Booking 102: Tim's NWF

[TDalton]

I fully realize this is just a card & dice game, but I try to book things as if I were booking an actual fed. That said, here's my philosophy on why you won't see Williams vs. Sheik:

NWF rule: no one can hold more than one title at a time, so Williams vs. Sheik can't happen while both are champs.

I don't want to do it as a non-title match, because I feel it would hurt the loser. If Williams loses, it hurts his credibility since he's really not the "top guy" that the title makes him out to be. If Sheik loses, it kills his aura as the unstoppable madman.

I've never been a big fan of title versus title matches, although in "real" pro wrestling, you can book a match so that the loser comes out strong. Dice don't care, and routinely mess up your best laid plans.

[behindthebook]

How about a Bock Vs. Sheik rematch?

[TDalton]

I wanted to transition away from Bock on top for a while and let him concentrate on tag-team action with Ray Stevens. Currently, that's not working out as well as I thought.

Bock also has Harley Race coming after him. That's kind of a legendary feud in my fed from past years, so I want to really concentrate on that for a while.

That's not to say Bock vs Sheik is out of the question. For example, if Sheik's title reign keeps going and approaches Bockwinkel's 504 day record, all bets are off. I think Bock's enormous ego would make him step in to stop the Unholy Reign of Terror and determine once and for all who the NWF's top dog truly is. Of course, that's a long way off.

I really spend too much time thinking about this stuff.

[wildcat]

Some things never change, the NWF is still the best.

Your #1 fan is still watching.

[behindthebook]

The best bet to stop the Unholy Reign of Terror is someone getting one of those "The title changes hands on a DQ" clauses in the contract. One of the Brain's men would be the most likely to get that clause.

[TDalton]

Card #270 – 03/07/2008
Jaffa Mosque - Altoona, PA

We open March with another great lineup in Altoona, PA! About the only thing we don’t have on the card tonight is the Russian chain – because it has been banned from the arena! Lots of great matches headlined by a “No DQ” showdown for the NWF title! Let’s get to the action…

1. Greg Valentine b George South
Valentine hadn’t been in singles action for a while, but he didn’t look rusty. He just overwhelmed South and won with a piledriver. Albano was on the mic after the bell and announced that he had recently signed Angelo “King Kong” Mosca to a contract! Expect Mosca to debut later this month.

2. S.D. Jones & Cousin Luke b Danny Doring & Larry Sharpe
Very good match, with both sides taking a beating. The only one who didn’t come out with significant damage was S.D. Jones, who scored the pin on “Pretty Boy” Larry Sharpe with a Headbutt.

3. Roy Heffernan b Mad Dog Vachon
This was pretty one-sided, as Red Berry had Mad Dog distracted when the bell rang, and Heffernan did the sneak attack. Every time it looked like Vachon was coming back, Berry would interfere. Heffernan did a brutal kneedrop off the top onto Mad Dog’s leg. Heffernan locked on the Stepover Toehold and Vachon struggled, but couldn’t make the ropes. He refused to give up, but partner Jimmy Valiant threw in the towel. Vachon was initially upset, but Valiant explained that Mad Dog would need to be 100% for next week’s big title defense (brother!), and he could get some revenge on Heffernan in Jamestown (daddy!). Vachon still wasn’t happy, but acknowledged that Valiant was right.

4. Flying Redheads b Samoan Island Tribe
Sir Oliver Humperdink predicted that his Samoans would mow down the smaller, weaker Redheads as they had their previous opponents. He didn’t predict that Samu would take one of the worst beatings (10 tokens) in the history of the NWF, and be left a bloody wreck in the ring. The Redheads used their quickness and double-team skills to outwork the Samoans at every turn. Bastien got in a bit of trouble, but escaped. That’s about the time that Samu’s downward spiral began. Lyons mercifully got the pin on Samu after a double-team dropkick. Humperdink was livid, claiming that the Redheads cheated and that his team was robbed by the officials.

