Ryan's Dive into '95 - Part 27 (7/2 - 7/8)
Jeff Jarrett "sings", AAA action out the wazoo, WAR returns, Dusty Finishes in title matches, Mark Curtis is a great heel, and more!
If you haven’t read it already, please check out my introductory article that explains what this series is all about. As a reminder, footage is sourced from the Goodhelmet 1995 Yearbook, unless otherwise stated.
How ya now?
After an eventful week last time at The Dive, things mellow out a bit. We do have a few matches from AAA, a juniors match from WAR that was one of the top ten matches of the year per the readers of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, a wacky trios match, some ridiculous finishes in title matches, and more!
Well…
JULY 3rd
WWF Monday Night RAW - Hi, kids. Do you like…country music? How about a music video for Jeff Jarrett's chartbusting country single, “With My Baby Tonight”?
I gotta be honest; this is a shockingly decent, catchy song for something produced by a wrestling company, and the video wouldn't have felt out of place on CMT in the mid-90s. You know, back when they played country music videos and not reruns of Last Man Standing. The WWF must have thought this was pretty keen, too, because they ran this fucker into the ground. Seriously, they played this on pretty much every WWF TV show for WEEKS.
I remember when I saw this for the first time. My parents were watching it with me and as soon as Jarrett's vocals started, my mom was like “wait a minute, this asshole can sing?!?”
Of course, it was later revealed that it wasn't Jeff that sang on this track, but… The Roadie. WHAT A TWIST! The Roadie was then rechristened “The Real Double J” Jesse Jammes and started singing this song as part of his entrance. He did not get over.
We now another video on the WWF's work with the Special Olympics.
I love that they highlighted Aldo Montoya meeting the competitors from Portugal, like he’s really from there. Diesel gives a speech about SPORTS.
Say what you will about the WWF constantly patting themselves on the back about this collaboration, but it could be worse.
Betting on the SPECIAL OLYMPICS? Those guys are not seeing the Pearly Gates.
We now cut to Jerry Lawler at the office of Isaac Yankem, DDS, who still trying to rid Lawler of his hexing halitosis. The King badmouths Bret Hart to everyone in the waiting room. A kid tells him that he has bad breath.
Soon, a dude holding a tissue against his bloody mouth scurries out in terror. Isaac Yankem himself then comes out and says “NEXT” as a sinister smile reveals a mouth full of bad teeth. A dentist with BAD TEETH? The ironing is delicious. Bad teeth AND the “I. Yankem” name? This shit’s got layers, man. It’s a bloomin’ onion, but not one you’d want to split with your co-workers several drinks deep into a post-conference get-together.
Yankem is of course portrayed by SMW's Unabomb and would eventually become the fake Diesel, Kane, and idiot mayor Glenn Jacobs. We’ll still see Unabomb for a bit until he transitions to The Fed full-time. Interestingly enough, Dave Meltzer initially theorized that Shane Douglas was to be in this role, which would have been interesting. “Open wide HA HA”. The matches with Bret Hart could have been good shit, at least.
JULY 4th
ECW Hardcore TV - We celebrate America's independence with clips of The Public Enemy (c) vs. Stevie Richards & Raven for the ECW Tag Team Championship via ECW Fan Cam. This was recorded on June 30th at Mountain Top Madness. Rocco Rock hits a senton on Richards for a visual pinfall, but The Gangstas come in and assault TPE. Richards covers for the pin and the belts.
…but wait! Referee Jim Molineaux informs the match’s assigned referee John Finnegan of what happened, and the belts are awarded back to The Public Enemy!
However, troubleshooting referee Bill Alfonso comes out and he reverses THAT reversal, re-awarding the titles to Raven and Richards! It's the rare DOUBLE Dusty Finish, folks! That’s pretty damn excessive, but Richards’ post-match celebration is tremendous.
We now go backstage to the new champs, as Stevie sings a bit of “We Are The Champions” and celebrates like a complete doofus while Raven broods, as he is often wont to do.
