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Originally Aired 1/10/17 (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 Rickin Sanchez and Hugo Savinovich sit smiling at the commentary desk in Coliseo Municipal Pedro Rodriguez Gaya De Catano. Rickin: Welcome to the show lucha libre fans. We have a big one for you tonight with both Owen Hart and TNT making their television debut. Hugo: Two VERY exciting young wrestlers! Rickin: I agree that both are very capable and exciting. But I think that TNT's manager El Profe has the kind of attitude that will get him on the wrong side of the fans. And Owen Hart did not endear himself to our fans a few days ago. Hugo: You have to be kidding me!! The man stumbled into the ropes! Rickin: Perhaps he did, but he just as well could have done it on purpose. We will also see our newest tag team, the Rock and Roll RPMs in a match tonight. Abdullah Tamba will also be in action. Hugo: Little Abdullah!! He had an impressive night on Three Kings Day against Bam Bam! Rickin: I'd say that entire match was a treat to watch. Some very large men really bringing the fight to one another. Hugo: YES!! Abdullah the Butcher and Bam Bam squared off!!! Rickin: That was a collision we will be seeing again in the near future I imagine. We'll be talking to both Owen Hart and El Profe as well. Hugo: Owen Hart deserves a chance to defend himself from all of these accusations!! Rickin: And he will get it. We will join Chicky Starr in his Sports Shop and the team of Ron and Chicky Starr will be in tag team action. Hugo: I'm excited for both!! Ron Starr is a GREAT wrestler! Rickin: He is also allied with Chicky Starr. You are well aware how I feel about that. Barrabas will be stopping by the desk along with all of his clients. Hugo: They'll be displaying that NWA 6-Man GOLD!! Rickin: And I'm sure promising to never defend the titles here in Puerto Rico. Hugo: Can you blame him?!? Rickin: Yes. We will also have the first match in our tournament to crown new NWA WWC Carribean Tag Team champions here tonight. Los Mercenarios will be taking on los Super Medicos. Hugo: Tough match for los Super Medicos!! Rickin: The winner will face the winner of next week's tournament match, Huracan Castillo Jr. and Miguelito Perez against Ron and Chicky Starr in the next round. Hugo: Tougher match for Castillo & Perez!! Do you think they will change their minds and bring Miguel?!? Rickin: I doubt that very much. There are seven total teams in the tournament, which means one team got a first round bye. Hugo and I, along with all of the teams and their managers were there and had full access to the hopper and balls used for the lottery before the drawing. Hugo: Yes, that is true... Rickin: So i can say with some hope of no protest that los Invaders were selected for the draw spot. I'm sure that several of our more vocal participants will have complaints, Hugo? Hugo: Like you said, we were all there, as were the WWC executives. If there was anything under the table I didn't see it. And I was looking! Rickin: Let's hope your good friend Chicky Starr is as satisfied. The Rock and Roll RPMs are coming out to more than a few cheers. They've won some fans over in their few matches. Hugo: They are very good! I like them a lot, but I think they will struggle against the upper echelon of tag teams here in Puerto Rico! Rickin: You mean like Ron and Chicky Starr. Hugo: Los Invaders too! I may not like them, but I will admit they are very good. Los Super Medicos are a top team as well! Rickin: I look at those teams as the favorites as well. Although part of that reasoning is the knowledge that Chicky Starr will do anything and everything to get those titles. Hugo: How else do you win titles?!? Rickin: By beating a man in the center of the ring. Hugo: Sometimes it works and sometimes not!! Better to be sure! Rickin: A credo you have long stood by Hugo, and I can at least respect that you hold to your beliefs. Referee Tomas Marin has rung the bell and we're ready to go. Mr. X & Y vs. the Rock 'n' Roll RPMs The RPMs use good teamwork and quick tags to keep the advantage. A clothesline by Davis stops a Mr. X comeback. The side slam/neckbreaker combo puts X away. Rock 'n' Roll RPMs by pinfall in 5:37 with the side slam/neckbreaker combo Rickin: The Rock and Roll RPMs are looking good as the tournament begins. With a good amount of momentum they can go far. Hugo: That can definitely help when you run into a big name team and you're relatively new! It brings a lot of confidence with it! Rickin: The crowd is blowing their horns for these young men on their way back. That fan support should help as