Post by fifthhorseman on Sept 18, 2014 21:45:41 GMT -5
Joey Styles: We are live from the Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska – my name is Joey Styles, and welcome to AWA Wednesday Night Warriors! This is the flagship broadcast for the American Wrestling Association, the greatest WRESTLING territory in the world. Tonight, and over the next two hours, we have six fantastic matches in store – the AWA Heavyweight champion, Big Van Vader, is in action, as is the top contender for that title, the “American Dragon”, Daniel Bryan! But that’s not all – and to tell you all about it, I’ll pass it over to the new color voice of the AWA, Michael Hayes!
Michael Hayes: You got that right, partner! The AWA TVX champ, A.J. Styles, takes on former IWGP heavyweight champion, the “Rainmaker”, Kazuchika Okada! Michael Elgin fights the leader of the HoRsemen, Edge! The Motor City Machine Guns square off against the Young Bucks in a “Texas Tornado” tag match! And last but not least, Mike Rotunda of the Varsity Team goes one-on-one with “Dr. Death” Steve Williams!
Joey Styles: You’ll also find out the next eight entrants for the 30-man Million Dollar Match! But let’s get to the ring for tonight’s first big match, where the lovely Christy Hemme is standing by!
vs.
Adam Rose vs. Big Van Vader [C](w/Gary Hart):
Gary Hart led the AWA champion to the ring as Styles and Hayes noted that Vader and Bryan both asked for “warm-up” matches for their match later in the month. Vader picked a man, Hart said, that was similar in size and heart – Adam Rose.
It was the mismatch one would expect. This was a non-title contest, and even had the belt been on the line, Rose had no chance of earning it that night. Vader whipped him from pillar to post, prolonging the match with several interrupted two-counts, and he bellowed that he was going to do the same to Bryan. After six of the longest minutes of Rose’s life, the mastodon finished off his foe with a Vader Bomb. As he was presented with his AWA Heavyweight title, Vader continued to make noise, warning Bryan that he was next.
Lance Russell was backstage with the Monarchy, and Wade Barrett was the subject of the interview. Barrett confirmed that he was getting an AWA Intercontinental title rematch with Scott Hall at the Million Dollar Match. The first time around, Hall got lucky… and it was time to return the Intercontinental title back to the stable in which in belonged.
A video package was then shown, featuring highlights from the various Intercontinental bouts thus far, with Bruiser Brody, Nigel McGuinness, and Scott Hall.
COMMERCIAL
vs.
The Motor City Machine Guns vs. the Young Bucks (w/Brodus Clay):
As opposed to the plodding, methodical pace on display in the opener, this was full-speed ahead – especially under “Texas Tornado” rules. As soon as the bell rang, the Guns and the Bucks charged at each other, and it was on. Sabin, Shelley, and the Jacksons were amongst the best lightheavyweights in the world, and the technical and aerial acumen displayed by all four was almost beyond the abilities of Styles and Hayes to call. It was ten non-stop minutes of superkicking, double-teaming, high-flying, dead-even action… until big Brodus Clay got caught by the referee avalanching Shelley against the ringpost. The Guns had their hands raised in victory, but they weren’t pleased with the result.
Russell conducted a backstage interview with the HoRsemen, who were riding high. Edge did all of the talking, chiefly discussing the Million Dollar Match pay-per-view. Barry Windham was going to destroy Rick Martel in singles action, and with Robert Roode, James Storm – and himself, he said with emphasis – all entered into the M$M, victory was guaranteed.
COMMERCIAL
vs.
Edge (w/JJ Dillon and Missy Hyatt) vs. Michael Elgin:
Elgin strode to the ring first, followed by the brash leader of the HoRsemen and his entourage. This was an important match for both men, who were firmly entrenched in the top ten championship rankings. Edge attacked before the bell, using his speed and treachery to put his opponent on the mat. But Elgin quickly muscled up and threw Edge over the top rope, following his outside and press-slamming him back in. The ROH stalwart kept on the offense, with slams and suplexes, but the WWE legend was resilient. He eventually took advantage of a missed dropkick (of all things) and went on work on Elgin’s midsection with kicks, punches, and kneedrops. Despite a brief flurry at the end, Edge finished him off with a spear.
