Cory's USWA

[stu]

Congrats Cory! Well-deserved I might add.

[TDalton]

Woo hoo! Congrats on "Fed of the Month" honors!

Your game stuff is probably in the box marked "Kitchen."

[Cory Olson]

Thanks, Tim and Stu!

Sept 2, 2008 8:34:20 GMT -5 TDalton said:

Your game stuff is probably in the box marked "Kitchen."

I did make sure to remember where my LOW stuff is. But with unpacking everything else and staying on top of school work, I haven't had a chance to play. Hopefully this coming weekend!

[Cory Olson]

The USWA is back! This was the first card I played in my new house!

September 12, 2008
Card #180: Mid South Coliseum in Memphis

1) The Killer B’s got a countout win in the opener over Cousin Luke and “Special Delivery” Jones. Capt. Lou Albano’s B’s kept S.D. in the ring the whole time, cutting the ring in half. Buff Bagwell also knocked Luke off the apron with a double sledge at one point. Jones kicked out of a Buff Blockbuster, but then Brutus Beefcake came in and took the fight to the floor. He rammed Jones head first into the ring post and then crawled back in the ring. Jones was out on the floor and Paul Neighbors counted him out of the ring. DUD

2) The Crusher scored a quick win over George South via countout. The Mid South Coliseum fans gave Crusher a warm welcome in his Memphis debut, as he stomped in to the arena to the “Beer Barrel Polka”. This one was short and sweet, as “Da” Crusher used his power to whip South into the corner and send him flying out of the ring. South was hurt and couldn’t return by the 10-count, giving Crusher his second countout victory in as many cards. DUD

3) Team RPW’s Oklahomans—Dick Hutton and Danny Hodge earned a hard fought victory over Brad Armstrong and Koko B. Ware in a great tag team bout. The Armstrong-Ware combo has become very popular with the fans due to their fast-paced offense and “underdog status”. Hutton and Hodge had control early on. Armstrong was able to hit his Russian leg sweep on Hodge, but Hodge kicked out. “The Birdman” was on and was getting on worked on, but hit a sunset flip out of nowhere on Hutton for a near fall. Ware went for a hip toss at one point, but Hutton used his great wrestling skills to block it and turn it immediately into a side salto. He floated over into a cover for a very close fall. Hodge took a rough spill out of the ring after going for a takedown on corner on Armstrong, but missing and hitting his head on the buckle. It looked like Hodge might get counted out (which wouldn’t have sat well with the fans for the third bout in a row!), but Armstrong helped him back in the ring, wanting to see a clear-cut winner. Armstrong used Hutton’s finisher the abdominal stretch on Hodge. Hodge fought for the ropes and Hutton reached in to pull his partner towards the ropes. Jerry Calhoun didn’t notice the action, but Ware did and jumped in to point it out. Calhoun cut off “The Birdman” and in doing so, missed Hutton actually pull Hodge towards the ropes. Calhoun turned around in time to see it and forced Armstrong to break. Ware tagged in and came off the top with a big dropkick on Hodge, but Hodge kicked out. Hutton came back and busted Ware open with a forearm smash. He picked Ware up into the Cowboy backbreaker. Ware was weakened, but was saved when Armstrong “fought fire with fire” and dropkicked Hutton in the back. As Calhoun got Armstrong out, Hutton recovered, picked Ware up, and applied the abdominal stretch. Ware was weakened and quickly surrendered after nearly 20 minutes of action. Both teams shook hands afterwards and apologized for their brief “flaring of tempers”. The Mid South Coliseum applauded the great bout. ****¼

4) Yukon Eric pinned Larry Sharpe. Sharpe was hoping for his second USWA win after his upset of The Crusher a few weeks ago, but wouldn’t get it here. Despite Sharpe’s dirty tactics, the Alaskan’s power was too much. Sharpe attempted to whip Eric into the ropes, but “bounced” Sharpe off his massive chest with a tackle, as Sharpe attempted a forearm smash. Eric covered Sharpe and got the easy three. Eric looked impressive as he awaits a shot at the Southern title in two weeks. ¼*

