Booker Bill's MLW

[bookerbill]

March 2019 Rankings

Canadian Heavyweight Champion: Lou Thesz (CDN)
Commonwealth Champion: Buddy Rogers (CW)
1. Terry Gordy (4)
2. Johnny Valentine (10)
3. Diamond Dallas Page (5)
4. Masked Superstar (1)
5. Ivan Koloff (3)
6. The Destroyer (-)
7. Petey Williams (9)
8. Lenny Lane (8)
9. Marty Jannetty (-)
10. Larry Hennig (-)

Canadian Open Tag Team Champions: Valant Brothers (1)
1. Rock ‘n’ Roll Express (4)
2. Original Midnight Express (COTT)
3. Brad & Bob Armstrong (2)
4. Tugboat & Chaz Taylor (3)
5. Lou Albano & Wild Bill White (5)

[TTX]

Always enjoy a Jannetty win and the action remains hot in the fed. Be interesting to see if the RNR can wrest the tag belts from the Valiants.

[cruefan68]

I loved the East York Arena show, especially the wild main event finish out of nowhere victory for the Valiant Brothers. If Johnny Valentine had to take his first defeat I'm happy it came at the hands of The Destroyer. I'm pulling for the masked man in the upcoming Frank Tunney Classic.

[bookerbill]

April 7, 2019 – Card #27 – Lakeshore Lions Arena, Toronto, Ontario

Sam Houston defeated Lou Albano. They trade moves back and forth. Houston works the arm and then moves to a standing toehold. Cobra Clutch Suplex gets a one count and Albano staggers to the his feet and gets planted with a bulldog for the win.

Brutus Beefcake upset Masked Superstar. Some back and forth action starts this one. Beefcake counters out of a tombstone and nails a suplex later on for a one count from Morgan Dollar. Beefcake tries for a tombstone piledriver of his own without success leading to a counter and Cobra Hold but Beefcake makes the ropes. Beefcake kicks out after getting killed with a Superstar Clothesline. Beefcake just makes the ropes to escape a second Cobra Hold and gets his shoulder up after another Superstar Clothesline. Superstar is all over Morgan Dollar with slow count complaints. Superstar with slams and forearms. Beefcake counters but running elbow to the corner misses and Superstar connects with a flying cross chop for a two and three quarter count. Superstar mounts the corner and jaws with the fans which allows Beefcake to knock the ropes. Superstar falls to the mat. He regains his feet and Beefcake applies a sleeper to get the comeback upset.

Petey Williams over Marty Jannetty by count-out. Williams sets ringside on fire with a dive to the floor. Jannetty can just regain the ring. Back inside, Canadian Destroyer lands but does not get the three count. Another dive to the floor and this time Jannetty cannot make it back inside before the ten count.

Original Midnight Express w/Jim Cornette bested Rock ‘n’ Roll Express. Morgan Dollar calls the bell. Morton gets into some hot water early on. Robert Gibson gets the tag and uses a spinning toe hold to slow down Randy Rose. Dennis Condrey gets into the action and overpowers Gibson. Whip to the corner but Gibson moves aside and Condrey crashes hard into the corner. Roll up for two. Express work over Condrey. Both sides make tags and Rose controls against Ricky Morton. Morton gets whipped into the corner and rebounds outs with a clothesline. Morton mounts the corner but gets tossed off the top by Rose. Condrey takes it outside and Dr. Mike Lano gets caught up in the action and shoved into Condrey. Gibson uses a Gibson Leglock to slow down Rose but a splash from the top misses. Condrey with a big backdrop and then suplex onto Rose’s knee for a two count. Rose Bomb for two. Morton gets into the match but cannot turn the momentum. Condrey rubs Morton’s face into the mat. Gut wrench suplex downs Morton for a one count. Face first leg sweep gets a two count. Condrey off the top with a forearm to the skull. Rocket Launcher to Morton. Gibson is blocked but Morton kicks out at the last second. Gibson is able to get a hot tags minutes later but his splash from the top misses again and stops the momentum of the Express. Double Goozle crushes Gibson. Morton is cut off and the Express have a significant win.

Diamond Dallas Page pinned Canadian Heavyweight Champion Lou Thesz in a non title match. Morgan Dollar is called upon for back to back matches as the Canadian Heavyweight Champion is in action. Handshake and we are underway. Thesz dominates early getting the action to the mat and then scoring a two count with a Thesz Press. Thesz ties up Page with a stepover toehold facelock but cannot get the submission. Thesz attempts a knee from the top but misses allowing Page to come back with back to back Russian Leg Sweep for a huge two count. Thesz is downed for two and half with cross body. Diamond Dream and a swinging neckbreaker. Thesz recovers and whips Page into the corner but Page comes out with a clothesline. Page hooks the leg and nearly gets the win. Thesz battles back and catches Page in an airplane spin but Page drops out and nails the Diamond Cutter and PINS THE CANADIAN HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION!

