AWA 1989: A Financial Savior Is (Badly) Needed

[Raider Nation]

MINNEAPOLIS STAR-TRIBUNE

AWA LEAVING FOR LAS VEGAS

By Roy Otis
Star-Tribune Reporter

"It is the end of an era. A part of Minnesota history died today."

- Minneapolis Mayor Donald Fraser

And so it ends.

The American Wrestling Association, an established Minneapolis entity, is moving their entire base of operations to the desert Southwest.

The AWA was as much a part of Minnesota as hunting, fishing, the Vikings, the Twins and arctic winters.

Created in 1960, the AWA has called Minneapolis home since it began The promotion will complete its move to Las Vegas, Nevada by April of next year.

AWA majority owners Deborah Harry of Blondie fame and eccentric Hollywood director John Waters spoke with the media about the move and gave their reasons for the decision.

"No state income tax and the weather are the main reasons the AWA's operations are moving to Las Vegas," said Harry. "We feel this gives us a better opportunity to attract big name talent to the organization. The winters here can bee brutal to say the least. It's not a selling point for many of those in the wrestling business today. Throw in no state income tax and it makes it even more appealing to them."

"This business is changing," said Waters. "The territorial days are, sadly, coming to an end. We had to think bout the big picture. When the AWA was an upper Midwest territory, they had to have their home base here. Those days are over. We had to explore other options and settled on Las Vegas because of no state income tax, the weather and taping our monthly ESPN shows in Las Vegas. It just seems like the best fit moving forward. The good news is the AWA will still be coming to St. Paul and its other traditional cities on a regular basis.

"This is simply about moving the operations to another city. It doesn't affect fans in those areas being able to see the AWA because they're still coming to the AWA's regular cities on tour."

Harry and Waters said they purchased a building 'just off the Strip' that they will use as offices and TV production.

They say the move will be gradual and they've already rented a building in Vegas until the move is completed.

In recent years, the AWA has been in a downward spiral. Business had gone into the tank. It's a far cry from the heyday of he promotion that was run by wrestling legend Verne Gagne. Gagne is a Minnesota native and did a lot for the community for the 30-year run of the promotion here.

Now, the AWA will be just a promotion, much like the WWF or NWA, that simply stops in periodically and then moves on to the next city. Such is the price to be paid for pro wrestling's expansion. And you can bet the fans in the Twin Cities will perceive it differently once the promotion has packed its bags and left the area.

Pro wrestling is a cyclical business. But for 25 years the AWA weathered the down times and came back strong. Lots of legendary names passed through this area over the decades.

In 1986, AWA wrestling took a downturn and has yet to truly recover; though Harry and Waters said business is on the upswing.
"Business in the key AWA cities is trending upward," said Waters. "A little over a year ago, the promotion was struggling to draw a thousand people in regular cities like St. Paul, Chicago, Milwaukee, Green Bay. That's changing. We drew almost 9,000 for Super Clash in Milwaukee. We did two Verne Gagne tribute shows, one in Chicago and one in St. Paul, and the St. Paul show drew over 12,000 fans and the Chicago show drew almost 8,000 fans. The 12,000 was the AWA's biggest crowd anywhere since WrestleRock in 1986 drew over 22,000 fans to the Metrodome. Fans are paying attention to the AWA again.

"Bill Watts, Jim Crockett and Jerry Jarrett are 100 percent in charge of the wrestling side of things. They bring fresh eyes to the product and, in some cases, radically different ideas. The AWA needed that to happen to even have a chance to survive."

But, lost in all this is that fans in the Twin Cities and Minnesota in general looked at the AWA, during good and bad times, as their own. Now, it won't feel like that anymore. The new owners of the AWA may be misjudging fan loyalties here. Once the base of operations is gone, it will feel like a gut punch. These fans may just drop the AWA, even if it sees a significant jump in business elsewhere, and that could seriously damage ticket sales in the area.

"This is like getting hit over the head with a chair," said Minneapolis Mayor Donald Fraser. "The new owners never came to us to see if they could make some sort of deal. They just dealt with Las Vegas secretly and then dropped this bomb on us. It's frustrating and heartbreaking at the same time. I'm not saying they would have stayed. But they should have at least given us the chance to try and come up with something to try and keep them here."

Las Vegas Mayor Ron Lurie sees it differently.

"This is a business decision, pure and simple," Mayor Lurie said. "We welcome the AWA moving its operations to Las Vegas with open arms. They should have a positive impact on the economy and probably employ several locals. That's great for the city. Deborah and John have decided to roll the dice on Sin City and we welcome them with open arms."

When asked about the AWA leaving behind 30 years of history and tradition in Minneapolis, Mayor Lurie said, "It's sad to see Minneapolis lose something that has meant so much to them over the years. It really is. But sometimes progress means making unpopular decisions. The promotion was sinking up there. The move makes sense. Being in the 'Entertainment Capitol of the World' will give the AWA much more exposure on a national level and that fits in nicely with their plans for expansion."

"When all the dust settles, fans will still get to see great AWA action throughout Minnesota, Illinois, Wisconsin and other traditional AWA states," said Waters. "Right now, we are hanging on to the territory Verne Gagne carved out over three decades. We're looking to build on that and expand. Expansion, whether one likes it or not, is the name of the game in pro wrestling today."

You can't argue with John Waters on that. Expansion is the name of the game in the wrestling business today.

And it sucks.

Those thirty years are now just a memory. The territories are dead.

It may still be called the AWA. But it won't be our AWA, anymore.

Mayor Fraser said it best. "It's a sad day for the entire state of Minnesota. Pro wrestling was like oxygen here. The AWA was ours. Now, that oxygen supply has been cut off and we wait for the end with a tear in our eye."

 

[Raider Nation]

AWA WRESTLING ON ESPN - SHOWBOAT SPORTS PAVILION - LAS VEGAS, NV - OCTOBER 1990

Announcers: Joe Pedicino & Bill Dundee

Ring Announcer/Interviewer: Larry Nelson

(# Aired on a previous AWA program.)

(3rd Taping)

Show Intro

In-studio: Nelson welcomed viewers and ran down the program:

SPECIAL FEATURE - PWHC MATCH: Greg Valentine (PWHC) vs. The Trooper

Nelson then briefly discussed the Patera-Rheingans situation and intro'd an interview that recently took place with the two.

VIDEO:

# Eric Bischoff was standing in front of the AWA logo with mic in hand.

Eric: Would you please welcome my guests at this time... Ken Patera and Brad Rheingans.

Patera and Rheingans walked into the interview area in street clothes. Both seemed agitated.

Eric: Gentlemen, we saw what happened at the end of your tag team match against Badd Company a couple of weeks ago.

You two had a heated argument with one another after losing the match under controversial circumstances.

Is your tag team partnership beginning to come apart?

Brad: The first thing I want to say, Eric, is this. Ken and I have discussed this matter several times already. But, I wanted to let the fans know what was going on so we decided to do this interview.

I had Paul Diamond pinned in that match and Ken was fighting Pat Tanaka on the floor. The ref was distracted by Tanaka and Patera. That allowed Dallas Page to sneak in the ring and club me across the stomach with that thick, heavy cane of his. I wound up getting pinned by Diamond because of that and Ken here was late in trying to make the save to break up the pin try and we lost the match.

Ken, if you'd have done your job, you would have made the save and we might have emerged the winners. Instead, you were too busy fighting with Pat Tanaka on the floor.

Ken: This should not even be a public matter, Brad. Why you wanted to come out here and air some of our dirty laundry before the public is beyond my comprehension. Tag teams should not be dealing with these issues in front of the fans.

But again, I was fighting Tanaka on the floor because Tanaka stepped in and broke up a surefire pin by you on Diamond after a belly-to-belly suplex. It was my duty to try and take Tanaka out and make sure he could not do something like that again. I did my job.

