NWA Pro Wrestling USA

["Emperor Norton" (Mark T)]

AWA ALL STAR WRESTLING

At the outset Larry Nelson announced this is a special edition of All Star Wrestling featuring matches in the first round of the AWA tag team title tournament. * 

Mr Electricity Steve Regal defeated Jake Milliman via FT LAUDERDALE LEGLOCK
Jake gave Regal a few scares once again, but Regal righted the wrong of last show and picked up the win.

After the match Regal refused to release the leglock until The Trooper ran in to make the save. Afterwards Trooper spoke with Larry Nelson at ringside. He said it doesn't matter if it's Regal, Larry Zbyszko, or anyone else in the AWA, you follow the rules or you run afoul of the Trooper.

The Texas Hangmen beat Jim Brunzell and Tony Atlas thanks to the assist of The Russians.
Very good tag team action. In the end Boris and Smirnoff came to ringside and pulled Tony Atlas off the apron as The Hangmen double teamed Brunzell. As Atlas fought with the Russians on the floor the Hangmen used HANGMEN BACKBREAKER on Brunzell for the win.

In a studio interview the always angry Stan The Lariat Hansen was even more revved up than usual. He said Bockwinkel escaped by the skin of his teeth in Baltimore but his time will come. In the meantime he hears Bruiser Brody has been running his mouth about Stan Hansen. He said they've been partners and they've been opponents and there's a big NWA event coming up in Japan and he'd like nothing more than to give the fans of the Land of the Rising Sun a fight like they've never seen before by locking horns with Brody one more time. 

The Russians won by disqualification over Red Bastien and Billy Red Lyons.
The action went to the floor where Lyons got carried away and slammed Smirnoff's head on the ring bell sitting on the announcer's table.

World Champion Nick Bockwinkel and his manager Bobby The Brain Heenan appeared for an in-ring interview. Bockwinkel said he's defended the world title against all comers in the United States and now the NWA is negotiating for him to go defend against Antonio Inoki in Japan. Truly a world champion. Heenan was espousing the virtues of the champ when the mystery masked man who has been seen in the front row in recent weeks stepped up and stood ringside. Security was about to step in but the masked man gave them a cold look and stopped them in their tracks. He got in the ring and introduced himself as Doctor X and declared his intentions to defeat everyone in his path and become the next world heavyweight champion. He said he knows a thing or two about Japan and Inoki  and he wouldn't be surprised if it's Inoki he ends up facing for the belt when it's all said and done, but it doesn't matter. Bockwinkel took it in stride and said he knows exactly who Doctor X is and what he's all about. His reputation preceeds him but he's sadly mistaken if he thinks either he or Inoki stands a chance at taking the world heavyweight title. Doctor X announced that he'd be in competition in the AWA ring for the first time next week and he'll do his talking in the ring and let the fans decide. 

Scott and Bill Irwin defeated The Vachons when Bill pinned Mad Dog.
The match started with a brawl before the bell and it was a fight from beginning to end. Bill Irwin used a slingshot suplex to get the pin as Butcher couldn't get in the ring in time to make the save.

After the match  Ron Bass and Black Bart attacked the Irwins. A pull apart brawl ensued with securtiy stepping in to escort Bart and Bass away. The Irwin brothers spoke afterwards. Bill said those two cowboys don't deserve the name Long Riders because riding side saddle across the farm isn't the same as a pair of bikers like Bill and Scott Irwin riding hogs across the country, kicking --- and taking names everywhere they go. He said if the NWA can't figure out how to settle it he has an idea: a rematch on neutral ground in Japan with no disqualifications and winner takes all. 

* Yes, I'm running tournaments to crown tag champs in the AWA and Memphis at the same time. It's leading up to my next thing. Go with it. The fans in Memphis don't watch AWA and vice versa, so they don't mind the parallel storylines. 

[TTX]

Battle of the Long Riders. Woot.

