NWA Lutte Internationale TV
Taped at CHLT-TV Studios, Sherbrooke, QC
January 5th, 1985
(After the opening credits, we go to the broadcast booth where Guy Hauray & Édouard Carpentier are waiting for the beginning of the first show of 1985)
Guy Hauray: Hello, wrestling fans, and welcome to our very first TV show for 1985. Thank you for joining us in this new year and we hope to bring you as much excitement as our first year back in 1984. Last week ended in a most definite bang as Mr. Wrestling II scored a huge win over one half of the NWA World Tag Team Champions Raymond Rougeau in a Street Fight. Not without controversy as Mr. Wrestling II’s stablemates, The Grapplers helped them win the match. One can only assume that the Grapplers will be one of the first teams in line in Mid-Atlantic to face the Rougeaus.
Édouard Carpentier: Knowing the Rougeaus like we know them, I think it’s safe to say that the Rougeaus will ask the NWA for a title defense versus the Grapplers but today’s main event will be a whole different ball game. We were made aware that one of the best teams ever are on their farewell tour and they have chosen NWA Lutte Internationale to conclude their illustrious careers.
Guy Hauray: Yes, indeed, Eddie, as the famous – or infamous – Brisco Brothers, Jack & Jerry will spent the month of January with us before bidding adieu to their career. And what a match this will be this week because right here, in our main event, the Rougeau Brothers will be defending the NWA World Tag Team Championships against the Brisco Brothers in what oughta be a dream match.
Édouard Carpentier: We know the history behind their illustrious careers and we thought we’d never see this but we will. Expect the Briscoes to be involved in several big matches in January!
Guy Hauray: But that’s our main event as first, we’ll see the devastating Zambuie Express in action!
Match #1
The Zambuie Express (w/Eddy “The Brain” Creatchman) vs Tito Senza & Serge Jodoin
It’s safe to say that the Zambuie Express are still in a foul mood, considering they haven’t been successful in winning the $100,000 at Starrcade and they’re taking their aggression and frustration on poor Tito Senza & Serge Jodoin. The enhancement talents don’t stand a chance as The Zambuie Express quickly destroy them in less than 2:30 to score the victory
Winners: The Zambuie Express
(Eddy Creatchman goes straight to the broadcast booth as the match concludes. Édouard Carpentier stands up to give the Brain some mic time.)
Édouard Carpentier: Mr. Creatchman, you seem to have something on your mind.
Eddy Creatchman: Oui, j’ai une crotte sul’ coeur pis je me retiendrai pas plus longtemps. Les maudits Rougeau qui se font encore donner tout cuit dans le bec pendant que mes hommes détruisent la compétition, ça me rend malade, monsieur Carpentier. Mes boys sont des gars honorables. J’ai la meilleure écurie de toute la lutte professionnelle pis c’est comme ça qu’on me traite?
(Translation : Yes, I got something to get off my chest and I won’t hold back any longer. Those snotty bratty Rougeaus once again were handed things while my men are destroying competition, this makes me sick, Mr. Carpentier. My boys are honourable men. I’ve got the best stable in all of professional wrestling and this is how I am treated?)
Édouard Carpentier: With all due respect, Mr. Creatchman, your men did lose to the Rougeaus in the final match to crown the #1 contenders for the NWA World Tag Team Championship. Isn’t that sour grapes on your part?
Eddy Creatchman: Si vous voulez dire que j’suis mauvais perdant, j’suis pas mal déçu de vous entendre dire ça, m’sieur Carpentier. J’ai pas peur de donner du crédit quand y faut mais de voir des crottés comme les Rougeau, Ricky Martel pis Gino Brito comme champions, ça me lève le cœur! Mais ça durera pas longtemps. Je vous promets que tantôt, ça va changer.
(Translation : If you’re insinuating that I’m a sore loser, I’m very disappointed in hearing you say that, mister Carpentier. I’m never afraid to give credit when it’s due but to see punks like the Rougeaus, Rick Martel & Gino Brito as champions makes me wanna puke. But this won’t last long. I promise you that later tonight, this will change.)
