One Week in Ontario

[bookerbill]

Inspired by a recent article on mapleleafwrestling.blogspot.com/ that provided some particulars of the Southern Ontario Maple Leaf Wrestling loop in the late 70’s, I have decided to reboot by MLW federation. Frank Tunney, in conjunction with Mid Atlantic, would tour Southern Ontario for about one week each month centered around the showcase event at Maple Leaf Gardens.

Welcome to One Week in Ontario

Card 01 Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto, ON – September 19, 2022

Queensbury Cup / NWA Canadian Heavyweight Championship Tournament – Round One

AWA World Champion Nick Bockwinkel w/Bobby Heenan v. The Spoiler
Referee: Joey Marella; Dr. Mike Lano at ringside
Spoiler was focused from the outset and matched Bockwinkel move for move early on before taking control of the action with knee smashes and elbow drops. Bockwinkel weathered the storm and attacked the leg with a butt drop turning the momentum in his favour. Bockiwnkel used a pair of abdominal stretches to punish Spoiler and then trapped his opponent in a lengthy Boston Crab. The action went to the floor and Spoiler managed to turn things around slamming Bockwinkel face first into the ringside table but Marella was not impressed and called for the controversial disqualification after about eight minutes of action. Winner: Nick Bockwinkel by DQ **

Shane Douglas w/Francine v. Jackie Fargo
Referee: Dick Woehrle; Dr. Mike Lano at ringside
There was nothing pretty about this one with both men brawling from the outset. A roaring forearm stunned Douglas enough that a big right hand dropped him for the three count in under two minutes. Winner: Jackie Fargo DUD

NWA International Champion Great Gama v. Red Bastien
Referee: Morgan Dollar; Dr. Mike Lano at ringside
Handshake started this classic battle of power vs. speed. Bastien was able to keep Gama off balance for a few minutes but Indian competitor soon took control with series of strikes and waistlock suplexes. Bastien managed to kick out three times after a GAMA THROW but the fourth finisher from Gama ended it after 13 minutes with a rather quick count from Dollar. Winner: Great Gama ***

Ken Shamrock v. Frank Gotch
Referee: Joey Marella; Dr. Mike Lano at ringside, Vintage Charts
The pace was slow and methodical early as both men looked for an advantage. Sharmrock earned the fans respect with a clean break against the ropes and later holding the ropes for Gotch to regain the ring. Gotch took an opposite approach after escaping an ANKLE LOCK catching Shamrock with a rabbit punch during a tangle in the ropes that earned some heat from ringside. The action picked up late as Shamrock moved to a series of roundhouse kicks but Gotch countered and dropped Shamrock to the mat into a crossface and bar arm. Shamrock had no counter and tapped out after 23 minutes of mat action. Winner: Frank Gotch *** 1/2.

Doug Gilbert v. Mikey Whipwreck
Referee: Joey Marella; Dr. Mike Lano at ringside
Gilbert gets the upper hand after an early fan pleasing flurry from Whipwreck. Gilbert attacks outside running Whipwreck into the post and then smashing him with a chair. The fans are livid and a bloody Whipwreck manages to kick out after a pair of PILEDRIVERS. Whipwreck draws on the fans support and returns a chair shot for Gibert busting him open. The action goes back and forth and spills back outside where Gilbert uses a chair for a second and this is enough for the disqualification after 16 minutes. Winner: Mikey Whipwreck by DQ. ***

Tiger Conway Jr. v. Chris Candido
Referee: Morgan Dollar; Dr. Mike Lano at ringside
Quick pace to this one as you would expect and Conway had the fans roaring with a dropkick that caught Candido flush on the chin for a big near fall. Candido takes a beating but turns things around countering a deathjump with a superplex. Conway is in trouble and Candido dominates the balance of the match getting the win after seven minutes with a BLONDE BOMB. Winner: Chris Candido ** ½

Queensbury Cup / NWA Canadian Heavyweight Championship Tournament – Semi-Finals

AWA World Champion Nick Bockwinkel w/Bobby Heenan v. Jackie Fargo
Referee: Dr. Morgan Dollar; Dr. Mike Lano at ringside
Bockwinkel and Heenan lose it when Dollar sends “The Brain” packing before the match but the fans could not be more happy. Bockwinkel does not recover and this all Fargo from bell to bell. A big backdrop sends Bockwinkel to the mat and Fargo catches him with an ATOMIC DROP for the win after four minutes. Winner: Jackie Fargo DUD.

