WrestlingFigs > Wrestling News Posts > CLASSIC AWA AUGUST 29th TV REPORT
CLASSIC AWA AUGUST 29th TV REPORT
  • 08/29/2008 (8:48:34 pm)
  • Georgiann Makropoulos

….

August 29th aired a 1990 episode of Verne Gagne`s AWA All-Star Wrestling. AWA founder and former world champion Verne Ggane joined Eric Bischoff and Lee Marshall to introduced the matches.
 
Marshall said that fans were still abuzz over "Rock `n` Roll" Buck Zumhofe win over "Illustrious" Jonnie Stewart in the finals of the AWA world light heavyweight championship tournament.
 
Verne said that the AWA was bombarded by letters from Stewart fans who saw as Verne did that day, that Stewart`s right shoulder was up before the 3 count.
Last minutes of that match re-aired.
 
Zumhofe slammed Stewart from the top turnbuckle, and received a 2 count on his pin cover. Zumhofe atomic dropped Stewart, but Stewart came back with an eye rake. Both men exchanged punches, until Zumhofe took Stewart down with a right fist.
 
A confused Stewart went to the corner to tag an imaginary partner. Zumhofe slammed Stewart`s head into that corner`s turnbuckle, then smashed him to the turnbuckle next door. Stewart`s head was put between Zumhofe`s knee for a stomping head vice. Stewart flew over the top rope, and be it that Stewart`s momentum took him over, it was not ruled a disqualification.
 
Stewart returned to jam his shoulder into Zumhofe`s mid-section. Zumhofe was smashed to the corner buckle, then clocked with a knee lift. Zumhofe then reversed Stewart`s corner whip, then with Stewart down, Zumhofe rushed off the turnbuckles for a backwards mid-rope splash.
 
When Zumhofe came down, Stewart had him meet his knees. Stewart charged off the ropes, but missed with a corkscrew elbow drop. Zumhofe rolled his back onto Stewart, and referee Gary DeRousha counted the 3.
 
A commentating Verne Gagne told his broadcast partner Lee Marshall, that he saw Stewart get his right shoulder up before the 3. Stewart attacked Zumhofe from behind, struck him with the championship belt, then threw him from the ring.
 
Stewart laid on the title in the ring, as referee DeRousha tried to wrestle away the title. The replay then showed that Verne was correct about Stewart having his right shoulder up before the 3.
 
 
 John "Pistol" Pistulka versus Brad Rheingans
 
Rehingans sprinted to the ring to Bachman Turner Overdrive`s song "Takin` Care of Business" as he slapped fans` hands down the aisle. Pistulka appaluaded Rheingans in the ring. Rheingans backed Pistulka to the ropes for a clean break, then took Pistulka down after an exchange of waistlocks.
 
Pistulka went to the ropes for a release, and commentator Verne Gagne mentioned that in Rheingans is one of the most popular wrestlers in Japan. Pistulka backed Rheingans to the corner for punches and shoulder jams.
 
A corner whipped Rheingans moved away from Pistulka`s charge, and Pistulka crashed to the buckles. Rheingans arm dragged Pistulka out of the corner, then leg dropped and scissored Pistulka left arm.
 
Pistulka escaped Rheingans arm stretcher, by standing and a boot rake to the face, as Rheingans was holding the arm from the mat. Pistulka choked Rheingans on the top ropes, whipped him to the ropes, but Rheingans charged down Pistulka.
 
Rheingans snapmared, hopped up and raked his boots on the sides of Pistulka`s face. Rheingans gut wrench suplexed and received a pin count of 1. Rheingans applied a hammerlock as he covered Pistulka on the mat.
 
Pistulka said no, in a pained voice, as the referee asked if he wanted to submit. Rheingans had Pistulka`s shoulder to the canvas twice for a 2 count each time. Pistulka got up and raked Rheingans` eyes in the corner, body slammed him, but missed with a leg drop.
 
Rheingans landed a gut punch, but was reversed whipped to the ropes. When Pistulka ducked down for a back drop attempt, Rheingans shot in with a roll-up, and gained the 3 count victory pin. This match ended before the four minute mark. Pistulka exited the ring to slap fans` hands at ringside.
 
