DARK MATCH
$50,000 BATTLE ROYAL
PARTICIPANTS: Greg Gagne, Jake Milliman, Destruction Crew, Top Guns, The Grappler, Rip Oliver, Tom Zenk, Akio Sato, Ninja Go, Jerry Blackwell, Tommy Jammer, Jonnie Stewart, Bob Orton, Manny Fernandez, Sam Houston, Guerrero Bros., Tommy Rich
WINNER: Blackwell - Eliminated both members of the Destruction Crew - 13:03
WINTER WARFARE - LIVE! on ESPN - FEB. 19 - ICARDO CENTER @ CAL STATE-BAKERSFIELD - BAKERSFIELD, CA
Announcers: Joe Pedicino & Bill Dundee
Ring Announcer: Larry Nelson
Backstage Interviewer: Bonnie Blackstone
Special video for
Winter Warfare opened the show.
Shot of the sold out crowd in the Icardo Center.
Announcers Pedicino and Dundee welcomed viewers and ran down the show:
INDIAN STRAP MATCH FOR THE AWA WORLD TITLE: Col. DeBeers (WC) vs. Wahoo McDaniel
PRO WRESTLING HERITAGE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: Greg Valentine (PWHC) vs. The Trooper
Barry Windham vs. Cactus Jack
AWA WOMEN'S WORLD TITLE MATCH (If Mimi gets disqualified or counted out, she loses the title!): Magnificent Mimi (WC - w/ Valerie) vs. 'Big' Reggie Bennett
Announcers then sent it to the ring for the opening match.
Ken Patera (w/ Valerie) vs. Brad Rheingans
Instead of the usual wrestlers coming down face/heel aisles, the wrestlers entered through a lit steel frame (think Nitro in the early years) with a black curtain behind it. On one side of the stage was a large gray wall with the AWA logo on it with the words 'On ESPN' under the logo. On the other side, another big gray wall with the
Winter Warfare logo on it. The wrestlers walked down a small rampway and walked to the ring center aisle between two sections of ringside seats.
Olympic Theme* played and Brad Rheingans came down the aisle to a decent response from the crowd.
Once in the ring, Brad acknowledged the crowd.
Olympic Theme* -
Song
The Champ filled the arena and out came Valerie and Ken Patera. The heel pair made their way down to the ring to pretty strong boos.
The Champ* intro song:
(* Was originally the entrance music for The Taylor Made Man in WCW,)
Val and Ken stepped in the ring and Ken struck a couple of bodybuilder poses to more boos.
Ref called for the bell.
Ken and Brad circled one another and engaged in a collar-and-elbow tie-up. After a brief struggle, Ken shoved Brad off and Brad crashed to the mat. Ken struck another muscle pose. Brad to his feet. The men circled each other again and engaged in another collar-and-elbow tie-up. After a brief struggle, Brad gained the advantage and caught Ken in a hammerlock from behind. Brad then rode Ken down to the mat locked in the hold. Brad worked over the hold and Ken was hurting. Brad then drove a series of swinging knees into Ken's back. Brad then worked over the hold a little more and turned Ken over into a pinning position. 1...2... Ken kicked out. Both men up and Ken shook out his left arm from the effects of Brad's offense. The two men circled each other once again and engaged in a third collar-and-elbow tie-up and Ken got gained the upper hand and caught Brad in an overhand wristlock. Ken tightened up on the hold and with his strength drove Brad to a knee in the ring. Ken cinched up on the hold. Brad fought through the pain and started to get to his feet when Ken further tightened up on the hold and Brad went back down to a knee. Brad not submitting. Ken kept the hold locked firmly on. Brad again slowly rose to his feet locked in the hold. Brad started shifting around and was able to free himself from the hold and caught Ken in an overhand wristlock of his own. Now, Ken was in pain. Crowd cheered. Brad now worked over the hold and drove Ken to his knees in the hold. Ken not submitting. Brad cinched up on the hold and Ken winced in pain. Ken slowly rose to his feet and slowly moved towards the ropes and finally made it and draped his free arm over the top rope to force a break in the hold. Ken briefly shook out his left arm. The pair circled one another again and started to engage in a collar-and-elbow tie-up when Ken stunned Brad with a clubbing forearm across the back. Ken whipped Brad into the ropes and looked to catch Brad coming off with a backdrop but Brad leapfrogged Ken, spun around, grabbed Ken around the waist and and took Ken down with an amateur-style takedown. Brad for the cover. 1...2... Ken got his foot on the bottom rope to force a break. Ken up and lunged at Brad and Brad evaded Ken. Brad caught Ken in a side headlock and took Ken over in a side headlock takedown. Brad worked over the headlock. Ken was able to grab Brad's tights and reverse Brad into a pin while holding the tights. 1...2... Brad shifted his weight and regained control of the side headlock. Brad with the hold firmly locked in. Ken again grabbed a handful of Brad's tights and turned Brad over into a pinning position. 1...2... Brad again shifted his weight and regained control of the hold. Brad made it to a knee with Ken still locked in the hold. Brad to his feet and Ken to a knee with Ken still locked in the hold. Ken slowly to his feet and trying to escape the hold. After a brief struggle, Ken was able to shove Brad off. Brad hit the ropes and came off and was dropped by a shoulder tackle from Ken. Ken snapped Brad up and placed his foot on the top buckle and slammed Brad's head into it. Brad stunned.
