August 20^th aired a 1990 episode of Verne Gagne`s AWA All-Star Wrestling.

Eric Bischoff was with Ralph Strangis, who said that he was excited about getting to be working as a broadcaster along with Bischoff.  

 W.T. Jones versus Brad Rheingans

Rheingans came to the ring to Bachman Turner Overdrive`s song "Takin¢ Care of Business" Bischoff said that he saw Rheingans use a lateral drop to win the state wrestling championship at his high school, when Bischoff was a junior and Rheingans was a senior from a rival school.

WT escapes Rheingans` front face chancery to exit the ring under the bottom rope. When WT went to the ring apron, Rheingans yanked the top rope, flipping WT into the ring. WT pushed off Rheingans` headlock, and Rheingans took down WT with an off the ropes charge.

WT went for a hip toss, but Rheingans switched momentum and flipped over WT with a hip toss. Rheingans executed chain wrestling by going from a headlock to hammerlock to drop toe hold. WT was brought down in the ropes.

WT yelled "Get him him off me!", Rheingans moved away, then WT attacked Rheingans in the corner with strikes. After taking a kick, Rheingans kneed WT in the stomach for an escape from the corner.

Brad lifted WT for a back breaker and received a 2 count on his pin cover. WT was snapmared and struck with aa Rheingans` fist drop. Rheingans clamped on a front chancery that locked up WT`s head and right arm.

Rheingans brought WT to the mat, and turned himself on his back, then back to an upright position. WT backed Rheingans to the corner, and jammed his shoulder into Rheingans` mid-section. Bischoff mentioned that Rheingans created a wrestling training ground in his garage, and showed Bischoff some holds.

WT body slammed Rheingans, then yelled to the crowd "How do you like your champ now!" WT whipped Rheingans to the ropes for a back body drop, but when WT ducked down, Rheingans charged in with a rolling cradle for the 3 count victory. This match was under four minutes.

 Mike Braham versus Colonel DeBeers

DeBeers walked to the ring to Guns `N` Roses` song "Welcome to the Jungle" playing. DeBeers hopped over the top rope and twirled an end of his handlebar mustache.

Commentator Ralph Strangis said this was Braham`s debut match, but in a previous episode, Braham had debuted with Steve Berg in a tag tema match against "Illutsrious" Jonnie Stewart and ½ AWA world tag team champions "Mean" Mike Enos.

Bischoff told Strangis that he felt beneath DeBeers` tough exterior is a frustrated man, because his nation of South Africa had left him and his old ways of apartheid behind. As the match got underway, DeBeers attacked with an eye rake, snapmare, then a stomp to Braham`s face.

DeBeers would place his left foot on the top turnbuckle, as he slammed Braham`s head to the pad. Debeers had Braham crash to the mat with a sidewalk slam. DeBeers continued his attack with a stomp to the face, a knockdown right fist, tunrbuckle smash, kicks, and a whip to the corner buckles.

Braham struck at DeBeers, but DeBeers landed a knee to Brasham`s stomach. DeBeers then planted Braham to the mat with a foward drive piledriver, and rolled him over for a 3 victory for DeBeers. This match was under three minutes.

Bischoff signaled for DeBeers to come over for a ringside interview, but instead it showed Bischoff interviewing AWA world tag team champions Wayne "The Train" Bloom and "Mean" Mike Enos of The Destruction Crew at the studio.

Bischoff said that Enos still coming out to wrestle after a shoulder injury was a testimony to his toughness, but when Enos was about to speak, Bloom cut in saying "I`ll handle this one, Mike" Bloom said that his partner Enos was one of the toughest wrestlers, who guts it out week after week.

Bischoff asked Enos after his thoughts on Bloom being barred from ringside, when they face the Lumberjacks in separate singles matches. Bloom cut in again, saying "I`ll handle this one, Mike" Bloom said that the AWA committee was started to get some smarts, on their goal of getting rid of The Destruction Crew.

