World Wrestling Legends

[bookerbill]

I have decided to abandon my FCC fed. I found following the UFC limited schedule was restricting where I wanted to go with the action. Instead I am going to start a new Legends Fed to kick off the new year. This is World Wrestling Legends and will be one side of my legends coin. The flip side will be National Wrestling Legends which will make its debut likely sometime next week. Hope everyone will continue to read along when they have the opportunity. All the best to my fellow promoters in 2015. Keep the dice rolling.

Card 01 – WWL @ Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA – January 1st, year one

WWL Title Tournament
Nick Bockwinkel w/Bobby Heenan v. Killer Kowalski w/Captain Lou Albano
The fans do not care for either one of these competitors but they enjoy driving Heenan crazy with a solid weasel chant. The action is choppy out of the gate with both struggling to get anything started. The match goes to the floor and Kowalski runs Bockwinkel into the ring rails by the fans and earns a disqualification. Kowalski and Albano are not pleased but Bockwinkel is onto the next round. dud

Jimmy Snuka v. Frank Gotch
Huge ovation for both men as they come to the ring although the cheers for the Superfly seem slightly louder. This one go a huge chunk of time. The bout started out slowly and the exchange of holds and counters favoured Gotch and his superior mat skills. Gotch was unable to get Snuka into the GOTCH TOE HOLD however and Snuka was able to battle back. The piledriver was an effective weapon and lead to two separate near falls for the Superfly. Snuka thrilled the fans with his high flying offense and punishing backbreakers and leap frogs. Snuka dove onto Gotch at ringside leading to a near count out and a standing ovation from the fans. The momentum stayed with the Superfly for the balance of the action and he advanced to the next round with a SUPERFLY LEAP (5). ****

Buddy Rogers v. Johnny Valentine
The fans have no real love for either one of these competitors and Valentine clearly had no love for the Nature Boy. The action went back and forth early on before Rogers took control picking a near fall after a piledriver and dropkick. At ringside, Rogers drew huge heat when he took a chair to Valentine’s leg. The referee let the action continue. Valentine was able to counter a deathjump tossing Rogers to the mat. Valentine laid in the forearms and battered Rogers from corner to corner. Twice Rogers kicked out after an ATOMIC SKULLCRUSHER but Rogers was able to avoid a deathjump smash sending Valentine to the mat in a heap. Valentine avoided being pinned but could not regain any momentum with the Nature Boy going over with a FIGURE FOUR GRAPEVINE. *****

Bobo Brazil v. Giant Baba
A brief Puroresu ceremony took place prior to the match which the fans were respectful for. The action was hard hitting from the opening bell. Brazil struggled with a way to counter Baba’s size advantage but managed to kick out after both a boot to the face and a NECKBREAKER DROP. Things turned around for Brazil on the floor where Brazil reverses an Irish whip and sent Baba into the ring post. The referee let the infraction go and Brazil made his comeback picking up near fall himself after a big hammer punch. Baba was able to regain control with a Russian Legsweep for a near fall and then took the bout to the floor. At ringside, Baba rammed Brazil into the ring rails and the referee decided to make the disqualification and Brazil was onto the next round. **

Nick Bockwinkel w/Bobby Heenan v. Jimmy Snuka
The fans were solidly behind the Superfly as he made his way to ringside for the match. Heenan is driving nuts by the fan’s weasel chant. The action is chaotic and the referee goes down midway through the match. A new official arrives eight moves later but not before Bockwinkel bloodies Snuka at ringside. The fans are frantic when Snuka is able to catch Bockwinkel on the top of the corner and tosses him to the mat. Twice Snuka nearly gets the pin but Bockwinkel is able to kick out each time at the last second. Snuka mounts the corner but a brief glance to Heenan at ringside is sufficient delay to allow Bockwinkel to catch Snuka on the top of the corner and knock him to the mat. With Heenan screaming at ringside, Snuka is placed in a FIGURE FOUR LEGLOCK and Bockwinkel advances to the finals. **

