The Thread Killer

Maple Leaf Wrestling Stouffville, Ontario - Stouffville Arena March 5, 1981 Paid Attendance: 450 George Wells pinned Tim Gerrard after a shoulder tackle at 5:47 Iron Mike Sharpe & Goldie Rogers defeated The Marcus Brothers when Sharpe pinned J. Marcus after clubbing him over the head with his forearm brace at 9:17 Sweet Daddy Siki pinned Huge Tom Lintz at 19:22 after a rebound dropkick Moose Morowski defeated Cowboy Frankie Laine by submission (bearhug) at 13:38 Kelly Kiniski & Whipper Watson Jr. defeated The Kelly Twins when Watson pinned P. Kelly at 24:36 with a flying bodypress

You do a good job at that, you seemed to make sure everybody is booked in compelling matches on every show. That's got to be difficult with a roster as talent heavy as yours.

Monday March 2, 1981 Hello again Maple Leaf Wrestling fans and welcome to another edition of Jimmy Freeman's Mat Watch...your source for all the news about Maple Leaf Wrestling. * * * * * ITEM #1: THE NWA WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS ARE COMING TO MAPLE LEAF WRESTLING! You read that right, fans. I have personally spoken to Maple Leaf Wrestling Promoter and President Frank Tunney, and confirmed that Paul "#1" Jones and The Masked Superstar are coming to Maple Leaf Wrestling at the end of this month, when Maple Leaf Wrestling tours Southern Ontario and Western New York. Not only that, but I am happy to be able to break the news regarding what exciting matches have been signed for the World Tag Team Champions at each show! On Saturday March 21, 1981 Maple Leaf Wrestling will be holding another exciting card at the Buffalo Memorial Auditorium in Buffalo, New York and in the Main Event that night, the World Tag Team Champions will be facing none other than the NWA Canadian Champion Big John Studd, and his partner Huge Tom Lintz. & The following Thursday, March 26 Maple Leaf Wrestling returns to the Rochester War Memorial and in the Main Event that night, Paul Jones and The Masked Superstar will be defending their World Tag Team Championship titles against none other than The Great Hossein Arab and his partner the devious Mr. Fuji! The next night Friday, March 27 when Maple Leaf Wrestling presents another night of action for the loyal fans in Niagara Falls, Paul Jones and The Masked Superstar will have their skills and endurance pushed to the limit when they are faced with the daunting prospect of going up against none other than Abdullah The Butcher and The Sheik! & The NWA World Tag Team Champions will be rounding out their visit by making an appearance on the March 28 edition of Maple Leaf Wrestling on CHCH Channel 11. I have been informed that Paul Jones and The Masked Superstar will be wrestling either The Kelly Twins or possibly The Devil's Duo in a non-title match. Of course...it remains to be seen if Paul Jones and The Masked Superstar will still even be the NWA World Tag Team Champions after facing the best Maple Leaf Wrestling has to offer that week! * * * * * ITEM #2: THE NWA INTERNATIONAL TAG TEAM TOURNAMENT CONTINUES... Speaking of championship Tag Teams...as we have seen, the tournament to decide the NWA International Tag Team Champions is well underway. We now have our first Semifinalist team in Mike Rotundo and Johnny Weaver. Rotundo and Weaver will be facing the winner of the Della Serra Brothers vs. Dominic DeNucci & Tony "Cannonball" Parisi match which takes place this Saturday on Maple Leaf Wrestling. That Semifinal match will take place before intermission at the next big Maple Leaf Wrestling show at Toronto's Maple Leaf Gardens on Sunday, March 29. The winner of that match will get a rest period, and then have to go on to wrestle in the finals that very night, in the Main Event. Whichever team wins this tournament will certainly have earned it. And who will that team be facing? The aforementioned Big John Studd & Huge Tom Lintz will be squaring off against Dewey Robertson & Angelo Mosca one week from this Saturday on Maple Leaf Wrestling. Whoever comes out of that match with their hands raised will be facing the winners of the Main Event of the next big show coming up in Oshawa on March 20. And speaking of that show... * * * * * ITEM #3: BIG OSHAWA CARD ANNOUNCED! TICKETS NOW ON SALE! Promoter Frank Tunney has done it again, Maple Leaf Wrestling fans. Mr. Tunney has put together a card which is guaranteed to sell out the Oshawa Civic Auditorium on March 20. Not only will the final spot in the NWA International Tag Team Tournament Semifinals be decided on that night, but Mr. Tunney has announced that Dino Bravo will be defending his NWA Canadian Television Championship that same night. Fans, you are going to want to get your tickets for this event now. Here is the amazing card: Maple Leaf Wrestling Oshawa, Ontario - Oshawa Civic Auditorium March 20, 1981 1) The Marcus Brothers vs. The Devil's Duo 2) Brian Adidas vs. Goldie