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(AWA on ESPN Tapings - SHOWBOAT SPORTS PAVILION - LAS VEGAS, NV - APRIL 1989)
(2nd Taping Re-Cap)
KEY: (F)=FACE (H)=HEEL
Show opened with announcers Lee Marshall and Lord James Blears hyping the main event: Greg Gagne, Tom Zenk & Tommy Jammer vs. The Destruction Crew & Jonnie Stewart.
PLUS: Interviews with Sgt. Slaughter and World Champion Larry Zbysko a week before their World Title clash; a look back at last week's assault by Larry Zbysko on Ken Patera where Zbysko further damaged Patera's already injured left arm with the ring bell; an update on the status of Ken Patera; Manny Fernandez sees action; Wahoo McDaniel wrestles; and more.
Opening Match
Badd Company (H) w/ Mgr. Dallas Page won a squash
The victors then did a post-match interview with DDP doing most of the talking and saying that if Ken Patera is unable to defend the tag titles with partner Brad Rheingans, then Badd Company should have the belts returned to them.
Pic aired with a caption saying a look back at Zbysko's attack on Patera last week was coming up next!
Commercials
Back from commercial:
Ring Announcer/Interviewer Larry Nelson, in studio, intro'd footage from last week's attack by World Champion Larry Zbysko on Ken Patera.
VIDEO:
In-ring: Ring Announcer/Interviewer Larry Nelson, with mic in hand, is standing by with special guests.
Nelson: With me right now are AWA promoter Verne Gagne and one half of the World Tag Team Champions Ken Patera.
Ken, you were scheduled to challenge Larry Zbysko for the AWA World Championship. But as we can see your left arm is in a sling.
Tell us what happened.
Patera (minus his tag title): Well, Larry, a few nights ago, I suffered an arm injury in a match.
Because of the injury, unfortunately, I am unable to challenge for the World Championship right now.
The good news is the injury won't keep me sidelined for long. The doctor said I should be back in the ring very soon and hopefully I'll be able to defend the tag team titles with Brad again as well.
Nelson: We're sorry to see you lose your title shot, Ken. Best of luck in your recovery.
Verne Gagne. You're suddenly left without the World Title match that had been promised to these fans in Las Vegas.
But I hear you have come up with an alternative plan.
Verne: I have, Larry.
Ken, I hate seeing you miss out on the chance of a lifetime. World Title shots don't come along everyday.
Patera nodded in agreement.
Verne: Since Ken was the #1 contender for the World Championship, I had to come up with something that would be fair to these great fans out here.
So, we're gonna have a Battle Royal tonight, and the winner will challenge Larry Zbsyko for the World Championship.
Fans cheered.
Crowd booed as Larry Zbysko, in street clothes and carrying the title cradled in his left arm, made his way down the heel aisle to the ring.
Nelson: Larry Zbysko is here.
Zbysko climbed into the ring and angrily walked up to the three men.
Zbysko: I signed a contract to defend the title against Ken Patera here in Vegas! I did not sign a contract to defend the belt against anyone else!
Verne: Larry, as the promoter, I have the right to make changes when I deem them necessary. Like it says on the posters promoting our show that are posted throughout the Showboat Hotel the card is subject to change. Patera's injury necessitated a change.
Zbysko: So you want me to step into this ring and face someone I didn't prepare for?!
Verne: That's the nature of the sport sometimes.
Zbysko: What are you going to do, Verne, if I walk out of here with the belt and don't defend it here in Vegas?! Hmmm... What about that, smart guy?!
Verne: Well, if you refused to defend the World Title and walked out of here with the belt...I'd strip you of the title and the final two men left in the Battle Royal would square off in a match for the vacated belt!
Crowd cheered. Patera pointed and laughed at Zbysko as Zbysko freaked out.
Zbysko: No way! No way! You can't do this to the Living Legend!
Zbysko paced around in the ring for a moment.
Zbysko: I want it known right now!
Zbysko pointed at Verne.
Zbysko: You better let Stanley Blackburn know that I am wrestling this World Title match under protest!
Boos from the crowd.
