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Post by Cory Olson on Dec 18, 2018 14:05:56 GMT -4
New Year’s Knockout XII December 31, 2015 Card #456: Civic Coliseum in Knoxville
1) The biggest USWA supercard of the year kicked off with a debut and a win by Tommy Rogers, who scored a pinfall on “The Unpredictable” Johnny Rodz. Rogers received a big reaction from the Knoxville fans. He used his Tomikaze to score the pinfall in just a few minutes. ½*
2) David Taylor scored a big victory over “The Boogie Woogie Man” “Handsome” Jimmy Valiant. Valiant had the early advantage and hit a neckbreaker for a two-count. The British grappler took control and executed the British suplex to score the pinfall after just a few minutes of action. ¾*
3) “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan, subbing for his injured ally Terry “Bamm Bamm” Gordy, defeated Ox Baker via disqualification. This was a physical battle between these two brutes. “The Fabulous” Ox had control for quite a while, hitting a backbreaker and a shoulder breaker for near falls. With the crowd chanting “USA,” Duggan fought back. He came off the second turnbuckle with a shoulder tackle. He then got down in the three-point stance and blasted Baker with the flying spear. He went for a cover but Sir Oliver Humperdink came into the ring and smacked Duggan on the back with his cane right in front of Paul Morton. Morton was left with no choice but to call for the bell and disqualify Baker. After the bell, Baker recovered and picked up Duggan. Humperdink went to whack “Hacksaw” again with the cane but Duggan moved and Humperdink hit his own man! Duggan grabbed his 2X4 and went after his foes but the evil duo retreated before Duggan could connect! **¼
4) Larry Zbyszko and Mr. Saito remained undefeated and defeated Brian Kendrick and Paul London. Zbyszko and Saito were originally scheduled to face the Vachons but the Algerians and Double X got suspended for injuring Terry Gordy. Sir Oliver Humperdink did not initially come out with his team but joined them later. (Perhaps he was hiding from “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan and his 2X4!) The rulebreakers cut the ring in half on Kendrick in the first part of the match, with Zbyszko hitting a shoulder breaker for a two-count. Kendrick surprised Saito with a rolling front cradle out of nowhere for a two-count and then made a diving tag to London. Saito cut London off and tried to put him out with a sleeper but London made the ropes. Zbyszko came back in and hit a backbreaker for a near fall. Kendrick tagged back in a few minutes later and hit the Sliced Bread #2. He covered Zbyszko but Zbyszko got a foot under the bottom rope for a break. The House of Humperdink team rallied back. Zbyszko came off the second ropes with a knee drop to Kendrick which busted him open. Zbyszko hit the piledriver but took his time in making a cover, so Kendrick kicked out at 2¾. Saito tagged in and worked on Kendrick’s leg. He clamped on the Scorpion Leglock close to his and Zbyszko’s corner. London jumped in for a save but Zbyszko cut him off with a knee to the midsection and then tossed him out of the ring. Kendrick was trapped and forced to tap, giving Zbyszko and Saito their eighth win as a team. You can bet that Humperdink’s team will be in the tournament in 2016 to crown new World Tag Team champions! ***¼
5) Doctor X gave “Superstar” Bill Dundee his first loss in the USWA. These two combatants had a competitive bout but the masked grappler had the edge. He tried to put Dundee out with the X-cellent sleeper but the Aussie made the ropes. X blasted Dundee with forearms, which drew blood. He then worked on Dundee’s leg and went for the figure-four leglock. Dundee was in the hold for nearly three minutes and somehow managed to pull himself to the ropes for a break. As Dundee tried to get to his feet, X swarmed in first and hit a back suplex. He bridged into a pin and hooked the “Superstar’s” tights to score the pinfall. The Knoxville fans were not happy about this outcome and let Doctor X know about it! **½
6) Jimmy Jacobs’ disciples Luke Harper and the Necro Butcher scored a huge win over the two-time former USWA World Tag Team champions the New Age Outlaws. “The Road Dogg” Jesse James took control on Necro Butcher at the start of the bout, hitting a fist drop off the second rope for a near fall. He tagged o Billy Gunn who ran wild on Butcher. Butcher rolled out of the ring and Gunn followed. Necro tossed Gunn into the guard railing and then threw him back in the ring. He hit the Tiger Driver (his finisher) and went for a pin but Gunn kicked out. Butcher tagged to the big Harper, who made Gunn look small. Harper pounded away on Gunn. He delivered three big boots, picking Gunn up off the mat and whipping him into the ropes after each boot. James jumped in the ring but Necro cut him off and the top brawled to the floor. Necro choked “The Road Dogg” on the guard railing while Harper covered Gunn and scored the pinfall about five minutes into the match. Harper and Necro shocked the wrestling world with their strong victory over the Outlaws! *
7) “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert scored an impressive pinfall on Red Bastien. Bastien was supposed to put his famous handlebar moustache on the line against the mask of Double X tonight but the suspension of Double X and the Vachons changed that plan. Bastien looked like he might pick up the win over the three-time former Southern Heavyweight champion. He blasted Gilbert with a series of flying dropkicks. He covered Gilbert but only got a two-count. Bastien sent Gilbert into the ropes and went for a clothesline but “Hot Stuff” ducked and rebounded with a neckbreaker clothesline. He made a quick cover on the flying redhead but only got a two-count. Gilbert maintained control and executed the Hot Shot a few minutes later to score the pinfall. Sir Oliver Humperdink was very pleased with his man’s win and Gilbert ended 2015 on a positive note! *¾
8) The Midnight Express defeated the PYT Express in a No-Disqualification Match. The action between these two teams was very aggressive and quick-paced from the opening bell, as they used the no-disqualification stipulation to their advantages, especially when it came to double teaming. The Midnights hit Sweet Brown Sugar with a Double Goozle a few minutes into the bout and then followed it up with the Flapjack a few minutes later. Sugar took over on “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton and then tagged to D’Lo Brown. Brown got Eaton down on the mat and came off the top with the Lo Down. He made a cover but Eaton kicked out. Brown maintained control and hit a beautiful moonsault. He covered Eaton but “Sweet” Stan Lane jumped in and blasted Brown with a kick to the back of the head to break up the pin attempt. Eaton took advantage of the save and tagged to Lane, who blasted Brown with the superkick. He made a cover but Brown kicked out at 2¾. Lane whipped Brown into the buckle but D’Lo reversed it and sent Lane upside down into the corner. Brown tagged to Sugar and the PYTs hit a double slingshot suplex. Sugar covered his three-time former co-holder of the USWA Tag Team titles but “The Gangster of Love” kicked out. The PYTs double teamed Lane for several minutes but Lane made a hot tag to “The Sultan of Swing.” Eaton jumped in the ring but D’Lo tackled him and the two brawled to the floor. Eaton took control and slammed Brown hard with a big bulldog on the Civic Coliseum floor. Eaton tossed Brown back into the ring. Brown was hurting but managed to tag to Sugar. Eaton cut off Sugar and tagged back to Lane. The Midnights hit the Veg-o-Matic. Eaton’s Alabama Jam landed right across Sugar’s face and busted him open. Lane went for the cover but Sugar kicked out at 2¾. Eaton grabbed a steel chair from ringside and tossed it inside the ring. Lane tagged him in and hit the Flapjack on the chair. Lane then picked up the chair and smacked Brown in the face with it, knocking him off the ring apron and taking him out of the match. Lane returned to the Midnights’ corner but not for long as he and Eaton tagged in-and-out, double teaming the Chicago native. Eaton finally tagged “Sweet” Stan one more time and the Midnights hit a Veg-o-Matic on Brown and scored the winning pinfall. ****
9) Claudio Castagnoli gained revenge for his injury by defeating Mid-America Heavyweight champion Fit Finlay in a non-title grudge bout. “The Belfast Bruiser” attacked “The Swiss Superman” right away. He hit a fireman’s carry Hot Shot and scored a two-count. He used the Tombstone on Castagnoli just a few minutes into the bout, the same move used in a spike version on a chair that injured Castagnoli. Finlay took his time in making a cover, so Castagnoli kicked out, which drew a big pop from the Knoxville fans who supported Castagnoli tonight. Castagnoli fought back and dazed the Irish brawler by trapping his arms and delivering multiple head butts. Castagnoli set up Finlay for the Neutralizer but before he could deliver the move, David Taylor ran down to the ringside area and jumped up on the ring apron. Castagnoli saw him and nailed him with a European uppercut sending him flying off the apron. Finlay recovered and attacked his opponent from behind. He attempted to whip Castagnoli into the ropes, but he reversed it, and sent Finlay in instead. On the rebound, he tossed Finlay up into the air and then delivered a Very European uppercut. Finlay crumpled to the mat and Castagnoli covered him and hooked the leg to score the big pinfall. Castagnoli was very ecstatic about his win and signaled that he wants a title shot in 2016! ***
10) Nick Bockwinkel concluded his nearly 18-month feud with Larry “The Axe” Hennig with a quick win in a Stretcher Match. The bout was a brawl from the opening bell and the two rivals spent much of the match on the arena floor. Hennig took control and looked ready to deliver a piledriver on Bockwinkel on the floor. The four-time USWA champion stopped the move and backed Hennig back-first into the ring post. He then delivered a boot to the gut and delivered his own piledriver on the big “Axe” on the floor! This was a scene similar to this same supercard in 2010 when the Crusher and Diamond Dallas Page did a spike piledriver to Hennig. Hennig was out and Bockwinkel placed him onto the stretcher. Despite pleas from “The Mouth of The South” Jimmy Hart through his megaphone, Hennig was carted out of the Civic Coliseum and Bockwinkel was declared the winner in about four minutes! The match wasn’t pretty but the fans were happy with the result! neg*
11) In the first of two huge title matches, “Classy” Freddie Blassie became the new USWA Southern Heavyweight champion by defeating seven-time champion Steve “Dr. Death” Williams. The champion looked like he might retain and give Blassie his first loss in the USWA, as he started off very strong against Blassie. He hit a football tackle and later an impressive press slam to get two-counts. Williams hit the backdrop driver as well and set up Blassie for the Oklahoma Stampede but the challenger raked Williams’ eyes, causing him to break up the slam attempt. “The Vampire” turned to his famed biting, chomping on Williams’ forehead three separate times throughout the bout. Williams battled back, blasting Blassie in the face with a dropkick and busting him open. He knocked “The King of Men” down with a football tackle and made a cover but Blassie kicked out. Blassie rolled out of the ring for a breather but the champion followed. Blassie cut “Dr. Death” off and threw him into the ring post. He tossed Williams back into the ring and then hit the Southern neckbreaker to score the pinfall. Blassie became the new Southern Heavyweight champion and is now 15-0! ***¾
12) The main event was a huge match-up. Current and two-time USWA World Heavyweight champion “Ravishing” Rick Rude, accompanied by his manager “The Mouth of The South” Jimmy Hart, put the title on the line against “The Golden Greek” Jim Londos, accompanied by six-time former USWA champion Ed “Strangler” Lewis. Londos was undefeated going into tonight’s bout, since debuting at Independence Day Bash at Engel Stadium, amassing a 13-0 record. Rude had been the champion since New Year’s Knockout XI last year, winning the title from Lou Thesz at Roberts Stadium in Evansville. The “Ravishing One” had surprised many wrestling experts with his long reign and his ability to hold on to the title. The champion had used his physical gifts and athleticism, along with Hart’s sneaky tactics and the involvement of his fellow First Family of Wrestling members to retain the gold. Tonight, he would celebrate one year exactly with the belt and achieve 13 defenses, tying Lou Thesz’s first reign, for the third-highest number of defenses. Londos and Lewis had agreed to work together to try and get Londos the title, after “Strangler” was unable to unseat Rude after four title bouts this year. While Rude, of course, had “The Mouth of The South” at his side tonight, he would not have the rest of the First Family, as Larry “The Axe” Hennig was stretchered out earlier in the evening and Ray “The Crippler” Stevens, Big John Studd, and King Kong Bundy were all serving a suspension.
The champion was the aggressor at the start of the bout, nailing Londos with big forearm shots, chops, and elbows. He hit a suplex on the challenger a few minutes into the bout and went for a cover but Londos kicked out. Rude maintained control and executed the Rude Awakening a few minutes later. He made a cocky cover on “The Golden Greek” and not surprisingly Londos kicked out at two. Londos surprised Rude with a takedown and then became the aggressor in the bout. He picked up Rude and executed the airplane spin, which drew a big pop from the Knoxville fans. He dropped after several revolutions and then dropped down into a cover but the champion got the shoulder up at two. Londos then went to his other big weapon—the Boston Crab. He went to lock the Crab on but Rude fought hard, using his muscles to keep from turning. Londos wouldn’t give and finally turned the champion after a minute. The crowd popped big, knowing that Londos had made other wrestlers submit to this hold. Rude was in the center of the ring and Hart was screaming encouragement through the megaphone. After nearly a minute, the champion pulled himself to the ropes for a break. Londos kept control of Rude and locked on the Crab again about two minutes later. Londos positioned himself facing the ropes to try and prevent Rude from making the ropes. As Jerry Calhoun asked Rude if he was going to submit, “The Mouth of The South” snuck up on the ring apron. Hart ran over and smacked Londos from behind with the megaphone, which caused him to break the hold. Calhoun did not see this, since he was checking on the champion. Londos rolled out to the floor and Lewis came to check on him. Calhoun started the count. Londos started to come to around six. Despite help from the “Strangler,” “The Golden Greek” could not return to the ring by 10, so Calhoun called for the bell, giving Rude the win and keeping him as champion! The Knoxville fans were not happy about this outcome! Lewis yelled at Hart from outside the ring. He then threw off his suit coat and threatened to headlock either Hart or Rude! The duo retreated from the ring with the World title still intact! *¾
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Post by Cory Olson on Dec 31, 2018 1:20:26 GMT -4
Hope everyone is having a great holiday and enjoying the new sets!
After a very memorable and controversial New Year’s Knockout XII, the 1-9 edition of USWA Championship Wrestling was full of news for the New Year! • Commissioner Bob Armstrong announced what would be happening with the vacated USWA World Tag Team titles. He said that starting on next week’s card in Chattanooga, an eight-team, single-elimination tournament will begin. The four first-round matches will all take place that night. The two semifinal bouts will be held the following week in Nashville at the Municipal Auditorium. And the finals to crown new champions will be held the following week, on January 25 at the Rupp Arena in Lexington! The commissioner revealed the eight teams and the first-round match-ups. (See Card #457 preview below.) • With the World Tag Team title tournament schedule shuffling around the typical order of USWA title defenses, the new USWA Southern Heavyweight champion “Classy” Freddie Blassie will have less time than usual before making a defense. He will defend against former champion Doctor X in the main event on January 18 at the Municipal Auditorium in Nashville! Blassie was interviewed in studio by Lance Russell. Lance congratulated “The King of Man” on remaining undefeated and capturing the Southern title. Blassie said that he didn’t need Lance’s thanks to feel good, he knows how good he is, and so does Commissioner Armstrong, which is why he has booked this match on shorter notice. Lance asked Blassie to explain and the Southern champ said that Armstrong is trying to get the title off him, shortly after winning it! Blassie pointed out that he bled in the match at New Year’s Knockout and Doctor X had an easier match on the same card, so the masked man is going to be fresher on the 18th. Blassie said that “Bullet” Bob can try as much as he wants, but that “The Hollywood Fashion Plate” will still hold the gold after Nashville! • On that same card in Nashville, two former multi-time Southern Heavyweight champions will collide once again, as Steve “Dr. Death” Williams faces “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert. Commissioner Armstrong announced that the winner of this bout will challenge the Southern Heavyweight champion, either Blassie or Doctor X on February 29 in Lexington! • The First Family of Wrestling will be strong again, as Ray “The Crippler” Stevens, Big John Studd, and King Kong Bundy will return from their suspension on January 25 in Lexington. The trio will battle Nick Bockwinkel, “The Boogie Woogie Man” “Handsome” Jimmy Valiant, and Red Bastien in a huge six-man tag team bout! The three rulebreakers were suspended for 10 cards back in October, for two separate attacks, putting Pepper Gomez and “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka out of action. (Ironically, the attack on Gomez took place after Stevens’ bout with him in the same Rupp Arena where they will return.) • Looking ahead to the end of February, Commissioner Armstrong announced some matches for the Louisville Gardens card on February 29—Leap Day! Both bouts were originally scheduled to be held at New Year’s Knockout XII but due to the suspensions of three of the competitors, they had to be rescheduled. These bouts will be nearly two months in the making, making this a Lethal Leap Year! o Red Bastien will finally get the chance to unmask Double X! The two rivals will battle in a Moustache vs. Mask Match! o The former World Tag Team champions Mad Dog and Butcher Vachon will face the House of Humperdink team of Larry Zbyszko and Mr. Saito! Zbyszko and Saito remain undefeated and were hoping to get a chance to prove themselves against the then-champions in a non-title bout on New Year’s Eve. The duo could enter this bout the champions instead. (See Card #457 preview below!) • “The Mouth of The South” Jimmy Hart announced that because of Nick Bockwinkel’s piledriver on the Civic Coliseum floor that Larry “The Axe” Hennig reinjured his neck and will be out of action indefinitely. Lance Russell asked Hart what this meant for the First Family of Wrestling. The vocal manager said that three of his men will be back in action just a short time but as far as Hennig’s spot, he has been working on signing a new member to his stable. He will have an update for the wrestling world on next week’s edition of Championship Wrestling! • Speaking of the First Family, because of the controversial ending to the main event of New Year’s Knockout XII, “The Golden Greek” Jim Londos will receive another shot at the USWA World Heavyweight championship. That main event will headline the USWA’s first card of 2016 at the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis on February 15. Whom will Londos challenge? (We told you already: see Card #457 preview below!)