Rogers 3) The Della Serra Brothers vs. Sweet Ebony Diamond & George Wells 4) The Second Generation Superstars (Kelly Kiniski, Whipper Watson Jr. & Bruno Sammartino Jr.) vs. The Kelly Twins and Moose Morowski 5) Tony "Cannonball" Parisi vs. Iron Mike Sharpe 6) Dino Bravo (c) vs. Billy Robinson for the NWA Canadian Television Championship 7) The Main Event - To Determine the Final Team in the Final Four of the NWA International Tag Team Tournament: Abdullah The Butcher & The Sheik vs. Blackjack Mulligan & Bullwhip Johnson * * * * * ITEM #4: MAPLE LEAF VILLAINS INVADE STAMPEDE WRESTLING! Fans may have notice last week when Maple Leaf Wrestling was touring Central Ontario that Hossein the Arab and Mr. Fuji were conspicuously absent. Turns out there was a reason for that...a nefarious reason. Hossein and Fuji showed up in Stampede Wrestling of all places last Friday Night, where they attacked the Kansas Jayhawks (Bobby Jaggers and Dutch Mantel) and The Strongbows. Hossein and Fuji ended up doing battle with The Jayhawks later that same night, but one has to wonder the motivation behind the attack? Was it a paid hit? Random violence? More importantly...does that mean Maple Leaf Wrestling can expect a retaliatory attack from the West? * * * * * ITEM #5: Comings and Goings... A few notable departures and arrivals in Maple Leaf Wrestling this week... Pat Patterson was reportedly very disappointed that he and Dino Bravo were unable to defeat Big John Studd and Huge Tom Lintz in the first round of the International Tag Team Tournament. Rumor has it that Patterson felt he let his younger partner down, and is considering transitioning into semi-retirement. Patterson has apparently accepted a position with the World Wrestling Federation as an announcer, and will only be wrestling part time. I for one hope this is not the last we have seen of Mr. Patterson in Toronto, as he has deep roots here in Maple Leaf Wrestling. Cowboy Frankie Laine has returned to Maple Leaf Wrestling after an extended tour out west. (Where else would a Cowboy go?) Laine is a long time Maple Leaf Wrestling star will be making his return this coming week against Moose Morowski in Stouffville, Ontario. Laine will also be on the card for the big show coming up in Oshawa. Fans will be sad to hear that the popular Cocoa Samoa has officially departed Maple Leaf Wrestling, having made his final appearance this past Saturday in St. Catherines. It is my understanding that like Pat Patterson, Samoa was disheartened by his team with Sweet Daddy Siki being eliminated in the opening round of the Tag Team Tournament. The people seemed to really take a shine to the unique Samoan, but it must be said that Cocoa only experienced mixed success in Maple Leaf Wrestling and he has reportedly decided to try his luck in the Pacific Northwest. Speaking of popular...everybody is very excited about the signing of young Brian Adias. Adidas is a friend and ally of the famous Von Erich family from Texas, and after a couple of years experience there, he has decided to try his hand here in Maple Leaf Wrestling. Having seen some footage of this young man, I can guarantee that it will not be long before the fans here in Ontario come to like him as much as they did in the Lone Star State. Pat Patterson and Cocoa Samoa were both reportedly disappointed with their performance and subsequent elimination from the NWA International Tag Team Tournament. One man who was apparently very upset that he never even made it into the tournament was young Salvatore Bellomo. As I reported a few weeks ago, Bellomo is actually a former Tag Team partner of none other than Iron Mike Sharpe and the two men actually experienced a great deal of success as a team. Despite this history, Sharpe opted to pair with Goldie Rogers for the tournament (and we all saw how that went.) Disheartened by this fact, and his relative lack of impact here in Maple Leaf Wrestling, Bellomo has departed the promotion. I wish him all the best. Finally this week...another huge announcement. Bruno Sammartino Jr. is making his return to Maple Leaf Wrestling. Not only is the popular young superstar returning, but it is my understanding that he intends to form an alliance with fellow Pro Wrestling progenies Kelly Kiniski and Whipper Watson Jr.! Think about the pedigree, fans. Kiniski, the son of a former NWA World Heavyweight Champion and Watson, the son of a former NWA World Champion, and NWA British Empire Champion, now being joined in the same faction as the son of the most legendary WWWF World Heavyweight Champion of all time. These three young men will truly prove to be a formidable force, and will be making their debut at the aforementioned spectacular event in Oshawa on March 20. Yet another reason to get your tickets now, while you still can! * * * * * That's all for this week fans...we'll see you soon with more exciting news from Maple Leaf Wrestling...