Ken started choking Brad out on the top rope. Ref counting. Ken broke the illegal move at the count of 4. Brad leaned over the top rope. Ken neck-snapped Brad using the top rope and Brad snapped back and crashed to the mat. Ken did a jumping stomp to Brad's back, snapped Brad up, whipped Brad into the ropes and hammered Brad coming off with a clothesline. Brad crashed back to the mat and was hurting. Ken struck a bodybuilder pose over the fallen Brad to boos from the crowd. Ken snapped Brad up and went to whip Brad into the corner but Brad reversed and sent Ken crashing into the buckles. Ken staggered out of the corner and Brad caught Ken in a small package for the pin. 1...2...thr... Ken kicked out. Crowd sorta groaned. Both men up and Brad nailed Ken with head shot and went to whip Ken into the corner but Ken reversed and sent Brad crashing into the buckles. Ken with a series of elbow strike to the side of Brad's noggin. Brad stumbled out of the corner and crashed to the mat. Ken moved in and snapped Brad up and caught Brad with a vicious backbreaker across the knee. Brad down and in a bad way. Ken arrogantly pinned Brad with his foot and struck a muscle pose. 1...2...thr... Brad got a shoulder up and then grabbed Ken's leg and Ken lost his balance and toppled to the mat. Brad jumped on Ken and started battering Ken with punches as the crowd popped. Brad snapped Ken up and repaid Ken by placing his foot on the top buckle and slamming Ken's head into it. Ken stunned. Anger came pouring out of Brad as he laid into Ken with more punches that drove Ken into the corner. Brad hammered Ken with a series of rapid-fire shoulder blocks to the gut and caught Ken with a beal throw out of the corner. Crowd getting into Brad. Brad reached down to pull Ken up and Ken caught Brad with a series of gut punches. Ken rose to his feet and nailed Brad with a trio of European uppercuts. Ken threw Brad into the corner and Brad crashed on his ass against the buckles. Ken moved in and started choking Brad out with his knee. Ken broke the illegal move at 4. Brad in a bad way. Ken peeled Bad out of the corner and nailed Brad with a pair of bodyslams. Ken then turned to the crowd and struck a bodybuilder pose. Ken went to turn back to Brad and Brad sprang up and hit Ken with a gut kick followed by a cutter out of nowhere. Crowd popped big-time as Ken crashed to the mat. Brad for the cover and hooked the leg. 1...2...3! NO! Ken got a shoulder up. Brad frustrated. Crowd groaned. Brad grabbed Ken and went to whip Ken into the ropes but Ken reversed and caught Brad coming off with a powerslam. Both men down. Ref counting. Both men slowly to their feet just before the 10-count. Brad up facing away from Ken. Ken moved in and caught Brad in the full nelson, held Brad there for a few seconds and nailed Brad with his full nelson slam finisher. Brad laid out. Ken looked down at the downed Brad. Announcers wondered why Ken wasn't covering Brad. Ken snapped Brad up and repeated the move. Brad all but DOA. Ken flexed his muscles once more to boos. Ref reprimanded Ken. Ken snapped up Brad and nailed Brad with a third full nelson slam. Ref called for the bell.
Larry Nelson hopped up on the ring apron as Val climbed into the ring. Ref explained the situation to Nelson.
Ref raised Patera's hand in victory.
Nelson: The referee has stopped the match due to Brad Rheingans being ruled unable to continue. Your winner is Ken Patera.
Crowd booed. Brad still down. Patera struck one last bodybuilder pose before he and a happy Val left the ring and headed back up the aisle as AWA officials came out to check on Brad.
WINNER: Patera - Ref stoppage - 11:29
Announcers discussed the Patera-Rheingans match.
Graphic aired on the screen with the caption:
NEXT... THE TROOPER SPEAKS!!!
Commercials
Announcers welcomed viewers back to the show. Said Brad Rheingans had to be helped out of the ring after being hit with three straight full nelson slams.
Then sent it backstage to Bonnie Blackstone.
Blackstone was standing in front of the AWA logo with mic in hand.
Bonnie: Hi, everybody. I'm the newest member of the AWA broadcast team, Bonnie Blackstone.
My guest right now is the Trooper.
Trooper walked into the interview area in his ring gear.
Bonnie: Trooper, you have made it clear that your goal for 1991 is to win the Pro Wrestling Heritage Championship and you've got a golden opportunity tonight as you face the champion Greg Valentine for that title.
Trooper: Bonnie, I've made no bones about it. My goal to become the new Pro Wrestling Heritage Champion and I have the chance of a lifetime tonight.
Greg Valentine has been the Pro Wrestling Heritage Champion for a year now. And, you have to give the devil his due, Valentine has taken on all challengers and turned them all back.
A couple of months ago, I had Valentine on the verge of defeat when, unfortunately, the time ran out.
Well now, we got a time-limit of 45-minutes instead of a TV time-limit. That's a lot more time to accomplish my goal tonight right here in the Icardo Center.
Bonnie: We saw the recent confrontation between you and Greg Valentine where Bobby Jaggers ambushed you and nailed you with his finisher that he calls the Jaggers' Special. It looks like a devastating move.
Trooper: It's not only devastating; it's also very dangerous. When he clubbed me in the chest I passed out for a couple of seconds.
I don't know if Greg Valentine was working with Jaggers or not and quite frankly I don't care. Jaggers has made his intentions crystal clear. He's gonna do everything in his power to prevent me from winning the Pro Wrestling Heritage Title.
Well, I've got news for Mr. Jaggers.
Bobby, you go ahead and try and interfere in the match tonight, pal. You just try it. Because I can guarantee you one thing. You will fail in your mission.
Bonnie: You seem certain Jaggers won't succeed in playing a role in the outcome of this match. How can you be so sure?
Trooper: I'm confident that he will have no chance to affect the outcome of this match tonight. That's all I can say about it.
And Valentine, it's hard to stop a man on a determined mission. I feel good about my chances tonight and I will become the second Pro Wrestling Heritage Champion in AWA history.
Bonnie: There you have it. The Trooper is confident he can get the job done tonight. Joe and Bill, back to you.
Announcers talked about the strong words from the Trooper. Wondered what he had in mind to possibly thwart any plans Jaggers might have to tilt this match in Valentine's favor.
Graphic came up on the screen with the caption:
COMING UP... AWA WOMEN'S TITLE MATCH!
Commercials/AWA Tour Update
AWA WOMEN'S WORLD TITLE MATCH (If Mimi gets DQ'd or counted out she loses the title!): Magnificent Mimi (WC - w/ Valerie) vs. 'Big Reggie Bennett
Close To The Edit* By Art of Noise filled the arena and Bennett made her way down the aisle to a nice response from the fans.
Bennett slapped hands on her way down the aisle. Once in the ring, Bennett briefly played to the crowd to more cheers.
* Close To The Edit:
* Invincible by Pat Benatar filled the arena and out came champ Mimi and manager Valerie to strong boos.
The pair climbed in the ring and looked out at the crowd and then over at Bennett.
Invincible:
Nelson was standing center ring with mic in hand.
Nelson: This match is scheduled for one fall with a 20-minute time limit and is for the AWA Women's World Championship!
If Magnificent Mimi gets disqualified or counted out she loses the title!
Crowd cheered.
Nelson: Introducing first, the challenger.
Weighing in at 227 pounds! She hails from Venice Beach, California... 'Big' Reggie Bennett!
Nice pop from the crowd.
Nelson: And her opponent.
Boos echoing throughout the arena.
Nelson: She is managed by Valerie.
Weighing in at 133 pounds! From Los Angeles, California... she is the reigning AWA Women's World Champion.... the Magnificent Mimi!
Loud boobs.
Nelson:
Your referee is Gary DaRusha!
Mimi held the title aloft for all to see before the ref took it and also held it up for all to see before handing it off to Larry Nelson.
Ref called both women out to the middle of the ring. Val came out with Mimi.
Ref laid down the ground rules and patted each lady down before sending them back to their respective corners.
Val left for the floor.
Ref called for the bell.
