August 27^th aired a 1990 episode of Verne Gagne`s AWA All-Star Wrestling.

Eric Bischoff began the show discussing newcomer Larry "The Butcher" Cameron. Bischoff said that Cameron was brought in by AWA world champion Larry Zbyszko as an "ace in the hole" for Larry`s Legends team.

Bischoff mentioned that Mr. Saito was once described by Zbyszko as an "ace in the hole", and that backfired when Saito won the title briefly from Zbyszko. Bischoff questioned if the wild card choice of Larry Cameron would make a joker out of Zbyszko.

 Larry "The Butcher" Cameron versus Jake "Milkman" Milliman

Cameron made his in ring debut against Milliman, a popular jobber on a winning streak. The match began with Cameron raking Milliman`s eye, then cornered him with strikes and a choke. As the referee counted, Cameron broke, then choked again, restarting the ref`s count.

Cameron crashed down on Milliman`s neck with an elbow, the headbutted him back against the ropes. There was an out of place edit that showed a crowd from the Showboat in Las Vegas, but this match did not take place there.

Cameron knocked Milliman to the mat, but Milliman ducked a back elbow, and flew off the ropes with a double forearm strike that caught Cameron off guard for a moment. Milliman went for a dropkick but Cameron swatted away Milliman`s feet.

Cameron punched Milliman down to his knee, then made Milliman yell in the corner, with a kidney punch. Milliman was hip tossed across the ring, then eited to the floor. When Milliman got back on the ring apron, Cameron held Milliman down on the top rope, and clubbed his chest.

Back in the ring, Milliman was Irish whipped for a running clothesline, then Cameron scooped him up, and charged out of the corner with a running powerslam. Cameron covered, hooked the leg and got the 3 count. This match was under four minutes.

Buck Zumhofe joined Eric Bischoff for an interview at the studio. The song "Rock `n` Roll Music" by Chuck Berry playing on his over the shoulder radio boom box. Zumhofe said that after working out, and wrestling everyone that came along, that he is ready for his AWA world light heavyweight tournament final match against "Illustrious" Jonnie Stewart.

Zumhofe said that his little rock `n` rollers would be screaming "stew rat" during their match. He went on to say that when the dust clears, and the smoke is gone, he will be standing in the middle of the ring. Zumhofe said his fans will turn up their radios to celebrate, and that the AWA light heavyweight title will be his.

Team Challenge Series Update

Lee Marshall mentioned the major developments in Sarge`s Snipers team, when team captain Sgt. Slaughter left the AWA. Sarge`s Snipers team elected Colonel DeBeers by unanimous vote as their new team leader.

DeBeers put himself in a meat grinder match as his first act as team captain. Larry "Butcher" Cameron was entered for Larry`s Legends, and one half of AWA world tag team champions, D.J. Peterson was in representing Baron Von Raschke`s Blitzers.

Cameron`s victory took The Legends out of their slump, and one point away from Colonel DeBeers`s Diamond Cutters. The scores at this time had Baron Blitzers at 45 points, DeBeer`s Diamond Cutters at 38 points and Larry`s Legends at 37 points.

Backstage, The Texas Hangmen gave comments about the upcoming 8 Ball tag match. Both Hangmen removed their studded black leather hoods, and showed their silver masks underneath. The Hangman on the right said that thinks there is dissention on his team Larry`s Legends.

Hangman #2 said that was wrong, as Zbyszko had kept his team cool, calm and collected. Hangman told everyone to get ready as there were a lot of surprises in store. Hangman on the left then said that his team would do whatever it takes to win the Team Challenege Series` million dollar prize.

He went on to say that team captain Zbyszko had instructed them to hurt their opponents, and said that is what The Hangmen like to do. Both Hangmen then laugh maniacally.  

