American Wrestling Association

[Blehschmidt]

Dibiase sure didn't look like a million dollars tonight....see what I did there......Thank You, I'll be here all week! Try your waiter, tip the veal.

Anyway....

Well done on the battle royal, easy to read, eliminations made sense, Krusher looked liked a legitimate threat, and Hansen is a great winner cause the fans immediately buy the main event.

Olympia/Kabuki has potential to be a great feud. I hope it continues.

That's one hell of a six man tag. Looking forward to a lot more fights between those men.

I freaking love the S.S.T. so I am very happy to see them getting some traction around here. A Samoan/Russian feud could make for some fun brawls.

and the reign of Dibiase ends at the hands of The Lariat. That is going to stir some shit up. Unpredictability is going to be the name of the game here in the AWA now. This should be fun to watch!!

 

[spaldoni]

WOW!!!!! Stan Hansen is the champ!!!!! This is blockbuster news! I'm sure Verne is loving this LOL. Stan is going to cause all sorts of chaos as champ. 

We get a taste of Sheri vs. Richter in a tag match. Good tease as it builds up the singles match.

I liked that Tsuruta/Johnson match up.

Talk about getting a taste of something. We get a dose of Flair/Landel in that wild 6 man tag with Landel hitting the lowblow on the dirtiest player in the game. 

I'm all for another Russians/SST brawl. 

The fans in Winnipeg got a tremendous show. 

 

[GeneJackson95]

AWA Championship Wrestling

Recorded: April 3, 1985

Airing: Saturday April 4, 1985 nationwide on ESPN

The Tropicana Hotel & Casino

Atlantic City, New Jersey

(After the music intro Larry Nelson has breaking news that in a shocking development, Stan 'the Lariat' Hansen has defeated Ted Dibiase in Winnipeg to win the AWA World Heavyweight Championship!  Before he can say anymore Ivan Koloff storms the set and says the only reason Stan Hansen is the World Champion is because Nikita Koloff wasn't allowed to compete in the battle royal and that Krusher Kruschev nearly won it anyway…..He said that clearly joining with Jimmy Hart was a mistake but Nikita handled that problem last week, but now he has contacted his only ally in the United States to come and handle their business moving forward…his great comrade…'#1' Paul Jones! Paul Jones enters the shot.

Jones: "Larry Nelson, it's been a total disgrace the way my friends from the Soviet Union have been treated recently….that idiot Jimmy Hart had no business dealing with athletes the caliber of these men….that's why he paraded around here in a mask for months and then tried to deny it with that idiotic charade at Super Sunday. Now….let's state some facts!  Fact #1- The Koloffs and Krusher Krushev are your World Tag Team Champions whether you like it or not.  Fact #2- 'the Russian Nightmare' Nikita Koloff is the most genetically superior athlete in the sport of professional wrestling today! Look at all the people he's eliminated from the AWA in just the past thirty days…..the Armstrong Family, Brad Rheingans, Ken Patera, Jimmy Hart, Dusty Rhodes, and the list goes on….and if he would have been allowed to be in that battle royal he'd be your AWA World Champion right now…..and make no mistake he'll be your World Champion just as soon as Verne Gagne has the guts to give him a shot.  I have my lawyers fighting this bogus suspension as we speak but right now while he's suspended he's back in Moscow continuing to train and make himself even more invincible than he already is….not to mention he's helping to prepare our "secret weapon" who will be unleashed on the AWA very soon. Stan Hansen, you're no champion….you're a pretender and a coward if you don't face Nikita Koloff for that championship…and if you don't like it…then come do something about it you dumb Texas hick!"

 

Nelson: "Mr. Jones, while we just met….I'll offer you some sage advice….You don't want to provoke Stan Hansen."

 

Jones: "Larry Nelson….here's some sage advice for YOU….mind your own damn business!"

 

Nelson: "Very well….good luck with that….Coming up later tonight, we've got that huge grudge match featuring the 'Battle of the Nature Boys' if you will as Ric Flair takes on Buddy Landel and also our first look at the Fiesta Garden as Al Madril welcomes 'Luscious Johnny V' who promises to unveil his new star…plus much, much more but right now let's go to the ring!"

========================

Match #1:

The Killer Bees (B. Brian Blair/Brad Armstrong) defeated Buck Jones/Henry Moody when Brad pinned Jones with a sunset flip off the top rope

========================

COMMERCIAL: 

========================

Match #2:

The Great Kabuki w/Mr. Fuji defeated Jed Jackson with the 'Oriental Spike'

========================

(We cut to Al Madril standing on the set of the Fiesta Garden)

Madril: "HOLA! For those that don't know….and if not shame on you…..I'm the 'Latin Legend' Al Madril and this mi amigos is….THE FIESTA GARDEN, your new favorite tv show!  First of all I'd just like to say hello to my very best friend in the world, Hercules Hernandez….even if you aren't here with me…..you're here in spirit mi amigo! Now, I have a great guest here tonight on the Fiesta Garden who will be introducing you to someone you're going to love……but first I'd like to introduce you to my NEW co-host and great friend…..the one and only, CHICKY STARR…come on out Chicky!" (Chicky Starr comes out in a suit and matching fedora, he hugs Madril)

Starr: "Alberto….thank you so much for making me your co-host on the hottest show on television…the Fiesta Garden!"

Madril: "Chicky, it's my pleasure to have you here!"

Starr: "I've taken the liberty of bringing someone with me from Puerto Rico….he's my personal bodyguard….and from now on….he's your's as well…..I call him… TNT!"

(TNT comes out and stands behind Chicky)

Madril: "Whoah….I've heard of this guy…he's trained in numerous martial arts and is a certified 'lethal weapon' is he not?"

 

Starr: "Damn right he is…..if anyone wants to come here and make trouble for us…..they've got to get through TNT."

Madril: "DY-NO-MITE!.....See what I did there? Like the black guy on tv?"

 

Starr: "Absolutely….GOOD TIMES!"

 

Madril: (laughing) "See, you get it…this is gonna be great!  Well, without further ado.."

Starr: "Come on….just a little more ado…"

 

Madril: "Alright Chicky…..just for you….some more ado."

 

Starr: "Ok, that's enough…..let's get this show on the road, amigo."

 

Madril: "Si! So please welcome our special guest, 'Luscious' Johnny Valiant along with Sherri Martel and The California Connection,  John Tatum and Eric Embry!"

(Johnny V, Sherri, Tatum, and Embry all walk on the now cramped set)

Valiant: "Thanks for having us, Alberto….and you too Chicky….it's great to be here!"

 

Embry: "Wow, I've never been on a Mexican tv show before….shouldn't we be speaking Mexican or somethin' so they can understand us?"

Starr: "No Eric, this airs on ESPN on the regular AWA show, amigo."

 

Embry: "Oh…thanks Cheech…I didn't know."

 

Starr: "That's Chicky."

 

Embry: "Chicky? John, you said we were going on Cheech and Chong tonight?…"

Tatum: "Shut up Eric! It was a joke, you weren't supposed to say that out here…"

 

Martel: "Jesus Eric, it was a rib….you can't call them Mexicans to their face."

Chicky: "I'm from Puerto Rico dude…."

 

Madril: "OK Johnny………this is getting way off track so I hear you have someone you want to introduce to us tonight exclusively here on the Fiesta Garden."

 

Embry: "No disrespect….but I was promised queso dip.."

Valiant: "For Pete's sake, Embry!" (Tatum pulls Embry off camera) My apologies guys…..anyways….you're right Alberto…..I'm about to introduce the AWA to the greatest entertainer in the world today…..not only is he an amazing wrestler….he's an amazing singer, dancer, and musician…..Ladies and Gentlemen, I present you to right here on the Fiesta Garden…THE HONKY TONK MAN!!" (An instrumental version of CC Rider plays as HTM enters)

HTM: "Thank ya Colonel…thank ya very much! Alberto, Chico thank you two as well."

Chicky: "That's Chicky…not Chico."

 

HTM: "My apologies Cheeky…..I want to thank all my fans for coming out to see me tonight! You're a beautiful audience, I love every one of ya! Colonel, tell everybody why I'm here."

 

Madril: "Whose the Colonel?"

 

Valiant: "That's me! I'm Col. Jimmy Valiant, baby! The Honky Tonk Man is here first and foremost to entertain everyone and draw a crowd….but he's also here to win championships! That's all the fans get tonight….but tomorrow night in Minneapolis….fans will see the in ring debut of the Honky Tonk Man! Once again, thanks for having us here on the Fiesta Garden." (Johnny V and company exit)

 

Starr: "Wow….I'm not sure what to say right now….the one moron thought this was Telemundo and we should serve him cheese dip."

