Post by fifthhorseman on Mar 14, 2023 23:57:52 GMT -5
AWA ALL-STAR WRESTLING
EPISODE 42
EPISODE 42
Pyro from Topeka, Kansas, then a 60-second sizzle reel of action from Super Sunday 2. Announcing the action, Joey Styles and Don West.
A cameraman was conveniently stationed outside the arena earlier in the evening. A SUV limousine pulled up, and the chauffeur opened the door to let the Pinnacle out. MJF, Wardlow, Tully Blanchard, and Ric Flair, with "Classy" Freddie Blassie, emerged with huge smiles on their faces, and they entered the arena with arrogance to spare.
AMAZING RED vs. RICKY STARKS:
vs.
vs.
West reminded the audience that Starks challenged Red to this match after losing to him in the Super Sunday battle royale. The result was the same here, as Red reversed Starks' Roshambo attempt after eight minutes of brisk action, catching his opponent in a small package. As the high-flyer celebrated, Starks hit him with a spear, and only left when the referee got in between them.
COMMERCIAL
A pre-taped interview was shown, as Eric Bischoff spoke with the AWA Stampede Mid-Heavyweight champion, the Dynamite Kid. He was calm and collected, but ready to take on the next challenger for his title – and that man seemed to be Lou Thesz. When Bischoff asked him when he would be willing to take on this new foe, the Kid smirked and said, “As far as I know, I'm not doing anything next week – may as well do it as soon as we can.”
The BLOND BOMBERS (w/the Grand Wizard) vs. DEMOLITION:
vs.
vs.
The Bombers took advantage of their foes early on, as Ax and Smash were still feeling the effects of War Games. It was a very competitive 15-minute battle between two championship-tier teams, but eventually Demolition's superior power turned the tide, and Ax pinned Stevens after hitting him with the middle-rope elbowdrop.
COMMERCIAL
Money Inc. sat in a private box, wining and dining, and DiBiase cut a promo bragging about his dubious battle royale win at Super Sunday. The trio was interrupted by Don Leo Jonathan, who sarcastically congratulated him on his win, and challenged any one of them to fight him one on one. Batista slowly stood up and got in front of the former AWA World champion. The “Mormon Giant” simply nodded, and the scene shifted to the ring.
ROCKY MAIVIA vs. MATT MENARD (w/Angelo Parker):
vs.
vs.
Flex Kavana was gone; this was a new man, more self-assured and polished in the ring. Menard got in a few shots early, but the third-generation grappler quickly took over, and finished off the Canadian in about five minutes with a Rock Bottom. Maivia saluted the crowd as he left, and Styles and West put him over as someone to watch in 2023.
When Maivia got to the back, he was congratulated by Arn Anderson, Larry Hennig, and Harley Race. However, when he got further backstage, the Pinnacle and Mike Awesome surrounded him in an obvious attempt at intimidation. MJF laughed at him and gave him a overly firm slap on the back, and said, “Good job, kid – now let the real men through.”
COMMERCIAL
Another VTR played, with Chad Gable and Verne Gagne in the shot. Gagne wore his AWA World Tag-Team belt over his shoulder and swore that if the Minnesota Wrestling Club got one more shot at FTR for their Universal titles, they would win. “Do you think that you can beat us twice in a row? You had to DDT 'Dr. Death', Steve Williams, from the ring apron to the floor to just slow us down, and even after that, you still cheated to beat us. We want a rematch.”
Williams walked into the shot, wearing a fearsome hockey mask. “You're damn right we do.”
Back to a live camera shot in the middle of the squared circle. Lee Marshall introduced the Pinnacle, and Mike Awesome, and the cocky heels slowly walked to the ring. Ric Flair spoke first. “Finally.... finally, this group is complete! Look at this collection of talent – we are truly the most dominant group in professional wrestling! And Arn, old friend – or should I say, former friend – you had to pay the price. You of all people should know what happens when you interfere with greatness. Just like when we kicked Ole out of the Horsemen, remember that? Sorry to say, but you were in our way. You put up a great fight! But in the end, the Pinnacle are gonna be remembered as the first-ever winners of an AWA War Games, and it's onwards and upwards now.”
Friedman was next, and he ran down each member of the team that opposed them at Super Sunday 2, saving most of his verbal venom for Diamond Dallas Page... and that prompted DDP to walk out onto the stage for an interruption. “Listen here, punk – maybe it's gonna go down in the record books as a win. And gee, all you had to do was bring in a ringer that we couldn't prepare for, and have him sneak in a weapon! I'm sick of all of it! I want you, MJF – one more match, man to man, and if you have any guts, you'll put that Southern Heavyweight title on the line!”
MJF laughed, and replied, “First of all, buddy, I'm the champ, I get to call the shots, and I'm taking tonight off. I deserve it. Second of all, I've already beaten you, Page. You aren't getting a title shot against me, no way no how.”
