Universal Wrestling Federation (8.22.1987) Review

-Cold open: Terry Taylor interferes in the TV Title match, costing Brad Armstrong his shot at winning the title and helping Eddie Gilbert with a beatdown.

-Originally aired August 22, 1987.

-They did a TV taping in the Superdome??? Okay then. Coming to you this week from the Superdome.

-Your host is Jim Ross.

DAVEY HASKINS vs. MIKE BOYETTE (0-103)
-Boyette goes to Jim Ross with an impassioned tirade about how he’s made no money in 1987.

-Bodypress by Haskins misses and Boyette goes right to work with boots. Haskins fights back but misses a dropkick. Boyette with a kneelift and a suplex. JR whips out a fun fact that he was on the 1964 U.S. Olympics judo team, so I hit pause and check that. He “broke his leg and had to give up his spot,” and maybe he did, but this is pro wrestling we’re talking about, so…

-Boyette suplexes Haskins for two, and I have never heard the Superdome this quiet. Kneelift by Boyette. Boyette blocks an attempted roll-up and turns to the crowd to brag about how smart he is, at which point Haskins just sneaks up and rolls him up, successfully this time, for a three-count.

TERRY GORDY (with Michael Hayes) vs. ANGEL OF DEATH
-Former allies collide while JR reminds us that the new issue of All Pro Wrestling Magazine is now out. That has to be the first time that they’ve mentioned that the UWF has their own magazine since Bill Watts was still in charge.

-Shoulderblocks go nowhere while Michael Hayes is already slapping the mat and trying to wake up the crowd. Gordy finally knocks Angel on his ass and the crowd goes crazy. Gordy clotheslines the Angel and gives him a big boot to the face. Another clothesline…get three? That’s it? Wow, OK…Angel of Death got squashed there.

-The Freebirds warn that other tag teams are good competitors, but they aren’t NASTEHHHHH.

-Sting cuts a promo and it doesn’t go well, as he loses his train of thought immediately. Speaking of which, he says he’s been talking to Commissioner John Ayers and he’s demanding a title match with Eddie Gilbert!

-A “We are the Champions” music video featuring highlights of Dr. Death’s Heavyweight Title win. Can’t wait to see this four times per episode for the next two months.

-Devastation Inc. is here to fill 90 seconds. Akbar wants belts.

STEVE COX vs. TERRY TAYLOR (with Eddie Gilbert)
-Cox applies a side headlock. Taylor slips out and tries for a top wristlock, but Cox just pushes back and makes it a side headlock again as we pause for these commercial messages.

-We return with Taylor having control, snapmaring Cox and dropping a knee for a one-count. Cox tries to mount a comeback but misses a corner charge. Shoulderbreaker by Taylor gets two. Cox gets a sudden cradle on Taylor for two.

-Cox makes a big comeback, but Taylor gets a foot on the ropes to save himself from a pin. Cox powerslams him in the middle of the ring but only gets two. Clothesline gets another two. Taylor gives Cox a back suplex and holds onto it for a pinning combo, but Cox rolls over and makes it a side headlock. Taylor rolls back over into the pinning position and this time, Taylor puts his feet on the ropes for added leverage, and that gives him the tainted win. Good enough match for three minutes and a forgone conclusion.

-Jim Ross recaps Sting and Eddie Gilbert’s history, as Eddie launched Sting’s career, but Sting pretty clearly eclipsed him and became a bigger star. They split up and Eddie helped Terry Taylor get a win over Sting just to make it clear.

-Jim Ross talks to Steve Williams and asks his opinion of Ron Simmons. Steve Williams pretty much says “I heartily endorse this wrestler and/or ally.”

WESTERN STATES HERITAGE TITLE: BARRY WINDHAM (Champion) vs. SHASKA WHATLEY
-Windham corners Shaska and hiptosses him. Side headlock by Windham. Shaska fights out. They battle for a wristlock and Barry gets the advantage, switching to an armbar and whipping Shaska into the corner. Dropkick by Windham gets two.

-Shaska connects with a series of headbutts.

-We take time out for an Eddie Gilbert music video, and then “Badstreet USA.” Again, there is no reason to do this in the middle of a match. You could have just aired these after the Dr. Death thing and touted it as some sort of a music video break. It’s the MTV era, it would have felt hip.

-We’re back with Whatley in control and hammering away on Windham. Windham throws a few weak punches, but Shaska throws him to the floor. Windham slingshots himself back in and sunset flips Shaska for the abrupt three-count. TV time was running out, I get it, but that was a little underwhelming.

4.6

The final score: review Poor

The 411

Terry Taylor is the saving grace of this promotion. Maybe it needs more Dusty.