The Hangmen`s 8 Ball match partners, The Destruction Crew, then gave comments. Wayne "The Train" Bloom said that he knew the million dollars was right around the corner for his Larry`s Legends team. "Mean" Mike Enos began to talk, and Bloom told him "hang on, I'll handle this one, Mike"   

Bloom continued that the big momentum was on their side. Enos shouted "we want our belts!" and Bloom again told him to hang on. Bloom said that he had not forgotten about D.J. Peterson and The Trooper taking the AWA world tag team titles from them.

Bloom said that the new champions may have forgotten about the hunger to win the belts, as The Destruction Crew now possess that desire. Bloom said that when The Destruction Crew get them in the ring, "the feast is on you, and destruction is the dessert!"  

 Eight Ball Match: 8 man elimination Team Challenge Series match

Baron`s Blitzer (Baron Von Raschke, Brad Rheingans, The Trooper & Tommy Jammer) versus Larry`s Legends ( Wayne "The Train" Bloom & "Mean" Mike Enos of The Destruction Crew with Killer and Psycho of the Texas Hangmen)

Lee Marshall explained that pinfall, submissions and being thrown to the floor earns a team an elimination and one point. Referee Gary DeRousha held Baron Von Raschke back from one of the Texas Hangman.

Bloom and the Hangman yell at the crowd, and as the match is underway, Jammer backed the Hangman to ropes for a clean break. A commentating Verne Gagne spoke of Baron Von Raschke`s powerful grip, and said that Danny Hodge also had powerful hands. Lee Marshall mentioned that former late night talk show host Arsenio Hall had tremendous hands.

Jammer charged down the Hangman, and tried to throw Hangman over the ropes, but Hangman #2 blocked on the ring apron. Hangman #1 was headlocked to the mat, but escaped with an eye rake. Jammer then arm dragged a tagged Enos, but Enos eye raked out of the arm bar.

Enos went to body slam, but Jammer slipped out from behind, and pushed Enos off the ropes for a roll-up. Bloom rushed in and kicked Jammer off, breaking the pin count at 2. Enos clubbed Jammer in the ropes, but Jammer took down Enos with an off the ropes charge.

Jammer whipped Enos for a dropkick, then for a back body drop. Jammer leaped up for a flying cross body, but Eno dropped and held the top rope down. Jammer flew to the floor, and was eliminated before the contest had reached three minutes.

Enos distracted referee DeRousha, as Hangman choked Baron. Eno rubbed Baron`s face against the top rope, then Bloom snapped Baron back with a yanking top rope choke. A tagged Hangman double ax handled Baron`s back, then threw him into Hangman #2`s knee.

Hangman held Baron`s arm up for a tagged Hangman #2`s rib punch, then #2 went on to rake and rope burn Baron. Hangman #2 headbutted Baron to the ropes, and the other Hangman pressed Baron`s back on the middle rope for a choke. A Hangman in the ring stepped on Baron`s throat, then Baron`s throat was stepped on by the Hangman on the ring apron.

Hangman #2 whipped Baron for a clothesline, but Baron ducked and clamped on The Claw. Hangman #2 goes to his knees as Trooper punched back an incoming Enos. Rheingans knocked away Bloom. Baron put away Hangman #2, and elminated him before the match reached five minutes.

A minute after Hangman#2`s elimination, Baron was thrown to the floor for an elimination by Hangman #1. Rheingans slammed Hangman #1 with a belly to back suplex. Bloom kneed Rheingans into the corner, and Enos choked Rheingans on the top rope.

Enos distracted the referee, as Bloom choked Rheingans on the rope. Trooper entere dthe ring, but this only further the distraction, and continued Destruction Crew`s choke on Rheingans. Enos clubbed Rheingans on the ropes, then whipped him for a back body drop.

When Enos ducked down, Rheingans rolled him up, and nearly got the three count.

The remaining Hangman was tagged, and attacked Rheingans with clubs, chokes on the rope and a turnbuckle smash. Hangman held Rheingans for a tagged Bloom punch. Bloom suplexed Rheingans and received a near fall on.

