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Post by Cory Olson on Jan 28, 2019 22:42:08 GMT -5
Thanks to Troy for the comments!
January 18, 2016 Card #458: Municipal Auditorium in Nashville
1) Jake “The Milkman” Milliman got a win in the opener in his hometown with a pinfall on George South. The Nashville fans welcomed “The Milkman” back home with a big pop! Milliman had the initial advantage and hit the second rope head butt for a near fall. South came back and surprised Milliman with a dropkick for a two-count of his own. With the fans rooting him on, Milliman fought back and slammed South to the mat. He then hit a knee drop to score the pinfall. Milliman got to celebrate with many of his people after the bout! ***
2) Brian Kendrick and Paul London defeated Virgil and “The Unpredictable” Johnny Rodz. The rulebreakers looked on their way to an upset, as they double teamed Kendrick for the first few minutes. Virgil caught Kendrick in the Million Dollar Dream but Kendrick got to the ropes for a break. Kendrick took control and he and London double teamed Rodz. They nailed Rodz with a tossing dropkick and scored the pinfall. The high-flying fan favorites looked impressive, as they are heading to the World Tag Team title finals next week in Lexington! (Who will be their opponents? Read on!) **¾
3) Tommy Rogers scored a pinfall on “Dastardly” Danny Doring. Rogers got a big ovation from the crowd. He used a crucifix roll-up on Doring for a near fall and used the Tomikaze a couple minutes later to score the pinfall. (NOTE: This was my first time using Rogers’ color card, available in Legends of Wrestling Expansion Pack from Filsinger Games!) *¼
4) “Superstar” Bill Dundee was triumphant over the Amish RoadKill. “The Angry Amish Warrior” was aggressive at the start, hitting a power bomb for a two-count. Dundee rallied back. He got RoadKill down on the mat in an Indian Deathlock but couldn’t get the submission as RoadKill made the ropes. Dundee hit the Superstar Bomb off the top shortly thereafter to gain the pinfall! **½
5) Claudio Castagnoli defeated Hillbilly Jim. Jim had control on at the start and was hoping for an upset. He hit a leg drop and a big boot to the face. He went for the bear hug but Claudio broke out of the hold with a double forearm clap. Jim regained control and whipped “The Swiss Superman” into the corner. He charged in with another big boot but Castagnoli dodged the attack and Jim got hung up in the ropes. Castagnoli pulled Jim off the ropes and cradle him up into a pinfall for the three-count. **¾
6) Ox Baker scored a dominant win over rival “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan. Baker was ultra-aggressive at the start. He blasted Duggan twice with heart punches and scored the pinfall. After the bell, Baker delivered some falling heart punches to “Hacksaw,” while Sir Oliver Humperdink cheered him on. Steve “Dr. Death” Williams sprinted to the ring with a steel chair in hand, chasing Baker and Humperdink away. Williams checked on his ally but he was not moving. Joe Wheeler signaled to the back for paramedics. They brought out a stretcher and Duggan was placed on it and rolled out of the arena. ¼*
7) In a rematch from the first round of the USWA World Tag Team title tournament, Mid-America Heavyweight champion Fit Finlay and David Taylor scored a big win over the Midnight Express. The Midnights had control in the first few minutes but Taylor took control of “Sweet” Stan Lane. He tossed him out of the ring and dropped him throat-first across the guard rail. He tossed Lane back in the ring and tagged to “The Belfast Bruiser.” Finlay continued to work Lane’s throat. He hit a reverse splash off the second rope and drove his forearm into his throat while attempting a pin but Lane kicked out at two. Finlay followed up with the Tombstone a few minutes later. “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton went for a save but was cut off by Taylor, so Finlay scored the impressive pinfall. **
