Booker Bill's Maple Leaf Wrestling Reboot

[bookerbill]

Card 011 – Brantford & District Civic Centre, Brantford, ON – Ringside TV taping
Injuries: Stan Lane 1 card; Bobby Eaton 1 card; Jimmy Snuka 2 cards

Ringside 5

Jim Londos v. Frogman Leblanc
Referee: Morgan Dollar
Londos makes his debut and the fans welcome him to the territory with a great ovation. He gets the easy win with a crotch lift & slam. Winner: Jim Londos DUD

Bill Apter presents the rankings

Canadian Heavyweight Champion: The Destroyer (3)
1. Jimmy Snuka (CDN)
2. Bob Backlund (2)
3. Don Muraco (4)
4. The Spoiler (9)
5. Barry Windham (5)
6. Sam Houston (-)
7. George “The Animal” Steele (-)
8. “Wild” Bull Curry (-)
9. Abdullah The Butcher (6)
10. “Playboy” Buddy Rose (-)

Canadian Open Tag Team Champions: Vachons
1. Midnight Express
2. Sheepherders
3. Rock ‘n’ Roll Express
4. Valiant Brothers
5. Danny Hodge & Jerry Brisco

Bob Backlund stops in with Gordon Solie and speaks about his loss to Don Muraco telling the fans next time he faces Muraco he will be ready for anything. Suddenly, Angelo Poffo arrives and attacks Backlund from behind. The two brawl their way to the ring.

Bob Backlund v. Angelo Poffo
Referee: Morgan Dollar
Poffo’s pre-match attack gives him the advantage early on but it is not too long before Backlund uses his skills to seize control of the action. It become a showcase of Backlund’s holds and counters but Poffo proves difficult to put away kicking out after ROLLING BACKBRIDGE and later after a wicked looking piledriver. The finish comes when Backlund executes another ROLLING BACKBRIDGE for the three count. Winner: Bob Backlund * ½

Non-Title Match – Canadian Heavyweight Champion The Destroyer v. J.J. Dillon
Referee : Dick Woehrle
Dillon pushes the champion early on and earns some heat when he runs Destroyer into the ringside table. Destroyer returns the favour later on and then nails back to back Bombs Away for a near fall. Dillon is in trouble and has no counter when Destroyer traps him in a FIGURE FOUR LEGLOCK. Winner: The Destroyer. **

Ringside 6

Jimmy Snuka v. George South
Referee: Dick Woehrle
Snuka has the fans on their feet as he comes to the ring. South quickly flees to the floor and Snuka follows. South decides that going after Snuka with a chair is a wise choice but it costs him the match via disqualification. Snuka shakes off the blow and South decides to run for his life. Winner: Jimmy Snuka by disqualification DUD

Jimmy Snuka is interviewed by Gordon Solie and hypes his rematch with Canadian Heavyweight Champion The Destroyer in Oshawa (Card 12) and always warns Captain Lou Albano and his men that the Superfly is coming for them brother!

The Spoiler v. Barry Windham
Referee: James Beard
Spoiler received some serious heat when he rammed Windham into the ring post early on busting him open. The fans were seriously concerned for Windham but he managed to roll through a deathjump for a near fall. However, he was too slow going to the top himself and Spoiler slammed him to the mat to regain control. Windham kept battling but Spoiler continued to beat him down just when it looked like Windham might break through. Windham finally explodes with an offensive attack in and out of the ring leading to a SWEETWATER SUPERPLEX. Beard just gets in the three count before Spoiler gets his shoulder up and the masked competitor complains about the count. Winner: Barry Windham **

The Spoiler carries on his protest with Gordon Solie challenging Barry Windham to a rematch. A bloodied Windham comes back out and accepts he challenge for the Peterborough event (Card 13).

Teddy Long comes out and announces a Steel Cage Match between George “The Animal” Steele & “Wild” Bull Curry at Maple Leaf Gardens (Card 15).

