Jim Ross and Bob Caudle are on commentary for this match. Bam Bam Bigelow enters with Oliver Humperdink by his side, Barry Windham and JJ Dillon are already in the ring, ready for the introductions. There's a small group of voices chanting for Bam Bam before it starts.
BARRY WINDHAM © VS. BAM BAM BIGELOW (NWA United States Championship)
Starrcade 1988 (26th December 1988)
Bob Caudle mentions that Bam Bam has lost 6 pounds in preparation for this match, they lock up and Bam Bam Bigelow backs Windham into the corner before breaking clean. They lock up again and Windham is backed into the ropes, he shoves Bigelow as he releases. The third lock up has Bigelow shoving Windam across the ring. Barry Windham takes a few seconds to walk around the ring, he goes to lock up and this time is able to get the jump on Bigelow, backing him into the corner. Windham hits Bigelow with right hands but the irish whip is reversed, Bigelow lifts him into a fireman's carry, Windham tries to fight out of it but Bigelow drops to his knees. Barry Windham takes some time at ringside to try and get his breath back, both men confer with their managers before Windham is back in the ring. Barry Windham kicks Bigelow in the midsection and backs him into the ropes with right hands, he hits Bigelow with a back suplex but Bigelow jumps back up! Barry Windham turns around to see Bam Bam and bails to the floor again.
He gets back in the ring before the count of 10 and locks up with Bigelow, Bam Bam gets him in a headlock, Bigelow gets sent off the ropes but drops Windham with a shoulder tackle. Barry Windham begs off into the corner before getting to his feet, he's in no rush to lock up with Bigelow again, they jockey for position and Windham rakes Bigelow's eye. Bam Bam Bigelow eats some right hands in the corner, no-selling them and he sends Windham off the ropes, military press slam sends Windham back to the corner. He goes out to the floor to speak to Dillon, beating the referee's count back into the ring, in part thanks to Bigelow's impatience. Windham tries to stay away from Bigelow but gets backed into the corner. Bam Bam Bigelow with mounted punches, then he lets Windham fall to the mat, another right hand from Bigelow sets Windham up for a dropkick, sending him over the top rope and to the barricade. JJ Dillon asks for a disqualification but it doesn't count because he was dropkicked, not thrown. Will there ever be a consistent rule in wrestling? When Windham gets back in the ring, Bigelow drops him with a headbutt, He kicks Windham, knocking him down again then sets up for a suplex and gets it, he covers Windham but only gets 2.
Bam Bam Bigelow puts Barry Windham in a chinlock, leaning his weight over Windham before they get to their feet, Windham fights out of the chinlock with right hands and sends Bam Bam Bigelow through the ropes, it looks like Bigelow tweaked his knee on the landing. Barry Windham follows him to the floor and gets a few shots in as we reach the 10-minute mark. Bigelow headbutts Windham over the ropes and slingshots over the top rope with a splash but gets off the cover before 3. He lifts Barry Windham overhead and slams him down, climbing to the top turnbuckle. Barry Windham rolls out of the way of the splash and he's getting his second wind. He brings Bigelow to his feet, hitting Bigelow with right hands, he runs through Bigelow with a Lariat. He celebrates the crowd and rakes at Bigelow's face, Barry Windham hits a back suplex and brings Bigelow to the corner for mounted punches.
Bam Bam Bigelow is sent off the ropes, Windham hits him with a dropkick, sending Bigelow through the ropes. Barry Windham sends Bigelow into the ring post before bringing it back in the ring. Bigelow is sent off the ropes into the Claw, Bam Bam Bigelow starts to fade but he makes it to the ropes, forcing the break. Barry Windham slams Bigelow! He goes to the top rope but misses the elbow drop. Bam Bam Bigelow hits Windham with right hands and sends him off the ropes, Windham ducks a clothesline and flies into Bigelow sending them both over the top rope. They fight at ringside as the referee counts, Bigelow hits Windham with an atomic drop, sending him into the ring post as the referee gets to 6, Windham sends Bigelow into the ring post and gets in the ring at 8, Bigelow is still out of the ring at 10.
WINNER: BARRY WINDHAM (STILL NWA US Champion)
This wasn't either man's best match. It was slow with some long rest holds. Bigelow's bad landing on his knee didn't go anywhere, which could have made it a better way to get to a count out, they just didn't get out of first gear for the entire match..– As a match, it's * ¾ but personally, I'd rate it 2.5/10
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