Showdown: Legends of Wrestling

[Lee]

I like the way you do your match write ups. No words are wasted. Anyway, Gorgeous George with a big win over Snuka. He just couldn't get by Ted Dibiase! Bruiser Brody over Curt Hennig and Brody gets the LOW Heavyweight championship! Nice. Good stuff.

[tafkaga]

Jul 15, 2020 19:11:15 GMT -5 Lee said:

I like the way you do your match write ups. No words are wasted. Anyway, Gorgeous George with a big win over Snuka. He just couldn't get by Ted Dibiase! Bruiser Brody over Curt Hennig and Brody gets the LOW Heavyweight championship! Nice. Good stuff.

Thanks!  I've tried so many different formats for my writeups over the years.  Usually start out very bare bones and end up with each card being a novel.  Then, I get burned out and never want to read them again because they're too damn long.  So, this time I'm trying to include just enough detail to keep them interesting without making them tedious.  

[Lee]

I totally understand getting burned out with shows. Its happened to me a lot. That's why for my ECW fed I am only posting once a week. Anyway, looking forward to reading more shows! You've got a great thing going here.

[tafkaga]

SHOWDOWN 21: Six Men Scramble 

OPENING: Curt Hennig, Jim Cornette and the Midnight Express. Cornette bragged about the Midnights proving themselves as the undisputed greatest tag team in wrestling after beating the Road Warriors for a second time at Clash of the Champions, and says they’re happy for another opportunity to rub “those makeup wearing freaks” noses in it. Hennig mentioned that Ted DiBiase had put together a championship party with himself, the Midnight Express and Jim Cornette invited, but Brody ruined that by cheating him out of his belt, and said tonight he would hold Brody personally responsible.

MATCH: Nikolai Volkoff beat Bobo Brazil after dropping him throat first across the top rope in a tough contest between the two powerhouses that was largely brawling. After having picked up an impressive win over King Kong Bundy, Bobo was believed to be on his way up into title contendership, but those who overlooked Volkoff found themselves looking foolish, as the big Russian proved to be every bit as powerful as Brazil.

BACKSTAGE: Gene Okerlund was with Bruiser Brody and the Road Warriors to get their response to Cornette’s and Hennig’s earlier remarks. Hawk growled that Cornette and the Midnights were running out of places to hide with their shiny belts. Animal roared that the Midnights and Hennig were going to find out what they do to pretty boys in the back alleys of Chicago. Bruiser Brody, LOW Champion, said that thanks to him, Curt Hennig couldn’t call himself “perfect” any more, but after tonight he wouldn’t be able to call himself “pretty”.

MATCH: Midnight Flyers beat The Valiant Brothers when Brunzell pinned Gorgeous Jimmy after a HIGH FLYING DROPKICK. This was the first showing for Jannetty and Brunzell as a tag team, and an impressive one, knocking off the Valiants who had been likewise impressive of late, with the type of tag team continuity that Jannetty had been looking for since arriving in LOW. Gordon Solie attempted to interview them, but the Valiants got back in their faces, belittling the new tag team as ham’n’eggers who got lucky. Jannetty said they would be happy to do it again on the next Showdown!

MATCH: Gorgeous George w/ Cherie Dupre’ beat Ted DiBiase [c] w/ Mr. Hughes to capture the LOW Television title with the SPINNING TOE HOLD. DiBiase was eager to pick up a second victory over Gorgeous George to win two out of three, and had the upper hand over the Human Orchid early on. Outside, Cherie Dupre’ demonstrated her affinity for distraction, keeping Mr. Hughes attention occupied while George blinded DiBiase with Georgie pins and then hooked him in the SPINNING TOE HOLD. The crowd was actually cheering as DiBiase tapped out and George was handed the belt!

