AWA results for August 1984

[rainmakerrtv]

AWA All-Star Wrestling on ESPN for August 10^th

 

Great Gama Singh vs. Chavo Guerrero

 

This was an interesting match up, pitting the popular Guerrero who newly arrived in the AWA against Great Gama, who has been slowly but surely rising in the rankings. In spite of Singh’s history as a cut throat competitor, this was an exciting technical match up that looked like it could go either way throughout the match. Singh managed to get the Cobra Clutch on Chavo, but Guererro was quickly able to grab the ropes to break up the hold. Gama then tried to re-apply the hold, only for Chavo to wrap him up in a small package to get the pin. Gama Singh was clearly livid after the match and demanding a re-match.

 

The Long Riders vs. The Latin Lovers

 

The Latin Lovers have had a lot of difficulty regaining their momentum since the defection of Al Perez, and they never really got out of first gear in this match. The huge Irwin Brothers whipped them from pillar to post, sending both Valentino and Perez flying around the ring before finally polishing off Valentino with a big double lariat. Here’s hoping that the Lovers do find their Mojo again, and soon.

 

Curt Hennig vs. Manny Fernandez

 

While the arrival of up and comer Curt Hennig has made the AWA fans very happy, one person who has been distinctly unhappy about this turn of events has been the Ragin’ Bull Manny Fernandez. He made his feelings very clear in this match as he furiously attacked Hennig throughout this match. Somewhat surprisingly, for someone who has made his name as a technical wrestler, Hennig proved to be just at ease in a knock-down, drag-out brawl. Hennig matched Fernandez shot for shot and was not thrown when a swinging punch from the Ragin’ Bull bloodied his lip, firing back with a series of blows that busted open a gash above Manny’s eye. Fernandez sought to polish him off when he whipped him hard into the corner and came in fast with a forearm, only for Hennig to stagger him by getting his knees up at the last second, before following up with a sunset flip that got the three count. Hennig didn’t have long to celebrate , though, as Fernandez ambushed him from behind and threw him out of the ring. He then got on the mic and challenged Hennig to a loser leaves town match at the August 31^st show in Winnipeg, which Hennig eagerly accepted.

 

Paul Orndorff vs. Rip Oliver

 

Orndorff has been gunning for the members of the Sinister Syndicate lately, but this time out would be taking on one tough customer in part of the Playboy Club, Crippler Rip Oliver. Oliver was determined that Mr. Wonderful would not look past him as he brawled with Orndorff. Orndorff would not be denied, however, as he wound up taking Oliver down with a series of impressive power slams before finally planting him with the Piledriver. Orndorff is certainly turning up the heat on the Syndicate and they had best be concerned about his challenge.

 

Iceman Parsons vs. Mr. Olympia

 

Speaking of the Sinister Syndicate, they are currently ramping up their own challenge to the AWA World Tag titles, currently held by the Mothership Connection. In this match, one member of each team would square off in a singles match, and as could be predicted , both men had their partners in their corner to watch their back. Olympia, however, added the additional distraction of his manager, Sheikh Adnan Kaissie. For the most part , Parsons did not let that get to him as he befuddled Olympia with his crowd pleasing moves and antics. He was finally thrown off guard, however, when Kaissie swatted at him from the ringside area. This provoked a response from Master Gee, who tackled the Sheikh to the ground. While the ref was distracted by this, Mike George rushed into the ring and hit Parsons with a huge shoulder breaker before bailing out to ringside. When the ref turned, all he could see was Olympia putting Parsons in the belly to belly piledriver to get the pin. Parsons was clearly hurt very badly as Master Gee helped him from the ring.

 

Buddy Rose & Rick Rude vs. Ricky Steamboat & Tito Santana

 

Rick Rude has certainly plunged into the thick of the action since his arrival in the AWA, going from joining the Playboy Club to a tag match against two of the AWA’s singles champions. This was an especially exciting match, with the momentum of the action swinging back and forth, first with Steamboat and Santana dominant, then the Playboy Club pulling the balance of power back into their favor. Rude in particular was particularly aggressive , which Santana and Steamboat took advantage of as they were able to lure him into various predicaments through his eagerness to be part of the action. He finally snapped and trapped Santana in a corner and started firing wild haymakers at him. The ref tried to separate the two , and for his troubles got a Rude Awakening DDT to the mat. Rose had to pull him off Santana and calm him down as the ref dragged himself to the ropes to call for the DQ on the Playboy Club. For all of his impressive physique and skills, Rude is going to need to get control over his temper if he is going to make it in the AWA.