well. Hugo: It might. Rickin: *chuckles* We'll be right back with Owen Hart making his TV debut and El Profe joining us at the desk with TNT. Don't go anywhere fans. (Commercial Break) 0-8:30 Rickin: We're back with the young Canadian, Owen Hart, walking out. The fans are booing him and he looks a little angry. The garbage does seem to hurt his feelings. Hugo: Wouldn't you be?!? I say he's wrongfully accused!! Rickin: We'll have to see how he handles himself in the coming weeks. Hugo: We could NOT assume he's out to hoodwink us and cheat his way to the top! Not that there is anything wrong with doing that!! Rickin: As I said Hugo, I think we will all be paying close attention to the way this young man does things in the ring. Hugo: And you don't think that comes with a little pressure?!? He's a kid who just wants to succeed! Do you not understand how much pressure THAT brings in and of itself?!? Rickin: You make a good point Hugo. I will do my best to be kind when I interview him. There is the bell as referee Ricky Vargas gives the signal. Armandito Salgado vs. Owen Hart Hart is smooth and precise with his holds and throws good chops and punches. Salgado is coming back and building momentum off the ropes when Owen catches him with a belly to belly. He climbs to the top and hits a missile dropkick that gets him the three count. Owen Hart by pinfall in 4:42 with a missile dropkick Hugo: SEE?!? He didn't cheat once there! Rickin: Yes, and he is a very graceful, technically sound wrestler. Hugo: That dropkick is something!!! The masked manager, El Profe and TNT, dark facepaint and bald, arrive. Rickin: I'll definitely agree there. We have some great high flyers in the WWC right now. We are joined now by a young man who debuted on Three Kings Day, TNT and his manager El Profe. El Profe you purport to be a professor of wrestling. Profe: Purport? That's a might big word there. Am I supposed to be intimidated? I AM a professor of professional wrestling. Do you know who is in the ring training TNT? Rickin: I don't pretend to know that. Profe: Me. I am a pro wrestler myself and a brilliant tactician if I do say so myself. I may not have all of the physical gifts of most of these men you see, but I am capable enough that my knowledge and skill will win the day. As for my man TNT, if you weren't at Roberto Clemente Coliseum on January 6th let me let you know what you will see in a few minutes. This man is a 5th degree black belt in tae kwon do! He has brutal kicks and chops, I know this first-hand having been knocked out several times. Rickin: He is a very skilled fighter. Profe: Your penchant for understatement is legendary, Rickin Sanchez, and you are living up to it. TNT is the BEST fighter in the WWC and I gaurantee you time will prove that! I didn't even get to the best part. He has easily the most devastating finishing hold in all of wrestling, the cobra dinamita (cobra clutch). When you see the effects it has on a man who has been in it for a long time you will find out exactly what I am talking about! El Profe and TNT head down to the ring. Rickin: Pleasant man. Hugo: He seemed....okay... Rickin: I see we agree on this one. We've got to take a break. When we come back we'll see TNT in action. Don't touch that dial. (Commercial Break) 8:30 - 15:30 Rickin: El Profe is already getting on the fans' nerves at ringside. Hugo: Maybe I do like him a little... Rickin: And TNT isn't waiting for referee Victor Quinonez to ring the bell. Frank Conners vs. TNT TNT hits overhand chops and throat thrusts to keep Conners on his heels. Conners throws a few punches ot come back, but TNT with a few martial arts blocks and a big roundhouse kick. He hits the ropes and catches Conners with a spinning wheel kick for the three. TNT by pinfall in 4:26 with a spinning wheel kick Hugo: WOW! I'll believe 5th degree black belt!! Rickin: I have been impressed both times I've seen him, but the way El Profe carries himself worries me. This young man seems to listen to Profe. Hugo: Of course, that's his manager! Rickin: It seems to me skills like that are learned and earned through hard work and discipline. What happens if that same restraint is not used by the man who is calling the shots? Hugo: You're not wrong. I had to hold Abdullah the Butcher back when I managed him. When it worked, that is... Rickin: Yes, I worry here the same way I worry about Bam Bam and Barrabas. We'll be taking you now to Chicky's Sports Shop. The intro to Chicky's Sports Shop plays, we get to the part with Victor standing arms crossed in the background and a bald Chicky seated in his chair. Chicky: Welcome again to my Sports Shop