NWA Lutte Internationale
Taped at CHLT-TV Studios, Sherbrooke, QC
January 12th, 1985
(After the opening credits, we join Guy Hauray & Édouard Carpentier at the broadcast booth to kick off the show)
Guy Hauray: Hello, wrestling fans, and welcome to this week’s edition of NWA Lutte Internationale. What a show we had last week as we saw some incredible turn of events throughout the show. First and foremost, we saw the first TV appearance of Nick Bockwinkel in Lutte Internationale and while Sherri Martel try to woo him into joining the Sensationals, Bockwinkel didn’t seem that interested, Eddie.
Édouard Carpentier: History has shown through the years that if Nick Bockwinkel has a good reason to do something and if it’s best for him, he’ll do it. If not, he’ll wait for the proper time. I’m thinking that Bockwinkel is just willing to gauge the competition before making any definite moves.
Guy Hauray: It could very well be the case and we also saw last week the Rougeau Brothers defending the NWA World Tag Team Championship in a classic encounter against the Brisco Brothers, who are in their farewell tour of the sport. But we also saw that Eddy “The Brain” Creatchman tried to get involved, despite the Briscos not really interested into his presence.
Édouard Carpentier: When it comes down to it, for The Brain, it’s all about making the Rougeaus’ lives miserable. The Rougeaus are piling up the contenders gunning for them: obviously the Briscos and any of Creatchman’s stable members but also we can’t forget about the Grapplers and The Midnight Express, both teams with whom Jacques & Raymond Rougeau still have a score to settle.
Guy Hauray: And a very interesting situation this week as The Rougeaus will have the opportunity to settle that score with at least 2 of those teams in an 8-Men Elimination Tag Team Match in our main event as what we could call the Quebec Dream Team of NWA International Tag Team Champions Gino Brito & also NWA International Heavyweight Champion Rick Martel will team with the NWA World Tag Team Champions the Rougeau Brothers to take on the team of the Brisco Brothers & The Midnight Express!
Édouard Carpentier: Talk about a blockbuster main event, this is gonna be one helluva main event. It’ll be explosive and high in emotion as well. I can’t even imagine what we’ll see in that match. I’m expecting anything and everything!
Guy Hauray: What we can expect though is one solid opening bout as we’ll see the TV in-ring debut of The Sensationals’ newest member, Terry Taylor!
Match #1
Terry Taylor (w/Sherri Martel) vs Baron Von Raschke
The broadcast team recaps last week’s promo segment in which Terry Taylor debuted with The Sensationals and in which Nick Bockwinkel turned down Sherri’s offer to join her stable. Sherri Martel seems a bit off her game at ringside as Terry Taylor is trying to get some last minute advice before the match starts but she isn’t doing anything. That allows Baron Von Raschke to get a quick start in the match and take control. Guy & Édouard discuss during the match how normally it should be the other way around; the wrestler being off his game and not the manager about something happening the week before but this isn’t the case at the moment. Terry Taylor is able to regain some control in the match but each time, he turns to check on Sherri Martel to have her interfere in some way but she isn’t doing anything. Taylor musters some offense to keep the momentum going but eventually, the back-and-forth between Taylor and Sherri takes its toll on Taylor’s focus in the match. Taylor turns around and comes home to Baron Von Raschke’s dreaded Claw. Von Raschke takes Taylor down on the mat and referee Luigi Macera makes the 3 count for Von Raschke’s victory.
Winner: Baron Von Raschke
************COMMERCIAL BREAK************
(As we’re back from the commercial break, Terry Taylor and Sherri Martel are still arguing at ringside. They decide to take their argument at the broadcast booth as Édouard Carpentier stands up to see what’s going on)
Terry Taylor: Sherri! SHERRI! What the hell is going on here? Aren’t you supposed to be the manager or something? Where’s your head at?
Sherri Martel: Are you serious? You’re asking ME where’s my head at??
Terry Taylor: Damn right, I am! Look, when I came over here to join your stable, I was reinsured by YOU that we would go straight to the top, that you had a foolproof plan. Obviously, after what happened last week, looks like this plan wasn’t foolproof after all! And besides, where the hell is Somers?
