Best Heel:

Gino Hernandez:  Although primarily in the earlier part of the 80’s, Gino’s mouth really made fans irate.  His in ring antics didn’t help him either, especially when paired with “Dynamic Duo” partner Tully Blanchard.

Jim Cornette:  Although not technically a wrestler, Cornette did perhaps more to generate heat than anyone!!  He was seemingly feuding with everyone, from the R-n-R, the Fantastics, JYD, Duggan, T.A., and even Bill Watts himself!!!

Michael Hayes:  His first trip in Mid-South was legendary, and his UWF run in 1986-7 was fantastic as well.  Fans would love to see “P.S.” get his comeuppance from the men who vowed to give it to him.

Ted DiBiase:  When DiBiase turned heel on JYD in the early 80’s, was there a more hated heel in Houston?  No.  DiBiase was a master psychologist, who got the most he could out of everyone he worked with.  He had huge feuds with JYD, and Duggan, both lasting years…and getting good gates!!

Butch Reed:  When he too turned on JYD in 1983, Reed had found his calling as a tough heel that could bruise anyone.  He had great matches with many of the top faces of the day, but had his “niche” with JYD. 

Best Gimmick Match:

DiBiase vs. Duggan:  Cage/Coal Miners Glove/Tuxedo/Streetfight.  As I previously have written about, this match was never duplicated to my knowledge by any other major federation.  These two pulled out all the stops with this classic showdown.

R-n-R vs. Midnight Express:  Scaffold Match.  These two teams (as you will see later) had perhaps the greatest feud of any tag team in Houston history.  The Scaffold match was the icing on the cake to their great feud.

Any of the Watts’ coming out of retirement matches:  The Last Stampede in 1984 was a huge success, along with subsequent renderings in 1985 and 86.  Although maybe past his prime physically, the big Cowboy could still charm a crowd…..all the way to the bank.

Jake Roberts vs. Humongous:  Mask vs. Mask:  This match was unique in that Jake, who had suffered clean defeats to Humongous due to the protective hockey mask he wore, wore one right back during one of their steel cage matches.  Although it was ripped off him, Jake still was able to win the match in a unique twist to their feud.

Fantastics-Terry Taylor vs. Sheepherders-Jack Victory:  Bunkhouse Barbed Wire Match:  Although known as “pretty boy” type wrestlers, the Fantastics and Taylor really showed their toughness in this contest with the bloodthirsty Sheeps.  This match was a “sleeper” in that no one really knew how good it was going to be.  All six men were bloody by the end, when Taylor captured the pin for his team in the early days of the UWF. 

Best Feud: 

DiBiase vs. JYD:  These two made it seem…well…real.  From the best man at JYD’s wedding, to the title changes, these two men really tore up the Houston area.  Notice that one if these men is in three of these feuds!!!

R-n-R vs. Midnights:  Four men tearing up the ring, with a sellout crowd going wild.  Seems rare in today’s circumstances?  Not in 1984.  These two teams, along with the mouth of Jim Cornette transformed the Sam Houston Coliseum into a mix between a Beatles concert, and a Roman coliseum.  The heat was unbelievable, even when others were thrown in for six man tag team purposes.

DiBiase vs. Duggan:  One of the longest and greatest feuds in history, these two guys never failed to entertain…even in the endless barrage of specialty matches.  The crowds would always give “Teddy” an earful, and would cheer Duggan even louder…..just to spite “Theodore.”

Freebirds vs. DiBiase-Duggan-Taylor-Watts-Williams:  When the Freebirds came back in 1986, they went to work to establish themselves as THE dominant heel force.  Establish they did,

Duggan vs. Devastation Inc.:  Ever since Duggan turned against the Rat Pack because of his patriotism, he was a target for Skandor Akbar’s henchmen.  This feud was also a multi-year feud, as Duggan would feud with Akbar off and on from 1983-1987.  Duggan vs. Kamala, Duggan vs. Dibiase, Duggan vs. Missing Link.  It was like one man against an army. 

Best Moment:

Ted DiBiase “wins” the UWF title in October 1986:  For months Terry Gordy could not be beat for the UWF title, despite such guns as DiBiase, Steve Williams, Duggan, and more firing at him.  Subbing for Williams, DiBiase defeated Gordy in a bloody steel cage match to seemingly win the UWF title.  The pop when DiBiase won blew the roof off the Coliseum.

Wahoo wins the “world” title in April 1981:  When Harley Race failed to show up for a title defense against Tony Atlas, promoter Paul Boesch decided to have an impromptu tournament for the creation of a new world champion.  When all the smoke had cleared, Wahoo emerged as the champion of the world….for at least a little while.

Boesch retires in style in August 1987:  After the WWF switch in 1987, it was just a matter of time before Boesch was to call it quits.  Thankfully the WWF allowed him to do so in style, as the August 28, 1987 Sam Houston Coliseum card was loaded with sizzle and steak in saying goodbye to the venerable Houston promoter.

Watts and Stagger Lee put the hit on Cornette:  The Last Stampede in 1984 drew a complete sellout to see the Midnight Express battle Stagger Lee and the recently-out-of-retirement Bill Watts.  The night, and the match was electric….and the fans were not disappointed in the outcome in the slightest. 

Gordy crowned UWF champion:  It was May 30,1986, and the UWF was really getting started.  The 16 man UWF title tournament went down to the wire…with Gordy beating an already attacked Duggan in the finals to win the title.  Gordy was at the time one of the best in the world, and in hindsight, one of the best choices to be the first UWF champion. 

That’s all for now.  Who knows, we may have to have another best of the best with all the stuff I know I have not rememberedJ!!

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