Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane vs. Bobby Fulton & Tommy Rogers

[8.0] "Aided by the hot crowd, this bout went all out right from the start. The workers brought their A game, creating a very heated match and played their roles in an excellent way. Especially the Fantastics, whose babyface comebacks were on point. A well done Dusty Finish and a well-executed sense of chaos and loss of control added so much."

[7.0] "Tremendous contest here, that is highlighted by tremendous heel work. The Midnights kept getting every advantage possible by getting under the skin of Bobby Fulton. Gulton had enough of The Midnights cheating ways and threw the referee out of the way and they cleaned house. While the decision would be overturned, The Fantastics appearing to have won the contest created a memorable moment for the crowd. ***1/2"

[5.0] "Intense, well-paced confrontation. The crowd went wild and Cornette's shenanigans fitted in well with the entertaining but not unbelievable in-ring action. The Fantastics' real false victory seems a little ridiculous today, but it's also the context of the time that favored this kind of booking. In-ring quality: 1/4. Stakes: 0.75/2. Justification: 0/1. Place on the card: 1/1. Suspense: 1/1. Bonus/Malus: none. Total: 4.75/10. Match seen on the WWE Network."

[9.0] "Possibly the fastest-paced tag match in wrestling history, it's marred only by the disqualification finish."

[7.0] "pure old school southern rasslin chaos. It's got some sloppy moments but its fun and they do some cool spots especially with the table."

[8.0] "That's the way you produce chaos. They jump started it and the brawl outside of the ring was a spectacle with fans getting properly warmed up after not too fast of an opener. They started it hot, so they knew that they couldn't slow down too much during the actual match and they did a fine job with that, keeping the fans at the edges of their seats. Stan and Bobby were feeding the babyfaces like the absolute pros that they were and the timing on all four guys' part was incredible when it comes to interferences and cheating, so the referee wasn't buried at no point. A fantastic pace that culminated in the final minutes and even though they did a DQ finish they still got a huge pop and it didn't feel like a slap in the face."

[8.0] "(***3/4) ah fuck cornette is great in this isn't he. perfect stooging. as a new-ish wrestling fan it's crazy to go back 35 years and see spots and ideas i've never seen. holding a table up to throw someone into is brilliant."

[8.0] "An incredible brawl to kick off the rivalry, which only got better. Classic Memphis shit and considering they had to do the DQ finish, it's about as good as it could have been. Super fun."

[9.0] "After the incredible showing that The Fantastics had in the non-title match, they were huge favourites for the titles here in the fans eyes. And unlike that match, this had a very quick start with a brawl to open the match. I dont think the bell rings so when the chairs and tables are being brought out, its all legal. Eventually, they go back into the ring where The Fantastics continue to destroy the MX with brute force and tag team moves. Stan Lane was able to knock Tommy Rogers for a loop on the floor and the MX hit a cool double team move to solidify their control. Eaton delivers some outstanding punches and throws Rogers into a table that Cornette held up, ala Fonzie/RVD, while Fulton had the ref held up. Rogers fights back with a headbutt to the midsection to Lane but falls victim to a scoop slam and a diving elbow drop. Rogers is excellent in the FIP with his great selling and hot moves which is complemented by the Midnight Express being on top of their game. Fulton plays a minor role as the apron guy, but he plays it well, knowing when to distract the ref enough to allow the MX to get away with their cheating. Fulton is able to get the tag but the ref didnt see it and isnt allowing them to switch. Fulton, in anger, throws Randy Anderson to the floor, and throws big hands at the MX, sending the crowd crazy. Rogers is able to get a diving splash as another ref comes in and counts the pin to crown seemingly new tag team champions. Of course, Randy Anderson comes in and DQs Fulton and the Fantastics for that assault. An excellent execution of the bait and switch. The MXs attack Fulton and Rogers, whipping Fulton with a belt before running away. This feud will continue. Excellent match. ****1/4"

[7.0] "This was a very fun match despite the disqualification. The two would eventually have some better rematches, but this was definitely a good start to their rivalry."

