Cory's USWA

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• Some upcoming USWA title bouts were made on the October 24 edition. It was announced that Capt. Lou Albano’s team of Magnificent Muraco and Greg “The Hammer” Valentine will receive a rematch for the USWA World Tag Team titles against The Killer Bees in the main event on November 13 at the City Coliseum in Austin.
HELL YEAH! ABOUT TIME USWA!! Kiss the belts good-bye Bee Boys.
• Also on that card, “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton will defend the USWA Texas title against Buff Bagwell. Bagwell’s first USWA appearance was at New Year’s Knockout II in 2005 at Texas Stadium. “Buff Daddy” was one of the 10 participants in the Battle Royal to crown the inaugural Texas champ. He was considered one of the favorites in his debut, but was embarrassingly the first one eliminated, being tossed out by future Texas titleholder B. Brian Blair. Bagwell didn’t wrestle in the USWA for two years after that incident! Now is his chance to finally grab the Texas gold!

[Cory Olson]

Thanks to Kevin for the comments!

The November 7 edition of USWA Championship Wrestling featured some big news about New Year’s Knockout VI[/color]!
• USWA Committee Chairman Jerry Jarrett announced that for the first time since New Year’s Knockout II in 2005, all four USWA championships will be defended in one night at this year’s New Year’s Knockout! At the 2005 NYK, the USWA Texas title was introduced with Nikolai Volkoff winning a 10-Man Battle Royal to become the first champion. To make this year’s supercard extra super, Jarrett announced that there will be no title defenses at the three cards in December prior to December 31 in Dallas!
• Jarrett had another big announcement concerning the main event for New Year’s Knockout. Since both Johnny Valentine and The Crusher have non-title wins over current World Heavyweight champion Nick Bockwinkel, the two popular wrestlers will battle on next week’s card in Austin, with the winner getting a title shot in Dallas! Jarrett also stated that the loser of that match will not be forgotten—as he will battle the NYK winner on the first card of 2010! The chairman said this was the fair thing to do, since both men have defeated the current champ in one-on-one competition and are entitled to title bouts.
• Valentine got more good news, as it was announced he will receive another shot at USWA Southern Heavyweight champion Curt Hennig on November 20 at the Louisville Gardens! The Heenan Family can’t be too happy about this!

The USWA holds a huge card on November 13 at the City Coliseum in Austin!
• A tag team feud goes to singles competition, when Brad Armstrong takes on “Sweet” Stan Lane of The Heavenly Bodies! The Bodies got a win with a loaded boot from Dr. Tom Prichard on October 23 in Jonesboro. Can Armstrong beat Lane in singles action?
• In a special attraction, Chris Hero returns to USWA action when he takes on young up-and-comer J.D. Michaels. Michaels hails from Alberta, Canada and is looking to make a name for himself in pro wrestling. How will he fare against the “Man from Metropolis”?
• “Tiger Man” John Pesek has an impressive record so far in the USWA. But he’ll face his biggest challenge to date, when he collides with former World Heavyweight champion Frank Gotch! This should be a great scientific bout, although both men can fight “dirty” when need be. Whose version of the toehold will reign supreme?
• Two of the most popular and hard-hitting wrestlers in the USWA will face each other one-on-one for the first time with huge implications when Johnny Valentine takes on The Crusher with the winner facing Nick Bockwinkel at New Year’s Knockout VI! Crusher (along with Diamond Dallas Page and Antonino Rocca) offered help to Valentine a few months back in his war with The Heenan Family, but Valentine politely turned down the offer. But both Crusher and Valentine have great respect for one another. Who will emerge victorious and go on to the main event of the biggest card of the year?
• The first match of the Tough Man Series will take place when Dan “The Beast” Severn returns from injury to take on Steve “Dr. Death” Williams. This will be a standard pro wrestling match. Williams is up overall in singles action against Severn, 2-1, but with one of the wins by countout. He’s looked impressive in his last two wins, but how will fare against a healed up “Beast”?
• “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton will put the USWA Texas title on the line against Buff Bagwell. Eaton continues to hold on to the Texas gold strongly. “Buff Daddy” is hoping for his first USWA title. Will he be the one to knock Eaton off the throne?
• The main event will be a rematch for the USWA World Tag Team titles, when The Killer Bees defend against two-time former champs Magnificent Muraco and Greg “The Hammer” Valentine. Capt. Lou Albano’s men are looking to win the belts for the third time, which would put them in second place for the most Tag Team title reigns (behind four-time champs the Bobby Eaton-Dennis Condrey version of The Midnight Express). Can they do it or will The Bees hold on?
All this plus two New Jersey natives do battle, when Diamond Dallas Page faces Chris Candido, and more great matches!

