AWA ALL-STAR WRESTLING SYNDICATED TAPING RESULTS - SPRINGFIELD, IL - PRARIE CAPITAL CONVENTION CENTER
In-Studio Host: Larry Nelson
Match Commentator: Lee Marshall
Color Commentator: Lord James Blears
4th Taping Re-cap
In-Studio - Larry Nelson welcomed viewers and ran down the program:
TV MAIN EVENT (Battle of two long-time rivals): Larry Zbysko vs. Greg Gagne
Disputed AWA World Champion Jerry Lawler makes an appearance
Wayne Bloom of the tag champs the Destruction Crew wrestles a rare single's match
A look back at Col. DeBeers' upset loss to Tommy Jammer last week and comments from DeBeers
Sam Houston wrestles
A look back at the end of last week's Women's Battle Royal and comments from the winner Queen Kong
Paul Diamond of Badd Co. sees action
More on the Pro Wrestling Heritage Championhip Tournament
And more!
Nelson sent it to the arena in Springfield, IL.
Ken Patera won a squash match over Robert Conrad via submission with the swinging full nelson
POST-MATCH INTERVIEW HIGHLIGHT:
Larry Nelson: Ken, the situation with Larry Zbysko rages on.
Patera: That's right. The bad blood between us continues to boil scalding hot!
Promotions all over the country want to have a match between me and Zbysko in their town! Fans are clamoring to see us fight! And that's what it's going to be...a fight!
If you're coming to see Patera vs. Zbysko exchange holds ala Lou Thesz or Strangler Lewis then you're coming to the wrong wrestling event!
When we clash it will be violence for the sake of violence!
Zbysko put me on the shelf for months! It felt like an eternity! I couldn't think of anything else except paying him back for what he did!
Like a lot of guys in this business I've got a family! Zbysko tried to take away my ability to earn a living and take care of them!
When I'm out there pummeling Zbysko in the ring, it won't only be for me...it will also be for my wife and kids!
He tried to destroy me, Nelson! Tried to send me to a forced early retirement!
I won't forgive that and I can't forgive that!
Forgiveness in a case like this only comes when the man who tried to end your career is left a broken, battered man inside the squared circle!
Zbysko! The hour is near!
The clock is gonna strike 12 and it's game over for you!
Pic aired of Queen Kong with the caption: NEXT... THE QUEEN OF MEAN!
Commercials
In-Studio: Larry Nelson intro'd video of the end of last week's Women's Battle Royal with an AWA Women's Title shot on the line followed by comments from Queen Kong.
VIDEO:
Finish saw Kong eliminate Brandi Mae and Coal Miner's Daughter
WINNER: Queen Kong - 7:47
As Kong was having her hand raised in victory, ring announcer Larry Nelson climbed up on the ring apron. Nelson looked away and Kong came over and grabbed Nelson by the throat with both hands and pulled Nelson over the top rope into the ring. Richter got up, snatched her title off the desk as Kong was bending down to snatch the downed and stunned Nelson. Richter quickly climbed into the ring. Richter grabbed Kong by the shoulder and spun Kong around. Richter yelled at Kong as Kong just glared at the champ. As Richter turned her attention Nelson, Kong smashed Richter hard across the back. Richter dropped the belt. Kong whipped the stunned Richter into the ropes and steamrolled Richter coming off. Richter crashed to the mat and was barely moving. Kong snatched up the Women's strap, walked over and put her fat foot on Richter's chest and defiantly held the belt high in the air with her left hand for all to see while letting out a loud, gutteral yell to crowd boos as the program went off the air.
Video then flipped to Queen Kong.
Kong was in her ring attire with mic in hand standing in front of the AWA logo.
Kong: Wendi Richter! How are are feelin' right now, hon?! Hahahahaha!
I bet you're in quite a bit of pain after I steamrolled you!
And you're gonna feel more pain when I beat you and take that Women's World Title from you!
This will be my crowning achievement!
And when that title is mine, who out there can beat me?!
I tower over you all! I am bigger than all the other women wrestlers here!
And I have a demand!
AWA management needs to listen!
When I win the title, I want a belt made especially for me! Do you hear me!
I want a belt that represents me!
That puny thing Richter hauls around is not worthy of me!
The belt will need to be grand!
It will need to be fit for a queen!
And that queen is Queen Kong!
Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgh!
END VIDEO
Nelson talked about the the future match-up between Richter and Kong for the title. Said the tale of the tape heavily favors Kong and Richter is gonna have to get real creative to put Kong down for the three count. Nelson also mentioned that last week he thought Kong was going to crush him and he was scared to death.