 

Madril: "Yeah….that just happened….So, that's all for this week's episode of the Fiesta Garden, for my co-host the incomparable CHICKY Starr and the most dangerous man in the world, TNT…I’m Alberto Madril…..saying tune in next week when we'll be joined by that fat weirdo, Captain Lou Albano, adios!"

========================

COMMERCIAL: 

========================

Match #3:

Mr. Olympia pinned Frank Reynolds following a 'DDT'

========================

(Backstage: Ken Resnick is joined by a very annoyed former World Champion Ted Dibiase)

Resnick: "I'm joined by the former AWA World Heavyweight Champion Ted Dibiase…"

Dibiase: "Oh you all like saying that don't you? I see that smirk on your face. What a joke this company has become….Dino Bravo decides he's scared to challenge me so what does that senile old fool Verne Gagne decide to do? He has a 20 man battle royal to decide a challenger for my title? A battle royal?? Why not just do a raffle? How about you just draw straws or have the 10th caller to a radio station get a title shot….what a joke!"

Resnick: "Well Mr. Dibiase….in his defense the winner of the battle royal was able to defeat you.."

 

Dibiase: "It was that lunatic Stan Hansen! How was I supposed to prepare for Stan Hansen with two hours notice?"

 

Resnick: "He has been saying ever since he arrived in the AWA that he's coming for you."

 

Dibiase: "Shut your mouth, Resnick…..I don't have time to stand here and argue with you! I've invoked my rematch clause for tomorrow night in Minneapolis….and this time I'll be prepared….no surprises tomorrow night….I'll get my belt back….mark my words!

========================

Match #4:

The Long Riders (Bill/Scott Irwin) w/Percival Pringle III defeated Parker Williams/Fred Garvin when Scott pinned Garvin after a superplex

========================

COMMERCIAL: 

========================

Match #5:

NWA North American Champion Tommy "Wildfire" Rich pinned The Flame with a 'Thesz Press'

 

Post Match Promo w/Ken Resnick: Rich says he's 'farred up' and that he's coming for Buzz Sawyer the low life that stole his title and that he'll do whatever it takes to regain his belt and to run Sawyer out of the AWA…….As Rich leaves Stan Hansen comes storming in toting the AWA World title….

Resnick: "I'm joined by the brand new AWA World Champion Stan 'the Lariat' Hansen…..Champ, congrats on your victory."

 

Hansen: "Shut the hell up, I don't need no congratulations! I just got here and somebody told me that some idiot named Tom Jones….or Jim Jones…or some such was out here talkin' about me fightin' some Russian….sayin' I'm skeered to fight him….Well you listen to me and listen good Jones….I'll put this belt on the line against anybody as long as they pay me! I ain't skeered of nobody! Now, I've been told tomorrow night Dibiase gets a rematch for this belt…and then on Monday I'll be flying to Japan for another tour over there."

Resnick: "I understand if you successfully defend the title tomorrow night against Dibiase you'll be defending the title in Japan, specifically against Jumbo Tsuruta in Tokyo."

 

Hansen: (snatches the mic away) "What the hell do you mean 'IF' I successfully defend the title against Dibiase….of course I will….I beat him in Winnipeg…..and I'll beat him in Minneapolis or any other damn place they book me to rassle him, you understand that, boy!?!"

 

Resnick: "Yes sir, I certainly do."

Hansen: "Good! That's all I got to say! Bye!!" (Hansen shoves him down and storms off)

========================

COMMERCIAL: 

========================

Match #6:

MAIN EVENT
'Battle of the Nature Boys'

"Nature Boy" Ric Flair vs. "Nature Boy" Buddy Landel w/Percival Pringle III

 

The match starts slowly with both circling each other strutting and preening like a weird mirror image of one another then finally things got down to business and the two exchanged a series of hard chops back and forth which really got the crowd involved "Wooo'ing" back and forth. Flair took the upper hand and things going in his favor for a couple of minutes until a distraction from Pringle allowed Landel to take over…..Landel worked Flair over for a bit before going for his big "corkscrew elbow drop" which Flair moved out of the way of….and then locked in this patented figure four leglock!  Landel seemed closed to submission when Pringle came in and stomped Flair in the chest breaking up the hold and causing the referee to call for the DQ!  Flair jumped up and started backing Pringle in a corner getting ready to strike when from out of nowhere…………

AUSTIN IDOL hit the ring and jumped Flair from behind! Landel and Idol put the boots to Flair until Curt Hennig and Scott Hall hit the ring armed with steel chairs causing the 'Pringle Dynasty' to make a quick exit!  A livid Flair grabbed the house mic.

Flair: "That's how you wanna do it? Huh? I thought you wanted to settle this Landel? I'll tell you what….Austin Idol…if you wanna get involved, that's fine! How about tomorrow night in Minneapolis, we have us a tag team match…..I've got an old friend that's coming to visit me….and I'm quite sure he's just fine with putting on the boots and trunks and having a little fun giving a wrestling lesson to you two wannabes! WOOOOOOOOOO!!!"

 

 

© 1985 American Wrestling Association

[spaldoni]

This was such an entertaining show! 

Jimmy Hart is out and Paul Jones is in. Jones and the Russians will cause some serious havoc. The inevitable Hansen/Nikita match might be the biggest match of the year. That's going to be huge! 

OMG! Madril and Chicky together hosting the Fiesta Garden is going to be GOLD! Their first show was hilarious and gets even more outrageous when Valiant and company show up. All this and we get introduced to TNT as well as the HTM. What a premier!

Dibiase is pissed and says he's ready for Hansen this time.

Cool touch saying Hansen is going on a Japan tour to defend the title. It really makes the AWA title a huge deal.

We get a taste of the Battle of the Nature Boys. Looks like things are just getting warmed up as Austin Idol aligns with Percy and Landel! I wonder who Flair's partner will be?

There's something for everybody. Comic relief with Chicky, Madril, Valiant. Blood feud with Rich and Sawyer. Battle of the Nature Boys. Nikita preparing for his return and Hansen on top with the title. And of course the classic 80s commercials. 

Outstanding job! 

[GeneJackson95]

American Wrestling Association

House Show

Minneapolis, MN.

Sunday April 5, 1985

Bell Time: 4pm

 

 

"Soul Man" Rocky Johnson pinned Norvell Austin with a small package

 

 

The Honky Tonk Man w/Col. Johnny V defeated Brickhouse Brown by pinfall after a 'Shake, Rattle, & Roll' swinging neckbreaker

 

The Killer Bees (B. Brian Blair/Brad Armstrong) wrestled Los Mega Stars (Al Madril/Chicky Starr)w/ TNT to a 15 minute time limit draw

 

 

The Missing Link pinned "Dirty" Dick Slater with 'diving headbutt' from the 2nd rope

 

 

Eight Man Tag Team Match

The Long Riders (Bill/Scott Irwin)/The California Connection w/Percival Pringle III & Johnny V defeated The Rock & Roll Express (Ricky Morton/Robert Gibson)/Scott Hall/Curt Hennig when Bill Irwin pinned Curt Hennig after Pringle tripped him allowing Irwin to blast him with a boot in the face!

 

 

Return Grudge Match

Jumbo Tsuruta w/Mr. Fuji defeated Mr. Olympia with a 'Japanese Armbar'

 

 

SEMI-MAIN EVENT

TAG TEAM CHALLENGE MATCH

The Pringle Dynasty (Austin Idol/Buddy Landel)

w/Percival Pringle III

Vs.

"Nature Boy" Ric Flair/Mystery Partner

 

The Pringle Dynasty make their entrance first……Ric Flair makes his way down to the ring alone.

(Landel grabs the mic)

Landel: "I knew it Flair! I knew you were a liar when you said you had an 'old friend' coming to town because everybody knows you don't have any friends!" (hands the mic to Idol)

 

Idol: "Well Buddy unless you count the Andersons…..but they know better than to come up here and mess with the Dynasty, baby!"

 

Landel: "Tough luck, dummy! You asked for a tag match so now you're gonna have to face us in a handicap match! You didn't have a prayer of beating me one on one…..so you might just wanna go ahead and forfeit before we beat you to death in your real hometown!"

 

(As Landel starts to say something else…the sound of BAGPIPES fill the arena as Flair's tag team partner strolls down the aisle towards the ring….sending the Dynasty into a panic)

"Rowdy" Roddy Piper/Ric Flair slide into the ring and immediately we have a brawl on our hands!! After a couple of minutes the referee settles things down and we finally have a regular tag team match….despite clearly being the fan favorites here in Minneapolis, Flair and Piper are having fun blatantly breaking the rules behind the ref's back and the fans are eating it up! After several minutes of action, all four men are in the ring again…..as Flair slaps the figure four leglock on Landel while Piper locks Idol in a sleeper hold….when Pringle comes in and decks the referee causing a DQ……The Long Riders hit the ring and attack Flair and Piper……but quickly Curt Hennig/Scott Hall run in to even the odds causing the Pringle Dynasty to quickly powder out.

