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Post by TTX on May 13, 2020 19:55:14 GMT -5
Cool win by the BWM and nice to see London return.
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Post by Cory Olson on May 14, 2020 21:03:35 GMT -5
Thanks to Troy for the comments!December 12, 2016 Card #491: Western County High School in Dixon, KY1) The Amish RoadKill scored a tainted disqualification win over Colt “Boom Boom” Cabana in the opener. The bout only lasted a couple of minutes before RoadKill rolled out of the ring for a breather. “Dastardly” Danny Doring was at ringside for his tag team partner and went to console him. Cabana came out after “The Angry Amish Warrior.” Doring charged Cabana but Paul Morton stopped him from attacking. While Morton was distracted by the “Dastardly One,” RoadKill attempted to hit Cabana from behind with a steel chair. Cabana cut him off with a boot to the midsection. RoadKill dropped to the gym floor and Morton heard the thud of the chair. RoadKill acted like he had been hit and Morton called for the bell, disqualifying Cabana! The fans were outraged by this as RoadKill and Doring returned to the locker room! DUD 2) The Dark Patriot kept up his winning ways with a pinfall on Jake “The Milkman” Milliman. Milliman had some early offense against the masked man but the Dark Patriot battled back. He used one of the Patriot’s finishers, the Patriot Missile, to score the three-count. After the bell, “The Gamesmaster” Kevin Sullivan informed Lance Russell and Dave Brown at ringside that the Dark Patriot’s version of the move is the Scud Missile! DUD 3) Mid-America Heavyweight champion Ray “The Crippler” Stevens suffered a second non-title loss in as many weeks when he was defeated by Luke Harper! As usual, Stevens was led to the ring by his manager “The Mouth of The South” Jimmy Hart. Harper was accompanied by his employer Tyler Black, who will be challenging for the Mid-America title on New Year’s Eve. Stevens was aggressive at the start, hoping to bounce back from last week’s loss to David Taylor. He hit a flying body press in the first few minutes for a near fall. He managed to get the big man up for a short piledriver and made a cover but Harper got a foot on the bottom rope. Stevens went up top again and jumped up off with a double sledge. Harper blocked the attack with the big boot to the face in midair! The move was so impactful that Harper himself collapsed. Both men got to their feet and Harper immediately attacked with a second boot! He covered Stevens but “The Crippler” kicked out. Harper hit a choke slam a few moments later for another near fall. Harper hit another big boot which knocked Stevens over the top rope and to the arena floor. Stevens hit his head on the ring apron and was busted open. Harper attempted to attack Stevens by stepping over the top rope but Stevens was ready for him and crotched the big man on the top rope. The Mid-America champ returned to the ring and took over on Harper but the big Nebraskan rallied back. He hit another big boot and Stevens dropped to the mat hard. As Harper was about to make the cover, Hart jumped up on the apron to distract Joe Wheeler. With Wheeler’s attention turned to “The Mouth of The South,” he did not see Bobby Shane run down to ringside, as Shane did in Stevens’ match with Taylor last week in Evansville. This time, Shane would not make it into the ring, as Black saw him coming and nailed him with a roundhouse kick, sending him back to the locker room just as quickly as he entered. Black then pulled Hart off the apron, while Wheeler turned his attention back to the match. The skirmish had allowed Stevens some time to recover and he went to work on Harper. He sent Harper into the ropes but Harper reversed the whip. As Stevens bounced back, Harper blasted him with another big boot! He covered Stevens and scored a huge non-title win over the Mid-America champion! Harper and Black celebrated his huge victory and gloated at Stevens and Hart! **** 4) “Superstar” Bill Dundee scored a huge pin win over Mad Dog Vachon in another wild meeting between these two wrestlers. Vachon was aggressive at the bell. He hit the piledriver very early in the bout but the “Superstar” kicked out at 2¾. Vachon continued the attack, hitting a Mad Dog Pounce, and then later a gutbuster for another near fall. Getting frustrated that he hadn’t yet pinned the Aussie, the Algerian brawler punched and raked Dundee’s face over and over. Paul Morton warned Vachon about his tactics and Vachon’s response was to shove the official down! For the second match in a row between these two wrestlers, the official had been taken out of commission during the match. Dundee pounced on Vachon and worked on his legs. He went for an Indian Deathlock and Vachon tapped out but there was no official to call for the bell! Dundee released the hold to check on Morton. Vachon hobbled to his feet and then nailed a distracted Dundee with a double sledge to the back. Dundee rallied back, swept both of Vachon’s legs, and then turned it into a Boston Crab. Morton got to his feet and looked ready to call for the bell to disqualify Vachon. Before he could, Dundee released the Crab, ran over to the official, and begged him not to disqualify Vachon but rather to let the match continue as he was hoping to get a decisive win this week. Morton obliged but Dundee was ambushed again by Vachon. Vachon whipped Dundee into the ropes but the “Superstar” reversed the whip and sent Vachon flying up-and-over with a big punch to the stomach. Dundee then set Vachon up near one corner of the ring and came off the top with the Superstar Bomb. He made a cover and scored the pin, which drew a big pop from the Dixon fans! ***¼ 5) In a renewal of a classic USWA feud, “American Dragon” Bryan Danielson defeated “The Belfast Bruiser” Fit Finlay by DQ. Finlay took the initial advantage and tried to quickly defeat the two-time former World Heavyweight champion. Ht blasted Danielson with a head butt and scored a two-count. Finlay executed the tombstone piledriver twice on Danielson but “Dragon” managed to kick out both times. With the Dixon fans cheering him on, Danielson rallied back and placed Finlay on the top turnbuckle. He then climbed up behind him and hit a back superplex, which rocked the crowd! Danielson was slow to make a cover due to the impact of the move so when he finally did, the Irish brawler managed to kick out. Danielson flatted Finlay with a clothesline and “The Belfast Bruiser” rolled out of the ring. Danielson came out after Finlay but didn’t see that Finlay had grabbed a steel chair from the ringside area. Finlay nailed Danielson with the chair. Scott Bowden saw this and called for the bell. Danielson fell to the gym floor and Finlay struck him one more time in the throat with the chair, the same spot where “Exotic” Adrian Street hit Danielson with Jim Cornette’s tennis racquet in the six-man tag team match last week in Evansville. After more warnings by Bowden, Finlay finally dropped the chair and left the ringside area. Bowden checked on Danielson and “Dragon” was able to get to his feet and walk back to the locker room on his own, although in a lot of pain. *** 6) Larry Zbyszko and Mr. Saito ambushed the Midnight Express before the bell and the tactic led to a quick victory in a disappointing tag team match. Zbyszko, Saito, and Sir Oliver Humperdink entered the ring area first. The Midnights came out next and as they entered the ring with their theme music still playing, the House of Humperdink team charged them and attacked from behind. Saito and “Sweet” Stan Lane brawled outside the ring, while “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton and Zbyszko became the default legal men inside the ring. Joe Wheeler called for the bell to officially start the match. Eaton finally got his ring robe off but Zbyszko continued the attack. Eaton surprised him with a small package for a two-count. After kicking out, Zbyszko got to his feet and stomped Eaton. Meanwhile outside the ring, Lane had gained the upper hand on Saito, until Sir Oliver Humperdink attacked him from behind with his cane. Saito recovered, grabbed the cane from his manager, and then nailed Lane in the lower back with it. He then executed the Saito suplex on the gym floor! Saito finally made his way to the House of Humperdink’s corner. Zbyszko pulled Eaton to the corner and then tagged in the Japanese Olympian. Both Zbyszko and Saito worked on Eaton’s leg and then Saito quickly clamped on the Scorpion