Last time I ordered a bunch of DVD's from IVP Videos, I spotted this collection of Ernie Ladd matches, and it peaked my interest. I'd never really seen any Ladd matches before, but the line-up of tag, 6-man, handicap and cage matches looked like a fun bit of variety, so I added it to my selection. Amongst the matches are a selection of promos, which showed Ladd to be excellent on the mic, but the matches themselves weren't too shabby either...
Ernie Ladd vs Magnum TA
This is a cage match for Ladd's North American title. Ladd wears Magnum down early with some heavy blows and chokes in the corner, but TA fires back with a hefty back bodydrop. Ladd regains control after using the cage as a weapon, and continues to work over TA's head with headbutts and a big boot. Magnum returns the favour by ramming Ladd into the cage, and I love the drunken sell from Ladd as he gets up only to be hit by a TA axhandle. Ladd gets some tape from his tights and chokes TA with it as he comes off the ropes, then holds the choke as he gets the illegal pinfall. Short, but fun.
Ernie Ladd vs Kamala
This is JIP with Kamala in control. Ladd reaches into his trunks and uses a hidden object to get the advantage. Love Ladd cutting off a Kamala comeback by stomping on his toes. Friday trips Ladd from outside the ring, and a pair of splashes finishes it for Kamala. Not much shown, but wasn't very impressive.
Ernie Ladd vs Kerry Von Erich
A pre-match promo establishes that Ladd is replacing an injured Ted DiBiase. Kerry starts energetically, maybe too much so as a missed charge into the corner gives Ladd control. Ladd continues to work the shoulder with a nerve hold. Kerry breaks free and goes for an early claw, but Ladd makes the ropes. Kerry applies it anyway, breaking before the five-count. Ladd reaches into his tights whilst a DiBiase distraction takes place, allowing Ladd to attack Von Erich with the tape. Kerry powers out but in doing so bumps the ref, so DiBiase levels him outside. The sight of his own blood seems to fire Kerry up, as he fights back on Ladd, then ducks a blow and applies a claw for the win.
Ernie Ladd & the Midnight Express vs Jim Duggan & the Rock N Roll Express
I love Ladd's awesome robe with "Promises Promises" written on the back of it. Love the early part where Ricky Morton avoids some Dennis Condrey attacks, leading to Condrey striking both his partners accidentally. The heels works a heat section on Gibson, as the advantage of having the larger Ladd on their team means that he can easily control Gibson due to his size. Duggan tags in and seems fired up with lots of energy. His section of brawling with Ladd is pretty fun. A short heat section on Duggan is ended with an insane clothesline on Bobby Eaton. A longer heat section on Morton commences, and Ladd especially seems to be having fun picking away at him. His massive hammerlock lift is particularly cool. Ladd also hits several big legdrops, draping his whole legs over Morton. Sadly, some of the heat section is clipped, and we skip to the hot tag. There is a mass melee and, amongst it all, Ladd hits Morton with a foreign object for the pin. This was pretty great.
Ernie Ladd & Butch Reed vs Brickhouse Brown & Master Gee
Master Gee is perhaps better known as WWF star George Wells, the guy who foamed at the mouth at Wrestlemania II following a Jake Roberts snaking. I love Brown trashtalking Ladd during armbar before Gee clears both opponents from the ring. Wells looks pretty agile here, nailing some nice flying headscissors. Brown also shows nice movement, and the opening section has the faces outpacing the heels, who decide to take a breather. There is a fun spot where Brown and Gee take it in turns to hold Reed in a bow-and-arrow submission before a sneaky Ladd knee to the back of Brown turns the tide. Brown is a lot smaller than Ladd and Reed, so the heels can dominate him pretty easily. Reed locks on a bow-and-arrow submission on Brown, and Wells is great as the guy on the apron, desperate for the hot tag. Reed blocks it though with a nasty back suplex on Brown. Brown eventually tags in a fired-up Wells, whose energy at the hot tag is great, taking out both heels. He goes for a rolling cradle on Ladd, but a distraction allows Reed to drill him in the head with a foreign object for the win. Really fun match.
Ernie Ladd vs Mike Miller
Miller is a tall guy, but Ladd is substantially bigger and is able to use his sheer size to stop any attempts by Miller to gain momentum. A chop that cracks like a rifle shot sends Miller down, a big boot and legdrop finish this squash.
Ernie Ladd vs Mark Regan & Greg Brown
This has a 10 minute time limit. It doesn't need it. Regan looks in pretty good shape and is competitive with Ladd for...ooh, 10 seconds? After wiping the floor with Regan, Ladd lets Brown in and he looks less impressive. Big boot and legdrop quickly finish.
Ernie Ladd vs Bob Owens & Ed Siegel
Not really a match, as Ladd deems his opponents unworthy of facing him and hurls them both from the ring, demanding a title shot at Magnum TA. When TA does come out, Ladd demands a title shot and slaps him, before swiftly exiting the ring before TA gets fired up. Fun angle.
Ernie Ladd vs Steve Brinson
Brinson is a proper big boy, but Ladd takes his leg out and works him on the mat early. Brinson gets in a few shots, but they look soft as shit, and Ladd suckers him into a big boot in the corner. A few slams are followed by the big boot and legdrop for the win.
