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Post by Cory Olson on Sept 23, 2016 19:18:19 GMT -5
Thanks to Troy, Booker Bill, and Crue Fan for the comments!
Highlights of USWA Championship Wrestling from 2-20: • Commissioner Bob Armstrong announced that he has decided to suspend Jimmy Jacobs and Tyler Black of the Age of the Fall for three cards. He said that the suspension is due to their heinous attack on “Dastardly” Danny Doring’s eye last month in Lexington. A video aired sent in by Jacobs, where he stated that the suspensions is not going to “fix their behavior” and that they will be back in a few weeks to unleash more punishment on Doring, the Amish RoadKill, and anyone else that wants to try and stop “progress”! • Commissioner Armstrong also talked more about Derby City Stampede, coming from Louisville from the Horse Show Pavilion at the Kentucky State Fairgrounds on Friday, May 1, on the eve of the Kentucky Derby! The commissioner said that in addition the USWA faithful fans from Louisville and all parts of the South, he expects that fans who will be travelling in from all parts of the globe for the horse races on Saturday will be attending a great night of wrestling action as well. “Bullet” Bob said that he wouldn’t be surprised to see fans dressed up for the wrestling, just as they do for the race! • The commissioner also announced that the masked Doctor X will be back in action on March 16 and that the Vachons have requested a six-man tag team match with them and the masked X against the Hot Stuff, International trio of “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert and the World Tag Team champions Mr. Fuji and Mr. Saito. That match has been made for the Knoxville Civic Coliseum on the 16th! • It was also announced that after his huge announcement at the Louisville Gardens last week, Ed “Strangler” Lewis will return to regular wrestling action on March 16 in Knoxville!
The USWA comes back to Johnson City and Freedom Hall on February 22! • The popular “Anarchist” Arik Cannon will be in action and will have a tough challenge ahead of him in former Mid-America Heavyweight champion David Taylor! Cannon has only suffered one loss since beginning his full-time USWA tenure back in October and that loss was via a countout to his former tag team partner Claudio Castagnoli two weeks ago in Memphis. Cannon is hoping to get back on track, but he cannot underestimate the British grappler. Can the PBR drinker topple Taylor? • Speaking of Castagnoli, the Swiss powerhouse will be in action as well. He will have a very tough challenge in the form of First Family of Wrestling member Larry “The Axe” Hennig. This could be an interesting match-up between two powerhouse rulebreakers. Who will leave Johnson City the winner? • Coming off a big win last week in Louisville over “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert, “Cowboy” Bob Orton, Jr. will be in action against Gilbert’s charge and brother Doug Gilbert! Orton and Doug battled in 2014, including a great match at Independence Day Bash 2014 in Memphis, which saw Orton get the win with the superplex. You can bet that Eddie has ordered his brother to get revenge on the former World champion. Can Doug avenge the Gilbert family’s name or will the “Cowboy” ride off with another victory? • “American Dragon” Bryan Danielson will take on Ray “The Crippler” Stevens of the First Family of Wrestling. Both wrestlers are hoping for a win over the other to get into the singles championship picture. Who will leave Freedom Hall the winner? • In a tag team rematch, two former World Tag Team champion teams will collide again as “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka and “The Boogie Woogie Man” “Handsome” Jimmy Valiant take on the Midnight Express of “Sweet” Stan Lane and Sweet Brown Sugar. Snuka is looking forward to his shot at the World Heavyweight title on March 16 in Knoxville, but would also love to get another tag team win with “Boogie Woogie.” The Midnights are hoping to get back on track, after suffering a loss to Snuka and Valiant last month in Nashville, as well as a loss to their rivals the New Age Outlaws two weeks ago in a Beale Street Fight. Can Lane and Sugar get back on track or will the popular duo of Snuka and Valiant triumph again? • In a non-title return grudge match, the World Tag Team champions Mr. Fuji and Mr. Saito will take on Mad Dog and Butcher Vachon! The last time these teams met, last month in Chattanooga, two referees got hurt. The second referee, Tom Branch, ruled that Saito intentionally threw Butcher into him, which led to a disqualification win for the Vachons. Because of that, Commissioner Armstrong has assigned two referees to officiate this match. On Championship Wrestling, Armstrong reminded fans that the official in the ring will rule all pinfalls, submissions, or other decisions inside, while the outside referee will call countouts or possible disqualifications. While both officials are able to consult one another, should one or the other miss a rules infraction, it will be the call of the referee in the sight of the action (in the ring or outside the ring) to make the final judgment call. In the three times these teams have met in standard four-man tag team action (including twice for the titles), there have not been decisive winners. Will one team finally get a pinfall or submission win on their rivals? • The main event is scheduled to be for the USWA Southern Heavyweight championship. Current and four-time Steve “Dr. Death” Williams is scheduled to defend against “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert. Gilbert attacked Williams last month in Chattanooga after Williams defended against Gilbert’s then-Hot Stuff, International member Terry “Bamm Bamm” Gordy. Gilbert ended up turning on Gordy as well. Gilbert and the World Tag Team champions gave Williams a piledriver on the floor, injuring his neck. Gilbert wanted this match on this date, after defeating Williams via countout in a title match at New Year’s Knockout XI, and knowing that Williams won’t be at 100%. While Williams’ doctors have told him he shouldn’t wrestle, but if Williams cannot defend, Gilbert will win the Southern title via forfeit. Knowing the toughness of “Dr. Death,” you can bet that he will do anything to hold on to the title and not just hand it over to Gilbert. Can Williams overcome big odds and retain his gold or will Gilbert capture his first USWA championship?