The two women came out of their corners and circled one another and Mimi reached down and grabbed Reggie's leg and tried to pull it out from under her but failed and Reggie clubbed Mimi in the back and Mimi dropped to her knees in pain. Reggie snapped Mimi up and bodyslammed Mimi. Mimi grabbing at her lower back. Reggie moved on Mimi and Mimi bailed to the apron to boos. Ref ordered Reggie back and Reggie obliged. Ref counting. Mimi started to climb back in the ring and Reg came over and Mimi bailed back to the apron and dropped to the floor as the crowd booed. Mimi walking around on the floor. Mimi yelled at the ref to keep Reg in the ring. Ref again started the 10-count. Mimi walking around on the floor. Announcers pointed out that if Mimi gets counted out she loses the belt. Count grew and Reg got tired of waiting and bolted the ring and chased Mimi around the ring. Mimi climbed back into the ring and Reg climbed in and Mimi bolted out the other side of the ring to more boos. Reg again followed her out. Mimi grabbed the timekeeper's bell off the table and threatened to hit Reg with it. Reg told her go ahead and she's disqualified and Reg is the new champion. Mimi placed the bell on the table and ran part way around the ring and climbed in. As Reg was climbing through the ropes, Mimi charged over and drove a knee into the side of Reg's ribs. Mimi pounded away on Reg, whipped Reg into the ropes and caught Reg coming off with a dropkick. Reg crashed to the mat. Mimi grabbed Reg's legs and positioned her in the ring and hit her with a series of stomps. Mimi went out on the apron and mounted the top buckle and came off with a diving splash but Reg moved and Mimi slammed into the mat. Crowd cheered. Reg up waiting for Mimi to get up. Mimi up and Reg charged over and steamrolled Mimi. Mimi crashed to the mat. Reg for the cover. 1...2...thr... Mimi got a shoulder up. Crowd groaned. Reg caught the downed Mimi with head shots, snapped Mimi up and whipped Mimi into the corner. Reg moved in and blasted Mimi with a series of forearms to the chest followed by a headbutt. Mimi staggered out by the ropes. Reg pounded Mimi with forearms and then hit Mimi with a suplex. Reg backed into the ropes and came off with a diving splash but Mimi got her knees up and Reg crashed into them. Reg down. Mimi to her feet and put the boots to Reg again. Mimi then grabbed Reg by the hair and dragged Reg's face acoss the mat. Mimi broke the illegal move at the count of 4. Announcers pointed out that if the count would have hit 5 we'd have a new champeen. Mimi then slammed Reg's head into the mat three times. Reg rolled over on her back. Mimi then did a diving splash of her own that connected. Mimi for the pin. 1...2... Reg kicked out. Both women up and Mimi struck Reg with forearms to the chest and then slammed Reg's head into the top buckle. Mimi moved in and delivered a series of nasty kicks to Reg's gut. Shot of Val on the floor liking what she sees. Mimi backed up and charged over and blasted Reg with a running shoulder block to the gut. Announcers said no matter what you think of Mimi she's a tough wrestler but she's obsessed with keeping that title and will do anything to retain it. Reg staggered out of the corner. Mimi with a series of forearm shivers to the side of the head. Mimi whipped Reg into the ropes and nailed Reg with a high flying dropkick. Reg spun around and stumbled forward and fell front-first against the ropes. Val started yelling at the ref from the floor. Ref became distracted with the bottle blonde beauty and started having words with her. Behind the ref's back, Mimi came up behind Reg and dumped Reg over the top rope down to the floor. Crowd going nuts. Announcers said Mimi should have lost the title right there but the ref didn't see it because pro wrestling refs are afflicted with stupidity.
Val stopped having words with the ref. Ref turned and Mimi yelled for the ref to start counting. Ref wondered how Reg got down there and Mimi yelled for the ref to do his job and count. Ref started the 10-count. Count grew as Mimi anxiously looked on. ...7... Reg stirred on the floor. ...8...9... Mimi threw her arms in the air and thought she was about to win. But it was a case of premature celebration as Reg rolled back into the ring just before the 10-count. Crowd popped. Mimi grabbed the top rope and started firing a series of knees in Reg's side and broke the illegal move at the count 4. Mimi snapped Reg up by the hair and whipped Reg into the corner. Mimi moved in on Reg and Reg found the strength to charge out of the corner and tackled Mimi to the mat. Crowd exploded. Reg caught Mimi with a couple of punches and pounded he back of Mimi's head on the mat as the crowd roared. Reg snapped Mimi up, whipped Mimi into the ropes and caught Mimi coming off with a back elbow to the chest. Mimi crashed down by the ropes and landed with her head and arms hanging out over the middle rope. Reg went to go after Mimi but he ref intercepted her and ordered her back. As the two had words, Val reached into her coat pocket and appeared to hand Mimi a foreign object. Val quickly backed off. Crowd going nuts. Mimi now in the ring on her knees and facing the crowd. Reg ignored the ref and started to pull her up when Mimi blasted Reg in the jaw with what appeared to be a loaded right hand. Reg crashed on her back in the ring. As the ref checked on Reg, Mimi and Val appeared to shake hands/hand off the possible weapon as no one clearly saw it (Think the end of Hennig-Bockwinkel when Hennig won the strap at Super Clash 2. If you've never seen it, great finish!). Mimi quickly moved in and covered a clearly stunned Reg. 1...2...3! NO! Reg kicked out. Crowd popped. Mimi in disbelief. Mimi snapped Reg up and went to whip Reg into the corner but Reg reversed and sent Mimi crashing into the buckles. Reg then found the strength to nail Mimi with an avalanche (Trademark of big rasslers!), Mimi limp in the corner. The still-stunned Reg fell back against the ropes. Crowd into it. Both women slowly recovered and Mimi came out of the corner and punched Reg but Reg no sold it. Mimi with another punch to no avail. Mimi tried a third punch with the same results. Reg stiffened up and let out a loud roar. Crowd responded to her roar. Mimi, in a panic, went to punch Reg again but Reg blocked the punch try and fired away on Mimi with punches. Reg filled with rage over Mimi's earlier tactics. Mimi staggered. Reg ran and hit the ropes and came off with a big running clothesline that flattened Mimi. Val in a panic at ringside. Mimi tried to crawl out of the ring but Reg snapped her up and locked her in a bearhug and ragdolled Mimi in the hold and then threw Mimi down. Announcers pointed out that Mimi was teetering on defeat. Reg again tried her leg drop and it connected. Reg then got on top of Mimi and started choking her. Announcers wondered why she was not going for the kill. Reg broke the illegal move at the count of 4. Reg snapped Mimi up by the hair and tossed her around the ring by the hair and then grabbed Mimi and threw her in the corner. Reg pulled a page out of Kokina's playbook and backed into Mimi repeatedly. Mimi limp in the corner. Reg pulled Mimi out of the corner and whipped Mimi into the ropes and caught her coming off with the axe (forearm smash to the head - Curt Hennig move). Mimi crashed to the mat, Reg yelling for Mimi to get up. Val really concerned at ringside. Mimi shakily got to her feet and Reg moved in and started choking Mimi and broke the illegal move at the count of 4 and then repeated it and broke again at 4. Then, Reg made a huge mistake. In a fit of rage, Reg grabbed Mimi... and threw her over the top rope down to the floor. Ref called for the bell. Crowd in disbelief.
