Post by fifthhorseman on Apr 16, 2023 23:53:45 GMT -5
AWA ALL-STAR WRESTLING
EPISODE 44
EPISODE 44
Pyro from Reno, Nevada, 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.
Lee Marshall introduced the new AWA Southern Heavyweight champion, Diamond Dallas Page, to a hero's ovation. He entered the squared circle and told the crowd that he would be their champion - “the People's Champion” - and he thanked Rocky Maivia for helping him get his title shot against MJF. “I'm gonna defend this title with honor and courage, for all of you – and if poor old Max wants to try his luck again, he is gonna feel! The! Bang!”
DDP left the ring, and Styles and West ran through the night's six-match card.
ILYA DRAGUNOV vs. JERRY LYNN vs. WILL OSPREAY:
vs. vs.
vs. vs.
A nine-minute sprint of an opener that got the crowd on its feet multiple times. Several near-falls and high-spots later, Lynn won in a mild upset when he nailed Dragunov with a cradle piledriver after knocking Ospreay off the top turnbuckle to the floor.
COMMERCIAL
A VTR was shown, showcasing Bad Influence. Daniels and Kazarian were tag-team champions wherever they wrestled, and they wanted to extend that winning streak into the AWA.
The MIDNIGHT EXPRESS (w/Jim Cornette) vs. the MOTOR CITY MACHINE GUNS:
vs.
vs.
This bout was a clinic of tag-team wrestling. Eaton and Lane, and Shelley and Sabin, were masters of the double-team maneuver, and whenever the Guns seemed to have the match in hand, Cornette was there with a timely distraction or to stop their momentum. They went the full 20-minute time limit, each duo establishing themselves as a worthy contender to the AWA tag-team titles, but neither could claim the victory this night.
COMMERCIAL
Eric Bischoff was backstage with Nick Bockwinkel, and he asked the AWA icon what was next after his Super Sunday II loss to Barry Windham. He said that he considered it a temporary setback, and he would win as many matches as he had to before Commissioner Graham had no choice but to grant him another championship match. He was suddenly interrupted by Jerry Lawler and Jimmy Hart, and “the King” countered that if anyone deserved a shot at Windham, it was him; he was the interim champion in 2022 and it took three men to beat him for the belt. AWA officials got in between the two men before anything could happen.
The Pinnacle walked out onto the stage, and Ric Flair had a microphone in his hand. After several grandiose statements, he announced that he would be making his singles “re-debut” next week.
ROCKY MAIVIA vs. WARDLOW (w/Classy Freddie Blassie):
vs.
vs.
MJF sat on commentary, simultaneously insulting Maivia and putting him over as a star on the rise. The competitors matched power against power, with the occasional (and surprising) feat of agility, like Wardlow's top-rope senton. However, it was Maivia who took the win by rolling through an attempted power bomb into a sunset flip. After the match, Friedman confronted the third-generation wrestler beside the broadcast table, the two prodigies exchanged words... but that was all.
COMMERCIAL
A cameraman was in Eddie Graham's office, as was Lou Thesz and the AWA Stampede Mid-Heavyweight champion, the Dynamite Kid. Graham said that he was extremely impressed with their match last week, even though it was a time-limit draw. “So next week, I'm giving you ten extra minutes to see if we can determine a winner. Next week, it'll be a 30-minute time-limit match for the title!”
BUTCH REED (w/Jimmy Hart) vs. BRON STEINER:
vs.
West reminded the audience that Steiner challenged either member of Doom to a match, and Reed was eager to meet that challenge. However, the veteran brawler just couldn't put Steiner away, and after several minutes the young powerhouse took over. Hart was frantic, and jumped up on the ring apron to argue with the referee. That gave Reed's partner, Ron Simmons, time to sprint down the ramp and nail Steiner with Hart's megaphone. Reed followed that up with a running high knee, and the ref turned around just in time to count the pin.
COMMERCIAL
A pre-taped promo with Demolition was shown, and the former WWF tag champs declared that they would beat up every other team in the AWA until they got what they wanted – and whether it was the Minnesota Wrestling Club or anyone else, they would be the next AWA World Tag-Team champions.
CHRISTIAN CAGE vs. DENNIS CONDREY (w/Big Bubba Rogers):
vs.
vs.
The meanest member of the Midnights drew the assignment against Cage, and he was eager to teach a lesson to Cage. He got his fair share of offense in, but the former multi-time World champion eventually battled back and finished off “Loverboy Dennis” with an Unprettier. Rogers dove into the ring to attack Cage after the match, but the Canadian wisely bailed out the other side.
As Cage retreated up to the top of the ramp, eyes focused on the ring, he was attacked from behind by the AWA World Heavyweight champion Barry Windham. “The Widowmaker” smashed him over the back with a chair, and immediately dropped down on him with a series of vicious hammerfists. By the time officials pulled Windham off his target, the “Instant Classic” was busted wide open, and needed help getting to a trainer's room.
COMMERCIAL
Styles and West provided an update on AWA Spring Slam. By virtue of their successful title defense the week before, Verne Gagne and Steve Williams earned a rematch for the UWA Universal Tag-Team titles next month. In addition, MJF would get a rematch against DDP for the Southern title as per the championship clause in his contract – as long as he made no physical contact with Page before then. “And stay tuned for more announcements in the coming weeks!”
BATISTA (w/Money Inc.) vs. DON LEO JONATHAN:
vs.
vs.
A proverbial battle of the behemoths, collectively weighing in at well over 600 pounds. DiBiase and Rotunda were in “the Animal's” corner, eager to see their investment up close. Batista was stronger, but the former AWA champ was faster and more experienced, and DLJ was able to fend off his opponent's powerbomb attempts. The two wrestled for about ten minutes before Money Inc. saw enough, and they jumped into the ring and attacked Jonathan, causing a disqualification. The three men kicked away at the “Mormon Giant” for several seconds until Mark and Jay Briscoe ran down to even the odds, and the show ended with the six men wildly brawling in and outside the ring.