8) In a battle of former Southern Heavyweight champions, Steve “Dr. Death” Williams earned another shot at the title by defeating “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert. Gilbert had the advantage at the start. He hit a piledriver on Williams for a near fall. Williams battled back and blasted Gilbert with a lariat. He followed up with the Oklahoma Stampede a few moments later but Gilbert managed to kick out at 2¾. Williams hit a second Stampede a few moments later and went for another cover but Sir Oliver Humperdink put Gilbert’s foot on the bottom rope to break up the pin. Williams attempted a third Stampede a few minutes later but Gilbert grabbed the top rope to block the slam. He raked Williams’ eyes and Williams dropped him to the canvas. Gilbert rolled out of the ring for a breather. Humperdink consoled Gilbert, who then climbed up on the ring apron. Gilbert swung at Williams, who ducked, grabbed Gilbert, and brought him back into the ring the hard way with the backdrop driver! He turned into a cover and scored the pinfall! Williams will challenge whomever the Southern champion is on February 29, in what should be a lethal Leap Year! (NOTE: This was my first time using Williams’ color card, available in Legends of Wrestling Expansion Pack from Filsinger Games!) ***¼
9) In the sole semifinal match of the USWA World Tag Team title tournament, Larry Zbyszko and Mr. Saito went to 10-0 and moved on to the finals with a controversial disqualification win over the PYT Express. The fans sided with Sweet Brown Sugar and D’Lo Brown tonight and it looked like they might be the first team to defeat the House of Humperdink team, as they cut the ring in half on Zbyszko for several minutes. Sugar hit the dropkick and Brown hit the Lo Down for near falls. Brown also followed up with a swinging side slam for a two-count. Zbyszko finally tagged the Japanese Olympian, who hit the Oriental leg sweep for a near fall on Sugar. Zbyszko tagged back in and while Sir Oliver Humperdink distracted Joe Wheeler, he brought in his nunchucks and choked Sugar with them in the corner. Zbyszko and Saito double teamed Sugar until he made the tag to Brown. Brown ran wild on Zbyszko and hit the Shakey, Shakey leg drop right across Zbyszko’s nose, busting him open. He went for a cover but Saito broke up the pin attempt. Sugar tagged back in but Zbyszko rolled out of the ring. Sugar followed him while Saito distracted Wheeler. Zbyszko grabbed the nunchucks again but Sugar stopped him, head butted him, and then took the martial arts weapon. He then clocked Zbyszko on the back of the head with them. Unfortunately for the PYTs, Wheeler turned around just in time to see Sugar use the nunchucks and called for the bell, disqualifying the PYTs. Fans booed the finish, knowing that Zbyszko had used the weapon first. The PYTs tried to protest but to no avail. The House of Humperdink members grabbed the nunchucks and retreated to the locker room, with Zbyszko being dragged by Humperdink and Saito. Zbyszko and Saito will now face Brian Kendrick and Paul London next week in Lexington to crown new USWA World Tag Team champions! ***¼
10) The main event was for the USWA Southern Heavyweight championship. “Classy” Freddie Blassie put the title on the line against former champion Doctor X. The new Southern champ was very impressive here. He bit X early in the bout, perhaps trying to rip open the mask and reveal X’s identity. Blassie hit the challenger with the Southern neckbreaker and went for a cover but the masked man got a foot under the bottom rope. The champion continued his onslaught and hit multiple knee drops. He then covered X and scored the pinfall to retain the title. *¾
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Post by joebreakdown on Jan 29, 2019 7:33:25 GMT -5
Milliman wins and celebrates with his "Milli-maniacs" in a hot opener! Larry Z and Saito are some force too.
I like the build of your shows, from undercard to main event and I enjoy the pairing of Rodz and Virgil!
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Post by bookerbill on Jan 29, 2019 8:10:06 GMT -5
Duggan does the stretcher job. Awesome stuff.
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Post by TTX on Jan 29, 2019 11:34:33 GMT -5
Nice wins by Milliman and Dr. Death.
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Post by cruefan68 on Feb 3, 2019 1:18:07 GMT -5
Jake Milliman getting a hometown win in Nashville was great. Congrats on going to the pay window, Milkman! Fred Blassie looked awesome in his main event win over Dr. X retaining the Southern title. I am really enjoying the run over Larry Zbyszko & Mr. Saito and I can't wait for the tag title tournament final against Paul London & Brian Kendrick.