Reg recognized immediately what she had done and dropped to her knees and placed her hands on top of her head. Reg then pounded the mat in frustration. Val came over on the floor and checked on Mimi. Ref took the belt from Larry Nelson. Ref went out on the floor and handed the belt to Mimi and raised her hand in victory, as she was being helped to her feet by Val. Mimi didn't seem to know what planet she was on.
Nelson: In a time of 12 minutes, 18 seconds, your winner by disqualification... and STILL AWA Women's World Champion... Magnificent Mimi!
Disoriented Mimi being helped back up the aisle by Valerie.
Mimi picked up on a mic.
Mimi: I won?!
Val helped Mimi to the back.
In the ring, an angry Bennett walked around the ring in frustration as the crowd chanted:
Bullshit!
WINNER: Mimi - DQ - 12:18
Announcers discussed the match and said Reg should have won on at least two different occasions and had Mimi dead to rights at the end of the match but her rage got the best of her. Said AWA officials will be sue to investigate this matter.
Hyped the PWHC match coming up next!
Graphic aired on the screen with the caption:
NEXT... FOR THE PWHC TITLE!!!
Commercials/Ad aired for
AWA Slam! Wrestling on ESPN
PRO WRESTLING HERITAGE CHAMPIONSHIP: Greg Valentine (PWHC) vs. The Trooper
Dream Police* by Cheap Trick filled the arena and out came the Trooper to a strong ovation.
Trooper was all business as he made his way towards the ring. Trooper stepped in and briefly acknowledged the crowd to more cheering.
Dream Police* -
After a brief pause...
Synchronicity 2* by The Police poured out of the arena speakers and out came PWHC Greg Valentine to massive boos.
Valentine made his way down the aisle and stepped in the ring and went to his corner.
Synchronicity 2*:
In-ring: Larry Nelson stood center ring with mic in hand.
Nelson: This contest is scheduled for one fall with a 45-minute time limit and is for the Pro Wrestling Heritage Championship!
Crowd popped.
Nelson: Introducing first, the challenger. Weighing in at 275 pounds. He hails from Columbia, South Carolina... The Trooper!
Crowd cheered. Trooper had his eyes locked on Valentine.
Nelson: And his opponent. Weighing in at 246 pounds. He hails from Seattle, Washington... the reigning Pro Wrestling Heritage Champion... Greg 'The Hammer' Valentine!
Valentine stepped out of his corner and opened his robe and spun around so everyone could see the belt.
Nelson: Your referee is Marty Miller!
Miller took the belt from Valentine and held it aloft for all to see and then handed the strap off to Nelson.
Miller called the two men out to the middle of the ring and laid down the ground rules and patted each man down.
Crowd buzzing as Miller sent both men back to their corners.
Miller called for the bell and it was on.
Announcers wondered if this was the night Trooper accomplished his goal for 1991 and relieved Valentine of the Pro Wrestling Heritage Championship.
The two men came out of their corners and circled one another and engaged in a collar-and-elbow tie-up. After a brief struggle, Trooper drove Valentine into the corner and the ref ordered a break. Break was clean. Valentine yelled and gestured that Trooper pulled his hair. Crowd booed. The two men circled each other again and this time Valentine raised one hand in the air and Trooper locked hands with Valentine. Valentine raised his other hand and the Trooper obliged and the two engaged in a test of strength. After a brief, neutral struggle, Valentine started to gain the advantage. Trooper dropped to a knee but immediately started powering back up. Trooper up and then men again angled for the advantage in the test of strength. Trooper gained the upper hand and started to drive Valentine to the mat. Valentine was able to stun Trooper with a kick to the gut. Trooper doubled over. Valentine hit Trooper with a series of elbow smashes to the back of the neck. Valentine picked Trooper up and nailed Trooper with a suplex. Valentine ran and hit the ropes and came off with a running elbow smash but Trooper rolled out of the way and Valentine crashed to the mat. Crowd cheered. Both men to their feet and Trooper caught Valentine with a kick to the gut and caught Valentine in a side headlock. Trooper briefly worked over the hold before Valentine countered with a belly-to-back suplex. Valentine up as Trooper got up and Valentine clubbed Trooper in the back with a forearm. Valentine then leaned Trooper back against the ropes and hit Trooper with a series of clubbing forearm smashes to the chest. Valentine whipped Trooper into the ropes and caught Trooper coming off with a high backdrop. Trooper slammed to the mat. Valentine stomped Trooper in the head. Trooper sat up. Valentine dropped to his knees and caught Trooper in a rear chinlock. Valentine cinched up on the hold. Ref checking to see if it turned into a choke. Valentine with the hold firmly locked in but Trooper was not giving up. Valentine rose to his feet with the hold still locked in and Valentine drove a trio of knees into Trooper's back. Trooper hurting. Valentine snapped Trooper up and went to suplex Trooper again but Trooper twice blocked the move and suplexed Valentine instead. Both wrestlers down. Ref started the 10-count but both men made it up rather quickly. Valentiine hit Trooper with a knee to the gut and went to ram Trooper's head into the top buckle but Trooper grabbed the top rope and stiffened his arms to block the buckle shot. Valentine tried again to no avail and Trooper caught Valentine with a couple of elbows to the side of the ribs and freed himself from Valentine's grasp and slammed Valentine's head into the top buckle. Valentine spun around in the corner and Trooper mounted the middle buckle over Valentine and popped Valentine with 10 straight rapid-fire head shots as the crowd counted along. Valentine staggered out of the corner and crashed face-first in the ring to a big pop.