ladies and gentlemen. For those of you who did not see the Three Kings Day show, let me just show you a small clip I have been allowed to play. We see Chicky Starr coming out with a towel over his head and waiting for los Invaders to come out. As soon as Invader 1 comes out, Chicky removes the towel and reveals nothing but some brownish- blond stubble on his head. The crowd begins to throw things at Chicky more than they had been before. Invader 1 is livid and has to be calmed by 2 and 3. Chicky is making a gesture as to run his hand through his hair over and over again to taunt both the crowd and Invader 1. Chicky: So you see, Invader 1 did not get to shave my head. That was done by my cousin Ron earlier in the day. I. TOLD. YOU. That you wouldn't like it! Chicky pauses and grins to himself. Chicky: As for the match, let's just say that your favorites, los Invaders, used every dirty trick known to man to win the match. And you know what, I can't blame them one bit. They were up against a dream team! Al Madril, my cousin Rambo Ron Starr and myself! There is not a team alive that could beat us in a straight-up fight! So, Invader 1, I understand. Just know that next time will be much, much different. By now some of the details of the upcoming tag team tournament have been revealed. Big surprise los Invaders got a free pass! Everyone is going to tell me that it was fair, but I'm not idiot enough to believe it for a second. What I do like is that we have an easy path to the finals. You see....what?....you'll be on in a minute!...listen you punk, I don't have to have either of you on my show!....Pardon that interruption. Some of my guests are more rude than others and like to interrupt me! My cousin Ron and I will be facing the team of Huracan Castillo Jr. and Miguelito Perez. Without daddy to guide them. My guests this week are Huracan Castillo Jr. and Miguelito Perez. Castillo and Perez sit down, warily looking around for an attacker. Chicky: Look, if I thought you two had the first chance of winning the match next week I'd have a couple of guys waiting to ambush you. But everyone knows you are so far out of your league that it's a foregone conclusion. I do think it shows a lot of cajones to drop your own dad as manager. Right when you need him the most, but you're just kids. Castillo: I...you... Chicky: You two must have great conversations. Perez: Listen up, Chicky Starr! You can come out here on your show all you want and tell anyone who listens that you are the best, nobody else has a chance, whatever you like! But the thing that must eat at you is knowing how often you've failed when you think you have things all wrapped up. Chicky: FIRST and foremost, I did not fail in December. That was MS-1 and I'm glad he's gone! Second, los Invaders resorted to so many dirty tactics in that match- Castillo: Who started that?!? Chicky: Does it matter? You're supposed to be the good guys. You see- Perez takes the microphone away from Chicky. Perez: You know, anytime you have somebody come on here who you disagree with you do this. Los Super Medicos, Hercules Ayala, you just pushed them until they got angry. That's not what's going to happen here. You will not get the advantage going into next week's match this way. This interview is over. Castillo and Perez stalk away after Perez throws the mic at Chicky. Victor the Bodyguard moves forward menacingly as they leave. Chicky: They looked pretty mad to me. But he's smarter than I gave him credit for. That does it for another edition of Chicky's Sports Shop. Next week I'll be talking to one of the newest additions to the WWC, Owen Hart. A very interesting young man and I look forward to talking with him. Cut back to the arena. Rickin: Just once could he treat his guests like he actually respected them? Hugo: Al Madril and Rambo Ron Starr had a great time in the Shop! Rickin: I wonder why it went easy for them. Abdullah Tamba in a singles match. Owen Hart will be joining us at the desk afterwards. We'll be right back. (Commercial Break) 15:30 - 24:00 Hugo: We're baaaaaaaack and it's time for Little Abdullah! Rickin: Chicky Starr is coing out with him and the fans are reacting exactly the way I would expect. Hugo: I thought they liked Abdullah Tamba! Rickin: I imagine Chicky Starr's presence is causing that Hugo. The fans tend to dislike anyone associated with Chicky. Hugo: Why I tend to dislike the fans! Rickin: You've given more than one reason for that. Loud boos as ring announcer Eliud Gonzalez calls both Tamba and Chicky Starr's name. Hugo: And Chicky is sending Tamba right after Mr. Z! Mr. Z vs. Abdullah Tamba Tamba steamrolls Mr. Z before