Pic aired of Paul Diamond with the caption: NEXT... A ROUGH DIAMOND!
Commercials/Market-Specific promos for upcoming house shows/Generic promos for non-house show cities
Paul Diamond (w/ Mgr. DDP) won a squash over Gary Busey via pinfall with a sitout suplex slam
POST-MATCH INTERVIEW HIGHLIGHT:
Nelson: Dallas Page, this situation with and your team is really escalating.
When you do you think these mind games will end?
DDP: I don't know, Nelson! But it better end soon!
I'm getting tired of this stuff!
The person who is behind all this needs to reveal themselves soon!
And it will be much better for them to show themselves rather than making us find them!
Nelson: What do you mean?
DDP: I mean that we'll go easy on them if they just show up and admit their crimes against us!
If we have to find them...let's just say they'll be getting some rough justice courtesy of Dallas Page and Badd Company!
Nelson: Do you think whoever is behind all this will stand in between you and your shot at the AWA Tag Team Titles?
DDP: No one, not even the Man Upstairs, can stand between us and those belts! It's like manifest destiny in 1989! Those belts were made to be ours!
We're gonna fulfill our destiny and we're gonna find the creep who is behind this who thinks it's cute to mess with us and put an end to the games once and for all!
In-Studio: Nelson discussed the DDP/Badd Co. matter and wondered when things would finally be resolved.
Nelson then intro'd pre-recorded comments from Larry Zbysko as he gets ready for his TV main against rival Greg Gagne.
VIDEO:
Zbysko was in street clothes with mic in hand and standing in front of the AWA logo.
Zbysko: Greg Gagne.
Zbysko chuckled and shook his head.
Zbysko: Tonight, one of the longest rivalries in modern wrestling is re-ignited one more time.
All the bitter battles between us. All the bloodshed.
Who expects anything to be different now? I sure don't.
And I won't let things be any different because Greg, quite frankly, I don't like you. Not one bit.
My opinion of you has never changed!
You're Verne Gagne's son! Verne Gagne: legendary wrestler and promoter!
You get special treatment because of it!
And mark my words, oh great promoter's boy, you're gonna get special treatment tonight from yours truly!
And you're not gonna like it!
The fuse has been lit between us once again!
And you can bet there's gonna be an explosion between us!
Pic aired of the Pro Wrestling Heritage Championship with the caption: NEXT... NEW TITLE UPDATE!
Commercials
In-Studio: Larry Nelson intro'd video comments from Verne Gagne about the AWA Heritage Championship Tournament.
VIDEO:
Verne was in street clothes with mic in hand. Next to him was the new championship belt sitting up on a table.
Verne: Hello, wrestling fans. This is Verne Gagne.
Take a look at that great looking belt. One man is going to proudly wear this belt around his waist very soon.
We are very close to revealing where the 16-man tournament to decide the first-ever Pro Wrestling Heritage Champion will be held.
The city we are close to choosing will show that the AWA is truly a cutting-edge promotion.
I am excited about this tournament and the future of the AWA.
This belt represents the great history of our sport.
Think of all the great wrestlers that you can.
The Pro Wrestling Heritage Championship will be representative of them all.
This is a belt to be worn by real wrestlers. Men who take pride in this sport. Men who are serious about their craft.
I can already guarantee you that Mr. T will never wear this title.
The wrestler who holds the Pro Wrestling Heritage Championship will be someone the fans can really be proud of.
Promoters from all over the world are contacting us about sending a man to be in this tournament.
We only have room for 16 wrestlers, so we'll have to choose wisely who we let into this prestigious event.
The big day is coming soon. I'm excited and I know you will be, too, as we get set to crown the first Pro Wrestling Heritage Champion.
END VIDEO
Nelson then intro'd pre-recorded comments from Greg Gagne about his match with Larry Zbysko.
VIDEO:
Gagne was in street clothes with mic in hand standing in front of the AWA logo.
Greg: Some rivalries just don't have an expiration date.
No matter where we are in our careers, Larry Zbysko and I will always have heat with one another.
And the feud resumes tonight when we wrestle each other in the main event.
Larry and I will never be the president's of each other's fan club.
There's no love lost between us.
And when we step through those ropes tonight we will both be looking to beat each other.
One of us may have to get really creative to win here because that's how well we know each other. We can read each other like an old, worn book. We often know what the other is gonna do before they even do it.
But it's gonna be a battle when the bell rings, mark my words.
You fans out there, prepare for a knock-down, drag out battle because that's what is coming.
