LOW - Legends of Wrestling

[cruefan68]

LOW WrestleCade VIII - Georgia Dome - Atlanta, GA (Card #800)

1) ROH tag team titles: Kevin Steen & Jimmy Jacobs defeated Shelton Benjamin & Charlie Haas to win the titles:
The capacity crowd at the Georgia Dome was at a fever pitch as the combatants for the opening match arrived with “Wrestling’s Greatest Tag Team”, Shelton Benjamin & Charlie Haas, defending the ROH tag team titles against S.C.U.M. members Kevin Steen & Jimmy Jacobs. Steen was substituting for the injured Steve Corino while Benjamin was returning from a shoulder injury suffered at the hands of Mark & Jay Briscoe, the former of whom is currently suspended by ROH. The ring rust looked to have an effect on Benjamin as he was overmatched by S.C.U.M. in the early going. Jacobs used The End Of Time on both opponents for submission chances during the early action. WGTT turned things around and at one point scored three near falls on Steen, the former ROH Heavyweight champion. That was capped off by the athletic Benjamin hitting a turnbuckle power bomb followed by a superkick only to have Jacobs break up the pin. The finish of a solid opening bout saw Steen rough up Haas on the floor and back inside he laid him out with the Package Piledriver to score the pin. It was a huge victory for S.C.U.M. as they opened up WrestleCade VIII by winning the ROH tag team titles. The result also presents an interesting situation when it comes to S.C.U.M. as Steen is unlikely to give up his share of the titles to Corino leaving the possibility of some friction between them or it opens up the possibility of a Freebird-like defense of the championship by the trio.

2) Sky Low Low defeated Little Beaver:
The little stars got a chance to appear on the big stage as Little Beaver faced off against his longtime rival Sky Low Low. Unfortunately for Beaver he had a rough go of it and dropped the decision to Sky who has held the advantage in their series of matches. The pivotal moment came when Beaver reversed a corner whip and Sky came out of the corner with a clothesline. Afterward it was Beaver winding up on the ring apron and sky tripped him up sending him crashing into the rod that connects the turnbuckle to the ring post. Beaver staggered back in under the second rope and Sky nailed him with the Dropkick to score the pin.

3) Gorgeous George, Buddy Rogers, Bob Orton, King Kong Bundy, & Ox Baker defeated Jim Londos, Ed Lewis, Jimmy Snuka, Tommy Rich, & Curt Hennig:
A big ten-man inter-promotional match featuring opposing champions on each side saw the “Golden Greek” Jim Londos (GWA), Ed “Strangler” Lewis (SWA), Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka (NWC), “Wildfire” Tommy Rich (SWA), and LOW Tex-Arkana Television champion Curt Hennig (PCW) face LOW Junior Heavyweight champion Gorgeous George (NWC), “Nature Boy” Buddy Rogers (SWA), Cowboy Bob Orton (NWC), King Kong Bundy (SWA), and Ox Baker (SWA). There was nearly 2,500-pounds of humanity assembled for this one which saw both sides looking to pick up the victory on the grandest stage in LOW. Londos nearly won it in the first few moments of the match scoring a near fall on George with a headlock throw. Lewis then caught George in the Strangler’s Headlock but he was saved by Rogers. The “Nature Boy” then trapped Lewis in the Figure Four Grapevine going for the submission but he managed to reverse out of the hold. A great spot saw Orton going for a deathjump (ch) but Lewis picked him off with a bodyslam. He then tagged Snuka who hit the Superfly on Orton but Bundy broke up the pin. Rich looked good during his time in but was nearly pinned with a neckbreaker by Baker. That set off a wild melee during which Baker nailed Rich with the Heart Punch to score the pin.

4) SHIMMER title: Cheerleader Melissa© defeated Lufisto to retain the title:
The stars of SHIMMER took center stage as the popular Cheerleader Melissa defended the SHIMMER title against the “Super Hardcore Anime” Lufisto, an equally popular competitor out of Canada. Lufisto earned this opportunity by getting past both Mercedes Martinez and Saraya Knight and was bound and determined to win the gold. She did a great job of controlling things in the early going keeping Melissa on the defensive, including nailing Melissa with the Diving Star Headbutt. Melissa made a nice comeback countering a backslide attempt into a Samoan Drop for a near fall. When the bout went out to the floor Lufisto tried to take things hardcore but Melissa blasted her with a running dropkick. Back on the inside it was Melissa delivering the Air Raid Crash to score the pin. The crowd cheered the victory by Melissa who was successful in her version two defense of the championship.