Édouard Carpentier: Wait a minute, Brain, what are you implying?
(Eddy Creatchman leaves without saying another word)
Édouard Carpentier: Something doesn’t smell right, Guy. I don’t wanna assume of anything but my gut tells me that Eddy Creatchman might carefully watch our main event later on.
Guy Hauray: And not only that, but let’s keep in mind that the Rougeaus issues with the Midnight Express are far from over. Jim Cornette is also petitioning for a title shot for his team so we’ll have to see what’s in store for the Rougeaus. We’ll be right back.
*****COMMERCIAL BREAK*****
(When we’re back from the break, we see Édouard Carpentier once again standing in front of the booth with Hot Stuff Inc, Billy Robinson & Doug Somers as well as Sherri Martel. But someone’s missing....)
Édouard Carpentier: I’m now joined by members of Hot Stuff Inc; Sherri Martel, Billy Robinson & Doug Somers but as I see, there’s someone missing here. We know that Eddie Gilbert left for the AWA and Rick Rude has now returned to Minneapolis but where’s Gilbert?
Sherri Martel: I was wondering the same thing myself until last night when I received a message from Dallas where Eddie Gilbert called me and said : “Sherri, you know what? This Hot Stuff Inc won’t work anymore so I’m gonna do my thing in Dallas.” Well you know what, “Hot Stuff”? This was NEVER your thing. It was MY thing! I was the one who made it work. I’m the one who lead Billy Robinson & Doug Somers to gold! I’m the one who made Rick Rude a bigger star once he made it back to Minneapolis! Well guess what, “Hot Stuff”, you damn right Hot Stuff Inc won’t work anymore....because from this moment forward, you’re looking at the Sensationals! And we’re gonna be stronger than ever. We’ll be the team to beat in 1985! We’re gonna get both the NWA International Tag Titles & NWA World Tag Team Championships. Mark my words. And I won’t make the same mistake twice. This time, I’ll surround myself with only the best.
Édouard Carpentier: And what does it entail, miss Martel?
Sherri Martel: You see, Rick Rude was a good wrestler and he has a very bright future here but right now, to take things to the next level, I need a GREAT wrestler. So that’s why I ironically went to Dallas and found this guy; ladies and gentlemen, TERRY TAYLOR!
(Out comes Terry Taylor fully dressed in shirt & tie, waltzing to the set like he owns the place)
Édouard Carpentier: Terry Taylor, welcome to NWA Lutte Internationale.
Terry Taylor: Thank you for this fine introduction, Sherri. And it’s with great pride that I accept this association with you and your Sensationals. Because if you wanna play word association, when you say “Sensational”, Terry Taylor comes to mind. Now, while the Rougeaus, Gino Brito and even Rick Martel are great wrestlers, they’re nowhere near the level of Terry Taylor and in 1985, I promise you that I will bring to the Sensationals some gold. I’m ready for anything and everything. Bring on the challenge, baby.
Sherri Martel: And I’m not done yet, sir. Because to complete the puzzle, I just need one more piece. And that individual is actually here today and I want to bring him out. So please, welcome to the Sensationals, our newest member.....NICK BOCKWINKEL.
(Out comes Nick Bockwinkel, also dressed to the nines, sauntering to the broadcast booth. Bockwinkel shakes hands with everyone and takes a stand next to Édouard Carpentier, facing the Sensationals)
Sherri Martel: It’s no secret, Mr. Bockwinkel – or can I call you, Nick? – it’s no secret, Nick, that I’ve always had tremendous respect for you and what you stand for. There is no man more worthy of being called World Champion than you, Nick. And for the Sensationals to become the best entity in the sport, I need you by my side. What do you say, do we have a deal?
Nick Bockwinkel: I am truly humbled by this more than generous offering, Miss Sherri. And it would be a pleasure to work with you...
