Booker Bill's Maple Leaf Wrestling

[bookerbill]

Card 01 – Maple Leaf Wresting – TV – The Forum, Hamilton, Ontario

Gordon Solie welcomes up to the show and runs down tonight’s card including the main event tag team attraction with Jim Cornette leading the Original Midnight Express into action against Fantastics.

Iron Sheik is already in the ring and has the mic stirring up head from ringside.

Iron Sheik defeated Marty Jannetty in a victory that upset the fans in attendance. Jannetty set the early pace and had the fans out of their seats with a near fall after a DDT and later he caught Sheik off guard with an inside cradle for another two and half count. Sheik loaded up his boot and took control. The action went to the floor several times but Jannetty showed he was game and managed to send Sheik into the ring post shoulder first much to the delight of the fans. Sheik managed to survive a ROCKER DROPPER and then loaded up his boot again and landed several blows with the weapon including a stomp from the top of the buckles. It was yet another kick with the boot that led to the three count with the fans booing Sheik out of the building. *** ½

Commissioner Teddy Long is interviewed by Gordon Solie and Long announces that the Queensbury Cup Tournament will take place at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto [Card 03] and will feature eight competitors in a single elimination tournament. Not only with the winner leave with the Queensbury Cup that night but will also be the awarded the Canadian Heavyweight Title!

Kip James downed “Iron” Mike DiBiase. James struggled early to get something going as DiBiase struck with punches and knees to keep James on the defensive until James countered a backdrop attempt with a piledrvier which turned the momentum of the action. James used his power advantage from that point and planted DiBiase with a crowd-pleasing STANDING LEG DROP to get the pin. * ½

We get an add for the upcoming Maple Leaf Gardens show.

Card 03, Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto, Ontario

Queensbury Cup / Canadian Heavyweight Title Tournament

Featuring!

Bruiser Brody
Stan Hansen
Kip James
Iron Sheik
Jimmy Snuka
Rob Van Dam

Jim Cornette leads Original Midnight Express out to be interviewed before the main event but the Fantastics have other ideas and storm in starting a brawl which flows towards the ring

Fantastics (Bobby Fulton & Tommy Rogers) over Original Midnight Express (Dennis Condrey & Randy Rose) w/ Jim Cornette by count-out. The action kept the same frantic pace as the bell sounded with Rogers connecting with a dropkick for a near fall on Rose. Both sides settled in and were able to make frequent tags to keep the momentum changing before Rose and Rogers ended up brawling on the floor. With the referee counting, the traded blows on the apron and a backdrop sent Rogers back into the ring at the count of ten giving the Fantastics the win via count-out. The fight carried on after the bell until the Fantastics cleared the ring with dropkicks all around including one for Cornette which the fans loved. ** ½

Promoter’s Note: This is a return to my Maple Leaf Wrestling federation inspired by the addition of Gordon Solie the game. The plan is to run weekly TV shows with three matches each in support of a monthly Maple Leaf Gardens show. The roster is set at 24 competitors and the roll of the dice will determine the next competitor to join the territory.

[Pariah]

Excellent concept... Using Solie as a centerpiece for some rapid fire entertainment, leading into the marquee shows... Great effort by Jannetty, but Iron Sheik's loaded boot is tough to endure... And that ending with the Fantastics dropkicking Cornette out of the ring was nothing short of classic.

Looking forward to the Queensbury Cup / title tourney... Good times!

[bookerbill]

Card 02 – Maple Leaf Wresting – TV – The Forum, Hamilton, Ontario

Gordon Solie welcomes us to the show and he informs us that tonight we will see a tag team encounter involving four competitors from the upcoming Queensbury Cup tournament as Bruiser Brody & Stan Hansen will team up to face Rob Van Dam & Jimmy Snuka

Masked Superstar comes up and speaks with Gordon Solie and tells us that he has confirmed his spot in the Queensbury Cup Tournament and that he will leave Toronto with the Canadian Heavyweight Title.

Masked Superstar defeated Ric Mccord. The speed of Mccord gave the Superstar fits early on and gave the fans plenty to be excited about but Mccord could only keep away from Superstar for so long before the masked competitor used his power to take over the match. A sleeper slowed down Mccord and allowed Superstar to hit back to back SWINGING NECKBREAKERS followed by the COBRA HOLD for the submission. **

Brad Armstrong over “Mr. Electricity” Steve Regal. It is announced during the match that Brad Armstrong will be part of the field competing for the Queensbury Cup at Maple Leaf Gardens. This was one sided from the opening bell as Armstrong showcased his skill and speed controlling the entire match and getting the win after back to back RUSSIAN LEG SWEEPS. Dud

Queensbury Cup / Canadian Heavyweight Title Tournament
Brad Armstrong
Bruiser Brody
Stan Hansen
Kip James
Iron Sheik
Jimmy Snuka
Masked Superstar
Rob Van Dam

Plus
Original Midnight Express v. Fantastics
Two other attractions!

Stan Hansen & Bruiser Brody come out to speak with Gordon Solie who decides to leave the area once the bullrope and chain start swingling allowing Brody and Hansen to tell the fans they are here looking for a fight and to make lots of money.

