Cory's USWA

[Cory Olson]

Thanks to Kevin for the predictions!

With no USWA card on Christmas night, the December 26 edition of USWA Championship Wrestling continued to preview New Year’s Knockout VI. A special segment aired with Bill Apter analyzing the twelve participants in the NYK Battle Royal, where the winner will challenge for the USWA Texas title in February 2010. Apter analyzed each wrestler’s strengths and chances in this match-up. Here are the highlights of that report:

The Killer Bees (B. Brian Blair and Jim Brunzell)—Long-time USWA fans remember that Blair is a former Texas champ and would love another opportunity at the gold. The Bees are known for their tricky teamwork tactics, such as pulling off the “Masked Confusion”. The masks won’t matter in the Battle Royal format, but their teamwork could benefit them. Will they work together in the Battle Royal?

Buff Bagwell—As has been documented before, “Buff Daddy” first debuted in the USWA at New Year’s Knockout II in 2005. He had been featured in videos on Championship Wrestling for weeks prior to the supercard and many fans thought he would win the Battle Royal to crown the first Texas champion. Instead, he was eliminated first and then left the USWA for two years! Bagwell has a desire to get his revenge and win the Texas gold. That desire could lead to him being the winner!

Chris Candido—Candido and Bagwell have worked well as a team in 2009. Candido can bend the rules when needed. Knowing the egoitism and arrogance of both men, it will be interesting to see how much Candido and Bagwell help each other in the Battle Royal with a shot at singles gold on the line.

Buddy Rose—One of the biggest “upset kings” in USWA history, being a two-time former World Heavyweight champion, former World Tag Team champion, and former Texas champ. He could be a big favorite in this match. The no-disqualification rules could favor him. “Sensational” Sherri Martel won’t be allowed at ringside, but Rose does have “Pretty Boy” Larry Sharpe to assist him in the match.

Larry Sharpe—While he doesn’t quite as strong of a record as his tag team partner, the “Pretty Boy” could pull off a big win here. It will be interesting to see how he and Rose work together here.

Brutus Beefcake—One of two “lone wolves” in this bout, as Beefcake has no current allies to work with. He does have some history to other participants, such as former Killer “B”s partner Buff Bagwell and the true Killer Bees. Beefcake is another former Texas titleholder. Out of this group, he is probably one of the stronger wrestlers and that could definitely benefit him with having to throw wrestlers over the top rope to win.

S.D. Jones—“Philadelphia’s Favorite Son” is another participant who has gotten his share of upsets, but never gotten a championship match. His lighting-quick footwork could aid him here in avoiding other competitors and dodging elimination.

Cousin Luke—The unorthodox hillbilly from Hog Waller could get another crack at the Texas gold. (His last shot was in June 2008 against then-champion Danny Hodge in Austin.) Like Beefcake, Luke’s size could benefit him in this type of match up. His lack of pure wrestling skills will also not hinder him as much in this match, as he does not need to wear down opponents for a pin or submission.

Virgil—Virgil has had share of upsets in the USWA, including singles wins over Red Bastien and Harley Race (beating Race with his own finisher—the piledriver!) He has challenged for the Texas title once before. The usually quiet Virgil can surprise opponents with his brawling and street fighting skills.

Johnny Rodz—While Rodz and Virgil have gotten some wins in tag team competition, Rodz is still looking for his first USWA singles victory. He can wrestle, but is known for bending the rules when a chance for an upset is on the line. “The Unpredictable One” could pull the upset here.

George South—Like Beefcake, he is without allies in this match. He has former tag team partner Larry Sharpe in the ring. It will be interesting to see if these two assist one another or try to eliminate each other first. South has gotten singles wins over Buddy Rose and John Pesek (the only USWA wrestler so far to defeat the “Tiger Man”). He would love to get his first USWA championship match in the New Year.

Also on the 12-26 episode, Dave Brown and Lance Russell went over the rules of some of the matches that will take place at New Year’s Knockout VI.

Battle Royal

I. Two referees will be assigned outside the ring to verify if a wrestler is or is not eliminated from the match.
II. No non-participants (managers, valets, allies, etc.) will be allowed at ringside during this match.
III. A wrestler is eliminated from the match when he has been tossed over the top rope and both feet touch the arena floor. The last wrestler left will be the winner.