 
Eric Bischoff replayed the end of Harley Race`s match against AWA champion Larry Zbyszko. Race and Zbyszko exchanged punched at ringside, then Race pushed Zbyszko into the steel ring post. Referee Gary DeRousha signaled for the bell, and commentator Lee Marshall thought that Race was disqualified.
 
Back in the ring, Race headbutted down DeRousha. Zbyszko landed left and right punches to the mid-section of a cornered Race. Eight wrestlers entere dthe ring to back off Race and Zbyszko. Race took down Randy Gust, Jamie Magnum, Tony Denucci, Steve Berg and Kent Carlson. Zbyszko then escape the mob that included John Pistulka, W.T. Jones and Tom Bennett, to exit the ring.
 
 
 Kent Carlson versus "Handsome" Harley Race
 
Although Race was a seven time National Wrestling Alliance world champion, Donna Gagne announced him as having held the title eight times. Bennet punched Race in the corner, Race knocked him back, and gave a headlock punch.
 
Bennet was Irish whipped for a dropkick, nailed with two knee drops, then cradled up after a fisherman`s suplex. The referee counted Bennett`s shoulder down for a Race 3 count victory. This match ended in under one minute. Commentator Lee Marshall said that Bennett can learn a lot, even from losing to a wrestler of Race`s high caliber.
 
 
Backstage, Eric Bischoff interviewed "Rock `n` Roll" Buck Zumhofe and Curtis "The Cat" Hughes, who will be compteing in the 8 ball Team Challenge Series main event match. Zumhofe wore a black fedora, prescription glasses, with a boom box over his right shoulder, playing Chuck Berry`s song "Rock and Roll Music"
 
Zumhofe commented how his team will top the match gaining all the points, and that all the little rock and rollers will be out in support with their boom boxes. Hughes was enthusiastic about winning the $1 million prize, as Zumhofe told him that they could get a brand new Cadillac and paint the town.
 
 
Team Challenge Series Update
 
Highlights form the first 8 Ball Match aired where Baron Blitzers team of Baron Von Raschke, Brad Rheingans, Tommy Jammer and The Trooper faced Larry`s Legends of Wayne "The Train" Bloom, ""Mean" Mike Enos of the Deestruction Crew with Killer and Psycho of the Texas Hangmen.
 
Larry`s Legends won with their final man left in the contest, "Mean" Mike Enos charging Baron`s Blizter`s last man, The Trooper, over the top rope. This gained eight points for The Legends, and seven points to The Blitzers. The scoring at this point had Baron`s Blizters still leading with 48 points, followed by Larry`s Legends moving into the 2nd scot with 44 points, and Sarge`s Sniper turned The Diamond Cutters trailing with 38 points.
 
 
Former AWA world tag team champions "Mean" Mike Enos and Wayne "The Train" Bloom of The Destruction Crew gave comments. Bloom said that the whole world witnessed a great injustice when D.J. Peterson and The trooper took the titles away.
 
Enos started to speak and Bloom told him to hold one, as he would handle this one. Bloom mentioned how The Trooper did not stand for lawful good, as Enos had DJ jacked up on a path of Destruction.
 
Bloom said his team was about to win, when The Trooper disrupted the Wrecking Ball (Bloom`s top rope clothesline). Enos started to speak of the $1 million purse in the Team Challenge Series, saying "a lot of money"
 
Bloom told him to hold on again "I`ll handle this one, Mike" Bloom said that his team did have momentum on their side, and that there was no dissension in Larry`s Legends. Bloom went on to say that The Crew had taken up with the Texas Hangmen, to get the job done. Bloom warned the teams "Destruction is coming your way, and one million dollars is coming our way!"
 
 
Each captain gave comments backstage, starting with Colonel DeBeers. He said that he told the American people that Sgt. Slaughter was not the one to lead men into battle. DeBeers went on to say that Sarge deserted his team, when they were only a few points behind.
 
DeBeers said that people may think Sarge went to Saudi Arabia, but DeBeers thought Sarge was just in hiding. DeBeers said that he will take the trailing Snipers to be the prevailing Diamond Cutters, and win the million dollars.
 
