CLASSIC AWA 3/5/08 TV REPORT
- 03/05/2008 (7:15:07 pm)
- Georgiann Makropoulos
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March 5th 2008 aired a October 5th 1986 episode of AWA championship wrestling from the Sports Pavilion at Showboat hotel & Casino in Las Vegas Nevada.
In the middle of Larry Nelson’s announcement of the match, "Living Legend" Larry Zbyszko interrupts, saying "It would be nice if the people in this audience could show some respect". On this episode Larry has a match, and ninja Mr. Go has accompanied him. Once Mr. Go exits the ring after the starting bell has sounded, Zbyszko takes his time. Walking around the ring, jawing to the audience (telling them "It’s not my fault that you’re ugly!"), the ref, to Mr. Go and doing some squat stretches as he holds onto the top rope. Then he goes for his opponent, who is Butch Cooper, applying an over the shoulder wrist lock, and calling out AWA champion Nick Bockwinkel and Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka while controling his opponent. Along with his wrestling acumen, Zbyszko would show off some of his martial arts ability, with a spinning heel kick to a ropes bound Cooper’s mid section. Cooper is hoisted up in slam position, Zbyszko brings him down into a backbreaker. Lord James Blears said that Cooper had his shoulder brought down on Larry’s knee, and that’s how it was looking to go, until Zbyszko last second connected with Cooper’s ribs. Zbyszko is clearing toying with Cooper, as after a first pin attempt, he pulls up his opponent and continuously pats Cooper on the back like he was baby. As commentators Rod Trongard and Lord James Blears talk about Zbyszko’s ability to end this match anytime, Zbyszko plants Cooper into the mat with a piledriver, and ends the match in 4 minutes. In the slow motion replay of Zbyszko’s finisher, Lords Blears said that those in a piledriver can’t break fall, that they are in the hands of the Lord.
As the camera shows a lady dancing near another woman posing for the camera, Zbyszko with Mr. Go is in the ring for an interview with Larry Nelson. Nelson commented that the match was more in the style of brutality than wrestling. Zbyszko said that he’s gone through thugs and hit men every week. Zbyszko made claims of being responsible for Greg Gagne crying about being put out of action for 6 months, and seeing that AWA has acquired Jimmy Snuka to put in Larry’s way. Larry Nelson had a strange look of pain on his face while having his mic directed by Zbyszko, as the Living Legend got on his knees to plead for Stanley Blackburn to have the guts to grant him an AWA title shot. Zbyszko wondered if he wrestled 15 orangutans with his hands tied behind his back, would that finally qualify him for a championship match. "Bockwinkel says I’m a hot head, and I have a big mouth, well I challenge you Bockwinkel to come out here in front of all these spud heads and shut it!". Nelson said that there is a long line of contenders and Zbyszko asked "Who has a longer and bigger reputation after so many glorious year than me" as Mr. Go kept bowing. Nelson saying "We’re out of time" and Zbyszko said "Shut this mouth, Bockwinkel!".
Bill Tab, an African American wrestler from Atlanta Georgia, was in the ring during the announcements. Brad Rheingans arrived quickly down the aisle, leaping over the top rope and removed his ring jacket that adorned the Olympic emblem. Rod Trongard complimented Tab’s abilities from past performances. When Brad applied the side head lock, the muscular Tab displayed his power, as he picked up Rheingans and placed him on the top rope and gently patted Brad on the chest. Lord Blears felt that Brad probably didn’t appreciate that too much. Brad would get shoved into the ropes, then get another headlock on Tab, then pushed in the ropes to duck a clothesline and surprise Tab with a flying body press for the 1 count. Then Brad would flip over Tab into a headlock as referee Scott LeDux checked to see if Tab’s shoulders were on the mat. Tab got up, pushing himself free and dropped down from a charging Rheingans. When Tab was prone to the mat trying to flip Rheingans with his legs, Brad cartwheeled himself away from being monkey flipped. Tab was taken to the mat again with a headlock, but clubbed his way free and choked Brad over the top rope. Tab pulled the ropes to propel Rheingans back, but Brad did a backwards roll, coming back with a dropkick that floored Tab. Rheingans caught Tab again with a headlock, which Tab would push out from and flip Rheingans with a knee to the gut. A slam and snap mare later, Tab would miss with a knee drop on the prone Rheingans. Brad would punch and whip Tab into back body drop for a 2 count, but then would be floored when Tab held himself on the ropes and kicked Brad after a second attempt at that move. Tab slammed Rheingans and climbed to the middle rope, leaping and missing with a body press. Brad quickly got himself to the middle rope and drove into Tab with a flying shoulder tackle, covering Tab as LeDux delivered the three count, after a 5 minute bout. Rheingans almost accidently hit a startled LeDux when Brad raised his fist in victory. Tab showed potential and I wonder why he didn’t progress more in wrestling.
