July 31^st aired a January 1^st 1990 episode of Verne Gagne`s AWA All-Star Wrestling. The show`s venue is not explained, opening with commentators Lee Marshall (sans mustache) and Ralph Strangis announcing the match line-up. Eric Bischoff then wishes everyone a Happy New Year, introduces each match. Donna Gagne served as ring announcer, and Gary DeRousha served as the referee for all the matches.

  Bad Boy Brown versus Tommy Jammer

After an exchange of waistlocks, Brown goes to the ropes for a release of the hold. Both men roll around the ropes to the corner in a lock-up. Jammer backs off for a clean break, but Brown forearm smashes him against the ropes. Jammer then forearms Brown down, body slams and smashes him to the turnbuckle. Brown is knocked down by Jammer`s standing dropkick, and the bell is signaled when Brown submitted to an abdominal stretch. Lee Marshall said that hold was taught to Jammer by former AWA world champion Verne Gagne. This match was under three minutes.  

Bischoff talks about the main event where Yukon John (Nord the Barbarian/WWF¢s Berserker) faces the nearly 500lb Kokena Maximus (former WWE world champion Yokozuna) in a body slam challenge match. Though Yukon John is powerful, Bischoff wondered if he could lift Kokena. Bischoff relayed a message from Yukon John that he and Bertha (pet name for his ax) were going to clear the bad timber in the AWA.  

 The Menace versus Yukon John Nord

Yukon wore a big fur hat, flannel shirt, and carried an ax as he walked the aisle for his masked opponent. Marshall and Strangis mention that Yukon had changed his bad guy ways since breaking away from Sheik Adnan El Kassey`s Army. Menace doesn¢t budge Yukon on the charge, and falls to the mat on the collision. Menace tries for a charge again and is dropped by Yukon`s high boot. Yukon gives his wolf howl, then boots and forearm clubs down The Menace.

Yukon`s clothesline is ducked, but he nails Menace to the mat with a dropkick. Yukon gives a thumbs up to the crowd then attacks Menace on his knees with a headbutt to the mid-section. Menace is driven to the mat with a running powerslam, then Yukon runs back and forth four times before landing a high guillotine leg drop on Menace. Yukon pin covers for a 3, and this match closes in under three minutes.  

 Jimmy Magnum & Red Tyler versus Psycho & Killer of the Texas Hangmen

The Hangmen were like AWA`s version of the WWE`s Demolition. Two large wrestlers in black leather chaps, spiked masked with heavy metal entrance music, and similar Demolition brawling style. The Hangmen had the southern style of carrying roped cow bells, and instead of face paint, their spiked masks were removed to reveal a ring safe mask.

Marshall and Strangis discuss how to tell them apart, and Marshall explains that the first man in the contest is Psycho because of a subtly to his mask. Psycho shoves Red to the corner, then yells with a raised hook and horn hand sign. Red is punched in a headlock, then snap mared for a knee drop. Psycho headbutts Red, then throws him to the floor. Killer rams Red`s back into the ring apron, then when Red stand on the apron, Psycho presses his back against the top rope for a forearm smash to the chest that brings him back to the floor.

Killer picks up Red, rams his back into the steel post, then throws him back in the ring. Psycho presses his foot into Red`s throat, then holds Red for a tagged Killer rib punch. Psycho snap mares and drops an elbow on the head of a seated Red. Psycho lays Red over the top rope in Killer`s corner, tags in his partner, and they both deliver forearm smashes to Red.

Red is body slammed, comes back with stomach punches, but is smashed to the turnbuckle by Killer. Red is then lifted under Psycho`s arm, and drilled into the mat by Killer`s flying double forearm strike from the middle rope. Hangman Killer pin covers for a 3 count victory, in this under four minute match. The Hangmen give each other a double high five before exiting the ring.  

Eric Bischoff then interviews Paul Diamond (formally of the AWA tag team champion Badd Company & WWE`s Orient Express as the masked Kato). Diamond had become a fan favorite wrestler at this, and had the nickname "Hard Rock" Bischoff talked about an upcoming battle royal, adding that these type of matches have lead to many career threatening injuries. Diamond said that he and his tag partner Tommy Jammer have prepared to where that wouldn¢t be too much of a concern. Diamond said that he also had to look out for attacks by Johnny Stewart and Doug Somers. Diamond said that Jammer would help him handle that, and they would be standing tall in the middle of ring.  

Bischoff then presented highlights of AWA world champion "Living Legend" Larry Zbyszko`s match against The Unknown Soldier. Another wrestler was posing as The Unknown Soldier, and it was a masked Masa Saito, a former allie of Zbyszko`s. Bischoff interviewed an apprehensive Zbyszko on the ring apron. Zbyszko said that Saito being involved like this was a trick by Sgt. Slaughter. Fans chants "Larry sucks!" and Zbyszko yells back "You suck!"

