KRUSHER KRUSCHEV VS. SAM HOUSTON

 Tony Schiovane and Bob Caudle are on commentary for this match. Krusher Kruschev is out immediately following the National Anthem, accentuating he heat. Sam Houston follows him out for the first match tonight.Krusher Kruschev would go on to be Demolition Smash

 

KRUSHER KRUSCHEV © VS. SAM HOUSTON

(NWA Mid Atlantic Heavyweight Championship)

Jim Crocket Promotions Starrcade 1985 (28^th November 1985)

 

  They lock up and Krusher Kruschev backs Houston into the ropes, the referee counts for a break and Kruschev throws Sam across the ring. Sam Houston gets to his feet and gives as good as he gets as they exchange right hands, Houston backs off and we get some stalling. Kruschev knees Houston in the gut as he goes to lock-up and lifts him with a double-handed choke. Sam Houston rolls out of the way of an elbow drop and they slow it down before locking up again. Houston is backed into the ropes, kick to the midsection by Kruschev before he sends Sam Houston across the ring. Kruschev sends Sam overhead, but he lands on his feet. Sam Houston ducks right hands from Kruschev, landing some of his own. Sam Houston puts Kruschev in a headlock but is sent off the ropes, Krusher Kruschev ducks down and lets Houston leapfrog him as he runs the ropes. Sam Houston counters a hip toss but his own attempt is blocked. He takes down Krusher Kruschev with a headscissors, he keeps it applied on the mat as Kruschev tries to break free, grabbing the hair and the ear. He is able to roll Houston into a cover, but Houston kicks out at 2 and goes back to the headscissors. Krusher Kruschev is able to roll through and lifts Houston up to the top turnbuckle. Houston is forced to break the hold in the ropes and comes back down to the mat at he is held in the corner, he kicks Kruschev away and climbs back to the top rope, jumping over Kruschev. Krusher Kruschev runs into a dropkick, Sam Houston takes him down with an arm drag and doesn’t let go, keeping Kruschev on the mat.

  Kruschev keeps lifting his shoulder and works to his feet, but Sam Houston keeps the armbar. Kruschev backs into the ropes forcing Houston to break the hold, then reverses the irish whip. He throws Sam Houston into the air, letting him fall to the mat. Krusher Kruschev knocks Houston down with a forearm and covers, but only gets a nearfall. Sam Houston is lifted overhead and dropped face-first to the mat again. Houston is sent across the ring and crawls under Kruschev’s legs, but is knocked down with another forearm shot. Kruschev sends Sam Houston’s head into the turnbuckle, then sends him off the ropes into a bearhug. Sam Houston is able to create some separation between himself and Kruschev as the fans chant for USA. He connects with a shot and Krushev releases the hold, Houston is sent off the ropes but kicks Kruschev to cut him off. Houston can’t capitalize as Krusher slams him and climbs to the top rope, Houston cuts him off again with a dropkick, crotching him on the top rope. Sam Houston connects with rights, knocking Krusher down to the apron and brings him back in the ring. Sam Houston connects with half of the 10-punches in the corner then sends Krusher Krushev across the ring. Sam Houston hits the Bulldog out of the corner, his signature move. He covers Krusher Kruschev, who gets his foot on the rope at 2. Sam Houston doesn’t notice and starts celebrating, the referee goes to tell him as Krusher Kruschev waits patiently to hit Sam with the Russian Sickle lariat. Krusher Kruschev covers for the win

WINNER: KRUSHER KRUSCHEV (NEW NWA Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Champion)

This was a fun opener, I thought it went on a shade too long, but I wasn’t overly invested in either guy. The crowd got behind Sam Houston, the finish protected him and set up a run of house shows across the country. I liked Kruschev stealing it at the end, we don’t see enough of that for heels. [** ¼  3 /10.