Ryan Navigates '90 - #44 (6/15)
John Tatum is a CHANGED MAN, people!
Good day!
Ahead of the next Saturday Special, we have a rare Frantic Friday as June 15th gave us enough content for one article.
We have some sweet lucha tag action from EMLL, the spotlight shines on the three big storylines in USWA Dallas, and Rocky King looks to upset Arn Anderson on Power Hour.
FRIDAY, JUNE 15th
EMLL Super Viernes
El Satanico & El Dandy vs. Angel Azteca & Atlantis - Oh, this should be awesome. When last we saw Dandy and Azteca, they gave us an unbelievable technical clinic. Dandy’s been beefing with both opponents throughout the year, but Atlantis in particular wants to get his hands on him.
Speaking of, it looks like Atlantis got clocked off-camera, probably by El Dandy, so we pick it up with him convalescing on the floor.
PRIMERA CAIDA: Satanico and Azteca kick things off with some graps, with Satanico focusing on the arm and Angel working the leg. Dandy tags in and resumes the arm work as he yanks Azteca away from his corner, preventing a tag. Dandy then slugs the still-recovering Atlantis off the apron before tagging out to Satanico, who drives Azteca’s arm into the canvas a couple of times. However, the second time was into Angel’s corner, which allows for a tag to Atlantis.
Dandy tags in, and the crowd is amped to see these two go at it. A fast-paced sequence sees Dandy take Atlantis down with a clothesline and a hard corner whip. The rudo team works Atlantis over for a while, with Satanico in particular going after the arm.
Again, Satanico makes the error of working too close to the opposing corner, so Azteca tags back in. Satanico asks for a handshake, which Angel turns into an arm wringer and a pair of Russian legsweeps. Azteca gets a double rear armbar, but they collapse into Satanico’s corner, allowing for a timely tag to Dandy, who takes Azteca down with a clothesline. Dandy applies a cobra clutch, but Azteca lifts him up, carries him onto his back, and makes the tag to Atlantis!
Atlantis hits a dropkick and a quebradora, resulting in great selling from Dandy. After taking a sidewalk slam, Dandy tags out to Satanico, who spikes Atlantis with a pair of DDTs.
Dandy checks back in and downs Atlantis with a neckbreaker, but another neckbreaker is counted by Atlantis into one of his own. Satanico and Azteca return to the match, with Azteca getting a quebradora and a clothesline. A crucifix pin gets two for Angel, and Satanico immediately tags Dandy. An Azteca dropkick misses, as does a Dandy spinning heel kick. Moments later, Dandy hits a Northern Lights suplex for three on Azteca, then Satanico gets three on Atlantis with a backslide, resulting in the rudos taking the first fall.
SEGUNDA CAIDA: Satanico and Atlantis stalemate after a very impressive athletic sequence, then Dandy and Azteca go at it in an even BETTER exchange of armdrags, takeovers, and evasions… until Dandy tags out, resulting in massive heat from the crowd. Atlantis hits a Whisper in the Wind to Satanico for the pin while Azteca lands a big flying bodypress on Dandy. Azteca gets a beautiful rebound armdrag, then wraps Dandy up in a hammerlock crucifix pin for the three and the second fall.
TERCERA CAIDA: Satanico tries for a handshake, but ends up grabbing Azteca’s arm for an armbar. We exchange armdrags and pinfall attempts in a rapid-fire sequence that ends in parity. Atlantis comes in, and Satanico tags Dandy, who is very reluctant to engage. When Dandy does decide to enter, they have another slick counter-filled sequence that ends with a quebradora to Dandy. Atlantis drives Dandy into the corner and starts to work over the back, applying a camel clutch.
Dandy fights back with an uppercut, then Satancio comes in to bulldog and DDT Atlantis, who retaliates with some leg abuse. Azteca comes in and resumes the limbwork, but Satanico fights back by driving Azteca’s arm into the canvas a couple of times, then applies a Gory special for the submission.
However, Atlantis comes in and snaps Satanico up with a hurricanrana for the three!
It’s down to Dandy and Atlantis! Dandy charges in, only to immediately be captured in La Atlántida (an Argentine backbreaker variant)! Dandy submits, sealing the win for Azteca and Atlantis!
