Autistic Dragon

Between the tag match and the Different Style fight, I think it's safe to say that Chiba will be home to the UWF's most varied card yet.

Taylor's return is off to a good start. Kokina looks dominant and Gama sends a warning to Venomous. Stomper didn't want to wait for a official match, he wanted that money now. Brandi lifts the mood. Coast 2 Coast and Orndorff each look strong ahead of their respective title matches. Baby Doll's dismissal of those "dime store cowboys" comes back to bite her man Diamond. The Mean Machine has arrived and put the tag scene on notice babay. Though I'm curious how Oliver joining this growing faction effects his partnership with Jumbo. The Fantastics are fired up and ready to take on the Glamour Boys and Poffo. The Rose's score a big win over their rivals. But I'm sure the Wild One's aren't finished yet. Sarge & Nikita with one final exchange before they collide next week.

Smoky Mountain Wrestling TV. From the High School in Harriman TN. Taped on 11/4/96 before airing on 11/10/96. On Commentary: Bob Caudle & Dutch Mantell Ring announcer: Kevin Noe Interviews: Michael St John During their usual intro, Caudle announces that the main event of Thanksgiving Thunder has been decided. Dutch Mantell & Jim Duggan will each captain a team of give in what's being called the first ever "Smoky Mountain Turkey Trot". If Team Duggan wins Duggan gets one last shot at the Smoky Mountain Heavyweight Title but if Team Mantell wins Duggan will leave Smoky Mountain Wrestling! And if that's not enough, whomever loses the match for their team has to put on a turkey suit and dance for the fans! Match #1 "Sweet Music Man" Billy Joe Travis defeats Hardbody Harrison with the "Just a swingin" neckbreaker. James Mitchell cuts an intense promo where he declares "unholy war" upon the Rock n Roll Express as well as Brian Christopher. Says he doesn't know if it will be next week, Thanksgiving Thunder or perhaps in a back alley somewhere his disciples will unleash their fury upon these "infidels" and when they do the suffering that follows will be legendary even in hell! Match #2 The Tennessee Volunteers (Reno Riggins & Steve Dunn) defeat The Cyberpunks (Fire & Frost) with a double flapjack on Fire) Jim Cornette joins Caudle and Mantell completely unannounced. He says he was hoping to get the Heavenly Bodies their much deserved title shot "but it seems the champions had a meeting with their parole officer and couldn't make it tonight." He also says it's an outrage that he had to come out here of his own initiative because "if Bert Prentice had the sense the good Lord gave paste, Camp Cornette would be in the main event of every show Smoky Mountain Wrestling put on." After a bit more verbal sparring with Caudle Cornette leaves but not before inviting Dutch to lunch sometime. Match #3 "No Gimmicks Needed" Chris Candido w/Tammy Fytch defeats Mad Man Pondo with the "New Jersey Jam" Candido and Fytch join St John for an insufferably self-congratulatory promo in which they put over how "Inevitable" it is that Candido will be the Smoky Mountain Heavyweight Champion. When St John brings up last week's altercation with Debbie Combs, Fytch warns "that old biddy" to keep her nose out of their business. Main Event. "Superstar Bill Dundee defeats Cash Flo by DQ when Wolfie D and JC Ice broke up a pin after Dundee hit the big man with the "Bombs away". Flash Flannigan runs in for the save and the two sides are still brawling as the show ends.

I mean it's possible. They apparently approached Tony Khan about a ROH show last year so the NWA wasn't their first choice. I read somewhere that the CW executives specifically told Corgan they wouldn't be watching the PPV which is why he felt comfortable doing the spot.

Looks like the CW has been looking to get a wrestling show for longer than we thought. https://www.f4wonline.com/news/aew/report-cw-executive-approached-tony-khan-about-roh-deal-in-2022

We may be having fun with the Samhain coke spot but it seems some people within the company aren't enjoying themselves right now. https://whatculture.com/wwe/nwa-wrestlers-frustrated-over-billy-corgans-leadership

Benoit vs Storm and the TV title match are easily the standouts of this weeks Power.