Buddy Rogers v. Bobo Brazil
For the second straight round, Rogers faced off with a classic foe. The heat for Rogers was off the charts but the Nature Boy was focused from the opening bell and quickly gained the upper hand with is agility. Brazil attempts to counter a clothesline with one of his own but Rogers was able to recover first and trap Brazil in a FIGURE FOUR GRAPEVINE. Brazil powered to the ropes but the Nature Boy dragged him to the middle of the ring and applied a second FIGURE FOUR GRAPEVINE to gain a spot in the finals. *

Red Bastien, The Destroyer & Dick Hutton v. Harley Race, The Sandman & Gorgeous George w/Cherie Dupré.
An interesting mix of characters were involved in this six man tag team special attraction. Race, Sandman and George worked well together getting some solid heat on Bastien before the faces were able to cut off Sandman for their own stretch of offense. Destroyer was particularly strong for his side including a pair of single leg Boston Crabs that really took something out of Sandman. The momentum switched again as Race lead his team back keeping Hutton away from his teammates for some time. Neither Race, George or Sandman were able to get their finisher in and eventually Hutton turned things around against Sandman. Destroyer hot tagged in and quickly put an end to the action with a bombs away knee drop for the three count. After the match, George and Race walk out and leave a clearly ticked off Sandman in the ring. ***

Nick Bockwinkel v. Buddy Rogers
Arguably the two most hated men on the roster had worked their way to the tournament finals and one of them would walk away the first WWL champion. Heenan is greated with another Weasel chant and the fans appear to actually back the Nature Boy but it is Bockwinkel who comes out strong in the opening minutes quickly moving to a FIGURE FOUR LEGLOCK in an effort to finish the match early. An abdominal stretch punishes Rogers and then the action goes to the floor where both men mix it up. Bockwinkel comes out on top and then mounts the turnbuckle for a deathjump but Rogers rolls clear and Bockwinkel crashes to the mat. Rogers covers for two. Bockwinkel has tweaked his knee and Rogers goes for the kill with a FIGURE FOUR GRAPEVINE. Bockwinkel quickly submits before even Heenan can go anything from the floor. Buddy Rogers is the first WWL champion!

[bookerbill]

Card 02 – WWL @ Witschi’s Sports Arena, North Attelboro, MA – January 8th, year one

The Sandman v. Ox Baker
The fans were treated to some serious brawling in this one. Sandman dominated the match and the fans loved every minute of it. Baker was able to turn things around on the floor running Sandman into the ring post busting him open. A bloody Sandman almost fell to a cross body block off the top (which looked gross but still got a two count) before mounting a comeback after a brawl on the floor. Sandman broke out the SINGAPORE CANE for a near fall. The action went back and forth until a second SINGAPORE CANE shot gave Sandman the win. **

Killer Kowalski w/Captain Lou Albano v. Dick Hutton
Albano has made it no secret he fells Kowalski was wrong done by the officials last week and Kowalski was looking to get back into the title hunt tonight with win over Hutton. There was plenty of brawling in this one and a referee bump mid-way through the match that saw the official down and out for seven. Kowalski pressed the advantage for a couple of near falls when the official recovered. The action ended up back on the floor with both men trading blows. The referee could not regain control and disqualified both men as the battle continued at ringside and back to the dressing room. **

Valiant Brothers (Jimmy Valiant & Johnny Valiant) w/Captain Lou Albano v. Destroyer & Giant Baba
Several teams were booked on tonight’s card as a warm up for the Tag Team Title tournament coming up next card. If this match was any indication of what the fans could expect at the upcoming title tournament than the next could should be a guaranteed sell out. An absolute classic between these two team. Albano has the Valiant Brothers fired up and they get serious heat on Baba for the first half of the bout with double teaming and brawling. Baba is a bloody mess by the time Destroyer gets the tag into the action. Johnny Valiant draws even more heat with a series of kicks to the groin that has the fans calling for the referee’s head. Destroyer runs Johnny Valiant into the ring rails and busts him open. Destroyer nearly ends it with a bombs away kneedrop but Johnny Valiant kicks out. Jimmy Valiant is able to get control of the action late in the match against Baba and but it is Johnny Valiant who gets the three count after a spinning neckbreaker (ch) on Baba. ****