**** - This was terrific tag action, though I feel like they have an even better one in them. I really enjoyed the athleticism and technical work from all four guys, the selling from Dandy and Satanico, and the crisp aerial moves from the tecnicos. I also liked the various injury storylines, one of which played into the deciding submission.
Dandy’s heeling really stood out here, too. The guy continues to be a marvel, effortlessly blending smooth high-flying and technical aptitude while generating hostility from the crowd.
USWA Challenge (Dallas)
In this week’s USWA REPORT, we see “Hollywood” John Tatum distraught at the idea of “Superstar” Bill Dundee talking about possibly marrying Tessa. Tatum then produces a diamond ring that HE was planning to propose to Tessa with.
IT’S A BIG DIAMOND, and Bill Dundee isn’t sincere about wanting to marry Tessa. Tatum plans to give the ring to her as a symbol of his love. He swears to God that he’s going to KILL Bill Dundee and not stop until he gets Tessa back. Well, Bill did threaten to kill him last time, so why not return the death threat?
Southern Heavyweight Championship: “Superstar” Bill Dundee (c) vs. “Hollywood” John Tatum - Poor John is absolutely crestfallen over the sight of Dundee and Tessa (“The happiest couple in America”, per Craig Johnson) making their entrance.
Before the match, Tatum grabs the mic and talks about his past misgivings, but he bought some self-help books! He knows everything he did was wrong (with many in the crowd doubting his sincerity) and apologizes to both Tessa and Bill. He’s sorry for ramming Dundee into the ringpost and “busting (him) open like a pig”, then offers to pay his doctor’s bills. He’ll pay for every stitch!
Unsurprisingly, Tessa doesn’t seem to be buying what Hollywood’s selling. Tatum proclaims that he’s a CHANGED MAN, then explains that he’s got nothing against Dundee, other than him stealing the woman he loved, so he’s “really not a good person”. Tatum will never cheat or hurt anyone again! In a funny touch, Tatum helps Dundee open the ropes so Tessa can leave the ring.
The bell rings, and Tatum is still pleading his case to his ex-lover. Tatum offers a handshake to Dundee, who is reluctant to oblige, so Tatum explains that he was SICK, he was in love, but he’s a CHANGED MAN. Dundee finally accepts the handshake, then Tatum handshakes the security guard at ringside and HUGS both the cameramen! The visual of Tatum being all like “who wants a hug” towards the camera is pretty hilarious.
He tries to hug referee Bronco Lubich, but Bronc wants none of that touchy-feely bullshit.
We get some contact with both guys exchanging armwringers before Dundee comes out on top with an armbar. Tatum breaks via the ropes, then, after a rebuffed handshake, blasts Dundee with a shoulderblock to knock him to the floor. Ever the gentleman, Tatum holds the ropes open for Superstar so he can re-enter, even patting him on the back on the way in.
Dundee takes Tatum down a couple more times, with Tatum earnestly offering a sportsman’s handshake after each one. This is amazing. They do a triple drop-down sequence that ends with another Tatum shoulderblock that knocks Dundee out of the ring. This time, Dundee accidentally wipes out Tessa on the way down! While Tessa’s welfare distract Dundee and the ref, Tatum produces a chain! Oh, that rascal!
After Tessa is placed on a chair and confirmed to be okay, Dundee heads back into the ring. Tatum punches him out with the chain and covers for the win and the title! Tatum leaves with the belt without even bothering to check on Tessa! Awesome.
**1/2 - Honestly, the action in the match itself wasn’t much, but this whole package was incredible entertainment. Tatum was hilariously scummy and transparently insincere, both in the match and the pre-match spiel. Tatum is a terrific ham.
Dundee, on his end, is doing well in his role as Tessa’s savior. I was fairly cold on this storyline at first, but it’s now firmly in “must-see” territory. Hollywood Tatum is a gem.
We pick things up at the finish of “Stunning” Steve Austin vs. “Gentleman” Chris Adams. Jeanie and Toni Adams are not at ringside for this one. Adams hits a superkick to the guts, then kicks Austin’s leg out of his, uh, leg before nailing a vertical suplex. Adams gets some corner punches/forearms, then lands another superkick to the midsection before tying Austin to the ropes.
