Bithlo Championship Wrestling

[The Creek Rises]

YEAR EIGHT, CARD NO. 32

Wrestlethon PPV – Citrus Bowl

Jimmy Snuka d. Brutus Beefcake using a massive SUPERFLY LEAP that left Beefcake seriously injured. Snuka was going off the top rope when he was given a push by Austin Aries, who had snuck to ringside. As a result, an unbalanced Snuka landed on Beefcake with a knee up, causing the injury and abruptly ending their recent feud.

Terry Gordy d. Chris Candido (w/ Tammy) when he gave Candido a nasty clothesline, seriously injuring him. It came after Gordy bumped Tammy off the ring apron while she was trying to distract him. It appeared to be an accident, but it infuriated Candido, who chose to charge Gordy, took a nasty clothesline and landed awkwardly. Afterward, apparently not realizing how badly Candido was hurt, Gordy yelled, “Goodbye, Candido!” as officials came to ringside to check on Candido.

Ivan Koloff (w/ Boris Zhukov) captured the U.S. heavyweight title for a fourth time by d. Ricky Landell (w/ Sir Oliver Humperdink) when he hit a top-rope knee drop for the pin shortly after Landell fought out of a RUSSIAN BEAR HUG. Koloff attacked before the bell rang and was relentless against Landell, giving him no chance to display the escape tactics he used to defend the belt previously. The crowd booed when, after the pin, Zhukov unfurled an old Soviet flag and waved it as Koloff held up the belt.

Mil Mascaras d. Bob Roop via his CROSSBODY ATTACK. Roop had the advantage the few times the pair were outside the ring, but otherwise it was all Mascaras. Afterward, Mascaras made the sign of a championship belt and then stalked from the ring.

As the Million Dollar Corporation headed to ringside for their match in which the future of Andre the Giant would be determined, Commissioner Chad announced that “Superstar” Bill Dundee was the latest member of the group and had been approved for the clash.

Order of elimination in the five-on-five tag elimination match:

“Hacksaw” Jim Duggan was eliminated by John Pesek, who used his lateral press leglock for the submission.

Diamond Dallas Page was eliminated by John Pesek, who used a double bar hammerlock.

Virgil was eliminated by Bobo Brazil via his COCO BUTT.

One Man Gang was eliminated by Bobo Brazil, who again used his COCO BUTT.

John Pesek was eliminated by Magnum TA, who nailed Pesek with a running forearm.

Terry Gordy was eliminated by countout when Bobo Brazil gave him a massive Bobo slam outside the ring. However, on his way back to the ring, Brazil was crushed by a BIG SPLASH from Andre the Giant. Brazil was seriously injured, and officials had to help him to the back. Commissioner Chad also came out and sent Andre to the back, under threat of immediately being expelled from BCW, regardless of how the match finished.

Bryan Danielson was eliminated by “Superstar” Bill Dundee, the last hope for the Million Dollar Corp., when Dundee hit his SUPERSTAR BOMB.

That left “Superstar” Bill Dundee and Magnum TA to decide the match, with the “Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase at ringside.

After a long battle, Magnum TA hit a BELLY TO BELLY SUPLEX on Dundee and went for the pin, only to have DiBiase try to interfere. The referee immediately DQ’d the Million Dollar Corporation as DiBiase threw a fit. The end result: Andre the Giant was gone from BCW, but it appeared that Bobo Brazil, the BCW icon and the first career Triple Crown winner, was also done after eight years in the federation.

The Masked Superstars came to ringside and got into the recently lowered cage, followed by the BCW world tag-team champions the Road Warriors. The injured Masked Superstar talked to the referee, then turned to point at who would apparently be Masked Superstar II’s partner for the match: Boris Zhukov! Zhukov came to ringside with the new U.S. heavyweight champion, Ivan Koloff, and then got into the cage.

The Road Warriors retained the BCW world tag-team titles when they defeated Masked Superstar II and Boris Zhukov using the DOOMSDAY DEVICE on Masked Superstar II. The key to the victory came when the Road Warriors managed to put Masked Superstar II in their finishing move and Zhukov made no effort to interfere, merely leaving the cage as the referee counted the pin. The Masked Superstar gestured to Ivan Koloff, who merely shrugged his shoulders and headed to the back with Zhukov. Meanwhile, the Road Warriors relocked the cage and gave a second DOOMSDAY DEVICE to Masked Superstar II, injuring him in the process. Then they collected their belts, left the cage, met with Paul Ellering and headed to the back as the crowd booed.

The Oilmen came to ringside and were announced as “lumberjacks” for the next match, as were Ricky Landell, George South, Larry Sharpe and Johnny Rodz. Next the Naptown Dragons headed to ringside, followed by the Kings of Wrestling, then Sir Oliver Humperdink, for the “loser leaves BCW” match.

The Naptown Dragons d. the Kings of Wrestling when Scotty Vortekz got the pin on Chris Hero after the DOUBLE DRAGON. Sir Oliver Humperdink did not interfere in the match for the most part, especially with “lumberjacks” patrolling outside the ring. The Dragons took control of the contest early and never let a frustrated Claudio Castagnoli tag in, although he did break up one pin attempt. Afterward, Sir Oliver Humperdink grabbed a mic and announced that he was leaving with the Kings of Wrestling, and Ricky Landell then said he was leaving BCW as well.

