WhiteTail Wrestling

1st January 1986

College Football

What a way to kick off the year with 5 bowl games all on network TV. CBS has the Cotton Bowl and NBC has the Fiesta Bowl to start things off at 1.30 eastern. The Cotton Bowl was a great game as Texas A&M in their home state in Dallas took on Auburn. Auburn were bolstered by the play of the 1985 Heisman Trophy winner Bo Jackson in his final game of College Football. Jackson was brilliant over 100 yards rushing as well as an amazing touchdown reception of over 70 yards where he used his speed and some helpful blocking to surge through the Aggie defence. Auburn were perhaps too reliant on Jackson and when he was stopped in his tracks during the final quarter the Aggie’s took over with their well rounded play from both offence and defence. The final score Texas A&M 36 Auburn 16.

The Fiesta Bowl took place at the Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe Arizona. The Michigan Wolverines vs The Nebraska Cornhuskers. Nebraska got the better first half leading 14-3 at the main break but in the Third Quarter the game completely turned around as the Michigan offence forced Nebraska into numerous fumbles and a blocked punt and with good field position the Michigan offence became more confident and took a handy lead into the final quarter. Nebraska came back though and got themselves within a touchdown but Michigan held on to win 27-23.

Iowa who had a great season losing just one game took on UCLA at the famous Rose Bowl in Pasadena. Iowa were the clear favourites with an experienced team filled with high quality seniors while UCLA were an inexperienced team without their Quarterback. Iowa should have been able to use their experience to get a good start and put pressure on UCLA instead Iowa made multiple turnovers early that gave the momentum to UCLA which they would maintain to the end of the game with the game being over early in the third quarter with UCLA having a big lead while Iowa continued to make mistakes and didn’t even look like scoring. For UCLA this was a great all round performance with freshman running back Eric Ball having a career performance with four touchdowns and over 200 rushing yards. A good game but I preferred the earlier matches which were closer and more exciting. Final score UCLA 45 Iowa 28.

At the Superdome in New Orleans Tennessee defeated Miami in the Suger Bowl in an upset result which crushed any chance for Miami to win the national championship. This wasn’t even close the Volunteer defence were ruthless in getting to the  quarterback and the Hurricanes wilted under the pressure with numerous turnovers while Tennesse maintained their composure on offence. Tennessee had maintained an excellent differential on turnovers all year and this more than anything won them not only the SEC title but the Suger Bowl in a memorable result for them but not really for neutral fans Tennessee 35 Miami 7.

Finally we head to Miami for the Orange Bowl as the Sooners of Oklahoma take on the Nittany Lions of Penn State. With the defeat of Miami and  Iowa this game would be for the National Championship. Like in many other games the impact of turnovers was felt here with Penn State making a number of crucial mistakes that gave the momentum to Oklahoma that they would never surrender despite the game being tight right until the end. A great victory for Oklahoma and a deserved National Championship. Boomer Sooner. Oklahoma 25 Penn State 10.

News

ABC News Nightline had a prediction show to see in the new year. They had three guests from the world of politics, economics and sports appear on the show at the beginning of 1985 and now again in 1986. Arthur Laffer the supply side economist got the most predictions right in regards to the booming economy and he was very optimistic about the coming year in which he would be running for the US Senate. In sport the only real sure thing was Wayne Gretzky and the Edmonton Oilers. In politics Mikhail Gorbachev had become the leader of the Soviet Union in a world where the Cold War was still a thing.

WAND news reported optimism about US and Soviet relations as for the first time Gorbachev made an address to the American people while President Reagan addressed the Soviet people with the general message of peace and the avoidance of nuclear conflict. Less positive were traffic deaths and new laws were made to address DUI in Illinois to try and help address the road toll in future. Rudolf the white tailed deer is recovering after being hit by a car. Rural telephone customers are being hit by a price increase. There isn’t a lot of optimism for farmers as prices continue to decrease and lawmakers are thinking of ways to assist farmers in the future. There was a brief segment about advertising during the 1985 with such issues involving the trade deficit with Japan and awareness about drink driving. The weather was nice with high temperatures in Illinois being generally in the 40’s F with lows in the 20’s F. The weather in Montana, Washington and Oregon was snowy and the cold front was extending southwards towards states such as Wyoming and Colorado. People in Buffalo are experiencing snow due to what is known as the lake effect. In sport there is plenty of coverage of the College bowl games. A look back on the Salmonella epidemic of 1985 with 18,000 people impacted when Milk became contaminated. There were positive stories about organ donation and those whose lives were saved by the miracle of organ donation.

NBA

The Philadelphia 76ers travelled to Portland to face the Trailblazers. Very even contest which ended up going to overtime. Some real quality players across both sides as the 76ers brought their Stars Malone, Irving and Barkley while the Blazers were led to Clyde Drexler. Great contest towards the end with the 76ers in front but unable to establish a winning lead only just getting away with a 121 to 119 victory.

2nd January 1986

Cricket

The third and deciding test match between Australia and India began at the Sydney Cricket Ground on the 2nd of January. The first two tests had both ended in draws although India had probably been the better side against an Australian team struggling after retirements in previous years of senior players. India won the toss and on a good batting wicket they made the easy decision to bat and bat they did for the next 169 overs resulting in a score of 4/600 declared. India played well with Gavaskar, Srikkanth and Armanarth all scoring centuries. India was assisted by terrible Australian fielding with the struggling side lacking in confidence dropping numerous catches. The Australian fielding was that bad they looked like the 2024 Chicago White Sox. India had three days to bowl Australia out twice to win the match. Australia’s first innings started very well with David Boon and Geoff Marsh both at the start of their careers putting on a partnership of 217 for the first wicket giving Australia an excellent chance to avoid the follow on with Boon dismissed for 131 and Marsh for 92. Most of the top order got starts with captain Allan Border making 71 and Greg Matthews 40 but after that some poor shot selection described by commentator Richie Benaud as being like Lemmings caused Australia to be dismissed for 396 just short of the follow on target they would have to try and bat out the final day to avoid defeat. Boon and Marsh started well again but once they were dismissed it was a real struggle but India ran out of time with Australia still having four wickets remaining.

NHL

The Boston Bruins travelled to the Nassau Coliseum to take on the New York Islanders. To kick off the coverage we see a tribute to Denis Potvin who has become the highest scoring defensemen in NHL history. The ceremony was memorable we get to meet his wife and family and Denis gets a new truck to take fishing. When the game starts it looks like the Bruins could spoil the party leading 3-1 at one stage. However the Islanders come back first evening the score and then going goal for goal in an exciting high scoring game until the final minutes when the Islanders get a lead and then with an empty net score the sealer and not just any sealer Mike Bossy becomes just the 11th player in NHL history to score 500 goals. New York Islanders 7 Boston Bruins 5.

TV Shows

The tonight show with Johnny Carson was really entertaining some nice jokes and an interesting trip back in time to this sort of variety show.

College Basketball

Number two in the country Michigan travelled to 15th ranked Indiana as Big 10 action for 1985/86 tipped off. Indiana put in a good performance competing gamely with Michigan throughout making the game interesting right to the end. Despite this Michigan always looked like winners and ended up with a 78-69 victory. The Iowa Hawkeyes traveled to Purdue to take on the Boilermakers. The Iowa team was better for much of this match although Purdue always remained competitive. The Boilermakers put in an amazing comeback performance and with the buzzer about to go they scored a game tying basket to force overtime. In overtime the Boilermakers still had to battle but they managed to pull off an amazing upset win in a great game of basketball 76-73.

