Pro Wrestling Love vol. 27: Best of AWA 1983-1990 (Nick Bockwinkel, Curt Hennig, Shawn Michaels)

Hey Yo Stud Muffins & Foxy Ladies,

Pro Wrestling Love vol. 27:

The Best of American Wrestling Association 1983-1990

Objective:  Break up the Greatest Match Ever Project (hosted at gwe.freeforums.project.net) into more manageable chunks to help me build my Top 100 List for the project.

Motivation: Contribute to the discussion around these matches to enrich my own understanding of pro wrestling and give a fresh perspective for old matches and even hopefully discover great pro wrestling matches that have been hidden by the sands of time.

Subject: This twenty-seventh volume of Pro Wrestling Love is the beginning of the Top 12 countdown of the best matches to take place in American Wrestling Association between 1983-1990. The time period is set because this was the peak of the territorial era in regards to footage. Footage before 1983 in regards to American wrestling is a dicey proposition. There are some gaps after 1983, but for the most part from 1983 on we have everything. Originally I was going to end this countdown in 1987 as believe that to be the end of the territorial era (Crockett buys out Watts and World Class & AWA are on their death bed), but I figure I might as well include 1988-1990 because that’s when the AWA closed. You can revisit past Pro Wrestling Love Volumes at ridingspacemountain.blogspot.com. You can check out the full version of these reviews in ProWrestlingOnly.com by going to the forums and finding the folders associated with the date of the match.

Contact Info: @superstarsleeze on Twitter, Instagram & ProWrestlingOnly.com.

Rest In Peace, Bock. Thanks for all the entertainment. 

Honorable Mentions

Sheik Ayatollah Blackwell & Sheik Adnan al-Kaisse vs 

Mad Dog Vachon & Baron Von Raschke Taped Fist Match 3/13/83

Verne Gagne & Mad Dog Vachon vs. Sheik Ayatollah Blackwell & Sheik Adnan – 4/24/83

AWA World Tag Team Champions The Sheiks (Patera & Blackwell) vs High Flyers – 11/24/83

Crusher Blackwell & Sgt. Slaughter vs. Sheik Adnan, Masked Superstar & King Tonga 

Steel Cage 4/21/85

The biggest discovery of the AWA set was Crusher Ayatollah Jerry Blackwell. Call him what you will, but you will call him awesome. He looks like the most unathletic tub of goo you would ever see, but looks can be deceiving. He is one of the most agile big men there ever was and one of the most psychologically sound. His “weeble wobble” but they don’t fall down selling is so good and makes every bump mean something. I love how he uses the splash in all his matches. I don’t want to give it away but pay special attention to his splash psychology. His feud with the AWA old timers such as Mad Dog, Baron, Da Crusher (over who the real Crusher is) and of course the Boss, Verne is one of the best of all time. I highly recommend the taped fist against the Baron & Mad Dog. This serves as a lead-in for two arch-enemies, Verne & Mad Dog, coming together against a common enemy, the Sheiks! There is more to come from the Blackwell vs Mad Dog feud and more to come from the Sheiks as a tag team. There is also some great Blackwell pre-1983 that we will get to when I cover US Wrestling from 1978-1982 in a separate blog. Jerry Blackwell is a marvel and should be discussed more as an all-time great in US wrestling.

AWA World Heavyweight Champion Jumbo Tsuruta vs Rick Martel – 5/13/84

AWA World Heavyweight Champion Rick Martel vs Nick Bockwinkel – 8/16/84

AWA World Heavyweight Champion Rick Martel vs Mr. Saito – 4/24/85

AWA World Heavyweight Champion Rick Martel vs Terry Gordy – August 1985

While the rest of the country was debating Hogan vs. Flair, the AWA put their faith in a handsome Quebecois named Rick Martel, who wrestled like a fired up babyface in the vein of a Jack Brisco or a Ricky Steamboat. The results in the ring were awesome. He would have better matches with Jumbo & Bock that will be discussed later, but I definitely recommend seeking out the Saito & Gordy matches. Saito was another gem along the lines of a Blackwell as someone who stood out as a great pro wrestler that does not get much play. Martel brings all the sympathetic selling of a Ricky Steamboat with the offensive firepower of a Tito Santana making him a contender for the greatest pure babyface in the history of US wrestling.

AWA World Heavyweight Champion Jerry Lawler vs Curt Hennig – 7/19/88

AWA World Champion Jerry Lawler vs WCWA World Champion Kerry Von Erich 

Superclash III

Jerry Lawler spent roughly fifteen year of trying to win the NWA or AWA World Championships but could never wrest the title from Bockwinkel, Harley, Flair or Martel. Finally in the death throes of AWA, Verne Gagne had to come to Lawler as the last major free agent and give him the World Championship as Hennig was leaving for New York. Lawler & Hennig had two great matches one in Memphis and the other in the AWA. The rest of 1988 was spent around the underrated Lawler vs Von Erich feud over who the real world champion is. It is funny that the Superclash III is one of the most famous AWA matches of all time even though the AWA was basically running on fumes. The match is great even though the finish is a real stinker.

Hulk Hogan & High Flyers vs Jesse Ventura, Ken Patera & Bobby Heenan – 3/13/83

Nick Bockwinkel & Mr. Saito vs High Flyers – 3/7/85

AWA World Tag Team Champions Midnight Rockers vs. Adrian Adonis & Bob Orton – Jan. 1988

The AWA was a great tag team territory and that will be featured throughout the countdown. I just wanted to make sure these matches got shout outs. You have a wicked fun Hulk Hogan popcorn tag team match against the Heenan Family a year before Hogan vs Heenan Family would be the biggest feud of the 80s in the WWF. Bockwinkel & Saito are one of the all-time great heel tag teams and even though they only have a handful of matches together they absolutely rule. The Midnight Rockers are mostly known for their double hot feud with Rose & Somers, the match against Adonis & Orton gives you some idea of how good they could be against others.

AWA World Heavyweight Champion Stan Hansen vs Sgt. Slaughter – 2/23/86

AWA World Heavyweight Champion Stan Hansen vs Sgt. Slaughter – Bunkhouse Match 3/9/86

AWA World Heavyweight Champion Stan Hansen vs Nick Bockwinkel – Wrestlerock 4/20/86

AWA World Heavyweight Champion Stan Hansen vs Curt Hennig – 5/31/86

AWA World Heavyweight Champion Nick Bockwinkel vs Curt Hennig – 12/25/86

The Stan Hansen World Championship is mired in controversy behind the scenes, but in front of the screen it is was a smash hit of great matches. Often I wondered, what did Sgt. Slaughter do after leaving the WWF in 1984 and his return in 1991, the answer is have kickass matches with Stan Hansen in the AWA. The big bully Hansen against the big bumping Sarge was a natural combination. Hansen vs Bockwinkel is a combination you might not expect to work, but by 1986 Bockwinkel had become a fan favorite! He had become Minneapolis’ jerk so to speak. Bock as a walking tall babyface against the bulldozing Hansen was a perfect fit. The last cut match from the list was a superb TV match sprint between the champion Hansen and a young white meat babyface, Curt Hennig. Hennig was definitely on the rise, but could he take down the mean, low down Hansen? Two matches from the esteemed Bockwinkel vs Hennig series make the countdown, but this one from Christmas of 1986 is also essential viewing. You see after pushing the Champion to a draw in November. He had hit beat on Christmas with a series of big moves but special referee called for a disqualification due to Bockwinkel going over the top rope. A bullshit call and thus the stage was set for the rematch in 1987 at Superclash II.

