TigerSamurai's Wrestling from Marigold

[Sam Fain]

All Star Wrestling
05.20.2070 from International Amphitheater, Chicago, IL

- #1 Contender's Match -
The Road Warriors vs. and Brutus Beefcake, Greg Valentine

- Earn Your Spot -
Brad Armstrong vs. Sam Houston

Tommy Rich vs. Bruiser Brody

Del Wilkes vs. Jimmy Snuka

Tony Atlas, Hacksaw Jim Duggan, and Magnum T.A, vs. Boris Zhukov, Iron Sheik, and Nikolai Volkoff

- United States Championship Tournament Final -
Tully Blanchard vs. Curt Hennig
for the United States Championship

- Tag Team Championship Tournament Final 2/3 Falls -
The Fantastics vs. The Midnight Express
for the Tag Team Championship

- World Heavyweight Championship Tournament Final 2/3 Falls-
Buddy Rogers vs. Nick Bockwinkel
for the World's Heavyweight Championship

[Sam Fain]

All Star Wrestling
05.20.2070 from International Amphitheater, Chicago, IL

- #1 Contender's Match -
The Road Warriors vs. and Brutus Beefcake, Greg Valentine
Hawk defeated Brutus Beefcake with a count-Out at 13:48
Match Rating: 3.75
Match Notes: This cannot be what the Road Warriors expected, but it also cannot be the outcome the Dream Team was hoping for. Jimmy Hart was definitely a factor, though not in the way they wanted.

The Road Warriors started off with lots of offense against Beefcake, but a misstep was enough to allow the Hammer to go to work and get some good double teaming in too.

At one point Animal was in real trouble, but would not succumb to the SLEEPER! Valentine rushed in to cut off Hawk and Beefcake rammed Animal into a chair that Hart held up! Animal was busted open!

Somehow he got the shoulder up! Beefcake missed a move and Animal made the desperation tag and that's when Hawk went to work!

He took out both men and was on fire, so much so that when Hart tried to toss the megaphone in, Hawk intercepted it and blasted Beefcake! Beefcake was split open, too!

He rolled outside and Hawk delivered a flying clothesline from the apron to the floor! Beefcake was out and a bloody mess.

Try as they might, Hart and Valentine were unable to get Beefcake in in time to answer the count and the Road Warriors stand tall.

- Earn Your Spot -
Brad Armstrong vs. Sam Houston
Sam Houston defeated Brad Armstrong with a dropkick at 9:48
Match Rating: 3.50
Match Notes: With a spot on the roster on the line, these two left nothing in the back in a great sprint that showcased the best they had to offer.

Brad Armstrong nearly fell early after getting eager with a charge into the corner, but Armstrong would come back big and after a series of blows and big drop-kicks he came flying over the top rope with a slingshot move that awed the crowd!

Back in he hit a two-handed bulldog and then a lightning quick RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP, but it Houston got the shoulder up!

You can tell how badly they want this spot!

Armstrong would continue to be on fire and scored another near fall, but when the action spilled outside, Armstrong took a chance and ran at Houston as he was propped up against the guardrail, Houston moved and Armstrong crashed ribs first on the steel!

Houston, sensing his opportunity, rolled Brad in and peppered him with forearm shots before hitting a big dropkick to the injured midsection to score the 1, 2, 3 and earn his spot on the roster!

You gotta think after Brad Armstrong's display, though, that Fred Kohler and co will be willing to take another look at this young man down the road.

Tommy Rich vs. Bruiser Brody
Bruiser Brody defeated Tommy Rich with a JUMPING KNEE DROP at 1:15
Match Rating: 0.10
Match Notes: Well this was an entirely different sort of story than their last meeting.

Brody destroyed Rich. A shoulder tackle, a twisting vertical suplex, a near fall, a huge lariat, the JUMPING KNEE DROP, and the 1, 2, 3!

Wildfire was extinguished by Bruiser Brody.

BB: Vince! I told you! I told everyone! I'm not here to put on a show. I'm here to wreak utter havoc and I will be the beast breathing down the backs of anyone who thinks they have a prayer of surviving an encounter with King Kong Bruiser Brody!

