Post by cruefan68 on Jul 3, 2016 11:22:26 GMT -5
LOW WrestleCade X - The Astrodome - Houston, TX (Card #1000)
1) Tommy Gilbert, Eddie Gilbert, & Doug Gilbert defeated Bob Armstrong, Brad Armstrong, & B.G. James by DQ:
Family warfare kicked things off as “Bullet” Bob Armstrong, Brad Armstrong & B.G. James took on Tommy Gilbert, “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert & Doug Gilbert with a lot of pride at stake. The rivalry between “Bullet” Bob and Eddie kicked off in the SWA when “Hot Stuff” injured the Armstrong family patriarch and the other family members were drawn into it leading to this big six-man tag team match being signed. The Gilbert’s dominated early after Tommy stunned Bob with a big elbow to the head and a knee drop off the ropes. Eddie and Doug took turns tagging in and roughing up Bob while taunting both Brad and B.G. on the ring apron. Things broke down out on the floor and “Bullet” Bob really lost his cool repeatedly running Doug head first into the ring post resulting in a snake eyes disqualification. Bob and Brad then roughed up Doug afterward as B.G. held Tommy and Eddie at bay with a chair. A battered Doug grabbed the mic afterward and challenged Brad to a match on the next edition of LOW All-Star Wrestling (Card #1002) and that was accepted so the family warfare is far from over following this wild battle.
2) Coal Miner’s Glove Match: Dutch Savage defeated The Sandman:
The fierce rivalry between Dutch Savage and The Sandman in Pacific Coast Wrestling led to them meeting in a Coal Miner’s Glove Match, the specialty of Savage who has never lost one. The Sandman made a spectacular ring entrance to Enter Sandman by Metallica drinking beer and smoking cigarettes. He also pointed his Singapore Cane at Savage and the ten foot pole containing the steel plated work glove. Savage was in control of the early action until The Sandman countered him and hit the White Russian Leg Sweep and the Hardcore DDT. He attempted to climb the pole but Savage swept his legs crotching him on the top rope. Savage then attempted to climb it but was also stopped by The Sandman. The two began battling tooth and nail attempting to get to that glove. The Sandman was busted open and laid out after a Running Piledriver from Savage. That proved to be the turning point as Savage was able to climb up the pole and grab the glove. He put the weapon on his hand and hit the bloody Sandman with a thumb to the throat. That was all she wrote as seconds later Savage delivered the Smash Opponent with Glove and covered The Sandman to score the pin.
3) LOW Junior Heavyweight title: Danny Hodge© defeated Paul London to retain the title:
Six-time LOW Junior Heavyweight champion Danny Hodge, having regained the title from Exotic Adrian Street in Mexico City, Mexico (Card #987) made his version one defense against a man he nominated as his challenger, Paul London. Hodge has felt that London, a former associate of Street, has made a mockery of the division in the past, including slapping beloved LOW All-Star Wrestling announcer Lance Russell at one point, and he was looking to teach the former two-time champion a lesson on the big stage. Hodge was outstanding early as he used his great technical skill to frustrate London including using both the abdominal stretch and Boston Crab for submission chances. London bounced back hitting the dropsault and a 450 Splash. Hodge applied the abdominal stretch again but London escaped with a toss sending both men over the top rope to the floor. London regained control and came off of the top rope with a flying bodypress scoring a two count. A tornado DDT had Hodge in trouble but the champion dug down deep and began battling back. The finish came when Hodge caught London in the Indian Deathlock which proved inescapable for the challenger and he was forced to tap out. Hodge won it via submission and retained the title against a strong challenge from London.
4) The Fantastics defeated Midnight Express:
The now defunct Southern Wrestling Alliance played host to a great tag team rivalry between The Fantastics (Bobby Fulton & Tommy Rogers) and Jim Cornette’s Midnight Express (“Loverboy” Dennis Condrey, “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton, & “Ravishing” Randy Rose) which was granted a spot on WrestleCade X. The Fantastics came to the ring to Sharp Dressed Man by ZZ Top and had the ladies in the crowd going wild. Cornette, meanwhile, argued with the referee who demanded to know which two of the three Midnight Express members would be participating in the match. Cornette finally settled on Condrey and Eaton leading to LOW officials taking Rose to the back. The action in this bout was pretty intense with all four men battling in and out of the ring. Cornette also interfered several times including hitting both Fulton and Rogers with his tennis racquet. The Fantastics showed off their great teamwork early hitting both the leapfrog arm breaker and double monkey flip. Rogers wound up taking a vicious beating at the mid point and was busted open. The Express nailed him with the Veg-O-Matic for what looked to be a sure pin but somehow the bloody Rogers kicked out just before the three count. Fulton finally received the hot tag and scored near falls on both Condrey and Eaton with the running knee lift and Fantastic Cradle, respectively. The Express dominated again late and looked to have it won when suddenly Rogers rallied after a battle outside. The Fantastics then hit the Press Slam and Splash on Condrey with Fulton covering him to score a snake eyes pin.
