GeneJackson95

AWA Championship Wrestling Recorded: March 6, 1985 Airing: Saturday March 13, 1985 nationwide on ESPN The Tropicana Hotel & Casino Atlantic City, New Jersey (Show opens with the standard AWA Championship Wrestling intro video, highlights are shown of the Russians winning the AWA World Tag Team Championships in Minneapolis…..we then go to Larry Nelson standing in the ring) Nelson: "Welcome to AWA Championship Wrestling here on ESPN and without any further ado, I want welcome out the one….the only….Captain Lou Albano!" (Captain Lou comes down the aisle along with Wendi Richter, Samu, and Fatu) Nelson: "Captain Lou Albano, welcome to the AWA!" Lou: "Thank you very much Larry Nelson, I'm excited to be here and I didn't come alone daddy! I've got the number one women's wrestler in the world today, Wendi Richter who is looking to challenges for the AWA Ladies Championship. Not to mention, everyone knows that Captain Lou is the 'guiding light' that has led more tag teams to the World Championship than any other manager in wrestling history. One of the greatest tag teams that I ever managed were the Wild Samoans, Afa and Sika and these two gentlemen right here are the next generation of great Samoan wrestlers…..Samu and Fatu, I call them my Samoan Swat Team and they are going to be looking for those AWA World Tag Team Championships and you'll seem them in action right here next week!" Nelson: "Everyone knows you've been a big part of the 'rock and wrestling' movement appearing in a video for your friend Cyndi Lauper, let's us know what's next for rock and wrestling." Lou: Oh you just wait Larry Nelson, Cyndi is super excited about all the great things going on here in the AWA and she says she'll be coming here soon to support her friend Wendi Richter whose here to compete for that AWA Ladies Championship!" ============================= Match #1: Wendi Richter w/Capt. Lou Albano pinned Misty Dallas after a dropkick off the 2nd rope ============================= Promo for Super Sunday: AWA Super Sunday '85 Sunday March 22, 1985 St. Paul Civic Center St. Paul, Minnesota Airing LIVE on ESPN at 6pm est Main Event AWA World Championship Ted Dibiase Vs. "Nature Boy" Ric Flair Semi-Main Event AWA World Tag Team Championship The Russians (Nikita/Kruschev) w/Ivan Koloff Vs. The High Flyers (Gagne/Brunzell) Mask vs. Leaving the AWA Mr. USA, the Olympic Grappler w/The Marvelous Masked Manager Vs. "American Dream" Dusty Rhodes TITLE UNIFICATION MATCH National Titles vs. Great Lakes Titles The Rock & Roll Express (Ricky Morton/Robert Gibson) Vs. The Super Destroyers (#1/#2) w/Marvelous Masked Manager TITLE UNIFICATION MATCH National Title vs. Great Lakes Title "Mad Dog" Buzz Sawyer Vs. Tommy "Wildfire" Rich PLUS TWO MORE MATCHES including the in-ring debut of OUTBACK JACK!! (Card Subject to Change) ============================== (Ken Resnick is joined backstage by Bob Armstrong) Ken: "Bob, you've demanded a match tonight against the 'Russian Nightmare' Nikita Koloff….I understand why you seek revenge against Nikita after what he's done to you as well as your sons but….Nikita is arguably the most dangerous man in professional wrestling today, are you sure you want to face him one on one here tonight?" Bob: "Ken Resnick, while I appreciate your concern I promise you…..regardless of how you or anyone feels my chances are…..I'm more than willing to step in there with that big Russian, and I promise you….win, lose, or draw…..he's going to know he stepped in there with the 'Bullet'!" ============================== Match #2: Missing Link pinned Ned Grimley after a running headbutt As the referee raises Link's hand, Dick Slater hits the ring and attacks Link from behind……Slater gives Link a piledriver and then puts the boots to Link as the show goes to commercial =============================== VTR: We see more footage from "Down Under" as we once again join OUTBACK JACK who says he's getting ready to "catch a bloody croc"….He says the secret is to "sneak up behind them mate and get a chokehold on them"……he steps off into some very shallow water that you can see a crocodile is in…"Crikey, he's a big bloke!!" After a couple of very obvious cuts in the film, we see OUTBACK JACK straddling the croc in what almost appears to be a sleeperhold……..with another quick cut to a croc hanging by his legs from a tree…."As you can see, I was able to overcome this guy, just like I'll do all the competition in the AWA! See ya soon mates!" =============================== COMMERCIALS: Frank's Tuxedo Emporium featuring Greg Gagne and Jim Brunzell modeling tuxedos =============================== Match #3: Curt Hennig/Scott Hall defeated The Intern/Rip Rogers when Hennig pinned Rogers with a small package =============================== Ken Resnick is backstage with AWA World Champion Ted Dibiase who says that Ric Flair got in his head last week and that's the ONLY reason Ray Stevens survived more than 10 minutes with him but in the end, he took care of Stevens…..and that on Super Sunday, he'll take care of Ric Flair and send him back to the NWA where he belongs! (the camera goes back to ringside where's there a huge disturbance, Nikita Koloff grabs Larry Nelson by his lapels and demands that Bob Armstrong get out here for there match…now!! Verne Gagne rushes out to ringside and tells Ivan Koloff to get Nikita out of here that there's another match before his…..Ivan and Krusher Kruschev grab Nikita and persuade him to head back up the aisle.) =============================== Match #4: Tonga Kid vs. Gama Singh The match goes on for a few minutes with Tonga Kid getting the upper hand….when from outta nowhere Nikita Koloff storms the ring and hits Tonga Kid with the 'Russian Sickle' as Gama Singh staggers to his feet….Koloff floors him with a 'Russian Sickle' as well…..Koloff takes the chain off from around his neck and wraps it around Tonga Kid's and hangs him over the top rope! 'Bad to the Bone' by George Thorogood blasts over the P.A. as Bob Armstrong runs down the aisle and hits the ring…..Rod Trongard says we'll be right back with this main event after this commercial break! =============================== COMMERCIALS featuring: Get ready in April for "NEW" Coke!! =============================== Match #5: MAIN EVENT "The Russian Nightmare" Nikita Koloff vs. "Bullet" Bob Armstrong As the show returns as 'Bullet' Bob Armstrong hits the ring and rocks Nikita Koloff with some big right hands that sends the 'Russian Nightmare' reeling! Armstrong is a "house of fire" and really has Koloff in more trouble than we've seen him in singles action so far here in the AWA…..Nikita takes a few steps back and then charges Armstrong who side steps and catches Nikita in a sleeperhold….Koloff is in trouble!! He's starting to fade….but Ivan Koloff jumps up on the ring apron…..Armstrong releases the hold and goes over and knocks Ivan off the ring apron…..he turns around to see Krusher Kruschev on the apron on the other side of the ring, Armstrong goes over and knock Kruschev off as well….he then turns around into….a "Russian Sickle" from Nikita who covers Armstrong for the 1-2-3!! The Russians then triple team Bob Armstrong until……Dusty Rhodes/Wahoo McDaniel/Brad Armstrong/Curt Hennig/Scott Hall all hit the ring and the Russians scatter….for now Rod Trodgard: "Tune in next week as we'll have a grudge match featuring the Missing Link taking on "Dirty" Dick Slater, we'll see Captain Lou's Samoan Swat Team in action, as well as Jumbo Tsuruta, and much, much more!! See you next week here on AWA Championship Wrestling!!!" (C) 1985 AWA Championship Wrestling

