Posted June 18, 201114 yr comment_5473636 Shawn Michaels v. Budda Khan Michaels hits a deadlift takedown here that is really impressive looking. There is an audible Budda chant at one point. If I recall correctly Meltzer used to go to these tapings fairly regularly and I envision him leading the chant for his roller derby hero. Anyhow this is a pretty decent basic match with Michaels hitting some respectable looking offense. Kinda of interesting to watch how Michaels was packaged pre-Jannetty as he is really toned down, though he does busts out the old pointless backflip on a corner punch spot. Nice splash for the finish. Scott Hall v. Doug Somers This will be another interesting one to watch since this is pre-Somers/Rose tandem. Hall was just crazy green here. He doesn't look bad per se, but he doesn't really understand ring positioning and takes offense very awkwardly. We got a nice stiff chop exchange and a huge Somers back body drop bump so I'm happy. Somers is okay controlling this but Hall really doesn't have a concept of how to use his size as a strength and show vulnerablity in the same match. Not awful, but not as good as you would hope either. Hall/Hennig promo In The Corner with Larry Z. Marty Jannetty is the guest and is put over big time early. I was surprised by this as they sort of hinted him as a singles guy and then Marty says he and Shawn are going to start a team called the US Express(?) Larry accuses him of mumbling and says "moves aren't all it takes" which makes me chuckle. Then Larry starts attacking the liberalism of Jannetty. Marty says this is the 80's and then says Larry has a right to wear a "pink shirt." Um. This is insane. EXTRA Jerry Blackwell v. Bruiser Brody We have this already. This is the angle with Blackwell's ankle being destroyed. Jerry Blackwell v. Boris Zhukov Blackwell was really over as a face and destroyed Boris early. I was surprised to see Jerry use a headbutt on Boris given Boris' gimmick. In fact they play up that Blackwell's head is invisible rather than Boris which seems a really odd choice. Boris finally takes over and while he doesn't have great offense, Blackwell is a selling machine and can pretty much make anything work. Jerry makes a comeback off some jabs and I enjoy his hulk up act for what it is but he needs a more compelling opponent.
August 3, 201114 yr comment_5478667 AWA on ESPN Classic 2/28/08 All-Star Wrestling on ESPN 3/4/86 Shawn Michaels v Buddhakhan This gets way more time than I expected, although it's still just an extended squash with Michaels never actually in any sort of trouble. Fans chanting big for Khan at the beginning, and then Michaels buts out a giant amateur German, dumping Khan on his neck and shoulder. Khan kinda looks pissed lying on the mat. Nice superkick and superfly splash from Michaels to finish it. Scott Hall v Doug Somers This wasn't bad but it was allll Somers. Somers takes a huge back drop and Hall basically no sells all his offense. AWESOME sit down interview between Jannetty and Zbyszko, with Larry Nelson moderating. They show a highlight film of Marty and it is one of the shittiest highlight films ever, showing him holding a wristlock in slow motion, and whiffing dropkicks in slow motion, and landing horribly on crossbodies in slow motion. He does hit a cool armdrag...in slow motion! Interview was Marty talking about how it's almost the 90s and he represents a new era and Larry flipping out on him and talking over Nelson. EXTRA. Jerry Blackwell v Bruiser Brody Adnan and Brody attack with a chair, ends real quick Jerry Blackwell v Boris Zukhov I liked this way more than Dylan, apparently. Zukhov ain't great but he was perfectly serviceable here. Blackwell was just tremendous in this, really beating the snot out of Zukhov. Boris controlled some segments with basic chokes and clubbing, but Blackwell was never in danger. He would just kinda do an Undertaker sit up and go back to beating him. There was a real awesome punch exchange at the end, and a great spot where Boris booted a seated Blackwell in the face (though Greg Gagne desperately putting over Blackwell's non-existent broken nose got real distracting. "It is just gushing blood! Look at it, it's pointing sideways!" None of that was true.), and this was a good solid 12 minutes. Amazing how agile Blackwell was. LOW END NOMINATION!