NWA International Champion Great Gama v. Frank Gotch
Referee: Morgan Dollar; Dr. Mike Lano at ringside, Vintage Charts
Gotch corners Dollar before the bell and gives him some thought and the official appears shaken up. This was an incredible game of human chest as both men traded counters in an effort to find an advantage. Gama uses his size and a series of takedown to keep Gotch on the defensive. Gotch earns back the respect of the fans despite his actions before the bell when he offers up clean breaks in the ropes. Gotch uses his speed to turn thing around including waistlock takeovers and later a crossface and bar arm to wear down his larger opponent. Gotch locks in a GOTCH TOE HOLD but Gama makes the ropes. Gotch drags Gama back to the middle of the ring and sinks in his finisher again to get the submission in about 25 minutes. Winner: Frank Gotch ****

Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello & Roy Heffernan) w/”Wild” Red Berry v. Don Curtis & Rob Roop
Referee: Morgan Dollar; Dr. Mike Lano at ringside
The ranting of Berry just appear to annoy Dollar before action gets underway. Roop starts in against Heffernan and trades holds. To the floor and back inside before Costello comes into the match and takes the fight back to the floor. Costello cracks Roop in the back of the head with a Boomerang and Dollar is quick to make the disqualification call after just 5 minutes. Winners: Don Curtis & Rob Ropp by disqualification DUD

Queensbury Cup / NWA Canadian Heavyweight Championship Tournament – Finals

Jackie Fargo v. Frank Gotch
Referee: Morgan Dollar; Dr. Mike Lano at ringside
Gotch gets into again with Dollar before the bell but this time the official is not taking it. Gotch is distracted and starts with a headlock and fling to the ropes but Fargo counters Gotch’s telegraphed backdrop with a piledriver. Gotch is rocked and Fargo looks like he might grab a chair but rethinks his strategy body slamming Gotch twice of the victory in under two minutes. Winner: Jackie Fargo wins the NWA Canadian Heavyweight Title. DUD

Up next, Television tapings from Guelph Ontario featuring the Canadian Open Tag Team Title Tournament and Great Gama defending the NWA International Title.

[Pariah]

No surprise that Gama vs. Gotch wound up being the Match of the Night... But, it's Jackie Fargo that grabs the gold by playing it smart and keeping his wild streak in check... WOW!

[TTX]

Bummer of a main event but a fun show.

[Crimson Cross]

I like that you're doing something from real world wrestling, this is a cool thing...

[gnw2022]

You always deliver the goods....kudos my promoter brother...Top-notch!!!

[bookerbill]

Sept 19, 2022 17:11:03 GMT -5 Pariah said:

No surprise that Gama vs. Gotch wound up being the Match of the Night... But, it's Jackie Fargo that grabs the gold by playing it smart and keeping his wild streak in check... WOW!

Gotch was the stud of the show for sure and his match with Gama was nuts to play out. There will be another meeting between these two before Gama finishes his tour of the territory. I could not believe that decision not to use the weapon was ended up as a key factor in the victory.

[bookerbill]

Sept 19, 2022 18:39:18 GMT -5 TTX said:

Bummer of a main event but a fun show.

Thanks for following along. I could not agree more. The last two matches might have not been the best (and maybe there was one too many DQ finishes) but the show was a fun start to the new promotion.

[bookerbill]

Sept 20, 2022 3:29:20 GMT -5 Crimson Cross said:

I like that you're doing something from real world wrestling, this is a cool thing...

Thanks for the comments. I was psyched to finally find some information on the loop that took place in the Province back in the day. I have always enjoyed the feds on the board that were based in some type of real schedule and wanted to create something similar.