(Sherri is jubilating but looks like Bockwinkel isn’t done yet)
Nick Bockwinkel:...but however, I kinda like the free agent status I’m currently having at the moment. I also have a tremendous amount of respect for what you’ve achieved here in Montreal and I’m supremely confident that your deviousness and superior intellect – just like mine – will send you straight to the top of this territory. So, I’m just gonna give you the big picture, my friend. Here, in Montreal, we have the NWA International Heavyweight Champion Rick Martel, who’s also one half of the NWA International Tag Team Champions with Gino Brito. Rick is someone that I have the utmost respect for and that I’m dying to step into the ring with. And trust me, Rick, we will. Once your dealings with Alexis Smirnoff are done with, you and I will have a meeting in the ring. But looming in the background is also the most prestigious championship this business has ever seen; the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. A certain individual by the name of “Nature Boy” Ric Flair is currently its holder. Ric Flair has always been known by this brotherhood we call pro wrestlers as “The Dirtiest Player in the Game” and also as “The Man”, thus why he’s the World Heavyweight Champion. But I also feel like I can be in this position too. You see, Sherri....like I said, I have all the respect in the world for Rick Martel but he’s merely a pawn on the chessboard. Yes, he’s on a high level when it comes to the best but until he’s beaten a World Champion or a former World Champion, this means absolutely nothing. Now, I don’t know how much pull you have around here, miss Sherri, but should we be able to arrange something that would send me straight in line for a shot at Ric Flair, perhaps we could get this thing going. I’ll---I’ll tell you what, Sherri. I’m open to do business with multiple individuals. And while I’m not a “Sensational” yet...I know a good business deal when I see one and yours has some potential. I would fancy myself a “high roller mercenary”. No strings attached. Show me I can trust you and we’ll take over the world together. The ball is now in your court, miss.
(Nick Bockwinkel is leaving the set while Sherri is standing there, dumbfounded, incredulous at what Bockwinkel just told her. She storms after Bockwinkel while Robinson, Taylor & Somers are going after her as well.)
Guy Hauray: Well, that was an interesting segment, Eddie. Looks like not everything went as planned for Sherri Martel and her newly-created Sensationals stable.
Édouard Carpentier: She truly thought that Nick Bockwinkel joining her stable was in the bag but it looks like Bockwinkel is willing to drag this on a bit and his “high roller mercenary” business venture seems to be his priority now.
Guy Hauray: Nonetheless, I’m curious to hear what Rick Martel will have to say about Nick Bockwinkel’s opinion of him. We shall hear from the champ pretty soon. When we come back, some highlights from our friends at Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling!
****COMMERCIAL BREAK****
Guy Hauray: Welcome back to the show. Before heading into our main event, we will take one more look at the event that was Starrcade. We will this time focus on the NWA US Tag Team Championship match between 24 Karat and the Windhams. Let's get to the action!
NWA United States Tag Team Championship
One fall match with a 45-minute time limit.
Referee: Earl Hebner
Barry & Kendall Windham (w/ Blackjack Mulligan) vs {24 Karat} Pat Patterson & Ray Stevens © (w/ James J. Dillon)
Last minute addition here with Blackjack Mulligan being added to the corner of the Windham brothers. JJ Dillon is protesting this to Earl Hebner. But Mulligan is showing something to the referee. Earl agrees with whatever that is being shown. Earl explains the situation to the ring announcer. He tells the audience that Blackjack Mulligan has been given a one-night only manager’s license. He is legally allowed to be at ringside, just as JJ Dillon is. The crowd pops here at 24 Karat throws a fit in their corner. The match begins and the challenger’s have the momentum here, keeping Patterson in their corner. They work over the left arm and shoulder. Nice quick tags between the two brothers. Eventually, Patterson is able to create some separation, poking Kendall in the eye. He gets a tag with Ray Stevens and the champions turn the tide on the match in that one moment. The vets work over the youngster. Keeping him right in their corner. They use a lot of wear down holds, keeping him at bay. JJ is strutting around at ringside, barking insults at Mulligan as his boys are in control of the match. Barry is trying to get the crowd behind his brother. Patterson leaps from the