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Post by gnw2022 on Mar 19, 2022 10:15:20 GMT -5
Just caught up on this great Canadian fed! Loving the Rose/Piper kerfuffle....great stuff!
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Post by bookerbill on Mar 19, 2022 10:39:16 GMT -5
Card 004 – Hamilton Convention Centre, Hamilton, ON
“Playboy” Buddy Rose v. Konnan Referee: Morgan Dollar; Dr. Mike Lano at ringside Rose had the fans screaming with his insistence at being announced as a light heavyweight. They exchange moves and the action quickly goes to the floor where Rose rams Konnan into the ring post back first drawing great heat. Rose takes it back inside and finishes it with a INSIDE BACKBREAKER for a quick opener. Winner: Buddy Rose DUD
David Taylor v. Tracy Smothers Referee: Morgan Dollar; Dr. Mike Lano at ringside David Taylor gains the upper hand almost immediately catching with a running lariat and then a BRITISH SUPLEX. Smothers manages to kick out but cannot get anything going before getting put to mat with a second BRITISH SUPLEX for the three count. Winner: David Taylor DUD
British Lightweight Champion Jerry Brisco v. Johnny Saint Referee: Morgan Dollar; Dr. Mike Lano at ringside Brisco looks impressive with the title around his waste and Saint looks very determined to reclaim the gold. Handshake moves into a breathless exchange of counters. Brisco catches Saint with an OKLAHOMA SIDE ROLL but can only get a two count. Brisco moves to the lower body and traps Saint in a FIGURE FOUR LEGLOCK but Saint manages to roll his opponent after a lengthy struggle. Saint rolls up to stimmy Brisco and it is enough to get the momentum back in his direction. Brisco tries to press the action and it plays into Saint’s defensive skills and Saint traps Brisco in a THREE IN ONE to reclaim the gold. Winner: Johnny Saint. **
Sheepherders (Luke Williams, Butch Miller) & “Wild” Bull Curry v. Vachons (Butcher Vachon & Mad Dog Vachon) & George “The Animal” Steele Referee: Joey Marella ; Dr. Mike Lano at ringside The Sheepherders were an absolute force in this one immediately cutting off Mad Dog Vachon from the opening bell with a sneaky double team. They never let up their attack which includes a DOUBLE GUTBUSTER and a RUNNING KNEE SMASH. Curry is finally allowed to get into the beat down and he does so with a foreign object busting Vachon open. Vachon rolls to the floor and Curry is happy to follow but Vachon bounces Curry’s face off the ringside table. Marella calls for the bell and disqualifies Vachon. Winners: Sheepherders & Bull Curry by disqualification. **
Abdullah The Butcher v. The Destroyer Referee: Joey Marella; Dr. Mike Lano at ringside Destroyer gets to work at the bell and shocks Butcher and the fans with an airplane spin for a near fall. Butcher is reeling from that point and works over Butch for more near falls. The action goes outside and Butcher tosses Dr. Mike Lano into Destroyer. Back inside, Butcher maintains control but Destroyer is able to knock Butcher off the second rope to regain control. Butcher gets the advantage back. Butcher goes to the second ropes again to drop an elbow onto Butcher but no one is home. Butcher is down and Destroyer is able to apply a FIGURE FOUR LEGLOCK to get the impressive victory. ***
Jimmy Snuka v. Don Muraco w/Captain Lou Albano Referee: James Beard; Dr. Mike Lano at ringside Muraco runs Snuka into the ring post spitting him wide open before the bell sounds. The sight of his own blood just enrages the Superfly and he unleashes an incredible offensive onslaught onto Muraco with chops, slams, headbutts and backbreakers. A SUPERLY LEAP has the match won but Albano is up on the apron to cause a distraction. He drops a foreign object to Muraco who blasts Snuka with the weapon. The fans are livid but Beard does not see the infraction. Muraco hooks the leg and the fans explode when Snuka kicks out. Muraco regains his focus and plants Snuka with a HAWAIIAN HAMMER for the controversial victory (Snake Eyes). Winner: Don Muraco ***
The action carries on after the bell as Muraco stomps away on the downed Superfly before crushing him with another HAWAIIAN HAMMER. Barry Windham & Sam Houston hit the ring in street clothes to break up the attack.
