Cory's USWA

[TTX]

Big upset by Hughes. Cool win by the Armstrongs even if it was non title. Nice little main event as well.

[Cory Olson]

Thanks to Troy for the comments!

Highlights from the last two episodes of USWA Championship Wrestling, both of which were very newsworthy!

February 3:
• It was announced that “The Boogie Woogie Man” “Handsome” Jimmy Valiant suffered a concussion in the attack from “Classy” Freddie Blassie and the Tolos Brothers last week in Knoxville. The two-time former World Heavyweight champion will be out of action for about a month. Blassie and the Toloses were interviewed in studio and gloated about putting Valiant out of action, as well as John’s victory over him inside the ring. Commissioner Teddy Long entered the studios and said that he had thought about suspending all three wrestlers for their actions but he prefers for punishment to be dealt out in the ring! He did say that because of their attack, one consequence will be that the three will not be allowed to challenge for any USWA championships until the month of May! This means that the Toloses’ originally scheduled rematch for the USWA World Tag Team titles on February 19 in Tupelo against the Heavenly Bodies will be postponed! The three rulebreakers were outraged and started to tear up the WMC-TV Studios and the Championship Wrestling set but several officials came in to haul them out before too much damage could be done.
• Later in the show, Long returned to announce that since the Tupelo card needed a new main event, Brad and Brian Armstrong will receive a title rematch with the Bodies instead on the 19th! He said that the brothers’ non-title victory over the champs last week in Knoxville earned them that right.
• Long announced another huge match for the Tupelo card, as World Heavyweight champion Harley Race will take on former champion “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert in a non-title bout! Gilbert interfered in his father Tommy’s bout with Race last week in Knoxville after Jimmy Hart shoved Tommy off the ropes. All three Gilberts were in studio and Eddie apologized to Tommy for costing him the match but when he saw his father get cheated, he couldn’t stay outside the ring. Tommy said he understands Eddie’s point of view and that Eddie gets his temper from his father!
• The main event for the February 26 card at the Louisville Gardens was confirmed, based on the results of last week’s card. “American Dragon” Bryan Danielson will defend the USWA Southern Heavyweight championship against “Superstar” Bill Dundee! Dundee came close to defeating then-champion “Exotic” Adrian Street in November in Gore Springs, MS but Mr. Hughes’s interference turned the tide.

February 10:
• Commissioner Long announced some more matches for the February 19 card at the Tupelo Sports Arena.
o “The Man with The Cast Iron Stomach” Pepper Gomez will defend the USWA Mid-America Heavyweight title against Baron Von Raschke! “The Clawmaster” would love to get his claw on his first USWA championship. Gomez has been on a tear since returning to the USWA in September.
o Two tag teams will tangle once again when The Flying Redheads face Ivan Koloff and Mr. Saito! These two teams met twice at the end of 2017, with each team getting a countout win over the other. Commissioner Long added that the winners of this bout will challenge the Heavenly Bodies for the USWA World Tag Team titles in March, especially since the Toloses have been forced to wait for their rematch!
o Colt “Boom Boom” Cabana will return from his neck injury. He will team up with the Southern Heavyweight champion “American Dragon” Bryan Danielson to battle Jim Cornette’s team of “Scrap Iron” Adam Pearce and Cornette’s bodyguard Mr. Hughes! Pearce used the jumping piledriver three times on Cabana after their match at New Year’s Knockout XIV in Nashville, putting him out of action. Cabana will have vengeance on his mind!
• Tyler Black was interviewed in studio, flanked by his bodyguard Luke Harper. Black, who sported a new hairstyle and new clothing, was asked by Lance Russell about his new look. Black reminded Lance and the USWA fans that he hasn’t been in action in a USWA match since an October bout at the Rupp Arena with “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert. He said he returned to the Midwest and has been doing some extra training, both physically and wrestling-related. He stated that 2018 will be his year. He said that with most USWA cards being held on Monday nights, the fans can now call him “The Monday Night Messiah,” as he will “save the USWA” and rule the area!

