Cory's USWA

[Cory Olson]

Thanks to Crue Fan for the comments!

Aug 5, 2014 22:06:03 GMT -5 cruefan68 said:

I liked how Lance Russell asked Ed Lewis why he wasn't part of the tournament and the response by Lewis was a good one.

I wanted to do a little explanation on why "Strangler" wasn't in the tournament. He's a six-time former USWA champ (record for the most reigns), so from a logic standpoint, you would think he should be in this tournament. But since he's managing Thesz and I'm not planning to split them up anytime soon, I didn't really want to have them wrestle each other at NYK this year. I was hoping that somebody who hasn't faced Thesz would win the tournament. I have actually completed the Evansville card, and the Knoxville card that follows, and just need to finish the write-ups. Stay tuned for the results!

[Deleted]

The U.S.W.A. is............ simply the best! Better than ALL the rest.

One word..

EPIC!

[Cory Olson]

Thanks to Kevin for the compliments!

December 2, 2013
Card #378: Sailors & Soldiers Memorial Coliseum in Evansville

1) Newcomer Tracy Smothers was victorious in the opener over George South. Smothers looked very impressive against South. He scored the pinfall on South in a couple of minutes after his jawjacker (a diving back elbow to the face). The Evansville fans gave Smothers a big cheer for his win! ¾*

2) Giant Bernard defeated S.D. Jones. “Special Delivery” was fighting for revenge for Cousin Luke, whom Bernard put out of action in his debut match a few weeks ago in Blytheville. He had some offense against the big man, but couldn’t maintain it. Bernard surprised Jones with a short-arm clothesline. He hit a Baldo Bomb a few moments later and went for a cover, but pulled “Philadelphia’s Favorite Son’s” shoulders off the mat before what would have been the three-count and dishes out more punishment. Bernard finally ended Jones’s misery after the Bernard Driver. Bernard has been a ferocious competitor in just three matches in the USWA! *¼

3) Magnum T.A. defeated Johnny Dotson. The popular Magnum nailed Dotson with a series of dropkicks, and hit the belly-to-belly suplex to score the pinfall in about two minutes. The Evansville fans popped big for Magnum’s win! DUD

4) Mr. Fuji and Mr. Saito defeated Red Pepper. Red Bastien and Pepper Gomez worked over Fuji in the opening minutes of the bout. Gomez nailed Fuji with a big wind-up punch to the stomach, which sent Fuji flying. Gomez covered Fuji, but he kicked out. Saito tagged in and worked over Gomez’ leg. He locked on the Scorpion Leglock. Bastien attempted a save, but Fuji cut him off with a karate chop to the throat. Gomez fought hard for the ropes for nearly a minute, but ultimately had to tap out, giving the Japanese a submission win and making “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert a happy man. *¾

5) Mid-America Heavyweight champion Johnny Saint defeated Claudio Castagnoli by submission. The Swiss powerhouse had some early offense against the British technician and looked like he might get a non-title victory. He hit the Ricola Bomb and made a cover, but Saint lifted his shoulder at 2¾. Castagnoli came off the second rope with a European uppercut, but Saint dodged the attack and Castagnoli landed hard. A few moments later, Saint caught Castagnoli in the Three-in-One in the center of the ring and forced him to submit. Saint looked impressive as he faces the big challenge of three challengers in the Four Corners Match at New Year’s Knockout for his Mid-America title! **½

6) Doug Gilbert took a beating, but scored a disqualification victory over Steve “Dr. Death” Williams. Gilbert was accompanied by both Eddie Gilbert and “Sensational” Sherri Martel. Williams nailed Gilbert with a stiff lariat in the opening minutes of the bout and scored a two-count. Gilbert fought back and hit an elbow drop off the second rope. Williams battled back and hit a backdrop driver on Gilbert. He then decided to deliver one more for good measure, much to the fans’ delight! Sherri jumped up on the apron and distracted Frank Morrell. Eddie grabbed a steel chair from ringside and slid it into the ring to his brother. Williams grabbed it first and nailed Doug right in the back with the chair! Unfortunately, Morrell turned around right in time to see this and called for the bell, disqualifying Williams. Williams nailed Gilbert once more with the chair, before Eddie pulled him out of the ring. Williams asked Gary Michael Cappetta for the microphone. Cappetta naturally obliged and Williams stated that Southern champ Ted DiBiase won’t be so lucky inside the steel cage in Lexington, as anything goes! “Dr. Death” also added that if he gets his hands on the champ’s loaded glove first, he will be happy to use it, just as DiBiase has done to him numerous times! “Hot Stuff” looked very nervous about Williams’ words! **¾

7) Brian Kendrick and Paul London scored an impressive win over the Mongols. London went for a cover on Geeto early after he and Kendrick executed a combination reverse STO-enzuigiri, but Geeto kicked out. The fan favorites later hit the assisted Shooting Star, but Bepo broke up the pin attempt. Bepo tagged in and the Mongols executed a Mongolian Drop on Kendrick. London saved his partner from a possible pin. Kendrick fought back and managed to weaken the big Bepo. He tagged back to London, who got Bepo down on the mat. London went to the top rope and hit an amazing 450 splash. Geeto attempted a save, but Kendrick cut him off with a boot to the face. London made a cover and scored the pinfall. **¾

8) “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton scored a pinfall on one-half of the World Tag Team champions Al Costello in one of the best USWA matches of 2013! This was back-and-forth match. Jim Cornette got involved early on, tripping up Costello. Eaton hit an Alabama Jam and went for a cover, but Costello kicked out. “Wild” Red Berry got involved on behalf of Costello and nailed Eaton’s leg with his cane. Costello worked over the leg and went for the Marble Bor Leglock. He had the submission hold on for several minutes, but Eaton finally got to the ropes for a break. Costello went up to the second turnbuckle and came off with a forearm smash, but Eaton sidestepped the attack, and sent Costello face-first into the canvas. Costello’s face hit hard and he was busted open. Eaton sent Costello into the corner and charged in at him with an elbow smash. Costello dodged the attack and Eaton smacked face-first into the buckle and now was bleeding as well. Eaton took control on Costello, got him down on to the mat, and went up to the top rope. He came off with a big splash and made a cover, but Costello kicked out at 2¾. Eaton went up top again. Berry got up on the apron and looked ready to nail Eaton with his cane again. Before he could, Cornette clocked him with the tennis racquet! With Berry out of the picture, Eaton jumped off the top and hit another Alabama Jam to score the pinfall after about 15 minutes of action! *****

