Cory's USWA

[cruefan68]

Another great night of action in th USWA. The fans in Nashville got a nice buildup to New Year's Knockout, particularly the Steve Williams vs. Ted Dibiase bout, and I liked The Destroyer getting added momentum by beating Ed Lewis in their match. The showdown with Lou Thesz for the world title is going to be great. I also liked Johnny Saint vs. Pepper Gomez, Orton & Roop vs. Bock & Stevens, and the Midnight Express vs. New Age Outlaws.

[bookerbill]

Every time I catch up with this fed it knocks my socks off. Great read from start to finish each card. The build up to NYKO has been amazing. The Destroyer angle is great. I have also enjoyed the relatively quiet success of Johnny Saint.

[Cory Olson]

Thanks to Crue Fan and Booker Bill for the nice comments!

Aug 15, 2014 7:02:12 GMT -5 bookerbill said:

I have also enjoyed the relatively quiet success of Johnny Saint.

When I brought Saint into the USWA, I was hoping he would do well, at least against other Mid-America level guys. Knowing how the dice can be, I was worried he wouldn't do that well, but he has been very impressive.

The 10th annual New Year’s Knockout will take place, as usual, on December 31! This is the biggest NYK ever, as one arena couldn’t hold it all—this supercard will take place at the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis, the Rupp Arena in Lexington, and the Louisville Gardens! Each arena will take a turn having a match. Fans in each arena will be able to watch the other two arenas’ matches on video screens set up in the arena. Here is each arena’s respective line-up!

Louisville Gardens
Bob Orton, Jr. & Bob Roop vs. George South & Larry Sharpe
The “Cowboy” and the Olympian have been an impressive duo in just a few matches together. They are coming off their biggest win so far, after defeating Nick Bockwinkel and Ray “The Crippler” Stevens on the last card in Nashville. South and Sharpe reunited recently, after Sharpe’s previous partner “Playboy” Buddy Rose left the USWA. They are hoping for a big win and more recognition going into 2014. Which team will get the win?

Rick Rude vs. Jim Powers
“Ravishing” Rick will return to the USWA after a five-year absence! He is now partnering with Jimmy Hart and hopes to win championship gold in his second tenure. Powers has gotten some upsets in the past year and can be a formidable opponent. Can the “Ravishing One” win his return match against the New Yorker and will Hart lead him to success?

Nick Bockwinkel & Ray Stevens vs. The Masked Superstars
Former allies have become enemies. The Superstars brought new manager Jimmy Hart into the USWA back in October, after Bobby Heenan was put out of action, unknown by Bockwinkel and Stevens. Hart and Masked Superstar I have stated that Bockwinkel is “old news” and that the Superstars are the next greatest tag team in the USWA. The masked man have only suffered two decisive losses in tag bouts this year, while Bockwinkel and Stevens have suffered some big losses recently. Can the Superstars beat the former champs or will Bockwinkel and “The Crippler” get back on track and defeat their former Heenan Family teammates?

The Fabulous Kangaroos vs. The Midnight Express (Stan Lane & Sweet Brown Sugar)
(1st Main Event:
USWA World Tag Team Championship)
Al Costello and Roy Heffernan, along with “Wild” Red Berry, debuted at last year’s New Year’s Knockout in this same arena. They captured the Tag Team titles twice in 2013 and have only suffered two decisive losses, which is very impressive in the ultra-competitive USWA. Sweet Brown Sugar joined the Midnight Express at the end of 2012 and has done well, also capturing the titles twice with Lane this year. Lane and Sugar have yet to defeat the ‘Roos decisively, but have given the Aussies plenty of frustrations. The challengers may have an added advantage in this bout, as manager Jim Cornette will be in his hometown of Louisville! Can the Midnights win the titles for the third time or will the Kangaroos hold on to the gold?

Rupp Arena in Lexington
“Hacksaw” Jim Duggan vs. Claudio Castagnoli
Castagnoli had a good start to 2013, when he came in to the area in March. He’s hoping to get back on track with a huge win over “Hacksaw.” While Duggan’s win-loss record may not be the most impressive, he will always put up a fight and be a tough opponent to defeat. This should be a physical battle between two powerhouses!

Mr. Fuji & Mr. Saito vs. The Mongols
“Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert is the instigator of this feud, as he dumped the Mongols after their loss to the New Age Outlaws at Independence Day Bash, and then brought in the Japanese duo as his new Hot Stuff, International tag team. Fuji and Saito have an impressive win-loss record so far, with their only tag team loss coming to the Mongols. The Japanese got a win over Geeto and Bepo, so this will be the “rubber match”. Which tag team will get the win?

Bruiser Brody vs. Giant Bernard
Brody has had a good 2013, capturing the USWA World Heavyweight title for the first time and becoming the first wrestler to defeat Lou Thesz in the USWA. While his reign was short, he has still had an impressive win-loss record. Bernard debuted in November and made an impact, putting Cousin Luke out of action in his debut match. He then proceeded to ambush Brody in the locker room a few weeks ago in Evansville and challenged him to a match, claiming Brody had been “avoiding” him in Japan. Never one to back down from a challenge, Brody quickly accepted. Many Japanese wrestling reporters are interested in this match-up and will be in attendance in Lexington to cover the bout. Can Brody avenge the attack or will the monstrous Bernard continue his winning ways?

