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Post by snabbit888 on Aug 10, 2010 16:08:40 GMT -5
I'm starting a new thread starting with 1975, because having that old poll on there is driving me nuts.
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Post by snabbit888 on Aug 10, 2010 16:09:01 GMT -5
January 13, 1975 - Civic Center - Baltimore, MD
Interview: Harley Race wants to hold all 3 titles at once.
Our first show of 1975 kicked off with our World & United States champion HARLEY RACE coming out for an interview. Race made the announcement that due to being the World Heavyweight champion, the GCW Championship Committee is officially stripping him of the US Title, a new champion to be crowned in our main event this evening - in a 16-man battle royal! Race says that is fine, but because he is the best in the world, he wants to take this opportunity to do something no one else has ever done - hold all 3 GCW championships at once. Race said he is still the US champion until the end of the night, and thus he wants a piece of the World Tag Team champions, The Texas Outlaws, TONIGHT! This brought out DUSTY RHODES & DICK MURDOCH, and they seemed tentative about the whole deal, not trusting that Race didn't have a plan up his sleeve. Race went as far as to tell the Outlaws that they could select his tag team partner. Rhodes & Murdoch went one further, goading the arrogant World champion into agreeing to give each of them a shot at the World Title if Race and his partner are unsuccessful in their attempt to win the tag titles. Race agreed, and this tag title match was set for later in the evening!
The Valiant Brothers (Jimmy Valiant and Johnny Valiant) defeated Jimmy Snuka and Tony Garea when Jimmy Valiant made Garea submit to the Sleeperhold in 0:13:34. Rating: ***
Jimmy Snuka & Tony Garea have decided to make their tag team partnership a permanent deal after getting two big wins over Mr. Fuji & Toru Tanaka, but they are going to experience a lot of tough competition in the coming months as they try to establish themselves. The challenge tonight was the Valiant Brothers, Captain Lou Albano's tag team that nearly became the World Tag Team champions. Snuka & Garea have clearly been in the gym working on their tag team continuity, pulling off some impressive tandem offense. However, Jimmy & Johnny have been doing it their entire lives, and that extra experience edge proved the different in picking up the win. Snuka & Garea should pull a lot from this loss though, and it will only make them better next time out.
Jack Brisco made Ray Stevens submit to the Figure-Four Leglock in 0:17:47. Rating: *** 3/4 [Bobby Heenan interfered against Jack Brisco.]
The career of Baron Von Raschke is more than likely over thanks to the heinous attack of "The Crippler" Ray Stevens, who shattered Raschke's leg with the Bombs Away Kneedrop. Someone saw this last month and didn't approve of it, challenging Stevens to a match tonight. This anonymous challenger was revealed as JACK BRISCO, making his return to GCW after a 5-year hiatus. Stevens did not see this coming, nor could any of us have. Jack Brisco has been establishing himself as one of the best in the world, winning titles all over the world. But like him or hate him, Stevens has been one of the top wrestlers in the world for many years and he can adapt to anyone. This was the first GCW audiences had seen of Brisco in quite some time, and he is even more of a wrestling machine than he was before. If Stevens is anything though, he is tenacious and can take a beating and keep coming back for more. Stevens is tough, crazy, and dangerous, but even that combination is helpless against the Figure-Four Leglock. Brisco got the hold on and Stevens had to tap out, or face the risk of having his own leg broken too. I doubt that this will be the last we hear from the Heenan Family on this matter.
Interview: Billy Graham explains why he reunited with his brother Luke.
"Superstar" Billy Graham had a match tonight we all wanted to see, but before he went toe-to-toe with Ivan Koloff, the Superstar had some explaining to do. Everyone wants to know why Billy reunited with his brother Luke, and we got that answer. Billy said that for the past several years, he has hated Luke, because Luke had gone soft. "Luke used to be the most feared man in all of wrestling," Billy said, "but then he started catering to you people, and he became weak!" Billy said that when Luke attacked Koloff and cost him the World Title, he proved that he still had that evil spirit in him. Billy said that he made a phone call and reconciled with Luke, and says that together, along with the Grand Wizard, they will rule Global Championship Wrestling.