Tiger Mask d. Austin Aries by DQ when an unidentified masked man attacked Tiger Mask when he and Aries were outside the ring. Tiger Mask had controlled much of the match ahead of the attack, which ended with a Yakuza kick. Aries and the unidentified person left ringside afterward.

In a rematch of their Tag-o-Rama PPV clash, Lou Thesz retained the BCW world heavyweight title by d. Rob Van Dam (w/ Bill Alfonso) 2-0 in a best-of-three-falls match. In the first fall, Thesz, looking better than he had on recent cards, dominated much of the offense and got a three-count on Van Dam following a released power bomb. In the second fall, Van Dam got in more offense, and he was aided by interference from Alfonso, but it was not enough, as a THESZ PRESS finished the deal and the fans cheered as the belt was strapped around Thesz’s waist.

[The Creek Rises]

BITHLO CHAMPIONSHIP WRESTLING YEAR-END AWARDS – YEAR EIGHT

Wrestler of the Year:

Lou Thesz – Thesz fulfilled what many thought to be his destiny during the year, compiling a 20-3 record and capturing the world heavyweight championship. He entered the year as the U.S. champion, then earned a world heavyweight title shot at Bithlo Bash, only to drop the U.S. belt a card later to Bash runner-up John Pesek. Thesz began the chase for Rob Van Dam’s world heavyweight belt at Night of Champions, winning by countout before finally capturing it at Tag-o-Rama. The rest of the year involved fending off challengers, including Johnny Valentine, Masked Superstar II and a rematch with Van Dam at Wrestlethon, plus securing the win for BCW at War Games by defeating Lex Luger of the BWF in the final.

Runners-up: Rob Van Dam, Ivan Koloff

Top 10 Singles Wrestlers at the End of Year Eight:

1. Lou Thesz (WHC)
2. Ivan Koloff (USC)
3. Rob Van Dam
4. Mil Mascaras
5. Yukon Eric
6. Masked Superstar II
7. Tiger Mask
8. John Pesek
9. Diamond Dallas Page
10. Bruiser Brody

Tag Team of the Year:

The Million Dollar Team (Andre the Giant and Terry Gordy) – Led by the “Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase, Andre and Gordy took the belts from the Road Warriors early in the year, then beat them again at Bithlo Bash and Tag-o-Rama. Only the midyear suspension of Andre allowed the Road Warriors to regain the titles at Card No. 19, and Andre’s departure at the end of the year likely brought a sigh of relief from Paul Ellering and company.

Runner-up: Road Warriors

Top Five Tag Teams at the End of Year Eight:

1. The Road Warriors (WTTC)
2. Million Dollar Team (Terry Gordy/One Man Gang)
3. Oilmen (Danny Hodge/Yukon Eric)
4. Masked Superstars
5. Sabu and Rob Van Dam

Manager of the Year:

Ted DiBiase – Although perhaps not a traditional “manager,” the “Million Dollar Man” saw his Million Dollar Team capture the tag belts early in the year (after he “bought” Andre the Giant from Lou Albano) and John Pesek grab the U.S. belt by defeating Lou Thesz. The only downside was Andre’s suspension and eventual ouster at the end of the year, plus an inability to secure the world heavyweight title.

Runner-up: Sir Oliver Humperdink, Paul Ellering

[The Creek Rises]

YEAR NINE, CARD NO. 1

Bithloplex

Commissioner Chad came out, grabbed a mic and acknowledged that it was a wild Wrestlethon to end Year Eight, with lots of injuries and departing wrestlers. He said BCW will very much miss the icon, Bobo Brazil, and hoped for a quick recovery for all those who were injured. Despite the losses, the commissioner said BCW needed to move on, and would do so with some new faces who were seeking opportunities to move up in the wrestling world, including two in the next match!

Danny Doring and Amish Roadkill made their BCW tag-team debut by d. S+S when Doring hit a Danaconda to finish what had been an impressive debut. S+S earlier nearly had Amish Roadkill pinned before he was able to tag back in Doring for the eventual victory.

Val Venis made his BCW debut by d. Johnny Rodz when he used a fisherman’s suplex to get the pin. Venis did some suggestive posing afterward as an apparent introduction to BCW fans.

Commissioner Chad came back to ringside and called for the Naptown Dragons to join him. He told them they were “free” of Sir Oliver Humperdink and had a chance to “start fresh in BCW, with lots of opportunities.” For example, they would be facing the team of Virgil and “Superstar” Bill Dundee – next!

“Superstar” Bill Dundee and Virgil d. the Naptown Dragons when Dundee hit his SUPERSTAR BOMB on Dustin Lee and then got the pin. The match was back and forth, and full of great action. Virgil was close to being pinned at one point and seemed irritated that Dundee didn’t help him out more. Afterward, Dundee celebrated the win while the Dragons appeared to be distraught about their first loss in the post-Humperdink era.

Commissioner Chad once again was at ringside to call out Roderick Strong, who was making his debut in BCW. But the commissioner pointed out that it was not Strong’s debut – he had a role at last year’s Wrestlethon, even though he was wearing a hood. As Strong looked on in surprise, the commissioner introduced his opponent, the person Strong gave a Yakuza kick to – an angry Tiger Mask!

Tiger Mask d. Roderick Strong by DQ when Austin Aries attacked Tiger Mask outside the ring. The match between Tiger Mask and Strong was good, but ended too soon. As the pair continued to attack Tiger Mask, Jimmy Snuka showed up at ringside to run them off.