[8.0] "this is freaking tag team wrestling. This is what tag wrestling was built on. Yes everything in this match is basic but it freaking works man. I feel more in this match and have more emotion in this match than the flippy floppy crap today. And this is coming from a 20 year old. Incredible match. 4.25 stars."

[9.0] "You can't really call this a 5 star classic or anything because it's pretty short and there's a lot of antics, but the action is nonetheless great and really exciting to watch. Only a month later these same teams would have a match that you very much can call a 5 star classic, so just watch this one and then watch that one."

[10.0] "While the first Clash of the Champions is best known for featuring the most famous bout between Flair and Sting, a match which helped raise Sting's profile permanently, but for my money there are a couple better matches on the card and this is one of them. After Fulton & Rogers, The Fantastics, beat the US tag champions in a hard fought non-title match, it seemed that the Midnight Express were taking no chances in this one. In contract to their more traditional wrestling tactics in the previous match, in this one before the bell even rang the action went totally crazy, I'm talking folks throwing chairs and tables at each other, Cornette getting involved and then sprinting away, basically just a wild chaotic fight that had the crowd rocking out of their seats in excitement. This match is simply pure fun chaos, even with the expected DQ finish."

[9.0] "I remember watching this live and being unable to stop jumping around. Total excitement, there is no time or room to breath or pause. Hell, it was so weapon/outside brawl heavy that for a moment I thought it was no disqualification and only the finish told me it wasn't. Tony Schiavone has a great quote after the initial madness calms down (relatively): "And finally, some semblance of a tag team event is starting to take shape here". Tommy Rodgers is isolated and everything is going perfectly, The Midnights look devastating and Jim Cornette's presence is very much so felt. Bobby Eaton is truly throwing his all into everything he does, not caring if it's detrimental to his own physical being. The team work of The Midnights is sublime. There is a Bulldog on a table that is laying on concrete spot. A hot tag is made, the crowd ERUPTS, the ref didn't see it so he's tossed over the top. The action continues as a second referee comes in for the Dusty Finish. The Crowd ERUPTS AGAIN, sustained roar. The Fantastics don't win after all. 8.75"

[9.0] "WOW, this was wild as hell! This was a total blast to watch, as it was nonstop action and the crowd was red hot for all of it. After the early street fight action, the heels got in an extended heat sequence beating the hell out of Tommy Rogers (who sold it all like a champ). When the ref misses the hot tag, he gets thrown over the top rope! Hilarious. Of course, that ends in a screwy finish but that hardly puts a dent into what was a chaotic ten minute brawl. ****1/2"

[7.0] "Not bad. An excited crowd behind the Fantastics. She explodes following a hot tag at the very end. Victory for the Midnight Express following a false finish which saw the babyfaces win. (3*1/2)"

[9.0] "27/03/88 Clash of Champions MACW. I don't usually like reverse decision finishes, but this one played out well with Jim Cornette going nuts hitting refs with his loaded racket. A great match overall, real intensity and you could absorb the hatred. The ring work and psychology was a master class and the use of weapons was chaotic and realistic. This could change on a future watch but for now. 8.5*"

[8.0] "For a 1988 team match, the result is rather "modern". Overall it was a rather short match with a very wild brawl start and end and a wiser but very good midfield in the ring; all enhanced by the incredible enthusiasm of the crowd. The only downside is its duration and its really lackluster finish, but it's quite understandable since it will serve to justify a 5star rematch the following month with more time left to both teams to settle their problem"

[8.0] "This is an absolutely wild brawl, but especially for 1988. The pacing of matches was increasing around this time but this was on another level. Everyone works their socks off, including Cornette. The opening three minutes is crazy and the finish, despite having a blatant Dusty Finish included, is also a wild ride. Just a great time at the wrestling."

[8.0] "Wow, what a brawl! The heat was off the charts for this one, as the fans were absolutely rabid for everything that was taking place. The ring could barely contain the action as these two teams (and Cornette, for that matter) did everything they could to get at each other. The match had a frenzied pace and constantly felt like it was coming off the rails. The finish wasn't great, but outside of that this was a hell of a lot of fun."

[8.0] "This was a very hot and fun tag team match. This was a hell of a sprint and a pretty fun brawl. I really enjoy Midnight/Fantastics matches because they can be fun brawls mixed with great technical work and tag team prowess. I will say the finish was a little lame but it played into these guy's feud."

