Post by Cory Olson on Feb 16, 2020 21:02:34 GMT -5
Thanks to Luke and Booker Bill for the comments!
October 31, 2016
Card #486: Tupelo Sports Arena
The Tupelo Sports Arena is always a wild group of fans for USWA cards but they were especially fired-up tonight, sporting Halloween costumes! Many fans dressed up as their favorite wrestlers!
1) Brad and Brian Armstrong got a win in the opener over the masked Dominos via countout. Domino I had some offense against “The Road Dogg” but Brian took control and hit the Shake, Rattle, and Roll knee drop. Brad tagged in and hit a flying body press off the top rope for a two-count. He followed up with a big dropkick that sent Domino I over the top rope and out of the ring! Despite help from Domino II, the masked man couldn’t get back into the ring by Tommy Marlin’s 10-count, so the Armstrongs got the win before Domino II could even wrestle. DUD (NOTE: This was my first time using B.G. James’s color card, recently released by Filsinger Games in the Legends of Wrestling Color Expansion V!)
2) Tyler Black picked up an impressive singles win over Billy Gunn. The match started off fast-paced like their bout last week in Nashville. Gunn executed a jackhammer a few minutes into the bout for a near fall. Black surprised Gunn with a superkick out of nowhere. He hit an impressive fireman’s carry gutbuster for a near fall. He stayed in control of Gunn and came off the top rope with the Phoenix Splash to score the pinfall. Black continues to impress with Luke Harper by his side! **½
3) Brian Kendrick and “American Dragon” Bryan Danielson picked up a countout win over “Dastardly” Danny Doring and the Amish RoadKill. Kendrick and Danielson worked well together against their more-experienced opponents. Later in the match, Kendrick came off the top rope with a double foot stomp right across RoadKill’s nose, busting him open. Danielson tagged back in and knocked “The Angry Amish Warrior” out of the ring after a series of European uppercuts. He then bounced off the ropes and dove through the ropes with an amazing suicide dive, driving RoadKill into the guard railing! Despite help from the “Dastardly One,” RoadKill was too hurt and couldn’t beat Sam Platania’s count back into the ring. While Kendrick and Danielson were pleased with the win, you can bet it was not the type of win they wanted to get! ***¼
4) “Superstar” Bill Dundee got his first win over his rival Bobby Shane. It looked like Shane would pick up another win, as he was aggressive against the Aussie from the opening bell. He tried for the Japanese sleeper on two occasions and looked like he might win but with the fans behind him, Dundee fought out of the hold twice. He took control with some big roundhouse rights against Shane. He tried to use the sleeper himself to beat Shane. He got close but Shane got to the ropes for a break. Shane was shaken up by the sleeper, so Dundee took advantage with a big body slam. He then went up to the top rope and came off with the Superstar Bomb to score the pinfall. The Tupelo fans went wild, as “Mr. USA” Tony Atlas and Nick Bockwinkel came out to celebrate the win with the “Superstar”! **¾
5) Up next was a bout that fans and wrestling experts were unclear of as what was going to take place. “The Unpredictable” Johnny Rodz was introduced first. Next out was Sir Oliver Humperdink. He said that he had a recorded message from “The Gamesmaster” Kevin Sullivan, as Sullivan did not want Nick Bockwinkel to try and attack him. Sullivan’s voice came on through the speakers of the Sports Arena. H said that while the Patriot portrays himself as a great American and a role model, he said that no human is truly upstanding. He said he has found a man who represents the truth beneath all people—the dark side. He introduced from the Dark Side of America, weighing 252 pounds, the Dark Patriot! Into the arena walked a masked man. Unlike the Patriot’s star-spangled mask, this Patriot wore a black mask with a red star and a full bodysuit.