5. Ray Stevens dq Larry Hennig
This one didn’t last long. Larry Zbyszko was at ringside for Hennig, and couldn’t take Stevens constant taunting from the ring. As soon as Stevens gained an advantage, Zbyszko got in the ring and started swinging as ref Izzy Moidel called for the DQ. Stevens got knocked over the top rope and escaped with Heenan. Stevens is a master at making his opponents lose their cool, winning five matches by DQ so far in 2008.

6. Ivan Koloff b Bob Armstrong (Russian chain not allowed)
Despite the loss in the ring, this was still a moral victory for Armstrong. He complained to the NWF Board about Koloff’s repeated use of the Russian chain in matches, and got something done. Actually, the Board is looking at permanently having the chain banned from ringside. Albano and Koloff were furious, citing Mad Dog Vachon and former NWF competitor Bruiser Brody bringing chains to the ring. Of course, it was rare that those chains were ever utilized during normal ring action. The match itself was solid, but with Albano’s help, Koloff managed to scratch out a win with his falling face slam.

7. Midnight Express cor Diamond Dallas Page & Brad Armstrong
It’s not the first time teaming for Page & Armstrong, but they faced an uphill climb against the undefeated Midnights. There has always been bad blood between Cornette and the Armstrongs, so it wasn’t surprising that Brad took this match. It wound up being very competitive, although some of that was due to Cornette’s continual interference. While ref Mark Curtis was trying to break up a scuffle between DDP and Condrey, Brad was fighting on the floor with Eaton. Cornette blasted him with the tennis racquet, which must have been loaded with something, because Brad dropped like a rock. That led to a countout win for the Midnights, but also brought Bullet Bob Armstrong to ringside to protect his son and chase Cornette away.

8. Nick Bockwinkel b Ted DiBiase
These two had history going back to the NWF’s early years, and last hooked up in singles back in September 2007. This was not one of their usual long and technical contests, as Bockwinkel used some chicanery to win. The former 5-time NWF champ used a bridging back suplex and had his legs on the ropes for added leverage to get the pin.

9. NWF Championship: Steve Williams b Harley Race (No Disqualification)
After a countout win for Race and a DQ win for Williams, this would be the one that settled the score. Williams came out strong, scoring two quick near falls before Race could get on track. Race is tough as nails, and blocked a backdrop driver attempt before making a comeback. He had the champion in trouble on a few occasions, but Williams is no slouch when it comes to mixing it up either. In an uncharacteristic display, Doc went to the second turnbuckle and dropped a big crushing elbow on Race to get the win. Race wasn’t happy with the outcome, but the two did exchange a brief handshake before going their separate ways.

Wow! Some real hard hitting stuff on tonight’s show! It looks like we have some things brewing as we get closer to the STEEL BELT CLASH in five weeks! Let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves, as we have a great show next week in Jamestown! Here’s the current lineup:

* Brad Armstrong will lock horns with Bobby Eaton in a battle that brings back memories of the Armstrong/Cornette feud that lit up eastern Tennessee! Will this be a one shot deal, or will it reopen old wounds? We’ll find out in seven days!

* Larry Zbyszko will get another crack at the Heenan Family as he faces the red hot Ray Stevens! Obviously Stevens’ escapades outside the ring haven’t affected his performance inside the squared circle! It looks like no matter what the outcome here, Stevens will be next in line for a shot at the NWF Title held by “Dr. Death” Steve Williams!

* Despite the beating taken by the Samu earlier in the night, Sir Oliver Humperdink is keeping the heat on the NWF’s tag-team elite! He’s challenged NWF champion Steve Williams and partner Ted DiBiase! Humperdink was upset by the Samoans performance tonight, and wants to showcase them against two of the area’s toughest grapplers next week!