hitting the top rope splash for the three count. Abdullah Tamba by pinfall in 2:49 after a top rope splash Rickin: Abdullah Tamba continues to impress. After standing up to Bam Bam he's got to see somebody like Mr. Z as not much of a threat. Hugo: He's Chicky's enforcer now! He has to live up to that role!! Rickin: There is truth to that. Abdullah the Butcher can't always be here so it's up to Abdullah Tamba. Hugo: You catch on quick!! I think your next guest has arrived! Rickin: So he has. Rickin walks out to the interview area next to the desk and joins Owen Hart. Rickin: (English) You have had a rough debut despite winning both of your matches. I imagine you have some things to say about that. Owen: Damn right I do! I had a hard-fought match with Ricky Santana, who deserves all the respect in the world. The man is a very skilled wrestler. He had me down and I fell into the ropes. I didn't even SEE him climbing! Rickin: You did take advantage of a man who had just taken..an impact in a very difficult place. Owen: You want to know something? My father, a very famous wrestler and great man, taught me everything I know about wrestling. He never said anything about giving an opponent a time-out because you think they might be hurt. If you are up against a dangerous opponent, something I would call Ricky Santana, you take what you get. Rickin: That is...yes, I understand. Owen: IF I had cheated, I can understand the reaction. I don't feel like I did. But I do want to make sure there are no hard feelings. Can I get Ricky Santana to come out here? Rickin: I think we can do that. Can we get somebody to find Ricky? In the meantime, you did impress both tonight and last Saturday. You have a lot of skill for a man so young. Owen: Thank you. I told you that my father was a great wrestler and I meant it. All of us kids really look up to him and want to make him proud. Rickin: It's good to know that you respect family. Puerto Ricans are very big on family too. I'm told Ricky Santana is on his way. The crowd is cheering as Santana works his way to the desk. Owen nods respectfully to Santana. Owen: Ricky, I know things didn't end well there. I just want you to know that I didn't mean for things to happen that way. You are a great competitor and I want to be able to say I beat you clean. Santana: I believe you. I could see that you weren't looking at me as you stumbled into the ropes. There is a show in Mets Pavilion in Guaynabo on February 22nd. How about a rematch? Owen: A rematch sounds good. Thanks for understanding and not taking it personally. Owen offers Ricky Santana a handshake, which is accepted. The two men walk off talking as the crowd cheers. Rickin: Well I guess that's that. I owe an apology to Owen Hart for jumping to conclusions. Hugo: I told you!! Sometimes things just happen that way and like he said, you take what you can get! Rickin: I understand that. It can be hard to believe that when people like Al Madril and Chicky Starr make a habit of abusing the rules. Hugo: That's...actually very fair. Rickin: We'll be right back with none other than Rambo Ron and Chicky Starr in a tag team match and a live interview with Barrabas after these messages. (Commercial Break) 24:00-31:30 Rickin: Welcome back fans. Ron and Chicky Starr are getting pelted with every bit of garbage left in the building tonight on their way to the ring. Hugo: What is in those cups?!? Rickin: I never ask myself that question. Hugo: Oh...yeah, bad idea. Rickin: Chicky is starting to enjoy this, but you can see he's getting angry. Hugo: So the fans are making him angry before he and his cousin wrestle los Tejanos. Do you see the problem with this?!? Rickin: Actually...yes. Los Tejanos are not going to like this one bit. Hugo: And it's the fans fault! Rickin: In a way, yes. Hugo: In a way?!? OH! Ron and Chicky are starting things early!! Los Tejanos vs. Ron & Chicky Starr Referee Ricky Vargas has a hard time controlling this one as Ron and Chicky never leave the ring for more than thirty seconds before double teaming again. Ron starr hits the brainbuster DDT to get the three count. Ron & Chicky Starr by pinfall in 4:52 with a brainbuster DDT (Ron Starr) Hugo: That DDT!! Deadly!! Rickin: It really is. Nobody is disputing Ron Starr's credentials. Hugo: Yeah, I know. If you were nicer to Chicky.... Rickin: I have been nice to Chicky Starr. I simply cannot abide...just about anything he does. Our next interview is approaching the desk, to almost as many boos as Chicky Starr. Hugo: That's because the fans close to Bam Bam don't dare! Rickin: It may be. Rickin walks around to meet Barrabas, Jonathan Boyd, the