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Post by bookerbill on Aug 4, 2016 16:22:07 GMT -5
What a huge New Years Eve Knockout. So much tradition and this fed just keeps on rolling along. Really enjoyed the Battlezone Match with Snuka and Rogers mirroring each other. Great story before the epic conclusion with Nick Bockwinkle getting his payback. The main event was crazy and Rude really showed his dominance with yet another win over Thesz. It will be strange to see the USWA fed going forward without Cornette.
Great send off for “Greatest Manager In Professional Wrestling History”
Despite having have the main gold in the First Family, Hart and his stable are in a transition and on the hunt for new talent. Cannot wait to see who Hart signs next.
Every time I check out this fed I am reminded of why I started to play the game. Great stuff.
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Post by Cory Olson on Aug 7, 2016 13:10:35 GMT -5
Thanks to Booker Bill for the nice comments! And HOORAY for hitting 100 pages on this thread! January 12, 2015 Card #420: Municipal Auditorium in Nashville1) Virgil started the year with a pinfall, defeating Jake “The Milkman” Milliman in the opener. Milliman was hoping for a win in his hometown. He fought hard against Virgil, surviving the Million Dollar Dream by getting to the ropes for a break. Virgil executed a piledriver a few moments later to score the pinfall. DUD 2) Hillbilly Jim and Cousin Luke scored a big tag team victory over “Dastardly” Danny Doring and the Amish RoadKill. Doring and RoadKill were hoping to continue their momentum from their big win at New Year’s Knockout. Doring hit the Danaconda on his former tag team partner Luke, but was cocky and wouldn’t make a cover. He tagged in “The Angry Amish Warrior,” who knocked Luke out of the ring. RoadKill pummeled Luke on the floor and then tossed him back into the ring. As RoadKill got up on the apron to re-enter the ring, Luke cut him off with a head butt. He then pulled RoadKill into the ring by picking the big man up on his shoulders into the Hillbilly Drop. He dropped RoadKill and made a cover to score the pinfall, before Doring could make the save and before Jim could tag into the match! DUD 3) “The Anarchist” Arik Cannon defeated George South. South, coming off a win over Jake Milliman at New Year’s Knockout, put up some fight against Cannon, but the PBR spokesman had the crowd behind him. Cannon came off the top rope with a splash for a near fall. A few moments later, he hit the Glimmering Warlock to score the pin on South. ½* 4) Red Pepper defeated the Age of the Fall in tag team competition. Red Bastien and Pepper Gomez had the early advantage on Tyler Black. Gomez hit the Mexican Leap on Black. Black made the tag to Jimmy Jacobs, but Bastien hit a flying head scissors on Jacobs for a near fall. Bastien hit a series of beautiful flying dropkicks for another two-count. A few moments later, Age of the Fall took control on “The Man with The Cast Iron Stomach.” Black hit Paroxysm for a near fall. Black tagged Jacobs back in and lifted Gomez up into a Torture Rack-style backbreaker. Jacobs climbed up the ropes and came off with an elbow to Gomez’ chest. A few moments later, Jacobs caught Gomez in the End Time. It looked like the former Mid-America and Southern champion was about to tap, but Bastien made a save. Gomez got away from Jacobs and made the hot tag to Bastien. Bastien ran wild on Jacobs. Black jumped in, but Bastien nailed himw tih a big dropkick knocking him out of the ring. Bastien caught Jacobs in an abdominal stretch. Jacobs was trapped and fought hard for the ropes. Black climbed back up on the apron and jumped in the ring for a save, but it was too late, as Jacobs submitted to the hold, giving Red Pepper a big win! ***¼ 5) “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan scored a dominant win over Hot Stuff, International member Doug Gilbert. Despite the presence and attempted interference by “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert and “Sensational” Sherri Martel at ringside, Duggan stayed strong against Doug. He hit an Old Glory for a near fall. A few moments later, Duggan got down into the three-point stance and blasted Gilbert with the flying spear to put him down for the pinfall. ¼* 6) “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka and “The Boogie Woogie Man” “Handsome” Jimmy Valiant scored a big win over the Midnight Express of “Sweet” Stan Lane and Sweet Brown Sugar. While Lane and Sugar had their teammate “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton at ringside, it was interesting to see them without Jim Cornette at ringside and to see them actually introduced by Gary Michael Cappetta. The fan favorites double teamed Sugar early in the match. Snuka blasted him with a flying head butt, which drew blood on him. “Superfly” went for a cover, but Sugar kicked out. Lane tagged in, but Snuka took control on him, hitting a backbreaker for a two-count. The Midnights took control on “Boogie Woogie,” thanks in part to some outside interference from Eaton. Sugar slammed Valiant hard on the mat and went up to top rope. He mockingly did his old “Birdman” arm flapping, signifying he was going to “fly.” Sugar leapt, but took too long in showboating and missed a splash. As both men got to their feet, Valiant caught him in the sleeper. Sugar managed to get to the ropes near the Midnights’ corner. Lane punched Valiant from the apron, allowing Sugar to tag him into the match. The Midnights worked over Valiant again. Sugar hit a jumping elbow drop and scored a two-count. “Handsome” Jimmy battled back and danced up to his feet. He blasted the bloodied Sugar with some roundhouse punches and then tagged the “Superfly.” Snuka ran wild on Sugar and hit a piledriver. He covered Sugar and scored the pinfall, while Valiant cut off “Sweet” Stan from making a save. ***¾ 7) One-half of the World Tag Team champions Mr. Saito was