Ring of Legends

[bookerbill]

Official Rankings:
World Champion: Mil Mascaras (2)
1. Harley Race (8)
2. Dick Hutton (4)
3. Rob Van Dam (5)
4. Lou Thesz (ch)
5. Antonino Rocca (1)
6. Curt Hennig (3)
7. Nigel McGuinness (-)
8. Steve Corino (-)
9. Larry Hennig (6)
10. Jimmy Snuka (10)

World Tag Team Champions: Greg & Johnny Valentine (1)
1. The Last of the Famous International Playboys (2)
2. Rick Rude & Cowboy Bob Orton (-)
3. Nigel McGuinness & Les Thatcher
4. Bruiser Brody & Steve Corino (-)
5. Larry & Curt Hennig (-)

[bookerbill]

May the 4th be with you....

Card 18: Philadelphia, PA – Spectrum May 4, 2011

Match 1: The Libertarian Sean Morley v. Jerry Lynn
Morley draws some cheap heat running down Philadelphia. Lynn gets a great welcome back chant from the Philadelphia faithful. Morley keeps the heat going by controlling the action in and out of the ring. A spinning power bomb downs Lynn for a near fall (R7/P3). Morley follows with CONSTIUTION REFORM for the win at 11:30. Morley picks up a dominating win to keep this feud going. The fans are not pleased.*

Match 2: One Man Gang w/Sir Oliver Humperdink v. Hacksaw Jim Duggan
Gang is all over Cappetta and threatens him but Duggan storms the ring to make the save and hammers away on Gang. Duggan hits a spinning bodyslam on Gang for a 1 count (R7/P3). Duggan keeps the control and connects with an Old Glory kneedrop for a 2 count (R6/P4). It is all Duggan and he pulls out a figure four leglock (ch) but Gang powers out (R9/P5). The action spills in and out of the ring. Duggan goes colour after going into the ring post and the action turns. Gang finishes Duggan with a 747 SPLASH (R6/P8) at 25:06. * ½

Match 3: The Mongols w/Captain Lou Albano v. The Last Of The International Playboys
Albano draws great heat at ringside. The Mongols struggle early on but Bepo Mongol turns thing around attacking Buff Bagwell with this his chains and busting Bagwell open. Geeto hits a TOP ROPE KNEE DROP and Bagwell kicks out of the cover (R11/P6). Bagwell brawls with Geeto at ringside but the Mongol maintains the upper hand and ends that match at 11:40 with a second TOP ROPE KNEE DROP. * ½

Match 4: John Pesek v. Rob Van Dam w/Bill Alfonso
Monster pop for Van Dam as he comes to the ring. Van Dam sends Pesek to the floor with a standing moonsault and split legged moonsault. The match spills to the floor and Pesek wins the brawl with a stiff uppercut that stuns Van Dam. A body triangle and crossface ties up Van Dam but he does not give up (R9/P1). Van Dam escapes a TIGER MAN TOEHOLD (R7/P2) but Pesek keeps the pressure on. Van Dam makes brief comeback but Pesek blocks a backdrop with a boot to the face. A double bar hammerlock does not get the submission (R10/P3). The match goes to the floor and Van Dam takes over. Alfonso tosses in a chair and the crowd pops huge. Van Dam hits the Van Daminator for a (R7/P4). Pesek is dazed and Van Dam ends it with a split legged moonsault. (R4/P5). Van Dam celebrates and mounts the corner pointing to his shoulders drawing a huge “Rob Van Dam” from ringside.** ½

Bill Apter welcomes Nigel McGuinness. The fans give McGuinness a great ovation and McGuinness tells us next week he will beat Rob Van Dam and advance to the semi-finals of the United States Title Tournament because he is in it to win it. Van Dam comes out and tells McGuinness that he may be in it to win but he is the whole f’n show and he will be moving on to the semi-finals because he is Rob Van Dam. The segment ends with a both men standing nose to nose.

Match 5: Jimmy Snuka & Bobo Brazil v. Buddy Rogers & Angelo Mosca
There is a huge ovation for Brazil and Snuka as they come to the ring looking to solve the team of Rogers & Mosca. Mosca looks impressive against Brazil including a deathjump clothesline and a Big Nasty Elbow Drop that sends Brazil to the floor. Outside, Mosca works over Brazil and then the match returns to the ring. Mosca traps Brazil in a SLEEPER but Brazil powers out (R8/P3). Rogers tags in and Brazil is able to tag out and we have Rogers v. Snuka and the fans go crazy. Snuka is all over the Nature Boy and the match goes to the floor. Snuka rams Rogers into the rails and Rogers is busted open. Snuka works over the cut with a head butt and then plants Rogers with a power slam for a 1 count (R6/P1). Brazil is back in and clotheslines Rogers off the buckles and then takes Rogers to the floor. Brazil comes outside with a Bobo body slam than nearly results in a count out. Snuka is back in and goes up top with a SUPERFLY LEAP but Rogers rolls clear. Rogers tags and falls to the floor and Mosca is in with a deathjump crossbody block for a 2 count (R6/P3). Snuka is able to catch Mosca with an elbow to the face. Snuka hits a piledriver and picks up a 1 count on Mosca (R10/P3). Both teams make tags and Brazil overpowers Rogers. A Bobo body slam sets up a COCO BUTT and that is it at 21:07. (R2/P4). Brazil gives Rogers another COCO BUTT and Snuka goes up top for a SUPERFLY LEAP but Mosca drags Rogers out to the floor and earns the wrath of the crowd. **

