Showdown: Legends of Wrestling

[tafkaga]

SHOWDOWN 9: Six Men Scramble 

Road Warriors beat Iron Sheik & Nikolai Volkoff when Hawk pinned Volkoff after the DOOMSDAY DEVICE in a match that further solidified Hawk and Animal as the most dominant duo to step into the ring on Showdown. The match began with Sheik and Volkoff doing their usual nationalist routine, when Hawk and Animal stormed the ring, not even waiting for their intros and beat the foreign antagonists right out of the ring. Like the veterans they are, Sheik and Volkoff took their time outside the ring to slow down the Road Warrior’s momentum, but it made no difference in the long run. 

Gene Okerlund talked to Ted DiBiase backstage about his recent misfortunes in losing the services of Bruiser Brody, getting short-changed by the Road Warriors, and his multiple beatings at the hands of his former associate. DiBiase crowed that fortune was about to swing in his favor, first with his introduction of a monster that is more than a match for Brody and anyone else who gets in his way, and second with his tournament victory at Showdown for the Gold that will make him the first World Heavyweight champion. Will fortune favor DiBiase or is he reaching for straws?

Jimmy Snuka pinned Greg Valentine in his debut following a SUPERFLY LEAP. Valentine bragged about his credentials in a pre-recorded interview that aired during the match, and that there was no platform like Showdown: Legends of Wrestling better suited to demonstrate why he is a legend in the sport of professional wrestling. Yet, Valentine found himself staring across the ring at another legend of equal calibre and came up short in his debut efforts. Snuka celebrated a tremendous win as Valentine kicked the bottom rope in frustration.

“Mean” Gene Okerlund gave a Showdown for the Gold special report, lining out the first round tournament matches. Harley Race and arch-rival Gorgeous George would face off once more, both men with a single victory over the other and this one to be the deciding fall. Newcomers Jimmy Snuka and Curt Hennig would face off with tremendous credentials making them both uniquely eligible. Fan favorite Bobo Brazil would try to foil Ted DiBiase’s latest grab for power, but would DiBiase come with his new monster? Finally, the Wrestling Classics would lock up in a rematch from the first Showdown that ended in a no contest, as Lou Thesz would meet old rival and new ally, “Nature Boy” Buddy Rogers.

Hacksaw Duggan, Lou Thesz and Buddy Rogers beat Curt Hennig and the Valiant Brothers in a 6-Man Scramble tag team match when Thesz pulled out a surprising pinfall on Hennig with a GRECO-ROMAN BACKDROP. The Hennig team seemed to have the Duggan team right where they wanted them, and were comfortable enough for Jimmy Valiant to tag out to Hennig to put the finishing touches on Thesz, but Thesz quickly turned the tables and ended up getting a shocking pin on a fresh Hennig with his partners frozen on the ring apron.

[Dustin]

This fed is so good!

[tafkaga]

Jul 7, 2020 12:17:45 GMT -5 Dustin said:

This fed is so good!

Thanks man.

[tafkaga]

SHOWDOWN X: Showdown for the Gold 

Gordon Solie welcomed fans to a special three hour Showdown for the Gold and made a huge announcement that an additional championship would be decided during this broadcast, as the board of directors decided that the unquestionably most dominant tag team to compete on Showdown, the Road Warriors, would meet one of professional wrestling’s most decorated tag teams, the Midnight Express, to determine who would be the inaugural holders of the Legends World Tag Team championships.

Curt Hennig pinned Jimmy Snuka with a hand full of tights after a neck snap to advance to the semi-finals of the World Championship tournament. This was an exciting match between a pair of relative newcomers to Showdown, pitting two incredible athletes against one another. Snuka had his way with Hennig for much of the match, but Hennig used a shortcut to get him into the next round. Ever-cocky, Hennig found himself confronted by Marty Jannetty on the way to the dressing room, who was still obviously angry over the way he was treated by Hennig when he invited him to be his tag team partner. The two came to blows in the aisle, forcing officials to break up a wild brawl already at Showdown X!