MAIN EVENT: Bruiser Brody and The Road Warriors fought Curt Hennig and The Midnight Express w/ Jim Cornette to a double disqualification. This was an intense match with nothing on the line but pride, and all six wrestlers fought like as if the stakes could not be any higher. Hennig and the Midnights isolated Brody, but the LOW Champion would not succumb, battling back and getting the tag out to Animal who went on a tear. It was certain doom for Beautiful Bobby when Hawk and Animal hit him with the dreaded DOOMSDAY DEVICE, but Jim Cornette’s racquet prevented the fall and added fuel to the fire. The brawl eventually got out of control and the referee was forced to stop the match short of anything being resolved in what was becoming nothing short of a blood feud.

[tafkaga]

SHOWDOWN 22: The Alliance of Sour Grapes 

OPENING: A pair of promos, the first of which was Curt Hennig boasting of the fact that there were only two smudges on his otherwise perfect record in LOW, one of those being Lou Thesz, who tonight he would put away “perfectly” before moving on to erase the second smudge, Bruiser Brody, and reclaim his LOW title. In the second promo, Lou Thesz claimed that Curt Hennig had no right to call himself “perfect” after he pinned his shoulders to the mat 1-2-3, and said that tonight he would secure his title shot and turn the smudge on Hennig’s resume into a stain.

MATCH: Jimmy Snuka destroyed Gorgeous George [c] w/ Cherie Dupre’ to capture the Television championship after devastating George with a flurry of offense and hitting him with the SUPERFLY LEAP before George could even get his robe off! Ted DiBiase, who had joined Gordon Solie as a guest commentator, was ecstatic and entered the ring to stomp away at George, then ordered Mr. Hughes to hit George with his devastating SPIKE SLAM! Snuka didn’t like what he was seeing and came to George’s aid, knocking Hughes completely out of the ring and then tearing Ted DiBiase’s suit right off his back! DiBiase cursed and threatened the new Television champion!

MATCH: Midnight Flyers beat The Valiant Brothers when Jannetty pinned Luscious Johnny after a dropkick in this wild back-and-forth tag team re-match that came about because the Valiants insisted they were too good to lose to a rookie tag team and insisted they prove that their victory was not a fluke. Jannetty and Brunzell did exactly that, as Jannetty told Gordon Solie after the match that the sky was the limit for the Midnight Flyers, and that he knew it was just a matter of time before his luck changed in LOW and he found the partner for livin’ after midnight and rockin’ till the dawn! Brunzell added “Don’t forget lovin’ till the mornin’!”

MAIN EVENT: Lou Thesz pinned Curt Hennig with a THESZ PRESS to upset the man who called himself “perfect”. Mr. Hughes, the bodyguard of Ted DiBiase, stirred controversy by coming down to ringside with Hennig and standing in his corner. However, Hughes distraction was minimized when LOW Champion Bruiser Brody himself walked down to the ring and took a seat where he could keep a close eye on DiBiase’s bodyguard. With Hughes taken out of the picture and Hennig upset by Brody’s intrusion, Thesz was able to put Hennig away and earn the #1 contendership for the LOW championship.

BACKSTAGE: Gene Okerlund called in Ted DiBiase and asked him what the meaning was of sending Mr. Hughes out with Curt Hennig. DiBiase still looked frazzled with his suit torn from his encounter with Snuka earlier, and denied that he had anything to do with Mr. Hughes in Hennig’s corner. Mean Gene called BS and demanded to know if he was in cahoots with Curt Hennig, when Jim Cornette showed up agitated and claiming that he was calling his lawyers and that Curt Hennig was cheated out of his title opportunity once again by the uncalled for interference of Bruiser Brody! Okerlund said it was obvious these guys were all in cahoots and they should call their team “Sour Grapes.”

MATCH: Iron Shiek and Nikolai Volkoff beat Hacksaw Duggan and Bobo Brazil in mere minutes, when Volkoff pinned Duggan after a running stomp. The match might have ended quickly, but the battle actually began outside the ring when Sheik and Volkoff ambushed Duggan and Brazil due to past interruptions of the Soviet anthem. Duggan and Brazil, being no slouches in the brawling department, dished it right back, but this time it was the foreign nationalist duo that got the upper hand and put Duggan away to chart a convincing victory. Gordon Solie announced as Showdown went off the air that the title match had been signed between Bruiser Brody and Lou Thesz for the next Showdown!

