Bithlo Championship Wrestling

[The Creek Rises]

Thanks, Troy!

[The Creek Rises]

BCW YEAR-END AWARDS – YEAR SEVEN

Wrestler of the Year:

Andre the Giant – Taking nothing away from Rob Van Dam’s epic year (thanks in no small part to referee Bill Alfonso), but the award goes to Andre, who dominated the scene under the guidance of Commander Lou Albano. Andre won the tag titles with Mad Dog Vachon at Card 4, but a knee injury kept him from defending the belts. He stalked Jimmy Snuka for nearly half a year before taking the world heavyweight title from him at Card 12. After his run-in with Commissioner Chad over Andre’s Tag-o-Rama entry ended with the commissioner being injured, the giant was stripped of the title by interim commissioner Bobo Brazil, which started a feud between the two that culminated at their epic match at Wrestlethon.

Runners-up: Rob Van Dam, Bobo Brazil

Top 10 Singles Wrestlers at the End of Year Seven:

1. Rob Van Dam (WHC)
2. Lou Thesz (USC)
3. Andre the Giant
4. Johnny Valentine
5. Jim Londos
6. Magnum TA
7. Mad Dog Vachon
8. Sam Hayne
9. Bobo Brazil
10. Mil Mascaras

Tag Team of the Year:

The Road Warriors – Once again, it was an up-and-down year for the Road Warriors. Still led by manager Paul Ellering, they won the titles twice – and lost them twice – during Year Seven. They lost the belts to the Exiles at Card No. 1, then went on a tear at Tag-o-Rama to recapture them. They lost at War Games to the BWF team of Yokozuna and Owen Hart, a mild upset that was nothing compared with the surprise of them losing the belts to Al Snow and D’Lo Brown at Card No. 27. The now-angry Road Warriors regained the belts for a record eighth time at Wrestlethon, winning them back in a cage match.

Runner-up: D’Lo Brown and Al Snow

Top Five Tag Teams at the End of Year Seven:

1. The Road Warriors (WTTC)
2. D’Lo Brown and Al Snow
3. Ted DiBiase/One Man Gang
4. Sabu/Sheik
5. Oilmen (Danny Hodge and Yukon Eric)

Manager of the Year:

Commander Lou Albano – He not only managed Andre the Giant to a world heavyweight championship and a tag championship (with Mad Dog Vachon), he also helped Ivan Koloff win the U.S. title on the same night that Andre became world champion. His relationship with Koloff eventually deteriorated, as did the Foreign Legion, but he was still at the center of events at the end of the BCW calendar year.

Runner-up: Sir Oliver Humperdink

[TTX]

you are welcome. Keep the dice hot.

[The Creek Rises]

YEAR EIGHT, CARD NO. 1

Bithloplex

The first person to appear at ringside was the returning Commissioner Chad! He thanked fans for their well wishes and said he was feeling much better. He also said he had some business to take care of, so he called out Andre the Giant and Commander Lou Albano! They came to ringside accompanied by a chorus of boos from the crowd. Commissioner Chad told them he could forgive – but not forget – the attack on him by Andre! As far as he was concerned, Andre and Albano were on indefinite probation – one more major incident, and both could be gone! He then dismissed the pair, and both Andre and Albano left ringside.

The commissioner next called out referee Bill Alfonso. He told Alfonso that he did a decent job at Wrestlethon, but the next time there was any question about his refereeing abilities or any favoritism, he was done as a ref! He then dismissed Alfonso and called out Sir Oliver Humperdink. The commissioner said the House of Humperdink had been in existence for a while now, and what had it done? “Not much,” he added, “except make about half the roster want to beat them – badly! So this is the year of proof. Your guys better grow up and compete for titles – or the House will be shut down for good!” Humperdink looked surprised, but the commissioner simply said, “Tonight will be the first test, so let’s get to the matches!”