 
Baron Von Raschke then gave comments. He said that although his team had lost a little ground, they would prove to have not lost heart in the upcoming Survivor Battle Royal. Baron said that trickery and treachery of the other teams will not win out, and warned "We`re coming to get you!"
 
 
With a cartoon graphic of Larryland amusement park behind him, Legends team captain and AWA world heavyweight champion Larry Zbyszko gave comments on behalf of his team. He said that he proved to the spudheads that his team was not at each other`s throats.
 
Zbyszko said that The Crew and The Hangmen would go to victory, like they did in the first 8 Ball tag match. Zbyszko described his group as cool, calm, and collected. Zbyszko proclaimed that he would march is army into the Armageddon, and be a million dollars richer.
 
Zbyszko "We have the momentum, we have the greed..and it`s spelled with a capital Z!"
 
 
Behind the 8 Ball Match (8 man tag team elimination):
 
DeBeers` Diamond Cutters ("Rock `N` Roll" Buck Zumhofe, "Illustrious" Jonnie Stewart, Curtis "The Cat" Hughes & The Unknown Soldier) versus Larry`s Legends ("Mean" Mike Enos & Wayne "The Train" Bloom of the Destruction Crew with Killer & Psycho of the Texas Hangmen)
 
DeBeers accompanied his team, then Larry Zbyszko followed his team to ringside. The Unknown Soldier saluted DeBeers on the floor. Stewart was joking around by acting startled to see the cameraman, then mockingly tried to shake the hand of a Hangman and Colonel DeBeers. Stewart patted Zumhofe on the back, and Zumhofe looked like he wanted to fight Stewart.
 
The masked Unknown Soldier twisted the Hangman`s arm, tagged Zumhofe, who continued the arm wringer, then a tagged Hughes kept the arm lock going. Hughes headbutted Hangman down, then twisted the arm for a tagged Soldier middle rope flying double chop.
 
Soldier hammerlocked Hangman, missed a clothesline, but dropkicked him down. Soldier picked up the over 300 lb. Hangman for a backbreaker. A tagged Hughes forearmed Hangman`s back, body slammed him, almost missed an elbow drop. Hangman tried to shake off the blow, and held Hughs for Enos` gut punch.
 
Hughes reversed an Irish whip and clotheslined down Enos. Hughes went for a splash, but Enos moved away. Stewart kicked Enos off his pin cover at referee Gary DeRousha`s count of 2. Enos struck Hughes in the corner, Zumhofe grabbed a hold of Enos, and Soldier choked Enos from the ring apron.
 
Hughes clubbed Enos in the corner, then a tagged Zumhofe assisted in a double back body drop. Hughes then dropkicked Enos over the top rope for the elimination (note: Enos was the only survivor in the first 8 Ball Match). This first elimination occurred in under four minutes of this bout.
 
Bloom viciously clubbed at Hughes back, then pummeled Soldier in the corner. Bloom could not bring over of the hugh Hughes with a snap mare, but backed Soldier away. A tagged Hangman choked Hughes in the corner. Hangman clubbed but was taken to one knee by Hughes` headbutt.
 
A Zumhofe struck Hangman, but Hangman clubbed him against the ropes. Soldier was unsuccessful in trying to snap Hangman on the top rope, and Zumhofe was smashed to the turnbuckle. Hangman elbowed Zumhofe`s neck
 
Hangman eyes raked off Zumhofe`s stomach strikes, body slammed him, then pressed
him to the mat with a one handed choke. Zumhofe pushed off the headlock, then criss crossed the ropes. Soldier entered with a gut kick and Zumhofe rolled up hangman for 3. The second elimination took place in under six minutes from the starting bell.
 
Hughes headbutt and body slammed the 2nd Hangman, but missed an off the ropes elbow drop. A tagged Soldier atomic dropped Hangman, whipped him for a gut punch and a snapmare. A tagged Zumhofe assisted with a double dropkick, and Soldier covered for a pin of 2.
 
Solider reached out for a tag, but Stewart turned his back and shook his head. Hangman elbowed Soldier down to one knee, then slammed his head into Bloom`s boot. Hangman then put his leg over Soldier for a middle rope choke.
 
