CLASSIC AWA 3/7/08 TV REPORT
- 03/07/2008 (11:21:45 pm)
- Georgiann Makropoulos
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March 7th 2008 airing of Verne Gagne’s AWA All Star Wrestling is called a February 23th 1986 episode. It was not mentioned where these matches were coming from, though I assume from a fan sign stating "Oshkosh loves AWA", that it was taking coming from Oshkosh Wisconsin. There seemed to be some audio troubles with the microphones at this show.
Though Marty Jannetty had on what would be the look of the Midnight Rockers, the match he had took place months before he and Shawn Michaels would form that team. This episode’s contest saw a solo Jannetty going up against Chris Curtis. Marty’s upper right eye has a big unexplained bruise, as commentator Roger Kent called it a mouse. Larry Nelson commented that Jannetty’s style reminded him of Argentina Rocca and Edouard Carpentier, who Kent called "poetry in motion". Though Kent was complimentary of Jannetty’s skills, he seemed reluctant to give a younger star the credit Nelson was giving. Curtis wanted to slow down Jannetty with arm locks, but Jannetty would reverse these, and apply a quick head scissors and arm drag. Curtis would escape an arm bar with a whip into the ropes, duck down and try for a hip toss. Marty did a forward flipped and turned it into a hip toss on Curtis. Kent called the hip toss a Beell throw, and said that it was created by Fred Beell of Marshfield Wisconsin (A German born pro wrestler from the early 1900's). Marty worked over Curtis’ left arm, and when Curtis resorted to punching, Jannetty returned fire and then a flying back elbow. Curtis used knees, an elbow and hair pulling to work towards a headlock on Marty. Curtis couldn’t keep up with Marty’s speed on the escape, and needed to count on a missed dropkick. Marty didn’t stay down long, and displayed power by suplexing the heavier Curtis, then dropping him with a charge off the ropes. A high cross body press scored the pinfall victory for Marty Jannetty after a 9 minute match.
Nelson interviews Marty in the ring. Jannetty said that he went out to the mid west, was a tag champion there for over a year, and he’s looking for a partner in AWA. Nelson said that the crowd is reacting to something, that turns out to be Larry Zbysko entering the ring in his street clothes. Marty said "scatterbrain is coming so I’ll be seeing you". Zbyszko said that he is back, referring to a suspension a few months back for striking referee Scott LeDux and Nick Bockwinkel with the Nunchakas. Five fans in the audience held up a two part sign that said "LABISCO IS A CRACKER". Nelson said that he won’t believe Zbyszko is back until he hears it from AWA president Stanley Blackburn. Nelson said we’re out of time, and scared back a bit when Zbyszko shouted back that he didn’t care. Nelson said we’re out of time, there’s nothing I can do about it, going into commercial.
Larry Nelson couldn’t finish his announcement of the next match, as Sheik Adnan Alkaissie’s Army of Nord the Barbarian and Boris Zhukov stormed the ring, beating up on Chris Basset and Spike Jones before the bell. As Barbarian, hammered and stomped Jones into the mat, a commentating Greg Gagne announced that Las Vegas’ Showboat will be AWA’s new home on Tuesday February 25th. Gagne also mentioned that Nord has been under the tutelage of King Kong Brody for the past year, explaining his very similar style to Brody’s. Nord punishes Barrett, tags in Zhukov, who proceeds to work over on Barrett’s left arm. Zhukov maintains the hammerlock on a mat bound Barrett, Nord stomps down on the arm and look to have accidently stomped on Zhukov’s hand in the process. Nord hurls Barrett across the ring, who tags in the bigger Jones, who also falls victim to Nord slam. A freshly tagged Zhukov, along with Nord, rocks the corner post as they double whip Jones backwards. Jones recovers from a head twist, to surprises Zhukov by lifting him off his feet in a bear hug. Nord’s mighty boot puts an end to that, as a tagged in Nord shows off his agility with a swift high dropkick, then does his Brody- like hussing call into the camera. Jones’ rapid shots are stopped and he is quickly dropped by one forearm club by Nord. A tagged Zhukov forces Jones to crumble after a rough throw into the ropes. Kent makes a comment that ESPN program director’s name Libby King sounded like a soup, and Gagne joked that Kent may have just lost his job. After been attacked by Nord on the arena floor, Jones comes back with eye rakes, punches in the corner, and a turnbuckle smash into Barrett’s corner. As Zhukov leans against the top rope, Barrett hammers away on the big Siberian’s back. Barret is tagged in, only to be met with a big slam, stomps, then a guillotine drop over the top rope.
