World Championship Wrestling 1/21/89

Eddie Gilbert starts the show talking about how happy he was that his mystery partner was there with him today and told the fans they better tell people to watch the show.

Michael "PS" Hayes vs. Russian Assassin #2 (Jack Victory) (1/18/89)

Decent match as Hayes was fired up and the finish was funny as Assassin had Hayes pinned but he used the ropes which was seen by Long then Hayes cradled him in return to win.

"Hacksaw" Butch Reed vs. George South (1/18/89)

Butch is back and he has JJ Dillon in his corner and looks very impressive putting South away.

The Varsity Club is out next for a promo with Jim Ross with Rotundo talking about wanting his NWA World TV Title back and Sullivan talks about getting the Road Warriors' belts from them.

The Varsity Club (Mike Rotundo & Kevin Sullivan) vs. Randy Hogan & Gene Miller (1/18/89)

Total squash.

Gilbert is back out with Tony and they show clips of him being jumped last week.

"Hot Stuff" Eddie Gilbert & Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat vs. "Nature Boy" Ric Flair & Barry Windham (1/18/89)

STEAMER COMES HOME!!!!! This is one of my all-time favorite angles as Flair is pissed off to see Steamer back. Steamer vs. Windham to start was awesome as that was a dream match right there and then we get Steamer vs. Flair and that's always great. They keep Gilbert strong here too as it would've been easy to have him overshadowed by Steamer but Gilbert got a lot of offense here as well and made to look like one of the top guys. Gilbert took a good bit of punishment here but he gave as good as he got. Windham missed a huge diving elbow allowing Steamer to get the hot tag and he ran wild on Flair & Windham. Steamer would then hit Flair with his big cross body block off the top rope to win the match. Gilbert & Steamboat then talk to Ross after the match about wanting to come home as Steamer wants to be the NWA World Heavyweight Champion to secure his son's future. Flair & Windham then run out and Flair wants to know why he is here and they are pissed off. Flair is amazing selling this. Tremendous stuff here and a slam dunk nomination.

NWA Main Event 1/21/89

"Living Legend" Larry Zbyszko vs. Kendall Windham (1/1/89)

Interesting watching this match knowing that Zbyszko was on AWA TV that weekend. Kendall gives Larry a fight but Zbyszko wins fairly easily using the ropes for leverage.

Next we get clips of Steiner/Rotundo from WCW.

"Hot Stuff" Eddie Gilbert vs. "Gamesmaster" Kevin Sullivan (1/1/89)

Sullivan attacks Gilbert at the bell and takes him to the floor where he beats the piss out of him. Gilbert fights back though each time Sullivan thinks he has him down with Gilbert showing the fighting spirit that has gotten him over as a babyface. Gilbert would use weapons on Sullivan such as the table and the microphone and this was looking like a Memphis brawl. Sullivan would hit Teddy Long by mistake then atomic dropped Gilbert on the top rope but there was no one to count. Gilbert would then schoolboy Sullivan who was trying to wake up Teddy to get the win. Sullivan attacked him after the match and tried to use a chair but Teddy Long saved him. Short but fun match.

The Original Midnight Express ("Loverboy" Dennis Condrey & "Ravishing" Randy Rose) vs. The Midnight Express ("Beautiful" Bobby Eaton & "Sweet" Stan Lane) (1/1/89)

Cornette is wanting to fight Paul E. before the match and they are dressed for it since the Managers Bunkhouse Stampede was on the card. This is a brawl at the bell with Lane giving Rose an atomic drop on a steel chair as the highlight. OMX get dominated early by the MX as Eaton & Lane look very strong on offense using great double-team moves to keep OMX off balanced. Cornette mocking Paul E. at ringside was great and it was fun watching the teams try and go after the opposing manager. Lane going for a monkey flip on Rose only to get raked in the eyes by Condrey gave the OMX the chance they needed to get on offense. Lane was solid as the FIP as the OMX were strong at working him over with Lane selling and bumping well for them. Lane eventually got the hot tag to Eaton who ran wild as the crowd went nuts and the OMX looked in deep trouble as Lane joined the fray. Cornette & Paul E. joined the fun and as that happened Condrey got a foreign object and used it to KO Eaton for the win. This was a really good match and a fairly easy nomination.

Discussed the matches already. I'm down for the extras.