TigerSamurai's Central States Wrestling

[Sam Fain]

Wrestling at the Chase
02.27.2021 from Chase Park Plaza Hotel, St. Louis, MO

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- Non-Wrestling Segment -
Gordon Solie welcomes fans to the show and then invites the new NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion, Johnny Valentine, to the announce area. Valentine thanks the fans for their support and Lou Thesz for a hard-fought match. He says he might not be around as much anymore as the demands for the champion are high but he’ll never forget that the Central States is where it happened for him. Solie then comments on the Central States belt which Valentine hands over and formally vacates as a result of his victory over Thesz. Solie then informs us that there will be an 8-man tournament to determine the new champion.

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The NWA Central States Heavyweight Championship was declared vacant

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Johnny Saint vs. Tiger Conway Sr
Johnny Saint defeated Tiger Conway Sr with an armlock around knee at 12:13
Match Rating: 4.00
Match Notes: 1-fall, 15-minute time limit

Johnny Saint makes his Central States debut against Tiger Conway Sr. This was an incredible see-saw battle that ultimately played to Saint's strengths. He was able to pick Conway apart in the long-term and worked the armlock around the knee hold relentlessly to score the submission after Conway was able to escape the THREE IN ONE.

[Saint - 1 token, Conway - 2 tokens]

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Gordon Solie grabbed a word with Saint after the match. The man from the UK made it known that he was here to challenge for Danny Hodge's Middleweight title and he knew there was some great competition to get past before he earned that right. Solie says we'll be seeing a lot more of Saint in the weeks to come!

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- Non-Wrestling Segment -
Bobby Heenan and Nick Bockwinkel storm the announce area. They’re hopping mad about the time limit draw from last week and no rematch and they’re even more mad about Roddy Piper and the Double DQ in Chicago. Larry Matysik informs them that they can have a rematch with Piper on Monday… But that neither man will be in the tournament! Bockwinkel and Heenan look like they’re about to blow a gasket. Piper looks upset at first but then begins laughing at “Little Nicky” and promises to earn his way to a title shot after he puts Bockwinkel down for the count!

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Gorgeous George vs. Kenny Jay
Gorgeous George defeated Kenny Jay with a figure four leglock at 5:39
Match Rating: 0.10
Match Notes: 1-fall, 15-minute time limit

After answering an open challenge from Danny Hodge and debuting in Chicago, Gorgeous George has come to St. Louis. He stalled at the opening bell - prancing around the ring and asking Cherie for a few extra sprits before getting underway.

George was impressive against Jay and picked his opponent apart. George dismissed Jay from the ring a couple of times by kicking him through the ropes and finally finished him off with a repeat application of the figure four.

[Jay - 1 token]

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George made his way to the announce booth and laid out another challenge to Danny Hodge for the Middleweight Championship! [It's later announced that George and Hodge will meet in a non-title no disqualification match at the next All-Star Wrestling!]

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- Non-Wrestling Segment -
Larry Matysik makes the blockbuster announcement that the tournament to crown a new champion will be a one night only event! He’s joined by a number of wrestlers at the ringside area and then Rikidozan makes his way out! The fans go wild, but it becomes clear that the former champ is not here to stay. However, he introduces his protege, Giant Baba! Baba is huge! He towers over the other participants - Jack Brisco, Bob Backlund, Harley Race, Buddy Rogers, Dutch Savage, John Tolos, and Bobo Brazil! One of these 8 men will be the new Central States Heavyweight Champion! Find out who on Monday!

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Penny Banner and Mildred Burke vs. Lelani Kai and Fabulous Moolah
Mildred Burke defeated Lelani Kai with an ALLIGATOR CLUTCH at 4:52
Match Rating: 0.10
Match Notes: 1-fall, 20-minute time limit

This was unexpected! Former women's champ, Leilani Kai, returns from injury in this match. Kai must be dealing with some ring rust because she just couldn't sustain any offense. The former champ was nearly put away by fan-favorite, Penny Banner, but it was the current women's champ, Mildred Burke that finished her off with the ALLIGATOR CLUTCH. Moolah tried to make the save, but Banner cut off the ring efficiently.