9) The Masked Superstars scored an impressive win over “Cowboy” Bob Orton, Jr. and Bob Roop. The new team of Roop and Orton worked well together and looked like they might defeat the more-established Superstars. Roop and the Masked Superstar II were battling it out inside the ring. The Olympian tried to toss the giant into the ropes, but Superstar II used his strength to reverse the whip and then nailed Roop with a powerful clothesline. He covered Roop and scored the pinfall, before Orton could make a save. Jimmy Hart was very pleased with Superstars’ win. How will the Superstars fare against the two-time former USWA champs at New Year’s Knockout? **

10) The main event was for the New Year’s Knockout final main event match against Lou Thesz for the USWA World Heavyweight championship. Bruiser Brody took on the “Intelligent, Sensational” Destroyer in the finals of the 12-man elimination tournament to determine Thesz’s challenger. Due to the importance of this match, USWA Committee Chairman Jerry Jarrett and Commissioner Bob Armstrong sat at ringside for the bout. Champion Thesz and manager Ed “Strangler” Lewis were also present to scout both potential opponents for Thesz. They sat at the announcers’ table with Lance Russell and Dave Brown. Brody and Destroyer shook hands before the bout in a great sign of sportsmanship. The Evansville fans were split early on in their support of these former USWA champs. The two wrestlers exchanged some great mat wrestling early in the bout. Destroyer attempted a single leg Boston Crab on Brody about eight minutes into the bout. Brody used his great strength, pushed up, and in an amazing display, rolled through and reversed Destroyer into a single leg Crab of his own! Destroyer managed to pull himself to the ropes and grab the bottom rope for a break. As the action picked up, Destroyer took control and got Brody down on the mat. The masked man went up to the top rope and came off with a Bombs Away, a version of Brody’s own knee drop finisher. He covered Brody, but the New Mexican madman kicked out. Brody took control and fired up, hitting a running leg drop for a near fall. A few minutes later Brody showed his strength, by hitting a one-hand body slam (which brought him victory over Claudio Castagnoli in the first round in Jackson). Brody covered the “Intelligent, Sensational One,” but Destroyer kicked out. Brody whipped Destroyer into the corner and blasted him on the rebound with a clothesline to the face. The masked man was busted open from the move, as his white mask soon had some red on it. Brody hit a piledriver and made a cover, but Destroyer kicked out a 2¾! Brody went for a big boot in the corner, but Destroyer ducked and Brody’s leg hit the buckles. Destroyer pulled Brody into the center of the ring and slapped on the figure-four leglock. Brody was hurting, but managed to pull himself to the ropes for a break. Although he was free, Brody was limping from the figure-four. Destroyer jumped up on Brody’s back and went for an intelligent sleeper. Destroyer held on tightly to the big man. Brody started to drop to the mat after about a minute. He fell to his side on the mat. Jerry Calhoun checked Brody’s arm and it dropped three times. Calhoun called for the bell and awarded Destroyer the bout via submission after 20 minutes of great action! The Evansville fans gave the “Intelligent, Sensational One” a big ovation for his win. Destroyer woke up Brody after the bell, helped him to his feet, and then offered him his hand in sportsmanship. Brody accepted the handshake and wished Destroyer luck at New Year’s Knockout. Thesz and Lewis entered the ring. There was a brief stare down, as Lewis was still somewhat leery of Destroyer (who turned on him for Bobby Heenan’s $ 25,000 bounty in 2008). Destroyer offered his hand to the champ and Thesz accepted. The masked man then asked Gary Michael Cappetta for the microphone. He apologized to the “Strangler” for his greed back in ’08. He said that while winning the USWA World Heavyweight championship is the most important goal any wrestler can set, he made a mistake in betraying Lewis for money and not facing Lewis like a man. He said that he has a lot of respect for both Lewis and Thesz and that he plans to face Thesz the right way on December 31—by wrestling him. He says he has no doubt that Thesz is one of the toughest competitors in USWA history, but he will work harder than he ever has to become a two-time USWA champ. The Evansville fans gave Destroyer a big ovation for his speech. Destroyer than offered his hand to the “Strangler” as well. Lewis was reluctant, but eventually agreed and shook his former enemy’s hand. The fans popped big for this historic moment! ****

[Cory Olson]

BREAKING NEWS!
Brody Attacked by Bernard in Evansville!

During WMC-TV’s sports report on December 3, sportscaster “Big” Jack Eaton reported that Bruiser Brody was attacked backstage at the Sailors and Soldiers Memorial Coliseum in Evansville after his main event match against the Destroyer to determine who would challenge Lou Thesz for the USWA World Heavyweight championship on December 31. USWA cameras rushed to the scene, where Brody lay on the floor. Standing above him was Giant Bernard! The newcomer picked Brody up and gave him a Baldo Bomb onto the locker room floor. USWA referees and officials rushed into break up the melee. Bernard left the scene, but before he did, looked right at the camera and said that when both he and Brody wrestled in Japan, he (Bernard) challenged Brody to a match, but Brody never acknowledged the challenge. Therefore, if he had to get his attention by getting in his face like this, so be it! He said that he wanted a match with Brody at New Year’s Knockout X! It was said that Brody had suffered no major injuries, but no response was given at this time. “Big” Jack encouraged fans to tune in to both WMC-TV and specifically USWA Championship Wrestling this weekend for more updates!

