NWA Power Hour 7/28 & 8/4/89 (Sound Issues)

 

7/28

Dan Spivey vs. Johnny Rich

- This was about 7 minutes too long.

 

Wrestling News Network w/ Gordon Solie

 

New Zealand Militia vs. Scott Hall & Ranger Ross

- Ross and Hall are not a a good combo.

 

Funk’s Grill w/ Norman the Lunatic

 

Eddie Gilbert vs. Tommy Rich

- The battle of the New Fabs... 5 years later!!! Really nice back and forth match. Neither guy gets a real advantage although Eddie hurt his arm after leaping into the ringpost. One awkward spot where it looked like Eddie and Tommy were supposed to knock heads but Eddie had to sell his nose hitting Tommy's back. This one goes to a time limit draw and is a low level nomination. It would be higher but a lack of sustained heat and a lack of focus hurt it.

 

8/4

Eddie Gilbert vs. The Bounty Hunter

- I love Eddie but I can;t see this making it.

 

Wrestling News Network w/ Gordon Solie

 

Scott Steiner vs. Rip Morgan

-Nothing special. It doesn't hurt that Steiner couldn't hit the Frankensteiner properly but he helped cover it up.

 

Funk’s Grill w/ Norman the Lunatic & Teddy Long

 

Terry Gordy & Terry Funk vs. Sting & Dr. Death

- Watching a few Funk matches in '89, something has been bothering me. This is Terry Fucking Funk and it almost seems as if his comedy selling and antics detract form a match. You have Sting, Doc and Gordy in the same match and Funk's antics don't really fit with the spirit of the match. I don't know. I am on the fence with this one. Once you guys watch it, tell me what you think.

Funk's Grill is always Extra matrial

 

Eddie Gilbert vs Tommy Rich

 

This didn't do anything for me. It seemed like it would play out much better in a studio. They do a lot of little stuff that an arena audience doesn't pick up. Just way better matches out there so I say no

Gordy/Funk vs Sting/Doc

I was cracking up seeing Johnny Sorrow on some form of binge in the crowd. This was chaotic and a real spectacle of a match. I agree this has to find its way onto the set.

NWA Power Hour 7/28/89

"Dangerous" Danny Spivey vs. Johnny Rich (7/18/89)

This went way longer than I thought it would and while Johnny put up a fight he got dominated.

Next we get the WNN with Solie at the Bash giving results from the show.

Scott Hall & Ranger Ross vs. The New Zealand Militia (7/19/89)

This TV feud between Hall, Rich, & Ross vs. Militia was interesting to watch on all the shows but the matches were just decent at best.

Next we get Funk's Grill with Norman the Lunatic who they got over like crazy which was wild in retrospect. Funk dresses Norman up as a clown which was wearing a Flair robe with a blonde wig with Funk saying he looks like Flair's mother. Slam dunk extra.

"Hot Stuff" Eddie Gilbert vs. "Wildfire" Tommy Rich (7/18/89)

This is a scientific match since both are babyfaces and a feud that we never got a long version of. Paul E. is on commentary which is great because of the past issues he has had with them since they worked for Southern Championship Wrestling a year earlier which he alludes to on commentary. Paul is really good here getting over the story of the match especially when Rich worked over Eddie's chronically bad left shoulder. After some good back and forth action tempers start to flare a little leading to a bad looking collision sending Hot Stuff to the floor where Rich allows him to recover then holds the ropes for him to come in which pisses off Paul and some of the fans. They would start trading some hard forearms though sending Eddie back to the floor but when he would come back in he would go back to working a wristlock before Rich picked him up using the wrist and dropped him knee first on his knee. Rich would then work over the left knee with Eddie reversing a knee bar into an inside cradle this time sending Rich to the floor. Eddie then goes after Tommy's left leg and gets the figure-four but Rich would break free although he couldn't stop Eddie from wrapping the knee around the ringpost. With one minute left in the match they pick up the pace as Eddie gets a couple of nearfalls before another double collision would send both to the mat. Tommy would recover though and got the sleeper hold but the bell would ring as time ran out. This was a fun scientific type match and although I would've loved to have seen a grittier match this was fine for what it was. Low-level pick at best.

Ross & Cornette would then announce that Flair was Wrestler of the Week.

NWA Power Hour 8/4/89

"Hot Stuff" Eddie Gilbert vs. The Bounty Hunter (7/31/89)

This show is in New Orleans and the old UWF crew is back home and they get a great reaction. Bounty Hunter gives Eddie a fight but Eddie would prevail in the end. Rick Steiner would randomly show up and eat popcorn as well.

Next we get the WNN with Gordon Solie where he announces that Steamer has left the NWA because of a foot injury (false) then gives more news on WWF talking about Arn & Tully winning the WWF Tag Titles and Eric Embry's war with PY Chu-Hi in World Class.

Scott Steiner vs. Rip Morgan (7/31/89)

Hard hitting match but slow and plodding match.

There is a fan in the crowd they let cut a promo on Terry Funk and he would get in Funk's face later.

Then we get Funk's Grill with Norman & Teddy Long and the Funk/Norman dynamic was always great.....Funk managing Norman was a lost great angle.

Sting & "Dr. Death" Steve Williams vs. Terry Funk & Terry "Bamm Bamm" Gordy (7/31/89)

It's only natural to have Doc face off with Gordy in New Orleans. The comedy early in this match is something and not from the wrestlers but this one drunk dude who went to Gordy & Funk lifting up his shirt and slapping his belly then turning his ass around and spanking it while the heels just looked at him. The New Orleans fans then started a "FUNK AIN'T SHIT" chant and he drops down to get in their faces and this is wild...it seemed like in this era of the NWA the fans that were attending shows were kinda unstable. Doc & Gordy would get in together and the hoss battle was on and popping as he hits some big spears on both heels. Funk then throws Doc over the railing getting out there with the wild fans which wasn't the smartest move but he survived. Funk would roll Doc back in the ring and the heels got a spike piledriver but only for a nearfall as Sting threw Funk on the railing on the floor. Gordy would then hit Doc with a big clothesline for another nearfall and the heels just kept pounding on Doc with Funk setting him up for the spinning toehold but Doc got an inside cradle. Sting would get the hot tag and he got his own piledriver on Funk who sold it like death but Sting would crotch himself trying to hit Funk on the ropes and Funk would start working over Sting's left leg. Funk would then trip over the ring mat and threw a chair in the crowd before him & Gordy doubled up on Sting. Doc & Funk would then tee off on each other as Gordy battered Sting in the ring. This would break down into a 4-way brawl although it had been that way all match and Gary Hart would get involved this time as Tommy Young called for the bell. Sting choked Hart as Funk got the branding iron which he nailed him in the back of the head with. Doc then tried to kill the heels according to Ross with the iron as Garvin & Hayes showed up to get the heels out of there. This was just a wild and crazy spectacle and I want to nominate this just because of the madness. I think this should be on the set.

Ross and Cornette close out talking about Luger being Wrestler of the Week.