Vachon Brothers defeated Taylors. The Vachon cut off Tugboat Taylor from the outside. Mad Dog gets a double foot stomp for a near fall. Vachon double up on Taylor. Mad Dog Vachon takes Tugboat Taylor outside but Dr. Mike Lano gets thrown around again and Taylor comes out with the advantage. Chaz Taylor is in and connects with back to back Air Chaz for a one count. Vachon bounces Taylor’s face off the ringside table and tags in his brother. Butcher Vachon traps Chaz Taylor in a Hangman gets the submission.

Brad & Bob Armstrong defeated Shawn Daivari & Lenny Lane. Bob Armstrong controls against Daivari in and out of the ring. Lane gets in and so does Brad Armstrong. Dropkick catches Lane for a near fall. Russian Leg Sweep gets the win in short order.

Destroyer downed Johnny Valentine. Both men are prepared and counter well. Valentine forces the action to the floor. Destroyer shoves Dr. Mike Lano into Valentine on the floor and traps his opponent in a figure four leglock when the action gets back into the ring. Valentine is not ready to submit and comes back with forearms. Destroyer counters a kick to the knee and scores with series of standing knee drops. Valentine drags Destroyer outside and runs him into the post. Back in the ring, Destroyer comes back and muscles Valentine into the corner and charges in but Valentine backdrops Destroyer to the floor. Valentine follows and Destroyer runs Valentine into the ring post busting him open. Destroyer dominates the action back in the ring. Bow and arrow punishes and a Bombs Away is on target. Valentine rolls to the floor and Destroyer follows. Valentine reverses of whip and Destroyer eats the post. Both men are busted open. The go back to the floor and brawl around the ring as Morgan Dollar makes the count. Back inside, atomic skullcrusher gets a two count. Valentine tries a knee drop from the top but misses. Destroyer drops a pair of knees onto Valentine’s leg from the top and then wraps on a figure four leglock. Valentine rolls Destroyer to break the hold. Outside, Destroyer smashes Valentine across the leg with a chair. Inside, another figure four leg lock and Valentine is defeated is submitted again.

Ivan Koloff destroyer Larry Hennig in a Russian Chain Match. Ivan Koloff gets whipped into the corner early but rebounds out with a clothesline. Koloff wraps the chain around his arm and connects with a Russian Sickle for a two and three quarters. The go to the floor and Koloff chokes out Hennig with the chain. Back in the ring, falling face slam lands and Koloff lands a Russian Hammer for the three count.

Terry Gordy pinned Commonwealth Champion Buddy Rogers to win the title. Rogers avoids the early power of Gordy after Morgan Dollar calls for the bell. Roll up and pin using the ropes gets a two count. The go to the floor and Gordy drags Rogers to ringside and rams him back first into the post. Gordy stretches the champion with an STF and later a lariat spills Rogers to the floor. They brawl around the ring and back inside. Bamm Bamm Slam gets a two count. Power Bomb follows and Rogers kicks out at the last second. Rogers sells the back and begs off. Rogers finds an opening and lands a jumping knee smash to the leg. Rogers whips Gordy into the corner but Gordy bounces off with a lariat the crushes Rogers. Gordy locks in an Oriental Spike but Rogers makes the ropes. STF punishes and elbow hammer lands on target. Rogers reverses a whip into the corner and follows in with a clothesline. Rogers tosses Gordy outside and follows. Gordy grabs a camera from Dr. Mike Lano’s bag and chokes out the champion. Dollar lets it go and the fans are roaring. Back to the floor and Gordy waffles Rogers across the back with a chair doing more damage. Tombstone crushes Rogers and Gordy lands a Vader Bomb from the top. Rogers is in trouble and Gordy lands another tombstone piledriver for the three count to claim the Commonwealth Championship.

