AWA Championship Wrestling
On ESPN Classics
April 30, 2008
Doug Maynard
Before I get started on the recap for the Tuesday night show, I have to apologize. I goofed yesterday. When I typed up the recap, I totally forget an entire segment. That's what I get for waiting until late in the day to type up the recap and having to rush. My bad! So here ya go! This is what happened in between the end of the Lawler - Von Erich match and the incredibly cheesy Sgt. Slaughter video.
Larry Nelson is in the studio with Sheik Adnan El Kassey and The Iron Sheik. Nelson asks Adnan if they're a part of SuperClash III and Adnan tells Nelson that it's no one 's business if they're part of it or not. But they have a big surprise. Then the Iron Sheik speaks up. Intelligent American people know about the Iron Sheik. He's come to the tough and dangerous area called the "AWWA" and sees King Jerry Lawler as the champion. He sees tough people like Wahoo, Greg Gagne, Sgt. Slaughter, etc. But he's here for one reason and take the World Championship from King Lawler. Then Adnan starts with some kind of rant and Sheik joins in and Nelson ends the interview segment.
So that's what was missing from yesterday's recap. Aren't you glad I caught that and remembered to put it in today? Two crazy Arabs doing a rant. Wrestling and sports-entertainmen t at it's best.
And now, on to Tuesday night's show. It's the AWA and it's on ESPN Classics. Lord, I hope we're finished with Memphis. Let's do this.
It's still 1988 and evidently, we're still in Nashville. Lee Marshall and Ray "The Crippler" Stevens are doing the commentary.
Gary Young & Cactus Jack w/ Downtown Bruno vs. Billy Travis & Scott Steiner
Scott still has the black hair and this is before he joined his brother in WCW to dominate the tag team world. Right now, he's just a big rookie with a great amateur background. And Cactus was the journeyman crazy-guy just waiting to go to WCW for a taste of fame and then ECW / Japan where he became a legend.
Cactus and Steiner start off. Cactus with some forearm shots and he tries to whip Scott into the corner. Steiner isn't moving. Steiner with the whip, the backdrop and some dropkicks for both Cactus and Young. Arm-drag on Cactus by Steiner and a power slam. Then he locks up the arm before tagging in Travis. Double-elbow by Steiner and Travis and Billy gets a two-count. Cactus with a hard slam and he tags in Young. Young walks into an arm-drag by Travis. Young with some forearm shots, but Travis ducks out and hits two more arm-drags on the bigger Gary Young. Travis misses the "Shades of the Stinger" splash in the corner and tags in the always dangerous Cactus Jack.
Double-elbow by Jack & Young and Jack follows with a knee-drop for two. Punches are exchanged and Cactus hits the "Shades of Hulk Hogan" leg-drop. Young tags in and he pancakes Travis to the mat and tags back in Cactus. Cactus with the punches, but Travis fights back with punches of his own and does the hot tag to Scotty Steiner. Steiner comes in and just cleans house on both Cactus and Young. He's a monster on a rampage. Young rolls to the floor and Steiner rolls up Cactus in a small-package. But the ref is busy trying to get Travis back on the ring apron. Gary Young has one of Downtown Bruno's boots in his hand and cracks Steiner across the head. Cactus rolls Steiner over and gets the pin.
Winners: Gary Young & Cactus Jack w/ Downtown Bruno
After the commercial break, we go to the next match. Jerry Lawler has joined the guys at the commentary table.
Teijo Khan w/ Soldat Ustinov vs. Mike Enos
I remember seeing Teijo during a brief run here in the Carolinas as part of Paul Jones "Army". Had a great look and stood out, but not really many memories about him. He was in and out pretty quickly. Mike Enos would later go on to team with Wayne Bloom and find success in the AWA as the tag champs, and then in WCW as "The Destruction Crew" and in WWE as "The Beverly Brothers". At this point, he was still pretty green and was a part-time wrestler and part-time referee for the AWA.
Khan starts off with a chop but Enos quickly comes back with a cross-body for two. Arm-drag and arm-bar by Enos. Khan escapes with a big back-breaker. Khan with the choke on the top rope, some fists and a slam. It's to the top for a fist-drop. What the...?? Khan doing a fist-drop on an opponent while Jerry Lawler is at ringside with the commentary. Isn't that against the law in TN? Someone has some major balls here! I'm sure Lawler didn't appreciate that.
Khan with the "Chin-lock of Doom!" Khan with punches and a power-slam. He takes his time in following up and misses the elbow-drop. Enos is coming back with punches and a hard whip to the corner for Khan. Khan comes out with a sick clothesline and it's over for Enos. Karate-thrust to the throat and Khan gets the pin.
Winner: Teijo Khan w/ Soldat Ustinov
We now go to Greg Gagne in the SuperClash III Control Center. Greg is talking about the big Title Unification Match that will take place at SuperClash III between Jerry Lawler and Kerry Von Erich. And then we go and take another look at the entire match between Von Erich and Lawler that set up the need for this whole "Title-Unification" thing. It's cut and paste time from Monday night's show.
Title Unification Match
AWA World Championship versus World Class Championship
Jerry "The King" Lawler vs. Kerry Von Erich
Kerry starts off by "Flair strutting" and then shoves Lawler to the corner. Lawler with a shove of his own and then we have a long lock-up with neither man able to maintain an advantage. Lawler with a headlock and a shoulder-block and then it's Lawler with some "Fargo-strutting" all his own. Kerry takes control with a kick, a clothesline, another kick and another clothesline. Lawler with a small-package for two. Lawler with the clothesline and Kerry rolls to the floor to escape the ring.
Kerry returns to the ring and Lawler and Von Erich trade fists. Kerry with a slam, but misses an elbow drop. Lawler goes up top and jumps right into the Von Erich Iron Claw. Kerry has the claw locked in on Lawler. Jerry elbows and punches his way free and the strap comes down. Lawler and Von Erich just trade punches. The ref gets too close and both men turn and, in a magical moment of in-stereo action, punch the ref. Kerry takes control with more punches as the second referee, Frank Morell, comes to the ring and calls for the bell. Both men are disqualified.
Double Disqualification - No Contest
Kerry gets the mic. He didn't come all the way from Texas for a disqualification. He's not leaving that ring until there is a winner. Lawler says OK, so the ref calls for the match to re-start.
Lawler and Von Erich are trading punches and the ref gets squashed and bumped in the corner. Von Erich catches Lawler with a big pile-driver and the ref is down to count the three-count.
Winner: Kerry Von Erich
The other ref is up. The pile-driver is illegal in TN, so Von Erich is automatically disqualified. Lawler wins by DQ.
Lawler gets on the mic. According to World Class rules, titles change hands on a DQ, so Lawler says that he is also the new World Class Champion.
Kerry on the mic. In World Class, they don't have any sissy rules like the pile-driver being illegal. So as far as he's concerned, he's the World Champion.
The referee's raise Lawler's hand as the announcers explain that the pile-driver, while legal in the AWA and World Class, is illegal in the State of TN, by order of the State Athletic Commission, so Kerry's using the pile-driver was an automatic DQ.
Winner by DQ: Jerry "The King" Lawler
And after enjoying the flashback from last night, it's back to "new" programming that we haven't seen yet (at least not for the past twenty years or so).
AWA International Television Championship Match
Ronnie Garvin (c) vs. Alan Reynolds
After a couple of false starts, Reynolds with a shove on Garvin. That's the end of any offense for him as his next move is missing a splash as Ronnie just steps out of the way. It's time for the Garvin Stomp! Reynolds tries to escape by going to the floor, but Ronnie follows and punches him a few times before suplexing him back into the ring. Ronnie with some stomps and a half-hearted pin attempt for two. Ronnie breaks the hold before the ref can count three and just shoves Reynolds over. Garvin rakes his nails across the back of Reynolds and lands a few headbutts. Backdrop and stomps and Garvin is just playing with this guy. Big fist as Ronnie uses the "Hands of Stone" to get the easy pin.
Winner: Ronnie Garvin
And to the next match.
Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson - The Rock & Roll Express vs. The Hangman & Keith Erick
Ricky and Robert get a big pop from the crowd and look pretty happy. The fans in TN loved their hometown heroes. Ricky and Erick start off and Erick throws a few punches. Ricky with a boot to Erick's face and a tag to Robert. Gibson with the knee-lift and another tag to Ricky. Morton scores with the dropkick and Erick tags out to the Hangman. Morton with the take down and a tag out to Gibson. It's back and forth by Ricky and Robert as they switch back and forth a few times with quick tags and just keep working over the Hangman. It's "make a wish" time as the Rock & Rollers split Hangman in half. Hangman attempts to fight back, but Morton and Gibson are too fast and he's unable to do anything but take a butt-whipping. Finally, it's the double-fist by the Rock & Rollers to knock Erick to the floor off the apron. A double-dropkick by Morton and Gibson on The Hangman and Ricky covers for a three-count.
Winners: The Rock & Roll Express
And now, it's to the final match of the evening. It's the main event. Verne Gagne has come to join Marshall on the commentary.
Sgt. Slaughter vs. Soldat Ustinov w/ Teijo Khan
Sarge comes to the ring handing out flags and is really working the crowd. This man needs to run for political office someday. He could sure give Hillary, Obama and McCain tips on how to suck up. Ustinov is just the generic fake Russian that was so prominent in wrestling in the 80's. But he's a big fellow, so that should count for something.
Soldat starts off with a headlock and then it's into the ropes for a shoulder-block. Sarge no-sells. Another try and no one moves. One more and then Soldat decides to bail to the floor to think things over. After a few seconds, he's back in the ring and Sarge with the headlock and then a hammerlock. To the ropes for a break and Soldat gets the advantage with a hammerlock of his own. Some more shoulder-blocks and no one moves. And then it happens. Sarge hits the shoulder-block and Soldat goes down. Ustinov with the big boot. Ustinov with a back-drop for a one-count. Soldat pounds away at Slaughter before tossing him to the floor. The referee is down to make sure that Teijo doesn't get involved.
Sarge walks it off and gets back into the ring. Ustinov with a punch, but Slaughter with the big backdrop. Slaughter with the dropkick and a big clothesline. Sarge goes for the Cobra Clutch. Here comes Teijo into the ring and he nails Slaughter with a karate thrust. Soldat goes for a clothesline and Slaughter ducks, so Soldat nails Teijo. Slaughter cleans house and chases both Khan and Ustinov from the ring.
Winner by DQ: Sgt. Slaughter
Lee Marshall climbs into the ring to talk to Slaughter Slaughter has the Russian flag in his hands and threatens to tear it up, but doesn't and Khan & Ustinov, who are lurking around the ring, get their flag back before going to the back.
Sarge says that the USA is "Number One!" and will do whatever they have to in order to keep their freedom and don't you ever forget it! He says that the only way that Ustinov was going to escape the Cobra Clutch was with help because no one has ever broken the Cobra Clutch. Ok, if you say so, Sarge! I saw Barry Windham do it in 1982 in Lumberton, NC, but I guess that doesn't count.
Sarge is the Americas Champion and wants to face the winner of the Lawler - Von Erich title unification match at SuperClash III. And he's sick of Col. DeBeers mouth too and wants a piece of him.
And the show ends.
Again, not a great show, but the nostalgia factor kept it interesting. That Garvin match almost put me to sleep, but then again, Ronnie Garvin matches almost always have that effect on me. It was cool to see a pre "Poppa Pump" Scott Steiner back when he was still throwing dropkicks and could move around that ring. And Lawler was funny on commentary.. . a sign of things to come, I guess.
I guess that's it for me today. I'll be back tomorrow with another recap of great AWA goodness from ESPN Classics, so look for it. Questions and comments can be sent to Doug28352@yahoo. com.
And on that, I'm out of here. Have a great day and always be a fan.
Ubuntu!
Monday, July 25, 2011
Retro: AWA On ESPN Classics: April 25, 2008
AWA Championship Wrestling
On ESPN Classics
April 25, 2008
Doug Maynard
Another night of the AWA on ESPN Classics. This is from (presumably) January of 1989 and features more great (?) action from the AWA's biggest (and only) pay-per-view extravaganza. Yep, I have to be talking about SuperClash III. It's Thursday night / Friday morning and I'm Doug. Are you ready for another trip back in time? Yeah, me too! Let's do it.
We go to Larry Nelson who wishes everyone Happy Holidays. He runs down what we have to look forward to in the next hour. Another look at Slaughter vs. DeBeers in that "Boot Camp" match. Plus Bill Apter has a special presentation for AWA World Champion Jerry "The King" Lawler and we'll see the S.S.T. taking on Michael P.S. Hayes & Steve Cox. And so much more.
And now, we go to SuperClash III. The guys on commentary are Lee Marshall and Verne Gagne.
WCCW Texas Heavyweight Championship Match
"Iceman" King Parsons (c) vs. Brickhouse Brown
Parsons starts off by talking trash and shoving Brickhouse around. Brown responds with a shove of his own and then moves to a headlock and a dropkick. Parson bails to the floor to complain and regroup. Back in the ring and Brown almost immediately scores with a backslide for a quick two-count. Parsons bails to the floor again to argue with some fans at ringside. Back in the ring again and Brown with the headlock. Parsons with a "Shades of Harley Race" high knee to the face. A clothesline and a snap suplex and Parsons gets a two-count.
Brown comes back after a whip into the ropes with a cross-body for two. Parsons with the fists and a two-count. Parsons argues with the referee about his count and then goes for a piledriver. Brown reverses with the backdrop. It's punches and kicks by Brown and he's feeling it as he plays to the crowd and pounds on Parsons in the corner. A "Shades of Tito Santana" flying burrito by Brown and get gets a two-count. Brown argues with the referee about the count and Parsons goes into his tights for a foreign object. Parsons with the taped fist and he bails Brown before putting the taped knucks (or whatever they were) back into his tights. Cover and pin and Parsons retains his title.
Winner: "Iceman" King Parsons
We go back to Larry Nelson who mentions about how he thinks Parsons used a foreign object, but it's a moot point now. He talks about how Parsons and Brown used to be friends and partner and now can't stand each other. It's probably not over with those two.
Then Larry brings in Greg Gagne and congratulates him on his big victory over Ronnie Garvin to regain the AWA International TV Title. Greg puts over Garvin and says that he didn't want to win that way, but he was fortunate. He compares SuperClash III to the playoffs and the Super Bowl and says that everyone is up and psyched for the shows. Garvin made a mistake and it costs him the title. Greg says that he will be defending the title all over the world and mentions Europe and South Africa. He talks then about how the Iron Sheik and Don Muraco have returned to the AWA and says that talent is coming back to the AWA. The AWA is not all caught up in hype and showbiz (wonder who he was talking about then?) and is "the wrestling league". And Gagne closes by saying that 1989 will be a "big year for the AWA".
We go back again to Larry Nelson who talks about the "Boot Camp Match" from SuperClash III. He says that Slaughter was ready to settle things with Col. DeBeers and we go to video of the match. Sarge has the cobra-clutch on DeBeers and the ref is calling for the bell. Sarge wins! Sarge wins! Sarge wins! But Diamond Dallas Page is up on the ring apron and waving to the back. Here comes Sheik Adnan El Kassey to attack Slaughter. Sarge fights off Adnan and Page and puts Adnan into the cobra-clutch. And here comes The Iron Sheik. It's a four-on-one mugging now as Iron Sheik, Col. DeBeers, Sheik Adnan & Dallas Page gang up on and beat down Slaughter. Iron Sheik has a foreign object and Slaughter is busted open and pouring blood. After we watch this, we go back to Nelson and he talks about both of the Sheiks and their hatred for Slaughter.
And it's promo time for Sgt. Slaughter. Everyone knows about Sgt. Slaughter and the Iron Sheik, Col. DeBeers and Sheik Adnan El Kassey. Sarge wants them to sign the dotted line and face him one on one, face to face. He says that the time is drawing near.
And it's back to Nelson again. He puts over Pro Wrestling Illustrated and says that Bill Apter was at SuperClash III to present a very special award to the AWA World Champion, Jerry "The King" Lawler. We go to Nelson with Bill Apter and Jerry Lawler.
Bill gives Jerry the Pro Wrestling Illustrated "Inspirational Wrestler of the Year" plaque. Jerry thanks the fans and says that he deserves it. And he will be "Wrestler of the Year" next year after he wins the match and title.
Back to Nelson in the studio and he says that Lawler did win his match at SuperClash III and unified the Championships. Then Larry abruptly changes subjects and says that he just doesn't like Sheik Adnan El Kassey or the Iron Sheik. We go to an interview that Nelson did with the Sheiks after SuperClash III.
Iron Sheik confirms his resume with Nelson - he's a former WWF Champion and former Olympic medalist from Iran. He tells "Mister Sgt. Slaughter" that the Sheik has come to the roughest and toughest area - the AWA and they have a surprise for Slaughter. Sheik Adnan says that they've joined together with Col. DeBeers. Col. DeBeers comes in and calls the Sheiks "gentlemen" and says that Iron Sheik will be prepared and with the brains of DeBeers and Sheik Adnan, they will destroy "America's hero". The end of Slaughter is near.
And finally, it's back to Larry Nelson again who sends us to SuperClash III for the next match.
WCCW Light Heavyweight Championship Match
Jeff Jarrett (c) vs. "Flambouyant" Eric Embry
We start off with a series of back and forth moves and counters that is just too fast to keep up with as Embry goes to the arm, Jeff reverses, Eric reverses the reversal and so on. Finally, things slow down as Jarrett locks up the arm. Eric with a flip-out and a clothesline. Jeff hits a clothesline and misses a cross-body press, hitting his arm and shoulder on the rope as he rolls to the floor. Eric waits for Jeff to get back into the ring and goes after the arm. Jarrett with a kick and a dropkick, but he lands on his shoulder and looks to be hurting. Jarrett with a series of pinning moves (sunset flip, backslide, small-package) , but can never get more than a two-count. Embry with a reversal of the sunset flip and holds on for a three-count. We have a new champion.
Winner and NEW WCCW Light Heavyweight Champion: "Flambouyant" Eric Embry
Lee Marshall talks to Eric immediately after the match. Eric talks about how the belt is back where it belongs. He's the one who went to South Africa to bring the title home and has held the title longer than anyone. He puts over Jeff Jarrett and says that anytime Jeff wants a rematch, he's right at the top of the list. Eric excuses himself to go check on Jarrett and his injured shoulder.
