This featured a long first fall, worked almost entirely from a headlock base by the babyfaces and an arm-control base by the heels. Some might find the pace a bit slow, but they did a lot of clever work in and out of the holds. Billy Jack was such an odd worker. He actually had a pretty good grasp of selling and match dynamics. He just really lacked for credible offense. Weird combination for a young musclehead. Anyway, he made the hot tag to Buddy to set up the finish. Buddy hit a nice run of offense on Assassin, then went to ripping the mask. I love face Buddy. Assassin appeared to load his mask while Sandy Barr was distracted and knocked Buddy out with a headbutt to take the fall. Buddy spent the entire second fall in peril before pinning Assassin on a flash backslide. Nothing wrong with the work in that fall, but it wasn't the most creative way to advance the match. They picked up the energy in the third fall, with Buddy taking his revenge before Oliver cut him off with a kick to the ribs. All four guys brawled in the ring and Billy Jack caught Oliver in the full nelson, which they had established as certain doom. Buddy shielded Assassin from interfering, and Rip submitted. This was not as exciting or well-thought-out as the best Portland. But I liked a lot of the work in the first fall, and they did a nice job of building the intensity throughout. Lower-end nomination.

 

New Portland Disc 35

Rip Oliver/Assassin vs. Billy Jack/Buddy Rose (8/13/83) (New Portland 35)

- First fall, faces control early with headlock sequences but they kept the work fresh. Great spot with Assassin getting a head scissors on Buddy, Buddy doing a headstand and kicking Assassin until he lets go of the hold. The heels take over on Billy Jack and begin to dissect the arm. Seriously, Portland is so smart, it should be required viewing to every single person who ever enters a ring. Billy Jack gets the hot tag to Buddy who cleans house but instead of trying to pin Assassin, he starts trying to unmask him. This allows Assassin to load up the mask and a headbutt for the pin. Great first fall. It was one of those falls you would nominate if it only had one fall.

- 2nd fall, Buddy wrestles the entire fall. He plays FIP and some really cool hope spots keep him in the ring. Buddy wins the fall on a desperation backslide to even the falls. So far so good.

- 3rd fall, more Buddy FIP and this match really is a great Buddy face in peril showcase. Loved Billy Jack hooking the full nelson and lifting Oliver to the middle of the ring for the win. Solid nomination.