Bithlo Championship Wrestling

[mj]

Looks like Albano has the upper hand...... But I am sure commish Chad has something in store for them.

[The Creek Rises]

YEAR SEVEN, CARD No. 16

Tag-o-Rama PPV – Daytona Beach Oceanfront Center

Bill Apter came out and greeted the commissioners of the AWA, FSW and BWF, and said that the owner of BCW was traveling, but would address the BCW commissioner situation at the next card. He said that BCW had decided not to fight the injunction by Commander Lou Albano, and that Andre the Giant would compete in the tag tournament, along with defending his BCW world heavyweight championship belt.

Apter then reminded the crowd about the format for Tag-o-Rama: four brackets, each with a No. 1 seed and three other teams. The teams were randomly assigned brackets. Once assigned, the No. 1 team in each bracket could pick their first-round opponent from the other teams in the bracket. The BCW world tag-team titles, held by the Exiles, could be won by a team from BCW, FSW or the AWA if they beat the Exiles. Also, there would be three other matches on the card.

With that said, Apter opened the Tag-o-Rama tournament by inviting to ringside the first two teams.

BRACKET A:

No. 1 seed and BCW world tag-team champions the Exiles d. FSW tag-team champions the North Star Express when Mil Mascaras p. Ryan Cruz following a slingshot plancha. The Exiles appeared reluctant for some reason to use their finishers against the Express, while the FSW champs used their speed to extend the match for a lengthy time before finally falling.

The Road Warriors (w/ Paul Ellering) d. the Heavenly Bodies (w/ Jim Cornette) of the AWA in a long, interference-filled match when Hawk pinned a weary Tom Prichard after a vertical suplex. The Heavenly Bodies used all sorts of interference to avoid getting pinned, and an unseen foreign object in the hands of Prichard nearly ended up with Animal getting pinned. Still, the end result left the Warriors with a shot at the BCW tag-team titles in the next round.

BRACKET B:

No. 1 seed The Briscos (BWF world tag-team champions) d. the Killer Bees (independent team) when Jim Brunzell submitted to Jack Brisco’s FIGURE FOUR LEGLOCK. The Killer Bees surprisingly dominated much of the match, getting four pin attempts and pulling off a successful “masked confusion” before Jack Brisco finally rallied to get the victory for his team.

The Kings of Wrestling (w/ Sir Oliver Humperdink) d. Blackjack Lanza and Cowboy Ron Bass (BWF) when Claudio Castagnoli p. Lanza after a RICOLA BOMB. The Kings of Wrestling looked really focused in the ring and dominated most of the action.

BRACKET C:

All Night Express (FSW), in an upset, d. No. 1 seed the Ortons (AWA world tag-team champions) when Rhett Titus connected on the Sex-Factor and got the pin against Bob Orton Sr. The match was a long one, mostly controlled by the Ortons, but Orton Sr. got caught in the ring for a long time, unable to make a tag, and it cost them.

Ox Baker and Jushin Liger d. D’Lo Brown and Al Snow (independent team) when Liger p. Brown after a Liger Dive. Brown held his own against Baker, but could not seem to handle the speed and agility of Liger’s numerous offensive moves.

BRACKET D:

Don Leo Jonathan and Ray Stevens d. the Moondogs (BWF) when Jonathan pinned Moondog Rex after a giant swing. Stevens and Jonathan mostly cruised through the match, as the Moondogs could find little momentum.

Andre the Giant (w/ Commander Lou Albano) d. Steve Williams and Ted DiBiase (AWA) when he pinned DiBiase after a sitdown splash. Neither AWA wrestler had much success against Andre, although “Dr. Death” Williams had a decent power showing against him.

Harker Dirge (w/ Sir Oliver Humperdink) d. Rob Van Dam, in his return from injury, when Van Dam nailed him with a nasty Van Daminator, seriously injuring Dirge and earning a DQ. Dirge already had one pin attempt against him when he hit Van Dam with a cheap shot, prompting Van Dam’s rather violent reaction against a member of the group that injured him. Humperdink was enraged afterward.

BRACKET A FINAL:

The Road Warriors (w/ Paul Ellering) became the BCW world tag-team champions for a record seventh time by d. the Exiles when Animal p. George Hackenschmidt after a overhead body slam. The quick pin came after a long match in which both sides were constantly tagging and putting pressure on the other. After the pin, Hawk knocked Mil Mascaras off the ring apron, and the Road Warriors proceeded to give a weary Hackenschmidt a nasty DOOMSDAY DEVICE, seriously injuring him. While the crowd booed, Hawk picked up a mic and said, “We don’t care, and we aren’t messing around. These titles are ours!” Officials, meanwhile, worked at ringside to take an injured former BCW triple crown winner out of the ring.

BRACKET B FINAL:

BWF tag-team champs the Briscos d. the Kings of Wrestling (w/ Sir Oliver Humperdink) when Chris Hero succumbed to Jack Brisco’s FIGURE FOUR LEGLOCK. The match was a great, long one, with both Jack Brisco and Claudio Castagnoli overcoming a number of pin attempts, plus interference by Humperdink before the Briscos finally recorded the victory.

BRACKET C FINAL:

Ox Baker and Jushin Liger d. the All Night Express when Liger pinned Kenny King after a FISHERMAN’S BUSTER. King started the match for ANE against Baker with all sorts of energy, but had a harder time keeping up when Liger tagged in, and Liger’s speed and agility proved to be the undoing for ANE.

BRACKET D FINAL:

Andre the Giant (w/ Commander Lou Albano) d. Don Leo Jonathan and Ray Stevens by DQ when the two tried to double-team Andre outside the ring after he ended up there with Jonathan. Stevens wielded a chair (to little effect). With the victory, the one-man team moved to the final four of Tag-o-Rama.

Ilio DiPaolo (of the AWA) d. U.S. heavyweight champion Ivan Koloff by DQ, so Koloff retained the title. The match began on an odd note, as Koloff refused to let Commander Lou Albano come to ringside, telling him to stay in the back. The match between the two wrestlers was a solid one, with both men getting pin attempts and DiPaolo nearly ending the match with his AIRPLANE SPIN. However, the pair ended up outside the ring, and Koloff used his chain, prompting the DQ.