victorious over Doctor X via disqualification in only about two minutes. The match was a brawl between the two from the opening bell. X got the advantage and started to choke the Japanese Olympian on the middle rope. Jerry Calhoun’s count hit five and the masked man had not released the choke, so Calhoun disqualified X. X continued his attack after the bell. “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert jumped up on the apron and nailed the masked man with punches. Suddenly Saito’s Tag Team championship partner Mr. Fuji ran out from the back. The champions and their manager pummeled X and then threw him out of the ring. Saito grabbed X in a piledriver and Fuji and Gilbert assisted by each pushing down on one of X’s legs. The trio spike piledrove him on the floor! X’s allies the Vachons ran out from the back and chased the Hot Stuff, International members off with steel chairs. X was in a lot of pain as Mad Dog and Butcher checked on him. USWA officials and paramedics came out from the back with a stretcher. They loaded up the masked man and wheeled him out of the Municipal Auditorium. Butcher left with them, while Mad Dog stayed in the ring for his own match. neg* 8) Mad Dog Vachon, perhaps fueled by the attack on his ally Doctor X, scored a quick and impressive win over former World and Mid-America champion “American Dragon” Bryan Danielson. The two exchanged some blows for a few minutes, but it only took one of Mad Dog’s powerful piledrivers to put Danielson down for the count. Mad Dog was very impressive in his singles victory! DUD 9) In the first of two championship bouts, Butcher Vachon defeated USWA Mid-America Heavyweight champion Tracy Smothers via disqualification. Butcher had returned from helping Doctor X to the back and like his brother in the previous match seemed very focused and extra aggressive. He executed a backbreaker on the champ in the first minute of the match for a near fall. Butcher sent Smothers into the ropes and bent over to execute a backdrop, but the champion had the move scouted and hit a sunset flip on Butcher for a two-count. Smothers took control and went up to the top rope. He came off with a flying body press, but Butcher caught him in midair and slammed him hard to the mat. A few moments later, Butcher got Smothers up in the hangman. The champion looked in trouble, but with the fans cheering “Tracy, Tracy!” managed to get a foot on the ropes for a break, after being in the hold for nearly a minute. Butcher big Smothers on the forehead, causing the champion to bleed. He then followed up with another body slam on Smothers for another near fall. Butcher had Smothers in the corner and was choking away at him. Paul Neighbors put the count on Butcher. Butcher released and Neighbors warned Butcher about his actions. While the official had the Algerian’s attention, Smothers grabbed his Southern flag from the corner. He wrapped the flag around the pole and then nailed Butcher in the stomach with it! This was right in front of Neighbors, who was left with no choice, but to call for the bell and disqualify Smothers. As Butcher got his hand raised, Smothers went to strike him again with the flagpole, much to the fans’ delight! Butcher got the win, but did not capture the Mid-America Heavyweight title! **¾ 10) The main event was “Ravishing” Rick Rude’s first defense of his second reign as USWA World Heavyweight champion, as he put the title on the line against former champion “Cowboy” Bob Orton, Jr. Orton got a countout victory against Rude last month in Cadiz, on the last card before New Year’s Knockout. Orton started strong against the champion, but Rude was ready for him, as he blocked a vertical suplex attempt by the challenger, and hit a suplex of his own for a near fall. Rude worked over the neck. While it appeared that Rude would be setting up Orton for the Rude Awakening, he didn’t get the chance to use it, as he scored the pinfall on the “Cowboy” with a piledriver (an effective move on this card!) after about five minutes of action. The new World champ looked very impressive in his first defense and Jimmy Hart was a very happy man! *
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Post by Cory Olson on Aug 8, 2016 15:43:39 GMT -5
Highlights from USWA Championship Wrestling on 1-17: • It was announced that Doctor X suffered a neck injury, as a result of the attack by “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert and the World Tag Team champions Mr. Fuji and Mr. Saito last week in Nashville after his brief match with Saito. The masked man will be out of action about two months. • Due to their intense championship matches, as well as the recent attack on Doctor X, Commissioner Armstrong announced a non-title match for January 26 in Chattanooga at the Memorial Auditorium, that will see Fuji and Saito take on Mad Dog and Butcher Vachon! The Vachons were interviewed in-studio. Mad Dog did most of the talking and said that Hot Stuff, International were fools for what they did to Doctor X! He said that if they want a war, they’ve got one, and that it will be “dog eat dog”! • After defeating “Cowboy” Bob Orton, Jr. last week in Nashville, it is official that “Ravishing” Rick Rude will be Nick Bockwinkel’s opponent and defend the USWA World Heavyweight championship on February 8 at the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis. Rude and Jimmy Hart were interviewed in-studio. Hart bragged about his man’s win. The champion stated that to Bockwinkel and any other critics, he defeated a former USWA champion fair-and-square last week in Nashville. He said that “The Mouth of The South’s” managerial “expertise and guidance” have lead him to the World title, but he did not need Hart’s help to beat Orton Jr. He said that while Bockwinkel did make him submit last May in a six-man tag team match, Bockwinkel has not yet defeated him one-on-one! • Hart also had a huge announcement, as he said that he has signed a former USWA World