Thanks again for the comments Pariah, Crimson and Bookerbill. Up next is a huge edition of LOW All-Star Wrestling featuring a very angry giant, the reveal of the IWA roster and the complete lineups announced for IWA Genesis and WrestleCade IX. I hope you enjoy the action...LOW All-Star Wrestling (Episode 48) - WMC-TV5 Studios - Memphis, TN (Card #891)Announcers Lance Russell & Dave Brown were joined by LOW Commissioner Charlie Cox as they opened the broadcast. The three were set to discuss the chain of events about to take place in LOW building up to WrestleCade IX weekend when they received a huge surprise in the form of Andre the Giant. The undefeated “Eighth Wonder of the World” apologized for the interruption but said that he needed to get something off of his chest. Russell got out from behind the table and held the mic up to Andre who began speaking in his heavy French accent:
ATG: “As you know I recently came back from injury inflicted on me by Captain Lou Albano and his men in the NWC. I gained some revenge by putting Albano in the hospital for a few weeks but that is not enough. I am here to issue a challenge to you and your men, Albano, to face me again and I want it on the big stage at WrestleCade IX in Las Vegas. I want to show everyone that you do don’t cross me or you pay the price!”
LR: “That is some kind of challenge, Andre, but if I know Albano he will not accept…”
At that point they were interrupted by Albano who was not scheduled to appear on the broadcast. The portly Albano was smoking a cigar and he went right up to Andre boasting that he could end his undefeated streak if he chose to. Andre laughed it off and encouraged Albano to accept the challenge but the wily manager said that he needed a big money offer and demanded that Cox give him one, even threatening to use his cigar as a weapon against the LOW Commissioner if he didn’t adhere to his demands. That set off Andre who grabbed Albano by the collar and nearly lifted him off the ground. Cox motioned that he would ok a deal when suddenly Andre was jumped from behind by The Warlord and the One Man Gang!
The three men began kicking and punching Andre who fell to one knee and then The Warlord struck him in the head with the timekeeper’s hammer. That busted Andre open and he was at the mercy of Albano and his men who continued their attack. They held Andre up on his knees as Albano slapped him and called to the back for none other than The Sheik who was accompanied by his manager Abdullah Farouk. As Albano was seen handing a wad of cash to Farouk it was The Sheik stepping in and tossing a fireball into the face of Andre! Cox frantically called for LOW officials to step in and Andre was saved from further punishment but the damage had been done. As Andre was helped to the back it was Cox grabbing the mic and saying that Andre could have whatever kind of match he wants at WrestleCade IX. Russell motioned to Brown to take over so the show could officially get underway.
DB: “Wow fans we hope to have an update on the condition of Andre the Giant before we go off the air today. As for the broadcast up first we have a highly anticipated showdown between former tag team partners as Brian Kendrick takes on Paul London with the winner going to WrestleCade IX to challenge Johnny Saint for the LOW Junior Heavyweight title. In addition to that we have a match featuring two new stars signed to the IWA and also the first forty-five men signed to the IWA roster will be officially revealed. Also in action are Justin Credible of the NWC, GWA star 2 Cold Scorpio and the outstanding PCW tag team combination of the “Flying Redheads”, Red Bastien & Billy Red Lyons, so without further ado lets throw it over to ring announcer Gary Michael Cappetta to get the action underway.”
1)
Brian Kendrick defeated Paul London:
This battle of former tag team partners, with a shot at LOW Junior Heavyweight champion Johnny Saint at stake, could not have been more intense. Brian Kendrick of PCW took on Paul London of the GWA with the latter having recently returned from a suspension for slapping beloved announcer Lance Russell. London was bound and determined to make up for lost time but he was on the defensive early and barely kicked out after taking Sliced Bread #2. London bounced back and hit the 450 Splash but Kendrick got his shoulder up before the three count. London was beside himself arguing with the referee but it was to no avail. The match continued at a torrid pace with some more big near falls as well as the two battling in and out of the ring. The finish of a hectic bout saw London going for a backdrop off the ropes but Kendrick executed a Counter Sunset Flip pinning his shoulders to the mat for a three count.
The studio audience erupted in cheers as Kendrick earned the championship opportunity at WrestleCade IX. London, meanwhile, was beside himself with anger. He ran over to the announce table and threatened Lance Russell once again but this time LOW Commissioner Charlie Cox was there to diffuse the situation. Cox ordered the frantic London to leave or he would be suspended indefinitely. London refused at first but backed off when LOW officials intervened. Russell thanked Cox for coming to his defense and said that London may be in need of some psychiatric care.
