Friday 21 October 2022

A little Tully, a little Arn, a little Wahoo

Tully Blanchard & Jimmy Garvin v Wahoo McDaniel & Sam Houston (Worldwide, 5/17/86)

This was a bit different structurally from your regular southern tag, basically having four shorter FIP spells rather than the single extended one. It was weird as the transitions weren't really pronounced and none of the hot tags were especially satisfying. One of those hot tags came after a solitary chop in Wahoo's case, one from Houston where he just rolled away mid-beatdown. Tully and Garvin are a fun pair of weasels, although, intentionally or otherwise, I liked how they presented Tully as less of a stooge than Garvin. There was one bit where Wahoo had him in an armbar and Tully managed to fish flop into his corner, but Garvin pretended he didn't see him and strutted along the apron, only sprinting back into position and holding his head in his hands after Wahoo had dragged Tully to a safe enough distance away. Later there's a return opportunity where Tully can make the tag but almost hangs back and doesn't. Where Garvin's was cowardice, Tully's felt more like he was reminding everyone who the Horseman was. Later, Garvin got popped with some punches and stumbled in a daze into the opposition corner with his hand out looking for the tag, only to get popped again by Houston on the apron. Tully does something similar, except he immediately recognises his error and gets out of dodge before any harm's done. It was subtle, but a cool way to show how different both heels were and I like that Tully's presented as more than just a shithead, because he was always a vicious wee bastard when he needed to be. Houston is tall and rubbery enough that the hotshot at the end looked brutal and there's something especially satisfying about a big lanky fella getting planted with the slingshot suplex. You'd maybe like your babyfaces to get a little more here as in the end the heels took the clean win after controlling about 12 of the 15 minutes, but I guess at times your heels need to show some competence.


Arn Anderson v Wahoo McDaniel (Worldwide, 5/24/86)

This was off to a flyer almost immediately as Arn was making bug-eyed faces and selling everything Wahoo did like he'd seen a ghost. He gets yanked over with a nasty wrist lock and bails right to the floor like he did not see that coming. He eats a couple chops and makes a swift exit like he didn't know the old man could still hit like that. He tries to kick Wahoo in the gut, but Wahoo catches the leg and takes Arn's other leg out from under him with a kick to the hamstring, Arn backs up into the corner, eyes about popping out his head. Wahoo's leg work is decent enough for a few minutes, then Arn takes over and I guess Wahoo's scar tissue gets opened because he's bleeding pretty noticeably and I don't remember there being a moment that looked like it was setting up a blade job. Although I guess a strong sneeze and that forehead is leaking. Arn eventually rolls to the floor pointing to his wrist to signify he's stalling for time. He's the TV champ so why not see out the draw and go home with the belt around his waist? Wahoo actually scores a pin so clearly they were doing Dusty Finishes eeeeeeverywhere in '86, but Tommy Young had missed a foot on the ropes and then Arn just dumps Wahoo over the top for the DQ. Needs must sometimes. 

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