Bob Backlund v. “Rowdy” Roddy Piper Referee: Morgan Dollar; Dr. Mike Lano at ringside The fans were still buzzing after the last match and the main event takes a few minutes to get going and it is Backlund who gets the upper hand working a scientific attack leading to a CROSSFACE CHICKEN WING for a near submission before Piper makes the ropes. Piper cannot be kept down for long and an eye poke slows Backlund’s attack. It is back and forth from that point and the action goes in and out of the ring. Backlund shows some toughness and that is not afraid to mix it up with Piper during the exchanges on the floor. Backlund gains control once again and uses an ATOMIC DROP to pin Piper. Winner: Bob Backlund ** ½
News and Views: • Congratulations were provided after tonight’s event to Johnny Saint for reclaiming the British Lightweight Title. It was just in time as well as Saint has wrapped up his tour of the territory and will move to compete in the Calgary area. • In other roster news, Tracy Smothers will be leaving the territory as well after a couple of tough outings. Smothers is said to be heading back to the southern United Stares for some tag team action • Maple Leaf Wrestling heads to the one of the meccas in the business next as Canadian Heavyweight Title Tournament will take place at Maple Leaf Gardens. In addition to the tournament action, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Express will battle their classic foes, the Midnight Express in tag team action. • Fans were concerned about the status of Jimmy Snuka for the title tournament after he was attacked by Don Muraco after tonight’s semi-main event. Commissioner Teddy Long has told the fans not to worry and that Snuka will be in action in Toronto. Plus Snuka’s first round opponent in the tournament will be none other that Don Muraco. Get to your seats early folks! • Roddy Piper came up short tonight in the main event and he will be looking to do better in Toronto when he faces Abdullah The Butcher in the opening round of the Canadian Heavyweight Title Tournament. • Bob Backlund will be looking to build on his momentum to date and has to be considered a favourite to win the Title Tournament but he will have to get by The Destroyer in the opening round to do so. • International star Konnan has struggled so far during his time in Maple Leaf Wrestling but he will be looking to correct that path when he takes on the always tough Barry Windham in the opening round of the Title Tournament.
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Post by TTX on Mar 19, 2022 11:21:40 GMT -5
Great win by the Destroyer....the A ring rating for Backlund really helps him against a lot of wrestlers including Piper. Saint quickly wins back the gold...that title could become hotcakes between those two.
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Post by Pariah on Mar 19, 2022 15:33:12 GMT -5
Really looking forward to opening round of the championship tournament... The match between Backlund and The Destroyer truly has show stealing potential... And it's very cool that the rivalry between Snuka and Muraco is boiling towards a critical mass... Waiting for the BOOM!
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Post by bookerbill on Mar 19, 2022 15:39:56 GMT -5
Card 005 – Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto, ON injuries – Jimmy Snuka 1 card
Canadian Heavyweight Title Tournament – Round One
Bob Backlund v. The Destroyer Referee: Morgan Dollar; Dr. Mike Lano at ringside The bell sounds and Backlund counters a side to side headlock and lifts Destroyer into a delayed vertical suplex for a one count. Backlund then applies a CROSSFACE CHICKEN WING and gets the win in less than one minute! Winner: Bob Backlund DUD
Don Muraco w/ Captain Lou Albano v. Jimmy Snuka Referee: Joey Marella; Dr. Mike Lano at ringside Muraco threatens Gary Michael Cappetta and Snuka hits the ring to save the announcer. The Superfly is out for some revenge and dominates the action hitting a SUPERFLY LEAP after only a few minutes. Albano distracts Marella and Muraco is able to get some shots in. Snuka comes back with chops and slams hitting a second SUPERFLY LEAP but Albano gets in the ring. A headbutt sends him spilling to the floor and gets the fans out of their seats. The action only goes a few more moves before Snuka advances with a backbreaker. Winner: Jimmy Snuka ** ½
Abdullah The Butcher v. “Rowdy” Roddy Piper Referee: James Beard; Dr. Mike Lano at ringside This was just as wild and violent as you would expect with these two battling. Butcher gets in an early karate thrust that stuns Piper and gives Butcher the advantage. Things turn around however when Piper bites Butcher multiple times. Butcher escapes to the floor where Dr. Mike Lano moves in for a closeup and his flashbulb explodes. Butcher is blinded and Piper rolls him back into the ring but it Beard only reaches two before Butcher flings his leg onto the ropes. Butcher is in trouble but a foreign object turns the match back in his favour and bloodies Piper. Piper does not go down that easily and battles back including using his own foreign object to bust open Butcher. Piper and Butcher go blow for blow until Piper traps Butcher in a SLEEPER and gets the win. Winner: Roddy Piper ****
