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Post by TTX on May 18, 2012 14:02:35 GMT -5
Good job for Eaton...he's surprisingly good in singles.
Andre is definitely always a tough draw, though a power guy does stand a better chance.
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Post by bookerbill on May 19, 2012 7:05:29 GMT -5
Andre will be hard to beat for sure.
Frank Gotch (9) v. The Destroyer (24)
Interesting matchup with both men having impressive skills in the ring and both having the reputation of doing whatever it takes to win. Destroyer takes the early advantage including a series of handstand kneedrops but Gotch scores with an elbow to the chest in the corner that stuns Destroyer. GOTCH TOE HOLD but Destroyer quickly grabs the ropes. (R7/P5). Gotch cannot maintain the advantage as Destroyer counters a figure four leglock (ch) attempt and connect with a bombs away kneedrop for a 2 count (R4/P1). Destroyer maintains the edge as they exchange holds and counters. Destroyer avoids Gotch’s charge into the corner and the rolls him up for a near fall (R6/P2). Destroyer goes for the win with a FIGURE FOUR LEGLOCK but Gotch is able to grab the ropes (R8/P5). Gotch gets tangled in the ropes and Destroyer takes full advantage. Destroyer works over Gotch outside the ring. Inside, Gotch counters Destroyer’s attack with a crossface and arm bar. Gotch takes the fight to the floor and sends Destroyer into the ring steps shoulder first. It is back and forth now. Gotch with a rolling knee bar and the action goes back to the floor. Destroyer grabs a chair and cracks Gotch across the back. The referee calls for bell and we have our first disqualification for the second round. Bobo Brazil (8) v. Jim Londos (40)
Two of the most popular competitors off all time collided in the next bout. Both men take several minutes to greet the fans as they make their way to the ring. Londos tries a whip to corner but Brazil gets the elbow to the face and then connects with a COCO BUTT for a 1 count (R7/P1). A second COCO BUTT puts Londos down for 1 (R10/P2). Brazil keeps the pressure on with a deathjump smash and then drops Londos with a 3rd COCO BUTT for a 1 count (R7/P3). Londos cannot get anything going and the fans are getting restless. Brazil with a full nelson suplex and then connects with another COCO BUTT (R6/P4). Brazil tosses Londos to the floor and when he crawls back under, Brazil hits another COCO BUTT for a 2 count (R8/P5). Brazil tosses Londos to the floor again and then drops him with a COCO BUTT when he regains the ring. Londos kicks out immediately (R11/P6). The fans pop at the kick out, get behind Londos and he finally gets something going. Londos with a Sleeper Grip and Brazil escapes (R9/P1). Londos control the action and then uses a short arm scissors forcing Brazil to the ropes (R3/P2). Londos continues to work the arm. Brazil bails for a break and Londos comes out and both men tangle on the floor. Londos maintains control and Londos tries for the win with a Sleeper Grip but Brazil manages to make it to the ropes (R5/P3). Londos works the arm with a grinding arm bar and then connects with an AIRPLANE SPIN. 1, 2, 3 (R5/P6). Last year’s winner is out in the second round and Londos completes a huge comeback win!
Up Next: Giant Baba v. Greg Valentine along with Diamond Dallas Page v. Ox Baker
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Post by bookerbill on May 20, 2012 7:16:39 GMT -5
Giant Baba (13) v. Greg Valentine (45) w/Captain Lou Albano
The fans boo Valentine and Albano out of the building during the introductions. Valentine shows no fear and actually goes straight at his much larger opponent but Baba crushes him with knee lifts and forearm smashes. A Russian legsweep gives Baba the first pin attempt (R6/P4). Baba follows with a boot to face and then a knee lift. A second Russian legsweep nearly ends it (R6/P5). A big boot flips Valentine to the floor but the Hammer pulls Baba to the floor and takes over the action. The advantage is short lived and Baba regains control and downs Valentine with a 3rd Russian legsweep. Baba has the match won but Albano causes a distraction. Baba returns his focus to Valentine and crushes him with a piledriver to advance to the next round (R6/P6).