The USWA kicks off the New Year with a huge card on January 11 at the Memorial Auditorium in Chattanooga! • The tournament to crown new USWA World Tag Team champions will begin on this card and will kick off 2016! The format will be an eight-team, single-elimination tournament. Here are the tag team bouts that will take place in Chattanooga! o The Midnight Express will take on Mid-America Heavyweight champion “The Belfast Bruiser” Fit Finlay and David Taylor! The six-time former champions the Midnights are hoping to get their seventh championship, especially after being stripped of the titles in October due to being suspended for four cards for injuring Sweet Brown Sugar. They returned in December and challenged the then-champions the Vachons but won the bout via disqualification. Finlay and Taylor have been impressive in both singles and tag team bouts in recent months. This match will start off the first card of 2016 and there is a good reason why. (Once again, read more below!) o In an interesting styles clash, the high-flying tag team of Brian Kendrick and Paul London will face Jimmy Jacobs’ disciples of the Necro Butcher and Luke Harper. Kendrick and London have scored a lot of big wins in the past, most recently defeating the PYT Express in December in Sweet Brown Sugar’s hometown of Union City. While Butcher and Harper are very new to the USWA, Commissioner Armstrong entered them into the tournament due to their impressive win over two-time former USWA World Tag Team champions the New Age Outlaws at New Year’s Knockout XII in Knoxville. Will it be the fast-paced team of Kendrick and London or the brawlers of Butcher and Harper moving forward in the tournament? o The undefeated team of Larry Zbyszko and Mr. Saito of the House of Humperdink will take on Hillbilly Jim and Cousin Luke. Zbyszko and Saito have been an impressive duo, ever since Sir Oliver Humperdink put them together, currently with an 8-0 record. They cannot overlook the hillbillies, who have scored big wins in the past in both singles and tag competition. o The New Age Outlaws hope to capture their third USWA World Tag Team titles in the tournament. They will have some tough foes in the PYT Express. Sweet Brown Sugar is a three-time former champion and hopes to become a four-time champion with D’Lo Brown. Both teams are coming off tough losses at New Year’s Knockout and are looking to start off 2016 with a huge win.
• The Tag Team title tournament isn’t the only highlight of this huge card. “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert will be out for revenge when he faces “The Anarchist” Arik Cannon! Cannon scored a big upset win over the three-time former Southern champion back in November at the Louisville Gardens, thanks in small part to a distraction from Nick Bockwinkel. Gilbert is looking to avenge that loss. Can he do it or will Cannon make it 2-0? • Red Bastien will have to wait about six more weeks to try and win the mask of Double X. But this week he will take on Double X’s masked tag team partner Doctor X! The Doctor has a huge bout of his own next week in challenging “Classy” Freddie Blassie for the USWA Southern Heavyweight championship in the main event in Nashville. Who will win this match-up? • In the first of two championship bouts, “The Belfast Bruiser” Fit Finlay will compete twice on this card, as he defends the USWA Mid-America Heavyweight championship. His opponent will be one of his opponents from the Tag Team title tournament—former Mid-America champion “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton! Eaton defeated Sweet Brown Sugar in a first-round match-up for the vacant Mid-America title back in October in Jonesboro, only to get suspended and kicked out of the tournament for injuring Sugar after the bout. Finlay went on to win the title in that tournament. Now “Beautiful” Bobby has the chance to win that championship. While there have been times that wrestlers have wrestled twice on the same card, this will be only the second time in USWA history that the same wrestlers have wrestled each other more than once on the same card. (The last time was on August 25, 2006, when an 11-Man Battle Royal opened the card. The winner, Giant Baba, challenged the then-“Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase for the Southern title in the main event, while the other participants wrestled each other in a series of singles matches based on the order of elimination.) Who will leave Chattanooga the Mid-America champion? • The main event will be for the USWA World Heavyweight championship and will reignite one of the hottest feuds of the last two years. Current and two-time champion “Ravishing” Rick Rude will put the title on the line against four-time former champion Nick Bockwinkel. These two have been feuding since April 2014, when they battled to a double countout in Lexington. In July of that year, Rude defeated Bockwinkel to earn a shot at then-World champion Lou Thesz in a bout in Springfield, TN. In that match, Larry “The Axe” Hennig returned to the USWA to ambush Bockwinkel. Bockwinkel has been trying to win the title from Rude, while also trying to avoid the onslaught of Hennig. But after New Year’s Knockout XII, Bockwinkel has put “The Axe” out of action after their Stretcher Match. Can Bockwinkel finally capture his fifth USWA title or will Rude once again find a way to prevail?
All these great bouts, plus “Superstar” Bill Dundee and “The Boogie Woogie Man” “Handsome” Jimmy Valiant in singles competition!
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Post by Cory Olson on Jan 12, 2019 23:32:24 GMT -4
January 11, 2016 Card #457: Memorial Auditorium in Chattanooga
1) The tournament to crown new USWA World Tag Team champions kicked off the New Year. And the first match-up was a wild one, as the Midnight Express battled Mid-America champion Fit Finlay and David Taylor to a double disqualification. The British duo looked in control of the six-time former World Tag Team champions. Finlay hit “Sweet” Stan Lane with the Tombstone a few minutes into the match and went for a cover. “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton came in and broke up the pinfall, which also brought in Taylor. Eaton and Taylor started slugging it out in one corner of the ring. Finlay got up and went after Eaton. As the British double teamed him, Lane recovered and attacked Finlay. All four men started brawling in the ring. Jerry Calhoun put a five-count on both men but to no avail, as the brawling continued. Calhoun was left with no choice but to disqualify both teams, eliminating them both from the tournament. The Midnights gained the upper hand after the bell, sending the British fleeing. But this wouldn’t be the last time Eaton and Finlay tangled on this card! *
2) Brian Kendrick and Paul London got a surprising disqualification victory over Luke Harper and the Necro Butcher. Butcher was aggressive against London at the start of the bout, hitting the Tiger Driver just a few minutes into the match. Kendrick broke up the pin, which allowed London to recover. The high-flying fan favorites took control of the sadistic brawler, tagging in-and-out on him. London had control again and knocked Butcher outside of the ring. London went for a slingshot plancha but did not see that Butcher had grabbed a steel chair from the ringside area. As London came down with the plancha he got smacked in the ribs with the chair. Frank Morrell saw this and disqualified Butcher and Harper before Harper could even tag into the bout. The rulebreakers quickly left for the locker room, as Kendrick checked on London. London was hurting but was able to walk to the back with Kendrick’s help. Due to the double DQ in the first bout, it will be good for Kendrick and London to rest, as they now have a bye to the finals in two weeks in Lexington. DUD
3) Larry Zbyszko and Mr. Saito remained undefeated and moved on to the semifinals by battling back and triumphing over Hillbilly Jim and Cousin Luke. The hillbillies looked like they might score a big upset and be the first team to knock off the House of Humperdink team. Jim stopped a charge by Zbyszko into the corner by putting up his feet, catching Zbyszko between them, and then delivering a boot to the top of his head. He followed up with an atomic drop and made a cover but Zbyszko kicked out. He went for the bear hug but Zbyszko used an eye rake to break the hold and then tag to Saito. Jim ran wild on the Japanese Olympian as well nailing him with a big boot to the face for a near fall. He clamped on the bear hug but Saito broke it up with a head butt. Jim tagged to Luke but Saito stopped him and tagged back to Zbyszko. The rulebreakers double teamed him for several minutes before Saito caught him in a sleeper. Zbyszko stopped an intervening Jim. Paul Neighbors checked Luke’s arm and it dropped three times, giving Zbyszko and Saito the submission win. As the rulebreakers got their hands raised in victory, Saito delivered a degrading stomp to Luke to wake him up from the sleeper! Sir Oliver Humperdink celebrated that his team had advanced to the next round! ***
4) The PYT Express scored a big win by defeating the two-time former World Tag Team champions the New Age Outlaws. The PYTs cut the ring in half on “The Road Dogg” Jesse James for several minutes. Sweet Brown Sugar nailed his former tag team partner with the dropkick for a near fall. D’Lo Brown tagged in and hit a Sudden Impact on James for a near fall. James made a tag to Billy Gunn but D’Lo cut him off and hit a swinging side slam for a two-count. Gunn recovered a few minutes later and tagged to “The Road Dogg.” The Outlaws hit a spike piledriver on Sugar. James followed up a few moments later with the pump handle slam. Brown came in for a save but so did Gunn. Jerry Calhoun saw Gunn first and ordered him back to the Outlaws’ corner. This allowed Brown to drop a leg to the back of James’s head. Brown returned to the PYTs’ corner and Sugar tagged him back into the bout. Brown worked over James and came off the top with the Lo Down. He made a cover and scored the pinfall while Sugar hit Gunn with the dropkick. The PYTs will do battle with Larry Zbyszko and Mr. Saito in the semifinals next week in Nashville! ***¾
5) “Superstar” Bill Dundee bounced back from his first loss in the USWA at New Year’s Knockout XII to Doctor X to defeat “Dastardly” Danny Doring. Doring was hoping to start off 2016 with a bang and get a big upset win. He got Dundee down on the mat and hit the Danaconda three separate times throughout the bout but couldn’t keep the Aussie down for the count. He surprised Dundee with Wham, Bam, Thank You Ma’am as well for a near fall. Dundee rallied back and got Doring down on the mat. He bounced off the ropes and hit a big splash to score the pinfall. The Chattanooga fans popped big for the “Superstar’s” win! **
6) In a battle of bearded wrestlers, “The Boogie Woogie Man” “Handsome” Jimmy Valiant defeated the Amish RoadKill by submission. Like his tag team partner Danny Doring, RoadKill looked like he could score a big singles win over the two-time former Southern champion. RoadKill hitting a second rope elbow drop for a two-count. Valiant battled back with his boogie woogie moves and nailed “The Angry Amish Warrior” with some stiff roundhouse punches. RoadKill surprised Valiant with the Barn Burner out of nowhere for a near fall. He came off the middle part of the top rope with a splash as well but Valiant rallied back. He got RoadKill down on the mat and hit a Boogie Woogie elbow off the top rope. RoadKill managed to get to his feet but Valiant caught him in the sleeper. RoadKill dropped to the mat and his arm dropped three times, giving Valiant the win. Valiant woke up RoadKill after and danced over his foe! ***¼
7) “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert avenged his upset loss in November with a pinfall on “The Anarchist” Arik Cannon. It looked like Cannon might score another win as he had the early advantage, executing a suplex like Gilbert’s ally Mr. Saito’s for a near fall. Cannon went up to the second turnbuckle and dove off with a double sledge. Gilbert dodged the sledge, caught Cannon in midair, and then turned it into the Hot Shot! Cannon dropped to the mat and Gilbert scored the pinfall, making the House of Humperdink 2-0 for the evening! ¼*
8) Red Bastien scored an impressive pinfall on Doctor X. Bastien was aggressive against his main rival’s tag team partner even going for the Doctor’s mask a few times, as he hopes to do to Double X next month in Lexington on Leap Day! The Doctor evaded Bastien’s efforts but couldn’t maintain offense against the flying redhead. Bastien hit a missile dropkick, a series of flying dropkicks, and the airplane spin into the atomic drop for near falls throughout the bout. He looked close to a submission as well with a Boston Crab but X got to the ropes. Bastien hit his amazing flying head scissors to score the pinfall on the former Southern champ, much to the fans’ delight! **¾
9) In the first of two title matches, “The Belfast Bruiser” Fit Finlay retained the USA Mid-America Heavyweight title with a pinfall on former champion “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton. These two wrestlers were originally scheduled to meet in the semifinals of the tournament for the vacated title back in November but Eaton and “Sweet” Stan Lane were suspended for injuring Sweet Brown Sugar before that bout could take place. Finlay automatically went to the finals and ended up winning the championship. This bout had the added twist that both combatants had wrestled each other earlier in the evening in a Tag Team title tournament match. Eaton started off the match aggressively wanting to win the title and avenge not winning their earlier meeting. He hit the Alabama Jam early in the bout but Finlay rolled out of the ring for a breather before Eaton could try for a pin. Eaton followed up with a spinning neckbreaker a few minutes later for a near fall. Eaton missed a flying tackle into the corner and the champion took control. He punished Eaton, slammed him hard to the mat, and then came off the second rope with a reverse splash. He covered Eaton, driving his forearm into “Beautiful” Bobby’s throat, and scored the pin to retain the title. **¾
10) The main event was a big one to start off 2016, as current and two-time USWA World Heavyweight champion “Ravishing” Rick Rude put the title on the line against his rival and four-time former champion Nick Bockwinkel. In addition to this bout being for the top prize in the USWA, there was the added heat of Bockwinkel putting Rude’s First Family of Wrestling ally and fellow Minnesotan Larry “The Axe” Hennig out of action with a piledriver on the floor at New Year’s Knockout XII.
Bockwinkel had the advantage at the opening bell, gunning for his fifth World title. He nailed Rude with a dropkick for a near fall. He worked over Rude’s leg and went for the figure-four leglock. Before Bock could fully apply it, Rude pulled himself to the ropes for a break. Bockwinkel used a piledriver, the same move he put Hennig out with but this time inside the ring. He covered Rude but the World champion got his foot on the bottom rope right before the three-count. Rude took control on an error by Bockwinkel and hit a suplex for a near fall. He maintained control and came off the top with a sledgehammer. Bockwinkel went down and Rude made a cover but the challenger kicked out. Bockwinkel sent Rude head-first into the top turnbuckle which busted him open. Bockwinkel quickly followed up with his sleeper. Rude dropped to the mat and it looked like there would be a title change. “The Mouth of The South” Jimmy Hart was screaming for the champ to break free through his megaphone. Jerry Calhoun checked Rude’s arm. It dropped twice but stopped short of dropping a third time. Rude kept up his arm and started to blast Bockwinkel with punches from the seated position. The tactic worked as it broke the sleeper. A bloodied Rude worked over his opponent. He used a piledriver of his own on Bockwinkel. He took his time in making a cover and finally made a cocky one. Bockwinkel kicked out a 2¾. Realizing he couldn’t go easy on the four-time former champ, he attacked Bockwinkel’s neck some more and hit the Rude Awakening to score the pinfall and retain the title. Hart was ecstatic at Rude starting off 2016 with the win and being still the champion! (After tonight’s win, Rude now solely holds the position, breaking the tie he had held with Lou Thesz’s first reign, for the third highest number of USWA World title defenses, now having successfully defended the title 14 times!) ***¾
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Post by Cory Olson on Jan 23, 2019 0:34:36 GMT -4
Highlights from USWA Championship Wrestling on 1-16: • The main event for February 15 at the Mid-South Coliseum is now official. “Ravishing” Rick Rude will defend the USWA World Heavyweight championship against “The Golden Greek” Jim Londos in a rematch of the New Year’s Knockout XII main event, that saw Rude retain via countout when Jimmy Hart interfered with the megaphone while Londos had the champion in the Boston Crab. Londos will again be accompanied by six-time former USWA champion Ed “Strangler” Lewis. The “Ravishing One” and “The Mouth of The South” were interviewed in studio. Lance Russell congratulated the champion on retaining the title last week in Chattanooga. Rude said that he finally proved that the “legendary” Nick Bockwinkel is nothing more than a myth and that as far as he is concerned, his chapter with Bockwinkel is over. He said that Commissioner Bob Armstrong is an “idiot” for giving Londos another title shot, as he (Rude) already beat him. When Lance tried to point out the controversial way he retained, Rude said “a win is a win.” But if he must prove again that he is superior to Londos, he will do so in Memphis. Rude stated that not only is he the superior wrestler but also better looking! • Hart announced that he has signed a new member for the First Family of Wrestling. He said that he has signed Bobby Shane to join his unit! Shane has competed in Central States Wrestling, Georgia Championship Wrestling, and most recently Championship Wrestling from Florida, where he held the CWF’s version of the Southern Heavyweight championship. While Shane is a great technical wrestler, more often he resorts to rulebreaking tactics. Lance said that because of that he will fit in very well with Hart and his men! Hart was offended by Lance’s accusations! Shane will make his USWA debut next week at the Rupp Arena in Lexington! • Another big superstar will be soon debuting in the USWA. The physical phenom “Mr. USA” Tony Atlas will debut on February 15 at the Mid-South Coliseum! Atlas most recently competed in Georgia Championship Wrestling (GCW), having held the GCW National Tag Team titles with Tommy “Wildfire” Rich. Atlas is a very qualified singles wrestler as well and hopes to make an impact in one-on-one competition in the USWA. Many wrestling experts, including former USWA correspondent Bill Apter, feel that Atlas is one of the most powerful wrestlers in all of pro wrestling today. In addition to his strength, Atlas has also great agility and can hit a high dropkick. Atlas was one of the most popular wrestlers in GCW. Will he receive the same reaction here in this part of the South? • Another big bout for the Memphis card has been signed, as four-time former USWA World Heavyweight champion Nick Bockwinkel will take on three-time former Southern Heavyweight champion “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert of the House of Humperdink! These two first battled in November at the 450th USWA card at the same arena. Gilbert came out the winner the first time via disqualification when Bockwinkel used Sir Oliver Humperdink’s cane on Gilbert. Bockwinkel was interviewed in studio. He said that he would never lie and call himself a saint; that he has broken many rules inside the squared circle. But he plans to stay focused and outwrestle Gilbert rather than out-fight or out-cheat him! • A championship bout has been signed for the February 22 card at the Oman Arena in Jackson, TN. “The Belfast Bruiser” Fit Finlay will defend the USWA Mid-America Heavyweight championship against former champion and his rival Claudio Castagnoli! Castagnoli earned this shot by defeating Finlay in a non-title grudge match at New Year’s Knockout XII in Knoxville. Can “The Swiss Superman” capture his second Mid-America title?