Konnan v. Barry Windham Referee: Morgan Dollar; Dr. Mike Lano at ringside This battle started with a handshake then both men went to work in an effort to move on in the tournament. Windham used his size to control but gets caught with a DDT for a near fall. Windham and Konnan exchange counters. At one point, Konnan goes for a standing senton but Windham moves and then catches Konnan with a LARIAT for a crazy near fall. Windham begins to press the attack but Konnan kicks out after another LARIAT making the fans pop. Windham has just too many weapons however and a SWEETWATER SUPLEX finishes it. Winner: Barry Windham ***
Bill Apter hosts a live “Press Conference” interview in the ring and his guest is Captain Lou Albano who first tells us he will be speaking with the Commissioner about Jimmy Snuka attacking Don Muraco before the bell earlier tonight. Albano then introduces the team that will win the Canadian Open Tag Team Title Tournament as “Handsome” Jimmy Valiant and “Luscious” Johnny Valiant, the Valiant Brothers come out for a heat filled Q & A with Apter.
Canadian Heavyweight Title Tournament – Semi Finals
Bob Backlund v. Jimmy Snuka Referee: Morgan Dollar; Dr. Mike Lano at ringside Snuka was fired up from the opening bell and had Backlund down for a SUPERFLY LEAP but could only score a two count. Snuka immediately went back to the top for a second SUPERFLY LEAP and ringside exploded when Backlund raised his shoulder. Backlund really had very little to offer after that a Snuka dominated picking up the victory after a piledriver. Winner: Jimmy Snuka **
“Rowdy” Roddy Piper v. Barry Windham Referee: James Beard; Dr. Mike Lano at ringside Windham has the early control of this one but Piper escapes to the floor. Windham follows and it is costly error as Dr. Mike Lano becomes a human foreign object and shoved in Windham. The distraction gives Piper the opening he needs and moments later he had Windham trapped in a SLEEPER. Windham made the ropes after a lengthy struggle but the move took the fight out the big Texan. Piper controlled the balance of the match and advanced to the final with a second SLEEPER. Winner: Rowdy Piper: * ½
Rock ‘n’ Roll Express (Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson) v. Midnight Express (Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane) w/ Jim Cornette Referee: Morgan Dollar; Dr. Mike Lano at ringside The Midnight Express came out on fire and they were able to focus their attack on Robert Gibson with some impressive double teaming. Gibson and Morton then had their opportunity to showcase their skills and the fans were loving their quick tags and double teaming that kept Stan Lane in hot water. They were not able to finish Lane off however before he was able to get a much needed tag to Eaton who quickly turned things around. Eaton was able avoid Gibson’s charge to the corner leading to a roll up for a big near fall. Eaton came off the top with a cross body but Morton was able to make the save. Eaton went back to the top again and this time landed an elbow. Lane tripped up Morton the Eaton scored the three count. Winner: Midnight Express ***
Canadian Heavyweight Title Tournament – Finals
“Rowdy” Roddy Piper v. Jimmy Snuka Referee: Morgan Dollar; Dr. Mike Lano at ringside Based on the look in Snuka’s eyes, the long history between these two was anything but water under the bridge. Snuka wastes no time in unleashing an offensive flurry on Piper who escape to the floor. Snuka is game and battles Piper at ringside back into the ring. Snuka goes to the top for a SUPERFLY LEAP and gets all of it. Piper kicks out at the last second. Snuka goes back up to the buckles for another one but Piper rolls clear! Both men are down. Piper decides to showcase his own skills and climbs the corner but Snuka counters with a superplex and has control of the action again. Snuka punishes Piper for his past sins in and out of the ring and then crushes him with another SUPERFLY LEAP to claim the victory and the Canadian Heavyweight Title. Winner: Jimmy Snuka ***
News and Views: • The Superfly Jimmy Snuka overcame his injury and survived three of his classic foes to emerge victorious and claim the Canadian Heavyweight Title! • The Valiant Brothers have arrived in the territory and with Captain Lou Albano in their corner, “Luscious” Johnny & “Handsome” Jimmy have made it clear they intend to be the Canadian Open Tag Team champions before long • Speaking of the tag team titles, the Midnight Express were able to get their win back against Rock ‘n’ Roll Express tonight and now have to be considered one of the front runners in the title tournament which will get underway on Ringside television taping in Guelph (Card 06). • In a roster move, it was announced that Dave Taylor had departed the territory and has returned to the United Kingdom.