 #12. Sheik Ayatollah Crusher Blackwell vs Mad Dog Vachon - Algerian Death Match 5/22/83

As one would expect, an Algerian Death match is a Texas Death match complete with pinfalls necessary to trigger the ten count. The Mad Dog and Blackwell promos before this match are must see as Mad Dog promises to Blackwell in the pine coffin he is building. Also, it is important to note Mad Dog has been out for 2 years due to Blackwell so the feud culminates here in this Death Match.

Also a cool outcome of the last match in this feud is that Verne fulfilled his promise that the High Flyers would not have to worry about Blackwell & Adnan as contenders because Adnan has been transitioned into a managerial role. What they did not count out on was the Sheik’s oil money snagging the contract of Ken Patera who fill the void as Blackwell’s partner.

Interesting, they go the no shone route and immediately hit the heat. I think you can only do that when both wrestlers and their feud are firmly established. Since this was AWA’s hottest feud and two of their biggest stars this is fine. Mad Dog charge, but gets caught up attacking the other Sheiks, who hold him and Blackwell splashes him in the corner. Blackwell hits the powerslam/splash combo to gain the first fall and again for second fall. I have not seen much of cocky Blackwell, but it was fun to watch him count along. He is shocked Mad Dog has made it up twice. Mad Dog tries to make his comeback and Blackwell unleashes some stiff heabutts to bust him open. Blackwell gets another splash in the corner I expected him to miss and it looks bleak for our hero. Until he starts to rev up, one punch huge bearpaw swing after another has Blackwell rocking and reeling. He gets Fatwell down! He starts to bite. Blackwell tries to escape, but you cant escape the hatred of Mad Dog. There is a great struggle over a post shot. Blackwell takes it fucking hard. He blasts Blackwell with the chair, horse collaring him. Mad Dog swings it at the ref! Wow! Mad Dog sends him back in the post and bites Blackwell in the ring. Blackwell is a bloody mess. Blackwell gets a desperation knee up. Blackwell sensing his own end is imminent looks to pull the trigger on his big bomb the top rope splash. When will he learn as this has been his demise so many times, but it would be certain victory in his defense. Blackwell crashes and burns. Mad Dog is up! The crowd roars! Top rope kneedrop seals the victory.

The Texas Death Match stip both helped and hurt this match. I liked Blackwell getting those early falls as I really thought that built up the drama. The fact it took 40 seconds for Mad Dog to get his win did hurt the heat in my opinion, which is a fait accompli in a Texas Death Match. I loved the work in this match. I thought this was an awesome blowoff brawl. Blackwell kicked some major league ass and Mad Dog was wild in the middle. Could have used some more Blackwell bumps in the middle. Short, sweet and spirited brawl!

#11. AWA World Heavyweight Champion Stan Hansen vs Leon White aka Vader - 3/13/86

The first time I actually watched this match was in my dorm freshman year on ESPN Classic and for some reason, two or three dudes were watching with me. I remember describing Stan Hansen as such a sourpuss and how to watch because he will fucking hit the shit out of Vader (Leon White is Vader before he was Vader, it is just easier for me to type "Vader"). Much like the lone douche screaming "boring" they were not interested until the middle of the match and man did they all get behind Vader by the end of it. It was a pretty cool moment. I do disagree with my friends on one thing is that the whole match was awesome from beginning to end.

The whole bout is dripping with struggle. They lock up with such force. Vader takes most of the beginning with a nice side headlock. They do some fun "in and out" spots from headlock base like Vader cartwheeling over a Hansen drop down back into headlock. Hansen is always struggling in the headlock, nice crossface and dropping some nasty knees. They start laying into each other and Hansen really rears back and hits him hard forearm. Hansen takes him down with an armbar and then he starts manipulating fingers. Vader is hollering. Some really nice selling from Vader. Hansen destroys the hand, stomps on it, snapping fingers and smashing hand against hard objects. The fight on the outside was wicked. Vader punches Hansen in the throat and some great selling. They tease double countout. Vader has a really nice offensive stretch late with tackles and body splashes. He charges into the turnbuckle hard and then Hansen TAKES HIS HEAD OFF WITH A LARIAT!!! AWESOME FINISH!

Great, great veteran champion versus young, upcoming rookie. Perfect layout with strong execution, lots of struggle, brutal and the finish was badass. Great, great TV!

#10. Nick Bockwinkel & Mr. Saito vs. Fabulous Ones 

So I am bitching & moaning in the Rock N Roll Express matches that they are too long, well guess what this was way too short. Wow! This was a humdinger of a tag team match. I was absolutely loving every minute of this and did not want it to end. These four were just being absolute dicks to each other. This felt very Japanese. Yes, it was double face in peril with the Fabs playing FIP, Fabs were double teaming and being pricks right with Bock & Saito. Plus there was constant nonstop run ins from the partners and just a general sense of competition and struggle. I really enjoyed it. Bock jumpstarts the match and sets the tone by dragging Keirn over to their corner and they immediately start double teaming and choking Keirn. It was just nonstop asshole tactics. You can hear Lane shout to the ref to restore some order. He had his hands full with these four. Lane bites his tongue for a bit. Bock & Saito are looking for the win early by applying the sleeper repeatedly. Keirn keeps fighting back, but has really been double teamed hard. He has to fight his way over to Lane. Lane kicks some serious ass. Lots of karate and dropkicks. A hot tag that does not end in 30 seconds!!! Thank The Lord! I think the face shine after a short heat segment is a really great idea. I think that's my major malfunction with the RnR matches is the heat segment right into another heat segment it becomes like 80% heat segment. The Fabs just throw everything back in Bock's face in glorious fashion. There is choking, double teaming, teeing off on him and just steeping on his face. Bock is such a champ at selling all this. When Bock makes the ropes, Lane yanks him by the hair and then he puts on the SLEEPER! They paid him back in every way. Saito chop Lane on the sleeper so Keirn yanks Bock back over to their corner. Saito blasts Lane. Bock is able to crawl to get a cover for 2. He then drives his thumb into the throat so Saito can get tag in. Saito promptly goes for the Scorpion Deathlock so Keirn comes over and blasts him! This is fucking awesome! BACKDROP DRIVER! Saito back for the Scorpion Deathlock and Bock pushes on Saito's head and Keirn is exhorting Lane. Lane powers out. Lane tries to crawl over and Bock is right on it with figure-4. Keirn drops the elbow. That means he is not there for the tag! Saito double judo chop and Bock punches him in the gut. One angry women wonders where the ref who she calls a "fat fucker" got his license after that count. They continue to double team Lane in the corner. Lane ab stretch on Bock. Saito baits Keirn in, goes back and then comes crashing down on Lane with a chop. That was a bitchin sequence! They knock heads and Keirn pulls Lane out for the old switcheroo and small packages Bock for the win.