I agree. @Dr. Dunk does a great job describing his matches. I am getting a lot of great ideas from reading the Mid Atlantic results, just like I got great ideas for formatting the weekly TV show and promos from @LowBlowPodcast.

Great show in Calgary, and I have to admit I marked out for how the top heel team from Maple Leaf Wrestling was used in Stampede. Great stuff.

Thanks very much. I have been having a good time going through old pictures of all the guys who were on the roster of Maple Leaf Wrestling back in the late 70's and early 80's. This whole project has been a fun distraction so far.

Dewey Robertson was over like crazy in Toronto. He was one of the first big "muscle" guys in an era where there were very few. Plus he was local, so the fans loved him. There is actually a Maple Leaf Wrestling TV match on YouTube with Dewey Robertson teaming up with Ric Flair against Jimmy Snuka and Roddy Piper. That's how big a star Robertson was, to be included in with guys like that.

I was just joking about that exact kind of thing with @SirEdger in another thread. I can vividly remember when Dr. D. David Schultz made his debut in the Montreal territory, like it was yesterday...but half the time I can't remember what did actually happen yesterday.

Yeah...that was when we definitely crossed into serious WTF?! territory I remember watching that match with a friend and we were looking at each other and basically speechless.

I remember watching an FMW show back at that time and Shawn Michaels was a Special Guest Referee, of all damn people. EDIT: Yeah, I just went back and checked and it was actually a bit later...it was the FMW 10th Anniversary Show in 1999. Michaels was the ref of the Hayabusa/Mr. Gannosuke match. It's on YouTube. Shawn Michaels in FMW...very weird.

Maple Leaf Wrestling has come to terms on the release of the following Wrestlers: Pat Patterson (rumored to be heading to the WWF for an announcing/backstage position) Cocoa Samoa (rumored to be headed to the Portland Territory) Salvatore Bellomo Maple Leaf Wrestling has signed: Brian Adias Cowboy Frankie Laine Bruno Sammartino Jr. (David Sammartino)

I have finally finished listening to Conrad's 3 Hour interview with Jim Crockett Jr., and yes the statement in question was made by Jim Crockett himself. Conrad asks if the plan was for Magnum to go over Flair at Starrcade, and Crockett says it was the plan. Conrad even talks about how Flair told him that he snuck into Magnum's hospital room after the accident (a big risk because Flair was a heel, Magnum was a face and JCP protected kayfabe) and gave him the World Title Belt to keep for a while, claiming "This was going to be yours soon." Crockett claims that Dusty just slightly adjusted his booking plans and slid Nikita into the slot that was intended for Magnum.

Talk about a Dream Match.

Big time. That is great booking, I can't wait to see what those guys end up doing.

That's awesome, thanks. I am going to announce them coming in later on.

