Dibiase’s farewell to All Japan. We know Hansen/Dibiase are dropping the tag straps, but it’s how we get there that I’m excited to see.

Dibiase has his ribs taped up, so we’ve got a possible storyline brewing at the start. After the last match (7/17/87) we know Dibiase can take a beating and sell compellingly in this setting, so that is on the table. Hansen and Tenryu start out stiffing each other back and forth. We go through the pairings, with Dibiase and Har getting in. Hara goes after Hansen’s knee. That’s a good tough guy matchup, and Tenryu gets a turn working the knee too. Dibiase stays active from the apron, trying to stem the native tide. Five minutes gone.

What I really like is Hansen’s struggle to keep Hara/Tenryu off his knee. He dumps Tenryu outside for Dibiase to work over, and back in the ring he controls. Dibiase/Hansen go on an offensive run that’s solid, but has a pace that’s not getting out of second gear. Hara takes over and they go right after Dibiase’s ribs. That’s the storyline turn I was looking for. They go at the ribs for several minutes, Dibiase selling it pretty big, until Tenryu misses his top rope twisting elbow, and Hansen gets the hot tag. Dibiase can be seen selling at ringside as Hansen goes after both Tenryu/Hara with chops, moves, and then a chair on the outside. He miscalculates, and Hansen is given a stuff pile driver on the floor. Dibiase tries to save, but his ribs become an issue again. Ten minutes gone.

Tenryu/Hara take Hansen apart, even taking him outside and brutalizing him in the stands. He’s fighting back, but he doesn’t have the fighting power right now. Decent near fall off a Tenryu enzuigiri and a Hara back drop driver. They continue the two on one attack with a double lariat. Hansen gets a hope spot, but Tenryu takes him out again. Jumbo misses a lariat on the floor and takes out his partner, and then Hansen sort of hits a desperation lariat on Tenryu. Everyone is down selling as ref Higuchi counts, but no one can get up and it’s a double countout in just under 15 minutes.

I loved Hansen yelling in the first three minutes for the ref to “Ask him!” and “Give up!” while Dibiase is just holding his opponent in a headlock. Hara/Tenryu go after Hansen’s knee, which is fun because Hansen struggles, but this picks up for me when Tenryu/Hara focus on the ribs of Dibiase, which were taped up coming in and begged for a match storyline beating. I also appreciate Hansen being active from the apron again, staying in character and not being or accepting being “helpless.” Hansen comes in as the house of fire, but gets cut down by a stuff pile driver. Dibiase, who can be seen selling on the apron and floor, is no help when he tries to intervene. These Texans are really in trouble, and ten minutes in you can feel that. Hansen is bleeding and Dibiase is on the floor in a heap. If you read my comments regularly, I’m often looking for urgency, pace/tone balanced with energy, and most of all—drama. Those tend to be my biases (along with a million other things we’re all looking for), and this had it. In some ways I loved the finish and found it appropriate, but if Hansen and Tenryu/Hara had made it back in, gone another three to five minutes with a Hansen comeback and a definitive pin either way, we’d be looking at a top 25 match. As it is it had a lot of bright spots, but I felt like the story was really getting going when they ended it. A bummer that kind of left me cold after really liking the build up. 3 ¼ stars and 6.4/10

Yatsu/Nakano challenge for the tag titles as Dibiase continues his final All Japan tour before heading to WWF to become The Million Dollar Man.

Dibiase looks good early, Nakano is capable, but Hansen going after Yatsu’s leg and being reversed is the best. Yatsu won’t back down, is willing to take the beating, and ends up caught in the corner with Dibiase. Dibiase sells, then goes on offense, and looks solid at both, though nothing is really going anywhere early. It is visual interesting though. Five minutes gone.

Hansen gets in and just tosses around Nakano, and then Dibiase does the same. They’re going for pins in this section too. Dibiase misses a knee drop, sells in, and Yatsu tags in to really go after the knee. Nakano is back a moment later to get his revenge on that knee. They just destroy that knee for minutes. Dibiase crawling to Hansen and being dragged by by Nakano is good drama. Ten minutes gone.

