Booker Bill's Maple Leaf Wrestling Reboot

[TTX]

Sheepherders almost pulled it off. Hodge/Backlund sounds like a fun matchup to do at some point.

[bookerbill]

Card 014 – Hamilton Convention Centre, Hamilton, ON

Shawn Daivari v. Henry Irslinger
Referee: Morgan Dollar; Dr. Mike Lano at ringside
With only a few matches announced for tonight’s card the fans were surprized to get a clash of two newcomers to open the night. Both men were looking to make a give impressive and it was the mat skills of Irslinger that ruled the early action between the competitors after Morgan Dollar had given both men some strict instructions. Daivari picked up the pace and took over the match hitting not one, but back to back WMD but Irslinger found the resolve to get the shoulder off the mat. The action went back and forth late until Irslinger caught Daivari with a toehold to get the submission. Winner: Henry Irslinger ** ½

“Terrible Turk” Yusuf Ismail v. Konnan
Referee: James Beard; Dr. Mike Lano at ringside
Konnan has had his share of hardcore battles in his career and he does not shy away from brawling in and out of the ring. Konnan cracks Ismail with a chair outside the ring and then hits a NIAGARA DRIVER in the middle of the ring to give Ismail a loss in his debut. Winner: Konnan. DUD

Abdullah The Butcher w/Shawn Daivari v. Hugh Morrus
Referee: Morgan Dollar; Dr. Mike Lano at ringside
Butcher and Daivari are all over Dollar before the bell and the official looks shaken up. Interesting battle of the big men but it was Morrus using some high risk moves that gave an early advantage. Butcher took over after a missed charge to the buckle and used karate thrusts to punish Morrus. Morrus came back and landed NO LAUGHING MATTER but could not get the three count. Things ended up on the floor and Butcher was disqualified when he used a chair on Morrus. Both men continued to fight as security and officials came out to break things up. Winner: Hugh Morrus by disqualification. **

Non-Title Texas Death Match – Canadian Open Tag Team Champions Vachons (Mad Dog Vachon & Butcher Vachon) v. Texas Hangmen (Psycho & Killer)
Referee: Morgan Dollar; Dr. Mike Lano at ringside
Psycho and Killer threaten Gary Michael Cappetta before the bell but the Vachons hit the ring and attack their opponents. The action was violent, bloody and intense. The Hangmen had their double teaming skills on full display as the cut off Butcher Vachon and soon had him a bloodied mess. They could not put the larger Vachon away before Mad Dog Vachon stepped into the match and the violence only picked up. Psycho ate the ring post and Mad Dog looked to be in control when he broke out the tables as the fans roared but it was Vachon who went through the wood when Psycho moved clear. Psycho then used a turnbuckle wrench to bloody Vachon who was in serious trouble. Vachon could not find a away to get the tag and the Hangmen put him away with double ax handle from Killer. Winner: Texas Hangmen ****

Sam Houston v. “Playboy” Buddy Rose
Referee: Joey Marella; Dr. Mike Lano at ringside
Rose gives the fans some contrast to the last encounter getting heat and laughs with his demanded to be announced at 219 pounds. Houston keeps the fans happy when he survives the early exchanges and begins to work over the arm of Rose and then transitions to standing toeholds. The pace picks up both men go for a clothesline at the same time and crash together in a heap. Rose appears to be on his feet first but he stumbles into a BULLDOG from Houston and that is it. Winner: Sam Houston. * ½

Texas Death Match – “Wild” Bull Curry v. George “The Animal” Steele
Referee: Dick Woehrle; Dr. Mike Lano at ringside
This is a total squash from the opening bell as Curry batters Steele in and out of the ring including using a chair and then BRASS KNUCKLES to get the pin. Winner: Bull Curry DUD

Canadian Heavyweight Title Match – The Destroyer [ch] v. Bob Backlund
Referee: James Beard; Dr. Mike Lano at ringside
Handshake gets the action started and they exchange holds. Destroyer gets the advantage and follows a whip to the corner with a kick. Backlund gets caught in a backbreaker for a two count and Destroyer then lands a Bombs Away. Backlund is stunned and the champion applied a FIGURE FOUR LEGLOCK and retains the title. Winner: The Destroyer – Title Defense V.2 DUD

