National Wrestling Alliance

[spaldoni]

Fighting for pride seemed to work for Cooley as he gets a satisfying win over Fuller.

I really enjoyed the Wahoo/Lightfoot feud and I'm glad we're going to get part 2. 

After that match with Kamala, Garvin deserved to win the block. In 1988, Garvin was still a top tier name, so I could see him taking on Tully at Starrcade. 

I was hoping Whatley would get a title shot soon. 

[kevinmcfl]

I think we all bought into Kamala because of the visual of him flying off the top rope with the Air Africa but you made the right choice with Garvin.  Either way, Manny or Orton vs Garvin is going to be fun.  

[Autistic Dragon]

From the Robins Center in Richmond VA.

Previously recorded & airing on 10/21/88 on the USA Network.

On Commentary: Gordon Solie 

Ring announcer/interviews: Sean Moony

"Gorgeous" Jimmy Garvin w/Precious vs "The Gatekeeper" Jimmy Golden w/"The Mastermind" Ron Fuller 

The two men at the bottom of the block start us off tonight and you can tell both men feel they have something to prove. At one point Fuller gets into a shouting match with Precious and even starts advancing towards her but Jimmy takes him out with a sliding dropkick. Golden tries to take advantage by rolling Garvin into an inside cradle but Garvin shifts his weight so he ends up on top and this gets him the three.

"The Doctor of Desire" Tom Prichard vs The Super Destroyer w/"Number One" Paul Jones 

The crowd was fully behind Prichard as he looked to give The Freebirds a perfect end to Block B. It was not to be however as a loaded headbutt gave the victory to Jones' masked enforcer.

"Raging Bull" Manny Fernandez vs "The Ace" Bob Orton w/JJ Dillon 

This match decides the block with the winner advancing to Fright Night. We see a pretty engaging contrast of styles with Orton trying to steer the match into a more technical direction and Fernandez opting to just try to beat the Horseman senseless. He seems to be doing just that when JJ gets up on the apron allowing Brad Anderson to run in from the crowd and into the ring. Fernandez intercepts him with a "Flying Burrito" that knocks him out of the ring but that leaves him open for a lariat from Orton. The Ace isn't taking any chances and manages to get the big man on the ropes for a Super-plex punching his ticket to the finals.

Bob Caudle runs down the final card for Fright Night.

Richmond Coliseum in Richmond VA.

Main Event. Starrcade Series finals.

"Rugged" Ron Garvin vs "The Ace" Bob Orton w/JJ Dillon

NWA United States Title. If Debeers gets counted out or disqualified he loses the title.

Col Debeers(c) vs Junkyard Dog

3 on 2 Chicago Street Fight.

The Road Warriors (Hawk & Animal) vs The Beasts of Burden (Rip Morgan & Nord the Barbarian) & "The Notorious" Ox Baker 

NWA Heritage Title.

"Pitbull Kerry Brown (c) vs "Black Bullet" Shaska Whatley w/"Number One" Paul Jones

Special Challenge match.

Brett "Hack" Sawyer vs "The Latin Heartthrob" Al Perez 

Four corners elimination match. Winners challenge for the NWA United States Tag Team Titles at Starrcade.

The Renegade Warriors (Chris & Mark Youngblood) vs The Sheepherders (Butch Miller & Luke Williams) w/"Number One" Paul Jones vs The Zero Fighters (Keiichi Yamada Hiroshi Hase) vs The Samoan Island Tribe (Fatu & Alofa)

[LastStopTour]

Orton punches Manny's ticket and wins the block. Orton versus Ronnie Garvin was not what I envisioned in the very beginning when Kamala was running roughshod on everyone but it should be a very good and solid finals. I'm thinking Garvin takes it.

Fright Night has the potential to be a very good one.

[Control21]

Ron Garvin vs Bob Orton is a great finale to the Starrcade Series. Fright Night looks solid from top to bottom. Looking forward to the Four Corners elimination match. I'm rooting for the Zero Fighters myself.

[spaldoni]

Jimmy Jam and The Super D end things on a high note. 

Manny looked strong but the Ace pulls it out to win the block. 