Billy Graham defeated Ivan Koloff via pinfall in 0:15:30. Rating: *** [The Grand Wizard interfered against Ivan Koloff.]
Billy Graham may be happy with his explanation and reunion with his brother, but one man who is anything but happy is Ivan Koloff. Koloff has suffered his first two singles losses of his career thanks to the various antics of the Graham brothers, and he had a huge opportunity to extract some revenge in this match against the Superstar. If the Russian Bear was angry before, he's going to be downright furious after what happened in this one. Graham usually can assert his will against his opponents, but Koloff was having none of it as he was fueled by vengeance. Koloff threw Graham to the floor and continued the assault there, using whatever he could find to throw the Superstar into. Koloff rolled Graham back into the ring, and thanks to a distraction by The Grand Wizard, the referee completely missed LUKE GRAHAM smash Koloff in the back of the head with a beer bottle, shattering it all over the floor! I have never seen anything like that in my entire life. Luke Graham lifted up the dead weight of Koloff and put him back in the ring, where Billy Graham covered his lifeless body for the 1-2-3. You have to appreciate Koloff's desire for revenge, but trying to take on both Graham brothers alone just isn't smart.
The Texas Outlaws (Dusty Rhodes and Dick Murdoch) defeated Harley Race and Johnny Rodz when Murdoch pinned Rodz with the Gourdbuster in 0:16:46. Rating: **** (The Texas Outlaws retained the GCW World Tag Team Titles.)
Harley Race had this one chance to simultaneously hold all 3 titles in GCW, but his bravado may have gotten the better of him as he agreed to let The Texas Outlaws choose his tag team partner. The Outlaws chose JOHNNY RODZ, who hasn't exactly had a plethora of success in GCW rings thus far. Regardless, Race & Rodz held their own surprisingly well. Rodz knew that opportunities for championships don't come often and he brought his A-game for this match, taking it to Rhodes & Murdoch. But even though the mind was willing, the body couldn't keep up as the Outlaws kept Rodz in the ring and finished him off to retain the titles. As a result, Dusty Rhodes & Dick Murdoch both will get individual shots at the World Title. Harley Race was not happy to say the least.
16-Man Battle Royal for the vacant GCW United States Title: Dory Funk Jr. won a 16-man Battle Royal: x Duncum threw out Bravo after a snap mare in 0:00:43 x Fuji threw out Ernie Ladd in 0:02:17 x Fuji threw out Muraco in 0:05:35 x Robinson threw out O. Baker after a forearm to the back in 0:08:40 x L. Graham threw out Robinson after a hiptoss in 0:13:28 x L. Graham threw out Monsoon after a kneelift in 0:14:27 x Wrestling I threw out Lanza after a bodyslam in 0:18:43 x Scicluna threw out Wrestling I in 0:21:12 x D. Funk Jr. threw out Morales in 0:26:08 x D. Funk Jr. threw out Fuji in 0:28:16 x Tanaka threw out Duncum after the Baba chop in 0:30:02 x D. Funk Jr. threw out Tanaka in 0:31:38 x D. Funk Jr. threw out Scicluna in 0:32:37 x D. Funk Jr. threw out L. Graham after a swinging neckbreaker in 0:37:04 x D. Funk Jr. threw out Volkoff after a back suplex in 0:41:50 Rating: ***** (Dory Funk Jr. won the GCW United States Title.)
We were left with only our main event, which was a 16-man battle royal to crown a new United States champion. The big surprise of this match was the return of DORY FUNK JR., who originally left GCW in 1970. Funk Jr. was back, and he had gold on his mind. No one was ready for Funk, and Funk would eliminate 6 men in this match. He was in a terrible position at the end of the match, being left alone in the ring with Toru Tanaka, Baron Mikel Scicluna, Luke Graham, & Nikolai Volkoff. It looked grim, but the rulebreakers couldn't find a way to go coexist to eliminate Funk. Dory used this to his advantage and eliminated everyone to win the US Title in his return!
