LOW - Legends of Wrestling

[cruefan68]

Thanks for the comments Crimson, Bookerbill, and Vegas. Next up is action from the SWA featuring the tag team debut of the Blonde Bombers (Chris Candido & Bobby Shane)...

LOW Southern Wrestling Alliance - Rupp Arena - Lexington, KY (Card #765)

1) Blonde Bombers defeated Les Thatcher & Ricky Landell:
The debut of the Blonde Bombers (Chris Candido & Bobby Shane), managed by “Elegant” Eddie Fyne, almost ended in disaster as they took on the ASW team of Les Thatcher & Ricky Landell. Fyne had announced it was an “open contract” match and Bob & Brad Armstrong came out to accept it but the manager backpedaled and claimed that Thatcher and Landell had beaten them to it. The Armstrong’s remained at ringside to observe a near upset win for the ASW team. Early action saw Shane miss a dive off the ropes allowing Landell to execute an inside cradle hold for a near fall. Thatcher later caught a fatigued Shane with a series of dropkicks and a press for a big near fall. Candido helped turn things around for his team cutting off an offensive by Landell and executing a superplex followed by a Vertical Suplex to score a snake eyes pin. The Blonde Bombers continued a post-match attack on Thatcher and Landell until the Armstrong’s made the save.

2) Tracy Smothers defeated Timber:
The popular “Wild Eyed Southern Boy” Tracy Smothers took on Timber, “The Insane Lumberjack”, in an exciting bout. Timber tried to intimidate the ring announcer with his barbed wire ax handle but Smothers came to his aid getting this one off to a wild start. Timber dominated most of the way including hitting a moonsault and a spinebuster. He was trying to set up for his finisher, the Log Splitter, when Smothers caught him with a Counter Sunset Flip off of the ropes to score the pin.

3) Hillbilly Jim & Cousin Luke defeated Naptown Dragons:
This rematch from a recent edition of ASW saw the popular team of Hillbilly Jim & Cousin Luke take on the Naptown Dragons (“Die Hard” Dustin Lee & Scotty Vortekz). These two teams match up well and this was a war from start to finish that could have gone either way. The Dragons nearly won it when they hit Double Dragon, a double vertical suplex dropped into a power bomb, on Luke but he managed to kick out just before the three count. Vortekz was the star of the match as he took the fight to both Jim and Luke. Big Jim would bounce back and scored near falls with the big boot to the face and the legdrop. It was the latter move that would end it as Jim got the upper hand and laid out Vortekz hitting him with a Legdrop to score the pin as Luke fended off an interfering Lee.

4) Austin Aries defeated Brian Blair:
The technically sound Brian Blair, a former member of the Killer Bees, has been trying to make his way as a singles wrestler in the SWA but he ran into a tough foe here in the form of “A Double” Austin Aries. The confident Aries was on his game from the start dishing out a high level of offense hitting the brainbuster and the frog splash. He also locked on the Last Chancery but Blair was able to get a break in the ropes. A short time later Aries laid out Blair with another brainbuster and then hit the Pendulum Elbow to score the pin.

5) LOW Junior Heavyweight title: Tiger Mask© defeated Eddie Gilbert to retain the title:
The popular Tiger Mask, having just sent the title defense record for the LOW Junior Heavyweight title at eight, went into this version nine defense against “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert riding a wave of momentum. Gilbert, accompanied by his manager Sir Oliver Humperdink, had his own game plan and that was to attack Tiger Mask at ringside as he tried to enter the ring. It nearly paid off as Gilbert hit the Hot Shot early for a big near fall. Tiger bounced back using his high speed offense connecting with the jumping spin kick and rolling senton splashes. Gilbert countered with a piledriver and trapped the champion in a figure four leglock. Things were looking bleak for Tiger until he launched a late comeback and caught Gilbert with the Tiger Suplex to score the pin and retain the title.