Zbysko: You got me?!
Zbysko poked Verne in the chest three times as he spoke.
Patera stepped in between the two and Zbysko backed off.
Zbysko: What are you gonna do, you one-armed bandit?!
The two men stared at each other.
Zbysko and Patera had words off-mic with each other and Zbysko poked Patera in the chest a couple of times.
Zbysko (picked up on a mic): What are you gonna do, tough guy?!
Crowd cheered as Patera answered that question by slapping Zbysko hard across the face. Zbysko staggered and dropped the title and had to grab the top rope to steady himself.
Zbysko grabbed at his jaw and looked over at Patera. Patera was ready to fight with just one good arm.
Zbysko picked up the title and climbed out on the apron.
Zbysko walked over to the other side of the ring as Patera looked on from the ring.
Zbysko, from the floor, called Larry Nelson over. Nelson walked over and held the mic out so Zbysko could speak.
Zbysko: Ken! Isn't committing the crime of posing as a professional wrestler a violation of your parole?!
Patera snapped and charged over and dropped from the ring to the floor as Zbysko backed up. Patera started to run after Zbysko and Zbysko took off. Patera chased Zbysko once around the ring and Zbysko beat a hasty retreat up the heel entrance aisle.
Patera looked back up at Verne and Nelson in the ring and then started heading over to the face entrance aisle.
Verne and Nelson were facing the camera and had their backs turned. Verne started to say something...
Crowd reacted as Zbysko charged back down the heel aisle to the ringside area and came up behind Patera and struck Patera in the back of the head with the title and Patera stumbled forward and went down.
Zbysko tossed the belt onto the ring apron and ran over to the announcer's/timekeeper's table and grabbed the ring bell off the table.
As Patera started getting to his feet, Zbysko circled around the ring, came up behind Patera and bashed Patera in the left arm with the ring bell, Patera staggering and grabbing his left arm in agony. Zbysko struck Patera in the left arm with the ring bell again. Patera staggered off holding his left arm and in severe agony.
Verne: I've seen enough!
Crowd popped as Verne Gagne took off his sports coat and dropped to the floor. Verne glared at Zbysko as Zbysko looked at Verne in disbelief.
Zbysko picked up on a mic.
Zbysko: Are you serious, old man?!
More crowd cheers as Sgt. Slaughter, Wahoo McDaniel and Greg Gagne came down to ringside. Zbysko quickly fled the scene with ring bell in hand.
Verne, Sarge, Wahoo and Greg checked on the injured Patera.
END OF VIDEO
Nelson: An evaluation at a local hospital in Las Vegas showed that further damage was done to Ken Patera's left arm because of Zbysko's attack with the ring bell. Right now, it's not known how long Patera will be out of action. But you can bet when he comes back he'll certainly want a piece of Zbysko in the worst way.
More action to come...
Commercials
Back from commercial: Wahoo McDaniel won a squash match and then did a post-match interview with Larry Nelson talking about his red-hot feud with Manny Fernandez. Said nothing's been settled between the two and might not be settled until one of them can no longer wrestle!
IT'S THE AWA ON TOUR! We'll be at the high school/community center in (insert town here). THE AWA IS THE MAJOR LEAGUE OF PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING!
Back from commercial: Larry Nelson was standing in-ring with Sgt. Slaughter.
Nelson: We are back on AWA Championship Wrestling on ESPN!
With me right now is the man who will be challenging Larry Zbysko for the World Heavyweight Championship...Sgt. Slaughter!
Fans cheered.
Sarge was in his ring duds.
Nelson: Sgt. Slaughter, it's obvious you have these fans behind you heading into this big match.
Sarge: Larry Nelson! The support of these fans means a great deal to me! These people are the backbone of our sport!
When I started in pro wrestling, I dreamed of one day winning the World Heavyweight Championship! I have a golden opportunity to realize that dream!
Larry Zbysko, as proven by his actions against Ken Patera, has shown himself to be a man unworthy of holding the AWA World Championship!
To use military speak...I aim to liberate the title from him!
