dawho5

Good sleazy interview from Embry.

There was a massive disconnect between Veronica's attitude and movements while walking to and from the ring and her "personality" when she was interviewing. Austin definitely has presence though.

I can send you Invader 3. Sweet dropkick (seriously, look it up on youtube) and a somersault senton off the top would be his big moves.

That was one Hell of a documentary. For the most part I liked it. David Flair comes across as this guy who against all odds grew up to be a decent human being because of his awful childhood. Props to him on that. Setting aside some issues I have with the earlier stuff, that part near the end with Ashley talking about how she's living Reid's dream and not hers. The look she gives the camera during and after that is absolutely heartbreaking.

What strikes me about the Bushwhackers ice cream commercial the most is how they take that same insane energy that made them into demons when they were going around the territories and turn it into (still insane and disturbed) goofy shit to sell stuff to kids. Both Bearer and Jake really killed it in this segment and I loved the little exchange between Roddy and Macho as well. Jake is already hinting at a heel turn while remaining babyface, such a master.

For me, Tojo dumping that shit all over would have had to have some ill effects on him. But I guess I'll put that aside. Great stuff from Dundee with the cuffs and I dug the match. Just the finish somehow being illegal was more than a little wonky. I'll also second the idea thta a cage with that much clearance above the mat isn't truly meant to keep anyone out.

Honestly, that finish to me looks like it was a well-covered botch. Jeff does the exact same setup that Pritchard gives him for the actual finish, then they call it a wash and re-do it the right way. And it somehow works better for a finish to the match than just once. Great wrestling from both guys. The fact that they booked a cage match for ESPN after previous weeks of ridiculous stip match being screwed up by the rules is just awful. wait, didn't it get mentioned we have not one but TWO cage matches? Yeah, that's just incredible.

Don't see where this would have been #19 on any list, but Kobashi vs. Jumbo from this era in no way disappoints.

That's a loaded card for Sam Houston. Adonis taking out part of the Monarchy is the highlight for me.

I'll echo Adonis/Murdoch needing more time. And hey, a war of words between Eddie Gilbert and Michael Hayes would put me in the seats for sure. The punching that came after would make me happy. Oddly the team of Sting, Rip Rogers and Eddie Gilbert seems like it would work so very well pretty much anywhere.

Neidhart getting left out cannot be good. Demo vs. Fabs is kinda eh for me. But for that fanbase it would work wonders. DiBiase allying with Heenan is perfect.

So, Buddy Rose turns out to be the mysterious BR AND the clown is Matt Borne?!? I'm all for both. Michaels continues to get a massive push.

Would have loved to see that tag match with Brody/Hansen. And the real ending. Billy is pushing his luck here with the King. Dusty getting a win over a Koloff is so huge at this point, as is the Roadies win even if it didn't do anything to Nikita.