Ted DiBiase vs. Steve Williams
(2nd Main Event:
USWA Southern Heavyweight Championship—Loser-Leave Town, Loaded Glove-on-a-Pole, Steel Cage Match)
One of the most storied feuds in USWA will come to a close for now. DiBiase brought Williams into the USWA in 2009. They were an impressive tag team, earning a 27-7 overall record from ’09-2011, with only three losses via pinfall or submission. They captured the World Tag Team titles in 2011, but had a brief reign. DiBiase claimed that their tag team could have done better, but that Williams’ “greed” for the Southern title derailed them. DiBiase turned on Williams inside the cage at New Year’s Knockout VIII two years ago in Nashville. Williams wanted a Cage Match as part of the stipulations because that’s where this feud started. He also wanted the cage as a way to hopefully keep Hot Stuff, International out of the match! In their one-on-one meetings over the last two years, DiBiase has more wins than Williams This will be the seventh Steel Cage Match in USWA history, and the first “Weapon-on-a-Pole” Match! Here are the rules for this Southern title match-up:

I. The bout will be held inside of a steel cage. The door of the cage will be locked and the referee will have the key during the bout.
II. A steel pole will be connected to one of the ring posts. Prior to the match, DiBiase will hand over his loaded black glove. The glove will be placed on the top of the pole before the match.
III. At any time during the match, either wrestler may climb the pole, grab the loaded glove, and use it as a weapon.
IV. There are no disqualifications and no countouts. The match can only add via a pinfall or submission.
V. The loser of this match must leave the USWA for one full year.

Can Williams capture the Southern title for the second time or will DiBiase retain the belt again? Who will emerge the winner of this long-running feud?

Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis
Magnum T.A. vs. Fit Finlay
Magnum debuted at Independence Day Bash this year and has gained many wins, many of them in short fashion with his belly-to-belly suplex. His only decisive loss came at the hand of “The Belfast Bruiser” in October in Evansville, after two of Finlay’s Tombstones. Finlay will be returning from a suspension for his attack (along with mates Nigel McGuinness and David Taylor) on Bryan Danielson and Johnny Saint. Can Magnum avenge that loss or will lightning strike twice for Finlay?

Jimmy Valiant vs. Buddy Rogers
The war between Valiant and “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka against Rogers and his allies continues. The latest chapter saw Rogers injure Snuka’s leg with the figure-four grapevine last month in Springfield, the same night that Snuka challenged for the Southern Heavyweight championship. The attack got Rogers suspended and kicked out of the finals of the 12-man tournament for the World title match on this card. Rogers will be returning from the suspension and “The Boogie Woogie Man” is gunning for some revenge for his partner. Since manager Jimmy Hart has said he will be with the rest of his charges at the Louisville Gardens, that may favor Valiant. “Handsome” Jimmy announced on the 12-21 edition of USWA Championship Wrestling that the “Superfly” will be in his corner for this match! Can “Boogie Woogie” get a win over the former USWA World champ the “Nature Boy”?

Johnny Saint vs. Bryan Danielson vs. David Taylor vs. Nigel McGuinness
(USWA Mid-America Heavyweight Championship—Four Corners Match)
These four men have been brought together in one match with one common goal: the Mid-America championship. McGuinness was the first Mid-America champ and has held it three times. Taylor captured the belt at last year’s New Year’s Knockout from Manu and held it for three months, before losing it to Danielson. Danielson and Saint did battle with the British, causing McGuinness, Taylor, and Finlay to label Saint a “traitor.” Saint won the gold from Danielson at Independence Day Bash. In giving “American Dragon” a rematch in October in Knoxville, the three British rulebreakers got involved and attacked both men, further injuring Danielson and getting themselves suspended. This will be McGuinness and Taylor’s return from that suspension. Saint, as champion, actually requested this match from Commissioner Bob Armstrong, since Taylor and McGuinness each beat him in non-title bouts prior to their suspension, and since Danielson came very close to winning the title from him in the match in Knoxville. While some territories have four-person matches that can end on one fall, here are the rules for the USWA’s Four Corners Match:

I. Two wrestlers are in the ring at one time, with the other two wrestlers on the apron, awaiting a tag from either wrestler. A coin flip will take place in the locker room prior to the bout to determine which two wrestlers will start the match.
II. A wrestler in the ring can tag to the third man at any time. The tagging wrestlers may double team the third wrestler for a five-count from the referee, as in a standard tag team match.
III. A wrestler can be eliminated from the bout by any standard method—pinfall, submission, disqualification, or countout. If the champion (Saint in this case) is disqualified or counted out, he cannot lose the title, as in a standard title match. The last wrestler left will be declared the winner.

Can Saint beat the odds and retain the title or will one of the former Mid-America champs regain the gold?

Lou Thesz vs. The Destroyer
(3rd Main Event:
USWA World Heavyweight Championship)
The wrestling world is buzzing for this one! Thesz has been a dominant force in the USWA since debuting at Independence Day Bash 2011. He won the World title for the first time at New Year’s Knockout VIII in Nashville that year from his now manager Ed “Strangler” Lewis and held it until February of this year, never suffering a decisive loss until losing the belt to Bruiser Brody. Thesz regained the title a few weeks later and has continued to dominant. The “Intelligent, Sensational” Destroyer returned as part of the 12-man tournament to determine Thesz’s challenger. He defeated three big USWA stars in impressive fashion, and with different maneuvers, and then went on to score an impressive win over Lewis on the last card in Nashville. The masked man was the first wrestler to have held the USWA World Heavyweight, World Tag Team, and Southern Heavyweight titles. He claims that he will wrestle Thesz and not rely on dirty tactics to win the gold again. In his four matches since his return, he has largely done that and wrestled a pure style. Destroyer even went so far as to apologize to Lewis for their feud five years ago. 2013 showed that the dominant Thesz can be beaten, as he lost by pinfall to Brody and Nick Bockwinkel. Will Destroyer join an elite club, beat Thesz, and win the World title for a second time or will Thesz hold on to the gold?