Match 6: Larry & Curt Hennig v. Steve Corino & Bruiser Brody
The intensity between these two teams continues to grow each time they get into the ring. Brody tosses around Curt Hennig early on but the action evens out with both teams being able to make tags. There is great Brody chant from ringside when he is the ring. Corino gets cut off and Curt Hennig scores a near fall with a HENNIG PLEX (R8/P3). Hennig climbs to the top for a deathjump crossbody block for a 1 count (R9/P2). Larry is in and a deathjump clothesline crushes Corino. THE AXE downs Corino for a 1 count (R8/P1). Corino bails to the floor and Hennig comes outside but Corino reverses a whip into the ring steps and Hennig comes up limping. The crowd is all over Corino and Brody tags in cranking the heat up. Brody with a running leg drop and then hits a JUMPING KNEE DROP for the win at 14:58 (R6/P6). Several dozen Brody fans are ringside give the big man a standing ovation as he bails from the ring.** ½

Match 7: United States Title Tournament – Lou Thesz v. Terry Gordy
Both men are out to a solid ovation. The Philadelphia fans are psyched for this one. Thesz extends his hand and Gordy accepts and a handshake starts the action off. Great ovation from ringside for the show of respect. Thesz is the early aggressor and uses a THESZ PRESS for a ½ count (R10/P2). Gordy looks like he is going to get something going but Thesz catches Gordy with an elbow to the face and then hits a GRECO-ROMAN BACKDROP for the win at 14:15. The fans wanted something more at this one but gave Thesz a solid ovation as he is announced as the winner.*

Match 8: Ring of Legends World Title Match – Mil Mascaras (ch) v. Harley Race
Race has the fans behind him tonight. It is back and forth early on and Race thrills his supporters about six minutes in with a diving headbutt that leads to a near fall (R10/P1). Mascaras bounces back and gains the upper hand until Race counters a backdrop with a piledriver and the follows immediately with a second PILEDRIVER but the Champion kicks out of the cover (R9/P5). Mascaras finds a counter to a choke slam and then rocks Race with a full nelson suplex. Mascaras covers for a 1 count (R9/P2). Mascaras tosses Race to the floor and when he crawls back into the ring Race executes a CROSSBODY ATTACK for a 2 count (R6/P4). Race is able to escape a bow and arrow (R7/P4). Race get trapped in the ropes but Mascaras allows the referee to free him and then strikes with a FLYING BODYPRESS to retain the title at 12:31. ** 1/2

News and Views: Another passionate Philadelphia crowd carries the night of action in the ring with Mil Mascaras retaining the World Title in the main event. Both Mascaras and Thesz look unbeatable in recent weeks and it will only be a matter of time before the two clash again for the World Title . . . Dave Meltzer is reported that Lou Albano has been lobbying hard with the Championship Committee for The Mongols to receive another return match with World Tag Team Champions Johnny & Greg Valentine. Albano went as far as to say the Mongols would leave Ring of Legends if they did not beat the Champions and it was that stipulation, along with the Mongols convincing win over top contenders Last of the Famous International Playboys, that convinced the committee to sign the match. The Mongols will face the Valentines for the titles in two weeks time inside a Steel Cage. If the Mongols do not win, they are gone for Ring of Legends! . . .Up next, Ring of Legends makes it return to North Attleboro, MA with a card at the Witschi's Sports Arena. In the main event, Steve Corino faces arch nemesis Larry Hennig in a Witschi’s Death Match. As well, Rob Van Dam takes on Nigel McGuinness in a quarter finals of the United States Title Tournament.

[copperpromotions]

Hey bookerbill,

Good, good stuff. Love the emphasis on action.

-Tony

[bookerbill]

Thanks for the feedback Tony. I am glad you are enjoying the action. Speaking of which, lets get to the ring...