Bruiser Brody & Stan Hansen bested Jimmy Snuka & Rob Van Dam w/Bill Alfonso. This was a wild as you would expect. The action went outside often which included Hansen slamming Snuka onto the ringside table and then nearly taking his head off with a LARIAT. Snuka just kicks out and then makes a hot tag to Van Dam who controls against Brody leading up to a FIVE STAR FROG SPLASH that should have ended it but Hansen made the save. Snuka returns to the ring and Brody is able to get the tag to Hansen. Snuka take the fight to the floor but Hansen sends the Superfly into the ring post. Snuka is busted wide open and Hansen finishes it with a LARIAT. ***

[bookerbill]

Card 03 – Maple Leaf Wresting – Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto, ON

Queensbury Cup Tournament – Round One

Brad Armstrong stunned Bruiser Brody. No one gave the much smaller Armstrong any chance against the barking madman from Albuquerque but Armstrong was able to use his speed to successful avoid the early offense of Brody and went to the floor, Armstrong stepped up and cracked Brody across the back with a chair. Moments later, Armstrong planted Brody with a RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP and moved onto the next round. * ½

Iron Sheik defeated Rob Van Dam w/Bill Alfonso. Sheik gave the fans a little piece of his mind and earned some epic heat. Van Dam gave the fans something to cheer about early on but Sheik was able to send Van Dam into the ring post busting open Van Dam. Things did not go well for Mr. PPV after that as Sheik loaded up his boot and stomps Van Da into a bloody mess before getting the submission with a CAMEL CLUTCH. **

Stan Hansen bested Kip James. Hansen hit the ring on fire and James had his hands full from the opening bell. James weather the storm and went on a fun before Hansen caught him on the top and slammed James to the mat. From that point, Hansen dominated working the lower back with slams, stomps, powerbombs and backbreakers before crushing James with a LARIAT for the three count from Morgan Dollar. **

Jimmy Snuka advanced over Masked Superstar via disqualification. The action started out slow but things picked up when Superstar went shoulder first into the post. Superfly took to the air with a pair of flying head butts that the had the fans on their feet. Superstar bailed to the floor for a breather but Snuka leapt over the ropes onto Superstar who caught Snuka and slammed him through the ringside table. Morgan Dollar called for the bell and Superfly advanced to the next round but was left in a heap among the remains of the broken table . * ½

Brutus Beefcake & Marty Jannetty bested Long Riders (“Wild” Bill Irwin & Scott “Hog” Irwin). This was over before it really got underway as Jannetty battled first Scott Irwin and then “Wild” Bill keeping both the Irwin brothers off balance with his speed. A double knee counter to a corner charge downed Bill Irwin for a near fall and Jannetty followed with a top rope fist drop for the three count. Shockingly, there was no save attempt from Scott Irwin who looked stunned from the apron as the referee counted to three. DUD

“Iron’ Mike DiBiase pinned Ric Mccord. Mccord dominated from the opening bell with his speed and dropkicks but DiBiase counted a body slam and slowed it down with a sleeper. DIBiase landed a TOP ROPE KNEE TO BACK for a near fall and then came off the top a second time with a deathjump cross body block to get the pin. *

Queensbury Cup Tournament – Semi Finals

Brad Armstrong picked up another upset win over Iron Sheik. The fans were once again all over Sheik before the bell and the heat caried on throughout the match as Sheik had plenty of time in control of the action with suplexs and power moves. Sheik loaded up his boot and attacked the lower back of his foe. Armstrong was able to break through at times with dropkicks, hip tosses and twice with a sleeper that really took a toll on Sheik. The action was back and forth into the finish and Armstrong was able to come off the top with a cross body for a near fall and then followed up with a RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP to reach the finals. **

Jimmy Snuka pinned Stan Hansen. The fans were solidly behind Snuka who had his ribs tapped up after going through a table at the end of his first round match. Snuka was able to get the best of the early action with chops and head butts that kept Hansen on the defensive. Hansen power back but Superfly landed a piledriver that really did some damage. Snuka continued to set a quick pace and dominated the last half of the match getting the victory after an impressive power slam [SNAKE EYES!] * ½

Original Midnight Express (Dennis Condrey & Randy Rose) w/Jim Cornette bested Fantastics (Tommy Rogers & Bobby Fulton). This was a classic from start to finish. The Fantastics controlled the early action and there was no shortage of double teaming and double attack moves to keep the fans on their feet. A key pin save keep the action going after a PRESS SLAM/SPLASH to Dennis Condrey. The Express soon battled back with their own double teaming. Rogers cannot save his partner from a DOUBLE GOOZLE but Fulton kicks out of the cover at the last second. The match went back and forth until the Express managed to cut off Fulton again and this time a SUPLEX ONTO PARTNERS KNEES was enough to get the win as Condrey blocked the pin save attempt and Rose picked up the pin. *** ½

Queensbury Cup Tournament – Finals

Jimmy Snuka downed Brad Armstrong. This started with a handshake and then both men exchanged counters. Snuka took control with a series of leap frogs and chops mixed with backbreakers. A piledriver did significant damage and within moments Snuka mounted the corner and hit his SUPERFLY LEAP. The impact appears to hurt Snuka as much as it did Armstrong but Snuka was able to cover and wins the tournament.