The last man he eliminated, Nikolai Volkoff, was furious that he didn't win his first title and took it out on Funk, nailing him from behind while Funk was being awarded the US Title. Volkoff put a huge beatdown on the new champ, ending by blasting Funk between the eyes with the title belt before he and Captain Lou Albano stole the title! Funk Jr. may be the champion, but for now, he is without the title to prove it.
Card rating: ****
Match observations:
Some huge happenings in GCW to start 1975! The train keeps rolling along as we head into Landover, Maryland on February 6th with this lineup of action!
BULLROPE MATCH - Bobby Duncum vs. Blackjack Lanza Jack Brisco vs. Ox Baker Mr. Wrestling I vs. Pedro Morales Don Muraco vs. Nikolai Volkoff Jimmy Snuka/Tony Garea vs. The Valiant Brothers Kintaro Ohki (DEBUT) vs. Baron Mikel Scicluna
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Post by snabbit888 on Aug 10, 2010 16:09:55 GMT -5
February 6, 1975 - Capital Centre - Landover, MD
Interview: Harley Race is not happy with Johnny Rodz.
The show kicked off with a very angry World champion standing in the middle of the ring. Harley Race immediately called out Johnny Rodz. Race blamed Rodz for losing the match for the team last show against The Texas Outlaws, and thus ruining Race's chance to be the first man to hold all 3 titles at once. Race continued to brow beat Rodz, insulting him for his less than stellar win-loss record. The insults became worse and worse until finally Rodz had enough, slapping Race across the face (unpredictably, I might add). You have to respect Rodz for standing up for himself, but it got him quite a beating as Race went on the attack by dropping Rodz with the Piledriver. Race then went up top for the diving headbutt, but before he could leap off, THE TEXAS OUTLAWS were in the ring, and Race was in a precarious position on the top rope. Dick Murdoch slammed Race to the mat where Dusty Rhodes followed up with the Bionic Elbowdrop, causing Race to roll himself out of the ring to avoid more punishment.
The Texas Outlaws (Dusty Rhodes and Dick Murdoch) defeated Mr. Fuji and Toru Tanaka when Dusty Rhodes pinned Fuji with the Bionic Elbowdrop in 0:12:48. Rating: *** 1/4 (The Texas Outlaws retained the GCW World Tag Team Titles.) [Harley Race interfered against Dusty Rhodes.]
The Texas Outlaws stayed in the ring as they had a World Tag Team Title defense against the always dangerous Mr. Fuji & Professor Toru Tanaka. Fuji & Tanaka are always a threat to take the titles due to their unique Japanese style and ever present willingness to cheat. It just takes one illegal move to potentially put a match away. The thing with the Outlaws though is that they're not exactly known for their clean play, as they will bend the rules too if it means getting a win. Fuji & Tanaka put up a helluva fight, but the title reign of the Outlaws continues with a win here in Landover.
Kintaro Ohki pinned Baron Mikel Scicluna after a headbutt in 0:04:27. Rating: * 3/4 [Lou Albano interfered against Kintaro Ohki.]
Kintaro Ohki, who is called by many the greatest wrestler to ever come out of South Korea, is doing his first US tour in quite some time, choosing to do so under the GCW umbrella. Ohki made his debut against Baron Mikel Scicluna, a man who was wrestling his last match in GCW for quite some time. Scicluna would have loved to leave GCW on a high note and ruin the debut of Ohki, but it was not meant to be. Ohki was too much for him, ultimately knocking the royal from Malta loopy with a headbutt to get the pinfall. We wish Baron Mikel Scicluna all the best in the future. An impressive debut for Ohki, who is looking to make a big mark in his time here in the States.
