One Week in Ontario

[cruefan68]

I loved both of the recent shows, particularly with the Kangaroos and Curtis & Roop having a four-star bout.

That upcoming Frank Gotch vs. Great Gama bout is one I have my eyes on as well. Great action as always my friend.

[bookerbill]

Card 05 Civic Auditorium, Oshawa, ON- September 22, 2022

American Males (Marcus Alexander Bagwell & Scotty Riggs) v. Chris Candido & “Playboy” Buddy Rose
Referee: James Beard
The action is back and forth early on until Rose joins Candido for a Flapjack on Bagwell. Bagwell takes a beating and needs to be saved after a pair of INSIDE BACKBREAKER from Rose. Riggs gets the tag into the action but never is really get anything going as a Flapjack stuns him as well. Riggs is dominated and Rose puts him away after nine minutes after an INSIDE BACKBREAKER. Winners: Candido & Rose. **

Nikolai Volkoff v. “Superstar” Bill Dundee
Referee: James Beard
Volkoff had the fans up in arms with his rendition of the Russian Anthem and then he just made everyone even more upset by dominating the action with his power and size advantage. Dundee manages to kick out after a running stomp and again after a throat drop on the ropes. The action goes to the floor and Dundee is able to smash Volkoff’s head into the ringside table. Beard lets it go and the action goes back into the ring where Dundee connects with a SUPERSTAR BOMB for the comeback victory after ten minutes. Winner: Dundee **

Mikey Whipwreck v. The Spoiler
Referee: Morgan Dollar
Whipwreck gets the immediate jump and uses his speed to confuse Spoiler. Tornado DDT connects and Whipwreck follows with a deathjump cross body for a two count. Whipwreck hits one WHIPPER-SNAPPER for a near fall and then hits a second one for the win in just two minutes. Winner: Whipwreck DUD

Jerry Brisco, Tiger Conway Jr & Red Bastien v. Rock Riddle & Original Midnight Express (Dennis Condrey & Randy Rose)
Referee: James Beard
Bastien took on Condrey & Rose early on but found himself a victim of double teaming. ROCKET LAUNCHER resulted in a two count. Bastien was able to get out of the ring and Conway Jr. tried to pick up the pace but the Express had the answer to his attack. HUMAN COUGH DROP resulted in a two count. Rock Riddle attempted a submission with a figure four leglock but Conway Jr. made the ropes. Condrey caught Conway Jr. with an atomic drop after 14 minutes for the win. Winner: Original Midnight Express & Riddle **

Melina v. Nora Greenwald
Referee: Morgan Dollar
Melina gets into the face of Dollar before the bell and the official appears taken aback. Greenwald struggles early and Melina nearly takes the win with a PRIMAL SCREAM. Greenwald comes back and hits a somersault neckbreaker and handspring elbow but cannot get a pin attempt. Melina turns things back in her favour with a snap mare face driver. Greenwald kicks out after a snap mare face driver but a second PRIMAL SCREAM is enough to get the win (Snake Eyes) after 10 minutes. Winner: Melina * ½

Don Curtis & Bob Roop v. Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello & Roy Heffernan) w/”Wild” Red Berry
Referee: Morgan Dollar
The is mayhem before the bell when Dollar sends Berry to the back before the bell and the Kangaroos are not pleased. The action is back and forth. An early catapult smash downs Curtis but the Kangaroos cannot hold the advantage. Curtis is able to trap Costello in a SLEEPER but could not keep him down. Both sides made key defensive tags. Heffernan and Costello catch Curtis with another catapult smash and that turns the momentum of the action. Costello managed to catch Curtis with his own sleeperhold and it is enough to get the win after 16 minutes. Winners: Kangaroos **

Ken Shamrock v. Stan Hansen
Referee: Morgan Dollar
Shamrock gets the advantage and catches Hansen with a flying hip attack. Shamrock decides to go the top for a cross body. It is a critical error as Hansen makes him pay with a power slam counter that shakes the ring and gets a two count. Hansen moves to a Brazos Valley backbreaker but Shamrock makes the ropes to keep the bout going. Shamrock has just a handful of offensive moves after this point and Hansen catches him after 13 minutes with a LARIAT for the win. Winner: Stan Hansen **

AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel w/Bobby “The Brain” Heenan v. Jackie Fargo
Referee: Joey Marella; Dr. Mike Lano
The fans are wild as Fargo attacks at the bell and never lets up. A roaring forearm sets up an ATOMIC DROP and Bockwinkel just gets a shoulder up at the last second. We go to the floor and Fargo continues his assault at ringside. Bockwinkel escapes back into the ring and then to the floor again. Fargo is there and this time he grabs a camera from Lano and smashes Bockwinkel with the weapon. Marella calls for the bell after four minutes of action and Fargo is disqualified. Fargo has an ATOMIC DROP for Bockwinkel at ringside and the chases Heenan into the for an ATOMIC DROP that sends the fans out of their seats. Winner: Nick Bockwinkel by disqualification. *

[TTX]

Nice wins by Buddy Rose and Bill Dundee. Shame on the main event.

[gnw2022]

The "Bad man from Borger"...unstoppable...good stuff...HEELS RULE!!

[bookerbill]

Card 06 Niagara Falls Memorial Arena, Niagara Falls, ON- September 24, 2022

The Spoiler v. “Superstar” Bill Dundee
Referee: Morgan Dollar
Spoiler left no doubt in this one about who was the better competitor dominating the action from bell to bell. Dundee manages to get to the ropes to survive a BIONIC CLAW but Spoiler comes with a deathjump smash cross body for a two count and then a rope-walk smash. Spoiler applies his finisher as second time for the submission in a about five minutes. Winner: Spoiler DUD

Chris Candido v. Bob Roop
Referee: Morgan Dollar
Roop needs just a few moves working the upper body before ending it less than two minutes with a SHOULDER BREAKER. Winner: Roop DUD

Tiger Conway Jr v. Nikolai Volkoff
Referee: Joey Marella
The Russian powerhouse sings for us and the fans show their displeasure. Conway Jr. tries to get things going with his speed with dropkicks but Volkoff has other ideas and crushes his opponent with power moves. Conway Jr. kicks out after one BACKBREAKER DROP but Volkoff keeps coming and ends it with another BACKBREAKER DROP in about four minutes. Winner: Volkoff DUD

American Males (Marcus Alexander Bagwell & Scotty Riggs) v. Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Castello & Roy Heffernan) w/”Wild” Red Berry
Referee: Morgan Dollar
Dollar put his fingerprints on the action sending Berry to the back before the bell. While the fans are roaring the Kangaroos quickly regroup. Heffernan takes out Riggs with a leaping chest attack and a Kangaroo Kick to set up the double team BOOMERANG finisher after just three minutes. Winner: Kangaroos DUD

“Playboy” Buddy Rose v. Don Curtis
Referee: Joey Marella
Rose and Curtis battled each other closely as the action when back and forth. Rose was able to get the upper hand leading to an INSIDE BACKBREAKER for a near fall. A Bombs Away connects for another fall but Rose gets caught on the top of the rope and tossed to the mat. Curtis took over from that point. A gutbuster gets a two count and Rose escapes a SLEEPER. Curtis keeps on Rose and puts him away with a SLEEPER after about ten minutes. Winner: Curtis ** ½

Jackie Fargo v. Stan Hansen
Referee: Dick Woehrle
It is not surprising that the action does not stay in the ring for that long but what was surprizing was that Fargo was leading the way. Several times Fargo takes the fight to the floor. Hansen is on the defensive for most of the encounter until he catches Fargo outside and slams him through a ringside table. Woehrle quickly calls for the disqualification after about seven minutes. Hansen chases the official from the ring and is clearly not happy with the result. Winner: Fargo by disqualification **