Battlezone Match (Reviewed from the December 5 edition)

I. Each team will randomly draw the order of their members backstage before the match, under the supervision of a USWA official. For this particular match, respective team captains Ted DiBiase and Frank Gotch have already agreed that they will enter the match last, should they be needed. (see Rule IV)
II. The match-up is made up of a series of one-on-one matches.
III. A wrestler can be eliminated by any standard means—pinfall, submission, countout, disqualification, or referee stoppage.
IV. A team wins when the opposing team has had all members eliminated. Thus, the winning team may not have all its wrestlers actually compete in the match.

Steel Cage Tag Team Match for USWA World Tag Team Championship

I. Once all four wrestlers have entered the cage, the referee will lock the door. The key will be given to Gary Michael Cappetta at ringside.
II. In this match, there are neither disqualifications nor countouts. A team wins by pinfall or submission. Since this is a tag team match, the five-count for double teaming will not be in effect. However, tagging is still necessary for determing legal participants in the match.
III. For this match, should Jimmy Snuka and Jimmy Valiant win, they will get five minutes in the ring (and cage) with Capt. Lou Albano immediately following the tag team match. Tagging will not be necessary in this instance. Magnificent Muraco and Greg Valentine will be forced to go back to the locker room during this match. Should they (or anyone else) attempt to interfere at that time, they will be suspended from the USWA indefinitely.
IV. Should Muraco and Valentine win, then Snuka and Valiant will not be allowed to team up in any wrestling match anywhere in professional wrestling until January 1, 2011.

Remember fans, New Year's Knockout VI comes your way on December 31 from the Reunion Arena in Dallas! For those who can't make it to Dallas, you can watch it live on WMC-TV, as well as other stations that air USWA Championship Wrestling! Check your local listings!

[Crimson Cross]

Great history Cory, I've taken some inspiration from reading your fed and have brought back some of my old history to my current feds and so keep up the great write-up's with your USWA!

[Cory Olson]

Thanks to Crimson Cross for the predictions!

Merry Christmas, everybody! Since this report is a little bit longer than usual, I'm going to break it up into three parts for easier reading.

New Year’s Knockout VI
December 31, 2009
Card #231: Reunion Arena in Dallas



1) Johnny Valentine was successful in his first match of the evening, pinning “Tiger Man” John Pesek in the opener to retain the USWA Southern Heavyweight championship. This was a back-and-forth physical bout. Valentine hit an Atomic Skullcrusher after a few minutes, but Pesek kicked out. Pesek had good control of his more powerful foe on the mat. Both men had their fans supporting them. Valentine blasted Pesek with a big chop to the chest, dropped him, made a cover, and scored the pin rather quickly. It appeared as if Pesek lifted his shoulder, just after Paul Morton counted three. Valentine helped the Nebraskan to his feet after the match and both men shook hands in a show of respect. *½

2) Larry Zbyszko scored a big win over Antonino “Argentina” Rocca. Despite still feeling the effects of a concussion from Johnny Valentine, Zbyszko looked strong in this match. Rocca was in control in the opening minutes, dazzling Zbyszko with his high-flying, fast-paced offense. Rocca missed a flying splash into the corner and hit the turnbuckle hard, getting busted open. Zbyszko used the piledriver twice, but Rocca kicked out both times. Zbyszko tried to force the former Southern champ to submit to the abdominal stretch, but Rocca held on. Rocca regained control after Zbyszko missed a top rope knee drop, but Zbyszko cam back. He hit a third piledriver and made the cover to score the pin. Bobby Heenan was definitely happy by the fact that the first of his Family members to compete on this supercard got a victory. **½

3) Chris Candido will get his first ever USWA singles title match in the New Year against the Texas champion, as he emerged the winner of the 12-Man Battle Royal. “The Unpredictable” Johnny Rodz went out first, thanks to Brutus Beefcake. Despite attempts by Virgil to save his partner, the San Francisco native picked Rodz up in a bear hug-like position and then dumped him over the top rope.