All these matches, as well as Red Pepper, the tag team of Big John Studd and King Kong Bundy, the “Angry Amish Warrior” Amish RoadKill, and more USWA stars in action at Freedom Hall!
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Post by TTX on Sept 23, 2016 19:34:39 GMT -5
Williams wrestled with a ton of stitches, can't see him forfeiting to Gilbert.
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Post by Cory Olson on Jan 1, 2017 17:35:16 GMT -5
Thanks to Troy for the comments!
Hope everyone had a great Christmas and New Year's and is enjoying the LOW color set!
February 22, 2015 Card #425: Freedom Hall in Johnson City
1) Red Pepper was victorious in the opener over Virgil and “The Unpredictable” Johnny Rodz. All four men tagged into the match, but Pepper Gomez got the win in just a few minutes after executing the Mexican Cradle on Rodz. The fans gave Gomez and Red Bastien a big ovation for their win! ¼*
2) Jake “The Milkman” Milliman got a win over the Amish RoadKill in a battle of bearded wrestlers. Milliman hit a knee drop for a near fall. A few minutes later, he went up to the second rope and came off with the head butt to score the pinfall. The fans were very happy about “The Milkman’s” win! ½*
3) Big John Studd and King Kong Bundy defeated George South and “Pretty Boy” Larry Sharpe. South and Sharpe had some offense against Studd, but couldn’t get him down. Studd took over on Sharpe and tagged to Bundy. Bundy worked over his fellow New Jersey native. He tossed Sharpe into the corner and then followed up with the Atlantic City Avalanche. South tried to save Sharpe, but Studd cut him off and tossed him into the corner with ease. Bundy covered Sharpe and scored the pinfall, even asking for a five-count to prove the efficacy of his crushing finisher! **½
4) “The Anarchist” Arik Cannon scored a big victory over former Mid-America champion David Taylor. The British grappler took control at the start and hit a vertical suplex for a near fall. Cannon battled back and hit an exploder, as well as a suplex similar to World Tag Team champion Mr. Saito’s specialty for near falls. Cannon nailed Taylor with the Glimmering Warlock and made a cover, but Taylor managed to kick out. A few moments later, the PBR spokesman hit the Burning Hammer and scored the pin. **
5) Claudio Castagnoli scored a huge victory defeating First Family of Wrestling member Larry “The Axe” Hennig. The Swiss powerhouse nailed Hennig with multiple head butts, which busted him open. Castagnoli went for a pin, but the Minnesotan kicked out. Castagnoli showcased his strength by hitting a bridging fallaway slam. He went for a cover, but “The Mouth of The South” Jimmy Hart distracted Sam Platania. Castagnoli went up top and came off with a flying body press, but Hennig caught Castagnoli and dropped him to the mat with a falling body slam. Hennig went up to the second rope and hit a crushing elbow drop. Hennig missed a charge into the corner and Castagnoli regained control. The former Mid-America champion got Hennig up and hit the Neutralizer to score the big pinfall win. The fans sided with Castagnoli tonight and cheered him for his win, while Hart was upset. ***¼
6) “Cowboy” Bob Orton, Jr. got his second win over a second Gilbert in as many weeks, as he pinned Doug Gilbert. Gilbert had control at the start of the bout. He hit the top rope shoulder ram for a near fall. Gilbert tossed Orton out of the ring and then distracted Tommy Marlin. While Marlin was distracted, “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert dropped an elbow on Orton Jr. on the floor. He then tossed Orton back into the ring. It looked like Doug might get a big win, but Orton capitalized on a mistake by Doug. He ducked Doug’s clothesline attempt and took him to the mat with a backslide. He managed to hold Doug’s down for the three-count. Right after the bell, Doug jumped “Cowboy” and started stomping away on Orton. Eddie looked ready to assist his brother, but suddenly, Orton’s tag team partner Olympian Bob Roop ran down to ringside. Roop shoved Eddie down and jumped in the ring, nailing Doug with a shoulder tackle. Orton recovered and he and Roop picked Doug up and placed him on the top turnbuckle. The fan favorites then hit a double team superplex on Doug! Eddie came to and managed to pull his brother out of the ring. Doug was holding his back, as the Gilberts and “Sensational” Sherri Martel returned to the locker room. ***
