The first of two six man tags featuring the Von Erichs and Adams facing a heel team anchored by Rick Rude.

This comes to us from the Will Rogers Coliseum. Percy Pringle is representing the World Champ, Rick Rude, from the floor. Rude poses, but it’s Kevin that’s allowed to shine early on with his great leg scissors. Lance VE works over Kabuki and looks fine in there, but Kabuki stems the tide with one of his kicks. OMG starts the heel control on Lance, and Rude continues it. Rude wasn’t a top flight worker at this point, but he understood the basics and psychology well. His movement and execution was a little lacking at times. Five minutes gone.

Hot tag to Kevin after only a minute or two. Iron claw tease, and then the bad guys go to work on Kevin. Rude is the general running this, with OMG in short spurts as the power guy. They keep Kevin in their corner while Lance keeps trying to come to his aid. They slow it down, Kabuki with a “nerve hold” as Kevin keeps fighting. It’s kind of dull here, except for Kevin. Hot tag to Lance, and he has a fast skirmish with OMG. The heels isolate him again for a third heat segment. Some fans are hot, some are sitting on their hands. Adams gets the hot tag at about the eight minute mark and everyone fights in the ring. OMG slams Adams on the concrete floor. They begin another heat segment, but this one was focused on going after Adams eye—which I loved. Adams fights back on Rude. Kevin comes in for one of his perfect dropkicks. Rude and OMG tease dissension.

Everyone ends up in the ring and OMG/Rude deliver a killer double clothesline on Kevin. OMG gets his chain and tries to punch Kevin, but Adams dramatically saves Kevin by superkicking OMG. Kevin pins OMG for the win in twelve minutes.

This match sank or swam on the heel heat control segments. There were like five or six, some pretty short and dull in the middle, others getting better as the match went on. Killer double clothesline by OMG/Rude on Kevin near the end. Rude seemed to be the general in this match, and Kevin was pretty good at fighting back while getting triple teamed. But if it weren’t for the ending I’d have found this one a little less dramatic and engaging. The finish, with Adams saving former bitter enemy Kevin by superkicking OMG, was perfectly executed. Greet handshake moment post-match, but the hug was a bit much for me. 3 stars and 6.1/10

As the old formula goes, our hero is about to slay him a giant dragon.

OMG tries to use his size in the first two minutes, but Kerry is to quick and beats him to the punch. They go outside, where Gang slows Kerry by sending him into the post. Kerry, very aggressive in this match, pulls Gang back outside and posts his shoulder. So Kerry is taking the fight to the big man tonight.

Back in Kerry tries the Iron Claw, getting it after a struggle. Kerry is really steamrolling OMG. Gang gets sent to the corner and almost goes over the buckle. Four minutes in the Gang finally gets into an offensive groove, clubbing and elbowing Von Erich. Gang takes ref Rick Hazard and throws him in front of a Kerry punch. Kerry takes over anyway. Ref Hazzard calls for the bell. Gang is angry and sends a chair into the ring.
Pretty much a six minute nothing match, though that’s just my opinion. Kerry got most of the offense in this match, inside of the ring and out, and I did like the action and aggressiveness. I’m not much of a OMG fan. He was fine here, but not much stacked against the others. This was brief and didn’t have much context in it over than the Von Erich “Dragon slayer” spectacle. It won’t finish high for me. 2 stars and 4.3/10

Parsons and OMG tape their fists for this expected slugfest at the Cotton Bowl stadium supershow.

Kerry Von Erich seconds Parsons, while Gary Hart manages OMG. The rules are No time limit, but ten 3 minute rounds with 45 seconds between each round. Bill Mercer on commentary mentions wrestling being worked by rounds in England, and draws parallels to boxing.

They circle, and OMG drops Parsons with a punch. Parsons sells it well, getting to his feet by about the four count. He takes a beating in the corner before dancing around, shaking it off, getting the crowd going. Parsons punches on OMG, trapping him in the corner. He sends OMG off the ropes and gives him a butt-butt, which Gary Hart rightly complains about (what are the rules about actual wrestling in this?) OMG hangs on the ropes until ref Lubich tries to help him off, and he falls through to the floor. OMG throws a punch after the bell. OMG sells cobwebs after the round.

