Michael “PS” Hayes & Jeff Jarrett vs. The Samoan Swat Team (Fatu & Samu) (11/25/88)

 

Fatu mimicing Hayes doing his schtick before the match was great. Jarrett looks really good early on offense and it was great seeing Fatu playing a stooging chickenshit heel. The tide would turn though and Jarrett would take a pounding showing his great skills playing the FIP. Jarrett would fight back only to be squelched by the SST’s double teams but he would stomp on Samu’s feet to get the tag to Hayes that Paul Neighbors doesn’t see. Jarrett then takes some more punishment before finally getting the hot tag to Hayes who is making his first entry into the match. Hayes comes in blazing hitting a big double DDT followed up by a double bulldog on the SST as the fans go nuts. The 4-way brawl would be on until Buddy jumps in the ring to break up a pin attempt by Jarrett which would bring out Steve Cox who confronts Buddy on the floor. The brawling continues in the ring so Paul Neighbors calls for the bell as now Jimmy Jack Funk shows up starting a wild brawl on the floor. This was very fun and it goes on the block.

Watching a match like this, it's really frustrating to think about how Jarrett's career played out. He was (and is) so talented and such a great natural babyface, but his booking in national promotions in the 90's just killed the crowd's willingness to accept him as a main eventer. Oh, well. This had a ton of great action and some fun post-match brawling that made up for a bullshit finish. I second the nomination.

Michael Hayes & Jeff Jarrett vs. Samoan Swat Team 11/25/88 (Legends of WCCW 5/29/90) (NEED TO EDIT COMMERCIAL)

- Really solid beginning with Jarrett using speed to counter Samoan strength. However, that doesn’t last long as the Samoans just maul Jarrett. That’s what I like to see… Jarrett getting his ass kicked. It’s like watching a Naylor WIMPIE collection from the Samoans but with Jarrett as the opponent. Rikishi is showing a shitload of personality also. Hayes makes the hot tag finally and does some cool shit like a double DDT followed by a double bulldog. Really hot finishing stretch with all four men in the ring but the match gets thrown out with the mayhem. Bad result but the end run was hot. I fully support this nomination.