Posted August 3, 201114 yr comment_5478668 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! AWA on ESPN Classic 2/28/08, All-Star Wrestling on ESPN 3/4/86
August 4, 201114 yr comment_5478702 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 invincible 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 4, 201114 yr comment_5478709 In fact they play up that Blackwell's head is invisible rather than Boris which seems a really odd choice. The AWA always did a lousy job of getting Boris' head over as a lethal weapon, with the exception of his Winnipeg run leading up to and including the Martel trilogy. Blackwell had numerous vignettes over the course of his AWA time, right from his early days as a heel, of him using his head as a weapon pounding spikes into boards and other such things. Blackwell being pushed as having the superior cranium may have been a nod to the long-time fans if nothing else.
August 5, 201114 yr Author comment_5478823 Blackwell did have an enormous head. At least they weren't pushing a small-headed man over Boris' head.
May 2, 201213 yr comment_5501522 Crusher Blackwell vs. Boris Zuhkov (2/13/86) Blackwell was fun here but Boris was just so blah here that it didn't keep my interest going long so I'm going no on a nomination.