Second round Parsons comes back with an elbow off the ropes (Again, is that legal?) and a “bolo punch.” After a few infractions OMG splashes Parsons in the corner, and we get a more traditional (for the territory) wrestling match. Parsons ends the first round having staggered OMG.

Ice Man dancing, sticking and moving early in the third, before OMG catches him with hard lumbering shots. Parsons goes down, gets up, and takes more punishment. OMG has a roll of quarters in his fist, given to him by Hart, but he can’t land on the fast Parsons. Kerry runs around the outside and grabs Hart. They tussle as the action opens up in the ring. Parsons decks OMG through the ropes (great bump and sell) while Kerry Iron Claws Hart. OMG gets counted out and Parsons wins the taped fist match.

This match played to both guy’s strengths, especially Parsons, who can look great doing worked boxing and dancing. You got the undersized charismatic hero versus the oversized, but slower, monster. The dynamic and setting was perfect. I liked the way OMG sold the punches, and the way Parsons carried himself throughout. I really liked the finish execution-wise, and this match didn’t overstay it’s welcome or come up too short. A solid pick for a top third match. 3 ¼ stars and 6.45/10

A meeting of the future “Dream Team”, as Akeem the African Dream and The Big Bossman square off. Accept they go by Bubba Rogers and the One Man Gang here, and Slick is nowhere to be found. Doc is at ringside announcing with Jim Ross Though. This is for the UWF title, which Gang inexplicably has retained.

The early work is smart, and they definitely play to the kids and the true believers. Good thinking. The staredown, the few words, and then each goes off the ropes. No one goes down. No one gets slammed. But each shares their war cry in this physical play.

Gang takes the heel role as he strikes first. Big spot right away as Bubba goes through the ropes and to the floor. Gang busts him open on the ring post. Bubba comes back. Great punches that build to one bump. This is worked tough guy stlye. I like it. Bubba is lacerated.

Bubba (Ray Traylor) is so versatile and mobile for a big guy. I love that he has an answer for everything OMG does. Gang is busted open. On the floor Rogers works on the cut. We go to commercial, which sucks. This match needs to sustain momentum with a viewer to work.

Skandor Akbar is out as we come back from break. He tries to interfere/distract but doesn’t succeed. Traylor really takes it to OMG to the point I think Gang sorta makes himself look like an ass, but maybe that was his intention. They are working a storyline that Akbar was suppose to be there for the start of the match (OMG manager) and wasn’t.

They gas out 7 minutes in and it’s real slow. The fans have not been very hot in the last few minutes. Very basic low impact stuff now. Match basically went to a lull and with these guys, that was death. Gang comes back with a clothesline, elboe drop, and attempts his 747 second rope splash. He misses, but Big Bubba bumps then ref so obviously. Somehow he gets the pin anyway. I guess the angle is for post-match or “next week”. I don’t care. Finish sucked and match fell apart the last few minutes. 2 ¼ stars and 4/10.
Match Discussion Here

A rematch in Houston of a surprisingly good match from earlier in the set (Match # 135). This was follows the storyline as it now has a stipulation of No DQ and its Dibiase challenging for OMG’s UWF Championship. We begin…

Skandor Akbar is on the outside. OMG loses the chain and Dibiase gets rid of his trademark glove. WHY? Was this some sort of coup for the ref, considering this is a disqualification-free match? I’m not getting it. Also, more “don’t throw anything announcements. Houston has week turnbuckles and ropes that always break and patrons who apparently pelt the ring with anything they please.

It goes to the outside right away. They sell it as OMG being a street fighter. No really! I love that Dibiase shakes that off, beats him back, and sends it back into the ring. Dibiase shows he’s willing to go toe-to-toe, and commentary puts that over. OMG with the worst elbow drop ever. Dibiase back on offense makes this much better. He punches Gang silly as the fans goes ape. Gang reveres a whip and gives everything a lazy effort (clothsline in this case). Dibiase bumps around well for him. At least the match is moving well, especially given the stips.

