One Week in Ontario

[bookerbill]

Card 32 Brantford Civic Centre, Brantford, ON - Maple Leaf Wrestling Taping – February 20, 2023

Pampero Firpo v. Keith Steinborn
Referee: Joey Marella
This was a one sided beating from bell to bell with Firpo taking the win with EL GARFIO after only four minutes. Winner: Firpo DUD

Stevie Richards v. Johnny Rodz
Referee: Morgan Dollar
Richards gained the upper hand after an early back and forth exchange. A STEVIE KICK does not get the win but a DDT a few minutes earlier ends it after about six minutes. Winner: Richards *

Brian Blair & Larry Hennig v. Powers of Pain (The Barbarian & Warlord) w/Mr. Fuji
Referee: Morgan Dollar
Blair looks good against Barbarian but both sides get to tag and the Powers of Pain are able to connect with a Power Plex on Hennig for the three count after four minutes. Winners: Powers of Pain DUD

Fuji leads Powers of Pain over to Gordon Solie for an interview and the Powers of Pain tell the fans and the Canadian Open Tag Team Champions Road Warriors that they still have unfinished business.

Brickhouse Brown v. Frogman Leblanc
Referee: Morgan Dollar
Brown comes out and makes a statement in his debut crushing Leblanc from start to finish and getting the three count after a FLYING BODY PRESS in less than one minute. Winner: Brown. DUD

Gordon Solie interviews Mikey Whipwreck at ringside and is jumped by Koko Ware. Chris Candido joins in but Ware mistakenly decks him with a chair!

Chris Candido v. Mikey Whipwreck
Referee: Morgan Dollar
Whipwreck tosses in a stunned Candido and hits a WHIPPER SNAPPER as the bell sounds for the three count in just seconds! Winner: Whipwreck DUD

Canadian Open Tag Team Champions Road Warriors (Hawk & Animal) w/Paul Ellering v. George South & Ron Hutchison
Referee: Dick Woehrle
Animal takes over against Hutchinson and nails him with a jumping elbow drop after just two moves for the three count! Winners: Road Warriors DUD

Konnan v. Nacho Barrera
Referee: James Beard
Barrera gives Konnan a challenge early on but Konnan is able to get the advantage after a missed deathjump. Konnan puts Barrera away with a NIAGARA DRIVER after five minutes. Winner: Konnan *

“Sodbuster” Kenny Jay & Jake “The Milkman” Milliman v. The Dream Team (Brutus Beefcake & Greg Valentine) w/Johnny Valiant
Valentine takes over against Jay and gets him down with a cross body deathjump for the win after only three minutes. Winner: Dream Team DUD

The Destroyer is never at a loss for words or confidence and he engages in a passionate back and forth with Gordon Solie before stepping into the ring.

The Destroyer v. George Hackenschmidt
Referee: Morgan Dollar

Destroyer has words for Morgan Dollar before the bell and the official appears shaken up. Destroyer takes the immediate control and powerhouse from Estonia struggles to get anything going. Destroyer lands four consecutive backbreakers. Twice Bombs Away lands and Hackenschmidt is in serious trouble. Destroyer has words with the fans as he continues his attack and then gets the win with a FIGURE FOUR LEGLOCK after ten minutes. Winner: Destroyer **

Koko Ware v. Jerry Lynn
Referee: Morgan Dollar
Ware has no answers to the attack of his opponent as Lynn dominates from the opening bell. CRADLE PILEDRIVER downs Ware and gets the three count after about four minutes. Winner: Lynn*

Sgt. Slaughter & Don Kernodle v. Randy Mulkey & Bill Mulkey
Referee: Joey Marella
Slaughter & Kernodle are out to great heat from ringside and they only turn up their intensity with their beat down of the Mulkeys. The Mulkeys get in some offense against Kernodle but it if over quickly. Slaughter gets the win against Bill Mulkey with a COBRA CLUTCH. Winner: Slaughter & Kernodle DUD

Canadian Heavyweight Champion “Macho Man” Randy Savage v. Larry Sharpe
Referee: Morgan Dollar
Dollar has strict instructions for both men. Savage is all over Sharpe at the bell and a running knee sends the action to the floor. Savage comes out after Sharpe who is waiting and smashes Savage with his own title belt. Dollar calls for the disqualification and the Macho Man is down in a heap on the floor after only two minutes. Winner: Savage by disqualification DUD

Canadian Heavyweight Champion “Macho Man” Randy Savage manages to grab Gordon Solie for a few words after his match and it not pleased telling Larry Sharpe that their paths will cross again and when they do, Sharpe will feel the full impact of Macho Madness!