[tafkaga]

SHOWDOWN 23: Battle Lines Are Drawn 

MATCH: Midnight Flyers beat Young Texans when Brunzell pinned Mantell after a HIGH FLYING DROPKICK. The Young Texans really made a proud showing, but were unfortunately not up to the task of knocking off the tag team veterans, who employed fast tags and continuity like two men who had been paired up for years. The respect between the four men was obvious as they shook hands before the match, and even though Mantell and Houston wanted to continue wrestling after the bell, they were honorable enough to raise Jannetty’s and Brunzell’s hands in victory.

MATCH: Ted DiBiase pinned Jimmy Snuka [c] to capture the Television title for the second time, thanks to some outside help from his bodyguard Mr. Hughes that helped turn the tables in the favor of the Million Dollar Man. As Hughes held Snuka’s ankle down so his boss could get the pin, DiBiase was no sooner raising his title in triumph than he was bailing out of the ring to stop from falling prey to the angry Superfly. Snuka was livid over losing the built under those circumstances, and the fans were every bit as disappointed with the result.

MATCH: The Road Warriors plowed over The Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff to get a decisive fall over the rising veteran tag team. Jim Cornette was set to join Gordon Solie for commentary, but had only just started putting his headset on before the match was over! The Road Warriors left the ring to go after Cornette who fled up the aisle and into the dressing room. Gordon Solie got a few words from Hawk and Animal, who indicated that it never set right with them that anyone else wore the tag team gold when they were capable of beating any tag team as flat as old chewing gum.

BACKSTAGE: Gene Okerlund interviewed Ted DiBiase, who was ecstatic over becoming the two-time Television champion while handing Mr. Hughes a wad of “bonus” pay. Jim Cornette then burst on the scene with the Midnight Express, claiming the Midnight Express were fighting champions and that there was one tag team in particular who was really impressing the snot out of them, and that next week they would put the titles on the line against the Midnight Flyers! Mean Gene accused Cornette of dodging the Road Warriors, but Cornette just yapped over the top of him.

MAIN EVENT: Bruiser Brody [c] pinned Lou Thesz to retain the LOW Heavyweight Championship with a KING KONG KNEE DROP in an exciting confrontation between the wild brawler and the wrestler’s wrestler. Thesz kept Brody off balance with his style, but it was clear that he was struggling more to keep up with the crowd favorite monster of LOW. After Brody finished off Thesz, Curt Hennig hit the ring with Ted DiBiase, Mr. Hughes, Jim Cornette and the Midnight Express in tow and began assaulting both men! Moments later, it was the Road Warriors charging the ring with Jimmy Snuka! Hennig and all of his allies were beaten from the ring, except Cornette who fell victim to a DOOMSDAY DEVICE! The crowd was absolutely on fire as Brody, Thesz, Snuka and the Road Warriors controlled the ring!

[tafkaga]

SHOWDOWN 24: Pride Goeth Before Perfection 

OPENING: Shots of Curt Hennig performing difficult feats “perfectly”. A perfect putt. A perfect strike. A perfect three pointer…from half court. A perfect home run… blindfolded. A perfect touchdown pass...and touchdown reception. Hennig gives Lou Thesz credit for being a man who has achieved excellence through hard work and determination, but claims that despite all of Thesz’ efforts, he’ll never achieve what Hennig himself was born with, and that’s perfection! Hennig says that tonight he’ll once again prove that he is what everyone says he is...absolutely perfect. 

