Taped from Atlanta, GA
Airdate: May 11, 1985 (taped 05/11)
Attendance: unknown
Hosted by Tony Schiavone & David Crockett
Will the Andersons and Roop dominate this week? Or will Sawyer, Stallion, and Whatley have something in store for them? What’s the latest with the gorilla? Do Flair’s and Magnum’s paths collide again this week? If so, watch out!
Opening montage.
Match 1 (non-title): NWA National champion Ron Garvin versus Larry Clark
Highlights:
Garvin mauled Clark prior to hip-tossing him. When Garvin hooked a single-leg crab, Clark grabbed the bottom rope to escape. Garvin reversed a cross corner whip and backdropped Clark. As he dealt Clark a gutwrench suplex, Garvin slammed him. He landed an elbow drop and got 2.
After he hip-tossed Clark again, Garvin suplexed him for 1. He slammed Clark again, followed with a second elbow drop, mounted the second turnbuckle, and launched a flying knee drop. 1-2-3. Garvin won at 5:50.
- Was the match competitive? No, Garvin controlled for the most part.
- What maneuver made the difference in the match? The flying knee drop put Clark down for good.
- Could the match have been better? No, Clark made Garvin look strong.
At the podium, Schiavone interviews Paul Jones alongside Abdullah. Jones cuts a promo on Valiant while comparing Abdullah to Dusty’s gorilla. HA!
JCP on tour:
- Charlotte, NC: TONIGHT!
- Atlanta, GA: TOMORROW NIGHT!
- Canton, OH: May 13
- Troy, OH: May 15
- Wheeling, WV: May 17
- Cleveland, OH: May 18
- Columbus, GA: May 25
- Lansing, MI: May 28
- Toledo, OH: May 30
COORS PLAY OF THE WEEK: Last Thursday, Chicago beat Edmonton 5-2 yet trail in the Campbell Conference Finals 2 games to 1.
Commercials! Werewolves should fear the silver bullet of Coors Light. Always maxi-pads. Delta Airlines.
At the podium, Schiavone interviews Blanchard alongside Baby Doll. Blanchard crows about beating Rhodes again while listing contenders including Dick Slater.
Match 2: The “Raging Bull” Manny Fernandez versus Paul Garner
Highlights:
Fernandez dealt Garner a hammerlock slam to send a message to the Andersons. As the Atlanta faithful heckled Garner by chanting “Go-mer,“ Fernandez reversed an Irish whip and demolished Garner with a flying burrito. 1-2-3. Fernandez won at 5:40.
- Was the match competitive? No, Fernandez controlled Garner from the start.
- What maneuver made the difference in the match? Upon eating the flying burrito, Garner would suffer the consequences.
- Could the match have been better? No, Garner put Fernandez over well.
JCP on tour:
- Macon, GA: TONIGHT!
- Saginaw, MI: May 14
- Charleston, WV: May 16
- Pittsburgh, PA: May 27 (Three Rivers Stadium)
- Grand Rapids, MI: May 29
- Cincinnati, OH: June 1
Commercials! Buy the Righteous Brothers on LP or cassette for only $14.95.
At the podium, Schiavone interviews Rhodes as his gorilla resides in a cage. For Mother’s Day, he brings out the gorilla’s mother complete with bonnet and handbag.
Nevertheless, he cuts a promo on the Koloffs while giving the gorillas a banana.
Match 3 (non-title): NWA World champion “Nature Boy” Ric Flair versus Ron Rossi
Highlights:
Flair tossed Rossi to the concrete floor, joined, and trash-talked him. When he returned Rossi to the ring, Flair mounted the top turnbuckle and scored with a flying elbow smash. He dealt Rossi a knee drop and got 2. As he hooked a double underhook suplex, Flair trapped him in a figure-four leg lock. Flair won at 4:57.
- Was the match competitive? No, Flair dominated his opposition.
- What maneuver made the difference in the match? Flair’s elbow smash from the top turnbuckle made the difference.
- Could the match have been better? No, Rossi made the World champion look invincible.
Commercials! Goody’s! Tide! High Point coffee!
Stay tuned for The Violent Men starring Glenn Ford and Barbara Stanwick following this program.
At the podium, Schiavone interviews Flair who lists a bunch of contenders including Carlos Colon, Bob Armstrong, and Harley Race.
Match 4 (non-title): NWA US champion Magnum T.A. versus George South
Highlights:
Magnum hip-tossed South and followed with a dropkick. As Magnum gave him a cross corner whip, South mounted the second turnbuckle. South leaped but fell victim to a belly-to-belly suplex. Magnificent! 1-2-3. Magnum won at 1:03.
- Was the match competitive? South tried but failed.
- What maneuver made the difference in the match? Catching and dumping South with his signature move makes Magnum look like a superstar.
- Could the match have been better? No, South went down and went down HARD.
JCP on tour:
- Portland, OR: May 21
Commercials! Kodiak! Oxy 10! Jif! Catch My Man Godfrey on Monday morning at 9:05! Watch Game 2 between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Boston Celtics. Afterward, don’t miss game 2 between the Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Nuggets. All this Tuesday night!
