Heartland Championship Wrestling proudly presents:January 1, 2020
Schottenstein Center, Columbus, Ohio The show opens with the tune, "Hang On Sloopy" by The McCoys playing overhead. EPICDAVE heads down the aisle, jamming to the music. He is accompanied by ALLISON DANGER. The fans cheer as EpicDave and Allison climb into the ring.EpicDave: Hey, fans- welcome to
Buckeye Bowl 2020! It is a new year in the Buckeye State, but we are here tonight to maintain the New Year's Day tradition with the 30-man elimination Battle Royal. And it is my privilege to present tonight's co-host- the Chairwoman for
Heartland Ladies' Wrestling, ALLISON DANGER!Allison: Thanks, EpicDave. I have been a huge fan of the Buckeye Bowl- all the way back to 2010, when
MR. WRESTLING II won the first edition!
EpicDave: Good call, Allison! The fans here in Columbus are on fire. Even though the Buckeyes went down fighting in the Fiesta Bowl, it's a new year in the Buckeye State and Ohio is ready to turn the page with an exciting night of wrestling action. It's Celebration time, fans- and we're gonna kick things off with the
Mistress of Mayhem Championship! So relax, grab yourself a cold one, and enjoy the show!
Heartland Ladies' Wrestling: Mistress of Mayhem ChampionshipKELLY KLEIN (c) vs. ANGELUS LAYNEThis was one of the hardest-hitting Ladies' matches in recent memory. Angelus took Kelly to the limit, as both ladies battled in the ring and out. Angelus surprised Kelly with a pair of clotheslines off the top turnbuckle and nearly won the title! But Kelly powered out and kept fighting, and after another fierce brawl on the floor, Kelly was able to deliver The End Of The Match to end the match.
WINNER: KELLY KLEIN
KELLY KLEIN RETAINS THE MISTRESS OF MAYHEM CHAMPIONSHIPAllison: That was fantastic! My girls went all out tonight. Is there anybody in this business toughter than
KELLY KLEIN? The
Mistress of Mayhem Championship was made for a badass chick like Kelly.
EpicDave: Without a doubt. Give it up for Angelus Layne- Angelus had a stellar year in 2019 and she took Kelly to the absolute limits here tonight. All right, fans- are you ready for the
2020 Buckeye Bowl?
Allison: Let's get to wrestling!
BUCKEYE BOWL 2020Winner receives a Championship Match!ENTRY #1: BRUISER BRODY
ENTRY #2: BRYAN DANIELSONAllison: Oh, no! Poor Bryan- I hope he doesn't get his head crushed in there.
EpicDave: Indeed. But if there's anyone who can start #1 and be a threat to win this whole thing- it's Brody.
ENTRY #3: MICHAEL ELGINElgin was anxious to test his strength against the powerful Brody. Bruiser and Big Mike went toe to toe for almost the full two minutes without a clear winner.
ENTRY #4: TED DIBIASEBRYAN DANIELSON eliminated BRUISER BRODY with a Hammerlock SuplexEpicDave: What a move by Danielson! He used all his leverage and skill to get the big man over the top!
ENTRY #5: SPECIAL GUEST #1: CODY RHODESThe fans erupted in cheers as Cody Rhodes hit the ring. Danielson greeted Cody with a friendly handshake as Cody acknowledged the crowd.
Allison: Wow! Cody Rhodes is here! This is awesome!
The cheers of the fans continued as Michael Elgin blasted Ted DiBiase with a pair of Buckle Bombs, but DiBiase managed to escape without being eliminated.
Danielson and Cody squared off, and Elgin tried to interfere. Cody alertly grabbed Elgin and slammed him headfirst into Danielson with a stunning Double Noggin Knocker!
BRYAN DANIELSON eliminated TED DIBIASE with a Monkey Flip over the top ropeENTRY #6: DUSTY RHODESDusty came to the ring with the fans cheering loudly. Dusty offered Cody a hug, but Cody shoved his father in the chest and put up his dukes, preparing to fight, and grinning broadly.
EpicDave: How about that? Cody ain't here for a family reunion- he's here for the Buckeye Bowl!
CODY RHODES eliminated DUSTY RHODES with a Belly-to-Belly suplex over the top ropeAllison: Do you believe that? Dusty hit Cody with a couple of Bionic Elbows- but look how quickly Cody was able to turn the tide- and eliminate his own father!