The USWA comes back to “Music City”—Nashville on January 18 with a huge card from the Municipal Auditorium! • Originally this card was scheduled to have the two semifinal bouts in the tournament to crown new USWA World Tag Team champions. But due to the double disqualification between the Midnight Express and the British team of Mid-America Heavyweight champion Fit Finlay and David Taylor, Brian Kendrick and Paul London have gotten a bye and are guaranteed to go to the finals next week in Lexington. However, the high-flying fan favorites will be in action this week as well, to prepare for their shot at the vacated titles! • Speaking of the Tag Team title tournament, a rematch from the first round will take place, as the Midnight Express will take on Fit Finlay and David Taylor. Both teams were disqualified and eliminated from the tournament last week in Chattanooga. Each team is hoping to get a decisive win and perhaps get a shot at whomever the new champions are in 2016. Which team will leave Nashville the winners? • In a rematch from New Year’s Knockout XII, “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan will battle Ox Baker. Duggan had “The Fabulous” Ox down with the flying spear but Sir Oliver Humperdink interfered to cause a DQ before Duggan could score the pin. Will a decisive winner be determined here? • Two rivals will meet up again with a shot at the USWA Southern Heavyweight championship on February 29 at stake, as Steve “Dr. Death” Williams will battle “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert. Both men are former Southern champions, having traded the title with each other six times in 2015. Gilbert has not been allowed another title shot since his third reign ended as a result of Williams defeating him and Doctor X in a Triangle Match in Evansville in September. Now that Williams lost the title to “Classy” Freddie Blassie at New Year’s Knockout, Gilbert will be allowed to receive more shots at the gold. But for now, he must get through Williams. “Dr. Death” is hoping he doesn’t have to wait too long for another shot at the Southern title. Who will win this bout and move on to a championship bout on Leap Day? • The sole semifinal bout in the tournament for the vacated USWA World Tag Team titles will take place, as the undefeated duo of Larry Zbyszko and Mr. Saito of the House of Humperdink will face the PYT Express. Zbyszko and Saito are now 9-0 and continue to impress wrestling fans with their cohesiveness. While the PYTs have more time together than their opponents, they are also a relatively new team. They scored an impressive win on the New Age Outlaws last week in Chattanooga, a team a lot of fans thought would win the whole tournament, so they have momentum on their side. The difference maker between these two teams could be Zbyszko and Saito’s manager Sir Oliver Humperdink. • The main event will feature two rulebreakers battling it out for the South’s top prize, as “Classy” Freddie Blassie makes his first defense of the USWA Southern Heavyweight title against former champion Doctor X! Blassie was interviewed in-studio about his challenger. He said that he’s battled plenty of masked wrestlers in the past, including Mil Mascaras, the “Intelligent, Sensational” Destroyer, and others and he’s not scared by a masked man. He said he thinks that X wears because he’s an “ugly, pencil-necked geek” just like the USWA fans and that next week, he will successfully defend the Southern title for the first of “many defenses.” Will Blassie’s words come true or can X capture his second Southern title?
All these great bouts, plus Claudio Castagnoli, “Superstar” Bill Dundee, Tommy Rogers, and Nashville’s own Jake “The Milkman” Milliman in action!
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Post by Cory Olson on Jan 28, 2019 23:42:13 GMT -4
January 18, 2016 Card #458: Municipal Auditorium in Nashville
1) Jake “The Milkman” Milliman got a win in the opener in his hometown with a pinfall on George South. The Nashville fans welcomed “The Milkman” back home with a big pop! Milliman had the initial advantage and hit the second rope head butt for a near fall. South came back and surprised Milliman with a dropkick for a two-count of his own. With the fans rooting him on, Milliman fought back and slammed South to the mat. He then hit a knee drop to score the pinfall. Milliman got to celebrate with many of his people after the bout! ***
2) Brian Kendrick and Paul London defeated Virgil and “The Unpredictable” Johnny Rodz. The rulebreakers looked on their way to an upset, as they double teamed Kendrick for the first few minutes. Virgil caught Kendrick in the Million Dollar Dream but Kendrick got to the ropes for a break. Kendrick took control and he and London double teamed Rodz. They nailed Rodz with a tossing dropkick and scored the pinfall. The high-flying fan favorites looked impressive, as they are heading to the World Tag Team title finals next week in Lexington! (Who will be their opponents? Read on!) **¾
3) Tommy Rogers scored a pinfall on “Dastardly” Danny Doring. Rogers got a big ovation from the crowd. He used a crucifix roll-up on Doring for a near fall and used the Tomikaze a couple minutes later to score the pinfall. (NOTE: This was my first time using Rogers’ color card, available in Legends of Wrestling Expansion Pack from Filsinger Games!) *¼
4) “Superstar” Bill Dundee was triumphant over the Amish RoadKill. “The Angry Amish Warrior” was aggressive at the start, hitting a power bomb for a two-count. Dundee rallied back. He got RoadKill down on the mat in an Indian Deathlock but couldn’t get the submission as RoadKill made the ropes. Dundee hit the Superstar Bomb off the top shortly thereafter to gain the pinfall! **½
5) Claudio Castagnoli defeated Hillbilly Jim. Jim had control on at the start and was hoping for an upset. He hit a leg drop and a big boot to the face. He went for the bear hug but Claudio broke out of the hold with a double forearm clap. Jim regained control and whipped “The Swiss Superman” into the corner. He charged in with another big boot but Castagnoli dodged the attack and Jim got hung up in the ropes. Castagnoli pulled Jim off the ropes and cradle him up into a pinfall for the three-count. **¾
6) Ox Baker scored a dominant win over rival “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan. Baker was ultra-aggressive at the start. He blasted Duggan twice with heart punches and scored the pinfall. After the bell, Baker delivered some falling heart punches to “Hacksaw,” while Sir Oliver Humperdink cheered him on. Steve “Dr. Death” Williams sprinted to the ring with a steel chair in hand, chasing Baker and Humperdink away. Williams checked on his ally but he was not moving. Joe Wheeler signaled to the back for paramedics. They brought out a stretcher and Duggan was placed on it and rolled out of the arena. ¼*
7) In a rematch from the first round of the USWA World Tag Team title tournament, Mid-America Heavyweight champion Fit Finlay and David Taylor scored a big win over the Midnight Express. The Midnights had control in the first few minutes but Taylor took control of “Sweet” Stan Lane. He tossed him out of the ring and dropped him throat-first across the guard rail. He tossed Lane back in the ring and tagged to “The Belfast Bruiser.” Finlay continued to work Lane’s throat. He hit a reverse splash off the second rope and drove his forearm into his throat while attempting a pin but Lane kicked out at two. Finlay followed up with the Tombstone a few minutes later. “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton went for a save but was cut off by Taylor, so Finlay scored the impressive pinfall. **
8) In a battle of former Southern Heavyweight champions, Steve “Dr. Death” Williams earned another shot at the title by defeating “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert. Gilbert had the advantage at the start. He hit a piledriver on Williams for a near fall. Williams battled back and blasted Gilbert with a lariat. He followed up with the Oklahoma Stampede a few moments later but Gilbert managed to kick out at 2¾. Williams hit a second Stampede a few moments later and went for another cover but Sir Oliver Humperdink put Gilbert’s foot on the bottom rope to break up the pin. Williams attempted a third Stampede a few minutes later but Gilbert grabbed the top rope to block the slam. He raked Williams’ eyes and Williams dropped him to the canvas. Gilbert rolled out of the ring for a breather. Humperdink consoled Gilbert, who then climbed up on the ring apron. Gilbert swung at Williams, who ducked, grabbed Gilbert, and brought him back into the ring the hard way with the backdrop driver! He turned into a cover and scored the pinfall! Williams will challenge whomever the Southern champion is on February 29, in what should be a lethal Leap Year! (NOTE: This was my first time using Williams’ color card, available in Legends of Wrestling Expansion Pack from Filsinger Games!) ***¼
9) In the sole semifinal match of the USWA World Tag Team title tournament, Larry Zbyszko and Mr. Saito went to 10-0 and moved on to the finals with a controversial disqualification win over the PYT Express. The fans sided with Sweet Brown Sugar and D’Lo Brown tonight and it looked like they might be the first team to defeat the House of Humperdink team, as they cut the ring in half on Zbyszko for several minutes. Sugar hit the dropkick and Brown hit the Lo Down for near falls. Brown also followed up with a swinging side slam for a two-count. Zbyszko finally tagged the Japanese Olympian, who hit the Oriental leg sweep for a near fall on Sugar. Zbyszko tagged back in and while Sir Oliver Humperdink distracted Joe Wheeler, he brought in his nunchucks and choked Sugar with them in the corner. Zbyszko and Saito double teamed Sugar until he made the tag to Brown. Brown ran wild on Zbyszko and hit the Shakey, Shakey leg drop right across Zbyszko’s nose, busting him open. He went for a cover but Saito broke up the pin attempt. Sugar tagged back in but Zbyszko rolled out of the ring. Sugar followed him while Saito distracted Wheeler. Zbyszko grabbed the nunchucks again but Sugar stopped him, head butted him, and then took the martial arts weapon. He then clocked Zbyszko on the back of the head with them. Unfortunately for the PYTs, Wheeler turned around just in time to see Sugar use the nunchucks and called for the bell, disqualifying the PYTs. Fans booed the finish, knowing that Zbyszko had used the weapon first. The PYTs tried to protest but to no avail. The House of Humperdink members grabbed the nunchucks and retreated to the locker room, with Zbyszko being dragged by Humperdink and Saito. Zbyszko and Saito will now face Brian Kendrick and Paul London next week in Lexington to crown new USWA World Tag Team champions! ***¼
10) The main event was for the USWA Southern Heavyweight championship. “Classy” Freddie Blassie put the title on the line against former champion Doctor X. The new Southern champ was very impressive here. He bit X early in the bout, perhaps trying to rip open the mask and reveal X’s identity. Blassie hit the challenger with the Southern neckbreaker and went for a cover but the masked man got a foot under the bottom rope. The champion continued his onslaught and hit multiple knee drops. He then covered X and scored the pinfall to retain the title. *¾
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Post by Cory Olson on Mar 10, 2019 22:13:03 GMT -4
Hope everyone is enjoying the new women's set! With the high school wrestling season over, I hope to get caught up on posts and playing!
Highlights from USWA Championship Wrestling on 1-23: • It was announced that “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan will be out of action for about a month after the barrage of heart punches he incurred from Ox Baker last week in Nashville. • After last week’s card in the “Music City,” the main event for Leap Day 2016 is official, as “Classy” Freddie Blassie will put the USWA Southern Heavyweight title on the line against seven-time former champion and the man he defeated for the title at New Year’s Knockout XII—Steve “Dr. Death” Williams! The Louisville Gardens will host this epic match-up! • Ray “The Crippler” Stevens will return from his suspension, along with First Family of Wrestling members Big John Studd and King Kong Bundy, next week in Lexington. (See Card #459 preview below.) The former Mid-America champion has already signed another big match as he will take on the popular “Superstar” Bill Dundee on February 15 at the Mid-South Coliseum. This will be a battle of “bombers,” as Stevens specializes in his Bombs Away, while Dundee has his Superstar Bomb!
The USWA returns to the Rupp Arena in Lexington on January 25! The faithful Lexington fans are in store for a huge card! • Two former tag team partners and rivals will collide once again, as Claudio Castagnoli faces “The Anarchist” Arik Cannon! “The Swiss Superman” is looking forward to challenging Fit Finlay for the USWA Mid-America Heavyweight championship in a few weeks in Jackson but he cannot look past Cannon, who has pulled off upsets lately, namely over “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert and D’Lo Brown. • Seve “Dr. Death” Williams will be out for revenge when he collides with Ox Baker! Williams was there last week in Nashville when Baker sent “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan out of the Municipal Auditorium on a stretcher. He’s hoping to make short work of “The Fabulous” Ox. Can he do it or will Baker send “Dr. Death” to the hospital as well? • In a rematch from New Year’s Knockout XII, the New Age Outlaws will battle the Necro Butcher and Luke Harper. Jimmy Jacobs’ disciples scored an impressive win on the two-time former USWA World Tag Team champions on New Year’s Eve. Both teams were eliminated in the first round of the World Tag Team title tournament and you can bet they will be gunning for a win this week. Can Harper and Necro repeat their success or will the Outlaws avenge that loss? • “The Golden Greek” Jim Londos returns to action after his controversial loss on New Year’s Eve in challenging for the USWA World Heavyweight title. This week he will grapple with the masked Doctor X! Londos will receive his rematch with “Ravishing” Rick Rude on February 15 at the Mid-South Coliseum but he cannot underestimate the Doctor. Can Londos triumph over X or will X mark the spot? • Jimmy Hart is ecstatic, as the First Family of Wrestling will be reunited next week. Ray “The Crippler” Stevens, Big John Studd, and King Kong Bundy will return from their 10-card suspension and face the popular trio of Nick Bockwinkel, “The Boogie Woogie Man” “Handsome” Jimmy Valiant, and Red Bastien. Studd, Bundy, & Stevens were suspended back in October for two separate attacks, one on Valiant’s partner “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka in September in Knoxville and the other on Bastien’s partner Pepper Gomez a few weeks here at the Rupp Arena. The fan favorites are hoping to avenge their allies’ injuries and give the First Family a rough welcome back! Can good triumph over evil? • The Lexington fans will see history made, as new World Tag Team champions will be crowned in the main event! Brian Kendrick and Paul London will collide with the undefeated team of House of Humperdink members Larry Zbyszko and Mr. Saito! Kendrick and London defeated Luke Harper and the Necro Butcher in the first round via disqualification and then received a bye to the finals, thanks to a double disqualification between the Midnight Express and Fit Finlay and David Taylor. Zbyszko and Saito beat Hillbilly Jim and Cousin Luke in the first round and then got by the PYT Express via DQ in a controversial semifinal bout. Kendrick and London have been in the USWA since May 2013. This will be their third shot at the titles. Zbyszko was brought in to be Saito’s new partner this past October after Saito’s original partner Mr. Fuji went down to a back injury from the Vachons. Sir Oliver Humperdink’s goal was not only to avenge Fuji’s injury but also for his new team to bring the titles back to the House of Humperdink. While his men will not be challenging the Vachons for the belts, they will get their opportunity nonetheless and Humperdink would be overjoyed to have champions again! Which team will leave Lexington the winners of the tournament and the new champions?
