SECW WRESTLING: CARD XVI (Boutwell Auditorium, Birmingham, AL)
South Eastern Championship Wrestling is back in its home arena in Birmingham for the 'Christmas Classic.' It's a stacked card as onece again, Andre The Giant is here in the main event. Let's get straight to the action:
1. Cocky youngster
Jack Hart claims his first victory in the territory, via a handful of tights as he picks off the Masked Marvel- a late replacement for
Les Thatcher. The fans boo as Hart celebrates the win like he's just won the lottery. There's certainly tougher tests to come for the Florida native.
Winner:
Jack Hart
2. Somewhat of an upset next as the ever-popular
'Boogie Woogie Man' Jimmy Valiant is bested by the fiery Texan
Johnny Mantell. Valiant seems distracted and out of sorts and has perhaps been over-indulging somewhat over the festive period as Mantell hits a Russian Leg Sweep and the Texas Tumbleweed for a confident victory.
Winner:
Johnny Mantell
3.
The Gilberts (Tommy & Doug) have impressed in recent weeks, rising up the ladder to become #1 contenders to
The Sheepherders tag straps. Tonight, the get a shot at the title. Despite some early fire and with Tommy getting a near pin fall on
Butch with a small package, the wild New Zealanders take control- finally picking up the win after hitting a double gut buster on young
Doug.
Luke and
Butch remain dominant in South Eastern.
Winners:
The Sheepherders (Tag Team Champions)
4. In a wild back and forth encounter,
Tracy Smothers ends up victorious over one half of the
Heavenly Bodies,
Dr. Tom Prichard, although the win is bittersweet as it comes via a DQ. Prichard's partner
Chris Candido makes a nuisance of himself at ringside and after he trips Smothers, the ref calls for the bell. This decision leaves Prichard and Candido irate and the pair issue a vicious beat down to Smothers, all the while being directed by their manager,
Tammy Sytch. Smothers is finally helped from the ring by Jimmy Valiant and
Sam Houston.
Winner:
Tracy Smothers (via DQ)
5. Houston is up next as he faces the mean
Bob Roop. The lean youngster has the fans on his side as his high-octane offense keeps Roop grounded. An inside cradle, a high cross body and a stinging drop kick all put Roop on his back for near falls, but it's the veteran Roop who comes out on top, catching Houston with a shoulder breaker. A somewhat lucky victory.
Winner:
Bob Roop
6. A a huge encounter between two studs,
'Dr Death' Steve Williams narrowly overcomes the wildly popular
Barry Windham. This match has it all, with Williams scooping Windham above his head for an impressive press slam to Windham cracking his opponent with the Sweetwater Lariat and the elevated Sweetwater Suplex. No man is giving an inch and with the chance and a shot at Champion
Jimmy Snuka for the victor, both competitors are really putting their bodies on the line. However, a missed flying forearm by Windham gives Williams the opportunity to hit the Oklahoma Stampede and the ref counts to three. Exhausted, Williams has his hand raised in victory.
Winner:
Dr Death Steve Williams
7. It's Main Event Time as
The Armstrongs (
Bob &
Brad) team up with
Andre The Giant to take on three of South Eastern's meanest men in Heavyweight Champion
Jimmy Snuka,
Tully Blanchard and
The Grappler. As you would expect with six men in the ring, the referee struggles to control the action as the crowd go crazy with every punch, kick and illegal blow. Young Brad does his best to ground Blanchard, but he's hit with what appears to be a set of brass knucks, causing a huge laceration on his forehead. Brad takes a real beating for the heel crew and is man-handled by Snuka as his poor pops looks on, desperate to get in the ring. The hot tag comes and Bob is like a house on fire- chopping away at all three opponents- sending The Grappler over the top rope. Bob locks the sleeper in on Snuka and all hell breaks lose with Blanchard cracking Armstrong Sr across the back with
Sir Oliver Humperdink's cane. The ref is distracted though and the action continues when finally Andre enters the ring- delivering headbutts to everybody, even hurting Snuka! In a melee of action, Andre hits a huge splash on the Grappler who may or may not be the legal man, and the ref counts the pin. A huge win for the Armstrongs and Andre who celebrate with the fans at ringside as the show comes to a close.
Winners:
The Armstrongs & Andre The GiantNext up, we visit the Marina Civic Center in Chikasaw where the first matches in the
South Eastern Television Title tournament will take place. We'll see
Sam Houston take on
Tully Blanchard,
Soul Train Jones battle
The Grappler and
Tracy Smothers face
Jack Hart. Plus we will also see
The Heavenly Bodies,
Brad Armstrong as well as a debuting
'Gentleman' Chris Adams all on the card, so don't miss it!