Hey guys. So basically, I drafted both Abdullah The Butcher and The Sheik because they both have a long and storied history in Toronto. However...even though they are on my roster, I do not plan on using them every week. I actually kind of view both of them as a "Special Attraction" similar to Andre the Giant. I think their act would get pretty damn stale if you saw them every week, week in and week out. Especially since neither of them ever did pinfall jobs, and while I found them both exciting to watch, the spectre of seeing a guy get repeatedly stabbed in the head with a pencil or fork can get old if you see it over and over. Actually...that's what really happened with The Sheik in Toronto. He pretty much killed the town for a while, because it was the same act all the time. The other issue is, looking at the Maple Leaf Wrestling touring schedule in the late 70's and early 80's, they tended to run a lot of smaller towns and do rather inconsequential shows without a lot of their big name talent, and would only bring in the "big guns" for the major markets like Hamilton, Buffalo, Oshawa and of course the monthly shows at Maple Leaf Gardens. This was because they probably didn't draw a lot of money in those smaller markets and venues, and also because their big name talent was booked elsewhere, Japan, Puerto Rico, The Carolinas, etc. I am going to try and stick to that format as realistically as I can. When creating my schedule, I classified all my shows as either Major Events (like Maple Leaf Gardens, Buffalo, Oshawa, etc.) or Arena Shows, which are places which hold over 1,000 fans and then Small Venue Shows. I am only planning on using Abdullah and The Sheik on the Major Events and the occasional Arena Show. I plan to be very judicious with how I use them because I want them to be special, not something you see all the time...once again, like Andre. The whole point of my telling you all this, is that I am more than happy to share both of those guys with everybody else...provided I don't need them. @BRobb123, I know Abby has a long history in Texas, and I figured you might want to bring him in against Brody since you have him. @SirEdger I know Abdullah also worked Stampede and I can imagine how awesome it would be to bring him in against one of the Hart Boys or even Bad News. @Dr. Dunk I can imagine either Abby or The Sheik coming in to face Wahoo, Lawler or Slater. @LowBlowPodcast has so many guys on his roster that would tear the house down with either guy...Dusty, Hogan, Dr. D, Murdoch, Kevin Sullivan, Killer Khan...Mid South has a ton of guys who could match up with Abby or The Sheik. I have posted my schedule here so if you want to book either guy, don't worry about it messing with my plans. Just drop me a PM and hopefully we could work something out. I don't want to hog all the bloodbaths to myself.

Would I be able to book Paul Jones and The Masked Superstar, the NWA World Tag Team Champions for one week, at the end of March? I would like them to work one TV Taping, and then the Southern Ontario/Western New York loop. Specifically: 03/21: Buffalo, New York 03/23: Brantford TV Taping (will air 03/28) 03/26: Rochester, New York 03/27: Niagara Falls

Great, great stuff. Flair/Valentine as champs, a Bockwinkel/Steamboat Broadway and Slater as US Champ! Awesome.

I have vivid memories of when Schultz showed up in Montreal. He was wearing a mask and he attacked Steve DiSalvo, aka "Sadistic Steve Strong." I loved the Montreal Territory. Where else could you see Bruiser Brody as a heel fighting Abdullah as a babyface? I can't remember what I had for lunch yesterday...but I can remember a Pro Wrestling angle from 34 years ago.

Maple Leaf Wrestling St. Catherines, Ontario - Garden City Arena February 28, 1981 Paid Attendance: 1,150 Sweet Ebony Diamond pinned Tim Gerrard Iron Mike Sharpe & Goldie Rogers defeated Ricky Johnson & Cocoa Samoa Sweet Daddy Siki defeated Moose Morowski Billy Robinson & The Destroyer defeated Kelly Kiniski & Whipper Watson Jr. Bullwhip Johnson defeated Huge Tom Lintz

Thanks very much. It reminded me of the fun I used to have when I was active in e-fedding. When I used to watch International Wrestling, I LOVED Pretty Boy Floyd Creatchman, his interviews were great, and he was hysterical when he used to sit in on English commentary with Milt Avruskin. I always wished he had been bigger, as far as I was concerned he was better than most of the managers they had in the WWF, except Bobby Heenan of course. Weaver was pretty much broken down by the early 80's, but he did team up with Rotundo a bit, so I am just having fun doing the whole Veteran/Rookie team with those two. Johnny Weaver kind of was a midcard/JTTS but that's the great thing about this project...we can change history, so to speak. Trust me, Iron Mike Sharpe might have more success with me than he ever really did. Thank you for the feedback, guys.