Dibiase gets a few hope spots but can’t make the tag. Hansen goes in to interfere a few times, but it doesn’t change the momentum. Then; of course, it does. Hansen tags in after interfering, meets Nakano on the outside, but attempts to save Dibiase again. Big mistake. Hansen does a running knee to the ringpost. Now both Dibiase/Hansen are limping. Yatsu uses a chair on Hansen’s knee at ringside. Yatsu uses a hold on Hansen’s knee back inside, and Dibiase has to break it up. Hansen gets a lariat on Nakano coming out of the corner and steals the pin in 14 minutes.

This final run may be the best Dibiase has looked on this set, from offensive flow to selling, between this match and the last. Sad to see him go, but given his comments about the next generation that was beginning to emerge in All Japan, he wasn’t going to attempt to keep up with them anyway. Hansen throwing around Nakano is just the coolest thing. Awesome spot where every time Hansen goes for a pin Yatsu walks back and stomps him (three times in a row). I thought the story of this being about Dibiase’s knee was great, because of how great Dibiase was in this match (as mentioned), but also because Yatsu was violent and Hansen stayed active waiting for the tag/save the match spots for his team. I really loved the story here, and working on Hansen’s knee after was great too. I enjoyeed Hansen pulling out another lariat and victory from the teeth of certain defeat. This will do well with me. 3 ½ stars and 7/10

We get our first of three straight Hansen/Dibiase matches, this time verses the interesting team of Jumbo/Misawa.

After a short struggle where Jumbo controls Hansen, Hansen and Dibiase take turns roughing up Jumbo, focusing on his arm/shoulder. Jumbo sells it well, takes a good bump through the buckle to the ringpost, and everything is solid but level. That’s your first five minutes.

Jumbo comes back with a jumping knee on Dibiase, sells for a moment, and Tags in Tiger Mask. He gets maybe thirty seconds to shine before Hansen really roughs him up, and it’s Dibiase who makes the mistake that leads to Dibiase selling/bumping big for Jumbo. TM/Jumbo take turns on Dibiase. Dibiase looks pretty good selling and then coming back. That’s really the story, as each team gets a few minutes to do quick tags and control while one guys sells, makes a short comeback, and then tags out for his team to control. Ten minutes gone.

Things get focused once Jumbo begins working over Hansen’s back, and then TM manages to continue that after a few kicks. Jumbo adds a strong abdominal stretch. Dibiase continues to run in to break up moves, eventually tossing Jumbo to the outside. Quick as a hicup, Hansen comes back with his big lariat on Tiger Mask and gets the pin in twelve minutes.

After the initial work by Hansen/Dibiase on Jumbo’s shoulder/arm, the first ten minutes is a story of each team getting a few minutes to do quick tags and control while one opponent sells, makes a short comeback after a few small hope strikes, and then tags out for his team to take control. It’s an over simplification, but that is the flow, and it’s fine/solid, but nothing really stuck with me. I liked the work on Hansen’s back, but when he’s in with TM it seems like a guy walking into spots for TM to then execute instead of a real contest. I did like the ending with Dibiase occupying Jumbo on the outside while Hansen comes back with a thunderous lariat for the quick pin. Good little 12 minute tag match and title change, but it never got out of second gear. 2 ½ and 5.5/10

This was a great seven minute story where everyone played a role. Hansen/Dibiase cut off the ring perfectly, were great mean fuckers, and had bruising work to back it up. And it’s right from the start (surprise lariat!), as they pick apart Tenryu and made him look desperate. It’s not like the guy truly emotes, but Tenryu was great here as well. Jumbo’s hot run after finally getting the tag was stellar, and I thought the finish actually seemed creative and appropriate to the story. I enjoyed this one a lot as a mid-range ballot pick. 3 ¼ stars and 6.4/10

