Post by Cory Olson on Aug 2, 2020 21:48:37 GMT -5
Thanks to Stu for the comments!
February 27, 2017
Card #499: Civic Coliseum in Knoxville
1) S.D. and S.T. Jones got another win in the opener over George South and Tony Falk. Memphis native Falk didn’t get to wrestle in this bout, as the Joneses kept South in the ring the entire time. “Special Delivery” had South dazed after his Philly Shuffle and a big K.O. punch. “Soul Train” tagged in and worked over South. He came off the second rope with a fist drop to South and covered him to score the pinfall in about two minutes. The Knoxville fans gave the Joneses a big ovation for their win! DUD
2) “Classy” Freddie Blassie picked up a dominant win over Tommy Rogers. This was Blassie’s first match since losing the Southern title “Exotic” Adrian Street last month in Chattanooga. Rogers had some initial offense but Blassie took over. He hit the Southern neckbreaker about three minutes into the bout and scored the pinfall. Blassie was impressive here against the former Mid-America champion and you can bet he wants another shot at the Southern Heavyweight title! DUD
3) Hillbilly Jim and Cousin Luke scored their biggest tag team win to date defeating two-time former World Tag Team champions Larry Zbyszko and Mr. Saito! It looked like the House of Humperdink team would score a quick win, as Zbyszko and Saito kept Luke in the ring for several minutes. Zbyszko blasted Luke with a spinning back kick for a near fall. Saito tagged in and went for the Scorpion Leglock but Jim made the save with a big boot the back of Saito’s head. Jim tagged in a few moments later but Saito surprised him with a judo throw for a two-count. He hit the Saito suplex a few moments later and went for a cover but Jim got a foot under the bottom rope for a break. The former champions worked over Jim for a few minutes. Zbyszko sent Jim into the ropes and went for a karate kick. Jim ducked the kick, bounced off the opposite ropes, and blasted Zbyszko with a big boot to the face. He then hit a leg drop and went for a cover but Zbyszko kicked out. Jim tagged in and Luke hit Zbyszko with two two-fisted sledgehammers. Zbyszko dropped to the mat. Luke went for a cover and scored the pinfall after 16 minutes of action. Saito attempted a pin save late, thinking Zbyszko could kick out but he was wrong! Jim and Luke got a huge ovation from the Knoxville fans while “Don’t Go Messin’ with a County Boy” played! As Jim and Luke returned to the back. Saito got in his partner’s face and slapped him! Zbyszko retaliated with a slap of his own. The two started punching each other. Zbyszko got the upper hand until Sir Oliver Humperdink nailed him in the back with his cane! Saito recovered and executed three Saito suplexes on Zbyszko. Several USWA referees and officials came out to break up the melee. Saito and Humperdink returned to the back, while officials helped Zbyszko to the back. ***
4) Ray “The Crippler” Stevens gained momentum going into the Triangle Match for the Mid-America title on March 13 by scoring a pinfall on Tyler Black in a very competitive match. Black was accompanied by the new Mid-America champion and his bodyguard Luke Harper. Harper wore the title belt to the ring and often pointed to it to mock former champion Stevens. Stevens was aggressive here, hitting a double underhook suplex less than a minute into the match for a near fall. He hit two separate Bombs Aways for near falls, busting Black open on the second knee drop. He hit the piledriver a few moments later but Black kicked out. Black battled back but couldn’t keep “The Crippler” down for the count. He blasted Stevens with an enzuigiri and got a near fall. He went for a second one but Stevens ducked and Black crashed to the mat hard. Black surprised Stevens with a sunset flip after Stevens telegraphed a back body drop. Black got a two-count. The Iowan continued his assault and went up top. He hit the Phoenix Splash but was hurting and was slow to go for a cover so Stevens kicked out. With Jimmy Hart rallying Stevens on through the megaphone, the two-time former Mid-America champion battled back and surprised Black with a neckbreaker. Both men were hurting and got to their feet about the same time. Stevens struck first with a kick to the stomach and another piledriver to score the pinfall after 12 minutes. As Stevens got his hand raised, he pointed to Black that the same fate will befall him at the 500th card and that Stevens would become a three-time Mid-America champion! ****
5) “American Dragon” Bryan Danielson scored a submission victory over old rival David Taylor. The two exchanged some great holds in the first few minutes. Taylor sent Danielson into the corner but Danielson moved out of the way on a charge and Taylor hit hard. Danielson caught him on the rebound and applied the guillotine choke. Taylor quickly fought for the ropes for a break. Danielson took him down quickly with an armbar and applied the LeBell Lock in the center of the ring. Taylor was trapped and tapped out after just a few minutes to a big pop from the Knoxville crowd! Danielson was impressive here, as he looks forward to his first-ever shot at the Southern title on March 13! (Whom will he challenge for the title? Read on!) **¼
