Taped from Atlanta, GA
Airdate: April 13, 1985 (taped 4/13)
Attendance: unknown
Hosted by Tony Schiavone & David Crockett
Has there been a Soviet takeover of the TBS studios? How will Sawyer fare against Ivan? What’s the latest between the Andersons, Fernandez, and Patterson? How will Blanchard fare against a future “shooting star”? I bet you “can’t get enough” of this reflection.
POINT OF ORDER: I appreciate the constructive criticism and have made a slight change to my analysis. Although I don’t want to completely glorify the wrestler being showcased, I also don’t want to diminish how the enhancement talent promotes him.
- Was the match competitive?
- What maneuver made the difference in the match?
- Could the match have been better?
Opening montage.
Match 1: “Nature Boy” Buddy Landel (w/ JJ Dillon) versus Sam Houston
Highlights:
Houston reversed a cross corner whip but ate a back elbow on his follow-through. When Landel put a knee into the midsection, he dealt Houston a forearm smash. He rammed Houston face-first into the mat and followed with a hip toss. As he unloaded a standing dropkick, Landel slammed Houston.He launched a modified corkscrew elbow drop and applied a figure-four leg lock.
After Houston submitted, Landel won at 5:10.
- Was the match competitive? No, Landel had the upper hand for 99% of the match.
- What maneuver made the difference in the match? Landel’s standing dropkick impressed Schiavone, David Crockett, and me.
- Could the match have been better? Landel sold basically nothing, and Houston could have shown some fire.
At the podium, Schiavone interviews Magnum who’s decked out in leather. At the very least, Magnum’s got tremendous confidence as the US champion.
JCP on tour:
- Richmond, VA: TOMORROW AFTERNOON!
- Charleston, WV: April 19
- Cleveland, OH: April 20
- Mansfield, OH: April 21
- Saginaw, MI: April 22
- Toledo, OH: April 23
- Akron, OH: May 1
We revisit last week when Flair was accompanied by three ladies in evening gowns.
Match 2: Michael “P.S.” Hayes versus Joel Deaton
Highlights:
Hayes blocked a monkey flip and performed a moonwalk for the women within the studio crowd. As a criss-cross ensued, Hayes landed an elbow drop. He reversed an Irish whip and dealt Deaton a boot to the midsection. When Deaton rebounded with a slam, he got 2. Hayes pounded on Deaton and splattered him with a bulldog. 1-2-3. Hayes won at 3:27.
- Was the match competitive? Hayes got a brief chance to sell.
- What maneuver made the difference in the match? The futility of Deaton’s attempts at trading fisticuffs since Hayes just spent 2.5 years in World Class engaging in bloody melees with the Von Erichs.
- Could the match have been better? No, Hayes looked solid while giving the fans a bit of pizzazz.
JCP on tour:
- Marietta, OH: April 17
- Williamson, WV: April 18
- Portland, OR: April 21
Video airs featuring Fernandez.
Match 3: The “Raging Bull” Manny Fernandez & Thunderbolt Patterson versus Mike Jackson & Paul Garner
Highlights:
Fernandez leapfrogged Jackson twice and fed him a backhand. When tags were exchanged on both sides, Patterson manhandled Garner. Fernandez tagged in, mounted the second turnbuckle, and lowered the boom onto Garner. As Fernandez dealt Garner a bicycle kick, he followed with a flying burrito. 1-2-3. Fernandez and Patterson won at 4:51.
- Was the match competitive? Not at all.
- What maneuver made the difference in the match? The flying burrito with extra picante.
- Could the match have been better? Yes, because I’m not impressed with Patterson’s offense whatsoever.
At the podium, Schiavone interviews the Andersons. We revisit last week when Fernandez caught Arn with a flying burrito, but Arn’s leg was under the bottom rope. As Arn ejected Fernandez to the concrete floor, he and Ole hammered him. Patterson intervened, yet Arn blasted him from behind. When Arn tossed him into the ring, the Andersons double-teamed Patterson until Fernandez protected him. Back at the podium, Ole cuts a solemn promo on Fernandez and Patterson.