END VIDEO
Pic aired of Sam Houston with caption: NEXT... BULLDOG TIME!
Commercials
Sam Houston won a squash match over Ralphie Parker via pinfall with his bulldog finisher
Match note: The announcers pointed out that Houston was undefeated since arriving in the AWA.
In-Studio: Larry Nelson intro'd video of the end of the Col. DeBeers-Tommy Jammer match from last week and post-match comments from Col. DeBeers.
VIDEO:
DeBeers whipped Jammer into the ropes and caught him coming off with the kitchen sink. Jammer down and in a bad way.
Crowd popped as Tom Zenk, still wearing his facemask, made his way down to ringside. DeBeers didn't see him.
DeBeers hoisted Jammer up for a suplex and the ref looked up. Zenk reached into the ring and pulled DeBeers' foot out from under him. DeBeers lost his footing and fell to the mat with Jammer on top of him for the cover.
1...2...thr... DeBeers got his foot on the bottom rope to break the pin try. Crowd groaned.
DeBeers got up and looked down at Zenk and the two started exchanging words. While that was going on, Jammer was recovering in the ring. After the verbal exchange between Zenk and DeBeers, Jammer had gotten to his feet behind the Colonel.
DeBeers turned and Jammer stunned DeBeers by rolling him up in a small package for the pin. 1...2...3!
Crowd popped as the ref called for the bell.
A seething DeBeers to his feet in the ring. Jammer to his feet and the ref raised Jammer's hand in victory to the delight of the crowd.
Video then flipped to DeBeers.
DeBeers was in his ring attire with mic in hand standing in the locker room.
DeBeers: So, Tom Zenk, you think you really made a statement out there, huh?
I would agree, you made one helluva statement.
But it's not the type of statement you wanted.
You see, the statement you made, Zenk, only escalates the situation between us.
I was dominating Tommy Jammer! I had him on the brink of defeat! And you came along and cost me the match!
I didn't think the stakes could get any higher between us! No! But they're higher now than either one of us could've ever dreamed!
This feud will only end when one of us can no longer continue to wrestle! There will be no mercy! There will be no mercy because, Tom Zenk, you aren't worthy of mercy!
The hatred running through my veins for you right now will only be quelled by ending you!
The Tom Zenk Story will die at the hands of a South African mercenary named Col. DeBeers!
Pic aired of Jerry Lawler with the disputed AWA World Title around his waist with the caption: COMING UP... MR. CONTROVERSY!
Commercials/Market-Specific promos for upcoming house shows/Generic promos for non-house show cities
AWA World Tag Team Champion Wayne Bloom (w/ Mike Enos) won a squash match over Michael Palin via pinfall with a powerslam
Announcers briefly discussed the Lawler-Sarge situation and then sent it back to the ring.
In-ring: Larry Nelson.
Nelson: Would you please welcome my guest at this time.
He is the disputed AWA World Champion...Jerry 'The King' Lawler!
Crowd booed as Lawler made his way down the heel entrance aisle in his ring attire with his belt around his waist and holding his crown.
Lawler stepped into the ring and walked around for a moment and briefly soaked in mainly boos but also some cheers.
Lawler: Before this interview starts, Larry Nelson, I find it interesting that you called me the 'disputed' AWA World Champion.
I beat Curt Hennig for this title in May of last year in Memphis and I have never lost it!
So, how am I the 'disputed' AWA Champion and you guys treat Slaughter like he's the 'undisputed' World Champion?!
Nelson: Well, uh...
Lawler: You don't have an answer!
And you know why you don't have an answer?!
Because I am the true undisputed champion!
If either of us is the disputed champion it's Sgt. Slaugther!
Nelson: Well, you do make a pretty good point, King.
'
And the big news for these fans is that the clash between the two of you to decide, once and for all, who the undisputed AWA World Champion is is about to go down.
Lawler: See this crown, Nelson?
Nelson nodded.
Nelson: Yes.
Lawler: A crown means you rule.
And in wrestling, being the World Champion means you rule!
This crowd is a symbol of who I am!
I am the ruler! I am the royalty of the AWA because I won the AWA World Title and have never relinquished it!
And fans will finally get to see me prove that Slaughter's claim to the AWA throne is bogus! His title belt is a forgery! Sarge is a fraud pretending to be something he's not! He's an emperor who has no clothes! He likes to walk around like he's wearing the true belt and have the people fawn all over him even though they know he's a con!
This belt around my waist is the real one! It is the one that says that I am the true heir to the the throne!
And when we step in that ring with each other...no matter where it is...I will expose Sarge for the poser that he is!
Real always trumps fake!