Maple Leaf Wrestling TV February 28, 1981 (Taped from the Brantford Civic Center in Brantford, Ontario on 02/23/81) We open to our hosts Mike McMan and Billy Red Lyons, who welcome us to another exciting episode of Maple Leaf Wrestling, here on CHCH Channel 11. Mike and Billy open the program by discussing the ongoing tournament to crown new NWA International Tag Team Champions. Billy Red Lyons: “Fans, many of you heard the exciting announcement from Promoter Frank Tunney a few weeks ago, about the Tournament to decide new Tag Team Champions here in Maple Leaf Wrestling.” Mike McMan: “That’s right Billy, and as you know the Opening Round kicked off this past Sunday at Toronto’s Maple Leaf Gardens. It was a night of amazing action, and after all the smoke had cleared we now have our Quarterfinal round set and ready to go. And fans we’re excited to tell you that our first Quarterfinal match in the tournament to crown new Tag Team Champions takes place right here, on this episode of Maple Leaf Wrestling.” Billy Red Lyons: “Yes Mike, our Main Event today is the first Quarterfinal match and we’ll be seeing former Champions The Kelly Twins, Pat and Mike...and they’ll be facing off against respected veteran Johnny “Buzzsaw” Weaver and his exciting young protege, collegiate rookie phenomenon Mike Rotundo.” Mike McMan: “Before we get to the action this week Billy, lets show our fans highlights of the amazing action this past Sunday at Maple Leaf Gardens and let everybody know how we got here so far...” McMan and Lyons present a detailed video replay package featuring the finishes to all of the Opening Round matches in the Tag Team tournament. After the highlight package has aired, we return to Mike McMan and Billy Red Lyons at the announcer’s desk. Billy Red Lyons: “An incredible first round to this tournament and even more exciting Maple Leaf Wrestling action to come in our Main Event this week...but first let’s go to the ring." We go to the ring and see Bob Marcus already standing in the corner, where he is introduced by Norm Kimber. The fans give Marcus a warm reception, but shortly the polite applause turns to jeers. The camera angle changes to show NWA Canadian Champion Big John Studd on his way to the ring, accompanied by his manager “Pretty Boy” Floyd Creatchman. Studd sheds his robe and steps over the top rope as Norm Kimber introduces him. Floyd Creatchman is pacing around ringside, cradling the NWA Canadian Heavyweight Championship belt in his arms and grinning. VS. As soon as the bell rings, Studd attacks! Big John Studd grabs Bob Marcus, hoists him high in the air and drops him face first on the turnbuckles. Marcus crumples to the mat, and Studd pulls him to his feet by the hair and starts paint brushing Marcus across the face with derisive slaps. Finally, Studd hoists Bob Marcus in the air and drives him into the mat with a bone crunching Powerslam. Studd places his foot on the chest of the prone Bob Marcus, as the referee makes the count...one...two...three! Norm Kimber: “Here is your winner: BIG JOHN STUDD!” The fans boo loudly as the bell rings, the referee holds Studd’s hand in the air and Norm Kimber announces him as the winner. Big John Studd steps back over the top rope, steps to the floor and he and “Pretty Boy” Floyd Creatchman walk over to Lord Athol Layton who is standing in front of the ring, holding a microphone. Lord Athol Layton: “Fans, it is my pleasure at this time to welcome the NWA Canadian Heavyweight Champion Big John Studd, with his manager Mr. “Pretty Boy” Floyd Creatchman. Mr. Creatchman, I heard a rumor earlier today that you were quite unhappy about an announcement made earlier this week by Frank Tunney, concerning your client Mr. Studd and his next Championship Title defense. Can you confirm this?” Floyd: “First of all, I’d like to tell all these fans to shut up if they want to have the pleasure of listening to me talk.” The fans boo louder...of course. Floyd: “What you said is actually right, Lord Athol Layton...which must be a first for you, you actually got something right. I’m not happy. The NWA Canadian Champion Big John Studd is not happy. Do you want to know why we’re not happy?” Layton: “Well yes I...” Floyd: “Let me tell you. This week Frank Tunney announced that during the next round of the tournament to decide new Tag Team Champions, my team of Big John Studd and Huge Tom Lintz are going to be facing Angelo Mosca and Dewey Robertson.” The fans cheer. Floyd: “Thank you, Mr. Studd and Mr. Lintz appreciate your support. We’re not angry about that match. Why would we be? We understand that in order to become the new Tag Team Champions – which is going to happen – that we have to destroy everybody else here in Maple Leaf Wrestling. We have no problem with that, just like we had no problem destroying that muscle-head Dino Bravo and his decrepit old partner Pat Patterson.” Layton: “Wait a minute, Mr. Creatchman. I wouldn’t exactly say your team destroyed Mr. Bravo and Mr. Patterson. In fact, that decision – as we saw during the highlights at the start of this show – was controversial to say the least. Your team only won because Big John Studd managed to roll back into the ring right before Dino Bravo did...and Mr. Bravo probably would have made it, if