As always you really delivered a great show after the tremendous build up! I like that the show wasn't predictable, yet it didn't defy logic just for shock value...a lot of finishes I wouldn't have called but yet when they happened I was like "holy crap, I didn't see that coming!" I was happy to see Adonis get the win over Lawler which raises his stock even more in our little world here, same for Hercules Ayala, even with the interference from Miller....it's still a huge win! Happy to see Cooley prevail here but I'm sure he hasn't heard the last of Johnny Rich! Anytime you can paint the Grapplers as huge babyfaces, you've done some strong booking...good job on this angle!

With the draft now complete, AWA drops the following people in order to get to the cap of 55 Brad and Bart, The Batten Twins Danny Davis and Ken Wayne, The Nightmares Gene Anderson Super Strong Machine Ray Stevens Spike Huber

AWA World Tag Team Title Tournament Minneapolis Auditorium Minneapolis, MN. Wednesday March 11, 1985 Bell Time: 7pm AWA World Tag Team Title Tournament Round 1: Super Strong Machine/Jumbo Tsuruta w/Gene Anderson defeated The High Flyers (Jim Brunzell/Greg Gagne) then Gene Anderson tripped Greg Gagne, allowing Jumbo to hit Gagne with a kick to the back of the head and get the pinfall Dusty Rhodes/Wahoo McDaniel defeated Dick Slater/The Missing Link when Dusty pinned Slater after Link missed Rhodes and accidently head butted his partner Slater causing them to lose….after the match Slater attacked Link with a chair and left him laid out in the ring Curt Hennig/Scott Hall defeated The Super Destroyers (#1/#2) w/Marvelous Masked Manager when Hall pinned Super D #1 after a powerslam The Russians (Ivan Koloff/Krusher Kruschev) w/Nikita Koloff defeated The Rock & Roll Express (Ricky Morton/Robert Gibson) when Ivan distracted the ref allowing Nikita to slide in and hit Gibson with the 'Russian Sickle' and slide back out allowing Krusher to get the win AWA National Heavyweight Championship "Mad Dog" Buzz Sawyer pinned Brad Armstrong with a roll up and a handful of tights SEMI-FINALS: Dusty Rhodes/Wahoo McDaniel defeated Super Strong Machine/Jumbo Tsuruta w/Gene Anderson when Wahoo pinned Machine after a double knife edge chop off the ropes……Afterwards, Jumbo laid out BOTH Super Strong Machine and Gene Anderson and left ringside alone The Russians (Ivan Koloff/Krusher Kruschev) w/Nikita Koloff defeated Curt Hennig/Scott Hall when Ivan pinned Hennig after a sickle off the 2nd rope SEMI-MAIN EVENT AWA Women's World Championship Candi Devine defeated Sherri Martel by DQ when Sherri shoved the referee down for what she felt was a slow count MAIN EVENT FINALS OF THE AWA WORLD TAG TEAM TITLE TOURNAMENT The Russians (Ivan Koloff/Krusher Kruschev) w/Nikita Koloff defeated Dusty Rhodes/Wahoo McDaniel when Ivan pinned McDaniel after Nikita/Krusher clotheslined Wahoo with the chain while the referee was trying to get Dusty out of the ring……. The Russians are the NEW AWA WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS!

Love the backstory! Welcome back! "1985" is going to be fun!!