Fright Night is loaded! Garvin vs. Orton is a fantastic match up. These guys can go technical or get nasty. I'm looking forward to it. After a great series, whoever wins this one will have a tidal wave of momentum heading into Starrcade.

All the Fright Night matches have been built up well. You always give us solid pay offs. Can't wait! 

[kevinmcfl]

Nice to see Orton get a chance to shine in our game.  I think he was awesome in his time.

Really excited for Fright Night!

[LowBlowPodcast]

I echo a lot of what's been said... I am pulling for Orton now... never been a big rugged ronnie fan but he may have the power of the punch in his corner. I also love the idea of the 4 corners match... I believe Mid South had done some of these by this time IRL so its definitely ahead of the curve. The 3 on 2 Street Fight is right up the Road Warriors Ally... pun intended.

[Autistic Dragon]

October 28, 1988

Richmond Coliseum, Richmond VA

The National Wrestling Alliance presents... FRIGHT NIGHT!

Four Corners Elimination match. Winn challenge for the NWA United States Tag Team Titles at Starrcade.

Order of elimination.

The Renegade Warriors are eliminated when Alofa pins Chris with a Samoan drop.

The Samoan Island Tribe are eliminated when Hiroshi Hase makes Fatu submit to the "Scorpion Death Lock".

The Zero Fighters are eliminated when Paul Jones shoves Yamada off the top allowing the Sheepherders to hit a double gutbuster.

Winners: The Sheepherders

Special Challenge match.

Brett "Hack" Sawyer defeats "The Latin Heartthrob" Al Perez. Perez had Sawyer in position for the German suplex but Sawyer grabbed Theodore Long's shirt which distracted him enough to miss Sawyer delivering a mule kick. Perez understandably lets go which allows Sawyer to hit his own German suplex for the win.

NWA Heritage Title.

"Pitbull" Kerry Brown defeats "Black Bullet" Shaska Whatley w /"Number One" Paul Jones after botched interference from Jones lead to a Powerbomb to retain the title. Interestingly, The Super Destroyer came down to help Whatley to the back but not before having a staredown with Brown.

3-2 Chicago Street Fight.

In a violent, bloody brawl The Road Warriors (Hawk & Animal) defeat The Beasts of Burden (Rip Morgan & Nord the Barbarian) "The Notorious" Ox Baker after delivering the "Doomsday Device" to Baker through a table! As the Road Warriors celebrate with the fans, The Beasts of Burden pull themselves up and, seeing their manager failing to do the same, leave without him.

Col Debeers interrupts the introductions declaring that the match cannot take place as referee Theodore Long is CLEARLY conspiring with the Junkyard Dog. When asked what proof he could possibly have, Debeers replies that "thugs and hoodlums of this nature will always stick together." Hearing this Jim Crockett Jr(who's been at ringside all night) gets in the ring and says Debeers has two options. He can either fulfill his contractual obligations and defend his title or he can forfeit at which point the title will be awarded to JYD. Debeers is apoplectic but finally relents.

NWA United States Title. If Debeers loses by count-out or disqualification he loses the title.

Col Debeers(c) vs Junkyard Dog ends in a double disqualification. They keep brawling after the bell and it takes the entire security team to separate them. Something has to be done here.

Before the main event, it was announced that Starrcade would air live on pay per view on Thanksgiving night, November 23rd from The Omni in Atlanta Georgia!

1988 Starrcade Series Final.

"Rugged" Ron Garvin defeats "The Ace" Bob Orton w/JJ Dillon. After a gripping bout in which both men showed their full range as both wrestlers and brawlers, Orton seemed to be on the verge of hitting his trademark Super-plex. Garvin manages to shove him off the top rope and when Orton slowly gets up, Garvin goes for his top rope sunsetflip. Orton isn't "The Ace" for nothing however and manages to grab Garvin's legs and drop down for a count of 2.9999. They put some distance between them as they pull themselves up only for Orton to come charging for a lariat which Garvin ducks. Orton comes back around for another attempt only to run directly into the "Hands of Stone" punch. Garvin collapses on top for the 1...2...3! Ron Garvin is going to Starrcade! 

[Control21]

What a remarkable story for Ron Garvin as he comes back from the brink to win the A block and beats Bob Orton in the final! I'm sure Ron Garvin's fans are very pleased. 

