Booker Bill's Maple Leaf Wrestling Reboot

[bookerbill]

A reboot. I am going to keep the focus on Maple Leaf Wrestling and a southern Ontario focus. I have used the dice to draw a roster of 32 competitors and rolled out the first of what I hope will be many cards to come.

Card 001 – London Gardens, London, ON

The Spoiler v. Koko B. Ware
Referee: James Beard; Dr. Mike Lano at ringside
Ware has the youngsters dancing as he makes his way to the ring and builds on that momentum getting the control early with dropkicks and a cobra clutch suplex that rocks his masked opponent and sets up a BRAINBUSTER. Spoiler manages to kick out at the last second and is able to make an impressive comeback punishing Ware with elbows, knees and a rope-walk smash. Beard gets knocked down momentarily but it does not stop Spoiler’s momentum and he finishes the match with his BIONIC CLAW. Winner: The Spoiler ***

Rock ‘n’ Roll Express (Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson) v. Texas Hangmen (Psycho & Killer)
Referee: Joey Marella ; Dr. Mike Lano at ringside
The fans are solidly behind Morton and Gibson and they do not disappoint. The Express manage to cut off Killer and a DOUBLE DROPKICK has Killer beat but Psycho makes the pin save. A second DOUBLE DROPKICK connects but Psycho makes another save but he cannot make the save after a THIRD DROPKICK. Winner: Rock ‘n’ Roll Express. DUD

Jerry Brisco v. J.J. Dillon
Referee: Morgan Dollar; Dr. Mike Lano at ringside
Brisco uses his skills to take control of the action and an Oklahoma side roll makes Dillon to the floor to think things over but Brisco is out after him. They start to brawl and Dillon grabs a chair and jams it into his opponent’s mid section and it is enough to earn him a disqualification. Winner: Jerry Brisco by disqualification *

Midnight Express (Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane) w/Jim Cornette v. Barry Windham & Sam Houston
Referee: Joey Marella ; Dr. Mike Lano at ringside
The fans are all over Cornette at ringside but the Express wisely cut off Houston almost immediately. Eaton stuns Houston with an Alabama Jam and then tags in Lane who connects with a RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP for a near fall. Windham manages to save Houston after a second RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP but Lane nails his finisher a third time in a row for the win. Winners: Midnight Express. DUD

British Lightweight Champion Johnny Saint v. John Pesek
Referee: Morgan Dollar; Dr. Mike Lano at ringside
Handshake gets the action underway and the fans are treated to a classic between two mat masters. Pesek starts strong and soon as Saint trapped in a TIGER MAN TOEHOLD but Saint makes the ropes to keep the action going. Saint continues to press but counters back with THE ROSS ABBOT for a near fall. From that point, the two trade counters and holds with near perfection. Both men pick up only one near fall each in the process until Saint strikes with a cutblock and folding press putting Pesek’s shoulder to the mat for what appears to be a rather quick count from Dollar for the win. Winner: Johnny Saint. ****

Abdullah The Butcher v. The Destroyer
Referee: Morgan Dollar; Dr. Mike Lano at ringside
Butcher strikes before Gary Michael Cappetta can even finish his introduction running Destroyer into the ring post. The Destroyer’s white mask is quick stained blood red but he manages to come back including catching Butcher with an impressive airplane spin. Destroyer uses a pair of backbreakers and Butcher goes to the floor where he shoves Dr. Mike Lano into his opponent. The action spills back to the floor and this time Butcher runs Destroyer into the ringside table. Dollar has seen enough and calls for the bell as both men brawl after the bell. Winner: The Destroyer by disqualification **

