LastStopTour

Voiceover: It’s time for Championship Wrestling on WOAY-TV, Channel 4! John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads” plays to wrestling action to kick off the program. Championship Wrestling February 22nd, 1991 TV Taping - WOAY-TV, Channel 4 Studios Oak Hill, West Virginia Announcers: Chris Cruise Referee: Bruno Laurer & Nate Whitlock - Host Cruise welcomes everyone to Championship Wrestling! He is glad Kimberly is back this week and wasn’t scared off by the antics of Tasha last week. Kimberly says growing up in a household of many brothers has taught her to be a little tougher that you’d think someone that looks like her would be. She has a message for Tasha – it will take A LOT more than that to run her off! Cruise talks about the card today with The Dudleys from Dudleyville in action against the Red Terrors. Cruise laughs as he talks about these Dudleys with their father having been a salesman who went from town to town selling his goods and leaving a lot of offspring … The Commissioner makes his way out to a cheer. He apologizes for taking up time that could be better used for wrestling BUT there are some things that need to be addressed, namely Tasha. Now, he was asked by Shane Morton NOT to suspend her for her continued antics but instead put her in a mixed tag team match against him and Misty Blue … and I did that but now, I have to address what happened last week when she put her hands on Kimberly and shoving her to the ground. We can’t have that and I will not stand for that any longer … for that infraction … I am levying a $100 fine AND IF we have a repeat infraction, the fine is $250. If there is a third time … a $1000 and ALL of Pretty in Pink will be sent on vacation for 60 days! I am no longer playing … this has become serious and Tasha WILL LEARN there’s a new Marshall in town and his name is Tom Renesto Jr.! Chris Cruise throws it to a commercial break! ----- COMMERCIAL BREAK ----- - We come back and Cruise talks about what Commissioner Renesto handed down as to the confrontation with Kimberly! - The Dudleys from Dudleyville versus The Red Terrors. Very much a comedy match between the tie-dyed newcomers and the red masked men. Don E., the smaller of the two takes a beating and the aptly named Chubby, takes out both opponents with his box of Lucky Charms – Kimberly makes a comment about his iron fortified breakfast cereal! Don E., pushes Chubby out of the way and gets the pinfall for his team. ----- COMMERCIAL BREAK ----- - Back from commercial and Cruise talks about Championship Wrestling and runs down the weekly house circuit and where to catch all the upcoming action. - The fans boo as the neck brace wearing Tasha comes out from the back. Like usual, she isn’t too happy. She complains the Commissioner has a vendetta against her and the Pretty in Pink boys and she’s ready to take it to the State Athletic Commission with a complaint! - There is an uproar as The Crazees come out from the back and Itchy Richie has a chicken under his arm. A CHICKEN?!?!?! That’s right, he’s got a chicken … a cluckin’ pecker that tries to break free but to no avail. Richie says he felt bad that no one gave Tasha a valentine, so they got her a chicken! The fans go ballistic and The Crazees feel proud of themselves but Tasha isn’t having any of that! HERE COMES PRETTY IN PINK! - HANDICAP MATCH: The Crazees versus Pretty in Pink w/Tasha. All three members of Pretty in Pink hit the ring and Tasha forces a bell to kick off an impromptu handicap match in the Main Event. We have a brawl out of the gate and The Crazees hold their own for a bit as each shines in the early going but the numbers finally catch up as well as Tasha putting in her two cents every chance she gets. PiP double and triple teams their opponents at Tasha’s direction. The Crazees complain about hair pulling and tights held but it falls on deaf ears. Tasha is booed as she stands up for herself and her team and argues with the ref and The Crazees … We get a huge cheer from the fans as Misty Blue runs out from the back and makes a break for Tasha who backs away with a look of fear on her face. A woman comes out from the back carrying a Singapore cane. She nails Misty Blue from behind, knocking her to the ground. The ref calls for the bell as Tasha directs the woman to drag Misty Blue back into the ring by make a run for it when Shane Morton, Wild Dog, Tony Williams and Scotty Summers rush out to save Misty Blue. With the fans cheering in the background and the camera zooming in on the chicken walking around the studio, Chris Cruise signs off with a reminder to come back next week for more Championship Wrestling!