We go back to Nelson in the studio who is talking now about the "Indian Strap Match" that happened between Manny Fernandez and Chief Wahoo McDaniel. Nelson says that it's the most brutal match he's ever seen and we're going to video by Wahoo, both immediately after the match and later, after he's had a chance to cool down and from the Ragin' Bull as well.
Wahoo is a bloody mess immediately after the match and is approached by Lee Marshall for an interview. Wahoo says that he doesn't think it will ever be settled between him and Fernandez except maybe behind the building or maybe with a gun. Beating Manny is not what Wahoo wants - Wahoo wants him dead!
Manny's promo is next and he wants a Mexican Death Match against Wahoo. He says that the Viet-cong tried to do him in back in 72/73 and he's still here. Wahoo has guts and is tough, but "The Bull" is tougher and harder.
Back to Wahoo who admits that he may have said things he didn't mean. Lawler is on the top of his list, but it's gut-check time with Fernandez. He doesn't know if things will ever be settled between them. Somewhere down the line, they're gonna meet again and somewhere in the U.S., "the smoke is gonna get thick again!"
Back to Larry Nelson again and it's time to go to the main event. This is from SuperClash III and the guys doing the announcing are Lee Marshall & Ray "The Crippler" Stevens.
WCCW World Tag Team Championship Match
The Samoan Swat Team (Fatu & Samu) w/ "Freebird" Buddy Roberts (c) vs. Michael P.S. Hayes & Steve Cox
The SST and Roberts are coming to the ring to the sounds of Bobby McFerrin and "Don't Worry - Be Happy!" Awesome! Hayes and Cox are jamming to the sounds of "Badstreet USA". So does this make Cox an honorary Freebird? Nah, I didn't think so.
Hayes starts off with Samu. They trade punches and Hayes hits a knee before tagging out to Cox. Steve goes after the arm of Samu. Fatu (later to be better known as Rikishi) comes in and has a quick altercation with Hayes that sees Fatu getting crotched. Meanwhile, while all of that is happening, Cox just keeps Samu locked up by the arm. Samu attempts a comeback and misses a cross-body splash. Cox goes back to the arm again.
Samu pushes Cox back to his corner and Fatu grabs Cox from the outside. Samu takes a swing, but Cox ducks and Samu nails Fatu. Samu works over Cox with chops and kicks and they try it again. Fatu holds Cox. Samu swings. Cox moves. Fatu gets nailed. Cox tries to fight back, but Fatu pulls the ropes down as Cox hits them and Cox ends up tumbling to the floor. Hayes comes over to help his partner, but the ref is there to send Hayes back to his corner as Fatu rolls Cox back into the ring.
Samu with chops and a clothesline. Fatu tags in with kicks and a big karate thrust to the throat. A hot-shot by Fatu and Cox drops throat first across the top-rope. Fatu rips at the eyes and clamps on a "Shades of Mr. Fugi" nerve hold on the neck. Cox is up and fights back with some elbow shots. A double-clothesline as Fatu & Cox have the same idea. Both men are down.
Hayes and Samu are both tagged in. Hayes with punches and kicks and a backdrop. A clothesline to Samu and some punches to Fatu for good measure. Everyone is in and it's time for some classic "OINGO BOINGO" action. Cox tosses Fatu to the floor and flies with a suicide dive over the top rope to nail the future "Stinkfacer" on the floor. Hayes has Samu set up and it's time for a trip to Badstreet for Samu as Hayes hits a big "Shades of Jake Roberts" DDT. Hayes has Samu covered, but the referee is over dealing with Cox & Fatu. Buddy Roberts is in the ring and nails Hayes with something and then rolls Samu over on top of Hayes. Roberts flees the ring as the referee turns around and makes the three-count.
Winners and Still Champions: The Samoan Swat Team (Fatu & Samu) with "Freebird" Buddy Roberts
Cox complains to the referee, but the ref can't call what he didn't see and the decision stands. A "new referee" chant is coming from the crowd as Cox helps Hayes to the back. We see a replay and it looks like Roberts hit Hayes with a loaded glove, but it's hard to tell for sure. Anyhow, the SST keep their titles.
Back to Larry Nelson again. He talks about how Roberts and Hayes used to be friends and Freebirds together. And then Larry brings in Derrick Dukes and Ricky Rice, aka "The Original Top Guns". Rice explains how it works. They were the original "Top Guns" together, but then Dukes went to Europe and Rice joined forces with Jon Paul to form a new "Top Guns". When Bad Company put Paul out of action, Rice decided to call Dukes and the original team is back together again. Dukes interjects that "Sad Company" can run all they want to, but the original "Top Guns" will fly again.
Larry Nelson changes the subject and wants to know if either man has any marriage plans? What the..?? Rice says that he doesn't know about marriage or any marriage plans, but he and Dukes do appreciate the pretty ladies. And Dukes agrees as the segment ends.
And there ya go. Another show in the books for the AWA on ESPN Classics. Not a great show, but not really bad either. Wahoo saying that he wants Fernandez dead? Wow! No wonder they brought him back to clarify things. Even in the "anything goes eighties", that was crossing the line with that comment. We got a chance to see two of the three Freebirds, Iceman Parsons, the always exciting Eric Embry, Jeff Jarrett before he became preoccupied with "slapnuts" and "Ain't I Great", a skinny Rikishi, and so much more. Just for the nostalgia factor, these shows are awesome.
I'm getting sick of looking at Larry Nelson every three minutes, but sacrifices have to be made, I guess. Hopefully, tonight will be the last of the SuperClash III matches and we can get back to regular TV tapings. I miss the action from the Showboat and Vegas.
I guess that's it for me today. One more show for this week and it'll be up tomorrow for your reading pleasure. Questions and comments can be sent to Doug28352@yahoo. com . Come visit me on MySpace at www.myspace. com/salt_ palace. Add me as a friend. You know you want to.
And on that, I'm gone. I'm Doug. Have a great day and always be a fan. I'll see you tomorrow with more classic AWA mat goodness. See ya!
Ubuntu!
On ESPN Classics
April 25, 2008
Doug Maynard
Another night of the AWA on ESPN Classics. This is from (presumably) January of 1989 and features more great (?) action from the AWA's biggest (and only) pay-per-view extravaganza. Yep, I have to be talking about SuperClash III. It's Thursday night / Friday morning and I'm Doug. Are you ready for another trip back in time? Yeah, me too! Let's do it.
We go to Larry Nelson who wishes everyone Happy Holidays. He runs down what we have to look forward to in the next hour. Another look at Slaughter vs. DeBeers in that "Boot Camp" match. Plus Bill Apter has a special presentation for AWA World Champion Jerry "The King" Lawler and we'll see the S.S.T. taking on Michael P.S. Hayes & Steve Cox. And so much more.
And now, we go to SuperClash III. The guys on commentary are Lee Marshall and Verne Gagne.
WCCW Texas Heavyweight Championship Match
"Iceman" King Parsons (c) vs. Brickhouse Brown
Parsons starts off by talking trash and shoving Brickhouse around. Brown responds with a shove of his own and then moves to a headlock and a dropkick. Parson bails to the floor to complain and regroup. Back in the ring and Brown almost immediately scores with a backslide for a quick two-count. Parsons bails to the floor again to argue with some fans at ringside. Back in the ring again and Brown with the headlock. Parsons with a "Shades of Harley Race" high knee to the face. A clothesline and a snap suplex and Parsons gets a two-count.
Brown comes back after a whip into the ropes with a cross-body for two. Parsons with the fists and a two-count. Parsons argues with the referee about his count and then goes for a piledriver. Brown reverses with the backdrop. It's punches and kicks by Brown and he's feeling it as he plays to the crowd and pounds on Parsons in the corner. A "Shades of Tito Santana" flying burrito by Brown and get gets a two-count. Brown argues with the referee about the count and Parsons goes into his tights for a foreign object. Parsons with the taped fist and he bails Brown before putting the taped knucks (or whatever they were) back into his tights. Cover and pin and Parsons retains his title.
Winner: "Iceman" King Parsons
We go back to Larry Nelson who mentions about how he thinks Parsons used a foreign object, but it's a moot point now. He talks about how Parsons and Brown used to be friends and partner and now can't stand each other. It's probably not over with those two.
Then Larry brings in Greg Gagne and congratulates him on his big victory over Ronnie Garvin to regain the AWA International TV Title. Greg puts over Garvin and says that he didn't want to win that way, but he was fortunate. He compares SuperClash III to the playoffs and the Super Bowl and says that everyone is up and psyched for the shows. Garvin made a mistake and it costs him the title. Greg says that he will be defending the title all over the world and mentions Europe and South Africa. He talks then about how the Iron Sheik and Don Muraco have returned to the AWA and says that talent is coming back to the AWA. The AWA is not all caught up in hype and showbiz (wonder who he was talking about then?) and is "the wrestling league". And Gagne closes by saying that 1989 will be a "big year for the AWA".
We go back again to Larry Nelson who talks about the "Boot Camp Match" from SuperClash III. He says that Slaughter was ready to settle things with Col. DeBeers and we go to video of the match. Sarge has the cobra-clutch on DeBeers and the ref is calling for the bell. Sarge wins! Sarge wins! Sarge wins! But Diamond Dallas Page is up on the ring apron and waving to the back. Here comes Sheik Adnan El Kassey to attack Slaughter. Sarge fights off Adnan and Page and puts Adnan into the cobra-clutch. And here comes The Iron Sheik. It's a four-on-one mugging now as Iron Sheik, Col. DeBeers, Sheik Adnan & Dallas Page gang up on and beat down Slaughter. Iron Sheik has a foreign object and Slaughter is busted open and pouring blood. After we watch this, we go back to Nelson and he talks about both of the Sheiks and their hatred for Slaughter.
And it's promo time for Sgt. Slaughter. Everyone knows about Sgt. Slaughter and the Iron Sheik, Col. DeBeers and Sheik Adnan El Kassey. Sarge wants them to sign the dotted line and face him one on one, face to face. He says that the time is drawing near.
And it's back to Nelson again. He puts over Pro Wrestling Illustrated and says that Bill Apter was at SuperClash III to present a very special award to the AWA World Champion, Jerry "The King" Lawler. We go to Nelson with Bill Apter and Jerry Lawler.
Bill gives Jerry the Pro Wrestling Illustrated "Inspirational Wrestler of the Year" plaque. Jerry thanks the fans and says that he deserves it. And he will be "Wrestler of the Year" next year after he wins the match and title.
Back to Nelson in the studio and he says that Lawler did win his match at SuperClash III and unified the Championships. Then Larry abruptly changes subjects and says that he just doesn't like Sheik Adnan El Kassey or the Iron Sheik. We go to an interview that Nelson did with the Sheiks after SuperClash III.
Iron Sheik confirms his resume with Nelson - he's a former WWF Champion and former Olympic medalist from Iran. He tells "Mister Sgt. Slaughter" that the Sheik has come to the roughest and toughest area - the AWA and they have a surprise for Slaughter. Sheik Adnan says that they've joined together with Col. DeBeers. Col. DeBeers comes in and calls the Sheiks "gentlemen" and says that Iron Sheik will be prepared and with the brains of DeBeers and Sheik Adnan, they will destroy "America's hero". The end of Slaughter is near.
And finally, it's back to Larry Nelson again who sends us to SuperClash III for the next match.
WCCW Light Heavyweight Championship Match
Jeff Jarrett (c) vs. "Flambouyant" Eric Embry
We start off with a series of back and forth moves and counters that is just too fast to keep up with as Embry goes to the arm, Jeff reverses, Eric reverses the reversal and so on. Finally, things slow down as Jarrett locks up the arm. Eric with a flip-out and a clothesline. Jeff hits a clothesline and misses a cross-body press, hitting his arm and shoulder on the rope as he rolls to the floor. Eric waits for Jeff to get back into the ring and goes after the arm. Jarrett with a kick and a dropkick, but he lands on his shoulder and looks to be hurting. Jarrett with a series of pinning moves (sunset flip, backslide, small-package) , but can never get more than a two-count. Embry with a reversal of the sunset flip and holds on for a three-count. We have a new champion.
Winner and NEW WCCW Light Heavyweight Champion: "Flambouyant" Eric Embry
Lee Marshall talks to Eric immediately after the match. Eric talks about how the belt is back where it belongs. He's the one who went to South Africa to bring the title home and has held the title longer than anyone. He puts over Jeff Jarrett and says that anytime Jeff wants a rematch, he's right at the top of the list. Eric excuses himself to go check on Jarrett and his injured shoulder.
We go back to Nelson in the studio who is talking now about the "Indian Strap Match" that happened between Manny Fernandez and Chief Wahoo McDaniel. Nelson says that it's the most brutal match he's ever seen and we're going to video by Wahoo, both immediately after the match and later, after he's had a chance to cool down and from the Ragin' Bull as well.
Wahoo is a bloody mess immediately after the match and is approached by Lee Marshall for an interview. Wahoo says that he doesn't think it will ever be settled between him and Fernandez except maybe behind the building or maybe with a gun. Beating Manny is not what Wahoo wants - Wahoo wants him dead!
Manny's promo is next and he wants a Mexican Death Match against Wahoo. He says that the Viet-cong tried to do him in back in 72/73 and he's still here. Wahoo has guts and is tough, but "The Bull" is tougher and harder.
Back to Wahoo who admits that he may have said things he didn't mean. Lawler is on the top of his list, but it's gut-check time with Fernandez. He doesn't know if things will ever be settled between them. Somewhere down the line, they're gonna meet again and somewhere in the U.S., "the smoke is gonna get thick again!"
Back to Larry Nelson again and it's time to go to the main event. This is from SuperClash III and the guys doing the announcing are Lee Marshall & Ray "The Crippler" Stevens.
WCCW World Tag Team Championship Match
The Samoan Swat Team (Fatu & Samu) w/ "Freebird" Buddy Roberts (c) vs. Michael P.S. Hayes & Steve Cox
The SST and Roberts are coming to the ring to the sounds of Bobby McFerrin and "Don't Worry - Be Happy!" Awesome! Hayes and Cox are jamming to the sounds of "Badstreet USA". So does this make Cox an honorary Freebird? Nah, I didn't think so.
Hayes starts off with Samu. They trade punches and Hayes hits a knee before tagging out to Cox. Steve goes after the arm of Samu. Fatu (later to be better known as Rikishi) comes in and has a quick altercation with Hayes that sees Fatu getting crotched. Meanwhile, while all of that is happening, Cox just keeps Samu locked up by the arm. Samu attempts a comeback and misses a cross-body splash. Cox goes back to the arm again.
Samu pushes Cox back to his corner and Fatu grabs Cox from the outside. Samu takes a swing, but Cox ducks and Samu nails Fatu. Samu works over Cox with chops and kicks and they try it again. Fatu holds Cox. Samu swings. Cox moves. Fatu gets nailed. Cox tries to fight back, but Fatu pulls the ropes down as Cox hits them and Cox ends up tumbling to the floor. Hayes comes over to help his partner, but the ref is there to send Hayes back to his corner as Fatu rolls Cox back into the ring.
Samu with chops and a clothesline. Fatu tags in with kicks and a big karate thrust to the throat. A hot-shot by Fatu and Cox drops throat first across the top-rope. Fatu rips at the eyes and clamps on a "Shades of Mr. Fugi" nerve hold on the neck. Cox is up and fights back with some elbow shots. A double-clothesline as Fatu & Cox have the same idea. Both men are down.
Hayes and Samu are both tagged in. Hayes with punches and kicks and a backdrop. A clothesline to Samu and some punches to Fatu for good measure. Everyone is in and it's time for some classic "OINGO BOINGO" action. Cox tosses Fatu to the floor and flies with a suicide dive over the top rope to nail the future "Stinkfacer" on the floor. Hayes has Samu set up and it's time for a trip to Badstreet for Samu as Hayes hits a big "Shades of Jake Roberts" DDT. Hayes has Samu covered, but the referee is over dealing with Cox & Fatu. Buddy Roberts is in the ring and nails Hayes with something and then rolls Samu over on top of Hayes. Roberts flees the ring as the referee turns around and makes the three-count.
Winners and Still Champions: The Samoan Swat Team (Fatu & Samu) with "Freebird" Buddy Roberts
Cox complains to the referee, but the ref can't call what he didn't see and the decision stands. A "new referee" chant is coming from the crowd as Cox helps Hayes to the back. We see a replay and it looks like Roberts hit Hayes with a loaded glove, but it's hard to tell for sure. Anyhow, the SST keep their titles.
Back to Larry Nelson again. He talks about how Roberts and Hayes used to be friends and Freebirds together. And then Larry brings in Derrick Dukes and Ricky Rice, aka "The Original Top Guns". Rice explains how it works. They were the original "Top Guns" together, but then Dukes went to Europe and Rice joined forces with Jon Paul to form a new "Top Guns". When Bad Company put Paul out of action, Rice decided to call Dukes and the original team is back together again. Dukes interjects that "Sad Company" can run all they want to, but the original "Top Guns" will fly again.
Larry Nelson changes the subject and wants to know if either man has any marriage plans? What the..?? Rice says that he doesn't know about marriage or any marriage plans, but he and Dukes do appreciate the pretty ladies. And Dukes agrees as the segment ends.
And there ya go. Another show in the books for the AWA on ESPN Classics. Not a great show, but not really bad either. Wahoo saying that he wants Fernandez dead? Wow! No wonder they brought him back to clarify things. Even in the "anything goes eighties", that was crossing the line with that comment. We got a chance to see two of the three Freebirds, Iceman Parsons, the always exciting Eric Embry, Jeff Jarrett before he became preoccupied with "slapnuts" and "Ain't I Great", a skinny Rikishi, and so much more. Just for the nostalgia factor, these shows are awesome.
I'm getting sick of looking at Larry Nelson every three minutes, but sacrifices have to be made, I guess. Hopefully, tonight will be the last of the SuperClash III matches and we can get back to regular TV tapings. I miss the action from the Showboat and Vegas.
I guess that's it for me today. One more show for this week and it'll be up tomorrow for your reading pleasure. Questions and comments can be sent to Doug28352@yahoo. com . Come visit me on MySpace at www.myspace. com/salt_ palace. Add me as a friend. You know you want to.