Most in the crowd booed.
Nelson: I can't believe you just called Sgt. Slaughter a fake World Champion!
Lawler: If the DI's hat fits, Nelson! If the DI's hat fits!
Nelson shook his head in disbelief.
Nelson: That was Jerry 'The King' Lawler!
The match to decide the undisputed AWA World Champion is coming up soon!
Pic aired of the AWA logo with the caption: NEXT... RIVALRY RENEWED!
Commercials
TV MAIN EVENT (RIVALRY MATCH): Larry Zbysko vs. Greg Gagne
Gagne came out to a fair amount of cheers and Zbysko came out to mainly boos.
Gagne turned and faced the crowd and removed his ring jacket like every dumb-ass face in the history of the business and Zbysko moved in and jumped Gagne from behind.
Ref called for the bell.
Zbysko pounded away on Gagne and whipped Gagne into the ropes and looked to catch Greg coming off with a backdrop but Greg dropped to a knee and blasted Zbysko with an uppercut to the chin. Zbysko stunned. Greg moved in and caught Zbysko with punches, whipped Zbysko into the ropes and caught Zbysko coming off with a high backdrop. Zbysko crashed to the mat, got to his feet and Greg popped Zbysko with a flying dropkick that sent Zbysko hurtling head over heels over the top rope and crashing to the floor. Greg briefly played to the mostly cheering throng. Ref ordered Greg to stand back as Zbysko slowly made it to his feet next to the apron. 10-count grew and Zbysko cautiously made his way back up on the apron. Greg went to move on Zbysko but the ref intercepted Greg and ordered Greg back. Count broken. Ref re-started the count. Zbysko stood on the apron for a few more seconds and then started to cautiously step back into the ring. Zbysko got a leg in the ring and Greg started to move on him and Zbysko bailed out back to the safety of the ring apron. Ref tried to keep them separate but Greg went to grab Zbysko but Zbysko ducked and instead stunned Greg with a neck snap across the top rope. Greg standing but holding his throat in the ring. Zbysko on the floor. Zbysko reached back into the ring, grabbed Greg's ankles and pulled Greg's feet out from under him. Greg crashed to the mat. Zbysko pulled Greg out of the ring down to the floor, grabbed Greg by the back of the head and charged over and slammed Greg's head into the ring post. Greg went down on the floor. Ref counting. Zbysko climbed back into the ring and broke the count and was reprimanded by the ref. Greg made it to his feet next to the apron and was now bleeding. Zbyskjo went over and stomped Greg in the head. Greg stunned. Zbysko repeated the head stomp and Greg went down to a knee on the floor. Ref ordered Zbysko back. Zbysko had words with the the ref. Ref started the 10-count and Greg climbed back up on the apron. Zbysko broke the count and went over and caught Greg with a couple of well placed punches. Zbysko pulled Greg back into the ring through the top and middle rope and rammed Greg's head a couple of times into one of those AWA turnbuckle pads that looked like they had been designed by Mike Lindell. Greg stunned and staggered out of the corner next to the ropes. Zbysko nailed Greg with a couple of well-placed forearms to the upper back. Zbysko whipped Greg into the ropes and caught Greg coming off with a spin kick to the chest. Greg crashed to the mat. Zbysko for the cover. 1...2... Greg kicked out. Zbysko up and grabbed Greg by the mane and dragged Greg's bloody face across the mat. Zbysko broke the illegal move at the count of 4.
Greg in a bad way. Ref checked on Greg, who was still face down on the mat and in serious pain. Zbysko turned in the ring and had brief words with a heckler at ringside. Greg to his knees and now even bloodier. Zbysko moved in and kicked Greg in the side of the ribs. Zbysko snapped Greg up and went to whip Greg into the ropes but Greg reversed and caught Zbysko coming off with a dropkick. Zbysko crashed to the mat. Zbysko up and Greg caught Zbysko with a second dropkick and Zbysko went down again. Zbysko up and Greg jumped on Zbysko driving Zbysko into the corner. Greg got in some body shots and then mounted the middle buckle over Zbysko and fired away with head shots on the former AWA World Champeen as the crowd counted along. Greg dropped back to the mat and whipped the stunned Zbysko into the opposite buckles. Greg charged over and went to the well once too often and looked to blast Zbysko with another dropkick but Zbysko fell out of the way and Greg caught nothing but air and some turnbuckle as he crashed to the mat. Zbysko up, stomped on Greg, snapped Greg up, bodyslammed Greg and went for an elbow smash but Greg rolled out of the way and Zbysko crashed to the mat. Both men up and the men moved in on one another and Zbysko went to kick Greg but Greg caught Zbysko's foot. Zbysko tried to beg off but Greg caught Zbysko with a series of punches to the jaw. Greg let go of Zbysko's leg. Zbysko stumbled back and Greg caught Zbysko with a kick to the gut and whipped Zbysko into the ropes and looked to catch Zbysko coming off with a high backdrop but Zbysko caught Greg in a front facelock and nailed him with a swinging neckbreaker. Greg down holding the back of his neck. Zbysko up and stomped Greg, snapped Greg up and choked Greg on the top rope. Ref counting. Zbysko broke the illegal move at the count of 4 and then repeated it, breaking again at the count at 4. Greg staggered away from the ropes and dropped to his knees holding his throat in the ring. Zbysko kicked Greg in the back. Greg now down on the mat and in a bad way. Zbysko backed off and yelled for Greg to get to his feet. Zbysko mocking Greg saying: Get up, Verne's boy! Greg slowly made it to his feet. Zbysko moved in and and caught Greg with a gut punch that doubled Greg over. Zbysko then went to hoist Greg up for the piledriver.