2)
Justin Credible defeated Chief Omega:
The popular Chief Omega squared off against Justin Credible, the hardcore style wrestler who recently returned to the NWC after a long absence. Credible was joined at ringside by the “Psycho Shooter” Drake Younger. Omega looked great early and even scored a two count with the Tomahawk Thrust. Credible managed to bear down and strike back with some nice offense before planting Omega with That’s Incredible to score the pin.
During the match it was Dave Brown making the big announcement that a six-man tag team match has been signed for WrestleCade IX – Angelo Poffo, “Macho Man” Randy Savage and “Leaping” Lanny Poffo vs. Valiant Brothers (Jimmy & Johnny Valiant) and their manager Bobby “The Brain” Heenan. Lance Russell expressed great interest in that one as the Poffo Family vs. Heenan Family war has exploded in the AWE and now it will be featured on the grandest stage of them all. He also noted that Lanny Poffo has left ASW and has signed a full-time contract with the AWE to stand alongside his father. Savage, though, remains under a freelance contract in LOW. Brown countered with an interesting point in that the Valiant Brothers are participants in the upcoming tag team tournament in Japan for Kings Road United with the winners getting a shot at the LOW World tag team titles at the Tokyo Dome (Card #901). Russell said that should they win that tournament they will have to compete in the six-man tag in Las Vegas and then head direct to Tokyo afterward which could put them at a huge disadvantage.
Interview – Ed “Strangler” Lewis:
Lance Russell went over to the interview area and called out SWA star Ed “Strangler” Lewis who was greeted warmly by the studio audience. Russell noted that Lewis is a former two-time LOW Tex-Arkana Television champion and one of the more dominant champions in the history of that belt. Lewis thanked him for that and said that he was there not for a championship opportunity but for a challenge of a different kind. Russell noted the recent run-in that Lewis had with “Nature Boy” Buddy Rogers in Tampa, FL (Card #884) after Rogers had lost to LOW World Heavyweight champion Lou Thesz. It is well known that Lewis and Thesz are close allies and that Lewis is the mentor of the two-time LOW World Heavyweight champion. Lewis said that the post-match attack by Rogers on Thesz after the champion had retained his title in clean fashion was uncalled for and also mentioned the role of manager-wrestler J.J. Dillon in the attack. He said that Thesz, who will be defending the title against Bobo Brazil at WrestleCade IX, could have been seriously injured had he not intervened in the situation. Russell agreed and said that Lewis got there in the nick of time and thus we have a great main event to look forward to at WrestleCade IX. Lewis said that he also wants a match at the big event and he was going to issue a challenge to Rogers. Russell said they had talked about it earlier and thanks to LOW Commissioner Charlie Cox they have both Rogers and Dillon available via satellite to see what they have to say.
Dillon spoke first and said that Lewis stuck his nose in where it didn’t belong and that Thesz had “help from the referee” in winning that match and that it should be Rogers defending the LOW World Heavyweight title at WrestleCade IX. Rogers agreed with Dillon and added that guys like Thesz and Lewis have the officials “in their back pocket” and that he would never “tap out” especially in a championship match. Lewis responded that Rogers needed an “attitude adjustment” and that he will give him one at WrestleCade IX. Rogers laughed it off and called Lewis a “has been who never was” and said that if that is what Lewis wants he will get it. Dillon whispered to Rogers and then looked into the camera saying that if Lewis wants to get in the ring with Rogers at WrestleCade IX it will happen as per a prior agreement that the two parties made with LOW Commissioner Charlie Cox. Lewis said that the signed contract had one stipulation that perhaps Dillon and Rogers failed to note as the match would pit the Figure Four Grapevine of Rogers against his Strangler’s Headlock and that it would be a Finisher Match! The studio audience cheered as an angry Rogers began arguing with Dillon. That anger only built as Russell noted that the loser in this case, since both men use submission hold finishers, would indeed have to tap out. Lewis then looked into the camera and put his arms in the Strangler’s Headlock position saying that he has one specially reserved for the “Nature Boy”!
