Post by fifthhorseman on Feb 2, 2022 1:08:05 GMT -5
AWA ALL-STAR WRESTLING
EPISODE 8
EPISODE 8
Pyro from St. Paul, Minnesota, then the TV credits ran, a 60-second of classic AWA action interspersed with close-ups of several members of the reborn AWA roster.
The HOUNDS OF JUSTICE vs. the NASTY BOYS:
vs.
vs.
The Nasty Boys were already snarling and stomping around the ring. The Hounds of Justice came through the crowd, and Sags and Knobbs met them on the floor. The four men eventually brawled their way into the ring and things settled down – a little bit. Fun opening match lasting about ten minutes, ending with a Moxley Death Rider DDT on Knobbs.
When the dust settled, Moxley grabbed the microphone. He told the crowd that he and Hero were there to make wrestlers accountable for their actions. “Cheer us, boo us, we don't care – we've been around long enough to hear it all. But remember this – the Hounds of Justice are here to stay, and we're here to make some evil men pay. And as long as we're here, we may as well go after those AWA tag-team belts, too.”
COMMERCIAL
Verne Gagne and Buzz Sawyer marched down the ramp and into the ring, where the now-despised AWA icon blamed the Ultimate Warrior for the departure of Jeff Cobb. However, he had a surprise up his sleeve, and he introduced his newest protege, Chad Gable. The Olympian jogged down and shook their hands, and then Sawyer took the microphone to challenge the AWA Heavyweight champion, claiming that he was tough enough and crazy enough to beat him.
He was interrupted by Commissioner Stu Hart, who told the trio – and Sawyer specifically – to “be careful what you wish for, or you might just get it. So you got it. Next week, non-title, you'll get the Ultimate Warrior. If you win, I'll move you to the top of the AWA rankings and I'm sure you'll get a shot at the title real soon. But until then, the next title shot goes to this man... Mad Dog Vachon!”
The crowd cheered as the Frenchman walked out onto the stage and stood beside Hart. “Mad Dog, in two weeks, you're going to get the match you have deserved for months now. Good luck... you're going to need it. And as for the rest of you – get out of the ring! You're wasting match time!”
Vachon and Hart left, the heelish trio departed, and things got back underway.
ALEXANDER HAMMERSTONE vs. DUSTIN RHODES:
vs.
vs.
Hart (and Gagne) wanted to feature two of the young stars of the AWA, and after giving Hammerstone some TV time a couple of weeks earlier, they figured it was a good time to put him against another top prospect, Rhodes. They only got a few minutes, but it was clear that they were learning quickly, and Rhodes was a natural. However, Hammerstone was the stronger athlete, and he picked up the victory with a brainbuster.
COMMERCIAL
Brodie Lee paced outside Hart's office, but it was unclear whether he was summoned or if he demanded the meeting. The door opened, and Don Leo Jonathan slowly walked past him with a smile, and said, “Just the man I wanted to meet. Let's make it official next week.” As the “Mormon Giant” walked away, Lee scowled, and then he slammed Hart's door shut before pacing away in the opposite direction.
MASATO TANAKA vs. DESMOND WOLFE:
vs.
vs.
It was a clash of compatible, rugged styles; specifically, British versus Japanese strong style. There was no doubting either man's toughness during this match, and though Tanaka put up a good fight, Wolfe was the better man on this night. After hitting the Tower of London for the win, he took the microphone from Marshall and said, “Enough of these preliminary contests. Bockwinkel, it's time to finally face each other in the ring. Are you man enough to accept my challenge?”
COMMERCIAL
“The Redeemer” stood backstage, pacing back and forth in anticipation of his upcoming match with Jacob Fatu. It was mere moments away, and Miro worked himself up into a frenzy for it.
JACOB FATU vs. MIRO:
vs.
vs.
Hoss fight. They beat the hell out of each other from the get-go, hitting each other with vicious strikes from every direction. They were also surprisingly quick for their size, so the referee had trouble keeping up with them. The match was a non-stop sprint, and they held nothing back – unfortunately for the ref, he went down when Fatu dodged Miro's machka kick. The two warriors battled on, and when it was clear the official wasn't getting up, several more ran down. It took a while to separate Miro and Fatu, and the match was declared a no-contest.
COMMERCIAL
An “earlier in the day” video aired, showing the challengers for the AWA Tag-Team titles, the New Age Outlaws, walking into the arena. A live shot followed from the North's locker room. The champions were as cocky as ever, and Ethan Page spoke for both of them. “We're not happy, and when we're not happy, we beat people up! Road Dogg, Billy Gunn – we've beaten you a thousand times already! And now, you want to try us on in a no-DQ, no countout match? You don't stand a chance! We're better than you, and to top things off, we have an insurance policy... tell them, Jimmy!”
Jimmy Hart entered the camera shot with a cackle. “That's right, baby! I recognize talent when I see it, and these two are the most talented team in the entire UWA! I've managed champions all over the world, and now I'm here in the AWA to make sure that Josh Alexander and Ethan Page keep those belts for a long, long time!”
He laughed again, megaphone in hand, and the scene shifted back to the ring.
BUDDY MURPHY vs. RICKY STARKS:
vs.
vs.
The Australian impressed in his AWA debut. Murphy was just too strong and too fast for his young opponent, who heeled it up whenever he could to put Murphy over as an instant fan favorite. And it wasn't that difficult for “the Juggernaut” to get the crowd on his side with his dynamic moveset; the short match ended via Murphy's Law (pumphandle Death Valley driver).
COMMERCIAL
A highlight package aired, recapping the feud between the North and the New Age Outlaws, followed by a “tale of the tape”. Styles reminded the audience of the main event match stipulations.
NO COUNTOUT, NO DISQUALIFICATION, TEXAS TORNADO RULES
AWA TAG-TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
The NEW AGE OUTLAWS vs. the NORTH (c, w/Jimmy Hart):
vs.
AWA TAG-TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
The NEW AGE OUTLAWS vs. the NORTH (c, w/Jimmy Hart):
vs.
Big match intros as Marshall waited until both teams were in the ring. As if the champions weren't disliked enough, they had the insufferable Hart at their side wearing a “Mouth of the North” jacket.
As soon as the bell rang the four men went at it. There was even a second official at ringside to help control the chaos, and it was a good call on Stu Hart's part, as the teams paired off and went wandering all over the floor and into the crowd. One referee stayed with two of the combatants, while the other ref stayed with the other two men, constantly reminding the Outlaws and the Canadians that they needed to return to the ring.
It was non-stop action, and they did indeed return to the squared circle – not that it settled down at all, but at least they were back where they belonged. The NAO started to take over, and after Jesse James and Josh Alexander went flying over the top rope via a Cactus Jack-like clothesline, Gunn drove Page to the mat in the center of the ring and retreated to the corner, setting him up for the Fameasser. But in doing so, he turned his back to Hart, who walloped Gunn in the head with the megaphone... and it was totally legal. “All Ego” scrambled to his feet and immediately hit his foe with a reverse DDT, dazing Gunn even more. With the last bit of strength he had, Page muscled the “Bad Ass” up into the Ego's Edge, and dropped him on his back and head a final time.
As Alexander held the Road Dogg back, Page dove onto Gunn for the cover. Hart counted it down, and the North picked up the messy, intense, and controversial win. Hart handed them their belts and told them they were the best, and the show ended with Page, Alexander, and Hart celebrating and selling their injuries.