Maple Leaf Wrestling Television Thread

[Beast]

Great use of Premium Action. I'm sure you were thrilled to get some video out of the huge gauntlet match.

 

Also like how your roster (in the opening credits) seems so normal now. Meaning, they've all been built up so well that this feels like MLW 1983 for real now.

[Grimmas]

Great use of Premium Action. I'm sure you were thrilled to get some video out of the huge gauntlet match.

 

Also like how your roster (in the opening credits) seems so normal now. Meaning, they've all been built up so well that this feels like MLW 1983 for real now.

Thanks, those are nice props. A lot of promotions are starting to feel legit.

 

I love getting house show footage out on Premium Action. It's also nice to give more details on this show, then in the original posts. Reasons to read both threads.

[Grimmas]

Maple Leaf Wrestling presents Wrestling Night in Canada

September 11, 1983 at Moncton Coliseum in Moncton, New Brunswick

The opening video package of Wrestling Night in Canada opens the show featuring clips of: Greg Valentine, Wahoo McDaniel, Stephen Petipas, Jesse Ventura, Ivan Koloff, Leo Burke, Rocky Johnson and ends with a clip of Rick Martel being awarded the NWA Canadian Title.

Billy Red Lyons and Jesse "The Body" Ventura welcome us to the show and immediately go to a video from Maple Leaf Wrestling President Jack Tunney.

Jack Tunney is in his office at his desk. He says there is a lot of disgusting acts going on in Maple Leaf Wrestling from the Russians to the Cubans. Maple Leaf Wrestling is a wrestling promotion and feuds will be settled in the ring, not through shenanigans and fireballs. The Cubans have been fined again and he appreciates the quick and respectful paying of their last fine as it came in an envelope to his office. However, Tunney demands this fine to be paid in Canadian dollars this time not in Cuban currency. Throwing a fireball in a security guards face is not appropriate action. Tunney, going forward, has banned fireballs from Maple Leaf Wrestling. If someone else uses fire they will be suspended immediately. It is also apparent that fines are not enough, so at Maple Leaf Gardens on September 27th he has booked the Cuban Assassin and Chicky Starr vs Stephen Petipas & Rocky Johnson in a match where Bobby Bass will be put into a shark cage and suspended above the ring to keep him out of it. The two teams will then compete in a Toronto Death Match.

As for Wahoo McDaniel, well he will be making his return on September 27th and has demanded a match against Greg "The Hammer" Valentine one on one. To ensure no Russian inteference there will be Lumberjacks at ringside.

Add those two matches to RIck Martel defending the NWA Canadian Title against Riki Choshu and it will be one huge night in Maple Leaf Gardens on September 27th.

Commercial #1

Lyons and Ventura react to that huge news. Ventura talks up Choshu again, but also celebrates the Body Shop tonight with a surprise guest. They also hype the main event of Buzz Tyler vs Greg Valentine w/ Ivan Koloff, Alexis Smirnoff & Don Carson all banned from the arena.

Commercial #2

1. Killer Karl Krupp vs Leo Burke

Krupp was a local star here in the Maritimes so he gets a big heel reaction, but Burke is the local hero and so this match is heated. A fun brawl in which Burke pins Krupp with the leg lariat.

Winner - Leo Burke @ 6:20

 

Commercial #3

 

 

2. Little Tokyo vs Chilli Bowl

 

Tokyo gets the big win.

 

Winner - Little Tokyo @ 5:36

 

Commercial #4

 

It is now time for The Body Shop with Jesse Ventura who is guarded by Evil Machine. Ventura said his special mystery guest will be here in a second, but before that he wanted to show everybody some footage.

We get a video of Dick Murdoch calling out Ventura and his group form backstage at a New Japan Pro-Wrestling show. As he is talking he gets attacked by Ishi-Gunn and their leader Riki Choshu before security breaks it up.

 

Commercial #5

 

 

Back from the break and Ventura lets it be known what happens if you mess with him. He talks about Choshu winning the NWA Canadian Title and then turns to his guest. It turns out to be Evil Machine who doesn't talk, but Vetnura praises!

 

We then get a video of the making of Evil Machine which is a factory in Japan with evil Japanese scientists drawing up blue prints. We then get a factory conveyor belt where at the end of it Evil Machine comes out at the end. As the scientists celebrate, Evil Machine knocks them all out and walks away.

 

Commercial #6

 

3. Greg "The Hammer" Valentine vs Buzz Tyler

 

Tyler fought hard to gain some revenge for what Valentine did to him and his friend Wahoo, but the Hammer was too much. Just as Valentine was about to lock on the figure-four leglock the Super Russian came to ringside and nailed him with a steel chair busting him open. Before security got to the scene, the Super Russian ran away through the crowd.

 

Winner - Greg Valentine via DQ @ 7:06

 

Commercial #7

 

We return from break and Lyons and Ventura can not believe what just happened. Look at the blood? Valentine is helped to the back by paramedics. Who is this Super Russian? Next week Ventura vows to have the Super Russian on The Body Shop!

 

 

Dark Matches:

 

Gino Brito & Tony Parisi def. The Kay Brothers @ 5:24

 

Tonny Ricco pinned Dan Johnson @ 9:15

 

Stonehead Ishimoto pinned Rene Goulet @ 13:44

 

Tongan Terrors & Hurricane Kamiguchi def. Can-Am Express & Armand Rougeau @ 16:51

[dawho5]

Those sneaky Russians! They even attack their own. Well, sort of.

[Beast]

Super Russian's return was a surprising, but logical way to further that feud. Nice job.

 

Also can't get enough of '80s Evil Machine on a conveyer belt vignettes.

[Grimmas]

Maple Leaf Wrestling presents Premium Action

September 15, 1983

The opening video package of Premium Action opens the show featuring clips of: Greg "The Hammer" Valentine, Wahoo McDaniel, Stephen Petipas & Rocky Johnson, Jesse "The Body" Ventura, NWA Canadian Tag Team Champions Ivan Koloff & Super Russian, Leo Burke and ends with a clip of Rick Martel being awarded the NWA Canadian Title.

We go to Billy Red Lyons and Jesse "The Body" Valentine are in a studio and welcome us to Premium Action. We are two weeks away from the huge show in Maple Leaf Gardens on September 27th headlined by Riki Choshu challenging the NWA Canadian Champion Rick Martel. Ventura makes an unbiased prediction and predicts Riki Choshu will be the champion. Also on the show we have a grudge Toronto Death Match between The Cubans and Rocky Johnson & Stephen Petipas where Bobby Bass will be suspended above the ring in a shark cage. Finally we have a lumberjack match between Greg "The Hammer" Valentine and the returning Wahoo McDaneil. A stacked show, so make sure you are there in Maple Leaf Gardens on September 27th.

They then talk about the matches you will see tonight, including: Masa Fuchi taking on Ben Bassarab, a classic battle royal, and in the main event a brutal Toronto Street Fight between The Cubans and Stephen Petipas & Rocky Johnson.

Commercial #1

Lyons and Ventura talk about this technical contest we will see. A match up that is a real throw back that you can only see here in Maple Leaf Wrestling.

Masa Fuchi vs Ben Bassarab (September 12, 1983 in Halifax Forum)

This match started as a feeling out contest on the mat where both men fought over submissions. Bassarab working over the arm and Fuchi working over the leg. Bassarab almost got the victory with a Fujiwara armbar, but Fuchi made it to the ropes. As the referee was pulling Bassarab off Fuchi, Fuchi rolled him up for the win.

Winner - Masa Fuchi @ 9:51

 

Commercial #2

 

Lyons and Ventura get us excited for a battle royal!

 

5. Battle Royal featuring: Andre the Giant, Leo Burke, Jerry Brisco, Tony Garea, Tiger Conway Jr., Bobby Bass, Al Tomko, Gary Royal, Killer Karl Krupp, Paul Christy, Angelo Mosca Jr. & Rick Patterson (August 30, 1983 in Maple Leaf Gardens)

Early on Krupp gather up an army to go after Andre, but Andre, Garea & Burke fought them off. Andre was dominated, but Burke threw out his fair share as well. The final four included: Andre the Giant, Leo Burke, Bobby Bass & Killer Karl Krupp. Andre easily tossed Krupp, while Burke was able to toss Bass. Andre and Leo had a short and fun battle before Andre tossed Burke for the win.

Winner - Andre the Giant @ 12:26

Commercial #3

Before we get to the main event, Ventura reminds us about the Cubans throwing fireballs on TV and hitting a security guard and how they are now banned from Maple Leaf Wrestling. However this match took place before that ruling.

Ventura shows short clip of "The Super Russian" attacking Greg Valentine on TV last week and he promises to have this "Super Russian" on The Body Shop on Wrestling Night in Canada!

Commercial #4

7. Cuban Assassin & Chicky Starr w/ Bobby Bass vs "Big" Stephen Petipas & Rocky Johnson in a Toronto Street Fight

Both teams wear street clothes to the ring. The match is a brawl all over the ringside area and including using chairs, maracas and even Bobby Bass being bodyslammed through the announcer table. If Bass out of the way Petipas and Johnson seemed ready for victory, but the Cuban Assassin threw a fire ball in Rocky's face for the pinfall.

Winners - Cuban Assassin & Chicky Starr @ 14:57

 

[Grimmas]

Maple Leaf Wrestling presents Wrestling Night in Canada

September 18, 1983 at Civic Centre in Brantford, Ontario

The opening video package of Wrestling Night in Canada opens the show featuring clips of: Greg Valentine, Wahoo McDaniel, Stephen Petipas, Jesse Ventura, Ivan Koloff, Leo Burke, Rocky Johnson and ends with a clip of Rick Martel being awarded the NWA Canadian Title.

Billy Red Lyons and Jesse "The Body" Ventura welcome us to the show and Ventura reminds us that he will have "The Super Russian" on The Body Shop tonight! Ventura is also excited about the Evil Russian taking on Rick Martel in a non-title match in the main event. However we are going straight into action here.

1. "Outlaw" Joel Deaton vs Jerry Brisco

Brisco goes straight to work on the leg and Deaton tried to use his brawling to fight him off. Brisco pulling at the leg, actually pulled off Deaton's boot. When he did a hard metal object fell out. Deaton picked it up and hit Brisco on the head, causing the DQ and knocking him out. Lyons said that Jack Tunney will be getting the tape of this.

Winner - Jerry Brisco via DQ @ 6:31

Commercial #1

We are backstage and Nick McMann is with The Cubans. Bobby Bass is not an animal and doesn't want to be locked up in a shark cage. Also The Cubans are above working death matches and feel like Jack Tunney has a bias. With all that being said they will no longer use fireballs if that is the ruling, but that does not mean that Rocky Johnson and Stephen Petipas will not burn at Maple Leaf Gardens.

Commercial #2

Before the match we get a quick video of Killer Khan destroying guys in New Japan and the statement that he is coming next week on Television.

2. "The Russian Bear" Ivan Koloff w/ Don Carson vs Leo Burke

Burke starts off as a house of fire nailing dropkick after dropkick before Koloff rolls to the outside to recovery and talk strategy with Don Carson.

Commercial #3

Back from commercial and Koloff finally gets in the ring and whips Burke into the ropes where Carson trips him. Koloff than goes to work over the back. With submissions, stomps and back breakers. Burke keeps trying to fight back, but Koloff keeps control with cheap shots and eye gouges. Koloff even puts on the bearhug, but Burke fights out of it and hits a leg lariat out of nowhere. Both men are down when the bell rings.

Leo Burke & Ivan Koloff fought to a time limit draw @ 20:00

Commercial #4

Backstage Nick McMann is with Koloff and Carson complain about the antics of Burke and demand a rematch for next week.

At ringside Ventura and Lyons talk about that great match and they predict Burke will accept the rematch and we will see another classic next week. They hype Bobby Bass in a singles match up next.

Commercial #5

3. Bobby Bass vs Angel Mosca Jr.

A total squash which Bass wins taunting everybody the entire match.

Winner - Bobby Bass @ 3:20

Commercial #6

It is now time for The Body Shop with Jesse Ventura. He is a lone, because Evil Machine is in the back applying oil and fine tuning for the main event. He then requests the fake "Super Russian" to make his appearance.

Out comes the Super Russian. Ventura tries to get details about who he is, but he refuses to speak. This brings out Koloff, Alexis Smirnoff, Carson and Greg Valentine. Everybody knows this "Super Russian" is not Greg Valentine, so he is an impostor. Valentine demands the mask to be removed, but the Super Russian refuses. After some heated words Smirnoff and Koloff grab the Russian and Valentine removes his mask to reveal... another mask. During the confusion The Super Russian chops all three and knocks them down. He then stomps the crap out of Valentine, before security separates everybody.