MATCH: Ted DiBiase [c] w/ Mr. Hughes beat Jimmy Snuka with the MILLION DOLLAR DREAM to retain the Television title, after a rematch was reordered after Mr. Hughes’ interference was instrumental in DiBiase beating Snuka for the title on the last Showdown. This time, Hughes was ordered not to interfere with threat of suspension. Though Hughes made no move, his presence alone was enough to distract Snuka, who was still boiling over losing the title on the last Showdown, and DiBiase capitalized by putting Snuka out with his finisher and tipping Snuka with a $50 right in his mouth. 

MATCH: Bobo Brazil pinned King Kong Bundy after a pair of COCO BUTTS in their monstrous rematch from Showdown 15, where Brazil managed to upset Bundy. This match was every bit as much of a colossal collision as the first, but Bundy’s self-assured approach to putting Brazil away came back to bite him. Gordon Solie talked to Bobo Brazil after the match, who said he’s been beating up the low hanging fruit for months and said that now was the time to add some gold to his collection, challenging Ted DiBiase for the Television championship!   

BACKSTAGE: Gene Okerlund was standing by to get a word with Lou Thesz who was accompanied by the Road Warriors! Gene remarked on the shocking standoff last week between Brody, Thesz, the Road Warriors and the Hennig/Dibiase/Cornette group. Thesz said that every action has an equal and opposite reaction, and that the alliance between himself, Brody and the Road Warriors was a response that he could have never predicted, and tonight he said Curt Hennig would likewise come to understand that pride goeth before a fall. 

MATCH: The Midnight Express [c] w/ Jim Cornette beat The Midnight Flyers when Beautiful Bobby pinned Brunzell after a ROCKET LAUNCHER. Many believed that Cornette granted the title opportunity to the Midnight Flyers to once again avoid having to defend against the Road Warriors, but the Flyers were none the less an exciting team on a mad winning streak, but just didn’t quite have what it took to win the belts. After the match, Gordon Solie informed Jim Cornette and the Midnight Express that he’d just received word from the Championship Committee that the Midnight Express would have to defend the Tag Team belts against the Road Warriors at Showdown 25: WrestleCade! Cornette was livid, claiming that his mama was gonna hear about this!   

SPECIAL REPORT: “Mean” Gene Okerlund announced WrestleCade, the 25th Showdown which was to be the biggest and most exciting event yet to be held in Legendsa Arena! On the card so far, the Midnight Express would FINALLY have to defend their tag team championships against the Road Warriors in a one fall matchup to a finish. Furthermore, just signed, Ted DiBiase would be defending the Television gold against Bobo Brazil. Finally, Bruiser Brody would defend the LOW Heavyweight championship against either Lou Thesz or Curt Hennig depending on who was victorious in tonight’s main event. That, more matches, and great surprises to come at Showdown 25: WrestleCade!  

MAIN EVENT: Curt Hennig pinned Lou Thesz after a running knee lift to get his hands raised in victory and be named #1 contender for the LOW Heavyweight championship. Thesz was clearly unconscious from the move, as Gordon Solie interviewed Hennig who called it a “perfect” knee lift! Hennig said this match was for all the doubters out there who claimed he wasn't in the same class as legends like Lou Thesz, when in fact he was in a class all of his own, and he was going to take his belt back at WrestleCade. Then, the crowd came alive as Bruiser Brody could be seen walking through them toward Hennig, who scrambled up the aisle toward the dressing room at sight of the LOW Champion!  

[tafkaga]

SHOWDOWN 25: WRESTLECADE 

OPENING: Bruiser Brody bursts through a brick wall. Curt Hennig slaps his gum. Jim Cornette gloats with The Midnight Express. The Road Warriors destroy a lesser tag team. Ted DiBiase stuffs a $50 bill in an opponents mouth. Bobo Brazil Coco Butts a path to title eligibility. Showdown’s 25th episode. The season finale and biggest show yet, as thousands pack the Legends Arena to see the greatest to ever step foot in the squared circle at Showdown 25: WRESTLECADE!   