SEMIFINAL ONE:

The BCW tag-team champions the Road Warriors (Paul Ellering) d. BWF tag-team champions the Briscos when Hawk and Animal combined on a DOOMSDAY DEVICE against Jerry Brisco to get the pin. The Briscos looked strong early, but when Jerry Brisco tagged in, he faced an angry Animal, who quickly got the advantage and finished them off. With the victory, the Road Warriors once again reached the Tag-o-Rama finals.

SEMIFINAL TWO:

Ox Baker and Jushin Liger d. Andre the Giant (w/ Commander Lou Albano) by DQ when Andre body-slammed Baker twice outside the ring. It came after Baker and Andre ended up battling outside the ring and Baker attempted a HEART PUNCH. That angered Andre, who retaliated and got the DQ even as Commander Lou Albano tried to distract the referee. Earlier, Liger broke up a pin attempt by Andre on Baker following a BIG SPLASH, and Andre merely flicked him out of the ring. However, it gave Baker enough time to somewhat recover.

BCW world heavyweight champion Andre the Giant (w/ Commander Lou Albano) d. Diamond Dallas Page when he pinned Page after a BIG SPLASH. DDP actually had about 50 percent of the offense during the match and even got a pin attempt after a modified clothesline, but never got a clean shot at a DIAMOND CUTTER, and Andre recovered and eventually fended off a game DDP.

FINAL

The Road Warriors (w/ Paul Ellering) retained the BCW world tag-team title belts and won Tag-o-Rama by defeating Ox Baker and Jushin Liger when Liger fell victim to the DOOMSDAY DEVICE. The match started with Ellering distracting the ref long enough for Hawk to get a cheap shot in on Liger, and although Liger rallied for a bit during the ensuing match, he never got a chance to tag in a battered Baker before he fell victim to the Road Warriors’ finisher. Afterward, Hawk took the mic and said, “You might not like us and our methods, but another Tag-o-Rama ends with us holding the belts and ruling the tag-team world!”

[The Creek Rises]

YEAR SEVEN, CARD NO. 17

Volusia County Fairgrounds -- Deland

Chris, the owner of BCW, came to ringside and called out Andre the Giant and Commander Lou Albano. Chris said he was very angry about Andre’s confrontation with Commissioner Chad and the commissioner’s subsequent injuries due to the “accident.” The commissioner was still in the hospital, but was expected to make a full recovery and would return in the future. In the meantime, Chris said he would not be owning a “lawless federation,” so he was appointing an interim commissioner, and that person would be … “BCW icon Bobo Brazil!”

Brazil came to ringside as the crowd cheered wildly. Chris said that as interim commissioner, Brazil would have all the powers of the regular commissioner until such time as Commissioner Chad came back. Brazil took the mic, thanked the BCW owner, then said his first action as interim commissioner would be to strip Andre of the BCW world heavyweight championship for his role in Commissioner Chad’s “accident.” As Albano began complaining, Brazil said Andre would not get another title shot until Commissioner Chad was able to return to his post.

An angry Andre started toward Brazil, who doubled up his fists and was joined by security. Andre backed down. Brazil said an eight-man tournament would began on this card to determine the new BCW world heavyweight champion ahead of War Games, and that there would be a couple of surprise entrants in the tournament. Also, matches to determine the members of team BCW for War Games would also begin, with the losers of the matches having to battle for their BCW careers at Invasion, the first segment of War Games, and the winners being part of the BCW War Games squad. With that, Brazil carefully took the world heavyweight belt from Andre, told Andre and Albano to “watch your step, gentlemen,” then left ringside.

One Man Gang made his debut in BCW by battling Larry Sharpe to a double DQ when both men fought outside the ring and wouldn’t return. One Man Gang ended the bout by slamming Sharpe to the floor. Afterward, he took the mic and said, “This is just the beginning. HE is coming. Be ready.” He then left ringside as officials attended to Sharpe.

George South d. Mil Mascaras by DQ when Commander Lou Albano came to ringside and hit South from behind with a “foreign object.” Albano grabbed a mic and said, “You’re all alone, Mascaras. Hackenschmidt is gone, and thanks to the interim commissioner, Andre has a bit more time on his hands these days, so it’s just a matter of time until you pay the final price for your lack of service in the Foreign Legion. Until Andre gets his title back, everyone better beware of ‘accidents.’” Mascaras began to pursue Albano outside the ring, but Andre showed up in the aisle to end that chase.

Bruiser Brody d. Johnny Rodz after a JUMPING KNEE DROP. Brody wasted little time in finishing off Rodz.

Magnum TA d. U.S. heavyweight champion Ivan Koloff by DQ when Albano interfered yet again. Koloff had once again waved off any help from Albano before the match began and came to rinside alone. The two wrestlers then engaged in another fantastic match, with each getting a couple of pin attempts and Magnum hitting his BELLY TO BELLY SUPLEX and just missing getting the three-count. Both men eventually ended up outside the ring, and that’s when Albano interfered by whacking Magnum with a kendo stick. Koloff was angry afterward, despite keeping the U.S. title.

The BCW world tag-team champions, the Road Warriors, came out with Paul Ellering. Hawk took the mic and said, “We don’t care if Bobo Brazil is commissioner now – we don’t like him anyway. Our only goal is to destroy the other tag teams in BCW. So you 'queens of wrestling,' come out here and take your beating!” That brought the Kings of Wrestling and Sir Oliver Humperdink to ringside.

The Kings of Wrestling (w/ Sir Oliver Humperdink) d. the BCW world tag-team champions Road Warriors (w/ Paul Ellering) by DQ when Animal slammed Claudio Castagnoli into the guardrail outside the ring. The match was amazing, with both sides tagging in and out and momentum constantly swinging. Chris Hero took a couple of spike piledrivers from Animal, but also connected on two HERO’S WELCOMES on Hawk and nearly got the pin. Afterward, officials had to separate the two teams.