“Playboy” Buddy Rose took some of S.D. Jones’s head butt, but held tough. Rose took a chance in coming off the top rope in a Battle Royal, hitting the Bombs Away. Cousin Luke attacked his former rival Rose and saved his partner Jones, but “Pretty Boy” Larry Sharpe then went after Luke. Rose took advantage of the no-disqualification rule and pulled some type of foreign object out of his trunks. He blasted Jones with the object, then tossed “Special Delivery” out.

Luke soon followed his partner. The hillbilly was wound up, but got too overzealous and missed a charge in the corner on Virgil. Virgil followed up with some punches, then tossed Luke out.

In somewhat of a surprise, Sharpe tossed out B. Brian Blair. Blair missed a flying splash into the corner on the “Pretty Boy”. Sharpe took advantage and dumped out Blair, who was hung up on the ropes.

The other Killer Bee soon followed, when “Jumping” Jim Brunzell was eliminated. Buff Bagwell got blasted by one of Brunzell’s dropkicks and was almost eliminated, but held strong. He fought back, scooped Brunzell up, and tossed him over the ropes to the floor. (Ironically, it was Brunzell’s partner Blair who eliminated Bagwell in the first ever USWA Battle Royal to crown the first Texas champ at New Year’s Knockout II four years ago.)

George South was the next victim. After giving Candido some hard punches, South got blasted by an enzuigiri from the “Suicide Blonde”. Bagwell and Candido double teamed South, then Candido eliminated him.

Beefcake blindsed “Buff Daddy” and the former Killer “B”s (who were forced to break up after last year’s New Year’s Knockout, due to losing a match to The Killer Bees) duked it out. Bagwell again had Candido to assist him and weaken Beefcake. Bagwell clothesline his former partner out of the ring and out of the match.

Virgil and Sharpe were trading punches. Virgil had the upper hand, when the “Playboy” tried to sneak attack Virgil and save his partner. Unfortunately for Rose, Virgil saw him coming and caught Rose with a big back bodydrop right next to the ropes. Rose went up and over and flew out of the match!

Virgil then had Sharpe join his partner. He briefly grabbed Sharpe in the Million Dollar Dream, just long to catch him off guard and weaken him. He then took Sharpe near the ropes and tossed him out.

Meanwhile Candido and Bagwell were biding their time, watching the action. At this point, they were left two-on-one against Virgil. While Virgil is not usually a fan favorite, he was cheered by the Dallas fans as the underdog. Bagwell and Candido double teamed the former bodyguard and things didn’t look good for Virgil. Suddenly, he broke free and delivered a noggin’ knocker to both men! He focused his attention on Candido and began delivering stiff punches to him in the corner. Bagwell recovered and charged Virgil from behind with a clothesline. But again, Virgil sensed the attack and ducked, causing Bagwell to nail his own partner in the corner! As “Buff Daddy” tried apologizing, Virgil seized the advantage and tossed Bagwell out of the ring!

Virgil had no time to celebrate, as he had one wrestler left to eliminate. He unleashed a flurry of punches on Candido. Candido was rockin’ and reelin’, but wouldn’t go out. He reversed a whip into the turnbuckle on Virgil and regained control. In a risky move, he took Virgil up to the top rope, then climbed up himself, and hit a big superplex. Both men were weakened from the high-impact move, but Candido recovered first. He strutted a bit, then picked Virgil up off the canvas and tossed him to win the match. "Back in Black" played throughout Reunion Arena, as Candido strutted in celebration. Bagwell came back down to celebrate with his tag team partner. Candido will face the Texas champion, either “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton or Chris Hero, on February 15 on the USWA’s debut card at the Bell Expo Center in Belton, TX. ***

[Cory Olson]

New Year’s Knockout VI (part 2)
December 31, 2009
Card #231: Reunion Arena in Dallas

4) Larry “The Axe” Hennig scored a big win via disqualification over Ed “Strangler” Lewis. Lewis was able to apply the Strangler’s Headlock after a few minutes, but Hennig quickly got to the ropes. Hennig battled back and blasted Lewis with The Axe. He made a cover, but the “Strangler” kicked out. Lewis came back and would outwrestle the larger opponent, but couldn’t keep him down to attempt a pin or submission. He seemed to be getting frustrated. He locked on the headlock again, but Hennig again got to the ropes. Jerry Calhoun told Lewis to break, but he wouldn’t. Calhoun gave him the five-count, but Lewis still held on. Calhoun was left with no choice, but to call for the bell and disqualify Lewis. Fans were not happy with this one! Lewis finally let go, but the big man was out. Bobby Heenan frantically checked on “The Axe”. Lewis walked to the locker room and seemed very frustrated at what he had done. Hennig eventually came to, but was slow in returning to the locker room with “The Brain”. *½

