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I was searching through the undocumented portion of the basement's extended video library when I stumbled on an old Coliseum Home Video compilation tape. As I sat down on my 3rd generation couch and popped the cassette in, I was surprised to find a Yokozuna vs. Diesel match, with Kevin Nash as World Champion. Through the magic of videos and DVDs I have been able to see more than a few of Yokozuna's matches. During the time period of this match, however, my focus was on my college education and not the squared circle. 

I have seen Diesel's matches with Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels and The Undertaker as well as watching Kevin Nash throughout his entire WCW/NWO career. (I always felt the Oz character was under utilized). I always thought Nash was incredible on the mic and had great comedic timing. His matches in WCW were fair at best, by Nash's own admission, but I thought character made up for the shortcomings.  In all of Kevin Nash's WWF battles as Diesel, that I have seen (outside of his title winning squash against Bob Backlund), he always seemed to put forth a good effort.

With that in mind, I was looking forward to Yokozuna and Nash going at it. Well lets chalk one up for the overly optimistic! The match started with them exchanging blows in the center of the ring. After a chop by Yokozuna, he whips Diesel to the corner, Diesel reverses, sending Yokozuna into the corner. As Diesel rushes in, Yokozuna moves, with Nash slamming into the turnbuckles and dropping to the mat. Yokozuna takes advantage, and climbs the ropes to deliver the Banzai Drop. Diesel moves out of the way, Yokozuna crashes to the canvas, Nash covers, 1-2-3. Its over. Diesel celebrated with the crowd. 

Now don't get me wrong, I get it, big guys, short match, big pop, everyone goes home happy. These days it is hard to find a match you haven't seen (or can't remember).  I was disappointing to see a 90 second match. But I guess the old saying applies, "Always leave them wanting more".

This week I had a chance to check out some old World Class wrestling and it got me thinking.....

First and foremost, I have always been a huge mark for the Fabulous Freebirds. The "Boys from Badstreet USA" had the perfect formula, a great talker, (Michael Hayes), an awesome young talent (Terry Gordy) and a small, old, gravel voiced third wheel (Buddy Roberts). Now everyone on the team made mistakes (Hayes musical career and Gordy's use of the Asiatic Spike as a finisher), but Roberts inclusion in the group only seemed to facilitate Hayes or Gordy in a singles push or in a six-man tag team bout. Anyone remember six man tag team championships? The Freebirds were incredible in World Class Championship Wrestling battling both the loved Von Erich clan and the hated Devastation Inc., headed by Skandor Akbar.

It used to blow my mind watching the crowd go berserk as the Von Erichs and Freebirds would brawl around the Dallas Sportatorium. The battles against The Road Warriors in Georgia Championship Wrestling and in the AWA were also great to see. The Freebirds were one of a few teams that weren't getting steam rolled by the Legion of Doom. When Gordy, Hayes and Roberts landed in Bill Watt's Mid South Territory, they were at there best. Whether it was going after Skandor Akbar's crew again , now including One Man Gang, or going at with Ted Dibiase and Steve Williams, this was a special time to enjoy the Fabulous Freebirds. They briefly spent time in Jim Crocket's promotion before going their separate ways. Never the most athletic, The Freebirds were one of the best tag teams of the pre- prime time TV era.