Ox Baker was announced as the first participant in the BCW world heavyweight tournament. Then his opponent was announced – Jim Londos! Londos returned to BCW after being away for nearly four years.

Jim Londos d. Ox Baker using his BOSTON CRAB finisher to advance in the heavyweight tournament. Baker had a lot of problems with Londos’ agility and did very little on offense during the match.

Dupae Rupa (w/ Sir Oliver Humperdink) d. Rob Van Dam in a War Games qualifying match when Van Dam was DQ’d for using his Van Daminator outside the ring. Humperdink set up the finish by tossing a chair to Rupa, and Van Dam instinctively used it for the Van Daminator, since he thought Rupa was going to use the chair against him. Afterward, Humperdink took the mic and said, “After Invasion/War Games, we won’t have to worry about RVD anymore – good riddance!” The match was somewhat lethargic, as Van Dam was seemingly unable to get a decent pinning advantage against Rupa.

In a BCW world heavyweight tournament match, Johnny Valentine d. Rick Rude (w/ Ida Mae) by DQ when Rude was caught using a foreign object slipped to him by Ida Mae while both men were outside the ring. Rude and Valentine had engaged in a long match that was short on pin attempts (for most of it) and big on reversals. With the win, Valentine advanced to face Londos in the semifinals.

[The Creek Rises]

YEAR SEVEN, CARD NO. 18

Eddie Graham Sports Stadium

Jimmy Snuka came to ringside in his return from injury. Larry Sharpe was introduced next, but as he came out, he was attacked by Andre the Giant. Commander Lou Albano was out with Andre, and he took and mic and said, “No scrub for you, Snuka. You want back in action in BCW, you’re gonna have to earn it.” Interim Commissioner Bobo Brazil and security came out to check on Sharpe and stop any potential match, but Snuka grabbed a mic and said, “I’ve got to face him sometime – might as well be now!”

Andre the Giant (w/ Commander Lou Albano) d. Jimmy Snuka in a fantastic match when he hit a BIG SPLASH and pinned the former BCW world heavyweight champion. Snuka was quite resilient, twice getting out of the way of a BIG SPLASH and even nailing a huge SUPERFLY LEAP, only to have Albano interrupt the pin count at 2 ½. Finally, Snuka ran out of chances for the upset, and the Giant finished him off, although he left the ring afterward without doing further damage to Snuka.

Bruiser Brody d. Ricky Landell (w/ Sir Oliver Humperdink) when he hit a nasty clothesline on Landell and got the pin. It came after Landell had run into the turnbuckle and Brody hit his JUMPING KNEE DROP, only to have Humperdink interfere with the count. As Landell regained his feet, he was then taken out by Brody’s clothesline.

The Naptown Dragons (w/ Sir Oliver Humperdink) d. Ray Stevens and Don Leo Jonathan when Stevens fell victim to the Dragons’ Breath. Jonathan never even tagged in, as Stevens was controlling the match before momentum suddenly shifted to the Dragons and a quick finish.

Chris Candido came out with Tammy and said he was still angry about Justin Credible’s injury at the hands of the House of Humperdink. He wanted revenge. Out came Sir Oliver Humperdink and Bryan Danielson to offer a shot for Candido’s revenge, or “the end of your career,” according to Humperdink.

Bryan Danielson (w/ Sir Oliver Humperdink) d. Chris Candido (w/ Tammy) by DQ when Candido used a Singapore cane against Danielson when both were outside the ring. The match had been mostly even before that, but when Danielson threw Candido outside, Candido chose that time to vent his frustrations.

Bill Apter’s “Hot Seat” featured Johnny Valentine. Valentine said he was happy to advance to the semifinals of the BCW world heavyweight tournament, but he called Rick Rude “bush league” for his attack with a foreign object during their match. Valentine said he was “decently confident” in Bobo Brazil’s ability to run BCW during the commissioner’s absence, but he was “very confident” he would be in the finals of the tournament – and win it! That brought out Jim Londos. “Don’t count me out yet, Valentine,” Londos said. “We’ll see who the better man is on the next card, and it won’t be by DQ!” The two men glared at each other, then Londos left ringside.

Interim Commissioner Bobo Brazil came out and called out the world tag-team champions the Road Warriors. He said their match against the Kings of Wrestling was great, but ended abruptly. So he was ordering a rematch for the titles, and it began now!

The Road Warriors (w/ Paul Ellering) d. the Kings of Wrestling (w/ Sir Oliver Humperdink) when Chris Hero was pinned after a double clothesline. The match was somewhat disappointing after their previous encounter, as it didn’t last as long. Hero did get a surprise near-pin on Hawk after a Hero stomp, with the Road Warriors getting his shoulders up just in time. Afterward, Ellering took the mic and said, “They can face us 100 times, and the results will be the same …. Road Warriors, champions!”

In a quarterfinal match for the BCW world heavyweight title, Rob Van Dam d. Curt Hennig when he pinned Hennig after a split-legged moonsault. The action was fast and back-and-forth, with each wrestler having at least two pin attempts against him. Van Dam’s last rush put him over the top and kept both his quest for a belt and his effort to remain in BCW alive, as his BCW career remained on the line at Invasion/War Games.

In an Invasion qualifying match, the Oilmen d. Ox Baker and Jushin Liger when Yukon Eric used his KODIAK KRUNCH to finish off Baker. The match was a long one between evenly matched foes, and included more than 10 pin attempts before Yukon Eric finally finished it. Baker and Liger will be fighting for their BCW careers at Invasion/War Games.

U.S. heavyweight champion Ivan Koloff came to ringside for his match in the BCW world heavyweight tournament. One Man Gang then headed to the ring, grabbed a mic and said, “I’m not your opponent tonight, Ivan. I am only a voice of he who is to come.” The lights went down, there was silence, then over the PA system came a voice that said, “Every man has his price!” Ted DiBiase, the Million Dollar Man and former BCW world heavyweight champion, came to ringside.

