Lee Casebolt

(6/30/84) Home Box Office, in association with Titan Sports, presents, live from Elizabeth, New Jersey Tonight's slate of professional wrestling action is sanctioned by the American Wrestling Association and the New Jersey State Athletic Commission. SNME 6-30 (Elizabeth NJ) Promos from… Bob Backlund w/ Billy Graham, Jesse Ventura, Yoshiaki Yatsu, Korstia Korchenko, Freddie Blassie, & Arnold Skaaland - "Tonight what you plebians see before you is the greatest collection of wrestling talent ever assembled! The forces no promoter ever wanted to see joined, myself and the Olympian Mr. Yoshiaki Yatsu-san alongside Mr. Blassie's men - the great Billy Graham, the estimable Jesse Ventura, and the acceptable Korstia Korchenko. And to oppose us we have that backstabbing coward James Snuka, the paper champion Rockald Johnson, Magnum TA - if that is your real name - Jose Gonazales, and a rookie - A ROOKIE - named William Two Eagles. I am insulted, INSULTED, at the disrespect I have been shown as a champion in being subjected to this farce of a match. And I will take that disrespect out on each and every one of you!" Magnum TA w/ Jimmy Snuka, Rocky Johnson, Jose Gonzales, & Billy Two Eagles - " Killer Khan w/ Lou Albano def. Rene Goulet & Jose Estrada in a handicap match when Khan pinned Goulet at 6:42. Shunji Takano pinned SD Jones at 12:51 after a dropkick from the top rope. Jose Gonzales pinned Yasuyuki Fujii after a DDT at 7:42. Armand Rougeau pinned Kamala w/ Lou Albano with a crossbody off the top rope at 10:29. Billy Robinson & John Quinn def. Jacques & Raymond Rougeau when Robinson pinned Jacques with an inside cradle at 13:13. Rougeau had been distracted by Albano leading the Samoans down to ringside. He could be overheard on ringside commentary talking about "scouting the opposition" while the Samoans prowled menacingly at ringside. After the match, the Rougeaus and Samoans did a lot of pointing and yelling, but officials kept them separated. The Rougeaus remained at ringside, joining the commentary table. "Fair is fair," Raymond said. Mark Fleming & Barry Horowitz def. The Wild Samoans w/ Lou Albano when Horowitz pinned Afa with a 3/4 nelson cradle at 3:43. Afa was distracted by the Rougeaus arguing with Albano at ringside. After the match, the Rougeaus celebrated with Fleming and Horowitz while the Samoans and Albano retreated from ringside, promising revenge. Jimmy Snuka, Rocky Johnson, Magnum TA, Jose Gonzales, & Billy Two Eagles def. Bob Backlund, Superstar Billy Graham, Jesse Ventura, Yoshiaki Yatsu, & Korstia Korchenko w/ Freddie Blassie & Arnold Skaaland, two falls to one. Snuka pinned Yatsu with the Superfly Splash at 9:12 Backlund made Gonzales submit to the crossface chicken wing at 20:24 Magnum pinned Korchenko with the belly to belly suplex at 37:24.

AWA Worldwide touring schedule for 6/24 thru 6/29 A Tour (6/25 Montreal, 6/27 New York City NY, 6/29 Niagra Falls NY) Bob Backlund vs. Armand Rougeau Rocky Johnson vs. Jesse Ventura Jacques & Raymond Rougeau vs. The Batten Twins Superstar Billy Graham vs. Jose Estrada Yoshiaki Yatsu vs. SD Jones Billy Robinson & John Quinn vs. Pat Patterson & Rene Goulet Tim Horner vs. Sailor White Paul Lafevbre vs. local talent B Tour (6/24 Hartford CT, 6/26 Providence RI, 6/28 Brooklyn NY) Wild Samoans vs. Pedro Morales & Johnny Rivera Jimmy Snuka vs. Kamala Magnum TA vs. Grizzly Boone Mark Fleming & Barry Horowitz vs. Shunji Takano & Yasuyuki Fujii Killer Khan vs. Jose Gonzales Bernie Wright vs. Korstia Korchenko Billy Two Eagles vs. local talent Dave Morgan vs. local talent Tommy Wright vs. local talent

Worldwide trades Jose Luis Rivera to ACCW for Tommy Wright. Effective 7/1, Worldwide trades George Steele to TNT for Bob Roop.

OK, that makes way more sense. Though now I kinda want an Armstrong/Cameron match.