Terry Gordy made his debut in BCW by d. Larry Sharpe using his ORIENTAL SPIKE. Gordy started slowly, but eventually dominated Sharpe for the win.

Mad Dog Vachon returned from injury to d. George South when he connected on successive PILEDRIVERS. Vachon battered South for much of the match, but the game South stayed in the battle until his demise. Afterward, Commander Lou Albano and Andre the Giant came to ringside to congratulate him, but he just looked at them and then brushed past, apparently still angered by the injury inflicted upon him by fellow Foreign Legion teammate Andre in Year Seven.

Brutus Beefcake, in his return to BCW, d. Johnny Rodz with his FLYING KNEE SMASH. Beefcake looked strong in his return after four years away from BCW.

Commissioner Chad came back out, and once again called out Sir Oliver Humperdink. “Sir Oliver, your challenges start now, as Bruiser Brody would like a match with Dupae Rupa!”

Bruiser Brody d. “The Belgian Brawler” Dupae Rupa (w/ Sir Oliver Humperdink) when he pinned Rupa after a twisting vertical suplex. As Brody stood up to celebrate the pin, he was attacked by the Naptown Dragons, who, with Rupa, injured Brody. Dustin Lee took the mic and said, “Attack the House of Humperdink, and we attack back! Bring your challenges, and pay the price!”

That brought Commissioner Chad back to ringside. He said, “OK, Naptown Dragons – you just bought yourself a match with … the Oilmen!”

The Oilmen d. the Naptown Dragons (w/ Sir Oliver Humperdink) when Danny Hodge p. Dustin Lee using his OKLAHOMA SIDE ROLL! The match was a long one, back and forth, until Hodge secured the victory. Afterward, Yukon Eric took the mic and said, “You can try all you want, Dragons, you aren’t in our league!” Officials were at ringside throughout to keep the other members of the House of Humperdink away.

Commissioner Chad, who was still at ringside, said, “You’ve got two more chances, Sir Oliver. The first is from someone you know well – Chris Candido! So bring out someone from your house to face him.” Out to meet Candido came Bryan Danielson!

Bryan Danielson (w/ Sir Oliver Humperdink) d. Chris Candido (w/ Sunny) by DQ when Candido whacked Danielson with a kendo stick when both were outside the ring. Candido dominated much of the match, then snuck outside the ring once Danielson got some momentum. After the bell rang, Candido and Sunny left through the crowd.

While Sir Oliver Humperdink was checking on Danielson, the Sheik came to ringside and said, “Sir Oliver, bring out the Kings of Wrestling, so we can destroy them once again!” Chris Hero and Claudio Castagnoli headed to ringside for a rematch of their Wrestlethon encounter.

Sabu and the Sheik (w/ Abdullah Farouk) d. the Kings of Wrestling (w/ Sir Oliver Humperdink, Byran Danielson) when Sabu connected on a slingshot legdrop and got the pin on Chris Hero. The match was a wild affair, with Claudio Castagnoli trapped in the ring for a long time and even surviving a FIREBALL and a CAMEL CLUTCH from the Sheik. After the match, Bryan Danielson climbed in from ringside and attacked Sabu, injuring him. The Sheik was enraged afterward as the House of Humperdink, now at ringside full force, slowly retreated to the back.

Bob Roop came to ringside, took the mic and said, “I need a real challenge!” As the fans started to boo and chant “DDP,” Roop said, “I dominated him at Wrestlethon. The only reason he got the win was that stupid referee DQ’d me for beating him up too much! I need more of a challenge. I need something at stake. I want Thesz and the U.S. title!” Lou Thesz came out of the back with the U.S. title and headed to ringside as fans went wild at the Bithloplex!

U.S. heavyweight champion Lou Thesz d. Bob Roop when he connected on his THESZ PRESS. Roop began attacking Thesz before the bell rang, but Thesz countered it quickly and stayed in control for most of the match ahead of the pin.

[TTX]

Nice to see the fed back in action. Bob Roop is a guy I hope to see in color soon.

