Post by fifthhorseman on Sept 5, 2022 13:56:58 GMT -5
AWA ALL-STAR WRESTLING
EPISODE 25
EPISODE 25
Pyro from Aurora, Colorado, then a 60-second sizzle reel of classic AWA action interspersed with close-ups of and highlights from members of the current AWA roster.
After a video recap of last week's show-ending brawl, the show opened with Commissioner Stu Hart in the ring. As entertained as he was by the passion demonstrated by all involved, it was time for him to step in and make some matches. “Two weeks from now, Drew McIntyre and Barry Windham are going to face off... in a steel cage. No interference, no seconds, just the two of them. It's also time that the AWA World tag-team champions defended their titles, and because we have so many legitimate contenders, we're going to do a 'beat the clock' series of matches next week to determine the team with the next shot at the Midnight Express.”
He paused for a moment and added, “In fact, let's start tonight, with the match coming up next.” Hart left, and Styles quickly went through the night's card.
JOSH ALEXANDER and the MOTOR CITY MACHINE GUNS vs. MATT CARDONA and MNM:
vs.
vs.
This was a fast-paced, high-tempo opener that got the crowd off their feet. The frequent tags kept everyone fresh, and Melina constantly reminded her team to finish as quickly as possible. Cardona hit a low blow on Shelley that the ref missed, and Morrison and Nitro nailed the Gun with a Snapshot DDT to steal the win. Time – 12:20.
COMMERCIAL
A pre-taped promo with Jerry Lawler was shown, and he was joined by Jimmy Hart, who explained that he mutually parted ways with Ted DiBiase and Irwin R. Schyster because he wanted to devote all of his energy and expertise towards helping “the King” win the AWA World Heavyweight title. But first, they were going to make sure that Nick Bockwinkel never showed his face in the American Wrestling Association again.
BO DALLAS and HUSKY HARRIS vs. 2.0:
vs.
vs.
Before the match even started, it was interrupted by Money Incorporated and Mike DiBiase. The three men walked over to Parker and Menard, and the “Million Dollar Man” gave each of them a handful of $100 bills. Then they walked over to Dallas and Harris, and after a few seconds of quiet conversation, the two grapplers charged out of the corner and put the boots to 2.0. After stomping them into the mat, Harris and Dallas retrieved the cash, and they left the ring, with the other three veteran villains. The official called it a no-contest.
COMMERCIAL
Before the next match got underway, Styles revealed that Stu Hart had determined the other teams that would be vying for a shot at the Midnight Express. The Briscoe Brothers would square off again American Alpha, and Larry Hennig and Harley Race would battle Tully Blanchard and Arn Anderson - next week!
AWA STAMPEDE MID-HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
MUSTAFA ALI vs. DARBY ALLIN vs. CHAD GABLE (c, w/Verne Gagne):
vs. vs.
MUSTAFA ALI vs. DARBY ALLIN vs. CHAD GABLE (c, w/Verne Gagne):
vs. vs.
This was a triple-threat match, not the three-way dance that Styles was used to calling in ECW; here, the first man to score a pin or submission would win the title. The challengers worked in tandem early on, but as usual in a contest like this, they wound up fighting each other as well. Very fast-paced with a lot of aerial moves, it ended when Ali hit a 054 splash on Allin, but then Gable broke it up with a moonsault. He tossed Ali out of the ring, and pinned Allin to retain the title.
COMMERCIAL
Backstage, a cameraman was cornered by a veteran who had not been seen in several weeks... Mad Dog Vachon. The AWA mainstay told him – and the viewing world – that while he and Bockwinkel were far from friends, he respected him. “And King Lawler – Mouth of the South Jimmy Hart – I definitely do not respect you!”
CHRISTIAN CAGE vs. JASON JORDAN:
vs.
vs.
The collegiate standout was solo, as Gagne was back in the locker room making sure that Gable was uninjured; they were also already breaking down video from the match he just wrestled. It was a see-saw match, very technical and snug, and Cage eventually won via the Unprettier. When he got to the top of the ramp, he was met by Scarlett Bordeaux, who handed him an hourglass and backed away without saying a word.
COMMERCIAL
A Rex Steiner video package was shown. He was hungrier than ever, training harder than ever, and ready to take on any man in the AWA.
ACE AUSTIN vs. the DYNAMITE KID:
vs.
vs.
It was obvious that the Englishman trained a lot during his time off. He was at least 20 pounds heavier than before, thickly muscled, and incredibly explosive. Austin never stood a chance, and the Dynamite Kid finished him off with a flying headbutt after just three minutes of one-sided action.
After the squash, Lee Marshall entered the ring to interview the Kid. He said that he was bigger and better than anybody in the mid-heavyweight division, and that he was more than ready to reclaim a title that he was very familiar with.
Another backstage interview. Ted DiBiase did most of the talking for his group, which now contained five people. “You're looking at the newest, and best, group in all of professional wrestling! You can take it to the bank – it'll only be a matter of time before we're all wearing championship gold. Whether it's me, or 'Iron' Mike DiBiase, or my longtime friend Mike Rotunda, or his sons Bo and Duke Rotunda – in singles or in tag-team competition – know this: the Family Business runs the AWA!”
COMMERCIAL
AWA SOUTHERN HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
MJF (c, w/Wardlow) vs. DIAMOND DALLAS PAGE:
vs.
vs.
Friedman didn't come to the ring alone. As usual, the brash champion brought his muscle, Wardlow, with him. But now, he had brains to go with the brawn.
MJF paused on the ring steps and looked back at the stage, and a few seconds later, “Classy” Freddie Blassie strutted out to join him. Styles: "As if the Pinnacle wasn't dangerous enough! I can't even count how many champions Freddie Blassie has managed in his career!"
They went almost 20 minutes, with plenty of stalling and strategizing between MJF and Blassie. The former WCW World champ got plenty of punches in, but could never seal the deal with the Diamond Cutter. In the end, the numbers caught up to him, as the referee simply lost control of the bout. After Blassie threw his cane into the ring – deliberately right at the official's feet – Wardlow sprang up on the apron and hit DDP with his friend's diamond ring. Page fell back, straight into MJF's Double Cross (rolling cutter). The champion fell on Page's shoulders, and when DDP threw his left leg over the bottom rope, Blassie pushed it back off. It was dirty, but it was a win for MJF.