NWA Great American Bash 1987 Review

NWA Great American Bash 1987 Review
June 1, 2012 (edited October 31, 2024)
By Ryan Porzl

Event: Great American Bash 1987
Tagline: None
Date: Various
Location: Various
Live or Tape: Tape
Arena: Various
Attendance: Various
Announcers: Various
Interviewers: None
Other: None
Broadcast: Home Video

The 1987 Great American Bash was similar to the 1986 one as it wasn't a supercard/PPV like other GABs but rather was a tour that went throughout the month of July. This is from Turner Home Video as it is a "Best of" type tape.

WarGames- The Match Beyond: Dusty Rhodes, Nikita Koloff, Hawk, Animal, & Paul Ellering vs. Ric Flair, Arn Anderson, Tully Blanchard, Lex Luger, & JJ Dillon (w/Dark Journey)- From July 4, 1987 at the Omni in Atlanta, Georgia. This is the debut of one of the greatest matches in wrestling history The WarGames- The Match Beyond. The rules for the WarGames there are two rings enclosed in a cage with one member of each team starting off. After a 5 Minute interval, the referee will toss a coin and the winning team of the coin toss will let another member in the ring. From there they're will be two minute interval with the other team bringing a member in and from there go back and forth until all participants enter the cage and the Match Beyond begins where the only way to win is by submission or surrender. Dark Journey was a valet mostly known for her time in Mid-South/UWF where she managed Dick Slater and The Missing Link. She was briefly paired with Blanchard after the UWF was bought by the NWA but she only lasted this tour.

Rhodes and Anderson start as they tie up and Rhodes quickly nails the Bionic Elbow which send Anderson scurrying to the corner. Rhodes goes the other ring and invites Anderson who obliges but Rhodes hangs on the roof of the cage and comes off with a kick to Anderson which looks cool. Rhodes tosses Anderson to the other ring. Anderson jumps Rhodes coming into the ring but Rhodes no sells and responds with jabs and a lowblow. Anderson comes back with a knee and a headbutt. Anderson whips Rhodes to the ropes but lowers his head and Rhodes comes off with a DDT to a pop. Anderson is busted open and Rhodes rakes the forehead on the cage roof. Anderson kicks Rhodes' taped knee and Rhodes goes to the other ring where Anderson follows but Rhodes hits him and throws him into the cage. Anderson comes back with a snapmare but misses a knee drop and Rhodes applies the figure four leglock to a loud pop. Rhodes releases the hold and stomps the leg as the five minute interval ends and no surprise, the Horsemen win the coin toss.

Tully Blanchard comes in next and the Horsemen double team Rhodes until he fights back with bionic elbows and jabs but Blanchard gets a knee and now the Horsemen resume the double teaming as Rhodes is busted open. Blanchard applies the figure four leglock while Anderson pulls back Rhodes' arms. Blanchard releases the hold and continues to work over the leg. Blanchard swings off the roof and stomps the leg.

Animal comes in next and cleans house to a big pop. Blanchard gets thrown from one ring to the other. Animal slingshots Blanchard three times into the cage. Animal briefly helps Rhodes with Anderson before going back to Blanchard. Animal whips Blanchard to the ropes and comes off the other side with a jumping shoulder block. Rhodes hits a bionic elbow and then a clothesline on Anderson as Blanchard gets raked over the cage by Animal. Blanchard gets double teamed as Anderson tries to help by coming off the top turnbuckles but catches him with a clothesline on the way down. Rhodes tosses Blanchard into the cage as Animal does the same to Anderson.

Ric Flair is next and goes after Animal with chops but they have no effect. Anderson comes from behind and Animal gets thrown into the fence by Flair and Anderson. Animal gets thrown again into the cage as Blanchard works over Rhodes' leg by trapping it between the two rings. Rhodes kicks Blanchard off and clotheslines Anderson and then Flair off of Animal. Blanchard drops an elbow on Animal. Flair gets a lowblow on Rhodes and likewise Animal on Blanchard. Flair rakes Rhodes into the cage. Blanchard comes off the second turnbuckle with a bionic elbow on Animal as Flair holds him.