(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 Carlitos Colon, Chicky Starr, Invader 1, Invader 2, Invader 3, Abdullah the Butcher, Hercules Ayala and Dutch Mantell plays. Carlitos 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 WWC action. As always I am joined by my colleague Hugo Savinovich. Hugo: Thanks Rickin! We've got a great show tonight for you fans! Rickin: Indeed we do. First up, we'll be seeing Victor Jovica make his return after an injury at the hands of Al Madril. Hugo: And Al IS here tonight, Rickin! Rickin: He is, but Hercules Ayala and Carlitos Colon are watching Victor Jovica's back. Huracan Castillo and Miguelito Perez will join us later before they wrestle. We'll also see Abdullah Tamba in action tonight. Hugo: Little Abdullah! We'll be seeing Abdullah the Butcher on December 23rd against his longtime rival Bruiser Brody!! That's going to be something! Rickin: It should be....something, yes. Barrabas will be joining Chicky Starr in the Sport Shop. Our semi-main event will pit young Ricky Santana against Dutch Mantell. Hugo: We'll see what Ricky Santana is made of tonight! Rickin: Dutch is a tough test for sure. Carlitos Colon and the Invaders will join us at the desk to talk about Chicky Starr's counterproposal regarding their December 23rd match. Our main event will see one of Puerto Rico's favorite sons, Invader 1, square off with el Satanico. Hugo: That should be a VERY heated match!! Rickin: Yes, and the rules state that only Carlitos Colon and Chicky Starr will be allowed at ringside. Hugo: I wonder how long THAT will last! Rickin: I won't disagree, there has been no word of stiff penalties like last week for outside interference. The fans are starting to cheer and use their horns, Victor Jovica is on his way to the ring. Hugo: They do love him, Rickin! Hugo: He has been an ally of Carlitos Colon for a long time, Hugo. The fans appreciate his loyalty as much as Carlitos himself does I imagine. The referee has rung the bell. Armandito Salgado vs. Victor Jovica Jovica looks a little gun-shy in the early moments and Salgado is able to get some offense. The fans get behind Jovica as he comes back quickly and he visibly gains confidence as he works on Salgado. A sleeper puts Salgado away and Jovica starts to revive the young Puerto Rican as the crowd cheers. Victor Jovica by submission in 4:56 with a sleeper The cheers turn to boos as los Infernales, Al Madril and Chicky Starr run out. Los Infernales take up blocking positions like the Invaders and Colon did last week as Chicky grabs a chair on his way to the ring. Jovica puts up a good fight, but Chicky and Madril use numbers to get the better of him quickly. Madril sets Jovica up for a piledriver as Hercules Ayala, all three Invaders and Carlitos Colon hit the blocking wall of los Infernales. Chicky makes it a spike piledriver after throwing the chair down and Madril immediately hauls Jovica back to his feet. Chicky gets another chair from ringside and wards off Ayala and Colon as Madril hits another piledriver. Hugo: WOW!! That is taking things WAY too far!! Rickin: I have to agree Hugo. Madril and Starr, both armed with chairs are facing off against Ayala and Colon at ringside. Hugo: And the Invaders and Infernales are brawling in the entrance!! Rickin: We're going to take a break while we get this cleaned up, fans. What a way to start a show. (Commercial Break) 0:00-9:30 Rickin: We're back fans, and you can see the damage has been done. Hercules Ayala and Carlitos Colon are checking on Victor Jovica in the ring and it looks like there is a stretcher being brought out. Los Invaders are helping get Jovica on the stretcher. Hugo: You never like to see this Rickin. This is how Victor Jovica makes his living. Rickin: Madril and Chicky Starr don't care about that, Hugo. Hugo: I don't know what Al Madril has against Jovica, but he certainly has crossed a line! Rickin: Ayala, los Invaders and Colon are escorting Victor Jovica to the locker room. Los Mercenarios have joined us at the desk. I can only imagine the two of you have no issue with what just took place. Mercenario 1: Why would we? Rickin: Moving on. You have stated that you two have a target or targets in the WWC. I can only assume you have some kind of plan by now. Mercenario: We do have at least one target and there is a plan. That's as much as I will tell you. Rickin: And your..collaboration, shall we say with Chicky Starr. I don't suppose there are any details on that either. Mercenario 1: The man has money. He just wasn't willing to let go of enough of it to make us happy. Yet. Rickin: And if I choose not to believe that? Mercenario: I'd count you as a smarter man than I assumed you were. Rickin: You two took things much farther than necessary last week in your debut. If you were after money, I don't think you got paid any extra to do that. Mercenario 1: We made a point Rickin. Anyone can talk, los Mercenarios back up what they say. Los Mercenarios stalk through the crowd towards the arena exit. Rickin: There go two very serious men. Hugo: Very dangerous men! Rickin: That too Hugo. Up next we will be seeing Abdullah Tamba. Hugo: Little Abdullah! But he can fly too! Rickin: 260 pounds isn't exactly little, but in comparison I see the use of the word. And the man can do some high flying. Hugo: I feel for el Vikingo tonight, Rickin. Rickin: As do I Hugo. He's got a big task ahead of him and the bell has just been rung. El Vikingo vs. Abdullah Tamba Tamba comes after Vikingo early with throat thrusts and headlock punches. A corner whip is followed with an avalanche. Vikingo rolls outside only to have the 260 pounder fly out after him with a tope suicida. Tamba rolls back into the ring for an easy countout victory. Abdullah Tamba by countout in 2:17 after a tope suicida Hugo: WOW! Did you see that big man fly?!? Rickin: I did. I wonder if Barrabas won't take that as a threat, given his comments about Abdullah and his own charge Bam Bam. Hugo: I don't doubt that Abdullah Tamba will be hearing from Bam Bam before long! Rickin: That is very likely Hugo. When we come back we'll be hearing from Barrabas when we visit Chicky Starr in his Sports Shop. (Commercial Break) 9:30-15:30 Hugo: Sports Shop Time!! We cut to the set of Chicky's Sports Shop. Chicky starr, dressed in a white and blue track suit and shorts, strolls in flanked by Victor the Bodyguard. Victor stands off to the side and crosses his arms over his chest after handing Chicky the microphone. Chicky: Hello and welcome to my Sports Shop! As many of you fans have probably guessed, Don Pedro Castillo did fine me for my...actions last week against Mr. X. What you may or may not know is that those fines are gladly paid. I do things MY way, and I always will. The WWC will come to accept that as will all of you. Chicky pauses and nods off-screen. Barrabas walks on-screen along with Jonathan Boyd & the Crusher. Chicky: My guest today is a man most fans will recognize. Barrabas has been a part of the WWC for a long time, but it looks like he is making himself a force to be reckoned with. Barrabas: I am doing just that Chicky, and I'm glad you noticed. You and I have many of the same enemies. Chicky: We do, yes. Barrabas: So there is no need for us to fight. Chicky: Not that I can see right now, no. You said something about putting down a challenge? Barrabas: I did. For as long as I can remember, I've hated Miguel Perez and Pedro Castillo. Now that they are retired, their punk sons run around the WWC acting like they are owed something because of their names. Chicky: I won't argue with that. Huracan Castillo Jr. and Miguelito Perez need to be taught a few lessons. Barrabas: I have just the lesson. Jonathan Boyd and the Crusher are a new team to the WWC. They will have gold, and their path to gold goes right through the team of Castillo and Perez. That is, if those two little punks have the stones to accept the match on the 23rd of December. Chicky: Doubtful. They might have to take the silver spoons out of their mouths for a while and I doubt either one cares much for that idea. Barrabas: So do I. I knew we'd get along today. Barrabas offers a handshake and Chicky reluctantly takes it. Chicky: That's it for another edition of Chicky's Sports Shop! Rickin: That certainly looked awkward. Hugo: Yes it did! Rickin: I wonder if Bam Bam was not present at Chicky's request or not. Hugo: I'm sure Chicky had everything covered even if Bam Bam had been there! But what about that match?!? Rickin: Huracan Castillo Jr. and Miguelito Perez will face quite a challenge on the 23rd of December. Hugo: IF they take the match! Rickin: Hugo, you know they will. Speaking of Castillo and Perez, here they come to the desk. Hugo: Don't forget old man Perez! Rickin: I imagine he'd still give you more than a little trouble Hugo. Hugo: I'm done with all of that Rickin. Rickin: Sorry Hugo. Miguel Perez, you and your two young charges saw what happened on Chicky's Sports Shop. I'm guessing you have a response. Perez: I'm going to leave the first part to the boys. You want that match? Huracan Castillo Jr. & Miguelito Perez: YES!! Rickin: That's settled then. Dealing with a big man like the Crusher won't be easy. Miguel Perez: It never is. We'll just have to cut him down to size or work on his partner, Boyd. The boys are up to the task, I can assure you of that. Rickin: Barrabas will keep Boyd and the Crusher working in unison. It won't be easy. Perez: Nothing worth it ever is. I've taught these boys about that before, this is just another opportunity for them to learn. Rickin: There they go on their way to the ring, the crowd is really behind them Hugo. Hugo: That won't help them against the Crusher! Rickin: You and I both know that's not true. Hugo: So the crowd is going to help them beat Barrabas' team?!? How is that going to work? Rickin: You know what I meant Hugo. Mr. X and Mr. Y are in the ring and it looks like we're ready to go. Mr. X & Y vs. Huracan Castillo Jr. & Miguelito Perez Castillo and Perez show good teamwork with quick tags and double team moves before the 5 count. A short comeback by Mr. X is stopped with a Perez running clothesline after ducking one from X. Castillo, who had made a blind tag, ran in for the huracanrana that got the 3 count. Huracan Castillo Jr. & Miguelito Perez by pinfall in 4:47 with a huracanrana Hugo: Nice huracanrana by Castillo! Rickin: Now you think they have a chance, do you? Hugo: Anything is possible in the World Wrestling Council! Rickin: That's very true Hugo. We have to go to commercial lucha libre fans. We'll be right back. (Commercial Break) 15:30-22:30 A very angry Hercules Ayala is standing at the desk when we return from commercial. Rickin: Hercules Ayala asked for some time to talk after what happened earlier. Hercules? Ayala: Victor Jovica and I were not always on the best of terms. But over the last 2 months I learned what kind of man he is. What you did tonight, Al Madril, is hurt my friend very badly. Victor Jovica loves wrestling in front of these fans! You took that from him!! Al Madril, holding the NWA WWC Carribean Championship on his shoulder, swaggers his way out to loud boos and garbage being thrown. Rickin: Now Hercules, this is not the time or the place. Ayala: I know Rickin. I'll do my best. Rickin: All I can ask. Mr. Madril, and I use the term Mr. loosely, have you come out here to explain your actions? Madril: First, we agreed on SIR. Second, what need do I have to explain anything? The man was begging for me to come out and fight a few weeks ago. Is it my fault he can't handle it? Ayala: (shouted from off-mic) You and Chicky Starr! Madril: Don't recall asking his opinion. Rickin: It is his interview time. Madril: I guess I didn't notice, him not holding this fine piece of gold (points at the belt). Rickin: You were saying, Mr. Ayala? Ayala: You are a coward, Al Madril! How about we tape up our fists and have a match, title or not! And I'll beat you to a bloody pulp!! Rickin: Your response? Madril: (after an incredulous look at Rickin) I thought we- Rickin: I agreed to nothing. Madril: Fine. My response.... Madril clobbers Ayala with the belt. Ayala goes down and Madril goes back to the mic. Madril: Sure, we can have a match. I'll even give you a chance at this (points to the belt). Just don't blame me when you end up in the hospital. Madril swaggers away from the desk and the camera cuts down to a bleeding