And on that, I'm gone. I'm Doug. Have a great day and always be a fan. I'll see you tomorrow with more classic AWA mat goodness. See ya!
Ubuntu!
Retro: AWA On ESPN Classics: April 24, 2008
AWA Championship Wrestling
On ESPN Classics
April 24, 2008
Doug Maynard
Well, I thought I was going out last night. But after paying some bills, my wallet said otherwise. So I stayed home and watched AWA instead. And I'm glad I did. So here we go with another great night of AWA action on ESPN Classics. This is apparently the "go-home" show for SuperClash III, so that places it in early December of 1988. There is so much ground to cover that there's no time for chit-chat. Let's get right to it.
"Stagger" Lee Marshall and Larry "Why Doesn't The WWF Want Me" Nelson are the main guys tonight.
We start off with Lee and Larry doing the hard-sell for the SuperClash III PPV that's coming up in a just a few days. Call your local cable provider and watch the show. The fate of the AWA depends on it. Ooops! I guess no one called because SuperClash III was the first (and last) AWA PPV event and the AWA folded about a year later.
We go to a piece of video of Ronnie Garvin knocking out Greg Gagne to capture the AWA International TV Championship. Marshall & Nelson do the voice-over and say that AWA President Stanley Blackburn has reviewed the tape and held the championship up.This gives Greg an advantage because it takes away the "championship advantage" that Ronnie Garvin would usually have going into this match. They discuss this match and then inform us that as the show progresses, Lee & Larry will make predictions for the SuperClash III PPV matches. Oh joy!
We go to the first match which is, I believe from Memphis, TN and the Mid-South Coliseum. Lee Marshall and Diamond Dallas Page are the commentators.
"The Boogie Woogie Man" Jimmy Valiant vs. "Wildfire" Tommy Rich
Jimmy comes to the ring to the sounds of "Boy From New York City" and is slapping flesh and kissing the fans. Rich is waiting in the ring and attacks Boogie as he climbs into the ring. It's all Rich as he dominates with chokes, clotheslines, knees and punches. The referee tries to get in there and Rich shoves him away first and then levels the referee with a punch. Valiant is up and goes ballistic on Rich with punches and a backdrop. The ref is up and Valiant punches him. It's total OINGO BOINGO action as Rich and Valiant brawl to the floor, trading fists. Several wrestlers including Cactus Jack and The Hangman, as well as several others, come to the ring to separate the two battling brawlers. It takes a while, but they finally get pulled apart and Rich bails to the back.
No Contest - Double Disqualification
Larry Nelson is talking to the AWA World Champion (and CWA World Champion) Jerry "The King" Lawler. Jerry talks about the pressure that Kerry Von Erich must be feeling right about then and says that he'd love to be a fly on the wall at the Von Erich's household. Kerry's family has had so much bad luck and all the pressure is on Kerry right now. Lawler says that he heard from sources that Kerry was waking up at night in cold sweats and wondering if he's going to let his family down again. Jerry says that, yes, Kerry is going to let the family down. He's going to lose.
And now back to Lee Marshall and Larry Nelson in the studio as they do some predictions for the SuperClash III matches. Both men pick the Guerrero Brothers to defeat Cactus Jack and the Rock & Roll RPM's in the six-man match. In Jeff Jarrett vs, Eric Embry, Nelson picks Jeff while Lee picks Eric. Moving to the "Boot Camp Match" with Sgt. Slaughter vs. Col. DeBeers, both men surprisingly pick DeBeers. And in the P.O.W.W. Street Fight Lingerie Battle Royal, Lee picks The Terrorist to win, while Larry doesn't care who wins just so long as they're all stripped down to their lingerie.
We jump to the next match already in progress. Its the ladies in action.
Wendi Richter & Magnificent Mimi vs. Madusa & Sylvia
Sylvia is the blond valet of Rob Fuller and the Stud Stable. She's also Mrs. Rob Fuller. Magnificent Mimi was never much so far as wrestling goes, but she was famous for videos and bad movies that were often advertised in the back of wrestling magazines in the early 80's. Wendi Richter was the former WWF Women's Champion who was the victim of the first "Screw Job" by Vince McMahon and the WWF. And Madusa - she drives Monster Trucks now. And now that we know everyone, we join the match in progress.
Madusa with the choke on Wendi. A suplex by Madusa for two. We see Madusa with a belly-to-back suplex and both are down. The referee stops the match and argues with Madusa & Sylvia when they raise their arms in victory. What the hell happened? Madusa and Sylvia leave the ring as the referee tells the confused announcers and equally as-confused fans that the winners are Wendi & Mimi. What the... ? How? Was there a pin we missed? I don't get it or understand it and apparently, neither does anyone else, but that's the decision in this brief snippet of a match.
Winners: Wendi Richter & Magnificent Mimi
We go back to Nelson and Marshall who are out of breath and overheated because of the exciting (?) ladies match we just saw. Did they see the same match they showed us? I doubt it. They do a hard plug for the Ladies Battle Royal at SuperClash III and we go to the next match. It's from Memphis, TN and at the Mid-South Coliseum.
Ricky Rice & Jon Paul - The Top Guns vs. The Beast & The Hangman
Paul and the Beast start off. Arm-drag by Paul and Rice tags in with a shot to the Beast's arm. Beast fights back with forearms and punches in the corner. Rice hits a cross-body splash for two. He goes back to the arm and tags Paul in. Ron to the arm, but Beast rips at the eyes and tags out to The Hangman. Paul hits Hangman with a clothesline and tags out to Rice. Rice locks up the arm, but Hangman rips at the eyes and tags in the Beast. Rice with a kick and a dropkick. A tag out to Paul who scores with a big splash from the top rope for the pin.
Winners: Jon Paul & Ricky Rice - The Top Guns
Lee and Larry are back and they send up to Pro Wrestling Illustrated' s Bill Apter, who is talking with Chavo, Mando and Hector Guerrero in a special PWI Press Conference. Hector says that Paul Diamond & Pat Tanaka keep running away, but the Guerreros can beat them. Mando says that they are their father's sons and have proved themselves in singles and tag team action again and again. There are three of them there and one more is coming up soon. Chavo says that so long as Diamond and Tanaka stay in the ring, the Guerreros have a chance. Every dog has it's day and they've proven themselves. Eddie (Guerrero) is coming up and Chavo says that he has a son (Chavito) too.
We go back to Lee and Larry and they talk about how great Bill Apter and his magazines are. They do another hard-sell for SuperClash III and then we move on to the "Mat Classic" segment. It's from SuperClash I in Chicago, IL. We join the match already in progress.
Americas Championship
Sgt. Slaughter (c) vs. Boris Zhukov
Zhukov is in the grass and putting the boots to Slaughter. Sarge climbs in the ring and Zhukov unloads some more kicks before dragging Slaughter's face across the top rope. Choke and then Zhukov drops Slaughter throat-first across the top rope. Face-lock and clubbing forearms by Zhukov. A big "USA" chant comes from the crowd. Zhukov with the neck-breaker for two and then he unloads on Slaughter with knees, stomps and random ripping at the face. Sarge is tossed to the floor. Zhukov follows and rams Slaughter's head into the announcers table. Zhukov attempts a piledriver on the outside of the ring, but Sarge powers up and backdrops Zhukov to the ground. Sarge rolls into the ring and Zhukov climbs to the top rope from the outside.
Sarge is up and catches Zhukov with a "Shades of Ric Flair Slam From The Top". Slaughter is in control now and nails Zhukov with punches and an elbow-smash to the chops. Dropkick by Slaughter and a big backdrop. Sarge goes for the clothesline, but Zhukov pushes the referee in the way and the ref gets bumped by Slaughter's clothesline. Zhukov loads his elbow-pad and nails Slaughter, busting him open. Zhukov with the first and some biting. The ref is up and calling for the bell.
Winner by DQ: Sgt. Slaughter
But the brawl continues as Slaughter starts to no-sell Zhukov's punches and chases Zhukov around the ring and to the back.
We go to Larry Nelson who says that match brings back memories and reminds everyone to order the SuperClash III PPV. Larry talks now to Sheik Adnan El Kassey and wants to know where the Sheik has been. Adnan says that he was in Baghdad trying to make peace between his country and Iran. I don't think Nelson believes him. He has an ally in the Iron Sheik. Here comes Iron Sheik. Iron Sheik says that finally, after seven years, Iraq & Iran have peace. Now he is here in the AWA. Sheik mentions Jerry Lawler, Wahoo McDaniel, Greg Gagne and how they talk about the Sheik. Iron Sheik is here for the World Championship.
Gads! Adnan is bad enough to translate by himself, but add Iron Sheik to the mix. *Sighs* I need a raise!
We go to a quick promo by former Freebird Buddy Jack Roberts. He and his team, SST (Samoan Swat Team) are coming to SuperClash III. They're taking on Michael Hayes and Steve Cox and Roberts vows victory for his team.
And now, more predictions by Lee Marshall and Larry Nelson. In the tag match between Roberts team of the SST and Hayes/ Cox, Larry picks Roberts and the Samoans while Lee picks Hayes and Cox. And in the match between Ronnie Garvin and Greg Gagne, Nelson picks Gagne while Lee Marshall says he can't decide. In the Indian Strap Match between Wahoo McDaniel and Manny Fernandez, Lee picks Wahoo while Nelson makes the sage-like claim that in a match like that, they both lose. And in the match pitting the Rock & Roll Express taking on the Stud Stable, Lee picks Morton & Gibson while Nelson goes for the Stud Stable.
We now go to Memphis again and the next match.
Robert Fuller & Jimmy Golden (w/ Sylvia & Downtown Bruno) - The Stud Stable vs. Justin ??? and another jobber.
I didn't manage to catch the names of the two guys facing the Stud Stable, but I guess it doesn't matter since this match was over pretty quickly. Golden (Bunkhouse Buck) starts off with Jobber #1 - his name is Justin. Golden stomps at the leg and tags out to Fuller who takes a shot before tagging back in Golden. Golden with a step-over toehold. Fuller is back in and works on the leg before tossing the kid to the outside. Sylvia (aka Mrs. Fuller) is there with the kendo stick and whacks away at Justin. Fuller gets Justin back in the ring and stomps away before tagging out to Golden. Golden with a spinning toehold before moving into a half-crab on Justin. Justin taps and the match is over.
Winners: Robert Fuller & Jimmy Golden w/ Sylvia & Downtown Bruno
Larry Nelson is with the Rock & Roll Express. Robert Gibson says that the match at SuperClash III is very important to them because it will help them get title shots against Bad Company. Ricky Morton says that everyone knows them. They've been World Champions four times and they will prove it to the world again that they're the best tag team in the world. They're solid gold, rock & roll and here to stay!
We then see a very quick promo by Iceman King Parsons where he talks about Brickhouse Brown, calls him a rooty-poo and says "Have mercy!".
And now it's back to the ring for the next match.
Diamond Dallas Page is out there and he has his Diamond Dolls strip down to skimpy outfits. He's the manager of the Diamond Exchange. He says that Bad Company was good, but Badd Company is better. He introduces his team for the next match.
Lee Marshall and Frank Dusek are doing the commentary.
AWA World Tag Team Championship Match
Pat Tanaka & Paul Diamond - Badd Company (with Diamond Dallas Page) vs. Mike Davis & Tommy Lane - The Rock & Roll RPM's (with Downtown Bruno)
The RPM's start and immediately go after Tanaka with a big double-team splat on the mat. Davis with the punch. Tag to Lane with the suplex. Davis back with stomps and a backdrop. Lane with stomps and a leg-drop. Davis again with stomps and an elbow for two. Lane with punches. Tanaka tries to come back, but misses a cross-body splash - crash and burn. Davis with a knee. Lane in with punches and a suplex. Paul Diamond gets a knee on Lane from the outside and tags in.
Diamond is in control with punches and kicks and he slams Lane into the corner. Inverted supex and some stomps by Diamond and Lane is tossed to the floor. Tanaka attacks Lane on the floor with punches and kicks. He rolls Lane back into the ring where Diamond scores with a big slam. Tanaka tags in with kicks and a chop for a one-count. Diamond tags in and we see Badd Co. score with the double-team on Lane. Tanaka with a splash for two. A double-backdrop by Badd Co. as Diamond tags in and they get another two-count. Diamond whips Lane into the corner and charges, but Lane moves and Diamond ends up crotching himself on the ring-post.
Davis tags in and starts throwing the fists. A double-team by the RPM's and everyone is in the ring. It's OINGO BOINGO time. Davis locks Diamond in a stretch. The referee is trying to get Lane out of the ring and here comes Tanaka with a superkick to Davis' face. The referee doesn't see it. Diamond covers Davis and gets the pin.
Winners: Badd Company - Pat Tanaka & Paul Diamond (with Diamond Dallas Page)
And now we go to Lee Marshall who is with Kerry Von Erich. Kerry talks about how Chicago knows him and is behind him. There is only one world and one world title. Kerry is in the best shape of his life and training harder than ever before. His family will be at SuperClash and he's training like a champ and will be the champion. He tells Lawler to be ready because he is coming for his title and this is it.
Damn if Kerry didn't look out of it during that interview. If we only knew then what we know now -it's so obvious when you look back. Man, that's sad.
And anyhow, that's the show. Just a lot of chaos and confusion crammed into an hour, but it moved fast and was a great nostalgic look back so I can't complain.
And thats it for me too. I'm running so late today, it's not even funny. Questions and comments can be sent to Doug28352@yahoo. com. Visit me on MySpace at www.myspace. com/salt_ palace. Add me as a friend. You know you want to.
And I'll be back again tomorrow with the Thursday night edition of AWA on ESPN Classics, so look for that.
Have a great day and always be a fan. I'm Doug and I'm gone. See ya!
On ESPN Classics
April 24, 2008
Doug Maynard
Well, I thought I was going out last night. But after paying some bills, my wallet said otherwise. So I stayed home and watched AWA instead. And I'm glad I did. So here we go with another great night of AWA action on ESPN Classics. This is apparently the "go-home" show for SuperClash III, so that places it in early December of 1988. There is so much ground to cover that there's no time for chit-chat. Let's get right to it.
"Stagger" Lee Marshall and Larry "Why Doesn't The WWF Want Me" Nelson are the main guys tonight.
We start off with Lee and Larry doing the hard-sell for the SuperClash III PPV that's coming up in a just a few days. Call your local cable provider and watch the show. The fate of the AWA depends on it. Ooops! I guess no one called because SuperClash III was the first (and last) AWA PPV event and the AWA folded about a year later.
We go to a piece of video of Ronnie Garvin knocking out Greg Gagne to capture the AWA International TV Championship. Marshall & Nelson do the voice-over and say that AWA President Stanley Blackburn has reviewed the tape and held the championship up.This gives Greg an advantage because it takes away the "championship advantage" that Ronnie Garvin would usually have going into this match. They discuss this match and then inform us that as the show progresses, Lee & Larry will make predictions for the SuperClash III PPV matches. Oh joy!
We go to the first match which is, I believe from Memphis, TN and the Mid-South Coliseum. Lee Marshall and Diamond Dallas Page are the commentators.
"The Boogie Woogie Man" Jimmy Valiant vs. "Wildfire" Tommy Rich
Jimmy comes to the ring to the sounds of "Boy From New York City" and is slapping flesh and kissing the fans. Rich is waiting in the ring and attacks Boogie as he climbs into the ring. It's all Rich as he dominates with chokes, clotheslines, knees and punches. The referee tries to get in there and Rich shoves him away first and then levels the referee with a punch. Valiant is up and goes ballistic on Rich with punches and a backdrop. The ref is up and Valiant punches him. It's total OINGO BOINGO action as Rich and Valiant brawl to the floor, trading fists. Several wrestlers including Cactus Jack and The Hangman, as well as several others, come to the ring to separate the two battling brawlers. It takes a while, but they finally get pulled apart and Rich bails to the back.
No Contest - Double Disqualification
Larry Nelson is talking to the AWA World Champion (and CWA World Champion) Jerry "The King" Lawler. Jerry talks about the pressure that Kerry Von Erich must be feeling right about then and says that he'd love to be a fly on the wall at the Von Erich's household. Kerry's family has had so much bad luck and all the pressure is on Kerry right now. Lawler says that he heard from sources that Kerry was waking up at night in cold sweats and wondering if he's going to let his family down again. Jerry says that, yes, Kerry is going to let the family down. He's going to lose.
And now back to Lee Marshall and Larry Nelson in the studio as they do some predictions for the SuperClash III matches. Both men pick the Guerrero Brothers to defeat Cactus Jack and the Rock & Roll RPM's in the six-man match. In Jeff Jarrett vs, Eric Embry, Nelson picks Jeff while Lee picks Eric. Moving to the "Boot Camp Match" with Sgt. Slaughter vs. Col. DeBeers, both men surprisingly pick DeBeers. And in the P.O.W.W. Street Fight Lingerie Battle Royal, Lee picks The Terrorist to win, while Larry doesn't care who wins just so long as they're all stripped down to their lingerie.
We jump to the next match already in progress. Its the ladies in action.
Wendi Richter & Magnificent Mimi vs. Madusa & Sylvia
Sylvia is the blond valet of Rob Fuller and the Stud Stable. She's also Mrs. Rob Fuller. Magnificent Mimi was never much so far as wrestling goes, but she was famous for videos and bad movies that were often advertised in the back of wrestling magazines in the early 80's. Wendi Richter was the former WWF Women's Champion who was the victim of the first "Screw Job" by Vince McMahon and the WWF. And Madusa - she drives Monster Trucks now. And now that we know everyone, we join the match in progress.
Madusa with the choke on Wendi. A suplex by Madusa for two. We see Madusa with a belly-to-back suplex and both are down. The referee stops the match and argues with Madusa & Sylvia when they raise their arms in victory. What the hell happened? Madusa and Sylvia leave the ring as the referee tells the confused announcers and equally as-confused fans that the winners are Wendi & Mimi. What the... ? How? Was there a pin we missed? I don't get it or understand it and apparently, neither does anyone else, but that's the decision in this brief snippet of a match.
Winners: Wendi Richter & Magnificent Mimi
We go back to Nelson and Marshall who are out of breath and overheated because of the exciting (?) ladies match we just saw. Did they see the same match they showed us? I doubt it. They do a hard plug for the Ladies Battle Royal at SuperClash III and we go to the next match. It's from Memphis, TN and at the Mid-South Coliseum.