[Cory Olson]

Highlights of USWA Championship Wrestling from 12-7, with more updates on New Year’s Knockout X!
• Bruiser Brody was interviewed in-studio. Lance Russell asked how the former USWA champion was doing after the attack by Giant Bernard. He said that he was hurting, but he’s not going to slow down. Russell asked Brody’s response to Bernard’s challenge for a match on December 31. Brody said that Bernard is dumber than he is ugly; that Brody never heard any challenges from Bernard when both were wrestling in Japan, and that Bernard is trying to make a name for himself in the USWA by jumping Brody. Brody said that he would be happy to fight Bernard on the 31st! Later in the show, Commissioner Armstrong announced that this match will take place at the Rupp Arena’s portion of this supercard!
• More matches were announced for the USWA’s supercard. “The Boogie Woogie Man” “Handsome” Jimmy Valiant will be going for revenge on behalf of “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka, when he battles “Nature Boy” Buddy Rogers! Rogers’ three-card suspension will be completed by New Year’s Knockout X. Since Snuka’s leg will not be healed by that time, Valiant has stepped up and agreed to battle the former USWA champion!
• Another grudge bout will see Hot Stuff, International’s Mr. Fuji and Mr. Saito take on the Mongols! Each team holds a victory over the other in this feud. Who will win this “rubber match”?
• A former USWA superstar will return to action after a five-year absence. “The Mouth of The South” Jimmy Hart has announced that his crew of wrestlers will expand, as he has signed “Ravishing” Rick Rude, who will return at the Louisville Gardens! Rude wrestled in the USWA from New Year’s Knockout IV in Memphis in 2007 until October ’08. While his tenure was somewhat short, he challenged for both the USWA World Heavyweight and Southern Heavyweight titles during that time. Hart said that Rude did not capture championships because he did not have the proper manager (Rude was a member of Bobby Heenan’s Family at the time.) Hart said that he will lead “The Ravishing One” to championship glory in 2014!
• The “Intelligent, Sensational” Destroyer was interviewed. Lance Russell congratulated the masked man on his victory over Bruiser Brody and his upcoming main event match in Memphis on December 31. Destroyer thanked Russell and the USWA fans for their support. He reiterated what he said in Evansville last week and said that he plans to do all he can through wrestling to win his second USWA championship from Lou Thesz. He said that he talked to Commissioner Armstrong, Thesz, and Ed “Strangler” Lewis in the last few days and he and “Strangler” have agreed to wrestle each in a pure wrestling match on the last card before New Year’s Knockout! The two have signed to wrestle in the main event match on December 16 at the Municipal Auditorium in Nashville! Russell complimented Destroyer on not slowing down prior to challenging for the World title on the biggest USWA card of the year. Destroyer said the best way for preparing for the current best wrestler in the USWA is to take on one of the best wrestlers in the history of the USWA!

The USWA comes back to the Civic Center in Knoxville on December 9 with a huge card!
• Steve “Dr. Death” Williams continues his path toward his shot at USWA Southern Heavyweight champion Ted DiBiase in their Steel Cage Loaded Glove on a Pole Loser-Leaves Town Match, when he takes on Hot Stuff, International member Mr. Fuji! Williams showed that he can be ultra-aggressive in his match against Doug Gilbert last week in Evansville, and he will need that aggression against the sneaky and nefarious Fuji. Can Williams stop the Japanese warrior?
• Williams’ ally “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan will be in action, when he takes on “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton. These two met in August, with Eaton coming out the winner via disqualification due to Duggan using his 2X4. Eaton is coming off a win on Al Costello in a great ***** match from last week. Who will get the win this time?
• In another rematch, Southern Heavyweight champion Ted DiBiase will take on Bruiser Brody in a non-title bout! Give Brody credit for competing against one of the top wrestlers in the USWA, coming off his great tournament final bout with the Destroyer and the locker room attack by Giant Bernard. DiBiase got a win over Brody via DQ in this same arena in October. Can Brody avenge that loss?
• In a first-time match-up and a prelude to New Year’s Knockout X, four-time former USWA champ Nick Bockwinkel will take on former Southern champ the Masked Superstar I! Bockwinkel and Ray Stevens will take on both Masked Superstars on December 31. Bockwinkel has been very vocal about the Superstars and Buddy Rogers betraying former manager Bobby Heenan and bringing Jimmy Hart into the USWA. Can Bockwinkel defeat Superstar I or will the masked man score a big singles win?
• The main event will be a six-man tag team match. The USWA World Tag Team champions the Fabulous Kangaroos will team up with their manager “Wild” Red Berry to take on the Midnight Express’ “Sweet” Stan Lane and Sweet Brown Sugar, and their manager Jim Cornette! This will be Berry’s very first match in the USWA! He is a very formidable competitor, who is a former NWA World Jr. Heavyweight champion. Both he and Cornette have been active interfering in their men’s matches. Last week Cornette clocked Berry with his tennis racquet during the match between “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton and Al Costello. Now both managers have the opportunity to battle it out in a sanctioned match! This bout could also have implications for the Louisville main event match for the World Tag Team titles at New Year’s Knockout. Which trio will get the win?

All these bouts, plus Magnum T.A. takes on Claudio Castagnoli. Also tag team action when “Cowboy” Bob Orton, Jr. and Bob Roop face the Mongols! Also a rematch between Doug Gilbert and “Pretty Boy” Larry Sharpe. As well as the team of Brian Kendrick and Paul London, and Giant Bernard in action!

[cruefan68]

The Evansville card was solid and that was a huge win for The Destroyer. I also can't wait for Bruiser Brody vs. Giant Bernard, that should be a war. Nothing beats the action in the USWA.

[Cory Olson]

Thanks to Crue Fan for the nice comments!