JULY 6th
AAA Sin Limite - The first of three AAA matches this week was filmed on July 6th, but was broadcast on August 13th.
Mexican National Trios Title: Rey Misterio Jr., Octagon and Super Muneco (c) vs. Psicosis, Fuerza Guerrera, and Blue Panther - Super Muneco is a clown-like figure in lucha, but he does hold the distinction of winning over 100 apuestas matches. He racked up a LOT of masks and hair over the years, including from guys like Espanto Jr., Angel de la Muerte, and…
…the fuck?
Apparently, THAT gimmick was around for decades, and there were at least THREE of them! Can't see anyone other than maybe XPW doing that nowadays. The rudo ref (El Tirantes) dyed his hair blonde since we last saw. What a douche.
PRIMERA CAIDA: Muneco and Psicosis kick it off with some nifty reversals. Muneco comes out on top, but Fuerza assaults him from behind to take over for a bit. Muneco comes back with some armdrags, then Rey and Blue Panther tag in and do a rapid sequence that ends with a Panther lariat. Rey comes back with some evasive acrobatics and hits a facebuster. Octagon and Psicosis check in and they light the ring on fire with a blistering series of armdrags and dodges. Octagon and Muneco hit a double-team headscissors on Panther, then Fuerza comes in and lands on his feet during a tilt-a-whirl. He's rather proud of that one! That, or he’s telling us about a fish he caught.
Octagon quickly hits him with a facebuster, then Psicosis eats one from Rey. Rey quickly scores a Frankensteiner on Psicosis for the pin and the first fall.
SEGUNDA CAIDA: The clown and the blue kitty start off, and Muneco armdrags the crap out of anything within grabbing distance. Rey and Psicosis check in and they do their usual amazing sequence of athletics, with Rey dispatching Psicosis with a cartwheel into a Frankensteiner. The rudos soon double-team Rey, but he rolls up Panther…but is then hit with a huge spinebuster from Psicosis. Psicosis taps Rey out with a leg grapevine, then Fuerza knees Muneco in the penis. Fuerza applies his own Sharpshooter/armbar hold for the submission and the second fall.
TERCERA CAIDA: Psicosis dropkicks the leg of Rey, then Fuerza overhead powerbombs him…then knees him in the fucking dick! Rude! Panther hits a powerbomb, but Rey hurricanaranas out of another one. Psicosis checks back in and launches Rey WAY up in the air, but Rey catches him with a smooth ‘rana. Panther breaks up the pin, but Rey dropkicks an ascending Psicosis to the floor. Muneco comes in, but gets immediately beset by Fuerza. Muneco comes back with a quebradora and tags in Octagon…and Fuerza knees HIM in the yambag! Fuerza is on a SACK ATTACK tonight!
Soon, though, Octagon gets some scrotal revenge of his own on Fuerza. Muneco comes in and gets quickly bounced by Panther. Rey comes in and Frankensteiners Psicosis off the second rope! Panther again breaks up the pin, and shit breaks down for a bit. The heels try a 3-way battering ram spot, but are all run into each other, then the faces dropkick them all out. Triple tope suicida!
Back in, Octagon hiptosses Psicosis outta the ring and hits him with La Silla on the floor! In the ring, Muneco and Rey go for hurricanranas, but are both caught with powerbombs for a near-fall! Rey planchas Fuerza on the floor, then Muneco trips up on the ropes doing a suicida and lands HARD on his face. Fuck, man. You can see Blue Panther checking on him after that one. Psicosis and Octagon go at it, with Octagon going for the grounded octopus…but Psicosis counters into one of his own!
Octagon gives it up, awarding the third fall and the titles to the rudos!
**** - This didn’t necessarily hit the highs of other AAA matches from around this time, but it was another fast-paced, exciting trios match. Muneco was older and less fleet of foot than his partners, but he was fun to watch with his insane penchant for armdrags and odd charisma. He’d thankfully be OK after that nasty spill. Loved Fuerza's Bobby Hill-esque disdain for the testicles, and it was fun seeing Octagon get some revenge for his team on THAT front. Psicosis nets another huge W here, tapping out Octagon with his own move. They’ve been making Psicosis look like a huge deal around this time.
