Pro Wrestling Chronicle

Match # 135: Ted DiBiase vs. One Man Gang (11/18/86)

One Man Gang is now the champion? Things have gotten suddenly puzzling in an otherwise great 1986. Actually this may be when a Gordy car accident, combined with nagging injuries he worked through during the title reign, conspired to take him out of action for a time. But Gang was the choice just because it had to be a heel? Skandor Akbar accompanies OMG. I hope Dibiase can pull a match out of this guy.

Dibiase has history with Akbar and goes right for him. OMG gets him from behind and we’re off. Dibiase turns the tables quick and it’s fiery good. OMG sells and sucks win and they stare down with fists up. They work the David and Goliath match that Flair and Vader would famously do, HBK-Undertaker, and more recently Morishima vs Danielson. A lot of chops and back and forth action. Dibiase keeps getting cut off before he can establish control of the match.

During a Dibiase comeback they collide and Dibiase goes down so hard he falls through the ropes. OMG is laid out in the ring. Akbar tries to interfere with Dibiase a second time, but Dibiase clocks him. That gives Gang the momentary advantage to try his finisher splash, which he misses. Dibiase ends up working the knee/leg of Gang quickly, but collides with Akbar while hitting the ropes. This allows OMG to hit the 747 splash, a bodyslam, and another 747 off the second rope (put over HUGE by JR on commentary). OMG wins.

A great 6-7 minute sprint that hid the weaknesses of Gang and had a good story. It also put over Gang’s finisher over a big star. I liked this even more than the 6-7 minute tag between the Fantastics and Tatum/Victory. Holds up well against the second 9/15/08 and fourth 12/29/08 Danielson vs Morishima matches in my mind, though not quite on the same level. 3 ¼ and 6.6/10.

Match Discussion Here