Cory's USWA

[Cory Olson]

Feb 9, 2008 23:00:50 GMT -5 Vegas said:

That was a bg win for Hodge and Hutton over the Midnight Express. I have been thinking of teaming up Hodge and Hutton in the future too so for me it will continue to be interesting to see how they do together as Team RPW.

I wasn't planning to have Hodge and Hutton be a regular team, but with a win over The Midnights, I think that's a sign! I'll be interested too to see how they do in the long run.

[Cory Olson]

Highlights from USWA Championship Wrestling on February 16 and 23:

• The “Intelligent, Sensational” Destroyer was interviewed on the 2-23 edition by Bill Apter about his shocking attack on World Heavyweight champ Ed “Strangler” Lewis. Bobby “The Brain” Heenan sat by Destroyer during this interview. The masked man explained that he wrestled in the USWA for almost three years. He was a former Southern Heavyweight and World Tag Team champion. He stated that he scored many victories and a decent win-loss record, but never got a shot at the USWA World championship. Destroyer said that when Antonio Inoki debuted in 2006, while he himself was injured, he received a tag team match with the World champ (then Nick Bockwinkel) in his debut and a title shot a month later. He also pointed out, after he (Destroyer) had departed from the USWA and wrestled in All Japan, Rikidozan came to the area and received a championship bout only a few months after his arrival. He said that had nothing personal against “Strangler” Lewis, but this was about an opportunity at the World championship. He said that when he heard of Bobby Heenan’s bounty, he seized the opportunity and called “The Brain”, to set up their plan. Apter asked if this meant that The Destroyer was joining The Heenan Family. “The Brain” interrupted and said that The Destroyer wished to be only an associate of The Family for this time, and not become an official member. Apter asked Destroyer what Giant Baba would think of all of this. Destroyer said that Baba’s opinion is of no significance to him, as Baba ignored Destroyer once his fellow countryman Inoki came to the USWA. He said that he is using some of the bounty money to hire the notorious Abdullah the Butcher, who is being paid to target Baba in All Japan Pro Wrestling and keep him from returning to the USWA or any professional wrestling ring. Destroyer summed it up by saying that he wants a shot at the World Heavyweight championship and he will take on Lewis, Rikidozan, or any other wrestler who thinks he’s better in the ring.
• As far as the World champion goes, he suffered some ligament damage from Destroyer’s attack, but at this point has said he will fight through the pain and not miss any scheduled matches. Lewis said that he didn’t know Destroyer very well, and that he listened to Rikidozan and Baba’s suggestion to bring him in to the USWA. The champ stated that if Destroyer wanted a match, he should have done the right thing and made a challenge. But instead, he was a coward, who hid behind a mask and attacked from behind. The “Strangler” said that he will face Destroyer with or without the title on the line.
• After their loss in challenging for the World Tag Team titles, “Precious” Paul Ellering and The Road Warriors have decided to leave the USWA. In making the announcement on 2-16, Ellering stated that The Legion of Doom will return to the area down the line, but are planning for now to compete more in All Japan and perhaps any other parts of the world where someone needs a beating!

The USWA is taking off February 22, but is coming back with a big show on “Leap Day”—February 29! The world famous Sportatorium in Dallas will host a huge night of action, that could only happen once every four years!
• In a big tag team grudge match, “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka and Yukon Eric will do battle with two of Capt. Lou Albano’s men—Killer Kowalski and Buff Bagwell. Both Eric and Kowalski will be wrestling injured and are far from 100%. Who will win this heated bout?
• Another wild feud continues as Bobo Brazil takes on the homicidal, suicidal, genocidal, death-defying Sabu! Since Bobo’s return, each man holds a victory over the other, plus they’ve had some great tag team encounters. Who will walk out the winner in this wild brawl?
• The World Tag Team champions The Masked Superstar and King Kong Bundy will face The Midnight Express in a non-title bout. Jim Cornette has been clamoring that his men never received a return match, after they lost the titles to the Heenan Family duo in September. “The Brain” responded by saying that “Beautiful” Bobby and “Loverboy” Dennis need to prove they’re worthy of another shot and after their loss to Dick Hutton and Danny Hodge, Heenan doesn’t feel they’re worthy. Coming off an impressive victory over The Road Warriors, Superstar and Bundy have a lot of momentum, but can they keep it up?
• Dan “The Beast” Severn goes one-on-one with The Sheik! These two exchanged the Southern title twice in Texas and are looking to settle the score in Dallas!
• In the first of two title bouts, B. Brian Blair makes his first defense of the USWA Texas championship against Brutus Beefcake. Beefcake holds a pinfall victory and a DQ win in singles over the champ. Can he make it three and capture his first USWA title?
• Another of Capt. Lou Albano’s men will be challenging for championship gold in the main event, as Greg “The Hammer” Valentine faces Frank Gotch for the Southern Heavyweight crown. These two are USWA “originals” and have met in the past in some hard hitting bouts. Will Gotch hold on to the gold or can Valentine win his first Southern strap?
All this plus “Playboy” Buddy Rose and “Dastardly” Danny Doring team up for the first time to battle “The Birdman” Koko B. Ware and S.D. Jones. Also, “Ravishing” Rick Rude in action, and the Argentinian sensation Antonino Rocca!

