Post by cruefan68 on May 30, 2016 18:01:50 GMT -5
Happy Memorial Day everyone and welcome to a huge night of action at MSG as the build to WrestleCade X continues...
LOW Northern Wrestling Corporation - Madison Square Garden - New York, NY (Card #985)
1) Nikolai Volkoff defeated S.D. Jones by Count Out:
The opening contest saw S.D. “Special Delivery” Jones of LOW All-Star Wrestling take on the powerhouse Russian star Nikolai Volkoff. Jones had the advantage early much to the delight of the capacity crowd. Volkoff then countered a backdrop and took control including using the Russian Bearhug for a submission chance. Jones was able to come back rattling Volkoff with the Philly shuffle and KO punch but was unable to put him away. They wound up battling out to the floor where Volkoff ran him back first into the ring post and then crushed him with the Backbreaker Drop. Jones was unable to recover and Volkoff earned the victory via count out.
2) Judy Martin defeated Nora Greenwald:
With the recent announcement of a Ring Angels champion being crowned in a Battle Royal at the Tokyo Dome (Card #1001), both Nora Greenwald and Judy Martin were looking to gain some momentum. Martin was all business in this one as she dominated for a good stretch including scoring near falls with a face first suplex and a throat drop on the ropes. Greenwald had to dig down deep to get back into it and she scored her own near falls with a flying bodypress from the top rope and the rolling neck snap. With time running out it was Martin taking over and she laid out Greenwald with the Power Bomb to score the pin.
3) The Warlord & One Man Gang defeated Heartbreak Express:
The cult favorite Heartbreak Express (Fabulous Phil Davis & Superstar Sean Davis) of LOW All-Star Wrestling had the unenviable task of taking on The Warlord & One Man Gang who were accompanied to the ring by their manager Captain Lou Albano. The crazed Albano paced around ringside mumbling “my champions, your tag team champions, our champions, the greatest champions” for no apparent reason although rumor has it that The Warlord & OMG are under serious consideration to participate in the tag team Battle Royal during WrestleCade X weekend for a shot at the LOW World tag team titles. The Express made a good accounting of themselves in the match and had The Warlord and OMG in trouble several times. They even hit The Heartbreaker on OMG for a near fall at one point. OMG took a good deal of punishment but came back strong against both men. The Warlord showed off his impressive strength as he overpowered the 320-pound Sean and lifted him up for a big Running Powerslam to score the pin. Albano was pleased with the performance of his awesome team as he marched up and down the ring stairs uttering more gibberish to the crowd.
4) Gorgeous George defeated Sam Houston:
Popular young star Sam Houston out of Waco, TX, faced the veteran Gorgeous George, also known as “The Human Orchid”. George had his valet, Cherie Dupre, spray the ring with perfume showing disgust at locking up with the cowboy from Texas. Houston remained focused but was still no match for George in the early going who caught him with the Spinning Toe Hold for a submission chance. George kept up his attack until Houston countered a backdrop and then hit the Bulldog scoring a two count. Houston hit the Bulldog for a second time but Dupre distracted the referee preventing a count. Houston looked impressive until the latter stages when George caught him in the Gorgeous Grip, his version of the sleeper hold. Houston faded under and George released it to quickly follow up with a Small Package with Tights to score the pin.
5) Drake Younger, Justin Credible, & George Steele defeated Jerry Lynn, Stevie Richards, & Blue Meanie:
Six-man tag team action was featured next as Jerry Lynn joined forces with the Blue World Order (Stevie Richards & Blue Meanie) to face the “Psycho Shooter” Drake Younger, Justin Credible and George “The Animal” Steele. The rivalry between Lynn and the pair of Younger and Credible has been well documented but the addition of the bWo and Steele added a different element to the mix. Lynn had a great exchange with Younger early forcing the “Psycho Shooter” to tag out defensively. Things broke down from there with both teams showing off some strong offense. The uncontrollable Steele ripped open the turnbuckle pad and rubbed the stuffing in the face of the Meanie at one point. The finish saw Credible catch Lynn with a short power bomb before blasting him with a Singapore Cane shot to the head to score the pin.