[Deleted]

The USWA holds a huge card on November 13 at the City Coliseum in Austin!
• A tag team feud goes to singles competition, when Brad Armstrong takes on “Sweet” Stan Lane of The Heavenly Bodies! The Bodies got a win with a loaded boot from Dr. Tom Prichard on October 23 in Jonesboro. Can Armstrong beat Lane in singles action?
• In a special attraction, Chris Hero returns to USWA action when he takes on young up-and-comer J.D. Michaels. Michaels hails from Alberta, Canada and is looking to make a name for himself in pro wrestling. How will he fare against the “Man from Metropolis”?
• “Tiger Man” John Pesek has an impressive record so far in the USWA. But he’ll face his biggest challenge to date, when he collides with former World Heavyweight champion Frank Gotch! This should be a great scientific bout, although both men can fight “dirty” when need be. Whose version of the toehold will reign supreme?
• Two of the most popular and hard-hitting wrestlers in the USWA will face each other one-on-one for the first time with huge implications when Johnny Valentine takes on The Crusher with the winner facing Nick Bockwinkel at New Year’s Knockout VI! Crusher (along with Diamond Dallas Page and Antonino Rocca) offered help to Valentine a few months back in his war with The Heenan Family, but Valentine politely turned down the offer. But both Crusher and Valentine have great respect for one another. Who will emerge victorious and go on to the main event of the biggest card of the year?
• The first match of the Tough Man Series will take place when Dan “The Beast” Severn returns from injury to take on Steve “Dr. Death” Williams. This will be a standard pro wrestling match. Williams is up overall in singles action against Severn, 2-1, but with one of the wins by countout. He’s looked impressive in his last two wins, but how will fare against a healed up “Beast”?
• “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton will put the USWA Texas title on the line against Buff Bagwell. Eaton continues to hold on to the Texas gold strongly. “Buff Daddy” is hoping for his first USWA title. Will he be the one to knock Eaton off the throne?
• The main event will be a rematch for the USWA World Tag Team titles, when The Killer Bees defend against two-time former champs Magnificent Muraco and Greg “The Hammer” Valentine. Capt. Lou Albano’s men are looking to win the belts for the third time, which would put them in second place for the most Tag Team title reigns (behind four-time champs the Bobby Eaton-Dennis Condrey version of The Midnight Express). Can they do it or will The Bees hold on?
All this plus two New Jersey natives do battle, when Diamond Dallas Page faces Chris Candido, and more great matches!

[Cory Olson]

Thanks to Kevin for the predictions! Read on to see how you did!

November 13, 2009
Card #226: City Coliseum in Austin

1) The opener was a hard-fought tag team contest that saw “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka and “The Boogie Woogie Man” “Handsome” Jimmy Valiant defeated “Playboy” Buddy Rose and “Pretty Boy” Larry Sharpe. There was frequent tagging in the opening minutes and the typical combinations in the ring were Snuka and Rose, and Valiant and Sharpe. Finally Rose and Valiant were in against one another, after Sharpe had weakened “The Boogie Woogie Man”. Rose used “Sensational” Sherri Martel’s purse, while the valet distracted Scott Bowden, and clocked Valiant in the head with it. He went for a cover, but Valiant managed to kick out. Snuka and Sharpe later came in. The “Superfly” had Sharpe and went up to the top rope for the Superfly Leap. Rose ran over and shoved Snuka off the turnbuckles, causing him to crash land on the mat. Sharpe went up to the top rope and pointed to his partner, signaling that he was going to execute Rose’s Bombs Away. He took too much time showboating, as he came off and missed the knee, when Snuka rolled out of the way. Snuka recovered, went to the top again, and hit the Superfly. He made a cover, while “Handsome” Jimmy kept the “Playboy” at bay, and the popular duo got the win. ***

2) Diamond Dallas Page defeated Chris Candido in a short, but hard-hitting match between two New Jersey natives. Page went for the Diamond Cutter early on, but Candido managed to dodge the move. Candido went for his own Blonde Bomb, but DDP blocked his finisher as well. Candido did hit a nice top rope huracanrana for a very near fall. Page fought back after dodging a baseball slide from Candido outside the ring. Back in the ring he nailed the Diamond Cutter to put the “Suicide Blonde” down for the count. **¼

3) “Sweet” Stan Lane scored a sneaky win over Brad Armstrong. Lane was accompanied not only by manager Jim Cornette, but also by tag team partner Dr. Tom Prichard. Armstrong was prepared, as Koko B. Ware accompanied him to ringside. Armstrong hit the Russian leg sweep, but Lane got a foot on the ropes. The Georgian went up to the top rope, but got distracted by Cornette on the apron, and was knocked off by Lane. Lane hit his superkick, but before he could cover, got distracted by “The Birdman” and his bird, Frankie, who was flapping wildly while Ware stood on the apron! This allowed Armstrong the chance to recover. It was a back-and-forth bout when Lane sent Armstrong into the corner where Paul Morton was standing. Armstrong stopped short of a collision, but as he turned around got nailed with a second superkick. Lane made the cover and scored the pin. *½

