World Wrestling Association results thread 1983

[JHawk]

Saturday, July 2, 1983 - WWA Superstar Challenge (aired live on WTTV in Indianapolis and via same day tape delay throughout the territory; special 90-minute edition)

 

David McLane welcomed fans to the show. He announced a restructured and reformatted WWA and first brought out the new commissioner of the WWA, Arnold Skaaland. Skaaland immediately made several announcements. He announced that the WWA had officially joined the National Wrestling Alliance and that a future date the NWA and WWA World Champions would meet in a match to unify the two titles. He announced that similar negotiations were ongoing for the WWA and NWA World Tag Team Titles as well.

He also announced that beginning in two weeks, the WWA would begin a tournament to crowd the first ever NWA Midwest Television Champion. He said the brackets would be determined partly based on the results of the next two weeks of TV.

He then announced what he referred to as the New Talent Initiative, saying that the roster has been turned upside down and over the next few weeks, you’ll be seeing a number of new faces. Many of those new faces will be in action tonight.

McLane then asked Skaaland about live events. Skaaland said shows would be on hold for at least July so the fans can get used to seeing the new talent being brought in. “Before you spend your hard earned money to see the best we have to offer, we want you to know exactly what you’re paying for.”

 

1. One fall with a 20-minute time limit: Fred Marzino vs. Frankie Laine

Laine is a veteran and popular among the crowd at the WTTV studios. Marzino is fairly young and unknown. Marzino does get in a decent amount of offense, but Laine controls about 70% of the match before winning with a bulldog headlock in 9:21.

 

McLane begins going over the rest of the card when Jack Brisco interrupts. McLane asks Brisco what he’s doing in the studio since he doesn’t work for the WWA. Brisco says that he decided to begin wrestling in New York because he heard Dory Funk Jr. was going to be there, only to find out Funk changed his mind and came here instead. “The man’s been ducking me for ten years, so I decided to make sure he didn’t have some sort of truck accident on his way here.” This brings Funk out, who says he doesn’t have to duck Brisco because “you could never beat me anyway.” The two men continue to argue until Funk shoves Brisco. Brisco goes for a takedown, and several wrestlers immediately come out from the back to separate them while McLane frantically asks for a commercial.

 

2. One fall with a 20-minute time limit: Zoltan the Great vs. Spike Huber

Much of the first several minutes of the match has Sultan refusing to lock up with Huber and taunting the crowd. What little action there is has Huber using hiptosses and headlocks to take down Zoltan with Zoltan immediately leaving the ring. Zoltan eventually gains the advantage using a series of illegal moves. Huber regains the advantage, catching Zoltan with an airplane spin and slamming him down for the pin at 9:16.

 

McLane interviews Larry Zbyszko. Zbyszko says that after nine glorious years in professional wrestling, he has gained a reputation for ending careers. He said he retired Bruno Sammartino, and he wants to be the one to retire Dick the Bruiser and Bobo Brazil, along with anybody else who gets in the way. “People already call me the Living Legend, but before I’m done they’ll be calling me the Legend Killer.”

 

3. One fall with a 20-minute time limit: Blackjack Mulligan vs. Jerry Oske

This was pretty much an extended display for Mulligan. Oske would get flurries of offense, but simply couldn’t get any significant amount of offense in before succumbing to Mulligan’s clawhold in 6:24.

 

McLane interviewed Bobo Brazil. Brazil introduced Brickhouse Brown to the crowd. Brazil said he was taking Brown under his wing and would teach the youngster everything he needs to be a success in the business. Brown thanked Brazil for the support he has already given and said his goal is to lead Brazil to the WWA World Tag Team Title.

 

4. One fall with a 20-minute time limit: Masked Superstar vs. Salvatore Bellomo

This was actually a very impressive performance for Bellomo. He used his superior speed to keep Superstar off guard for much of the contest. However, it was Superstar’s experience that came into play, as he side stepped an attempted high cross body from the Italian sensation, then took him down with a swinging neckbreaker for the pin at 11:55.

 

Up next was McLane interviewing WWA World Heavyweight Champion Bobby Colt. McLane asked about the controversial finish to Colt’s title victory at the Armory last weekend, to which Colt replied “What controversy? I pinned him 1-2-3! How that happened is inconsequential!” McLane reminded Colt that the rematch would be next week, and Colt reminded McLane that Bruiser gets one rematch…ONLY one rematch…and all he has to do is make sure Bruiser doesn’t win the title. McLane asked what Colt meant by that, and Colt merely laughed in his face and walked off.

