC logo as the music ends. NWA and Capitol Sports Presenta Los Campeones De La Lucha Libre Con Tus Luchadores Favoritos De Fama Mundial Mr. Y vs. Invader 3 Invader 3 uses his varied offense to keep the crowd buzzing. He hits a big bullet tope after sending Y outside. Back in the ring Invader 3 comes off the top with a somersault senton for the 3 count. Invader 3 by pinfall in 4:34 with a top rope somersault senton Sports Shop: Victor: It is my pleasure to introduce the hottest wrestler and manager in the World Wrestling Council. Ladies and gentlemen, here is the most exciting, most charismatic, best dressed man in Puerto Rico, Chicky Starr. Chicky walks in wearing a designer suit that almost fits perfectly and sits down. Chicky: This week we have very spwcial guest here on my Sports Shop. He is none other than the Nature Boy himself, Ric Flair. Flair walks on-set in his usual impeccable suit and shakes hands with the now standing Chicky Starr. Both sit down. Chicky: (English) It is an honor and a pleasure to have a distinguished man of the world such as yourself on my show, Ric Flair. Flair: Considering that you are one of the few people associated with the WWC that have shown Ric Flair any kind of respect, it's the least I could do. Chicky: A man with your credentials deserves respect. Besides, you did something for me last week. Do you have any idea how far that favor Commissioner Castillo owes me now is going to go? Flair: I heard Colon last week trying to guess what you sold me to make that deal. I'm going to tell all of you exactly what Chicky Starr told me last week. Flair pauses and Chicky grins. Flair: He told me that he wanted the WWC to owe him one for saving the main event so he could stick it to them down the line. With all of the ways this organization has tried to short-change or outright steal from Ric Flair in the past, how could I say no? Chicky: Don't forget the added bonus of beating up Colon on TV. AND torturing Invader 1 in the figure four. Flair: Beating Colon up on television in front of all his Puerto Rican fans was as much fun as I've had in a long time. And I have to say, Chicky Starr, you know about places on this island that ALMOST make Ric Flair blush. And I've shut down more bars than I can count. Chicky: You did talk about how much you enjoy coming to Puerto Rico for reasons other than the WWC. I just showed you a little more of the wild side that you hadn't seen before. Flair: Only a little, huh? If you're telling me the truth on that, and I hope you are, I've got some friends who need to come down with me next time. You need to come up to Carolina and meet these guys. I think you'll like Tully. And then Ric Flair can show you how we have a good time in the States. I know a couple of girls who'd be dyin to meet you. Chicky: Oh yeah? As long as I can bring Ronnie I'm in. Flair: The boys would like Ronnie too, Arn especially. And I like that you take care of family. Good decision to leave Madril behind. Chicky: Al has been more than a little....erratic lately. And you mentioned the other night not liking him much. Flair: I told you to watch him. He's going to get you in more trouble than you can get out of. Chicky: Already done that for himself. It was great having you on the show Ric. I would also like to say, good luck to los Super Medicos during their match this week. We know they won't be winning on December 22nd. Chicky with a big grin. Flair: (laughing) It was great to be here Chicky. Let your man here know that I've got this covered on taking us out of here. Chicky shakes his head at Victor. Flair: You have been watching the number one wrestling show in Puerto Rico, Chicky Starr's Sports Shop. You may not have the distinct pleasure of seeing Ric Flair on your television next week. But you do get to see the one man in Puerto Rico who tells it like it is every week, the only man in Puerto Rico who is custom-made from head to toe, Chicky Starr. WOOOOO! Flair and Chicky walk off the set talking with Victor following. Mr. W & Z vs. los Super Medicos Medicos use a mix of brawling and teamwork to stay on top. A clothesline by Medico 2 stops Z in his tracks. Medico 1 with a falling slam that Medico 2 follows with a running senton for the 3 count. Super Medicos by pinfall in 5:19 with a running senton Los Mercenarios ran down to ringside, but the Medicos were ready for them. The two teams brawled back to the dressing room. Huracan Castillo Jr. and Miguelito Perez stopped by the desk and talked about wanting to get their hands on los Mercenarios and Boyd and the Crusher, but needing to be patient. They also had complimentary things to say about the Rock 'n' Roll RPMs. Los Assassins vs. Huracan Castillo Jr. & Miguelito Perez Castillo & Perez with their usual quick tags and teamwork to stay in control. Perez surprises Assassin 1 with a powerslam. A quick tag to Castillo and he comes off the top with a missile dropkick for 3. Huracan Castillo Jr. & Miguelito Perez by pinfall in 5:22 with a missile dropkick Los Invaders stopped by the desk and talked about their upcoming match in the tournament for the NWA WWC Carribean Tag Team Championships. Tejanos vs. Invaders 1 & 2 Invaders on top with smooth teamwork. Invader 2 catches Tejano 2 with a big left hook to stop a comeback. Invader 2 comes off the top with an elbow drop to get the 3. Invaders by pinfall in 5:07 with a top rope elbow drop Bam Bam ran down to ringside only to find both Invaders had chairs. Invader 3 and Carlitos Colon come running down to the ring with chairs. A few chairshots stagger the bigman enough to give Invader 1 & 2 room to escape, with Bam Bam stalking them back to the dressing room. Owen Hart stopped by the desk and talked abut how he is going to prove both tonight and on the 22nd that he is the better wrestler than Ricky Santana. He also had complaints about Santana's new finisher, the fisherman's suplex. Owen felt that Santana was trying to one-up him. Owen Hart & TNT w/ El Profe vs. Ricky Santana & Gama Singh Hart is ready to go from the instant he is in the ring and Santana obliges. They go through a series of quick, intense exchanges with neither man getting the advantage. Singh is as intent on getting his hands on TNT, but the 5th degree tae kwan do black belt keeps him off-balance. There isn't much teamwork to speak of with both matchups staying separate. El Profe gets involved a few times on behalf of TNT. Singh and TNT are brawling outside. Owen is looking for a belly-to-belly, but Santana floats over. Santana wants the fisherman's suplex, but Owen frees his leg and floats over. Santana goes behind to counter the German and Owen runs to the ropes, Santana with an O'Connor roll that just gets the three count before Owen kicks out. Ricky Santana & Gama Singh by pinfall in 13:28 with an O'Connor roll Owen is pounding the mat in fustration after the match. He grabs his own tights and points at Santana while arguing with referee Victor Quinonez.