The crowd erupted in cheers but The Fantastics barely had time to enjoy their win as Rose ran down and joined Condrey, Eaton and Cornette in a four-on-two attack. It was looking desperate for the Fantastics when suddenly the shouts of “Hyoooooo!” could be heard as none other than Hacksaw Jim Duggan stomped down to ringside swinging his trademark 2x4. He rolled into the ring and began swinging the board as all four men escaped from the ring. Duggan and Fulton helped the bloody Rogers back to his feet as ring announcer Gary Michael Cappetta slid the microphone into the ring. Duggan grabbed it and called the Express and Cornette “tough guys” and said that if they had any gets they will face him and The Fantastics. Cornette balked at that and gathered up the Express to head to the back when LOW Commissioner Charlie Cox met them in the aisle. Cox said something that pissed off Cornette and it was later learned that he had made a match pitting The Fantastics and Duggan against all three members of the Express on the next edition of LOW All-Star Wrestling (Card #1002).
5) SHIMMER title: Jessicka Havok© defeated Mercedes Martinez to retain the title:
The “Latina Sensation” Mercedes Martinez, a two-time SHIMMER champion, challenged reigning champion Jessicka Havok, the “Havok Death Machine”, for the title on the biggest stage in LOW. Havok was accompanied to the ring by “The Mountain” Vanessa Kraven but Kraven had been ordered barred from ringside so she was escorted to the back by LOW officials. The two women sized each other up before the bell and the crowd was at a fever pitch waiting for what promised to be a very physical confrontation. They were not disappointed as Martinez and Havok dealt out the punishment both in and out of the ring. Martinez gained control late hitting a brainbuster followed by the 3 Amigas prompting Havok to bail out of the ring. A battle on the floor followed and Havok was nearly disqualified when she delivered a stiff chair shot to the back. The referee waived it off ordering them back inside drawing cheers from the crowd. Martinez took advantage of the continuation and she had Havok in trouble. She hit the Saito suplex and then went for a spinebuster but Havok countered out and hit a big standing lariat. Havok then executed the Havokiller, her trademark sit-out power bomb, on Martinez to score the pin and make a successful version two defense of the championship.
6) PWI Invitational Cup Tournament – Final Round: Fred Blassie defeated Blackjack Mulligan:
The months long road to the finals of the PWI Invitational Cup Tournament are always filled with surprises and this year, the eighth annual for the prestigious event, was no exception. The two men that made it to the finals – Blackjack Mulligan and the “King of Men” Fred Blassie – were primed and ready as they tried to take home the cup and essentially the rights to a future shot at the LOW World Heavyweight title. Mulligan, a native of Eagle Pass, TX, had the full support of the home crowd as he ripped into Blassie from the opening bell. He quickly trapped Blassie in his trademark Claw Hold that was broken up in the ropes. Blassie had a hard time getting on track but he finally did subduing Mulligan with a nerve pinch followed by the multiple knee drops resulting in a two count. Now the tide had turned and Mulligan was on the defensive for a good stretch until he countered a backdrop attempt by Blassie with a kick to the chest. A back elbow ram followed and then Mulligan applied the Claw Hold for a second time. The crowd was going crazy as it looked like Blassie might concede but then he escaped with a rake of the eyes. That near submission was a scare for Blassie and he went on a rampage using his “Vampire” like teeth to bite open Mulligan and roll him up for a two count. Mulligan battled back but the blood loss was having a negative effect allowing Blassie to take control outside the ring. Blassie roughed up Mulligan on the floor and back inside he quickly hit the Southern Neckbreaker to score the pin. The crowd jeered the decision as Blassie was declared the winner of the eighth annual PWI Invitational Cup Tournament. PWI Editor Bill Apter and LOW Commissioner Charlie Cox presented Blassie with the cup and he held it high declaring himself the “champeen” to more jeers from the crowd.
7) LOW Tex-Arkana Television title: Roderick Strong© defeated Rick Rude to retain the title:
The record setting title reign of Roderick Strong as the LOW Tex-Arkana Television champion was tested as he put the gold on the line against “Ravishing” Rick Rude, a member of the Heenan Family in the now defunct AWE. Bobby “The Brain” Heenan was not present at ringside, with many speculating that he was more involved with his new client Andre the Giant, while Strong was accompanied by Truth Martini, the head of the House of Truth in the IWA. Rude jumped Strong before the bell to get the upper hand and quickly nailed him with a piledriver. A swinging neckbreaker followed and it was clear that Rude was targeting the neck area attempting to set up for the Rude Awakening. Strong fought back into it and lifted Rude into the Argentine Backbreaker for a submission chance. He followed with the Olympic Slam for a two count before Rude countered and leveled him with the aforementioned Rude Awakening. It looked to be over as Rude crawled over on top for the pin but Strong somehow got his foot over the bottom rope breaking up the count at two. Martini breathed a huge sigh of relief and clutched his Book of Truth as Strong came ever so close to finally losing the title. The momentum turned a few times before Strong hit Death by Roderick for a big near fall. He then sized up the stunned Rude and connected with the Sick Kick to score the pin and retain the title. It was a successful version twenty-three defense of the championship for Strong who celebrated with Martini afterward while a frustrated Rude looked on.