Diamond Dallas Page (37) v. Ox Baker (60)
Page makes his way to the ring through the crowd and the fans show their appreciation. Page takes Baker to the mat early and then traps him in a figure four leglock (ch) that is sloppy looking but gets the job done. Page follows with a Russian Leg Sweep for a 1 count (R8/P4) before tossing Baker to the floor. With the fans cheering him on, Page goes out after Baker and they tear up ringside. The referee steps in and Baker shoves the official to the floor. Baker is disqualified. The fight continues after the bell and Page gets the best of Baker much to the pleasure of the fans at ringside.
Up next…. Lou Thesz v. Rikidozan and Road Warrior Hawk v. Killer Kowalski
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Post by LWPD on May 20, 2012 8:30:41 GMT -5
Nice wins by Baba and DDP. The next double shot sounds like an absolute classic, gun to the head I'd lean toward Thesz and Double K. Fun stuff!
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Post by bookerbill on May 21, 2012 7:35:04 GMT -5
Thanks for the feedback LWPD.
Lou Thesz (2) v. Rikidozan (34)
In the last tournament, Rikidozan sent Thesz home with a clean win. This year, Thesz has an opportunity to return the favour. Handshake starts the action and the fans settle in for what promises to be a classic. Rikidozan assumes control at the bell with a series of chops and then later scores with a deathjump smash that leads into a HIPLOCK for a 1 count (R10/P2). Rikidozan seems to have all the answers in this one offering up counter after counter mixed with chops and head butts. The action goes to the floor and Thesz shows his frustration by Irish whipping Rikidozan into the ring post. The bell sounds and Thesz is out via disqualification. The fans nearly riot in outrage but Thesz simply grabs the mic and apologizes to the fans and to Rikidozan for the infraction admitting that Rikidozan was the better man tonight. Thesz shakes Rikidozan’s hand and leave the ring.
Road Warrior Hawk (15) w/Paul Ellering v. Killer Kowalski (18)
Hawk hit the ring and the fans are on their feet. Kowalski does everything in his power to keep the pace slow and take the crowd out of the action. A series of stomach claws give Kowalski a 1 count (R7/P2). Kowalski then connects with a bombs away kneedrop before tossing Hawk to the floor. Kowalski is outside as well and both men exchange blows. Ellering joins the battle and the referee quickly calls for the third disqualification in a row. Hawk is out of the tournament but battles Kowalski back to the dressing room.
Up next: Masked Superstar II v. Cowboy Bob Orton followed by Buddy Rogers v. The Crusher
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Post by bookerbill on May 22, 2012 5:08:15 GMT -5
Masked Superstar II (23) v. Cowboy Bob Orton (55)
The fans do not care for either one of these competitors and give then equal heat as they are introduced. Orton goes into the corner in the opening moments but blocks Superstar’s charge with an elbow to the face. Orton goes on the offense with a pair of atomic drops that rock his opponent and then executes a perfect SUPERLEX on the 6’10” Superstar that shakes the ring and sends Orton onto the round of 16 (R4/P4). Up next … Buddy Rogers v. The Crusher
Buddy Rogers (7) v. The Crusher (26)
The perfect match up of the arrogant heel against the brawling face. The crushes gives the fans plenty to cheer about early on with forearms, stomps and a bear hug that has Rogers wailing. The Nature Boy gets the first near fall however with a cross body block off the top of the buckles (R7/P2). Rogers picks the pace up and maintains the advantage. Both men go into the corner hard but Rogers is able to catch Crusher with a running slingshot. Rogers goes for the win with a FIGURE FOUR GRAPEVINE but Crusher is able to grab the ropes (R9/P7). Rogers drags Crusher off the ropes and then applies another FIGURE FOUR GRAPEVINE. This time Crusher cannot make it to the ropes and passes out (R3/P8).
