NWA World Championship Wrestling May 18, 1985

by

Taped from Atlanta, GA

Airdate: May 18, 1985 (taped 5/11 & 5/18)

Attendance: unknown

Hosted by Tony Schiavone & David Crockett

What’s the latest in the saga between Flair and Magnum? How will Houston fare against Flair? What’s going on with Landel? Who does Black Bart want a piece of? All this and more!

In the cold open, Flair confronts Magnum and touts himself as the best. Magnum rebuts by saying that Flair can’t beat him on his best day. Great start to the show!

Match 1 (non-title): NWA World tag team champions Ivan & Nikita Koloff versus Philip Strickland & Randy Barber

Highlights:

Before the bell, the Atlanta faithful stood up and sang the American national anthem to chide the Soviets. Methinks this was taped last week. Ivan unloaded a back elbow to Barber and tagged out. When the Soviets blasted Barber with a double back elbow, Nikita rag-dolled him. Ivan tagged in and landed a knee drop.

As Strickland tagged in, Ivan clotheslined him with the top rope. Nikita tagged in, slammed Strickland, and followed with a leg drop, brother. After Nikita dealt Strickland a back elbow, Ivan tagged in and backdropped him. He hip-tossed Strickland before kicking his teeth down his throat. While Nikita tagged in, he split Strickland in two with a backbreaker. Ivan tagged in, readjusted Strickland’s vertebrae with his own backbreaker, and stomped the wind out of him.

Scoring with another knee drop, Ivan got 2. He distracted referee Tommy Young so that Nikita could maul poor Strickland. SNEAKY! Upon tossing Strickland down to the concrete floor, Ivan summoned Nikita to return him to the ring. Ivan guillotined Strickland with the top rope and tagged out. With the Atlanta faithful chanting “U-S-A,” Nikita applied a cobra clutch. Strickland passed out; thus, the Soviets won at 5:28.

  1. Was the match competitive? Barber got some work on Ivan before succumbing to Soviet dominance.
  2. What maneuver made the difference in the match? Both Soviets maimed poor Strickland with backbreakers. Who knows if he’ll ever wrestle again?
  3. Could the match have been better? No, the Soviets took control with force.

At the podium, Schiavone interviews Dillon alongside Landel. Dillon claims “young girls fainting in living rooms all across this country (due to last week’s video).” HA! While Landel wears some hideous sunglasses, he calls out the big names of the promotion during his promo: “Flair…you’re no Buddy Landel.” You can’t make this stuff up.

JCP on tour:

  1. Cleveland, OH: TONIGHT!
  2. Portland, OR: May 21
  3. Macon, GA: May 23
  4. Albany, GA: May 24
  5. Columbus, GA: May 25
  6. Pittsburgh, PA (Three Rivers Stadium): May 27
  7. Huntington, WV: May 31
  8. Cincinnati, OH: June 1
  9. Columbus, OH: June 8

COORS PLAY OF THE WEEK: Edmonton beats Chicago 8-2 to win the Campbell Conference Finals and will face the Philadelphia Flyers for the Stanley Cup.

Commercials! Coors featuring Mark Harmon! Discount Travel International!

Match 2: “Dirty” Dick Slater versus Golden Terror

Highlights:

Slater monkey-flipped Terror before slamming him. As Terror creamed him with a forearm shiver, he rattled Slater’s brain off the top turnbuckle. Slater no-sold it and connected with a back elbow. When Slater fed him a swinging neckbreaker, Terror reversed an Irish whip. Slater countered a back drop attempt with an elbow smash and hooked a double underhook suplex. 1-2-3. Slater won at 2:14.

  1. Was the match competitive? Yes, Terror got some offense in.
  2. What maneuver made the difference in the match? The elbow smash that thwarted the back drop.
  3. Could the match have been better? No, Slater looked solid in a quick squash.

At the podium, Schiavone interviews Blanchard with Baby Doll. Blanchard, wearing a suit and tie, cuts a promo on Dusty Rhodes while bragging about his title victory over him. Upon seeing a fan wearing a “Tully Blanchard is number one” t-shirt, Blanchard figuratively tips his hat to him.

JCP on tour:

  1. Florence, SC: May 25
  2. Lansing, MI: May 28
  3. Grand Rapids, MI: May 29
  4. Toledo, OH: May 30
  5. Wilmington, NC: June 7

Commercials! Absorbine, Jr.! Civil War Chess Set!