Jimmy Snuka & Bobo Brazil v. Johnny Valentine & Greg Valentine
There was plenty of animosity between these two teams so the fans were expecting more intense action from this match. Brazil and Snuka are out to a huge ovation. The action goes back and forth early on with both team making frequent tags. Greg Valentine turns things around against Brazil and tags in his father. Johnny Valentine lands back to back ATOMIC SKULLCRUSHERS but cannot get the pin. The action goes to the floor and Brazil runs Valentine into the ring rails and is disqualified. It is mayhem after the bell and the Valentines get the upper hand. Snuka gets run into the ring post and left in a bloody heap on the floor allowing the Valentines to double team Brazil in the ring including a FIGURE FOUR LEGLOCK with repeated elbow smashes. Security arrives to break things up. Brazil needs assistance leaving the ring (four card injury). **

Frank Gotch v. Playboy Buddy Rose
Rose gets on the mic before the match and demands to be announced at 217 pounds drawing a great reaction from ringside. Gotch immediately attempts to take the action to the mat but Rose’s size makes it somewhat difficult for the peerless one. However, as soon as Rose goes down Gotch is all over him and immediately goes for the GOTCH TOE HOLD. Rose makes the ropes to stay alive but Gotch drags Rose to the middle of the ring and applies the hold again for the win. Really no challenge for Gotch tonight. Dud.

Red Bastien v. Nick Bockwinkel w/Bobby Heenan
Bastien has the fans behind him tonight while Heenan is greeted with an epic weasel chant. Bockwinkel struggles early on as Bastien is able to backdrop him to the floor in a crazy looking spot. Bockwinkel comes back and nearly ends it with a BOCKWINKEL SLEEPER but Bastien makes the ropes. From this point on, Bockwinkel controls most of the action aside from the occasional offensive flurry from Bastien. Bockwinkel continues to pick up near falls until he is finally able to trap Bastien in a FIGURE FOUR LEGLOCK for the win. **

Harley Race v. Ted DiBiase w/Virgil
These two were no strangers to one another having battled for years in the St. Louis territory. DiBiase offered a load of cash to Race to walk away and Race responded by slapping the cash out of DiBiase’s hand and the match was on. DiBiase is able to get the early advantage but a pair of MILLION DOLLAR SLEEPERS does not finish Race who battles back with a swinging neckbreaker for his own near fall. Race batters DiBiase with suplexes and headbutts forcing his opponent to the floor. Outside, Virgil gets involved in the action and the official quickly calls for the disqualification. DiBiase quickly retreats to the back leaving Virgil to deal with Race. Race plants Virgil in the middle of the ring with a PILEDRIVER much to the pleasure of the fans. *

Foreign Legion (Iron Sheik & Nikolai Volkoff) w/Nikita Breznikov v. Road Warriors (Hawk & Animal) w/Paul Ellering
This one was a war from start to finish. The Warriors brutalized Volkoff early on battering the big Russian in and out of the ring with power moves. Sheik saves his partner from defeat after a DOOMSDAY DEVICE. Sheik then takes over the action battling both Warriors while Volkoff gets a much needed break on the apron. Hawk goes into the ring post shoulder first and Sheik targets the shoulder and neck of the Road Warrior from that point on picking up a couple of near falls along the way. Sheik loads the boot and busts Hawk open. Although dominating the action, Sheik cannot get a pin or submission and the Warriors eventually come back. Sheik goes into the ringpost himself and is busted open. Both teams make frequent tags as the match continues on. The Warriors take out Volkoff with a second DOOMSDAY DEVICE. Hawk covers while Animal ties up Sheik. Breznikov pulls the referee out of the ring! The fans are livid. Ellering decks Breznikov on the floor as the referee calls for the bell disqualifying the Foreign Legion. Ellering tosses Breznikov into the ring and the Warriors take him out with a DOOMSDAY DEVICE to close out the night. **** ½

[bookerbill]

Opening The Book: Sometimes the dice just land right

Thought I would add some commentary about my booking decisions and initial reaction to outcomes every once and a while.