8) Lou Thesz & Jimmy Snuka vs. Roddy Piper & Tommy Rich was a DDQ:
The final five matches began with a unique tag team battle pitting Lou Thesz & Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka against “Rowdy” Roddy Piper & “Wildfire” Tommy Rich. This match was made the night of the 12-Man Gold Star Battle Royal at MSG (Card #985) due to what happened both in the match itself and during a backstage altercation where Rich even slapped his longtime mentor Thesz. To say there was some bitterness between the two sides would be an understatement. Thesz and Piper started out and Piper set the early tone going for a bite to the forehead. Thesz took exception to that and quickly dropped Piper with an airplane spin before making the tag. A fired up Snuka went up against his former ally Piper nailing him with a headbutt. Piper struck back with a swinging neckbreaker and wanting nothing more to do with Snuka he made the tag. Rich came in with a cross body block on Snuka and then tossed him out of the ring. That was a mistake as Snuka dragged Rich out and blasted him with a headbutt before tossing him into the guard rail. Back inside it was Thesz making the tag and hitting the Thesz Press on Rich for a two count. Thesz was quick to follow up with the Greco-Roman Backdrop for what looked to be a sure pin but Piper ran in making the save. Snuka joined him and that set off a four-way brawl and when the referee was unable to restore order he called for the bell ruling the match a double disqualification. With Snuka and Piper both under contract to Pacific Coast Wrestling they will likely be meeting again soon while both Thesz and Rich are free agents pending contract decisions to be made by LOW in the coming days and weeks so there may not be a rematch involving these four participants.
9) Andre the Giant defeated Mil Mascaras:
The showdown between record seven-time LOW World Heavyweight champion Mil Mascaras, the “Man of 1,000 Masks”, and the undefeated “Eighth Wonder of the World” Andre the Giant, accompanied by his new manager Bobby “The Brain” Heenan, was one of the most anticipated of the evening. It was fitting that the bout took place in the Astrodome which was called the eighth wonder of the world when it opened in 1965 as the home of the Houston Astros of Major League Baseball. This match took shape over the course of several weeks on LOW All-Star Wrestling born out of the idea that Mascaras wanted to be the first one to hand Andre a direct pin or submission loss for the first time in LOW. Andre took exception to it noting that Mascaras passed up an opportunity to compete in the Gold Star Battle Royal for the LOW World Heavyweight title shot, an opportunity he has never been given even though he is undefeated. Andre then shocked the world at their contract signing by introducing Heenan as his new manager which no doubt will have major ramifications on all of LOW in the weeks and months to come. However now it was time to settle this issue and both men were fully prepared and ready to do battle on the biggest stage of them all.
Mascaras had a game plan ready and executed it to perfection early on even tying Andre up with a standing surfboard. He then hit the Crossbody Attack and scored a two count on a stunned Andre. Moments later it was Mascaras going up to the top rope and hitting his trademark Flying Bodypress but that only got a one count as Andre powered him off sending him crashing into the ropes. Andre regained his bearings and nearly won it by count out when he nailed Mascaras with a headbutt knocking him off of the ring apron to the floor. He then took over with some more headbutts and floored Mascaras with a big boot to the face. A sitdown splash had Mascaras in serious trouble but the legendary masked man began to draw on the cheers of the crowd. He struck back with a slingshot plancha and then trapped Andre in an Indian Deathlock resulting in a submission chance. Heenan showed some concern at ringside but chose not to get involved in the action. His inaction paid off as it was Andre battling back and hitting another sitdown splash and a turnbuckle squash. After again knocking Mascaras to the outside Andre brought him back in over the ropes with a crushing bodyslam. Andre sensed victory but instead of going for his trademark Big Splash he grabbed the mask of Mascaras and yanked him back to his feet before locking on a big Bearhug. Mascaras tried to escape from it but Andre cinched the Bearhug on squeezing the life out of his one time friend. Mascaras had no choice but to tap out and Andre got the victory via submission. Heenan was overjoyed at ringside as Andre added yet another victory to his undefeated record in LOW but Mascaras had nothing to be ashamed of as he truly gave it his all in what was a memorable match.
10) LOW World tag team titles: Road Warriors© defeated Fabulous Kangaroos to retain the titles:
The Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello & Roy Heffernan, with Wild Red Berry) fought through nine other top teams in a tag team Battle Royal to earn this shot at the LOW World tag team titles held by the Road Warriors (Animal & Hawk, with Paul Ellering). There is a lot of history between these two teams especially in title bouts as it was the Road Warriors, who are record eight-time champions that ended the first title reign of the Kangaroos, who are two-time champions, nearly four years ago. It was all Road Warriors early as they out muscled the opposition and delivered some brutal punishment. That included executing the spike piledriver on both men and then Hawk scoring a two count on Costello with a running clothesline. They also hit the Doomsday Device on Heffernan but Berry interfered distracting the referee to break up the count. The Kangaroos finally found an opening and got the heat on Hawk for an extended stretch. Costello took him down with an Aussie Suplex and then they hit the Boomerang on him but Ellering, like Berry earlier, distracted the referee breaking up the count. A Greek Cross by Costello saw Hawk escape and bail out of the ring where the battle continued. With Heffernan distracted arguing with the referee it was Hawk whipping Costello into a big clothesline from Animal. Once back inside it was the Road Warriors hitting a second Doomsday Device, this time on Costello, with Hawk covering him to score the pin. The Road Warriors survived a very tough challenge and retained the titles in their version twelve defense.
11) Loser Leaves LOW – Barbed Wire Steel Cage Match: Bruiser Brody defeated Randy Savage:
The long and storied rivalry between “Macho Man” Randy Savage and “King Kong” Bruiser Brody came to an end as they squared off in this Barbed Wire Steel Cage Match in which the loser would have to leave LOW. The Barbed Wire Steel Cage has rarely been used in LOW so when it is used that means serious business and that the animosity between the participants has reached a fever pitch. There is no doubt that Savage and Brody, who once even teamed together, had reached that point and when the match was signed it was only logical that the loser would have to leave LOW in order to prevent a continuation of the feud. Savage entered the ring to Pomp and Circumstance and spun around waving one finger before kicking at the ropes and testing the walls of the cage. Then the sounds of Immigrant Song by the mighty Led Zeppelin blared over the public address system as Brody stormed through the crowd wildly swinging his chain and barking “Huss!” clearing his path to the ring. Brody tested the cage walls from the outside swinging his chain into them and continuing to bark as Savage stalked him from inside the cage. The tension was so thick it would take several knives to cut through it and the crowd was ready for what was expected to be a brutal bloodbath between two of the all-time great LOW stars.
