Post by fifthhorseman on Jan 6, 2023 1:45:48 GMT -5
AWA ALL-STAR WRESTLING
EPISODE 36
EPISODE 36
Pyro from Green Bay, 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. Announcing the action, Joey Styles and Don West.
The show started with an in-ring interview with the new AWA World tag-team champions, the Minnesota Wrestling Club. Verne Gagne and Steve Williams – accompanied by Chad Gable – bragged about their victory at the Tag Rumble, and said all the usual heel things.
But they were interrupted from the stage by something even louder, Jim Cornette. The Midnight Express were right behind him, as was Big Bubba Rogers, and Cornette shouted that since it took 14 teams to beat his boys, he "should get at least 14 rematches for the belts they never really lost! But that's OK, we just need one to get them belts back! And make no mistake about it, it will happen sooner than later!”
When the ring cleared, the first match finally got underway.
CHRISTIAN CAGE vs. LOGAN PAUL:
vs.
vs.
The “Instant Classic” defeated Paul in a high-flying and energetic opener. He was too smart and experienced, and he lulled the brash rookie into an Unprettier. After the match, Paul – who was noticeably by himself, without Melina or anyone else from the Agency – flipped out, tipping over the timekeeper's table and shoving Lee Marshall to the ground before he stomped away.
The scene switched backstage, where the First Family stood impatiently outside Commissioner Graham's door. Andy Kaufman's left arm was in a sling, and he moaned in a high-pitched voice, “Gosh darn it! I was super excited for this match, and wouldn't you know, I trained too hard for it. I threw out my shoulder on the bench press thingie. There must have been four plates on each side, for crying out loud! In any event, the show must go on, and we're all here to tell Mr. Eddie that I''m ready to go!”
The “Mouth of the South” looked aghast. “Whoa who whoa! Just hang on a sec there, Andy! Why, we have to -”
Graham's door opened, and the show went to
COMMERCIAL
The Pinnacle cut a promo backstage. MJF did most of the talking, as one would expect, but the news he broke was worth it. "I'm the longest reigning champ in the AWA – almost a year now – so while those two mids Barry Windham and Don Leo Jonathan fight for the World title at the Big Chill later this month, guess who gets the shot at the UWA Universal Men's title later this month? That's right, the generational talent himself, Maxwell Jacob Friedman. Chris, buddy, shine it up real good, because it's as good as mine.”
Styles also had breaking news. “Ladies and gentleman, we've just been told that Logan Paul just quit the AWA!”
PAT O'CONNOR MEMORIAL CUP FIRST ROUND MATCH
MATT CARDONA (w/Melina) vs. JERRY LYNN vs. DIAMOND DALLAS PAGE:
vs. vs.
MATT CARDONA (w/Melina) vs. JERRY LYNN vs. DIAMOND DALLAS PAGE:
vs. vs.
The leader of the Agency had trouble forming alliances with either Lynn or DDP, so he was usually at their mercy. After a series of near-falls, Cardona decided to bail out. Lynn leaned over the ropes to mock him, but when he turned around, it was right into a Diamond Cutter. DDP with the win.
COMMERCIAL
A vignette came up for the Eliminators. They were brutal and dynamic, as evidenced by their performance in their debut last week – and they were also eager to get another shot at the AWA tag-team straps.
Speaking of tag teams, Money Inc were outside Graham's office, where they cut an impromptu promo about how they were robbed in the Tag Rumble. They also weren't too happy with the way things were going in the Family Business, but before they could elaborate, they were interrupted by Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley. The Guns reminded them that they were also “this close” to winning the match. Shelley added, “Look, we're all just standing around outside the Commissioner's office. We don't like each other. We might as well make this official and fight next week, right?”
ARN ANDERSON vs. MANNY FERNANDEZ (w/Freddie Blassie):
vs.
vs.
The referee let them get away with a lot in this one in the few minutes that it lasted. It was a fight, and when “Double A” hit Fernandez with a DDT, Blassie slid in the ring to break up the count, whacking his former friend with his cane. Instant disqualification. Anderson shook off the blow, and stood up to confront Blassie... leaving his back exposed to Tully Blanchard, who made the run-in. Blanchard hit him with a wicked low blow, and he and the “Raging Bull” put the boots to him in retaliation for his distraction at the Tag Rumble the week before. Referees eventually drove the villainous trio away.
COMMERCIAL
Styles and West were excited about the youth involved in the upcoming match, and noted that 2point0 were back in the AWA from their world tour and looked like seasoned veterans now. West: “And I heard through the grapevine that the rest of them – Flex Kavana, Lou Thesz, and Leviathan – are finishing up and should be back any week now!”
PAT O'CONNOR MEMORIAL CUP FIRST ROUND MATCH
RICKY STARKS vs. BRON STEINER vs. WARDLOW w/Freddie Blassie):
vs. vs.
Bron (don't call him Rex anymore) Steiner won a fast-paced match that featured a lot of spears and two-counts; it ended when Wardlow lifted up Starks for a powerbomb that was cut off by a Steiner spear. Starks flew from the ring, Wardlow was too blown up to kick out, and Bron earned the victory. After the match, the second-generation star proclaimed that he would win it “just like Dad did!”
COMMERCIAL
A video package set up the next match, highlighting the various rivalries and histories between the men.
NICK BOCKWINKEL/MAD DOG VACHON vs. ANDY KAUFMAN/JERRY LAWLER (w/Jimmy Hart):
vs.
vs.
But it was not Kaufman... “the King's” partner was the brash Austin Theory instead.
Somehow, some way, Hart convinced Commissioner Graham that Kaufman was unable to compete this night. This did not make the two men across the ring very happy, and the bout quickly devolved into a four-way brawl on the floor. However, it ended in chaos when one of the cameramen nailed Vachon over the head with the heavy equipment before fire flashed from its lens – it was Kaufman! The match was declared a no-contest as Bockwinkel chased the First Family away, while AWA medical personnel checked on Vachon.
COMMERCIAL
Styles announced that there would be more Pat O'Connor tournament matches next week, and Graham wasn't going to make it easy for any of the competitors to get to the second round. Six more contenders would be confirmed via two six-man tag-team matches, with all of the wrestlers selected via a random draw that night. Every member of the winning teams would move on to the second round, and West redundantly added, “whether they like each other or not!”
DON LEO JONATHAN/DREW McINTYRE vs. BIG BUBBA ROGERS/BARRY WINDHAM (c, w/Jim Cornette):
vs.
vs.
In a battle of the big men, Jonathan and McIntyre won after about 18 minutes when the Scotsman pinned Cornette's bodyguard after a Claymore kick. It was a hard-hitting battle that started awkwardly for the AWA World champion. The referee insisted on checking Windham's gloved right hand, as Jonathan was adamant that he was knocked out by a foreign substance in that glove the night he lost his title. Cornette was livid, but the official took a close look at it... and fell on his butt. He got back up, removed the chloroform-loaded glove, and let them fight.
After it ended, DLJ pointed to his waist, while Windham tauntingly waved the World title high over his own head as his crew backed up the ramp. The “Mormon Giant” felt vindicated, and was determined to regain “his” championship. As the show faded to black, Windham stood on the stage and pointed down to his mighty Big Chill opponent.