Tully Blanchard vs Ron Garvin (Taped Fist - JCP - 7/26/1986)

Elliott bumped their long title match on World Wide, and it is great, but I wanted to put this one up for consideration. If we were making a list of favorites this would be at or near the top of my list. In addition to the taped fist stip, this match is divided into 3 minute rounds like boxing. And the structure helps Tully show us that Garvin is the better man in a bunch of different ways. Tully tries to attack before the bell and Garvin kicks his ass and knocks him out while Tully is in the robe and wearing the title. It is even more of an ass kicking when the bell rings. But it is a hilarious ass kicking with JJ Dillon using water, smelling salts, and other antics to keep Tully from getting counted out or revive him between rounds. When Tully gets an occasional edge he rarely keeps it for long. Which makes his use of brass knucks to win the match by getting up before Garvin all the more infuriating. Love Love Love.