One of my old stomping grounds - Reunion Arena. Spent lots of time there watching The Dallas Mavericks in the 80's and 90's, indoor soccer and indoor football, the Barnum and Bailey's Circus to name a few events. Brings back memories that is for sure. Used to see The Missing Link come into a bar/restaurant I worked and sit at the bar for hours drinking. Quiet guy who kept to himself. You'd be surprised, fans would dig a good Abby vs. anyone match that resulted in bloody messes. I mean honestly, who was performing moves in an Abby match? It had good placement on the card, early and out of there. Things would only get better on the card. Destruction Crew winning was a surprise but then there was the blurb about Ricky and Robert leaving, so all is good. Don't see the DC as long term champs however, not with some of the other teams in the area. Muta winning was the right way to go and Mil as a difficult star to work makes sense as he's an easy loss to the roster which won't hurt the territory and sends a message to the rest of the locker room. Jack and Vader another surprise but makes sense with the Roadies also leaving the area. Hopefully, this can get revisted at a later date as there should be more good matches in there. Final two matches were decent enough. We get a Lawler Family win and a fireball - doesn't get more Mempho than that. DQ finish in the Main Event means we will eventually get more between the two and Luger is now solidly a heel, plain and simple. Good show and the fans should be happy with the bang for their buck.

Voiceover: It’s time for Championship Wrestling on WOAY-TV, Channel 4! John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads” plays to wrestling action to kick off the program. Championship Wrestling February 15th, 1991 TV Taping - WOAY-TV, Channel 4 Studios Oak Hill, West Virginia Announcers: Chris Cruise Referee: Bruno Laurer & Nate Whitlock - Host Cruise welcomes everyone to Championship Wrestling! He introduces the lovely Kimberly to the broadcast team who will be joining him from time to time on announce duties as well as interviews and whatever else we can get her involved in. He asks her about the big stack of postal bags here in the studio? She explains that this week, the fans have been writing in and sending packages to their favorite wrestlers here for Valentine’s Day with Shane Morton and Misty Blue getting the bulk of mail … - Here comes a pissed off Tasha who wants to know where her letters and packages are? Kimberly very politely tells her there doesn’t appear to be anything for her … in fact, no one in Pretty in Pink was sent anything. Tasha has a hissy fit and shoves Kimberly to the ground before storming off. - After helping Kimberly to her feet, Chris Cruise throws it to a commercial break! ----- COMMERCIAL BREAK ----- - We come back and Cruise talks about the chaos and apologizes to Kimberly, stating he is sure we’ll be hearing from Commissioner Renesto about this! - They are joined by TV Champion, Shane Morton who talks about the world of Tasha and Pretty in Pink crashing in around her and today’s mixed tag match will only add to her woes. He’s ready, Misty Blue’s ready and these great fans are ready for it! - There is a cheer when Wild Dog joins our trio. Chris Cruise mentions Wild Dog’s comments from last week’s program about “deserving” a shot at Shane’s title. Wild Dog says that is right and he stands by that because without him … Shane Morton might not be standing here today with that title belt. The comment draws a few boos which Shane tries to play peacemaker with the fans. Shane says he’s a fighting champion because that is what these fans deserve and that was how he was raised … he’ll be happy to give Wild Dog a shot at the belt … all he asks is a little patience to deal with the Tasha and Pretty in Pink. Wild Dog says that is fair enough for him. - Tony Williams versus Danny Ray. Williams returns to the ring and finds himself in against a very game local boy who is cheered by the fans. Danny Ray, who looks like he is in high school, gets in a little offense but this one is mostly Tony Williams who gets the win with a tornado DDT to finish it off. After the match, the two shake hands and hug in the middle of the ring. ----- COMMERCIAL BREAK ----- - Back from commercial and Cruise talks about Championship Wrestling and runs down the weekly house circuit and where to catch all the upcoming action. - Shane Morton © & Misty Blue versus The Bodacious Pretty Boy & Tasha The other two members of Pretty in Pink are sent to the back because neither man is able to produce a manager’s license and finally leave. Once underway, Shane and Misty Blue say hello with a double dropkick that send both opponents through the ropes to the outside. They celebrate in the center of the ring to the fans’ cheering. Morton and BPB have gotten lots of time in the ring against one another over the past few weeks and Morton takes the advantage, forcing BPB to take a beating and tag in his partner. There is a cheer as Shane tags in Misty Blue and Tasha wants no part of it, refusing to get into the ring despite the referee’s urging … Misty Blue brings her in the hard way, catapaulting her into the ring where she is able to beat her around the ring. After taking Tasha down, Misty Blue wraps up a leg and has Tasha slapping the mat in pain but refuses to surrender. The BPB gets in the ring to break up the hold but gets a drop kick from Shane for his trouble. All four wrestlers brawl in the middle of the ring until the referee is able to regain control, forcing the ladies to the outside. Shane misses a crossbody block and takes a stomping before the Pretty Boy scrambles for a pin attempt, only for Misty Blue to return the favor and stomp the BPB to break up the pin attempt. The girls are back in and Tasha gets in some offense with some closed fisted punches not seen by the ref. Misty Blue comes back and flattens Tasha with a drop toe hold, getting control of her leg, cranking on it and Tasha slaps the mat but the referee is out of position when The Bodacious Pretty Boy grabs him by his shirt. Tasha releases the hold, pushes the referee out of the way and nails the BPB with a forearm, knocking him from the apron. When Misty Blue returns to the action, she takes a face full of powder thrown by Tasha! THERE’S THE BELL AND THE DISQUALIFICATION! The Pink Assassin and Johnny Hotbody hit the ring but Morton is waiting! The fans go nuts! HERE COMES TONY WILLIAMS! HERE COMES SCOTTY SUMMERS! HERE COMES WILD DOG! Tasha and Pretty in Pink hightail it out of there! With the fans cheering in the background, Chris Cruise signs off with a reminder to come back next week for more Championship Wrestling!