This Patriot was very aggressive, pummeling Rodz from the opening bell. Rodz made a brief comeback and hit an Unpredictable Slam. The Dark Patriot rolled out of the way, where Humperdink was waiting for him. USWA cameras picked up Humperdink handing the masked man an object from his coat. The Patriot slipped the object into his mask and climbed up on the ring apron. He blasted Rodz with a loaded head butt, dropping the New Yorker to the mat. Patriot climbed back in the ring and continued his onslaught. He hit a suplex a few moments later and scored the pinfall. Fans seemed shocked by this mysterious newcomer’s unexpected debut as a new member of the House of Humperdink! *
6) “Exotic” Adrian Street had his toughest match in the USWA to date but still remained undefeated by defeating former Mid-America Heavyweight champion “The Belfast Bruiser” Fit Finlay. Street had the initial advantage and worked over Finlay’s leg. He used a new move out of his arsenal that he hasn’t used so far in the USWA—a bridging toehold called the London Bridge Leglock. He had Finlay in the move for over a minute but the Irish brawler fought hard for the ropes for a break. Finlay fought through the pain of the injured leg and hit a hard scoop slam, dropping Street’s legs on the bottom ropes. He made a cover, driving his forearm into Street’s throat but the “Exotic One” kicked out. Finlay stayed on the attack and hit a Belfast Bomb. He was slow to make a cover due to landing on the injured leg. He made a cover but Jim Cornette distracted Sam Platania. Finlay stayed in control for a few moments. He went for a second Belfast Bomb but Street rolled out of the way and Finlay landed on the injured leg. Street took control and took Finlay down with the crucifix a few moments later to score the pin after about 10 minutes of action. With the win, Street is now 7-0 since his debut at Independence Day Bash. ***¼
7) Mr. Saito scored a controversial countout win over Nick Bockwinkel. Bockwinkel was the aggressor at the start. He went for the Bockwinkel sleeper early and had it on for nearly a minute but Saito eventually made it to the second rope for a break. The Japanese Olympian took control and sent Bockwinkel into the buckles. He charged in at Bockwinkel but the four-time former USWA champion dodged the attack and Saito hit the buckles hard. Bockwinkel rolled him up with a school-boy but Saito kicked out at two. Bockwinkel attacked the neck, which the House of Humperdink injured on Bockwinkel. He piledrove Saito but again the Japanese Olympian kicked out. Suddenly, “The Gamesmaster” Kevin Sullivan appeared in the aisleway but stayed closer to the entrance to avoid being seen by Bockwinkel. Bockwinkel did catch a glimpse of Sullivan and went out after him. Sir Oliver Humperdink got in Bockwinkel’s way to avoid Bockwinkel getting to “The Gamesmaster.” Bockwinkel shoved down the manager, which allowed Saito time to recover and attack Bockwinkel. He threw Bockwinkel back in the ring and hit two consecutive Saito suplexes for near falls. Saito pummeled the neck more and then threw Bockwinkel out of the ring. Humperdink distracted Tommy Marlin while Sullivan came down to the ringside area. He hammered Bockwinkel’s neck and then delivered a piledriver on the arena floor! He quickly retreated to the locker room. Marlin turned around and Bockwinkel was out. He counted him out of the ring, giving Saito the win. “Mr. USA” Tony Atlas (preparing for his own later match with Sullivan) and “Superstar” Bill Dundee (recovered from his earlier victory) came down after the bell to check on Bockwinkel. Bockwinkel was able to walk to the back with assistance but was in a lot of pain and seemed very out of it. **¾
8) Big John Studd and Superstar Bundy got an impressive win over Steve “Dr. Death” Williams and Terry “Bamm Bamm” Gordy. The First Family of Wrestling team was very focused and aggressive in this bout. Studd worked over Williams in the first few minutes, hitting a throat drop on the top rope for a near fall. Bundy and “Bamm Bamm” were the legal men when Bundy hit the Atlantic City Avalanche. He got the three-count but when he asked Tom Branch for a five-count, Gordy kicked out after four! The fans popped big for this win. Studd tagged back in and worked on Gordy’s back. He picked up Gordy into the backbreaker. Williams tried to save his partner but the big Superstar cut him and drove him into the buckles. Gordy was trapped and forced to submit. “The Mouth of The South” Jimmy Hart was very happy with his men’s win! **