Original Midnight Express (Dennis Condrey & Randy Rose) w/Rock Riddle v. Red Bastien & Jack Brisco
Referee: Morgan Dollar
Riddle gets into the face of Dollar before the bell and the official appears shaken but the outburst. Both team showcased their tag team skills with key defensive tags and double teaming. The Express were able to get control against Brisco and executed a SUPLEX ONTO PARTNER’S KNEE but Brisco kicks out of the cover. The momentum changes and Bastien downs Condrey with an ATOMIC DROP. The pin save and distraction from Riddle do not work but Condrey kicks out. Brisco nearly rolls up Rose for the two and half count with a OKLAHOMA SIDE ROLL. Bastien looks to have the win but Condrey tosses him off the top of the corner and tags in Rose late in the match. Rose goes to the top but Brisco tosses him to the mat and then traps him in a FIGURE FOUR LEGLOCK for the submission after 25 minutes. Winners: Brisco & Bastien ****

Best of Three Falls Match - NWA Canadian Heavyweight Champion Frank Gotch v. NWA International Champion Great Gama
Referee: Dick Woehrle; Dr. Mike Lano at ringside, Vintage Charts
Gotch gets the immediate control and is able to neutralize the size of Gama on the mat. Gotch locks in a GOTCH TOE HOLD but Gama uses his length to reach the ropes. Gotch drags him back to the middle of the ring and locks in another GOTCH TOE HOLD for the shocking submission in just three minutes! Gotch picks up where he left off in the first fall and dominates again. Gama looked to be out of the match when he stopped Gotch with a gut wrench throw for a two count. Gama went to work but Gotch managed to kick out after a GAMA THROW. Gotch battled back and but now the action went back and forth. Gama countered a double leg takedown and then used another gut wrench throw to take the second fall after 13 minutes of action. Gama takes over early to open the final fall with a rolling front chancery. Gotch takes a breather on the floor and Gama hold the ropes open for his opponent. The fans applaud the sportsmanship. Gama catches Gotch with another gut wrench throw moments latter for the win after 15 minutes. Winner: Great Gama ***

[cruefan68]

I thoroughly enjoyed the last two shows, especially the final two matches in Niagara Falls. Great Gama over Frank Gotch was a solid bout and Jack Brisco & Red Bastien over the Original Midnight Express was a classic.

[bookerbill]

Card 07 Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto, ON – October 9, 2022

Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello & Roy Heffernan) w/”Wild” Red Berry v. Tiger Conway Jr. & Tiger Conway Sr.
Referee: Morgan Dollar; Dr. Mike Lano at ringside
The fans are not happy to see the Kangaroos but they do not seem to care and go to work immediately against Conway Sr. and nail him with a BOOMERANG in less than one minute for the win. Winners: Kangaroos DUD

Ranger Ross v. “Wild” Bill Irwin
Referee: Joey Marella; Dr. Mike Lano at ringside
Both men were making their debut in the territory and Irwin used his size to gain the advantage early on. Irwin catches Ross with a throat drop on the ropes that did not earn him any more fans but did get a near fall. Irwin let his frustration build and the decided to attack Ross with his bullwhip. It cost him the decision by disqualification after about six minutes of action. Winner: Ross by disqualification *

American Males (Marcus Alexander Bagwell & Scotty Riggs) v. Original Midnight Express (Dennis Condrey & Randy Rose)
Referee: James Beard; Dr. Mike Lano at ringside
Classic tag team action in this one with both teams making key defensive tags to get out of trouble and keep the momentum switching. The Express began to press the attack after the midway point of the match focused on Bagwell who was unable to get to his corner. Bagwell survived a FACE FIRST LEG SWEEP from Condrey and later Riggs makes the pin save after another FACE FIRST LEG SWEEP. But Rose tags in and crushes Bagwell with a ROSE BOMB after 16 for the victory. Winners: Midnight Express. ***

Mikey Whipwreck v. Scott “Hog” Irwin
Referee: Morgan Dollar; Dr. Mike Lano
Whipwreck’s speed was on display early with running dropkicks but Irwin stopped Whipwreck with a suplex and then a kick with steel toe boot that had the fans up in arms. Whipwreck was quickly a bloody mess and the action carried on. With the fans support, Whipwreck was able to get the occasional offensive flurry including an impressive tornado DDT but Irwin focused his attack on the his opponent’s laceration and punished him with suplexes and knees before getting the win after about nine minutes with a simple suplex in the middle of the ring. Winner: Irwin. **

