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Post by Cory Olson on Jun 26, 2019 23:02:03 GMT -5
Thanks to Joe Breakdown and Troy for the comments!On the 4-30 episode of USWA Championship Wrestling, it was announced that the next challenger for the USWA World Heavyweight championship at Derby City Stampede, Red Bastien, had suffered a throat injury in the attack by champion “Ravishing” Rick Rude and Bobby Shane. Bastien was not able to give an interview due to the throat injury but Commissioner Bob Armstrong announced that the flying redhead plans to compete in the main event of next week’s supercard! It’s the second annual Derby City Stampede, coming your way on May 6 from the Horse Show Pavilion at the Kentucky State Fairgrounds in Louisville, the night before the “greatest two minutes in sports”—the Kentucky Derby! It will be a great weekend of sports for Louisvillians! Some more big matches were just added to this already huge card on the last episode of USWA Championship Wrestling. From beginning to end, here is what wrestling fans will see!Tommy Rogers vs. David Taylor Rogers is 7-0 as of this writing and is looking forward to a shot at the USWA Mid-America Heavyweight championship 10 days later in Cookeville. Give him lots of credit for not taking it easy and taking on his toughest opponent to date in former Mid-America champion Taylor. Taylor is coming off a frustrating disqualification loss to Ray Stevens on the last card in Lexington. You can bet he is looking not only to giving Rogers his first loss in the USWA but also wearing him down for his tag team partner Fit Finlay, whom he assumes will retain the Mid-America title. This should be a great bout to open up the Stampede! Bobby Shane vs. Jimmy Valiant Shane has been impressive since debuting in the USWA in January in Lexington as a member of the First Family of Wrestling. Valiant always seems to be a target of the First Family. Shane will be looking to clamp on his Japanese sleeper to put out “The Boogie Woogie Man.” While Valiant has been focusing more on his Boogie Woogie elbow drop as of late, he has won many bouts with his own sleeper in the past. Shane just suffered his first loss to Red Bastien on the last card at the Rupp Arena and is irate about the results. Shane and “Ravishing” Rick Rude injured Bastien after that bout and Valiant is fighting for revenge. Which charismatic superstar will emerge triumphant? One Man Gang vs. Arik Cannon Gang is the newest member of the House of Humperdink. He has made his name known in the pro wrestling world for his power and size, as well as his impressive 747 splash. He cannot underestimate the PBR-drinking “Anarchist” Cannon, who has scored many big wins in the USWA. Will Sir Oliver Humperdink’s newest charge debut with a big splash? Bill Dundee vs. King Kong Bundy Like his new tag team partner and ally “The Boogie Woogie Man” “Handsome” Jimmy Valiant, “Superstar” Bill Dundee seems to have become a target of the First Family of Wrestling. Dundee and Valiant have given Bundy and Big John Studd some competitive tag matches. You have to give the Aussie a lot of credit for going one-on-one with a wrestler who outweighs him by more than 200 pounds. Can Dundee chop down the big Bundy? Steve Williams & Terry Gordy vs. Doctor X & Billy Black Lyons The battles between these units continue! Both teams are hoping to get a win and perhaps get some recognition toward a World Tag Team title shot. Which team will triumph? Tony Atlas vs. Big John Studd “Mr. USA” has been undefeated since debuting in the USWA in February at the Mid-South Coliseum. This will be his biggest opponent to date. Studd has been bragging on Championship Wrestling that he is stronger than Atlas. Will the giant Studd give Atlas his first loss or will “Mr. USA” triumph once again? The Midnight Express vs. The Heavenly Bodies Jim Cornette shocked the wrestling world with his return to the USWA in March in Knoxville and especially with his announcement of a newly-formed tag team to battle “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton and “Sweet” Stan Lane! While Cornette claimed that the Midnights abandoned him, most wrestling experts and fans believe the Midnights’ story about filling up Cornette’s answering machine, trying to get a hold of “The Louisville Slugger”! Cornette has put together a team that knows his old team very well. Chris Candido ended Eaton’s historic Texas title reign in 2010 and Prichard was partners in the three-man Heavenly Bodies unit with both men, holding the World Tag Team titles twice just with Lane and then three more times with Eaton and Lane together. Prichard and Candido have proven to work well together in their first three matches together as a team but they will obviously be facing a tougher team in the six-time former World Tag Team champions Eaton and Lane. Cornette bragged on the 4-30 episode of Championship Wrestling that he will have the hometown advantage, being in Louisville. With both his presence at ringside, as well as that of Cornette’s new bodyguard Dan “The Beast” Severn, the Bodies seem to have a numbers advantage. Can Cornette’s new team topple his old team or will the more experienced duo of Eaton and Lane win? Nick Bockwinkel vs. Eddie Gilbert (If Bockwinkel wins, he gets five minutes with Sir Oliver Humperdink. If Gilbert wins, Bockwinkel must leave town for one year.) This feud started in November at the 450th USWA card at the Mid-South Coliseum, when Gilbert defeated Bockwinkel via DQ. He went on to win again in the same arena in February, again by disqualification. Bockwinkel got a decisive win two weeks later on Leap Day at the Louisville Gardens but Gilbert finally got a pinfall win in April in Oxford, MS, thanks to blatant interference from Sir Oliver Humperdink. It was Humperdink’s interference that led Bockwinkel to wanting him in the ring. Gilbert and Humperdink agreed, as long as Bockwinkel put up something as well. Should Bockwinkel win, his match with Humperdink will start immediately. Gilbert will be required to leave the ringside area for this five-minute match. This would be Humperdink’s first time wrestling in a USWA ring. Can Bockwinkel get a win in this feud and battle the bearded manager or will he be forced out of the USWA for one year? The New Age Outlaws, Tracy Smothers, & Brad Armstrong vs. The Age of the Fall, Luke Harper, & The Necro Butcher (Rage in The Cage Match) This feud started at last year’s Derby City Stampede, when “The Road Dogg” Jesse James and Billy Gunn battled Jimmy Jacobs and Tyler Black for the first time. The feud continued into the fall with the Outlaws’ ally Tracy Smothers getting involved and Black twice injuring him with the Phoenix Splash. The second attack was through a table and led to a 10-card suspension for the Age of the Fall. In their absence, Jacobs recruited his two disciples in Harper and Necro Butcher to go after the Outlaws. The bizarre brawlers debuted in December and earned a win over the Outlaws in their first meeting at New Year’s Knockout XII. Jacobs and Black returned from suspension in February but have been struggling in bouts with the Outlaws and Smothers. The erratic Jacobs started appearing by his allies less frequently and most wrestling experts felt he was avoiding his enemies. It was Jacobs who made the initial challenge for this match. The Outlaws accepted and brought back James’s brother Brad Armstrong as their fourth partner. This will be Brad’s first USWA bout in 4½ years. This will be the ninth Steel Cage Match in USWA history and the second under Rage in The Cage rules! Dave Brown reviewed the rules of a Rage in The Cage Match on the 4-30 edition of Championship Wrestling: I. The bout will be held inside of a steel cage that surrounds the ring and will be placed on the ring apron. There will be two sets of four handcuffs attached to opposite sides of the cage. There will be two referees in this match, one inside the ring to call for the bell and one outside that will have control of the key to let wrestlers into the ring. II. There are no disqualifications, no countouts, and no pinfalls in this match. III. Each team will choose a member to start the match. Those two wrestlers will battle for five minutes. After the five minutes, the referee outside the cage will toss a coin to determine which team gets to send a member into the match next. Every two minutes, a new wrestler will enter, with the two teams alternating turns. IV. Once all participants are in the cage, there are two ways that a team can win. a. One team can eliminate the other members of the team by handcuffing every member to the cage. b. One team can also score a submission on a member from the other team at any time to end the match. Which foursome will win this steel cage war? Fit Finlay vs. Ray Stevens (USWA Mid-America Heavyweight Championship) “The Crippler” was Mid-America champion until he (along with Big John Studd and King Kong Bundy) was suspended in October for 10 cards attacks on “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka and “The Man with The Cast Iron Stomach” Pepper Gomez. An eight-man single-elimination tournament was held to crown a new champion, which was won by “The Belfast Bruiser” in November in Tupelo. The Irish brawler has had an impressive reign, currently sitting at five defenses. His fourth defense, in March in the same city where he won the title, saw him lose to Stevens via disqualification when Finlay smashed Stevens with the Mid-America title belt, which “The Mouth of The South” Jimmy Hart first tried to use! Can Stevens win back “his” title or will Finlay continue his impressive reign? Larry Zbyszko & Mr. Saito vs. Mad Dog & Butcher Vachon (USWA World Tag Team Championship) The Vachons captured their very-first USWA World Tag Team championship at last year’s Derby City Stampede from Saito and his-then partner Mr. Fuji, ending the Japanese’s historic reign. In a championship rematch in July at the Nashville Fairgrounds, Fuji suffered a back injury. Sir Oliver Humperdink signed Zbyszko to be Saito’s new partner. These two teams were scheduled to meet for the first time at New Year’s Knockout XII in Knoxville but the Vachons were suspended (along with Double X) for injuring Terry “Bamm Bamm” Gordy’s ankle. The Vachons were then stripped of the World Tag Team titles, which the House of Humperdink team won in an eight-team single-elimination tournament at the end of January in Lexington. The teams finally met for the first time in a non-title match on Leap Day in the Louisville Gardens, which saw the Vachons give Zbyszko and Saito their first, and so far, only decisive loss (albeit with interference from Doctor X and Double X). Can the Vachons triumph again and win their third USWA World Tag Team title or will Zbyszko and Saito continue to reign atop the tag team division? Rick Rude vs. Red Bastien (Main Event—USWA World Heavyweight Championship; Ed “Strangler” Lewis as Special Guest Referee) Bastien first challenged the “Ravishing One” for the title in March in Evansville, which saw Bastien came within a blink of an eye of winning the title until Billy Black Lyons interfered for a disqualification. The win for Bastien led to Rude making history with his 17th World title defense! The two met in a rematch the next month in Nashville and Rude came out the victor via disqualification, after Bastien intercepted Jimmy Hart’s megaphone from “The Mouth of The South” and used it on the champion but got caught doing so. Commissioner Armstrong ordered a rematch for this supercard and appointed six-time former USWA champion and Louisville native Ed “Strangler” Lewis to be the special guest referee to keep order. Rude and Hart were outraged due to Rude’s battles with Lewis last year over the title, including their first title match-up at this same supercard. The challenger suffered a throat injury from Rude and Bobby Shane after his match with Shane on the last card in Lexington but is not missing out on this important opportunity to become World Heavyweight champion. Can Bastien overcome the odds and win his first World Heavyweight title or will Rude continue his historic reign? That’s Derby City Stampede coming your way from the Horse Show Pavilion at the Kentucky State Fairgrounds in Louisville on Friday, May 6!
