CLASSIC AWA AUGUST 30th TV REPORT
- 09/01/2008 (7:49:04 pm)
- Georgiann Makropoulos
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August 30th aired a 1990 episode of Verne Gagne`s AWA All-Star Wrestling. This show was the finals of the Team Challenge Series. Eric Bischoff was joined by Lee Marshall and former world champion Verne Gagne. Marshall said this episode was the culmination of the most exciting and historic day in professional wrestling. Bischoff mentioned that "Rock ``n` Roll" Buck Zumhofe being stitched up would not heal his feelings regarding "Illustrious" Jonnie Stewart busting him open. Gagne said that the finals in the Team Challenge Series gave him a Super Bowl, World Seris and Masters feeling, like never before in professional wrestling. All men gave their predictions. Marshall felt that Diamond Cutters would win, due to Colonel DeBeers taking over leadership from what was originally Sgt. Slaughter`s team, and doing what he said he would do in igniting his team`s new attitude towards the one million dollar jackpot. Eric Bischoff picked Baron Von Raschke`s Blitzers. Bischoff felt that since Baron had been in the lead for most of the Series, that his team would maintain focus and Baron`s guidance would help help for his team to take the big money prize. Verne Gagne said that since he was last to say, he was left in choosing Lazzy Zbyszko`s Legends. Verne went on to say that he was happy to be left with them, because he truly felt though that The Legends would win. He said they were a dark horse team, and Zbyszko could enforce the momentum needed to get the job done. Steve Berg & Tony Denucci versus Tom Bennett & John "Pistol" Pistulka Bennett kneed Denucci in a lock-up, body slam him, but missed with an elbow drop. Dennuci had Bennett yelling, as Denucci arm dragged him and would up on an arm wringer. He then held Bennett`s locked arm for a flying middle rope elbow by a tagged Berg Bennett yelled to one knee, as Berg cranked on the arm twist. Berg flipped Bennett to the mat with a rolling arm grapevine. Berg held the arm, and planted a leg drop on it. Berg kept the arm locked as a tagged Denucci leaped onto to it from the middle rope with a forearm strike. DeNucci twisted, then kneed the arm, until tagging off to Berg for another middle rope elbow. Bennett eye raked for an escape Smashed Berg to the turnbuckle, then a tagged Pistulka smashed Berg to the turnbuckles. Bennett held Berg in the corner, as Pistulka landed with forearms, then rubbed Berg against the top rope. A tagged Bennett clubbed a cornered Berg in the back and stomach. Berg punched back, and took Bennett down with a clothesline. A tagged Denucci whipped Bennett to the ropes for a dropkick, then dropkicked Pistulka away. Pistulka went for a double ax handle on Denucci from behind, but was clotheslined down by Berg. Pistulka and Bennett were Irish whipped to a collision Bennett was powerslammed by Berg, then Denucci climbed to the top turnbuckle fro Berg`s rocket launcher onto a downed Bennett (I guess the referee wavered the AWA top rope rule, that forbid top rope maneuvers on a downed opponent) Denucci covered for the 3 count, ending the match in under four minutes. Colonel DeBeers gave comments backstage for an Eric Bischoff interview. DeBeers said that he had his eye on one million cash prize, adding that he had told the American people what a man of his ability could obtain through leadership. DeBeers said that he turned a bunch of misfits and nobodies into one cohesive unit of contenders, who have brought the money within his grasp. DeBeers said that his Diamond Cutters only had one last obstruction on the way, and intended his team to gain the purse in the Survivor Battle Royal in the finals. The ending of D.J. Peterson and The Trooper`s win over Destruction Crew`s Wayne "The Train" Bloom and "Mean" Mike Enos for AWA world tag team championship replayed. DJ hopped over the top rope, clubbing back Bloom, and taking him to the mat with an off the ropes clothesline. DJ body slammed Bloom, then slammed an incoming Enos. He suplexed Bloom and then Enos. DJ and Trooper tried to whip their opponents for a collision in the center of the ring, but The Crew reversed it. Enos kicked The Trooper form the ring, then assisted Bloom in whipping DJ to the ropes for a double back body drop. The Crew whipped DJ for a double clothesline, then Enos kicked Trooper from the ring. Enos lifted DJ onto his shoulders, and Bloom stood on the top turnbuckle. He hesitated, and Trooper reached out to Bloom`s foot, causing him to flip to the mat. While on Enos` shoulders, DJ forward rolled Enos to the mat, and cradled his legs for the 3 count and new world tag team champions. A demolished building graphic appeared behind The Destruction Crew, as they gave comments to Bischoff at AWA studio. Enos began by saying he had better days, and Bloom told Mike to hold on, as he would handle this. Bloom said that Bischoff saw like the rest of the wrestling dweebs saw what happened in living color. Bloom claimed to have been the legal man, but Enos was beat up and pinned. Bischoff said that was not the official version, and Enos began to speak up. Bloom calmed Enos down, saying he would handle this one. Bloom wanted to know where the justice was that The Trooper said he was all