Radio

I listened to a radio broadcast from a student radio station CDKU radio. The music played during this broadcast was very much alternative with a lot of punk. I didn’t know many of the songs but they weren’t bad overall a pretty good listen.

3rd January 1986

Wrestling

NJPW

NJPW ran a New Year Dash show from Korakuen in front of a good crowd of over 2,000. In a UWF League match Akira Maeda defeated Nobuhiko Takada in an excellent ***1/2 match. Some excellent striking which looked smooth with some of the kicking in particular looking impressive. A lot of UWF style matches feature too much grappling which results in guys lying around on the mat doing nothing this match didn’t repeat that mistake with some quality grappling and submission work. Maeda gets the win locking in a half crab. Worth a watch. The main event featured Antonio Inoki against Hacksaw Jim Duggan. The match went almost 15 minutes and ended in a double count out but we only got about 8 minutes on TV. This was fine for what I watched mostly a Brawl in the Hacksaw style although Inoki tried to make it more technical towards the end of the footage. The Cobra defeated Black Tiger in an entertaining fast paced *** junior match with about 8 minutes being on film here. We get the entirety of the match between Kengo Kimura and Tatsumi Fujinami vs Mad Maxx 1 and Mad Maxx 2. That was a pity because this was tripe. A dull boring match where Kimura and Fujinami try to carry two talentless dorks to a decent match and fail at that task. To make matters worse the talentless ones manager KY Wakamatsu interferes for the DQ when his team had the match won *1/2.

4th January 1986

Wrestling

AJPW TV

This edition of AJPW TV begins with a Tiger Mask (Mitsuharu Misawa) montage as he trains to the rhythm of Eye of the Tiger after this we see footage of previous matches before moving on to the first match of the night as Tiger Mask teams up with Takashi Ishikawa to take on Kuniaki Kobayashi & Shinichi Nakano from the first of January Korakuen Hall show. We don’t get the full match just the final couple of minutes but what we got was excellent with Tiger hitting some nice offence with some really enjoyable fast paced action. Tiger Mask took on Mil Mascaras in a good match that ended in a dissapointing double count out just as the match was starting to get good. The match was well worked from the beginning but it never really got going until the final couple of minutes. *** More action from the first as the Russian team of Krusher Kruschev and Nikita Koloff dismantled Isamu Teranishi and Yoshiaki Yatsu in what was basically an extended squash with the Russians relentless from before the bell to the end of the match. The main event of the first of January show was a rounds match between Riki Choshu and Tom Magee. I thought I was going to hate this match and the start wasn’t great but I began to enjoy the match and the final couple of minutes was excellent except for the finish as Magee kept kicking out of the lariat the referee calls for the bell anyway. *** The Russians took on much tougher opponents on the second of January as they met Genichiro Tenryu and Jumbo Tsurata in the main event. This was a good match but ended in a DQ as The Russians felt the match began to slip away they decided to break the rules. No real surprise but I do prefer a proper finish **1/2.

Mid South

The show kicks off with Dr Death Steve Williams taking on Dick Slater in the Mid South TV Title tournament. This was a good match early part was competitive but then Dr Death got going he almost had the match won after the Oklahoma Stampede but Slater was too close to the ropes. Slater’s valet Dark Journey rakes Dr Death’s eyes and Slater rolls him up grabs his tights and steals the win ***. Hacksaw Butch Reed squashes Mike Scott. Eddie Gilbert and The Nightmare defend their Mid South Tag Titles against The Bruise Brothers (Mad Dog Boyd & Pork Chop Cash). The Bruise Brother had the better part of the match but Gilbert and Nightmare retain when they get themselves disqualified. Promos featuring Jake the Snake Roberts and new North American Champion Dick Slater promoting house show title matches between the two. In the Mid South TV Tournament Semi Final Jake the Snake Roberts wins by DQ against Buzz Sawyer. Ricky Starr and Rob Rickensteiner team up to take on Al Perez and Ricky Gibson. Perez and Gibson get the quick win. A segment on the clothesline the NFL outlawed the clothesline but its still legal in wrestling. That surely proves that wrestlers are tougher than footballers. Additional footage shows dropkick and weapon shots and wrestlers don’t wear padding.

Memphis

Lance Russell and Dave Brown introduce the show and then we get a country music video package. Rick Casey vs Invader will be the first match of the show. A decent TV opener with solid ring work and brawling with Casey winning after hitting a bulldog **1/2. Lance Russell promotes an upcoming show and then Dutch Mantell shows up to promote his match with Rick Casey. Bill Dundee hypes his match against Jerry Lawler where he and his wife put their hair on the line against the career of The King. Dutch Mantell squashes a job guy Jim Jamison. Gimme all your Lovin from ZZ Top plays to promote The Fantastics some good footage here and great music. The Fantastics are in action against The Spoiler and Pat Rose. The Fantastics Bobby Fulton and Tommy Rogers had a typically good performance here in a bit over four minutes and picked up the win. Big Lou Winston and a Masked Man vs Billy Travers and Tracy Smothers. Travers and Smothers pick up a quick win. Tony Falk is taking on the King Jerry Lawler. Falk claims he is going to win despite never winning a match in the territory. Falk tries to jump the King but the ref gets knocked down this doesn’t work for Falk as this gives the King the chance to piledrive Falk and win the match in under a minute. Video package for the King with Burning Heart by Survivor playing in the background what a banger. Lance Russell promotes a video of Jerry the King Lawler matches. The King is here for an interview promoting his match with Dundee and celebrating his previous win against Bill Dundee for the Southern Heavyweight Championship. An excellent promo the upcoming match against Dundee has heavy stipulations but Lawler is going to win. More House show promos with The Fantastics promoting a match with the Sheepherders. Rick Casey promotes his match with Dutch Mantell. Bill Dundee against David Johnson. Dundee wins in seconds. Wild Boys from Duran Duran plays promoting Superstar Bill Dundee. Dundee is here to promo his match with Jerry the King Lawler. Beverley Dundee is interviewed he has faith in her husband. Bill Dundee is pumped for the match he is going to run the King out of town. These promo segments have been excellent. Lance and Dave are back to talk about the show and the results as this episode of Memphis wrestling comes to an end. Excellent show the wrestling wasn’t spectacular but everything from the video packages and promos to the short matches came together as an excellent package.

Championship Wrestling from Florida

As the show begins and we are introduced to Gordon Solie the action is happening in the ring with Hector Guerrero and Tyree Pride taking on Jack Hart and the Red Menace. Blackjack Mulligan is introduced he is ready to go in 86. In terms of the match the action is fast paced and exciting from what we see the action goes to the outside and both teams are disqualified. Gordon Solie and Buddy Colt are promoting upcoming shows focusing on the Road Warriors who are in the area. We get some footage of one of their matches. Jesse Barr vs Coco Samoa is next. This was a good match which was well worked and exciting with fast paced action with Barr winning after a running shoulder breaker ***. Barr cuts a promo after the match seems like a match with Kendall Windham is on the cards. Lex Luger vs Del Apollo. Luger wins an extended squash. Luger is interviewed and we see footage of Luger destroying the headress of Wahoo McDaniel. After some old footage featuring Dusty Rhodes we get a match between Maya Singh vs Raul Matta. Singh who was formerly known as Bob Roop dominates the match and throws Matta from the ring Singh and Kevin Sullivan beat up Matta causing the DQ. The referee talks about how the NWA are sick of wrestlers breaking rules and wrestlers are now liable to be suspended for a year. Kevin Sullivan doesn’t care about that he talks beating up Blackjack Mulligan and wants footage shown which has been banned by the NWA. Blackjack Mulligan and Wahoo McDaniel are interviewed by Buddy Colt about the tournament for the US Tag Titles. Mulligan wants revenge on Kevin Sullivan. Barry and Kendall Windham take on the Cuban Assassin and Price Iaukea. Decent match nice and short Kendall wins after the bulldog. Barry and Kendall Windham are interviewed after the match. Good episode of TV wrestling.