Post-match, sportsmanship is displayed as the tecnicos belt up the rudos. Then the Star Wars theme plays.
JULY 7th
WAR 3rd Revolution Anniversary, Night 10 - It’s been a while since we had a WAR match, and we have two this week!
WAR International Junior Heavyweight Championship: Lionheart (c) vs. Ultimo Dragon - This was among the top ten matches of the year as voted by the Wrestling Observer readerbase, so I have high hopes. Dragon's gear is something else, wearing a coat with tails on and rocking the rare short trunks emblazoned with the colors of the Mexican flag. It's like The Fantastics took a tour of Tijuana. The mask looks different, too, with more exposed parts of the head and lacking the long tail.
Both guys do some quick reversals and parity spots, going for simultaneous dropkicks and spinkicks to pop the crowd. Dragon grabs the figure four headscissors, but Jericho reverses into a grapevine. Big dropkick from Ultimo, but Jericho grabs the ropes. Ultimo works the leg, but Jericho goes for the eyes, and both guys start slapping each other as a result. Ultimo settles down with a front facelock. As an aside, this is PRISTINE video quality.
Lionheart hits a slingshot splash for two, then snags a chicken wing. Ultimo jawbreakers out of it and lays in some kicks. Into a half-crab, then an Indian deathlock. Ultimo SWIVELS THE HIPS, impregnating the first five rows, then grabs a Muta Lock. Jericho loudly refuses to give in.
Ultimo releases and hits a clothesline, then follows with a top-rope Frankensteiner for two. Rapid moonsault gets another two, then Ultimo puts Lionheart in a Boston crab (irony!), then transitions into a half-crab. Ultimo gets some chops in the corner, but Jericho dodges a charge and lands a nice moonsault press for two. Jericho hits a leg lariat and a springboard plancha off the top turnbuckle. Jericho catches Ultimo on the apron and jackhammers him back into the ring for two! Eat it, Goldberg! Jericho hits a top-rope splash for two.
Jericho hits Ultimo with a brutal slingshot back suplex that drops Dragon on his head, but Ultimo survives. Lionheat grabs a sleeper with a body scissors, then hits a double-underhook powerbombs for a near-fall. Ultimo escapes another slingshot back suplex, then dodges a springboard press, causing Jericho to go SPLUT on the floor. Ultimo goes for a…something, but just kinda falls on Jericho on the outside. The camera doesn't really capture the intended move. Jericho hits a kneeling piledriver on the floor! Holy hell!
Dragon makes it back in, but walks into a Jericho slam. He shouts “THIS IS IT NOW BAY-BAY!” and looks to ascend the ropes, but Ultimo hits a springboard dropkick to the apron, then a somersault plancha to the floor. They fight over a suplex on the apron, and Ultimo brainbusters Jericho back in for two! Quebrada gets two for Dragon, as does a fisherman's buster. Scorpion deathlock from Dragon, which he quickly releases. Jericho hits a missile dropkick for a nearfall, but Ultimo trips him up while going for the Lionsault. La Majistral gets a close two! They do some pinfall reversals, then Ultimo hits a dragon suplex for a VERY close two!
Ultimo places Lionheart on the top rope and looks for a Frankensteiner, but Jericho coldly dumps him to the floor in a huge bump. Jericho goes for a dive but ends up eating an Ultimo boot. Back in, Jericho hits the Lionsault onto Ultimo's back, then applies a rolling prawn hold for another close near-fall. Jericho goes for another double-underhook powerbomb, but Ultimo ‘ranas into another close fall. Ultimo catches Jericho with a rolling Frankensteiner for another near-fall. Jericho grabs a tiger suplex for two! Jericho goes for a superplex, but Ultimo shifts his weight and gets another two! Ultimo goes for a powerbomb, but Jericho ‘ranas out of it…but Ultimo rolls through for a pin attempt of his own!
