JerryvonKramer

Do you remember this? Do you know the whereabouts of this man? Was Sean Mooney really that bad? Tomorrow. On PWO-PTBN. Tune in for this brand new show!

I really liked the Ole segment too.

Yeah, that's now (once again) one of my ultimate grails. Just to see Ted pin Hawk.

It really does exist? Animal said Hawk no showed and they just gave titles to Money Inc, what gives?

I'm fairly convinced this one never actually took place if you mean Feb 92. Been looking for it for years. Animal said in a shoot once that it didn't happen.

Also that legendary Southwest angle with Terry Funk attacking Tully with the claw hammer.

Fuji vs Heenan, August 91, Nassau Not only an uber rare heel vs. heel manager match, but also Heenan's last ever match, and a blow off to a little-known feud.

Coming this Thursday, a brand new show comes to the feed.

Watching it right now, most excited I've ever been, maybe ever.

Was it this guy?

Dusty was pretty good at this in his booking.

Part of it for me is that I've never been a fan of the idea of a lightweight division. Also Pillman has also seemed like he was in no man's land for a while. He should have been tagging with Dustin or Windham but instead was way down the card. Pillman felt like he stood out more in 1990.

I am gonna have to watch this.

Wow, just spotted this, and it's an absolute GOD SEND: MTV Europe were willing to talk to me, and I've managed to get my TV and the Sunday night live MTV show onto it. Of course, in 1991 very very few people could actually watch MTV anywhere in Europe -- their coverage is even smaller than Eurosport's -- but I don't give a shit about that! This means I don't have to run those terrible British cards any more, and every show should give a little increase to popularity in across all of Europe. Pretty happy with that. I've also gone and cancelled my deal with Sports Channel America and signed AWA Championship Wrestling to show on MTV instead. I had to pay Sports Channel America a fine for breaking the contract, but I think it's worth doing in the long-run. So MTV carry both my TV and the Sunday weekly live show in the USA and Europe, and Omni Television carry both of them in Canada. From next week, I can add a new TV show (AWA All Star Wrestling), which I'm hoping to launch on ESPN. This show will have more of a wrestling / matches focus and will be taped on Mondays back-to-back with the other TV show. Hopefully I can get this on the MTV Europe channel too. I will probably make the MTV live show more like a Clash or an SNME now, not every week but a "Special" every month or so and in a Tuesday slot so it doesn't clash with my weekly TV.

Jim Crockett Sr. Memorial Cup, April, Week 4, 91: This might be a contender for weakest PPV match that took place anywhere in 1991. This match pissed off the ENTIRE roster. Most of the more established guys were absolutely furious. But with the locker room at 0%, I figured it couldn't get any lower. Two things: 1. The Crockett Cup is now a singles trophy. 2. This is the Marcus Bagwell mega-push. I mean, he's good-looking, athletic, and could be a Steamboat Jr. Yes, I have Shane Douglas right there, but ... Shane Douglas isn't sexy. Nick Bockwinkel comes out to explain that an injury to Tommy Rogers means that the scheduled match between The Fantastics and The Funk Brothers cannot go ahead as scheduled. The AWA board of directors, however, has decided that the Tag Titles MUST be decided this evening and therefore the Funks will face off against the #3 ranked team, Strike Force, that is Tito Santana and Rick Martel. Since The Fantastics earned the right to be in the final, they will get a shot at the champions as soon as Rogers has recovered from injury. Man, oh man, did this piss me off. All Japan booked some random one-off show on THIS Tuesday of all bloody days, and The Fantastics were in Japan. I was furious. Months building to this match and I had to change the booking ON THE NIGHT. Well, there was *some* truth to Bock's claims here since Rogers has been nursing an L4/L5 disc hernation injury and working through it for the past month. Tito and Martel were the most over faces I could realistically give the titles to. What a shit show. I guess shit happens. I guess the silver lining to the cloud is that Strike Force probably gave me a better match than the Fantastics would have in this spot, just because they are more over. At least the main event was strong. I'd consider this a success overall, despite some really glaring problems. I should be able to ride Steamboat vs. Ted until the next PPV in a month.