Crusher and Bam Bam. The NWA 6-Man Tag Champs are proudly displaying their gold. Rickin: You've had a lot of of success in the least three weeks or so Barrabas. Your clients are the NWA 6-Man Tag team Champions. The WWC congratulates all of you for this achievement. Barrabas: Buttering me up will do you no good! Bam Bam. Bam Bam takes the mic from Rickin and hands it to Barrabas. Barrabas: They ARE the NWA 6-man champions and I don't care how much anyone hates it! There will be MORE gold coming to my stable in the near future. Jonathan Boyd and the Crusher will be the new NWA WWC Carribean Tag Team Champions! Look at the competition. Los Super Medicos, Los Invaders...who cares? Ron and Chicky Starr?? Really? Do I even mention that team that you guys took care of in December? No I don't. To round it out we have some new American kids and los Mercenarios. I wonder who hired them to be in the tournament. If you're looking at me, you aren't too bright. I have all the insurance policy I need right here with Bam Bam. Barrabas pauses. Barrabas: Speaking of Bam Bam, wasn't Abdullah the Butcher going to make him look like a pretender according to Chicky Starr?!? Guess what Chicky, Bam Bam may have had some missteps early on, but he proved in the end that he can go toe-to-toe with the legendary Abdullah the Butcher and not back down one step! I know that scared you, but I have a challenge, since we're already making matches for February 22nd. Your monster against mine! Let's see who is the biggest and the baddest! Barrabas throws the microphone down and leads his charges away from the desk. Several objects are thrown, which leads to threats of violence from all 3 wrestlers by Barrabas. Rickin: Barrabas is getting very ambitious. Hugo: He has a very dangerous weapon in Bam Bam!! Rickin: That he does. If he gets that match signed... Hugo: WOW!!!! That would be something wouldn't it?!? Rickin: It would be a very telling match after all is said and done. We'll be right back with our main event. Los Mercenarios and Los Super Medicos will be squaring off in the first match of the tournament for the NWA WWC Carribean Tag Team Championships. (Commercial Break) 31:30-40:00 Rickin: It's almost time for our main event. Los Mercenarios are on their way to the ring amidst the mixed cheers and boos of the fans. Hugo: They pretty much said they weren't worried about winning the tournament two weeks ago! Rickin: Do you believe Barrabas when he claims not to have hired them? Hugo: He's got Bam Bam around! And he's the cheapest man I know! Rickin: We can be pretty sure who did the hiring then. Hugo: Can we?!? Rickin: I think you're well-aware that we can. Hugo: Maybe the Rock 'n' Roll RPMS hired him! Rickin: Hugo.....los Mercenarios are in the ring and here come los Super Medicos. The horns are blaring in the crowd. Hugo: They have a tough test ahead of them tonight! Rickin: Yes, but like you said, los Mercenarios aren't interested in winning the tournament. Why would winning the match benefit them? Hugo: If THEY face Ron and Chicky, I imagine that's a nice easy win and more money...wait... Rickin: That's probably true. Hugo: I was just....yeah, you got me. Rickin: So they will definitely be looking to win. Hugo: I would think so. Super Medicos have other ideas though and they rush the ring! Rickin: This isn't going to be pretty. Los Mercenarios vs. Los Super Medicos Both teams brawl around the ring and ringside. Mercenario 1 and Super Medico 1 are both bleeding and taking turns punching each other in the head. Medico 1 gets worked over when things settle down, the victim of a low blow by Mercenario 2. A low blow by Medico 1 to Mercenario 1 turns it around and the match again descends into chaos. Mercenario 2 is busted open on the ringpost. Medico 1 and 2 double team Mercenaro 1 and Medico 2 hits the senton for the win. Los Super Medicos by pinfall in 13:28 after a running senton. Ron & Chicky Starr charge the ring after and a 4 on 2 beating ensues. Los Invaders are out quickly to even things up and chase off the Starrs and Merecenarios before any lasting damage can be done. Rickin: Those two HAD to come out and try to make things easier. Hugo: I would have done it!! Rickin: I know. Luckily los Invaders were ready to come out and make the save. We're almost out of time. Next week Hercules Ayala will be returning to action and our main event will see more tournament action. Huracan Castillo Jr. and Miguel Perez will take on Ron and Chicky Starr. We'll see you next week. As an FYI: I originally forgot to put in the Chicky-haircut deal in the 3 Kings Day show. Had to retcon that one because of my own haste.