ENTRY #7: RICK RUDERude and Cody squared off, and Cody stunned Rude with a Bionic Elbow. Rude shook off the move. Cody was about to follow up when he was blasted from behind by Elgin!
EpicDave: Rick Rude has tasted the Bionic Elbow before in his life- and I don't think he was quite as impressed with young Cody's version.
ENTRY #8: KENNY OMEGA
ENTRY #9: ADAM COLEADAM COLE eliminated CODY RHODES with a Superkick to the back of the headCole wasted no time in making a dash for Cody! Cody was worn down and had been tied up with MICHAEL ELGIN, making him an easy target for Cole to eliminate.
Allison: Adam Cole called his shot! He wasn't too happy about the Special Guests invited to the Buckeye Bowl, and he got rid of Cody before Cody could do anything about it.
Cole celebrated, and called Elgin over for a strategy session. Cole and Elgin turned their attention to Kenny Omega, but as Elgin moved to attack Omega, Cole launched himself at Elgin with a flying knee smash and sent Elgin hurtling over the top rope!
ADAM COLE eliminated MICHAEL ELGIN with a flying knee smash!EpicDave: Never trust ANYBODY in the Buckeye Bowl!
ENTRY #10: DINGO WARRIORBRYAN DANIELSON eliminated KENNY OMEGA with a Belly-to-Back SuplexRICK RUDE eliminated ADAM COLE with a clotheslineAfter Cole knocked out Elgin, his mouth was motoring a mile a minute. Cole caught Rude from behind with a shot to the kidneys, and Rude didn't take it well. Rude plastered Cole with a flurry of punches and clotheslined Cole out of his boots and over the top rope.
Allison: Rick Rude doesn't have many fans- but he made a lot of people happy with that move!
ENTRY #11: BOBO BRAZILRICK RUDE eliminated DINGO WARRIOR with a Reverse Atomic DropENTRY #12: 'DR. DEATH' STEVE WILLIAMSSTEVE WILLIAMS eliminated BOBO BRAZIL with the Oklahoma StampedeRICK RUDE eliminated BRYAN DANIELSON after a Swinging NeckbreakerEpicDave: That was quite a good run for Danielson. He lasted 25 minutes tonight after entering the ring at #2. And he scored three eliminations!
ENTRY #13: NICK BOCKWINKELWith Williams and Rude in the ring, Bockwinkel joined his fellow heels in rational discourse for two minutes while awaiting the next entrant.
ENTRY #14: AJ STYLESStyles came to the ring and challenged Bockwinkel, but all three heels began putting the boots to AJ! Styles broke free and drilled Bockwinkel with a Pele kick! Styles tried to pitch Bockwinkel out of the ring, but Rude and Williams refused to let that happen.
ENTRY #15: JUNKYARD DOGHopes brightened as the popular JYD entered the fray, but the heels continued to work together effectively. Rude kept Styles occupied as Williams and Bockwinkel overpowered JYD and Williams put JYD out of the ring.
STEVE WILLIAMS eliminated JUNKYARD DOG with the Oklahoma StampedeENTRY #16: DON MURACOMuraco didn't seem to get comfortable with the conspiracy of heels, and the Magnificent One tangled briefly with both Rude and Williams as Styles dueled Bockwinkel.
ENTRY #17: DREW GALLOWAYGalloway came to the ring looking for a fight, but he picked the wrong target in Dr. Death. A Big Boot from Williams ended Galloway's run abruptly.
STEVE WILLIAMS eliminated DREW GALLOWAY with a Big BootAJ STYLES eliminated NICK BOCKWINKEL with a Pele KickFinally given room to operate, AJ locked horns with Bockwinkel. Bockwinkel aimed a clothesline at Styles, but AJ adeptly ducked away and caught Bockwinkel off-balance for the elimination!
Allison: Amazing! That got the fans back into this match! What a great move by AJ!
DON MURACO eliminated AJ STYLES by tossing him over the top rope.The celebration for AJ was short-lived. Before Styles could regain his balance, Muraco picked him up over the shoulder and pitched Styles over the top.
ENTRY #18: RIC FLAIRFlair hit the ring all business and immediately took out the knee of Dr. Death! Williams was hobbled and Flair quickly took advantage.
