June 14^th aired a 1988 episode of Verne Gagne’s AWA All-STar Wrestling from the Showboat Sports Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada.  

Houdini versus Soldat Ustinov (Accompanied by Teijo Khan)

Soldat punished Houdini on the ropes with forearm clubs, an elbow and a rope choke. Houdini was dropped when Soldat whipped him for a shoulder tackle. Soldat tried going for a back body drop, but was rolled for a 2 count in a sunset flip. After a body slam and charging stomp, referee Gary DeRousha stopped the count at 2. The camera’s vanatge point did not show DeRousha’s claims of Houdini’s shoulder up. Soldat got easily frustrated, clubbed Houdini down, and threw him over the top rope, to the floor. DeRousha awarded the match to Houdini by disqualification, due to Soldat ignoring AWA¢s over the top rope rule. This match was under three minutes.

Backstage at what looked like the shower area, Larry Nelson interviewed Soldat Ustinov, who was with his tag team partner Teijo Khan. Soldat explained that the tv audience is looking at the next world champion in Teijo Khan. Soldat said that the Americans are undisciplined, and they do not understand hard work. Soldat said that he has the Soviet military mind, and has been training since seven years of age. Soldat explained Teijo will go from the struggle of growing up in the streets of Singapore eating garbage, to the AWA world championship.

Wayne Bloom versus Chief Wahoo McDaniel

Commentator Lee Marshall mentioned that Bloom (a.k.a Beau of the WWF/WWE¢s Beverly Brothers) was the national dead lift champion for his 821lbs press. Also providing commentary was former AWA champion Verne Gagne, who mentioned that McDaniel was an NFL linebacker and that when McDaniel was a kid, former president George H.W. Bush was his little league baseball coach.

Bloom went to the ropes, breaking Wahoo¢s hammerlock. After being taken down into an ankle twist on his left leg, Bloom grabbed the rope to break the hold. Bloom forearm clubbed Wahoo in the corner, then Wahoo back Bloom in the corner for knife edge chops. Bloom was Irish whipped to the opposite corner, then flipped to the mat in a head and left arm lock Referee Marty Miller made a couple counts to 2.

Bloom pulled Wahoo’s hair for the release. An angered Wahoo struck at Bloom in the corner, and referee Miller held back Wahoo‘s right hand to prevent the strikes. Bloom took advantage, striking Wahoo to the ropes,  then whipping him to the other side. Wahoo ducked Bloom’s clothesline, then landed a knockdown tomahawk chop. Wahoo pinned Bloom in under four minutes.

Backstage, "Raging Bull" Manny Fernandez said that he was the most awesome wrestler to come to the AWA. Fernandez said that he earned a shot at "Queen" Jerry Lawler’s world title, by knocking the toughest man with the baddest chop, Wahoo McDaniel, out of the number 1 spot. Fernandez said he slapped him around like he owned him and that Wahoo would have to come through him to get to Lawler.

On Celebrity Corner, Barry Zevan had comedy legend Don Rickles as his guest. Rickles jokingly said it was treat to be on the show that not many people get to be on. Zevan asked why there really wasn¢t anyone around with Rickle¢s comedic approach, and asked how Rickles developed it. Rickles said that it was his own creation that came from his personality. Rickles kidded that his mother¢s constant yelling helped develop his comedy, and that she could come down get him for joking like that. After Rickles goofed on Zevan¢s suit, Zevan said Rickles was terrific and brought Verne Gagne in.

Gagne said that he knew Rickles for thirty years, and kidded that maybe that was too long. Rickles said that he knew Gagne back when he was pinning him, and that Gagne was always a little slow, getting shoes planted in his mouth. Gagne said that Rickles wanted to be a wrestler until some wrestlers in Florida body slammed him. Rickles said that you never see any Jewish wrestlers, they¢re either the promoter, own the arena or they are offering a deal on trunks to the wrestlers.