5) The Heavenly Bodies beat Brad Armstrong and “The Birdman” Koko B. Ware in what turned out to be a wild No-Disqualification match. Jim Cornette’s men took advantage of the no-disqualification rule and double teamed Armstrong for the first few minutes. Ware eventually tagged in, but got nailed by Stan Lane’s superkick twice. He managed to survive, but got nailed with a big lariat. Lane made a cover, but Armstrong came off the second rope with a knee drop to the back of Lane’s head to break up the pin. He then delivered a dropkick for good measure before returning to his corner. Ware recovered and hit the Ghostbuster on “Sweet” Stan, but Jim Cornette jumped in the ring. Ware saw him coming and knocked him down with a big jumping head butt. Dr. Tom Prichard got back in. He worked over Armstrong outside the ring and rammed him into the ring post, busting him open. With no countouts in this match as well, Prichard took his time in punishing Armstrong on the floor, also using the microphone chord from Gary Michael Cappetta’s mic to choke Armstrong. The Bodies hit the Rocket Launcher on Armstrong, but Ware broke up the pin attempt. Armstrong later came back and hit the Russian leg sweep on Prichard, but this time Lane would make a save for his team. Prichard came back and sent Armstrong into the turnbuckle, but out of nowhere, the bloody Armstrong leapt up to the second turnbuckle and came back with a body press for a near fall. Armstrong got the tag to Koko. While on the apron, Armstrong was exhausted from a grueling match and blood loss, and sort of collapsed in the corner. Meanwhile in the other corner, Cornette handed Lane an object, which Lane placed into his boot. He tagged back in and took a page out of his partner’s book—executing a loaded kick. In this case it was Lane’s superkick, made extra strong by the object. Ware dropped like a rock and was easy prey for “Sweet” Stan to score the pin. Armstrong realized what happened when he heard the ring bell and tried to get to his feet, but Prichard ran in with Cornette’s racquet, clocked him in the face, and knocked him off the apron. The Bodies then held Ware by each arm, while Cornette smacked him with the racquet as well. They then took Ware outside the ring. The Bodies picked Ware up and dropped him face-first across the guard rail. They then picked him up a second time, pressed him, and then dropped him face-first onto the arena floor, which made a sickening thud! The fans around ringside were in shock, as Cornette laughed and celebrated. Armstrong recovered and ran around the ring with a chair in hand. The Bodies and Cornette retreated to the locker room, as Armstrong checked on his fallen partner. Armstrong helped Ware to the back, as well as grabbing Frankie from ringside. Ware’s face was now also a bloody mess. ****½

6) Curt Hennig made The Heenan Family 3-0 for the night up to this point, scoring a strong win over Diamond Dallas Page. Hennig continued The Heenan Family’s recent trend of attacking wrestlers (particularly Page and The Crusher) before the bell. This time Hennig allowed DDP to make it into the ring, but from then on it was an ambush. He attempted the Hennig Plex several times, but Page blocked it. Hennig hit his father’s finisher—The Axe for a near fall. Hennig finally executed the Hennig Plex to score an impressive win over Page. Hennig seems to be recovered from his concussion and you can bet he’ll be looking for another shot at the Southern title in 2010. ¾*

7) Team RPW came out the winners in the first-ever Battlezone Match defeating Team DiBiase. The first participants were “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan for Team DiBiase and coach Dick Hutton for Team RPW. The former Oklahoma A&M Cowboy took control of “Hacksaw” early on. He locked on the abdominal stretch, but Duggan powered out of the hold. Duggan looked in trouble, but battled back. He came off the top rope with a big knee drop on Hutton. A few minutes later, he got down in the three-point stance and nailed Hutton with a flying spear to put him down for the pin.

Danny Hodge came out next for RPW. Duggan overpowered him in the opening minutes. He executed a big spinning body slam on Hodge for a near fall. “Hacksaw” knocked Hodge out of the ring with a clothesline and nearly got a countout win, but Hodge climbed back in. Hodge battled back, got Duggan down on the mat, and executed the Oklahoma side roll to pin Duggan’s shoulders to the mat and take him out of the match.