["Emperor Norton" (Mark T)]

NWA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP WRESTLING
the mothership at 6:05
w/Tony and David

Tony and David kicked off the show talking about the world champion Nick Bockwinkel's impending title defense in Japan against Antonio Inoki, stemming from the aftermath of the Pro Wrestling USA supershow. They also addressed Black Bart and Ron Bass heading north recently to show up on an AWA show and attack the Irwin Brothers. Tony said one of the feature matches tonight will be Bart and Bass against the Fabulous Ones with tag team title implications. And now, we head to the ring.

Ranger Ross defeated Keith Steinborn.
Ol' Keith didn't offer much offense. Ross got the win with a cross body off the top rope.

After the match Ross went over to talk to Tony and David. He said he wanted to officially congratulate a pair of Real American Heroes in Sgt Slaughter and Don Kernodle on their tag team title win last week. The champs came out and the mutual admiration society ensued until Rock Riddle interrupted. He said The Moondogs Spot and Rex failed him last week but his NEW client, the REAL Moondog, Lonnie Mayne will not. Moondog Mayne came out and Rock challenged Sarge to get in the ring and find out what he's really made of.

Sgt Slaughter defeated Moondog Mayne via COBRA CLUTCH in a tough one.
Mayne was almost too much for Sarge to handle, but Slaughter rallied and put him away with the Cobra Clutch as Kernodle watched his back from ringside.

Recap of last week's altercation after the Mummy and Bob Backlund match where Brisco and Patterson came out afterwards to chase away Mummy and Hugh Morrus. Reverend James Mitchell came out and said his Mummy had defeated Magnum, defeated Backlund, and US champion Tommy Rich is next. In the meantime, they intend to make Patterson pay when he steps in the ring with the Laughing Man.

Hugh Morrus (w/James Mitchell) won by disqualification over Thunderbolt Patterson (w/Gerald Brisco).
Solid, back and forth match. At the end the fight was on the floor when Mitchell tried to hit Patterson from behind with the book. Brisco snatched it out of Mitchell's hands and tossed it over to Patterson, who clocked Hugh in the head and knocked him out cold. 

After the match Patterson told Tony and David that he ain't afraid of ghosts, ghouls, or things that go bump in the night because he answers to a higher power. Brisco added that these guys use scare tactics but they're just men and they can be beat. David changed the subject and said NWA Junior champ* Brisco is set to go to Japan and defend his title against the most fierce competitor in the weight class when he wrestles Dynamite Kid.  Brisco said everyone is talking about Bockwinkel and Inoki, but he's preparing for a war on the undercard that just might steal the show.

The Fabulous Ones defeated Black Bart and Outlaw Ron Bass when Steve pinned Bass.
FOUR STARS! These guys had a fantastic nearly fourteen minute match. In the end Steve got the hot tag and came in strong en route to hitting the FABULOUS FOREARM for the pin. 

Boogie Woogie Man Jimmy Valiant defeated Masked Superstar (w/JJ Dillon) via disqualification.
Well there's a shocker. Superstar was in trouble when JJ made the assist. Unfortunately for them it was in clear sight of the referee and it cost them the match. 

After the bell Jimmy made his comeback and dispatched JJ and Superstar. Manny Fernandez tried to sneak up on him but couldn't get the job done and Valiant sent him reeling with a  series of jabs and a big KO punch that sent him through the ropes to the floor. JJ gathered his men and warned once again that Valaint's time will come. 



PRO WRESTLING JAPAN
is coming!

The MAIN EVENT
World Title Match
Nick Bockwinkel vs Antonio Inoki

NWA world junior title match
Jerry Brisco vs. Dynamite Kid

All Japan Tag Team Title Match
THE ROAD WARRIORS vs Miracle Violence Connection

Jushin Liger vs Tiger Mask

Giant Baba vs. Don Leo Jonathan 

The World's Most Dangerous Man Ken Shamrock vs. Big Van Vader

Masa Saito vs. Abdullah the Butcher


* Subtle title name change from "light heavyweight" to "junior heavyweight". Junior always struck me funny, but it's what a lot of the classic territories called it so I'm switching over and just going with it after many months of reflection (or a couple years, I suppose). 

[TTX]

Fabs are rocking and rolling. Go Vader.