5) Danny Hodge defeated Nick Bockwinkel:
Three-time LOW Junior Heavyweight champion Danny Hodge of the GWA took on two-time LOW World Heavyweight champion Nick Bockwinkel who remains a free agent in LOW. Bockwinkel spoke with the press earlier and said that he acquired an open contract for a match on the card and was happy Hodge accepted it saying that he has always had great respect for him. Hodge spoke equally well of Bockwinkel and said that he expected them to have one of the best matches on the card. The two did not disappoint in that respect but the performance by Hodge was one for the ages. He managed to control the pace of the bout and scored near falls with the counter roll-up out of the corner and the Oklahoma Side Roll. Bockwinkel made some defensive counters but was never able to get Hodge in serious trouble. Hodge was able to lock on a Boston Crab for a submission chance with Bockwinkel countering out of it. Instead of going to another attack it was Hodge maintaining hold of the leg of Bockwinkel and quickly trapping him in an Indian Deathlock in mid-ring. Bockwinkel tried in vain to escape but he ultimately had to tap out giving Hodge a huge submission victory. Both men shook hands after the bout drawing cheers from the capacity crowd.

6) PWI Invitational Cup Tournament – Final Round: Bob Roop defeated Hacksaw Jim Duggan:
All of the blood, sweat and tears poured into the several month long elimination tournament culminated in this final round match as AWE star Hacksaw Jim Duggan took on Bob Roop of the SWA. Both men laid it all on the line in this one hoping to become the winner of the sixth annual event. Duggan was on fire early and he caught Roop with the Flying Spear for a big near fall. Another near fall came after Duggan executed a piledriver. Roop relied on his technical skill to get back into it and had Duggan in trouble with his trademark moves like the gutwrench backbreaker and the reverse stepover toehold. A piledriver and a spinning neckbreaker led to two near falls for Roop. The former Olympian turned it up a notch near the end using some nice counters before catching a fatigued Duggan with a Suplex converted into a press to score the pin. The crowd erupted in cheers as Roop scored one of the biggest wins of his LOW Career. PWI Editor Bill Apter and LOW Commissioner Charlie Cox entered the ring for the post-match trophy presentation congratulating Roop. Duggan showed great class as well by shaking hands with Roop and raising his arm in victory. Roop spoke to the press afterward and said that like past tournament winners he will parlay his win into a shot at the LOW World Heavyweight title in the new year.

Intermission...

[cruefan68]

WrestleCade VIII continued...

7) Four Way Elimination Match: Magnum T.A. defeated Ted Dibiase, Frank Gotch, and Fred Blassie:
Four former LOW World Heavyweight champions in Magnum T.A., Frank Gotch, “Million $ Man” Ted Dibiase and “King of Men” Fred Blassie met in a special Four Way Elimination Match. The grand stage of WrestleCade VIII was a fitting place for this match and the performance of one of the participants was of epic proportions. The ruthless Blassie was dominating early including punishing Magnum with the stomach claw. A defensive counter, however, would lead to the “King of Men” being the first man eliminated when Magnum thwarted a back bodydrop and hit the Belly to Belly Suplex to score the pin. An alert Dibiase, who had been battling Gotch, quickly pounced on Magnum and trapped him in the Million Dollar Sleeper nearly resulting in a submission. Magnum managed to get to the ropes for a break and would later counter Dibiase on the top rope with a superplex. It was Dibiase being eliminated next when Magnum caught him in a Sleeper Hold for the submission as Gotch opted not to make a save. That left two popular stars in Magnum and Gotch to decide the winner. They engaged in an amazing battle including Gotch scoring with the Iowa Backdrop and rolling kneebar. He had Magnum in serious trouble but somehow the native of Chesapeake, VA, kept battling back. The dramatic battle ended in a series of near falls before Magnum countered out of a bodyslam and blasted Gotch with a Running Forearm to score the pin. The crowd exploded on the three count as Magnum T.A. won by eliminating all three opponents in the match.

8) Dog Collar Match: Bobo Brazil defeated Killer Kowalski:
One of the hottest feuds in LOW took center stage at WrestleCade VIII as the popular Bobo Brazil took on Killer Kowalski in a Dog Collar Match. Kowalski was led to the ring by his manager, Captain Lou Albano, who was ejected from ringside prior to the match drawing cheers from the crowd. This was a bitter and brutal battle that saw both men on the brink of exhaustion (Brazil – 6 tokens, Kowalski – 4 tokens) and bleeding profusely by the end. Kowalski nearly won it in the early going when he wrapped the chain around his arm and hit a jumping elbow smash on Brazil. He then locked on the Kowalski Claw and Brazil barely escaped defeat. Brazil battled back using the chain to both clothesline and whiplash Kowalski. At one point both men went down after clotheslining each other with the chain. Brazil recovered first and hit the Coco Butt but Kowalski kicked out of the pin. Kowalski had another creative use of the chain as he wrapped it around his knee to deliver the bombs away knee drop on Brazil for a big near fall. The tense battle ended when Brazil choked out Kowalski with the chain and blasted him with another Coco Butt to score the pin. Both men needed assistance out of the ring post-match but a bloody Brazil stood for a few moments in order to soak in the cheers of the crowd.