6) Buddy Rogers defeated Bob Roop:
A determined Bob Roop was looking to score a big win here as he battled “Nature Boy” Buddy Rogers who was accompanied by “Elegant” Eddie Fyne. He started out strong until Rogers blindsided him with a jumping knee smash. That seemed to knock Roop silly and a short time later Rogers locked on the Figure Four Grapevine resulting in a snake eyes submission victory. Adding insult to injury it was Roop being assaulted by both Rogers and Fyne post-match including Fyne slapping him in the face several times. After the two left the ring an angry Roop recovered and grabbed the mic vowing revenge and said that after he beats Rogers he will get his hands on Fyne and send him packing from the SWA. The crowd cheered Roop as Rogers and Fyne retreated back to the locker room.

7) Kevin Sullivan defeated Don Muraco by DQ:
A big grudge match took place as “The Magnificent” Don Muraco took on House of Humperdink member Kevin Sullivan. It was Sullivan and Sir Oliver Humperdink that attacked Muraco on the last SWA card in Norfolk, VA (Card #753) after he refused to listen to the advice of the manager during his match with Ed “Strangler” Lewis for the LOW Tex-Arkana Television title. Muraco was left a bloody mess due to a Railroad Spike attack by Sullivan so he was out for some serious revenge here. It was Muraco dominating early using the over the shoulder backbreaker and neckbreaker. Sullivan struck back with a clothesline for a two count which turned out to be the only pinfall attempt in the match. The two brawled out to the floor trading stiff blows before Muraco was disqualified for repeatedly running Sullivan head first into the ring post. The crowd cheered Muraco as a bloody Sullivan needed assistance from Humperdink in going back to the locker room.

8) Midnight Express defeated Lou Thesz & Tommy Rich:
The main event saw the popular team of Lou Thesz & “Wildfire” Tommy Rich take on the Midnight Express (“Loverboy” Dennis Condrey & “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton) who were accompanied by manager Jim Cornette. The always vocal Cornette was shaking in fear on this night as the special stipulation for the match was that he would have to face Thesz for in a five minute match should he and Rich be victorious over the three-time LOW World tag team champions. Cornette nearly had heart failure in the early going as Thesz caught Condrey with the Greco-Roman Backdrop for a big near fall. Both Thesz and Rich taunted Cornette throughout the match and the crowd did so as well hoping to see the interfering manager get his in the end. There was a close call for Thesz when the Express laid him out and hit the Rocket Launcher but he managed to kick out just before the three count. The tense battle came to a surprising end when Eaton, fighting back from the defensive, caught Thesz with a Spinning Neckbreaker and scored a snake eyes pin. The crowd jeered the decision as Cornette jumped for joy at ringside escaping what would have been a terrible fate. Little did he know, however, that Condrey would have another idea in mind…

●Following the main event, Dennis Condrey jumped Lou Thesz and both he and Bobby Eaton assaulted him until Tommy Rich made the save. Jim Cornette tried to get his men to leave the ring and Eaton did but Condrey remained behind. Condrey got into the face of Thesz and dared him to meet in a singles match on the next SWA card in Oklahoma City, OK (Card #775) where Thesz would have to leave the SWA if he lost. Thesz agreed to it but only if the stipulation is again added that he gets a 5:00 match with Cornette if he wins. Cornette, who was being held back by Eaton, yelled at Condrey to refuse but he accepted and shook hands with Thesz. That left Cornette in a fit of rage and Eaton had to drag him to the back. The recent infighting between Condrey and Cornette may have lit the fuse for an explosion as far as the Midnight Express is concerned as should Thesz be successful in Oklahoma City it will be Cornette thrust into a nightmarish situation that he though he had avoided on this night. There are also huge ramifications for Thesz as should he lose the match to Condrey he will be forced to leave the SWA.

[Crimson Cross]

I really like how Dennis Condrey got into Lou Theszes face after the match and throughout the challenge, intense stuff. Too bad Gilbert couldn't win the Junior title and I was wanting Timber to win his bout...