News and Views: Terry Gordy is the new Commonwealth Champion after an impressive outing against Buddy Rogers. As part of the celebration after the card, it was confirmed that Terry Gordy will be part of the upcoming Frank Tunney Memorial Tournament . . . Diamond Dallas Page set the territory on its ear with a non-title victory over Canadian Heavyweight Champion Lou Thesz all but guaranteeing a shot at the Canadian Heavyweight Title in the near future . . . Huge victory for Brutus Beefcake in a shocker tonight . . . The makeshift team of Lenny Lane & Shawn Daivari were no match for the experience of the Armstrong family . . . Petey Williams continues to impress in the Northern Light division . . . Impressive victory for Ivan Koloff in his speciality match against the Axe . . . Vachon Brothers pick up the win in their territory debut . . . Rock ‘n’ Roll Express stumble on their way to gaining a shot at the Canadian Open Tag Team Titles falling to the former champions and their classic foe, Original Midnight Express . . . The Destroyer came out on top for the second straight match against Johnny Valentine in another intense battle between the two top contenders . . . The action continues to heat up as we get closer and closer to the Frank Tunney Classic

Up Next, Maple Leaf Wrestling returns to Niagara Falls for a huge show at the Memorial Arena with the Canadian Title on the line:
• Brutus Beefcake shocked many with his comeback win over Masked Superstar tonight but will he be able to do it for a second time in row when the two clash in a rematch from tonight.
• In a preview of next week’s Canadian Open Tag Team Title Match, Champions Jimmy & Johnny Valiant will battle members of the Original Midnight Express in pair of singles encounters
• In tag team action, The Vachons will return to the ring to face the father and son duo of Brad and Bob Armstrong
• After an inconclusive finish to the match tonight, Marty Jannetty locks up with Petey Williams in Northern Lights division rematch
• Diamond Dallas Page is coming off one of the biggest victories of his time in Maple Leaf Wrestling and will look to keep that momentum going against another competitor who has been on a winning streak of his own, The Destroyer
• Larry Hennig must like pain or have a screw loose as he has asked for an immediate re-match with Ivan Koloff and the two will once again do battle joined together by steel chain
• In the main event, Buddy Rogers looks to rebound from his loss of the Commonwealth Title tonight when he steps into the ring with Canadian Heavyweight Champion Lou Thesz, who is looking to recover from his own loss tonight against Diamond Dallas Page in non-title action

Maple Leaf Wrestling – Frank Tunney Classic
Sunday, April 21, 2019
Doors at 7:00 pm
Bell Time: 8:00 pm
Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto, ON

Eight Man Tournament
Canadian Heavyweight Champion Lou Thesz
Buddy Rogers
Johnny Valentine
The Destroyer
Commonwealth Champion Terry Gordy
Diamond Dallas Page

Plus
Canadian Open Tag Team Champions Valiant Brothers v. Original Midnight Express

[TTX]

Nice to see Gordy gain some gold and big upset by DDP.

[Pariah]

Really enjoyed DDP's big win over Canadian Heavyweight champion, Lou Thesz... Would love to see him build on this hot streak with a victory over The Destroyer on the next show... BANG!

[bookerbill]

April 14, 2019 – Card #28 – Niagara Falls Memorial Arena, Niagara Falls, Ontario

Lenny Lane over Ron Hutchison. Morgan Dollar calls for the bell. Lane controls early but Hutchison counters back and connects with a kick to the leg and knee drop. Olympic Roll Up and Lane bails to think things over. He trips up Hutchison from the floor and rams him leg into the ring post. Back inside, Lane applies a grinding chinlock but a whip to the corner goes wrong and is reverses followed by a Hutchison clothesline. Lane bails and Hutchison follows for a brawl on the floor. Lane gets the upper hand and takes it back to the mat where he hits Memory Lane for the win.

Wild Bill White & Lou Albano bested Rock ‘n’ Roll Express. The last time these two teams clashed, the Express were able to scrape out a victory and since then, the Express have been inconsistent at best. Morton is cut off from the outset and a shoulder breaker from White gets a one count. Gibson is able to get the defensive tag and the momentum switches but a tag to Albano changes it back. Albano goes after the eyes with an eye rake which gets a two count. Cobra Clutch Suplex plants Gibson and nearly ends it. Morton is able to tag back in but cannot get anything going. Albano & Morton collide together after both men go for a clothesline. Albano recovers first and connects with a Sicilian Slam but Gibson breaks up the cover. White tags in and crushes Morton with a Running Power Slam and gets the three count while Albano cuts off Gibson.