Video airs featuring the “Boogie Woogie Man” Jimmy Valiant declaring war on Paul Jones’ Army. Obviously, he no longer has laryngitis.
Match 5: The “Russian Nightmare” Nikita Koloff (w Ivan Koloff) versus Kent Glover
Highlights:
The lively Atlanta faithful broke out unheralded patriotism by singing the national anthem at Nikita. When Nikita dealt Glover a back elbow, the Atlanta faithful recited the Pledge of Allegiance. Nikita hip-tossed Glover and followed with a slam. As the gorilla looked on in amazement, Nikita rammed Glover face-first into the mat. He screamed for Flair and almost decapitated Glover with a Russian sickle. 1-2-3. Nikita won at 4:23.
- Was the match competitive? No, an incensed Nikita walloped Glover.
- What maneuver made the difference in the match? The Russian sickle caused the Atlanta faithful’s collective jaw to hit the floor.
- Could the match have been better? No, Glover knew he’d be mincemeat, and he was.
At the podium, Schiavone interviews Fernandez and Patterson. While Fernandez was hyped up, Patterson was rather subdued.
Commercials! Buy Elvis Presley on LP, 8-track, or cassette for only $19.98!
Match 6: Ole & Arn Anderson & Bob Roop versus “Mad Dog” Buzz Sawyer, “Pistol” Pez Whatley, & Italian Stallion
Highlights:
Arn reversed a cross corner whip, but Sawyer hooked a sunset flip for 2. As tags were exchanged on both sides, Whatley dodged a hip toss, caught Roop with a cross body block, and got 2. Whatley dropkicked Roop who tagged out. When tags were exchanged on both sides again, the Andersons pummeled Stallion.
Roop tagged in, but Stallion slammed him. After Roop countered a side head lock with a belly-to-back suplex, tags were exchanged on both sides again. Whatley headbutted Arn and antagonized the heels.
While Sawyer tagged in, he dealt Arn a back elbow. He suplexed Arn and tagged out. Also suplexing Arn, Stallion got 2. For a fourth time, tags were exchanged on both sides, and Arn slammed Whatley. He unloaded a knee drop to Whatley for 1. Tagging in, Roop split Whatley in two with a backbreaker. For the fifth time, tags were exchanged on both sides, and Stallion backdropped Roop. He slammed Ole and followed with a slam to Arn.
Prior to a commercial break, he conducted a meeting of the minds between the Andersons. Afterward, each of the heels practically disabled his arm, Stallion caught Arn with an inside cradle for 2. All six wrestlers were in the ring, and Stallion powerslammed Arn. In the meantime, Whatley suplexed Roop.
Referee Mike Fever placed Sawyer back in the babyface corner, yet Stallion earned a false pin on Arn. C’mon, referee! Mounting the top turnbuckle, Ole unleashed a flying knee drop onto Stallion’s injured shoulder. SNEAKY! Meanwhile, Fever remained distracted by Sawyer. 1-2-3. Roop, Ole & Arn Anderson won at 9:47 shown.
Rating: ***
Summary: Wild match with an extended heat segment on the young Stallion which led directly to the nefarious victory by the heels.
After the match, the babyfaces argue their case to no avail.
At the podium, Flair returns for a second time touting the victory by his cousins and Roop.
Commercials! Get SwirlOn for only $29.95!
Match 7: Thunderbolt Patterson versus Randy Barber
Highlights:
Patterson bored the BEJEEZUS out of the Atlanta faithful and me. When he dealt Barber a double thrust, he pinned Barber at 3:25.
- Was the match competitive? No, but it was truly BORING.
- What maneuver made the difference in the match? None, I almost fell asleep.
- Could the match have been better? Even better would be no more Patterson matches.
Commercials! Woolite! Discount Travel International! Catch The Great Race tomorrow at 10:35am.
At the podium, Schiavone interviews JJ Dillon who wants to develop “Nature Boy” Buddy Landel. Next, a video airs featuring Dillon tutoring Landel by watching Flair wrestle. Not paying a lick of attention, Landel brandishes a gawdy pair of sunglasses and shares some sparkling wine with a pair of attractive women. In the background, Sade’s “Smooth Operator” plays.
Commercials! Ralph Emery shills 5 LPs or 3 cassettes of American Country Music for only $19.95!
At the podium, Schiavone interviews Magnum who gets interrupted by Flair. He bullies and cuts a promo on Magnum. Next, Magnum informs him that he’s the #1 contender, but Flair remains unfazed. Someday their paths will cross.
Following that, Dusty Rhodes rejoins the program, and the gorilla is LOOSE! Rhodes and the gorilla share a hug, and Rhodes is beyond elated.
Match 8: Krusher Khrushchev (w/ Ivan Koloff) versus Alan Martin
Highlights:
Khrushchev military-press-slammed Martin while the Atlanta faithful sang the national anthem again. As Khrushchev split him in two with a series of backbreakers, he sandwiched Martin in the corner before slamming him. Khrushchev applied a bear hug, but the gorilla approached the ring. When the gorilla came near him, Ivan jumped into the ring to avoid him.