[rainmakerrtv]

AWA show at the Cow Palace, San Francisco, August 10^th (as shown on ESPN Super Cards)

 

Rick Rude vs “Wild Man” Jack Armstrong

 

Rude won with the Rude Awakening DDT

 

Cuban Commandos vs The Latin Lovers

 

The Commandos won when Angel Acevedo got an over the shoulder neck breaker on Javier Cruz

 

Tito Santana & Da Crusher vs. Bad New Allen & Don Muraco

 

The Bad News Breakers won when Allen hit the enzuigiri on Crusher

 

Curt Hennig vs. Manny Fernandez

 

Hennig won with the Axe Lariat

 

AWA Southern Tag title match : The Nor-Am Express © vs. Al Perez & Ricky Santana

 

The Express won when Lafon landed a flying back body press on Santana

 

AWA Southern Title match : Ricky Steamboat © vs. Buddy Rose

 

When Steamboat was lining Rose up for a top rope flying cross body press when Rick Rude knocked him off the top rope, leading to a DQ decision for Steamboat

 

AWA World Tag Title match : The Mothership Connection © vs. Mike George & Mr. Olympia

 

Throughout the match, the Sinister Syndicate worked over Parsons’ injured shoulder. It looked like it was all over when Olympia locked Parsons in the Full Nelson, but eventually Iceman was able to make it to the ropes to break up the hold. Olympia attempted to put the Full Nelson back on, but Parsons was able to make the tag out to Master Gee, who came in with a sunset flip on Olympia to get the win.

 

AWA World Title match : Ken Patera © vs. Ron Garvin

 

Garvin won by count out when he knocked Patera off the ringside apron with the Hands Of Stone Punch. Patera maintained the World Title

[SirEdger]

It's amazing how well Rick Rude is already fitting on your AWA roster. Really liking his progression.

[rainmakerrtv]

Rude is a bit of a tricky one to write appropriate to the period. At this point, he was still a very raw rookie and not the dominant Rude we remember from the early 90s. And yet, at the same time period in real life, he was feuding with Lawler. I think I am managing to get the diamond in the rough qualities in my writing of him.

[kevinmcfl]

Love the idea of taking the mask of of Scott Irwin... Him and his brother make one nasty team!

 

Like the rise of Curt Hennig. I knew you could do better with him than I did.

[rainmakerrtv]

AWA house show at the Portland Memorial Coliseum, Portland, August 11^th

 

Gama Singh vs. Chavo Guerrero

 

Guerrero won with the top rope flying senton

 

Rip Oliver, Ed Wiskowski & Rick Rude vs. The Latin Lovers & Jack Armstrong

 

The Playboy Club won when Rude hit the Rude Awakening DDT on Valentino

 

“Crusher” Jerry Blackwell vs. One Man Gang

 

Both men went to a double countout while brawling outside the ring

 

Curt Hennig & Greg Gagne vs. Manny Fernandez & Mike Shaw

 

Hennig & Gagne won with a double dropkick on Fernandez

 

AWA American Title match : Tito Santana © vs. Buddy Rose

 

Santana won with the Mexican Hammer forearm

 

AWA Southern Tag Title match : The Nor-Am Express © vs. Badd Company

 

The Nor-Am Express won when Zenk hit a flying cross body press on Diamond

 

AWA World Tag Title match : The Mothership Connection © vs. The Cuban Commandos

 

The Mothership Connection won when Parsons got Morrow with the top rope Rumper Stumper

 

AWA World Title match : Ken Patera © vs. Ron Garvin

 

The match went to a no contest by blood stoppage on both men

[rainmakerrtv]

AWA All-Star Wrestling on ESPN for August 17^th

 

Bad News Allen vs. “Wild Man” Jack Armstrong

 

The previous week, Armstrong had taken on one member of the Bad News Breakers in Don Muraco, and now he was facing another in Bad News Allen. Allen had the rest of the Bad News Breakers at ringside during this match, and Sweetan and Muraco proceeded to taunt and jeer at Armstrong throughout the contest. This seemed to only fire up the Wild Man, who caught Allen off guard with an explosion of offense including a lot of big swinging haymakers that knocked him for a loop. He managed to keep on top of Allen with shoulder tackles and kicks and the crowd got their hopes up that possibly the beloved Wild Man was on his way to a major upset. This wound up being cut short when Armstrong whipped Allen hard into the corner and came charging in, only to get a face full of Allen’s big boot. Bad News then proceeded to unleash the fury on Armstrong, taking him down with a series of crushing suplexes and judo throws before standing him up and hitting the Bad News Blaster (double leg enzuigiri). This was not enough for Allen, who dragged Armstrong to his feet and hit another Bad News Blaster before finally going for and getting the pin. After the match, Muraco and Sweetan came into the ring and, seeking to inflict even more punishment on Armstrong, Muraco drove him into the mat with the belly to belly piledriver. Allen then brought in a chair from ringside and Sweetan looked set to piledrive Armstrong right onto the chair, which would have crippled the Wild Man. Luckily for Armstrong, Ricky Steamboat and Tito Santana rushed the ring and ran off the Bad News Breakers before they could complete their nefarious deed. Armstrong was still very badly hurt, and needed to be take to the back on a stretcher.