After the reply of the shoulder tackle, Brad told Larry Nelson in the ring that Sheik Adnan’s Army has been a setback for him in the past year, and the finishing move they just saw is "medicine in a needle for the Sheik’s Army", which Brad called "The Bullet". Then Nelson called over LeDux and asked him how his training was going. LeDux said that he was running and weight training in preparation his new career as a wrestler. LeDux said his biggest problem so far is learning to control his urge to hit wrestlers that break the rules in the matches he officiates. Nelson brought up that LeDux has had problems with Zbyszko and other wrestlers, and asked LeDux if he would look for a tag partner. LeDux said he boxed for 17 years, he did it alone and preferred to follow the same path as a wrestler. Nelson asked LeDux if there was particular hold or maneuver that he was developing to perfection as his special weapon. LeDux said that he used a heart punch as a boxer that slowed down his opponents, and he was looking to implement an open handed heart punch (variation of Stan Stasiak’s & Ox Baker’s finishers). Nelson vouched for LeDux’s punching ability, saying open hand or not, could stop a freight train.
After the commercial was a video presentation, spotlighting a new comer to AWA called Silo Sam. Standing 7 feet and 7 inches, the videos showed Sam wrestling in what looked like the Mid South area and easily handling two men. Nelson mentioned Silo easily winning his first battle Royal. Then there was footage of Sam holding a baby calf on his shoulders, and Sam tossing large chunks of chopped wood into a pile. Silo Sam appeared in Pee Wee’s Big Adventure, where he played Andy, the jealous boyfriend who chased Pee Wee around for talking with his girlfriend.
Larry Nelson was introducing Eddie Sweat and a man he mistakenly announced as Clement Field for a tag team encounter. Then a loud drum beat played, met by a heavy guitar sound. The song playing was Living After Midnight by Judas Priest, which meant this was Shawn Michaels and Marty Jannetty..the Midnight Rockers. Met by a cheering crowd, the Midnight Rockers jogged to the ring. Though the wrongly introduced man seemed to let that mistake go, Larry caught his mistake, apologized and announced the man as Pablo Cruz. When Shawn and Marty removed their Midnight Rocker’s t-shirts, Marty showed that his ribbed where tapped up. This was due to an altercation The Midnight Rockers had against "Pretty boy" Doug Sommers and "Playboy" Buddy Rose.
Donna Gagne joined Rod Trongard on commentary, and talked about the Midnights generating excitement and adoration among the fans across the country. Donna called them masters of motion. Trongard asked her if they could win the tag titles, she said they have become number 1 contenders in a short time, and she thinks they are primed and ready. Marty gets Cruz in an arm twist, which is reversed with Pablo stepping over Marty’s arm and twisting to flip Marty to the mat and apply an two legged arm stretch. Marty rolls over Cruz and applies a headlock, which Cruz is able to convert that into a head scissors. Marty kicks out, and expression some discomfort from his injured ribs. Marty twists Cruz into a chicken wing, Pablo reverses and Marty does a leg take down into a front face lock on Cruz, that is broken when Cruz grabs the bottom rope.
Shawn is tagged, he gets caught in a headlock. Shawn shoves Cruz into the ropes, gets knocked down in a collision. Cruz staggers back, then charges to the opposites ropes, Shawn drops down and catches Cruz in a hip toss (or beal throw). Cruz favoring his lower back is then taken down with authority with an arm drag by Michaels. Shawn keeps Cruz grounded with an arm bar, then tags in Jannetty. Shawn holds Cruz’ arm out for Jannetty to spring off the ropes into a splash. Unfortunately that move did more damage to the ribs of Marty, and gives Cruz an opening with a knee in the corner and front face lock roll to the mat. Marty kicks out of the pin attempt before the 1 count. Cruz corners Marty, and peppers his ribs with rights and lefts. A chop and Irish whip into the opposite corner turns into Marty’s two feet pushing down Cruz. Marty trying to recuperate the pain in his ribs, grabs Cruz, whips him into the ropes and drops Cruz with a flying back elbow. Cruz is able to kick out at the 1 count.
