LOW - Legends of Wrestling

[EpicDave]

Gordon Solie was the Dean, but I always had a special place in my heart for Lance Russell. Love that booming baritone and the perpetual indignation. The King of Trios will be awesome! Adding Tyler Black to the Kings of Wrestling makes them the favorites in my book, although they could easily go down in the first round.

[bookerbill]

Some really interesting matchups for the KOT tournament. Hard to pick a favourite.

[cruefan68]

LOW Northern Wrestling Corporation - Sunnyside Gardens - Queens, NY (Card #803)

1) Sabu defeated Savage-T:
Whistle blowing manager Bill Alfonso led the “Homicidal, Genocidal and Suicidal” Sabu to the ring for this match with Savage-T of ASW. Sabu dominated this one early including hitting the Triple Jump Moonsault for a big near fall. Savage-T mounted a comeback and hit the Vertibreaker for a big near fall of his own as his valet KJ Hill cheered him on. Sabu then hit the controversial chair assisted Arabian Facebuster and caught Savage-T with a Huracanrana for the pin.

2) One Man Gang defeated Afa, Jr.:
This battle between Afa, Jr., “The Samoan Storm”, and the 495-pound One Man Gang nearly saw the young Samoan star come away with a big win. Early action saw Afa, Jr. with a great display of strength as he caught OMG with the Samoan Drop for a big near fall. Manager Captain Lou Albano paced frantically at ringside as OMG looked to rally back. The big man from Halstead St. in Chicago, IL, struck with a face first suplex that resulted in a two count. After a headbutt drop by Afa, Jr. resulted in a cover it was Albano distracting the referee to break up a pin attempt. The finish saw OMG hit with a shoulder tackle but the big man stood his ground and decked Afa, Jr. with a Big Right Hand to score the pin.

3) Jerry Lynn defeated Arik Cannon by Count Out:
A grudge match between former tag team partners saw Jerry Lynn battle “The Anarchist” Arik Cannon. It was all Lynn early as the popular star out of Minneapolis, MN, caught Cannon with the top rope huracanrana and twisting legdrop from the apron. He also hit the Cradle Piledriver but Cannon kicked out just before the three count. Cannon battled back delivering the brainbuster and elevated snap neckbreaker for a pair of near falls. This one also went to the outside a few times and it was on the floor where it ended. After Lynn tossed Cannon to the outside he dove off of the top rope with a plancha taking him out. Cannon caught the guard rail on the way down and was left in a bad way. Lynn was also banged up but he rolled back inside to beat the ten count and get the victory over Cannon.

4) Nikolai Volkoff & Iron Sheik defeated Tony Atlas & Ilio DiPaolo:
The first time pairing of “Mr. USA” Tony Atlas & Ilio DiPaolo had the tough task of facing Nikolai Volkoff & Iron Sheik. They didn’t even get a chance to enter the ring proper as Volkoff and Sheik jumped them at ringside. That included Volkoff sending Atlas chest first into the ring post. Volkoff and Sheik, who were not accompanied by their manager Fred Blassie, did a great job isolating Atlas keeping DiPaolo on the apron. Atlas survived the Camel Clutch from the Sheik and a vicious assault by both men after the referee went down from a diving shoulder tackle off the middle rope by Volkoff. DiPaolo got the hot tag and cleaned house hoping to set up Atlas for a big finish. Unfortunately for Atlas he was in no shape for that and, after being busted open, he was caught with a corner clothesline by Volkoff followed up by the Backbreaker Drop for the pin.

5) Rob Van Dam defeated Drake Younger:
It only took the “Whole F’N Show” Rob Van Dam two moves to win this one over the “Psycho Shooter” Drake Younger. The two hardcore wrestlers were set to square off when Younger threatened Bill Alfonso, the whistle blowing manager of RVD, while holding a light tube. RVD took exception to that and blasted Younger with the springboard back kick as the bell rang to start the match. Second later it was RVD vaulting to the top rope and coming off with the Five Star Frog Splash to score the pin. Younger was irate over the quick defeat as both Alfonso and RVD taunted him at ringside.