I went into this event with two goals. First I wanted to set up the upcoming tag team title tournament by featuring the top teams who would be competing for the titles. Second, I was hoping to set up one or more programs to carry the next few cards. I was extremely psyched to have not only one program coming out of tonight but two. First there is the war that is brewing between the Foreign Legion and the Road Warriors. No doubt that Nikita Breznikov will be looking for revenge against Hawk & Animal for the beating he took tonight and perhaps the next chapter between these two teams will take place at the Tag Team Title Tournament. Second, Greg and Johnny Valentine injured Bobo Brazil after a tag team battle against the popular Brazil and Jimmy Snuka. A feud involving these four men could really have some legs in both tag team and singles action. Loads of possible match ups with a high potential for violence. Add to this the conflict between Million Dollar Man and Harley Race (expect DiBiase to get some “King” sized help in this battle shortly) and things could really heat up over the next few cards. I was particularly happy with the Valiant Brothers winning tonight. With the win they have went for an afterthought to a potential title threat. In addition, with the tandem of Giant Baba & The Destroyer falling a notch it will allow them to focus on singles action as top contenders for Buddy Rogers. Who does not want to see the Japanese Champion Baba challenge the WWL Champion Rogers. Thanks for following along.

[Crimson Cross]

Jan 10, 2015 11:29:31 GMT -5 bookerbill said:

Opening The Book: Sometimes the dice just land right

Thought I would add some commentary about my booking decisions and initial reaction to outcomes every once and a while.

I went into this event with two goals. First I wanted to set up the upcoming tag team title tournament by featuring the top teams who would be competing for the titles. Second, I was hoping to set up one or more programs to carry the next few cards. I was extremely psyched to have not only one program coming out of tonight but two. First there is the war that is brewing between the Foreign Legion and the Road Warriors. No doubt that Nikita Breznikov will be looking for revenge against Hawk & Animal for the beating he took tonight and perhaps the next chapter between these two teams will take place at the Tag Team Title Tournament. Second, Greg and Johnny Valentine injured Bobo Brazil after a tag team battle against the popular Brazil and Jimmy Snuka. A feud involving these four men could really have some legs in both tag team and singles action. Loads of possible match ups with a high potential for violence. Add to this the conflict between Million Dollar Man and Harley Race (expect DiBiase to get some “King” sized help in this battle shortly) and things could really heat up over the next few cards. I was particularly happy with the Valiant Brothers winning tonight. With the win they have went for an afterthought to a potential title threat. In addition, with the tandem of Giant Baba & The Destroyer falling a notch it will allow them to focus on singles action as top contenders for Buddy Rogers. Who does not want to see the Japanese Champion Baba challenge the WWL Champion Rogers. Thanks for following along.

This is a good concept and I look forward to more of it, plus your top notch results...

[ajcostello]

I like the "Opening The Book" idea and where you're going with things.

[aceldamas]

I like seeing the wrestlers from the intro box having the spotlight to themselves. Probably still my favorite set.

I always enjoy any insights into how people book as well.

[bookerbill]

Thanks everyone for the comments.

Card 03 – WWL @ Civic Arena, Pittsburgh, PA – January 15th, year one

WWL Tag Team Title Tournament – Round One
The Million Dollar Man Ted DiBiase comes to the ring with his partner for the tournament Virgil who is wearing a neck brace. DiBiase presents documents to the ring announcer who then advises the fans that due to the injuries sustained at the hands of Harley Race last week, Virgil cannot compete in tonight’s tournament. The fans are all over DiBiase who then takes the mic and tells the fans not to worry because just like everyone one of them, everyone has a price for the Million Dollar Man and that he has bought the biggest and most powerful partner in the WWL. King Kong Bundy is then introduced to great heat. DiBiase then tells the fans it does not matter who they face because no one will stop the Million Dollar Corporation from taking over the WWL.