Jim Crockett Promotions

We get some handheld footage of a Greensboro house show. An NWA Television Title Tournament is taking place. Tully Blanchard takes on Ron Bass. We get about five minutes of this with Tully getting lucky with a pin on the Cowboy. Arn Anderson beats Jimmy Valient we only get 47 seconds of this with Arn winning with a flash pin. Wahoo McDaniel beats the Barbarian with Wahoo stealing the pin. The TV Title tournament continues as Arn Anderson defeats Ron Garvin in what looked like am excellent match. We get about 7 minutes of this 17 minute match and what we got was really good. We’ll worked and exciting with good pacing a competitive match. Arn wins with the sunset flip he goes through to the final. The other semi sees Wahoo McDaniel defeat Tully Blanchard by DQ in a really good *** match. Quite a bit of brawling here and the crowd was right into the action. We have the whole match which is really good. The match ends when Tully bumps the ref to the outside and uses a foreign object on Wahoo. The ref instead of being a moron and pretending he can’t see calls for the DQ. Ricky Morton defeats Dennis Condrey in a non-tournament match. We get less than two minutes of this what we got seemed like an exciting match that the crowd was into. Road Warrior Hawk defeats Ivan Koloff. We get under two minutes of this and it isn’t the finish. Magnum TA defeats Harley Race in a match where we have a bit over three minutes of footage. Magnum was really over with this crowd. Arn Anderson is the new NWA World Television Champion as he defeats Wahoo McDaniel in the final. Unfortunately we only have about three minutes of this match. Ric Flair defended the NWA World Championship against Dusty Rhodes. We have about 10 minutes of this and what we have is pretty good. Good action with a hot crowd with interference from Magnum TA for Dusty and Arn Anderson for Flair. The match ends in a double DQ with Flair retaining.

Mid Atlantic Championship Wrestling begins with a match between Dennis Condrey vs Don Kernodle. This is a good well worked *** match with some good action and they worked well with having Cornette at ring side. Dusty Rhodes is interviewed by Bob Caudle the world television title belongs to him but at the moment he wants to beat Ric Flair to become the World Heavyweight Champion. Jimmy Valient takes on Bobby Eaton this was fine Valient locks in the sleeper and Condrey and Cornette hit the ring for the DQ. Valient gets support from Ricky Morton but the numbers favor the Midnight Express. Valient grabs a chair to even things and the Midnight Express make a run for it. Paul Jones is here to accounce that the Barbarian is in the NWA TV Title tournament. The Mid Atlantic champion Krusher Kruschev is taking on Pez Whatley in the next match. During the match Ric Flair is interviewed about his previous match with Dusty Rhodes. He respects Dusty Rhodes but Ric Flair is number one. Flair predicts that Arn Anderson is the next TV champion. Typically good Flair promo. This match is going longer than expected with Whatley competitive. Mostly good thus actually ended up being a little too long both guys being a little gassed. A couple of botches with the ropes. Krushchev retains. Jimmy Valient cuts a promo get it on is about the message I could get from his rambling. The Russians are interviewed. I have no idea what Nikita Koloff is on about. Ivan Koloff is more understandable although he starts to ramble himself. The Outlaw Ron Bass is up against JJ Dillon in a Texas Bullrope match. Poor old JJ is getting beaten down but the show goes off the air before the finish. Fun episode of TV wrestling.

World Championship Wrestling begins with Tony Schiavone and David Crockett discussing Dusty Rhodes becoming the National champion and his injuring of Ole Anderson. Tully Blanchard is interviewed he is disappointed about the injury to Ole and now has JJ Dillon as his manager the four horsemen are now down to three but Ole will be back. The Rock n Roll Express take on Thunderfoot and Jim Jeffers in the opening match. Decent TV match the Rock n Roll Express win the match after the double dropkick. Tully and JJ are still being interviewed. Tully is upset at Baby Doll turning on him and joining up with Dusty Rhodes. JJ discusses how Dusty is the man that is trying to destroy the four horsemen. We see the Baby Doll breakup angle. Tully is going after Dusty and his friends and he is taking Baby Doll back. Harley Race squashes Tony Zane. Ivan Koloff is interviewed he is showing off the trophy that symbolises the world six man champions. Ivan is determined to now beat the Rock n Roll Express for the world Tag team Belts. Ron Bass destroys Bill Tabb. Dusty and Baby Doll are with Tony Sciavone. Dusty warns Arn Anderson after he already took out Ole Anderson you’re next. We see the footage of Dusty and the Road Warriors taking out the leg of Ole. Baby Doll is going to pay Tully Blanchard back. Dusty is great as usual. David Crockett is excited about hearing Baby Doll talk as we go to our next match. Ronnie Garvin decimates Mac Jeffers in a super enjoyable squash. Ronnie really laid it in with strikes and slaps. This was a lot of fun listening to the noise of those strikes on poor Mac’s chest. The Road Warriors destroy three jobbers in preparation for their match against the Russians. Hawk and Animal are then interviewed they’ll have to find a partner as a world six man titles can’t be won by only two men. Manny Fernandez beats Larry Clarke in a squash match that went too long. Ric Flair is with Tony Schiavone and David Crockett. Flair is angry about Dusty’s attack on Ole Anderson. Dusty can talk about how he is number one but until you are world champion you can only be second best. Ric has a go at Baby Doll who he says is nowhere near a perfect ten she didn’t get to ride space mountain. Flair is great as usual. Arn Anderson destroys jobber Kent Glover to send a message to Dusty Rhodes. Tony is back with Flair and now Arn joins them. Flair is still furious with Dusty he is going to put him in the hospital. Arn is obviously also furious. Baby Doll comes out to tell Arn he is next. Flair talks about Baby Doll laying down after a ride on space mountain. Arn basically tells Baby Doll to get back in the kitchen. This is wrestling heat, heat, heat. Jimmy Valent squashes Adrien Bivens. JJ and Tully are back Jimmy Valient is Dusty’s Achilles and they are targeting him first. Jim Cornette is here to firstly to brag about being manager of the year and secondly to promo about going after the Rock n Roll Express and their tag titles. We see footage of Cornette and the Midnight Express attacking Rock n Roll. They will win the titles either through beating the Rock n Roll or when they injure them and the titles are vacant. One half of the Midnight Express Dennis Condrey takes on Rocky King with Cornette moonlighting on commentary mocking the Rock n Roll Express and Rocky King. Condrey toys with King and then wins after the brain buster. Cornette was brilliant here. Dusty and Baby Doll are back I’m loving this fued right here. Dusty and Baby Doll mock Flair’s penis size. Dusty gives her a better ride than space mountain. Magnum TA takes on the Barbarian in a match that actually goes through an ad break and is competitive. Barbarian takes control of the match looking at an upset but Magnum makes the comeback. But the Ref takes a bump to the outside. Magnum hits the belly but no ref. Paul Jones lays out Magnum with the cane Harley Race who had been on commentary comes to the ring to count a three that doesn’t count. Magnum is triple teamed resulting in a DQ and then Rock n Roll and Jimmy Valient make the save. The Road Warriors are back they are weasel slappers and the Russians are weasels. Tony Schiavone gets presented with a weasel slappers shirt. I wonder if he kept it. Jimmy Valient wants Tully Balnchard now. Sam Houston and Nelson Royal team up to beat a couple of jobbers in a nothing final match. Magnum TA is mad he had the match won when Harley Race interfered Magnum basically says bring it on. A great episode of TV wrestling. Not a single wasted moment.