Match 3: Black Bart (w/o JJ Dillon) versus Paul Garner

Highlights:

Bart worked on Garner’s left arm but couldn’t earn a submission from an arm bar. When he dealt Garner a hammerlock slam, Bart mounted the second turnbuckle. He launched a flying leg drop and pinned Garner at 4:11.

  1. Was the match competitive? No, Bart silenced his opponent immediately.
  2. What maneuver made the difference in the match? The flying leg drop erases all doubt to the outcome.
  3. Could the match have been better? No, Garner made Bart look impressive.

Commercials! Pert shampoo! Kodiak chewing tobacco! Oxy 10! Delta Airlines!

At the podium, Schiavone interviews Rhodes who cuts a promo on Flair, Blanchard, and Baby Doll. Rhodes promises that Flair will lose the World title to either him or Magnum.

Match 4: “Cowboy” Ron Bass (w/ JJ Dillon) versus Rocky King

Highlights:

Bass gave King a cross corner whip, slammed him, gave him another cross corner whip, but came up empty on his follow-through. As King pounded on his arm, Bass quieted him with a back elbow. He clotheslined King and followed with a swinging neckbreaker for 2. When Bass blocked a cross corner whip, he knocked King silly and landed an elbow drop.

He mauled King with a front face lock and punished him with knees to the head. After Bass tossed his opponent to the concrete floor, he distracted referee Tommy Young. Dillon took the opportunity to introduce King to his BRAND-NEW loafers by kicking him in the ribs. How dastardly!

While he fed King a knee to the midsection, Bass sent him a ticket to Easy Street with an elbow smash to the forehead. Undoubtedly, King looked quite dazed from it. Bass planted him with a knee lift and gave him a third cross corner whip. Applying an abdominal stretch, Bass couldn’t achieve a submission but hammered the ribs. He applied a claw and pinned King’s shoulders to the mat. 1-2-3. Bass won at 5:20.

  1. Was the match competitive? No, Bass was much bigger and stronger than King.
  2. What maneuver made the difference in the match? The claw put King down once and for all.
  3. Could the match have been better? No, King made Bass look like a warrior.

JCP on tour:

  1. Youngstown, OH: June 13

Commercials! Get Elvis Presley LPs and cassettes for only $19.98! Catch Springfield Rifle on Sunday at 10:35am!

Match 5 for the NWA World TV title: Tully Blanchard (champion w/ Baby Doll) versus Mike Nichols

Highlights:

Blanchard scored with a forearm smash followed by an elbow drop. 1-2-3. Blanchard retained at 2:09.

  1. Was the match competitive? No, Blanchard toyed with the kid the whole time.
  2. What maneuver made the difference in the match? The forearm smash that must have sent Nichols to Dream Land.
  3. Could the match have been better? Yes, Blanchard only got to show off his quickness but not his repertoire.

After the match, a frustrated Blanchard hooks a slingshot suplex to further embarrass the kid.

At the podium, Schiavone interviews Black Bart who cuts a promo on Ron Garvin. He’s got his sights set on the National title and is “that dadgum good.”

JCP on tour:

  1. Asheville, NC: TOMORROW AFTERNOON!

Commercials! Goody’s powders! US Diamond Syndicate!

Prior to the next match, Flair flapped his gums from the ring at Magnum standing at the podium.

Match 6 (non-title): NWA World champion “Nature Boy” Ric Flair versus Sam Houston

Highlights:

Magnum joined the broadcast podium for this match. As Flair took Houston down on the mat, he exited the ring to continue running down Magnum. Flair returned to the ring, but Houston blocked a hip toss and fed Flair one of his own.

Prior to a commercial break, Houston locked Flair in a headscissors. Afterward, he gave Flair a cross corner whip followed by a back drop. He slammed Flair but only got 1. When he gave Flair another cross corner whip, a Flair flip occurred.

Flair fell to the concrete floor, but Houston hauled him back inside lickety-split. After Houston countered a hip toss with an abdominal stretch, Flair hip-tossed him to escape. Flair missed an elbow drop, so Houston countered a snap mare with a backslide.

Could Houston beat Flair a la Kerry Von Erich a mere twelve months ago?

1-2-NO!