MATCH: Randy Savage pinned Brad Armstrong with a FLYING ELBOW DROP after an exciting unexpected debut to get the already hot WrestleCade crowd even hotter! Gordon Solie spoke to the Macho Man after the match, who said that he’d come to Showdown for one reason, because the LOW Heavyweight championship was one prize he’d never worn, and because any championship worth wearing has to at some point be strapped around the waist of the Macho Man! Savage said he didn’t care how he had to get it, but he would take it! “Oooooooooooooh Yeeeeeeeeeeeah!!!!”  

MATCH: Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff beat The Midnight Flyers when Volkoff pinned Jannetty after a BACKBREAKER DROP. Jannetty and Brunzell, the tag team specialists, dazzled with hot tags and great double team maneuvers, but began losing the battle when Sheik was able to ground Jannetty. From there, the foreign nationalists demonstrated why they are considered such a threat in the tag team division, slowly breaking Jannetty down until Volkoff was tagged in to finish him off with his power arsenal.  

MATCH: Lou Thesz pinned King Kong Bundy after a THESZ PRESS, proving that raw size and power are not always enough. Bundy claimed in a pre-match promo that all of Thesz’ ring expertise would vanish when he smashed him in the corner with an AVALANCHE, but Thesz never gave Bundy the opportunity to execute him with that dreaded move, keeping the huge 450 pound monster off balance for nearly the whole match until he found his perfect opportunity to put him away with the finesse only Thesz could deliver.  

MATCH: Ted DiBiase [c] w/ Mr. Hughes beat Bobo Brazil with the MILLION DOLLAR DREAM to retain the Television championship, but only by the skin of his teeth. Brazil started the match in high gear, paralyzing DiBiase with hard hitting power offense and a pair of COCO BUTTS that probably should have ended the match. DiBiase fled to the outside, buying time as Mr. Hughes stood guard over his employer. From there DiBiase proved why he was a 2-time TV champ, employing sneaky underhanded tactics to soften Brazil up for defeat.  

MATCH: The Road Warriors beat The Midnight Express [c] w/ Jim Cornette in a blistering tag team war like none other seen on Showdown when a bloodied Animal pinned a bloodied Dennis Condrey to capture the LOW Tag Team belts, leaving Jim Cornette weeping over the bodies of his broken tag team. Hawk and Animal told Gordon Solie after the match that they’ve always set the standard for tag teams in LOW, and any team that thought they were worth thier salt could do their best to throw themselves against LOW’s immoveable objects.  

MATCH: Curt Hennig pinned Bruiser Brody [c] with the PERFECT PLEX to once again capture the LOW Heavyweight championship. Brody was no less fierce than in prior encounters, but this time at the biggest Showdown event thus far, Hennig brought the determination to weather anything Brody could throw at him. When Brody charged Hennig and collided with the ring post instead, the challenger capitalized and caught the stunned champion in his most feared maneuver, the PERFECT PLEX which brought an end to Brody’s championship reign.  

RINGSIDE: Gordon Solie and “Mean” Gene Okerlund discussed the events of WrestleCade, the 25th episode and grand finale for the first season of Showdown, concurring that it was a night of great moments, with surprises and two huge title changes that would surely send tremors across the wrestling world. Solie invited fans to tune in for Showdown 26, a brand new season that would introduce great new talent while featuring the great wrestlers from the first season. 

[tafkaga]

SHOWDOWN: Legends of Wrestling

Season 1 Wrestler Ratings

1. Curt Hennig 10-2 [LOW Champion]

2. Bruiser Brody 9-2-1

3. Ted DiBiase 7-4 [TV Champion]

4. Gorgeous George 7-4

5. Jimmy Snuka 6-4

Tag Team Division

1. Road Warriors 10-3 [LOW Tag Champions]

2. Midnight Express 6-1

3. The Valiant Brothers 5-8

4. The Wrestling Classics 2-3

5. Iron Sheik & Nikolai Volkoff 4-6

Most Popular: Bruiser Brody

Most Hated: Ted DiBiase