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Post by TTX on Jun 27, 2019 6:46:44 GMT -5
Really big show coming. While I don't think Bastien has a chance, crazier things have happened. Dundee vs Bundy should be a lot of fun and Shane vs Valiant could be crazy. Will we see the return of King James I? Well I suppose we'll find out soon.
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Post by Cory Olson on Jul 8, 2019 9:37:58 GMT -5
Thanks to Troy for the comments!
Derby City Stampede 2016 May 6, 2016 Card #469: Horse Show Pavilion at Kentucky State Fairgrounds in Louisville
1) Tommy Rogers kicked off this supercard with a big pinfall win over former Mid-America Heavyweight champion David Taylor. Rogers was very focused here. He used a sleeper midway through the bout and looked like he might score a submission win but the British grappler made the ropes for a break. Rogers maintained control and hit the Tomikaze to score the pinfall. The Louisville fans went wild for Rogers’ win, as he looks forward to his first USWA title match in 10 days in Cookeville. (Whom will he challenge for the Mid-America title? Read on!) ¼*
2) Bobby Shane scored a tainted win over “The Boogie Woogie Man” “Handsome” Jimmy Valiant in a double-juice match! Shane had the initial advantage, as he went for the Japanese sleeper early on. Valiant was not worn down enough yet and and quickly got to the ropes for a break. Shane went up to the top rope twice, coming off once with a flying ax-handle and later with a flying body press, both times to get a near fall. Valiant battled back and got Shane down on the mat. He hit the Boogie Woogie elbow drop once but Shane kicked out. Valiant maintained control and hit a second elbow. “The Mouth of The South” Jimmy Hart distracted Scott Bowden. Valiant got off Shane and swung at the manager. The distraction allowed Shane to take control for a few minutes. Shane went for a bulldog but Valiant shoved him off, sending Shane crashing hard face-first into the turnbuckle, busting him open. Valiant went for a cover but Shane kicked out. Valiant had control and appeared to be setting up for another Boogie Woogie elbow. A bloodied Shane was down on the mat but grabbed onto Bowden’s shirt, pulling him down and distracting him. This allowed Hart to jump up on the apron again and clocked Valiant right in the face with the megaphone. “Boogie” was now bloodied as well and dropped to the mat. Shane took control and clamped on a figure-four leglock in the center of the ring. Bowden checked on Valiant for a submission, either verbal or a tapout but Valiant was knocked out. Shane yelled at Bowden to count Valiant’s shoulders down. Bowden obliged and hit three, giving Shane a tainted pinfall win! The Louisville fans berated Shane and Hart with boos! ***¾
3) The newest member of the House of Humperdink the One Man Gang made a successful debut with a pinfall on “The Anarchist” Arik Cannon. The PBR drinker Cannon had some early offense, trying hard for a big win and to ruin Gang’s debut. He punched away at Gang and then attempted an exploder on the 495-pounder. He couldn’t get Gang up but maintained control and knocked the big man to the mat with an elbow smash. Cannon hit the Glimmering Warlock a few minutes later and went for a cover but Gang powered out of the pin attempt. Gang battled back and nailed Cannon with a big right hand. He followed up with a crushing scoop body slam a few moments later and scored the pinfall. Sir Oliver Humperdink was very happy with his newest charge’s win! **
4) “Superstar” Bill Dundee earned a huge hard-fought victory over King Kong Bundy. Dundee was a house of fire at the start, trying to quickly wear down his larger foe and score a quick pin. Dundee got Bundy down and hit the Superstar Bomb a few minutes into the bout. He made a cover but Bundy kicked out. Bundy rolled out of the ring for a breather but Dundee followed and rammed him head-first into the ring post busting open Bundy. Bundy battled back, sent Dundee into the corner, and hit the Atlantic City Avalanche. He went for a cover but Dundee kicked out at 2¾. Bundy hit a second Avalanche and went for a cover but Dundee got a foot under the bottom ropes. Dundee fought back, got the New Jersey giant down on the mat, and after a struggle, managed to turn him into a Boston Crab. Bundy was in pain but managed to power his way to the bottom rope for a break. Dundee kept Bundy down on the mat and hit a big splash for a near fall. Bundy capitalized on a mistake by the “Superstar” and hit a third Avalanche. He made a cover. Bundy scored a three-count but then demanded his usual five-count from Jerry Calhoun. Calhoun kept counting and Dundee got a shoulder up at 4¾! Bundy and Jimmy Hart were outraged! Bundy went for an elbow drop but Dundee rolled out of the way. Dundee pounded away on Bundy. “The Mouth of The South” got up on the ring apron but Dundee sent him down with a big right hand! The Aussie then went up to the top rope and came off with a flying body press, knocking down Bundy. Dundee covered Bundy, hooked the leg, and scored the three-count! The Knoxville fans popped huge for the “Superstar’s” impressive win! ****
5) Doctor X and Billy Black Lyons scored an impressive submission win over Steve “Dr. Death” Williams and Terry “Bamm Bamm” Gordy. The fan favorites had the early offense against Lyons, as Gordy hit a back suplex on him for a near fall. Williams tagged in and went for the Oklahoma Stampede. Williams scooped up Lyons near the rulebreakers’ corner. Before he could execute the Stampede, Doctor X dropped down to the floor, reached in the ring under the bottom rope, and tripped Williams’ leg, causing him and Lyons to topple to the mat. Lyons recovered first and tagged the Doctor. The team hit a double dropkick. X worked on Williams’ knee. He went for the figure-four leglock. With the fans cheering him on, “Dr. Death” managed to roll over and reverse the figure-four. X was in pain but managed to grab the bottom rope for a break. The masked man recovered first and regained control. He came off the second rope with a knee drop to Williams’ injured knee. He tagged to Lyons, who attacked the leg as well. Lyons clamped on his own figure-four in the center of the ring. Gordy went for a save but got cut off by the Doctor, who tackled him and held him down. Williams was trapped and forced to tap out. It was an impressive win for the Doctor and Lyons! **½
6) “Mr. USA” Tony Atlas made short work of Big John Studd in an amazing victory. Despite Studd having the height and weight advantage, Atlas dominated Studd like he were no challenge. Atlas hit an amazing vertical suplex on the 363-pound Studd, which rocked the Knoxville fans! Atlas immediately went for a cover and scored the pinfall after just a few minutes! Jimmy Hart was in shock at the ease of Atlas’ win! DUD
7) The Heavenly Bodies, accompanied by Louisville’s own Jim Cornette and his bodyguard Dan “The Beast” Severn, scored a huge victory over six-time former USWA World Tag Team champions the Midnight Express. Cornette came out to the ring dressed in a white suit and hat, resembling a Kentucky coronel, including some of the fans in the crowd tonight! The Bodies had the early control against “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton, hitting a Flapjack, which must have felt odd for Eaton to get hit with a move he and Lane often use! Eaton tagged to “Sweet” Stan Lane, who pounded on his former tag team partner “The Doctor of Desire” Tom Prichard. Lane hit the Russian leg sweep and floated into a cover but Prichard kicked out. Prichard tagged to Chris Candido. “The Suicide Blonde” took over on Lane and tossed him out of the ring. Candido immediately hit a baseball slide, blasting Lane right in the face. Candido distracted Paul Morton, while Severn hit a German suplex on Lane on the floor. Lane was in trouble but with Eaton’s help got back into the ring by the count of nine. The Bodies double teamed “The Gangster of Love” for several minutes. Candido knocked Lane out of the ring again. Candido reached through the ropes to get at Lane but “Sweet” Stan surprised him by grabbing him by the back of the neck and snapping his throat on the middle rope! Lane got back in the ring and tagged to Eaton. Eaton had control of Candido, until Cornette tripped him from outside the ring. While “Beautiful” Bobby was hurt, his face showed an expression of betrayal by his former manager, who used to frequently help him and Lane! Lane saw this from the other side of the ring and went over to question “The Louisville Slugger.” Morton was focused on the action in the ring and didn’t see Severn attack Lane again, this time grabbing him in a Dragon sleeper. Lane passed out from the hold and Severn dropped him outside the ring. Meanwhile, Prichard had tagged in and the Bodies hit another Flapjack. Prichard then followed up with an elbow drop and made a cover on Eaton to score the pinfall. The crowd was in somewhat of a state of shock at the nature of the Bodies’ win over the six-time former USWA Tag Team champions! Cornette was ecstatic at his team’s win, especially in his hometown, and you can bet that Mama Cornette was happy as well! ***