Del Wilkes vs. Jimmy Snuka
Jimmy Snuka defeated Del Wilkes with a SUPERFLY LEAP at 3:48
Match Rating: 2.00
Match Notes: They exchanged strikes early, but Snuka got the advantage and hit a pile driver! He would score a near fall after another and Wilkes was in big trouble. He shocked the crowd and Snuka by getting the shoulder up after the SUPERFLY LEAP, but a trip to the outside did nothing but waste a few minutes.

A flying headbutt followed by another spectacular SUPERFLY LEAP got the 1, 2, 3!

Tony Atlas, Hacksaw Jim Duggan, and Magnum T.A, vs. Boris Zhukov, Iron Sheik, and Nikolai Volkoff
Tony Atlas defeated Nikolai Volkoff with a sunset flip off the ropes at 12:28
Match Rating: 3.25
Match Notes: This was a fun little match, though fans were disappointed that Magnum was never tagged in. It didn't keep him from being involved, however.

Atlas looked great and took the fight to all three early, but ended up having to make the defensive tag to Duggan after Zhukov rallied.

The fans were clamoring for Sheik to get in and face Duggan and were delighted to see Duggan take the fight to his newly minted rival! A big USA chant broke out as Duggan clobbered him with a tough guy clothesline.

The action went outside and Sheik got the advantage by suplexing Duggan through the time keeper's table!

Duggan was able to tag out to Atlas after Volkoff came in and Atlas was on fire. Volkoff, in desperation, shot Atlas into the ropes, but Atlas caught him with a sunset flip and got the 1, 2, 3!

Wait a minute! Sheik is in! He clobbers the hurting Duggan off the ring apron! Someone is coming through the crowd... Who is... He has a chain! That's Ivan Koloff! He clocks Magnum with the chain!

All four are now in the ring with Atlas! Volkoff is smashing him with the chain! Magnum is back up! Koloff meets him outside the ring and they're brawling up the entryway...

Sheik, Volkoff, and Zhukov continue their sadistic beatdown of Atlas. He's a bloody mess after repeatedly been hit in the face with the chain! Sheik now has him in the CAMEL CLUTCH with the chain adding pressure to his bloodied opponent!

Magnum is back out and blazes to the ring with a chair, finally running off the Russians and Sheik...

EMTs are out. This is a chilling scene. Atlas doesn't look conscious... He's stretchered out as Magnum and the recovered Duggan follow closely.

Unbelievable. You gotta believe there are going to be repercussions for this...

- United States Championship Tournament Final -
Tully Blanchard vs. Curt Hennig
for the United States Championship
Tully Blanchard defeated Curt Hennig with a SLINGSHOT SUPLEX at 19:00
Match Rating: 4.00
Match Notes: The following contest is the final match to determine the first United States Champion! It is schedule for one fall with a 30 minute time limit!

Making his way to the ring, accompanied by the manager James J Dillon, hailing from San Antonio, Texas and weighing in at 228 pounds, Tully Blanchard.

And his opponent, from Robbinsdale, Minnesota and weighing in at 256 pounds, Curt Hennig!

This was damn near a classic match befitting the crowning of a new champion.

Blanchard attacked at the bell with a running knee smash and quick cover, hoping to put him away early. He'd even go into the tights for the foreign object, but Hennig would battle back.

They traded holds and strikes in the ring and brawled on the outside. Hennig was clearly on shaky legs from the start, but he would not stay down!

At one point, Blanchard went up, but Hennig caught him and superplexed back down!

The finish was hot and saw them chain wrestle into a big hop toss form Hennig! Running knee lift! HENNIG PLEX!

But JJ Dillon is on the apron distracting the ref! The fans are hot! But the ref misses it and Hennig runs out of the ring after Dillon!

Blanchard is able to cut him off and smash him into the guardrail!

He rolls him in... SLINGSHOT SUPLEX!

1, 2, 3! Blanchard wins in dubious fashion!

He's your new United States champion!

JJ: That's right, folks! It was all but promised to you that this man right here would be your first United States Champion! TB International is going to be running the show soon enough, you just wait!