[Cory Olson]

February 29, 2008
Card #160: Sportatorium in Dallas

1) Danny Hodge came out the winner in a fast-paced scientific opener over Brad Armstrong. Newcomer Armstrong got more cheers, perhaps since Hodge and Team RPW coach Dick Hutton are Oklahomans and this card was in Texas! Armstrong held his own against Hodge and kicked out of one Oklahoma side roll, but a second roll would put him down. Hodge shook hands with Armstrong afterwards, but still felt the boos of the Sportatorium! **

2) The new team of “Playboy” Buddy Rose and “Dastardly” Danny Doring emerged victorious in their first match together over “The Birdman” Koko B. Ware and S.D. Jones in a great tag bout. This was a back-and-forth bout that was surprisingly competitive and kept the Sportatorium fans excited. Doring worked over “Special Delivery” in the first half of the match, nailing two Danacondas. Ware managed to kick out of Rose’s Bombs Away. Jones made a fiery comeback and blasted both Doring and Rose with some of his head butts. The “Dastardly One” hit a G-Spot Sweep out of nowhere on Jones, which busted him open. Ware hit Doring with the Ghostbuster, which put Doring out of action for a few months in 2006, but Doring got his foot on the bottom rope before the three-count. With Rose and Ware in the ring together, Rose hit a gut wrench backbreaker out of nowhere after a series of reversals and scored the clean three-count. “Sensational” Sherri Martel was definitely excited about seeing her men walk out the winners. ****

3) In a special attraction, Antonino Rocca scored a hard-fought win over Larry Sharpe. The Argentinian sensation pulled Sharpe from the apron into the ring in the opening minutes and into his Argentinian backbreaker, but Tom Branch made him release the hold, as Sharpe had his foot over the top rope. Rocca slipped coming off the top rope and hit his head, in a scene similar to his last USWA appearance against Virgil. Sharpe went for an almost immediate cover, but only got two. Sharpe hit two piledrivers, but still couldn’t stop Rocca. With the Dallas fans rooting him on, Rocca staged a comeback and hit some of his fast paced, unorthodox offense. He picked up Sharpe into a second backbreaker and got the submission. **¼

4) In a tag team match with two injured wrestlers, Yukon Eric and “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka emerged victorious over Killer Kowalski and Buff Bagwell. Bagwell took the majority of punishment in the opening minutes, getting taking one heck of a “whooping” from Snuka and Eric, including both men’s finishers. After a big Superfly Leap, Kowalski broke up the pin by diving off the other turnbuckle with a Bombs Away to Snuka. Bagwell ended up not looking so pretty, as he was busted open. Kowalski finally tagged in and went to work on Eric’s ear area, applying the claw and nailing another Bombs Away. Bagwell got a near fall on the “Superfly” after the Buff Blockbuster. Eric and Kowalski ended up back in the ring and Eric was a house of fire working on Kowalski’s injured ribs with a bear hug and applying his Kodiak Krunch, working both the back and ribs. Kowalski was amazingly resilient, refusing to give. Eric went for a new tactic and ascended the buckles. The big man came off with a big splash onto Kowalski, similar to Kowalski taking off his ear with the Bombs Away. The Sportatorium popped big at the site! Snuka cut off Bagwell and Eric scored the three-count, giving him his first win over Kowalski in the USWA and giving Kowalski his first pinfall loss since returning. ****½

5) “Ravishing” Rick Rude defeated Billy Red Lyons. Lyons had control early, after Rude missed a knee drop off the top rope. Lyons looked on his way to what would have been a big win, but made one mistake and got hit with a swinging neckbreaker. Rude followed up with the Rude Awakening and got the pinfall. Rude received a lot of boos from the Dallas crowd, who remember him from his time in World Class Championship Wrestling. **¾

6) Sabu scored a quick win over Bobo Brazil. The Bombay madman had most of the offense here, hitting a triple jump moonsault early, but he was unable to score the pin. Sabu executed a huracanrana into a roll-up and grabbed the ropes for leverage, unseen by Sam Platania, and scored the pinfall. Brazil got up and complained about the leverage, but was jumped by Sabu, who nailed him with a steel chair. Sabu went to ringside, grabbed the announcers’ table and brought it into the ring. He placed Brazil on it and went to hit a triple jump moonsault, the same move he put Brazil out with at the end of 2006. Brazil rolled off the table and Sabu crashed and burned, going through the table himself. Brazil recovered and pounded away on Sabu. The two grapplers brawled back to the locker room, followed by Abdullah Farouk, trying to help Sabu! ½*