While Boris holds on to Barrett, a newly tagged Nord bangs Barrett in the face with a monster boot, and Zhukov gets a bit of a head butt when Barrett’s head is forced back by the boot. Barrett manages to tag in Jones, who gets pummeled by Nord and then Boris. Zhukov, who Gagne described as taking a size 10 ½ hat, nails Jones with a left arm flying clothesline from what the middle ropes. Boris picks up Jones before letting referee Larry Lasowski count to 3. Sheik Adnan’s Army could have ended this match much sooner, as Gagne mentioned, but they seemed to be putting on a brutal clinic while working out their kinks as a team. Nord and Boris bully Jones hard back into their corner. Following a slam and knee drop, Nord the Barbarian got high elevation on his leg drop that crashed down on Jones and gained the pin victory after a 10 dominating minutes. The brutality continued when Nord and Boris would go on to beat up Barrett, with Nord picking up and ramming Barrett’s back into the steel post on the outside.
Larry Nelson interviewed Sheik Adnan in the ring with his army. Nelson called the Army’s behavior despicable, and Adnan said that it is not his fault for the lack of competition and he issued a challenge to AWA champion (Stan Hansen) to face anyone of his men. As Adnan spoke, the camera went to a kid making a face and sticking his tongue out. As Nelson was about to explain there be no reason to slam someone into the steel post after the match is over, Nord interrupted with a long growl, as Nelson cringed. Nord asked "What’s this bunch of bull not givin’ us a heavyweight match. I’m 6'7 and my partner is the greatest Russian athlete, and we have the master tactician (Adnan) ". Nelson would interject, while flinching to Nord’s huss sounds, saying it was not over tonight for Sheik Adnan as his man King King Brody is in the main event.
Big Scott Hall runs to the ring wearing his half of the AWA tag team title belt. As he hops on the mat, it causes the ring to bounce along with Larry Nelson, who tries to give the match introductions. Earthquake Ferris, whom in previous episodes of AWA has served as a referee, was wrestling Hall on this night. The 350 lb Earthquake wore a burgundy with white trim hooded boxer’s robe. An early test of strength, budges neither man, then an exchange of shoves leads to hip toss and big dropkick by Hall. After exiting the ring to gain some composure, Ferris’ charges on Hall, find him caught into a leg take down. Hall works over Ferris’ legs, then as he has his opponent down and legs up, Hall lands a big leg drop between Ferris legs. As Hall works over Ferris’ left hamstring, Ferris kicks him off, and then viciously clubs away at Hall in the corner. Hall is whipped to the opposite corner, Ferris charges in with a corner splash. Hall moves out of the way, Ferris crashes to the mat, and Hall comes off the middle ropes with a big flying elbow drop. Referee Marty Miller counts the three, marking a win for Big Scott Hall in the books in this three minute match.
Instead of going to commercial, ESPN looked to re-edit this match to go right from the slow mo finisher to Nelson’s ring interview. Hall said that Hennig’s neck is swollen two inches on each side, due to the rough neck tactics of AWA champion Stan "The Lariat" Hansen. Hall gave Hansen credit for his toughness, but said that he (Hall) and Hennig are also capable wrestlers. As Hall was talking about how Hennig welcomed him into his home, and they’ve trained together, Nelson (who seemed to be letting Hall linger after a bit of grueling match) apologized for being out of time. Hall took that moment to hold the microphone and make his challenge more aggressive. "Hansen..anytime..any place, you want me or Curt you just come on!" as a caught off guard Nelson tried for a moment to calm Hall.
Next up was a report by Donna Gagne, who mentioned "Handsome" Marty Jannetty, David Sammartino and the large South African Col. DeBar (Col. DeBeers) as new challengers to current tag team champions Scott Hall and Curt Hennig and AWA singles champion Stan Hansen. Donna quoted heavyweight boxer turned referee, Scott LeDux "the ring area is beginning to look like a Star Wars battle. Every where you look there are UFO’s flying through the air, and it’s got to stop. There’s Precious with her spray can, the Sheik (Adnan) with his chain, Stan "The Lariat" (Hansen) with his dang cowbell and finally Zbyszko with his nunchakus" Then a clip played where Zbyszko is shown knocking out LeDux and Bockwinkel with the nunchakus. Donnas said that was the first time LeDux has been knocked out in the ring, and that he’ll squeeze those full length tooth picks around Zbyszko’s neck so tight, he’ll look like a bug eyed buffoon.