TB: That's right! No one, and I mean no one, can take this from me now! Not Curt Hennig! And definitely not that chump, Magnum TA! Get used to this picture, because Tully Blanchard is at the top of the mountain and the expansion of Tully Blanchard International begins!

Tully Blanchard won the United States Championship

- Tag Team Championship Tournament Final -
The Fantastics vs. The Midnight Express
for the Tag Team Championship
BobbyEaton2017 defeated Tommy Rogers with a ROCKET LAUNCHER at 9:20
DennisCondrey2017 defeated Bobby Fulton with a FACE FIRST LEG SWEEP at 22:49
Match Rating: 3.75
Match Notes: Your next match is a two out of three falls contest with a 60 minute time limit and it is to crown the inaugural Tag Team Champions!

Introducing first, at a combined weight of 442 pounds, Tommy Rogers & Bobby Fulton, the Fantastics!

And their opponents, accompanied by the manager James E Cornette, hailing from the Dark Side and at a combined weight of 488 pounds, Beautiful Bobby and Loverboy Dennis, the Midnight Express!

Wow. This was a crazy match! The first fall was a back and forth affair until Rogers tried to come over the top rope on Eaton, but Eaton moved! Rogers was in big trouble after this and the Midnight Express took full advantage.

They hit MIDNIGHT MASSACRE, but Fulton broke up the count, only to be tossed from the ring by Condrey! ROCKET LAUNCHER!

1, 2, 3! The Midnight Express take the first fall!

Rogers tried to mount a comeback and get a tag, but he was cutoff at every step and the Midnights continued to dominate.

Even once Fulton was tagged in Condrey and Eaton orchestrated things perfectly and hit the Double Goozle to take him down! Condrey then his two straight FACE FIRST LEG SWEEPS to get second straight fall and become the first Tag Team Champs!

JC: I told you, Vince! I told everyone! Beautiful Bobby and Loverboy Dennis are the greatest tag team in the world! And Road Warriors! We beat you in 2 straight falls! Same as we did these chumps! You might be the #1 contenders, but you don't deserve to shine the Midnight's boots, much less get a shot at these belts! This is a new era! And the Midnight Express will dominate all comers!

The Midnight Express won the Tag Team Championship

- World Heavyweight Championship Tournament Final -
Buddy Rogers vs. Nick Bockwinkle
for the World's Heavyweight Championship
Buddy Rogers defeated Nick Bockwinkle with a FIGURE FOUR GRAPEVINE at 15:25
Buddy Rogers defeated Nick Bockwinkle with a dropkicks at 32:05
Match Rating: 4.50
Match Notes: The next contest is your main event of the evening and it is for the World's Heavyweight Championship! It is scheduled for 2 out of 3 falls with a 60 minute time limit!

Introducing first, from Camden, New Jersey, weighing in at 227 pounds, the Nature Boy, Buddy Rogers!

And his opponent, accompanied by the manager, Bobby "the Brain" Heenan, hailing from Hollywood, California, weighing 240 pounds, Nick Bockwinkel!

This match was intense! Buddy Rogers came on like a devil from hell. He pummeled Bockwinkel and went for pin after pin, Heenan saving his man with a timely distraction on more than one occasion!

Bockwinkel was hurting after a couple of piledrivers and fans were amazed he even got back up, but that's how much this title means!

His legs were a mess after the FIGURE FOUR GRAPEVINE, and had it not been for his manager, it would've been over early.

Somehow, Bockwinkel came back and it looked like he might have a chance, but Rogers pulled him out of the ring and clipped his knee before smashing his leg into the guardrail!

He rolled him in and got the tapout with the FIGURE FOUR GRAPEVINE to take the first fall.

Rogers continued to maul his opponent and things became an out and out brawl outside leading Bockwinkel being busted wide open. He was a gory mess, not only was he wearing the crimson mask, but his upper torso was covered in blood too!

Heenan tried to save his man, but Rogers ran out of the ring after him and chased him off! Bockwinkel tried to make the save, but Roger was ready and out-brawled him all along the ringside area!

Somehow, Bockwinkel would mount a huge comeback! Soon Rogers was busted open, too! Bockwinkel scored a couple of near falls and the fans were hot!

Rogers would come back, though and hit a cross body from the top! 1... 2... NO! Unreal!