5) Magnificent Muraco pinned “The Boogie Woogie Man” “Handsome” Jimmy Valiant. The Hawaiian had the early advantage, using his power against Valiant and working on the neck. Muraco blasted Valiant with an Asiatic Spike, which riled up the Memphis fans. Even being from New York City, Valiant has become popular with the Southern fans and they cheered him to fight back. “The Boogie Woogie Man” sidestepped a Muraco sledge from the second turnbuckle and immediately locked on a sleeper. Muraco weakened, but made it to the ropes before going down. Muraco came back and come off the top rope with a splash, but Valiant put his knees up and smashed Muraco in the midsection. He went for a cover, but Muraco kicked out. Muraco reversed a whip into the turnbuckle, sending “Boogie” back first into the corner. On the rebound Muraco caught Valiant and picked him up into the Hawaiian Hammer. He dropped Valiant right on his head, made the cover, and got the clean pin. Capt. Lou Albano came in the ring and celebrated with Muraco, but things weren’t over. Greg “The Hammer” Valentine, who wasn’t scheduled for this card, came down and he and Muraco worked over the wounded Valiant. In a scene similar to what they did to “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka at the Nashville Fairgrounds a few weeks ago, Muraco picked Valiant up again into position for the Hawaiian Hammer, while Greg “The Hammer” pushed down on Valiant’s legs to make it a spike Hammer. Yukon Eric, having just showered and changed from his bout right before this, ran down to the ring with his axhandle. Muraco, Valentine, and Albano bailed out. Eric helped Valiant to the locker room. It was later determined that Valiant, like Snuka, suffered a neck injury. No word at this point on how much ring time, if any, he’ll
miss. ***¼

6) “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton defeated USWA World Tag Team and Texas champion “Playboy” Buddy Rose by countout. Eaton had the advantage in the opening minutes, hitting several top rope maneuvers on Rose for near falls. He landed the Alabama Jam, but “Sensational” Sherri Martel jumped up on the apron. Eaton went after her, as did Jim Cornette. This allowed Rose to recover. He hit a body slam and shortly thereafter followed up with the Bombs Away. He went for an arrogant cover, but Eaton kicked out. The crowd was behind Eaton and Cornette tonight. Eaton fought back and knocked Rose out of the ring with one of his famed right hands. “Beautiful” Bobby followed up and went after Rose on the floor. Sherri attempted to attack Eaton, but Cornette jumped in front and threatened to smack her with the tennis racket! While Paul Neighbors separated Cornette and Sherri, Eaton grabbed Rose and delivered a big running bulldog on the floor. He then rolled back in the ring. Sherri went to try and revive her man, but the “Playboy” was out. Neighbors counted the double champ out of the ring, giving the Midnight Express member the win. ***

7) Dan “The Beast” Severn defeated “Ravishing” Rick Rude by submission. Both men had suffered some tough losses lately and were hoping to get a win here, especially Severn who will face USWA World Heavyweight champion Ed “Strangler” Lewis in a non-title bout next week in Lewis’ hometown of Louisville. Severn outwrestled Rude early on, but the “Ravishing One” fought back. He landed a top rope knee drop on Severn, then hit two separate Rude Awakenings. Severn showed great endurance and fortitude as he kicked out both times. Rude continued to focus on Severn’s neck. He went up to the top rope again and came off with a falling sledge. “The Beast” was able to dodge the sledge, grab Rude’s arm and take him right down in the wakigatame. The crowd popped big time at the surprising nature of the move. Rude was in the middle of the ring and quickly tapped out from the armbar. ***¼

8) New USWA Southern Heavyweight champion The Sheik scored a very quick DQ win over Bobo Brazil in a non-title bout. As Sheik was doing his pre-match prayer ritual, he tried to trick Brazil and sneak attack him, while Brazil was turned the other way, but Bobo saw him coming and got the first punches in. With his turban still on, Brazil choked Sheik with the turban. Frank Morrell warned Brazil about the actions, but Brazil was a man incensed. Morrell gave him a five-count, but Brazil refused to surrender the choke. Morrell called for the bell in a less than a minute, giving the bout to Sheik. This is the third meeting in a row between the two rivals in which Sheik has won by DQ. neg*