[Kai - 2 tokens]

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After the bout Moolah retreated with Kai but had some choice words for Burke and Banner. The winner shook hands after the bout but it was clear that Banner still wanted her chance at the title...

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- Non-Wrestling Segment -
The Flying Redheads are ringside with Gordon Solie. They want a rematch with the Kangaroos. Red Berry immediately comes out and tells them there will be no rematch. Solie interrupts and reminds Berry he doesn’t make the matches. Solie then announces that this Monday there will be a ⅔ Falls match with a 60-minute time limit for the tag team titles! The Redheads are thrilled, but Berry is seething as he leaves ringside.

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Bob Armstrong vs. The Spoiler
for the Television Championship
The Spoiler defeated Bob Armstrong with a knee lift at 6:52
Match Rating: 3.00
Match Notes: 1-fall, 15-minute time limit for the DuMont Network Television Championship

Bob Armstrong has been defending the title weekly since entering the Central States picture. Heenan and Bockwinkel might be stomping mad at not getting a rematch or a spot in the title tournament but the fans were elated at the Spoiler's return when he answered the open challenge!

They kept a relentless pace as the match went back and forth and it started to look like Armstrong would be looking to just last the time limit against the Spoiler.

Spoiler locked in the BIONIC CLAW, but Armstrong made the ropes and bounced back to dish out some punishment of his own.

After taking some of the best the "Bullet" had, the Spoiler bounced off the ropes with a knee lift out of nowhere and got the 1, 2, 3! We've got a new champ!

[Armstrong - 1 token (snake-eyes)]

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Gordon Solie grabs a word with the new champ. Before the Spoiler can celebrate his win, tho, Bobby Heenan interrupted and told the Spoiler that he has a big surprise in store for him! He's bringing in a man that will gladly take that title from him next week! We're outta time, folks!

The Spoiler won the Television Championship

Overall Card Rating: 1.80

[Deleted]

Super excited that The SPOILER won!

This is a superb fed sir!

[Pariah]

Thoroughly enjoying the heat between Bockwinkel and Piper... An epic rivalry in the making... And I'm very excited for the title rematch between the Redheads and the 'Roos.

Looks looks we've got some serious talent lined up for a chance to claim the vacant Central States Heavyweight Championship... Can't help myself -- picking Jack Brisco to emerge triumphant in that one night tourney... Stoked!

[TTX]

Dang Snake Eyes, but I like The Spoiler so it's not the worst.

Always enjoy a nice Mildred Burke win.

[bookerbill]

Another solid run of shows. Cannot wait to see how the title tournament unfolds.

[Sam Fain]

Thanks for the comments, @kevinb , Pariah , TTX , & bookerbill . Truly appreciate you guys following along and glad to hear you're enjoying the action.

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All-Star Wrestling
03.01.2021 from Memorial Hall, Kansas City, KS

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Bob Backlund vs. John Tolos
Bob Backlund defeated John Tolos with a delayed vertical duplex at 9:46
Match Rating: 3.50
Match Notes: 1 fall, 20-minute time limit, opening round contest in the NWA Central States Heavyweight Championship Tournament.

Great action to open the evening and the tournament. Tolos looked strong early, but the action see-sawed and both men scored near falls.

The finish saw Backlund reverse a headlock and score big with the delayed vertical suplex for the win!

[Backlund - 2 tokens, Tolos - 2 tokens]

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Dutch Savage vs. Harley Race
Harley Race defeated Dutch Savage with a PILEDRIVER at 2:34
Match Rating: 0.10
Match Notes: 1 fall, 20-minute time limit, opening round contest in the NWA Central States Heavyweight Championship tournament.

Harley doesn't get paid by the hour. He made quick work of Savage. Harley hit a couple VERTICAL SUPLEXes early and pinned Savage after a devastating PILEDRIVER.