I picked up on the whole setup once we got to the second fall. Made me wonder whether Shadow had fouled on purpose or not. In the end I think not knowing helps the match out. I liked Fuerza helping out Shadow during the second fall. Especially the part where he all but throws Shadow into he ring then yells at Octagon and Perro for daring to come near Santo. Santo's selling, bleeding and comeback are all spectacular. Shadow hanging with him here is really impressive. Great, great match.

Once JR mentions Dustin isn't around you know there will be an ambush. I'm pretty sure it's in a rulebook somewhere. Great TV match with Bobby as motivated as he's been in a while. Steamer calling Madusa a witch while working Bobby's arm was a nice PG way of getting that across. I was waiting for Bobby to take a tumble down the stairs, but not at all disappointed when he didn't. Finish was a nice contrast of styles and it capped off my favorite WCW TV match of 1991.

Good action between Embry and Pritchard. The usual Memphis stuff at the end and Embry is the champ again. Seems like such a waste of Embry not having him feud with Lawler.

This visit to Memphis sheds a lot of light on Kamala as a worker. He's way better than you would expect for the gimmick. I'm not sure I want to see a Lawler vs. Sandman feud, but oh well.

Hogan really brought his working boots for this match. Great story, surprising offense from Hulk and a truly great Tenryu performance. I wouldn't put it above the Desert Storm match but right at the level of the Hansen match for sure.