Trooper snapped Valentine up and locked Valentine in an abdominal stretch. Trooper quickly cinched up on the hold. Valentine in tremendous pain but not submitting. Valentine started painfully inching towards the ropes locked in the hold and was able to grab the top rope and force a break. Trooper whipped Valentine into the ropes and nailed valentine coming off with a big right hand that sent Valentine spinning around and crashing to the mat. Valentine got up next to the ropes as Trooper backed up and charged over and went to clothesline Valentine but Valentine instead backdropped Trooper over the top rope and Trooper crashed to the floor. Ref ordered Valentine back. Announcers pointed out that since Valentine didn't throw Trooper over the top rope it was not a DQ. Ref began the 10-count. Trooper stirred and got to his feet as the count grew. Trooper started to climb up on the apron when Valentine came over and stomped Trooper in the head through the top and middle rope. Trooper leaned front-first against the apron. Valentine reached down over the top rope, grabbed Trooper by the hair and repeatedly slammed Trooper's head into the ring apron. Trooper down to a knee on the floor. Valentine held on to Trooper's head and pulled Trooper up on the apron. Valentine went to hoist Trooper up for a suplex but Trooper wriggled free and dropped down behind Valentine, ran Valentine into the ropes and rolled Valentine up from behind for the pin. 1...2... Valentine kicked Trooper off. Both men up and Valentine caught Trooper with a head shot and went to whip Trooper into the ropes but Trooper reversed and caught Valentine coming off with an inverted atomic drop. Valentine crashed to the mat, rolled out on the apron and crashed to the floor to the delight of the crowd. Trooper wanted to go after Valentine but the ref intercepted him and ordered him to stand back. Valentine slowly getting up on the floor holding his privates. Valentine turned and said something to a heckler at ringside. Trooper, tired of waiting, came over and reached down over the top rope and grabbed Valentine by the hair and spun Valentine around facing him. Ref stepped in to break things up. Trooper briefly distracted with the ref and Valentine grabbed Trooper's legs and pulled them out from under him. Trooper crashed to the mat. Valentine, still on the floor, pulled Trooper's legs out so they were hanging out over the apron at the knee area. Valentine grabbed Trooper's left leg and slammed it violently three times into the apron. A hurting Trooper started scooting back in the ring as Valentine climbed back in. Valentine stomped Trooper in the left knee area and then grabbed Trooper's left leg, yanked on it a few times and locked Trooper in the figure 4. Crowd urging on Trooper. Trooper in great pain in the hold. Valentine cinched up on the hold. Trooper not giving up. Trooper started scooting to the ropes still locked in the hold. Valentine with the hold still firmly locked in. Ropes just out of reach for the Trooper as fans reached a fever pitch. After a few more seconds, Trooper scooted close enough to grab the middle rope and force a break.
Valentine released the hold and got up as Trooper slowly got up. Valentine moved in and kicked Trooper in the outside of the left knee area. Trooper wobbly. Valentine then hoisted up Trooper for a shinbreaker across the knee and Trooper blocked it. Valentine still holding Trooper's left leg as Trooper started hitting Valentine with a deliberate series of of head shots. Valentine lost his grip on the hold. Trooper hit Valentine a couple of more times. Valentine staggered. Trooper, wobbly, managed to hoist Valentine over his shoulders with Valentine hanging upside down behind Trooper's back. Trooper nailed Valentine with a double leg slam. Trooper's leg still hurting and he fell against the ropes. Crowd buzzing like a driver who's had too much to drink. A shaky Valentine got up and turned and Trooper managed to charged over and hit Valentine with a running clothesline. Valentine crashed to the mat, Crowd now roaring. They can sense it. Trooper backed up and was still hobbling from the effects of the figure 4. Valentine slowly made it to his feet and the Trooper managed to charge over and hit Valentine with his flying shoulder tackle finisher. Valentine crashed to the mat. Crowd exploded. Problem was, Trooper crashed to the mat also. Crowd yelling for Trooper to cover Valentine, Trooper holding his left knee and in great pain. Trooper slowly crawled over and covered Valentine. 1...2...thr... Valentine kicked out. Crowd groaned. Both men laying there. Ref counting. Count grew as both men made it to their feet. Trooper up facing away from Valentine. Valentine came up behind Trooper and nailed Trooper with shoulder block to the back of the knee area. Trooper crumpled to the mat. Announcers thought if Valentine locks him in the figure 4 now that it's over because of the earlier damage done to Trooper's left knee area. Valentine up and grabbed Trooper's left leg and started to lock Trooper in the figure 4 when Trooper kicked Valentine off and Valentine slammed into the turnbuckles. Crowd on the edges of their seats. Trooper hobbled painfully to his feet and moved in on Valentine and Valentine went to punch Trooper but Trooper blocked the punch try and nailed Valentine with some punches. Valentine wobbly in the corner. Trooper went to hit Valentine again but stopped mid-punch because of the pain in his leg. Valentine reached down and pulled Trooper's legs out from under him and Trooper crashed to the mat. Valentine for the cover in the corner. 1... Valentine placed his feet on the middle rope. ...2...3! NO! Trooper got a shoulder up. Crowd cheered. Valentine took his feet off the rope before the ref saw them on there. Valentine went for the pin again. 1... Valentine again placed his feet on the middle rope for leverage. 2...thr... Ref looked up and saw Valentine's feet on the middle rope and ordered Valentine to remove his feet from the rope. Valentine did and Trooper snatched Valentine up in a small package for the pin. 1...2...3! NO! Valentine kicked out. Crowd groaned. Valentine up and grabbed Trooper by the legs and dragged him out of the corrner. Valentine catapaulted Trooper into the corner and Trooper slammed head first into the ring bolt that connects the top buckle to the ring post. Trooper snapped back and crashed to the mat. Valentine for the cover. 1...2...3! NO! Trooper kicked out. Crowd popped. Valentine got up and started arguing with the ref and slapped his hands together three times signaling it was a three count and the ref gestured it was not. As the ref and Valentine argued and Trooper was laying exposed in the ring, Bobby Jaggers, in street clothees, charged down the aisle.
But, a surprise awaited him...
As Jaggers prepared to climb up on the apron, Nikita Koloff, in a sweatsuit, charged down the aisle and yanked Jaggers off the apron as the crowd wen nuts. Koloff fired away on Jaggers with punches and Jaggers staggered back up the aisle and took off to the back as Koloff gave chase. Ref and Valentine looking on at what just transpired on the floor. Trooper made it to his feet behind Valentine and the ref. Valentine turned and Trooper charged over and nailed Valentine with his flying shoulder tackle finisher. Valentine crashed to the mat. Trooper covered Valentine and hooked the leg. 1...2...3! Ref called for the bell as the crowd went into orbit. Trooper rolled off of Valentine.
Ref went over and talked to Nelson and took the belt. Trooper painfully made it to his feet and was still hobbling. Ref talked with Nelson a bit more and then went over and handed Trooper the belt and raised his hand in victory to more cheering,
Nelson:
In a time of 16 minutes, 22 seconds, your winner... and NEW Pro Wrestling Heritage Champion... The Trooper!
Crowd still loud. Shot of the back of the defeated Valentine as he headed back up the aisle.
Trooper held the belt in the air briefly and held the belt and looked down at it as Nelson climbed into the ring.
Nelson: Trooper, you're the new Pro Wrestling Heritage Champion. Whaddaya say?
Trooper: I'm still in a lot of pain from this match. So, I just have one thing to say. Mission... accomplished.
Another loud pop from the sellout crowd.
Nelson: He is the NEW Pro Wrestling Heritage Champion... The Trooper!
More cheers.
WINNER: Trooper - Pinfall - 16:22
Announcers discussed the Trooper fulfilling his goal for 1991. Dundee said he'd better celebrate over the next few days because it's guaranteed Valentine will be gunning for him right away to win the belt back.
Graphic appeared on the screen with the caption:
NEXT... BARRY VS. CACTUS!!!
Commercials/Ad aired for All-Star Wrestling
Barry Windham vs. Cactus Jack
Crazy Train* by Ozzy played as Jack made his way down the aisle to mainly boos but also had his legion of fans.
