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AWA Championship Wrestling Monday, Week 2, March 1991
Georgia Mountains Center, Gainesville, Georgia Attendance: 2,498
Tony Schiavone, Eric Bischoff, and Jesse Ventura welcome us to another hot edition of AWA Championship Wrestling, this time in a new location, the lovely Georgia Mountains Center in Gainesville! Eric Bischoff hypes up a hot show for tonight, with Larry Zbyszko wrestling against 2 Cold Scorpio, "Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff facing off against "The Rocket" (As Bischoff has dubbed him) Owen Hart, and The Midnight Express going up against Doug Furnas and Phil LaFon! Jesse Ventura says that he and Tony were outside the arena earlier and that AWA was turning away people at the door, "We're just that popular in Georgia, Tony!"
Camp Cornette arrives to the interview area where Nick Bockwinkel stands by ready to field them questions. Bockwinkel asks Jim Cornette his thoughts on the news of D.J. Peterson's injury. "Well you know, Nick, it's rather unfortunate that Peterson injured his ribs at Rebirth. What's more unfortunate is that he isn't going to be out for longer, because The Midnight Express proved without a shadow of a doubt that Peterson and The Trooper aren't AWA World Tag Team Championship material, brother. So Trooper, you keep on hoping that that midget-trained idiot Peterson comes back in time for a rematch. If he's back, we'll boot you two to the back of the line where you belong!" Bockwinkel then brings up Bam Bam Bigelow's recent problems with Terry Gordy. Jim Cornette tells everyone, "You got lucky that the ref got involved at Rebirth, Terry! However, at WrestleRock, Bam Bam Bigelow is going to show you once and for all who the real "Bam Bam" is when he beats you once and for all in the Minneapolis Alley Fight!"
Rating: 68
w/
vs.
The Midnight Express w/ Jim Cornette vs. Doug Furnas & Phil LaFon
In an extremely decent match, The Midnight Express defeated Furnas & LaFon with a Rocket Launcher in 11:05. On commentary, Jesse Ventura and Tony Schiavone talk about how ever since joining the AWA, the Midnight Express have been undefeated in tag matches and are seeing a career renaissance (which is a not so subtle dig at WCW's booking of them in 1990).
Rating: 64
Nick Bockwinkel interviews Rick Rude, who talks about his recent victory over Ricky Steamboat in the Best-of-7 series between the two, tying the series 1-1. He tells Steamboat that, "It's unfortunate that you got the victory at Rebirth, but you're one of the best wrestlers alive. However, that streak of luck will come to an end in four week's time when I defeat you three more times. Then you'll be looking at the new AWA World Heavyweight Champion."
Rating: 72
vs.
Razor Ramon vs. Buck Zumhofe
In a terrible match (thanks entirely to Zumhofe), Razor Ramon defeats Buck in 5 minutes with a Razor's Edge. The announcers discuss the undefeated streak of Razor Ramon and wonder if there's anyone that could possible defeat him.
Rating: 43
"Stunning" Steve Austin is backstage cutting a promo on why he's the best thing in this company since sliced bread... heck, he's even better than sliced bread.
Rating: 55
w/
vs.
Paul Orndorff w/ Col. Rob Parker vs. Owen Hart
In a pretty decent match, Paul Orndorff and Owen Hart have a great back and forth that sees Owen nearly win the match, but a missed top-rope maneuver spells disaster for Owen and Orndorff picks up the pieces for the win. Jesse Ventura vies for Orndorff's cause of becoming a challenger for the title soon, stating that he's been more than deserving to have at least one title opportunity.
Rating: 58
Paul Orndorff and Col. Rob Parker come to the back and Orndorff just goes off, "What the hell is all this? How come Ricky Steamboat and Rick Rude are higher contenders over me? Why is Jerry Lawler deserving of a rematch when he didn't win the AWA World Heavyweight Championship!? I've only lost once, but Lawler had his shot and dropped it. President Bill Watts, you listen, and you listen good; I deserve a title shot after WrestleRock, and by god, I'll get that title shot by hook or by crook."
Rating: 66
vs.