Bockwinkel then came back again with a sunset flip! 1... 2.. NO! He missed the knee smash to the back!

Rogers hits a series of dropkicks and falls on top of him!

1... 2... 3! What a match!

Nick Bockwinkel is out and Buddy Rogers has become the first World's Heavyweight Champion!

Crimson masked, he takes the belt and holds it high, then grabs the mic from Vince Lloyd...

BR: Vince... All you people... I've got one thing to say... To a nicer guy it couldn't happen!

What a scene to close the show! Bockwinkel has to be helped from the ring as his manager holds a towel over his bloody face and the new champion gloats and struts in the ring, oblivious to the blood and pain of his own.

Buddy Rogers won the World's Heavyweight Championship

Overall Card Rating: 3.11

[TTX]

The team of Eaton17 and Condrey17 may be my new favorites;)

Really fun show with big wins by the Express and Rogers.

[Sam Fain]

Haha! TTX I'll never remember to drop that from their names... Alas... They're the future of the Midnight Express.

Thanks for reading! I was a little surprised how dominant the new champs were in their matches. It's fun to have everything set up now, though, for the future.

[Pariah]

Big time congratulations to all the newly crowned champions... Even though Hennig was obviously the victim of some serious shenanigans (looking at you, Mister Dillon)...

Interested to see if Cornette's boys can make it past their first title defense... Road Warriors are on deck and hungry for the gold...

Top notch action from start to finish, my friend... Absolutely entertaining!

[Sam Fain]

Thanks Pariah I've really been having a lot of fun with this new fed. Given me the chance to try some new things. I certainly haven't forgotten my Classics fed and I'll probably get a card or two out for it soon, but this has been my focus for now.

We'll see if Hennig can bounce back. Maybe he'll need some help in the management department down the road...

Hawk & Animal are chomping at the bit to get another shot at the Midnight Express, but you can bet they'll sink to any low to keep the titles... Then again, who's to say the Road Warriors and Paul Ellering won't do the same?

New card forthcoming!

[Sam Fain]

Wrestling from Marigold: Championship Wrestling (Card #10)
05.21.2070 from Marigold Arena, Chicago, IL

- Show Open -
Vince & Jack welcome fans to the show and give a quick overview of All Star Wrestling.

Vince announces an interview with World’s Heavyweight Champion and out struts "the Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers. He's wearing sunglasses and has a bandage on his forehead, but otherwise looks very well put together and carries the World's Heavyweight Championship in the crook of his right arm.

VL: Buddy Rogers, you proved a lot of the naysayers wrong last night at the International Amphitheatre, but some are still questioning the route you took to get to the finals.

BR: Let me tell you something, Vince. All these other so-called wrestlers and stars out there and the so-called naysayers, too, found out just what a true star wrestler looks like: The Nature Boy Buddy Rogers. This gold belt is proof of just how great I am. And whether it be Lou Thesz or Frank Gotch or this “Macho Man”, I have no problem defending this title at the Great American Bash. But until then, take a good look. Look at this face! Look at this body! Look at this belt! And now, Vince... Now, you know perfection!

VL: All right, folks, there you have it, the World's Heavyweight Champion! Let's get to the ring for some tag team action...

The Heavenly Bodies vs. and Billy Red Lyons, Red Bastien
Billy Red Lyons defeated Tom Prichard with a FIGURE FOUR LEG LOCK at 7:21
Match Rating: 3.00
Match Notes: Solid match from these two teams. The newcomers to the Marigold, Billy Red Lyons & Red Bastien were on the defensive early in the match, but Bastien took it back to Lane and forced the tag out on defense.

Prichard then came in and helped his team score a couple of near falls, but things would devolve into a brawl that nearly resulted in the match being thrown out!

Lyons and Bastien came out on the better end of it and then decimated Prichard with some rapid fire dropkicks ending it with a basement dropkick to the knee! Prichard was in big trouble and Lyons slapped on the FIGURE FOUR!

Bastien kept Lane from entering and Prichard had to tap!

What a win in their debut match.

Exotic Adrian Street vs. Bobby Shane
Bobby Shane defeated Exotic Adrian Street with a loaded knee smash to the head at 8:42
Match Rating: 2.75
Match Notes: These two men are making their debut here at the Marigold and would love an opportunity to challenge for the United States title.