 

Mr. Olympia & Mike George vs. The Latin Lovers

 

The Latin Lovers continued to have trouble getting in gear in this match, as it seems like the betrayal by Al Perez has truly gotten inside their heads. The Sinister Syndicate, on the other hand, are in the middle of challenging for the AWA World Tag titles and dominated this match with ease. They bounced the Latin Lovers all over the ring, at some points seeming like they were toying with them, before George finally polished off Valentino with the Shoulder Breaker. If the Mothership Connection weren’t concerned before about the threat that Olympia and George posed to their World Tag Title reign, they certainly should be now.

 

Curt Hennig vs. Pat Tanaka

 

This was a match that pitted two up and coming, second generation wrestlers and, in spite of the reputation of Badd Company, was a fairly clean, technical match. Tanaka kept Hennig on his toes with a rapid fire series of martial arts chops and kicks, as well as some spectacular dropkicks. “Cool” Curt, however, showed he was deserving of the nickname as he calmly weathered out the storm before taking over the match. He kept Tanaka firmly in control before finally pinning him with a cradle suplex. He offered a handshake of respect to Tanaka after the match and, somewhat surprisingly, Tanaka accepted it, albeit begrudgingly.

 

“Crusher” Jerry Blackwell vs. “The Tank” Mike Shaw

 

With this match of two super heavyweights, it got some wondering if the ring would survive the experience, with first one wrestler then the other slammed down hard onto the mat. The whole ring rocked as these two huge men knocked each other about the ring, with the pendulum of momentum of the match first swinging in one man’s favor, then the other. The match took a turn for the strange when Shaw whipped Blackwell into the corner then, not caring that the referee had gotten himself between the two of them, came in with an avalanche, crushing the ref. The two leviathans continued to slug it out for some time before the ref finally was able to drag himself to his feet, at which point he disqualified both competitors. Seems unfair but that was the decision.

 

Al Perez vs. Master Gee

 

Master Gee was a bit outside his element, wrestling without his Mothership Connection partner Iceman Parsons who had been hurt my Mr. Olympia last week. While Parsons was not at ringside, Al Perez had no compunctions about having his partner, Ricky Santana, accompany him. Santana liberally interfered in the match, either swatting at Master Gee to distract him or complaining to the ref to distract *him* . Master Gee rallied with some big tackles to gain the advantage, but when he went up top to go for a flying dropkick, Santana snagged his ankle to send him tumbling to the mat. Perez swiftly took advantage and got him in the Ally-Copter for the win. This won’t do the Mothership Connection’s confidence any good going into their defense against the Sinister Syndicate.

 

Buddy Rose, Rip Oliver & Rick Rude vs. Ricky Steamboat, Tito Santana & Da Crusher

 

Of late, Ricky Steamboat and Tito Santana have been in the uncomfortable position of fighting a war on two fronts, fending off challenges from the Playboy Club on one side and the Bad News Breakers on the other. In this match, they had to face a particularly vicious offense from the Playboy Club, especially from the rookie Rick Rude. They had their good friend Da Crusher on their side, but even the flying fists of the Man Who Made Milwaukee Famous seemed overmatch by the Club. Sure enough, eventually the Bad News Breakers made their way to ringside, but strangely, they didn’t seem particularly interested in Santana and Steamboat. Instead, they looked to be incredibly upset with the Playboy Club. Allen, Muraco and Sweetan stayed close to the ringside area, scowling and hurling abuse at the Club whenever they could get their attention. It eventually got to be too much for Rose, who leaned over the ring ropes and started insulting the Bad News Breakers in response. This distraction came at exactly the wrong time, as when he turned his attention back to the match, he was blindsided with a huge running Bolo Punch by Da Crusher, who then swiftly covered Rose for the pin. When Rose had recovered enough to realize what happened, he rallied Oliver and Rude to rush to ringside to brawl with the Bad News Breakers. The AWA officials rushed to separate both factions while Steamboat, Santana and Crusher stood in the ring, trying to figure out just what was going on.

