Wrestling Through Time

Match #29 Jan. 11, 1985, WCCW, One Man Gang vs. Shawn Michaels

2010-09-08T13:15:00.000-07:00

Shawn Michaels makes his debut here, but not in any type of good fashion. This is part of Michaels' tryout in WCCW, so he gets beat up throughout this match. The One Man Gang really lays into Michaels throughout the entire match. Michaels doesn't even get a single offensive move off. One Man Gang finishes the match off with a big splash to end this match at slightly over two minutes.

My Grade: C
Nothing offensive, just a squash match, basically.

Match #28 Sep. 22, 1984 Hulk Hogan vs. Big John Studd, WWF Championship

2010-09-07T22:17:00.000-07:00

A longer match than the Hogan/Shiek match here, but I wouldn't say it was any better. A typical big man match here as Hogan tries to chop the Studd down early on and is mostly successful in doing so. The only times Hogan would get in trouble in this match would be when he'd attempt to bodyslam Studd, and everytime, it failed. Studd would try to wear down Hogan with a bearhug before dumping him outside. Studd would lay boots onto the head of Hogan, busting Hogan open. This would give Hogan that adrenaline rush and he would come back into the match all fired up. Hogan would get the advantage again, but tries to slam Studd, and fails. They both end up on the outside and bump heads. Studd is able to get into the ring before the count of ten to get the victory via count out, but Hogan regains the title, even though Studd would take it anyways.

An interesting thing to note in this match, would be Gene Okerlund on commentary saying how he wouldn't be surprised if Bobby Heenan amassed a big stable of superstars. Oh, how right he would be.

My Grade: D+
Just not that great of a match.

Match #27 Jan. 23, 1984, Iron Shiek vs. Hulk Hogan, WWF Championship

2010-09-07T21:49:00.000-07:00

We've made it to 1984, and this is the infamous match that starts Hulk Hogan's WWF Title reign. A pretty short match by title match standards we've seen thus far. Hogan basically beats down Shiek until Shiek is able to take back control. Shiek locks in the Camel Clutch, which no one at that time had been able to break out of. Hogan is able to out muscle Shiek and get out of the clutch and hit the big leg drop to get the pinfall and the WWF title.

My Grade: C-
An average match, but an important one in history.

Match #26 Nov. 24, 1983, Starrcade, Harley Race vs. Ric Flair, NWA World Heavyweight Championship (Steel Cage)

2010-09-06T08:44:00.000-07:00

I'm probably going to ruffle some feathers here, but even though this is a historical match, in terms of history, I just cannot get into this match. I mean, it's not a bad match, but every time I watch it, I just can't find a way to really enjoy it. I really do not even know why.

You've probably seen numerous highlights of this match, but in case you have not, here is the low down. Race takes the title in controversial fashion, Race then puts a $25,000 bounty on Flair so he will not have to face him again. None of that works and we get this rematch inside a steel cage at Starrcade '83, with Gene Kininski as the special referee.

The match is more of a fight than a wrestling match. They just lay into one another, with both wrestlers getting bloodied. Of course if you've seen this before, you know the finish comes with a crossbody off the top rope by Flair to get the pinfall.

My Grade: C
Just something about this match is off for me.

Match #25 Nov. 24, 1983, Starrcade, Greg Valentine vs. Roddy Piper (Dog Collar Match)

2010-09-02T20:15:00.000-07:00

This match is just violent. Even by 1983 standards, it is just plain violent. Valentine and Piper just whip each other, beat each other, and just use that chain senselessly on one another. Both men get bloodied in this match, Valentine at first, and then Piper later, with his ear actually taking the most damage. There is a few wrestling moves thrown into this match here and there, though most of the match is just using the chain as a weapon. Piper would get the win here by basically tying up Valentine with the chain and using the leverage to pin him. Afterwards, Valentine tries to hang Piper, but Piper eventually fights back and fights off Valentine.

My Grade: B
A solid and violent brawl.

Match #24 Nov. 24, 1983, Starrcade, Brisco Bros. vs. Jay Youngblood & Ricky Steamboat, NWA World Tag Team Championships

2010-08-31T13:17:00.000-07:00

Starrcade '83 was a revolutionary event for it's time. It is considered to be the first pay per view event and launched the wrestling business towards pay per views. Three matches from Starrcade on on the list, so this is part one, with the NWA Tag Team titles on the line.