Ultimo hits a DDT, but Jericho catches him going up top and comes down with a top rope powerslam! Ultimo kicks out! Top rope moonsault from Lionheart misses, then Ultimo misses a Cancun Tornado! Jericho then hits a top rope butterfly suplex for the pin!
****1/4 - This was a pretty crazy Juniors spotfest with tons of false finishes, almost verging on too many. These guys were clearly trying to impress; Jericho especially wrestling like someone looking to score a big money deal. He busted out shit you’ve rarely seem him do since. This had big moves galore and cut a very fast pace. There were a couple of instances of dodgy execution, though, and it did feel like they were recovering too quickly from some of the bigger moves. While it won't make MY personal top ten list for the year, I can absolutely see how people lost their everloving minds watching it back in 1995.
Jimmy Snuka, Bob Backlund & Mil Mascaras vs. The Eliminators & Hector Garza - What in the “mash the random button in Fire Pro” is this match? The non-legends team seems like one of those trios that would be decided by drawing names from a hat like CHIKARA used to do.
The Eliminators (John Kronus and Perry Saturn) are touring with WAR after a couple of years in the USWA. Paul Heyman saw them during this tour, was impressed, and brought them to ECW where they gained their greatest fame and success as a duo. They are rocking some very Road Warrior-like make-up tonight.
Hector Garza was in CMLL at the time, but would end up in AAA shortly after. He had some brief stints in WWF, WCW, and TNA, and wrestled in Mexico until his passing in 2013 from lung cancer. His nephews wrestle currently in WWE under the names Angel and Humberto.
Backlund entering the ring to Mascaras’ theme music (Jigsaw's “Sky High”) is hilarious to me for some reason. The crowd goes absolutely APESHIT for the legends. Bob Backlund starts with Saturn, and the crowd LOVES Bob. He tells the crowd to simmer down, but they pop when he offers a handshake! Saturn offers a middle finger in response.
We clip to Bob getting some armdrags and a backslide on Saturn. The fans love Backlund's manic energy. We now cut to Mascaras getting the best of Garza with a flying headbutt. Kronus tags in and clubbers away at Mil and hits a cartwheel splash for two. Another flying headbutt knocks Kronus on his ass. We now clip to Snuka, the murderous asshole, and Saturn, with Snuka hitting some leapfrogs and landing a double-chop that Saturn does a 360 sell for! More chops for Kronus and Garza as the crowd again erupts. We now jump to Garza going for a corkscrew plancha on Backlund, but Bob dodges, resulting in Garza landing on Kronus instead!
We jump to Snuka hitting the Superfly Splash on Kronus, then Mascaras hitting a crossbody on Garza for the win! Can't really rate it since it's all clips, but what we saw was pretty fun for such a ridiculously random grouping. The crowd LOVED the legends team, and the Eliminator/Garza trio got some opportunities to show their stuff a bit while selling and bumping their asses off. Backlund doing the crazy old man gimmick in Japan to rapturous applause is something to see. The full match went around 18 minutes.
JULY 8th
AAA - We return to Triple A for a couple more lucha bouts.
IWC World Minis Championship and Mexican National Mini-Estrella Championship: Espectrito I (c) vs. Super Munequito - We saw these guys before in that great minis atomico match from Triplemania III. Espectrito holds the IWC World Minis title while Munequito is the current Mexican National Mini-Estrella champ. Munequito is accompanied by his namesake, Super Muneco, while Espectrito is seconded by Coco Azul.
PRIMERA CAIDA: Munequito gets some crazy armdrags, Espectrito applies some near submissions, and both guys trade pin attempts to kick things off. Espectrito seems to hurt his foot, so Munequito takes over and hits a nice rebound splash for two. They trade variations of armdrags for an absurd (in the best way) amount of time until Espectrito hits a powerbomb and applies a grounded hammerlock/leg grapevine combo for the submission and the first fall!