What really made this match for me was Ron Starr doing everything he could to out-Terry Terry when it came to shining up the babyfaces. I mean, obviously he didn't. Because it's fucking Terry Funk and he's more amazing than usual in PR. But Starr gives it such a good attempt and with so much energy put into it that I love him just as much. This match could have used less Mil and Dory, as both were more "standard" than their partners when it came to what they brought. They did fine in their respective roles, would just prefer a more energetic pair. Really fun match that I'll probably rewatch more than once just for Terry and Ron Starr's stooging.

Funk's performance as mentioned above is all kinds of great. I'm hard pressed to think of anyone I've seen work harder to make an ass (literally) of himself. Loved Martel's seizure-selling of the piledriver outside. One thing that really stands out about Puerto Rico in general is that it is the only place a lot of these things could have ever happened.

But Super Porky doing sumo??? Now that's just great.

Funk really brings his A game in this one. Barry is right there with him most of the match, which is about as crazy as...well, Terry Funk. Loved how Terry got control and the beating he put on Windham. I will say Barry catching the chair Terry throws into the ring is super impressive. The way the fans scrurry whenever Terry is outside the ring is incredible. Might have something to do with things like Funk throwing a punch over a guy's head after sitting in his lap. Barry brings a lot of fire into the comeback and it's just a great, great match. Unfortunately, we do see a bullshit finish, but it fits what was going on with the rest of the match. Funk's promo after the match is all kinds of great too. I must like pigs, since I am so into wrestling from PR...