about. Bloom said all he found was a great injustice. Bloom added that what goes around comes around, and calm Enos down again, by saying he would handle this interview. Bloom restated that he was the legal man, adding that DJ and Trooper would be crying for a rematch if similar misfortune happened to them. Enos spoke up saying all he saw was jealousy, and Bloom told him again to hold on. Bloom stated that the AWA was afraid that The Destruction Crew would dominate wrestling. Bloom said that after they get a rematch and win, DJ and Trooper will never get them in the ring again. Jaime Magnum versus AWA world heavyweight champion "Living Legend" Larry Zbyszko Magmum stomped the mat, and rallied some fans to chant "Larry sucks!" A fan in the audience had a sign of a clown face, with "You Are A Clown" written on it. Zbyszko pushed Magnum to the ropes, and Magnum pushed back. Magnum applied a headlock, and held on, even after being pushed to the ropes. Zbyszko lifted Magnum up and drove him to the mat with a back suplex. Zbyszko clubbed down Magnum, body slammed him and received a pin count of 2. Zbyszko body slammed Magnum, drilled him with a piledriver, then hooked the leg for a 3 count victory. This match was under three minutes. Baron Von Rachke then gave comments at AWA studio. He spoke of Saddam Hussein being a madman in Iraq who wants to rule the world, and that AWA has their own who want to rule the world, in Larry Zbyszko and Colonel DeBeers. Baron said that they make a lot of noise rattling their sabers in a threatening manner. He said that after their mean trickery and treachery, that the final hour was close at hand. Baron went on to say that his team would defeat the madmen, and gave an pained grimace as he walked off screen. Team Challenge Series update The second Behind the 8 Ball match was covered, where Curtis "The Cat" Hughes was the sole survivor. He torture racked a Texas Hangman to an airplane spin, and pinning him after a flying splash from the middle rope. Hughes also racked up 8 points for his Diamond Cutters win team over Larry`s Legends, who had won the first of the 8 Ball matches. The scoring has Baron Blitzers: 48 points, Larry`s Legends: 47 points, DeBeers` Diamond Cutters 45 points. The 8 Ball match was replayed again, at the point where Jonnie Stewart had rang Buck Zumhofe into the steel post on the outside. DeBeers stood over Zumhofe, who was laying face down on the floor with blood pouring out. Zumhofe was carried back to the locker room by jobber wrestlers and crew. A graphic of Larryland amusement park was in the background, as Eric Bischoff interviewed the AWA world champion "Living Legend" Larry Zbyszko at the studio. Zbyszko said that he was sick of hearing about Iraq and the middle east. He spoke of billions of dollars being spent, along with thousands of American lives. Zbyszko said the fight would better be served by making sure U.S. soldiers are not killed, by instead bombing our enemies off the map. Zbyszko further explained that governments like to play games, that they do not care how many dies, as long as there are jobs left for themselves. Zbyszko said that those of Larryland do not play games, and have not for the Team Challenge Series. He said Larry`s Legends are going into the Survivor Battle Royal with big momentum. Zbyszko "If we have to lie, cheat and steal, we will windup winning the Team Challenge Series..so help me god!" Team Challenge Series Final: Survivor Battle Royal Announcer Lee Marshall was in the ring to explain the rules. He said that a man from each team starts out, with there being a new participant entering every thirty seconds. This match is like the AWA version of WWE`s Royal Rumble. Eliminations occur by pinfall, submission or being thrown over the top. Senior official Gary DeRousha officiated this contest. Brad Rheingans started fro Baron`s Blitzers, team captain Colonel DeBeers started for the Diamond Cutters and Texas Hangman Killer started out for Larry`s Legends. DeBeers clubbed Rheingans, but was the first elimination in under one minute, when Rheingans back dropped him over the tope rope. Killer whipped Rheingans to the rope for a boot to the stomach. Killer smashed Rheingans into two different corners, body slammed him, but missed an elbow drop. Rheingans struck back at Killer`s stomach and face. Rheingans almost went over the top when Killer ducked his clothesline. The Russian Brute (Baron`s Blitzers) hesitated to the ring, but rushed in to help Killer take Rheingans over the top rope. Less than two minutes had elapsed at this point. Curtis "The Cat" Hughes (DeBeers` Diamond Cutters) entered, knocked striking down Brute and Killer. Brute punched Hughes and raked the eyes. Hughes punched Killer in the corner, and Brute held Hughes back with a full nelson. Hughes broke the full nelson just before Killer struck, and Brute was accidently hit. Hughes did a wiggle leg dance, headbutted Killer and threw him over the top rope. His elimination occured before the three minute mark. Hughes clubbed the Brute, and Wayne "The Train" Bloom (Larry`s Legends) ax handled Hughes from behind. Brute assisted with an ax handle of his own. Bloom and Brute whipped Hughes to the ropes, Hughes ducked the double clothesline, and Hughes clotheslined Brute over the top rope. The