AWA Championship Wrestling Saturday March 7, 1985 Airing nationwide on ESPN The Tropicana Hotel & Casino Atlantic City, New Jersey (Show opens with the standard AWA Championship Wrestling intro video and we then go to Larry Nelson) Nelson welcomes everyone to this week's edition of AWA Championship Wrestling, he says he's excited to announce that after a successful "World Tour" the AWA Women's Champion Candi Devine will be here this week in action, tonight once our two qualifiers are out of the way we'll find out the full first round matches for the upcoming AWA World Tag Team title tournament……we'll hear Dusty Rhodes' response to the challenge from Mr. USA and the "Marvelous Masked Manager"……and in the MAIN EVENT, AWA World Champion Ted Dibiase will face the legendary Ray 'the Crippler' Stevens in the '10 minute challenge' that was laid down last week and if Dibiase can defeat Stevens in 10 minutes or less, Ric Flair will forfeit his World championship match at Super Sunday! ================================ MATCH #1: AWA Women's Champion Candi Devine pinned Susie Green with a flying crossbody Post Match: Sherri Martel came down to ringside and challenged Candi Devine to a Championship match in Minneapolis on March 12th, Devine quickly accepted ================================ COMMERCIALS: NEW AWA TAG TEAM ACTION FIGURE SETS FROM REMCO!!! Featuring: The Rock & Roll Express, The Super Destroyers, and the High Flyers!! ================================ MATCH #2 World Tag Team Title Tournament Qualifier High Flyers (Greg Gagne/Jim Brunzell) defeated The Nightmares (#1/#2) after Brunzell pinned Nightmare #2 following a dropkick ================================== (VTR- AWA President Stanley Blackburn is at his desk and tells everyone that it's been his decision that there's too many championships right now in the AWA and he feels since the AWA runs in both the U.S. and parts of Canada, the 'Great Lakes' Championships are no longer needed. So, in light of that….at Super Sunday- Live on ESPN on Sunday May 22nd….The Great Lakes Tag Team Champions The Super Destroyers will face the National Tag Team Champions The Rock & Roll Express in a unification match with the winners being crowned the first AWA North American Tag Team Champions! Also at Super Sunday, Great Lakes Champion Tommy "Wildfire" Rich will face National Champion "Mad Dog" Buzz Sawyer in a unification match with the winner being crowned the first AWA North American Heavyweight Champion thus retiring both sets of Great Lakes and National Championships. ================================== COMMERCIALS: Check out the brand new Nintendo Entertainment System! ================================== MATCH #3: AWA National Champion "Mad Dog" Buzz Sawyer pinned Randy Watson with a splash off the top rope Post Match: Sawyer says that he likes beating up Tommy Rich for fun, but taking this Great Lakes title away forever will be even better! ================================== (Ken Resnick is at ringside and is joined by "American Dream" Dusty Rhodes) Dusty: "Ken Resnick……the word around the campfire if you will….is that Mr. USA, the masked whatever and his Ridiculous Masked Manager has issued a challenge to face me at Super Sunday?" Ken: "That's correct, Dream." Dusty: "Well Mr. Ken Resnick…..I'm not willing to just have a match at Super Sunday……I'm tired of just having matches with these guys……so what I'm looking to do….is put this thing to bed, if you will……let's end this foolishness once and for all. Look, I know who Mr. USA is, ya understand…..I know who this Marvelous Masked Sissy is…..and I'm pretty sure all these fans know who they are as well…..so I'm issuing a little challenge of my own….let's settle this once and for all. Let's have a match….but not just a match, baby…..let's have a match where if I win, you BOTH take them masks off your faces and show everybody just who you are……BUT, if lightnin' strikes me or some other act of God happens and you manage to win……The American Dream will hit that dusty trail and move on to the next adventure if you get what I'm sayin'." Ken: "Wow, there you have it from the American Dream…..let's see if HIS challenge is accepted by Mr. USA and the Marvelous Masked Manager." Dusty: "Oh…and one more thing before I go……'Chief' Wahoo McDaniels and myself will be in that tournament for those AWA World Tag Team Championships….and let me say this, Ivan Koloff….you're real good at running down this great country of ours out here talkin' on a microphone…….but we'll see if you and your boys can back up those words when you're across the ring from the Dream and the Chief…..and rumor has it that next week 'Bullet' Bob Armstrong wants a piece of Nikita, well brother if I was a betting man, I'll put my money on the 'Bullet' any day of the week!" ================================== Ring Announcer Larry Nelson mentions before announcing this match that this match was originally scheduled to be The Highwaymen taking on The Batten Twins but the Highwaymen have abruptly left the AWA for undisclosed reasons, so Dick Slater and the Missing Link have taken their place in this tournament qualifier. ------------------------------------------------------- MATCH #4: World Tag Team Title Tournament Qualifier The Missing Link/"Dirty" Dick Slater defeated The Batten Twins (Bart/Brad) when Link gave Brad a diving headbutt off the 2nd rope and covered him for the three count ================================== COMMERCIALS: Next Week on AWA Championship Wrestling- Special Grudge Match Nikita Koloff vs. "Bullet" Bob Armstrong plus the debut of Capt. Lou Albano and Wendi Richter! Larry Nelson runs down the now finalized first round matches for the AWA World Tag Team Championship tournament coming up on Wednesday March 11th in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Round 1: The High Flyers (Jim Brunzell/Greg