Post by fifthhorseman on Sept 10, 2023 21:58:33 GMT -5
AWA ALL-STAR WRESTLING
EPISODE 58
EPISODE 58
Pyro from Kenosha, 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.
From the stage, Eric Bischoff introduced Barry Windham, the Midnight Express, and Jim Cornette. The mouthy manager did nearly all the talking, and told everybody that “you aren't gonna see my men without gold around their waists much longer! 'Beautiful Bobby' and 'Sweet Stan' just need one shot at those chicken-plucking Briscoe boys, and as for 'the Widowmaker'... well, later on tonight he's fighting another former AWA champion, the Dynamite Kid. You think you're hungry for a win, Kid? Let me tell you, big Barry Windham is gonna use you to get back in the win column, and then Christian Cage, we're coming for you.”
MONTEZ FORD vs. DANNY HODGE:
vs.
vs.
This was a huge contrast of styles, to say the least. The two (relative newcomers) to the AWA Mid-Heavyweight division went about ten minutes, but it ended in a disqualification after Ford shoved the referee down after an allegedly slow two-count. The solo “Street Profit” got even angrier, and went outside to grab a steel chair, but AJ Styles ran down with one of his own to ward him off. Ford left in a sour mood, and Styles and Hodge shook hands before leaving together.
COMMERCIAL
Ted DiBiase was interviewed backstage by Eric Bischoff. He was determined to get his hands on Mike Rotunda, the Million Dollar Belt, and his fortune. “If he's any sort of man, he'll meet me in the ring next week. Consider yourself challenged, old friend – let's see if you have the guts to put your mouth where your money is.”
SAMOA JOE vs. STEVE WILLIAMS:
vs.
vs.
For the few minutes it lasted, it was a great hoss fight. They traded stiff strikes that echoed in the building, but when they went to the floor, Joe and Williams ignored the referee's count. The two behemoths were both counted out, and it took about a dozen officials and wrestlers to break things up as the show went to
COMMERCIAL
Video vignette featuring “Superstar” Billy Graham at the gym, working out with unbelievable amounts of iron weight. The charismatic powerhouse put over his WrestleRock foe: “Big Mike, it can't be denied - you're awesome, baby, but I'm a Superstar! If you want to get back in the ring and try me again, that's okay, I'm not hard to find. And that goes for any man in the AWA!”
TOP CONTENDERS MATCH
AMERICA'S MOST WANTED vs. DEMOLITION:
vs.
AMERICA'S MOST WANTED vs. DEMOLITION:
vs.
West explained that after AMW declared themselves the top contenders to the Briscoes' AWA World Tag-Team titles, President Tunney decided that Demolition had a claim to that ranking as well; ergo, this match. The former WWF champs controlled lengthy stretches of the contest, but after about 15 minutes, “the Cowboy” hit Smash over the head with a beer bottle that was stashed under the ring. The official never saw it, and Harris school-boyed Smash for the win.
When the match ended, Mark and Jay Briscoe walked through the curtain and help their championship belts to the sky, as if daring AMW to take them away.
COMMERCIAL
Video vignette for the Monarchy, focusing on Will Ospreay's aerial skills and Nigel McGuinness's ground game.
SHAWN MICHAELS vs. BOBBY ROODE (w/Freddie Blassie):
vs.
vs.
During the ring entrances, a picture-in-picture promo aired; Roode was with Blassie, who explained that the “Canadian Enforcer” insisted on hospitalizing Michaels so that his good friend Ric Flair wouldn't have to get his hands dirty. Roode jumped the “Heartbreak Kid” as soon as the bell rang, and hit him with a series of punches and kicks. He fired Michaels into the ropes, but Michaels reversed it and nailed Roode with a superkick. The match ended in shocking fashion in just one minute.
Blassie immediately ran in and took a swing at Michaels with his cane, but HBK dodged it. However, this gave time for Flair, Tully Blanchard, and the recovering Roode to eventually surround their foe. They were in constant motion outside the ring, but whenever any of them tried to sneak in Michaels would repel them. Michaels ultimately outmaneuvered them all when they slid into the ring, vaulting over the top rope and jogging to the stage.
He waved at the villains, but suddenly he was attacked from behind by MJF! The former AWA Intercontinental champ chop-blocked him and put the boots to him; he was joined in no time by the rest of the Pinnacle, who stomped away at him for several seconds until AWA officials forced them backstage.
COMMERCIAL
The Pinnacle was gloating in their locker room and celebrating Friedman's return. Bischoff burst into the room for a comment, and he also served as a “messenger” for President Tunney. “We've just found out that next week, it'll be Ric Flair and MJF against Shawn Michaels and a partner of his choice. What do you have to say about that?”
Suffice it to say, those two individuals had a lot to say, but in short, they were both eager to make Michaels regret returning to the AWA.
Lee Marshall introduced the AWA Intercontinental champion, Batista, to the ring. He wore a suit that strained at the seams, and spoke in calm, quiet tones that forced the audience to listen to him. Batista was all business, and said that next week, after Diamond Dallas Page got his contractually-obligated rematch, DDP would be leaving the arena in an ambulance.
TOMMASO CIAMPA (w/Dominik Mysterio) vs. RICKY STARKS:
vs.
vs.
Despite Mysterio's efforts on the outside, Starks won the match after about ten minutes with the Roshambo. Both men got plenty of offense in for this very competitive sprint of a bout, and Starks celebrated on the ramp before the Gringos Locos could inflict any post-match damage. Backstage, Art Barr was not pleased with the result.
COMMERCIAL
A cameraman caught up to Shawn Michaels as he was being treated by the AWA medical staff. He waved them all away, and Nick Bockwinkel entered the scene. “I saw what happened, and I heard about your match next week. As it turns out, I don't particularly like Ric Flair or MJF – maybe deep down, they remind me of me too much, but obviously, of vastly lower moral and physical quality. If you don't have a partner yet, I'd be honored to take that spot.”
Michaels did not hesitate at all. He shook Bockwinkel's hand, looked directly at the camera, and said, “That was your last shot to take me out and you failed. You two punks are gonna regret it.”
The DYNAMITE KID vs. BARRY WINDHAM (w/Jim Cornette):
vs.
vs.
This match between two of the most recent dominant AWA champions did not disappoint, and they got over 30 minutes to work. Despite the size disadvantage, the Kid had the mentality of a bulldog, and he had Windham on the ropes throughout the match. However, a slip on the top rope did the Englishman in, as Windham crotched him on the turnbuckle, and hit him with a top-rope superplex for the win. The big Texan and Cornette both shouted at the hard camera as the show ended, warning the AWA World Heavyweight champion, Christian Cage, that he was on borrowed time.