9) Giant Baba returned to action, teaming with Frank Gotch to form a “dream team” of sorts. The team turned out to be a good pair, as they defeated former USWA World Tag Team champions The Masked Superstar and King Kong Bundy. Before Superstar, Bundy, and Bobby “The Brain” Heenan came out for the match, Nick Bockwinkel came to ringside, dressed in his best as usual, and sat ringside with Lance Russell and Dave Brown. Certainly he was scouting Gotch, who will be his first USWA opponent in nearly nine months, when he returns to action in Louisville next week. Baba was fired up, going after the two men who helped The Destroyer put him out of action. Baba hit his dreaded neckbreaker drop early on, blasting Bundy with it. Heenan, knowing the strength of the move, quickly distracted Paul Neighbors. Superstar and Gotch came in and Superstar hit his Superstar clothesline, which is similar to the neckbreaker drop. He even pointed at Baba in the corner, mocking him. Superstar went for a cover, but Gotch kicked out. Superstar would later get hit with two neckbreaker drops, but managed to get his foot on the ropes. Superstar loaded his mask and head butted Gotch outside the ring. He applied the Cobra Hold, but Gotch rolled into the ropes. Bundy tagged in and worked over Gotch, but the Iowan fought back. He knocked Bundy into the ropes with a forearm smash, then on the rebounded, used Bundy’s momentum to throw him with a fireman’s carry, which he used in their one-on-one bout in Engel Stadium a few weeks ago. Gotch went for a cover, but Superstar made the save. Baba came back and blasted Bundy with one of his patented chops. The big man was rocked, but didn’t go down. Baba bounced off the ropes and came back with another neckbreaker drop to put the big man down. He went for a cover and got the three-count. Baba shook hands with Gotch and Team RPW coach Dick Hutton afterwards, showing thanks for their help in his feud. ***¼

10) Nick Bockwinkel remained at ringside for the main event, as Ed “Strangler” Lewis put the USWA World Heavyweight title on the line against Rikidozan. These two men have become allies this year in the USWA, but this one was all about the top prize in the USWA. As they did in their previous meetings, the two greats exchanged some great mat wrestling holds early on, although Lewis seemed to control things more often than the challenger. The action picked up and Lewis applied a head scissors on the mat, but Rikidozan was able to stand up and with Lewis still holding on, deliver a slam out of the hold. He followed up with his famed thunderous chops on the champ and went for a cover, but Lewis kicked out. He threw Lewis down with a hiplock and went for another cover, but the champ again got his shoulder up. Lewis came back with a Strangler’s Headlock, but Rikidozan got to the ropes. The Japanese superstar fought back again and balsted Lewis with more chops for another near fall. To little surprise in this seesaw battle, Lewis got another headlock, but again Rikidozan made the ropes. The crowd seemed to favor the champ, as Rikidozan broke out of a bear hug with a head butt, a move he often uses. But this time, the Memphis fans (known for liking wild wrestling) booed the maneuver. Perhaps they were into the idea of it being a scientific bout and viewed the head butt as “dirty”. Rikidozan busted Lewis open with a roundhouse kick out of nowhere and went for a cover, but Lewis kicked out. The challenger executed a piledriver, again a regular move in his repertoire, but the crowd again berated him with boos. Rikidozan floated into a cover and this time got the three to capture his second USWA World Heavyweight championship! Bockwinkel watched from ringside as Rikidozan held up the title. Rikidozan helped Lewis to his feet and offered his hand. Despite some objection from the Mid South Coliseum crowd, Lewis did accept and held up the new champion’s hand. This was Lewis’ only pinfall or submission loss so far in 2008. ****

[crimsoncross]

Great to see Muraco and Eaton get a victory, excellent USWA Action!

[Cory Olson]

Sept 13, 2008 19:11:21 GMT -5 @crimsoncross said:

Great to see Muraco and Eaton get a victory, excellent USWA Action!

Thanks, CC!

Highlights from USWA Championship Wrestling on September 13:
• Lance Russell interviewed a somber Ed “Strangler” Lewis. Russell asked Lewis what he thought about the Memphis fans’ reaction to Rikidozan taking the USWA World Heavyweight championship from him. Lewis thanked the fans for the support, but said he didn’t feel that Rikidozan was doing anything illegal. He stated that on that night Rikidozan was the better man. He still considers him an ally and hopes that he will be granted a rematch. Russell asked Lewis the question that’s been on the fans’ minds—whether or not the “Strangler” was going to join Team RPW. Before he could answer, RPW walked in to the studio to hear the answer in person. Lewis thanked the group for their invitation, but said he’d prefer to not be labeled as a group member. Thus he politely declined the offer. Dan Severn and Danny Hodge looked somewhat angered by this statement, but Frank Gotch and Dick Hutton said there was no offense taken. They shook hands with Lewis and said they would see him next week in Louisville, when Lewis does battle with “The Beast”.
• Bill Apter interviewed Capt. Lou Albano and his stable. Apter specifically asked Greg “The Hammer” Valentine if his being in Memphis the night before was all a plot to ambush “The Boogie Woogie Man” Jimmy Valiant. Valentine replied saying that while that was part of his reason for being there, he had a second reason. Like the majority if USWA wrestlers, he was watching the main event for the World Heavyweight championship between Rikidozan and Ed “Strangler” Lewis. Valentine stated that he was watching both men carefully, as he issued a challenge to Rikidozan for a title match. “The Hammer” said that he has been in the USWA since its inception in 2004 and he feels that he deserves an opportunity. The Captain interrupted and reminded Apter that Valentine holds victories over both Rikidozan and Lewis, and that should be enough proof that he deserves a shot. It was announced that Jimmy Valiant will miss some ring time to due the neck injury caused by Valentine and Magnificent Muraco.
• The new World champ was interviewed later in the show. His interpreter stated that Rikidozan would be more than willing to defend against Valentine. The match was made for October 10 at the Civic Center in Knoxville. The interpreter also stated that Rikidozan was sorry if he angered the Memphis fans, but he was just competing for the top prize in the USWA. He said that he hopes the fans will continue to support him as they have done in the past year. He called “Strangler” Lewis a top level fighter and stated that he was an excellent champion.

The USWA comes back to the Louisville Gardens on September 19 for a huge card!
• In a big tag team rematch from Card #177 in August in Lexington, The Heenan Family duo of The Masked Superstar and King Kong Bundy will face Capt. Lou Albano’s Killer B’s. Superstar and Bundy got a DQ win last time. Can they get a decisive win? And what role with the rule breaking managers play?
• The “Intelligent, Sensational” Destroyer is said to be healed up from his torn pectoral muscle and will he take on his rival Giant Baba in a rematch from the Independence Day Bash! Who will win this heated battle between former World Tag Team champions?
• Ed “Strangler” Lewis will return home. Even without the World Heavyweight title, he’s still a champion in the fans eyes. He takes on Dan “The Beast” Severn. These two had a great scientific bout for the gold on August 15. Based on his reaction on Championship Wrestling, Severn will be looking to put Lewis down to the mat after the “Strangler” rejected Team RPW. But Lewis will have the hometown advantage. Who will win this battle of two grappling greats?
• Another former World Heavyweight champion will be in action, as Nick Bockwinkel returns to the ring after a nearly nine-month absence. He’ll take on a man he’s battled many times—Frank Gotch. What shape will Bockwinkel be in? Is he fully recovered from his concussions? Or can Gotch finally get a pin or submission victory over Bockwinkel?
• The main event will be for the USWA World Tag Team titles and will feature another Louisville native—“The Louisville Slugger” Jim Cornette will accompany The Midnight Express to the ring as they hope to win their record setting third USWA World Tag Team championship. But across the ring will be the team that defeated them for the titles—the undefeated duo of Texas champion “Playboy” Buddy Rose and “Dastardly” Danny Doring, accompanied by “Sensational” Sherri Martel. On WMC-TV, Cornette stated that he considers himself a Louisville historian and reminded Lance Russell that back in March, The Midnights were the challengers in Louisville against then-champions The Masked Superstar and King Kong Bundy and they walked out the champs at the end of the night. The tennis racket-wielding manager said that history will repeat itself in Louisville and that “Beautiful” Bobby and “Loverboy” Dennis will win the titles and make history by becoming the first three-time champions. Can they do it or will Rose and Doring derail The Express again?
All this plus Magnificent Muraco looks to avenge his only pinfall loss in the USWA so far, when battles Brad Armstrong. Plus Greg “The Hammer” Valentine, Yukon Eric, and more in action!

[TDalton]

The Strangler remains a lone wolf! Looks like possible tension in the RPW ranks!

What a tough return bout for Bockwinkel! Even with past history against him, Frank A. Gotch is a tough customer!

How can anyone NOT be hoping Rose & Doring retain against the Midnights? Buddy Rose has been a real mover and shaker in the USWA!

[Cory Olson]

Sept 19, 2008 20:27:28 GMT -5 TDalton said:

The Strangler remains a lone wolf! Looks like possible tension in the RPW ranks!

Stay tuned for more!

Sept 19, 2008 20:27:28 GMT -5 TDalton said:

What a tough return bout for Bockwinkel! Even with past history against him, Frank A. Gotch is a tough customer!

I wanted Bock to have a big first return bout, but I have two opponents I want to hold off on for just a little bit longer. I figured Gotch was a big name, with a lot of history, but he wasn't someone Bock was feuding with the last time he was around.

Sept 19, 2008 20:27:28 GMT -5 TDalton said:

How can anyone NOT be hoping Rose & Doring retain against the Midnights? Buddy Rose has been a real mover and shaker in the USWA!

Even in Louisville, I'm pulling for Rose and Doring. I love this team! They're my version of your Riviera Playboys.

[Cory Olson]

September 19, 2008
Card #181: Louisville Gardens

1) Yukon Eric scored a quick win via countout over George South in the opener. The big Alaskan showcased his power by press slamming South over the top rope and to the arena floor. South was hurt and unable to return to the ring. Eric looked impressive, but can he be as impressive next week when he challenges The Sheik for the Southern Heavyweight championship? DUD

2) The Crusher was hoping to get a decisive win over Larry Sharpe, but the New Jersey native shocked the world again defeating the big man by pinfall. Crusher used his power to bounce Sharpe around the ring, but Sharpe came back and used illegal tactics, both in and out of the ring, to gain control. He twice attempted a piledriver (which seems to be his specialty), but couldn’t get Crusher up. Sharpe’s tag team partner George South came down to ringside, with his ribs taped up from the previous match. He rooted Sharpe on, wanting to see him win again. Sharpe was able to execute a short piledriver on Crusher, using leverage to drive the big man’s head to the mat. He went for a cover and put his feet on the ropes, while South assisted in holding Sharpe’s legs there. The leverage was enough to put the big man down for the 1-2-3. The Louisville fans were upset by this. Sharpe and South quickly bailed to the locker room to avoid any injury! *¾

3) Magnificent Muraco defeated Brad Armstrong by submission. The Georgian fought hard and had the crowd behind him pulling for an upset. At one point, he got whipped into the buckle, but was able to reverse it and send Muraco flying into the corner and up and out of the ring. Muraco was embarrassed by this and pulled Armstrong out of the ring. He smashed Armstrong’s head into the ring post, then tossed him back into the ring. Muraco hit the Hawaiian Hammer and went for a cover. Armstrong was near the ropes and got his foot over the bottom rope. Muraco pulled him and blasted him with an Asiatic Spike. A few minutes later Muraco lifted Armstrong up into an over-the-shoulder backbreaker and was able to force Armstrong into submission. **

4) The Killer Bees got a hard-fought victory over Dick Hutton and Danny Hodge. Hutton kicked out of both the Bee Sting and “Jumping” Jim Brunzell’s famed dropkick early on in the bout. Hutton got the advantage in sitting upwards in a sunset flip attempt from Brunzell. Hodge tagged in and was worked over by The Bees, but refused to quit, even after getting busted open by a dropkick. Hutton came back in and saw blood after a double elbow from The Bees. The Team RPW duo had the advantage at times, but couldn’t get neither Brunzell nor B. Brian Blair down long enough for a pin attempt. Hutton threw Blair with a strong side salto and got a near fall. It looked like it might be the Oklahomans’ time, as Hodge came back in and he and Hutton attempted a double suplex. Blair showed great agility in flipping out of the suplex attempt, then dropkicking both Hutton and Hodge, one with each leg. Hutton went down and Blair took legal man Hodge and rolled him into the ropes with a reverse rolling cradle. The move was enough to put Hodge down for the pin. The fans popped at the “out of nowhere” ending. The Bees shook hands with Hodge and Hutton afterwards. ***½

5) Greg Valentine defeated Cousin Luke by submission. This bout belonged almost exclusively to “The Hammer”. He worked over the hillbilly with his falling elbow hammer and several neckbreakers. Valentine locked on the figure-four leglock and Luke quickly tapped out. Valentine looks impressive as he prepares to challenge for the USWA World Heavyweight title for the first time. DUD

6) In a battle of two rule breaking tag teams, The Masked Superstar and King Kong Bundy barely got by The Killer B’s. The B’s showcased a good amount of power as they executed a double body slam on Bundy early on. Superstar broke up the attempted pin attempt by Brutus Beefcake. Buff Bagwell worked on Superstar’s neck, in a battle of two men who specialize in neck finishers, hitting a double arm DDT for a near fall. The B’s choked Superstar with the tag rope in their corner, while Paul Morton was trying to get Bundy out of the ring. Bundy later had control of Beefcake, whipping him into the corner and charging at him with the Avalanche. Beefcake managed to dodge the move and went for a cover on a downed Bundy, but Bundy just got the shoulder up in time. Beefcake blasted Superstar with his studded armband smash and went for a cover. Bobby “The Brain” Heenan jumped up on the ring apron, claiming the armband was loaded, which it didn’t appear to be. Capt. Lou Albano ran around to yell at “The Weasel’s” distraction. The Heenan Family came back after Superstar caught Bagwell coming off the top rope with a flying bodypress and slammed him to the canvas. Bundy hit an elbow drop on Beefcake and went for a cover, but Albano made the distraction this time. Bundy followed up with a successful Avalanche. This time “Buff Daddy” would be the one to save his partner. Beefcake came up bleeding. Superstar tagged in and a few moments later hit the dreaded spinning neckbreaker to put Beefcake down for the pinfall. ****½

7) Giant Baba scored a pinfall victory over rival “The Intelligent, Sensational” Destroyer.
Both men were healed from their respective injuries and ready to clash. Baba went for a dreaded neckbreaker drop early on, but Destroyer scouted the move and rolled out of the ring. Baba attempted a big boot in the corner, yet Destroyer ducked it and was able to roll Baba into a reverse rolling cradle, but couldn’t keep the big man down. Scott Bowden got knocked down when Baba hit the neckbreaker drop and accidentally kicked Bowden. Baba went for a cover, but there was no ref to count. Tommy Gilbert came down to ringside to take over. Baba hit a Russian leg sweep and went for a cover, but Destroyer kicked out. Destroyer’s white mask with red trim soon sported more red, as he was bleeding through the mask. Destroyer got the big man down and applied the figure-four leglock. The crowd chanted Baba’s name and after a minute, the big man powered his way to the ropes. Destroyer continued to focus on the leg that he injured, applying the single leg Boston Crab. Destroyer had Baba in the corner and charged at him with a jumping knee smash. Even with the bad leg, Baba managed to move out of the way, causing Destroyer to smash into the buckles hard. Baba crawled over with his bad leg and made the cover to pin the bloodied Destroyer. ****

8) Ed “Strangler” Lewis rebounded from his loss of the USWA World Heavyweight championship to get a win in his hometown over Dan “The Beast” Severn. Lewis offered Severn a handshake before the bout. Severn seemed to hesitate, but did accept. As expected, Lewis and Severn exchanged some great mat wrestling early on. The Louisville Gardens was clearly behind him in every little move he did and booing Severn any time he had control, even though “The Beast” was abiding by the rules. The two grapplers were tied up in the corner and rather than letting “Strangler” out of the corner, Severn rammed his arm into the buckles, then took him down into the wakigatame. Lewis quickly got his foot on the bottom rope to break the hold. Lewis came back and took Severn down with the Strangler’s Headlock. Severn fought hard, but quickly tapped out. The crowd went wild at Lewis’ victory. As Dick Hutton was helping Severn out of the ring, Lewis offered both men his hand again, but the two rolled out of the ring and walked back to the locker room. Lewis seemed surprised by this, but didn’t make a huge deal out of it and instead basked in his hometown cheers. **

9) Nick Bockwinkel made a successful return after nine months and scored a submission win over Frank Gotch. The Louisville crowd cheered Gotch, but booed Dick Hutton when Gary Michael Cappetta announced his name as accompanying Gotch, most likely due to Hutton walking on “Strangler” Lewis’ handshake in the last match. Bockwinkel walked to the ring with his usual strong confidence. He showed some ring rust, as Gotch controlled the action early on, outwrestling Bockwinkel at every turn. Gotch applied the rolling kneebar to try and set him up for the Gotch Toehold. Bockwinkel took the bout to the floor and took over, ramming Gotch’s head into the ring post. Bockwinkel did this same thing to Gotch in their 2004 bout at New Year’s Knockout, prior to locking on the sleeper to win the first fall. Bockwinkel rolled in and was going to take a countout win, but Gotch crawled back and beat the count. He fought back and he the Iowa backdrop on Bock. Gotch rolled in to a cover, but Bobby Heenan distracted Paul Morton. Bockwinkel came back and locked on the Bockwinkel Sleeper, but Gotch made the ropes. He then went to his other specialty—the figure-four leglock. Gotch was locked in the center of the ring and looked about out, but out of nowhere he reversed the pressure and reversed the leglock. Bockwinkel quickly rolled into the ropes to break the hold. The four-time World champ was determined to beat Gotch and worked him over, hitting a piledriver, which busted Gotch open. Bockwinkel went for an arrogant cover, but Gotch kicked out. Bockwinkel hit a second piledriver and this time hooked the leg, but Gotch still got out. Bockwinkel went back to the legs and applied the figure-four again. With blood streaming down his face and his leg hurting, Gotch tapped out from the pain, giving Bockwinkel a victory in his return bout. ***½

10) The main event featured Louisville’s own Jim Cornette managing The Midnight Express in challenging Texas champ “Playboy” Buddy Rose and “Dastardly” Danny Doring for the USWA World Tag Team titles. Cornette and The Midnights received a big pop from the Gardens crowd. “Beautiful” Bobby and “Loverboy” Dennis double teamed Rose early on. Condrey hit the face-first leg sweep on Rose and went for an early pin attempt, but “Sensational” Sherri Martel jumped on the apron to distract Tommy Gilbert. Cornette ran around the ring and threatened to smack her with the racket, but Sherri got away. Rose was able to recover and tagged out to Doring. The challengers were focused and seemed to stop the champs at every turn. With Rose in control of Eaton, he tagged out to Doring. The champs whipped Eaton into the ropes and looked ready to deliver a double clothesline. Cornette tripped Rose from outside the ring. With Doring distracted Eaton rolled him into a small package, but Doring kicked out. Eaton nailed Doring with a right hand, then took him into the corner, where he tagged out to Condrey. The Midnights hit the Midnight Massacre on Doring. The Gardens popped big time. “Loverboy” Dennis went for the cover and got the three-count. Cornette jumped into the ring in celebration, as The Midnights were awarded the USWA World Tag Team championship for the record-setting third time! This was also Rose and Doring’s first loss as a team. Mama Cornette was certainly happy at her boy’s accomplishment! *½

[Cory Olson]