 

5. Main event with TV time remaining: Dory Funk Jr. vs. Mike Rotundo

If Funk was showing any ill effects from the previous altercation with Jack Brisco, he wasn’t showing it. This was a scientific wrestling clinic, as both men exchanged hold after hold for the bulk of the match. Eventually an exchange of holds led to both men falling through the ropes and landing hard on the studio floor. It appeared Rotundo would enter the ring first, but Funk grabbed him by the leg and pulled him to the floor as referee Johnny Shorn counted to ten. Official result: a double countout at 10:03.

 

The show ended with McLane interviewing Dick the Bruiser about next week’s match against Bobby Colt as well as Bruiser’s spot in the Missouri Title tournament in St. Louis next week. Bruiser said he doesn’t know what Colt has in mind, but come the match next week “I vow to not only enter this studio as Missouri Champion, but I’m gonna knock Colt’s head right off his shoudlers and regain what’s mine! After that, I don’t care if it’s Harley Race or someone else entirely. I will take that title and unify it with the NWA title and became the undisputed best wrestler in the world!” With those comments, McLane reminds us next week’s show will also be 90 minutes and will feature the fabulous midgets in addition to that big title match.

 

[goc]

I liked the confrontation between Dory & Jack Brisco, especially Jack making reference to the truck accident.

[goodhelmet]

I think Rotundo and Funk Jr. are both pretty boring and uninspiring wrestlers but I always liked them matched up against each other. Similar to Dory and Brody. Brody is garbage but has good matches with Dory. Go figure.

[Flyin' Brian]

Sometimes guys just click together

[JHawk]

July 9, 1983: WWA Superstar Challenge (special 90-minute edition) from the WTTV Studios In Indianapolis, IN

 

David McClane opens the show and introduces WWA Commissioner Arnold Skaaland. Skaaland reiterates the stipulation for the main event, where if Dick the Bruiser is unsuccessful in regaining the WWA World Title from Bobby Colt tonight that he will not receive another shot at the title. Skaaland then announces that on August 20, 1983 at the International Ampitheatre in Chicago, IL, the NWA and WWA World Title unification match will take place with a stipulation to be named in the coming weeks. Skaaland makes it a point to say that there will be at least one more title defense for tonight’s winner between now and then.

 

One fall with a 10-minute time limit: Blackjack Mulligan vs. Jules Strongbow

Not much to this at all. Strongbow gets a few chops in that stagger Mulligan to the corner, but he misses a dive and hits the turnbuckle head first, and Mulligan immediately gets the clawhold in for a 37 second victory. McLane interviews Mulligan at ringside after the match, and Mulligan says he is watching the main event very closely because he wants to be the undisputed World Champion.

 

Highlights are shown of Dick the Bruiser’s appearance in the NWA Missouri Title tournament and the attack by King Kong Bundy and the Zambuie Express. McLane speculates that the injuries might cost Bruiser the title in the main event.

 

Two out of Three Falls with a 30-minute time limit: Midget Tag Team Match with Lord Littlebrook & NWA World Midget Champion Little Tokyo vs. Tiger Jackson & Cowboy Lang

While most of our viewers are used to the usual comedy between the tiny competitors, and while there was some, this match featured more wrestling than normally seen. Jackson wins the first fall by pinning Littlebrook in 12:14. The second fall is all in control of Littlebrook and Tokyo until a missed forearm smash from Littlebrook catches Tokyo instead of Lang, and Jackson hits a dropkick and pins the champion at 18:29 total time.

 

One fall with a 45-minute time limit for the WWA World Heavyweight Championship: Dick the Bruiser vs. Bobby Colt©

Bruiser comes to the ring favoring his ribs. Despite the injuries, Colt stalls early on, keeping his distance as Bruiser keeps coming forward and is stopped by referee Johnny Shorn. McLane speculates that Colt might be looking to run the clock. Colt eventually catches Bruiser with a cheap knee to the ribs, and the ribs are his primary target for several more minutes. Near the 15-minute mark, Colt misses a kneedrop, and now he can’t run away from the Bruiser. However, a big clothesline misses its mark and hits the referee instead, knocking the official out of the ring. Bruiser locks Colt in a bearhug, and the entire studio can hear Colt submitting except the referee. Suddenly King Kong Bundy runs out from the back door and enters the ring, clubbing Bruiser from behind and beating him down. After an avalanche and several splashes, Bundy leaves the ring, and the referee finally wakes up only seeing both men down. As Colt gets to his feet, Bruiser begins coughing up blood. Seeing the blood, referee Shorn stops the match and awards a controversial decision to Colt at 17:55.