[bookerbill]

Sept 21, 2022 0:17:22 GMT -5 gnw2022 said:

You always deliver the goods....kudos my promoter brother...Top-notch!!!

Thank you my friend. I hope to play out the television show this weekend and get the report posted shortly after that.

[bookerbill]

Card 02 Memorial Gardens, Guelph, ON - Maple Leaf Wrestling Taping – September 19, 2022

Canadian Open Tag Team Title Tournament – Round One
“Playboy” Buddy Rose & Chris Candido v. Koko B. Ware & Tiger Conway Jr
Referee: Dick Woehrle
The team of Conway Jr. and The Birdman were on fire early cutting off Candido and nearly getting the pinfall after a FLYING HEAD BUTT from Conway Jr. A counter allowed Rose to get into the match and the momentum turned. Conway Jr. ended up cut off from is corner. A pair of Flapjacks did some damage and Rose claimed the victory with Hit The Jackpot after about 13 minutes. Winners: Rose & Candido ***

Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello & Roy Heffernan) w/”Wild” Red Berry v. Shane Douglas w/Francine & Doug Gilbert
Referee: Dick Woehrle
Douglas trades moves with both his opponents but the Kangaroos take over after catching Gilbert with a catapult smash. An Aussie Suplex and backbreaker slam do damage and lead to a BOOMERANG after four minutes to send the Kangaroos onto the next round. Winner: Kangaroos * ½

The Kangaroos and Berry stop in with Gordon Solie to share their unpopular opinions on the tag team division and quickly become annoyed with Solie’s line of questions. It looks like Solie might be in some hot water but Don Curtis & Bob Roop come out causing a brief brawl to break out before security arrives for the pull part.

NWA Canadian Heavyweight Champion Jackie Fargo v. George South
Referee: Morgan Dollar
South got the initial advantage but a backdrop was countered with a piledriver. Fargo landed a blow from the top and hit an ATOMIC DROP in less than a minute for the win. Winner: Fargo DUD

Canadian Open Tag Team Title Tournament – Round One
Red Bastien & Jerry Brisco v. Don Curtis & Bob Roop
Referee: Morgan Dollar
Four tag team specialists came together for this one and no fan left disappointed after this match was over. Handshakes started the action and it was back and forth with both sides making frequent tags. Bastien & Brisco were able to cut off Curtis for a stretch before Bastien nearly ended it with an ATOMIC DROP. Roop used his size to get his team back into the match. Bastien looked done after a SHOULDER BREAKER but Brisco made the save. The action continued to go back and forth. Brisco trapped Ropp in a FIGURE FOUR LEGLOCK but Roop made the ropes to keep the match going. Brisco then immediately caught Roop in an OKLAHOMA SIDE ROLL but Curtis jumped into the action breaking up the cover with a stomp. Roop hooked the leg of Brisco for a two count and then gave away to Curtis who trapped Brisco in a SLEEPER for the win after about twenty minutes of action. Winners: Curtis & Roop *****

The Spoiler & Nikolai Volkoff v. Original Midnight Express (Dennis Condrey & Randy Rose) w/Rock Riddle
Referee: Dick Woehrle
There were no handshakes before this one but there was signing much to the displeasure of the packed arena. The Express used quick tags to offset the size advantage of their opponents but when Spoiler and Volkoff were able to catch up with the Express they did damage. Condrey ended up being cut off from his corner and Spoiler landed several rope walk smashes. Rose was able to save his partner after a BACKBREAKER DROP from Volkoff but he could not get the tag before Spoiler took down Condrey with a BIONIC CLAW after about 13 minutes of action. Winners: Spoiler & Volkoff ** ½

NWA International Champion Great Gama v. “Superstar” Bill Dundee
Referee: Morgan Dollar; Dr. Mike Lano at ringside
The classic match up over power vs. speed. Dundee showed his skills early and kept Gama off balance and the defensive including jumping knees drops, a flying fist drop and a rope walk ax-handle. Gama is eventually able to slow thing down and Dundee is tossed around with gut wrench throws, full nelson slams and double leg and slams. Gama wears down Dundee with a pair of crushing bear hugs and then retains the title after 10 minutes with a GAMA THROW. Winner: Gama ***

Great Gama is interviewed by Gordon Solie with the assistance of an interpreter but is interrupted by Frank Gotch who challenges Gama to an NWA International Title Match. Gama welcomes the opportunity.