Nikita Koloff enters next but gets an eye gouge from Flair as he enters. Koloff gets whipped into the corner but rebounds with a double clothesline on Flair and Anderson to a huge pop. Blanchard gets thrown into the cage by Rhodes and then Koloff. Animal tosses Flair into the cage as Koloff clotheslines Blanchard. Animal gorilla press slams Flair as Rhodes nails Anderson with a second rope knee drop. Flair gets raked into the cage by Animal until Blanchard makes the save. Flair tries to chop Koloff but, of course, that doesn't work as Koloff doesn't sell it and Flair hauls ass to the other ring to get away. Flair gets tossed into the cage by Koloff and gets a Flair flop while Rhodes and Animal hit a double dropkick on Anderson.

Lex Luger is next and immediately goes after Koloff. Luger whips Koloff to the ropes and catches him with a powerslam. Luger holds Koloff up for Flair to lowblow him. Flair and Blanchard nail Koloff with a spike piledriver while Luger works over Animal. Luger and Anderson try to double team Rhodes but Animal makes the save. Koloff takes another spike piledriver and Rhodes tries to protect him but get triple teamed by Flair, Anderson, and Blanchard while Animal whips Luger to the ropes and catches him with a clothesline. Animal is busted open as Anderson nails Koloff with a piledriver.

Hawk is next to come in to a big pop. Hawk whips Luger to the ropes and catches him with a clothesline. Hawk presses Blanchard and hits him with snake eyes. Flair gets thrown to the other ring and Anderson takes a kneelift. Flair gets thrown into the cage and is bleeding. Hawk works over Luger in a corner while Animal gets mounted punches in another corner on Blanchard. Anderson goes after Koloff but he nails Anderson in the stomach and clutches his neck. Flair chops at Animal but Animal no sells. Luger attacks Rhodes' knee. Hawk gets a fist drop on Anderson while Flair hooks the figure four on Rhodes. Hawk hits a hangman's neckbreaker on Anderson.

JJ Dillon comes in and foolishly goes for Hawk and none of his offense has any effect. Animal gets a side headlock on Luger. Luger whips him to the ropes but Animal comes off with a shoulder block. Flair gets raked across the cage by Hawk until Luger makes the save. Koloff gets tossed into the cage by Anderson while Rhodes and Animal have their fun with Dillon until Blanchard saves Dillon. Flair, Anderson, and Luger triple team Hawk. Blanchard jumps on Animal's back with a sleeper but Animal sends Blanchard into the cage. Hawk hits Luger with a shoulderbreaker.s

Paul Ellering comes in and the Match Beyond begins as Ellering goes after Dillon with his spike gauntlet and nails an atomic drop as Dillon is bleeding. Rhodes works over Luger in the corner until Anderson jumps Rhodes but Rhodes hits a noggin knocker. Flair whips Hawk to the ropes, misses the chop, and Hawk comes off with a clothesline. Koloff whips Luger to the ropes and hits a russian sickle. Koloff then hits Blanchard with one. Hawk and Animal then begin to work over Dillon by double team whipping him to the ropes and hitting a double team clothesline. Rhodes takes out Anderson and Luger with bionic elbows while The Road Warriors ram Dillon into the cage. The Warriors nail a variation of the Doomsday Device with Dillon landing on his shoulder and injuring it. Flair works over Rhodes with the spiked gauntlet. The Road Warriors continue to work over Dillon with Hawk choking him with his boot until Dillon surrenders.

Thoughts: *****Awesome. Nonstop Action, bloody, and chaotic. The booking and spots were cool including Rhodes hanging on the cage and kicking Anderson, the piledrivers on Koloff's neck which would be important a few matches later, and the ending was great with the Road Warriors working over the weakest link: JJ Dillon with everything they could until the poor bastard couldn't take it anymore.

Barry Windham vs. Rick Steiner- From July 4, 1987 at the Omni in Atlanta, Georgia. In July 1987, Windham had just become the Western Heritage Championship which would mean anything and would largely be wasted for the rest of the year and into early 1988. Meanwhile, Steiner just joined Jim Crockett Promotions after the UWF purchase and was just some member of Eddie Gilbert's Hot Stuff International, Inc.. Though the potential was there, it wouldn't be until a year later when Steiner starting becoming relevant in wrestling as part of the Varsity Club.