 

McLane attempts to corner Bundy for an interview, but all Bundy says is “He cost me the Missouri Title on Monday night, so as long as I’m around, that man will never be a World Champion again!” before leaving the studio.

 

After a commercial break, doctors are in the ring attending to the Bruiser. While this is going on, a replay of last week’s incident between Dory Funk Jr. and Jack Brisco is shown.

 

One fall with a 20-minute time limit: Dory Funk Jr. vs. Billy Anderson

The crowd is still in almost total silence after what happened to Dick the Bruiser earlier on. Aside from a few brief flurries of offense, the match is all Funk, and he gains a submission victory with the famed Funk spinning toe hold in 6:44.

 

McLane interviews Funk after the match. Funk insists that he has never, and will never, duck a challenge from a Brisco and officially issues a challenge to Jack Brisco for the International Ampitheatre show on August 20. McLane says officials will attempt to get in touch with Brisco during the week and we hope to have an answer by next week.

 

Skaaland comes back out to the interview area to remind us that the tournament for the first-ever NWA Midwest Television Championship kicks off next week.

 

Two out of Three Falls with TV time remaining: Black Gordman & Goliath vs. Bobo Brazil & Brickhouse Brown

McLane says that both Brazil and Brown will be part of the Midwest TV Title tournament. The first fall is pretty even overall, with the evil team from New Mexico growing increasingly frustrated at not being able to put their opponents away. Eventually Gordman and Goliath catch Brazil in a corner and refuse to let him go, ignoring referee Connie Marker’s five count and getting themselves disqualified at 7:13. The second fall is much shorter, as Brazil catches Goliath with a Coco Butt and tags in Brown, who catches Goliath with a flying bodypress for the pin at a total time of 8:12.

 

McLane wraps up the show by saying Dick the Bruiser is in a local hospital and is being looked at by doctors. It’s too soon to know if Bruiser is seriously injured or not but there is a possibility of bruised, if not broken, ribs. McLane said to expect a full report next week.

[dawho5]

Whoa, a semi-serious midget match, Bundy inducing blood vomiting in Dick the Bruiser AND a finish in the time remaining main event? That's a good TV show right there.

[goc]

Cowboy Lang & Little Toyko were great against each other, I would love to see that midget tag match.

[KrisZ]

The real WWA never looked this good

[Grimmas]

Whoa, a semi-serious midget match, Bundy inducing blood vomiting in Dick the Bruiser AND a finish in the time remaining main event? That's a good TV show right there.

Jack Tunney has dictated that every midget match must be awesome and treated with respect! Thanks to the WWA for following that mandate.

[JHawk]

July 16, 1983 - WWA Superstar Challenge live from the WTTV Studios in Indianapolis, IN

 

David McLane welcomes us to the show and runs down the brackets for the quarterfinals of the NWA Midwest TV Title, which begins tonight.

 

Masked Superstar vs. Bobo Brazil
Larry Zbyszko vs. Brickhouse Brown
Dory Funk Jr. vs. Jimmy Snuka
Blackjack Mulligan vs. Mike Rotundo

 

1. One fall with a 15-minute time limit: Jerry Oske & Salvatore Bellomo vs. Jerry Valiant & Abdullah the Great (WWA World Tag Team Champions)

 

The champions enter the ring and say that to prove they are fighting champions, they will put the titles on the line right here and now. That announcement seems to fire the challengers up as they have the champions on the ropes early. In fact, they control most of the match until Oske misses a dropkick, and the champions almost immediately do a double team, dropping Oske throat first across the top rope to allow Valiant to score the pin at 3:22.

 

McLane interviews Bobo Brazil and Brickhouse Brown about their upcoming matches in the Midwest TV Title tournament. When asked about the possibility of facing each other in the semifinals, both men say they expect it to happen, with Brazil saying he can’t wait to see what Brown has learned from him.

 

2. NWA Midwest Television Title Tournament Quarterfinal Match scheduled for one fall with a 10-minute time limit: Masked Superstar vs. Bobo Brazil

 

The match is pretty even most of the way, although Superstar does control several minutes after he catches Brazil coming in with a clothesline. Brazil finally begins to make a comeback and has Superstar on the ropes. As the referee tries to keep Brazil away, Superstar loads up his mask. He tries to catch Brazil with a headbutt, but Brazil blocks it, spins Superstar around and hits him with a Coco Butt to the back of the head for the pin at 8:07.

 

3. NWA Midwest Television Title Tournament Quarterfinal Match scheduled for one fall with a 10-minute time limit: Larry Zbyszko vs. Brickhouse Brown

Short match. Zbyszko avoids a lock up a couple of times. As Brown complains to the referee about Zbyszko’s tactics, the self-proclaimed Legend Killer catches him with a forearm to the side of the head, then immediately piledrives the youngster for the pin at 1:34. As Zbyszko gloats on his way to the back. Bobo Brazil comes out to comfort his young protégé and is heard saying “Never turn your back on your opponent.”