Drum Beats….I am Iron Man… and the fans explode as Paul Ellering leads Hawk & Animal to the ring.

Road Warriors (Hawk & Animal) w/Paul Ellering v. King Kong Bundy & Ted DiBiase w/Virgil
This one was nuts and featured plenty of brawling in and out of the ring. The Warriors looked very impressive early on but Bundy and DiBiase weathered the early attack and made a solid comeback picking up near falls on both Warriors. Hawk and Animal were able to brawl their way back into control particularly when the action went to the floor. DiBiase takes a pair of spike piledrivers but manages to get the tag to Bundy but the momentum remains with the Warriors. Bundy takes the DOOMSDAY DEVICE but manages to kick out at 2 ½. Animal then follows with a POWERSLAM that shakes the entire arena and the Warriors move onto the next round. ***

Giant Baba & The Destroyer v. Foreign Legion (Iron Sheik & Nikolai Volkoff) w/Nikita Breznikov
Volkoff draws insane heat by demanding to sing the Russian national anthem prior to the match. The action is back and forth in this one early on with both teams making quick tags to get particular match ups. Baba and Volkoff trade power moves and before Destroyer and Sheik put on a holds clinic for few minutes. Volkoff gets trapped in the ring too long and is nearly pinned twice before getting out of the action. Destroyer works over Sheik with a single leg Boston Crab and then Baba is in with series of chops and pair of boots to the face. Sheik is reeling and Destroyer traps him in a FIGURE FOUR LEGLOCK. Baba blocks Volkoff and Breznikov cannot cause a distraction. Sheik gives up sending Baba and Destroyer into the semi-finals. * ½

Valiant Brothers (Jimmy Valiant & Johnny Valiant (LE) w/Captain Lou Albano v. Red Bastien & Dick Hutton
Jimmy & Johnny Valiant made some waves last week with their impressive victory and were looking for more success against the impromptu pairing of Hutton & Bastien. Hutton looks like a superstar in the early moments of this one nearly ending the match quickly with a Cowboy backbreaker on Johnny Valiant who would take a beating in this one. Hutton was able to dominate the action when he was inside the ring where as Bastien struggled against the Valiant Brothers. Two times Jimmy Valiant was able to save his partner. The first time started a wild brawl and the second time broke up an ABDOMNIAL STRETCH. The Valiant Brothers did have their moments however including Jimmy Valiant busting open Bastien with a foreign object. Hutton had Johnny Valiant beaten with another ABDOMINAL STRETCH but Albano was able to cause a distraction keeping his team alive. This was key as the Valiant Brothers soon mounted a comeback including Jimmy Valiant running Hutton’s head into the post busting him open. With Hutton dazed, Bastien took over and the results were not good. A double clotheslines took a lot out of Bastien and Johnny Valiant nailed him with back to back SPINNING NECKBREAKERS to complete the comeback win. ****

Bobo Brazil (inj) & Jimmy Snuka v. Greg Valentine & Johnny Valentine
Brazil and Snuka are out to a crazy ovation but Brazil has his leg heavily taped. What a war this one was. Brazil was fired up early and battled both Valentines with great success. Superfly kept the momentum going and then gave way to Brazil against Greg Valentine. The action went to the floor and Valentine was able to turn things around. Johnny Valentine stepped in and back to back to back ATOMIC SKULLCRUSHERS punished Brazil who refused to stay down. Valentine then nailed a deathjump clothesline and followed it with a fourth ATOMIC SKULLCRUSHER for the win (Cat’s eyes). The Valentines attack their opponents after the bell yet again. The Hammer runs Snuka into the ring post leaving him in a bloody heap on the floor which allows both Valentines to focus their attack on Brazil who once again falls victim to a FIGURE FOUR LEGLOCK assisted with a series of stomps and elbows from Johnny Valentine. Snuka finally recovers and clears the ring with a chair. Brazil needs medical assistance to leave the ring (four card injury) ***