Bill Apter’s “Hot Seat” featured BCW world heavyweight champion Lou Thesz. Apter congratulated Thesz on a “fantastic year,” then asked that with the departure of wrestlers like Andre the Giant and Bobo Brazil, who would be the likely challengers for Thesz’s title? Thesz pointed out that four former BCW world heavyweight champions (Jimmy Snuka, Mil Mascaras, Rob Van Dam and Ted DiBiase) were still in BCW, so there were plenty of guys looking for another title shot. He also gave props to Masked Superstar II, who “pushed him to the limit” last year before interference ended the match. A smiling Thesz said he would be ready for any challengers, including “those who might surprise me.”

Jimmy Snuka (w/ Tiger Mask) d. Austin Aires (w/ Roderick Strong) by DQ when Strong attacked Snuka outside the ring. Snuka came out like a house afire, getting two pin attempts on Aires before he escaped to the outside of the ring. When Snuka went after him, Strong and Aires attacked, tossing him into a guardrail. Aires then got back into the ring to complain about the DQ, only to be attacked and given a piledriver by Tiger Mask, which injured Aires when he landed awkwardly. Officials then reached ringside before things got even more out of hand.

Diamond Dallas Page d. U.S. heavyweight champion Ivan Koloff (w/ Boris Zhukov) by DQ when Koloff used his chain to punch Page right in front of the referee. Koloff had some pin attempts against Page early, but got frustrated that he couldn’t put his old rival away, so he apparently decided to end things with a DQ.

Terry Gordy came to ringside and called out Magnum TA. “You cost us Andre the Giant, Magnum, and now you need to pay for that! Down came Magnum TA to answer the challenge.

Magnum TA d. Terry Gordy by DQ when “Superstar” Bill Dundee attacked Magnum from behind with a chair. As the referee called for the bell, Gordy picked up a prone Magnum and gave him a powerbomb outside the ring, seriously injuring him. Gordy and Dundee then headed to the back while the crowd booed and officials looked to help Magnum.

The BCW world tag-team champions the Road Warriors and manager Paul Ellering came to ringside. Hawk took a mic and said, “We don’t see anyone who can challenge us for the titles – the Masked Superstars tried, and you saw what it got them!” Commissioner Chad came to ringside with a mic and a rebuttal: “Actually, gentlemen, I do have a team waiting to challenge you – Rob Van Dam and Sabu!” The two wrestlers came out with Bill Alfonso, who grabbed a mic and said, “We know you are oh, so bad, so let’s have a no-DQ match for the titles and see just how bad you are!” Hawk and Animal quickly said yes, and the commissioner said the match was on!

Rob Van Dam and Sabu (w/ Bill Alfonso) became the BCW world tag-team champions when they d. the Road Warriors (w/ Paul Ellering) in a no-DQ match when Van Dam hit a FIVE-STAR FROG SPLASH on Animal to get the pin. The match was pretty even throughout, and an early run-in by Sabu stopped a DOOMSDAY DEVICE on Van Dam, but the key moment came after Van Dam’s SPLASH. As Hawk began to enter the ring to interfere, he was hit from behind by the returning Sandman, who was wielding his Singapore cane (He also nailed Ellering.)! Since it was no-DQ, all the ref could do was count the pin. Afterward, Sabu and Van Dam celebrated with Alfonso as the Road Warriors and Ellering recovered.

[The Creek Rises]

YEAR NINE, CARD NO. 2

UCF Arena

Commissioner Chad came out and said he wanted to address the rash of injuries that had occurred lately. “Accidents are one thing, deliberate injury of a wrestler is another,” he said, adding that there would be serious penalties for the latter going forward, and “the decision of the commissioner is final!” He also announced that veteran Danny Hodge would face Lou Thesz for the BCW world heavyweight title at the end of the card.

Koko B. Ware made his return to BCW for the first time in five years and d. Larry Sharpe using a cross bodyblock. Fans seemed generally happy about Ware’s return.

Jerry Lynn made his BCW debut by d. George South when he launched himself off the top turnbuckle and hit a crossbody block on South. The crowd seemed impressed by Lynn’s high-flying maneuvers.

Commissioner Chad was back to ringside once again, and this time he called out “Superstar” Bill Dundee. He noted that Dundee nearly saved the Million Dollar Corporation at last year’s Wrestlethon, but due to interference they still lost Andre the Giant. Now, the commissioner said, it was time to see if Dundee was ready to take the next step as a singles wrestler, and he’d start that process against Diamond Dallas Page!

Diamond Dallas Page d. “Superstar” Bill Dundee using his DIAMOND CUTTER. Dundee actually controlled the action for most of the match and was strong on defense against Page, but Page finally saw and opening and hit his finisher.

Ivan Koloff came to ringside, took a mic and said he was always ready to defend the poorly named U.S. heavyweight championship, but he wanted the best of competition, so he had offered an opportunity to a former U.S. heavyweight champion – but not that “atrocious” Diamond Dallas Page. Out to ringside came Virgil, who last held the belt for a couple of cards back in Year One!