not for your interference.” Big John Studd looks down at Lord Athol Layton with a highly annoyed look on his face, as Pretty Boy Floyd Creatchman turns red-faced and points his finger right into the face of Lord Athol Layton. Floyd: “What? What?! How dare you say that to me. That’s not what happened at all. But that’s not what we’re here to talk about. We’re here to talk about the fact that Frank Tunney claims that if my team loses to the team of Angelo Mosca and Dewey Robertson, then whoever scores the win will be automatically granted a shot at the NWA Canadian Heavyweight Championship in the future. And that is a total outrage. Big John Studd shouldn’t have to face either of those men. Neither of those men are valid contenders. Big John Studd shouldn’t have to face anybody, any time soon...because he just successfully defended his title against Bob Marcus.” Layton: “With all due respect to Bob Marcus, Mr. Creatchman...he is hardly a top ranked contender, and that match you just had wasn’t even a sanctioned title match, it was a non-title exhibition.” Pretty Boy Floyd Creatchman shakes his head sadly. Floyd: “How rude of you. How disrespectful. How dismissive. Bob Marcus is one of the top talents here in Maple Leaf Wrestling, and Big John Studd just defeated him in a breathtaking exhibition of Professional Wrestling...but you try and degrade and downplay that victory, and take it away from Big John Studd. Well I don’t care what you think, and I don’t care what you say. Big John Studd just fought right here in front of your eyes, moments ago...and he shouldn’t have to worry about fighting again any time soon...especially against the likes of that gorilla Angelo Mosca or that puffed up goody two-shoes Dewey Robertson. I don’t like this...I don’t like it one little bit. It makes me angry and upset.” Layton: “Well that’s unfortunate, Mr. Creatchman...because the match has already been scheduled for three weeks from today, right here on Maple Leaf Wrestling. Your man Big John Studd and Huge Tom Lintz will be facing off against Angelo Mosca and Dewey Robertson to determine who will advance in the NWA International Tag Team Tournament...and if Mr. Mosca or Mr. Robertson manage to get the win, whoever does will earn a shot at Big John Studd’s NWA Canadian Heavyweight Championship! And it all happens right here on Maple Leaf Wrestling on March 14!” Floyd: “ Exactly! And that’s why this doesn’t make me the slightest bit angry or upset.” Athol: “But you just finished saying...” Floyd: “Don’t interrupt. You’re always contradicting me, Lord Athol Layton. You think you’re so big, with your fancy suit...that doesn’t even have any sequins by the way...and your snooty British accent. Well I don’t know what you think you know, Mr. So-Called Lord Athol Layton...but you’re not the Lord over me. You’re not the boss of Pretty Boy Floyd Creatchman. So you listen, and you listen good. And all you people here tonight listen. And all you fans at home listen.” Pretty Boy Floyd Creatchman points directly into the camera, while Big John Studd stands behind him looking menacing, with the NWA Canadian Heavyweight Championship Title belt over his shoulder. Floyd: “I meant what I said. It doesn’t matter. None of this matters. You know why? I’ll tell you why. Because on March 14, Big John Studd is going to do what he always does. He’s doing to do what he just did to that pathetic loser, that total nobody Bob Marcus. Big John Studd and Huge Tom Lintz are going to squash Angelo Mosca and Dewey Robertson like bugs...and then they are going to go on to win the Tag Team Championships. Nobody can stop that. You can’t stop it. These fans can’t stop it. Frank Tunney can’t stop it. Big John Studd is going to remain the NWA Canadian Heavyweight Champion, and then he’s going to become one half of the NWA International Tag Team Champions, and then just for fun...he might go and beat up Dino Bravo again, and become the NWA Canadian Television Champion. You know why? Because he can. Look at this man. Seven feet tall. Three Hundred and Fifty pounds. He can’t be knocked off his feet. He can’t be slammed. He can’t be beaten. So none of this nonsense matters. Let’s go...champ.” Pretty Boy Floyd and Big John Studd give Lord Athol Layton one last dirty look and then they walk away as we go to commercial... ~Commercial Break~ We return from commercial to see Ricky Johnson and Salvatore Bellomo already in the ring. Norm Kimber announces the next match as a one fall, Tag Team Contest and makes the formal introduction for Johnson and Bellomo. Suddenly, we see Doug Vines and Jeff Sword emerge from behind the backstage curtain and make their way to the ring. However, the two men are not alone. Walking between them is a strange hooded figure...wearing a Monk’s robe. His face is totally concealed from sight. & VS. Mike McMan: “What on earth? Who is that with Doug Vines and Jeff Sword?” Billy Red Lyons: “I have no idea, Mike. Of course, we know that Vines and Sword lost a tough match in the opening round of the tournament to Johnny Weaver and Mike Rotundo. I’ve heard that they are very unhappy about that and had something planned to reverse their fortunes here in Maple Leaf Wrestling...but I don’t know if that is what is going on here.” Norm