Brody attempted to bring a chair into the cage but Savage decked him and grabbed it delivering several stiff shots to the head and upper back. Brody collapsed to the mat and this one was off to a wild start. Savage wasted no time and quickly went to the top rope hitting his trademark Flying Elbow Drop but Brody pushed him off at the count of two. Savage then grabbed Brody and attempted to run him into the barbed wire but it was reversed and the “Macho Man” went flying into the cage wall instead. The match continued like this at a frantic pace with each man tasting the barbed wire. Both men were busted open and bleeding badly from various wounds on their bodies. The match itself was over fairly quickly as that kind of punishment could only be withstood for so long. Brody took control towards the end and set the chair up in mid-ring leveling Savage with a twisting vertical suplex on top of the steel. He followed with two more versions of that move before nailing Savage with the Jumping Knee Drop to score the pin.
Brody won the war and rights to remain under contract with LOW while Savage will have to think about his next career move. It was a tough post-match scene to watch as both men were laid out on the mat covered in blood. Paramedics rushed into the cage along with Angelo and Lanny Poffo, the father and brother of Savage, to attend to them. Brody managed to get to his feet first and it looked like he might actually go after Angelo and Lanny but instead he left the cage and in a show of respect he helped LOW officials slide a stretcher into the ring. Brody headed to the back as paramedics went to put Savage on the stretcher but in a great show of perseverance he refused help and grabbed the ropes pulling himself back to his feet. Angelo and Lanny quickly rushed over and helped him go out of the cage door as the crowd gave the “Macho Man” a well deserved standing ovation.
LOW Commissioner Charlie Cox announced at a post-match press conference that Brody has been given his new contract and had no word on where Savage might wind up as he has to leave LOW. He did offer that such promotions as the IWA and Kings Road United while affiliated with LOW are governed by their own Board of Directors so he would be free to work with them if he chooses to. He then gave a quick medical update noting that both men needed multiple stitches and that Savage had suffered a lower back injury, likely due to be dropped repeatedly on the steel chair, so he would need medical clearance before an eventual return to the ring.
12) LOW World Heavyweight title: Johnny Valentine© defeated Bobo Brazil to retain the title:
The main event saw popular Benton Harbor, MI, native Bobo Brazil take on Johnny Valentine out of Seattle, WA, for the LOW World Heavyweight title. Brazil earned the title shot by winning the aforementioned Gold Star Battle Royal at MSG and was looking to regain the belt from Valentine who won it from him in Norfolk, VA (Card #974). The rivalry between these two men actually traces back to the very first year of operation for LOW when Brazil won the title from Valentine only to be subsequently injured by him and being forced to vacate the title. Valentine came to the ring with his manager Sir Oliver Humperdink but the two appeared to argue as ring announcer Gary Michael Cappetta made his ring introductions. Brazil paced in the opposite corner before Valentine, in an unprecedented move, went over and shook hands with him. Humperdink was upset with that and Valentine shoved the manager before nailing him with an Atomic Skullcrusher! He then picked him up and tossed him over the top rope where LOW officials helped the battered manager up and escorted him back to the locker room. As referee Morgan Dollar brought the two together in mid-ring it was Valentine grabbing the mic and stating that he doesn’t need anyone to assist him and that he was going to handle things on his own from here on out and he was going to start by defeating Brazil and cementing his reign as the LOW World Heavyweight champion.
Despite the pre-match hand shake there was still a lot of bad blood between the two men and that was evident as the match wore on. Early action, though, saw a nice exchange of holds and counters as both men looked to gain the advantage. After countering out of a test of strength into a standing arm lock it was Valentine that went to the roughhousing first as he staggered Brazil with a big forearm hammer. He followed that up with his trademark Atomic Skullcrusher scoring a big near fall. Brazil struggled to get back into it but did connect with the falling elbow and a barrage of forearm smashes. Valentine regained control and went to the sleeper hold to wear Brazil down before hitting another Atomic Skullcrusher for a two count. A double clothesline off of the ropes saw Valentine recover first and he quickly fired Brazil out of the ring. Valentine followed him out and was nearly disqualified by Dollar when he ran Brazil into the ring post. Brazil was busted open and Valentine went right back to the sleeper hold attempting to put him away. Brazil fought out of it but then Valentine nailed him with a backbreaker followed by the Atomic Skullcrusher for a big near fall. The crowd tried to rally behind Brazil who was bleeding over the right eye and fatigued as well. Valentine could sense victory and hit his fourth Atomic Skullcrusher of the match to score a snake eyes pin and retain the title. The crowd jeered the decision as Valentine was successful in his version two defense of the title. Valentine grabbed the mic post-match and said that was just a small sample of what he is capable of and dared anyone to try and take the title from him. He added that with LOW entering a new era he was the right man to be at the top of the heap and then defiantly held the title belt over his head. That capped off a tremendous night of action putting WrestleCade X in the books and it now turns the page to begin a new chapter in LOW – Legends of Wrestling.