Choshu’s Army in a position as the native heroes? Interesting…

A Tag League finals match. Right away we have a great moment where Hansen and Choshu focus eyes on each other and decide they want to start the match facing each other. This is rough work in a good way, where you don’t feel anything is planned or produced, and guys just try to out tough each other. Yatsu quickly in to work Hansen’s arm, but the big man turns that and tags in Dibiase. Weird back drop where Dibiase was waiting to be kicked, but we can forgive that. Chushu is the star early, always mindful of Hansen while he works over Dibiase. Dibiase and Hansen trap Yatsu in the ring and work him over. At one point Dibiase attacks Choshu on the apron, so you know he’s just waiting for the tag now. A moment later Choshu is in to control Dibiase, going into the scorpion deathlock while glaring at Hansen on the apron. Choshu can’t keep the hold ob, Yatsu tags in, and Hansen comes in to destroy Yatsu with a dropkick, bodyslam, and splash. I like this dynamic of Yatsu in trouble, selling for the bigger Americans.

Hansen/Dibiase grind Yatsu out with holds and a big move or two between quick tags. They take him outside at one point just to bounce his head off a table before tossing him back in. A moment later Choshu takes matters into his own hands with a ringpost shot for Dibiase, but the American’s continue to control the match. This isn’t a very inspired Hansen control segment, but it is effective work and he never looks bad or lazy. Yatsu gets a nice hopespot where he’s willing to go chop for chop with Hansen, and then another a minute later where he rakes Dibiase’s eyes and tags out. Choshu goes toe to toe with Dibiase, and there is a small buzz when Hansen tags in to control Choshu. He uses his size and massive knees to keep Choshu on the ground. Fifteen minutes gone.

Choshu comes back on Dibiase, controlling the leg and making a tag as his team works Dibiase’s knee and cuts off the ring. Yatsu employs the spinning toe hold and Dibiase begins to shine, selling the leg. Choshu tags right in and grabs the scorpion deathlock, Dibiase fighting and making the ropes before he can turn it over. Hansen stays active, breaking up pins and holds. He tries to take over as the illegal man, tossing Yatsu around ringside and smashing him with a bell. He and Dibiase give Yatsu a spike piledriver on the outside. Choshu tries to protect Yatsu and can’t, while Dibiase torments him. Twenty minutes gone.

Choshu finally gets Yatsu back in the ring, but Hansen tags in, and the crowd reacts, fearing the end. Hansen signals the lariat, but Yatsu ducks it, dropkicking and crawling for the tag. Choshu is in versus Hansen, which I’ve been waiting for, and Choshu drops down to an armbar on that Hansen lariat arm. Yatsu comes in for a double armbar, Dibiase doing little to break it when he comes in from the apron. I like the idea of them needing to double team Hansen to keep the big guy at bay, and the story of working the arm over on the outside as well really works for me. Twenty-five minutes gone.

Yatsu drops into an armbar on the mat, and Choshu comes in stomping at the arm. The audience, as Hansen is riving around on the ground, begins to chant his name. Hansen upkicks Choshu and comes back. Dibiase tags in and he takes control, almost business as usual. Hansen/Dibiase take control with quick tags, until Yatsu takes the hot tag and clears both opponents several times. That is, until Hansen smacks away a Yatsu dropkick like he’s a fly. The Americans miss a football charge, fall out through the ropes, where Choshu lariats Hansen and rolls him back in for our first good near fall. Stuff piledriver on Hansen, but Dibiase interferes shortly after. Choshu steps in and lariats Dibiase out of the ring, they set up Hansen for a Chushu lariat, but Dibiase grabs Choshu’s leg to stop him and Hansen crushes Yatsu with a backdrop driver. A furious finish ensues with Choshu throwing Dibiase in the deathlock, but Hansen side-lariating his head. No one can get the pin and the 30 minute time limit expires. It’s a draw, but Hansen/Dibiase win the tag league championship on points.

