February 7, 2014
Card #385: Sailors & Soldiers Memorial Coliseum in EvansvilleThe Sailors & Soldiers Memorial Coliseum was sold out on this special Friday night USWA card to celebrate the
10th anniversary of the hottest wrestling action in the South! Loyal USWA fans came from all over the USWA territory to see great wrestling action. Perhaps the USWA’s most loyal fan was also in attendance, as the masked man in a suit was in the front row! (Thankfully the USWA offers reasonably-priced tickets, so that this man can continue to see great, live wrestling action!)
1) Hot Stuff, International member Doug Gilbert made a comeback to score a win in the opener over Jim Powers. The New Yorker Powers was aggressive at the start of the bout, hoping to get a big singles win on this historic USWA card. He came off the top rope with a flying body press and scored a near fall. Powers blasted Gilbert with a big clothesline, sending him over the top rope. Gilbert’s face hit the ring apron and he was busted open. “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert ran over to check on his brother. With Eddie’s encouragement, Doug rolled back into the ring by the count of eight. Gilbert battled back and worked over Powers. He went up to the top rope and came off with the shoulder ram, knocking Powers down. He covered Powers and scored the pin. Eddie Gilbert and “Sensational” Sherri Martel were very happy with Doug’s win! ***
2) The popular Tracy Smothers went to 7-0 in the USWA with a very quick and impressive win over Gene Spurlock. Spurlock, along with George South, scored a big win over Paul London and Brian Kendrick, last July in Knoxville. But he wouldn’t do the same tonight as Smothers controlled the action from the opening bell. He used his quick offense to wear Spurlock down and then hit the jawjacker to put Spurlock down for the three-count after about one minute of action. The Evansville fans gave Smothers a huge ovation for his win! DUD
3) Nigel McGuinness defeated S.D. Jones in an exciting match. The three-time former Mid-America Heavyweight champion had control against “Special Delivery” at the start of the match, but Jones capitalized on a mistake by McGuinness and blasted him with the head butt. McGuinness dropped to the mat and Jones went for a cover, but the British punk kicked out at 2. McGuinness battled back and threw Jones into the corner. He charged at him with a lariat, but “Philadelphia’s Favorite Son” dodged the charge and McGuinness hit the corner hard. Jones rolled him with a reverse rolling cradle, but McGuinness kicked out. Jones went to the top rope a few minutes later and dove off with a big head butt to a standing McGuinness. McGuiness went down and Jones went for another cover, but again only got a two-count. McGuinness fought back and worked over Jones’s right arm. He locked on the London Dungeon in the middle of the ring. “Special Delivery” fought hard for the ropes, but ultimately had to tap out. McGuinness looked very serious as he got his hand raised by Paul Neighbors and he looks ready for his rematch for the USWA Mid-America Heavyweight championship next week in Knoxville against Johnny Saint under 10 Rounds of World of Sport Rules and No-Disqualifications or Countouts! ***¼
4) The Mongols continued their winning record against the team of “Cowboy” Bob Orton, Jr. and Olympian Bob Roop. The fan favorites were really gunning to finally get a win over Geeto and Mongol. Orton went for the superplex early on on Geeto, but Bepo knocked Orton off the ropes before he could hit the move. Roop tagged and he and Orton executed a double team suplex on Geeto. Geeto was in trouble, but tagged to Bepo. As Bepo came in, the Mongols double teamed Roop against the ropes and near their corner. The “Cowboy” came in to try and save Roop, but Jerry Calhoun cut him off and made him return to his corner. While Calhoun was distracted by Orton, Bepo grabbed one of the Mongols’ chain and raked it across Roop’s forehead, busting him open. He then held Roop by the arms, allowing Geeto to punch Roop with one of the other chains. Roop dropped and Bepo went for a cover, while Calhoun turned around, but Roop kicked out at 2¾. Geeto tagged in a few minutes later and blasted Roop with a lunging double throat chop. He covered the Olympian, but Roop kicked out. Geeto caught Roop in the Gobi nerve hold. Roop started to drop. Calhoun raised his arm. It dropped twice, but on the third time, it popped back up and Roop fought to his feet. Roop elbowed his way out of the hold and made the hot tag to Orton. Orton ran wild on Geeto, but Bepo nailed him with a knee to the back from the outside. Bepo tagged in and the Mongols hit the Mongolian Drop. Bepo went for a cover, but Roop broke it up. Geeto came in and he and Roop fought to the floor. Geeto took Roop and rammed him head-first into the guard rail. Meanwhile, inside the ring Bepo locked Orton in a bear hug. Orton looked in trouble, but eventually fought free with some elbows to Bepo’s head. Orton looked for a tag, but Roop was down on the floor. Bepo tagged to Geeto, who slammed Orton closer to the Mongols’ corner. Geeto then went up to the top rope and hit the knee drop. He covered the former USWA World champion and scored the pinfall. The fans booed the Mongols’ win as they returned to the locker room. ***