[The Creek Rises]

YEAR EIGHT, CARD No. 2

Lakeland Civic Center

Magnum TA and Jimmy Snuka d. S+S when Magnum pinned Larry Sharpe after a jump off the top turnbuckle. In their debut as a tag team, Magnum and Snuka looked pretty sharp.

Commander Lou Albano came out, took the mic and said the commissioner had granted former champion Andre the Giant a tag title match, but he needed a partner, and Mad Dog Vachon had turned him down, apparently still bitter about being “accidentally” injured by Andre. Albano said he would find Andre a partner, because he wasn’t going to miss this opportunity!

Jim Londos d. Claudio Castagnoli (w/ Sir Oliver Humperdink) by using his AIRPLANE SPIN finisher. Before the match, Castagnoli took the mic and made fun of Londos’ “old guy style”, only to see Londos control much of the match with holds and various “old style” moves ahead of the pin. Castagnoli was furious afterward at his loss.

Sir Oliver Humperdink remained at ringside as the Naptown Dragons came out. Dustin Lee took the mic and said, “Oilmen, we are tired of you getting lucky at our expense. We might have been ‘off’ before, but it’s time to make this right and give you the beating you deserve!” The Oilmen came out. Danny Hodge took the mic and said: “And what’s in it for us, Dragons? We’ve beaten you so many times, it’s old hat!” The Dragons began to move threateningly toward Hodge and Yukon Eric, and Hodge said: “Hold on! I’ll tell you what: You win, you get the victory you crave. We win – you’re out of BCW!” Before Sir Oliver could stop them, both Lee and Scotty Vortekz agreed.

The Naptown Dragons (w/ Sir Oliver Humperdink) d. the Oilmen in a great match when Dustin Lee pinned Danny Hodge after a Dragon uppercut. The match featured 11 pin attempts before the finish, with each wrestler having at least two against him. After the match, Lee kicked Yukon Eric off the ring apron and then used Humperdink’s cane to whack Hodge, injuring him. The Naptown Dragons then retreated to the back.

U.S. heavyweight champion Lou Thesz d. Sam Hayne (w/ Eddie Fyne) when he pinned Hayne after a THESZ PRESS. Hayne got in some offense, but eventually was overwhelmed by the U.S. champ.

Bill Apter’s “Hot Seat” featured Sir Oliver Humperdink, who railed about how unfair Commissioner Chad and BCW were to him since the commissioner’s return. He said all he was trying to do was develop talent for the future. Apter asked, “If that’s true, why haven’t you had more success?” Humperdink waved off the question, then grew angry and said, “I think we’re showing that if you attack us, we will respond in spades! Everyone in BCW should watch their step, because the House of Humperdink is not going anywhere, and just like the Naptown Dragons have shown, we will be taking names and championships!”

After the interview, Humperdink stayed at ringside, and out came Bryan Danielson, who took the mic and said, “Candido, you got cheap shots in last time we faced each other. Come face me like the man you aren’t!” Candido and Tammy headed to ringside.

Chris Candido (w/ Tammy) d. Bryan Danielson (w/ Sir Oliver Humperdink) in a fantastic match when Candido hit a vertical suplex and got the pin. The match featured a lot of back-and-forth momentum swings and five pin attempts before Humperdink, in trying to hit Candido with his cane, missed and hit Danielson instead! That made a groggy Danielson ripe for the pinning. Afterward, as Candido and Sunny celebrated the victory at ringside, Danielson got up, gave Humperdink a glare and stumbled away from ringside.

Commissioner Chad came out and called out Commander Lou Albano. “Do you have a partner for Andre, Lou? Because your match is next!” Albano shook his head “no,” but then the “Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase came to ringside and said, “Albano, I’ve never really liked you, but I’m going to help you out. I’ve made a certain financial arrangement with my good friend Terry Gordy, so if you want, you have a partner for Andre so you can take on the Road Warriors.” Albano looked surprised, then wary, given his past BCW history with DiBiase back in Year One, but finally he agreed. With that, Commissioner Chad called on the Road Warriors to come to ringside and defend the tag belts.