["Emperor Norton" (Mark T)]

CWA WRESTLING
Mempho, daddy!
w/the one and only Lance Russell

Lance kicked off the show announcing that Dan Spivey had been injured by PG-13 and would be unable to continue in the tag team title tournament. That means the team of Ravishing Desire will get a bye into the finals. Lance then brought out matchmaker Eddie Marlin to address the situation with Armstrong and Smothers versus Street and Gilbert. Marlin said Armstrong and Smothers are not allowed in the building today as Street and Gilbert compete in the tag team title tournament, but at the big event in Nashville they WILL be here and they WILL meet Street and Smothers in a penalty box match. 

After Marlin left Jimmy Hart interrupted Lance to crow that he had made a deal with JJ Dillon to hire someone to come in and take care of Austin Idol. So today, Chick may be out recovering and Ox is away on tour, but The Spoiler will be here to make Idol pay for turning his back on the First Family. 

The Rock N Roll Express defeated Adrian Street and Eddie Gilbert to advance to the finals of the tag team title tournament.
Really great, competitive match. At the end Bob Armstrong came to ringside to cheer on the Exprees, which distracted the opponents enough that Eddie walked right into the DOUBLE DROPKICK for the RnR win. 

Lance spoke with Bob Armstrong and  the Rock and Rolls after the match. Bob said he thought the feud between the Armstrongs and the Gilberts was done, but maybe they'll never be finished with each other. He congratulated the Express on the win and left. Then Ravishing Desire, Dr Tom and Ravishing Randy confronted the Express. Tom said they've both met the Express before as members of different teams, but they are together now and better than EITHER of their old tag teams. Randy promised next week Ravishing Desire will be crowned the NEW tag team champions and there's nothing Ricky and Robert can do about it. Ricky was not impressed and said you can talk the talk but when it's time to walk the walk nobody does it better than the Rock N Roll Express.

Fabulous Jackie Fargo won by countout over Billy Wicks.
The streak of no decisive pin or submission wins in Fargo matches continues. The master brawler took the fight to the floor where Wicks had no answer for the tactics of the Fabulous One. Fargo suplexed him on the floor and Billy could not meet the count. 

Sputnik Monroe came out to celebrate his "victory" in the round robin in the tournament with Wicks, Fargo, and himself. Lance pointed out that they each had one win so nobody has won anything yet. Eddie Marlin came out and agreed and said he is making a spot decision and Fargo, Wicks, and Monroe will fight it out in an elimination match at the Nashville fairgrounds.

Dutch Mantell won by disqualification over Dirty White Boy Tony Anthony.
A fight from bell to bell. White Boy started choking Mantell with an electrical cord on the floor and the referee called the match when Anthony refused to stop.

After the bell Anthony was joined by Jimmy Hart, who began wildly motioning towards the locker room entracne. Len Denton ran through the curtain and Anthony and Denton viciously double teamed Mantell. As referees tried to help Dutch to his feet, Denton and Anthony talked to Lance and said you just saw what two Dirty White Boys can do and whoever wins the tag team titles will have to deal with Len Denton and Tony Anthony. They left and Dutch managed to make his way over to Lance. He said he's not done yet and next week if they have the guts to show up he'll have a tag team partner so they can see if they can win a fair fight.

The Spoiler won by countout over Austin Idol.
Highly competitive main event, with the requisite controversial finish. Spoiler got the advantage on Idol during a brawl on the floor and rolled back into the ring. The ref began the count and Idol got to his feet. HOWEVER, Chick Donovan had been hiding under the ring and grabbed Idol's leg to keep him from getting back into the ring. The referee could not see him from his vantage point and counted Idol out of the ring. 

Idol dragged Chick out from under the ring after the match and was laying the beatdown on him when Spoiler jumped into the fray. Southern Champion BILL DUNDEE came out to even the sides. Denton and Anthony ran out, but were intercepted by the Rock N Roll Express. The show ended with a big brawl as wrestlers and referees tried to regain control. 

["Emperor Norton" (Mark T)]

PRO WRESTLING 
JAPAN

Tiger Mask beat Jushin Thunder Liger with the TIGER SUPLEX.
This was everything you'd want from these two combatants. Mask used the Tiger Suplex once but Liger kicked out. Tiger Mask went right back to it and the second was enough to get the pin.