It's like you're blaming me for the referee getting distracted and turning his back to what's going on in the ring with you and Diamond. How the hell was I supposed to know what the ref's actions would be at that moment?

Brad: Ken, once you drove Tanaka from the ring, you should have been in our corner laser-focused on the match at hand. Instead, you have flashbacks to your days as a bouncer and chase Tanaka down and continue the assault on him there. It was totally unnecessary and opened the door for Page to do what he did. And, notice how well Badd Comapny worked when one of them was in trouble. They stepped in and broke up pin tries. Need I remind you that you're allowed to do that in tag team matches.

Ken: Thank you for insulting me, Brad. I know the rules as well as you do. But, I felt Tanaka needed to be kept from re-entering the ring to interfere...

Brad: Gee, thanks. So, you protect me from Tanaka but Dallas Page got a wide open shot on me. That makes sense. If you would have been in our corner on the apron like you were supposed to be then this never happens because you could have seen both Tanaka and Page in your line of vision.

Eric: I have a quick question for you two.

Valerie came out before the match and offered you both the opportunity to join her stable as a tag team. Ken, you spoke for both Brad and yourself when you told her no. But, is Valerie in play here?

And are you two still a team after all this or is a break up looming in the near future?

Ken: We've talked and we're still a team firmly committed to challenging for the World Tag Team Championships. I just don't think this should have been a public matter between us.

Brad hesitated for a moment.

Brad: We are still a team. We have a difference of opinion on whether or not the fans needed to know about this issue between us.

Eric: As for the matter with Valerie offering you jobs in her stable?

Both men hesitated and looked around before answering.

Ken: Not going to work for her. No.

Brad took a little more time.

Brad: Uh-uh.

The pair walked out of the interview area.

Bischoff had a puzzled look on his face.

Eric: Was that a 'no', Brad?

END VIDEO

In-studio: Nelson talked about the situation between the Olympians and wondered if their partnership was starting to fracture.

Pic aired of the PWHC belt with the caption: NEXT... BELT ON THE LINE!!!

Commercials

SPECIAL FEATURE MATCH - FOR THE PRO WRESTLING HERITAGE CHAMPIONSHIP: Greg Valentine (PWHC) vs. The Trooper

Larry Nelson stood center ring with mic in hand.

The Trooper made his way down the face aisle to a strong ovation. He handed out souvenir speeding tickets to the fans.

Valentine made his way down the heel aisle to strong boos but also had his fans.

Announcers said they had two matches on stand-by depending on how long this match went.

Nelson: This match is scheduled for one fall with television time remaining and is for the Pro Wrestling Heritage Championship!

Crowd cheered.

Nelson: Introducing first, the challenger. Weighing in at 271 pounds... he hails from Columbia, South Carolina... The Trooper!

Solid crowd response as Wilkes was all business in the ring.

Nelson: And his opponent! Weighing in at 253 pounds... he hails from Seattle, Washington.. he is the reigning Pro Wrestling Heritage Champion... Greg 'The Hammer' Valentine!

Strong boos as Valentine opened his robe showing the title around his waist.

Nelson: Gary DeRusha is your referee!

Ref took he belt and held it up for all to see before handing it off to Nelson.

Ref called both men out to the center of the ring and laid down the ground rules and patted each man down before sending them back to their respective corners.

Ref called for the bell.

The men came out of their corners and circled one another and engaged in a collar-and-elbow tie-up. Valentine gained the advantage and caught Trooper in a side headlock into a side headlock takedown. Valentine worked over the hold. Trooper was able to maneuver and catch Valentine in a head scissors. Valentine in pain. Trooper cinched up on the hold. Valentine squirming. Trooper released the hold. Valentine and Trooper up. The two cautiously locked hands and engaged in a test of strength. Valentine started to gain the advantage when Trooper powered up and started to gain the advantage on Valentine. Valentine stunned Trooper with a kick to the gut followed by a series of elbows to the back of Trooper's neck. Trooper down to a knee and Valentine quickly moved in and caught Trooper in a front facelock. Valentine cinched up on the hold as Trooper got to his feet locked in the hold. Valentine clubbed Trooper in the back and Trooper dropped back to a knee as Valentine fully re-applied the hold. Valentine working over the hold and the ref checking to see if it's working its way into becoming a choke. Trooper slowly rose again to his feet locked in the hold. Valentine worked it over a little more and then Trooper was able to drive Valentine back-first into the buckles to free himself from the hold. Trooper popped Valentine with a series of shoulder blocks to the gut. Trooper whipped Valentine into the opposite buckles. Trooper moved in and blasted Valentine with a running clothesline. Valentine staggered out of the corner and crashed on his face on the mat. Trooper rolled Valentine over for the quick cover. 1...2... Valentine kicked out. Trooper snapped Valentine up and caught Valentine with a suplex. Trooper for a jumping elbow smash but Valentine rolled out of the way and Trooper crashed to the mat. Valentine up as Trooper was getting up and caught Trooper with a forearm to the back. Valentine whipped Trooper into the ropes and caught Trooper coming off with a back elbow to the chest. Trooper stunned. Valentine snap mared Trooper over and locked Trooper in a rear chinlock. Valentine had his knee firmly placed in Trooper's back. Valentine cinched up on the chinlock. Valentine held the move on a little longer before standing up and driving a knee three times into Trooper's back. Valentine snapped Trooper up and went to whip Trooper into the corner but Trooper reversed and sent Valentine crashing into the buckles. Valentine bounced out and Trooper caught Valentine with a high backdrop. Valentine slammed to the mat. Trooper snapped up Valentine, whipped Valentine into the ropes and caught Valentine coming off with a big clothesline. Valentine crashed back to the mat as the fans cheered. Valentine to his feet and Trooper moved in and locked Valentine in an abdominal stretch. Trooper cinched up on the hold as Valentine was in great pain. Valentine started slowly moving towards the ropes and was finally able to grab the top rope to force a break in the hold. Trooper released the hold and a hurting Valentine left the ring for the floor and started walking around.

Graphic came up on the screen: STAY TUNED!!! THE MATCH WILL CONTINUE!!!!

(3:00 commercial break.)

BACK FROM COMMERCIAL: Trooper hammering away on Valentine. Trooper whipped Valentine into the corner and Trooper charged in and Valentine moved and Trooper slammed front-first into the buckles. Valentine rolled Trooper up from behind for the pin. 1...2... Trooper kicked out. Both men up and Valentine caught Trooper with a punch followed by a shin breaker across the knee. Trooper down and Valentine holding the leg. Valentine yanked on Trooper's left leg and then applied his figure four finisher. Trooper in great pain but not submitting. Trooper started inching towards the ropes locked in the hold. Trooper finally made it close enough to the ropes to get his hand on the middle rope to force a break in the hold. Both men up[. Trooper limping. Valentine moved in with a kick to the left knee area of Trooper. Trooper hobbled even more. Valentine grabbed Trooper's left leg and held it. Valentine punched Trooper in the knee area. Trooper then stung valentine with a head shot followed by a second one. Valentine lost his grip on the hold and spun around facing away from the Trooper. Trooper rolled Valentine up from behind for the pin. 1...2... Valentine kicked out. Crowd groaned. Both men up and engaged in a collar-and-elbow tie-up and Valentine drove Trooper into the corner. Ref ordered a break. Valentine feigned breaking but instead nailed Trooper with a series of knees to the gut. Trooper stumbled out by the ropes and Valentine leaned Trooper back against the ropes and hit Trooper with a series of stiff forearms to the chest. Valentine went to whip Trooper into the ropes but Trooper reversed and looked to catch Valentine coming off with a backdrop but Valentine stunned Trooper with a kick to the chest. Trooper snapped back and crashed to the mat. Trooper to his feet and walked into a bodyslam from Valentine. Valentine ran and hit the ropes and came off with a running elbow smash that connected. Valentine for the cover. 1...2... Trooper kicked out. Crowd cheered. Valentine caught Trooper with a head shot. Valentine snapped Trooper up and slammed Trooper's head into the top buckle. Trooper spun around in the corner and Valentine fired away with series of knees to Trooper's gut. Valentine pulled Trooper out of the corner and went to suplex Trooper but Trooper twice blocked the move and suplexed Valentine. Trooper for the quick cover. 1... Valentine kicked out. Both men up and Valentine swung wildly at Trooper and missed and Trooper caught Valentine with an atomic drop. Valentine down to his knees holding his junk. Trooper snapped up Valentine and bodyslammed Valentine. Trooper backed into the ropes and came off with a knee drop to the chest that connected. Trooper for the cover. 1...2... Valenitne kicked out. Trooper popped Valentine with a head shot, snapped Valentine up and caught Valentine in a side headlock. Trooper cinched up on the hold as Valentine tried to escape. Eventually, Valentine countered by hoisting Trooper up and crotching Trooper on the top rope. Trooper fell back into the ring.