December 9, 2013
Card #379: Civic Coliseum in Knoxville
1) Brian Kendrick and Paul London were victorious in the opener over Pat and Bill Rose. Bill never tagged in during this bout, as Kendrick and London used their quick-paced offense to keep Pat in the ring the entire bout. London scored the pinfall on Pat in just a few minutes after an Oklahoma side roll. DUD

2) Doug Gilbert pinned “Pretty Boy” Larry Sharpe. Gilbert hit a sitout body slam for a near fall on Sharpe. Sharpe rolled out of the ring, but got slapped by his former valet “Sensational” Sherri Martel, while “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert distracted Scott Bowden. Gilbert brought Sharpe back into the ring and hit the top rope shoulder ram a few moments later to score the pinfall. ¼*

3) Magnum T.A. scored a pinfall victory over Claudio Castagnoli. The Swiss powerhouse took advantage at the opening bell. He hit an Alpamare Waterslide and covered Magnum, but T.A. kicked out at two. T.A. battled back and surprised Castagnoli with the belly-to-belly suplex to score the pinfall after about three minutes of action. Magnum continues to impress inside the USWA rings. *

4) The Mongols scored a big win over “Cowboy” Bob Orton, Jr. and Bob Roop. Geeto and Bepo double teamed Orton in the first few minutes of the match. Geeto locked Orton in a Gobi Nerve Hold. Orton started to drop, but with Roop and the Knoxville fans cheering him on, he battled back and elbow Geeto in the midsection to break the hold. Geeto cut Orton off and tagged to Bepo. The Mongols hit the Mongolian Drop and Bepo made a cover, but Roop broke up the pin attempt. Bepo distracted Paul Morton, while Geeto used one of the Mongols’ chains on the “Cowboy.” Orton managed to break free and finally tag to the Olympian. Roop hit a suplex on Geeto for a near fall. Bepo tagged back in and he and Roop started a slugfest. Roop ducked a punch from Bepo and Bepo accidentally smashed Morton. The official went down and all four men started brawling in and out of the ring. Joe Wheeler ran down to take over officiating duties for Morton, while other officials helped Morton to the back. (Morton did not officiate the rest of this evening.) During the melee, Roop and Geeto ended up as the “legal” men in the ring. Roop hit a piledriver and made a cover. Roop had Geeto down on his shoulders for several seconds, before Wheeler finally managed to get in the ring. By the time he finally did count, Geeto kicked out at 2¾. Orton tagged back in. The former USWA champ Orton had some offense against Geeto and looked like he was on a way to the win for him and Roop. Geeto surprised Orton with a thrust to the throat. He then ran over and nailed Roop with a thrust to the throat as well, knocking him off the apron. Geeto tagged to Bepo and the Mongols nailed Orton Jr. with a powerful double clothesline. Bepo covered Orton and scored the pinfall to give the Mongols a huge win. This gives them some momentum before their rematch with Mr. Fuji and Mr. Saito at New Year’s Knockout X! ***¼

5) Giant Bernard made short work over George South. The monstrous Bernard scored another dominant win, hitting the Bernard Driver and scoring the pinfall in a couple of minutes. After the bell, Bernard looked ready to unleash more punishment on South. Before he could, Bruiser Brody, who had been preparing for his own match later on this card, came charging out of the back with his chain in hand. He chased Bernard out of the ring. Despite fleeing from Brody, Bernard was still cocky and confident, and yelled to Brody that he will see him in a couple of weeks in Lexington! DUD

6) Steve “Dr. Death” Williams pinned Mr. Fuji. Williams had the early advantage, blasting Fuji with a football tackle and covering him for a near fall. Williams later hit a backdrop driver and made a cover, but “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert put Fuji’s foot on the bottom rope to break up the pinfall. Joe Wheeler did not see this, but Williams did and threatened Gilbert. Fuji recovered a few moments later and hit a Kamikaze clothesline for a near fall. Fuji took Williams into the corner and then came off the middle rope with the Banzai Drop. He covered Williams, but the former Southern champ powered out. Fuji climbed up the ropes again, but took his time in doing so, gloating to the Knoxville crowd that he was about to win. As Fuji stood on the middle rope, Williams recovered and got to his feet. Despite Gilbert trying to get attention, Fuji did not see Williams coming up from behind and grab him in a waistlock. Williams pulled Fuji off the ropes and hit a German suplex. He held Fuji on his shoulders and bridged up to put Fuji down for the three-count. As Williams got his hand raised by Wheeler, he again pointed to Gilbert, as he did after his match with Doug Gilbert last week in Evansville. Williams seems focused on his bout with Ted DiBiase at New Year’s Knockout! ***

7) “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton scored a big singles win over “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan. Jim Cornette was sporting his spandex bodysuit for his own match in the main event. He was getting warmed up, as he was very active interfering for Eaton and may have been the difference maker in the long run. Eaton hit a spinning neckbreaker, a top rope knee drop, and a Divorce Court at different times for near falls. Duggan battled back with the fans chanting “USA.” He hit a piledriver for a two-count. Duggan later hit an Old Glory and went for a cover, but Cornette distracted Scott Bowden. Duggan briefly chased “The Louisville Slugger” around the ring, but got back in and maintained control. Duggan got down in the three-point stance and then blasted Eaton with the flying spear. He covered Eaton, but “Beautiful” Bobby got a foot on the ropes for the break. Eaton took over a few moments later and got Duggan down on the mat. He hit the Alabama Jam, landing right across Duggan’s nose and busting him open. He covered Duggan, but “Hacksaw” kicked out. Eaton went up top again and hit a second Jam. The move was enough to put Duggan down for the pinfall. Cornette was ecstatic about his man’s win! ****

