Carlos Colon vs. Ronnie Garvin (11/24/88)

This is a title match with anthems being played before the match and everything. We come back from commercial to the match in progress with these two exchanging holds. Crowd is noticeably reserved compared to the wild brawls but also clearly into everything reacting when they should. This is a really cool match because you don’t get this sort of slow intense exchanging of holds out of Colon. He’s not Jack Brisco, but he obviously knows what he’s doing after not having worked a match like this in god knows how long. Shit that rolling keylock thing he does is an awesome spot. Garvin looks excellent which isn’t exactly a revelation, even for Garvin in this time period. But it has to be said. When this comes back from commercial Garvin is starting to get a little frustrated. He’s kinda begging off asking for a breather and then after Colon gets the advantage again on the mat, Garvin gives him a shove after they get back up and Colon gives him a bigger shove to a big pop from the crowd. Garvin goes all Kawada on a single leg crab. Crowd goes crazy when Garvin locks Colon in a sleerphold. They are just desperate cheering him on. Colon manages to fight out and starts working towards the leg to set up the figure 4. Garvin is awesome selling the leg. Finish is excellent. Awesome match. This was so fucking cool

Loved Garvin with the knee injury in the middle and how it affected the finish. Really good match that was surprisingly mat-based with almost no striking. Very good contrast to the rest of the set.