Sherri Martel: Don’t question my decisions, Terry! Doug Somers is gone and he ain’t coming back. I had to do what’s best for The Sensationals, and you and I both know it!
Terry Taylor: Oh, yaah, sure...I bet that this includes Nick Bockwinkel as well, uh? Is that what has been rattling you? The fact that he said no to your offer last week?
Sherri Martel: No, no, no, no, Terry...he never said no to my offer, he ----
Édouard Carpentier: Well, Sherri, why don’t you ask the man himself to straighten up the facts?
(Like he was waiting for his cue, Nick Bockwinkel, once again dressed up to the nines, makes his way on to the set)
Nick Bockwinkel: Hey, hey, now, what’s all the fuss about here? Am I at the center of this little scuttlebutt you’re having now?
Terry Taylor: Well, it seems apparent, Mr. Bockwinkel, that Sherri here is a little bit bothered by the fact that you told her “No” to join our group last week.
Nick Bockwinkel: Now, hold on, Terry....what I said wasn’t “No”...I asked Sherri to show me that I could trust her and I’d do business with her. From what I’m understanding, she apparently sent off Doug Somers to Minneapolis without consulting you, guys, so that must mean that perhaps I was right after all to hold on here.
Sherri Martel: Nick, ple....
Nick Bockwinkel: It’s “Mister Bockwinkel” to you, Sherri. Now...like I told you last week, until you get your act together and I like what I see, you’re gonna have to wait for what you want. If you can sweeten the pot enough, you *might* get the answer you so richly desire. But until then, this “luxury gun for hire” will do what he does best and that’s showing the wrestling business what a former World Heavyweight Champion is all about.
(Once again, Sherri is upset as Nick Bockwinkel walks off the set without the answer she wanted.)
Terry Taylor: Now, c’mon, Sherri...we can talk this through in our locker room
Sherri Martel: Trust me, Mr. Carpentier, before this show is over, Nick Bockwinkel will change his mind, you believe me when I say this.
(Sherri storms backstage as Terry Taylor follows in tow.)
Guy Hauray: Eddie, doesn’t look everything is going smoothly within the newlyformed Sensationals. We already know that Doug Somers is out of the group – and the territory – for undisclosed reasons and now, Sherri still can’t convince Nick Bockwinkel to join her stable.
Édouard Carpentier: I don’t know what she has in mind but this better be spectacular for her to get Nick Bockwinkel to change his mind.
Guy Hauray: We might see but when we come back, some highlights from our affiliates at Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling!
*****COMMERCIAL BREAK + TV AD FOR TONIGHT’S SHOW AT THE MONTREAL FORUM******
FEATURED ON THE CARD
TITLE VS TITLE
NWA International Tag Team Champions Rick Martel & Gino Brito vs NWA US Tag Team Champions The Windhams
Guy Hauray: Before we head to our main event, let’s get to the highlights of another that took place at Starrcade as the legendary Stan Hansen challenged Tully Blanchard for the NWA World TV Championship!
NWA Television Championship
One-fall with a special 20-minute time limit
Referee: Sonny Fargo
Stan “The Lariat” Hansen vs Tully Blanchard © (w/ James J Dillon)
Some early stalling by the champion early, he doesn’t want to get into a power, or a brawling style match with the challenger. He tries to dictate the style of match early on. Tully actually wrestles Hansen to the mat early and keeps him off his game. Once Stan gets to his feet, the tide of the match turns. Hansen works over the champion with big time strikes. Tully bails to the floor, but the challenger follows. They brawl on the floor, which sees Tully get posted before rolling into the ring. He is busted open. Hansen just beats on the champion for the next few minutes. Tully finally gets the upperhand after ducking the Lariat and pushing Hanson into the ringpost shoulder first. The champion collects himself a moment, then attacks viciously. Hanson is hurt, and this will hinder his nailing his favorite move the Lariat. Blanchard has the upper hand, and JJ is happy at ringside. He even comes over to the commentary table and grabs the free microphone and tells us how smart Tully Blanchard is.This match is over! Tully is the smartest wrestler in the world! Back to the ring as Tully is stomping on the shoulder. Hansen is working on getting back to his feet. We are under three minutes left to the time limit. JJ is screaming to just stay off your back for the next few minutes. Hansen shoulder blocks Tully to the mat, but Tully immediately rolls to the ropes. Hanson is rubbing the shoulder, you know he’s trying to get one good Lariat ready. He comes at Tully with a violent Lariat, but Tully ducks again. Stan clutches his arm and shoulder...he’s really hurt it against that post. Tully kicks Hansen and tries for the Slingshot Suplex, but Hansen backdrops him to the middle of the ring. Hansen rests against the ropes. Blanchard gets to his feet and turns around….the bell rings...Hansen nails the Larlat and covers Blanchard. Sonny Fargo tells Hansen the match is over. The time limit has expired. Hansen grabs the title belt and walks off anyways. JJ is going crazy, but he is keeping his distance from Hansen. JJ checks on his champion and complains to the referee. Sonny goes to the back to try to retrieve the title belt. We head to David Crockett.
