dawho5

Finished it up yesterday. Great read and I liked that the end was upbeat in the face of all the tragedy.

Good match, as mentioned above. Both do well in reversed roles. J.R. having to again cover for WCW using footage older than the booking is beyond ridiculous. Get your shit together WCW.

WWC would also like to request Brody for January 6th and 27th. As well as Abdullah January 6th.

I liked what I could see and tell what was happening. Here's what bothers me about the idea of the falls count anywhere match. It was done with no intention of being taped. Explain why you would do that at a house show where half the people aren't even going to be able to see what is happening when they brawl through the crowd. It's stupid and should cost them paying fans in the future. Then they go and just leave the cage to do some more. That being said, this is way ahead of it's time and I wish more of the ECW arena brawls were this good.

Harts on Tito's team is perfect. As was Jimmy's reaction, I wonder who he'll throw at them after this is all said and done. Fabs running away from Demo is a good teaser. I really like Gino as a Hogan opponent because he's way less cartoon-y than most of them. It has a different kind of gravitas then even somebody like Bundy can bring to it. Gino is the kind of opponent you wish Hogan would have had more often.

I actually like how Rain works in his younger guys. Like I said with Steamboat feuding with Steiner. You think a guy like Steiner wouldn't be taking loads of advice from Steamboat, an amateur wrestling based guy who made good? To me that's the perfect pairing to let Steamer do his thing and Steiner learn from the master. It's stuff like that I can really appreciate about Rain's booking.

Austin did good with what he was given. Too bad he was given nothing worthwhile. The two title tournaments at once smacks of WCW bad booking.

Cornette and Lane are gold here. "Oh yeah and Steve Cox too." Brilliant stuff.

Leatherface stuff has impressed me a lot. For some reason I can't figure out, it works. I liked the argument between Davis and Dundee and thought the match was really good while it lasted. I really like the chance to see both of them get a chance to show what they can do on the mat, which doesn't happen often in Memphis.

Jake was so good in this. I can't imagine anyone else actually doing this and it not being wrestlecrap. One thing about the Hogan/Warrior/Sid thing. Sid is SO GODDAMN sweaty coming out to say 30 seconds worth of lines. Also, how is Warrior going from the chilled, I-just-learned-the-secrets-of-death guy to amped up psycho mode between these?

JR trying to cover for all of the inaccuracies in this match is such a slap in the face by WCW management. It's a perfectly fine match and some of it was actually really good. Even so, if so much has changed why bother airing it? Just seems like a lazy decision being made to not include something a little more fitting for the current situation.

I did like how they went from Scott not really being a threat early to his back suplex really changing the tone. Yamazaki didn't seem like he looked at Scott as much of a threat early and was willing to go to the ground without much attempt at striking, seemed like he had written Scott off. Then after he recovered from the couple of suplexes and "near falls" he turned it on enough for the win.

Looks like they had set up a mock bar in the ring for the fight with the...Bar Room Brawlers. Not sure why you would want them right at home, but I digress. There is probably a reason bars don't use folding metal chairs. Fun little brawl with Morrell getting more and more abused by the Brawlers, one of them even kicks him to stop a count that is clearly not going to reach 10. So he whacks one with a chair to set up the spike piledriver. I guess the bartender gets involved after all. Memphis comes up with some wacky concepts that just shouldn't work, but somehow manage to. Like this.

Some viewing stuff for Chicky Starr https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZyNuXgCAWY My favorite Sports Shop episode put on video twice. But hey, kill him Stan Hansen!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=va19iUjDsJk The match itself can be hard to appreciate. But the first minute with Chicky coming to the ring and being a preening asshole is glorious.

First I'd have to see a roster. If you pull in Vader in 95 I think the quality of AJPW jumps up enormously.

Loved Vader and Bam Bam as a team. I do always love when the heels will toss chairs in the ring and refuse to go back in there until the faces get rid of them. It's just such a great little psychological dig at the ref and the rules. You know that criticism that Vader and Hansen had about their team in AJPW? I think that could also hold true here.

