Bithlo Championship Wrestling

[The Creek Rises]

YEAR SIX, CARD No. 20

O’Connell Center – Gainesville

Yukon Eric d. Larry Sharpe after nailing him with a Woodsman’s Chop. Sharpe lived up to his name early on, dodging the attack and taking control of the match, but he eventually still fell to the relentless pressure of Yukon Eric.

Commissioner Chad came out and called out Harley Race. “Harley, you’ve been a pain in my backside more often than not. But you are still a legitimate contender for the BCW world heavyweight title. So tonight I’m going to give you a shot at getting ‘your belt’ back, against Antonio Inoki. Whoever wins will be BCW’s representative at War Games. Race nodded and headed to the back.

Before the commissioner could leave the ring, George Hackenschmidt came out to ask, “What about me, Commish? Where’s the title shot I deserve?” The commissioner replied, “I’ve got something planned for you, George, and it’s a lot better than your last match, so just sit tight for a while.”

Bobo Brazil d. Johnny Rodz, pinning him after a Bobo body slam at the end of a relatively quick match.

King Kong Bundy came out and said he was looking for a way to stay in BCW and avoid a possible upset at the Invasion/War Games PPV due to his “punk tag-team partner. So I figure the best way to do that is to win a belt, and Rick Rude, it looks like yours is the ideal one, so come on down and take your beating.” The U.S. heavyweight champion came to ringside with a smirk on his face, then looked as if he were about to return to the back. But when Bundy called him a few choice words, including “chicken,” he came back and entered the ring.

U.S. heavyweight champion Rick Rude (w/ Ida Mae) d. King Kong Bundy, pinning him after a top-rope knee drop. Bundy started strong, but a mistimed move in the turnbuckle caused him to sprawl outside the ring, which drastically reduced his effectiveness in the second half of the match. Bundy pounded the match in frustration after the loss.

Adam Pearce (WITHOUT Sir Oliver Humperdink) marched to the ring, grabbed a microphone and said, “Johnny Valentine, you beat me down a couple of cards ago, and now I want another shot at you to see if you can do it again, because I don’t think you can!” Down came Valentine to ringside.

Johnny Valentine d. Adam Pearce by DQ when the rest of Pearce’s teammates in the House of Humperdink came to ringside to pummel Valentine, who had given Pearce an ATOMIC SKULLCRUSHER and was going for the pin. Valentine appeared to be injured in the attack as the fans booed.

Afterward, as officials helped Valentine from the ring, Chris Hero of the Kings of Wrestling took the microphone and said, “We’re on a roll. Wonder if the Road Warriors want to bring those tag belts down here and get a severe beating?” Before he could continue, the Road Warriors came flying out of the back with Paul Ellering and the belts in tow.

The BCW world tag-team champions the Road Warriors (w/ Paul Ellering) d. the Kings of Wrestling (with Sir Oliver Humperdink, the House of Humperdink) by DQ when the members of the House of Humperdink attacked after the Warriors got Chris Hero set up in the DOOMSDAY DEVICE. The Road Warriors were beaten down a bit at first, but then rallied and cleared the ring as the fans went wild.

George Hackenschmidt came to ringside, grabbed a microphone and simply said, “It’s time.” Commissioner Chad came back out and said he agreed – it was time for Hackenschmidt to get a chance for some revenge. And his “present” for Hackenschmidt was a one-on-one matchup with one of his former teammates – Mad Dog Vachon!

George Hackenschmidt d. Mad Dog Vachon (w/ Commander Lou Albano) when Vachon crashed into the turnbuckle a moment after Hackenschmidt moved, and Hackenschmidt was able to pin his former teammate. There were numerous violent exchanges between the two inside and outside the ring during the match. Afterward, Hackenschmidt grabbed the mic and shouted, “Inoki, you are next!”

In an Invasion qualifying match, the New Age Outlaws d. the Mongols (w/ Commander Lou Albano) when B.G. James pinned Geeto Mongol after his PUMP-HANDLE SLAM. However, the victory was costly for the Outlaws, as Bepo Mongo attacked James with his chains after the pin, injuring him, which puts the Outlaws’ status for War Games up in the air. Meanwhile, Albano will see his tag team fight for its BCW life at Invasion.

Commander Lou Albano stayed at ringside, grabbed the mic and began explaining the championship match format of best two-of-three falls. He was interrupted by Commissioner Chad, who said that he didn’t have time for all that nonsense. Instead, Inoki would defend the title against Race in one fall, winner take all, and right now! While Albano pitched a fit, the two wrestlers headed to the ring.

Harley Race d. Antonio Inoki (w/ Commander Lou Albano) to win the BCW world heavyweight title when he pinned Inoki after a swinging neckbreaker. Albano complained afterward of a quick count, and while Race celebrated, the Foreign Legion, mainly Mad Dog Vachon and the Mongols, attacked, injuring Race. BCW could be without a healthy heavyweight champion four cards before War Games.

[The Creek Rises]

YEAR SIX, CARD No. 21

Hara Arena, Dayton

Commissioner Chad came to ringside and said that something needed to be done about the lack of a BCW world heavyweight champion so close to War Games, as new titleholder Harley Race was not slated to be back from injury until after the event. So, he decided to come up with the following solution: an eight-man tournament, with all four quarterfinal matches on this card, the semifinals on the next one and the final on the last card before War Games.

The commissioner added that although Race and Johnny Valentine would not be a part of it due to their injuries, former world heavyweight champions Mil Mascaras, Giant Baba, George Hackenschmidt, Bobo Brazil, Jimmy Snuka and Antonio Inoki would. The man who could “run the gantlet” would be representing BCW at War Games.

He also said that he would have to figure out what to do about the New Age Outlaws ahead of War Games, as they won their qualifying match, but B.G. James’ injury will not be healed in time for the event.

The Kings of Wrestling (w/ Larry Sweeney, Sir Oliver Humperdink) d. S+S in a wild, weird match when Chris Hero pinned George South using his RUBIK’S CUBE finisher. The match started with the Kings attacking S+S before the bell, only to have the momentum quickly swing and S+S get two pin attempts on them. After Hero finally pulled out his finisher, he turned around only to be piledriven by Larry Sharpe while the rest of the Kings’ side was busy celebrating. S+S managed to slip out of the ring while Sir Oliver tended to an injured Hero and the BCW injury list grew.