Crowd cheered. Some sporadic USA! USA! chants amidst the throng.
Sarge: Zbysko's had the title long enough! Now it's time to end his reign of error!
More cheers.
Sarge: It's time for a new era to be ushered in in the AWA!
It will be an era in which the World Champion will carry hlmself with honor and integrity, things that are seriously lacking in the current World Champion, and make the fans proud of their World Champion once again!
And if I win the belt, I promise to be a fighting champion and defend the World Championship against all worthy contenders!
Nelson: And there are several worthy contenders right here in the AWA.
Sarge: They don't call this the major league of pro wrestling for nuthin'!
Let me wrap it up by saying that I am primed and ready for this match!
I am so close to finally winning the one title that has eluded me my entire career! To have your name written in the history books as the World Champion in this great sport is something very few men have actually realized! I want to be one of the few, the proud!
I don't wanna win this belt just for myself! I also wanna win it for all these fans out here who have had enough of Larry Zbysko!
Crowd cheered. Some started chanting Sarge! Sarge!.
Sarge saluted the crowd.
Nelson: He is Sgt. Slaughter! Can he defeat Larry Zbysko and become the new AWA World Champion?!
Now down to ringside and Lee Marshall and Lord James Blears!
Blears and Marshall briefly discussed the Sarge's interview and hyped the interview with champ Larry Zbysko that was coming up on the program.
Then sent it back to the ring.
Manny Fernandez won a squash match and then did a post-match interview where he said Wahoo was wrestling on borrowed time and that he was gonna finish the Indian star off once and for all and reduce Wahoo to nothing but a blood-soaked memory.
Pic aired of AWA Champ Zbysko with the caption: An interview with the World Champion...NEXT!
Commercials
Back from commercial: Larry Nelson was standing in the ring with AWA World Champion Larry Zbysko:
Zbysko was in street clothes and had the belt cradled in his left arm.
Crowd already booing as Zbyso soaked it all in.
Nelson: We are back on AWA Championship Wrestling on ESPN.
With me right now is AWA World Champion Larry Zbysko.
More boos.
Nelson: Larry, what you did to Ken Patera was inexcusable.
Verne Gagne has already said you're going to be fined for your actions. And a suspension could be coming at a later date.
Are you proud of yourself?
Zbysko: Ken Patera should never have slapped the World Champion.
He got what he deserved from me.
Nelson: He slapped you because you poked him in the chest! For that he deserved to have his arm bashed in with the ring bell?!
Zbysko: That's right! If Ken Patera wants to mess with this bull then he's gonna get the horns!
As for a fine and possible suspension...I don't care about those things right now!
I had a contract to defend this title against Ken Patera and Verne Gagne decides to screw with me and now I'm defending the belt against Sgt. Slaughter!
Well, I want it known that since I don't have the time to properly prepare for Slaughter, I will do whatever I have to do to keep the title!
Nelson: You're openly admitting that you'll bend or break the rules to retain the World Championship?!
Zbysko: I didn't put it that way. But if you want to, Nelson.
If Verne Gagne wants to play games with me then games he will get!
Nelson: Wow!
Zbysko: And! And! I'm still wrestling this championship match against Slaughter under protest!
More boos from the crowd.
Zbysko: You spudheads really need to shut your mouths and show YOUR World Champion some respect!
Boos grew louder. Zbysko looked out over the crowd.
Verne Gagne made his way down the face aisle in street clothes and came to the ring and climbed in to a decent reaction.
Zbysko: What do you want, Verne?! You want to fight me now?!
Verne: Shut up, Zbysko.
Crowd cheered Verne.
Verne: I came out here to tell you how appalled and angry I still am about what you did to Ken Patera. A heavy fine is coming your way and that's for certain.
Zbysko: That's what you came to tell me?!
Verne: Actually, no. I came to tell you something completely different.
Zbysko: So, you've come to your senses and I don't have to defend the belt against Slaughter because that's not who I signed to put the title on the line against!
Verne: Oh! You're still defending the World Title against Slaughter.
But after what you did to Ken Patera, I've decided to add something to the match.
