Pro Wrestling Chronicle

Match # 145: Chris Adams vs. Terry Taylor (5/3/87)

Magnum TA is announcing with Jim Ross. This must be post car accident. He shares the booth with Jim Ross for this rematch.

Early on both guys struggle and escape holds like this is a shoot match. I love that. Back and forth to show they are quick, equally talented, and gifted. They then go to commercial. Lame.

We come back soon after with both men still trading holds and circling around each other. Hammer locks are in vogue in this match, as are solid high hip tosses. Adams gets a pin attempt with a crucifix. Both men stand off and show frustration. The pace is picking up with stronger holds. They run the ropes an Adams catches Taylor in a leap frog for a powerslam. Two count. Taylor says screw it and knees him next time out. Smart escalation. Adams has a reversal answer. Commercial break, but I don’t think much is being cut in this one.

Magnum gets over the story on commentary. Adams is dictating the pace and controlling this close match. Nice verbal touch.

Taylor gains control with a suplex and works on the neck a bit. That goes out the window quick, but he shows enough stuff to impress wearing Adams down. Adams hope spots are very good. The crowd is just a little out of it. Adams will back off at times and give fair warning, while Taylor plays subtle heel. Adams with a knee lift that stuns Terry Taylor. He rolls out and sells needing a break. He’s certainly “losing”.

Damn. We get a dull rest hold in a well paced by deliberately slow match. That kills it for more for a few minutes, but they know what they’re doing because the crowd really starts coming alive cheering Taylor on. Taylor back up and sneaks a punch off a clean break. Adams gives it back tenfold. Carl Fergie gets on the heelish frustrated Taylor. JR notices and tells the story.

Adams grabs a submission sleeper that is played to go to a near fall (near submission). Crowd isn’t so sure. A third commercial airs. This time they take out a minute or two. Taylor is really going heel here as 15 minutes in he headbutts Adam’s stomach off a clean break. Adams keeps going for flash pins/rollups. Taylor cuts him off. Adams sells well. Punch war. Adams takes over and knocks Taylor out of the ring. You really get the impression this is a war, and it’s much more real/dramatic then their last meeting. Tells a better story too.

Lots of Taylor strikes and Adams near pins. You really believe Taylor could lose at any moment.
Ref Fergie in a horribly contrived ref bump with Adams. Taylor takes advantage and gives Adams a piledriver on the floor. Serious damage. Taylor climbs in and he wins via countdown. Huge heat. Would be horrible today, but an interesting finish for its time. I like that they put over the pile driver. Taylor afterwards does a heel interview to explain his internal logic. Magnum is mad and Eddie Gilbert plants heel seeds here. Great stuff. I liked this one. 3 ½ and 7/10.

Match Discussion Here