Canadian Open Tag Team Title Tournament – Round Two
Chris Candido & “Playboy” Buddy Rose v. Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello & Roy Heffernan) w/ “Wild” Red Berry
Referee: Morgan Dollar;
Candido looked impressive against Heffernan early on but a counter allowed the Kangaroos to counter. Candido tagged in Rose and Costello sent Rose hard into the corner. Costello charged in and Rose was able to move clear sending the Aussie crashing into the buckles. Rose quickly rolled up Costello using his feet on the ropes for leverage and put his team into the finals in about six minutes. Winners: Rose & Candido *

Don Curtis & Bob Roop v. The Spoiler & Nikolai Volkoff
Referee: Joey Marella 12
Volkoff was able to get the advantage on Curtis early on. Spoiler kept the pressure on but could get the win with a BIONIC CLAW. Roop tagged into the match and the momentum changed. Volkoff began to take a beating and Roop caught him with back to back guillotine leg drops and scored the three count after 7 minutes. Winners: Curtis & Roop **

Ken Shamrock is interviewed by Gordon Solie but Shane Douglas comes out and attempts to smash Shamrock with a chair but Shamrock ducks and his opponent, Frogman LeBlanc ends up get decked!

Ken Shamrock v. Frogman LeBlanc
Referee: James Beard;
The bells sounds and Shamrock locks in his ANKLE LOCK on a dazed Leblanc for the win in just seconds. Winner: Shamrock DUD

Frank Gotch v. “Sodbuster” Kenny Jay
Referee: James Beard
Gotch forced the action to the mat early and worked over Jay with a crossface and arm bar before transitioning to an ANKLE LOCK for the win in just about two minutes. Winner: Gotch DUD

Mikey Whipwreck v. Johnny Rodz
Referee: Morgan Dollar
Rodz gets into the face of the referee before the bell and the official appears taken aback. Rodz gets the upper hand at the bell with a hip roll and head butt and then catches Whipwreck with a SHOULDER BREAKER for the upset win in just over a minute. Winner: Rodz. DUD

AWA World Champion Nick Bockwinkel is interviewed by Gordon Solie along his manager Bobby “The Brain” Heenan and they state their point about Bockwinkel’s upcoming title defense in Oshawa against NWA Canadian Champion Jackie Fargo.

AWA World Champion Nick Bockwinkel w/Bobby “The Brain” Heenan v. Ron Hutchison
Referee: Morgan Dollar
Dollar causes a ruckus sending Heenan to the back before the bell and the fans love it. Whether it was the actions of Dollar or just some of his own skills, Hutchison gets in some early offense but Bockwinkel regains his senses and works the leg with series of butt drops. Bockwinkel then traps Hutchison in a BOCKWNKEL SLEEPER and that is it after about four minutes: Winner: Bockwinkel *

Dark Match: Frank Gotch v. Ken Shamrock
Referee: Morgan Dollar; Dr. Mike Lano at ringside
This was a technical masterpiece from the opening bell. Gotch controlled early with a series of tackles and takeovers. Shamrock came back with a roundhouse kicks and picked up a near fall with an inside cradle. Gotch came back with a waistlock takeover and used a pair of half nelson crotch hold slams. Gotch locked in a reverse nelson and then transitioned into a guillotine choke just past the 12 minute mark for the win. Winner: Gotch ***

The Loop:
September 20, 2022 - Memorial Auditorium, Kitchener: Canadian Champion Jackie Fargo v. Frank Gotch; Fabulous Kangaroos v. Don Curtis & Bob Roop; “Playboy” Buddy Rose v. Red Bastien; Ken Shamrock v. Shane Douglas
September 21, 2022 - London Gardens, London: NWA International Champion Great Gama v. Nikolai Volkoff
September 22, 2022 - Civic Auditorium, Oshawa: AWA World Champion Nick Bockwinkel v. Jackie Fargo