Ricky Rice & Jon Paul - The Top Guns vs. The Beast & The Hangman
Paul and the Beast start off. Arm-drag by Paul and Rice tags in with a shot to the Beast's arm. Beast fights back with forearms and punches in the corner. Rice hits a cross-body splash for two. He goes back to the arm and tags Paul in. Ron to the arm, but Beast rips at the eyes and tags out to The Hangman. Paul hits Hangman with a clothesline and tags out to Rice. Rice locks up the arm, but Hangman rips at the eyes and tags in the Beast. Rice with a kick and a dropkick. A tag out to Paul who scores with a big splash from the top rope for the pin.
Winners: Jon Paul & Ricky Rice - The Top Guns
Lee and Larry are back and they send up to Pro Wrestling Illustrated' s Bill Apter, who is talking with Chavo, Mando and Hector Guerrero in a special PWI Press Conference. Hector says that Paul Diamond & Pat Tanaka keep running away, but the Guerreros can beat them. Mando says that they are their father's sons and have proved themselves in singles and tag team action again and again. There are three of them there and one more is coming up soon. Chavo says that so long as Diamond and Tanaka stay in the ring, the Guerreros have a chance. Every dog has it's day and they've proven themselves. Eddie (Guerrero) is coming up and Chavo says that he has a son (Chavito) too.
We go back to Lee and Larry and they talk about how great Bill Apter and his magazines are. They do another hard-sell for SuperClash III and then we move on to the "Mat Classic" segment. It's from SuperClash I in Chicago, IL. We join the match already in progress.
Americas Championship
Sgt. Slaughter (c) vs. Boris Zhukov
Zhukov is in the grass and putting the boots to Slaughter. Sarge climbs in the ring and Zhukov unloads some more kicks before dragging Slaughter's face across the top rope. Choke and then Zhukov drops Slaughter throat-first across the top rope. Face-lock and clubbing forearms by Zhukov. A big "USA" chant comes from the crowd. Zhukov with the neck-breaker for two and then he unloads on Slaughter with knees, stomps and random ripping at the face. Sarge is tossed to the floor. Zhukov follows and rams Slaughter's head into the announcers table. Zhukov attempts a piledriver on the outside of the ring, but Sarge powers up and backdrops Zhukov to the ground. Sarge rolls into the ring and Zhukov climbs to the top rope from the outside.
Sarge is up and catches Zhukov with a "Shades of Ric Flair Slam From The Top". Slaughter is in control now and nails Zhukov with punches and an elbow-smash to the chops. Dropkick by Slaughter and a big backdrop. Sarge goes for the clothesline, but Zhukov pushes the referee in the way and the ref gets bumped by Slaughter's clothesline. Zhukov loads his elbow-pad and nails Slaughter, busting him open. Zhukov with the first and some biting. The ref is up and calling for the bell.
Winner by DQ: Sgt. Slaughter
But the brawl continues as Slaughter starts to no-sell Zhukov's punches and chases Zhukov around the ring and to the back.
We go to Larry Nelson who says that match brings back memories and reminds everyone to order the SuperClash III PPV. Larry talks now to Sheik Adnan El Kassey and wants to know where the Sheik has been. Adnan says that he was in Baghdad trying to make peace between his country and Iran. I don't think Nelson believes him. He has an ally in the Iron Sheik. Here comes Iron Sheik. Iron Sheik says that finally, after seven years, Iraq & Iran have peace. Now he is here in the AWA. Sheik mentions Jerry Lawler, Wahoo McDaniel, Greg Gagne and how they talk about the Sheik. Iron Sheik is here for the World Championship.
Gads! Adnan is bad enough to translate by himself, but add Iron Sheik to the mix. *Sighs* I need a raise!
We go to a quick promo by former Freebird Buddy Jack Roberts. He and his team, SST (Samoan Swat Team) are coming to SuperClash III. They're taking on Michael Hayes and Steve Cox and Roberts vows victory for his team.
And now, more predictions by Lee Marshall and Larry Nelson. In the tag match between Roberts team of the SST and Hayes/ Cox, Larry picks Roberts and the Samoans while Lee picks Hayes and Cox. And in the match between Ronnie Garvin and Greg Gagne, Nelson picks Gagne while Lee Marshall says he can't decide. In the Indian Strap Match between Wahoo McDaniel and Manny Fernandez, Lee picks Wahoo while Nelson makes the sage-like claim that in a match like that, they both lose. And in the match pitting the Rock & Roll Express taking on the Stud Stable, Lee picks Morton & Gibson while Nelson goes for the Stud Stable.
We now go to Memphis again and the next match.
Robert Fuller & Jimmy Golden (w/ Sylvia & Downtown Bruno) - The Stud Stable vs. Justin ??? and another jobber.
I didn't manage to catch the names of the two guys facing the Stud Stable, but I guess it doesn't matter since this match was over pretty quickly. Golden (Bunkhouse Buck) starts off with Jobber #1 - his name is Justin. Golden stomps at the leg and tags out to Fuller who takes a shot before tagging back in Golden. Golden with a step-over toehold. Fuller is back in and works on the leg before tossing the kid to the outside. Sylvia (aka Mrs. Fuller) is there with the kendo stick and whacks away at Justin. Fuller gets Justin back in the ring and stomps away before tagging out to Golden. Golden with a spinning toehold before moving into a half-crab on Justin. Justin taps and the match is over.
Winners: Robert Fuller & Jimmy Golden w/ Sylvia & Downtown Bruno
Larry Nelson is with the Rock & Roll Express. Robert Gibson says that the match at SuperClash III is very important to them because it will help them get title shots against Bad Company. Ricky Morton says that everyone knows them. They've been World Champions four times and they will prove it to the world again that they're the best tag team in the world. They're solid gold, rock & roll and here to stay!
We then see a very quick promo by Iceman King Parsons where he talks about Brickhouse Brown, calls him a rooty-poo and says "Have mercy!".
And now it's back to the ring for the next match.
Diamond Dallas Page is out there and he has his Diamond Dolls strip down to skimpy outfits. He's the manager of the Diamond Exchange. He says that Bad Company was good, but Badd Company is better. He introduces his team for the next match.
Lee Marshall and Frank Dusek are doing the commentary.
AWA World Tag Team Championship Match
Pat Tanaka & Paul Diamond - Badd Company (with Diamond Dallas Page) vs. Mike Davis & Tommy Lane - The Rock & Roll RPM's (with Downtown Bruno)
The RPM's start and immediately go after Tanaka with a big double-team splat on the mat. Davis with the punch. Tag to Lane with the suplex. Davis back with stomps and a backdrop. Lane with stomps and a leg-drop. Davis again with stomps and an elbow for two. Lane with punches. Tanaka tries to come back, but misses a cross-body splash - crash and burn. Davis with a knee. Lane in with punches and a suplex. Paul Diamond gets a knee on Lane from the outside and tags in.
Diamond is in control with punches and kicks and he slams Lane into the corner. Inverted supex and some stomps by Diamond and Lane is tossed to the floor. Tanaka attacks Lane on the floor with punches and kicks. He rolls Lane back into the ring where Diamond scores with a big slam. Tanaka tags in with kicks and a chop for a one-count. Diamond tags in and we see Badd Co. score with the double-team on Lane. Tanaka with a splash for two. A double-backdrop by Badd Co. as Diamond tags in and they get another two-count. Diamond whips Lane into the corner and charges, but Lane moves and Diamond ends up crotching himself on the ring-post.
Davis tags in and starts throwing the fists. A double-team by the RPM's and everyone is in the ring. It's OINGO BOINGO time. Davis locks Diamond in a stretch. The referee is trying to get Lane out of the ring and here comes Tanaka with a superkick to Davis' face. The referee doesn't see it. Diamond covers Davis and gets the pin.
Winners: Badd Company - Pat Tanaka & Paul Diamond (with Diamond Dallas Page)
And now we go to Lee Marshall who is with Kerry Von Erich. Kerry talks about how Chicago knows him and is behind him. There is only one world and one world title. Kerry is in the best shape of his life and training harder than ever before. His family will be at SuperClash and he's training like a champ and will be the champion. He tells Lawler to be ready because he is coming for his title and this is it.
Damn if Kerry didn't look out of it during that interview. If we only knew then what we know now -it's so obvious when you look back. Man, that's sad.
And anyhow, that's the show. Just a lot of chaos and confusion crammed into an hour, but it moved fast and was a great nostalgic look back so I can't complain.
And thats it for me too. I'm running so late today, it's not even funny. Questions and comments can be sent to Doug28352@yahoo. com. Visit me on MySpace at www.myspace. com/salt_ palace. Add me as a friend. You know you want to.
And I'll be back again tomorrow with the Thursday night edition of AWA on ESPN Classics, so look for that.
Have a great day and always be a fan. I'm Doug and I'm gone. See ya!
Retro: AWA On ESPN Classics: April 22, 2008
AWA Championship Wrestling
On ESPN Classics
April 22, 2008
Doug Maynard
Another week of great AWA action. Yep, that's what we have here. I'm Doug and this is the recap of days gone by. It's the AWA on ESPN Classics. It's the Monday show. And I'm ready to go.
We're from Las Vegas, Nevada at the world famous Showboat Sports Pavilion. The guys at ringside are Lord James "Put De' Lime In De' Coconut" Blears and Rod "Coast To Coast" Trongard. And Larry "Hey Buddy, Can Ya Spare A Dime" Nelson is the man with all the questions and answers.
This is from sometime in 1986...
Bobby Bold Eagle vs. Nord The Barbarian (with Sheik Adnan El Kassey)
Barbarian has a stretcher with him as he comes to the ring. He also has a name. He's "Nord". For this week anyhow. Eventually, that would be dropped and he would be just the Barbarian. Complete squash match. Barbarian attacks with a chop and a big boot to the face. Barbarian tosses Eagle to the floor and follows him to outside the ring. Barbarian picks up Eagle and rams his back into the steel ring post. Some stomps and Barbarian rolls Eagle back into the ring. A slam, a knee and a piledriver to finish things. Huss! Huss! Huss! Nord the Barbarian with the pin.
Winner: Nord the Barbarian (with Sheik Adnan El Kassey)
After the match, Nord rolls Eagle on to the waiting stretcher. He helps the referee carry Eagle to the back on the stretcher.
Larry Nelson gets to talk to Sheik Adnan & The Barbarian. Sheik says that they promised that anyone who faced Barbarian would be carried out on a stretcher and that's exactly what they're doing. Sheik rants about Greg Gagne, Nick Bockwinkel and "that fat slob" Jerry Blackwell and says that they will all end up on that stretcher. Barbarian hollers for a bit about how he played in the USFL and they didn't pay him right. Sheik pays him in money, gold, and women. Barbarian promises Sheik that he'll keep sending the folks out on the stretchers.
We see a couple of the old AWA action figures (Road Warrior Animal, Paul Ellering) as we go to commercial.
Alan West vs. "The Living Legend" Larry Zbyszko
It's time to take that trip to Larry-Land. It's kind of like Oz, but not as many midgets. Just follow the black and blue spud-heads. Larry is arguing and complaining long before he ever gets in the ring and arguing with the fans as well. We see a sign that says "Limp Wrist Larry" in the crowd and Larry is complaining about that. We go almost five minutes of Larry being "Classic Zbyszko" before we ever get any in-ring action. A couple of false-starts as Zbyszko & West lock up and West shoves Larry away, breaking the hold. Finally, Zbyszko does the arm-drag on West. West hits a hip-toss and Zbyszko bails to the floor to complain and stall.
Larry finally gets back in the ring and slams West for a two-count. West comes back with a slam of his own and Larry again bails to the floor to complain. After a little time-out by Zbyszko, they lock up again and West gets a headlock. Larry throws some forearm shots, but West hits a shoulder-block and a sunset flip for two. Back to the headlock by West. Larry manages to get out and we see a test of strength. Larry uses a handful of hair to get the advantage and he locks up the arm of West. West takes back control with an elbow-shot, a slam, and a "Shades of William Regal" knee-lift for a two-count. West misses a dropkick and Larry quickly rolls him up with a handful of tights to get the quick pin.
Winner: Larry Zbyszko
A commercial break and then quickly to the next match.
Boris Zhukov & Ali Khan (with Sheik Adnan El Kassey) vs, Bill Anderson & Jesse Hernandez
Big chants of "Sheik's A Freak" fill the arena as the match begins. Zhukov starts off with Hernandez with a slam, a knee and a had ram into the corner. Khan tags in and we see a double-team slam into the corner. Anderson tags in and Khan immediately assaults him with forearms to the back. Zhukov is back in and throws fists and several headbutts to the back. Khan tags back in and after some punches, locks in a big bear-hug. A tag to Zhukov who comes in with a slam. Hernandez tags in and Zhukov attacks him with headbutts and a slam. A big knee from the second rope and Khan tags in. We see an inverted body-vice, or as I'd call it, a "Shades of Bruno Sammartino beating Buddy Rogers" back-breaker. Jesse submits and the Sheik's army picks up the win.
Winners: Boris Zhukov & Ali Khan (with Sheik Adnan El Kassey)
And now it's time for the main event.
AWA World Tag Team Championship Match
"Pretty Boy" Doug Somers & "Playboy" Buddy Rose (with Sherri Martel) vs. Marty Jannetty & Shawn Michaels - The Midnight Rockers
Nelson introduces Rose as 271lbs and Buddy forgets to correct him. He's all business tonight. And Sherri looks, dare I say it, "Sensational" . Rose and Michaels start off. Buddy stalls for a bit and then hits a shoulder-block. Shawn with a sunset flip for a quick two. Fists by Shawn. Rose with a kick. Victory roll by Shawn for another two. And then it's a "Shades of Chris Adams" super-kick for another two-count. Rose is upset and distracts the ref as Somers gets in a shot at Shawn from the outside. Shawn is out of the ring and face down on the floor. Somers rolls Shawn back into the ring and Shawn is busted open. Rose with kicks and punches before tagging in Somers. Somers kicks and bites the head of Michaels. More punches by Somers and Rose gets in a kick from the outside. Knee by Somers and Rose tags in with a series of hard punches. A tag out to Somers who hits a backdrop for a two-count. Chinlock by Somers as we go to a commercial break.
(Commercial)
Somers continues to dominate with punches and kicks. Shawn with fists and he attempts to crawl to the corner, but Somers cuts him off and tosses Shawn to the floor. Rose tags in and helps the referee count Shawn out, but Shawn makes it back in at the nine-count. Rose tags out to Somers who comes in and exchanges fists with Michaels. Somers gets in a headbutt, but Michaels manages to level Somers with a wild punch and crawl to the corner for a hot tag to Michaels.
Marty is in with punches and a backdrop to Somers. Somers is whipped hard into the corner and goes face first into the ring post. Somers is busted open. Sherri Martel is up on the ring apron to complain and distract Jannetty. It works and Rose levels Jannetty with a shot from behind. Rose tags in and pounds away at Jannetty. Rose bits the head of Marty and punches away. Jannetty is now busted open as well. Somers tags in and pounds away at Jannetty. Marty is throwing wild punches and levels Buddy Rose on the ring apron. Rose comes in and Jannetty levels him with some wild fists. Jannetty is biting Rose on the head and Rose is now bleeding and busted open as well. Shawn comes into the ring and so does Somers. Everyone is bleeding and busted open. The referee gets laid out in the "OINGO BOINGO" brawl that's taking place in the ring. Another referee is out and calls for the bell.
Double-Disqualifica tion - No Contest
The ref can't restore order and Jannetty is slammed hard to the concrete floor. Rose and Somers are working over Shawn in the ring. Everybody is a bloody mess. And here comes Greg Gagne, Steve Pardee and Alan West from the back to clear Somers & Rose out of the ring. Shawn attacks Rose again on the floor, but is pulled back by Gagne and company as Rose & Somers bail to the back.
After the break, Larry Nelson tries to find a moment of calm amid the chaos. He talks to Greg Gagne. Greg says that Jannetty is yelling that he may have broke some ribs. The doctors are waiting in the back room. He talks about how Rose & Somers are veterans and The Rockers are kids and says that Rose & Somers will pay for this. Greg says that in his thirteen years, he's seen them all and name-drops Brody, Blackwell and Bockwinkle. but the match tonight was something that he's never seen the likes of before. He again says that The Rockers are hurt and if they can't come back, we're (referring to Greg and his friends) will be going after Rose & Somers.
That last match was incredible and I don't know if it's on any of Shawn's DVD sets, but it should be. Everyone was just pouring blood and it was amazing. And the rest of the show. Larry Z. was entertaining as always and Sheik's army had some squash matches to round out things. On paper, it looks bad, but the show actually went by fast and was fun to watch.
Well, that will do it for me today, but I'll be back tomorrow with more classic AWA goodness from ESPN Classics.
Questions and comments can be sent to Doug28352@yahoo. com. Come visit me at MySpace at www.myspace. com/salt_ palace. Add me as a friend. You know you want to.
And that's all folks. I'm Doug and I'm out of here. Have a great day and always be a fan.
Ubuntu!
On ESPN Classics
April 22, 2008
Doug Maynard
Another week of great AWA action. Yep, that's what we have here. I'm Doug and this is the recap of days gone by. It's the AWA on ESPN Classics. It's the Monday show. And I'm ready to go.
We're from Las Vegas, Nevada at the world famous Showboat Sports Pavilion. The guys at ringside are Lord James "Put De' Lime In De' Coconut" Blears and Rod "Coast To Coast" Trongard. And Larry "Hey Buddy, Can Ya Spare A Dime" Nelson is the man with all the questions and answers.
This is from sometime in 1986...
Bobby Bold Eagle vs. Nord The Barbarian (with Sheik Adnan El Kassey)
Barbarian has a stretcher with him as he comes to the ring. He also has a name. He's "Nord". For this week anyhow. Eventually, that would be dropped and he would be just the Barbarian. Complete squash match. Barbarian attacks with a chop and a big boot to the face. Barbarian tosses Eagle to the floor and follows him to outside the ring. Barbarian picks up Eagle and rams his back into the steel ring post. Some stomps and Barbarian rolls Eagle back into the ring. A slam, a knee and a piledriver to finish things. Huss! Huss! Huss! Nord the Barbarian with the pin.