Non-Title Match – Canadian Open Tag Team Champions Vachons (Mad Dog Vachon & Butcher Vachon) v. Texas Hangmen (Killer & Psycho)
Referee: Joey Marella
The story in this one was the Champions dominating the action but the Hangmen doing enough to stick around. Psycho was cut off for a stretch and took a Mad Dog Pounce and later survived a HANGMAN from Butcher Vachon. Killer was able to get into the action but the momentum did not turn. Butcher was a force and Psycho had to save his partner from a HANGMAN and later after a big splash. The action went to the floor and the Killer attacked Butcher Vachon with his bullrope. Marella called for the bell and the Hangmen proceeded to beat down the champions after the match. Security arrives before anyone is injured. Winners: Vachons by disqualification ***

Ringside 7

Hugh Morrus v. Johnny Rodz
Referee: Morgan Dollar
Morrus seems to have some trouble getting a run of moves together which leads to the competitors crashing together in the corner. Morrus is up first and ends it with a NO LAUGHING MATTER. Winner: Hugh Morrus. DUD

Captain Lou Albano leads Don Muraco & The Valiant Brothers out to a heat gaining interview with Gordon Solie directed at Jimmy Snuka and the fans as well. A Beach Bum chant sends Muraco over the edge!

Don Muraco & The Valiant Brothers (“Handsome” Jimmy Valiant & “Luscious” Johnny Valiant) w/Captain Lou Albano v. Nacho Barreta, Jake “The Milkman” Milliman & “Sodbuster” Kenny Jay
Referee: Joey Marella
The Valiant Brothers were clearly in no mood to mess around punishing Jay from the opening bell not allow him to tag out. “Luscious” Johnny tosses Jay to the floor and then smashes him with a chair. Marella is not impressed and calls for the disqualification. The fans are thrilled but Albano and his men are furious chasing Marella from the ring and then beating down all three of their opponents leaving Barrera, Milliman and Jay in a heap in the middle of the ring: Winners: Nacho Barreta, Jake Milliman & Kenny Jay by disqualification. DUD

Sam Houston v. “Playboy” Buddy Rose
Referee: Joey Marella
Rose took over early on after having issues with the weight he was announced at. Houston drew on the fans support and made an impressive comeback leading to a deathjump that took out Marella (10). Rose dominated when the official was out hitting his INSIDE BACKBREAKER but the action carried on. Houston had some brief moments but the balance of the action was really dictated by Rose who picked up the win after another INSIDE BACKBREAKER. Winner: Buddy Rose **

Ringside 8

“Wild” Bull Curry v. Ron Hutchison
Referee: Joey Marella
Hutchison showed some skills and picked up a near fall on Curry early on with a smash from the start. Curry takes over after that and battered Hutchison inside and outside the ring using foreign objects and chairs along the way. Curry made use of a chair for the second time in the match and that was enough for Joey Marella who ended the match on a disqualification. Winner: Ron Hutchison by disqualification. *

Jerry Brisco is interviewed by Gordon Solie and thanks the fans for their continued support.

Jerry Brisco v. Bruiser Costa
Referee: Morgan Dollar
Costa was able to survive an early technical attack from Brisco and take over the match with his size advantage. The match was long, perhaps too long for many of the fans in attendance. Brisco survived THE CLAW but the fans were disengaged by that point and this one ended with a count-out after Costa body slammed Brisco onto the floor. Winner: Bruiser Costa by count-out. *

Danny Hodge v. John Pesek
Refeee: James Beard
Hodge wastes no time getting to work after the handshake and quickly gets a near fall after a knee lift stuns Pesek. Pesek is not allowed to recover before Hodge puts him to the mat with an OKLAHOMA SIDE ROLL for the three count. Winner: Danny Hodge DUD