7) In a non-title match, USWA World Tag Team champions The Masked Superstar and King Kong Bundy battled former champions The Midnight Express to a double DQ. The Heenan Family duo worked over “Loverboy” Dennis Condrey in the first few minutes, with Superstar applying his Cobra Hold, and Bundy following up with an Avalanche. “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton saved Condrey from the pinfall at the count of 4. Eaton tagged in and knocked the big Bundy off his feet with a missile dropkick. Superstar came back in, but got tripped by Jim Cornette from the outside as he was going for a body slam. Bobby Heenan cried fowl, but Tom Branch didn’t see it. Bundy got hit with two Double Goozles. The Midnights looked on their way to victory, when they executed the Midnight Massacre on Superstar, but Heenan draped Superstar’s foot on the bottom rope. This time it was Cornette’s turn to protest. More than a verbal protest, he clocked “The Brain” with his tennis racket! Bundy got down off the apron and went after the “Louisville Slugger”, but was cut off by Eaton, who jumped Bundy. Superstar rolled out and nailed Eaton from behind with one of the Tag Team title belts, but the “Loverboy” quickly followed and smacked Superstar with the racket. With so many infractions of the rules, Branch was left with no choice but to disqualify both teams. The bell didn’t stop the brawling as all six men went at it! It took several USWA referees and officials to finally separate them! ****

8) The Sheik emerged victorious over Dan “The Beast” Severn in what, to little surprise, was a very bloody match. Severn applied the wakigatame early on, but Sheik rolled into the ropes. Sheik took over and applied the Camel Clutch, but this time it was Severn who reached the ropes. Sheik rammed Severn’s head and shoulder into the ringpost on the outside, which busted him open. Sheik seized the opportunity then applied a hammerlock in the center of the ring for several minutes, but Severn somehow rolled out of the hold. Severn caught Sheik with a head and arm throw, which was the move he pinned him with to win the Southern Heavyweight championship in October. Severn immediately went for another wakigatame, but Sheik again got into the ropes. By this point, Sheik too was bleeding, but Severn was the worse of the two. “The Beast” executed a fireman’s carry slam, then a German suplex, after which Sheik rolled outside the ring. Severn followed, but got his back rammed into the ringpost. Sheik rolled him back in and again applied the Camel Clutch. Severn was trapped in the middle of the ring and had no choice but to surrender. ****½ (NOTE: Severn has seven fatigue tokens on him, while Sheik had six!)

9) Capt. Lou Albano was a happy man, as Brutus Beefcake became the new USWA Texas champion defeating B. Brian Blair. The San Francisco native looked more focused than ever, controlling the offense in the opening minutes of the bout. Blair came back and hit a nice flying body press, but only got a two-count. Beefcake hit a running stomp on the champ, but only could put him down for two. Blair showcased his wrestling ability and used an airplane spin for a near fall. The Killer Bee locked Beefcake in his sleeper and looked like he had the challenger going out, but Albano distracted Kevin Christian and Blair released the hold to chase the manager off the apron. Blair went up the ropes, but Albano briefly got on the apron again, momentarily distracting him. Blair turned his attention back to the ring and came off with another flying body press, but Beefcake had recovered and dodged the move, causing Blair to crash hard. Beefcake bounced off the ropes and nailed his flying knee smash. He covered Blair and scored the pinfall to become the new champ of the Lone Star State. The Sportatorium didn’t seem too happy with the flamboyant Beefcake as their new representative! ***

10) Another of Capt. Lou Albano’s men was challenging for a championship as Greg “The Hammer” Valentine challenged Frank Gotch for the USWA Southern Heavyweight championship in the main event. The two exchanged some great wrestling holds early on, but Gotch took over. He showcased his boxing skills, by leveling Valentine with some stiff punches. Gotch applied the Gotch Toehold and it was “All she wrote,” as Valentine tapped out to the hold. **

In the next report, a preview of Card #161 from the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis! Who will be “Strangler” Lewis’ next challenger for the World Heavyweight championship?

[Cory Olson]

Highlights from USWA Championship Wrestling on March 1 and March 8:
• Jim Cornette and The Midnight Express appeared on the March 1 edition. The brash manager made a challenge to Bobby Heenan and the World Tag Team champions Masked Superstar and King Kong Bundy. He said that even though they didn’t defeat the champs in the non-title match, they definitely took them to the limit. He challenged the Heenan Family duo to a title match on March 21 in his hometown of Louisville at the Gardens. He said if they’re truly the greatest team in the world, they will accept. “The Brain” accepted for his team on the March 8 episode and said that Cornette and the Midnights will be embarrassed in Cornette’s hometown and Mama Cornette will need all kinds of lawyers to repair the damage to the family name.
• The “Intelligent, Sensational” Destroyer announced that he will make his in-ring return on the next card (see Card #161 preview below). He said that he is still calling out Ed “Strangler” Lewis for a World Heavyweight title shot and shouldn’t have to wait for one. But if he must, he will go through other USWA superstars to earn his shot.