Winner: Nord the Barbarian (with Sheik Adnan El Kassey)
After the match, Nord rolls Eagle on to the waiting stretcher. He helps the referee carry Eagle to the back on the stretcher.
Larry Nelson gets to talk to Sheik Adnan & The Barbarian. Sheik says that they promised that anyone who faced Barbarian would be carried out on a stretcher and that's exactly what they're doing. Sheik rants about Greg Gagne, Nick Bockwinkel and "that fat slob" Jerry Blackwell and says that they will all end up on that stretcher. Barbarian hollers for a bit about how he played in the USFL and they didn't pay him right. Sheik pays him in money, gold, and women. Barbarian promises Sheik that he'll keep sending the folks out on the stretchers.
We see a couple of the old AWA action figures (Road Warrior Animal, Paul Ellering) as we go to commercial.
Alan West vs. "The Living Legend" Larry Zbyszko
It's time to take that trip to Larry-Land. It's kind of like Oz, but not as many midgets. Just follow the black and blue spud-heads. Larry is arguing and complaining long before he ever gets in the ring and arguing with the fans as well. We see a sign that says "Limp Wrist Larry" in the crowd and Larry is complaining about that. We go almost five minutes of Larry being "Classic Zbyszko" before we ever get any in-ring action. A couple of false-starts as Zbyszko & West lock up and West shoves Larry away, breaking the hold. Finally, Zbyszko does the arm-drag on West. West hits a hip-toss and Zbyszko bails to the floor to complain and stall.
Larry finally gets back in the ring and slams West for a two-count. West comes back with a slam of his own and Larry again bails to the floor to complain. After a little time-out by Zbyszko, they lock up again and West gets a headlock. Larry throws some forearm shots, but West hits a shoulder-block and a sunset flip for two. Back to the headlock by West. Larry manages to get out and we see a test of strength. Larry uses a handful of hair to get the advantage and he locks up the arm of West. West takes back control with an elbow-shot, a slam, and a "Shades of William Regal" knee-lift for a two-count. West misses a dropkick and Larry quickly rolls him up with a handful of tights to get the quick pin.
Winner: Larry Zbyszko
A commercial break and then quickly to the next match.
Boris Zhukov & Ali Khan (with Sheik Adnan El Kassey) vs, Bill Anderson & Jesse Hernandez
Big chants of "Sheik's A Freak" fill the arena as the match begins. Zhukov starts off with Hernandez with a slam, a knee and a had ram into the corner. Khan tags in and we see a double-team slam into the corner. Anderson tags in and Khan immediately assaults him with forearms to the back. Zhukov is back in and throws fists and several headbutts to the back. Khan tags back in and after some punches, locks in a big bear-hug. A tag to Zhukov who comes in with a slam. Hernandez tags in and Zhukov attacks him with headbutts and a slam. A big knee from the second rope and Khan tags in. We see an inverted body-vice, or as I'd call it, a "Shades of Bruno Sammartino beating Buddy Rogers" back-breaker. Jesse submits and the Sheik's army picks up the win.
Winners: Boris Zhukov & Ali Khan (with Sheik Adnan El Kassey)
And now it's time for the main event.
AWA World Tag Team Championship Match
"Pretty Boy" Doug Somers & "Playboy" Buddy Rose (with Sherri Martel) vs. Marty Jannetty & Shawn Michaels - The Midnight Rockers
Nelson introduces Rose as 271lbs and Buddy forgets to correct him. He's all business tonight. And Sherri looks, dare I say it, "Sensational" . Rose and Michaels start off. Buddy stalls for a bit and then hits a shoulder-block. Shawn with a sunset flip for a quick two. Fists by Shawn. Rose with a kick. Victory roll by Shawn for another two. And then it's a "Shades of Chris Adams" super-kick for another two-count. Rose is upset and distracts the ref as Somers gets in a shot at Shawn from the outside. Shawn is out of the ring and face down on the floor. Somers rolls Shawn back into the ring and Shawn is busted open. Rose with kicks and punches before tagging in Somers. Somers kicks and bites the head of Michaels. More punches by Somers and Rose gets in a kick from the outside. Knee by Somers and Rose tags in with a series of hard punches. A tag out to Somers who hits a backdrop for a two-count. Chinlock by Somers as we go to a commercial break.
(Commercial)
Somers continues to dominate with punches and kicks. Shawn with fists and he attempts to crawl to the corner, but Somers cuts him off and tosses Shawn to the floor. Rose tags in and helps the referee count Shawn out, but Shawn makes it back in at the nine-count. Rose tags out to Somers who comes in and exchanges fists with Michaels. Somers gets in a headbutt, but Michaels manages to level Somers with a wild punch and crawl to the corner for a hot tag to Michaels.
Marty is in with punches and a backdrop to Somers. Somers is whipped hard into the corner and goes face first into the ring post. Somers is busted open. Sherri Martel is up on the ring apron to complain and distract Jannetty. It works and Rose levels Jannetty with a shot from behind. Rose tags in and pounds away at Jannetty. Rose bits the head of Marty and punches away. Jannetty is now busted open as well. Somers tags in and pounds away at Jannetty. Marty is throwing wild punches and levels Buddy Rose on the ring apron. Rose comes in and Jannetty levels him with some wild fists. Jannetty is biting Rose on the head and Rose is now bleeding and busted open as well. Shawn comes into the ring and so does Somers. Everyone is bleeding and busted open. The referee gets laid out in the "OINGO BOINGO" brawl that's taking place in the ring. Another referee is out and calls for the bell.
Double-Disqualifica tion - No Contest
The ref can't restore order and Jannetty is slammed hard to the concrete floor. Rose and Somers are working over Shawn in the ring. Everybody is a bloody mess. And here comes Greg Gagne, Steve Pardee and Alan West from the back to clear Somers & Rose out of the ring. Shawn attacks Rose again on the floor, but is pulled back by Gagne and company as Rose & Somers bail to the back.
After the break, Larry Nelson tries to find a moment of calm amid the chaos. He talks to Greg Gagne. Greg says that Jannetty is yelling that he may have broke some ribs. The doctors are waiting in the back room. He talks about how Rose & Somers are veterans and The Rockers are kids and says that Rose & Somers will pay for this. Greg says that in his thirteen years, he's seen them all and name-drops Brody, Blackwell and Bockwinkle. but the match tonight was something that he's never seen the likes of before. He again says that The Rockers are hurt and if they can't come back, we're (referring to Greg and his friends) will be going after Rose & Somers.
That last match was incredible and I don't know if it's on any of Shawn's DVD sets, but it should be. Everyone was just pouring blood and it was amazing. And the rest of the show. Larry Z. was entertaining as always and Sheik's army had some squash matches to round out things. On paper, it looks bad, but the show actually went by fast and was fun to watch.
Well, that will do it for me today, but I'll be back tomorrow with more classic AWA goodness from ESPN Classics.
Questions and comments can be sent to Doug28352@yahoo. com. Come visit me at MySpace at www.myspace. com/salt_ palace. Add me as a friend. You know you want to.
And that's all folks. I'm Doug and I'm out of here. Have a great day and always be a fan.
Ubuntu!
Retro: AWA On ESPN Classics: April 19, 2008
AWA Championship Wrestling
On ESPN Classics
April 19, 2008
Doug "T.S." Maynard
Happy Sunday everyone. Yeah, I'm running a day or so behind with the recaps. This is Friday night's show. But to tell the truth, the AWA on ESPN Classics show on Friday night kind of sucked. And I've been dreading putting myself through it all once again to type up this recap. The matches weren't necessarily bad, but it just didn't do anything for me except drag. Watching this show was one very long hour. So this will be a cliff-note version of a recap. It's all I can do today. Maybe things will be better with the next batch of shows beginning on Monday night. Sure as hell can't be any worse.
I'm Doug and this is the AWA on ESPN Classics. The show comes from Omaha, NE and the announcers are (I think) Rod Trongard and Lord James Blears. Larry Nelson is the fuzzy-faced muppet of a man on the mic. Let's get this over with.
Marty Jannetty & Shawn Michaels - The Midnight Rockers vs. Tony Leone & Tom "Rocky" Stone
Marty and Leone start off with Marty scoring with an arm-drag and a slam. Tag to Shawn who hits a dropkick. Marty and Shawn switch again and Shawn hits an elbow drop on Leone, who tags out to Stone. Rocky with punches and a knee. Shawn locks up the arm and tags out to Marty who hits a big slam. Rockers with the double-dropkick on Stone. He decides he wants to shake hands with Jannetty. Marty with the atomic drop and Stone tags out to Leone. Tony in with knees and punches. Stone gets some shots in from the outside on Jannetty and Leone continues with the assault. The two heels work over Jannetty with punches, chokes, kicks and a big back breaker. Marty escapes and crawls to the corner to tag in Michaels.
Shawn with punches and a hip-toss. Backdrop and slam to Stone. Big elbow from the second rope by Shawn for a two-count. Stone rips at the eyes and tags out to Leone. Leone rips at the eyes and punches away at Michaels. A big choke by Leone, but Shawn fights back with a kick. Jannetty in with punches and knees. Shawn tags in with a big forearm smash and he picks up Leone for a suplex. Jannetty comes off the top to do the cross-body on Leone as Shawn suplexes him to the mat. Marty covers for the three-count and pin.
Winners: Shawn Michaels & Marty Jannetty - The Midnight Rockers
We go to Larry Nelson who is with Jerry Blackwell. Blackwell thanks the people for coming out and talks about how he likes Battle Royals. He's won his share of them. He runs down his upcoming schedule and then Jerry moves on to talk about the Sheik (Adnan El Kassey). He wants to get hold of the Sheik or any of Sheik's men. Sooner or later, it will Blackwell versus the Sheik. Jerry plugs an upcoming tag match between himself, Greg Gagne & Curt Hennig taking on Sheik's army (Zhukov, Barbarian, Khan). And Jerry vows that if Sheik interferes, Jerry will chop his nose off and he'll chase and beat up Sheik even if it means going out into the parking lot.
Jake "The Milkman" Milliman vs. Ali Khan (with Sheik Adnan El Kassey)
The first few moves are all Jake rolling around and crawling away to keep out of the clutches of the much bigger Ali Khan. Khan hits a big body slam and Jake rolls around the mat. "Sheik's A Freak" chants fill the arena. Jake grabs the beard of Khan. The referee breaks it up by knocking the arms of Jake away and he pulls out a handful of Khan's beard as a result. The fans like it. Khan doesn't.
Khan with a suplex and elbow. Bearhug by Khan. Some forearm shots to the back and another bearhug. Kicks and stomps by Khan and a big knee. We see a "Shades of Bruno Sammartino" back-breaker as Khan hoists Milliman up on his shoulders. Jake submits and it's quickly over.
Winner: Ali Khan (with Sheik Adnan El Kassey)
Larry Nelson gets to talk to Ali Khan and Sheik Adnan, who are quickly joined by Barbarian and Boris Zhukov. Sheik calls Jerry Blackwell a big, fat slob and says that Blackwell will never be able to put his hands on the Sheik. Barbarian speaks and says that Sheik is his manager. He'll do whatever the Sheik wants and Sheik wants him to take people out on stretchers. Barbarian says he's glad to do it.
We see a caption as we go to commercial that is supposedly from AWA President Stanley Blackburn. It has the top contenders for the AWA World Tag Team Titles and lists, in order from one to three, Curt Hennig & Scott Hall, Boris Zhukov & The Barbarian, and finally The Midnight Rockers.
Larry Nelson is in the studio and talks about the next match. He really likes Earthquake Ferris. He really doesn't like Col. DeBeers.
Earthquake Ferris vs. Col. DeBeers
I think this match aired before, but I don't feel like tracking it down and doing the cut & paste thing. So I'll just recap from the notes instead. *Sighs* The things I do for you people. I must really like ya or something. : )
DeBeers starts off with a headlock and tries for the shoulder-block on Ferris, but 'Quake no-sells it, so DeBeers goes after the arm. Ferris with a shoulder and a big slam to get a two-count. DeBeers rolls out to the floor to regroup and plan his next move. Ferris with the headlock. DeBeers with knees and fists. Ferris reverses a whip into the corner and hits DeBeers with a weak-looking splash. Hip-toss, slam and flying elbow by Ferris for a one-count. DeBeers slaps the legs together to escape and uses punches, kicks and a headbutt to take control. Ferris fights back with an atomic drop and a slam for two. A big power-slam by Ferris, but DeBeers gets his foot on the ropes to break the count at two. Small package by DeBeers and he holds on to get a three-count and the win.
Winner: Col. DeBeers
And now, to the main event...
AWA World Tag Team Championship Match
"Playboy" Buddy Rose & "Pretty Boy" Doug Somers w/ Sherri Martel vs. Curt Hennig & Scott Hall
Rose does the usual complaining about his weight. He's not 271lbs. He's only a sweet & petite 217lbs. Yeah, we believe you Buddy. And to prove that he's a sexy beast, Buddy starts the match off by doing the one-armed push-ups and flexing. Scott Hall decides to do some push-ups and flexing of his own. The fans like Scott more than they do "The Playboy". And I have to admit... hey yo! Rose gets disgusted and tags out to Somers before even doing the first lock-up of the match.
Scott starts off with a forearm and a headlock. Hennig tags in with punches and a backdrop. Hall tags back in with punches and an elbow. Somers finally has enough of being the whipping-boy and tags out to Rose. Hall & Rose lock up in a test of strength and it's all Hall despite the comedic antics of Rose. Buddy quickly retreats to the ropes to get away from Hall and tags in Somers again.
Scott works over Somers with punches, forearms, elbows and a backdrop as Curt Hennig chases Buddy Rose around the ring for a bit. Hall with the "Shades of Bob Backlund" atomic drop on Somers and a tag out to Hennig. Curt with the chops and then Hennig moves to the leg of Somers with a spinning toehold (or a variation of it anyhow!) Punches by Curt and he tags Hall back in.
Scott and Hennig each grab a leg of Somers and make a wish. Scott hits a leg-drop and a big fist. Hennig tags back in with chops and a "Shades of Jake Roberts" kneelift. Somers fights back with a headbutt to the gut and tags in Rose. Buddy with some kicks and he tosses Hennig to the floor. Rose quickly follows and whips Curt into the steel fan barrier at ringside. Buddy rolls Curt back into the ring and hits the flying elbow for two before Hall is in to break it up. Somers tags in with a suplex before tagging back out to Rose again. Buddy with a chin-lock, but Curt fights free with elbows and a tag out to Scott Hall.
Scott with an elbow and a leg-drop to get a two-count. A big dropkick and then Scott whips Rose into Somers on the ring apron. Big power-slam by Hall. And here comes Col. DeBeers walking out to ringside from the back. Scott goes immediately out of the ring and starts chasing after DeBeers and the two end up brawling on the floor. The referee is counting and hits the ten-count. Scott has been counted out of the ring. Scott continues to beat on DeBeers and chases him off towards the back as the referee calls for the bell.
Winners by Count-Out: "Playboy" Buddy Rose & "Pretty Boy" Doug Somers w/ Sherri Martel
We come back from commercial and Larry Nelson is with Curt Hennig and Scott Hall. Hennig is at a loss for words about Scott being counted out. The "Doughboys" have their belts because of a count-out. Scott wonders what the connection is between DeBeers and the "Doughboys". But that's not the issue. If Col. DeBeers wants Scott, he's easy to find. Just sign a contract for a match.
Hennig kind of rags on Scott a bit that they had Rose & Somers beat and it was a title match. Why couldn't Scott just leave DeBeers alone? Scott mumbles something that I couldn't understand and he and Curt shake hands to put over their partnership. Curt closes by saying that sooner or later, Rose & Somers will have to face them again and on some given night, those two clowns are going down.
And there you have it as the show ends. Another edition of AWA on ESPN Classics in the books. It wasn't as bad as I thought the second time around when I did this recap. Maybe I was just having a bad night on Friday night? Yeah, that must be it.
Questions and comments can be sent to Doug28352@yahoo. com. Come visit me at MySpace at www.myspace. com/salt_ palace.
And that's it for me. I'll see you again on Monday night / Tuesday morning with more classic AWA goodness from the fine folks at ESPN. Have a great weekend and always be a fan.
I'm Doug and I'm gone.
Ubuntu!
On ESPN Classics
April 19, 2008
Doug "T.S." Maynard
Happy Sunday everyone. Yeah, I'm running a day or so behind with the recaps. This is Friday night's show. But to tell the truth, the AWA on ESPN Classics show on Friday night kind of sucked. And I've been dreading putting myself through it all once again to type up this recap. The matches weren't necessarily bad, but it just didn't do anything for me except drag. Watching this show was one very long hour. So this will be a cliff-note version of a recap. It's all I can do today. Maybe things will be better with the next batch of shows beginning on Monday night. Sure as hell can't be any worse.
I'm Doug and this is the AWA on ESPN Classics. The show comes from Omaha, NE and the announcers are (I think) Rod Trongard and Lord James Blears. Larry Nelson is the fuzzy-faced muppet of a man on the mic. Let's get this over with.
Marty Jannetty & Shawn Michaels - The Midnight Rockers vs. Tony Leone & Tom "Rocky" Stone
Marty and Leone start off with Marty scoring with an arm-drag and a slam. Tag to Shawn who hits a dropkick. Marty and Shawn switch again and Shawn hits an elbow drop on Leone, who tags out to Stone. Rocky with punches and a knee. Shawn locks up the arm and tags out to Marty who hits a big slam. Rockers with the double-dropkick on Stone. He decides he wants to shake hands with Jannetty. Marty with the atomic drop and Stone tags out to Leone. Tony in with knees and punches. Stone gets some shots in from the outside on Jannetty and Leone continues with the assault. The two heels work over Jannetty with punches, chokes, kicks and a big back breaker. Marty escapes and crawls to the corner to tag in Michaels.
Shawn with punches and a hip-toss. Backdrop and slam to Stone. Big elbow from the second rope by Shawn for a two-count. Stone rips at the eyes and tags out to Leone. Leone rips at the eyes and punches away at Michaels. A big choke by Leone, but Shawn fights back with a kick. Jannetty in with punches and knees. Shawn tags in with a big forearm smash and he picks up Leone for a suplex. Jannetty comes off the top to do the cross-body on Leone as Shawn suplexes him to the mat. Marty covers for the three-count and pin.