We're joined in progress as Windham is in control. Windham whips Steiner to the ropes and hits a dropkick. Steiner bails to the other ring to regroup. Back in, they tie up with Steiner muscling Windham to the ropes and hits some punches. Steiner whips Windham to the ropes, drops his head too early, and Windham comes off the ropes with a leapfrog but Steiner hits a Steinerline. Steiner whips Windham to the ropes and connects with another Steinerline for 2. Steiner rams Windham into the top turnbuckle, whips him to the ropes, and catches him with a back body drop. Steiner whips Windham to the ropes and catches him with a belly-to-belly suplex but Windham rolls to the ropes thus preventing Steiner from pinning him. Steiner whips Windham to the ropes and catches him with a back elbow which sends Windham to the outside. Steiner follows and rams Windham to the post and guardrail. Steiner heads back in and Windham makes it to the apron. Steiner suplexes Windham into the ring but Windham does a weird reversal to get the win.

Thoughts: ** Decent from what I saw. Highlight was Steiner on offense and Windham bumping. The finish was very weird. Not much of the match was shown which would be one of the matches on this tape that makes me wonder what was the point? Why not save the tape length for the longer matches?

NWA United States Championship/Steel Cage: Nikita Koloff (c) vs. Lex Luger (w/JJ Dillon)- From July 11, 1987 at the Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, North Carolina. Koloff is wrestling this match with a injured neck which he previously suffered months early from his "uncle" Ivan Koloff and Dick Murdoch and then got reinjured in the Wargames match from the two spike piledrivers he received from Flair and Blanchard as well as one from Anderson.

The first 20 minutes are clipped and we're joined with both going for tie ups which no one wins. Luger gets a side headlock takedown but Koloff escapes with a headscissors. Fans chant "Nikita" as Luger hooks a wristlock and rams Koloff into the turnbuckles. Koloff gets choked with ropes and snapped off. Luger whips Koloff to the ropes and catches him a back elbow for 2. Luger tries to rip off the neck collar while Koloff fights him off. Koloff tries to fight back but his neck is in pain as Luger hits a double ax handle. Luger gets a snapmare and drops a knee for 2. Chinlock applied. Koloff starts to fade but when referee Earl Hebner checks the arm, Koloff keeps it up at 2. Koloff attempts to fight out and get up but Luger slams him down with Koloff's own neck collar and continues to apply. Luger hammers the chest/neck with forearms and reapplies the chinlock. Koloff eventually gets up and fights out. Koloff whips Luger to the ropes but lowers his head too soon and Luger comes off the ropes with a swinging neckbreaker.

Luger proceeds to rip the protective neck collar off Koloff to big boos and throws it out of the ring. Luger puts the boots to Koloff's neck and hits an elbow to the back of the neck. Luger whips Koloff to the ropes and catches him with a clothesline but Koloff still kicks out at 2. Luger goes for the piledriver but Koloff back body drops Luger off but is too hurt to capitalize and Luger applies a full nelson. The referee checks Koloff's arm if he's still conscious and Koloff keeps his arm up on the second attempt. Luger attempts several pins but get 2. They trade punches but Luger rakes the eyes and hits the neck with a double ax handle. Koloff gets choked with the ropes. Luger drives his knee into Koloff's neck and hooks the chinlock. Koloff eventually breaks it by backing Luger into the turnbuckles. They brawl with Koloff winning. Koloff whips Luger to the ropes and catches him with a back elbow. Koloff gets mounted punches in the corner.

Luger comes back with a punch to the stomach and whips Koloff into the corner but Koloff rebounds with the russian sickle knocking Luger and the ref down. Koloff goes for the pin but the ref is out. As Koloff goes to check on the referee, Dillon throws a chair into the cage for Luger who nails Koloff in the back and neck. Luger hooks the torture rack as the ref recovers. The ref checks to see if Koloff is conscious and after his arm drops twice, the ref stops the match giving Luger the win and the title.

Thoughts: ***1/2 Very good match from what I saw. The psychology and storytelling was great on both sides with Luger working over Koloff's injured neck with everything he could while Koloff attempted to fight back until he could take no more. There were a few slow parts but still good. Would've liked to see the whole thing.

Texas Death Match: Steve Williams (w/Magnum TA) vs. Dick Murdoch (w/Eddie Gilbert)- From July 4, 1987 at the Omni in Atlanta, Georgia. The rules for a Texas Death Match is the only way to win is by hurting your opponent to the point they can't get up before the count of 10. Williams was another prospect on the rise in 1987. In fact, he was a week away from winning the UWF Heavyweight Championship. It's really depressing seeing Magnum. Just one year earlier, he was a star on the rise and was months away from winning the NWA World Heavyweight Championship and possibly becoming the NWA/Jim Crockett Promotion's Hulk Hogan only to be involved in a car accident which by this point has not only ended his in-ring career but left him on the sidelines with with his right arm in a sling and having to walk with a cane due to the right side of his body being paralyzed at the time. In this match, Magnum is like the football/baseball players who itches to go out there and have fun with their teammates but is benched due to injury and is rightfully depressed about it.