Street smacked Shane in the face to begin the match and it must've fired up his opponent, because Shane came roaring back with knee strikes and bulldogs.

Miss Linda tried to distract the ref, but he was all business and stayed focused on the match.

Shane was relentless with his punishment and Street was bleeding after a big bulldog!

Shane sensed the end was near, but couldn't put him to sleep with his finisher, instead clobbering him with a knee to head for the 1, 2, 3!

What a debut by Bobby Shane!

VL: Bobby, that was quite the display-

BS: Of course it was, Vince! I didn't come here to play second fiddle to a guy who wears makeup! I came here to be a king and I won't stand to slapped in the face by a queen!

VL: Well, fans, I apologize for Mr. Shane's comments, but an auspicious debut nonetheless.

Magnum T.A, vs. Hacksaw Jim Duggan
Hacksaw Jim Duggan defeated Magnum T.A, with a FLYING SPEAR at 7:35
Match Rating: 2.00
Match Notes: These two were on the same side of a crazy 6-man tag match at All Star Wrestling, but now face each other to see who can move up in the rankings. Magnum has vowed to get to Tully Blanchard as he's sure that TB International is responsible for the Russians sadistic actions that put Tony Atlas on the shelf. Hacksaw wants nothing more than to take out the Iron Sheik, but tonight they have to focus on each other.

A handshake gets things started and they go back and forth early on before Hacksaw explodes with some offense!

No more than 5 minutes in Magnum takes a spill to the outside and who should appear but JJ Dillon and the US Champ, Tully Blanchard!

Dillon distracts the ref while Blanchard blasts Magnum with the belt! Hacksaw is busy with Dillon and doesn't see it either!

Magnum is rolled in and Hacksaw hits a spinning body slam for a near fall and then his FLYING SPEAR to get the 1, 2, 3!

You have to believe if Hacksaw had seen what happened, he wouldn't accept this win!

- Interview -
Vince has Tully Blanchard and JJ Dillon in the booth!

VL: Mr. Dillon, Mr. Blanchard, you two have some explaining to do!

TB: Vince, as long as I’m United States Champion, Magnum TA will never get a shot at this belt! Do you understand me?

JJ: Tully Blanchard is in another class, Magnum TA! And alls you’re going to do is find yourself perennially at the bottom the list for contention. TB International will see to that!

VL: You just cost the man his match!

JJ: Vince, it's very simple. You see we've made an investment here and all we're doing is protecting that inves-

(Magnum TA crashes the boot and begin peppering Blanchard with forearms! The fans are going crazy, but Blanchard weasels out of his sport coat and high tails it with Dillon! Magnum tears the sport coat to shreds!)

TA: Vince! I've had just about all I'm going to take from those two! I don't mind getting beat. Especially by a friend like Duggan, but I'll be damned if I'm going to let those two run around and lie and cheat and steal to keep that belt. These people deserve more and that belt deserves more! I might not be the man to take it from him, by God, but I'll be the one to teach him the ultimate lesson in the end!

Lou Thesz vs. Frank Gotch
Lou Thesz defeated Frank Gotch with a GRECO ROMAN BACK DROP at 10:54
Match Rating: 3.75
Match Notes: Two shooters meet one on one in our main event.

Thesz had a chip on his shoulder in this one. He'd wrestle and take Gotch down and then sneak in a punch to the ribs.

It took its toll, but Gotch would come back in spectacular fashion, stretching Thesz and bringing on the pain with a rolling kneebar and crossface and armbar, but it wasn't enough to get it done.

A near fall form an airplane spin by Thesz was followed by his second GRECO ROMAN BACK DROP of the match to score the 1, 2, 3.

I have a feeling Gotch is going to head back to Iowa to regroup before returning to the Marigold.

After the match Fred Kohler announces that Lou Thesz will meet Randy Savage to determine the number one contender to the World's Heavyweight Champion, Buddy Rogers! And you gotta be wondering... Where is Bruiser Brody in all this? Will he be happy being left out of the chance to be #1 contender?

