claw64

Agree on all of those except for one. Zurkov was better than Ustinov. Patterson more than Stevens. Lanza more than Duncum. Bruiser more than Crusher. Bockwinkel more than Stevens. Robinson more than Crusher. Robinson more than Gagne. Bastien more than Crusher or Cortez. Mad Dog Vachon more than Butcher Vachon. And that's as far back in the AWA as I go. Lanza more than Duncum really isn't a compliment. I thought both were awful during their tag title run. But if someone put a gun to my head and said pick one. I'd pick Lanza. Lanza was never the same after breaking his leg in 1972. Never "got" Duncum. Duncum received one of the biggest pushes Verne ever gave anybody. Duncum's interference allowed Nick Bockwinkel to win the AWA Title from Verne Gagne. Duncum even had a few wins over Verne. Duncum and Lanza then beat Bruiser and Crusher for the AWA Tag Title. The truth is Lanza and Duncum sucked compared to Lanza and Mulligan. Part of that was due to Lanza's leg and BJL getting older. But the main point is I never thought Duncum was very good. I just didn't buy him. I saw Duncum as a pale imitation of Mulligan. And I saw the team of Lanza and Duncum as being inferior to the team of Lanza and Mulligan. But hey I thought Bruiser and Crusher's 1972 feud with Lanza and Mulligan was one of the greatest of all time. Keep in mind I was only 8 years old when it happened so I might be wearing rose colored glasses.

I saw that match live and didn't really like it. Didn't really hate it either. Thought it was just an average match.

His work in Global as Lightning Kid was the best of his career.

Even when Harley was managing Vader and others, his punches looked like they really hurt. The Dolly Sisters Larry Hennig and Harley Race were before my time as a fan. I can tell you the AWA old timers rate them on par or even above Bockwinkel and Stevens. As for taped footage, it depends how much Verne saved and what was sold to Vince the Younger. WWE is really lazy with AWA footage. Most of what they show was available on DirecTV PPVs many years ago. They have aired a few TV cards not previously on DirecTV but only a couple.

Race worked for NWA in 1990. He also had one match in the AWA. 8/11/90 Rochester, MN AWA Champion Larry Zbyszko beat Harley Race dq DJ Peterson & The Trooper beat Destruction Crew Mike Enos & Wayne Bloom to win AWA Tag Title Buck Zumhofe beat Jonnie Stewart to win AWA Light Heavyweight Title Jake Milliman won a battle royal to give Larry's Legends the victory in the AWA Team Challenge Series for $100,000 Plus other bouts Note: Last AWA TV Taping

I really liked the Road Warriors against The Long Riders Wild Bill Irwin and Scott Irwin. Also enjoyed their feud with the Samoan Swat Team.

There were three Percival Pringles. 1 Percival Pringle & Chauncey Pringle that wrestled for Bert Rubi in Michigan in the early 1960s. 2 The Percy Pringle that shows up on AWA TV and Kansas City cards during the mid 70s. 3 The fat guy later known as Paul Bearer.

Re: Greg Gagne 4/15/73 Duluth, MN @ Arena AWA Tag Team Champions Nick Bockwinkel & Ray Stevens beat Billy Robinson & Don Muraco 2/3 Horst Hoffman beat Lars Anderson dq Geoff Portz beat Rene Goulet Greg Gagne in his pro debut beat Kenny Jay Start of big push began months later. 8/10/74 Minneapolis TV Ivan Putski beat Bill Howard Larry Hennig beat Julio Rodriguez Greg Gagne & Jim Brunzell beat Nick Bockwinkel & Ray Stevens dq Bull Bullinski beat Pancho Vasquez Kenny Jay beat Angel Rivera Heenan's first appearance as the manager of Bockwinkel & Stevens. Larry Hennig completes his face turn by rescuing Gagne & Brunzell.

Only a few AWA camp rookies got pushed big right off the bat. Patera was an Olympian. He got pushed right away. Same for Chris Taylor. The third camp rookie to be pushed to the top right away might surprise you. Rock Rogowski later known as Ole Anderson. Even Greg Gagne toiled on the undercard for over a year. Greg was protected sure but he wasn't as a pushed main eventer.

I'm a bit biased. I saw Nick's entire career in the AWA. He wasn't always with Heenan in the AWA. Heenan became the manager of Bockwinkel & Stevens in August of 1974 after Bobby left Bruiser's WWA. Nick was the AWA wrestler of the 1970s. While Billy Robinson may have been better technically, Bockwinkel was the total package. He could talk you into an arena just to see him hopefully get his tail kicked. Heenan added to that once he became Bockwinkel's manager. While Flair became formulaic, the majority of Nick's matches were different. Bockwinkel's AWA prime would have been 1972 to 1981. .