Anyway, we're joined in progress with Williams punching out of a wristlock. Gilbert distracts the ref as Murdoch gets a wrench and hits Williams in the shoulder and his injured arm. Isn't Texas Death Matches no disqualification? Why does Gilbert need to distract? Williams gets to his feet at 8 and Murdoch stomps away in the corner. Murdoch goes to the outside and slams Williams' injured hand on the ring apron. Back in, Murdoch drops a knee on the hand like a hammer to a nail. Williams gets up at 6 and starts fighting back with punches with Murdoch looking silly with his selling. Eventually, Williams knocks Murdoch down with a right hand to a big pop. Williams nails a three point stance football tackle but Murdoch side steps a second and Williams goes to the turnbuckle. Gilbert distracts the ref (why?) as Murdoch climbs to the top but gets nailed with Williams' cast on the way down to a big pop and fails to get up before the 10 count giving Williams the win. Afterwards, Murdoch and Gilbert try to jump Williams but are fought off after Magnum gives Williams his cane.

Thoughts: * Alright match but again, too short for what I saw. The stuff with the cast was good like Murdoch going for it and Williams using it for the win. That said, Murdoch's selling was too goofy looking and I didn't get Gilbert distracting the ref when it's a No Disqualification match. Other than the finish, the Texas Death stip felt useless.

Michael Hayes, Terry Gordy, and Buddy Roberts vs. Ivan Koloff, Manny Fernandez, and Paul Jones- From July 4, 1987 at the Omni in Atlanta, Georgia. One of the biggest acts of the 1980s, the original Fabulous Freebirds were at the end of the road by this point as Gordy and Roberts left shortly after the Great American Bash tour to return to World Class to form another short lived Freebirds group with Iceman King Parsons and The Angel of Death while Hayes would return to briefly feud with them before eventually returning to NWA/WCW to form another Freebirds with Jimmy Garvin.

We start with Hayes and Fernandez as Hayes grabs a side headlock. Fernandez whips him to the ropes, drops down to the canvas, Hayes jumps over, comes off the ropes and stomps Fernandez to a pop. Hayes moonwalks to celebrate. They tie up with Fernandez getting a chop on the ropes. Hayes reverses a whip to the ropes and catches Fernandez with a hip toss. Hayes follows with two bodyslams. Fernandez cowers in his corner. They tie up with Hayes getting an arm wringer. Tag to Roberts who comes off the second turnbuckle with an ax handle on Fernandez's arm and applies an arm wringer of his own. Fernandez whips out of it, drops down to the canvas, Roberts jumps over, and Jones catches Roberts with a knee to the back while Fernandez gets an elbow. Fernandez distracts the ref allowing Jones to put the boots on Roberts. Hayes tries to come in but argues with the ref allowing Fernandez to choke Roberts with the ropes. Jones distracts the ref allowing Koloff to come off the top with a diving double ax handle and we get an illegal switch. Koloff continues the punishment with a backbreaker and leg drop. Koloff whips Roberts to the ropes but lowers his head too early and Roberts comes off with a sunset flip but Koloff tags Jones only for Jones to miss a knee drop. Hot tag to Gordy who starts cleaning house. All six are in the ring but not for long as Gordy whips Jones to the ropes, catches him with a back elbow and hits an elbow drop to give the Freebirds the win.

Thoughts: DUD Dull match with nothing big happening. Not sure why this was included on the tape.

$100,000 Ladder/Barbwire/Lights Out: Dusty Rhodes (w/Barry Windham) vs. Tully Blanchard (w/JJ Dillon & Dark Journey)- From July 18, 1987 at the Memorial Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. The story here was that after several failed attempts at the TV Title, Rhodes demanded one more shot at the title and was willing to put up $50,000, which he got thanks to Magnum TA while Blanchard would also put up $50,000. However, Blanchard would squeak by with a win after JJ Dillon took the money and tricked Rhodes into chasing him which eventually lead to Rhodes getting counted out. So this is for Magnum TA's money. Sadly, this match is off to a bad start as this isn't like the barb wire that replaces the ring ropes and guarantees crimson but rather the shitty barb wire that's wrapped around the ropes.