The USWA returns home to the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis on February 12!
• “Bullet” Bob Armstrong will wrestle his first singles match in over three years. He has a big battle in front of him when he battles Jim Cornette’s bodyguard Mr. Hughes! Hughes has been dominant in his matches so far, going undefeated and getting wins over “American Dragon” Bryan Danielson and “Superstar” Bill Dundee! Can the “Bullet” give him his first loss?
• The Uptown Boys will be fighting for the honor of Tommy Rogers when they battle the Tolos Brothers! Marty Jannetty and Ric McCord have had an impressive start but they will definitely have a challenge in John and Chris Tolos. The Canadians will be fired up, after having to wait for their World Tag Team title rematch. Which team will leave Memphis the winners?
• “Superstar” Bill Dundee has had some problems with Jim Cornette’s men in recent weeks. This week, he will take on another of Cornette’s charges—“Exotic” Adrian Street! As has been discussed, Dundee and Street battled in November for Street’s Southern title. It appeared that Dundee had the title in hand but Street ended up retaining the title. With Dundee getting a rematch in two weeks in Louisville, he would love to get a decisive win over the former champion. Can he do it or will Street and Cornette have a trick up their sleeves?
• The main event will be a rematch for the USWA World Heavyweight championship. Harley Race of the First Family of Wrestling will defend the title against two-time former champion and the man he defeated for the title last month—“The Gamesmaster” Kevin Sullivan of the House of Humperdink! Race captured the title from Sullivan in Chattanooga. Sir Oliver Humperdink was ejected from ringside during the match for interference and has claimed that the USWA is against him and Sullivan, trying to keep the belt away from them. Race is still undefeated and will be putting up a fight to retain the title he had been waiting 11 years to win. Can Race retain or will Sullivan become a three-time champion and make Race’s reign a short one?

All these bouts, plus Hugh Morrus battles Hillbilly Jim! Also, the return to action of the now-“Monday Night Messiah” Tyler Black! Plus, the First Family of Wrestling’s new team of Ray “The Crippler” Stevens and Greg “The Hammer” Valentine, and many more USWA stars in action!

[Pariah]

Lots of entertaining potential with the arrival of the Monday Night Messiah... And with Luke Harper watching his back, he could make some serious noise in the USWA.

Looking forward to Handsome Harley's non-title encounter with Gilbert... Interested to see if Hot Stuff can keep his hot head in check... And very cool that the Armstrongs are getting a shot at the gold... Some awesome action on the horizon... Stoked!

[victoryroll84]

The Armstrongs getting that big win over the tag champs good stuff Cory!

[cruefan68]

Great night of action in Knoxville, especially that nice non-title win by the Armstrong's over the Heavenly Bodies. Eddie Gilbert had a tough loss to Ivan Koloff and a tougher outburst causing a DQ loss for Tommy to Harley Race, though his interference was understandable. Great return win for Greg Valentine, as well as a big win for Mr. Hughes over Bill Dundee.

Speaking of returns, Tyler Black returning with a new look and Luke Harper as his bodyguard. Business is about to pick up in the USWA!

[Cory Olson]

Thanks to Pariah, Victory Roll, and Crue Fan for the comments!

February 12, 2018
Card #534: Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis

1) Baron Von Raschke was victorious in the opener over Mike Stallings from Atlanta in about a minute. Stallings had some early offense but “The Clawmaster” took control. He knocked Stallings down with a running knee smash and then dropped an elbow to score the pinfall. Von Raschke looked impressive prior to challenging for the Mid-America title next week in Tupelo! DUD

2) The Patriot scored a pinfall on “The Unpredictable” Johnny Rodz. The New Yorker Rodz had the masked American in trouble but the Patriot rallied back. He wore down Rodz and scored the pinfall in four minutes with the Patriot Missile! ½*

3) The First Family of Wrestling’s new tag team of Ray “The Crippler” Stevens and Greg “The Hammer” Valentine made an impressive debut defeating Jake “The Milkman” Milliman and “Sodbuster” Kenny Jay in about 90 seconds. The new duo kept Milliman in the ring for the entire brief match. Stevens started off the bout and wore down Milliman, before tagging to Valentine. Valentine got Milliman down and hit a falling elbow hammer before clamping on the figure-four leglock in the center of the ring. Milliman tapped out before Jay could make a save. Jimmy Hart has put together a very impressive team! DUD