Our next match was slated to be Don Muraco taking on Nikolai Volkoff, Volkoff wanting to avenge a loss from a few weeks ago. Volkoff still had possession of the United States Title, a championship that actually belongs to Dory Funk Jr. Volkoff and Lou Albano had done a makeover on the title, naming it the "USSR Title" instead. This match never got a chance to start as DORY FUNK JR. attacked Volkoff as he came to the ring, trying to get his title back! However a distraction by Albano allowed Volkoff to hit a cheap shot and high tail it to the back, title still illegally in hand. Volkoff will have nowhere to run on March 1 at Madison Square Garden as he will face Funk for the US Title!
The Graham Brothers (Billy Graham and Luke Graham) defeated Gorilla Monsoon and Dino Bravo when L. Graham pinned Monsoon with the Thumb to the Throat in 0:10:57. Rating: * 1/2
With their recent reunion, there may not be a more dominant force in all the world than "Superstar" Billy Graham & Luke Graham, with the strings being pulled by The Grand Wizard. With these two mammoths on the same page, GCW has been put on notice. Gorilla Monsoon & Dino Bravo were the first to try to slow them down, but the Grahams showed just how tough they are, blitzing through the impressive team and getting a relatively easy victory. The Grahams are not just looking to be good, they are looking to completely DOMINATE Global Championship Wrestling. Ivan Koloff is in a lot of trouble if you ask me.
Ray Stevens pinned Ernie Ladd with the Bombs Away Kneedrop in 0:08:14. Rating: *** 1/2 [Bobby Heenan interfered against Ernie Ladd.]
"The Crippler" Ray Stevens has made himself a powerful enemy in Jack Brisco, but Stevens is the type of arrogant where he welcomes angering people. Stevens has vowed that he will take Brisco out the same way he did Baron Von Raschke, but first he needed to get by Ernie Ladd. Ladd bounced Stevens around for the opening minutes, but Stevens found his opening and attacked, working over the much larger man's legs. This was the perfect setp for Stevens' Bombs Away Kneedrop, which was more than enough to secure the victory.
Jack Brisco defeated Ox Baker by disqualification in 0:12:03. Rating: * 1/2 [Bobby Heenan interfered against Jack Brisco.]
Jack Brisco wanted a piece of Ray Stevens, but instead he got another member of the Heenan Family, the massive Master of the Heart Punch, Ox Baker. This was a complete contrast of styles, and both men showcased their skills effectively in this contest. Brisco looked like he had overcome the odds and had this match secured when he had Baker down and was looking to put on the Figure-Four Leglock, but he was attacked from behind by RAY STEVENS, causing the disqualification. Baker got back to his feet and nailed Brisco with the Heart Punch, wiping him out. The plan was obvious at this point - Stevens was looking to break Brisco's leg the same way he did Baron Von Raschke's - but thankfully ERNIE LADD ran down and made the save, knocking Stevens, Baker, & even Bobby Heenan out of the ring. A tag team match has been signed for Madison Square Garden.
The Valiant Brothers (Jimmy Valiant and Johnny Valiant) defeated Jimmy Snuka and Billy Robinson when Johnny Valiant defeated J. Snuka by countout in 0:09:07. Rating: ** 1/2 (Tony Garea no-showed.)
Tony Garea was unable to make it to Landover thanks to some travel issues, so Billy Robinson stepped in and took his place to team with Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka to take on the Valiant Brothers. Robinson & Snuka did what they could, but they had many problems with communication that impeded their chances in this match. If you're not on top of your game, Jimmy & Johnny Valiant are going to eat you alive, and that's exactly what happened as they took the win here tonight.
Pedro Morales pinned Mr. Wrestling I after a piledriver in 0:10:48. Rating: ** 1/2
Mr. Wrestling I continues to flounder since his tag team partner left GCW, but as one of the most technically sound wrestlers in the world, he is always a threat to whomever he is wrestling. That man tonight was Pedro Morales, the former World champion. Morales is quite skilled at adjusting his style to whomever his opponent is, making him a tough man to beat. Morales pulled out a piledriver - a move he doesn't often do - in order to defeat Mr. Wrestling I here in Landover.