9) “Mr. USA” Tony Atlas scored some revenge for his ally Nick Bockwinkel and gave “The Gamesmaster” Kevin Sullivan his first decisive loss in the USWA! Sullivan charged Atlas right at the bell and was vicious. He hit the double foot stomp but pulled Atlas’ shoulder off the mat before the count of three and instead chose to administer more punishment. While Sir Oliver Humperdink distracted Sam Platania, Sullivan went to his robe in the corner and pulled out the golden spike, the same one he used on Doug Gilbert last month in Springfield. Sullivan jabbed Atlas with it, opening up his opponent. The blood quickly flowed. Sullivan hit a Tree of Woe, then pulled Atlas off the buckles, and went for a cover but Atlas kicked out. Atlas fought back and went up to the top rope. His own blood briefly blinded him which slowed him down from making a quick attack. He finally leaped off with a jumping head butt to a standing “Gamesmaster” but Sullivan moved out of the way and Atlas landed hard. Sullivan took control when “Superstar” Bill Dundee came back into the arena. He tried to tell Platania to look for Sullivan’s golden spike. Sullivan went after Dundee outside the ring and started to choke him. The Aussie “Superstar” didn’t fight back so as to risk getting Atlas disqualified. Atlas recovered and attacked Sullivan outside the ring. Atlas got back in the ring and distracted Platania while Dundee threw some big right hands! He tossed Sullivan back in and Atlas immediately picked him up with the press slam. He dropped Sullivan to the mat and then hit the big splash. To ensure Sullivan was done or perhaps to inflict more punishment, Atlas got up and hit two more big splashes. He covered Sullivan and scored the pinfall, which drew a big pop from the Tupelo fans! ***½
10) The main event was for the USWA Southern Heavyweight championship. Current and two-time champion “Classy” Freddie Blassie put the title on the line against “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan. Duggan was gunning to win his first-ever USWA championship. This was a wild, physical brawl from the start. Perhaps it was the adrenaline of being in a championship main event match but Duggan’s knee seemed to be alright after last week’s six-man tag team match and losing to Billy Black Lyons’ figure-four leglock. Duggan tried for a submission with a bear hug. Blassie broke out of the hold with a thumb to the eye. He then quickly bit Duggan and went for a school-boy roll-up while “Hacksaw” stumbled around blind but Duggan kicked out. Duggan fought back and had the champion stumbling. He got down in the three-point stance and went for the flying spear but Blassie saw him coming and jumped out of the ring before Duggan could reach him. The challenger went after Blassie but Blassie cut him off with a face rake. Blassie jumped back in the ring and bit Duggan again, this time drawing blood. “The Vampire” pounded away on the cut for several minutes. He delivered multiple knee drops and covered Duggan to score the pinfall and retain the Southern title after eight minutes of action. “Classy” Freddie left Halloween with his title still intact! (With the win, Blassie now has seven defenses of the title in this reign and now solely holds the second greatest number of defenses of the Southern title! The Sheik’s third reign from August 2008 to June 2009 with 10 defenses is currently the longest reign.) **½
October 31, 2016
Card #486: Tupelo Sports Arena
The Tupelo Sports Arena is always a wild group of fans for USWA cards but they were especially fired-up tonight, sporting Halloween costumes! Many fans dressed up as their favorite wrestlers!
1) Brad and Brian Armstrong got a win in the opener over the masked Dominos via countout. Domino I had some offense against “The Road Dogg” but Brian took control and hit the Shake, Rattle, and Roll knee drop. Brad tagged in and hit a flying body press off the top rope for a two-count. He followed up with a big dropkick that sent Domino I over the top rope and out of the ring! Despite help from Domino II, the masked man couldn’t get back into the ring by Tommy Marlin’s 10-count, so the Armstrongs got the win before Domino II could even wrestle. DUD (NOTE: This was my first time using B.G. James’s color card, recently released by Filsinger Games in the Legends of Wrestling Color Expansion V!)