Adams gets some unabated shots, but Austin escapes and ducks, allowing Adams to bungle himself in the ropes as a result. Austin rocks him with a couple of rights and a big clothesline, then heads upstairs. Austin goes for a pseudo-frog splash, but Adams moves! Adams then hits a top-rope clothesline for the three!
After the match, Jeanie tosses a chair into the ring. Adams intercepts and grabs it for himself, but Austin cuts him off before Chris can make a chair-itable donation. Jeanie attempts to sneak away as Austin pummels the Gentleman, but Toni cuts her off at the pass while wielding a kendo stick! Oh, shit!
Toni gets some shots in on Jeanie, driving her back to the ring. However, Austin stops Toni as she’s coming into the ring, then tosses the stick to Jeanie. Austin holds Toni in place for some uncontested wallops from Jeanie! She gets a few shots in on Chris for good measure before her and Austin leave triumphant.
This feud just keeps delivering the goods. Toni comes off as more of a bad-ass than most male wrestlers, Jeanie’s great at being unlikeable, and the action that we saw was very good. It’s cliché, I know, but Austin continues to rapidly grow before our eyes.
Another USWA REPORT replays most of the crazed promo from Matt Borne and Percy Pringle that we previously saw, then we get a newer promo from Kerry Von Erich explaining that his brother Chris faked an injury so he can sucker Pringle in for some payback. He then talks about Chris being in his corner for the next match, saying that he wants more of ol’ Percival.
Kerry Von Erich vs. “Maniac” Matt Borne - Chris Von Erich’s attire look like the 1990’s threw up all over itself. It’s amazing. Kerry in the robe looks like a mother trying to wrangle her hyperactive son.
The bell rings, and Kerry explains that Chris is going to stick to Percy like “stink on [BLEEP]”. Kerry made a swear!
Percy is invited to sit down by Chris, and he finally obliges after threatening to slap the hell out of the youngest Von Erich. With that matter settled (for now), Borne tries to goad Kerry into punching him in the face.
After Borne shoves him, Kerry fulfils his prior request with a discus punch. Borne rolls out to confer with Percy as USWA CHALLENGE ROLLS ON…
…and we’re back with Borne still pacing on the floor. He finally returns to the ring and manages to get some lefts in, but Kerry fights back with punches of his own. Kerry goes for the IRON CLAW, but Borne blocks it and goes to the eyes. A Borne uppercut sends Kerry to the floor, and Maniac Matt dishes out some chops and assorted punishment while Chris keeps Percy from interjecting himself into matters.
Kerry comes back with some punches, then it’s back in the ring with Kerry attempting a Thesz press…only to get dumped throat-first onto the top rope. Borne hits a corner clothesline and a big chop before heading to the top. He hits a giant sitdown splash (the Whoopie Cushion!), but Kerry catches him on impact with a claw to the abdominal/junk area. Borne punches out of it the hold, but he misses a blind charge and takes a huge bump to the floor, wiping out the cameraman in the process.
On the floor, Percy tries to handcuff Chris to the bottom rope, but the fickle hand of fate sees Percy getting cuffed instead! Foist on his own petard. Did he not bring a key?
Amongst the bedlam, Matt’s father, Tony Borne, gets knocked out by Kerry! The match ends in a double-countout as Kerry and Chris make their way to the back, leaving broken Bornes and a perturbed Pringle in their wake.
** - Another short, somewhat thin match, but the work that we did get was pretty decent. Borne’s bumping is great here, the brawling was well-executed, and it was nice to see Percy get some comeuppance from Chris. However, they spent way too much time focusing on the outside parties instead of the match happening in the ring, which hurt things a lot.
While the Tatum/Dundee feud is catching fire, this one cooling off a bit. I wouldn’t say it’s bad at this point, but they haven’t been able to touch the parking lot brawl they had early on.
NWA Power Hour
Jim Ross interviews Rocky King, who is immediately interrupted by Ole Anderson. Ole wants to see who this big surprise is that King’s got for the Horsemen.
King’s surprise in this case is 48-year old Thunderbolt Patterson, a veteran of the US territories and former tag championship partner with Ole himself. Ole freaks out and threatens to involve his lawyers.
Patterson then talks about it being a NEW DAY (YES IT IS), then promises to keep an eye on Ric Flair and Ole. Wherever you go, he’ll be on him like “stink on…ooohhhhh”. That’s two segments in a row with that same simile!