Zero Fighters came close to winning but the Sheepherders were just one step ahead. I smell a "rematch" brewing at some point.

Road Warriors come away with a great win over the Beasts of Burden in a brawl that gave the fans their money's worth. I was a Road Warriors mark as a kid (I got their replica chest plate once...) so it's always good to see them do well here.

Speaking of guys I like to see do well, Junkyard Dog is giving Col. Deebers some fits!

Can't wait for Starrcade on Thanksgiving night! Should be a great event.

 

 

[spaldoni]

The Sheepherders kick things off and earn their shot at Starrcade. Violent Sheepherders were always fun to watch. These guys were crazy. 

Sawyer wins round one, but I think Perez will be back for another round. 

Pitbull retains but he may now have Super D to deal with. If memory serves, didn't these guys have quite a feud last year? 

That finish by the Road Warriors will be an NWA highlight for years to come. 

After what just happened, Debeers and JYD might be heading for a huge blow off at Starrcade. 

Speaking of Starrcade, the Omni gets to host. 

After an amazing series, Garvin walks away as the victor. Props to Orton for being on his A game. You told a great story here and Garvin is a true Cinderella story. Tully vs. Garvin will deliver. Looking forward to their build. 

Starrcade is being set up so well. Great job! 

 

[kevinmcfl]

Highlight for my was the heat that Col DeBeers would have gotten with that promo about Long and JYD!  Great booking.

Can't wait for Starrcade!

[Autistic Dragon]

From the Civic Center in Roanoke VA.

Previously recorded & airing on 11/4/88 on the USA Network.

On Commentary: Gordon Solie 

Ring announcer/Interviews: Sean Moony

Match #1

Doug Gilbert vs "The Thoroughbred" Tommy Cairo w/"The Mastermind" Ron Fuller

Gilbert's Law Men and co-Six man tag team champion Wendell Cooley pinned Robert Fuller in the final night of the Starrcade Series A block and that seems to have lit a fire in the Stud Stable. The two factions have been facing off around the loop and tonight it comes to TV.  The two put on a fun Southern flavored opener. Gilbert climbs the ropes looking for something big but Cairo grabs the refs attention allowing Fuller to shove Gilbert off and he lands throat first on the top rope. Cairo capitalizes with the "Bucking" (Ally Oop) for the three. Fuller hands Cairo Gilbert's title and the two heels pose with it to a chorus of boos.

Match #2

Junkyard Dog defeats The Red Cyclone with the "Thump".

JYD joins Mooney and cuts right to the point. He's sick and tired of Debeers finding some way to slip through his fingers so he went directly to the matchmakers and they signed a match where it's impossible for Debeers to escape. It's JYD vs Debeers for the US title at Starrcade.....in a Dog Collar match!

Match #3

Angel of Death defeats Rick Sanchez with the "Death Sentence".

Match #4

The Road Warriors (Hawk & Animal) vs The Samoan Island Tribe (Fatu & Alofa)

The Samoans don't back down leading to a at times chaotic slugfest with the massive Alofa in particular withstanding some hard shots from the Road Warriors. Still the Legion of Doom is on a massive roll and Fatu finally goes down to the "Doomsday Device". After their hands are raised, Hawk grabs the mic and says he and Animal and calling those "two little horsey boys" Anderson and Race to put the tag titles on the line at Starrcade!

Match #5

"World's Strongest Man Bill Kazmaier defeats Herbert Walker with a running powerslam.

The Four Horsemen are out in force for a interview with Mooney. Dillon says Garvin getting past Orton was the fluke of the century and he'd have a better chance finding ice in the Sahara and then beating the World champion. Blanchard adds that it's a disgrace that a man of his class and stature has to defend the most prestigious prize in wrestling against a "blue-collar bum no better than the sweathogs in the stands". When asked about the Road Warriors challenge Race says "painted up goofs" like them are the reason people can't take wrestling seriously. Ole agrees and says that's why it'll feel so good when they take out those embarrassments to the sport old school style.

Match #6

The New Breed (Sean Royal & Chris Champion) defeat The Cardinals with the "Wave of the Future".

Main Event.

