1990-01-05 NWA Power Hour

The show starts with Jim Cornette cutting a promo about how much he dislikes Peoria, Illinois and blames Jim Ross for being there.  Even at 28, Cornette is already an eight year veteran here, and is great to watch as usual (3*)

Z-Man (Tom Zenk) def. Galaxian #2 (1*)

The Galaxians were a jobber tag team who wore ridiculous all-in-one red & orange bodysuits, masks, and hailed from outer space.  Z-Man was tagging with Flyin' Brian (Pillman) at this point in his career.

In what should have been a fairly routine squash match, Z-Man picks up the win in a little over ten minutes following a dropkick from the second turnbuckle.  He then proceeds to celebrate like he won the heavyweight title which seems a tad unnecessary.  The match ultimately did nothing to showcase Z-Mans ability (hip tosses, a crossbody), but the Galaxian was pretty cool even if he spent half of the match begging off (10:13)

Next up is Gordon Solie with the Wrestling News Network. The highlight of this segment is his bold prediction that the World Title will change hands in 1990.

Flyin' Brian def. Cactus Jack [From NWA Worldwide] (3*) 

These were Pillman's high-flying days when he wore the orange tights and rocked a poodle perm.  He is pretty solid at this point in his career (pre-injury), shows good technique and some decent high spots.  Cactus Jack is just starting to build his deranged lunatic persona that he would end up being the poster boy for.  The highlight of the match is Cactus Jack almost decapitating Pillman with his patented over the top rope clothesline, and sort of ends up dragging him out backwards by his neck from the apron.  Pillman picks up the win fairly quickly with a Crucifix (5:47)

Funk's Grill [w/ Norman & Woman] (1*)

Funk's Grill was a regular promo spot featuring Terry Funk in a tuxedo.  In this edition, Norman 'The Lunatic' is painting a picture of Woman.  Woman is married to Kevin Sullivan at this point in time and is pretty hot.  Norman is very fat and mentally challenged.

  
Woman berates Norman with "I bet your mommy called you Fatso", before Funk intervenes and stands up for the simpleton.  Norman is infatuated and doesn't like Funk threatening her.  This is all done to build up an upcoming feud with Sullivan, but as usual, Funk's Grill is just a bit weird.

 Ole & Arn Anderson def. The New Zealand Militia (1*)

Ole & Arn Anderson of the Four Horseman take on the New Zealand Militia in the final match of the evening.  The NZM were Jacko Victory & Rip Morgan, managed by Lord Littlebrook.  They were re-branded the following night as 'The Royal Family', but their terrible new outfits were debuted here.  The Horseman were babyfaces in January 1990, but I much preferred them as heels.  Ole is very close to the end of his in-ring career here and looks old and tired... Arn is still a very solid worker at this point.  In an unremarkable match, Arn Anderson scored the pinfall after hitting Jacko with Lord Littlebrook's cane (13:23)

The show ends as it began with Cornette previewing the upcoming weekly programming and announcing that, inexplicably, The Z-Man is the wrestler of the week.  Cornette seems to think this is a poor choice as well.