CLASSIC AWA 5/17 TV REPORT
- 05/20/2008 (6:15:14 am)
- Georgiann Makropoulos
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May 17th aires a 1988 episode of Verne Gagne’s AWA All-Star Wrestling from the Showboat Sports Pavilion in Las Vegas Nevada.
Pistol Pete versus Baron Von Raschke
Baron worked on Pete’s left arm with an arm drag and wristlock. Pete Irish whipped Baron to the ropes for a back elbow, but Baron came back with eye poke punches. Baron then rammed Pete’s head, as the audience counted ten times to the top turnbuckle pad. After a knee to the stomach and forearm clubs to the chest on the ropes, Baron whipped Pete to the ropes for a back body drop.
After performing that move, the Baron fell back to a seated position, giving a comical look. Baron then goose stepped around, then pressed Pete down to the mat with The Claw applied to the cranium. The match ended in under four minutes, when referee Jim Bunning counted the pin.
Rocky Mountain Thunder versus Daryl Nickel
Nickel tried to charge Rocky, only to find himself knocked to the mat. Nickel drove knees into a cornered Rocky. Nickel then flipped himself into the corner, when Rocky moved away from the corner charge. Nickle was then back body dropped, then thrown to the floor. Nickel returned to the ring for a Rocky powerslam, and referee Gary DeRousha counted the pin in this match that lasted under three minutes.
Greg Gagne presented the week’s Mat Classic as a bout from Minnesota on Septmber 13th 1981.
"The Crippler" Ray Stevens versus European champion Billy Robinson
Robinson went to the floor to slam Stevens into a table. Back in the ring, Stevens landed fists, but Robinson fired back. Stevens reversed the corner whip, body slammed Robinson, then tried to apply the Boston Crab. Robinson bridges up his torso, twist and pulls his legs forward to flip over Stevens. Robinson then catches Stevens in an inside cradle for the 3 count.
Next was Big K’s segment where he said that wanted to share his knowledge of Greg Gagne’s weaknesses to help Pat Tanaka win the TV title, like he helped him win the AWA tag titles with Paul Diamond. K said that it was his idea to have the AWA ladies’ champion Madusa Miceli accompany AWA mens’ champion Curt Hennig.
K mentioned that the 6'7 newcomer Rocky Mountain Thunder was a mass of raw material that needed K’s modling to get far. K picked up a copy of AWA’s Pro Wrestling report newspaper with Midnight Rockers on the cover, and said that the next issue would have real champions Badd Company on the cover.
AWA champion Curt Hennig gave comments on his upcoming match with Wahoo McDaniel. Hennig mentioned giving Wahoo fourteen stitches of his right eye. Hennig said he made the mistake of not ending Wahoo’s career, but he will not make that mistake in their next match. Hennig called himself "the new boss" and "the greatest wrestler of all time!"
Pat Tanaka (accompanied by Paul Diamond) vs International Television champion Greg Gagne
Gagne takes down Tanaka with a top wristlock, but it’s broken each time by referee Gary DeRousha believing Tanaka’s claim of hair pulling. Tanaka head scissored out of Gagne’s headlock, then on Gagne’s escape, Tanaka used a hair pull to regain the head scissors.
As Gagne approaches, he gets a super kick to the stomach and a headbutt. Tanaka throws Gagne out of the ring, and Diamond slams Gagne’s head to the ring apron as Tanaka distracts the ref. Gagne comes back with a back body drop and dropkick.
Tanaka is then caught in the Gagne’s Sleeper, but Diamond trips Gagne, when Tanaka makes it near the ropes. Gagne exits the ring to land right fists on Diamond. Referee DeRousha signals the bell, disqualifying Gagne for attacking Diamond, ending the match before the ten minute mark.
Chief Wahoo McDaniel versus AWA champion "Cool" Curt Hennig (accompanied by his manger AWA ladies’ champion Madusa Miceli)
Wahoo received a chop, but his return chop had Hennig flee from the ring. Wahoo was whipped to the corner, but moved away from Hennig’s shoulder attack, that had Hennig fly through the ropes. Wahoo’s chops in the corner had Hennig fly up to lay on the tope rope in the corner. Wahoo gave another shot that took Hennig to the floor again. Hennig returned to brawl with Wahoo, and blood came from over Wahoo’s right eye. There was a flesh colored patch that looks like either band air, or blood pouch hanging over Wahoo’s eye.
Hennig worked over Wahoo’s left leg with a yanking hamstring stretch. Hennig sprung off the ropes and was dropped by a big chop. Wahoo then gave a dropping chop that usually finishes his opponents, but Hennig kicked out at referee Jim Bunning’s count of 2. Hennig went to the ring apron, traded shots with Wahoo, then took down Wahoo with a shoulder jam to the mid section. Hennig leaped under the top rope to cover Wahoo with Hennig’s leg laying on the middle rope. The ref made the 3, ending the match in under ten minutes.
Many fans in the audienced chanted "Bullshit!" Wahoo chopped away at Hennig, then Irish whipped him into a big toma hawk chop that took Hennig down, then sliding from the ring. In a post match interview with Larry Nelson. Wahoo said that the people hit it right on the head, agreeing with their chant. Wahoo said he knew he wouldn’t a hundred chances, so the one place to settle it is in a cage. Wahoo then had the crowd chanting "Cage!" as he walked back to the locker room.
Catch the legends of AWA Monday - Friday at 1am est on ESPN Classic.
David
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