1) Tommy Gilbert, Eddie Gilbert, & Doug Gilbert defeated Bob Armstrong, Brad Armstrong, & B.G. James by DQ:
Family warfare kicked things off as “Bullet” Bob Armstrong, Brad Armstrong & B.G. James took on Tommy Gilbert, “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert & Doug Gilbert with a lot of pride at stake. The rivalry between “Bullet” Bob and Eddie kicked off in the SWA when “Hot Stuff” injured the Armstrong family patriarch and the other family members were drawn into it leading to this big six-man tag team match being signed. The Gilbert’s dominated early after Tommy stunned Bob with a big elbow to the head and a knee drop off the ropes. Eddie and Doug took turns tagging in and roughing up Bob while taunting both Brad and B.G. on the ring apron. Things broke down out on the floor and “Bullet” Bob really lost his cool repeatedly running Doug head first into the ring post resulting in a snake eyes disqualification. Bob and Brad then roughed up Doug afterward as B.G. held Tommy and Eddie at bay with a chair. A battered Doug grabbed the mic afterward and challenged Brad to a match on the next edition of LOW All-Star Wrestling (Card #1002) and that was accepted so the family warfare is far from over following this wild battle.
2) Coal Miner’s Glove Match: Dutch Savage defeated The Sandman:
The fierce rivalry between Dutch Savage and The Sandman in Pacific Coast Wrestling led to them meeting in a Coal Miner’s Glove Match, the specialty of Savage who has never lost one. The Sandman made a spectacular ring entrance to Enter Sandman by Metallica drinking beer and smoking cigarettes. He also pointed his Singapore Cane at Savage and the ten foot pole containing the steel plated work glove. Savage was in control of the early action until The Sandman countered him and hit the White Russian Leg Sweep and the Hardcore DDT. He attempted to climb the pole but Savage swept his legs crotching him on the top rope. Savage then attempted to climb it but was also stopped by The Sandman. The two began battling tooth and nail attempting to get to that glove. The Sandman was busted open and laid out after a Running Piledriver from Savage. That proved to be the turning point as Savage was able to climb up the pole and grab the glove. He put the weapon on his hand and hit the bloody Sandman with a thumb to the throat. That was all she wrote as seconds later Savage delivered the Smash Opponent with Glove and covered The Sandman to score the pin.
3) LOW Junior Heavyweight title: Danny Hodge© defeated Paul London to retain the title:
Six-time LOW Junior Heavyweight champion Danny Hodge, having regained the title from Exotic Adrian Street in Mexico City, Mexico (Card #987) made his version one defense against a man he nominated as his challenger, Paul London. Hodge has felt that London, a former associate of Street, has made a mockery of the division in the past, including slapping beloved LOW All-Star Wrestling announcer Lance Russell at one point, and he was looking to teach the former two-time champion a lesson on the big stage. Hodge was outstanding early as he used his great technical skill to frustrate London including using both the abdominal stretch and Boston Crab for submission chances. London bounced back hitting the dropsault and a 450 Splash. Hodge applied the abdominal stretch again but London escaped with a toss sending both men over the top rope to the floor. London regained control and came off of the top rope with a flying bodypress scoring a two count. A tornado DDT had Hodge in trouble but the champion dug down deep and began battling back. The finish came when Hodge caught London in the Indian Deathlock which proved inescapable for the challenger and he was forced to tap out. Hodge won it via submission and retained the title against a strong challenge from London.
4) The Fantastics defeated Midnight Express:
The now defunct Southern Wrestling Alliance played host to a great tag team rivalry between The Fantastics (Bobby Fulton & Tommy Rogers) and Jim Cornette’s Midnight Express (“Loverboy” Dennis Condrey, “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton, & “Ravishing” Randy Rose) which was granted a spot on WrestleCade X. The Fantastics came to the ring to Sharp Dressed Man by ZZ Top and had the ladies in the crowd going wild. Cornette, meanwhile, argued with the referee who demanded to know which two of the three Midnight Express members would be participating in the match. Cornette finally settled on Condrey and Eaton leading to LOW officials taking Rose to the back. The action in this bout was pretty intense with all four men battling in and out of the ring. Cornette also interfered several times including hitting both Fulton and Rogers with his tennis racquet. The Fantastics showed off their great teamwork early hitting both the leapfrog arm breaker and double monkey flip. Rogers wound up taking a vicious beating at the mid point and was busted open. The Express nailed him with the Veg-O-Matic for what looked to be a sure pin but somehow the bloody Rogers kicked out just before the three count. Fulton finally received the hot tag and scored near falls on both Condrey and Eaton with the running knee lift and Fantastic Cradle, respectively. The Express dominated again late and looked to have it won when suddenly Rogers rallied after a battle outside. The Fantastics then hit the Press Slam and Splash on Condrey with Fulton covering him to score a snake eyes pin.
The crowd erupted in cheers but The Fantastics barely had time to enjoy their win as Rose ran down and joined Condrey, Eaton and Cornette in a four-on-two attack. It was looking desperate for the Fantastics when suddenly the shouts of “Hyoooooo!” could be heard as none other than Hacksaw Jim Duggan stomped down to ringside swinging his trademark 2x4. He rolled into the ring and began swinging the board as all four men escaped from the ring. Duggan and Fulton helped the bloody Rogers back to his feet as ring announcer Gary Michael Cappetta slid the microphone into the ring. Duggan grabbed it and called the Express and Cornette “tough guys” and said that if they had any gets they will face him and The Fantastics. Cornette balked at that and gathered up the Express to head to the back when LOW Commissioner Charlie Cox met them in the aisle. Cox said something that pissed off Cornette and it was later learned that he had made a match pitting The Fantastics and Duggan against all three members of the Express on the next edition of LOW All-Star Wrestling (Card #1002).