Tag Team champion to join the First Family and to team with Big John Studd. When Lance Russell asked who it was, Hart revealed that the 446-pound New Jersey native King Kong Bundy will be returning to the USWA! Bundy held the Tag Team titles from September 2007 to March 2008 with former First Family member and Studd’s former partner the Masked Superstar. (Superstar and Bundy were members of Bobby Heenan’s Heenan Family.) Bundy and Superstar are currently tied for third place for the longest USWA World Tag Team title reigns (based on number of defenses) along with the Road Warriors’ first reign. Hart said he feels that with the combined size and power of Studd and Bundy, they will capture and hold the World Tag Team titles for a long time! Hart stated that Bundy will make his return to the USWA on February 8 in Memphis, and then he and Studd will team up the following week at the Louisville Gardens! • Give Nick Bockwinkel a lot of credit; he is not resting prior to his shot at the USWA World Heavyweight championship shot. In addition to his big match-up in Lexington next week (see Card #421 preview below) the four-time former USWA champion will face Big John Studd on January 26 in Chattanooga! When Studd was the Masked Superstar II, these two wrestlers collided twice in singles competition, with each man getting a win over the other. Not only will this be the “rubber match,” but it will also be a huge test for Bockwinkel prior to his title match with Rick Rude. You can bet that Jimmy Hart will be looking for Studd not only to defeat Bockwinkel, but injure him for Bock’s match with Rude! • Another big grudge match was announced, as the New Age Outlaws will face the Midnight Express of “Sweet” Stan Lane and Sweet Brown Sugar on the Chattanooga card on the 26th! The Midnights got the most recent victory in this feud, as they got a countout win at New Year’s Knockout XI, after Sugar delivered a Ghostbuster on the Roberts Stadium floor on “The Road Dogg” Jesse James. This will be the first time these teams have met, where Jim Cornette has not been at ringside for the Midnights!
The USWA comes back to Rupp Arena in Lexington on January 19! • The Age of the Fall is hoping to get back on track and get their first win over 2015. They will battle “Dastardly” Danny Doring and the Amish RoadKill in a rematch from New Year’s Knockout XI! Doring and RoadKill scored the big win on December 31 in Evansville. Will lightning strike twice or can Jimmy Jacobs and Tyler Black finally topple Doring and RoadKill decisively? • The Southern Heavyweight champion will be in action, as Steve “Dr. Death” Williams will take on former Mid-America champion Claudio Castagnoli in a non-title match! Williams is taking on a tough comer in the Swiss powerhouse, one week before he defends the Southern title against Terry “Bamm Bamm” Gordy in Gordy’s hometown of Chattanooga next week. Who will win this battle of powerhouses? • The New Age Outlaws will collide with Eddie and Doug Gilbert in a big tag team match-up. These two teams have tangled on two occasions, with each team getting a win over the other in wild bouts. You can bet that either team would like to get a win and get recognition toward a future shot at the USWA World Tag Team titles. Which team will leave Rupp Arena the victors? • Another singles champion will be in action, as Mid-America Heavyweight champion Tracy Smothers battles former champion David Taylor in a non-title bout. Taylor was the first wrestler to defeat Smothers in the USWA, and to-date has two wins over the champ, while Smothers has yet to defeat the British grappler. Smothers took a lot of punishment from Butcher Vachon last week in Nashville, so you have to wonder what type of condition he will be in going into this bout. Can Taylor score another win over the champion or will Smothers finally defeat Taylor? • As Nick Bockwinkel looks ahead to a shot at the USWA World title in a few weeks, this week he will do battle with First Family of Wrestling member Larry “The Axe” Hennig. Hennig made his return to the USWA this past July in Springfield, by attacking Bockwinkel during a bout with “Ravishing” Rick Rude for a shot at then-champion Lou Thesz’s World title. Hennig holds a singles victory over Bockwinkel, which he achieved in October in Jonesboro, thanks in part to a loaded elbow pad. He has also injured Bockwinkel twice, along with the help of other First Family members. Bockwinkel did defeat “The Axe” in the Battlezone Match at New Year’s Knockout, but would love to get another victory over his former Heenan Family ally in a standard singles match. Can the four-time former champion chop down the big “Axe”? • The main event will be for the USWA World Tag Team titles. Current champions Mr. Fuji and Mr. Saito of Hot Stuff, International will defend the titles against three-time former champs the Midnight Express of “Sweet” Stan Lane and Sweet Brown Sugar. These two teams wrestled for the first time a year ago in this same arena, during Lane and Sugar’s third World Tag Team title reign. They battled it out for the first half of last year, until Fuji and Saito captured the titles from the Midnights last June in Hopkinsville and have had the belts since then. The Midnights have not received a rematch until now. While Lane and Sugar have gotten many wins in the last six months, they are now without their former manager Jim Cornette. If Fuji and Saito retain the titles in this bout, they will be tied for third place for the longest World Tag Team title reign with seven defenses, tied with the previously-mentioned Bundy and Superstar and the Road Warriors’ first reign. Can the Japanese retain or will Lane and Sugar become four-time champions?
All these great bouts, plus Big John Studd wrestles for the first time in the USWA without a mask! As well as the Vachons, Terry “Bamm Bamm” Gordy, “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton, and more USWA stars in action at the Rupp Arena!