"Rugged" Ron Garvin vs "Chief" Wahoo McDaniel 

Wahoo was the only man to actually defeat Garvin during the Starrcade Series and requested a rematch which Garvin accepted. Solie muses how the main event of Starrcade could be affected if Wahoo can defeat Garvin again. The chops reverberate throughout the building as the two men go to town on each other. We almost get a repeat of their Starrcade Series match when Wahoo once again counters a sunsetflip into a pin attempt but this Garvin summons a burst of strength allowing him to pull McDaniel back, completing the sunsetflip and holding the struggling Chief down for three. Wahoo is frustrated but accepts a handshake before raising Garvin's hand. As he's doing that, Joe Lightfoot runs down, slides into the ring and hitting him from behind with the "War club" and ditching before anyone can react. The show ends with Garvin and officials checking on the downed Wahoo.

[Autistic Dragon]

Taped before Main Event in the Civic Center. 

Originally airing on 11/5/88 on the USA Network.

On Commentary: Bob Caudle & David Crockett.

"British Magician Steve Wright defeats B.T Express with the "Octopus Hold".

"Crippler" Chris Benoit defeats The Pearl with a "Dragon" suplex.

"Pretty" Paul Roma defeats The Black Scorpion with a diving elbow drop.

Main event.

The Beasts of Burden (Rip Morgan & Nord the Barbarian) defeat Buffalo Soldiers (Ranger Ross & Brickhouse Brown). The Beasts may have severed their connection but they didn't come to this match alone as The Assassin was following close behind. He was also instrumental to their victory hitting Brown with a "loaded" headbutt.

In other news....

It's announced that at Starrcade Sean Moony will be holding a special interview with the latest major signing for the NWA.

[spaldoni]

You've done a great job putting importance on the 6-Man titles. I've enjoyed a lot of fun programs surrounding those titles. Stud Stable vs. Lawmen should be a good one. 

JYD vs. Debeers in a dog collar match? Bring it on! This has been one of the top feuds in our game. What a blow off this will be at Starrcade. 

Well, if there's a team that can give the Road Warriors a fight, it's definitely Race and Anderson. 

Tully calling Garvin a blue collar bum had me cracking up. People will pay just to watch Garvin give Tully a pounding. 

Speaking of Garvin, he gets his win over Wahoo. However, the big story is Lightfoot rekindling his feud with Wahoo. 

Ox is out and Assassin is in. Not a bad replacement for the Beasts. 

I wonder who the newest acquisition in the NWA will be. We'll find out at Starrcade. 

 

 

 

[kevinmcfl]

I agree with Spaldoni about the importance you've put on the 6-Man title and this is right out of the NWA playbook.  Great booking.

Nice job getting us ready for Starrcade.  Can't wait.

 

[LowBlowPodcast]

The Rock of the Dawn of War... consistency is king and now you've got so much to look forward to. I personally love the six-man titles but damn I always screw it up after I bring the titles in. Starrcade is going to be a big event and a turning point for the promotion. who will bring NWA into the final year of the 80s.... will the Road Warriors still be the top team in the world... there's a lot to be had here and some intriguing storylines to end one year and kick off a new one.

[LastStopTour]

Joe Lightfoot is still around to torment Wahoo. A win over Garvin would have been big for him.

Starrcade should be a good one. Will be interested to see who Sean Moony is welcoming to the NWA.

[Autistic Dragon]

From the Huntington Civic Center in Huntington WV.

Previously recorded & airing on 11/11/88 on the USA Network.

On Commentary: Gordon Solie 

Interviews: Sean Moony

Match #1

"Sweet Music Man Billy Joe Travis vs "The California Stud" Rod Price w/"The Mastermind" Ron Fuller 

Price certainly gave Travis some trouble hitting him with a number of power moves and clubbing blows. His inexperience proved his undoing however as he ducked down a little too early going for a backbody drop allowing Travis to hit the "Just a swingin" neckbreaker out of nowhere for the win. An irate Fuller nails Travis with a big boot and though Price lost, the Studs left with smiles on their faces.

Match #2

The Beasts of Burden "Rip Morgan & Nord the Barbarian" w/The Assassin defeat Robert Tuttle & Don Pearlman with the double big boot to Pearlman.

