Look High, It's My Last Hope

Chavo Guerrero VS Steve Keirn - Houston Wrestling Loser Painted Yellow Match 1/31/1986

JJZ: Love me an 80s gimmick match. As soon as I read loser gets painted yellow I said, I'm in! So the match itself is really just a bar fight in the ring. Steve and Chavo throwing potatoes and kicking the shit out of each other for 15 minutes was entertaining enough but the aftermath was wild. I thought they'd paint a couple stripes down the losers back but I was dead ass wrong. They were slinging the paint around the ring with no regard for the fans. Felt like I found a hidden gem on a VHS best of tape. Enjoy homie.

CJD: I'm going to admit baby. I'm a little hot. Because when I played the Mexican Death Match that follows this match up for you and the gang at one of our all night wrestling sessions... I got laughed out of the living room! And it's become an inside joke for years!! Tsk tsk. Tut tut. This match is a good grinding brawl. Not as good as the MDM (and the results of the DVDVR 80s set agrees!), but a really great heel performance from Keirn in particular. Like you mentioned some of those little shots they were throwing in between transitions were nasty as hell. And the post match angle is maybe even better than the match itself. I love this choice in all seriousness, because the Guerreros VS Fabulous Ones feud deserves its day in the sun! Well played JJZ.

I'm Your National Anthem, God, You're So Handsome

Gino Hernandez (c) VS Chavo Guerrero - Houston Wrestling NWA International Jr Heavyweight Championship 5/22/1981

CJD: John. This match right here. What a find. I wish I was sitting next to you discovering this match together. It's maybe not a MOTYC or what have you. Or maybe it is?? I don't know anymore. All I know is there's so much to love here. Before the match, in each fall, after the match. I'll say it right now. I was wrong about Gino. In these two matches I saw everything I ever heard about his insane potential and then some. He shined brighter than Chavo Classsic in this, and you know I love me some Chavo Guerrero! Houston in the late 70s and early 80s seems like a truly special territory based on the run we've been on lately my partner in crime!

JJZ: Right from the start of this match the feel of it was big. Bringing in the special ref is always a nice little twist. Wish he worked on his counts, come on Lou! Most wrestlers have a hard time slapping the mat for some reason. Im'ma start calling Gino the Furnace because he is a heat producer. He was born to be a heel. The front headlock work in the first fall was brilliant. It focused on the neck to lead up to the leg sweep. Classic second fall with Chavo getting a big burst of offense for a quick explosive pin. Beautiful back and forth leading to the third fall. Hot crowd with everything hitting on point and with purpose. The juice is definitely worth the squeeze in this one!