Zbyszko calls for a time out and moves away on the apron as Saito lunges forward at him. Zbyszko goes to the comentators table, tells the fans chanting to shut up, as he complains to Lee Marshall. Then flash forward to the match, a cornered Saito clothesline Zbyszko, then takes off his mask. Saito chops Zbyszko against the ropes, chops him down on a whip, then headbutts him down. Saito gets Zbyszko to the mat with a sit back wristlock.

The match flashes foward to Saito chopping down Zbyszko, then Zbyszko takes referee Gary DeRousha down by the ankle. Saito slowly gets a Scorpion leglock on with a wrist twist, but Zbyszko grabs the bottom rope for a release. Zbyszko is smashed to the turnbuckle, then taken back with a waistlock suplex. Zbyszko gets the right shoulder up at the pin count of 2. Saito clubs with forearms, but Zbyszko pulls the front of Saito`s trunk to force him to the floor.

Flashing forward, Zbyszko slams Saito`s head to the ring post on the outside, then back in the ring, gets a pin count of 2 after a vertical suplex. Saito is whipped to the ropes, avoiding Zbyszko`s back body drop by punting him. Saito headbutts Zbyszko to the floor and slams his shoulder into the post. Zbyszko grabs at referee DeRousha`s ankle and is disqualified. Then wrestlers Dave Casper, Tommy Jammer and the Texas Hangmen have a tough time separating the battle on the floor.  

 Todd Becker versus Mr. Saito

Becker is backed to the ropes for a clean break, then Saito headlocks him to a front face. Saito presses Becker in the mat with an arm bar, and Becker grabs the ropes for a break. Saito hip rolled Becker twice, then smashed him to the top corner buckle. Becker is hip tossed, body slammed, whipped for a back body drop and slapped down. Becker is dropped with a back forearm strike. Saito slaps Becker`s chest in the corner, waistlock suplexes him and hooks the leg for the 3 count. This match was under three minutes.  

Sheik Adnan El Kassey tells Eric Bischoff that Kokena Maximus is ready and will destroy anyone who gets in the ring with him, but reveals that Kokena is not at the arena yet for his match against Yukon John.

 Yukon John Nord versus Sheik Adnan El Kassey in the body slam challenge

AWA world champion Larry Zbyszko escorts Adnan to the ring. Lee Marshall announces that this is a Team Challenge Series match, saying that only a body slam count toward victory. Bob Ryan is the legal council for the AWA and is at ringside to explains that since Kokena Maximus is not there, Adnan was signed as a second choice if his portege does not appear. Zbyszko points at Ryan and tells him "You Suck!"

In the ring, Baron Von Raschke puts on Yukon John`s fur hat and stands by his friend. Sheik Adnan threatens to hit referee DeRousha for attempting to remove the Arabian headdress. Yukon John gets on his kness and howls, and Adnan gets the screw off arm gesture. Adnan avoids Yukon, but Adnan eventually locks up and gets shoved to the ropes.

Adnan tries to engagne in a Greco-Roman knuckle lock, but is instead forearm clubbed in the corner. Yukon boots Adnan, then gets to one knee to howl and give the thumbs up. Yukon pushes off Adnan`s headlock, and Adnan is knocked back after charging Yukon. Adnan goes to the floor, as Zbyszko goes to the apron to complain to referee DeRousha.

When Yukon reaches for Zbyszko, Adnan strikes Yukon in the back with forearm strikes. Adnan continues his assault with eye rakes and back rakes. Yukon boots Adnan to the floor, and Adnan bites Yukon`s hand when trying to bring his opponent back in the ring. Yukon then goes to talk with Baron. Adnan hits with gut shots but is unable to body slam Yukon. Adnan then backs off to the ropes to avoid Yukon from slamming him.

Adnan gives off a battle cry, wristlocks Yukon and forearm clubs at the locked arm. Adnan yells again but in pain as Yukon reverses the hold. Adnan rakes at Yukons face, stomach punches him in the corner and rakes at Yukon`s back. Yukon is on his knees as Adnan clubs his back, then pulls at Yukon`s face with both hands.

Yukon took a double ax handle too the back, and double chops before knocking Adnan back with a right forearm. Yukon then chases Adnan from the ring, to around the ringside area. Yukon nearly gets his opponent, and knocks down Zbyszko in pursuit of Adnan. Back in the ring, Adnan is scared back by Baron on the apron. When Adnan turns around, he is easily scooped up by Yukon and kept off the ground for at least ten seconds before Yukon completed the powerslam to victory. This match was under nine minutes.

Yukon gets on his knees for the thumbs up, as he is joined in the ring by the Baron. Bischoff interviews Yukon and the Baron at ringside. Bischoff said that it looked like Yukon received a belated Christmas present with this win. Yukon said that he isn`t done, as there are a lot of wise guys in the AWA who think of themselves as tough. Yukon said that with the Baron, he has the man he can count on. Baron gives the thumbs up and howls.

Catch the legends of the AWA Monday to Friday at 12am est on ESPN Classic.

David  http://www.myspace.com/unrulyghouly