8) Nick Bockwinkel defeated his rival “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert via submission to earn five minutes with Gilbert’s manager Sir Oliver Humperdink and to avoid leaving the USWA for one full year. The two rivals slugged it out in the opening minutes. Gilbert gained the upper hand and sent Bockwinkel into the ropes. He telegraphed a back body drop and Bockwinkel executed a sunset flip for a near fall. Bockwinkel went for his sleeper a few moments later. Gilbert started to drop to the mat but Humperdink got up on the ring apron. Bockwinkel released the hold and went after the manager, indicating that soon Humperdink would get punished by Bockwinkel as well! The distraction allowed Gilbert to regain control and hit a piledriver for a two-count. Bockwinkel surprised “Hot Stuff” with a back suplex out of nowhere for a near fall. Bockwinkel choked Gilbert on the ropes, breaking several times before Jerry Calhoun’s count of five. He pulled Gilbert off the ropes and locked on the sleeper again. Gilbert dropped to the mat and Calhoun checked his arm. Gilbert’s arm dropped three times and Calhoun called for the bell, giving Bockwinkel a submission win! After getting his hand raised, Bockwinkel woke up Gilbert. When “Hot Stuff” realized what had happened, he was outraged! USWA officials had come to ringside to ensure Gilbert left the ringside area, as his manager entered the ring for his own match! **½
9) Bockwinkel immediately battled Humperdink and scored a dominant pinfall. Bockwinkel was ultra-aggressive against Sir Oliver. He caught the bearded manager in an abdominal stretch but Humperdink scurried to the ropes. Bockwinkel maintained control of Humperdink and went up to the top rope. He came off with a flying body press and covered the manager to score the pinfall at 2:15! The fans went wild at seeing Bockwinkel score back-to-back victories! Humperdink rolled out of the ring, as Gilbert ran back to the ringside area to help his manager to the back! ¾*
10) The New Age Outlaws closed a classic feud for now, as they, Tracy Smothers, and the returning Brad Armstrong defeated the Age of the Fall, Luke Harper, and the Necro Butcher in a Rage in the Cage Match. Per the rules of the match, one wrestler started off the match for each team and went at it for five minutes. The Age of the Fall team sent in Harper to represent them, while the Outlaws’ team sent in “The Road Dogg” Jesse James. The two brawlers duked it for several minutes. James dodged a clotehsline, caught Harper with a drop toehold, and sent him throat-first onto the middle rope. James then bounced off the opposite ropes and came back with a rope straddle. He remained on offense as Gary Michael Cappetta called for the expiration of the first five minutes of the match. Outside the cage, Tyler Black and Billy Gunn both got ready for their teams, as Paul Morton (the official outside the cage) tossed a coin in the air. Black won the toss, allowing him to enter first and giving his team the man advantage until all eight men had entered. “The Road Dogg” defied the odds and was able to fight off Black and Harper for a few minutes. He knocked Harper into the ropes and then flatted Black with a left hand. James followed up with the Shake, Rattle, and Roll knee drop. He pulled Black to the corner and went up to the second rope to come off with another knee drop. Harper had recovered and pulled Black out of the way, causing James to crash hard and injure his knee. Harper and Black seized the opportunity, stomping the knee and then dragging “The Road Dogg” to one side of the cage. They were able to cuff the former Mid-America champion, eliminating him from the match early. James was disappointed in himself for giving his team a bigger disadvantage!
Not long after James’s elimination, the two minutes ended and Gunn entered the match. With his tag team partner handcuffed inside the cage, his other partners outside the cage, and the Louisville fans rooting him on, Gunn used his athleticism to keep up with Black and Harper. The Necro Butcher entered at the next two-minute interval and Gunn was now down three-to-one. The rulebreakers attempted to cuff him but Gunn fought it off, even getting a few punches from “The Road Dogg” to his opponents to aid him. The brawler Necro took over on Gunn and whipped him into the ropes but Gunn reversed the whip. Necro bounced back and Gunn caught him with an impressive power slam. The next two minutes ended and Smothers entered the match. He and Gunn held up well for the two minutes, despite being down a man. To little surprise, Jimmy Jacobs waited until the last opportunity to enter the cage for his team and at first, allowed his teammates to do most of the work, only attacking when he was sure his opponent was hurting. After a double clothesline by Harper and Necro to Smothers, Jacobs swooped in and started raking Smothers’ face against the steel cage. Jacobs and Harper held Smothers down while Jacobs came off the top rope with a double foot stomp to Smothers’ previously-injured ribs. Armstrong entered the cage last and got a big pop from the Louisville fans for his first match back in the USWA in 4½ years. Armstrong went right after Jacobs and nailed him with a big running knee lift. Smothers joined Armstrong in double teaming Jacobs. Smothers went up top and hit the jawjacker but upon landing held his own injured ribs. Jacobs’ partners noticed and swarmed in on Smothers, stomping away. Necro hit the Tiger Driver but then got cut off by Armstrong and the two brawled in one corner. Harper went after Gunn, while Black focused on Smothers. Smothers fought back and hit a body slam. He started to climb the ropes, perhaps for another jawjacker. Before he could leap, Jacobs came out of hiding and shoved him backwards into the cage. Smothers hit the ribs again. Jacobs pushed Smothers into the center of the ring and then held him down, while also signaling Black to go up. Black didn’t just go up to the top rope but also to the top of the steel cage! The Louisville fans were buzzing, as Black hit a sensational Phoenix Splash off the top of the cage onto Smothers! While Black is no fan favorite, the fans did pop for such an amazing maneuver! The Age of the Fall pulled the injured Smothers toward “The Road Dogg” and handcuffed him to the cage as well, eliminating Smothers and making this match four-versus-two, with the advantage for the Age of the Fall team.
Gunn and Armstrong defied the odds and hung in there against their opponents. Gunn managed to punish the Necro Butcher, hitting a Jackhammer and later the Famouser. Since he could not score a pinfall, Gunn pulled Necro to one side of the cage and raked his face repeatedly on the cage, eventually busting open the brawler. The blood quickly poured down Necro’s face as Gunn hit two more Famousers, driving Necro’s “crimson mask” into the mat and staining the ring canvas as well! Armstrong had momentarily taken out Harper with a dropkick that knocked the big man into the cage wall. Jacobs and Black attempted a double clothesline on Gunn but the two-time former World Tag Team champion ducked and then blasted both Age of the Fall members with clotheslines of his own! Meanwhile, Armstrong kept up the attack on Necro, hitting a two-hand bulldog and a knee lift. The blood flowed more quickly. Gunn lifted Necro up on his shoulders, as Armstrong went up to the top rope. Armstrong came off with an impressive missile dropkick, knocking Necro off of Gunn’s shoulders, in a double team move reminiscent of the Doomsday Device used by two-time former World Tag Team champions the Road Warriors! Necro was bloodied and beaten and easy prey for Armstrong and Gunn to cuff him on the other side of the ring and score their first elimination!
It was now three-to-two for the Age of the Fall team. Jacobs sent Harper and Black in to do most of the work, while he would choose his moments to get involved. Harper and Armstrong initially went at it, while Gunn and Black paired off. Harper hit a swinging side slam on Armstrong, while Gunn soon thereafter hit the Famouser on the Iowan Black. Black battled back and whipped Gunn into the corner but Gunn reversed the whip and sent Black flying head-first into the cage making him the third person to bleed in the match. Black hung tough, as Jacobs attacked Armstrong from behind, allowing Black to blast Armstrong with a superkick. While Jacobs and Black took over on Armstrong, Gunn went at it with Harper. Gunn pulled Harper by the beard over to one side of the cage and then proceeded to grind his face into the cage, now making him the fourth wrestler in the match to bleed. Gunn then went after Black again, while Armstrong broke away from Jacobs with a head butt. Armstrong turned his attention to Harper and hit the Russian leg sweep. He was in a good place in the ring to pull the big Nebraskan over toward Necro Butcher and cuff him to the cage, despite Butcher’s attempts to block him! This now made the match an even two-on-two battle!