 

McLane recaps King Kong Bundy’s attack on Dick the Bruiser last week. McLane says that Bruiser suffered cracked ribs and while he’ll be back, it may be several weeks before he is medically cleared to compete.

 

4. NWA Midwest Television Title Tournament Quarterfinal Match scheduled for one fall with a 10-minute time limit: Dory Funk Jr. vs. Jimmy Snuka

 

McLane mentions that we have not heard anything from Jack Brisco about Funk’s challenge from last week, but he is expected to be a guest in studio next week. Snuka does a good job coming out of the gate early with a flurry of offense, but Dory is able to gain control with his superior technical wrestling ability. Every time Snuka appears to be gaining an advantage, Dory outwrestles him and takes him back to the mat. As the match wears on, Funk goes for pinfalls with increasing frequency, while Snuka refuses to stay down and continues to kick out at 2. Snuka finally regains the advantage and levels Funk with a series of moves, connecting with a flying headbutt. Snuka heads up to the top rope, seemingly for the Superfly Leap, but the bell rings to signify the time limit expired. Snuka continues his ascent, but Funk rolls out of the ring before Snuka can leap.

 

5. NWA Midwest Television Title Tournament Quarterfinal Match scheduled for one fall with a 10-minute time limit: Blackjack Mulligan vs. Mike Rotundo

 

The story here was Mulligan using his superior size to counteract the pure wrestling ability of Rotundo. Rotundo does get in a brief flurry late in the contest, but he misses a dive into the corner and knocks himself silly. Mulligan locks in a clawhold and seems to have Rotundo out cold, but Rotundo falls to the mat with his foot underneath the rope and Mulligan, not realizing his positioning, ignores referee Johnny Shorn’s count and ends up getting disqualified at 6:22. Upon hearing the decision, Mulligan snaps and knocks the referee down, and immediately security runs into the ring to get in between Mulligan and the referee.

 

As Mulligan leaves, commissioner Arnold Skaaland joins David McLane and says he is fining Mulligan $1,000 for punching the referee. Skaaland then announces that for the big show at International Ampitheatre in Chicago on August 20, he has arranged a deal where Carlos Colon will come in from Puerto Rico and renew his long time rivalry with Abdullah the Butcher.

 

Officially announced for next week is the semifinal match of the TV Title tournament (Zbyszko vs. Brazil) plus Bobby Colt will defend the WWA World Heavyweight Title against Chavo Guerrero in what might be the final title match prior to the 8/20 unification match.

 

And we’re off the air.

[goc]

If you wind up with a Chavo Guerrero vs. Harley Race unification match you'll get my $ for sure.

[JHawk]

WWA Superstar Challenge results (July 23, 2015) from the WTTV Studios in Indianapolis, IN

 

David McLane opens the show and pushes that we will have the semifinals of the NWA Midwest Television Title tournament later on tonight, but in order to guarantee enough time for our main event we're going to go straight to the ring.

 

1. One fall with a 45-minute time limit for the WWA World Heavyweight Title: Chavo Guerrero vs. Bobby Colt

 

Colt is very loudly complaining that as champion his match should be going on last, which McLane says is only an issue because going on first allows a longer time limit. The first several minutes sees Chavo using his quickness to keep Colt at bay, and Colt rolling to the floor and milking the ten count before rolling back in. He eventually avoids a dropkick from Guerrero, then proceeds to stomp, claw, kick, punch and choke Chavo to the point that McLane says "I'd say his best move was the prematch handshake but he didn't even do that!" Chavo finally catches Colt coming in with a dropkick and takes control of the match. With Colt on the mat, Guerrero ascends to the top rope, but Colt rolls out of the way, grabs his belt, and runs out of the studio. Referee Johnny Shorn has no choice but to count out Colt and award the victory, but not the title, to Guerrero at 10:00.

 

Angry at the result, Guerrero goes to David McLane and demands a rematch. Commissioner Arnold Skaaland comes to the interview area and tells Guerrero that in WWA, we expect our champions to win like champions or lose like champions, so he is announcing a rematch for next week, and if Colt gets himself counted out or disqualified, he will lose the championship. Guerrero thanks Skaaland for the opportunity and heads to the back. Skaaland then continues to talk to McLane and says the upcoming unification match between the NWA World Heavyweight Champion and the WWA World Heavyweight Champion is far too important to risk the same thing happening, so he is announcing that the match on August 20, regardless of who the champions are at the time, will be held inside a steel cage and that negotiations are under way for a special referee to be announced as well. "One way or another, we will have an undisputed NWA World Heavyweight Champion after August 20."

