Post by fifthhorseman on Feb 25, 2024 17:21:54 GMT -5
AWA ALL-STAR WRESTLING
EPISODE 74
EPISODE 74
Short “Saturday Night's Main Event”-styled promos from Batista, Samoa Joe, Sean O'Haire, Shawn Michaels, AJ Styles, and Verne Gagne. Pyro from Denver, Colorado – calling the action, Joey Styles and Don West.
After a 30-second clip from Winterslam II played on the videotron, Lee Marshall introduced the new AWA World Heavyweight champion, Ric Flair. He strutted to the ring, trailed by the rest of Pinnacle and “Classy” Freddie Blassie, all dressed in expensive suits. “Maybe you've heard me say it once or twice over my long and illustrious career, but to be the man, you have to beat the man – and tonight, you're looking at the man! At Winterslam, I proved, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that I am the best professional wrestler in the AWA, and this belt makes it so! And by extension, that makes the Pinnacle even stronger! I guarantee you this, Denver – after you soak all this magnificence in, after you leave the arena tonight, you're all gonna say that the Pinnacle is the greatest collection of wrestling talent anywhere in the UWA! Wooooo!”
AMAZING RED vs. BUDDY MATTHEWS:
vs.
vs.
High-flying and dynamic mid-heavyweight action set the pace for the night. Red was a game competitor, but Matthews' 60-pound weight advantage was too much for him to overcome. It only took about eight minutes for “the Juggernaut” to finish Red off with Matthew's Law.
COMMERCIAL
A pre-recorded interview aired with Bischoff and Ted DiBiase, who had a bandage on his forehead. The “Million Dolllar Man” was happy to be finally rid of his former partner, Mike Rotunda, and admitted that their intense feud cost him several months in terms of establishing himself as a contender to the AWA singles titles. “I don't care who's next, but it's time to get back to work. Whether it's Ric Flair, Batista, or anyone else along the way, I plan on standing on top of the AWA mountain before the end of the year.”
BRUTUS, JULIUS, and VERNE GAGNE vs. AJ STYLES and the MACHINE:
vs.
vs.
All six men were great technical wrestlers, yet each side brought a different type of skill to the ring. The Gagnes were nearly unmatched as amateur grapplers, while Styles, Storm, and Lynn were consummate professional wrestlers. They went about ten minutes in a fairly even battle, but Styles' team was more experienced, and the former TNA stalwart pinned Brutus after a Styles Clash.
But that wasn't the end of it. As the Gagnes complained about the decision on the ramp, Styles grabbed the microphone from Lee Marshall. “You guys are great, but enough's enough. Come on, Verne, tell the truth – those boys ain't your nephews! Stop riding their coattails and let them do their own thing!”
Verne Gagne's face turned red, and he had to be held back by his proteges, who were only slightly less embarrassed. The Machine and Styles were ready to fight again if necessary, but after several awkward seconds, the three amateur standouts stomped backstage.
COMMERCIAL
Don West welcomed Ricky Steamboat onto the stage. The humble superstar thanked the AWA fans, and promised he'd give them his best efforts. When asked about his debut match at Winterslam, and what transpired afterwards, “the Dragon” said, “I can't pretend to know what Jim Cornette thinks, and I'm not going to even try. I've fought with Barry Windham and against Barry Windham all over the world, and even as enemies, I already respected him as a competitor and as an athlete - so there was no way I was going to let him get beat down by three men. And if Bobby Eaton, Stan Lane, or anyone else want to try me on for size, I have an open contract signed for next week.”
ADRIAN ADONIS (w/the Grand Wizard) vs. DON LEO JONATHAN:
vs.
vs.
Neither man was thrilled about being left off Winterslam, and took their anger out on each other in a hard-hitting battle. Adonis was at his brawling peak and got in his fair share of offense, but the “Mormon Giant” was just too powerful on this night, and DLJ made him submit to a Boston crab.
COMMERCIAL
The UWA Universal champion, Rick Rude, strolled to the ring. After insulting the audience, he announced that he was going to reveal his manager. Jimmy Hart proudly walked through the curtain and joined Rude, extending his hand. But they were interrupted by the Grand Wizard and Gail Kim, who both pleaded their cases that they were the best person for the job.