I'm glad you noticed that! YouTuber Karen Watches Wrestling had a video detailing EVIL's heel run. Sadly her channel seems to have fallen victim to Bushiroad's merciless copyright enforcement but I remember her pointing out how his turn was actually being set up before the pandemic caused NJPW to shut down for a while. So I decided to keep that thread going because it's actually not a bad idea. Evil was the first to join Naito, a founding member of LIJ and what does he have to show for it? A Never title run that lasted as long as a cup of tea, he's a three time holder of the least valued belt in the company (the six man titles) and he's viewed as the third best Heavyweight at best within his own faction. The turn itself made sense, but the execution was bungled and Gedo seemed to try and make him too much like Jay as a smiley cheater instead of the brute he was built to be. I've been considering a post describing how I'd book heel EVIL and House of Torture where i'd go into more detail.

I don't know. The 80's were full of heels that got legitimate heat and it's considered one of the golden ages for wrestling. Same goes for the Attitude era. Though the latter saw the erosion of kayfabe and the rise of the cool heel which changed the way fans interpret wrestlers performances. Personally, if i see a heel that's able to draw legitimate heat i'm impressed because everyone being in on it now means heels have to work harder to draw their desired reaction.

It's interesting that each team has two captains. That's something that could go south quickly depending on the men involved. A little disappointed that Muta and Warrior aren't in the same match but I can wait a little longer for that collision.

And.... done! This has been a fun side game for me. Questions and comments are welcome.

March 31, 2020 Ryogoku Kokugikan, Tokyo "Blue Justice" Yuji Nigata and Tencozy (Hiroshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima) defeat Bullet Club (Bad Luck Fale, Chase Owens & Yujiro Takahashi) when Owens tapped to the Nagata Lock III. Suzuki-Gun (Minoru Suzuki, Douki & Taka Michinoku) defeat Taguchi Japan (Ryusuke Taguchi, Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma) when Suzuki pinned Makabe with the Gotch-style Piledriver. Bullet Club (Jay White, Kenta, Tama Tonga, Tanga Loa & Hikuleo) w/"Master Heater" Jado & Gedo defeat Chaos (Kazuchika Okada, Hirooki Goto, Yoshi-Hashi, Toru Yano & Robbie Eagles) when Kenta pinned Yano with "Go to Sleep" Los Ingobernables de Japon (Hiromu Takahashi & Bushi) defeat Bullet Club's Cutest Tag Team (Taiji Ishimori & EL Phantasamo) when Takahashi pinned Phantasamo with the "Time Bomb" IWGP Jr Heavyweight Tag Team Championship match Drunken Outlaws (EL Desperado & Yoshinobu Kanemaru) defeat Roppongi 3k (Yoh & Sho)(c) w/Rocky Romero after Kanemaru caught Yoh with the "Satoshi surprise" then pinning him with "Deep Impact". NEW CHAMPIONS!!! After the match, Takahashi Bushi came to the ring and had a staredown with the new title holders. Never Openweight Championship match "The Dragon" Shingo Takagi(c) defeats "Aerial Assassin" Will Osprey with a "Pumping Bomber" followed by the "Dance of the Dragon". IWGP Tag Team Championship match Dangerous Tekkers (Taichi & Zack Sabre Jr) defeat Golden Aces (Hiroshi Tanhashi & Kota Ibushi(c) and Cold Darkness (Evil & Sanada) when a miscommunication between the LIJ members allowed Sabre to pin Evil with the "Zack Driver" NEW CHAMPIONS!!! IWGP Heavyweight Championship & IWGP Intercontinental Championship match Tetsuya Naito(c) defeats "Stone Pitbull" Tomohiro Ishii with the third "Destino" of the match! After the bell, Kenta tried to recreate his Wrestle Kingdom stunt and ambush Naito again. The double champ saw him coming this time and a brawl breaks out between the two. Members of LIJ come out (with Evil noticably trailing behind) which summon Bullet Club reinforcements. Eventually security is able to separate the two groups. Naito gives the LIJ role call to send the fans home happy.

