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Post by elliott on Dec 11, 2017 20:57:48 GMT -5
Midnight Express (Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane with Jim Cornette) vs Southern Boys (Tracy Smothers & Steve Armstrong) (WCW Great American Bash - 7/7/1990)
Famously great match. This has some of the best crowd interactions you'll ever see and that leads to enormous heat for this awesome midcard tag. The work in the ring and Jim Cornette on the outside is all perfectly executed. This is a classic match that deserves to be considered near the top of any "Best US Tag Match" which definitely makes it a contender for this list.
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Post by Cap on Dec 13, 2017 18:34:17 GMT -5
Second
I love this match so much. It such a strange combination of elements to me. Its also feels so organic. There is no reason they should have been able to whip this crowd into this frenzy. Its bonkers. Once hey hit their stride, they could do no wrong. This is a kind of comfort food for me. I could put this on endlessly and never tire of.
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Post by childs on Jan 17, 2018 20:24:36 GMT -5
I imagine I'm going to have a couple Midnights matches on my list, and this is as good a candidate as any:
I have watched this match probably a dozen times over the years, and it has never disappointed me even a little bit. I love the way they tweaked the normal rhythms associated with Southern tag formula to make the match feel special. For example, the Southern Boys came out hot, as expected, but they didn't simply go into peril mode when the MX asserted themselves. They kept finding ways to counter and retain the advantage. This really helped establish them as a team that could play at the top level. Then they closed out with those tremendous nearfalls, which felt all the more dramatic because these types of matches usually ended quickly after the hot tag. The Lane-Smothers carny karate showdown was also a terrific standalone set piece. The combination of riffing on the Southern formula and high-end action made this pretty unique in the NWA/WCW tag canon. I think I like it a touch better than the R'n'R-MX classic from 2/25. My only regret is that I didn't attend the show (think I was at camp instead.)
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Post by superstarsleeze on Jul 29, 2018 18:01:27 GMT -5
This is the MX in all their reigning glory. The Southern Boys do all the right things at the right time but this is the MX doing what they do best. I love how they sell being overwhelmed at the beginning of the match. The MX will make my list just not this one.
NWA United States Tag Team Champions Midnight Express vs Southern Boys - Great American Bash 1990
A match I watched a bunch 5-10 years ago but I have not watched since. It has always been widely regarded but I always thought it was a overrated and I would watch it trying to figure out what I was missing. I think it was a lack of my full understanding of pro wrestling by enriching it I appreciate this match so much more. This was a great babyface shine especially on the part of Bobby Eaton. There are a couple times where he should have tagged out that he didn't because pride got the best of him. He couldn't believe these two young upstarts were showing him up. You could see the frustration on his face and that he knew he should be doing better but every time he tried his tried & true tricks he was bested. Eventually he admits defeat and tags in Sweet Stan Lane. Then there is the iconic Lane/Smothers karate showdown. Lane doesn't last nearly as long as Eaton throwing his hands up and tagging Eaton. My favorite spot of the match is Armstrong's splash of both Midnights and the pig pile covers. That was fun! I think that's what this match lacked for me is fun besides that spot. The MX were fun with Cornette really selling anxiety and that the Southern Boys were clearly running away with this but Southern Boys just didn't feel fun. I was not pumping my fist in celebration instead I was enjoying the MX: Eaton's subtle selling and Cornette's O Shit the kids got us on the ropes. The MX heat segment rules!!! After a bunch of underhanded tactics they go with a full proof one throw Smothers into the steel railing. Then it is just MX Offense Goodness. Eaton is so amazing. I'm so glued to watching him. There were some good hope spots but the actual hot tag was a little too easy. The finish run was an excellent set of nearfalls. Missile Dropkick/Hart Attack Move! The Rocket Launcher! Smothers Inside Cradle! Lane connects with a blind kick to the back of the Head! Eaton cradles 1-2-3 and the Midnights retain!
This is a great exhibition of Southern Tag formula with an emphasis on the babyface shine. I really thought this was carried by the Midnights. The Southern Boys feel kinda generic and my nit picks from above don't stop this from being a classic but I can't rank this among the absolute greatest matches I have ever seen. ****1/2
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Post by jetlag on Oct 30, 2018 9:12:59 GMT -5
Love this match. Top 5 US tag ever? Perfectly worked southern tag where they work in luchaesque sequences, double teams and karate standoffs. Inventive as they update the formula without breaking it. The nearfalls at the end are among my favourite moment ever. That Smothers/Lane moment is one of the best in the history of the world too. Great mix of entertaining stuff and work. I should add that even though Smothers gimmick was played for comedy later, his thrust kicks looked great. The fans seemed to be rooting for both teams early on but they get them thoroughly on the side of the Southern Boys. This should have been the future of US tags.
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