Gagne) Vs. Super Strong Machine/Jumbo Tsuruta w/Gene Anderson Dusty Rhodes/Wahoo McDaniel Vs. Dick Slater/The Missing Link The Super Destroyers (#1/#2) w/Marvelous Masked Manager Vs. Curt Hennig/Scott Hall The Rock & Roll Express (Ricky Morton/Robert Gibson) Vs. The Russians (Ivan Koloff/Krusher Kruschev) w/Nikita Koloff Plus: AWA National Heavyweight Championship "Mad Dog" Buzz Sawyer Vs. Brad Armstrong AWA Women's World Championship Candi Devine Vs. Sherri Martel ================================== MATCH #5: MAIN EVENT 10 MINUTE CHALLENGE Ray "The Crippler" Stevens vs. Ted Dibiase Dibiase's harsh words last week have seemingly lit a fire in Stevens as he's moving around the ring a bit quicker and seems more like the Ray Stevens from the San Francisco era, he realizes that time is on his side in this instance and is making Dibiase come after him, which is causing Dibiase to make some mistakes which Stevens is capitalizing on…..we're five minutes into the match and at the half way point when we go to a 2 minute commercial break……as we return from the break, Ric Flair has strolled down to ringside and is looking at Dibiase and pointing at his watch which seems to frazzle Dibiase even more which allow Stevens to get a couple of near falls on the champion….Dibiase tells referee Gary Derusha to get Flair outta here since he doesn't have a wrestling manager's license…..the ref complies….Flair is putting up an argument which has brought the match to a halt…..but not the timer….the time keeper announces 8 minutes has elapsed, 12 minutes remain in television match time, only 2 minutes remain in the 10 minute challenge….as Flair finally starts back towards the dressing room smiling from ear to ear, Dibiase goes after Stevens who is in full on defensive mode as we get down to 1 minute remaining in the challenge….Dibiase starts going for quick roll up pins but Stevens manages to escape each one at the two count……time keeper announces "30 seconds remains in the challenge"…..Dibiase goes for a small package but Stevens kicks out…….Dibiase locks in a sleeper hold……."15 seconds remain" as the crowd cheers for Stevens to hold on for a few more seconds……the ref checks Stevens arm as it drops "10 seconds remain" he checks it as it drops again "5 seconds remain" he checks his arm for a third time but this time Stevens raises his arm….he's still in it!! "3-2-1..the 10 minute challenge is over but the match continues for the remainder of television time" Dibiase releases the sleeper and is livid! He goes up to the second rope and goes for his diving back elbow drop but Stevens moves out of the way as Dibiase crashes to the canvas….Stevens covers 1-2--- Dibiase manages to kick out! Stevens looks at the crowd and gives the sign, he's going to put Dibiase away! Stevens slams Dibiase and then points to the top rope! The crowd is on their feet as they realize they are about to see the legendary Ray Stevens pin the World Champion in this non-title match…..Stevens climbs to the top rope….slowly but surely and dives off for the "BOMBS AWAY"…….right into Dibiase's waiting boot……Stevens crumbles to the mat as Dibiase crawls over and covers for the 1-2-3!! Dibiase has won the match, but he didn't beat Stevens in under 10 minutes, Ric Flair still gets his championship match….speaking of Ric Flair, he returns to ringside and grabs the mic. Flair: "Dibiase, if you are any kind of a man whatsoever, you will shake Ray Stevens' hand and admit he gave you all you could handle here tonight." (Crowd cheers/Dibiase grabs a different mic) Dibiase: "I'll be more than happy to show Ray Stevens the respect he deserves, not because you told me to….and not while you are out here meddling in business that doesn't pertain to you Flair!" (Flair throws his hands up and heads back up the aisle as Stevens walks over to Dibiase) "Ray, I'm man enough to admit when I'm wrong, I thought I could put you down in ten minutes and you proved me wrong……you proved that maybe you still have something to offer in this ring and you've certainly earned my respect." (Dibiase extends his hand to Stevens who hesitates and then shakes his hand) Stevens: "Ted, that means a lot coming from you and I truly appreciate it. I have nothing but the utmost respect for you and your family." (Dibiase steps in and hugs Stevens) Dibiase: "Thank you Ray, how about we go out and I buy the first round tonight." (Crowd cheers as Dibiase puts his arm around Stevens and they start to leave ringside together when suddenly Dibiase drives Stevens' head straight into the ring post and starts to put the boots to him until Flair comes running back down causing Dibiase to take off through the crowd…….Flair checks on Ray Stevens who is busted wide open, once the medics arrive Flair goes over and grabs the microphone) Flair: "Ted Dibiase…..you son of a *****! When I came here, I was only interested in wrestling you for the AWA World Heavyweight Championship to prove I'm the best wrestler in the world…..but now that's become secondary…..NOW, I wanna wrestle you so I can kick your ***! NOW, I wanna wrestle you to teach you some respect……respect for this sport…..respect for that belt you're carrying around……but more importantly than all that……respect for guys like Ray 'the by-God Crippler' Stevens who helped pave the way so you can make a living doing this thing we call pro wrestling and it's a disgrace the sort of disrespect you just showed out of jealously because he proved you wrong and embarrassed you on nationwide television right here on ESPN….well don't forget, Teddy….when I face you for that AWA World Championship on Super Sunday it will be broadcast LIVE and in living color on ESPN and just imagine how embarrassed you'll be when you see me walking out of Chicago wearing that World Heavyweight Championship…WOOOOOOO!!" © 1985 American Wrestling Association