Match 4: Tully Blanchard (w/ Baby Doll) versus Paul Diamond
Highlights:
Holy Badd Company, Batman! It’s Diamond VERY early in his career. Blanchard landed an elbow drop to the back and followed with a slam. As he scored with a series of elbow drops, Blanchard got 2. Diamond gave him a cross corner whip, but Blanchard rebounded with a shot to the midsection. When he planted Diamond with another elbow drop, Blanchard connected with a slingshot suplex. 1-2-3. Blanchard won at 3:29.
- Was the match competitive? Somewhat, but Diamond’s inexperience cost him dearly.
- What maneuver made the difference in the match? The slingshot suplex albeit it requires quite a bit of cooperation to execute.
- Could the match have been better? Blanchard could have sold more for Diamond, but using heel mannerisms made Diamond’s efforts pointless.
At the podium, Schiavone interviews World TV champion Dusty Rhodes cuts a promo on the Soviets. He’ll bring the “Boogie Woogie Man” Jimmy Valiant and Sawyer along to battle them at the Omni.
JCP on tour:
- Altoona, PA: Monday night!
- Allentown, PA: Tuesday night!
- Charlotte, NC: April 28
Match 5: Ole & Arn Anderson versus Rocky King & Gene Ligon
Highlights:
The Andersons tagged in and out nullifying Ligon’s left arm. When Arn slammed Ligon, tags were exchanged on both sides. Ole grounded King, he tagged out, and Arn dealt King a pair of hammerlock slams.
As Ole tagged in, he mounted the top turnbuckle and launched a flying knee into King’s shoulder. Arn tagged in and applied an arm bar submission. After King relented, the Andersons won at 4:54.
- Was the match competitive? No, the Andersons controlled their opponents with solid mat psychology.
- What maneuver made the difference in the match? Ole’s flying knee that would normally dislocate a shoulder.
- Could the match have been better? No, the Andersons dominated as they should have.
At the podium, Schiavone interviews Dillon alongside Landel. Dillon cuts a promo on Magnum, and Landel offers some spicy mustard.
JCP on tour:
- Atlanta, GA: TOMORROW NIGHT!
- Philadelphia, PA: April 30
- Columbus, OH: May 3
- Cincinnati, OH: May 4
Match 6: The “Russian Bear” Ivan Koloff (w/ Nikita Koloff) versus “Mad Dog” Buzz Sawyer
Highlights:
Ivan made the mistake of biting Sawyer, so the “Mad Dog” bit back.
As Sawyer gnawed on the arm, he hip-tossed Ivan across the ring. He gave Ivan a cross corner whip but came up empty on his follow-through. In fact, Sawyer HIT THE POLE. Ivan mounted the second turnbuckle and pounded on Sawyer’s shoulder. When Sawyer responded with a slam, he missed an elbow drop.
Ivan held an arm bar; therefore, Sawyer retaliated by biting the leg. Good dog! Following a commercial break, Nikita bounced Sawyer’s head off the apron. SNEAKY!
Ivan dealt him a back elbow, but Sawyer rebounded with a powerslam.1-2-NO! Ivan placed his foot on the bottom rope. After Ivan migrated to the apron, Sawyer suplexed him back into the ring. 1-2-NO! Ivan placed his foot on the bottom rope again. Dadgumit!
While Sawyer unleashed a belly-to-belly suplex, he couldn’t get 3. Sawyer applied a bear hug, yet Ivan escaped by banging on the injured shoulder. Countering a slam, Sawyer obliterated Ivan with a shot to the back for 2. He gave Ivan another cross corner whip but ate boot on his follow-through.
Mounting the top turnbuckle, Ivan got caught and slammed down to the mat. Sawyer got another 2. To a chant of “U-S-A,” Sawyer hooked a double underhook suplex but couldn’t pin the Russian Bear. Ivan escaped another bear hug by working on the shoulder but stupidly headbutted Sawyer.