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Post by TTX on Mar 19, 2022 16:41:55 GMT -5
Piper has been such a bridesmaid.
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Post by Pariah on Mar 19, 2022 17:07:24 GMT -5
Kinda disappointed in that opening match... Maybe The Destroyer was feeling a little under the weather, forcing Backlund to cut things short... Yeah, I will believe that's how things went down.
Superfly is on fire! 🔥
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Post by bookerbill on Mar 19, 2022 17:14:15 GMT -5
Kinda disappointed in that opening match... Maybe The Destroyer was feeling a little under the weather, forcing Backlund to cut things short... Yeah, I will believe that's how things went down. Superfly is on fire! 🔥 Could not agree with you more. Was really hoping for something more out of the Destroyer. Perhaps he was saving his best for his next showdown with Abdullah. Have no fear my friend, if he can get past the Butcher, I am sure that Commissioner Long will be paying attention and The Destroyer will be rewarded accordingly.
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Post by bookerbill on Mar 19, 2022 17:15:02 GMT -5
Piper has been such a bridesmaid. I thought Piper was coming away with the gold. The dice had other ideas.
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Post by bookerbill on Mar 19, 2022 17:20:28 GMT -5
Card 06 – Guelph Memorial Gardens, Guelph, ON – Ringside TV Taping
Ringside 01
Gordon Solie interviews Commissioner Teddy Long who breaks down the Canadian Open Tag Team Title Tournament for us confirming that the finals will take place at Maple Leaf Gardens (Card 10) with eight teams competing in a single elimination tournament that gets underway right now!
Canadian Open Tag Team Title Tournament Match – Round One: Rock ‘n’ Roll Express (Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson) v. The Valiant Brothers (“Handsome” Jimmy Valiant & “Luscious” Johnny Valiant) w/Captain Lou Albano Referee: Morgan Dollar Dollar has strict instructions for both sides. The Valiants work from the outset to get Gibson cut off from his corner when Jimmy Valiant counters a body slam. “Handsome” Jimmy works over Gibson along with his partner leading to a SUPER ELBOW. Morton is able to make the save but “Luscious” Johnny immediately follows with a SPINNING NECKBREAKER and the Express are out in a shocker! Winners: Valiant Brothers *
Bill Apter stops by and presents the rankings
Canadian Heavyweight Champion – Jimmy Snuka 1. Roddy Piper 2. Bob Backlund 3. Destroyer 4. Don Muraco 5. Barry Windham 6. Abdullah The Butcher 7. Jerry Brisco 8. Bruiser Costa 9. The Spoiler 10. Konnan
Canadian Open Tag Team Title Tournament Match – Round One: Texas Hangmen (Psycho & Killer) v. Vachons (Mad Dog Vachon & Butcher Vachon) Referee: Morgan Dollar The Hangmen strike before Gary Michael Cappetta can finish his introductions. The action never let up and it was mayhem from bell to bell. Vachon picked up a near fall on Psycho after a double foot stomp. The Hangmen used their double teaming to get control. The Vachon battled back and Dollar went down (six moves) during which times the Vachon had control. A big splash from Butcher Vachon to Killer did not get the win before the Hangmen pulled a “swtich”. The Hangmen made use of their bull rope but could not maintain the advantage before the action went to the floor. Killer and Mad Dog brawled on the apron and a backdrop sent Vachon back inside the ropes just as Dollar reached his ten count. The action carried on after the match until security came out to break things up. Winners: Vachons by count-out. ****
Canadian Heavyweight Champion Jimmy Snuka is interviewed by Gordon Solie and speaks his mind about the fans support (lots of love) and Don Muraco (lots of payback) before heading to the ring.