[rainmakerrtv]

AWA show at the Denver Auditorium, Denver, August 17^th (as shown on ESPN Super Cards)

 

Al Perez & Ricky Santana vs. The Latin Lovers

 

Perez & Santana won when Santana hit a top rope flying kneedrop on Valentino

 

Ricky Steamboat & Paul Orndorff vs. Buddy Rose & Rip Oliver

 

The Playboy Club were joined at ringside by Rick Rude. Late in the match, Rose whipped Orndorff into the ropes and Rude reached out to snag his leg and trip him. However, at the last second, Orndorff reversed it and sent Rose into the ropes, and Rude mistakenly tripped Rose. Orndorff then took advantage of the staggered Rose and hit the Piledriver for the win. Rose and Rude argued on the way back to the locker room.

 

AWA Six Man Tag Title match : Badd Company & Chick Donovan © vs. The Nor-Am Connection

 

The Nor-Am Connection won by DQ when Donovan slugged the ref. Badd Company & Donovan retained the title.

 

AWA American Title match : Tito Santana © vs. Don Muraco

 

Tito Santana won by DQ when Rick Rude rushed to the ring to attack him. Upset at costing Muraco his title shot, the Bad News Breakers attacked Rude, provoking retaliation by Buddy Rose and Rip Oliver. After the ring was cleared, it was announced that the Bad News Breakers would square off with the Playboy Club at the AWA show in Milwaukee

 

The Road Warriors, Curt Hennig & Greg Gagne vs. The Long Riders, Manny Fernandez & Mike Shaw

 

The Road Warriors team won when Animal Gorilla Pressed Gagne onto Fernandez.

[rainmakerrtv]

AWA show at the Salt Palace, Salt Lake City, August 18^th

 

Koko Ware vs. Chick Donovan

 

Ware won with a top rope flying dropkick

 

Rick Rude vs. Steve Jones

 

Rude won with the Rude Awakening DDT

 

Gama Singh vs. Javier Cruz

 

Singh made Cruz submit to the Camel Clutch

 

Chavo Guerrero vs. Manny Fernandez

 

Guerrero won with the top rope flying senton

 

AWA Southern Tag title match : The Nor-Am Express vs. The Cuban Commandos

 

The Nor-Am Express won when Zenk hit Morrow with a slingshot splash

 

AWA Southern Title match : Ricky Steamboat © vs. Bad News Allen

 

The match went to a double countout with both men fighting at ringside

 

The Sinister Syndicate vs. Ron Garvin, Paul Orndorff & The Mothership Connection

 

The Syndicate won when Patera locked Parsons in a Full Nelson after George hit a shoulder breaker on Parsons’ injured shoulder

[LowBlowPodcast]

“Crusher” Jerry Blackwell vs. “The Tank” Mike Shaw - Main Event anywhere in the country!

 

Love the AWA right now with some fresh blood and in my opinion you haven't dropped an inch since moving Hogan. I think Orndorff is someone to keep an eye on in the future and how he will gel with Steamboat at the top... but you can't give up on someone like Ron Garvin who is in a great spot too.

[kevinmcfl]

I agree with the above post. You use your roster so well and there are so many ways that you could go that it is always a fun read.

[rainmakerrtv]

AWA All-Star Wrestling on ESPN for August 24^th

 

Koko Ware vs. Chick Donovan

 

This would be the first AWA appearance for Koko Ware, taking on part of the Six Man Tag champs, and he got a great response from the fans, dancing and showboating to get the crowd revved up. He easily took down the Golden One with a series of armdrags and dropkicks and kept Donovan off balance throughout the match. Several attempts by Donovan to cheat his way to an advantage could not keep the irrepressible Birdman down and when Ware went up top and hit a picture perfect flying dropkick, that was all she wrote. The fans were left buzzing with excitement over this charismatic new talent coming to the AWA.

 

Interview : Ken Resnick stands in the ring

 

Resnick : Folks, my next guests are the members of the Playboy Club.

 

(The crowd boos as Buddy Rose, Rip Oliver and Rick Rude head to the ring. Rose seems to be in good spirits, Oliver is stone faced and Rude looks like a bug flew up his nose.)

 

Resnick : Buddy Rose, one of the most controversial topics in the AWA is the blow up between your Playboy Club and the Bad News Breakers. What’s the deal?

 

Rose : The deal is this , Resnick . Bob Sweetan bailed on the Playboy Club because he knew he didn’t have what it takes to hang with us. No big deal, he wasn’t nearly handsome enough for the club . He then puts together his own gang and calls them the Bad News Breakers. Hey, no problem, his business is his business. But then they get their noses out of joint because we signed up Rick Rude before they could. Well, tough break, Bad News Bears! A prize stallion like this has no part with a bunch of broken down mules, he should be in a championship stable. This handsome devil is Playboy Club through and through.

 

Resnick : Speaking of Ravishing Rick Rude, it seemed there was a bit of difference of opinion between you two in the past few matches. Are there some cracks in the Playboy Club?