Don Muraco w/Captain Lou Albano v. Jimmy Snuka
Referee: Morgan Dollar; Dr. Mike Lano at ringside
There was an electric sensation at ringside and Dollar attempted to enforce order between the ropes with strict instructions for both competitors. Snuka gets the early advantage which chops, slams and pair of vicious piledrivers. Snuka picks up near falls after a flying headbutt and after a power slam but cannot keep Muraco down for the the count. Muraco gets the advantage with his power and then plants Snuka with a HAWAIIAN HAMMER but the Superfly gets the shoulder up at the last second. It is a battle from that point and even Albano gets a few shots in on Snuka at ringside earning some serious heat. Albano cannot cause a distraction was Snuka downs Muraco with a power slam late but Muraco gets his shoulder up. This one ends up on the floor where Albano tries to use a chair to smash Snuka but Superfly grabs the chair and smashes Muraco with it and then takes out Albano as well. The fans love it but Morgan Dollar does not and disqualified Superfly. Snuka tosses Albano into the ring and mounts the corner for the SUPERFLY LEAP but Muraco pulls his manager out of harms way as the fans boo him out of the Gardens. Winner: Don Muraco by disqualificaton ***

News & Views
• After the matches tonight, Commissioner Teddy Long announced to the media that the Canadian Heavyweight Champion would be determined by an eight man tournament at Maple Leaf Gardens (Card 05). Long also announce that Don Muraco, Jimmy Snuka, The Destroyer and Abdullah the Butcher would for part of the field.
• After the inconclusive finish to the main event and semi-main event tonight, Commissioner Long has signed a tag team main event for the Memorial Auditorium in Kitchener (Card 2) as Abdullah the Butcher will join forces with Don Muraco to take on the pairing of Jimmy Snuka and The Destroyer!
• The fans in Kitchener will also be treated to a technical classic as Bob Backlund will be action and he will take on Danny Hodge in battle of former college standouts
• Kitchener will also see a battle of competitors who recently appeared in the Pacific North West, “Playboy” Buddy Rose will take on the always controversial “Rowdy” Roddy Piper
• The officials in Kitchener will have their hands full in another tag team encounter signed as Mad Dog Vachon and his brother Butcher Vachon will taken on another team not afraid to break the rules, Butch Miller & Luke Williams, The Sheepherders
• If that tag team was not wild enough, Teddy Long has put together another match that is sure to be out of control as George “The Animal” Steele takes on “Wild” Bull Curry.
• In clash of international competitors, CMLL Star Konnan will be in Kitchener to battle British competitor Dave Taylor.

[Pariah]

Great start to this Ontario based fed... Really like the talent on the roster and think there's potential for some seriously cool programs... Abby & Muraco vs. Superfly & The Destroyer has the makings of a brutal main event... Awesome stuff!

[cruefan68]

It's a restart but I will still look at it as a part of the legacy of your Maple Leaf Wrestling, an epic fed imo. Cool to see the new direction and I'm looking forward to what is to come.

[gnw2022]

kudos on the great action, can't wait to get my butcher card. good stuff as always.

[TTX]

Glad to see it back.

[bookerbill]

Card 002 – Memorial Auditorium, Kitchener, Ontario

Bruiser Costa v. Tracy Smothers
Referee: James Beard; Dr. Mike Lano at ringside
Smother took the early advantage but could not get the three count after a JAWJACKER. Costa powered back into control including a pair of cobra clutch suplexes. Costa was able to show some diversity coming off the top with a cross body block for a big near fall. Smothers was able to get back into it but Costa scored the victory after a swinging neckbreaker. Winner: Bruiser Costa **

Sheepherders (Butch Miller & Luke Williams) v. Vachons (Butcher Vachon & Mad Dog Vachon)
Referee: Morgan Dollar; Dr. Mike Lano at ringside
Morgan Dollar had strict instruction for both sides in a futile effort to think he could keep control of this encounter. It was back and forth throughout the match with both teams making key defensive tags and using plenty of double teaming. Controversy struck when Morgan Dollar was knocked down for nine moves during which time the Sheepherders used a DOUBLE GUTBUSTER on Butcher Vachon twice but there was no official to make the three count. Later, Williams made the pin save after Mad Dog Vachon planted Miller with a PILEDRIVER. Dollar was knocked down again for five moves and this time he missed a cover and potential victory by Butcher Vachon on Williams. The end came when the Sheepherders nailed Butcher Vachon with a RUNNING KNEE SMASH with Williams covering while Miller blocked the pin save. Winner: Sheepherders *****