Rheingans reversed an Irish whip and pressed Bloom to the canvas with a gut wrench suplex. Rheingans hooked the leg and received a pin of 2. A tagged Hangman stomped Rheingans, then clubbed him on the ropes.

Rheingans punched back and charged him down, when Hangman shoved off the headlock. Rheingans charged, and Enos yanked down the top ropes, causing Rheingans to spill to the floor for an elimination. This was under nine minutes into the bout.

Trooper dropkicked The Hangman, whipped him for a flying tackle, then body slammed him. Trooper missed with an off the ropes elbow drop, and held his arm in pain. Hangman clubbed Trooper in the corner, and gripped him with a one hand choke.

Hangman threw Trooper`s head into Enos` boot, and Trooper was whipped to the turnbuckles. Trooper moved away from the charge, and Hangman went through the ropes, eliminated just a minute after Rheingans.

Bloom clotheslined and stomped The Trooper. Enos assisted with a double suplex, then Bloom double ax handled a seated Trooper. As The Crew clubbed at Trooper, he was on one knee, punching both in the stomach. Trooper then rammed Bloom and Enos` heads together, but Bloom whipped Trooper to the corner, then Enos back body dropped the Trooper.

Bloom charged, but Trooper back dropped him from the ring, a minute after Hangman`s elimination. Trooper kicked a downed Enos in the corner, Irish whipped him for a body slam, then Trooper raised his arm to signal the Big Pinch.

Trooper clamped the hold onto Enos` neck, then broke the hold to punch Bloom off the ring apron. Enos launched into Trooper with a flying tackle. Trooper hopped up and Enos shoved him over the top ropes. Enos scored the final elimination, closing the Team Challenge Series match in under twelve minutes.

Larry`s Legends team have earned four points with this victory. Baron Blitzers would gain three points for eliminating all but one participant. Bloom entered the ring and raised Enos` arm. The Hangmen entered, one raised Enos` arm, as the other shaked hands and low fives with Bloom.

Backstage, Eric Bischoff interviewed Jonnie Stewart, who was wearing prescription glasses. Stewart said that he was in for the most important match of his career, and would prove that he is the best in the entire sports world.

Stewart continued by speaking about having a tingle up his spine, everytime he thought about facing "Rock `n` Roll" Buck Zumhofe in the AWA world light heavyweight championship tournament final.

Stewart repeated Ric Flair`s quote about being the man. He wondered if Zumhofe ever looked in the mirror to ask himself, if tonight he was ready, willing and capable of being the man.

 "Illustrious" Jonnie Stewart versus "Rock `n` Roll" Buck Zumhofe in the finals of the AWA world light heavyweight championship tournament

Zumhofe entered the ring with his radio boom box raised high, and danced on the ring apron while wearing a pink poncho. Stewart waiting in the ring, wearing a blue sequined robe with yellow feathered trim. Both men stood face to face, and Zumhofe pulled back to threaten to a punch. Verne Gagne commented that Stewart might have the edge if they were judging on who looked the wildest.

Zumhofe rallied fans to clap, and raised his radio in the ring. Referee Gary DeRousha did not take the radio away. Stewart got to one knee in the corner, and rested his head against the middle turnbuckle.

Zumhofe charged, but Stewart went to the ring apron, and boos emanated from the crowd. Stewart goes to the floor to say something to a fan, then hopped over the top rope to get the match going.

Stewart looked to have have gone for a wristlock, but elbowed Zumhofe. Stewart body slammed him but missed with an elbow drop. Stewart backed off to the corner, then walked the apron. Back in the ring, Zumhofe headlocked Stewart to a hammerlock. Zumhofe cranked on the chicken wing.

Stewart hammerlocked out of Zumhofe`s chicken wing, and Zumhofe leg swept Stewart back to the mat. Zumhofe did a step over toe hold, and Stewart kicked Zumhofe for a release. Zumhofe headlocked Stewart, stepped from the middle turnbuckle to the top, and flipped Stewart to the mat for a pin count of 2.