 

Curt Hennig grabs the microphone and tells Pringle since he likes getting involved so much, he's knows somebody that will be more than happy to come even the odds in the future….Piper takes the mic and says, "Naitch, it looks like ol' Hot Rod might just need to stick around a while until we teach Prissy Pringle and the Village People some manners!" Flair takes the mic and simply adds, "WOOOOOO!!"

 

 

MAIN EVENT

AWA World Heavyweight Championship- REMATCH

Stan 'the Lariat' Hansen pinned Ted Dibiase after a shoulder breaker to retain the championhip

As the referee was raising Stan Hansen's hand in victory……Paul Jones led Nikita Koloff into the ring and Nikita got right into Hansen's face and they got into a shoving match which was quickly broken up by security and local police officers but it was quite intense none the less leaving the entire crowd on it's feet cheering for Hansen by default being the American who just beat the hated Dibiase.

[Blehschmidt]

#1 arrives and immediately treats Larry Nelson like #2, I like it!! Jones as the manager for the Russians is perfect. Interested to see what the "Secret Weapon" is going to be.

Nice win for the new Killer Bee's! Good pairing.

Oh Dios Mio!! The Fiesta Garden has returned, and it was glorious!! Madril and Chicky with TNT is going to be amazing! Adding Valiant, Embry, and Tatum to the mix only made it better....then came the Honky Tonk Man!!! Best Segment Ever!!

Dibiase has a legit gripe with the AWA and Hansen, he deserves his rematch.

Great Hansen interview. The trip to Japan is a nice tough. Legitimizes your title, and fits with Hansen perfectly.

Idol showing up to hook up with Landel and Percy is another perfect fit. Excited to see who Flair brings in as his partner....

and it's Piper!! Oh Lord, those are gonna be some promo's with Flair and Piper together!! Those two against the Pringle Dynasty is going to be a ton of fun!!

Nikita comes for Hansen, and I can't wait to see who is still standing when the Sickle meets the Lariat!!

Great Stuff Gene!!

[kevinmcfl]

Now that brings me back... Where's The Beef!

Really well done intro of Paul Jones... he is just evil enough to work well with the Russians.

Hansen/ Nikita could be a huge WAR

The Huge return of the Fiesta Garden and it was Priceless.  Eric Embry is back and better then ever.  

With your interview skills, HTM is the perfect addition to Valiant's stable

Dibiase's and Hansen's interviews were good... sets up for some big rematches that would make some big money all Jumbo and Nikita waiting in the wings... seems like you got things pretty well planned out.  The AWA is in great hands

Wildfire over the Flame is a great TV match but nothing like Flair and Landell.  In fact, that was too good to be true and I knew something wild was going to happen but never expected Idol.  Idol with Landell is a match made in heaven!

The show in Minneapolis was stacked but those last two matches brought the house down.  Flair, Piper, Hennig and Hall seems like a pretty good "quartet" 

Nikita vs Hansen... only one will survive!

A really enjoyed reading that show.  Sometimes I am shocked, sometimes I laugh out loud, but always entertained

 

[spaldoni]

Rocky Johnson is racking up some nice house show wins. 

HTM shakes, rattles and roll's his way to his debut victory.

The Killer Bees/Los Mega Stars match looked like a classic evenly matched tag bout. 

Link is getting the better of Slater. 

The Long Riders/Hall-Hennig feud is heating up. 

Tsuruta gets a strong win over Olympia and moves up the ranks. 

WOW! Didn't see that coming as Flair brings in Piper!!!! What a moment! I would of loved to have heard the crowd pop for that. This feud is going to be off the charts.

Hansen finishes things off with Dibiase but Nikita makes his presence known. YES! This is going to be AWESOME! 

[GeneJackson95]

American Wrestling Association

House Show

Cleveland, Ohio

Wednesday April 8, 1985

Bell Time: 7:30pm

 

 

Wendi Richter w/Capt. Lou Albano pinned Leilani Kai after a dropkick from the 2nd rope

 

 

Los Mega Stars (Alberto Madril/Chicky Starr) w/TNT defeated B. Brian Blair/Brickhouse Brown (subbing for Brad Armstrong) when Starr pinned Brown after he was struck by TNT

 

 

"Soul Man" Rocky Johnson defeated The Honky Tonk Man w/Col. Johnny V by count out when HTM got frustrated and just walked out after grabbing the mic and exclaiming "Rocky Johnson you're a joke…how dare you call your self 'Soul Man'?? Larry Nelson has more 'Soul' than you do…and Cleveland, you're a terrible audience and you don't deserve to see the Honky Tonk Man! Johnny, we're out of here!"

 

 

Mr. Olympia pinned The Great Kabuki w/Mr. Fuji with a backslide, after the match Fuji tried to hit Olympia with his cane but was caught….Olympia dropped Fuji with a big right hand but was sprayed in the eyes by Kabuki with the "green mist"

 

 

Prior to the next match, With Percy and the Long Riders already in the ring….Curt Hennig and Scott Hall made their way down the aisle…..Curt Hennig took the mic and announced, "Hey Percy, I told you that I was gonna call somebody to keep their eye on you….well, true to my word I did…he purchased his manager's license and will be in our corner tonight and moving forward….my father, Larry 'the Axe' Hennig!" (The crowd roars and Larry the Axe makes his way down to the ring)

 

GRUDGE TAG TEAM MATCH

Scott Hall/Curt Hennig w/Larry Hennig defeated The Long Riders (Bill/Scott Irwin) w/Percival Pringle III by DQ when Scott Irwin pulled off his boot and nailed Scott Hall with it busting his head open

 

 

AWA North American Heavyweight Championship

"Nature Boy" Buddy Landel w/Percival Pringle III pinned Tommy "Wildfire" Rich when Pringle distracted the referee allowing Buzz Sawyer to run in and hit Rich with the championship belt that he had stolen from him…..after the match Sawyer handed the belt over to Landel as Pringle handed a thick envelope over to Sawyer who left the ring laughing

 

 

SEMI-MAIN EVENT

AWA World Tag Team Championship

Ivan Koloff/Krusher Kruschev w/Paul Jones defeated The Samoan Swat Team (Samu/Fatu) w/Capt. Lou Albano when Koloff pinned Samu after a 'Russian Sickle' from the 2nd rope to retain the titles as Captain Lou and Paul Jones were having a shoving match at ringside

 

 

MAIN EVENT

STEEL CAGE MATCH

LOSER LEAVES THE AWA

"Nature Boy" Ric Flair pinned Ted Dibiase with a small package after brutal and bloody 36 minute battle!

As Dibiase left the cage afterwards, Buddy Landel/Austin Idol/The Long Riders all ran into the cage as Percy Pringle locked the door behind them with a different lock from the referee's….they managed to beat on Flair for several minutes before Scott Hall, Curt Hennig, Larry Hennig, and Mr. Olympia managed to cut the lock off and enter the cage to even the odds…they brawled momentarily before the Pringle Dynasty fled the cage…....Flair had to be helped out of the cage afterwards....the extent of his injuries are unknown at this time

[kevinmcfl]

Awesome card for the people of Cleveland.  

Enjoyed the Loser Leave Town Match... Dibiase has had a tough 10 days or so as he lost the title and now is out of the AWA!  Flair got the win and then took a beating.  Like how the sides of Good and Evil are dividing up here!

AXE will be huge in the push of Hall and Henig

Really interesting ending to the Rocky Johnson/HTM match.  That would be a great way to get some instant heat.  Very creative.  

Cool vintage photos of the time

[spaldoni]

Man, the fans in Cleveland sure got their money's worth tonight. 

Richter continues to shine as she gears towards a title match.

Brickhouse subs for Brad and takes the fall as Los Mega Stars get the win. I love the Chicky/Madril combo. 

LOL, HTM just walks out on Johnson and the fans. Rocky does have soul and I'm sure will catch up with HTM. 

Solid win for Olympia but he pays the price and gets the Kabuki mist. 

Big moment as Curt brings in his Dad! Hall and Hennig will benefit with the Axe in their corner. Percy better watch out. 

Landel wins the North American title thanks to Sawyer. I hope it was worth it because Wildfire is going to be looking for some serious payback. I cant wait for Landel's next TV interview. 

Russians get a strong win over the SST. 

Huge main event as Flair sends Dibiase packing. Dibiase had an amazing run as AWA champ and I'm sure will pop up somewhere very soon. Flair gets a brutal post match beating from Percy's men. This feud is going to get crazy. 