[EpicDave]

Wow... what a ploy by Condrey... brilliantly booked.

[godzillajoe]

Haven't played or read in a while. Your fed is still awesome.

[bookerbill]

Lots going on with this card. Enjoyed the closing angle. The pieces are in place for either a major face leaving the territory or the implosion of a top tag team. Brilliant booking. Enjoyed Timber vs Smothers and The Rock against The Task Master was intense. Tiger Mask pulls it out and looks strong on top of the junior division. Blair needs to find a new tag team partner.

[cruefan68]

Thanks for the comments guys. The Dennis Condrey-Jim Cornette situation has been brewing for a little while now and where it goes will depend on the roll of the dice. Either way Thesz vs. Condrey will shake things up in the SWA, either Thesz is out or the Midnight Express could be done.

I was originally thinking long term and having Stan Lane come back to replace Condrey on the team but then I paired up Lane with Marty Jannetty as a version of the Midnight Rockers. Should the Midnight Express implode I am not sure if I will have Cornette look to replace Condrey or if Eaton will go it alone. It is times like this that I love this game so much. The possibilities are endless.

bookerbill: I recently paired Brian Blair with Mike Graham but not sure if they will be a permanent team. Both Blair and Jim Brunzell have done bad for me as singles wrestlers but I wanted to put the Killer Bees to rest for a while so that is why I split them up. Brunzell actually fared pretty well on the recent KRU tour, though, so maybe the dice will start favoring him. As for Blair I am hoping for some good things from him as well but he does seem more suited for a tag team.

[cruefan68]

LOW American Wrestling Enterprise - Hara Arena - Dayton, OH (Card #766)

1) Midnight Rockers defeated Johnny Rodz & Savage-T:
The popular Midnight Rockers (Stan Lane & Marty Jannetty) took on the ASW combination of Johnny Rodz & Savage-T in the opener. The Rockers used quick tags to control the pace and each man scored near falls with the counter sunset flip off of the ropes. Rodz and Savage-T, who were accompanied by KJ Hill, looked good for a stretch but were unable to get the Rockers into serious trouble. This one ended when the Rockers hit the Flapjack on Rodz and Jannetty covered him for the pin.

2) Mikey Whipwreck defeated Ken Doane:
The second bout saw Mikey Whipwreck out of Buffalo, NY, square off with Worcester, MA, native Ken Doane. It was all Doane early as he jumped Whipwreck during the ring introductions and took him down with the jumping elbow ram. Doane was looking good until Whipwreck fought out of a chinlock and scored near falls with a tornado DDT and slingshot leg drop. It would be Whipwreck getting his arm raised in victory when he nailed Doane with the Frankenmikey to score the pin.

3) Mad Dog & Butcher Vachon defeated Hacksaw Jim Duggan & Yukon Eric:
Rugged tag team action saw Hacksaw Jim Duggan & Yukon Eric team up to take on Mad Dog & Butcher Vachon who were accompanied by manager Jimmy Hart. It was pretty intense most of the way with both teams brawling in and out of the ring. Eric and Butcher had some great exchanges including Eric scoring a near fall after a bodyblock into the turnbuckle. Duggan scored with the Old Glory Kneedrop and some big clotheslines during his time in. The violent battle came to an end when Mad Dog caught Eric with his trademark Piledriver to score the pin as Butch prevented Duggan from making the save.

4) Blue Meanie defeated Bobby Heenan:
A highly anticipated grudge match saw the returning Blue Meanie taking on manager Bobby “The Brain” Heenan who had Angelo Poffo in his corner. It was Heenan and Poffo that initially put the Meanie out of action with an attack on an AWE card in St. Paul, MN (Card #736). Heenan said that he was going to use this match to “lead by example” for his men to use as inspiration, particularly the Valiant Brothers who were challenging for the LOW World tag team titles in the main event. It was all Meanie most of the way though Heenan nearly scored with a Pin Using Ropes in the heat of battle. Meanie busted Heenan open and had him pinned with a DDT but Poffo interfered saving his manager. After the referee ejected Poffo from ringside it was a fired up Meanie connecting with the Meaniesault on Heenan to score the pin.