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Post by Cory Olson on Mar 10, 2019 21:12:27 GMT -5
Thanks to Joe Breakdown, Booker Bill, Troy, and Crue Fan for the comments!
Hope everyone is enjoying the new women's set! With the high school wrestling season over, I hope to get caught up on posts and playing!
Highlights from USWA Championship Wrestling on 1-23: • It was announced that “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan will be out of action for about a month after the barrage of heart punches he incurred from Ox Baker last week in Nashville. • After last week’s card in the “Music City,” the main event for Leap Day 2016 is official, as “Classy” Freddie Blassie will put the USWA Southern Heavyweight title on the line against seven-time former champion and the man he defeated for the title at New Year’s Knockout XII—Steve “Dr. Death” Williams! The Louisville Gardens will host this epic match-up! • Ray “The Crippler” Stevens will return from his suspension, along with First Family of Wrestling members Big John Studd and King Kong Bundy, next week in Lexington. (See Card #459 preview below.) The former Mid-America champion has already signed another big match as he will take on the popular “Superstar” Bill Dundee on February 15 at the Mid-South Coliseum. This will be a battle of “bombers,” as Stevens specializes in his Bombs Away, while Dundee has his Superstar Bomb!
The USWA returns to the Rupp Arena in Lexington on January 25! The faithful Lexington fans are in store for a huge card! • Two former tag team partners and rivals will collide once again, as Claudio Castagnoli faces “The Anarchist” Arik Cannon! “The Swiss Superman” is looking forward to challenging Fit Finlay for the USWA Mid-America Heavyweight championship in a few weeks in Jackson but he cannot look past Cannon, who has pulled off upsets lately, namely over “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert and D’Lo Brown. • Seve “Dr. Death” Williams will be out for revenge when he collides with Ox Baker! Williams was there last week in Nashville when Baker sent “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan out of the Municipal Auditorium on a stretcher. He’s hoping to make short work of “The Fabulous” Ox. Can he do it or will Baker send “Dr. Death” to the hospital as well? • In a rematch from New Year’s Knockout XII, the New Age Outlaws will battle the Necro Butcher and Luke Harper. Jimmy Jacobs’ disciples scored an impressive win on the two-time former USWA World Tag Team champions on New Year’s Eve. Both teams were eliminated in the first round of the World Tag Team title tournament and you can bet they will be gunning for a win this week. Can Harper and Necro repeat their success or will the Outlaws avenge that loss? • “The Golden Greek” Jim Londos returns to action after his controversial loss on New Year’s Eve in challenging for the USWA World Heavyweight title. This week he will grapple with the masked Doctor X! Londos will receive his rematch with “Ravishing” Rick Rude on February 15 at the Mid-South Coliseum but he cannot underestimate the Doctor. Can Londos triumph over X or will X mark the spot? • Jimmy Hart is ecstatic, as the First Family of Wrestling will be reunited next week. Ray “The Crippler” Stevens, Big John Studd, and King Kong Bundy will return from their 10-card suspension and face the popular trio of Nick Bockwinkel, “The Boogie Woogie Man” “Handsome” Jimmy Valiant, and Red Bastien. Studd, Bundy, & Stevens were suspended back in October for two separate attacks, one on Valiant’s partner “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka in September in Knoxville and the other on Bastien’s partner Pepper Gomez a few weeks here at the Rupp Arena. The fan favorites are hoping to avenge their allies’ injuries and give the First Family a rough welcome back! Can good triumph over evil? • The Lexington fans will see history made, as new World Tag Team champions will be crowned in the main event! Brian Kendrick and Paul London will collide with the undefeated team of House of Humperdink members Larry Zbyszko and Mr. Saito! Kendrick and London defeated Luke Harper and the Necro Butcher in the first round via disqualification and then received a bye to the finals, thanks to a double disqualification between the Midnight Express and Fit Finlay and David Taylor. Zbyszko and Saito beat Hillbilly Jim and Cousin Luke in the first round and then got by the PYT Express via DQ in a controversial semifinal bout. Kendrick and London have been in the USWA since May 2013. This will be their third shot at the titles. Zbyszko was brought in to be Saito’s new partner this past October after Saito’s original partner Mr. Fuji went down to a back injury from the Vachons. Sir Oliver Humperdink’s goal was not only to avenge Fuji’s injury but also for his new team to bring the titles back to the House of Humperdink. While his men will not be challenging the Vachons for the belts, they will get their opportunity nonetheless and Humperdink would be overjoyed to have champions again! Which team will leave Lexington the winners of the tournament and the new champions?