Graphic came up on the screen: STAY TUNED!!! THE MATCH WILL CONTINUE!!!!

(3:00 commercial break.)

BACK FROM COMMERCIAL: Valentine battering Trooper. Valentine whipped Trooper into the ropes and caught Trooper coming off with a gut punch. Valentine picked Trooper up and nailed Trooper multiple times with a side breaker across the knee. Valentine climbed up on the middle buckle and came off with a pointed elbow smash to the chest. Valentine for the cover. 1... Valentine got his foot on the middle rope for leverage. ...2...thr... Ref looked over and saw Valentine's foot on the middle rope and ordered a break. Valentine got up and had words with the ref. Valentine shoved the ref and the ref in turn shoved Valentine. Valentine stumbled back over Trooper, who was on all fours, and fell over Trooper. Trooper with the roll up for the pin. 1... Valentine's feet on the middle rope. ...2...thr... Ref patted Trooper on the back and Trooper got to his feet thinking he'd won. Trooper walking around in the ring as the crowd buzzed. Ref went over and yanked Trooper's arm down and waved off the pin. Trooper had words with the ref. Valentine snuck up behind Trooper and caught the lawman with a chop block to the back of the knee. Trooper crumpled to the mat. Valentine stomped on Trooper, dragged Trooper over and placed Trooper's left foot on the bottom rope. Valentine grabbed the top rope and jumped up and dropped his ass into Trooper's knee area three times. Trooper in dire pin. Fans cheering on Trooper. Valentine pulled Trooper off the rope to the middle of the ring. Valentine yanked on Trooper's left leg a few times and then locked Trooper into the figure four for the second time in the match. Crowd roaring for Trooper not to give up. Trooper in dire pain. Trooper slowly started to reverse the hold but Valentine shifted his weight and regained control of the hold. Trooper in a bad way. Trooper starting to fade from the pain and his shoulders dropped to the mat. 1...2...thr... Trooper sat up. Fans cheered. Trooper again fighting through the immense pain. Trooper again faded and his shoulders dropped to the mat once more.

Dundee: Trooper's finished.

Ref counted. 1...2...thr... Trooper again sat up and felt a rush of adrenaline. Fans cheering on Trooper. Valentine also sitting up applying extra pressure to the hold. Trooper then caught Valentine with a trio of head shots and freed himself from the hold. Both men up. Valentine went to hit the shaky Trooper but Trooper blocked the punch and hit Valentine with a series of head shots. Trooper whipped Valentine into the ropes and looked to catch Valentine coming off with a clothesline but Valentine ducked the move and came back and he and Trooper clotheslined each other down to the mat. Crowd buzzing. Ref started the 10-count. Both men stirred and Trooper rolled over by the ropes and was using the ropes to get to his feet because of the gimpy leg. Valentine up. Trooper up bent over and Valentine charged over and kneed Trooper in the side of the ribs and Trooper toppled through the top and middle rope and crashed to the floor. Valentine yelled for the ref to start the 10-count. Ref counting. Trooper started to stir on the floor. As the count grew, Trooper got to his feet.

Valentine picked up on a mic.

Valentine: Count faster!!!

Just before the count hit 10, Trooper found the strength to roll into the ring. Valentine over and started stomping away on Trooper. Valentine snapped Trooper up in a front facelock and clubbed away with forearms on Trooper's back. Trooper in a bad way. Valentine released the hold and Trooper fell back against the ropes. Valentine with a series of bionic elbows to the top of Trooper's head. Valentine went to whip Trooper into the ropes but Trooper reversed and caught Valentine coming off hanging upside down over his shoulders and Trooper blasted Valentine with a double leg slam. Crowd popped. Trooper backed up as Valentine slowly got to his feet. Trooper favoring his left leg. Valentine up and turned and Trooper found the strength to charge over and pulverize Valentine with his flying shoulder tackle finisher. Valentine crashed to the mat. Trooper down holding his left knee.

Pedicino: Trooper's got to fight through the pain and cover Valentine quickly!

Trooper crawled over and covered Valentine. 1...2...3! NO! Valentine kicked out. Crowd groaned. Both men down on the mat. Ref briefly checked on each man and started the 10-count. Count grew and both men stirred and each was up at the count of 9. Valentine moved in and grabbed Trooper's left leg and Trooper fell against the ropes to force a break. Valentine not letting go of the leg. Trooper started pounding away on Valentine. Valentine staggered back and Trooper blasted away with punches. Trooper hoisted Valentine up for a suplex but Trooper's left leg gave out and Trooper crumpled to the mat with Valentine on top of him for the pin. 1...2...thr... Trooper got a shoulder up. Crowd cheered. Valentine snapped Trooper up and whipped Trooper into the ropes and looked to catch Trooper coming off with a backdrop but Trooper instead caught Valentine with a sunset flip. After a brief struggle, Trooper flipped Valentine for the pin. 1...2...thr... Valentine kicked out. Crowd groaned. Both men up and Valentine caught Trooper with a pair of kicks to Trooper's left knee area. Trooper down to a knee. Valentine hoisted Trooper up and nailed Trooper with a piledriver. Valentine for the cover. 1...2...3! NO! Trooper got his foot on the bottom rope. Valentine slapped his hands together and accused the referee of a slow count. Valentine pounded on Trooper and went to hoist Trooper up for another piledriver but Trooper twice blocked the move, reached down and pulled Valentine's legs out from under him. Trooper catapaulted Valentine into the corner. Valentine crashed front-first into the buckles. Trooper waited as Valentine slowly extracted himself from the buckles, turned and walked into a running clothesline from Trooper. Crowd roared. Valentine down.

Nelson: 15 seconds! 15 seconds remaining!

Trooper now bounding around like he felt no pain. Valentine up.

Nelson: 10 seconds! 10 seconds remain!

Valentine turned and Trooper charged in and blasted Valentine with his running shoulder tackle finisher. valentine crashed to the mat.

Nelson: 5 seconds! 5 seconds remain!

Trooper covered Valentine. Ref counted. 1...2...

DING! DING! DING!

Trooper still on top of Valentine.

Ref went over and talked with Larry Nelson and took the belt.

Trooper up and the ref raised his hand in victory.

Crowd popped.

Ref then raised Valentine's hand in victory and handed the still down valentine the belt.

Nelson: In a time of 28 minutes, 46 seconds, the match is a TV time-limit draw! Valentine is still the Pro Wrestling Heritage Champion!

Boos from the crowd.