Ted DiBiase, in his return to BCW, defeated U.S. heavyweight champion Ivan Koloff in a quarterfinal match of the BCW world heavyweight title tournament. The key part of the match came when DiBiase showed the referee how much money he had on hand. While that occurred, One Man Gang belted Koloff from behind, making him much easier pickings for the Million Dollar Man, who laughed as he celebrated with One Man Gang afterward. Commander Lou Albano watched the whole match from the top of the ramp, but never came to ringside.

[The Creek Rises]

YEAR SEVEN, CARD NO. 19

Bithloplex

Sam Hayne (w/ Eddie Fyne) d. Larry Sharpe when Sharpe succumbed to the DEVIL LOCK.

Mil Mascaras d. Johnny Rodz by using a bow and arrow maneuver to gain a submission. Mascaras continued to work on his singles focus following the departure of tag-team partner George Hackenschmidt from BCW.

Rick Rude (w/ Ida Mae) d. Chris Candido (w/ Tammy) following a couple of suplexes that led to a pin. Candido was amazingly resilient and gave Rude quite a battle before succumbing.

Interim Commissioner Bobo Brazil came out and said that Ox Baker and Jushin Liger were upset that they lost their War Games qualifying match against the Oilmen on the last card, and they wanted another shot at them for “their own piece of mind.” The Oilmen came out and agreed to the match, with Hodge saying, “They are quality opponents, and we need to face their type before War Games.”

Ox Baker and Jushin Liger d. the Oilmen when Danny Hodge was DQ’s for his actions outside the ring. The match was bathed in intensity when Yukon Eric fought off a number of pin attempts, including after an Ox Baker HEART PUNCH, and Liger and Hodge were a picture of ferocity when they were in the ring, with Hodge battling out of a FISHERMAN’S BUSTER. Hodge was finally DQ’d when he put Liger in a Boston crab outside the ring and would not release it.

Bill Apter’s “Hot Seat “ featured the “Million Dollar Man,” Ted DiBiase, who said he was back in BCW because “they needed me.” DiBiase said his time in the AWA tag team with “Dr. Death “ Steve Williams was “a waste, because I wasn’t being myself.” He pointed out that he was a champ in BCW and was constantly in the title hunt. He then added that this time around, he had “big, big plans” for BCW, and when Apter asked what they were, he laughed and said, “Wouldn’t you like to know, nosey!” DiBiase said that for now, Rob Van Dam better be on his “A game,” because if he wasn’t, he’d be just another victim on DiBiase’s way to the title. DiBiase also downplayed Bobo Brazil, the wrestler who took the world heavyweight title from him back in Year Three, saying, “He wasn’t a good wrestler, and he sure isn’t a good acting commissioner!”

Don Leo Jonathan (w/ Ray Stevens) d. Diamond Dallas Page using his MORMON SWING finisher. The two had a competitive match, but once Jonathan gained control midway through, he pretty much rolled to victory.

Chris Hero came out with tag-team partner Claudio Castagnoli and Sir Oliver Humperdink, took the mic and said, “Road Warriors, you’re probably feeling pretty cocky right now, but you haven’t beaten us convincingly yet, at least in our minds and most likely in yours, too. In fact, we think you’ve been lucky. So bring out those title belts and let’s have a no-DQ match, right here, right now!” Down to ringside came the BCW world tag-team champs!

In a wild brawl, the Road Warriors (w/ Paul Ellering) d. the Kings of Wrestling (w/ Sir Oliver Humperdink) in a no-DQ match to retain the BCW world tag-team titles. Animal pinned Chris Hero after a flying shoulder block. The Kings of Wrestling had the Road Warriors on the proverbial ropes, with Claudio Castagnoli nearly pinning Hawk on two separate occasions. But the match turned when Animal got Hero outside the ring and administered a pretty-good beat-down before getting him back inside the ring for the pin. Afterward, the Road Warriors grabbed the tag belts and left without looking back at the Kings of Wrestling.

In an Invasion qualifying match, Bruiser Brody d. Larry Sweeney (w/ Sir Oliver Humperdink) using his JUMPING KNEE DROP. Sweeney had little offense against Brody and was taken out quickly. He will battle for his career at Invasion, while Brody will become part of Team BCW for War Games.

In a BCW world heavyweight championship semifinal match, Johnny Valentine d. Jim Londos when he hit his ATOMIC SKULLCRUSHER. Londos fought off four pin attempts before succumbing to an aggressive Valentine, who moved one step closer to regaining the BCW world heavyweight championship.

[The Creek Rises]

YEAR SEVEN, CARD NO. 20

O’Connell Center – Gainesville

Mad Dog Vachon (w/ Commander Lou Albano), in his return from injury, d. George South when he used his PILEDRIVER finisher on South. Vachon pretty much abused South in and out of the ring before finishing him off, showing he had lost none of his intensity.

The Oilmen d. the Naptown Dragons by DQ when Scotty Vortekz nailed Danny Hodge with Sir Oliver Humperdink’s cane when both were outside the ring. The Dragons tried to isolate Hodge in the ring during the match, but Hodge was amazingly resilient, which brought about the Dragons’ frustration and eventual DQ.

Bryan Danielson (w/ Sir Oliver Humperdink) d. Chris Candido (w/ Tammy) by DQ when Candido used a kendo stick on Danielson outside the ring. Candido seemed to have little interest in an actual match, and appeared focused on getting the match outside the ring so he could inflict some more pain on the House of Humperdink. He left ringside before the other members of the House of Humperdink could show up.

Curt Hennig came out, took the mic and called out the BCW world tag-team champions the Road Warriors. He said he thought they were “overrated” and could be beaten. That brought out Paul Ellering, who asked Hennig who exactly thought they could beat the Road Warriors? “Us,” Hennig said as Rick Rude came to ringside, apparently indicating the return of the Perfectly Rude tag team.

The Road Warriors (w/ Paul Ellering) retained their BCW world tag-team titles by d. Perfectly Rude (w/ Ida Mae) when Hawk pinned Curt Hennig after a big vertical suplex and some interference by Ellering. All four men in the match had pin attempts against them before Hawk got the decisive one. Afterward, Ellering took the mic and said, “Another pretender goes down!” and then left ringside with the Warriors. Rude didn’t appear to be all that happy with Hennig after the loss.