Dark Match: Canadian Open Tag Team Champions Road Warriors (Animal & Hawk) & Paul Ellering v. Powers of Pain (Warlord & Barbarian) & Mr. Fuji
Referee: Morgan Dollar
The champions were able to focus an attack on Barbarian leading to a DOOMDAY DEVICE but Barbarian kicks out. Warlord makes the save after a second DOOMSDAY DEVICE. Ellering tags in to attempt to finish things but a deathjump is countered with a powerslam for a near fall. Warlord tags in and the momentum of the match changes. The Powers of Pain crush Ellering with a POWER HEAD BUTT and the pin save is blocked giving the Powers of Pain a huge victory after about twelve minutes. Winners: Powers of Pain & Mr. Fuji.

Up next, action from the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium in Kitchener, Ontario with a TRIPLE MAIN EVENT!!!

Steel Cage Match – Canadian Open Tag Team Champions Road Warriors v. Powers of Pain
Steel Cage Match – Justin Credible v. Pampero Firpo
AWA Women’s Title Match – Sherri Martel v. Ida Mae Martinez

[bookerbill]

Card 33 Memorial Auditorium, Kitchener – February 21, Year 02

Don Kernodle & Sgt. Slaughter v. Stevie Richards & Mikey Whipwreck
Referee: Morgan Dollar
Slaughter and Kernodle grab Gary Michael Cappetta before the match but Richards and Whipwreck hit the ring to make the save. Richards and Whipwreck keep their momentum going. Slaughter survives a STEVIE KICK but Whipwreck connects with a WHIPPER-SNAPPER. Kernodle is blocked from making the save but Slaughter kicks out of the cover. Whipwreck immediately hits a second WHIPPER-SNAPPER but Kernodle jumps in and takes out Whipwreck allowing Slaughter to lock in a COBRA CLUTCH. Whipwreck makes the ropes. Kernodle takes the brawl to the floor and cracks him with a chair. Whipwreck cannot regain the ring before the ten count after about 12 minutes of action. Winners: Slaughter & Kernodle by count-out. ***

Brickhouse Brown v. Fritz Von Goering
Referee: James Beard
Von Goeing attempted to jump Brown as he came to the ring but Brown turned things around and Von Goering ate the ringside table. The action spiled into the ring and Brown nearly needed it early with a FLYING BODY PRESS. Then the war started as both men showcased all their offensive skills as the action spilled in and out of the ring exchanging near falls that kept the fans on the edge of their seats. Von Goering countered a late deathjump cross body from Brown with a roll through hooking the tights for a 2 ¾ count. BACKBREAKER followed but Brown raised his shoulder at the last second. Brown battled back after more brawling on the floor and put Von Goering down with a swinging neckbreaker for the three count after 19 minutes. *****

Chris Candido v. Koko Ware
Referee: Morgan Dollar
Candido was looking for some payback after getting cracked by a chair at the television taping and he was able to dominate this match from start to finish and claimed the win with a BLOND BOMB after just four minutes. DUD.

Brian Blair v. George Hackenschmidt
Referee: Dick Woehrle
Blair controls the early action with his speed and agility but Hackenschmidt is able to catch Blair on the top and tosses him to the mat. From that point, Blair is on the defensive. He survives the first RUSSIAN BEAR HUG but Hackenschmidt catches Blair in his finisher a second time to get the submission after seven minutes. * ½

The Destroyer v. Larry Hennig
Referee: James Beard
Destroyer looks dominate early on especially after a Bombs Away lands. Hennig kicks out of the cover and when the action goes to the floor, Hennig gets control running Destroyer into the post. Hennig lands elbows and a tombstone piledriver crushes Destroyer before Hennig uses a simple body slam for the win after six minutes (Snake Eyes!). ** ½