DECISION: Time-limit draw - 28:46 (TV TIME: 22+ minutes)

END PROGRAM

 

[Raider Nation]

AWA ALL-STAR WRESTLING SYNDICATED SHOW - JOHN E. CARLSON COLISEUM - FARGO, ND - OCTOBER 1990

Announcers: Jack Reynolds & David Crockett

Ring Announcer/Interviewer: Eric Bischoff

(# Aired on a previous AWA program.)

(3rd Taping)

In-studio: Larry Nelson welcomed viewers and ran down the program:

TV MAIN EVENT: Don Muraco vs. Manny Fernandez

Brad Rheingans & Ken Patera see tag team action

'Big' Reggie Bennett sees action

Nikita Koloff steps in the ring

SC 5 post-match comments from Col. DeBeers and the Destruction Crew

And more!

Nelson sent it to the ring in Fargo.

Tully Blanchard (w/ Valerie) won a squash match over Hank Hill via pinfall with his slingshot suplex finisher

Tully and Val were mainly booed coming down the heel aisle,

POST-MATCH INTERVIEW:

Eric: Tully Blanchard, welcome to the AWA.

Tully: The pleasure is all yours, Bischoff.

Eric: You've come to the AWA. You've hired Valerie as your manager. What is the end game goal for Tuily Blanchard here?

Tully: Money and championships, baby. Money and championships. That's the only two things this business is all about.

And I hired Valerie as my manager because I know she can help help me attain lots of both.

To be the best in this business you've go to align yourself with the best in the business. No matter what you do for a living, you need to align yourself with proven winners. Align yourself with losers and guess what? You'll be a loser. Val's a proven winner. I ride only with winners.

Val: This man to my right is one of the best this sport has to offer. When I signed him, I smelled on him two things: money and championship gold.

The sky's the limit when you have a man like Tully in your camp.

I already manage the women's champion in Magnificent Mimi. And I'll be managing another champion soon in Tully Blanchard.

Eric: Word is you're a shark when it comes to hammering out deals for your wrestlers.

Val: You heard right. I am a tough negotiator. I look to get the best deals for my wrestlers and myself.

This is a cutthroat business filled with cutthroat people. The objective is to be more cutthroat than the next guy. That's what I do. And it works, as you can tell.

Tully: Tully Blanchard and Valerie. We are the real dream team.

Pic aired of the Destruction Crew with the caption: NEXT... CHAMPS NO MORE!!!

Commercials

In-studio: Nelson intro'd a SC 5 post-match interview with the Destruction Crew after they lost the titles to Billy Jack Haynes and Scott Norton.

VIDEO:

Eric Bischoff was standing in the locker room with a clearly angry and agitated former tag champs. Champs still in their ring attire.

Eric: Wayne Bloom and Mike Enos. Your 18-month reign as the World Tag Team Champions ended tonight with a loss to Billy Jack Haynes and Scott Norton.

What are you thinking right now?

Bloom: What are we thinking right now? What are we thinking?! What a stupid question to ask!

We're already thinking about regaining those World Tag Team Titles!

Haynes and Norton, know this! You better be looking over your shoulders 24/7! We aren't gonna rest until those belts are back around our waists!

We are gunning hard for you! You may have won tonight! But that's not even close to being the end of the story! There will be no happy ending for you!

Enos: It's just a matter of time before those belts come home! And home is around our waists!

If you people think we're pissed off now... you just wait!

Our anger is only going to build and build until we finally get those belts back!

Oh yes! It will happen! We will be the tag team champions once again and all will be right with the world once more!

Bloom: Haynes and Norton! We're gonna be stalking you until those titles are ours again!

END VIDEO

Pic aired of Reggie Bennett with the caption: NEXT... THE BIG GAL!!!

Commercials/Market-specific house show promos/Generic promos for non-house show cities

'Big' Reggie Bennett won a squash match over Sela Ward via submission with her split-leg rear chinlock finisher

Bennett got a good ovation coming to the ring down the face aisle.

In-studio: Nelson put Bennett over and said he thinks she's inching closer to being a serious challenger for the Women's World Title.

Nelson informed fans of two major announcement coming next week on AWA programming.

Pic aired of Ken Patera and Brad Rheingans with the caption: NEXT... DISSENSION IN THE RANKS???

Commercials

Ken Patera and Brad Rheingans won a squash match over Private Party when Patera forced Marc Quen to submit to the his swinging full nelson finisher

Patera and Rheingans were largely cheered coming down the face aisle.

Announcers pointed out friction between Patera and Rheingans recently.

Valerie never came to ringside.

POST-MATCH INTERVIEW:

Eric: Ken and Brad, the fans know of the recent friction between you two.

You appeared to work well together tonight and there were no apparent problems.

Have you two worked things out?

Ken: When people are around each other long enough there's bound to be some problems. You're going to clash over issues some of the time. It's just the way it is.

We've wrestled together for a while now. We're professionals and we have a job to do so we do it.

Eric: Are there any issues at all with Valerie?

Ken: Look, I don't know how many times we ca...

Brad interrupted.

Brad: Why all these questions about Valerie, Bischoff? She wasn't out here tonight. She's persona non grata as far as we're concerned.

Let's go, Ken. We've got some work to do.

Ken: Wait just a second, Brad. Who chose you to be the person who ends this interview?

Also, as for Valerie, she was told 'no' in clear terms a few weeks ago when she asked us to join her group and that should really be the end of the matter.

Brad: Me and Ken just need to concentrate on being the best team we can be.

Ken: Anytime Valerie is brought up in interviews from now on, we will go ahead and end the iinterview. How many times do we have to clarify the matter?!

Eric: Well...

Brad: It's time to put the Valerie matter to bed.

The pair left the ring and headed back up the face aisle to a fair crowd response. Brad was walking several steps ahead of Ken.

Pic aired of Col. DeBeers with the caption: NEXT... THE COLONEL SPEAKS!!!

Commercials/Market-specific house show promos/Generic promos for non-house show cities

In-studio: Nelson intro'd post-match comments from Col. DeBeers after he lost his match to Nikita Koloff at SC 5.

VIDEO:

Eric Bischoff was standing in the locker room with Col. DeBeers. DeBeers was still in his ring attire.

Eric: Col. DeBeers, a hard fought battle tonight at Super Clash 5 with Nikita Koloff even though you lost.

What are your thoughts on Nikita now?

DeBeers thought about the question for a moment.

DeBeers then chuckled.

DeBeers: Congratulations, Nikita. You beat me at Super Clash 5.

But what did you win? Hmmm... What did you win?

Was this a great victory for America, the place you now call home? Is that what it was?

What kind of a win is that, Nikita? Huh?

I'll tell you what kind of a win it is. It's a win for traitors. It's a win for decadence. It's a win for me first, me last and me always even at the expense of the greater good. It's a win for miscegenation and integration. It's a win for greed. It's a win for the perversion of the natural order of things.

Nikita, your win was a win for the star spangled dung heap known as the U.S.A..

You should...

Eric: Okay, that's enough. Let's end the interview right now. Cut the mic and camera.

DeBeers: Bischoff, you're the typical American cowa...

Camera cut abruptly and a test pattern appeared.

END VIDEO

Pic aired of Nikita Koloff with the caption: NEXT... NIKITA!!!

Commercials

Nikita Koloff won a squash match over Pat Rose via pinfall with his Russian sickle finisher

Koloff got a strong ovation coming down the face aisle to the ring.

Pic aired of the AWA logo with the caption: NEXT... THE MAIN EVENT!!!

Commercials

TV MAIN EVENT: Manny Fernandez vs. Don Muraco

Manny made his way down the heel aisle to fairly strong boos.

Muraco made his way down the face aisle to a good crowd response.

Ref called for the bell.