6) Samoan Island Tribe defeated The Sheepherders:
Something must have been in the water in Queens as this was the second consecutive quick match on the card. The blood feud between the Samoan Island Tribe (Alofa & Samu) and The Sheepherders (Butch Miller & Luke Williams) continued with this wild showdown. The Sheepherders tried to jump the SIT at ringside before the bell but that plan backfired. The SIT quickly turned the tables and the battle continued at ringside for several minutes. The referee got involved and called for the bell as both Alofa and Butch battled into the ring. Samu and Luke, meanwhile, took their fight over the guard rail and into the front row. Alofa then got the upper hand on Butch and nailed him with the Samoan Drop to score the pin. The crowd cheered the victory by the SIT but the wild battle continued post-match until LOW officials were able to break the two teams apart.

7) Greg Valentine defeated Antonino Rocca:
The semi-final match saw the popular Antonino Rocca take on Greg “The Hammer” Valentine who had manager Captain Lou Albano in his corner. Valentine recently moved into singles competition in the NWC after Albano sold the contract of his father, Johnny Valentine, to SWA Manager Sir Oliver Humperdink. It was a move that was designed to give both father and son a shot at some singles championships and “The Hammer” looks to have benefited from it. He dominated early and trapped Rocca in the Figure Four Leglock but it was broken up in the ropes. Rocca bounced back and scored a near fall with a flying headscissors into a cradle hold. He went for it a second time but Albano distracted the referee breaking up the pin. Rocca continued his attack with a victory roll and crushing body scissors before Valentine took control out on the floor. Albano then conveniently distracted the referee allowing Valentine to twice ram a steel chair into the legs of Rocca. That set up the finish as a third application of the Figure Four Leglock in the match forced Rocca to concede giving Valentine a huge victory via submission.

8) LOW Tex-Arkana Television title: Curt Hennig© defeated Cowboy Bob Orton to retain the title:
Championship action headlined the card as Curt Hennig of PCW defended the LOW Tex-Arkana Television title against “The Ace” Cowboy Bob Orton in a battle of second generation stars. Hennig scored a quick two count off a running knee lift and it was on from there. Orton dominated the middle portion of the match delivering a vertical suplex, a series of piledrivers and the atomic kneedrop. He also locked on a stepover toehold transitioning into a Scorpion Deathlock (ch). He had Hennig in trouble until the champion bailed out of the ring and floored him with a running dropkick. That knocked Orton for a loop and Hennig took control back on the inside and got the win in rapid fashion. He blasted Orton with a missile dropkick and followed up with a perfectly executed Hennig Plex to score the pin. It was a successful version four defense of the championship for Hennig against a very tough opponent in the veteran Orton.

[bookerbill]

Real classic card Crue. The ending to Lynn v. Cannon was good and will set up another rematch down the road. Volkoff and Sheik v. Atlas & DiPaolo would have made the fans blood boil and Mr. USA will be no doubt looking for some payback next card. Younger v. Van Dam needs another go as well. Cannot wait for Rocca to get his hands on the Captain.

[Crimson Cross]

I have to say the pairing of Atlas & DiPaolo is a good pairing, but that's a tough loss and I'm sure payback will becoming. Overall your new year continues to deliver fun and entertaining action Crue...

[EpicDave]

Surprised to see Rocca go down to Valentine! Hennig is honoring the memory of the 12 Large and I am rooting for a long run with the Texarkana title.

[cruefan68]

Thanks for the comments Bookerbill, Crimson, and Daytondave. Next up we have some southern style wrestling action courtesy of the SWA...