Interview: Ivan Koloff wants Pedro Morales to team up with him.
After the match, IVAN KOLOFF came down and confronted Morales in the ring. Morales was ready to fight, but the Russian Bear assured him this was on the level. Koloff went over his problems with the Graham Brothers and said it pains him to say it, but he couldn't take on both Billy & Luke alone. Koloff needed a partner, and he was asking Morales to be that partner. Koloff told Morales that no one is tougher than him, and he knows that firsthand from all of the battles they've had in the past. Morales didn't answer Koloff and instead walked out of the ring to a chorus of boos. While Koloff watched him go, he didn't notice BILLY & LUKE GRAHAM jump over the guardrail and into the ring! The Grahams were putting the boots to Koloff before Billy put him in the Bearhug. Morales looked back and saw what was happening. He hesitated and then thought about going to the ring, but then kept walking to the back. The crowd booed even louder, but something must have snapped in Morales as he suddenly turned around and rushed back to the ring! Luke Graham tried to clothesline him, but Morales ducked and sent Luke sprawling from the ring with a hard forearm smash. Billy Graham then rushed at him, but Morales sent the Superstar flying out of the ring with a backdrop. Morales & Koloff then made eye contact before Morales left without saying a word. We're not really sure why Morales changed his mind, but it's a good thing for the Russian Bear that he did.
Texas Bullrope Match: Bobby Duncum defeated Blackjack Lanza in 0:39:05. Rating: **** 1/4
The main event was a match designed to hopefully end the issues between former teammates, Bobby Duncum & Blackjack Lanza, wrestling in a dangerous match, the Texas Bullrope Match. This match was a WAR, and the early favorite for Match of the Year. This match was so intense that I'm legitimately surprised that referee Dick Kroll didn't stop the match for too much blood. Kudos to him for letting these two settle their dispute once and for all. The ring ended up looking like a Jackson Pollock painting because of all of the blood, but these two bitter enemies kept digging deep to prevent the other from tocuhing all four turnbuckles in a row. Though the bullrope was used as a weapon repeatedly, it would be a different weapon that would prove instrumental in ending this match. Duncum grabbed a boot with a spur attached to it from under the ring that he had stashed there before the match began. Duncum gruesomely carved Lanza's forehead up with the spur, rendering him unconscious from the loss of blood that followed these new cuts. Duncum wrapped the rope around Lanza's neck, dragged him to all four corners, and won this horrifically barbaric affair.
Card rating: ** 3/4
Match observations:
March 1 in Madison Square Garden looks to be a terrific card, featuring the following matches:
NON-TITLE - Harley Race (World champion) vs. Johnny Rodz UNITED STATES TITLE - Dory Funk Jr. (c) vs. Nikolai Volkoff Ivan Koloff vs. Luke Graham Jack Brisco/Ernie Ladd vs. Ray Stevens/Ox Baker Jimmy Snuka/Tony Garea vs. The Valiant Brothers
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Post by snabbit888 on Aug 25, 2010 13:51:15 GMT -5
Two new cards coming next week. Wanted to get them up today, but have too much to do before I head to Louisville later for a week of shows.
I will also catch up on feedback when I get back home as well.
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Post by snabbit888 on Sept 2, 2010 14:35:29 GMT -5
March 1, 1975 - Madison Square Garden - New York, NY
Jimmy Snuka and Tony Garea defeated The Valiant Brothers (Jimmy Valiant and Johnny Valiant) when J. Snuka pinned Jimmy Valiant with the Superfly Splash in 0:12:07. Rating: ** 1/2 [Lou Albano interfered against Tony Garea.]