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Post by cruefan68 on Aug 10, 2016 23:13:47 GMT -5
Congrats on reaching 100 pages! Rick Rude looked great in his first title defense versus Cowboy Bob Orton in Nashville. Rude has another very tough challenger in Nick Bockwinkel upcoming but can Bockwinkel survive those matches with Larry Hennig and Big John Studd leading up to the Mid-South Colisem show? That card coming up in Lexington looks great and I am really looking forward to the Midnight Express (without Jim Cornette!) challenging Fuji & Saito for the tag titles.
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Post by Cory Olson on Aug 11, 2016 14:11:17 GMT -5
Thanks to Crue Fan for the comments!
January 19, 2015 Card #421: Rupp Arena in Lexington
1) “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton defeated Hillbilly Jim in the opener. It appeared as if Jim was about to score a huge upset on the former Southern, Mid-America, Texas, and World Tag Team champion, as he caught Eaton in the bear hug. Eaton almost submitted, but nailed Jim with some stiff right hands to break up the hold. Eaton got Jim down on the mat and went up top. He came off with the Alabama Jam and scored the pinfall. Eaton looked very impressive, particularly without Jim Cornette at ringside! **
2) Big John Studd won his first match in the USWA unmasked, as he got a countout victory over Jim Powers. Powers had some offense against the big man, but couldn’t get Studd down. He even tried to slam Studd, but couldn’t get him up and Studd took control. Studd worked over Powers and then simply picked him up and tossed him over the top rope and to the arena floor, as if they were wrestling in a Battle Royal. Powers was unable to get back in the ring by Scott Bowden’s 10-count, so Studd got the victory. ¼*
3) “Dastardly” Danny Doring and the Amish RoadKill gave the Age of the Fall another defeat! It appeared as if Jimmy Jacobs and Tyler Black might get their win, as they dominated the first part of the match. Black scored a near fall on Doring after a superkick, and Jacobs got a two-count on “The Angry Amish Warrior” after an impressive springboard dropkick. Doring took over on Jacobs and hit the Wham, Bam, Thank You Ma’am out of nowhere to score the pinfall! As Doring and RoadKill got their hands raised in victory, Black jumped into the ring and nailed RoadKill with a knee strike. He then blasted Doring with another superkick. Jacobs recovered, went to their corner, and pulled out a huge spike! Black held Doring by the arms while Jacobs proceeded to jam the spike into Doring’s eye! Blood started to pour out of Doring’s eye as he screamed in pain. Several USWA referees and officials ran down to try and stop Jacobs, but he persisted. RoadKill finally came to and pounded away on Jacobs, finally getting him to stop. Jacobs finally released and he and Black returned to the locker room. Doring was a bloody mess and his blood stained RoadKill’s dress shirt, as RoadKill helped him to the back. **¾
4) Terry “Bamm Bamm” Gordy made short work of Jake “The Milkman” Milliman. Gordy pounded on Milliman and hit the piledriver to score the pinfall in 30 seconds. Gordy looks ready for a rematch with Steve “Dr. Death” Williams for the Southern title next week in Gordy’s hometown of Chattanooga! DUD
5) Mad Dog and Butcher Vachon destroyed George South and “Pretty Boy” Larry Sharpe. To be more accurate, the Vachons destroyed South, as Sharpe never got to tag into the match. Butcher got South up in the hangman and forced him to submit in about two minutes. The Vachons looked extra vicious tonight and looked ready to tangle with the World Tag Team champions next week in Chattanooga! DUD
6) Southern Heavyweight champion Steve “Dr. Death” Williams scored a dominant win over Claudio Castagnoli. Williams largely dominated the bout. He hit a backdrop driver on the Swiss powerhouse. A few moments later, Williams hit a standing dropkick on Castagnoli and covered him to score the pinfall. Both the Southern champion and challenger had very strong wins tonight. Which force will emerge the Southern champion in next week’s main event? DUD
7) The New Age Outlaws scored a very quick win over Eddie and Doug Gilbert. The Outlaws came to the ring first and did their self-ring introductions. The Gilberts came out next with “Sensational” Sherri Martel. As they entered the ring, the Outlaws charged them and all four men brawled in and out of the ring. Paul Morton finally got order restored and called for the bell for the match to officially start, with “The Road Dogg” Jesse James and “Hot Stuff” as the legal men, while Billy Gunn and Doug continued to brawl on the floor. Gilbert went for a punch, but James sidestepped him and executed a drop toehold, sending Eddie throat-first onto the middle rope. James seized the opportunity, bounced off the ropes, and came back with a rope straddle. He pulled Eddie off the ropes and scored the pinfall in 15 seconds, before Gunn or Doug could legally wrestle! The fans popped big for the Outlaws’ win! (NOTE: This match was only two moves!) neg*
8) The Mid-America Heavyweight champion got a big win tonight, as Tracy Smothers triumphed over former champion David Taylor. Taylor had the early advantage and hit the British suplex early, but Smothers got a shoulder up before the three-count. Smothers battled back and surprised Taylor with a running crossbody block. He covered the British grappler, hooked the leg, and scored the pinfall after just a few minutes. It was Smothers’ first win over Taylor and he celebrated amongst the Lexington fans! ¾*