Highlights of USWA Championship Wrestling on September 20:
• Bill Apter interviewed Nick Bockwinkel and Bobby “The Brain” Heenan. Apter congratulated the four-time USWA World Heavyweight champion on winning his first match back in the USWA and asked him what his next plans were. Bockwinkel stated, as he has before, that he wants to capture his fifth World Heavyweight championship. He said that he’s willing to go through each and every USWA wrestler if he has to, to prove that he is the best wrestler around.
• Lance Russell interviewed Team RPW. He asked Dan “The Beast” Severn, point blank, why he refused the handshake of Ed “Strangler” Lewis the night before in Louisville. Severn stated that he can handle the fact that he lost the bout and there was no excuse for that. But what he couldn’t tolerate was the disrespect by the Louisville fans toward him and RPW coach Dick Hutton. Hutton stated that Severn did nothing illegal in this match with “Strangler” and did not deserve the jeers and catcalls. Hutton also said that it was one thing for Lewis to not want to join RPW, but now he’s got the USWA fans labeling them as “bad guys”. Frank Gotch was asked his thoughts and said that when he formed Team RPW at the beginning of 2007, the purpose of the team was not to be popular, but to showcase the greatest true wrestlers in the USWA. That ideal hasn't changed--whether the fans like them or not, they are out to be wrestlers. Gotch claimed that Lewis’ refusal to join up with them was an arrogant gesture and he should be the one to receive boos from the fans. Thus the “Strangler” has made himself some enemies in Team RPW. Hutton said that Lewis will need all the help he can get against the foursome.
• The former World Tag Team champions “Dastardly” Danny Doring and “Playboy” Buddy Rose, along with “Sensational” Sherri Martel were interviewed and were furious about their undefeated streak coming to an end, and naturally even more mad about losing the gold to The Midnight Express. Texas champ Rose stated that he feels Jim Cornette or his mama paid off referee Tommy Gilbert in the Cornettes’ hometown. Sherri, in between blood curdling screams, stated that Rose and Doring have already signed for their title rematch, as the bout will take place on October 17 at the Sailors and Soldiers Memorial Coliseum in Evansville. Rose added that he’s still proud to be the Texas champion and “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton won’t be taking that title from him next week in Mesquite. (See Card #182 preview below.)
• In a preview segment from other upcoming USWA cards, Dave Brown announced that on October 10 at the Civic Center in Knoxville, “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka will return to the ring and it was said that he will be 100% from his neck injury. He will be fired up to take on one of the men that injured him, Magnificent Muraco! As if this feud wasn’t hot enough, now Muraco and Greg Valentine have injured Snuka’s tag team partner “The Boogie Woogie Man”
“Handsome” Jimmy Valiant.

The USWA makes its debut in Mesquite, TX at the Mesquite Rodeo Arena!
• In a rematch from Card #178 at the Nashville Fairgrounds, The Masked Superstar and King Kong Bundy will knock horns again with Dick Hutton and Danny Hodge. The Heenan Family duo came out the winners last time via DQ, when Hutton wouldn’t break a sleeperhold on Superstar, who had grabbed the ropes. Can Team RPW’s new angrier attitude help them beat the former World Tag Team champions?
• Bobo Brazil will go head-to-head with The “Intelligent, Sensational” Destroyer. These two met in the semifinals in 2004 to determine the first USWA Southern Heavyweight champion, which Bobo eventually won. Destroyer was blinded in the first round after an attack with Gorgeous George’s atomizer, and had a disadvantage in that bout. At the time the masked man held no ill will towards Brazil, who just competing in the tournament. But this past week he claimed Brazil was unsportsmanlike and “blindsided” him. Both men are looking for a win to get into the Southern or World Heavyweight title picture. Who will win this one?
• Argentinian sensation Antonino Rocca will take on “Ravishing” Rick Rude. Rude has been in a bit of a slump lately and a win over “Argentina” Rocca would get him back on track. But can he stop the high flying, fast-pace, quick footed Rocca?
• Before he challenges for the USWA World Heavyweight championship, Greg “The Hammer” Valentine will face a long-time rival, B. Brian Blair. Don’t underestimate Blair, as it was he who defeated Valentine last December for the USWA Texas championship. Can Valentine getting a win to give him momentum for his title shot?
• For the first time, Nick Bockwinkel will take on Dan “The Beast” Severn. Bockwinkel isn’t slowing down his return here, taking on another Team RPW member, and a formidable one in former Southern Heavyweight champion Severn. Can Bockwinkel win again or will Severn score a big win?
• “Playboy” Buddy Rose will look to get some revenge, as he defends the USWA Texas title for the first time. His challenger will be one of the men who defeated him and Danny Doring for the World Tag Team titles last week—“Beautiful” Bobby Eaton. Eaton is now a five-time Tag Team champion, but will look to grab his first USWA singles gold. Eaton also defeated Rose by countout two weeks ago in Memphis. Can Eaton become a double champ or will Rose hold on?
• The main event will be for the USWA Southern Heavyweight championship as The Sheik defends against the big Alaskan Yukon Eric. Eric stated that he might not have the best win-loss record, but he has pinned one Southern champ (previous holder Killer Kowalski) and he can do it again. Eric said that he’s got lots of nice possessions, but the Southern belt would definitely be his top prize. Can Eric beat the wild Syrian or will Sheik carve down the Alaskan?
All this as well as another big tag bout as The Killer B’s take on Brad Armstrong and “The Birdman” Koko B. Ware, and more great bouts!