Good lord, look at that Star Wars card. I don't want to say "every match a main event" but I count at least five. You could probably do a tv show with no wrestling at all and be fine with Watts, Cornette, JR, and Bockwinkel jawing at each other, but Windham vs DJ and the Midnights defending the titles make for some compelling television.

I've never thought of Cameron as a light heavyweight, but I'm not complaining about the matchup. Good week for the whole Armstrong family.

Hot Stuff is one disfunctional organization and I love it. Big face turn from Bret, which had to come in Canada. Heenan, as always, outsmarts himself. Hogan vs Bad News was everything we could ask for. But where do the Sheiks go from here?

Florida is wild as always. Gino is a master manipulator... but you know sooner or later he's going to pull the wrong string and get his. Just a question of who and when. Meanwhile, with the House of Humperdink, "who" is "everybody" and "when" is "all the time". They are taking on all comers and it's glorious.

Brutal finish to an amazing main event. We were all waiting for something with Borne, I think, and that really delivered.

Being excited about the Central States title is a weird feeling.

The build to Summer Blast has been really strong. Steve O is going to have a problem in Denny Brown win or lose, but Mr Wrestling II is quite the advantage. Funk vs Tito doesn't need any help to draw interest, but Tully waiting in the wings for the winner is something to think about. And I just can't get over Hogan/Jumbo. That's a match I've thought about a lot every time I've gamed out "what if Verne could keep Hogan?" because every time one of my first answers is "main event Hulk Hogan vs Jumbo Tsuruta in three countries".

(6/23/84) Home Box Office, in association with Titan Sports, presents, live from Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada Tonight's slate of professional wrestling action is sanctioned by the American Wrestling Association and the Quebec Athletic Commission. Promos from… Lou Albano w/ Kamala, Killer Khan, and the Wild Samoans – “Last week, we took out that stinking pile of trash, that so-called Giant, Andre! You won’t be seeing him again! This week, my Samoans destroy two more pieces of garbage, and take one more step towards their rightful place as tag team champions of the world! And Kamala and Killer Khan will eliminate thirteen other men in this over the top rope battle royal! I only hope they don’t accidentally destroy each other! HAHAHA!” Freddie Blassie w/ Jesse Ventura, Billy Graham, and George Steel – “Magnum TA! You got off easy one time. But there won’t be any security to save you tonight. There won’t be any rules to protect you. That referee can’t do anything but ring that bell when you finally give it up! And Rocky Johnson! We haven’t forgotten about you. The Superstar is gonna take what’s his tonight, and become the face of HBO as the television champion!” Magnum TA – “Animal! You tried to take me out with a sneak attack. A Pearl Harbor job. But you couldn’t get the job done. Well, Magnum TA doesn’t work like that. I’m coming straight for you, Steel. I want you to see me coming. And when I’m done, they won’t have to kick you out. You won’t want to come back to AWA Worldwide!” Bob Backlund title award ceremony. Vince McMahon and other AWA officials present Backlund and Arnold Skaaland with a brand new title belt, engraved with Backlund’s name, representing his reign as the AWA International Heavyweight champion. Backlund takes the mic and thanks McMahon and the AWA for “recognizing the greatness of a true champion in replacing that old hunk of tin which had been sullied by that wretched savage…” until he’s cut off by Snuka running to the ring and attacking him. The brawl between the two men tumbles out of the ring and continues down the aisle as officials and security try to separate them. Jesse Ventura def. Jose Luis Rivera by submission with a bear hug at 2:59. Tag Tournament 1st Round Match – Mark Fleming & Barry Horowitz def. The Batten Twins at 7:42 when Fleming caught Bart with a Thesz press. Armand Rougeau pinned Iron Mike Sharpe with a suplex at 5:04. Tag Tournament 1st Round Match – Wild Samoans w/ Lou Albano def. Pat Patterson & Rene Goulet at 10:21 when Afa pinned Goulet off of a double headbutt. Killer Khan won a 15 man battle royal. Also appearing were Armand Rougeau, Kamala, Yoshiaki Yatsu, Jose Gonzales, Brian Blair, Bernie Wright, Billy Two Eagles, SD Jones, Tim Horner, Korstia Korchenko, Yasuyuki Fuji, Shunji Takano, Jose Estrada, and Grizzly Boone. Tag Tournament 1st Round Match – Billy Robinson & John Quinn def. Pedro Morales & Johnny Rivera when Robinson pinned Morales with a double arm suplex at 12:52. Tag Tournament 1st Round Match – Jacques & Raymond Rougeau def. Sailor White & Paul Lafevbre after Jacques made White submit to a Boston crab at 12:34. Vince McMahon announces that a special four man junior heavyweight tournament is coming in July. The winner of that tournament will receive a match for the AWA World Junior Heavyweight Title on July 23 as part of AWA Worldwide’s prime time special event. Rocky Johnson put Superstar Billy Graham w/ Freddie Blassie out with a sleeper hold at 14:34 to retain the AWA/HBO Television title. WARNING – the following match is an UNSANCTIONED, no disqualification match. Viewer discretion is advised. Magnum TA def. George “The Animal” Steele w/ Freddie Blassie in a “lights out” no-DQ match. In a bloody affair that saw both men use basically every object at ringside as a weapon, Magnum was finally able to pin Steele after taking his own boot off and beating Animal repeatedly in the head with it at 13:11. George Steel is now banned from AWA Worldwide!