Crazy Train* -
La Grange* by ZZ Top filled the arena as Windham charged down the aisle, hit the ring and charged over and he and Jack tore into each other as the crowd was popping.
La Grange* -
Ref called for the bell.
The two slugged it out a little more and Jack gained the upper hand and went to whip Barry into the ropes but Barry reversed and caught Jack coming off with a dropkick. Jack crashed to the mat. Jack up and Barry hit Jack with some uppercuts and went to whip Jack into the corner but Jack reversed and sent Barry crashing into the buckles and Barry crashed on his ass in the corner. Jack backed up and charged in and caught Barry with a running knee to the head/chest area. Jack then started choking Barry out with his foot but broke the illegal move at the count of 4. Jack snapped Barry up and pulled Barry out of the corner. Jack whipped Barry into the ropes and caught Barry coming off with a kick to the gut followed by a swinging neckbreaker. Jack for the cover. 1...2... Barry kicked out. Jack snapped Barry up and bodyslammed Barry and went over and mounted the middle buckle in the corner and came off with a leg drop but Barry rolled out of the way and Jack crashed to the mat. Barry and Jack to their feet and Barry popped Jack with punches. Barry whipped Jack into the ropes and caught Jack coming off with a gut punch and went to DDT Jack but Jack slipped out of Barry's grasp and landed on his butt. Jack sitting up and Barry ran and hit the ropes and caught Jack coming off with a low-flying dropkick to the chest. Barry jumped on top of Jack and pounded him with more headshots (Amazing how much trauma the head can take in pro wrestling without inflicting brain damage, isn't it?!) . Barry snapped Jack up and drove Jack hard into the corner. Barry backed up and charged in looking to splash Jack but Jack moved and Barry slammed hard into the bucklles, bounced back and crashed to the mat. Jack regained his bearings and hit Barry with a running elbow smash. Jack snapped up Barry and hoisted Barry up in the slam position and drove Barry into the buckles. Barry hanging upside down, Jack locked Barry's foot under the top ring bolt that connects the post to the buckle. Barry in the Tree of Woe position. Jack backed up and charged in and blasted Barry with a hanging elbow drop to the chest. Jack up and backed up again and charged in and nailed Barry with a second brutal hanging elbow drop. Jack released Barry's foot and Barry crumpled to the mat. Jack stomped on Barry, snapped Barry up and whipped Barry into the ropes and caught Barry coming off with a kick to the gut. Barry doubled over. Jack ran and hit the ropes and charged in and blasted Barry with a brutal running knee lift. Barry crashed to the mat. Jack for the cover. 1...2... Barry kicked out. Fans cheered. Jack choked Barry with his hands and broke the illegal move at the count of 4. Jack snapped Barry up, whipped Barry into the ropes and caught Barry coming off with a back elbow to the chest. Barry fell against the ropes. Jack charged in and blasted Barry with a running clothesline that sent both men hurtling over the top rope and crashing to the floor. Both men down on the floor. Jack down but had a sinister smile on his face. Announcers questioned Jack's mental stability. Jack up and snapped Barry up and nailed Barry with a sidebreaker across the knee. Ref counting. Jack up and quickly climbed in the ring and back out to break the count. Jack mounted the middle buckle on the apron side and came off with his hip buster elbow smash that connected. Ref counting. Both men down. Announcers said the objective in pro wrestllng was to limit the damage you incur to yourself while inflicting more damage on your opponent and that this idea is foreign to Jack. Jack up and quickly rolled in and out of the ring to break the count.
Barry getting up on the the floor. Jack grabbed Barry and sent Barry crashing into the steel ringside barricade. Ref counting. Jack again quickly climbed in and out of the ring to break the count. Jack stepped out on the apron and jumped off but Barry moved and Jack sllammed front-first into the barricade as the crowd cheered. Barry regaining his bearings as Jack extricated himself from the barricade. Barry moved in and blasted Jack with a couple of uppercuts and then drove Jack three times into the rignside barricade. Ref counting. Barry whipped Jack into the ring apron and Jack went down on the floor. Barry quickly rolled in and out of the ring to break the count. Barry reached down to grab Jack and Jack caught Barry with an eye poke. Barry stunned. Jack went to whip Barry into the ring steps but Barry reversed and sent Jack slamming into the steps with such force that Jack went over the top step and crashed to the floor. Barry snapped up Jack and whipped Jack into the post. Jack crashed into the post, stumbled forward and went down. Ref counting. Barry quickly climbed in the ring to break the count and climbed out on the apron. Jack up and turned and Barry charged off the apron and nailed Jack wwith a flying headbutt. Crowd popped Both men down. Ref counting. Barry up and snapped the stunned Jack up and slammed Jack's head into the ring apron. Barry then threw Jack back into the ring. Barry mounted the buckle as Jack got to his feet. Barry went for a flying clothesline off the top rope and Jack fell out of the way and Barry crashed to the mat. Announcers pointed put that these guys seemed more interested in beating the crap out of each other rather than winning the match. Both men up and Jack caught Barry with a couple of punches and then popped Barry with a discus clothesline. Barry back down. Jack grabbed Barry and whipped Barry into the buckles. Jack moved in with a series of knees to the gut followed by biting Barry's forehead. Jack broke the illegal move at the ref's count of 4. Jack pulled Barry out of the corner and bodyslammed Barry and nailed Barry with a running leg drop. Jack for the cover. 1...2...3! NO! Barry kicked out. Crowd cheered. Jack grabbed Barry and went to whip barry into the corner but Barry reversed and sent Jack crashing into the corner. Barry quickly gathered himself, charged in and hit Jack with a running splash. Jack limp in the corner. Barry repaid Jack by biting Jack's forehead to the delight of the crowd. Barry broke the illegal move at the ref's count of 4. Barry pulled Jack out of the corner, whipped Jack into the ropes and caught Jack coming off with a dropkick. Jack crashed to the mat. Barry dived on Jack for the cover. 1...2... Jack kicked out. Barry caught Jack with a head shot, snapped Jack up and whipped Jack into the ropes and looked to catch Jack coming off with with high backdrop but Jack instead caught Barry and turned it into a DDT. Jack rolled Barry over for the cover. 1...2...thr... Barry got a shoulder up. Crowd cheered. Jack snapped Barry up and whipped Barry into the corner. Barry slammed into thbuckles and staggered out and Jack nailed Barry with running bulldog/facebuster. Barry again down in the ring. Jack looked out at the the crowd and did the BANG! BANG! to mainly boos. Jack snapped Barry up and whipped Barry into the ropes and went to catch Barry coming off with a clothesline but Barry ducked the move and came back and blasted Jack with his flying lariat finisher. Crowd popped. Barry covered Jack and hooked the leg. 1...2...3! Crowd roared as the ref called for the bell.
Barry up holding the back of his neck and the ref raised his hand in victory.