AWA Women’s Champion Sherri Martel v. Ida Mae Martinez
Referee: Morgan Dollar; Dr. Mike Lano at ringside
Martinez had the fans backing as she battled back and forth with Martel and the fans exploded when Martinez nearly took the win after a flying head scissors. Martel slowly began to gain control of the match leading to her TOP ROPE SPLASH but Martinez kicked out at the last second thrilling the fans again. It was back and forth again. Martel blocked a charge to the corner with double knees and took back the advantage late and used a spinning toe hold to get the submission after 17 minutes. ***

Steel Cage Match – Justin Credible v. Pampero Firpo
Referee: James Beard
This was as bloody and wild as you would expect. Credible uses his SINGAPORE CANE early to get a near fall before running Firpo into the cage wall multiple times leaving him a bloody mess. Firpo gets an occasional blow in but Credible dominates. THAT’S INCREDIBLE cannot put Firpo away and soon Firpo comes back and runs Credible into the cage several times leaving him a bloody mess. Credible kicks out a series of covers and but cannot escape EL GARFIO for the win. Winner: Pampero Firpo ****

Steel Cage Match – Canadian Open Tag Team Champions Road Warriors (Hawk & Animal) w/Paul Ellering v. Powers of Pain (The Barbarian & Warlord) w/Mr. Fuji
Referee: Morgan Dollar; Dr. Mike Lano at ringside
Despite the cage, Dollar is not satisfied and sends the managers to the back before the bell. This was a complete squash as the Warriors had Barbarian downed with a DOOMSDAY DEVICE in the opening minute. The pin save was blocked but Barbarian kicked out. The Warriors hit a second DOOMSDAY DEVICE and once again the save was blocked. Barbarian kicked out again and the fans could not believe it. Barbarian could not do it after the third DOOMSDAY DEVICE and the Warriors retain in three minutes. Winners: Warriors. DUD

[TTX]

Nice to see the action hot in Ontario.

[Pariah]

The match itself might have been a dud, but I like how the Roadies were booked to look like vindictive monsters in that steel cage main event... They taught the P.o.P. a memorable lesson and future challengers are gonna be even more intimidated stepping into the ring against the running champs... WHAT A RUSH indeed!

[bookerbill]

Card 34 London Gardens, London, ON- February 22, Year Two
Sheepherders (Butch Miller & Luke Williams) v. Dream Team (Greg Valentine & Brutus Beefcake) w/Johnny Valiant
Referee: Dick Woehrle
Beefcake dominated Williams early on but Williams blocked a charge to the corner with double knees and was jointed by Miller for a DOUBEL GUTBUSTER for the shocking win out of nowhere after three minutes. Winner: Sheepherders DUD

Koko Ware v. Brickhouse Brown
Referee: Morgan Dollar
Ware controlled the early action with suplexes and power slams. A MISSLE DROPKICK almost ends it but Brown kicks out and battles back. Brown hits a FLYING BODY PRESS but cannot get the three count. Ware takes back control including a brainbuster but it is second MISSLE DROPKICK that gets the win after nine minutes. Winner: Ware * ½

Justin Credible v. Chris Candido
Referee: Morgan Dollar
Credible is able to get the control of the action and manages to use a THAT’S INCREDIBLE twice but cannot get the win. Candido manages to get the occasional offensive blow in but this was Credible’s show from bell to bell. The action spilled to the floor where Candido cracked Credible with a chair. Dollar called for the disqualification after 8 minutes of action. Winner: Credible by disqualification. **

George Hackenschmidt v. Fritz Von Goering
Referee: James Beard, Vintage Charts
The power and agility of Hackenschmidt prove to be a challenge for Von Goering early on. Von Goering manages to kick out after a waistlock suplex and later makes the ropes to break up a twisting heel hook. Things get chippy but Beard does not seem too concerned. Von Goering has a brief offensive flurry including a clothesline and knee drop to the throat but cannot really get close to getting the pin. A single leg pickup and slam from Hackenschmidt is enough to get the win after about 9 minutes. Winner: Hackenschmidt **

Mikey Whipwreck & Stevie Richards v. Don Kernodle & Sgt. Slaughter
Referee: Morgan Dollar
Dollar has strict instructions for both sides before the bell. The action early on goes back and forth. Kernodle gets the advantage on Richards but a TOP ROPE CLOTHESLINE only gets a two and half. Slaughter punishes Richards with Slaughter Cannons but Whipwreck is able to finally get the hot tag to turn the momentum. The action goes back and forth from that point until Whipwreck catches Slaughter with a WHIPPER-SNAPPER for a big near fall. Moments later, Whipwreck hits his finisher a second time but cannot get the three count. The action goes to the floor and Slaughter smashes Whipwreck across the back with a chair. Dollar calls for the disqualification after 13 minutes. Winners: Whipwreck & Richards by disqualification. ** ½