That’s New Year’s Knockout X, coming your way on December 31 from the Louisville Gardens, the Rupp Arena in Lexington, and the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis!

[bookerbill]

Great breakdown.

Here are my picks

Orton and Roop over South & Sharpe
Rude over Powers
Superstars over Bockwinkel & Stevens
Kangaroos over Express
Duggan over Castagnoli
Mongols over Fuji & Saito
Bernard over Brody by DQ
DiBiase sends Dr. Death packing
Finaly over Allen
Rogers over Valiant
McGuiness wins the four way and the title
Thesz retains against Destroyer

[Cory Olson]

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

I am going to post the results in two parts, to make reading it a little bit easier.

December 31, 2013
New Year’s Knockout X (Part 1)
Card #381: Louisville Gardens, Rupp Arena in Lexington, and Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis

For the broadcast of this supercard, USWA Committee member Randy Hales did the ring announcing in the Louisville Gardens and Michael St. John, who works behind the scenes on USWA Championship Wrestling did the commentary. At the Rupp Arena, Dave Brown did the commentary, while Gary Michael Cappetta did the ring introductions. At the Mid-South Coliseum, Lance Russell handled both commentary and ring intros, as he did for USWA cards from 2004 until December ’05, when Cappetta became the primary USWA ring announcer. (NOTE: The three arenas rotated matches for this card in this order: Louisville, Lexington, and then Memphis.)

1) “Cowboy” Bob Orton, Jr. and Bob Roop were victorious in the opener over George South and “Pretty Boy” Larry Sharpe. The fan favorites double teamed South for the first few minutes. Orton put South on the top turnbuckle to deliver the superplex, but before he could, Sharpe ran over and shoved Orton off. South broke free and tagged to Sharpe. Sharpe and South had some offense and looked on their way to a big tag win, but Orton battled back. He tagged to the Olympian, who hit a gut wrench backbreaker on Sharpe. He covered the “Pretty Boy” and scored the pinfall, before South could make a save. The Louisville fans gave the fan favorites a big ovation for their win! **½

2) “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan made a big comeback to defeat Claudio Castagnoli. The Swiss powerhouse was hoping for a big win and looked on his way to one, as he controlled most of the early action. He hit a Roaring European uppercut early on for a near fall. Duggan fought back and went for a clothesline. Castagnoli ducked, bounced off the ropes, and came back with a stiff scissors kick right to the face, busting Duggan open. Castagnoli went for a cover, but “Hacksaw” kicked out. Castagnoli tried for the Ricola Bomb, but Duggan blocked the hold. Castagnoli bounced off the ropes and went for a forearm smash, but Duggan ducked, and caught Castagnoli in a bear hug in the center of the ring. Castagnoli managed to break out of the hold with some forearms. Duggan maintained control and hit a piledriver. He covered Castagnoli and scored the pinfall. The Rupp Arena broke out in big “USA” chants, as Duggan waved his American flag and celebrated the win! ***

3) “The Belfast Bruiser” Fit Finlay returned from his suspension and scored his second win over Magnum T.A. in a hard-fought match. Magnum tried his best to defeat the only wrestler who’s beaten him in the USWA and was very aggressive in this bout. Finlay hit his fireman’s carry Hot Shot several times in the bout, but couldn’t keep Magnum down. The shots to the throat hurt Magnum and took a lot out of him, but he battled back and hit a crossbody block for a near fall. T.A. caught Finlay in a sleeper and held it on for over 30 seconds. Finlay started to drop, but broke free by ramming Magnum head-first into the turnbuckles. Finlay took control and hit a hard body slam, with Magnum’s legs hitting the bottom rope. The Northern Irish brawler pulled Magnum away from the ropes and covered him, putting his own forearm across the wounded throat. Finlay also put his own feet on the ropes, which Paul Neighbors did not see. The leverage was enough to put Magnum down for the three-count. Finlay quickly escaped before Mangum could retaliate and the Memphis fans berated “The Belfast Bruiser” with boos! ***½

4) “Ravishing” Rick Rude returned to the USWA after a five-year absence and made short work of Jim Powers. Rude came into the Gardens to an updated version of his theme music. He took the microphone from Randy Hales and proceeded to insult the Louisville fans. Rude was very dominant in this bout, wanting to make a good return impression. He worked over Powers, then went up to the top rope. He dove off with a big sledgehammer and knocked Powers down. He covered the New Yorker and scored the pin. “The Mouth of The South” Jimmy Hart was very happy with his new charge’s win! DUD

5) Mr. Fuji and Mr. Saito defeated the Mongols by disqualification. The Japanese team had the early advantage. Fuji hit the Banzai Drop on Geeto, but Geeto managed to kick out. The Mongols battled back. Geeto hit the top rope knee drop on Fuji, but Fuji kicked out. Saito tagged in and worked over Geeto. He hit the Saito suplex on Geeto and made a cover, but Bepo saved his partner. Saito blasted Geeto with a head butt, which drew blood on the Mongol. Geeto and Fuji were the legal men and Geeto took over. He tagged to Bepo and the Mongols hit the Mongolian Drop. Bepo went for a cover, but “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert distracted Scott Bowden. With Gilbert still distracting the official, the Mongols seized the opportunity and grabbed their chains. Geeto wrapped the chain around his fist and punched Fuji with it. Unfortunately, Bowden turned around, saw this, and disqualified the Mongols. Fuji and Saito avoided the Mongols and retreated with Gilbert, before Geeto and Bepo could do further damage! ***

