|
|
Post by marc91 on Sept 11, 2024 20:05:44 GMT 1
#0277
NWA United States Heavyweight Title Match
Greg Valentine (c) vs Ric Flair (MACW 12.06.1983) This was a good and solid showcase, Valentine ruled as a heel and Flair's babyface run in 1983 felt like a total fresh act. The limb work was solid, it looked credible and Valentine got the change to hang with the best. Flair focused on the leg later in the match, it was a short sequence, but they did well enough to make this bout fun, especially when Valentine reversed it and took the lead. The non finish was almost obvious and it's a shame the slugfest was only teased, because they went at it with plenty of fire
***1/4
|
|
|
|
Post by marc91 on Sept 12, 2024 14:22:06 GMT 1
#0278
Knockout Tournament Final Marty Jones & Clive Myers vs Dave Finlay & Skull Murphy (JOINT PROMOTIONS 13.06.1983) Good tournament final, that drew enough heat and was quite solid in the ring as well. Jones and Finlay did very well together, while Murphy didn't impress me that much on this occasion. Myers was quite handy, selling effectively and leaving Jones most of the spotlight, even though there weren't any prolonged heat sequences on the babyfaces. The time limit was just 20 minutes and it became quite obvious at one point that this was ending on a draw, which of course happened. A solid match after all
*** |
|
|
|
Post by marc91 on Sept 12, 2024 23:22:22 GMT 1
#0279 NWA World Heavyweight Title Match Harley Race (c) vs Kevin von Erich (WCCW 17.06.1983) This was a solid title defence and also a bit of fresh air from the von Erichs challenging Flair. Very solid bout, with an almost maniacal attention to small details, things like pulling and taking bumps on a shoulder to trigger an injury. The first part was quite slow at times, mostly focused on Kevin trying to use the claw from all positions and to put over the over the top throws (that were legal here). Then the match got really good when Race started working on Kevin's arm, also thanks to the challengers' one arm comeback. Unfortunately, the non-finish was around the corner, it was so lazy (and silly) to get another von Erich to interfere and cost his brother the match
***1/4
|
|
|
|
Post by marc91 on Sept 13, 2024 21:01:46 GMT 1
#0280 Chavo Guerrero vs Mr. Olympia (HOUSTON WRESTLING 24.06.1983) This was a very good match, it was incredibly simple and yet everything they did got tons of cheers and heat. Chavo was on form, really over in Houston, he managed to bump around convincingly and sold a simple chinlock like it was crushing his face, which helped maintaining a good momentum throughout the bout. The middle lacked something, and drama peaks like Chavo aiming for the heel's mask were only teased, but it's hard to suggest better idea when all they did was so over. The clean finish also made this very enjoyable all around, this was an intense and well fought 15 minutes
***1/2 |
|
|
|
Post by marc91 on Sept 14, 2024 11:15:41 GMT 1
#0281 World Class World Six Man Tag Team Titles
Two Out Of Three Falls Match Buddy Roberts, Michael Hayes & Terry Gordy (c) vs David von Erich, Kerry von Erich & Kevin von Erich (WCCW 04.07.1983) Amazing match and one of the hottest crowds ever, not just in Texas or the 80s alone. The reason I didn't go higher is because the falls mechanic kind of disrupted the momentum at times (a referee promo? really?), but everything they did ruled; this is textbook ring presence and awareness of their own characters. This got very dramatic when the brothers were losing 1-0 and all the hot tags were cut by the Birds, both David and then Kerry got isolated and the blind tag also added to the tension, until finally Kevin got to become the legal man and all hell broke loose. While the first fall was quite balanced and the Birds dominated the second one, the third was pure chaos and it led to an all out war. Kevin gets the clean pin on Hayes for an incredible pop
****1/4 |
|
|
|
Post by marc91 on Sept 15, 2024 10:47:47 GMT 1
#0282 WWF International Heavyweight Title Match Riki Choshu (c) vs Tatsumi Fujinami (NJPW 07.07.1983)
Another good match between them, but it wasn't their best stuff so far. Tight limb work, they both targeted each other's leg, as Fujinami was the better man on the mat, but Choshu wouldn't admit it at all. Fujinami then fought from underneath, which suited him very well, despite the crowd being more on the champion's side. They picked this up in the story, as Fujinami became more frustrated and aggressive as he couldn't submit Choshu. Hot finishing sequence and, again, good finish because Fujinami refused to break a hold due to his aggression. Solid action and good storyline progression here
***1/4 |
|
|
|
Post by marc91 on Sept 16, 2024 11:06:45 GMT 1
#0283
CWA World Heavyweight Title Match
Otto Wanz (c) vs Bob Slaughter (CWA 09.07.1983)
Slightly JIP, 5 minutes or so are missing. This was a good match, but not the easiest one to follow due to bad visibility during the frequent ringside confrontations (the announcer talked non-stop at one point). Good brawl, Wanz was very over and Slaughter knew how to irritate the fans. We got an abundant amount of stalling, but it led to Slaughter gaining control of the bout and things got only better at that point. Wanz looked like superman, bloody and tired, but still able to make his powerful comeback. Not the best finish, but at least it was clean and the crowd loved the result
***1/2 |
|
|
|
Post by marc91 on Sept 17, 2024 22:39:39 GMT 1
#0284 NWA United States Heavyweight Title Match Greg Valentine (c) vs Roddy Piper (MACW 09.07.1983) This was a great match and a perfect way to build the feud towards the famous Dog Collar Match. Just like he did in Portland, Piper proved that he could be a great babyface and this was an amazing slugfest. Lots of blood, which definitely suited this match, especially towards the end. Valentine was bigger and furious, his attacks on Piper's ear were incredible and tough to watch at times, but they triggered the incredible comeback by Piper. Great punches and I am afraid Vince booked him against Mr. T after watching this, the choke finish was also so credible and a very nice piece of story telling
***3/4 |
|
|
|
Post by marc91 on Sept 18, 2024 16:53:07 GMT 1
#0285 NWA World Tag Team Titles Match Jack Brisco & Jerry Brisco (c) vs Jay Youngblood & Ricky Steamboat (MACW 09.07.1983) A nice match and the crowd was very good in here too. After the fun shine segment, the formula was easy to follow, as the Briscos stretched the youngsters and got heat in the process. Youngblood was mostly good in his selling, but Steamboat was the star of the match: great ring presence, even on the apron while he was cheering for his partner, and a lot of energy when he finally got the hot tag. I wasn't a big fan of the finishing stretch, it felt quite flat due to the lack of drama, even the finish was weak (not the idea, but the execution)
***1/4 |
|
|
|
Post by marc91 on Sept 19, 2024 20:19:05 GMT 1
#0286 Terry Funk vs Nick Bockwinkel (AJPW 12.07.1983)
Slightly clipped, as the first couple of minutes were missing. This was a blast, we got two of the best ever in a mat wrestling showdown, both working on the other man's leg. It felt more like an exhibition, as they seemed to go through the motions at times, but everything was good and crisp to be fair. It's just a shame that this never became a slugfest or a more snug bout, because they could have put on a classic with a bit of drama. Funk was so good I can't tell if he was a better seller or a better controller. Typical political non-finish, but it wasn't that bad this time
***1/2 |
|