3)
2 Cold Scorpio defeated Virgil:
The high flying 2 Cold Scorpio out of the GWA took on “Wrestling Superstar” Virgil in what turned into a controversial bout. The delusional Virgil once again tried to sell his autographed photos at ringside for twenty dollars but there were no takers. That is until Paul London ran out and handed him some cash for a signed photo. That led to Lance Russell saying that was “undeniable proof that London belongs in the looney bin.” As the match progressed it was London, clutching his photo, getting involved and nearly causing Scorpio to be counted out. Virgil held the advantage until Scorpio scored a near fall with a counter sunset flip followed up by a Handspring Kick for the pin. Scorpio barely had time to celebrate his win when London jumped him from behind and tossed him out of the ring. LOW Commissioner Charlie Cox returned and distracted London allowing Scorpio to creep up from behind and dropkick him over the top rope. London was furious and Cox grabbed the mic saying that if London wants to get involved in Scorpio’s matches the two can settle it in the ring at WrestleCade IX!
4)
Rob Van Dam defeated Bill White:
The studio audience erupted in cheers as Rob Van Dam, formerly of the NWC, made his debut as a member of the IWA roster taking on veteran journeyman Wild Bill White. The announcers noted that White has also been signed to an IWA contract and discussed RVD’s recent run as one-half of the LOW World tag team champions along with Sabu. RVD was on fire from the opening bell hitting explosive moves like the split-legged moonsault and roundhouse kick to the head. White offered up some resistance but fell in the end as RVD executed a Body Scissors Cradle to score the pin.
Following the match, a vignette aired with LOW Commissioner David Marquez discussing WrestleCade IX weekend which will feature the debut show for the IWA, called Genesis, which takes place at the The Orleans in Las Vegas, NV (Card #899). Marquez said that a lot of planning has gone into putting the IWA together and he thanked LOW Commissioner Charlie Cox, Cary Silkin of ROH, Bryce Remsburg of CHIKARA, and Gabe Sapolsky of Evolve for their invaluable assistance in helping to get the promotion off the ground. He then turned it over to a video reveal of the forty-five men that have officially been signed to the IWA roster:
01) Bryan Danielson
02) Eddie Kingston
03) Rob Van Dam
04) Davey Richards
05) Michael Elgin
06) Delirious
07) Kevin Steen
08) Diamond Dallas Page
09) Nigel McGuinness
10) Soldier Ant
11) Mike Quackenbush
12) Chris Hero
13) Ultramantis Black
14) Roderick Strong
15) Fire Ant
16) Matt Taven
17) Rhino
18) Ophidian
19) Claudio Castagnoli
20) Ricochet
21) Brodie Lee
22) Rich Swann
23) Tadarius Thomas
24) Mikey O'Shea
25) Amasis
26) Brian Cage
27) Bobby Fish
28) Green Ant
29) Chuck Taylor
30) Kyle O'Reilly
31) Johnny Yuma
32) Sami Callihan
33) Bill White
34) Lance Hoyt
35) Shelton Benjamin
36) Charlie Haas
37) Joey Ryan
38) Manimal
39) Ron Hutchison
40) Trent Barreta
41) Eddie Edwards
42) Mark Briscoe
43) Jay Briscoe
44) Tursas
45) Adam PearceMarquez then thanked the fans (and fellow promoters) and said that they will have the chance to decide the final five men to make the roster in a poll up on the LOW website. He said that he looks forward to who will be added to the roster and in the new year as the IWA takes shape and hopes that it will be a strong year for both the IWA and LOW as a whole. Russell chimed in after the video aired and said that the roster that has been assembled thus far is stellar and that the fans have a great opportunity to get some of their favorites in as well by casting their votes. As he tried to throw it to commercial break there was a disruption of the video signal…
Obnoxious manager Truth Martini, the head of the House of Truth, appeared via video boasting about how his entire stable – LOW Tex-Arkana Television champion Roderick Strong, Delirious, Rhino and Matt Taven – are a part of the IWA and he wants to do things in grand fashion to make a statement. As such he was issuing an open challenge for anyone to face Strong for the title at IWA Genesis and he declared that the winner of a Red Carpet Rumble would be the best way to decide that. In addition he issued an open challenge to any three men under IWA contract to face Delirious, Rhino and Taven on that card stating that the House of Truth will be the dominant force in the IWA. The video interruption ended and now the show officially went to commercial break.