Both men came out of their corners and Manny struck Muraco with a quick slap followed by a series of knees to the gut. Manny grabbed Muraco and slammed Muraco's head into the top buckle twice. Muraco turned around and Manny whipped Muraco into the opposite buckles and charged in but Muraco got a boot up and Manny slammed face-first into it. Manny staggered back. Muraco cam out of the corner and peppered Manny with punches. Muraco whipped Manny into the ropes and caught Manny coming off with a gorilla press slam. Manny slammed to the mat. Manny up and Muraco grabbed Manny and went to whip Manny into the ropes but Manny reversed and caught Muraco coming off with a back fist to the face. Muraco stunned. Manny caught Muraco with a suplex followed by a jumping elbow smash. Manny snapped Muraco up, whippped Muraco into the buckles and moved in and popped Muraco with a rapid-fire series of shoulder blocks to the gut. Muraco walked out of the corner next to the ropes. Manny caught Muraco with a series of head shots. Manny picked up Muraco and bodyslammed Muraco and then went for a knee drop to the head but Muraco rolled out of the way and Manny crashed knee-first to the mat. Both men down. Ref started the 10-count. Both men up and Manny went to kick Muraco but Muraco grabbed Manny by the foot. Manny tried to beg off but Muraco spun Manny all the way around and blasted Manny with a clothesline. Manny crashed to the mat. Muraco backed up and charged at Manny and Manny backdropped Muraco over the top rope down to the floor. Announcers pointed out that since Muraco was not intentionally thrown over the top rope there was no DQ. Ref ordered Manny back and Manny obliged. Ref started the 10 count. Manny quickly ignored the ref and dropped to the floor. Muraco to a knee on the floor and Manny booted Muraco in the side of the ribs and then slammed Muraco's head into the ring apron twice. Muraco back down to a knee. Ref counting. Manny whipped Muraco at the ring steps and Muraco crashed hard into them. Muraco down in a heap by the steps. Manny quickly rolled in and out of the ring to break the count. Manny reached down to pull Muraco up and Muraco caught Manny with gut shots. Muraco then drove Manny back-first into the steel ringside barricade. Muraco hit Manny with some punches followed by slamming Manny's head into the top of the barricade twice. Ref counting. Manny leaned out over the barricade. Muraco quickly rolled in and out of the ring to break the count. Muraco whipped Manny into the barricade on the opposite side of the ring. Muraco charged in on Manny and Manny moved and Muraco crashed front-first into the barricade. Ref counting. Both men shaking out the effects of the match. Manny with a kick to Muraco followed by driving Muraco back-first into the ring apron. Manny quickly rolled in and out of the ring to break the count. Manny struck Muraco and Muraco struck Manny back on the floor. The two engaged in a punch exchange that Muraco gained the advantage over and threw Manny back into the ring. Manny getting up and Muraco moved in and hoisted Manny up and caught Manny with a Samoan Drop. Crowd popped. Muraco for the cover. 1...2... Manny got a shoulder up. Muraco snatched Manny up and Manny grabbed Muraco and rammed Muraco into the turnbuckles. Manny moved in with a couple of elbow strikes to the side of the head followed by some body blows. Muraco stumbled out of the corner and Manny popped Muraco with a double sledge to the back and Muraco crashed down to the mat. Manny picked up Muraco and nailed Muraco with a suplex followed by a jumping fist drop to the head. Manny for the cover. 1...2... Muraco kicked out. Crowd cheered. Manny snapped Muraco up and went to whip Muraco into the ropes but Muraco reversed and caught Manny coming off with a high backdrop. Manny up and Muraco clotheslined Manny down to the mat. Muraco grabbed Manny as Manny was getting to his feet and whipped Manny into the ropes and caught Manny coming off with a scoop powerslam. Muraco gestured to the crowd it was time for the inverted piledriver. Muraco reached down to pull Manny to his feet and Manny caught Muraco with an eye poke. Manny got to his feet and deliberately pounded away on Muraco. Manny whipped Muraco into the ropes and caught Muraco coming off with a backfist to the face. Muraco staggered. Manny whipped Muraco into the ropes and caught Muraco coming off with his flying burrito (double flying forearm smash) finisher. Manny covered Muraco. 1...2...3! NO! Muraco kicked out. Crowd cheered. Manny grabbed Muraco and went to whip Muraco into the ropes but Muraco reversed and caught Manny coming off with a second Samoan drop. Crowd erupted. Muraco up and grabbed Manny and hoisted him up and nailed Manny with his inverted piledriver finisher. Muraco covered Manny and hooked the leg. 1...2...3! Crowd roared as the ref called for the bell.

Muraco to his feet and the ref raised his hand in victory as the program ended.

WINNER: Muraco - Pinfall - 8:42

END PROGRAM

 

[Raider Nation]

LATE OCTOBER 1990

AWA HQ - ST. LOUIS PARK, MN

Jim Crockett, Bill Watts, Sheik Adnan El-Kaissey and Kokina Maximus were all seated in Jim Crockett's office.

After some small talk, it was time to get down to business.

Bill: Rodney*, Sheik. You had something you wanted to talk to us about?

Adnan: Yes. I'll get right to the point. Vince McMahon has contacted us about coming to the WWF.

The air left the room.

Jim: What did you tell him?

Adnan: We both agreed to go to work for him.

Bill: Shit.

Jim: Why? Things are on the upswing here. We just drew almost 9,000 fans for Super Clash 5. We drew big houses for Verne's two tribute shows.

Can I ask what he offered you?

Adnan: Speaking for myself, I can tell you, without going into detail, that I am going to be part of a heel trio with Sgt. Slaughter and the Iron Sheik. He's got big plans for us if I go there.

Jim: Rodney. What about you?

Rodney: He's looking to turn me into a Japanese heel sumo wrestler. He promised me a big push if I went to work for him.

Uneasy silence.

Bill: Did you guys have a face-to-face meeting with Vince?

Adnan: We did. He flew us up to their offices in Stamford.

Jim: Is there any way we could change your minds about this?

Adnan: This is my last chance for a big money run. He promised Sarge, Sheik and I would be in a pay-per-view main event as a team.

Jim: Rodney.

Rodney: He promised me a main event push right out of the box.

Bill: But you're getting a main event push here.

Rodney: I know. And I am grateful for it. But, the money will be bigger up there. He's guaranteed us that we'll both make more there than we do here.

Jim: I'm sure that's true right now. But what about long term, Rodney? You're on the rise here as the AWA is rising. You're a part of our growing success.

There, you might get lost in the shuffle as so many others have. Do you want to tempt the fates?

Rodney: This was not an easy decision.

Bill (sighed): If this is what you two want, well, there's nothing we can do to stop either of you from leaving. You're on a handshake deal.

Adnan: It was a tough decision. The AWA has been my home for so long and it's hard to leave. This is a business decision. That's all.

Jim: Well, both sides have to make a business decision. And our decision is to ask you guys to finish up here like Sarge and Zbyszko did.

Kokina, you do realize we're gonna have to have a big match where you finally lose?

Rodney: Yes, sir.

Bill: Can you do six weeks before you go?

Adnan: I think Vince will be agreeable.

Bill: Keep us updated. We're gonna hate losing you guys. We've only recently started showing some of Kokina's vulnerabilities.

Adnan: Any idea how you're gonna write us off?

Bill: I'll work on it. Thank you guys for letting us know in advance and not just leaving.

Adnan: It was the right thing to do.

The four stood up and shook hands and Rodney and Adnan left the office.

Watts and Crockett sat back down and Crockett looked shell-shocked and Watts was visibly seething.

Bill: This has got to stop, Jim. And it has to stop now. We need to figure out who on the roster to offer minimum guarantees to before they all leave for Vince.

Jim: The good news is Tully, Nikita and Barry are already under contract so they aren't going anywhere soon.

