Cory's USWA

[victoryroll84]

Great to see Gomez with the gold again and great card Cory

[Cory Olson]

Thanks to Troy, Christopher Axel "Pariah" Guest, and Victory Roll for the comments!

Highlights from USWA Championship Wrestling on 6-30:
• After last week’s main event for the USWA Southern Heavyweight title, Commissioner Theodore R. Long announced that “American Dragon” Bryan Danielson’s next challenger will be his long-time rival and two-time former champion “Exotic” Adrian Street! That bout will main event the July 23 card from the Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Coliseum in Evansville! The “Exotic One” never received a rematch after losing the title back to Danielson at New Year’s Knockout in Nashville.
• The commissioner announced that “The Monday Night Messiah” Tyler Black will definitely receive another shot at the Southern title after defeating Danielson last week via disqualification in Tuscaloosa. Black, accompanied by bodyguard Luke Harper, was interviewed in studio and called Colt Cabana a “foolish follower” of Danielson and that Cabana knew Danielson was moments away from losing the title to Black! He said that hopefully, Adam Pearce will send Cabana out of the USWA next week and then Danielson will have no excuse and have to admit that Black is the superior wrestler!

It’s the 11th annual Independence Day Bash on (When else?!) July 4! This year’s supercard will also celebrate the USWA’s milestone 550th card! The annual star-spangled card comes this year from Tim McCarver Stadium in Memphis! From beginning to end, here is this year’s amazing card!

King Kong Bundy vs. S.T. Jones
Bundy is hoping to kick things off with a win over “Soul Train” but you cannot underestimate the former bodyguard. Can Jones score the big win on the New Jersey giant?

The Fantastics vs. Johnny Rodz & Larry Sharpe
Former Mid-America Heavyweight champion Tommy Rogers returns from injury with his new tag team partner Bobby Fulton! Fulton has been impressive in Big Time Wrestling out of the Michigan/Ohio region, including teaming up with “Flying” Fred Curry. They have their eyes set on the Toloses down the line but they cannot look past the always capable team of “The Unpredictable One” and the “Pretty Boy.” Will the Fantastics win their debut match?

Jackie Fargo vs. The Amish RoadKill
“The Fabulous” Fargo has been impressive in his first bouts in the USWA and hopes to continue that streak with a win over “The Angry Amish Warrior.” Will there be a Fabulous Fargo Streak or a "Chickens!” pose after the bout?

The Flying Redheads vs. The Heavenly Bodies
Two former World Tag Team title-holding team are hoping to get another shot at the gold, which has been a bit of a “hot potato” in 2018, with three changes so far this year and many bouts involving the Tolos Brothers ending in controversy. Which team will get their hands raised on Independence Day?

Bob, Brad, & Brian Armstrong vs. Mad Dog Vachon, Baron Von Raschke, & A Mystery Partner
The war between the three Armstrongs and Vachon, Von Raschke, and Doctor X have seen some wild bouts this year. This match was put together by Commissioner Long after the three Armstrongs put Doctor X out of action. Vachon and Von Raschke claimed on the June 30 that they have found a brutal man and Von Raschke offered him zehn tausend Deutsche Mark to come to the USWA but this man doesn’t want money, he just wants to hurt people like “Bullet” Bob and the World Tag Team champions! Who will be their partner and can they topple the Armstrong family?

Dutch Savage vs. Arik Cannon
Savage has made quite the impact in the USWA the last month, brutalizing his opponents. He cannot underestimate “The Anarchist,” who has scored big wins in the past. Can Savage triumph over the PBR drinker?

Jimmy Valiant & Bill Dundee vs. Adrian Street & Mr. Hughes
The “Superstar” has had his issues with Jim Cornette’s men this year. Now, Cornette and company have brought “The Boogie Woogie Man” into the mix, injuring his leg last month at Engel Stadium in Chattanooga. Valiant will be back in action and out for revenge against the “Exotic One” and Cornette’s bodyguard. Can the popular team topple Cornette’s cronies?

Tommy Rich vs. Freddie Blassie
“Wildfire” has been on fire since debuting in March! This will be his toughest challenge to date, in the two-time former Southern Heavyweight champion Blassie. “The King of Men” has his sites set on his rematch for the World Heavyweight championship next month. But he better be ready for a fight with Rich. Can Rich continue his winning ways or will Blassie give him his first loss?

