Post by fifthhorseman on Oct 16, 2023 23:20:29 GMT -5
AWA ALL-STAR WRESTLING
EPISODE 62
EPISODE 62
Short “Saturday Night's Main Event”-styled promos from Christian Cage, Jim Cornette and Barry Windham, Diamond Dallas Page, Montez Ford, Bryan Danielson, and Jimmy Hart and Austin Theory. Pyro from Fargo, North Dakota – calling the action, Joey Styles and Don West.
Cold open in AWA President Jack Tunney's office. He said that he had three announcements to make, all of which pertained to Autumn Bomb II. “First of all, the winner of tonight's AWA World Heavyweight championship match between Christian Cage and Barry Windham will go to Autumn Bomb II next month to face the UWA Universal champion for that title, whoever that may be.”
“Second, I can also confirm that at Autumn Bomb II, Ric Flair will wrestle Shawn Michaels one-on-one. If any member of the Pinnacle interferes for Mr. Flair, or if anyone interferes for Mr. Michaels, then that wrestler will be suspended from the AWA for six months.”
“Finally” - and Tunney paused to reveal two shiny, intricately-made title belts on either side of him - “the tag-team division in the AWA has never been deeper or stronger. So, at Autumn Bomb II, we will crown the first-ever AWA Intercontinental Tag-Team champions. Any team interested in participating in this prestigious tournament has 48 hours to petition my office. Once all of the teams have been determined, the tournament will begin.
“Thank you for your attention, and enjoy tonight's action.”
BRYAN DANIELSON vs. AUSTIN THEORY (w/Jimmy Hart):
vs.
vs.
The “American Dragon” was the superior and more experienced wrestler, and he tried to neutralize Theory's raw power by taking him to the mat. The young prodigy impressively worked his way out of several holds, but eventually Danielson trapped him and forced him to tap out in the LeBell Lock.
COMMERCIAL
Lee Marshall introduced the AWA Intercontinental Heavyweight champion, Batista, to the ring. “The Animal” said that he was still waiting for the next challenger to step up. “Maybe I shouldn't be that surprised – I'm a 320-pound fighting machine with the intellect to match. There isn't a single man in that locker room that measures up.”
On cue, “Superstar” Billy Graham strode through the curtain and took a microphone from the broadcast table. “You don't think anyone measures up to you? Daddy, let me tell you something. I''m the man of the hour, the man with the power, too sweet to be sour – so don't give me that glower! That belt would look real good wrapped around my chiseled waist, and I know that all of these fans agree with the Superstar.”
Staredown, both men left, onto the next match.
BADD COMPANY vs. the MIDNIGHT EXPRESS (w/Jim Cornette):
vs.
vs.
West reminded the audience that the two teams fought to an exciting double-countout a few weeks earlier. This match was just as fast-paced and high-flying, and again they battled past the 15-minute mark. But this time, Cornette was the deciding factor; Eaton distracted the referee long enough for the manager to nail Diamond between the shoulder blades with his tennis racket. “Sweet Stan” rolled the Canadian up with a small package for the win, and the trio of heels scurried off with their tainted victory.
COMMERCIAL
Eric Bischoff called Ted DiBiase out onto the stage, and he, along with Steve Williams, came out to respond to Mike Rotunda's challenge. “Mike, you think I'd back down from any challenge? Especially one coming from you? I'm more than happy to meet you in a taped fist match... but what do you say we up the ante? I want my Million Dollar Championship belt back. So how about we put that on the line as well... hang it 15 feet above the ring, and let's have the AWA first-ever taped fist ladder match!”
BOB BACKLUND vs. SIMON DEAN:
vs.
vs.
The former WWWF World champion received a warm welcome from the North Dakota crowd, and he responded in kind before the bell rang. Backlund made quick work of the man formally known as Nova, pinning Dean in less than five minutes with a tiger suplex. After the match, Marshall interviewed Backlund in the ring, who was happy to be in a territory with so many strong technical wrestlers.
COMMERCIAL
A training vignette with Samoa Joe aired. He demonstrated all of his striking and grappling skills on a variety of heavy bags, speed bags, and overwhelmed training partners. When he was done, he snarled at the camera and calmly said, “I'm putting in the work. I'm watching the video. But what I'm not doing anymore is biding my time. “
MONTEZ FORD vs. DIAMOND DALLAS PAGE:
vs.