Larry Nelson introduces this one fall main event with a time limit of tv time. He is wild eyed as he takes a gander of King Kong Brody walk past him. Brody’s opponent is the nearly 500lb mountain from Stone Mountain George, Jerry Blackwell. Greg Gagne mentioned Brody putting him out of action for 8 months, and that it made him nervous whenever Brody was around. After Nelson, announces Blackwell, Brody rushes in with a kick to Blackwell’s mid section. Larry nelson rushes out of the ring as fast as he can, as Blackwell and Brody trade punches. Brody backs Blackwell into the corner, where he and Sheik Adnan whale on Blackwell. That is answered with a couple of head butts for Brody and Sheik Adnan. Brody runs into the ropes as Adnan holds Blackwell, and Brody brings Blackwell to his knees with a big boot, then another to flatten Blackwell. As Brody leaves the ring to get a metal folding chair, Adnan holds Blackwell in a front face lock. Greg Gagne asked "What is the referee (Marty Miller) doing?" Brody smashes the steel chair across the mountainous back of Blackwell. Then with Adnan holding down Blackwell, Brody drives the top the chair repeatedly into Blackwell’s belly. Leon White (Vader), "Rock n’ Roll" Buck Zumhofe and enforcer referee Scott LeDux rush to aide Blackwell backstage.
Then as Greg Gagne was commentating, King Kong Brody grabbed him. Brody walked Gagne to the ring and threw him in. A furious Greg Gagne whipped his jacket off, and fired off many shot on Brody. Gagne whipped Brody into the corner, shaking the steel post. Brody whipped Gagne into the ropes, Greg ducked the clothesline and threw more shots at Brody. Another Brody whip, as he tried to set up his deadly boot shot on Greg. Gagne side stepped the boot, and delivers a high crescent kick, another kick and a knife edge chop. Greg then takes off his right boot, and beats both Brody and Sheik Adnan over the head with it. Greg continues to hit Brody with it, then knocks Adnan off the ring apron with the boot shot. Greg goes back to using the boot on Brody. Gagne attempt to whip Brody in the ropes is reversed, and as Greg bounces off the ropes, he brought down immediately by Brody lightning swift boot kick to the face. Greg looks to be knocked out, but Adnan holds his legs from the outside. Buck Zumhofe comes back to help the ref pull Adnan away. Adnan's back forearm shot knocks Zumhofe down, and Adnan pushes away ref Marty Miller. When the camera comes back from a close up on Adnan, Brody looks to have nailed Gagne with a leg drop, though commentator Roger Kent said it was a knee drop. Then Brody drops a leg on Gagne.
Blackwell rushes back from the locker room, and clotheslines Sheik Adnan down. Blackwell hammers on Brody, then gives a series of head butts, as Brody pulls down the top rope with a wild look. Blackwell then runs Brody into a loose boot shot by Gagne. Brody gets worked over in the corner by the boot welding Gagne. Blackwell pulls Sheik Adnan’s robe up and over, binding Adnan’s hands. Gagne whips Brody as Blackwell whips Adnan, causing a collision that knocks Adnan down. Blackwell then knocks Brody out of the ring with a running charge. Brody grabs a chair, swats it and gives his hussing sound, as he and Adnan clear a path while heaidng back to the locker rooms after a five minute brawl.
Larry Nelson then went to the ring to get the word from Blackwell and Gagne. Nelson said what happened was uncalled for as what Brody and Adnan did. Blackwell grabbed the mic and pushed away Nelson’s hand and yelling "I want to know, have you ever seen anything so disgusting as what you’ve just seen crawl out of this arena?!" Blackwell said that Gagne is still injured when he was attacked, but that Greg still did mighty fine with Brody. Greg yelled that Brody put him out for 8 months, and that he still has torn ligaments in his ankle. Greg said he would step in the ring anytime Brody wanted, that he wasn’t afraid of Brody, the Sheik (Adnan) or anyone else they bring in. Gagne said he knows he’s not the biggest man in wrestling, but that he has more inside him than Brody has in his whole god damn body. Blackwell backed up Gagne’s challenge, saying that he would kick their damned ass. ESPN dropped out the audio on god damn and damned ass. Blackwell said he would like to meet Brody in a damn cage. This challenge would turn out to be the be the genesis for the cage match at Wrestle Rock 86 that saw Greg Gagne and Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka (substituting for the injured Blackwell) against King Kong Brody and Nord the Barbarian. This match was reviewed two AWA reports ago
David
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