The story of the match is The Fabs went toe to toe with Bock & Saito at their own game and beat them with those underhanded tactics. Sometimes you just got to fight fire with fire. I seriously believe with 5, maybe 10 more minutes this would be contender for best American straight (no gimmicks) tag match of all time. Incredible. I cant go much higher than ****1/2, but cant praise or recommend this enough.

#9. AWA World Heavyweight Champion Nick Bockwinkel vs Curt Hennig - Superclash II

I did not see any build up other than the matches. I know Larry Z had been feuding with Bockwinkel by basically being the new devious heel on the roster. I don't know if Larry Z was trying to subvert Hennig before the match because otherwise the finish seems out of nowhere. It does make sense from Hennig's growing disillusionment with the system and having been screwed out of the title. Hennig turning heel just seems so fucking stupid. The promotion needed a babyface and the crowd was behind Hennig. Plus the need for Hennig to win by cheating affirms that system is broken and that good cannot triumph. That's not good for the promotion. I think people turning because they have been cheated is a fine storyline but when AWA desperately needed a new face to keep the company afloat that was not one needed. Hennig should have triumphed by right and might with Bockwinkel shaking his hand in respect and passing the torch. Then on top of all this, Hennig did NOT even win the title by hook or by crook. The title was held up. That's just so Death of WCW. No one wins and no one is better for it. The match is damn great, but the booking really leaves a sour taste in your mouth. 

Larry Z in all his epic mullet glory challenges the winner. Unfortunately for him, there would be no winner in this match. Hennig is ready to rock n roll in this match. He throws Bock off on top wristlock. Bock tries the slap again to intimidate Hennig like in past matches. Hennig wins a headlock/headscissors battle with a headlock. They make use of movement to keep it entertaining, but Hennig always gets back on top with the headlock. Hennig rams into the post and Bockwinkel is in his element playing King of the Mountain. Bockwinkel is laying in some absolutely massive shots. Bockwinkel targets the arm with big blows and some tight holds. Hennig uses a slam to get out of the hammerlock, but Bock kicks off and gets back to the arm. I really like Bockwinkel's double wristlock takedown into a short arm scissors. I love Bockwinkel smiling and jawing with the fans. It is nice to see him having fun in there. The fans however did not like it and thought it was boring. Similar to how Hennig pried open the figure-4 on the headlock in the March match, he does it here and it leads to some phenomenal leg work. Bockwinkel sold his leg so well in this match. Hennig kicks Bock's leg out from under him and then spinning toehold into figure-4 shades of the November match. Hennig shows his mean streak and continues attacking the leg in the ropes. Bockwinkel uses hair and punches in the midsection to stop his momentum. Bockwinkel hits one of his great kneelifts, but cat capitalize due to the leg work. They slug it out and Hennig unleashes a bevy of nearfalls. It is punctuated with the AXE~! and piledriver, but Bockwinkel was too close to the ropes. They knock the heads and Larry Z gives Hennig a roll of coins to win the match until the ref sees all the dimes on the floor. Leading to the title being held up.

The match is awesome and great display of dueling limb psychology leading to a hot home stretch, but the finish sucked. 

#8. AWA World Heavyweight Champion Rick Martel vs Jumbo Tsuruta

AWA Match of the Year, 1985

"ABA - Erm AWA - ABA was something else at some other time" - Rodger Kent? (Maybe Trongard), I lol'd

BOMBS AWAY! Wow! Do these two cut one helluva pace! Neither man backs down and this is a fight from the opening bell to the final three count. This match would not feel out of place in today's wrestling scene in fact I say they blow most matches out of the water. There are a ton of highspots and MOVEZ~! in this match, but everything feels important because it bearing on the next spot. The most critical element is it feels like two guys who are willing to do whatever it takes to win the match not entertain the fans. The fan's enjoyment is a byproduct of their struggle not their direct objective, which separates it from today's scene even if it is highspot-oriented match. The tone of the match is established early Jumbo is pissed and he wants his belt back. He hits these tremendous kneelifts and European Uppercuts and what does Martel do he fights back from his knees twice. You feel how badly these two competitors want to win the world heavyweight championship. It is a total Jumbo full court press early on with the work on the midsection of Martel being the focus (punches there and ab stretch). In one of my favorite spots, Jumbo hoists Martel to hit a piledriver but takes the time revolve so that every section can see what he is about to do. Martel gets a backbreaker to finally break momentum. He just starts ramming his knee into Jumbo's back and does not even give him a ropebreak. Ricky Martel is in a fucking fight and he fucking knows it! He wants it just as bad as Jumbo. Martel applies a Boston Crab, wow, that's a Jumbo spot, ballsy! Jumbo powers out and throws him out to the floor. Martel is PISSED! He nails a dropkick! That's Jim Brunzell level baby! They just starts throwing bombs at each other with each one building on the other. Martel crashes and burns on his slingshot splash. Jumbo abandons bomb throwing for leg work, which may be a smart play with the spinning toe hold and figure-4. Martel sells so well and in what was a bombfest up until this point, this is very refreshing. Having dismantled his knee, Jumbo runs through his offense in the finish stretch, but gets caught with a reverse crossbody for three! Jumbo nails him with a wicked knee post-match. Martel can't catch a break in the post-match. They packed a shit ton of action in this match. I mean there was literally not one dull moment. I did not want to just make this a list of moves so I just highlighted the most critical, but there was a shit ton of high end offense from both wrestlers. This match is highly recommended for those who love action and a ton of bombs in their wrestling. I think both have better classics with other opponents, but as far as a kickass summer blockbuster type wrestling match this is really hard to beat. I will never fault two wrestlers that I truely believe are fighting as hard as they can to win this match.

#7. Midnight Rockers vs Buddy Rose & Doug Somers - Steel Cage 1/17/87

AWA Match of the Year, 1987

LIVING AFTER MIDNIGHT!!!!! The Almighty Judas Priest! This cements the Rockers as my favorite tag team of all time.

Rose & Somers are absolutely terrified about the shitkicking they received in the last cage match so they do all they can to avoid it early. They try to prevent them from getting in the cage and then try to climb over the cage. We get some quality Buddy Moonage and he crotches himself. It is another asskicking for Rose & Somers. Poor Buddy & Doug! There are no armdrags and no armbars. Just fists to the head, BABY! Somers tries to tag Buddy and he wants none of it. Cant say I blame him. I did not feel like the energy was at the same level as the previous match. Rose hits a quick low blow and catapult into the cage to turn the tide. Michaels bleeds like a madam. Somers gnawing. Michaels is his usual awesome self at selling. He is peppering in those hope spots while doing staggered selling. Quick low blow. Jannetty tries to saves to the match double noggin knocker. Big punch knocks down Rose and pulls him up. He slams Rose into cage repeatedly and he is bleeding! Big punch and Rose falls back and he pulls him up. Jannetty rakes Rose’s face right in front of the Sherri who sells the horror of watching her charge be brutalized perfectly. Jannetty lets him tag out to Somers. Somers wins the corner battle. Somers and Rose double team Jannetty and gnaw on his forehead and rake it busting him open. Big Marty Chants! Michaels almost like he is sleepwalking comes across and attacks Rose slamming back of head into cage and biting. Jannetty and Somers duke it out tag out to Michaels. He launches an offensive on Somers and tees off on Buddy. Elbow drop on Somers, but pulls up. Shawn is so fucking out of it. Somers tags out. Michaels stops Buddy and tags out. Marty and Buddy fight on top of the cage in dramatic fashion. Buddy falls off and crotches, crazy! Battering ram on Somers looks to be the finish. Michaels pins and Marty dropkicks Buddy. HUGE POP!