Randy Rose w/Dennis Condrey & Jim Cornette beat “Handsome” Jimmy Valiant w/ “Luscious” Johnny Valiant. It is mayhem early on after Rose backdrops Valiant to the floor. Dr. Mike Lano gets caught up in the action and shoved into Rose. Valiant controls including an impressive looking deathjump smash but the action goes back to ringside and Rose bounces Valiant’s face off the ringside table. Rose connects with a DDT for a two count. Rose control for a stretch but misses a splash from the top. Valiant takes advantage with an atomic drop for a near fall before sending Rose sprawling to the floor with a knee lift. More brawling on the floor involving all four men. Back inside, fist drop connects and so does an elbow smash. Running lariat downs Rose. Another wild brawl on the floor. Morgan Dollar really wants a conclusive winner in this one. Valiant maintains control and mounts the corner but gets tossed to the mat by Rose. More brawling on the floor. Back inside, Rose hits a DDT while Condrey ties up Johnny Valiant at ringside and Dollar makes the three count.

Vachons defeated The Armstrongs. The Armstrongs control the action from the bell cutting off Mad Dog Vachon and making quick tags. Brad Armstrong locks in a sleeper but Vachon makes the ropes. Armstrong connects with a dropkick and then a dropkick off the top of the corner. Bob Armstrong keeps the pressure on but Vachon rebounds off the ropes catching “The Bullet” with a tackle. Butcher Vachon gets in to the match for the first time and dominates against both Armstrongs. A big boot to the face downs Armstrong but he escapes the HANGMAN. Vachon applies his finisher again but Bob Armstrong saves his son. Mad Dog Pounce from Mad Dog Vachon does damage but the Armstrongs are able to make the hot tag. The action goes outside and Mad Dog Vachon shoves Dr. Mike Lano into Armstrong to get the upper hand. Vachon plants Armstrong with a piledriver but Bob Armstrong makes the save taking out Vachon with a two-handed bulldog. Georgia Jawjacker to Vachon but Vachon kicks out at the last second. Armstrong control with elbows and a sleeper. Butcher Vachon gets tagged back in but can get nothing going. Mad Dog is quickly back into the match but Armstrong continues to dominate. Bob Armstrong attacks with karate chops and works the arm. Vachons come back and with double team attack on Bob Armstrong for a one count. Butcher Vachon overpowers and lands a big splash. Vachon and Armstrong collide in the corner and fall to the mat. Armstrong gets caught with a cobra clutch suplex and then Vachon applies the Hangman but Bob Armstrong saves his father. Quadruple foot stomps from the Vachons leads to a big near fall. Back to back gutbusters from Mad Dog Vachon sends Armstrong to the floor. Both men brawl around ringside and back into the ring where Vachon plants Bob Armstrong with a piledriver for the three count.

The Destroyer downed Diamond Dallas Page. Back in November, Page picked up back and to back victories over Destroyer but Destroyer has been on an impressive run since making his return to the territory and was looking to get a win back. Destroyer has lots to say to Morgan Dollar before the bell and the official looks shaken. Destroyer controls the early action with leg scissors and forearms. Page draws on the fans support and comes back with a jaw breaker and later a discuss clothesline for a one count. Diamond Dream gets a two count. Destroyer slows it down to regain control but a body slam is countered and Page drops Destroyer with a discuss clothesline. Page works the upper body but Destroyer counters a jaw breaker and lands forearms. Destroyer with a backbreaker for his first pin attempt. They go to the floor and Dr. Mike Lano gets caught up in the action once again and Page takes advantage. Another brawl on the floor goes to Destroyer. Back inside, Page counters a side to side headlock and lands a jaw breaker. Destroyer gets sent into the corner but rebounds out with a clothesline. Page counters a kick to the knee with one of his own and hits a Russian Leg Sweep for big near fall. Face first piledriver only gets two and half and a Diamond Dream sends Destroyer to the floor. Destroyer trips up Page and rams his leg off the ring post. Page then returns the favour a few minutes later and has the fans roaring. Page cannot maintain the momentum and Destroyer controls. Page has the fans behind him and comes back connecting with a Russian Leg Sweep. Kick to the knee sets up a whip to the corner . . . reversed and Destroyer lands his own kick against the buckles. Handstand knee drops and hooks the leg for the three count.

Marty Jannetty bested Petey Williams. Handshake and ovation starts the action before Jannetty gets control leading to a DDT, superkick and a pair of top rope fist drops. Williams bails and Jannetty is out after him for a great brawl captured by Dr. Mike Lano. Rocker Dropper hits but gets only a two count. Jannetty hits his finisher a second time but Williams gets a foot on the ropes. Superkick and atomic drop land. Jannetty tosses Williams outside and when he comes back into the ring, Jannetty takes his head off with a superkick but Williams gets the shoulder up at the last second. Williams catches Jannetty with a drop toe hold and finally gets something going. Whip to the corner leads to a collision and both men go down. Williams recovers and traps Jannetty in a sharpshooter. Jannetty catches Williams with a tackle but a suplex is blocked before Jannetty avoids a spinwheel kick and hits a drop toe hold. Suplex and dropkick down Williams. Williams sends Jannetty into the corner but the Rocker comes out with a clothesline. Jannetty hooks the leg for two and then explodes with his third Rocker Dropper of the match to claim the victory in Northern Lights action.