[GeneJackson95]

AWA Championship Wrestling

Recorded: April 10, 1985

Airing: Saturday April 11, 1985 nationwide on ESPN

The Tropicana Hotel & Casino

Atlantic City, New Jersey

 

(Show opens with footage of Ric Flair pinning Ted Dibiase in the Loser Leaves the AWA Steel Cage Match and then getting beatdown afterwards by the Pringle Dynasty, we then go to the intro video and to our host Larry Nelson)

Nelson: "Hello and welcome once again to AWA Championship Wrestling! We have a huge show lined up for you this week as Captain Lou Albano will be Al Madril's guest in the Fiesta Garden, Nikita Koloff's suspension has been lifted after Paul Jones agreed to pay one of the largest fines ever levied in the AWA, we have a HUGE main event signed for you right here tonight but before we get to anything else….allow me to welcome the man who showed up as Ric Flair's tag team partner last Sunday in Minneapolis….the one….the only….'Rowdy' Roddy Piper!" (Piper enters)

Piper: "Mr. Nelson….pleasure to meet ya….they call me 'Hot Rod'! It was my intention to show up in Minneapolis and help out my friend Ric Flair…and move on down the road…but based on what's happened in the meantime over in Cleveland I'd say my work here is far from done! Percy Pringle…you know my kids have asked me what Santa Claus does the rest of the year, well I can now tell them he shaves off his beard and pretends to be a wrestling manager…"

 

Nelson: "Kris Kringle…..Percy Pringle….I can see a resemblance."

Piper: "I work alone Nelson….I got this…..ANYWAYS…..the bleach blond whale has quite the Dynasty as he has the nerve to call it…..he's got these two bikers that look like rejects from the Village People…the Long Riders….I've got several lines I could say about that name…none of which are appropriate even on ESPN…..then he's got Austin Idol…..Ol' Universal Heartburn himself….and then he's got the guy who has to be the President of the Ric Flair fan club…..if imitation is the truly the sincerest form of flattery I can't even imagine how flattered Flair must be by this goof Buddy Mandrel or Howie Landel or whatever his name is…..I'm not going to bother to learn his stupid name because he's not going to be around that long, Larry…..but I tell ya this….every chance I get to make those guys life hell….I'll be taking it…..see ya soon…PERCY!"

 

Nelson: "Wow….the one and only 'Rowdy' Roddy Piper is here in the AWA and you never know what's going to happen when he's around….let's go to the ring for our opening contest."

==================

Match #1:

AWA North American Tag Team Champions The Rock & Roll Express defeated Jimmy Morgan/Roy Munson by pinfall when Gibson pinned Morgan after a double dropkick

As the referee was raising the hands of Ricky/Robert, Johnny V and Sherri Martel came in and started bad mouthing them allowing the California Connection, John Tatum & Eric Embry to hit the ring and attack them from behind! Tatum/Embry worked them over as we cut to our first commercial break!

==================

COMMERCIALS: 

==================

(Before the match got started, "We are the Champions" by Queen played as 'Nature Boy' Buddy Landel came down and joined Rod Trongard and Lord James Blears on commentary…getting in a few good lines during Austin Idol's match such as: "Wow, what time do they have to get you two back to the old folk's home?"  "Austin Idol is aptly named and besides your current reigning North American Heavyweight Champion…who might I mention won it in only my SECOND match with the company…Austin should be everybody's IDOL." , "Who was that guy out here earlier in the skirt? Was that guy drunk? What's his problem? I would have come out and knocked him out but I was taught never to beat up a lady." ,  "Hey Rod, did you see Ric Flair's last match in Cleveland? It's ironic that he ran Dibiase out of the AWA and then we ended his career!" (laughing uncontrollably) , "If my old man looked like Larry Hennig, I don't think I would bring him out in public." , "Do you know why they call him 'BIG' Scott Hall?  Because there's nothing else good to say about him, brother….I mean, if they wanted to be more honest they would call him "DUMB" Scott Hall or "MEDIOCRE AT BEST" Scott Hall." "Well, that's it….Las Vegas Leglock spells the end…I'm out of here…the pleasure was all yours…I have to say though….you guys are lot nicer calling these wrestling matches than you are heckling them folks on the Muppet Show.")

 

Match #2:

"Universal Heartthrob Austin Idol w/Percy Pringle defeated Randy Watson by submission with the 'Las Vegas Leglock'

 

(Post match: Ken Resnick comes into the ring to speak with Percy Pringle and the Pringle Dynasty)

 

Resnick: "Percy Pringle, tonight in the main event your team the Long Riders will be facing off once again with Curt Hennig and 'Big' Scott Hall with Larry 'the Axe' Hennig in their corner…your thoughts?"

 

PP3: "First of all….before we get to that…you aren't even going to mention how we rid the AWA of that wannabe 'Nature Boy' Ric Flair?"

Resnick: "The less said about that the better….I don't think we've seen the last of Ric Flair and now you have 'Rowdy' Roddy Piper to contend with as well."

 

Idol: "He just got here and I'm already sick and tired of hearing about Roddy Piper….Buddy Landel and myself were getting 'rowdy' long before Roddy, baby!"

Landel: (holds up his belt) "Ken Resnick, we've been out here all this time and you haven't taken the time to congratulate me on winning the North American Championship from that dumb hick Tommy Rich! (doing Tommy Rich impression) 'SUMBODY SAY SOMETHIN' BOUT EX CHAMPION!"

 

Resnick: "I assumed the congrats would go to the man responsible, Buzz Sawyer."

 

Landel: (snatches the mic from Resnick and shoves him away) "We're not going to start being disrespectful to the champ, you low budget 'Mean Gene' wannabe….get the hell outta here!"

 

PP3: "These guys said it all….Flair is gone….Piper will soon join him when we get our hands on him…and as for Larry Hennig….if he comes around to my side of the ring tonight….I will knock him out!!"

 

Landel: "That's right baby, they used to call him Ol' Iron Fists Pringle down there in Mobile, Alabama….Percy has crippled more people than polio….this man right here is nobody to mess with and Curt Hennig's old man will find out if he crosses his path!"

==================

VTR: Footage of Honky Tonk Man vs. Rocky Johnson from Cleveland is shown with HTM walking out and getting counted out once he got in trouble in the match

===================

Match #3:

"Soul Man" Rocky Johnson pinned The Executioner with a powerslam

 

Post match: Ken Resnick approaches Rocky at ringside, Rocky says that in Cleveland the Honky Tonk Man proved himself to be one of the biggest cowards in the history of wrestling….but Wednesday night in Milwaukee there's going to be a rematch with NO COUNT OUT….so this we'll see what the Honky Tonk Man is really made of this time around.

==================

COMMERCIALS: 

==================

Match #4:

Handicap Match

"The Russian Nightmare" Nikita Koloff w/#1 Paul Jones defeated Jed Jackson/Bret Monroe after giving each the "Russian Sickle" and stacking them on top of one another and pinning them both at the same time!

 

(Afterwards- Paul Jones and Nikita stood in the ring and demanded Larry come in with the mic)

Jones: "Let this be a lesson to all of you! If Paul Jones tells you something….you take it to the bank…last week Nikita Koloff was suspended and I told you I would have him back soon…one week later you just watched him wrestle."

Nelson: "Well…the word on the street is….you had to pay the largest fine in AWA history to get his suspension lifted."

Jones: "What difference does that make? So I did what I said I would do….I got him out of his suspension and now he's back in action….and ready to take the AWA World Heavyweight Championship!"

 

Nelson: "Listen, Nikita Koloff is one of the baddest men in wrestling….no question….an absolute monster….BUT….Stan Hansen will not back down from the 'Russian Nightmare' as you guys saw in Minneapolis recently."

 

Koloff: "SHUT YOUR MOUF Larry Melson!  Is Stan Hansen a tough man? I'm sure he is….but he have no idea what Nikita will bring against him…..his cowboy clothesline is nothing compared to the Russian sickle……I will destroy him!"  (As Nikita finishes that statement, The Missing Link who is in the next match makes his way down to the ring)

 

Nelson: "Ok guys, we have a match getting ready to take place with the Missing Link…"

Jones: "We don't care about some green faced goof….we're done when we say we're done!"

(Link enters the ring…and Koloff charges him and a brawl breaks out….causing wrestlers and security to rush the ring to try and break things up as we quickly go to commercial)

==================

COMMERCIALS: 

==================

(The camera pans over to the Fiesta Garden set where we see Al Madril joined by Chicky Starr and their 'bodyguard' TNT)

Madril: "Hola mi amigos! Welcome once again to the Fiesta Garden! I'm your host the 'Latin Legend' Al Madril and joining me is my tag team partner and new best friend, Chicky Starr and the head of security here at the Fiesta Garden….the one and only TNT! Say hello Chicky!"

 

Chicky: "Hello Chicky!"

 

Madril: "Good….but just not the same as Hercules….we'll find you something new. Anyways….Chicky, have you heard we have a big fat slob joining us on the show tonight?"

Chicky: "Percy Pringles?"

Madril: "No….but good guess."

 

Chicky: "Wahoo McDaniels? Larry Hennig?"

