cruefan68 thanks for the feedback. The run of the Bees has been a nice twist to this season. Crusher and Brazil really lived up to the hype for me and was a blast to play out. I am really expecting big things from Rikidozan v. Brody.
aceldamas Valiant v. Turk was a fun match. I am thinking there will be a rubber match down the road I am just not sure I will be able to fit it into this season or not. The Bees have been on fire thanks in part to MASKED CONFUSION. Corino v. Brazil could be a classic.
FCC 16 – Showdown –Boutwell Auditorium, Birmingham, Alabama
Tag Team Tournament – Round One
Killer Bees (B. Brian Blair & Jim Brunzell) v. Cousin Luke & Yukon Eric
Both teams are out to a solid ovation from the fans and exchange handshakes before the bell. The Bees have surprized many with their impressive run this season capturing the last two tag team tournament wins but they struggled early tonight with their opponents power. Neither Brunzell or Blair could sustain any offensive attack. Brunzell got into serious trouble but Blair saved him from a HILLBILLY DROP. Luke hits a second HILLBILLY DROP and this time Eric cut off Blair but Brunzell was able to get a shoulder up. Eric then followed with a KODIAK CRUNCH but Brunzell managed to hang on. Eric then crushed Brunzell with a bodyblock into the corner and hooked the leg for the win. **
Midnight Express (Stan Lane & Bobby Eaton) w/Jim Cornette v. Road Warriors (Hawk & Animal) w/Paul Ellering
Despite their wars in the past, this was the first meeting between these two teams in the FCC. Hawk absolute destroyed both Lane and Eaton early on in and out of the ring including a press slam at ringside that sent Lane tumbling into the ring. Animal picked up a near fall with a POWERSLAM on Lane and the match began to settle down at that point as the Express got into the match. Hawk found himself in some trouble mid way through the contest but managed to kick out after a VEG-O-MATIC. Animal showed some surprising skill when he rebounded off the ropes and caught Eaton in a small package for a near fall. The move did turn the momentum in favour of the Warriors who crushed Eaton with a DOOMSDAY DEVICE. Hawk blocked Lane and Cornette could not cause a distraction while Animal covered Eaton for the three count. ***
Singles Tournament – Round One
Larry Zbyszko v. Jimmy Valiant
The fans are solidly behind the Boogie Woogie Man as he makes his way to the ring. However, the fans support could do little to save Valiant tonight as the Living Legend simply destroyed Valiant from bell to bell allowing Valiant no offense at all. Valiant ate the ring rails late in the match and was busted open. Despite the protests from ringside, the referee allowed the action to continue and Zbyzsko advanced to the finals with a PILEDRIVER. *
The Crusher v. Johnny Valentine
Tough. One simple word that describes both of these men. This one was a war from start to finish. Valentine starts out strong and quickly bloodies the Crusher on the floor. In the ring Valentine attacks with three consecutive ATOMIC SKULLCRUSHERS but Crusher manages to kick out after each one. The fans are unglued as Crusher makes his comeback and bloodies Valentine. Crusher picks up a series of near falls and nearly ends the match with via submission with a bear hug that squeezes the blood from Valentine’s face. Valentine and Crusher go back and forth. Valentine is able to counter a clothesline with one of his own and both men crash to the mat in a heap. Valentine is up first and carries the momentum for the balance of the match getting the win with another ATOMIC SKULLCRUSHER. *****
Non Tournament Matches
Bob Orton Sr. & Iron Mike DiBiase v. Flying Redheads (Billy “Red” Lyons & Red Bastien)
This was a rematch from the Anniversary Three show where the Redheads came away with the victory by disqualification. This was a classic battle of the high flyer against a ground and pound assault. Orton and DiBiase really dominated the early action first cutting off Lyons and later Bastien. Lyons has his moments of offense including a FIGURE FOUR LEGLOCK on Orton that had the fans roaring. Late in the match, the Redheads had Orton and DiBiase backing up. Orton became tangled in the ropes and Lyons went after him with a series of forearms. The referee stepped in and Lyons shoved the official to the mat so he could carry on his attack. The official disqualified Lyons but the action continued after the bell with both teams brawling to the back. The match was perhaps a bit too long but it is clear the issues between these two teams are not over. ***
Bruiser Brody v. Rikidozan
Brody hit the ring like a tornado and never stopped coming after Rikidozan from bell to bell. The attack was relentless both in and out the ring. A one handed body slam gave Brody a two count and Rikidozan could barely kick out after a running leg drop. Rikidozan finally found some offense at ringside of all places running Brody into the ring post busting him open. The sight of his own bloody just fired up Brody even more. Rikidozan became tangled in the ropes and Brody showed no mercy. The referee stepped in but Brody stepped on the official with a big boot and earned himself a disqualification. Brody continued the beat down until officials could arrive to break things up. * ½
George Hackenschmidt is lead to the ring to appear on the Hot Seat with Bill Apter by Nikita Breznikov who tells us Hackenschmidt is now part of his Foreign Legion. Hackenschmidt will no longer be held down in the FCC and all those who stand in their way will suffer just like Frank Gotch. At the mention of his name Gotch comes out to the ring to confront Hackenschmidt but it’s a trap as Iron Sheik & Nikolai Volkoff jump Gotch and it is three on one beat down. Suddenly Hacksaw Jim Duggan arrives this his 2 x 4 in hand and breaks up the attack. But the damage has been done and Gotch needs to be assisted to the back.
Tag Team Tournament – Finals
Cousin Luke & Yukon Eric v. Road Warriors (Hawk & Animal) w/Paul Ellering
The Warriors hit the ring and attack before the bell. Luke goes into the ring post and Hawk then punishes him with a gut wrench suplex for a two count. Luke returns the favour against Animal and he is busted open. The fans are roaring as Eric tags in but Animal runs him into the ring post as well so three out of the four participants are dripping crimson. Hawk tags in and downs a dazed Eric with a gut wrench suplex. The Warriors then hit the DOOMSDAY DEVICE and win the short but violent contest. * ½
Singles Tournament – Finals
Larry Zbyszko v. Johnny Valentine
The fans hate the Living Legend so much they back Valentine as the action gets underway. Valentine’s head was patched up from his war with The Crusher earlier in the night and Zbyszsko was clearly the fresher of the two competitors. Valentine just could not seem to string together any offense and had to settle for the occasional blow that kept Zbyszko honest. For his part, Zbyszko wrestled a smart match picking a near fall off an impressive deathjump cross body and another after a spinning back kick. Zbyszko turned up the heat with a chair to the midsection at ringside that lead to a near count out. Back in the ring, Zbyszko whipped Valentine in to the corner but Valentine avoided the charge and Zbyszko hit the corner hard leading to a roll up and a three count. Valentine pulls out the win and will be the next challenger for the FCC title! * ½
FCC Title Match – Bobo Brazil (ch) v. Steve Corino
Brazil takes several minutes to greet his fans on the way to the ring. Brazil unleashes a relentless attack from the opening bell featuring a COCO BUTT for a near fall in the opening minute. Brazil just keeps on coming with forearms, headscissors and slams. Back to back powerbombs (ch) just about kill Corino who then stumbles directly into a COCO BUTT. The three count is academic and Brazil retains. Dud.