Leglock. Lane had recovered and tried to get into the ring to break up the submission attempt but it was too late, as Eaton tapped out. It was a big win for Zbyszko and Saito but the Dixon fans were not happy with the brevity and one-sidedness of the bout! neg* 7) “Ravishing” Rick Rude defeated his former ally Superstar Bundy. Despite the still-injured ribs, Rude was the aggressor for much of the bout. Bundy cut him off midway through the bout and tried to score a submission with a bear hug, really grinding into Rude’s ribs. Rude looked close to surrendering but then bit Bundy’s forehead, which drew blood, and then eye raked him for good measure. Rude hit a swinging neckbreaker a few moments later but Jimmy Hart had distracted Paul Morton from one corner. Rude got off of Bundy and grabbed his former manager. Bundy recovered and charged at Rude with the Atlantic City Avalanche from behind. Rude saw him coming, moved out of the way, and Bundy crashed into the buckles, head butting Hart at the same time and sending him flying off the apron! Rude clotheslined Bundy and then followed up with the Rude Awakening a few moments later to score the pinfall. Despite Rude insulting the Dixon fans before the match on the microphone, the crowd sided with him tonight and gave him a big ovation for his win! ***¾ 8) “The Gamesmaster” Kevin Sullivan pinned Red Bastien. Bastien was aggressive against Sullivan in the opening minutes but Sullivan took control. He got Bastien down on the mat and hit the double foot stomp for a two-count. Bastien rallied back and twice hit his amazing flying head scissors but couldn’t score the pinfall. Sullivan capitalized on a mistake by Bastien and whipped him hard into the corner. Sullivan then picked up Bastien in a body slam-position but hung him by his feet upside down in the corner. He then delivered the Tree of Woe and immediately pulled Bastien off the buckles to cover him and to score the pinfall. “The Gamesmaster” was impressive here tonight against the former Texas and World Tag Team champion. How will he fare against a man out for revenge in Tommy Gilbert on New Year’s Eve in Louisville? **¾ 9) “The 8th Wonder of The World” Andre the Giant scored a dominant pinfall over Bobby Shane. Andre dominated Shane, slammed hard to the mat, and then delivered the big splash to score the pinfall in about two minutes. The Dixon fans were glad to have seen the French giant in action, if only for a short time. It was not a good night for the First Family of Wrestling! DUD 10) The main event was a rematch from last month in Bowling Green for the USWA World Tag Team titles. The new champions Steve “Dr. Death” Williams and Terry “Bamm Bamm” Gordy put the titles on the line against the former champions Doctor X and Billy Black Lyons. The former champions had protested prior to this rematch on Championship Wrestling that the only reason the new champions won last month was due to Lyons’ broken nose. Lyons was still sporting the face mask going into this bout. As the other matches between these teams have been, this bout was back-and-forth. Doctor X worked much of the early portion of the match for his team, probably due to Lyons being injured. The champions worked over X for the first few minutes until X took over on Gordy. Lyons finally tagged in and the challengers worked on Gordy’s leg. Lyons went for the figure-four but Gordy kicked him off before he could fully apply. Lyons instead tried for the X-cellent sleeper. Gordy started to drop but broke the hold by ramming Lyons’ back into the buckles. Lyons recovered first and went up to the top rope. He came off with a flying body press but “Bamm Bamm” caught him and dropped him with a falling body slam. Gordy went for a cover but Lyons kicked out. Gordy managed to tag “Dr. Death,” who ran wild on Lyons. With Gordy recovered, Williams tagged him back in and the champions blasted Lyons with a double football tackle for a two-count. A few moments later, Gordy hit the Bamm Bamm slam. He went for a cover but the Doctor broke up the pin attempt. Lyons managed to recover and tag the doctor. The challengers blasted Gordy with a double dropkick. Lyons’ dropkick hit Gordy smack in the face and he was busted open. The masked Doctor went for a cover but Gordy kicked out. A few minutes later, X and Lyons took over on Williams and trapped him in the ring. They started to work on his knee, which X injured back in July in Lexington. X applied the figure-four in the center of the ring. Williams looked in trouble but with Gordy and the fans rooting him on managed to reverse the hold and get X in a submission situation. X managed to get to the ropes for a break and recover before “Doc” could. Lyons tagged in and came off the second rope with a knee drop, which now had Williams bleeding just like his partner. Lyons tried for a pin but couldn’t keep the Oklahoma Sooner down. Lyons tried for his version of the figure-four right in the center of the ring. Williams was in a lot of trouble so “Bamm Bamm” came in and dropped an elbow across Lyons’ face to break up the hold. Lyons’ face mask hurt Gordy’s elbow but it was worth the sacrifice to try to save the World Tag Team titles. The elbow and the force of the mask into his own face also busted open Lyons, making this a triple-juice match! This brought X into the ring and he and Gordy started to brawl in the far corner. Knowing the importance of a title match, Paul Morton was a little more lenient in the five-count with the illegal men in the ring. Williams and Lyons both slowly got to their feet but Williams struck first with some right hands. He then hoisted Lyons up into a press slam! Before he could drop Lyons, out of nowhere came Mad Dog Vachon to the ringside area. The Algerian brawler had grabbed a steel chair from the ringside area. He reached through the ropes and clipped Williams’ previously-injured knee, causing him and Lyons both to collapse. Vachon hid the chair and tried to keep out of Morton’s view so that the official wouldn’t suspect anything. Gordy and X had brawled outside the ring and Lyons recovered first. He clamped on the figure-four again in the center of the ring. Gordy tried to come in for a save but was ambushed by Vachon and X, unseen by Morton! Due to the blood loss and the injured knee Williams could not break free but did not want to surrender. He passed out from the pain and his shoulders were on the mat. Lyons yelled at Morton to count a pinfall, which he did and then called for the bell after 20 minutes of action. Morton awarded the World Tag Team titles to X and Lyons for the second time! Vachon jumped in the ring and joined his allies in their celebration. As they finally returned to the back, the trio had to avoid garbage and other attacks from the Dixon fans! (Butcher Vachon was not in attendance for this card since he was not booked to wrestle.) ****¾
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Post by Cory Olson on May 19, 2020 16:25:47 GMT -5
Highlights from USWA Championship Wrestling on 12-17 with more announcements for New Year’s Knockout XIII! • After the somewhat shocking results of last week’s main event in Dixon, the match for the USWA World Tag Team titles has been verified. The Midnight Express will challenge the new and now two-time champions Doctor X and Billy Black Lyons! This will be a first-time meeting between these two teams! • Commissioner Bob Armstrong also announced an interesting match-up that will have title match implications for 2017. David Taylor will do battle with Luke Harper. While the commissioner emphasized that both men will get shots at the USWA Mid-America title in the New Year, due to both of them scoring non-title pinfall wins over champion Ray “The Crippler” Stevens the last two weeks, the winner of this match on New Year’s Eve will be the first challenger for the title in ’17! • The commissioner also announced 13 more participants for the huge 25-man Battle Royal for a shot at the USWA World Heavyweight champion in 2017! 11. Steve “Dr. Death” Williams 12. Terry “Bamm Bamm” Gordy 13. Hillbilly Jim 14. Cousin Luke 15. “The Anarchist” Arik Cannon 16. Colt “Boom Boom” Cabana 17. Red Bastien 18. Tommy Rogers 19. Jake “The Milkman” Milliman 20. S.D. Jones 21. Jim Powers 22. “Dastardly” Danny Doring 23. The Amish RoadKill Lance Russell asked the commissioner why he hasn’t announced the last two wrestlers for this epic match. He replied that the last two participants will be determined next week in Knoxville! (See Card #492 preview below.)
