Post by fifthhorseman on Nov 30, 2022 0:16:15 GMT -5
AWA ALL-STAR WRESTLING
EPISODE 33
EPISODE 33
Pyro from Sudbury, Ontario, then a 60-second sizzle reel of classic AWA action interspersed with close-ups of and highlights from members of the current AWA roster. Announcing the action, Joey Styles and Don West.
The show started with a VTR promo from the AWA World Heavyweight champion, Barry Windham, who was home in Sweetwater, Texas. He said that there was no chance that he would ever go to Sudbury, especially in the winter, because he could and did call all the shots. “After beating Drew McIntyre so easily, I figured I'd take the week off – but I'll be back next week, and maybe by then Eddie Graham will have a worthy challenger for me.”
PRINCE PUMA vs. TAJIRI:
vs.
vs.
Eight minutes of non-stop action, and it was apparent that Commissioner Eddie Graham was going to showcase the mid-heavyweights early to fire up the live audience and catch the TV stragglers. It was a close battle that Puma won with a 630 splash.
COMMERCIAL
Another VTR promo, this one featuring the Family Business. As usual, Ted DiBiase did most of the talking, and he said that he couldn't understand why Larry Hennig and Harley Race got a match – even a non-title one – against the Midnight Express. “I thought that those two lummoxes wanted a piece of Money, Inc. - but I guess they thought they'd have it easier with Lane, Eaton, and Condrey. Well, listen up, especially you, Eddie Graham! Why don't you give us a shot against Race and Hennig? And when we beat them, one two three, you'll just have to give us a shot at the AWA tag-team belts, right? Let's see if those two dummies got the guts to face us!”
Steve Williams was backstage with Don West, who asked him about his relationship with the Grand Wizard. “Dr. Death” scowled and said, “He talked. I listened. But you don't see him here now, do you?”
They were interrupted by Jacob Fatu, who acknowledged Williams' win over his tag-team partner Bronson Reed before challenging him to a match next week. The four-time All-American accepted, adding, “First him, then you. Doesn't matter to me.”
JERRY LAWLER (w/Jimmy Hart) vs. REX STEINER:
vs.
vs.
The two combatants were about as different as any pair you could throw together. Steiner was powerful and explosive, but “the King” had a huge edge in experience, and wasn't above cheating to get the upper hand. They went back and forth for about ten minutes, and after a dash of managerial interference, Lawler won after chopping Steiner in the throat and rolling him up with a handful of singlet.
COMMERCIAL
The scene: Commissioner Eddie Graham's office, where Nick Bockwinkel and Mad Dog Vachon were each demanding a match against Lawler. Graham said that he would figure out a solution that would satisfy both men, but in the meantime, he was getting ready to watch a championship title defense.
AWA WORLD TAG-TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
The BLOND BOMBERS (w/the Grand Wizard) vs. the MIDNIGHT EXPRESS (c, w/Jim Cornette and Big Bubba Rogers):
vs.
The BLOND BOMBERS (w/the Grand Wizard) vs. the MIDNIGHT EXPRESS (c, w/Jim Cornette and Big Bubba Rogers):
vs.
Cornette led the Eaton/Condrey version of his team to the ring to a mixed reaction; the smart fans in the Canadian audience cheered for the Bombers a little bit more due to Patterson's presence. Once the bell rang, it was an excellent match, and neither team minded bending the rules to gain an advantage. Nor did their managers, and the referee was constantly distracted by their antics. They went over 15 minutes, and as Stevens had Eaton in his sights for his Bombs Away kneedrop, Rogers shoved him off the top rope – right in front of the ref. The Express was disqualified, but the two teams – plus Big Bubba – brawled for a short while until Patterson and Stevens angrily bailed out.
COMMERCIAL
Lance Storm was backstage talking to the Motor City Machine Guns, and he was interrupted by the Agency (Logan Paul, Matt Cardona, and MNM). Cardona sarcastically congratulated on his debut. “It's just too bad you lost. First match, too. Not exactly the best way to make an impression.” The Canadian responded that he could make an even better impression next week if Cardona felt like getting in the ring with him. One tense staredown later, the scene shifted back to the ring.
ARN ANDERSON vs. ART BARR:
vs.
vs.
“Double A” got a neutral welcome; the crowd wasn't ready to cheer for him just because he was kicked out of the Pinnacle. Barr tested him early on with his speed and agility, but Anderson used his size and power to slow things down, and eventually finished him off with a spinebuster. After the match, Marshall conducted an in-ring interview with the winner; Anderson was his usual no-nonsense self, and vowed to get his revenge on every member of his former stable, especially Tully Blanchard.
COMMERCIAL
Styles told West, and the audience, that Graham wasn't happy with the result of the Express/Bombers match – in fact, he was extremely frustrated about the constant non-finishes that seemed to be the norm when the champs defended their titles... and next week, he would make an announcement that would be of great interest to Cornette and his crew.
DIAMOND DALLAS PAGE vs. WARDLOW (w/Freddie Blassie):
vs.
vs.
Styles and West recapped the challenge that led to this match, and it began with Wardlow dominating with his power. But the former WCW World champion was able to weather the storm, and the veteran battled back, targeting “Mr. Mayhem's” right knee to slow him down. The strategy worked, and DDP eventually (and surprisingly) won with a small package.
The heels trudged up the ramp, and Page waved to the crowd from the ring. However, the celebration was short-lived as Wardlow was joined by his stablemate Tully Blanchard, and the two – with Blassie – reversed course, and jumped on opposite sides of the ring apron. Suddenly, Arn Anderson ran down and went straight after Blanchard, who jumped off the apron and sprinted back up the ramp untouched. Wardlow was intercepted by the ref and Blassie, and with the numbers advantage gone, the big man angrily shrugged and walked away again. DDP and Anderson warily nodded to each other, but this time, the crowd was more appreciative of "the Enforcer."
COMMERCIAL
AWA SOUTHERN HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
The DYNAMITE KID (c) vs. VERNE GAGNE (w/Chad Gable):
vs.
The DYNAMITE KID (c) vs. VERNE GAGNE (w/Chad Gable):
vs.
This wasn't the high-flying affair like the match that started the show. These two kept it primarily on the mat, exchanging stiff strikes and snug technical holds. This was Gagne's chance to test his champion, and the Englishman was more than up to the challenge. After almost 20 tense minutes, and a spill to the outside where Gable tried to interfere, the champ ran Gagne and Gable's heads together, and then sprang to the top rope. He flew down with a headbutt on the AWA stalwart, earning a very hard-fought victory. As the two amateur grapplers walked away, the Kid wiped some blood off his forehead, and acknowledged the cheers as the show ended.