6) “Nature Boy” Buddy Rogers defeated “The Boogie Woogie Man” “Handsome” Jimmy Valiant by submission. Valiant was accompanied by “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka, who came out on crutches. The fan favorites got a huge pop from the Mid-South Coliseum fans. Despite not having manager Jimmy Hart with him, Rogers was very focused and wasn’t going to let Snuka’s presence affect him. Rogers hit a jumping knee smash and went for a cover, but Valiant kicked out. The former USWA champ hit a piledriver for another two-count. “Boogie Woogie” battled back and had Rogers reeling, but the “Nature Boy” cut him off. He started to work on Valiant’s leg and clamped on the figure-four grapevine in the center of the ring. Valiant was trapped and forced to tap out. After the bell, Rogers kept the grapevine on. Snuka climbed into the ring and held one of his crutches over his head. He went to strike Rogers, but the “Nature Boy” released the hold and rolled out of the way and out of the ring! Snuka pointed to Rogers with a crutch and indicated that he will see him in the ring in 2014! *½

[Cory Olson]

December 31, 2013
New Year’s Knockout X (Part 2)
Card #381: Louisville Gardens, Rupp Arena in Lexington, and Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis


7) The Masked Superstars defeated former World Tag Team champions Nick Bockwinkel and Ray “The Crippler” Stevens. Bockwinkel and Superstar I started the bout against each other. Bockwinkel went for his sleeper early on. It looked like he might get a quick victory, but Superstar I grabbed the ropes. Superstar I battled back and the Superstars double teamed Bockwinkel for several minutes. Superstar II hit a falling elbow drop and went for a cover, but Bockwinkel kicked out. Superstar II picked up the four-time former USWA champ into the backbreaker. Bockwinkel signaled to Stevens to help him, but “The Crippler” just cheered his partner on and stayed on the apron. Bockwinkel finally got a foot over the top rope to get a break. Bockwinkel finally made a hot tag to Stevens. Stevens was in the ring for about two minutes, but then tagged back to Bockwinkel. Bockwinkel seemed frustrated at the quick tag, since he had beein the ring for the entire match up until this point. Bockwinkel rammed Superstar I’s head into the buckle and the masked man started to bleed through his mask. Bockwinkel choked Superstar I on the middle rope, then pulled him to the center of the ring and slapped on the figure-four leglock. Jimmy Hart jumped up on the apron and distracted Tom Branch. Bockwinkel released the hold and left the ring to chase after Hart. The distraction allowed Superstar I to recover and then clothesline Bockwinkel outside the ring. Superstar I tossed Bockwinkel back into the ring, and then tagged to the giant. Superstar II worked over Bockwinkel, but Bockwinkel clipped his knee and knocked the big man down. Bockwinkel went to tag Stevens, but Stevens had gotten off the ring apron and started jawing at “The Mouth of The South,” even though Hart had not made an attempt to distract Stevens. Bockwinkel turned back to Superstar II and went for the figure-four on the big man. He managed to lock it on. He had Superstar II in the hold for a minute, before the big man pulled himself to the ropes for a break. Bockwinkel went to his corner, exhausted and begged Stevens for a tag. “The Crippler” reached out, but rather than tag, he grabbed his own partner by the back of the neck and snapped his neck across the top rope! He then grabbed Bockwinkel and rammed him head-first into the top turnbuckle! Bockwinkel was busted open. Stevens got off the ring apron and stood in the aisle way. Superstar II got to his corner and tagged to Superstar I. The former Southern champ grabbed Bockwinkel and delivered a crushing head butt. He covered Bockwinkel and scored the big pinfall. The Louisville Gardens’ fans were irate at Stevens’ betrayal! After the bell, the Superstars and Hart stomped away at Bockwinkel inside the ring. Stevens came back into the ring and shoved the Superstars and their manager away. He then climbed up to the top rope and delivered a Bombs Away to Bockwinkel! Hart jumped up and down in joy. Stevens then shook hands with the Superstars and “The Mouth of The South” and then left the arena with them! ***¾

8) Bruiser Brody gained a measure of revenge for the ambush in the locker room in Evansville a few weeks ago, as he defeated Giant Bernard. All three arenas for New Year’s Knockout X had wrestling reporters covering this supercard, but the Rupp Arena in particular had several reporters from Weekly Gong magazine in Japan, covering this battle of two powerhouse gaijin. Bernard was very aggressive in the opening of this match, attacking Brody right away. He blasted Brody with a bicycle kick and went for a cover, but Brody kicked out. Bernard kept Brody down on the mat and came off the middle rope with a reverse splash. He again covered Brody, but the former USWA champ kicked out. Bernard continued to dominate the New Mexican madman. He whipped him into the corner and then hit a running Avalanche. Brody was still on his feet, but was hurting. Bernard decided to deliver a second Avalanche. Brody dropped to the mat and Bernard covered him, but again somehow Brody kicked out. With the Lexington fans behind him, Brody started to battle back. Brody showed his strength and hit a body slam on the monstrous Bernard. He covered Bernard, but Bernard kicked out. Brody managed to maintain control. He had Bernard down on the mat and hit the jumping knee drop. He covered Bernard and scored the pinfall. Brody took a lot of punishment, but still managed to pull out a big win! ***