4) Ted and Mike DiBiase scored an impressive win over Dick Hutton and Danny Hodge. The DiBiases worked very well together as a team, despite Ted’s broken nose. The Oklahomans saved each other from defeat on several occasions. In the end, “Iron” Mike came off the top rope twice in a row with knee drops to Hutton’s back (which was injured in 2005) and scored the pin. **½

5) In a special attraction, Chris Hero was victorious over J.D. Michaels. Hero of course was accompanied by “Sweet ‘n Sour” Larry Sweeney. Hero controlled most of the action. Michaels did get some control and hit a top rope elbow drop, which was brought him victories in the past, but not on this occasion. Hero blasted him with a big boot to the face, then soon after hit the Hero’s Welcome to pin Michaels. After the match, Sweeney grabbed the microphone from Gary Michael Cappetta and said that his man wants to challenge the winner of the later bout for the USWA Texas championship at New Year’s Knockout VI! **

6) “Tiger Man” John Pesek scored his biggest win to-date, defeating former USWA World champion Frank Gotch. Dick Hutton did not accompany Gotch to ringside, since he was recovering from his loss in the earlier tag team match. The two exchanged some great mat wrestling holds early on. The Austin crowd was solidly behind Pesek, due to his great win-loss record, and the arrogance of Team RPW. Pesek took over control midway through. He locked on his Tiger Man Toehold, but Gotch quickly got to the ropes before the hold could be fully locked in. Pesek later tried the double wristlock, but Gotch got to the ropes again. Pesek locked Gotch in a body triangle on the mat and delivered a grinding crossface. Gotch was trapped and suddenly taped out. The crowd gave Pesek a big cheer for his impressive win! **½

7) Johnny Valentine is going to the main event of New Year’s Knockout VI, as he defeated The Crusher to earn the shot at World Heavyweight champion Nick Bockwinkel! Bockwinkel and Bobby “The Brain” Heenan walked to ringside before the ring introductions, which was somewhat of a surprise, since no Heenan Family members were booked on this card. Bockwinkel was dressed in a fine suit and carried the World title belt with him. Despite both wrestler being fan favorites, they knew what was at stake and fought a hard-physical style, even fighting outside the ring on several occasions. Fans backed both wrestlers in this one. Crusher came off the second turnbuckle with a huge knee drop, but Valentine battled back and hit several Atomic Skullcrushers, but couldn’t put Crusher down. Valentine locked on a bear hug, which he used to beat Larry Hennig last week in Memphis. Crusher nailed him with some forearms and broke the hold. Valentine recovered and nailed another Skullcrusher which busted Crusher open. Valentine made a cover, but Crusher somehow kicked out. Crusher was bloodied, but not beaten, as he battled back. He nailed Valentine with the Crusher Bolo. The crowd popped big. Crusher went for the cover, but Valentine kicked out. Crusher battered Valentine with strong forearms. He made another cover, but Valentine still kicked out. It was back-and-forth, with both men slugging it out. Suddenly Valentine landed another Skullcrusher, which flattened Crusher. He made a cover and got the pin. As Tommy Marlin raised Valentine’s hand, he stared down Bockwinkel and “The Brain” at ringside. Crusher slowly got to his feet and offered his hand to Valentine. Valentine accepted and the fans cheered the great contest they had just seen. ****

8) The Tough Man series began with a bang, as Steve “Dr. Death” Williams scored a dominant win over Dan “The Beast” Severn by countout under standard USWA pro wrestling rules. Williams showed the same fire he has in recent bouts, dominating the action. He knocked Severn out of the ring with a big football tackle. He went after Severn on the floor. Severn tried to strike, but Williams ducked it, picked Severn up, and showed his awesome strength by pressing Severn over his head and then dropping him on the arena floor! He crawled back in the ring, as Severn was laid out and got counted out of the ring. The crowd popped big as “Dr. Death” celebrated his win. The rest of Team RPW came down to check on their teammate. Severn suffered no injuries, but seemed surprised by Williams’ determination! DUD

9) “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton had his toughest title defense ever, but still reigns as Texas champ after defeating Buff Bagwell. The fans favored “Buff Daddy” in this one, due to their dislike of Jim Cornette, and perhaps wanting to see history made. Bagwell hit a swinging neckbreaker off the ropes for a near fall. The champ had control and sent Bagwell into the buckle, but he reversed the whip and Eaton hit hard. Bagwell ran into the corner and came off the second turnbuckle with the Buff Blockbuster. He made a cover, but Cornette jumped up on the ring apron. Bagwell went over to him, grabbed Cornette by the coat, and delivered a punch, sending him flying! Bagwell turned around, but met a boot to the stomach from “Beautiful” Bobby. Eaton took over and hit an Alabama Jam. He made the cover, but Bagwell kicked out. Eaton went up again and hit a second Jam, which was successful, as Scott Bowden called for the bell. Cornette recovered and jumped to his feet in celebration. As Eaton grabbed the Texas title belt, Cornette grabbed the microphone from Gary Michael Cappetta. He said that if some “Jim Cornette wannabe” manager and some goofy superhero want to make their name in wrestling off of him and Eaton, they’d be glad to put them in their place at New Year’s Knockout. Cornette accepted Chris Hero’s challenge for a Texas title shot against Eaton! ***½