“Iron” Mike DiBiase came out to battle the RPW member, who in some ways has been his main rival in this team feud. Hodge locked on a sleeper at one point and had DiBiase woozy, but somehow Mike broke free. With the crowd behind him, Mike came back and got Hodge down. He went up to the top rope and hit the knee drop to the back. He rolled Hodge over, made a cover, and scored the big three-count.

Dan “The Beast” Severn came out next. He started strong, catching DiBiase with a German suplex for a near fall. He hit the fireman’s carry slam and looked on his way to eliminating DiBiase. But once again, Mike showed his fortitude by fighting back. He hit a double sledge off the top rope, got Severn down, and came off the top again with the knee drop. He rolled Severn over and scored a huge pinfall!

With his teammates eliminated, RPW captain Frank Gotch was the last one to try and give his team a chance. He worked over the tired out “Iron” Mike, taking him down to the mat, rubbing his face in the mat, and busting Mike open. He tried to make Mike submit to the grinding hammerlock and rolling kneebar, but Mike wouldn’t give. Mike broke the kneebar with a kick to the face with his free leg. Mike then started pounding away on Gotch in the corner. Tommy Marlin was putting the five-count on “Iron” Mike, but Mike continued to unleash a barrage of punches, until Marlin was left with no choice but to disqualify Mike. Although Mike was mad about being eliminated, he seemed somewhat happy having given Gotch a beating!

The fans popped big as “I Love It Loud” blared on the P.A. system, signifying that Steve “Dr. Death” Williams was the next entrant! The heat between Gotch and Williams was intense here, as they battled tooth-and-nail. The fight went to the floor several times in this fall. Williams out of frustration grabbed a steel chair and cracked Gotch across the back with it. Marlin saw this and disqualified “Dr. Death”, making that two DQ eliminations in a row for Team DiBiase!

The last match got down to captains Gotch and Ted DiBiase. The crowd was wild for this one, as the two men this whole historic feud has been based around were going to settle it. With Gotch weakened from the chair shot from Williams, DiBiase pounced on him right away, hitting a power slam for a near fall. Gotch used his striking ability to weaken DiBiase and try to reinjure his nose. He did bust DiBiase open, but DiBiase fought back and had Gotch caught in the figure-four leglock. The fans were going wild, thinking they were going to see a submission, but Gotch made the ropes. Even with blood streaming down his face, DiBiase was fired up. He climbed up the ropes and came off with a double sledge, but Gotch dodged the blow, and caught DiBiase with a punch to the stomach. DiBiase was hurt and also seemed to have landed badly on his knee, which was injured during a bout with Hodge, back in May. Gotch seized the opportunity and locked on the rolling kneebar. With the blood gushing and his knee in pain, DiBiase tapped out to the hold. Gotch looked impressive in surviving three opponents. The fans were somewhat shocked by this. As Gotch stood victorious, DiBiase recovered got to his feet, and limped over to the announcers’ table. He grabbed the microphone from Gary Michael Cappetta and said that he and Gotch have had some great battles over the years. He said despite their problems, tonight Gotch beat him using pure wrestling—what Team RPW was intended to be. He offered Gotch his hand. Gotch hesitated, but eventually accepted and shook DiBiase’s hand. The fans cheered this historic moment. As Gotch returned to the locker room, the rest of RPW met him in the aisle and congratulated him. ****

[Cory Olson]

New Year’s Knockout VI (part 3)
December 31, 2009
Card #231: Reunion Arena in Dallas