6) Iron Sheik defeated Tony Atlas:
The powerful “Mr. USA” Tony Atlas took on the hated Iron Sheik, a former LOW International Heavyweight champion. Atlas knew that a win over the Sheik would be huge and he gave it his all in this one. The Iron Sheik controlled the early portion of the bout using his wide variety of suplexes. He caught Atlas with a vertical suplex for a big near fall and then kicked him with the loaded boot. Atlas recovered hitting the big dropkick and jumping headbutt driving the Sheik out of the ring. The battle continued out on the floor where Atlas wound up being busted open late in the contest. The Iron Sheik regained the advantage and applied the Camel Clutch going for the submission but Atlas was able to grab the bottom rope for a break. A few moments later it was the Iron Sheik capitalizing on a bloody and fatigued Atlas as he caught him with a Powerslam and a handful of tights to score the pin.
7) Stars & Stripes defeated The Sheepherders by DQ:
Two teams also in contention for a spot in the tag team Battle Royal during WrestleCade X weekend squared off as Stars & Stripes (The Patriot & Marcus Alexander Bagwell) took on The Sheepherders (Butch Miller & Luke Williams) who were accompanied by their flag bearer Ken Doane. There was plenty of action to go around in this one as both teams took turns on offense. Bagwell almost won it with a Yellow Jacket Suplex on Williams but he kicked out just before the three count. Miller and Williams attempted the Running Knee Smash on The Patriot but the masked man was able to avoid the punishing move. The Patriot scored with the standing dropkick, powerslam and knee drop attack on both men. The Sheepherders fired back with their rapid fire knee drops and throat thrusts while also controlling the action on the outside. It looked to be over when Stars & Stripes hit the double dropkick on Miller but kicked out at two on the pin attempt by The Patriot. Bagwell then took out Williams as The Patriot blasted Miller with the Patriot Missile for what could have been a pin but Doane interfered using the flag pole as a weapon. The referee had no choice but to call for the bell and award a disqualification victory to Stars & Stripes after a hard fought battle.
8) LOW Tex-Arkana Television title: Roderick Strong© defeated Cowboy Bob Orton to retain the title:
“The Ace” Cowboy Bob Orton, who recently fell short in a bid to qualify for the PWI Invitational Cup Tournament, had a golden opportunity here as he faced Roderick Strong, accompanied by his manager Truth Martini, for the LOW Tex-Arkana Television title. The NWC crowd is usually anti-Orton but they cheered for him here as the abrasive Martini insulted them over the mic during the pre-match introductions. Strong started out on the offensive but missed a corner charge allowing Orton to roll him up for a two count. Strong regained control on the outside and then hit the Sick Kick for a big near fall. He then went for a deathjump but Orton picked him off of the top rope with a bodyslam. A kick to the head followed and Strong was in a bad way as Martini scrambled around ringside shouting out instructions. Orton, perhaps looking to set up for his Superplex finisher, then sent Strong into the turnbuckle. He followed with a charge but Strong, like Orton did earlier, quickly stepped aside and executed a Counter Roll-Up which this time resulted in the pin. Just like that it was over and Strong made a successful version twenty-one defense of the title leaving Martini shouting for joy at ringside. A perturbed Orton tried to get at Strong post-match but he quickly bailed out of the ring and headed to the back with Martini.
9) Dick Hutton defeated Sabu by DQ:
This was a grudge match as Dick Hutton took on the “Homicidal, Genocidal, Suicidal” Sabu who was accompanied by his manager Bill Alfonso. Sabu has been raging out of control lately and he assaulted Hutton following a match on a recent NWC card prompting this match to be signed. It was interesting to note that Abdullah Farouk, the manager of Sabu’s uncle The Sheik, was watching this match from the curtain near the locker room entrance. Early action saw Sabu in control until he went for the risky Triple Jump Moonsault only for Hutton to roll out of the way. Hutton wasted no time and went for his finisher, the Abdominal Stretch, but Sabu got to the ropes for a break. After a fierce battle outside Hutton again locked on the Abdominal Stretch but this time in mid-ring. It looked like Sabu might tap out but then Farouk rand down a shoved a chair into the ring. The distraction allowed Sabu to escape and he followed up with the Triple Jump Moonsault on Hutton for a big near fall. The interference by Farouk led to an argument between him and Alfonso at ringside. Sabu seemed uninterested in that and went back to the chair which he used to deliver the Arabian Facebuster on Hutton. That proved to be a fatal mistake as the referee disqualified Sabu for the chair assisted attack. Farouk then left ringside as Sabu raged out of control. He decked Hutton with the chair knocking him out cold and then pulled Alfonso into the ring by his shirt collar. The referee stepped in but Sabu shoved him away and backed Alfonso into the corner threatening to strike him. Alfonso pleaded with him to hold off and Sabu listened only to snap seconds later and dive over the top rope putting himself through the timekeeper’s table! The crowd cheered that as LOW Officials and paramedics ran down attending to both Sabu and Hutton.