2) Tyler Black picked up an impressive singles win over Billy Gunn. The match started off fast-paced like their bout last week in Nashville. Gunn executed a jackhammer a few minutes into the bout for a near fall. Black surprised Gunn with a superkick out of nowhere. He hit an impressive fireman’s carry gutbuster for a near fall. He stayed in control of Gunn and came off the top rope with the Phoenix Splash to score the pinfall. Black continues to impress with Luke Harper by his side! **½
3) Brian Kendrick and “American Dragon” Bryan Danielson picked up a countout win over “Dastardly” Danny Doring and the Amish RoadKill. Kendrick and Danielson worked well together against their more-experienced opponents. Later in the match, Kendrick came off the top rope with a double foot stomp right across RoadKill’s nose, busting him open. Danielson tagged back in and knocked “The Angry Amish Warrior” out of the ring after a series of European uppercuts. He then bounced off the ropes and dove through the ropes with an amazing suicide dive, driving RoadKill into the guard railing! Despite help from the “Dastardly One,” RoadKill was too hurt and couldn’t beat Sam Platania’s count back into the ring. While Kendrick and Danielson were pleased with the win, you can bet it was not the type of win they wanted to get! ***¼
4) “Superstar” Bill Dundee got his first win over his rival Bobby Shane. It looked like Shane would pick up another win, as he was aggressive against the Aussie from the opening bell. He tried for the Japanese sleeper on two occasions and looked like he might win but with the fans behind him, Dundee fought out of the hold twice. He took control with some big roundhouse rights against Shane. He tried to use the sleeper himself to beat Shane. He got close but Shane got to the ropes for a break. Shane was shaken up by the sleeper, so Dundee took advantage with a big body slam. He then went up to the top rope and came off with the Superstar Bomb to score the pinfall. The Tupelo fans went wild, as “Mr. USA” Tony Atlas and Nick Bockwinkel came out to celebrate the win with the “Superstar”! **¾
5) Up next was a bout that fans and wrestling experts were unclear of as what was going to take place. “The Unpredictable” Johnny Rodz was introduced first. Next out was Sir Oliver Humperdink. He said that he had a recorded message from “The Gamesmaster” Kevin Sullivan, as Sullivan did not want Nick Bockwinkel to try and attack him. Sullivan’s voice came on through the speakers of the Sports Arena. H said that while the Patriot portrays himself as a great American and a role model, he said that no human is truly upstanding. He said he has found a man who represents the truth beneath all people—the dark side. He introduced from the Dark Side of America, weighing 252 pounds, the Dark Patriot! Into the arena walked a masked man. Unlike the Patriot’s star-spangled mask, this Patriot wore a black mask with a red star and a full bodysuit.
This Patriot was very aggressive, pummeling Rodz from the opening bell. Rodz made a brief comeback and hit an Unpredictable Slam. The Dark Patriot rolled out of the way, where Humperdink was waiting for him. USWA cameras picked up Humperdink handing the masked man an object from his coat. The Patriot slipped the object into his mask and climbed up on the ring apron. He blasted Rodz with a loaded head butt, dropping the New Yorker to the mat. Patriot climbed back in the ring and continued his onslaught. He hit a suplex a few moments later and scored the pinfall. Fans seemed shocked by this mysterious newcomer’s unexpected debut as a new member of the House of Humperdink! *
6) “Exotic” Adrian Street had his toughest match in the USWA to date but still remained undefeated by defeating former Mid-America Heavyweight champion “The Belfast Bruiser” Fit Finlay. Street had the initial advantage and worked over Finlay’s leg. He used a new move out of his arsenal that he hasn’t used so far in the USWA—a bridging toehold called the London Bridge Leglock. He had Finlay in the move for over a minute but the Irish brawler fought hard for the ropes for a break. Finlay fought through the pain of the injured leg and hit a hard scoop slam, dropping Street’s legs on the bottom ropes. He made a cover, driving his forearm into Street’s throat but the “Exotic One” kicked out. Finlay stayed on the attack and hit a Belfast Bomb. He was slow to make a cover due to landing on the injured leg. He made a cover but Jim Cornette distracted Sam Platania. Finlay stayed in control for a few moments. He went for a second Belfast Bomb but Street rolled out of the way and Finlay landed on the injured leg. Street took control and took Finlay down with the crucifix a few moments later to score the pin after about 10 minutes of action. With the win, Street is now 7-0 since his debut at Independence Day Bash. ***¼