WINNER: Barry - Pinfall - 13:13
Announcers discussed Barry defeating Jack.
Announcers hyped the World Title main event still to come.
Graphic aired on the screen with the caption:
NEXT... TULLY!!!
Commercials
Announcers sent it backstage to Bonnie Blackstone who was standing by with Tully Blanchard.
Shot of Blackstone in front of the AWA logo with mic in hand.
Bonnie: My guest at this time is Tully Blanchard.
Tully walked into the interview area in a blazer, white dress shirt, dark slacks and dress shoes. He was also wearing sunglasses.
Bonnie: Tully, you...
Tully: Wait a minute. Did you people out there in TV land notice the look Bonnie just gave me when I walked out here?
You were eyeballing me up and down like you wanted to rip my clothes off and have your way with me.
Well, little lady, if you play your cards just right then that fantasy may just become a reality of yours.
Blackstone rolled her eyes.
Bonnie: We've seen the success of your stablemates Ken Patera and Magnificent Mimi here tonight. What are your thoughts on their performances?
Tully: My thoughts are this. Is anyone shocked by their success? The stable Valerie is putting together is elite. There's no room for mediocrities here.
And there are people out there who believe Valerie cannot manage successfully because she is a woman. But I'm here to say otherwise.
This woman is one of the best strategizers I've ever met, be they wrestler or manager.
She has a knack for pinpointing weaknesses in an opponent others may miss. She knows how to put together a winning game plan.
There's no surprise by what's transpired here tonight. It was expected. And Patera and Mimi delivered.
And when I step back through those ropes I will deliver, too.
Valerie's stable is about excellence. It's about being the best. It's about championships and money. It's about looking the part of a champion and not some loser slob who has a 9-to-5 job.
Everything with Valerie is winning. She exudes winning and it has a strong, positive affect on the wrestlers she manages.
She knows what she wants. She knows who she wants. And she knows what it takes to win and win big.
The next time I go to Vegas, I'm taking Valerie with me. They'll have to close out the casino because I'll have emptied it of every last single, solitary dime with Val in my corner.
Everything is about being the best in this stable. It's not about being the best you can be. It's about being the best of the best, period.
1991 is gonna be a year in which Valerie's stable makes the most noise off all in the AWA.
Tully walked out of the interview area.
Boonie: That was Tully Blanchard.
Announcers talked about the Tully interview.
Announcers then intro'd a video for the next AWA PPV.
Video are for
WrestleRock '91 - Sunday - Apr. 28 - Cow Palace - San Francisco, CA - 8pm E/5pm P. Tickets on sale Saturday, March 9th @ 10am P.
WrestleRock musical guest: SF originals Huey Lewis and the News!
Graphic aired on the screen with the caption:
NEXT... THE MAIN EVENT!!!
Commercials
MAIN EVENT - INDIAN STRAP MATCH FOR THE AWA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP: Col. DeBeers (WC) vs. Wahoo McDaniel
There's No Easy Way Out* by Robert Tepper filled the arena and Wahoo McDaniel made his way down the aisle to a strong ovation.
Wahoo was in his ring attire and Indian headdress.
Wahoo made his way to the ring and was all business.
There's No Easy Way Out*:
Brief pause...
Apartheid era South African National Anthem played and World Champion Col. DeBeers came down the aisle to strong boos and some refreshments thrown in his direction.
DeBeers was in his camo pants, beret and had the title around his waist. He was flanked by four security guards.
DeBeers stepped into the ring and went to his corner.
Apartheid era National Anthem:
Larry Nelson as standing mid-ring with mic in hand.
Nelson: This is our main event of the evening!
Crowd cheered.
Nelson: This match is scheduled for one-fall with a 60 minute time-limit and is for the AWA World Championship!
The bout will be fought under Indian strap match rules. To win, a wrestler must pull his opponent around the ring and touch all for corners in succession!
Nelson: Introducing first, the challenger.
Rising cheers.
Nelson: Weighing in at 261 pounds... he hails from Midland, Texas... 'Chief' Wahoo McDaniel!
Wahoo stepped out of the corner and briefly acknowledged the crowd.
Nelson: And his opponent! Weighing in at 268 pounds... from Johannesburg, South Africa.. he is the reigning AWA World Champion... Col. DeBeers!
Intense booing from the crowd.
DeBeers stepped out of his corner and twirled his 'stache.
Nelson: Your referee is Mick Karch!
Karch was standing in a corner and holding the Indian strap.
Karch went over and took the title from DeBeers and held it aloft for all to see.
Karch handed the title off to Nelson and called each man to the middle of the ring.
Karch laid down the ground rules and patted each man down as the combatants glared at one another.
Karch unfurled the Indian strap and slid one end of the strap on Wahoo's wrist and then slid the other end of the strap on DeBeers' wrist.
Announcers pointed out that Wahoo had never lost a strap match.
The strap was lying on the mat in the ring.
Karch called for the bell.
Announcers said ESPN will stay with the match to its conclusion, which was mighty white of them.
The two men immediately backed up and the strap became taut and a tug-of-war ensued for possession of the strap. After a brief struggle, Wahoo yanked hard on the strap and DeBeers stumbled towards him and Wahoo blasted DeBeers with a couple of big knife-edge chest chops. Wahoo grabbed the strap, fashioned it into a whip and whipped DeBeers across the chest and shoulder with it. DeBeers feeling the stinging pain. Wahoo struck DeBeers again in the same fashion with the strap and DeBeers was stunned and spun around facing away from Wahoo with one leg on each side of the strap. Wahoo yanked back and pulled the strap up into DeBeers' groin area as the crowd cheered. Wahoo yanked hard on the strap and DeBeers went down. DeBeers up and Wahoo, using the strap as a whip again, lashed DeBeers repeatedly across the back. DeBeers fell back into the corner. Wahoo blasted DeBeers with open hand chest chops. Wahoo pulled DeBeers out of the corner and wrapped part of the strap around his fist and reared back and blasted DeBeers with a shot to the head. DeBeers crashed face down on the mat. Wahoo cinched up on the strap and wound up pulling the strap across DeBeers' mouth and pulled DeBeers to his knees with the part of the strap still in his mouth. DeBeers now
bleeding. Wahoo placed his knee in DeBeers' back and pulled back on the strap as it remained in DeBeers' mouth. Announcers pointed out the cutting toughness of the strap. Wahoo released the hold and DeBeers made it to his feet and Wahoo caught DeBeers with some knife-edge chops to the chest, DeBeers staggered. Wahoo grabbed DeBeers and went and touched the first top turnbuckle. Wahoo pulled the stunned DeBeers along and touched the second top buckle. Wahoo started to move in the direction of the third corner and DeBeers grabbed the strap and pulled Wahoo towards him and caught Wahoo with a knee to the gut. DeBeers caught Wahoo with a deliberate forearm smash to the back. DeBeers then popped Wahoo with a couple of well-placed head shots. Wahoo turned away from DeBeers. DeBeers then fashioned the strap into a whip and started whipping Wahoo across the back like a dog. Wahoo hurting. Wahoo spun around and DeBeers hit Wahoo with a couple of lashes across the chest with the strap and then backed up and charged in and nailed Wahoo with a running punch to the head. Wahoo crashed to the mat. Wahoo down and DeBeers stomped away on Wahoo. Wahoo got to his feet with the aid of the ropes. Wahoo up and DeBeers stunned Wahoo by taking a part of strap, pulling it tight and ripping it down across Wahoo's forehead. Wahoo fell back into the buckles and went down face-first in the ring. DeBeers shot a glare out at the crowd and they responded with a cascade of boos. DeBeers pulled Wahoo up and Wahoo now
bleeding. DeBeers slapped the top buckle. and quickly wrapped Wahoo's hands together. DeBeers pulled Wahoo to the second corner and slapped the top buckle. DeBeers then pulled Wahoo towards the third corner and slapped the top buckle. One more to go. DeBeers started pulling Wahoo to the fourth and final corner when Wahoo managed to free his hands. Wahooo spun DeBeers around and hit Wahoo with a knife-edge chest chop. Debeers stunned. DeBeers failed to touch corner four. Wahoo managed to yank Debeers out to center ring and pop DeBeers with a couple more knife-edge chops and then grabbed DeBeers by the hair, did his war dance and blasted DeBeers with his tomahawk chop to the top of the head. DeBeers crashed to the mat.