6) King Kong Bundy earned a pinfall on Red Bastien. Bastien had a good amount of off offense against the New Jersey giant but couldn’t keep him down. Bundy sent Bastien into the corner and hit the Atlantic City Avalanche. Bundy pulled Bastien up and sent him into the opposite corner. He delivered a second Avalanche for good measure. Bastien crumpled to the mat and Bundy covered him to score the five-count. Bundy was impressive here but how will he fare against “The 8th Wonder of The World” Andre the Giant at the 500th USWA card in two weeks? ½*
7) Chris Candido and Dan “The Beast” Severn won a physical No-Disqualification Match over Brian Kendrick and Paul London that went about 22 minutes. The high-flying fan favorites had the early advantage. They got Severn down and London hit the 450 splash but Severn kicked out. Kendrick tagged back and executed Sliced Bread #2 on the MMA fighter but again Severn kicked out. Jim Cornette’s team rallied back and Severn went for a submission on London with a heel hook. London grabbed the ropes. (Even though Severn couldn’t be disqualified for not breaking on the ropes, he could not score a submission either since London was considered out of bounds.) Severn tried to pull London off the ropes but the Texan held tight and Severn eventually switched to another tactic. Candido and Kendrick were the legal men a few minutes later. “The Suicide Blonde got Kendrick down on the mat and came off the top rope with a diving head butt for a two-count. Cornette’s team double teamed Kendrick for several minutes. Severn tried to get a submission with a wakigatame but London broke up the submission attempt. “The Beast” again tried for a heel hook submission. He had Kendrick in the hold for over a minute before Kendrick was able to kick Severn in the face with his free leg. Kendrick managed to make the tag to London, who ran wild. He got Candido down on the mat and hit another 450. Severn broke up the pin attempt, which allowed Candido to recover and to regain control. Kendrick and Candido were again the legal men a few minutes later when Candido and Severn double teamed Kendrick in their corner and busted him open with punches. Candido then pulled Kendrick up the ropes and hit the Blonde Bomb. He went for a cover but London broke up the pin with a running Shooting Star Press, risking his partner’s own safety to keep the match going. Both men were down but tagged their respective partners. London sent Severn into the corner and dove at him with a flying forearm smash. Severn dodged the attempt and London crashed into the buckles. Severn followed up with an immediate German suplex into a bridge but London kicked out. Severn tried for another submission with a rear naked choke. London mule kicked Severn low to break up the attempt. Severn was hurt but managed to tag to Candido before London could tag Kendrick. Candido ran into the ring and nailed Kendrick with a running forearm smash, sending him flying off the apron and crashing hard into the guard railing. Candido then took advantage of the No-Disqualification rule, as Cornette slid a steel chair into the ring. Candido laid it on the mat, then grabbed London, went up the ropes, and again hit the Blonde Bomb but this time on top of a chair! He covered London in the center of the ring and scored the pinfall. Cornette was very happy with his men’s win. Kendrick recovered from outside and checked on London. London was very groggy and needed help from Kendrick to locker room. ****½
8) “The Gamesmaster” Kevin Sullivan defeated Tommy Gilbert by countout in a short match. The action was wild from the opening bell. Gilbert had some brief offense but Sullivan stopped him short with a clothesline. Sir Oliver Humperdink distracted Sam Platania while Sullivan pulled out brass knuckles, put them on, and smashed Gilbert in the face with them. Gilbert rolled out of the ring for a breather, while Humperdink distracted Platania. Out of nowhere, the Dark Patriot came out of the locker room. He grabbed Gilbert and rammed his head into the ring post. Sullivan then held Gilbert’s head against the ring post, while Dark Patriot loaded his mask and delivered a loaded head butt from behind, simultaneously driving Gilbert’s face into the post again! Gilbert dropped to the floor and was out. Sullivan directed Platania’s attention to Gilbert on the floor, while the Dark Patriot retreated as quickly as he had arrived. Platania counted Gilbert out of the ring and Sullivan got the victory! Gilbert came to, thanks to the help of several USWA officials and was able to walk to the back on his own. While Sullivan got the win here, thanks in large part to Humperdink and the Dark Patriot, will he be the new USWA World champion in two weeks? ¼*
