Babyface Bock is good fun. He just really connects with the crowd. His fist bumping motion while they chant USA was just indicative of this but he also adapts well in general and he knows how to make a test of strength or full nelson or headlock sequence fun even against Boris Zhukov. The opening of this really does go on too long though. Eventually Bock taste the steel on a corner charge and the bump was not that convincing, but I have to give it to Boris who's follow up targetted offense was actually good stuff. I bought the headbutts to the arm, I thought his hammerlock slam was really @#!*% great looking and of course Bock's selling put all of this over the top. I @#!*% loved Bock breaking an arm stretcher with a speedy slide back into his trusty headlock as a hope spot. I mean that does not sound like a great hope spot but it really was. Bock fires back up but gets tied up with the ref and Boris hits his falling headbutt followed by a good near fall with Boris feet on the ropes and the ref spotting it before he counted the fall. Then Bock hits a blindside dropkick and hits a nice rollup for the finish. The biggest problem with this match was that they could have done all of this in half as much time. Still a really fun match.

AWA World Heavyweight Title: Nick Bockwinkel © vs. Boris Zuhkov (7/26/86)

 

The Vegas fans give Bock a standing ovation as he enters the ring and that is awesome. Bock is really good here working around the blah Boris but it is a little tedious. Bock would miss a running charge into the corner hitting all post and that kickstarted Boris' offensive barrage where he vigorously worked over Bock's left arm. Bock would start his comeback with a low blow and takes it to Boris until the ref gets in his way allowing Boris to use a headbutt on him but Bock would comeback with a dropkick from behind and pinned him. Fun little match and I'll pass it on as a low-end pick.