The Nashville Municipal Auditorium represents a serious upgrade for MCW. I think the Moonpup could use another course in obedience school. I imagine Combs hasn't seen a opponent like Luna before. Doesn't stop her from getting the job done though. The Wildside get their first win and Riggins shows solidarity.... for now. The Cubans had a busy night taking on the Wildside, Weiss & King, Riggins and Jed Grundy.

San Diego is gonna rock!

Oakland. Lynn & Adams start with some impressive showings. Silver King's star continues to rise. Camp Cornette finally turns on Steamboat but thankfully for him Adams still has his back. Hart with a hard-fought win on the road to Bigelow. Payne defangs the Vampire. Owen shines with another win. The NoE score another point on the Brigade. Back to back wins for El Rey. Haynes and Albright are heading to a series collision. Windham looks strong heading into San Diego. Fresno. Barr spooks Brookside. Regal needed a big win and he gets one over BT. Eddie could learn a lot from being in the ring with Adams. Neidhart takes the time to tell his hometown goodbye. The Destruction Crew have really found another gear under Page. Despite his previous luck with TV titles, St Clair comes up empty against Pillman.

The Assassin is after Knighton's head and I don't honestly blame. The Nightmares may be the biggest signees to Music City yet. The Cubans may have taken out Riggins but JT Southern steps up to help Baxter. Dark Journey looks to neutralize Mrs Kentucky and Bert obliges with a Lumberjack match.

New Japan Pro Wrestling presents Sakura Genesis 2020 Full Card. March 3rd, Ryogoku Kokugikan, Tokyo Japan. IWGP Heavyweight & Intercontinental Championship match. Tetsuya Naito(c) vs "Stone Pitbull" Tomohiro Ishii Triple Threat IWGP Tag Team Titles Match Golden Aces (Hirosho Tanahashi & Kota Ibushi) vs Dangerous Tekkers (Taichi & Zach Sabre Jr) vs Cold Darkness* (Evil & Sanada) Never Openweight Championship Match "The Dragon" Shingo Takagi(c) vs "Aerial Assassin" Will Ospereay IWGP Jr Heavyweight Championship Match Roppongi 3K (Yoh & Sho)(c) w/Rocky Romero vs Drunken Outlaws* (El Desperado & Yoshinobu Kanemaru) Los Ingobernables de Japon (Hiromu Takahashi & Bushi) vs Bullet Club's Cutest Tag Team (Taiji Ishimori & El Phantasmo) Bullet Club (jay White, Kenta, Tama Tonga, Tanga Loa & Hikuleo) w/"Master Heater" Jado & Gedo vs Chaos (Kazuchika Okada, Hirooki Goto, Yoshi-Hashi, Toru Yano & Robbie Eagles) Taguchi Japan (Ryusuke Taguchi, Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma) vs Suzuki-Gun (Minoru Suzuki, Douki & Taka Michinoku) Bullet Club (Bad Luck Fale, Chase Owens & Yujiro Takahashi) vs Tencozy (Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima) & Yuji Nagata * Neither of these names were ever used, i just think they fit their respective teams.

My sole commenter wants to see it? That's enough for me!

NWA sends Tom Zenk to the WWF for Jimmy Snuka.

Taped before Main Event in the Civic Center. Originally airing on 11/5/88 on the USA Network. On Commentary: Bob Caudle & David Crockett. "British Magician Steve Wright defeats B.T Express with the "Octopus Hold". "Crippler" Chris Benoit defeats The Pearl with a "Dragon" suplex. "Pretty" Paul Roma defeats The Black Scorpion with a diving elbow drop. Main event. The Beasts of Burden (Rip Morgan & Nord the Barbarian) defeat Buffalo Soldiers (Ranger Ross & Brickhouse Brown). The Beasts may have severed their connection but they didn't come to this match alone as The Assassin was following close behind. He was also instrumental to their victory hitting Brown with a "loaded" headbutt. In other news.... It's announced that at Starrcade Sean Moony will be holding a special interview with the latest major signing for the NWA.

