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!

You Know You Need A Tiger In Your Tank

Gino Hernandez VS Tiger Conway Jr - Houston Wrestling 11/30/1979

JJZ: So we got a quick little jawn right here. I don't recall seeing Gino Hernandez with the blonde locks before. Gotta say I prefer the dark hair, it goes better with his attitude. Gino and Tiger really sell the crap out of this match. It made everything feel so important. I especially liked how hard Conway had to work just get back in the ring. Also, swig of coffee for TCJ for taking fantastic bumps to the outside in both matches. He went through those ropes like a little kid jumping off his bed into a mountain of pillows. Tiger and Gino wrestled this match like a title was on the line. I actually had to go back and check that this was just a straight up match. Good stuff overall.

CJD: I've never seen the Handsome Halfbreed with the bleach job either. What a fantastic shithead heel he was in this match! Gino has that reputation of a great "What If?" that passed way too soon. I sometimes think that reputation exceeds his actual talents, at least in the ring. Not in this match, where he brought a little of everything, including his nastier side when he needed it. This match was rock solid. The structure was so sound and engaging. You could feel this was two younger guys who had some fresh ideas and energy for the time. This is a prime example of a match I enjoyed more than a star rating or what have you would indicate. This one will stick with me for a while.