WWF 305 Live: Andre vs. Blackjack Mulligan!

Andre the Giant vs. Blackjack Mulligan WWF 6/5/82 - EPIC

ER: What a fight! Matches like this are the reason we watch wrestling, the kind of thing you'd really remember seeing live. This had a strong vibe similar to my Memphis love, the Eddie Marlin vs. Tommy Gilbert Cowboy Boot match. This was that match, only both guys are humongous. It's a real off balance slugfest, both guys fighting dirty and spilling around the ring, leaning heavy into the ropes, gripping each other by the face. Mulligan is throwing punches with his gloved right hand, Andre is throwing headbutts as often as possible to counter. Mulligan works this match the way Hansen would work Andre, comes right at him with punches and clubbing arms, gets swatted away, then comes back with more of the same. Mulligan fought up in size incredibly well, coming off as Andre's equal and like someone who knew several Andre weaknesses that nobody else knew. Andre had to use a couple of desperation escapes that he rarely had to use, including a wild one to set up the finish. 

Mulligan convincingly dragged Andre to the mat a couple times, using a nasty nerve hold on his trap that Andre sold like the most painful submission possible. Andre's selling was great throughout, and it only got better once Mulligan started going for the claw. The look of fear on Andre's face as he blocked that claw was tremendous, and I loved the ways he would block Mulligan's offense or strikes. There's this great spot where Andre is on his back and catches a Mulligan stomp, and Mulligan brings the right balance of perseverance and "shit got caught by a giant" to the whole moment. The match peaks incredibly, with Mulligan rushing at Andre with the claw, and Andre intentionally throwing Mulligan and himself over the top to the floor just to break the hold. The match ends in a double count out, but the work on the floor is compelling and chaotic as hell, with Mulligan like a madman with his Claw blinders on, and Andre headbutting and clawing at Mulligan's face to keep that glove off his head. I really loved this, and it feels like it should be talked about with the best WWF 80s matches. 

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