Winners: Shawn Michaels & Marty Jannetty - The Midnight Rockers
We go to Larry Nelson who is with Jerry Blackwell. Blackwell thanks the people for coming out and talks about how he likes Battle Royals. He's won his share of them. He runs down his upcoming schedule and then Jerry moves on to talk about the Sheik (Adnan El Kassey). He wants to get hold of the Sheik or any of Sheik's men. Sooner or later, it will Blackwell versus the Sheik. Jerry plugs an upcoming tag match between himself, Greg Gagne & Curt Hennig taking on Sheik's army (Zhukov, Barbarian, Khan). And Jerry vows that if Sheik interferes, Jerry will chop his nose off and he'll chase and beat up Sheik even if it means going out into the parking lot.
Jake "The Milkman" Milliman vs. Ali Khan (with Sheik Adnan El Kassey)
The first few moves are all Jake rolling around and crawling away to keep out of the clutches of the much bigger Ali Khan. Khan hits a big body slam and Jake rolls around the mat. "Sheik's A Freak" chants fill the arena. Jake grabs the beard of Khan. The referee breaks it up by knocking the arms of Jake away and he pulls out a handful of Khan's beard as a result. The fans like it. Khan doesn't.
Khan with a suplex and elbow. Bearhug by Khan. Some forearm shots to the back and another bearhug. Kicks and stomps by Khan and a big knee. We see a "Shades of Bruno Sammartino" back-breaker as Khan hoists Milliman up on his shoulders. Jake submits and it's quickly over.
Winner: Ali Khan (with Sheik Adnan El Kassey)
Larry Nelson gets to talk to Ali Khan and Sheik Adnan, who are quickly joined by Barbarian and Boris Zhukov. Sheik calls Jerry Blackwell a big, fat slob and says that Blackwell will never be able to put his hands on the Sheik. Barbarian speaks and says that Sheik is his manager. He'll do whatever the Sheik wants and Sheik wants him to take people out on stretchers. Barbarian says he's glad to do it.
We see a caption as we go to commercial that is supposedly from AWA President Stanley Blackburn. It has the top contenders for the AWA World Tag Team Titles and lists, in order from one to three, Curt Hennig & Scott Hall, Boris Zhukov & The Barbarian, and finally The Midnight Rockers.
Larry Nelson is in the studio and talks about the next match. He really likes Earthquake Ferris. He really doesn't like Col. DeBeers.
Earthquake Ferris vs. Col. DeBeers
I think this match aired before, but I don't feel like tracking it down and doing the cut & paste thing. So I'll just recap from the notes instead. *Sighs* The things I do for you people. I must really like ya or something. : )
DeBeers starts off with a headlock and tries for the shoulder-block on Ferris, but 'Quake no-sells it, so DeBeers goes after the arm. Ferris with a shoulder and a big slam to get a two-count. DeBeers rolls out to the floor to regroup and plan his next move. Ferris with the headlock. DeBeers with knees and fists. Ferris reverses a whip into the corner and hits DeBeers with a weak-looking splash. Hip-toss, slam and flying elbow by Ferris for a one-count. DeBeers slaps the legs together to escape and uses punches, kicks and a headbutt to take control. Ferris fights back with an atomic drop and a slam for two. A big power-slam by Ferris, but DeBeers gets his foot on the ropes to break the count at two. Small package by DeBeers and he holds on to get a three-count and the win.
Winner: Col. DeBeers
And now, to the main event...
AWA World Tag Team Championship Match
"Playboy" Buddy Rose & "Pretty Boy" Doug Somers w/ Sherri Martel vs. Curt Hennig & Scott Hall
Rose does the usual complaining about his weight. He's not 271lbs. He's only a sweet & petite 217lbs. Yeah, we believe you Buddy. And to prove that he's a sexy beast, Buddy starts the match off by doing the one-armed push-ups and flexing. Scott Hall decides to do some push-ups and flexing of his own. The fans like Scott more than they do "The Playboy". And I have to admit... hey yo! Rose gets disgusted and tags out to Somers before even doing the first lock-up of the match.
Scott starts off with a forearm and a headlock. Hennig tags in with punches and a backdrop. Hall tags back in with punches and an elbow. Somers finally has enough of being the whipping-boy and tags out to Rose. Hall & Rose lock up in a test of strength and it's all Hall despite the comedic antics of Rose. Buddy quickly retreats to the ropes to get away from Hall and tags in Somers again.
Scott works over Somers with punches, forearms, elbows and a backdrop as Curt Hennig chases Buddy Rose around the ring for a bit. Hall with the "Shades of Bob Backlund" atomic drop on Somers and a tag out to Hennig. Curt with the chops and then Hennig moves to the leg of Somers with a spinning toehold (or a variation of it anyhow!) Punches by Curt and he tags Hall back in.
Scott and Hennig each grab a leg of Somers and make a wish. Scott hits a leg-drop and a big fist. Hennig tags back in with chops and a "Shades of Jake Roberts" kneelift. Somers fights back with a headbutt to the gut and tags in Rose. Buddy with some kicks and he tosses Hennig to the floor. Rose quickly follows and whips Curt into the steel fan barrier at ringside. Buddy rolls Curt back into the ring and hits the flying elbow for two before Hall is in to break it up. Somers tags in with a suplex before tagging back out to Rose again. Buddy with a chin-lock, but Curt fights free with elbows and a tag out to Scott Hall.
Scott with an elbow and a leg-drop to get a two-count. A big dropkick and then Scott whips Rose into Somers on the ring apron. Big power-slam by Hall. And here comes Col. DeBeers walking out to ringside from the back. Scott goes immediately out of the ring and starts chasing after DeBeers and the two end up brawling on the floor. The referee is counting and hits the ten-count. Scott has been counted out of the ring. Scott continues to beat on DeBeers and chases him off towards the back as the referee calls for the bell.
Winners by Count-Out: "Playboy" Buddy Rose & "Pretty Boy" Doug Somers w/ Sherri Martel
We come back from commercial and Larry Nelson is with Curt Hennig and Scott Hall. Hennig is at a loss for words about Scott being counted out. The "Doughboys" have their belts because of a count-out. Scott wonders what the connection is between DeBeers and the "Doughboys". But that's not the issue. If Col. DeBeers wants Scott, he's easy to find. Just sign a contract for a match.
Hennig kind of rags on Scott a bit that they had Rose & Somers beat and it was a title match. Why couldn't Scott just leave DeBeers alone? Scott mumbles something that I couldn't understand and he and Curt shake hands to put over their partnership. Curt closes by saying that sooner or later, Rose & Somers will have to face them again and on some given night, those two clowns are going down.
And there you have it as the show ends. Another edition of AWA on ESPN Classics in the books. It wasn't as bad as I thought the second time around when I did this recap. Maybe I was just having a bad night on Friday night? Yeah, that must be it.
Questions and comments can be sent to Doug28352@yahoo. com. Come visit me at MySpace at www.myspace. com/salt_ palace.
And that's it for me. I'll see you again on Monday night / Tuesday morning with more classic AWA goodness from the fine folks at ESPN. Have a great weekend and always be a fan.
I'm Doug and I'm gone.
Ubuntu!
Retro: AWA On ESPN Classics: April 17, 2008
AWA Championship Wrestling
On ESPN Classics
April 17, 2008
Doug "Spinning The Records" Maynard
Are you ready to rock? It's Doug and I'm back here again with another edition of AWA Championship Wrestling from the vaults of ESPN Classics. It was a good show last night. Lots and lots of stuff! So I've got my computer's jukebox cranked up and I'm ready to do the recap as only I can (or anyone else can who happens to be up at 1:00 in the morning...lol) . I should have done this recap last night when the show ended and I was still hyper. I went to bed instead and now, five hours later, I'm tired and exhausted and I haven't even done anything yet. But I'm still pumped up about the show. So that counts for something. Let's turn up the music and get this done.
It's from May 27, 1986 and the world famous Showboat Sports Pavilion in Vegas. So where's Dan Tanna? Rod "From Coast To Coast" Trongard & "The Happy Hawaiian" Lord James Blears are the men calling the action. And Larry Nelson continues his role as the fuzzy-faced guy who does everything from ring announcing to interviews to getting Verne's coffee.
Alice Cooper and "Is Anyone Home (Live)" is playing on the computer. Let's get to it.
H.D. Hass & "Handsome" Harry Henderson vs. Boris Zhukov & Sheik Adnan El Kassey
What was that show about the Bigfoot who lived with the family? Harry and the Hendersons? Well, this must be a cousin. Funny! He doesn't look like a Bigfoot. The wonders of plastic surgery and Nair. "Who wears short shorts?" Sorry, I just had a 1970's commercial flashback. I picked a helluva week to quit dropping acid.
Zhukov and Sheik attack before the bell rings and drive their opponents to the floor. It takes a second to get the match started and its Henderson against Zhukov. They lock up and Zhukov goes to the corner to get free. Tag to Sheik who quickly takes his opponents measure and takes control with several rips at the eyes, nails raked down the back, some punches and a chop. Hass tags in and Sheik rips at the eyes and kicks and stomps away. A "Shades of Kevin Sullivan" double-stomp to the stomach. Zhukov tags in and after a big kick, throws Hass to the floor. Zhukov follows and slams Hass hard on the concrete floor. A big "USA" chant fills the arena.
"Love Heals" from the Rent soundtrack just came on the jukebox! I love this song.
Sheik comes in and goes to the leg. Hass throws some punches, but Sheik just dominates with rakes of the eyes, chops, stomps and a few slams. Henderson tags in and Sheik immediately bites him on the face. He won't be "handsome" for long at this rate. Sheik moves to the arm and bites the arm. I guess he missed lunch and was getting hungry.
Sheik tags out to Zhukov who comes in with kicks and a suplex. Elbows and a tag to Sheik who hits Harry with the double-sledgehammer shot to the chest. Sheik with slams and kicks and some ripping at the face. Neck vice by Sheik. Harry tries to fight back with some punches. Zhukov is in with kicks and a hard slam into the corner. It's the "Shades of Nikita Koloff" Russian Sickle. We call it a clothesline here in the States. Zhukov gets a two-count.
"Creep" by Radiohead comes on the jukebox. And Shiek tags in to the match. How appropriate. Punches and a slam by the Sheik. A tag to Zhukov who hits a big headbutt from the second rope. Another headbutt and Zhukov covers for the easy pin.
Winners: Boris Zhukov & Sheik Adnan El Kassey
Larry Nelson has come to the ring and is talking to Zhukov & Sheik. Next week, they face the Midnight Rockers? Their thoughts? Sheik wants to know who the Rockers are? Who have they beaten? Nobody! And they won't beat Sheik and Zhukov. Sheik then moves on to how the Commissioners and Promoters suspended King Kong Brody. Sheik says that he will use his money and do everything in his power to get Brody back in the AWA & in the ring. He's the only man who can manage and control Brody and they have their eyes on the tag team titles. Zhukov chimes in that the Rockers can't stop him and Sheik and they want the tag team titles to come to the Army.
Oh, snap! The theme from "He-Man And The Masters Of The Universe" just popped up. I had forgotten I had this on my computer. "By the Power of Greyskull! - I have the power!" That was so awesome, when I was a kid. Now, it just seems all very gay! So that's what happened? Hmmmmm! Go figure! And now "Wave on Wave" by Bucky Covington just came up. The local guy kicks ass!
We go now to Greg Gagne & Larry Nelson in the studio with a preview of the rest of the show. We'll see a six-man tag in the main event with Larry Zbyszko teaming up with Rose & Somers to take on Steve Pardee, Mike Rotundo & Jimmy Snuka. Plus in the feature match, it's Col. DeBeers vs. Jake Milliman. And Nelson tells us to watch closely at the end. And next week, we'll have Scott Hall & Curt Hennig defending the tag titles against Rose & Somers as well as The Midnight Rockers taking on Sheik Adnan & Boris Zhukov. This week sounds good. Next week - not so shabby either.
"Date Rape" by Sublime just kicked in...
And now, to the feature match of the evening...
Col. DeBeers vs. Jake "The Milkman" Milliman
Jake rolls away as DeBeers attempts to lock up. The fans are happy and chant "USA" to support their favorite mini-milkman. Jake locks up the arm of DeBeers. DeBeers fights back with the knees and elbows in the corner. Stomps by DeBeers. Jake fights back with forearm shots and a power-slam for two. Jake climbs to the second rope, but misses a flying forearm drop. DeBeers with a kick and an elbow-smash for two. He pulls Jake up. Stomps, slams and knees by DeBeers for another two-count, but he puts Jake's foot on the ropes to break the count. DeBeers with more stomps and punches and it's the "Shades of Randy Orton" Chinlock of Doom! DeBeers with a knee for a two-count, but as is his method, he pulls Jake up at two. Facedriver by DeBeers for the easy pin.
Winner: Col. DeBeers
"Young Country" by Hank Williams Jr. is on the jukebox right now. I've always liked this song.
DeBeers decides that it's not over and continues the assault on Milliman. It's to the top rope for a clubbing shot with the fists. A few stomps and DeBeers is back up on the top rope again. Here comes Scott Hall and he shoves DeBeers from the top rope, causing him to tumble to the floor. Scott goes to check on Jake while DeBeers pulls himself up on the outside.
DeBeers is in the ring and Hall puts a whooping on him with punches, elbows, an elbow smash, a leg drop, a big airplane spin and finally a Cuban-styled Samoan Drop. A big elbow and DeBeers tumbles to the floor. Scott turns his back and goes to check on Jake Milliman. And here comes DeBeers, striking like a snake with his big stick that he liked to carry. He levels Hall with the stick and tosses Scott out of the ring to the floor. DeBeers follows Hall to the floor and Scott gets pancaked by a facedriver on to the concrete by DeBeers.
Here comes Curt Hennig out to save his partner. As Hennig and Milliman check on Hall, DeBeers is walking along the apron and in the ring twisting his mustache and gloating.
DeBeers is on the mic and says that Hall deserves that for meddling in South African affairs. He sees Scott's eyes trying to open, but they can't because a South African put his mark on Hall. DeBeers continues that Hall claims to be proud to be an American, but if the American legend is all that they say, he'd get up and get into the ring right now.
Curt Hennig has had enough and jumps up into the ring. He chases DeBeers around the ring and out of the ringside area. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Larry Nelson is nearly in tears as he pleads for someone to get a stretcher out there for Hall. Hennig gets on the mic and demands a stretcher. A man is unconscious. Hennig has a moment of denial as he says, "This is not going on!".
We go to a commercial break. And a remake of "Gambler" by Kenny Rogers & Wyclef Jean comes up on the jukebox.
And now it's time for the main event.
"Paradise by the Dashboard Light" by Meatloaf just kicked in.
"The Living Legend" Larry Zbyszko, "Pretty Boy" Doug Somers, "Playboy" Buddy Rose (with Sherri Martel) vs. "Superfly" Jimmy Snuka, Mike Rotundo & Steve Pardee.
The special referee is Scott LeDoux. Remember that. It figures in later. As Nelson makes the introductions, Larry Zbyszko interrupts and says that last week, Rotundo wanted five more minutes with him. Well, here he is. Sherri Martel is arguing and in the face of the referee as LeDoux calls for the bell.
Pardee & Rose start off and Buddy immediately does his "one armed push-ups" shtick. Sherri applauds her man and his impressive feat of strength. Buddy grabs Pardee by the leg and then does a cartwheel. Sherri loves it and Buddy does the "Shades of Ric Flair - Wooo!" strut for his manageress. Pardee trips up Buddy by grabbing the legs and then wiggles his butt at Buddy. Hey, you can't make this stuff up, folks! Buddy gets disgusted that Pardee's butt-wiggle gets more cheers than his does and tags out to Somers.
"Still Gonna Die" by The Old Dogs (Waylon, Jerry Reed, Bobby Bare, Mel Tillis) has come up on the jukebox.
Somers tags in and goes after the arm of Pardee. Steve rolls out with a reversal. Somers and Rose go over to talk to their manager for advice as Pardee waits in the middle of the ring. Steve locks Somers in a headlock. Somers whips Pardee into the ropes and we see what looks like screw-up as Somers looked like he was going for a suplex, but Pardee was trying for a leap-frog. Anyhow, it ended up as a "Shades of Batista (cause it was flubbed)" Spinebuster. Pardee gets two.
Tag out to Jimmy Snuka. Snuka with a headlock and chop before tagging out to Rotundo. Rotundo throws some elbow shots and Somers escapes to his corner where he tags out to Larry Zbyszko. And we take a commercial break.
"That's My Job" by Conway is playing now.
Larry is slow to lock up with Rotundo. He's too busy arguing and stalling. Mike hits some punches and tags in Snuka. Larry Z. doesn't want any part of the "Superfly" and tags in Rose. Rose with some kicks and he slams Snuka's head into the corner. Snuka no-sells as Buddy begs off. Zbyszko has come over to complain to the announcers about Snuka. He doesn't trust Scott LeDoux in there. Snuka is in the ring cleaning house on Somers and Rose with headbutt after headbutt.
"Nobody Likes Me" by Alice Cooper is up on the jukebox.
Rose climbs back into the ring as Snuka tags out to Steve Pardee. Rose goes after the legs and flips Pardee into his corner. Zbyszko quickly tags in with stomps and a suplex. Somers tags in pounds away at Pardee. Somers gets some shots in from the outside as well. Pardee fights back on Somers, but Doug rips at the eyes before tagging out to Rose. Buddy in with chops and stomps. Snuka is in illegally and the referee makes him go back out of the ring. Rose, Somers and Zbyszko triple-team Pardee in their corner. Rose tags in and levels Pardee with a flying elbow and a big knee. He tries for a suplex, but Pardee blocks and drops Rose with a big suplex of his own. Both men are down, but manage to tag out to Somers & Rotundo.
Rotundo is in to clean house with punches and a big atomic drop on Somers. Snuka tags in with some big chops on Somers. Dropkick by Snuka and a tag out to Pardee. Scott hits an elbow to Somers, who quickly tags out to Zbyszko. Pardee throws some elbows, but misses a dropkick. Larry stomps away at Pardee and moves him into the corner where it's triple-team time. Larry chokes away at Pardee. Rotundo and Snuka are in and it's OINGO BOINGO time. Referee Scott LeDoux pulls Larry out of the corner and shoves him across the ring to get him off of Pardee. Zbyszko is rightfully incensed and charges LeDoux, who backdrops Zbyszko to the floor. Everyone is brawling with everyone as LeDoux calls for the bell.