●The Blue Meanie barely had time to do a celebratory dance after the match as Angelo Poffo returned and joined a bloody and battered Bobby Heenan in attacking him. It was a vicious assault that saw the two deliver a double DDT before Poffo laid him out with a Neckbreaker. The Meanie suffered a neck injury and will be out of action for at least two AWE cards. A smiling Poffo helped Heenan to the back while the Meanie had to be carried out of the ring on a stretcher.

5) LOW Tex-Arkana Television title: Ed Lewis© defeated Erick Stevens to retain the title:
The version ten defense of the LOW Tex-Arkana Television title for Ed “Strangler” Lewis came against a young and determined challenger in Erick Stevens. The two men shook hands at the bell before Lewis took control and nearly ended it early with a Strangler’s Headlock. Stevens made an admirable comeback connecting with a series of overhead belly-to-belly suplexes, a counter lariat out of the corner, and a Sarasota Screwdriver that resulted in a pair of two counts. Lewis countered a backdrop off of the ropes and quickly caught Stevens in the Strangler’s Headlock to score a submission victory and retain the title. It was a tough loss for Stevens who received a vote of confidence from Lewis post-match as they again shook hands and Lewis held up his arm in victory. Lewis will next defend the title against CHIKARA star Gran Akuma in Philadelphia, PA (Card #769) as he attempts to go for the LOW Tex-Arkana Television title defense record of fourteen held be Eddie Kingston.

6) King Kong Bundy defeated John Tolos by DQ:
This one wasn’t pretty and ended in total carnage. The “Golden Greek” John Tolos, accompanied by his brother Chris Tolos, took on First Family member King Kong Bundy, accompanied by his manager Jimmy Hart, attempting to avenge the injury inflicted on him by the 446-pounder. That injury may have indirectly led to John and Chris Tolos, the Hamilton Wrecking Crew, losing the LOW World tag team titles recently to the Fabulous Kangaroos (Card #756 in Hannover, Germany). Bundy was dominant early using his massive size to deliver punishing moves like the elbow drop off the ropea and the power drop. Tolos battled back furiously and it wasn’t long before they brawled out of the ring. Tolos dominated on the outside but his actions resulted in a snake eyes disqualification giving Bundy the victory. The action didn’t stop there as Brutus Beefcake ran down and hit Chris Stolos from behind with his studded armband. He and Bundy then assaulted John and the big man leveled the “Golden Greek” with the Avalanche followed by a big splash before LOW Officials cleared the ring.

●John Tolos joined the Blue Meanie on the injured list as he suffered broken ribs courtesy of the attack by King Kong Bundy and Brutus Beefcake. He will be out of action indefinitely and the attack angered his brother, Chris Tolos. In speaking with local reporters, Tolos said that Bundy, Beefcake, and the First Family will pay for their actions especially when his brother is cleared to return to the ring.

7) Dan Severn defeated Bill Dundee by DQ:
The highly accomplished Dan “The Beast” Severn, a former LOW World Heavyweight and International Heavyweight champion, was out for revenge here as he took on “Superstar” Bill Dundee. It was Dundee who cost Severn a chance at regaining the LOW World Heavyweight title in his match with champion Frank Gotch on a recent AWE card in Chicago, IL (Card #754). Dundee was angry over “guys like Severn” constantly getting title opportunites over him and so he took action in the only way he knew how. This one was short and intense. After some back and forth exchanges they battled out to the floor where Dundee was disqualified for running the head of Severn into the ring post several times. The two continued brawling post-match until LOW officials were able to break them up.