9) Randy Savage & Bruiser Brody defeated Road Warriors:
In one of the most highly anticipated matches of the night it was a battle of freelance stars as Randy “Macho Man” Savage & “King Kong” Bruiser Brody took on the Road Warriors (Hawk & Animal, with their manager “Precious” Paul Ellering). It was only one year ago at WrestleCade VII that Savage and Brody were opponents but now they have formed an alliance and with big plans including beating the Road Warriors who are record seven-time LOW World tag team champions. Savage nearly won it in the opening moments scoring a two count on Animal after hitting a running knee to the back. Animal bounced back with the flying shoulder ram and teamed with Hawk on a double clothesline. Savage would later gain a near fall on Hawk after hitting the flying axe handle to the outside followed by a knee drop. Brody was at the top of his game here taking the fight to Hawk and Animal as few men can. Ellering looked on concerned at ringside but then the Warriors rallied back scoring a pair of near falls on Brody. Both teams also fought out to the floor a few times during the match and it was on the outside where Brody speared Hawk head first into the ring post while the referee was distracted. Back inside it was Brody delivering the Jumping Knee Drop on Hawk but Animal made the save. Brody won the ensuing brawl and sent Animal over the top rope to the floor where Savage took him out with the flying axe handle. That led to Brody delivering another Jumping Knee Drop on the prone Hawk to score the pin. It was a huge win for Savage and Brody but there is no doubt that Hawk, Animal, and Ellering will be looking for a rematch.

10) LOW International Heavyweight title: Harley Race defeated George Hackenschmidt to win the title:
The first of three consecutive championship main events saw Harley Race take on the “Russian Lion” George Hackenschmidt for the LOW International Heavyweight title. Race, who makes his home in Kings Road United in Japan, lost the belt to Hackenschmidt of the GWA on a card in San Juan, Puerto Rico (Card #782) so this was a chance for him to regain it. The championship had not changed hands in four years at a WrestleCade event so Hackenschmidt had a little history on his side going into this important title defense. Late in the match it was Hackenschmidt controlling the action hitting a wristlock suplex and then torturing Race with a neck crank. He then sent Race off the ropes going for a back bodydrop, presumably to set up for the feared Russian Bearhug, but Race countered with a wicked piledriver. Race followed up with a nice back suplex that forced Hackenschmidt to bail out of the ring. Race followed him out and ran him chest first into the guard rail. Back inside it was Race using his trademark headbutts, including the diving headbutt, before dropping Hackenschmidt with the Piledriver to score the pin. The victory allowed Race to regain the title and become a three-time LOW International Heavyweight champion putting him second on the rankings list for the belt behind the four reigns of The Sheik. Hackenschmidt was not pleased with losing the title in his version two defense and he shot a cold, icy stare at Race before leaving the ring.

11) LOW World tag team titles: Fabulous Kangaroos© defeated John & Chris Tolos to retain the titles:
The LOW World tag team titles were on the line as the Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello & Roy Heffernan, with their manager Wild Red Berry) defended the belts against former champions John & Chris Tolos, the Hamilton Wrecking Crew. Berry entered the ring waving an Australian flag and carrying the boomerang. The Tolos Brothers survived a ten team Gauntlet Match to earn this rematch for the belts which they originally lost to the Kangaroos in Hannover, Germany (Card #756). The early action saw the Tolos Brothers isolate Costello with a vicious assault including kneedrops, kicks, and the thumb to the throat. The Kangaroos battled back and used the Marble Bor Leglock (Costello) and the Step Over Toehold (Heffernan) on Chris for submission chances. Berry also got involved at one point hitting Chris in the back of the knee with the boomerang. The finish of a great battle saw Costello catch a charging John with a back bodydrop on the floor. Back inside it was Costello and Heffernan combining to execute the Boomerang, which is a catapult into a back bodydrop, on John. Heffernan then dove on top of the “Golden Greek” to score the pin as Costello prevented Chris from making the save. The Kangaroos turned back a strong challenge in their version five defense of the championship.