Lou Thesz pinned Buddy Rogers with a GRECO-ROMAN BACKDROP after a fast-paced classic wrestling match of holds, reversals and scientific wrestling. Easily the best match in the history of Showdown thus far with numerous near falls. Though the match could have easily gone either way at any time, it was Thesz who got the opening and took the fall to get one step closer to championship gold. There was some debate over whether Rogers would accept the loss graciously, but a handshake in the middle of the ring answered the question, as Rogers wished Thesz the best in the semi-finals of the tournament, where he would meet Curt Hennig.

Ted DiBiase pinned Bobo Brazil in with his feet on the ropes, upsetting the fan favorite and advancing to the semi-final. Brazil appeared nearly unstoppable in this match, even powering out of the MILLION DOLLAR DREAM twice and appeared on his way to certain victory. Brazil tried to get at DiBiase after the match, but the Million Dollar Man was quick to hit the floor and retreat up the aisle. DiBiase appearing solo triggered further speculation, as it was widely believed he would be debuting a new monster at Showdown for the Gold.

Gorgeous George beat Harley Race by submission with the SPINNING TOE HOLD, the same move that George injured him with at Showdown 5. Race had been inching closer and closer to the ropes, but Cherie Dupre’ grabbed the bottom rope and held it out of his reach, causing Race to tap shockingly and lose his second match to George, who was quick to get out of the ring so as not to face the wrath of the 8-time World Champion. His victory not only knocked out the favorite to be the first Legends World Champion, but set up a match no one could predicte against Ted DiBiase in the semi-final.

Curt Hennig pinned Lou Thesz with a HENNIG PLEX in the semi-final round of the World Championship tournament, advanting Hennig to the final where he would meet either Gorgeous George or the Million Dollar Man. Thesz looked more the worse for wear, having come out of an epic career highlight match against Buddy Rogers, but the victory seemed to cost him more than gave him in momentum, allowing Hennig to capitalize and pull off an unexpectedly routine victory over the pioneer. Thesz offered to shake Hennig’s hand after the match, and Hennig surprisingly accepted the gesture.

Gorgeous George beat Ted DiBiase by disqualification, overwhelming DiBiase early on with his graceful offense. Like many before him, DiBiase was caught underestimating the Human Orchid and paid the price by finding himself caught in the SPINNING TOE HOLD within the first few minutes of the night. Then, DiBiase’s new insurance policy was revealed, as King Kong Bundy strode down the aisle and promptly attacked George! DiBiase egged it on, ordering Bundy to squash George in the corner with an AVALANCHE for good measure! Gorgeous George would face Curt Hennig in the final with the World Championship on the line, but what kind of condition would he be in?

The Midnight Express w/ Jim Cornette beat the Road Warriors when Bobby pinned Hawk with a cross body press from the top to take the upset win and capture the World Tag Team championships. This was no less than a tremendous upset after Hawk and Animal had been no less than dominant for months. Though there were many who disagreed with the board of directors decision to put the Midnight Express in a title match in their in-ring Showdown debut, Cornette and company proved that they were up to the task and deserving of their accolades with a clean victory over the Road Warriors to become Legends World Tag Team champions.

Curt Hennig pinned Gorgeous George with the HENNIG PLEX to capture the Legends World Heavyweight Championship from Gorgeous George, who was obviously still shaken from King Kong Bundy’s attack. The crowd was actually behind Hennig, whose prior arrogant behavior was contradicted by the respect he showed Lou Thesz earlier in the night. As Hennig was awarded the title and he was announced as the winner of the tournament and World Heavyweight Champion, Hennig took the microphone and offered a correction…. “Correction. What you meant to say is, the winner and new World Heavyweight Champion… Mr. Perfect!”