Fell a little behind. AWA Worldwide touring schedule for 6/17 through 6/22, 1984... A Tour (6/18 Montreal, 6/20 Hamburg PA, 6/21 Erie PA, 6/22 Boston MA) Bob Backlund vs. Raymond Rougeau Rocky Johnson vs. Jesse Ventura Jacques & Armand Rougeau vs. The Batten Twins Yoshiaki Yatsu vs. Pat Patterson Billy Robinson & John Quinn vs. Tim Horner & SD Jones Pierre Lafevbre & Sailor White vs. Jose Luis Rivera & Jose Estrada Dave Morgan vs. local talent B Tour (6/17 Lancaster PA, 6/18 Scranton PA, 6/19 Allentown PA, 6/22 Pittsburgh PA) Wild Samoans vs. Pedro Morales & Johnny Rivera Jimmy Snuka vs. Kamala Magnum TA vs. Killer Khan Mark Fleming & Barry Horowitz vs. Shunji Takano & Yasuyuki Fujii Jose Gonzales vs. Grizzly Boone Bernie Wright vs. Korstia Korchenko Billy Two Eagles vs local talent

Full disclosure, I fucked up the date of the Beefcake/Bart trade and that angle wasn't supposed to happen for another two weeks.

Big debut for Bundy, winning the battle royal and going over Cash and Dory. Expecting some great things from him.

Sorry for the dearth of promos this week. Weekend kind of got away from me.

