Taped from Atlanta, GA
Airdate: April 27, 1985 (taped 4/27)
Attendance: unknown
Hosted by Tony Schiavone & David Crockett
Can Magnum defeat Irwin, or will he be hog-tied? What’s new between Rhodes and the Soviets? Will the Andersons get their mitts on Patterson, or does Fernandez help him to overcome?
Opening montage.
Match 1: The “Minnesota Wrecking Crew” Ole & Arn Anderson versus the Italian Stallion & Gerald Finley
Highlights:
For those unaware, no, that was NOT Sylvester Stallone but Gary Sabaugh.
Ole tagged in and wrenched Stallion’s left arm. When tags were exchanged on both sides, Arn slammed Finley. Ole tagged in and mauled Finley. As Arn tagged in, he gave Finley a HARD cross corner whip. Ole tagged in, took Finley down, and got 2.After he dealt Finley a hammerlock slam, Ole tagged out.
Arn fed Finley another hammerlock slam, yet Ole tagged in and booted Finley from the ring. On the concrete floor, Arn hauled Finley back into the ring like a sack of potatoes. Ole mounted the top turnbuckle and scored with a flying knee drop to the shoulder. Applying an arm bar, Ole made Finley submit. The Andersons won at 5:37.
- Was the match competitive? No, the Andersons dominated their competition.
- What maneuver made the difference in the match? The flying knee drop from the top turnbuckle.
- Could the match have been better? No, Finley sold the Andersons’ offense like a 1979 Cadillac Coupe De Ville.
At the podium, Schiavone interviews Garvin who cuts a promo on Blanchard.
JCP on tour:
- Charlotte, NC: TOMORROW NIGHT!
- Marion, OH: May 1
- Columbus, OH: May 3
- Cincinnati, OH: May 4
- Greensburg, PA: May 6
- Ocean City, MD: May 8
- Atlanta, GA: May 12
- Canton, OH: May 13
- Saginaw, MI: May 14
COORS PLAY OF THE WEEK: Wayne Gretzsky scored three playoff goals and four assists as Edmonton defeated Winnipeg 8-3. By virtue of that victory, the Oilers swept the four-game series.
Commercials! Coors Light, Goody’s powders, and NBA action on TBS!
At the podium, Schiavone interviews the “American Dream” Dusty Rhodes who brought a “special friend.” Rhodes claims to have gone to San Diego to find a gorilla and stands next to a cage. Next week, he promises a “live gorilla” for the Koloffs.
Match 2: The “Raging Bull” Manny Fernandez versus Doug Vines
Highlights:
Fernandez hip-tossed Vines while the Kappa Alpha fraternity guys reveled in amazement. As he thwarted a rope sequence with a stomp to the head, Fernandez rang Vines’ bell. Vines escaped a rear chin lock and dealt Fernandez an elbow smash. When Fernandez rebounded with a back hand, he obliterated Vines with a high knee for 2. Vines pounded on him, but Fernandez reversed an Irish whip and blasted him with a flying burrito. 1-2-3. Fernandez won at 5:27.
- Was the match competitive? Somewhat, the bigger Vines got in a few licks before getting manhandled.
- What maneuver made the difference in the match? The high knee stymied Vines.
- Could the match have been better? No, Fernandez was in control, yet Vines sold extremely well.
JCP on tour:
- Troy, OH: May 15
- Wheeling, WV: May 17
- Cleveland, OH: May 18
Commercials! Catch the Atlanta Braves TONIGHT against the Houston Astros LIVE on TBS! Loretta Lynn shills Crisco. Put Folgers in your cup. Watch Safe At Home on Monday at 6:35pm on TBS!
At the podium, Schiavone interviews “Nature Boy” Ric Flair who refers to the Andersons as his “cousins.” He promises they will overtake Patterson and Fernandez. Next, he namedrops challengers such as the Von Erichs, Terry Taylor, Harley Race, Bob Armstrong, among others.
Match 3: Bob Roop versus the Golden Terror
Highlights:
Yikes! He’s big and fluffy! No, not Roop.