Bill: We're gonna have to sit down with some of the other wrestlers and try to hammer out deals. And I think we need to start with the four guys from Portland in Norton, Haynes, Oliver and the Grappler.

Jim: We owe it to some of the long-time guys, too.

Bill: I know. But we have to prioritize.

Jim: Agreed. Any ideas yet on how you'll book their exit.

Bill: I thought I'd have them stand in front of a firing squad.

Crockett chuckled.

Bill: We still aren't on Vince's level money-wise yet. Trying to push John and Deb that far this soon might scare them into selling their stakes in the company. We're gonna have to get creative.

If we get that December special on ESPN, that's where we need to book their send off.

It's obvious that Kokina's career in the AWA will have to be put on the line and he'll have to lose to one of our biggest stars.

And right now that would be Barry, Nikita or Wahoo.

Jim: Let's run with it.

Bill, we'll survive this. Losing Kokina hurts. But it's not like losing some of the other talent we have.

Bill: Still, all those big plans on the drawing board for him were just flushed down the toilet.

We'll inform John, Deb and Jerry and move on from there.

I just don't think Kokina's at the level of a guaranteed minimum deal this early in his career.

Jim: I hear you.

The two then talked about other issues.

Vince McMahon just fired another set of torpedoes at the company. How will the AWA take the hit?

* Rodney - Real name of Kokina Maximus.

 

[Raider Nation]

AWA WRESTLING ON ESPN - SHOWBOAT SPORTS PAVILION - LAS VEGAS, NV - OCTOBER 1990

Announcers: Joe Pedicino & Bill Dundee

Ring Announcer/Interviewer: Larry Nelson

(# Aired on a previous AWA program.)

(4th Taping)

Show Intro

In-studio: Nelson welcomed viewers and ran down the program:

TV MAIN EVENT - HANDICAP MATCH: Kokina Maximus vs. Greg Gagne & Jake Milliman

Ken Patera & Brad Rheingans see action

An interview with AWA WC Wahoo McDaniel

Tina Moretti wrestles

Barry Windham steps in the ring

Post-match comments from the Destruction Crew and Col. DeBeers after their losses at SC 5 and more

Nelson then intro'd two major announcements from AWA promoter Jim Crockett:

VIDEO:

Crockett was seated behind his desk with a mic in front of him.

Crockett: Greetings. This is AWA promoter Jim Crockett.

I have some major news for AWA fans.

First, we will be airing another live special on ESPN.

The event will take place on Tuesday, December 11th.

The event is called Christmas Chaos and will have a start time of 8pm Eastern/5pm Pacific and will come to you from the St. Paul Civic Center in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Once again, this AWA program will be airing live on ESPN.

Also, we are going to have a four-man tournament and the winner of the tournament will face AWA World Champion Wahoo McDaniel for the belt at Christmas Chaos.

This tournament starts next week.

On AWA Championship Wrestling on ESPN, the tournament match will be Nikita Koloff vs. former AWA World Champion Cactus Jack.

On AWA All-Star Wrestling, Don Muraco will battle Col. DeBeers in the other tournament match.

The winners of those two matches will face each other the following week on our ESPN program with the winner earning the right to battle for the AWA World Title at Christmas Chaos.

Keep it right here on AWA programming as we add more matches to this big AWA holiday event.

END VIDEO

In-studio: Nelson discussed the announcements by Crockett. Said Christmas Chaos sounds like it's going to be quite the show.

Nelson sent it to the ring in Vegas.

Jonnie Stewart won a quick squash match over Buddy Wolfe via pinfall with his flying elbow smash from the top rope finisher

Stewart was mainly booed coming to the ring down the heel aisle.

Pic aired of Tina Moretti wiith the caption: NEXT... TOUGH TINA!!!

Commercials

Tina Moretti won a squash match over Laurie Strode via pinfall with her Samoan piledriver

Moretti came to the ring to a good ovation down the face aisle

Pic aired of the Destruction Crew with the caption: NEXT... CHAMPS NO MORE!!!

Commercials/AWA Tour Updates

In-studio: Nelson intro'd a SC 5 post-match interview with the Destruction Crew after they lost the titles to Billy Jack Haynes and Scott Norton.

VIDEO:

# Eric Bischoff was standing in the locker room with a clearly angry and agitated former tag champs. Champs still in their ring attire.

Eric: Wayne Bloom and Mike Enos. Your 18-month reign as the World Tag Team Champions ended tonight with a loss to Billy Jack Haynes and Scott Norton.

What are you thinking right now?

Bloom: What are we thinking right now? What are we thinking?! What a stupid question to ask!

We're already thinking about regaining those World Tag Team Titles!

Haynes and Norton, know this! You better be looking over your shoulders 24/7! We aren't gonna rest until those belts are back around our waists!

We are gunning hard for you! You may have won tonight! But that's not even close to being the end of the story! There will be no happy ending for you!

Enos: It's just a matter of time before those belts come home! And home is around our waists!

If you people think we're pissed off now... you just wait!

Our anger is only going to build and build until we finally get those belts back!

Oh yes! It will happen! We will be the tag team champions once again and all will be right with the world once more!

Bloom: Haynes and Norton! We're gonna be stalking you until those titles are ours again!

END VIDEO

Pic aired of Wahoo McDaniel with the caption: NEXT... THE CHAMPION IS HERE!!!

Commercials

In-ring: Larry Nelson stood center ring with mic in hand.

Nelson: Please welcome my guest at this time. He is the reigning AWA World Champion... 'Chief' Wahoo McDaniel!

Crowd cheered as Wahoo made his way down the face aisle to a solid ovation from the crowd.

Wahoo was in his ring attire, headdress and had the World Title around his waist.

Nelson: Wahoo, you have taken on all challengers since winning the World Title and so far, so good.

Wahoo: It's been a tough road, Larry. But I knew it would be when I won the World championship.

When you become a champion, you'll have a list of wrestlers lining up to wrestle you and take the belt from you.

In this sport, you can be a champion one day and a former champion the next. This sport is unique. Unlike boxing, where titles are put on the line only two or three times a year, in wrestling you defend the title several times a year.

You've always got to be prepared when you enter the ring as champion. The opponent only needs three seconds to end your reign. It's a grueling schedule that a champion has. One day, you could be defending the title in Chicago and the next day you could be defending it overseas in Tokyo. This sport really tests your mind and body.

Nelson: It certainly does. What's on the upcoming agenda for the World Champion?

Wahoo: Right now, it's more title defenses, Larry. You have to go out there night in and night out and wrestle even if injured or sick. In boxing, you get a cold and they postpone the match. In wrestling, you have the flu and you've still got to go out to that ring wherever you are and defend your belt. But that's what makes pro wrestling so unique and so great for the fans.

Nelson: What is going on with you and Don Muraco? Any chance of teaming up any time soon and going after the World Tag Team Titles?

Wahoo: As things stand right now, and Don and me have talked about it, my plate is full defending the World Championship. I do want to let the people know this. The team of Wahoo and Muraco will one day get back together and go after those tag team titles.

Crowd cheered.

Wahoo: But as things stand right now, that's gonna have to be put on the back burner until I get some open time in my schedule.

Nelson: He is AWA World Champion Wahoo McDaniel, everybody!

Crowd cheered.

Pic aired of Barry Windham with the caption: NEXT... BARRY GRAPPLES!!!

Pic flipped to Ken Patera & Brad Rheingans with the caption: ALSO... KEN & BRAD!!!

Commercials

Barry Windham won a quick squash match over Steven Dane via pinfall with his flying lariat finisher

Windham got a strong ovation coming to the ring.

In-studio: Nelson briefly talked about Barry Windham and his hot start in the AWA.

Nelson then sent it back to the ring in Vegas.

