This was another one where the first fall felt like a match in itself. Buddy and Curt started with a long section of arm control, spiced up by some fun Buddy-as-shady-babyface schtick. I loved Buddy wrenching OLiver's arm on the apron, even after Assassin tagged in. Assassin turned the tide with a few loaded-mask headbutts to Buddy's gut. Don't know why, but I enjoy that as a recurring means of cheating. Henning actually ended up as the face-in-peril and was great at that as usual, with some nifty hope spots and selling of accrued damage. The hot tag led to a short burst of back-and-forth before Buddy finished Assassin with a superplex. The second fall was shorter and less distinctive, with Assassin using the loaded mask to put Henning away. The third fall almost felt like a reset. Henning ended up back in peril until he hit a German suplex out of nowhere to win the tag titles. This match peaked in the first fall. The rest featured some good work but one moment didn't really build to the next. It's worth a look from everybody but more of a mid-level nomination than a slam dunk.

 

Lynch Portland 10, Disc 1

This is pretty good stuff. I'd call it a solid nomination. I loved Buddy's facials and body movement when selling his belly from the Assasin's loaded mask to the stomach. It was almost like a character from Mike Tyson's punch out.

Hennig's opening work was the typically good stuff you expect, especially when they came up for the big spots which is something he always did well. Buddy taking arm work on Oliver was really sharp and I also enjoyed Buddy's trolling heel act when he wasn't in the ring. Gotta give Oliver some credit too as he got whipped around and was convincing on the defensive through all of this. Assassin takes over with loaded headbutts to the guts of Hennig and man does Hennig know how to take an apron smash. Curt is just a good face in peril in general and he is also really great at working/getting over a hope spot. Loved Hennig learning Buddy's "cheating" tricks from the apron to set up the big superplex finish. Shame we missed Curt's running dropkick but this was still a very good fall.

 

Cool opening spot in the second fall with the drop down/ab stretch combo, but Hennig gets cut down quick and goes right back on the defensive. Nice tease when Buddy comes in but the Assassin's head is a deadly weapon and they cut Rose down for the second fall quickly.

 

Third fall had a real "go for broke" feel has you've got The Assassin killing himself while trying to kill Buddy, Curt fucking up his shit by going for a suplex when he was still hurt and the heels settling in by trying to finish off the weakened Hennig. They focus on Curt's arm and there is one great spot with Curt whipped shoulder first into the corner and just falling limp and collapsing to the floor. Oliver hits his great looking shoulderbreaker but Curt gets his foot on the rope and on a second attempt Curt took the fall for the faces with a modified German.

 

The finish had a real big feel to it, though I do agree that the third fall sort of felt like an island of sorts. Still a match that absolutely should be on the set.