8) Bruiser Brody scored a big non-title victory over Southern Heavyweight champion Ted DiBiase in a bloody non-title match. The Southern champ was accompanied by both “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert and “Sensational” Sherri Martel for this match. DiBiase pulled out all stops early on, loading up the black glove and using it early on. He dazed Brody, but couldn’t keep him down for the pinfall. DiBiase came off the second rope with a loaded fist drop, but Brody rolled out of the way, and DiBiase’s fist hit the canvas hard. Brody executed a twisting vertical suplex on DiBiase a few moments later and made a cover, but DiBiase kicked out. Brody flew through the air and landed a big leg drop for another two-count. DiBiase battled back and knocked Brody down with an elbow off the second rope. He pulled Brody to the middle of the ring and clamped on the figure-four. Brody managed to power himself to the ropes for a break. Brody rolled out of the ring and Gilbert jumped up on the apron to distract Joe Wheeler. Outside the ring, DiBiase grabbed the Southern title belt off the announcers’ table and smashed Brody in the face with it. He tossed Brody back inside and whipped him into the ropes. DiBiase went for a clothesline, but Brody ducked the attack, bounced off the opposite ropes, and blasted DiBiase with a big boot to the face. He then leapt into the air and hit the jumping knee drop. He covered DiBiase, but Sherri distracted Wheeler. Brody got off of DiBiase, who had now been busted open from the knee drop, and chased after Sherri. Sherri screamed in fear of the big man! DiBiase recovered and blasted Brody again with the loaded glove. Brody was now bleeding as well and dropped to the mat. DiBiase covered him, but Brody lifted his shoulder up at 2¾! DiBiase, Gilbert, and Sherri were all shocked at this. A few moments later, DiBiase went for an elbow drop, but Brody rolled out of the way and DiBiase landed hard. Brody slammed DiBiase to the mat and then hit another knee drop. He covered DiBiase and scored the pinfall. The fans went wild for the former World champ’s impressive victory! ****½

9) In a first-time match-up, Nick Bockwinkel defeated the Masked Superstar I. The Knoxville fans were on Bockwinkel’s side tonight. The four-time former USWA champ had the early advantage. He went up to the top rope and came off with a flying body press, but Superstar I caught him and slammed him hard to the mat. The masked man locked on the Cobra Hold a few moments later. Bockwinkel was trapped for nearly a minute and started to drop to his knees. Scott Bowden checked his arm and it dropped twice, but on the third raise, Bockwinkel fought to his feet and grabbed the ropes to force a break. Superstar maintained control and went up to the top rope. Before he could leap, Bockwinkel got to his feet and slammed the former Southern champ off the turnbuckle. As Superstar I got to his feet, Bockwinkel surprised him from behind with a back suplex. He bridged into a pinfall, but Superstar I kicked out. Bockwinkel was aggressive and started chocking Superstar I on the ropes. He broke before Bowden’s count of five, and pulled Superstar I off the ropes. He then clamped on the sleeper. Superstar I fought hard for the ropes, but after a minute, started to drop to his knees. Jimmy Hart jumped up on the apron and distracted Bowden. Bockwinkel released the sleeper to go after “The Mouth of The South,” grabbing the manager by his jacket collar. Hart dropped the megaphone into the ring and Superstar I crawled to grab it. Bockwinkel released Hart and while Bowden was trying to get Hart off the apron, Bockwinkel grabbed the megaphone first and smacked Superstar I in the head with it. The masked man started to bleed through his starred mask. Bockwinkel clamped on the figure-four leglock in the center of the ring. Superstar I fought hard for the ropes, but eventually passed out due to the pain and blood less. With his shoulders on the mat, Bowden counted Superstar I down for the three-count, giving Bockwinkel a hard-fought win! ***¾

10) The main event was a huge six-man tag team grudge match, with the current USWA World Tag Team champions the Fabulous Kangaroos teaming up with their manager “Wild” Red Berry to take on “Sweet” Stan Lane and Sweet Brown Sugar of the Midnight Express, as well as their manager Jim Cornette. The Midnights and Cornette were accompanied by “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton. Since he was an active competitor in the match, Cornette allowed Gary Michael Cappetta to introduce him and his men. Lane and Sugar had some early offense against both Kangaroos, as they hit a Flapjack on Al Costello, and later a slingshot power slam on Roy Heffernan for a near fall. Heffernan battled back against Lane and he and Costello double teamed him. With Lane in trouble, they tagged in Berry, making his first appearance in a USWA match. Berry had some offense against Lane. Heffernan distracted Joe Wheeler, while Berry grabbed his cane from his team’s corner and he smacked Lane with it. Eaton, Cornette, and Sugar protested, but Wheeler did not see the attack. Berry made a cover, but Lane kicked out. Berry got cocky and overconfident, and got surprised with a superkick from Lane. “Wild” Red dropped to the mat and Lane made a cover, but Berry got a foot on the ropes. Sugar tagged in and went to work on Berry, hitting a spinning neckbreaker for a near fall. Cornette asked to be tagged in, since Berry was hurting. Sugar obliged and “The Louisville Slugger” pounded away on Berry. The Knoxville fans were on the Midnights and Cornette’s side tonight and went wild for this! Berry escaped from Cornette and tagged back to Costello. Cornette pounced on Costello with punches, but Costello outwrestled Cornette and trapped him in the ‘Roos and Berry’s corner. The Tag Team champs tagged in-and-out on Cornette and double teamed him for several minutes, including hitting a double team Aussie suplex. They tagged back to Berry, who threw Cornette out of the ring. The champs jumped in to the ring and charged toward Lane and Sugar’s corner, but it was all a trap, as they distracted Wheeler, allowing Berry to again grab his cane and smack Cornette with it outside the ring. Cornette was down and hurting, as order was restored and Wheeler started to count Cornette out. Despite help from Eaton and encouragement from Lane and Sugar, Cornette could not beat the count back in, so Wheeler called for the bell and awarded the match to the champs and Berry via countout! The Aussies and their manager were successful tonight, but who will be the victors in the Louisville Gardens main event for the World Tag Team titles at New Year’s Knockout? **¾

[cruefan68]

I loved the main event in Knoxville with Jim Cornette donning the spandex to team with the Midnight Express against the Fabulous Kangaroos and Wild Red Berry. Dibiase vs. Brody was also off the charts and what a huge win for Brody. Also loved the big win by Magnum T.A. over Claudio Castagnoli and hope to see Magnum get some big main event bouts in the future. Overall a great show.