Wahoo tied up Debeers' hands as DeBeers was down and drageed him over to the first corner and slapped the top buckle. Wahoo dragged DeBeers over to the second corner and slapped the top buckle. Wahoo then dragged DeBeers toward the third corner and DeBeers put up a resistance but, after a brief struggle, Wahoo was able to pull DeBeers over to the third corner and slap the top buckle. Ref Karch threw up three fingers signaling Wahoo had touched three corners in succession. Crowd buzz rising. Wahoo started to pull DeBeers to the fourth and final corner when DeBeers, still with his hands tied, was able to wrap his legs around the middle rope and, after a brief struggle, yanked Wahoo back in his direction. Wahoo failed to touch the fourth buckle. Wahoo stumbled and went down to a knee as DeBeers was able to untie himself. DeBeers up and grabbed part of the strap and raked it across Wahoo's eyes. Wahoo fell back against the ropes and was grabbing at his eyes. DeBeers caught Wahoo with punches and then bodyslammed Wahoo. DeBeers caught the stunned Wahoo with a jumping two foot stomp to the head. Wahoo in great pain. Crowd heat growing hotter. DeBeers then hit Wahoo with a knee drop to the head. Wahooo in a bad way. DeBeers dragged Wahoo over to the first corner and slapped the top buckle. Wahoo struggling. DeBeers dragged Wahoo to the second corner and slapped the top buckle. DeBeers then started to drag Wahoo to the third corner but Wahoo put up a resistance. DeBeeers reached down by Wahoo's feet and went to grab Wahoo when Wahoo kicked DeBeers in the gut with both feet, killing DeBees' chances at touching the third buckle. Crowd cheered. DeBeers stunned. Wahoo got to his feet and moved in on DeBeers when DeBeers stunned Wahoo with a knife-edge chest chop. Wahoo fired back with one of his own. DeBeers hit Wahoo with another chop and Wahoo again chopped DeBeers back. DeBeers hit Wahoo with a third chop and once again Wahoo struck with a chop of his own, this one stunning DeBeers. Crowd really came alive as Wahoo then tore into DeBeers with a brutal, rapid-fire series open-hand chest chops. DeBeers on stagger street. Wahoo whipped DeBeers into the ropes and caught DeBeers coming off wiht his big chop to the chest finisher. DeBeers crashed to the mat. Crowd exploded. Was this the kill shot for Wahoo? Fans sensing a title change. Wahoo snapped up the battered DeBeers and hoisted DeBeers across his shoulders. Wahoo walked to the first corner and slapped the top buckle. What Wahoo didn't see was DeBeers had slapped the top buckle behind him. Wahoo made his way over to the second corner and slappped the top buckle. DeBeers did the same behind Wahoo. Crowd going nuts. Wahoo made it over to the third corner and slapped the top buckle and once more DeBeers did the same. Both men had three touches. Would one touch the fourth buckle? Wahoo moved in the direction of the fourth buckle when DeBeers suddenly grabbed the top rope. Wahoo, with DeBeers still across his shoulders, tried yanking DeBeers hands off the top rope. Wahoo yankeed hard and DeBeers lost his grip on the top rope but Wahoo stumbled forward and lost control of DeBeeers and DeBeers fell to his feet in front of Wahoo and fell into the fourth corner. Karch called for the bell. Fans beside themselves. Wahoo wondered what had happened and ref Karch explained the situation to him.
DeBeers removed the strap from his wrist aand was still leaned against the buckles as Karch went over and talked to Larry Nelson and took the title.
Karch went over and handed DeBeers the belt aand raised his hand in victory as some fans threw trash at the ring.
Nelson: In a time of 10 minutes, 34 seconds, your winner... and STILL AWA World Champion... Col. DeBeers!
More boos from the crowd.
A fan hopped the barricade to go after DeBeers, but was stoppped by securty as soon as he got over the barricade.
DeBeers left the ring with four securty guards surrounding him and headed back up the aisle with the belt in hand. Garbage thrown in his direction.
WINNER: DeBeers - Touched all 4 corners -10:34
After the match: Wahoo in the ring aalone. He took off the strap from his wrist and tossed it down. The strap was now laying in the ring. Wahoo went over by the ropes facing directly away from the entrance aisle. Wahoo leaned forward against the ropes with his forearms sitting on the top rope. Wahoo had his head down. Crowd suddenly screamed as Don Muraco hurriedly made his way down the aisle, hit the ring, came up behind Wahoo and clubbed Wahoo in the back with a forearm smash. Muraco hammered away on Wahoo. Wahoo stunned and facing away from Muraco. Muraco grabbed the strap off the mat and came up behind Wahoo and started strangling Wahoo with it. Wahoo gasping for air. Muraco tightened up on the strangling party and Wahoo dropped to his knees. Wahoo fighting to get the strap off his neck. Wahoo weakened in the assault and was now down on the mat and on the verge of passing out. He was moving very little. Fans beside themselves. Crowd then popped as some wrestlers from the face locker room charged down the aisle and hit the ring. Muraco bailed to the safety of the floor before any of them could touch him. Wahoo down on the mat with the strap still tied around his neck and barely conscious. Shot of the downed Wahoo being checked on by the wrestlers as the program ended.
END PROGRAM
ATTENDANCE: 3,877 (Sellout)
(Seating based on Wiki number for permanent seats and estimated number of ringside seats.)