8) “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton retained the USWA Texas championship, defeating Chris Hero by countout. Fans were split in this one, although Eaton had a few more cheers, as Texas fans have begun to respect him as the current longest reigning USWA champion. The challenger was very competitive in the opening minutes, knowing the importance of the match. Hero hit his Hero’s Welcome early on, but Eaton kicked out. He blasted Eaton with a stiff boot to the face and went for a cover, but Jim Cornette distracted Paul Morton. When Morton finally saw the pin attempt and went to count, Eaton kicked out. The champ fought back and used his aerial tactics to wear down the challenger. He hit the Alabama Jam, but as he went for a cover, “Sweet ‘n Sour” Larry Sweeney started entering the ring. Eaton saw him coming and broke the pin, going after Sweeney. He chased the sports agent around the ring, but it was a trap by Eaton and Cornette as Cornette was waiting and cracked Sweeney in the face with the tennis racquet! Cornette pounced on Sweeney and punched away at him. Morton tried to break them up. Meanwhile Hero came out of the ring after Eaton, but Eaton caught him with a right jab. He then grabbed Hero and executed a bulldog on the arena floor. Eaton crawled back in, as Cornette let the beaten Sweeney go. Morton turned his attention to the challenger and counted him out of the ring. ***¼

9) A brief intermission took place, while the USWA ring crew set up the steel cage. In a tag team match with a lot on the line, “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka and “The Boogie Woogie Man” “Handsome” Jimmy Valiant captured the USWA World Tag Team titles for the second time by defeating their rivals Magnificent Muraco and Greg “The Hammer” Valentine in a Steel Cage Match. Gary Michael Cappetta reminded the fans of the added stipulations—if the champions won, the challenger would have to split up for one full year. If the challengers won, in addition to the belts, they would get the added bonus of battling manager Capt. Lou Albano in the cage for five minutes.

The challengers had control in the early going, double teaming Valentine. Muraco tagged in, but took a beating from long-time rival Snuka. Snuka went up to the top rope and hit the Superfly Leap, but Muraco kicked out, which seemed to stun the Fijian warrior, who thought he had it won. Valiant and Valentine were in the ring. Valentine went up to the top rope and came off with a falling sledge, but Valiant dodged it, got behind Valentine and locked on a sleeper. “The Hammer” started dropping, but nailed Valiant with a low kick, which was legal in the cage. He took over and executed a successful sledge off the top. Muraco and the “Superfly” were in and Muraco got Snuka up in a backbreaker. Snuka was weak, but positioned himself near the cage, kicked off the cage wall, and escaped. Muraco pulled Snuka towards his corner and tagged Valentine back in. Valentine held Snuka in a full nelson, while Muraco was about to deliver a double sledge. “Superfly” broke free and Muraco blasted his own partner in the face, which drew blood on Valentine. “The Boogie Woogie Man” jumped back in and grabbed Muraco in the sleeper, basically holding him back from the legal men. Snuka pulled Valentine to the center of the ring, then looked as if he were going to climb the ropes for another Superfly Leap, but stopped, looked towards the sky, and started to climb the cage! He went up to the top of the cage, and dove off with top with an amazing Superfly Leap! The Reunion Arena fans nearly blew the roof off with their reaction! Snuka covered Valentine, while Valiant put Muraco out with sleeper. Tommy Marlin counted the pin and awarded the belts to the new champs!

Capt. Lou Albano was going crazy outside the ring. Cappetta unlocked the door, as Snuka tossed Valentine out, and Valiant “woke Muraco up” with a big stomp. Snuka and Valiant grabbed the rubber banded manager and brought him into the cage, while Cappetta locked the door again. Muraco and Valentine walked to the back, per the pre-match stipulations. Albano was shaking at the sight of two of his biggest enemies in front of him at the same time. The Captain had a plan, as he went into his pockets and threw powder in both men’s eyes! He grabbed “Handsome” Jimmy and rammed him into the cage, then went for a cover, but his former charge kicked out. Valiant battled back and was joined by Snuka in double teaming Albano. Valiant hit a big roundhouse punch, then Snuka nailed a head butt, and finally tossed Albano head-first into the cage. The Fijian warrior made a cover and pinned Albano in 2:34. As Marlin officially presented the new champs their belts, Muraco, Valentine, and Brutus Beefcake came down and hauled their manager to the back. The fans went wild as the popular team became champs for the second time! ***¾