Houston won a battle of fisticuffs that resulted in a Flair flop for another 2. Delivering a cross body block, Houston couldn’t get 3. Flair rebounded with a knee to the midsection and a hip toss. While he landed a knee drop, Flair got 2. He hit a gutwrench suplex for another 2. Planting Flair with a forearm shiver, Houston got 2.

He gave Flair a cross corner whip but came up empty on his follow-through. In fact, he injured his left knee. Flair took advantage of the situation and stymied Houston with a belly-to-back suplex. Ramming Houston’s left knee against the ring post twice, Flair uncorked a knee crusher. Flair hooked a figure-four leg lock, but will Houston submit?

At first, Houston tried to fight it, but he became just another victim. Flair won at 11:54 shown.

Rating: ***½

Summary: Exact blueprint of the Flair formula designed to make Houston look great, yet Flair retains based on his skill level.

Following the match, Flair won’t relent. He removes Houston’s boot and reapplies the hold. Vicious! Having seen enough, Magnum leaves the broadcast podium to rescue Houston. He unhooks the legs and checks on Houston. Trying to intimidate him, Flair shoves Magnum.

Upon shoving him back, Magnum removes his shirt and is ready to go toe-to-toe with Flair. A stare-down happens until Flair exits the ring. After Magnum also hits the concrete floor, another shoving contest transpires. Valiant joins the broadcast table and sells the impending matchup like hotcakes on a Sunday morning. Awesome!

While Valiant cuts a promo on Paul Jones, Magnum assists Houston backstage. Before he finishes, Valiant kisses Schiavone again. HA!

Commercials! Sani-Flush! Buy the Righteous Brothers LPs and cassettes for only $14.95!

Match 7: Abdullah the Butcher (w/ Paul Jones) versus Ron Rossi

Highlights:

Abdullah headbutted Rossi and tossed him down to the concrete floor. When he migrated to the apron, Abdullah kicked the taste from Rossi’ mouth. He distracted referee Tommy Young enabling Jones to hammer Rossi twice in the ribs with his cane. Nefarious! As he clotheslined Rossi, Abdullah SQUISHED him with an elbow drop. 1-2-3. Abdullah won at 1:29.

  1. Was the match competitive? No, Abdullah ran over Rossi like a MACK Truck.
  2. What maneuver made the difference in the match? Jones’ chicanery at ringside.
  3. Could the match have been better? No, Rossi knew he’d get flattened and took the L like a gentleman.

At the podium, Schiavone interviews Slater and Rhodes. Slater cuts a promo on the Soviets and admits he was wearing the gorilla costume the last two weeks. A-ha! Though “tired of monkeying around,” Rhodes declares Slater and him to become the next World tag team champions. That’d be quite the bold prediction if Rhodes wasn’t already booker.

Commercials! Charlie Daniels shills Louis L’Amour books. Check out The Green Berets TONIGHT at 8:05! Tomorrow, watch the Charlotte Grand Prix at 12:35pm!

At the podium, Schiavone interviews the Soviets. Ivan spews Communist propaganda while Nikita calls out Magnum who’s in the ring.

Match 8 (non-title): NWA US champion Magnum T.A. versus Carl Stiles

Highlights:

Magnum hip-tossed Stiles, gave him a cross corner whip, and followed with a dropkick. As he demolished Stiles with a belly-to-belly suplex, Magnum won at 0:45.

  1. Was the match competitive? No, Magnum had 100% control.
  2. What maneuver made the difference in the match? Magnum’s dropkick isn’t too shabby.
  3. Could the match have been better? No, Stiles did his job laying down for the guy getting the rocket push.

Commercials! Kawasaki! Get All-American Country on LPs and cassettes for only $19.95!

At the podium, Schiavone interviews Flair who runs down Magnum. He cuts a promo on Rhodes yet touts Slater’s toughness. Next, he vividly mentions he’s “got more women waiting for (him) in the hallway quivering, shaking, (and) having conniptions than you’ve met in the last five years.” Before he calls it a night, Flair refers to Landel as an “imitation, nothin’ happenin’ punk” and hypes his upcoming match against Haynes in Portland. Masterful promo!

Match 9: “Nature Boy” Buddy Landel (w/ JJ Dillon) versus Dale Williams

Highlights:

Landel hip-tossed Williams and nailed him with a forearm smash. When he slammed Williams, Landel demanded Flair’s return. He unloaded a back elbow, military-press-slammed Williams, and followed with a corkscrew elbow. As he hooked a figure-four leg lock, Landel made Williams submit at 5:31.