10) Magnificent Muraco and Greg “The Hammer” Valentine were going for their third USWA World Tag Team championship, as they challenged the team that beat them for the belts—The Killer Bees in the main event. The champs had control in the first part of the match. B. Brian Blair tried to make Muraco submit to both a Boston Crab and a Scorpion Leglock, but the powerhouse got to the ropes. Valentine took over control for his team, getting a near fall with a neckbreaker on Blair. Muraco tagged in and immediately hit the Hawaiian Hammer. He went for a cover, but Blair got a foot on the ropes. Somehow Blair battled back and got Valentine up in an airplane spin. He spun him around several times, then dropped him. Himself being dizzy, Blair fell on top of Valentine for a cover, but “The Hammer” raised a shoulder at 2¾. Capt. Lou Albano breathed a sigh of relief at ringside. “Jumping” Jim Brunzell tagged in and the champs hit the Bee Sting, but Valentine got a foot on the ropes. Brunzell went up to the top rope and dove off with a knee drop, but Valentine moved out of the way and Brunzell landed hard. Valentine saw this and went for the figure-four leglock. Brunzell was in pain, but was close enough to the ropes, that he could get the break. Valentine released the hold, but drug Brunzell to his own corner, where he tagged out to Muraco. Muraco picked up Brunzell and hit the Hawaiian Hammer. As Muraco went for a cover, Blair jumped in, but got cut off by Valentine. Tommy Marlin counted the three and Muraco and Valentine became three-time World Tag Team champions. Capt. Lou celebrated with his men in the ring, as the fans booed the trio. It was a good evening for the Valentine family! ***¼

In the next update, the first three matches are official for New Year’s Knockout VI!

[Deleted]

FAN'FRIGGIN'TASTIC SHOW!


MAGNIFICENT HAMMER rules once again by swatting the Bee-Boys.

[Cory Olson]

Thanks to Kevin for the comments! Glad you were happy with the Tag Team title results!

The November 14 episode of USWA Championship Wrestling included the announcements of the first three match-ups for the 2009 New Year’s Knockout on December 31 at Reunion Arena in Dallas!
• USWA Committee Chairman Jerry Jarrett made the main event official, as Nick Bockwinkel will defend the USWA World Heavyweight championship against Johnny Valentine. Jarrett stated that due to the heated nature of the feud between these men, as well as it being a World title match on the biggest card of the year, a special guest referee had been appointed to maintain order and make sure a winner was determined. Jarrett said that the Committee wanted a tough individual, who could handle himself against both wrestlers in heated situations. Jarrett announced that The Crusher would officiate the match! After this announcement, Bobby Heenan ran into the studios in a rage, stating that Jarrett and the Committee were forming a conspiracy against Bockwinkel, by having a “biased” referee ref Bockwinkel’s title defense. Heenan said that Crusher could not be impartial against his rival Bockwinkel. Jarrett reminded Heenan that Crusher just lost a title shot to Valentine the night before, and was guaranteed at title shot against the winner on the first card in 2010, and thus had no “agenda” against either man. “The Weasel” didn’t seem too calmed by this fact, but the decision stood!
• Jarrett also confirmed that “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton will defend the Texas title against Chris Hero. Jarrett said that this match will be somewhat historic, as a wrestler who doesn’t regularly compete in the USWA will receive a championship match. He said that Hero has signed to wrestle on USWA cards in December prior to NYK.
• A third title match was made, as the new World Tag Team champions Magnificent Muraco and Greg “The Hammer” Valentine will defend the belts against former champs and their hated rivals “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka and “The Boogie Woogie Man” “Handsome” Jimmy Valiant. Jarrett said that Snuka and Valiant never received a rematch after losing the belts to Muraco and Valentine back in January, which began Muraco and Valentine’s first reign as champions. The chairman said that, similar to the main event World Heavyweight title match, this is a bout that is important both for being a title match, as well as for being a match between feuding enemies. Jarrett said that the Committee would decide added stipulations for the match that will be announced on the November 21 episode of Championship Wrestling.
• Jarrett mentioned that there will be a Southern Heavyweight title match as well, as announced last week, but the challenger will be determined next week after the Curt Hennig-Johnny Valentine bout in Louisville. Lance Russell asked what would happen if Valentine wins the title, since he is challenging for the World title at NYK. Jarrett responded saying that the Committee had decided that all four USWA championships would be defended, and they are sticking by this. So if Valentine wins the Southern title next week, he will be wrestling twice on the USWA’s biggest card of the year!