Now for some action from NWA World Wide. Magnum TA beats Mike Davis I’m seconds using the belly to belly and then has words for Tully Blanchard after he struck Baby Doll. Ric Flair takes on Mac Jeffers quickly locking in the figure four for the submission. Flair keeps the hold locked in to lure Dusty to the ring but it’s a trap and Tully nails Dusty with a shoe and Flair and Tully go after Dusty’s leg. Baby Doll comes to the ring and attacks Tully and Tully grabs Baby Doll by the hair which brings Magnum TA in for the save. They then Brawl to end a high quality angle.

WWF

Macho Man Randy Savage is accompanied by Miss Elizabeth as he takes on Ron Hutchison. Hutchison gets a couple of moves in but Macho Man soon gains control hits his high flying offence and wins with the flying elbow.

In championship wrestling The Hillbillies (Cousin Luke and Hillbilly Jim) defeat Al Navarro and Moondog Spot. They show a clip of Hulk Hogan’s Rock and Wrestling an animated new TV show. Hercules Hernandez destroys Jeff Cripley in a fairly dull squash. Macho Man is with Mean Gene Okerland to preview his Intercontinental title match with Tito Santana at this stage Macho Man is not treating Miss Elizabeth very well. Vince McMahon talks about the Slammy Awards and how fans can vote.  The Killer Bees (B Brian Blair and Jim Brunzell) are up against Barry O and Rick Jacobs. The Killer Bees quickly get the win. Rowdy Roddy Piper is joined by Bob Orton as he cuts a promo in preparation for a house show match in Boston an entertaining rant I have no idea what Roddy is on about. Macho Man Randy Savage destroys Don Driggers in a carbon copy of the All Star Wrestling match. He jumps Driggers hits the double axe handle and then the flying elbow. They show a part of Piper’s Pit where Roddy Piper interviews The Fabulous Moolah with Roddy calling her the best and most pretty lady wrestler he ends the segment by giving her a kiss. Corporal Kirchener quickly beats Gino Carabello. More Slammy promotion with the Slammy songs of the year. Tag Team Champs The Dream Team (Brutus Beefcake and Greg Valentine) squash Paul Dose and Tony Stetson in a non title match. Junkyard Dog is with Mean Gene previewing the match where he will Team up with Corporal Kirchener against Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff. Freddy Blassie and The Iron Sheik then preview that same match. Vince McMahon and Bruno Sammartino close out the show.

Saturday Night’s Main Event on NBC. The opener features Roddy Piper, Bob Orton and Jesse Ventura team up against the Hillbillies. The Hillbillies are not very good wrestlers bit they can Brawl enough to make this decent enough. Piper and his team manage to get the win with their dastardly tactics. Orton blasts Cousin Luke with his cast and Piper locks in the sleeper on the already unconscious opponent for the cheap victory **1/2. After a waterslide contest between Junkyard Dog and Jimmy Hart won by JYD we have the world title match between Hulk Hogan and Terry Funk. JYD accompanies the Hulkster to the ring in an attempt to prevent Hart from interfering in the match. This works early with Hogan in control but after the referee gets distracted by what is happening outside with Hogan foolishly getting sucked in as well Funk grabs some tape and chokes Hogan and then hits the piledriver for the near fall. After another ref distraction Hogan hit with the branding Iron but he is too close to the ropes and when Funk argues with the ref Hogan takes advantage with a clothesline leading to the fall. Hogan retains ***. The Macho Man Randy Savage takes on George The Animal Steele. This was the beginning of the storyline where the Animal becomes infatuated with Miss Elizabeth. This infatuation costs hin the match as he gets distracted by Elizabeth long enough for Macho Man to hit the double axe handle and gain the pinfall victory. Corporal Kirchener vs Nikolai Volkoff The United States vs The Soviet Union in a peace match. They actually had an ok match with basic holds and not much BS until the finish when Nikolai bent the rules to stick Kirchener’s face in the ropes and steal the pin. A hot Kirchener took out Volkoff and The Iron Sheik after the match but the heels weren’t too concerned because Nkkolai was walking away with the victory. In the final match of the show Ricky Steamboat teamed up with The Junkyard Dog to defeat Mr Fuji and The Magnificent Muraco. This was a very basic Tag match with the heels jumping the faces to start and then Steamboat and JYD making a comeback and then getting the win after JYD nailed Fuji with a headbutt. Overall SNME was an entertaining enough show with a bunch of short matches that didn’t overstay their welcome.

NFL

AFC Divisional series game from the Orange Bowl as the Miami Dolphins take on the Cleveland Browns. This was a great game and an excellent example of the importance of momentum. The Dolphins had an ok start kicking a field goal to take the lead but it was all Cleveland for the rest of the first half and early in the second half Cleveland led 21-3 and a massive upset was on the cards. The Dolphins are an excellent tram however and the momentum began to switch sides with the Dolphins scoring two touchdowns to make the score 21-17 Browns. With less than two minutes left the Dolphins scored again it was now 24-21 Miami. Cleveland had one last throw of the dice they could score a field goal to send the game to overtime or a touchdown to win. The Browns though quickly spent their timeouts and ran out of time. Great comeback. Miami Dolphins 24 Cleveland Browns 21.

In an NFC Divisional playoff the Dallas Cowboys travelled to LA to play the Rams. This was never a competitive match with the Rams on top from the start with Eric Dickerson setting the playoff record rushing for 248 yards and scoring two touchdowns. The Cowboys never got going make mistakes on both offence and defence. Los Angeles Rams 20 Dallas Cowboys 0.