Kimber announces the “Devil’s Duo” as Vines and Sword enter the ring. The bell rings, and Vines and Sword waste no time in going after Johnson and Bellomo. The referee manages to restore some kind of order, and Vines and Sword settle into a fierce contest against Johnson and Bellomo. Ricky Johnson is successful in getting the advantage with a couple of deep arm drags and hip tosses, and knocks Sword from the apron with a dropkick. However, after Johnson tags in Bellomo it is not too long before The Devil’s Duo manages to regain the upper hand, thanks to frequent cheating and sneaky tactics. The hooded man jumps up onto the apron, as the referee orders him down, Vines and Sword manage to execute a covert spike piledriver! The referee turns around in time to see Vines making the cover on Bellomo, and it’s one...two...three! Norm Kimber: “Here are your winners: DOUG VINES AND JEFF SWORD!” The two men leave the ring and huddle with the hooded figure at ringside. Lord Athol Layton approaches with his microphone and attempts to get an interview but he is rebuffed, as Vines, Sword and the hooded man head back behind the curtain... ~Commercial Break~ We return to action to see the imposing looking Moose Morowski in the ring. Norm Kimber introduces him to the boos of the crowd. Morowski is leaning over the top rope, jawing at the fans as the camera angle switches and we see George Wells emerge from behind the curtain and make his way to the ring. Norm Kimber introduces Wells, and the bell rings to start this singles match... VS. As soon as George Wells enters the ring, Morowski jumps him and starts hammering Wells over the back with a succession of forearms and follows up with a fluffy of kicks. The two men proceed to brawl back and forth. The contest ends up being a spirited bout which lasts a fair while, until Moose Morowski makes the mistake of whipping George Wells into the ropes. The former football player goes into a crouch as he rebounds off the ropes, and tackles Morowski around the midsection, knocking the wind out of him and folding the big man up like an accordion. Wells covers Moroski, who was caught totally by surprise by the springboard shoulder tackle! One...two...three! Norm Kimber: “Here is your winner...George Wells!” ~Commercial Break~ Mike McMan: “We’re back fans...and with no further ado, it’s time for our Main Event!” Main Event: NWA International Tag Team Tournament Quarterfinal Match #1 VS. While we in commercial break, both teams have entered the ring and taken opposite sides. Norm Kimber makes the introduction, and calls for the bell to start the match. The Kelly Twins go on the offensive right from the bell, and proceed to cut young Mike Rotundo off from his corner. The two big men take turns tagging in and out, and pummelling Mike Rotundo mercilessly. Mike McMann: “Billy Red, it looks like The Kelly Twins have a strategy here. They must see Mike Rotundo’s youth and inexperience as the weak link in their opponents team...and they want to keep him from tagging in the veteran.” Billy Red Lyons: “I am no stranger to The Kelly Twins myself. They are a big, tough team and they’ve been champions before. They obviously want those titles back, and are willing to beat Mike Rotundo to a pulp to get them!” The fans are exhorting Mike Rotundo to make the tag to his popular veteran partner, but The Kelly Twins keep the ring cut off and tag in and out, with Mike Rotundo at their mercy. Finally, Rotundo manages to shock Pat Kelly with a leg sweep and sends the big man sprawling. Rotundo dives to his corner and makes the desperate tag, as the fans in the Brantford Civic Center erupt. Johnny Weaver charges in like the proverbial house on fire, he crosses the ring and clotheslines Mike Kelly off the apron to the floor. Then Weaver turns his attention to Pat Kelly, who is still the worse for wear after being knocked off his feet by Mike Rotundo. Weaver grabs Pat Kelly by the wrist and pulls him to his feet. Weaver hurls Kelly into the ropes and hits him with the big back body drop! As Pat Kelly groggily stumbles back to his feet, Johnny Weaver goes behind and slaps on his famous sleeper hold! Kelly thrashes around, but Weaver cinches down. Pat Kelly starts to fade. Mike Kelly tries to enter the ring to stop his brother from going to sleep...but the battered Mike Rotundo cuts him off with a perfect dropkick and sends Mike Kelly crashing back to the floor! The referee checks Pat Kelly’s arm...it drops limply...and the referee calls for the bell! Norm Kimber: "Here are your winners and advancing to the Semi-Finals of the NWA International Tag Team Championship Tournament...MIKE ROTUNDO and JOHNNY "BUZZSAW" WEAVER!!!" Mike McMan: “The Veteran/Rookie combination of Johnny Weaver and Mike Roundo have done it again! Weaver has put big Pat Kelly to sleep with his famous sleeper hold!” Billy Red Lyons: “Weaver and Rotundo are moving on to the Semi-Finals! They’re going to Maple Leaf Gardens on March 29!” Mike McMan: “What a match, and what a show! We’ll see you next week Maple Leaf Wrestling fans...when The Della Serra Brothers tangle with Dominic DeNucci and Tony Parisi, to find out who else will be moving on to the Semi-Finals! We’re out of time! See you next week on Maple Leaf Wrestling!”

