AWA Rage In A Cage II - 16/04/1988
The Nasty Boys (Brian Knobbs & Jerry Sags) vs. The Rock 'n' Roll Express (Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson)
Another rock solid performance by the Nasties who are a real surprise for the year. They delivered again with their basic heel work that allows for them to be dastardly as well as cowardly while letting their opponents shine. The Rock n Roll Express are over in Las Vegas and do some decent work themselves. Very flashy in their work which contrasts the Nasties well. Good match. ***1/4
NWA Main Event 1988 - 17/04/1988
Barry Windham & Steve Williams vs. The Four Horsemen (Arn Anderson & Tully Blanchard) (w/JJ Dillon)
This was set up last week on Main Event with the two singles matches and angles that followed. The faces shine early on with some double team moves that overwhelm the for tag team champions. Barry Windham continues that dominance 1 v1, out wrestling both Tully and Arn. The Horseman eventually work Windham over, targeting their arm with some great wrestling holds. The rest of the match is mainly this with Windham working towards a hot tag. This comes in the last minute of the match with TV time looming. The teams fight back and forth before the time expires. Good match, even despite the obvious finish. ***1/4
AJPW Champion Carnival 1988 - Day 20 - 19/04/1988
NWA International Heavyweight Title Match: Bruiser Brody (c) vs. Jumbo Tsuruta
This might be their best match yet. The pace is slow and drags the match’s quality down a bit as this feels 10 minutes longer than it is, but the work was solid. Some duelling limb work was incorporated into the match. They kept it snug and weren't afraid to hit each other. The match, like the Tenryu match, grew in intensity towards the end. I think if the match had more dynamism to it and stronger pacing, this could’ve been a MOTYC. ***1/4
AJPW Champion Carnival 1988 - Day 22 - 21/04/1988
All Asia Tag Team Title Match: Samson Fuyuki & Toshiaki Kawada (c) vs. Mighty Inoue & Takashi Ishikawa
A lengthy but rather disjointed match. A large part of this was basic wrestling. Submission holds, clubbing blows. The basics. And that went on for quite a while, and it was enjoyable in a way. But then they sort of flipped the switch and started doing spots. There is nothing wrong with either format, but both put together feels sort of odd to me. Good match, but I didn’t love it. ***
Hiroshi Wajima & Jumbo Tsuruta vs. Revolution (Ashura Hara & Genichiro Tenryu)
This was more lively than the All Asia tag match, even with a lumbering Wajima stumbling his way through the match. Wajima was over with the crowd on this night though. The other three carried their end to bring an exciting match. Anytime Tenryu and Jumbo are in the ring together is magic. ***1/4
WWF Superstars 1988 - 21/04/1988
Dark WWF Intercontinental Title Match: The Honky Tonk Man (c) vs. Bam Bam Bigelow
I’ve officially lost patience with Bam Bam. He’s really poor in this run. I’m aware that there are injury issues but he has nothing really good to show despite being put in big spots. Honky was in B-town house show mode too. Bad match. **
Dark WWF World Heavyweight Title Match: Randy Savage (w/Elizabeth) (c) vs. Andre The Giant (w/Bobby Heenan)
Only a short match with Andre largely bullying Savage. Nothing too substantial but it’s solid for a singles Andre match in the era. Good enough for this sort of event. **1/4
EMLL Super Vieres 1988 - 22/04/1988
Atlantis, El Dandy & Kato Kung Lee vs. El Hijo del Gladiador, El Satanico & Kung Fu
It’s cool to have handheld footage of something like this. There are quite a few gimmicks in this like Kung Fu. The match didn’t have many memorable spots but it was quick and action filled. Considered into an 11 minute match. ***
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