Post by fifthhorseman on Apr 26, 2022 0:08:50 GMT -5
AWA ALL-STAR WRESTLING
EPISODE 16
EPISODE 16
Pyro from Madison, Wisconsin, then a 60-second sizzle reel of classic AWA action interspersed with close-ups of and highlights from members of the current AWA roster.
Lee Marshall was in the ring, and he introduced the new AWA World Heavyweight champion, Don Leo Jonathan. The “Mormon Giant” strode down, title belt around his waist, and he humbly waved to the crowd. He acknowledged that he was probably the least well-known of the four men who competed at Wednesday in Wisconsin, but that didn't mean he didn't deserve to be there. He proved his worth, he proved he was a champion, and he would prove it with his words and his actions every time he stepped into the ring.
And right before he left the ring, Drew McIntyre appeared on the stage.
He headed straight to the ring and stood toe to toe with the champion, nearly as big and wide. After a few seconds, the Scotsman extended his hand, and Jonathan took it. They respected each other, but it was perfectly clear that McIntyre wanted a title shot. He left, and after one more wave to the crowd, so did Jonathan.
Joey Styles and Jesse Ventura welcomed the TV audience, and a promo package aired for the opening match...
30 MINUTE IRONMAN MATCH
NICK BOCKWINKEL vs. NIGEL McGUINNESS:
vs.
NICK BOCKWINKEL vs. NIGEL McGUINNESS:
vs.
They despised each other, they felt like they had something to prove, and as different as they were, they were as evenly matched as any two guys on the roster. It had a main event feel, and it was “only” the opening match.
The first few minutes was a feeling out period, as both men were very cautious. The tempo picked up and it was a see-saw type of battle for the next 12 minutes, and after a series of holds and reversals and double-reversals, Bockwinkel caught McGuinness with a simple backslide. The Englishman kicked out a heartbeat after the three-count, but it counted, and the AWA icon was up 1-0.
McGuinness didn't even wait for the referee to separate them. He viciously attacked Bockwinkel from behind, hammering him to the canvas where he immediately went for a seated cravate hold, wrenching his opponent's neck. Bockwinkel eventually escaped, but it was clear that he was hurt, and the former ROH champion stayed on the weak spot. Only a few minutes later, he dropped Bockwinkel on the top rope with a stungun, and used the middle rope for leverage, tied things up at 1-1.
And again, the devious heel went right after Nick, but he was ready for McGuinness this time. Shielding his throat, he brought McGuinness down with a drop-toehold, and attacked his legs. But they didn't stay down for too long, and they traded the advantage several more times for the next several minutes. Bockwinkel went for a cross-bodyblock, but McGuinness rolled through it... but before the ref could even start his count, Bockwinkel reversed it again, and as if to add salt to the wound, put his feet on the middle rope for leverage. One, two – and the bell rang. The 30 minutes were up. Neither man was happy about that, so they started trading right hands until several AWA officials ran down to break it up, as the show went to
COMMERCIAL
Diamond Dallas Page crashed the broadcast table, and challenged Kevin Kross to a fight. No more sneak attacks, no more hiding – it was time to settle things.
TULLY BLANCHARD, ARN ANDERSON, and WARDLOW vs. HARLEY RACE and JOE and LARRY HENNIG:
vs.
vs.
A VTR package recapped what happened the week before between these six men. The AWA Southern champion, MJF, walked them out to the stage, but went back to the locker room. The Hennigs and Race were ready for them, though, and Race took control early on “Double A”. However, a series of miscommunications led to his squad's downfall, and the mighty Wardlow laid out the younger Hennig with a pair of powerbombs to earn the relatively clean win.
The heels left, but that wasn't the end of it. Race got in his former partner's face and told him that Joe was the weak link. He growled, “When we were a team, we never lost! By God, we were the AWA World tag-team champions three times! Why are you wasting your time with him?”
“The Ax” cocked his right fist to punch Race... but then, he lowered his hand, and he and Race left the ring together, as Joe struggled to get to his feet.
COMMERCIAL
The Pinnacle was in their locker room, casually celebrating their win. Blanchard and Anderson cut a promo about the Hennigs and Race, pointing out that even with their shared blood, they weren't as cohesive as the Pinnacle. Then MJF took center stage, and after proclaiming that his faction was the greatest of all time, the AWA Southern Heavyweight champ told Rex Steiner that he was out of his league. “When you challenged me, you signed your death certificate. You may as well start counting your last weeks in the AWA, punk.”