Bruiser Brody came out and called out Andre the Giant! “Andre, you barely beat me last time. This isn’t about any belt, it’s about you and me. So come on out and face me!” Andre and Commander Lou Albano headed to ringside.

Andre the Giant (w/ Commander Lou Albano) d. Bruiser Brody when Andre hit his BIG SPLASH. Brody got caught up arguing with Albano at the beginning of the match, only to turn into a big boot by Andre, followed by his finisher. Albano took the mic and said, “Maybe next time you’ll learn to shut your mouth, Brody!”

Acting commissioner Bobo Brazil came out with security, let a glaring Andre the Giant and Commander Lou Albano pass, then went to ringside and called out Magnum TA. Brazil said he was going to give Magnum one more shot at the U.S. title before War Games. Mangum pumped his fist in the air as U.S. heavyweight champ Ivan Koloff came to ringside with Commander Lou Albano back in tow. Brazil said that in fairness to Koloff, it would be a Russian chain match. Then he turned to Albano and said that in fairness to Magnum, no manager at ringside. Albano threw a fit, but Koloff just nodded to him “yes.”

U.S. heavyweight champion Ivan Koloff d. Magnum TA in a Russian chain match to retain his title. Magnum had early momentum, but Koloff, a master of the chain, battered Magnum and eventually got him in the RUSSIAN BEAR HUG, where Magnum passed out. Afterward, Commander Lou Albano came to ringside to celebrate, but Koloff simply unhooked the chain, took the belt and left.

In a War Games qualifying match, Ray Stevens and Don Leo Jonathan wrestled to a double DQ with the Kings of Wrestling when Jonathan and Claudio Castagnoli got into a huge brawl outside the ring. Stevens and DLJ controlled the first part of the match, when the Kings of Wrestling seemed to do nothing right except survive, kicking out of seven pin attempts. But Stevens and DLJ could not close the deal, especially after Castagnoli and Chris Hero started to rally. That led to frustration being vented outside the ring. Acting commissioner Bobo Brazil came out after officials separated the two sides and said there would be a rematch at the next card – and it would be in a cage!

In a BCW world heavyweight championship semifinal match, Rob Van Dam d. Ted DiBiase by DQ when the One Man Gang attacked Van Dam outside the ring and was caught by the referee despite the best efforts at distraction by DiBiase. The “Million Dollar Man” even offered a wad of cash, but the ref was not swayed, and Van Dam advanced to the final.

[The Creek Rises]

YEAR SEVEN, CARD NO. 21

Greensboro Coliseum, North Carolina

Sam Hayne (w/ Eddie Fyne) d. George South using his Pit of Hell powerslam. South proved resilient, even though Hayne punished him for a long time. Midway through the match, Ox Baker came out from the back to watch, then left after the pinfall.

The Naptown Dragons (w/ Sir Oliver Humperdink) d. Page and Pepper by DQ when Pepper Gomez attacked Humperdink with Humperdink’s cane after Humperdink, unseen by the referee, had taken a shot with it at Gomez. It came at the end of a match that was mostly controlled by Diamond Dallas Page and Gomez. Members of the House of Humperdink came to ringside afterward and attacked both Page and Pepper, and with Page hopeless to stop them, the Dragons proceeded to give Gomez a piledriver outside the ring, seriously injuring him. As the fans booed, Humperdink took the mic and said: “That’s what happens when you mess with the House of Humperdink. We’ve taken enough abuse. Now, we shall be the ones inflicting it.” The House members went to the back as officials checked on Page and Gomez.

Bruiser Brody d. Johnny Rodz using his JUMPING KNEE DROP. Afterward, Brody picked up a mic sand said, “Andre, this isn’t over yet, son, not by a long shot.”

Acting commissioner Bobo Brazil came out, took the mic and said there would be justice when it came to the House of Humperdink. He then called out the BCW world tag-team champions, the Road Warriors, who arrived at ringside with manager Paul Ellering. Brazil said he knew they weren’t happy with him, but he didn’t care, because his job was to do what was right for BCW. Brazil said they needed a warmup match before War Games, and he had one for them: the Million Dollar Man Ted DiBiase and the One Man Gamg! Hawk and Animal looked unhappy as their opponents headed to ringside.

BCW world tag-team champions the Road Warriors (w/ Paul Ellering) d. the Million Dollar Man Ted DiBiase and the One Man Gang in a nontitle match when DiBiase fell victim to the DOOMSDAY DEVICE. The Road Warriors were in trouble early, as DiBiase had the MILLION DOLLAR SLEEPER locked in on Hawk, but he finally broke free of the hold after nearly passing out. Then, when the Road Warriors gained some momentum, Animal knocked the One Man Gang off the ring apron and combined with Hawk for their finisher. Afterward, they picked up their belts and left ringside, with Ellering yelling at Brazil on the way out.

Bill Apter’s “Hot Seat” featured Jimmy Snuka. Apter noted that Snuka had a rough go of things as of late, especially in his battles with Andre the Giant. Snuka agreed, but said he remained resilient, and as BCW’s only three-time world heavyweight champion, he planned to get back in the title hunt. Commander Lou Albano came out with Andre and said that anytime Snuka wanted to become a former member of BCW and the newest member of the “broken-body club,” to just give him a call. Andre glared down at Snuka, but officials came to ringside and separated the two before anything broke out.

In a War Games qualifying match, Mil Mascaras d. Rick Rude (w/ Ida Mae) when Rude submitted to Mascaras’ Indian deathlock. The match was a good one, with both men getting pin attempts, but Rude was unable to hit his finisher, and Mascaras used a variety of holds to finally gain Rude’s submission. Rude will battle for his BCW career at Invasion.

Jushin Liger d. U.S. heavyweight champion Ivan Koloff by DQ in a nontitle match when Commander Lou Albano blatantly interfered by belting Liger with Koloff’s chain, causing the DQ. Albano did not come to the ring with Koloff initially, but showed up after the bout had begun and caused the interference during a match mostly under Koloff’s control, further emphasizing the apparent rift between Koloff and Albano.