Brutus Beefcake pinned Masked Superstar. Superstar gains the early advantage and downs Beefcake with a flying cross chop for a near fall. Superstar works with double thrusts and a sleeper. Beefcake counters but misses a knee drop allowing Superstar to regain the upper hand. Superstar outclasses Beefcake everywhere. Another sleeper sets up a Superstar Clothesline for a two count. Beefcake kicks out after a swinging neckbreaker. Beefcake blocks a kick and a knee lift rocks Superstar. They brawl on the floor and Beefcake takes the fight back into the ring and applies a sleeper but Superstar breaks free. Wind-up punch connects and he sends Superstar into the corner but Superstar catches a charging Beefcake with a clothesline. Superstar is on a run with a deathjump smash, sleeper and flying cross chop. Superstar goes to the top but Beefcake slams him to the mat and hooks the leg for the three count much to the delight of the fans at ringside.

Dennis Condrey w/Randy Rose & Jim Cornette defeated “Luscious” Johnny Valiant w/”Handsome” Jimmy Valiant. There is a lengthy struggle at the lock up and Condrey takes control rubbing Valiant’s face in the mat. Valiant catches Condrey with a tackle and takes over. They go to the floor and all four men mix it up. Back inside, Valiant goes to the top but gets caught and slammed to the mat. Shoulder power slam gets a one count. Backbreaker stuns Valiant and Condrey rebounds Valiant off the ropes into an elbow smash. Fast first legs sweep downs Valiant and Morgan Dollar makes the three count.

Larry Hennig survived Ivan Koloff in a Chain Match. Koloff gets the immediate advantage. Hennig bails but Koloff follows to unleash more punishment on the floor. Koloff smashes Hennig several times with the chain busting him open. Hennig is whipped across the ring by the chain. A falling face slam leads to a near fall. Russian Sickle connects but the fans pop when Hennig kicks out instantly. Falling face slam and Hennig bails. He uses the chain to drag Koloff to the floor and runs him into the post. Both men are now busted open. Hennig comes off the top with a cross body for a near fall. Hennig misses a chain smash and Koloff fires back. Koloff controls with a double stomp. Hennig ducks under a chain blow and hammers away on the big Russian. Bear hug squeezes the blood from Koloff. Koloff catches Hennig on the top of the corner and slams him to the mat. It is back and forth with both men slowing down from loss of blood. Hennig counters a backdrop with a piledriver. Whip to the corner is reversed and Koloff crushes Hennig against the buckles with a clothesline. Koloff mounts the corner for a falling face slam but Hennig tosses him to the mat. Hennig lands an elbow and then unloads with punches in the corner with the fans roaring. Koloff bails and Hennig comes out after him. Dr. Mike Lano cannot get out of the way and Koloff shoves him into Hennig. Koloff chokes out Hennig with the chain and then mounts the corner for a chain assisted falling face slam but Hennig counters and slams Koloff from the top to the mat. Hennig chokes out Koloff with the chain and then hammers him with a chain wrapped fist. Koloff is bloodied and battered but manages to knocks Hennig from the top to the mat. Koloff manages a backbreaker. Hennig with a simple body slam for a near fall. The Axe connects and Koloff is down for the count.

Canadian Heavyweight Champion Lou Thesz pinned Buddy Rogers. Rogers controls catching Thesz with an uppercut. Piledriver and jumping knee smash do damage. Rogers continues to control working the leg kicks and a jumping knee smash to the leg. Thesz kicks out of the cover. Thesz gets sent into the ropes and ducks under before countering a backdrop with a piledriver. Rogers is stunned and Thesz connects with dropkicks for a two count. Greco-Roman Backdrop for a two count and a double wristlock has Rogers wailing but he does not give up. Cobra clutch suplex plants Rogers who bails to the floor. Rogers trips up the Champion and rams his leg off the ring post. Morgan Dollar refuses to count with a pin using the ropes. Rogers with an atomic drop and Thesz rolls to the floor. Rogers comes outside for a chop block that earns plenty of heat. Deathjump smash and elbow drop to the leg. Thesz has the fans behind him and he counters a headlock into an airplane spin but his leg gives out after a couple of rotations. Both men crash to the mat but Thesz is able to cover but Rogers gets his shoulder up. Thesz stretches his leg and then executes a Greco-Roman Backdrop to retain the title.