Bloom and Hangman took turns stepping on Soldier`s throat. Soldier reversed a corner whip on a tagged Hangman, and the Hangman went down to the mat. Hangman was whipped for a savate kick, then an awkward neck drop.
 
Soldier body slammed the over 300 pounder, and landed with a flying middle rope elbow. Soldier hooked the leg, and received a 2, when Bloom pulled Soldier off the pin cover.
Stewart patted Soldier`s back, then Bloom shook the ropes. Soldier fell and was crotched on the top rope, before falling to the floor. This third elimination occurred before the nine minute mark.
 
Hughes clubbed Hangman down, then headbutted and body slammed Bloom, for a pin count of 2. Hughes clubbed a seated Bloom. Hughes applied a chinlock, then held him for a tagged Zumhofe`s stomach punch.
 
Zumhofe went for a stomping headvice, but Bloom back body dropped him off. Bloom missed with a clothesline, and Zumhofe`s off the ropes cross body press earned him a pin count of 1. Zumhofe surprised Stewart with a tag. Stewart shook his head, yelled at the crowd, and was taunted by the Hangman, Stewart raised his hands to beg Bloom to give him space.
 
Bloom kicked and kneed Stewart in the corner, then corner whipped Stewart back and forth three times. Bloom body slammed Stewart and received a near 3 count, until Zumhofe pushed Bloom off the pin. Commentators Verene Gagne and Lee Marshall mentioned their amazement in seeing Zumhofe help out his rival Stewart.
 
Stewart dropped a double ax handle off the ropes, as Bloom ducked down for a back body drop. Stewart head Bloom for an incoming Zumhofe`s dropkick. Bloom broke away, and Zumhofe accidently dropkicked Stewart over the top rope. His elimination occurred before the match had reached ten minutes.
 
Zumhofe knocked back Bloom, elbowed Hangman`s neck, but Hangman punched back. Zumhofe went for a body slam, but Stewart grabbed his legs, and Zumhofe went down.
Hangman snapmared Zumhofe for a chinlock, then dropped a knee. Hangman held Zumhofe for a tagged Bloom punch.
 
Zumhofe rolled up Bloom for an inside cradle, but ringside Stewart pushed Zumhofe off the pin at 2. Bloom body slammed Zumhofe, and Zumhofe almost avoided the splash, but Bloom landed on Zumhofe`s back.
 
Zumhofe is on one knee punching back, and charged down Bloom. Stewart yelled instructs to Bloom, but Bloom was turnbuckle smashed and corner whipped. Bloom avoided Zumhofe`s corner charge, and Zumhofe`s shoulder hit the top turnbuckle, and he flew over the top rope. His elimination occurred before the eleven minute mark.
 
Zumhofe and Stewart exchanged words on the floor. Zumhofe turned and headed back to the locker room. Stewart clubbed him from behind and pushed him into the steel ring post. Hughes had whipped Hangman to the ropes, and both men fell in a collision. 
 
Stewart punched at the bloody Zumhofe, as Hughes gave a headbutt to Bloom and clubbed at the Hangman. Hughes Irish whipped Bloom, and Bloom went through the ropes. His elimination took place before the fourteen minute mark.
 
Hughes picked Hangman up in the over the shoulder torture rack. Hughes deposited Hangman to the mat, then connected with a middle rope splash. Referee Gary DeRousha slapped the mat 3 times and Curtis "The Cat" Hughes won the match for his DeBeers` Diamond Cutters, before the fifteen minute point.
 
 
Wrestlers not involved in the mat assisted crew member in bringing Zumhofe back to the locker room. Lee Marshall said that it took three wrestlers to hold down Zumhofe, as the paramedics tended to him.
 
Verne Gagne commented that Stewart was not concerned with the million dollar prize, as he came from a rich family. Verne felt that Curtis "The Cat" Hughes is why DeBeers` team is still in the ball game.
 
The scoring has Baron`s Blitzers at 48 points, Larry`s Legends at 47 points, and DeBeers` Diamond Cutters at 45 points.
 
 
Catch the legends of AWA Monday to Friday at 12 eastern standard time on ESPN
Classic.
 
Please check your local listing to air time in your area. Also, catch Herb Abrams` UWF on Saturday and Sunday mornings at 8am.
 

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