There were some odd moments early where the guys weren’t on the same page, but they made it feel so visceral and real that it is completely forgivable. Yatsu definitely feels like the weakest worker, but they seem to play that into the match, especially with Hansen in with him. Being the native smaller guy in this match helps for face in peril purposes. I love Choshu’s subtle looks over to Hansen whenever he’s working Dibiase, partly cautious of an attack, and part cocky as he goes for the scorpion deathlock. Dibiase is capable, and at times has great ring presence (is never lost), but I’m not blow away with him in his Japanese matches by any means. Hansen is fine, but doesn’t feel unhinged or great the way we usually see Hansen, in the first 15 minutes. He is completely solid in the control segments though.

Upon the turn to Choshu/Yatsu control I note it is the second time n the match where Choshu takes charge, does something to the opponents knee, then hold the leg as he drags it to his corner of rhte tag. I LOVE focused body part work in conjunction with cutting off the ring. Great tag team psychology, and Hansen/Dibiase had done some of this with quick tags earlier. I thought Dibiase turned a corner and shined selling the knee and taking damage 2/3 of the way through the match. And Hansen getting tired of waiting for the tag is great, as he interferes more and more, to the point he just steps in at ringside and smashes Yatsu with a bell and a spike piledriver on the outside. I love the slight gasp from the crowd when Yatsu is selling and Hansen officially tags in, like they know the lariat and the end may be moments away. Yatsu’s dropkick and dramatic tag out are really good, but then it slows down again with Choshu/Hansen, and while I appreciate the work on the lariat arm, I was hoping for some hot Choshu offense to take down the big man. I guess it’s a case of author’s intent versus audience interpretation as to what direction is best.

By the twenty-five minute mark, when it’s clear the story is double teaming Hansen to kepp the big man at bay, focusing work on his lariat arm, the match is really coming together as a story as we’ve seen Yatsu (and even Choshu) have to weather the storm and a beating, as well as come back on Dibiase by messing with his leg, and all the strategy and back and forth at the beginning has leg to this game plan. It works. Wasn’t always super exciting, but they build the match well. And that’s when the audience actually begins to vocally root for Hansen, which surprises me. He does do a great job selling, which I think he’s under-rated at. I felt it went off the rails for a minute or two when that section was over, but when Yatsu got the hot tag it got fun/interesting again. We don’t actually get our first convincing near fall all match until Choshu lariats Hansen outside at the 27 minute mark and Yatsu covers back inside. The final few minutes were definitely exciting and had well thought out, semi-dramatic moments. The match ends in a draw, which I’m okay with, but as with a lot of these longer tags, it seemed to meander at moments and only a few times reached the heights it was capable of, though I never felt I was wasting my time watching it. For a thirty minute match though, it doesn’t accomplish much with its peaks. 3 ¼ stars and 6.6/10

Hansen has adopted Dibiase into his circle, and now they have a big show showdown with the great Jumbo Tsuruta and his number two, Tenryu.

I’m guessing Hansen and Dibiase are tag champs based on them wearing belts into the match. Hansen and Jumbo start out. Both men go for each other’s arms, but can’t connect. Dibiase comes in and Jumbo rolls him up for a quick pin attempt. Tenryu comes in and shows some determination versus Dibiase. Dibiase fires back with chops and an abdominal stretch, but Hansen jumps in and takes Tenryu to the outside, roughing him up. Dibiase takes over on offense, and he definitely looks solid so far. Hansen and Dibiase implement some quick tags and pin attempts as Tenryu is beaten down. He makes a decent attempt at a comeback once, before the second where he tags in Jumbo after bodyslamming Hansen.

Jumbo is the fresh man, running high knee to Hansen, and then taking over with a piledriver. He grabs Hansen in a sleeper, but Dibiase comes off the top rope to break it up. Jumbo and Hansen get physical with each other, roughing around before Tenryu tags in. Double crossbody and Hansen, the bigger man, lands on top for a pin attempt. Dibiase is tagged in and takes over on Tenryu. Neckbreaker, elbow drop, both for pin attempts before Jumbo comes in and cleans up on the new kid. Hansen has to make the save, back dropping Jumbo and then tagging in a moment later. Jumbo gets the jump on him, and Hansen takens several enzugiris before Dibiase is tagged in and takes the same.