The Kings of Wrestling d. Don Leo Jonathan and Ray Stevens in a War Games qualifying match held in a cage when Claudio Castagnoli rolled up Jonathan for the pin. Stevens and Jonathan dominated the match, getting four pin attempts, but lost when Chris Hero, not the legal man at the moment, tagged Jonathan with a big boot (unseen by the referee, who was distracted by Sir Oliver Humperdink outside the cage), paving the way for Castagnoli to get the pin. Jonathan and Stevens were furious afterward, as they will be wrestling for their BCW careers at the Invasion part of the PPV.

Johnny Valentine became the BCW world heavyweight champion for a record-tying third time when he d. Rob Van Dam using his ATOMIC SKULLCRUSHER. The match was a great back-and-forth bout, with both men getting pin attempts, but Valentine made his strength pay off. As a result, he will represent BCW at War Games, while Van Dam, due to his earlier qualifying loss, will wrestle for his BCW career at the Invasion part of the PPV.

[The Creek Rises]

YEAR SEVEN, CARD NO. 22

Teaneck Armory, New Jersey

John Pesek made his BCW debut by d. Larry Sweeney (w/ Sir Oliver Humperdink) using his TIGER MAN TOEHOLD. Pesek was impressive in the match, so much so that when Humperdink made a move to interfere, one stern stare from Pesek backed him down.

The Naptown Dragons (w/ Sir Oliver Humperdink) d. S+S when the Dragons hit the DOUBLE DRAGON on Larry Sharpe. S+S gave the House of Humperdink team quite a battle before succumbing to the former BCW tag-team champions.

Chris Candido (w/ Tammy) d. Sam Hayne (w/ Elegant Eddie Fyne) when Candido connected on a BLONDE BOMB after Hayne was distracted by Ox Baker at ringside. Afterward, as Hayne struggled to recover, Candido nodded to Baker, then took the mic and said, “House of Humperdink, I’m just gonna keep coming after you!”

“The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase and One Man Gang d. the Kings of Wrestling (w/ Sir Oliver Humperdink) when Chris Hero succumbed to DiBiase’s figure-four leglock. Humperdink was looking for a solid tuneup match for his team ahead of War Games, but appeared to get more than he bargained for with DiBiase and One Man Gang, who mostly controlled the match.

Rick Rude (w/ Ida Mae) d. U.S. heavyweight champion Ivan Koloff in a nontitle match when Rude hit two successive RUDE AWAKENINGS, then got the pin. Rude controlled the first part of the match until Koloff rallied. He had all the momentum, then was distracted by Ida Mae long enough for Rude to take advantage. Afterward, Commander Lou Albano came out from the back, shook his head, then left. It was a great tuneup for Rude ahead of his career-threatening match at Invasion.

The Oilmen stunned the BCW world tag-team champions the Road Warriors (w/ Paul Ellering) in a nontitle match when Hawk submitted to Yukon Eric’s KODIAK KRUNCH! The Road Warriors dominated the match, billed as a preparation effort for both teams for War Games, and even executed a DOOMSDAY DEVICE on Danny Hodge, only to see Yukon Eric break up the subsequent pin. Then Hodge caught Hawk coming off the ropes with a modified piledriver and tagged in Yukon Eric, who slapped on his finisher and got Hawk to tap while a surprised Animal and Ellering watched on in amazement. They berated a woozy Hawk afterward as the Oilmen quickly celebrated and left the ring.

In a War Games qualifying match, Magnum TA d. Curt Hennig using his BELLY-TO-BELLY SUPLEX. Hennig attacked Magnum before the bell rang and had the upper hand throughout the long, great match, but a late Magnum rally, keyed by a power slam, led to his finisher and the pin. Hennig will battle for his BCW career at Invasion.

Interim commissioner Bobo Brazil came to ringside and called out BCW world heavyweight champion Johnny Valentine. He said Valentine needed to hone his considerable abilities ahead of War Games, and he had the ideal wrestler for the job: title contender Rob Van Dam, who needed to be at his best for his career-threatening match at Invasion. With that, the nontitle match was set.

BCW world heavyweight champion Johnny Valentine d. Rob Van Dam by DQ in a nontitle match that lasted about a minute when Van Dam tossed a chair at Valentine and gave him a Van Daminator. Afterward, Van Dam took the mic and said, “I’m interested in a title, not this DQ nonsense,” then left as Valentine began to recover.

[The Creek Rises]

YEAR SEVEN, CARD NO. 23

Nassau Coliseum, Long Island, New York

Jim Londos d. Johnny Rodz using his AIRPLANE SPIN. Rodz rolled through the first part of the match, then Londos rallied and got the victory.

The Oilmen, in another warmup match ahead of War Games, d. Bryan Danielson and Ricky Landell (w/ Sir Oliver Humperdink) when Danielson submitted to Yukon Eric’s KODIAK KRUNCH. When Danielson was in the finishing maneuver, Landell and Humperdink did not interfere to break him out of it, an odd behavior given past interference history of the House of Humperdink.

In a raucous match, the One Man Gang and “Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase d. Andre the Giant and Mad Dog Vachon (w/ Commander Lou Albano) when One Man Gang connected on a 747 SPLASH on Andre and got the pin! One Man Gang connected on two splashes earlier against Andre, but he kicked out both times, and later punished DiBiase with a number of sitdown splashes, but did not get the pin. The animosity grew between the two sides throughout the match, ending with an angry Albano looking on in amazement when Andre got pinned.

Ray Stevens (w/ Don Leo Jonathan) d. U.S. heavyweight champion Ivan Koloff in a nontitle tuneup match when Stevens connected on two BOMBS AWAY knee drops, followed by a crippling piledriver. Koloff seemed distracted by Jonathan’s presence at ringside and continued his recent slump ahead of War Games.