I actually like the direction they went here. They tried to cut ties with Luger's past, which I think we can all agree is a positive. The focus on the "new" Lex Luger is good and while I don't like the distraction of "why the fuck is Mr. Hughes even here?" it doesn't take enough away from it so as to make it bad.

Great promo from both and I'm looking forward to way more from these two.

Can the Yellow Dog stuff be over sooner rather than later?

That 6 man tag seemed completely random to me.

WWC would like to book Abdullah the Butcher for January 22nd.

Original Airdate December 15th, 1985 (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 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: Hello lucha libre fans and welcome to another hour of the World Wrestling Council. I am joined as always by my broadcasting partner Hugo Savinovich. Hugo: Great to be here!! I LOVE our show this week! Rickin: It is a good one. We have Jonatahn Boyd and the Crusher in a tag team match tonight, as well as Barrabas' other client Bam Bam wrestling. Hugo: BAM BAM!! Rickin: He is certainly a very agile big man and exciting to watch. I just don't care for when Barrabas uses him to bully everyone. Ricky Santana will also be in action, as will Abdullah Tamba. Hugo: I'm not sure if having both Tamba and Bam Bam in the same building is a good idea! Rickin: We can hope that it doesn't go terribly, but I doubt there is any controlling things once they start. Los Infernales will be joining Chicky Starr in the Sports Shop. Hugo: As good a place as any for their celebration! Rickin: I'm not sure they should be celebrating. Hugo: Why do you think they won't be doing it here?!? Rickin: Invader 1 & 2 will be looking for a win after being robbed of the NWA WWC Carribean Tag Team titles last week. Hugo: Robbed?!? How? Looked to me like Invader 1 had his shoulders counted for the 1-2-3! Rickin: After being attacked with a baseball bat. Hugo: Referee didn't see it. Never happened!! Rickin: Los Invaders will all be joining us at the desk before that match, as will Hercules Ayala and Dutch Mantell. Hugo: I was just talking to Dutch earlier this week! He is really looking forward to his match with Ricky Santana on the 23rd! Rickin: That is exactly what I will be talking with Dutch about as well. Our main event tonight is Invader 3 taking on one of the men who took the tag team belts from his fellow Invaders last week, MS-1. Hugo: I'm looking forward to that one!! Invader 3 has his hands full! Rickin: I think all of the Invaders are used to that. Hugo: They have been going back and forth with los Infernales for weeks. Something has to give! Rickin: It does, and I'm guessing that will happen on December 23rd in that 8-man cage match. We're getting set for action as Mr. X and Z are in the ring. Barrabas is leading Boyd and the Crusher out. Hugo: Barrabas has really made his mark of late. His clients have been very successful! Rickin: He has chosen his clients well. Big men like the Crusher and Bam Bam can make a big difference in a match with their raw strength and power. Hugo: Yes! Jonathan Boyd is a dangerous man in his own right! Rickin: Very true, we just tend to focus more on the big men. The referee has started the match. Mr. X & Z vs. Jonathan Boyd & the Crusher Boyd and the Crusher work over their opponents with brawling tactics and power moves from the Crusher. Los Mercenarios again make an appearance. Crusher grabs Mr. Z in a reverse bearhug, setting up Boyd's three point stance clothesline for the 3 count. Jonathan Boyd & the Crusher by pinfall in 5:14 after a reverse bearhug/clothesline combo Rickin: Important win for Boyd and the Crusher as we get closer to December 23rd. Hugo: Momentum is very important! Rickin: Yes it is. Barrabas does a good job of keeping his clients focused. We'll be back shortly with Hercules Ayala joining us at the desk and Ricky Santana in a singles match. (Commercial Break) 0:00-8:00 Hercules Ayala is standing near the desk with Rickin. Rickin: We are back with Hercules Ayala. Al Madril has been very flippant about your upcoming match on december 23rd. Almost to the point of being dismissive of your chances. How do you feel about that? Ayala: It doesn't bother me at all. I look at every match as something I have to work very hard to win. Rickin: You seem to be approaching this match with a little more thought. When you challenged Madril and the weeks since you've been