9) In the first ever Four Corners Match in USWA history, Nigel McGuinness came out the winner over Johnny Saint, his mate David Taylor, and “American Dragon” Bryan Danielson, but did not leave the USWA Mid-America Heavyweight championship. Since they were competing against each other, McGuinness and Taylor had separate ring entrances. Danielson was not 100% fully cleared for this match from his neck injury, so he sported a neck brace for the bout. Both he and champion Saint got a huge ovation from the Memphis fans. The coin flip prior to the bout in the locker room determined long-time rivals Danielson and McGuinness to be the first competitors in the bout. The first fall was the most action-packed, as all four men tagged in-and-out. The Mid-America champ used an elevated surfboard on McGuinness, but couldn’t get him to submit. McGuinness later nailed Saint with the jawbreaker lariat and went for a cover, but the champ kicked out. With Taylor the legal man a few moments later, Saint ducked a forearm smash, bounced off the ropes, and surprised Taylor with a high cross body for a two-count. McGuinness and “Dragon” were against each other a few moments later. McGuinness hit Danielson with the jawbreaker lariat and made a cover, but Danielson managed to get a foot on the rope for a break. Taylor came in and blasted Danielson with a European uppercut, knocking him down, but not for a three-count. A few moments later, Saint and McGuinness were the legal men again. McGuinness knocked Saint out of the ring and to the floor. He then followed him out of the ring and dove off the apron with a diving lariat. Saint went down and McGuinness returned to the ring. Paul Neighbors put the count on the champ and he was unable to return to the ring by 10. This meant the champ was out of the match, but due to the countout (as the pre-match stipulations stated) the Mid-America title would not change hands. McGuinness realized his error right after Saint’s elimination was announced. His own ally Taylor seemed upset with him, but the decision stood.

The next fall saw McGuinness and Taylor basically have a Handicap Match against the injured Danielson. They tagged in-and-out on the two-time former USWA champ, until Taylor finally hit the British suplex and scored the pinfall. The Mid-South Coliseum fans gave Danielson a great ovation of respect as he returned to the locker room, knowing that he risked further injury to get another championship match on the USWA’s biggest supercard of the year.

Allies McGuinness and Taylor were the last ones left. They hesitated, but did shake hands before they wrestled. The action was back-and-forth. Taylor hit a stiff European uppercut, knocking McGuinness down. He made a cover, but the three-time former Mid-America champ kicked out. Taylor whipped McGuinness into the corner. McGuinness stopped before hitting the turnbuckles, grabbed the ropes, and did a headstand on the top rope. Taylor charged in and McGuinness went to mule kick him. Knowing his ally well and knowing his moves arsenal, Taylor sidestepped the kick, grabbed McGuinness’ legs, and pulled him off the ropes. McGuinness landed on his feet and quickly blasted Taylor with the jawbreaker lariat in an amazing sequence! He covered Taylor and scored the pinfall to win the match, but unfortunately not his fourth Mid-America title. After the bell, Taylor came to and seemed upset. Fit Finlay ran down to the ring to help Taylor up and console him. He and Taylor then congratulated McGuinness on his win. Taylor seemed calm as the British trio returned to the locker room. (Despite not winning the match, Saint retained the Mid-America Heavyweight title and tied for the most number of defenses for this title. Saint and “The Man with The Cast Iron Stomach” Pepper Gomez now each have five defenses of the championship. Saint defeated Gomez in a non-title bout about two weeks ago in Nashville!) ***

10) After an intermission, the triple main event began. The first main event at the Rupp Arena had “Wild” Red Berry’s Fabulous Kangaroos defending the USWA World Tag Team championship against two-time former champs the Midnight Express’ “Sweet” Stan Lane and Sweet Brown Sugar, accompanied by “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton and Louisville’s own Jim Cornette! The Louisville Gardens’ fans don’t always support this “Louisville Slugger,” but they were definitely on his and the Midnights’ side tonight against the Australian champions! The challengers worked over Roy Heffernan for the first part of the match, hitting a Flapjack for a near fall. Heffernan tagged to Al Costello and the champs now cut the ring in half on Sugar. They hit the Boomerang and Heffernan went for a cover, but Jim Cornette distracted Tommy Marlin. The Kangaroos executed a catapult bodyblock, but Sugar managed to fight back and tag to “Sweet” Stan. Lane surprised Heffernan with an enzuigiri and made a cover, but Heffernan kicked out. Sugar tagged back in and the Midnights executed the Rocket Launcher on Heffernan. Sugar landed right on Heffernan’s nose and busted him open. “Wild” Red jumped up on the ring apron to distract Marlin. Cornette ran around the ring and smacked Berry with the tennis racquet, which drew a big pop from the Louisville fans! The ‘Roos pounded on Sugar, busting him open, and then hit another Boomerang. Marlin was momentarily distracted by Cornette and Berry fighting on the floor and didn’t see “Beautiful” Bobby slip in the other side of the ring and blast Heffernan with a stinging right hand. As Marlin turned back to the action, Sugar crawled to the corner and tagged to Lane. Heffernan went right after Lane and ran at him with a forearm smash. Lane ducked the attack and then blasted Heffernan with the superkick. Heffernan dropped to the mat and Lane made a cover. Costello came in for a save, but Sugar jumped in too and blasted Costello with the dropkick, knocking him out of the ring. Marlin counted Heffernan’s shoulders down for the three-count and called for the bell. He awarded the Midnights the USWA World Tag Team championship! The Gardens erupted in cheers, as Cornette and Eaton jumped into the ring and celebrated their win in Cornette’s hometown! (With the win, Lane and Sugar are now three-time champs. Lane set a new record tonight, becoming a 10-time USWA World Tag Team champion, breaking the record of nine he had co-held with “Beautiful” Bobby!) ***¼