News and Views:
• One of the major stories out of tonight’s action is the victory of the Texas Hangmen over Canadian Open Tag Team Champions Vachon Brothers in a bloody war that left many of the fans shocked. The Vachon’s may be regretting requesting this Texas Death showdown with the Hangmen who will now receive a title match against the Vachons at Maple Leaf Gardens (Card 15)
• The other big story is the victory of The Destroyer in the main event as the Canadian Heavyweight Champion retained his title against the heavily favoured challenger in Bob Backlund. Destroyer was more then annoyed after the card when media classified the win as an upset. Destroyer’s claimed that he was the best wrestler in the territory. Next up for the champion will be title defense in Toronto against Sam Houston
• It appears that Abdullah the Butcher has found a manager in the debuting Shawn Daivari. The new addition at ringside did not lead Butcher to the winner’s purse tonight however so we will have to see what direction Daivari’s leads the Madman from the Sudan
• “Wild” Bull Curry made a statement tonight in his absolute thrashing of George “The Animal” Steele who will have little time to recover as the two will step into a steel cage in the main event of the Maple Leaf Gardens show. Could this be the end of George Steele or will Steele find a way to stop Curry’s violent run
• Bob Backlund came up short tonight in his quest to capture the Canadian Heavyweight Title but he returns to action in Toronto as he will team up with Jim Londos as an all-star tag team to take on The Valiant Brothers.
• Still on the outside of a title shot, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Express and Midnight Express will once again clash as both teams are attempting to climb up the rankings.

[Pariah]

The Destroyer successfully defends against Backlund... Holy snap! Did not see that coming!

Huge win for the Hangmen as well, beating the Vachons in non-title action... Brilliant stuff from start to finish!

[TTX]

Impressive win by Destroyer over Backlund. Rose clearly got cheated. Big upset by the Hangmen.

[gnw2022]

Good stuff....Bull Curry continues to impress, Hangmen WTH?....ROSE was robbed,and The Destroyer's win.....PRICELESS....

[cruefan68]

The Destroyer over Bob Backlund was a hugely impressive win for the "Intelligent, Sensational" masked man. I loved the Texas Hangmen vs. Mad Dog & Butcher Vachon and Hugh Morrus vs. Abdullah the Butcher bouts. MLW is on fire!

[bookerbill]

Card 015 – Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto, Ontario
Canadian Open Tag Team Title Match – Vachons (Butcher & Mad Dog Vachon) [ch] v. Texas Hangmen (Killer & Psycho)
Referee: James Beard; Dr. Mike Lano at ringside
The Hangmen strike before Gary Michael Cappette finishes his introduction and Mad Dog Vachon goes into the ring post and is busted wide open. A bloody Vachon manages to get an early tag and Butcher Vachon takes on both Hangmen. The action spills in and out of the ring. Mad Dog Vachon tags back into the match and Killer uses a steel chair on him during a brawl on the floor. Later, Butcher Vachon runs Psycho into the ringside table to get the upper hand leading to a QUADRUPLE FOOT STOMP. Psycho kicks out of the cover and the Killer saves his partner after a PILEDRIVER from Mad Dog Vachon. Vachon follows with a gutbuster and the Vachons retain their titles. Winners: Vachons – Title Defense V2 ** 1/2

The Spoiler v. Barry Windham
Referee: James Beard; Dr. Mike Lano at ringside
The intensity between these two has been building for their last few encounters and continued to be on display tonight much to the delight of the fans. Windham controlled early keeping the fans cheering but Spoiler countered back leading to a rope-walk smash and a near fall after a double underhook suplex. Windham drew on the fans support and came back. A double clothesline sent both men crashing to the mat. Windham was up first and crushed Spoiler with a LARIAT but could not get the three count. Another running lariat later gained a two count. The finish came when Spoiler pressed his attack and charged into the corner but Windham moves aside sending Spoiler crashing against the buckles allowing Windham to roll up his opponent for the three count. After the match. Spoiler smashes Windham from behind and then stomps away as the fans boo. Spoiler then locks in a BIONIC CLAW leaving Windham a bloody mess in the middle of the ring. Winner: Barry Windham. ***