News and Views: The Destroyer looks nearly unstoppable heading into the Frank Tunney Classic . . . Absolutely huge win from the team of Wild Bill White & Lou Albano as the struggles of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Express continue . . . Larry Hennig fired back in his war with Ivan Koloff picking up a bloody victory in a chain match as fans wonder what will happen the next time these two clash . . . Vachons continue to impress after their hard-fought victory over the Armstrongs tonight . . . It was clean sweep for the Original Midnight Express over the Canadian Open Tag Team Champions Valiant Brothers in singles action and they will be looking for the same success when they challenge for the titles once again next week . . . Canadian Heavyweight Champion Lou Thesz handed Buddy Rogers his second straight big loss in as many weeks . . . Many insiders were pushing for Brutus Beefcake to be included in the Frank Tunney Classic after back to back victories over Masked Superstar but he came up just short in the vote by the championship committee . . . A major announcement is expected at the Frank Tunney Classic regarding the future of the Northern Lights division . . .

Up next . . .

Maple Leaf Wrestling – Frank Tunney Classic
Sunday, April 21, 2019
Doors at 7:00 pm
Bell Time: 8:00 pm
Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto, ON

Eight Man Tournament
Canadian Heavyweight Champion Lou Thesz
Buddy Rogers
Johnny Valentine
The Destroyer
Commonwealth Champion Terry Gordy
Diamond Dallas Page
Larry Hennig
Ivan Koloff

Plus

Canadian Open Tag Team Champions Valiant Brothers v. Original Midnight Express
Rock ‘n’ Roll Express v. Vachons
Chaz Taylor v. Marty Jannetty

[TTX]

Fun singles wins for the Midnight Express and Jannetty as well. The Axe surprises the Russian Nightmare in Koloff's specialty match and Thesz is beastly as always.

[bookerbill]

April 21, 2019 – Card #29 – Toronto Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto, Ontario – Frank Tunney Classic

Frank Tunney Classic – Round One

Canadian Champion Lou Thesz defeated Larry Hennig. Morgan Dollar calls for the bell and the competitors shake hands. Thesz gets the action to the mat almost immediately to neutralize Hennig’s size advantage. Thesz keeps Hennig off balance but miss times a kick but Hennig cannot capitalize. Thesz comes of the top with driving knee and then forces Hennig to the floor. Hennig stumbles over a crouched down Dr. Mike Lano and Thesz tosses him back into the ring. Thesz misses a second knee from the top and Hennig makes him pay with a double forearm hammer. Hennig comes outside after Thesz but Thesz ducks a clothesline and fireman carries Hennig into the ringside table smashing it to pieces. The fans are roaring. Back in the ring, Hennig gets his shoulder up after a Greco-Roman Backdrop. Double wristlock almost gets a submission before a Thesz Press downs Hennig and puts the Canadian Heavyweight Champion into the semi-finals.

Buddy Rogers over Diamond Dallas Page by disqualification. Page comes to the ring through the fans but cannot get anything going. Rogers with a jumping knee smash and dropkicks. Rogers presses the attack with two back elbows and more dropkicks that sends Page to the floor. Page continues to struggle. Piledriver forces him to the floor. Rogers comes out after him and Page grabs him and slams him onto a second ringside table smashing it in the process. Rogers is stunned and can barely regain the ring but manage to counter a deathjump with a superplex. They go back to the floor and Rogers grabs a piece of the broken table but Page easily takes it from him and smashes Nature Boy with the chunk of wood. The referee has seen enough and calls for the disqualification sending a battered Rogers onto the next round. Page is not pleased after the match as Rogers quickly escapes from ringside as the issues between these two are far from over.

Commonwealth Champion Terry Gordy pinned Johnny Valentine. The fans are buzzing as these two strong style specialists stare down to start the match after Morgan Dollar calls for the bell. Gordy gets the upper hand due to his size and punishes with elbows and knees. Gordy sends Valentine into the corner but Valentine comes out of the corner with a clothesline. Atomic Skullcrusher gets only a one count so Valentine moves to a sleeper. Gordy blocks a charge with a double knee to the chest. Valentine returns the favour and the action picks up. Gordy gets whipped into the corner and avoids Valentine’s charge leading to a roll up for two. Gordy connects off the top with a forearm to the top of the head. Bamm Bamm Slam gets only a one count. Gordy follows with a piledriver for a near fall. Another Bamm Bamm Slam shakes the ring but Dollar does not make it to three. Gordy tosses Valentine to the floor and they trade blows. Back in the ring, Gordy applies an Oriental Spike but Valentine makes the ropes. Back outside for more blows. Gordy with an elbow to the top of the head off the top of the corner. Valentine can barely stand and Gordy crushes him with a Power Bomb for the three count.