To little surprise, Jacobs tried to hide as best as he could inside a steel cage but Armstrong and Gunn were ready for him. Black sent sent Gunn into the buckle and went for a jumping kick but Gunn ducked and Black crashed hard. Armstrong and Gunn then double teamed Jacobs pummeling him with punches from both sides. Gunn allowed Armstrong to take over and Armstrong applied a family specialty—the sleeper in the center of the ring. The fans went wild as a dazed Jacobs started to drop to the mat. Black started to crawl out of the corner, his own face a bloody mess and very weakened from the physical match. He inched toward his partner to try and save him from a submission, which would end the match entirely. Jacobs was on the mat as Louisville’s own Joe Wheeler checked his arm. Jacobs’ arm dropped twice. Black appeared within reach of a save but suddenly his own arm dropped and he could not rescue Jacobs. Jacobs’ arm dropped a third time and Wheeler called for the bell, making Armstrong and Gunn the survivors for their team! The fans went wild as James and Smothers were released from their handcuffs first. As Necro and Harper were released they did not attempt to help Jacobs, whom Gunn had awoken with a stomp but who was still groggy. They did help Black up, although Black seemed to be able to walk on his own. The fans celebrated with the Outlaws, Armstrong, and Smothers, as this historic feud culminated for now! ****
11) After a brief intermission to take down the steel cage and clean up the blood on the canvas, it was time for the first of three title bouts on this supercard. Ray “The Crippler” Stevens scored his second win over “The Belfast Bruiser” Fit Finlay but again did not win the USWA Mid-America Heavyweight title, as he won via countout. The challenger surprised the champion with a jumping knee smash early in the bout to earn a two-count. Stevens followed up with the piledriver but Finlay kicked out at two. Finlay fought back and hit his own reverse piledriver—the Tombstone to get a two-count of his own on “The Crippler.” The Irish brawler maintained control and hit a Rolling Hills for another near fall. Stevens regained control again and hit a vertical suplex for another near fall. Finlay rolled out of the ring to try and get a breather but Stevens followed. Stevens nailed him with forearms from behind, then a kick to the midsection. The Irish brawler was bent over from the pain, as Stevens grabbed him and hit a second piledriver but this time on the arena floor. Stevens rolled back in the ring but Finlay was out, as Scott Bowden hit 10 and he called for the bell, giving the First Family member the win but not the Mid-America title. As Stevens and Jimmy Hart returned to the locker room, David Taylor and USWA officials made their way to ringside to check on “The Belfast Bruiser.” Finlay was able to get to his feet but was in a lot of pain, as he held his neck. (Despite the loss, with retaining the title, Finlay is now in second place for the most defenses of the Mid-America Heavyweight title with six defenses.) ***
12) Larry Zbyszko and Mr. Saito defeated the Vachons via disqualification to retain the USWA World Tag Team titles. This was a back-and-forth bout between the two rival teams in the first few minutes. The challengers took control on Saito midway into the bout and kept him in the ring for several minutes. Butcher got Saito up in the hangman for nearly a minute. Saito fought and fought and managed to get a foot on the middle rope for a break. Butcher tagged to Mad Dog and the Vachons hit a quadruple foot stomp on Saito. Mad Dog pummeled his fellow Olympian before tagging back to Butcher. Butcher slammed Saito’s head hard into the top turnbuckle which busted the Japanese star open. Butcher got him up in the hangman again and it looked like the Vachons were about to win their third World Tag Team title but Zbyszko came in with a spinning back kick to Butcher, causing the Algerian to drop Saito and release the hangman. Saito recovered and went for the Prison Deathlock on Butcher. Butcher managed to get to the ropes but was near the House of Humperdink team’s corner, so Saito tagged to Zbyszko. Zbyszko slammed Butcher’s head into the buckles. Zbyszko attempted to remove the turnbuckle pad but Jerry Calhoun caught him in the act. Zbyszko hit the piledriver on Butcher and went for a cover but Mad Dog made a save. Butcher managed to tag to his brother a few moments later and Mad Dog ran wild on Zbyszko. He hit his own piledriver on Zbyszko and made a cover but Saito broke up this pin attempt. A groggy Zbyszko stumbled to his feet but got knocked down again by a running knee lift from Mad Dog. Mad Dog went for another cover but Sir Oliver Humperdink (recovered from his own bout earlier on the supercard) distracted Calhoun. Mad Dog got off of Zbyszko and grabbed Humperdink. He started to bite the manager, which drew cheers from the crowd! Zbyszko recovered and smashed Mad Dog with a double sledge from behind, knocking him outside of the ring. Zbyszko followed and dropped Mad Dog throat-first on the guard railing. Mad Dog was almost counted out but managed to roll back in by the count of eight. Zbyszko maintained control and hit the piledriver. He covered Mad Dog but the Algerian kicked out at 2¾. Zbyszko executed a second piledriver. As Calhoun went to count, out of nowhere Doctor X and Billy Black Lyons jumped into the ring and attacked Zbyszko. Calhoun called for the bell, disqualifying the challengers. Saito jumped in the ring with a steel chair and chased off X, Lyons, and the Vachons before more damage could be done to Zbyszko. ***½
13) The main event was for the USWA World Heavyweight championship. Current and longest-reigning champion “Ravishing” Rick Rude put the title on the line against Red Bastien. These two had had two championship bouts prior to tonight’s with each wrestler getting a disqualification win over the other. To try and ensure order and determine a clear winner, Commissioner Bob Armstrong appointed six-time former champion and Louisville native Ed “Strangler” Lewis to be the special guest referee. Rude and “The Mouth of The South” Jimmy Hart were outraged, as Rude had defended the title against Lewis in last year’s Derby City Stampede main event. On the card prior to this one in Lexington, Bastien suffered a throat injury from Rude and Bobby Shane after his bout with Shane, so he was going into the match at a disadvantage.
The champion had the advantage at the start and hit a top rope sledgehammer to score a near fall. Rude attacked Bastien’s injured throat. He hit a Rude Awakening for another two-count. Rude went up to the top rope and dove off with a fist drop. Bastien moved out of the way and the “Ravishing One” crashed hard. Bastien went for a sleeper but Rude scrambled to the ropes for a break. Bastien hit a double knee lift, which is what he used to almost win the title in their bout in March in Evansville. He went for a cover but Rude got a foot on the bottom rope. The “Strangler” had been a fair referee to both combatants at this point in the match. Bastien went for a crossbody block but Rude ducked and Bastien’s injured throat hit the top rope, clotheslining himself. Rude regained control and hit the Rude Awakening again. He made a cocky cover and ordered Lewis to count. Lewis counted the pinfall, giving Rude the win after about five minutes of action. Rude was very arrogant in demanding Lewis raise his hand and hand him the World Heavyweight title. Lewis did oblige, although wasn’t thrilled in raising his former rival’s hand! (With the win, Rude is now at 18 defenses of the World Heavyweight title!) **¾
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Post by TTX on Jul 8, 2019 9:52:39 GMT -5
Rude just won't drop the title. Stevens just doesn't seem to want that belt. Nice to see Tricky Nicky take it to Gilbert and Hump.
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Post by Cory Olson on Jul 9, 2019 23:35:56 GMT -5
Thanks to Troy for the comments!
Highlights from the last two editions of USWA Championship Wrestling with the fallout of Derby City Stampede!
May 7 • It was announced that Mid-America Heavyweight champion “The Belfast Bruiser” Fit Finlay suffered no major injuries from Ray Stevens’ piledriver outside the ring at Derby City Stampede and plans to compete next week in Cookeville to defend his title against Tommy Rogers. Stevens, accompanied by “The Mouth of The South” Jimmy Hart, was interviewed in studio. Lance Russell asked “The Crippler” if he was disappointed about winning two title matches but still not winning back “his” Mid-America championship. Hart cackled and Stevens replied that “This isn’t over” and that “his plan is falling into place.” The former champion said that he spoke to Commissioner Bob Armstrong and he will receive another shot at the title in the near future and that he will become champion for a second time! • Commissioner Armstrong announced some matches for the USWA’s return to the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis on May 23! o Coming off his impressive win over King Kong Bundy at Derby City Stampede, “Superstar” Bill Dundee will receive his first shot at a USWA championship when challenges “Classy” Freddie Blassie for the Southern Heavyweight title in the main event! o Another champion will be in action, as one-half of the World Tag Team champions Mr. Saito will face four-time former USWA champion Nick Bockwinkel in a first-time match-up! Sir Oliver Humperdink is sending the Japanese Olympian after Bockwinkel after Bockwinkel defeated both him and “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert at the Stampede. It looks like Bockwinkel’s feud with Gilbert and Humperdink has expanded to the entire House of Humperdink! • USWA Committee Chairman Jerry Jarrett made a special appearance on the show and announced that the ninth annual Independence Day Bash will be the USWA’s next supercard! The 4th of July tradition will be held this year and for the third time in the supercard’s history at Chilhowee Park in Knoxville! Tune in to Championship Wrestling in the coming weeks for announcements of some huge match-ups!
May 14 • Commissioner Armstrong was back this week with more match-ups to announce for the May 23 card at the Mid-South Coliseum! o In a rematch from last month in Oxford, MS, “The Golden Greek” Jim Londos will battle Mad Dog Vachon! The last time these two met, Mad Dog came out the victor when Londos lost his cool and got disqualified. While you can bet Mad Dog wants to regain the World Tag Team titles with his brother Butcher, especially after the bout at Derby City Stampede against Larry Zbyszko and Mr. Saito, he has also racked up a lot of singles wins lately and would love to gain a win over the popular Londos. o Former Mid-America Heavyweight champion Tracy Smothers will take on First Family of Wrestling member Bobby Shane. Shane has been impressive in the USWA since debuting in January in Lexington. He will have quite the challenge on his hands in the two-time former Mid-America champion Smothers! o Ray “The Crippler” Stevens is awaiting his rematch for the Mid-America Heavyweight title. Before he gets that title match, he will have a tough rematch in Memphis against “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan! When these two met in March in Knoxville, Duggan got the win via countout after clotheslining “The Crippler” up-and-over the top rope and to the floor. Duggan hopes to get a decisive win against Stevens this time! o “Mr. USA” Tony Atlas remains undefeated, coming off his ultra-impressive win against Big John Studd at Derby City Stampede. On the 23rd, he will do battle with former Mid-America champion David Taylor! • Give Atlas credit, as he is not taking things easy. Commissioner Armstrong announced that “Mr. USA” will take on Studd’s tag team partner King Kong Bundy in a singles bout for the USWA’s return card on June 6 at the Earl Belle Community Center in Jonesboro! • A video aired that was sent in by Jimmy Jacobs from an undisclosed location. Jacobs said that his partners had failed him inside the cage at Derby City Stampede, particularly Tyler Black. As he narrated Black’s faults, replay footage showed repeated shots and close-ups of Black’s bloodied face as he went to save Jacobs from Brad Armstrong’s sleeper before Black himself passed out. Jacobs claimed that he thinks Black gave up on purpose and that he is jealous that he is not a natural born leader like Jacobs. Jacobs said that the time of the Age of the Fall in the USWA has ended and that he is leaving the USWA! He said that he does not know of the plans of Black, Luke Harper, or the Necro Butcher but that they are on their own now!