It’s the last stop before New Year’s Knockout XIII, when the USWA comes to the Civic Coliseum in Knoxville on December 19! • Thanks to Commissioner Armstrong, two more wrestlers will get the opportunity of a lifetime. Two long-time rulebreaking tag teams will collide when Virgil and “The Unpredictable” Johnny Rodz face George South and “Pretty Boy” Larry Sharpe. The winners of this tag team match will go on to get the last two slots in the 25-man Battle Royal at New Year’s Knockout! While all four men are tough competitors and have scored big wins in the past, they have very few title matches in their USWA tenures. (Virgil challenged for the World Tag Team titles in 2004 with his then-employer the former “Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase. He also challenged once for the now-retired Texas title in 2007. Sharpe also challenged for the Texas title and was the second-to-last challenger in December 2010.) A win in this tag team match and an upset in the Battle Royal could make 2017 a new start for one of these four men. Both teams will have to work together before it’s every-man-for-himself on New Year’s Eve! • The Midnight Express will take on Brad and Brian Armstrong in a rematch from last month in Bowling Green. The Armstrongs came very close to a win over “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton and “Sweet” Stan Lane. The Midnights are looking ahead to their shot at the World Tag Team titles on December 31 and are looking to bounce back from the ambush and quick loss to Larry Zbyszko and Mr. Saito last week in Dixon. The Armstrongs have a big bout of their own on December 31 against the Vachons and would love some momentum with a win over the six-time former champions. Which team will leave Knoxville the winners? • Colt “Boom Boom” Cabana has not yet suffered a decisive loss since debuting in the USWA in August, other than a controversial disqualification loss to the Amish RoadKill last week in Dixon. He will face his toughest opponent yet when he battles former Mid-America champion David Taylor! Taylor has a lot of momentum coming off his non-title win over Mid-America champion Ray “The Cripppler” Stevens two weeks ago in Evansville and wants to keep that momentum going, as he gets ready for a showdown with Luke Harper. But a win for Cabana would definitely get him a lot of recognition. While Cabana is known for his humor, he is very underrated in the ring and can match up with different styles of wrestling. Will it be “Boom Boom” or the British grappler getting the victory? • A match that has not only the pro wrestling world buzzing but also the MMA world will take place, as “American Dragon” Bryan Danielson battles Dan “The Beast” Severn! Both men are former USWA World Heavyweight champions and both have competed in MMA in the past. Severn’s MMA accolades are stronger, as he is a former UFC World Heavyweight champion. However, Danielson is not intimidated by past accomplishments or the fact that he is giving up a lot of power and weight to Severn. Danielson made Severn tap out two weeks ago in the huge six-man tag team match but Jim Cornette had distracted Paul Neighbors. Danielson wants to get a decisive win over Cornette’s bodyguard, as he heads on to New Year’s Knockout to face another of Cornette’s charges, “Exotic” Adrian Street. Can Danielson do it or will Severn get his hand raised in victory? • Last week on Championship Wrestling, Sir Oliver Humperdink issued a challenge for the Patriot to find a partner and face his team of Larry Zbyszko and Mr. Saito. This week, the Patriot was back in the WMC-TV Studios with an answer and a partner—Tommy Gilbert! Gilbert joined the masked man in the studios, shook his hand, and told Lance Russell and the wrestling world that he’d be happy to face two of the House of Humperdink members prior to battling “The Gamesmaster” Kevin Sullivan at New Year’s Knockout. While Gilbert has refereed several big USWA matches in the past and he has a storied career in other territories, this will be his first time competing in a USWA match! Can the makeshift fan favorite team upset the two-time former World Tag Team champions as they both look forward to singles matches with other House of Humperdink members on December 31? • Two big former rivals will meet for the first time in two years, when “The 8th Wonder of The World” Andre the Giant faces Big John Studd of the First Family of Wrestling! It was at Independence Day Bash 2014 at Tim McCarver Stadium in Memphis, when Studd, then under a mask as the Masked Superstar II, and other First Family members tried to cut Andre’s hair. Andre agreed to put up his against Superstar II’s mask at New Year’s Knockout XI in Evansville. Andre won that match and revealed Studd to have been the second Masked Superstar all along. Studd defeated Andre’s New Year’s Knockout XIII opponent “Ravishing” Rick Rude two weeks ago in Evansville, thanks largely to Jimmy Hart’s help, and wants to do the same to Andre this week. Andre has never lost a USWA singles match. Will Studd finally end his streak or will Andre triumph over his old rival? • In the first of two big title matches, Ray “The Crippler” Stevens will defend the USWA Mid-America Heavyweight championship against two-time former champion “The Belfast Bruiser” Fit Finlay. Stevens captured his second title from Finlay in October in Lexington. These two have had some physical battles in 2016, with or without the title on the line. Finlay has yet to score a win on Stevens. But Stevens has had a rough couple of weeks, with two non-title losses, including to Finlay’s mate David Taylor. The winner won't have long to celebrate his title win, as he will have another defense against Tyler Black on December 31! Can Stevens hold on to the gold or will Finlay finally stop him and become a three-time champion? • The main event will be for the USWA Southern Heavyweight championship between two of the most hated me in the USWA today! Current and two-time champion “Classy” Freddie Blassie will defend against the undefeated British glam rocker and grappler “Exotic” Adrian Street! Despite his bizarre appearance and behavior, Street has shown to be a devastating wrestler inside the ring, since joining Jim Cornette’s stable at Independence Day Bash in this same city of Knoxville. Cornette and Street, flanked by Dan Severn, were interviewed in the studios. Cornette said he has a lot of respect for Blassie’s record and accomplishments, as well as his ability to bend the rules! But his man will outwrestle and outcheat Blassie and end his historic reign! Street added that while Blassie calls himself “The Hollywood Fashion Plate,” he (Street) is a much better dresser and will put Blassie to shame. He said that when he wins the Southern gold, he is going to give that “tacky belt” a makeover! Blassie responded later in the show by saying that he has been in the USWA longer than Street and beaten better opponents than Street has and he will continue his reign as Southern champion before becoming the World Heavyweight champion at New Year’s Knockout! He added that his Southern title belt looks just fine as it is, a wrestler’s belt not a rock ‘n roller’s belt! In an added twist, the World champion “The Boogie Woogie Man” “Handsome” Jimmy Valiant announced that just as Blassie scouted his match with Bobby Shane two weeks ago in Evansville, he is going to “boogie woogie” his way into Knoxville in his “finest denim tuxedo” and watch Blassie up-close at ringside! He addressed Street and Cornette as well, saying that Cornette better stay away from the announcers’ table or he will “stick that racquet where the sun don’t shine, Daddy!” What will happen in this huge match for the top prize of the South?