11) The second main event took place in Lexington and was one of the biggest matches in USWA history. Ted DiBiase put the USWA Southern Heavyweight championship on the line against his former tag team partner and long-time rival Steve “Dr. Death” Williams. This title match was a Loaded Glove-on-a-Pole, Loser-Leaves-Town, Steel Cage Match. The cage and pole were put up on the ring during the intermission. DiBiase had surrendered his loaded black glove earlier in the day to USWA officials so that it could be placed atop the pole. The champ was accompanied by both “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert and “Sensational” Sherri Martel. The champ ran to the pole right away, trying to get his glove back, but Williams cut him off and pull him down. DiBiase took Williams down quickly and tried going for the figure-four in the opening minutes. Williams kicked DiBiase off as he stepped around to apply the figure-four and sent him into the ropes. A few moments later, Williams had control and picked DiBiase up for the Oklahoma Stampede. Before he could take off and execute the slam, DiBiase grabbed on to the cage and blocked the maneuver. The champ punched Williams in the head to break out of the hold. DiBiase climbed the pole and grabbed the glove. Before he could put it on, Williams clotheslined him, so the champ dropped the glove. The glove stayed inside the ring and the cage. Williams seemed content wrestling his rival and not going for the glove, as he hit a backdrop driver. The champ fought back and had control, punching and elbowing away on “Dr. Death,” who dropped to his knees. DiBiase went over and picked up the loaded glove off the mat. He put the glove on and turned around to hit Williams with it, but the challenger surprised him with a thunderous football tackle. He covered the champ, but DiBiase kicked out. Williams sent DiBiase into the ropes and went to clothesline him, but the champ ducked, bounced back, and nailed a neckbreaker clothesline of his own. He covered Williams, but the challenger again kicked out. DiBiase charged at Williams in the corner with the loaded glove, but Williams ducked and DiBiase’s fist hit the cage. Williams grabbed DiBiase and took him down to the mat in a wakigatame armbar and then pulled the loaded glove off the champ’s hand. The Rupp Arena went wild at seeing DiBiase’s weapon taken away! Williams put the glove on and decked DiBiase with it. The champ went flying and unfortunately crashed into Paul Morton. Williams grabbed DiBiase and threw him face-first into the cage. DiBiase hit the cage hard and fell back into the center of the ring, busted open. Williams covered him and had him down for several seconds, but there was no referee to count. Nervous for his charge, Gilbert started to climb the cage and tried to interfere in the match! Williams saw him and reached through the cage, trying to choke him! DiBiase recovered and nailed Williams with a knee smash from behind. He pulled the loaded glove off of Williams, put it back on himself, and smashed him with it, drawing blood on “Doc.” Sherri screamed at Morton from outside to recover as DiBiase made a cover. Morton slowly crawled over and counted, but Williams somehow kicked out at 2¾! DiBiase was shocked and didn’t know what to do to defeat the challenger. He had a look of frustration on his face and started climbing up the ropes and up the cage, apparently trying to leave the cage and the match! Williams got to his feet and followed his foe. DiBiase got to the top of the cage, when Williams stopped him. Williams stood on the top rope and then slammed DiBiase who was on the top of the cage! The fans went wild at what will probably become one of the most re-watched moments in USWA history! Both wrestlers were bleeding buckets. Williams chose not to go after the glove, but rather try and defeat the Southern champ by outwrestling him. He blasted DiBiase with a stiff lariat, which sent DiBiase flying. To ensure that he had the champ beaten, he pulled him up off the mat and executed a Doctor Bomb. He covered DiBiase, Morton counted three, and called for the bell. Morton unlocked the cage door and asked Gary Michael Cappetta for the Southern Heavyweight championship belt to give it to Williams—now a two-time champ! The Rupp Arena exploded as a bloodied Williams celebrated. Gilbert and Sherri looked shocked, as they pulled DiBiase out of the cage. “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan, came down to the ring, to celebrate with his ally! DiBiase looked battered and beaten, as he returned to the locker room, and left a USWA arena, for the last time for the next year! ****¾

12) The third and final main event was at the Mid-South Coliseum. Current and two-time USWA World Heavyweight champion Lou Thesz put the title on the line against former champ the “Intelligent, Sensational” Destroyer. The challenger earned this shot by winning the 12-man tournament that took place in the last month. The Memphis fans supported both wrestlers. Destroyer shook hands with both Thesz and manager Ed “Strangler” Lewis. The two grapplers exchanged some great scientific mat wrestling in the first part of the match, with neither man getting a definite advantage. The action picked up and Thesz hit the Greco-Roman backdrop. He turned into a cover, but the challenger managed to kick out. The champ nailed Destroyer with a series of dropkicks, one hitting Destroyer right in the face and causing him to bleed through his mask. Thesz bounced off the ropes and hit the Thesz Press. He covered the “Intelligent, Sensational One,” but again the challenger got a shoulder up. The fans got behind Destroyer more, after he kicked out of both of Thesz’s finishers! Destroyer battled back and hit a sensational suplex on the champ. He turned into a cover, but Thesz kicked out. Destroyer went up to the top rope and came off with the Bombs Away. Thesz rolled out of the way and the masked man landed hard on the canvas. Destroyer hobbled to his feet and Thesz surprised him with a reverse rolling cradle. Jerry Calhoun went to count and Thesz scored the pinfall to retain the title after about 15 minutes of action. The Mid-South Coliseum fans were surprised by this out-of-nowhere pinfall, but did give the champ an ovation for his victory. Destroyer was upset, but did offer his hand to Thesz and “Strangler” first, which they both accepted. Thesz now heads into 2014 still the World champion! **¾

[bookerbill]

83% in the first half. Not bad at all.