The USWA comes back to Cookeville, TN and the Community Center on May 16! • Billy Black Lyons will go one-on-one with “The Boogie Woogie Man” “Handsome” Jimmy Valiant! Lyons has been impressive in singles competition since losing his mask as Double X in March. Valiant appeared to have Bobby Shane beaten at the Stampede until Jimmy Hart got involved and hopes to avenge that loss here. Which grappler will emerge victorious? • The Midnight Express have had a rough few weeks but are hoping to get back on track as they face the high-flying fan favorites Brian Kendrick and Paul London in a rematch from a few weeks ago in Lexington. Kendrick and London got the big win last time. And “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton and “Sweet” Stan Lane are coming off a somewhat surprising loss to the Heavenly Bodies at the Stampede. Can the Midnights get back on track or will lightning strike twice for Kendrick and London? • Ray “The Crippler” Stevens is now 2-0 against Mid-America Heavyweight champion Fit Finlay but still doesn’t have the title. This week, Stevens will collide with Finlay’s mate David Taylor. Stevens and Taylor had a double-juice battle a few weeks ago in Lexington that saw Taylor get disqualified when he would not break a sleeperhold while Stevens was in the ropes. Taylor wants not only to get a decisive win on “The Crippler” but also to avenge Stevens piledriving his tag team partner Finlay outside the ring at the Stampede. Will Taylor achieve victory or will Stevens win en route to his “big plan” toward regaining the Mid-America title? • In a hard-hitting tag team bout, Steve “Dr. Death” Williams and Terry “Bamm Bamm” Gordy will face the Vachons! These teams have met twice in standard four-man tag team matches and the Algerians have gotten the victories both times. The last time, last month in Nashville, saw Gordy and Williams get disqualified when Gordy used a steel chair on Butcher that Butcher himself had just used a few minutes prior. The Vachons are hoping to get their third win, coming off their loss to World Tag Team champions Larry Zbyszko and Mr. Saito at Derby City Stampede. Williams and Gordy are also coming off a loss in Louisville to the Vachons’ allies Doctor X and Billy Black Lyons. Which team will leave Cookeville victorious? • “Superstar” Bill Dundee got a huge win over King Kong Bundy in Louisville. This week, he will do battle with another First Family of Wrestling member—Bobby Shane in a rematch from last month in Oxford! These two had a competitive bout last time. Shane came out the winner, in large part due to the involvement of his manager “The Mouth of The South” Jimmy Hart. Dundee was able to avoid Hart in Louisville and triumph over the larger Bundy. Can he do the same this week against Shane? • Despite taking a piledriver on the floor from Ray Stevens at the Stampede, “The Belfast Bruiser” Fit Finlay will be in action and will put the USWA Mid-America Heavyweight championship on the line against the undefeated Tommy Rogers! Rogers is now 8-0 since debuting at New Year’s Knockout XII in December in Knoxville, coming off a very impressive win over Finlay’s tag team partner David Taylor at the Stampede. That momentum, combined with Finlay’s questionable neck, does give Rogers an advantage that some wrestling experts may not have given him at the initial signing of this match. Can Rogers stay undefeated and capture gold or will the always tough Irishman retain his title? • The main event will be a first-time meeting between two legendary tag teams for the top tag team prize in the USWA. Larry Zbyszko and Mr. Saito of the House of Humperdink will defend the titles against two-time former champions the New Age Outlaws! “The Road Dogg” Jesse James and Billy Gunn are coming off a huge win in the Rage in The Cage Match on the Louisville supercard against the Age of the Fall team. But the champions got by their big rivals the Vachons as well on that card, which was the only team who had decisively beaten them since they started teaming in October. Can the Outlaws become three-time champions “of the Wooooorrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrlllllllllllllld” or will the House of Humperdink team continue their impressive reign?
All these great bouts, as well as “Mr. USA” Tony Atlas, the Heavenly Bodies, One Man Gang, and more USWA superstars in action in Cookeville!
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Post by Cory Olson on Jul 11, 2019 16:21:59 GMT -5
May 16, 2016 Card #470: Community Center in Cookeville, TN
1) The House of Humperdink’s newest member the One Man Gang defeated S.D. Jones. Gang had the early advantage but missed a running charge into the corner. “Special Delivery” used his quick punches and delivered a big right hand after his Philly shuffle but couldn’t knock down the big man. Jones delivered the head butt and dazed the Gang but still couldn’t take him down. “Philadelphia’s Favorite Son” bounced off the ropes and came at Gang with a big right but Gang dodged him and knocked him down with a shoulder block. Gang kept control and hit his 747 splash to score the pinfall. ½*
2) The Heavenly Bodies were victorious over Hillbilly Jim and Cousin Luke. Tom Prichard and Chris Candido double teamed Luke and kept him in the ring the entire match. Candido set up Luke on the top turnbuckle and executed an impressive huracanrana. He then tagged Prichard, who immediately came off the same turnbuckle with a sit-down splash. Prichard sat on Luke, hooked the leg for a pin cover, and scored the pinfall, while Candido stopped Jim from making a save. Cornette told Lance Russell and Dave Brown at the announcers’ table that the combination move is called the Prima Donna Plunge and this won’t be the last time wrestling fans see it! DUD
3) “Mr. USA” Tony Atlas continued his winning ways with a countout victory over “The Unpredictable” Johnny Rodz. Atlas blasted Rodz with a jumping head butt and went for a cover but only got a two-count. Atlas lifted up Rodz with the press slam and decided to send the New Yorker over the top rope and to the Community Center floor! Rodz was hurt and unable to get back into the ring by the count of 10. While the powerhouse Atlas may have preferred a decisive win, he was nonetheless happy to remain undefeated! ¾*
4) “The Boogie Woogie Man” “Handsome” Jimmy Valiant picked up a big pinfall win over Billy Black Lyons. Valiant stunned Lyons with some roundhouse rights in the opening minutes. He knocked Lyons down to the mat and hit the Boogie Woogie elbow to score the pinfall. The Cookeville fans went wild for Valiant’s big win! ½*
5) Brian Kendrick and Paul London scored another victory over the Midnight Express. “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton and “Sweet” Stan Lane double teamed Kendrick for the first few minutes and it looked like they would avenge their loss from a few weeks ago in Lexington. Kendrick recovered, tagged to London, and the fan favorites hit a tossing dropkick on Eaton. London made a cover but Eaton kicked out. The fan favorites executed the assisted Shooting Star Press but “Beautiful” Bobby again kicked out. A few minutes later Kendrick and Lane were the legal men. Lane had control and sent Kendrick into the corner. Kendrick blocked the whip, grabbed Lane by the head, and executed Sliced Bread #2 out of nowhere. He made a cover but Eaton broke up the pinfall. Lane tagged back to Eaton a few moments later but Kendrick surprised the former Southern and Texas champion with a huracanrana for a near fall. “Sweet” Stan jumped in the ring but Kendrick knocked him down with a jumping spin kick. Lane rolled to the floor but London came into the ring and hit a suicide dive, sending Lane into the guard railing. London returned to their corner and Kendrick tagged him. With Eaton down on the mat, London went right up to the top and came off with the 450 splash. He covered Eaton and scored the pinfall, as Lane attempted to dive into the ring for a save from the floor but was too late. The crowd went wild for Kendrick and London’s big win! ***¼
6) Ray “The Crippler” Stevens scored a pinfall over David Taylor in a physical, hard-hitting bout. Stevens had the advantage at the start. He hit a double underhook suplex, a move like Taylor’s British suplex. Stevens scored a two-count. He went up to the top rope and came off with the Bombs Away but Taylor rolled out of the way and Stevens crashed hard. Taylor recovered first and hit the British suplex for a near fall. He then went for the sleeper, which he had on “The Crippler” in their bout a few weeks ago in Lexington when he got disqualified for not breaking on the ropes. Stevens started to drop to the mat. “The Mouth of The South” Jimmy Hart got up on the ring apron to distract Scott Bowden. Taylor released the sleeper, went after Hart, and threatened to blast the manager with a European uppercut. Bowden talked him out of it and Taylor turned back to Stevens, who had recovered by this point. Stevens blasted Taylor with a boot to the midsection. With Taylor bent over, Stevens grabbed him and hit the piledriver. He covered Taylor and scored the pinfall. ***
7) Steve “Dr. Death” Williams and Terry “Bamm Bamm” Gordy picked up a big win over the Vachons in an awesome tag team bout! The Vachons started off on the offensive, as Butcher hit a big boot to the face on Williams for a near fall. A few minutes later, Mad Dog and Gordy were the legal men and Mad Dog hit the piledriver on the former Southern champion. Mad Dog made a cover but Gordy got a foot on the bottom rope. Mad Dog got the 289-pounder up on his shoulders and executed an airplane spin. He dropped Gordy and then fall on him to make try again for the pin but couldn’t get it. The Vachons hit the quadruple foot stomp on “Bamm Bamm” but still couldn’t keep him down. Gordy made the tag to “Doc” and Williams executed the Oklahoma Stampede. He made a cover but Mad Dog got a shoulder up at 2¾. Gordy tagged back in and the fan favorites blasted Mad Dog with a double football tackle. Gordy’s head hit Mad Dog’s as they tackled him and they busted him open. Gordy hit the power bomb on Mad Dog and went for a cover but Mad Dog again survived, this time by grabbing the bottom rope. Gordy grabbed the bloodied Mad Dog and tried to get a submission with the Oriental Spike. Mad Dog started to drop to the mat. Paul Morton checked his arm and it dropped twice but right before what might have been the third drop, Butcher attacked Gordy from behind with a double sledge off the second turnbuckle. Both men went down and were able to tag their partners. Butcher took over on Williams and busted him open as well with a stiff head butt. He then lifted Williams up into the hangman and had him up for nearly a minute. With Gordy and the fans on his side, “Dr. Death” managed to power out of Butcher’s grip. Butcher cut him off before he could make a tag and tagged his brother back into the match. The Vachons hit another quadruple foot stomp. Mad Dog went for a cover but Gordy broke up the pin attempt. It looked like the Algerians would get yet another win over Williams and Gordy until, out of nowhere, Williams surprised Mad Dog with some jabs, then lifted him up, and executed a second Stampede, landing close to his team’s corner. Williams made the cover and scored the pinfall before Butcher could arrive in time for a save! The Cookeville fans went wild at this big comeback win! ****¼