U.S. heavyweight champion Ivan Koloff (w/ Boris Zhukov) d. Virgil to retain the title when Virgil succumbed to the RUSSIAN BEAR HUG. The match took an interesting turn early when Koloff went to slam Virgil in the turnbuckle and Virgil moved. Koloff hit the turnbuckle headfirst and was stunned, and Virgil nearly pinned him! A couple of COBRA CLUTCHES by Virgil also nearly ended the match, but Koloff was able to fight out and eventually use his finisher as a very nervous Zhukov watched.

Bill Apter’s “Hot Seat” featured Mil Mascaras, who complained that he should be the No. 1 contender for the BCW world heavyweight championship because he had beaten Lou Thesz recently and “I know he fears facing me.” That brought out Jimmy Snuka, who pointed out that he was a three-time BCW world heavyweight champion who “hadn’t gone anywhere.” Commissioner Chad then came out and said, “Good – the two of you can face each other on the next card, and we can proceed from there!”

Boris Zhukov came back out to ringside with Ivan Koloff and exalted the “superiority of Mother Russia,” which he said was so overwhelming that it brought even more shame on the U.S. title belt that Koloff carried, especially since there were “no decent Americans to challenge for it.” Marching down to ringside came “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan, who pointed his 2x4 at Zhukov and said he’d make him eat those words!

“Hacksaw” Jim Duggan d. Boris Zhukov (w/ Ivan Koloff) using a spinning bodyslam. Zhukov charged Duggan early in the match, only to end up in a vertical suplex – and it was downhill from there! Afterward, Duggan made the sign of a title belt to Koloff, who waved his hand at him in dismissal.

The Road Warriors and Paul Ellering came to ringside, with Ellering taking a mic and complaining about Sandman’s interference, which cost them the BCW world tag-team titles: “We want a piece of him – right now!” That brought out the new world tag-team titleholders, Rob Van Dam and Sabu, along with the Sandman. They said the Road Warriors could get a piece of the Sandman – if they wanted to engage in a six-man, no-DQ tag match. Hawk, Animal and Paul Ellering all agreed.

Rob Van Dam, Sabu and the Sandman (w/ Bill Alfonso) d. the Road Warriors and Paul Ellering in a wild six-man tag match when Hawk dook an Arabian Facebuster from Sabu, who got the pin. There was fighting all over ringside at the finish, which is why no one was able to keep Hawk from falling victim to Sabu. Both side got pin attempts, and it took a while for officials to clear ringside after the bout.

In a great match, Bryan Danielson d. John Pesek when he hit a diving head butt and got the pin. Pesek tried attacking him before the match began, but Danielson fended him off and eventually got the pin. Afterward, he took the mic and yelled, “That was was for you, Bobo!”

Danny Hodge stunned Lou Thesz and the audience to win the BCW world heavyweight title. Thesz had controlled much of the match, but then Hodge caught him with his OKLAHOMA SIDE ROLL and got the pin. After the loss, Thesz, who had not requested a best-of-three-falls match for the title defense, sat in a ring corner for a while looking despondent, then got up and shook Hodge’s hand before being nudged aside by Hodge’s tag team partner, Yukon Eric, who had come to the ring to celebrate with Hodge. Mil Mascaras, who had come out from the locker room to watch the match, shook his head and returned to the back. The fans finally moved from being stunned to applauding Hodge as he held up the BCW world heavyweight championship.

[The Creek Rises]

YEAR NINE, CARD NO. 3

City Auditorium, Ocala

Commissioner Chad came to ringside, took a mic and said that new BCW world heavyweight champion Danny Hodge had accepted a challenge for this card – and it was not from the man he beat to win the title, Lou Thesz. The commissioner also said the card would be full of action, “and it starts … now!”

Virgil and “Superstar” Bill Dundee d. S+S when George South submitted to Dundee’s Boston crab. The match went longer than expected before the new tag team put S+S away.

Val Venis d. Yukon Eric in a great match when he hit a big splash followed by a MONEY SHOT to get the pin. The match was back and forth for a long while, with both men getting pin attempts ahead of the finish.

Bryan Danielson and Jerry Lynn d. the Road Warriors (w/ Paul Ellering) when Danielson hit a Yakuza kick on Animal and got the pin. The new team of Lynn and Danielson looked strong and celebrated the victory afterward as the losing streak for the Road Warriors continued and they looked on in disbelief.

A U.S. heavyweight title match between the champion Ivan Koloff (w/ Boris Zhukov) and the Sandman ended in a double DQ when both men were outside the ring using anything they could find to bash the other guy. Zhukov joined the fray on Koloff’s side, which then brought the BCW world tag-team champions, Rob Van Dam and Sabu, to ringside before officials finally got everyone separated.

Bob Roop d. a slumping Lou Thesz using his SHOULDER BREAKER. The former BCW world heavyweight champion had controlled the match early, then once again lost momentum, and Roop never allowed him to regain it. While Roop celebrated afterward, Thesz looked despondent as he sat in a corner of the ring.

Rob Van Dam and Sabu came out with the BCW tag-team titles. Van Dam took the mic and said he knew the crowd didn’t come to watch the “corny old Road Warriors” try to win the belts. So he said that instead, he’d arranged for some old friends to compete for the titles! Out came Amish Roadkill and Danny Doring!

BCW world tag-team champions Rob Van Dam and Sabu (w/ Bill Alfonso) d. Amish Roadkill and Danny Doring when Amish Roadkill submitted to Sabu’s CAMEL CLUTCH. The team of Doring and Roadkill gave the champions all they could handle, and at times Van Dam seemed frustrated by Sabu’s unfocused offensive attack, but in the end, Sabu cinched the victory.