The USWA comes to the Louisville Gardens for the last time in 2009 on November 20! This will be a huge card for the Louisville faithful!
• In a rematch from November 6 at the Mid-South Coliseum, Buff Bagwell and Chris Candido will face The Heavenly Bodies! Bagwell and Candido got the win last time by DQ when Dr. Tom Prichard used Jim Cornette’s tennis racquet. Cornette also got involved in Bagwell’s Texas title bout against “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton. Will Cornette’s men make his mama proud in his hometown?
• Diamond Dallas Page and The Crusher continue their battles against The Heenan Family, when they face Larry Zbyszko and Larry “The Axe” Hennig! You can bet that Zbyszko and Hennig will be targeting The Crusher, trying to injure “The Man Who Made Milwaukee Famous” before he referees Nick Bockwinkel’s title bout at New Year’s Knockout. Will they succeed or will DDP and Crusher make them feel the BANG!?
• In another huge tag team bout, Capt. Lou Albano’s Dream Team will face “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka and “The Boogie Woogie Man” “Handsome” Jimmy Valiant. Can Snuka and Valiant score a win over one-half of the World Tag Team champs, giving them momentum for December 31?
• Louisville’s hero comes home when Ed “Strangler” Lewis competes against former rival Frank Gotch. Gotch and Team RPW broke Lewis’ ankle last year. The “Strangler” scored some impressive wins over the RPW members. Can he do so again in his hometown?
• Steve “Dr. Death” Williams got off to a strong start in the Tough Man series. He and Dan “The Beast” Severn will face off in Match 2—this time under Amateur Wrestling rules. Severn claimed on Championship Wrestling that Williams’ press slam on the floor was an illegal maneuver and he won’t be allowed to go out of the ring in the Gardens. Remember fans, amateur maneuvers will only be allowed, both men will sport wrestling singlets with their alma mater’s colors, and a wrestler only needs a one-count to achieve victory. Will Williams wrap up the series or can Severn even it up and avenge his loss from their collegiate days?
• The main event will be a big rematch for the USWA Southern Heavyweight championship, as Curt Hennig defends against Johnny Valentine. Valentine looked on his way to winning the gold last time, but Hennig got himself DQ’d to retain the gold. Hennig is still feeling the effects of a concussion from Valentine’s attack. Can he find a way to retain or will Valentine go into New Year’s Knockout as Southern champ?
All this plus World Tag Team champion Magnificent Muraco battles Antonino “Argentina” Rocca. Also, “Tiger Man” John Pesek, Texas champ “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton, and more USWA stars in action!

[Deleted]

The USWA comes to the Louisville Gardens for the last time in 2009 on November 20! This will be a huge card for the Louisville faithful!
• In a rematch from November 6 at the Mid-South Coliseum, Buff Bagwell and Chris Candido will face The Heavenly Bodies! Bagwell and Candido got the win last time by DQ when Dr. Tom Prichard used Jim Cornette’s tennis racquet. Cornette also got involved in Bagwell’s Texas title bout against “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton. Will Cornette’s men make his mama proud in his hometown?
• Diamond Dallas Page and The Crusher continue their battles against The Heenan Family, when they face Larry Zbyszko and Larry “The Axe” Hennig! You can bet that Zbyszko and Hennig will be targeting The Crusher, trying to injure “The Man Who Made Milwaukee Famous” before he referees Nick Bockwinkel’s title bout at New Year’s Knockout. Will they succeed or will DDP and Crusher make them feel the BANG!?
• In another huge tag team bout, Capt. Lou Albano’s Dream Team will face “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka and “The Boogie Woogie Man” “Handsome” Jimmy Valiant. Can Snuka and Valiant score a win over one-half of the World Tag Team champs, giving them momentum for December 31?
• Louisville’s hero comes home when Ed “Strangler” Lewis competes against former rival Frank Gotch. Gotch and Team RPW broke Lewis’ ankle last year. The “Strangler” scored some impressive wins over the RPW members. Can he do so again in his hometown?
• Steve “Dr. Death” Williams got off to a strong start in the Tough Man series. He and Dan “The Beast” Severn will face off in Match 2—this time under Amateur Wrestling rules. Severn claimed on Championship Wrestling that Williams’ press slam on the floor was an illegal maneuver and he won’t be allowed to go out of the ring in the Gardens. Remember fans, amateur maneuvers will only be allowed, both men will sport wrestling singlets with their alma mater’s colors, and a wrestler only needs a one-count to achieve victory. Will Williams wrap up the series or can Severn even it up and avenge his loss from their collegiate days?
• The main event will be a big rematch for the USWA Southern Heavyweight championship, as Curt Hennig defends against Johnny Valentine. Valentine looked on his way to winning the gold last time, but Hennig got himself DQ’d to retain the gold. Hennig is still feeling the effects of a concussion from Valentine’s attack. Can he find a way to retain or will Valentine go into New Year’s Knockout as Southern champ?
All this plus World Tag Team champion Magnificent Muraco battles Antonino “Argentina” Rocca. Also, “Tiger Man” John Pesek, Texas champ “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton, and more USWA stars in action!