8) Bobby Shane scored another tainted win over “Superstar” Bill Dundee. Dundee had a lot of offense for his opponent but every time he seemed to build up momentum, “The Mouth of The South” Jimmy Hart was there to get involved. Hart handed Shane an object a few minutes into the bout, which Shane slipped into his knee pad, allowing him to deliver two separate loaded knee drops. The second knee drop busted open the “Superstar.” Shane tossed Dundee out of the ring and rammed him head-first into the ring post. Shane returned to the ring and almost got a countout victory but Dundee rolled back in by nine. Shane clamped on the Japanese sleeper in the center of the ring and held it on for nearly a minute. Dundee fought hard but due to the blood loss could not escape. Joe Wheeler checked Dundee’s arm and it dropped three times, giving Shane the win. Shane was about to leave the ring with Hart, when Wheeler reminded him to wake up the Aussie. Shane did so by dropping another loaded knee drop across Dundee’s throat! Dundee woke up, coughing and gagging! Shane and Hart looked ready to deliver more punishment but Dundee’s tag team partner “The Boogie Woogie Man” “Handsome” Jimmy Valiant, recovered from his own earlier match on the card, came running into the ring with a steel chair. Hart and Shane retreated to the locker room. Dundee was able to walk to the back with some assistance from “Boogie Woogie.” **½
9) In the first of two title matches, Tommy Rogers remained undefeated and became the new USWA Mid-America Heavyweight champion with somewhat of an upset pin over “The Belfast Bruiser” Fit Finlay! Finlay’s neck was bothering him from the piledriver on the floor by Ray Stevens at Derby City Stampede. But the Irish brawler was determined to retain his title. He whipped Rogers into the ropes but Rogers reversed the whip and caught him on the rebound with a power slam. Rogers made a cover but Finlay kicked out. Finlay quickly regained control and pummeled Rogers. He hit the Tombstone just a few minutes into the bout but Rogers got a foot under the bottom rope. Finlay was irate by this and it fueled him to administer more punishment. He sent Rogers into the turnbuckles. Before crashing into the buckles, Rogers leapt up to the second rope, spun around, and came back at Finlay with a great body press. He covered the Irishman, hooked the leg, and scored the pinfall to win the Mid-America championship! As Rogers got his hand raised and awarded the belt by Scott Bowden, Finlay charged at him. Rogers ducked the charge and Finlay went flying over the top rope and to the arena floor. The crowd went wilder at this site as Rogers celebrated with the fans! **¼
10) The main event was a first-time meeting between two dominant tag teams in USWA history. The current USWA World Tag Team champions Larry Zbyszko and Mr. Saito of the House of Humperdink put the titles on the line against two-time former champions the New Age Outlaws. The champions kept “The Road Dogg” Jesse James in the ring for the first few minutes. Saito locked on the Scorpion Leglock but James made the ropes for a break. James managed to tag to Billy Gunn. The Outlaws worked over Saito for a few minutes. James was the legal man again and started to climb up the ropes. He was on the second turnbuckle with his back to Saito. Before he could attack, Saito got to his feet, came up behind him, and hit the Saito suplex. He went for a cover but “The Road Dogg” kicked out. Zbyszko came back in and busted James open with knee smashes. James was hurting but surprised Zbyszko with a DDT for a near fall. Gunn worked over Zbyszko and slammed him hard with an impressive press slam to get another two-count. James tagged back in and the Outlaws hit a spike piledriver. A few minutes later, Gunn and Saito were the legal men. Gunn hit the Famouser and made a cover but Sir Oliver Humperdink distracted Paul Morton. Gunn got off Saito and went after Humperdink. Saito recovered and went after Gunn outside the ring, while Morton was again tied up by Humperdink. James and Zbyszko started brawling on one side of the ring, while Gunn and Saito were on the other. Saito gained the upper hand and grabbed one of the World Tag Team title belts off of the announcers’ table. Saito went to smash Gunn with the belt but Gunn ducked the attack and Saito crashed into the ring apron. Gunn grabbed the belt from Saito and smashed him with it, busting open the Japanese Olympian. Gunn tossed Saito back in the ring, as James and Zbyszko returned to their respective corners. Gunn tagged to “The Road Dogg.” The former Mid-America champion executed the pump handle slam and went for the cover but Zbyszko saved his partner. Gunn came in and sent Zbyszko over the top rope with a clothesline. He followed Zbyszko to keep him from intervening again. James hit a second pump handle slam. Humperdink got up on the apron again but James quickly sent him back down with a big left hand! A bloodied and beaten Saito got back to his feet but James attacked him right away and then hit a third pump handle. He covered Saito and scored the pinfall. Morton called for the bell and awarded the Outlaws the USWA World Tag Team titles for the third time! The fans went wild as the Outlaws received the title belts. James’s brother Brad Armstrong, as well as the Outlaws’ ally Tracy Smothers, came out from the back and celebrated the Outlaws’ huge victory! (With the win, the Outlaws are now three-time champions and are tied for fourth place with three other teams for most World Tag Team title reigns!) ****½
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Post by TTX on Jul 11, 2019 16:52:47 GMT -5
Wow, quite the ending with the two title changes plus a great bout with the MVC and Vachons. Looks like Lyons is treading water already and nice to see Gang in action.
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Post by Cory Olson on Jul 12, 2019 10:34:52 GMT -5
Thanks to Troy for the comments!
Hope everyone has fun at Galacticon this weekend!
Highlights from a very newsworthy edition of USWA Championship Wrestling on May 21! • Footage aired from the locker room at the Cookeville Community Center after last week’s card with Tommy Rogers celebrating his Mid-America Heavyweight title win with several fan favorites! Rogers thanked the fans for their support and Commissioner Bob Armstrong for signing the title match and said he will do his best to defend this title against all comers! After showing the footage, it was announced that Rogers’ first defense will be on June 20 at the Union City Civic Auditorium against former champion Ray “The Crippler” Stevens! Stevens has two victories over now-former champion Fit Finlay. Stevens and Jimmy Hart were again interviewed in-studio and Stevens said that he feels Rogers got lucky in defeating the Irish brawler. He said that if he (Stevens) can beat Finlay twice, he will have no problem winning the belt from Rogers, and as he said on the May 7 edition of Championship Wrestling that this was all part of his plan to win back the Mid-America title! • A rematch from the other title change last week in Cookeville was announced. The now three-time USWA World Tag Team champions the New Age Outlaws will put the titles on the line against Larry Zbyszko and Mr. Saito. This return bout will be the main event on June 13 at the Sailors and Soldiers Memorial Coliseum in Evansville. The new champions were interviewed in the WMC-TV Studios. Lance Russell congratulated them on becoming three-time champions. Billy Gunn thanked Lance and said that the Outlaws are back in the saddle again and on top of the tag team world in the USWA! “The Road Dogg” Jesse James admitted that the Outlaws had a slightly rough start to the year but they came back with “guns blazing.” First, they ran the Age of the Fall out of the USWA and now they’ve become three-time “USWA Tag Team champions of the Wooooorrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrlllllllllllllld.” He said that they know that the House of Humperdink team is a tough combination but that they will do what they have to do to hold on to these titles. • Commissioner Armstrong announced some big match-ups for the USWA’s return to the Earl Belle Community Center in Jonesboro on June 6: o The main event will see a long-time feud renewed once again and this time for the USWA’s top prize. “Ravishing” Rick Rude will defend the USWA World Heavyweight title against “The Boogie Woogie Man” “Handsome” Jimmy Valiant! These two have had several battles since 2014. Rude has won all but one of their one-on-one bouts. Valiant’s sole victory came in this same city in October 2014 when he put out a bloodied Rude with the sleeper, after Jimmy Hart’s interference with megaphone backfired and he clocked Rude instead of Valiant! Often Hart has been the difference maker in their match-ups, as Valiant has appeared to have beaten Rude but Hart has turned the tide. In August 2014, Valiant, “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka, and Andre the Giant injured Rude’s ribs in Engel Stadium in Chattanooga during Rude’s first reign as champion. Rude lost the title a few weeks later back to Lou Thesz in Tupelo and Jimmy Hart blamed the attack and injury for the loss. This past July after a non-title bout at the Nashville Fairgrounds, Rude and Larry “The Axe” Hennig put out Valiant for a few weeks with a spike piledriver. Valiant is a two-time former Southern Heavyweight and a two-time former World Tag Team champion but this will be his first-ever shot at the World title! o A huge tag team match-up will see the now former World Tag Team champions Larry Zbyszko and Mr. Saito of the House of Humperdink team up to battle Doctor X and Billy Black Lyons! X and Lyons interfered and attacked the former champions in their title defense against X and Lyons’ allies the Vachons at Derby City Stampede. Not only are Zbyszko and Saito out for revenge but also to gain some momentum with a win prior to their rematch for the titles the following week in Evansville! o Two rivals in tag team competition will meet each other in singles action, as “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton of the Midnight Express will battle “The Suicide Blonde” Chris Candido of the Heavenly Bodies. These two are no strangers to each other, as Jim Cornette alluded to in his “Press Conference” with Bill Apter in April. Eaton had his 18½-month reign as Texas champion come to an end at the hands of Candido in April 2010. Part of the reason Cornette chose Candido to be a part of his new team was due to his track record against “Beautiful” Bobby! • Toward the end of this edition of Championship Wrestling, Lance Russell had been informed that he was to conduct an interview segment but he wasn’t informed who would be joining him. Suddenly, Tyler Black and Luke Harper walked into the WMC-TV Studios! Lance said he was surprised to see them after the results of the Rage in The Cage Match at Derby City Stampede and after Jimmy Jacobs’ video that aired on last week’s show. Black said that while that “nutcase” Jacobs may be gone, he is here to stay and prove his skills as a wrestler! He said that while he used Jacobs to get into the USWA, he never fully bought into Jacobs’ ideals. He said that he is from Iowa, which has a long tradition of great wrestlers. And he is going to join that list. Lance asked what Harper’s role in this will be. Black spoke on behalf of Harper and said that Harper was planning to leave the USWA with Jacobs and the Necro Butcher but Black knew there is “power in numbers” in the USWA and it is good to have at least only ally. Therefore, he has hired Harper to be his bodyguard and accompany him to ringside for his matches! Black said that Harper may compete again in the future but his main task will be to protect Black from “jealous enemies.” Black said that he plans for the remainder of 2016 to be his year and that he will show what a great talent is to all of the USWA and the entire wrestling world!