Bob Backlund & Jim Londos v. Valiant Brothers (“Handsome” Jimmy Valiant & “Luscious” Johnny Valiant) w/Captain Lou Albano
Referee: Dick Woehrle; Dr. Mike Lano at ringside
The fans were more than happy to see Backlund and Londos give the Valiant Brothers fits from the opening bell as nothing worked against the scientific standouts. Backlund looked to have the match won with a ROLLING BACKBRIDGE on “Luscious” Johnny but a key pin save kept the action going. It continued to be all Backlund and Londos until a blind tag lead to a double buckle whip from the Valiants on Londos for a near fall followed by a DOUBLE CLOTHESLINE which was enough for the comeback win as Jimmy Valiant hooked the leg (Snake Eyes). Winners: Valiant Brothers **

Texas Death Match – Bruiser Costa v. Jerry Brisco
Referee: James Beard; Dr. Mike Lano at ringside
Costa and Brisco trade blows early on before Costa takes over and batters Brisco to a bloody mess with an assortment of weapons in and out of the ring. Brisco had his moments including a steel pipe blow that busted him open but that was about it. In the end, it was a simple knee drop that finished it. Winner: Bruiser Costa ** 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
Dollar makes his mark on the match sending Cornette to the back before for the bell! The pace was quick as you would expect with these two teams in action. Morton gets cut off from his corner and the Express execute VEG-O-MATIC but Morton just gets the shoulder up. Morton gets a tag and Gibson steps in against Lane taking control of the action leaving to a DOUBLE DROPKICK. Gibson blocks Eaton from the save and Morton gets the three count. Winners: Rock ‘n’ Roll Express. **

Fijian Strap Match – Don Muraco w/Captain Lou Albano v. Jimmy Snuka
Referee: Morgan Dollar; Dr. Mike Lano at ringside
The fans who were hoping to see Snuka gain some revenge tonight for the attack against him left disappointed as Muraco dominated this one from bell to bell. Three times he crushed Snuka with a HAWAIIAN HAMMER but the Superfly managed to kick out each time. An Asiatic Spike did some further damage and in the end a suplex assortment ended it. Winner: Don Muraco DUD

Canadian Heavyweight Title Match – The Destroyer (ch) v. Sam Houston
Referee: Dick Woehrle; Dr. Mike Lano at ringside
Houston gets the early advantage with his speed and skills which infuriates the champion and forces the Destroyer outside to think things over. Houston has other ideas as he slides out ring to pursue Destroyer who responses by clocking Houston with the Title Belt. Woehrle quickly calls for the bell and Houston has a victory over the champion! Winner: Sam Houston by disqualification; Destroyer title defense V.3. DUD

Steel Cage Match – “Wild” Bull Curry v. George “The Animal” Steele
Referee: Morgan Dollar; Dr. Mike Lano at ringside
This was as crazy as expected from bell to bell. Steele looks very impressive early locking in his finisher submission FLYING HAMMERLOCK three times but Curry refuses to give in. Curry makes use of the cage wall and a foreign object to render Steele a bloody mess but The Animal is able to kick out after a SERIES OF PUNCHES. Curry tries everything to put away Steele who keeps finding a way to kick out at the last second. Steele can barely move but manages to send Curry into the cage wall late in the match busting him open. Steele capitalizes with another FLYING HAMMERLOCK but Curry makes the ropes. Steele gets his foe back to the middle of the ring and applies his finisher once again for the stunning victory. Winner: George Steele. *****