The time has come for Patterson to put his foot where the sun don’t shine! He’s full, but he’s starving, Jim! Poor JR tries to plug this Sunday’s Omni show throughout this odd promo.
Bringing in Thunderbolt, who hadn’t wrestled since 1985, was certainly a choice, but not necessarily one the NWA wanted to make. According to legend, Patterson saw the racist promos the Horsemen were doing and threatened to have the NAACP picket the CNN Center if WCW didn’t put a stop to the racism hire him and put him on-screen. Rather than risk potential embarrassment to the Turner brand, WCW capitulated and brought him in.
Patterson stuck around until the fall when he left the promotion.
Arn Anderson vs. Rocky King - This one’s been building for a bit, with King being a thorn in the Horsemen’s collective side, drawing the ire of Arn in particular.
This is your non-regular reminder that the NWA is brought to you by ROOS! Shoes for your feet, pockets for your stuff!
Rocky gets a decent pop despite getting the “in the corner to my left” treatment. Arn starts off by pounding away at King and snuffing out any whiff of a comeback. King gets a series of punches, but Arn dumps him out and batters him on the floor. Back in, Arn resumes the beating with knees and mounted punches.
Rocky tries a single-leg, but Arn puts a stop to that and works the neck vice. Arn switches to a choke as the Horsemen run out for the DQ? I’m sorry, what? That gives Rocky King the win.
Ole, Barry Windham, and Sid Vicious (back in the tux!) beat King down, with Sid planting him with a powerbomb. Sting, Junkyard Dog, and Paul Orndorff (“THE SUPERHEROES” per Jim Ross) come out for the save.
Match wasn’t even 3 minutes, so I won’t rate it, but this was little more than an Anderson squash with an aggressively stupid disqualification ending. I’m not sure why the Horsemen interfered and cost Arn the match. It’s not like Arn was in anything resembling danger against a career enhancement talent.
I’m also not sold on the sudden push to have the Dudes with Attitude referred to as “superheroes”. Sting and Luger, I’d get, but the others? On the superhero front, they’d probably make about as big a cultural impact in the 1990s as the Defenders of Dynatron City.
Next, on the Louisville Slugger, Jim Cornette introduces his guests: The Fabulous Freebirds! Jim calls them the world’s greatest rock n’ roll band and says they can hit higher notes than “Ella Fitzgerald sitting on a tack”.
Hayes in particular is looking extra *Bubbles voice* greeeeeeeee-heeeeeeeeee-heeeeeeasy this evening.
Corny lays on the superlatives and bogus accomplishments, then Garvin says that it’s not easy being the greatest rock band AND the greatest tag team in the world. EVERYTHING’S ON FIRE! There’s an ointment for that.
Michael explains their jet-setting lifestyle and claims that they’ll beat all the tag teams, including the Rock N’ Roll Express and the Southern Boys. It’s not Hammertime; it’s BADSTREET TIME! MC Hammer’s classic “U Can’t Touch This” just came out in May, so I wouldn’t be shocked if we hear THAT referenced in more promos.
Corny asks them about the prospect of the ‘Birds facing Doom for the World tag titles, and Garvin says that’s what they want to do eventually, but their next goal is the US tag titles, held by Cornette’s Midnight Express. Cornette is beside himself as the interview turns hostile. Hayes tells Cornette to send word to his boys that they’re coming after their belts!
Cornette waits until the Freebirds are off camera and presumably out of earshot before talking shit about them to close the segment. Hayes was such a great speaker, and it can be pretty fun when heels don’t act buddy-buddy.
THE TUGBOAT TRIBUNE
As always, the news comes courtesy of Dave Meltzer and the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
With the slower pace of June, I’m needing to ration these out a bit. That said, here’s a couple of quick newsbits:
Another name that Ole Anderson is trying to bring into the WCW fold is Austin Idol.
However, Idol isn’t into the idea of working a full-time schedule on the road.
The WWF’s first show in Toronto since WrestleMania VI drew a mere 5,000 fans with Ultimate Warrior vs. Rick Rude as the main event.
Not exactly a promising harbinger for The SummerSlam.
NEXT TIME: Another Saturday Special gives us more awesomeness from Memphis and Dallas, with Snowman/Lawler, John Tatum, et al. Plus, some WWF and NWA odds and ends.
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