Zbysko: Add someth... What does that mean?!
Verne: Because of the magnitude of this match we need a referee who can keep law and order in the ring.
So, we're gonna have a special guest referee for the match.
Crowd cheered.
Zbysko: What?! You can't do that, old man!
Verne: I certainly can do it.
And the man who will be refereeing the match tonight is a man who I know can do the job and whoever wins will be a deserving victor.
And that man is...Chief Wahoo McDaniel!
Crowd erupted. Zbysko lost it.
Zbysko: No! No way! I'm gonna call my lawyer and try to get this match stopped!
You're stacking the deck against me on purpose because you want me to lose this!
Zbysko pointed at the belt.
Zbysko: You're trying to cheat me...
Verne: I'm cheating? Coming from you that's rich.
Wahoo has given me his word that he's calling the match right down the middle. And I know Wahoo is a man of his word.
Zbysko: Stanley Blackburn sure won't stand for this!
This is a miscarriage of justice on a massive scale!
I'm gonna try to get this thing stopped!
Zbysko stormed out of the ring and headed back up the heel aisle to loud boos.
Nelson: Verne, are you worried about Zbysko's possible attempts to stop the match?
Verne: The match will go forward and the winner will be our World Champion.
Crowd cheered.
Nelson: You heard it, fans! The match is happening according to Verne Gagne!
Commercials
Back from commercials: Announcers Lee Marshall and Lord James Blears hyped for next week: AWA World Title Match - Larry Zbysko (WC) vs. Sgt. Slaughter. Blears pointed out that we have Verne's word that the match will take place but Blears also said Zbysko will do everything he can to try and get it stopped.
Then sent it to the ring for the main event.
TV Main Event: Greg Gagne, Tommy Jammer & Tom Zenk vs. Destruction Crew & Jonnie Stewart - Stewart and the Destruction Crew won when Stewart pinned Jammer after the match broke down and all six men started brawling in the ring and Bloom struck Jammer in the back of the head with his hard hat allowing Stewart to pin Jammer - TIME: 11:09
Announcers hyped the World Title match for next week one final time as the program went off the air.
END OF PROGRAM
(2nd Taping Re-Cap)
KEY: (F)=FACE (H)=HEEL
Show opened with announcers Lee Marshall and Lord James Blears hyping the main event: Greg Gagne, Tom Zenk & Tommy Jammer vs. The Destruction Crew & Jonnie Stewart.
PLUS: Interviews with Sgt. Slaughter and World Champion Larry Zbysko a week before their World Title clash; a look back at last week's assault by Larry Zbysko on Ken Patera where Zbysko further damaged Patera's already injured left arm with the ring bell; an update on the status of Ken Patera; Manny Fernandez sees action; Wahoo McDaniel wrestles; and more.
Opening Match
Badd Company (H) w/ Mgr. Dallas Page won a squash
The victors then did a post-match interview with DDP doing most of the talking and saying that if Ken Patera is unable to defend the tag titles with partner Brad Rheingans, then Badd Company should have the belts returned to them.
Pic aired with a caption saying a look back at Zbysko's attack on Patera last week was coming up next!
Commercials
Back from commercial:
Ring Announcer/Interviewer Larry Nelson, in studio, intro'd footage from last week's attack by World Champion Larry Zbysko on Ken Patera.
VIDEO:
In-ring: Ring Announcer/Interviewer Larry Nelson, with mic in hand, is standing by with special guests.
Nelson: With me right now are AWA promoter Verne Gagne and one half of the World Tag Team Champions Ken Patera.
Ken, you were scheduled to challenge Larry Zbysko for the AWA World Championship. But as we can see your left arm is in a sling.
Tell us what happened.
Patera (minus his tag title): Well, Larry, a few nights ago, I suffered an arm injury in a match.
Because of the injury, unfortunately, I am unable to challenge for the World Championship right now.
The good news is the injury won't keep me sidelined for long. The doctor said I should be back in the ring very soon and hopefully I'll be able to defend the tag team titles with Brad again as well.
Nelson: We're sorry to see you lose your title shot, Ken. Best of luck in your recovery.