Ivan Koloff upended The Destroyer. Destroyer has the fans support but he could care less. He goes to work with handstand kneedrops. Koloff powers out of a bow and arrow and connects with a double thrust. Destroyer goes hard into the corner. Koloff chargers in but no one is home leading to a roll up for two. Koloff is not down long and power back. Another whip to the corner and they crack heads sending both men to the mat. Koloff mounts the corner but gets caught and tossed to the mat. Bombs away lands. Koloff manages to duck a charge and sends Destroyer to the floor with a backdrop. Outside, Koloff rams Destroyer back first into the post and he is nearly counted out. Destroyer stumbles into the ring and Koloff connects with a Russian Sickle to advance to the next round.

Chaz Taylor pinned Marty Jannetty. Jannetty has the upper hand after two competitors shake hands. The pace is quick and Taylor manages to counter a backdrop with a piledriver. Air Chaz sends Jannetty to the floor. Taylor control with a deathjump smash and Air Chaz. Enzuigiri connects for a one count. The pace continues to increase and both men go for a clothesline and crash to the mat. Taylor recovers first and comes off the top with a cross body block deathjump for a two and half count. Air Chaz again and a turnbuckle headlock takeover downs Jannetty. Running corner splash and Taylor hooks the leg for the victory.

Rock ‘n’ Roll Express downed Vachons. Vachons use their power to get the upper hand. Mad Dog Vachon plants Robert Gibson with a piledriver for a near fall. Rick Morton is able to hot tag but Vachon keeps the pressure on. Vachon counters a whip to the corner with one of his own but Morton counters back and Vachon backdrops Morton to the floor. Butcher Vachon is in control and crusher Morton with clothesline in the corner. Both sides make tags and Gibson uses a spinning toe hold to control Mad Dog Vachon. Butcher Vachon is back in and crushes with a backbreaker. Gibson bails and they struggle over a chunk of a broken table, but Gibson gets control and cracks Butcher with it. Butcher Vachon is busted open and Morton lands a top rope punch and hooks the leg for the three count out of nowhere.

Frank Tunney Classic – Semi-Finals

Buddy Rogers pinned Canadian Heavyweight Champion Lou Thesz. Morgan Dollar has strict instructions for both men. The action is closely contested and goes back and forth. Thesz connects with kick to the knee and Rogers comes back with a hard punch and a piledriver. Rogers grabs a handful of tights for good measure and gets the three count on the Canadian Heavyweight Champion.

Ivan Koloff pinned Commonwealth Champion Terry Gordy. The fans are all over Koloff from the outset and roar when Gordy nails back to back lariats that drop Koloff to the mat. Gordy whips Koloff into the corner but Koloff moves aside and Gordy moves the ring when he crashes against the buckles. Koloff covers for two. Koloff grabs his chains and chokes out Gordy on the floor. Russian backbreaker and Koloff mounts the corner for a forearm to the skull. Koloff connects with a Russian Sickle and advances to the finals.