The Assassin leads his beast to join a nervous Moony. The masked man says that, while he personally has all the respect in the world for Ox Baker, he was wielding the Beasts with the bluntness of a sledgehammer. A weapon of this destructive potential needs to be used with intelligence and precision and he, The Assassin is the man most capable of doing just that. Make no mistake he says, under his precise and disciplined guidance the Beasts of Burden will march to the top of the tag team division.

Match #3

"British Magician" Steve Wright defeats Nate Riddle with the "Octopus Hold"

Match #4

NWA Heritage Champion "Pitbull" Kerry Brown & "World's Strongest Man" Bill Kazmaier vs The Paul Jones Army (The Super Destroyer & Kamala) w/"Number One" Paul Jones & Friday

This was an all-out brawl that threatened to get thrown out on several occasions. Brown and Super D end up brawling out of the ring and up the ramp leaving Kazmaier to fall victim to "Air Africa".

Match #5

Super Strong Machine defeats The Great Khan with the "Devil Windmill" suplex.

A video plays detailing the rivalry between Wahoo McDaniel and Joe Lightfoot showing the violence these two have inflicted on each other for almost half a year now.

Match #6

"Chief" Joe Lightfoot defeats "Rocking_ Robby Gibson by DQ when Wahoo McDaniel charged the ring and attacked Lightfoot. Chants of "let them fight" echoed throughout the arena as security pulled the two apart.

Main Event.

"Rugged" Ron Garvin vs "Tennessee Stud" Robert Fuller w/"The Mastermind" Ron Fuller

Having gotten his win back against McDaniel last week, Garvin looks to tie up the remaining loose end from the Starrcade Series, his time limit draw against Fuller. Tully Blanchard joined Solie on commentary and spends the entire match running down Garvin. Though those listening will notice that at times his bluster seems to falter at times. Towards the end, Robert throws Garvin to the floor and Ron looks to be lining him up for a big boot while his brother distracts the ref. Before he can though, Billy Joe Travis runs down and breaks his guitar over Ron's back! A smiling Travis leaves through the crowd while Robert is screaming that he's gonna tan Travis' hide. He's so caught up threatening Travis Garvin is able to catch him in a O'Connor roll for the win.

As Garvin's hand is being raised, Blanchard leaves the commentary desk and climbs in the ring with the World title. When Garvin turns around Blanchard goes to hit him with the belt but Garvin ducks just in time. Blanchard turns around to try again but the champ runs right into the "Hands of Stone" punch! The show ends with Garvin standing tall over the downed champion.

[Autistic Dragon]

Taped at the Huntington Civic Center before Main Event.

Originally airing on 11/12/88 on the USA Network.

On Commentary: Bob Caudle & David Crockett 

Jason the Terrible defeats The Enforcer with a diving headbutt.

Buffalo Soldiers (Ranger Ross & Brickhouse Brown) defeat The Fallen Angels with the "Buffalo Stampede" on Angel #1.

"Wildcat" Wendell Cooley defeats The Mongolian Mauler with a running bulldog.

Main event.

Hawk defeats NWA World Tag Team Champion Ole Anderson w/JJ Dillon by DQ when Brad Anderson broke up a pin following a top rope clothesline by Hawk. The Road Warrior flattened Brad with a powerslam as the show ends.

In other news...

Due to the brewing tension between the two groups, it's announced that the Stud Stable will challenge the Lawmen for the NWA World Six Man Tag Team Titles at Starrcade.

After months of hatred and brutality it's announced the feud between Wahoo McDaniel and Joe Lightfoot will come to an end at Starrcade in a Indian Death match! No disqualification, no count-outs, falls count anywhere in the Omni floor and the loser will leave the NWA!

[Control21]

Wahoo McDaniel vs Loe Lightfoot sounds like it is going to be a war. 

Ron Garvin looks set to take the title from Blanchard. Will it happen?

[spaldoni]

The Stud Stable and Lawmen feud escalates and now we get the big 6 man title match for Starrcade.

The Assassin has rejuvenated the Beasts. 

I'm hoping we get a Brown/Super D title match for Starrcade. 

One of the best feuds in the game has been Wahoo and Lightfoot. After all the violence, we're going to get an epic blow off at Starrcade. 