12) LOW World Heavyweight title: Lou Thesz defeated The Sheik to win the title:
Long considered an uncrowned champion in LOW it was SWA star Lou Thesz getting a huge opportunity as he faced The Sheik for the LOW World Heavyweight title in the main event. He earned the chance by winning the annual 12-Man Gold Star Battle Royal at Madison Square Garden in New York, NY (Card #785). Thesz was accompanied to the ring by his mentor, Ed “Strangler” Lewis, and his protégé, “Wildfire” Tommy Rich, while The Sheik had manager Abdullah Farouk in his corner. It was a tense situation during the ring introductions by Gary Michael Cappetta as The Sheik kneeled down on his prayer rug prompting Farouk to call for quit. After The Sheik was done he pulled a weapon out of his boot and attempted to go after Thesz but was cut off by Rich who knocked it out of his hand. Rich grabbed the object and tossed it out of the ring as The Sheik paced back and forth in the far corner. LOW Commissioner Charlie Cox, seated at ringside, sent a host of LOW officials into the ring to prevent a possible physical altercation. Cox then instructed both Lewis and Rich to return to the back and Farouk to get to the corner outside the ring. Lewis and Rich complied and wished Thesz luck as an angry Farouk bickered with Cox before leaving the ring.

The match officially got underway with Thesz avoiding a knee lift by The Sheik and blasting him with a series of dropkicks. Thesz would then go to his technical skills which he would use to frustrate The Sheik early and often. The Sheik, however, always has a trick up his sleeve and he pulled a sharpened pencil from his tights and used it on Thesz to take over. The Sheik showed no restraint in defense of the world championship as he bit, punched, and clawed at Thesz eventually busting him open. Thesz would not be drawn into the bloody game of The Sheik and retaliated the way he knows best by outwrestling the “Madman from Syria”. He did eventually bust The Sheik open as well during a battle on the outside. The Sheik twice tried to use a Fireball but he was unable to use it successfully. He did manage to trap a very bloody Thesz in the Camel Clutch but he refused to concede and grabbed the ropes for a break. Thesz battled back strong and caught The Sheik with the Greco-Roman Backdrop for what looked to be a sure pin but Farouk distracted the referee. The vile manager would interfere a few more times saving the title for his man. The finish of a furious battle saw The Sheik toss Thesz to the outside and try to go on the attack but it backfired. Thesz battered The Sheik both on the floor and on the ring apron leaving the champion in a bad way. As the bloody Sheik staggered back inside it was Thesz coming off of the ropes with a picture perfect Thesz Press to score the pin. The crowd erupted in cheers as Thesz dethroned The Sheik in a memorable main event. Lewis, Rich, and a host of other wrestlers then ran down and hoisted the bloody Thesz up for a big victory celebration. It was a great finish to the night and the dawn of a new era in LOW with Lou Thesz winning the LOW World Heavyweight title.

[Crimson Cross]

WrestleCade VIII was really Crue...

This Eigth edition delivered on some outstanding results, I really liked the Ten man battle with Ox Baker gaining the victory. I was pulling for The Sheik to retain, but it was Lou's night. What a run for both Duggan & Roop, but seeing Bob Roop win your PWiT is very solid and I hope he'll go onto win the World Title. Another loss I was hoping would've not happen was Hackenschmidt, but Harley Race is another tough Champ. Overall what a GRE8T WrestleCade you presented...

[bookerbill]

Another awesome Wrestlecade. Really liked Race and Thesz walking away with the gold. Brody and Savage over the Warriors was surprising and I liked Hodge over Bockwinkel.

[mrsask]

Awesome card you put together! The amount if time and effort you put into this serves as a high standard for us all to envy!

[cruefan68]

Thanks for the comments Crimson, Bookerbill, and Mrsask. It is very satisfying to not only finish out another year in my fed but to see how everyone enjoyed the action. I had two mark out moments with Lou Thesz winning the world title and Savage & Brody beating the Road Warriors. In the former it looked very much like The Sheik would retain but then Thesz got him in the end. I am a huge fan of both Savage and Brody so them coming out on top there was a nice surprise. I plan on having a rematch between those two teams in the new year.

I hope to start the new year of my fed, which kicks off with Kings Road United at the Tokyo Dome, sometime over the next week.

[ajcostello]

Great stuff.

Always inspirational.

[EpicDave]

Outstanding supercard! Loved the payoff of Brazil vs. Kowalski, and the tourney win for Roop was huge. Keep rollin'!

[Gunslinger]

Love Bob Roop winning the tournament. I'm hoping the tournament I'm cooking up is as interesting as yours.

[cruefan68]

Thanks also for the comments AJ, Daytondave, and Gunslinger. I really liked Bob Roop winning the tournament as well and Duggan would have also been a nice surprise. The dice have always failed Duggan in my fed but over the last year or so he is becoming his old Mid-South self and it has been fun to see. My own personal pick for the PWI winner was Johnny Valentine but Duggan upset him to advance. Roop will be getting a shot at the LOW World Heavyweight title in the new year so watch out for that. Hope to have a new show posted soon.