Great action so far and I like the Superfly targeting Rogers for next year.

[cruefan68]

Wow what an amazing night of USWA action and in three locations no less. I liked the breakdown of announcers for the three venues. Williams vs. Dibiase was off the charts (and I will be watching that slam off the top of the cage over and over again on USWA Network for just $9.99 ) and I liked the win by Lou Thesz over The Destroyer in the main event. Brody vs. Bernard, the four-way, and the tag title win by the Midnight Express were also great. Congrats to Stan Lane on making history in the tag team division. I can't say enough about how much i enjoyed this great show and I look forward to what 2014 will bring in the USWA.

[Cory Olson]

Thanks to Booker Bill and Crue Fan for the comments! And thanks for all the comments on my posts this summer. It's been good encouragement for me to keep playing and posting. With another school year starting on Monday, I'm not sure how often I'll be able to play and post, but I will do my best to keep the USWA action going.

After a historic New Year’s Knockout X from three arenas, here is the update from the last two episodes of USWA Championship Wrestling with implications for 2014!

January 4:
• Some title matches were announced for 2014. The now three-time USWA World Tag Team champions of “Sweet” Stan Lane and Sweet Brown Sugar of the Midnight Express will make their first defense of their third reign on January 20 at the Rupp Arena in Lexington. Their challengers in the main event will be a team receiving their first shot at the USWA titles—Mr. Fuji and Mr. Saito of Hot Stuff, International! This will be a first-time match-up between two rulebreaking teams!
• Another first time meeting will take place the following week in the main event at the Municipal Auditorium in Chattanooga. The new and two-time Southern Heavyweight champion Steve “Dr. Death” Williams will make his first defense of his second reign when he defends against former World Heavyweight champion Bruiser Brody! Brody defeated former champ Ted DiBiase a few weeks ago in Knoxville in a great ****½ bout to earn this title match. Williams and Brody are two of the most popular and powerful wrestlers currently active in the USWA. Both have been gaijin stars in Japan. This should be a very interesting match-up!
• “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert, accompanied by “Sensational” Sherri Martel, was interviewed in-studio. Gilbert was asked about the loss of Ted DiBiase, after his loss to Steve Williams at New Year’s Knockout. Gilbert said that he is very disappointed by the loss of the two-time former Southern Heavyweight champion, but that he cannot sit back and cry. He said he was scouting wrestling tapes and magazines on January 1 to find the newest member of Hot Stuff, International. He said that he found the newest man to join his team, bring back the Southern title to Hot Stuff, International, and take Williams out of the USWA! He said that he won’t reveal his newest wrestler just yet, but that he and his man will be in attendance in Chattanooga when Williams make his first defense of the Southern championship! Gilbert said that this man, along with the team of Fuji and Saito, and his brother Doug, will have a successful 2014!

January 11:
• “The Mouth of The South” Jimmy Hart and his newest charge Ray “The Crippler” Stevens, flanked by the Masked Superstars, “Nature Boy” Buddy Rogers, and “Ravishing” Rick Rude were interviewed. Hart gloated about the Superstars’ victory on New Year’s Eve. Lance Russell stated that it was basically a Handicap Match against Nick Bockwinkel! Russell asked Stevens what made him turn against the man with whom he twice held the World Tag Team titles. Stevens replied that Bockwinkel had gotten selfish in his tag team. He said they could have improved on their own legacy, by winning the World Tag Team titles from the Fabulous Kangaroos in November in Blytheville, but Bockwinkel agreed to enter the 12-man tournament for the World title shot and “lost his focus.” Stevens said that Bockwinkel was so dumb, that he got DQ’d against Bruiser Brody in the semifinals and blew his chance. He said that Hart recognized true talent in coming to him (Stevens) and offering him the opportunity to go out on his own. Stevens reminded the wrestling world that he was the one who held the NWA U.S. Heavyweight title, put Pepper Gomez out of action in San Francisco, and got suspended for his actions, and now he’s ready to make his own name in the USWA. He’s going to prove in 2014 that he’s more than just “Bockwinkel’s tag team partner.” Hart stated that with Stevens on his team, his group has gotten stronger, and is a more powerful unit than the Heenan Family ever was. Therefore, Hart has dubbed his stable the First Family of Wrestling! Hart laughed and showcased his entire stable and said that he’s formed the most powerful unit in USWA history, and in 2014, they will make history!
• Mr. Fuji and Mr. Saito will have some big battles in the first month of 2014. In addition to challenging for the World Tag Team titles, they will battle their rivals the Mongols on January 27 in Chattanooga! After their match at New Year’s Knockout X ended in a disqualification, Commissioner Bob Armstrong has decided to make this a No-Disqualification Match!
• Commissioner Armstrong announced later in the show that neither he nor any of the USWA Committee members have been able to contact the “Intelligent, Sensational” Destroyer after his main event loss to USWA World Heavyweight champion Lou Thesz in Memphis on December 31, about any future matches in the USWA. His whereabouts and future matches in any area are presently unknown!