Awesome match! I don’t think it was quite at the level of the Brawl in St. Paul, but this was a great cage match. For fans that like heat segments, I can see why they like this one more as Buddy & Doug get some more love in this one. I really liked the Buddy getting his head raked in the cage in front of Sherri spot. Another classic from these four!

Best of the AWA 1980s: Nick Bockwinkel, Shawn Michaels, Curt Hennig, Rick Martel, Stan Hansen (American Wrestling Association)

Hey yo Stud Muffins & Foxy Ladies,

A New Year means a New Resolution to update this blog. I want to do more than just match reviews. I want to look more into the kayfabe strategies pro wrestlers employ in their matches and also do more reviews like the Flair/Morton review that really look at a pro wrestling feud/angle/match in a deeper context. This is of course even more of a time commitment than a regular bevy of reviews. I hope to do one of these a month.

In addition, I will still post my match reviews. All these match reviews go up on prowrestlingonly.com, the best pro wrestling forum in the world. Period. I am Superstar Sleeze on there as I am on twitter @superstarsleeze. I finish my Best of AWA viewing way back when in the previous year and so I wanted to make the rankings public as I already did on ProWrestlingOnly. I am just going to copy and paste the direct links for matches #6-#23 on  here with a one sentence blurb. The Top 5 matches, I will post the full review on here.

NOTE: Lawler vs Hennig & Lawler vs Von Erich have NOT been reviewed. This is from 1980-1987.

Now there is a Purple People Eater I would like to meet!

Here are my thoughts on the AWA as a whole from PWO:

"I LOVE THE AWA! This is my kinda territory. It is like the WWF, but with better workers and better matches. I loved all the over the top gimmicks and power wrestlers. Fuck all those people that complain about the old timers, they were so much fun in this! I loved Verne coming back for one more match with his arch nemesis, Mad Dog (remember Verne you OWE Mad Dog the favor!) against the Sheiks. Da Crusher is just the coolest muthafucka ever. When his woman lost 50lbs he kicked her to the curb because she could not do the polka as good. That's hilarious! That steel cage match against the Sheiks is just awesome, raucous mayhem.

This brings me to my next point, AWA kicked fucking ass at the tag team steel cage match. It is probably because most of them involved Blackwell and al-Kaisse, who are two of the best cage match workers ever. They always cut a frenetic pace and coupled that with brutal violence. I honestly do not think Blackwell ever had a bad match. Obviously not everything is a classic, but there is always something entertaining about his matches. He bumped HUGE, sold so well, timed everything to perfection and had some nasty offense. I loved how all his matches were worked around his deadly splash. It was such excellent psychology and after all those years of missing his home run shot and losing the match, he finally fucking nailed against friend turned rival, Sheik Adnan al-Kaisee. I hate to be Debbie Downer, but I actually was not that high on that match that seemingly everyone loved. I thought it was a great revenge match, but did not think it was next level. It was a bit too slow at times and did not have that fist-pumping feeling to it. Also, I am incredibly shocked by the high ranking of Hansen vs Blackwell. Yes it was OMFG BLACKWELL VS HANSEN~!, but I thought it was an entertaining TV match to set up a house show loop, cant see how it is the 20th best AWA match of the 80s.

Then you had the Rockers & Rose & Somers uphold that legacy with two different, but both all-time classic cage matches in their feud. Those cage matches have been dissected to death and you can look at my reviews to get my take. Yes, I hold the opposite view of the mainstream that St. Paul match is the better one. This was one of the best tag team feuds of all time and probably my choice for best American tag team feud. I would say Blood in the Sand is the best American tag team match in history. I am going to through the RnRs and MX in depth soon, we shall see.

Finally, took a pretty decent look at Martel's AWA title reign, I skipped over the Jimmy Garvin feud though I have seen the matches before. The September '84 Bockwinkel match is the high water mark for me, just an excellent exhibition of how much selling means in a match. Then diametrically opposed, but almost as good, is the 1985 bomb-throwing fest between Jumbo and Martel in St. Paul.

In short, AWA was a tremendous tag team territory right through early 1987 with a special niche in the tag team steel cage match that never ceased to entertain me. Six out of ten of my top ten are tag team matches! I will be shocked if any other territory save for maybe World Class can top that! I loved all the gimmicks. Hogan on Flair's podcast said that Verne for all his real shooter instincts, loved gimmicks and crazy characters. I think it showed in '83 & '84. It is just too bad he could manufacture so more in the mid-80s when it was time for your Mad Dogs, Crushers and Barons to hand it up. Nick Bockwinkel is indeed The Man in the AWA. I need to see more to really flesh out who really is and I really look forward to revisiting the matches with Hennig and Hansen.

I missed Da Crusher, Mad Dog and Baron once 1985-6 rolled around! They added so much color to the promotion. Stan Hansen had some badass matches. I really liked the Sarge series. I thought the Hennig & White matches are two of the best World Championship television style bouts. It definitely left me wanting more. I know a lot of people really dug that second Hennig studio bout and I thought it was a badass sprint, but it just did not have that next level for me. Stan Hansen in the AWA is definitely some great resume padding for The Lariat, but there was nothing hear that I thought would really boost Hansen's resume if you werent a Hansen fan. It was just Hansen being Hansen.

I would say Bock vs Hennig definitely trumped Bock vs Martel as much as it pains me to say it as a huge Martel fan. Every match you can feel the intensity from the opening lockup. There was just such great conviction in every one of their movements and the way you could hear the sound of flesh on flesh was great. The psychology was always top notch and you could really feel Hennig grow with every match. Bock looking that good that late in his career is amazing. I will say their one hour draw is a contender in my mind for not just best match of the 80s, but the best match of all time. It was so, so, so awesome watching that one again. "

TOP FIVE AWA MATCHES OF THE 1980S AT THE BOTTOM

#6-#23 (all ****1/2 or ****1/4 matches):


6. Las Vegas Cage Match: Midnight Rockers vs Buddy Rose & Doug Somers - 1/17/87 ****1/2

Most people seem to like this one more than St. Paul. I think it lacks the electricity of St. Paul. Still a badass revenge steel cage match on TV. After seeing Rose & Somers get their ass kicked, it was time to put the belts on the red-hot Midnight Rockers.

http://prowrestlingonly.com/index.php?/topic/31858-rockers-vs-buddy-rose-doug-somers-las-vegas-cage-match-11787/

7. AWA World Tag Team Champions High Flyers vs Rick Martel & Tito Santana -
AWA 8/29/82 - ****1/2

One of the all-time great babyface vs babyface tag team matches. The perfect template for this style of match focused on competition and grit. It features the all time greatest dropkick as a finish! Watch it!