This was a rather good match here for tag team wrestling. A good story was told here and you could feel the drama within the match. In the beginning of the match, it's Steamboat and Youngblood gaining the advantage over the veteran Brisco Brothers. The Brisco's would finally cut them off and take advantage of Steamboat and beat on him. Steamboat would get the hot tag from Youngblood, but the Brisco's cut him off as well. Steamboat and Youngblood would gain the advantage again, and with a Steamboat assisted press slam with Youngblood, they would get the pinfall and win the belts.

My Grade: A-
A very enjoyable match for the tag straps.

Match #23 Oct. 17, 1983, Don Muraco vs. Jimmy Snuka, WWF Intercontinental Championship (Steel Cage)

2010-08-27T13:21:00.000-07:00

This is the steel cage match I am sure every wrestling fan has seen a clip of. The Intercontinental title is on the line here as Don Muraco defends against 'Superfly' Jimmy Snuka. This is a very short match compared to past cage matches on the list thus far. Both men get busted open before ten minutes have even elapsed in the match. They both brawl throughout the contest until Snuka starts to gain the upper hand.

Snuka hits a cross body that knocks Muraco backwards into the cage and he manages to fall out of the door to retain the title. That doesn't end things in the ring as Snuka comes out and pulls Muraco back into the ring. Snuka hits a suplex on Muraco and then climbs the cage, all the way to the top, and hits the infamous dive off the cage.

My Grade: C-
A mediocre cage match, but the spot at the end is always going to be something shown for years to come.

Match #22 Oct. 1983, WCCW, Fabulous Freebirds vs. Kerry & Kevin Von Erich (Country Whipping Match)

2010-08-26T17:43:00.000-07:00

The Fabulous Freebirds of Michael Hayes and Terry Gordy taking on the Von Erich's here in a 'Country Whipping' match. The premise of the match is basically both teams have straps and are able to use them inside the ring. That is pretty much the whole match as both teams just whip each other and there are pretty much no wrestling moves used in this contest.

A brawl, pretty much here until Kevin Von Erich is thrown over the top rope causing a disqualification. Both teams keep brawling until the Von Erich's are able to get the advantage and fight off the Freebirds as they scramble to the back.

My Grade: C
A good match if you're wanting to see a brawl, but other than that, not really a match.

Match #21 Aug. 31, 1983, Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling, Harley Race vs. Ric Flair, NWA World Heavyweight Championship

2010-08-24T12:41:00.000-07:00

A year after Ric Flair's controversial title win over Kerry Von Erich, Harley Race has won the title also in controversial fashion, and this is the rematch for the ten pounds of gold. This match is more of angle progression due to the finish of the match, but it's a good match here put on by the two, but nothing real special.

Flair had by this time become a babyface after losing the title in shady circumstances, and had the crowd behind him to win back the NWA title. Race had the bounty on Flair as well so he would not have to defend the title against Flair again. These two go back and forth with both men trying to get that slight advantage to get the victory. Flair would almost have the win, having Race in the figure-four, but Bob Orton Jr. and Dick Slater would come out and break it up and try to break Flair's neck. They give him a spiked piledriver as Race looks on in delight. Roddy Piper and Wahoo McDaniel would come out to chase them off and check on Flair.

My Grade: B
A good match, but more used to advance the Flair/Race rivalry.

Match #20 May 23, 1983, Bob Backland vs. Sgt. Slaughter, WWF Championship

2010-08-23T09:24:00.000-07:00

Bob Backland is back with his fourth WWF Championship defense on the list against Sgt. Slaughter. The back story to this match, is that Slaughter viciously beat Backland with his riding stick causing this title match.

Backland starts off the match just laying into Slaughter. He throws him into all four corners of the ring, repeatedly. Backland has control for about seven minutes into the match until Slaughter is able to take over. After that the match slows down tremendously and gets sloppy. The fans seem to lose interest as well after being really hot for the first few minutes. The finish would come when Backland would have the crossface chickenwing applied and Slaughter would finally get to the ropes. His manager, The Grand Wizard, would hand him the riding stick and Slaughter would hit Backland in the head with it causing the disqualification. Slaughter would toss the ref out and look to beat Backland again with the stick, but Backland would outsmart Slaughter and get the stick himself. Slaughter would run for the back as the crowd finally comes back for this as Backland tried to get his revenge for the earlier beating.

My Grade: D+
Just not a good match from these two. The drama was there, but they seemed to not capitalize on it.