Cruz tags in Eddie as Shawn is tagged in and meets Eddie Sweta with a kick, punch and scoop slam for a 2 count. Michaels tags Jannetty as he whips Sweat into the ropes. Shawn gets down for Marty to leap off his back for what looked to be a flying clothesline, but Sweat was closing in just as Jannetty was about to get to Shawn. Sweat tripped sideways, with Jannetty landing on Sweat’s legs. Cruz rushes in to throw off Jannetty, and trades punches with Shawn. Marty and Shawn whips Cruz into the ropes and give him a double back body drop. Then flatten Sweat with a double super kick. Shawn gets Sweat up while Marty climbs the ropes. Shawn tries to sustain Sweat in a mid suplex position for Marty to complete the Rockerplex (suplex and flying body press combination), but Sweat’s weight shifts his body too far back, ushering Shawn to complete the suplex sooner than planned for. Jannetty still delivers the body press onto Sweat, then does a roll up for Scott LeDux’s three count after 4 minutes of action.
After the slow motion replay of the match finisher, Larry Nelson asked Michaels if after dealing with Rose and Sommers’ brutality if he ever felt like chucking his career aside. Shawn said that the Midnight Rockers can handle whatever comes their way. Nelson asked Jannetty about the injury to his ribs, and Marty said they are hurting but the Midnight Rockers won’t stop til they get to the top. Nelson commented that the Midnight Rockers are great athletes as they went into commercial.
In the next match Col. DeBeers punishes the equally tall Robert Burroughs with stomps, knees, slam on the ropes, back suplex and ending the match with a pinfall in under 2 minutes with a front face pile driver.
After the commercial, DeBeers in the ring with Nelson, called America’s sanctions on South Africa like AWA’s inconsistent policies. DeBeers said that the AWA should impose sanctions against Scott Hall for his use and abuse of anabolic steroids. DeBeers charged that Hall is abnormally strong, and couldn’t get that way on his own. Nelson’s facial expressions showed his composure was being tested, as he disapproved of DeBeer’s statements. DeBeers said that those chanting USA, know down in their hearts that their nation is weak compared to South Africa, and Scott Hall would be weak without steroids. DeBeers demanded that Hall take a urine or blood test to prove he is clean of drugs before he can step foot in a ring with DeBeers. Nelson asked if DeBeers was making these charges due to his fear of Hall. DeBeers claimed to fear no one, and that he leaded 4.9 million men to herd over 26 million in South Africa. DeBeers accepts Hall’s challenge but said that it is for the good of Hall and future generations that wrestling ban steroids as the Olympics does.
The main event of this episode, was a flashback match to April 20th 1986 at AWA’s mega event where 23,000 witnessed Wrestle Rock 86 held at the Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The match was a main event there, that had Sheik Adnan Alkaissie’s Army of King Kong (Bruiser) Brody & Nord the Barbarian (WWF’s Berzerker) against Greg Gagne and Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka in a steele cage match. The added stipulation was that if Gagne and Snuka win, Verne Gagne gets 10 minutes in the cage with Sheik Adnan. This is a one fall bout with no time limit. Snuka was a last minute replacement for the injured Jerry "Crusher" Blackwell.
After promoter Wally Carbo locks the cage door, the match gets underway. Brody bullies Gagne into the corner and delivers a knife edge chop, then a clubbing forearm across the back awakens the fire in Gagne. Greg delivers shots that catch Brody off guard and whips Brody to the other corner, but a rushing Gagne is soon leveled by a swift boot from Brody. King Kong Brody then drives Gagne’s head into Nord’s knee before tagging him in. Then Gagne is given a body slam from Nord, who then telegraphs and misses a high knee drop meant for Gagne. Nord is met with a punch, chop from Gagne, and with a handful of Nord hair directs the Barbarian into the chop from Superfly on the apron. As Gagne goes to Nord, he is met with a boot to the mid section and front face lock. Gagne backs Nord into the corner and tags in Snuka.