Masked Superstar v. Red Bastien
Referee: Joey Marella; Dr. Mike Lano at ringside
Superstar was making his debut and Bastien was returning to singles action in this one which was really a showcase match for Superstar who dominated the encounter with his size and power. Bastien made the ropes to escape a COBRA HOLD mid way through the match but could never really get anything going before Superstar applied another COBRA HOLD to get the win in about ten minutes. Winner: Superstar ** ½

Canadian Open Tag Team Championship: Don Curtis & Bob Roop v. “Playboy” Buddy Rose & Chris Candido
Referee: Morgan Dollar; Dr. Mike Lano at ringside
Candido & Rose offer Dollar their opinions on officiating and the referee appears shaken up after the encounter. Candido & Rose are focused and cut off Roop from Curtis and go to work. Candido gets a near fall after a running neckbreaker and another one after a snap suplex. Rose tags in and an INSIDE BACKBREAKER gives him the tag team gold after eight minutes. Winners and new Canadian Open Tag Team Champions Rose & Candido*

NWA International Champion Great Gama v. Ken Shamrock
Referee: James Beard; Dr. Mike Lano at ringside, Vintage Charts
As expected this was a mat classic. Gama was able to get the upper hand early with a series of throws and slams. Shamrock came back with strikes and flying hip attacks. Gama makes the ropes to escape an ANKLE LOCK and the action continued. Gama then uses a rolling front chancery to get back into the match and both men began to exchange counters. Gama uses a crushing bear hug and later a gut wrench throw to nearly end it. Shamrock came back with a belly to belly suplex and a huracanrana but a charge out of the corner was countered with an overhead suplex. A GAMA THROW followed and the champion retains after about 15 minutes. Winner: Gama *** ½

NWA Canadian Heavyweight Champion Frank Gotch v. Jackie Fargo
Referee: Joey Marella, Dr. Mike Lano at ringside
This rematch from the title tournament finals was a contrast of styles. Fargo was not afraid to take things to the floor and did so often. Gotch was overwhelmed on the floor and nearly lost the title after an ATOMIC DROP. Fargo took to the top of the corner and Gotch was able to slam him to the mat turning the match. Gotch attacked with a reverse nelson forcing his challenger to the ropes. Gotch took the match outside himself and then when it returned to the ring Gotch used another reverse nelson to nearly end it. Gotch dominated and locked in a GOTCH TOEHOLD to retain the belt after 13 minutes. Winner Gotch ***

AWA World Champion Nick Bockwinkel w/Bobby “The Brain” Heenan v. Stan Hansen
Referee: Morgan Dollar; Dr. Mike Lano at ringside
Morgan Dollar attempts to get some strict instruction in before the bell. This was a wild one. Bockwinkel went after the lower body early with some success keeping Hansen on his back and working the leg. Bockwinkel was not able to get Hansen in a position to go for the win before Hansen caught him with a tackle and then unleashed an incredible flurry of offense. Bockwinkel was crushed by a LARIAT but Bockwinkel kicked out. A second LARIAT should have ended it but Heenan distracted Dollar. Hansen then nailed a third LARIAT but Heenan again interfered. Hansen smashed Heenan sending The Brain flying to the floor. Bockwinkel was tossed to the floor and Hansen rammed him back first into the ring post. Bockwinkel could not regain the ring and was counted out after 14 minutes. Winner: Hansen by count-out. ****

[bookerbill]

The Loop

October 10th TV Taping at Brantford Civic Centre, Dark Match Champion v. Champion Non Title Match Canadian Champion Frank Gotch v. NWA International Champion Great Gama

October 11th Kitchener Memorial Gardens, Kitchener. Canadian Open Tag Team Champions Chris Candido & “Playboy” Buddy Rose v. Fabulous Kangaroos

October 12th London Gardens, London NWA Canadian Heavyweight Champion Frank Gotch v. Stan Hansen

October 13th Canadian Open Tag Team Title Match

October 15th Niagara Falls Memorial Arena, NWA Canadian Heavyweight Championship Match

[TTX]

Go Gotch. Hansen gets the win without the gold.

[Crimson Cross]

Great action, Gotch losing to Gama in the Falls was a bummer, but then his win over Fargo to retain is top stuff and a great rebound from a loss...