 

2. One fall with a 10-minute time limit: James J. Dillon (accompanied by Dory Funk Jr.) vs. Salvatore Bellomo

 

David McLane spends the first several minutes explaining that while Dillon does manage Funk and will continue to do so, that he wants to put his money where his mouth is and compete as well. Bellomo actually controls most of the match and had Dillon begging off. After a series of near falls, Dillon crawls to the corner and distracts the referee, which allows Funk to run in behind the referee and level Bellomo with a forearm uppercut that looks to nearly knock Bellomo's head off. Dillon then drops an elbow for the pin at 5:14. "Absolutely disgusting" says McLane in response.

 

Dillon and Funk make their way to the interview area. Funk asks McLane where Jack Brisco is at. "I thought he was supposed to be here today!" McLane says Brisco is not in the studio, but earlier this week he did send in a videotape.

 

Cut to a pretaped interview from Jack Brisco, where Brisco said he has heard about Funk's challenge and has made it a point to tell the matchmakers of the WWF that he will be unavailable the week of August 20 because he has a Texas-sized problem to take care of. "I just hope you have the common sense to save a few bucks for a cab in case that rusty old pick up truck of yours breaks down."

 

Back live to the studio, and McLane asks Funk what his response is. Funk doesn't respond, but Dillon says "We've got that Okie right where we want him!"

 

3. One fall with a 10-minute time limit: Fred Marzino vs. Jimmy Snuka

 

This match is as one sided and as simple as it gets. Snuka gets the pin with the Superfly Leap in 3:26.

 

David McLane says Dick the Bruiser is still recovering after the attack from King Kong Bundy a couple of weeks ago, but Bruiser did send in a videotape. In the pretaped promo, Bruiser says he has not and will not forget what Bundy did to him both in the Missouri Title tournament or on television. "I don't know how long I'll be out, but I will come back, and whether it's in Indianapolis, Chicago, St. Louis, New York, or on a farm in some random one horse town, I will find you and I will put you through the same misery you put me through!"

 

4. One fall with a 10-minute time limit: Mike Rotundo vs. Zoltan the Great

 

Of course, next week Rotundo gets the winner of our next match in the finals of the NWA Midwest Television Title tournament, so this match is slightly more competitive than the previous one but not much so. Rotundo catches Zoltan in an airplane spin and gets the pin in just 2:30.

 

5. Semifinal match in the NWA Midwest Television Title Tournament, one fall with a 15-minute time limit: Larry Zbszyko vs. Bobo Brazil

 

On his way to the ring, Zbyszko stops briefly at the desk to tell McLane "this is just another legend I'll have to kill, just like Bruno!" After a short feeling out period, Zbyszko takes control, and while he does some wrestling holds, he continues to liberally bend the rules. At around the five minute mark, Brickhouse Brown comes to ringside and begins to cheer Brazil on, rallying the 100 or so in attendance at the studio behind him as well. Brazil makes his comeback and takes control, levelling Zbyszko with a Coco Butt that sends his opponent out of the ring. As Zbyszko makes his way to his feet, he punches Brown before going back into the ring. An infuriated Brown goes into the ring and attacks Zbyszko, forcing referee Connie Marker to disqualify Brazil at the 7:29 mark. Brazil tries to calm Brickhouse down as Zbyszko leaves the ring.

 

After the match, McLane asks Brazil for his thoughts. Brickhouse apologizes by saying he didn't want to get Bobo disqualified and he lost his cool. Brazil tells him he needs to pick his battles because "there's a time and a place for everything."

 

Arnold Skaaland returns to the interview area and makes the Dory Funk Jr.-Jack Brisco match official for the International Ampitheatre in Chicago on August 20. McLane then runs down the announced card:

 

 

NWA World Heavyweight Champion vs. WWA World Heavyweight Champion (steel cage match with a special referee To Be Determined):

Harley Race vs. Bobby Colt

*Subject to change as whoever the champions are will compete in the match

 

Abdullah the Butcher vs. Carlos Colon

 

Dory Funk Jr. vs. Jack Brisco

 

After running through this, Skaaland says that both the WWA World Tag Team Title and the NWA Midwest Television Title will be on the line with the matches made closer to the show in order to flesh out the contenders. He also says an announcement about another very special guest for that show will be made next week.

