US Tag Titles: The Fantastics (Bobby Fulton & Tommy Rogers) © vs. The Midnight Express ("Beautiful" Bobby Eaton & "Sweet" Stan Lane)

 

Corny has to get in the black cage while wearing a straitjacket no less and he is hilarious fighting his way into it. This starts out quite differently than their Clash I match as they start slow working on the mat although Fulton uses a nice headscissors and huracarana to take Eaton down. Lane uses his "educated feet" to send Fulton to the floor but Lane would eat a post shot and a sliding dropkick for his trouble. Rogers comes in and he gets to work over both MX on the mat but gets some nearfalls that has the MX reeling. Fulton comes back in and it turns into a quick 4-way brawl with the Fants getting the better of the deal sending the MX to the floor so they can do the Fargo Strut. Rogers gets Lane in an O'Connor Roll but he didn't know that Eaton got the tag and he gave him a bulldog from behind to kickstart the MX control section. MX are really strong here with the high impact offense and Rogers is just as strong taking the punishment. Rogers had some fun hope spots as well as the MX would absolutely not let him tag in Fulton trying to keep him in their part of the ring. Ross & Schiavone were really good on commentary here as well selling everything that is going on and making Rogers' battle important. Eaton just NUKED Rogers with the Alabama Jam which got the crowd going OHHHHHHH but it still wasn't enough to put away Rogers. MX would go for the Rocket Launcher but Rogers got his knees up and got the hot tag to Fulton who was a house of fire until Eaton kneed him in the back and Lane powerslammed him on the floor. Rogers then hit a cross body block on Eaton but poked Tommy Young in the eye in the process. Rogers now fights off both MX until Eaton gets a chain that Lane brought in and used the chain to KO Fulton to win the titles. The fans went nuts cheering the MX which made this different than the previous match as they were highly pro babyfaces. Fants do get to strap Corny after the match so they get something out of the deal. This wasn't the Clash I match but it was a really strong match and a fairly easy nomination.

 

I don't remember how I didn't do a write up on these 2 matches. This one is an easy thumbs up. The storytelling here is pretty great. The heat is the only thing that hurt this match.

I need to watch the complete match

Sort of a slow shine for the Fantastics. Fulton did a hurracanrana, not the slow motion Ricky Morton variety either. Stan Lane's karate cracks me up but he nailed a nasty kick to the face to send Fulton outside. It might just be my lying eyes but everything feels slightly off early on... the baseball slide, the knee to the gut, the flip off Bobby's back. Once the MX take over, the execution tightens up and is much crisper. Loved this when the MX were on offense. Did not like this when the Fants were on offense. I don't usually harp on execution but that is sort of these guys' bread and butter. Interesting crowd response as the MX were the clear babyfaces. By no means a lock or definite nomination. I'll go low level because it was good but it was really jarring how good the MX were and how off the Fants were on offense. Doesn't touch the Houston match.