The USWA comes back home to Memphis and the Mid-South Coliseum with some huge bouts on May 23! • In a first-time match-up, two-time former Mid-America Heavyweight champion Tracy Smothers will take on Bobby Shane of the First Family of Wrestling! Shane has been very impressive since debuting in Lexington at the end of January, suffering only one decisive loss so far and getting many wins, either due to the help of “The Mouth of The South” Jimmy Hart or putting out opponents with his Japanese sleeper. Smothers is hoping to get back on track and get a big singles win here to get considered for a singles title shot. Which wrestler will leave Memphis the victor? • “Mr. USA” Tony Atlas remains undefeated as of this writing. But this week, he will face one of his toughest opponents to date in former Mid-America Heavyweight champion David Taylor! Taylor utilizes his toughness and grappling skills to wear down many opponents and has scored upsets in this past. Will the British grappler give Atlas his first loss or will Atlas continue to achieve victory? • Brian Kendrick and Paul London are on a roll with two consecutive victories over the Midnight Express. This week, the high-flying fan favorites will face the Midnights’ rivals the undefeated Heavenly Bodies! In an interview on Championship Wrestling, Jim Cornette bragged that the Bodies will beat and embarrass these “pretty boys” Kendrick and London and prove once again that they are superior to “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton and “Sweet” Stan Lane. Will Cornette’s words turn out to be true or will Kendrick and London keep up their momentum? • In a rematch from Knoxville in March, Ray “The Crippler” Stevens will face “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan. Stevens is focused on his plan to regain the Mid-America title. But he cannot look past Duggan, who defeated him via countout in their last match. Duggan is probably the biggest name to compete in the USWA on a regular basis who has never held a USWA championship. A win over Stevens would definitely put him in consideration for a future title match. Can Duggan beat “The Crippler” again or can Stevens drop the Bombs Away on “Hacksaw”? • Another first-time match-up will see four-time former USWA World champion Nick Bockwinkel battle two-time former World Tag Team champion Mr. Saito! Sir Oliver Humperdink is sending Saito after Bockwinkel after Bockwinkel defeated both him and “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert at Derby City Stampede. A lot of fans from all over the wrestling world are looking forward to this match-up, as both Bockwinkel and Saito are adept at technical wrestling, as well as at bending the rules when it suits them! Can Bockwinkel topple the Japanese Olympian or will Saito triumph? • In a rematch from last month in Oxford, MS, “The Golden Greek” Jim Londos will tangle with Mad Dog Vachon! Vachon got the win last time via disqualification when Londos uncharacteristically shoved down Joe Wheeler. Londos was interviewed in-studio on Championship Wrestling and apologized both to Wheeler and the fans for his actions. He said his passion to win inside the ring led to him losing his temper. He said he plans to keep his calm and defeat Mad Dog inside the ring. Can Londos do it or will Mad Dog bite down harder? • The main event will be for the USWA Southern Heavyweight championship. Two-time and current champion “Classy” Freddie Blassie will defend the title against “Superstar” Bill Dundee! Both wrestlers debuted in the USWA in 2015. Blassie has suffered only one loss since debuting last June in Dayton and has been a dominant force inside the ring. Dundee has compiled an impressive win-loss record since debuting in September in Evansville. He is coming off a tough loss to Bobby Shane last week in Cookeville, thanks in large part to Shane’s loaded knee pad and the use of the ring post. One has to wonder Dundee’s condition after Shane’s punishment. He has overcome the odds before, most recently, in toppling King Kong Bundy at Derby City Stampede. Can Dundee capture his first USWA championship or will “The King of Men” continue to reign?
All these match-ups, plus the One Man Gang, the Midnight Express, Tyler Black, and more USWA superstars in action at the Mid-South Coliseum!
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Post by cruefan68 on Jul 13, 2019 11:37:59 GMT -5
A lot of great action going on as usual. I loved Derby City Stampede capped off by number 18 for Rick Rude over Red Bastien. What an epic title reign for Rude. The following show in Cookeville shocked with two title changes. Very cool to see Tommy Rogers upset Finlay for the Mid-America championship as well as seeing the New Age Outlaws become three-time USWA tag champs winning the gold from Larry Zbyszko & Mr. Saito. Zbyszko and Saito had a great run to the top and I look forward to them getting a rematch with the Outlaws.
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Post by Cory Olson on Jul 14, 2019 21:12:24 GMT -5
Thanks to Crue Fan for the comments!
May 23, 2016 Card #471: Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis
1) Tyler Black, with his new bodyguard Luke Harper, defeated Jake “The Milkman” Milliman. While wrestling fans always knew about Black’s talent and athleticism, he showed more of a confidence in his first match post-Age of the Fall. Milliman had a brief flurry of offense against the Iowan and went up to the second rope for the head butt. Black rolled out of the way and Milliman crashed hard. Black took control and an in an impressive feat, gave Milliman a stiff power bomb into the turnbuckles. Milliman was out and Black covered him to pick up the pinfall. *
2) The Midnight Express picked up a win over Virgil and “The Unpredictable” Johnny Rodz. “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton and “Sweet” Stan Lane double teamed Virgil for the first few minutes of the match. Virgil tagged to Rodz, who had some offense against Lane, including hitting an Unpredictable Slam. Virgil tagged back in but Lane regained control and tagged to Eaton. Eaton dominated Virgil and tagged back to Lane, so that the Midnights could hit the Veg-o-Matic on Virgil. Lane covered Virgil, while Eaton knocked down an intervening Rodz with a stinging right hand, and scored the pinfall. The Midnights looked ready for another match-up with the Heavenly Bodies or Brian Kendrick and Paul London! (Who would win between those two teams? Read on!) *¼
3) Jim Powers scored his first win of 2016 and a HUGE win at that with a big upset over the One Man Gang. Gang had the early advantage and was dominating Powers but got cocky and would not go for a cover. Perhaps this infuriated the New Yorker as he battled back and dazed the giant Chicago native with punches. Powers hit a dropkick and sent Gang over the top rope and to the Mid-South Coliseum floor. The fans went wild at this! Gang was down and almost got counted out. Sir Oliver Humperdink ran over to his charge and yelled at him to get back in. Gang got back in by the count of eight. As the Gang rolled back in, Humperdink climbed up on the ring apron and distracted Tommy Marlin. Humperdink threw his cane into the ring without Marlin seeing it. Powers caught the cane in midair and smashed Gang with it, ruining Humperdink’s plan! He tossed the cane out and hit Gang with another dropkick, taking the big man off his feet. Powers jumped on the Gang, hooked the leg, and made a cover. Marlin turned around to count the pinfall. The Coliseum exploded as Powers got his hand raised and Humperdink was in a state of shock! **¼
4) Bobby Shane scored a big pinfall on two-time former Mid-America champion Tracy Smothers. This was a back-and-forth bout. Smothers had the early advantage and sent Shane out of the ring. He came off the apron with an impressive clothesline to Shane. Shane was shaken up and almost got counted out but with Jimmy Hart’s encouragement rolled back into the ring. Smothers was on the offensive for a few minutes and went up top. He came off with the jawjacker but Shane had the move scouted and dodged the elbow, causing Smothers to crash hard into the mat. Shane gloated about his maneuver. He took control for a few minutes but got overconfident and Smothers surprised him with a running crossbody into a cover for a very near fall. Smothers tried the jawjacker again a few moments later and this time connected. Unfortunately for Smothers, Shane landed near the ropes and was able to get a foot under the bottom rope for a break when Smothers attempted the pinfall. Shane took control a few moments later and caught Smothers in the Japanese sleeper. Smothers started to drop to the mat but after two arm drops, he bounced back up on the third and fought of the submission with elbows to the midsection. Smothers took over again and had Shane reeling until he missed a dropkick, as Shane held on to the ropes to avoid the attack. As Smothers regained his footing, Shane came up from behind and caught him with a rolling reverse cradle. As Tom Branch went to count Smothers’ shoulders down, Shane grabbed a handful of Smothers’ tights, which aided him in scoring the pinfall. Shane and Hart quickly retreated, as Smothers realized what had happened. Fans were outraged by Shane’s tactics! ***¼