10) A second intermission took place, as the crew took the cage down, and fans got ready for the last main event of 2009. Four-time and current USWA World Heavyweight champion Nick Bockwinkel put the title on the line against USWA Southern Heavyweight champion and the first USWA World champ Johnny Valentine. The Crusher was the special guest referee to maintain order in this important match. Crusher got his own ring entrance with the “Beer Barrel Polka”. He wore black shorts and a referee shirt that seemed a little too tight! The World champ had control in the early going, perhaps due to the fact that the challenger was tired from his earlier defense of the Southern gold. The match went out of the ring several times. While Crusher would be somewhat lenient, he also tried to keep the wrestlers in the ring. He seemed to be warning Bockwinkel more and kept him from attacking Valentine outside, but eventually gave Valentine plenty of warnings. Valentine locked on an abdominal stretch at one point, but Bockwinkel made the ropes. Valentine went up to the second rope, which is uncharacteristic for him. While Crusher was warning him about the dangers of the move, Valentine was momentarily distracte, and Bockwinkel recovered. He knocked Valentine off the second rope and knocked him to the floor. Valentine hit his head on the ring apron and was busted open. Bockwinkel let Valentine back in the ring, but immediately hit him with a piledriver for a near fall. He pulled Valentine towards the center of the ring and locked on the figure-four. Valentine fought hard, but eventually was forced to tap out. Crusher called for the bell. Bobby Heenan jumped in the ring, celebrating The Heenan Family going 4-0 on the biggest card of the year. Crusher handed Bockwinkel the USWA title belt and raised his arm in victory. “The Brain” berated Crusher and tried to get him to raise Bock’s arm again. Crusher responded by blasting Heenan with the Crusher Bolo, knocking him out of the ring! Bockwinkel checked on his manager and hauled him to the back, while the rest of The Heenan Family came from the locker room and helped him as well. Crusher pointed towards Bockwinkel and his belt and signaled that on the first card of 2010, he would not be the official in Bockwinkel’s match, but would be his challenger! **¾

[Sickman]

Excellant stuff Cory!

[CB Colossus]

I thought this show was going to be next friday? why post it tonight on Christmas?

[Cory Olson]

Thanks to Sickman and Colossus for the comments.

Dec 25, 2009 22:43:34 GMT -5 CB Colossus said:

I thought this show was going to be next friday? why post it tonight on Christmas?

Because I am able to travel into the future, thanks to a DeLorean, fueled by plutonium, that time travels once it hits 88 MPH.

Actually, I already played the card and just wanted to post early, figuring I'd be busy with holiday events the next week.

[Spider Kid]

Great card, happy to see Handsome Jimmy win the belts with Jimmy Snuka. Also liked the match when Bobby Eaton won the Texas title. Hope they keep the belts for a long time.

[Cory Olson]

Thanks to Larry for the comments!

WMC-TV aired a special USWA marathon on January 2, including a replay of New Year’s Knockout VI and the best moments of 2009. The January 9 edition of USWA Championship Wrestling had a ton of news on the fallout of NYK VI and big updates for 2010.