Tommy, Eddie, & Doug Gilbert, & Andre the Giant vs. Kevin Sullivan, Hugh Morrus, Ivan Koloff, & Mr. Saito
(Rage in The Cage Match)
One of the most storied feuds in USWA history will have its climax here. Sullivan debuted in the USWA in 2016 as a member of the House of Humperdink and made a huge impact quickly, getting Sir Oliver Humperdink and the rest of the stable to turn on Gilbert and put him out of action. When Doug tried to fight for his family’s honor, he was kidnapped by Sullivan and somehow transformed into the Dark Patriot. This brought in Tommy to battle the House of Humperdink. Eddie returned last May and became a fan favorite, fighting alongside his family. With their ally the Patriot involved in the main event, the Gilberts recruited “The 8th Wonder of The World” for this epic battle. An interview with Andre aired on the June 30 edition of Championship Wrestling, conducted by Larry Matysik when Andre recently wrestled for Central States Wrestling (CSW). The French giant said he knows what Sullivan and his men can do, as he was there when Sullivan hung “The Boogie Woogie Man” “Handsome” Jimmy Valiant with his robe in March 2017 and caused throat damage that hurt Valiant’s voice for a long time. He said he is happy to come back to the USWA and help the Gilberts defeat the House of Humperdink! The Gilberts will all be returning from suspension on this card, as they injured Sullivan in an attack with a baseball bat at Derby City Stampede. This will be the 10th Cage Match in the USWA’s 14-plus-year history and the third under Rage in The Cage rules, as well as the first Cage Match in the USWA in over two years! Dave Brown reviewed the rules of a Rage in The Cage Match on Championship Wrestling:
I. The bout will be held inside of a steel cage that surrounds the ring and will be placed on the ring apron. There will be two sets of five handcuffs attached to opposite sides of the cage. There will be two referees in this match, one inside the ring to call for the bell and one outside that will have control of the key to let wrestlers into the ring.
II. There are no disqualifications, no countouts, and no pinfalls in this match.
III. Each team will choose a member to start the match. Those two wrestlers will battle for five minutes. After the five minutes, the referee outside the cage will toss a coin to determine which team gets to send a member into the match next. Every two minutes, a new wrestler will enter, with the two teams alternating turns.
IV. Once all participants are in the cage, there are two ways that a team can win.
a. One team can eliminate the other members of the team by handcuffing every member to the cage. Team members may be handcuffed at any point in the match.
b. One team can also score a submission on a member from the other team at any time to end the match.
Which team will survive this grueling match and end this historic feud?

Colt Cabana vs. Adam Pearce
(Seven Levels of Hate—Match 7: Steel Cage/Loser-Leaves-Town Match)
For the first time in USWA history, two Cage Matches will take place on the same card! Another historic feud that started even before both competitors were in the USWA will also come to a close for now. This unique series of matches started in March in Nashville and has come down to the tiebreaker. Both men have endured a lot of punishment and injuries but the battle must conclude! While the cage should prevent any outside interference from Jim Cornette and Mr. Hughes, Cabana announced on Championship Wrestling this past week that Southern Heavyweight champion “American Dragon” Bryan Danielson will accompany him to the ring once again, just in case. Dave Brown also reviewed the rules for this match from the WMC-TV Studios:
I. The bout will be held inside of a steel cage that surrounds the ring and will be placed on the ring apron. The door of the cage will be locked and the referee will have the key during the bout.
II. There are no disqualifications and no countouts. The match can only end via a pinfall or submission.
III. The loser of this match (and the series) will not be allowed to wrestle in the USWA for one full year.
Which wrestler will survive the seventh level of hate and which one will be gone from the USWA?

Pepper Gomez vs. Luke Harper
(USWA Mid-America Heavyweight Championship)
Gomez returned to the USWA this past fall, answering an open challenge from then-Mid-America champion Ray “The Crippler” Stevens. “The Man with The Cast Iron Stomach” went on to win the title in November in Evansville and just regained the title from “Dastardly” Danny Doring last week in Tuscaloosa. Harper is a former champion and would love to get back his title to prove that not only is he an effective bodyguard but he can also dominate in the ring. Will Gomez’ third reign be a short one or can he topple the big Nebraskan?