Andre the Giant and Terry Gordy (w/ Commander Lou Albano, Ted DiBiase) d. the Road Warriors to win the BCW tag-team titles when Andre connected on a BIG SPLASH against Hawk. The match featured a lot of power moves on both sides, but in the end, Andre’s power proved to be too much as he won a tag championships for the second time. As they were celebrating, Ted DiBiase took the mic and said, “Albano, this is the beginning of a beautiful, money-making parternship.” As Albano shook his head enthusiastically, DiBiase added, “Oh, not you, Albano. I meant Andre and Gordy. You see, I made a financial arrangement with Gordy, but I also made one with Andre, so he’s with me now. Even every giant has his price! You never learn! Once again, I got you, Albano! I don’t need you, and BCW doesn’t need you either! Andre, take out the trash!” Andre looked menacingly at Albano, who turned and fled ringside to the sounds of DiBiase’s laughter.

In a special challenge match, the Sheik (w/ Abdullah Farouk) d. Chris Hero (w/ Sir Oliver Humperdink) by countout when Hero could not make it back into the ring after being pummeled and stabbed by the Sheik, who was still angry about the attack on Sabu and wanted to make Hero and the rest of the House of Humperdink pay for it. When Hero failed to make it back to the ring, the ref raised the Sheik’s hand, and he yelled, “This is only the beginning of your pain!”

Commissioner Chad came back out, took the mic and said: “We’ve got something very special tonight. This athlete did not ask for this, but I’m giving it to him as a reward. Bobo Brazil, come out here.” Brazil came out to join the commissioner, who said: “For all your fine service while I was out this past year, along with your stellar BCW career, I have something for you, and it’s this: A title shot, one fall, right now against world heavyweight champion Rob Van Dam!” The crowd erupted as Brazil looked surprised and Van Dam headed to ringside.

BCW world heavyweight champion Rob Van Dam d. Bobo Brazil in a great match that ended when Van Dam hit a split-legged moonsault and got the pin. Van Dam started off strong, even getting in a Van Daminator as referee Bill Alfonso watched. But he was not able to get the pin, and Brazil rallied with a number of COCO BUTTS and nearly got the pin himself. Van Dam finally broke free of a subsequent bear hug and was eventually able to get the pin. Brazil was frustrated, but the two men eventually shook hands as fans cheered.

[TTX]

Good stuff with a fun main event.

[The Creek Rises]

YEAR EIGHT, CARD NO. 3

Eddie Graham Sports Stadium

Bob Roop d. Johnny Rodz using his SHOULDER BREAKER finisher. Rodz had the early advantage when he attacked Roop while Roop was still taking off his jacket, but Roop soon regained control and punished Rodz ahead of the pin.

U.S. heavyweight champion Lou Thesz d. Larry Sharpe quickly using his THESZ PRESS in what amounted to little more than a tuneup match for Thesz.

Chris Hero (w/ Sir Oliver Humperdink) d. One Man Gang (w/ Ted DiBiase) by DQ when DiBiase interfered in the match and put Hero in his MILLION DOLLAR SLEEPER. Hero had barely escaped an earlier 747 SPLASH attempt by One Man Gang, and was about to put his opponent away at the end of a long, brutal match when DiBiase interfered. Humperdink was indignant afterward.

While Sir Oliver Humperdink was complaining, Commissioner Chad came out and said he wanted to talk about an “opportunity.” “Sir Oliver, it’s time your former champs, the Naptown Dragons, got back in the tag title hunt, and I’ve got just the opponents for them – a slightly hostile Road Warriors!” Humperdink put his head in his hands as the former tag-team champs headed to ringside to face the Naptown Dragons.