I can't wait for Scores to Settle! This show has been so well built, every match has a story behind it....as a fan I'm invested in the outcome of every match on the card. Fun tv show this week.....I love that you've managed to inject some personality into Ron Slinker! Great line about Sarge getting demoted after their upcoming match. Heel Johnny Rich works better here than I've seen it done in the past in previous games.....Wendell Cooley is a great babyface whose perfect for this territory....it will be interesting to see who comes out on top in this one! Olympia is coming in hot after all that Blanchard has done to him....but will he be 100%?? More importantly, can he overcome the interference of Baby Doll?? I will be especially interested in this one! Ayala is a strong challenger for Kerry after all that's gone down between them but the wild card here is Sonny King, I think he could make the difference here...unless Kerry has a plan. The Grapplers better get it done in this cage match or else they may never have a better opportunity to get a fair shot at the champs. Lawler vs. Adonis is going to be a classic!

American Wrestling Association Winnipeg Arena Winnipeg Manitoba- Canada Thursday March 5, 1985 Bell Time: 7pm Tonga Kid pinned Sting following a top rope splash Curt Hennig/Scott Hall/Greg Gagne/Jim Brunzell defeated Mr. USA/Super Destroyers #1&#2/Rip Rogers w/the Marvelous Masked Manager when Hall pinned Rogers after a running bulldog FIRST BLOOD MATCH "Mad Dog" Buzz Sawyer defeated Tommy "Wildfire" Rich in a BRUTAL non-title first blood match when Sawyer finally managed to bust Rich's head open with a series of vicious headbutts AWA Women's Championship Candi Devine pinned Leilani Kai with an inside cradle to retain the title GRUDGE SIX MAN TAG TEAM MATCH The Russians (Ivan & Nikita Koloff/Krusher Kruschev) defeated The Armstrongs (Bob/Scott/Steve) when Nikita pinned Steve after a 'Russian Sickle'…….post match: The Russians jumped Bob and Scott as they were checking on Steve, Ivan wrapped the chain around Scott's throat and hung him over the top rope….until Dusty Rhodes/Wahoo McDaniel and the Rock & Roll Express ran out with steel chairs to make the save Special Challenge Match "Nature Boy" Ric Flair defeated "Dirty" Dick Slater by submission with the figure four leglock SEMI-MAIN EVENT AWA National Tag Team Championship The Rock & Roll Express (Ricky Morton/Robert Gibson) defeated The PYT Express (Koko Ware/Norvell Austin) when Gibson pinned Austin after a double dropkick MAIN EVENT AWA World Championship "American Dream" Dusty Rhodes defeated Ted Dibiase by DQ when Mr. USA, the Masked Olympic Grappler hit the ring and attacked Rhodes along with the Marvelous Masked Manager……along with the Super Destroyers, Dibiase simply left the ring and grabbed this title as Ricky Morton, Robert Gibson, Scott Hall, and Curt Hennig all ran in to make the save

AWA places The Nightmares (Danny Davis/Ken Wayne), and The Missing Link on the block

AWA drops Debbie Combs to make room for Sherri Martel.