Match #19 Apr. 12, 1983, Nick Bockwinkel vs. Hulk Hogan, AWA World Heavyweight Championship

2010-08-22T13:37:00.000-07:00

'The Incredible' Hulk Hogan takes on AWA Champion, Nick Bockwinkel in another match marred with controversy. A very slow paced match here, as it takes about four minutes just to have a lock up. Hogan pretty much controls the pace of the match, hitting lots of offensive maneuvers that take Bockwinkel down. I would say Hogan is more fluid here in the ring then he would be later on in his career.

Bockwinkel would take back control with a sleeper hold as Hogan has to carry him on his back. Hogan would try to drive Bockwinkel into the corner but the referee would be there as well causing a ref bump. Hogan would dump Bockwinkel over the top rope to get out of the sleeper and wake up the ref. When Bockwinkel would get back into the ring, Hogan would take back control of the match, hitting the leg drop to win the AWA Championship.

Unfortunately, if you look at title histories, you will see that Hulk Hogan did not win the AWA Championship on this date. As a matter of fact, after the match, the AWA President would rule since Hogan dumped Bockwinkel over the top rope, that Hogan would be disqualified, meaning Bockwinkel would retain the title. The fans would be very upset, pelting the ring with garbage. Hogan would then beat up both Bockwinkel and his manager Bobby Heenan and then proclaim that the AWA Championship was the fans title and that he was their champion. A definite precursor to Hulkamania.

My Grade: C+
Not the greatest match, but an interesting finish to say the least.

Match #18 Aug. 24, 1982, World Class Championship Wrestling, Kerry Von Erich vs. Ric Flair, NWA World Heavyweight Championship (2/3 Falls)

2010-08-21T12:36:00.000-07:00

As Jim Ross once said, 'you want to talk about controversy', I would say is an appropriate way to describe this encounter. Ric Flair defends the NWA Title against Kerry Von Erich in WCCW. Von Erich is pretty much the 'man' in Texas at this time and these two go to war for the ten pounds of gold.

A pretty back and forth match here as it take about twenty-five minutes to decide the first fall. A ref bump would occur as Von Erich accidentally strikes the referee. A WCCW ref would come down to fill in while the ref was down and Von Erich would get a sleeper hold on Flair. Flair was pretty much out as the ref went to check on him and the bell rings. The original referee had disqualified Von Erich for striking him and crowd goes nuts. They believed that Von Erich should have won the first fall and be up 1-0, but it is Flair who is wins the first fall.

The second fall sees Ric Flair work over Kerry Von Erich's knee. Flair would use every trick he had to try and destroy the knee of Von Erich to snap in the figure-four and try to win this fall. Flair would get the hold, but Von Erich had the where with all to reverse it. Von Erich would gain the advantage by applying the Iron Claw to Flair. Flair would get busted open as a result of the hold and be pinned as well giving fall two to Von Erich.

The third fall would get underway and see both men just laying into each other. Von Erich would get the advantage and just start pummeling Flair. The ref would try to get Von Erich off of Flair but was unable to. As a result, the referee would disqualify both men and making Flair retain the title. Once again the crowd is livid feeling as though Von Erich was screwed out of two falls here. Fritz Von Erich would come down to ringside, Kerry's father, and get into the face of the referee. This would be after Flair and Von Erich would continue brawling after the match was over. Fritz even tried to choke out the ref and fight him as he felt his son had been screwed out of the title as well. A controversial end to a great title match you could definitely say.

My Grade: A+
Great drama and great action here by two of the best.

Match #17 Aug. 18, 1982, Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling, Jack Brisco vs. Ric Flair

2010-08-20T15:51:00.000-07:00

Ric Flair is in the midst of his first reign as NWA World Champion here as he takes on former champ, Jack Brisco. This was not the intended match, as Flair refused to wrestle his intended opponent, whose name I did not catch, but due to Wahoo McDaniel coming out and forcing Ric to wrestle or else he would fight him there, Flair wrestles Brisco.

Brisco dominates most of the match here, with Flair not being prepared for this match. Flair tries to cheat, but those efforts are thwarted and to no avail. Flair is able to get in the figure-four late in the match, but it is quickly reversed by Brisco. Brisco would try a figure-four of his own, but Flair was able to get out of it quickly. They exchange a series of near falls, but Brisco is able to execute the backslide on Flair for a three count and the victory.

My Grade: B
A solid match here from two hall of famers.