10) LOW International Heavyweight title: Ilio DiPaolo defeated Greg Valentine to win the title:
Popular Italian star Ilio DiPaolo received an opportunity he has been working long and hard for and that was the chance to challenge for the LOW International Heavyweight title. Defending champion Greg “The Hammer” Valentine, accompanied by his manager Captain Lou Albano, was jeered on his way to the ring as the crowd was hoping to see DiPaolo make history. DiPaolo nearly won it in the opening moments as he countered a backdrop attempt by Valentine and followed it up with the Airplane Spin resulting in a two count. DiPaolo went on a strong offensive from there using his slight power and speed advantage to frustrate the champion. He tied him up with the bodyscissor and leg nelson on several occasions. Valentine mounted a comeback using chops, forearms and punches but then attempted a deathjump only to have DiPaolo catch him with a counter superplex. That was a pivotal moment as DiPaolo executed the Airplane Spin again only to have Albano break up the pin. The referee had it with the rotund manager and ejected him from ringside drawing cheers from the crowd. Albano refused to leave at first but was then dragged out by LOW officials. Valentine tried to regroup and did in fact trap DiPaolo on the Figure Four Leglock but it was broken up in the ropes. DiPaolo made a nice comeback after that leveling Valentine with a forearm out of the corner and then the third time proved to be the charm as he executed the Airplane Spin and scored the pin. The crowd erupted in cheers as DiPaolo won his first ever championship in LOW. Jerry Lynn, Tony Atlas, and Stars & Stripes among others rushed into the ring to join in the celebration as DiPaolo was crowned the new LOW International Heavyweight champion. A disgusted Albano yelled at reporters in the back, including PWI Editor Bill Apter, and said that he and Valentine would be seeking an immediate rematch for the title.
11) 12-Man Gold Star Battle Royal:
The main event was the annual 12-Man Gold Star Battle Royal featuring twelve of the top contenders from throughout LOW. As per tradition the winner of the match would receive a shot at the LOW World Heavyweight title currently held by Johnny Valentine in the main event at WrestleCade. Valentine and his manager Sir Oliver Humperdink were introduced before the match and both took seats at ringside alongside other luminaries like LOW Commissioner Charlie Cox, IWA Commissioner David Marquez, former LOW Commissioner Massif and LOW All-Star Wrestling announcer Lance Russell. Valentine looked to be in a foul mood knowing that his son, Greg Valentine, had just lost his LOW International Heavyweight title to Ilio DiPaolo. Both PWI Editor Bill Apter and IWA photographer Dr. Mike Lano were on hand to document the action. Ring announcer Gary Michael Cappetta then introduced the twelve participants and went over the rules which are over-the-top-rope elimination until the final two men are left. Those two men would then meet in a traditional singles match where the winner would go on to challenge for the aforementioned LOW World Heavyweight title at WrestleCade X at the Astrodome in Houston, TX (Card #1000).