All these huge bouts, plus Tyler Black battles Billy Gunn, and the Dark Patriot collides with “The Anarchist” Arik Cannon, all in Knoxville!
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Post by cruefan68 on May 23, 2020 11:46:09 GMT -5
The action in the USWA is always second to none. The way you run your shows and build to big events is a real inspiration for many of us I'm sure. Very cool to see Jimmy Valiant still on top of things and it will be very interesting to see who claims a USWA World title shot in that 25-Man Battle Royal. I'm also enjoying the three-way rivalry between Ray Stevens, Luke Harper and David Taylor over the USWA Mid-America title.
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Post by Cory Olson on May 23, 2020 13:36:04 GMT -5
Thanks to Crue Fan for the comments! Interesting you mentioned that three-way feud for the Mid-America title. Read the latest results. December 19, 2016 Card #492: Civic Coliseum in Knoxville1) Virgil and “The Unpredictable” Johnny Rodz got a big win in the opener by defeating George South and “Pretty Boy” Larry Sharpe by countout. Virgil and Rodz kept South in the ring for the first few minutes of the match. Virgil hit an impressive missile dropkick on South. Rodz tagged in and nailed South with a clothesline. The New Yorker went for a cover but Sharpe made the save. South managed to tag to Sharpe and the New Jerseyan had some offense but tagged back to South. Virgil took over on South and knocked him out of the ring with some combo punches, showcasing some fancy, boxing-like footwork at the same time. Virgil followed South to the floor and rammed him head-first into the ring post. He returned to the ring as Tommy Marlin continued his count. Despite Sharpe’s pleas and help, South could not beat the count, so Virgil and Rodz won the match and a huge opportunity, as they will be the last two wrestlers in the 25-man Battle Royal at New Year’s Knockout XIII, where the winner will challenge the USWA World Heavyweight champion in 2017! As Virgil and Rodz celebrated and made their way to the back, Sharpe went to check on South. He helped his tag team partner to his feet but then in a shocking move, clotheslined South! He then grabbed South and rammed him again into the ring post! The “Pretty Boy” returned to the locker room with fans berating him. Several other USWA officials joined Marlin in checking on South. He was able to get to his feet and return to the locker room with some assistance. **¾ 2) The Dark Patriot defeated “The Anarchist” Arik Cannon. The PBR drinker Cannon gave the Dark Patriot some anxious moments. He hit a frog splash off the top rope and then followed up with the Glimmering Warlock for a near fall. Dark Patriot battled back, got “The Anarchist” down on the mat and hit an elbow drop for a two-count. He went to the corner and “The Gamesmaster” Kevin Sullivan loaded up his mask with an object, while Sir Oliver Humperdink distracted Sam Platania. Dark Patriot delivered a loaded head butt. With Cannon dazed, Dark Patriot hit the Scud Missile and scored the pinfall. Dark Patriot stayed undefeated after tonight’s match but he will fare against the original Patriot at N ew Year’s Knockout XIII? **½ 3) Tyler Black picked up another pinfall over Billy Gunn. Gunn had a lot of offense against Black but the Iowan battled back and hit a buckle bomb for a near fall. Black also blasted Gunn with a superkick for a two-count. He went up top and hit the Phoenix Splash to score the pin. Black was impressive as he got his hand raised by Tom Branch and his bodyguard Luke Harper. Can he win the USWA Mid-America title on December 31 and whom will he challenge? (Read on!) **¾ 4) The Midnight Express rebounded from their disappointing loss last week to Larry Zbyszko and Mr. Saito in Dixon to get a big win over Brad and Brian Armstrong. Brian had the early advantage against “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton but missed a fist drop off the second rope. Eaton tagged to “Sweet” Stan Lane and the Midnights executed the Veg-o-Matic but “The Road Dogg” kicked out. The Midnights hit the Rocket Launcher a few moments later but Brad made a save. Lane used the Russian leg sweep on Brian, which is also Brad’s finisher. He went for a cover but Brian kicked out. Brian showed his resilience by battling back and finally making the hot tag to Brad. Brad ran wild on Lane and caught him in the sleeper—a favorite of the Armstrongs. Lane started to drop but made the ropes for a break before the move could fully take effect. Lane capitalized on a mistake by Brad and tagged to Eaton. The Midnights worked over Brad before hitting a second Veg-o-Matic. Lane scored the pinfall, while Eaton stopped Brian from a save. The six-time former World Tag Team champions picked up an impressive win here tonight but will they be seven-time champions after December 31? *** 5) David Taylor gave Colt “Boom Boom” Cabana his first loss in the USWA. This was a very back-and-forth match and it looked like either wrestler could win at any time. Cabana hit Cabanarama, which is a cradle DDT. He went for a cover but Taylor somehow managed to kick out. The Chicago native went for the Colt .45 but Taylor blocked the attempt. Taylor battled back and hit a floatover fallaway slam for a near fall. He knocked down “Boom Boom” with a European uppercut and went for a cover but again only got a two-count. Cabana, who is becoming very popular in the USWA, had the fans behind him and rallied back. He got Taylor down on the mat and went for an impressive moonsault but Taylor rolled out of the way and Cabana crashed hard. Both men were down by Taylor managed to get to his feet first. He hit a leg drop on Cabana and then made a cover. As he covered Cabana, he positioned his own feet nearest to the ropes and put both feet on the bottom rope for leverage, unseen by Sam Platania. The added tactic was enough to put Cabana down for the count and give him his first loss. Fans were irate by this ending! The tactic paid off for Taylor and he will need everything in arsenal when he battles big Luke Harper for the first Mid-America title shot of 2017 in 12 days at New Year’s Knockout XIII! ***½ 6) In a first-time battle of two former USWA World Heavyweight champions and two MMA fighters who have fought in different weight classes in the UFC, “American Dragon” Bryan Danielson scored a very impressive victory over Dan “The Beast” Severn. Danielson was not intimidated by Severn’s power and weight advantage and he came out aggressive from the start with stiff kicks and strikes. He went for the guillotine choke just a few minutes into the bout and looked like he might get a quick submission but Severn pushed him onto his own shoulders to try and score a pinfall, which made Danielson give up on the hold. Danielson stayed on the offensive, hitting a German suplex for a near fall. Danielson took “The Beast” to the mat and went for the LeBell Lock. Jim Cornette jumped up on the ring apron to distract Tom Branch and as he did, Severn tapped out to the hold, just as he did in the six-man tag team match two weeks ago in Evansville! The Knoxville fans were just as upset as the Evansville fans. Danielson released the hold and threatened “The Louisville Slugger” with some of his kicks. Cornette evaded the kicks and Danielson returned to Severn. He smashed him with some stiff elbows, which drew blood on “The Beast.” Danielson then hoisted Severn up to the top rope. He went for a super huracanrana but Cornette had grabbed Severn’s leg from the outside, holding on to him so that Severn wouldn’t get taken over by the move. Danielson crashed to the mat hard and the former World and Southern Heavyweight champion took control. He worked on Danielson’s