In a special challenge match to decide a top contender for the BCW world heavyweight championship, Jimmy Snuka d. Mil Mascaras when he connected on a SUPERFLY LEAP to get the pin. Mascaras attacked before the bell rang and had an early advantage, but Snuka fought back with ferocity, gouged Mascaras’ eyes through his mask, then piled on the pain before hitting his finisher. Afterward, Snuka left ringside without looking back at Mascaras.

John Pesek came out from the Million Dollar Corp., took a mic and said, “I beat Thesz for the U.S. title, and now I’m going to beat Hodge for the world heavyweight championship and make it a present for the return of the Million Dollar Man!”

John Pesek (w/ “Superstar” Bill Dundee, Virgil) d. BCW world heavyweight champion Danny Hodge (w/ Yukon Eric) by DQ in a best-of-three-falls match. Pesek had the advantage through much of the first fall, as Hodge seemed nervous about being champion and was off his game. Pesek ended up winning the fall using his DOUBLE WRISTLOCK. As the referee separated the two ahead of the second fall, Yukon Eric jumped into the ring and hit Pesek with a running tackle, then knocked Dundee and Virgil off the ring apron. Finally, he gave Pesek a KODIAK KRUNCH, apparently injuring him and ending the match prematurely. Since Pesek won by DQ, the belt remained with a somewhat stunned Hodge.

[Dustin]

I like the tag team of Bryan Danielson and Jerry Lynn; it's wild they put down Hawk and Animal.

Thesz is not having any luck!

Hodge got lucky!

[The Creek Rises]

YEAR NINE, CARD NO. 4

Eddie Graham Sports Stadium

The Sheik (w/ Abdullah Farouk) d. Johnny Rodz when he threw a FIREBALL at Rodz and then got the pin over his stunned competitor. Rodz was doing well early in the match, but then the Sheik got him outside the ring and inflicted some damage. Back inside the squared circle, Farouk distracted the referee while the Sheik brought the match to a fiery conclusion.

The Million Dollar Man, Ted DiBiase, made a successful return from injury by d. George South using his MILLION DOLLAR SLEEPER. DiBiase showed a bit of rust early on, but eventually locked on his finisher and kept it on until South was well asleep.

Afterward, DiBiase grabbed a mic and said, “Commissioner, you know that John Pesek was robbed of the world heavyweight championship, and I know every man has his price, ha-ha, so it’s time to find out what yours is!” With that, DiBiase left ringside.

Bryan Danielson d. Larry Sharpe via a crossface chicken wing. Sharpe slapped Danielson in the face to start the match, and that was all the offense he got, as Danielson took control and dominated their remaining time in the ring.

Jimmy Snuka d. Virgil in an amazingly long match when he connected on a SUPERFLY LEAP. Snuka had a shot at using his finisher earlier, but “Superstar” Bill Dundee ran to ringside and knocked Snuka off the top turnbuckle while the referee was preoccupied with Virgil. Once Snuka fell, Virgil locked on his COBRA CLUTCH, but Snuka was able to finally escape it and eventually won the match after another interference attempt by Dundee got him sent to the back by the referee.

Bill Apter’s “Hot Seat” featured BCW world heavyweight champion Danny Hodge. Hodge said he was still getting used to having “world heavyweight champion” by his name, considering how he has been in BCW since Year Three. Apter asked what happened in the controversial match with John Pesek and Hodge said, “He cheated” without offering any more details, except to say that was why Yukon Eric interfered in the match. Hodge said he’d be willing to defend his championship against Pesek again, but Pesek would “have to do things right – and no Ted DiBiase at ringside!”

Boris Zhukov (w/ Ivan Koloff) d. Jerry Lynn when he hit a Soviet slam and got the pin. Lynn had a good run of offense early, but was waylaid by Zhukov’s strength. Afterward, the Russian pair looked to put the boots to Lynn, but Lynn’s tag-team partner, Bryan Danielson, came to ringside, and with Lynn recovering, the Russian pair headed to the back.

The Road Warriors and Paul Ellering came to ringside. Ellering took a mic and said they were angry because the commissioner had told them that the BCW world tag-team champions, Rob Van Dam and Sabu, already had an opponent for this card, and it wasn’t them! So Ellering said the Road Warriors had decided to take it out on someone – and it would be the Naptown Dragons!

The Naptown Dragons d. the Road Warriors (w/ Paul Ellering) by DQ when Hawk and Animal beat down Dustin Lee outside the ring. Lee had been slipping out of the ring to break the Road Warriors’ momentum, and they finally had enough and took it out on Lee. Officials raced to ringside to break it up before any serious injuries occurred.

Bob Roop d. “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan when he used successive gut wrench backbreakers to get the pin. The physical match went back and forth, but Duggan was never able to get a pin attempt on Roop before succumbing.

Bill Alfonso came to ringside, took the mic and said that his tag-team champions, Rob Van Dam and Sabu, were so impressed by the effort shown by Amish Roadkill and Danny Doring at the last card, they were going to give them a rematch on this card! The fans didn’t seem to know how to react to the news as the two teams headed to ringside.

Amish Roadkill and Danny Doring d. BCW world tag-team champions Rob Van Dam and Sabu (w/ Bill Alfonso) by DQ when the Road Warriors came to ringside from the back and attacked Amish Roadkill as he was punishing Sabu outside the ring. All six wrestlers ended up getting involved before officials were able to separate them, and Animal yelled at Van Dam and Sabu, “You can’t duck us forever, you punks!”