From the Civic Center in Roanoke VA. Previously recorded & airing on 11/4/88 on the USA Network. On Commentary: Gordon Solie Ring announcer/Interviews: Sean Moony Match #1 Doug Gilbert vs "The Thoroughbred" Tommy Cairo w/"The Mastermind" Ron Fuller Gilbert's Law Men and co-Six man tag team champion Wendell Cooley pinned Robert Fuller in the final night of the Starrcade Series A block and that seems to have lit a fire in the Stud Stable. The two factions have been facing off around the loop and tonight it comes to TV. The two put on a fun Southern flavored opener. Gilbert climbs the ropes looking for something big but Cairo grabs the refs attention allowing Fuller to shove Gilbert off and he lands throat first on the top rope. Cairo capitalizes with the "Bucking" (Ally Oop) for the three. Fuller hands Cairo Gilbert's title and the two heels pose with it to a chorus of boos. Match #2 Junkyard Dog defeats The Red Cyclone with the "Thump". JYD joins Mooney and cuts right to the point. He's sick and tired of Debeers finding some way to slip through his fingers so he went directly to the matchmakers and they signed a match where it's impossible for Debeers to escape. It's JYD vs Debeers for the US title at Starrcade.....in a Dog Collar match! Match #3 Angel of Death defeats Rick Sanchez with the "Death Sentence". Match #4 The Road Warriors (Hawk & Animal) vs The Samoan Island Tribe (Fatu & Alofa) The Samoans don't back down leading to a at times chaotic slugfest with the massive Alofa in particular withstanding some hard shots from the Road Warriors. Still the Legion of Doom is on a massive roll and Fatu finally goes down to the "Doomsday Device". After their hands are raised, Hawk grabs the mic and says he and Animal and calling those "two little horsey boys" Anderson and Race to put the tag titles on the line at Starrcade! Match #5 "World's Strongest Man Bill Kazmaier defeats Herbert Walker with a running powerslam. The Four Horsemen are out in force for a interview with Mooney. Dillon says Garvin getting past Orton was the fluke of the century and he'd have a better chance finding ice in the Sahara and then beating the World champion. Blanchard adds that it's a disgrace that a man of his class and stature has to defend the most prestigious prize in wrestling against a "blue-collar bum no better than the sweathogs in the stands". When asked about the Road Warriors challenge Race says "painted up goofs" like them are the reason people can't take wrestling seriously. Ole agrees and says that's why it'll feel so good when they take out those embarrassments to the sport old school style. Match #6 The New Breed (Sean Royal & Chris Champion) defeat The Cardinals with the "Wave of the Future". Main Event. "Rugged" Ron Garvin vs "Chief" Wahoo McDaniel Wahoo was the only man to actually defeat Garvin during the Starrcade Series and requested a rematch which Garvin accepted. Solie muses how the main event of Starrcade could be affected if Wahoo can defeat Garvin again. The chops reverberate throughout the building as the two men go to town on each other. We almost get a repeat of their Starrcade Series match when Wahoo once again counters a sunsetflip into a pin attempt but this Garvin summons a burst of strength allowing him to pull McDaniel back, completing the sunsetflip and holding the struggling Chief down for three. Wahoo is frustrated but accepts a handshake before raising Garvin's hand. As he's doing that, Joe Lightfoot runs down, slides into the ring and hitting him from behind with the "War club" and ditching before anyone can react. The show ends with Garvin and officials checking on the downed Wahoo.

Some major stops between now and Superclash 3. Whoever wins between Colon and Jumbo will pose a serious threat to the World title. The McNicholas Arena hosted the biggest show Western States Wrestling ever held so seeing it come up brought back found memories. It's ironic but by bringing in all these celebrities for the supershows, the AWA is actually doing what made the WWF the most famous company in the world. Hell yeah baby! It's Vader Time in the AWA!

Maeda throwing shade at Onita. Rings setting up a USA branch would be a huge step forward.

Excited to see the UWF's first tag match. Looks like the search for a TV deal is going well.

I managed to watch the first two episodes yesterday. Honestly the in-ring action was so so but it was nice to hear the two of you cracking jokes on commentary. I'm planning to watch the rest when I have time.