9) The Vachons defeated World Heavyweight champion “Boogie Woogie Man” “Handsome” Jimmy Valiant and “Superstar” Bill Dundee to earn the right to choose the special guest referee for Mad Dog Vachon and Dundee’s match on the historic 500th USWA card! The match started wild, as many Vachons matches do, with the Algerians double teaming the Australian. Butcher hit a backbreaker on Dundee in the first few minutes for a near fall. He later went for the hangman on the “Superstar” but Dundee managed to get a foot on the top rope for a break. Mad Dog tagged in and the Vachons hit a double Hot Shot to score a two-count. Dundee briefly took over and caught Mad Dog in a Boston Crab, which is how he beat him in their match in December in Dixon, KY. Mad Dog managed to pull himself to the Vachons’ corner and tag Butcher while still in the Crab. Butcher came in and clobbered Dundee from behind but Dundee got knocked to his own corner and tagged the World champion. Valiant ran wild on Butcher and then went at it with Mad Dog but Mad Dog cut him off. Mad Dog hit a Mad Dog Pounce on the World champion. He pulled Valiant off the ropes and hit a double foot stomp. He went for a cover but “Handsome” Jimmy kicked out. Butcher came back in and sent the World champion into the ropes. Butcher went for a clothesline but Valiant ducked, bounced off the opposite ropes, and came back at Butcher with a running elbow smash. Dundee tagged back in and worked over Butcher. He came off the top with the Superstar Bomb but Mad Dog broke up the pin attempt. Suddenly, Sir Oliver Humperdink and “The Gamesmaster” Kevin Sullivan appeared in the aisleway. Butcher managed to tag to Mad Dog, who blasted Dundee with a running knee lift and score a two-count. Dundee came up from the knee lift bleeding. Mad Dog choked Dundee on the ropes, hit a Mad Dog Pounce, and then choked him some more. Tom Branch warned Mad Dog about the choke. As Branch was distracted by Mad Dog, Sullivan ran up toward the ring with the same brass knucks he used against Tommy Gilbert in the previous bout and blasted Dundee in the face! Valiant saw this from the other side of the ring, jumped off the apron, and went after Sullivan and Humperdink. As “Boogie Woogie” was distracted, Mad Dog pulled Dundee off the ropes and hit the piledriver. He covered the Aussie “Superstar” and scored the pinfall. Valiant turned around to see this and was upset by the result. Sullivan and Humperdink returned to the locker room cackling at their interference in the match! Valiant returned to the ring to check on Dundee and apologize. Gary Michael Cappetta handed Mad Dog the microphone to announce his choice of referee for his match with Dundee on March 13. He said that he has chosen a trustworthy man from Algeria who will be a fair and partial official. He said that man is his own brother Butcher! Fans booed this decision and Dundee was disappointed about this! ****
10) The main event was for the USWA Southern Heavyweight championship. “Exotic” Adrian Street made his first defense of the title against Billy Gunn. Gunn, a three-time former World Tag Team champion, was receiving his first-ever shot at any USWA singles championship. Street used his ways to try and get a psychological advantage at the start. He jumped into Gunn’s arms and then kissed him! Gunn was not fazed, as he slammed Street hard to the mat! The challenger stayed in control and hit a power slam about 90 seconds into the match for a two-count. Gunn went for the Famouser a few minutes later but Street dodged the attack and Gunn crashed hard. The Southern champion immediately went for a cover but Gunn kicked out. Street tried to get a submission with the Daffodil but Gunn powered his way to the ropes for a break. Street had the advantage for several minutes but missed on a big elbow drop. Gunn held Street up high in a press slam before dropping him hard to the mat. He went for a cover but Street again kicked out. Gunn went for the Famouser again a few moments later and this time hit it. Unfortunately, Jim Cornette was quickly up on the apron to distract Tommy Marlin. The challenger stayed in control for several minutes until he telegraphed a back body drop and Street dropped a stiff elbow to the back of his neck. Street locked on a Cobra Clutch in the center of the ring. Gunn started to drop to the mat. Marlin checked Gunn’s arm and it dropped three times, so Marlin called for the bell and awarded Street the match via submission after about 12 minutes of action! Street, Cornette, and Dan “The Beast” Severn were happy about Street retaining the Southern title! (At least, we assume Severn was happy. It’s hard to tell sometimes.) Street won’t have much time to rest, as he will have a second defense in two weeks in Memphis against the only man who has beaten him in the USWA—“American Dragon” Bryan Danielson! ***¼