Zevan mentioned that the bald heads of himself, Rickles and Gagne was creating a lot of glare. Gagne said that it made the perfect you know what (ass, for those who don¢t know what). Rickles kidded that Zevan was beginning to annoy him. Zevan mentioned Rickles show in Reno, Nevada and Rickles said all there is to do there is watch moose die. Rickles shook hands and said Gagne will look good again after proper medication. Gagne joked in asking if Rickles was ninety three, and Rickles asked Zevan if he has ever seen a Jewish guy slap a wrestler. Rickles thanked Zevan and jokingly said "Don¢t ever ask me to do this again, Barry"

Lori Lynn versus Magnificent Mimi

Both women were making their AWA in-match debut. Lynn was in a black and gold one piece tights, and removed her glitter cape. Lynn had been on televison before as the villainess Soviet Ninotchka from G.L.O.W. (Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling). Mimi came to the ring to the theme of the Miami Vice television show in a red feathered robe, silver cape and one piece metallic grey swimsuit. Lynn pushed Mimi back, then pulled Mimi¢s left arm, bringing her down to the mat. While still in the wristlock, Mimi forward rolled, then leap frogged over Lynn. Mimi then snap mared her over.

Lynn shoved Mimi down. An angered Mimi shoved Lynn near the ropes, pushing her to the floor. Lynn extended for a handshake on the ring apron, when Mimi approached. Lynn yanked Mimi¢s arm on the top rope, then elbowed Mimi¢s right arm against the apron. Lynn stepped on Mimi's right hand, and then punched Mimi down in the corner. Mimi was forced backwards on the mat from a turnbuckle smash. Mimi¢s right arm was yanked over Lynn¢s shoulder, before being locked chicken wing hold.

Mimi tried to twist out, but Lynn kept it secured, bring Mimi to her knees. Mimi pushed Lynn into the ropes, trying to hip roll for an escape, but Lynn held on to flip Mimi over. Lynn pulled Mimi up by the hair, then held up Mimi, as Mimi tried to rolled Lynn with a flying head scissors. Lynn body slammed off Mimi, but kept the chicken wing. Mimi escaped by rolling over a standing Lynn, and forcing her down with her locked arms, and a leg trip.

A charging Lynn was caught in Mimi¢s full nelson lock, and Lynn was unable to forward roll off her opponent. Lynn powered to a reverse, Mimi elbowed a snap mare, but Lynn blocked. Mimi leaped up and was able to rolled Lynn with a flying mare. Mimi rolled Lynn backwards off her back, monkey flipped Lynn, then arm dragged her down. Lynn went to the ropes to back off Mimi, tried to shake hands, and then eye rakes Mimi. Lynn was then sent to the mat by Mimi¢s judo chop. Lynn was charged down, then Mimi escaped her body slam attempt, and ducked her clothesline. Mimi took down Lynn in a collision, and referee Marty Miller counted the 3, ending the match after nine minutes.

AWA women¢s world champion Madusa Miceli joined Larry Nelson backstage for an interview. Madusa screamed at Nelson calling Mimi beautiful, and Nelson admitted that Madusa was lovely. Madusa jabbed her finger into Nelson¢s chest, saying that Madusa was also the greatest wrestler. Madusa said that Mimi irritated her, and that she would use Mimi¢s head as a pin cushion, with Mimi¢s legs as the needles.

In the Mat Classic segment, Greg Gagne presented a match from Houston Texas, promoted by Paul Boesch. That night, Blackjack Mulligan faced AWA world champion Nick Bockwinkel. Gagne mentioned Mulligan¢s former association with the champion and Bockwinkel¢s manager Bobby :The Brain" Heenan, and that a falling out took place during a tag team match. This match was joined in progress in the last few minutes. Mulligan went to body slam Bockwinkel, and on the outside, Heenan tripped Mulligan.

Heenan was brought to the ring apron by the hair, then Mulligan flipped him into the ring, knocking down Bockwinkel. Mulligan knocked by Bockwinkel, then Bockwinkel dodged Mulligan Irish whip to the corner. As Heenan was laid up on the top rope in the corner, Bockwinkel whipped Bockwinkel into him, taking Heenan to the floor. Mulligan then grabbed Bockwinkel and threw him over the top rope to the floor. Referee Marty Miller signaled for the bell, awarded the victory to champion Bockwinkel, and disqualifying Mulligan for ignoring AWA¢s over the top rope rule.