Dark Match: Bob Backlund, Jim Londos & Jimmy Snuka v. Don Muraco & The Valiant Brothers (“Handsome” Jimmy Valiant & “Luscious” Johnny Valiant) w/ Captain Lou Albano
Referee: James Beard
The Valiant Brothers showcase their tag team skills managing to cut off Jim Londos but not before Snuka was able to get some shots in against the “Handsome” Jimmy and “Luscious” Johnny early on. Muraco wants nothing to do with the superfly but is willing to get into the ring after a DOUBLE CLOTHESLINE gets a near fall on Londos. Londos is able to get out of trouble and Snuka is back in against Jimmy Valiant. They go to the floor and a wild brawl results in Valiant smashing Snuka with a chair. They work over Snuka for a few moves with Muraco getting some offense in but Snuka comes back and hot tags in Backlund who gets a near fall on Muraco with a delayed vertical suplex and then finishes Muraco with an ATOMIC DROP. Winners: Bob Backlund, Jim Londos & Jimmy Snuka *** ½

News and Views:
• A couple of debuts tonight as Hugh Morrus and Jim Londos joint the Maple Leaf Wrestling circuit. Londos appears to be immediately in the main event picture joining Jimmy Snuka & Bob Backlund in the six-man tag team dark match tonight
• It was announced that after his loss tonight, John Pesek will be departing the territory to compete in the eastern United States.
• The next Maple Leaf Wrestling event will be at the Civic Auditorium in Oshawa and the card will be stacked. As part of the undercard, “Wild” Bull Curry will be looking for some payback when he steps back into the ring with George “The Animal” Steele after dropping a wild Texas Death Match at Maple Leaf Gardens (Card 015). We already know the two will meet in a Steel Cage at Maple Leaf Gardens but in Oshawa they will clash in a Brass Knuckles Match! Curry is a master of this match and Steele might not make it to Toronto
• The feud between Midnight Express & Rock ‘n’ Roll Express will be featured as the semi-main event encounter in Oshawa as Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson look get back into their feud with Jim Cornette’s team after dropping two straight matches to the Midnight Express.
• Sam Houston continued to struggle during tonight’s taping against “Playboy” Buddy Rose but he will get another opportunity against Rose as part of the Oshawa card.
• Abdullah The Butcher has signed to appear in Oshawa and will step into the ring with foreign superstar Konnan in singles action. Konnan has struggled in his matches to date but will a win over the always dangerous Butcher be the start of a run for Konnan?
• Hugh Morrus will be back in action in Oshawa and will take on J.J. Dillon as both men look to build some momentum.
• The main event in Oshawa will see Canadian Heavyweight Champion The Destroyer defend the title against Jimmy Snuka in a return match from Maple Leaf Gardens. Will Snuka have the focus to reclaim his title or will the shadow of his quest for revenge against Don Muraco be too much of a distraction?

[TTX]

Costa with the mild upset, Windham gets a nice win and Hodge with a surprisingly easy win.

[Pariah]

Coming off a high profile victory over the Hot Rod, it looks like The Spoiler gave Windham a run for his money... And it's great to see that Backlund rebounded quickly from his recent loss to Muraco... That six-man dark match delivered the goods.

Also want to mention that I really enjoy your rankings update... This is something that I wish I was better at updating regularly (or at all, for that matter) in my own feds... Nice work!

[cruefan68]

I had a lot to catch up on. You are killing it with this fed my friend. Great booking of the events imo.

I'm really liking the journey of Bruiser Costa. That was a huge win, even by count out, over Jerry Brisco. I also loved seeing Don Muraco get that win over Bob Backlund not to mention The Spoiler beating Roddy Piper. You never know where the dice will lad you and that's not a bad thing, that's a good thing!

[bookerbill]

Mar 27, 2022 15:34:22 GMT -5 TTX said:

Costa with the mild upset, Windham gets a nice win and Hodge with a surprisingly easy win.

Thanks for the comments

The way Pesek lost was a contributing factor to my decision to move him out of the active roster.

[bookerbill]

Mar 27, 2022 16:17:44 GMT -5 Pariah said:

Coming off a high profile victory over the Hot Rod, it looks like The Spoiler gave Windham a run for his money... And it's great to see that Backlund rebounded quickly from his recent loss to Muraco... That six-man dark match delivered the goods.

Also want to mention that I really enjoy your rankings update... This is something that I wish I was better at updating regularly (or at all, for that matter) in my own feds... Nice work!