very angry. Ayala: I still am, I'm just controlling it, letting it simmer. What Al Madril did to Victor Jovica will be avenged! (Ayala takes a few moments.) It's a hard thing to do, but I'm trying to stay focused on my training for the match. Rickin: It is also possible that Madril is attempting to goad you into making mistakes you might not otherwise make. His close friend Chicky Starr is known for that kind of behavior. Ayala: That is something los Invaders, Carlitos and myself have been considering in our training. We can't let our emotions run so high that we charge blindly into their traps. Rickin: Several other questions, many fans wonder is Victor Jovica recovering well? How is young Ricky Santana coming along? Ayala: Victor is able to move around a lot better. He won't be wrestling very soon, I think he learned his lesson last time. He said that he is really loving the show and enjoys listening to the two of you go back and forth. Rickin: He's said the same to me and I'm sure Hugo will appreciate hearing that. I can guess there is one part of the show last week he didn't much care for. Ayala: It fired him up a little bit, but that's just fuel on the fire. As far as Ricky Santana, he's coming along really well. Dutch Mantell is a man I struggle to match in the ring myself. He's got a lot of experience and skill. And he lives up to his nickname, "Dirty Dutch." Ricky is a quick student and I think Dutch Mantell will be surprised. Rickin: Ricky is on his way to the ring right now. You are welcome to join us on commentary. Ayala: It'll be a good opportunity to see Ricky in action, sure. Hugo: Did Victor really say that?!? Ayala: He did. I think we should show Ricky Santana the respect he deserves and talk about how well he's done since he came back to Puerto Rico. Rickin: I would agree. Ricky has been impressing all of us with his athleticism and heart. Hugo: You know how I feel about that, but I'll stay out of it this week. Ayala: Two on one isn't as enjoyable when you are the one is it Hugo? Hugo: Why do you think I was always on the side with bigger numbers?!? Rickin: I don't recall you being outnumbered very often. Ricky is making a circuit of ringside, making sure to greet all of those fans. Ayala: We have been encouraging him to make that extra effort with the fans. Hugo: Yeah, they'll love you until they decide not to! Rickin: Ricky is in the ring and ready to go, there's the bell. Frank Conners vs. Ricky Santana Santana is all chops, kicks and punches early on to overwhelm Conners. A late dropkick by Santana gets the crowd cheering and he follows with a plancha to the floor. After a clothesline in the ring, Santana hits the top rope cross-body for the three count. Ricky Santana by pinfall in 4:58 with a top rope crossbody. Ayala: Big win going into next week's Roberto Clemente Coliseum show and the match with Dutch Mantell. Rickin: Yes, Ricky will need every bit of momentum going into that match. We'll be talking to Dutch Mantell when we come back. Abdullah Tamba will be in the ring taking on Armandito Salgado. Ayala: I heard earlier that Bam Bam won't be allowed in the building until after Tamba is done with his match and out the door. Rickin: After that brawl they had two weeks ago I can't blame the WWC for that decision. Hugo: No fun at all! Rickin: You will have one of the best seats in Roberto Clemente Coliseum for their match next Saturday Hugo. Hugo: But I want to see it NOW!! Rickin: We'll be right back, fans. Don't go anywhere. (Commerical Break) 8:00-17:00 Rickin: Welcome back fans. Dutch Mantell has joined me at the desk. You have a long history here in Puert Rico, Dutch. There are those who might say you picked on Ricky Santana a little in your match. Dutch: Are you one of 'em? Rickin: I think that, while I disagree with your tactics, there is always somebody willing to do whatever it takes to win. It's good that Ricky is learning to deal with that early on. Dutch: So I'm giving him an education then? Funny how I heard you painting me as the bad guy a little bit. Rickin: If that's what you heard, you might want to take a look in the mirror and ask yourself some questions. Dutch: (Chuckles.) You always were good at the daddy talks weren't you? I'm not going out there to hurt Santana. I don't care if he learns anything. I'm here to win matches and championships. If you don't like how I do it, fine by me. If you don't want me to beat up some kid, don't