Hercules Ayala. Rickin: Can we please get some help out here for this man? Hugo, are you as excited about Al Madril being here as you were a few weeks ago? Hugo: Are you kidding?!? A taped fist match on the card for December 23rd as well?!? Of COURSE I'm excited Rickin!! Rickin: I...never mind. Our next match will pit young Ricky Santana against a man who will be a very stiff test, Dutch Mantell. Hugo: One of the toughest men I have ever known! Rickin: He is certainly double tough and very dangerous to boot. And he will stop at absolutely nothing to win a match. Hugo: One of his better qualities! Rickin: Dutch has just reached the ring and I'm not sure the fans are as enamored with him as you are Hugo. Hugo: Too bad. You and I both know he's about as well-rounded a wrestler as we've ever had in the WWC! Rickin: He is, but his tactics have never sat well with me. Here comes Ricky. The fans are showing him some support on the way to the ring. Hugo: They know he needs every bit of confidence he can muster here Rickin! Rickin: That and more Hugo. Especially since Dutch just jumped him from behind as soon as he got in the ring. Hugo: That'll teach him to turn his back on his opponent!! Ricky Santana vs. Dutch Mantell Dutch presses his advantage, cutting Santana off with dirty tactics when he has to. Santana comes firing back with right hands and chops. A crossbody off of rope-running nets Santana a 2 count. Dutch hits a low blow to go back on offense. Santana fights his way back again and climbs up top. Dutch rolls ot the floor and stalls, but ends up eating post and bleeding. Santana hits the top rope crossbody in the ring, but Dutch rolls through and grabs the tights for the three count. Dutch Mantell by pinfall in 10:07 with an illegal roll-up Hugo: Very close match for the kid! Rickin: Dutch had to go to his bag of tricks a few times and the last one got it for him. Hugo: It's always that last one!! Santana is going to be kicking himself for not evening the score on that low blow! He would have gotten the win. Rickin: Hugo...there is something to be said for what you are implying. But go too far down that road and you become Dutch Mantell or Chicky Starr. Hugo: And this is a bad thing?!? Rickin: Depends who you ask. We'll be hearing from Carlitos Colon regarding that challenge laid down last week and then our main event when we come back. Invader 1 will be facing Satanico, don't go anywhere. (Commercial Break) 22:30-37:30 Carlitos Colon and all 3 Invaders are at the desk when we return to the show. Rickin: We're back with los Invaders and Carlitos Colon. Carlitos, my intuition is that you will be accepting the terms laid down by Chicky Starr last week. Namely, if your team wins los Infernales will be leaving the country for at least 6 months. And if your team loses each of you will vacate any titles you hold and not compete for a title for the same amount of time. Colon: You are right, we have no problem with these terms. We're going to be in a big enough cage to accomodate 8 men and we will not be trying to escape. It's going to be by pinfall or submission! Rickin: That's a lot to put on the line. Invader, what led all of you to agree to this? Invader 1: Because los Infernales need to leave. Sometimes you have to risk something important to accomplish something important. This is one of those times. Rickin: It seems as if Chicky Starr has a problem with both you and Carlitos Colon. Invader 1: I saw a lot of potential in Chicky. I still do, but he's delusional. Colon: Chicky Starr can say all he wants, but in the end his new friends are going home. Then I'm going to beat him with the NWA WWC Universal Title on the line. Again! Rickin: There go four confident men. Hugo: Walking right into Chicky Starr's trap!! Rickin: Part of me believes that is true Hugo. I hope it isn't though. Hugo: Looks like these fans do too! WOW! Invader 1 and Carlitos are really getting a lot of attention on their way to the ring!! Rickin: They are the two men who these fans look up to most Hugo. Invader 1 is in the ring and here comes Satanico with Chicky Starr. Hugo: And the fans' garbage! That's disrespectful!! Rickin: I could have told you the fans don't respect either man Hugo. They have yet to earn it. Hugo: Chicky Starr is one of the most promising young wrestlers in Puerto Rico! These fans used to LOVE him! Rickin: You and I both know why they don't anymore. It looks like we're ready for our main event. Satanico vs. Invader 1 Invader 1 rocks Satanico witch chops and punches early. Satanico with big right hands to shift the momentum. They spill outside and the seconds have to scramble as they brawl around ringside. A chair, the ring bell, the timekeepers table and the ring post come into play which leaves both men bloody. Satanico connects with a low blow back in the ring and looks like he's got Invader down. Invader with a slow burn comeback capped off with a low blow of his own to a big pop. Satanico with a questionable spinebuster and tries to lock in his finishing hold, but Invader rolls him up with an inside cradle for 3. Invader 1 by pinfall in 12:51 with an inside cradle Rickin: It looks like Colon and Chicky are more interested in how their friends are doing than fighting each other. Hugo: They almost came to blows during the match a few times! Rickin: Carlitos was keeping Chicky from attacking Invader 1 along with Satanico. Hugo: Why do you think Chicky was around?!? He had to keep an eye on Carlitos!! Rickin: We're almost out of time fans. But first we're going to run down all of the matches signed for December the 23rd so far. Hugo: Hercules Ayala and NWA Carribean Champion Al Madril will meet for the title in a TAPED FIST match! Rickin: Barrabas' team of Jonathan Boyd and the Crusher will face Huracan Castillo Jr. and Miguelito Perez. Hugo: Abdullah the Butcher and Bruiser Brody will face off in what promises to be a WILD MATCH!! Rickin: And Carlitos Colon will be leading los Invaders against Chicky Starr and his friends los Infernales. Hugo: In a cage! Again with no escape too!! What a card!! I'm lucky enough to have FRONT ROW SEATS!! Will you be?!? Rickin: We'll be back next week lucha libre fans, thanks for joining us.