arm and then locked on the wakigatame. Danielson was in pain but managed to get to the ropes for a break. Severn maintained control for a few minutes. He went for some knee strikes. He landed a few knees but then Danielson blocked him and nailed him with a roundhouse kick to the ribs. Severn dropped to his knees and Danielson delivered a series of roundhouses, with the crowd chanting along with each kick! A bloodied Severn collapsed to the mat. Danielson covered him and scored the pinfall. He was proud to have defeated “The Beast” and seems very ready for “Exotic” Adrian Street at New Year’s Knockout! ***¼ 7) Former USWA referee Tommy Gilbert wrestled his first USWA match and had a great debut, teaming up with the Patriot and defeating two-time former World Tag Team champions Larry Zbyszko and Mr. Saito of the House of Humperdink. Sir Oliver Humperdink naturally accompanied his team to the ring. About a minute after the bell rang to start the match, “The Gamesmaster” Kevin Sullivan and the Dark Patriot came out and stood in the aisleway to scout their respective opponents for New Year’s Knockout Gilbert and the Patriot. They kept their distance from the ring, knowing the animosity Gilbert and the Patriot have for them right now! Zbyszko and Saito double teamed the masked American for the first few minutes. Zbyszko applied a Boston Crab in the center of the ring but Patriot powered his way to the ropes for a break. Saito tagged in and hit the Saito suplex for a near fall. Zbyszko tagged back in and sent Patriot into the buckle but he bounced back and flattened Zbyszko with a clothesline. He went for a cover but Zbyszko kicked out. Patriot made the hot tag to Gilbert. There were big chants from the Knoxville fans of “Tommy, Tommy!” Gilbert had control against Zbyszko until the former Southern champ tagged the Japanese Olympian. Saito took control of Gilbert and it looked like the House of Humperdink team might prevail. Out of nowhere, Gilbert blasted Saito with punches and then surprised him with a body slam. He dropped down for a cover but Saito kicked out. Saito quickly tagged Zbyszko but Gilbert attacked him. He blasted Zbyszko with a running knee lift and went for a cover but Zbyszko kicked out at 2¾. Gilbert maintained control, bounced off the ropes, and flatted Zbyszko as he got to his feet with a crossbody block. He covered Zbyszko, hooked the leg, and scored the impressive pinfall, as the Patriot stopped an intervening Saito with a flying shoulder block! The fans went wild for Patriot and Gilbert’s win over the former champs! As they got their hands raised, Patriot and Gilbert spotted Sullivan and the Dark Patriot in the aisleway. They started up the aisle after their New Year’s Eve opponents but Sullivan and Dark Patriot made it to the back before the fan favorites could get their hands on them! **¾ 8) A huge rivalry was reignited, as “The 8th Wonder of The World” Andre the Giant defeated Big John Studd in a competitive match-up. Studd and “The Mouth of The South” Jimmy Hart entered the ring first. Andre came out next. As the French giant received a huge ovation from the Knoxville fans and stepped over the top rope into the ring, Studd tried to ambush him! Andre saw him coming and cut him off with a big boot to the face! Sam Platania called for the bell to start the match and Andre went for a cover right away before taking off his vest! Studd managed to kick out but the action was fast-paced right away. Studd took control and attempted to lift Andre for the backbreaker but couldn’t get him up for it. Andre battled back and knocked down Studd. He went up to the second rope, a tactic he doesn’t use often! He came off with a sit-down splash, which popped the fans! He made a cover but Hart had jumped up on the ring apron to distract Platania. While the distraction stopped a possible pin it didn’t stop Andre’s offense as he blasted Studd with a head butt and busted him open. Studd was knocked down but still managed to kick out. With another distraction from Hart, Studd took over. He choked Andre over the top rope and clubbed him with forearms. Andre fell to the mat and Studd made a cover but Andre kicked out. Andre got back to his feet but Studd flattened him with a clothesline. Studd made a cover but “The 8th Wonder of The World” kicked out at 2¾. It was probably the closest Andre has been to losing a match in the USWA! Studd and Hart even protested that it was a three-count. Studd kept on Andre but the Frenchman battled back. He blasted a bloodied Studd with another head butt which knocked him down. He then delivered the big splash. But just for good measure, he stood up, bounced off the ropes, and delivered a second big splash! He covered Studd and scored the pinfall! The Knoxville fans gave Andre a big ovation for his win. How will Andre fare against three-time former World Heavyweight champion and the longest-reigning champ “Ravishing” Rick Rude in their main event at New Year’s Knockout? ***½ 9) In the first of two title matches on this card, the Knoxville fans saw an interesting ending that doesn’t happen often in the USWA, as USWA Mid-America Heavyweight champion Ray “The Crippler” Stevens and two-time former champion “The Belfast Bruiser” Fit Finlay battled to a double countout! Jimmy Hart did not initially come out with the champion, as he was still in the locker room with Big John Studd but he quickly made his way out to ringside about two minutes into the bout. The challenger had the initial advantage, hoping to get his first win on Stevens and win his third Mid-America title. He hit the tombstone piledriver about three minutes in but it was too early as Stevens kicked out at two. Finlay hit a Rolling Hills a few minutes later but “The Crippler” kicked out. Stevens capitalized on a mistake by the Irish brawler and got him down on the mat. He hit the Bombs Away and went for a cover but Finlay kicked out. Stevens went up top for another Bombs Away but Finlay rolled out of the way and Stevens crashed hard. Both wrestlers were hurt but Finlay recovered first and went for a cover but the champ kicked out. Stevens rolled out of the ring for a breather but Finlay followed. Hart distracted Sam Platania while Stevens grabbed Gary Michael Cappetta’s microphone chord and choked Finlay with it for about 20 seconds. With Finlay finally weakened, Stevens rolled him back into the ring as Hart got off the apron. Stevens worked over “The Belfast Bruiser” and hit the piledriver. He gloated about hitting the move and took his time in going for the pin, which allowed Finlay to kick out. The bout spilled in-and-out of the ring. Both men were on the floor and started slugging it out with each other. They were both intent on hurting each other and not paying attention to Platania’s 10-count. Platania hit 10 and called for the bell, ruling the match a double countout and Stevens still the Mid-America champion. Fans were not happy about the finish nor was Finlay, knowing he had taken it to the champion but didn’t leave with the title nor with a victory over “The Crippler”! (In an interesting trivia note, this was only the fourth time in the nearly 13-year history of the USWA that a title match has ended in some type of a draw. Two of those matches were actually in this same arena, including the first,, when Ed “Strangler” Lewis and Johnny Valentine battled to a double DQ in a World Heavyweight title match on October 4, 2010 during Lewis’ fifth reign as champion. And as an added twist, this was the first time a title match has ended specifically in a double countout!) *** 10) The main event was for the USWA Southern Heavyweight championship. Current and two-time champion “Classy” Freddie Blassie defended the title against the undefeated “Exotic” Adrian Street. Street had been very impressive since debuting at Independence Day Bash. Blassie had his own impressive record since coming to the USWA in June 2015, suffering only one loss and, prior to this match, having the second-longest Southern title reign. In a unique twist, both wrestlers in this match came out to music they themselves sing, with the challenger coming out to “Breakin’ Bones” and the champion coming out to “Pencil Neck Geek.” Street was, of course, accompanied by his manager Jim Cornette and Cornette’s bodyguard Dan “The Beast” Severn. (Severn wore his usual suit to the ring but also sported bandages from his earlier bout with Bryan Danielson.) An added element to this already intriguing match was that the World Heavyweight champion “The Boogie Woogie Man” “Handsome” Jimmy Valiant came out to ringside before the competitors to sit with Lance Russell and Dave Brown to scout Blassie for their World title main event at New Year’s Knockout! As he promised on Championship Wrestling, “Handsome” Jimmy came out in a fine denim tuxedo with a very Christmas-inspired bandana! While both Blassie and Street are hated by the USWA fans, the Knoxville fans tonight sided more with the champion. The challenger surprised “The Hollywood Fashion Plate” with some brutal offense. Blassie ducked a clothesline and sent Street over the top rope and to the floor. Cornette got up on the ring apron to distract Tommy Marlin while Severn handed Street the tennis racquet. In a scene similar to what he did two weeks to Danielson in Evansville, Street jammed the racquet into “The Vampire’s” throat. Street returned to the ring and worked over Blassie. A few minutes into the bout he surprised Blassie with the crucifix for a very near fall. The fans were surprised at Street’s control of the match but Blassie started to fight back. He used brawling tactics of his own to wear down the British glam rocker. He hit the spinning neckbreaker and made a cover but Street got a foot on the bottom rope for a break. Blassie went to unleash more punishment on the challenger but Street surprised him with a head butt to the midsection and then tossed him out of the ring on the side near the announcers’ table. Street grabbed the microphone chord from Gary Michael Cappetta, wrapped it around Blassie’s throat, which he had attacked earlier, and began to choke the Southern champ! Marlin put a count on him but Street would not release so Marlin called for the bell and disqualified Street, leaving Blassie as the winner and still champion. After the bell Street continued to strangle Blassie. The World champion stood up and nailed Street with some roundhouse rights. Street released the choke, and he, Cornette, and Severn fled to the locker room. Blassie regained his composure and shoved the champion, telling him he didn’t need his help. “Boogie Woogie” said he would see him on New Year’s Eve! Blassie returned to the locker room with the Southern title belt, as the World champion danced and celebrated amongst his “street people”! (With the win, Blassie now has nine defenses of the Southern title in this reign and is one more defense away from tying the Sheik’s record 10 defenses of his third title reign!) ***
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Post by Chad Olson on May 23, 2020 14:18:50 GMT -5
Big action in the USWA! Can't wait for New Year's Knockout.
Great idea to have the three way dance for the Mid America title. That one is a barn burner.
Strong win for Bryan Danielson!
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Post by cruefan68 on May 24, 2020 9:14:14 GMT -5
Another great night of USWA action. I really enjoyed the Blassie-Street match complete with great musical intros! As for the Mid-America title it looks like Fit Finlay might have a say in things after his bout with Ray Stevens. "The Crippler" has some serious competition for that belt. I also really enjoyed Danielson vs. Severn and Andre vs. Studd.
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Post by Cory Olson on May 25, 2020 19:52:48 GMT -5
Thanks to my brother Chad and Crue Fan for the comments!From top to bottom, here is the line-up for New Year’s Knockout XIII! This year’s December 31 supercard emanates from the Louisville Gardens, for the fourth time in the history of the event! Larry Sharpe vs. George South After the “Pretty Boy” attacked South after their countout loss to Virgil and Johnny Rodz on the last card in Knoxville, South challenged Sharpe to this match. Sharpe responded on Championship Wrestling by accepting the challenge. He said that he was tired of being “dragged down” by South for the last three years! He said that he is a true wrestling talent but he had to get rid of that “bum” South! He pointed out that they had teamed up four times in 2016 and in three of the four matches, he (Sharpe) never got to tag in because South lost the match for them! He said that South costing him a chance at a World title match was the last straw. He’s going to defeat South and send him out of the USWA! Which of these former partners will end 2016 with a win? Brad & Brian Armstrong vs. Mad Dog & Butcher Vachon This features a first-time meeting between the two brother tag teams currently active in the USWA! The Vachons started off the year by returning from a suspension. They did not regain the World Tag Team titles they were stripped of in December 2015 but have gained some big wins in both singles and tag team matches. Brad Armstrong returned to the USWA to help his brother Brian (then Jesse James), Billy Gunn, and Tracy Smothers to end their war with the Age of the Fall. They successfully accomplished that mission and Brad and Brian decided to reunite as a regular tag team. They have earned some wins as well and had two competitive matches with the Midnight Express. Both brother teams hope to gain a win and get considered for a shot at the Tag Team titles in the New Year. Will it be the brothers from Georgia or the Algerian brawling brothers who leave Louisville the winners? David Taylor vs. Luke Harper (Winner receives first shot at USWA Mid-America Heavyweight title in 2017) Taylor is a former Mid-America champion. He has supported his tag team partner Fit Finlay in his quest for the title, as Finlay had held the belt twice in the last year and challenged for it twice. Taylor had had some competitive matches with current champion Ray “The Crippler” Stevens but finally got a pinfall win on him in a non-title match a few weeks ago in Evansville. Harper was brought in at the end of last year along with the Necro Butcher to serve as Jimmy Jacobs’ henchmen while he and Tyler Black served a suspension. After Jacobs left the USWA in May after disbanding the Age of the Fall after their loss in the Rage in The Cage Match, Black decided to stay as a singles wrestler and hired Harper to be his bodyguard. Stevens wanted a match with Harper, as sort of a tune-up for defending the title against Black on this supercard. But Harper repeated Taylor’s success in pinning the champ in a non-title match the week after Taylor’s victory in Dixon, KY. Commissioner Armstrong has said that both men will get a shot at the Mid-America champion in 2017 but this match will determines who gets the first shot. Will it be the British technician or the big Nebraskan brawler to earn that first shot and whom will he challenge for the title? Brian Kendrick & Paul London vs. Chris Candido & Dan Severn Jim Cornette made a shocking return to the USWA in March in Knoxville with Candido and Dr. Tom Prichard as his new Heavenly Bodies and Severn as his bodyguard. Kendrick and London were the first team to hand the Bodies any type of loss when they beat them by countout in May at the Mid-South