 

Madril: "All great guesses…..but no…we have that loud overbearing Captain Lou Albano about to come out."

 

Chicky: "Why would we have him come on the show?"

 

Madril: "That's a good question…" (As he's saying that Captain Lou, The SST, and Wendi Richter come out)

 

Madril: "Hey speaking of the devil….here he is now….our special guest Captain Lou Albano! Welcome to the Fiesta Garden!"

Albano: "Knock it off Madril, we hard all the garbage you were just saying!"

 

Chicky: "Ok then, answer the question…..why should we have you out here as our guest?"

 

Albano: "How about for starters….I've managed more champions than any other manager in wrestling history! That's why they call me the 'Guiding Light'!"

 

Madril: "You mean you USED to manage champions…..I don't see any belts around anybody's waist that you manage now…" (Samu takes a step towards Madril, TNT steps between them and swings his nunchucks around)

 

Albano: Hold on….take it easy! I'll answer your stupid question.  Wendi Richter has been given a shot at Sherri Martel or she would be the Women's Champion right here and now….plus my boys Samu and Fatu have another shot at the Russians tomorrow night in Peoria, Illinois and they will become the new World tag team champions!"

 

Chicky: "Well that all remains to be seen, amigo…..but answer this…how come you don't have a singles wrestler in your little stable of misfits here?"

 

Albano: "It's funny you should ask that Chucky…."

 

Chicky: It's CHICKY!  Why can no one get that??"

 

Madril: "Calm down Chicky, he's just stupid." (Fatu makes a move towards Madril while TNT/Chicky Starr step in between)

 

Albano: "Like I was saying before Shecky rudely interrupted, I'm currently working on bringing one of the biggest singles stars in wrestling to the AWA…..and when I do…it's going to change everything….mark my words….now if you'll excuse us….we need to go back and work on strategy for our tag team title match tomorrow night."

 

Madril: "Well good luck….if you win those belts….we'll be looking for a shot a them."

 

Albano: "You'll have to earn a shot……hosting a phony talk show doesn't make you contenders….come on boys, let's go!"

(Albano/Richter turn and leave as Samu/Fatu have a brief stare down with Chicky/Al/TNT before finally walking away)

 

Madril: "Chicky, can you believe these guys?"

 

Chicky: (mumbles profanity in spanish)

 

Madril: "My thoughts exactly….and what's this garbage about bringing in a huge star….nobody with any credibility or talent would have anything to do with Albano."

 

Chicky: "Oh he's full of it…..but I tell you one thing….those pendejos will regret disrespecting us…and the Fiesta Garden….and that's a fact."

 

Madril: (smiling) "Oh yeah they will……that's all for this week amigos….be sure to join us next week for another exciting edition of the Fiesta Garden……Adios amigos!"

==================

(Verne Gagne joins Larry Nelson and says that the Missing Link will not be allowed to wrestle tonight, however another wrestler has stepped forward to take over this match)

-----------------------------

Match #5:

"Rowdy" Roddy Piper defeated Buck Spivey with a Sleeper hold

==================

(Larry Nelson runs down the cards for tomorrow in Peoria, IL and Wednesday in Milwaukee, WI.)

 

American Wrestling Association

House Show

Peoria, Illinois

Sunday April 12, 1985

Bell Time: 4pm

 

Tommy "Wildfire" Rich

Vs.

Norvell Austin

 

Six Man Tag Team Match

The Killers Bees (Brad Armstrong/B. Brian Blair)/Brickhouse Brown

Vs.

Los Mega Stars (Al Madril/Chicky Starr)/TNT

 

Mr. Olympia

Vs.

"Dirty" Dick Slater

 

Four Corners Tag Team Match

The High Flyers (Greg Gagne/Jim Brunzell)

Vs.

The Long Riders (Bill/Scott Irwin) w/Percy Pringle

Vs.

Scott Hall/Curt Hennig w/Larry Hennig

Vs.

The California Connection (John Tatum/Eric Embry) w/Johnny V.

 

Ladies Tag Team Match

Candi Devine/Wendi Richter w/Capt. Lou Albano

Vs.

Leilani Kai/Sherri Martel w/Johnny V.

 

SEMI-MAIN EVENT

Grudge Match

"Rowdy" Roddy Piper

Vs.

"Universal Heartthrob" Austin Idol w/Percy Pringle

 

MAIN EVENT

AWA World Tag Team Championship

Krusher Kruschev/Ivan Koloff w/Paul Jones & Nikita Koloff

Vs.

The Samoan Swat Team (Fatu/Samu) w/Capt. Lou Albano

 

AND

 

American Wrestling Association

House Show

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Wednesday April 15, 1985

Bell Time: 7pm

 

No Count Out

"Soul Man" Rocky Johnson

Vs.

The Honky Tonk Man w/Col. Johnny V.

 

 

AWA North American Tag Team Title

The Rock & Roll Express (Ricky Morton/Robert Gibson)

Vs.

The California Connection ("Hollywood" John Tatum/"Malibu" Eric Embry)

w/"Luscious" Johnny V

 

 

Special Challenge Match

The Missing Link

Vs.
"The Russian Nightmare"

Nikita Koloff w/#1 Paul Jones

 

 

SEMI-MAIN EVENT

SIX MAN TAG TEAM GRUDGE MATCH

Curt Hennig/Larry Hennig/Scott Hall

Vs.

The Long Riders/Austin Idol w/Percival Pringle III

 

 

MAIN EVENT

AWA North American Championship

"Nature Boy" Buddy Landel w/Percival Pringle III

Vs.
"Rowdy" Roddy Piper

 

 

LIGHTS OUT/UNSANCTIONED

STRETCHER MATCH

Tommy "Wildfire" Rich

Vs.

"Mad Dog" Buzz Sawyer

==================

COMMERCIALS: 

======================

Match #6

MAIN EVENT

Scott Hall/Curt Hennig w/Larry Hennig defeated The Long Riders (Bill/Scott Irwin) w/Percival Pringle III by DQ when Austin Idol & Buddy Landel hit the ring when it looked like Hall was about to pin Bill Irwin…..Larry Hennig tried to come in and help but the 4 on 3 advantage was too much until RODDY PIPER hit the ring with a chair and started cleaning house as the show was going off the air!!

 

© 1985 American Wrestling Association

[spaldoni]

The Hot Rod is here! Piper gets right into the main event scene and is ready to take out Pringle's dynasty. Oh man I would love to see Piper as a guest on the Fiesta Garden. 

RnR look impressive but now they have the California Connection coming after them. 

LOL, once again Landel is priceless. I look forward to hearing him talk every week. His Tommy Rich impression had me rolling.

Rocky Johnson is ready for the HTM. I wonder how HTM will handle a NO C.O. match. 

Jones pays the huge fine and Nikita is back! Nikita wants Hansen but looks like he has to deal with Missing Link first. That should be a wild one. 

Another entertaining Fiesta Garden! Madril and Chicky are gold. I love how in all this comedy, TNT lets his dangerous presence be known. This all works so well. I wonder who Albano is bringing in???

Main event ends in chaos! What a way to end the show with Piper cleaning house with a chair. 

The house shows are going to draw big money. 

 

[kevinmcfl]

Well it didn't take you long to master Hot Rod.  Awesome promo

Same can be said about Idol, Landell and Al Madril.

Also enjoyed seeing you Larry Nelson give it right back to Landell.... Enjoyed when he said that he thought he would congratulate the man who actually was responsible for beating Wildfire.... Buzz Sawyer

Wonder what Cpt. Lou has in store for us!  Who is he bringing in?

Nikita is a MONSTER right now.  Even Hansen looks to have no chance. And Nikita owes it all to Paul Jones for paying off the fine

 

 

[Blehschmidt]

Some classic Piper to open the show. Great interview. Could see and hear Roddy on the whole thing.

The Embry/Tatum combo works wonderfully. Them vs R'n'R should be a fun little feud.

I won't point out that no one in that Battle Royal playset works for you :-p

Landel's commentary had me rolling. "Mediocre at Best" Scott Hall might be the best nickname ever

Great segment with Landel/Idol/Percy. Love this group. Percy crippling more people than Polio got a legit LOL outta me.

Rocky/Honky is a great first feud for both

Nikita/Jones segment was great. Your attempt at Nikita's broken/fake Russian was fantastic, and Cowboy Clothesline got another laugh out of me.

and I thought I'd laughed before, then came the Fiesta Garden. Chicky guessing what fat person was coming on the show was fucking Gold! Albano being a dick right back to them was good shit. Looking forward to seeing who he is bringing in. Great, great segment.

As Spaldoni said....PLEASE.....Piper on the Fiesta Garden!!!

As always, love a good show closing brawl. Things are heating up nicely, and when Flair gets back, it will explode!

Great show. AWA is really heating up. No Greg Gagne to ruin shit. A+ stuff!!