9) Larry “The Axe” Hennig defeated his rival Nick Bockwinkel in a back-and-forth bout. Hennig had control at the start and hit a crushing turnbuckle squash to score a two-count. Bockwinkel battled back and caught Hennig in the Bockwinkel sleeper, which is how he eliminated Hennig in the Battlezone Match at New Year’s Knockout XI. Hennig was in the hold for nearly a minute, but just as he appeared to be dropping to the mat, with one last burst of energy, slammed Bockwinkel back-first into the turnbuckle to break the hold. Hennig recovered and smashed Bockwinkel with the Axe. He made a cover, but Bockwinkel kicked out at two. Bockwinkel fought back again and had Hennig in trouble. He hit a big dropkick. The desperation move took a lot out of the four-time former USWA champion and he couldn’t make a cover. He was near the ropes and as Joe Wheeler was checking on Hennig, Jimmy Hart reached through the ropes and choked Bockwinkel. Bockwinkel broke out of the choke and pulled “The Mouth of The South” up to the apron by his colorful jacket collar! Before Bockwinkel could deck Hart, Hennig nailed Bockwinkel from behind with a double ax-handle. Hennig then sent Bockwinkel into the ropes and blasted him again with the Axe, this time busting Bockwinkel open. He covered Bockwinkel and scored the pinfall. Fans were not happy by this outcome! ****
10) The main event was for the USWA World Tag Team titles. Current champions Mr. Fuji and Mr. Saito put the titles on the line against three-time former champs and the team they beat for the belts—the Midnight Express of “Sweet” Stan Lane and Sweet Brown Sugar. The champions had their manager “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert in their corner, who was recovered from his own tag team match earlier on the card, while the challengers had their teammate “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton, also recovered from his earlier win. The champions were very aggressive here, as Fuji attacked Lane right away and got him in his and Saito’s corner. Saito quickly tagged in, chopped Lane, and then tossed him out of the ring. He followed Lane and hit a crushing piledriver on the Rupp Arena floor—the same maneuver that he, Fuji, and Gilbert used to injure Doctor X last week in Nashville. Lane was down and out, as Saito returned to the ring. Despite help from Sugar and Eaton, Lane could not beat the count, so the champions retained the titles before Sugar could tag into the match. The ending was very similar to the teams’ match last year in the Rupp Arena. As the champions and Gilbert returned to the locker room, Eaton and Sugar helped Lane to the back. Lane, who has had neck injuries, was obviously hurting, but seemed to be moving around fine. (With the win, Fuji and Saito are now tied with the Road Warriors’ first reign and the team of the Masked Superstar and King Kong Bundy for the third-longest World Tag Title reigns with seven defenses!) (NOTE: Continuing with the trend of short matches on this card, this main event was only three moves!) neg*
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Post by joebreakdown on Aug 12, 2016 3:19:38 GMT -5
Another awesome show!
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Post by cruefan68 on Aug 12, 2016 19:37:23 GMT -5
Larry Hennig over Nick Bockwinkel was absolutely huge. Big win for "The Axe" and Bockwinkel will have to regroup with Big John Studd on the horizon before Bock gets his title shot against Rick Rude. Hennig may have earned himself a title opportunity with that win. The main event was disappointing but history making for Fuji & Saito who could break the record if they survive their next title defense. Three move matches - I have been there before. Another great night of USWA action.
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Post by Cory Olson on Aug 15, 2016 7:39:57 GMT -5
Thanks to Joe Breakdown and Crue Fan for the comments! There was one mistake in the last post: Fuji and Saito actually are tied for the third-longest World Tag Team title reign. I edited the earlier post. But we'll see how far they can go from here. Highlights of USWA Championship Wrestling from 1-24-15: • Commissioner Bob Armstrong announced that as a result of Jimmy Jacobs’ heinous attack with a spike, “Dastardly” Danny Doring suffered an eye injury last week in Lexington. Doctors say that the damage will not be permanent and that Doring should be able to return to action in about three months. A taped interview aired from the Age of the Fall, where Jacobs stated that he didn’t like to hear fans mocking him and Tyler Black for losing to a couple of “comedic wrestlers” like Doring and RoadKill, and therefore he needed to prove what Age of the Fall was capable of doing! Jacobs held the spike throughout the promo! • Bill Apter’s first “Press Conference” segment for Pro Wrestling Illustrated aired. Apter interviewed six-time former USWA World Heavyweight champion Ed “Strangler” Lewis at Lewis’ home in Louisville. Apter asked what Lewis’ charge Lou Thesz’s future plans are. Lewis stated that Thesz is one of the toughest wrestlers he’s ever known or wrestled, which fans can see by Thesz’s win-loss record in the USWA and throughout his entire career. But after some frustrating losses to “Ravishing” Rick Rude, Thesz has decided to leave the USWA. Apter asked if there were specific frustrations and his manager replied that Thesz gets frustrated that Rude has