AWA Championship Wrestling, April, Week 4, 91: Gordon Solie and Bill Watts open the show by saying the The Million Dollar Man, Ted DiBiase has a special apperance tonight on Mr. T's Pity the Fool talk show. Apparently, he booked and paid for the slot himself. They also mention that AWA Vice President, Nick Bockwinkel is here, and also has a special announcement. The Alliance Against America has been jobbed out something chronic. Pity the Fool Mr. T: S'up fools, I got a special guest this week. The Million Dollar Man, Ted DiBiase. *DiBiase swaggers in. He waits to take his seat and looks to Booker T, expecting him to pull the chair for him* DiBiase: Hey, boy, you. *He clicks his fingers* DiBiase: I expect a bit of service! *Booker T glares at him* DiBiase (*more aggressive*): I said I want to sit down. Mr. T: Well sit down then, you leave Booker alone. DiBiase: Pull my chair I said! *Booker T complies. As DiBiase goes to sit down, he pulls the chair away so he falls on his ass. DiBiase erupts and attacks Booker T. Full brawl.* Mr. T: Someone get security here! *DiBiase has got the advantage, he's laying in closed fists. Mr. T goes in himself to break it up.* DiBiase: In the ring! Get this boy in the ring! He's going to be my first match. Referee come here! *David Manning goes over. DiBiase shoves a wad of notes in his pocket.* *DiBiase drags an already dazed Booker T into the ring. Ref calls for the bell and the match begins.* Story of this match is that Booker T gets in more offense than you'd expect, even though he's overmatched. *AWA Vice President Nick Bockwinkel is in the ring. Larry Nelson holds the mic for him.* Bockwinkel: Ladies and Gentlemen, I am here to make a special announcement regarding tomorrow night's Pay-per-view event The Jim Crockett Sr Memorial show. It concerns Ricky Steamboat's AWA Universal title, which has a lineage that of course is dear to my heart ... I have here a contract pre-signed by Steamboat's opponent. But ... Ricky, I'm going to need you to come out to sign it yourself. AWA regulations. *Ricky Steamboat comes out looking a little confused* *He goes over and takes the paper from Bockwinkel and looks at it closely. His eyes betray some consternation.* Steamboat: The Millon Dollar Man?! He has a title shot?! I thought the number #1 contender was Jumbo Tsuruta? *Bockwinkel looks a little shifty* Bockwinkel: The AWA Board of Directors has run a set of algorithms, you see, Mr. Steamboat, and all of those complex calculations say that the challenger tomorrow night will be Ted DiBiase ... *DiBiase's music hits, and he walks down the aisle, still in his wrestling gear after the match with Booker T, with Superstar Graham by his side. They are both laughing. Bockwinkel once again looks shifty.* *Steamboat looks at them both with a hint of outrage* Steamboat: Well something fishy is going on here, but I'm not scared of you DiBiase! I'll see you in the ring tomorrow night! You better bring your wrestling boots! *DiBiase and Graham look at each other as if to suggest they have a plan.*

Landy, while you're here. Do you know if footage of Mr. Fuji vs. Bobby Heenan singles match from August 91 exists? It was a Nassau house show.

Wondering where and when it was that Fuji, Don Muraco, Billy White Wolf and Skandor Akbar were all in the same place at the same time.

You underrate the level of his deviousness at ring side. His crowd psychology was better than Slick's (for example). Being a manager isn't just doing promos and standing by the apron. He knew what he was doing and did it well.

whoops! lol

It's a bit unfair to say he brought NOTHING to the table. He was a very effective worker in the late 70s / early 80s, always had good heat. Was effective at ring-side as a manager, even if he wasn't the best promo. I'd argue pretty integral to the overall Yokozuna package also. Also, about that dog story. I've heard the victim as being Snuka, Prof Tanaka, Harold Sakata and various other people. Changes in almost every source, so it seems like one of those things that is a complete urban myth that has taken on a life of its own over the years. He did some extreme ribs, but that one seems so wildly disparate from shoot to shoot and source to source, that I don't believe it.

They opened by saying they are completely scrapping the modern product wrap-up from the top of the show. Excellent.

Two minor points of business before the next week. First, Dynamite Kid and Honkytonk Man are now blacklisted. They will never work in the AWA again: Second ... I have moved into the realm of merch. Now you can get! Ricky Steamboat: t-shit, cap, poster, action figure, foam hands and stuff like pencil cases! Mr. T: all of the above! Superstar Graham / Miss Elizabeth / Andre: action figure, t-shirt, poster! Collect the entire fabulous AWA toy range of action figures! Including: Bob Backlund, Bobby Fulton, Tommy Rogers, Lord Steven Regal, Marcus Bagwell, Booker T, Bob Orton Jr., Butch Reed, Dick Slater, Doug Somers, Buddy Rose, Gordon Solie*, Greg Valentine, Ivan Koloff, King Kong Bundy, Lord Alfred Hayes*, Sheik Adnan Al-Kaissie, Nikolai Volkoff, One Man Gang, Rick Martel, Sal Bellomo, Scott Hall, Steve Williams, Terry Gordy, The Iron Sheik, Tito Santana Yes, you TOO can own a Doug Somers action figure in 1991! Just imagine him sitting next to your brand new Super Nintendo! And in our LEGENDS range: Jack Brisco, Nick Bockwinkel, Cowboy Bill Watts, Ivan Putski, Wahoo McDaniel * Cannot be purchased in store, you can get these special figures by collecting exclusive tokens from the back of Kellogg's Cornflakes boxes. Just cut them out using a scissors, and once you have six of them, send them off in an envelope to The American Wrestling Association, PO Box 1546. Remember to ask your parents' permission to use a scissors!