Ken Patera & Brad Rheingans won a squash match over Ryback & Tyler Reks when Brad pinned Reks with his fisherman suplex (Perfect Plex) finisher

During the match, Ryback and Reks almost scored the upset victory and Brad and Ken had words with one another.

Announcers pointed out that Valerie seemed to have stopped coming to ringside during Ken's and Brad's matches after being rebuffed a few weeks ago by the pair one more time.

After the match, after the ref had raised their hands in victory, Ken and Brad had words in the ring. Brad left the ring and dropped to the floor and Ken followed. The two had more words off-mic on the floor before Brad stormed off and headed back up the face aisle with Ken following several steps behind.

Pic aired of Col. DeBeers with the caption: NEXT... POST-SC 5 LOSS COMMENTS!!!

Commercials

In-studio: Nelson intro'd post-match comments from Col. DeBeers after he lost his match to Nikita Koloff at SC 5.

VIDEO:

# Eric Bischoff was standing in the locker room with Col. DeBeers. DeBeers was still in his ring attire.

Eric: Col. DeBeers, a hard fought battle tonight at Super Clash 5 with Nikita Koloff even though you lost.

What are your thoughts on Nikita now?

DeBeers thought about the question for a moment.

DeBeers then chuckled.

DeBeers: Congratulations, Nikita. You beat me at Super Clash 5.

But what did you win? Hmmm... What did you win?

Was this a great victory for America, the place you now call home? Is that what it was?

What kind of a win is that, Nikita? Huh?

I'll tell you what kind of a win it is. It's a win for traitors. It's a win for decadence. It's a win for me first, me last and me always even at the expense of the greater good. It's a win for miscegenation and integration. It's a win for greed. It's a win for the perversion of the natural order of things.

Nikita, your win was a win for the star spangled dung heap known as the U.S.A..

You should...

Eric: Okay, that's enough. Let's end the interview right now. Cut the mic and camera.

DeBeers: Bischoff, you're the typical American cowa...

Camera cut abruptly and a test pattern appeared.

END VIDEO

Pic aired of the AWA logo with the caption: NEXT... 2-ON-1!!!

Commercials

TV MAIN EVENT - HANDICAP MATCH: Kokina Maximus (w/ Sheik Adnan El-Kaissey & The Masked Doc) vs. Greg Gagne & Jake Milliman

Shot of a stretcher at ringside.

Gagne and Milliman came down the face aisle to a good ovation.

Once in the ring, Milliman shredded his '2% Forever' t-shirt and threw it into the crowd.

Kokina, Kaissey and the Doc made their way down the heel aisle to strong boos.

Ref called for the bell.

Gagne and Milliman talked with one another and then went to attack Kokina. The two struck Kokina with forearms and punches and Kokina no sold it, slapped each man hard across the face and slammed Jake's and Greg's heads together. Kokina whipped Greg into the buckles and then whipped Jake into Greg in the corner. Kokina moved in and backed ass-first into the pair in the corner multiple times. Gagne and Jake limp in the corner. Kokina grabbed Jake and threw him out of the corner and Jake crashed to the mat. Kokina pulled Gagne out of the corner, whipped Gagne into the ropes and caught Gagne coming off with a savate kick. Gagne crashed to the mat. Kokina went over and stomped on Jake and snapped Jake up over his head as Gagne got to his feet. Gagne up and Kokina threw Jake into Gagne and Gagne crashed to the mat with Jake on top of him. Kokina backed up and waited for the two men to get up. Both men up and Kokina charged over and popped the pair with a double running clothesline. Both men crashed to the mat.Kokina went over and stepped on Gagne''s head and broke the illegal move at the ref's count of 4. Jake getting up and Kokina bodyslammed Jake and hit Jake with a leg drop. Jake down and out. Gagne up and struck Kokina with some fists and forearms that had little to no effect on Kokina. Kokina chopped Gagne on both sides of the neck and Gagne dropped to a knee. Kokina pulled Gagne up and whipped Gagne into the corner. Kokina charged in and went to avalanche Gagne but Gagne moved and Kokina slammed front-first into the buckles. Crowd cheered. Jake and Gagne briefly shook out the effects of the match as Kokina extracted himself from the buckles and turned and Jake and Gagne charged over and launched a full out assault on Kokina. Kicks, punches and forearms. Kokina stunned. Gagne ran and hit the ropes and came off and dropkicked Kokina in the lower leg. Kokina dropped to a knee. Jake pointed at the top buckle and Gagne nodded in agreement. The two men went out on the apron and each mounted a top buckle as a stunned Kokina made it to his feet. Crowd buzzing. Kokina turned and Jake and Gagne came off with a double dropkick from the top buckle that dead red connected. Kokina wobbled and crashed to the mat as the fans popped.

Dundee: That looked like King Kong being toppled from atop the Empire State Building after a barrage of bullets from those planes!

Gagne dived on Kokina and Jake dived on Gagne in an effort to pin Kokina. 1...2...3! NO! Kokina kicked out and threw both men off. Loud groan from the crowd. Gagne and Jake up as Kokina was getting up. Jake up behind Gagne. Kokina charged in and nailed Gagne and drove Gagne into Jake and the pair slammed into the turnbuckles..Gagne went down in the ring. Jake crashed to the mat, rolled out on the apron and crashed to the floor. Kokina picked up Gagne and bodyslammed him. Kokina mounted the middle buckle facing the crowd came off with his ass drop to the chest finisher on Gagne that connected. Kokina for the pin. 1...2...3! Ref called for the bell as the crowd booed.

Ref raised Kokina's hand in victory as Kaissey climbed in the ring to congratulate his man and the masked doc checked on the destroyed Gagne as the program went off the air.

WINNER: Kokina - Pinfall - 5:08

END PROGRAM

DARK MATCHES

AWA WORLD TAG TEAM TITLE MATCH: Billy Jack Haynes & Scott Norton (WTTC) def. The Destruction Crew when Haynes made Bloom submit to the full nelson - 19:40

AWA WORLD TITLE MATCH - Guest Ref: The Crusher: Wahoo McDaniel (WC) def. Cactus Jack via pinfall with a big chop to the chest after Crusher hit Jack with a bolo punch - 10:21

Barry Windham def. Jonnie Stewart via pinfall with his flying lariat finisher - 7:02

PAID ATTENDANCE: 3,148

COMPS GIVEN OUT: 471

COMPS USED: 215

TOTAL ATTENDANCE: 3,363

(YIKES! A drop of over 700 in attendance!)

 

[Raider Nation]

​

AWA ALL-STAR WRESTLING SYNDICATED SHOW - JOHN E. CARLSON COLISEUM - FARGO, ND - OCTOBER 1990

ANNOUNCERS: Jack Reynolds & David Crockett

Ring Announcer/Interviewer: Eric Bischoff

(# Aired on a previous AWA program. Also highlighted in bold.)

(4th Taping)

In-studio: Larry Nelson welcomed viewers and ran down the program:

TV MAIN EVENT - NON-TITLE: Scott Norton & Billy Jack Haynes (WTTC) vs. Akio Sato & Ninja Go

Candi Divine wrestles

The Destruction Crew see action

An interview with Bobby Jaggers. Jaggers was unmasked at SC 5 as the man who had been stalking the Trooper all these months.

Sam Houston sees action

And more!

Nelson then intro'd a special announcement from AWA promoter Jim Crockett.

VIDEO:

# Crockett was seated behind his desk with a mic in front of him.

Crockett: Greetings. This is AWA promoter Jim Crockett.

I have some major news for AWA fans.

First, we will be airing another live special on ESPN.

The event will take place on Tuesday, December 11th.