Blanchard starts by trying to push Rhodes into the barbwire but that doesn't work. Rhodes then tries to push Blanchard but that doesn't work either and they're at a stalemate. Blanchard gets a kick and a knee. Blanchard whips Rhodes but he hit's the brakes before going into the barbwire. Blanchard once again tries to push Rhodes into the barbwire but Rhodes pushes him off. Blanchard gets a punch but Rhodes responds with three bionic elbows. Blanchard once again tries to get Rhodes into the barbwire until finally grabbing some and raking across Rhodes' forehead. Blanchard starts stomping away on Rhodes and once again rakes Rhodes with the barbwire until Rhodes desperately low blows Blanchard. Bionic elbow and now Blanchard goes into the barbwire. Rhodes then rakes Blanchard's arm into the barb wire. Blanchard tries to come back with knees but Rhodes comes back with punches and sends Blanchard to the barb wire.

Both are bleeding with Rhodes around his right eye. Windham slides the ladder in and Rhodes starts climbing but Blanchard kicks his leg to stop him. Blanchard tries to climb with Rhodes climbing the other side. Rhodes knocks Blanchard off with a bionic elbow but Blanchard pulls Rhodes off and takes another bionic elbow. Rhodes rams Blanchard into the ladder and hits a DDT. Blanchard's arm is bleeding. Rhodes climbs but Blanchard tackles him off and hits an elbow drop. Blanchard tries to climb and nearly gets the money but Rhodes stops him and pulls him off. Dusty nails another bionic elbow but Blanchard gets a knee and both are down on the canvas. Blanchard puts a black glove on and nails Rhodes with a right hand. Dillon comes in for some reason and hits the referee but Windham comes in to stop Dillon from assisting Blanchard. Once again, Blanchard tries to climb but Rhodes kicks the ladder, knocking Blanchard off. Rhodes grabs the black glove and KOs Blanchard long enough to climb and reclaim the $100,000.

Thoughts: *1/2 Alright but kind of a weak blow off to this feud. The biggest problem for this match was the stipulations. I don't know why Rhodes booked a ladder match/barb wire match when neither he or Blanchard were made for Ladder Matches and the barb wire felt weak. This match should've had a better stipulation like a Bull Rope Match or Texas Death Match, something that is knockout, drag out war. It felt too much and Dillon just coming in the ring didn't make any sense either. They bled fine though. This was the blow off outside of a brief revival in 1988 which didn't last. Blanchard lost the Television Championship to Koloff a month later and began teaming with Anderson while Rhodes began pursing Luger and the United States Championship.

NWA World Heavyweight Championship/One Night With Precious/Steel Cage: Ric Flair (c) (w/JJ Dillon) vs. Jimmy Garvin (w/Precious)- From July 11, 1987 at the Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, North Carolina. The story here is Garvin wanted a title shot but Flair didn't deem him worthy so to get the title shot he had to put up his wife Precious for one night. With Flair wrapped up his stuff with Windham, his 1987/early 1988 would get ugly as no one bought the Garvins in this position and if it wasn't them then it was against tag wrestlers like the Road Warriors.

We're clipped 10 minutes in with Garvin chopping Flair in the corner. Flair does a flair flop and Garvin pins for 2. Another pin gets 2. Garvin gets a chinlock but Flair escapes with a lowblow. Flair gets a snapmare and climbs to the top and of course, because it's Flair and because you can see his stuff a mile away, Garvin tosses him off to a pop and pins for 2. Garvin applies the figure four leglock and Flair's shoulders are down several times but he always gets them up at 2. Flair eventually makes it to the ropes. Uh, it's a cage match, why does Garvin have to break? Anyway, Flair heads to the corner but Garvin pulls him out of the corner and drops him back first on the canvas. Garvin attempts the figure four again but Flair rakes the eyes to prevent it. Flair gets a punch and tries for a suplex but Garvin escapes and gets an O'Connor roll for 2. The two head into the corner and exchange chops until Garvin hits a hip toss. Flair tries to toss Garvin in the cage but Garvin reverses and tosses Flair instead and then a second time.