[GeneJackson95]

American Wrestling Association

House Show

Peoria, Illinois

Sunday April 12, 1985

Bell Time: 4pm

 

Tommy "Wildfire" Rich pinned Norvell Austin with a sunset flip

 

 

Six Man Tag Team Match

Los Mega Stars (Al Madril/Chicky Starr)/TNT defeated The Killers Bees (Brad Armstrong/B. Brian Blair)/Brickhouse Brown when TNT pinned Brickhouse after a thrust kick

 

 

Mr. Olympia pinned "Dirty" Dick Slater with a backslide

 

 

Four Corners Tag Team Match- 1 Fall

The High Flyers (Greg Gagne/Jim Brunzell)

Vs.

The Long Riders (Bill/Scott Irwin) w/Percy Pringle

Vs.

Scott Hall/Curt Hennig w/Larry Hennig

Vs.

The California Connection (John Tatum/Eric Embry) w/Johnny Valiant

 

Scott Hall/Curt Hennig won after Hennig pinned Eric Embry

 

 

Ladies Tag Team Match

Candi Devine/Wendi Richter w/Capt. Lou Albano defeated Leilani Kai/Sherri Martel w/Johnny V. when Richter pinned Martel with a small package

 

 

SEMI-MAIN EVENT

AWA World Tag Team Championship

Krusher Kruschev/Ivan Koloff w/Paul Jones

Vs.

The Samoan Swat Team (Fatu/Samu) w/Capt. Lou Albano

 

As the Samoan Swat Team were making their way to the ring….they were attacked in the aisle by Al Madril/Chicky Starr/TNT…..Fatu has his head busted open by the nunchucks…..and they dropped Samu throat first over the guard rail…..there was a delay as the Samoans had to be helped up out of the aisle….Verne Gagne came out and said the match would be delayed while they tried to find another team to challenge for the titles…..the Grudge match between Piper and Idol will take place now.

 

MAIN EVENT

Grudge Match

"Rowdy" Roddy Piper defeated "Universal Heartthrob" Austin Idol w/Percy Pringle by DQ when Piper had Idol locked in the sleeper hold….when Percy Pringle came in nailed Piper from behind causing the ref to call for the DQ……Piper then quickly turned around and knocked Pringle on his butt who then rolled out and waddled away…allowing Idol to roll out of the ring and take off as well

 

Verne Gagne comes down to ringside and announces that due to their win earlier tonight in the four corners match, Curt Hennig and Scott Hall will step in for the Samoan Swat Team to challenge for the AWA World Tag Team Championship.

 

ADDED MATCH
AWA World Tag Team Championship

"The Russian Bear" Ivan Koloff/Krusher Kruschev

w/ #1 Paul Jones

Vs.

"Big" Scott Hall/Curt Hennig

w/ Larry 'the Axe' Hennig

 

Solid back and forth tag team match……that finally saw the Russians get the upper hand thanks for some timely interference from Paul Jones….they worked over Curt for several minutes until he managed to get a hot tag to Scott Hall…..who came in and cleaned house on both the Russians, Ivan tried to give Hall a 'sickle' but Hall ducked and he caught the referee instead taking him down……Curt Hennig dropkicked Ivan out of the ring and then went out after him on the floor…with the referee down the Long Riders came running to ringside…..Scott Irwin attacked Hennig on the floor and Bill Irwin slid into the ring, he charged at Hall to give him the big boot to the face but Hall moved and Irwin connected with Kruschev instead…..Hall turned and clotheslined Irwin over the top rope and out of the ring…..as Kruschev tried to get back to his feet Hall nailed him with a running bulldog…..a 2nd ref slides in as Hall covers for the 1--2--3!!!   We have new AWA World Tag Team Champions "Big" Scott Hall & Curt Hennig!!

[kevinmcfl]

What a twisty curvy road the AWA is.  Tommy Rich goes from the champ to the opener in a week and the Hall and Hennig win the belts when not even scheduled for a title shot.  

Piper is at his Hot Rod best here and just causes chaos where ever he goes.  Awesome! job

What a way to spend a Sunday afternoon in Peoria 

[spaldoni]

Olympia rebounds from his loss to Tsuruta with a big win over Slater. 

Piper gets the DQ win over idol and even gets to drop Percy with a punch.

Richter gets the pin on Sherri in a tag match. Nice set up to their inevitable title match.

Los Mega Stars do a number on the SST and take them out of their big title match.

Hennig and Hall winning that 4 corners match comes into play as they get the title match with the Russians. 

Hall and Hennig win the titles! Long Riders interference accidently screws over the Russians. I don't think the Russians will let that slide. 

Always something happening in the AWA! 

[GeneJackson95]

American Wrestling Association

House Show

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Wednesday April 15, 1985

Bell Time: 7pm

 

Dino Bravo pinned "Dirty" Dick Slater after a gut wrench suplex

 

Before the second match started, Larry Nelson brought out AWA President Stanley Blackburn who announced that referee Marty Miller came to him after the show on Sunday night and said that due to Ivan Koloff giving him a 'Russian Sickle' during Sunday night's World Tag Team title match in Peoria, as well as the outside interference from The Long Riders…..he declares the Russians were disqualified before the second referee came down and counted three….therefore the AWA World Tag Team Championships have been returned to Ivan Koloff and Krusher Kruschev and the win for Curt Hennig and Scott Hall has been overturned.  I would also like to add since the majority of the title defenses have been made by Ivan and Krusher, Nikita Koloff can no longer participate in World Tag Team title defenses for the team."  The announcement was met by a round of "boos" from the Milwaukee crowd, most who didn't even know there had been a title change until this announcement was made.

 

 

Los Mega Stars (Al Madril/Chicky Starr) w/TNT defeated The High Flyers (Greg Gagne/Jim Brunzell) when Starr pinned Brunzell after interference from TNT while Madril distracted the referee

 

 

No Count Out

"Soul Man" Rocky Johnson defeated The Honky Tonk Man w/Col. Johnny V. by DQ when Johnny V blatantly came in and broke up the pin after Johnson hit HTM with a powerslam

 

 

Non-Title Tag Team Match

The Rock & Roll Express (Ricky Morton/Robert Gibson) fought The California Connection ("Hollywood" John Tatum/"Malibu" Eric Embry) w/"Luscious" Johnny V to a 'No Contest' when all four men started brawling and the referee could not restore order

 

 

Special Challenge Match

"The Russian Nightmare" Nikita Koloff w/#1 Paul Jones pinned The Missing Link following a 'Russian Sickle

 

 

SEMI-MAIN EVENT

SIX MAN TAG TEAM GRUDGE MATCH

The Long Riders/Austin Idol w/Percival Pringle III defeated Curt Hennig/Larry Hennig/Scott Hall when Idol pinned Larry Hennig with his feet on the ropes

 

 

MAIN EVENT

AWA North American Championship

"Rowdy" Roddy Piper defeated "Nature Boy" Buddy Landel w/Percival Pringle III by DQ when Austin Idol interfered……they tried to triple team Piper but Hall and the Hennigs came out and made the save

 

 

LIGHTS OUT/UNSANCTIONED

STRETCHER MATCH

Tommy "Wildfire" Rich

Vs.

"Mad Dog" Buzz Sawyer

 

A wild and brutal brawl that eventually went all around ringside then up and down the aisle seeing both guys hit each other with everything that wasn't nailed down……they finally fought their way back in the ring and just when it looked like Tommy Rich was going to put Sawyer away, Dick Slater ran down in his street clothes and clocked Rich in the head with a cowboy boot!  They then gave Rich a spike piledriver through a ringside table, of course all this was legal due to it being unsanctioned…and since the show was over none of Rich's friends were still around to save him….Sawyer/Slater rolled Rich back in the ring and Sawyer got a three count….followed by Rich being carted out on a stretcher.

[spaldoni]

AWWWWWWW MAN! Hennig and Hall get the raw deal. What a bummer.

Los Mega Stars are on a roll. 

HTM cant get counted out but takes a cheap DQ win. Johnson must be beyond frustrated. 

The RnR /California Connection matches are so much fun. 

Nikita continues to look dominant as he gets a nice win over Link.

Hennig and Hall's troubles continue as dad Larry takes the fall against Percy's men. 

Great main event that ends in chaos. It's cool seeing Piper fill in for Flair until he gets back. It just adds so much to their feud with Landel. 

Those fans were lucky to witness that crazy lights out match between Rich and Sawyer. What a brutal brawl. Slater helps Buzz get the win. Oh man I would love to see Slater and Sawyer team up against Rich and a partner. Awesome stuff! 

[kevinmcfl]

WOW... what a twist.  I had no idea where you were going with this even as I read it.  The crowd must have went nuts when the Russians got the belts back.