 

Next week:

Chavo Guerrero vs. Bobby Colt for the WWA World Heavyweight Title (if Colt is disqualified or counted out, he loses the title)

Larry Zbyszko vs. Mike Rotundo to crown the first NWA Midwest Television Champion.

 

McLane tells us we do not want to miss next week's show and signs us off.

[goc]

Bobby Colt would be better to stop fucking around like he actually wants to fight Harley Race! Harley would probably rough that chump up for real for having the audacity to call himself a World Champ!

 

Still love the Jack Brisco/Dory stuff and Jack not letting go of the truck thing.

[Beast]

Great card being built. Smart to use famous feuds from outside WWA while you build up your new core group of stars.

 

Zbyszko stands out as being a big name at this time to build things around. That match coming up against Rotundo would either be really great or really bad depending on how his stalling works with Rotundo's no-nonsense technical style.

 

Of course Snuka is such a huge name to have at this point too. The seeds are set for a WWA rise over the next year with such promising workers. Smart mix of classic names and guys in their prime.

[Jesse Ewiak]

Zybysko and Snuka with all the legends is a great roster to work with from the start, and something that can rebuild the WWA quickly from the depths to which it fell, even if only Parv will end up watching the tape of the Brisco-Dory match in alternate 2015.

 

It's weird, while I can of expect Colt to keep the title to face Harley, I wouldn't be totally surprised if Chavo got the shock win, since Race-Guerrero is a slightly bigger match. OTOH, Colt 'unifying' the titles with Race will seem like a better loss for him, as opposed to a bonafide legend like Chavo. I also really like the Bobo-Brickhouse build you're doing.

[JHawk]

I actually haven't made the final call as to who is going to win the Chavo-Colt rematch (and honestly even a rematch was a last second decision, as the walk out to force Skaaland to announce a cage match for the unification was always the plan). Enjoying myself though as I would honestly watch this International Ampitheatre card I've set up if it were a real life thing.

[JHawk]

WWA Superstar Challenge 7/30/1983 (live from WTTV Studios in Indianapolis, IN)

David McLane welcomes us to the show and pushes the two big main events: Larry Zbyszko vs. Mike Rotundo for the first ever NWA Midwest Television TItle, plus Bobby Colt vs. Chavo Guerrero for the WWA World Heavyweight TItle. Colt interrupts and argues about how unfair it is that if he gets disqualified or counted out he'll lose the title, but it's just like those Mexican jumping beans to have the rules changed to meet their needs.

1. One fall with a 15:00 time limit: J.J. Dillon vs. Jack Brisco

Dillon is accompanied to the ring by Dory Funk Jr., who heads to the broadcast table with McLane. While most don't expect much from the match, Dillon holds his own against Brisco with Dory shouting encouragement the entire way. As time begins winding down in the match, Brisco locks Dillon into a figure-four leglock. Dory leaves the booth and attacks Jack, causing a DQ at the 10:35 mark. Both men continue their attack until Mando and Chavo Guerrero come out to make the save.

2. One fall with a 10:00 time limit: Masked Superstar vs. Billy Anderson

Anderson tries to use his speed to keep Superstar at bay, but Superstar is able to catch him by about the 90-second mark and controls the match the rest of the way, scoring the pin with a swinging neckbreaker at 3:14.

McLane interviews Masked Superstar. Superstar asks why he hasn't received a shot at the WWA title since he has the best chance of anybody on the roster to defeat Harley Race for the unified title. Superstar calls himself the best wrestler in the entire NWA, and to prove it he will be making his way to Atlanta next week.

Highlights of the NWA Midwest Television Title tournament are shown to remind us of how we got to this point.

3. One fall with TV time remaining for the first-ever NWA Midwest Television Championship: Larry Zbyszko vs. Mike Rotundo

As expected, Zbyszko tries to stall for time in an attempt to throw Rotundo off his game, but Rotundo is too fast for Zbyszko to get too far away, so Rotundo is able to keep Zbyszko grounded for much of the match with headlocks. The title appears to be Rotundo's for the taking, and he picks up Zbyszko and locks him into an airplane spin. However, Rotundo is also dizzy and falls to the mat, and Zbyszko ends up falling on top of Rotundo and puts his feet on the middle rope for leverage to gain the pin and the title at 5:47.

Zbyszko stumbles to the interview area where commissioner Arnold Skaaland hands him the belt. "I'm going to Larryland!"

McLane interviews Brickhouse Brown and Bobo Brazil, who are set to head to San Antonio tomorrow to compete for the Southwest Tag Team Championship. Both men say they are set to represent the entire Midwest in the tournament and plan to show up on TV next week with the gold. Brown: "And then maybe we can unify them against Valiant and Abdullah." Bobo: "One match at a time, kid, let's get past tomorrow first."