[tafkaga]

SHOWDOWN 11: The Classics Reach for Gold 

Hacksaw Jim Duggan pinned George South after an Old Glory Knee Drop and paraded around the ring with his 2x4 and flag to open up Showdown, while outside Ted DiBiase could be seen climbing out of a limo with the massive King Kong Bundy getting out behind him. Then, Bruiser Brody stepped out and approached Bundy aggressively, both men standing nose to nose and staring intensely as DiBiase laughed and yelled “That’s right, Brody! Who’s gonna call you King Kong now that the real article has arrived?”   

The Road Warriors beat The Wrestling Classics when Animal pinned Buddy Rogers after a POWERSLAM in what was easily the best tag team match in Showdown history, with the Road Warriors coming in aggressive after their embarrassing loss to the Midnight Express at Showdown For the Gold, and the Wrestling Classics coming in feeling slighted for having been overlooked in favor of the Midnight Express in the first place. It was Jim Cornette who told Rogers and Thesz that they would have to go through the Road Warriors before his Midnight Express would put the belts on the line, and although try they did, it was the Road Warriors who stood tall and dominant as ever. 

King Kong Bundy pinned Johnny Mantell for a five count after an ATLANTIC CITY AVALANCHE as Ted DiBiase heralded the arrival of the true monster of professional wrestling. Gordon Solie talked to DiBiase and Bundy after the match, with DiBiase gloating over coming through on his promise to bring the real monster, the true King Kong to Showdown. Solie remarked that while Bundy was impressive, he still seemed to have one problem named Bruiser Brody. DiBiase said he wasn’t worried about Bruiser Brody and knew for a fact that Bruiser was hiding backstage after getting a look at Bundy…when suddenly, Brody ran down the aisle and began to trade blows with King Kong Bundy! Monsters at war as security rushed onto the scene to pull the big men apart!   

Gene Okerlund talked to Jim Cornette and the Midnight Express backstage, with Cornette gleeful over the Wrestling Classics loss to the Road Warriors and the fact that supposedly the two greatest scientific wrestlers to set boots on Showdown couldn’t get past the team who the Midnight Express defeated handily to win the World Tag belts. Mean Gene asked Cornette what he was so happy about, as this just means that the Road Warriors are still the #1 contenders. Cornette said that his men knew something that no other tag team knew, the chinks in the armor of the mighty Road Warriors, and were not the least bit concerned about losing the belts to Hawk and Animal. 

Curt Hennig [c] pinned Marty Jannetty following a PERFECT PLEX to retain the World Heavyweight championship in a grudge match brought on by Jannetty’s continual harassment following Hennig’s disrespectful response to Jannetty inviting him to be his tag team partner. Speaking with Gordon Solie after the match, Hennig claimed that as the inaugural World Champion on Showdown, he would fight all comers, even if it meant swatting an occasional fly like Marty Jannetty. At that, Lou Thesz walked out and reminded Hennig of when he pinned him in the 6-Man Scramble at Showdown 9, offering Hennig a chance to blot out the ugly blemish on his otherwise “perfect” record. Hennig smirked and walked away. 

[Dustin]

Another great show, man.

[tafkaga]

SHOWDOWN 12: Cracks in the Foundation 

Buddy Rogers and Nikolai Volkoff fought to a time limit draw, with Volkoff giving Rogers more trouble than perhaps he predicted. Lou Thesz joined Gordon Solie on commentary and discussed his challenging Curt Hennig for the World title on the last Showdown. When the match ended, Rogers seemed irritated with Thesz, and doubled down on his irritation when Solie wished Thesz good luck and said they were eagerly awaiting Hennig’s response. Rogers pressed Thesz about whether they were going for the tag team belts, but Thesz insisted they should talk about it backstage.