Enjoying the Soul Man/HTM feud

Johhny V has established quite a crew and he is always in the middle of it!  Nice match by the California Connection against the RnR Express

Piper is like claw in your hands.... he is going to be a Superstar

Slater & Sawyer are one tough duo.  Rich needed to be in the opener again like the other night so he had some friends left in the building to save him from a bad beating.

[GeneJackson95]

Since I'm running a few days late I'm going to go ahead and post this week's tv without the pics and what not, hopefully next week I can get back to normal

 

AWA Championship Wrestling

Recorded: April 10, 1985

Airing: Saturday April 18, 1985 nationwide on ESPN

The Tropicana Hotel & Casino

Atlantic City, New Jersey

 

(the show opens with highlights of the mayhem from the end of last week's show where Hall/Hennig nearly had The Long Riders defeated when Austin Idol/Buddy Landel hit the ring and attacked Hall and Hennig until Roddy Piper hit the ring with a chair to make the save as the show went off the air……we then go to the opening video and then to our host, Larry Nelson)

 

Nelson: "Hello and welcome to AWA Championship Wrestling and you just saw the craziness that took place last week at the end of the show, what you didn't see was all the craziness that took place in Peoria and Milwaukee, AWA President Stanley Blackburn has ruled that the AWA World Tag Team title situation will not be discussed here on television, I can only tell you that Ivan Koloff and Krusher Kruschev are still your AWA World Tag Team Champions.  Also Mr. Blackburn has ruled due to all the chaos that took place during and after our main event last week no one involved in that match will be here this week on location…..now we will be hearing via videotape from the Pringle Dynasty and we'll also be hearing from Ric Flair who is currently at home convalescing from the injuries suffered at the hands of Percy Pringle's Pringle Dynasty.  Despite all that we will have plenty of action for you this week as we'll be seeing highlights from Tokyo, Japan of Stan Hansen defending the AWA World title against Jumbo Tsuruta, we'll also see The High Flyers taking on The California Connection in a match where the winners will get a shot at the Rock & Roll Express next week on tv for the AWA North American tag team titles…..all that and a lot more but right now let's get down to ringside with Rod Trongard and Lord James Blears."

=========================

Match #1:

Dino Bravo pinned Randy Watson following a 'gut wrench suplex'

=========================

(Ken Resnick is at ringside with Wendi Richter and Capt. Lou Albano)

Resnick: "Wendi Richter, you've said since you arrived here in the AWA that you want a shot at the AWA Ladies Championship and so far you've been ignored….Sherri Martel hasn't acknowledged your challenge up til now but recently you've pinned Sherri Martel in some tag team matches and you feel you can no longer be ignored."

 

Richter: "That's right Ken, how can you not give a title shot to the only woman in the company that's defeated you?

Albano: "There's no disputing this Ken Resnick…..it's indisputable….Wendi Richter has pinned Sherri….she's proven she can beat the champion so there's no reason on earth that my girl Wendi here shouldn't be the Ladies Champion as we speak!"

(Johnny V and Sherri Martel stroll down to ringside)

 

Valiant: "I’m sorry Ken Resnick but what is this fat troll out here babbling about?"

 

Albano: "My girl Wendi Richter should get a shot at Sherri Martel's Ladies title….it's indisputable…it can't be disputed."

 

Martel: "Listen Albano, you fat sow! First of all just because she got lucky in some random meaningless tag team match….it doesn't mean she deserves a title match so shut your stupid mouth!"

Richter: "Sherri, just admit it….you're scared of me and you know good and well if you have to face me you'll lose your belt!"

 

Valiant: (steps towards Wendi) "Listen honey…Sherri will give you a title shot….but it's going to be a big deal when you face each other….Sherri wants to make the most money possible when she beats you…..so here's the deal, sweetheart.  None of these goofs in the crowd know this but the AWA has a huge show coming to Minneapolis on May 31st….and if you sign the dotted line…THAT is when you can get a title shot."

 

Richter: "That's over a month away, but hey….if that's what it takes…..then that's fine by me….show me a contract and I'll sign it."

 

Valiant: "Unfortunately, I don't just carry contracts around with me….however we can make it official with a handshake."

(Sherri puts her hand out…and Wendi shakes it……as that's happening Johnny V charges towards Albano ramming him into the ring post….as Wendi turns to check on Lou, Sherri nails her in the back of the head with the championship belt…leaving Wendi laid out on the floor next to Albano who is bleeding)

==========================

COMMMERCIALS

==========================

Match #2:

"Mad Dog" Buzz Sawyer & "Dirty" Dick Slater defeated Frank Reynolds/Buck Spivey when Sawyer pinned Reynolds after a splash from the top rope

 

After the match: Buzz Sawyer grabs a microphone and looks right into the camera yelling
"TOMMY RICH.…WHEREEVER YOU ARE..STAY THERE!! YOU HAVE NO FRIENDS….YOU HAVE NO ALLIES….WE WON'T STOP UNTIL WE END YOUR CAREER!!!"

============================

Rod Trongard says that we are now going to the home of 'Nature Boy' Ric Flair.

 

(Ric Flair is sitting in his home on a couch, his head is bandaged and his right arm is in a sling)

Flair: "It pains me to say that I underestimated Percy Pringle and his band of cowards……they did a number on me….they really did and now because I let that happen….my good friend Roddy Piper is out there getting double teamed because every time he tries to wrestle one of these cowards, the other interferes….so Piper got mad and told Stanley Blackburn that if he has to fight them both then just put them both in the ring in front of him so he doesn't have to watch his back…..Well Hot Rod, I'll do you one better my friend….I convinced Stanley Blackburn to make it a tag team match…because I've got more than one friend…..and I just happen to have a good friend visiting me here today who said he's more than happy to fly to Detroit and team with ol' Hot Rod."

(the camera pulls back to reveal Blackjack Mulligan sitting at the other end of the couch)

BJM: "That's right Naitch! I'll be more than happy to take care of those beach blonde sissies! Buddy Landel, we're no strangers and Austin Idol…you damn sure know who I am as well.  Oh and don’t think I forgot about you, Percy….I'm gonna bring my boy Kendall to be in our corner to make sure you don't stick your pudgy little nose in the match……and if there's anything left when we get done with you two…..then Naitch can have the rest when he gets back!"

 

Flair: "I LOVE IT! So get ready boys! You've got 'Rowdy' Roddy Piper and Blackjack Mulligan coming for ya and I wouldn't wanna be you for anything in this world….WOOOOOOO!"

(END VTR)

============================

Match #3:

The Killer Bees (B. Brian Blair/Brad Armstrong) defeated The Hammer Brothers (Jack/Sledge) when Blair pinned Jack with a sunset flip

=============================

(Larry Nelson is backstage)

Nelson: "The footage you saw earlier from Ric Flair was sent to the Pringle Dynasty, this was their response."

 

(VTR: Percy Pringle/Austin Idol/Buddy Landel are inside a limo)

PP3: "We crippled Ric Flair and his career is over….let's put that out there first."

Landel: "That's exactly right Percy, so let me get this straight….we took out Ric Flair, Roddy Piper is so scared of us he has to bring a weapon so he doesn't have to fight us man to man….and now he's called up his buddy this big dumb cowboy Flapjack Mulligan or whatever and I guess we're supposed to be scared?  Do you understand I'm the North American Heavyweight Champion?  That means, I won a fancy belt that proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that I'm the best wrestler in the ENTIRE continent of North America and you think that we're supposed to shake in our boots because you went out and got the real live version of Yosemite Sam to team up with that skirt wearing bagpipe playing loser Rodney Piper…..oh and I almost forgot the kicker…..their bringing Ken Doll Windham to be in their corner to supposedly 'take care' of Percy Pringle…..well I got news for you Flapjack, that beanpole you call a son won't stand a chance against ol' Hard Body Percy Pringle, ain't that right Idol?"

Idol: "It's pretty humorous honestly as Ric Flair sits at home all busted up by us…..he has to call in favors from his buddies because he's not able to get the job done himself…..so he sits at home and expects somebody else to do it for him.  That's fine Flair, bring them on…..bring them all on….Blackjack Mulligan and his anorexic kid can end up on the couch with you for good…with their own slings, casts, bandages, and whatever else the hospital gives them when we send them there.  We are not like the rest of these guys…..this isn't Paul Jones or Johnny Valiant over here….this is Percival Pringle the third! We are what we say we are…..we are a Dynasty…..the best of the best….we'll be waiting in Detroit….so bring it on and let's see what you got, Cowboy!"

 

PP3: "You see there Ric Flair, my guys are ready…..we fear no one least of all you or any of your so called friends….as for Kendall Windham, you put your hands on me and I won't be responsible for the consequences!"