FED OF THE MONTH! Well deserved bro, very well deserved indeed.

[Cory Olson]

Thanks as always to Kevin for the comments! And thanks to all who voted for me for Fed of the Month. You guys are awesome!

November 20, 2009
Card #227: Louisville Gardens

1) USWA Texas champion “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton was victorious in the opener over “Special Delivery” Jones. Jim Cornette did not receive a hometown hero’s welcome, as the Gardens’ crowd booed him powerfully! Eaton hit a lot of high flying, top rope moves on S.D. In the end, Eaton blasted “Philadelphia’s Favorite Son” with a stinging right hand and put him down for the pin. *½

2) Brad Armstrong and Koko B. Ware defeated “Playboy” Buddy Rose and “Pretty Boy” Larry Sharpe. This was a back-and-forth tag team match, that saw frequent tags and saves from both sides. Rose and Sharpe used “Sensational” Sherri Martel’s purse at one point on “The Birdman”, but Ware made a comeback. Ware got the pin on Sharpe after the Ghostbuster. **¾

3) Buff Bagwell and Chris Candido got a clean win over The Heavenly Bodies in an exciting match. Sam Platania got knocked down early on after Bagwell nailed him with what appeared to be an inadvertent clothesline that was intended for “Sweet” Stan Lane. All four men battled in and out of the ring, with Candido delivering a Blonde Bomb on Lane, but there was no ref to count. In a somewhat hilarious scene, Jim Cornette, of all people, revived Platania to “restore order” to the match! Bagwell had rolled up Lane for a pin, just as Platania came to. He made a slow count, which may have saved The Bodies, as Lane kicked out. Dr. Tom Prichard legally tagged in, but “Buff Daddy” hit the Blockbuster after Prichard missed a charge into the corner. Prichard managed to kick out. Candido busted Lane open and Bagwell later hit a Blockbuster on him. He made a cover, but Cornette put Lane’s foot on the ropes. Platania didn’t see this, but Bagwell did and chased after the manager. He got blasted with a superkick from Prichard on the floor. Prichard tossed Bagwell back in ring, then went to his corner, so Lane could tag him in. The Bodies hit the Rocket Launcher, but Bagwell managed to kick out. Candido got back in and worked over Prichard. He hit a Blonde Bomb on Prichard and scored the pinfall, to give him and Bagwell a big win, and give them some revenge for the DQ win two weeks ago. ****

4) After his big win over Frank Gotch last week, John Pesek pinned another Team RPW member, coach Dick Hutton with a surprising move. Hutton had the power and size advantage, but the “Nebraska Tiger Man” would not back down. The two exchanged some great mat holds. Out of nowhere, Pesek made a reversal, took Hutton down with a waistlock slam, and turned Hutton into a half nelson pinning combination for the win. ½*

5) One-half of the USWA World Tag Team champions got a win in singles action, as Magnificent Muraco pinned Antonino “Argentina” Rocca. Muraco worked over Rocca’s neck from the get-go. He got a near fall on the Argentinian superstar after an impressive rolling neck snap. Muraco used his dreaded Asiatic Spike. Rocca fought back and locked Muraco in a bow and arrow for nearly a minute, before Muraco managed to power out of the hold. Rocca got up Muraco up in the Argentinian Backbreaker. Capt. Lou Albano distracted Tommy Marlin, which may have saved him, as he looked weakened. Muraco was busted open after missing a top rope splash, similar to the Superfly Leap, and getting dropkicked in the face by Rocca. Later Rocca got caught coming off with top rope on an attempted flying body press. Muraco turned him into the Hawaiian Hammer and drilled him to the mat. The Hawaiian powerhouse made a cover and got the impressive win. ****

6) The Heenan Family struck before the bell and got a big win, as Larry Zbyszko and Larry “The Axe” Hennig defeated Diamond Dallas Page and The Crusher. DDP and Crusher came through the crowd to enter the ring, as Page typically does. As they came to the ringside area, Zbyszko and Hennig attacked them on the floor. Hennig rammed Crusher’s back into the guard railing. Zbyszko tossed Page into the ring. Tom Branch asked Page if he wanted the match take place. DDP, to little surprise, told Branch to call for the bell. Zbyszko attacked Page, delivering a shoulder breaker and continued his attack. Crusher was down on the floor, still hurting, while Hennig stood in the corner. Zbyszko rammed Page’s head into a turnbuckle, then made a cover, putting his feet on the ropes for leverage and almost in a mocking way. Branch made the count, giving Zbyszko and “The Axe” the tainted win. The Heenan Family retreated to the locker room, while the fans booed them mercilessly! neg*