[The Creek Rises]

YEAR NINE, CARD NO. 5

Lakeland Civic Center

One Man Gang returned from injury and d. Larry Sharpe when he hit a 747 SPLASH. Afterward, he walked from ringside with an angry look on his face.

The Naptown Dragons d. “Superstar” Bill Dundee and Virgil when Dustin Lee hit a running lariat on Dundee and got the pin. The ending came so quickly that Virgil did not react in time to break up the pin.

Goerge South d. Bruiser Brody, in his return from injury, by DQ when both men ended up outside the ring and Brody went after South with a ringside chair. Brody might not have been fully ready to come back, and it showed in his frustration with South, who stayed mobile in the ring and caused Brody all sorts of problems during the match ahead of the DQ.

U.S. heavyweight champion Ivan Koloff (w/ Boris Zhukov) d. Koko B. Ware in a nontitle match when Ware succumbed to the RUSSIAN BEAR HUG. Ware gave Koloff all sorts of problems during the match, and Koloff was so unhappy afterward, he started after a dazed Koloff with his chain before Zhukov got him out of the ring.

Bill Apter’s “Hot Seat” featured the Masked Superstar, who had been out of action since near the end of Year Eight due to an injury suffered at the hands of the Million Dollar Corp. The Masked Superstar said his tag-team partner, Masked Superstar II, who also had been injured, would be back “very soon,” and they were going to claim what was rightfully theirs – the BCW world tag-team titles. That brought the Road Warriors to ringside. “We injured your partner last time, and we’ll take anyone out of the ring who tried to stop us from getting OUR titles back,” Animal said. “Just watch what we do next against these false contenders!” Then he shoved the Masked Superstar, and the Road Warriors moved to ringside to wait for their opponents.

The Road Warriors d. Danny Doring and Amish Roadkill when the Road Warriors used a spike piledriver on Amish Roadkill to get the pin, which came quicker than expected. The Road Warriors were apparently looking to inflict more damage, but were distracted by the appearance at ringside of the BCW world tag-team champions, Rob Van Dam and Sabu. Officials eventually convinced the Road Warriors to leave, and Van Dam and Sabu stayed at ringside, as their match was next.

BCW world tag-team champions Rob Van Dam and Sabu (w/ Bill Alfonso) d. Jerry Lynn and Bryan Danielson in a nontitle match when Van Dam pinned Lynn after a FIVE-STAR FROG SPLASH. As Alfonso distracted the referee, Van Dam caught Lynn with a Van Daminator, which shifted what had been a close match to the favor of the tag-team champs.

Commissioner Chad came to ringside with a mic and called out former BCW world heavyweight champion Lou Thesz. “Lou, I know you’ve got an automatic rematch clause for the title, but you’ve not been in a good place lately. So, I’m offering a challenging match for you tonight. Win, and you’ll be back in contention. Lose, and you won’t be until you get yourself back to your championship-contending ways. Your opponent: Mil Mascaras, who wants another shot at the No. 1 contender’s spot!”

Lou Thesz d. Mil Mascaras by DQ when Jimmy Snuka came to ringside and hit Thesz from behind, then yelled at Mascaras, “I already beat you for a No. 1 contender’s spot – you’re just a pretender now!” Officials came to ringside to separate the three wrestlers as fans booed.

With officials trying to settle things down, the Million Dollar Man Ted DiBiase came to ringside, grabbed a mic and said: “Gentlemen, and I use that term very loosely, I can sort all this out for you. We all know that John Pesek got robbed, but he’s going to be back when it’s time for Bithlo Bash. Until then, the Million Dollar Corporation will defend his honor. So, I offer Danny Hodge, the alleged BCW world heavyweight champion, this: a tag match, with him and his buddy Yukon Eric facing me and Terry Gordy. If we win, Pesek gets the title shot at Bithlo Bash. If we don’t, then let’s have a four-way match for No. 1, with Snuka, Thesz, Mascaras and Gordy, and let that settle who faces Hodge at Bithlo Bash. If, of course, you are a real champion willing to defend the title, Hodge.”

Hodge came to ringside with Yukon Eric and nodded his head “yes.” Commissioner Chad, seated at ringside, gave his approval, and the match was on.

Terry Gordy and the Million Dollar Man Ted DiBiase d. the Oilmen when Gordy pinned Danny Hodge after a Bam Bam Slam while One Man Gang, who had come from the back, battled Yukon Eric at ringside. With the win, it appeared that John Pesek’s spot in the BCW world heavyweight championship match at Bithlo Bash was secured. Afterward, DiBiase stood over the prone Hodge with a mic and said: “Oh, and one more thing, Danny. Bring Yukon Eric, because we’ll have friends at ringside then, too!”

[The Creek Rises]

YEAR NINE, CARD NO. 6

Fort Walton Beach Civic Auditorium

Austin Aries, in his return from injury, d. Johnny Rodz using a brainbuster. Aries looked sharp in his return and yelled out the name “Tiger Mask” before leaving ringside after his victory.

Commissioner Chad came to ringside and announced that there would be a four-man tournament to decide the challenger to the U.S. title held by Ivan Koloff at Bithlo Bash. He said the two semifinal matches would be held later on this card, and Koloff would also wrestle in a nontitle match.