Rob Van Dam d. Chris Hero (w/ Sir Oliver Humperdink) by DQ when Hero, Claudio Castagnoli (who came to ringside) and Humperdink ganged up to attack Van Dam outside the ring in a continuation of the bad blood between Van Dam and Humperdink. The ending spoiled a good match featuring a number of reversals of momentum but no pinfalls. Officials got to ringside before the Kings of Wrestling could inflict too much damage on Van Dam ahead of his career-threatening match at Invasion.

The BCW world tag-team champions the Road Warriors (w/ Paul Ellering), in a nontitle tuneup match ahead of War Games, d. the Naptown Dragons (w/ Sir Oliver Humperdink) when Animal pinned Scotty Vortekz after a POWER SLAM. The Road Warriors showed no mercy against the team that once upset them for the title, pummeling them before getting the victory.

Ox Baker (w/ Jushin Liger) d. Sam Hayne (w/ “Elegant” Eddie Fyne) when Baker connected on a HEART PUNCH, which injured Hayne. Baker didn’t even wait for the bell before attacking Hayne, and he dominated the short match. Afterward, Baker took the mic as Fyne checked on Hayne and said, “Just in case I’m not around after Invasion, there’s something to remember me by.”

BCW world heavyweight champion Johnny Valentine d. Jushin Liger by countout when Liger was unable to get back in the ring. Valentine was a force to be reckoned with from the outset, battering Liger around the ring. After an ATOMIC SKULLCRUSHER, Liger was barely able to roll outside the ring, only to have to tag partner Ox Baker come to ringside and tell him to “Stay down. Save it for Invasion.” Their BCW careers will be on the line at the PPV. Valentine definitely looked to be ready for War Games.

[The Creek Rises]

YEAR SEVEN, CARD NO. 24

Invasion/War Games PPV – Madison Square Garden, New York

BCW Interim Commissioner Bobo Brazil came out to announce the rules for the Invasion part of the PPV. Simply put, whichever wrestler(s) won the matches would either remain with or join BCW, while those who lost were out.

Rob Van Dam d. Iron Mike DiBiase to remain in BCW after connecting on a cross-body block from the top of the turnbuckle. DiBiase put up a game fight, but finally succumbed. The odd part of the match came when Van Dam used his Van Daminator and the referee did not even appear to be close to disqualifying Van Dam, something that had dogged him often during his BCW career.

Curt Hennig d. Nigel McGuinness, using his running knee lift, to remain in BCW. McGuinness put up a game fight, but showed little offensive output against the determined Hennig.

In a stunner, D’Lo Brown and Al Snow d. Don Leo Jonathan and Ray Stevens to secure spots in BCW when Brown pinned Stevens after a shaky, shaky leg drop. The surprise finish came after Jonathan and Stevens had dominated the match.

Bob Roop secured a place in BCW by d. Rick Rude (w/ Ida Mae) when he caught Rude with his SHOULDER BREAKER and got the pin. Rude was stunned by the result, and his valet, Ida Mae, simply shook her head and left ringside before Rude did.

Larry Sweeney came out with Sir Oliver Humperdink for his match, and waited at ringside for his opponent to arrive. The crowd then exploded when it heard the name of … Lou Thesz!

Lou Thesz joined BCW when he defeated Larry Sweeney (w/ Sir Oliver Humperdink) using his GRECO-ROMAN BACKDROP. Sweeney used a couple of low blows to try to get an advantage, and Humperdink also interfered on a pin attempt, but it was all for naught, as Thesz prevailed.

Sabu and the Sheik (w/ Abdullah Farouk) rejoined BCW when they d. Ox Baker and Jushin Liger by DQ after the same referee who handled the Rob Van Dam-Iron Mike DiBiase match gave the quick hook to Ox Baker when he and the Sheik were outside the ring battling one another, with both looking equally culpable. Fans were unhappy, especially when the referee appeared to leave with Sabu and the Sheik.

With that, Bobo Brazil came back out and announced the beginning of War Games, where four feds (BCW, AWA, FSW and BWF) would vie to become No. 1!

SINGLES MATCHES (5 POINTS EACH)

“The Prodigy” Mike Bennett (FSW) d. Mil Mascaras (BCW) when he connected on his BOX OFFICE SMASH. The match was pretty even, with each wrestler having runs of momentum. But the difference was the interference for Bennett from Maria and Brutal Bob, which kept Mascaras from getting the pin.

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

Taz (BWF) d. Antonio Inoki (AWA), pinning Inoki after he connected on a T Bone Taz Plex. Taz controlled a majority of the match, much to the delight of the pro-BWF crowd at Madison Square Garden. Inoki seemed to have a hard time executing any consistent offense.

BWF 5, FSW 5, AWA 0, BCW 0

TAG MATCHES (5 POINTS EACH)

The Kings of Wrestling (BCW) (w/ Sir Oliver Humperdink) d. the Love Brothers (AWA) (w/ Sherri Martel) when Chris Hero used a crossbody block off the top turnbuckle to pin Reginald Love. The Kings of Wrestling controlled most of the match, but found themselves on the opposite side of their normal situation in that they had to fend off numerous interference attempts by Sherri Martel and Hartford Love before finally getting the pin.

BCW 5, BWF 5, FSW 5, AWA 0

The Dudley Boyz (BWF) d. the Briscoes (FSW) by DQ when Mark Briscoe entered the ring and attacked Bubba Ray Dudley just as he and Devon were about to give the 3D to Jay Briscoe. The match was a wild, physical affair conducted in and out of the ring. The Briscoes held the advantage until the match spilled outside the ring, and that was when Bubba Ray took control ahead of the finish.