 

Rose : Now don’t go trying to stir up trouble, Ken. That’s just youthful high spirits. Rick is young, he has some definite opinions, but needs to learn to listen to the voice of experience. Once he starts to pay attention to his betters, he will start to really be something.

 

Resnick : Is this true, Rick Rude?

 

Rude : (twitches his mustache and is talking behind gritted teeth) It’s a great honor to be included in the Playboy Club. I am looking forward to showing just what I am capable of.

 

Rose : Ha ha, that’s the spirit, Ricky! (Rose playfully musses Rick Rude’s hair, fails to notice that Rude is staring daggers back at him)

 

Mr. Olympia vs. Master Gee

 

Master Gee was once again having to go it alone against one of the members of the Sinister Syndicate. He seemed very determined to prove himself before his Tat Title defense, knocking over Olympia with tackles and working over his legs. He made a concerted effort to put Olympia in the Master Lock and at one point had seemingly got it locked in on the masked man. Olympia was too close to the ropes, however, and the ref forced Master Gee to break the hold. While the ref was ushering Master Gee back, Olympia slipped something inside his mask and, when Master Gee came back, Olympia staggered him with a loaded headbutt. After Master Gee was caught off guard, Olympia grabbed him and hit the belly to belly piledriver for the win. The Mothership Connection are going to have to really pull something out to keep their belts against the Syndicate.

 

Greg Gagne vs. Manny Fernandez

 

Fernandez is in the middle of a fight to destroy the new pairing of Gagne and Curt Hennig and, while his sights are clearly set on Hennig, he looked set to take out his frustrations on Gagne. Greg tried mightily to bring the match under control and counter Fernandez’ brawling with technical wrestling and scientific takedowns, Fernandez kept firing back with big fists and pure rage. Eventually Gagne had enough and started exchanging his own punches with the Ragin’ Bull. The ref tried to bring the match back within the rules but kept getting shoved aside by Fernandez and Gagne, ultimately getting knocked to the ground as the two brawled. The ref called for the DQ on both men as they continued to slug it out long after the bell.

 

Rick Rude vs. Steve Jones

 

This is the AWA debut for Jones, a cheerful young English rookie, and the crowd greeted him warmly as he high fived the fans on his way to the ring. He offered his palm for a handshake to Rude, who had Buddy Rose in his corner, but Rude was having none of it, who just glowered at the young Englishman. Determined not to let that throw him off his game, Jones started strong , displaying impressive technical skills with several big take downs and arm locks. Rude started to get riled up and started responding with some blistering punches. Jones was equally ready to exchange fists with Rude, managing to land a big right hook to Rude’s mouth that caused his lip to swell up and bleed. This shot to his handsome face enraged Rude, who proceeded to tear apart Jones with punches and slams before putting on an especially vicious Rude Awakening DDT for the pin. This wasn’t enough for Rude, who started kicking Jones before picking him up and setting him up for another Rude Awakening, only to be pulled off by Buddy Rose, who told him to calm down and get control of himself.

 

Bad News Allen, Don Muraco & Bob Sweetan vs. Rick Steamboat, Tito Santana & ?

 

Steamboat and Santana had been promising a big surprise for their match with the Bad News Breakers, and they certainly delivered, bringing out none other than Chief Wahoo McDaniel. The crowd exploded when the Chief came out, cheering as he stood shoulder to shoulder with Steamboat and Santana. The Bad News Breakers didn’t initially seem to be intimidated by McDaniel, but were clearly not ready for his all out offense, blistering them with chops and knocking them down to the mat. This match raged back and forth, with neither side holding a decisive advantage for long, but it took a strange turn when Buddy Rose snuck down to ringside, unseen by either side. When Sweetan and McDaniel knocked heads together , Sweetan stumbled to the ropes, where Rose jumped up on the ring apron, grabbed Sweetan by the head and snapped him throat-first onto the top rope. As Sweetan bounced back, he was greeted by a running overhand Tomahawk chop by McDaniel, which led to the pinfall by the Chief and his team. The Bad News Breakers were furious with Rose, but he had already scampered back to the locker room.

[rainmakerrtv]

AWA show at the Mecca , Milwaukee, August 24^th (as shown on ESPN Super Cards)

 

AWA Six Man Tag Title match : Badd Company & Chick Donovan vs. The Cuban Commandos & Gama Singh

 

When the match broke down, Chick Donovan pulled out the brass knuckles and tried to hit Angel Acevedo with them, but Acevedo kicked him in the gut, took the knucks and used them to hit Paul Diamond (the legal man in the ring) to get the pin. The Cuban Commandos & Gama Singh won the AWA Six Man Tag Titles.