Semi Finals

Road Warriors (Hawk & Animal) w/Paul Ellering v. Giant Baba & The Destroyer
Everyone participates in the Puroresu ceremony prior to the bell. A real solid match between these two teams. Baba and the Warriors provide the power while Destroyer’s mat skills are also on display. The momentum is in flux early on with both sides making frequent tags. The Warriors are able to gain the advantage on Baba leading to a DOOMSDAY DEVICE but Destroyer makes the pin save to keep the action going. Destroyer and Baba are able to come back against Animal and pick up a near fall after Baba’s boot to face. Hawk gets the tag in and a series of clothesline rock the Japanese giant before a gut wrench suplex puts Baba to the mat and stuns the fans. Baba kicks out of the cover and Hawk executes a second gut wrench suplex to send the Warriors to the finals. ** ½

Greg Valentine & Johnny Valentine v. Valiant Brothers (Jimmy Valiant & Johnny Valiant (LE) w/Captain Lou Albano
This one was over before quickly much to the surprise of the fans. Johnny Valentine went for the win immediately with a big chop to the chest on Johnny Valiant and then followed with an ATOMIC SKULLCRUSHER. The action went to the floor and Valiant ran Valentine into the ring post. Jimmy Valiant tagged in and nailed a bloody Valentine with a SUPER ELBOW but could only get a two count. Valiant then hit a second SUPER ELBOW to complete the comeback win. * ½

WWL Title Match – Buddy Rogers (ch) v. Nick Bockwinkel w/Bobby Heenan
Both these competitors are disliked by the fans but it appears the Nature Boy is rewarded slightly more heat prior to the bell. Rogers holds the early advantage but Bockwinkel turns things around countering a backdrop with a piledriver. With Heenan instructing from ringside, Bockwinkel goes to work on the Nature Boy with a pair of FIGURE FOUR LEGLOCKS and a BOCKWINKEL SLEEPER. Rogers is reeling and seeks refuge on the floor but Bockwinkel is out after him and Rogers takes a beating at ringside as well. Back in the ring, Bockwinkel clamps on another BOCKWINKEL SLEEPER and we have a new champion. The fans give Bockwinkel and Heenan a mixed reaction as they celebrate in the middle of the ring. ** ½

Finals

Road Warriors (Hawk & Animal) w/Paul Ellering v. Valiant Brothers (Jimmy Valiant & Johnny Valiant (LE) w/Captain Lou Albano
With both teams having battled through two rounds, the fans wondered which pair would have enough left in the tank to pull out the win. The Warriors capitalized early and often cutting off Jimmy Valiant from his corner. Animal goes for the pin after only two moves with an overhead bodyslam that would have gave the Warriors the win but Johnny Valiant made the save. Valiant saved his brother again after a DOOMSDAY DEVICE moments later and then the Warriors hits a second DOOMSDAY DEVICE but this time Albano jumped into the action but received a clothesline from Animal for his trouble. The interference did allow the action to continue and Johnny Valiant was finally able to tag in. He was no match against both Warriors however and eventually Jimmy had to tag back into the action. Hawk tossed him around and then the Warriors finished the match with a DOOMSDAY DEVICE. Your first WWL Tag Team Champions are Hawk & Animal. **

[cruefan68]

I really enjoyed the tag title tournament plus Nick Bockwinkel winning the WWL title. Also loved the visual of the Road Warriors hitting the Doomsday Device on Bundy followed by the earth shaking powerslam from Animal.

[Kamala]

I like the fed so far good job BB! Bock winning the title is good stuff.

[spaceman]

This has been a good read thus far. The dice gave you a heel vs. heel WWL Championship feud to book and that has to be tough. It looks like Bock and Heenan are the lesser of two evils and are garnering some cheers. I'm interested to see if Bock continues to gain cheers or goes full-on heel after his title win.

Dibiase cut a strong promo with the intro of Bundy. Would have liked to have seen Bundy follow through with some dominance on the Road Warriors but it is the Road Warriors we're talking about. Dibiase has other things to deal with so he can look past this loss and look forward to revenge on Race.

I love the pairing of Baba and The Destroyer! I'll be reading.