4) The newly dubbed “Monday Night Messiah” Tyler Black defeated Jim Powers in six minutes. Black came out with bodyguard Luke Harper to new ring music and with a dramatic ring entrance. Powers tried to ruin Black’s first match with the new image, as he scored a near fall with a schoolboy roll-up in the first few seconds of the match. He hit the power slam as well but Black kicked out. Black took over and hit some impressive maneuvers, such as a diving knee strike. He whipped Powers into the corner and delivered a flying forearm. Powers crumbled to the mat and Black picked up the pinfall. **

5) The Flying Redheads picked up a hard-fought win over “Dastardly” Danny Doring and The Amish RoadKill. Billy Red Lyons hit his partner’s finisher the atomic drop about three minutes into the match on the big RoadKill, sending him into the buckles. As RoadKill bounced back, Lyons caught him with a rolling reverse cradle for a two-count. “The Angry Amish Warrior” took over on Red Bastien and tagged to Doring, who surprised Bastien with a Bareback for a two-count. Bastien tagged to Lyons, who worked over Doring. He tagged back to Bastien and the Redheads hit a double dropkick. Bastien picked up Doring into the airplane spin into the atomic drop. The atomic drop sent Doring crashing head-first into his own partner. Bastien covering Doring and scored the pinfall after 12 minutes. The Redheads looked fired up to try and earn a World Tag Team title shot next week when they battle Ivan Koloff and Mr. Saito of the House of Humperdink in Tupelo! **¾

6) Hugh Morrus was victorious over Hillbilly Jim in eight minutes. Jim looked like he might give the House of Humperdink member his first loss, as he scored near falls in the first few minutes after a leg drop and later after a head butt. Morrus took over during a brawl outside the ring, thanks in part to a distraction from Sir Oliver Humperdink. He tossed Jim back in the ring and came off the top rope with an impressive elbow drop to score the pinfall. Morrus is now 6-0 overall since debuting in December. **½

7) Mr. Hughes is no longer undefeated, as he was pinned by “Bullet” Bob Armstrong in a wild bout! Hughes came out strong against his employer’s archnemesis but Armstrong battled back. He came off the second turnbuckle three times in a row with elbow smashes. The third one finally toppled Hughes and Armstrong went for a pin but Jim Cornette distracted Jerry Calhoun. Hughes took over and lifted Armstrong up in a choke hold but Armstrong kicked him in the midsection to break it up. He went for the sleeper but Hughes made the ropes. Armstrong went up to the second turnbuckle again but before he could leap, “The Louisville Slugger” again jumped up on the apron. Armstrong grabbed Cornette by the jacket collar and looked ready to strike. Hughes recovered and grabbed “Bullet” Bob by both arms. Cornette went to smack Armstrong with the tennis racquet but Armstrong broke free and Hughes got nailed! His sunglasses were disheveled and he was busted open as well. Hughes stumbled to his feet but got knocked down again with a knee lift. Armstrong covered him and scored the pinfall in 12 minutes. The Memphis fans went wild as “Bad to The Bone” played and as Cornette was incensed! ***

8) The Uptown Boys did remain undefeated as they scored a huge win over The Tolos Brothers! Marty Jannetty and Ric McCord kept up their streak of keeping one of their opponents in the ring for the entire match. Jannetty scored a near fall on Chris after a DDT. McCord tagged in and hit the flying body press but Chris kicked out. Jannetty tagged back in and hit the Rocker Dropper. He covered Chris and scored the pinfall in four minutes, while McCord stopped John with a dropkick. The Memphis fans were surprised by the quick win over the Toloses and popped huge! The Uptown Boys gained a small measure of revenge for Tommy Rogers tonight but you can bet the Toloses will want a rematch! ¼*

