It’s April 9th, 1988 and the first ever Clash of the Champions is now in the rearview mirror. This episode of NWA’s World Championship Wrestling opens up with a red-hot crowd witnessing an exciting match between the clever team of the Midnight Express; “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton and “Sweet” Stan Lane, with Jim Cornette against relative newcomers the Fantastics; comprised of Bobby Fulton and Tommy Rogers.
The Fantastics had burst on the scene recently and seemingly were the answer to the suddenly vacated Rock’n’Roll Express. With the popularity of the Rock’n’Roll Express having been at an all-time high during this period, stepping into what had been their feud with the Midnights, seemed an unenviable task. Much to the delight of the NWA matchmakers, though, the Fantastics were immediately taken in by the fans. Hailing from the “City of Angels”, Fulton and Rogers combined both a fantastic look and a solid tag team move-set. Their smiling faces, look, and fandom was the perfect foil to the despised Midnight Express and this issue between the teams had quickly become personal.
Our brief episode opening ends with the footage of momma’s boy James E. Cornette whipping a subdued Bobby Fulton. While whipping wasn’t an unfamiliar sight during this era, the thought of the loudmouth Cornette unleashing his belt on Fulton had the crowd at a fever pitch.
We then go to our stock show opening, which then brings up to the host team of incumbent Tony Schiavone and the man coming from the UWF and seemingly getting more and more exposure, Jim Ross. They explain that David Crocket is away on assignment, and looking back now, it’s obvious they were transitioning David to roles that he was a better fit for.
This episode is full of tag team action as the majority of the promos happening are building to the upcoming Jim Crockett Sr. memorial cup tag team tournament. Several teams from the era are on display throughout; showing the deep roster of what had once been a very popular aspect of the business: tag team wrestling. Along with the Fantastics, the Four Horsemen, the Varsity Club, Powers of Pain, Al Perez and Larry Zbyscko, and other teams amp up with excitement for the impending tournament.
A noteworthy return to action happens on this episode as well, as the much leaner looking, Nikita Koloff is back in the ring sporting a crew cut. Koloff had been absent from action prior to this as he dealt with some personal issues, and came back with a deep spiritual belief that he still promotes to this day.
After the Koloff segment, we get an interview with the tag team champions, Lex Luger and Barry Windham. This team is loudly accepted by the crowd on hand as they talk about their recent win and future plans; further laying the foundation for the events coming soon with these two.
World Heavyweight Champion Ric Flair has an interview doing what he did a lot, promote all things NWA. Seen still to this day promoting for various teams etc, Flair could have easily made a career as a salesman.
After hearing from others promoting upcoming events, fan favourites Sting and Ronnie Garvin is both in action in singles matches. Ricky Santana also sees action as Ross and Schiavone continue to endorse him. Ricky never did reach the heights of WWF’s Tito Santana, but it wasn’t for lack of trying on the part of the NWA announcers.
Cornette also gets his chance to spin his rhetoric on the microphone, with his Midnight Express in tow, furthering their rivalry with the Fantastics that the show highlighted at its opening.
The take home for this show is that of the fantastic depth of the tag team division during this period in wrestling. Several teams are geared up for the upcoming Jim Crockett Sr. Memorial Tag Team tournament, and the growing issue of the Fantastics and the Midnight Express is really heating up. If you love tag team wrestling, this episode is right up your alley.
What are your memories of this period? I want to hear from you.
You can watch the April 9th, 1988 edition of NWA Wold Championship Wrestling on WWE Network RIGHT HERE!
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