[Cory Olson]

Thanks to Crue Fan for the comments!

Highlights of USWA Championship Wrestling from 12-14 with more matches made for New Year’s Knockout X!
• Magnum T.A. has been very impressive in singles competition in the USWA since his debut at Independence Day Bash at Engel Stadium in Chattanooga. He has only suffered only decisive singles loss and on December 31, he’ll get a chance at redemption, when he takes on “The Belfast Bruiser” Fit Finlay! Finlay’s six-card suspension, along with Nigel McGuinness and David Taylor, will be concluded by New Year’s Knockout. This rematch between Magnum and Finlay will take place at the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis!
• Another singles bout will see Claudio Castagnoli take on “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan! This should be a hard-hitting bout between two powerful wrestlers. This bout will take place at the Rupp Arena in Lexington.
• Commissioner Armstrong announced that because of his non-title pinfall win over Southern Heavyweight champ Ted DiBiase last week in Knoxville, Bruiser Brody will receive a shot at the title against whomever the champion will be in 2014!
• Steve “Dr. Death” Williams was interviewed in-studio. Lance Russell asked him what made him choose the particular stipulations that he did for his match against Ted DiBiase for the USWA Southern Heavyweight championship at New Year’s Knockout. Williams said he knows that this seems like a bizarre match, but there is a reason for each part of the match. He said he wanted a Steel Cage Match, to hopefully keep “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert, “Sensational” Sherri Martel, and the rest of Hot Stuff, International from interfering. Also, it was inside a steel cage when DiBiase betrayed him two years at New Year’s Knockout in Nashville and joined Hot Stuff. Williams pointed out how when DiBiase turned on him at New Year’s Knockout VIII, Williams was handcuffed to the ropes (as part of the Rage in The Cage Match) and DiBiase unleashed on him with the loaded glove. He said he wanted the loaded glove on the pole, so that DiBiase would not immediately go to the glove, as he does in many of his matches, but rather would have to fight for it first! Williams also wanted the Southern title on the line, because DiBiase claimed after turning on Williams that Williams’ “greed” for the Southern title in 2011 interfered with their successful tag team and led them to having a short USWA World Tag Team championship reign. Since DiBiase is now Southern champ, that prestigious championship should be on the line in this historic match. Williams concluded by saying that he asked for the Loser-Leave-Town stipulation, to try and ensure that this feud will have some finality to it. He said he looks forward to seeing DiBiase in the cage on New Year’s Eve!

It’s the last stop before New Year’s Knockout X, when the USWA rolls into “Music City, USA”—Nashville and the Municipal Auditorium on December 16!
• Giant Bernard has been impressive in his early matches in the USWA. He’ll have a tough time ahead of him when he faces two-time former Southern champion “The Boogie Woogie Man” “Handsome” Jimmy Valiant! Both wrestlers have big matches ahead of them on December 31. Who will win this epic match-up?
• Two tag team will do battle for the first time, when two-time former champs Nick Bockwinkel and Ray “The Crippler” Stevens take on the recently-formed duo of “Cowboy” Bob Orton, Jr. and Bob Roop. Both teams have something in common: their problems with the Masked Superstars. Orton and Roop lost to the Superstars two weeks ago in Evansville, while Bockwinkel and Stevens will have their first meeting with the masked men on New Year’s Eve at the Louisville Gardens. Bockwinkel brought Orton in the USWA in 2005 as his bodyguard. Both were inaugural members of the Heenan Family later that year. Can the former champs get a win going into New Year’s Knockout or will the new duo of Orton and Roop get their biggest win-to-date?
• Johnny Saint will defend his Mid-America championship against three former champs on December 31. This week he will face a different former champion in a special non-title match, when he takes on “The Man with The Cast Iron Stomach” Pepper Gomez. Gomez has had the longest reign with the Mid-America championship, when he held the title last year for about 5½ months and made five defenses of the title. This should be a very interesting wrestling match-up between two popular wrestlers!
• The Midnight Express’ “Sweet” Stan Lane and Sweet Brown Sugar will get their rematch for the USWA World Tag Team championship on New Year’s Eve at the Louisville Gardens. Before that, they will have one more match-up with another of their rival teams—the New Age Outlaws! You can bet that “The Road Dogg” Jesse James and Billy Gunn will be watching the championship match at New Year’s Knockout very carefully and will be gunning for a rematch of their own in 2014. Who will win the latest chapter of this storied tag team feud?
• Steve “Dr. Death” Williams will complete the last part of his agreement for his huge, historic Southern title match at New Year’s Knockout, when he takes on Hot Stuff, International member Mr. Saito! Williams got a pinfall win over Saito’s tag team partner Mr. Fuji last week in Knoxville. Can he do the same against the powerful and dangerous Saito?
• The Southern Heavyweight champ will also be in action, when Ted DiBiase battles “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan in a big non-title bout. Should DiBiase lose to “Dr. Death” in Lexington on December 31, this week’s match against Duggan could be the last for at least a year, due to the Loser-Leave-Town stipulation. Can “Hacksaw” score a big win over the champ or will DiBiase pull out another win?
• The main event in Nashville will be a preview of sorts for the final main event at New Year’s Knockout X, when the challenger for the World Heavyweight title—the “Intelligent, Sensational” Destroyer takes on the World champ’s manager—Ed “Strangler” Lewis! Destroyer and Lewis have a history, as the masked man turned on the then-World champ and attacked him in 2008 to collect on a $25,000 bounty that Bobby “The Brain” Heenan had placed on Lewis at that time. Destroyer apologized to “Strangler” in-person and in the ring two weeks ago in Evansville after earning his championship shot at Thesz. He has stated that he wants to have a scientific, pure wrestling match with Lewis, as he also plans to have with Thesz on December 31 in Memphis. The champ announced on Championship Wrestling that he will accompany Lewis to ringside for this match, not only for support, but also to get another good look at his next challenger. Destroyer has been impressive in his three matches back in the USWA and against tough opponents. Can he beat the “Strangler” prior to his huge championship bout?

