[1983-05-22-AWA-Bloomington, MN] Jerry Blackwell vs Mad Dog Vachon (Algerian Death)

[Superstar Sleeze]

Sheik Ayatollah Blackwell vs Mad Vachon – AWA 5/22/83 Algerian Death Match

 

As one would expect, an Algerian Death match is a Texas Death match complete with pinfalls necessary to trigger the ten count. The Mad Dog and Blackwell promos before this match are must see as Mad Dog promises to Blackwell in the pine coffin he is building. Also, it is important to note Mad Dog has been out for 2 years due to Blackwell so the feud culminates here in this Death Match.

 

Also a cool outcome of the last match in this feud is that Verne fulfilled his promise that the High Flyers would not have to worry about Blackwell & Adnan as contenders because Adnan has been transitioned into a managerial role. What they did not count out on was the Sheik’s oil money snagging the contract of Ken Patera who fill the void as Blackwell’s partner.

 

Interesting, they go the no shone route and immediately hit the heat. I think you can only do that when both wrestlers and their feud are firmly established. Since this was AWA’s hottest feud and two of their biggest stars this is fine. Mad Dog charge, but gets caught up attacking the other Sheiks, who hold him and Blackwell splashes him in the corner. Blackwell hits the powerslam/splash combo to gain the first fall and again for second fall. I have not seen much of cocky Blackwell, but it was fun to watch him count along. He is shocked Mad Dog has made it up twice. Mad Dog tries to make his comeback and Blackwell unleashes some stiff heabutts to bust him open. Blackwell gets another splash in the corner I expected him to miss and it looks bleak for our hero. Until he starts to rev up, one punch huge bearpaw swing after another has Blackwell rocking and reeling. He gets Fatwell down! He starts to bite. Blackwell tries to escape, but you cant escape the hatred of Mad Dog. There is a great struggle over a post shot. Blackwell takes it fucking hard. He blasts Blackwell with the chair, horse collaring him. Mad Dog swings it at the ref! Wow! Mad Dog sends him back in the post and bites Blackwell in the ring. Blackwell is a bloody mess. Blackwell gets a desperation knee up. Blackwell sensing his own end is imminent looks to pull the trigger on his big bomb the top rope splash. When will he learn as this has been his demise so many times, but it would be certain victory in his defense. Blackwell crashes and burns. Mad Dog is up! The crowd roars! Top rope kneedrop seals the victory.

 

The Texas Death Match stip both helped and hurt this match. I liked Blackwell getting those early falls as I really thought that built up the drama. The fact it took 40 seconds for Mad Dog to get his win did hurt the heat in my opinion, which is a fait accompli in a Texas Death Match. I loved the work in this match. I thought this was an awesome blowoff brawl. Blackwell kicked some major league ass and Mad Dog was wild in the middle. Could have used some more Blackwell bumps in the middle. Short, sweet and spirited brawl! ****1/4

[tcg91]

I haven't been a massive fan of the Vachon/Blackwell matches I have reviewed, but this was really good. Short, violent, crisp and straight to the point. Blackwell proved himself here, selling and bumping around for the veteran, despite his size and still never losing much stamina. Like their previous tag bout, Vachon was generous with Blackwell too and made him look very strong. Yes, the stipulation maybe affected the match a little, but the goodness of the slugfest was enough to make me ignore the long pauses between a fall and the following one (which was good for their rhythm, to be fair). Original but fun finish, even though the rules of the match kind of impacted the fans reaction to it
***1/2

[Stephen-]

The footage begins with Mad Dog cutting one of the best promos of all time, pounding a pine box coffin for “Jerry Fatwell”. He is reminded of the mines he worked in during his time off after Blackwell hospitalized him, and swears to send Blackwell to that same place. This promo is fiery, it is passionate, it is emotional. It is everything you love about Vachon. The action gets under way and Vachon sees red, taking out his anger on the Sheiks. Blackwell sneaks away while the Sheiks are able to hold down Vachon. Blackwell capitalizes and lands huge bodyslams to get his first fall on Vachon, triggering the 30 second recovery period and the ten count. Vachon claws to his feet at 9 to an eruption from the crowd, and Blackwell immediately lands another slam, another splash, and another fall. Vachon makes it to his feet on wobbly legs at 8 and another huge pop, before collapsing. Blackwell unloads huge right hands and headbutts, and Vachon is bumping all over. Vachon gets busted open by one of the headbutts and Blackwell pours it on with shots to the head and body, and a big splash in the corner. Vachon is resilient here and keeps finding his way up. Finally, Vachon counters Blackwell walking in recklessly with a huge left hand and then a combination of blows to take Blackwell off his feet. My god, these punches were fucking sick. And Blackwell bumps great. This is one of the best strike sequences I’ve seen. Vachon does not let Blackwell rest and chases him to the outside, slamming his head into the post and a chair shot for dessert. Some more big blows to the post and Vachon returns to the ring. Vachon is ripping at Blackwell’s mouth and eyes, biting Blackwell, and maintaining those crisp punches. A huge boot to the back of a kneeling Blackwell and a pin attempt, before realizing he is not done with Crusher just yet. Vachon has revenge on his mind. Blackwell has a crimson mask at this point. Vachon sprints in to a cornered Blackwell and Blackwell counters with a knee to the stomach. Blackwell climbs to the top rope (huge pop!) looking for his splash…. MAD DOG GETS OUT OF HARMS WAY. The crowd explodes. Now it’s Vachon’s turn to climb… and lands a huge knee on Blackwell’s face! Vachon pins Blackwell and triggers the thirty second recovery and ten count. Blackwell nearly makes it to his feet at 9 with assistance from the ropes but collapses at the final second. The roof is blown off this place. Blackwell’s corner try to handle Vachon after the match but are swiftly ran out. Is this not just the best match ever? Is this not just the greatest? How could you not love this match? Both men with career best performances in this. Some of the best brawling sequences you’ll ever see. Fucking amazing. This is a classic. Must watch. **** 3/4