LOW Southern Wrestling Alliance - Greensboro Coliseum - Greensboro, NC (Card #804)

1) Mike Graham vs. Lash Leroux was a Draw:
A highly competitive opening match saw Tampa, FL, native Mike Graham take on the “Rajin Cajun” Lash Leroux out of Lafayette, LA. Both men shook hands to open things up and early action saw Graham in control neutralizing Leroux with a sleeper hold. Leroux bounced back and scored near falls with the Whiplash and a twisting Northern Lights Suplex. There were some nice counters from there one of which led to Graham trapping Leroux in the Figure Four Leglock but it was broken up in the ropes. With time winding down it was Leroux scoring another big near fall after hitting a spinout power bomb. The bell then sounded ending this bout in a draw.

2) Johnny Valentine defeated Chief Omega:
The popular Chief Omega of ASW took on House of Humperdink member Johnny Valentine who had Sir Oliver Humperdink in his corner. Omega had some moments of offense in this one but otherwise it was all Valentine. After wearing Omega down with an abdominal stretch, Valentine set him up for the Atomic Skullcrusher which resulted in the three count.

3) Magnum T.A. & Bob Roop defeated J.D. Michaels & Timber:
The fans were treated to a great pairing as former LOW World Heavyweight champion Magnum T.A. and PWI Invitational Cup Tournament winner Bob Roop teamed up against J.D. Michaels & Timber “The Insane Lumberjack”. Both men enjoyed great success at WrestleCade VIII where Magnum eliminated three former world champions in an elimination match while Roop topped AWE star Hacksaw Jim Duggan in the tournament final. Magnum and Roop dominated this battle which ended when Magnum caught Michaels in a Sleeper Hold to score the submission victory while Roop fended off an interfering Timber.

4) Apter’s Corner with Sir Oliver Humperdink:
PWI Editor Bill Apter welcomed manager Sir Oliver Humperdink for this live edition of Apter’s Corner. Humperdink didn’t come alone as he was flanked by his now reassembled House of Humperdink consisting of Johnny Valentine, Ox Baker, Kevin Sullivan, “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert, Lord Humongous, and Genghis Khan. It was an intimidating situation for Apter but the esteemed journalist held his ground to continue the interview segment. Humperdink expressed frustration over how Apter and his fellow journalists consistently rank him and his men among the Most Hated wrestlers in their family of magazines. He tried to explain how the process works but Humperdink would have none of it and ordered his men to surround the frightened Apter. Before anything could happen a crew of wrestlers consisting of Blackjack Mulligan, Angelo “King Kong” Mosca, “The Magnificent” Don Muraco, Brian Blair, Hillbilly Jim, and Cousin Luke hit the ring setting off a wild six-way brawl. After the smoke cleared a fired up Mulligan declared all out war on the House of Humperdink. He said to the manager that “you’ve got your six and I got mine” and then issued a challenge for the next SWA card in Columbia, SC (Card #814) for a twelve-man Steel Cage Match!

5) Buddy Rogers & Blonde Bombers defeated Tommy Rich, Bob Armstrong, & Brad Armstrong:
An intense six-man tag team match saw the popular “Wildfire” Tommy Rich, “Bullet” Bob Armstrong, & Brad Armstrong take on the “Elegant” Eddie Fyne led trio of “Nature Boy” Buddy Rogers and the Blonde Bombers (Chris Candido & Bobby Shane). The Armstrong’s have been trying to get a tag team match against the Blonde Bombers for some time now but Fyne and his men have thus far avoided them but not here as Rich recruited the father-and-son team to join him. This one was all out action with both teams coming close to victory. Rich nearly put Candido away after hitting a fist drop and later he countered out of an attempted Blonde Bomb. Rogers showed why he has been so successful in LOW as dominated during his time in and scored a late near fall on Rich after a pole ram. The finish of a tumultuous battle saw Shane hit “Bullet” Bob with the controversial loaded knee smash to the head before locking on the Japanese Sleeper resulting in a snake eyes submission victory. After the bell sounded it was Rich battling Rogers down the aisle while the Blonde Bombers jumped the defeated Bob with Fyne holding the legs of Brad preventing him from making the save. Brad finally broke loose and saved his father before challenging the Blonde Bombers to a formal tag match in Columbia, SC (Card #814).