5) SHIMMER title: Jessicka Havok© defeated Mercedes Martinez to retain the title:
The “Latina Sensation” Mercedes Martinez, a two-time SHIMMER champion, challenged reigning champion Jessicka Havok, the “Havok Death Machine”, for the title on the biggest stage in LOW. Havok was accompanied to the ring by “The Mountain” Vanessa Kraven but Kraven had been ordered barred from ringside so she was escorted to the back by LOW officials. The two women sized each other up before the bell and the crowd was at a fever pitch waiting for what promised to be a very physical confrontation. They were not disappointed as Martinez and Havok dealt out the punishment both in and out of the ring. Martinez gained control late hitting a brainbuster followed by the 3 Amigas prompting Havok to bail out of the ring. A battle on the floor followed and Havok was nearly disqualified when she delivered a stiff chair shot to the back. The referee waived it off ordering them back inside drawing cheers from the crowd. Martinez took advantage of the continuation and she had Havok in trouble. She hit the Saito suplex and then went for a spinebuster but Havok countered out and hit a big standing lariat. Havok then executed the Havokiller, her trademark sit-out power bomb, on Martinez to score the pin and make a successful version two defense of the championship.
6) PWI Invitational Cup Tournament – Final Round: Fred Blassie defeated Blackjack Mulligan:
The months long road to the finals of the PWI Invitational Cup Tournament are always filled with surprises and this year, the eighth annual for the prestigious event, was no exception. The two men that made it to the finals – Blackjack Mulligan and the “King of Men” Fred Blassie – were primed and ready as they tried to take home the cup and essentially the rights to a future shot at the LOW World Heavyweight title. Mulligan, a native of Eagle Pass, TX, had the full support of the home crowd as he ripped into Blassie from the opening bell. He quickly trapped Blassie in his trademark Claw Hold that was broken up in the ropes. Blassie had a hard time getting on track but he finally did subduing Mulligan with a nerve pinch followed by the multiple knee drops resulting in a two count. Now the tide had turned and Mulligan was on the defensive for a good stretch until he countered a backdrop attempt by Blassie with a kick to the chest. A back elbow ram followed and then Mulligan applied the Claw Hold for a second time. The crowd was going crazy as it looked like Blassie might concede but then he escaped with a rake of the eyes. That near submission was a scare for Blassie and he went on a rampage using his “Vampire” like teeth to bite open Mulligan and roll him up for a two count. Mulligan battled back but the blood loss was having a negative effect allowing Blassie to take control outside the ring. Blassie roughed up Mulligan on the floor and back inside he quickly hit the Southern Neckbreaker to score the pin. The crowd jeered the decision as Blassie was declared the winner of the eighth annual PWI Invitational Cup Tournament. PWI Editor Bill Apter and LOW Commissioner Charlie Cox presented Blassie with the cup and he held it high declaring himself the “champeen” to more jeers from the crowd.
7) LOW Tex-Arkana Television title: Roderick Strong© defeated Rick Rude to retain the title:
The record setting title reign of Roderick Strong as the LOW Tex-Arkana Television champion was tested as he put the gold on the line against “Ravishing” Rick Rude, a member of the Heenan Family in the now defunct AWE. Bobby “The Brain” Heenan was not present at ringside, with many speculating that he was more involved with his new client Andre the Giant, while Strong was accompanied by Truth Martini, the head of the House of Truth in the IWA. Rude jumped Strong before the bell to get the upper hand and quickly nailed him with a piledriver. A swinging neckbreaker followed and it was clear that Rude was targeting the neck area attempting to set up for the Rude Awakening. Strong fought back into it and lifted Rude into the Argentine Backbreaker for a submission chance. He followed with the Olympic Slam for a two count before Rude countered and leveled him with the aforementioned Rude Awakening. It looked to be over as Rude crawled over on top for the pin but Strong somehow got his foot over the bottom rope breaking up the count at two. Martini breathed a huge sigh of relief and clutched his Book of Truth as Strong came ever so close to finally losing the title. The momentum turned a few times before Strong hit Death by Roderick for a big near fall. He then sized up the stunned Rude and connected with the Sick Kick to score the pin and retain the title. It was a successful version twenty-three defense of the championship for Strong who celebrated with Martini afterward while a frustrated Rude looked on.