Commissioner Teddy Long comes out to congratulate Jimmy Snuka and present him with the Queensbury Cup and the Canadian Heavyweight Title.

Booker’s Notes: Brody going out in the first round really threw a wrench into my booking plans and now I need to consider if Brody exits the territory and takes his show back on the road or if he sticks around for some payback. The next run of cards will feature the Canadian Open Tag Team Title Tournament!

[TTX]

Always enjoy some Maple Leaf Wrestling.

[Pariah]

Very surprised that B.A. thinned out the competition the easy he did, perhaps doing Superfly an unsolicited favor in the process... Taking nothing away from Snuka's ability, of course... Great to see him claiming the gold... It would be fun if Brody stuck around for a bit, but understandable if he's not impressed with some of the booking decisions that were made... Regardless, I'm looking forward to the next installment... Hellz, yeah!

[cruefan68]

Nice to see some MLF action! I was pulling for Stan Hansen in the Queensbury Cup tournament so it was a bummer to see him fall to Jimmy Snuka. On the other hand it was cool to see Brad Armstrong get to the finals albeit in a losing effort against the "Superfly". Armstrong over Bruiser Brody in the opening round was a huge shocker. Piggybacking that with a win over the Iron Sheik really made you want to see Brad win the whole thing. The Fantastics vs. Midnight Express sounded like a classic.

[bookerbill]

Thanks for the comments

It was indeed surprising to see Armstrong advance to the finals the way he did and perhaps he did do the heavy lifting for the eventual winner of the tournament. I had anticipated either Hansen or Brody being there at the end and one of two being the focus of the championship picture going forward. Thanks to the dice the title picture.is wide open.

The Fantastics v Original Midnights could have not rolled out better and I am hoping to feature their feud going forward perhaps with tag team gold implications depending on how the two teams do in my upcoming tournament

[bookerbill]

Card 04 – Maple Leaf Wresting – TV – Memorial Gardens, Guelph, Ontario

Gordon Solie welcomes us to the show and we open with stills from the action from Maple Leaf Gardens and Jimmy Snuka winning the Queensbury Cup and the Canadian Heavyweight Title.

George Tragos defeated Lenny Lane. An interesting contrast in styles was featured in the first contest and the speed of Lane gave some Tragos some trouble but only for a few minutes. Tragos scored with a counter move piledriver and the locked on an ARMLOCK & SCISSORS for the quick submission. Tragos refused to release the hold and security is needed to break the hold. Lane needs assistance leaving the ring [five card injury!]. The fans are taken back by the action of Tragos. *

Commissioner Teddy Long stops by to see Gordon Solie and announces a tournament to determine the first Canadian Open Tag Team Champions. The tournament will feature eight teams and will get underway next week and will conclude at the upcoming event at Maple Leaf Gardens [Card 08].

Rob Van Dam speaks with Gordon Solie along with manager Bill Alfonso who is fired up about RVD’s first round lost to Iron Sheik in the Queensbury Cup. Van Dam promises a different result tonight.

Iron Sheik bested Rob Van Dam w/Bill Alfonso by disqualification. Van Dam came looking for some payback after the controversial loss to Sheik at Maple Leaf Gardens and battered Sheik from the opening bell. Sheik escaped to the floor but Van Dam did not allow Sheik any time to recover cracking him with a chair which caused the fans to jump out of their seats. Van Dam hit a FIVE STAR FROG SPLASH but Sheik managed to kick out at the last second. Sheik came back and went to the top in an attempt to drive a loaded boot into Van Dam but RVD countered with a superplex that rocked ringside. Van Dam soon hit a second FIVE STAR FROG SPLASH but Sheik again got a shoulder up. Van Dam was beyond frustrated and grabbed a chair from ringside. A Van Daminator knocked Sheik into next week but cost him the match via disqualification. ** ½

Marty Jannetty is interview by Gordon Solie and they go back to Maple Leaf Gardens and the tag team encounter between Long Riders and the team of Brutus Beefcake & Marty Jannetty. The Long Riders suddenly appear with an attack on Jannetty. Brutus Beefcake comes out to even things up and the action heads to the ring.

“Wild” Bill Irwin w/Scott Irwin over Marty Jannetty w/Brutus Beefcake by disqualification. Irwin scores an immediate near fall at the bell after a prolonged four way brawl on the floor before the bell. Irwin keeps the pressure on with some wild brawling in and out of the ring. Jannetty has the fans support and comes back including an impressive deathjump cross body that nearly ends it. The action goes back and in and out of the ring. The Irwins double up on Jannetty several times until finally Beefcake decides to take things into his own hands and uses a chair to deck both Irwin Brothers. The official calls for the disqualification with all four men brawling after the bell as the show ends.

[TTX]

Nice win by Tragos and fun he added in the injury.