 

Wahoo McDaniel vs. Ricky Santana

 

McDaniel won with the running Tomahawk Chip

 

Curt Hennig, Greg Gagne & Da Crusher vs. Manny Fernandez, Mike Shaw & Buck Robley

 

Hennig’s team won when he and Gagne hit a double lariat on Robley

 

One Man Gang vs. Crusher Blackwell

 

The match went to a no contest when the ref ended up getting crushed in the corner between the two men

 

The Bad News Breakers vs. The Playboy Club

 

All six men were brawling in the ring when Buddy Rose held up Bad News Allen for Rick Rude to come off the top rope with an elbow smash on him, only for Allen to get out of the way at the last second and Rude hit Rose instead. Allen then gave a huge elbow drop for the pinfall. After the match, Rose berated Rude for his mistake until Rude responded with a vicious, open handed slap. The shocked Rose signaled Oliver to join him in responding to Rude, only for Oliver to knock Rose to the ground with a knee lift. Rude, Oliver and the Bad News Breakers put the boots to Rose until Rude lifted him up and got the Rude Awakening DDT on him. Don Muraco then brought a steel chair into the ring and Rude did another Rude Awakening on Rose onto the chair. Rose and Oliver left with the Bad News Breakers as Rose lay in a bloody heap in the ring.

 

AWA World Tag Title match : The Mothership Connection vs. Mr. Olympia & Mike George

 

With Parsons dealing with an injured shoulder, the Connection were at a distinct disadvantage in this match, but fought mightily in spite of it, and looked like they just might pull it off when Parsons went up top to hit the flying Rumper Stumper on George. Mr. Olympia dashed these hopes, however, when he shoved Parsons off the top turnbuckle and hit his own top rope flying dropkick on Parsons. Mike George then got the Shoulder Breaker on Parsons injured shoulder and got the pin. The Sinister Syndicate are the new AWA World Tag Team champs.

 

AWA World Title Match : Ken Patera © vs. Ron Garvin

 

In a long, bloody match, Garvin had knocked Patera out of the ring with the Hands Of Stone punch. As Garvin tried to pull Patera back into the ring, Patera smashed Garvin in the face with the back of a steel chair outside of the ref’s eye sight. Patera then covered the unconscious Garvin for the win.

[rainmakerrtv]

AWA show at the International Amphitheatre, Chicago, August 25^th

 

Steve Jones vs. Paul Diamond

 

Diamond won with the Superkick

 

Al Perez & Ricky Santana vs. The Latin Lovers

 

Perez won with the German Suplex on Cruz

 

Koko Ware vs. Great Gama Singh

 

Ware won with the top rope flying dropkick

 

Curt Hennig vs. Mike Shaw

 

Hennig won by countout when he hit the Axe Lariat on the outside

 

Paul Orndorff vs. One Man Gang

 

Orndorff won with a running kneedrop on One Man Gang

 

Rick Steamboat & Wahoo McDaniel vs. Bad News Allen & Bob Sweetan

 

The Bad News Breakers won when Allen hit the Bad News Blaster on McDaniel

 

Falls Count Anywhere Street Fight : The Long Riders vs. The Road Warriors

 

In a long bloody brawl where all four men were busted open by the Long Riders’ cow bells, the Warriors finally got the win when they double shoulder tackled Bill Irwin into the ringside barricade

 

AWA American Title Match : Tito Santana © vs. Don Muraco

 

This match went to a 30 minute time limit draw

[SirEdger]

Great slate of shows again. Wahoo will fit so well with your roster.

[kevinmcfl]

Loved the ESPN show.

 

- a great debut by Koko Ware

- the interview with the Platboy Club was classic

- great debut for Wahoo. Have fun with him. Wonder how Wahoo, Steamboat and Tito like getting a win by the help of Rose?

[kevinmcfl]

Second ESPN show was also terrific. Give the fans quality on they keep coming back.

 

What is Playboy Rose to do now?

[rainmakerrtv]

The Playboy Club is dead. But we haven't heard the last from the Playboy.

[LowBlowPodcast]

I like seeing the growth of the AWA and with the 2nd show, things will get bigger. With names like Wahoo and Rude freshening things up you can still call back to your Patera and Steamboat stalwarts. I still think there is a lot of potential in Mr. Wonderful around these parts and I really look forward to what Bad News Allen could become.

[rainmakerrtv]

Orndorff has been low profiling it of late, but that is just because I am gearing him up for a truly epic run.

[rainmakerrtv]

AWA All-Star Wrestling on ESPN, August 31^st

 

First up is a special treat for our AWA fans. Recently, our good friends at Lutte Internationale in Quebec held a special tournament, the Johnny Rougeau Memorial Cup in Montreal, and several of our AWA wrestlers participated. By kind permission of Lutte Internationale, we will have on All-Star Wrestling 3 of the first round matches that featured AWA wrestlers.