New and Views
• Don Muraco simply dominated the Superfly tonight in their Fujian Strap Match and Jimmy Snuka was anything but pleased afterwards cornering Commissioner Teddy Long and demanding a rematch. The bout has been signed for the next Maple Leaf Gardens show (Card 20) as Muraco and Snuka will clash once again, this time inside a Steel Cage!
• Another feud that continues to simmer is the battle between the Rock ‘n’ Roll Express and Midnight Express with Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson pulling out a comeback victory tonight. The two teams will be back at it at the Ringside Taping in Niagara Falls (Card 16) in a special dark match main event tag team encounter!
• It is not too often the Bruiser Costa makes the new and views but he scored a statement victory over Jerry Brisco putting a bloody end to their series of matches.
• Many fans are wondering what has gotten into Canadian Heavyweight Champion The Destroyer who responded from an impressive outing against Bob Backlund with a what can only be described as an disinterested defence against Sam Houston that ended with a disqualification. Destroyer questioned why Houston was even awarded a title opportunity in the first place calling him a skinny cowboy hick after the matches tonight. Commissioner Teddy Long has booked a return match as part of the upcoming event at the London Gardens (Card 18)
• Barry Windham and The Spoiler had an intense encounter tonight that could have gone either way and there is no doubt that the fans can look for a series of matches between the two competitors on the upcoming cards.
• The experience of the Valiant Brothers as a tag team gave them the edge over the make shift tandem of Bob Backlund & Jim Londos tonight. The two teams will be in action against other again at the upcoming card at the Delhi Arena (Card 17) as part of a six-man tag team main event that will see Don Muraco join The Valiant Brother to taken on the side of Backlund, Londos and Jimmy Snuka!
• The Canadian Open Tag Team Champions Mad Dog and Butcher Vachon put the challenge of the Texas Hangmen behind them tonight and will be looking for new challengers in the upcoming cards. But who will that be?

[Pariah]

The knee drop heard round the world! Very hard to believe that Costa came out on top of his program with the younger Brisco brother... Really hope that Jerry got paid well for putting over this particular rival.

Snuka vs. Muraco is a classic, no matter what shape it takes... Really looking forward to their clash in a cage... And it should be fun to watch them on opposing sides of that upcoming six-man tag match.

Curry and Steele truly delivered the goods in that five-star main event as well... WOW!

[bookerbill]

Card 016 - Niagara Falls Memorial Arena, Niagara Falls, ON - Ringside TV taping

Ringside 9

Ron Hutchison v. “Terrible Turk” Yusuf Ismail
Referee: Joey Marella
This was a slaughter that ended mercifully early with a STRANGLEHOLD. Winner: Yusuf Ismail DUD

Bill Apter brings us the official rankings!

Canadian Heavyweight Champion: The Destroyer (CDN)
1. Bob Backlund (2)
2. Jimmy Snuka (1)
3. Don Muraco (3)
4. Sam Houston (6)
5. Barry Windham (5)
6. Jim Londos (-)
7. The Spoiler (4)
8. Bruiser Costa (-)
9. Jerry Brisco (-)
10. Hugh Morrus (-)

Canadian Open Tag Team Champions: Vachons (COTT)
1. Valiant Brothers (4)
2. Rock ‘n’ Roll Express (3)
3. Midnight Express (1)
4. Texas Hangmen (-)
5. Bob Backlund & Jim Londos (-)

Bob Backlund & Jim Londos are interviewed by Gordon Solie. The Texas Hangmen come out to argue with the fan favourites. Captain Lou Albano leads the Valiant Brothers out for an attack on Backlund and Londos but Jimmy Valiant mistakenly clobbers Hangman Killer with a chair!

Bob Backlund & Jim Londos v. Texas Hangmen (Psycho & Killer)
Referee: Morgan Dollar
The Hangmen were reeling as Dollar called for the bell. Londos was in control of Killer using a crotch lift and slam to maintain the advantage before trapping Killer in a BOSTON CRAB. Backlund prevents the pin save and Dollar calls for the bell. Winners: Bob Backlund & Jim Londos. DUD