February 27, 2017
Card #499: Civic Coliseum in Knoxville
1) S.D. and S.T. Jones got another win in the opener over George South and Tony Falk. Memphis native Falk didn’t get to wrestle in this bout, as the Joneses kept South in the ring the entire time. “Special Delivery” had South dazed after his Philly Shuffle and a big K.O. punch. “Soul Train” tagged in and worked over South. He came off the second rope with a fist drop to South and covered him to score the pinfall in about two minutes. The Knoxville fans gave the Joneses a big ovation for their win! DUD
2) “Classy” Freddie Blassie picked up a dominant win over Tommy Rogers. This was Blassie’s first match since losing the Southern title “Exotic” Adrian Street last month in Chattanooga. Rogers had some initial offense but Blassie took over. He hit the Southern neckbreaker about three minutes into the bout and scored the pinfall. Blassie was impressive here against the former Mid-America champion and you can bet he wants another shot at the Southern Heavyweight title! DUD
3) Hillbilly Jim and Cousin Luke scored their biggest tag team win to date defeating two-time former World Tag Team champions Larry Zbyszko and Mr. Saito! It looked like the House of Humperdink team would score a quick win, as Zbyszko and Saito kept Luke in the ring for several minutes. Zbyszko blasted Luke with a spinning back kick for a near fall. Saito tagged in and went for the Scorpion Leglock but Jim made the save with a big boot the back of Saito’s head. Jim tagged in a few moments later but Saito surprised him with a judo throw for a two-count. He hit the Saito suplex a few moments later and went for a cover but Jim got a foot under the bottom rope for a break. The former champions worked over Jim for a few minutes. Zbyszko sent Jim into the ropes and went for a karate kick. Jim ducked the kick, bounced off the opposite ropes, and blasted Zbyszko with a big boot to the face. He then hit a leg drop and went for a cover but Zbyszko kicked out. Jim tagged in and Luke hit Zbyszko with two two-fisted sledgehammers. Zbyszko dropped to the mat. Luke went for a cover and scored the pinfall after 16 minutes of action. Saito attempted a pin save late, thinking Zbyszko could kick out but he was wrong! Jim and Luke got a huge ovation from the Knoxville fans while “Don’t Go Messin’ with a County Boy” played! As Jim and Luke returned to the back. Saito got in his partner’s face and slapped him! Zbyszko retaliated with a slap of his own. The two started punching each other. Zbyszko got the upper hand until Sir Oliver Humperdink nailed him in the back with his cane! Saito recovered and executed three Saito suplexes on Zbyszko. Several USWA referees and officials came out to break up the melee. Saito and Humperdink returned to the back, while officials helped Zbyszko to the back. ***
4) Ray “The Crippler” Stevens gained momentum going into the Triangle Match for the Mid-America title on March 13 by scoring a pinfall on Tyler Black in a very competitive match. Black was accompanied by the new Mid-America champion and his bodyguard Luke Harper. Harper wore the title belt to the ring and often pointed to it to mock former champion Stevens. Stevens was aggressive here, hitting a double underhook suplex less than a minute into the match for a near fall. He hit two separate Bombs Aways for near falls, busting Black open on the second knee drop. He hit the piledriver a few moments later but Black kicked out. Black battled back but couldn’t keep “The Crippler” down for the count. He blasted Stevens with an enzuigiri and got a near fall. He went for a second one but Stevens ducked and Black crashed to the mat hard. Black surprised Stevens with a sunset flip after Stevens telegraphed a back body drop. Black got a two-count. The Iowan continued his assault and went up top. He hit the Phoenix Splash but was hurting and was slow to go for a cover so Stevens kicked out. With Jimmy Hart rallying Stevens on through the megaphone, the two-time former Mid-America champion battled back and surprised Black with a neckbreaker. Both men were hurting and got to their feet about the same time. Stevens struck first with a kick to the stomach and another piledriver to score the pinfall after 12 minutes. As Stevens got his hand raised, he pointed to Black that the same fate will befall him at the 500th card and that Stevens would become a three-time Mid-America champion! ****
5) “American Dragon” Bryan Danielson scored a submission victory over old rival David Taylor. The two exchanged some great holds in the first few minutes. Taylor sent Danielson into the corner but Danielson moved out of the way on a charge and Taylor hit hard. Danielson caught him on the rebound and applied the guillotine choke. Taylor quickly fought for the ropes for a break. Danielson took him down quickly with an armbar and applied the LeBell Lock in the center of the ring. Taylor was trapped and tapped out after just a few minutes to a big pop from the Knoxville crowd! Danielson was impressive here, as he looks forward to his first-ever shot at the Southern title on March 13! (Whom will he challenge for the title? Read on!) **¼