All these bouts, plus “Superstar” Bill Dundee, “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert, Tommy Rogers, and the debut of the newest First Family of Wrestling member Bobby Shane!
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Post by Cory Olson on Mar 24, 2019 22:33:36 GMT -4
January 25, 2016 Card #459: Rupp Arena in Lexington
(NOTE: This was the first card where I incorporated the new Manager Interference and Gang Interference Charts from Legends of Wrestling: Expansion II.)
1) Tommy Rogers was victorious again over Virgil in the opening bout. Virgil had control early on and looked like he might give Rogers his first loss in the USWA, as he scored near falls after a knee drop and a running tackle. Virgil applied the Million Dollar Dream as well but Rogers made the ropes for a break. Rogers battled back and dazed Virgil with some spectacular dropkicks. He followed up a few moments later with the Tomikaze to score the pinfall! **¾
2) The newest member of Jimmy Hart’s First Family of Wrestling Bobby Shane spoiled his own USWA debut, losing to S.D. Jones via disqualification on a reverse decision! Shane showed some great wrestling skills but also was very arrogant and riled up the Lexington fans! He scored a near fall on “Special Delivery” with a bulldog and then locked on his Japanese sleeper a few moments later. “Philadelphia’s Favorite Son” dropped to the mat. Sam Platania checked Jones’s arm and it dropped three times. Platania called for the bell and raised Shane’s hand in victory via submission. Hart jumped in the ring celebrating his newest charge’s win. However, Shane and Hart started walking to the back and Platania informed Shane that he needed to revive Jones from the sleeper, as wrestlers do when they win with this hold or similar ones that render the opponent unconscious. Shane refused and even shoved Platania down to the mat. Platania was hurt but had enough wherewithal to crawl over to Gary Michael Cappetta. Cappetta informed the fans, Shane, and Hart that due to Shane’s refusal of waking up his opponent, Platania had reversed the decision and awarded Jones the match via disqualification! Shane and Hart were outraged and tried to protest but to no avail! It was a historic bout but not as Shane hoped! It was historic due to the original decision being reversed! *¼
3) “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert was victorious over Jake “The Milkman” Milliman. Milliman was fired up at the start of the bout after Gilbert mocked him and ran wild on the three-time former Southern champion. He hit a power slam and then later the second rope head butt for near falls. Gilbert took control with some stiff punches and hit a DDT and later a neckbreaker clothesline for two-counts. He maintained control, whipped Milliman into the ropes, caught him on the rebound, and hit the Hot Shot to score the pinfall. Sir Oliver Humperdink was happy with his charge’s victory, as Gilbert looks ahead to another bout with Nick Bockwinkel in a couple of weeks in Memphis! ***
4) Claudio Castagnoli made short work of Arik Cannon. “The Swiss Superman” pummeled “The Anarchist” from the opening bell and picked up the win after a powerful clothesline. While Castagnoli was the rulebreaker in this match, he did get some cheers, as fans support him in his quest to defeat Fit Finlay for the Mid-America Heavyweight title in a few weeks in Jackson! DUD
5) “Superstar” Bill Dundee picked up a pinfall victory over Tony Myers. Dundee tried for submissions with a Boston Crab and later an Indian Deathlock but Myers managed to get the ropes both times. Dundee hit a double foot stomp off the second rope to score the pinfall. The Rupp Arena fans gave the Aussie a big ovation for his win! DUD
6) Steve “Dr. Death” Williams got a quick disqualification victory over Ox Baker. The match barely got started, as it was a wild brawl from the start. Baker took control in the corner and grabbed his bullwhip. He proceeded to wrap it around Williams’ throat and began to choke him. Tommy Marlin warned Baker by giving him a five-count. Baker would not release, so Marlin was left with no choice but to call for the bell. Baker under orders from Sir Oliver Humperdink eventually released “Dr. Death” and returned to the locker room. Williams was able to return to the locker room on his own but was in a lot of pain. neg*
7) The New Age Outlaws got a hard-fought victory over Luke Harper and the Necro Butcher. Jimmy Jacobs’ disciples started off the bout strong and looked like they would get their second win over the two-time former USWA World Tag Team champions. Harper executed an impressive swinging side slam on Billy Gunn a few minutes into the bout for a near fall. Harper hit the big boot twice but “The Road Dogg” Jesse James broke up the pin attempt. Both wrestlers tagged out to their partners. James hit a rope straddle and later the pump handle slam on Necro for two-counts. Gunn tagged back in and the Outlaws hit a spike piledriver on Necro. Gunn later hit the Famouser, driving Necro face-first into the mat and busting open his nose. Gunn went for a cover but Harper made the save with a leg drop to the back of Gunn’s neck, which allowed Necro to recover. James tagged back in but Necro gave him a brutal beatdown in the corner and tagged Harper back into the bout. James took over and got the big Harper down on the mat. James hit a Shake, Rattle, and Roll knee drop for a two-count. Gunn tagged back in and hit a Famouser on Harper to score the pinfall after 20 minutes of action. Necro had attempted a save but was cut off with some big punches from James. The Outlaws got a big ovation from the Lexington fans for their win! ****
8) Jim Londos got a submission win over Doctor X in about eight minutes. The two grapplers exchanged some great mat holds in the first few minutes. Londos gained control and went for a submission with a grinding armbar. X made the ropes for a break but got caught in the Boston Crab a few minutes later and tapped out. Londos was impressive here as he looks ahead to his rematch for the USWA World Heavyweight championship in a few weeks in Memphis! **¼
9) The First Family of Wrestling was whole again, as Ray “The Crippler” Stevens, Big John Studd, and King Kong Bundy returned from suspension and got a win over Nick Bockwinkel, “The Boogie Woogie Man” “Handsome” Jimmy Valiant, and Red Bastien. Former tag team partners Bockwinkel and Stevens started off the bout against each other. The action was fast-and-furious. Bockwinkel got Stevens down on the mat and appeared ready to apply the figure-four leglock but Stevens kicked him off. Bundy and Bastien were the legal men a few minutes later. The New Jersey giant had the advantage and sent Bastien into the corner. He went for the Atlantic City Avalanche but Bastien dove out of the way and Bundy hit the buckles hard. Later Studd and “Boogie Woogie” were battling it out. Valiant had the advantage and went up to the top but Studd cut him off and slammed him from the top rope hard to the mat. Bundy came back but Valiant cut him off with big roundhouse punches. Bockwinkel tagged back in and got Bundy down on the mat. He clamped on the figure-four leglock in the center of the ring. Bundy was in trouble and Studd stepped over the rope and stomped on Bockwinkel, breaking the hold. Valiant and Bastien came in and clotheslined Studd over the top rope to the floor. They followed the giant out of the ring. Bockwinkel maintained control and jumped on Bundy’s back, applying his sleeper. Bundy dropped to his knees. Jimmy Hart jumped up on the ring apron which distracted Tommy Marlin. Stevens picked up Hart’s megaphone, which had been conveniently left in the First Family’s corner. Stevens clocked Bockwinkel from behind with the megaphone. Bockwinkel was dazed from the blow. Stevens tossed out the megaphone and then whipped Bockwinkel into the corner. He then instructed Bundy, who had recovered, to deliver the Avalanche. Bundy obliged, crushing the four-time former World champion. Bundy then made a cover. Marlin turned around to make the count. Bastien from the floor tried to save Bockwinkel but was met with a boot from “The Crippler,” while Studd held Valiant in a bear hug outside the ring. Although Bockwinkel had taken a megaphone shot and an Avalanche, the boisterous Bundy asked for his usual five-count to ensure that Bockwinkel was down for the count. It was a fitting win for the First Family on their return to the USWA! **¾
10) The main event was the finals of an eight-team tournament to crown new USWA World Tag Team champions. Brian Kendrick and Paul London battled the House of Humperdink team of Larry Zbyszko and Mr. Saito. Kendrick and London were getting their third shot at the titles since they debuted in the USWA nearly three years ago. Zbyszko and Saito were entering the match 10-0 overall as a team.
This was a back-and-forth bout that made it look like either team could leave the Rupp Arena the new champions. Saito hit an Oriental leg sweep on London in the first few minutes for a near fall. Saito went up to the second rope and came off with a knee drop but London rolled out of the way and Saito crashed hard. London went up top himself and hit the 450 splash just a few minutes into the bout. Saito managed to kick out at 2¾. Later the fan favorites hit the assisted Shooting Star Press for a near fall. Kendrick followed up with his finisher—the Sliced Bread #2. He immediately went for a cover but Sir Oliver Humperdink got up on the apron, distracting Tom Branch. Kendrick got off of Saito and went after the manager which allowed Saito to recover and tag Zbyszko. Zbyszko worked over Kendrick and hit the piledriver. He went for a pinfall but Kendrick got a foot under the bottom rope for a break. London tagged back in but Zbyszko cut him off. He pummeled London and then used his karate skills on him with some stiff kicks. He tossed London into the ropes and bent over for a back body drop but London scouted the attempt and hit a sunset flip for a near fall. Zbyszko charged at London but London ducked the attack, pulled down the top rope, and Zbyszko went flying to the Rupp Arena floor. London went out to the ring apron and knocked Zbyszko down with a roundhouse kick. He then hit an amazing Shooting Star Press off the apron, which drew a big pop from the Rupp Arena fans! London returned to the ring as Branch began to count Zbyszko out. London was reminded by Kendrick from the apron that they could not win the titles via countout, as this had been stipulated in the match contract, despite the titles being vacant. London broke the count and tossed Zbyszko back inside the ring. Zbyszko was still hurting but managed to tag to the Japanese Olympian. Saito took over on London and hit a second leg sweep for a two-count. Zbyszko tagged back in and grounded the high flyer. He caught London in a sleeper and looked like he might get a submission win. London initially dropped to the mat and Branch checked his arm. It dropped twice but on the third attempt it bounced back and London got up to his feet. He was still trapped in the sleeper but had enough wherewithal to run up the turnbuckles, kick off, flip backward, and land on top of Zbyszko in a pinning combination. Zbyszko was surprised but able to kick out at 2¾. London got away from Zbyszko and dove to his own corner for the tag to Kendrick. Kendrick hit Zbyszko with some kicks but got ambushed with a knee to the back from Saito as he hit the ropes. Zbyszko worked over Kendrick and tried the sleeper on him as well. Kendrick also had his arm drop twice but fought back on the third attempt. He couldn’t escape, as Zbyszko dragged him to the House of Humperdink’s corner and tagged to Saito. Saito worked over Kendrick and hit his patented suplex. He immediately turned into a cover. London jumped in for a save but Zbyszko cut him off with a spinning back kick. Branch went to count and counted three. He called for the bell and awarded Zbyszko and Saito the World Tag Team titles after 25 minutes of action! Humperdink was ecstatic at his team winning the gold! “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert and “The Fabulous” Ox Baker, recovered from their own earlier bouts on the card, came out to celebrate with their House of Humperdink allies! (With the win, Saito is now a two-time World Tag Team champion, having held the titles with Mr. Fuji in their historic reign!) ****¼
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Post by Cory Olson on Mar 31, 2019 17:17:40 GMT -4
Highlights from the last three episodes of USWA Championship Wrestling: January 30: • USWA senior referee Jerry Calhoun made a special in-studio appearance, along with Sam Platania. The officials explained what happened in the match between S.D. Jones and the First Family of Wrestling’s newest member Bobby Shane. Calhoun explained that the USWA rules allow for referees to reverse a decision after an initial decision, when they feel that the original winner has violated a rule in some fashion. He said that he feels Platania was right in making this call. Not only did Shane shove a USWA referee but by not initially waking up S.D. Jones, he could have caused serious damage to “Special Delivery.” Calhoun narrated footage of past USWA matches since 2004 where wrestlers won with sleeperholds or other submission maneuvers that temporarily incapacitated their opponents. Calhoun said that a USWA rule that is not often mentioned is that if a wrestler wins a match via submission with a maneuver like this, it is his responsibility to revive his opponent after the bell. Even Nick Bockwinkel, when he was a rulebreaker, would wake up his opponents with a cocky slap or a stomp, after defeating them with the Bockwinkel sleeper. Calhoun said that Shane has now scene the seriousness of his actions and how he lost his debut match. USWA officials have a precedent thanks to Platania’s quick decision last week to make reverse decisions in the future. Commissioner Bob Armstrong joined the group in-studio and said that he supported Calhoun and Platania as he had met with the USWA Committee earlier in the week. The Committee made this rule back in late 2003 before the USWA started promoting cards and Chairman Jerry Jarrett told Armstrong that Platania had made the right decision. • The commissioner later in the show announced more matches for the February 22 card at the Oman Arena in Jackson, TN. o A rematch from last week was signed for Jackson, as Steve “Dr. Death” Williams will battle Ox Baker. Baker was disqualified quickly last week for choking Williams with his bullwhip, seeming more intent on hurting Williams than winning the match. Williams wants to win and gain revenge on “The Fabulous” Ox! o Fresh off their victory in the tag team tournament last week, the new USWA World Tag Team champions Larry Zbyszko and Mr. Saito will make their first defense in the main event of this card. The House of Humperdink members will defend against First Family of Wrestling members Big John Studd and King Kong Bundy! Studd and Bundy also had success last week, returning from suspension with Ray “The Crippler” Stevens, and defeating Nick Bockwinkel, “The Boogie Woogie Man” “Handsome” Jimmy Valiant, and Red Bastien. Bundy is a former World Tag Team champion, having the third-longest reign of these titles (tied with the Road Warriors’ first reign) with the Masked Superstar from September 2007 to March 2008. Studd has challenged for the titles, ironically when he was Masked Superstar II. But this will be the first time the giants together have challenged for these titles. The champions will have a slightly shorter window of time in between title bouts, as in February, the World, World Tag Team, and Southern titles, will return to their typical rotation of defenses. • The commissioner complemented both teams that were in the Tag Team title tournament finals last week for a great competitive match-up. He said that the winners of the main event on February 22 will defend against Brian Kendrick and Paul London.
February 6: • Commissioner Armstrong had more matches for two cards in February, first the Jackson card on the 22nd. o Terry “Bamm Bamm” Gordy will make his return to the ring from an ankle injury. He will need to wait for the Vachons and Double X’s suspension to end but he will battle their ally Doctor X in his return match! This should be a hard-hitting bout between two former Southern champions! o Two more wrestlers will return on this card, as the suspension for Jimmy Jacobs and Tyler Black of the Age of the Fall will expire. The duo will return and immediately battle their rivals—the New Age Outlaws. • The following week, Tracy Smothers will return to action on Leap Day. Smothers had his ribs broken by Jacobs and Black back in November in Tupelo when Black hit Phoenix Splash on him through the announcers’ table. Smothers and the Outlaws will take on Jacobs, Black, and their disciple Luke Harper in what should be a wild six-man tag team bout!
February 13: • Commissioner Armstrong had more matches announced for this month, first for the Jackson card. o Two rival tag teams will do battle again, as the Midnight Express will collide with the PYT Express!! o Nick Bockwinkel will tangle one more time with his former tag team partner Ray “The Crippler” Stevens. In the six-man tag team match a few weeks ago in Lexington, Stevens used Jimmy Hart’s megaphone on Bockwinkel while he had King Kong Bundy in the sleeper, leading to Bockwinkel getting pinned. What will happen in the next chapter? • In a rematch from New Year’s Knockout XII, “Superstar” Bill Dundee will once again face Doctor X on February 29. The Doctor gave the Australian his only loss so far in the USWA on December 31. Dundee hopes to avenge that loss!
