Pro Wrestling Chronicle

Match # 60: Eddie Gilbert & Tommy Rich vs. Pretty Young Things (4/12/84)

Gilbert and Rich are the (ill suited) new Fabulous Ones. Fab originator Jackie Fargo did an interview from his living room couch (no joke) explaining that Stan Lane and Steve Keirn wanted to go all over the place and not stay in Memphis, so he stripped them of the Fabs monitor. In their place he’s found two new young men to wear the top hats and kiss the girls at ringside. Enter Tommy “Wildfire” Rich and Eddie “Hot Stuff” Gilbert. Not my idea of perfect for the gimmick, but they are good workers.
Tonight’s test is the PYT of Norvell Austin and Koko Ware. Ware was last seen in an awesome team with Bobby Eaton, but now he’s got one of the original Midnights at his side in Austin. This one is straight from a spot show on what looks like two hand held cameras.

Rich and then Gilbert dominate the heels early with lock ups and hard punches/shoves exchanged. It’s built slowly so you can feel everything simmer until Gilbert gets into a punch ware with one of the heels (Austin I believe). Austin/Ware complain about the punches after having gotten the better of them early, which is always funny.

Lots of Fargo strutting as the babyfaces outsmart the heels early on. Acceptable stalling from the heels after every crowd pleasing moment. Arguments that end in hugs get them some heat.

Rich goes over the top rope off a missed punch and gets beaten down right in front of the candy guy. Bummer. The heels switch on and off on him, cheating a good bit, while the fans get whipped into a frenzy. Good heat for the match and really simple stuff to the ten minute mark. Nothing blow away in the simple department, but simple-good.

Hope spots and grounding Rich for the next few minutes until Gilbert gets the tag. He goes wild for a moment but gets outnumbered. Rich gets in and gets an awkwardly long and goofy looking pin for the victory. Okay match that didn’t have anything that wrong with it, but never really captured me. Went to the heat in unspectacular fashion and was to short for the opening it gave, but maybe I’m being too picky. 2 ¾ and 6/10.

Match Discussion Here