RIC FLAIR eliminated 'DR. DEATH' STEVE WILLIAMS with a snap mare over the top ropeENTRY #19: STINGSTING eliminated DON MURACO with the Stinger SplashENTRY #20: KERRY VON ERICHRICK RUDE eliminated KERRY VON ERICH after a power struggle on the ropesRIC FLAIR and
STING wound up face to face! After an intense battle, Flair got control and wrapped Sting into the Figure-4! Sting wouldn't give up, and there was no elimination.
EpicDave: Ric Flair made a statement in that confrontation! Flair and Sting are on a collision course for the Atlantic Wrestling Federation Heavyweight Championship- and the Nature Boy definitely got the best of that encounter.
ENTRY #21: TONY ATLASRICK RUDE powered TONY ATLAS over the top rope and out of the ringRIC FLAIR eliminated STING with a SuplexAllison: Wow! Exactly according to plan. Flair took out the knee of Sting, and Stinger was unable to defend himself against the skill of the Nature Boy!
ENTRY #22: LEX LUGERLuger found himself against Flair and Rude, and Lex was immediately the victim of a double-team! The heels quickly took over on Luger, and Rude dropped Luger with a fierce Piledriver as Flair stood back with a 'WOOO!"
ENTRY #23: THE GREAT MUTA (w/GARY HART)Muta wasn't looking to make any friends as he hit the ring with a flourish. Ric Flair chatted up Gary Hart, but then quickly launched a sneak attack on Muta, whipping Muta to the corner and peppering Muta with chops!
LEX LUGER eliminated RICK RUDE with a running clotheslineEpicDave: An outstanding performance by Rick Rude tonight. Over 30 minutes in the ring and 5 eliminations!
ENTRY #24: BARRY WINDHAMWindham hit the ring and took over on Muta! Muta sprayed the green mist, but Windham had him scouted and ducked away unharmed.
ENTRY #25: STAN HANSENFlair and Windham attempted to double-team Muta, but had a miscommunication! Muta shoved Flair into Windham, and both men went down.
LEX LUGER powered STAN HANSEN out of the ring with a Press SlamENTRY #26: RAY 'CRIPPLER' STEVENSGREAT MUTA eliminated RAY STEVENS with a jumping spin kickLEX LUGER eliminated RIC FLAIR with a clotheslineAllison: Oh no! Luger was aiming for Windham- but Windham dodged away and Flair ate that clothesline! There is not going be any joy in Horsemen country tonight!
ENTRY #27: ADAM PAGEBARRY WINDHAM eliminated ADAM PAGE with a West Texas LariatLEX LUGER eliminated GREAT MUTA with a Press SlamEpicDave: Luger has come in here and cleaned house!
ENTRY #28: CURT HENNIG
ENTRY #29: SPECIAL GUEST #2: CHRIS JERICHOAllison: Jericho is here! That's incredible!
CHRIS JERICHO hoisted CURT HENNIG out of the ring with a second rope dropkickHennig didn't take kindly to the thunderous applause received by Jericho. Hennig and Jericho began talking smack, but it was Jericho who got the best of the encounter and the fans went nuts!
BARRY WINDHAM eliminated LEX LUGER with a running lariatENTRY #30: NICK ALDISEpicDave: We're down to the final three! Will the fresh wrestler,
NICK ALDIS, pull off the win? What about the Special Guest
CHRIS JERICHO? Or the big man,
BARRY WINDHAM?BARRY WINDHAM suplexed NICK ALDIS out of the ringAllison: It's down to the final two!
BARRY WINDHAM powered CHRIS JERICHO out of the ring with a vertical suplexBARRY WINDHAM WINS THE 2020 BUCKEYE BOWL
As Windham celebrated in the ring, there was a commotion at the top of the ramp. ADAM COLE emerged through the curtain, followed closely by KYLE O'REILLY, BOBBY FISH, DONOVAN DIJAK, & RODERICK STRONG. EpicDave: What are those guys doing here?
Allison: They can't possibly be thinking about confronting
BARRY WINDHAM?Cole and his crew strode down the ramp with Windham looking on alertly. Cole picked up the fallen CHRIS JERICHO at ringside, and nailed Jericho with a stiff right hand! Jericho returned fire with a series of body blows, but Dijak grabbed Jericho from behind and threw him to the floor. O'Reilly, Fish, and Strong pounced, putting the boots to Jericho. The beating was interrupted when CODY RHODES dashed to the defense of Jericho. EpicDave: Here comes Cody!
