Universal Wrestling Federation – May 31, 1986: Oh No They Didn’t (Includes Full Video)
Universal Wrestling Federation
Date: May 31, 1986
Location: Tulsa Convention Center, Tulsa, Oklahoma
Commentators: Jim Ross, Michael Hayes
So this was randomly posted to the WWE Vault and might be the next of their month long Throwback Thursday series. Either way, this is the renamed Mid-South Wrestling promotion and the promotion is still rather hot, with Bill Watts at the helm. That should be enough to carry things so let’s get to it.
Note that the WWE Vault version is about 32 minutes long and from what I can find, about ten minutes is edited out. A good chunk of this seems to be the bumpers saying “this wrestler is coming up next”, which are likely missing due to the music. Thankfully, a full version can be found online.
We open with a clip from last week, with Michaels Hayes calling out Ted DiBiase for a fight, with DiBiase heading to the ring.
Opening sequence.
Jim Ross and Michael Hayes welcome us to the show with Hayes talking about being attacked last week. They’re gearing up for shows at the Superdome and the Astrodome and Ross runs down the card. Hayes is ready for a big match at Reunion Arena in Dallas.
Rick Steiner vs. Perry Jackson
Buzz Sawyer is here with Steiner and hang on as Eddie Gilbert is here with a red flag. He talks about something that happened two weeks ago with Bill Watts, who woke Gilbert up with his fist and for being against America. Gilbert insists that he is NOT a Communist and wants to tell Watts face to face. Referee Tommy Gilbert (Eddie’s father) comes out to ask what Eddie is doing and Eddie walks out.
So we get the bell and Steiner gets slammed early on. That earns Jackson a shot from behind and Steiner rubs his face in the mat for a bonus. A suplex drops Jackson again but he gets in a crossbody. Jackson backdrops and slams him for two but Steiner is back with a shot to the ribs. Steiner’s belly to belly out of the air finishes Jackson at 2:22.
One Man Gang vs. Ken Massey
Before the match, the Gang reveals that he is the latest member of Devastation Inc. and is ready to slap and splash some punk. Gang, with Skandor Akbar, pounds Massey in the back and they’re quickly on the floor. Back in and the yet to be named 747 finishes Massey at 59 seconds.
Here is Dark Journey, who has been dealing with Lady Maxine and promises to take care of her no matter where. Michael Hayes says Journey doesn’t need to worry about “this Amazon” (Maxine) or Jack Victory. She just needs a journey down Badstreet with her, earning himself a slap in the process. Hayes: “SHE’S PLAYING HARD TO GET!”
Here is Eddie Gilbert once again to ask Bill Watts to come talk to him so Gilbert can show that he’s not associated with the Russians. Watts finally comes out, with Gilbert thanking him for the wake up call to show that he doesn’t need the Russians or their money. Gilbert wants to burn the Soviet flag and while he’ll still be with his wrestlers, he’s done with the Russians.
Cue said Russians (Ivan Koloff/Nikita Koloff/Korstia Kornchenko) to jump Watts and beat him with a chain, with Gilbert taking out a referee with a shovel. The Soviet flag is draped over the unconscious Watts as Gilbert’s Blade Runners hold off Jim Duggan, Steve Williams and Ted DiBiase. The three of them get through and clear the ring for the save. Bill’s sons Joel and Eric come in to check on him.
Now, that’s a hot angle in its own right as the most American star in the world, the Cowboy, was beaten down and humiliated in a way that would have him absolutely livid. That’s more than just about anything you could ask for, but what put this over the top was Ross’ commentary. Ross made it sound like he was seeing the most heinous, despicable thing that he could possibly imagine. He sold it like nothing else you could imagine and my goodness it made the whole thing that much better. Ross was the star here, with the fans going insane as they should have.
Steve Williams vs. Gustavo Mendoza
Williams’ entrance is missing, which I’m sure has nothing to do with his entrance music being Born In The USA. Williams is ticked off about Watts and hits some running shoulders to send him outside. Back in and a running clothesline takes Mendoza down again, followed by another shoulder. The Oklahoma Stampede finishes Mendoza at 1:17.
Jim Ross introduces us to Frank Dusek, who will be working with various charity shows. Ok then.
Here’s how to get a fundraising show! Yes this is edited out too.
Fabulous Freebirds vs. Terry Taylor/Ted DiBiase
Music gets rid of the entrances here too. Roberts backs DiBiase into the corner to start so DiBiase cranks on the arm. Hayes (now off commentary obviously) comes in and gets punched down to the floor by a fired up DiBiase. Taylor comes in for a headscissors as Ross runs down a bunch of upcoming shows.
It’s back to Hayes, who gets slammed a few times and then backs away from DiBiase, who runs into a raised boot in the corner. Roberts gets to drop a middle rope stomp to the head but some right hands knock Hayes into the wrong corner. Hayes breaks up a sunset flip though and it’s back to Roberts to take over on Taylor. That doesn’t last long either as DiBiase comes back in for a double atomic drop but a Hayes distraction lets Roberts get in a cheap shot, with DiBiase going head first into the post.
The piledriver on the floor is broken up but Hayes stays on DiBiase, who is bleeding from the forehead. The chinlock doesn’t last long as DiBiase is up with a suplex and it’s back to Taylor to clean house. Everything breaks down and the Birds are sent into each other but DiBiase is sent outside. That means Hayes can cheap shot Taylor and suplex Roberts onto him for the pin at 8:45.
Rating: B-. This was the only match on the show that got any kind of time and it shouldn’t be a surprise that the talented wrestlers had a good performance. DiBiase was so much different than he would become in the WWF and it’s rather impressive to see such a change of pace. As always, the Freebirds can work a crowd like no other and the whole thing worked.
And never mind as another referee comes out to say what Hayes did with his cheap shot and the decision is reversed.
Here are Eddie Gilbert and the Russians to brag about taking out Bill Watts. The Fantastics come out for a brawl (the Fantastics got an entrance (also edited out) but the match never started) but Watts runs in with a baseball bat to clear the ring as Ross ERUPTS to end the show. This might have had a better impact without the credits rolling over the whole scene.
Overall Rating: B. The wrestling was mostly short, but that’s just what you had to be expecting on a show from this era. At the same time though, MY GOODNESS what an angle that was with Watts and the Russians. It’s something that worked well back in the day and it completely holds up, even if the houses weren’t great as a result. Pretty solid show here and I could go for more of it.
Results
Rick Steiner b. Perry Jackson – Belly to belly suplex
One Man Gang b. Ken Massey – Splash
Steve Williams b. Gustavo Mendoza – Oklahoma Stampede
Terry Taylor/Ted DiBiase b. Fabulous Freebirds via reverse decision
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