[6.0] "Jim Crockett/NWA just had better tag matches than the WWF 9 times out of 10. This one blew away most of the generic tag affairs the WWF was putting out. Crowd was hot for it, but it ended a little too soon on a DQ for my tastes."

[10.0] "Excellent match! The brawl and the beginning was the perfect balance of chaotic and fluid! Everyone in this match was a top tier talent. The way Tommy Rogers sold was perfect and Bobby Eaton was beautiful as always. A perfect tag team match."

[7.0] "This was an awful lot of fun and just a big old brawl between these two with Cornette getting involved as usual. Can't say I am a massive fan of the finish but it is over 30 years ago so what do I care. The crowd were hot for this one."

[8.0] "This is a wild one. The actions starts right off the bat and doesn't relent until well after the match ended. This one is a lot of fun even with the shady ending. ****1/4"

[8.0] "One of the best sub ten mins matches ever. Bad finish aside, this was a hot, fast paced, all action tag match. Tremendous heel work from The Midnights and Cornette, and awesome babyface performance from The Fantastics. [****]"

[8.0] "This is a textbook example on how you do tag team wrestling right! They all time their transitions perfectly and the crowd is molten hot whenever The Fantastics are able to make a comeback. Cornette was a treat to watch at ringside. Him mouthing off to the camera after he realized that he's been caught assisting The Midnights with a table spot was gold. I can take or leave the Dusty Finish, but I did wonder why the referee didn't disqualify anyone for using weapons at the start of the match."

[7.0] "A high-paced and energetic tag team match that shows off the strengths of the Midnight Express, and Cornette as a manager. Violent and chaotic in a good way, and the crowd was roaring the entire time, so what's not to love?"

[8.0] "Fast paced match from start to finish. Great brawling throughout. Cornette and company being the best type of heels. Aside from the wonky finish, it was fantastic. ****"

[7.0] "A red-hot tag team match from beginning to end, with a rabid crowd, great announcing, and a wild post-match scene."

[4.0] "With the heels being really basic dastardly heels and the babyface showing basic underdog charisma, this is probably a great match if you like the typical US 80s style of wrestling. For me, this was just really bland. It started with an annoying outside brawl before everyone was back in the ring overselling absolutely everything, making the match feel absurd. Cornette on the outside jumping for joy as his team beat down the Fantastics was hilariously absurd, and not in a good way. He made the already comical match feel even more fake. There was the typical angle of the heels somehow getting away with absolutely every dirty tactic they pulled out, all while the babyfaces were being unfairly controlled by the ref. This approach to the match (even if it happened back in the 80s before it became a wrestling staple) induced heavy eye-rolling for how try-hard it was at creating sympathy for the Fantastics. In the end the Fantastics ridiculously just THREW THE ANNOYING REF OUT OF THE RING, which of course didn't elicit a DQ for some reason, and then suddenly they got control of the match and won after another ref runs in to count the pin. That entire finish was totally nonsensical. I will at least give credit to the Midnight Express for putting together some decent wrestling moves at times, but they were still very basic moves. The Fantastics were so busy selling for the Midnight Express that they never got to show off much either. This is truly a match of its time and place. **"

[8.0] "Good stuff, especially for the era. Fun tag match with great heat. The crowd is amazingly hot for this! Great brawling start, then Rogers just takes a beating for the rest of the match, until he & his partner turn it around in a surprise finish for the faces. ****."

[9.0] "This ruled. Super heated, great all out brawling, great heel work by Eaton, Lane & Cornette, fantastic heat segment on Rogers - who sold it really well. ****1/4"

[10.0] "Their are matches that do not hold up with time, this is not one of these matches. This match was great. The finish kind of stinks but, this was on TV to build up to a future match I hope. But, with the crowd being explosive makes up for it."

[8.0] "Fast paced tag team match. They used chairs and tables but it ends in DQ, which is surprising. I wish it'd lasted longer. ****"

[9.0] "Great match by 80's standards. This was one of the best 10 minute matches I have ever seen although the finish sucked. Other than that great stuff. ****Œ"