8) LOW World tag team titles: Valiant Brothers defeated Fabulous Kangaroos© by DQ:
A third straight technical decision marred a highly anticipated main event as manager Bobby “The Brain” Heenan, with his head covered in bandages, led the Valiant Brothers (Jimmy & Johnny Valiant) into action against LOW World tag team champions the Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello & Roy Heffernan, accompanied by their manager Wild Red Berry). The Valiant’s dominated early getting the head on Costello including scoring several near falls. Costello would bounce back trapping Johnny in the Marble Bor Leglock nearly winning it via submission. The Kangaroos later hit the Boomerang on Jimmy with a bloody Costello going for the cover but Johnny made the save. Johnny would also be busted open late in the battle but he came back catching Costello with the Spinning Neckbreaker for a big near fall. The finish was very controversial as Jimmy caught Costello in the Sleeper Hold and nearly had him put out when Berry jumped up on the ring apron hitting him with a boomerang to draw the disqualification. Heenan was furious arguing with the referee as even though the Valiant Brothers got the win it was the Fabulous Kangaroos retaining in their version one defense of the titles.

[Crimson Cross]

What a night for Disqualifications you had there Crue, but it was a fun card and it was good to see Heenan lose to the Blue Meanie...

[cruefan68]

Thanks for the comments Crimson, it was fun despite the DQ decisions. I much prefer clean finishes and even though I use the "two roll" rule for DQ's it didn't seem to matter on that night. Next up it is back to MSG for another history making night...

LOW Northern Wrestling Corporation - Madison Square Garden - New York, NY (Card #767)

1) Drake Younger defeated Chief Omega:
Chief Omega of ASW withstood a pre-match attack by the “Psycho Shooter” Drake Younger and hit the Tomahawk Thrust for a near fall. He had Younger on the ropes until he broke a sleeper hold by falling out of the ring. Younger took over on the outside and, after a right hook, he nailed Omega with Drake’s Landing, his version of the Vertibreaker, to score the pin.

2) Ox Baker defeated Pepper Gomez:
The popular Pepper Gomez out of Mexico City, Mexico, took on the dangerous Ox Baker who was accompanied by his manager Abdullah Farouk. Baker, fresh off of a successful tour of Japan for Kings Road United, looked strong in this one. Gomez used his speed to throw him off balance but Baker took it out to the floor where he was able to take control. A short time later it was Baker blasting Gomez with the Heart Punch to score the pin.

3) Samoan Island Tribe defeated The Sheepherders:
The war between the Samoan Island Tribe (Alofa & Samu) and The Sheepherders (Butch Miller & Luke Williams) has taken the NWC by storm. After losing to The Sheepherders on the last MSG card, the SIT were hoping to gain some revenge on the New Zealand madmen. The Sheepherders dominated early and had Alofa in a lot of trouble including scoring a big near fall with the Double Gutbuster. The SIT bounced back after Samu picked Miller off of the top rope with a bodyslam and then hot the Diving Headbutt for a big near fall. It went back and forth from there until a dramatic and controversial finish. The Sheepherders had Alofa pinned after hitting the Double Gutbuster again but the referee was busy sending Williams out of the ring. That allowed Alofa to drop a Diving Headbutt on Miller and roll Alofa on top of him to score the pin.

4) LOW Junior Heavyweight title: Gorgeous George defeated Tiger Mask to win the title:
The record setting LOW Junior Heavyweight title reign of Tiger Mask, a six-time title holder who successfully defended the belt nine times, came to an end as he lost the belt to Gorgeous George. Accompanied by his valet Cherie Dupre, the flamboyant George jumped Tiger Mask before the bell getting the match off to a wild start. It got even wilder as the referee went down on a top rope dive by Tiger Mask. The champion twice had George pinned after that, with a Tombstone Piledriver and the twisting moonsault, but no count could be made. George battled back with the Gorgeous Grip and three times got submission chances using his trademark Spinning Toehold. That left the agile Tiger in a vulnerable spot as his legs were the target of an assault by George. Dupre also got involved including trying to prevent Tiger from getting back into the ring before a ten count. George was fortunate that didn’t happen as a short time later he trapped Tiger in a Figure Four Leglock getting the victory via submission. A shocked crowd looked on as Gorgeous George became a two-time holder of the LOW Junior Heavyweight title.