It actually was started years ago. I will have to re-do it as many corrections and additions have been made since I tried doing it the first time. http://sportsandwrestling.mywowbb.com/forum2/377-1.html

Valentine was briefly in Bruiser's WWA during early 1971 as Johnny Fargo. He teamed with Don Fargo. I'd like to say I remember him from those days but I don't. I was only 6 years old. I do remember his Los Angeles run in 1974 and 1975. Very good team with John Tolos. Americas Champion. On the surface Greg seems to be a Hall of Very Good guy. I agree with the previous posters that stated he should have gone back to Crockett earlier. I could be talked into working on a Greg Valentine ring record book if there is interest. Much of the research has already been done. It just needs to be put together.

BUT as jdw points at Bruno never lost it to Baba in 68 so that was all for nothing. I still think its ends up the same even if it stays with Bruno though, becuase then it goes Killer Kowalski 5/31/69 Bruno Sammartino 6/14/69 Ivan Koloff 12/9/69 Bruno Sammartino 1/19/70 Crusher Verdu 6/15/70 Bruno Sammartino 7/10/70 Ivan Kollof 1/18/71 Pedro Morales 7/8/71 Stan Stasiak 8/30/71 Bobo Brazil 9/27/71 Giant Baba 2/27/73 Jack Brisco 12/9/74 and then back into the results Jason posted. The only one I'm not sure of is Bobo Brazil. Im not sure if he dropped any falls from 71-73 but I couldnt find any. Maybe to Firpo. 8/12/72 Detroit, MI @ Cobo Arena Pampero Firpo beat Bobo Brazil to win US Title Italian Death Match The Sheik no contest Tony Marino Mighty Igor no contest Johnny Valentine Ben Justice & The Stomper beat George Cannon & Don Kent dq Tex McKenzie beat Hans Schmidt Johnny & Jacques Rougeau beat Killer Brooks & Yoshino Sato Ramon Rougeau beat Butch Morgan Danny & Bill Miller beat Tony Parisi & Tiger Jeet Singh Benny & Billy McGuire beat Mike Vigneault & Ben Sharkey & George Guinon Magnificent Zulu beat Karl Von Stroheim Joey Russell won a 7 midget battle royal JB Psycho beat Frankie Laine Att: 11,247 Note: I think this decision was eventually reversed. 10/28/72 Detroit, MI @ Michigan State Fairgrounds Pampero Firpo beat Bobo Brazil to win US Title The Sheik ddq Tex McKenzie Killer Tim Brooks beat JB Psycho dq Johnny Valentine beat Tony Marino Al Costello & Don Kent & Kurt Von Hess & Karl Von Shotz drew Danny Miller & Ben Justice & The Stomper & Haystack Calhoun Darling Dagmar beat Diamond Lil Jess Ortega drew Magnificent Zulu Jerry Graham beat Bob Harmon Lucille DuPree beat Kay Casey Hans Schmidt drew Tony Parisi att: 5,625 Bobo regains the title here. 12/23/72 Detroit, MI @ Cobo Arena Bobo Brazil beat Pampero Firpo to win US Title Tex McKenzie beat Mitsu Arakawa The Sheik no contest Johnny Valentine Tony Marino beat Killer Tim Brooks dq Sweet Daddy Siki no contest Mighty Igor Billy Red Lyons beat Gary Fulton Ben Justice & The Stomper beat Kurt Von Hess & Frank Diamond Dan Miller beat Baron Scicluna Tiger Jeet Singh & Haystacks Calhoun beat Dr. Jerry Graham & Zebra Kid Hans Schmidt drew Sonny King JB Psycho & Magnificent Zulu beat The Medics Att. 9,183 Then loses it quickly to the Sheik. 12/30/72 Detroit The Sheik beat Bobo Brazil to win US Title Pampero Firpo beat Haystacks Calhoun dq Tex McKenzie & Johnny Valentine beat Kurt Von Hess & Karl Von Shotz Tony Marino & Chief Jay Strongbow beat Killer Tim Brooks & Eddie Creachman George Steele beat Hank James Ben Justice Drew Dr. Jerry Graham Al Costello & Don Kent beat Magnificent Zulu & Rick Luka Mighty Igor beat Mike Loren dq Lucille Dupre beat Tanya West dq JB Psycho beat Jess Ortega Farmer Jerome & Sonny Boy Hayes beat Frenchy Lamont & Pee wee Adams Att. 12,423 Then regains it. 1/13/73 Detroit, MI @ Cobo Arena Cage Match Bobo Brazil beat The Sheik to win US Title Pampero Firpo beat Haystack Calhoun Killer Tim Brooks drew Tony Marino Johnny Valentine & Tex McKenzie no contest Kurt Von Hess & Karl Von Shotz George Steele beat Dan Miller Kabooki beat Ben Justice Tiger Jeet Singh beat Sweet Daddy Siki Dick Bulldog Brower beat Ray Elmore JB Psycho beat Dr. Jerry Graham Mike Loren beat Dr. Beach Lou Klein beat Rick Luka Jess Ortega beat Jim Lancaster Att. 12,643 Then loses it back 1/27/73 Detroit, MI @ Cobo Arena Special referee Johnny Valentine The Sheik beat Bobo Brazil to regain US Title Stretcher Death Match Tony Marino beat Killer Tim Brooks Johnny Valentine & Tex McKenzie & Lord Athol Layton beat Kurt Von Hess & Karl Von Shotz & Pampero Firpo JB Psycho beat George Steele Tiger Jeet Singh & Dan Miller beat Hans Schmidt & Zebra Kid Bulldog Brower beat Magnificent Zulu Sweet Daddy Siki beat Ben Justice Kabooki beat Rick O'Toole Mike Loren beat Rick Luka Big Bill Miller & Lou Klein beat the Medics Dr. Jerry Graham beat Dr. Beach Att: 12,346 Another loss to Sheik here. 2/5/73 Dayton, OH The Sheik beat Bobo Brazil Luis Martinez & Fred Curry beat Kurt Von Hess & Karl Von Shotz COR Jerry Graham beat Magnificent Zulu Lou Klein beat Dr Beech Here's an odd one. Ben Justice. Not sure I believe that. 8/4/73 Detroit, MI @ Cobo Arena Johnny Valentine beat Pampero Firpo dq Ben Justice beat Bobo Brazil The Mongols beat Wild Bull Curry & Tony Marino Mighty Igor beat Dr. Jerry Graham Tiger Jeet Singh beat Baron Scicluna Chief Jay Strongbow beat Jim Lancaster Bill Miller beat Bobby Blaine Tony Marino beat Cliff Lilly Ali Baba vs JB Psycho Lou Klein beat Dr Beech Another loss to Sheik. 12/1/73 Detroit, MI @ Cobo Arena US Champion The Sheik beat Bobo Brazil Fred Curry & Tony Marino beat Ben Justice & Killer Tim Brooks dq Johnny Valentine beat Pampero Firpo dq Mighty Igor beat Hans Schmidt Tony Parisi & Dom Denucci beat Eric The Red & Kabooki Ray Rougeau beat Jerry Graham Dan Miller drew Frankie Laine Hartford Love & Reginald Love beat Bobby Blaine & Magnificent Zulu Att 7,780 I'll check Toronto later.