AWA adds Wendi Richter, Candi Devine, Debbie Combs, and Lelani Kai

AWA picks up Madusa

AWA Championship Wrestling Saturday Feb. 29, 1985 Airing nationwide on ESPN The Tropicana Hotel & Casino Atlantic City, New Jersey (Show opens with the standard AWA Championship Wrestling intro video and we then go to Larry Nelson standing in the ring) Larry: "Welcome once again to AWA Championship Wrestling from the Tropicana Hotel & Casino here in Atlantic City, New Jersey and what a show we have for you this evening. Over the course of the next two weeks we will have four qualifying matches for the AWA World Tag Team title tournament, two tonight and two next week as we head towards the tournament coming up on March 11th in Minneapolis, Minnesota! We'll also see the #1 contender to the AWA World Heavyweight Championship, 'Nature Boy' Ric Flair in action! However, right now let's go to the ring for the first of our two qualifying match ups right here on ESPN!" ======================================== Match #1: Tag Title Tournament Qualifier The Russians (Nikita Koloff/Krusher Kruschev) w/Ivan Koloff defeated Scott/Steve Armstrong when Nikita pinned Scott Armstrong after a 'Russian Sickle' (Ken Resnick approaching the Russian team following their big victory) Ken: "Ivan, a big win for your nephew Nikita and Krusher Kruschev as they will move on to the first round of the AWA World Tag team title tournament and they will face the National tag team champions, the Rock & Roll Express!" Ivan: "That is very good news, Comrade Resnick……just like how they destroyed these little Armstrong boys here tonight…..we will destroy those two rock and roll punks in the Minneapolis for the belts." Krusher: "That's right Resnick…..you look across those brackets and there's no one who can match us….in size, strength, or ability…..we are the best and we'll prove it in that tournament." ============================================== COMMERCIAL: Be the champ with your very own toy AWA World Championship title belt!! ============================================== Match #2: Ray 'the Crippler' Stevens pinned Barry O with a small package (Post match: Ken Resnick approaches Ray Stevens) Ken: "Crippler, if I could get a word with you….a great win for you here tonight over Barry O and I just wanted to ask you as you enter the twilight of your career, how do you feel about….." (Stevens interjects) Ray: "Twilight of my career? Not hardly Ken Resnick….I've still got plenty of gas left in the tank. I've still got titles left to win and money to be made." (AWA World Champion Ted Dibiase comes out and grabs the mic) Ted: "Listen, Stevens…..in your day you were one of the greats…..there's no question about it….but I'm sick and tired of seeing guys like you…..and the Bruiser and the Crusher out here clinging on to what little relevance you have left….it's embarrassing. Do yourself a favor and get out while you still can…..the only business you have being on this television program is to be over there at that table doing commentary or in the back taking out the trash." Ray: "Taking out the trash?? You keep it up Teddy and the only trash I'll take out is you, pal. I've done more in this business than you could ever dream of and I'm not going to stand here and be treated like this…..we can get in that ring right now and I'll teach you some respect, boy!" Ted: "Calm down old man….first off you couldn't last FIVE MINUTES with me……don't get me wrong, you were great when I was a kid….my Dad thought very highly of you and there was a time you could've been World Champion…..but that time has passed….so do yourself and whatever fans you have left a favor and leave the wrestling to guys like me." Ray: "Guys like YOU are what's wrong with wrestling today…you wanna stand out here and shoot your big mouth off but when you get challenged…..you just wanna keep talking….you don't have the guts to step in the ring with me because you know I'll prove you wrong." Ted: "Listen Pops…..my patience is wearing thin, now if you don't…" (Before he can finish, Ric Flair walks out sporting an expensive suit and grabs the mic) Ric: "Ted….you need to listen to me…and listen good….Ray Stevens is a legend in our industry and someone who should be revered and respected and I've listened to about all of this garbage I'm going to listen to……You have the audacity to say that Ray Stevens couldn't last five minutes in the ring with you?? Did I hear you say that??" Ted: "That's exactly what I said….because that's exactly what I mean….and I'm more than willing to step in the ring with him to prove it!" Ric: "Ok Champ, I'll be willing wager that not only could you not beat him in five minutes, I don't believe you could beat Ray Stevens in TEN MINUTES!" Ted: "Did you say WAGER?? What exactly would you be willing to wager…..or are you all talk….Nature Boy??" Ric: (puts his hand on his chin as he mulls it over) "How about this Dibiase? I'm so sure that you couldn't beat Ray Stevens in less than 10 minutes in a match here next week…..that if you do….I'll forfeit my title shot at 'Super Sunday'." Ted: (laughing) "Alright then 'Slick Ric', two things are going to happen next week…..I'm going to retire this old man in less than ten minutes…..and then Stanley Blackburn will have to find me a new challenger for 'Super Sunday', this time you've let your arrogance cost you the opportunity of a lifetime…see you next week, Crippler." (Flair pats Ray Stevens on the back, they shake hands and walk away) ======================================== COMMERCIAL: FREE FOOTBALL PHONE WITH SPORTS ILLUSTRATED SUBSCRIPTION ======================================== Match #3: AWA National Champion "Mad Dog" Buzz Sawyer pinned Randy Watson after a diving splash off the top rope ======================================== (Ken Resnick is backstage with the AWA Great Lakes Champion Tommy 'Wildfire' Rich) Ken: "Tommy, last week you managed to regain the Great Lakes Championship from Stagger Lee who was in fact unmasked to reveal Koko Ware before the show went off the air." Tommy: "That's right 'Killer' Ken! Last week, I got my title back and we got a leg up on that Masked Manager with Scott Hall and Curt Hennig pulling the masks off the PYT Express and a little bit later tonight we'll see them square off to earn a spot in that tag team title tournament….but enough about that goofy manager…..I wanna talk about the man who stuck his nose in my business and cost me this belt in the first place…..and I'm talkin' bout Buzz Sawyer! Buzz Sawyer, it don't matter to me where we do it……or how we do it…..but you and me need to step in that ring and settle some things, you know what I'm sayin' Ken Resnick." Ken: "I believe I do Tommy, and in fact it was said in a meeting this afternoon that right here next week on ESPN, Stanley Blackburn is going to have a big announcement concerning you and Buzz Sawyer as well as both the National and Great Lakes Championships." Tommy: "Well, I like the sound of that……I promise you one thing…..Buzz Sawyer, once I get you in that ring one on one, you'll regret the day you crossed ol' Wildfire….cause I'm farrrred up and 'Mad Dog' that means you are in for some real bad times ahead!" ============================================= COMMERCIAL: Wahoo McDaniel anti-littering commercial ============================================= Match #4: Mr. USA, the Olympic Grappler w/the Marvelous Masked Manager defeated Henry Moody by submission with an armbar Post Match: The Marvelous Masked Manager lays out a challenge to the "American Dream" Dusty Rhodes for 'Super Sunday' =============================================== VTR: A video plays of a man making his way through the bush in the Australia…..with a narrator doing a very poorly imitated Australian accent putting over this man's abilities ending with "move over Crocodile Dundee because Outback Jack is on his way……to the AWA!" =============================================== Match #5: "Nature Boy" Ric Flair defeated Frank Reynolds by submission with the figure four leglock ================================================= COMMERCIALS: The Verne Gagne Workout Tape series available on Beta & VHS!! ================================================= Match #6: MAIN EVENT Tag Title Tournament Qualifier Scott Hall/Curt Hennig defeated PYT Express (Koko Ware/Norvell Austin) w/Marvelous Masked Manager when Hall pinned Austin after a running bulldog As Hennig/Hall are having their hands raised and celebrating their victory, The Super Destroyers hit the ring and attack them….they are putting the boots to them pretty good as the Marvelous Masked Manager is running around ringside shouting for them to "take them out, baby" as the show goes off the air © 1985 American Wrestling Association

Great house shows......both had solid Semi-Main and Main Events Nice win for Bockwinkel and Larry Z Ayala seems like a perfect opponent for Lawler, hope we see more with these two Blanchard gets past Slaughter with his title and Slinker digs his hole a little deeper with the Sarge Kerry retains and we throw some more gasoline on the Grapplers vs. Idol/Dream Machine feud

AWA sends Lex Luger, Kokina, Bobby Duncum, and Phil Hickerson to WWF We also drop Barry O to get to the requested roster limit of 50.

American Wrestling Association House Show Milwaukee, WI. Friday Feb 28, 1985 Bell time: 7pm Brad Armstrong pinned "Hustler" Rip Rogers following a 'Russian Leg Sweep' "The Great" Gama Singh defeated Tom Prichard by submission with a 'camel clutch' The Highwaymen (Bobby Duncum/Phil Hickerson) w/Gene Anderson defeated The Batten Twins (Bart/Brad) when Duncum pinned Bart Batten after a piledriver AWA National Heavyweight Championship "Mad Dog" Buzz Sawyer fought Tommy "Wildfire" Rich to a DOUBLE DQ SIX MAN TAG TEAM GRUDGE MATCH Dusty Rhodes/Scott Hall/Curt Hennig defeated Mr. USA/The PYT Express w/The Marvelous Masked Manager when Dusty pinned Norvell Austin after an elbow drop SEMI-MAIN EVENT AWA National Tag Team Championship The Rock & Roll Express wrestled Super Strong Machine/Jumbo Tsuruta w/Gene Anderson to a 30 minute time limit draw MAIN EVENT AWA World Heavyweight Championship Ted Dibiase pinned Wahoo McDaniel with his feet on the ropes in 26:32 to retain the championship