http://prowrestlingonly.com/index.php?/topic/31011-high-flyers-vs-rick-martel-tito-santana-awa-082982/

8. AWA World Tag Team Champions High Flyers vs Crusher Blackwell & Sheik Adnan -
AWA Steel Cage Match 4/18/82 ****1/2

Red-hot action, a unique vantage point (I love how the AWA shot their footage), and Blackwell just being generally awesome makes for one of the best tag team steel cage matches of all time.

http://prowrestlingonly.com/index.php?/topic/31928-awa-world-tag-team-champions-high-flyers-vs-crusher-blackwell-sheik-adan-al-kaissey-awa-41882-cage-match/

9. AWA World Heavyweight Champion Nick Bockwinkel vs Wahoo McDaniel - AWA ****1/2

A royal asskicking courtesy of Chief Wahoo McDaniel! It was great seeing Bock in a stiff, violent brawl. Some holy shit chair shots and just general badassery makes this one of the best Bock matches ever.

http://prowrestlingonly.com/index.php?/topic/32466-awa-world-heavyweight-champion-nick-bockwinkel-vs-wahoo-mcdaniel-awa-82883/

10. AWA World Heavyweight Champion Rick Martel vs Jumbo Tsuruta - AWA 9/29/85 ****1/2

Absolute balls out, bomb throwing sprint. Way ahead of its time and a way better version of the ridiculous my turn, your turn spotfests that plague today. Check this one out for an action-packed thrill ride.

http://prowrestlingonly.com/index.php?/topic/31127-awa-world-heavyweight-champion-rick-martel-vs-jumbo-tsuruta-awa-92985/

11. Nick Bockwinkel & Mr. Saito vs Fabulous Ones - AWA 9/30/84 ****1/2

Awesome tag team fun. Just a pure babyface vs heel tag team match. Bock & Saito cheated like muthafuckas and the Fabs kicked some ass. One of the best straight American tag matches of all time.

http://prowrestlingonly.com/index.php?/topic/32467-nick-bockwinkel-mr-saito-vs-the-fabulous-ones-awa-93084/

12. AWA World Heavyweight Champion Nick Bockwinkel vs Curt Hennig -
AWA Superclash II 5/2/87 ****1/2

Story of Curt Hennig would resonate with so many today, a plucky, wet behind the ears kid that slowly becomes more and more disillusioned with the system until he finally turns to the dark side. It is a tragic and sad story. Ultimately, leaves a bitter taste in a fan's mouth that Hennig had to stoop to that level and then on top of that not even technically win the title. Poor booking aside, this is another technical masterpiece in a series of them.

http://prowrestlingonly.com/index.php?/topic/32576-awa-world-heavyweight-champion-nick-bockwinkel-vs-curt-hennig-awa-superclash-ii-5286/

13. AWA World Heavyweight Champion Stan Hansen vs. Leon White - 3/13/86 ****1/4

Slobberknocker. One of the all time best World Title Defenses on TV in history. Hansen gives White just enough to look like a monster, but always makes sure to look strong. The Hand psychology is excellent and that ending Lariat is a devastation manifested.

http://prowrestlingonly.com/index.php?/topic/32482-awa-world-heavyweight-champion-stan-hansen-vs-leon-white-awa-31386/

14. AWA World Heavyweight Champion Nick Bockwinkel vs. Curt Hennig -
Brawl in St. Paul 12/25/86 ****1/4

First it was a draw and Hennig pushed Bock to literal limit of a time limit draw. Here. Hennig was poised to win, but due to a technicality he was disqualified preventing him from winning the title he proved he had deserved by dominating most of the match. Hennig was growing as a competitor, but also growing disillusioned with the system.

http://prowrestlingonly.com/index.php?/topic/32570-awa-world-heavyweight-champion-nick-bockwinkel-vs-curt-hennig-awa-brawl-in-st-paul-122586/

15. AWA World Heavyweight Champion Stan Hansen vs Curt Hennig -
AWA TV 5/31/86 ****1/4\

Badass TV sprint for the World Championship. Curt Hennig comes of age against the Baddest Man in Pro Wrestling.

http://prowrestlingonly.com/index.php?/topic/32515-awa-world-heavyweight-champion-stan-hansen-vs-curt-hennig-awa-tv-53186/

16. Sheik Ayatollah Blackwell vs Mad Vachon –
AWA 5/22/83 Algerian Death Match ****1/4

It was high drama in this Algerian Death Match. Blackwell got off to a red hot start crushing the smaller Mad Dog. Mad Dog would have to use his vicious grit to stage a comeback against the Mountain of a Man. Epic Clash of the Titans blood feud climax.

http://prowrestlingonly.com/index.php?/topic/31949-sheik-ayatollah-jerry-blackwell-vs-mad-dog-vachon-awa-52283-algerian-death-match/

17. AWA World Heavyweight Champion Stan Hansen vs Nick Bockwinkel -
 AWA Wrestlerock '86 ****1/4

For years the scourge of Minneapolis, Nick Bockwinkel now plays the role of avenging hero against the Baddest Man in Pro Wrestling. The match had an almost shoot feel to it as neither man gave an inch to each other. Probably the last AWA match to really have that BIG MATCH feel to it.

http://prowrestlingonly.com/index.php?/topic/32484-awa-world-heavyweight-champion-stan-hansen-vs-nick-bockwinkel-awa-wrestlerock-86-42086/

18. Crusher Blackwell & Sgt. Slaughter vs Sheik Adnan, Masked Superstar, King Tonga -
AWA Starcage 4/21/85 Steel Cage Match ****1/4

Blackwell turned face and now is out for revenge against his one time friend, Sheik Adnan al-Kaissey and his hired goons and enlisting the aid of wrestling's biggest free agents, Sgt. Slaughter. It is a brutal, violent, bloody cage match in the vein of the classic tag team steel cage matches of the AWA. Plus it features one of the all time best feel good triumphant endings in pro wrestling.

http://prowrestlingonly.com/index.php?/topic/31967-crusher-blackwell-sgt-slaughter-vs-sheik-adnan-masked-superstar-king-tonga-awa-starcage-42185-steel-cage-match/

19. High Flyers vs Nick Bockwinkel & Mr. Saito - AWA 3/7/85 ****1/4

Perfect execution of the tag formula. Pro wrestling tag team wrestling par excellence by four of the absolute best.

http://prowrestlingonly.com/index.php?/topic/31950-high-flyers-vs-nick-bockwinkel-mr-saito-awa-3785/

20. Sheik Ayatollah Blackwell & Sheik Adnan Al-Kaisse vs Mad Dog Vachon & Baron Von Raschke - AWA 3/13/83 ****1/4

Awesome, awesome blood feud taped fist match. The perfect dramatic lo-fi gritty brawl. It hits you in the gut. Great babyface shine!

http://prowrestlingonly.com/index.php?/topic/31939-sheik-ayatollah-blackwell-sheik-adnan-al-kaisse-vs-mad-dog-vachon-baron-von-raschke-awa-31383/

21. AWA World Heavyweight Champion Rick Martel vs Mr. Saito - AWA Winnipeg 4/24/85 ****1/4

Awesome power vs speed story perfectly intertwined with the purity of their babyface and heel roles.

http://prowrestlingonly.com/index.php?/topic/30937-awa-world-heavyweight-champion-rick-martel-vs-mr-saito-awa-winnipeg-42485/


22. AWA World Heavyweight Champion Rick Martel vs Terry Gordy - 8/85 ****1/4

Really fun, short World Title Defense from two wrestlers that you don't pair up in your head. Martel is such a great ball of energy.

http://prowrestlingonly.com/index.php?/topic/32485-awa-world-heavyweight-champion-rick-martel-vs-terry-gordy-awa-1985/

23. AWA World Tag Champions Midnight Rockers vs Adrian Adonis & Bob Orton -
AWA January 1988 ****1/4

Awesome offensive display from Adonis & Orton. Great selling by Michaels makes for a very fun tag team match.