SEGUNDA CAIDA: Espectrito gets his foot attended to during the break. Munequito dodges a charging Espectrito, but Espectrito dodges HIS charge. Munequito eats some power offense from Espectrito but kicks out of a rolling fisherman's cradle. Espectrito PLANTS Munequito with a fisherman's buster hold for two! Powerbomb and a jackknife roll-up gets another two for Espectrito. Munequito dodges a senton and hits a flying clothesline and rolling senton for a VERY close two. Munequito gets a sunset flip for two, then hits a pop-up ‘rana for the second fall! Super Muneco looks like a proud dad.
TERCERA CAIDA: Munequito dives onto Espectrito before the fall begin. Espectrito misses a top rope dive of his own, and Munequito capitalizes for two. Espectrito manages a release butterfly suplex, but Munequito dodges a standing moonsault and locks in a camel clutch…that fucking Tirantes breaks up! Muneco understandably protests this, and Espectrito uses the distraction to knee Munequito in the wiener!
Espectrito grabs a crazy pinning combination, but Munequito escapes. Munequito snares Espectrito with a crucifix, but that ASSHOLE Tirantes lays down a very slow count. Munequito goes for a rebound crossbody, but Espectrito isn't anywhere close, so Munequito falls on his face. Espectrito grabs a nutty submission hold, but that doesn’t last as they're in the ropes. Munequito gets an armdrag out of nowhere and hits Espectrito with a big plancha to the outside. Back in, Munequito manages a headscissors and keeps Espectrito at bay with armdrags out the wazoo. Munequito manages a quebrada for two
Espectrito gets a slam and goes upstairs, but the moonsault misses! Munequito snatches a victory roll for the three and to unify the titles! The Star Wars theme plays again!
**** - Another lively outing here. I could watch Munequito do crazy armdrag variations all day, man. Espectrito looked great here with his power offense, rudo tactics, and bursts of agility. Having Munequito overcome not only Espectrito but the crooked ref was a very satisfying way to cap things off.
El Hijo del Santo, Rey Misterio Jr., La Parka, & Octagon vs. Fuerza Guerrera, Jerry Estrada, Pentagon, & Psicosis - This is VERY close to being a rematch of an absolute scorcher from Triplemania III, with Jerry Estrada in place of Blue Panther.
PRIMERA CAIDA: Octagon and Pentagon start…well, no. Pentagon bails, so Fuerza starts for his team and gets quickly armdragged out by Octagon. They trade armdrags and mat grapples for a bit until Pentagon and Rey tag in. Penta gets the best of Rey with several armdrags, but Rey comes back with a great one of his own. Estrada and La Parka come in now…and they dance! They then do a couple of rapid-fire pinfall sequences like it was a 2000's indie. La Parka powerwalks to his corner in hilarious fashion as Psicosis and Hijo del Santo check in.
They slap each other, then launch into a crazy-fast sequence that ends with Psicosis missing a corner knee, launching himself over the top in a requisite insane bump. Fuerza and Octagon come back in, and Fuerza offers a hand in sportsmanship…which Octagon accepts.
Naturally, Fuerza turns on Octagon because it was a RUSE! Octagon comes back with a flying mare and a ridiculous succession of armdrags. Rey and Pentagon are now the legal men, and Rey snaps off a Frankensteiner, a slingshot spinning heel kick, and a springboard hurricanrana to keep Evil Polygon at bay. Parka comes in and fights off the entire rudo team…and it's a dance party!
Pentagon and Estrada try to double-team Rey, but La Parka slingshots in with a double clothesline. Shit breaks down as Hijo del Santo pins Estrada with a crossbody, then Octagon catches Fuerza with a cradle for the first fall!