[Savage - 2 tokens]

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Buddy Rogers vs. Giant Baba
This match ended in a draw (TIME LIMIT EXPIRED) at 20:00
Match Rating: 4.00
Match Notes: 1 fall, 20-minute time limit, opening round contest in the NWA Central States Heavyweight Championship Tournament.

Giant Baba makes his debut against "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers! Rogers controlled the early going using his speed to evade Baba's strikes. Eventually, Baba's power gave him an opening and the action began to go back and forth. Rogers was cagey enough to keep coming back and had Baba on the ropes a couple of times. The finish came as Baba was finally dominating with his size and strength. A Piledriver and big boots had Rogers reeling. Baba locked in a bear hug but the bell rang as the ref checked on Rogers. We have a time limit draw! Brisco and Brazil has become a de facto semi-final match!

Baba goes the distance with Rogers in his debut. Rikidozan clearly trained him well...

[Baba - 3 tokens]

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Bobo Brazil vs. Jack Brisco
Bobo Brazil defeated Jack Brisco with a roll up at 10:21
Match Rating: 4.00
Match Notes: 1 fall, 20-minute time limit, opening round contest in the NWA Central States Heavyweight Championship Tournament.

Hell of a matchup between these two. Brisco looked great early and had flurries of offense that seemed he would surely capture the win, but Brazil came back big and scored with his COCO BUTT. It wouldn't prove enough and Jack nearly had him, but after he went charging into the corner, Brazil moved and Brisco cracked his head on the post before being rolled up by Bobo for the 1, 2, 3!

With the draw between Rogers and Baba, Bobo Brazil has made his way to the finals. Will he face Bob Backlund on Harley Race for the belt?

[Brisco - 2 tokens, Brazil - 4 tokens]

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Gorgeous George vs. Danny Hodge
This match ended in a draw (TIME LIMIT EXPIRED) at 30:00
Match Rating: 4.50
Match Notes: 1 fall, 30-minute time limit, non-title, no disqualification match.

One week ago George answered the open challenge of the middleweight champ and nearly took him to the limit before scoring a surprising DQ victory. But only after bending all the rules he could along the way.

Hodge was all too happy to agree to this non-title contest. These two match up so well and the crowd was riled up early as Cherie Dupre interfered and gave George the upper hand. It was short lived and as they jockeyed for position, Hodge came out on top. He looked to make short work of George but it wasn't to be.

These two were locked in combat, see-sawing for the advantage. Each man saw stretches of dominance before the pendulum swung the other way. And there was plenty of brawling on the outside as they took advantage of the stipulation.

George was pressing his advantage last time began to wear on and nearly scored the win with his ROLLING HIPLOCKS. Hodge was bleeding after hitting his head on the hard edge of the ring apron, though it's likely that the Georgie pins aided in opening the cut.

The action spilled out and they began brawling wildly around the guardrail. A bloody Hodge tried to fend off the attack of George as the bell rang and the referee got between the men. The time limit has expired! What a match!

[George - 2 tokens, Hodge - 4 tokens]

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Bob Backlund vs. Harley Race
Harley Race defeated Bob Backlund with a PILEDRIVER at 7:15
Match Rating: 3.50
Match Notes: 1 Fall, 30-minute time limit, semi-final match in the NWA Central States Heavyweight Championship Tournament.

Backlund faced a tough match from John Tolos earlier while Race had it relatively easy with Dutch Savage. It would be an interesting matchup between established top hand Race and newcomer with an untarnished record Bob Backlund.

They had a brief feeling out process that saw them exchange holds, but then Race struck with a vengeance and tried to put Backlund down with consecutive PILEDRIVERs! Backlund was able to continue but would be feeling the effects for the remainder of the bout.

Backlund had an inspired comeback, but Race was able to stop him in his tracks and when the action spilled outside, he bloodied Backlund on the guardrail. Tossing the busted open opponent back in, Race was able to put him away with another brutal PILEDRIVER!

Race punches his ticket to the finals as Backlund suffers his first defeat in the Central States.

[Backlund - 4 tokens]

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Nick Bockwinkel vs. Roddy Piper
Nick Bockwinkel defeated Roddy Piper with a DQ at 3:21
Match Rating: 0.00
Match Notes: 1 fall, 30-minute time limit.