5)
Red Bastien & Billy Red Lyons defeated S.D. Jones & Ricky Landell:
The popular ASW pairing of S.D. “Special Delivery” Jones & Ricky Landell took on Sharpe Sports Agency, Inc. members Red Bastien & Billy Red Lyons of PCW. It was a strong showing by the “Flying Redheads” in this one as they took apart the less experienced team. The closing moments of the match saw Lyons wander over to the announce desk as Bastien pinned Landell with the Atomic Drop. Lyons said that it was a “bunch of crap” that he and Bastien were left out of the tag tournament in Japan for Kings Road United and they vow that in the new year they will become the LOW World tag team champions.
6)
Koko B. Ware vs. Matt Striker was a No-Contest:
This expiration of time match between “The Birdman” Koko B. Ware and Matt Striker barely had time to get underway when an enraged Andre the Giant, his head wrapped in bandages, stormed the ring. He immediately dropped Striker with a big headbutt and kicked him out of the ring. The referee called for the bell as Ware went up to Andre attempting to calm him down. Andre was having none of it and he proceeded to headbutt Ware as well! The referee took action and pulled Ware out of the ring to safety as Andre went on a rampage. He stepped over the top rope and headed towards the announce table with both Russell and Brown clearing out of the way.
Andre grabbed the mic and demanded that Albano and his men, including The Sheik, come out. He ripped the bandages from his head revealing a burnt and bloody face and said that everyone will pay for this. LOW Commissioner Charlie Cox, flanked by LOW officials, moved in attempting to calm Andre down but he was in a foul mood. Cox bravely got closer and said that he was sanctioning any kind of match Andre wanted for WrestleCade IX. Andre said that he wanted Albano, Warlord, OMG and The Sheik in the ring at the same time. Cox said he would not sanction a four-on-one match but if Andre wanted to find three partners he could have the match held under Elimination Rules. Andre agreed to it and grabbing Cox by the collar he said that he would have no problem finding three partners and that they would go down one-by-one until he is left in there with Albano to finish the job. He angrily stormed off through a side door as a startled Cox announced that he has officially sanctioned the match and that once he has the partners for Andre that information and an updated WrestleCade IX lineup would be available on the LOW website.
**********************
In the days following this broadcast, the LOW website revealed the full lineups for both IWA Genesis (Card #899) and WrestleCade IX (Card #900):
IWA Genesis – The Orleans in Las Vegas, NV
Pre-Show Match for an IWA Contract: Shaun Ricker vs. Drew Gulak
Red Carpet Rumble – Winner receives a shot at the LOW Tex-Arkana Television title
Tadarius Thomas vs. Mikey O'Shea
American Wolves vs. reDRagon
Diamond Dallas Page, Rob Van Dam, & Bryan Danielson vs. Delirious, Rhino, & Matt Taven
Triple Threat Match: Kevin Steen vs. Brian Cage vs. Nigel McGuinness
LOW Tex-Arkana Television title: Roderick Strong© vs. Red Carpet Rumble Winner
IWA tag team titles - Decision Match: Shelton Benjamin & Charlie Haas vs. Osirian Portal
IWA Heavyweight title - Decision Match: Michael Elgin vs. Mike Quackenbush
*The final five men voted to the IWA roster as per fan vote:
PJ Black
Drew Galloway
Jay Lethal
Willie Mack
Shaun Ricker and Drew Gulak (tie, winner of their bout at IWA Genesis gets the IWA contract)
WrestleCade IX - Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, NV
SHIMMER tag team titles: Cheerleader Melissa & Sara Del Ray© vs. Canadian Ninjas
2 Cold Scorpio vs. Paul London
Frank Gotch vs. Dan Severn
William Muldoon vs. George Hackenschmidt
LOW Junior Heavyweight title: Johnny Saint© vs. Brian Kendrick
PWI Invitational Cup Tournament - Final Round:
Angelo Poffo, Randy Savage, & Lanny Poffo vs. Valiant Brothers & Bobby Heenan
Finisher Match: Ed Lewis vs. Buddy Rogers
Elimination Match: Andre the Giant, Mil Mascaras, Tony Atlas, & Sabu vs. The Sheik, The Warlord, One Man Gang, & Captain Lou Albano
SHIMMER title - Dog Collar Match: Lufisto vs. Sherri Martel©
LOW International Heavyweight title: Jimmy Snuka vs. Greg Valentine©
LOW World Heavyweight title: Lou Thesz© vs. Bobo Brazil