7) “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka and “The Boogie Woogie Man” “Handsome” Jimmy Valiant defeated The Dream Team by countout. This was a back-and-forth tag team match, with The Dream Team trying to defeat and weaken Snuka and Valiant before they challenge Greg Valentine and Magnificent Muraco for the World Tag Team titles at New Year’s Knockout VI. Valiant rocked Brutus Beefcake and caught him in the sleeper. For the second time this evening, Capt. Lou Albano distracted an official (this time Sam Platania) to save one of his men. “The Hammer” was pounding on the “Superfly” and made a cover after some stiff chops, but Valiant came in with a super elbow drop to reverse the pin attempt, while Platania was getting Beefcake out of the ring. Snuka hit a piledriver on Beefcake for a near fall. Valiant busted the San Francisco native open with some big roundhouse punches. Snuka and Valiant double teamed Beefcake and even hit a spike piledriver with Snuka coming off the second turnbuckle with the “spike”. Snuka whipped Beefcake into the ropes and nailed him with a big chop to the chest. The chop knocked the very bloody Beefcake out of the ring. Albano and Valentine tried to revive Beefcake, but he was too weakened and couldn’t beat the 10-count, giving the fan favorites the big win. ***¾

8) Louisville native Ed “Strangler” Lewis scored an impressive pinfall on Frank Gotch. Gotch was accompanied by RPW coach Dick Hutton, recovered from his own earlier match. Interestingly enough, Lewis was accompanied by John Pesek, who defeated Hutton. Gotch had a lot of control and looked on his way to his first win over the “Strangler”. He locked on the Gotch Toehold, but Lewis made the ropes. Lewis fought back with his hometown crowd behind him and took Gotch down with the Strangler’s Headlock. Gotch survived the headlock and nailed Lewis with some stiff punches, opening a small cut on Lewis. Hutton looked ready to get involved at one point, but Pesek threatened him. Gotch grabbed Lewis’ foot and looked ready to apply another toehold, but Lewis surprised him with a modified small package and scored the three-count. The crowd popped big at the “Strangler’s” comeback victory. **¼

9) Steve Williams wrapped up the Tough Man series in two straight matches, scoring a quick pin over Dan Severn. Both men wore their alma maters’ singlets, and came out to their respective collegiate fight songs (“Boomer Sooner” for Oklahoma and Arizona State's "Maroon and Gold" fight song). Joe Wheeler, a Louisville resident, who serves as a back-up referee when the USWA’s in town, refereed this match. The entrances were almost as long as the match itself, as Williams showed his strength, shooting a double leg on “The Beast”, scooping him high, and then driving him into the mat. He turned Severn onto his shoulders with a half nelson. Wheeler checked Severn’s shoulders and slapped the mat once to give “Dr. Death” the win. The DiBiases and “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan came down afterward and lifted Williams on their shoulders to celebrate his dominant performance. neg*

10) The main event was a big return match for the USWA Southern Heavyweight championship, as Curt Hennig defended against Johnny Valentine. Hennig and Bobby “The Brain” Heenan waited until Valentine got to the ring this time, but once Gary Michael Cappetta finished with his main event ring introductions, the Southern champ charged the challenger in his corner and blindsided him with a double sledge to the back. Tom Branch called for the bell to start the match. The champ worked over the challenger, but Valentine fought back. He blasted Hennig with a big chop to the chest, turning him inside out. Valentine made a cover, but Hennig got his shoulder up. Hennig got a reverse rolling cradle, when Heenan momentarily distracted Valentine, and grabbed the tights, but Valentine still kicked out. Hennig came off the top with a nice missile dropkick. With the crowd behind him, the challenger battled back. Heenan, sensing his man was in trouble, got on the apron, but got nailed with an Atomic Skullcrusher. Valentine then blasted Hennig with one Skullcrusher, which knocked the champ down. Valentine made a cover and scored the pin to capture his first USWA Southern championship! The fans popped big at seeing history made. Hennig captured the title in this same arena, back in August, but now he was on the losing side of the main event. Valentine heads into New Year’s Knockout with a ton of momentum on his side! **

In the next update, find out Johnny Valentine’s challenger for the Southern Heavyweight title at New Year’s Knockout, as well as the stipulation on the World Tag Team title bout, and another huge match-up is signed!

