For Once In Your Life, Here's Your Miracle

Miracle Violence Connection VS Jumbo Tsuruta/Akira Taue - AJPW 8/22/1992

CJD: Every time we play forward a match with real length these days I feel like it's a big ask. But I really think this one is worth it. This doesn't have the reputation of the biggest AJPW tags (it only got a paltry ****1/4 from Meltz) but it is very notable. It's one of the first big tests for the Miracle Violence Connection as they are starting to tear through the division. Jumbo is returning from some time off, in storyline due to a leg injury. And Taue is on the rise but still emerging as Jumbo's protege. A lot of components to this match, a lot of smaller storylines that build over the course of it. Not everything builds to a payoff but there's so much to like here. So much meat slapped!! And a great sense of the stakes of what a win in a match like this means by the time we reach the finish. I had this one in my book to watch for a long while, thank you JJZ (and Terry Gordy!) for giving me an excuse to cross it off. Also a side note but crazy timing how this little run of Bam Bam matches coincided with his episode of Dark Side Of The Ring. Just weird pro wrestling fandom synergy.

JJZ: Smoking a cigar and drinking a Guinness. Let's fucking go. This is a back and forth hoss battle! Thank you for the history lesson to this gem. No matter what is on the line for this match all four of these guys fucking went for it. And it all built to an ending that was straight violence. Just four dogs fighting for a bone. So entertaining. And it didn't even feel that long! All Japan Pro Wrestling had the ability to make time stand still with the action in the ring during this era. Love it CJD.

Your Love Is Blind, Blind As A Bat

British Bulldogs VS Stan Hansen/Terry Gordy - AJPW 5/6/1989

JJZ: So my fear with any AJPW match that I watch is that I have seen it before and don't remember. I have zero memory of ever seeing the Bulldogs vs Hansen and Gordy. If I did and don't remember this banger shame on me. Goddammit this was spectacular. First the crowd was at a ten. Second the wrestlers were killing it. All four guys wanted to bring the house down. It's so wild to watch Davey Boy who is sweating steroids going shot for shot against Stan who looking like he just stepped off the bar stool. This is just a beef slapping hoss battle at its finest. Ain't no real psychology to it. Just four guys beating the shit out of eachother. Enjoy it.

CJD: You read my mind with that comment about Hansen/DBS. This match certainly had the big fight feels. The Bulldogs were limited but Stan and Terry made them look like a million bucks. Gordy really went above and beyond. The way he kept selling the press slam, like that was the reason Hansen tried to sneak in as the illegal man, was such a wonderful touch. And man, what a beautiful finish, as perfect as you could hope from a match like this. This was a dream match that delivered, and with the limitations you had from a barely mobile Dynanite and a walking science experiment in Davey, that's pretty damn impressive!

He's Middle Aged Crazy, Trying To Prove He Still Can

Sting/"Dr Death" Steve Williams VS Terry Funk/Terry Gordy - NWA 8/8/1989

CJD: I started watching WCW regularly around 1992 when I was 10 years old, but I caught glimpses of it here and there when I was younger. This reminds me so much of those earliest memories watching when it was transitioning from the NWA. The college sports influence, the serious presentation, the physical style, the larger than life personalities with an edge of realism. Singles stars mashed up in a special attraction tag match. The unsavory crowd, unflattering venue, and less than stellar production values. The shitty finish that still leaves you wanting to tune back in. I wish this match had another 10 minutes but I hope you enjoy what we got as much as I did.

JJZ: Holy crap this is great. Never thought I'd see these pairings. This is my personal favorite era of Funk. Interesting for me to see Dr. Death and Gordy not tagging together. Before I knew Gordy was a Freebird I knew him from the MVC. Great interaction and crowdplay with all four wrestlers. Matches like this are why Play It Forward exists. I never would have seen this match otherwise. Funk's selling is so spectacular that if I were a wrestler today I'd copy as much of it as possible. And this is a great match to build Funk/Flair, it showcases what a madman Terry is. Super fun stuff baby, I could have watched this for another 20 minutes!