6) Midnight Express defeated Randy Savage & Bruiser Brody by DQ:
A wild and wooly tag team battle saw freelance stars Randy “Macho Man” Savage & “King Kong” Bruiser Brody take on the Midnight Express (“Loverboy” Dennis Condrey & “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton, with Jim Cornette). It was a bad birthday week for Cornette as his celebration was spoiled on a recent edition of ASW with his face being shoved into a cake by Savage. He also had to witness a demolition job on his team here as Savage and Brody dominated most of the way. Condrey wound up being busted open and was nearly pinned after Savage hit the Flying Elbow Drop but Cornette distracted the referee breaking up the pin. Savage would also hit his trademark flying axe handle to the floor on Condrey. Brody took some punishment at the hands of the Express but would also battle back hitting a piledriver on Condrey for another near fall. Cornette nervously watched from ringside as his men avoided defeat several times and came back with a near fall on Savage after he was hit with the Face First Leg Sweep by Condrey. The battle ended up on the outside where Brody got disqualified for assaulting Eaton with his chain. Afterward Savage tossed Cornette into the ring and was going to deliver a Flying Elbow Drop but the bloody Condrey and exhausted Eaton managed to pull their frightened manager out to safety. The Midnight Express improved their record to 2-0 against Savage and Brody but were left the worse for wear in victory.

7) LOW International Heavyweight title: Harley Race© defeated Tracy Smothers to retain the title:
The semi-final match saw the popular “Wild Eyed Southern Boy” Tracy Smothers receive a huge opportunity as he challenged Harley Race for the LOW International Heavyweight title. Race regained the championship from the “Russian Lion” George Hackenschmidt at WrestleCade VIII and was looking to make a successful version one defense of the title. Smothers was a participant in the PWI Invitational Cup Tournament and had some great success there along with holding a near seventy-percent winning percentage in the SWA making him a prime contender for the belt. The crowd was solidly behind Smothers as he made a bid to win the prestigious belt from Race who hands down is one of the toughest competitors in all of LOW. This was a great bout that ended when Race caught Smothers with a diving headbutt off of the top rope and then executed his trademark Piledriver to score the pin and retain the title. The crowd applauded the efforts of Smothers and Race himself extended a hand and the two shook hands ending a great championship match.

8) LOW World tag team titles: Fabulous Kangaroos© defeated D-Lo Brown & Kenny King to retain the titles:
The main event saw the popular combination of D-Lo Brown & Kenny King receive their first ever shot at the LOW World tag team titles as they challenged the Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello & Roy Heffernan, with Wild Red Berry) for the belts. Brown and King have had some great success in the tag team division of the SWA including holding wins over the Midnight Express and the Blonde Bombers. They were looking to parlay that success into a championship win but they don’t come any tougher than the Fabulous Kangaroos in terms of tag team wrestling. Brown and King had their moments in this one but the Kangaroos always seemed to be one step ahead. Costello caught Brown in the Marble Bor Leglock late in the bout but King was able to save his partner from defeat. The Kangaroos struck back with the body block catapult before they laid out Brown with the Boomerang and it was Heffernan covering him to score the pin. It was a successful version six defense of the championship for the Fabulous Kangaroos and afterward Berry showed some class by having his men shake hands with the defeated Brown and King. The crowd cheered that along with the efforts of Brown and King who will no doubt look to get another shot at the belts down the line.

[Crimson Cross]

I've always liked the Roos and it's great to see them retain, plus I like that Harley Race retained too. Interesting that Graham & Leroux was a draw, but that's cool stuff. Another cool tag team is T.A. and Roop, a very interesting tandem...

[bookerbill]

Brody’s aggression costs them a big win tonight. How much longer will the Macho Man tolerate it? The Kangaroos look nearly unbeatable on top of the tag team division. Brown and King are a fun combination but hardly in the league of the Roos. The cage match in Columbia should be a war. I going with the House of Humperdink.

[ajcostello]

Another great card, Crue.

I can't wait to see how a twelve-man Steel Cage Match will play out....