defeated him three times, when the “Ravishing One” is not a better wrestler than Thesz! Lewis stated that he and Thesz think Rude is in good physical shape and a good athlete, but he’s not a better wrestler. Lewis said if you look at their matches, Rude’s three wins were due in some part to outside interference from Jimmy Hart or a foreign object. (Video footage of Rude’s three wins over Thesz from 2014 were shown, as Lewis and Apter spoke.) Apter asked if Thesz would ever consider returning to the USWA. The “Strangler” replied that he is definitely open to returning down the line. Apter asked Lewis what was next for him; if he was going to manage other wrestlers or if he had other plans. Lewis apologized to Apter for not having full details at this time for his “Press Conference,” but he needs to think about some things. Apter respected Lewis’ decision and asked if the six-time former USWA champion knew how long it would take him to know the answer. Lewis said that he has given himself a deadline: February 15 in his hometown of the Louisville at the Gardens. Lewis said he will be in attendance that night and will make the announcement live in front of his hometown fans! You can read the detailed transcript of this interview in the current edition of Pro Wrestling Illustrated, available at all newsstands! • Some upcoming matches were announced on this episode. Former tag team partners “The Anarchist” Arik Cannon and Claudio Castagnoli will do battle in a rematch from New Year’s Knockout XI. Two-thirds of the former Kings of Wrestling will face off on February 8 at the Mid-South Coliseum. Cannon got the win out of nowhere on December 31. What will happen this time around? • Tracy Smothers’ next challenger for the USWA Mid-America Heavyweight championship will be a man he knows very well—former champ “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton! That title bout will take place on February 15 at the Louisville Gardens. Commissioner Armstrong also mentioned that he has not forgotten about the fact that Butcher Vachon defeated Smothers by DQ in their title match two weeks ago in Nashville and that Butcher will get a return match for the Mid-America title against whomever is champion in the near future. The USWA returns to the Memorial Auditorium in Chattanooga on January 26 with a huge night of action!• The Age of the Fall committed a horrible act last week against “Dastardly” Danny Doring, but the team has been struggling lately when it comes to winning matches. They will have a tough challenge this week when they battle “Cowboy” Bob Orton, Jr. and Olympian Bob Roop! Can Jimmy Jacobs and Tyler Black get back on track with a huge win against this popular team? • Another big tag team match will be a rematch from New Year’s Knockout XI, as the New Age Outlaws battle the Midnight Express of “Sweet” Stan Lane and Sweet Brown Sugar. Sugar gave “The Road Dogg” Jesse James a Ghostbuster on the arena floor in Evansville, leading to a countout win. James seemed in good shape in the Outlaws’ quick win over the Gilberts last week in Lexington. Lane may not be at 100% after getting piledriven on the floor last week by one-half of the World Tag Team champions Mr. Saito. Who will win the latest chapter in this tag team war, especially with Jim Cornette not at ringside for the Midnights? • “American Dragon” Bryan Danielson will tangle with Claudio Castagnoli in a battle of former Mid-America champions! While Castagnoli has more wins over “Dragon,” Danielson has the most recent win over the Swiss powerhouse, which was in October in Jonesboro. Both men are hoping for their first win of 2015 and to get back in the singles championship picture. Will it be Danielson’s hard-hitting, fast-paced arsenal or the powerful offense of Castagnoli to emerge victorious in this clash? • Mad Dog and Butcher Vachon are out for revenge for the injury to Doctor X. They will go after two of the three attackers when they battle the World Tag Team champions Mr. Fuji and Mr. Saito in a non-title bout. The first two meetings between these teams, which were title matches, saw the Japanese emerge victorious via DQ. With the injury to the masked X, you can be this will be another wild bout. Can the Algerians gain revenge against Hot Stuff, International? • Nick Bockwinkel suffered a tough loss last week in Lexington to Larry “The Axe” Hennig. He will have another tough opponent this week when he battles another First Family of Wrestling member Big John Studd! Each man holds a victory over the other in singles competition. Who win this big “rubber match”? • The main event will be for the USWA Southern Heavyweight championship. Current and four-time champion Steve “Dr. Death” Williams will defend against former champion and Chattanooga native Terry “Bamm Bamm” Gordy. Gordy captured the Southern title from Williams in this same city, in Engel Stadium, back in August. Williams regained the title in November at Lady Luck Casino. “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert has stated on Championship Wrestling that the Southern title will come back to Hot Stuff, International, “one way or another.” Can Gordy regain the gold in his hometown or will Williams reign supreme? All these great bouts, as well as the return of “The Belfast Bruiser” Fit Finlay from injury, as he teams up with David Taylor. Plus, “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert, “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka, and more USWA stars in action in Chattanooga!