Larry Zbyszko vs. 2 Cold Scorpio
In a decent main event, Larry Zbyszko takes care of 2 Cold Scorpio in 6:48 with a Piledriver. Jesse Ventura hypes up Zbyszko as a fighting champion, which Tony Schiavone scoffs at. Schiavone brings up that Zbyszko and Lawler will go face to face after this match.
Rating: 61
After commercial break, we get Nick Bockwinkel, Larry Zbyszko, Bill Watts, and Jerry Lawler in the ring. Zbyszko asks Lawler how the bump on his head is, which Lawler retorts telling Zbyszko that jokes are fine and all, but he prefers to let his hands do the talking. He immediately slaps Zbyszko in the face, which pisses Larry off. Watts and Bockwinkel hold back both men from getting each other and Watts tells the both of them to either show some decorum or fines will be handed out. Both men begrudgingly relax, but Lawler still has a big smirk on his face.
Zbyszko pleads his case to Bill Watts, saying that Lawler does not deserve a title opportunity, after all, he blew it at Rebirth when he couldn't bring home the gold. Watts tells Zbyszko that the reason Lawler couldn't bring home the gold was because *Larry* cheated. Watts looks at Lawler and tells him that unfortunately, Zbyszko does make a case for himself. However... President Bill Watts says that *he* makes the decisions, not Larry. Because Zbyszko likes to make a habit of abusing the Champion's Advantage... At WrestleRock, Jerry Lawler and Larry Zbyszko are going to be in the one place where neither man have an advantage... Watts calls it "No Man's Land"... A STEEL CAGE! Lawler keeps a smirk as Larry Zbyszko goes wild with rage, unable to believe that this is happening to him. The Living Legend tells Watts that he'll be hearing from his lawyers real soon to stop this match from happening.
Rating: 67
FINAL SHOW RATING: 64
T.V. Rating: 0.59 (445,050 Viewers)
Last Week's T.V. Rating: 0.48 (362,990 Viewers)
Paul Orndorff to Mentor Booker T? - By Dave Meltzer
Rumors are swirling from the American Wrestling Association locker room that Booker T, one half of the Harlem Heat tag team (alongside brother Stevie Ray) is being groomed by "Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff in the art of wrestling. Sources inside the AWA locker room believe that Orndorff thinks Booker T could be not only a great wrestler with more experience, but a bona fide star in a few years. This is all speculation however, as it is not known for certain if this is the case or not.
AWA Championship Wrestling Monday, Week 3, March 1991
Knoxville Civic Auditorium, Knoxville, Tennessee Attendance: 2,500 (SELL OUT!)
The announcers welcome us to another exciting edition of AWA Championship Wrestling, premiering from the legendary Knoxville Civic Auditorium, in Tennessee! Eric Bischoff hypes up Match 3 of the Best-of-7 Series between Rick Rude and Ricky Steamboat, as well as a tag team match between The Malenko Bros. and Los Guerreros. He also mentions that Tully Blanchard and #1 Contender for the AWA World Heavyweight Championship Jerry Lawler will face off.
vs.
Terry Gordy vs. Mike Sharpe
In a match that had decent crowd reaction but not much else in the way of wrestling, Terry Gordy defeated "Iron" Mike Sharpe in 7:46 with a Powerbomb. Tony Schiavone and Jesse Ventura discuss the topic of the upcoming Minneapolis Alley Fight between Gordy and Bam Bam; Jesse Ventura replies that a match like that reminds him of the days of Pat Patterson vs. Sgt. Slaughter. Eric Bischoff adds in that he hopes this match could be much bloodier than that legendary Alley Fight.
Rating: 51
Immediately following the match, Bam Bam Bigelow and Jim Cornette dive into the ring and start attacking the victorious Gordy! Gordy, caught at a disadvantage, can do nothing but take the hits from the big man as Cornette hurls insults Gordy's way! It's like a lamb to slaughter and Bam Bam is busting open Terry Gordy! This feud is only going to get bloodier from here and that's just how Jim Cornette wants it!