Marshall: If Zbysko hits this piledriver, with what Zbysko has already done to Greg's neck in the match, it could end up really bad for Greg.
Zbysko tried to hoist Greg up but Greg twice blocked the move and backdropped Zbysko to the mat. Greg down to his knees and holding the back of his neck. Both men to their feet and Zbysko punched Greg and caught Greg with forearm blows to the upper back and neck area. Zbysko went to whip Greg into the ropes but Greg reversed and caught Zbysko coming off with an inverted atomic drop. Zbysko crashed to the mat and grabbed the jewels as most of the crowd cheered. Greg painfully moved in and grabbed Zbysko by the legs. Greg catapulted Zbysko into the corner. Zbysko's head slammed into the top steel bolt that connects the ring post to the turnbuckle. Zbysko bounced back and crashed to the mat. Greg quickly shook out the effects of the match. Greg moved in as Zbysko got to his knees. Zbysko had joined the crimson mask club. Greg pulled Zbysko up by the hair, held Zbysko by the hair and popped Zbysko with a series of deliberate head shots. Zbysko stunned. Crowd into the match. Greg bodyslammed Zbysko and then Greg went out on the apron and mounted the top buckle and came off with a diving knee to the chest that connected. Greg for the cover. 1...2...thr... Zbysko kicked out. Crowd groaned. Greg and Zbysko both feeling the effects of the match. Greg snapped up Zbysko and went to suplex Zbysko but Zbysko twice blocked the move, caught Greg with a couple of punches to the side of the ribs and went to suplex Greg. As Zbysko got Greg up in the air, Greg wriggled free of Zbysko's grasp, dropped down behind Zbysko and locked Zbsyko in the Gagne sleeper (TM). Crowd now really into it. Zbysko struggling to free himself from Greg's grasp. After being in the hold for several seconds, Zbysko was able to lunge towards the ropes and fell through the top and middle rope still locked in the sleeper. The two men crashed to the concrete floor and Greg lost his grip on the hold. Ref started the 10-count. Both men down. Both men stirred on the floor and made it to their feet as the count grew. Zbysko caught Greg with a shot to the ribs and slammed Greg's head into the ring apron. Zbysko then grabbed Greg in a side headlock and went to ram the top of Greg's head into the ring post but Greg shoved Zbysko off and Zbysko's head slammed into the post and Zbysko staggered away. Count hit 10 and the ref called for the bell. Greg came up from behind and nailed Zbysko with a forearm to the back. Zbysko stumbled forward and started to make his way back up the heel entrance aisle. Greg followed and jumped on Zbysko and started striking Zbysko. Zbysko fought back and the two men were brawling in the aisle. Fans cheering louder than at most things AWA in recent years. AWA officials and refs came out to break up the warring factions.
Marshall: I think the Larry Zbysko-Greg Gagne feud has just been reignited with a vengeance!
Blears: Think you're right, Lee!
DECISION: Double Count Out - 12:42
END PROGRAM
DARK MATCHES
AWA World Title Match: Sgt. Slaughter (WC) vs. Jonnie Stewart
WINNER: Slaughter - Pinfall - Slaughter Cannon - 15:27
AWA World Tag Team Title Match: Destruction Crew (WTTC) vs. Brad Rheingans & Ken Patera (former champs)
WINNER: Destruction Crew - Pinfall - Bloom pinned Rheingans after a spike piledriver - 18:03
ATTENDANCE: 1,277 (OUCH!)