Match #16 Jan. 16, 1982, Bob Backland vs. Greg 'The Hammer' Valentine, WWF Championship (Steel Cage)

2010-08-19T12:41:00.000-07:00

World Wrestling Federation Champion, Bob Backland is back with another title defense inside the steel cage. The hard hitting, Greg Valentine is his opponent tonight, but in unfortunately, another clipped match. I would've like to see this match, as Backland has been really good in his title defenses thus far, proving why he held the title for five years. Backland would end up beating a bloodied Valentine after a piledriver to walk out of the cage and retain the WWF Championship.

My Grade: N/A
Not enough footage.

Match #15 Apr. 6, 1981, Bob Backland vs. Stan Hansen, WWF Championship (Steel Cage)

2010-08-18T15:19:00.000-07:00

WWF Champion Bob Backland is back with another cage match for the WWF Title, but this time against a legend in Japan, Stan 'The Man' Hansen. Not as good, in my opinion, as the Backland and Patterson steel cage match, but this one is more of a brawl then that one was. Hansen gets bloodied early on and they continue to duke it out. No lariat from Hansen which was kind of disappointing, but still a good match from these two which sees Backland retain the title.

My Grade: B
A good match, but not as good as Backland/Patterson.

Match #14 Sep. 13, 1980, WWF, Hulk Hogan vs. Andre the Giant

2010-08-17T15:19:00.000-07:00

This is a really unique match up here. The main event of WrestleMania 3, seven years before. The interesting thing is that Hulk Hogan, known as 'The Incredible' Hulk Hogan, is a heel here, managed also by Freddie Blassie. You also get to see how well Andre could go inside the ring, as this is well before his health problems started to come into play.

The match plays out with Andre using his size to his advantage and Hogan playing more of a cowardly heel by going out of the ring and getting advice from Blassie. Not a long match, with Hogan clotheslining Andre with a loaded elbow pad to end the match.

My Grade: C+
Not the best match by any means, but a real interesting look at these two before they get big. Check it out if you get the chance.

Match #13 Sep. 24, 1979, Bob Backland vs. Pat Patterson, WWF Championship (Steel Cage)

2010-08-17T14:54:00.000-07:00

This match is joined in progress, but it doesn't hinder the quality of this match. The first Intercontinental Champion, Pat Patterson is taking on reigning WWF Champion, Bob Backland. These two guys just slug it out inside the confides of the steel cage. I will say, thus far, this has been my favorite match on the list, because these guys put it all out there in this match and it really shows. I believe this is one of the first cage matches where there is fighting a top of the cage.

Lots of drama here with near escapes and both men being bloodied. Patterson tries to use brass knuckles to gain an advantage at the end of the match to win, but Backland is able to outsmart him and escape outside the door to retain the World Wrestling Federation Championship.

My Grade: A-
A really fun match, and a good brawl to top it off.

Match #12 Aug. 21, 1979 Championship Wrestling from Florida, Harley Race vs. Dusty Rhodes, NWA World Heavyweight Title

2010-08-17T14:31:00.000-07:00

We go back to the NWA for the world heavyweight championship on the line as Harley Race defends against 'The American Dream' Dusty Rhodes. Another clipped match unfortunately, as it is highlights with Dusty talking about how this match went and what it meant to him. From the looks of things, it looked to be a hard hitting, back and forth match, with both men bloodied after the match was over. Rhodes would hit and elbow drop on Race to win, what I do believe was his first NWA World Heavyweight Championship. Afterward, the fans and other wrestlers got into the ring to celebrate with Rhodes.

My Grade: N/A
Clipped match.

Match #11 July 1979, Stampede Wrestling, Jake Roberts vs. Big Daddy Ritter, North American Heavyweight Title (Ladder Match)

2010-08-17T14:13:00.000-07:00

This is one of the first ladder matches featuring two wrestlers before they would get huge in the WWF. Jake Roberts and Big Daddy Ritter, who would later become the Junkyard Dog, battle for the North American Heavyweight Championship and $1000. One thing about this match that is different than most is the ladder is a leaning ladder unlike the fold up ladders you see in matches today.

The match is joined in progress, and it is a very slow type of match up. Both wrestlers are just trying to incapacitate their opponent long enough to climb up the ladder and the get the belt and money. Ritter loses a boot at one point and that becomes a weapon for him to use in the match. Roberts would try to do all he could to win here, but it would not be enough. He would get dumped to the outside allowing Ritter enough time to climb the ladder and win the North American Heavyweight Championship and the $1000.

My Grade: C+
Not what you would expect these days from a ladder match, but for its time, it is innovative.

