[1980-11-02-AWA-St. Paul, MN] Andre the Giant vs Jerry Blackwell ($5,000 Bodyslam Challenge)

[paul sosnowski]

 

[Superstar Sleeze]

Andre The Giant vs Crusher Blackwell - AWA 11/2/80 Bodyslam Challenge

BLACKWELL BACK BODY DROPS ANDRE! That was insane. It is amazing how Andre dwarfs Blackwell in this. Insane. Blackwell goes for the slam, but gets squashed. Andre had some trouble lifting big 'ol Blackwell but slams him. He wins the money but the match continues and he throws Blackwell over the top. Triggering the DQ. 

[shoe]

I'm a fan of both wrestlers. Blackwell's athleticism is amazing. This is a 5,000 dollar slam challenge along with a match with a 20 minute time limit. Blackwell is on the bike immediately. Blackwell with a hanshake that allows Andre to control him. Blackwell hooks an over hand wristlock. Andre tries to throw him but, Jerry holds on and turns the hold into hammerlock. Blackwell goes for the slam.Andre stops him and has him reeling. Blackwell takes a powder. Blackwell's weeble woggle selling was great. Andre works the ankle. Andre trying to take out Jerry's legs. Blackwell counters with some ground and pound. Andre is pissed and Blackwell is begging off. Loved Blackwell bumping off the butt butt. Great nearfall on Blackwell's missed slam. Andre then returns the favor and slams Blackwell. Andre gets diqualified for tossing Blackwell over the top rope. This had some fun moments, and the premise is interesting. As a match it was alright, but probabaly worked in a bigger picture sort of thing.

[paul sosnowski]

Now available in a 17 minute version on the Network, Vault, Hidden Gems, November 2, 1980 "To Slam A Giant"

[Stephen-]

I don't know, it's not particularly amazing by any stretch of the definition but it's really enjoyable. Andre seems to take to this challenge very logically, and ends up winning. The ending sequence where Blackwell crumbles trying to lift Andre (and the commentators confuse it for a pin attempt for Andre) then Andre subsequently lifts and slams Blackwell for the win was just as epic for me as it was for the audience. I have only seen the short clip on Youtube. If there is a longer version available, I will update this review when I see it.