In a quarterfinal match for the BCW world heavyweight title, Rob Van Dam d. Diamond Dallas Page when he nailed a FIVE STAR FROG SPLASH. Page was returning from injury and generally was a bit rusty, while RVD seemed energized at getting a shot at BCW’s top title. Van Dam helped Page up afterward, and the two shook hands.

Rick Rude came out with U.S. heavyweight title bout and Ida Mae, picked up a microphone and asked why HE wasn’t in the BCW world heavyweight tournament. That brought out the commissioner, who pointed out that Rude needed to keep his focus on that shiny U.S. title belt, since he usually had a habit of losing it shortly after winning it. In fact, the commissioner said, he was going to give Rude a tuneup ahead of his challenge at War Games. Out came Danny Hodge to face Rude.

Danny Hodge d. U.S. heavyweight champion Rick Rude (w/ Ida Mae) in a nontitle match when Hodge finished Rude using his OKLAHOMA SIDE ROLL. Rude began the match in a nonchalant way, posing while Ida Mae removed the U.S. belt from his waist, then gesturing and swinging his hips at Hodge as the bell rang. Hodge wasted no time in making Rude pay for his insolence, and Rude never did gain any momentum in the match. The fans went wild as the ref made the three-count, even though the belt did not change hands.

In a quarterfinal match for the BCW world heavyweight title, Mil Mascaras d. Giant Baba in a great match when he connected on his FLYING BODY PRESS. Both men had pin attempts against them, and it took quite a while for Mascaras to finally get the pin. The two men shook hands afterward.

Bill Apter’s “Hot Seat” featured the Road Warriors and Paul Ellering. Hawk said he and Animal were more than ready for War Games, and they looked forward to securing the victory for BCW. Apter asked them if they felt like they had any real competition for the BCW tag belts. Ellering talked of the challenge of the New Age Outlaws, Giant Baba and Jushin Liger and Mad Dog Vachon and Ivan Koloff. Apter said, “But you don’t have someone like the Fabulous Kangaroos, who seemed to have your number while in BCW.” That set off Animal, who said they would have beaten the Kangaroos for the belts eventually, and unlike them, the Road Warriors were willing to take on anyone, at any time. Then, agitated, they got up and left the interview.

Commissioner Chad came out and called out King Kong Bundy and Bruiser Brody, who came out separately. “Look, gentlemen, if you have any chance of staying in BCW, you’ll have to work as a team at Invasion, and you need the practice at it. So, right now, you’re going to face the other team in trouble – the Mongols!”

The Biggest Show on Earth d. the Mongols (w/ Commander Lou Albano) when King Kong Bundy pinned Bepo Mongol following an AVALANCHE. Bundy and Bruiser Brody spent most of the match getting out of pin attempts and grudgingly working with one another, utilizing hard slaps of the hand to make their tags in and out. After the pin, Bundy pointed at Brody and yelled, “That’s how you get it done.”

In a quarterfinal match for the BCW world heavyweight title, Jimmy Snuka d. George Hackenschmidt when he pinned him following a SUPERFLY LEAP. The key moment in the match came when the ref was knocked down after Snuka flew off the turnbuckle with a leap. While he was down, Snuka and Hackenschmidt ended up outside the ring, and Snuka, apparently seizing the opportunity to remain in the hunt for the belt he held on two previous occasions, hit Hackenschmidt with a chair. He threw Hackenschmidt back into the ring and then hit his finisher while a revived ref made the count.

In an Invasion qualifying match, Mad Dog Vachon (w/ Commander Lou Albano) d. Adam Pearce (w/ Sir Oliver Humperdink) when he pinned Pearce following his PILEDRIVER finisher. The match turned when both men ended up outside the ring and Albano got in some cheap shots that were unseen by the ref. That gave Vachon enough of an advantage to finish it back on the mat. Pearce will now wrestle for his BCW career at Invasion.

In a fantastic quarterfinal match between two BCW Triple Crown winners, Antonio Inoki (w/ Commander Lou Albano) d. Bobo Brazil using his OCTOPUS HOLD to move on in the BCW world heavyweight title tournament. The match featured nine pin attempts between the two men, and momentum swings throughout. Brazil looked to have the match won early on, but couldn’t get the clinching pin. Inoki benefited from having the final momentum swing. Afterward, while Brazil was trying to rise from the mat, Inoki did a couple of top rope kneedrops on the icon of BCW, injuring him as the fans booed.

[The Creek Rises]

YEAR SIX, CARD NO. 22

Fairgrounds, Jefferson, Ohio

Curt Hennig d. George South using his HENNIG PLEX. Afterward, he took the mic and complained about having to face “stiffs” and not being in the BCW world heavyweight title picture, especially “when a loser like DDP was.” That brought Page out to ringside to respond, but before he could, he was pushed aside by Don Leo Jonathan, who grabbed a mic and said, “Hey, I respect you, Hennig, but you’ve never held the BCW world heavyweight title, and I have! So a bigger question is why I was left out and DDP got in?”

Commissioner Chad came out to address the issue. He said it was a simple misunderstanding – BCW officials had forgotten to put Jonathan in the tournament, mainly because he hadn’t been around much lately. That answer didn’t please Jonathan, who said he had decided to take it out on someone – Diamond Dallas Page! Hennig and the commissioner left ringside as the two others prepared to battle.

Diamond Dallas Page d. Don Leo Jonathan by DQ when Jonathan nailed Page with a chair while both were outside the ring. It was a disappointing finish to what was a great match that featured numerous twists and turns, plenty of action and Jonathan escaping a DIAMOND CUTTER that Page could not quite get fully on the big man. Afterward, Jonathan towered over Page with the chair, but officials intervened before he could do more damage.

Larry Sweeney and Claudio Castagnoli (w/ Sir Oliver Humperdink) d. the Mongols (w/ Commander Lou Albano) when Sweeney caught Bepo Mongol withi his 12 LARGE ELBOW DROP. Sweeney surprised the Mongols in filling in for the injured Chris Hero and got the pin against Albano’s disappointing tag team.

Ray Stevens d. Danny Hodge using his BOMBS AWAY knee drop in a warmup match ahead of War Games. Stevens attacked Hodge before the bell rang and was relentless in getting the victory.

Ivan Koloff and Mad Dog Vachon (w/ Commander Lou Albano) d. Giant Baba and Jushin Liger by DQ when Giant Baba slammed Mad Dog Vachon into a table at ringside as Vachon was stalking Liger outside the ring. Baba dominated Koloff in the first part of the match, but was frustrated by that interference by Vachon and Albano kept him from getting pins, even after a NECKBREAKER DROP.