Commercial #7

 

4. Evil Machine w/ Jesse Ventura vs Rick Martel

 

Billy Red Lyons is joined by Bobby Bass at the announce booth, because Ventura is out managing the Evil Machine. The Machine attacks before the bell and really does a number on Martel's back before being DQ'd for using a chair. The beatdown continues until Tony Garea makes the save.

 

Winner - Rick Martel via DQ @ 6:57

 

 

 

Dark Matches:

 

Jesse Ventura pinned Tony Garea @ 7:26

Greg Valentine made Stephen Petipas submit @ 17:20

[Grimmas]

Maple Leaf Wrestling presents Premium Action

September 22, 1983

The opening video package of Premium Action opens the show featuring clips of: Greg "The Hammer" Valentine, Wahoo McDaniel, Stephen Petipas & Rocky Johnson, Jesse "The Body" Ventura, NWA Canadian Tag Team Champions Ivan Koloff & Super Russian, Leo Burke and ends with a clip of Rick Martel being awarded the NWA Canadian Title.

We go to Billy Red Lyons and Jesse Ventura welcome us to Premium Action and tonight we will look at footage from Kitchener, Ontario including a match involving Jesse Ventura. Straight to action though.

1. Little Tokyo & Skw Low Low vs Haiti Kid & Cowboy Lang (September 19, 1983 @ Kitchener Memorial Gardens)

Tokyo tries to avoid Haiti Kid and tags out every time he gets in the ring until they get an advantage. Haiti Kid makes a comeback and Tokyo bails leaving Kid to pin Sky Low Low. Ventura and Lyons talk about Haiti Kid challenging for the NWA World LP Title at Maple Leaf Gardens on September 27, 1983.

Winners - Haiti Kid & Cowboy Lang @ 9:56

Commercial #2

Lyons and Ventura introduce the next match and warn people that it may not be pretty to watch. They talk about Maple Leaf Gardens and the Toronto Death Match with Bass in a shark cage and how The Cubans are refusing to compete.

2. Bobby Bass vs Rocky Johnson

Rocky still has his face bandaged up and Bass goes on the attack. Rocky even gets busted back open and is a disgusting mess as Bass uses every trick in the books to keep the advantage. However Bass is too cocky and Rocky nails him with a flurry of punches and a huge powerslam for the win.

Winner - Rocky Johnson @ 7:03

Commercial #3

3. Jesse Ventura & Evil Machine vs Rick Martel & Tony Garea def. Jesse Ventura & Evil Machine (September 19, 1983 @ Kitchener Memorial Gardens)

Before the match Ventura applies oil to the Evil Machine and talks about Riki Choshu taking the title at Maple Leaf Gardens. He then states that nobody here will see it, because nobody from Kitchener would be allowed into Toronto due to the smell.

Machine and Ventura cheat like crazy and gain the early advantage. Garea ends up being the face in peril and they do a good job cutting the ring in half. A hot tag to Martel and he look to put Ventura away as they cut back to studio as Martel puts the Boston Crab on Ventura.

Ventura proclaims that the footage of the finish was lost and assures us all that he got the victory. Lyons does not believe them and he was there and says Martel got the win. They argue as the show ends.

[dawho5]

Ventura applying oil to the Evil Machine had me chuckling. After the day I had at work that's an accomplishment.

[Grimmas]

Ventura applying oil to the Evil Machine had me chuckling. After the day I had at work that's an accomplishment.

Perfect!

 

I like Ventura as my Bobby Heenan comedy but legitimate guy.

[Grimmas]

Maple Leaf Wrestling presents Wrestling Night in Canada

September 25, 1983 at Memorial Centre in Peterborough, Ontario

The opening video package of Wrestling Night in Canada opens the show featuring clips of: Greg Valentine, Wahoo McDaniel, Stephen Petipas, Jesse Ventura, Ivan Koloff, Leo Burke, Rocky Johnson and ends with a clip of Rick Martel being awarded the NWA Canadian Title.

Billy Red Lyons and Jesse "The Body" Ventura welcome us to the show where they immediately go into hype for Tuesday's show in Maple Leaf Gardens. The card is:

Main Event for the NWA Canadian Title: Champion Rick Martel vs Riki Choshu

Lumberjack Grudge Match: Greg "The Hammer" Valentine vs Wahoo McDaniel

Toronto Death Match with Bobby Bass locked in a Shark Cage: Cuban Assassin & Chicky Starr vs Stephen Petipas & Rocky Johnson

NWA World LP Champion Little Tokyo vs Haiti Kid

Dick Murdoch vs Evil Machine

Jerry Brisco vs Joel Deaton

Killer Khan in action

 

They talk about the upcoming rematch between Koloff and Burke, but after the break we will be back with Andre the Giant in action!

 

Commercial #1

 

1. Bobby Bass, Chicky Starr & Cuban Assassin vs Andre the Giant, Stephen Petipas & Rocky Johnson

 

The Cubans cheating like crazy and tried to avoid Andre at all costs. Rocky was busted open again from the ongoing wound from the fireball. After a beat down on him he made the hot tag to Andre who easily disposed of Bass for the win.

 

 

Winners - Andre the Giant, Stephen Petipas & Rocky Johnson @ 9:05

 

Commercial #2

We are backstage with Nick McMan who is with Greg Valentine and Don Carson. They don't know who this fake "Super Russian" is, but that is besides the point. Wahoo McDaniel will have to show up in Toronto, no matter his condition and fight Valentine one on one. With lumberjacks at ringside there is nowhere to hide and Valentine will finally put an end to Wahoo. He then proclaimed himself the #1 contender for the NWA Canadian Title after his eventually victory.

 

Commercial #3

 

2. "The Russian Bear" Ivan Koloff w/ Don Carson vs Leo Burke

 

After a quick start by Burke, Koloff gained the advantage with help from Carson. Koloff went right to work on the back of Burke using a variety of stomps, kneedrops and submissions. They spilled to the outside and Burke was rammed back first into the ring post.

 

Commercial #4

 

Back from the break and Koloff is playing king of the mountain and is trying for the countout. He finally used the distraction of punching Carson to get back in the ring, but Koloff cut him off and went back to work on the back. After a little while an irish whip by Koloff was received by a leg lariat by Burke. Both men are down.

 

Commercial #5

 

Burke finally has the advantage and he tries to unload on Koloff, but his back his really hampering his offence. During this moment we get a promo by Rick Martel in the upper corner of the screen talking about facing his toughest challenge in Maple Leaf Gardens against the man who beat him Riki Choshu. He then told Valentine if he wanted a title shot he had to go to the Championship Committee and not just make declarations. As Martel's promo ends Koloff ducks a cross body and Burke flies to the floor.

 

Commercial #6

 

It looks to be a count out victory for Koloff, but Burke rolls into the ring at the 9 count. After some vicious stomps Koloff clamps on the Bear Hug which seems to signal the end of this great match. Burke seems to be passing out and his arm is raised twice and it falls. On the third time, it barley stays up and Burke using some forearm shots to escape. Koloff was able to nail him with a backbreaker though and then goes to the top for a flying knee drop. However Burke rolls out of the way. An inside cradle by Burke gets two and we are sent into our final commercial break.

 

Commercial #7

 

Coming out of commercial both men are down and being counted out. At the ten count both men get to their feet and they are apart to go at it again as the bell rings. The time limit expires as the announcers talk about this great match and try to hype the Maple Leaf Gardens show as it goes off the air.

 

Leo Burke & Ivan Koloff fight to a time limit draw @ 41:06

 

Dark Matches:

 

Killer Khan pinned Nick DeCarlo @ 2:06

Dick Murdoch & Rick Martel def. Greg Valentine & Alexis Smirnoff @ 19:06

[dawho5]

Wow, long TV match there. One thing I am impressed with is how you push the boundaries for 1983. I don't much care for 30+ minute matches, but there is certainly a place for them especially if the workers can make them special.

[Grimmas]

Wow, long TV match there. One thing I am impressed with is how you push the boundaries for 1983. I don't much care for 30+ minute matches, but there is certainly a place for them especially if the workers can make them special.

Thanks I was trying to recreate Windham-Flair on TV in a way. Burke and Koloff are two greats I think can do this.