Verne Gagne. You're suddenly left without the World Title match that had been promised to these fans in Las Vegas.
But I hear you have come up with an alternative plan.
Verne: I have, Larry.
Ken, I hate seeing you miss out on the chance of a lifetime. World Title shots don't come along everyday.
Patera nodded in agreement.
Verne: Since Ken was the #1 contender for the World Championship, I had to come up with something that would be fair to these great fans out here.
So, we're gonna have a Battle Royal tonight, and the winner will challenge Larry Zbsyko for the World Championship.
Fans cheered.
Crowd booed as Larry Zbysko, in street clothes and carrying the title cradled in his left arm, made his way down the heel aisle to the ring.
Nelson: Larry Zbysko is here.
Zbysko climbed into the ring and angrily walked up to the three men.
Zbysko: I signed a contract to defend the title against Ken Patera here in Vegas! I did not sign a contract to defend the belt against anyone else!
Verne: Larry, as the promoter, I have the right to make changes when I deem them necessary. Like it says on the posters promoting our show that are posted throughout the Showboat Hotel the card is subject to change. Patera's injury necessitated a change.
Zbysko: So you want me to step into this ring and face someone I didn't prepare for?!
Verne: That's the nature of the sport sometimes.
Zbysko: What are you going to do, Verne, if I walk out of here with the belt and don't defend it here in Vegas?! Hmmm... What about that, smart guy?!
Verne: Well, if you refused to defend the World Title and walked out of here with the belt...I'd strip you of the title and the final two men left in the Battle Royal would square off in a match for the vacated belt!
Crowd cheered. Patera pointed and laughed at Zbysko as Zbysko freaked out.
Zbysko: No way! No way! You can't do this to the Living Legend!
Zbysko paced around in the ring for a moment.
Zbysko: I want it known right now!
Zbysko pointed at Verne.
Zbysko: You better let Stanley Blackburn know that I am wrestling this World Title match under protest!
Boos from the crowd.
Zbysko: You got me?!
Zbysko poked Verne in the chest three times as he spoke.
Patera stepped in between the two and Zbysko backed off.
Zbysko: What are you gonna do, you one-armed bandit?!
The two men stared at each other.
Zbysko and Patera had words off-mic with each other and Zbysko poked Patera in the chest a couple of times.
Zbysko (picked up on a mic): What are you gonna do, tough guy?!
Crowd cheered as Patera answered that question by slapping Zbysko hard across the face. Zbysko staggered and dropped the title and had to grab the top rope to steady himself.
Zbysko grabbed at his jaw and looked over at Patera. Patera was ready to fight with just one good arm.
Zbysko picked up the title and climbed out on the apron.
Zbysko walked over to the other side of the ring as Patera looked on from the ring.
Zbysko, from the floor, called Larry Nelson over. Nelson walked over and held the mic out so Zbysko could speak.
Zbysko: Ken! Isn't committing the crime of posing as a professional wrestler a violation of your parole?!
Patera snapped and charged over and dropped from the ring to the floor as Zbysko backed up. Patera started to run after Zbysko and Zbysko took off. Patera chased Zbysko once around the ring and Zbysko beat a hasty retreat up the heel entrance aisle.
Patera looked back up at Verne and Nelson in the ring and then started heading over to the face entrance aisle.
Verne and Nelson were facing the camera and had their backs turned. Verne started to say something...
Crowd reacted as Zbysko charged back down the heel aisle to the ringside area and came up behind Patera and struck Patera in the back of the head with the title and Patera stumbled forward and went down.
Zbysko tossed the belt onto the ring apron and ran over to the announcer's/timekeeper's table and grabbed the ring bell off the table.
As Patera started getting to his feet, Zbysko circled around the ring, came up behind Patera and bashed Patera in the left arm with the ring bell, Patera staggering and grabbing his left arm in agony. Zbysko struck Patera in the left arm with the ring bell again. Patera staggered off holding his left arm and in severe agony.
Verne: I've seen enough!
Crowd popped as Verne Gagne took off his sports coat and dropped to the floor. Verne glared at Zbysko as Zbysko looked at Verne in disbelief.