  1. Was the match competitive? No, Landel took advantage of his size and dominated the smaller Williams.
  2. What maneuver made the difference in the match? The military-press slam made Williams look like a featherweight.
  3. Could the match have been better? No, Williams took his medicine while making Landel look strong.

At the podium, Schiavone interviews Magnum who’s ready to battle Flair for the World title.

Commercials! Kawasaki! Get the Belly Burner for only $19.95! In case you forgot, The Green Berets is ON tonight. Watch the Braves take on the Chicago Cubs at 4:05pm tomorrow! They won 3-0.

At the podium, Schiavone interviews Black Bart who runs down Garvin again. C’mon, gimme a dadgum break!

Match 10: The “Boogie Woogie Man” Jimmy Vaiant versus Jimmy Dill

Highlights:

Valiant gave Dill a cross corner whip followed by a hip toss. As the match segued to the concrete floor, Valiant made Dill HIT THE POLE. He called out Paul Jones who stared a hole through him from the podium. When he fed Dill a knee to the midsection, Valiant taunted Jones. He destroyed Dill with a back elbow and landed an elbow drop. 1-2-3. Valiant won at 3:26.

  1. Was the match competitive? No, Valiant pickled him.
  2. What maneuver made the difference in the match? The ring post was a bittersweet shot.
  3. Could the match have been better? No, Valiant had Dill in a jar the entire time.

At the podium, Schiavone interviews Jones who earns a “Paul-a” chant from the Atlanta faithful. He wants Blanchard to hire Abdullah as a bounty hunter to get rid of Rhodes.

Commercials! Tide! Always Maxi-pads! Hawken tobacco! Do they truly know who’s watching this show?

At the podium, Schiavone interviews Ivan who praises his nephew, Nikita.

Match 11 (handicap): The “Russian Nightmare” Nikita Koloff versus Gerald Finley & Mark Cooper

Highlights:

Nikita hip-tossed and slammed Cooper. When Nikita dealt him a back elbow, Cooper tagged out. Finley tried to take him off his feet, but Nikita pummeled him before that could occur. As he gave Finley a HARD cross corner whip to injure the back, Nikita split him in two with a backbreaker. Nikita applied a Russian hammer, but Cooper made the save. After Cooper and Finley gave him an Irish whip, Nikita unfurled a double Russian sickle. 1-2-3. Nikita won at 2:43.

  1. Was the match competitive? No, Nikita mowed them down like a John Deere tractor.
  2. What maneuver made the difference in the match? The double Russian sickle demolished both competitors and possibly democracy.
  3. Could the match have been better? No, Nikita was INTENSE.

Afterward, Nikita traps Cooper in a cobra clutch while Ivan disposes of Finley.

Conclusion: The heat between Flair and Magnum is NUCLEAR.

Nevertheless, Rhodes and Slater have their sights on the Soviets while Black Bart’s aiming for that dadgum Ron Garvin. The death stare between Valiant and Jones remains tremendously strong as Valiant battles members of Jones’ Army on the house show circuit. As Blanchard successfully retains the World TV title, Landel’s looking to make a name for himself at Flair’s expense.

The Flair-Houston match is expectedly the highlight of the show with Magnum’s need to save Houston’s bacon. While Flair builds Houston up like a mountain, he causes a major avalanche with the post-match destruction. In other matches, Bass, Abdullah, and Nikita look dominant in their victories.

On 5/21 in Portland, OR the following card transpired:

  1. Cowboy Lang defeated Little Tokyo.
  2. Mega Maharishi beat Billy Two Eagles.
  3. Jerry Grey defeated Rocky Venturo.
  4. Karl Steiner beat Steve Simpson.
  5. Bobby Jaggers & Ricky Vaughn defeated Timothy Flowers & Chris Colt.
  6. Slaughter beat Kendo Nagasaki.
  7. “Rowdy” Roddy Piper defeated “Playboy” Buddy Rose.
  8. Larry & Curt Hennig beat the Road Warriors by DQ.
  9. “Nature Boy” Ric Flair and Billy Jack Haynes fought to a 45-minute time-limit draw.
  10. AWA World champion Rick Martel defeated Mike Miller.

Next week, Garvin defends the National title against Bass. Will Black Bart be far behind?

Rating: NONE

Stay tuned for NWA World Championship Wrestling 05-25-85!

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