Football/Soccer

Arsenal travelled to Second Division Grimsby Town in the third round of the FA Cup. Grimsby scored first and it looked like an upset may be on the cards but Arsenal are a quality side and were in front by half time. The second half was excellent Arsenal at one stage had a comfortable lead but a late penalty to Grimsby made it interesting but Arsenal held on. Grimsby Town 3 Arsenal 4. Bristol Rovers beat Leicester City 3-1 at home the footage I viewed was of very low quality so I can’t comment much on the match and it was less than 4 minutes. Norwich travelled to Anfield to play Liverpool on a pitch covered with snow as a bright orange ball is used so it can be seen. Liverpool dominate play with Kevin McDonald opening the scoring getting past some poor Norwich defense. More bad defending allows Liverpool to score a second through Paul Walsh. Liverpool maintain that two goal lead at half time. Liverpool extend there lead on the break through McMahon’s clinical finish. Liverpool then score a fourth through Ronnie Whelan’s header. Excellent finishing by Liverpool who look like a champion side. Liverpool score a fifth through John Wark after a good save by Chris Woods. A comprehensive Liverpool win. Liverpool 5 Norwich City 0. Oxford United played Tottenham in another third round tie. Oxford take the lead after nine minutes through Slatten. Tottenham force a replay with a late goal in tough conditions with snow and then rain making the pitch treacherous. Aston Villa travel to Portsmouth in yet more FA Cup Third Round action. Villa take the lead in the first half with Paul Kerr taking advantage of a rebound of the bar to tuck in the opener. Villa maintain that lead to half time. Mick Tait of Portsmouth is booked due to an incident where he kicked out at an opponent a fair enough decision as there wasn’t a lot in it. The game is becoming a bit more intense. Mark Walters of Villa goes in the book himself as the referee starts to crack down to maintain control of the fixture. Portsmouth equalize through Noel Blake from the free kick nodding in from the far post. Simon Stainrod of Villa is booked for a number of minor fouls once again it seems the referee wants to maintain his authority. Off camera there is an incident and Billy Gilbert of Portsmouth is sent off after the referee and a linesman have a brief conference. Portsmouth are given a penalty after Paul Wood is obstructed in the penalty area a very dubious penalty. Portsmouth take the lead Kevin Dylan beating Nigel Spink from the spot. Steve Hodge is another man that gets his number taken. Paul Birch gets the equalizer with just a minute left in the 90 minutes a scrappy goal but it gets the job done for Aston Villa. The final whistle goes and we have a replay at Villa Park. Portsmouth 2 Aston Villa 2.

Now to Spain’s La Liga with Las Palmas taking on Athletic Bilbao. Based of the highlights it looked like a good match with the final result a two all draw.

College Basketball

Duke travel to Maryland in ACC basketball. This was a really enjoyable game. Maryland started well but the class of Duke began to transform the game. Duke took the lead taking advantage of some missed shots and turnovers. Maryland never gave up though every time Duke got a big lead Maryland came back and they pushed Duke all the way. Duke get the win but this certainly wasn’t a blow out.

More college hoops as Marist travel to Villanova of the Big East. This was a good game with Marist putting in a good effort but falling short against a high quality team.

The Kansas Jayhawks travelled to Memphis to play the Tigers. I was able to find footage of the second half and the overtime period. This was an impressive win for the Tigers in an entertaining game. There was an issue with the sound being behind the footage but other than that the footage was good. The final score after OT Memphis 83 Kansas 80.

NC State travelled to number one ranked North Carolina. NC State put in a real competitive performance leading in the early stages and being right in the contest until the final minutes when North Carolina finally got away and won 90-79.

Music

Billboard Hot 100

The first chart for the year with the most popular songs of the week out of the United States. The chart was as follows:

1. Say You, Say Me – Lionel Ritchie
2. Party All The Time – Eddie Murphy
3. Alive & Kicking – Simple Minds
4. That’s What Friends Are For – Dionne Warwick & Friends
5. I Miss You – Klymaxx
6. Small Town – John Mellencamp
7. Broken Wings – Mr Mister
8. Separate Lives – Phil Collins and Marilyn Martin
9. Tonight She Comes – The Cars
10. Election Day – Arcadia
11. Talk To Me – Stevie Nicks
12. Sleeping Bag – ZZ Top
13. Walk Of Life – Dire Straits
14. Perfect Way – Scritti Politti
15. Burning Heart – Survivor
16. My Hometown – Bruce Springsteen
17. Love Is The Seventh Wave – Sting
18. Emergency – Kool & The Gang
19. It’s Only Love – Bryan Adams/Tina Turner
20. I’m Your Man – Wham!
21. Conga – Miami Sound Machine
22. Go Home – Stevie Wonder
23. You’re A Friend Of Mine – Clarence Clemons & Jackson Browne
24. Spies Like Us – Paul McCartney
25. Never – Heart
26. We Built This City – Starship
27. Goodbye – Night Ranger
28. Everybody Dance – Ta Mara & The Seen
29. Object Of My Desire – Starpoint
30. Sidewalk Talk – Jellybean
31. When The Going Gets Tough – Billy Ocean
32. Sex As A Weapon – Pat Benatar
33. Face The Face – Pete Townshend
34. Who’s Zoomin Who – Aretha Franklin
35. Wrap Her Up – Elton John
36. How Will I Know – Whitney Houston
37. A Love Bizarre – Sheila E
38. The Sweetest Taboo – Sade
39. Everything In My Heart – Corey Hart
40. Lay Your Hands On Me – Thompson Twins
41. Sun City – Artists United Against Apartheid
42. Sisters Are Doin It For Themselves – Eurythmics & Aretha Franklin
43. The Sun Always Shines On TV – a-ha
44. Living in America – James Brown
45. Tarzan Boy – Baltimora
46. Life In A Northern Town – The Dream Academy
47. You Belong To The City – Glenn Frey
48. The Big Money – Rush
49. Do It For Love – Sheena Easton
50. Kyrie – Mr Mister
51. To Live And Die In L.A. – Wang Chung
52. Silent Running – Mike + The Mechanics
53. Go – Asia
54. Digital Display – Ready For The World
55. Count Me Out – New Edition
56. Leader Of The Pack – Twisted Sister
57. Everything Must Change – Paul Young
58. Part Time Lover – Stevie Wonder
59. Too Young – Jack Wagner
60. You Are My Lady – Freddie Jackson
61. Miami Vice Theme – Jan Hammer
62. He’ll Never Love You – Freddie Jackson
63. Somewhere – Barbara Streissand
64. One Vision – Queen
65. Sara – Starship
66. Day By Day – Hooters
67. Caravan Of Love – Isley Jasper, Isley
68. Love Theme From St Elmo’s Fire – David Foster
69. Head Over Heels – Tears For Fears
70. Can You Feel The Beat – Lisa Lisa And Cult Jam With Full Force
71. Everyday – James Taylor
72. Morning Desire – Kenny Rogers
73. One Of The Living – Tina Turner
74. Beat’s So Lonely – Charlie Sexton
75. Running Up That Hill – Kate Bush
76. The Heart Is Not So Smart – El DeBarge With DeBarge
77. Secret – Orchestral Maneuvers In The Dark
78. Own The Night – Chaka Khan
79. Be Near Me – ABC
80. Secret Lovers – Atlantic Starr
81. I Knew The Bride – Nick Lowe And His Cowboy Outfit
82. Don’t Say No Tonight – Eugene Wilde
83. Small Town Girl – John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band
84. Dangerous – Loverboy
85. Let’s Go All The Way – Sly Fox
86. Stacy – Fortune
87. Baby Talk – Alisha
88. Good Friends – Joni Mitchell
89. Let Me Down Easy – Roger Daltrey
90. Tears Are Falling – KISS
91. Strength – The Alarm
92. Saving All My Love For You – Whitney Houston
93. Lovin Every Minute Of It – Loverboy
94. And She Was – Talking Heads
95. Freedom – Pointer Sisters
96. Soul Kiss – Olivia Newton-John
97. Take On Me – a-ha
98. Fortress Around Your Heart – Sting
99. Girls Are More Fun – Ray Parker Jr
100. Lonely Ol Night – John Mellencamp

The UK also released their first charts of the year with the top 100 as follows:

1. Merry Christmas Everyone – Shakin Stevens
2. Saving All My Love For You – Whitney Houston
3. West End Girls – Pet Shop Boys
4. Do They Know It’s Christmas? – Band Aid
5. Walking In The Air – Aled Jones
6. Last Christmas/Everything She Wants – Wham!
7. Dress You Up – Madonna
8. I’m Your Man – Wham!
9. Separate Lives – Phil Collins and Marilyn Martin
10. See The Day – Dee C Lee
11. Hit That Perfect Beat – Bronski Beat
12. We Built This City – Starship
13. Spies Like Us – Paul McCartney
14. Girlie Girlie – Sophia George
15. Don’t You Just Know It – Amazulu
16. Say You Say Me – Lionel Ritchie
17. A Good Heart – Feargal Sharkey
18. Don’t Look Down The Sequel – Go West
19. Wrap Her Up – Elton John
20. Santa Claus Is Comin To Town/My Hometown – Bruce Springsteen
21. Saturday Love – Cherrelle With Alexander O’Neal
22. The Show – Doug E Fresh And The Get Fresh Crew
23. Leaving Me Now – Level 42
24. Don’t Break My Heart – UB40
25. Russians – Sting
26. She’s Strange – Cameo
27. The Sun Always Shines On TV – a-ha
28. After The Love Has Gone – Princess
29. Ring Of Ice – Jennifer Rush
30. Run To The Hills – Iron Maiden
31. Road To Nowhere – Talking Heads
32. We All Stand Together – Paul McCartney And The Frog Chorus
33. Take On Me – a-ha
34. The Hokey Cokey – Black Lace
35. The Power Of Love – Jennifer Rush
36. Alice I Want You Just For Me – Full Force
37. Mated – David Grant and Jaki Graham
38. Who’s Zoomin Who – Aretha Franklin
39. Mr DJ – Concept
40. White Christmas – Keith Harris and Orville
41. A Ride With Me – Inspirational Choir
42. One Vision – Queen
43. Because – Julian Lennon
44. Walking In The Air – Peter Auty and the Sinfonia of London
45. It’s In Every One Of Us – Cliff Richard
46. Sun City – Artists United Against Apartheid
47. Brothers In Arms – Dire Straits
48. That’s What Friends Are For – Dionne Warwick and Friends
49. Broken Wings – Mr Mister
50. You Little Thief – Feargal Sharkey
51. Sisters Are Doin It For Themselves – Eurythmics and Aretha Franklin
52. Merry Xmas Everybody – Slade
53. Trapped – Colonel Abrams
54. When A Heart Beats – Nik Kershaw
55. The House is Haunted – Marc Almond
56. Pictures In The Dark – Mike Oldfield and Aled Jones
57. Nikita – Elton John
58. Inspector Gadget – Kartoon Krew
59. Something About You – Level 42
60. Alive And Kicking – Simple Minds
61. Gambler – Madonna
62. Heart of Lothian – Marillion
63. Do You Believe In Miracles – Slade
64. I Just Called To Say I Love You – Stevie Wonder
65. Edge Of Darkness – Eric Clapton Featuring Michael Kamen
66. New York Eyes – Nicole With Timmy Thomas
67. Days Like These – Billy Bragg
68. When Love Breaks Down – Prefab Sprout
69. Howards Way Theme – Simon May Orchestra
70. Christmas Party – Weekend
71. Stairway To Heaven – Far Corporation
72. Uncle Sam – Madness
73. Revolution – The Cult
74. Lonely This Christmas – Mud
75. Revolution – The Thompson Twins
76. White Christmas – Bing Crosby
77. Thank You Very Much Mr Eastwood – Dermot Morgan
78. It’s Only Love – Bryan Adams and Tina Turner
79. Glenn Miller Medley – John Anderson Big Band
80. One Nation – Masquerade
81. Don’t You Forget Me – Simple Minds
82. You’re My Last Chance – 52nd Street
83. Angel – Madonna
84. Dancing In The Street – David Bowie and Mick Jagger
85. For You – Snowy White
86. Let’s Go The Disco – Russ Abbot
87. Rebel Yell – Billy Idol
88. Miami Vice Theme – Jan Hammer
89. If I Was – Midge Ure
90. Power of Love/Do You Believe In Love – Huey Lewis and the News
91. The Heart and Soul – Huey Lewis and the News
92. Rain – The Cult
93. All The Love – Rose Marie
94. What’s Your Name – Zinno
95. Cities in Dust – Siouxsie and the Banshees
96. Into The Groove – Madonna
97. The Bottom Line – Big Audio Dynamite
98. Running Free – Iron Maiden
99. Sleeping Bag – ZZ Top
100. Go Home – Stevie Wonder

College Wrestling

Oklahoma travelled to Iowa in this college wrestling contest. In the 118ibs category Tony Bellai from Oklahoma took on John Regan from Iowa with Regan getting the win 8-7. Joe Melchiore of Oklahoma took on Matt Egeland of Iowa in the 126ibs division. Melchiore was never seriously challenged and won the bout 14-2 giving Oklahoma the superior victory meaning the score between the two schools was now 5-3. In the 134ibs division it was Nick Neville of Oklahoma against Greg Randall of Iowa. Neville wins 5-2 in a bout without a single takedown. Oklahoma now lead 8-3. Keith Walton of Oklahoma takes on Kevin Dresser of Iowa in the 152ibs division. Dresser one of the finest wrestlers in the country takes Walton down and pins him to get a massive win for his school. Iowa retake the lead 9-8. Darrin Higgins of Oklahoma takes on Jim Heffernan of Iowa in the 150ibs division. Heffernan the number one in the division wins 19-6 to get a big win but not the same points as a 15 point victory. Iowa lead 14-8. Johnnie Johnson of Oklahoma takes on Royce Alger of Iowa in the 158ibs division. Johnson wins a tight entertaining contest 11-9. Iowa is still ahead overall 14-11. John LaViolette of Oklahoma takes on Marty Kistler of Iowa in the 167ibs division. Kistler controlled much of the bout and wins 7-4 with the overall score now 17-11 in favour of Iowa. Steve Rein of Oklahoma takes on Rico Chiapparelli in the 177ibs division. Rein only a sophomore puts in an effort but is outclassed by the number two in the country who delivers crossfire cradle for a pin. That gets Iowa a 6 point win to lead 23-11 a commanding lead. Duane Goldman of Iowa takes on Dan Chaid of Oklahoma in the 190ibs division. Goldman wins 6-3 and now it is 26-11 for Iowa an insurmountable lead with only the Heavyweight bout to go. In the Heavyweight division Mark Tatum of Oklahoma takes on Andy Haman.  Tatum was the more experienced and larger man despite that this was a close bout with Tatum only winning 3-2. Final Score Iowa 26 Oklahoma 14.

Anime

Episode 43 of Mobile Suit Gundam Zeta aired on this day. A powerful colony laser threatens Granada in response the AEUG plan an alliance with the leader of the Axis Haman Karn. Haman accepts the alliance but can she be trusted?

Radio

Alan Freeman is a former BBC Radio One DJ but by this stage he was working for London’s Capital Radio presenting a variation of his pick of the pops show in this case not only broadcasting London’s top 15 records but also playing the top 15 from a previous year in this case the year 1979. This was a super enjoyable show the tunes from 1986 were brilliant as I expected with West End Girls by the Pet Shop Boys making it to number one. 1979 also had some excellent records with the timeless YMCA by The Village People at number one. Great radio.