Harley Race vs. The Patriot
(Main Event—USWA World Heavyweight Championship, No One Allowed at Ringside)
The Patriot became the first man to defeat Race in the USWA since his return in March 2017 and also won the World title from him in March in Lexington. Race regained the title the following month in Knoxville when King Kong Bundy ambushed the masked American before the bout. A rematch at Derby City Stampede saw the First Family of Wrestling again making the difference. Commissioner Long ordered this rematch with no one allowed at ringside during the bout to determine, hopefully, a decisive winner and champion. The Patriot challenged “The Gamesmaster” Kevin Sullivan for the World title at last year’s Independence Day Bash and lost a heartbreaker via disqualification, even though Sullivan had frequently used his golden spike. Will the Patriot regain the gold on America’s birthday or will Race continue to reign atop the USWA?

And don’t forget, fans, the annual fireworks display will follow the main event! That’s Independence Day Bash 2018, coming your way from Tim McCarver Stadium in Memphis!

[TTX]

July 4th shows are always fun and I really like that main event.

[Pariah]

Holy snap, brotha! This year's Independence Day card is absolutely stacked! Really like the rules for Rage In The Cage and I'm interested to see what kinda gameplan Sullivan has concocted to counter the overwhelming presence of the Eighth Wonder of the World.

Just like the Monday Night Messiah, I'll be watching the final encounter between Pearce and Cabana with all kinds of anticipation... Here's hoping that Scrap Iron can win this deciding Level of Hate and send Boom Boom packing once and for all... Fingers crossed!

[bookerbill]

Looks like there may be fireworks all night and not just after the main event. Great line up.

Question: how long does it take you to complete a massive card like this. I am presuming that your post roll out write ups are slightly more detailed for a card of this significance. Maybe not?

[Cory Olson]

Thanks to Troy, Pariah, and Booker Bill for the comments!

Jun 12, 2023 7:48:09 GMT -5 bookerbill said:

Question: how long does it take you to complete a massive card like this. I am presuming that your post roll out write ups are slightly more detailed for a card of this significance. Maybe not?

Great question, Bill! A bigger supercard like this, especially with matches that can take longer (such as the Rage in The Cage, or the Battle Royal I had at Derby City Stampede), could take two to three hours, depending on how long the matches go. But usually, I'm not able to roll the whole card in one sitting and have to come back to it as I'm able. Right now, I'm primarily playing my USWA in COTGOnline because it tends to go faster. But for the supercards, I definitely break out the cards and dice.

The write-ups are usually longer, because I like to detail things, especially in naturally longer matches (again, Rage in The Cage or Battle Royals). I will typically type up the write-ups as I'm playing since 1) I don't want to forget the details and 2) I don't have the COTGOnline tracker to keep track of all the moves for me to check later.

[victoryroll84]

One heck of a stacked card coming up Cory!

Looking forward to the rage in the cage

[Cory Olson]

Thanks to Victory Roll for the comments!

Independence Day Bash 2018
July 4, 2018
Card #550: Tim McCarver Stadium in Memphis

1) King Kong Bundy was victorious in the opener over S.T. Jones. The New Jersey giant had control in the bell but got cocky and that allowed “Soul Train” to take over. It looked as if Jones was about to score a huge upset, as he managed to take down Bundy with the Russian leg sweep for a near fall. He knocked Bundy out of the ring after some boxing punches and almost got a countout win but with Jimmy Hart yelling encouragement through the megaphone, Bundy returned to the ring. Bundy capitalized on a mistake and got Jones down on the mat. He hit a big splash and scored a pinfall at 8:20. ***

2) The new tag team of The Fantastics made an impressive debut with a win in 94 seconds over “The Unpredictable” Johnny Rodz and “Pretty Boy” Larry Sharpe. Tommy Rogers and Bobby Fulton came out in similar gear to “Sharpe Dressed Man” and got a big ovation from the Memphis fans. The former Mid-America champion Rogers quickly gained control of Rodz and dazed him with a series of dropkicks. He tagged to Fulton, who continued the attack and went up to the top rope. Fulton dove off with a flying body press, covered Rodz, hooked the leg, and scored the pinfall while Rogers stopped Sharpe from a save. Sharpe never got to tag into this bout and the Fantastics picked up the win! DUD