Thanks for the feedback. Glad you like the rankings. it takes a few minutes to update but it is fun to post and track

[bookerbill]

Card 012 – Civic Auditorium, Oshawa, ON
Injuries: Jimmy Snuka 1 card

Sheepherders (Butch Miller & Luke Williams) v. Valiant Brothers (“Handsome” Jimmy Valiant & “Luscious” Johnny Valiant) w/Captain Lou Albano
Referee: Morgan Dollar; Dr. Mike Lano at ringside
A really fun opener that went back and forth. Sheepherders looked very impressive early on focusing their attack on “Luscious” Johnny leading to a DOUBLE GUTTBUSTER but Valiant kicked out at the last second. The Valiant Brothers made their comeback and managed to keep Butch Miller in the ring. Miller managed to kick out after a running lariat from Jimmy Valiant but a SUPER ELBOW lands. Williams save is blocked and Johnny Valiant gets the three count. Winners: Valiant Brothers **

Abdullah The Butcher v. Konnan
Referee: James Beard; Dr. Mike Lano at ringside
Butcher struck early with his foreign object and Konnan was quickly a bloody mess. Several karate thrusts to the throat did serious damage but Konnan managed knock Butcher off the second rope and suddenly it was a match. Konnan’s fire in the comeback had the fans out of their seats. Outside, Konnan smashed Butcher with a chair spilling more blood. Butcher refused to go down every after a power bomb into jackknife that was incredible to behold. Butcher lands a foreign object blow late that has the fans livid but Konnan catches Butcher with a DDT out of nowhere and it is enough for the victory. Winner: Konnan *****

J.J. Dillon v. Hugh Morrus
Referee: Morgan Dollar; Dr. Mike Lano at ringside
After the lengthy bloody battle of the previous match, this one ended quickly. Dillon looked to be in control but Morrus countered a clothesline with one of his own sending both men to the mat. As they regained their feet, Morrus hit No Joke for the three count. Winner: Hugh Morrus. DUD

Sam Houston v. “Playboy” Buddy Rose
Referee: Joey Marella; Dr. Mike Lano at ringside
Rose had the fans up in arms demanding to be announced at 219 pounds and the fans were very pleased when Houston takes the fight to Rose, cracking him with a chair shot at ringside. Back in the ring, Houston nails Rose with a BULLDOG for the win in only minutes. Winner: Sam Houston DUD

“Wild” Bull Curry v. George “The Animal” Steele
Referee: Morgan Dollar; Dr. Mike Lano at ringside
Curry strikes before Gary Michael Cappetta can finish his introductions attacking Steele in the floor but it is Curry that ends up eating the ringside table. The action does not stay in the ring for long and the fight spills in and out of the ring. The table comes back into play again and this time Steele goes through the table in the middle of the ring. Curry uses multiple SERIES OF PUNCHES to leave Steele in a bloody mess before a chair smash knocks him out cold. Winner: Bull Curry ***

Rock ‘n’ Roll Express (Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson) v. Midnight Express (Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane) w/Jim Cornette
Referee: Joey Morella; Dr. Mike Lano at ringside
Robert Gibson is joined by Morton earlier for leg puller and punch on Eaton but that was about the end of the offense for the Rock ‘n’ Roll Express as Eaton and Lane took over, keeping Gibson in the ring and ending it with a VEG-O-MATIC. Winner: Midnight Express *

Canadian Heavyweight Title – The Destroyer [ch] v. Jimmy Snuka
Referee: James Beard; Dr. Mike Lano at ringside
The fans are electric from the outset for this one. Despite his lingering injury, Snuka gets the advantage and Snuka leads to a SUPERFLY LEAP. Destroyer gets the shoulder up but Snuka heads to the top making hit back to back SUPERFLY LEAPS. Destroyer kicks out at 2 ¾. The fans are out of their seats in disbelief. Destroyer finds a way to get back into the action working Snuka over in and out of the ring. Snuka kicks out of cover after a handstand knee drop. It is back and forth down Snuka firing with chops but Destroyer hits a backbreaker, hooks the leg and retains the title. Winner: Destroyer – Title Defense V.1 ****.