The Participants:
● Bobo Brazil (NWC): 3-Time LOW World Heavyweight and former LOW International Heavyweight champion
● Harley Race (Kings Road United): 2-Time LOW World Heavyweight and 3-Time LOW International Heavyweight champion
● “The Solid Man” William Muldoon (AWE): Former LOW World Heavyweight champion
● “Wildfire” Tommy Rich (SWA): Highly ranked contender from the Southern Wrestling Alliance
● “Ravishing” Rick Rude (AWE): 2-Time LOW International Heavyweight champion
● The Sheik (NWC): Former LOW World Heavyweight and 4-Time LOW International Heavyweight champion
● Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka (PCW): 2-Time LOW World Heavyweight and 2-Time LOW International Heavyweight champion
● “Nature Boy” Buddy Rogers (SWA): LOW Triple Crown Winner – World Heavyweight, International, & World tag team champion
● “Rowdy” Roddy Piper (PCW): Former LOW International Heavyweight champion
● Lou Thesz (SWA): 2-Time LOW World Heavyweight champion
● Nick Bockwinkel (GWA): 2-Time LOW World Heavyweight champion
● “Russian Lion” George Hackenschmidt (GWA): 3-Time LOW World Heavyweight and former LOW International Heavyweight champion
Order of Elimination:
● The Sheik (by Nick Bockwinkel)
● Tommy Rich (by Lou Thesz)
● Rick Rude (by Buddy Rogers)
● Buddy Rogers (by Lou Thesz)
● George Hackenschmidt (by Bobo Brazil)
● Roddy Piper (by Jimmy Snuka)
● Nick Bockwinkel (by Lou Thesz)
● Lou Thesz (by Harley Race)
● Harley Race (by Bobo Brazil)
● William Muldoon (by Jimmy Snuka)
12) Elimination Match: Bobo Brazil defeated Jimmy Snuka:
After a grueling Battle Royal, the final two men left, Bobo Brazil and Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka, prepared to face off as LOW senior official Morgan Dollar jumped into the ring. Dollar ordered Roddy Piper, who was eliminated by Snuka earlier, to leave ringside as he had returned to question why the “Superfly” had eliminated him as the two are allies in Pacific Coast Wrestling. Piper obliged and walked to the back as Dollar called for the bell to officially begin the all important match. Snuka got the early jump on Brazil and hit such moves as the leap frog and chop and backbreaker. Brazil battled back and struck with the Coco Butt scoring a two count. Snuka took over again and hit the Superfly but was unable to get the pin as Piper had returned and distracted Dollar preventing a count. Dollar became enraged and ordered Piper to leave or face suspension. Piper smirked and began walking to the back as Snuka regained control. He dropped Brazil and went up top hitting the Superfly for a second time. It looked to be over but somehow Brazil rolled his shoulder up just before the three count. The crowd gasped as Brazil barely avoided defeat. Brazil began battling back and took it to the outside roughing up Snuka. A second Coco Butt resulted in a big near fall. Now it was becoming a war of attrition with both men fatigued and having survived their respective finishing moves. Snuka made another comeback and again went for the Superfly but somehow Brazil rolled out of the way. That was the break that Brazil needed and he nailed another Coco Butt which this time resulted in the pin. The crowd erupted in cheers as Brazil won the match and earned the right to challenge Johnny Valentine for the LOW World Heavyweight title at WrestleCade X.
As a dejected Snuka rolled out of the ring a determined Valentine stepped in to engage in a stare down with Brazil. The tension was thick as the two men stood facing each other but neither would flinch. Finally Valentine raised the title belt up in the air and taunted Brazil, the man he defeated to win the championship. Before anything could physically happen between them LOW Commissioner Charlie Cox ordered LOW officials into the ring to get in between them. Brazil pointed at the title belt and made a gesture that he would be regaining it at the Astrodome. Valentine laughed it off and left the ring joined by Humperdink. The crowd then gave Brazil another big round of applause capping off a great night of action.
PWI Editor Bill Apter inadvertently got involved in a backstage altercation after the show. Snuka went into the locker room of Piper who was sitting there talking with SWA star Tommy Rich. He attempted to get at him but Rich stepped in between the two. Lou Thesz heard the commotion and stepped in as well but that didn’t sit too well with Rich who slapped his mentor! This came as a result of Rich being upset that Thesz accidentally eliminated him from the Battle Royal when trying to prevent him from being eliminated by Rick Rude. Thesz was shocked and took a step back while Snuka broke through and grabbed Piper by the throat. Rich then hit Snuka from behind prompting Thesz to get involved as well. The four men had to be pulled apart by LOW officials and as it turned out it was later agreed that Thesz and Snuka would team up to face Piper and Rich in a feature match at WrestleCade X. There is obviously a lot of tension between the four men which goes to show just how important the Gold Star Battle Royal is as the dream of getting a shot at the LOW World Heavyweight title can often change the personalities of the participants.