All these bouts, plus “Superstar” Bill Dundee, “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert, Tommy Rogers, and the debut of the newest First Family of Wrestling member Bobby Shane!
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Post by Cory Olson on Mar 24, 2019 21:33:21 GMT -5
January 25, 2016 Card #459: Rupp Arena in Lexington
(NOTE: This was the first card where I incorporated the new Manager Interference and Gang Interference Charts from Legends of Wrestling: Expansion II.)
1) Tommy Rogers was victorious again over Virgil in the opening bout. Virgil had control early on and looked like he might give Rogers his first loss in the USWA, as he scored near falls after a knee drop and a running tackle. Virgil applied the Million Dollar Dream as well but Rogers made the ropes for a break. Rogers battled back and dazed Virgil with some spectacular dropkicks. He followed up a few moments later with the Tomikaze to score the pinfall! **¾
2) The newest member of Jimmy Hart’s First Family of Wrestling Bobby Shane spoiled his own USWA debut, losing to S.D. Jones via disqualification on a reverse decision! Shane showed some great wrestling skills but also was very arrogant and riled up the Lexington fans! He scored a near fall on “Special Delivery” with a bulldog and then locked on his Japanese sleeper a few moments later. “Philadelphia’s Favorite Son” dropped to the mat. Sam Platania checked Jones’s arm and it dropped three times. Platania called for the bell and raised Shane’s hand in victory via submission. Hart jumped in the ring celebrating his newest charge’s win. However, Shane and Hart started walking to the back and Platania informed Shane that he needed to revive Jones from the sleeper, as wrestlers do when they win with this hold or similar ones that render the opponent unconscious. Shane refused and even shoved Platania down to the mat. Platania was hurt but had enough wherewithal to crawl over to Gary Michael Cappetta. Cappetta informed the fans, Shane, and Hart that due to Shane’s refusal of waking up his opponent, Platania had reversed the decision and awarded Jones the match via disqualification! Shane and Hart were outraged and tried to protest but to no avail! It was a historic bout but not as Shane hoped! It was historic due to the original decision being reversed! *¼
3) “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert was victorious over Jake “The Milkman” Milliman. Milliman was fired up at the start of the bout after Gilbert mocked him and ran wild on the three-time former Southern champion. He hit a power slam and then later the second rope head butt for near falls. Gilbert took control with some stiff punches and hit a DDT and later a neckbreaker clothesline for two-counts. He maintained control, whipped Milliman into the ropes, caught him on the rebound, and hit the Hot Shot to score the pinfall. Sir Oliver Humperdink was happy with his charge’s victory, as Gilbert looks ahead to another bout with Nick Bockwinkel in a couple of weeks in Memphis! ***
4) Claudio Castagnoli made short work of Arik Cannon. “The Swiss Superman” pummeled “The Anarchist” from the opening bell and picked up the win after a powerful clothesline. While Castagnoli was the rulebreaker in this match, he did get some cheers, as fans support him in his quest to defeat Fit Finlay for the Mid-America Heavyweight title in a few weeks in Jackson! DUD
5) “Superstar” Bill Dundee picked up a pinfall victory over Tony Myers. Dundee tried for submissions with a Boston Crab and later an Indian Deathlock but Myers managed to get the ropes both times. Dundee hit a double foot stomp off the second rope to score the pinfall. The Rupp Arena fans gave the Aussie a big ovation for his win! DUD
6) Steve “Dr. Death” Williams got a quick disqualification victory over Ox Baker. The match barely got started, as it was a wild brawl from the start. Baker took control in the corner and grabbed his bullwhip. He proceeded to wrap it around Williams’ throat and began to choke him. Tommy Marlin warned Baker by giving him a five-count. Baker would not release, so Marlin was left with no choice but to call for the bell. Baker under orders from Sir Oliver Humperdink eventually released “Dr. Death” and returned to the locker room. Williams was able to return to the locker room on his own but was in a lot of pain. neg*