Winners by DQ: Scott Pardee, Jimmy Snuka & Mike Rotundo
I don't know if I agree with this call. LeDoux is obviously biased and it seems to me that he just DQ'ed Zbyszko for no real reason. LeDoux laid his hands on Zbyszko first. Even Lord Blears questions the call by LeDoux, but then he quickly corrects himself to say it was the right call. I still don't agree, but it doesn't matter. The good guys win.
"Love's A Loaded Gun" by Alice Cooper is playing right now.
After the commercial break, Larry Nelson is back with "The Living Legend" Larry Zbyszko. He quickly gets in a shot at the fans, saying they get off on shouting obscenities because of their mentality. And then he rags on Scott LeDoux. LeDoux disqualified his team for no reason. Larry complains about how Snuka and Rotundo were ripping at eyes and cheating, but LeDoux didn't care about that. But he disqualified Zbyszko. Larry calls LeDoux a liar, a cheat, a loser, etc and says that LeDoux has manhandled him for the last time. Zbyszko says that he can't make LeDoux any uglier, but he can make him wiser. LeDoux wants to be a big shot, but he'll never make it. He's jealous of Zbyszko. Larry wants LeDoux any time and any place. He wants him right there!
And it ends there.
It was a fun show. "People Are Strange" by The Doors is playing right now. Two kind of blah matches, but the main event made up for it. I like seeing Zbyszko in these six-man matches. It's an odd assortment of wrestlers in the AWA and it's interesting to watch them mix in the ring. I still don't know who Steve Pardee is supposed to be, but Lord Blears obviously had a man-crush on him big time so that has to count for something. All in all, it was just a good show. I liked it.
"I'm Over You" by Keith Whitley just came up and I guess that's a good way to call it a day. Thanks for reading. Questions and comments can be sent to Doug28352@yahoo. com. Come visit me at MySpace at www.myspace. com/salt_ palace. Add me as a friend too. You know you want to.
And on that, I'm gone. See you tomorrow. Have a great day and always be a fan.
Ubuntu!
On ESPN Classics
April 17, 2008
Doug "Spinning The Records" Maynard
Are you ready to rock? It's Doug and I'm back here again with another edition of AWA Championship Wrestling from the vaults of ESPN Classics. It was a good show last night. Lots and lots of stuff! So I've got my computer's jukebox cranked up and I'm ready to do the recap as only I can (or anyone else can who happens to be up at 1:00 in the morning...lol) . I should have done this recap last night when the show ended and I was still hyper. I went to bed instead and now, five hours later, I'm tired and exhausted and I haven't even done anything yet. But I'm still pumped up about the show. So that counts for something. Let's turn up the music and get this done.
It's from May 27, 1986 and the world famous Showboat Sports Pavilion in Vegas. So where's Dan Tanna? Rod "From Coast To Coast" Trongard & "The Happy Hawaiian" Lord James Blears are the men calling the action. And Larry Nelson continues his role as the fuzzy-faced guy who does everything from ring announcing to interviews to getting Verne's coffee.
Alice Cooper and "Is Anyone Home (Live)" is playing on the computer. Let's get to it.
H.D. Hass & "Handsome" Harry Henderson vs. Boris Zhukov & Sheik Adnan El Kassey
What was that show about the Bigfoot who lived with the family? Harry and the Hendersons? Well, this must be a cousin. Funny! He doesn't look like a Bigfoot. The wonders of plastic surgery and Nair. "Who wears short shorts?" Sorry, I just had a 1970's commercial flashback. I picked a helluva week to quit dropping acid.
Zhukov and Sheik attack before the bell rings and drive their opponents to the floor. It takes a second to get the match started and its Henderson against Zhukov. They lock up and Zhukov goes to the corner to get free. Tag to Sheik who quickly takes his opponents measure and takes control with several rips at the eyes, nails raked down the back, some punches and a chop. Hass tags in and Sheik rips at the eyes and kicks and stomps away. A "Shades of Kevin Sullivan" double-stomp to the stomach. Zhukov tags in and after a big kick, throws Hass to the floor. Zhukov follows and slams Hass hard on the concrete floor. A big "USA" chant fills the arena.
"Love Heals" from the Rent soundtrack just came on the jukebox! I love this song.
Sheik comes in and goes to the leg. Hass throws some punches, but Sheik just dominates with rakes of the eyes, chops, stomps and a few slams. Henderson tags in and Sheik immediately bites him on the face. He won't be "handsome" for long at this rate. Sheik moves to the arm and bites the arm. I guess he missed lunch and was getting hungry.
Sheik tags out to Zhukov who comes in with kicks and a suplex. Elbows and a tag to Sheik who hits Harry with the double-sledgehammer shot to the chest. Sheik with slams and kicks and some ripping at the face. Neck vice by Sheik. Harry tries to fight back with some punches. Zhukov is in with kicks and a hard slam into the corner. It's the "Shades of Nikita Koloff" Russian Sickle. We call it a clothesline here in the States. Zhukov gets a two-count.
"Creep" by Radiohead comes on the jukebox. And Shiek tags in to the match. How appropriate. Punches and a slam by the Sheik. A tag to Zhukov who hits a big headbutt from the second rope. Another headbutt and Zhukov covers for the easy pin.
Winners: Boris Zhukov & Sheik Adnan El Kassey
Larry Nelson has come to the ring and is talking to Zhukov & Sheik. Next week, they face the Midnight Rockers? Their thoughts? Sheik wants to know who the Rockers are? Who have they beaten? Nobody! And they won't beat Sheik and Zhukov. Sheik then moves on to how the Commissioners and Promoters suspended King Kong Brody. Sheik says that he will use his money and do everything in his power to get Brody back in the AWA & in the ring. He's the only man who can manage and control Brody and they have their eyes on the tag team titles. Zhukov chimes in that the Rockers can't stop him and Sheik and they want the tag team titles to come to the Army.
Oh, snap! The theme from "He-Man And The Masters Of The Universe" just popped up. I had forgotten I had this on my computer. "By the Power of Greyskull! - I have the power!" That was so awesome, when I was a kid. Now, it just seems all very gay! So that's what happened? Hmmmmm! Go figure! And now "Wave on Wave" by Bucky Covington just came up. The local guy kicks ass!
We go now to Greg Gagne & Larry Nelson in the studio with a preview of the rest of the show. We'll see a six-man tag in the main event with Larry Zbyszko teaming up with Rose & Somers to take on Steve Pardee, Mike Rotundo & Jimmy Snuka. Plus in the feature match, it's Col. DeBeers vs. Jake Milliman. And Nelson tells us to watch closely at the end. And next week, we'll have Scott Hall & Curt Hennig defending the tag titles against Rose & Somers as well as The Midnight Rockers taking on Sheik Adnan & Boris Zhukov. This week sounds good. Next week - not so shabby either.
"Date Rape" by Sublime just kicked in...
And now, to the feature match of the evening...
Col. DeBeers vs. Jake "The Milkman" Milliman
Jake rolls away as DeBeers attempts to lock up. The fans are happy and chant "USA" to support their favorite mini-milkman. Jake locks up the arm of DeBeers. DeBeers fights back with the knees and elbows in the corner. Stomps by DeBeers. Jake fights back with forearm shots and a power-slam for two. Jake climbs to the second rope, but misses a flying forearm drop. DeBeers with a kick and an elbow-smash for two. He pulls Jake up. Stomps, slams and knees by DeBeers for another two-count, but he puts Jake's foot on the ropes to break the count. DeBeers with more stomps and punches and it's the "Shades of Randy Orton" Chinlock of Doom! DeBeers with a knee for a two-count, but as is his method, he pulls Jake up at two. Facedriver by DeBeers for the easy pin.
Winner: Col. DeBeers
"Young Country" by Hank Williams Jr. is on the jukebox right now. I've always liked this song.
DeBeers decides that it's not over and continues the assault on Milliman. It's to the top rope for a clubbing shot with the fists. A few stomps and DeBeers is back up on the top rope again. Here comes Scott Hall and he shoves DeBeers from the top rope, causing him to tumble to the floor. Scott goes to check on Jake while DeBeers pulls himself up on the outside.
DeBeers is in the ring and Hall puts a whooping on him with punches, elbows, an elbow smash, a leg drop, a big airplane spin and finally a Cuban-styled Samoan Drop. A big elbow and DeBeers tumbles to the floor. Scott turns his back and goes to check on Jake Milliman. And here comes DeBeers, striking like a snake with his big stick that he liked to carry. He levels Hall with the stick and tosses Scott out of the ring to the floor. DeBeers follows Hall to the floor and Scott gets pancaked by a facedriver on to the concrete by DeBeers.
Here comes Curt Hennig out to save his partner. As Hennig and Milliman check on Hall, DeBeers is walking along the apron and in the ring twisting his mustache and gloating.
DeBeers is on the mic and says that Hall deserves that for meddling in South African affairs. He sees Scott's eyes trying to open, but they can't because a South African put his mark on Hall. DeBeers continues that Hall claims to be proud to be an American, but if the American legend is all that they say, he'd get up and get into the ring right now.
Curt Hennig has had enough and jumps up into the ring. He chases DeBeers around the ring and out of the ringside area. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Larry Nelson is nearly in tears as he pleads for someone to get a stretcher out there for Hall. Hennig gets on the mic and demands a stretcher. A man is unconscious. Hennig has a moment of denial as he says, "This is not going on!".
We go to a commercial break. And a remake of "Gambler" by Kenny Rogers & Wyclef Jean comes up on the jukebox.
And now it's time for the main event.
"Paradise by the Dashboard Light" by Meatloaf just kicked in.
"The Living Legend" Larry Zbyszko, "Pretty Boy" Doug Somers, "Playboy" Buddy Rose (with Sherri Martel) vs. "Superfly" Jimmy Snuka, Mike Rotundo & Steve Pardee.
The special referee is Scott LeDoux. Remember that. It figures in later. As Nelson makes the introductions, Larry Zbyszko interrupts and says that last week, Rotundo wanted five more minutes with him. Well, here he is. Sherri Martel is arguing and in the face of the referee as LeDoux calls for the bell.
Pardee & Rose start off and Buddy immediately does his "one armed push-ups" shtick. Sherri applauds her man and his impressive feat of strength. Buddy grabs Pardee by the leg and then does a cartwheel. Sherri loves it and Buddy does the "Shades of Ric Flair - Wooo!" strut for his manageress. Pardee trips up Buddy by grabbing the legs and then wiggles his butt at Buddy. Hey, you can't make this stuff up, folks! Buddy gets disgusted that Pardee's butt-wiggle gets more cheers than his does and tags out to Somers.
"Still Gonna Die" by The Old Dogs (Waylon, Jerry Reed, Bobby Bare, Mel Tillis) has come up on the jukebox.
Somers tags in and goes after the arm of Pardee. Steve rolls out with a reversal. Somers and Rose go over to talk to their manager for advice as Pardee waits in the middle of the ring. Steve locks Somers in a headlock. Somers whips Pardee into the ropes and we see what looks like screw-up as Somers looked like he was going for a suplex, but Pardee was trying for a leap-frog. Anyhow, it ended up as a "Shades of Batista (cause it was flubbed)" Spinebuster. Pardee gets two.
Tag out to Jimmy Snuka. Snuka with a headlock and chop before tagging out to Rotundo. Rotundo throws some elbow shots and Somers escapes to his corner where he tags out to Larry Zbyszko. And we take a commercial break.
"That's My Job" by Conway is playing now.
Larry is slow to lock up with Rotundo. He's too busy arguing and stalling. Mike hits some punches and tags in Snuka. Larry Z. doesn't want any part of the "Superfly" and tags in Rose. Rose with some kicks and he slams Snuka's head into the corner. Snuka no-sells as Buddy begs off. Zbyszko has come over to complain to the announcers about Snuka. He doesn't trust Scott LeDoux in there. Snuka is in the ring cleaning house on Somers and Rose with headbutt after headbutt.
"Nobody Likes Me" by Alice Cooper is up on the jukebox.
Rose climbs back into the ring as Snuka tags out to Steve Pardee. Rose goes after the legs and flips Pardee into his corner. Zbyszko quickly tags in with stomps and a suplex. Somers tags in pounds away at Pardee. Somers gets some shots in from the outside as well. Pardee fights back on Somers, but Doug rips at the eyes before tagging out to Rose. Buddy in with chops and stomps. Snuka is in illegally and the referee makes him go back out of the ring. Rose, Somers and Zbyszko triple-team Pardee in their corner. Rose tags in and levels Pardee with a flying elbow and a big knee. He tries for a suplex, but Pardee blocks and drops Rose with a big suplex of his own. Both men are down, but manage to tag out to Somers & Rotundo.
Rotundo is in to clean house with punches and a big atomic drop on Somers. Snuka tags in with some big chops on Somers. Dropkick by Snuka and a tag out to Pardee. Scott hits an elbow to Somers, who quickly tags out to Zbyszko. Pardee throws some elbows, but misses a dropkick. Larry stomps away at Pardee and moves him into the corner where it's triple-team time. Larry chokes away at Pardee. Rotundo and Snuka are in and it's OINGO BOINGO time. Referee Scott LeDoux pulls Larry out of the corner and shoves him across the ring to get him off of Pardee. Zbyszko is rightfully incensed and charges LeDoux, who backdrops Zbyszko to the floor. Everyone is brawling with everyone as LeDoux calls for the bell.
Winners by DQ: Scott Pardee, Jimmy Snuka & Mike Rotundo
I don't know if I agree with this call. LeDoux is obviously biased and it seems to me that he just DQ'ed Zbyszko for no real reason. LeDoux laid his hands on Zbyszko first. Even Lord Blears questions the call by LeDoux, but then he quickly corrects himself to say it was the right call. I still don't agree, but it doesn't matter. The good guys win.
"Love's A Loaded Gun" by Alice Cooper is playing right now.
After the commercial break, Larry Nelson is back with "The Living Legend" Larry Zbyszko. He quickly gets in a shot at the fans, saying they get off on shouting obscenities because of their mentality. And then he rags on Scott LeDoux. LeDoux disqualified his team for no reason. Larry complains about how Snuka and Rotundo were ripping at eyes and cheating, but LeDoux didn't care about that. But he disqualified Zbyszko. Larry calls LeDoux a liar, a cheat, a loser, etc and says that LeDoux has manhandled him for the last time. Zbyszko says that he can't make LeDoux any uglier, but he can make him wiser. LeDoux wants to be a big shot, but he'll never make it. He's jealous of Zbyszko. Larry wants LeDoux any time and any place. He wants him right there!
And it ends there.
It was a fun show. "People Are Strange" by The Doors is playing right now. Two kind of blah matches, but the main event made up for it. I like seeing Zbyszko in these six-man matches. It's an odd assortment of wrestlers in the AWA and it's interesting to watch them mix in the ring. I still don't know who Steve Pardee is supposed to be, but Lord Blears obviously had a man-crush on him big time so that has to count for something. All in all, it was just a good show. I liked it.
"I'm Over You" by Keith Whitley just came up and I guess that's a good way to call it a day. Thanks for reading. Questions and comments can be sent to Doug28352@yahoo. com. Come visit me at MySpace at www.myspace. com/salt_ palace. Add me as a friend too. You know you want to.
And on that, I'm gone. See you tomorrow. Have a great day and always be a fan.
Ubuntu!
Retro: AWA On ESPN Classics: April 16, 2008
AWA Championship Wrestling
On ESPN Classics
April 16, 2008
Doug Maynard
Back again with more of that good, good stuff - classic AWA from the folks at ESPN Classics. I'm Doug. How the heck are you? No time for the chit-chat. Let's get right to the action.
It's 1986 and from the world-famous Showboat Pavilion in Las Vegas, NV. The guys calling the action are Rod Trongard and Lord James Blears. And Larry Nelson, the face of the AWA, bushy beard and all, he's here too.
Steel Gladiator & Jesse Hernandez vs. "Playboy" Buddy Rose & "Pretty Boy" Doug Somers w/ Sherri Martel
Rose, of course, claims that he's only a dainty 217lbs. Does anyone believe him? Not really, but he's always trying. Rose & Somers are accompanied by their "manageress" , Sherri Martel. And she's smokin' tonight! Rose does the one-arm push-ups to show off his physical attributes. Sherri is beaming and proud of her man. Gladiator and Rose lock up and Buddy scores with the arm-drag. He's proud and does the "Shades of Ric Flair" strut. Woooooo! Gladiator responds with an arm-drag of his own. Rose complains about the hair being pulled. Boo-hoo! Cry us a river, Buddy.
Somers tags in and Gladiator takes control with an arm-drag, an arm-bar and a hip-toss. Doug reverses and gains control of the arm and tags in Buddy Rose. Rose with kicks, stomps and chops. Illegal switch by Somers & Rose, but the referee is busy trying to keep control of Hernandez and misses the switch. Somers with chops and a back-breaker. Another tag to Rose who locks in the stretch. Gladiator does an ugly hip-toss to escape. Rose tags in Somers who levels Gadiator with a chop. Rose chokes from the outside of the ring as Somers argues with Hernandez and distracts the referee. Punch and headlock by Somers. He tags in Rose. Gladiator manages to escape and tags in Jesse Hernandez.
Jesse tags in and goes to town on Somers with punches and kicks. A series of arm-drags by Hernandez and Somers is begging off. Chop by Somers and Rose gets in a shot from the outside. Rose tags in and Jesse makes it over to tag Gladiator. Steel hits a hip-toss, but Rose plants a knee into Gladiator's gut. Somers tags in and hits a stiff suplex. Another tag out to Rose who plants Steel Gladiator with a big DDT for the easy pin.
Winners: "Playboy" Buddy Rose & "Pretty Boy" Doug Somers w/ Sherri Martel
Larry Nelson talks to Sherri, Buddy and Doug. Rose talks about how the competition in the AWA is ferocious they (Rose & Somers) have teamed up and are undefeated. And with their beautiful manageress, Sherri by their side, how can they go wrong? Somers, who has a voice like a mouth full of jagged glass, wants to know where everyone is at? People need to put their names on the line. Sherri says that everyone is ducking her men. The champs are ducking her men and need to put the titles on the line. Rose closes by asking, "Where are Hennig & Hall? Where are the Midnight Rockers? Where are Windham & Rotundo?" They're great and will take on anyone anywhere.