I think labeling my criticisms of your shows to my preference of smaller rosters/smaller shows is highly inaccurate. If that were the case, I'd be saying the same thing on EVERY show and not just singling your shows out but that isn't the case at all. I believe several of the other promotions while large AND have rosters just as big as yours do things much differently. Please, take it for what it is worth, this is my opinion. One, there seems to be NO totem pole which makes a lack of focus. You want a hierarchy and half your roster is younger guys who should be losing to your top talents night in and night out. The focus appears, by your own admission, to get as many guys on your roster onto your shows under the criteria you listed what each of the shows represent. Fans want to see your top guys and if I was a fan presented each week by your "youngsters earning their dues" rather than seeing your top guys, I'd be pissed. Too much going on, too many wrestlers to keep track of and not enough of the top guys who deserve to be at the top being seen by the fan base. As far as the comic book analogy ... I get that but let's put that into perspective. There is a reason why Batman and Spiderman have multiple monthly books as well as spinoffs and guys like the Sub Mariner gets a series and it gets cancelled or reduced to a mini-series after so many issues. Think of that in terms of your top guys versus your young guys.

I do not envy Clyde Putnam, Samson Smith and Todd Rooney in their match. Hopefully, they were paid something a little extra because I would imagine them missing some dates after being manhandled by the Japanese contingent. Nice video package to sell the War Games show on the way out highlighting the top programs. Great way to sell it.

Bobby's comment about Brad cracking the Top 10 being adorable was funny. Nice pair of shows heading into WrestleWar with big statement from Sid (on the smallest guy, no less!). Good push to sell tickets on both shows. Should be a very good one.

That is a lot of matches. Probably could have whittled it down to 1 really good night of wrestling rather than make a payday for the full roster.

1991 - Painting a yellow stripe down someone's back, especially on a regional circuit would still hold up well. Gotta agree, Rick Steiner pissed someone off to get Abby in a Texas Death Match. Would not want to be him, that is for sure. Wallstreet, Muta, Austin or Mascaras - Mil is 49 and probably isn't winning. I have to go with Muta. Wallstreet under the Varsity Club gimmick would be a strong consideration with his amateur background. Austin is left out. Steiner/Sullivan should be a good one. Roadies/Jack & Vader is a toss up though you have to know it will be very stuff and hard hitting. Lawlers/First Family should also be a very good one though I have to say, I do not like the idea of having 2 Texas Death Matches on the same card. Savage/Luger will really have to dig down deep to top some of the matches before them. Not an envious spot to have to be in if you really think about it. Wrapping it all up, this is a pretty interesting and exciting card. Some matches that have both violence and athleticism that really shows a depth of roster here.

I think part of the appeal to the Dudleys was their comedic start in an otherwise unforgiving environment of chaos and destruction. By making them the tough guys here right out of the gate years before they were ready really takes away from their growth as a team and individual characters while also denying us the pleasure of seeing the early roots of Mongo Vyle and the Terminator. Just my take on it.

Tom Brandi appears to be on a path somewhere with a bit of a push after some decent wins. The Texas Outlaws appear to be imploding. Have a feeling they are going to look very different in a short amount of time.

Championship Wrestling signs Dirty White Girl.