Okay, let's take a time out. I have decided to switch from the letter grades which rate from A* to F- to number grades that rate from 100 to 0. Why? Because I want to get a more granular view of how my booking is affecting things. Are things working or not? So this is going to be a little review session on how things have been going in the past three months. Steamer, who I have pushed relentlessly: As you can see the "progress" is not quite up-to-date, next month the current figures will slot in under "May", so it's a month behind. Steamboat has become a huge star and this is clear to see from the stats. What about our "has been" celeb Mr. T? He's enjoyed a bit of a popularity boost from being on TV pretty much every week in a featured slot. What about my long-term project hoping to get that rub off him, Booker T? Better progress than you'd think. Slow at first but catching on. What about Bagwell and his week of squashing Honky Tonk Man? Interesting, look he started lower than Booker, but here has gotten over more. He also had not matches or TV appearances in Feb. So the numbers jumped up when he started having more matches and wins under his belt. I think I need to get Booker T in the ring a bit more. Let's have a look at TV show grades converted into the numbers: TV: Feb: Week 1: 51 Week 2: 71 Week 3: 59 Week 4: 56 March: Week 1: 59 Week 2: 58 Week 3: 48 Week 4: 72 April: Week 1: 57 Week 2: 68 Week 3: 63 Old tour show: Feb: Week 2: 75 Week 3: 66 Week 4: 76 March: Week 1: 68 Week 2: 67 MTV Live show: March: Week 3: 66 Week 4: 50 April: Week 1: 67 Week 2: 68 Week 3: 60 World Tour (UK shows): March: Week 4: 55 April: Week 1: 54 Week 2: 59 Week 3: 54 To put that into context, my best card to date has been the one headlined by Wahoo and Greg. And my worst, this one: Yes, the one headlined by Bill Watts coming out of retirement in 91. Who'd have thought. In terms of overall popularity for the promotion, the numbers have just hovered between 60 and 64 for every US region since I started. In Southern England, where I've been running the UK tour shows, it has gone from 10 to 17, which is murderously SLOW progress, but then those cards have been shitty. Incidentally, in the handful of appearances made by "Lord Jerry von Kramer", my personal overness has gone from 0 to 3 in most regions. So a long way to go in that respect.

