Minoru Suzuki x Norman Smiley. A UWF puristsβ dream match contested almost entirely on the mat with limited strikes & virtually no traditional βpro wrestlingβ maneuvers or theatrics. (7.20.1990) π
2/27/89:
Ted Dibiase, wearing a FUCKIN' CAPE, busts into the jeweler for the last time to see his finished, final, million dollar belt that he'd commissioned.
His euphoric, bug-eyed reaction upon seeing it is B-Movie Villain in the BEST way.
Also: "I'M HERE!!!"
This was the first of a three match series for the US title: Rude vs Dustin. There's a feel/mood to this that you rarely see today. It's full of animosity, even hatred, but it's entirely grounded in notion of wrestling as sport. They try to settle it within those confines.
The finish to this Randy Savage vs Bad News Brown street fight (and the match itself) was ten years before its time. I love the second ref bump (as he flops himself exactly as Bad News is going for his second pin). Plus check out Savage's street fight look.