TYWGIGB is a series where Sam breaks down the wrestling that was in 1984 week-by-week. Always expect match of the week but a grab bag from there.

MATCH OF THE WEEK

Jose Lothario vs. Black Gordman

Absolute heater.

Before writing this I was looking through some recent wrestling blog posts from others, diving through what is left of wrestling forums, and even Discords. A journey to see what the current state of “Wrestling with good punches” is. With a certain type of fan, people genuinely cared about “throws good punches”. Not as a bit, as a crux of an argument for a wrestler or match. Then that became a meme in itself, there seemed to be push back on the meme, but now…I don’t see the chatter around “throws good punches”. In 2025, looking at wrestling match reviews, “throws good punches” ain’t coming up a whole bunch. Did we lose the war? Do people value it less? Is it not good enough to be an amazing puncher?

Not going to solve that mystery today but I can say with my whole heart, these dudes throw good punches. With Lothario there is a natural talent refined by decades of on the job refinement. The way he squares his shoulders up, each punch looking like it would be at home in a ‘60s boxing movie.

Gordman is more a pure pro wrestling puncher with a dash of cartoon villain. Damn, it just works so well against the authenticity of Lothario.

I wanted to say “this has the rhythm of a boxing bout out of one of them moving pictures”. But it doesn’t. Sure, there are moments that feel pulled from Rocky III but this is the dastardly heel trying to get the advantage before the bell rings and looking to find every other opening to get ahead. Once Lothario gets on the train though it is nearly half of a match of him winning in hand to hand combat. There is the moment of digging deep but the payoff is so much sweeter than victory won from the jaws of defeat. Because there is a lot more punches with this payoff.

SUPERFLUOUS(S) OF THE WEEK

The Dynamite Kid Gets A Bad Wrap Match Of The Week

Dynamite Kid vs. Kuniaki Kobayashi

First, do the homework and go read the Dynamite Kid GWE thread on PWO.

…

…

Okay, I’m trusting you. Please do not betray that.

In the context of Greatest Wrestler Ever, maybe DK doesn’t deserve to be seen as a clear cut Dude. There is a this long stretch of grass between “Top 100 wrestler ever” and “Straight Dookie” that he likely lands in far more than the thread makes you believe. Makes it even better that his grandson, Davey Richards, suffers the same fate (though on a scale that tops out as “great for 2010-2013 ROH”.

This is part of the WWF Junior Title Tournament and the match feels properly weighty. Not to get too ahead of myself, likely the match of the tournament. Always Talking Tourneys.

The bad wrap DK gets is he can eat wrestlers alive and this is not that. The finish makes Kuniaki look a little stupid, but at least he was in the offensive driver’s seat on the way there. Starting with Kid doing some “I’m holding this wrist-lock until I die” stuff followed by playing king of the hill was lots of fun. Monkey flips, body slams, Kid would not quit it.

Past that point it is a bit more back-and-forth, nothing that I felt was truly irksome. And yeah, sometimes I want to see cool shit. Like Dynamite Kid diving across the ring and missing a headbutt and giving himself brain damage.

I walk out of this not having as much to say about Kobayashi (someone I generally like) so maybe Dynamite Kid did own his ass and I’m in the wrong.

Job Guy of the Week

Keith Larson come on down!

Based on what I could find, during the January 11th taping, Keith Larson has to get his ass beat twice. By two dudes who tend to not be fun, Greg Valentine and Dick Slater.

The Greg Valentine match happens on Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling. Was actually shocked about how much Keith got. There is this moment where he’s in a Valentine arm-lock and Keith bodyslams Greg out it, something my brain considers a “showcase spot”. Either it is a babyface turning the tide or a heel showing they are a bad ass. Keith does not turn the tide nor is he a bad ass. Finish looks like Greg is shooting. These clubbing forearms while Keith is tied into the ropes, sort of indiscriminate if it is Keith’s chest or face. Second rope elbow that follows made me want to throw up. That is the sign of good wrestling.

Dick Slater was outdone, sure, but he made sure to deliver his own moments. The gutwrench suplex is more like half a suplex and then letting Keith land where he may. Total disregard for him. Keith, the absolute legend, took it like a champ. Well…not a champ because that would imply quite something than a jobber, but I’m sure you get the point.

Other Musings

Butch Reed? Good imo

If it wasn’t for the absolute crackerjack that is Lothario versus Gordman, Butch versus Tito would have been the match of that show and likely the match of the week. On its face, sort of the perfect pairing. The ultimate babyface, Tito Santana, who might as well have the clear home-field advantage. Butch from another territory, built like a shit brickhouse, a guy who clearly has all the physical tools of a pro wrestler. Tito isn’t an average looking athlete by any means but the fact he isn’t wildly chiseled gets the Average Joe to buy into him being closer to Tito than Tito is to Butch. The Average Joe is stupid as hell in this scenario.

Anyway, that match is a ton of fun. Tito bounces like a pinball and Butch is as good a body blaster (tm tm) as you’ll get. It is a true blue hoot.

Talked about Rick Rude a little bit in the last piece, has a match with Butch in Mid-South. Same overall sentiment for Rick, how did he get good? Butch kills him. Looks good doing it. Sometimes massive men have a hard time looking “strong” when they aren’t going against other massive men because of course they should throw around smaller wrestlers. Doesn’t happen with Butch. There is one moment where Rick gets LAUNCHED into the ropes and I thought Rick was dead. Clearly, he was not, I know how time works. EDIT: This match took place last week. This won’t be the last time this happens as the tape date and actual date are so often conflated. Point stands, Butch Reed good.