March 1984

Tony Salazar vs. Herodes 03-02-1984 Hair vs Hair 2/3 Falls A great apuesta that was a part of the Lucha 80’s DVDVR, before the match started Miguel Linares interviewed Tony Salazar, he said that his rivalry with Herodes (by the way, it’s the perfect name for a heel) was something that’s beyond sports, he made it clear that the only way their feud could be settled would be an apuesta, if what Miguel Linares said is true it isn’t the first hair match these two have had against each other, in fact, this match is a rematch but we don’t have the first match or at least I don’t know where it is. The crowd loves Tony Salazar either that or they just hate Herodes’ guts, He…

JIP, as the first round was missing. I wasn't really thrilled to see some of the comedy spots, but these two were stupidly athletic and crisp here. Between Grey's technique and Myers' karate influence, this was a very enjoyable bout and the 5 minute rounds also helped quite a lot. I liked Myers legwork at the beginning, Grey shined with his counters and his cardio somewhat made up for Myers' unorthodox style. Really fun series of nearfalls towards the end, it was so good that the non-finish was satisfactory as well. Can't rate this higher as it wasn't complete and they only teased limb working throughout the whole out ***3/4

This is a more aggressive match than the one Haward had with Clive Myers and is all ground based. They get so much out of the simple things such as arm and wrist levers here. The third round sees Cullen start to focus his attention to Haward's left leg and we see some really nice selling from Haward, nothing too over the top, just believable. Cullen continues to concentrate on the left leg in to the fourth, however as both wrestlers are on their feet and he has hold of it, Haward leaps up over the top of Cullen and rolls him up from behind for the pin. Haward gets fired up after Cullen stamps on his hands in the next round following a knucklelock posting him hard into…

This would have been somewhat of a Dream Match in the 1970s if we had double world champs vs tag team champs. In 1984, Bobby Heenan is managing Bockwinkel and Race vs his old team- the babyface Blackjacks (Mulligan and Lanza). Mulligan gets the shine to start but had to earn it from the heels. As soon as he tags out to Lanza, the villains put the heat on him and cut the ring off. So immediately I knew this would be a hot tag match- the only question is what happens when Lanza finally makes it. But before then, we are treated to a good, old fashioned beat down by Nick and Harley. Both men are underrated tag team experts, so the two of them destroy Lanza- who I al…

Dick Slater defends the United States Title in a "No DQ Steel Cage" match. Talk about it here

NWA World Heavyweight Champion Ric Flair vs Ricky Steamboat - NWA Boogie Jam 3/17/84 What is most impressive about this match is how Flair and Steamboat take every advantage allotted to them by virtue of going long by taking the time to make every single sequence count and drip with struggle. It is this attention to detail that makes the seemingly ordinary extraordinary. The test of strength spot which saw Ricky Steamboat and Ric Flair flex every muscle, perspire profusely and clench their jaws as Steamboat worked to get Flair on the mat and Flair finally countered with a bodyscissors and see the battle waged there until we get a monkey flip. I am a total mark for ama…

At the start of the episode Bill Watts is at ringside interviewing Mr Wrestling II about his recent heel turn. They show the finish of the match from March 13th in Lafayette LA. For the Mid South Tag Titles, NO DQ, Loser gets Ten Lashings. Mr Wrestling II and Magnum TA defend the belts against the Midnight Express. Wrestling II walks out on his partner, Bobby Eaton hits Magnum with then tennis racket, puts Dennis Condrey on top for the pin. The MX and Cornette win the Tag Team Titles!!! Jim Ross is at ringside with Cornette and the MX. They have on party hats and there is a big cake for their championship celebration. Cornette says none of the fan…

This was a pretty interesting match. Houston really supports their babyfaces. Here even before the match starts TA is getting a huge Goldberg like chant. This starts slow but they made everything matter. TA tries to establish his strength and athleticism. Wrestling 2 sets out to take TA down and work the leg. I thought the leg work was really well done. I loved 2 teasing the Million Dollar Knee Lift, and TA showing how much he respects the move. Wrestling 2 playing a long con game in the match was awesome. 2 constantly selling a drubbing by TA throughout the bout. Finally though TA gets sucked in for the MDKL only to get his feet on the rope for 2.Another thing I loved fr…

Hansen charges out of the gate and starts the beatdown on Baba. Baba looks good firing back, and takes Hansen down by the left arm. Looks pretty painful - then Baba lays in the armbar. He goes to work on that left arm. Hansen's selling is amazing here as he tries to comeback but gets sucked right back into the arm submission. Hansen gets to the ropes and takes a powder. More greatness ensues as Baba dodges the lariat with a drop toe hold and gets back on the attack... later dodges another outside and Hansen's arm hits the ringpost. Baba is focused and Hansen is selling ketchup to the lady in white gloves. Hansen gets tied up in the ropes and it appears Baba beats t…

The Sheiks (Sheik Adnan & Crusher Blackwell) vs Da Crusher & Greg Gagne - AWA 3/25/84 Steel Cage Match Da Crusher is the pride of Milwaukee and along with Verne, Mad Dog, and Baron form the old guard of the AWA that the crowds of the Midwest still love to death. I have heard Da Crusher described as a precursor to Stone Cold and having watched a still down interview with him. I definitely agree with comparison. He was a champion of the blue collar, beer-drinking average Joe. He was a man's man. He loved drinking beer, smoking stoogies and large women that do the polka! That's my kinda man. I dare say Da Crusher is the coolest man to ever rock the bowl cut. …

This was a good angle overall, but not much of a match apart from the first few minutes. Andre dominating the heels was fun and their heat segment on the giant was good, he bladed deeply and the selling was actually very interesting as everyone got to look good. The bout stalled a lot with the stretcher job and everything, but continuing this as a handicap match was quite a surprise and it went well for another bit. At that point Andre's return was pretty much obvious, but the crowd loved it, too bad that the non-finish was quite rushed as things seemed very promising ***

Bob Backlund vs Greg Valentine - WWF 3/25/1984 This is the table-setting for the criminally underrated classic between these two in April. If you not have seen the April 1984 MSG match between Backlund and Valentine do yourself a favor and get on it. Double body part psychology dripping with struggle it is just perfect pro wrestling. This is a shortie but a goodie. Backlund is making his triumphant return to MSG after losing the title to Iron Sheik last year. I cant remember if he already switched over in 1983, but he has the buzz cut and singlet here. Gorrilla and Pat do a great job talking about his neck and shoulder injury. Backlund vs Valentine is one of the all-…

WWF Intercontinental Champion Tito Santana vs Greg "The Hammer" Valentine - Philly 3/31/84 I am pretty sure this is their first major encounter with each other. This bout did not have the "I want break your fucking leg because you broke mine" element to take it to the next level, but still this is physical as all hell. These two are just so different from the rest of the WWF roster and just had such great chemistry. Everything is such a struggle. Little things like Valentine swinging and actually missing because Tito moved. Unlike most wrestlers who will half-ass their misses, if Valentine connected he connected; if he did't he didn't. During some of the comebacks, it …