Wrestling Observer Flashback-12.16.85

Previously, on Transformers: http://blogofdoom.com/index.php/2016/05/19/wrestling-observer-flashback-11-16-85/

OK, back to December as we’re back on track again. This is another 8-pager, but it’s mostly Dave talking about year-end awards stuff so it’s relatively light on news.

– The big news is that Antonio Inoki has agreed to take back the UWF in the wake of the promotion’s demise. Dave feels like this might be the catalyst for some big business in New Japan. To say the least. Further, the Ishingun v. All Japan feud is showing signs of staleness after nearly two years, so this might be what gets Inoki over the hump in the war with Baba.

– In other news, Jim Crockett has officially filed the case of Pot v. Kettle by accusing the WWF of antitrust and racketeering and suing for $1 million. Specifically, he is alleging that Vince conspired with the Richmond Coliseum to force Crockett out of the building and give Titan an exclusive deal. Which is probably true, but it’s not like Crockett and the NWA didn’t do shit 100 times worse than that all the damn time. Dave is also like “I don’t know if it’s legal or illegal, but it’s not like it hasn’t happened in wrestling a million times before.” Dave doesn’t think the lawsuit is going to go anywhere, but it’ll be interesting to see if any kind of legal precedent is set.

– Dave goes over the awards for the half-decade, and here he finally acknowledges once and for all that Hulk Hogan is probably the biggest draw in the history of the business. Also, when talking about the Most Disgusting award, he cites the “Hangman’s Noose” matches in Florida, where Kevin Sullivan faced Blackjack Mulligan in matches that were basically advertised as fans’ chance to see Sullivan get hanged after he lost. So that’s what it takes to offend Dave Meltzer, apparently.

– All Japan has the British Bulldogs booked through February, so don’t expect that title change any time soon.

– Hercules Hernandez has jumped to the WWF and now he thinks he’s Bruiser Brody.

– They introduced a new powerlifter on Piper’s Pit, who apparently can bench 750 pounds. I believe that would be Ted Arcidi.

– Danny Spivey has been restyled into Barry Windham II, down to wearing the same cowboy boots.

– The Freebirds were in fact fired from the AWA, but will stick around until December to finish up their dates.

– Interestingly, ESPN is trying really hard to dump the AWA, putting them in death slots and changing their airdates around constantly. According to Dave, the AWA was never really welcome on the station, but they ended up with a TV deal due to business pressures on ESPN to get a wrestling show to compete with Vince McMahon’s TV deals. The contract is up in January and AWA is STILL the #3 rated show on the network, so ESPN basically has to tank the ratings themselves in order to justify getting rid of Verne and not renewing the show. By process of elimination, that means either Bill Watts or Fritz might end up with an ESPN slot. And then Verne managed to survive for another four years!

– Interestingly, Crockett’s closed-circuit broadcast of Starrcade 85 in places like the Superdome actually included bonus matches for the live crowd featuring Mid-South talent. Kind of a nice treat!

– Rob Richsteiner is in Mid-South now and continues to impress.

– Crockett is focusing on the Bunkhouse Stampedes, although the Road Warriors v. Koloffs feud is looking like a hot one. Dave also highlights the legendary Flair interview with David Crockett on TBS where he basically shoots on him and says “You’re only good when you’re signing my checks, so remember who built that new office for you.”

– Dave gives lots of credit to Tully Blanchard for how many press-slams he takes and how light he goes up for them, and then turns around and casually goes “Actually, press slams really aren’t a big deal, even the Japanese girls do them, but most wrestling fans don’t realize that.” What a dick.

– Dave thinks that Crockett needs an all-encompassing babyface star to put them over the top right now, and thinks the Roadies might fit the bill. But what about Dusty Rhodes!?

– Awesome dig at Central States, who got 1800 in Kansas City for their Thanksgiving show. This is up for them, and Dave notes what a great night for wrestling that Thanksgiving really is, because even Central States almost drew money! Later, he corrects a previous title change, noting that Art Crews actually won the TV title from Gary Royal on 11/27 in Ft. Dodge Iowa. Then, in the most sardonically Dave way possible, he adds “I know everyone needed that information. That’s what I’m here for.” I know it’s hard to appreciate it reading these condensed versions I do, but Dave is improving by leaps and bounds from the sprawling 84 issues to these ones. He’s really a far better writer in a relatively short amount of time.

– Rumors abound that World Class is getting ready to make their move onto the national stage, although Dave has no idea what they’d use for top talent outside of the Von Erichs.

– George Michael’s Sports Machine ran a story on the Von Erichs, which Dave HATED, although they did acknowledge that Mike Von Erich did indeed suffer brain damage due to the fever.

– In Florida, it’s another patented Understated Observer Debut! “Rookie Lex Luger apparently won the Southern title from Wahoo McDaniel on 11/19 in Tampa. Luger is a bodybuilder stiff trained by Hiro Matsuda.”

– Also, Butcher Vachon’s daughter is in as Angel Vachon, although soon after she’d go crazy and change her name to Luna.

– And the award for most ridiculously dated reference of the issue goes to Jerry Bryant and Lou Winston teaming up as Memphis Vice, wearing pastel jackets and entering to Smuggler’s Blues. Talk about a gimmick with a shelf life.

– Now, Dave talks about the Freedom Fighters, who we met for the first time last issue. Their names are Steve Borden and Jim Helwig, and Dave has actually been familiar with them since they started training. Both have matinee idol looks and are bigger than the Road Warriors, but may be the worst wrestlers that Dave has ever seen in the ring. He concedes that they’re just starting and may amount to something, but they’ve got a huge handicap working against them right away. Also, it’s gotta be expensive to look like that all the time, so he doesn’t think they can remain that huge forever.

– And finally, the Montreal buyout by Vince McMahon isn’t working out too well for the bought out. Dino Bravo and King Tonga were supposed to get a big push in the WWF in exchange for giving up the Montreal territory, and in fact Vince is doing a house show in the city and booking those two guys to jerk the curtain as a team against the Hart Foundation and do the job. Although as it turned out, they ended up second from the top and actually won, so Dave’s snark was misplaced here. Of course, once Dino Bravo actually started working in the WWF full-time, he would less anxious to champion him…