The SmarK 24/7 Rant for World Championship Wrestling – October 18 1986
– So we’re into the home stretch now for this show, as there’s two left before Sasktel pulls the channel at the end of the month, and it’s kind of fitting because this is getting close to the point where I originally started watching NWA wrestling back in the 80s anyway. For those keeping track of this sort of thing, all traces of "24/7" have now been excised from the channel, as everything is only branded as "WWE Classics on Demand". I’m stubborn, though, and I’ll keep calling them 24/7 rants until we’re done.
– Your hosts are Tony & David, and apparently the first match for Starrcade 86 has already been signed. A graphic informs us that this show was recorded on October 12.
– Magnum TA is first out and I’m guessing that’s why we got the graphic — his car accident was October 14, so this is gonna be his final appearance. That makes me very sad for some reason, as I’ve been watching him develop into a superstar for the past two years via this show, and now it just comes to an end. And it’s just a quick promo as he stresses that he only wants Nikita Koloff at Starrcade. So how were they gonna get to Ric Flair, I have to wonder?
Ole & Arn Anderson v. Keith Patterson & Vern Deaton
Arn finishes quickly with the gourdbuster at 0:50.
– Tully and JJ takes us back to Greensboro, as Dusty destroys Tully’s leg with a chair and then puts him in a figure-four while holding the ropes. Dusty throwing referees and the Midnight Express around while LAYING ON HIS BACK is typical Dusty. Like guys are running out there and taking bumps to the floor for him and he’s barely flicking his arm at them. Magnum TA runs out and pulls Dusty off, but then holds Tully down so Dusty can come off the top rope onto Tully’s leg. They actually switch legs here, moving from the right one to the left one. It’s the left one that’s in a cast back in the present time, which makes sense given that Dusty off the top rope will shatter bones for certain.
Ron Garvin v. The Grimm Reaper
WTF? How can they call this shit with a straight face? He’s dressed like a fucking MIME! Garvin slugs away on the Masked Mime and backdrops him into Hands of Stone to finish at 1:00. Oh, look, it’s "counting the ring lights"
Wahoo McDaniel v. Gary Royal
Hey, Gary Royal, haven’t seen much of him on this show yet. Wahoo works a wristlock and chops him down for the pin at 0:48.
– Paul Jones brings out Rick Rude & Manny Fernandez, who would quickly become the dominant heel team in the promotion (to the shock of many) before the WWF stole Rick Rude out from under them. Wahoo comes out and gets in Manny’s face for being a traitor, and the beatdown is on. You’d think that would set up Rude & Fernandez v. Wahoo & Boogie at Starrcade, but no.
– Ric Flair is out and he doesn’t know or care who he’s facing at Starrcade, but whoever it is, is gonna get beat up so badly that they’re never gonna challenge him again.
Ivan Koloff v. Mike Simani
Koloff elbows him down and drops a leg, and the cobra clutch finishes at 0:36.
– STARRCADE UPDATE! Jim Crockett announces that Flair will defend his title (against who, we don’t know) and the first match is signed: Jimmy Valiant v. Paul Jones. This is set up by a video featuring Valiant talking over a blues song of some sort, which must be dubbed over now because the audio is all screwed up. And speaking of screwed up, Big Mama (wearing a leopard-print spandex outfit and no bra — I can’t even adequately describe the awfulness without visual aids so I fear I’m not truly doing justice here) comes into the video and coaxes Jimmy into leaving his life on the street and fighting Jones by putting up her own hair.
Rick Rude, Shaska Whatley & Baron Von Rashke v. The Kansas Jayhawks & Brad Armstrong
Wow, an actual main event for a short show. The Jayhawks work Shaska over and Brad takes him down with a headlock for two. Jaggers with a backdrop and a slam for two. Rude gets a cheapshot from the apron and Baron stomps Jaggers down as he’s apparently face in peril already. The heels work him over in the corner, but Jaggers collides with Shaska for the double KO. Hot tag Armstrong and he gets a crossbody on the Baron for two. Baron comes back and tries the claw, but Brad dropkicks him for two. Rude hits Baron by mistake and Brad rolls him up for the pin at 3:20. Aha, I knew Baron’s face turn was coming. The Jones army has apparently had enough of Baron and kick him out after the loss, which results in Jones taking the clawhold.
– The Rock N Roll Express cut a quick promo about the Andersons
The Midnight Express v. Allen West & Eddie Roberts
Before I can even type the names, the Midnights finish with a backbreaker double-team. No Cornette intro even! And we’re done.
– Easter egg in the credits for y’all: The last name listed is Makeup: Terri Boatright!