The USWA comes home to Memphis on February 15! It will be the day after Valentine’s Day and what better way to celebrate with your true love than by a date at the Mid-South Coliseum for the first USWA card in Memphis of 2016?! • In a tag team match that many fans are anticipating for its hard-hitting action, the First Family of Wrestling’s team of Big John Studd and King Kong Bundy will face Mid-America Heavyweight champion “The Belfast Bruiser” Fit Finlay and David Taylor. The giants are looking forward to their first shot at the USWA World Tag Team titles the following week in Jackson. But they cannot underestimate the British duo who can brutalize opponents of any size. Who will win this bout between these two rulebreaking teams? • In a rematch from the World Tag Team-title tournament, Brian Kendrick and Paul London will face Luke Harper and the Necro Butcher! Kendrick and London defeated the brawlers by disqualification when Butcher hit London with a steel chair as London attempted a pescado on him. The high-flying fan favorites made it all the way to the finals. They will receive another title match in the future. Harper and Necro hope to gain some more wins and get themselves some recognition for title bouts in 2016. Which team will make a statement? • In another hard-hitting bout, “The Swiss Superman” Claudio Castagnoli will face Ox Baker. Castagnoli has a shot at Fit Finlay and the Mid-America Heavyweight title next week in Jackson. Give him credit for not letting up on his schedule prior to a title bout. Can he defeat “The Fabulous” Ox? • Two top-rope experts will collide for the first time, as “Superstar” Bill Dundee faces Ray “The Crippler” Stevens. This could be a very exciting bout for fans of fast-paced action. Will the Bombs Away or the Superstar Bomb be dropped in Memphis? • Another rematch from the World Tag Team-title tournament will see the new champions and undefeated team from the House of Humperdink—Larry Zbyszko and Mr. Saito face the PYT Express! Sweet Brown Sugar and D’Lo Brown looked close to upsetting Zbyszko and Saito in the semifinals in Nashville. But Sugar grabbed Zbyszko’s nunchucks away from him and got caught using them, leading to a disqualification. This will be a non-title bout but a win by the PYTs would put them in line for a title match. Can they give Zbyszko and Saito their first loss and avenge that controversial loss? • In a rematch from the last Mid-South Coliseum card, back in November, which was also the USWA’s 450th event, Nick Bockwinkel will tangle with “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert. Gilbert got the win in their first meeting via disqualification when Bockwinkel took Sir Oliver Humperdink’s cane away from him and used it on Gilbert. Gilbert has been bragging about defeating the four-time former USWA World champion ever since then. Bockwinkel is poised to put Gilbert in his place. Can he defeat the three-time former Southern Heavyweight champion or will Gilbert go 2-0 against Bock? • The main event will be a rematch of the New Year’s Knockout XII main event, as “Ravishing” Rick Rude puts the USWA World Heavyweight title on the line against “The Golden Greek” Jim Londos. Rude, as always, will be accompanied by his manager “The Mouth of The South” Jimmy Hart. Londos, as he was on New Year’s Eve, will have Ed “Strangler” Lewis in his corner. In their first meeting, Londos had Rude in the Boston Crab and looked like he was about to gain a submission and win the World title. But Hart clocked Londos with the megaphone, causing him to release the Crab and get counted out. Both Londos and Lewis are aware of what Hart can do and will be on high alert. Can Londos end Rude’s 14-month reign or will Rude triumph again and continue his historic dominance?
All these great matches, plus Tommy Rogers and Bobby Shane in action, as well as the USWA debut of “Mr. USA” Tony Atlas!
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Post by Cory Olson on Apr 2, 2019 20:48:55 GMT -4
February 15, 2016 Card #460: Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis1) First Family of Wrestling member Bobby Shane got his first win in the USWA, defeating Jim Powers via countout in the opener. Shane largely dominated Powers throughout this bout, hitting a bulldog and later a flying body press off the top rope for near falls. Powers got knocked out of the ring and climbed back up on the apron. Shane grabbed but Powers surprised him with a punch. Powers went for another punch but Shane ducked and surprised Powers with the Japanese sleeper, with Powers still standing on the apron! Jerry Calhoun gave Shane a five-count to break the hold. He broke on time but the sleeper had been put on long enough to knock Powers out, as he collapsed to the Mid-South Coliseum floor. Shane was content to let Calhoun put a 10-count on Powers and get his first win via countout. As Shane and Jimmy Hart headed toward the back, Calhoun reminded Shane to wake up his opponent. Shane stomped on Powers’ back outside the ring, which definitely woke up Powers! ** 2) Tommy Rogers kept up his winning ways with a pinfall on the Amish RoadKill. “The Angry Amish Warrior” was hoping for a singles win and looked like he might get it as he overpowered Rogers in the first few minutes, hitting a Barn Burner for a near fall. Rogers used his quickness and finesse to wear out RoadKill. He caught him in a sleeper but RoadKill made the ropes. Rogers surprised RoadKill with an impressive power slam a few moments later, made a cover, hooked the leg, and scored the three-count! *¼ 3) Luke Harper and the Necro Butcher scored an impressive win over Brian Kendrick and Paul London. The high-flying fan favorites had the early advantage, double teaming Harper. They got the big man down on the mat and London hit the assisted Shooting Star Press off Kendrick’s back but Harper kicked out. Harper battled back and he and Necro cut the ring in half on Kendrick. Necro hit the Tiger Driver on Kendrick but London made a save. Necro knocked Kendrick into his own corner with an Asiatic Spike and Kendrick was able to tag London. London got the advantage for a while and Kendrick tagged back into the match. Kendrick whipped Harper into the buckles but the big Nebraskan bounced and blasted Kendrick with the big boot. He then knocked London off the apron with a big boot for good measure. Harper covered Kendrick and scored the win in impressive fashion. **¾ 4) “Mr. USA” Tony Atlas made an impressive debut in the USWA, scoring a pinfall on “Dastardly” Danny Doring in about 90 seconds. Atlas entered the Mid-South Coliseum to the theme from the Superman movies. The physical phenom got a big ovation from the Memphis fans, who were aware of his previous achievements in pro wrestling. Atlas dominated Doring and knocked him down with an impressive jumping head butt to score the pinfall quickly. The fans gave Atlas a big ovation! DUD 5) Big John Studd and King Kong Bundy defeated Mid-America champion Fit Finlay and David Taylor. The British duo surprised fans and the First Family of Wrestling, as they were able to trap Bundy in the ring for a few minutes and double team him. Finlay tagged to Taylor and the two hit an impressive double team suplex on the New Jersey giant. As Frank Morrell was ordering Finlay back to his corner, Studd stepped over the ropes and dropped a big elbow on Taylor. Studd then placed Bundy on top of Taylor. Morrell turned around to count the three-count. “The Belfast Bruiser” realized the switch right as Morrell was counting and could not attempt to save his mate in time. Jimmy Hart was very happy about his team’s win! Will they be able to pull off something like this next week in Jackson and take home the USWA World Tag Team titles? ** 6) Ox Baker scored a dominant win over Claudio Castagnoli. “The Fabulous” Ox was relentless, punishing “The Swiss Superman” from the opening bell. He hit a shoulder breaker for a near fall and then followed up with the heart punch to score the pinfall after just a few minutes. * 7) “Superstar” Bill Dundee scored his biggest USWA win to date with a pinfall on former Mid-America Heavyweight champion Ray “The Crippler” Stevens. Stevens took the initial advantage. He whipped Dundee into the corner. Dundee had the wherewithal to jump up to the second turnbuckle, turn around, and came back at Stevens with a body press. Stevens kicked out of a pin attempt at two. Dundee twice to win with a sleeper. He looked close to a submission but Stevens grabbed the ropes for a break. Dundee tried for an Indian Deathlock but again “The Crippler” made the ropes for a break. Dundee came off the second turnbuckle with a stomp to Stevens’ face which drew blood. Dundee went up to the top and came off with a flying body press. He covered Stevens, hooked the leg, and scored the pinfall, despite the pleas from Jimmy Hart through the megaphone outside the ring. The Memphis fans popped big and celebrated the “Superstar’s” big win! **½ 8) The new USWA World Tag Team champions Larry Zbyszko and Mr. Saito earned a submission win in a grudge match over the PYT Express. The PYTs had some control in the opening minutes but the House of Humperdink team took control and kept Sweet Brown Sugar in the ring for a long time. Zbyszko applied an abdominal stretch and grabbed his partner’s hand for extra leverage. D’Lo Brown jumped in and pointed this out to Frank Morrell. Morrell saw this and called for a break. Zbyszko maintained control and hit the piledriver on Sugar. He went for a cover but Brown made a save. Saito came in and clamped on the Scorpion Leglock in the center of the ring. Brown attempted a save but was kept at by Zbyszko. Sugar was trapped and forced to tap out. The champions remain undefeated, now holding a record of 12-0! *** 9) “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert scored another controversial DQ win over Nick Bockwinkel. Gilbert swarmed Bockwinkel right at the bell and attacked him. He hit the Hot Shot a few minutes in the match but Bockwinkel kicked out. Bockwinkel took control and caught Gilbert in his sleeper. Sir Oliver Humperdink was not initially at ringside, due to just having been out with Larry Zbyszko and Mr. Saito. But the colorful manager ran (as best as he can) to ringside and got up on the ring apron, distracting Paul Neighbors. While distracting Neighbors, Humperdink reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a small chain. He tossed it into the ring behind Neighbors’ back. Gilbert, still locked in the sleeper, caught it but Bockwinkel saw it. He kept Gilbert in his grasp and used his other hand to grab the chain and wrap it around Gilbert’s throat! He then reapplied the sleeper with the added pain of the chain strangling Gilbert! Gilbert started to drop to the mat as Neighbors returned to the action. Humperdink realized what happened and started to yell to Neighbors about the chain being around “Hot Stuff’s” throat. Neighbors did not initially see it and checked Gilbert’s arm for a submission. It dropped twice but right before the third drop, Neighbors noticed the chain. He put a count on Bockwinkel to break the hold and release the chain but the four-time former World champion would not release. Neighbors was left with no choice but to call for the bell and disqualify Bockwinkel. As soon as Bockwinkel finally released the sleeper, Gilbert got away from him and retreated to the locker room with Humperdink! ** 10) The main event was a rematch from New Year’s Knockout XII. “Ravishing” Rick Rude, sitting at the fourth longest USWA World Heavyweight title reign, with 14 defenses going into this bout, put the title on the line against “The Golden Greek” Jim Londos. Rude was accompanied, as always, by his manager “The Mouth of The South” Jimmy Hart. While Londos was accompanied by Ed “Strangler” Lewis. Londos went into this bout 14-1, with his only loss being to the World champion via countout on New Year’s Eve. However, that countout occurred when Londos had the champion in the Boston Crab and Jimmy Hart interfered with the megaphone, unseen by Jerry Calhoun. Calhoun was the official again tonight. As is typical for USWA main events, each wrestler was introduced in his corner by Gary Michael Cappetta. As Rude got introduced he removed his robe to reveal the colors and designs of the Greek flag airbrushed on his tights to infuriate the challenger! The challenger was very aggressive at the start of the match, hoping to capture the World title. He surprised Rude with a cradle for a near fall. A few moments later, he got Rude up into the airplane spin. He dropped the champion to the mat and went for a cover but Rude got a shoulder up at 2¾. Londos went for a second airplane spin a minute later. In spinning Rude, the champion’s legs appeared accidentally to kick Calhoun. The official went flying out of the ring. Londos did not see this and dropped Rude again into a pin attempt. Rude was on his back but there was no official to count. Hart was about to jump into the ring but the “Strangler” pulled him off and threatened to headlock him if he didn’t stay out of the match. The battle continued without a referee. Rude fought back and hit a suplex on “The Golden Greek.” He pummeled his foe but Londos got up to his feet and surprised him with some forearm smashes, which drew blood on Rude. He then executed a double leg takedown, then held on to the legs and turned the champion into the Boston Crab. The Mid-South Coliseum exploded as Frank Morrell ran down to the ring to take over officiating. As Morrell made his way into the ring Hart tried to block his entrance. Again, Lewis came around and threw Hart down so Morrell could officiate. However, in this middle of this Morrell missed Rude tapping out to the Crab! Rude fought through the pain and made it to the ropes for a break, which Morrell did see. Londos questioned Morrell about missing the submission. This interruption allowed Rude to recover and nail Londos from behind with a forearm smash. He hit a swinging neckbreaker and made a cover but Londos kicked out. Rude hit a reverse atomic drop, swept Londos’ legs, and then turned it into a jackknife cradle but again Londos kicked out. Rude started pounding on Londos with big right hands, which drew blood on “The Golden Greek.” Rude hit the Rude Awakening but took his time in making a cover. He made a lazy cover and Londos kicked out at 2. Rude maintained control, hitting another reverse atomic drop and a second Rude Awakening. He made a better cover on Londos, hooking the leg, and scored the pinfall after about 12 minutes of action. A bloodied Rude celebrated with Hart, as Lewis checked on Londos. (With the win, Rude know has 15 defenses and is in third place for most defenses of the USWA World title, tied with Nick Bockwinkel’s second reign from December 31, 2005 to March 9, 2007.) ***¾
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Post by Cory Olson on Apr 4, 2019 8:49:05 GMT -4
Highlights of USWA Championship Wrestling from 2-20: • In what already will be a lethal Leap Year card, Commissioner Bob Armstrong announced more huge match-ups for the February 29 card at the Louisville Gardens! o “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan will return to action and will be out for revenge when he battles Ox Baker in a Louisville Street Fight! Duggan was put out of action a few weeks ago by Baker’s heart punch in Nashville. He will be looking to score a dominant win on “The Fabulous” Ox. In a Street Fight, both combatants can come dressed as they are and anything goes! o After last week in Memphis, “Hot Stuff’ Eddie Gilbert now holds two wins via disqualification against Nick Bockwinkel. Gilbert was bragging in the studio about being undefeated against the four-time former USWA champion! Bockwinkel is irate and will get another chance to shut up the three-time former Southern champ as these two will battle once again, this time in the Louisville Gardens! o “Card subject to change” has come into effect for this huge event, as the six-man tag team match announced on last week’s Championship Wrestling has been updated. Fans will still see the return to action of Tracy Smothers from his rib injury, teaming up with the New Age Outlaws. Their opponents will be Tyler Black, Luke Harper, and now the Necro Butcher, taking the place of Jimmy Jacobs! Jacobs, still suspended along with Black, sent in a video that aired on Championship Wrestling. He said that while he would love to humiliate Smothers and the Outlaws, he is being a “humble leader” and sending in the Necro Butcher, who has requested to dismember and permanently end the career of Smothers! Later in the show, the Outlaws were interviewed in studio. “The Road Dogg” Jesse James called Jacobs “yellow” and claimed that wrestling fans that he’s “nothing but a phony leader” who is “hiding behind his blind sheep.” Gunn said that it doesn’t matter which three enter the ring, that the “Age of the Fall will fall!”
• Another big six-man tag team grudge match was announced for March 14, at the USWA’s next card from the Sailors and Soldiers Memorial Coliseum in Evansville. Steve “Dr. Death” Williams, Terry “Bamm Bamm” Gordy, and “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan will team up to avenge Gordy’s ankle injury. These three popular powerhouses will battle the men who injured Gordy—Double X and the Vachons! Since the feud between these units has been a battle of survival, Commissioner Armstrong has made this an Elimination Match! In an interesting, depending on the outcome of Double X’s Mustache vs. Mask Match on February 29 in Louisville, the Vachons could be teaming with an unmasked man and we might find out Double X’s identity!
The USWA comes back to the Oman Arena in Jackson, TN on February 22! • Terry “Bamm Bamm” Gordy will return to the ring for the first time since suffering an ankle injury! The former Southern Heavyweight champion will battle the ally of the men who injured him—Doctor X! Gordy has got revenge on his mind but you must wonder his physical condition. X, known for his figure-four leglock, will certainly try and target the ankle. Who will win this epic battle? • A tag team rivalry will continue as the Midnight Express will face the PYT Express! So far in the battles between these two teams, the PYTs have yet to gain a victory. Sweet Brown Sugar and D’Lo Brown bragged on last week’s Championship Wrestling about getting farther in the Tag Team title tournament than the Midnights did! Which team will get the win in this latest chapter? • Another rematch will see Steve “Dr. Death” Williams face Ox Baker. Baker got disqualified a few weeks ago in Nashville for choking Williams with his bullwhip. What will happen this week? • Another rivalry will continue, as former World Tag Team championship partners Nick Bockwinkel and Ray “The Crippler” Stevens will collide. While Bockwinkel has his sights set on “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert the next week at the Louisville Gardens, he would love first to defeat Stevens, who used Jimmy Hart’s megaphone on him in their six-man tag team match a few weeks ago in Nashville. Can Bockwinkel topple “The Crippler”? • Two more USWA superstars will make their return on this card, as the Age of the Fall of Jimmy Jacobs and Tyler Black will return from suspension to battle their rivals the New Age Outlaws! The Outlaws have twice battled Jacobs’ disciples of Luke Harper and the Necro Butcher, while Jacobs and Black were suspended. Will the suspension prove to be a good rest for the Age of the Fall or will the Outlaws be fired up to give them a rough welcome back? • In the first of two huge title bouts, “The Belfast Bruiser” Fit Finlay will defend the USWA Mid-America Heavyweight championship against his rival Claudio Castagnoli! Finlay and David Taylor put “The Swiss Superman” out of action for nearly three months back in September in Knoxville after a spike Tombstone. Castagnoli returned to action and got a win over Taylor in Union City followed by a huge non-title victory over the Irish brawler at New Year’s Knockout XII in the same city where his injury occurred. Castagnoli would love to capture his second Mid-America championship but Finlay has been on a roll since winning the tournament for the vacant title in November in Tupelo. Castagnoli suffered a rough beating and loss to Ox Baker this past week in Memphis, so you have to wonder what his condition will be at the time of the match. Which European grappler will leave Jackson as the Mid-America champion? • The main event will be for the USWA World Tag Team titles. The undefeated duo of Larry Zbyszko and Mr. Saito of the House of Humperdink will put the titles on the line against the giant team of Big John Studd and King Kong Bundy of Jimmy Hart’s First Family of Wrestling! Zbyszko and Saito are now at an overall record of 12-0 after last week’s win over the PYT Express and have been very impressive together since they started teaming in October. Studd and Bundy started teaming in February 2015 and have amassed an impressive win-loss record, with only two losses via pinfall or submission. They were suspended during the World Tag Team title tournament and “The Mouth of The South” claimed they would be wearing the belts had they been in the tournament. (Would the belts even fit these behemoths?) Saito and Studd have clashed in the past, when Saito and Mr. Fuji were World Tag Team champions defending against Studd (then under a mask as Masked Superstar II) and the original Masked Superstar. Will Humperdink’s men find another way to win and retain their titles or will Hart’s giants stand tall?