In an absolutely fantastic match, Mil Mascaras d. Rob Van Dam to reach the final of the BCW world heavyweight championship tournament. The match featured wild swings of momentum, both wrestlers using their finishing maneuvers but failing to get the pin, and a total of 11 pin attempts between the two before Mil Mascaras caught RVD coming off the top turnbuckle, slammed him to the match and got the three-count. The two men shook hands afterward as the crowd cheered wildly.

Gary Michael Cappetta began announcing the combatants for the War Games qualifying match, and when he announced Harker Dirge, out came Sir Oliver Humperdink in a rage, complaining that his guys kept getting selected in the qualifying matches, only to have their careers on the line at Invasion. That brought out Commissioner Chad, who pointed out that the wrestlers were selected randomly among those eligible, so Sir Oliver must just be particularly unlucky. He also noted that if his wrestlers would simply win their matches, then maybe it wouldn’t be such an issue. As Sir Oliver fumed, Cappetta announced the opponent: Pepper Gomez!

Pepper Gomez d. “Bloody” Harker Dirge (w/ Sir Oliver Humperdink) when he caught Dirge with his MEXICAN CRADLE. Dirge actually controlled much of the match, with the aid of Humperdink, but Gomez caught a momentary break, and that was all he needed to secure a spot in War Games. Meanwhile, a despondent Humperdink realized that another of his wrestlers would be fighting for his career at Invasion.

In a BCW world heavyweight tournament semifinal match, Jimmy Snuka d. Antonio Inoki (w/ Commander Lou Albano) when he caught Inoki with a piledriver and got the pin before Albano could interfere. The match was contested as much outside the ring as inside it, with Albano getting his shots in on his former wrestler when he could. However, Snuka had the last laugh in moving to the finals as fans cheered the memorable match.

[The Creek Rises]

YEAR SIX, CARD NO. 23

Kent State

Necro Butcher came to ringside with Sir Oliver Humperdink and took the mic: “I’m back, but maybe only for one card before I’m gone. If that’s the case, I want a real memorable match before I go. I guess Harley has got some sort of boo-boo and can’t wrestle right now, so I’ll take on anyone in the back who dares to face me.” Ray Stevens came to ringside, took the mic from Butcher and said, “I need a warm-up match ahead of War Games, too, Necro, so let’s do this!”

Ray Stevens d. Necro Butcher (w/ Sir Oliver Humperdink) when he used his BOMBS AWAY knee drop to finish off the feisty Butcher at the end of a good brawl between the two.

BCW world tag-team champions the Road Warriors (w/ Paul Ellering) d. S+S in a nontitle match when George South fell victim to the DOOMSDAY DEVICE. The Warriors looked ready for their upcoming War Games match.

Larry Sweeney (w/ Sir Oliver Humperdink) d. Yukon Eric when he pinned Eric after his ’68 Comeback Special neckbreaker/DDT combo move. Sweeney had help from Humperdink in notching the singles victory, while it was not a good result for Yukon Eric ahead of his War Games appearance.

Sir Oliver remained in the ring, grabbed a mic and went on a tirade about how all his wrestlers were seeing their careers on the line at Invasion. He said he wanted some satisfaction, so he called out “Scrap Iron” Adam Pearce and asked him who he wanted to face if this were to be his last match in BCW. Without hesitation, Pearce said, “That weasel, DDP.” Down to ringside came Diamond Dallas Page to take up the challenge.

Diamond Dallas Page d. Adam Pearce (w/ Sir Oliver Humperdink) by using his Diamond Dream DDT. Page connected earlier in the match with his DIAMOND CUTTER, but interference by Sir Oliver kept him from getting the pin. Pearce also got in some offense earlier in the match, but eventually succumbed to the intensity of Page.

Bill Apter’s “Hot Seat” featured King Kong Bundy. Apter asked him if he would work with Bruiser Brody to salvage his BCW career. Bundy said if he had to carry Brody one more time, he would, but after that, not more teaming together. Brody came flying to the ring, yelling, “Carry me? Carry me?” They stood nose to nose until officials could get them separated. Finally, Brody yelled, “If we make it through Invasion, then a cage match, the two of us. And you will NOT survive it!”

Don Leo Jonathan came out looking for another of those “pretenders to the world heavyweight championship.” His challenge was answered by Claudio Castagnoli, who said, “Jonathan, I’m a real contender, whether BCW realizes it or not. So why don’t you try me? Let’s see who the real master of the giant swing is!”

Don Leo Jonathan d. Claudio Castagnoli (w/ Sir Oliver Humperdink) when he nailed him with his MORMON SWING. Earlier, he used a giant swing on Castagnoli, who was game for a match but apparently didn’t take into account how angry Jonathan was about being shunned during the BCW world heavyweight title tournament.

Commissioner Chad came out and called for George Hackenschmidt and Curt Hennig to come to ringside. He said BCW needed a replacement for B.G. James at War Games, and he had decided that it would be one of the two men in front of him. Hennig asked if he and Hackenschmidt could wrestle one another for the spot, but the commissioner said, “No. I need the best TEAMMATE for this Battle Bowl-type match, so you two will be facing the Mongols, and I’ll judge who has the better performance.”

Curt Hennig and George Hackenschmidt d. the Mongols (w/ Commander Lou Albano) when Hennig pinned Bepo Mongol using the HENNIG PLEX. The match was mostly controlled by the two singles stars, although Hackenschmidt had a rough go of it early on against his former teammates. But Hackenschmidt did have a late rally, and, after interference by Albano temporarily derailed his RUSSIAN BEAR HUG submission attempt, he tagged in Hennig instead of going for his finisher again. Afterward, Commissioner Chad came back to ringside and said he was impressed with both men, but he had decided to go with Hackenschmidt. Hennig then angrily stomped off.

Antonio Inoki came out with Commander Lou Albano. Albano said: “Inoki is already shamed by getting robbed by Jimmy Snuka of a chance to regain his title. He feels the only way to redeem himself is to beat that Japanese fraud, Giant Baba, to revenge the vicious attack on Mad Dog Vachon at the last card. So come take your beating, Baba!” Giant Baba headed to ringside.