With a gutwrench suplex, Sawyer earned yet another 2-count. He reversed a cross corner whip sending Ivan directly into the anonymous referee. Ducking a clothesline, Sawyer trapped Ivan with an O’Connor roll. Since the anonymous referee was OUT COLD on the concrete floor, Valiant rolled into the ring and counted the “pin” at 11:46 shown.
Rating: ***
Summary: Although Sawyer took Ivan to Suplex City, he needed some babyface reinforcements to count his “victory.”
After the match, Nikita and Khrushchev jump into the ring. Sawyer is knocked down to the concrete floor, so the Soviets triple-team Valiant. How dastardly! Someone tell Reagan to send in the troops!
Nevertheless, before Ivan can whip Valiant with the chain, Rhodes storms the ring to stop him. He grabs the chain and sends the Soviets scurrying back to the locker room. Awesome!
At the podium, Schiavone interviews Hayes who cuts a stellar promo on Flair.
JCP on tour:
- Vineland, NJ: April 29
- Don’t miss TOMORROW NIGHT at the Omni!
At the podium, Schiavone interviews Rhodes alongside Sawyer and Valiant. If you need to view a crazed promo, check out these wild animals.
Match 7: The “Russian Nightmare” Nikita Koloff (w/ Ivan Koloff & Krusher Khrushchev) versus Josh Stroud
Highlights:
Stroud locked a full nelson, but Nikita powered out of it. When Stroud secured a waist lock, Nikita powered out of it too. He dealt Stroud a back elbow, slammed him, and got 2. As Nikita tossed him to the concrete floor, he brought Stroud back into the ring the hard way. Stroud unloaded a dropkick and pounded on Nikita to a “U-S-A” chant. After Stroud gave him a cross corner whip, he fell victim to a Russian sickle. Nikita applied a Cobra clutch, and Stroud passed out. Hence, Nikita won at 5:44.
- Was the match competitive? Somewhat as Stroud was well-built, strong, and capable of some offense.
- What maneuver made the difference in the match? The Russian sickle eliminated any chance Stroud had.
- Could the match have been better? No, Stroud did fine, but Nikita dominated him for the most part.
At the podium, Schiavone interviews Fernandez and Patterson. Fernandez states that the “Bull and the Bolt will take care of business.” Afterward, Patterson cuts a promo on Ole and stops just shy of swearing.
Match 8: “Superstar” Billy Graham & the Barbarian (w/ Paul Jones) versus Jim & Mack Jeffers
Highlights:
Barbarian gave Mack a cross corner whip and clobbered him. As Barbarian gave him another cross corner whip, Mack climbed the turnbuckles. Standing at ringside was none other than Abdullah the Butcher. Terrifying!
When Graham tagged in, he flung Mack like a bag of cement between the ropes to the concrete floor. Graham distracted the referee allowing Jones to give Mack the business. Nefarious!
After Barbarian joined him on the floor, he rammed Mack back-first into the ring post. Jim reluctantly tagged in, and Graham mauled him. While Barbarian tagged in, he unloaded the Kick of Fear.
He headbutted Jim before sending him to tag out. Tagging in, Graham chopped Mack julienne-style. Barbarian tagged in and gorilla-press-slammed Mack. Mounting the top turnbuckle, Barbarian launched a diving head butt. 1-2-3. Barbarian and Graham won at 5:11.
Following the match, Graham locks Jim in a full nelson to show that he can perform at least one wrestling maneuver.
- Was the match competitive? Uh, no.
- What maneuver made the difference in the match? The Kick of Fear is incredibly impressive to witness.
- Could the match have been better? Graham didn’t do much beyond kung fu; thus, he’s become a cartoon version of himself.
At the podium, Schiavone interviews the World Six-Man tag champions. Ivan runs down Sawyer while Khrushchev flexes his muscles. As Nikita utters some Russian-infused English, he wants to destroy the “competition.”
Match 9 (non-title): NWA US champion Magnum T.A. versus George South
Highlights:
Magnum reversed an Irish whip and instantly demolished South with a belly-to-belly suplex. 1-2-3. Magnum won at 0:22.