The USWA returns home to the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis on March 14!
• Before the meet for the World Tag Team titles on the 21st, both champions Masked Superstar and King Kong Bundy and The Midnight Express will be in action! The Midnights will take on the Team RPW Oklahomans of Dick Hutton and Danny Hodge. Hutton and Hodge scored a big win on February 15 in Nashville. Can they repeat? Superstar and Bundy will do battle with The Killer Bees. The champs hold two wins over B. Brian Blair and “Jumping” Jim Brunzell, but never by pinfall or submission. Can they get a win prior to the big title match or will The Bees score a huge win over the champs?
• The “Intelligent, Sensational” Destroyer will make his in-ring return against young Brad Armstrong. The masked man hopes to gain an impressive win over the Georgia native to get a title shot at “Strangler” Lewis. But he shouldn’t underestimate Armstrong!
• Two rivals meet up again as Bobo Brazil battles The Sheik! Sheik is coming off an impressive win over Dan Severn. The last time Brazil and Sheik met one-on-one, they ended up in the concession stands. Brazil is also looking for revenge, for Sheik burning his ally Red Bastien in Nashville a few weeks ago.
• In a huge bout, Rikidozan battles “Ravishing” Rick Rude. The former USWA World Heavyweight champion was attacked by The Heenan Family in the locker room after his rematch with “Strangler” Lewis in Lexington. As it turned out, this was part of the plot to keep him away from ringside, when The Destroyer attacked Lewis and collected on the bounty. Can Rikidozan gain a win over the “Ravishing One”, who has an impressive record so far?
• The main event will be for the USW A World Heavyweight championship as Ed “Strangler” Lewis puts the gold on the line against two-time former champ “Playboy” Buddy Rose. Rose has yet to lose by pin or submission in 2008 and made the challenge for a title shot on the March 1 edition of USWA Championship Wrestling. Lewis accepted, saying he’s beaten Rose before and will do so again, despite an injured leg from The Destroyer’s attack. Rose seems to the opportunist, as he won his first championship from Nick Bockwinkel, who was suffering from a concussion. Can Rose become a three-time champ or will Lewis keep a stranglehold on the belt?
All this plus Yukon Eric battles Buff Bagwell, new USWA Texas champ Brutus Beefcake in action, and the hillbilly Cousin Luke returns to action, following his betrayal by former partner Danny Doring!

[Cory Olson]

March 14, 2008
Card #161: Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis

1) New USWA Texas champion Brutus Beefcake won over newcomer George South by countout. South most recently competed in the Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling in the Carolinas. He showcased a little bit of offense against Beefcake, but the San Francisco native dominated. Beefcake took South outside the ring and body slammed him on the floor. He crawled back in, while Paul Neighbors counted South out of the ring. *

2) Cousin Luke returned to action and scored a quick win over Larry Sharpe. The hillbilly was fired up and the Memphis crowd supported him. Luke scored the pinfall after a Hillbilly Drop. He looked focused to get revenge on Buddy Rose, Danny Doring, and “Sensational” Sherri Martel! DUD

3) Sabu pinned Billy Red Lyons. Lyons was hoping for a measure of revenge, after Sabu and his uncle The Sheik burned his partner Red Bastien with a fireball last month. Lyons applied the figure-four leglock early on, but Sabu quickly rolled to the ropes. The Bombay madman made a comeback and hit a triple jump moonsault for the win. ½*

4) Fresh off his first USWA win over Killer Kowalski, Yukon Eric defeated another of Capt. Lou Albano’s men in Buff Bagwell. Eric seems to be recovered from his injury. He used his Kodiak Krunch several times, but couldn’t gain the submission. Bagwell made a comeback and executed his Buff Blockbuster, but only got a two-count. Bagwell whipped Eric into the ropes, but the big man just bounced back and knocked Bagwell down like he was nothing. Eric went for a cover, but couldn’t get the pin. He picked Bagwell up again for the Krunch. Albano got up on the apron, but Eric spun Bagwell around and knocked his legs into his own manager, sending Albano down! Eric tossed Bagwell into the ropes and nailed him with a big running tackle. He made the cover and picked up the win. ***

5) The Midnight Express looked dominate in avenging their loss last month to the Team RPW Oklahomans of Dick Hutton and Danny Hodge. “Beautiful” Bobby and “Loverboy” Dennis showcased their double teaming skills, cutting the ring off on Hutton and keeping him in the entire time. Condrey scored the pinfall on Hutton after the Midnight Massacre. DUD

6) The “Intelligent, Sensational” Destroyer won his first USWA match since 2006, by making Brad Armstrong submit. Although he is not an official member of The Heenan Family, Bobby “The Brain” Heenan did accompany The Destroyer to ringside. The masked man worked on Armstrong’s leg, stomping on it and applying a single leg Boston Crab. He applied the figure-four leglock and Armstrong quickly tapped out. The Mid-South Coliseum berated Destroyer and Heenan with boos afterwards! ¼*

