IRON SHEIK VS. MIKE ROTUNDA

Both men are already in the ring as we get the introductions.

Jim Ross and Bob Caudle are on commentary for this match.

IRON SHEIK VS. MIKE ROTUNDA

NWA-JCP Great American Bash 1990 (7^th July 1990)

  Iron Sheik attacks Rotunda with the flag from behind and clubs him down before choking Rotunda with the headscarf. Ross tells us about Sheiky’s Olympic past but in 1990 he’s slowed down a few paces.

  More choking, this time with Iron Sheik’s robe and a couple of strikes before Rotunda’s ring jacket is removed. The referee takes it away and Iron Sheik uses the time to choke Rotunda again. Rotunda’s head is sent into the top turnbuckle, chokes and strikes in the corner as I start to see a pattern in this match. Mike Rotunda is sent off the ropes into a clothesline, he ducks the second attempt and gets the sunset flip for 2 as a wrestling match threatens to break out. A scoop slam and dropkick from Rotunda send Iron Sheik powdering to the floor to waste some time. Jim Ross calls him jumpstarting the match a “terrorist attack” and that’s certainly a comparison. Back in the ring they exchange overhand chops to the chest until Sheik rakes the eyes. 

 Iron Sheik with his most athletic move of the match getting his boot on the top turnbuckle and sending Rotunda’s head into it, then hits a gutwrench suplex for 2. Iron Sheik puts on the abdominal stretch, but can’t quite synch it, he gets tangled in the ropes so the referee calls for a break. Mike Rotunda obliges by hip tossing Sheik out of the move. Mike Rotunda hits an elbow drop, but Sheik rolls out of the way of the second and hits a back suplex for a nearfall. They go toe to toe and Rotunda gets the best of it, knocking Iron Sheik down. Iron Sheik begs off and takes a European uppercut as he gets to his feet, so goes to Rotunda’s eyes. Mike Rotunda blocks a suplex attempt, hitting one of his own and covers for 2. Rotunda connects with more European uppercuts, but gets dumped through the ropes before he can get anything going, much to the amusement of a fan near the hardcam. Iron Sheik brings Rotunda back in with a suplex and covers for 2.

  Iron Sheik connects with a hard chop but Rotunda responds before Sheik sets up a butterfly suplex. Mike Rotunda fights out of it and they jockey for position in a backslide, Rotunda gets the leverage and brings Iron Sheik down for the 3.

WINNER: MIKE ROTUNDA

This wasn’t good, in any way. Iron Sheik wasn’t at the worst we’d see him in the ring, but even by 1990 he was there for name value more than workrate. Mike Rotunda was able to bounce around Sheik’s limitations but the match was slow and repetitive. The finish was strange but I didn’t hate it and the right man won in the end, so it could be a lot worse. [*½] 2/10