“I already told you two, I've made my choice!” Rude exclaimed, and he turned to the man who helped him in Memphis. “And that includes you too, Hart. You're not my manager – he is.”
A few dramatic seconds later, the curtain parted again – and Percy Pringle III walked out. He told Hart to get out of the ring, and the “Mouth of the South” departed with a look of rejection on his face. Pringle told the crowd that he was at Rude's side when he won his first World Heavyweight title, and now that he held the UWA championship, he would make sure that the “Ravishing One” stayed champion for a long time to come.
SHAWN MICHAELS vs. SEAN O'HAIRE (w/Art Barr):
vs.
The Colorado crowd gave Michaels a loud ovation when he entered the ring for his first match since the Trilogy of Hell. O'Haire went for the kill early on, using his unique blend of speed and power to try to keep HBK trapped in corners. Michaels eventually rallied – despite Barr's attempts to interfere – and earned a hard-fought win with Sweet Chin Music.
COMMERCIAL
Bischoff was backstage with the AWA Intercontinental Tag-Team champions, Nigel Mcguinness and Will Ospreay. The Monarchy launched into a typical heel promo but they were interrupted by Mark and Jay Briscoe, who demanded another title match. “You barely beat us the first time, boys,” said Jay. “Come on, I don't see anyone else back here gettin' in your face for them belts, so how about it?” Before anything else could happen, a group of AWA officials separated the two squads and escorted the Briscoes away.
DOOM vs. le TABARNAK DE TEAM:
vs.
vs.
Simmons and Reed needed to get back on the winning track, and this squash match did the trick. The team from Quebec was overwhelmed from the beginning, and it didn't take long for Doom to win, pinning Thomas Dubois after a double-spinebuster.
When the match ended, the Rock and Montez Ford walked to the ring to join Doom. The “Great One” told Marshall to hand him the microphone. “Finally, the Rock has come back to Denver! And you know who isn't here tonight? 'Superchump' Billy Graham, because the Rock ran his candy ass right out of the AWA! But believe it or not, sending fools packing isn't Rock Nation's agenda. Here's what Rock Nation wants. Titles. Gold. Championships. Jack Tunney, you're looking at, bar none, the most electrifying men in professional wrestling today. So, Tunney, it's time to strap the proverbial rocket to Rock Nation. Put us in some title matches, and let the magic happen, Jack!”
COMMERCIAL
A vignette for Konosuke Takeshita was shown, with a “Coming Soon” graphic at the end of the video, followed by a tale of the tape screen for the main event.
AWA INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
BATISTA (c) vs. SAMOA JOE:
vs.
BATISTA (c) vs. SAMOA JOE:
vs.
“The Animal” was used to intimidating his opponents, but as they went nose-to-nose during the ring intros, Samoa Joe didn't even blink. This was a pure power match, and they traded punches, slams, and throws throughout the bout. Joe was the superior striker, but he was a rare size and weight disadvantage, and the champion showed his resilience by grounding the Samoan.
Batista worked over his foe's lower back to set him up for the powerbomb, but Joe eventually worked his way to his feet. He backed Batista into the corner and nailed him with chops and kicks, driving him to the canvas. He let the IC champ get to his feet just long enough to hit him with a running boot that put him back down...
...and that's when the Pinnacle walked out and surrounded the ring.
The referee warned them not to interfere, but they just laughed him off. In the ring, the two behemoths traded right hands in the middle, every shot seemingly stronger than the last. The champion finally ducked one, kicked Joe in the gut, and hoisted the 280-pounder up for the Batista Bomb. But the “Samoan Submission Machine” somersaulted off Batista's back, turned, and took him down with the Coquina Clutch. Both men were on the mat, and the champion frantically tried to break the hold. Suddenly, Tully Blanchard and Bron Steiner slid into the ring and attacked Samoa Joe! The referee called for the bell, disqualifying Batista, and MJF threw him over the top rope. Flair joined in as well, and all four men softened up Joe before tossing him over to the Intercontinental champion, who laid his opponent out for good with his Batista Bomb.
As other AWA referees and officials ran down to restore order, Flair and Batista stood toe to toe for a few seconds before the “Nature Boy” broke into a wide smile and extended his hand. Batista smiled and shook it, and the show ended with the five men raising their hands to the sky, while West exclaimed, “The Pinnacle just became a powerhouse!”