Card 19: North Attleboro, MA – Witschi’s Sports Arena May 11, 2011

Match 1: Ed “Strangler” Lewis v. Dick Hutton
Great heat for Lewis as he comes to the ring. Hutton is able to block a whip into the corner with an elbow face and then traps Lewis in an ABDOMINAL STRETCH but Lewis is able to escape (R6/P3). Hutton keeps up the attack and Lewis is nearly counted out after a Cowboy backbreaker. Back inside, Hutton goes back to ABDOMNIAL STRETCH but Lewis counters (R9/P5). Lewis makes a comeback and takes the match to the floor. Lewis and Hutton tear up ringside but Lewis takes it too far when shoves the referee to the floor and is disqualified at 12:58. Lewis traps Hutton in a STRANGLER’S HEADLOCK. Nigel McGuinness and Les Thatcher hit the ring to break things up. * ½

Match 2: Mad Dog Vachon v. Antonino Rocca
The fans love Rocca and he spends several minutes greeting them at ringside. Rocca uses his speed to control the match but it Vachon who gets the first cover attempt with a cross body block (R9/P1). Vachon cannot sustain his momentum and Rocca takes over the match. Rocca with a victory roll for a 2 count (R6/P3). The match goes to the floor and Rocca tries to dive onto Vachon but Vachon counters and Rocca goes to the floor hard. The bump gets the fans back into the action. Vachon takes Rocca to the floor again and Rocca is able to reverse a whip into the steel post. Vachon is dazed and Rocca puts him away ARGENTINAN BACKBREAKER for the win at 11:49. * ½

Match 3: Sean Morley v. Jerry Lynn
The fans are all over Morley as he comes to the ring. No mic work tonight from the Libertarian. Lynn opens strong and plants Morley with a German suplex for a 2 count (R7/P4). Lynn immediately follows with a CRADLE PILEDRIVER for the win (R5/P5) at 1:55. dud

Match 4: Mongols & Don Muraco w/Albano v. The Last of the Famous International Playboys & Jim Londos
With the Mongols possibly being forced to leave Ring of Legends next week, this could be the last time we see these six men battle it out. The faces cut off Geeto Mongol from this corner and work him over with quick tags. Londos is in and downs Mongol with an AIRPLANE SPIN for a 2 count (R7/P6). Mongol continues to take a beating from all three of his opponents but manages to block Buff Bagwell’s knee to the stomach and Bepo tags into the match. Bepo takes Bagwell to the floor and runs him into the steel rails head first. The referee calls for the disqualification at 11:39. The Mongols and Muraco beat down their opponents until Johnny & Greg Valentine arrive and clear the ring with the steel chair shots. *

Johnny & Greg Valentine stick around and are interviewed by Bill Apter on the Hot Seat cutting a great promo on the Mongols. Suddenly, the Mongols and Captain Lou Albano return to ringside and jump the Ring of Legends Tag Team Champions from behind. The Mongols break out their chains and the Valentines are quickly a bloody mess. The Last of the International Playboys arrive the Mongols retreat to the dressing room.

Match 5: Cowboy Bob Orton & Rick Rude w/Sir Oliver Humperdink v. Miracle & Violence Connection
Orton starts off against Steve Williams and strikes early for a 1 count with a spinning neckbreaker (ch). Rude tags in and tries to end it with a RUDE AWAKENING but Williams kicks out of the finisher (R8/P5). Williams is able to catch Rude climbing the corner and tosses him to the mat. Terry Gordy is in but Rude counters his deathjump with a boot the face. The match starts to go back and forth with both teams countering and making quick tags. Great pace to this one. Orton gets cut off from his corner and Williams punishes him with a pair of Doctor Bombs. Gordy it back in and takes out Orton with a running lariat for a 1 count (R7/P3). Orton is able to turn things around at ringside sending Williams into the ring post. Dr. Death does colour and Rude tags in with a swinging neckbreaker for a 1 count (R9/P4). Rude and Orton work over a bloody Williams. The action goes to the floor and Williams sends Rude shoulder first into the ringpost and the referee calls for the disqualification at 25:10. After the bell, Gordy and Williams lay the beat down on Orton and Rude and then turn their attention to Humperdink. With the crowd going wild, it looks as if Humperdink will get a spike piledrvier but One Man Gang arrives and uses his chain to break up the attack on his manager. Williams and Gordy respond by taking Gang out with a double clothesline but Orton and Rude are able to drag Humperdink to safety by this point. ** ½