Time: 20:00
Decision: Time Limit Draw, Tully Blanchard retains the Television Title.
*****COMMERCIAL BREAK*****
MAIN EVENT
Match #2
8-MEN ELIMINATION TAG TEAM MATCH
Rick Martel, Gino Brito & The Rougeau Brothers vs The Brisco Brothers & The Midnight Express (w/Jim Cornette)
The broadcast team hypes that this is the first encounter between the Rougeaus & The Midnight Express since the Midnight Express attacked the Rougeaus in November at the Montreal Forum and as expected, The Rougeaus & the Midnight Express are getting into it in a furious brawl. Dennis Condrey becomes the first casualty of this 8-Men Elimination Tag match as he falls prey to La Bombe Rougeau. 4-on-3 advantage to the Quebec Dream Team. The Brisco Brothers get involved in the action and they work their magic on Gino Brito. Gino Brito is the first member of Quebec’s Dream Team to be eliminated after a beautiful double underhook suplex from Jack Brisco. Down to 3-men on each team...we have the opportunity to see some sort of rematch from last week between the Rougeaus and the Briscos and they pick off right where they left off. Again, some nice scientific wrestling from both teams to start but then, one cheap shot by Jerry Brisco and all hell breaks loose! The Rougeaus and the Briscos’ battle transports itself outside and referee Adrien Desbois count both teams out! Despite the referee trying to send both the Rougeaus & Briscos back to the locker room, they’re still fighting and that’s when, out of nowhere, Rip Oliver & Bob Sweetan run in from behind and smack the Rougeaus from behind with chairs! We see Sherri Martel walking behind and cheering them on. The broadcast team now supposes that Rip Oliver & Bob Sweetan have joined the ranks of The Sensationals in place of Doug Somers! Thankfully for the Rougeaus, The Caribbean Connection runs out of the locker room to make the save and attack Oliver & Sweetan! That leaves Rick Martel & Randy Rose alone in the ring to finish the match. Literally, because referee Adrien Desbois has joined the other referees outside to try restoring order between the brawling teams. As Jim Cornette is jawjacking with Rick Martel , we see Alexis Smirnoff running in the ring with the Soviet flag about to hit Martel, when Nick Bockwinkel slides in the ring to stop Smirnoff from attacking Martel! Everyone is surprised, including Martel himself! Bockwinkel sends Alexis Smirnoff packing outside and Randy Rose tries to jump on Bockwinkel but Bock counters with a beautiful armdrag, staggering Randy Rose. Rose comes back to his feet and Martel hits a beautiful dropkick on Rose before locking in the Boston Crab! Referee Adrien Desbois returns in the ring just in time to see Rose tapping out to Rick Martel! All of this while Nick Bockwinkel was watching everything unfold at ringside! As the referee raises the hand of Rick Martel in victory, the show ends in a triangle staredown between Rick Martel, Nick Bockwinkel and Alexis Smirnoff as Sherri Martel walks out with her Sensationals a well, including new recruits Oliver & Sweetan, wondering what did Bockwinkel just do!
Winner and sole survivor: NWA International Heavyweight & Tag Team Champion Rick Martel
À LA SEMAINE PROCHAINE SI DIEU LE VEUT!