Konnan v. Dave Taylor
Referee: Morgan Dollar; Dr. Mike Lano at ringside
Dollar again has detailed instructions for both men before the bell. They exchanged counters early on with Taylor getting the upper hand. Konnan picked up the pace after reversing a whip to the corner. Konnan nailed his finisher, the NIAGARA DRIVER, but Taylor put a foot onto the ropes to keep the action going. Taylor managed to knock Konnan off the top of the corner to counter a moonsault and caught Konnan with a running lariat as he regained his feet. It was enough to get the three count [snake eyes]. Winner: Dave Taylor. *

“Wild” Bull Curry v. George “The Animal” Steele
Referee: Joey Marella; Dr. Mike Lano at ringside
The fans were braced for mayhem as the bell sounded. It was back and forth brawling early. Dr. Mike Lano was able to capture an up close shot of the fight at ringside as Curry gained control. Curry choked Steele multiple times and blasted him with a chair. A SERIES OF PUNCHES gave Curry a near fall. Outside, Steele posted Curry busting him open and moments later, Curry sent Steele into the post shoulder first. Curry cracked Steele across the back during a brawl on the floor but when he brought the weapon into the ring and smashed Steele again, Marella had seen enough and called for the disqualification. Steele was able to recovery and grab Curry with a two-arm choke lift as officials flooded the ring to break up the brawl. Winner: George Steele by disqualification. ** ½

“Playboy” Buddy Rose v. “Rowdy” Roddy Piper
Referee: James Beard; Dr. Mike Lano at ringside
Rose has the fans roaring when he demands to be announced at 219 pounds! Piper wasted no time in going to work gaining a near fall after a swinging neckbreaker. Rose is able to catch Piper on the top and slams him to the mat. The advantage was short lived and Piper planted Rose with a bulldog. The action spilled to the floor. Piper was able to stun Rose with a poke to the eyes which allowed Piper to slip under the ropes just before the ten count. Winner: Roddy Piper by count-out. *

Bob Backlund v. Danny Hodge
Referee: James Beard; Dr. Mike Lano at ringside
Handshake started the action and Hodge immediately took control with a mix of holds and boxing jabs. Hodge scores with a pair of impressive cobra clutch suplexes and picks up a near fall. Backlund is continually frustrated by Hodge but he manages to counter a backbreak attempt and then plant Hodge with a delayed vertical suplex for a two count. Backlund then hits his ATOMIC DROP finisher and gets the three count. Winner: Bob Backlund * ½

Abdullah The Butcher & Don Muraco w/Captain Lou Albano v. Jimmy Snuka & The Destroyer
Referee: Morgan Dollar; Dr. Mike Lano at ringside
The fans were unsure what to make of these to unlikely tandems but the action soon had then on the edge of their seats. Butcher was a force early on battering Destroyer with headbutts, punches and nerve holds. Muraco tagged in and mounted the corner but Destroyer knocked him to the mat allowing Snuka into the match. It was back and forth from that point will all four men seeing action against each other. Destroyer found himself cut off for a stretch but was able to finally get a hot tag to Snuka who leaped into the ring against Muraco. A SUPERFLY LEAP crushed Muraco but a timely distraction from Albano kept the action going. Destroyer tagged in and landed a deathjump smash to the leg and then trapped Muraco in a FIGURE FOUR LEGLOCK. Dollar was quick, perhaps even too quick, to call for the bell. Winners: The Destroyer & Jimmy Snuka. ***