7) “American Dragon” Bryan Danielson defeated Ray “The Crippler” Stevens via disqualification after just a few minutes. Danielson had control of Stevens early on. Stevens got frustrated and shoved down Tom Branch. Branch was left with no choice but to call for the bell. Stevens punched Danielson hard and then left the ring with Jimmy Hart, deciding to fight another day. neg*
8) “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka and “The Boogie Woogie Man” “Handsome” Jimmy Valiant were victorious over the Midnight Express of “Sweet” Stan Lane and Sweet Brown Sugar by disqualification in a competitive tag team bout. Snuka and Valiant had Lane in trouble in the first half of the bout, including Snuka hitting a power slam on Lane for a two-count. Lane made the tag to Sugar and the Midnights double teamed “Boogie Woogie.” They executed a slingshot power slam on Valiant, followed up a few minutes later by a Flapjack. Valiant battled and boogie woogied his way back. He got Sugar down on the mat and hit a super elbow drop for a two-count. Snuka tagged in and had Sugar in trouble, but missed a head butt off the top rope. Sugar looked ready to attack the Fijian warrior by himself, but decided to tag to Lane. Lane nailed Snuka with several of his karate kicks. He blasted Snuka with an enzuigiri and made a cover, but Snuka kicked out. Lane nailed Snuka with the superkick a few minutes later, but the “Superfly” kicked out again. Lane was frustrated that he couldn’t keep Snuka down. Sugar begged for a tag, so Lane obliged. Sugar nailed Snuka with some punches and then suddenly slid out of the ring. Sugar grabbed a steel chair from ringside, brought it into the ring, to the confusion of Lane and “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton at ringside, and nailed Snuka right across the back with it. Sam Platania was left with no choice, but to call for the bell and disqualify the Midnights. Sugar hit Snuka again. Lane jumped in the ring and tried to stop his partner. Sugar spun around and nailed Lane with the chair. It was unclear as to whether or not Sugar was swinging out of reaction, thinking Lane was another wrestler. Valiant jumped in the ring, as did Eaton. Eaton pulled Sugar out of the ring, while Valiant checked on his partner. Lane was able to walk to the back, but was in pain. Eaton yelled at Sugar and Sugar seemed as if the chair shot was accidental, as he apologized to both of his Midnight partners. ***½
9) Mad Dog and Butcher Vachon got a huge non-title win defeating the World Tag Team champions Mr. Fuji and Mr. Saito in a match with two referees assigned to it. Tommy Marlin was assigned inside the ring, while Sam Platania was stationed outside. While both teams definitely used their brawling skills, they also seemed aware of an extra official and the possibility of being disqualified more quickly than they would be in a standard tag team match with one official. Mad Dog hit the Mad Dog Pounce twice on Fuji and went for a cover, but Fuji kicked out. Mad Dog hit the piledriver a few moments later, but Saito made a quick pin save, to save his partner, but not get disqualified by either referee. Fuji battled back and made the tag to Saito. The Japanese worked over Butcher. Fuji got him down on the mat and hit the Banzai Drop, but Butcher kicked out. Butcher capitalized on a mistake by Fuji and got him up in the hangman. Fuji was in trouble, but managed to get a foot on the top rope for a break. Mad Dog tagged in and hit a second piledriver on Fuji. He covered him closer to the Vachons’ corner, so that Saito did not have time to make a save and scored the pin. It was the first decisive win that one of these teams had gotten over the other in standard four-man tag team action, and very impressive for the Vachons to decisively beat the champions! **½
10) After the pre-main event intermission, “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert returned to the ring, this time as a wrestler, rather than a manager. Gilbert, accompanied by “Sensational” Sherri Martel, came out to challenge Steve “Dr. Death” Williams for the USWA Southern Heavyweight championship. It was unknown as to whether or not Williams would be able to compete, due to the neck injury he suffered last month in Chattanooga, as a result of an attack by Gilbert and the World Tag Team champions Mr. Fuji and Mr. Saito. While waiting in his corner, “Born in The USA” started to play and the champion came to the ring to a big pop from the Freedom Hall fans. Williams was wearing a neck brace as he entered the building, but as he entered the ring, he removed the brace and was wanting a fight! After the main event introductions