put him in the ring with me. Rickin: My understanding is that Ricky Santana himself requested this match. He wants to prove that he can overcome the odds. Dutch: If he wants the match then there's no need to protect him. I don't see where he needs to prove anything. He's been wrestling, what, 2 or 3 years? The kid pushed me and I respect that. I don't care if it's your first match or your thousandth, I'm gonna put you down any way I can. Dutch takes off through the crowd towards backstage. Rickin: Thank you for your time Dutch. It's nice to be surprised sometimes Hugo. Hugo: I always liked Dutch myself!! Rickin: Sometimes I need to be reminded that Al Madril and Chicky Starr are very often the exception rather than the rule. Hugo: OH! Here's Abdullah Tamba!! Rickin: I wonder if what Hercules Ayala said earlier is true. Hugo: I don't see Bam Bam anywhere. And we both know Barrabas well enough to know that we would have seen him by now! Rickin: There is that. The fans are blowing their horns and cheering for Abdullah Tamba. Hugo: I will agree with them on this one! It's always good to see him wrestle! Rickin: He is a very exciting wrestler. His style is very unexpected for his size. Hugo: Heeeere we go!!! Armandito Salgado vs. Abdullah Tamba Tamba runs over Salgado with a shoulderblock to start the match and doesn't slow down. After a powerful slam, Tamba climbs up top and hits a flying splash for the win. Abdullah Tamba by pinfall in 2:47 after a top rope splash. Hugo: Is Salgado OKAY?!? Rickin: That's almost 270 pounds coming down on you from the top rope. Hugo: Ribs could very easily be broken! Let's look at the replay!! Rickin: Salgado is moving, it looks like he isn't injured too badly. He's getting help leaving the ring though. Up next we will have los Infernales visiting Chicky's Sports Shop. Hugo: YES!! Then BAM BAM!! Rickin: We'll be right back lucha libre fans. (Commercial Break) 17:00 - 23:30 Cut to a limo pulling up at a golf course and Chicky Starr stepping out. Chicky is shown playing various sports and wrestling. We cut to the Chicky's Sports Shop set with Victor the Bodyguard already in place. Four chairs are placed in front of the camera. Laughter and loud voices are heard before we see an extremely happy Chicky Starr lead in the just as happy los Infernales. Victor hands Chicky a microphone. Chicky Starr: Welcome to my Sports Shop lucha libre fans. We have a lot of things to talk about today, but I promised last week to address Don Pedro Castillo and his little manuevering. Chicky pauses. Starr: I don't care. (laughs) Did you see what happened last week? Put whatever bonus stipulations you want on the match. Now to the good stuff! I will be introducing my friend el Satanico, one of the greatest luchadors to come out of Mexico in years and a future champion in the WWC. Satanico: Thank you, Chicky. I have to say that you were right about all of it. The paranoia from certain people. The attempts to poison us against you. AND the BIG WIN! Starr: Speaking of the big win, let me introduce you to the NEW NWA WWC Carribean tag Team champions, Pirata Morgan and MS-1!! Morgan: It feels great to be a champion Chicky. But it feels even better to put los Invaders in their place! In a week they won't be able to to challenge for these belts for another 6 months! MS-1: What we did was send a message. Los Infernales are going to make los Invaders obsolete! You know it's actually better for los Invaders that they won't be able to challenge us for the belts anytime soon. Starr: And why is that? Morgan: Because they'd only be embarassed when we make them look worse than we did this time. I don't know how they are going to have any confidence going into december 23rd after we beat them so easily last week. MS-1: Yeah, it's one thing to lose the belts, but the way we just demolished them has got to be disheartening. Morgan: How are your ribs feeling this week Invader 1? You going into this match 100%? Starr: Invader 1 may be a backstabbing son of a bitch, but the man is tough. I would not underestimate him too much. Even so, he has to be reeling after the thorough beating his team took last week! This week Invader 3 has challenged Pirata Morgan to a match looking for some kind of revenge. MS-1: You think you get what you want? You get ME! Pirata won't even be at ringside. Chicky: You think that we're going to just give you Pirata Morgan because it's what you want? We are in control