Posted April 25, 200817 yr comment_5430873 This was as fun as I assumed it would be. I always remember watching Rocky Johnson in 84 in WWF and Soulman was good, but you could tell he was past his prime. He had some good stuff in Memphis in 87, but I think his prime was def the early 80's... He was really a perfect opponent for bumbling Buddy. Buddy was a master of telegraphing stuff, so here you have a clinic.... goes for a slam.. fails... gets slammed... Goes for an illegal punch on a ropebreak.. .fails and gets nailed with like 5 quick punches to the fat gut and a big soupbone to the jaw and he goes reeling....Goes for a go behind... reverse... then gets sent off ropes.. drops down to monkey flip Rocky... who lands on feet and then peppers Rose in the face with a jab...! It's all just so fun to watch and that's just the first 2 minutes... Rocky's spinning!?! counter to Rose side suplex that was swiftly turned into a rolling cradle with a bridge for the fi win was sweetness. Not a LONG match. Not any near falls... but I'd def say this belongs just cause it was really entertaining basic storytelling. I can see people thinking this isn't worthy, but it was very enjoyable for me to watch for sure. Especially since it was set up the week prior with Iceman Parsons and the post match interview with Rose crying that he pulled the "TRUNKS" despite the fact BOTH of Rocky's arms were two feet away!
April 19, 201015 yr comment_5449679 Rocky Johnson vs. Buddy Rose - 1981/11/07 - Rocky has some cartoony offense like the wind-up punches but Buddy sells them well enough. Rose gains control and starts working over Johnson’s back. It looks a little awkward watching fat, short Buddy Rose give tall, muscular Rocky Johnson a standing bearhug but Rose whips Rocky into the turnbuckle to add more damage. Rocky eventually escapes and gets the flash pin off a roll-up. Good enough but nothing that really stands out. Hmmm… I couldn’t tell if this was one fall only or if we only got the first of a 2/3 fall. (Lynch 6)
April 10, 201114 yr comment_5469592 This was a good match for what it was, but it's the sort of thing that I almost feel indifferent about. I wouldn't argue hard against it's inclusion on the set, but it feels like the sort of match that would be destined for the bottom ten. There were some really cool flashy Rocky spots, Rose was fun reacting to that, and I really loved the finish as Buddy was going for his backbreaker and Rocky got a nice escape for the flash pin. Still doesn't feel like a match that anyone HAS to see.
July 17, 201411 yr comment_5613140 This offered a fine little intro to the Rocky playbook, and I liked Buddy's viciousness once he went on the offensive, as if he wanted to nip this threat in the bud on night one. Rocky's flash pin made for a noteworthy ending. But they didn't have time to build this into anything that would stand with the best of Portland. Maybe an extra because the new arrival beat Buddy? No more than that. PP #15, 11/7/81