from Gary Michael Cappetta, with each man in a respective corner, Tom Branch called for the bell and Gilbert struck first, naturally targeting the neck. Williams battled back and managed to hit some power maneuvers on “Hot Stuff.” Williams sent Gilbert into the corner and charged in for a tackle. Gilbert dodged the attack, or perhaps fell down due to the punishment suffered from the champ. Williams went through the top and middle ropes and hit the ring post. He fell to the floor, clutching his neck. Branch put a count on him. Williams crawled back into the ring by the count of nine. Gilbert resumed his attack. He hit the Hot Shot a few moments later and covered Williams to score the pinfall and capture the Southern Heavyweight championship! The fans were outraged, as Gilbert received the Southern title and Sherri screamed in delight! The World Tag Team champions Fuji and Saito came out to celebrate with their manager, who became the first active manager to hold a USWA championship! ½*
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Post by cruefan68 on Jan 2, 2017 20:42:01 GMT -5
Eddie Gilbert over Steve Williams for the Southern Heavyweight title was a shocker. Doc took off the neck brace but perhaps he wasn't 100 percent as Eddie used the Hot Shot to score the win. Absolutely huge win for Gilbert there. I liked the victory by Mad Dog & Butcher Vachon over Mr. Fuji & Mr. Saito in the non-title match and very interesting to see two referees assigned to handle it. The tag team division is great in the USWA and I am looking at Bundy & Studd to be a big force in that division soon. Great to see the USWA back in action.
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Post by bookerbill on Jan 3, 2017 17:57:53 GMT -5
I have to agree with @cruefan, it is hard not to see Bundy & Studd smashing their way through the tag team division. Gilbert over Williams was a wild way to end the night. Great that the Vachon’s picked up the win over the Champs.
Surprized to see Cannon best Taylor and Castagnoli over Hennig looked like a solid match.
Awesome that we get to see some more USWA action. Always creative and inspirational.
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Post by throwingtoasters on Jan 4, 2017 13:27:30 GMT -5
Always love the time and descriptions you put into your fed Cory. Also love that The Milkman got the win.
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Post by joebreakdown on Jan 4, 2017 15:13:39 GMT -5
One of my favourite feds is back!! I love your use of 'enhancement' talent and there's a big win for 'The Milkman' here! Got Milk? YES!!!
Orton over Doug Gilbert was a highlight for me and I'm 'Hot' for the ring return of Eddie Gilbert.
Your shows have a real old school feel that I love. Great stuff
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Post by Cory Olson on Jan 22, 2017 18:34:53 GMT -5
Thanks to Crue Fan, Booker Bill, Toaster Boy, and Joe Breakdown for the nice comments!
Highlights from the last three episodes of USWA Championship Wrestling:
2-28 • It was announced that Steve “Dr. Death” Williams will be out of action for about two months, to fully heal up from his neck injury. The new Southern Heavyweight champion “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert, flanked by “Sensational” Sherri Martel, was interviewed in-studio, holding the title belt on his shoulder. Gilbert sang, “I won the match! I won the match!” in a mocking tone. He said that Williams was no challenge for him and he didn’t even break a sweat winning the title! He said he plans to be the best manager and wrestler simultaneously in USWA history! Lance Russell asked why Eddie’s brother Doug did not join Mr. Fuji and Mr. Saito in celebrating in the ring last week in Johnson City. Eddie said that Doug suffered a back injury from “Cowboy” Bob Orton, Jr. and Bob Roop’s attack. He called the attack “uncalled for” and that Commissioner Bob Armstrong should take action! He said that his brother Doug will be out of action for about a month. • Gilbert will get a chance to prove if he can be the greatest wrestler and manager simultaneously, as his charges Mr. Fuji and Mr. Saito will put the USWA World Tag Team titles hope to extend their historic title reign. They will defend the titles in the main event on March 23 at the Sailors & Soldiers Memorial Coliseum in Evansville against Mad Dog and Butcher Vachon! The Vachons got the first decisive win this tag team feud by pinning Fuji last week at Freedom Hall with Mad Dog’s piledriver in a non-title bout with two referees.