9) “Exotic” Adrian Street scored a tainted win over “Superstar” Bill Dundee. The former Southern champ controlled Dundee at the start and even executed the crucifix a few minutes into the match for a near fall. Street stayed in control and tossed the Aussie out of the ring. Jim Cornette distracted Frank Morrell, while Street went out after Dundee. He and Mr. Hughes (who did not wear his full suit attire and who was bandaged up and still had disheveled sunglasses from his earlier match with “Bullet” Bob Armstrong) delivered a double team suplex on the Mid-South Coliseum floor! Street returned to the ring and almost got a countout win but Dundee made it back in by nine. Dundee reversed a whip into the buckles and Street crashed hard. Dundee took control and looked like he might get the win. He went for a scoop slam near the ropes. Cornette reached in and tripped Dundee, causing Street to land on top. Cornette held on to the leg and with the leverage, as well as his injured back from the suplex on the floor, Dundee was unable to kick out, so Street got the win after eight minutes. While Street, Cornette, and Hughes retreated, the Memphis fans let them know that they were not happy about this result! ***

10) The main event was a rematch from last month in Chattanooga. New World Heavyweight champion Harley Race of the First Family of Wrestling put the title on the line against two-time former champion “The Gamesmaster” Kevin Sullivan of the House of Humperdink. The action in this one was wild from the opening bell. Race largely dominated and got Sullivan down on the mat. Sullivan signaled to Sir Oliver Humperdink outside the ring for a steel chair, which the manager slid into the ring. Race went up to the second rope but before he could leap, the challenger got to his feet and smashed him in the head with the chair. Jerry Calhoun was left with no choice but to disqualify Sullivan after two minutes. The fans were not happy about this outcome in the main event. Sullivan delivered two more chair shots after the bell. Jimmy Hart yelled through his megaphone toward the back. Suddenly, fellow First Family members Ray “The Crippler” Stevens and Greg “The Hammer” Valentine made their way to the ring and ran off Sullivan and Humperdink. They, along with Hart, helped the champ to his feet and back to the locker room. neg*

[Pariah]

Although somewhat unexpected, I'm thoroughly enjoying the undefeated streaks of both Hugh Morrus and the Uptown Boys... And the rebranded Monday Night Messiah delivered an exceptional performance... But, I wonder how Black will fare against higher caliber competition... I've gotta feeling we might see more involvement out of Harper as the road gets a little rockier.

The main event was wild... The House of Humperdink will have to advance with caution while dealing with Jimmy Hart and his First Family... Both factions know how to play dirty when necessary.

Another excellent event, my friend... From start to finish!

[TTX]

Congrats to the Uptown Boys and Bullet Bob. Harley might make Sullivan regret that ending.

[victoryroll84]

Awesome that the Bullet beat the bodyguard lol Cornette will be fuming for awhile

[Cory Olson]

Thanks to Pariah, Troy, and Victory Roll for the comments!

Highlights from USWA Championship Wrestling on 2-17:
• Commissioner Teddy Long announced some more upcoming matches. Harley Race’s next defense of the USWA World Heavyweight title will be on March 12 at the Rupp Arena in Lexington. The champion will defend the title against The Patriot! The masked American has been on a roll lately with some big wins. He last challenged for the USWA World title last July 4 at Independence Day Bash. He put up a good challenge to “The Gamesmaster” Kevin Sullivan but lost via disqualification.
• Long also announced more bouts for next week’s card at the Louisville Gardens:
o Doug Gilbert will battle the man who made him the Dark Patriot when he faces “The Gamesmaster” Kevin Sullivan, one-on-one! This is a big challenge for Gilbert but give him credit for going after the former World champion!
o “Bullet” Bob Armstrong will be in action, when he faces former two-time Southern Heavyweight champion “Exotic” Adrian Street! Armstrong is coming off a huge win over Mr. Hughes last week and you can bet that Jim Cornette wants Street to gain revenge on Armstrong!

• “Superstar” Bill Dundee was interviewed in the studio. Lance Russell wished him luck in his upcoming Southern title bout. Dundee thanked Lance for the well wishes. He also gave an update on “The Boogie Woogie Man” “Handsome” Jimmy Valiant and said that “The Boy from New York City” will be cleared to wrestle by March 19, when the USWA returns to the Municipal Auditorium in Nashville. He said that he has worked with Commissioner Long to bring in a new wrestler to team up with him and Valiant to gain revenge on “Classy” Freddie Blassie and the Toloses! Dundee said that is a newcomer to the USWA but for dedicated wrestling fans, he is one of the top names in U.S. wrestling today! Lance asked who this wrestler is. The “Superstar” said that he will announce it but not quite yet, as he wants to keep Blassie and the Toloses in suspense! Dundee concluded by saying that Commissioner Long signed this match and if the rulebreakers try to back out of the match, their time without USWA title shots will increase!

The USWA comes back to the Tupelo Sports Arena on February 19!
• Hugh Morrus has been on a roll since debuting in December. He will face a very tough battle against Tommy Gilbert this week! Morrus picked up a win over Doug Gilbert a few weeks ago in Knoxville. Can he do the same against the Gilbert patriarch this week?
• Colt “Boom Boom” Cabana returns to action. The host of The Art of Wrestling will team up with the Southern Heavyweight champion “American Dragon” Bryan Danielson to face Jim Cornette’s team of “Scrap Iron” Adam Pearce and Cornette’s bodyguard Mr. Hughes! Pearce put Cabana out for six weeks with three jumping piledrivers after their bout at New Year’s Knockout XIV. Pearce has more wins in their USWA matches but Cabana has on more than one occasion appeared to have victory in his hands, only to have it turned around thanks to Cornette and Hughes. Can Cabana and Danielson triumph over Cornette’s men?
• Another big tag team match on this card will determine the future challengers for the USWA World Tag Team titles, as Ivan Koloff and Mr. Saito of the House of Humperdink take on the Flying Redheads! “The Russian Bear” and the Japanese Olympian have been a dominant duo since forming this past May. Despite having feuded with each other, the Redheads have shown no ring rust since reuniting, as they have not suffered any pinfall or submission losses. Their only loss was via countout to Koloff and Saito in December in Memphis, although they also have a countout win over the House of Humperdink team from the previous month in Evansville. Which team will win this “rubber match” and go on to challenge for the World Tag Team titles next month?
• The World Heavyweight champion Harley Race will do battle with former champion “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert in a non-title bout! Gilbert interfered in Race’s match with his father Tommy last month after Jimmy Hart had first interfered. Eddie’s interference was caught, leading to a disqualification win for Race. Eddie would love not only to defeat Race for family honor but also to earn another shot at the World title. Can he do it?
• In the first of two title bouts, “The Man with The Cast Iron Stomach” Pepper Gomez will defend the USWA Mid-America Heavyweight championship against “The Clawmaster” Baron Von Raschke! Gomez has been on a hot streak since returning in September. Von Raschke can be very effective with his brain claw and his wrestling expertise and could capture the gold! Will a new champion be crowned?
• The main event will be a huge grudge match for the USWA World Tag Team titles. The Heavenly Bodies will defend the gold against Brad and Brian Armstrong! The Armstrongs earned this latest shot after defeating the Bodies in a non-title match a few weeks ago in Knoxville and after the Tolos Brothers had to forfeit their scheduled match on this card due to the attack on “Handsome” Jimmy Valiant, also in Knoxville. The bouts between these two teams have often been competitive and often the difference maker is Jim Cornette! “Bullet” Bob Armstrong, not surprisingly, announced on Championship Wrestling that he will be in his sons’ corner from the start of the bout. If the Bodies retain, they will be in a three-way tie for first place for the most defenses of the World Tag Team titles. Can the Armstrongs finally win the gold or will the Bodies retain again?

All these matches, plus a big rematch from New Year’s Knockout XIV when The Patriot faces King Kong Bundy! Plus, the First Family of Wrestling’s team of Ray “The Crippler” Stevens and Greg “The Hammer” Valentine in action, as well as “Superstar” Bill Dundee and “The Monday Night Messiah” Tyler Black!