All these huge match-ups, plus Red Bastien, “Mr. USA” Tony Atlas, and Bobby Shane in action!
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Post by Cory Olson on Apr 11, 2019 21:48:16 GMT -4
February 22, 2016 Card #461: Oman Arena in Jackson, TN
1) First Family of Wrestling member Bobby Shane got a quick win via submission in the opener over Jake “The Milkman” Milliman. Shane wasted no time or energy in punishing Milliman before slapping on the Japanese sleeper for the win. Shane made sure to wake up “The Milkman” with a stomp to the throat after the bell! DUD
2) “Mr. USA” Tony Atlas was victorious again, this time over the Amish RoadKill. Atlas had little trouble against his heavier foe, tossing the 302-pounder around the ring like he was a jr. heavyweight. He hit an impressive vertical suplex on “The Angry Amish Warrior” for a near fall and then followed up with an even more impressive press slam! After dropping RoadKill to the mat, Atlas followed up with a quick splash and scored the pinfall! The Jackson fans popped big for Atlas’ win! ½*
3) Red Bastien got a hard-fought win over “Pretty Boy” Larry Sharpe. Sharpe looked like he might upset the former Texas champion as he scooped Bastien’s legs and went for a pinfall using the ropes. Bastien kicked out of the illegal maneuver but Sharpe maintained control hitting a body slam for another near fall. Bastien battled back and caught Sharpe in the abdominal stretch but the New Jerseyan made the ropes. Red went up the ropes but before he could leap, Sharpe ran over and shoved him off, sending him flying to the Oman Arena floor. Bastien was nearly counted out but rolled back in at eight. Sharpe sent Bastien into the corner and followed in with a charge by the flying redhead leapt out of the way and Sharpe hit face-first into the top turnbuckle. Bastien followed up with the airplane spin into the atomic drop a few moments later and got the pinfall. Bastien looked great here tonight. Next week he risks his famous mustache, when he battles Double X in a Mustache vs. Mask Match in what will be a lethal Leap Year! ***½
4) Terry “Bamm Bamm” Gordy made a triumphant return and scored an impressive win over Doctor X. The Jackson fans welcomed Gordy with a great ovation as “Freebird” blared throughout the Oman Arena. Gordy was largely dominant, using the Oriental Spike twice before hitting the power bomb to score the pin in just a few minutes. Gordy is eager to get his hands on X’s allies Double X and the Vachons but will have to wait until March 14 in Evansville! ¼* (NOTE: This was my first time using Gordy’s color card from the LOW Expansion Set.)
5) The PYT Express got their first-ever win over their rivals the Midnight Express. The Midnights cut the ring in half on D’Lo Brown in the first few minutes. “Sweet” Stan Lane hit two Russian leg sweeps for near falls and they even hit the Rocket Launcher but Brown managed to kick out at 2¾. “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton hit an impressive slingshot back suplex into a backbreaker for another near fall. Eaton went for the Alabama Jam but Brown rolled out of the way and Eaton crashed hard. Brown tagged to Sweet Brown Sugar and the PYTs double teamed Eaton for a few minutes before Brown was the legal man again and hit the Lo Down. He covered Eaton and scored the impressive pinfall, while Sugar knocked his former tag team partner Lane out of the ring with the dropkick. There was a lot of celebrating tonight at the PYTs got the win! ***
6) Steve “Dr. Death” Williams steamrolled past Ox Baker. Williams was focused here, wanting revenge on Baker for choking with his bullwhip a few weeks ago in Lexington. Williams hit a lariat for a near fall but got the winning pin with the backdrop driver. Next week in Louisville, Williams hopes to break his own record and capture his eighth Southern Heavyweight title from the undefeated “Classy” Freddie Blassie! ¼*
7) Ray “The Crippler” Stevens took a beating but defeated his rival Nick Bockwinkel, thanks in large part to help from “The Mouth of The South” Jimmy Hart. Bockwinkel had the early advantage and was trying to beat his former tag team partner into submission, trying first with an abdominal stretch and later working the legs and going for the figure-four. Hart got up on the ring apron to distract Paul Morton while Stevens was clearly tapping out to the figure-four. Bockwinkel saw Hart and released the leglock to go after him. This allowed Stevens to recover and ambush Bock. He got the four-time former USWA champion down on the mat and hit the Bombs Away. He made a cover but Bockwinkel kicked out. Bockwinkel fought back and slammed Stevens’ hard into the top turnbuckle busting him open. He then followed up with his sleeper. Stevens was in trouble as Bockwinkel had him turned away from the ropes and had his own back to the ropes to try and avoid a rope break. As Morton was checking for a submission he did not see Hart from the ring apron reach in and momentarily jump on Bockwinkel’s back. The manager couldn’t hold on but the interference caused Bockwinkel to release the hold. Morton did not see Hart touch Bockwinkel so the match kept going as Bockwinkel went after Hart on the outside. Stevens came to on the inside and ambushed Bockwinkel outside the ring, sending him head-first into the ring post. He then tossed his opponent back inside the ring and followed up with a second Bombs Away to score the pinfall. Fans were not happy by this outcome! ***¼
8) The Age of the Fall returned to action from their suspension and got a win via disqualification over the New Age Outlaws. The action was fast-and-furious between these two rival teams. “The Road Dogg” Jesse James hit the pump handle slam on Tyler Black a few minutes into the bout but only got a two-count. Black battled back and surprised James with a superkick for a near fall. Jimmy Jacobs tagged back in and worked over James. The bout spilled to the floor where Jacobs was beating on James near the announcers’ table. James gained control with some punches, then reached over to Gary Michael Cappetta, grabbed his microphone chord and wrapped it around Jacobs’ neck! The fans went wild at this but Scott Bowden saw this and warned James to break. James wouldn’t so Bowden gave him a five-count before disqualifying the Outlaws. As the bell rang, James spoke into the microphone and said, “Oh you didn’t know?!” before delivering one more punch to Jacobs. Black and Jacobs quickly retreated while James and Billy Gunn stood in the ring, looking for another fight with their rivals! **¼
9) In the first of two championship matches, “The Belfast Bruiser” Fit Finlay retained the USWA Mid-America Heavyweight championship defeating his rival Claudio Castagnoli. The challenger looked like he might capture his second Mid-America title tonight, as he was aggressive at the start and went for the Neutralizer. Finlay blocked the first attempt but got hit with a second attempt a few moments later. Castagnoli made a cover but the Irish brawler got a foot under the bottom rope just before what would have been the three-count. Finlay took control and hit the Rolling Hills for a two-count. He followed up with the Tombstone but the “Swiss Superman” again kicked out. Castagnoli had the fans on his side tonight and regained control. He sent Finlay into the corner and charged in at him but the champion dodged the attack and Castagnoli’s head and neck hit the ring post hard. Finlay attacked the injured neck and hit a second Tombstone to score the pinfall and retain the Mid-America title! ***½
10) The main event was for the USWA World Tag Team championship. The champions, the undefeated House of Humperdink duo of Larry Zbyszko and Mr. Saito, put the titles on the line against the First Family of Wrestling’s team of Big John Studd and King Kong Bundy. The giants were suspended during the eight-team tournament last month where Zbyszko and Saito became champions and were looking to prove that were better than all the other teams in the USWA. They started off strong with Studd working over Saito and going for the backbreaker early. Saito managed to get out of the submission hold with a head butt. The champions double teamed Bundy for a few minutes, including Saito hitting an impressive Saito suplex on him for a two-count. Bundy took over on Zbyszko and hit a body slam for a two-count. Studd came back in and overpowered Zbyszko, hitting a throat drop on the top rope for a near fall. Saito and Bundy were the legal men a few moments later. Saito gained the upper hand but couldn’t knock the New Jersey giant down. Sir Oliver Humperdink tossed one of the USWA World Tag Team title belts into the ring and tried to distract Paul Morton. Saito caught the belt and knocked Bundy down with it. But unfortunately for him and Zbyszko, Morton turned around to see this. He called for the bell and disqualified the champions. Fans had sided with the champions tonight, perhaps seeing them as the “lesser of two evils” or out of their hatred for Jimmy Hart’s men! The Jackson crowd was not happy by this outcome. Hart seemed happy that his men were the winners, even though they did not leave the champions. **¾
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Post by Cory Olson on Apr 13, 2019 16:58:37 GMT -4
Highlights of USWA Championship Wrestling on 2-27: • Commissioner Bob Armstrong announced that Brian Kendrick and Paul London will get another shot at the USWA World Tag Team titles, as they will challenge Larry Zbyszko and Mr. Saito in the main event on March 21 at the Civic Coliseum in Knoxville. Kendrick and London came close to defeating the House of Humperdink team in the tournament finals last month in Lexington. The commissioner announced that Big John Studd and King Kong Bundy will receive another shot at the titles in the near future, due to their DQ win over Zbyszko and Saito last week in Jackson. • Some more matches were made for the huge card on March 14 at the Sailors and Soldiers Memorial Coliseum in Evansville! o Big John Studd and King Kong Bundy will take on two popular USWA stars teaming up for the first time. They will face their rival “The Boogie Woogie Man” “Handsome” Jimmy Valiant. “The Boy from New York City” has recruited the help of newcomer “Superstar” Bill Dundee to battle the First Family of Wrestling’s giants! Valiant and Dundee were interviewed in-studio. Valiant said he had to go down under to find a “cat” tough enough to team up with him and not be scared of those “ogres” Studd and Bundy! Dundee said he was honored that Valiant asked him and he’s a big fan of “Boogie” and not a fan of any of Jimmy Hart’s men! He said that he and Valiant hope to pull off a big win and there will be a lot of booging and wiggling in Evansville on the 14th! o Tracy Smothers will be out for revenge, as he takes on the man who put him through a table back in November in Tupelo—Tyler Black! Smothers will return to action next week in Louisville in six-man tag team action but this will guarantee that he gets his hands on Black! o Another First Family member will have a huge first-time match-up, as Ray “The Crippler” Stevens faces “The Golden Greek” Jim Londos! Londos is hoping to get back on track after losing his shot at Stevens’ ally World champion “Ravishing” Rick Rude. He cannot underestimate Stevens, a former Mid-America champion, who has singles wins over many stars!
• Speaking of Ray Stevens, he will have a busy few weeks, as he will challenge “The Belfast Bruiser” Fit Finlay for the USWA Mid-America Heavyweight championship! This battle of brutes will take place on March 28 at the Tupelo Sports Arena. Stevens was stripped of the Mid-America title in October when he, John Studd, and King Kong Bundy were suspended for 10 cards for their attacks on “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka and Pepper Gomez. This will be Stevens’ first shot at the title (or any USWA title) since returning from the suspension. Finlay went on to win the eight-man tournament to crown a new champion after Stevens in this same city and arena!
The USWA comes back to the Louisville Gardens on Leap Day—February 29! A card this huge only could happen every four years! • Two former tag team partners turned rivals will do battle one-on-one when “Sweet” Stan Lane of the Midnight Express takes on Sweet Brown Sugar of the PYT Express! The Midnight combination of Lane and Sugar held the USWA World Tag Team titles three times from 2013 to June 2014. Sugar’s dispute with Lane and “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton led to him breaking from the trio last year and bringing in D’Lo Brown to form his own Express. Who will win this singles bout? • In a rematch from New Year’s Knockout XII, “Superstar” Bill Dundee hopes to avenge his only USWA loss when he faces former Southern champion Doctor X. Dundee has quickly become one of the most popular wrestlers in the USWA. He has scored impressive wins with a variety of maneuvers. He hopes to use his arsenal to defeat the masked grappler. Can he avenge his only loss or will X mark the spot? • “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan will return to competition. He will do battle with Ox Baker in a Louisville Street Fight! Baker put Duggan out of action with the heart punch and sent him out on a stretcher last month in Nashville. Duggan will be back with a vengeance! Dave Brown reviewed the rules of a Street Fight on Championship Wrestling: I. There are no disqualifications and no countouts in this match. The match can only be won by pinfall or submission inside the ring. II. The wrestlers involved can (and often do) come dressed in street clothes. III. In a tag team match, all four wrestlers are allowed to be in the match at all times and the referee can count any of the wrestlers down for a pin or ask them for a submission. Who will walk the streets of Louisville the victor?
• In one of two huge bouts originally scheduled to be on New Year’s Knockout XII, Red Bastien will tangle with Double X in a Mustache vs. Mask Match! Bastien has been trying to figure out for months who the masked man is and he says he has an idea but wants to win Double X’s mask first. Bastien is willing to put up his famed handlebar mustache if he cannot defeat his masked foe. This was originally scheduled for December 31 in Knoxville but had to be rescheduled after Double X and the Vachons were suspended for six cards for injuring Terry Gordy’s ankle. Who will leave Louisville with their face (or look) intact? • “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert now has two disqualification victories over four-time former World champion Nick Bockwinkel. He has been bragging on Championship Wrestling that he has “outwrestled” Bockwinkel! Gilbert gets another chance to prove his skills this week, as the two superstars will battle again! Can Gilbert go 3-0 against Bockwinkel or will Bockwinkel shut up “Hot Stuff”? • A huge six-man tag team bout will see the return of two-time former Mid-America champion Tracy Smothers teaming up with the New Age Outlaws to face Tyler Black, Luke Harper, and the Necro Butcher! Jimmy Jacobs was originally scheduled to be in this match in place of Butcher but he claimed that he “humbly” stepped aside to let Necro “fight the good fight.” Most wrestling fans feel that Jacobs is showing his true colors and is scared to get into the ring with Smothers! Can the Outlaws and Smothers take down the Age of the Fall trio? • Another bout that was originally scheduled for New Year’s Knockout will see two USWA tag teams collide for the first time in a bout that USWA fans have been anticipating for months! The current World Tag Team champions Larry Zbyszko and Mr. Saito will take on the two-time former champions the Vachons! Mad Dog and Butcher captured their first USWA championship last May at Derby City Stampede from Saito and Mr. Fuji, who had just tied for the greatest number of defenses in history for these titles. Fuji suffered a back injury a rematch for the titles in July at the Nashville Fairgrounds and has been out of action ever since. Sir Oliver Humperdink brought in Zbyszko in October to become Saito’s tag team partner and the duo has been impressive, not only capturing the titles shortly after starting to team but also suffering no decisive losses. The Vachons were stripped of the titles when they and Double X were suspended in December and Zbyszko and Saito won the tournament to crown the new champions the next month. The Vachons are hoping not only to defeat the House of Humperdink team but also get a future rematch for “their” titles. Can they be the first team to pin or make Zbyszko and Saito submit or will the champions spoil their return? • The main event is a return bout for the USWA Southern Heavyweight championship. Current champion “Classy” Freddie Blassie will defend against the man he beat for the title on New Year’s Eve—seven-time former champion Steve “Dr. Death” Williams! Blassie too has been undefeated since debuting in the USWA in June in Dayton. He captured the Southern title from Williams in impressive fashion in Knoxville. Williams earned this shot with a victory over “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert last month in Nashville. Williams has his power and explosiveness but “The Hollywood Fashion Plate” always seems to have tricks up his sleeve. Can Blassie retain or will Williams break his own record and become an eight-time Southern champion?