First some bad news, I sent Brian Pillman for surgery on his back, because he is injured for a year and there were complications with it, which means he's out for 1 year and 5 months. I had to terminate his contract because there's no point having him stick around. He can collect a Lloyds of London deal. WCW are still paying him. Second, Ricky Steamboat is getting burnt out with the schedule. Let's look at his matches recently: It's true that I've been absolutely caning him, but in the past week he had to fly to England, Japan, Puerto Rico, Hawaii (where TV was taped that week), and Mexico. Ridiculous schedule, and I'm going to have to give him the week off ahead of next week's PPV. Note: the Hawaii TV taping is below. AWA Championship Wrestling, April, Week 3, 91: Honky Tonk Man only has a week left. This has the "burial" order, because he really pissed me off screwing up my locker room. He was furious of course. Pity the Fool Mr. T: S'up fools, my guest Superstar Billy Graham says today he's got a big announcement. What is it sucka? Graham: Now, brother T, don't you go calling me a "sucka" or a "fool" now you understand? I'm just here to make a very important announcement, you don't have to insult me, brother, you dig it? *Booker T seems to look up* Mr. T: This is my show, Pity the Fool, and on my show, I can say what I want, you got it fool? I pity the fool that can't understand that. Graham: You're an idiot. Mr. T: You're a fool. Graham: Enough. Brothers ... let me testify. I made my name in a company called the World Wrestling Federation. I was the greatest WWF Champion of all times. Mr. T: Don't kid yourself, brother, my friend H .... Graham: Now let me stop you right there, brother. Where do you think he got his whole act from? Watching the SUPERSTAR as a youngster. I was the greatest of them all, I sold out Madison Square Gardens THIRTY times in a row! I set off box office records like they never seen before. A whole generation of superstars grew up wanting to be just like me. And now, brother, I'm here in the AWA, the HOME of professional wrestling, and I ain't as young as I used to be. And that no-good Ricky Steamboat took as good as I've got, but my legs and back can't go like they used to. Brother, I am RETIRED from the ring. Mr. T: And this was your big announcement? Graham: No, brother, because you see, you gotta move and shake in this business. PoliTICS and dirty TRICKS. You hip? You dig? Mr. T: Enough of this jibber jabber, what have you been scheming? Graham: As the Cowboy Bill Watts has said, the WWF is now a part of the American Wrestling Alliance. ALLIANCE, brother. That means we ain't just moving and shaking here no more, we is moving and shaking across the whole world. I can pick up that phone and because The Superstar is a hero, a HERO to every wrestler there today, they are going to want to help old Billy out. So I rung, Ted, I said, "Ted, do you want to be a world champion? And do you want to help old Billy out?" He said, first of all, brother, "if it's money, how much do you need?" And I said, "Brother, it ain't money, it's committment. If I could get YOU a shot against Ricky the Dragon Steamboat for the AWA Universal title, would ya come down here, brother, and take that shot?" And Ted, I could hear him laughing and laughing on the phone. He said, "Superstar, my man, EVERYBODY'S GOT A PRICE, and my price is that AWA Universal Title!" Mr. T: The Million Dollar Man is coming here and has a title shot? Graham: Now you're starting to understand. But it doesn't end there. I picked up that phone again. I spoke to the VICE PRESIDENT of the AWA, Mr. Nick Bockwinkel. He said, "uhhh, Mr. Graham, what can I do for you? I said, "brotherrrrrrrr, how can I get a contract to face Ricky Steamboat for that AWA title?" He said, "Well Billy, you know, it's all in the fine print, and it's between the members of the alliance. There is an official top 10 contender list. You might wanna try Bill Apter" I said, "Nick, my man, how far you and the Superstar gone back brother?!" And he said, "Well, Billy" and then he used some long, long words like only Bockwinkel can do, and he said "just leave it with me, just leave it with me" And Ted DiBiase and Nick Bockwinkel aren't the only people I been calling. I been talking to THE BRAIN, brother, to Bobby Heenan. I been talking to The Genius. I been talking to anyone who is a move and shaker in this business brother. And there's just one outcome to all of any it, brothers: RICKY STEAMBOAT'S DAYS ARE NUMBERED Mr. T: Why do you want any of these guys to win the title? What's in it for you, sucka? Graham: Enough of your questions!!! Mind your own business, "sucka"! Mr. T: I'm warning you Graham. Graham: You should be happy anyway, chump. I'll give you more guests for this show than Johnny Carson. The ratings will go through the roof. Hey, it'll be like being on The A Team again, remember that? *Graham starts humming the A-team theme tune obnoxiously* Mr. T: I'm warning you fool! *Mr. T stands up. Graham as full of himself as possible struts away on top of the world now singing the A-team theme tune at the top of his voice* Bad news here: Like Pillman, I've let him go. I think Nelson might have been dragging this segment down. Dory had the stronger match with Steamer. AWA World Tour, April, Week 3, 91: The progress of making an in-road into the UK market by running these shows is horrendously slow. Barely a dent so far. Incidentally, I buried Honky again here: One notable little segment here: A Cuppa with Lord Al Lord Al: My, my, what fine gents are these. Hello fellows, would you like some tea? Lord Regal: Why thank you Lord Hayes, you only have the finest tea. Lord JvK: I say, Lord Regal, old chap, the thought has just occured to me. Since Lord Hayes is such a fine man with such exquisite tastes. Since he has class and breeding -- just like us -- why do we not join with him?! Lord Regal: This is an excellent idea Lord! Oh, my man, Lord Hayes, will you join our party on a more permanent basis? Lord Al: Haw haw, this is an excellent idea indeed! Lord JvK: But Lord Al, we must warn you. Lord Al: Yes? Lord JvK: No more of this ... ermm .. sucking up to the "good guys". Do you understand what I mean? Lord Al: Oh I was only putting in on! I hate them all! *spit* Ricky Steamboat I can't STAND him! Lord Regal: That's more like it, back to his old self! Lord Al: We three, we ... UPPER CRUST ... are a dying breed. We need to stick together. All three: Tally ho! And pip pip! Yes, Lord Al has turned heel and joined this faction. AWA Supercard on MTV, April, Week 3, 91: A struggle without Steamboat to draw on. Oh and Honky was buried for a third time: He'll never work for me again.