Bloom added that they used Bob Lurtsema to take advantage of the situation, when Bloom was out of town. When Bischoff asked for Enos to comment about Yukon John Nord and "Flapjack" Scott Norton of the Lumberjacks, Bloom said "I`ll handle this one, Mike"

Bloom said that his Crew will put The Lumberjacks out of wrestling. Bloom continued to say that The Lumberjacks are so confused, "Norton doesn`t know if his partner is Yukon John or his girlfriend Aunt Jemima!"

 John "Pistol" Pistulka versus Sgt. Slaughter

Sarge walked around ringside, clamping hands the fans. Then Ox Baker appeared seated at ringside, giving the thumbs up and saluting Sarge. Pistulka shook hands with Sarge, then was backed to the ropes. Sarge released for a clean break, then Pistulka extended for a handshake.

Pistulka backed Sarge to the ropes, and hit his forearm against Sarge`s chest. Strangis mentioned that Pistulka introduced himself to the promoters of the AWA, by going to their offices, asking for competition.

Sarge then backed Pistulka to the ropes and smashed his chest with a Sarge forearm. Strangis said that it Ox`s business cards are probably written in Crayola. Pistulka eye raked Sarge, then whipped him to the corner, taking him down with a charging back elbow.

There was a weird edit that showed some kids at ringside in slow motion, as Pistulka went from the ring apron to climb to the top rope. Sarge got up, punched Pistulka in the stomach, and gorilla press slammed him from the tope rope to the mat.

Sarge grabbed Pistulka left wrist and delivered a short arm clothesline. As Pistulka slowly got up, Sarge clamped on the Cobra Clutch, and Pistulka screamed "Yes!", immediately submitting. This match was under three minutes.

As Sarge was being interviewed by Bischoff at ringside, Ox went over and patted Sarge on the shoulder. Ox said that he would make Sarge a real good manager, and would make him champion. Sarge slapped away Ox`s hand, saying he was already champion.

Ox said that after scouting wrestlers for weeks, he felt that Sarge was his man. Sarge asked Ox to set something straight, in a guaranteed match against AWA world champion "Living Legend" Larry Zbyszko.

Ox said he could make the match happen, and Sarge asked to give him time to think it over. Sarge then quickly spoke again, satting that he thought it over and "The answer is absolutely no, you maggot!" Sarge ripped up Ox`s business card and tossed away the pieces.

Ox gripped Bischoff`s shoulder, saying that he has been humbled these past weeks, and Sarge`s behavior did not make one lick of sense. Ox vowed "I will make someone great in AWA. I`m gonna keep looking" Bischoff said that he would need a chiropractor from Ox`s grip, if he kept being confronted that way.

Bischoff said that at the risk of sounding redundant, AWA world champion Larry Zbyszko has faced tough competition in Mr. Saito, Nikita Koloff, The Trooper and Sgt. Slaughter. Strangis said that DJ Peterson felt in his heart that he won in his match with Zbyszko, and Bischoff said he felt as DJ did.

The final moments of DJ`s match against Zbyszko replayed. After being powerslammed, Zbyszko went to the mat from DJ`s gut wrench suplex. DJ flew off the middle rope with a corkscrew elbow drop, but Zbyszko kicked out of the pin at 2.

Zbyszko shoved off DJ`s headlock, and DJ ran down referee Gary DeRousha. DJ rolled Zbyszko up with an inside cradle, but DeRousha was momentarily out of it. DeRousha recovered enough to counted to 2, using one hand after the other.

DJ smashed Zbyszko to the turnbuckle, then clubbed at him. After landing a knee, referee DeRousha backed DJ away from the corner. Zbyszko took DJ`s leg out from under him, then rolled him for a pin. Zbyszko placed his left foot on the bottom rope, and got 3 count victory.

 George Anderson versus D.J. Peterson

Bischoff and Strangis agreed that DJ looked "all business", as he walked ton the ring to AC/DC`s song "TNT" Anderson took DJ to the mat with an arm drag, then again with a hip toss. DJ took his time to pace himself, and made countered Anderson`s waistlock with an elbow to the face.