All these huge bouts, plus “Mr. USA” Tony Atlas and the high-flying fan favorite team of Brian Kendrick and Paul London in action. It’s going to be a lethal Leap Year for many USWA stars!
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Post by Cory Olson on Apr 25, 2019 13:25:08 GMT -4
February 29, 2016 Card #462: Louisville Gardens
1) “Dastardly” Danny Doring and the Amish RoadKill got a surprise win in the opener via disqualification over Brian Kendrick and Paul London. The bizarre duo of Doring and RoadKill managed to double team Kendrick for a few minutes. Doring hit the Danaconda but Kendrick kicked out. Kendrick tagged to London who ran wild on “The Angry Amish Warrior” for a few minutes, even getting a near fall with a front rolling cradle. London missed a Shooting Star Press from the top and RoadKill took advantage. The rulebreakers executed the Buggy Bang on London but London kicked out. London battled back against Doring and the fan favorites executed the assisted Shooting Star. RoadKill jumped in with a diving splash off his own to break up the pin attempt. Doring made the tag to RoadKill who worked over Kendrick. He tagged back to the “Dastardly One” and the duo hit a second Buggy Bang. Doring went for a cover but London sprinted into the ring and went for a running Shooting Star. He overshot the pin attempt and landed on Tommy Marlin. London immediately realized his oversight and apologized to Marlin but the official felt the need to call for the bell and disqualify the fan favorites. The Louisville faithful were not happy about this as Doring and RoadKill celebrated like the had just won the World Tag Team titles! ***¼
2) “Mr. USA” Tony Atlas continued his winning ways with a dominant victory over George South! Atlas quickly overpowered South and won after his press slam and splash in about 90 seconds. The fans gave Atlas a big ovation for another impressive win! DUD (NOTE: This was the first time using South’s LOW color card available via Promoter Prime.)
3) “Sweet” Stan Lane scored a pinfall in singles action over Sweet Brown Sugar. Lane was accompanied by his tag team partner “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton and Sugar was joined by his partner D’Lo Brown. Lane hit a series a karate kicks and followed up with the Russian leg sweep. He went for a cover but Brown put Sugar’s foot on the bottom rope. Tom Branch didn’t see it but the Midnight Express did as Eaton ran over and punched Brown. The interference allowed Sugar to recover and take control on Lane. He hit two separate dropkicks and later a spinning neckbreaker for near falls. Lane reversed a whip into the corner and sent Sugar in hard. He then nailed him again with a flurry of karate kicks. A back spin kick finally put Sugar down on the mat and Lane covered him to score the pinfall! ***¼
4) “Superstar” Bill Dundee avenged his only loss with an impressive pinfall on Doctor X. This was a back-and-forth bout with each man gunning for a win. X had the advantage and hit a back suplex for a two-count. Dundee battled back and got the masked man down on the mat. He went up to the top and came off with the Superstar Bomb. He covered X, hooked the leg, and scored the pinfall. The Louisville fans gave the “Superstar” a big ovation for his win! **
5) “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan got revenge on Ox Baker in a Louisville Street Fight. As anticipated, both wrestlers came dressed in street clothes for this brawl. Duggan had the early advantage, hitting a clothesline and later a piledriver for near falls. Duggan took advantage of the rules and brought in his 2X4, pulling it across Baker’s forehead, drawing blood. Baker stumbled into the corner and Duggan went for a spear but Baker moved out of the way and Duggan’s shoulder hit the buckles hard. Baker pummeled Duggan for a while but “Hacksaw” surprised him with a bear hug in the center of the ring. Baker couldn’t find a way to break so Sir Oliver Humperdink ran into the match and nailed Duggan with a double sledge the back. Humperdink briefly joined Baker in double teaming Duggan in the center of the ring. Suddenly, Steve “Dr. Death” Williams and Terry “Bamm Bamm” Gordy ran down to the ring and chased Humperdink back to the locker room. They never once touched Baker, as they wanted their ally Duggan to win this on his own. Baker maintained control for a few minutes, bringing his bullwhip into the ring as he did against Williams last month in Lexington. He not only wrapped the whip around Duggan’s throat but then hung Duggan over the top ropes with it, strangling him! Sam Platania couldn’t disqualify Baker but he warned “The Fabulous” Ox about the ramifications of his actions. Baker pulled Duggan over the top rope and back into the ring, then delivered a thunderous heart punch! Duggan dropped to the mat and Baker went for a cover. But “Hacksaw” kicked out at 2¾! Baker was at a loss of what to do. Duggan stumbled to his feet and Baker nailed him with punches. Duggan came firing back with punches of his own. He knocked down Baker with a big haymaker and then for good measure brought the 2X4 back into the ring and smacked Baker over the head with it! Baker went down and Duggan went to the opposite corner into the three-point stance. He came firing at Baker with the flying spear and then covered him to score the pinfall! It was a great comeback win for “Hacksaw”! ****
6) Red Bastien scored an impressive pinfall over Double X to retain his mustache and unmask his masked rival! The action was fast-paced with each wrestler putting up something important. Double X attempted a submission with the X-cellent sleeper but Red got to the ropes for the break. Bastien battled back and hit the airplane spin into the atomic drop. He made a cover but Double X got a foot under the ropes. Bastien got near falls after a flying dropkick and a flying body press off the top rope. He executed a beautiful flying head scissors and immediately went for a cover to score the pinfall!
After the bell, Double X tried to escape the ring but Bastien caught him and pulled him back into the ring. He then pulled off Double X’s black mask. The grappler stood up and faced Bastien, revealing himself to be…Bastien’s former tag team partner in the Flying Redheads, Billy Red Lyons! Lyons stared down his partner and then left the ring. Bastien asked for the microphone from Gary Michael Cappetta. He told Lyons that he had a feeling that was under the mask as Double X, as he recognized Lyons’ wrestling style, especially the sleeper and the figure-four leglock. He said he does not know why Lyons would ally himself with Doctor X and the Vachons but he is willing to forgive and forget. He offered Lyons a chance to win a USWA championship, which he has never done. He offered to reform the Flying Redheads and go after the USWA World Tag Team titles! The Louisville fans popped big for Bastien’s idea! Lyons stood in the aisleway for a moment but then walked back to the locker room. The fans booed Lyons’ response! ***
7) Nick Bockwinkel gained some revenge on “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert with aa submission victory. Gilbert had the advantage at the start and looked like he would get his third win on the four-time former USWA champion. He blasted Bockwinkel with a neckbreaker clothesline for a near fall. Gilbert was punching away at Bockwinkel near the ropes and had him dazed. Gilbert wound up for another big punch but Bockwinkel ducked behind Gilbert and caught him in an abdominal stretch. Gilbert quickly scrambled to the ropes for a break. Bockwinkel maintained control. He worked over Gilbert’s legs and clamped on the figure-four in the center of the ring. Gilbert tapped out but Sir Oliver Humperdink had distracted Tommy Marlin. Bockwinkel stayed in control and switched his attack to his sleeper. Gilbert fought long and hard for the ropes but dropped to the mat. Marlin checked his arms and it dropped three times, giving Bockwinkel the win and a big ovation from the Gardens fans! **¼
8) In a wild six-man tag team match, Tyler Black, the Necro Butcher, and Luke Harper defeated the New Age Outlaws and the returning Tracy Smothers. Butcher was a substitute for the originally-announced Jimmy Jacobs, who was not at ringside with his allies. Smothers started off the bout for his team and got his hands on Black, one of the men who put him out of action. He pounded away on Black and went for the jawjacker in the first few minutes. Black dodged the attack and Smothers crashed hard to the mat. Black tagged to Harper who worked over Smothers but Smothers tagged to Jesse James. “The Road Dogg” and Harper battled back-and-forth until James gained the upper hand and tagged in Billy Gunn. Gunn was cut off by Harper. Harper tossed him into the ropes and blasted him with the big boot. He made a cover but Gunn kicked out. Harper tagged to Necro. The brawler pummeled Gunn and then nailed him with a series of stiff head butts. He knocked Gunn down and went for a cover but Gunn kicked out at two. The Butcher tossed Gunn out of the ring and then followed him. Black distracted Sam Platania inside the ring while Necro grabbed a steel chair. Necro went to smash Gunn with the chair but Gunn nailed him with a boot to the midsection. Necro dropped the chair and Gunn quickly picked it up. He nailed Butcher across the back with the chair. Unfortunately for Gunn, Platania turned around just in time to see this and disqualified the Outlaws and Smothers. Gunn rolled into the ring and went after Black and Harper with the chair but they retreated, grabbed Necro, and ran back to the locker room. **
9) Mad Dog and Butcher Vachon scored a huge non-title win over the World Tag Team champions Larry Zbyszko and Mr. Saito. Although this was the first meeting between the two teams, you could tell there was a lot of animosity, going back to the Vachons’ history with Saito and Mr. Fuji, as well as the fact that this match was originally supposed to take place two months ago at New Year’s Knockout in Knoxville. The Tag Team champs cut the ring in half on Mad Dog in the first few minutes. Saito went for a sleeper but Mad Dog made the ropes. A few minutes later Zbyszko was working over Mad Dog and nailed him with a spinning back kick for a near fall. He went for the piledriver, which both he and Mad Dog use quite well. He went for a cover but Mad Dog kicked out. Saito tagged back in and locked on the Prison Deathlock in the center of the ring. Butcher came in and booted Saito in the back of the head to break up the hold. This allowed Mad Dog to get to the Vachons’ corner and tag to Butcher. Butcher pounded away on Saito and tossed him high in the air with a big back body drop. He slammed the Japanese Olympian hard to the mat and then got him up in the hangman. Saito managed to get a foot over the top rope for a break. Mad Dog came back in and drove knees into Saito’s face, busting him open. He then hit the piledriver and went for a cover but Zbyszko made the save. Mad Dog got Saito up in an airplane spin and spun him around several times. He dropped Saito to the mat and went for a cover but Sir Oliver Humperdink was distracting Tom Branch. Saito managed to get back to his corner and tag Zbyszko. Zbyszko ran in but Mad Dog blasted him with a running knee lift. He made a cover but Zbyszko kicked out. Zbyszko surprised Mad Dog with a big roundhouse kick to the head which busted open the Algerian. He then locked Mad Dog in an abdominal stretch, grabbing Saito’s hand for leverage, out of sight from Branch. Mad Dog, bloodied and beaten, looked like he might surrender to the hold. Suddenly, Doctor X and Billy Red Lyons (still wearing his Double X singlet) came running down to the ringside area. X nailed Humperdink outside the ring with a double sledge, while Lyons grabbed Saito’s leg to break up his interference. Saito went after Lyons. Branch saw the commotion on the floor and tried to get all the wrestlers separated. Meanwhile, Butcher grabbed one of the World Tag Team title belts from the announcers’ table, ran around the ring to the apron, and smashed Zbyszko from behind with it, breaking up the abdominal stretch. Butcher then nailed Saito outside the ring with the belt as well. He then returned to his corner and returned the belt to the table, as Mad Dog and Zbyszko were both down in the ring and Branch turned his attention back to the legal men. Both men stumbled to their feet but Mad Dog struck first with an eye rake. As Zbyszko stumbled around blindly, Mad Dog grabbed him and hit the piledriver. He covered Zbyszko and scored the pinfall! The Vachons gave the House of Humperdink team their first decisive loss since they became a team in October! ****¼
10) The main event was for the USWA Southern Heavyweight championship and a rematch from New Year’s Knockout XII. Current champion, the undefeated “Classy” Freddie Blassie, put the title on the line against the seven-time former champ Steve “Dr. Death” Williams. Blassie beat Williams for the Southern gold on New Year’s Eve. Williams earned this rematch last month with a win over “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert in Nashville. The challenger was very fired up here, dominating “The King of Men” from the opening bell. He hit a lariat, a belly-to-belly suplex, and a football tackle for near falls. He picked up Blassie and hit the Oklahoma Stampede just a few minutes into the bout, made a cover, and scored the pinfall to win his record-breaking eighth USWA Southern Heavyweight championship! As the fans cheered Williams, he was joined in the ring by his allies “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan and Terry “Bamm Bamm” Gordy! It was a lethal Leap Year for Blassie, as he, like Larry Zbyszko and Mr. Saito in the previous match, suffered his first decisive loss in the USWA! neg*
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Post by Cory Olson on Apr 28, 2019 20:59:57 GMT -4
Highlights from the last two episodes of USWA Championship Wrestling:
March 5: • Commissioner Bob Armstrong had several big upcoming matches to announce on this episode. First, for the March 28 card from the Tupelo Sports Arena: o After his historic eighth Southern Heavyweight championship victory last week in Louisville, Steve “Dr. Death” Williams will make his first defense of his eighth reign against the man he beat last week—“Classy” Freddie Blassie! Each wrestler now has a win for the title over the other, so this will be a huge “rubber match”! o The First Family of Wrestling’s newest member Bobby Shane will face his toughest opponent to date—“The Boogie Woogie Man” “Handsome” Jimmy Valiant! Both men are adept at varying forms of the sleeper. It will be interesting to see who will be able to apply theirs in Tupelo? o Two rival tag teams will battle again, as the New Age Outlaws will face the Age of the Fall. Jimmy Jacobs gave up his spot in the six-man tag team match last week to the Necro Butcher. But hopefully, he plans to show up for this match! • Commissioner Armstrong also announced another tag team grudge match for the March 21 card at the Civic Coliseum in Knoxville. The Midnight Express will collide once again with the PYT Express!
March 12: • Highlights of a special “Press Conference” hosted by Bill Apter of Pro Wrestling Illustrated were shown. Bill’s guest was the recently unmasked Double X, AKA Billy Red Lyons! Apter asked the former fan favorite and technical wrestle what would make him want to don a mask and join rulebreakers like Doctor X and the Vachons. Lyons said he was contacted back in February 2015 by Doctor X himself to assist in his unit’s battles with the then-Hot Stuff, International, as well as with Steve “Dr. Death” Williams, “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan, and Terry “Bamm Bamm” Gordy. Apter interjected saying that the wrestling world has never heard Doctor X speak. He asked if that meant that Lyons knows the true identity of Doctor X. Lyons paused but then says he does know who he is and he is someone in pro wrestling to whom Lyons is very close. Apter asked Lyons what was next for him now that he was unmasked, what was next for him in the USWA, especially regarding Red Bastien’s offer to reform the Flying Redheads. Lyons said that Bastien may have won his mask but that he would love to tangle with his former tag team partner in the future. He said he is loyal to Doctor X and plans to continue to ally himself with the masked man and the Vachons. He said he feels that their unit will dominate the USWA in 2016! He also said that while he is no longer Double X, he will still sport the black singlet that he did under the mask. And he may no longer be Double X but he is also no longer Billy Red Lyons. Apter asked what fans should call him and said his new name is Billy Black Lyons! You can the read the rest of the “Press Conference” in the latest issue of Pro Wrestling Illustrated, available at newsstands everywhere! • The current USWA World Tag Team champions Larry Zbyszko and Mr. Saito, accompanied by their manager Sir Oliver Humperdink, were interviewed in-studio. Lance Russell mentioned how the duo suffered their first decisive loss in the USWA, when they lost to the Vachons two weeks ago in Louisville. Humperdink said that one decisive loss doesn’t make his team bad and if you look at the records of all the USWA tag teams, his men still have one of the best winning percentages. And more importantly, they are still holding the USWA World Tag Team titles. Russell mentioned how the champions have a lot of tough teams upcoming, waiting to challenge them, including Brian Kendrick and Paul London in a week-and-a-half in Knoxville, Big John Studd and King Kong Bundy (due to their disqualification win a few weeks ago in Jackson), and now the Vachons (due to their non-title pinfall win in Louisville on Leap Day). Zbyszko pointed out that it took two interfering wrestlers, as well as the use of a title belt, that led to that loss. He said that he and Saito are talented in a variety of fighting styles, including amateur wrestling, karate, judo, and of course, professional wrestling. He said that it doesn’t matter if their opponents are high-flyers, giants, ugly Algerians, or anything else, all their opponents are “spud heads” and that they will all take a trip to Larryland! He said that they will retain their belts against all comers!