5) The Mid-America Heavyweight champion Johnny Saint scored a pinfall over George South. Saint got a big ovation from the Evansville. About a minute into the match, Saint’s challenger for next week Nigel McGuinness came out to the aisle way to watch the match. Saint hit a crossbody off the second rope for a near fall. He nailed South with some European forearms, which busted South open. Saint went for an elevated surfboard, but South wouldn’t surrender. A few moments later, Saint took South down with a double-arm stretch and caught him in a cradle long enough to pin South’s shoulders down to the mat to get the win. As Frank Morrell raised Saint’s arms, the Mid-America champ stared down the former champ and his challenger. McGuinness indicated that he plans to capture his fourth Mid-America championship next week in Knoxville! *
6) David Taylor and “The Belfast Bruiser” Fit Finlay scored an impressive win over the team of Brian Kendrick and Paul London. The high-flying fan favorites had the early advantage. Kendrick went for a huracanrana, but Finlay managed to position Kendrick toward his own corner and rammed Kendrick’s head into the buckles, with Taylor pulling on Kendrick’s head for added impact. The British team then worked over Kendrick for several minutes. Finlay knocked London off the apron with a forearm smash, then hit a fireman’s carry Hot Shot. He covered Kendrick, but Kendrick kicked out. Finlay followed up with the Tombstone and scored the pin. **½
7) Two long-time rivals did battle, as “The Man with The Cast Iron Stomach” Pepper Gomez defeated First Family of Wrestling member Ray “The Crippler” Stevens by disqualification. Gomez took advantage in the opening minutes and caught Stevens in a sleeperhold. Stevens made the ropes for a break. Gomez got Stevens down on the mat and hit two Mexican Leaps, the second landing right across Stevens’ face and busted him open. Gomez went for the Mexican Cradle, but Stevens kicked out. Gomez executed a second cradle, with Gomez near the ropes. While Jerry Calhoun was looking at Stevens’ shoulders, Jimmy Hart grabbed the megaphone, leaned through his ropes, and then cracked Gomez in the head with the megaphone. Hart quickly scampered so Calhoun did not suspect anything. Stevens recovered and worked over Gomez. He went to the top rope and came off with the Bombs Away to Gomez’ head. He covered Gomez, but Gomez somehow managed to kick out. A few moments later, “The Man with The Cast Iron Stomach” battled to his feet and he and Stevens slugged it out. Stevens nailed Gomez with a stiff right hand and knocked Gomez backward into the ropes. Gomez’ leg got caught between the middle and bottom ropes and he was trapped, draped over the announcers’ table. Stevens stomped away at his opponent’s leg. Calhoun put a five-count on Stevens to allow Gomez the opportunity to get out. “The Crippler” shoved Calhoun to the mat. Calhoun had enough strength to call for the bell and disqualify Stevens. Stevens continued his onslaught after the bell. Suddenly the Masked Superstars ran down and pulled on Gomez’ arms, to prevent him from escaping. Stevens came off the top rope to the apron with stomps to Gomez’ leg. Gomez was in tremendous pain. Red Bastien, “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka, and “The Boogie Woogie Man” “Handsome” Jimmy Valiant raced down to the ringside area to chase off Stevens, the Superstars, and Hart. Lance Russell and Dave Brown moved the announcers’ table out of the way, as a stretcher was brought around the ring. Gomez was loaded on to a stretcher and held his leg, seeming to be in tremendous pain. ***¼
8) Claudio Castagnoli scored a big win, defeating two-time former USWA World and former Mid-America Heavyweight champion “American Dragon” Bryan Danielson. Danielson had the early advantage. He went for the LeBell Lock a few minutes in, but the Swiss powerhouse pulled himself to the ropes for a break. Castagnoli took. He went up to the second rope and came off with a diving European uppercut. Danielson sidestepped the strike and blasted Castagnoli in the face with a kick, which busted Castagnoli open. Danielson went for the Lebell Lock again. He had the move on for nearly a minute, but Castagnoli got to the ropes again. Danielson went to the top rope and came off with a missile dropkick, but Castagnoli dodged the attack and Danielson landed hard. Castagnoli nailed Danielson with a roaring European uppercut, as “Dragon” got to his feet. Castagnoli went for a cover, but Danielson kicked out. Castagnoli picked Danielson up and hit the Ricola Bomb to score the big pinfall. The Swiss powerhouse was very excited about his win! **½