Maple Leaf Wrestling Kitchener, Ontario - Kitchener Memorial Auditorium February 27, 1981 Paid Attendance: 1,000 George Wells pinned Tim Gerrard Huge Tom Lintz and Kelly Kiniski went to a Double Countout The Destroyer pinned Tony "Cannonball" Parisi Billy Robinson pinned Sweet Ebony Diamond Angelo Mosca pinned Moose Morowski

I have been sticking to the schedule Maple Leaf Wrestling actually ran back in the late 70's and early 80's and am using the same arenas. My only mistake (I think) was booking too many house shows for March. In reality, the bread and butter of Maple Leaf Wrestling was their monthly shows at Maple Leaf Gardens, and their Monday Night TV Tapings in Brantford at the Civic Center. They did run house shows on Thursdays and Fridays and sometimes Saturdays...but their schedule wasn't quite as packed as I have made it out to be for March. I may have bit off more than I could chew. It's interesting, because Maple Leaf Wrestling was basically being run in partnership between Jim Crockett Promotions and Frank Tunney, they used a lot of the same talent...which explains why Maple Leaf Wrestling only ran a couple of shows a week, the TV and then Thursdays and Fridays. Most of the talent was booked in Mid-Atlantic the rest of the time. And no wonder, if they ran 730 shows that year! I don't envy you trying to emulate that!