BWF 10, BCW 5, FSW 5, AWA 0

BATTLE ROYAL (5 POINTS TO EACH OF THE FINAL TWO FEDERATIONS; 10 MORE POINTS TO THE WINNER)

Ron Garvin (BWF) eliminated by Dupae Rupa (BCW)
Yukon Eric (BCW) by the Giant (BWF) (while trying to save Dupae Rupa)
Dupae Rupa (BCW) by Magnum TA (BCW)! (after the Giant moved out of the way and Magnum hit Rupa by accident)
Bruiser Brody (BCW) by Sags of the Nasty Boys (BWF) (Brody rescued Magnum and had the Giant on the ropes before he was blindsided by Sags)
Bob Backlund (BWF) by Nathan Arnold Charging (FSW), after a long battle
Soldier Ant (FSW) by the Giant (BWF), who threw him way out of the ring!
Danny Hodge (BCW), by Konnan (AWA) (who snuck up on Hodge as he was trying to eliminate “Dr. Death” Steve Williams)
Fire Ant (FSW) by Konnan (AWA)
King Kong Bundy (AWA) by the Giant (BWF) (after Bundy saved Konnan from going over the rope)
Jerry Sags (BWF) by Buff Bagwell (AWA) (after Buff moved at the last second and Sags went over the ropes)
The Giant (BWF) by Magnum TA (BCW) (as the Giant was trying to save Brian Knobbs)
Brian Knobbs (BWF) by Magnum TA (crowd booed as BWF was eliminated from the battle royal)
George Hackenschmidt (AWA) by UltraMantis Black (FSW) (saving Nathan Arnold Charging in the process)
“Dr. Death” Steve Williams (AWA) by UltraMantis Black (FSW)
Buff Bagwell (AWA) by Nathan Arnold Charging (FSW)
Patriot III (FSW) by Magnum TA (BCW)
Magnum TA (BCW) by UltraMantis Black (FSW) (who attacked Magnum at the moment he eliminated Patriot III). BCW was eliminated from the battle royal. Five points to FSW and AWA.

BWF 10, FSW 10, AWA 5, BCW 5

Konnan (AWA) by UltraMantis Black and Nathan Arnold Charging (FSW). FSW wins!

FSW 20, BWF 10, AWA 5, BCW 5

MIDLEVEL CHAMPIONS SEMIFINAL ROUND (10 POINTS TO EACH WINNER)

Nick Bockwinkel (AWA Great Lakes champion) d. Meng (BWF Intercontinental champion) using his BOCKWINKEL SLEEPER. Bockwinkel controlled much of the match before slapping on his finisher.

FSW 20, AWA 15, BWF 10, BCW 5

Mike Quackenbush (FSW TV champion) d. Ivan Koloff (BCW U.S. heavyweight champion) when he connected on his Black Tornado Slam. Koloff and Quackenbush were evenly matched through the first part of the match, but then Quackenbush caught Koloff by surprise to get the pin.

FSW 30, AWA 15, BWF 10, BCW 5

TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS SEMIFINAL ROUND (15 POINTS TO EACH WINNER)

The New Age Outlaws (AWA champions) d. the Barking Spiders (FSW champions) when Kip James pinned Clutch after a Cobra Clutch Slam. The Outlaws isolated Clutch and kept him from tagging while they continued to pound on him ahead of the pin.

AWA 30, FSW 30, BWF 10, BCW 5

Yokozuna and Owen Hart (BWF champions) d. the Road Warriors (w/ Paul Ellering, BCW champions) by DQ when Hawk was disqualified for hitting Owen Hart with a clothesline while he was outside the ring and not the eligible wrestler. Hawk was targeting Yokozuna, but the big man fell down just before Hawk got to him, and then Hart took a glancing blow but looked like he was pulverized. The referee made a questionable decision to DQ the Road Warriors as the pro-BWF crowd cheered.

AWA 30, FSW 30, BWF 25, BCW 5

Down comes the steel cage!

WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONS SEMIFINAL ROUND (20 POINTS TO EACH WINNER)

Johnny Valentine (BCW world heavyweight champion) d. Killer Kowalski (AWA world heavyweight champion) in a long, brutal match when Valentine rolled him up for the pin after banging him off the cage wall. The two men, who battled for the BCW world heavyweight championship back in Year One, were pretty evenly matched, and the clash went back and forth, with numerous pin attempts, until Valentine was able to seal the deal and finally put some more points on the board for BCW.

AWA 30, FSW 30, BCW 25, BWF 25

Delirious (FSW world heavyweight champion) d. Dusty Rhodes (BWF world heavyweight champion) when he connected on a BIZARRO DRIVER and got the pin. BWF fans were stunned by the result, but Rhodes could not seem to overcome Delirious’ quickness.

FSW 50, AWA 30, BCW 25, BWF 25

Up goes the cage!

MIDLEVEL CHAMPIONS FINAL (15 POINTS TO WINNER)

Nick Bockwinkel (AWA Great Lakes champion) d. Mike Quackenbush (FSW TV champion) when Quackenbush succumbed to the BOCKWINKEL SLEEPER. Bockwinkel dominated much of the match, but Quackenbush rallied at one point and took to the top turnbuckle to leap onto Bockwinkel, only to be caught by Bockwinkel and thrown to the canvas. A stunned Quackenbush was then no match for Bockwinkel’s finisher.

FSW 50, AWA 45, BCW 25, BWF 25

TAG TEAMS CHAMPIONS FINAL (20 POINTS TO WINNER)

Yokozuna and Owen Hart (BWF champions) d. the New Age Outlaws (AWA champions) by DQ when Yokozuna was attacked by Kip James because his partner was being pummeled in and out of the ring by the Samoan wrestler. Kip was apparently frustrated that B.G. had not been able to tag him into the match, so he retaliated when the pair moved outside the ring.

FSW 50, AWA 45, BWF 45, BCW 25

Back down comes the cage!

WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONS FINAL (25 POINTS TO EACH WINNER)

Johnny Valentine (BCW world heavyweight champion) d. Delirious (FSW world heavyweight champion) by using a forearm bludgeon to get the pin. Valentine, undefeated on the year, controlled much of the match against the FSW champion before getting the pin. Afterward, Valentine helped Delirious get up and held up his arm in recognition of a worthy foe.

FINAL: BCW 50, FSW 50, AWA 45, BWF 45

With the victory, BCW and FSW ended up as co-champions of War Games in one of the closest finishes ever for the four feds. FSW won for the first time, while BCW was back on top for the first time since Year Four, when there were only two feds in the event.