Midnight Express [c] beat George South and Jake Milliman when Bobby pinned South after the ROCKET LAUNCHER. The Midnights looked impressive and worthy of the tag team gold they were carrying as Jim Cornette pontificated on the virtues of his team from the commentary table, pointing out the Wrestling Classics challenging for the belts when they were unable to get past the team who the Midnight Express beat to win the titles in the first place. Cornette insinuated that Thesz was only challenging Hennig for the World belt because he realizes his team isn’t Midnight Express calibre.

Bruiser Brody pinned Marty Jannetty with a KING KONG KNEE DROP in a blistering one sided match to send a message to Ted DiBiase and King Kong Bundy. Gordon Solie spoke to Brody after the match, who said that DiBiase has been living in fear and trying to surround himself with shields ever since he made the life-changing mistaking of betraying him. Brody said he wanted DiBiase in the ring and was willing to go through whatever barriers he put in his way, starting with Bundy at the next Showdown… “I want Bundy in a cage. When I win, I want five minutes with the Million Dollar Man.”

Gene Okerlund approached Lou Thesz and Buddy Rogers backstage to ask if there was dissension in the ranks of the Wrestling Classics. Rogers continued to argue that Thesz was giving up on the Classics despite the fact that they were entitled to the tag team title match at Showdown X over the Midnight Express. Thesz insisted that he wasn’t giving up… that’s when Jim Cornette arrived on the scene and offered them a non-title match with the Midnight Express “out of the goodness of his heart” just so there would be no confusion as to who were the true wrestling classics in tag team wrestling. Rogers accepted on behalf of Thesz, who looked exhausted with the entire affair.

Valiant Brothers beat Hacksaw Duggan and Bobo Brazil when Jimmy caught Duggan with a sloppy cross body press from the top turnbuckle that was just enough to put the big man from Glenns Falls away. The Valiant Brothers were as ecstatic about their victory as the fans were surprised, as Gordon Solie announced that next week the Wrestling Classics would meet the Midnight Express in a non-title match and Bruiser Brody would face King Kong Bundy in a steel cage, and get 5 minutes locked in the cage with Ted DiBiase if he was victorious!

[tafkaga]

SHOWDOWN 13: Million Dollar Meltdown 

Gordon Solie directed fans attention to the steel cage suspended in the Legends Arena for the big cage match tonight between Bruiser Brody and King Kong Bundy. Backstage, Gene Okerlund got a word with Ted DiBiase and Bundy. DiBiase laughed and was not the least bit concerned about having to spend five minutes in the ring with Brody, bragging up Bundy as the ultimate monster who would destroy Brody’s reputation tonight so thoroughly that he wouldn’t be able to show his face in the Legends Arena again without being laughed out of it.

Greg Valentine pinned Jake Milliman in a short, but brutal match with Valentine repeatedly ignoring the referee’s prompts to stop choking and using unnecessarily brutal tactics against the Milkman. It was clear that Valentine was none too happy about his first appearance at Showdown that ended with a loss to Jimmy Snuka, and was looking to rescue some of his image against Milliman. Gordon Solie spoke to Valentine after the match, who made claim to being the LOW Intercontinental champion despite no such title being recognized by the organization.

Midnight Express [c] beat Wrestling Classics in a non-title match when Dennis finished off a softened-up Thesz with a backbreaker to get the pinfall. Though this was by no means a one-sided affair, the Wrestling Classics did not have nearly the cohesion of the Midnights, despite being legends themselves. It was none the less a huge boon for Cornette’s Midnights, as they left the ring to Thesz and Rogers, who appeared utterly disgusted with the outcome of the match. As Thesz wobbled to his feet, Rogers made a quiet lone exit, drawing the ire of the fans in Legends Arena.

Gene Okerlund was backstage with LOW World Champion, Curt Hennig, to ask the champ for some insight into who would be his next title defense. Hennig was non-commital, suggesting that there was no one in LOW who didn’t pale when matched up against perfection. Hennig said that he respected Lou Thesz, but that the “old man” had taken so many beatings lately that he didn’t think he was in any condition to give him a good match. When Okerlund mentioned Bruiser Brody, Hennig laughed and said that Brody would have to get past Bundy first, and that simply wasn’t going to happen.