Antonio Inoki (w/ Commander Lou Albano) d. Giant Baba when he caught Baba with an ENZUIGIRI. With a stunned Baba still down after the pin, Inoki continued to attack, joined by Mad Dog Vachon, and they seriously injured Baba. Jushin Liger and officials came to ringside to break things up, but by then the damage had been done. What will BCW do to fill Baba’s spot in War Games?

In the finals of the BCW world heavyweight championship tournament, Mil Mascaras d. Jimmy Snuka by DQ when Antonio Inoki returned to ringside and began attacking Mascaras, causing Snuka, who beat Inoki in the semifinals, to lose the match. After the ref called for the DQ, both Snuka and Mascaras headed for Inoki, who slipped out of the ring and headed to the back. Mascaras and Snuka, who were pretty evenly matched before the interference, shook hands afterward, and Snuka handed Mascaras the championship belt. Mascaras will represent BCW at War Games.

[The Creek Rises]

YEAR Six, CARD NO. 24 –

Invasion/War Games PPV – Richfield Coliseum

Commissioner Chad came out and welcomed the crowd to Invasion/War Games, then said the first part of the PPV would be Invasion, in which eight spots in BCW would be up for grabs.

Necro Butcher (w/ Sir Oliver Humperdink) d. Exotic Adrian Street when he caught Street with his TIGER DRIVER. Butcher retained his spot in BCW with an emphatic victory. Street seemed to have been distracted by the appearance at ringside of Harley Race in street clothes, after Commander Lou Albano had showed up earlier in the match in an apparent recruiting effort of Street for his Foreign Legion. Albano backed up as Race, who had been sidelined by the Foreign Legion, pointed a finger at him and said, “Your time is coming … and soon.”

King Kong Bundy and Bruiser Brody d. the Heartbreak Express (w/ Sir Oliver Humperdink, who remained at ringside for the match) when Bundy pinned Sean Davis after an AVALANCHE at the end of a long match. Bundy refused to tag in Brody during the match, but at a key point when Bundy was about to be pinned, Brody interfered and rescued him. Afterward, Brody and Bundy went face to face. Bundy then walked away, grabbed a microphone and said, “Commissioner, we can’t keep doing this. I declare right now, one on one, winner stays, loser goes. What do you say?” Commissioner Chad checked with the other federation commissioners about the deviation in the schedule, then nodded his head “yes.”

Bruiser Brody d. King Kong Bundy when he caught him with a big boot, then pinned him. Brody jumped Bundy right at the bell, got the quick advantage and then a quick pin over someone who was tired from the extended solo tag effort. With the win, Brody remained in BCW, while Bundy departed.

“The Belgian Brawler” Dupae Rupa (w/ Sir Oliver Humperdink, still at ringside) d. Buff Bagwell to earn a sport in BCW when he caught Bagwell by surprise with his BELGIAN WAFFLE finisher. Bagwell controlled most of the match, but couldn’t put his foe away despite three pin attempts. Afterward, Sir Oliver welcomed him to BCW.

The Naptown Dragons (w/ Sir Oliver Humperdink yet again) d. the Mongols (w/ Commander Lou Albano) when the Dragons got the pin on Bepo Mongol after a KISS OF THE DRAGON. The match was a wild one, with action in and out of the ring and several near DQs. While the Naptown Dragons joined BCW (and presumably Humperdink), Albano did not look unhappy at the departure of the disappointing tag team he inherited.

Ricky Landell d. Adam Pearce by countout when he nailed Pearce with a kick to the face outside the ring, and then as Pearce attempted to make it back before the 10-count, he was whacked by Sir Oliver Humperdink’s cane, as Humperdink said: “You failed me one too many times, Pearce. It’s time for you to go.” The crowd was stunned, as it thought Humperdink was in the corner of Pearce, who controlled much of the match until the end. With the result, Landell gained admission into the ranks of BCW.

Bryan Danielson officially joined BCW when he defeated Harker Dirge (w/ Sir Oliver Humperdink) using his suplex arsenal. Dirge controlled the first part of the match, then he and Humperdink were caught by surprise as Danielson made the quick attack for the pin. Even with the loss by Dirge, Humperdink appeared to fare well with the addition of five new wrestlers to his ranks, including Danielson, who left with him.

With that, the Invasion part of the PPV was over. Commissioner William of the defending champion and host AWA came out to discuss War Games. He welcomed the other three feds (BCW, FSW and BWF) and said the schedule would be: two singles matches, opponents randomly chosen,; two tag matches, same format; a battle bowl; then the secondary heavyweight title, tag-team title and world heavyweight title matches, with no representative of a fed facing another fed’s champion more than once during the first round of the three categories. The world heavyweight titleholders would be in a cage. With that, let the Games begin!

SINGLES MATCHES (5 POINTS EACH)

Nick Bockwinkel (AWA) d. Curt Hennig (BCW) when Hennig submitted to the FIGURE-FOUR LEGLOCK. The match was a great start to War Games, with both men in and out of the ring, and both having at least two pin attempts against the other before Bockwinkel got the submission win for the AWA as the hometown crowd went wild. Hennig was the last-minute substitute for the injured Giant Baba.

STANDINGS: AWA 5, BCW 0, BWF 0, FSW 0

Tyler Black (FSW) stunned Ric Flair (BWF) by catching him with a fireman’s carry gutbuster and getting the quick pin. Flair was in control for most of the match, but got careless and paid for it.

AWA 5, FSW 5, BCW 0, BWF 0

TAG MATCHES (5 POINTS EACH)

The Oilmen (BCW) d. the American Wolves (FSW) when Danny Hodge p. Davey Richards after an OKLAHOMA SIDE ROLL. The match was a pretty competitive one, with the Wolves giving a great showing before going down to defeat.

AWA 5, BCW 5, FSW 5, BWF 0

Ted DiBiase and Dr. Death Steve Williams (AWA) d. the Freebirds (BWF) when Williams connected on an OKLAHOMA STAMPEDE against Gorgeous Jimmy Garvin. The fans went wild as the AWA took the early lead in the standings.

