Post by fifthhorseman on Jul 18, 2017 21:15:12 GMT -5
UWF FRIDAY NIGHT’S MAIN EVENT
EPISODE 29
EPISODE 29
Mauro Ranallo: Hello, wrestling fans around the world – we are live from the United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas, for tonight’s presentation of UWF Friday Night’s Main Event! My name is Mauro Ranallo, and I’m joined tonight by Jim Cornette on commentary. Our feature bout will see the UWF Western States Heritage champion, Barry Windham, defend his title against Davey Boy Smith of the British Bulldogs! His son is also in action, taking on UWF newcomer Mike Awesome! In Trios competition, the Motor City Timesplitters battle The Mighty Don’t Kneel, and we will also see Perry Saturn of the UWF World Trios champions, the Authority, go one-on-one with Ricky Steamboat! So let’s get to the ring right now where Christy Hemme is ready to start the show!
MIKE AWESOME (w/Gary Hart) vs. DAVEY BOY SMITH JR (w/the Dynamite Kid):
vs.
Before the match started, a brief clip was shown of Awesome’s debut the week before when he attacked Bam Bam Bigelow and joined Hart’s World Class stable. It was a great “big man” match, moreso given the amazing agility exhibited by both men. The ECW stalwart was heavier, but not necessarily more powerful, and Smith Jr’s superior wrestling ability made this a see-saw match. When it passed the 10-minute mark, Awesome slipped over the youngest Bulldog’s shoulder as he attempted a running powerslam, launching him face-first into the corner. He then picked him up and dropped him with his own Awesome Bomb, dazing him just long enough to get the flash pin.
All parties departed, and an “earlier in the day” interview was shown with Kevin Kelly and UWF North American Heavyweight champion Nick Bockwinkel. The AWA legend began by bragging, in his inimitable eloquent fashion, that his title defense over Dusty Rhodes at the Crockett Cup was already one of the greatest championship matches in modern history. “Great fighters make great fights. And Dusty Rhodes and I are indeed great fighters… however, one man must win, and one man must lose, and this man, Nick Bockwinkel , is a winner. I tip my cap to the ‘American Dream’, but I bear no responsibility in weakening him, in battering him from pillar to post, in rendering him so incapable of defending himself that Triple H took him out of the UWF. It’s kill or be killed as a professional wrestler. And as I await a new challenger to this title I wear, I think to myself, how many more men will realize that wrestling Nick Bockwinkel is a losing proposition, and one in which they are literally taking their career and putting it in my hands?”
COMMERCIAL
The cameras were focused on the ring, where UWF commissioner Bill Watts was standing with Hemme. He held a formal-looking case in his hands, and he asked Danny Hodge to come to the ring. Moments later, the Junior Heavyweight champion appeared, and after a few words of congratulations from Watts, he was presented with the brand-new UWF World LightHeavyweight championship belt. But before Hodge could address the crowd, Kenny Omega appeared on the stage with a microphone in his hand.
However, before he could get a cocky word out, CM Punk strode through the curtain as well… followed by Tyson Kidd… followed by Roderick Strong, and Will Ospreay, and even the six combatants in the next match. Very little was actually said, but the message was declared loudly and clearly – the LightHeavyweight division in the UWF was deep and hungry, and Hodge had a huge target on his back.
THE MIGHTY DON’T KNEEL vs. the MOTOR CITY TIMESPLITTERS:
vs.
These were arguably the two most evenly matched trios in the UWF. Size, speed, wrestling acumen… the only difference may have been tilted toward the MCT in terms of experience. It was a non-stop whirlwind of activity with almost no “rest-hold” time, and every kick, strike, double-team, and triple-team was precise. So even was it, the notion of a 20-minute time-limit draw was often brought up by Ranallo and Cornette, who was very interested in this Trios action. But it did end with a semi-clean pin, as “the Bruiserweight” Dunne low-blowed Shelley, unseen by the ref, before hitting him with the Bitter End.