* Once again, Larry “the Axe” Hennig will go after Nick Bockwinkel! Hennig got a DQ win three weeks ago, and is looking to inflict some pain on the Heenan Family for poisoning Curt’s mind! The issues with his son only exacerbated the hatred Larry had toward Bobby Heenan! With Curt openly praising Heenan, it has torn the Hennig family apart. The Axe will have tag partner Harley Race in his corner to help offset all of Bobby Heenan’s shenanigans. Bockwinkel and Heenan have done a great job of avoiding Race since his return to the area, as the two have not been in the ring together.

* Your big main event will be for the NWF Tag-Team Titles! Brawling wildmen Mad Dog Vachon & Jimmy Valiant will need to be on their game, as they defend the titles against Red Berry’s undefeated Fabulous Kangaroos! The tag champs have won six in a row, while the Kangaroos bring in a spotless 11-0 record! This one has all the makings of a classic!

It’s the return of NWF action to Jamestown, NY next week!

[Cory Olson]

Great stuff, Tim! Cool to see Dr. Death win with a different kind of move. I liked the "Boogie Woogisms" inserted in the Mad Dog-Heffernan match.

I may have to stop off at the Mexican/Italian/American restaurant before the big Jamestown card.

[behindthebook]

Oh man, the Fabulous Kangaroos are so going home with the gold! Stevens vs. Death should be a classic, and I like Ray's chances.

[wildcat]

Yep, still the best.

The Kangaroos will finally win the tag titles, it's about time they got a shot.

[TDalton]

Card #271 – 03/14/2008
Jamestown High School Gym – Jamestown, NY

With the STEEL BELT CLASH only a month away, we roll into Jamestown for a great show! We’ve got all kinds of good stuff on tap and headline with the undefeated Kangaroos making their first attempt at the tag-team gold! Let’s get to the action…

1. Ivan Koloff b S.D. Jones
Koloff had his chains with him, as NWF officials have not decided whether or not to permanently ban them from ringside. Jones put up a good fight, but Koloff’s power was too much, and the Russian Bear won with a backbreaker.

2. Danny Doring & Larry Sharpe b Cousin Luke & George South
Doring & Sharpe were able to use their experience as a team to get the advantage, although Luke & South did some damage. Doring eventually got the pin on South with the Danaconda. Now we’ll have to listen to Dastardly Danny claim they’re top contenders for the tag belts all week.

3. Dennis Condrey cor Billy “Red” Lyons
Two great tag wrestlers hooked up in singles action! Once again Jim Cornette decided the outcome of a match. After Lyons was getting the better of the mat exchange, Condrey took the match outside the ring where Cornette used his racquet on Lyons which resulted in the countout.

4. Bobby Eaton b Brad Armstrong
Very good match which (of course) was marred by Jim Cornette’s ringside antics. Brad did well but Cornette led to a turnaround allowing Eaton to hit the Alabama Jam for the win. Bob Armstrong ran down to ringside, chasing a terrified Cornette back to the dressing room.

5. Steve Williams & Ted DiBiase dcor Samoan Island Tribe
Sir Oliver Humperdink and his crazed Samoans escaped with a double DQ verdict in a match that was not going well for them. It looked like Samu was getting the best of NWF champ Williams, but then Williams got angry. The Samoans were on the defensive for the rest of the bout until Doc and Samu wound up brawling on the floor. Samu was laid out, but Humperdink grabbed the leg of Williams, stopping him from beating the 10 count to get back in the ring. Despite their 2-1-1 record, the Samoans have not looked like the overpowering duo that Humperdink raved about.

During intermission, the big special attraction for the STEEL BELT CLASH was announced! After going to a disqualification at the SUPERBOWL OF WRESTLING, Andre the Giant and Big John Studd are being brought back – and this time there won’t be any doubt who the victor is, as the match will be contested inside a 15’ high steel cage! Every promotion in the country was bidding on this big rematch, and the NWF was lucky enough to land it for their upcoming supercard!