Ford took charge early, attacking DDP before the bell rang. “The Profit” looked impressive and went for the pin early and often, but Page refused to stay down. However, when the former WCW World champion took over a few minutes later, the match was suddenly interrupted by Doom, who jumped over the railing and worked over Page. The ref instantly called for the disqualification, and Ford tossed him over the top rope. Simmons and Reed blasted DDP with a double-spinebuster, and then they held him down for Ford's From the Heavens splash.
AWA officials finally made the save, and while a couple of them checked on Page, the others shooed Ford and Doom out of the ring. Defiantly, they all turned their backs to the ring, looked up at the stage, and raised their right fists. A few seconds later, the Rock strode through the curtain, smirked and nodded, and raised his right fist as well. The three men walked up the stage, stood in a line with the third-generation star, and collectively saluted the crowd again as the show went to
COMMERCIAL
A pre-recorded promo from the AWA World tag champions, Mark and Jay Briscoe. They gave America's Most Wanted their due for beating them by countout, but the brothers reminded them that they still had the belts. Jay: “A countout don't mean nothin'! We'll be back next week, let's see how brave you are then!”
Bischoff tried to catch up to the quartet of heels leaving through the back of the arena, but Ford and Doom weren't slowing down and weren't talking. However, the Rock did stop to give DDP a simple message: “Don't mess with Rock Nation.”
TOMMASO CIAMPA (w/Art Barr) vs. AJ STYLES:
vs.
vs.
It was a test of Styles' speed versus Ciampa's raw power, and the leader of Los Gringos Locos on the floor did his best to make it an uneven fight. Nonetheless, after about ten minutes and a series of reversals near the ropes, Ciampa and Barr collided in the corner. The “Phenomenal One” quickly moved in to hit Ciampa with the Styles Clash, earning the win.
However, Barr didn't take the loss lightly; he nailed Styles from behind, and signaled for Dominik Mysterio to join the beatdown as the “Sicilian Psychopath” got to his feet. A few seconds later, Mysterio arrogantly walked out, but halfway down the ramp, he was clotheslined from behind by Ricky Starks, who kept running, slid in the ring, and hit Ciampa with a spear. Barr rolled outside before Starks or Styles could touch him, and he angrily collected Mysterio and took him backstage.
COMMERCIAL
Nick Bockwinkel and Arn Anderson were in a locker room discussing their mutual problem, the Pinnacle. They noticed the cameraman and spoke directly to him, knowing that everyone was watching. Bockwinkel: “MJF, you showed your true character to the world by hitting me below the belt to steal a cheap, tainted win. Congratulations. Bravo. But now that I know that all I have to do to defeat you is wear a cup, I doubt you'll show your face in a ring with me again. But on the off-chance that you dare step in the squared circle with me again, I invite you to bring that neanderthal with you, Bron Steiner. You do that, I'll bring my friend, Mr. Anderson, with me, and we'll have a tag-team match. OK?”
Anderson interrupted with a smile. “Nick, you forgot the best part! I already talked to Jack Tunney, and we are, in fact, having that match... next week. Signed, sealed, and in just seven days, boys, you're both getting delivered to us.”
AWA WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
CHRISTIAN CAGE (c) vs. BARRY WINDHAM (w/Jim Cornette):
vs.
CHRISTIAN CAGE (c) vs. BARRY WINDHAM (w/Jim Cornette):
vs.
Tale of the tape graphic, big-match intros, and a bigger surprise for the gloating Cornette. Aware of what had happened earlier in the night, the referee confiscated the manager's tennis racket and warned him that if he even got up onto the ring apron or top step of the ring stairs, Windham would be disqualified. Suffice to say, both men were furious.
It was another classic battle between two competitors that knew each other very well, and with Cornette somewhat neutralized on the outside, the champion was aggressive on offense. However, Windham was just as good on defense, and conditioned to wrestle until the time limit. They went back and forth for 20 minutes, putting on a clinic that all of the wrestlers watched in the back... except for Bobby Eaton and Stan Lane.
They slowly walked down the ramp, making sure that the referee saw them, dividing his attention between the Express and the action in the ring. Suddenly, Badd Company ran out and fought them back up the ramp and through the curtain. This gave Cornette just enough time to trip Cage as he was coming off the ropes, and Windham caught him with the iron claw.
However, Christian battled him back into a corner, fought out of it, and mounted the middle rope to lay in ten punches. Afterwards, he whipped Windham into the opposite corner and charged in, but the big Texan moved, and then placed the champion on the top rope. Windham hoisted Cage for his patented superplex, but Cage turned in mid-air and fell hard on Windham, knocking the wind out of him. He stayed with the cover, and three seconds left, the ref raised Christian's hand. The show ended with a very weary Cage holding the championship belt high over his head.