Masa Saito won by disqualification over Abdullah the Butcher.
Again, what you'd want and expect. Abby jumped him before the bell and bloodied Saito before Masa could make his comeback. They fought all over the place until Abdullah was disqualified for repeated using a folding chair to beat Saito over the head.

Dr Mike Lano stood ringside to photograph the next match.

Giant Baba beat Don Leo Jonathan.
Baba survived five pin attempts and came back. DLJ rolled out of the ring and used Lano as a shield to steal the advantage back, but Baba overcame him in the end by getting the pin with the NECKBREAKER DROP.

 Dynamite Kid pinned Jerry Brisco to win the NWA junior heavyweight title.
Brisco wrestled a no nonsense match and kept it on the mat, but once Dynamite took over he kicked it into full gear. Kid used a superplex to set up the diving head butt for the pin.

After the bout Dynamite said he intends to keep the championship in Japan and defend against the greatest junior heavyweights in the world, starting with Tiger Mask.

Big Van Vader defeated Ken Shamrock after the VADER BOMB.
Shamrock did not give an inch to the former world champ. Late in the hard hitting match Vader went for the moonsault and missed, but Shamrock could not take advantage and go for a pin or submission. Instead Vader fought back and used the release power bomb for a two count and quickly finished with the Vader Bomb.

Road Warriors beat Miracle Violence Connection when Animal pinned Williams.
The story here was Doc lack of ability to mount much offense every time he was in the ring. Gordy held his own but Williams kept falling flat until the Warriors finally used the Doomsday Device for the win.

Paul Ellering and the Road Warriors spoke after the match. Ellering said Dynamite Kid can stay and play with the juniors, but the world is on notice that the Road Warriors are coming back to the United States soon and they intend to defeat every tag team championship team foolish enough to mess with the Legion Of Doom. Hawk vowed they would become not just world tag team champions, but universal tag team champions of all time and space.

Nick Bockwinkel defeated Antonio Inoki in a classic to defend the NWA world title.
Nick had some tense moments in this one, including being trapped in the OCTOPUS HOLD for an uncomfortable amount of time before finally managing to escape. After about 20 minutes Nick managed to slap on the FIGURE FOUR LEGLOCK. Inoki refused to surrender but eventually his shoulders hit the mat and the referee had no choice but to administer the three count.

[TTX]

Go Vader and Bock.

["Emperor Norton" (Mark T)]

AWA ALL STAR WRESTLING

At the beginning of the show Larry Nelson announced Nick Bockwinkel's successful defense of the NWA world title in Japan. HOWEVER, he noted that due to a freak snowstorm in Minnesota, flights were cancelled and the AWA was unable to send it's wrestlers to be a part of the show. BUT, the fans WILL see the promised AWA match as part of tonight's main event as Stan Hansen faces Bruiser Brody in an all out grudge match.

The Texas Hangmen upset Baron Von Raschke and The Crusher to advance to the final of the AWA tag team title tournament.
The story here was DOCTOR X showing up at ringside to take the microphone from commentator Rod Trongard to declare that the fans would witness the next world champion in the ring later tonight as Billy Red Lyons has been foolish enough to sign a contract. This distracted THE CRUSHER angry and he went over to yell at X for trying to steal the spotlight from the match. In the meantime Baron fell victim to the switch routine from the Hangmen and was soon pinned after a bulldog by Killer.

Sherri Martel pinned Candi Devine after a top rope splash.
Very good action here. Candi nearly got the pin with a SUNSET FLIP and followed up with a CROSS BODY BLOCK for an even closer pin attempt. Sherri gutted it out and ended up getting the victory via pinfall in about seven minutes.

Doctor X defeated Billy Red Lyons with the FIGURE FOUR.
Another barn burner as Lyons would not go down easy. At one point in this ten minute contest he managed to escape the figure four and a few moves later came back to put on his own FIGURE FOUR. Doctor X got to the ropes and soon took over after rolling out of the ring for a break. Eventually it was X with his version of the hold for the win.

