Taped from Atlanta, GA
Airdate: May 25, 1985 (taped 5/25)
Attendance: unknown
Hosted by Tony Schiavone & David Crockett
Will Bass discover a way to capture the National title? How does Bart get involved? What happens this week in the Flair-Magnum saga? Can Patterson stink up the show or will he surprise us? It’s Memorial Day weekend, so fire up the grill, and let’s get cooking!
Opening montage.
Match 1: Ivan Koloff & Krusher Kruschev(w/ Nikita Koloff) versus Pat Dye & Gerald Finley
Highlights:
Kruschev tagged in and dealt Finley a hammerlock slam. When he nailed Finley in the midsection, Kruschev tagged out. Ivan unloaded a back elbow to Finley and followed with a menacing swinging neckbreaker. As Kruschev tagged in, he military-press-slammed Finley. Dye tagged in, but Kruschev gave him a cross corner whip and a knee to the midsection.
After Ivan tagged in, he slammed and rammed Dye face-first into the mat. Kruschev tagged in and applied a bear hug. While Krushchev segued into an inverted atomic drop, Ivan tagged in and blasted Dye with a knee lift. Ivan fed Dye a running guillotine and subsequently landed a leg drop for 2, brother.
Applying a Russian hammer, Ivan headbutted Dye. Kruschev tagged in and annihilated Dye with a Russian sickle. Hooking a Cobra clutch, Kruschev made Dye submit. Ivan and Kruschev won at 6:46.
- Was the match competitive? Not at all.
- What maneuver made the difference in the match? The inverted atomic drop ensured Dye’s Saturday night would be uneventful.
- Could the match have been better? No, the Soviets took control with force.
At the podium, Schiavone interviews “Nature Boy” Ric Flair who touts himself as the best.
JCP on tour:
- Columbus, GA: TONIGHT!
- Pittsburgh, PA: Monday 27
- Grand Rapids, MI: May 29
- Huntington, WV: May 31
- Cincinnati, OH: June 1
- Macon, GA: June 6
- Columbus, OH: June 8
- Youngstown, OH: June 13
- Cleveland, OH: June 15
COORS PLAY OF THE WEEK: Last Wednesday, the Celtics eliminated the Sixers to advance to the NBA Finals.
Commercials! Drink Coors for our veterans! Kodiak smokeless tobacco! Catch the Braves versus the Pirates right after this show! Be sure to watch Night Tracks this weekend.
At the podium, Schiavone interviews the “American Dream” Dusty Rhodes who runs down both Flair and Blanchard.
Match 2: The Italian Stallion versus Terry Flynn
Highlights:
Stallion reversed an Irish whip and hip-tossed Flynn. As he powerslammed Flynn, Stallion got 2. He captured Flynn in a bear hug before sandwiching him in the corner. When he gave Flynn a cross corner whip, Stallion tried to toss him down to the concrete floor.Flynn resisted, so Stallion trapped him in another bear hug.
After he backdropped Flynn, Stallion got 2. He split Flynn in two with a backbreaker for another 2. While he fed Flynn a back elbow, Stallion landed a pair of elbow drops but couldn’t get 3. He rammed him back-first into the top turnbuckle and destroyed Flynn with a second backbreaker for yet another 2. Devastating Flynn with a Samoan drop, Stallion pinned him at 5:22.
- Was the match competitive?
- What maneuver made the difference in the match? All the psychology focused on Flynn’s back culminated in a demonizing Samoan drop.
- Could the match have been better? No, Stallion looked impressive and should be in the winner’s circle more often.
JCP on tour:
- Lansing, MI: May 28
- Toledo, OH: May 30
- Columbia, SC: May 30
Commercials! Seagram’s coolers! Watch Larry King Live on CNN! Catch the Braves game right after the show! On Sunday through Wednesday, see ALL the war films known to mankind by 1985! Safe At Home is on Monday at 6:35pm ET!
At the podium, Schiavone interviews the Andersons. Ole cuts a promo on Patterson while Arn believes he’s tough.
Match 3 for the NWA World TV title: Tully Blanchard (champion w/ Baby Doll) versus Stoney Burke
Highlights:
Burke initially frustrated the BEJEEZUS out of both Blanchard and Baby Doll. When Rhodes joined the broadcast table, Burke reversed an Irish whip but missed a dropkick. Blanchard landed a series of elbow drops, but Burke rebounded with a cross corner whip. As Burke ate boot on his follow-through, Blanchard mounted the second turnbuckle and lowered the boom onto him.