When Roop hoisted him over his shoulder, he rammed Terror shoulder-first into the top turnbuckle. Terror reversed a cross corner whip, gave Roop one of his own, but ate a knee to the midsection. As he demolished Terror with a shoulder breaker, Roop pinned him at 2:45.
- Was the match competitive? No, Roop controlled Terror on the mat.
- What maneuver made the difference in the match? Roop’s infamous shoulder breaker.
- Could the match have been better? Nope, Roop dominated the poor soul so dominantly, the Terror turned his life around and became a treasure.
Commercials! Meister Brau! The Civil War Chess Set!
At the podium, Schiavone interviews Ivan and Nikita. Ivan cuts a promo on Rhodes and is INCENSED that Nikita’s being called a “gorilla.” Afterward, Nikita, wearing a Russian chain, will “destroy all competition” before warning Flair.
Match 4: Tully Blanchard (w/ Baby Doll) versus Lee Ramsey
Highlights:
Blanchard unloaded a side-Russian leg sweep, snared Ramsey in an inside cradle, and got 2. As he countered a slam with a second inside cradle, Blanchard got another 2.He argued with referee Mike Fever, so Ramsey took advantage by dropkicking him. When Blanchard unleashed a pair of forearm smashes, he slammed Ramsey. He landed a series of elbow drops and got 2. After he fed Ramsey a shot to the midsection, Blanchard nailed him into the middle of Tuesday afternoon. Ramsey attempted a comeback but fell prey to a slingshot suplex. 1-2-3. Blanchard won at 4:30.
- Was the match competitive? Yes, Ramsey brought some artillery, but Blanchard’s arsenal overpowered him.
- What maneuver made the difference in the match? The slingshot suplex wiped out another one.
- Could the match have been better? No, Blanchard sold for the kid, and Ramsey’s offense was worthwhile.
Commercials! Roach Kill! Catch Young Fury on Sunday at 1:50pm only on TBS! Watch the San Antonio Spurs face the Denver Nuggets on Sunday at 10pm.
Match 5 (non-title): NWA National champion Ron Garvin versus George South
Highlights:
Garvin rolled up South and got 2. When he attempted a vertical suplex, South blocked it. Garvin hooked an inside cradle for another 2. As South rebounded with a hip toss, Garvin employed shoulder blocks to knock him down. He trapped South in a crucifix and got 2. After Garvin dealt South a hip toss of his own, Schiavone advised us to remove the phone from its hook and schedule a babysitter if needed to watch the next match.
Garvin splattered South with a quick senton splash for another 2. While Garvin reversed a cross corner whip, he backdropped South. Garvin caught him in an abdominal stretch, but South made the ropes. Flattening South with a gutwrench suplex, Garvin splashed him. 1-2-3. Garvin won at 4:19.
- Was the match competitive? Yes, South tried but was overmatched.
- What maneuver made the difference in the match? With South’s back ailing, Garvin ensured South’s need for Doan’s pills with a gutwrench suplex.
- Could the match have been better? No, this was Garvin’s first televised match under the JCP 6:05 banner, so he looked strong while South did a remarkable job of putting him over.
At the podium, Schiavone interviews Jones with his Army. Jones touts his men as mercenaries to destroy the “Boogie Woogie Man” Jimmy Valiant.
JCP on tour:
- Philadelphia, PA: April 30
Commercials! Kodiak smokeless tobacco! US Diamond Syndicate!
At the podium, Flair rejoins us to scout Magnum.
Match 6 for the NWA US title: Magnum T.A. (champion) versus Scott “Hog” Irwin
Highlights:
As the bell rang, Irwin stampeded Magnum and knocked him silly with a high knee.He dealt Magnum a back elbow and followed with a clothesline. When he removed his headband and vest, Irwin slammed Magnum. He landed a leg drop and got 2. After he headbutted Magnum, Irwin blocked a wrist lock. Following a station identification, Irwin backdropped Magnum.