Larry Nelson spoke with THE TROOPER and JAKE MILLIMAN. Trooper said he's going into battle tonight with Jake by his side as they face Regal and Zbyszko and the duo on the opposite side of the ring will find out breaking the law never pays.

The Trooper and Jake Milliman beat Larry Zbyszko and Steve Regal when Trooper pinned Regal.
Milliman was in big trouble as Regal and Zbyszko beat on him mercilessly. Larry went for his PILEDRIVER, but Trooper intervened to break it up and a brawl ensued. Trooper got the upper hand. Milliman made the tag out and Trooper came in to basically end the match as a handicap affair. Larry tagged out to Regal after taking a beating from Trooper, but Regal did no better and got hammered en route to falling to the Alabama Slam.

Off site interview by the champ Nick Bockwinkel and manager Bobby Heenan. Bobby said there was never any doubt who was walking out of Japan as the world heavyweight champion. Nick concurred but said a champion's work is never done and there are challengers coming from all sides. He mentioned Brody, Hansen, Doctor X (who still needs to climb the ladder like everyone else), Tommy Rich, and the list goes on and on. But they can line them up and the greatest wrestler walking today will knock them down.

Bruiser Brody pinned Stan Hansen after the JUMPING KNEE DROP.
Very wild and hard hitting match. As you'd expect. This time Brody got revenge for the previous loss to Hansen, but he definitely had to work for it. Hansen controlled the early match, Brody made his comeback, it was back and forth until Bruiser established control and got the pin in about nine minutes.

[gnw2022]

Very nice card,....HEELS RULE!!!

["Emperor Norton" (Mark T)]

THE MOTHERSHIP
AKA World Championship Wrestling

w/THE Tony Schiavone and David "Whip 'im like a dog" Crockett

The show open was interrupted by Reverend James Mitchell. He said first Hugh Morrus has his way with Thunderbolt Patterson and later tonight in the main event Kharis The Mummy ruins the myth of Tommy Rich by becoming the new United States champion.

Thunderbolt Patterson beat Hugh Morrus.
Not the start to the evening Mitchell wanted, but what a great opener! Solid brawl from start to finsh. Finally T-bolt took over outside of the ring and tossed him back in to hit the HEAD BUTT for the pin. Rev interferred early in the match and let Morrus take the advantage, but he had nothing left at the finish.

Sgt Slaughter and Don Kernodle beat The Mulkey Brothers in a non title match.
Not much competition here, as you'd expect. Nice showcase match for the tag champs, who won after the ATOMIC BOMB.

Sarge and Don went over to talk with Tony and David after the match, but were interrupted by Mr Wonderful Rock Riddle. Rock warned that Rex and Spot failed him, Moondog Mayne failed him, but his next charges will surprise everyone and bring the titles back into Mr Wonderful's loving hands.

After the break Jimmy Valiant appeared. He told Tony and David T-bolt was busy with Hugh Morrus, Tommy is busy with the mummy, but Jimmy has friends in low places all over the country and he's bringing one back to Hotlanta tonight. Sam Houston joined Jimmy and they headed to the ring to battle JJ Dillon's men.

Jimmy Valiant and Sam Houston wrestled to a double countout with Manny Fernandez and Masked Superstar.
Really nice, long match. In the end it ended on the floor, where Manny and Superstar were double teaming Jimmy until Sam ran over and evened the sides. The referee could not get them back into the ring and laid the ten count on them to call off the match. (out of the ring/double DQ roll)

Video package: Kharis The Mummy highlights, showing him taking out Bob Backlund, beating Magnum TA, and basically beating everyone he shouldn't (DICE!)

WILDFIRE Tommy Rich beat Kharis The Mummy to defend the US title.
this was a nice main event. Mummy controlled the opening, but Tommy came back after a missed turnbuckly charge. He locked in the SLEEPER, but Mitchell got on the apron to interfere. Tommy took him down and used the THESZ PRESS on Mummy for the pin.

Did somebody say something 'bout fired up? Tommy talked with Tony and David after the match and said Reverend Mitchell can send his Halloween troupe packing because Tommy Rich is all he says he is. And he says he's the next world heavyweight chamion, and Nick Bockwinkel had better be listening.