Memphis Diaries: Match # 93
Posted on February 21, 2009 by John Philapavage
Match # 93: Rock N Roll Express vs. Ivan Koloff & Krusher Khrushchev (9/30/85)
Rock beats scissors, and appropriately enough, Rock N Roller Ricky Morton’s speed beats muscled up Russians (fake ones too). They play with the speed vs the power throughout the match, making for a good concept. The Russians keep switching because in Memphis Ref Calhoun thinks all faces make clean tags behind his back, and all ball men look alike.
This match rules. Even Gibson shows off his skills here. The rest holds are fun and the pace is controlled by whichever team is in charge. Also if you squint here you can pretend the RNR are the AWA/WWF Rockers, or vice versa. The Russians sure suck at bumping, but then it’s a small complaint.
The RNR switching behind the ref doesn’t get old to me, especially in the face of the Russian switches earlier. Lance Russell comments on the early days for Morton and Gibson. Great perspective that adds to the match.
Gibson takes his big bump over the top rope and ends up the one selling long term. I always love a match that deviates from established history, even if this predates the whole “playing Ricky Morton” selling tag. In short, I dig Gibson playing a more active role. The fans are into him selling too. The Russians are such awesomely powerful bullies too.
A great Gibson sunset flip hope spot is in there. I needed to mention that it was so good. Morton gets the tag and the match doesn’t end then. Another formula buster! It does end soon after when Krushchev hits Morton in the back of the head with a chain. 1-2-3 pin finish.
But wait. The ref restarts the match. Rick rolls up Krushchev a moment later to hold onto the belts (I’m not sure what belts). Really good match that was fun yet had drama. 3 ½ and 7/10.
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