The Masked Superstars returned from injury to d. S+S when Masked Superstar II gave Larry Sharpe back-to-back BACKBREAKERS. The Masked Superstars looked solid and appeared ready to resume their quest for the tag-team belts.

“Hacksaw” Jim Duggan came to ringside and said he hadn’t gotten enough satisfaction in beating Boris Zhukov back on Card No. 2 in retaliation for Zhukov’s role in injuring him last year. He wanted more, right now, and then he wanted a shot at Ivan Koloff for the U.S. title!

“Hacksaw” Jim Duggan and Boris Zhukov (w/ U.S. heavyweight champion Ivan Koloff) battled to a double DQ outside the ring when Zhukov tried to hit Duggan with his flagpole, only to have Duggan grab his 2x4 and chase Zhukov to the back, causing the double DQ. Zhukov had escaped two earlier pin attempts before the match broke down. Koloff did not follow, because he had a match scheduled next.

U.S heavyweight champion Ivan Koloff d. Jerry Lynn in a nontitle match when he caught Lynn in a RUSSIAN BEAR HUG. Boris Zhukov, who defeated Lynn two cards earlier, showed up at ringside after apparently dodging “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan in the back and began distracting Lynn by taunting him, which got Lynn off his game and made him a target of Koloff’s finisher. But as Koloff was ending the match, Zhukov found himself fleeing again as Duggan came racing out of the back.

In a semifinal match to determine the No. 1 contender for the U.S. title, the Sandman d. Val Venis when he used his SINGAPORE CANE, followed by a HARDCORE DDT, to get the win. The referee got bumped early in the match and was trying to recover when Sandman used the cane, then was able to make the three-count once Sandman used the DDT to finish Venis.

Danny Doring came to ringside with Amish Roadkill and said they weren’t done with the Road Warriors yet, so they wanted another rematch. That brought to ringside a laughing Paul Ellering, who said, “If you want to be dominated and have another beating administered to you, then get ready, because here it comes!”

The Road Warriors (w/ Paul Ellering) d. Danny Doring and Amish Roadkill by countout at the end of a wild match when a battered Doring declined a return to the ring. The BCW world tag-team champions, Rob Van Dam and Sabu, came to ringside to watch the match, and Van Dam ended up getting involved at one point, nailing Animal with a back kick and almost causing the Road Warriors to lose the match. Amish Roadkill later broke up an attempted DOOMSDAY DEVICE on Doring, and that ended with all four wrestlers in the ring. The Masked Superstars showed up to stare down the Road Warriors, and Van Dam and Sabu convinced Doring, who slipped to ringside, to take the countout and leave, apparently thinking that the officials wouldn’t be able to keep the Masked Superstars and the Road Warriors apart. Eventually, though, all parties left ringside.

In a semifinal match to determine the No. 1 contender for the U.S. title, Bob Roop d. Bryan Danielson by countout when an exhausted Danielson just missed getting back into the ring by the 10-count. Danielson was doing well early in the match, but missed a diving headbutt, and that led to Roop punishing him for the rest of the match, including a pair of SHOULDER BREAKERS for which Danielson just avoided the three-count. Finally, after being tossed out of the ring one more time, Danielson was unable to make the 10-count, although the fans were rooting for him to succeed. As a result, Roop will face the Sandman on the next card for the No. 1 contender’s spot.

Yukon Eric came out with BCW world heavyweight champion Danny Hodge, grabbed a mic at ringside and said: “Ted DiBiase, you may have gotten your way on the last card, but we are not done with you yet! So send a couple of your overgrown goofs out, and let’s get down to it!” Hodge did not appear all that excited by the challenge, especially when Terry Gordy and One Man Gang headed to ringside, accompanied by a laughing Million Dollar Man Ted DiBiase.

The Oilmen d. Terry Gordy and One Man Gang (w/ Million Dollar Man Ted DiBiase) by DQ when Gordy gave a POWER BOMB to Hodge outside the ring after beating him inside the ring. Gordy also paid a price, however, as Yukon Eric smacked him with the world heavyweight belt after Gordy dropped Hodge. Gordy stumbled back and hit the ring post hard, apparently suffering a serious concussion, much to the dismay of DiBiase. Hodge needed Yukon Eric’s help to get to the back as officials tended to Gordy.

[The Creek Rises]

YEAR NINE, CARD NO. 7

Leon County Civic Center – Tallahassee

Million Dollar Man Ted DiBiase came to ringside, grabbed a mic and said, “I’m unhappy that Terry Gordy will be out for a long time, apparently, but I’m happy to announce the latest addition to BCW, after six long years away, a stellar member of the Million Dollar Corp: Dick Hutton!” Hutton came to ringside as DiBiase took a seat to watch the match.

Dick Hutton, in his return to BCW, d. Johnny Rodz when Rodz submitted to Hutton’s powerful ABDOMINAL STRETCH. Hutton looked sharp during his time in the ring. But afterward, when DiBiase climbed back into the ring to shake his hand, Hutton turned away and left ringside alone.

Commander Chad came out to announce that there would be a tag turmoil match on this card, with eight teams involved, to determine who would face the BCW world tag-team champions, Rob Van Dam and Sabu, at Bithlo Bash. But first, the tag champs would be in action – next!