The match begins to break down, and Jumbo knocks Dibiase silly with a big lariat and and a back drop driver. Dibiase kicks out at the last possible minute. Jumbo runs for a lariat in the corner and misses, and Hansen grabs the arm from the apron and smashes it into the turnbuckle. He flips Jumbo to the outside, where he posts the lariat arm. NOW we have a real story developing. Dibiase takes over on the arm when Jumbo is rolled back in. They take turns taking apart Jumbo’s arm until Tenryu tries to make the save off a double team. Bad idea. Hansen sends him into the ropes and kills Tenry with a lariat. They continue double-teaming Jumbo, holding him for a lariat that that comes to the arm itself. Hoe crazy is that. Hansen punches Tenryu in the face just for getting back on the apron, then lariats Jumbo awkwardly, and viciously. Total control from Hansen/Dibiase. Jumbo ends up giving up, and much like the Choshu/Khan win, this was a statement match where the good guys were not ready yet.

The first third of this match is solid, decent work which given the talent you would expect. It’s moving, and flows, and builds in the sense of action, but it’s also nondescript hard work. It’s good because they work hard, but a story wasn’t clear to me. Then Jumbo misses the lariat in the corner and Hansen seizes the opportunity to try and destroy Jumbo’s arm. Dibiase actually steps up a lot in this match, but no more than this section where he has to control the arm. Jumbo is in the midst of becoming an elite worker, not even the best in the company (I think he already had that a few matches back), but in the world in 1985. Tenryu has his moments, but he’s still not there, and it’s Jumbo who handles not only the offensive high marks, but also the major selling in the home stretch of the match.

I think it’s a good call to have Dibiase get the rub here, and for Hansen to destroy the arm while Tenryu is taken out. The ending is as much a statement win for the heels as the Khan/ Choshu win was, though I tend to like that match somewhat more because I felt like the story and the way it played out felt more compelling. But both are very good and compelling, and this one does match up well because it has a rare clean heel win. I liked this one well enough that it should finish in the top third of my ballot. 3 ½ stars and 7/10

A young Ted Dibiase wears a robe saying “Italian Stallion” to the ring. What the hell?

Dibiase is a favorite of mine form the Mid South Diaries, so it was cool to see him wearing his patented black glove into this match. They have a short feeling out period before Tenyru takes over with mat holds focused on Dibiase’s arm. His selling and struggle stand out here against the stone faced work of Tenyru. That said, Tenyru has tightened up his game by this point, showing great chops and a tighter, less tentative work ethic. His arm work early is steller stuff.

Dibiase rages back with punches and elbows, tossing Tenyru outside before shaking out his arm and trying to recover. They come back heavy on each other, and Tenyru goes back to focusing on Dibiase’s arm. They run through some pin exchanges (really good for the era), and Tenyro again goes for the arm. Dibiase ends up in control after he an elbow with him bad arm (which he sells). Tenyru does a dive to the outside, and they struggle—and I mean struggle—bad and forth.

Tenryu pulls out is twisting diving elbow from the top for a two count. Dibiase pulls out a suplex for a two count. Tenryu with a shoulder buster for a two, then goes for yet another shoulder stretching hold, as he’s moved his body part focus. Tenryu seems to be pulling out all the stops and Dibiase looks tired. Dibiase hits a piledriver on the floor and Tenryu has a dramatic moment making it in before the count. Now the crowd is really behind him. Dibiase has him outside again, going for a suplex, but Tenyru changes it into a backdrop driver on Dibiase. Tenryu tries to get back in the ring, his head does make it, but Dibiase holds onto him for the double countout in 20:24.