- Was the match competitive?
- What maneuver made the difference in the match? The belly-to-belly sent South down south immediately.
- Could the match have been better? Nope, the quick squash helps to build the icon known as Magnum.
Match 10: “Pistol” Pez Whatley versus Vernon Deaton
Highlights:
Another Deaton?
Whatley backdropped Deaton and followed with a dropkick. As he hooked a somersault rollup, Whatley got 2. He dealt Deaton a gutwrench suplex for another 2. When Deaton tried to take over, Whatley headbutted him. He suplexed Deaton but couldn’t get 3. After he connected with a Flying Willie, Whatley pinned Deaton at 4:50.
- Was the match competitive? No, because Whatley didn’t sell anything.
- What maneuver made the difference in the match? The soaring head butt known as the Flying Willie is a devastating kamikaze-like maneuver.
- Could the match have been better? No, Deaton sold very well for the fast yet jovial Whatley.
At the podium, Schiavone interviews the Andersons again. Wearing a trucker’s cap, Arn’s all about “results” before running down both Fernandez and Patterson. Once again, Ole calmly yet boldly displays his confidence. Eerie.
Match 11: Krusher Khrushchev (w/ Ivan & Nikita Koloff) versus Mike Simiani
Highlights:
Khrushchev applied a standing choke and called out Rhodes. When he dealt Simiani a gorilla press slam, Khrushchev held an arm bar yet didn’t cry out “I’m gonna break his stinkin’ arm off.”
He guillotined Simiani across the top rope twice and hooked a Cobra clutch.Due to Simiani’s submission, Krushchev won at 3:13.
- Was the match competitive? No, Simiani didn’t stand a chance.
- What maneuver made the difference in the match? Since the Cobra clutch was used twice, it must be a message to Sergeant Slaughter for any upcoming matches on the Pro Wrestling USA tour.
- Could the match have been better? Yes, I wanted to see Khrushchev almost decapitate the poor soul with a Russian sickle.
At the podium, Schiavone interviews Blanchard alongside Baby Doll. Blanchard, wearing a suit, crows about his long reign as World TV champion. Next, he mentions losing $10,000 upon being defeated by Rhodes for the title.
Conclusion: Break out the stroganoff! The caviar! The vodka! After all, the Russians, or in this case Soviets, invaded and infiltrated the episode flaunting destruction at every turn. While Nikita and Krushchev won their respective squash matches, Ivan battled Sawyer in a hard-fought match before “losing” to a Valiant-flavored count.
How did this episode differ from last week? Despite getting the same taped Flair interview from last week, we got nothing new this week from the champ. The bad blood between the Andersons, Fernandez, and Patterson ran cold as vitriol was spewed from both sides of the fence.
As a team, the Andersons showed impressive psychological warfare tactics to dismantle their opponents. Lastly, this episode was tailored toward the show at the Omni the following night, so it’s highly probable the Atlanta faithful waved their American flags for Rhodes, Sawyer, and Valiant against the Soviets.
Next week, Rhodes battles Khrushchev!
At the Omni on 4/14, the following matches occurred:
- NWA National champion Ron Garvin defeated Bob Roop.
- Tully Blanchard beat the Italian Stallion.
- NWA US champion Magnum T.A. defeated “Nature Boy” Buddy Landel.
- The “American Dream” Dusty Rhodes, the “Boogie Woogie Man” Jimmy Valiant, & “Mad Dog” Buzz Sawyer beat the “Russian Bear” Ivan Koloff, the “Russian Nightmare” Nikita Koloff, & Krusher Krushchev.
- The Barbarian defeated “Pistol” Pez Whatley.
- The “Raging Bull” Manny Fernandez & Thunderbolt Patterson beat the Andersons.
- NWA World champion “Nature Boy” Ric Flair defeated Michael “P.S.” Hayes.
Rating: NONE
Stay tuned for NWA World Championship Wrestling 04-20-85!
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