Week 3, January 1990

There were a lot of happenings going on this week that warrant mention. This is a very exciting time for NWA fans everywhere, and I say everywhere for a reason. After this weeks shows, the NWA moved from Cult size, past National, all the way to International. Needless to say, Ted Turner is thrilled with the work and progress Greg Moe has been doing since he's taken over the head booker job. One of the instant benefits the NWA received, was they were able to rework both their existing TV deals having the shows move from one and a half hours, to two and a half hours. This will help Greg to keep his wrestlers happy, as some were getting annoyed with being left off shows. This was a big pressure off Greg's shoulders.

Also this week, Greg Moe was finally able to work a deal with Kevin Sullivan's valet, Woman. Greg had given up on giving her an extension, but after Kevin Sullivan talked with Greg about how important she was to him and after Sullivan told her that she needed to reduce her asking figures, she was able to agree to a reduced asking price, though the contract was $1,500 more a month than she was making, but the NWA will pay for her traveling expenses.

Greg was also able to have Paul Orndorff sign an extension and promised Orndorff a bigger role in the NWA. Greg promised him a turn to babyface and a major feud within the promotion to garner a larger push. Some are thinking a feud with Sid would be a good one, but no word from Greg yet on his plans.

Terry Gordy, who came over in a talent trade with All Japan, pulled a groin muscle working for another promotion and is expected out of action for around 27 days. This is a minor blow to the NWA, as Greg had plans for a good push for the Fabulous Freebirds stable and giving them a run with the WCW Six Man Tag Belts. This may turn into a good thing, prolonging the reign on the belts, unless Greg decides to hold up the belts and hold a new match for the titles.

To the shows. This week on NWA Worldwide, there was a assortment of matches that were really just a rebound off the success of SlamBoree. Greg Moe is trying to lay down his plans for the next PPV, which is "Souled Out" after the 2nd week in February. Insiders say Greg is leaning toward a match between Ric Flair and Sting, but a suitable challenger needs to be found for Bret Hart's NWA World Heavyweight Title. He's not sure if fans will continue to find the Flair/Hart feud as entertaining as they have been. So the show was kind of a "feeler."

1. Horsemen Ric Flair & Arn Anderson had a time limit draw with Sting and Z-Man "B-"
It was a good match, but not the overly great matches that have been happening based on the Horsemen and Hart Foundation feuds.

2. Mike Rotundo defeated Big Mike Shaw "C+"
Decent match with Rotundo showing that he may be able to pull off good matches as a singles wrestler.

3. Steve Williams defeated The Iron Sheik to retain his NWA Television Title "C-"
Steve Williams did a great job, but the Sheik sort of "mailed" in his performance, which caused the match to be less than it should have been.

4. The Hart Foundation (Bret Hart & Jim Neidhart) defeated the Road Warriors "B-"

This was the Hart Foundations chance to get even with the Road Warriors who turned on them right before SlamBoree. The match was for the Road Warrior's NWA Tag Team Belts, but the Hart Foundation won by DQ after Ric Flair and Tully Blanchard interfered in the match, so the belts did not change hands. However, this match did show that there is great heat still between Flair and Hart and now pretty good heat between the Road Warriors and the Hart Foundation. Lots of avenues to go with the show.

WCW Saturday Night

1. Terry Funk defeated Rick Steiner in a non-title Match "B-"
This was a decent match between two pretty solid wrestlers. The two have different styles however, so the match lagged a bit more than it needed to. One of the main reasons this match was made, was to have Paul Orndorff run in and attack Terry Funk trying to get Orndorff over as he turned face. The turn however was reported as being a disaster.

2. Jerry Lawler defeated Michael 'P.S.' Hayes to retain his WCW Television Title "C"
Greg Moe is really high on both these guys, and we'd expect both to be major players in the NWA for some time to come. This match however, just didn't go over real well, since both were kind of lacking heat between them.

3. Lex Luger and Paul Orndorff defeated Bam Bam Bigelow and Dan Spivey "B-"
This was a solid match, but whenever you have four big men like this together in the same match, it always has some dull moments in it. However, the four did a decent job and the fans seemed to enjoy it.

4. Sid Vicious defeated Junkyard Dog to retain his WCW United States Title "B"
These two, though big men, have a great working style between them and the match was pretty darn good. We'd expect these two to play off each other in the next month or two.

You will notice I'm starting to put down the letter grade the "Pro Wrestling Digest" is giving matches throughout the wrestling industry. I'm thinking it may give you, the reader, a bigger insight to just how the NWA is going over with the fans.

Is "Mr.Wonderful" Paul Orndorff due to receive a major push by the NWA? It would seem likely, however he continues to agree to only short time contracts making it hard for booker Greg Moe to pull the trigger to any hard deals with him. It's hard to overlook his appeal to fans however as he continues to melt the hearts of little old ladies everywhere. Now that he's been switched to a face gimmick, he should draw even more appeal from the ladies.