7) The New Age Outlaws got a hard-fought victory over Luke Harper and the Necro Butcher. Jimmy Jacobs’ disciples started off the bout strong and looked like they would get their second win over the two-time former USWA World Tag Team champions. Harper executed an impressive swinging side slam on Billy Gunn a few minutes into the bout for a near fall. Harper hit the big boot twice but “The Road Dogg” Jesse James broke up the pin attempt. Both wrestlers tagged out to their partners. James hit a rope straddle and later the pump handle slam on Necro for two-counts. Gunn tagged back in and the Outlaws hit a spike piledriver on Necro. Gunn later hit the Famouser, driving Necro face-first into the mat and busting open his nose. Gunn went for a cover but Harper made the save with a leg drop to the back of Gunn’s neck, which allowed Necro to recover. James tagged back in but Necro gave him a brutal beatdown in the corner and tagged Harper back into the bout. James took over and got the big Harper down on the mat. James hit a Shake, Rattle, and Roll knee drop for a two-count. Gunn tagged back in and hit a Famouser on Harper to score the pinfall after 20 minutes of action. Necro had attempted a save but was cut off with some big punches from James. The Outlaws got a big ovation from the Lexington fans for their win! ****
8) Jim Londos got a submission win over Doctor X in about eight minutes. The two grapplers exchanged some great mat holds in the first few minutes. Londos gained control and went for a submission with a grinding armbar. X made the ropes for a break but got caught in the Boston Crab a few minutes later and tapped out. Londos was impressive here as he looks ahead to his rematch for the USWA World Heavyweight championship in a few weeks in Memphis! **¼
9) The First Family of Wrestling was whole again, as Ray “The Crippler” Stevens, Big John Studd, and King Kong Bundy returned from suspension and got a win over Nick Bockwinkel, “The Boogie Woogie Man” “Handsome” Jimmy Valiant, and Red Bastien. Former tag team partners Bockwinkel and Stevens started off the bout against each other. The action was fast-and-furious. Bockwinkel got Stevens down on the mat and appeared ready to apply the figure-four leglock but Stevens kicked him off. Bundy and Bastien were the legal men a few minutes later. The New Jersey giant had the advantage and sent Bastien into the corner. He went for the Atlantic City Avalanche but Bastien dove out of the way and Bundy hit the buckles hard. Later Studd and “Boogie Woogie” were battling it out. Valiant had the advantage and went up to the top but Studd cut him off and slammed him from the top rope hard to the mat. Bundy came back but Valiant cut him off with big roundhouse punches. Bockwinkel tagged back in and got Bundy down on the mat. He clamped on the figure-four leglock in the center of the ring. Bundy was in trouble and Studd stepped over the rope and stomped on Bockwinkel, breaking the hold. Valiant and Bastien came in and clotheslined Studd over the top rope to the floor. They followed the giant out of the ring. Bockwinkel maintained control and jumped on Bundy’s back, applying his sleeper. Bundy dropped to his knees. Jimmy Hart jumped up on the ring apron which distracted Tommy Marlin. Stevens picked up Hart’s megaphone, which had been conveniently left in the First Family’s corner. Stevens clocked Bockwinkel from behind with the megaphone. Bockwinkel was dazed from the blow. Stevens tossed out the megaphone and then whipped Bockwinkel into the corner. He then instructed Bundy, who had recovered, to deliver the Avalanche. Bundy obliged, crushing the four-time former World champion. Bundy then made a cover. Marlin turned around to make the count. Bastien from the floor tried to save Bockwinkel but was met with a boot from “The Crippler,” while Studd held Valiant in a bear hug outside the ring. Although Bockwinkel had taken a megaphone shot and an Avalanche, the boisterous Bundy asked for his usual five-count to ensure that Bockwinkel was down for the count. It was a fitting win for the First Family on their return to the USWA! **¾
10) The main event was the finals of an eight-team tournament to crown new USWA World Tag Team champions. Brian Kendrick and Paul London battled the House of Humperdink team of Larry Zbyszko and Mr. Saito. Kendrick and London were getting their third shot at the titles since they debuted in the USWA nearly three years ago. Zbyszko and Saito were entering the match 10-0 overall as a team.