Verne Gagne mentioned that Red Bastian and Ray "The Crippler" Stevens used to like that move. Stewart pushed off the headlock and is charged down. Zumhofe then headlocked Stewart, and stepped off the top turnbuckle to flip Stewart to the mat again.

Stewart head scissored for an escape. Verne Gagne mentioned that the first professional wrestling title he won was the light heavyweight title from Sonny Myers, and Verne said it ws called the junior heavyweight title back in then. Verne had to give the year some more thought, and then said it was in 1950.

Zumhofe escaped the hold and re-applied the headlock on Stewart, but Stewart pulled Zumhofe`s hair, to get him back in the head scissors. Zumhofe moved himself to where he bounced left and right, and kicked back to escape.

Zumhofe jumped forward onto Stewart with the headlock, and gained a pin of 1. Stewart escape, and whipped Zumhofe to the ropes. Zumhofe ducked the back elbow, then caught Stewart with a body slam and an arm drag.

Stewart tried to have the arm wringer broken by referee DeRousha, when he went to the ring apron, but Zumhofe yanked Stewart back in by his locked left arm. Zumhofe slammed Stewart`s arm onto the top turnbuckle, then almost took him over the top ropes with a corner whip.

Zumhofe Irish whipped Stewart, but instead of releasing, he pulled back to further punish Stewart`s arm. Zumhofe whipped Stewart to the corner, and Stewart goes over the ropes, to the floor. Commentators Lee Marshall and Verne Gagne concluded that referee DeRousha did not feel Zumhofe tried to send Stewart over the top rope, and the match continued.

Stewart stalled outside as Zumhofe reached for him near the ring post. Stewart returned to the ring, wristlocked Zumhofe, and chopped him in the corner. Zumhofe reversed Stewart`s corner whip, sending Stewart shoulder first to the top turnbuckle. Stewart had jumped up and laid on the top turnbuckle, as Zumhofe charged with a flying elbow strike.

Stewart had tried to fly off the top rope, but Zumhofe slammed him from the top turnbuckle to the mat. Zumhofe received a count of 2 on his pin cover. Zumhofe atomic dropped Stewart, but Stewart came back with an eye rake. Both men exchanges punches, until Zumhofe took down Stewart with a right fist.

A confused Stewart went to the corner with hand out to tag, Zumhofe made Stewart`s head meet the turnbuckle, then knocked down Stewart after another turnbuckle smash. Stewart`s head was placed between Zumhofe`s knees for a stomping head vice.

Stewart was jolted over the top rope, but referee DeRousha felt that it was due to momentum, and not a deliberate tactic of Zumhofe`s. Stewart returned to the ring, turn buckle smashed Zumhofe and hit him with a knee lift.

Zumhofe reversed a corner whip, and Stewart went down after hitting the buckles. Zumhofe grabbed the top rope in the corner and jumped off the middle rope for a splash, but Zumhofe`s abdomen crashed into Stewart`s raised knees.

Stewart rushed off the ropes with a corkscrew elbow drop, that met only canvas. Zumhofe rolled chest up onto the downed Stewart for referee Gary DeRousha pin count of 3, closing the match in under eleven minutes. "Rock `n` Roll" Buck Zumhofe is the new AWA world light heavyweight champion.

From behind, Stewart double ax handled Zumhofe down, then hit him with the title belt. Stewart threw Zumhofe over the top rope to the floor. Stewart laid on the belt in the ring, as referee DeRousha tried and eventually wrested the belt away.

Verne Gagne said that Stewart had his shoulder up before the count of three, and on the replay, Lee Marshall found that out to be so.

Eric Bischoff interviewed Zumhofe at ringside. Zumhofe said that Stewart think he has what it takes, to sign a contract and he can be next in line for a title match. Zumhofe said "Rockamania is running wild!" and added that his little rock n rollers will help put Stewart away.

Bischoff went to ask the kids at ringside what they thought of Zumhofe, they rushed around his microphone and shouted "He`s awesome!" Zumhofe then got his fans to chant "Rock n` Roll!"

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

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