This match was supposed to take place in Landover last month, but Tony Garea had some travel issues that prevented him from making it. We found out later on that the travel issues were caused because the Valiants slashed the tires of his car at his hotel, making it impossible for him to make it to the arena! Garea was here tonight though, and he was angry as he and Jimmy Snuka took on the aforementioned Valiants. Lou Albano may have thought the plan was solid last month, but all it seemed to do was light a fire under Garea & Snuka. The Valiants did not foresee this, and they seemed utterly unprepared for their opponents, who continue to get better every match. The Valiants were straight up beat tonight as Snuka hit the Superfly Splash to get the 1-2-3 on Jimmy Valiant. As a result of this huge win, Snuka & Garea will get a huge opportunity on March 18 in Toronto, as they will take on the World Tag Team champions, no matter who they might be!
Pedro Morales made Dino Bravo submit to the Boston Crab in 0:07:43. Rating: * 1/2
Pedro Morales has still not given Ivan Koloff a definite yes or no answer in regards to teaming with him, and the teaming wasn't going to take place tonight as Morales took on Dino Bravo in singles action. Bravo is a strong young prospect with a bright future, but that potential didn't help him against Morales who finished the match off in quick order with the Boston Crab.
Bobby Duncum pinned Gorilla Monsoon after a flying bodypress in 0:04:03. Rating: ** 1/2
Bobby Duncum had a big signature win by defeating Blackjack Lanza in the Texas Bullrope Match in Landover, but he had to be careful not to have a let up against GCW veteran, Gorilla Monsoon. It looked like that might be the case early on, but Duncum got it together and put Monsoon away with a flying bodypress.
That wasn't the big story of this match though. After the match, Monsoon was understandably disappointed in losing the match, and got into it with a fan. But this wasn't just any fan - this fan was the greatest boxer in the world, MUHAMMAD ALI! Ali wanted to shake Monsoon's hand, but Monsoon wanted none of it, pushing his hand away! This lit the ire of Ali, who jumped over the railing and went after Monsoon! The Garden was electric as security tried desperately to keep these two away from each other. Cooler heads finally prevailed, but word has it that we haven't heard the end of this one.
Harley Race pinned Johnny Rodz with the Piledriver in 0:13:19. Rating: ***
World champion Harley Race has been blaming Johnny Rodz for not holding up his end of the bargain when they challenged the Texas Outlaws for the World Tag Team Titles last month, and was out to teach him a lesson here in the Garden. Rodz prides himself on being "unpredictable," and his unpredictable act tonight was that he gave Race the fight of his life. Going in, no one gave Rodz much of a chance here, but never underestimate a man when he has been wronged. Rodz wrestled the match of his life and came within an eyelash of pinning Race on more than one occasion. Race looked legitimately scared that he would lose this match, resorting to a cheap poke in the eye when the referee wasn't looking. Race followed up immediately with the Piledriver and got the 1-2-3. Race kept up with the beating after the match, hitting a second Piledriver as he felt embarrassed over what happened. Race was all set to hit a third devastating Piledriver, but luckily for Rodz, DUSTY RHODES & DICK MURDOCH ran out and chased Race off. Race thought better of trying to fight off both Outlaws and headed for higher ground. The Outlaws still have World Title shots upcoming, and the first will come on March 18 in Toronto when Race defends against Murdoch.
The Texas Outlaws (Dusty Rhodes and Dick Murdoch) defeated Mr. Fuji and Toru Tanaka when Murdoch pinned Tanaka with the Gourdbuster in 0:19:46. Mr. Fuji tore his right biceps. He will be out for approximately 6 months. Rating: *** (The Texas Outlaws retained the GCW World Tag Team Titles.)
The Outlaws had to be careful not to let the situation with Race distract them as they had a tough tag title defense against Mr. Fuji & Professor Toru Tanaka. Rhodes & Murdoch very well could have been too amped up, as Fuji & Tanaka used the aggressiveness of the champs against them. This was an intense affair, and honestly, we very well could have seen new tag team champions if it wasn't for an unfortunate injury to Mr. Fuji. Fuji show impressive strength by getting Dusty Rhodes over with a suplex, but in the process, he injured his arm. We wouldn't find out until later that he tore his right biceps and is going to miss several months of action. Fuji was more or less out of it for the rest of the match, and Tanaka couldn't hold off the champs on his own as the Outlaws retain the gold. With this win, Dick Murdoch is going to have a busy night in Toronto as not only does he have a World Tag Team Title defense against Jimmy Snuka & Tony Garea, but his World Title match against Harley Race as well!