News and Views
• Commissioner Teddy Long released a statement to the media advising that Bob Backlund, “Rowdy” Roddy Piper, Barry Windham, and Konnan will make up the remainder of the field for the upcoming Canadian Heavyweight Title tournament at Maple Leaf Gardens (Card 05) joining the already announced, Jimmy Snuka, Abdullah The Butcher, The Destroyer & Don Muraco
• Maple Leaf Wrestling travels to Civic Auditorium in Oshawa next will a classic tag team encounter at the top of the card as the Rock ‘n’ Roll Express step into the ring to taken on the Midnight Express who will have Jim Cornette in their corner! The winner of the match will have to be a favourite for the upcoming Canadian Open Tag Team Title Tournament
• In other tag team action, the Vachons came up short tonight against the Sheepherders in a controversial encounter but they will be looking to get the win when the battle another team that is always looking for a good fight, The Texas Hangmen!
• British Lightweight Champion Johnny Saint continues his tour of the territory and will take Jerry Brisco, who has held his own share of gold in the lightweight division. This should be a classic.
• After being confirmed for the upcoming Canadian Heavyweight Title Tournament, Barry Windham will make his singles debut in Oshawa when he battles the always dangerous Spoiler.
• In what promises to be a technical encounter for the ages, Danny Hodge will test himself against John Pesek at the Civic Auditorium
• Bruiser Costa turned some heads with his victory tonight over Tracy Smothers and will look to build on that momentum in Oshawa when he faces Sam Houston who will be making his first appearance in singles action
• The Birdman will be in action in Oshawa when he challenges J.J. Dillion

[TTX]

Go Backlund. Think Piper and Rose will have to meet again and nice victory by Destroyer and Snuka.

[bookerbill]

Card 03 – Civic Auditorium, Oshawa

Bruiser Costa v. Sam Houston
Referee: James Beard; Dr. Mike Lano at ringside
A solid opener feature power versus speed. Houston sets a quick pace early on but Costa is able to slow it down and picks up near falls after a knee drop and a cobra clutch suplex. The fans get behind Houston and he responds with a series of running lariats and dropkicks but his BULLDOG finisher only gets a two and a half count. Costa comes back when he catches Houston on the top of the corner and slams him to the mat. Costa dominates the match from that point including leaving his feet with a standing dropkick and it is a simple knee drop that is enough to get the three count. Winner: Bruiser Costa ** 1/2

J.J. Dillon v. Koko B. Ware
Referee: Morgan Dollar; Dr. Mike Lano at ringside
Dollar has strict instructions for both competitors but it does not dampen the atmosphere from Ware dancing at ringside. Ware tries to keep things moving but Dillon successful uses a series of double ax-handles, chokes and foreign object blast to take over the match. Ware manages to catch Dillon flush with a standing dropkick out of nowhere that no only gets a near fall but gets him back into the match. It is back and forth as the action goes to the floor. Dillon grabs a chair but Ware takes it from him and then decided to smash Dillon with the weapon. Dollar is quick to call for the bell and Dillon has a controversial payday. Winner: J.J. Dillon by disqualification. **

Danny Hodge v. John Pesek
Referee: Morgan Dollar; Dr. Mike Lano at ringside
Dollar wants to see a clean match again and a handshake gets us underway. The human chess match was incredible with both men grinding away from the lock up to the opening exchange of counters. Pesek gets the first break through and goes for the win trapping Hodge in his TIGER MAN TOEHOLD twice but Hodge was able to counter and make the ropes to keep the action going. Hodge soon had he upper hand after a series of boxing jabs that earned a warming for the official. Hodge worked the leg with a Deathlock for a near submission and later picked up a two count after a cobra clutch suplex. Pesek then mounted his own comeback and it was a lateral press keylock that was enough to get Hodge to tap out. Winner: John Pesek ***

Texas Hangmen (Killer & Psycho) v. Vachons (Butcher Vachon & Mad Dog Vachon)
Referee: Dick Woehrle; Dr. Mike Lano at ringside
Things quickly got out of control early as Killer & Butcher Vachon spill to the floor where Vachon grabs his brother’s chain and clubbers Killer with it. Woehrle quickly calls for the bell but the fight carries on. Security quickly rushes to the ring to break up the brawl. Winners: Texas Hangmen by disqualification DUD.