of this conflict. We always have been, but the tag belts these men are displaying so prominently after beating you near to death last week cement that even more. Morgan: I'll get to you when the time comes Invader 3. After talking to Chicky, you are the least of our worries and somebody to be ignored until the bigger fish are taken care of. We drew straws and MS-1 got the short one. Starr: That will do it for another edition of Chicky's Sports Shop. A big thank you to my guests this week, los Infernales. Now if you'll excuse us we have celebrating to do! The four men leave the Shop laughing it up with Victor in tow. Rickin: It's interesting to me how they are re-writing history so soon after it happened. Hugo: Morgan hit Invader 1 in the ribs with the bat!! I saw it!! Rickin: You know that's not what I'm talking about Hugo. That match was nowhere near as one-sided as they make it out to be. Hugo: Maybe they remember it different? Rickin: They are just trying to rub it in. It looks like we are getting ready to see Bam Bam. Mr. Y is in the ring. Hugo: There he IS! Barrabas is leading his man out and openly laughing at Mr. Y. Rickin: That's a bit much, but I think we can all agree that Bam Bam is as close to an unstoppable force as we have seen. Hugo: YES! Barrabas has all but challenged Abdullah the Butcher, the Monster, the Machine, to a match already! Rickin: It almost seems like he views this match on the 23rd as a warm-up for that match, despite it not yet being signed. Hugo: It's smart thinking though! Get Bam Bam mentally ready for Abdullah the Butcher by having a match with the smaller version. Rickin: It is, and Abdullah the Butcher will be there to see the match. Hugo: Get inside Abdullah's head, if that is possible, too! Rickin: Barrabas seems to be done menacing the fans with Bam Bam and we're ready for the match to start. El Vikingo vs. Bam Bam Bam Bam is all over El Vikingo, seemingly looking to run him over in as little time as possible. A big slam and the slingshot splash get the three count. Bam Bam by pinfall in 1:38 after a slingshot splash. Hugo: WOW! Bam Bam was NOT playing around tonight! Rickin: No, he wanted to show Abdullah Tamba up. Hugo: I'd say he did! Rickin: It was a very impressive performance. We're going to have all of los Invaders at the desk after the break and Invader 1 & 2 will be in tag team action. Don't touch that dial fans. (Commercial Break) 23:30-29:00 Los Invaders are standing with Rickin at the desk. Rickin: Los Invaders have joined me and I'd like to know how you have been taking last week's loss. Invader 1: Not well. The NWA WWC Carribean Tag Team titles meant a lot to us and we don't like losing them or how we lost them. Invader 2: Chicky Starr should never have been at ringside. The man is a nuisance and can't be trusted to stay out of matches. Invader 1: He always was clever, and this time he put one over on us. The mistake we can't make is dwelling on it and letting it bother us. We need to be looking forward and getting done what needs to be done. Rickin: So you aren't too worried about the earlier comments on the match by los Infernales and Chicky? Invader 2: Like Invader 1 says, we can't be. There is a lot at stake next Saturday and we can't let them get inside our heads. Invader 1: We take one thing at a time. Tonight Invader 2 and I put our full attention on los Tejanos. Invader 3 is focused on MS-1. Next week, we look at what is in front of us. And then come the 23rd, we get the job done and send los Infernales packing. Rickin: Invader 3, you challenged Pirata Morgan, does it both you that you are wrestling MS-1? Invader 3: He's one of the three men that took the belts from my friends last week. Even if he didn't have the bat in hand, MS-1 was an accomplice. I'll get my hands on Pirata Morgan in due time. Rickin: The three of you seem very focused, composed and ready for whatever comes. Invader 1: Don't doubt that we're angry Rickin. If you listen to Chicky Starr and his friends, they want us angry. We're going to make them pay, but to do that we can't let our emotions completely take over. It was good to come visit. Rickin: Thank you for joining me. Los Invaders are on their way down to the ring now. It seems Chicky's mind games are not working as intended Hugo. Hugo: Not yet! Wait until the big day and tempers WILL flare! Will los invaders be as in control as they need to be then? Rickin: An interesting question to