Before he could say anything else, Maivia walked out onto the stage and said a few words to Page that the cameraman didn't pick up. DDP seemed amused, and then he extended his hand to the young wrestler. But Maivia didn't shake his hand – instead, he handed Page a brass ring. Specifically, the brass ring that he won at AWA Autumn Bomb. Maivia gave the Pinnacle a rude salute, and then left.
Page continued. “Looks like I got myself a title shot now! And I'm challenging you to that match next week!”
The crowd erupted in cheers, but Blanchard insisted on getting in the last word. “Listen here, DDP – you think you deserve a shot at my friend's belt just because some low-life punk gifted you a fancy ring? A real man would prove he's worth it. What do you say to a street fight first, right here, tonight?”
“You're on!”
Blanchard slyly turned to Mike Awesome, and said, “You want to earn even more money? I'll promise you this – take that piece of garbage out tonight and you'll get a fatter check than you ever earned in ECW!”
Awesome smirked, accepting the offer. DDP pointed back at him, accepting the dare and before he dropped the microphone he said two more words. “Street fight!”
COMMERCIAL
A Damian Priest vignette played, showcasing his all-around skills. He narrated it himself, and said that his debut loss to Don Leo Jonathan was just a temporary setback.
Back at the broadcast table, Styles and West excitedly recapped what just took place a few minutes earlier. Styles confirmed that the main event would indeed be a street fight between Awesome and Page, and regardless of the outcome, DDP would get a shot at the AWA Southern Heavyweight championship next week. “And one more thing – Commissioner Graham has also declared that if anyone interferes in tonight's main event, they will be fined and suspended for a year! No interference whatsoever will be tolerated!”
LUMBERJACK MATCH
MATT CARDONA vs. BRON STEINER:
vs.
MATT CARDONA vs. BRON STEINER:
vs.
This was supposed to be the match that settled the question of who the better man truly was, and ten lumberjacks surrounded the ring to corral them. Like in their previous battles, Steiner and Cardona were watched from the stage by Jimmy Hart, who watched the first several minutes intently. However, at about the ten-minute mark, the “Mouth of the South” walked back through the curtain, seemingly dissatisfied by the match.
A few moments later, he returned with Ron Simmons and Butch Reed, collectively known as Doom. The former WCW tag champions stormed down the ramp, burst through the lumberjacks, and charged into the ring. They attacked Cardona and Steiner, hitting them with stereo spinebusters that wiped them out. The referee called for the bell, and told Lee Marshall at ringside that it was a no-contest. Doom left as suddenly as they appeared, and Hart shrieked through his megaphone, “I don't need either of you now! I got Doom, baby!”
COMMERCIAL
Bischoff introduced Thesz onto the stage, who said that he watched the earlier interview with the Dynamite Kid. The Missourian added that he already talked to Eddie Graham, and if the champion wanted him, he was going to get him next week for the Mid-Heavyweight title.
The MIDNIGHT EXPRESS (w/Jim Cornette and Big Bubba Rogers) vs. TEKNO TEAM 2000:
vs.
vs.
Bobby Eaton was back in action and back to full health, and he and Stan Lane made very quick work of their opponents. Travis and Troy were no match for their much more experienced and ruthless opponents, and it only took a few minutes for Eaton to pin Troy after an Alabama Jam legdrop. After the match, Cornette entered the ring with a microphone. He congratulated the AWA World champion, Barry Windham, on his successful title defense against Nick Bockwinkel at Super Sunday 2, and told the crowd that he was back in Texas celebrating, because “he wouldn't be caught dead or alive in Topeka!”
From there, Cornette steered the conversation to his team, and said that the Midnight Express was ready to reclaim the AWA World Tag-Team titles. But he was interrupted by the Motor City Machine Guns, who sauntered down to the ring to confront the Express. Alex Shelley has a microphone in his hand, and he asserted that he and his partner deserved a title shot first. Before it got physical, referees ran down from the back to separate the teams, and the show went to
COMMERCIAL
West was as excited as always, and before the last match of the night began, he said, “All this going on, and we haven't even mentioned that AWA Spring Slam is coming up in just a few weeks! Here's a tease for you, folks – Eddie Graham has booked both the UWA Universal Champion, and the UWA Universal Tag-Team Champions, to defend their titles right here in the AWA!”
STREET FIGHT
MIKE AWESOME vs. DIAMOND DALLAS PAGE:
vs.
MIKE AWESOME vs. DIAMOND DALLAS PAGE:
vs.
Both men came out in jeans, vests, and taped fists, and Awesome jumped DDP before the ring introductions were over. They battled for about 13 minutes, reopening most of the wounds they incurred during War Games. They were true heavyweights, landing big blows, and the former ECW champion looked to have the match in hand when he slammed Page on the timekeeper's table. Awesome returned to the ring and went up to the top rope, eager to hit a massive splash. But DDP suddenly stood up on the table, and as Awesome flew at him, he hit him with a Diamond Cutter. It took the “People's Champion” nearly 30 seconds to get his opponent back in the ring, but once he did, it was all over. MJF stormed out onto the stage, wearing his Southern Heavyweight belt, and the show ended with he and Page shouting at each other.