A teaser for the Million Dollar Match was shown, with Joey Styles telling the audience that the next eight men entered into the match would be announced right after the Styles/Okada TVX championship match.
COMMERCIAL
vs.
Kazuchika Okada vs. A.J. Styles [C]:
The second hour of AWA WNW started hot. The Japanese challenger entered the ring first, with his usual pomp and circumstance. Styles held his title high overhead as he made his entrance, and Hemme made the big-match introductions. These two men were very familiar with each other, and the first couple of minutes were cautious ones, with several rope-breaks. However, it didn’t take long for the action to pick up, and Styles and Okada were soon at top speed. It was a war, with both men inflicting stiff damage with kicks, lariats, and throws. They wore the referee out with dozens of pin attempts, and as the clock wound down, the “Phenomenal One” connected with a top rope 450 splash. One, two… and time ran out. Styles extended his hand after the draw, but Okada merely skulked away.
A video package was shown for the next eight entrants into the Million Dollar Match, featuring:
Dynamite Kid
Edge
Charlie Haas
Brian Pillman
Stevie Ray
Mike Rotunda
Davey Boy Smith
Booker T
Edge
Charlie Haas
Brian Pillman
Stevie Ray
Mike Rotunda
Davey Boy Smith
Booker T
COMMERCIAL
vs.
Mike Rotunda (w/Charlie Haas) vs. Steve Williams (w/Terry Gordy):
Before the match started, Rotunda met Williams in the center of the ring and tried to reminisce about the “good old days” of the Varsity Club in the NWA, when the two men were tag-team champions. Unfortunately, a stiff right hand by the Doc ended the reunion, and the fight began. Williams dominated early, with bruising offense that forced Rotunda outside often; the Syracuse standout eventually caught his breath and reversed the flow of the match, using all of his bodyweight and amateur skill to keep “Dr. Death” grounded. It wasn’t pretty, but very effective. However, Williams turned the tide again, and with Gordy cheering him on, bulled Rotunda over with clotheslines and shouldertackles, before finally putting him away with the “Oklahoma Stampede” powerslam.
Lance Russell was backstage with Daniel Bryan, who was getting loose for his match. The “American Dragon” was respectful of his opponent, but made it clear that he was going to win and carry that momentum into the Million Dollar Match pay-per-view. Bigelow, to Vader, and then MUW World champion Steve Austin.
COMMERCIAL
vs.
Bam Bam Bigelow vs. Daniel Bryan:
This was the challenger Bryan’s tune-up match: he squared off with a nearly 400-pound brawler who could move like a TVX title contender. For Bigelow, this was his chance to knock off the top contender for the AWA’s top championship, so he was looking for a decisive victory as well. The two stood nose-to-nose in the middle of the ring, and when the bell rang, Bryan connected with a wheelhouse kick to Bigelow’s head. Dazed, and angry, the “Beast from the East” threw a huge clothesline that Bryan ducked, and he went to work on Bigelow’s knees.
That was the theme of the match – Bryan working on Bigelow’s legs, Bigelow ragdolling Bryan whenever he got too close. Midway through the match, Gary Hart came halfway down the ramp to “scout” the contest, “wearing” Vader’s heavyweight title over his shoulder. The main event was stiff, but surprisingly fast-paced, and it also drew blood from both competitors. At about the 15-minute match, Bigelow went for a press-slam, aiming Bryan for the front row. But his knee buckled, and as he fell down, Bryan smoothly transitioned into the LeBell Lock. Bigelow grimly fought for over 30 seconds, but he did eventually tap out. As the show faded to black, Bryan pointed to Hart, and Hart sneered back at him.