BCW world tag-team champions Rob Van Dam and Sabu (w/ Bill Alfonso) d. S+S when Van Dam pinned George South after a standing moonsault. South absorbed a bunch of punishment from Sabu before Van Dam tagged in and finished the match.

Boris Zhukov came to ringside, grabbed the mic and said that on behalf of Ivan Koloff, he was petitioning to change change the name of the U.S. title to the “Russian belt of world greatness,” since no American could obviously defend it like Koloff. That brought “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan to the ring with a “Hi-yooo!” and another round of the rivalry with Zhukov.

“Hacksaw” Jim Duggan d. Boris Zhukov when he hit a FLYING SPEAR to get the victory. The match was back and forth for a while, but when Zhukov got Duggan outside the ring, he got more than he bargained for. Afterward, Duggan grabbed a mic and said, “Hey Koloff, that belt is going to stay a U.S. title belt, because I’m coming to get it!”

Koko B. Ware then came to ringside and said: “Hold on, ‘Hacksaw.’ I’m as big a fan of you as anyone, but I want another shot at Koloff, since I don’t think I was on my game last time. So tell you what: Koloff, you come out here right now and face me. If I win, I get a shot at your title. You win, your reward is ‘Hacksaw.’ How about it?” U.S heavyweight champion Ivan Koloff came to ringside, where Zhukov was still recovering, and waved his hands dismissively, but Commissioner Chad came back out, grabbed a mic and said: “I like it! Let’s go, gentlemen!”

U.S. heavyweight champion Ivan Koloff (w/ Boris Zhukov) d. Koko B. Ware (w/ “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan) by using his RUSSIAN BEAR HUG to get the victory. Ware put up a decent fight, but a clearly vindictive Koloff clinched on his finisher and left it on after the bell until Duggan threatened him with his 2x4. Koloff then left ringside with Zhukov.

Commissioner Chad came to ringside and called out Lou Thesz, Jimmy Snuka and Mil Mascaras. As the three wrestlers eyed each other warily, the commissioner said he knew that all three wanted another run with the BCW world heavyweight championship, but for now, it was Pesek vs. Hodge at Bithlo Bash. However, he said, there finally will be a triple threat match, and whoever won it would certainly have a leg up on the next title shot!

Lou Thesz won a triple-threat match by pinning Jimmy Snuka after a THESZ PRESS. Early on, Thesz and Snuka took turns attacking Mil Mascaras, getting a couple of pin attempts. Snuka later threw Thesz aside and tried to get a quick pin on a downed Mascaras. Thesz then retaliated with his finisher and got the victory. Commissioner Chad got back into the ring, grabbed a mic and said, “Here’s your reward, Lou – no Bithlo Bash Battle Bowl for you! You’ve earned a title shot, at a time of my choosing.”

In a No. 1 contender’s match for the U.S. championship, Bob Roop d. the Sandman by DQ when the Sandman used his Singapore cane to batter Roop inside the ring. Roop, after taunting the “thug” Sandman before the match, dominated much of the contest, which eventually led to Sandman’s rather violent reaction. Roop will face Ivan Koloff for the U.S. title at Bithlo Bash.

Commander Chad was back out with a mic to tout the tag team turmoil match – eight teams, anyone could tag in anyone else during the match, and when one person gets pinned, that team is eliminated. With that, the match was on!

Million Dollar Man Ted DiBiase and One Man Gang won the tag team turmoil match. The order of elimination was Virgil and Bill Dundee (by the Road Warriors); the Naptown Dragons (by the Masked Superstars); the Road Warriors (by the Masked Superstars – the other teams kept Hawk from trying to tag in or interfere after Masked Superstar II nailed Animal with a falling elbow drop and got the pin); Roderick Strong and Austin Aires (by the Masked Superstars); Bryan Danielson and Jerry Lynn (by the Masked Superstars, who were on a roll at that point); Danny Doring and Amish Roadkill (by Ted DiBiase and One Man Gang).

It was down to the Million Dollar Corp. versus the Masked Superstars, which was a back-and-forth battle for a while before the Road Warriors returned to ringside to attack One Man Gang while he was outside the ring, causing the referee to disqualify the Masked Superstars. Afterward, the officials could barely keep the Masked Superstars and the Road Warriors apart as the crowd booed and DiBiase laughed.

Bruiser Brody came to ringside, snatched a mic and said he was tired of being left out of any world championship consideration, because he was apparently “good” but “not good enough,” “exciting” but not “world championship material.” That brought Yukon Eric out from the back. “Brody, we haven’t always seen eye to eye,” he said, “but I think you are as tough as they come. I tell you what – I know it’s the last card before Bithlo Bash, but why don’t you face the world heavyweight champion, my tag partner Danny Hodge, tonight, in a nontitle match? He’s a competitor who appreciates your toughness, and you can show what you’ve got!” Danny Hodge came out with the belt and glared at Yukon Eric, then got into the ring.

Bruiser Brody d. BCW world heavyweight champion Danny Hodge (w/ Yukon Eric) by DQ in a nontitle match when Yukon Eric attacked Brody with a chair while he was outside the ring trying to break the momentum following a Hodge pin attempt. Brody controlled the first part of the match, but Hodge rallied and nearly had him with his OKLAHOMA SIDE ROLL before Brody escaped to the outside. Afterward, Yukon Eric grabbed a mic and announced, “Guess you are still not ready yet, Brody!” The crowd booed, while Hodge looked on without expression.