Robert Gibson w/Ricky Morton v. Stan Lane w/Bobby Eaton & Jim Cornette
Referee: Morgan Dollar
Morgan Dollar clears ringside of partners and managers before the bell and we are going to get some one on one action. Gibson gets the early advantage with knee lifts, slams and knee drops. Lane comes back catching Gibson with a flurry of karate kicks for a near fall. Lane keeps the pressure on with a tackle in the corner and a double thrust to the throat. Lane catches Gibson with another flurry of karate kicks and hooks the leg for the three count. Winner: Stan Lane * ½

Ringside 10

Jake “The Milkman” Milliman & “Sodbuster” Kenny Jay v. Valiant Brothers (“Handsome” Jimmy Valiant & “Luscious” Johnny Valiant) w/ Captain Lou Albano
Referee: Morgan Dollar
The Valiant Brothers and Albano get under the skin of Dollar with their views on officiating a wrestling match. This was a complete squash with Milliman never getting a chance to tag out before the Valiant Brothers crush him with a SUPER ELBOW. Winner: Valiant Brothers DUD

Captain Lou Albano, Valiant Brothers & Don Muraco are interviewed by Gordon Solie. They become frustrated with the questions being asked and it looks like Solie may be in trouble before Jimmy Snuka, Bob Backlund & Jim Londos arrive to chase off Albano and his team.

Henry Irslinger v. Don Muraco w/Captain Lou Albano
Referee: Morgan Dollar
Muraco appeared off his game perhaps from the altercation before match or perhaps from the Beach Bum chants from ringside. Irslinger cannot get Muraco in a position for the win before Muraco brawls his way back into the match. Muraco nearly ends it with an over-the-shoulder backbreaker before using several Asiatic Spikes to wear down Irslinger. With fans roaring, Irslinger turns the tables during a brawl on the floor and manages to get the action back to the mat and dominates. Albano is able to cause a distraction when Muraco is downed by an ARMOCK and LEG TRIP and then gets on the apron after a FLYING HEADLOCK. Irslinger chases Albano around the ring but returns to the to avoid a count-out and then traps Muraco in a toehold for the submission. Winner: Henry Irslinger ****

Bobby Eaton w/Stan Lane & Jim Cornette v. Ricky Morton w/Robert Gibson
Referee: Dick Woehrle
Cornette and the Express confront Gary Michael Cappetta during his announcements but Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson hit the ring for the save and we get underway. Morton has the upper hand after the pre-match chaos but as things settle down, Eaton and Morton engage in a classic exchange of counters. Morton catches Eaton with a CROSS BODY BLOCK for a two count. Eaton comes back tossing Morton off the top of the corner and takes over the bout leading to an ALABAMA JAM but Morton gets the shoulder up at the last second. The fans eat it up and Morton responds by getting the best of a wild brawl on the floor. Morton is fired up and controls the action hitting his CROSS BODY BLOCK again for the three count. Winner: Ricky Morton ***

Ringside 11

Konnan v. Frogman LeBlanc
Referee: Joey Marella
LeBlanc gets the upper hand working the arm but a spin kick turns things around and is followed by a belly to belly suplex. Konnan then hits his NIAGARA DRIVER finisher for the win. Winner: Konnan DUD

Abdullah The Butcher w/Shawn Daivari v. George South
Referee: Joey Marella
Butcher bites South and the goes after the eyes. South is in a fight for his very life and he responds with a moonsault that knocks Butcher to the floor. The fans are roaring as South comes outside and smashes Butcher with a chair! South is disqualified but the action does not end there as Daivari attacks South from behind and Butcher assaults South at ringside choking him out and jabbing him with a fork before security arrives to break thing up. Winner: Abdullah The Butcher by disqualification. *

Canadian Heavyweight Champion The Destroyer stops by to speak with Gordon Solie speaking his mind on the level of competition in the territory and in particular questioning why he has to defend hits title against Sam Houston in London.