Cody lunged into the fracas, but Cody was clobbered by a right hand from Dijak. Cole and Dijak assaulted Cody and beat him down. The beatings continued until KENNY OMEGA and THE YOUNG BUCKS sprinted down the ramp. Kenny and the Bucks jumped on Dijak and Cole, allowing Cody to get free. Cole and the rest of the attackers fought back!Allison: Look at this! What a battle!
Referees poured in from backstage, and it took several minutes of uncontrolled mayhem before the brawlers were corraled through the curtain to the backstage area.EpicDave: What a spectacular brawl! Thank goodness for Omega and the Young Bucks coming to the rescue. Adam Cole and his guys were beating the daylights out of Cody and Jericho!
Allison: That was one of the most intense brawls I have ever witnessed.
EpicDave: But I suspect we have only just begun to see what goes down between those combustible elements. All right, fans- believe it or not- there are still two World Championship matches to come!
NWA World Tag Team ChampionshipTHE STEINER BROTHERS (c) vs. THE ROAD WARRIORSThe Steiners were on fire! Rick and Scotty came out swinging and had their teamwork primed and ready. From the outset, the Steiners tagged in and out crisply and cut the ring in half. Road Warrior Animal was the target of the attack, and frustration mounted for the Warriors when Animal was unable to make the tag. The Steiners put Animal up and dropped him with a Super DDT! Hawk tried to come to the rescue, but Rick nailed Hawk with a Steinerline and Scotty covered Animal for the three count.
WINNERS AND STILL NWA WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS: THE STEINER BROTHERS
Allison: How impressive was that? The Steiner Brothers just tore apart the invincible Road Warriors- and they proved to the world why they are the Champions! And now it's time for
RANDY SAVAGE to see if he can also defend his title in our Main Event!
Main Event: NWA World Heavyweight ChampionshipRANDY 'MACHO MAN' SAVAGE vs. JIMMY 'SUPERFLY' SNUKAIt was pedal to the metal for both wrestlers from the start! Savage assaulted the challenger from the openeing bell, peppering Snuka with jabs and elbow smashes. Snuka took some damage, but turned the tide after leapfrogging Savage and drilling him with a double chop to the chest! Snuka went to the air and drilled Savage with a flying head butt, and Savage went down in a daze. Snuka triumphantly mounted the top turnbuckle, but when he flew with the Superfly Leap, Savage rolled clear and Snuka crashed and burned.
Allison: That was a close call! We almost had a new World Heavyweight Champion!
With Snuka down, Savage took to the air and caught Snuka with a flying knee drop. Snuka rolled out of the ring, and Savage came off the apron with a flying double axe-handle and crushed Snuka! Snuka staggered to his feet, but Savage grabbed Snuka by the back of the neck and slammed Jimmy face-first onto the announcers' table where the World Title Belt was on display!
EpicDave: Oh, my goodness! Savage just slammed Snuka's face onto the world title belt! I think his forehead is busted open!
Savage was in control, and pitched Snuka back into the ring. Snuka remained dazed and disoriented, and Savage wasted no time. Snuka staggered to his feet, and Savage drilled Snuka with a vaulting neck snap across the top rope! Savage immediately went for the pin and captured the three count!
WINNER AND STILL NWA WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION: RANDY 'MACHO MAN' SAVAGE
EpicDave: What a slobberknocker! Congratulations to the Macho Man for a huge victory and a successful defense of his
NWA World Heavyweight Championship! Allison: That could have been the Match Of The Year- or even the Match Of The Decade!
EpicDave: Without a doubt. Savage and Snuka both went for broke in that match. But the Macho Man did what had to be done. The match definitely turned when Savage bounced Snuka's head off the title belt like a coconut!
Allison: Too soon, EpicDave.
EpicDave: What a great way to begin the new year. Congratulations to Randy Savage and to all of tonight's winners. We saw three successful title defenses, and an exciting
2020 Buckeye Bowl. And now, fans- we're done here. Thanks for checking us out tonight! Stay tuned to the Epic Sports Broadcasting Network for the announcement of the 2019 Year-End Awards! Heartland will be back in action on Saturday, January 4 with excitement from the
Atlantic Wrestling Federation. You will witness the crowning of the first-ever
Atlantic Wrestling Federation Heavyweight Champion when legendary rivals
RIC FLAIR and
STING square off for the title. That's our show, and I AM OUTTA HERE!