Zbysko picked up on a mic.
Zbysko: Are you serious, old man?!
More crowd cheers as Sgt. Slaughter, Wahoo McDaniel and Greg Gagne came down to ringside. Zbysko quickly fled the scene with ring bell in hand.
Verne, Sarge, Wahoo and Greg checked on the injured Patera.
END OF VIDEO
Nelson: An evaluation at a local hospital in Las Vegas showed that further damage was done to Ken Patera's left arm because of Zbysko's attack with the ring bell. Right now, it's not known how long Patera will be out of action. But you can bet when he comes back he'll certainly want a piece of Zbysko in the worst way.
More action to come...
Commercials
Back from commercial: Wahoo McDaniel won a squash match and then did a post-match interview with Larry Nelson talking about his red-hot feud with Manny Fernandez. Said nothing's been settled between the two and might not be settled until one of them can no longer wrestle!
IT'S THE AWA ON TOUR! We'll be at the high school/community center in (insert town here). THE AWA IS THE MAJOR LEAGUE OF PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING!
Back from commercial: Larry Nelson was standing in-ring with Sgt. Slaughter.
Nelson: We are back on AWA Championship Wrestling on ESPN!
With me right now is the man who will be challenging Larry Zbysko for the World Heavyweight Championship...Sgt. Slaughter!
Fans cheered.
Sarge was in his ring duds.
Nelson: Sgt. Slaughter, it's obvious you have these fans behind you heading into this big match.
Sarge: Larry Nelson! The support of these fans means a great deal to me! These people are the backbone of our sport!
When I started in pro wrestling, I dreamed of one day winning the World Heavyweight Championship! I have a golden opportunity to realize that dream!
Larry Zbysko, as proven by his actions against Ken Patera, has shown himself to be a man unworthy of holding the AWA World Championship!
To use military speak...I aim to liberate the title from him!
Crowd cheered. Some sporadic USA! USA! chants amidst the throng.
Sarge: Zbysko's had the title long enough! Now it's time to end his reign of error!
More cheers.
Sarge: It's time for a new era to be ushered in in the AWA!
It will be an era in which the World Champion will carry hlmself with honor and integrity, things that are seriously lacking in the current World Champion, and make the fans proud of their World Champion once again!
And if I win the belt, I promise to be a fighting champion and defend the World Championship against all worthy contenders!
Nelson: And there are several worthy contenders right here in the AWA.
Sarge: They don't call this the major league of pro wrestling for nuthin'!
Let me wrap it up by saying that I am primed and ready for this match!
I am so close to finally winning the one title that has eluded me my entire career! To have your name written in the history books as the World Champion in this great sport is something very few men have actually realized! I want to be one of the few, the proud!
I don't wanna win this belt just for myself! I also wanna win it for all these fans out here who have had enough of Larry Zbysko!
Crowd cheered. Some started chanting Sarge! Sarge!.
Sarge saluted the crowd.
Nelson: He is Sgt. Slaughter! Can he defeat Larry Zbysko and become the new AWA World Champion?!
Now down to ringside and Lee Marshall and Lord James Blears!
Blears and Marshall briefly discussed the Sarge's interview and hyped the interview with champ Larry Zbysko that was coming up on the program.
Then sent it back to the ring.
Manny Fernandez won a squash match and then did a post-match interview where he said Wahoo was wrestling on borrowed time and that he was gonna finish the Indian star off once and for all and reduce Wahoo to nothing but a blood-soaked memory.
Pic aired of AWA Champ Zbysko with the caption: An interview with the World Champion...NEXT!
Commercials
Back from commercial: Larry Nelson was standing in the ring with AWA World Champion Larry Zbysko:
Zbysko was in street clothes and had the belt cradled in his left arm.
Crowd already booing as Zbyso soaked it all in.
Nelson: We are back on AWA Championship Wrestling on ESPN.
With me right now is AWA World Champion Larry Zbysko.
More boos.
Nelson: Larry, what you did to Ken Patera was inexcusable.