Great show here laying even more solid groundwork for the 'Scores to Settle'! I'm a huge fan of Bockwinkel and you've captured his promo style well here as I can hear every word of this being said by him building towards this showdown with Colon. Great main event that helps build two matches on the card of the closed circuit event, while putting Mr. Olympia in some serious jeopardy of possibly leaving town after being piledriven through a table by Tully Blanchard who has proven to be one of the most dangerous men on the USWA roster. The Grapplers against Idol/Dream in a steel cage should be a brutal affair they may finally manage to determine a winner in this feud. I can't wait to see Lawler/Adonis square off! Such a solid card....every match on the show has been well built and has me invested in whose going to win....and we're still a couple of weeks away!

AWA Championship Wrestling Saturday Feb. 22, 1985 Airing nationwide on ESPN The Tropicana Hotel & Casino Atlantic City, New Jersey (Show opens with the standard AWA Championship Wrestling intro video and we then go to Larry Nelson standing in the ring) Nelson: "Welcome to AWA Championship Wrestling here at the beautiful Tropicana Hotel & Casino and there's so much going on here in the AWA these days and right now I want to welcome the President of the AWA, Mr. Stanley Blackburn." (Stanley Blackburn enters the ring to a mixed reaction) Blackburn: "Thank you Larry, I would first like to announce that coming up on Wednesday March 11th in Minneapolis, Minnesota, we will have the tournament to crown the new AWA World Tag Team Champions and we'll have more details on the brackets for that tournament right here next week. I'm also very excited to announce that on Sunday March 22nd, the AWA will be putting on a 'Supercard' at the St. Paul Civic Center in St. Paul, Minnesota entitled 'Super Sunday' headlined by Ted Dibiase defending the AWA World Heavyweight Championship against the 'Nature Boy' Ric Flair!" Nelson: "Wow, that's a couple of bombshells right here to start the show!" Blackburn: "Well, here’s one more….after reviewing the tape of the Great Lakes title match between Stagger Lee and Tommy Rich, I have signed a rematch tonight for the title….and since people saw fit to try and get involved previously…..I've made this a lumberjack match and it's the main event TONIGHT! Now let's get some action in this ring!" ======================================= MATCH #1: AWA National Tag Champions The Rock & Roll Express (Ricky Morton/Robert Gibson) defeated Parker Williams/'Big' Tom Dugan when Morton pinned Dugan after a double dropkick! (Ken Resnick comes to ringside to talk with the Rock & Roll Express) Ken: "Congratulations to the AWA National Tag Team Champions, who will be a part of this big World tag team title tournament coming up in Minneapolis." Ricky: "That's exactly right, Ken……Hoot and myself will have the opportunity to put another set of straps around our waist……and if we get a shot at the Super Ds Great Lakes Tag Team titles, we'll have three sets of tag team titles!" Ken: "Wow, that's some big aspirations guys…..but there's no question that you're one of the top tag teams in the entire world right now…..so tell me what tag team do you think could give you the most problems in this tournament?" Robert: "That's a great question…..there's a lot of great teams in this thing….you've got the Samoans, the Russians, the Nightmares, and all sorts of shady characters but I tell you who would give us a run for our money, that would be the team of Dusty Rhodes and Wahoo McDaniel." Ricky: "You got that right……not only are they two of the toughest men in this industry, but it would be an honor to share the ring with them in competition……but no matter who it is that stands across that ring from us at any point in that tournament…..they will all find out why…at the end of the day…..ROCK AND ROLL IS KING!" ============================= COMMERCIAL- AWA ACTION FIGURES from REMCO featuring Dusty Rhodes, Wahoo McDaniel, Ted Dibiase, Ivan & Nikita Koloff and Tommy Rich!! ============================= MATCH #2: AWA World Champion Ted Dibiase pinned Fred Garvin following a falling back elbow drop from the 2nd rope (Dibiase summons Ken Resnick to ringside) Ken: "Mr. Dibiase, we don't have an interview scheduled for you here tonight…" Ted: "I'm the World Heavyweight Champion, Resnick……if I have something to say, you're going to stand there and listen and so will all these people. I'm insulted that Ric Flair thinks he can just walk in here and challenge me and automatically be deemed a #1 contender to this title. Who the hell has he beaten in the AWA?" Ken: "Well obviously, Ric Flair's reputation precedes him and if anyone deserves a shot at that title, it's 'Nature Boy' Ric Flair." Ted: "Give me a break…..so he has somebody glue some sequins and feathers on a bath robe and I'm supposed to be impressed?" Ken: "Come on Ted, you can't act like Ric Flair isn't a worthy opponent." Ted: "I'm not saying he isn't a worthy opponent, just not a worthy challenger….yet." Ken: "The match is signed, President Stanley Blackburn made it official earlier, on Super Sunday March 22nd you will defend that title against Ric Flair whether you deem him worthy or not." Ted: "That's fine Resnick….that's just fine because you are looking at the man who defeated Hulk Hogan to win this title……something Ric Flair could never do! I haven't made my reputation by dressing like Liberace and acting like a big shot wherever I go……I've built my reputation inside that wrestling ring beating overrated guys like Ric Flair…..so I welcome the challenge……because once I beat Ric Flair…..who else ya got? I've beaten them all! I've made examples out of every challenger that everyone swore would be the one to 'take me down'…..well guess what….I'm still standing, Resnick…..I'll be standing here wearing this belt for as long as I choose to…..and there's nothing anyone can do about it…..least of all….Ric Flair!" (storms off) ============================= MATCH #3: Curt Hennig pinned The Blue Devil following a dropkick from the top rope ============================= COMMERCIALS: featuring the new release from the AWA Home Video Series: "Fired Up": The Best of Tommy Rich ============================= (Larry Nelson is in the back with the Marvelous Masked Manager/Stagger Lee/The Shadow/Rip Rogers/The Super Destroyers/Mr. USA, the Olympic Grappler) Larry: "Mr. Masked Manager, you don't seem to be pleased about this rematch that Stanley Blackburn has signed." MMM: "Well of course not baby, this is clearly not the greatest day of my life as Tommy Rich has obviously went and cried to Blackburn and Verne Gagne because he wasn't good enough to beat Stagger Lee on his own, so now he wants a bunch of friends at ringside to try and help him!" Larry: "Are you kidding me, after what you guys pulled with Buzz Sawyer and…." MMM: "What are you talking about?? I don't even know who Tom Sawyer is?? Isn't he in a book or something, baby? He certainly wasn’t interfering in our match and helping Ko…I mean Stagger Lee win….this is ridiculous Nelson……we're not going to stick around here and tolerate any more of your Outrageous Conduct…..let's get out of here guys!" (Masked Manager and company leave as Gene Anderson steps into the frame) Larry: "Gene Anderson, I understand that you have TWO teams in the AWA World Tag Team title tournament and we're getting ready to see them in action in an eight man tag team match….they'll have to work together tonight but what happens if they end up across the ring from each other in this tournament." Gene: "Then I guess they'll duke it out and see whose the best team…..and either way….I win!" ================================ MATCH #4: The Highwaymen (Bobby Duncum/Phil Hickerson)/Jumbo Tsuruta/Super Strong Machine w/Gene Anderson defeated Randy Watson/Roy Munson/Frank Reynolds/Steve The Samurai when Tsuruta pinned Munson after a shoulderbreaker ================================ COMMERCIALS: Featuring a Budweiser commercial starring Dusty Rhodes ================================ MATCH #5: MAIN EVENT AWA Great Lakes Championship LUMBERJACK MATCH Featuring: The Super Destroyers/Rip Rogers/The Shadow/Mr. USA/Buzz Sawyer on one side And Dusty Rhodes/The Rock & Roll Express/Wahoo McDaniel/Scott Hall/Curt Hennig on the other Tommy "Wildfire" Rich pinned Stagger Lee to regain the title when Scott Hall prevented Buzz Sawyer from interfering…allowing Rich to pull the mask off Stagger Lee revealing Koko Ware and as Ware tried to hide his face he was rolled up for a 1-2-3!! In the post match brawl, Curt Hennig managed to unmask the Shadow revealing Norvell Austin just before the show went off the air! © 1985 American Wrestling Association