5) “Mr. USA” Tony Atlas returned to the city where he made his USWA debut in February. He had one of his toughest matches to date in the USWA but in the end emerged victorious once again, as he defeated former Mid-America Heavyweight champion David Taylor. Atlas had control at the start of the bout, including hitting an impressive jumping head butt off the top rope to a standing Taylor. Taylor was knocked down but managed to recover a few moments later and took control. Taylor came off the second rope with a European uppercut to knock down Atlas and score a two-count. Taylor executed the British suplex and floated into a cover but Atlas just got the shoulder up at last possible moment. Taylor was outraged, thinking he had scored the three-count. The action continued with Taylor tossing Atlas outside the ring and ramming him back-first into the ring post. Taylor rolled back in and tried to get a countout victory but “Mr. USA” rolled back in as well at the count of eight. With the Memphis fans behind him, Atlas rallied back. He blasted Taylor with a dropkick for a two-count. Atlas lifted Taylor up a few moments later and dropped him with the press slam. He then immediately followed up with the splash and covered Taylor to score the pinfall. The Memphis fans gave “Mr. USA” a big ovation for his win! ***
6) Brian Kendrick and Paul London continued their recent winning ways by giving the Heavenly Bodies their first, albeit, via countout. This was an action-packed bout with both teams showcasing their skills. Chris Candido and Tom Prichard tried to wrap things up quickly, as they executed their Prima Donna Plunge on Kendrick a few minutes into the bout. Prichard went for the pin but London made a save. A few moments later, Candido went for a leg lariat in the corner on Kendrick but Kendrick moved and “The Suicide Blonde” crashed hard. Kendrick seized the opportunity to hit Sliced Bread #2 out of the same corner. He made a cover but Candido was close to the ropes and got a foot on the bottom rope for the break. The Bodies trapped Kendrick in the ring for several minutes, even hitting a double DDT on him at one point. Prichard hit a Doctor Bomb (or as Jim Cornette told Lance Russell and Dave Brown at ringside, the Dr. Tom Bomb!) He went for a pin but again London made the save. Kendrick got an opportunity for a quick pin with a rolling front cradle after Prichard missed a clothesline but Prichard kicked out. Prichard kept control and tagged back in to Candido. The former Texas champion suplexed Kendrick and then went up to the top rope. He came off with a crushing diving head butt, which busted open Kendrick. It looked like that would be it but Kendrick somehow kicked out at 2¾. With London and the fans cheering him on, Kendrick rallied back and hit a second Sliced Bread #2 on Candido. He went for a cover but Prichard made the save at the last possible moment. London was fed up and jumped in the ring as well, nailing Prichard with a forearm smash. Prichard rolled out of the ring but London followed by jumping out to the ring apron. London nailed Prichard with a roundhouse kick from the apron, knocking Prichard down. London then hit an amazing running Shooting Star Press off the apron to the floor! The Memphis fans went crazy at this spectacle! Candido in the ring had dazed Kendrick with an eye rake and saw what just transpired with his partner on the floor. He ran across the ring and dove over the top rope with a somersault plancha on to London. The fans went wild at this! Kendrick recovered inside the ring and dove out of the ring with a suicide dive which leveled Candido! The fans were going wild at this succession of dives, while Cornette looked in shock! All four men were down. Legal man Kendrick recovered first and slide back into the ring. Candido started to get to his feet but couldn’t beat Tommy Marlin’s count. Marlin called for the bell and gave Kendrick and London the victory. Cornette and the Bodies were outraged by the decision! ***¾
7) Ray “The Crippler” Stevens made short work of “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan. Stevens came out viciously against Duggan from the opening bell. He hit the Bombs Away early in the bout but Duggan kicked out. He followed up with the piledriver and went for another cover but again Duggan kicked out. Stevens maintained control and hit a second Bombs Away to score the pinfall. Stevens looks focused and determined to win back the Mid-America title in a few weeks in Union City. ½*
8) Mr. Saito scored a controversial disqualification win over Nick Bockwinkel. Bockwinkel was in control for much of the bout. He went for the figure-four leglock a few minutes into the bout. Saito fought hard and made the ropes for a break after being locked in the hold for nearly a minute. Bockwinkel went for an abdominal stretch but Saito hip tossed Bockwinkel to break the hold. Bockwinkel regained control and went for his sleeper. Sir Oliver Humperdink got up on the ring apron to distract Sam Platania as Saito dropped to the mat. Saito appeared to be almost out but there was no ref to check. Bockwinkel released the sleeper to go after Humperdink. Humperdink got off the apron but stayed close to the ring. As Bockwinkel threatened him from inside the ring, Saito recovered. He attempted to ambush Bockwinkel but Bockwinkel sidestepped him and dropped him on the middle rope with a drop toehold. Bockwinkel then started to choke Saito on the rope. He released before Platania hit five but then would choke Saito again for four seconds. Bockwinkel’s body was blocking Platania’s view to the outside of the ring. Humperdink reached in and pulled on Bockwinkel’s arm, which made it appear he was still choking Saito. Platania counted to five and called for the bell, disqualifying Bockwinkel for the choke hold, even though Humperdink was putting on more of the pressure! Bockwinkel was very confused at first by the outcome. Once Gary Michael Cappetta made the announcement of the decision and Platania explained it to him, he was outraged! Humperdink and Saito retreated to the locker room, as the Mid-South Coliseum fans berated them with boos and garbage! **¼ 9) Mad Dog Vachon scored an impressive pinfall on “The Golden Greek” Jim Londos. Londos had the initial advantage and outwrestled the Algerian amateur. He executed a crotch lift slam and went for a pin attempt but Vachon got up the shoulder. Londos executed the airplane spin and went for another pin attempt but again Vachon kicked out. Londos locked on a grinding armbar but Vachon scrambled to the ropes for a break. Vachon reversed a whip into the corner and Londos went crashing into Tommy Marlin. Vachon set up Londos for the piledriver but Londos swept his legs, taking him down to the mat. He then applied the Boston Crab in the center of the ring. Vachon tapped out but Marlin was down in the corner and did not see it! Suddenly, Butcher Vachon, Doctor X, and Billy Black Lyons, all dressed in street clothes, since they were not booked to wrestle on this card, all charged the ring. Butcher nailed Londos with a forearm from behind, breaking up the Crab. The three then stomped and pounded on Londos until Mad Dog recovered. Marlin started to get to his feet, so Mad Dog’s allies retreated as quickly as they appeared. Vachon took control and hit a backbreaker and made a cover as Marlin returned to officiating. Marlin counted but Londos got his shoulder up. Vachon remained and control and hit the Mad Dog Pounce on two separate occasions. He clawed away at Londos’ face, eventually drawing blood on “The Golden Greek.” Vachon hit another backbreaker for a near fall. He hit the piledriver but somehow Londos kicked out at 2¾. Vachon dragged Londos over to the middle rope, choked him, then bounced off the opposite ropes, and came back with another Pounce. He pulled Londos off the ropes, covered him, and score the pin. Fans were in outrage but also in shock at seeing Vachon’s pinfall win on Londos! ***¾
10) The main event was for the USWA Southern Heavyweight championship. It was a first-time meeting between two wrestlers who debuted in the USWA in 2015 and who have made a big impact since then. Current and two-time champion “Classy” Freddie Blassie put the title on the line against the popular “Superstar” Bill Dundee. Blassie started off the bout the aggressor. He tossed Dundee out of the ring after just a few minutes. He went after the Aussie but Dundee surprised him with a punch to the midsection. He then slammed Blassie’s head into the ring apron and rolled him back into the ring. Dundee kept control in the ring and went up to the top rope. He came off with the Superstar Bomb and made a cover but Blassie kicked out. The champion came back and surprised Dundee with his finisher—the Southern neckbreaker. He made a cover but Dundee kicked out, which drew a big pop from the crowd. Blassie stomped on Dundee’s stomach and then applied a stomach claw in the center of the ring. Dundee kept his shoulders up and wouldn’t tap. With the fans on his side, Dundee fought out of the claw with some stiff punches. Blassie cut him off as he tried for a comeback and took him out of the ring again. “The King of Men” followed up with a body slam on the arena floor. Blassie climbed back in the ring while Tom Branch put the count on Dundee. The fans’ cheers helped Dundee ally back again. He got up on the apron by eight. Blassie charged at him but Dundee grabbed him by the back of the neck and snapped the champ’s neck on the top rope. Dundee immediately went up to the top rope and came off with a flying body press (which is how he pinned King Kong Bundy at Derby City Stampede). He covered Blassie but the champ kicked out at 2¾. Dundee stayed in control until Blassie nailed him with a chop to the throat. Blassie then choked Dundee in the corner. He released the challenger before the count of five but then proceeded to bite Dundee’s forehead! “The Vampire” drew blood on the “Superstar.” The blood blinded Dundee’s eyes and as he stumbled around, Blassie rolled him up with a schoolboy. The maneuver was effective enough for Blassie to score the three-count after about eight minutes of intense action and to retain the Southern title. The fans blasted Blassie with boos, as he held up the Southern title belt and gloated! ***¾
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