Steel Cage Match with the winner gaining control of World Class: “Flamboyant” Eric Embry vs. PY Chu-Hi (Phil Hickerson) (8/4/89)

 

This is the money match of a 6 month long storyline and they played this up huge as Lowrance, Dusek, & Pringle were around the cage rooting for Embry getting the crowd pumped up. Was this a pretty match nope but it was what it was and both men performed well. The finish came out of nowhere as Hickerson missed a running splash into the corner and Embry cradled up the legs to get the win as the Sportatorium exploded. The babyfaces came out and celebrated after the match then Embry & Pringle ripped down the World Class banner to mark the end of the era. This is a definite nomination in my mind due to historic significance of the match and the angle that saved the promotion from a money standpoint for over 6 months.

12. Eric Embry vs PY Chu'i - cage match for control of WCCW; WCCW will now become USWA

 

This bout was built up real good. Lowrance needed to show a lot more excitement on commentary. The guys told a basic story. I thought Tojo and Pringle made good 2nds here. This isn't a nomination, but should go on as an extra. It's amzing how the promotion put a positive spin on replacing WCCW.

Normally, I wouldn't back this as a nomination just on match quality, but it is a very good match, it feels long for an extra, and it has to go on somehow. For long matches that have to be included on the set for their significance, this smokes Adams/Hernandez. It won't go high on my ballot, but I'll say yes.

How long does the match go?

The match plus the post-match tearing down of the World Class banner clocks in at about 12 minutes. So it's not really long long, but I tend to think of extra matches as being closer to 5 minutes if they're really good. This isn't something I'd normally consider nomination good, but it is borderline, and it should go on, and 12 minutes feels too long for a match this good to be an extra. That's just how I see it, anyway.

I am moving this to doubt now. I don't think 12 minutes is too long for an extra at all. We had matches on Memphis and Mid SOuth in extras that went longer than that but were not on the main list.

True...but then I usually found myself wondering why those matches didn't make the main list. I'm coming into this having asked myself the question "why did one concession stand brawl make the main list of the Memphis set but others were extras" and not found a satisfactory answer other than only having room for so many matches. This is a match that should be an extra if it becomes a matter of space limitations. Otherwise, don't see what keeps it from being a viable inclusion on the main list.

I am putting this here because shoe said it wasn't a nomination, not because of time considerations.

I know. I'm just saying, is all.

I am a sucker for body part work and PY is killing Embry's leg. Embry's comeback fire got the crowd rallying but PY hits a sick DDT... and another one. PY is sick in this and the only real disappointment is th abrupt ending. Embry was getting his ass kicked. The celebration at the end was fitting and I have no idea why this amtch would not be on the set. Phil begged me to watch this match and re-evaluate it so this one gets put in the LOVE. The one disagreement I have is that I don't think this "smokes Adams/Hernandez". Both are perfectly acceptable candidates to be on the set and no need for extras here.