I actually really liked this. Somers controls most of it with nice headlock punches that appear to bust open Rotundo's eye. By the end of the match he has a big mouse under the cut. When Rotundo takes back control Somers takes a super high backdrop bump. Awkwardly, about halfway through the match, Somers has very visible shit stains on the underside of his trunks. It really made every bump mean that much more, since the spot appeared to be growing as the match went on. Yikes. Crowd was way behind Rotundo here and it made the match pretty exciting.

 

AWA on ESPN Classics 4/15/08, All-Star Wrestling 1986

I really don't buy Rontundo as a spry babyface. I know that's what he was for years, but the VK Wallstreet/IRS years just kill that image for me. Regardless his spryness was in effect early and I liked the criss cross exchange early and Rotundo as the "one upping" babyface was nice early theme. Somers theatrical bump over the top was cool and the follow up chop from Rotundo looked and sounded brutal. Rotundo's headlock was well enough worked as a base where things didn't feel boring and when they did come up for something it was something cool like the aforementioned Somers bump or his faceplant off the top off a missed headbutt. Somers takes over on a low blow with Somers working the ref that it was a legit blow and then following up with his gutbuster. Somers deliberate shots, stomps, eyerakes, et all looked really good. Somers starts jawing with Greg Gagne at the announce table and Rotundo is now bleeding from the eye. Rotundo breifly fights back but Somers targets the cut which was kind of his specialty. Rotundo comes back off of Somers back body drop bump which is his other specialty. Man, this is really a good match, especially when you consider that Rotundo is not someone I like at all. I even liked the finish as Somers tosses Rotundo to the floor but on the suplex attempt Rotundo falls forward for the flash pin. This is not off the charts great, but I could see this on the set.

Mike Rotundo vs. "Pretty Boy" Doug Somers (5/1/86)

 

Mike was on break from the WWF here and didn't last long. Somers is a good opponent for a guy like Rotundo as he is solid at bumping and selling at a fast pace like a face like Rotundo was working at. I loved Somers taking a Slaughteresque bump over the top rope to the floor with Rotundo being fluid here in keeping the advantage. Somers desperation came out and he used a low blow to subdue Rotundo and he really works over Rotundo including forcing some hardway juice from Rotundo's left eye. Rotundo fires back but Somers is ruthless working over the eye until he eats a high backdrop starting Rotundo's comeback which was fiery. Mike tees off on Somers before being sent to the floor but when Somers tried to suplex him back in the ring Rotundo falls on him to get the win. This was damn good match and really fun to see Rotundo in the AWA against a guy like Somers. Solid nomination.