Non-Title Match – Canadian Heavyweight Champion The Destroyer v. Danny Hodge
Referee: Joey Marella
Hodge has the fans solidly behind him and he showcases his skills on the mat early on forcing the Champion to the floor. Destroyer manages to goat Hodge to the floor and Hodge eats the ringside table. Destroyer takes over with a bow and arrow that Hodge can barely escape. A Bombs Away is on target and Destroyer follows immediately with a FIGURE FOUR LEGLOCK for the win. Winner: The Destroyer. *

Ringside 12

J.J. Dillon v. Jimmy Snuka
Referee: James Beard
The Superfly takes several minutes to greet his fans at ringside before getting into the ring. Snuka is all business after back to back piledrivers leaves Dillon in a heap. Snuka then crushed Dillon with not one but two SUPERFLY LEAPS for the convincing victory. Winner: Jimmy Snuka DUD

Non-Title Match – Canadian Open Tag Team Champions Vachons (Mad Dog Vachon & Butcher Vachon) v. Nacho Barrera & Johnny Rodz
Referee: James Beard
The champions make tags in and out against Barrera until Butcher Vachon decides that enough is enough and ends it with a HANGMAN. Winners: Vachons DUD

The Vachons are interviewed by Gordon Solie but are quickly attacked by The Valiant Brothers! There is a wild melee and security is called out to break things up.

Barry Windham v. The Spoiler
Referee: Joey Marella
Windham has the fans rocking with his offensive attack that keeps Spoiler off balance and leads to a pinfall after a standard suplex and another after a LARIAT. Spoiler survives a SWEETWATER SUPLEX and attempts to take refuge on the floor. Windham shows no quarter and the assault carries on at ringside. Back in the ring, Spoiler kicks out after a second SWEETWATER SUPLEX but the second LARIAT ends it. Winner: Barry Windham **

Dark Match: Rock “n” Roll Express (Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson) v. Midnight Express (Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane) w/Jim Cornette
Referee: James Beard
This was another classic between these two teams. The double teaming of the Midnight Express was the dominating factor early on but soon Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson mounted an impressive comeback leading to a DOUBLE DROPKICK. Only the timely distraction from Jim Cornette kept the action going. Both sides were able to make key defensive tags but Morton was able to catch Lane flush with a dropkick and covered him for the pin. Winner: Rock ‘n’ Roll Express ****

News and Views
• In addition to the already announced six man tag team war main event, a rematch from Convention Centre in Hamilton has been signed for the next event taking place in Delhi (Card 17) as Hugh Morrus shows he is crazy enough to step back into the ring against Abdullah The Butcher.
• After the brawl tonight between Canadian Open Tag Team Champions Mad Dog Vachon & Butcher Vachon and the Valiant Brothers, Commissioner Teddy Long has signed a title match between the two teams as the main event of the card in Kitchener (Card 19) when Maple Leaf Wrestling returns to the Memorial Auditorium
• After their wild steel cage showdown at Maple Leaf Gardens, both George “The Animal” Steele and “Wild” Bull Curry have departed the territory. Rumour has it that Steele is headed to the North East while Curry will be heading for competition in the Motor City
• Also departing the territory will be Danny Hodge who will heading to the Mid-West.
• Henry Irslinger will be looking to carry his momentum from tonight into Delhi when he steps into the ring with “Terrible Turk” Yusuf Ismail in a unique clash of styles
• “Playboy” Buddy Rose will be in action in Delhi when he takes on Konnan in battle of competitors looking to land a spot in the top ten contenders list.
• Sam Houston and Barry Windham have signed to appear in Delhi in tag team action with their opponent yet to be announced.
• Also signed to compete are Jerry Brisco along with Angelo Poffo who will both be in singles action.

[Pariah]

Some truly exceptional Ringside fun as we prepare for the next big card taking place in Delhi... No matter how many times I see it, I'm still amazed that Costa has cracked the Top 10... Especially with the talent on this roster.

The Valiants appear to be making enemies with everyone that crosses their path... Backlund & Londos... The Vachons... And let's not forget that their botched ambush probably pissed off the Hangmen as well... Yikes!

A little surprised that Hodge and The Destroyer couldn't deliver a bit more than a one-star match... Maybe they were pressed for time... Would love to see these two lock horns again on a bigger stage.

Keep those dice hot, my friend... Love that Maple Leaf Wrestling!