DJ clubbed Anderson down, body slammed him, then dropped him with an inzuigiri. Bischoff said that he had never seen DJ use that move before (I believe DJ learned that move from tour of Japan). DJ executed a snap suplex, then hoisted Anderson up for a shoulder breaker.

As Anderson got up, he met a DJ`s flying clothesline from the top turnbuckle. DJ locked in the Scorpion leglock, and pressed down, with his left leg into Anderson`s back. Referee Gary DeRousha signaled the bell, as Anderson submitted, earning DJ the victory in this under three minute match. DJ shoved away DeRousha`s attempt to release the hold, as DJ took his time to release it.

 Mike Braham & Steve Berg versus Killer & Psycho of the Texas Hangmen

Bischoff mentioned that when he was on a trip from Texas, he read in the Wacoi newspaper, that the Texas Hangmen were arrested for clearing a bar and beating up the police in the process. Killer clubbed the larger Berg, but Berg charged him down twice.

Berg sent Killer to the mat with a flying off the ropes tackle, but Psycho entered to kick Berg off the pin. Killer eye raked out of Berg`s wristlock, then held a tagged Braham for tagged Psycho kick. Psycho rubbed Braham`s face into the mat, choked him down to the mat, then went back to pressure Berg down with another choke.

Psycho hit a knee lift, then had Braham`s chest hung up on the top rope, as a tagged Killer jumped off the middle ropes for a flying forearm. Killer put Braham in a spinning neckbreaker, then delivered an off the ropes knee drop.

After a powerslam, Killer delivered a dropping neckbreaker, as a tagged Psycho come down on Braham with a flying double ax handle from the middle rope. Psycho body slammed Braham, raked his eyes, then knocked him into the corner with a double arm cross strike.

Psycho then distracted the referee, as Killer choked Braham with a bullrope. Psycho then whipped Braham for a back elbow and DDT`ed him. Psycho ran to the corner and punched Berg off the ring apron. Psycho then lifted Braham under his arm and slammed him, as a Killer flew off the middle ropes with forearms.

Killer hooked the leg for a Hangmen pin victory. This match was under four minutes. As Berg was helped Braham out of the ring, one of the Hangmen shoved Braham out with his boot.

In a Team Challenge Series update, Lee Marshall stated that if referee Gary DeRousha had not gotten knocked down, DJ Peterson may have become the next AWA world champion. AWA world champion Larry Zbyszko said that he would be taking matters into his own hands, and one should never wake a sleeping tiger.

The standing in the series have Baron Von Raschke`s Blitzers leading with 40 points, with Sgt. Slaughter`s Snipers and Larry Zbyszko`s Legends tied with 31 points each. Marshall said that there was little time remaining for either team to catch up.

As Bischoff spoke in front of cartoon backgroun of Larry land amusement park, he asked Zbyszko why he put so much pressure on his team. Zbyszko said that no one liked a wise guy, and said he was breaking his body week after week for his team.

Zbyszko said that his team has tough guys like the Texas hangmen and the AWA world tag team champions The Destruction Crew, but since the beginning, they have been getting robbed. Zbyszko cites Bob Lurtsema as referee as one of these ploys.

Zbyszko added that is what for his team what the world needs in a leader. Zbyszko said that he would shine light from his Holy Grail in wisdom, to guide his team to victory. Zbyszko said that he would implement techniques he used to retire former WWE champion Bruno Sammartino and former AWA champion Nick Bockwinkel.

 Team Challenge Series Survivor Battle Royal

In the ring, Lee Marshall announced the rules. He said there would be three men, one representing Baron Blitzers, one representing Larry`s Legends and One representing Sarge`s Sniper. He went on to say that every thirty seconds, a new man enters going in order from Blitzers to Legends to Snipers. Eliminations would occur when a man is thrown over the top rope.

Texas Hangman Psycho (Larry`s Legends) was in the corner, as "Rock `N` Roll" Buck Zumhofe (Sarge`s Snipers) charged and was back body dropped over the top. Yukon John Nord (Baron`s Blitzers) corner whip was reversed, but caughts a high boot on the charging Psycho.