Brian Blair v. Dan Severn
Referee: Joey Marella
Blair and Severn trade moves leading to an AIRPLANE SPIN/COBRA CLUTCH from Blair but Severn makes the ropes. The move seems to wake up Severn who goes on the offensive. Blair makes the ropes to break up a pair of ARMBARS and a CHOKE SLEEPER. Severn just keeps on coming and an ARMBAR gets the submission after about 10 minutes. Winner: Severn ***

The Destroyer v. Larry Hennig
Referee: James Beard
Hennig uses his size to punish Destroyer early on including tackles, chops and slams. Destroyer is able to avoid a charge to the corner and scores as near fall with is feet on the ropes. The fans are all over Destroyer who follows with a Bombs Away. Hennig brawls his way back and it is back and forth. Destroyer uses a bow and arrow to slow it down. The fight goes to the floor and Destroyer gets the upper hand. Back inside, Destroyer grabs a leg and applies his FIGURE FOUR LEGLOCK to get the win after 12 minutes. Winner: Destroyer. ***

Canadian Heavyweight Champion “Macho Man” Randy Savage v. Pamper Firpo
Referee: Morgan Dollar; Dr. Mike Lano at ringside
Firpo gets into it with Dollar before the bell and the official appears shaken up. Savage is on fire early attacking from everywhere including a flying axhandle to the floor. Savage attacks on the floor running Firpo into the post busting him open. The sight of his own blood spurs Firpo to act and he runs Savage into the post and both men are now wearing the crimson mask. It was back and forth with the action again falling to the floor. Firpo grabbed a chair and assaulted Savage with the weapon and that was enough for Dollar to call for the disqualification after 8 minutes. Firpo continues his attack after the bell locking his EL GARFIO but security arrives to break things up before anyone is injured.

[Pariah]

Blair and Severn delivered an entertaining back and forth... Looks like The Destroyer is climbing the rankings... Maybe a title shot on the horizon?

Pampero Firpo might have dropped a technical decision to the Macho Man, but he sure looked vicious doing it... How will the champ retaliate? And I know you're all thinking it --- When are we going to see some dueling "OHHH, YEAHs" between these two? HA!

[TTX]

Firpo going nuts is cool. I may try Blair against Severn sometime.

[bookerbill]

Card 35 Civic Auditorium, Oshawa, ON- February 23, 2023

Fritz Von Goering v. Dan Severn
Referee: James Beard
Von Goering took control early but made a critical error sending Severn into the corner. Severn avoided his opponent’s charge to the corner resulting in a big near fall. Severn then locked in a CHOKE SLEEPER after just over a minute of action. Winner: Severn DUD.

Brian Blair & Brickhouse Brown v. Dream Team (Brutus Beefcake & Greg Valentine) w/Johnny Valiant
Referee: Morgan Dollar
Dollar has no interest in any outside interference and sends Valiant packing much to the delight of the fans and the dismay of the Dream Team. Beefcake & Valentine quickly regroup however and dominate the early action cutting off Brown keeping him in the ring with key defensive tags. Twice Brown makes the ropes to escape a FIGURE FOUR LEGLOCK by Valentine. Blair finally gets his opportunity in the ring with a hot tag but cannot put away Valentine even after an AIRPLANE SPIN/COBRA CLUTCH. Both side were able to make frequent tags heading into the finish when Beefcake avoided a charge into the corner and rolled up Brown for the three count after 21 minutes of action using the ropes to ensure the three count. Winners: Dream Team *** ½

Koko Ware v. Joe Blanchard
Referee: Dick Woehrle
The action was back and forth. Ware was able to land a head butt to stun Blanchard but Blanchard came back with a back elbow and kick in the corner. Ware scored with a tackle but Blanchard soon caught Ware with a running bulldog that was enough for the pin after about five minutes. Winner: Blanchard *