He dropkicked Magnum and got another 2. While Magnum rebounded with his own dropkick, Irwin hammered him in the midsection. He fed Magnum a knee lift and halted a back drop attempt. Landing an elbow drop, Irwin got 2. He unleashed a big boot, hoisted Magnum atop the top turnbuckle, and tossed referee Mike Fever aside. Leaping from the second turnbuckle, Magnum caught Irwin with a flying knee. He planted Irwin with a belly-to-belly suplex and pinned him at 7:13 shown.
Rating: **
Summary: Whereas Magnum’s normal matches feature one move and zero selling from him, this match was all Irwin until he made the fatal mistake of manhandling Fever. Irwin would migrate to the AWA to join his brother Bill as the Long Riders in a couple of months.
At the podium, Schiavone interviews Blanchard alongside Baby Doll. Blanchard wants another piece of Rhodes.
Commercials! Chef Boyardee! Sentry Hardware! Kawasaki! Gymkata!
Rhodes rejoins the podium to scout the World tag team champions.
Match 7 (non-title): NWA World tag team champions Ivan & Nikita Koloff versus Mike Jackson & Paul Garner
Highlights:
Jackson reversed a cross corner whip and fed Ivan a monkey flip. When Jackson missed an elbow drop, Ivan blocked a hip toss. Jackson flipped over him and successfully hip-tossed him. As Nikita tagged in, the Soviets dealt Jackson a double back elbow. Nikita gave him a cross corner whip, yet Jackson leaped to the second turnbuckle. After Jackson leaped, Nikita caught and slammed him.
He split Jackson in two with a series of backbreakers and gorilla-press-slammed him. While Garner tagged in, Nikita hip-tossed him. Ivan tagged in, mounted the second turnbuckle, and uncorked a flying double axe handle. Placing a knee into Garner’s midsection, Ivan manhandled him. Nikita tagged in and distracted referee Mike Fever.In the meantime, Ivan gave Garner the business. SNEAKY!
Ivan tagged in and decimated Garner with a boot to the midsection. Landing a knee drop, Ivan got 2. Garner gave Ivan a cross corner whip but came up empty on his follow-through. Tagging in, Nikita annihilated Garner with a Russian sickle. 1-2-3. Ivan & Nikita won at 6:53.
- Was the match competitive? Yes, Jackson gave Ivan some offense, but the Soviets pummeled Garner.
- What maneuver made the difference in the match? The Russian sickle will floor anybody.
- Could the match have been better? No, Nikita looks like a monster.
At the podium, Ivan screams at Rhodes about the “gorilla.” Rhodes promises a “gorilla” will conquer the Soviets next week.
JCP on tour:
- Gloucester, NJ: May 9
- Richmond, VA: May 10
Commercials! QT&T Answerphone! Safe At Home!
Match 8: Thunderbolt Patterson versus Randy Barber
Highlights:
Ole and Arn Anderson joined the podium for this match. As Patterson scored with a double thrust, he pinned Barber at 2:14.
- Was the match competitive? Not at all.
- What maneuver made the difference in the match? Ole’s presence making Patterson angry.
- Could the match have been better? Infinitely as this was awful.
After the match, the Andersons hit the ring and destroy Patterson. Suddenly, Fernandez mounts the top turnbuckle and levels Arn. Both Patterson and Fernandez send them scurrying.
Commercials! Lorne Greene shills Secure Care from National Home Life.
At the podium, Flair joins us again with the “ten pounds of gold” and runs down Rhodes.
Match 9: “Pistol” Pez Whatley versus Vernon Deaton
Highlights:
Again? Whatley dropkicked Deaton and followed with a hip toss. When he headbutted Deaton, Whatley pounded him for 2. He hooked an inside cradle for another 2. As Deaton mistakenly bounced his head off the top turnbuckle twice, Whatley made him pay with a head butt. He slammed Deaton and finished him off with a flying Willie. 1-2-3. Whatley won at 3:51.
- Was the match competitive? Nope, Whatley had it all the way.
- What maneuver made the difference in the match? The Flying Willie grounds everyone.
- Could the match have been better? No, Whatley looked good thanks to Deaton.
Video airs featuring Valiant. But first, Bob Caudle announces that Valiant’s axe handle has been banned. Also, Valiant has been fined. But that’s not all! Caudle states that all three members of Jones’ Army could be suspended. In response, A mute Valiant writes the following on a chalkboard: “NO!”