 

Al Perez (AWA) vs Tom Pritchard (w/Sunshine) (SMW)

 

Al Perez obviously is the underdog in this match, despite gaining a lot of momentum in the AWA recently, since he’s facing the current Smokey Mountain Wrestling Heavyweight Champion Tom Pritchard. Guy Hauray mentions how Al Perez must be careful of Sunshine’s actions at ringside. During the match, Pritchard reverses an irish whip and Al Perez almost collides with referee Luigi Macera. Pritchard then dropkicks Perez and he runs into the referee. Macera is momentarily dazed and Sunshine throws in the ring her loaded purse to Tom Pritchard. Pritchard is about to hit Perez but he kicks him in the gut and he drops the purse. Pritchard goes down and Al Perez picks up the purse. However, bad timing as referee Luigi Macera recovers and spots Perez with the smoking gun in his hands. Referee calls for the bell and Tom Pritchard is awarded the match by disqualification! Pritchard & Sunshine quickly flee the scene while celebrating their devious victory!

 

Winner: Tom Pritchard by DQ (4:51) – advances to 2nd round

 

Tito Santana (AWA) vs Superstar Billy Graham (Mid-Atlantic)

 

The crowd seems to be solidly behind Tito Santana in this one. It is clear that Superstar is trying to overmatch Santana with his power and he’s being successful for most of the match. We’re in the final moments of the match and we could very well be headed to another time limit draw. But with less than 30 seconds to go, Tito Santana hits Superstar with his flying forearm smash and pins him at 14:32 to advance!

 

Winner: Tito Santana (14:32) – advances to 2nd round

 

Bret Hart (w/Jimmy Hart) (WWF) vs Don Muraco (AWA)

 

A similar situation like the previous match with the speed of Bret Hart takes on the strength of Don Muraco. One would think that Jimmy Hart would’ve been a distraction at ringside but he proved to be a non-factor as Bret Hart gets the win on Don Muraco at 4:27 after a 2nd rope clothesline.

 

Winner: Bret Hart (4:27) – advances to 2nd round

 

Tom Zenk vs. “The Young Gentleman” Steve Jones

 

The young rookie Jones got roughed up last week by Rick Rude, but this time out, Zenk gave him a pure technical match up, with a lot of exchanges of holds and near falls. After seven minutes of hot action, Zenk whipped Jones into the ropes, only for Jones to come back and hit him with a clotheline that sent him over the ropes. Zenk manages to catch the top rope, however, and raced up the corner turnbuckles to hit a flying cross body press to get a quick one two three. After the match, Jones held out his hand to Zenk as a show of respect. Zenk graciously shook his hand and then held up Jones arm, to the applause of the fans.

 

Interview : Ken Resnick stands in the ring

 

Resnick : Folks, my next guests have been in the middle of a lot of controversy in the AWA … the Bad News Breakers!

 

(The crowd explodes in boos as Bad New Allen, Don Muraco, Bob Sweetan, Rip Oliver and Rick Rude make their way to the ring. They all seem to soak up and be enjoying the boos, with the exception of Rude, who looks like he just bit into a lemon)

 

Resnick : Bad News Allen, you sure are looking like the cat that ate the canary after what you did to Playboy Buddy Rose.

 

Bad News : Don’t give me no lip, Resnick! Doughboy Rose found out the hard way that you don’t mess with the Bad News Breakers, or else it will be bad news for you! You think you can stick your nose in our business, Rose? You think you can try to poach our talent? We taught that beer bellied share cropper a lesson he ain’t never going to forget, and you won’t be seeing the Doughboy around here any time soon.

 

Resnick : Rick Rude, “Playboy” Buddy Rose has given you guidance since you arrived in the AWA, and yet you left the Playboy Club for the Bad News Breakers. What’s the deal?

 

Rude : *PLAYBOY* Buddy Rose? That fat tub of goo is no Playboy. This is what a real sexy man looks like. That waste of space thought that he could tell me what to do and how to do it. Nobody does that to the Ravishing One. Now I am with a group that appreciates what I am worth, and I have left Buddy Rose in the dust.

 

Resnick : Rip Oliver, Rick Rude leaving the Playboy Club is surprising, but you leaving is unbelievable. You and Buddy Rose have been friends since before you came to the AWA and now you stab him in the back. What gives?

 

Oliver : Friend? Buddy Rose was never my friend. I worked with him, but it got me nowhere. There’s an old saying, you go where the talent is. And this *pointing to Rick Rude* is the talent. The Playboy Club is dead, and now the AWA is going to have to deal with the Bad News Breakers.

