Post by fifthhorseman on Jun 9, 2023 0:23:40 GMT -5
AWA ALL-STAR WRESTLING
EPISODE 48
EPISODE 48
Pyro from Tacoma, Washington, 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, who called out Christian Cage from the back. The Canadian received a huge cheer, and he was all business with his promo. He was angry that he was outsmarted yet again, but all it did was prove that Barry Windham still couldn't beat him man to man. “I'm challenging you to another match, and this time, I want you in a steel cage!”
The ELIMINATORS and JERRY LYNN vs. the PINNACLE (w/Freddie Blassie):
vs.
vs.
Ric Flair was the first man through the curtain to launch the show, and the crowd acknowledged him. It was a wild clash of styles to start the show, and both teams had plenty of opportunities to shine, but it ended when the “Nature Boy” pinned Lynn; the referee never saw Flair's feet on the middle rope for extra leverage. As soon as it ended, the mysterious Midnight Rider appeared on the video screen. He was in the Pinnacle's locker room, going through their things. The heels all ran off.
Afterwards, Kronus and Saturn held Lynn back from pursuing Flair – and then they hit him with Total Elimination. They flipped off the crowd as they left, cementing their heel turn.
COMMERCIAL
A vignette for Superstar Billy Graham was shown; the colorful powerhouse was on his way to the AWA.
Eric Bischoff was backstage with Herb Abrams in a pre-taped segment, who spun the wheel for the next best-of-five match between Jerry Lawler and Nick Bockwinkel. It landed on the section labelled Rounds Match, scheduled for later in the night.
MIKE AWESOME (w/the Grand Wizard) vs. BRON STEINER:
vs.
West was surprised to see the Grand Wizard with Awesome, but Styles suggested that after the departure of the Blond Bombers, he needed a new client – and the man who broke Don Leo Jonathan's leg was a dangerous client indeed. This bout was the proverbial slobberknocker, and despite the size disadvantage, Steiner landed several high-impact strikes and throws on Awesome. They went about ten minutes; after the second-generation wrestler missed a spear in the corner, the former ECW champ hoisted him up and smashed him back down with an Awesome bomb for the win.
COMMERCIAL
From the stage, Bischoff introduced the Minnesota Wrestling Club, and all three men – Gagne, Williams, and Gable – emerged with smug looks on their faces. Gagne said that he and “Dr. Death” were the uncrowned UWA Universal Tag-Team champions, and that they should be wearing those belts as well. He was interrupted by the Briscoe brothers, and Jay had a microphone in his hand. “If you're so great, then why don't you defend those AWA belts for once? Me and Mark think – no, hold up, we know – that if you step foot in the ring with us, you ain't gonna be champs of anything anymore.” The two teams gave each other a couple of shoves, but AWA Head of Security Vladmir Kozlov and other personnel separated them and escorted them to the back.
SPIN THE WHEEL STIPULATION MATCH – ROUNDS MATCH
THREE OUT OF FIVE SERIES
NICK BOCKWINKEL vs. JERRY LAWLER (w/Jimmy Hart):
vs.
THREE OUT OF FIVE SERIES
NICK BOCKWINKEL vs. JERRY LAWLER (w/Jimmy Hart):
vs.
Lee Marshall explained the rules: six three-minute rounds with 20-second breaks in between; two out of three falls; a fall ends a round; disqualifications or knockouts end the match; and if all six rounds are completed, the man with the most falls wins.
It was neither man's forte, but they gave it their all, as usual. They went at a quick pace, but neither man scored a fall until the second minute of the fourth round, when Bockwinkel surprised the Memphis legend with an O'Connor roll to end the round and go ahead 1-0. Lawler was furious, and attacked Bockwinkel before he came out of his corner to start the fifth, tagging with a series of closed fists. The AWA icon battled back, and they went to the sixth round. Hart distracted the referee with seconds to go, and Lawler hit Bockwinkel with a low blow and a stun-gun over the top rope. The “Mouth of the South” frantically guided the ref over to make the count, but his hand only hit the canvas once. Time expired, and Bockwinkel earned the win, tying their series up 1-1.
COMMERCIAL
Marshall was in the ring again, from where he introduced Rocky Maivia. The crowd was all over him, and he was no longer humble, smiling, and just happy to be there. “You're all wondering why I attacked Diamond Dallas Page, is that right? Well, if you're asking the Rock why he did, then it's obvious that you're all suffering from amnesia! Do you remember when I helped him win the AWA Southern title? After that, he thanked me and said that he would put the belt up against anyone? Well, 'champ', why didn't you give the Rock the first shot at it? Why didn't you give the Rock any shot at it? We all know why, even these Tacoma jabronis – because you can't handle the Rock on your best day! So shine that new AWA Intercontinental belt up real good, because it's only a matter of time before it's wrapped around the Rock's waist!”
Maivia left to an even louder chorus of jeers, and eventually the next match began.
PAUL LONDON and BRIAN KENDRICK vs. MONEY INC.:
vs.
London and Kendrick were flashy and speedy in their AWA debut, hitting both of their opponents with multiple combination moves early on. They only battled for about five minutes, until Batista walked down to ringside. He seemed angry, and a bit confused, and he showed his phone to DiBiase while Rotunda took care of things in the squared circle. Suddenly, both men hurriedly walked up the ramp. “The Taxman” tried to wave them back to no avail – and before he knew it, Kendrick rolled him up from behind and scored the upset pin. As soon as it was over, Rotunda grabbed his briefcase and power-walked to the back as well.
COMMERCIAL
A VTR featuring Ricky Starks aired. The charismatic star was ready to show the people a new side of himself. “After Lou Thesz takes care of Will Ospreay tonight, I hope he leaves something for me – because Will, as good as you think you are, you will never be absolute.”
DAMIAN PRIEST vs. MAD DOG VACHON:
vs.
vs.
Priest literally belittled his foe by staring down at him when they first met in the middle of the ring. But Vachon was used to facing foes taller and bigger than he was, and he shocked Priest with an amateur-style legdive to put him on the mat. That was about the only scientific hold used in this one; once they both got to their feet, they traded heavy shots until they both fell between the middle ropes to the floor. The two wrestlers continued their fight there, and the referee gave then as much leniency as he could... but eventually he had to count them both out.
Another vignette, this time showcasing the all-around skills of Bryan Danielson. When it ended, Styles told the audience that he would be appearing on next week's episode of All-Star Wrestling.
COMMERCIAL
West was excited to share some news from Eddie Graham's office. “While we're sad to see the Commissioner go, we're thrilled to announce that he signed two huge rematches for next week's show! First off, Doom and Demolition will go at it again in a tornado tag-team match! And fans, he got his wish – Christian Cage! Barry Windham! In a steel cage for the AWA World Heavyweight championship! Next week!”
AWA WORLD MID-HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
WILL OSPREAY vs. LOU THESZ (c):
vs.
The new champion extended his hand before the bell, and Ospreay slapped it away... so Thesz slapped him back. They got off to a fast start, and as they went, they proved they belonged the main event slot. The Englishman was lighting-quick, and nailed Thesz from every angle he could, and often. However, the shooter from St. Louis was able to catch and counter Ospreay, and had him on the verge of submission several times with arm- and leglocks. After about 20 minutes, Thesz ducked under Ospreays's Hidden Blade and tripped him, sending him chest-first into the middle rope. Barely missing a beat, he waistlocked him and hit a bridging German suplex for the victory. When the official Thesz's hands, the Dynamite Kid walked out onto the stage, reminding everybody – including the champ – that they weren't done with each other just yet.