For all Valiant fans, he writes the following: “I love you all. We are the world.” We revisit video from 4/16 when Valiant sauntered after Jones’ Army but gets overwhelmed. Back at the studio, Rhodes joins him and adds “terrorism against (Valiant)…by (Jones’ Army. This is war, and (Rhodes) will join him.”
JCP on tour:
- Steubenville, OH: May 5
Commercials! Get the Belly Burner! Catch Showbiz Today only on CNN. Watch Night Tracks at 11:20pm this weekend!
Match 10: “Cowboy” Ron Bass (w/ JJ Dillon) versus Rocky King
Highlights:
Bass dealt King a back elbow followed by a knee lift. As Bass suplexed him, he ruined King’s weekend with an atomic drop. He unloaded an elbow drop and doubled King over with a knee to the midsection. When he pulverized King with another elbow drop, Bass split him in two with a backbreaker. He booted King in the midsection, sandwiched him in the corner, and nailed him in the breadbasket. After King valiantly tried to mount some offense, Bass rammed him face-first into the mat. He landed a knee drop and got 2. While he powerslammed King, Bass applied a claw. 1-2-3. Bass won at 4:07.
- Was the match competitive? No, Bass overpowered King at every turn.
- What maneuver made the difference in the match? The debut of Bass’ claw.
- Could the match have been better? Nope, King made Bass look exceedingly tough.
At the podium, Schiavone interviews Magnum who gives Irwin credit for a solid match. Although he respects Flair, Magnum informs him that he’ll be ready when the time comes.
JCP on tour:
- Vineland, NJ: Monday night!
Commercials! Pringles! Oxydol! Dow Bathroom Cleaner! Handi-Wrap II! Meister Brau!
Match 11: “Superstar” Billy Graham, Barbarian, & Abdullah the Butcher (w/ Paul Jones) versus Gene Ligon, Mike Simiani, & Ron Rossi
Highlights:
Tags were exchanged on both sides, and Barbarian headbutted Ligon. When he landed a leg drop, Barbarian tagged out. Jones distracted referee Mike Fever, so his Army practically disemboweled Ligon. How dastardly!
As Abdullah tagggd in, he steamrolled Ligon. Abdullah tossed Ligon to the concrete floor, and Barbarian ensured Ligon wouldn’t reproduce. After Barbarian rammed Ligon back-first into the ring post twice, Abdullah clotheslined Ligon. Tags were exchanged on both sides again, and Graham diced Simiani like an onion.
While Barbarian tagged in, he gorilla-press-slammed Simiani. Abdullah tagged in and cremated Simiani with an elbow drop. 1-2-3. Abdullah, Barbarian, and Graham won at 4:31.
- Was the match competitive? No, Jones’ Army slaughtered its opposition.
- What maneuver made the difference in the match? Abdullah’s elbow drop is a true meat tenderizer.
- Could the match have been better? Not whatsoever.
Conclusion: Seeing Magnum sell for Irwin was a treat you didn’t see often. Rhodes’ war with the Koloffs is picking up as we’ll see next week. Patterson and Fernandez stood up to the Andersons. Flair returned and sold both the NWA and himself like a million bucks. I wholeheartedly endorse this episode as it’s a setup for next week’s installment.
Rating: NONE
On 4/28 in Charlotte, the following matches occurred:
- The “Boogie Woogie Man” Jimmy Valiant defeated “Superstar” Billy Graham in a martial arts match.
- Don Kernodle beat Krusher Khruschev
- “Cowboy” Ron Bass battled Buzz Tyler to a time-limit draw.
- The Andersons won a unification match for the National tag titles against Thunderbolt Patterson and Manny Fernandez.
- Magnum T.A. & Dick Slater defeated Ivan & Nikita Koloff by DQ.
- Tully Blanchard (w/ Baby Doll) beat the “American Dream” Dusty Rhodes for the World TV title.
Next week, there won’t be a monkey wrench in this episode.
Stay tuned for NWA World Championship Wrestling 05-04-85!
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