7) Mr. Saito scored a controversial countout win over Nick Bockwinkel. Bockwinkel was the aggressor at the start. He went for the Bockwinkel sleeper early and had it on for nearly a minute but Saito eventually made it to the second rope for a break. The Japanese Olympian took control and sent Bockwinkel into the buckles. He charged in at Bockwinkel but the four-time former USWA champion dodged the attack and Saito hit the buckles hard. Bockwinkel rolled him up with a school-boy but Saito kicked out at two. Bockwinkel attacked the neck, which the House of Humperdink injured on Bockwinkel. He piledrove Saito but again the Japanese Olympian kicked out. Suddenly, “The Gamesmaster” Kevin Sullivan appeared in the aisleway but stayed closer to the entrance to avoid being seen by Bockwinkel. Bockwinkel did catch a glimpse of Sullivan and went out after him. Sir Oliver Humperdink got in Bockwinkel’s way to avoid Bockwinkel getting to “The Gamesmaster.” Bockwinkel shoved down the manager, which allowed Saito time to recover and attack Bockwinkel. He threw Bockwinkel back in the ring and hit two consecutive Saito suplexes for near falls. Saito pummeled the neck more and then threw Bockwinkel out of the ring. Humperdink distracted Tommy Marlin while Sullivan came down to the ringside area. He hammered Bockwinkel’s neck and then delivered a piledriver on the arena floor! He quickly retreated to the locker room. Marlin turned around and Bockwinkel was out. He counted him out of the ring, giving Saito the win. “Mr. USA” Tony Atlas (preparing for his own later match with Sullivan) and “Superstar” Bill Dundee (recovered from his earlier victory) came down after the bell to check on Bockwinkel. Bockwinkel was able to walk to the back with assistance but was in a lot of pain and seemed very out of it. **¾
8) Big John Studd and Superstar Bundy got an impressive win over Steve “Dr. Death” Williams and Terry “Bamm Bamm” Gordy. The First Family of Wrestling team was very focused and aggressive in this bout. Studd worked over Williams in the first few minutes, hitting a throat drop on the top rope for a near fall. Bundy and “Bamm Bamm” were the legal men when Bundy hit the Atlantic City Avalanche. He got the three-count but when he asked Tom Branch for a five-count, Gordy kicked out after four! The fans popped big for this win. Studd tagged back in and worked on Gordy’s back. He picked up Gordy into the backbreaker. Williams tried to save his partner but the big Superstar cut him and drove him into the buckles. Gordy was trapped and forced to submit. “The Mouth of The South” Jimmy Hart was very happy with his men’s win! **
9) “Mr. USA” Tony Atlas scored some revenge for his ally Nick Bockwinkel and gave “The Gamesmaster” Kevin Sullivan his first decisive loss in the USWA! Sullivan charged Atlas right at the bell and was vicious. He hit the double foot stomp but pulled Atlas’ shoulder off the mat before the count of three and instead chose to administer more punishment. While Sir Oliver Humperdink distracted Sam Platania, Sullivan went to his robe in the corner and pulled out the golden spike, the same one he used on Doug Gilbert last month in Springfield. Sullivan jabbed Atlas with it, opening up his opponent. The blood quickly flowed. Sullivan hit a Tree of Woe, then pulled Atlas off the buckles, and went for a cover but Atlas kicked out. Atlas fought back and went up to the top rope. His own blood briefly blinded him which slowed him down from making a quick attack. He finally leaped off with a jumping head butt to a standing “Gamesmaster” but Sullivan moved out of the way and Atlas landed hard. Sullivan took control when “Superstar” Bill Dundee came back into the arena. He tried to tell Platania to look for Sullivan’s golden spike. Sullivan went after Dundee outside the ring and started to choke him. The Aussie “Superstar” didn’t fight back so as to risk getting Atlas disqualified. Atlas recovered and attacked Sullivan outside the ring. Atlas got back in the ring and distracted Platania while Dundee threw some big right hands! He tossed Sullivan back in and Atlas immediately picked him up with the press slam. He dropped Sullivan to the mat and then hit the big splash. To ensure Sullivan was done or perhaps to inflict more punishment, Atlas got up and hit two more big splashes. He covered Sullivan and scored the pinfall, which drew a big pop from the Tupelo fans! ***½
10) The main event was for the USWA Southern Heavyweight championship. Current and two-time champion “Classy” Freddie Blassie put the title on the line against “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan. Duggan was gunning to win his first-ever USWA championship. This was a wild, physical brawl from the start. Perhaps it was the adrenaline of being in a championship main event match but Duggan’s knee seemed to be alright after last week’s six-man tag team match and losing to Billy Black Lyons’ figure-four leglock. Duggan tried for a submission with a bear hug. Blassie broke out of the hold with a thumb to the eye. He then quickly bit Duggan and went for a school-boy roll-up while “Hacksaw” stumbled around blind but Duggan kicked out. Duggan fought back and had the champion stumbling. He got down in the three-point stance and went for the flying spear but Blassie saw him coming and jumped out of the ring before Duggan could reach him. The challenger went after Blassie but Blassie cut him off with a face rake. Blassie jumped back in the ring and bit Duggan again, this time drawing blood. “The Vampire” pounded away on the cut for several minutes. He delivered multiple knee drops and covered Duggan to score the pinfall and retain the Southern title after eight minutes of action. “Classy” Freddie left Halloween with his title still intact! (With the win, Blassie now has seven defenses of the title in this reign and now solely holds the second greatest number of defenses of the Southern title! The Sheik’s third reign from August 2008 to June 2009 with 10 defenses is currently the longest reign.) **½