Overall Card Rating: 2.88

[TTX]

Nice if mild upset by Duggan.

[Pariah]

Ouch! Heartbreaking loss for Street... Hope we get to see more of the Exotic One and that he bounces back in his next appearance...

Really enjoyed that main event encounter between Thesz and Gotch... Classic matchup! And it doesn't get any better than Thesz vs Savage for the number one contender spot...

Awesome stuff!

[Sam Fain]

Wrestling from Marigold: The Main Event
05.26.2070 from Marigold Arena, Chicago, IL

The Destroyer vs. Jimmy Snuka
The Destroyer defeated Jimmy Snuka with a Bombs Away Knee Drop at 4:28
Match Rating: 2.75
Match Notes: The Destroyer came out strong, but Snuka rolled to the outside and took control. He hit two near falls, but Destroyer would battle back and duck a vicious chop.

Destroyer with a big airplane spin and then the bombs away knee drop was all it took to secure the 1, 2, 3!

Masked Superstar vs. Bobo Brazil
Masked Superstar defeated Bobo Brazil with a COBRA HOLD at 18:07
Match Rating: 4.25
Match Notes: This was a great match! Superstar dominated the early goings and used both of his finishers for near falls, but Bobo would come back on the outside and even hit a couple of COCO BUTTS, but to no avail! He even busted himself open on the second one!

They see sawed a bit with strikes and holds and traded a series of body slams back and forth, but it was the Masked Superstar who got the advantage by tossing Bobo from the top. He would hit a flying cross chop and another SWINGING NECKBREAKER, but only got a 2! COBRA HOLD! It did the trick as Bobo was out and Superstar gets the hard fought win.

Curt Hennig vs. Diamond Dallas Page
Diamond Dallas Page defeated Curt Hennig with a DIAMOND CUTTER at 4:18
Match Rating: 3.00
Match Notes: Good back and forth match from these two. It really could've gone either way.

The story of the match had to do with a certain observer at ringside... Bobby "the Brain" Heenan. It become clear when Hennig went flying to the outside after charging the corner. DDP went out after him and Hennig grabbed him by the tights and pulled him into the post! Heenan nodded his approval, but still kept his distance.

It looked like Hennig was going to use this to build a head of steam, but DDP was able to reverse a whip into the corner and then hit a clothesline followed by the DIAMOND CUTTER for the 1, 2, 3.

After the match, Heenan could be see speaking to Heenan as he made his way to the back, defeated.

Meanwhile, Vince gets a word with DDP.

DDP: Vince, I've set right a wrong! Hennig never should've gotten to the finals of that tournament and now all controversy of our last match can be put to rest. I'm putting Tully Blanchard on notice! I'm winning matches and will be the US champ in now time. And, Tully, and Dillon too if he gets in the way... Will feel... the... BANG!

The Rock'n'Roll Express vs. The Sheepherders
Ricky Morton defeated Luke Williams with a DQ at 19:33
Match Rating: 4.50
Match Notes: What a great tag team match! Tons of tag work for both teams. Robert ended up playing the face in peril in this one and Butch took a hell of a beating.

Too much action to call as they wrestled a blistering pace, but the finishing stretch saw Ricky come over the top with a plancha on Luke. Things ended up breaking down in a dirty brawl on the outside and Luke was disqualified for using a chair!

They're fighting after the bell as the Sheepherders are looking to tear Ricky apart, but Gibson grabs a chair of his own and Butch and Luke head for higher ground.

VL: Fans that about does it here at the Marigold, what a night of action-

BM: Oi! Ricky! Robert! Rules won't get in the way next time!

LW: That's right pretty boys! If you got the guts, you'll climb into the ring with us again and we'll tear you apart!

VL: Now wait a minute...

(Ricky and Robert storm the booth with chairs, but Butch & Luke take off.)

RM: Vince, let me tell you something! These Sheepherders thing we're scared? They got another thing coming, I tell ya! Me and Robert are riding this rocket ship to tag team gold, but if those two wanna get down and dirty, well, brother, that's what Rock 'n' Roll is all about, you know what I'm sayin?

VL: Well, folks, that will do it. We'll see you next time at the Marigold!

Overall Card Rating: 3.63