Up next: Mil Mascaras v. Ed Lewis & George Hackenschmidt v. Harley Race
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Post by bookerbill on May 23, 2012 4:35:23 GMT -5
Mil Mascaras (3) v. Ed Lewis (35)
Another matchup of the classic high flyer against the mat technician. The fans are solidly behind the masked legend from Mexico from the outset. Lewis tries to tie up Mascaras early on but Mascaras is able to reverse a whip into the corner and strikes with a running slingshot. Mascaras ties up Lewis in a bow and arrow but Lewis breaks free (R7/P2). The action goes to the floor and both men come very close to be disqualified. Back inside it is all Mascaras including consecutive slingshot planchas that get a 2 ½ count (R4/P3) Mascaras executes perfect deathjump crossbody block but can only get a 2 count (R6/P4). The fans thought it was over. Mascaras takes flight again with a FLYING BODYPRESS and the referee counts three (R5/P6). Up next: George Hackenschmidt v. Harley Race
George Hackenschmidt (14) v. Harley Race (19)
Two competitors legendary for their toughness clashed in the next match. Both men are focused from the open bell on the task at hand and basically ignore the fans who are really hot for this one. Race and Hackenschmidt trade counters before Race connects with a spinning neckbreaker for the first attempted fall (R7/P2). Race climbs the corner but Hackenschmidt is ready and tosses Race to the mat. RUSSIAN BEAR HUG and Race punches free (R7/P3). Race is able to regain control after countering a neck crank. Hackenschmidt struggles before Race sends him into the ropes but he rebounds with a crossbody block that nearly ends it (R5/P3). Race escapes a neck crank and lands his trademark kneedrops. A swinging neckbreaker puts Hackenschmidt down for a 1 count (R9/P3). Race then ends it with a PILEDRIVER (R3/P7).
Up Next: Bruiser Brody v. Don Leo Jonathan along with Nick Bockwinkel v. Antonio Inoki
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Post by cruefan68 on May 23, 2012 21:15:53 GMT -5
So many fun matches in this tournament, Bookerbill. I'm really looking forward to Brody vs. Jonathan and Bockwinkel vs. Inoki. Keep the great action coming...
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Post by bookerbill on May 24, 2012 5:11:40 GMT -5
Thanks Cruefan.
Bruiser Brody (11) v. Don Leo Jonathan (22)
Definitely the battle of the big men in this one. Brody hits the ring like a man possessed and goes to work with a series of hammer punches and stomps. Brody body slams Jonathan and the ring shakes. Jonathan bails and out comes Brody. The fans are roaring. Brody grabs his chain and bashes Jonathan before choking him with it. The bell sounds and Brody has been disqualified. Security arrives and Brody is dragged from ringside. Nick Bockwinkel w/Bobby Heenan (6) v. Antonio Inoki (27)
We get a solid Weasel chant before bell and Heenan gives it to the fans at ringside. Bockwinkel takes the early advantage but Inoki counters his way into control and then nearly ends it with cobra twist that forces Bockwinkel to the ropes (R4/P3). Bockwinkel continues to struggle but even things up whipping Inoki into the ring steps. Inoki survives a BOCKWINKEL SLEEPER (R6/P4). It is back and forth now but Bockwinkel comes rebounding off the ropes and shocks Inoki for 2 with a cross body block (R7/P3). Bockwinkel works over Inoki at ringside and Heenan gets in a choke drawing huge heat. Inoki is nearly counted out of the ring after a back suplex at ringside. Back inside, Bockwinkel with a BOCKWINKEL SLEEPER that forces Inoki to the ropes (R9/P7). Bockwinkel follows with a piledriver for a 2 ¾ count (R7/P6). Bockwinkel connects with a deathjump smash and then traps Inoki in another BOCKWINKEL SLEEPER. Inoki has no counter (R7/P9).
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Post by bookerbill on May 24, 2012 5:14:52 GMT -5
As we get ready to head into the sweet sixteen it is time for everyone to make their picks. Two questions then my fellow promoters. First, will anyone be able to stop Andre from winning the whole thing and second, if Andre does fall, then who wins the tournament?
My pick to win the tournament is Mil Mascaras. The man who will stop Andre the Giant is Terry Gordy. He has sufficient power to move the Giant and make use of the charts and the double finisher might be enough to get him past Andre. Of course, Gordy will have to beat DDP first.
Andre The Giant (1) v. Bobby Eaton (48) Frank Gotch (9) v. Jim Londos (40) Giant Baba (13) v. Jimmy Valiant (61) Terry Gordy (12) v. Diamond Dallas Page (37) Killer Kowalski (18) v Rikidozan (34) Buddy Rogers (7) v. Cowboy Bob Orton (55) Mil Mascaras (3) v. Harley Race (19) Nick Bockwinkel (6) v Don Leo Jonathan (22)
The round of 16 starts on Monday!
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