3-7 • Brian Kendrick and Paul London will make their return from a 12-card suspension on March 23 in Evansville. They will battle their rivals David Taylor and “The Belfast Bruiser” Fit Finlay. These two tag teams have had some intense battles in the past. This match in Evansville will be wrestled under 2-out-of-3 Falls! • A “Press Conference” for Pro Wrestling Illustrated aired, hosted by Bill Apter. Apter’s guest was former Southern Heavyweight champion Terry “Bamm Bamm” Gordy. Gordy had some burns on his face, from Eddie Gilbert’s fireball in January in Gordy’s hometown of Chattanooga. Apter asked Gordy his thoughts on being betrayed by his manager. Gordy said that it was Gilbert who contacted him last year about joining Hot Stuff, International to go after Steve Williams. He said that he proved that he could defeat Williams, but “Dr. Death” is a tough wrestler and he proved that he knew how to defeat him (Gordy). Gordy said that once Gilbert had an opportunity to win the Southern title himself, he focused more on that and less on managing Gordy to retain or regain the title. Gordy said his mission is now to take out Gilbert and all of Hot Stuff, International. Apter asked Gordy if he had anyone to help him in this battle. Gordy said that from his days in the Fabulous Freebirds, he knows that there is strength in numbers. He said would accept the help of his former rivals like Williams and “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan, but he understands if they would not want to team with him. Gordy said he plans to return to action on March 16 in Knoxville. You can read the full transcript of this “Press Conference” in the latest issue of Pro Wrestling Illustrated, available at newsstands!
3-14 • More upcoming bouts were announced on this show. In a big tag team rematch, “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka and “The Boogie Woogie Man” “Handsome” Jimmy Valiant will take on the Midnight Express of “Sweet” Stan Lane and Sweet Brown Sugar on March 23 in Evansville. The last time these teams collided, a few weeks ago in Johnson City, the Midnights were disqualified when Sugar used a steel chair on Snuka and then accidentally hit his own partner Lane with it. The Midnights were interviewed in-studio and Sugar assured Lance Russell that the chair shot was an accident and that he and Lane have never been better. Lane said that the Midnights will finally defeat Snuka and Valiant before moving on to win their fourth World Tag Team title! • Eddie Gilbert’s first challenge for the USWA Southern Heavyweight championship was announced, as “Hot Stuff” will defend against “Cowboy” Bob Orton, Jr. in the main event on March 30 at the Oman Arena in Jackson, TN. Orton defeated Gilbert last month at the Louisville Gardens, before going on to defeat and then injury Doug Gilbert the next week in Johnson City. Orton is a former World champion, but this would be his first Southern championship reign! • Also on the Jackson card, Tracy Smothers will put the USWA Mid-America Heavyweight championship on the line against Butcher Vachon. Butcher defeated Smothers in a title match by DQ on the first USWA card of 2015 in Nashville. Butcher will be receiving a shot at the World Tag Team titles in the main event the week before in Evansville with his brother Mad Dog, so he could end the month of March with two titles! • Jake “The Milkman” Milliman was interviewed in studio. He had invited the Amish RoadKill into the WMC-TV Studios to make him an offer. RoadKill entered the studio. Milliman said he doesn’t really like him and “Dastardly” Danny Doring, but he dislikes more what the Age of the Fall did to Doring’s eye. He said that he knows that Jimmy Jacobs and Tyler Black will be cleared from their suspension on March 30 for the Jackson card, so if RoadKill would accept, Milliman would be willing to team up with him to take on Age of the Fall! RoadKill stroked his goatee and then stuck out his hand for a handshake, before simply stating, “Chickens!” Milliman took that as an acceptance, so this unusual tag team match was made!