SEGUNDA CAIDA: Misterio flips into the ring, and Estrada casually clotheslines him down. Rey comes back with a rebound dropkick. They counter and dodge each other's blows until Rey enzuigiris Estrada over the guardrail. Jerry looked really odd during that sequence, mildly sluggish and didn’t really seem to know how to sell Rey’s stuff. Pentagon and Santo have a little sequence before Santo headscissors Penta out. Octagon comes in and armdrags the heck out of Psicosis, who then takes a huge bump over the top via back body drop.
Parka and Estrada come in, and Parka quickly dispatches Estrada. Psicosis trips on his way in and goes after his teammates! Fuerza beats the shit out of him, but they make nice and all the rudos gang up on La Parka. Everyone brawls it out in the ring Psicosis tears at Santo's mask as Pentagon ties Octagon's mask to the ropes!
Estrada beats Rey from pillar to post as Fuerza dinks Parka with a chair. Psicosis pins Hijo del Santo after a chairshot in the ring as Santo dumps Rey a few rows deep in the crowd. The brawl continues as we hit the third fall.
TERCERA CAIDA: Pentagon repeatedly rams Octagon into the post, then the rudos abuse Rey in the ring for a while, even getting a double headstand Boston crab variant.
The tecnicos come back in and the brawl resumes, this time with the tecnicos dishing out the punishment. La Parka chairs the crap out of Estrada. C'mon, La Parka! Using a chair isn't ever gonna get you over! Santo brains Psicosis with a chair after tearing at his mask. Fuerza got his mask turned around during the fracas, and Pentagon's mask was tied to the ropes this time!
Fuerza blindly hits Estrada and even boots Tirantes! Psicosis bumps all over the place for Santo, then Octagon flies around and chops Pentagon. Rey is double-teamed and gets whipped into La Parka, but Rey flies around La Parka like he was doing a satellite headscissors, lands on his feet, and they both dropkick the heels out! Parka launches Rey into moonsault onto Fuerza on the floor!
Parka hits a tope suicida onto Estrada, and they both take a huge tumble into the crowd! Octagon crossbodies Pentagon and hits a rebound headbutt while Santo hits a diving headbutt onto Psicosis. Santo pins Psicosis with a hurricanrana, giving the third fall and the match to the tecnicos!
***3/4 - Yet another awesome display from these guys. I loved the rudo tactics being employed by the baddies, especially with the tecnicos returning the favor in the third fall. This was a lot of chaotic fun with terrific sequences, but it fell short of other similar matches as there were some parts that felt a tad off. Estrada looked a step behind the other rudos, but everyone else delivered.
USWA Championship Wrestling - We’re walking in Memphis this week with Dave Brown and Lance Russell, who kick it to footage of the latest interpromotional drama with Smoky Mountain Wrestling. Randy Hales is cutting a promo on Mark Curtis, but Curtis attacks him as he tries to leave the ring and beats the bejesus out of him! Curtis goes for a second-rope elbow, but Hales moves out of the way!
Hales mounts him and rains down some “blows” to rapturous applause from the Tennessee faithful. The Rock N’ Roll Express come out to save their promotion’s ref and beat Hales down. Curtis goes up and hits a very Snoop Dogg-like frog splash! They continue the beatdown until PG-13 runs in for the save.
We cut to clips of PG-13 vs. Rock N’ Roll Express for the vacant USWA Tag Team Championship. The Rock N’ Roll Express’ NWA tag titles were also on the line here. This match has both Bill Rush (a USWA referee) and Mark Curtis overseeing things. Wolfie D gets the hot tag and goes buck on the Express. Bill Rush gets bumped as Andrea Callaway hands Ricky a chain (take a drink). Wolfie D ducks and hits an atomic drop, then blasts Ricky with the chain. He goes for the cover, but Mark Curtis smashes him with a hubcap!
If that pic was better quality, it could be a meme format. Curtis hits the quick count, giving the USWA tag titles to the Rock N’ Roll Express! Mark assures the other ref that the pin was counted fairly and there was no Thomas Foolery, but PG-13 drag him into the ring and bash HIS head in with the hubcap! The Express come back with some white powder (oy) and chase off PG-13. The Rock N’ Rolls and Curtis plan on attacking Bill Rush, but Randy Hales comes in and HE brains Curtis with the hubcap! Mark's “soul just left my body” sell is tremendous.