[Cory Olson]

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

Recaps of USWA Championship Wrestling on November 21 and 28:
• It was announced that Johnny Valentine will make his first defense of the USWA Southern Heavyweight championship at New Year’s Knockout in Dallas. Since Valentine is also challenging for the World Heavyweight title in the main event, the Southern title match will be the opener for this huge card, which will allow Valentine time to rest and recuperate for his World title match. Valentine will be the first wrestler in New Year’s Knockout history to wrestle two separate matches. The challenger for Valentine’s Southern title will be “Tiger Man” John Pesek. Pesek is currently 9-1 and has looked impressive in victories against USWA superstars, like Frank Gotch and Dick Hutton.
• USWA Committee Chairman Jerry Jarrett announced that the contracts had been signed and finalized for the World Tag Team title match at NYK VI. As he was announcing the stipulations, Capt. Lou Albano confidently walked into the WMC-TV studio. He told Jarrett “daddy” to announce that it would soon be the end of those crazy goofballs Jimmy Snuka and Jimmy Valiant. Lance Russell asked what the Captain was referring to, and Jarrett said that if Snuka and Valiant do not win the titles at NYK, they must split up for one full year, and will not be allowed to team up anywhere in professional wrestling. Jarrett also added that that was not the only stipulation in place for this match, which caught the Captain off-guard. Jarrett said that if Snuka and Valiant win the match, they will get five minutes in the ring with the Captain immediately following this match. The Captain was in hysterics by this, but that wasn’t all. Jarrett announced that to ensure this is only a two-on-two tag team match, it will be held in a Steel Cage Match! Albano said that this was outrageous! He grabbed the contract from Jarrett and read the “fine print”, which somehow he had missed! The World Tag Team champions, along with Brutus Beefcake, came out of the back and tried to calm down their manager, although they were irate about this announcement as well!
• Frank Gotch made a challenge to The DiBiases, Steve Williams, and “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan. He said that he and Team RPW want to settle this rivalry once and for all. He mentioned how the two teams met in an Elimination Match at Independence Day Bash, so therefore he was suggesting a match that had never taken place in the USWA. He said that the match would be a series of one-on-one matches between the members of the two teams. Each team will decide the order of their teammates. When a wrestler wins his match, he will face another member of the opposing team, until all wrestlers from a team have been eliminated. Gotch said that the matches these teams have had have been quite the battles, and therefore he was calling this a Battlezone Match!
• DiBiase responded to Gotch’s challenge on the 11-28 show. With his teammates standing behind him, DiBiase accepted the challenge. He asked one condition be added to this unique match-up—that he and Gotch, who started this feud, be assigned as the last men on their team to enter the match. No response has come from Team RPW at this point.
• During an interview with The Heenan Family, minus Curt Hennig, Larry “The Axe” Hennig challenged Southern champ Johnny Valentine to find a partner and battle him and his son on December 11 at Freedom Hall in Johnson City. Hennig stated that he knows Valentine is a loner and knows that not many USWA superstars will want to team with a “jerk” like him! There was no word from Valentine at press time.
• Bobby “The Brain” Heenan and World Heavyweight champion Nick Bockwinkel also revealed that the champ will not be in wrestling action until New Year’s Knockout, as he will be in training for his main event match.

December starts the countdown to the New Year and to New Year’s Knockout VI! The USWA starts the month with a huge card on December 4 at the Municipal Auditorium in Nashville!
• After being ambushed by Larry Zbyszko and Larry Hennig on the last card, The Crusher will be fired up when he faces “The Axe” one-on-one. Hennig holds two victories over Crusher in singles action. Can “The Man Who Made Milwaukee Famous” get a win and get revenge?
• Since the Tough Man series ended in two bouts, an MMA Match will not take place in the “Music City”. However, as promised, both participants will be in action. Dan “The Beast” Severn will collide with “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan. These two have had some intense meetings in 2009, with Severn tearing Duggan’s pectoral muscle with the bow and arrow back in April. The American hero used his 2X4 on Severn’s shoulder in October, which delayed the Tough Man series, and now Severn claimed on WMC-TV that this was the reason for his poor performance in the series. Who will get the win in this one?
• Ed “Strangler” Lewis will take on one-half of the USWA World Tag Team champions Greg “The Hammer” Valentine. Valentine has defeated the “Strangler” in the past. Lewis is looking to get back on track after losing the USWA World Heavyweight title and losing his rematch against Nick Bockwinkel. This should be a great match-up!
• Steve “Dr. Death” Williams, hot off of his win in the Tough Man series, has a tough challenge ahead of him when he faces Frank Gotch. Gotch is the only Team RPW member whom Williams has not defeated. Can he finally achieve success in Nashville?
• The main event will be a big grudge match, as the new Southern Heavyweight champion Johnny Valentine will face Heenan Family member Larry Zbyszko in a non-title match. Zbyszko scored a controversial pinfall win on Valentine back in May in Tupelo. Valentine defeated Zbyszko by DQ in September in Tyler, TX. A win for Zbyszko here would definitely put him in line for a Southern title shot in 2010. But Valentine has been on a roll the last couple of months. Who will win this great battle?
All this plus Diamond Dallas Page will face Danny Hodge. Also, The Killer Bees return to action for the first time since losing the USWA World Tag Team titles, and Chris Hero competes!

[TDalton]

Sounds like Johnny Valentine has half the USWA gunning for him!

At NYK, are you going to do anything (stat wise) to Valentine in the main event to reflect the fatigue of wrestling twice, or will it depend on how the Southern Title match goes?

Great stuff as always! Happy Thanksgiving!