Kintaro Ohki defeated Blackjack Lanza by disqualification in 0:04:21. Rating: * 1/2 [Bobby Heenan interfered against Kintaro Ohki.]
Kintaro Ohki made a successful United States debut in Landover, but had a much tougher opponent this time around as he took on Blackjack Lanza. Lanza is coming off a brutal loss to Bobby Duncum in a Texas Bullrope Match, and it was clear he was still suffering the ill effects of the match. Ohki got the better of every early exchange in this match, and Lanza eventually got frustrated and just hit Ohki with a low blow and left with the disqualification loss. Lanza may have escaped Ohki tonight, but he is $1000 poorer as he was fined for his actions. And not only that, but Lanza will have to wrestle Ohki one more time in Toronto on the 18th.
Billy Graham made Mr. Wrestling I submit to the Bearhug in 0:11:55. Rating: *** [The Grand Wizard interfered against Mr. Wrestling I.]
The Graham Brothers are reunited as a dominant force, and they were looking to continue exerting that will over the competitors of GCW tonight. Mr. Wrestling I was "Superstar" Billy Graham's foe tonight, and just like in their previous contests, Wrestling I had difficulty matching up with the unbelievably powerful Graham. Graham caught Wrestling I in the Bearhug, and once he has you trapped in that hold, good luck escaping. Wrestling I had to submit or face permanent injury.
The Heenan Family (Ox Baker and Ray Stevens) defeated Ernie Ladd and Jack Brisco when R. Stevens pinned Ernie Ladd with the Bombs Away Kneedrop in 0:20:36. Rating: *** 1/4 [Bobby Heenan interfered against Ernie Ladd.]
Jack Brisco has returned to GCW to help rid the wrestling world of evil factions like Bobby Heenan's Heenan Family, but they have shown that they're not going to make it easy for him. Brisco had some help tonight in taking on "The Crippler" Ray Stevens & Ox Baker in the form of GCW veteran Ernie Ladd, one of three wrestlers who has been with this company since the very beginning. We were unsure how Brisco & Ladd were going to function as a team when this match started, but those questions were answered right away when they pulled off some solid tandem offense to throw the Heenan Family off their game. Brisco & Ladd were looking great until a distraction from Heenan allowed Stevens to chopblock Ladd and take his left knee out. Ladd is a gamer and fought back valiantly, but his knee injury would ultimately lead to the demise of his team. Stevens hit the Bombs Away Kneedrop on Ladd after the Big Cat's legs buckled when he had the Crippler up in a suplex. Brisco fought stevens & Baker out of the ring though. A disappointment for Brisco, but he's not going to give up that easily.
Dory Funk Jr. defeated Nikolai Volkoff by countout in 0:08:20. Rating: * (Dory Funk Jr. retained the GCW United States Title.)
This next match was for the United States Title, and even though Nikolai Volkoff & Lou Albano had possession of the title, Dory Funk Jr. was the defending champion. Funk made a shocking return to GCW in Baltimore to win the battle royal and become the new champion, a title that Volkoff has possession of and is referring to as the USSR Title. If Volkoff could pin Funk or make him submit, he would have a legitimate claim to the gold. Albano's distraction gave the powerful Volkoff the early advantage, but Funk used his mat wrestling prowess to get back the upperhand. Volkoff became quite flustered with Funk's barrage of holds, and when Albano sensed that Volkoff might be on his way to losing, he ordered him to roll out of the ring, grab the title, and escape to the back for the countout loss. Funk gets the win, but once again doesn't get back the physical title.
Ivan Koloff defeated Luke Graham by disqualification in 0:08:33. Rating: ** [Billy Graham interfered against Ivan Koloff.]