AWA 10, BCW 5, FSW 5, BWF 0

20-MAN BATTLE ROYAL (FIVE POINTS TO EACH OF FINAL TWO TEAMS; 10 MORE POINTS TO THE WINNER)

(Eliminated/by whom)

Crusher (AWA) by Barking Spider Ox (FSW) (who moved out of the way at the last minute as Crusher flipped over the turnbuckle) / The Giant (BWF) by Mad Dog Vachon (BCW) with the help of Pepper Gomez and Ray Stevens / Barking Spider Clutch (FSW) by Jack Brisco (BWF) / Jerry Brisco (BWF) by Barking Spider Ox (FSW) / Barking Spider Ox (FSW) by Jack Brisco (BWF)

Remaining wrestlers: BCW 5; AWA 4; BWF 3; FSW 3

Antonino Rocca (AWA) by Pepper Gomez (BCW) / Pepper Gomez (BCW) by Steve Corino (AWA) / George Hackenschmidt (BCW) by Ultimate Warrior (BWF) / Mad Dog Vachon (BCW) by Ultimate Warrior (BWF) / Steve Corino (AWA) by Jack Brisco (BWF)

Remaining wrestlers: BWF 3; FSW 3; BCW 2; AWA 2

Killer Kowalski (AWA) by Kip James (BCW) when the Terrible Turk (AWA) tried to hit James and instead nailed Kowalski / Sgt. Slaughter (BWF) by Patriot III (FSW) as Jack Brisco was late in a save attempt / Mike Quackenbush (FSW) by Jack Brisco, as Quackenbush was on his way to help Erick Stevens / Terrible Turk (AWA) and Kip James (BCW) eliminated each other when James was attempting to help Ray Stevens. The AWA was eliminated from the match.

Remaining wrestlers: BWF 2; FSW 2; BCW 1

Ray Stevens (BCW) by Erick Stevens (FSW). BCW is eliminated.

Standings Update: AWA 10, FSW 10, BCW 5, BWF 5

Ultimate Warrior (BWF) by Erick Stevens (FSW) as the Warrior missed a running clothesline. / Jack Brisco (BWF) by Patriot III (FSW) while Brisco was tied up with Erick Stevens.

The AWA-heavy crowd was stunned, as upstart FSW won the battle royal.

FSW 20, AWA 10, BCW 5, BWF 5

SECONDARY HEAVYWEIGHT TITLEHOLDERS, FIRST ROUND (10 POINTS TO EACH WINNER)

Intercontinental champion Dusty Rhodes (BWF) d. Great Lakes champion the Destroyer (AWA) when Rhodes pinned the Destroyer after a vertical suplex. The match involved a lot of “clubberin’” action and battles outside the ring, along with a combined eight pin attempts before the finish. Ten points to BWF.

U.S. heavyweight champion Rick Rude (BCW) d. FSW TV champion Jigsaw when he connected on a RUDE AWAKENING in a quick result shortly after the match began. Ten points to BCW.

FSW 20, BCW 15, BWF 15, AWA 10

TAG TEAM TITLEHOLDERS, FIRST ROUND (15 POINTS TO EACH WINNER)

The Backseat Boyz (FSW) d. the Love Brothers (AWA) in an incredibly long match when Trent Acid p. Reginald Love after a top-rope hurricanrana. The Love Brothers wasted numerous chances to take control of the match, and it came back to bite them eventually. Fifteen points to FSW.

Terry Funk and Blackjack Lanza (BWF) d. the Road Warriors (w/ Paul Ellering) when Funk caught Hawk in a SPINNING TOE HOLD for the victory. The Road Warriors looked out of it the entire match against Funk and Lanza, posting possibly their worst performance of the year. Fifteen points to BWF.

FSW 35, BWF 30, BCW 15, AWA 10

HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP TITLEHOLDERS (20 POINTS TO EACH WINNER)

The cage came down for this series of matches.

Big Van Vader (BWF) d. Drake Younger (FSW). Younger rolled up Vader after Vader came off the cage wall early in the match and missed getting the pin by a quarter-second. Vader had been in complete control of the match up to that point, but got sloppy. He quickly regained control, then finished Younger off with a Vader Bomb followed by a POWER BOMB for the victory. Twenty points to BWF.

Mil Mascaras (BCW) d. Larry Zbyszko (AWA) using his FLYING BODYPRESS. Mascaras slowly took control of the match, then finished Zbyszko, who was hampered by the fact that his mischievous valet Sherri was outside the cage. The crowd booed its disappointment as the defending-champion AWA was officially eliminated from War Games. Twenty points to BCW.

BWF 50, BCW 35, FSW 35, AWA 10 (the BWF had a finalist in all three upcoming matches)

Up went the cage.

SECONDARY HEAVYWEIGHT TITLEHOLDERS FINAL (15 POINTS TO WINNER)

Intercontinential champion Dusty Rhodes (BWF) d. U.S. heavyweight champion Rick Rude (BCW) when Rhodes caught Rude with his BIONIC ELBOW DROP and got the pin. Rude was cruising early in the match until Rhodes grabbed an opening and finished him off. With the victory and the 15 points, the BWF clinched War Games.

BWF 65, BCW 35, FSW 35, AWA 10

TAG TEAM TITLEHOLDERS FINAL (20 POINTS TO WINNER)

The Backseat Boyz (FSW) surprised Terry Funk and Blackjack Lanza (BWF) to get the pin on Lanza when Trent Acid connected on the ACID BOMB. Lanza and Funk had their moments in the match, but lost the momentum to their quicker opponents and paid for it. Twenty points to FSW, which secured FSW’s best performance ever in War Games.

BWF 65, FSW 55, BCW 35, AWA 10

HEAVYWEIGHT TITLEHOLDER FINAL (25 POINTS TO THE WINNER)

Back down came the cage.

Big Van Vader (BWF) d. Mil Mascaras (BCW) when he pinned Mascaras after a vicious POWERBOMB. Mascaras fought gamely, but he was no match for the monstrous Vader in the cage. Twenty-five points to BWF.

FINAL STANDINGS: BWF 90, FSW 55, BCW 35, AWA 10

The BWF won War Games outright for the first time and notched the highest team point total. BCW had its worst-ever showing at War Games.

[The Creek Rises]

YEAR SIX, CARD NO. 25

Alexander Memorial Coliseum, Atlanta

Sir Oliver Humperdink came out to start the card. He said he had a very profitable time at Invasion, adding five new wrestlers and only losing one. However, he noticed that there was one extra slot on BCW’s roster after King Kong Bundy was ousted by Bruiser Brody. Therefore, he saw no reason why “Bloody” Harker Dirge couldn’t continue his career in the federation.