Rhodes corralled the gorilla and ushered him backstage. After Khrushchev landed an elbow drop, the Atlanta faithful chided him mercilessly. Khrushchev tossed Martin down to the concrete floor, joined, and rammed him back-first into the apron. While he guillotined Martin with the top rope, Khrushchev vaulted him back into the ring.
He guillotined Martin with the top rope again and clobbered him with a Russian sickle. Applying a cobra clutch, Khrushchev made Martin submit. Khrushchev won at 5:01.
- Was the match competitive? No, Khrushchev devastated Martin from the get-go.
- What maneuver made the difference in the match? Jamming Martin’s back against the apron told the story that Khrushchev wouldn’t be stopped.
- Could the match have been better? No, with both the vociferous Atlanta faithful and the gorilla, this was a thrilling squash.
Commercials! Catch the Braves tomorrow as they face the Montreal Expos at 1:35pm. Montreal defeated Atlanta 4-0 behind the pitching of David Palmer. Camay! All-temperature Cheer! NBA doubleheader on Tuesday!
Match 9: Abdullah the Butcher (w/ Paul Jones) versus Mack Jeffers
Highlights:
The Atlanta faithful chided Jones by calling him “Paula,” yet Abdullah tossed Mack to the concrete floor. When Mack returned to the ring, Abdullah mugged him. Abdullah distracted referee Mike Fever, so Jones stabbed Mack in the back with his cane. How dastardly!
As Abdullah fed him a shoulder block, Mack fell out of the ring. Mack returned to the apron, yet Abdullah hurled him back into the ring the hard way. After he clotheslined Mack, Abdullah landed an elbow drop. 1-2-3. Abdullah won at 4:07.
- Was the match competitive? No, Abdullah ate this guy for lunch.
- What maneuver made the difference in the match? Jones’ interference was NASTY.
- Could the match have been better? No, Abdullah did what he wanted.
At the podium, Schiavone interviews Blanchard again.
Commercials! Ivory shampoo! Hawken! Advil! Kawasaki!
Match 10 for the NWA World TV title: Tully Blanchard (champion w/ Baby Doll) versus Jim Jeffers
Highlights:
Blanchard countered a side head lock with a knee crusher and followed with an elbow drop. As Blanchard tossed Jim down to the concrete floor, Baby Doll shoved Jim in the back while the latter’s on the apron. Crafty! Blanchard uncorked a slingshot suplex and pinned Jim. Consequently, Blanchard retained at 5:38.
- Was the match competitive? No, Blanchard played mind games to achieve control.
- What maneuver made the difference in the match? The slingshot suplex knocked Jim into the middle of 1987.
- Could the match have been better? No, Jim put Blanchard over solidly.
At the podium, Schiavone interviews the Andersons. Arn disputes Schiavone’s assertion of chicanery while Ole demands respect. Finally, Ole cuts a promo on Patterson and Fernandez to end the show.
Conclusion: Quite the variety of entertainment within this episode, no? With an animated crowd in the studio, Dusty adds more mayhem with his gorilla. Also, Flair and Magnum have a nose-to-nose confrontation. The Russians are inundated with American patriotism as well as some aping around.
In addition, the six-man match is worthwhile as the heels have a free-for-all at Stallion’s expense prior to the diabolical finish. Lastly, I realize Patterson and Ole are feuding, but can we please keep him from wrestling on TV?
On 5/11 in Charlotte, NC, the following matches occurred:
- Barbarian defeated Sam Houston.
- “Nature Boy” Buddy Landel beat Johnny Weaver.
- The “American Dream” Dusty Rhodes defeated Scott “Hog” Irwin.
- Ole & Arn Anderson beat “Pistol” Pez Whatley & “Mad Dog” Buzz Sawyer.
- Tully Blanchard defeated Manny Fernandez.
- In a New York street fight, the “Boogie Woogie Man” Jimmy Valiant beat “Superstar” Billy Graham.
- Magnum T.A. & Dick Slater battled Ivan & Nikita Koloff (no decision indicated)
On 5/12 in Atlanta, GA, the following matches occurred:
- Barbarian defeated Sam Houston.
- “Superstar” Billy Graham beat Italian Stallion.
- Krusher Khrushchev battled “Mad Dog” Buzz Sawyer to a time-limit draw.
- Magnum T.A. defeated “Hollywood” John Tatum.
- Tully Blanchard beat Ron Garvin.
- The match between the “Boogie Woogie Man” Jimmy Valiant and Abdullah the Butcher was thrown out.
- Manny Fernandez & Thunderbolt Patterson defeated Ole & Arn Anderson.
- The “American Dream” Dusty Rhodes & Dick Slater (revealed as mystery partner) beat Ivan & Nikita Koloff.
Next week, Flair battles Sam Houston!
Stay tuned for NWA World Championship Wrestling 05-18-85!
Comments? Suggestions? Send them to me at rsg@rockstargary.com and follow me on Twitter (@rockstargary202).