Rating: 60
After the commercial break, we get Dale Gagne interviewing one half of the former AWA World Tag Team Champions, The Trooper. Trooper tells Gagne that he heard what Cornette had to say about his partner, D.J. Peterson. He declares that at WrestleRock '91, The Midnight Express and Jim Cornette are going to get what's coming to them when he and Peterson win back the AWA World Tag Team Championships.
Rating: 42
w/
vs.
The Malenko Bros. w/ Boris Malenko vs. Los Guerreros
In a match that had little heat, Los Guerreros defeated the Malenko Bros. in 7:23. Tony Schiavone and Jesse Ventura discuss the possibilities of Los Guerreros winning the new AWA United States Tag Team Championships. Jesse mentions that there's tough competition such as the Gilberts, The Olympians, Doug Furnas & Phil LaFon, The Malenkos, and even Destruction Crew.
Rating: 47
We go to the interview area where Nick Bockwinkel is interviewing a very pissed off AWA World Heavyweight Champion Larry Zbyszko. Zbyszko gets right into it, saying that AWA President Bill Watts had no right announcing this match, and that he is bias against the Living Legend. He declares that his lawyer is going to file a legal injunction to stop this match dead in its tracks, and that if Jerry Lawler and Bill Watts knows what's good for them, they'll stop trying to mess with the AWA World Heavyweight Champion. He walks off in a huff shortly afterwards and demands to be left alone.
Rating: 78
vs.
w/
Jerry Lawler vs. Tully Blanchard w/ Woman
In a match that had fantastic heat with the crowd and good wrestling, Jerry Lawler and Tully Blanchard fought one another. Tully Blanchard looked to have had the match won thanks to some interference by Woman, but out came Nikita Koloff! Koloff jaw jacked with Blanchard and Woman and it was this distraction that allowed Jerry Lawler to surprise Blanchard with the Piledriver! Jerry Lawler remains undefeated in the AWA!
Rating: 68
We get an interview between Larry Nelson and Razor Ramon. Ramon tells everyone that the next AWA International Television Champion has arrived, and when WrestleRock comes around, he is going to carve up the competition until there is nothing left. He then intimidates Larry Nelson by declaring that it's a fact, and if anyone has anything to say about, he's gonna have some words with them, all while staring at Larry.
Rating: 52
After the commercial break, Ken Resnick talks to Ricky Steamboat. Steamboat admits he lost in Match 2, but that it's a new match here in part three of this legendary Best-of-7 series against Rick Rude. He's in prime shape and he won't allow the mistakes of the past to cloud his goal in the present. Even if it goes all the way to seven matches, Ricky Steamboat declares that he is going to beat Rick Rude again and then claim the #1 Contendership of the AWA World Heavyweight Championships, regardless of whether he faces off against Larry Zbyszko or Jerry Lawler.
Rating: 68
Best-of-7 Series Match 3
vs.
Ricky Steamboat vs. Rick Rude
In another stellar match that had incredible heat, Rick Rude and Steamboat put on a hell of a performance. Rude and Steamboat were evenly matched throughout, but Rick Rude came out on top after a surprise Rude Awakening caught Steamboat and with that, Rick Rude is up 2-1 against Steamboat! Jesse Ventura played cheerleader for Rude all match, while Tony Schiavone was clearly in Steamboat's corner, leaving Bischoff having to call it right down the middle.
Rating: 78
Show Rating: 73 T.V. Rating: 0.60 (450,980 Viewers)
Last Week's T.V. Rating: 0.59 (445,050 Viewers)
AWA Championship Wrestling Monday, Week 4, March 1991
Springfield Coliseum, Springfield, Illinois Attendance: 3,000 (SELL OUT!)
It's another edition of AWA Championship Wrestling! Tony Schiavone, Eric Bischoff, and Jesse Ventura welcome us to a great show tonight as they hype up Match 4 of the Best-of-7 Series between Rick Rude and Ricky Steamboat. They also bring up other great matches such as Paul Orndorff vs. Ken Patera, and Jerry Lawler vs. the debuting Greg "The Hammer" Valentine, and finally The Midnight Express vs. Jerry Lynn and The Lightning Kid.