Garvin ties up all loose ends from the Series and then puts Tully down with the hands of stone punch! 

Hawk sends a strong message to the champs. 

You're build to Starrcade has been a wild ride. It reminds me of the awesome 80s Starrcade's IRL. Great job! 

[LastStopTour]

Wahoo and Lightfoot is going to end the only way it can with an Indian Death match.

Blanchard/Garvin is going to be a good one.

[kevinmcfl]

Great use of your tv shows to sell tickets to your biggest event of the year.  I think the Tully-Garvin match is going to be awesome.  Tully is the man right now but at times in his career, Garvin was really over and I could see the NWA using him to get those big crowds all over the Mid-Atlantic.

Wahoo-Lightfoot.  I think that this is one of those feuds that makes Dawn of War and fantasy wrestling so much fun.  In real life, I think Wahoo was much higher up the totem pole then Lightfoot but here, with your patience and development, you have made this a match that is unpredictable.  Nice work!

I also like all the other wrestlers getting a nice push but not yet in a major angle.  I read somewhere that many of the 80's promotions liked to have no more than 4 angles.... their top champ and tag champ and then two other random ones while everyone else just wrestled someone else.  I think you are getting everyone quality work where they could, if you wanted, step right into your next big storyline.

[Autistic Dragon]

From the Grady Cole Center in Charlotte NC.

Previously recorded & airing on 11/18/88 on the USA Network.

On Commentary: Gordon Solie

 Ring announcer/Interviews: Sean Moony

Match #1

Firebreaker Chip vs Butch Miller w/"Number One" Paul Jones

Ahead of their match for the United States Tag Team Titles, champions & challengers each send a representative to face each other one on one. Chip certainly has his hands full with the New Zealand madman but hangs in there to Miller's increasing fury. Jones gets irritated with Chips refusal to stay down and winds up with a shot with the New Zealand flag when Miller throws Chip to the floor and the ref struggles to keep him from following. Before Jones can connect however, Todd Champion comes down and rips the flag from the managers grasp. Seeing his flag in the hands of the enemy infuriates Miller causing him to lean through the ropes and start shouting at Champion. This leaves him exposed for Chip to launch himself back into the ring, pulling his opponent into a schoolboy to hold the struggling Sheepherder down for the three. Miller isn't done fighting and with the arrival of Luke Williams, a brawl breaks out between the two teams which needs to be broken up by security.

Match #2

"The Latin Heartthrob" Al Perez defeats "Mean" Bo Greene with a German suplex.

Perez joins Mooney and cuts a promo on his issue with Brett Sawyer.  He says since Sawyer seems to think he's the master of the German suplex then how about whoever loses their match at Starrcade is forbidden to use the move again.

Match #3

Brad Anderson w/Ole Anderson defeats Lewis Masterson with the Fujiwara armbar.

Match #4

"Wildcat" Wendell Cooley vs "The Gatekeeper" Jimmy Golden w/"The Mastermind" Ron Fuller 

These two have met before and we get a fun southern flavored clash between the two. Things get heated and the fight spills to the floor with the two men trading punches past the ref's 10 count. With the two sides split at 1-1-1, the Lawmen and the Stud Stable look to settle things at Starrcade.

Match #5. 

The Super Destroyer w/"Number One" Paul Jones defeats Robert Dutro with the Super-plex.

Jones cuts a promo saying that at Starrcade, his Super Destroyer will put the Pitbull down for good and bring the Heritage Title to the Paul Jones Army.

Match #6

The Junkyard Dog defeats Donald McConnell with the "Thump".

Main Event.

"Rugged" Ron Garvin, "Raging Bull" Manny Fernandez and the Road Warriors (Hawk & Animal) vs The Four Horsemen (Tully Blanchard, Harley Race, Ole Anderson & Bob Orton) w/JJ Dillon

An action packed main event with everyone getting a chance to shine. A pier-six brawl breaks out allowing Brad Anderson to slip into the ring with one of the title belts at ringside and nail Fernandez with it as he had Orton in a sleeper hold. Anderson dives out of the ring and the ref turns around just in time to see Orton covering Fernandez and makes the three count.