Horse Racing

Horse racing from Moonee Valley in Melbourne. Race one won by Bataan with Highly Regal 2nd and Roman Laurel in 3rd. Race two won by War Like with Fast Look in 2nd and Blazing Effigy 3rd. Race three won by Pelor Star with Tiaree Rose 2nd and Rich Port in 3rd. Race four Timid Miss picked up the win with Reiko 2nd and Taking Silk in 3rd. Ming Princess gets the win in race 5 with Cerlynne 2nd and Miss Clipper 3rd. Wanderers Dream wins race 6 with Tell William 2nd and Salsify 3rd. Vera’s Boy wins race seven Tod Wilkes 2nd and Corham 3rd. Race eight the last race of the day On Our Selection wins with Call Me The Breeze 2nd and Parslip 3rd.

NBA

The Utah Jazz travelled to the Reunion Arena in Dallas to take on the Mavericks. The Mavericks were the better team right from the start and were never truly threatened running out 119-106 victors.

5th January 1986

Football/Soccer

In the FA Cup Third Round Second Division Charlton Athletic took on First Division West Ham at Selhurst Park. This was an enjoyable hard fought cup tie real proper football. The game was played in great spirit with no dirty play but also they didn’t hold back. Charlton played well against a quality First Division side and looked good for a replay but Frank McAvennie took advantage of an unlucky pass to lob the keeper and Tony Cottee took advantage from inside the six yard box. Charlton Athletic 0 West Ham United 1.

To Italy and Serie A as Sampdoria draw two all at home to Fiorentina. Torino win two nil at home against Udinese. Roma defeat Atalanta four nil. Pisa win one nil at home to Inter Milan. Lecce win one nil against Verona. Como against Napoli ends in a one all draw. Avelino vs Juventus ends nil all and Milan against Bari ends in the same score.

In Spain some more fixtures from La Liga. Real Madrid gain an impressive victory on the road against Valencia with Real winning three nil. Atletico Madrid defeat Hercules one nil. Osasuna vs Sevilla ended nil all. Real Sociedad pick up a 2-1 victory over Gijon. Real Betis defeat Celta Viga 3-2. Espanyol defeat Valladolid 2-1. Barcelona defeated Zaragoza 3-1 away. Racing Santander defeated Cadiz three nil.

NHL

The Minnesota North Stars travelled to Chicago to take on the Black Hawks. This was an enjoyable game competitive for the first two periods with some ill discipline with penalties and ejections. It was 2-2 going into the final period but the Black Hawks dominated the game from there running out 6-2 winners.

NFL

The New York Giants travelled to cold and windy Chicago to take on a great Chicago side. The Chicago defence was phenomenal shutting down the Giants and aided by Jim McMahon and Walter Payton on offence setting up the Bears for a showdown with the Rams in Chicago next week. Chicago Bears 21 New York Giants 0.

The New England Patriots travelled to LA to pull off a major upset against the LA Raiders. The Raiders should have won this game up 20-17 early in the third. The problem for the Raiders was that they couldn’t hold onto the ball with numerous fumbles and interceptions including the fumble that lead to the winning Patriot touchdown. New England Patriots 27 Los Angeles Raiders 20.

Wrestling

AJW

All Japan Women’s kick off the year with The Crush Gals singing a song. This was like a pop concert these girls were massively over in a way that no wrestler today is with the girls in the crowd screaming like they are listening to The Beatles. Hisako Uno and Mitsuku Nishiwaki took on Akemi Sakamoto and Kumiko Iwamoto in the opening match. This was a solid undercard opener nothing special but did the job. Penny Mitchell defeated Kazue Nagahori in a solid match quiet fast early but slowed down with more physical action and ground work for the rest of the match. Mika Komatsu and Kanako Nagatomo defeated Jean Kirkland and Megumi Nakamae in a bang average Tag match in which nothing really exciting happened. Devil Masami defeated Yumi Ogura in an excellent ***1/2 match. Started slow with a lot of ground work but picked up nicely in the final few minutes with some good action that got the crowd onboard. The main event for the WWWA Tag Team Championship. The Jumping Bomb Angels (Itsuki Yamazaki & Noriyo Tateno) take on Bull Nakano and Condor Saito. This was a very exciting three falls match with a hot crowd that was really into the Bomb Angels. This was a relatively long match but it was paced well and while not perfect in terms of execution had some good work and once again it must be said the crowd added a great deal with their excitement and cheering towards their heroes the Bomb Angels against the heels Bull and Condor. The Bomb Angels win the match to the delight of this crowd two falls to one ***3/4.

Radio

BBC Radio One broadcast the official UK Top 40 charts released the previous day and featured earlier in this post. Hosted by DJ Richard Skinner this was an entertaining listen with great music that is still as timeless today as in 1986 as well as some music that can only be described as novelty music and other songs that really only fit in this time period.

6th January 1986

TV Shows

The Bill

The Bill is a well known British police show than ran from 1984 to 2010. This episode from Series 2 was titled The Ringer. Early in the episode we see that a serious motor vehicle accident has occurred with multiple fatalities and a number of other injuries. The driver of a Porsche is determined to be the car that contributed to the accident with the driver claiming that his breaks failed. The Police quickly determine that the driver is telling the truth despite his car being brand new they find out that the vehicle is not what it should be but rather a vehicle that is a death trap with multiple issues the Police call it a ringer and after some good police work they identify an operation going on with a criminal group selling a number of these vehicles to unsuspecting members of the public. The Police hunt the criminals down and we get an exciting finish with plenty of action as the criminals are caught. The Police celebrate the success but they also have to deal with informing families of the loss of their loved ones a very difficult thing for a Police Officer to have to do. The Bill is an excellent drama with these early episodes showcasing the tine period brilliantly from the police work to the social conditions to the music of the time and the way that they shoot the program we almost feel like we are there observing the action from close range great British television.

News

WCCO TV 10pm news from Minneapolis and the opening story is that Bud Grant has stood down as coach of the Minnesota Vikings. With the coach wishing to spend time with his family after a difficult season with the team having a losing record. Jerry Burns will be the new coach. We get a story about Grant’s career as a player and coach we then get an interview with Grant about his retirement. We then hear about the fans surprise at Grant’s retirement. The space shuttle Columbia had to abort a third mission in a row this time due to computer issues. Airport noise has been a major issue. The Governor of Minnesota has formed a task force to address the issue. Striking workers risk their jobs if they don’t return to work. The Governor is facing major budget issues. A claim has been made that prisoners of war are still stuck in Vietnam with the US Government unwilling to get them out. The Goverment has made no comment. Colonel Quadaffi the Libyan dictator has denied claims that he has terror camps in his country. The United States is considering military action against Quadaffi. The Soviet Union has criticised the United States actions over Libya. Black mine workers have been fired in South Africa for illegal striking. A prison Takeover occurred in Iowa which was ended quickly by force. A number of drug smugglers have been sentenced to jail in Minneapolis. A basketball player is facing a trial over sexual assault allegations. A man is facing a kidnapping trial. The weather is cold with temperatures twenty below. The current temperature is eight below with wind chill thirty below. It’s Christmas Eve for Orthodox Christians. In sport we get more reaction to Bud Grant leaving The Vikings. The LA Rams and Chicago Bears are preparing for their NFC Championship game. In hockey The Boston Bruins lost to the touring Moscow Dynamos in a game impacted by a bomb threat and the St Louis Blues lost to the Montreal Canadiens.

Newswatch 16 news covering the Scranton and Wilkes Barre area of Pennsylvania. The opening story is that today is the first day in office for newly elected local politicians. The Mayor of Scranton has been sworn in and a ball will take place to celebrate. Judges have been sworn in Luzerne County. There is also a new DA in Shuylkill County that County is also getting a new  Mayor with the current Mayor of 28 years leaving office. Pet owners are being advised to get their pets vaccinated for Rabies with three year vaccinations recommended. The three island nuclear reactor is back to full capacity for the first time since an accident in 1979. Police officers in Williamsport are deciding on whether to switch to a four day week instead of a five day week. Weather is next. Halley’s comet is visible near Jupiter. Weather is clear but cold with temperatures between 8 and 22. High was 31 and with the wind it can feel like zero. People are advised to wear scarves to maintain body temperature. Sport now Bud Grant has resigned as coach of the Minnesota Vikings. In the NFL playoffs The Chicago Bears shut out the New York Giants and The New England Patriots pulled off a shock win over the Los Angeles Raiders. The Bears will play The Rams at home and The Patriots will take on The Dolphins in Miami. We have updated ranking from Super 16 high school Basketball. An All American wrestler has quit his wrestling team. To conclude a store that opened in 1920 is closing up after 65 years with the owners deciding to retire.

Wrestling

Memphis

Memphis wrestling has a house show at the Mid South Collisseum. We have two minutes of footage of The Blade Runners (Flash and Justice against Billy Travis and Phil Hickerson. Travis is down outside bleeding with The Blade Runners double teaming Hickerson. Manager Buddy Wayne comes in and lays Hickerson out for the DQ. The Blade Runners and Wayne continue to destroy Hickerson until The Spoiler comes to the ring with the heels thinking they have an ally instead Spoiler lays Wayne and The Runners out with a show of his own. Superstar Bill Dundee and friends commentate on his match against Big Red Reese a very large and untalented wrestler who receives plenty of insults from The Superstar and friends. Reese just stumbles around mostly just getting hit but refusing to go down. There is a ref bump allowing Dutch Mantell to come to the ring a chain ends up with Dundee who levels Reese with a blow for the pin.

WCCW

WCCW has a house show out of Fort Worth Texas. The first match we have footage of is a really good match between Austin Idol and Tommy Montana. Before the match Idol is arrogant and obnoxious finally taking off his robe to pose for the Ladies in attendance. The match starts a little slow but ends up an enjoyable competitive encounter which while Idol never looked like losing he had to work for the win which he did achieve after a Tombstone piledriver ***1/4. The Fabulous Freebirds (Michael Hayes and Buddy Roberts) take on Iceman Parsons and Lance Von Erich in a good *** two out of three falls match. Lance gets a really good start for his team against Michael Hayes as this match turns into an enjoyably well worked encounter although it never reached next level despite running for about twenty minutes of match time. Parsons gets the first fall against Roberts as the action begins to pick up until the third Freebird Terry Gordy comes to the ring to use oriental spike move on Lance as The Freebirds take advantage of Kevin and Kerry Von Erich not being in the building after Gordy has the move locked in for an extended period of time enough faces make it to the ring to make the save and force The Freebirds to the back. Chris Adams takes on Brian Adias in a match controlled by Adams but won by Adias with Adams slipping on the banana peel as Adias wins with the small package.

7th January 1986

TV Shows

EastEnders is a very well known British soap opera. It’s not a show I have watched before although of course I had heard of the show. I wasn’t particularly invested in the plot however I think the setting being very much now a period piece showing a version of 1980’s London is interesting and I liked the slice of life element here and the Cockney accents were very much in effect here. If I find more episodes across this journey I’ll likely check them out.

News

KSTP News from Minneapolis. Ronald Reagan makes an address blaming Libya for terror attacks. The President has signed an executive order preventing business from working with Libya a regime he considers a threat to The United States. Any Americans that do business with Libya can be prosecuted and all Americans who are currently in Libya have been ordered to leave. The President is taking threats by Quaddafi seriously. Representative Martin Sabo a Democrat from Minnesota talks to the news team. He says that if the sanctions imposed by the President are to work European countries will need to take similar action. John Block is resigning as Secretary of Agriculture he says that the struggling farm economy is improving. Police are searching for a suspect William Dibble who is wanted for second degree murder. A former police officer has pleaded guilty for possession of methamphemine. A fire broke out in a Minneapolis home thankfully the resident managed to escape the fire which was caused by a cigarette. The residents of the Town of Delano want a railway crossing moved after the crossing killed four people last year. An explosion and fire has shut down a road in San Francisco causing massive traffic jams. Two people were killed after two US jets collided on the border between France and West Germany. There will be an investigation in Vietnam regarding whether any US POW’s remain in the country. The launch of space shuttle Columbia has been delayed once again due to poor weather. In Deluth preparations are being made for a sled dog race a real marathon that covers four hundred miles. The Foshay tower in Minneapolis has turned its lights on. The big warming trend is coming and snow is going to melt. The weather is going to be warm in the north of the country compared to normal but temperatures in the south will be below normal. However the weather in Minnesota is still cold with current temperatures in parts of the state below zero. Wind chill is currently thirty one below. There is a haze currently due to a weather phenomenon called inversion which is causing air temperature to be higher than ground temperature. The weather tommorrow is likely to be in the 20’s but wind chill is going to keep the feels like temperature down. In finance news the stock market has reached a record high. The Minnesota North Stars beat the New York Islanders 3-2. In other results Quebec beat St Louis 7-4 and Washington beat Detroit 4-3. The Minnesota Twins have made an off-season trade with Cleveland with Ken Schrom and Bryan Oelkers heading to the Indians for Roy Smith and Ramon Romero. The Twins are getting ready for the coming season with veteran players working out for the new season as the team will need their veterans if they are to compete in 1986. Jerry Burns has begun to work as the new coach of the Minnesota Vikings. The Ice Palace in St Paul is making news throughout the country. A man was thanked for returning money he found to Kentucky Fried Chicken.

WCCO TV news as we get more news from Minneapolis. The news starts with President Reagan’s sanctions on Libya. The PLO claim that there is no evidence of Libyan support of terrorism. A plane had to make an emergency landing in Greensboro nobody was injured. It is almost one year since a plane crash in Reno that killed 70 people. Families are still feeling the grief and a support group has been formed in St Paul to assist the families. Concerns about water in some suburbs in the Twin Cities however a study has been made and it isn’t likely that their is any danger of increased health issues such as Breast Cancer. Two affected wells have been shut down. A farm was auctioned off tensions boiling over and the affected farmer still wants to stay on the land. The US Postal Service has a new Postmaster General. Travel was hazardous today due to weather conditions one person was killed in California in a traffic accident. Potholes caused by the weather are affecting roads in Minnesota. It’s cold and snowing in Texas and in California the Santa Ana winds are gusting over 100mph making driving virtually impossible. Protests over planned increases to telephone bills. Unemployed people are struggling to find work through a counselling program. We have some results form high school hockey and Basketball. Ray Berry has been announced as the AFC Coach of the year for his success with the New England Patriots. An attempt is being made to recruit football players to become police officers.