9) The Masked Superstars defeated “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka and “The Boogie Woogie Man” “Handsome” Jimmy Valiant by disqualification. The two-time former USWA World Tag Team champions were fighting on behalf of Pepper Gomez, who was injured earlier on by the Superstars and Ray “The Crippler” Stevens. Superstar I worked over the Fijian warrior, but Snuka reversed a whip into the ropes and surprised him with a power slam for a near fall. Valiant tagged in and surprised Superstar I with the sleeper. Superstar I started to drop, but made the ropes for the break. Snuka tagged back in, but Superstar I recovered and trapped the “Superfly” in the Superstars’ corner. Superstar II and lifted Snuka up in the backbreaker. Suddenly, Red Bastien ran down to ringside. He jumped up on the ring apron. The giant Superstar II dropped Snuka to the mat and went after Bastien. The flying redhead dodged the attack and went to Snuka and Valiant’s corner. The momentary distraction allowed Snuka to recover and dazed Superstar II. “Boogie Woogie” tagged back and dazzled Superstar II with punches and elbows. Valiant bounced off the ropes and hit a crossbody block, which managed to take the big man down. Valiant went for a cover, but Superstar II powered out. The giant masked man rolled out of the ring, but Valiant went after him. Superstar II grabbed Valiant in a bear hug and then rammed him back-first into the ring post. He threw Valiant back in the ring and hit a falling elbow drop. He covered Valiant, but “Handsome” Jimmy managed to kick out. Superstar I tagged back in and worked over Valiant. Valiant managed to tag Snuka. Superstar I cut Snuka off and tossed the “Superfly” out of the ring. Superstar I followed Snuka and pounded him outside the ring. Superstar I saw Bastien in the fan favorites’ corner and shoved the flying redhead down. Bastien got to his feet and pounded Superstar I with fists, enraged by the shove and by the First Family’s early attack on his partner Gomez. Unfortunately for Snuka and Valiant, Frank Morrell called for the bell and disqualified the fan favorites for Red’s attack. Bastien continued his attack after the bell, before Superstar II and Jimmy Hart managed to free Superstar I and retreat to the locker room! ***¼
After the pre-main event intermission, a special presentation took place. Commissioner Bob Armstrong and USWA Committee Chairman Jerry Jarrett presented some awards to several wrestlers. First all of, former USWA World Tag Team champions
the Killer Bees—former Texas champion
B. Brian Blair and
“Jumping” Jim Brunzell were honored. Jarrett announced that the Bees have competed in the most tag team match in the USWA since its inception in 2004—142! Jarrett stated that the second closest team was two-time former USWA Tag Team champions the Road Warriors—Hawk and Animal. The Legion of Doom had
85 tag team matches, way behind the Bees’ accomplishment! Blair and Brunzell thanked the USWA fans for their support over the years. They have been competing in Championship Wrestling from Florida since leaving the USWA last year, but said perhaps they will return to USWA rings in the future.
The next awards were to award three singles wrestlers who were a part of the USWA at the beginning and were all very close for the most number of singles matches competed in in USWA history. For to be honored was
“Superfly” Jimmy Snuka. Snuka was still in his wrestling gear from his tag team match with Jimmy Valiant against the Masked Superstars a short time before. Jarrett stated that Snuka is a three-time former USWA World Tag Team champion with two different partners, as well as a former USWA Southern Heavyweight champion. Also, other than a tenure with the Heenan Family in 2011-’12, he has been one of the most popular wrestlers in USWA history. Jarrett said that Snuka’s award was for competing in
134 singles matches, as of the last card, when he faced rival “Nature Boy” Buddy Rogers in Chattanooga. As Jarrett handed Snuka a plaque, Commissioner Armstrong announced that Snuka will receive another shot at the USWA Southern Heavyweight championship, when he faces current and two-time champ Steve “Dr. Death” Williams for the title in the main event on February 24 at the National Guard Armory, when the USWA debuts in Ashland, KY! Armstrong stated that Snuka challenged then-champion Ted DiBiase in November in Springfield, TN, but the “Superfly” wasn’t 100%, due to being attacked earlier in the card by Rogers. Snuka was surprised by this. He spoke briefly, thanking the fans for their support and said he would fly high on the 24th and capture his second Southern title!
The next honoree was
Frank Gotch. Jarrett stated that even though Gotch left the USWA at the end of 2009, in his five full years in the USWA, he competed in
135 singles bouts. He also is one of four men to have held the USWA World Heavyweight, World Tag Team, and Southern Heavyweight championships. He also held the Southern title twice and is tied for second place for most defenses of the Southern title. He also was the first wrestler in USWA to hold two titles simultaneously, when he held the Southern Heavyweight and World Tag Team titles (with Dick Hutton) at the same time in early 2007. Gotch accepted his plaque. He stated that while he didn’t always have the USWA fans’ support, he always used his pure wrestling skills to defeat many opponents. He has been competing in Central States Wrestling the last few years, in addition to tours around the world, but perhaps should return to the USWA down the line, and prove his pure wrestling skills are the best. The always-confident Gotch received a mixed reaction from the Evansville fans.