Non-Title Match – Canadian Heavyweight Champion Jimmy Snuka v. Bruiser Costa Referee: James Beard Costa proved that he belonged in the top ten and looked to make the most of his non-title opportunity taking the battle to Snuka from the open bell. Costa punished the champion with knees, slams and a swinging neckbreaker for a huge near fall. With the fans behind him, Snuka rallied and took over the action leading to a SUPERFLY LEAP. Costa shocked the fans with a last second kick out. Snuka was could not believe it but did not lose his advantage carrying on his attack with a deathjump headbutt, slam and finally a leap frog and chop for the win. Winner: Jimmy Snuka ** ½
Ringside 02
Angelo Poffo v. Jake “The Milkman” Milliman Referee: Joey Marella This was a complete squash match with Poffo getting the win in under a minute after a top rope neck snap. Winner: Angelo Poffo. DUD
Danny Hodge and Jerry Brisco stop in with Gordon Solie to talk about their decision to team up for the title tournament but the Midnight Express jump them from behind starting a wild brawl
Canadian Open Tag Team Title Tournament Match – Round One: Midnight Express (Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane) w/Jim Cornette v. Danny Hodge & Jerry Brisco Referee: Dick Woerhle The fight carries on to the ring as the bell sounds as Lane tosses Brisco under the ropes after slamming him onto the floor. Lane covers for two. The action goes back outside after a running lariat from Lane. Back in the ring, Lane executes a RUSSIAN LEGSWEEP for the controversial three count. Winners: Midnight Express: DUD
Cornette and the Express grab Gordon Solie for a post-match heat gaining interview segment!
Canadian Open Tag Team Title Tournament Match – Round One: Sheepherders (Butch Miller & Luke Williams) v. Sam Houston & Barry Windham Referee: Dick Woehrle This was shocker. Windham had control against Miller but a defensive tag to Williams lead to a back elbow ram which was enough to drop Windham for the three count (Snake Eyes)! Winner: Sheepherders DUD
Ringside 03
Spoiler v. Ron Hutchison Referee: Morgan Dollar Hutchison had the fans solidly behind him and he looked very good early on including a Kiwi Roll and several snap mares. Spoiler uses his size to eventually take over the match but Hutchison was able to make the ropes to escape a BIONIC CLAW. The fans loved it, but Spoiler just became more intense from that point including a rope-walk smash, elbows, knees and suplexes. It was a double underhook suplex that put Hutchison down for the three count. Winner: The Spoiler *
The Spoiler is interviewed by Gordon Solie and he has a lot to say about his victories in recent weeks and questions why he was not included in the Canadian Heavyweight Title Tournament suggesting it was only a matter of time before he was champion
Canadian Open Tag Team Title Tournament Match – Semi-Finals: The Valiant Brothers (“Handsome” Jimmy Valiant & “Luscious” Johnny Valiant) w/Captain Lou Albano v. Vachons (Mad Dog Vachon & Butcher Vachon) Referee: Morgan Dollar The official attempts to deliver strict instructions before this one gets underway. Dollar can just barely maintain control. Butcher Vachon uses his size to take on both Valiant Brothers but is a double team sneak attack that really gets the momentum going. A double foot stomp to “Luscious” Johnny gets on a two count. The Valiant gets some offense in before Butcher Vachon smashes Jimmy Valiant with a chair during a brawl on the floor. Mad Dog Vachon does some more damage with a Mad Dog Pounce to “Handsome” Jimmy and then connects with a double foot stomp for the win when Albano cannot distract Dollar from making the three count. Winners: Vachons **
Canadian Open Tag Team Title Tournament Match – Semi Final: Sheepherders (Butch Miller & Luke Williams) v. Midnight Express (Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane) w/Jim Cornette Referee: Morgan Dollar The pre-match rantings of Cornette appear to get under the skin of the official. The Sheepherders are on point in the early action. Miller catches Lane with a back elbow ram for a near fall and then is joined by Williams for a RUNNING KNEE SMASH. Eaton makes the save and the action continues. Lane is finally able to get a tag but the Sheepherders stay in control. A double sledge from Williams gets a two count. Eaton bails and Williams comes out after him but Eaton is ready and bounces Williams’ head off the ringside table. Dollar calls for the bell and the Express are out via disqualification. Winners: Sheepherders by disqualification. * ½
Jim Cornette leads the Midnight Express directly to Gordon Solie after the match to rant about the officiating. The Rock ‘n’ Roll Express arrive and a donnybrook breaks out. The brawl spreads to the arena and involves chairs and tables. The Express are left laying as the show ends!