3) The Amish RoadKill scored somewhat of a surprise win over Jackie Fargo via disqualification at 4:46. RoadKill was accompanied by his tag team partner “Dastardly” Danny Doring. Fargo had control at the start of the match but Doring got involved to turn things around for “The Angry Amish Warrior.” RoadKill hit an Amish Splash and a Barn Burner for near falls. Mid-America Heavyweight champion Pepper Gomez showed up at ringside to keep an eye on Doring. Doring interfered again, which led to another Barn Burner. RoadKill went for a cover but an irate Gomez interfered to stop a pinfall, leading to an automatic disqualification. Doring and RoadKill quickly fled. Gomez apologized to Fargo for costing him the match but Fargo thanked him for the support, shook his hand, and wished him well in his own title bout later on the supercard. **¼

4) The Heavenly Bodies picked up a win via countout at 5:34 over The Flying Redheads. Red Bastien and Billy Red Lyons dominated much of the action in this bout, tagging in and out and scoring near falls on both Tom Prichard and Chris Candido. Candido blocked a suplex by Lyons and hit one of his own. He tagged to Prichard and the Bodies hit a double team suplex. Prichard then stomped on Lyons before throwing him out of the ring. Prichard distracted Jerry Calhoun, while Mr. Hughes waited for Lyons to get to his feet before delivering a thunderous clothesline! Bastien ran over to get into the bodyguard’s face and to check on his partner. Calhoun had begun to count and despite Bastien’s help, Lyons was unable to get back into the ring. Jim Cornette was very happy with his men’s win, despite the underhanded tactics! **¼

5) In the six-man tag team battle between “Bullet” Bob Armstrong and his sons and the World Tag Team champions Brad and Brian Armstrong, their opponents turned out to be Mad Dog Vachon, Baron Von Raschke, and their mystery partner…The Barbarian! This powerful man has been impressive in Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling! The rulebreakers were joined at ringside by the injured Doctor X. The action was back and forth in this one with frequent tags on both sides. The Armstrongs worked over “The Clawmaster” for a few minutes, scoring near falls on him, including a rolling reverse cradle by Brad after flipping backwards over the Baron as the German grappler tried an atomic drop. Von Raschke took control against “The Road Dogg” and tagged to the Barbarian, who made his first appearance of the match. The big man worked over Brian, got him down on the mat, and hit an impressive diving head butt off the top rope for a two-count. Barbarian missed on an elbow drop and Brian hit the Shake, Rattle, and Roll knee drop for a near fall. He tagged to Brad, who jumped in the ring, as the Barbarian shook off the knee drop and got back to his feet. Brad attacked and hit a two-handed bulldog but the Barbarian powered out of the pin attempt. Barbarian tagged back to Vachon. Vachon took control of the Armstrong patriarch and then tagged in Von Raschke. The German grappler stomped around the ring and looked posed to try for the brain claw. He went for a big haymaker but Bob blocked it and rolled Von Raschke into a small package to score the pinfall out of nowhere at 9:24! The fans went wild for the Armstrongs’ comeback win! As the three Georgians got their hands raised, USWA cameras spotted Doctor X handing the Barbarian something, which he slipped into his boot. The Barbarian entered the ring and blasted “Bullet” Bob with a huge loaded boot! The World Tag Team champions started throwing fists at the big man but his allies pulled him out of the ring and headed for the locker room. Brad and Brian helped their father to the back, who was very dazed. ***

6) Dutch Savage defeated “The Anarchist” Arik Cannon by countout. The PBR drinker Cannon gave Savage a challenge here, scoring a near fall after a brainbuster. Savage took control with a thumb to the throat and would use the thumb again later in match. He knocked Cannon out of the ring with a knee lift and then followed him out. He hit a belly-to-back suplex outside the ring and then returned to the ring to get a countout victory at 7:18. Savage continues to win in whatever way he can! **½