The Road Warriors (w/ Paul Ellering) d. the Naptown Dragons (w/ Sir Oliver Humperdink) when Hawk pinned Dustin Lee after a running clothesline. The Warriors hit a DOOMSDAY DEVICE earlier on Lee, who never got a chance to tap out, but it was broken up by Sir Oliver Humperdink’s interference with the referee. That simply meant more punishment for Lee before the eventual pin.

Johnny Valentine d. Mad Dog Vachon using a forearm bludgeon. The match was good, but short, and afterward, Valentine grabbed the mic and said, “RVD, I haven’t forgotten about you. I want my belt back, and I’ll be seeing you real soon!”

Commissioner Chad came out and called out the Million Dollar tag team, along with the “Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase. The commissioner said he had a very special challenger for the tag titles, someone who had known Andre “for a while.” Out came Jimmy Snuka and his new tag-team partner, Magnum TA!

The Million Dollar Tag Team (w/ Ted DiBiase) d. Jimmy Snuka and Magnum TA to retain the BCW world tag-team championship when Terry Gordy pinned Magnum after an ORIENTAL SPIKE. The pair put up a lot of offense against the Million Dollar Team, but it ended quickly. Afterward, DiBiase took the mic and said, “Every man has his price, but you can’t put a price on stupidity like yours, Snuka! Hahahahaaaaa.”

Claudio Castagnoli came out with Sir Oliver Humperdink, took the mic and said, “Sheik, what you started with Chris Hero, I’m going to finish tonight! I’m putting you on the shelf with Sabu … for good!” Down to ringside came the Sheik and Abdullah Farouk to answer the challenge.

The Sheik (w/Abdullah Farouk) d. Claudio Castagnoli (w/ Sir Oliver Humperdink) when he connected on two FIREBALLS and got the pin on a stunned (and somewhat cooked) Castagnoli. The match had gone back and forth before the referee was distracted by Farouk and the Sheik unleased his attack. Afterward, the Sheik was attacked from behind from Chris Hero and injured. Humperdink and Hero then escorted a woozy Castagnoli to the back while Farouk attended to the Sheik.

Commissioner Chad came back out and said that Ivan Koloff had done a lot to turn his life and career in BCW around, and he wanted to reward the effort, so he was giving Koloff a nontitle shot at BCW world heavyweight champion Rob Van Dam. If Koloff won, he’d would get the title shot at Bithlo Bash!

Ivan Koloff stunned BCW world heavyweight champion Rob Van Dam in a nontitle match to earn a shot at the championship at Bithlo Bash. Koloff controlled the first part of the match, but then was in trouble after Van Dam hit a couple of Van Daminators (allowed by referee Bill Alfonso). Koloff eventually rallied, bit Van Dam in the head, hit a leg drop and got the apparently normal pin count from Alfonso, earning himself a title shot.

[TTX]

Glad to see it back in action...nice win by Koloff. Also like seeing Roop in action.

[The Creek Rises]

YEAR EIGHT, CARD NO. 4

City Auditorium, Ocala

Brutus Beefcake d. Johnny Rodz when he connected on his FLYING KNEE SMASH. Beefcake had some trouble with Rodz early on before finally rallying to get the pin.

Commissioner Chad came out and called out Al Snow. He said just because Snow’s tag-team partner, D’Lo Brown, was out with an injury did not mean that Snow should remain inactive. So the commissioner said he had booked Snow a match – with Sam Hayne!

Al Snow d. Sam Hayne (w/ “Elegant” Eddie Fyne) by DQ when Hayne attacked Snow outside the ring. Snow had just gained the advantage in what had been a pretty even match, and Hayne had needed interference by Fyne to avoid a pin. Snow appeared irritated afterward at the DQ finish.

Mad Dog Vachon came out to ringside, grabbed a mic and said he knew that Johnny Valentine had beaten him on the last card, but that their issues “weren’t done yet!” He called Valentine out, and Valentine headed to ringside.

