UWF – November 22nd, 1986

I can go for regularly reviewing UWF for a few weeks, especially as I’ve never watched this episode, directly after the three title changes episode. Let’s hook ’em up!

Last week on UWF… Dr. Death Steve Williams broke the arm of UWF champion Terry Gordy, leading to him having to lose it by forfeit to the One Man Gang.

Bill Watts Presents… Universal Wrestling Federation!

Hosted by Jim Ross, from the Tulsa Convention Center.

Back to the end of last week with Gang and Jim Duggan, with no continuation of the match, although to me it was obvious that Jim would move as he launched with the 747 and make his comeback before Devastation and some counterpart good guys split it all up

Jeff Raitz vs. One Man Gang

Raitz was around for a while on the minor leagues, but here he’s just another victim. Gang finishes quickly with a powerslam and 747.

Gary Young and Joe Savoldi vs. Wild Bill Irwin and Bad Leroy Brown

Young and Savoldi are your perm and moustache babyfaces of the era. The champs attack before the bell and Leroy keeps his cap on while clotheslining Young. Irwin drops Young on the top rope and they do a good job of cutting him off from Savoldi until an errant kick. Savoldi promptly misses a dropkick and the heels team up for a modified side suplex/elbow drop finisher. Pretty dominant appearance, and Leroy was a great scary heel with his teeth and eyes and leering look.

A UWF Video Break – really odd, basically clips of Doc and Dibiase kicking ass to Living in America while waving the flag. There is an amusing shot of a sign that says “Kill the commie for mommie!”. Bad spelling, clear idea.

Art Crews vs. Savannah Jack

Crews is rather dumpy, but is going for a Max Headroom look with his hair and shades. I looked up Jack after the last review and he was a footballer-turned-wrestler from Minnesota who felt the effects of steroids and ended up coughing up a blood clot and calling it time on his career and struggled with his health to the end. He gets what looks like a legdrop but ends up like a buttdrop on the stomach. Superkick finishes. He had something, but probably needed to be in a tag team with a veteran to knock the rough edges off him.

Fabulous Freebirds vs. The Fantastics

No Bam Bam, but Michael and Buddy Jack make up for it with manager Sunshine and bodyguard the Angel of Death. Michael cuts quite the vengeance promo before the opponents come out. Bobby and Tommy’s gear is like a precursor to Austin and Pillman’s Hollywood Blondes attire. The ‘Birds attack early with double bulldogs and it’s an immediate no-contest as the Angel comes in and squats down in the corner to allow them to ram the Fantastics’ heads into his and open them up. Pretty savage beating.

Bobby Perez vs. Jack Victory

Perez has the face of a teenager and hair of a pensioner. Victory is now accompanied by new BFF Buddy Landell. Jacko pounds away while Perez tries to fight from underneath, looking like a Mexican Dusty Rhodes. Gourdbuster for the win.

The Lybian vs. Hacksaw Jim Duggan

Their spelling, not mine. Skandor Akbar has paid off the man from Libya, so he attacks quickly but just as quickly misses a splash and eats a clotheline. Spear finishes in under a minute. Ak better see if he can get that $10 back. Afterwards, the ref gets thrown out by Hacksaw and the Lybian gets to wipe the ground.

A UWF Video Break – James Brown sings over Doc and Dibiase beating up the Sheepherders, Buzz Sawyer and others.

Sting and Rick Steiner vs. Chavo Guerrero and Terry Taylor

The Missing Link, still with the yellow stripe on his back, comes out to stomp around, so the Hot Stuff and Hyatt Int’l crew walk out, so we go to a tape instead.

Steve Williams and Bill Watts take a trip to OU for Doc to receive the Most Improved (not as shit as he used to be) award from PWI.

Back to the ring, as the heels won’t come back so the faces win by forfeit in a different twist on the TV time remaining trope.

Melting it down: A lot slower and more reliant on flashbacks and replays this week, but it was never going to match the par anyway so why bother? Back again next week!