This was a back-and-forth bout that made it look like either team could leave the Rupp Arena the new champions. Saito hit an Oriental leg sweep on London in the first few minutes for a near fall. Saito went up to the second rope and came off with a knee drop but London rolled out of the way and Saito crashed hard. London went up top himself and hit the 450 splash just a few minutes into the bout. Saito managed to kick out at 2¾. Later the fan favorites hit the assisted Shooting Star Press for a near fall. Kendrick followed up with his finisher—the Sliced Bread #2. He immediately went for a cover but Sir Oliver Humperdink got up on the apron, distracting Tom Branch. Kendrick got off of Saito and went after the manager which allowed Saito to recover and tag Zbyszko. Zbyszko worked over Kendrick and hit the piledriver. He went for a pinfall but Kendrick got a foot under the bottom rope for a break. London tagged back in but Zbyszko cut him off. He pummeled London and then used his karate skills on him with some stiff kicks. He tossed London into the ropes and bent over for a back body drop but London scouted the attempt and hit a sunset flip for a near fall. Zbyszko charged at London but London ducked the attack, pulled down the top rope, and Zbyszko went flying to the Rupp Arena floor. London went out to the ring apron and knocked Zbyszko down with a roundhouse kick. He then hit an amazing Shooting Star Press off the apron, which drew a big pop from the Rupp Arena fans! London returned to the ring as Branch began to count Zbyszko out. London was reminded by Kendrick from the apron that they could not win the titles via countout, as this had been stipulated in the match contract, despite the titles being vacant. London broke the count and tossed Zbyszko back inside the ring. Zbyszko was still hurting but managed to tag to the Japanese Olympian. Saito took over on London and hit a second leg sweep for a two-count. Zbyszko tagged back in and grounded the high flyer. He caught London in a sleeper and looked like he might get a submission win. London initially dropped to the mat and Branch checked his arm. It dropped twice but on the third attempt it bounced back and London got up to his feet. He was still trapped in the sleeper but had enough wherewithal to run up the turnbuckles, kick off, flip backward, and land on top of Zbyszko in a pinning combination. Zbyszko was surprised but able to kick out at 2¾. London got away from Zbyszko and dove to his own corner for the tag to Kendrick. Kendrick hit Zbyszko with some kicks but got ambushed with a knee to the back from Saito as he hit the ropes. Zbyszko worked over Kendrick and tried the sleeper on him as well. Kendrick also had his arm drop twice but fought back on the third attempt. He couldn’t escape, as Zbyszko dragged him to the House of Humperdink’s corner and tagged to Saito. Saito worked over Kendrick and hit his patented suplex. He immediately turned into a cover. London jumped in for a save but Zbyszko cut him off with a spinning back kick. Branch went to count and counted three. He called for the bell and awarded Zbyszko and Saito the World Tag Team titles after 25 minutes of action! Humperdink was ecstatic at his team winning the gold! “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert and “The Fabulous” Ox Baker, recovered from their own earlier bouts on the card, came out to celebrate with their House of Humperdink allies! (With the win, Saito is now a two-time World Tag Team champion, having held the titles with Mr. Fuji in their historic reign!) ****¼
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Post by Mike M on Mar 25, 2019 5:26:15 GMT -5
Incredible action on this card, Cory! The last two matches in particular had to have the fans on their feet.
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Post by TTX on Mar 25, 2019 6:45:53 GMT -5
Glad to see someone using Virgil. That six man tag was awesome and great action all around for sure.
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Post by Cory Olson on Mar 31, 2019 16:17:24 GMT -5
Thanks to Mike and Troy for the comments!