7) The Killer Bees defeated USWA World Tag Team champions The Masked Superstar & King Kong Bundy by DQ in a non-title contest. Coming off B. Brian Blair’s loss of the Texas title on the last card, The Bees were looking to get back into the Tag Team title picture. They kept Superstar in the ring for the opening minutes. They used both Blair’s sleeper as well as “Jumping” Jim’s dropkick, but couldn’t keep him down. The big Bundy came in but got hit with the Bee Sting, but Bobby Heenan distracted Frank Morrell before he could make the count. Bundy took over after ramming Brunzell’s back into the ringpost on the floor, then threw him in the ring and hit the Avalanche, but Blair made a save. The Midnight Express and Jim Cornette came out at this point and watched the match from the aisle. Superstar hit a big Superstar clothesline on Blair for a very near fall. He followed up with his dreaded spinning neckbreaker, but only got a two. After some tagging in and out, the champs went for a double team. Bundy held Blair in the corner, while Superstar charged at him with a running splash. But Blair broke free and Superstar smashed into his own partner, then went flying over the ropes to the floor. Angered by the mistake, Superstar grabbed one of the Tag Team title belts and smashed Blair with it. Unfortunately Morrell saw the action and immediately called for the bell giving the Bees the win, although probably not the kind of win, they wanted. Cornette seemed to snicker from the aisle, most likely at the champs’ frustration and DQ loss. ***¾

8) Bobo Brazil made history, as he scored his first pinfall win in the USWA over The Sheik! The Michigan native was fired up and focused and hardly let his rival breath, as he bloodied him up with several Coco Butts. He utilized a hammerlock, a move Sheik has won with, for a near submission. Abdullah Farouk tried to intervene, but got blasted with a Coco Butt as well. A final Coco Butt put the Syrian down for the count. The Mid-South Coliseum popped big time at seeing Bobo score this historic win! **

9) “Ravishing” Rick Rude scored his biggest win to date, defeating former World Heavyweight champion Rikidozan. The Japanese superstar was looking for some revenge, after The Heenan Family attacked him in the locker room in Lexington. But Rude took over and focused his attack on the neck. Rikidozan kicked out of a Rude Awakening. He got hit with a swinging neckbreaker, but Rude again only got a two-count. The “Ravishing One” hit another Rude Awakening and put his feet on the middle ropes, with Bobby Heenan holding on from outside the ring. Jerry Calhoun didn’t see the illegal leverage and it helped Rude score a big three-count. Rude continued to pound on Rikidozan afterwards. Heenan jumped in the ring and the two looked like they were going to attack Rikidozan. Suddenly World Heavyweight champ Ed “Strangler” Lewis made his way down to the ring. “The Brain” ran out of the ring and hightailed it back to the locker room, but Rude got caught! Lewis and Rikidozan pounded away on him. The champ held Rude, while Rikidozan blasted away at his chest with some of his famous chops. He hit with such force, that Rude suffered a torn pectoral muscle. At this point, it was unknown if Rude would miss any ring time, but Lewis and Rikidozan “one upped” things in this big war. **½

10) After intermission, Ed “Strangler” Lewis was back out to defend his USWA World Heavyweight championship in the main event against former two-time champ “Playboy” Buddy Rose. Lewis had his leg wrapped from The Destroyer’s attack last month. But he was still fired up as he took Rose down with a leg trip off of a bear hug and then turned it into his Strangler’s Headlock. Rose fought the hold in vain, but eventually tapped. The crowd popped big at Lewis’ win, despite the short bout. DUD

In the next update, find out the line-up for the return to the champ's hometown of Louisville!

[Cory Olson]

It was announced on the March 15 edition of USWA Championship Wrestling that The Flying Redheads have decided to leave the USWA. They are planning to tour Billy Red Lyons’ native Canada, in various provinces that host wrestling. Both men thanked the fans for their support and said they hope to return to the area in the future.

A huge card of wrestling action comes to the Louisville Gardens on March 21!
• Two former tag team partners collide as Cousin Luke takes on “Dastardly” Danny Doring. The hillbilly is looking for revenge on Doring. Will “Sensational” Sherri Martel play a factor in the outcome? Is Luke still infatuated with Sherri?
• Tag team rivals will collide as The Killer Bees will face The Killer B’s. B. Brian Blair and “Jumping” Jim Brunzell are coming off a big DQ win over the World Tag Team champions, but The B’s have momentum in this feud with Brutus Beefcake capturing the Texas title. The Bees came out the victors last time they met, but can they repeat or will Capt. Lou’s men come out on top?
• Speaking of the Captain, another of his men will be in the ring, as Killer Kowalski tangles with Yukon Eric. Kowalski is still suffering from injured ribs, but can he overcome the pain to put down his foe?
• In a huge tag team bout, Louisville’s own and the USWA World Heavyweight champion Ed “Strangler” Lewis will team with Rikidozan to battle “Ravishing” Rick Rude and “Playboy” Buddy Rose. Bobby “The Brain” Heenan struck a deal with Rose to team up with Rude. Despite his torn pec, the “Ravishing One” plans to compete. When Lance Russell asked Heenan on USWA Championship Wrestling why he didn’t enlist The Destroyer’s services again, “The Weasel” replied that the masked man wishes to meet Lewis for the first time with the title on the line. Who will win this big tag team bout?
• The main event will also feature a “Louisvillian” as “The Louisville Slugger” Jim Cornette will lead The Midnight Express to challenge Bobby Heenan’s team of the World Tag Team champions The Masked Superstar and King Kong Bundy. “Beautiful” Bobby and “Loverboy” Dennis are looking to regain the gold from the team that beat them (and gave them their first pinfall loss in the USWA.) But The Heenan Family team isn’t going down without a fight. Who will walk out of the Gardens the champs and how will Louisville welcome Mr. Cornette?
All this plus a rematch between “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka and Greg “The Hammer” Valentine. Also, The “Intelligent, Sensational” Destroyer, Bobo Brazil, Dan “The Beast” Severn, and more in action!

[Cory Olson]

March 21, 2008
Card #162: Louisville Gardens

1) Dan “The Beast” Severn got a win in a good opener over Brad Armstrong. Armstrong held his own with Severn, showcasing some great scientific wrestling moves of his own. Armstrong whipped Severn into the buckle, but “The Beast” reversed the whip. When Armstrong bounced back, Severn caught him in a German suplex and took him back into a bridge for the pinfall. Severn and Dick Hutton shook hands with Armstrong afterwards. *

2) Bobo Brazil scored a quick win over Larry Sharpe. Fresh off his huge win over The Sheik last week, Brazil showed that he’s got more in his arsenal than the Coco Butt. He scored a submission win over Sharpe with a grinding hammerlock, a move he used on Sheik last week and that Sheik himself likes to use. DUD

3) “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka beat rival Greg Valentine by DQ. Valentine worked on Snuka’s leg in the first part of the match, after Snuka missed a charge in the corner and hit his leg on the turnbuckle. “The Hammer” applied the figure-four leglock, but Snuka got to the ropes. Snuka came back and had Valentine. He climbed the ropes, presumably for the Superfly Leap. Capt. Lou Albano got up on the apron and distracted Snuka. Meanwhile Valentine got to his feet and shook the ropes, causing Snuka to land on the mat, and right on the hurt leg. “Superfly” wisely rolled out of the ring, but “The Hammer” followed. Valentine stomped away on Snuka’s on the floor, then grabbed a steel chair. With apparently no care for the rules, he smacked Snuka’s leg with the chair. Tommy Gilbert saw this and called for the bell. Valentine continued the attack, while Albano barked orders. Killer Kowalski came down to ringside and joined in on the ambush. They threw Snuka into the ring and Valentine put the chair over Snuka’s leg. Kowalski climbed the ropes, possibly to come off with a stomp or the Bombs Away onto the chair. Before he could, Yukon Eric came down to the ring with an ax-handle in hand. He chased off Valentine, Kowalski, and Albano before further damage could be done. He pointed towards Kowalski as sign of their match later in the evening. **½

4) Dick Hutton and Danny Hodge defeated The Sheik and Sabu by DQ in a match continuing the feud between Team RPW and The Sheik and Sabu. Abdullah Farouk’s men kept Hutton in the ring for a majority of the match, even knocking Hodge off the apron with some cheap shots, to keep him from tagging in. Sheik choked Hutton at ringside with a microphone chord at one point, then threw him back in the ring and applied the Camel Clutch. Hodge came in and smashed Sheik with a big forearm shot. Sabu jumped in the ring, but was tossed out by Hodge! Hutton recovered and applied the abdominal stretch, which drew a big pop from the Garden fans! Hutton kept the hold on and drug Sheik to his corner, where he finally tagged to Hodge. In a great spot, Hodge “switched” and applied an abdominal stretch of his own! He pulled Sheik back to the center of the ring. Sheik fought like crazy, but couldn’t get to the ropes. With no other options but submitting, Sheik wound up and nailed referee Scott Bowden with a chop to the throat! Bowden went down and called for the bell, giving Hutton and Hodge the DQ win. Sheik, Sabu, and Farouk quickly retreated to the locker room. Bowden was unable to officiate the rest of the evening and was replaced by local referee Joe Wheeler. **¼

5) “Dastardly” Danny Doring got a quick win over former partner Cousin Luke. Despite the recent betrayal by Doring, Buddy Rose, and “Sensational” Sherri Martel, the hillbilly is still infatuated with Sherri, as he waved at her prior to the bout. The distraction led to his downfall again as Doring attacked Luke right away. Doring hit his Panty Drop Elbow, then went up the ropes again and hit the Danaconda for the win in less than one minute. Rose came down to ringside and the duo went to work again on the fallen Luke. Doring hit another Danaconda to the back of Luke’s neck, then Rose followed off the opposite corner with a Bombs Away to the same spot. Rose and Doring then hit the double team maneuver they’ve utilized before, with Rose holding Luke out in sort of an upside down bear hug, and Doring following up with another Danaconda to the back of the neck. Luke suffered a minor neck injury and is expected to be out of action for about a month. (Koko B. Ware and S.D. Jones were not present at this card, since they were not scheduled to wrestle and thus didn’t save their new ally Luke.) DUD

6) The Destroyer defeated George South by submission. Being in World champ “Strangler” Lewis’ hometown of Louisville, the masked man was booed mercilessly by the fans in the Gardens. Destroyer worked over South’s leg throughout the bout, coming off the turnbuckles with stomps to the leg, as well as applying a single leg Boston Crab on more than one occasion. The moves helped, as the “Intelligent, Sensational One” applied the figure-four and got South to tap out. Destroyer was pelted by some garbage o the way back to the locker room, but managed to make it out of the arena alive! ½*

7) Capt. Lou Albano’s Killer B’s got a quick win over The Killer Bees, thanks to some sneaky tactics. Apparently new Texas champion Brutus Beefcake is not a “fighting” champion, as he stayed on the ring apron the whole match. Perhaps he was avoiding former champ B. Brian Blair. The Bees hit a double atomic drop on Buff Bagwell, then “Jumping” Jim Brunzell ascended the turnbuckles. Beefcake snuck over to the corner. Blair saw him and jumped in the ring, but was cut off by Joe Wheeler. Beefcake shoved Brunzell off the top rope, sending him crashing to the mat. Bagwell recovered and hit a double arm DDT to score the pin on Brunzell. The B’s and Albano quickly retreated to the locker room, but not before Beefcake held up the Texas belt in a boastful gesture to Blair! *

8) Despite injured ribs, Killer Kowalski got another victory over Yukon Eric. Eric was a house of fire in the opening minutes, working over Kowalski’s ribs, even taking him outside the ring and driving Kowalski into the guard railing. He applied the Kodiak Krunch, but couldn’t get the submission. He hit a top rope splash, which brought him a pinfall last week, but he wouldn’t go for the cover. It may have turned out to be his mistake, as Kowalski came back and started to work on Eric’s severed ear, hitting a Bombs Away. He applied the face claw. Eric fought hard, but was weakened and went down the mat. Eric wouldn’t surrender, but had his shoulders pinned to the mat, giving Kowalski an impressive victory. ***¼

9) Hometown hero and USWA World Heavyweight champion Ed “Strangler” Lewis teamed up with former champ Rikidozan to earn a very hard fought victory over “Ravishing” Rick Rude and “Playboy” Buddy Rose. The roof nearly came off the Gardens when Lewis came out to the ring, as the fans erupted! Both Bobby “The Brain” Heenan and “Sensational” Sherri Martel were in the corner for Rude and Rose. Rude wear heavy bandages over his torn pec, caused by Rikidozan last week. Lewis started off strong against Rose. Rikidozan came in and Rose got some near falls on him. Rude came in and got the advantage on Lewis. He hit a piledriver for a nearfall. The “Playboy” came back in and hit the Bombs Away twice in a row, but took his time in going for a cover, and Lewis easily kicked out. Rose came off the top with a flying body press, but still couldn’t get the pin. Rude tagged back in and worked over Lewis as the Louisville fans were going crazy wanting to see their champ come back. Rude hit a stiff clothesline, then followed up with an elbow drop across the bridge of Lewis’ nose, which busted the champ open. He went for a cover, but only got a two. Lewis finally made the comeback and threw Rude down with the headlock, which drew a huge pop from the crowd. Rude managed to get the ropes. Rikidozan finally came back in and Rude fled for his life, quickly tagging out to Rose. Rikidozan blasted Rose with punches and chops and sent Rose flying over the top rope. The “Playboy” almost got counted out, but managed to beat the 10. Lewis came back in and locked on the headlock. Rose fought hard, but ultimately had to tap out again. Rude and “The Brain” left the ring without checking on Rose, as Sherri screamed at them. Lewis and Rikidozan celebrated their win in the ring for several minutes, as the crowd cheered their hard earned win. ****

What a great card! But it's not over yet! Check back in a few, for the results of the big main event for the World Tag Team championship!

[Cory Olson]

10) After the intermission, another Louisville native made an appearance, as Jim Cornette led The Midnight Express to challenge Bobby Heenan’s World Tag Team champions The Masked Superstar and King Kong Bundy in the main event. It’s never certain how the Louisville Gardens’ fans will receive Cornette. Often it depends on who his men are fighting in the ring. Tonight, they welcomed him like a hometown hero and berated The Heenan Family, most likely due to “The Brain’s” involvement with The Destroyer and their attack on Ed “Strangler” Lewis.

The Midnights started off strong on the champs, hitting the Double Goozle on the Superstar. “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton took the fight to the floor and hit a nice bulldog right on the arena floor. While Eaton climbed back in the ring, Cornette followed up with almost a mocking elbow drop on Superstar. Heenan yelled at Cornette and tried to tell Paul Morton what happened, but to no avail. Bundy tagged in and was beat on, but when Eaton dove off the apron to the floor, Bundy caught him and slammed his back into the ringpost. He then applied a bear hug in the ring to work on Eaton’s back. Bundy later worked on “Loverboy” Dennis Condrey, hitting an elbow drop, then later an Avalanche. He pulled Condrey up and he and Superstar hit the double Avalanche that they often use. Bundy went for a five-count, but Eaton broke it up. Eaton tagged in and tried a sunset flip on the big man. Bundy attempted to block it with a sitdown splash, but Eaton rolled out of the way and Bundy crashed hard. Eaton went for a cover, but Bundy powered out. Superstar tagged back in, but was thrown out of the ring, where Cornette blasted him with the tennis racket right to the head. Eaton blasted him with one of his famous right hands and went for a cover, but Bundy broke it up with a boot to Eaton. Superstar’s mask could be seen spotted with blood. He came back and managed to apply the Cobra Hold on Condrey, but the “Loverboy” made the ropes. Bundy was in, but The Midnights went to town on the big man. They did a modified Midnight Massacre on Bundy, with Condrey doing an over-the-knee backbreaker, as opposed to his usual over-the-shoulder one. Eaton went for the cover, but Superstar came in and head butted him from behind. Eaton was hurt and perhaps Superstar loaded the mask, while in the corner. Both Eaton and Bundy were hurt though and Morton put a 10-count on them. Both grapplers got to their feet. Bundy attempted to pick Eaton up for a backbreaker, but Eaton spun out and hit an awesome spinning neckbreaker. He went for a cover, but Heenan jumped on the apron to distract Morton. Cornette ran around the ring and clocked Heenan from behind with the racket. Superstar went after Cornette, but was cut off by Condrey. Meanwhile Cornette slipped in the ring from the other way and smacked Bundy over the head with the racket, busting him open as well. Once the ring cleared out and legal men Eaton and Bundy were left, Eaton followed up with a second neckbreaker, perhaps sending a message to Superstar. He went for the cover and got the pin in an awesome match! The Midnights celebrated with the belts while their theme music played and Cornette was definitely a happy man tonight. You can bet that Mama Cornette was happy as well. This is Eaton and Condrey’s second reign and Eaton’s fourth USWA World Tag Team championship. *****