Coliseum. The high-flying fan favorites become embroiled in a three-way tag team feud with the Bodies and the Midnight Express. In August in this same arena, London was put out of action after an attack by the Bodies and Severn. Kendrick brought in the Young Bucks a few weeks later in Evansville to try and gain some revenge but Prichard and Candido brutalized them as well. He brought back former World Heavyweight, Texas, and Mid-America Heavyweight champion “American Dragon” Bryan Danielson a few weeks after that in Nashville to aid in the war with Cornette’s men. In between this mayhem, Prichard suffered neck injuries twice thanks to the Midnights. London was cleared to return in December and he, Kendrick, and Danielson lost a heartbreaking match to Candido, Severn, and “Exotic” Adrian Street a few weeks ago in Evansville. Kendrick and London are hoping to avenge that six-man tag team loss with a win over Cornette’s men on December 31. Can they do or will the unique pairing of Candido and Severn pull out the win? 25-Man Battle Royal (Winner receives first shot at USWA World Heavyweight title in 2017) One of these wrestlers will get a huge opportunity and a great start to 2017, as the winner will challenge either “The Boogie Woogie Man” “Handsome” Jimmy Valiant or “Classy” Freddie Blassie for the first shot at the USWA World Heavyweight championship in 2017! Of the participants in this match, only five have ever received a shot at the World title. There are so many possibilities of alliances or feuds that could cross paths in this match! The 25 wrestlers in the match are: 1. “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan 2. Steve Williams 3. Terry Gordy 4. Tony Atlas 5. Bill Dundee 6. Red Bastien 7. Billy Gunn 8. Tommy Rogers 9. Colt Cabana 10. Arik Cannon 11. Hillbilly Jim 12. Cousin Luke 13. S.D. Jones 14. Jim Powers 15. Jake Milliman 16. Big John Studd 17. Superstar Bundy 18. Bobby Shane 19. Larry Zbyszko 20. Mr. Saito 21. One Man Gang 22. Danny Doring 23. The Amish RoadKill 24. Virgil 25. Johnny Rodz Dave Brown narrated a special video on the participants in this match, as well as the history of Battle Royals in the USWA on the Christmas Eve edition of Championship Wrestling. (NOTE: To save on space in this already long post, I will post a separate recap of that soon!) He also reviewed the rules of a Battle Royal: I. All the participants start in the ring at the same time. II. No managers, valets, or other non-participants are allowed at ringside during the match. III. Two referees will be stationed outside the ring during this bout to determine when a wrestler is eliminated. IV. There are no disqualifications, countouts, pinfalls or submissions in this match. The only way a wrestler is eliminated is by being thrown over the top rope to the floor. Both of his feet must touch the floor. The last wrestler left will be the winner. Which wrestler will survive and earn a World title shot in the New Year? The Patriot vs. The Dark Patriot The original Patriot made his USWA debut, very fittingly, on the 4th of July at Independence Day Bash. He has compiled an impressive win-loss record, suffering only one loss, and has become very popular for his explosive offense and his love of America. On the October 1 edition of Championship Wrestling, “The Gamesmaster” Kevin Sullivan and Sir Oliver Humperdink stated that they had signed the Patriot to join the House of Humperdink. The Patriot denied the claims for weeks. The truth came out on Halloween night in Tupelo, when Sullivan revealed his own Dark Patriot, a masked man with a black mask and a red star. His cheating tactics were the opposite of the true Patriot and infuriated the masked American. The Patriot has been trying to get his hands on the imposter for weeks now and will finally get his chance. Will the Patriot Missile or the Scud Missile go off on New Year’s Eve? Bryan Danielson vs. Adrian Street The “Exotic One” debuted as a mystery partner for “The Doctor of Desire” Tom Prichard at Independence Day Bash in Knoxville and under the managerial guidance of James E. Cornette. The British glam rocker has been impressive inside the ring, suffering no decisive losses as of this writing. Former World Heavyweight, Texas, and Mid-America Heavyweight champion Danielson returned, also as a mystery partner, teaming up with Brian Kendrick on October 17 to defeat Cornette’s team of Chris Candido and Dan Severn, after the Heavenly Bodies and Severn had put Paul London out of action. These two competitors crossed paths in the six-man tag team match a few weeks ago in Evansville, when Street, Candido, and Severn defeated Danielson, Kendrick, and the returning London. Danielson had the match won for his team when Severn tapped out to the LeBell Lock but Cornette had distracted Paul Neighbors. As Danielson went for a suicide dive on Severn, Street protected his partner and jammed Cornette’s tennis racquet into Danielson’s throat, leading to Severn getting the win with a rear naked choke. Despite’s Street eccentric appearance, he is a talented wrestler inside the ring, sporting a combination of the British style and outright brawling. Danielson is well-versed in many styles, including MMA. This could be one of the best all-around matches on the card. Will “Dragon” give Street his first decisive loss or will the “Exotic One” triumph again? Tommy Gilbert vs. Kevin Sullivan “The Gamesmaster” debuted in the USWA in June and made a huge impact in short order, as he, Larry Zbyszko, and Mr. Saito attacked Nick Bockwinkel at Independence Day Bash and put the four-time former champion out of action. Sullivan continued to make headlines, as he and the other House of Humperdink members turned on their fellow member “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert a month later in Memphis and put him out of action with a broken leg. Eddie’s brother Doug returned to the USWA a few weeks after that to avenge his brother’s injury but received a spike to the head when he and Sullivan wrestled in Springfield. Doug went missing after that match. When Bockwinkel returned from his injury, Sullivan put him out again by placing his head inside a chair and stomping the chair from the top rope, also in Memphis. Many fan favorites in the USWA locker room requested that Commissioner Armstrong not suspend Sullivan, as they wanted him to get punished inside the ring. Former USWA referee Tommy Gilbert waited for an opportune to try and punish Sullivan when he made a surprise appearance a few weeks ago in Evansville and ambushed “The Gamesmaster” immediately after his match with Tommy Rogers. Gilbert believes Sullivan has everything to do with Doug’s disappearance and wants revenge for that and for Eddie’s injury. While Gilbert has wrestled all over the world, this will only be his second USWA match. He had a successful debut on the last card in Knoxville, teaming up with the Patriot to defeat former World Tag Team champions Zbyszko and Saito when Gilbert pinned Zbyszko. Will Gilbert have similar success against the man who has seemingly taken over the House of Humperdink or will “The Gamemaster” take out another Gilbert? Ray Stevens vs. Tyler Black vs. Fit Finlay (USWA Mid-America Heavyweight Championship—Triangle Match) Give Commissioner Armstrong credit; he was quick to modify the originally-scheduled Mid-America title match with Black challenging the champion to make it a Triangle Match, after the double countout result in the title match between “The Crippler” and “The Belfast Bruiser” on December 19 in Knoxville! Finlay and Stevens have had some battles in 2016 with Finlay still not having beaten Stevens. Black and Finlay met only once, when Finlay was champion, in Springfield and Black got the win by