PG-13 return to chase everyone off as they and Randy Hales stand tall.
Who’s ready for story time with Mark Curtis, BAY BAY? He puts over SMW as the hottest promotion around and recalls his fair, impartial refereeing of the previous match. He DOUBLE DOG DARES Randy Hales to corner PG-13 while he corners the Rock N’ Roll Express, and threatens to BREAK HIS SKINNY ARMS if he gets involved.
The Rock N’ Roll Express come into frame and stake their claim as the best tag team in the world and proclaim their superiority over PG-13. Ricky in those sunglasses is GENERATIONAL levels of douchey. Heel R&R Express and weaselfuck referee Mark Curtis are amazing.
Smoky Mountain Wrestling - We join Buddy Landel (c) vs. Brad Armstrong for the Smoky Mountain Heavyweight Championship in progress as Bradstreet hits a beautiful trio of dropkicks on the champ. Jim Cornette hops onto the apron, but Brad quickly knocks him off. Brad hits his finisher, a Russian legsweep into a floatover pin…but the bell rings! It turns out that Cornette rang the bell! Unabomb uses that distraction to hand Landel some brass knuckles. Landel socks Brad and scores the pin to retain.
However, Tracy Smothers comes out and SNITCHES on Buddy, and Mark Curtis restarts the match! Brad immediately hits the Russian legsweep for the pin and the title! Oh, cool, another Dusty Finish!
We hear from the timekeeper, Kenny Rison (aka Kenny Bolin of future OVW fame). He proclaims his innocence after Jim Cornette rang the bell before the three count.
Mark Curtis and Tracy Smothers each explain their parts of the controversy. Smothers rocking that 1993 Royal Rumble shirt. I kinda want that.
Cornette and Landel air their grievances about the finish, with Landel demanding his STINKIN’ belt back. Sgt. Shithead punches a wall and hurts his hand. OK, that was pretty funny, as was Landel's unhinged rant.
Brad Armstrong recounts HIS side of the kerfuffle and explains his right to own that title.
Now we cut to commissioner “Bullet” Bob Armstrong who has possession of the belt.
He reviewed the tape and, based on the absolutely profane amount of fuckery that went down, he vacates the title and books Brad Armstrong vs. Buddy Landel for the belt at Summer Blast. Add another championship to Abeyance’s ever-growing resume!
WCW Saturday Night - On The Mothership this week, we take another trip to the 50’s B-movie hell that is the Dungeon of Doom. I've said it before, but Kevin Sullivan's toadying with his prominent Bahston accent is hilarious. The Master calls Kevin over and introduces a repackaged John Tenta as THE SHARK. They even use a version of the Jaws theme during this segment!
SHARK ATTACK! SHARK ATTACK! I WANNA SHARK ATTACK! Hey, I wanted Shark Attack too, but my parents never got it for me.
He rode a tidal wave from the South China Sea to Waikiki, and he's on YOUR TURF, Hulk Hogan!
He threatens to eat Hogan and fight children, then everyone laughs maniacally to close the segment. This is egregiously dumb, but if you need someone to give their absolute all to try to make it entertaining, John Tenta is your huckleberry.
The theme of this week’s in-ring action was apparently “Mexico”. Not only did we have three AAA matches, the WAR trios match had Mil Mascaras and Hector Garza, and the juniors match featured two wrestlers who found great success south of the border. A very lucha-pilled week at the Dive. Hell, Ultimo wore the Mexican colors. He knew what this week was! Plus, any week that starts with a Jeff Jarrett music video can’t be bad.
NEXT TIME: HOROWITZ WINS! We get a glimpse of a young Yoshihiro Takayama in shoot-style tag action! ECW give us the chairshot heard around the world! And more!
Smell ya later!