NWA TV June 1989

This starts with clips of Luger turning on Steamboat at Clash VII and Paul E. making fun of Steamer.

 

"Total Package" Lex Luger vs. Lee Scott (6/19/89)

 

Luger says that he has a contract for Scott to sign to make this a US Title match with Scott being very happy about that. Lex makes him say "Mr. Luger" which is hilarious and he signs the contract. Luger then offers to lay down for Scott to see if Scott could hold him down for a 3 count but Luger would nail him with a clothesline and put his foot on top for the pin. Luger is such a fucking asshole here and this was a great way to kickstart his heel gimmick. Slam dunk extra.

 

NWA World TV Title: Sting © vs. Ron Simmons (6/21/89)

 

This is quite the matchup considering what would happen 3 years later with both men. Simmons doing one armed pushups before the match was funny. Simmons is still green at working as a heel but he showed promise with his mannerisms. Decent match between the young lions but nothing special.

 

Next we get the Wrestling News Network w/Gordon Solie and we all thought it was wild that Solie talked about stuff going on outside the NWA especially WWF.

 

The Skyscrapers ("Dangerous" Danny Spivey & Sid Vicious) vs. Trent Knight & George South (6/19/89)

 

Total destruction by the Skyscrapers who were cult favorites among the smarks at the time.

 

Then we get Funk's Grill with Lex Luger and this is a fun segment as both men do nothing but kiss each other's asses.

 

The Fabulous Freebirds ("Gorgeous" Jimmy Garvin, Terry "Bamm Bamm" Gordy, & Michael "PS" Hayes) vs. "Hot Stuff" Eddie Gilbert, "Dog Faced Gremlin" Rick Steiner, & "Dr. Death" Steve Williams (6/19/89)

 

Ross tells the story before the match about how Doc & Gordy had wars in the UWF and hated each other. I know a lot of people shit on the Garvin era Freebirds but this year was their best year easily together and Garvin was reborn as a performer getting away from the Gorgeous Jimmy shit. Steiner was dominant early and they threw a chair in the ring where Steiner stomped it down then pinned it for a 3 count. Jim Ross actually says "sports entertainment" during the match so even the NWA was using that term in 1989. Steiner tries to bite Gordy leaving him open to an attack by Garvin and the Birds triple up on Steiner. Easy night so far for Steiner's teammates as he works the whole early part of the match before tagging in Gilbert who runs wild on the Birds then struts around with Steiner as he sends the Birds scurrying. Garvin would grab Gilbert's hair to distract him so Hayes could dropkick his back right into a Garvin punch which was a nice spot. The Birds then work over Gilbert with Gordy taunting Doc and the GIlbert FIP section was well done as they worked over his bad left knee while Doc tries his best to get at Gordy. Gilbert got the hot tag to Doc who was booked just like Roman Reigns here and he just went to war on Hayes & Garvin while Gordy watched from the apron. Doc then called Gordy in and the fans were pumped for this one as the hosses battled it out before the match went to the floor where everyone would get counted out. This was a very fun match and I'll co-sign Will's low-level nomination.

 

Then we get clips of the SST destroying Paul Ellering.

 

Next we get the press conference where Ric Flair was going to announce his future in wrestling and Jim Herd is the MC which is always fun. Flair announces that he isn't retiring and he wants Funk at the Bash. This is a slam dunk extra. (6/21/89)

 

Corny cuts a promo next on wanting Paul E. in a Tuxedo Match at the Bash.

 

Terry Funk vs. Ricky Santana (6/19/89)

 

Funk is a maniac here destroying Santana as the fans chant "WE WANT STING" but Santana would make a comeback working over Terry's arm bashing it on the guardrail then the ringpost. Terry was awesome selling this beating but he would piledrive Santana right on the floor then back in the ring for the win. Funk then got the branding iron and left his mark on Santana. 1989 Terry Funk was so fucking amazing.

 

Then we get clips of Funk attacking Sting with the branding iron earlier that night and he busted Sting open with it. A big CENSORED graphic went over Sting's face as he was juicing and I remember this being hilarious. Extra material.

 

The Great Muta vs. Italian Stallion (6/21/89)

 

Muta was already a cult hero in the ATL at this point as the black guys at Center State were going nuts for him. In a promotion with guys who were awesome in squash matches, Muta was near the top of the list.

 

Funk then cuts a promo next saying that he is going to be the new world champion at the Bash.

 

The Samoan Swat Team (Fatu & Samu) vs. Trent Knight & Lee Scott (6/21/89)

 

Lee Scott dies a tremendous death in this match almost breaking his neck twice on bumps

 

Tommy "Wildfire" Rich vs. Wild Bill Irwin (6/21/89)

 

Tommy makes his return to TBS after a 4 year absence and he had lost about 20 pounds from his days with Mr. Donnie the month earlier. Short match and Rich looked good here. Jim Ross also says that Tommy Rich was just 29-years old here..........HILARIOUS

 

Ric Flair then shows up unannounced at Center Stage for a promo and he said that he was going to kick Terry Funk's ass. Extra material.

 

Then we get clips of the 1975 World Series for some reason which includes an AWESOME commercial for the Kenner Starting Lineup baseball figures.

 

"Flyin" Brian Pillman vs. George South (6/20/89)

 

Pillman looks good here in one of his early TV matches although he almost kills himself trying a springboard reverse cross body block off the middle rope.

 

Next we get clips of Dick Murdoch & Ranger Ross vs. New Zealand Militia from 6/19/89 and this was fun.

 

The Midnight Express ("Beautiful" Bobby Eaton & "Sweet" Stan Lane) vs. Jeff James & Keith Steinborn (6/19/89)

 

MX getting the girlie pops like RnR used to was always great. I always dug the babyface MX and they would kill these guys until the Freebirds came out to distract them which would bring out Dr. Death to even the odds for a fun brawl.