NWA Pro Wrestling 1/2/88

Jim Ross has replaced Johnny Weaver as Bob Caudle's partner on the show and it's a welcomed change.

The Midnight Express ("Beautiful" Bobby Eaton & "Sweet" Stan Lane) vs. Cougar Jay & Mike Force (12/13/87)

A Rocket Launcher ends this match very quickly and we get a promo from Cornette afterwards talking about Bubba coming back to win the Bunkhouse Stampede. Cornette makes a crack about Muhammad Ali saying his brain is cottage cheese now.

Kevin Sullivan vs. Rocky King (12/13/87)

Mike Rotundo is in Sullivan's corner and he wins in seconds.

"Dr. Death" Steve Williams vs. Tommy Angel (12/13/87)

Doc is very impressive in this just nuking Angel with a German Suplex.

Nikita is out next for a promo talking about his issues with Mike Rotundo.

"The Enforcer" Arn Anderson & Tully Blanchard vs. Gary Royal & John Savage (12/13/87)

The champs maul these guys and then cut a promo afterwards on kicking Luger out of the Horsemen and their future challengers. Arn is great here burying Lex talking about how great he is on promos and in the ring.

The Road Warriors (Animal & Hawk) vs. Chance McQuade & Larry Stephens & ? (12/13/87)

I didn't get Stephens' opponent name but he got completely destroyed and the fans were nuts for the Roadies here.

Caudle interviews Dusty Rhodes next talking about defending the US Title against all comers especially Bobby Eaton & Larry Zbyszko.

The Warlord vs. George South (12/13/87)

South gets manhandled here.

Luger is out next and the fans are into him heavy as he takes his shirt off to flex and he cuts a passionate promo on Arn who runs out and jumps Lex with Tully joining in. Random babyfaces would then run out trying to break it up but they won't quit. This is good stuff and extra material.

NWA World Heavyweight Title: "Nature Boy" Ric Flair © vs. Sting (12/13/87)

This is one of the very early matches between these two men. The Flair/Sting formula is made during these matches but it was extremely fresh at this time and the crowd was going nuts for everything. This is a really good match but of course we don't get an ending although this is an appetizer for what is to come soon so I have no problem with it.

World Wide Wrestling 1/2/88

This show starts with Larry Zbyszko & Baby Doll talking about wanting Barry Windham's Western States Title and Dusty Rhodes' US Heavyweight Title.

Ricky Morton vs. Mike Force (12/13/87)

Morton wins in less than a minute with a backslide then cuts a promo with David Crockett afterwards talking about how the RnR are gunning for The Sheepherders now because they hate America.

Tony Schiavone interviews Jim Crockett & Dusty Rhodes talking about everything basically.

"Hands of Stone" Ronnie Garvin vs. Thunderfoot (12/13/87)

Garvin wins in less than a minute with the Garvin Stomp.

Luger cuts a promo with Schiavone next and they show clips from the Pro angle with Arn/Tully.

Sting vs. Thunderfoot #2 (12/13/87)

Sting gets the Scorpion Deathlock in 30 seconds to win.

Flair is out next for a promo ripping up Michael Hayes which is funny then goes off on Sting & Road Warrior Hawk as future opponents.

"Hot Stuff" Eddie Gilbert vs. George South (12/13/87)

Funny hearing Gilbert use Sting's music from later in the year as his own. Gilbert wins quickly with the Hot Shot.

The Roadies & Precious Paul cut a promo next about Animal winning the Stampede and Hawk beating Flair for the NWA Title.

The Super Powers (Dusty Rhodes & Nikita Koloff) vs. "The Enforcer" Arn Anderson & Tully Blanchard (12/13/87)

The crowd is red hot here as Nikita takes it to Tully early and often. Arn would come in to try his luck and that didn't work either. We go to break and come back with Dusty in the ring and he has sent the Horsemen both scurrying to the floor as these guys were great at making him look good. Dusty would get the Weaver Lock on Arn but Tully would sneak attack him from behind and that allowed the Horsemen to get control. Tully coming in and doing two jumping arm breakers was nice and they really focused on the left arm. Dusty gets a cross body block for a nearfall but Arn would stop the pin and they went back to work on the arm. Dusty would hit Arn with a desperation DDT to work his way over to make the hot tag to Nikita who came in and cleaned house naturally. Nikita hit Tully with the Russian Sickle but Arn would come in with Dusty joining the fun and then Arn would throw Nikita over the top rope to the floor. Flair then ran out and he posted Nikita as Arn & Tully worked over Dusty. Luger then ran out and the place went apeshit as Luger & Arn went all over the ring and to the floor. The match was pretty fun, the finish sucked, but the post match angle was red hot. I want to put this up as a low-end nomination for rewatching.

Paul Jones, Ivan Koloff, & The Warlord are out next for a promo about the Stampede.

The Midnight Express ("Beautiful" Bobby Eaton & "Sweet" Stan Lane) & Big Bubba Rogers vs. Italian Stallion, Mighty Wilbur, & Kendall Windham (12/13/87)

Oh Mighty Wilbur....and Cornette's boys look strong here although Stallion gets some offense in.

The Super Powers (Dusty Rhodes & Nikita Koloff) vs. "The Enforcer" Arn Anderson & Tully Blanchard (12/13/87)

 

Crowd is hot for this. Tully feeding for Nikita right off the bat. Arn in and he's calling a TO . The heels are showing ass for the faces and shining them up. Tully cheapshots Dusty to set up the heat. We see multiple double teams . Going after Dusty's arm. Dusty gets a small hope spot only to get doubled teamed. A Dusty DDT allows him to tag Nikita. Hot tad running wild. Super cheap finish. The hot crowd pushes this as a low end nom.