 

AWA Six Man Tag Title match : The Cuban Commandos & Gama Singh © vs. The Latin Lovers & Master Gee

 

The Cuba Commandos and Great Gama were defending their newly won Six Man Tag titles and were clearly very cocky about it. They pushed the Latin Lovers and Master Gee around the ring and snuck in all sorts of cheap shots, just because they could. Angel Acevedo hit an over the shoulder neckbreaker on Vinnie Valentino, and that put an end to their challenge. The champs didn’t have long to gloat, however, as after the match, it was announced that they would be defending their belts at the upcoming show in the Calgary Saddledome against a new, top challenger.

 

Manny Fernandez & Mike Shaw vs. Curt Hennig & Rick Martel

 

The feud between Hennig and Fernandez will end, one way or another, in Winnipeg, but before that, they squared off in a tag match, with Fernandez once again bringing in the big Tank and Hennig in turn teaming with the Canadian champion. Martel was sporting bandaged ribs and seemed to be favoring his right ankle, mementos of his recent efforts in the Johnny Rougeau Memorial Cup, and the Army targeted these mercilessly throughout the match. Martel showed his resilience as he weathered out the assault and was able to tag in Hennig, who was the proverbial house afire as he knocked Fernandez around the ring before hitting the Axe Lariat and getting the pin. He managed to defeat the Ragin’ Bull, but could he get the big win when it counted most?

 

Ron Garvin & “Crusher” Jerry Blackwell vs. Ken Patera & One Man Gang

 

Garvin may be campaigning to win the AWA World Title from Ken Patera, but the big (and I mean big) story of this match was the war between “Crusher” Blackwell and One Man Gang. These two super heavyweights battled each other so intensely, it seemed as though the very ring would break. At one point, Blackwell went for a running cross body press on One Man Gang, only for Gang to catch him, but it soon was too much for the big 747 as he teetered over and both men spilled through the ropes and out of the ring. When they got back to their feet, they continued slugging it out outside the ring until the ref counted them both out. Their feud will reach a head as they face off, one on one, in Winnipeg.

[SirEdger]

You're really getting the grip on writing for Ravishing Rick Rude now! Can't wait for what's coming up!

[rainmakerrtv]

AWA show at the Winnipeg Arena, Winnipeg, August 31^st (as shown on ESPN Super Cards)

 

Al Perez vs. Steve Jones

 

Perez won with the German Suplex

 

Koko Ware vs. Ricky Santana

 

Ware won after hitting a top rope flying dropkick

 

The Bad News Breakers (Bad New Allen, Don Muraco, Bob Sweetan, Rip Oliver & Rick Rude) vs Ricky Steamboat, Tito Santana, Wahoo McDaniel & The Nor-Am Express (Phil Lafon & Tom Zenk)

 

In a lengthy but exciting match, the Bad News Breakers won when Allen hit the Bad News Blaster on Lafon

 

Loser Leaves Town Match : Manny Fernandez vs. Curt Hennig

 

In an intense brawl where both men were busted open, Fernandez looked like he was about to finish Hennig off with the Flying Burrito forearm, only for Hennig to duck at the last moment and, after Fernandez had crashed to the mat, Hennig picked him up and got him in the Cradle Suplex for the win to send the Ragin’ Bull out of the AWA.

 

No DQ Match : “Crusher” Jerry Blackwell vs. One Man Gang

 

Another bloody match where Gang’s chain wound up being used a lot by both men, Gang wound up throttling Blackwell of the chain, only for Blackwell to power up out of the strangle hold and take the chain off Gang and start pounding him with the chain until Gang finally went down to the mat. Blackwell then landed a chain assisted elbow drop for the exhausted pin. It took six men to take One Man Gang out on a stretcher

 

AWA Canadian Title match : Rick Martel © vs. Mike Shaw

 

Shaw worked over Martel’s damaged ribs relentlessly and was looking to put Martel away with a running splash, but Martel was able to roll out of the way and Shaw went down hard on the mat. Martel then wrapped up Shaw in a double leg cradle to escape with his title.

 

AWA World Title Cage match : Ken Patera © vs. Ron Garvin

 

The local blood banks were certainly kept busy by tonight’s show, as both competitors were bleeding by the end of this match. In an epic showdown, Garvin blasted Patera with many big punches but was unable to put him down for long. Garvin looked like he was winding up for the big Hands Of Stone Punch when Patera grabbed him in a mighty bearhug and drove him hard , back first, into the corner. He then hoisted Garvin over his shoulder and drove him to the match with a huge power slam to finally get the pin.

[SirEdger]

Some really old school booking there with lots of color in virtually all the matches. Loved it!

[rainmakerrtv]

When I looked at the angles that were going down on this card (Manny vs. Curt Loser Leaves Town, blowoff match for Blackwell and Gang, Patera vs. Garvin in the cage), I realized that it was going to have to have a lot of blood and just went with it.