Match 6: Bobo Brazil & Jimmy Snuka v. Angelo Mosca & Buddy Rogers
The battles between these four men have provided some of the best Ring of Legends action in recent weeks and the fans in North Attelboro were hoping from some more of the same tonight. Brazil trades moves with Rogers and gets the upper hand leading to a tag to the Superfly. The crowd is on fire as Snuka plants Rogers with a piledriver and the Nature Boy bails to the floor. Snuka is out after his nemesis and starts a wild brawl at ringside. The referee arrives and Snuka shoves the official to the floor and hammers away on Rogers. The bell sounds and Snuka has been disqualified at 3:52. Mosca brawls with Brazil in the ring and Rogers turns things around at ringside with a low blow. Rogers grabs a chair and smashes Snuka’s knee repeatedly. Brazil is able to take care of Mosca and then comes to the aid of the Superfly. Rogers and Mosca leave ringside with their arms raised in victory drawing fantastic heat. Snuka’s leg is clearly injured and he needs Brazil’s assistance to leave ringside. dud

Match 7: United States Title Tournament Match – Nigel McGuinness v. Rob Van Dam w/Bill Alfonso
These two last clashed back at the end of January and Van Dam escapes with a disqualification victory when McGuinness rammed Van Dam into the ring post. Many thought McGuinness was on the way to victory that night and so the fans were anticipating something special from these two tonight. McGuinness takes control from the opening bell and a short-arm lariat sends Van Dam to the floor. Outside, McGuinness whips Van Dam into the steel rails and then tosses Mr. Wednesday Night back into the ring. Van Dam refuses to submit to LONDON DUNGEON (R7/P1) and the action continues with McGuinness in total control. Tower of London leads to a corner-to-corner forearm strike. Van Dam is staggered and McGuinness explodes with a JAWBREAKER LARIAT for a near fall (R6/P2). Another corner-to-corner forearm strike sets up a LONDON DUNGEON but Van Dam is not finished yet (R8/P3). A short arm lariat spills RVD to the floor and McGuinness scales the corner for a double hammer to the floor but Van Dam moves and McGuinness crashes hard into the ringside rails. The crowd is electric. Van Dam has a chair and hits the Van Daminator and then makes the cover. McGuinness kicks out at 2 ½ (R6/P4). Van Dam goes to the top of the corner and hits a FIVE STAR FROG SPLASH for the win at 9:41. Van Dam is onto the semi-finals of the tournament.***

Match 8: Witschi’s Death Match – Steve Corino v. Larry Hennig
Gary Michael Cappetta tells us that there will be no disqualifications or count-outs in this one and the crowd is ready for some hardcore action. The last time these two clashed in North Attleboro both men brawled back to the dressing room after 30 minutes did not decided anything in the ring. Hennig uses his power advantage early on and downs Corino with a double forearm hammer for a 1 count (R6/P1). Corino has to grab the ropes to escape a bearhug and fans are on their feet. (R4/P2). Corino is able to block a face rake and action evens out. Finally the action spills to ringside and both men overturn tables and chair in the effort to destroy each other. Corino gets the upper hand and goes for an OLD SCHOOL EXPLUSION but Hennig counters and connects with THE AXE for a 1 count (R11/P4). Hennig hits THE AXE again but Corino kicks out at the last second (R7/P5). Hennig goes for his finisher again but Corino counter with a low blow drawing huge heat from ringside. Corino traps Hennig in figure four leglock (ch) and Hennig is able to reverse it after a lengthy struggle (R7/P3). OLD SCHOOL EXPULSION for a 1 count (R11/P5). Corino grabs a steel chair from ringside and decks in the middle of the ring. Hennig is busted wide open as he stumbles to his feet and Corino connects with an OLD SCHOOL EXPULSION for the win at 15:04. *** ½

News and Views: A violent night in North Attleboro . . . Reports from back stage indicated that Tag Team Champions Johnny & Greg Valentine were banged up but it was thought they would be medically cleared to compete next week when they defend their titles against their attackers Geeto & Bepo Mongol inside a steel cage. However, it is clear that the Valentines will not be one hundred percent heading into arguably their biggest test so far in Ring of Legends . . . The conflict between Jimmy Snuka & Buddy Rogers continues to grow more intense each week . . . Big news coming out of the front office as Dave Meltzer is reporting that Ring of Legends has parted ways with Butcher Vachon and Sean Morley. In the case of Vachon it was clear that the booking committee wanted to push Mad Dog Vachon in singles action and that left his Butcher Vachon, largely a tag team competitor, without a partner. Rather than make waves for his brother, Vachon simple requested his release. Morley was well liked by boys in the dressing room and front office but his “libertarian” persona never really took off. Meltzer reported that we could see Morely back in action in Ring of Legends sometime in future providing he could be repackaged . . . Next week, Ring of Legends returns to the Civic Center in Pittsburgh for a solid night of action. In the main event, Johnny & Greg Valentine defend the World Tag Team Titles against The Mongols inside a steel cage and if the Mongols lose, they have to leave Ring of Legends. Plus, the United States Title Tournament continues with Steve Corino facing Harley Race and Jimmy Snuka finally gets his one on one opportunity against Buddy Rogers . . .