The USWA returns to the Civic Coliseum in Knoxville on March 16! • In a rematch from the last card in Johnson City, “American Dragon” Bryan Danielson will take on Ray “The Crippler” Stevens. Danielson got a quick disqualification win over Stevens last time, when Stevens lost his cool and shoved referee Tom Branch. Will a decisive winner be determined in this match-up? • “The Anarchist” Arik Cannon will take on “The Belfast Bruiser” Fit Finlay. The PBR spokesman got a big win over Finlay’s tag team partner David Taylor in Johnson City. Can he achieve similar success against the Irish brawler? • The First Family of Wrestling’s new tag team of Big John Studd and King Kong Bundy will have their toughest challenge to-date, as they take on “Cowboy” Bob Orton, Jr. and Olympian Bob Roop. Studd knows Orton and Roop well, as the fan favorites started teaming in 2013, due to having mutual enemies in the Masked Superstars. Roop was even the first USWA wrestler to pin Studd (as Masked Superstar II), when he hit an impressive suplex on the giant and pinned him on Labor Day 2013 in Nashville. Can Roop and Orton topple the massive team of Studd and Bundy? • A huge six-man tag team grudge match will see Doctor X return from injury to team up with Mad Dog and Butcher Vachon. The trio will take on the World Tag Team champions Mr. Fuji and Mr. Saito, as well as the new Southern Heavyweight champion “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert. The Hot Stuff, International members put X out of action back in January in Nashville with a spike piledriver on the floor. The Vachons have been battling the World Tag Team champions since that time, even earning another championship match in next week’s main event in Evansville. Which rulebreaking trio will win the next chapter of this war? • The main event will be for the USWA World Heavyweight championship, as “Ravishing” Rick Rude puts the title on the line against “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka. Snuka defeated three First Family of Wrestling members in the Battlezone Match at New Year’s Knockout XI. This will be Snuka’s first shot at the World title in 3½ years and if he can win the title, this would be the long-time USWA fan favorite’s first World title reign. Can Snuka finally grab the gold or will the “Ravishing One” retain?
All these huge bouts, plus Claudio Castagnoli battles “The Boogie Woogie Man” “Handsome” Jimmy Valiant! Also, the return to regular action of six-time former World champion Ed “Strangler” Lewis! As well as the Midnight Express of “Sweet” Stan Lane and Sweet Brown Sugar, Terry “Bamm Bamm” Gordy, Red Pepper, and more USWA stars in action!
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Post by joebreakdown on Jan 24, 2017 16:25:18 GMT -5
Looking forward to the return of one of my favourite territories!
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Post by Cory Olson on Jan 29, 2017 18:11:54 GMT -5
Thanks to Joe Breakdown for the comments!
March 16, 2015 Card #426: Civic Coliseum in Knoxville
1) Red Pepper was victorious in the opener over George South and “Pretty Boy” Larry Sharpe. When these two teams met last month in Memphis, Red Bastien and Pepper Gomez got a countout win over South and Sharpe. The action stayed in the ring this time. After a few minutes of action, that saw all four men enter the match, Sharpe whipped Bastien into the turnbuckles. Before he would have collided with the buckles, the flying redhead leapt to the top rope and came back at Sharpe with an amazing flying body press! He covered Sharpe, hooked the leg, and scored the pinfall! ¼*
2) Terry “Bamm Bamm” Gordy made his return to action after being betrayed by his former manager Eddie Gilbert in January in Gordy’s hometown of Chattanooga. The former Southern champion only needed 50 seconds to score a pinfall on Virgil. Gordy received a huge ovation from the Knoxville fans, as he came out to “Freebird.” Virgil tried to ambush Gordy, but “Bamm Bamm” was ready for him. He took control and Virgil, whipped him into the ropes, and delivered a big running lariat. He covered the former bodyguard and scored the pinfall in less than a minute! DUD
3) The Midnight Express of “Sweet” Stan Lane and Sweet Brown Sugar scored a much-needed win over S.D. Jones and Jim Powers. Despite some hard feelings from Lane toward Sugar, for Sugar accidentally hitting him with a steel chair a few weeks ago in Johnson City after their match with “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka and “The Boogie Woogie Man” “Handsome” Jimmy Valiant, the Midnights showcased why they are three-time former USWA World Tag Team champions, as they made frequent tags and kept “Special Delivery” in the ring the entire match. Lane and Sugar dropped Jones hard on the canvas with a Flapjack, which busted “Philadelphia’s Favorite Son” open. Lane surprised Jones with the superkick a few moments later and then nailed Powers with one for good measure, knocking him off the apron. Lane covered Jones and scored the pinfall. The Midnights look ready for another encounter with Snuka and Valiant next week in Evansville! DUD