7) Jim Cornette’s team of “Exotic” Adrian Street and his bodyguard Mr. Hughes picked up a win over the returning “Boogie Woogie Man” “Handsome” Jimmy Valiant and “Superstar” Bill Dundee at 20:04. This bout featured frequent tags and double teaming between these rivals. Midway through the bout Street went for a running splash but Dundee rolled out of the way and Street crashed hard. The Aussie “Superstar” made a cover but Street kicked out. Dundee went up top, presumably for the Superstar Bomb but Cornette got up on the ring apron to distract Dundee and Paul Morton. Valiant later had Hughes in trouble and executed a neckbreaker. Cornette again got up on the ring apron to divert Morton’s attention. The tactic worked as Hughes recovered, whipped Valiant into the ropes, and caught him on the rebound with the spike slam. He covered Valiant but the two-time former World champion kicked out. Later, Street caught Dundee in the crucifix but Dundee got a shoulder up. Valiant and Hughes ended up brawling outside the ring as the illegal men, while Dundee and Street were slugging it out in the center of the ring. Street surprised Dundee with a neckbreaker. Street covered Dundee near his and Hughes’s corner, put his feet on the middle rope, and scored the pinfall. Valiant had gained the upper hand outside the ring with Hughes and rushed in for a save but was about a half-second late. Once again, Cornette was gloating over two of his men’s win! ***½

8) “Wildfire” Tommy Rich continued his winning ways with a largely dominant win over two-time former Southern Heavyweight champion “Classy” Freddie Blassie. Rich was extra fired up tonight and seemed to have counters for everything “The King of Men” threw at him! Rich whipped Blassie into the corner and caught him with a piledriver on the rebound. He tried for the sleeper but Blassie made the ropes. Rich landed a fist drop which drew blood on “The Vampire.” While the fist couldn’t score the pin, a Thesz Press a few moments later put Blassie down for the three at 10:20. The Memphis fans gave “Wildfire” a big ovation for his win! **¾

9) The always faithful USWA ring crew quickly constructed the cage around the ring, as for the first time in history, two Cage Matches would take place on the same USWA card! In somewhat of a shocker, The House of Humperdink team of “The Gamesmaster” Kevin Sullivan, Hugh Morrus, “The Russian Bear” Ivan Koloff, and Mr. Saito scored a clean sweep over the team of Tommy, Eddie, and Doug Gilbert, and “The 8th Wonder of The World” Andre the Giant! Joe Wheeler was assigned as the referee inside the cage, while Paul Morton held the keys to the door and opened it for the wrestlers at their times to enter the cage. Once the first two wrestlers started off the match, a new wrestler would enter every five minutes. Tommy and Morrus started off their teams. Tommy had the upper hand at the five-minute mark. The House of Humperdink won the coin toss and the Japanese Olympian Saito entered the bout next. The first elimination occurred in this period, as Tommy fought his hardest in a 2-on-1 situation but was worn down. Morrus hit a top rope splash, while Saito held Tommy down, and then they handcuffed him to the cage.

There were no other eliminations until the rest of the wrestlers entered the bout. The order of entry was Eddie, Koloff, Doug, Sullivan, and Andre. The action was vicious in this bout. Eddie tried throughout the bout to get at “The Gamesmaster” but there was usually a House of Humperdink teammate to stop him. Gilbert did hit the Hot Shot on the Boston brawler, sending his face into the cage as well. Saito and Koloff jumped Eddie as he tried to take Sullivan to the handcuffs. Saito executed two Saito suplexes on “Hot Stuff.” With Eddie hurting, Sullivan delivered the double foot stomp for good measure, before dragging Eddie over and handcuffing him next to his father at about the 38-minute mark of the match.

Doug and Andre were at a huge numbers disadvantage, being down 4-2. The rulebreakers did all they could to try to take out “The 8th Wonder of The World.” Saito even tried for a submission to end the match with the Scorpion Leglock but the French giant powered out. Andre battled back and booted Morrus hard in the face. He slammed Koloff and came off the top rope with a sit-down splash! He tried to pull “The Russian Bear” to the handcuffs but Saito jumped on his back and applied a sleeper. Andre managed to ram Saito’s back into the buckles to break the hold. Doug nailed Saito with a superkick but got cut off by Morrus before he could try to handcuff him. Andre was going to town on Koloff and Morrus. “The Gamemaster” had avoided Andre for much of the match but started to climb up the cage. He looked down to Humperdink on the floor and the manager tossed him a bag. Sullivan pulled out a bottle and a rag. He applied the contents of the bottle onto the rag and people around the ring were seen coughing from the smell. It was apparently ether! He jumped on Andre’s back and applied the ether rag to his face! Morrus and Saito were holding Doug back to watch, as “The Gamesmaster” put out the giant! Sullivan, Morrus, and Koloff then took Andre and handcuffed him, while Saito rubbed Doug’s face into the cage, busting him open.