We start the show with Nick Bockwinkel interviewing AWA President Bill Watts. Watts clears up a few things, first off regarding Lawler vs. Zbyszko. Watts tells everyone that Zbyszko's lawyer did in fact go to the Minnesota District Court with an injunction to stop the Steel Cage Championship Match. The judge presiding over the case threw it out, citing that, "The American Wrestling Association is well within its authority to promote and set the match despite the champion's protests". Watts then says that Zbyszko is free to go to the 8th Circuit Appeals Court in an attempt to continue this case, but that the match will happen regardless; he then drops this, "Zbyszko, if you don't appear in this match, you will be stripped of the AWA Championship and it will be awarded to Lawler".
The next topic is regarding Paul Orndorff. Watts says that Orndorff makes a very clear and compelling argument, but that the decisions have been set for not only WrestleRock, but Center Stage, depending on the outcomes of both Rude vs. Steamboat, and Lawler vs. Zbyszko. His hands are tied at the moment, and that Orndorff will need to continue to prove himself in order to garner a championship opportunity.
The final topic on Watts' agenda is an AWA United States Tag Team Championship Tournament. Eight teams will be facing off, and the finalists will face at WrestleRock '91 for the new US Tag Team Championships. Those eight teams will be... Los Guerreros, The Gilberts, Furnas & LaFon, The Samoan SWAT Team, The Malenko Bros., Destruction Crew, Harlem Heat, and Fire and Ice. Next week will see Los Guerreros vs. Harlem Heat, and Fire and Ice vs. The Samoan SWAT Team.
Rating: 67
w/
vs.
Paul Orndorff w/ Col. Rob Parker vs. Ken Patera
In a decent match, Paul Orndorff defeated Ken Patera in 10:05 with a Spike Piledriver, when Col. Rob Parker distracted the ref and allowed Orndorff to low blow Patera. The biggest news of the match though was that Patera appeared to have severely injured his shoulder during the match, which the commentary team tried their absolute best to not discuss.
Rating: 58
Ken Resnick Interviews Steve Austin and the beautiful Jeannie Clark. Austin tells Resnick that he's been biding his time, but he doesn't want to wait any longer. Austin declares that he's a superstar of the future and that his time is coming soon, whether the American Wrestling Association wants it or not.
Rating: 48
vs.
Jerry Lawler vs. Greg Valentine
In a decent match, Jerry Lawler defeated Greg Valentine in 8:35 with a Piledriver. The commentary team discusses Jerry Lawler's undefeated streak in the AWA and what might happen in the Steel Cage match against AWA World Heavyweight Champion Larry Zbyszko at WrestleRock '91.
Rating: 61
Cactus Jack cuts a backstage promo talking about what it would be like if he became the AWA International Television Champion. He'd be absolutely nuts if he was champion... "They say I'm nuts now, but just watch when I become a champion!"
Rating: 36
Nick Bockwinkel Interviews Tully Blanchard and the lovely Woman. Blanchard is angry that Nikita Koloff cost him a chance at beating Jerry Lawler. He says that a man like him shouldn't be touched by some low class Russian like Koloff. He wines and dines with many famous celebrities and they know that Tully Blanchard is the best wrestler in all of the AWA.
OUT COMES NIKITA KOLOFF WITH A HOUSE OF FIRE! He blindsides Tully Blanchard and starts taking him to the woodshed as Woman screams off to the side. Koloff is pulled away by security but the deed is done, with Tully busted open.
Rating: 60
w/
vs.
The Midnight Express w/ Jim Cornette vs. Jerry Lynn and The Lightning Kid
In a shorter match, The Midnight Express defeated the job team of Jerry Lynn and Lightning Kid in 5:57 with a Rocket Launcher. Bobby Eaton looked to be easily the best wrestler of the entire match, flying around the ring and giving some shine to the young Lynn and Waltman. Tony Schiavone and Jesse Ventura talk about the rematch between Midnight Express and D.J. Peterson and The Trooper at WrestleRock '91.