A huge grudge match between "The Russian Bear" Ivan Koloff and Luke Graham main evented our MSG show, the 60th one in our history. The fans of GCW have taken to calling Luke Graham "Crazy Luke," which has not been taken well by the former World champion. Perhaps if he hadn't been acting like a lunatic the past several months, he wouldn't have this problem, but I digress. This match was another punch drunk brawl like we've come to expect from two of the best powerhouses in the business, but as has become the M.O. of the Grahams, the match itself was merely a technicality. Once Luke Graham was in a precarious position, out came from BILLY GRAHAM for the 2-on-1 attack and the clear disqualification. But this time, there was no hesitation in a save being made as PEDRO MORALES was out in a flash, fighting off the Superstar & Crazy Luke! Koloff got back to his feet and some stereo clothesline over the top rope cleared out The Grand Wizard's charges. We received huge news after the show in a press conference that for the first time ever, Koloff & Morales will work as a team, taking on the Grahams in our main event at Maple Leaf Gardens!
Card rating: ** 1/4
Match observations:
The event on March 18 is shaping up to be the biggest card in the history of Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto, and when you hear the lineup, you'll be hard pressed to disagree!
MAIN EVENT - Ivan Koloff/Pedro Morales vs. Luke Graham/Billy Graham WORLD TITLE - Harley Race (c) vs. Dick Murdoch UNITED STATES TITLE - Dory Funk Jr. (c) vs. Nikolai Volkoff WORLD TAG TEAM TITLES - The Texas Outlaws (c) vs. Jimmy Snuka/Tony Garea Jack Brisco vs. Ray Stevens Ernie Ladd vs. Ox Baker Kintaro Ohki vs. Blackjack Lanza
Plus, due to what took place tonight, Gorilla Monsoon has been ordered to give a public apology to Muhammad Ali or suffer severe consequences! Will he do it? Be at the Maple Leaf Gardens to find out!
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Post by snabbit888 on Sept 2, 2010 14:37:16 GMT -5
March 18, 1975 - Maple Leaf Gardens - Toronto, ON, CA
Toru Tanaka pinned Mr. Wrestling I after a cobra clutch in 0:05:30. Rating: ** 1/2
With Mr. Fuji out for several months with an arm injury, Professor Toru Tanaka is moving to the singles division, but had a tough challenge his first match out against Mr. Wrestling I. wrestling I has been in a funk since his partner left GCW, and that funk continued in this one as Tanaka caught the masked wrestler in a cobra clutch and put him out long enough to get the pinfall.
The Valiant Brothers (Jimmy Valiant and Johnny Valiant) defeated Billy Robinson and Don Muraco when Jimmy Valiant pinned Robinson after a swinging neckbreaker in 0:17:49. Rating: ***
The Valiants might not be the wrestlers that Billy Robinson & Don Muraco are, but they more than make up for that perceived lack of technical skill with their top notch teamwork. This was a tough test for the team looking to get back into World Tag Team Title contention, but the fact that Robinson & Muraco haven't teamed together in quite some time hurt the team considerably. The Valiants, through the lot of cheating and some interference from Captain Lou Albano, stole a victory tonight, getting one step closer to another title shot.
The Texas Outlaws (Dusty Rhodes and Dick Murdoch) defeated Jimmy Snuka and Tony Garea when Murdoch pinned Garea with the Gourdbuster in 0:23:52. Rating: *** 1/4 (The Texas Outlaws retained the GCW World Tag Team Titles.)
This is not the type of match that "Dirty" Dick Murdoch wanted. This was the first of Murdoch's two matches this evening, a World Tag Team Title defense with Dusty Rhodes against Jimmy Snuka & Tony Garea, a young upstart team that have vaulted themselves to a title shot. The Texas Outlaws wanted to end this match quickly, but Snuka & Garea had something to say about that. This was a HUGE opportunity for Snuka & Garea, and they made the most of it. Snuka & Garea took the Outlaws to the brink, wrestling them hard for over 20 minutes before Murdoch finally hit the Gourdbuster on Garea to narrowly escape with the win. