Friday, July 16, 2021

RIP Paul Orndorff

 

Paul Orndorff vs. Bob Orton Jr., WWF 5/25/1985


Pretty much an 80s US heavyweight workrate match. Fast pace, with unpredictable structure. Both guys throw a tons of great punches, and them putting over the momentum swings looked awesome and totally credible. Anybody Orndorff gets punched he‘s bowled across the ring and selling in such a way that you really buy a simple punch as a momentum changer. Orton Jr. Has the cast on his arm and there is some brief but vicious looking armwork from Orndorff. Fun spot where Orndorff counters a piledriver and Orton drops into a tree of woe. Some great looking punch combos to end it before Orndorff punches the referee. This looks like a great feud.


Paul Orndorff vs. Sgt. Slaughter, WWF 6/2/1984


Yeah this rules. Orndorff is super hated and the fans pelt the ring with garbage at his sight. Slaughter catches Orndorffs back to start but Orndorff starts beating him back down fast. As usual, Orndorffs bumping and offense were super on point. Slaughter is a bloody mess soon and Orndorff is all over him working his cut with any method he can find. Slaughter makes a big comeback – only to get launched into the turnbuckle chest first and tumbling outside. That would be a throwaway spot now but here it‘s sold like a huge deal and sets up another great heat segment. Orndorff landing a running knee to Slaughters cracked ribs and then limping was just great. That‘s how you put over that you‘re in a gritty dangerous fight. The ending makes you want to see more of these two tearing each other up but apparently this was their only televised singles. Travesty.


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