Highlights from the last three episodes of USWA Championship Wrestling: January 30: • USWA senior referee Jerry Calhoun made a special in-studio appearance, along with Sam Platania. The officials explained what happened in the match between S.D. Jones and the First Family of Wrestling’s newest member Bobby Shane. Calhoun explained that the USWA rules allow for referees to reverse a decision after an initial decision, when they feel that the original winner has violated a rule in some fashion. He said that he feels Platania was right in making this call. Not only did Shane shove a USWA referee but by not initially waking up S.D. Jones, he could have caused serious damage to “Special Delivery.” Calhoun narrated footage of past USWA matches since 2004 where wrestlers won with sleeperholds or other submission maneuvers that temporarily incapacitated their opponents. Calhoun said that a USWA rule that is not often mentioned is that if a wrestler wins a match via submission with a maneuver like this, it is his responsibility to revive his opponent after the bell. Even Nick Bockwinkel, when he was a rulebreaker, would wake up his opponents with a cocky slap or a stomp, after defeating them with the Bockwinkel sleeper. Calhoun said that Shane has now scene the seriousness of his actions and how he lost his debut match. USWA officials have a precedent thanks to Platania’s quick decision last week to make reverse decisions in the future. Commissioner Bob Armstrong joined the group in-studio and said that he supported Calhoun and Platania as he had met with the USWA Committee earlier in the week. The Committee made this rule back in late 2003 before the USWA started promoting cards and Chairman Jerry Jarrett told Armstrong that Platania had made the right decision. • The commissioner later in the show announced more matches for the February 22 card at the Oman Arena in Jackson, TN. o A rematch from last week was signed for Jackson, as Steve “Dr. Death” Williams will battle Ox Baker. Baker was disqualified quickly last week for choking Williams with his bullwhip, seeming more intent on hurting Williams than winning the match. Williams wants to win and gain revenge on “The Fabulous” Ox! o Fresh off their victory in the tag team tournament last week, the new USWA World Tag Team champions Larry Zbyszko and Mr. Saito will make their first defense in the main event of this card. The House of Humperdink members will defend against First Family of Wrestling members Big John Studd and King Kong Bundy! Studd and Bundy also had success last week, returning from suspension with Ray “The Crippler” Stevens, and defeating Nick Bockwinkel, “The Boogie Woogie Man” “Handsome” Jimmy Valiant, and Red Bastien. Bundy is a former World Tag Team champion, having the third-longest reign of these titles (tied with the Road Warriors’ first reign) with the Masked Superstar from September 2007 to March 2008. Studd has challenged for the titles, ironically when he was Masked Superstar II. But this will be the first time the giants together have challenged for these titles. The champions will have a slightly shorter window of time in between title bouts, as in February, the World, World Tag Team, and Southern titles, will return to their typical rotation of defenses. • The commissioner complemented both teams that were in the Tag Team title tournament finals last week for a great competitive match-up. He said that the winners of the main event on February 22 will defend against Brian Kendrick and Paul London.
February 6: • Commissioner Armstrong had more matches for two cards in February, first the Jackson card on the 22nd. o Terry “Bamm Bamm” Gordy will make his return to the ring from an ankle injury. He will need to wait for the Vachons and Double X’s suspension to end but he will battle their ally Doctor X in his return match! This should be a hard-hitting bout between two former Southern champions! o Two more wrestlers will return on this card, as the suspension for Jimmy Jacobs and Tyler Black of the Age of the Fall will expire. The duo will return and immediately battle their rivals—the New Age Outlaws. • The following week, Tracy Smothers will return to action on Leap Day. Smothers had his ribs broken by Jacobs and Black back in November in Tupelo when Black hit Phoenix Splash on him through the announcers’ table. Smothers and the Outlaws will take on Jacobs, Black, and their disciple Luke Harper in what should be a wild six-man tag team bout!