4) “American Dragon” Bryan Danielson forced Ray “The Crippler” Stevens to tap out. Stevens had the early advantage, using some aggressive brawling tactics to take control. Unlike their last meeting in Johnson City, Stevens kept control and maintained his temper, avoiding a disqualification. Stevens got Danielson down on the mat and came off the top with the Bombs Away. He covered Danielson, but the former World and Mid-America champion kicked out. Stevens sent Danielson into the ropes and telegraphed a backdrop attempt. Danielson nailed Stevens with a boot to the face, then rebounded off the ropes and came back with a running sunset flip. He only held Stevens down for two, but stayed in control, surprising “The Crippler” with a cross armbreaker a few moments later. Stevens looked trapped, so “The Mouth of The South” Jimmy Hart jumped up on the apron and distracted Jerry Calhoun. The distraction helped, as Stevens was tapping to the armbreaker. Danielson released the hold and threatened Hart, who quickly scurried. Stevens briefly battled back, but Danielson regained control and got Stevens down on the mat again, this time in the LeBell Lock. Stevens fought for the ropes for 40 seconds, before ultimately giving up. It was a big win for “Dragon”! **½
5) “The Boogie Woogie Man” “Handsome” Jimmy Valiant scored a quick and impressive win over former Mid-America champion Claudio Castagnoli. The Swiss powerhouse charged Valiant right at the opening bell, but Valiant was ready for him. He rocked him with some big right hands, then sent Castagnoli into the ropes, and caught him on the rebound with the sleeper. Castagnoli dropped to the mat. Frank Morrell checked his arm and it dropped three times, so “Handsome” Jimmy got a big win. DUD
6) “The Anarchist” Arik Cannon scored a hard-fought win over “The Belfast Bruiser” Fit Finlay. Cannon had the early advantage. He hit the Glimmering Warlock a few minutes into the match, but Finlay rolled out of the ring before Cannon could attempt a pinfall. Finlay took over outside of the ring. He tossed Cannon back in and hit the Tombstone. He covered “The Anarchist,” but Cannon kicked out at two. Finlay again took the match outside the ring and rammed Cannon back-first into the guard railing. It looked like the PBR spokesman would get counted out, but he managed to get back into the ring by the count of eight. Finlay continued to punish Cannon, but Cannon battled back. He hit an exploder and made a cover, but Finlay again kicked out. Cannon maintained control and managed to execute a second Glimmering Warlock. He covered Finlay and scored the pinfall. The Knoxville fans gave Cannon a big ovation for his win! **¾
7) The First Family of Wrestling team of Big John Studd and King Kong Bundy took a lot of punishment, but managed to battle back and get a tag team victory over “Cowboy” Bob Orton, Jr. and Bob Roop. The fan favorites trapped Studd in the ring for the first few minutes of the match. Roop hit a suplex on Studd, which is how he pinned the giant (as the Masked Superstar II) on Labor Day 2013 in Nashville. He covered Studd, but Studd managed to power out of the pin attempt. Orton Jr. busted Studd open with some stiff elbow smashes. He and Roop then lifted Studd up, placed him on the top rope, and executed an impressive double team superplex! Orton went for a cover, but Bundy came in and broke up the pinfall. Studd managed to tag Bundy a few moments later. Bundy slammed Roop to the mat hard. He tossed the Olympian out of the ring. Roop went to one of the corners for a breather, but Bundy nailed him with an Atlantic City Avalanche, crushing Roop into the ring post. Roop was almost counted out, but with Orton’s help and the fans cheers, managed to get back into the ring. Roop battled back against the New Jersey giant and he and Orton double teamed him. Studd tagged back in, but Roop took control. Roop sent Studd into the corner and then charged in with a tackle, but Studd cut him off with a big boot to the face. Studd picked Roop up off the mat and got him up in the backbreaker. Having been hit by Bundy’s Avalanche into the ring post earlier in the match, Roop was in a lot of pain and quickly submitted to the hold. Studd and Bundy definitely earned their win and Jimmy Hart was a happy man! ****
8) Ed “Strangler” Lewis was victorious in his first match of his comeback, defeating “The Unpredictable” Johnny Rodz in about two minutes. The Knoxville fans gave the six-time former USWA champion a big ovation as he entered the Civic Coliseum. Rodz charged in at Lewis, perhaps trying for a takedown, but Lewis blocked him. He applied a single underhook to Rodz, then grabbed him in a facelock, and took him to the mat and on his back. (This maneuver is known in amateur wrestling as the cow catcher.) Lewis managed to hold Rodz’s shoulders to the mat and score the three-count in impressive fashion! DUD