5) Fred Blassie, Nikolai Volkoff, & Iron Sheik defeated Tony Atlas, Jerry Lynn, & Arik Cannon:
Big six-man tag team action saw the popular trio of “Mr. USA” Tony Atlas, Jerry Lynn, & Arik Cannon battle the “King of Men” Fred Blassie, Nikolai Volkoff, & Iron Sheik. There was plenty of heat going into this one as Atlas lost to Volkoff in one-on-one action on the last MSG card and Cannon has been out to avenge an injury at the hands of Volkoff and the Sheik. Atlas nearly won it early surprising Blassie with a clothesline for a big near fall. Blassie, a former two-time holder of the LOW World Heavyweight title, bounced back strong and set up Volkoff catching Lynn with a throat drop on the ropes for a near fall. Lynn would later pop the crowd when he kicked out after taking the Southern Neckbreaker from Blassie. Cannon shined during his time in trading suplexes with the Sheik even hitting an Exploder Suplex for a near fall. This one ended when Blassie used his sharp teeth to bite and draw blood from Lynn before executing another Southern Neckbreaker to score the pin.

6) Road Warriors defeated Sabu & Rob Van Dam:
In what may have been one of the greatest tag team matches in LOW history, freelance stars the Road Warriors (Animal & Hawk, managed by Paul Ellering) took on the Bill Alfonso-led team of Sabu & Rob Van Dam. With eight LOW World tag team titles between them (Road Warriors – 7, Sabu & RVD – 1) it was expected to be an explosive match and it did not disappoint. The Road Warriors dominated early using their power advantage and they kept the heat on Sabu for an extended stretch. It was a referee bump on a top rope dive by Hawk that turned things around. Sabu and RVD took over and it was Sabu trapping Hawk in the Camel Clutch. He cinched it on going for the submission but Hawk was able to power out of the hold. RVD used his unique aerial attack on both Hawk and Animal including scoring a near fall on Hawk with a body scissors cradle. The Road Warriors bounced back and hit the Doomsday Device on Sabu but he somehow managed to kick out just before the three count. The crowd erupted in cheers as a distraught Ellering looked on at ringside. His counterpart, Alfonso, would involve himself twice late in the match saving his team from defeat. Sabu was almost disqualified after hitting the chair assisted Arabian Facebuster on Hawk. Not long after that it was Hawk dominating Sabu and then combining with Animal on a second Doomsday Device resulting in the pin. The crowd gave both teams a standing ovation post-match as Hawk, Animal, and Ellering shook hands with RVD and Alfonso. A reluctant Sabu also joined in but glared at RVD and Alfonso indicating that there may be some tension between the three men.

7) Apter’s Corner with LOW Commissioner Charlie Cox:
It was time for the annual big segment at MSG where PWI Editor Bill Apter welcomes in LOW Commissioner Charlie Cox to make two huge announcements, the first of which was the confirmation of the 6th Annual PWI Invitational Cup Tournament. Apter thanked Cox on behalf of the magazine for continuing the tournament which was co-founded by prior LOW Commissioner Massif. Cox said that it was a pleasure to be involved with PWI and in helping to continue what has been a huge part of LOW over the past six years. He added that there will be a slight twist to this year’s version of the tournament as each territory will be hosting matches that will not be territory exclusive and that the competitors were selected completely at random using the PWI computer database. As such Antonino Rocca was the only past winner selected to be part of the qualifying round. The two then announced the following matches and host cities for the qualifying round of the tournament:

Antonino Rocca (NWC) vs. The Destroyer (KRU) (CHIKARA – Philadelphia, PA – Card #769)
Cowboy Bob Orton (NWC) vs. Bob Roop (SWA) (Ring of Honor – Las Vegas, NV – Card #770)
Antonio Inoki (KRU) vs. Erick Stevens (AWE, alternate replacing the injured John Tolos) (All-Star Wrestling – Memphis, TN – Card #771)
Bryan Danielson (PCW) vs. Bobby Eaton (SWA) (PCW – San Francisco, CA – Card #772)
Dasher Hatfield (CHIKARA) vs. The Mountie (GWA) (GWA – Berlin, Germany – Card #773)
Austin Aries (SWA) vs. Tyler Black (ROH) (NWC – Philadelphia, PA – Card #774)
Rick Rude (Freelance) vs. Hacksaw Jim Duggan (AWE) (SWA – Oklahoma City, OK – Card #775)
Johnny Valentine (NWC) vs. Ray Stevens (PCW) (AWE – St. Louis, MO – Card #776)
Blackjack Mulligan (SWA) vs. Claudio Castagnoli (ROH) (AWE – St. Louis, MO – Card #776)
Jimmy Snuka (NWC) vs. Ivan Koloff (GWA) (PCW – Sioux Falls, SD – Card #777)
Mike Quackenbush (CHIKARA) vs. El Generico (ROH) (CHIKARA – Hellertown, PA – Card #779)
Greg Valentine (NWC) vs. The Grappler (PCW) (Ring of Honor – Santa Ana, CA – Card #780)
Tracy Smothers (SWA) vs. Diamond Dallas Page (NWC) (ASW – Memphis, TN – Card #781)
Big John Studd (Freelance) vs. The Terrible Turk (AWE) (GWA – San Juan, Puerto Rico – Card #782)
Sugar Dunkerton (CHIKARA) vs. Giant Bernard (GWA) (SWA – Baton Rouge, LA – Card #783)
Roddy Piper (PCW) vs. Roderick Strong (ROH) (AWE – Wichita, KS – Card #784)

The sixteen qualifying winners will then meet in the opening round hoping to make it to the finals at WrestleCade VIII. At that point it was Cox making the huge announcement that WrestleCade VIII will be taking place at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, GA (Card #800) drawing cheers from the crowd. He added that qualifying rounds for the PWI Cup will take place in Rome, GA (Card #797) and at Municipal Auditorium in Atlanta, GA (Card #798). Then it will be CHIKARA and Ring of Honor coming together for a joint show at WTBS Studios in Atlanta, GA (Card #799), subtitled It’s WCW Saturday Night!, bridging the gap to WrestleCade VIII during the big weekend. Apter thanked Cox for joining him for what was certainly a history making series of announcements.

8) Cowboy Bob Orton defeated Diamond Dallas Page:
With both men having been announced as participants in the qualifying round of the sixth annual PWI Invitational Cup Tournament, this match between Diamond Dallas Page and “The Ace” Cowboy Bob Orton took on an added level of importance. Orton dominated the early going including hitting the Superplex but he was late on the cover allowing DDP to kick out of the pin. DDP then caught Orton up top with a bodyslam and followed with a discus clothesline. He was looking to build up his momentum and deliver the Diamond Cutter but it would be Orton coming out on top when he laid out DDP with a Piledriver to score the pin.

9) Andre the Giant & Bobo Brazil defeated Killer Kowalski & The Warlord:
Titanic tag team action saw the undefeated “Eighth Wonder of the World” Andre the Giant teaming up with the returning Bobo Brazil to take on Killer Kowalski & The Warlord who had manager Captain Lou Albano in their corner. Brazil had his ribs injured in a vicious attack by Kowalski and he called in his good friend Andre for this match. Andre also had a personal stake in it due to a match with The Warlord on the last MSG card. Andre nearly won it in the early going when he hit the Big Splash on Kowalski but The Warlord made the save. The Warlord would later come close to winning it for his team when he blasted Brazil with a short arm clothesline for a big near fall. He and Kowalski, backed by some timely interference by Albano, were able to dominate for a stretch. Kowalski used the Kowalski Claw on both Andre and Brazil for submission chances. Brazil battled back strong for his team delivering the big hammer punch and Bobo bodyslam. Andre then hit the Big Splash on The Warlord but Kowalski broke up the pin. After a lengthy battle both in and out of the ring, which included The Warlord being busted open by a chair shot unseen by the referee, it was Andre nailing Kowalski with a Headbutt to score the pin.