A pretaped promo airs from NWA World Heavyweight Champion Harley Race. Race says he is looking forward to the main event so he can scout his challenger on August 20. "When the night is over and the smoke clears, I'll be holding the WWA Title belt over my shoulder, the NWA belt will be around my waist, and your local hero may never wrestle again!"

4. One fall with TV time remaining for the WWA World Heavyweight Title: Chavo Guerrero vs. Bobby Colt© (if Colt is disqualified or counted out, he loses the championship)

Without being able to run to save his title, Colt seemingly has no chance. Chavo dominates the match and has this things well in hand until Colt somehow avoids a dropkick and referee Johnny Shorn eats it instead. Chavo continues the onslaught and hits Colt with a backbreaker, followed by a moonsault, but no referee is there to make the count. As Chavo gets up to check on the referee, Dory Funk Jr. runs into the ring, levels Chavo with a European forearm as he turns around, then, as J.J. Dillon slides a chair into the ring, Funk drops Chavo with a piledriver onto the chair. Mando Guerrero and Jack Brisco run to the ring and chase Funk and Dillon to the back. Meanwhile, oblivious to everything that has gone on, Colt drapes an arm over Chavo's chest. Shorn begins to stir and crawls over...

ONE!

TWO!

THRE -- CHAVO KICKS OUT!

The studio crowd goes crazy as Colt is livid. Colt picks up the chair that is still in the ring, and referee Shorn grabs it. As Colt protests over Shorn's warning of the stipulation, Chavo wraps Colt up from behind and settles into a O'Connor roll...

ONE!

TWO!

THREE!

Your winner in 8:28 and NEW WWA World Heavyweight Champion, Chavo Guerrero!

Guerrero comes to the interview area and takes the belt from the table, thanking the fans for their support and that come August 20, "I will beat Harley Race! I won't let any of my fans down!"

As we go off the air, David McLane tells us that due to time constraints, we'll need to wait on Arnold Skaaland's announcement that was promised for this week, but next week we will hear from Dick the Bruiser for the first time since his injuries!

[KrisZ]

So glad that Chavo won the title and with the addition of Central States to this group it should be a blast.

[JHawk]

August 6, 1983 - WWA Superstar Challenge live from the WTTV Studios in Indianapolis, IN (airing on same day tape delay as "Wrestling at the Chase" in the St. Louis market)

 

David McLane welcomes us to the show with a special welcome to our new viewers in St. Louis, Kansas City, and the surrounding areas. Tonight, Larry Zbyszko makes his first defense of the NWA Midwest Television Title, plus in our main event newcomers Tony Atlas and King Kong Bundy will do battle.

 

1. One fall with a 15-minute time limit: Mando Guerrero & WWA World Heavyweight Champion Chavo Guerrero defeated Black Gordman & Goliath in 2:57 when Chavo pinned Gordman with a backflip splash off the top rope.

 

McLane interviews the Guerreros, especially Chavo as he prepares for Harley Race in two weeks in Chicago. “I tell you, David, Race is a tough customer. You don’t get to be a seven time world champion without being tough. And I know most are considering me the underdog. But I’ve been the underdog most of my career, and now I have this belt. I don’t plan on losing it, and to not lose it, I have to take his title belt. I promise you, David, if Race ends up beating me, he’ll have to earn it, because I’m not going down without a fight.”

 

2. One fall with a 15-minute time limit for the NWA Midwest Television Title: Larry Zbyszko pinned Spike Huber with his feet on the ropes in 10:47 to retain the title. Huber at one point appeared to have won the title but Zbyszko’s foot was on the bottom rope.

 

David McLane introduces the Indianapolis crowd to Nick Bockwinkel, who enters the picture with the NWA Missouri Heavyweight Title over his shoulder and the WWF Heavyweight Title around his waist. McLane asks Bockwinkel about the unification match that will be taking place on August 20, to which Bockwinkel replies, “What you have are two superb competitors who are representing the World Heavyweight Championship. But I feel I am superior to those two men. I have been representing the World Heavyweight Championship myself and have treated these championship belts with the respect and dignity they deserve. Irregardless of who wins that match a fortnight from now, they are going to have to look over their shoulders for me.”

 

3. One fall with a 15-minute time limit: NWA Central States Tag Team Champions The Zambuie Express (w/Gary Hart) defeated Jerry Oske & Kelly Kiniski in a non-title match when Elijah Akeem pinned Oske with a splash at 3:40.