New Year’s Knockout X was a huge event, but on January 13, the USWA will come back to the Municipal Auditorium in Nashville with a huge card to kick off the new year!
• The Masked Superstars were victorious over one rival tag team on December 31, thanks to the betrayal of Ray “The Crippler” Stevens. This week they will take on another rival team—“Cowboy” Bob Orton, Jr. and Olympian Bob Roop! Orton and Roop started their tag team at the end of 2013, due to mutual problems with the Superstars, and have been an impressive team in just a few showings. Can they get revenge on the Superstars or will Jimmy Hart’s team triumph again?
• “American Dragon” Bryan Danielson got in the ring with two of the men that injured him at New Year’s Knockout. This week he’ll take on the third man—Fit Finlay! Finlay got another decisive win over Magnum T.A. on New Year's Eve and has achieved something twice that no other USWA superstar has. Danielson was not at 100% in the Four Corners Match, as he was wearing a neck brace. In what condition will he be when he faces “The Belfast Bruiser”?
• The new Southern Heavyweight champion will be in non-title action, when Steve “Dr. Death” Williams takes on Hot Stuff, International member Doug Gilbert! Williams battled Gilbert last month in Evansville and was dominant, but got DQ’d. Now that Williams has ended his feud with Ted DiBiase, he is focused on getting a decisive win over Gilbert. Can he do so or will Gilbert score a huge non-title win over the new champ?
• Two wrestlers who feel they were unfairly taken out of the 12-man tournament for the World Heavyweight title shot at New Year’s Knockout will get a second chance, as Commissioner Bob Armstrong has made a match between “Nature Boy” Buddy Rogers and former Mid-America champ David Taylor! Taylor was suspended, along with Nigel McGuinness and Fit Finlay, for six cards prior to the start of the tournament and was replaced by Claudio Castagnoli. Rogers had qualified for the finals, but chose to keep the figure-four grapevine locked on longer after his semifinal bout in Springfield against “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka, and got suspended for three cards and kicked out of the finals. Commissioner Armstrong announced on the January 11 edition of Championship Wrestling that the winner of this bout will challenge for the USWA World Heavyweight championship in the main event on February 7 in Evansville! If Taylor wins, this would earn him his first shot at the World title. Can the British grappler earn the shot or will former World champ Rogers go on to a title match?
• In the first of two championship bouts to kick off 2014, Johnny Saint will put the USWA Mid-America Heavyweight championship on the line against three-time former champ Nigel McGuinness! McGuinness won the Four Corners Match for the title at New Year’s Knockout X’s card in Memphis, but did not leave the champion, since Saint was counted out in the first fall, due to McGuinness’ lariat. Saint agreed to give McGuinness another title shot and has put some unique rules in place that are familiar to both him and the challenger, as this title bout will be fought under World of Sport Rules! Both grapplers are used to these rules in the UK. (These rules are also used in the Catch Wrestling Alliance in Germany and Austria, as well as in other parts of the world.) Here are the rules for this specific title match:

I. The match is fought under a rounds-system, similar to boxing or MMA matches. This specific match will be wrestled under 10 five-minute rounds.
II. In between each round, there will be a one-minute rest period.
III. A wrestler wins the entire match by winning two falls (pins and/or submissions) or by one knockout. The referee will determine if a wrestler is knocked out.
IV. If a fall ends at any point in the round, the match will resume in the next round. (Example: If Saint scores a fall on McGuinness at 2:30 in the second round, the match will continue in round three.)
V. If there is one disqualification or one countout, the match ends and the winning wrestler wins the entire match.
VI. If the match goes the entire 10 rounds without a winner, the match will be declared a draw.

If Saint retains against McGuinness, he will become the longest-reigning Mid-America Heavyweight champ. Can he beat McGuinness and make history or will McGuinness make his own history and become a four-time Mid-America champ?

• The main event will be for the USWA World Heavyweight championship. Current and two-time champ Lou Thesz will continue taking on former champs he has not faced in the USWA. In this case, he has wrestled and lost to his challenger in the past—Johnny Valentine! Valentine and Thesz met in April 2011 in Tampa for the CWF (Championship Wrestling from Florida). Valentine scored a controversial pinfall on Thesz. Thesz was applying his rolling short-arm scissors on Valentine. As he came up to roll forward again, Valentine blocked Thesz as he went down, pushing his shoulders to the mat. Valentine hooked the tights as well, which was unseen by referee Bill Alfonso. Valentine scored a three-count, and right after he did, Thesz rolled back up into the arm scissors. Alfonso called for the bell and awarded the match to Valentine. Valentine was interviewed on the January 4 episode of Championship Wrestling and stated that a “win was a win.” He reminded USWA fans that he’s made plenty of history himself in the USWA and plans to make more by defeating Thesz again and win his second USWA World championship nearly 10 years after becoming the first champion! Valentine was one of the 12 competitors in the tournament for the NYK shot at Thesz, but got disqualified in the first round against "Superfly" Jimmy Snuka in Blytheville, AR in November. Thesz’s manager Ed “Strangler” Lewis is also familiar with Valentine, as the two wrestled five times in 2010, three times for the USWA World title. Lewis defeated Valentine three times and is certainly advising the current champ on what to watch out for with Valentine. Can Valentine start off the year with a bang and win his second title or will Thesz avenge that loss from Florida?

All these great bouts, plus the tag team of Mr. Fuji and Mr. Saito, Giant Bernard, Tracy Smothers, and more USWA stars in action in “Music City, USA”!

[Crimson Cross]

It is always a great read Cory, you have such great results and your rich history is stellar. It's going to be a great match to read about between Valentine & Thesz...