The last honoree was
Nick Bockwinkel. Jarrett stated that Bockwinkel has largely been in the USWA its entire time, other than a nine-month hiatus in 2008, due to several concussions. Bockwinkel has wrestled in
the most singles matches, with 139 as of 2013. Bockwinkel also holds other USWA records, as he has held the most USWA World Heavyweight title reigns, with four, and has the top two records for most number of defenses, with 16 during his first reign and then 15 in his second. He also is a two-time former World Tag Team champion and his first reign with that belt with Ray “The Crippler” Stevens set the record for most defenses of that championship with 10. The always finely-dressed Bockwinkel received cheers from the crowd. He stated that that reaction surprised him, as he was often booed by USWA cards, but their cheers are deserved for a man of his skills and accomplishments. Bockwinkel acknowledged the fans and thanked them for respecting him. He said that while this may seem to be an honor for someone whose wrestling career is over, his career is far from over. He said that the man with whom he set the record for most Tag Team title defenses is a man who betrayed him. He said that Stevens not only betrayed him, but dishonored the Heenan Family legacy to join Jimmy Hart’s First Family of Wrestling. He said that now Stevens, Hart, and the entire First Family are his main targets. He will do whatever he has to take them out of the USWA. He called Stevens out and faced the Coliseum entrance, but “The Crippler” did not come out. “Nature Boy” Buddy Rogers and “The Mouth of The South” Jimmy Hart did come to the ring, for the main event. Hart stated that Stevens didn't need to make these fans or Bockwinkel happy by coming out to the ring, but that "The Crippler" would be happy to face Bockwinkel in the future and prove that he (Stevens) now has the better manager! Rogers stated that Bockwinkel had made his comments, but it was time to get out of the ring for a true wrestling great—him! Rogers then smacked Bockwinkel in the face! Bockwinkel took his suit coat off and looked ready to fight! Jarrett, Armstrong, and other USWA officials separated the two, so that nothing would ruin the scheduled main event. Bockwinkel returned to the locker room, but had the Evansville fans rooting for him!
10) The USWA World Heavyweight championship was on the line. Current and two-time champion Lou Thesz, accompanied by six-time former champ and his manager Ed “Strangler” Lewis, defended against former champ Buddy Rogers, accompanied by Jimmy Hart. Once Bockwinkel left the ringside area, things settled down so that Gary Michael Cappetta could introduce both main event wrestlers from their respective corners. While Thesz’s matches usually start off with great mat wrestling, the action was more physical and aggressive in this one, due to the history between Thesz and Rogers from their USWA bouts in 2013. Rogers rolled out of ring for a breather, after Thesz got the upper hand inside the ring. Thesz told him to get back in. The “Nature Boy” reached from outside the ring, pulled Thesz down, and smashed his leg into the ring apron several times. He then returned to the ring, worked over the leg, and then clamped on the figure-four grapevine. Thesz was in the hold for nearly a minute, but managed to finally grab the ropes for a break. The champ battled back, bounced off the ropes, and hit the Thesz Press on Rogers. Thesz hurt his injured leg when Rogers fell and couldn’t make a cover. Thesz maintained control and got Rogers up for an airplane spin. He spun Rogers around about 10 times, but then his leg buckled and both wrestlers dropped to the mat. Both grapplers got to their feet. Thesz nailed Rogers with a forearm and sent him into the corner. Thesz charged Rogers, but the “Nature Boy” sidestepped him and sent Thesz into the buckles, right on to his injured leg. Rogers then pulled Thesz into the middle of the ring and clamped on the figure-four again. Thesz was in a lot of pain and fought hard, but ultimately tapped out. The Evansville fans were in shock, as Calhoun called for the bell and
awarded Rogers his second USWA World Heavyweight championship! Hart was ecstatic as the “Strangler” checked on Thesz and helped him to the back. Ray Stevens, “Ravishing” Rick Rude, and the Masked Superstars came out to hold up Rogers and celebrate with their fellow First Family of Wrestling member! (With his win, Rogers becomes the sixth wrestler, after “Playboy” Buddy Rose, Antonio Inoki, Rikidozan, “American Dragon” Bryan Danielson, and Thesz, to have held the World title twice. He also became the third wrestler, after Bruiser Brody and Bockwinkel, to have scored a decisive win over Thesz inside a USWA ring!) ***¼