The Spoiler v. Barry Windham
Referee: Morgan Dollar; Dr. Mike Lano at ringside
Spoiler came into this one with something to prove after not being named as one of the eight competitors in the Canadian Heavyweight Title Tournament and dominated the action from bell to bell. Windham took a beating in and out of the ring including several cobra clutch suplexes, knees and elbows. Windham kicks out of a couple of covers and the action spills back to the floor. Windham is able to grab Spoiler and bounces his head off the ringside table. Dollar calls for the bell suddenly and Windham is disqualified. The fans are not pleased. Winner: The Spoiler by disqualification * ½

Jerry Brisco v. British Lightweight Champion Johnny Saint
Referee: James Beard; Dr. Mike Lano at ringside
The competitors shook hands as the bell sounded and immediately locked up and exchanged counters. Brisco had the strength advantage breaking free of an attempted one-legged monkey flip and then downing Saint with an airplane spin. Brisco applied a FIGURE FOUR LEGLOCK but Saint was able to roll him over to escape. Both men regained their feet but Brisco was ready with an OKLAHOMA SIDE ROLL for a near fall and then put Saint’s shoulder to the mat again this time for three count with a second OKLAHOMA SIDE ROLL. Brisco is presented with the British Lightweight Title and announced as the new champion! Winner: Jerry Brisco * ½

Midnight Express (Stan Lane & Bobby Eaton) w/Jim Cornette v. Rock ‘n’ Roll Express (Rick Morton & Robert Gibson)
Referee: Joey Marella; Dr. Mike Lano at ringside
The two sides start brawling before Gary Michael Cappetta finishes his introductions and the Express get the advantage. Eaton is kept in the ring and the Express down him with a DOUBLE DROPKICK. Cornette distracts Marella but Gibson keeps control of the action nailing a deathjump before the Express hit their DOUBLE DROPKICK finisher for the three count ending the action in only a few minutes. Winner: Rock ‘n’ Roll Express DUD

News and Views
• Maple Leaf Wrestling rolls into “The Hammer” with a show at the Hamilton Convention Centre and Commissioner Teddy Long has put together a huge main event featuring two competitors form the upcoming Canadian Heavyweight Title Tournament (Card 5) as “Rowdy” Rowdy Piper will step into the ring against Bob Backlund! He winner has to be considered the favourite to claim the Canadian Heavyweight Title in Toronto.
• The feud between Jimmy Snuka and Don Muraco will be front and center in Hamilton as the two will clash in singles action after tearing it up in London and Kitchener.
• Another feud that has been a feature of the early action is Destroyer against Abdullah The Butcher and Commissioner Long has booked the two into another one on one battle in Hamilton.
• Some fans are questioning the Commissioner’s sanity but he has booked a six man tag encounter that may be impossible to control as Sheepherders join forces with “Wild” Bull Curry to take on the unlikely side of George “The Animal” Steele and Vachons!
• Jerry Brisco is the new British Lightweight Champion and he will put his title on the line against former champion Johnny Saint.
• Fresh after a lightening quick paced tag team main event, Commissioner Long has announced that the Canadian Open Tag Team Title Tournament will get underway as part of the television taping coming up the Memorial Gardens in Guelph. The Rock ‘n’ Roll Express have to be considered a favourite but the details of the tournament have yet to be announced.

[TTX]

Nice win by Jerry B. Can't go wrong with Midnights and RNR except apparently this night.

[Pariah]

Despite being plagued by the dreaded DQ decision, there were still some fun moments... Koko showed Dillon that he wasn't gonna accept any nonsense... And Costa scores an upset victory to open the show... Oh, snap!

The lineup for the Hamilton card looks rock solid... Also very excited for the upcoming title tournaments... Great stuff!