6) King Kong Bundy earned a pinfall on Red Bastien. Bastien had a good amount of off offense against the New Jersey giant but couldn’t keep him down. Bundy sent Bastien into the corner and hit the Atlantic City Avalanche. Bundy pulled Bastien up and sent him into the opposite corner. He delivered a second Avalanche for good measure. Bastien crumpled to the mat and Bundy covered him to score the five-count. Bundy was impressive here but how will he fare against “The 8th Wonder of The World” Andre the Giant at the 500th USWA card in two weeks? ½*
7) Chris Candido and Dan “The Beast” Severn won a physical No-Disqualification Match over Brian Kendrick and Paul London that went about 22 minutes. The high-flying fan favorites had the early advantage. They got Severn down and London hit the 450 splash but Severn kicked out. Kendrick tagged back and executed Sliced Bread #2 on the MMA fighter but again Severn kicked out. Jim Cornette’s team rallied back and Severn went for a submission on London with a heel hook. London grabbed the ropes. (Even though Severn couldn’t be disqualified for not breaking on the ropes, he could not score a submission either since London was considered out of bounds.) Severn tried to pull London off the ropes but the Texan held tight and Severn eventually switched to another tactic. Candido and Kendrick were the legal men a few minutes later. “The Suicide Blonde got Kendrick down on the mat and came off the top rope with a diving head butt for a two-count. Cornette’s team double teamed Kendrick for several minutes. Severn tried to get a submission with a wakigatame but London broke up the submission attempt. “The Beast” again tried for a heel hook submission. He had Kendrick in the hold for over a minute before Kendrick was able to kick Severn in the face with his free leg. Kendrick managed to make the tag to London, who ran wild. He got Candido down on the mat and hit another 450. Severn broke up the pin attempt, which allowed Candido to recover and to regain control. Kendrick and Candido were again the legal men a few minutes later when Candido and Severn double teamed Kendrick in their corner and busted him open with punches. Candido then pulled Kendrick up the ropes and hit the Blonde Bomb. He went for a cover but London broke up the pin with a running Shooting Star Press, risking his partner’s own safety to keep the match going. Both men were down but tagged their respective partners. London sent Severn into the corner and dove at him with a flying forearm smash. Severn dodged the attempt and London crashed into the buckles. Severn followed up with an immediate German suplex into a bridge but London kicked out. Severn tried for another submission with a rear naked choke. London mule kicked Severn low to break up the attempt. Severn was hurt but managed to tag to Candido before London could tag Kendrick. Candido ran into the ring and nailed Kendrick with a running forearm smash, sending him flying off the apron and crashing hard into the guard railing. Candido then took advantage of the No-Disqualification rule, as Cornette slid a steel chair into the ring. Candido laid it on the mat, then grabbed London, went up the ropes, and again hit the Blonde Bomb but this time on top of a chair! He covered London in the center of the ring and scored the pinfall. Cornette was very happy with his men’s win. Kendrick recovered from outside and checked on London. London was very groggy and needed help from Kendrick to locker room. ****½
8) “The Gamesmaster” Kevin Sullivan defeated Tommy Gilbert by countout in a short match. The action was wild from the opening bell. Gilbert had some brief offense but Sullivan stopped him short with a clothesline. Sir Oliver Humperdink distracted Sam Platania while Sullivan pulled out brass knuckles, put them on, and smashed Gilbert in the face with them. Gilbert rolled out of the ring for a breather, while Humperdink distracted Platania. Out of nowhere, the Dark Patriot came out of the locker room. He grabbed Gilbert and rammed his head into the ring post. Sullivan then held Gilbert’s head against the ring post, while Dark Patriot loaded his mask and delivered a loaded head butt from behind, simultaneously driving Gilbert’s face into the post again! Gilbert dropped to the floor and was out. Sullivan directed Platania’s attention to Gilbert on the floor, while the Dark Patriot retreated as quickly as he had arrived. Platania counted Gilbert out of the ring and Sullivan got the victory! Gilbert came to, thanks to the help of several USWA officials and was able to walk to the back on his own. While Sullivan got the win here, thanks in large part to Humperdink and the Dark Patriot, will he be the new USWA World champion in two weeks? ¼*