Mulligan pulled Heenan out from under the ring, then clocked him with a right fist. Bockwinkel was on the ring apron when Mulligan turn buckle smashed him, then Mulligan threw referee Miller through the ropes. Mulligan Irish whipped Bockwinkel for a clothesline, then a corner whip had Heenan sailing over the top rope as the crowd cheers Mulligan¢s carnage. Gagne came back to say that he hoped to bring a match between Mulligan and Heenan to a future segment of Mat Classics.

Announcer Larry Nelson said that in two episodes, AWA president Stanley Blackburn will release the blockbuster announcement. This I believe is the pay per view event Super Clash III that has the title unification match between AWA world champion Jerry "The King" Lawler and World Class champion "Modern Day Warrior" Kerry Von Erich.

Colonel DeBeers first interview since his AWA return was replayed. DeBeers said that there were three reasons for his return. The first was to claim what he said was rightfully his in winning the AWA world title. The second reason was to announce that his arch enemy Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka was a wounded soldier with no more heart, and will not return as previously announced. DeBeers then would not say the third.

Greg Gagne gaves comments about DeBeer¢s remarks backstage. Gagne said that he was listening for the third reason. Gagne disputed DeBeers claims of Snuka, by saying that Snuka has told every AWA promoter that once his commitments are done overseas, that he would be after DeBeers. Gagne said that if DeBeers third reason for return was to get Gagne¢s international television championship, then Gagne welcomes the challenge.

Teijo Khan (accompanied by Soldat Ustinov) versus AWA world champion Jerry "The King" Lawler

Soldat walked up and down ringside, displaying the Soviet flag, as Teijo exited the ring, after stalling to lockup with Lawler. Teijo returned to escape Lawler¢s headlocks with a hair pull. After a seond time, Lawler pulled Teijo¢s beaded tail, preventing Teijo¢s escape four times. Teijo¢s hair pull brought Lawler back to the corner, then Lawler pulled Teijo¢s braided tail (or Que) up, that had a panicked Teijo flee the ring.

Teijo returned to unleash chops on Lawler in the corner. Lawler was whipped to the corner, but Lawler moved away from the charge, and Teijo crashed his left shoulder into the top turnbuckle pad. Teijo exited the ring. After stalling, Lawler was backed to the corner, turned Teijo around and whipped him to the corner. Lawler charged in, Teijo moved away, thinking Lawler fell for the shoulder jam as he did. As Lawler waited with a geared up right fist, Teijo pointed to his head and knocked down.

Teijo left the ring, and returned to what looked to be a knuckle lock test of strength, until Lawler landed left fists to Teijo¢s face. Teijo raked Lawler¢s eyes, then tossed him to the floor where Soldat jammed the flagpole into Lawler¢s back. Lawler returned to the ring to be double chopped down with drop chop, gaining Teijo a 2 count as Lawler¢s foot on the rope broke referee Gary DeRousha¢s count at 2. When DeRousha¢s attention was away, Soldat choked Lawler with the flagpole.

Lawler would get choked, headbutted and clotheslined down, but kicked out at 2. Teijo applied a chinlock, and would break for a moment to choke with his hands. Lawler elbowed out of the hold and landed a knockdown right to Teijo. Lawler then landed lefts to another knockdown right, then body slammed Teijo. Lawler went to the middle rope in the corner for a flying fist drop. Teijo moved and Lawler hit the canvas. Teijo knocked Lawler but with an uppercut chop, and stalled in celebration.

Soldat stood on the apron, waving the Soviet flag, then turned around to face the crowd. Teijo sat with his knees on Lawler¢

‘s shoulders, and his arms raised. As referee DeRousha made the count to 2, Lawler brought Teijo’s back to the mat, but pushing back Teojo’s arm’s his legs, then hooked Teijo¢s legs under his arms. DeRousha counted the 3, ending this match in under fourteen minutes. Lawler rolled to the floor and DeRousha raised Lawler’s arm as the champion held up his world title. In the ring, Soldat raised Teijo’s arm.

Catch the legends of AWA Monday to Friday at 1am est on ESPN Classic.

David   www.myspace.com/unrulyghouly

Report delayed due to bad weather....