February 13: • Commissioner Armstrong had more matches announced for this month, first for the Jackson card. o Two rival tag teams will do battle again, as the Midnight Express will collide with the PYT Express!! o Nick Bockwinkel will tangle one more time with his former tag team partner Ray “The Crippler” Stevens. In the six-man tag team match a few weeks ago in Lexington, Stevens used Jimmy Hart’s megaphone on Bockwinkel while he had King Kong Bundy in the sleeper, leading to Bockwinkel getting pinned. What will happen in the next chapter? • In a rematch from New Year’s Knockout XII, “Superstar” Bill Dundee will once again face Doctor X on February 29. The Doctor gave the Australian his only loss so far in the USWA on December 31. Dundee hopes to avenge that loss!
The USWA comes home to Memphis on February 15! It will be the day after Valentine’s Day and what better way to celebrate with your true love than by a date at the Mid-South Coliseum for the first USWA card in Memphis of 2016?! • In a tag team match that many fans are anticipating for its hard-hitting action, the First Family of Wrestling’s team of Big John Studd and King Kong Bundy will face Mid-America Heavyweight champion “The Belfast Bruiser” Fit Finlay and David Taylor. The giants are looking forward to their first shot at the USWA World Tag Team titles the following week in Jackson. But they cannot underestimate the British duo who can brutalize opponents of any size. Who will win this bout between these two rulebreaking teams? • In a rematch from the World Tag Team-title tournament, Brian Kendrick and Paul London will face Luke Harper and the Necro Butcher! Kendrick and London defeated the brawlers by disqualification when Butcher hit London with a steel chair as London attempted a pescado on him. The high-flying fan favorites made it all the way to the finals. They will receive another title match in the future. Harper and Necro hope to gain some more wins and get themselves some recognition for title bouts in 2016. Which team will make a statement? • In another hard-hitting bout, “The Swiss Superman” Claudio Castagnoli will face Ox Baker. Castagnoli has a shot at Fit Finlay and the Mid-America Heavyweight title next week in Jackson. Give him credit for not letting up on his schedule prior to a title bout. Can he defeat “The Fabulous” Ox? • Two top-rope experts will collide for the first time, as “Superstar” Bill Dundee faces Ray “The Crippler” Stevens. This could be a very exciting bout for fans of fast-paced action. Will the Bombs Away or the Superstar Bomb be dropped in Memphis? • Another rematch from the World Tag Team-title tournament will see the new champions and undefeated team from the House of Humperdink—Larry Zbyszko and Mr. Saito face the PYT Express! Sweet Brown Sugar and D’Lo Brown looked close to upsetting Zbyszko and Saito in the semifinals in Nashville. But Sugar grabbed Zbyszko’s nunchucks away from him and got caught using them, leading to a disqualification. This will be a non-title bout but a win by the PYTs would put them in line for a title match. Can they give Zbyszko and Saito their first loss and avenge that controversial loss? • In a rematch from the last Mid-South Coliseum card, back in November, which was also the USWA’s 450th event, Nick Bockwinkel will tangle with “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert. Gilbert got the win in their first meeting via disqualification when Bockwinkel took Sir Oliver Humperdink’s cane away from him and used it on Gilbert. Gilbert has been bragging about defeating the four-time former USWA World champion ever since then. Bockwinkel is poised to put Gilbert in his place. Can he defeat the three-time former Southern Heavyweight champion or will Gilbert go 2-0 against Bock? • The main event will be a rematch of the New Year’s Knockout XII main event, as “Ravishing” Rick Rude puts the USWA World Heavyweight title on the line against “The Golden Greek” Jim Londos. Rude, as always, will be accompanied by his manager “The Mouth of The South” Jimmy Hart. Londos, as he was on New Year’s Eve, will have Ed “Strangler” Lewis in his corner. In their first meeting, Londos had Rude in the Boston Crab and looked like he was about to gain a submission and win the World title. But Hart clocked Londos with the megaphone, causing him to release the Crab and get counted out. Both Londos and Lewis are aware of what Hart can do and will be on high alert. Can Londos end Rude’s 14-month reign or will Rude triumph again and continue his historic dominance?
All these great matches, plus Tommy Rogers and Bobby Shane in action, as well as the USWA debut of “Mr. USA” Tony Atlas!
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