9) In a wild six-man tag team grudge match, Doctor X had a successful return from his neck injury, as he and the Vachons defeated Southern Heavyweight champion “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert and the World Tag Team champions Mr. Fuji and Mr. Saito. The Hot Stuff, International trio had the early advantage and the new Southern champion Gilbert looked very impressive. He attempted to use X’s own finisher, the figure-four leglock, on the masked man, but X quickly got to the ropes. Gilbert later hit a neckbreaker clothesline on Mad Dog, but X made the save. Fuji later hit the Banzai Drop on Mad Dog, but Butcher made a save. The save allowed Mad Dog to gain control on Fuji and his trio trapped Fuji in the ring for several minutes. Butcher hit a backbreaker on Fuji and made a cover, but “Sensational” Sherri Martel distracted Paul Neighbors, which allowed Saito to jump in and nail Butcher with a knee drop to the back of the head. Butcher kept Fuji in the ring and hit a stomp off the second rope, which busted Fuji open. Mad Dog came back in and raked Fuji’s eyes. Fuji swung around blinded and in doing so, accidentally punched Neighbors. Chaos quickly ensued, with all six wrestlers brawling in and out of the ring. Mad Dog and Fuji stayed in the ring, while the others brawled on the floor. Suddenly, a masked man dressed similarly to Doctor X, but with a black mask and two X’s on his mask, came out from underneath the ring. He jumped in the ring and clipped Fuji’s leg. Saito came back in, but was nailed with an impressive dropkick by this masked man. The mysterious man quickly left the ring, as he quickly as he had entered it, and retreated through the crowd. Frank Morrell made his way to the ring to take over officiating duties for Neighbors, who was helped to the back by other USWA officials. Even though no tags had been made during the mayhem, Morrell determined that Saito and X were the legal men. Fuji was both bloodied and had an injured leg, so he basically was helpless on the apron. X took Saito to his team’s corner and he and the Vachons triple teamed him. Mad Dog tagged back in and hit the piledriver, but Saito got a foot on the ropes. He continued to pound on Saito, until lifting him up on his shoulders. He ran over to Hot Stuff’s corner, with Saito up and nailed the Southern champion with a boot to the midsection, knocking him off the apron. Mad Dog then executed an airplane spin on Saito and dropped him in the center of the ring. Mad Dog was dizzy himself, but managed to quickly cover Saito and score the pinfall in a wild and controversial six-man tag team bout! ****
10) The main event was for the USWA World Heavyweight championship. Current and two-time titleholder “Ravishing” Rick Rude defended the title against “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka. Snuka is a former Southern Heavyweight and World Tag Team champion, but had never held the World title. The Knoxville fans were definitely behind the challenger tonight. Snuka had the early advantage, but Rude cut him off with a stiff clothesline. Rude hit a reverse atomic drop for a near fall. Snuka battled back and surprised Rude with a flying head butt, which busted the Minnesotan open. Snuka continue to work over Rude for several minutes. The World champion took over and had Snuka in trouble. He went up top and came off with a knee drop, but the “Superfly” rolled out of the way and Rude crashed hard into the mat. Snuka went up top a few moments later and hit the Superfly Leap. He covered Rude, but as Jerry Calhoun went to count, “The Mouth of The South” Jimmy Hart reached into the ring and pulled the official out, before what appeared to have been a three-count. The Knoxville fans were irate. Knowing the importance of the World title match, Calhoun ordered Hart to the locker room for the duration of the match, which drew a big pop from the crowd! Hart made his way to the back in protest, calling Calhoun a “joke of a referee” through the megaphone. During the confusion, Rude briefly regained control of the Fijian warrior, but Snuka battled back. Suddenly, First Family of Wrestling members Larry “The Axe” Hennig, Ray “The Crippler” Stevens, Big John Studd, and King Kong Bundy, the latter three recovered from their bouts early on the card, made their way to the ringside area. They surrounded the ring, each taking a side of it. Snuka was aware of their presence, but tried to stay focused on the champion. The fans erupted, as Red Pepper and “The Boogie Woogie Man” “Handsome” Jimmy Valiant, also recovered from their earlier bouts, came out to offset the First Family members. Snuka got Rude down on the mat and went up to the top again. He came off with another Superfly Leap and went for a cover. Hennig rolled into the ring and stomped on Snuka, but Valiant quickly came in as well, stepping on Rude, and then nailing Hennig with punches. The other wrestlers also quickly entered the ring and a huge brawl broke out! Despite the importance of this being a World title match, Calhoun was left with no choice, but to call for the bell. Since Valiant and Hennig had both gotten involved about the same time, Calhoun ruled the match a double disqualification! The fans were not happy about this, but Calhoun was left with no other choice. “The Mouth of The South” quickly came back out to ringside, since the match was over, and called his men together. A bloody Rude grabbed the World title belt and retreated to avoid the wrath of Snuka, Valiant, and Red Pepper! (In a USWA trivia note, the last time a USWA World Heavyweight championship match ended in a double DQ was in this same arena, when Ed “Strangler” Lewis in his fifth title reign battled former champ Johnny Valentine to a double DQ on October 4, 2010.) ***¼
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