#5

The Sheiks (Sheik Adnan & Crusher Blackwell) vs Da Crusher & Greg Gagne  

AWA 3/25/84 Steel Cage Match

Da Crusher is the pride of Milwaukee and along with Verne, Mad Dog, and Baron form the old guard of the AWA that the crowds of the Midwest still love to death. I have heard Da Crusher described as a precursor to Stone Cold and having watched a still down interview with him. I definitely agree with comparison. He was a champion of the blue collar, beer-drinking average Joe. He was a man's man. He loved drinking beer, smoking stoogies and large women that do the polka! That's my kinda man. I dare say Da Crusher is the coolest man to ever rock the bowl cut.

This is shot like the High Flyers vs Sheiks Cage Match with a single handheld outside the ring looking up and no commentary. It really adds to visceral, chaotic feel.

Holy Greg Gagne! This is his career performance he was on absolute fire during this match. We are talking Shawn Michaels Brawl In St. Paul levels of piss and vinegar! He is ripping through the Sheiks early on coming off the top rope and throwing everyone into the cage. I don't think there are better cage match workers than Adnan & Blackwell. Sheik Adnan blasts him with the cast and they try to work over Greg. Greg just keeps fighting back. It creates this sense of awesome struggle. Finally beating his way out of the Sheik's corner, he tags Da Crusher on his knees. The crowd is so behind Da Crusher! Crusher slams Blackwell into the cage repeatedly and the crowd counts along. Greg wants in on this and walks the ropes to get his kicks in. Blackwell is busted open and Crusher starts hitting stiff jabs to the cut. Now it is Sheik's turn to get his ass kicked. I love Crusher's short little jabs to the face, Holy shit! Crazy Blackwell back drop into a cage and Greg runs up to hit a knee drop and boom see ya later Kenny P. Blackwell eyerake on Da Crusher allows him to slam him into the cage.

There is a great moment that demonstrates the raucous mayhem of this match as you get the camera close up of Patera holding Blackwell as he slams Crusher and the ref getting pissed. The ref did a really good job only to have Greg holler he is coming and just lights up Blackwell. Crusher and Sheik brawl. Blackwell goes for top rope splash! Crashes and burns! Greg Gagne top rope splash! He is not the legal man, but who the hell is! It is CHAOS BABY! Crusher back drops Blackwell and calls for the BOLO PUNCH~! Blackwell throws a stiff left and a FUCKING DROPKICK~! BATSHIT INSANITY~! Sheiks maul Da Crusher in the corner, but he fights out and Greg IS RIPSHIT! He DESTROYS Sheik Adnan! He sees Blackwell out of the corner of his eye and blasts him in the face! WIND UP...BOLO PUNCH TO SHEIK ADNAN! Tremendous bump off the cage by Blackwell. Greg Gagne scales to the top of the cage and drops with the knee on the leg.

AWESOME MATCH! Patera bum rushes the ring with the chair slamming Greg and Blackwell holds the door, but AWA babyfaces with Brunzell saves. Loved Greg Gagne's performance. I am a total mark for energy and this is was such a  great energetic performance. Blackwell and Sheik Adnan are ultimate cage match workers. Da Crusher is definitely bets utilized in a  cage setting. The Sheiks vs Old Guard feud was delivered some great brawls. AWA is holding their own with any other territory as a brawling territory. Really great! ****3/4

#4

Midnight Rockers vs Buddy Rose & Doug Somers  

AWA 12/25/86 Steel Cage Match

To paraphrase Prince, “Excuse if I get excited, I was watching a badass Shawn Michaels shine.” This is a very controversial and your thoughts on it probably tells a lot about who you are as a person. As a person that is a bit of a ham that loves things over the top and outrageous. I love this shit. Where other people may find Shawn Michael’s to be a douchebag in this match, I saw a person that was excited to be kicking the ass of the men that had been keeping them away from the titles for months and had bloodied him on two occasions. Shawn Michaels as the serious asskicker in the beginning would have been fine, but it wouldn’t be Shawn Michaels. He wears his heart on his sleeve and he is going to let you know that “Fuck Yeah! I am kicking these pricks’ ass”. I was vibing off that positive energy and it really sucked me into the match. Now, if you don’t like it, you are just a different person and that is cool, but I think this is all-time great shine. I will never get down on someone that is that invested in the match.

In addition, I thought the match told a great coming of age tale. In the 80s, it was commonplace to take a pretty boy babyface tag team (blowjob tag team, if you will, not a term I particularly fond of) to put them in a nasty, bloody brawls to prove their mettle and they were not just some pretty faces. It was seen with the Fabulous Ones & Moondogs and Fantastics & Sheeperherders. With Rockers leading up to this cage match, we have seen Rose & Somers bloody up Shawn Michaels on two occasions. This is that coming of age tale to demonstrate to the crowd that Rockers have an edge to them and that they can fight. This cage solidifies this position.

Rockers kick their asses from pillar to post busting Rose open immediately. Shawn Michaels kicks the ever-loving shit out of them. Somers takes some ridiculous cage bumps. Shawn is all fired up. You can really feel that he is becoming a man by taking it to these two grizzled veterans and dominating. Sherri’s hysterical wailing never ceases.  There is lots of great stooging and delayed bumps and staggering. The Rockers giving the Rose & Somers a taste of their own medicine, gnawing at the cuts. I love the crazed Somers cage bumps. Rose is beaten senseless on apron and is selling like a chang. Shawn is revved up on the top turnbuckle and I am going wild here in 2015 in my kitchen. Jannetty slams Rose’s head in the back of cage until he just slumps down, DAMN! Shawn yells no mercy. He goes for double noggin knocker, but Rose rakes the eyes and sends him into the cage. Rose looks to go up top, but Jannetty cuts him off and crotches him and A HUGE POP! Repeatedly sends him head first into cage. Somers breaks it up and Somers beaten up slumps down. Rose low blow! Shawn breaks up and sends Jannetty into cage and he no sells. I will say for as much shit Michaels gets in this match. He punches away on Rose and pulls him up at two! I thought Jannetty was more egregious in his dumb decisions pulling up Rose & Somers on two occasions and no selling cage shots.