[Cory Olson]

Card #162 was a memorable one—will #163 be able to top it?! We’ll find out on March 28 when the USWA returns to the Community Center in Cookeville, TN!
• In a rematch of a hot feud, Dan “The Beast” Severn locks up with the Syrian madman The Sheik! Severn is hoping for another shot at USWA gold. Sheik is currently unable to challenge for the Southern Heavyweight championship, as long as Frank Gotch holds the gold, but Abdullah Farouk has stated that he will destroy all competition and do whatever he can to hold a title again. Who will walk out of Cookeville the victor?
• Another of Farouk’s men will be in action, as the homicidal, suicidal, genocidal, death-defying Sabu will take on Bobo Brazil! Sabu emerged victorious last time, but with a little help from the ring ropes. He nearly killed himself though attempting to injure Bobo again, by crashing through a table. This is guaranteed to be another wild melee!
• In tag team action, Capt. Lou Albano’s Killer B’s will take on Yukon Eric and “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka. Eric and the “Superfly” have their problems with Albano’s other charges, Killer Kowalski and Greg Valentine. Can they get by the duo of “Buff Daddy” and the USWA Texas champion?
• In a rematch of sorts from last week’s main event, the new USWA World Tag Team champions The Midnight Express will team up with their manager “The Louisville Slugger” Jim Cornette in six-man tag team action against The Masked Superstar, King Kong Bundy, and Bobby “The Brain” Heenan. Heenan technically participated in a six-man tag bout in December, although he never tagged in. Will he actually see action this time? “The Weasel” claimed on WMC-TV that he will and that he will get his hands on that scrawny little “humanoid” Cornette for embarrassing him and his men by hitting them with his tennis racket. Cornette stated that he and The Midnights aren’t afraid of the Heenan Family, for they (Midnights) are the ones with the gold. Who will will win this six-man war?
• The main event will be for the Southern Heavyweight championship as Frank Gotch puts the belt on the line against former champ Killer Kowalski. Despite injured ribs, Kowalski has still competed and looked tough. He and Gotch have a history in the USWA, as in 2004 (the first year of the USWA), Kowalski gained some somewhat surprising victories over Gotch, then caused him internal injuries with his stomach claw. But Gotch returned, with stronger abs, thanks to the “stomach flattener” exercises patented by Martin “Farmer” Burns and defeated Kowalski. Gotch has been wrestling fewer non-title matches so far in 2008 and is focusing solely on defending the Southern gold. Can he retain or will Kowalski pull off another big win and grab his second championship?
Also, Rikidozan takes on Greg “The Hammer” Valentine! Plus, The “Intelligent, Sensational” Destroyer, “Ravishing” Rick Rude, and the Team RPW Oklahomans of Dick Hutton and Danny Hodge in action!

[Cory Olson]

BREAKING NEWS

HUGE WORLD TITLE BOUT SIGNED

A huge announcement was made regarding the next USWA World Heavyweight title defense. This announcement was not made on USWA Championship Wrestling, but rather on the WMC-TV's nightly news broadcast (where the USWA's own Dave Brown also works as weatherman!) Sportscaster "Big" Jack Eaton (no relation to "Beautiful" Bobby) made the announcement that the match had been signed for April 11 at the Freeman Coliseum in San Antonio. That bout will see Ed "Strangler" Lewis defend his USWA World Heavyweight championship against the man who attacked him and collected the bounty on him in February, The "Intelligent, Sensational" Destroyer!

Lewis was interviewed by "Big" Jack earlier in the day and said that if Destroyer won't wrestle him in anything but a title bout, then he'll be a fighting champion and put the gold on the line. He said that the cowardly masked man will regret putting money above honor, when he decided to attack the champ.

This will be the first time that the USWA World Heavyweight crown has been defended in San Antonio. Stay tuned in the coming weeks as more matches are announced for this historic card!