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Post by Cory Olson on Aug 19, 2016 11:13:10 GMT -5
January 26, 2015 Card #422: Memorial Auditorium in Chattanooga
1) Virgil got a submission win in the opener over George South. South had the early advantage and looked on his way to a big win, getting near falls after a dropkick and an elbow drop. Virgil took control and hit a missile dropkick to score a two-count. He hit a piledriver on South, but again got a two. Virgil rammed South head-first into the turnbuckle, which busted him open. Virgil clamped on the Million Dollar Dream. South fought hard for the ropes or a break for nearly 90 seconds, but eventually dropped to the mat. Tom Branch checked South’s arm and it dropped three times, giving Virgil the win via submission. ***
2) “The Belfast Bruiser” Fit Finlay returned from injury and was successful in tag team action, teaming with partner David Taylor to defeat S.D. Jones and Jim Powers. The British team kept “Special Delivery” in the ring the entire match. Finlay had Jones up for the Tombstone, but “Philadelphia’s Favorite Son” blocked the attempt and executed a front rolling cradle for a near fall. The Irish brawler cut Jones off from tagging out to Powers and continued to inflict punishment on him. Finlay successfully executed the Tombstone on Jones and scored the pinfall. The British duo looked impressive in Finlay’s return! ½*
3) “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka pinned “Pretty Boy” Larry Sharpe. Snuka scored near falls on Sharpe after a leap frog and chop, as well as after a power slam. Snuka hit the Superfly Leap to score the pinfall after just a few minutes. The Chattanooga fans gave the “Superfly” a big ovation for his impressive win! ¼*
4) “Cowboy” Bob Orton, Jr. and Bob Roop defeated the Age of the Fall. Age of the Fall had the early advantage on Orton. Jimmy Jacobs knocked down the “Cowboy” with a spear and scored a near fall. Tyler Black tagged in and worked over the former USWA champion. He executed his impressive God’s Last Gift (a small package driver) and went for a pinfall, but Roop saved his partner. Orton made the hot tag to the Olympian. Roop executed a gut wrench backbreaker on Jacobs for a two-count. Orton and Black were the legal men a few minutes later and the “Cowboy” executed the superplex on Black. He made a cover, but Jacobs made the save. Roop jumped in and he and Jacobs brawled to the floor, where Roop executed a suplex on Jacobs. Roop got back on the ring apron and tagged back into the match. He executed the shoulder breaker on Black and scored the pinfall, giving the fan favorites a big win! **¾
5) “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert scored a pinfall on Cousin Luke. Luke gave a lot of attention to “Sensational” Sherri Martel, with whom he once went out on a date, back in 2008, due to a win over Martel’s charge at the time, “Playboy” Buddy Rose. Despite his infatuation with Martel, Luke stayed focused and had some early offense on Gilbert, hitting a mule kick and later the Hillbilly Drop for near falls. Gilbert took advantage of a mistake by Luke and took control. He executed a piledriver on Luke and scored the winning pinfall. ¾*
6) The New Age Outlaws battled their rivals the Midnight Express of “Sweet” Stan Lane and Sweet Brown Sugar to a double DQ in a wild tag team bout. The Midnights double teamed “The Road Dogg” Jesse James in the opening minutes, even hitting the Rocket Launcher. James kicked out of the pin attempt and made the tag to Billy Gunn. Sugar took control on Gunn and hit a jumping elbow drop for a near fall. Gunn took over on Lane and hit a Jackhammer for a near fall. Gunn later went for a top rope clothesline on Sugar, but Sugar ducked the attack and Gunn crashed hard to the mat. Sugar hit the dropkick and made a cover, but Gunn kicked out. Gunn took over again on “Sweet” Stan and tagged “The Road Dogg” into the bout. James caught Lane in his father’s finisher—the sleeper. Lane started to drop to the mat. Tommy Marlin checked Lane’s arm and it dropped twice. Right before the third drop, Sugar jumped in and nailed James in the back with a double ax-handle. Gunn came in as well and started to slug it out with Sugar, while James and Lane brawled in the other. “Sweet” Stan grabbed “The Road Dogg” in a choke hold, but James grabbed Lane in a choke hold of his own. Marlin saw this and gave both men a five-count. Neither man would break their choke, so Marlin called for the bell and disqualified both teams. The brawling among all four men continued after the bell. “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton jumped in the brawl as well and started to double team James with Lane outside the ring. Several more USWA referees and officials ran down to the ring to separate the five men after several minutes of wild action! ****
7) “American Dragon” Bryan Danielson was victorious over Claudio Castagnoli. The action was brief, but back-and-forth, in this one. Danielson sent Castagnoli into the corner, but Castagnoli bounced back and blasted Danielson with a clothesline for a near fall. “Dragon” fought back and hit a German suplex into a bridge for a two-count. Danielson surprised the Swiss powerhouse with a Yakuza Kick to score the pinfall. **
8) In another wild tag team bout, Mad Dog and Butcher Vachon defeated the World Tag Team champions Mr. Fuji and Mr. Saito by disqualification. The action was wild from the opening bell. Sam Platania was injured a few minutes into the bout, as Fuji reversed a whip into the turnbuckles and Mad Dog crashed hard into the official. As Platania was down on the mat, Fuji went into his bucket and tossed salt into Mad Dog’s eyes. Butcher and Saito jumped in and all four men fought it out. Saito hit the Saito suplex, but there was no ref to count a pinfall. Tom Branch came down to ringside to take over duties, while other officials helped Platania to the back. Branch restored order with Saito and Butcher becoming the legal men. Butcher slammed Saito to the mat and went up to the second rope. He came off with a double foot stomp, but Saito rolled out of the way. Saito took advantage by grounding Butcher and locking him in a Prison Deathlock. Butch managed to get to the ropes for a break. Saito continued to work over the leg and locked on the Scorpion Leglock a few moments later. Butcher was in trouble, but again managed to get to the ropes. Fuji tagged in and the champs double teamed Butcher. Butcher finally managed to