ask for sure. In the past they've pulled through when it matters. If you can't have faith in los Invaders and Carlitos Colon, who else? Hugo: They do tend to find ways to come out on top. Even if some of them are a little under your approved code of conduct! Rickin: A man can only take so much Hugo. There is a time to fight fire with fire. Hugo: Just wanted to hear you say it. Rickin: (Shaking his head.) It looks like los Invaders are ready to start in the ring. Los Tejanos vs. Los Invaders (1 & 2) Invaders control the match with quick tags and teamwork. Invader 2 stops a comeback by one Tejano with a few big left hooks. A double backdrop is followed by a double elbow drop. Invader 1 puts the sleeper on for the submission victory. Los Invaders by submission in 5:29 with an Invader 1 sleeper Rickin: Los Invaders build some momentum going into the 23rd. Hugo: No way they can come in as hot as los Infernales! Infaernales have the belts and a win over los Invaders! Rickin: Difficult odds, yes, but I've seen them come back form worse. Don't forget they have Carlitos Colon on their side. Hugo: He's tough to bet against, but I know Chicky has something planned! Rickin: I'm guessing the ring will be checked for any kind of weapons before the cage lowers. And don't forget weapons can be used by whoever has them in hand. Hugo: Hmm. Rickin: We'll be back with our main event after these messages. (Commercial Break) 29:00-37:30 Rickin: Fans it is time for our main event. Invader 3 has been at ringside since the beginning of last match. Invader 1 & 2 left over the commercial break. MS-1 has come out all by himself, which is a little strange. Hugo: Oh, it's strange that MS-1 is by himself and not Invader 3?!? Rickin: You know exactly what I'm saying Hugo. Hugo: I was wondering where Chicky is too. Rickin: There we are. MS-1 is making sure to show off the NWA WWC Carribean Tag Team belt off to every fan he sees, and it's not making them happy. Hugo: Doesn't matter, he's still one half of the champs! Rickin: And now he's showing the belt to Invader 3. Hugo: Let's see if Invader 3 keeps his cool now! Rickin: Looks like MS-1 was just trying to set him up. Invader 3 ducks the belt shot and there is the bell. Invader 3 vs. MS-1 Invader 3 dropkicks the belt back into MS-1's face as he turns around, sending him outside. The match stays outside for most of the first 5 minutes and both men are busted open. A low blow and a slam on the outside allows MS-1 to hit a big tope. Invader 3 makes a big comeback after MS-1 rams his head into various objects outside and hits a low blow and a suplex on the floor to set up his own tope. Invader 3 looks to be setting up his somersault senton off the top when Pirata Morgan, Satanico, Al Madril and Chicky Starr hit the ring, Starr with a baseball bat in hand. Invader 3 by DQ in 12:47 due to interference Invader 1, Invader 2, Hercules Ayala and Carlitos Colon are quick to follow and it turns into a massive brawl around ringside as well as in the ring and the front row. Hugo: WOW!!! Another big brawl! Rickin: It was bound to happen once Chicky Starr and company interrupted the match. Hugo: Yeah, a lot is on the line!! Watch out for the bat! Invader 1 just took a good shot there from Chicky! Rickin: We're almost out of time fans. Be sure to tune in next week and if you don't get tickets for the show on the 23rd we will be releasing a videotape. As we leave you there will be a rundown of the card for that show appearing on the screen. Our cameras will continue to cover this brawl, unless we can get it broken up. Hugo: Why would you DO THAT?!? This is great! Ricky Santana vs. Dutch Mantell Huracan Castillo Jr. & Miguelito Perez vs. Jonathan Boyd & the Crusher Abdullah Tamba vs. Bam Bam Hercules Ayala vs. Al Madril © for the NWA WWC Carribean Championship in a taped fist match Abdullah The Butcher vs. Bruiser Brody Los Infernales & Chicky Starr vs. Los Invaders & Carlitos Colon in a cage

Good buildup to Starrcade on all fronts. I will say that the real Magnum/Tully cage match in 85 is one of my two favorite matches of all time, so I'll be watching.

It strikes me that Jacques having a manager and Black Bart being by himself is backwards...and makes me wonder. Martel vs. flair has been built so much it would be such a HUGE main event. Especially in Quebec.

Funk getting pissed at Gilbert AND shaking Kevin's hand on the same show is something else. Completely unexpected.