Doug fought valiantly but 4-on-1 was too much. The House of Humperdink beat him down until Morrus climbed up the ropes and then continued up the cage. He executed the No Laughing Matter off the top of the cage! The House then dragged Doug over and handcuffed him as well, giving them the win after 45 minutes! It was quite the scene in Memphis! ***¼

10) In the second Steel Cage Match of the evening, Colt “Boom Boom” Cabana sent “Scrap Iron” Adam Pearce out of the USWA for one full year, as he quickly won the final match in the Seven Levels of Hate series! Cabana had Southern Heavyweight champion Bryan Danielson in his corner to ensure that Jim Cornette and Mr. Hughes did not interfere. It didn’t end up being a factor, as Cabana put a pounding on the former Mid-America champion. He hit the Colt .45 and scored the pinfall in one minute! While it was not a long or exciting match, the Memphis fans went wild at seeing Cabana win the series and stay in the USWA! He and Danielson celebrated among the fans, while Cornette seemed to be nearly in tears at one of his men having to leave the area! neg*

11) The ring crew quickly tore down the ring in preparation for the last two matches of the card: two championship matches. In the first title bout, Luke Harper became a two-time USWA Mid-America Heavyweight champion as he scored a pinfall on Pepper Gomez! The challenger started off strong attacking the champion. He put Gomez up on the top rope and executed a big half nelson superplex. Harper went for a cover but Gomez kicked out. Harper hit the big boot and a swinging side slam for near falls. Gomez rallied back and hit a wind-up punch to knock down Harper and score a two-count. He hit the Mexican Leap and immediately followed up with the Mexican cradle but Harper kicked out, which surprised Gomez. The battle went to the floor and Harper took control. He tossed “The Man with The Cast Iron Stomach” back into the ring, whipped him into the ropes, and blasted him with a second big boot. He covered Gomez and scored the pinfall at 9:06 to win his second Mid-America title! “The Monday Night Messiah” Tyler Black came down to the ring to celebrate with his bodyguard. Black naturally tried to hog the spotlight and put the attention on himself! ***½

12) The main event was a rematch from the last USWA supercard, Derby City Stampede. Current and two-time USWA World Heavyweight champion Harley Race put the title on the line against former champion The Patriot. Race won their last meeting in Louisville, thanks to a distraction from his fellow First Family of Wrestling members and Jimmy Hart getting involved with his megaphone. Because of that, Commissioner Teddy Long ordered the rematch to have no one allowed at ringside during the bout. With it being America’s birthday, the challenger had added motivation on his side.

Jerry Calhoun called for the bell to start the bout. Race went to work and sent the Patriot into the ropes. He went for a jumping knee smash but the Patriot ducked, spun around, and caught Race with a power slam. He went for a pin but the champion kicked out. The challenger was relentless and dominated the champion. He came off the second rope with a sledge to Race’s head, which busted him open. He hit the Uncle Slam and the Patriot Missile but Race kicked out of both. A second Patriot Missile put Race down for the three-count at 2:12 and Calhoun awarded the World Heavyweight title for the second time to the Patriot! It was an impressive performance and the fans erupted as the Patriot was handed the title belt! The new champion was soon joined by the Gilberts, Andre the Giant, “The Boogie Woogie Man” “Handsome” Jimmy Valiant, “Wildfire” Tommy Rich, all three Armstrongs, and soon all of the fan favorites booked on this card (and some who weren’t!) The fan favorites held up the Patriot and celebrated his impressive win! Jimmy Hart and King Kong Bundy came down to the ring to help Race to the back and Hart was outraged! neg*

[TTX]

Six Man Tag was great and go Patriot.

[Pariah]

The BASH delivered the goods, my friend. From start to finish! Not really happy about Pearce dropping that final stage of the Seven Levels of Hate to Cabana... But, I'm certain those wicked bookers have something up their six-sided sleeves.

Most entertaining line of the entire event --- The always faithful USWA ring crew quickly constructed the cage around the ring... Perhaps some of those hard working crew members could be loaned out to Mr Chad Olson to get things back on track. Eh? 😜