Somers is fucked up in corner. Rose is sent into Michaels fist and falls all the way back into his corner and tags out. Michaels hits an elbow drop and pulls Somers up. (Michaels isn’t perfect) Somers headbutts Michaels low. Somers crawls over. Buddy Catapults Michaels into the cage. Shawn is bleeding. Buddy throws him into the cage. Rose DDT. Rose pulling him up now as a dick move to show up the faces, which I like as a way to play off the earlier pull ups. This is a strong, short heat segment. With Rockers fatigued from their shine and nastiness of Rose & Somers, you believe they have weathered the storm and that Rose & Somers could pull this out. Michaels with his staggered lunges and Rose gnaws on cut. Fans cheer for Michaeks. Rose rakes his head across cage. Somers suplex and tags out to Buddy. Shawn back body dropped into cage (great bump) and then straddled on ropes. Shawn fires back from his back, but trips over Somers and almost pinned (really cool). Shawn hits a  tremendous kneelift! Tags in Marty! Everybody into the cage! Rose tries to get out and they fight on top of the cage and Rose tumbles towards inside cage. Jannetty with a huge cross body to win! WAIT! What oh it is non-title Rose and Somers lock cage to do a number on Jannetty. An all-time great cage match that is never dull and just constant excitement. Add in the controversy, definitely check it out and make your voice heard! ****3/4

#3

AWA World Heavyweight Champion Rick Martel vs Nick Bockwinkel 

 AWA Winnipeg 9/20/84

WOW! Until the finish, I think this was the best match I have seen so far as part of my 80s watching and is definitely neck and neck with Flair vs Kerry from August of 1982. It featured some of the best selling I have ever witnessed in pro wrestling. It was not just from Martel. It was from both Martel and Bockwinkel. It felt like a war of attrition between the two best wrestlers in the world. It was a game of inches and they were both so good that it was just going to be the details the decided the winner. The small detail was Bockwinkel's nasty little short jab to the ribs. It was his great equalizer. Martel was so focused on his kneework that he would leave himself exposed to these quick punches and that eventually took their toll on Martel physically. The story really became who could overcome their injuries Bockwinkel with his knee and Martel with his midsection.

Bockwinkel wrestled most of the match on his knees and he proves why he is one of the all-time best by selling his pain and desperation throughout the match. In this match, Bockwinkel tries to start the match hot and heavy, but he gets overzealous and hits a high knee to the turnbuckle. Martel just pounces on this mistake like in the Lawler match with toeholds and strikes relentlessly. Bockwinkel sells the agony of the holds in such an engaging way that you never lose interest. Bock and Martel trade blows within the toehold and when that does not go well for Bock; he hits a quick jab to Martel's midsection, which forces him off his body. Bock with JYD heabutts to Martel's midsection. Oh shit, this is my kinda match! He pounds Martel's side as best he can with his good knee. This is just dripping with struggle and urgency. Bockwinkel collapses in the middle of the ring while Martel writhes in pain in the corner. Holy shit! Bock uses the wrong knee on a knee lift and can't capitalize soon enough. Martel hits a kneecrusher! Martel is back to work with seatdrops so Bockwinkel just grabs him by his hair and punches him in the head. He forces Martel out of the ring and is basically working a King of the Mountain from his ass and it is awesome! Martel picks the leg and wraps it around the post. Have I gone to Heaven? Bock saves his knee by trying to claw Martel's eyes out. This was no normal eye gouge, he was getting in there. He puts Martel in a stretch where he can constantly maneuver him to expose the ribs to his rabbit punches without the ref seeing. Martel punches to the knee to get out of it and kicks the leg out from under him. Yep, I died and have gone to Heaven.  Martel rides high and Bock applies a body scissors, but his leg is so fucked up he can't hold him. They knock heads in the middle of the ring and it is time to hit the finish. Martel goes for the kill first, but misses the reverse cross body from the middle rope. Martel fires through Bock's offense and it looks like he has more gas in his tank. Slingshot splash EATS KNEES! THOSE RIBS! OW! The selling is tres magnifique. They work through a barrage of nearfalls with neither having enough to put the other way. However, the ref gets bumped, Mr. Saito is able to throw salt in the eyes of Martel who has Bockwinkel dead to rites in the Boston Crab. 1-2-3!?!?!?!?!? Bock wins??? After much deliberation, the belt is returned to Martel. I fucking hate that finish. I don't care if it is babyface or heel, it is just stupid bullshit. It is definitely worse when a babyface wins, you get the pop and then rob people. Still even letting the people see Martel get pinned and not lose only hurts the moment when he will actually loses the title.

The finish is the only thing that keeps this from *****, but fuck if this is the tenth best match of the AWA in the 80s, I am in for quite treat! This was fucking tremendous. Small critique would be that they just had one or two more highspots down the stretch to take the drama level to the next level. I am thinking a Bockwinkel sleeper and maybe a piledriver or two. It does not have to be an AWA Jumbo match with a ton of highspots, but a couple more would have been enough to overcome my least favorite finish ever. Enough negativity because this is my favorite match so far. It is a master's class in selling and should be absolutely mandatory to be watched by all wrestlers young and old in the industry today. ****3/4

#2

AWA World Tag Team Champions Buddy Rose & Doug Somers vs Midnight Rockers 

 AWA TV 8/30/86

I really don't know how much I can say about the famous Bloodbath match that has not already been said, but I will try my best to explain why this may be the greatest American tag team match ever.

Shawn Michaels quick pinfall attempts. Superkick. Rose slams his head into the post and Michaels outside and taps a gusher. Awesome, awesome staggered selling and wild punches. Somers is nasty as fuck gnaw at cut spitting blood. Every hope spot is met with a jab to the cut. Jannetty tries to help, but no avail. The drama is ridiculous for Michaels to get to Jannetty. Jannetty gets in and nails everything that moves. He sends Somers into post twice to bust him open. Sherri distracts and Buddy buries the knee in the back. Buddy busts Marty open with pistons rights. It is a bloodbath. Buddy gnaws. Somers is fucked up. War of attrition. Michaels hanging from ropes on the arpon and just great selling. Somers with a seated dropklick finally gets Jannetty down, but kick out at 2. Jannetty taeks a swing at Buddy. Jannetty tumbles after missing to hit Somers. Somers great selling. Jannetty weird spurts spastic spurts of energy. Jannetty bits Rose.  Shawn in and he is incensed from his own blood and Buddy is such a great chickenshit. Shawn fires off and full court press. It is a fracas. The ref is knocked down. Somers and Jannetty knock head.s Rose drops Jannetty onto a chair. OW!!! Two refs throw it out. Rose and Somers look to beat Michaels down, but AWA faces save. Michaels jumps Buddy on the outside in the classic moment. If you have not watched this, you must. Pitch perfect selling from the Rockers especially Michaels and great heel work from Rose & Somers working the cut. The epitome of drama!  *****