News and Views
• The Destroyer and Jimmy Snuka tear it up in tonight’s main event and Destroyer retains the championship and will be now looking forward to his next Title Defence which will take place at the Convention Centre in Hamilton (Card 14) against Bob Backlund
• The Midnight of Express have almost put the Rock ‘n’ Roll Express behind them and have one eye on future opportunity at the Canadian Tag Team Championship down the road
• Speaking of the Canadian Open Tag Team Championship, The Vachons will make their first title defense against The Sheepherders when Maple Leaf Wrestling rolls into Brock Arena in Peterborough, Ontario (Card 13)
• Also in Peterborough, the feud between Jimmy Snuka and Don Muraco rekindles when the two men clash one on one for the first time since Muraco and company injured the Superfly which likely contributed to Snuka losing the Canadian Heavyweight Title
• Bull Curry looked very impressive in his thrashing of George Steele. The two will clash inside a steel cage at Maple Leaf Gardens (Card 15) but before then, a Titan Death Match has been signed for the event in Hamilton
• In what should be a technical classis, Danny Hodge will test his skills against Bob Backlund in Peterborough
• Barry Windham and The Spoiler will clash in a battle of contenders in Peterborough with both men looking for a move up to the top contenders spot
• Bruiser Costa looks to keep his improbable winning ways going in Peterborough when he battles Jerry Brisco in a rematch from their Ringside encounter.

[TTX]

Nice win by the Midnights and glad to see Destroyer grab another win over Snuka.

[Pariah]

The Destroyer continues to look strong in his rematch against Superfly, but he's gotta a tough challenge coming up... Have to admit that I'll be surprised if Backlund does not leave Hamilton with the belt in his possession.

The Sheepherders needed that win over the Valiants to give them some momentum heading into their title shot against the Vachons... And I was super impressed with Konnan, who survived the Butcher's onslaught to emerge triumphant from that bloody showdown.

Can Bruiser Costa secure his status with another victory over Jerry Brisco? Fun stuff, as always!

[bookerbill]

Card 013 – Brock Arena, Peterborough, ON

Jerry Brisco v. Bruiser Costa
Referee: Joey Marella; Dr. Mike Lano at ringside
The skills of Brisco were on full display in this one from bell to bell as the he dominated the action including using a pair of FIGURE FOUR LEGLOCKS. Costa proved very difficult to put away reaching the ropes both times and kicking out after several pin attempts. Costa had a few moments when he powered his way into control including the late action where Costa used a knee drop and neck snap to down his opponent. Costa then blasted Brisco with a FOREIGN OBJECT but Marella saw whole thing and immediately called for the disqualification. Costa is not happy and the fans give it to him as well. Winner: Jerry Brisco by disqualification. ***

Jim Londos v. Angelo Poffo
Referee: Joey Marella; Dr. Mike Lano at ringside
There was some intensity to this match as Poffo took control with forearms and ruffed up Londos in and out of the ring before Londos fired up and bounced Poffo’s face off the ringside table. The battle went to floor late and Poffo grabbed a chair but Londos took the weapons and used it himself. Poffo was reeling as he crawled back into the ring where Londos finished with a BOSTON CRAB. Winner: Jim Londos. * ½

Rock ‘n’ Roll Express (Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson) v. Midnight Express (Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane) w/Jim Cornette
Referee: Dick Woerhle; Dr. Mike Lano at ringside
This match did not go long enough for the fans but the action was non stop as Morton battled Eaton fro the outset and the match spilled to the floor where Eaton smashed Cornette’s racket into the midsection of the Morton earing a disqualification. Both teams brawled after the bell and dropkicks sent Eaton and Lane spilling to the floor and then a double dropkick sent Cornette flying as well as the fans ate it up. Winner by disqualification Rock ‘n’ Roll Express **

Bob Backlund v. Danny Hodge
Referee: Morgan Dollar; Dr. Mike Lano at ringside
Handshake started the action and both men set in thrilling the fans with their counter wrestling as the action when back and forth. Backlund was able to capitalize on his size advantage and attacked with a series of forearms and used the Boston Crab several times. Hodge showed his legendary toughness and battled back with knee lifts and a pair of Cobra Clutch suplexes that slammed Backlund’s skull into the mat! Late in the action, Backlund rebounded off the ropes and nearly stole the win with an inside cradle. As Hodge regained his feet, Backlund was ready with an ATOMIC DROP for the three count (Snake Eyes). Handshake after the match draws a great ovation for both men. Winner: Bob Backlund. ***