 

After the match, Gary Hart brings his team over to the interview area and brags to David McLane that he is the manager of some of the most ruthless, vicious specimens known to man. He then brings out his newest acquisition, King Kong Bundy. Bundy brags about how he has taken Dick the Bruiser out of action. McLane: “I wouldn’t be so sure about that. Dick the Bruiser will be here after our main event!” Bundy: “You and I both know he’s only here to announce his retirement, and if that isn’t why he’s here, it won’t his choice after I get through with him!”

 

4. One fall with TV time remaining: Tony Atlas pinned King Kong Bundy (w/Gary Hart) with a flying shoulderblock in 12:31. Bundy had the match well in hand after an avalanche when Dick the Bruiser emerged from the locker room and made his way to ringside. Bundy turned to yell at Bruiser, and after an argument lasting nearly a minute, Bundy turned around and got taken down by the now-recovered Atlas.

 

Bruiser then grabs David McLane’s microphone and challenges Bundy for a one-on-one match at the International Ampitheatre in Chicago on August 20. Before Bundy can respond, the Zambuie Express make their way to the ring and surround Bruiser. The crowd erupts as Mando Guerrero steps in beside Bruiser. It looks like a fight is going to erupt, but commissioner Arnold Skaaland steps in screaming “Not here, not now! If a fight breaks out now, I’ll suspend everybody involved! We’re going to save this for August 20!”

 

Hart: “That’s fine. We’ll save this for whenever you want. August 20 works for us. But it seems to me that there are three of us and only two of them, so you might have their backs against the wall.”

 

Skaaland: “You’re very observant, Gary. Three on two would probably be a little unfair. Well, that brings me to the announcement I was planning to make last week until the show ran long. See, it won't be one one one on August, but three on three. These two men will have a partner, and it’s someone that your man right there (pointing at Bundy) had some dealings with in Texas some time back.”

 

Bundy: “I don’t care who it is. Nobody in Texas, in Indianapolis, or anywhere else has ever gotten the best of me! Who is it that I’ll get to squash like a bug in two weeks?”

 

Skaaland (after a pause): “ANDRE THE GIANT!”

 

The crowd erupts as Hart begins to yell at Skaaland “you can’t do that!” McLane says Bundy might find out Andre is more like the windshield than the bug.

 

 

After a commercial to settle things down, McLane and Skaaland are the only two left on the interview area. McLane runs down the card for August 20.

 

-The Zambuie Express & King Kong Bundy vs. Mando Guerrero & Dick the Bruiser & Andre the Giant
-The NWA Midwest Television Title will be on the line
-JUST ANNOUNCED: For the WWA World Tag Team Title: Jerry Valiant & Abdullah the Great (champions) vs. Bobo Brazil & Brickhouse Brown
-Carlos Colon vs. Abdullah the Butcher
-Dory Funk Jr. vs. Jack Brisco
-Main event inside a steel cage to unify the NWA and WWA World Heavyweight Titles: Harley Race (NWA World Heavyweight Champion) vs. Chavo Guerrero (WWA World Heavyweight Champion)

 

Skaaland says Larry Zbyszko will make another defense of the NWA Midwest Television Title next week and the result of that match will determine what the match for that title on August 20 will be. Also next week, Nick Bockwinkel will make his first defense of the NWA Missouri Heavyweight Title when he takes on Mike Rotundo. McLane then signs us off the air.

[dawho5]

So let me get this straight, WWA has Bock, Mando & Chavo Guerrero, and Larry Zbysko? I'm pretty sure Dick the Bruiser would have killed for any one of those four and not used them near as well. Keep up the good work.

[JHawk]

My roster is almost too strong right now and I love having that problem!

[LowBlowPodcast]

I concur with the same sentiments as I stated with Georgia, you have got a pretty loaded boat right now with these stars coming in. I am looking forward to the unification bout - Race has been moving around a lot and to see the full-fledged joining of two titles will be something to behold.

[Flyin' Brian]

Great to see Chavo Classic as champ. Really liked how Skaaland handled that situation. Gary Hart was a real gentleman until Andre's name came up.

[Beast]

I like seeing rosters like this in WWA and All-Star. Might as well have a couple stacked promotions.

 

Gotta see some Bockwinkel/Zbyszko interaction. Either as friend or foe that'll be killer.

[Jesse Ewiak]

As other people have said, really digging the build up to Chavo-Race, even though we all know the actual result. The RL fans in this reality would be totally buying the idea that Chavo could take the belt.

Bock-Rotundo will be an interesting veteran-young guy match. Well, OK, Will may not like it since Rotundo is involved, but maybe Bock can grab something decent out of him.

The six-man will be probably a cluster, but an entertaining one. Really solid stuff in general!