#1

AWA World Heavyweight Champion Nick Bockwinkel vs Curt Hennig  

AWA, Showboat 11/21/86

What can I possibly say about not just possibly the greatest one hour draw of all time, but possibly the greatest match of all time? It was totally engrossing. I love professional wrestling, but my mind will always wander it is just natural for me. Now you take two men put them in a single bout that goes roughly 2-3x longer than the average match and I am going to lose focus at some point and have to rewind. I have watched this match multiple times and that has never ever happened to me. It is just as gripping to me now as when I bought the WWE Curt Hennig comp. I think there are two essential facets that help it. First and foremost, is their attention to detail. Everything is a struggle from the first lock up to Bockwinkel's agony in the figure-4 one hour later. Second was their unpredictability. I don't mind predictable. I think at some point in your wrestling fandom you enjoy the routine of the push off the side headlock, come off the ropes, shoulder tackle dropdown, block the hiptoss, reverse and the babyface hiptosses the heel. Now because this match went one hour, they did not need to follow the formula to a T to make sure that crowd was invested in Curt through the shine and then build sympathy and go to a hot finish run. They could switch up the rope running sequences in such a way that I did not know how they would end. At actually, furthermore and this does not get played up enough this is technically babyface vs babyface. Bockwinkel plays the de facto heel down the stretch, but this further allows the departure from face/heel dynamics to increase unpredictability. I think when you have two really top flight babyfaces both in terms of workrate and starpower that's when pro wrestling can really feel like a sporting contest and just jam packed with drama. The beauty of it being one hour is I never can remember everything about this. Going into this rewatch, I distinctly remember loving the short arm scissors work and blood down the stretch. That was it. So everytime, I watch it the unpredictability is still there.

Nick Bockwinkel surprise dropkick and bodyslam for a quick pinfall at the start of what would be a one hour draw is one of the all-time great starts in pro wrestling history. I love a BANG BANG play like that at the beginning of a match to really jostle the crowd. Reminds me of Bock's crossbody right at the outset of his championship loss to Jumbo in AWA (another classic start). It tells the story of Bockwinkel leveraging his experience against the vim and vigor of young Curt Hennig. The beginning of the match is trying to tell the story that Hennig is Bock's equal on the mat that not only can he withstand the punishment, but keep up. They do some really interesting spots. Bock takes advantage of Curt's bumping abilities when Curt does a backroll into a standing position off a shouldertackle and Bock snaps him over with a side headlock takedown. It looks smooth as silk. Everything is earned in the early going. The headscissors work out of the headlock is just perfect pro wrestling. Hennig is just as detail-oriented as Bock. In an armabr, he places his knee on Bock's head both as a way to pin Bock down and use it as a fulcrum is awesome. Hennig keeps going back to the arm and ends up applying the short arm scissors one of my favorite holds. Bock is great at selling this slapping his hand from keeping going numb and working out of it. He works so hard just get into a toehold. He really has to pry it open. The way he is selling the arm even as he is working the toehold is masterful.

When Hennig grabs the arm again, Bock lays in the first heavy blows of the match at 20 minutes deep. Up to this, it has just been riveting clean, technical matwork. Bock is starting to feel that pressure and is looking to change gears and see if he can shake up the young challenger. Hennig sticks with arm and now goes rolling short arm scissors. Bock pulls the tights and Hennig is forced to break the hold or be pinned. Bock now takes a walk to reset. Bock is going to try every trick in the book to rattle Curt. Hennig to his credit stays calm and collected. He is wrestling well beyond on his years. There is an intensity in his eyes and his motions that makes you feel this is the most important thing in the world to him right now. Bock executed a drop toe hold and rolls right up into a leg scissors crab. One of my all time favorite spots! He wrenches it and Hennig is writhing in pain. Hennig says two can play at this game and he yanks the hair to crossface Bock and then attack the arm. A perfect move by Hennig. Hennig kneedrops the arm, which further damages the knee. Bock pounces on this mistake. They roll to the apron and Bock starts burying knees into Hennig forcing him outside. It is no more Mr. Nice Guy. Bock pops him in the crowd with a nasty forearm. Hennig takes the Bret Bump into the Oriental Sleeper! They both tumble out with the ref. Hennig sends Bock flying with a chop in the ring (great bump by Bockwinkel), but there is no ref! Hennig again to his credit stays focused and wrenches the arm against the post while Bock is trying to work an angle into a figure-4. I don't have the time to describe how expertly they are transitioning between thus dueling limb psychology and also ramping up the heat from technical masterpiece to one now where you feel that is so much at stake and some shortcuts are being taken.

At this point, Bockwinkel begins to use his favorite counteroffensive the quick jabs to the midsection to stun his opponent and set up pinning opportunities. Hennig trips up Bock up and wrenches his knee around the post. He is selling his own knee at the same time! Bockwinkel tries the bodyslamd, but his knee gives out. He is able to execute a piledriver, but it is too close to the ropes. He jumps back on Hennig's knee, but as he rears back Hennig applies a crossface and headbutts him off. Wow! Now we get the big Hennig bumrush of hot nearfalls that whips everyone into a frenzy, chop and piledriver! Bockwinkel looks totally overwhelmed by this hot rising star. Curt has wrestled a perfect match not giving way to any of Bockwinkel's tricks. He stayed with him on the mat. He found openings and now he his exploiting all the hard work by pouring on the offense. Just when it looks like Hennig may get the submission with the spinning toe hold, tragedy strikes. Bockwinkel shoves him off with his foot and Hennig is sent careening into post. He is dazed, confused and bloody. All that hard work looks like it went down the drain for one bad bump to the head.

Bockwinkel assumes his traditional role as King of the Mountain using the high ground to attack the wound of Hennig. Bockwinkel is aggressively calling for time calls. Does it get more heelish than attacking an open wound of opponent and calling for time? Bock gets him back in the ring where his teeing off until THE AXE~! Hennig hits the AXE~! HUGE BUMP!  Hennig is bleeding profusely, but he will not be denied. Multiple Axes now and it looks like Bock may have bladed hard to tell as Hennig is bleeding buckets. You really believe that Hennig may pull this out just because of how damn good Bockwinkel's performance is in this. Direct quote from my notes "Bock in the figure-4 is fucking the best thing in wrestling". He is in pain, he is struggling to get out and his facial expressions are so fucking pitch perfect. He knows time on his side, but GOD FUCKING DAMNIT THIS HURTS! The crowd is all standing and I am marking out all over again. There is a nice little carny touch at the end where the ring the bell prematurely of the official count to make the crowd believe Hennig had won, but it is ruled a draw.

The story of the match is that Curt Hennig was ready. He could go toe to toe with Nick Bockwinkel. He pretty much took every single one of Bockwinkel's best shots and kept coming. If it was not for busting himself open, kayfabe-wise he had Bock on the ropes. He did make the ferocious  ending in the figure-4, but he came up short of winning the title. You get a sense of pride and a sense of "not if, but when". The story of Curt Hennig's progression is he is getting better and he is able to get Bockwinkel on the ropes quicker and quicker into a match, but then these bullshit finish start to catch up to him. However, a draw is a respectable finish and Curt is a respectable man and he holds his head up high after this match. Nick Bockwinkel gives one of the most sublime performances in pro wrestling history. He gives so much of this match to Curt and he makes you believe Curt can win, but never once do you count him out and never once do you ever feel is any less of a mountain to climb. He has seen everything this wrestling world has to offer and he has a shortcut for anything. The Oriental Sleeper and the legwork were all moments that felt like gamechangers for Nick. The blow to Curt's head and the way Nick relished that and was calling for the time was proof of his expertise. 60 minutes is a long time and there was never a dull moment. *****