I gotta say, I was not expecting this to be such a deep and rewarding feud. Kerry still has not learned to confuse Bulba with wrestling, but the brawling here is really good, and Kerry has learned not to take so much time teasing the Claw. And well, this match is all about the Claw, both Kerry's and Bulba's, and is loaded with great dueling Claw spots. Bulba keeps sliding out of the ring early on to avoid Kerry's claw, both guys get to block the other's forehead claw and counter with abdominal claws, and of course, Bulba locks on the Mongolian Claw near the end, looking like he's going to put Kerry out with it again, but Kerry has the wherewithal to grab the Iron Claw at the same time. Bulba throws Kerry off into the ref, and then hits a nasty leaping headbutt to the back of Kerry's head to send him to the outside. This all leads to the screwy but awesome finish where the brawl over to one of the ringposts, where Bulba manages to keep Kerry in place long enough for Skandor Akbar to tie Kerry's hand to the post with his own wrist tape. Bulba then repeatedly headbutts Kerry's hand into the post - starting with Akbar actually throwing Bulba's head into it - to the point that Bulba actually busts himself open headbutting it! Bronko Lubich comes to and throws the match out (you can pick from any number of reasons why, but no specific result is ever given), and Bulba keeps headbutting the hand until Chris Adams runs out to make the save. Another great outing from these two, and another nomination.

"Modern Day Warrior" Kerry Von Erich vs. Tarras Bulba (9/8/89)

 

Kerry & Bulba talk shit before the match until Kerry throws his robe in Bulba's face and the camera. The story here of course is who will get the claw first and Bulba comes dangerously close but Kerry would him off before they would get dueling abdominable claws. Bulba would get a sleeper hold to weaken Kerry enough to put the claw on but Kerry would again fight back so Bulba would continue to work over Kerry until he fights back with a discus punch but as Kerry went for his claw, Bulba snuck in with his in a cool spot. Kerry would get his claw though and we have a stalemate before Bulba releases his and throws Kerry into Lubich. Bulba would then headbutt Kerry from behind sending him to the floor where he would put the claw on him again as Akbar would tie Kerry's hand to the ringpost with his wrist tape with Bulba constantly headbutting Kerry's hand as Lubich calls for the DQ. Adams would run out to chase them off. This was a great angle and extra material but not a nomination.