The Spoiler v. Barry Windham
Referee: Morgan Dollar; Dr. Mike Lano at ringside
Dollar has strict instruction for both men before the bell. There was plenty of action from bell to bell in this one as the fans were on the edge of their seats. Spoiler took control about mid way through the match and trapped Windham in the BIONIC CLAW. The big Texan managed to get a foot on the ropes to keep the action going. Spoiler landed a rope-walk smash that had the cameras going at ringside. Speaking of cameras, Dr. Mike Lano become a human foreign object at one point when Windham shove him to Spoiler during a brawl on the floor. With the fans cheering, Windham made an impressive comeback including rolling through a deathjump smash for a near fall and later getting another two count after a SWEETWATER SUPLEX. The action spilled back to the floor. Spoiler grabbed a chair but Windham kicked him low and then took the chair and smashed Spoiler with it. The fans loved it, Morgan Dollar did not. The bell sounded and both men traded blows until officials came out for a pull apart. Winner: The Spoiler by disqualification. ***

Don Muraco w/Captain Lou Albano v. Jimmy Snuka
Referee: Morgan Dollar; Dr. Mike Lano at ringside
Dollar sends Albano packing as soon as he comes to ringside and an enraged Muraco attacks Snuka before the bell. Snuka fires back with chops and it is a wild brawl. Outside, Snuka smashes Muraco with a chair and the fans love it. Snuka comes of the top with a deathjump headbutt. Muraco takes a breather but Snuka is ready when he gets back into the ring. SUPERLY LEAP lands. Muraco is finished but The Valiant Brothers hit the ring and attack Snuka. Dollar calls for the bell is on the end of a beat down until Bob Backlund, Barry Windham and Jim Londos arrive to break things up before Snuka is injured. Winner: Jimmy Snuka by disqualification**

Canadian Open Tag Team Title Match – Vachons (Butcher Vachon & Mad Dog Vachon) [ch] v. Sheepherders (Butch Miller & Luke Williams)
Referee: Morgan Dollar; Dr. Mike Lano
The Sheepherders were all over Dollar and the official is hot. This is wild affair with both men using double teaming and brawling over the ring and ringside. Williams and Miller combine for a DOUBLE GUTBUSTER on Butcher Vachon for a near fall but Mad Dog is able to get back into the match and a double foot stomp is enough to put away Williams. Winners: Vachons – Title Defense V.1 **

News and Views:
• After non-finishes at the Ringside taping and tonight, Jerry Brisco & Bruiser Costa will look to settle things at Maple Leaf Gardens (Card 15) when the two clash in a Texas Death Match
• There appears to be some serious heat building between The Spoiler and Barry Windham after the two engaged in intense battle tonight with a disqualification finish. The two will meet once again as part of the upcoming Maple Leaf Gardens event.
• The classic feud between the Rock ‘n’ Roll Express and Midnight Express appears to be anything but over after the ending to their match tonight. It remains to be seen if Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane have done enough to solidify their position as the next contenders for the Canadian Open Tag Team Titles or not
• Another wild finish in a bout between Don Muraco and Jimmy Snuka as this feud shows no signs of cooling off anytime soon. The two will meet again at Maple Leaf Gardens in Fijian Strap Match!
• Bob Backlund picked up an impressive victory tonight and will be looking to carry that momentum into Hamilton (Card 14) where he will challenge The Destroyer for the Canadian Heavyweight Title.
• After their loss tonight, The Sheepherders have departed the territory.
• The Canadian Open Tag Team Champions will be back in action in Hamilton as they look to get some payback against Texas Hangmen after the wild finish to their battle at the Ringside taping.
• Also part of the Hamilton event, “Playboy” Buddy Rose continues his undercard feud with Sam Houston.