Garvin rakes Flair into the cage and them rams into the cage. Garvin pins for 2. Mounted punches and Flair tries to escape the cage but Garvin pulls him back in with his trunks and rams him into the cage several times and we get another Flair Flop. Garvin gets another 2 count. Flair gets thrown again in the cage and raked. Garvin attempts more pins but gets 2. Garvin gets several mounted punches in the corner. Garvin whips Flair into the corner and catches him coming out with a back body drop. Flair gets a side headlock, Garvin whips him to the ropes, and Flair comes off the ropes with a shoulder block. Flair comes off the ropes, Garvin leapfrogs and of course, his knee gives out. What a coincidence. Flair hits a shinbreaker and starts stomping on the knee as Ron Garvin comes out for support. Another shinbreaker. Garvin's leg gets set up on the rope and Flair gets a seated senton. Garvin tries to comeback but can't.

Flair knees the the knee. More knees to the knee and chops in the corner. Snapmare and a knee drop to the knee. Garvin finally starts coming back with chops and Flair takes another flair flop. Flair, once again, tries to escape but Garvin won't let him but his knee gives out. Flair comes back in but not for long as Garvin comes back again and Flair tries to bail again. They fight on the ropes and of course, Flair falls and gets crotched. Garvin pins for 2. Garvin tries for the brainbuster but his knee gives out. Flair applies the figure four and Garvin eventually passes out from the pain as referee Tommy Young counts his shoulder down allowing Flair to retain and get one night with Precious all the while a drunk fan tries to climb the cage but is stopped. After the match, Previous and Ron try to check on Jimmy only for Flair to try to grab at Precious and Ron beats his ass for it and Flair scurries out.

Thoughts: 1/2* Lousy match mostly the usual Flair crap which is the usual predictable flips, flops, and chops with some escape attempts which didn't make any sense. Very paint by numbers Flair match. Matches like these clearly show that Flair couldn't carry a broomstick to a three star match regardless of what the internet fans or the dirt sheet writers will tell you. The problem with this match was Flair REALLY needs wrestlers to carry him as he offers only bits and pieces to his matches. He's basically mad libs where you have to fill in the blanks. Usually Flair needs an exciting or charismatic asskicker to bring the offense and excitement and Garvin just wasn't that guy to do it. While I will give credit for Flair attacking the knee relentlessly and the fans got into it in the end, it was just too boring. Flair just didn't have a lot of credible babyfaces to challenge in 1987 other than Windham as Rhodes and Koloff have been done to death while the UWF invaders would be better suited as villains and nobody wanted to see heel vs heel so as a result we were stuck with the Garvins and no one bought them as credible World Title contenders or possible champion. Anyway, Flair was supposed to get Precious one night but instead in a famous bit would get knocked out later in the hotel by Ron Gavin in drag while JJ Dillon would get pushed in the pool.

NWA World Tag Team Championship/NWA United States Tag Team Championship: The Rock n' Roll Express (World) vs. The Midnight Express (US) (w/Big Bubba Rogers)- From July 4, 1987 from the Omni in Atlanta, Georgia. This is a title vs. title. The Rock n' Roll “won” their titles supposedly on May 26^th against Rick Rude and Manny Fernandez although it was a phantom title switch after Rude abruptly left for the WWF. The Midnights won their titles in on May 16^th after winning a tournament defeated Ron Garvin and Barry Windham in the finals.

We're clipped to Eaton and Gibson tying up in the ropes. Another tie up sends them to the ropes and Eaton gets a cheapshot and a second but Gibson fights back. Eaton reverses a whip into the corner but Gibson catches him charging in with a sunset flip for 2. Gibson gets a hip toss and flying head scissor as Eaton goes to his corner to regroup. Another tie up and Eaton tags Lane while Gibson gets out of the corner. Another tie up with the two jockeying for position on the ropes until Lane sends Gibson to the corner. Lane shoves Gibson and Gibson returning the favor. Gibson kicks Lane in the ass which sends him out of the ring to a good pop. Back in, Lane gets several kicks. Gibson reverses a whip to the ropes, attempts a kick, Lane grabs the leg to block, and Gibson hits an enzuigiri which sends Lane out of the ring again. Tag to Morton, who gets an arm wringer but Lane keeps pulling him down with his hair only for Morton to keep getting up.