Commissioner Chad came out. He started by saying that War Games was a disappointment for BCW in many ways, but it was time to look forward. He then addressed Humperdink, saying that it was probably time for Dirge to move on from Humperdink’s ever-growing stable of wrestlers. The commissioner already had someone in mind for the roster opening, but to be fair, he’d have Dirge face him. Out came former BCW U.S. and tag champion Ox Baker!

Harker Dirge (w/ Sir Oliver Humperdink) d. Ox Baker when he connected on his DIRT NAP. The match was back and forth for a long time, and Baker just missed connecting on his dreaded HEART PUNCH. Interference by Humperdink then helped carry the day. Afterward, the commissioner said Dirge could remain in BCW, but Baker was staying, too. Someone would have to go from the roster “later.”

Harley Race came out, stopped the commissioner from departing and said he wanted a shot to get “his” BCW world heavyweight title back, now that he was back from an injury. Commissioner Chad said that the current title shot was held by Antonio Inoki, who was set to face the champion, Mil Mascaras, at the end of this card. He said that Race would have to re-earn his title-shot status, and Race replied that he would do just that, AND he knew who he would do it against.

The Naptown Dragons (w/Sir Oliver Humperdink) d. S+S when George South was pinned after a DOUBLE DRAGON. The Dragons wasted little time in getting their first victory on a regular BCW card.

Bryan Danielson (w/ Sir Oliver Humperdink) made his official BCW debut by d. Ray Stevens via DQ when Stevens clobbered Humperdink after a cheap shot by the manager that went unseen by the ref. Officials quickly separated all involved. Before the DQ, the match was fairly even, with a slight advantage to Danielson.

Page and Pepper d. Ivan Koloff and Mad Dog Vachon (w/ Commander Lou Albano) by DQ when Koloff attacked Gomez outside the ring with his steel chain. The match saw lots of interference by Albano and pin attempts against all four men. Diamond Dallas Page converted on a DIAMOND CUTTER against Koloff, but never got the referee to count the pin attempt due to Albano’s distraction.

Don Leo Jonathan came out and said he would show at the Tampa Tournament why he will be proclaimed “greatest champion ever.” Before that, he figured he’d pick up some easy gold, calling out Rick Rude, “the guy who wins the U.S. belt all the time and loses it a few matches later.” An angry Rude headed to the ring with Ida Mae.

U.S. heavyweight champion Rick Rude (w/ Ida Mae) d. Don Leo Jonathan to retain the belt when he hit Jonathan with a RUDE AWAKENING. Rude was in trouble early in the match after a MORMON SWING by Jonathan, but Diamond Dallas Page, a previous target of Jonathan, ran to ringside and distracted Jonathan long enough for Rude to recover and nail Jonathan with a clothesline, and then his finisher. Page celebrated outside the ring afterward, even though there was no love lost between him and Rude.

Commissioner Chad came to ringside and called out the Oilmen. He said that Yukon Eric and Danny Hodge were the one BCW tag team that performed well at War Games, so he was giving them a title shot against a tag team that, for whatever reason, didn’t show up at War Games – the Road Warriors! Down to ringside came a rather perturbed Hawk and Animal, along with Paul Ellering.

BCW world tag-team champions the Road Warriors (w/ Paul Ellering) d. the Oilmen in a long, good match when Yukon Eric fell victim to the DOOMSDAY DEVICE. All four men had pin attempts against them, and the Oilmen put up quite the fight before finally succumbing. The Warriors did not celebrate the victory, but left the ring quickly afterward.

Harley Race d. Rob Van Dam by DQ when Van Dam gave Race a Van Daminator outside the ring. Once again, Race won a meeting between the two, but paid a big price in getting the victory.

Commander Lou Albano came out, took the microphone and said, “Inoki’s challenge for the world heavyweight title will be a one-fall one. Poor Mil is still trying to recover from his beating at the hands of Big Van Vader, so we don’t want to overtax him. In fact, we’ll lighten his burden by about 10 pounds of gold – right now!”

Antonio Inoki (w/ Commander Lou Albano) d. Mil Mascaras to regain the BCW world heavyweight championship when he caught Mascaras with an ENZUIGIRI. Mascaras had a strong start in the match, but slowed down quickly, much as Albano had alluded to. Inoki took advantage to regain the gold.

Afterward, Albano held up a woozy Mascaras as Inoki set up to give him a potential career-ending ENZUIGIRI. As he got ready, a person jumped into the ring, drilled Inoki and gave him a belly-to-belly suplex! Inoki slid out of the ring, as did Albano. As they pointed at the stranger, the crowd went wild, because Magnum TA had arrived in BCW!

[The Creek Rises]

YEAR SIX, CARD No. 26

Tampa Armory (Tampa Tournament)

Commissioner Chad came out and welcomed everyone to the Tampa Tournament. He said there would be four brackets of eight wrestlers each, seeded one through eight. It was a single-elimination tournament, with the winner getting a world heavyweight title shot in two cards. With that, let the tournament begin!

ROUND ONE

BRACKET A

(1) U.S. champion Rick Rude (w/ Ida Mae) d. (8) Ox Baker when he connected on a RUDE AWAKENING at the end of a physical match that featured as much action outside the ring as inside.

(4) George Hackenschmidt d. (5) Kip James (w/ B.G. James) using his RUSSIAN BEAR HUG to get a submission at the end of a long, brutal match that saw both men have pin attempts and James fight off the BEAR HUG for quite a while before succumbing.

(3) Pepper Gomez d. (6) Ultramantis Black (from FSW) when he caught Black with his MEXICAN CRADLE. Gomez had a bit of trouble putting Black away, due to his unorthodox style.

(2) Diamond Dallas Page d. (7) Ivan Koloff (w/ Commander Lou Albano) by DQ when Koloff used a chain to bloody Page outside the ring, and Albano couldn’t distract the ref fast enough.

BRACKET B

(8) “Bloody” Harker Dirge (w/ Sir Oliver Humperdink) d. (1) Mil Mascaras by DQ when Ox Baker ran to the ring and began attacking Dirge. Mascaras appeared stunned by his elimination from the tournament, then simply walked to the back as officials pulled Baker off Dirge.

(5) Magnum TA d. (4) Belgian Brawler (w/ Sir Oliver Humperdink) when he connected on a BELLY TO BELLY SUPLEX at the end of a long, well-contested match.

(6) Bob Orton Sr. (from AWA) d. (3) Yukon Eric when he caught the Alaskan with his PILEDRIVER finisher. Orton Sr. looked solid in moving on to the next round.