8) Lou Thesz & Jimmy Snuka vs. Roddy Piper & Tommy Rich was a DDQ:
The final five matches began with a unique tag team battle pitting Lou Thesz & Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka against “Rowdy” Roddy Piper & “Wildfire” Tommy Rich. This match was made the night of the 12-Man Gold Star Battle Royal at MSG (Card #985) due to what happened both in the match itself and during a backstage altercation where Rich even slapped his longtime mentor Thesz. To say there was some bitterness between the two sides would be an understatement. Thesz and Piper started out and Piper set the early tone going for a bite to the forehead. Thesz took exception to that and quickly dropped Piper with an airplane spin before making the tag. A fired up Snuka went up against his former ally Piper nailing him with a headbutt. Piper struck back with a swinging neckbreaker and wanting nothing more to do with Snuka he made the tag. Rich came in with a cross body block on Snuka and then tossed him out of the ring. That was a mistake as Snuka dragged Rich out and blasted him with a headbutt before tossing him into the guard rail. Back inside it was Thesz making the tag and hitting the Thesz Press on Rich for a two count. Thesz was quick to follow up with the Greco-Roman Backdrop for what looked to be a sure pin but Piper ran in making the save. Snuka joined him and that set off a four-way brawl and when the referee was unable to restore order he called for the bell ruling the match a double disqualification. With Snuka and Piper both under contract to Pacific Coast Wrestling they will likely be meeting again soon while both Thesz and Rich are free agents pending contract decisions to be made by LOW in the coming days and weeks so there may not be a rematch involving these four participants.
9) Andre the Giant defeated Mil Mascaras:
The showdown between record seven-time LOW World Heavyweight champion Mil Mascaras, the “Man of 1,000 Masks”, and the undefeated “Eighth Wonder of the World” Andre the Giant, accompanied by his new manager Bobby “The Brain” Heenan, was one of the most anticipated of the evening. It was fitting that the bout took place in the Astrodome which was called the eighth wonder of the world when it opened in 1965 as the home of the Houston Astros of Major League Baseball. This match took shape over the course of several weeks on LOW All-Star Wrestling born out of the idea that Mascaras wanted to be the first one to hand Andre a direct pin or submission loss for the first time in LOW. Andre took exception to it noting that Mascaras passed up an opportunity to compete in the Gold Star Battle Royal for the LOW World Heavyweight title shot, an opportunity he has never been given even though he is undefeated. Andre then shocked the world at their contract signing by introducing Heenan as his new manager which no doubt will have major ramifications on all of LOW in the weeks and months to come. However now it was time to settle this issue and both men were fully prepared and ready to do battle on the biggest stage of them all.
Mascaras had a game plan ready and executed it to perfection early on even tying Andre up with a standing surfboard. He then hit the Crossbody Attack and scored a two count on a stunned Andre. Moments later it was Mascaras going up to the top rope and hitting his trademark Flying Bodypress but that only got a one count as Andre powered him off sending him crashing into the ropes. Andre regained his bearings and nearly won it by count out when he nailed Mascaras with a headbutt knocking him off of the ring apron to the floor. He then took over with some more headbutts and floored Mascaras with a big boot to the face. A sitdown splash had Mascaras in serious trouble but the legendary masked man began to draw on the cheers of the crowd. He struck back with a slingshot plancha and then trapped Andre in an Indian Deathlock resulting in a submission chance. Heenan showed some concern at ringside but chose not to get involved in the action. His inaction paid off as it was Andre battling back and hitting another sitdown splash and a turnbuckle squash. After again knocking Mascaras to the outside Andre brought him back in over the ropes with a crushing bodyslam. Andre sensed victory but instead of going for his trademark Big Splash he grabbed the mask of Mascaras and yanked him back to his feet before locking on a big Bearhug. Mascaras tried to escape from it but Andre cinched the Bearhug on squeezing the life out of his one time friend. Mascaras had no choice but to tap out and Andre got the victory via submission. Heenan was overjoyed at ringside as Andre added yet another victory to his undefeated record in LOW but Mascaras had nothing to be ashamed of as he truly gave it his all in what was a memorable match.
10) LOW World tag team titles: Road Warriors© defeated Fabulous Kangaroos to retain the titles:
The Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello & Roy Heffernan, with Wild Red Berry) fought through nine other top teams in a tag team Battle Royal to earn this shot at the LOW World tag team titles held by the Road Warriors (Animal & Hawk, with Paul Ellering). There is a lot of history between these two teams especially in title bouts as it was the Road Warriors, who are record eight-time champions that ended the first title reign of the Kangaroos, who are two-time champions, nearly four years ago. It was all Road Warriors early as they out muscled the opposition and delivered some brutal punishment. That included executing the spike piledriver on both men and then Hawk scoring a two count on Costello with a running clothesline. They also hit the Doomsday Device on Heffernan but Berry interfered distracting the referee to break up the count. The Kangaroos finally found an opening and got the heat on Hawk for an extended stretch. Costello took him down with an Aussie Suplex and then they hit the Boomerang on him but Ellering, like Berry earlier, distracted the referee breaking up the count. A Greek Cross by Costello saw Hawk escape and bail out of the ring where the battle continued. With Heffernan distracted arguing with the referee it was Hawk whipping Costello into a big clothesline from Animal. Once back inside it was the Road Warriors hitting a second Doomsday Device, this time on Costello, with Hawk covering him to score the pin. The Road Warriors survived a very tough challenge and retained the titles in their version twelve defense.
11) Loser Leaves LOW – Barbed Wire Steel Cage Match: Bruiser Brody defeated Randy Savage:
The long and storied rivalry between “Macho Man” Randy Savage and “King Kong” Bruiser Brody came to an end as they squared off in this Barbed Wire Steel Cage Match in which the loser would have to leave LOW. The Barbed Wire Steel Cage has rarely been used in LOW so when it is used that means serious business and that the animosity between the participants has reached a fever pitch. There is no doubt that Savage and Brody, who once even teamed together, had reached that point and when the match was signed it was only logical that the loser would have to leave LOW in order to prevent a continuation of the feud. Savage entered the ring to Pomp and Circumstance and spun around waving one finger before kicking at the ropes and testing the walls of the cage. Then the sounds of Immigrant Song by the mighty Led Zeppelin blared over the public address system as Brody stormed through the crowd wildly swinging his chain and barking “Huss!” clearing his path to the ring. Brody tested the cage walls from the outside swinging his chain into them and continuing to bark as Savage stalked him from inside the cage. The tension was so thick it would take several knives to cut through it and the crowd was ready for what was expected to be a brutal bloodbath between two of the all-time great LOW stars.