One more introductory vignette to get the crowd hyped for the debut of Darby Allin.
DARBY ALLIN vs. STEVE CORINO:
vs.
vs.
The macabre skateboarder had the crowd firmly on his side before he even slid into the ring. It also didn't hurt that his young opponent was an obnoxious punk. Allin fired up the audience by taking charge early on with kamikaze offense. Corino took over for a few moments in the middle, just long enough to get sympathy on Allin before the daredevil finished him off with the Coffin Drop.
Kevin Kross and Scarlett Bordeaux commandeered a camera backstage in response to DDP's earlier challenge. Kross said that he would fight Page, next week, but only in a match of his choosing. If DDP agreed to his terms, he'd tell him what type of match it would be at the beginning of the show.
COMMERCIAL
Jimmy Hart and the North stood in the ring. The “Mouth of the South” was irate over his squad's title loss to the Midnight Express, and he demanded an immediate rematch. He was interrupted by the Grand Wizard and Adrian Adonis, who joined Ventura at the table, and argued that they didn't deserve another shot right away – but his men did. A few moments later, the New Age Outlaws walked through the curtain to make their case, followed by the Briscoe Brothers.
But before it devolved into chaos, Commissioner Hart walked out to settle matters. He looked at everybody concerned and told them that he'd put all of them in a top contenders' match for the AWA World Tag-Team titles – but, it was going to come at a cost, and if any of them wanted to back out, they could. “Next week, we'll have ourselves a fatal four-way tag-team match. The winners will get the first match against the Midnight Express. And the loser – the man who gets pinned or submits – will pack their bags and leave town.”
Like animals boarding the ark, the teams left, two by two. The North looked concerned, but their bombastic manager assured them that everything was going to plan.
Backstage, McIntyre was introducing himself to several members of the roster. Some he knew from other territories, others he was meeting for the first time. The Grizzled Young Veterans weren't impressed, or particularly friendly, and Gibson challenged him to his first AWA match for next week. McIntyre was more than happy to accept.
TYLER BATE and JASON JORDAN vs. CHAD GABLE and VERNE GAGNE:
vs.
vs.
Gable was still angry that Bate wrestled Jordan earlier in the year to prepare the Englishman for his Winterslam match against the Olympian. Therefore, he challenged both of them to face him and his mentor two-on-two.
At least, that's how it seemed.
Gagne and Bate locked up to start the match, and only a few seconds later, Gable attacked the “Big Strong Boy” from behind. Jordan jumped in as well... but he just shrugged his shoulders and put the boots to Bate as well. The referee called for the bell immediately, and the beatdown continued for only about ten more seconds before Jordan picked up his “partner” and fired him over the top rope. Gagne lifted his allies' hands in the air in celebration.
COMMERCIAL
A cameraman found Harley Race and Larry Hennig in the parking lot. Before they could leave, Joe angrily caught up with them, and shouted at “the Ax” about his lack of loyalty. This went for several seconds, until Race caught him with a hard left, knocking him to the ground. Larry somberly shook his head, and as he got in Race's car, he said, “This is a tough business, kid.”
A VTR recapped the Hounds of Justice's short history in the AWA – from their debut to their sudden fallout.
STRAP MATCH
CHRIS HERO vs. JON MOXLEY:
vs.
CHRIS HERO vs. JON MOXLEY:
vs.
Ventura: “I guess old man Stu didn't get the message – those two guys don't want to be together anymore!”
But together they indeed were, tethered with a 15-foot-long leather strap. Hero attacked Moxley as soon as the referee tightened the strap on Moxley's wrist, clotheslining him with the strap. From there until the end, it was a vicious brawl between two men that were willing to take a beating. The strap was a weapon that they each used in a number of painful ways, and the ring couldn't contain all of the action.
After about 15 minutes, the lash marks were showing on both men, their chests and backs bruised and bloodied. Moxley seemed out on his feet, and the “Knockout Artist” went for his signature rolling elbow. But with one final burst of energy, the former WWE champion kicked Hero in the gut, and quickly tied both of his enemy's arms behind his back. Using the trapped arms as a lever, Moxley nailed Hero with the Death Rider, and covered him for the win. The referee released Moxley from the strap, and he wearily acknowledged the crowd as the show ended.