9) The Vachons defeated World Heavyweight champion “Boogie Woogie Man” “Handsome” Jimmy Valiant and “Superstar” Bill Dundee to earn the right to choose the special guest referee for Mad Dog Vachon and Dundee’s match on the historic 500th USWA card! The match started wild, as many Vachons matches do, with the Algerians double teaming the Australian. Butcher hit a backbreaker on Dundee in the first few minutes for a near fall. He later went for the hangman on the “Superstar” but Dundee managed to get a foot on the top rope for a break. Mad Dog tagged in and the Vachons hit a double Hot Shot to score a two-count. Dundee briefly took over and caught Mad Dog in a Boston Crab, which is how he beat him in their match in December in Dixon, KY. Mad Dog managed to pull himself to the Vachons’ corner and tag Butcher while still in the Crab. Butcher came in and clobbered Dundee from behind but Dundee got knocked to his own corner and tagged the World champion. Valiant ran wild on Butcher and then went at it with Mad Dog but Mad Dog cut him off. Mad Dog hit a Mad Dog Pounce on the World champion. He pulled Valiant off the ropes and hit a double foot stomp. He went for a cover but “Handsome” Jimmy kicked out. Butcher came back in and sent the World champion into the ropes. Butcher went for a clothesline but Valiant ducked, bounced off the opposite ropes, and came back at Butcher with a running elbow smash. Dundee tagged back in and worked over Butcher. He came off the top with the Superstar Bomb but Mad Dog broke up the pin attempt. Suddenly, Sir Oliver Humperdink and “The Gamesmaster” Kevin Sullivan appeared in the aisleway. Butcher managed to tag to Mad Dog, who blasted Dundee with a running knee lift and score a two-count. Dundee came up from the knee lift bleeding. Mad Dog choked Dundee on the ropes, hit a Mad Dog Pounce, and then choked him some more. Tom Branch warned Mad Dog about the choke. As Branch was distracted by Mad Dog, Sullivan ran up toward the ring with the same brass knucks he used against Tommy Gilbert in the previous bout and blasted Dundee in the face! Valiant saw this from the other side of the ring, jumped off the apron, and went after Sullivan and Humperdink. As “Boogie Woogie” was distracted, Mad Dog pulled Dundee off the ropes and hit the piledriver. He covered the Aussie “Superstar” and scored the pinfall. Valiant turned around to see this and was upset by the result. Sullivan and Humperdink returned to the locker room cackling at their interference in the match! Valiant returned to the ring to check on Dundee and apologize. Gary Michael Cappetta handed Mad Dog the microphone to announce his choice of referee for his match with Dundee on March 13. He said that he has chosen a trustworthy man from Algeria who will be a fair and partial official. He said that man is his own brother Butcher! Fans booed this decision and Dundee was disappointed about this! ****
10) The main event was for the USWA Southern Heavyweight championship. “Exotic” Adrian Street made his first defense of the title against Billy Gunn. Gunn, a three-time former World Tag Team champion, was receiving his first-ever shot at any USWA singles championship. Street used his ways to try and get a psychological advantage at the start. He jumped into Gunn’s arms and then kissed him! Gunn was not fazed, as he slammed Street hard to the mat! The challenger stayed in control and hit a power slam about 90 seconds into the match for a two-count. Gunn went for the Famouser a few minutes later but Street dodged the attack and Gunn crashed hard. The Southern champion immediately went for a cover but Gunn kicked out. Street tried to get a submission with the Daffodil but Gunn powered his way to the ropes for a break. Street had the advantage for several minutes but missed on a big elbow drop. Gunn held Street up high in a press slam before dropping him hard to the mat. He went for a cover but Street again kicked out. Gunn went for the Famouser again a few moments later and this time hit it. Unfortunately, Jim Cornette was quickly up on the apron to distract Tommy Marlin. The challenger stayed in control for several minutes until he telegraphed a back body drop and Street dropped a stiff elbow to the back of his neck. Street locked on a Cobra Clutch in the center of the ring. Gunn started to drop to the mat. Marlin checked Gunn’s arm and it dropped three times, so Marlin called for the bell and awarded Street the match via submission after about 12 minutes of action! Street, Cornette, and Dan “The Beast” Severn were happy about Street retaining the Southern title! (At least, we assume Severn was happy. It’s hard to tell sometimes.) Street won’t have much time to rest, as he will have a second defense in two weeks in Memphis against the only man who has beaten him in the USWA—“American Dragon” Bryan Danielson! ***¼