I was pleasantly surprised with this one given the start. This was a good, though sometimes lethargic, showing for Dibiase, but it was really Tenryu’s match to shine in. He does. His arm work and holds are great, and his timing on when to do moves has gotten better too. He’s less tentative here than earlier on the set, and the match story was compelling. Dibiase makes a few mistakes that others have noted, but I did think this picked up nicely and didn’t think Dibiase looked bad at all. I actually liked this a hair more than Bockwinkel/Funk, which is saying something (though in fairness I was expected more from them than this match). I thought the ending was actually smart given Dibiase was fading and realized he couldn’t beat Tenyru. This isn’t high end/next level, but it’s top half of the ballot material—I’d think. 3 ¼ stars and 6.3/10

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

No need for a huge write up. We’ve seen many combinations of these four men in the ring during the last several Mid South Diaries. In fact, we’ve seen this exact match with this exact stipulation. Funny thing is the stip isn’t really changing much of the match, as it is wrestled as a regular tag.

Everyone hits there stuff. The work is actually tight much of the time. The crowd isn’t blown away, but they see the match as a big deal. The heels have that presence they usually do. The Babyfaces work is pretty inspired from an effort standpoint. Nothing is horrible about the match. Yet it’s very average, run of the mill, and at times I lose interest. It’s nothing you haven’t seen before from these men, and like I said, it’s JUST solid.

My biggest interest is why Sunshine was paired with the Freebirds? I never heard about that in Freebird history. Perhaps her and Hayes were a thing.

Hayes does make it more interesting during the heel when he uses his boot to beat a bloody Doc. Gordy bumps nicely as they tease a hot tag, and I’m realizing this is better then what I’ve seen in the last 5-7 matches, but that stuff was dull enough I’m burned out on it.

Hot tag to Dibiase, it breaks down to a street fight, and wouldn’t you know it they’re out of time! That old finish most remember from WCW Saturday Night as the show goes off the air without a finish to the match. The cool thing is they flip to next week where Michael Hayes is with JR heelin’ it up and watching the footage of what we didn’t see. We didn’t see Gordy just kill Doc with a clothesline like the bad ass he was. Or Hayes send Dibiase over the rail hard as hell. We are treated to a two-on-one beat down on Doc with a boot. Dibiase gets beat up by Devastation Inc. on the outside because he and One Man Gang in a feud. They leave and Doc lays beaten in the ring. A DQ in a Bad Street match. Hated a little less here than before, but yuck in general. 2 ¾ and 6/10.

Match Discussion Here

It’s funny that Gordy and Hayes wear cut off T-shirts and jeans here as the cool heels, and a decade later Stevie Richards would do it as a “clueless putz”. I only bring it up because Gordy and Hayes are wearing shirts that are cut entirely too short. They look more white trash than usual. They also still rule. The faces wear their ring gear to the Badstreet Fight. I guess they don’t get it.

Heels bump like crazy for the faces in a brawl to start. The heels powder out and regroup after Dibiase runs them silly. Dibiase has his hand taped. They bring up the glove. Ross also brings up the piledrivers to both men and hospital visits. If you’ve never seen these feuds JR just made it assessable. Good one.

Doc and Gordy renew their feud. Looks even better in tag form where they can just go and tag out instead of bearhug and back move. Gordy uses the laces of his boot to start the heat on Doc. Hayes uses his boot. Gordy adds the sick clothesline. Ross covers for the ref because he’s trying to break up a choke in a no DQ match. Amazingly (Note: sarcasm), it’s Tommy Gilbert.

Hayes looks the worst he has of the matches I’ve seen. This is paint by numbers, but on a lazy day. Hot tag and brawl all over. Not great. Not the worst. Gordy ends up getting heat on Dibiase, and that rules. Hayes repeats what little he did with the boot. Hayes has been better riling the crowd on the apron. Odd exchange between Gordy and Hayes on a tag attempt.

Other than that it heats up at the end. Gordy bumps well for Doc. Hayes and Dibiase do well for themselves. So guy named “the Angel of Death” bumps around for the faces off a run in. The crowd is now pretty fired up. Gordy kills everyone, including Tommy Gilbert. This match just went up a quarter-point. That’s the finish – Gordy is the maniac big man. 2 ¼ and 4/10.

Match Discussion Here