Ringside 04
Bob Backlund v. Frogman LeBlanc Referee: Morgan Dollar Backlund controls the entire match and gets the three count with a delayed vertical suplex. Winner: Bob Backlund DUD
Don Muraco & Captain Lou Albano are interviewed by Gordon Solie and have lots to say about Canadian Heavyweight Champion Jimmy Snuka but is distracted by the Beach Bum chant that starts. A furious Muraco storms to the ring…
Don Muraco w/Captain Lou Albano v. Nacho Barrera Referee: Joey Marella Maybe it was the fans chanting, but Muraco was off his game early on and Barrera was able to get some significant offense in including a backdrop to the floor that really got the fans going. However, Muraco was eventually able to get control sending Barrera into the ring post shoulder first. Muraco was ruthless from that point wearing down Barrera with a pair of Asiatic Spikes and eventually picked up the win with an over-the-shoulder backbreaker. Winner: Don Muraco **
“Rowdy” Roddy Piper v. Johnny Rodz Referee: James Beard Piper gets a quick start and connects with a bulldog that bounces his opponent’s head off the mat. A back suplex follows and Piper covers for the quick win. Winner: Roddy Piper DUD.
Dark Match
Canadian Heavyweight Champion Jimmy Snuka, Sam Houston & Barry Windham v. Don Muraco & The Valiant Brothers (“Handsome” Jimmy Valiant & “Luscious” Johnny Valiant) Referee: Dick Woehrle The fans are treated to an intense exchange between Snuka and Muraco right out of the gate. Johnny Valiant gets into the match but is cut off by Houston & Windham. Tags between the Valiant Brothers does not turn the momentum. Muraco wants nothing to do with the Superfly and it is “Luscious” Johnny who gets caught with a deathjump head butt from Snuka for the three count. Winners: Jimmy Snuka, Barry Windham & Sam Houston. *
News and Views • The finals of the Canadian Open Tag Team Title Tournament is set as The Vachons will take on The Sheepherders as part of the upcoming Maple Leaf Wrestling show (Card 10) after tandems survived two rounds of action. The Sheepherders hold two victories over the Vachons already (once by disqualification as part of wild six-man tag team encounter in Hamilton) so they are the favourites heading into Toronto. • The other big story coming out of the Ringside tapings is the injuries to the Midnight Express after a wild brawl with the Rock ‘n’ Roll Express. The intensity between these two teams was on full display during the brawl which saw both teams make use of chairs but it was Stan Lane & Bobby Eaton who ended up getting the worse of things. Jim Cornette was uncharacteristically tight lipped with respect to the status of his team after the event. It is unknown if the Express will miss any time from ring action. • Maple Leaf Wrestling will roll into Niagara Falls next for a huge event at the Niagara Falls Memorial Arena that will be headlined by a huge six-man tag team war as Canadian Heavyweight Champion Jimmy Snuka joins forces with Rock ‘n’ Roll Express to battle Captain Lou Albano’s side of The Valiant Brothers & Don Muraco. • The ongoing feud between The Destroyer & Abdullah The Butcher will carry on in Niagara Falls when the two clash in a Texas Death Match! This one could get bloody. • Bob Backlund has signed to complete in Niagara Falls and will take on “Playboy” Buddy Rose in singles action • Sam Houston looks to move up the rankings when he takes on the always confident Spoiler • In a battle of light heavyweights, Jerry Brisco challenge newcomer Angelo Poffo • The Birdman will be action at the Memorial Arena and will take on J.J. Dillon. These two battled in Oshawa and Dillon came away with a controversial disqualification victory and Koko B. Ware will be looking for some payback in Niagara Falls.
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