This was alright, really good by Hulk standards. Bobby in the studio helped because, you know, those two. I would agree, once the bike was out there Bobby had to be in front of it on the way out.

I thought it was a really good bordering on great match. Easily better than the Tokyo match. There were some very nice wrinkles and the work was smart throughout. It's just two things working against it. First being that it was never given any real build to the preceding match or between that match and this one. Second is a direct result of the first. Nobody in the crowd cared about what happened. You could have put it on first for all the fans cared. After watching this show I'm not sure why these people bothered showing up or WCW put on the show. I mean, not building any matches for it besides the clusterfuck that was Sid/Gigante will have to go down as one of WCW's biggest mistakes. Book a PPV where nobody knows what the matches are or why they are happening and I guess this is what happens. Edit: Oh yeah, fucking fire whoever came up with those entrances immediately.

I really, really liked this match. Everything works from a character standpoint and Arn's destruction of Eaton's leg is on point. Problem being the crowd was completely worn out after the last match and this one needed 5 more minutes to really develop into something great. Put this on right after Gigante/Sid and I think the crowd eats it up.

Fun match that did pick up the crowd from earlier in the show. I will agree that Scott absolutely destroys any chance this is remembered as a great match and that Ricky is all kinds of incredible in it.

Hope Hansen at least got paid well for his time. J.R. and Dusty getting a chuckle out of this is certainly a nice moment for wrestling.

This show certainly has a dead crowd. Good thing it's not a major show or anything.

Good match despite nobody caring. Of course, following Gigante and Sid, anything would have looked good. I agree that Doom should have been around much longer than they were.

Good for how long it lasted. Could have used more taped fist shots to get the stip across.

I did love Wilkins "poking the bear" as it were. And then Fujiwara's absolute delight in playing Wilkins' own game put an even bigger smile on my face. The more Fujiwara I see, the more I love the guy.

Went more than a little long for my tastes, but the match was really, really good. Shamrock is surprisingly good at pro wrestling early on.