Landel: "Calm down Percy, we know what happens when you get angry and I promise the people watching this tv show don't want to have to see that…..I'm sure they see enough of that in the trailer park they live in…..or the inner city slum or whatever unfortunate living situation I'm sure your in……you don't ride around in limos like the real Nature Boy, Buddy Landel. You don't know what it's like to be a champion…..in closing just let me say that I hate you Ric Flair and I hope you never wrestle again….Rodney Piper, you’re a crossdresser and a nobody in this business compared to us and you're going to wish you minded your own business…..and Flapjack Mulligan, it's time someone put you out to pasture….and we're just the guys to do it…..Ken Doll Windham, go eat a sandwich….and Larry Nelson, brush your hair you look like a homeless panhandler."

(END VTR)

=============================

COMMERCIALS

=============================
Match #4:

The Honky Tonk Man w/Col. Johnny V defeated Parker Williams after a swinging neckbreaker

 

(Ken Resnick approaches HTM and Johnny V following his match)

 

Resnick: "Honky Tonk Man, in your first match with Rocky Johnson you got yourself counted out, in your rematch, Johnny V came in and purposely got you disqualified…this Wednesday in Detroit…Stanley Blackburn has signed a no disqualification, no count out, lumberjack match between Rocky Johnson and yourself….there will be no escape."

 

HTM: "Listen here Ken Resnick, has the Honky Tonk Man ever said I'm the toughest FIGHTER in the AWA?"

Resnick: "I don't guess so."

HTM: "That's right Ken Resnick because I'm not a fighter.  I don't box, I don't brawl.  I'm an entertainer and a professional WRESTLER!  Every time I step in the ring with this Rocky Johnson, he's throwing punches and trying to street fight because that's what he is….a thug, a street fighter….he's not an entertainer like me that can sing and dance……he's not a trained technical rassler such as myself…..but if he insists that I lower myself to his level……then so be it.  I tried to take the high road with you SOUL MAN….gimme a break, the only sole you've got is on the bottom of your shoes Rocky Johnson……you wanna fight, then let's fight Rocky….just remember when it's over….you asked for this….be careful what you ask for…because once I get going on you Johnson, it'll be too late to say 'don't be cruel' and you'll find yourself a loser down at the end of lonely street at….what's that place called Colonel?"

 

Valiant: "Oh I believe it's called…..Heartbreak Hotel…"

 

HTM: "You know it is Colonel, and I think we better get outta here cause Ken Resnick looks….all shook up."

(HTM and Johnny V leave)

Resnick: "I can't wait to see Rocky pummel him again….now let's take a look at 'the Russian Nightmare' Nikita Koloff's insane training regimen."

=============================

A training montage is shown of Nikita Koloff over in Moscow during his time on suspension

=============================

Match #5:

(Footage from Tokyo Japan)

AWA World Championship

Stan 'the Lariat' Hansen defeated Jumbo Tsuruta by pinfall with the lariat after a very hard hitting action with some very near falls back and forth

(After the match, Hansen yells in the camera, "Come try to get this belt, Nicky")

=============================

COMMERCIALS

=============================

Stanley Blackburn says at this time it was scheduled to be the Fiesta Garden with special guest Mr. Fuji, but due to Al Madril and Chicky Starr's unprovoked attack on the Samoans in Peoria last week they've been suspended from television for three weeks.  However, for the next two weeks beginning with next week's episode….replacing the Fiesta Garden will be……..PIPER'S PIT!"

=============================

Match #6:

MAIN EVENT

Winners will get a shot at the North American Tag Team Titles

The California Connection (John Tatum/Eric Embry) w/Johnny V. defeated The High Flyers (Greg Gagne/Jim Brunzell) when Johnny V tripped Gagne allowing Embry to then roll him up with a handful of tights for the win

 

Trongard: "Good grief, this week was like the Johnny V show….he was all over the place!"

 

Blears: "He certainly was, but it will be interesting to see what happens when Sherri has to face Wendi Richter and Honky Tonk Man has to take on Rocky Johnson in this Lumberjack match."

 

Trongard: "Next week we'll see if his team can take the titles from the Rock & Roll Express….so long from the Tropicana Casino here in Atlantic City!"

 

 

© 1985 American Wrestling Association

[GeneJackson95]

American Wrestling Association

House Show

Detroit, Michigan

Wednesday April 22, 1985

Bell time: 7:30pm

 

Dino Bravo defeated The Detroit Destroyer by submission with a bearhug

 

The Great Kabuki w/Mr. Fuji defeated Brickhouse Brown with the 'Oriental Spike'

 

Mr. Olympia defeated Chicky Starr w/TNT by DQ when Al Madril interfered, Madril/Starr/TNT attacked Oympia until Dino Bravo ran in to make the save

 

The Killer Bees (B. Brian Blair/Brad Armstrong defeated The PYT Express (Koko Ware/Norvell Austin) when Armstrong pinned Austin after a 'Russian Leg Sweep'

 

No DQ/No Count Out

LUMBERJACK MATCH

The Honky Tonk Man w/Col. Johnny V defeated Rocky Johnson by pinfall after Great Kabuki (who was one of the Lumberjacks) sprayed green mist into the eyes of Johnson allowing HTM to pin him with a school boy roll up and a handful of tights

 

RETURN GRUDGE MATCH

Curt Hennig/"Big" Scott Hall w/Larry Hennig defeated The Long Riders (Bill/Scott Irwin) w/Percy Pringle when Hall pinned Bill Irwin after a powerslam

 

SEMI-MAIN EVENT

"The Russian Nightmare" Nikita Koloff w/#1 Paul Jones defeated "Chief" Wahoo McDaniel in 8 seconds after charging across the ring at the opening bell nailing Wahoo with a 'Russian Sickle' and scoring a pinfall

 

MAIN EVENT

TAG TEAM GRUDGE MATCH

Blackjack Mulligan/Roddy Piper w/Kendall Windham defeated The Pringle Dynasty (Austin Idol/Buddy Landel) w/Percy Pringle by DQ when the Long Riders interfered which brought out Curt Hennig/Scott to make the save

[Blehschmidt]

Firstly, nice work on the delayed Dusty Finish with the Tag Team Titles. Making fans in multiple towns suffer!

Loved Sherri and Johnny V getting the best of Wendi and Albano. That'll get some heat on them, and making Richter wait for the shot adds even more.

Sawyer and Slater is just a nasty team. When they decide to stick their noses in the tag team title picture, that will be fun. In the mean time, Tommy Rich had better be finding some serious back up.

Flair introducing Mulligan as his replacement is good stuff, and Blackjack bringing Kendall to counter Percy is a good move. That could produce some fun WTF matches.

The Buddy/Idol/Percy trio is gold, and your interviews for them are one of the big highlights of the show. This makes me want to see Percy and Kendall go one on one even more!

Damn, then you follow all of that goodness with a great Honky promo. You mentioned in my thread that you wished you could write out matches like I do, but with the ability you have for knocking out promo's for everyone, who gives a shit about the matches.

I hope to see a counter for the Nikita training video that is Hansen running up a snowy mountain but instead of yelling Drago he just does his usual throw up the longhorns and yell.

As much as I hate not to see the Fiesta Garden, I can't wait to see what you do with Piper's Pit.

Embry and Tatum against Ricky and Robert....ummm...Yes Please!

 

Holy Shit! Nikita blitzes Wahoo. If people weren't paying attention before, they better be now.

Main event ends in chaos. When Flair gets back, all hell is going to break loose.

 

Good Stuff Gene! Like Always.

[spaldoni]

Man I cant wait for the Sherri/Richter match! It's been built up so well and it will be a big deal. Sherri and Valiant draw first blood but Wendi will be back with a vengeance. 

Sawyer and Slater are one brutal team. Rich better find a partner and quick.

Nice segment with Flair at home and it gets better as he brings in Blackjack! 

HAHAHAHA! Landel gets better and better. So many great lines. Flapjack, Ken Doll, Rodney LOL. He's a highlight every week. 

HTM gives a very entertaining promo. Him and Valiant are perfect for each other.

Really liked the highlights of the Hansen/Tsuruta match from Japan. It really seemed special. Hansen looks more than ready for Nikita.

California Connection defeat the High Flyers and get a title shot next week. Cant wait for another RnR/C.C. match. 

Oh and next week we get PIPERS PIT!!!!!! AWESOME!!! 

Onto Detroit,

Looks like Olympia has found an ally in Dino Bravo to go against Chicky and Madril.

Thanks to Kabuki, HTM finally gets a win over Johnson. Kabuki better be ready for the Soul Man.

Hall and Hennig get a nice payback win over the Long Riders.

WOW! Nikita puts Wahoo down in 8 seconds! I said Hansen was ready for Nikita but Nikita is on a path of destruction. This match is going to be MONEY!! 

The fans in Detroit witnessed one hell of a main event as Piper and Mulligan get the DQ win over the Dynasty. This feud keeps elevating and I'm looking forward to more. 

Great job!