second rope with a knee smash, but Kendall just rolls away, and the champion crashes hard to the mat. Pat is hurting bad, really injuring the knee. He does get to his corner quicker for the tag, but Kendall is able to crawl fast enough to get the tag to Barry. The two fresh athletes battle it out in the middle of the ring. JJ is worried at ringside. Mulligan is extremely happy, but is checking on Kendall, who seems to be recovering rather well for the punishment he has taken in this match. Patterson gets into the ring to cut off Barry, but Kendall rushes in and nails a dropkick to send Patterson to the floor. JJ climbs up on the apron to distract Hebner, but Mulligan brings him to the floor and levels him with a big right hand. Barry tries for a bulldog, but Stevens throws him off and into 24 Karats corner. Kendall is being sent from the ring. Patterson climbs up the apron and gets tagged in. Stevens suplexes Barry. Patterson goes for the cover. Hebner turns around and slides in for the count, but Barry gets the shoulder up! Barry gets to his feet, Patterson is still nursing the injured knee. Stevens sneaks in to attack Barry, Kendall returns back to knock Stevens out of the ring. Patterson tries for a big slam on Barry, but his knee can’t hold him up, Barry reverses with an inside cradle for a two count. BArry gets up quicker than Patterson and drops him with a big time bulldog and goes for the cover! JJ recovers and tries to slide in to interfere, but Mulligan grabs him by the legs and pulls him back out of the ring as Hebner counts the three! We have NEW champions as we begin Starrcade 1984!
Time: 19:58
Decision: Barry & Kendall Windham, New NWA United States Tag Team Champions!
****COMMERCIAL BREAK****
MAIN EVENT
Match #2
NWA WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
The Rougeau Brothers © vs The Brisco Brothers (w/ Eddy "The Brain" Creatchman)
The broadcast team hype the history of the Brisco Brothers, including Jack Brisco’s reign as NWA World Heavyweight Champion and the tag team success of the Briscos all around the world. They also remind us that the Briscos chose NWA Lutte Internationale for their farewell tour and they requested to face the Rougeaus specifically. The crowd is eating everything up, right from the start of the bell. The fans in attendance are assisting to quite the tag team professional wrestling clinic. While the Briscos use their cunning & their scientific wrestling experience, the Rougeaus are able to use their youth & their speed to compensate for the inexperience, if we can use this term under those circumstances. Still, once again, it’s Jacques Rougeau who falls victims to the Briscos’ questionable tactics as they target the injured neck & head of Jacques, although the broadcast team clarifies that those are much less serious than they were before Starrcade. The turning point of the match comes as Jack Brisco locks a sleeper hold tight on Jacques and the Rougeaus can almost see their world tag title reign slip away. But the encouragements from his brother Raymond and the crowd inside the studio allow Jacques to catch a second wind and he’s able to hit a nice belly-to-back suplex – stealing a move from Jack Brisco’s playbook! – to catch a breather. Eventually, Jacques tags Raymond in for the hot tag. The elder Rougeau cleans house and it’s gonna take another cheap shot by Jerry Brisco to ensure that the Briscos regain momentum. However, Jacques comes back and while the referee is tangled with Jerry & Raymond, Jacques sends Jack over the top rope outside! The broadcast team mentions that since we’re now wrestling under NWA rules in Lutte Internationale, this should be an automatic disqualification but referee Adrien Desbois hasn’t seen it so he can’t call it! That allows Raymond to hit the Savate Kick on Jerry and Jacques climbs on the top rope to hit La Bombe Rougeau on Jerry! Jacques covers Jerry and scores the victory for his team! As the Rougeaus celebrate, Jack & Eddy Creatchman are trying to point out to Desbois that Jacques Rougeau threw him over the top rope but once again, the referee is adamant that he didn’t see anything. Finally, Jack slides back in the ring to join his brother Jerry and the crowd gets silent as the Rougeaus turn around, stopping their celebration. After a tense staredown, Jack & Jerry extend their hands to the Rougeaus! The champs look at each other and they finally shake hands! This week’s episode concludes with more handshakes from both teams and a fuming Eddy Creatchman returning backstage while the broadcast team reminds the viewers that teams like The Grapplers & NWA US Tag Team Champions The Windhams were watching this match very closely!
À LA SEMAINE PROCHAINE SI DIEU LE VEUT!
