I don't know whether or not replacing Jose Lothario with Bugsy McGraw necessarily made this better or worse than the Super Sock match, but I do know they did a lot more with what they had here than they did in the Super Sock match. They open with Bugsy and Checkmate, and I absolutely love their comedy stuff against each other. Then Madril comes in, and his FIP section is way better than Lothario's from their match. Checkmate looks great working over him with punches, kneelifts, and headbutts. Dragon was kinda bad, but not nearly as bad as he can be, with most of his offense looking inoffensive. I also liked his spot near the end where Madril chopped him down, and he kipped up right into another shot. Madril sold and ate stuff well, and I thought his short punches looked nice. The babyface comeback was a lot of fun. Loved the do-si-do spots. This had all the fun and comic antics of the Bugsy/Checkmate singles match I had nominated, plus the more traditional fun of a great formula tag team bout. I had been strongly considering using a personal pick on that, but I may have to use it on this instead.

Al Madril & Bugsy McGraw vs. Checkmate (Tony Charles) & Magic Dragon (10/26/82) World Class 11/2/82 (24/7)

- Man, the people love them some Bugsy. The little amateur shtick between Bugsy and Chekmate was pretty cool. So far, so good. After watching a little Dragon over the last couple of weeks, I am with you guys… this dude sucks. All that good will that Checkmate and Bugsy built up is slowly slipping away. Shit, checkmate and Madril do some cool shit but Dragon comes right back in. The stretch run after Bugsy gets tagged in was pretty great. Great finish with Dragon leap frogging over Madril’s head from the corner to get nailed with a Bugsy punch and Madril getting the pin off a flying body press. There was some weak shit with Dragon early on but there was too much stuff in there that I like not to nominate. Nomination.

Al Madril & Bugsy McGraw vs. Checkmate (Tony Charles) & Magic Dragon (10/26/82)

 

Bugsy was all comedy here including him immitating Checkmate in his wrestling stance. Different pacing here as they weren't working to a draw and Bugsy was way different than Lothario which I sorta missed Jose here as a rematch would've been fun. Madril really gets beat on here by the heels in a fairly long FIP section. Madril & Bugsy would then make a comeback and Madril hit a nice flying cross body block off the top rope on Dragon to give that team their first loss. I liked this but I liked the Lothario match better and this falls short of a nomination.

I liked both of them