The Southern Rockers vs. Abudda Dein & Matt Borne – Really effective dynamic here with the mobile, spunky Rockers against the rugged, methodical heel team. It’s a treat to have Borne back. Everything he did looked so nasty. I loved his basic forearms and little shots to the ribs. After a back-and-forth opening, Doll spent a long stretch in peril, with Dein and Borne trapping him in their corner. Peterson eventually made the hot tag and beat Dein with a clothesline off the top. Match could’ve used a more intricate finishing stretch, but I enjoyed Borne enough to give it a mild nomination.

 

Portland 12/3/88-1/7/89 Disc 2

Man Peterson is just awkward as fuck. Everything he does looks a step behind everyone else. Still Borne looked really good here. His offense was really good and he managed to make himself look vulnerable, without losing any of the toughness he was projecting. Dien had a nice looking back suplex and the one he dropped on Doll to start the FIP looked sufficiently brutal and was sold well. Borne following up with the press slam hot shot and taunting was good shit. I also really loved the way he would hit a big spot and then follow it up with some douchebag cover.

 

This felt like a WWE house show No DQ match as the big spots in that regard were a toss over the top rope and a single chairshot, but they were worked to good effect. Loved the double team spot off the top and the big double clothesline that led to the hot tag. Finish felt out of nowhere, but at least it was a clean Peterson spot that did Dien in. Good match. I back the nomination. Aside from maybe the Top Gun v. Buddy Rose match this is the best Portland match I've seen from this era.