Bruiser Brody pinned King Kong Bundy in a STEEL CAGE following a sunset flip to a huge ovation in the Legenda Arena. Bundy dominated Brody throughout the match, hitting him with an AVALANCHE from behind early on while DiBiase had him distracted and then continuing an unrelenting attack. When a Bundy victory seemed a foregone conclusion, Brody found an opening and stole a pinfall from the 450-pounder to bring the arena to its feet. Given the stipulation that DiBiase had to spend 5 minutes in the cage with Brody if his man lost, DiBiase was quick to get in the cage and try to get the jump on Brody, but the plan backfired, with Brody becoming impervious to pain and subjecting the Million Dollar Man to a crippling beat-down! With DiBiase flailing helplessly, Brody crushed him with the KING KONG KNEE DROP and got the pinfall to earn the loudest pop yet in the Legenda Arena.

[tafkaga]

SHOWDOWN 14: Championship Chicanery 

With the news breaking that there would be a World title match on tonight’s Showdown, Gordon Solie spoke with champion Curt Hennig at ringside to ask him for the name of his challenger. Lou Thesz? Bruiser Brody? Hennig dismissed Solie and said that as champion, he was granting a title shot to one of the hardest workers to ever wrestle on Showdown and a man who has shown him tremendous heart on two prior occasions, Marty Jannetty! Solie balked at this, given that Hennig had beaten Jannetty twice already, and most recently in a title defense. Hennig said that it was champion’s prerogative to pick not just just any opponent, but the ‘perfect’ one.

Jimmy Snuka pinned Greg Valentine following a SUPERFLY LEAP in under five minutes, racking up a second consecutive victory over the frustrated Hammer. Before the match, Valentine handed an unrecognized championship belt to the referee and barked “This match is not for the Intercontinental championship!” The referee looked completely caught off guard but shrugged and handed the belt to the ring announcer. Despite losing the match, Valentine held his title aloft, shouting “Still the champion!” but this did not diminish the Superfly’s victory celebration.

Backstage, Gene Okerlund was standing by to talk to “Nature Boy” Buddy Rogers who had drawn some criticism for walking out on his partner Lou Thesz after the Wrestling Classics lost their non-title match to the Midnight Express on the last Showdown. Rogers complained about people getting on his back when he put his heart and energy into the Wrestling Classics, while all along Lou was using it as a jumping off point to win a singles belt. Rogers accused Lou of abandoning ship at the first sign of a leak and leaving him to patch the holes, declaring that the Wrestling Classics were sunk!

The Valiant Brothers beat The Young Texans when Jimmy pinned Mantell after a DOUBLE CLOTHESLINE. Johnny Mantell and Sam Houston had no trouble getting the crowd on their side in this tag team debut, but through their youthful exuberance showed their inexperience compared to the veteran Valiants. Hoping to impress the championship committee, the Valiants displayed a confidence that had been growing of late after upsetting Hacksaw Duggan and Bobo Brazil. Speaking to Gordon Solie after the match, the Valiants confirmed they were going after the tag team straps.

Curt Hennig [c] pinned Marty Jannetty with a PERFECT PLEX to retain the World Heavyweight championship once again in what was easily the most hard earned of his three victories over Jannetty. Lou Thesz joined Gordon Solie as guest commentator, reiterating that he’s the only man to pin Curt Hennig since he came to LOW. Hennig smirked at Thesz as his hand was raised, but then the crowd popped as Bruiser Brody stepped through the curtain and glowered at Hennig from the aisle. Solie remarked that the World Champion seemed to be running out of places to hide!

[Swarm]

I love your fed. I love how you only run 4-5 matches a show. Boom, boom, boom. Quick, easy, fun read using a great roster.