• Several USWA superstars will be heading to other areas in 2010. Frank Gotch was interviewed in-studio by Bill Apter and announced that after their big victory in the Battlezone Match, Team Real Pro Wrestling was no more! He said that he felt that he personally had accomplished great goals in the USWA in the six years he had been there—winning the World, Southern, and World Tag Team titles, being the first man to hold two USWA titles simultaneously, and while not winning every match, he defeated some great names using pure wrestling. Gotch thanked those fans who supported him, and knows that not everyone was a fan of him. He said that he would be competing in Central States Wrestling next. Coach Dick Hutton said that he too would be joining Gotch in CSW. Dan “The Beast” Severn said that he would be taking a break from pro wrestling to go back to mixed martial arts, and specifically the UFC, with the goal of getting another shot at the UFC World Heavyweight championship (currently held by Brock Lesnar). Danny Hodge humbly stated that he hadn’t decided on his next plan yet, but USWA fans would soon find out.
• “Iron” Mike and Ted DiBiase revealed that Mike would be leaving to compete in WCCW. Mike said that he has had a great time teaming with his son, but that they want to do their own thing and compete on their own. Mike said he may reunite with his son in the wrestling ring sometime in the future.
• Lance Russell announced that manager Capt. Lou Albano as well as Magnificent Muraco had decided to leave the USWA. The rubber banded manager did not appear in the WMC studios, but The Dream Team came in and shared this news. They did not give any specifics as for their former manager and teammate’s departures, nor on their next plans, but it could be figured that the loss in the Steel Cage Match and Albano’s beating by the new World Tag Team champs played into it! Greg “The Hammer” Valentine said that they (he and Brutus Beefcake) already have a new manager lined up—one who is better than Capt. Lou and will lead The Dream Team to the Tag Team gold for the first time. He is one that knows Jimmy Snuka and Jimmy Valiant well. Beefcake said that the new manager will be announced on January 18 at the Civic Coliseum in Knoxville.
• It was announced that due to the attack by The Heavenly Bodies and Jim Cornette, “The Birdman” Koko B. Ware will need major reconstructive surgery and will be out of wrestling action indefinitely. Brad Armstrong was interviewed and stated that he will find any partner he can to get revenge on Cornette and The Bodies. Upon hearing that The Bodies will challenge “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka and “The Boogie Woogie Man” “Handsome” Jimmy Valiant for the World Tag Team titles in the main event on January 18 in Knoxville, Armstrong said it’s a shame that the Bodies are being rewarded for their crimes! He said that he feels confident that the Bodies will get their “butts whooped” by Snuka and Valiant, but if they somehow cheat their way to winning, he will fine a partner and get his revenge by taking those belts.
• Another title match for January was made, as Southern Heavyweight champion Johnny Valentine will grant a rematch to the man he beat for the belt—Curt Hennig. This bout will take place on January 25 at the Sailors and Soldiers Memorial Coliseum in Evansville. Valentine said he’s beaten Hennig before and will do it again. In response to his thoughts on the New Year’s Knockout match, Valentine questioned The Crusher’s refereeing skills. While Valentine confessed that it was Nick Bockwinkel’s figure-four that beat him, he made mention of the distraction when Crusher warned him about attempting a maneuver off the second turnbuckle and how it could have turned the tide in Bockwinkel’s favor. Valentine stated that he’d like another opportunity in 2010 at whoever the World champion is.

2009 ended with a bang, but 2010 will already be off to a great start. The USWA brings great wrestling action back to Monday nights when they return to the Sports Arena in Tupelo, MS on January 11!
• In a rematch from December, The Killer Bees will face Buff Bagwell and the #1 contender to the Texas title—Chris Candido. These teams had a great battle in December that The Bees won by DQ, when “Buff Daddy” used a chair on “Jumping” Jim Brunzell. Who will get the first win of ’10?
• In a first-time meeting, Antonino “Argentina” Rocca will face “Tiger Man” John Pesek. Both men are hoping for a shot at Southern champion Johnny Valentine in the New Year. Both are popular with the fans, but have very different wrestling styles. Will Rocca’s high flying win out, or will Pesek’s mat-based, pure wrestling achieve victory?
• Brad Armstrong is out for revenge for his fallen tag team partner Koko B. Ware. He’ll team up with the hillbilly Cousin Luke to face The Heavenly Bodies! The unorthodox, wild Luke has scored upsets in the past and may be the partner Armstrong needs to defeat Jim Cornette’s men!
• In another meeting of popular wrestlers, Ed “Strangler” Lewis takes on Diamond Dallas Page. Sources say Lewis was somewhat embarrassed and mad at himself for losing his cool at New Year’s Knockout against Larry Hennig. These two met back in September when Lewis retained his then-World championship against DDP. Can Lewis repeat or will he feel the BANG!?
• In a big grudge match, Southern Heavyweight champ Johnny Valentine will face Larry Zbyszko. Valentine holds two disqualification wins over Zbyszko, but wants to get pin or submission win. Zbyszko is coming off a big win at NYK VI against Antonino Rocca and wants to beat the champ to earn a future title shot. It’s interesting that Zbyszko is also battling Valentine before fellow Heenan Family member Curt Hennig gets his return match on January 25. Who will get the win?
• The main event will be a huge way to start the New Year, as Nick Bockwinkel will defend the World Heavyweight title against “The Man Who Made Milwaukee Famous” The Crusher! Crusher holds a non-title pinfall win over the champ. Bockwinkel mocked Crusher on WMC-TV, stating a man of his “class” and poor wrestling skills could never be a good representative for pro wrestling. Can “Da” Crusher take home the gold to the “dollies”?
All this plus Ted DiBiase and Steve “Dr. Death” Williams take on The Dream Team. Also The Hennigs in action and the USWA debut of “The Russian Bear” Ivan Koloff!