He stymied Burke with a European uppercut and followed with a knee lift. After he scored with another elbow drop, Blanchard got 2. He hooked an inside cradle for another 2. While he demolished Burke with a slingshot suplex, Blanchard retained at 6:40.
- Was the match competitive? Absolutely! Burke gave Blanchard a test, but the champion passed it.
- What maneuver made the difference in the match? The uppercut plus the knee lift turned the tide for good.
- Could the match have been better? No, Blanchard got a competitive match while Burke made him look solid.
At the podium, Blanchard joins Rhodes but hides behind an assertive Baby Doll. Rhodes gives her what-for in rebuttal.
Commercials! Buy the Statler Brothers on LP for $8.98 or cassette, 8-track for only $9.98!
At the podium, Schiavone interviews Magnum who cuts a promo on Flair.
Match 4: Thunderbolt Patterson versus Joel Deaton
Highlights:
Joel attempted a bear hug, but Patterson squirmed out of it. As he gave Patterson a cross corner whip, Joel came up empty on his follow-through. Patterson pounded Joel with a double thrust and pinned him at 2:21.
- Was the match competitive? Yes, but Patterson’s quickness and experience enabled him to persevere.
- What maneuver made the difference in the match? Joel’s whiff in the corner gave Patterson the opening he needed.
- Could the match have been better? Unfathomably no. Patterson showed some charisma that energized the Atlanta faithful.
JCP on tour:
- Atlanta, GA: June 2
- Macon, GA: June 6
- Athens, GA: June 13
Commercials! Duracell! Dry Breezes! Miller Lite featuring Alexis Arguello and Billy Martin! Dale Murphy shills CNN Headline News.
At the podium, Schiavone interviews Dick Slater who has his sights set on both the Koloffs and Andersons.
Match 5: Black Bart (w/o JJ Dillon) versus Ricky Reeves
Highlights:
Bart dealt Reeves a hammerlock slam and rammed him shoulder-first into the top turnbuckle. When he suplexed Reeves, Bart slammed him. He mounted the second turnbuckle, launched a flying leg drop, and pinned Reeves at 3:02.
- Was the match competitive? Not whatsoever.
- What maneuver made the difference in the match? Bart’s concentration on Reeves’ left shoulder enabled him to be in complete control from bell to bell.
- Could the match have been better? No, Bart made quick work of Reeves.
At the podium, Schiavone interviews Bart who’s both dadgum angry and winded. He wants a piece of Garvin and headbutts the podium.
Commercials! Get Elvis on LP, cassette, or 8-track for only $19.98!
Match 6 for the NWA National title: Ron Garvin (champion) versus “Cowboy” Ron Bass (w/ JJ Dillon)
Highlights:
Garvin rolled up Bass but only got 1. As Bass gave him a cross corner whip, Garvin leaped to the second turnbuckle. He leaped over a charging Bass, hooked a backslide, and got 2. When Bass connected with a back elbow, he missed a fist drop. Garvin escaped a headscissors, cradled Bass, and got 2. Meanwhile, Bart joined the broadcast table at this point to badmouth Garvin. In fact, he swiped the National title belt right before a commercial break. How dastardly!
Following the break, Bass placed a knee into Garvin’s midsection. Bart approached ringside, and Garvin spotted him. After Bass nefariously wiped out the distracted Garvin with a high knee, the Atlanta faithful chanted “go, Ronnie, go.” Their hero caught Bass with a cross body block and got 2. To make matters worse, Bass’ kick-out sent Garvin atop referee Mike Fever.
With Fever OUT COLD, Bass tried to shove Garvin into an awaiting loafer from Dillon. Instead, Garvin sent Bass directly into his manager who fell into the ring. Dillon, fortunate to be wearing a brown suit, ate the Hands of Stone from Garvin. While Bart low-bridged Garvin sending him reeling down to the concrete floor, Fever called for the bell. Garvin retained via DQ at 6:43 shown.
Rating: **
Summary: Exciting climax as Bart’s thirst for Garvin’s destruction cost his stablemate the victory.
After the match, a dazed Garvin rolls back into the ring and knocks some dadgum sense into Bart. When Bart removes the belt from his waist, he uses it as a shield. Garvin nails it and injures his right hand. To add insult to injury, Bart steals the belt.
Commercials! Dry Breezes part deaux! Hawken smokeless tobacco! Miller High Life! TBS Memorial Day movie marathon!