All these great bouts, plus a tag team rematch between the Masked Superstars and Brian Kendrick and Paul London. As well as Tracy Smothers, the Mongols, and more USWA stars in action in “Music City!”

[Cory Olson]

December 16, 2013
Card #380: Municipal Auditorium in Nashville

1) The Mongols got a quick win in the opener over Virgil and “The Unpredictable” Johnny Rodz. While this was a tag team bout, it was more of a singles contest, as Virgil and Geeto started the bout off for their respective teams. Virgil had some early offense. He whipped Geeto into the corner. Geeto rebounded and blasted Virgil with a clothesline out of nowhere. He covered Virgil and scored the pinfall in about three minutes, before either man tagged out. Rodz attempted to save Virgil, but was late in doing so. Despite not wrestling, Bepo was satisfied with his team’s win. The Mongols looked impressive before the meet up with their rivals Mr. Fuji and Mr. Saito again at New Year’s Knockout X! DUD

2) Tracy Smothers pinned “Pretty Boy” Larry Sharpe. Smothers got the crowd behind him with his fast-paced. He worked over Sharpe and nailed him with an impressive slingshot dropkick. Sharpe went down and Smothers immediately covered him to score the pinfall after just a few minutes. The Nashville fans gave Smothers a big ovation for his win! ¼*

3) The Masked Superstars got a victory over Brian Kendrick and Paul London in a hard-fought tag team bout. The Superstars worked over Kendrick in the first part of the match. Superstar I took a page out of the fan favorites’ book and went to the top rope. He hit a flying body press on Kendrick and went for a pin, but Kendrick kicked out. Kendrick later battled back and surprised Superstar I with a huracanrana for a near fall. Kendrick had control against the former Southern champ and hit the Sliced Bread #2. Jimmy Hart quickly jumped up on the apron yelling through the megaphone. This distracted Tom Branch and Kendrick. It allowed Superstar I to recover and he attacked Kendrick from behind. He hit the spinning neckbreaker and covered Kendrick, but Kendrick got a foot on the ropes. Superstar II tagged back in, but the fan favorites took over on the giant. They hit him with a tossing dropkick and managed to knock the big man down. London quickly raced to the top rope and hit the 450 splash, but Superstar II managed to power out of the pin attempt. Superstar I tagged back in and blasted London with a head butt. London was dazed, but managed to tag to Kendrick. Superstar I cut him off and caught Kendrick in the Cobra Hold. Kendrick started to drop but rolled through and grabbed the ropes for a break. Superstar II came back in and dropped an elbow across Kendrick’s face, busting him open. London jumped in as Superstar II went for a cover. Superstar II pressed London over his head and tossed him to the arena floor. Superstar II then picked Kendrick up into the backbreaker in the center of the ring. Kendrick was trapped and forced to surrender, giving the Superstars a submission win and making Hart a happy manager! ***¾

4) Giant Bernard scored an impressive victory over “The Boogie Woogie Man” “Handsome” Jimmy Valiant. Valiant got a big ovation from the “Music City” fans and had some early offense against Bernard. He knocked the big man out of the ring and looked like he might give Bernard his first loss in the USWA. Valiant followed Bernard out of the ring, but the monster caught “Boogie Woogie” and rammed him back-first into the apron. He then rammed Valiant’s head into the guard railing, before tossing him back in the ring. He dominated Valiant and then finally hit the Bernard Driver to score the pinfall. Bernard looked impressive as he heads toward a bout with Bruiser Brody on New Year’s Eve! *

5) “Cowboy” Bob Orton, Jr. and Olympian Bob Roop scored their biggest tag team win to-date, as they defeated two-time former World Tag Team champions Nick Bockwinkel and Ray “The Crippler” Stevens. Orton and Roop trapped Stevens in the ring for the first part of the bout. Roop hit a spinning neckbreaker for a two-count. Stevens made the tag to Bockwinkel. The four-time former USWA champ was aggressive against Roop. Bockwinkel went to the top rope and came off with a flying body press, but Roop rolled through and ended up on top. He covered Bockwinkel, but the former champ kicked out. A few moments later, Bockwinkel had control against his former bodyguard and ally Orton. He locked the “Cowboy” in his sleeper. Orton dropped to his knees. Sam Platania checked Orton’s arm. It dropped twice, but with Roop and the Nashville fans cheering him on, Orton battled back to his feet and elbowed Bockwinkel in the midsection. Bockwinkel released the sleeper, but maintained control and tagged to Stevens. “The Crippler” hit a piledriver and made a cover on Orton, but Orton kicked out. Stevens then went up top and hit the Bombs Away. He covered Orton Jr., but again Orton managed to kick out. Stevens sent Orton into the ropes and bent over to backdrop Orton. Orton saw the attempt and booted Stevens in the face, as he was bent over. Orton tagged to Roop, who ran wild on Stevens. He hit a suplex on Stevens and covered him, but Stevens got a shoulder up. Roop slammed Stevens hard and tagged back to Orton. Orton went up to the middle rope and came off with a reverse splash. He covered “The Crippler” near his team’s corner and scored the pinfall, before Bockwinkel could make a save. The fans went wild for Orton and Roop’s huge win, as Bockwinkel and Stevens were not happy with their loss! ***¼

6) Mid-America Heavyweight champion Johnny Saint defeated former champ Pepper Gomez by submission in a great scientific bout. Both men shook hands before the bout in a great sign of respect. The match started off with some great mat wrestling, with neither man being able to maintain a prolonged advantage. The action picked up and “The Man with The Cast Iron Stomach” got Saint down on the mat and hit a Mexican Leap. Gomez went for a second Leap a few moments later, but Saint rolled out of the way and Gomez landed hard. Saint took control and locked Gomez in an elevated surfboard. Gomez was in trouble, but managed to roll out of the hold and break free. A few moments later the champ surprised Gomez with the Three-in-One. Gomez was trapped and forced to submit. The Nashville fans popped big for Saint’s win! Saint offered his hand to Gomez again and Gomez accepted, and then wished the champ luck in his Four Corners Match title defense at New Year’s Knockout! **¾