Verne Gagne has already said you're going to be fined for your actions. And a suspension could be coming at a later date.
Are you proud of yourself?
Zbysko: Ken Patera should never have slapped the World Champion.
He got what he deserved from me.
Nelson: He slapped you because you poked him in the chest! For that he deserved to have his arm bashed in with the ring bell?!
Zbysko: That's right! If Ken Patera wants to mess with this bull then he's gonna get the horns!
As for a fine and possible suspension...I don't care about those things right now!
I had a contract to defend this title against Ken Patera and Verne Gagne decides to screw with me and now I'm defending the belt against Sgt. Slaughter!
Well, I want it known that since I don't have the time to properly prepare for Slaughter, I will do whatever I have to do to keep the title!
Nelson: You're openly admitting that you'll bend or break the rules to retain the World Championship?!
Zbysko: I didn't put it that way. But if you want to, Nelson.
If Verne Gagne wants to play games with me then games he will get!
Nelson: Wow!
Zbysko: And! And! I'm still wrestling this championship match against Slaughter under protest!
More boos from the crowd.
Zbysko: You spudheads really need to shut your mouths and show YOUR World Champion some respect!
Boos grew louder. Zbysko looked out over the crowd.
Verne Gagne made his way down the face aisle in street clothes and came to the ring and climbed in to a decent reaction.
Zbysko: What do you want, Verne?! You want to fight me now?!
Verne: Shut up, Zbysko.
Crowd cheered Verne.
Verne: I came out here to tell you how appalled and angry I still am about what you did to Ken Patera. A heavy fine is coming your way and that's for certain.
Zbysko: That's what you came to tell me?!
Verne: Actually, no. I came to tell you something completely different.
Zbysko: So, you've come to your senses and I don't have to defend the belt against Slaughter because that's not who I signed to put the title on the line against!
Verne: Oh! You're still defending the World Title against Slaughter.
But after what you did to Ken Patera, I've decided to add something to the match.
Zbysko: Add someth... What does that mean?!
Verne: Because of the magnitude of this match we need a referee who can keep law and order in the ring.
So, we're gonna have a special guest referee for the match.
Crowd cheered.
Zbysko: What?! You can't do that, old man!
Verne: I certainly can do it.
And the man who will be refereeing the match tonight is a man who I know can do the job and whoever wins will be a deserving victor.
And that man is...Chief Wahoo McDaniel!
Crowd erupted. Zbysko lost it.
Zbysko: No! No way! I'm gonna call my lawyer and try to get this match stopped!
You're stacking the deck against me on purpose because you want me to lose this!
Zbysko pointed at the belt.
Zbysko: You're trying to cheat me...
Verne: I'm cheating? Coming from you that's rich.
Wahoo has given me his word that he's calling the match right down the middle. And I know Wahoo is a man of his word.
Zbysko: Stanley Blackburn sure won't stand for this!
This is a miscarriage of justice on a massive scale!
I'm gonna try to get this thing stopped!
Zbysko stormed out of the ring and headed back up the heel aisle to loud boos.
Nelson: Verne, are you worried about Zbysko's possible attempts to stop the match?
Verne: The match will go forward and the winner will be our World Champion.
Crowd cheered.
Nelson: You heard it, fans! The match is happening according to Verne Gagne!
Commercials
Back from commercials: Announcers Lee Marshall and Lord James Blears hyped for next week: AWA World Title Match - Larry Zbysko (WC) vs. Sgt. Slaughter. Blears pointed out that we have Verne's word that the match will take place but Blears also said Zbysko will do everything he can to try and get it stopped.
Then sent it to the ring for the main event.
TV Main Event: Greg Gagne, Tommy Jammer & Tom Zenk vs. Destruction Crew & Jonnie Stewart - Stewart and the Destruction Crew won when Stewart pinned Jammer after the match broke down and all six men started brawling in the ring and Bloom struck Jammer in the back of the head with his hard hat allowing Stewart to pin Jammer - TIME: 11:09
Announcers hyped the World Title match for next week one final time as the program went off the air.
END OF PROGRAM