The event is called Christmas Chaos and will have a start time of 8pm Eastern/5pm Pacific and will come to you from the St. Paul Civic Center in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Once again, this AWA program will be airing live on ESPN.

Also, we are going to have a four-man tournament and the winner of the tournament will face AWA World Champion Wahoo McDaniel for the belt at Christmas Chaos.

This tournament starts next week.

On AWA Championship Wrestling on ESPN, the torunament match will be Nikita Koloff vs. former AWA World Champion Cactus Jack.

On AWA All-Star Wrestling, Don Muraco will battle Col. DeBeers in the other tournament match.

The winners of those two matches will face each other the following week on our ESPN program with the winner earning the right to battle for the AWA World Title at Christmas Chaos.

Keep it right here on AWA programming as we add more matches to this big AWA holiday event.

END VIDEO

Pic aired of the Grappler with the caption: NEXT... MASKED MAYHEM!!!

Commercials

The Grappler won a squash match over Scat McMahon via pinfall with a kick to the gut after tapping the toe of his boot into the mat three times

Grappler came down the heel aisle to a fair amount of boos.

POST-MATCH INTERVIEW:

Eric: Grappler, you have looked strong since you arrived here in the AWA from the Pacific Northwest.

Why the sudden migration of wrestlers from that part of the country to the AWA?

Grappler: We're here for a reason, Bischoff.

We've come to the AWA from the Pacific Northwest to prove to the fans on a national stage that we're some of the roughest, toughest wrestlers out there today.

The Pacific Northwest is one of the greatest wrestling territories of all-time. But, we feel disrespected by the rest of the wrestling world because we're out of the way. We're off the beaten path.

The Pacific Northwest does not get the respect it deserves.

We're now looking to earn that respect on a national level and we've chosen the AWA as our platform to showcase our talents.

When myself or Rip Oliver steps into this ring, we are fighting for the entire Pacific Northwest! You people hear me!

The AWA is to be used as our stepping stone to glory in the sport of kings!

Even though I loathe Billy Jack Haynes and Scott Norton, where did they come from?!

Eric: The Pacific Northwest.

Grappler: That's right! Your new World Tag Team champions are from the Pacific Northwest!

You people out here need to pull your heads out of your rear ends and face the reality of what's happening right before your eyes!

If you can't figure it out then that's on you!

Eric: Wh... What's happening?!

Grappler looked at Eric for a moment and then left the ring and headed back up the heel aisle to boos.

Announcers wondered what Grappler was talking about.

Pic aired of the AWA logo with the caption: NEXT... MORE ACTION!!!

Commercials/Market-specific house show promos/Generic promos for non-house show cities

Candi Divine won a squash match over Nikki Bella via submission with her Boston Crab finisher

Divine made her way down the heel aisle to a fair amount of boos

In-studio: Nelson talked about the AWA as we get closer to the end of 1990 and the big Christmas Chaos show in December airing live on ESPN.

Nelson talked about the four man tournament starting next week where Nikita Koloff will battle former World Champion Cactus Jack and Col. DeBeers wrestles Don Muraco. The winner of those two matches will then face each other with the winner facing Wahoo for the title at Christmas Chaos.

Pic aired of Sam Houston with the caption: NEXT... BULLDOG HOUSTON!!!

Commercials

Sam Houston won a squash match over Samy Zayn via pinfall with his bulldog finisher

Houston and Coach Murdoch came down the face aisle to a decent ovation.

In-studio: Nelson talked about Houston winning and said Houston has an impeccable record since arriving in the AWA and that Dick Murdoch has done a fantastic job coaching him.

Nelson talked about new tag champs Haynes and Norton wrestling Sato and Go in the main event.

Pic aired of Bobby Jaggers with the caption: NEXT... MASKED NO MORE!!!

Commercials/Market-specific house show promos/Generic promos for non-house show cities

In-studio: Nelson intro'd an interview he did recently with Bobby Jaggers, who lost his mask in a mask vs. hair match against Trooper at SC 5.

VIDEO:

Larry Nelson was standing with Jaggers in front of the AWA logo. Jaggers was in street clothes. Nelson had a mic.

Nelson: I'm here with Bobby Jaggers.

Bobby, you were unmasked when you lost a hair vs. mask match against the Trooper at Super Clash 5 last month.

The big question is: Why were you stalking the Trooper in the first place? You said that you had heat with him from a past incident?

Can I ask what that incident was?

Jaggers: Yep!

I decided to play mind games with the Trooper and mess with his career because of what he did to me one time while wearing that badge!

One night at a bar in a city where Trooper Del Wilkes worked, I was leaving the bar! Now, I admit I had a few beers or more than a few!

Now, I'm just waking out of the bar, but this guy, drunk on his own power, decides to walk on up to me and manhandle me and pull me aside!

He asks if I'd been drinking and I told him: Hell yes,. I'd been drinking! I just left a b-a-r! That's what people do in a bar! They drink!

Well, Trooper gets all uppity with me and reads me the riot act according to the Trooper Del Wilkes! I quickly tired of his b.s. and tried to walk away but he decides to be judge and jury and grabs me by my arm and shoves me against the wall!

We argue! He then tells me to turn around and put my hands behind my back! I resist! He violently turns me around and cuffs me and puts me in the back of his squad car and hauls me off to jail!

I was released the next day after spending the night in the town cooler! Ultimately, I got the case thrown out against me!

But, Del Wilkes dragged me through months of having to make court appearances in a town I did not even live in! I had to fly in on my dime for my five minute court appearances!

When I was cleared, I walked out of that court room knowing that one day, one day, I was gonna get my revenge on that guy!

When I found out he was now a wrestler, I decided that I was gonna look to hurt his career! And I believe I succeeded for several months at that!

And it felt great messing with Wilkes all this time! I'm glad I could mess up his life like he messed up mine!

Now the mask is off!

And one more thing! You see, I'm also here from the Pacific Northwwest! So the Grappler, Col. DeBeers and Rip Oliver can add one more ally to their list!

Nelson: Regarding the incident with the Trooper, there are two sides to every story.

Jaggers: You go ahead and ask Del Boy his side of the story! I'm sure he'll come up with a very good lie!

Nelson: That was Bobby Jaggers.

END VIDEO

Pic aired of the Destruction Crew with the caption: NEXT... NO LONGER CHAMPS!!!

Commercials

The Destruction Crew won a squash match over the Motor City Machine Guns when Bloom pinned Chris Sabin after the Wrecking Ball (Doomsday Device)

Crew came down the heel aisle to pretty strong boos.

Pic aired of the AWA logo with the caption: NEXT... NEW CHAMPS IN ACTION!!!

Commercials

TV MAIN EVENT - NON-TITLE: Billy Jack Haynes & Scott Norton (WTTC) vs. Akio Sato & Ninja Go

Go & Sato received a fair amount of boos coming down the heel aisle.

Haynes and Norton got a good ovation coming down the face aisle.

Good action as Norton and Haynes took 60 percent of the match en route to a victory when Norton pinned Sato after a powerbomb to score the 1...2...3!

WINNER: Haynes & Norton - Pinfall - 6:39

END PROGRAM

DARK MATCHES

AWA WORLD TITLE: Wahoo McDaniel (WC) def. Cactus Jack via pinfall with his big chop finisher - 9:27

6-MAN ELIMINATION TAG: Billy Jack Haynes & Scott Norton (WTTC) & Nikita Koloff def. Rip Oliver, The Grappler & Col. DeBeers when Koloff pinned DeBeers after Rip Oliver, who had already been eliminated from the match, had his interference backfire and Koloff rolled DeBeers up from behind for the pin - 22:31

AWA WOMEN'S WORLD TITLE: Magnificent MImi (WC - w/ Valerie) wrestled Tina Moretti to a 15-minute time-limit draw

ATTENDANCE: 2,941