Backlund even wrestled Billy Robinson early in his 1976 Florida run. The first Backlund match I remember seeing as a youngster was this one. 1/3/76 Moline TV Pampero Firpo beat Paul Perschmann Bobby Duncum beat Peter Lee Larry Hennig beat Jos Leduc Nick Bockwinkel beat Frank Hill Greg Gagne & Jim Brunzell beat Dick Reynolds & Bob Backlund Jim Melby does not have this card listed in his Minneapolis/St. Paul record book but it likely aired in the Twin Cities two or three weeks earlier. The Moline TV card comes from the results collection of Joyce Paustian aka vcawdia from Kayfabe Memories. Backlund did not impress me at all during that time period. He was the typical boring amateur wrestler type guy Verne liked to use. Another guy from the same time period that was just as boring was Khosrow Vaziri. Bland personality. No charisma. Decent in ring work. I was shocked when I later read in the mags that Backlund won the Missouri State Title and even more shocked when Bob won the WWWF Title from SBG. I was hard for me to conceive boring Bob actually could win a title. I was unaware of his runs in Amarillo,Florida and Georgia at the time. I eventually accepted Backlund as the WWWF Champion due to the fact he held the title so long and beat so many big name heels. I loved The Mister Bob Backlund gimmick from a character standpoint. Hated his AWA/PWUSA run post W(WWF).

Re: Backlund vs Roop I've probably posted this on another board possibly KKKlassics. Backlund faced Roop many, many times in tag team matches. The most important one from a title standpoint was 6/29/76 Tampa, FL @ Fort Homer Hesterly Armory Uvalde Slim beat Southern Champion The Assassin dq King Curtis & Ray Candy beat Pak Song & Missouri Mauler Jack Brisco beat Bob Orton Jr Steve Keirn & Bob Backlund beat Bob Roop & Bob Orton Sr to win Florida Tag Title Ray Stevens beat Greg Valentine dq Mike Graham beat Alex Perez Raul Mata beat Jim Dalton Keirn and Backlund as partners feuding with Roop, Orton Sr. and sometimes Orton Jr. Keirn and Backlund evntually lost the FTT to the Hollywood Blondes Buddy Roberts and Jerry Brown. Here's one Roop vs Backlund singles match I found. 10/25/76 West Palm Beach, FL @ Auditorium Steel Cage Match Jack Brisco & Jerry Brisco beat Bob Orton Sr & Bob Orton Jr Bob Backlund beat Bob Roop Oki Shikina vs Ray Candy George McCreary vs Hiro Matsuda Jim Dalton vs Don Serrano Winston vs Sonny Myers