Back outside we’re in OMG’s world. He uses a chair on Dibiase’s back, so the story is pretty decent. It makes sense. We’re into the heel heat and Gang is, well methodical is putting it politely.Dibiase blades and he is wearing the crimson mask. At least that dramatic effect works. All of the layout and detail stuff is strong here. I simply find Gang to be worthless.

Dibiase tries to fight out with fists but can’t. Good hope spot as they’re staying in the ring now. Five minutes in. Dibiase moves out of the way twice and the hope spot does its job. Back to fat man offense. An “avalanche” misses. They crawl to their feet.

Dibiase comes back after Gang misses another splash (a fat man classic move) to the buckle. On the outside Dibiase gets his redemption in the form of hittng a chair shot. He’s really bringing it to OMG, which is firing up the crowd. Dibiase’s movement and punches are making the match for me.

Carl Fergie is bumped (I had no idea it was him), so Dibiase beats up Gang with his black gloved fist. Huge pop. It’s legal anyway, so WTF? New ref. OMG can barely find him to bump him, and the ref was horrible at it too. This stuff sucks. Cover by Dibiase. Akbar interferes. They’re both flat on their backs. Crowd is ready to rally Dibiase. Nope. OMG pins him. He’s bleeding for no reason.

A smartly though out and worked match with one good worker and a fat man who dragged this into the mud. Not as great as it could have been. Not a good ending. The last match had both. Boo! 2 ½ and 5/10.

Match Discussion Here

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

This interested me on paper because One Man Gang was always a heel. It’s confirmed here too. He has Skandor Akbar with him and a flag. I assumed something Middle Eastern, but it looks like a pirate flag. Why didn’t Doc come out and slap him around for having that? I’ll never know. Gordy didn’t turn either. He’s still the champion, back from an All Japan tour if this announcer is to be believed, so we’re getting a heel versus heel World Title match from Houston.

Gang sucks. I never liked the guys work. I don’t like it here. It is cool to see Gordy work someone a bit bigger than him, but that’s about all. It equals out with a bigger guy and it becomes an inflated big man match.

Yep. First five minutes Gordy backs OMG down. Akbar trips Gordy. Gordy bumps for him and bleeds after being bit on the forehead. It’s all in slow motion. Really dull and heatless at about the halfway point. Just a walk around brawl in slo-mo.

The next ten minutes Gordy takes an awesome bump outside. Gang punches him outside and posts him. Gordy comes back and that looked really good. OMG takes a bump through the ropes that looks good. Match has gotten better as Gordy takes over.

Gordy posts OMG and goes after Akbar as Gang bleeds, showing this match does have a retribution story. Crowd is hotter now. Gordy tags him with a badass lariat and goes for the piledriver. Gang pushes into Gordy and we get a squashed Carl Fergie ref bump. Well done, though it seems unnecessary. I guess it’s not a peaking order thing as much as a keep the heels strong thing.

Oddly creative audible here that basically works. Gordy gets whipped into the buckle. The famous Houston ring buckle comes off. But instead of selling it big Gordy just walks out and show the famed Adriatic Spike thumb. OMG sees this and starts selling like he’s woozy all of a sudden, though it hadn’t been played as a hope spot before, and he takes a bump over the now gone top rope to the floor. It looks awesome, so you accept it even if they changed the story progression for a moment.

The finish is appropriately a brawl. These two bulls punch each other in the face and shove the ref as he tries several times to stop them. Gordy even stops the ringside help from fixing the top rope. Great stuff.

Here it is. Great concept for a match. Crowd did eventually get into it and the story was decent. First seven minutes sucked. The last three ruled. But the last three didn’t overcome the overall dullness and odd pace whenever Gang was dictating things. Average. 2 ½ and 5/10.

Match Discussion Here