disqualification but not the title. Black and Stevens have not yet wrestled each other and many fans are excited to see how they match up. With the Triangle Match rules, it will be interesting to see if alliances form. Some wrestling experts feel that the two challengers will first try to eliminate Stevens and then go after each other for the belt! The champion will have “The Mouth of The South” Jimmy Hart in his corner, Black will have his bodyguard Luke Harper, and Finlay could have David Taylor show up at ringside if need be. (Interestingly enough, Taylor and Harper are wrestling each other earlier on the supercard and are both in line for title shots at this same championship in 2017!) Dave Brown reviewed the rules of a Triangle Match on 12-24 on Championship Wrestling: I. Two wrestlers are in the ring at one time, with the other wrestler on the apron, awaiting a tag from either wrestler. A coin flip will take place in the locker room prior to the bout to determine which two wrestlers will start the match. II. A wrestler in the ring can tag to the third man at any time. The tagging wrestlers may double team the third wrestler for a five-count from the referee, as in a standard tag team match. III. A wrestler can be eliminated from the bout by any standard method—pinfall, submission, disqualification, or countout. If the champion (Stevens, in this case) is disqualified or counted out, he cannot lose the title, as in a standard title match. The last wrestler left will be declared the winner. Can Stevens hold on to the gold coming off a rough month of matches in December? Will Finlay become the third man (after Nigel McGuinness and Bryan Danielson) to be a three-time Mid-America champ? Or will Black capture his first USWA championship and end 2016 on a high note? Doctor X & Billy Black Lyons vs. The Midnight Express (USWA World Tag Team Championship) “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton and “Sweet” Stan Lane are without a date the most decorated tag team in history, having been champions a record six times. X and Lyons have surprised many wrestling experts with how well they have functioned as a team in the last year and the fact that they won the titles twice in an extremely competitive tag team division. (Many wrestling experts wonder if their connectivity as a team has anything to do with the real identity of Doctor X, which Lyons and the Vachons know, and any previous connection to Lyons!) The Midnights like to use a lot of fast-paced maneuvers and innovative double teams while X and Lyons prefer to wear down the opponents to set them up for their figure-four leglocks or Lyons’ X-cellent sleeper. The Midnights were stripped of the titles when they were suspended in October 2015 for an attack on Sweet Brown Sugar. They returned in December and challenged the then-champions the Vachons in Union City. They appeared to have the match won but the PYT Express interfered for the disqualification. It has been more than a year since they have challenged for the belts. They have some tough obstacles since parting ways with Jim Cornette but they continue to impress and get victories. X and Lyons continue to impress and surprise fans and wrestling experts with their success. Will the Midnights break their own record and become champs for the seventh time or will X and Lyons add a win over the Midnights to their accomplishments? Andre the Giant vs. Rick Rude (1st Main Event) Wrestling fans around the world are buzzing for this one and USWA fans have been waiting on this for over two years! Andre, along with “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka and “The Boogie Woogie Man” “Handsome” Jimmy Valiant injured Rude after a six-man tag team match at Engel Stadium in Chattanooga in August 2014. Rude had just won his first World title two weeks prior and ended up losing the title back to Lou Thesz the next week in Tupelo. Rude recovered and won the title back from Thesz at New Year’s Knockout XI at Roberts Stadium in Evansville and then went on to hold that title until just August of this year, when Valiant shocked the world and defeated him in Toledo. Rude and Valiant traded the title before “Boogie Woogie” won it in October in Nashville. Rude was kicked out of the First Family of Wrestling and decided to go solo for now, wanting to become a “giant killer,” issuing challenges to former allies Big John Studd and Superstar Bundy, as well as for this match with Andre, wanting to get revenge for the injury two years ago! “The 8th Wonder of The World” is always traveling the world, looking for competition and great matches and to no surprise, accepted Rude’s challenge. Rude has still been sporting injured ribs from the attack by Studd and Bundy after losing the title to Valiant in October but sent in a training video to WMC-TV Studios that aired on Championship Wrestling. At the end of the training montage, Rude spoke to the camera and said that the wrestling world didn’t believe he could beat Thesz two years ago and he did it, not just once, not just twice, but three times, something no one else in the USWA was ever able to do! He said that the so-called wrestling experts thought he wouldn’t stay the champion but he did it and broke Nick Bockwinkel’s record. He added that he defeated Bockwinkel several times as well, something else they thought he couldn’t do! Rude said that if you haven’t figured it out by now, he’s the best and he doesn’t need that “rat” Jimmy Hart to help him, he will defeat Andre and then win the World title for the fourth time in 2017. Andre was interviewed in-studio and said that Rude thinks a lot about himself. And he admits that Rude has accomplished a lot. But Andre has never lost in the USWA and his record will stay intact after this match. Who will win this mega match-up? Jimmy Valiant vs. Freddie Blassie (2nd Main Event—USWA World Heavyweight Championship) In a year full of surprises, perhaps none was bigger than “The Boogie Woogie Man” winning the World title for the first time back in August from the longest-reigning champion “Ravishing” Rick Rude. Many fans and wrestling experts have been surprised as well by the dominance of “Classy” Freddie, having lost only one match since debuting in June 2015, winning the Southern title twice, and being close to tying the record for the most defenses, with the Sheik’s third reign. It was only fitting that these two champions collide for the top prize on the last supercard of 2016. These two have met before in the fall of 2015 with Blassie coming out the victor both times in very decisive manners and in short time. (The first win was at the 450th USWA card in Memphis, where Blassie pinned Valiant in about 90 seconds and the second was a few weeks later in this same arena, when Blassie pinned him in about three minutes after the Southern neckbreaker.) Valiant acknowledged those losses but stated that 2016 has been his year, with his “street people” and great USWA fan favorites on his side and encouraging him and he’s going to do his best not to let that stop on New Year’s Eve. He wants to beat Blassie, pop a cork at midnight, and dance with his title belt and glass of Champale! Will Valiant’s wish come true or will the Southern champ become the World champ? That’s New Year’s Knockout XIII, coming your way, as always, on December 31! Get your tickets for the Louisville Gardens!
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Post by Vegas on May 25, 2020 22:00:21 GMT -5
Definitely looking forward to New Year’s Knockout XIII!
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Post by Chad Olson on May 25, 2020 22:33:52 GMT -5
I already placed my PPV order, as USWA PPVs always sell out!
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