Original Midnight Express w/Jim Cornette defeated Canadian Open Tag Team Champions Valiant Brothers to win the titles. Morgan Dollar sends Jim Cornette to the back before the bell and the challengers are not pleased. Randy Rose controls early on against Johnny Valiant but Valiant manages to counter a backdrop from Dennis Condrey with a piledriver. Jimmy Valiant gets into the action but Condrey manages to counter and tag. It goes back and forth and Rose catches Jimmy Valiant in the corner with a hard clothesline. Rose connects with an elbow to the top of the head. Rose with a Rose Bomb for a one count. DDT connects and Condrey gets back in for a deathjump elbow. Condrey goes back to the top and takes out Morgan Dollar. Both sides brawl. Valiants connect with a Super Elbow but Dollar is still down. Johnny Valiant lands a deathjump smash and then a spinning neckbreaker but Dollar is still out of it. “Luscious” Johnny goes to the top but Cornette returns to the ring and cracks him across the back sending him crashing to the mat. Rose is in with a Rose Bomb but Dollar is just shaking out the cobwebs while Cornette rushes to the back. Rose connects with back to back clotheslines and a DDT but Valiant manages to defensive tag to “Handsome” Jimmy Valiant. Condrey gets tossed into the corner but Condrey avoids the charge and Valiant hits the corner at full speed. Roll up gets one from a still recovering Morgan Dollar. Face first leg sweep gets a two count. Condrey keeps the pressure on eventually sending Valiant into the ropes. Backdrop is countered with a piledriver. It is back and forth. Jimmy Valiant takes Condrey to the floor for a brawl. Back in the ring, Super Elbow connects. Pin save and brawl. Johnny Valiant sends Condrey to the floor but Condrey smashes Valiant with a chunk of the broken table and sends the match back inside. Human Cough Drop from the Express but Jimmy Valiant makes the save. Condrey mounts the corner but Johnny Valiant tosses him to the mat. Jimmy Valiant is in and downs Condrey with a knee lift for a big near fall. Valiant mounts the corner but Condrey tosses him to the mat. Double Clothesline from the Express but Johnny Valiant makes the save. Condrey climbs the corner slowly and Valiant knocks him to the mat. Swinging neckbreaker lands. Rose is blocked but Condrey kicks out at the last second. Both sides trade up and Jimmy Valiant and Randy Rose trade blows. Valiant connects with a knee lift on Rose for a two count. Valiant dominates and tosses Rose to the floor. Rose drags Jimmy Valiant to the floor and runs him into the ring post. Valiant is quickly a bloody mess. Valiant is taking a beating. Rose takes Valiant to the floor and Valiant gets the best of the exchange with a low blow. Johnny Valiant tags and crushes Rose with a spinning neckbreaker but Rose gets the shoulder up. Valiant sends Rose outside but Rose runs Johnny Valiant into the ring post and now both Valiant Brothers are a bloody mess. Back in the ring, suplex onto partners knee and Rose covers Johnny Valiant for the title win.

Frank Tunney Classic – Finals

Buddy Rogers battled Ivan Koloff to a double disqualification. Morgan Dollar has strict instructions for both men before the bell. Rogers uses his skills and agility to keep the powerful Russian on the defensive. Dropkicks sends Koloff spilling to the floor. Rogers follows and both men start a wild brawl. Dollar has lost control of the action and calls for a double disqualification. Both men continue to brawl back to the dressing room.

News and Views: Despite having their manager sent to the back, Original Midnight Express manage to outlast The Valiant Brothers to become two time Canadian Open Tag Team Champions in a violent controversial battle. The Valiant Brothers were not pleased after tonight’s action filing an official complaint with the competition committing sighting Jim Cornette’s return to the ring and Morgan Dollar being knocked out of action at the top of their list of complaints. In response, a rematch has been signed for May 12th in Brantford as the two teams will clash of the titles inside a steel cage! . . . What a wild Frank Tunney Classic with both singles champions suffering pinfall losses in the semi-finals before a double disqualification finish. Both Buddy Rogers and Ivan Koloff were claiming victories after the event . . . Rock ‘n’ Roll Express picked up a much needed win before they dropped completely off the title contention radar . . . Just prior to intermission, Maple Leaf Wrestling management announces the creation of the Northern Lights Championship. The first champion will be determined by a sixteen man tournament that will start next week and will concluded at Maple Leaf Wrestling’s next supershow, Showdown at the Ex on August 18th . . . Coming off his impressive non-title win over Canadian Heavyweight Champion Lou Thesz earlier this month, Diamond Dallas Page has been given the next opportunity at the title and will meet Thesz in a championship main event at the Simcoe Arena on May 5th. The decision did not sit well with Nature Boy Buddy Rogers who feels he is the number one contender especially after defeating Thesz in the semi-finals of tonight’s tournament.

Up next, Maple Leaf Wrestling comes to Brampton for a show at the Memorial Arena featuring a chain match and a Commonwealth Title Match on top
• The Northern Lights Title Tournament gets underway with Chaz Taylor meeting Frank Dalton
• In a battle of top contenders, The Destroyer meets Brutus Beefcake
• Johnny Valentine looks to get back on the winning track when he meets the massive Tugboat Taylor
• In a rematch from tonight, Rock ‘n’ Roll Express clash with Vachon Brothers
• Former Canadian Open Tag Team Champions Valiant Brothers meet the father son duo of Bob and Brad Armstrong
• Trillium Division action will see Rockin Robin battling Madison Rayne
• After splitting their two previous chain match encounters, Larry Hennig and Ivan Koloff have signed on a third match once again being connected by a steel chain. Will this match finalize this violent feud.
• Commonwealth Champion Terry Gordy will make is first title defense against the competitor he took the title from, Buddy Rogers

[TTX]

Shame about the ending to the Classic. Congrats to the OME for winning the belts.