make it to the Vachons’ corner and tag Mad Dog. Mad Dog choked Fuji on the ropes and then hit two Mad Dog Pounces. He then pulled Fuji off the ropes and used the same maneuver the Japanese and Eddie Gilbert used to injure Doctor X—the piledriver. Mad Dog covered Fuji, but Gilbert distracted Branch. Mad Dog got off of Fuji and went after “Hot Stuff,” who got down from the apron to avoid Mad Dog. Mad Dog went for a knee drop, but Fuji rolled out of the way. Fuji went for a cover, but Mad Dog kicked out. Saito tagged in and executed his suplex on Mad Dog. He covered Mad Dog, but Butcher jumped in and broke up the pinfall. Mad Dog was able to tag in his brother a few moments later. Saito grabbed Butcher and hit a judo throw, but in doing so, tossed Butcher into Branch, making Branch the second referee to be injured in this one match. All four men went at it again. Fuji and Mad Dog brawled outside, where Fuji slammed Mad Dog’s head into the ring post, busting him open. Inside the ring, Saito hit another suplex on Butcher. He made a cover, as Branch started to come back to his senses. With Saito covering Butcher, Branch called for the bell. The Japanese thought they had won the match, but Branch raised the Vachons’ hands. He explained to Gary Michael Cappetta that the Vachons were the victors via disqualification, since Saito intentionally threw Butcher into him. The Vachons were delighted with the win, but the champions and Gilbert certainly were not! ****¼
9) Nick Bockwinkel scored an impressive victory over Big John Studd. It looked like Studd would get a quick victory, as he nailed Bockwinkel with a big clothesline and then got him up in the backbreaker. Bockwinkel was in trouble, but managed to get a foot over the top rope for a break. Studd missed an elbow drop, but managed to recover first and grab Bockwinkel in a reverse bear hug. Bockwinkel again managed to grab the ropes for a break. Bockwinkel battled back, with the Chattanooga fans cheering him loudly. Bockwinkel tried the Bockwinkel sleeper, jumping up on the giant’s back. Studd slammed Bockwinkel back-first into the turnbuckle to momentarily break the hold. But the four-time former USWA champion didn’t give up, as he jumped on Studd’s back again. Studd fought hard for the ropes, but Bockwinkel steered him away. After 90 seconds, Studd dropped to his knees. Tommy Marlin checked Studd’s arm and it dropped three times, giving Bockwinkel the submission victory. The fans popped big time for Bockwinkel’s win. Bockwinkel eyed up Jimmy Hart and indicated he’s coming to win his fifth USWA title from “Ravishing” Rick Rude in a few weeks in Memphis! ***½
10) The main event was a rematch for the USWA Southern Heavyweight championship and the latest chapter in a feud that has featured some intense, physical matches. Current and four-time champion Steve “Dr. Death” Williams put the title on the line against former champion and Chattanooga native Terry “Bamm Bamm” Gordy. Gordy had “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert and “Sensational” Sherri Martel in his corner. While Gordy definitely had some cheers of respect from his hometown fans, the Memorial Auditorium definitely favored “Doc” on this night. Williams went right after Gordy at the bell. He got the advantage and went up to the top rope, but Gordy cut him off before he could leap and hit a Bamm Bamm Slam. He went for an early cover, but the champion kicked out. Williams regained control and hit the Oklahoma Stampede just a few minutes into the match, but the challenger kicked out. Williams maintained control and hit an elbow drop for another two-count. Gordy later took over and hit the piledriver, but only got a two-count. Gordy also applied the Oriental Spike and tried to get a submission. Williams dropped to the mat. Tommy Marlin checked Williams’ arm. It dropped twice, but bounced back up on the third try. Williams fought to his feet and fought out of the Spike with some elbows to the midsection. Williams blasted Gordy in the face with a lariat, busting “Bamm Bamm” open. Williams made a cover, but Gordy kicked out at 2. Williams picked Gordy up a few moments later and hit the Oklahoma Stampede. He made a cover and scored the pinfall to retain the Southern Heavyweight title. As Williams got his hand raised and got the Southern title belt handed back to him, Gilbert and Sherri, who surprisingly had been somewhat quiet at ringside during the match, entered the ring. Gilbert waved toward the back and out came the World Tag Team champions Mr. Fuji and Mr. Saito, recovered from their earlier match. Gilbert, Fuji, and Saito all swarmed Williams and attacked him. They got him down on the mat and delivered punches and kicks. Then, in a scene similar to what they did to Doctor X two weeks ago in Nashville, they took “Dr. Death” to the arena floor and delivered a spike piledriver! As Williams lay on the floor, the Hot Stuff, International trio delivered more blows. Gordy came to and saw what was happening. He tried to get his allies to stop their attack. Eddie returned to the ring and appeared to be agreeing with “Bamm Bamm,” until he suddenly unleashed a huge fireball on his own man! Gordy hit the mat and writhed in pain. It was one of the bigger fireballs that “Hot Stuff” had ever thrown in the USWA. “Cowboy” Bob Orton, Jr. and Bob Roop came out from the back, along with several USWA officials. Gilbert, the Japanese, and Sherri headed for the back, while Orton, Roop, and the officials surveyed the carnage. A stretcher was brought out for the Southern champ, while a towel was put around Gordy’s face and he was helped to the back. (Williams’ other ally “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan was not present in Chattanooga for this card.) ****
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Post by bookerbill on Aug 19, 2016 16:24:03 GMT -5
What can be done about Hotstuff International. Some excellent old fashion southern chaos going on. That was a wild card form the Municipal Auditorium. The tag action lead the way and how about that attack on Doctor X.
Two months on the shelf! Yikes
The return of King Kong Bundy should really make things interesting in the tag team division. Larry Henning’s win in Lexington was a fun read and a surprize result. What a crazy result in the main event and what a run by Fuji and Saito. Looks like the Express may really miss Cornette in their corner.
Great Hot Seat segment with Ed Lewis.
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