Match #10 Feb. 20, 1978, 'Superstar' Billy Graham vs. Bob Backland, WWWF Title

2010-08-15T14:39:00.000-07:00

This is a very clipped match, with I would say only about two minutes of actual wrestling footage. The match shown consists of Backland having a bear hug on Graham and then Backland hitting an atomic drop to get the three count. Controversy would ensue however, as Graham would have his foot on the rope during the pinfall. The decision would stand and Backland would hold on to the WWWF Championship.

My Grade: N/A
Not enough footage once again.

Match #9 Apr. 30, 1977, Bruno Sammartino vs. 'Superstar' Billy Graham, WWWF Title

2010-08-15T14:21:00.000-07:00

WWWF Champion Bruno Sammartino making his third appearance here as he takes on the very arrogant, 'Superstar' Billy Graham. These two go back and forth with each other with various tests of strength to see who can gain the advantage. The match doesn't get a clear advantage for someone until Graham gets busted open and Sammartino tries to capitalize on it. Unfortunately for him, he would not walk away the victor, as Graham rolls up Sammartino and uses the ropes to gain leverage to win the WWWF Championship. This would end the last title reign for Sammartino.

My Grade: C+
An okay match, but kind of short.

Match #8 Mar. 1, 1976, WWWF, Ric Flair vs. Pete Sanchez

2010-08-13T12:34:00.000-07:00

Ric Flair's debut for the WWWF is our next match here. Not one of Flair's best matches here, as it was more of a showcase for him specifically. He does give Sanchez a lot of shine here by having him be in advantage for more of the match. A slow match through out, so nothing to write home about. Flair ends up winning with a simple vertical suplex. Odd thing about this match, or it may be just my DVD, is Vince McMahon's commentary just pops in five minutes into the match. Just a weird production thing to me at least.

My Grade: C
A less than stellar match from Flair, but nothing awful.

Match #7 Dec. 15, 1975, Bruno Sammartino vs. Ivan Koloff, WWWF Title, (Steel Cage)

2010-08-12T15:46:00.000-07:00

We have our first Steel Cage match here on the list, coming courtesy of the WWWF. I always thought it weird that WWE and the then NWA always had differing rules on Steel Cage matches. WWE has always used the 'escape the cage or go through the door' aspect while the NWA used just pinfalls and submissions.

Anyways, back to the match, the WWWF Champion Bruno Sammartino is taking on former champ, Ivan Koloff. This match is just pure domination by Sammartino as he beats Koloff from pillar to post and into the steel cage as well. Koloff gets bloodied after repeatedly hitting the cage. Sammartino beats him down enough that Koloff is pretty much out on his feet to escape by going out the door of the cage. One noticeable thing here about this cage was how small it looked compared to today's cages. Also, how flimsy it was, but that probably helped with the give so the wrestlers weren't knocked out upon hitting it.

My Grade: B-
A real solid brawl here, though somewhat one sided.

Match #6 Dec. 10, 1975, Championship Wrestling from Florida, Jack Brisco vs. Terry Funk, NWA World Heavyweight Title

2010-08-11T13:09:00.000-07:00

We have another very clipped match here, as this one only has about 3:25 of wrestling. This was a match I was actually looking forward to seeing, so I am very disappointed that the match was cut short. The big thing about this match is Funk's win making him and Dory Funk Jr. the only brother tandem to win the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. Funk wins after reversing the figure-four leg lock into a school boy roll up.

My Grade: N/A
Unfortunately another clipped match.

Match #5 April 29, 1974, Bruno Sammartino vs. Killer Kowalski, WWWF Title

2010-08-10T12:38:00.000-07:00

We go back to the WWWF to see that Bruno Sammartino is now holding the belt and in his way is Killer Kowalski. This match is joined in progress, though it's not as bad as the Kininski/Funk Jr. match. The pace of this match is awfully slow. It made it really hard to get into this match at all for me. Both men, for the most part, seemed to be going at half speed.

These two mostly brawl, with Kowalski having the advantage throughout most of the match that is shown. Sammartino does get cut open after repeated biting and punches from Kowalski. This does fire up Sammartino as he finally brings the fight back to the challenger, but for some reason the match is thrown out and declared a draw. No reason given as to why it was a draw, the time of the match was something like 24:35, so I am certain it wasn't a time limit draw. More than likely it was thrown out due to the referee not being able to gain control of the bout after Sammartino made his come back. Bruno does hang onto the WWWF Championship though.

My Grade: C
Slow pacing and weird ending.