COMMERCIAL
A pre-taped interview was shown with Terry Gordy and Kevin Kelly. The Freebird was asked about his career-altering loss at the Crockett Cup, where Michael Hayes was pinned and forced to leave the UWF. He was still upset, and he said, “The only reason I’m here is that Mike and Buddy Jack made me promise to stay. To get revenge on the Authority. They told me that they could always find another place to wrestle, but I had to stay. I used to be the UWF World champ, did you know that? That’s what they said – stay behind, champ, and kick some ass. So I’m gonna. Authority, you’re on call – Bamm Bamm is comin’ to collect.”
UWF WESTERN STATES HERITAGE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
DAVEY BOY SMITH vs. BARRY WINDHAM:
DAVEY BOY SMITH vs. BARRY WINDHAM:
vs.
Earlier in the night, Kelly spoke with both challenger and champion backstage. Windham said he wanted a clean, pure, one-on-one match – in essence, goading Smith into coming to the ring alone. The burly Bulldog accepted, and the two even shook hands; the Texan was especially pleased…
They set a quick pace, trading holds for the first couple of minutes before Smith press-slammed Windham, dropping him hard. This seemed to flip the switch for the champ, who started to fight a little dirtier, but not blatantly so. Windham took charge after slowing the pace and doing his best to keep Davey Boy on the mat, where his power would be neutralized. But the former Intercontinental champion battled back, and at the 14-minute mark the tide dramatically turned. The Englander threw him around the ring, and clotheslined back down every time. Windham rolled out to catch his breath, but Smith followed him out and chased him back in. Flinging him towards the ropes, Windham reversed it and ducked down. Smith came back with a sunset flip, but the veteran foe rolled through it and kept him down with a double handful of tights. The official didn’t see it, and Windham escaped with the belt.
COMMERCIAL
A 60-second highlight package from last week’s FNME was shown, and then the three members of the World Trios champions emerged from the curtain. Randy Orton had a microphone in hand, and rather than address the contest about to begin, he issued a warning to UWF World Heavyweight champion Bret Hart. “Hitman. I’ve been here in the UWF for a while now, and for some reason, I haven’t gotten a single shot at your championship. My resume speaks for itself. You’ve been a dominant champion for almost a full year here in the UWF, but you know and I know that I just need one match against you. If you have the guts, you’ll meet me in the ring – soon. I’m not a hard man to find.”
PERRY SATURN (w/Sean O’Haire) vs. RICKY STEAMBOAT (w/Daniel Bryan):
vs.
Before the match started, UWF head official Tommy Young warned everyone involved that he wouldn’t put up with any interference – if he saw something he didn’t like, the match was over. Nonetheless, before Bryan and O’Haire could even clear the ring, “the Eliminator” charged at Steamboat. Fists and feet flew, and he pounded “the Dragon” to the mat. Ever resilient, Steamboat fired back with his patented chops, and that calmed the action.
But only briefly. They fought with grim intensity, cheered on by their seconds outside. Saturn sought to use his freakish strength and unorthodox offense, while Steamboat was all about the technical attack and high-flying dives and chops. Back and forth it went, and as the action picked up, so too did the verbal jousting outside the ring between O’Haire and Bryan. Thankfully, they didn’t get involved in this exciting contest, but the tension just kept ratcheting up. After a series of dropkicks, Steamboat finally gained enough separation time to go up top, and he flew across the ring with a perfect cross-bodyblock, flattening Saturn. Grabbing the outside leg, he held on long enough for the three-count.
It was not over. O’Haire slid in, followed immediately by Bryan, and the four men began to brawl. Young waved for more officials for help, but instead, Randy Orton sprinted down to the ring, and the Authority had the three-on-two advantage. Steamboat and Bryan were pummeled down and kicked, but yet another man ran to the squared circle to even the odds – Jake “the Snake” Roberts! It was a true pier-six brawl now, and eventually, the Authority was cleared from the ring. As the show faded to black, the two groups shouted at each other, eager to meet again.