WWF on NESN - 07/05/1988
Andre The Giant vs. Jim Duggan
These two had an interesting dynamic because Duggan is big enough to be physical with Andre, but small enough not to be like a Studd or Bundy opponent, so he still has to be a bump guy for him. Duggan clobbers Andre and plays to the crowd which the crowd loves, but he does have to suffer Andre’s wrath in this, including a bearhug which looks uncomfortable to be in. Duggan gets a huge hope spot where he hits a running tackle that knocks Andre down to a big screaming pop but then they fight to the floor. Duggan seems to be in control but Andre clobbers Duggan with the 2x4, and Duggan is then counted out. Decent match considering Andre’s slowing down a lot now. **1/2
WWF Tag Team Title Match: Demolition (Ax & Smash) (c) vs. Strike Force (Rick Martel & Tito Santana)
No matter how predictable the match formula is, somehow these teams nail it to each other. Strike Force had great momentum early on with the crowd behind them and their hot moves, only for Demolition to cut them off and deliver a great heat section, thanks to their style of offence as well as Mr Fuji’s tricks, and then the finish provided a great conclusion. The false finish with Santana kicking out after being hit with the cane was a real but appreciated surprise too. These teams just clicked in this one. ***1/2
WWF Intercontinental Title Match: The Honky Tonk Man (c) vs. Brutus Beefcake
A generic sort of match that I don’t care for. I’m sure it was a crowd pleaser. **1/4
NWA Main Event 1988 - 08/05/1988
Sting & Steve Williams vs. The Varsity Club (Rick Steiner & Mike Rotunda) w/ Kevin Sullivan
An interesting booking decision to take this to the 15 minute draw on paper, but I guess there are something in the works for all four of them in the booking plans, Sting especially. It’s not the most substantial match, but it’s interesting from start to finish and the crowd is into the match. There is an arm wringer spot that stood out and some other minor sequences that made this an easy watch. **3/4
Lex Luger vs Bobby Eaton
A decent TV style match that makes Luger look strong. It’s Eaton doing the heavy work though, but Luger gets the shine which is the smart way of doing it. The highlight of this mainly was Cornette, whose instructions and yelling competitions with the fans. Eaton was a good bump machine too. ***
NJPW Super Fight Series 1988 - Day 22 - 08/05/1988
Different Style Fight Match: Keiichi Yamada vs. Don Nakaya Nielsen
Shame there isn’t a pro shot of this because this looked pretty great, even from the pixelated view from the rafters. Nielsen didn’t have an ego here, he let the much smaller Yamada shine in this and get some big hope spots that the fans responded heavily to. Nielsen shined too. He seemed to have a wrestling knack that was never fully utilised but I'm glad we have these fun bouts to enjoy. ***1/2
IWGP Heavyweight Title Match (vacant): Tatsumi Fujinami vs. Big Van Vader
It’s quite a shame that a full version of this, if out there, is so very rare because this looks to be quite a bout. It does have shit DQ finish that allows Fujinami to win the IWGP Heavyweight title for the first time in maybe the more unceremonious manner. It almost felt like a mistake win but I have no real doubts that it was the booked finish as Fujinami essentially forced this run by threatening to leave around this time. The match had its moments but with the lacklustre finish and the JIP to the meat of the match, it’s hard to get the full picture unlike a lot of the JIP of the era. ***
CWA Mid-South Coliseum 1988 - 09/05/1988
Eddie Gilbert vs. Bill Dundee
Quite a wild time capsule of a match this was. Bill Dundee, the babyface, is getting cheered by the crowd and commentators in his attempts to hit Missy Hyatt. This was a short but packed brawl with big punches and big bumps. A play by play will be a repetition at this point, but it’s a lot of fun. I thought Gilbert's exaggerated selling would get tiring but it worked well within the setting and the count out finish worked a treat too, and led to a cool beatdown after the bell. Really strong bout for its length. ***1/2
AWA World Heavyweight Title Match (Special Referee: Jackie Fargo): Curt Hennig (c) vs. Jerry Lawler
Memphis rarely showed the full entrances and whole pomp and circumstance of the entrances, only the matches on occasion. But in celebration of the occasion, they let it all be on display, and it’s incredible to witness. The match itself is pretty great, although I do think they let the occasion get to them a little bit. The drama was a tad artificial at points and it felt like they wanted to savour the occasion. But the performance was still very good and worked. Hennig was good as the antagonising heel. He was up for the occasion and bumped and fed Lawler well. Lawler was as punch heavy as ever but he threw some great ones and sold them well too. And they built to the climatic moment really well, ending up with that great pop. ****
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