We then cut to Larry Nelson & Greg Gagne in the studio. They preview the rest of the show. Col. DeBeers is coming up in the feature match. Nelson doesn't like DeBeers and Gagne says that he doesn't feel that politics should have any place in sports. Coming up also is Mike Rotundo teaming with Curt Hennig to take on Larry Zbyszko & Mr. Go. Hennig is taking the place of Barry Windham, who had to make an appearance somewhere. And coming up next is Nick Bockwinkle.
Nick Bockwinkle vs. Harley Davidson
It's Harley Davidson, so where's the Marlboro Man? Actually, I thought Harley Davidson was a lady from G.L.O.W.? This guy looks like a neon version of Dog the Bounty Hunter after being left in the dryer too long. Nick is channeling Dutch Mantel again and carrying a bullwhip to the ring. He cracks the whip and everyone gets nervous. Even Scott LeDoux doesn't look too anxious to get too close to Nick while he's snapping the leather. I don't blame him. Those things hurt.
Did you know that one of Scott LeDoux's titles is "Director of Fun at Jukebox Saturday Night". What a job to list on your resume. Why Nelson includes that into LeDoux's intro, I'll never know. But then again, why Larry Nelson does a lot of things, I'll never know.
Nick with an amateur style take down and Davidson quickly goes to the ropes. Nick comes back again with a headlock and then moves his attack to the arm. A big slam into the corner by Bockwinkle and he gets a two-count. Harley scores with a headbutt and some punches. Bockwinkle reverses a whip into the corner and Davidson hits hard. Backdrop and two big slams by Bockwinkle. A couple of knees and a big piledriver for an easy pin and win.
Winner: Nick Bockwinkle
Larry Nelson talks to Nick Bockwinkle. Nick speaks briefly about his match last week against Col. DeBeers. It was a draw and neither of them are happy about that. Nothing was settled. But Nick is looking for Stan Hansen. Stan has the belt that Nick held three times for 8 1/2 years and Nick wants that belt back. Nick explains about having the whip by mentioning that people are carrying lariats, cowbells, nunchukas, etc. It's his equalizer. As for Hansen, he just wants to pin his hide to the canvas. That's the only thing that will satisfy Nick.
After the commercial break, we go to our feature match. It's Verne Gagne & Larry Nelson on the commentary.
Col. DeBeers vs. Mike Richards
It's DeBeers taking control from the very start with a headlock and a stomp. Punches, kicks, slams and some knees and DeBeers gets a two-count, pulling Richards up before the pin. Snap-mare and kick by DeBeers. Richards with some punches, but a headbutt to the gut ends that pretty quickly. DeBeers drops Richards throat-first across the top rope and clubs away before hitting a big suplex. Two-count and DeBeers pulls the guy up. Another cover, another two-count, and again, DeBeers pulls the guy up. Suplex and stomp and another two-count as DeBeers pulls Richards up again. Do you see a pattern developing here?
Lot of stomps and clubbing by DeBeers. Richards is tossed to the floor and stomped repeatedly before being slammed back into the ring. Another two and another pull-up by DeBeers. Richards has a brief flurry of offense and hits a hip-toss and a dropkick. DeBeers with the kick to the stomach and a facedriver for two. For the eighth time (maybe ninth) DeBeers pulls Richards up at the two-count. Another facedriver and this time, DeBeers allows the referee to make the three count.
Winner: Col. DeBeers
DeBeers walks over Richards three times as he gloats about his big win. DeBeers moves and stands over Richards, looking down at the fallen kid as if he's ready to do some more damage. Here comes Scott Hall from the back and he quickly gets into the ring to prevent DeBeers from doing any more damage. DeBeers glares at Hall and does that little spin and just walks away, leaving the ring, as Hall helps check on Richards.
And now, time for the main event...
Larry Zbyszko & The Ninja "Go" vs. Curt Hennig & Mike Rotundo
Larry is arguing with the referee before the match can even get started. Go and Rotundo start off. Go takes control with a headlock and shoulder blocks. Rotundo with a hip-toss. Go goes for the arm, but Rotundo switches and takes out the legs. Curt tags in and after a couple of kicks, goes after the legs of Go. Go with the headlock, but Curt reverses into a hammerlock. Go with the take down. Curt with an arm-drag and some knees to the arm. Mike tags in with kicks, an elbow and goes after the arm. Zbyszko tags in.
Rather than go after Rotundo, Zbyszko goes over to argue with the fans. Kick and fists by Zbyszko. Rotundo reverses a whip to the corner and Zbyszko crashes face-first hard into the corner. Zbyszko is livid and goes to the floor. He tells off the commentators and argues with the fans. He's stalling and complaining about anything and everything.
After finally getting back into the ring, Larry goes after the arm of Rotundo. Curt tags in and nails Zbyszko with some punches. Zbyszko is tangled in the ropes and is just dangling there like a puppet on broken strings. Funny! Larry drops to the floor and the fans love it. Larry is just crazed and PO'ed on the outside. Great stuff.
After some venting, Larry gets back in the ring and locks back up with Hennig. Curt with a headlock and a sunset flip for two. Larry claims that Hennig pulled the tights, but no one believes him. Another lock-up and Zbyszko scores with a spin-kick to the guts. Hennig to the floor and Larry tags out to Go.
As Go distracts the referee, Zbyszko works over Hennig on the floor. Hennig gets back in the ring and is chopped by Go. Larry gets some more shots in from the outside and Rotundo comes in to break it up. Go continues the attack on Hennig with kicks and ripping at the eyes. Hennig is trying to fight back. Rotundo is back in and Zbyszko comes back into the ring as well. It's OINGO BOINGO time as everyone is rolling around and brawling. The referee gets bumped and calls for the bell.
DOUBLE DISQUALIFICATION - NO CONTEST
Finally, Zbyszko and Go bail from the ring and things settle down. Rotundo and Hennig are challenging Zbyszko & Go to come back to the ring, but that just isn't going to happen. The referee explains to the announcers that it was out of control and there were no winners. Everyone was disqualified. We go to a commercial break.
We come back and Larry Nelson is with Larry Zbyszko & The Ninja, Go. Larry Z. is on a rant about "those two clowns" and says that they don't know how to wrestle. He were poking Go in the eyes. The referee had no reason to throw the match out. Nelson asks about Go and Zbyszko says that Go is the man he found to train, spar and wrestle with. Like himself, Go is an excellent wrestler. Go cuts a promo in Japanese and Nelson complains that he (Go) doesn't understand English. Zbyszko tells Nelson not to worry about that and goes back to talking about Rotundo & Hennig, referring to them as "those two fools". Nelson tries to end the segment and Zbyszko gets in one last gem of wisdom. "Mess with me, mess with him, mess with us - you lose!"
And that's that.
Another show in the books. The DeBeers match sucked badly and was just uncomfortable to watch. But then again, with that character, that was probably the point. Rose & Somers were good as always and it's always great to see Nick Bockwinkle in action as well. And any time we get to see Larry Z. actually wrestle, especially against someone like Mike Rotundo or Curt Hennig, it's always fun stuff. There wasn't much chemistry with Rotundo & Hennig as a team, but Larry Z. & Go were awesome as always.
And on that, I'm out of here. Questions and comments can be sent to Doug28352@yahoo. com. Come visit me at MySpace at www.myspace. com/salt_ palace. Add me as a friend. You know you want to.
Before I head out, I want to send out some get well wishes to "Beautiful" Bobby Eaton, who's currently in the hospital with heart problems. Bobby is a true legend of tag team wrestling and an awesome person as well outside of the ring. Get well soon, Bobby!
I'm Doug and I'm gone. Have a great day and always be a fan.
Ubuntu!
On ESPN Classics
April 16, 2008
Doug Maynard
Back again with more of that good, good stuff - classic AWA from the folks at ESPN Classics. I'm Doug. How the heck are you? No time for the chit-chat. Let's get right to the action.
It's 1986 and from the world-famous Showboat Pavilion in Las Vegas, NV. The guys calling the action are Rod Trongard and Lord James Blears. And Larry Nelson, the face of the AWA, bushy beard and all, he's here too.
Steel Gladiator & Jesse Hernandez vs. "Playboy" Buddy Rose & "Pretty Boy" Doug Somers w/ Sherri Martel
Rose, of course, claims that he's only a dainty 217lbs. Does anyone believe him? Not really, but he's always trying. Rose & Somers are accompanied by their "manageress" , Sherri Martel. And she's smokin' tonight! Rose does the one-arm push-ups to show off his physical attributes. Sherri is beaming and proud of her man. Gladiator and Rose lock up and Buddy scores with the arm-drag. He's proud and does the "Shades of Ric Flair" strut. Woooooo! Gladiator responds with an arm-drag of his own. Rose complains about the hair being pulled. Boo-hoo! Cry us a river, Buddy.
Somers tags in and Gladiator takes control with an arm-drag, an arm-bar and a hip-toss. Doug reverses and gains control of the arm and tags in Buddy Rose. Rose with kicks, stomps and chops. Illegal switch by Somers & Rose, but the referee is busy trying to keep control of Hernandez and misses the switch. Somers with chops and a back-breaker. Another tag to Rose who locks in the stretch. Gladiator does an ugly hip-toss to escape. Rose tags in Somers who levels Gadiator with a chop. Rose chokes from the outside of the ring as Somers argues with Hernandez and distracts the referee. Punch and headlock by Somers. He tags in Rose. Gladiator manages to escape and tags in Jesse Hernandez.
Jesse tags in and goes to town on Somers with punches and kicks. A series of arm-drags by Hernandez and Somers is begging off. Chop by Somers and Rose gets in a shot from the outside. Rose tags in and Jesse makes it over to tag Gladiator. Steel hits a hip-toss, but Rose plants a knee into Gladiator's gut. Somers tags in and hits a stiff suplex. Another tag out to Rose who plants Steel Gladiator with a big DDT for the easy pin.
Winners: "Playboy" Buddy Rose & "Pretty Boy" Doug Somers w/ Sherri Martel
Larry Nelson talks to Sherri, Buddy and Doug. Rose talks about how the competition in the AWA is ferocious they (Rose & Somers) have teamed up and are undefeated. And with their beautiful manageress, Sherri by their side, how can they go wrong? Somers, who has a voice like a mouth full of jagged glass, wants to know where everyone is at? People need to put their names on the line. Sherri says that everyone is ducking her men. The champs are ducking her men and need to put the titles on the line. Rose closes by asking, "Where are Hennig & Hall? Where are the Midnight Rockers? Where are Windham & Rotundo?" They're great and will take on anyone anywhere.
We then cut to Larry Nelson & Greg Gagne in the studio. They preview the rest of the show. Col. DeBeers is coming up in the feature match. Nelson doesn't like DeBeers and Gagne says that he doesn't feel that politics should have any place in sports. Coming up also is Mike Rotundo teaming with Curt Hennig to take on Larry Zbyszko & Mr. Go. Hennig is taking the place of Barry Windham, who had to make an appearance somewhere. And coming up next is Nick Bockwinkle.
Nick Bockwinkle vs. Harley Davidson
It's Harley Davidson, so where's the Marlboro Man? Actually, I thought Harley Davidson was a lady from G.L.O.W.? This guy looks like a neon version of Dog the Bounty Hunter after being left in the dryer too long. Nick is channeling Dutch Mantel again and carrying a bullwhip to the ring. He cracks the whip and everyone gets nervous. Even Scott LeDoux doesn't look too anxious to get too close to Nick while he's snapping the leather. I don't blame him. Those things hurt.
Did you know that one of Scott LeDoux's titles is "Director of Fun at Jukebox Saturday Night". What a job to list on your resume. Why Nelson includes that into LeDoux's intro, I'll never know. But then again, why Larry Nelson does a lot of things, I'll never know.
Nick with an amateur style take down and Davidson quickly goes to the ropes. Nick comes back again with a headlock and then moves his attack to the arm. A big slam into the corner by Bockwinkle and he gets a two-count. Harley scores with a headbutt and some punches. Bockwinkle reverses a whip into the corner and Davidson hits hard. Backdrop and two big slams by Bockwinkle. A couple of knees and a big piledriver for an easy pin and win.
Winner: Nick Bockwinkle
Larry Nelson talks to Nick Bockwinkle. Nick speaks briefly about his match last week against Col. DeBeers. It was a draw and neither of them are happy about that. Nothing was settled. But Nick is looking for Stan Hansen. Stan has the belt that Nick held three times for 8 1/2 years and Nick wants that belt back. Nick explains about having the whip by mentioning that people are carrying lariats, cowbells, nunchukas, etc. It's his equalizer. As for Hansen, he just wants to pin his hide to the canvas. That's the only thing that will satisfy Nick.
After the commercial break, we go to our feature match. It's Verne Gagne & Larry Nelson on the commentary.
Col. DeBeers vs. Mike Richards
It's DeBeers taking control from the very start with a headlock and a stomp. Punches, kicks, slams and some knees and DeBeers gets a two-count, pulling Richards up before the pin. Snap-mare and kick by DeBeers. Richards with some punches, but a headbutt to the gut ends that pretty quickly. DeBeers drops Richards throat-first across the top rope and clubs away before hitting a big suplex. Two-count and DeBeers pulls the guy up. Another cover, another two-count, and again, DeBeers pulls the guy up. Suplex and stomp and another two-count as DeBeers pulls Richards up again. Do you see a pattern developing here?
Lot of stomps and clubbing by DeBeers. Richards is tossed to the floor and stomped repeatedly before being slammed back into the ring. Another two and another pull-up by DeBeers. Richards has a brief flurry of offense and hits a hip-toss and a dropkick. DeBeers with the kick to the stomach and a facedriver for two. For the eighth time (maybe ninth) DeBeers pulls Richards up at the two-count. Another facedriver and this time, DeBeers allows the referee to make the three count.
Winner: Col. DeBeers
DeBeers walks over Richards three times as he gloats about his big win. DeBeers moves and stands over Richards, looking down at the fallen kid as if he's ready to do some more damage. Here comes Scott Hall from the back and he quickly gets into the ring to prevent DeBeers from doing any more damage. DeBeers glares at Hall and does that little spin and just walks away, leaving the ring, as Hall helps check on Richards.
And now, time for the main event...
Larry Zbyszko & The Ninja "Go" vs. Curt Hennig & Mike Rotundo
Larry is arguing with the referee before the match can even get started. Go and Rotundo start off. Go takes control with a headlock and shoulder blocks. Rotundo with a hip-toss. Go goes for the arm, but Rotundo switches and takes out the legs. Curt tags in and after a couple of kicks, goes after the legs of Go. Go with the headlock, but Curt reverses into a hammerlock. Go with the take down. Curt with an arm-drag and some knees to the arm. Mike tags in with kicks, an elbow and goes after the arm. Zbyszko tags in.
Rather than go after Rotundo, Zbyszko goes over to argue with the fans. Kick and fists by Zbyszko. Rotundo reverses a whip to the corner and Zbyszko crashes face-first hard into the corner. Zbyszko is livid and goes to the floor. He tells off the commentators and argues with the fans. He's stalling and complaining about anything and everything.
After finally getting back into the ring, Larry goes after the arm of Rotundo. Curt tags in and nails Zbyszko with some punches. Zbyszko is tangled in the ropes and is just dangling there like a puppet on broken strings. Funny! Larry drops to the floor and the fans love it. Larry is just crazed and PO'ed on the outside. Great stuff.
After some venting, Larry gets back in the ring and locks back up with Hennig. Curt with a headlock and a sunset flip for two. Larry claims that Hennig pulled the tights, but no one believes him. Another lock-up and Zbyszko scores with a spin-kick to the guts. Hennig to the floor and Larry tags out to Go.
As Go distracts the referee, Zbyszko works over Hennig on the floor. Hennig gets back in the ring and is chopped by Go. Larry gets some more shots in from the outside and Rotundo comes in to break it up. Go continues the attack on Hennig with kicks and ripping at the eyes. Hennig is trying to fight back. Rotundo is back in and Zbyszko comes back into the ring as well. It's OINGO BOINGO time as everyone is rolling around and brawling. The referee gets bumped and calls for the bell.
DOUBLE DISQUALIFICATION - NO CONTEST
Finally, Zbyszko and Go bail from the ring and things settle down. Rotundo and Hennig are challenging Zbyszko & Go to come back to the ring, but that just isn't going to happen. The referee explains to the announcers that it was out of control and there were no winners. Everyone was disqualified. We go to a commercial break.
We come back and Larry Nelson is with Larry Zbyszko & The Ninja, Go. Larry Z. is on a rant about "those two clowns" and says that they don't know how to wrestle. He were poking Go in the eyes. The referee had no reason to throw the match out. Nelson asks about Go and Zbyszko says that Go is the man he found to train, spar and wrestle with. Like himself, Go is an excellent wrestler. Go cuts a promo in Japanese and Nelson complains that he (Go) doesn't understand English. Zbyszko tells Nelson not to worry about that and goes back to talking about Rotundo & Hennig, referring to them as "those two fools". Nelson tries to end the segment and Zbyszko gets in one last gem of wisdom. "Mess with me, mess with him, mess with us - you lose!"
And that's that.
Another show in the books. The DeBeers match sucked badly and was just uncomfortable to watch. But then again, with that character, that was probably the point. Rose & Somers were good as always and it's always great to see Nick Bockwinkle in action as well. And any time we get to see Larry Z. actually wrestle, especially against someone like Mike Rotundo or Curt Hennig, it's always fun stuff. There wasn't much chemistry with Rotundo & Hennig as a team, but Larry Z. & Go were awesome as always.
And on that, I'm out of here. Questions and comments can be sent to Doug28352@yahoo. com. Come visit me at MySpace at www.myspace. com/salt_ palace. Add me as a friend. You know you want to.
Before I head out, I want to send out some get well wishes to "Beautiful" Bobby Eaton, who's currently in the hospital with heart problems. Bobby is a true legend of tag team wrestling and an awesome person as well outside of the ring. Get well soon, Bobby!
I'm Doug and I'm gone. Have a great day and always be a fan.
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