Superbouts 5

 

Midnight Express vs. Rock N Roll Express

- These guys were just on which I didn't expect from the Eaton-Lane since I always felt that Eaton-Condrey matched up better against the RNR. A beautiful spot as Eaton and Morton are locked up and Ricky climbs on top of Eaton's shoulders and goes into a run the rope sequence. Morton plays FIP and it looks like he is toast but Eaton misses the rocket launcher. The end run, however, was really sloppy and kind of soured me on the match. Another on the fence match.

 

Dusty Rhodes vs. Lex Luger

- I'll have to rewatch this since I couldn't get into it for some reason.

 

Arn Anderson vs. Robert Gibson (One-fall death match)

- I'll come back to this one also.

NWA World Tag Titles: The Rock n Roll Express (Robert Gibson & Ricky Morton) © vs. The Midnight Express ("Beautiful" Bobby Eaton & "Sweet" Stan Lane) (9/25/87)

Both teams scrap a little early on with the RnR getting the better of the deal of course. I loved the Morton spot where he climbed up Eaton's body and back over to get some shots on him. Morton was sent to the floor though and Cornette popped him on the head with the racquet and then Lane posted him. Eaton then threw Morton on the ringside table and the MX were now very aggressive at working him over inside and outside the ring. Gibson wasn't helping as he was coming in the ring distracting Tommy Young while the MX were roughing Morton up. Morton would get a sunset flip hopespot nearfall but Cornette had Tommy Young distracted this time. Gibson still wasn't doing Morton any favors as Lane threw him over the top rope but Young never saw it. The MX would miss the Rocket Launcher though and that allowed Morton to tag in Gibson and he ran wild on the MX before Morton could join in. Eaton would attack Morton with a running knee then grabbed the racquet from Cornette and nailed Gibson with it for the DQ. If we didn't have better matches from these teams against each other this would've been a nomination but I'm leaning no here because of the finish.

"American Dream" Dusty Rhodes vs. "Total Package" Lex Luger (9/22/87)

This was taped at the Sundome in Tampa where Dusty was a legend and Luger had been a big star a year earlier. Dusty does all of his schtick early on with Dillon bumping for his Bionic Elbows as well. Dusty was trying for the Weaver Lock early but Luger quickly got outside the ring to the floor to regroup. Luger would come back and missed a diving kneedrop where Dusty would follow with the Figure-Four Leglock but Dillon would reach in the ring to rake his eyes breaking the hold. Dusty went out and chased Dillon allowing Luger to attack him from behind. Dillon then nailed Dusty with his shoe forcing juice from Dusty and Luger works over the cut some but not like he should've as he wanted to use a bearhug and other restholds. Dusty comes fighting back and gets the Weaver Lock after Luger missed a clothesline which brings in Dillon who gets jumped by Dusty but the match is called for a DQ. Luger & Dillon attacked Dusty and Bill Alfonso until Johnny Weaver jumps in the ring and puts the Weaver Lock on Dillon as the crowd goes nuts. The match shouldn't go on the block but the angle is extra material.

One Fall Death Match: Robert Gibson vs. "The Enforcer" Arn Anderson (10/13/87)

For this to be a death match there is a lot of holds being worked here although the fans were into it. Arn would finally toss Gibson to the floor who got pissed and he grabbed Arn's leg and wrapped it around the ringpost before locking on the Figure-Four back in the ring. Gibson lets go but keeps on working the leg and again a lot of holds in this death match. Arn would get control and again goes to working holds focusing on Gibson's back until Gibson sent him flying into the turnbuckles. Gibson then hit a desperation dropkick for a nearfall but Arn would sent him to the floor where they brawled for a bit throwing some good punches with both men stopping the other one from coming back in the ring. Gibson would beat the count back in the ring and wins by countout with fans loudly booing that finish. This was a really good match that had a "death match" label when it didn't need it. I'm throwing this up on the block because the work was good enough but the finish and death match label was iffy.

MX vs Rock N Roll Express

 

I'm totally digging the Rock N Roll's shine. The MX bumping and a stooging is 1st class. The Rock N Roll Express work the arm. A double bump leads to Morton going to the outside, and Corny waffles him with the racquet. This was a great way to set up the heat. MX doing some great KOTM spots. The MX is working over the neck. Another big toss of Morton to the outside. Eaton misses with the Rocket Launcher. The finish sucked, but typical for 80's wrestling. I'll give this a low end nomination. The bout was good enough.

 

Dusty Rhodes vs Lex Luger

 

The finish should be an extra or the match as an extra.

 

Gibson vs Arn

 

Match has been discussed.