Texas Death Match – Stevie Richards & Mikey Whipwreck v. Sgt. Slaughter & Don Kernodle
Referee: James Beard
This was a wild back and forth battle from start to finish. Whipwreck was a superstar in this match dominating both Slaughter and Kernodle at times. Richards survived a TOP ROPE CLOTHESLINE from Kernodle. Kernodle later kicked out after a WHIPPER-SNAPPER from Whipwreck. All four men took their lumps on the floor during the multiple brawls but in the end Slaughter & Kernodle combined for an ATOMIC BOMB on Richards for the hard fought victory after about 17 minutes of action. Winners: Slaughter & Kernodle: ***

George Hackenschmidt v. Austin Idol
Referee: Morgan Dollar
Idol had an incredible start picking a near fall after a clothesline and then trapping Hackenschmidt in a LAS VEGAS LEGLOCK. Hackenscmidt made the ropes but Idol used back to back sleeperholds and the only way Hackenschmidt survived was falling into the ropes. Hackenschmdit gradually regained his senses and took over the match with a series of suplexes and mat wrestling. Idol was able to regain control running Hackenschmidt into the ring post busting the Estonian open. The fans were all over Idol but he did not care scoring a huge near fall moments later after a piledriver. Hackenschmidt battled back again but a RUSSIAN BEAR HUG did not get the victory. Both men were fatigued when Hackenschmidt used a single leg pick up and slam to get the three count after 24 minutes of action. Winner: Hackenschmidt ****

Best of Three Falls – Larry Hennig v. The Destroyer
Referee: Morgan Dollar
The opening fall started quickly with Hennig landing double forearm hammers for a near fall and then hitting THE AXE but Destroyer got his foot on the ropes. Destroyer was reeling but managed to send Hennig into the ropes resulting in the competitors cracking skulls. Destroyer was up first, tripped Hennig and finished the fall with a FIGURE FOUR LEGLOCK after just three minutes. Destroyer wastes no time getting back to work at the start of the next fall with knee drops and a backbreaker. Hennig cannot get anything going. He takes a breather on the floor and when he regains the ring, Destroyer is ready with a FIGURE FOUR LEGLOCK to take the match in two straight falls after seven minutes. Winner: Destroyer **

Falls Count Anywhere – Chris Candido v. Justin Credible
Referee: Joey Marella
The action never left the ring as Candido came out on fire and finished it with a BLONDE BOMB in less then one minute. Winner: Candido DUD

Canadian Open Tag Team Champions Road Warriors (Animal & Hawk) w/Paul Ellering v. Sheepherders (Butch Miller & Luke Williams)
Referee: Morgan Dollar
This was a wild one. The early action featured a plenty of double teaming by the challenger as they cut off Hawk from this corner and when to work with BATTERING RAMS and DOUBLE GUTBUSTERS. The Sheepherders came close several times to capture the gold and a timely save by Animal kept the action going. The Road Warriors power back and then it was their double clothesline to Williams that nearly ended it. Animal followed with a POWER SLAM but Miller made the save. The action went back and forth but it was the challengers who pushed the momentum of the bout. The match spilled to the floor where Williams slammed Hawk into the ringside table and Morgan Dollar decided it was vicious enough to warrant the disqualification. A BATTERING RAM takes out Ellering at ringside before the challengers escape to the back. Winners: Road Warriors by disqualification. **** ½

Up next . . .
Action from the Niagara Falls Memorial Arena, Niagara Falls
Canadian Heavyweight Champion Randy Savage v. Pampero Firpo in a Dog Collar Match
Vintage Rules – Dan Severn v. George Hackenschmidt
Tag Team Rematch – Dream Team v. Brian Blair & Brickhouse Brown
Texas Death Challenge – Sgt. Slaughter v. Mikey Whipwreck
Plus three more exciting bouts!

[Pariah]

We got time for a Top 3 Countdown? I think so!

3/ The pairing of Brickhouse & Blair has a respectable showing against the Dream Team... Their efforts came up short, but I think it's worth paying attention to this duo... They have the skills to pull off an upset when it's least expected.

2/ Hackenschmidt endures some punishment at the hands of the Universal Heartthrob before mounting a powerful comeback... ROOOAAAAARRRRRRR!!!!!

1/ The Sheepherders lose their bid for the tag straps, but deny the champs a clean finish... And they take out Ellering to pretty much guarantee the Roadies will accept a repeat challenge... Petty smart actually.

[TTX]

Fun match between Hack and Idol.