Superfly chops Nord, flips him over with a flying mare into a chin lock, but Brody rushes in and knocks Snuka away with a giant boot. Nord and Superfly trade blows, and Nord’s front face lock truns into a chicken wing arm lock by Snuka. Nord forcefully backs Snuka into the corner, where Brody tags in and hammers away with forearms and a chop on Snuka. Superfly grabs Brody into a side headlock, and Brody pushes Snuka off into the ropes from which the Superfly charges but is unable to budge Brody. Superfly rushes the ropes again for extra momentum to charge Brody again, but Brody leap frogs over Snuka and as The Superfly spring back again, he is struck down by a giant lightning paced size 17 boot of Brody. Larry Nelson said he can’t imagine what that could feel, and Rod Trongard said that he hopes neither one of them ever finds out, both sharing in a momet of gallows amusement. Brody kicks and stomps Snuka down, then brings him back up into a side headlock. Snuka pushes Brody into the ropes and when Brody comes off he knocks Snuka down. Then Brody rushes into the ropes and hops over a dropped down Snuka, when he comes back Snuka leap frogs over Brody, then without even turning around Snuka with his back facing the charging giant leap frogs over him again. When Brody comes back again, Snuka delivers a solid knife edge chop that takes Brody to the mat.
As the crowd roars, Snuka headlocks and slips a punch in on Brody. Snuka flips over Brody with a flying mare (or snap mare) and delivers a flying fist drop from the middle ropes. Snuka gets a 2 count, and it is broken up when between the ropes, Nord’s long leg kicks Snuka off. Nord is tagged in, picks up Snuka, and holds him there for a few extra second before crashing down with the suplex. Snuka kicks out at the 1 count, and Gagne kicks Nord’s head for extra insurance. Nord stomps on Snuka, but from his knees, Snuka comes back with punches, chops and then pushes Nord back into Gagne’s corner. Snuka holds Nord, as gagne climbs to the top rope and stomps Nord’s head. When Nord breaks away, Gagne leaps off the top rope with a knee drop on back of Nord. Gagne rushes and hits the outside man, Brody. King Kong Brody comes in and is met with Gagne’s firing shots. Greg Gagne grabs a handful of Brody hair and pushes him into Nord. Gagne charges on Nord, but is met with a giant boot from Nord and then met with another giant boot from Brody.
Sitting at ringside is Verne Gagne, who is looks very concerned and anxious to rush in to try and save his son. Nord gives Greg a big back breaker, then Brody places his boot on the top rope, and Nord smashes Greg’s head into it. A freshly tagged in Brody hurls a seemingly weightless Gagne into the steel cage. Brody smashes Gagne, as Greg’s head is gushes blood, and then Brody throws Greg into the wall of steel again. Brody makes his Huss sound as he stomps down Gagne. Brody grabs Gagne, and after a failed attempt by the severely weakened Gagne to escape, Brody spikes Greg into the mat. Greg, having enough presence of mind, has his foot draped on the bottom rope, but Snuka comes in to stomp Brody’s pin attempt.
Nord is tagged in, and as Brody holds up Greg’s arm for a boot smash from Nord, Greg rebounds from the shot to punch Nord. A series of mid section kicks, turn into high crescent kicks to the face from Gagne. Nord staggers back, and when he charges, Gagne shoots to legs in his Nord’s face. Nord gets up and tries to whip Gagne into the steel, but a reversal by Gagne has Nord crashing into the steel, as Trongard worries of that giant brings the wall down. This bides Gagne enough time to tag in Snuka, just as Nord tags in Brody. Snuka with rapid fire shots to Brody’s mid section, a shot to the face, then with a handful of hair, the Superfly makes Brody fly into the cage.
As Brody husses and gushes, Superfly judo chops him down, and then leaps up and crashes down with a head butt on Brody. Snuka chops and slams Brody, then climbs to the top ropes and superflies off for a head butt. Nord takes Snuka off Brody at the 2 count, and slams the Superfly from corner to corner. Nord is then tagged in, clubs Snuka, then drives Snuka backwards into the knee of Brody repeatedly. Greg comes in to save Snuka, but is hammered into the corner by Nord, as Brody hammers Snuka into the corner. The commentators plead that something will change the course of this match, and does when the Irish whips of Brody and Nord are reversed, and they end up crashing into each other.
Gagne and Snuka double dropkick Nord, then double suplex Brody. Gagne hold Nord as Superfly leaps off the top rope, but Nord is too strong and Snuka accidently head butts Greg down. Nord clotheslines Snuka, stomps away at him. Verne Gagne is at the edge of his seat, cheering his team to come back. Nord holds Snuka while Brody charges in with a dropkick. Snuka moves and Nord is hit, is schoolboyed tripped by Gagne, and kicks out a split second too late from 1 2 3 count via a Superfly cradle, as the crowd is wildly brought to their feet. Unfortunately, the hour was up on AWA championship wrestling, and the show went to credits instead of airing Verne Gagne’s 10 minutes with Sheik Adnan.
David
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