(2) Ray Stevens d. (7) Rob Van Dam when Van Dam was DQ’d for using the Van Daminator. It was yet another unfortunate break for Van Dam, who had dominated the match up until that point.

BRACKET C

(1) Curt Hennig d. (8) Danny Hodge when he connected on a HENNIG PLEX. Hennig, who was in the final of the Tampa Tournament a year ago, looked determined to return there again.

(4) Ricky Landell (w/ Sir Oliver Humperdink) d. (5) Jushin Liger by countout when Landell hit a double-arm underhook suplex outside the ring on Liger, who was unable to get back in time for the 10-count. Earlier, Liger hit a FISHERMAN’S BUSTER on Landell and was going for the pin when Sir Oliver interfered. Landell was able to rally and get Liger outside the ring, where the momentum shifted to Landell.

(3) Johnny Valentine d. (6) Erick Stevens (from FSW) when he connected on his ATOMIC SKULLCRUSHER. Earlier in the match, when Valentine had Stevens in trouble, Sir Oliver Humperdink came to ringside to aid Stevens, but Valentine yelled, “Stay out of it!” which backed Humperdink down a bit. Valentine eventually won with his finisher, although Stevens gave him a good battle. Afterward, Valentine grabbed a mic and said: “This is for the real gold, Humperdink. Keep interfering, and your kids are going to get hurt!” He then dropped the mic and left the ring.

(7) Jimmy Snuka d. (2) Bruiser Brody by DQ when Brody took a chain to Snuka outside the ring. Snuka jumped Brody before the bell and had the advantage early, including splashing Brody with a SUPERFLY LEAP, but Brody recovered enough to take his anger out on Snuka outside the ring.

BRACKET D

(8) Mad Dog Vachon (w/ Commander Lou Albano) d. (1) Harley Race when Vachon got the quick pin after a Mad Dog pounce. Albano’s interference was key when Race had Vachon set for his PILEDRIVER, and his continued distraction ended up with Race getting pinned and being furious afterward about losing a chance to regain the BCW world heavyweight title.

(4) Chris Hero (w/ Sir Oliver Humperdink) and (5) Don Leo Jonathan wrestled to a double disqualification when the two got involved in a brawl outside the ring. Jonathan had the early advantage in the match until Humperdink distracted him during a MORMON SWING. Hero regained momentum and even got a pair of pin attempts before Sir Oliver’s constant meddling sent both outside the ring, as Hero tried to stop Jonathan from punching Humperdink! The result put Mad Dog Vachon in the bracket final.

(6) Greg Valentine (of the AWA) d. (3) Necro Butcher (w/ Sir Oliver Humperdink) when Butcher submitted to Valentine’s FIGURE-FOUR LEGLOCK. The match was a physical one, with Valentine getting an “assist” from Humperdink in falling from the top turnbuckle early, and both wrestlers battling outside the ring. However, Humperdink could not keep Butcher from falling to the former BCW wrestler.

(2) Bryan Danielson d. (7) Claudio Castagnoli using his CATTLE MUTILATION. Danielson was on fire throughout, apparently impressing Sir Oliver Humperdink, who watched but did not take sides between his two wrestlers.

BRACKET SEMIFINALS

BRACKET A

(4) George Hackenschmidt d. (1) U.S. heavyweight champion Rick Rude in a fantastic match when Hackenschmidt finally got a twisting heel hook hold on and Rude eventually submitted. The two battled in and out of the ring, through various pin attempts and momentum swings, before Hackenschmidt finally got the victory to advance. Both men were highly fatigued afterward.

(3) Pepper Gomez d. (2) Diamond Dallas Page when he pinned Page after a Mexican Leap. The tag-team partners shook hands before the match, then went at it. They ended up outside the ring at one point, and after some scuffling worked on getting back in the ring. That’s when Gomez unleashed his Mexican Leap and got the surprise pin to advance. The two shook hands afterward, then Page lifted Gomez’s arm in victory.

BRACKET B

(5) Magnum TA d. (8) “Bloody” Harker Dirge (w/ Sir Oliver Humperdink) when he caught him with his BELLY-TO-BELLY SUPLEX finisher. The match was a long and physical one, but the key might have been that Sir Oliver, unlike usual, did not interfere in the match.

(2) Ray Stevens d. Bob Orton Sr. (from the AWA) by DQ when Orton used a chain on Stevens outside the ring. Orton apparently thought Stevens was “showboating” after a move in the ring and decided to make him pay for it when both were outside the squared circle.

BRACKET C

(1) Curt Hennig d. (4) Ricky Landell (w/ Sir Oliver Humperdink) by DQ when Sir Oliver, apparently back to his conniving ways, was caught tripping up Hennig and using a cheap shot outside the ring. Landell started strong, but Hennig was coming on when the interference occurred.

In a meeting of former BCW world heavyweight champions, (7) Jimmy Snuka d. (3) Johnny Valentine when he connected on a SUPERFLY LEAP and got the pin. Both men had their moments on offense, but Snuka seemed particularly focused on getting another shot at the world heavyweight title.

BRACKET D

(8) Mad Dog Vachon advanced to the bracket final.

(6) Greg Valentine (of AWA) d. (2) Bryan Danielson (w/ Sir Oliver Humperdink) in an epic match when he caught Danielson with a piledriver and got the pin. Each man had at least three pin attempts and saw momentum swing a number of times before Valentine finally recorded the pin. With the loss, Humperdink had no members of his House remaining in the Tampa Tournament.

BRACKET FINALS

BRACKET A

(3) Pepper Gomez d. (4) George Hackenschmidt using his MEXICAN CRADLE finisher. The two went back and forth before Gomez connected on Hackenschmidt, who showed a little weariness from his earlier match with Rick Rude. The two shook hands after the match.

BRACKET B

(5) Magnum TA d. (2) Ray Stevens by DQ when Stevens attacked Magnum TA with a chair outside the ring. He tried to attack BCW’s newest star before the bell to start the match, only to have Magnum TA reverse the surprise, hitting a BELLY-TO-BELLY SUPLEX and nearly getting the pin. The match then bogged down between the two, who seemed pretty evenly matched. However, Stevens apparently was carrying a grudge from his earlier failed attack, and he tried to settle it outside the ring, costing him a chance at the Final Four.