7) The Midnight Express’ “Sweet” Stan Lane and Sweet Brown Sugar took a lot of punishment, but managed a disqualification victory over their rivals the New Age Outlaws. The Outlaws, hoping to get back in the World Tag Team title picture in 2014, were extra aggressive in this bout against their enemies. The Midnights had the early advantage against Billy Gunn. Gunn made the hot tag to “The Road Dogg” Jesse James and the Outlaws hit a spike piledriver on Lane. James went for a pinfall, but Lane kicked out. A few moments later, Lane rolled out of the ring for a breather. Gunn, the legal man, went after Lane and didn’t give a breather, as he grabbed Lane and rammed him head-first into the announcers’ table. Lane was busted open and almost got counted out, but with Jim Cornette and “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton’s help and encouragement, rolled back into the ring by nine. James tagged back in and hit a rope straddle on Lane. He covered “Sweet” Stan, but Lane kicked out. James hit the pump handle slam. Before he could make a cover, Sugar broke up the pin attempt. A few moments later, Gunn hit the Famouser on Lane, who was bleeding buckets by this point. Again, Sugar saved his partner from a possible defeat. Sugar finally made the tag and had some offense against Gunn. Gunn battled back and hit the Famouser on Sugar—the same move that broke Sugar’s nose after a bout with Sugar and “Beautiful” Bobby against the Outlaws in Jonesboro back in September. Sugar held his nose, but managed to get a foot on the bottom rope for a break, when Gunn went for a cover. Former partners James and Sugar were the legal men. Sugar whipped “The Road Dogg” in the corner, but James reversed the whip and Sugar went flying over the ropes and to the floor. James followed, while Lane and Gunn started going at in the ring. “Beautiful” Bobby snuck around the ring with a steel chair in hand. He went to hit James with it, but the former Mid-America champ saw him coming and nailed Eaton with a boot to the stomach. Eaton dropped the chair, James picked it up, and clocked Eaton across the back with it. He then turned and walloped Sugar with it. Unfortunately for the Outlaws, Tommy Marlin turned around and saw this and disqualified the Outlaws for this. Cornette gathered up his three men quickly and retreated to the locker room, celebrating the victory and looking ahead to another shot at the World Tag Team championship in his hometown of Louisville! ****

8) Steve “Dr. Death” Williams was successful in his third bout against Hot Stuff, International members in as many weeks, as he defeated Mr. Saito. This was a physical, back-and-forth bout. Williams showcased his strength, pressing Saito over his head and slamming him to the mat. Saito battled back and surprised Williams with the Saito suplex. He went for a cover, but Williams kicked out. Williams fought back and blasted Saito with a football tackle. He covered Saito, but the Japanese superstar kicked out. Saito fought back and caught Williams in a sleeper. Williams started to drop, but with the fans behind him, fought free and rammed Saito back-first into the buckles. A few moments later, Williams hit a Doctor Bomb and scored the pinfall. The Nashville fans gave Williams a big pop for his win. “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert looked nervous for Ted DiBiase, as he helped Saito to the back! **¾

9) The Southern champ looked impressive tonight, as Ted DiBiase made short work of “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan in a non-title bout. Since Eddie Gilbert was still in the locker room with Mr. Saito, “Sensational” Sherri Martel accompanied DiBiase to the ring for this bout. She got involved early on, screaming at Duggan and distracting him. This allowed DiBiase to get an early advantage. He hit a spinning neckbreaker for a near fall. With Sherri distracting Tom Branch, DiBiase loaded up the black glove and blasted Duggan twice with it. “Hacksaw” dropped to the mat and the Southern champ covered him to score the pinfall after just a few minutes. Steve Williams, fresh off his victory in the previous match, ran down to check on his ally and make sure DiBiase wasn’t going to attack. DiBiase and Sherri retreated. Williams pointed to DiBiase and indicated that he will need to fight for his black glove in Lexington, as it will be on top of a pole in their epic Loser-Leave-Town Steel Cage Match! DUD

10) The main event pitted two former USWA World Heavyweight champions against each other. The challenger for Lou Thesz at New Year’s Knockout—the “Intelligent, Sensational” Destroyer took on Thesz’s manager Ed “Strangler” Lewis. The World champ accompanied his manager to the ring for his bout. Destroyer and Lewis feuded in 2008, after Destroyer betrayed Lewis for money. But Destroyer apologized to the “Strangler” two weeks ago in Evansville and has been wrestling a largely pure wrestling style. After Gary Michael Cappetta’s in-ring pre-main event introductions, Destroyer approached the center of the ring and offered his hand to Lewis. Lewis still seemed hesitant, but accepted. Destroyer offered his hand to Thesz as well and the champ accepted. The match started off with some great scientific mat wrestling. Both men had control and it was back-and-forth. Destroyer worked on Lewis’ leg, using the single leg Boston Crab a couple of times. The action picked up and Destroyer hit the Bombs Away, busting Lewis open. Lewis kicked out of the pinfall. Destroyer seemed concerned about Lewis’ blood loss and asked Tommy Marlin to check the cut, but Lewis wouldn’t quit. Destroyer locked on the figure-four in the center of the ring. The crowd popped big for Destroyer’s finisher, but the crowd was split in support of the two wrestlers. Lewis fought hard for the ropes for nearly a minute, but due to the injured leg and the blood loss ultimately tapped out after about 12 minutes of wrestling action. The Nashville fans seemed surprised by Destroyer’s relatively strong win. The masked man got a lot of cheers for his win, as Marlin raised his hand. Destroyer showed great sportsmanship by helping Lewis to his feet and making sure he was OK. Thesz entered the ring as well to help his manager. Destroyer again offered his hand to both men and they both accepted. Destroyer told Thesz he will see him in 15 days in Memphis! **½