match was still under three minutes at the point. D.J. Peterson (Baron`s Blitzers) entered, picked Bloom Bloom for a body slam, but fell backwards over the top rope. Bloom held on to the rope, and D.J. went to the floor. The match was now past three minutes. Hughes headbutt Bloom, and "Illustrious" Jonnie Stewart (DeBeers` Diamond Cutters) attacked Hugehs from behind with a kicks and punches. Bloom held Hughes, and Stewart punched him over the top rope. This occurred before the four minute mark. Bloom struck down Stewart, kneed him in the mid-section, then smashed him to the turnbuckle. "Mean" Mike Enos (Larry`s Legends) entered and assisted Bloom in tossing Stewart over the top rope, as the match has just reached past four minute. After The Destruction Crew gave a high ten, The Trooper (Baron`s Blitzer) rushed in under the bottom rope. Enos clubbed Trooper, then assisted Bloom for a double clothesline. Trooper ducked, and double clotheslined Enos and Bloom down. Trooper punched Enos, then Bloom, then back to Enos. Bloom and Enos clubbed down Trooper. Both Destruction Crew members charged, The Trooper ducked down, sending both Bloom and Enos over the top rope. The match had reached past five minutes at that moment. A man in a camouflage masked walked down the aisle calling himself The Unknown Soldier (DeBeers` Diamond Cutters), it was not the original Unknown Soldier (you get one guess who it is). Soldier took Trooper over the top rope before the match had reached six minutes. Larry Zbyszko and a Texas Hangman try to urge their Larry`s Legend member Jake "The Milkman" Milliman to go in either of their team. Milliman entered and was clubbed down by Soldier. Milliman was punched in the stomach, then snapmared for a face stomp. DeBeers..uh Soldier choked Milliman on the top rope, then punched him to his knees. Soldier put his right foot up on the top turnbuckle, and smashed Milliman`s head into it. Soldier continued his assault with an elbow to the head, and a body slam. Kids are shown in the audience, chanting "Jake!" Soldier stepped on Milliman`s throat, and body slammed him. When Soldier threw Milliman to the mat on the slam, Milliman had pulled off Soldier`s mask. This revealed Soldier as indeed being Colonel DeBeers re-entering this match. DeBeers went over the top rope, when Milliman ducked down from DeBeers` charge. Jake "Milkman" Milliman has won the Survivor Battle Royal, the Team Challenge Series and the one million dollar prize for Larry`s Legends. The final elimination occurred under eight minutes from the starting bell. Milliman run over and hugged Zbyszko, who was standing in surprise on the ring apron. Milliman kept shouting "We won the million dollars!" Bloom shouldered in to tell Lee Marshall that he would be taking a long vacation. Bloom said that he told everyone that his team would win, and one of the Texas Hangman chimed in with his team and The Destruction Crew being two unbeatable forces. Zbyszko assured everyone in Larryland, that they would be receiving an equal share of the money. Milliman jumped in excited, shouting "We won the million dollars!" Zbyszko, Hangman, and The Crew ushered him away. Zbyszko mentioned that this happened due to his own genius. AWA broad member Bob Ryan stepped in, and Milliman rushed over and shook his hand. Zbyszko, Crew and Hangmen moved Milliman away again. AWA founder, and former AWA world champion Verne Gagne entered the ring. He mentioned that since AWA president Joe Blanchard instituted the Team Challenge Series a year ago, that it had turned into a unique, fun and wonderful experience. Verne then congratulated Milliman. Bob Ryan then said on behalf of the AWA, president Joe Blanchard and the great fans, and Zbyszko interjected with "yeah, thanks a million" Zbyszko then continued by re-stating the results are from his genius, along with with the hard work of The Destruction Crew and The Texas Hangman. "Mean" Mike Enos then spoke up saying "spend money" and Wayne "The Train" Bloom interrupted, to say "I`ll handle this", adding that he might take Enos a long for vacation. Verne Gagne, Lee Marshall and Eric Bischoff all provided post match comments at the studio. Verne mentioned that the irony of Milliman`s win, as Zbyszko had been trying to get him off the team, even though Milliman had been a major plus throughout the Series. Verne said that made The Series fun, because anybody had a chance. Lee Marshall mentioned that Larry`s Legends looked like the favorite at the start. They have AWA world heavyweight champion "Living Legend" Larry Zbyszko as the team captain, along with AWA world tag team champions "Mean" Mike Eno and Wayne "The Train" Bloom of the Destruction Crew. Marshall said that it was not until the last two weeks of The Series, that The Legends make any major progress. Eric Bischoff felt that it was The Destruction Crew`s loss of the tag title, that was big motivating factor as to what helped carry Larry`s Legends to The Team Challenge Series victory. Verne mentioned that they went all out, and stated that this was "the most fun year I ever had in professional wrestling" Catch the legend of AWA Monday to Friday at 12am easten standard time on ESPN Classic. Please check your local listing to verify air time. |
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