Lane eventually runs out of the ring with Morton pursuing. Back in, Lane runs the ropes, Morton drops to the canvas, Lane jumps over, Lane comes off the ropes but get caught with an armdrag from Morton. Morton hits a japanese armdrag and attempts the pin but Lane gets his foot on the rope for 1. Tags to Gibson and Eaton with Gibson getting an armdrag. Tag to Morton who hits the stomach and gets an arm wringer. Test of strength with Morton eventually escaping but climbing on Eaton and jumping off the his shoulders in a awesome spot. Morton with a shoulder block to the stomach, followed by a biel out of the corner, and a hurricanrana. Tag to Gibson, who gets a biel out of the corner but a flying head scissor is thwarted by Lane who punches Gibson on the apron. Tag to Lane, who hits a pendulum backbreaker and spits at Morton which results in Morton coming in illegally and distracting the referee which allows Eaton to come in with a diving chop off the top turnbuckle for 2.

Eaton nails Gibson with a punch while applying a side headlock. Eaton then hits a jumping knee from behind sending Gibson to the floor. Morton argues with the ref allowing Big Bubba to hold Gibson for Eaton to hit a double ax handle off the apron. Back in, tag to Lane, who hits a solebutt kick to the stomach. Lane gets a side headlock, and thumbs the throat. Tag to Eaton with the Midnights hitingt Gibson with a drop toe hold/elbow drop combo for 2. Tag to Lane as Gibson tries to fight off Lane in the corner but Lane hits a four legged headbutt. Tag to Eaton who nails some punches but Gibson somersaults underneath Eaton to get the hot tag to Morton who cleans house. All four in the ring as Morton whips Eaton to the ropes and the RnR hit a double dropkick on Eaton but Lane breaks up the pin at 2. The referee tries to get order with Lane and Gibson which allows Eaton to whip Morton to the ropes, Eaton drops down, Morton jumps over, and Bubba to comes in to catch him with a spear in a cool spot. Eaton goes for the pin but the referee sees Bubba's hat and sunglasses in the ring and calls the for the bell giving the RnR the disqualification victory but due to the DQ, this means no title change.

Thoughts: ***1/2 Very good and fun tag match with some cool spots and bumps. I think the best moments were Rock n' Roll on offense and the Midnights bumping. It's really interesting seeing the Rock n' Roll doing hurricanranas and enzuigiris in 1987. Finish was creative and obviously the DQ made sense since no title changes.

WarGames II: Dusty Rhodes, Nikita Koloff, Hawk, Animal, and Paul Ellering vs. Ric Flair, Arn Anderson, Tully Blanchard, Lex Luger, and War Machine (w/JJ Dillon & Dark Journey)- From July 31, 1987 at the Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida. The War Machine is Big Bubba Rogers under a mask and is filling in for JJ Dillon due to Dillon suffering a shoulder injury in the first WarGames.

Like the first one, Rhodes and Anderson start. They tie up and Anderson gets Rhodes into the corner but Rhodes fights out with a bionic elbow. Rhodes jabs at Anderson and nails another bionic elbow. Anderson gets thrown to the cage and Rhodes hits a bionic elbow. Anderson is busted open and get thrown again in the cage. Anderson kicks the leg to gain the advantage and Rhodes rolls to the other ring to buy time. Anderson follows and whips Rhodes into the ropes but lowers his head too early and Rhodes comes off with a DDT to a pop. Rhodes tries for the figure four leglock but Anderson rakes the eyes and Rhodes does a pretty shitty job of selling. Anderson starts hammering away at Rhodes but Big Dust comes back with a low blow. Anderson gets raked onto the cage. Rhodes hits a suplex and hooks the figure four. Rhodes eventually releases the hold and gets some bionic elbows in the corner.

The Horsemen win the coin toss and the War Machine comes in next. Rhodes tries to fight them off but not for long as he gets worked over in the corner and rammed into the cage several times. Machine hits a jumping headbutt and Rhodes is busted open. Machine comes off the second rope with a knee drop to Rhodes' leg and continue to work over him. Rhodes starts to come back with bionic elbows and hits Machine with mounted punches in the corner but Anderson hits the leg.

Hawk comes in next and cleans house. Hawk whips Machine to the ropes and catches him with a dropkick. Hawk whips Anderson to the ropes and catches him with a powerslam as the crowd is going nuts. Fist drop to Anderson and clothesline to Machine. Hawk hits Machine with a bodyslam but misses the legdrop. Rhodes whips Anderson to the ropes and catches him with a clothesline. Machine hits Hawk with a headbutt. Rhodes grabs Machin as Hawk gets a second turnbuckle punch on Machine and Rhodes drops an elbow on Machine while Hawk hits a hangman's neckbreaker on Anderson. Rhodes and Hawk take turns hitting elbow drops on Anderson and Machine.