Match 7: NWA National tag team champions Ole & Arn Anderson versus Vernon Deaton & Mike Simiani
Highlights:
The Andersons tagged in and out while mauling Vernon’s left arm. When Ole forced Simiani to tag in, the Andersons gave him some of the same medicine. Arn unfurled a hammerlock slam, and Ole tagged in. As Ole mounted the top turnbuckle, he launched a flying knee to Simiani’s left shoulder. Applying an arm bar, Ole made Simiani submit at 2:22.
- Was the match competitive? Not even close.
- What maneuver made the difference in the match? The tenacity of Arn just trying to turn either opponent into the one-armed man.
- Could the match have been better? No, the Andersons seized the match from the onset.
Commercials! Need decaf? Drink Sanka! Something sugar free? Drink Crystal Light! Loretta Lynn shills Crisco. Don’t forget the Braves game after the show!
At the podium, Schiavone interviews Flair again. Flair continues to yap but sticks around to watch Magnum.
Match 8: NWA US champion Magnum T.A. versus Paul Garner
Highlights:
Magnum hammered Garner with a back elbow and finished him with a belly-to-belly suplex at 0:31.
- Was the match competitive? Didn’t even get off the ground before it was over.
- What maneuver made the difference in the match? Magnum’s back elbow knocked Garner into the middle of 1986.
- Could the match have been better? No, Magnum’s dominance reigns.
After the match, Magnum confronts Flair at the podium, yet Flair obnoxiously dresses him down about his attire. Magnum grabs Flair by the tie and is “tired of (Flair’s) mouth.” Upon inviting Flair into the ring, Magnum stands ready inside it. Flair walks away, so Magnum chases after him. As Flair enters the ring and removes his shirt, he attacks Magnum. He beats Magnum up before hooking a double underhook suplex. When he exits the ring, Flair gets the last word at the podium.
Commercials! Get rid of bugs with Black Flag! Get the Fish Popper for only $19.95! In case you forgot, the Braves game is NEXT! Also, later, Night Tracks is on. Get rockin’!
At the podium, Schiavone interviews an injured Garvin who cuts a promo on Bart. He wants his belt back!
Match 9: “Mad Dog” Buzz Sawyer versus Randy Barber
Highlights:
Sawyer gave Barber a cross corner whip followed by a back drop for 1. When Sawyer dropkicked him, Barber fell out of the ring! He suplexed Barber back into the ring and got 2. As he slammed Barber, Sawyer landed an elbow drop for another 2. The Atlanta faithful chanted “go, Buzz, go,” and their hero howled. After he dealt Barber a gutwrench suplex, Sawyer couldn’t get 3. Sawyer reversed a cross corner whip but came up empty on his follow-through.
While Barber mounted the top turnbuckle, he leaped. However, Sawyer caught and powerslammed him. Amazing! 1-2-3. Sawyer won at 3:18.
- Was the match competitive? Nope.
- What maneuver made the difference in the match? Although Sawyer’s a suplex machine, that powerslam turned Barber’s lights out.
- Could the match have been better? No, Barber made Sawyer look fierce.
At the podium, Schiavone interviews the Soviets. Ivan spews Communist propaganda while challenging Slater and Rhodes. To close out the show, Nikita cuts a promo on Flair.
Conclusion: Between yet another Flair-Magnum confrontation and the impending war between Garvin and Bart, this was an exciting ninety minutes of wrestling. With Sawyer’s awesome powerslam, Arn’s tenaciousness, Patterson’s charisma, Blanchard’s swagger, and the Soviets’ mercilessness, this episode would be fantastic entertainment before your Memorial Day weekend barbecue.
Next week, a surprise is in store for the Andersons!
On May 27, at Three Rivers Stadium, home of the Steelers and Pirates, the following matches occurred:
- The Barbarian defeated Ricky Reeves.
- The Andersons retained against “Pistol” Pez Whatley & Thunderbolt Patterson.
- The “Raging Bull” Manny Fernandez & “Dirty” Dick Slater beat Ivan & Nikita Koloff by DQ.
- Rhodes and Blanchard battled to a double countout.
- The “Boogie Woogie Man” Jimmy Valiant defeated “Superstar” Billy Graham.
- “Nature Boy” Ric Flair retained the NWA World title when Magnum got disqualified at the 56-minute mark.
Also, for the curious baseball fans among us, Rick Rhoden threw a complete game as the Pirates defeated the Braves 8-2.
Stay tuned for NWA World Championship Wrestling 06-01-85!
Comments? Suggestions? Send them to me at rsg@rockstargary.com and follow me on Twitter (@rockstargary202).