Mad Dog Vachon d. Johnny Valentine by DQ when Valentine was disqualified for using a chair against Vachon outside the ring. The ref failed to see a cheap shot by Vachon and only saw Valentine’s retribution as the feud between the two continued to grow. The match itself did not go long before the pair ended up outside the squared circle.

Yukon Eric came out, took the mic and said, “Naptown Dragons, you thought it was OK to injure Danny Hodge so you can get rid of the Oilmen? Well, I’m still here, and I’m going to take you on, because I found someone to tag with who despises you almost as much as I do.” Out came Chris Candido and Tammy!

Yukon Eric and Chris Candido (w/ Tammy) d. the Naptown Dragons (w/ Sir Oliver Humperdink) when Yukon Eric hit Scotty Vortekz with a nasty clothesline coming off the turnbuckle, then pinned him. Vortekz appeared to be injured as Sir Oliver Humperdink railed at Yukon Eric and Candido. The Naptown Dragons had controlled much of the match before the final turn of events.

Bill Apter’s “Hot Seat” featured the BCW world tag-team champions, Andre the Giant and Terry Gordy, along with the “Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase, who said he sees his “Million Dollar Team” dominating the tag scene for years to come. Apter asked Andre if he still wanted to pursue the world title, but before he could answer, the Road Warriors and Paul Ellering came to the set to interrupt, saying they wanted a big chunk of the “Million Dollar Team” at Bithlo Bash so they could show the world how “overrated” Andre and Gordy were. The two sides were nose to nose (more or less) until officials were able to get between them.

After the confrontation, the Road Warriors and Ellering stayed at ringside as their opponents for the next match came down – the Kings of Wrestling.

The Road Warriors (w/ Paul Ellering) d. the Kings of Wrestling (w/ Sir Oliver Humperdink) by DQ when Claudio Castagnoli ambushed Animal from behind while he and Chris Hero were tangling outside the ring. The angry Road Warriors controlled much of the match through their ferocity before the DQ.

U.S. heavyweight champion Lou Thesz came out and said that Jim Londos had asked for a rematch of their recent bout, and after checking with the commissioner, he was going to give it to him, since Londos was such a great competitor.

U.S. heavyweight champion Lou Thesz d. Jim Londos using his THESZ PRESS. Londos put up a great effort but still fell short. Afterward, as Thesz was being handed the U.S. belt by the referee, he was knocked out of the ring by members of the House of Humperdink, then Claudio Castagnoli gave Londos a nasty scissors kick to the face, seriously injuring him. “That’s for embarrassing me [back in Card No. 2]!” Castagnoli said. Thesz got back into the ring to check on Londos as the House of Humperdink left.

The “Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase came to ringside and said he also had requested a rematch from Wrestlethon – with Ivan Koloff! Koloff marched down to ringside to answer the challenge.

Ivan Koloff once again d. the “Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase using his RUSSIAN BEAR HUG. Koloff put in a solid performance, but DiBiase seemed distracted by referee Bill Alfonso, who seemed to subtly negate any advantage DiBiase had while also favoring Koloff ahead of the finish.

Commissioner Chad came to ringside and called out BCW world heavyweight champion Rob Van Dam. He said he was going to offer Van Dam a chance to “get his mojo back” through a one-fall match against Dupae Rupa – and the title would be on the line!

BCW world heavyweight champion Rob Van Dam d. Dupae Rupa (w/ Sir Oliver Humperdink) when he nailed a FOUR-STAR FROG SPLASH on Rupa. Referee Bill Alfonso pretty much called the match down the middle, and Van Dam looked to be back on his game. As RVD celebrated with the title, a masked wrestler came to ringside and gave a dazed Rupa a nasty DDT, seriously injuring Rupa. The wrestler then escaped before Humperdink could get the rest of the House of Humperdink to ringside. Fans were stunned by the turn of events, especially when the mystery wrestler, now in the crowd, tossed his mask down and revealed himself to be Chris Candido!