(6/16/84) Home Box Office, in association with Titan Sports, presents, live from Madison Square Garden, in New York City Tonight's slate of professional wrestling action is sanctioned by the American Wrestling Association and the New York State Athletic Commission. Promos from… Vince McMahon, announcing that George Steele has been fined $10,000 and suspended by the AWA for his heinous attack on Magnum TA. McMahon is joined by Freddie Blassie, representing Steele, and Magnum. Both men react angrily to the announcement, Blassie insisting it’s not fair and Magnum demanding he be allowed to fight Steele. Magnum makes Blassie an offer – next week, he’ll fight George Steele in a no-DQ match. If Steele wins, Magnum will pay his fine and serve his suspension. If Magnum wins, George Steele must leave AWA Worldwide. Blassie agrees, and McMahon says he’ll get it cleared with the AWA Board. Batten Twins def. Tim Horner & SD Jones after Brad pinned Horner with a clothesline off the second rope at 3:15. Magnum TA def. Yasuyuki Fujii at 2:24 with the belly to belly suplex. Mark Fleming, Barry Horowitz, Bernie Wright, and Dave Morgan def. Billy Robinson, John Quinn, Paul Lefevbre, and Sailor White when Fleming made White submit to the STF at 9:46. Vince McMahon announces that, starting next week, a special eight team tag tournament will begin. Matches will be held weekly, with the tournament winner to receive a shot at the AWA World Tag Team titles as part of a July prime time special to be held at The Forum in Montreal and broadcast live on HBO. Billy Two Eagles pinned Yoshiaki Yatsu w/ Arnold Skaaland at 4:14 with a sunset flip. Pedro Morales & Johnny Rivera def. the Killer Bs w/ Freddie Blassie when Morales made Beefcake submit to a Boston crab at 5:24. After the match, Beefcake is berated and fired by Blassie in mid-ring, and his replacement is introduced – Black Bart! Beefcake protests and is beaten down by Blair and Bart. Superstar Billy Graham w/ Freddie Blassie def. Rocky Johnson via count out at 9:01. Jesse Ventura attacked Johnson on the outside while Graham held the referee’s attention. Johnson fought back and Ventura ran away when the referee started his count. An enraged Johnson chased after Ventura while Graham raised his arms in victory as the referee’s count reached 10. Vince McMahon announces that the AWA Board of Directors has approved a special "Lights Out," no disqualification, no count out match between Magnum TA and George "The Animal" Steele for next week's SNME in Sherbrooke, Quebec. Armand Rougeau pinned Kamala w/ Lou Albano at 5:57 with a small package. Andre the Giant def. Killer Khan w/ Lou Albano by DQ at 7:00. Andre had just suplexed Khan and was going for the cover when Kamala and the Samoans charged the ring. All four men attacked Andre, targeting his leg with a variety of attacks, including a steel chair. The three Rougeau brothers ran to Andre’s aid, chasing off Albano’s crew with chairs of their own. The show was stopped briefly as EMTs struggled to find a stretcher large enough to accommodate the injured Giant. The Wild Samoans w/ Lou Albano © def. Jacques and Raymond Rougeau to retain the AWA International Tag Titles when Afa pinned Jacques at 19:51. Armand was in his brothers’ corner while Kamala and Khan prowled the outside, so the referee was constantly trying to keep all three (four, counting Albano) from interfering in the match. Eventually a distraction from Albano let Khan hook Jacques’ ankle, and Afa blindsided Jacques when he turned to confront Khan, leading to the fall. Announcement – Andre the Giant has suffered a broken ankle, and is expected to be out at least a month. Bob Backlund w/ Arnold Skaaland def. Jimmy Snuka © in a steel cage match for the AWA International Title when Backlund escaped the cage at 16:02. Snuka was in control of the match and went for his Superfly splash off the top of the cage, but Backlund moved at the last second and Snuka crashed to the mat. Skaaland immediately demanded the cage door be opened and Backlund crawled out of the cage as a dazed Snuka lunged for his ankle just a moment too late. Backlund is the new AWA International Heavyweight Champion.

Great lead-in show to an amazing card. Hogan/Jumbo is a legit dream match for me.

I can definitely see this building to a Rude/Allen blowup, and I am all for that. Love the idea of Armstrong and DK tagging up. The High Flyers may have bitten off more than they can chew here!

Love that little detail on the Nightmares. A classic. That lead six man must have been crazy.

"Cocky vet gets caught by promising rookie" is an angle that never, ever gets old, especially when you've got a master like Murdoch playing it out.

Never trust him no matter how he looks.

AWA Worldwide touring schedule for 6/10 thru 6/15, 1984... A Tour (6/10 Englishtown NJ, 6/11 Montreal, 6/12 Bangor ME, 6/15 Concord NH) Jimmy Snuka vs. John Quinn Rocky Johnson vs. Jesse Ventura Andre the Giant vs. Superstar Billy Graham (6/11 only) Jacques, Raymond, & Armand Rougeau vs. Pierre Lafevbre, Sailor White, & Iron Mike Sharpe (6/11 only) Superstar Billy Graham vs. Jacques Rougeau Raymond & Armand Rougeau vs. Pierre Lafevbre & Sailor White Billy Robinson vs. Tim Horner Killer Bs vs. Pat Patterson & Rene Goulet Iron Mike Sharpe vs. Jose Estrada B Tour (6/10 Higganaum CT, 6/11 Hershey PA, 6/12 New York City NY, 6/15 White Plains NY) Wild Samoans vs. Pedro Morales & Johnny Rivera Bob Backlund vs. Billy Two Eagles Andre the Giant vs. Killer Khan (6/12 only) Magnum TA vs. Yasuyuki Fujii (6/12 only) Magnum TA vs. Killer Khan Kamala vs. Jose Gonzales Mark Fleming & Barry Horowitz vs. Batten Twins Yoshiaki Yatsu vs. SD Jones Grizzly Boone vs. Jose Luis Rivera

Appreciate the callback on Bravo. There were never enough babyface stables in pro wrestling. The Brigade looks smart for banding together in the face of literal armies of heels, on top of having a strong lineup. Big debut for the Hart boys as a new Canadian alliance forms!

There's an alternate universe me who is DEFINITELY giving John McAdam $15 or whatever it was for a 3rd gen vhs tape of June Jam in 1996. The two Armstrong title wins are the big draws but this delivers up and down the card.