Rating: 55
Larry Nelson interviews Jim Cornette and Bam Bam Bigelow, conspicuously missing The Midnight Express. Cornette says that he's letting The Midnight Express rest up backstage after they won their match. He says, "With Bam Bam Bigelow by my side, there's nobody who can touch me, brother. Including Terry Gord--"
Hey look, Terry Gordy. He bull rushes Bam Bam Bigelow and Cornette, knocking Corny to the ground and beginning to brawl with Bigelow. The two of them toss each other into all sorts of furniture littered backstage, before security and The Midnight Express can separate the two. Jim Cornette starts shouting like a scalded dog, "That mother-- how dare he touch me! How dare he!!"
Rating: 66
Best-of-7 Series Match 4
vs.
Ricky Steamboat (1-2) vs. Rick Rude (2-1)
In another amazing match in this Best-of-Seven series, Steamboat this time gains the upper hand early on and continues to control it, with Rick Rude being outclassed every step of the way. Jesse Ventura is going nuts on commentary saying that Rude needs an equalizer to get back in this one. An opportunity presents itself when Rude ducks out of the way of a Flying Crossbody... STEAMBOAT COLLIDED WITH THE REF! THE REF IS KNOCKED SILLY! Steamboat gets to his feet and sees that Rude is still down though! He sets up the Flying Crossbody again AND HITS IT! BUT THE REF IS STILL DOWN! Steamboat goes to wake up the ref, who is slowly coming to. Steamboat decides that a third Flying Crossbody will be enough to put down Rude, but he doesn't notice Rude pull something from his tights! Flying Crossbody attempt, RUDE PUNCHED STEAMBOAT MID-AIR! IT WAS A PAIR OF BRASS KNUCKLES! STEAMBOAT MAY HAVE HIT THE FLYING CROSSBODY, BUT THE BRASS KNUCKLES ALLOWED RUDE TO ROLL OVER STEAMBOAT! Rude has stolen the victory yet again from Steamboat!! Rick Rude is 3-1 in this series!
Tony Schiavone and Jesse Ventura are just absolutely going at each other over the results of this match; Tony calls this a grave misfortune, while Jesse applauds Rude's smart thinking. Next week's match-up is now more important than ever for both men!
Rating: 80
Show Rating: 72
T.V. Rating: 0.63 (478,060 Viewers)
Last Week's T.V. Rating: 0.60 (450,980 Viewers)
Ken Patera Suffers Major Injury During TV Taping - By Dave Meltzer
Ken Patera severely injured his shoulder during a match against Paul Orndorff on the AWA Championship Wrestling TV taping last night. It was revealed he suffered a fully ruptured supraspinatus nerve. He is expected to be out at least two months. According to sources, this injury had nothing to do with a botch, but simply bad positioning during the Spike Piledriver on Patera's part.
Tiger Mask Bidding War? - By Dave Meltzer
AWA Light Heavyweight Champion Tiger Mask (Satoru Sayama / Tiger Sayama in the AWA) is on the last month of his contract with AWA and it appears that New Japan Pro Wrestling is interested in snapping up the light heavyweight champion. Tiger Mask is rumored to have been given a $16,000/month contract offer by both companies. It is clear that the AWA wants their champion to remain within the company to usher in a new era of Light Heavyweight wrestlers.
Brooklyn Brawler Not Extended? - By Dave Meltzer
The WWF is apparently not going to bring Brooklyn Brawler back on the roster once his contract expires. It is said Steve Lombardi is considered extra baggage by the company and therefore no longer needs his services.
A presser from the White House by U.S. President George Bush declared that the eight month long recession has finally ended. This is good news for businesses around the United States, whom have suffered from approximately a decade of continuous recession and market crashes followed by sluggish recovery. It is a bright look for the future that could see the biggest peace-time economic expansion in United States' history...
- Note Written in Dave Meltzer's WON (v)
"The recovery of the economy is great for the wrestling industry. I think companies like the United States Wrestling Association and American Wrestling Association will see major boosts in attendance going forward. The better the economy is, the more people are willing to spend their money to go to the matches. WWF and WCW probably won't be too affected by this, but the rest of the American wrestling industry should be heavily lauding this move."
best of 7 series was such a good move