Ric Flair is next as he and Anderson double team Hawk. Hawk gets whipped into the corner but rebounds with a double clothesline on Flair and Anderson to a big pop. Flair hits a low blow to regain control and Hawk gets thrown into the cage. Rhodes tries to fight off Flair and Machine but gets thrown into the cage by Flair. Flair hits a snapmare and drops a knee on Rhodes. Anderson nails a piledriver on Hawk which is the last thing you do to Hawk and sure enough, Hawk no-sells it and dropkicks Machine. Flair slaps the figure four on Rhodes and Anderson pulls Rhodes to enhance the pain while Machine chokes Hawk.

Nikita Koloff comes in next to a big pop and quickly takes a piledriver from Anderson but no sells it and starts kicking ass by low blowing Machine, leveling Anderson with a clothesline, and follows Flair to the other ring. Flair starts chopping but Koloff no-sells to a huge pop. Flair whips Koloff to the ropes, misses the chop, and Koloff nails the russian sickle. Flair gets rammed into the cage several times by Koloff. Rhodes gets some corner punches on Flair while Koloff throws Anderson into the cage and gets some corner punches on Anderson.

Tully Blanchard is next and goes after Hawk, ramming him into the cage. Rhodes and Blanchard go at it between the rings until Rhodes get triple teamed by Flair, Anderson, and Blanchard. Blanchard swings off the cage and kicks Rhodes. Machine throws Koloff into the cage. Blanchard gets a spinning toe hold and then comes off the ropes with a knee drop. Machine works over Rhodes while Blanchard comes off the top turnbuckle with a bionic elbow on Hawk. Rhodes hits a bodyslam on Machine.

Animal is next and he cleans house by taking out Machine. Anderson comes after him but Animal catches him with a clothesline. Blanchard gets thrown to the cage. Animal dropkicks Machine and slingshots Blanchard several times in the cage. Rhodes works over Anderson and Blanchard who is busted open. Animal chases Flair to one of the ring where Flair tries to chop Animal but that doesn't work and Animal proceeds to rake Flair onto the cage. Anderson saves Flair by throwing Animal into the cage. Hawk hits Anderson with a headbutt as Flair hits Animal with a low blow. Rhodes throws Machine into the cage.

Lex Luger enters next and works over Rhodes as Animal whips Blanchard to the ropes and comes off the other side with a jumping shoulder block. Luger works over Animal in the Animal but Animal comes back with punches and a shoulder block. Animal tosses Blanchard from one ring to the other. The Warriors pair up with Flair and Luger in one ring. The Road Warriors double clothesline Luger. Hawk hits a dropkick on Machine. Flair is busted open. Rhodes hits Flair and Anderson with bionic elbows.

Paul Ellering comes in and the Match Beyond begins. Like the first WarGames, Ellering brings a spiked gauntlet and uses it on Flair. Flair bites Ellering but Ellering returns with chops and rams Flair to the turnbuckles. Machine misses a second turnbuckle splash on Animal and gets clotheslined. Hawk nails Machine with a clothesline. Rhodes follows and finally Koloff joins the fun with his own. Animal gets the spiked gauntlet and digs it into Machine until Machine submits.

Thoughts **** Very good match but more or less a repeat of the first WarGames with a few exceptions. Don't get me wrong, it's very good but in some ways, it reminds me why I'm not as big on the WWF TLC matches as they went on with E&C, Hardyz, and Dudleyz basically doing the same spots with the same guys. To be fair, these matches were only taped for this video so I shouldn't expect totally different stuff but it does hurt a bit when both matches are in a two hour tape. Having said that, it was still fun, had a hot crowd, good action, and I did like the finish of using the spike gauntlet.

Final Thoughts and Verdict
The Great American Bash 1987 is a good best of. While there are some poor choices as Flair/Garvin and Rhodes/Blanchard weren't anything special while many of the matches were too short, it does feature two WarGames matches that are must-see for any wrestling fan while the RnR/ME and the US Title match also being enjoyable. While, the matches being clipped sucked, the WarGames matches are the meat and potatoes and they deliver. If you can find it, it's a good way to spend two hours.

Recommended