This return bout between Bockwinkel and Piper was just more kindling for the fire. Piper reversed a move early on and started running away with the match. Bockwinkel rolled out after a bulldog and Piper followed. He was fired up, maybe a little too fired up as he threw a chair at Bockwinkel and Heenan and the referee disqualified him!

Piper was hot as were the fans but Bockwinkel and Heenan headed to the back happy to take the win.

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- 2/3 Falls -
Flying Redheads vs. The Kangaroos
for the NWA Central States Tag Team Championship
Al Costello defeated Billy Red Lyons with a MARBLE BOR LEGLOCK at 9:27
Billy Red Lyons defeated Al Costello with a roll up at 10:57
Al Costello defeated Red Bastien with a MARBLE BOR LEGLOCK at 21:00
Match Rating: 4.00
Match Notes: 2 out of 3 falls, 60-minute time limit, for the NWA Central States Tag Team Championship.

This rivalry has become one of the longest standing in the Central States and shows no signs of slowing down.

It was a see-saw battle that saw each team try to one-up the other. The first fall saw Costello get the win over Lyons with his MARBLE BOR LOCK.

Lyons was able to bounce back and he rolled up Costello after he came off the top and crashed to the mat.

The final fall was a furious affair. The Redheads established a string of dominance with solid tag work and looked to have the Kangaroos on the ropes after Bastien hit his big ATOMIC DROP. Berry climbed up on the apron for the distraction and received a wallop for his troubles, but it gave the Kangaroos time to regroup and hit the BOOMERANG which led to Costello's LEGLOCK getting the win over a weakened Bastien.

The Redheads continued chase for their former tag titles has come up short again but it's not without a bit of controversy.

[Heffernan - 5 tokens, Costello - 1 token, Bastien - 2 tokens, Lyons - 1 token]

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Bobo Brazil vs. Harley Race
Bobo Brazil defeated Harley Race with a COCO BUTT at 14:06
Match Rating: 3.75
Match Notes: 1 fall, 60-minute time limit, finals for the NWA Central States Heavyweight Championship.

This was an excellent back and forth contest that saw both men try for the win early and then battle for control. Race dominated stretches, but Brazil always found a way to come back - much to the fans delight.

After nearly 15 minutes of heated action, Brazil caught Race with a big backbreaker for a near fall and then followed it up with a COCO BUTT to get the win (snake-eyes!)!

Bobo Brazil is the New NWA Central States Heavyweight Champion!

[Race - 1 token, Brazil - 2 tokens]

Bobo Brazil won the NWA Central States Heavyweight Championship

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Overall Card Rating: 3.04

[Pariah]

Even though I picked Brisco to win the tournament, it's impossible to be disappointed with the final outcome... Brazil defeats Race to become the new NWA Central States Heavyweight Champion! Absolutely brilliant!

Two time limit draws on the same card... A testament to the tenacity of the performers involved... Fun stuff, as always!

[TTX]

Bobo's Coco Butt continues to remain deadly.

[Sam Fain]

Pariah - I was thinking I'd have a Brisco/Race or Brisco/Backlund final... Alas, the dice had other plans. Brisco can't seem to catch a break in my fed. I don't mind Backlund dropping a match to Race in the slightest - it's a fine first loss and doesn't stall his momentum at all.

The time limit draws are always fun. I like a somewhat leisurely pace when I roll out matches - try to imagine the moves as they'd happen and pace the bout the way I'd imagine they go. That said, I was surprised with the draws too. Especially considering the tag title match went around 20 minutes game time after their last went 20 minutes real time.

Thanks for the comments!

TTX - Bobo surprised me but I don't mind one bit. He's been probably the #2 babyface in the territory behind Piper - though one could argue Piper is simply a babyface by circumstance whereas Bobo is a pure babyface. He ran off Kowalski in a loser leaves town match and has only lost one match (to Buddy Rogers) thus far.

[markyhitch]

I like your presentation. Very easy to read.