BRACKET C

(7) Jimmy Snuka d. (1) Curt Hennig by DQ when Bruiser Brody attacked Snuka with a chain outside the ring while Snuka was going after Hennig. Snuka, who seemed to be duplicating his successful run toward the title earlier this year in another tournament, was controlling much of the match before the attack by Brody, who apparently was still angry about his loss to Snuka earlier in the tournament.

BRACKET D

(6) Greg Valentine (of the AWA) d. (8) Mad Dog Vachon (w/Commmander Lou Albano) when Vachon submitted to the FIGURE FOUR LEGLOCK. The match went on for a long, long time and could easily have been referred to as “reversal-fest” Fans actually started chanting that they wanted Valentine’s previous opponent, Bryan Danielson, back in the ring.

BCW world heavyweight champion Antonio Inoki came to ringside to watch the Final Four and scout his next opponent.

SEMIFINALS

Magnum TA d. Pepper Gomez using a BELLY-TO-BELLY SUPLEX to reach the finals. Gomez put up a game fight, but could not match Magnum TA’s intensity and fell to his finisher. The two competitors shook hands afterward.

Jimmy Snuka d. Greg Valentine by rolling him up for a pin when Valentine was trying a sunset flip. The match ending seemed to surprise both men and the fans, but Snuka still headed to the final.

FINAL

Jimmy Snuka d. Magnum TA to win the Tampa Tournament for a second time after he hit a massive SUPERFLY LEAP. After the competitive match, he helped a stunned Magnum TA out of the ring, then went back to celebrate, only to catch an ENZUIGIRI from Antonio Inoki, who had snuck into the ring. Then Inoki held the world title belt above the prone figure of Snuka as the fans booed. Snuka will get the world title shot, while Magnum TA will get a U.S. title opportunity.

[bookerbill]

Awesome tournament. Loved the post match attack by Inoki on the superfly. Greg Valentine v. Jimmy Snuke was the main event of the first live card I attended so I always enjoy when they square off in the game.

[The Creek Rises]

YEAR SIX, CARD NO. 27

Bithoplex

Commissioner Chad came out and said that the Tampa Tournament had been excellent as usual, and he looked forward to Jimmy Snuka competing for what possibly could be his third BCW world heavyweight championship on the next card. But he also thought that current world title holder Antonio Inoki looked a little “too relaxed” lately, and couple that with the fact that Don Leo Jonathan was doing a little too much complaining recently, and it seemed like a match made for this card, with the winner going on to face Snuka. Inoki and Commander Lou Albano came out to complain, but to no avail. “Just think of what Snuka went through to get the title shot, Inoki,” the commissioner said. “This is the least you can do. And if Don Leo loses, I don’t have to listen to him anymore about not getting a title shot!”

The commissioner then added, “And speaking of title shots, you’ll see Magnum TA get his tonight, against U.S. heavyweight champion Rick Rude!” The crowd erupted with the announcement.

Bobo Brazil, in his return from injury, d. Johnny Rodz when he pinned him after a falling elbow. Brazil took a while to get going, apparently showing that his recovery was not all the way back yet.

The Naptown Dragons (w/ Sir Oliver Humperdink) d. S+S when Scotty Vortekz laid out George South with a moonsault and got the pin.

The Oilmen d. the New Age Outlaws when Danny Hodge caught Kip James in a Boston crab and got the surprise pin. The Outlaws domintaed much of the match, but couldn’t seem to get the Oilmen finished off, and it cost them. Afterward, the Outlaws seemed particularly perturbed by the sequence of events and by their opponents.

Magnum TA d. Rick Rude (w/ Ida Mae) to become the new BCW U.S. heavyweight champion. Rude dominated the first part of the match, repeatedly yelling, “You’re not ready yet, rookie!” But that seemed to energize Magnum TA, who was fired up and even hit his BELLY-TO-BELLY SUPLEX finisher! Ida Mae’s distraction efforts delayed the pin, but a follow-up running forearm sealed the deal. The fans went wild afterward as MagnumTA held up the belt.

Ivan Koloff and Mad Dog Vachon (w/ Commannder Lou Albano) d. the Kings of Wrestling (w/ Sir Oliver Humperdink) when Koloff pinned Claudio Castagnoli after a leg drop. Sir Oliver Humperdink complained that the three-count was a quick one, which the referee ignored. Humperdink appeared frustrated by the fact that his wrestlers were competing with others in BCW right up until the end of the match.

The Road Warriors (w/ Paul Ellering) d. Page and Pepper to retain the BCW world tag-team titles when Diamond Dallas Page was pinned after a double clothesline by the Warriors. Page and Pepper Gomez about had a momentous upset, as Page stunned Hawk with a DIAMOND CUTTER out of nowhere, but he couldn’t get the pin, and the Warriors eventually regained control.

Curt Hennig came to ringside and said he hadn’t been happy lately. He didn’t win the Tampa Tournament, losing to eventual champion Jimmy Snuka. He lost at War Games to Nick Bockwinkel. He said all his problems began when BCW chose George Hackenschmidt over him for War Games, even though he “was obviously the much better wrestler.” Although Hennig eventually got into War Games anyway, he hadn’t “been the same since.” So, he was calling out Hackenschmidt to “make things right again” by beating him in the ring. Hackenschmidt came out to accept the challenge.

In a fantastic match, George Hackenschmidt d. Curt Hennig, who submitted after a twisting heel hook. The match featured numerous switches in momentum and six combined pin attempts before Hackenschmidt secured the victory. Hennig appeared to be tempted to go after Hackenschmidt following the pin, but was slow-moving on the ankle.

Don Leo Jonathan came to ringside. After he arrived, Commander Lou Albano came out and said that since this was a championship match, it will be a best two-out-of-three falls. Jonathan nodded his head in agreement, and out came BCW world heavyweight champion Antonio Inoki as the crowd booed.

Antonio Inoki d. Don Leo Jonathan in two consecutive falls to retain the BCW world heavyweight championship. In the first fall, after a long battle back and forth in which the champion appeared to exert a lot of energy, Inoki finally nailed Jonathan with an ENZUIGIRI to get the pin. In the second fall, Inoki connected on a belly-to-back suplex and got the pinfall on a weary Jonathan. Afterward, Commander Lou Albano grabbed a microphone and said to the booing crowd: “You’d better get used to it. And Snuka, I hope you were watching in the back, because this will be your fate on the next card.”

[Scott Fire 54]

Great stuff!!!