"Mean" Mike Enos (Larry`s Legends) entered, ax handling Nord to the back. Nord took their clubs and clubbed his way out of the corner. Enos was whipped for a high boot, then Nord tied up Psycho`s arms in the ring ropes. Enos released Psycho before Nord could connect with an off the rope boot charge. Nord only met ropes, and his momentum took him over the top to the floor.

"Russian Nightmare" Nikita Koloff (Sarge`s Snipers) ran in and was double whipped to the ropes by Psycho and Enos. Nikita ducked their double clothesline, then knocked down both Psycho and Enos, with his off the ropes double clothesline.

Nikita rammed Psycho and Enos` heads together, then Nikita nearly slammed Psycho out of the ring, but Enos lifted Nikita out, also eliminating Psycho in the process. Russian Brute (Baron`s Blitzers) entered,and clubbed Enos in the corner.

Brute eye raked off Enos` knees in the corner. Brute ran Enos across the ring for a turnbuckle smash, then tried taking him over the top in the corner. Team captain of the Legends, Larry Zbyszko ran and nearly knocked Brute to the floor with one forearm club to the back. Brute hung onto the ropes as Zbyszko and Enos tried taking him to the floor.

Hughes ran in and clubbed Zbyszko from behind, causing Brute to fall to the fall..

Hughes knocked down Zbyszko with a headbutt, then knocked Eno into the ropes. Enos was whipped into the corner, where Hughes landed forearm clubs to the shoulder.

Zbyszko grabbed Hughes from behind for Enos to hit Hughes. The Trooper (Baron`s Blitzers) entered and pulled Zbyszko off of Hughes. Hughes body slammed Enos, and Zbyszko landed face first to the mat after Trooper`s fist flurry from the middle rope.

Texas Hangman Killer (Larry`s Legends) entered, and helped Enos take Hughes over the top rope. Enos and Killer took Trooper off of Zbyszko, to whip the Trooper for a double back elbow.

"Illustrious" Jonnie Stewart (Sarge`s Snipers) entered to double ax handle Trooper in the back. Trooper punched away all his aggressors, knocking down Stewart. Trooper clotheslined Enos into the ropes, and Stewart clubbed again, before kneeling down in the corner to recover.

Trooper grabbed Enos` face and shoved him away, to headbutt and club Stewart over the top rope. Zbyszko picked Trooper upside down for what at first looked to be a spike piledriver with Stewart`s assistance. "Flapjack" Scott Norton`s head was bandaged, he ran in and pushed Enos away with a face shove.

Norton headbutted and clotheslined Stewart over the top rope, and Trooper back body dropped Zbyszko over the tope rope. Norton smashed Enos into two different corner buckles, then whipped Enos for a high back body drop.

Trooper punched away at Killer in the corner. Then Norton charged and made Eno do a backflip over the top with a clothesline. Killer pleaded a bit as he backed off in the corner. Killer clubbed at Trooper, but Trooper struck back with lefts and and whipped him into Norton`s back elbow.

Norton then picked Killer off the mat and whipped him into Trooper`s off the ropes flying tackle. Norton and The Trooper put their hands to their ears to show that they are listening to the fans` request to dump out Killer. Norton and Trooper lead Killer to the ropes, and Norton took the final throw out for Killer.

This match was under seven minutes. Team Baron`s Blitzers win and pick up more points to maintain their lead. In a post match ringside interview, Trooper came over to talk with Bischoff, after greeting fans at ringside.

Trooper said that there was no doubt in his mind who two of the toughest are (referrring to himself and Norton). Trooper said it was scary for awhile when it was four on one, but he knew the big man was coming.

Bischoff said that the last time the Texas Hangmen ran into anything as big and tough as you two, it had eighteen wheels on it. Norton said that The Trooper did one hell, and that they did exactly what they set out to do, in cleaning house.

Norton pointed to his bandaged head, stating that he would take DeBeers down for what he did. Both competitors clamped hands, and Trooper told Norton that the million dollars in the Team Challenge Series is looking closer and closer. Trooper said they could be heading to the Bahamas, Vegas, anywhere they want to go after the win.

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

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