The USWA comes back to the Sailors & Soldiers Memorial Coliseum in Evansville on March 14 with a huge card! • In a first-time match-up, “The Golden Greek” Jim Londos will face former Mid-America and World Tag Team champion Ray “The Crippler” Stevens! Stevens has a huge bout in two weeks, as he tries to win back the Mid-America title he never lost from Fit Finlay in Tupelo. A win over Londos, who has only suffered one decisive loss, would give Stevens a lot of momentum. But the popular Londos will not be an easy opponent for “The Crippler,” as “The Golden Greek” hopes to get back on track after losing his challenge for the USWA World Heavyweight title to Stevens’ First Family ally “Ravishing” Rick Rude a few weeks ago in Memphis. Who will leave Evansville a winner? • Tracy Smothers got his hands on Tyler Black briefly in their six-man tag team match a few weeks ago in Louisville. This week the two-time former Mid-America champion is guaranteed to get a chance for revenge, as he and Black will go one-on-one. It was Black’s Phoenix Splash through a table that injured Smothers’ ribs and put him out of action for 3½ months. Can Smothers beat Black one-on-one or will the Phoenix (Splash) rise? • Two popular USWA wrestlers will team up for the first time, as “Superstar” Bill Dundee teams up with “The Boogie Woogie Man” “Handsome” Jimmy Valiant take on the First Family of Wrestling’s team of Big John Studd and King Kong Bundy! Dundee agreed to help Valiant in his battles with the First Family. This will be a huge challenge for Dundee. But the Aussie’s tenacity to win in a variety of ways could help him and “Boogie Woogie” against the giants. Who will win this epic tag team bout? • Another huge tag team bout will be a six-man tag team match, as Southern Heavyweight champion Steve “Dr. Death” Williams, Terry “Bamm Bamm” Gordy, and “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan will face Mad Dog and Butcher Vachon and the man now calling himself Billy Black Lyons! Gordy is looking for revenge for the three men who put him out of action for two months with an injured ankle. This bout will be an Elimination Match! Dave Brown reviewed the rules of an Elimination Match on the March 12 episode of USWA Championship Wrestling: I. A wrestler is eliminated from the match when he has been pinned, disqualified, counted out, or has submitted. II. Once eliminated, that wrestler must return to the locker room for the duration of the match. III. The last team with any number of surviving wrestlers will be the winners. Which team will survive?
• The main event will be a historic one, as “Ravishing” Rick Rude will put the USWA World Heavyweight title on the line against Red Bastien. Bastien has got a lot of momentum, coming off winning the mask of Double X AKA Billy Black Lyons. Rude has momentum as well, coming off successful defenses in 2016 against Nick Bockwinkel and Jim Londos. If Rude retains against Bastien, he will make history and tie the record number of USWA World Heavyweight title defenses, with 16 (tying Nick Bockwinkel’s first reign from March 2004 to July 2005). Interestingly enough, this is Bastien’s first shot at the World Heavyweight title since challenging Bockwinkel during that historical reign in August 2004 at the Nashville Fairgrounds. While Rude’s muscles and arrogance are quite a contrast to Bastien’s high-flying and technical skills, both wrestlers hail from the western side of the Twin Cities in Minnesota. (Rude’s hometown of Robbinsdale is a suburb to Bastien’s hometown of Minneapolis.) Bastien is a former World Tag Team and Texas champion but would love to add the USWA’s top prize to his accomplishments. Can Bastien keep his red-hot momentum going or will Rude make history?
All these great bouts, plus some rematches, as Brian Kendrick and Paul London look to avenge the controversial DQ loss to “Dastardly” Danny Doring and the Amish RoadKill from the last card at Louisville Gardens. Plus, Bobby Shane looks to score a victory on “Philadelphia’s Favorite Son” S.D. Jones. As well as the team of Luke Harper and the Necro Butcher, “Mr. USA” Tony Atlas, and Tommy Rogers in action!
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Post by Cory Olson on May 1, 2019 13:42:44 GMT -4
March 14, 2016 Card #463: Sailors & Soldiers Memorial Coliseum in Evansville
1) Tommy Rogers was victorious in the opener over George South. Rogers scored the pinfall in just a few minutes after a series of dropkicks. Rogers is now 5-0 after this match and is becoming more popular with the USWA with each match! *
2) Bobby Shane got a victory via countout over S.D. Jones. Shane was aggressive against Jones at the start of the bout. He came off the second rope with a knee drop for a near fall and then surprised “Special Delivery” with a small package for another two-count. Jones battled back and blasted Shane with two head butts but couldn’t score the pinfall. “Philadelphia’s Favorite Son” hit a power body slam a few minutes later for another near fall. Jimmy Hart yelled encouragement at Shane through the megaphone. Shane rolled out of the ring for a breather and Jones followed. Shane took over with punches and then rammed Jones head-first into the ring post. Shane returned to the ring but Jones could not recover before the 10-count, so Shane got a countout victory. **¾
3) “Mr. USA” Tony Atlas battled back to score a pinfall on “Pretty Boy” Larry Sharpe. Sharpe had the advantage on Atlas midway through the match and looked like he might score an upset win. He hit a knee drop and later the piledriver for near falls. Atlas rallied back and hit a vertical suplex. He blasted Sharpe with a dropkick right to the face, busting open the New Jerseyan. Atlas nailed Sharpe with a big jumping head butt and scored the pinfall. ***¾
4) The Necro Butcher and Luke Harper got a dominant countout win over Hillbilly Jim and Cousin Luke. Necro and Luke started off the bout. The Butcher quickly took the battle to the floor. Jim stepped over the ropes and tried to cross over to help Luke but Jerry Calhoun stopped him and warned him back to the hillbillies’ corner. This allowed Harper to join Necro in double teaming Luke on the floor. The brawlers hit a double big boot, sending Luke crashing hard into the guard railing. Harper returned to their corner and Necro to the ring while Calhoun turned around to countout Luke. Jim tried to help Luke back but couldn’t do so in time, so Necro and Harper got the win via countout before Jim or Harper could legally tag in and wrestle. DUD
5) “The Golden Greek” Jim Londos got a submission win over Ray “The Crippler” Stevens. This was a back-and-forth battle between these two grapplers. Londos used a crotch lift and slam and made a cover but Stevens got a shoulder up before the three. Londos used the airplane spin but again Stevens kicked out. Londos applied the Boston Crab. “The Crippler” looked ready to tap. As Frank Morrell was conferring with Stevens, “The Mouth of The South” Jimmy Hart jumped up on the ring apron and clocked Londos with the megaphone, in a scene similar to the main event with the World Heavyweight champion “Ravishing” Rick Rude at New Year’s Knockout XII. The interference knocked Londos down and naturally broke up the Crab. Stevens took advantage and followed up with the Bombs Away a few minutes later. He made a cover but a dazed Londos was able to kick out at 2¾. With the fans on his side, Londos battled back. He nailed Stevens with forearms, which busted open “The Crippler.” Londos caught Stevens in a Grecian sleeper grip. Stevens dropped to the mat and tapped out to the hold. The Evansville fans gave “The Golden Greek” a big pop for his comeback win! ***½
6) Brian Kendrick and Paul London avenged last week’s disqualification loss with a win over “Dastardly” Danny Doring and the Amish RoadKill. The high-flying fan favorites had the early advantage. London hit the 450 splash a few minutes into the match on Doring. RoadKill was about to make a save. Kendrick saw him and jumped in the ring but Paul Neighbors saw him coming and stopped, sending him back his corner. This allowed RoadKill to come off the second rope with a knee drop to the back of London’s head. This allowed Doring to recover and tag “The Angry Amish Warrior.” RoadKill hit a Barn Burner on London for a near fall and later an Amish Splash. Doring came back in and hit the Danaconda, landing right across London’s nose and busting him open. Kendrick broke up a pin attempt. It looked like Doring and RoadKill would get a huge decisive win this week. Doring too much time in doing the Dastardly Strut and gloating. He finally whipped London into the turnbuckle. Before hitting the buckles, London leapt to the top and came back at Doring with an amazing roundhouse kick. He covered Doring and scored the pinfall before RoadKill could arrive for a save. Fans popped big at this out-of-nowhere pin! Kendrick and London rallied tonight. Can they win their first USWA World Tag Team titles next week in the main event in Knoxville? ***¾
7) Tracy Smothers gained a measure of revenge with a pinfall win over Tyler Black. Black had the early advantage. He got Smothers down on the mat and hit the Phoenix Splash—the same move, done through a table, that injured Smothers’ ribs. Black gloated after hitting his spectacular finisher and took his time in making the cover. He finally did but Smothers kicked out at 2¾. Smothers battled back. He went to the top himself and hit a moonsault body block for a near fall. The two-time former Mid-America champion came off the top again a few minutes later, this time with the jawjacker. He immediately made the cover and scored the pinfall. Smothers got a big ovation for his win. For the second card in a row, Jimmy Jacobs was nowhere to be seen! **½
8) Big John Studd and King Kong Bundy got a hard-earned win over the new fan favorite team of “The Boogie Woogie Man” “Handsome” Jimmy Valiant and “Superstar” Bill Dundee. Dundee and Studd were in the ring against each other early in the bout. Despite Studd being more than a foot taller, the Aussie did not back down and came out pummeling Studd. He knocked the giant down and hit a big splash for a near fall. Dundee maintained control and came off the top with the Superstar Bomb but it was too early in the bout and Studd powered out of the pin attempt. Valiant tagged in but Studd cut him off and tagged to Bundy. The New Jersey giant hit a backbreaker across his knee and went for a cover but “The Boy from New York City” kicked out. Dundee tagged back in and went to work on Bundy. He came off the top rope with a flying body press and managed to get Bundy down for a near fall. The “Superstar” missed a splash and Bundy quickly followed up with one of his own for a two-count. Studd came back in and got Dundee up in the backbreaker but Valiant came in and nailed Studd in the back with a jumping knee smash. Studd stayed in control, hitting a clothesline and a falling elbow for near falls. Bundy tagged back in and head butted the Aussie, which busted him open. He hit a powerful body slam but again Dundee survived a pin attempt. Bundy missed an elbow drop and Dundee immediately went up top for the Superstar Bomb. He landed the move and made a cover but Studd stepped over the top rope and stomped Dundee to break up the pin. Valiant and Bundy tagged back in. Valiant momentarily had control but missed a top rope Boogie Woogie elbow. Studd hit a double-arm suplex for a near fall. Bundy came back in and hit a knee drop, which busted open Valiant as well. Bundy sent “Boogie Woogie” into the corner and hit the Atlantic City Avalanche. Dundee broke up the pin attempt. Studd came in and he and Dundee battled to the floor, where Studd slammed Dundee hard on the arena floor. Bundy got back in control and hit a second Avalanche on a bloodied “Boogie.” He made a cover and naturally demanded a five-count to score the pinfall. The giants reigned supreme, making “The Mouth of The South” Jimmy Hart happy. But Valiant and Dundee came very close to a big win over a big team in their first match together! ****½
9) The Vachons and the newly christened Billy Black Lyons got an impressive win over new Southern Heavyweight champion Steve “Dr. Death” Williams, Terry “Bamm Bamm” Gordy, and “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan in an Elimination Match. The rulebreaking trio kept Gordy in the ring for the entire first fall, tagging in-and-out. Butcher choked Gordy in the corner and then climbed up to the second rope and started punching away at Gordy. Gordy blocked a punch and hit the power bomb out of nowhere. He covered Butcher and scored the pin to eliminate him before Mad Dog or Lyons could make a save!
Lyons jumped on Gordy right away, busting him open with some knee smashes. He started to work on the big man’s leg. He went for the figure-four leglock. Gordy was in trouble and looked ready to tap but “Dr. Death” made a save with a splash on Lyons. Lyons was hurt but managed to tag Mad Dog but Gordy finally made the hot tag to Williams as well. Williams and Mad Dog had a physical battle, with the Algerian brawler gaining the upper hand. He hit a backbreaker on Williams for a near fall. He choked the Southern champ on the middle rope, then bounced off the opposite ropes, and came back with a Mad Dog Pounce. Williams crawled to his corner and tagged in “Hacksaw.” Duggan pummeled Mad Dog but Mad Dog cut him off with a knee to the midsection. He followed up with an impressive gutbuster for a near fall. Mad Dog then followed up with two piledrivers made a cover and scored the pin. Williams had attempted a save but was cut off by Lyons. Gordy’s leg was still injured from the figure-four and he couldn’t move quickly enough.
Williams came back in to start the next fall. He pummeled away on Mad Dog and hit the backdrop driver. The Southern champ turned into a cover but Lyons broke up the pin attempt. Gordy begged for a tag, so Williams obliged. Despite the blood loss and wounded leg, “Bamm Bamm” put a beating on Mad Dog. He executed a Samoan Drop and made a cover but Mad Dog kicked out. Gordy blasted Mad Dog with the Oriental Spike, knocking him down. He made a cover but the Algerian got a foot on the bottom rope. Mad Dog managed to evade “Bamm Bamm” long enough to tag back to Lyons. Lyons immediately clipped Gordy’s leg. Gordy was in pain but slowly got to his feet. Lyons jumped on his back and clamped on the sleeperhold. Gordy started to drop to the mat. Williams went for a save but Mad Dog was ready for him, pouncing him and raking his eyes. Williams rolled to the floor. Paul Neighbors checked Gordy’s arm and it dropped three times, eliminating him from the match and making it two-on-one, in favor of Lyons and Vachon!
Williams fought his hardest but the two-man advantage caught up to him, as Mad Dog and Lyons tagged in-and-frequently. Lyons caught him in a sleeper as well. “Dr. Death” dropped to the mat and his arm dropped three times as well, so Neighbors called for the bell and awarded the bout to Mad Dog and Lyons! Lyons’ sleeper proved to be very effective twice tonight, including eliminating the Southern Heavyweight champion! **** (NOTE: This was my first time using the Vachons’ and Lyons’ color cards, available in the Legends Color Expansion III from Filsinger Games!)
10) The main event was for the USWA World Heavyweight championship. Current and two-time champion “Ravishing” Rick Rude, accompanied by his manager “The Mouth of The South” Jimmy Hart, put the title on the line against Red Bastien. Rude was looking to make history tonight: if he retained, he would tie the record for most defenses of this title at 16, with Nick Bockwinkel’s first title reign. Bastien had been red-hot, especially after unmasking Double X on the last card in Louisville as Billy Black Lyons! These two have done battle before, including Bastien spoiling Rude’s debut in his first tenure in the USWA at New Year’s Knockout III in 2007, beating Rude by countout.
The challenger took control at the start. He locked the World champ in an abdominal stretch. With his well-defined abs, Rude was able keep from submitting and made the ropes. Bastien hit the airplane spin into the atomic drop and went for a cover but the champ kicked out. Rude surprised Bastien with a backslide out of nowhere for a near fall. The champion took control, hitting a suplex for a two-count. Bastien executed his beautiful flying head scissors and made a cover for a very near fall. He sent the “Ravishing One” into the buckle and came at him with a running dropkick but the champion dodged the attack and Bastien landed hard against the ropes and turnbuckles. The champion controlled the match for several minutes. He came off the top rope with a flying fist drop. While he dominated Bastien, Rude took too much time in swiveling his hips, flexing, and gloating to capitalize. This allowed Bastien to battle back and bust Rude open after a jumping knee smash to the face. Bastien hit a second atomic drop but Hart distracted Jerry Calhoun from seeing the pin attempt. Bastien got off of Rude to go after “The Mouth of The South.” A bloodied World champion stumbled to his feet and went to nail Bastien from behind but the former Texas champ saw him coming and nailed Rude with a punch to the stomach. He then got him in the abdominal stretch again. Rude was worn down and looked ready to submit to the hold. Bastien had his back to the ropes to try and prevent Rude from a rope break. While Calhoun was asking the champion if he was going to submit, Hart snuck in from behind and pulled Bastien’s leg, causing him, still holding Rude, to stumble into the ropes. Calhoun saw the two wrestlers in the ropes and called for a break, which drew boos from the Evansville fans! Bastien maintained control. He blasted Rude with a double knee lift and the champion dropped to the mat. The fans went wild as Bastien covered the champion. Calhoun counted one, two…but just before what appeared to be the three-count, Billy Black Lyons out of nowhere came flying off the second turnbuckle with a double sledge to Bastien’s back. Calhoun immediately called for the bell, giving Bastien the win via disqualification after 12 minutes of action but not the World championship! By retaining the title, Rude made history by tying Nick Bockwinkel’s first World title reign with 16 defenses! Hart was ecstatic and helped a bloodied and beaten Rude back to the locker room. The champion looked like he didn’t know where he was or what had happened! In the ring, Bastien stared down Lyons, who was in the aisleway staring back, with a smug look, content in the fact he had just cost Bastien the World Heavyweight championship! Fans were not happy about this ending, as they pelted Rude, Hart, and Lyons with garbage and said things we can’t rewrite here! ****½ (NOTE: This was my first time using Bastien’s color card, available in the Legends Color Expansion 4 from Filsinger Games!)
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