Fun main event with two strange pairings IRL that make perfect sense in the world you've created. Good house show card!

As reported by Dave Meltzer in the Feb. 15, 1985 Wrestling Observer Newsletter AWA News: The word out of the AWA this week is that Verne Gagne has brought in a new booker and there will be some MAJOR changes moving forward. It's not known at this time who the new booker is but apparently there will be some angles that will follow through from the previous regime as well as some that will be dropped or majorly altered. Since Gordon Solie has gone to work in Continental, the entire broadcast team has been revamped with Larry Nelson being brought in as host of AWA Championship Wrestling on ESPN while Ken Resnick will be handling the interviewing duties, Rod Trongard will be doing play by play and Lord James Blears on color commentary. It's also interesting to note that one of the first things the new booker did was bring back Greg Gagne and Jim Brunzell, the High Flyers which is said to have won him favor right out of the gate with Verne Gagne. The changes will take affect as of the Feb. 22nd episode of AWA Championship Wrestling on ESPN which will be taped from the Tropicana Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey which will be the only venue the AWA runs in the area. It's said the AWA will be running a "Supercard" on Sunday March 22nd entitled 'Super Sunday' which will take place in St. Paul, Minnesota at the St. Paul Civic Center headlined by Ted Dibiase defending the AWA World Title against "Nature Boy" Ric Flair. Also look for Stanley Blackburn to be brought in as the "President" of the AWA to help usher in a lot of these changes over the next few weeks.

I agree with Kevin, you've done a great job capturing the 80's southern rasslin feel here....Continental specifically. I'm a huge fan of Donnie Bass....especially his "Singing Cowboy" gimmick.....this was played perfectly here! Looking forward to seeing who comes out the champ in Birmingham!

Fun house show here....I love how creative you are with coming up with original tag teams, I wish I was better with that. The match that really stands out to me here is Killer Brooks vs. Gypsy Joe....what a hard hitting "slobberknocker" that had to be! Nice win for "Wildcat" Wendell Cooley who I've always been a fan of....and I look forward to following his career here in the USWA. I feel like Tully vs. Martel would have had to steal the show here.....both guys pretty close to their prime in this era....great stuff. I can only imagine the amount of "walking and talking" that had to take place in a Lawler vs. Larry Z match...lol. None the less as mention this had to go a long way towards getting Lawler over in Texas. Glad to see the Movement still lives......but Kerry and the Naturals will not be denied especially in Texas!

What a great main event that gives us a taste of a MEGA CARD at Scores to Settle! No way I would miss this one, there's at least five bonafide main event caliber matches on this show and a reason to watch every match on the card! Solid booking as always!

Here's hoping Superstar can hold on to that US title for a bit.....I hope Tonga gets some revenge on Gino!

Sad to see Jimmy Golden lose the TV title.... But happy to see King Tonga win the US title! Gino Hernandez is king here and I love it! Who on earth will be able to bring him down here in Mid Atlantic??