Brody attempted to bring a chair into the cage but Savage decked him and grabbed it delivering several stiff shots to the head and upper back. Brody collapsed to the mat and this one was off to a wild start. Savage wasted no time and quickly went to the top rope hitting his trademark Flying Elbow Drop but Brody pushed him off at the count of two. Savage then grabbed Brody and attempted to run him into the barbed wire but it was reversed and the “Macho Man” went flying into the cage wall instead. The match continued like this at a frantic pace with each man tasting the barbed wire. Both men were busted open and bleeding badly from various wounds on their bodies. The match itself was over fairly quickly as that kind of punishment could only be withstood for so long. Brody took control towards the end and set the chair up in mid-ring leveling Savage with a twisting vertical suplex on top of the steel. He followed with two more versions of that move before nailing Savage with the Jumping Knee Drop to score the pin.
Brody won the war and rights to remain under contract with LOW while Savage will have to think about his next career move. It was a tough post-match scene to watch as both men were laid out on the mat covered in blood. Paramedics rushed into the cage along with Angelo and Lanny Poffo, the father and brother of Savage, to attend to them. Brody managed to get to his feet first and it looked like he might actually go after Angelo and Lanny but instead he left the cage and in a show of respect he helped LOW officials slide a stretcher into the ring. Brody headed to the back as paramedics went to put Savage on the stretcher but in a great show of perseverance he refused help and grabbed the ropes pulling himself back to his feet. Angelo and Lanny quickly rushed over and helped him go out of the cage door as the crowd gave the “Macho Man” a well deserved standing ovation.
LOW Commissioner Charlie Cox announced at a post-match press conference that Brody has been given his new contract and had no word on where Savage might wind up as he has to leave LOW. He did offer that such promotions as the IWA and Kings Road United while affiliated with LOW are governed by their own Board of Directors so he would be free to work with them if he chooses to. He then gave a quick medical update noting that both men needed multiple stitches and that Savage had suffered a lower back injury, likely due to be dropped repeatedly on the steel chair, so he would need medical clearance before an eventual return to the ring.
12) LOW World Heavyweight title: Johnny Valentine© defeated Bobo Brazil to retain the title:
The main event saw popular Benton Harbor, MI, native Bobo Brazil take on Johnny Valentine out of Seattle, WA, for the LOW World Heavyweight title. Brazil earned the title shot by winning the aforementioned Gold Star Battle Royal at MSG and was looking to regain the belt from Valentine who won it from him in Norfolk, VA (Card #974). The rivalry between these two men actually traces back to the very first year of operation for LOW when Brazil won the title from Valentine only to be subsequently injured by him and being forced to vacate the title. Valentine came to the ring with his manager Sir Oliver Humperdink but the two appeared to argue as ring announcer Gary Michael Cappetta made his ring introductions. Brazil paced in the opposite corner before Valentine, in an unprecedented move, went over and shook hands with him. Humperdink was upset with that and Valentine shoved the manager before nailing him with an Atomic Skullcrusher! He then picked him up and tossed him over the top rope where LOW officials helped the battered manager up and escorted him back to the locker room. As referee Morgan Dollar brought the two together in mid-ring it was Valentine grabbing the mic and stating that he doesn’t need anyone to assist him and that he was going to handle things on his own from here on out and he was going to start by defeating Brazil and cementing his reign as the LOW World Heavyweight champion.
Despite the pre-match hand shake there was still a lot of bad blood between the two men and that was evident as the match wore on. Early action, though, saw a nice exchange of holds and counters as both men looked to gain the advantage. After countering out of a test of strength into a standing arm lock it was Valentine that went to the roughhousing first as he staggered Brazil with a big forearm hammer. He followed that up with his trademark Atomic Skullcrusher scoring a big near fall. Brazil struggled to get back into it but did connect with the falling elbow and a barrage of forearm smashes. Valentine regained control and went to the sleeper hold to wear Brazil down before hitting another Atomic Skullcrusher for a two count. A double clothesline off of the ropes saw Valentine recover first and he quickly fired Brazil out of the ring. Valentine followed him out and was nearly disqualified by Dollar when he ran Brazil into the ring post. Brazil was busted open and Valentine went right back to the sleeper hold attempting to put him away. Brazil fought out of it but then Valentine nailed him with a backbreaker followed by the Atomic Skullcrusher for a big near fall. The crowd tried to rally behind Brazil who was bleeding over the right eye and fatigued as well. Valentine could sense victory and hit his fourth Atomic Skullcrusher of the match to score a snake eyes pin and retain the title. The crowd jeered the decision as Valentine was successful in his version two defense of the title. Valentine grabbed the mic post-match and said that was just a small sample of what he is capable of and dared anyone to try and take the title from him. He added that with LOW entering a new era he was the right man to be at the top of the heap and then defiantly held the title belt over his head. That capped off a tremendous night of action putting WrestleCade X in the books and it now turns the page to begin a new chapter in LOW – Legends of Wrestling.