When you find that Ron Starr set let me know. Early on is really good shine, but Puerto Rico style. I love that the heel gets enough offense to make you think he's got things under control and then gets cut off again. Makes for a sense of the babyface working to stay in control and the heel working for his eventual turnaround. Invader's counter to the DDT is incredible. That they cut the portion of the match out they did is criminal. Given that Invader 1 did not punt Ron in the nuts during the televised portion of the match I assume it happened in there. The bloody brawl with both guys stumbling around on their last legs was so incredibly awesome. The part where they run their heads into one another is ridiculous good. I normally hate that spot because it is usually executed very poorly. Here I'd agree that they might have put a little too much into making it look good. I'd say this or the earlier street fight are easily the best two matches on the set to this point. Uncut I get the feeling this might be a ***** classic, but we'll never know.

Back half of that card are all excellent matches. I question Brito going down in under 6, but that's my only quibble.

I'd put the longer haired guy as White Knight and the guy whose hair you can't see as Super Medico. Opening was all kinds of awesome. The chnilock/sleeper stuff really drags. Finish was pretty wonky and White Knight pulling the knucks out right in front of the first downed referee was such a bonehead move.

Finished my match from Jetlag. https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=u0kBmCAHobA Great mat-based match! My review below. I may have labeled the promotion wrong in my haste to get a review posted. http://prowrestlingonly.com/index.php?/topic/40849-jackie-sato-vs-devil-masami-ajw-112780/

I've seen a few Devil Masami matches and am becoming a pretty big fan. This match just cements that even more. Masami's facial expression early when they do a close-up and she's in a submission is this perfect mix of joy and pain. The matwork, which is the majority of the match, is really really good. Counters and escapes are earned, holds are really cranked on when they ought to be. I liked how even though it was very catch-as-catch-can with switched between body parts, it still feels like it means something and is building up. Sato frustrating Masami with a headscissors was really fun. I also liked that when they ran the ropes there was this feeling of "out of control" by both. Even the person who did the original whip was damn near colliding with the opponent when they would hit something like an elbow. It gives it a nice feeling of "other" to break up the matwork, as good as that matwork is. Sato countering a headbutt with an abdominal stretch is phenomenal. Msami's looks of glee as she's torturing Sato with leg submissions are so great. This match is, for the most part, a very gritty match with both really working hard to grind the other down. But then there are parts where it is absolutely cutting edge for 1980 with stuff that comes out of nowhere when you take the rest of the match into account. Some of it I haven't seen in any other matches I've watched. But they make it organic and work it into the story of the match as it unfolds really well. I'd put this up there with most of the really good to great 1980s matches I've seen from the territories easily. Probably better on rewatch. That finish looked pretty gnarly, was that for real?!? This avoids a lot of my complaints with later joshi. Instead of trying too hard to go a million miles an hour and by extension not allowing things to breathe, these two go at each other in a way that allows for better storytelling.

I'll second Rose making a lot of sense in Portland. Also, Rose is never a bad choice in any match, the guy is all kinds of entertaining.

I loved this. Jovica and Abby both juiced big, Abby again sells like a champ and a way-past-his-prime Victor Jovica gets his moment in the sun in a place he is really over. One thing I have always loved about PR is the way the stip is, as Matt D also puts it, front and center. It is, to me, the way a chain/strap/bullrope match should be wrestled. Trying to win, unless context says you need to beat your opponent savagely for whatever reason, should be first and foremost. Als, Abby's selling here was really great. Have I mentioned that yet?

One bit of circumstance here that will add a little to this match. That last 6-man ended with Colon being "blinded" where they put it out there that he might never be able to see or wrestle again. So that might give a little insight as to why this happens the way it does. Abby's false starts on going to the trunks were really great. Abby using the old heel trick of ducking outside the ropes tells you something is up. He usually doesn't go that route, it's almost like he's a little afraid of Colon even before the nastiness starts. Colon's attack on the eye was grisly and awful and horrible. But completely justified given the circumstances. Abby sells it in the most amazing way. I think the description of him looking like he's gone into shock is right. He looks like a guy who is out on his feet and running on pure instinct. This is a great match not for structure, but for Colon's over-the-top brutal offense even for PR, Abby's selling, the grisly close-up camera work and the revenge Colon exacts for being temporarily blinded. Looking back, maybe not Abdullah's best idea ever.