Voiceover: It’s time for Championship Wrestling on WOAY-TV, Channel 4! John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads” plays to wrestling action to kick off the program. Championship Wrestling February 8th, 1991 TV Taping - WOAY-TV, Channel 4 Studios Oak Hill, West Virginia Announcers: Chris Cruise Referee: Bruno Laurer & Nate Whitlock - Host Cruise welcomes everyone to Championship Wrestling! He talks about last week’s final in our TV Title tournament where Shane Morton was crowned the Championship Wrestling TV Champion! - Commish Tom Renesto Jr. comes out with the title belt. He talks about the match between Shane and the Bodacious Pretty and Shane Morton and is not very happy about it. He is here to pass out fines and suspensions for what took place in that match when Tasha laid hands on referee Nate Whitlock, hitting him with a roll of quarters. That is inexcusable behavior which Tasha continues to display and with the backing of the West Virginia Athletic Commission, he is fining her $250 for several infractions … AND … SUSPENDING HER FOR 30 days, during which time, the #1 Contender, the Bodacious Pretty Boy will be UNABLE TO COMPETE! - HER COMES TASHA AND SHE IS FIT TO BE TIED! - The Bodacious Pretty Boy is doing his best to hold her back from attacking the commissioner! The fans boo Tasha and the Bodacious Pretty Boy as she reads him the riot act, all the while, the Commissioner is cool as a cucmber. - The boos turn to cheers as the TV Champ makes his way out to join the party. He shakes hands with Renesto and waits for the cheering to die down. He says he was hearing all this in the back and while he agrees with EVERYTHING Commissioner Renesto has laid out as punishment, he would ask for a small favor and request Tasha NOT be suspended! That’s a surprise to the Commissioner and Chris Cruise as well as the fans who are buzzing. He says after last week’s match, he got to thinking that any match against Pretty in Pink, somewhere, somehow, someway … Tasha is going to stick her nose into his business AND after slugging the referee, no one here in Championship Wrestling is safe from her … so, he made a phone call … AND SHE ANSWERED! - Whistles and catcalls as a woman steps out from the back and joins Shane. His good friend, Misty Blue was nice enough to take some time out of her busy schedule and come here to West Virginia and take care of a “little problem” … Tasha. Tasha looks her over and yells out “That’s a very small problem!”. Morton continues, so if Commissioner Renesto has it in his heart to grant his one little request … Shane and Misty will see to it that Tasha is punished … RIGHT HERE NEXT WEEK IN A MIXED TAG MATCH! - The place explodes as Tasha is adamant that isn’t going to happen when Commissioner Renesto says “DONE DEAL!” and Tasha goes ballistic! - Shane Morton and Misty Blue share a laugh as Chris Cruise throws it to a commercial break! ----- COMMERCIAL BREAK ----- - We come back and Cruise talks about the chaos opening the program and next week’s mixed tag team main event! - Lil’ Frank versus Robert Van Winkle. We’ve got a strange one here as BOTH men try wrestling referee Bruno Laurer who has a heck of a time trying to get both men on the same page that they are wrestling EACH OTHER. Once we get under way, it is a pretty lopsided affair when Frank takes to the air and shows what the youngster can do. He finishes RVW off with a top rope senton that nets him a big pop. ----- COMMERCIAL BREAK ----- - Back from commercial and Cruise talks about Championship Wrestling and runs down the weekly house circuit and where to catch all the upcoming action. - Wild Dog versus Scotty Summers These two went at it on the very first TV episode with Wild Dog picking up the victory. Summers offers more resistance in this one, even nearly pinning his opponent but the Dog comes on late in the match and puts it away with a diving head but on the prone Summers who he helps to his feet after the match and shakes his hand in a show of good sportsmanship. - After the match, Wild Dog joins Cruise for some parting shots as he takes away the microphone. He says the way he sees it … Shane Morton OWES HIM BIG … AND HE’S HERE TO COLLECT! HE WANTS A SHOT AT SHANE MORTON’S TELEVISION TITLE! With the fans cheering in the background, Chris Cruise signs off with a reminder to come back next week for more Championship Wrestling!

Tough night for Bobby Blaze which is too bad because he is a solid hand who could be instrumental in a Junior division. Double pounding for him is ... OUCH! Solid ending to the program with a good round of chaos which is far from over. That is sure to sell tickets for months to come with Hogan and Flair at the top of the program.

The Smoking Gunns will get over well in Texas. I remember Alex Porteau from his time in the GWF. He's another that will excel in the area (already has the LW Title). The Pug already has the LW title and is off and running. Bagwell will make a good foil for Porteau OR will turn around and become his tag partner. The two are really the same side of the coin.

Since I don't follow wrestling, I have no clue who I would bring in if any to West Virginia?