6. Greg Valentine b Bob Armstrong
This was a hard fought match between two heavy hitters. As a psychological ploy, Albano wore Koloff’s chains around his neck – well, it started as a psychological ploy. A timely distraction from Capt. Lou Albano cut Armstrong off when it looked like he had the match in hand. Bob jammed his shoulder on a missed turnbuckle charge and Valentine went to work on the arm, even using Koloff’s chains while ref Izzy Moidel was distracted. A short time later, a shoulder breaker did Armstrong in.

7. Ray Stevens b Larry Zbyszko
Stevens continues his impressive run, winning his 7th match in a row. Zbyszko managed to kick out of a Bombs Away, but Stevens went to the air a second time and landed a big elbow from the top for the win. Stevens will challenge for the NWF Title in two weeks!

8. Nick Bockwinkel b Larry Hennig
Hennig got a DQ win back on February 22nd, but luck wasn’t with him on this night. He couldn’t catch a break and everything just seemed to go Bockwinkel’s way. Hennig’s anger at Heenan & Bockwinkel over the situation with Curt has caused him to make some poor in-ring decisions lately, and Bock was able to take advantage of a miscue and lock in the Sleeper for the win.

9. NWF Tag-Team Championship: Fabulous Kangaroos b Mad Dog Vachon & Jimmy Valiant to win titles
The Fabulous Kangaroos pushed their perfect record to 12-0 and in the process won the tag titles in controversial fashion. It looked like the wrestlers were just starting to get into a groove when Al Costello dropped Mad Dog Vachon with an Aussie Suplex. Vachon draped his foot over the bottom rope well before the three count, but Red Berry knocked the foot off the ropes before ref Bucky Palermo could see what happened. That led to a fiasco after the match with all four men in a free for all. Nonetheless, the title change is in the record books, and it will be up to Vachon & Valiant to get their revenge in the rematch.

Holy cow! Other than the double countout, it was a clean sweep for the rulebreakers this week, including the tag title switch! This is only the second title change in Jamestown, with Iron Sheik & Nikolai Volkoff upsetting the Valiants in January 2004 as the other. Iron Sheik & Volkoff eventually lost the belts in Hubbard, OH – and that’s where we’re heading next week! Here’s the current lineup:

* We’ve got Angelo ”King Kong” Mosca in his debut! He brings a reputation for brawling and intense violence to the NWF! Lou Albano is already touting him as a potential NWF champion! We’ll see what happens when Big Nasty hits the scene next week!

* Mad Dog Vachon will try to get some revenge for the loss of the tag belts as he faces Kangaroo Al Costello in singles action! Wild Red Berry says there is no way a brawler like Vachon can defeat someone with Costello’s wrestling pedigree! Vachon says it’s “Dog Eat Dog” time for the Kangaroos and their manager!

* Sir Oliver Humperdink is sending his Samoan Island Tribe into battle against two of the toughest men in the NWF – Harley Race and Larry Hennig! One thing about Humperdink, he hasn’t wasted any time getting his Samoans into the tag-team mix! The rotund manager has not been happy with the team’s recent outings, and says he will do anything it takes to get a win next week!

* Curt Hennig has racked up a bunch of wins since joining the Heenan Family and is back in the Top 10 rankings! He’ll once again step into the squared circle to face nemesis Larry Zbyszko! The former North American champ, and only man to pin The Sheik, has not had a successful campaign so far in 2008, and hopes this match can start a turnaround to take him back to the top!

* In a prelude to Ray Stevens’ title shot, we have a great tag-team contest on tap as Stevens and partner Nick Bockwinkel face Ted DiBiase and NWF Champion Steve Williams!

* Your big main event will see The Sheik defending the North American Title against Red Bastien! Most pundits aren’t giving Red much of a chance, but when he’s hot, Bastien can beat anyone in the NWF! There’s always something crazy going on when the Sheik is in town, so you won’t want to miss it!

It’s the return of NWF action to Hubbard, OH next week!