I liked the brawling here a lot. Invader 1's selling of blood loss even during his comeback is great. Brody seems like he is working hard here and the visual of him just trying to get away from Invader as things start go go against him works better than any selling could if you ask me. The fans carrying Invader off after the match is so Puerto Rico.

Duggan, Mulligan and Hall joining forces is going to make things very interesting.

Those last 3 matches from San Francisco look great!

No, concrete said he wanted to join up. No joke I promise. I have a PM to Jetlag asking if he's okay with concrete1992 joining our swap for the week and we each have 2 matches.

Yeah, two title changes is crazy. Varsity Club stuff is as fun as I imagined it would be. How long until Pillman gets kicked out?

Yeah and that's why the next Abby-Colon match has Colon basically trying to blind Abby with his bare hands.

I'm open to watching two matches this week if Jetlag is.

Chicky assuming Invader fell is the only thing working against this. If you can show me a better, more intense and legitimately scarier scaffold match than this I would be surprised. Chicky bumping after that dropkick so close to the edge of the scaffold had me jumping out of my seat. That suplex was probably one of the stupidest (but holy shit amazing and craziest) things I have ever seen. That scaffold did not look like it was built well enough to take something like that. The struggle over the slam near the edge was another moment I was doubting the sanity of both. Chicky's fall was pretty damn scary too. I'd say the blade job Chicky did is pretty nuts for being 20+ feet in the air too. What if blood loss fucks with your balance at the wrong time? And yeah, Invader 3 in the mask. There are so many reasons they should have never done this and it would just not be allowed today. But those are the same reasons that make it great. The brawling was pretty good too with Chicky getting more and more aggressive as the match went on to stave off Invader 3. It's just those aren't the moments you are going to take away from this match. I respect both of these insanely talented wrestlers for doing this, but I also think they should have been forced to take a psychiatric evaluation afterwards. It truly is a wonder neither or both were not seriously injured or killed.

Opening was great with the highlight being Invader 1 punting Chicky in the balls because, well he's Invader 1. I really liked the shine because both Ron and Chicky are so great at stooging and the guys they are in with have good enough offense to make me believe it. Ron is such a damn beast when he's on offense. I am always impressed by how he can bust out really impactful offense in different ways, sometimes right after a ridiculously good few minutes spent stooging for the babyfaces. Abby grabbing Invader 3's mask during the heat is so awesome. Abby seems really motivated in this match overall really. Finish is all kinds of brawly fun, but a little fast for my tastes. Colon's clothesline comes after what offense on Abby exactly? I know from conversations with Boricua that at one point in 86 Abby blinds Colon. I heard the announcers mention ammonia and I wonder if this might be the blinding.

I was more excited about the UWF vs. Mexico match myself.

My understanding is that it was more about the expectations people had for the results. It's not a criticism I have about it, but I did see several comments about the 1980s being really heavily represented in the top 100. The "too mainstream" was more me kind of summarizing the lack of lucha guys in the top 100, Ric Flair being the #1 guy, etc. There were expectations going in that we were going to avoid those, for the lack of better terminology, cliche elements of the final list. Honestly when I would go into a project like that the only list that I am really worried about is my own. I don't care if nobody else ranks my top 10. Those were mine. Obviously I have interest in other people's ballots, some more than others, but it won't make me think any worse of the project as a whole or my own view on wrestling.

I thought that crossbody by Lane early was really good. The Express definitely know how to use their weight to good effect in squashing Lane. RnR RPMs are good as standard babyfaces in these kind of matches, but not anything above that. They definitely got a pop for that win though.