Pro Wrestling Chronicle

Match # 113: Dick Slater vs. Hacksaw Duggan (4/11/86)

Well now this match looks a lot better on the marquee. Slater is challenging for the belt because Duggan somehow acquired it, but apparently Duggan never beat Slater for it. Sounds good.

Slater gets beat up and bails out a lot early. Duggan always played the crowd well, and even if I never loved his work he was at least athletic. A few minutes in Duggan misses a splash in the corner and hits the buckle. Slater goes to work on his arm. Duggan isn’t as good at selling as Slater is at aggressive well thought out offense. You should see Duggan smell up a fall back on a side Russian leg sweep.

They clipped the match, but it may have only been a few seconds. I’m not crying in this case. Slater cuts off a comeback really well, and it has the desired emotional effect. Some brutality on the outside is kept smart and not overdone. It really slows down though and I begin daydreaming then coming out of it, realizing I’m not missing anything.

Duggan’s punch and buckle slam comeback isn’t to inspiring, but Slater fights back enough that eventually the people pop. Slater headbutts his balls after begging off. I really am starting to enjoy this Slater. He does a lot to make the psychology work towards the end.

Duggan wins clean with a spear. Slater saved it from being a nothing lead babyface match. Man did Duggan kill off heels. Why was he booked like that? Was it that he couldn’t do much? Watts was right to book him strong, but like this? I can’t get into it. Match was okay. 2 ¾ and 6/10.

Match Discussion Here

Match # 114: Gustavo Mendoza vs. Brett Wayne Sawyer (5/9/86)

Mendoza is a goofy Cuban/Castro gimmick guy. No idea about who babyface Brett Sawyer is, other than I can assume he’s the face given Bill Watts’ political leanings. Yep, they’ll be plenty of nonsense political views in my wrestling.

Brett Sawyer is Buzz Sawyer’s little brother according to Paul Boesch. Who knows, but I doubt it.

I’m shocked at the mat skills here. These guys don’t look and feel main event, or even semi-main event level, but they have their wrestling and presence down pat. A long technical wrestling and mat based match with a lot of wearing down strategy and almost no striking. Very unique. The Babyface Sawyer was on offense most of the time for the first 8 minutes or so, but it’s an odd choice that didn’t kill the flow. The crowd isn’t overly excited, but they are following it.

Sawyer wore down Mendoza’s arm and then knee while he complained about hair pulling. Mendoza comes back with a suplex. Sawyer comes back with strikes on the knee as mini-hope spots and Mendoza sells appropriately. At times he does need reminding though. I loved his neck breaker, and he moves well for a guy who’s not in great shape. Some of the pin spots with the heel in control aren’t done well or are very contrived, but they are all well meant and not flubs. It can be argued they never leave first or second gear, but I can’t imagine this was more then third on the card so it couldn’t steal to much heat.

Mendoza dives down with an elbow at the 15 minute mark, cutting off about the 4th hope spot. Sawyer comes back with a knee lift and later a suplex. Great drop kicks and a cross body by the babyface, who moves very well. He wins the match in about sixteen minutes.

A very strong mat based lower card match. Something a bit different without main event angles and expectations. Outperformed it’s expectation. Also probably one of the better matches of both careers. 3 stars and 6.1/10.

Match Discussion Here