10) LOW World Heavyweight title: The Sheik defeated Frank Gotch to win the title:
LOW International Heavyweight champion Harley Race, who won the belt from The Sheik in Sapporo, Japan (Card #764), made a special appearance prior to the main event. He spoke briefly saying that he would like to challenge the winner in the future and then shook hands with defending LOW World Heavyweight champion Frank Gotch. He turned to do the same to The Sheik but manager Abdullah Farouk stepped in between and prevented that. The brief distraction allowed The Sheik to step in from behind and hit Race in the back of the neck before attempting to gouge him with his taped pencil. Gotch jumped in and saved Race who recovered and laid into The Sheik with a barrage of punches and a headbutt. The Sheik and Farouk bailed out of the ring as LOW Commissioner Charlie Cox, backed by LOW officials, made his way to ringside and made sure that Race was escorted to the back. After the situation cooled down it was time for the championship match.

There couldn’t be two more different opponents than Frank Gotch and The Sheik. Gotch is noted for his great technical skill and ability to win big matches while The Sheik relies on foreign objects, blood, and timely interference by Farouk. The Sheik is also no stranger to winning big matches as evidenced by his four reigns as LOW International Heavyweight champion. Gotch was in control early using the crossface and armbar and guillotine choke to great effect. He also scored a two count with a diving tackle off of the middle rope (ch) leaving Farouk pacing nervously at ringside. The Sheik battled back stabbing Gotch in the forehead with his taped pencil and raking at his eyes and face. The turning point came when Gotch executed the Iowa backdrop causing The Sheik to bail out of the ring. Gotch followed him out but it was The Sheik getting control using his vicious tactics. As they returned to the ring it was Farouk distracting the referee to set up a controversial finish. The Sheik used the distraction by his manager to toss a Fireball in the face of Gotch. He went down like a shot covering his face as The Sheik pounced on him to score the pin. It was a shocking conclusion to the match with the crowd jeering and tossing debris towards the ring as a jubilant Farouk handed The Sheik the title belt crowning him the new LOW World Heavyweight champion. LOW Officials returned to the ring to safely escort The Sheik and Farouk to the back while medics attended to the fallen Gotch.

●History was made on this night as The Sheik captured the LOW World Heavyweight title from Frank Gotch and Gorgeous George won the LOW Junior Heavyweight title from Tiger Mask. PWI Editor Bill Apter caught up with Abdullah Farouk, the proud manager of The Sheik, who said that “justice was served” and that the “noble Sheik” had finally acquired the richest prize in LOW. Apter questioned the way that he won the belt and Farouk barked back at him saying that the “decision of the referee is final” and that The Sheik is now the “man to beat” in LOW. As for Gotch, he suffered burns on his face but his injuries were said to not be serious and he will not miss any ring time. There is no doubt that Gotch, along with Harley Race and others, will be getting in line to get the first crack at The Sheik. LOW Commissioner Charlie Cox spoke with Apter and said that while he can’t order a review and reverse the decision he can set up championship matches and that Gotch will receive his rematch when he is ready. He then said that the first scheduled LOW World Heavyweight title defense for The Sheik will be against a former champion in “The Solid Man” William Muldoon on the next AWE card at the famed Kiel Auditorium in St. Louis, MO (Card #776).

[godzillajoe]

Excellent Main Event and overall action. And Bobo/Andre. Who could ever beat them?!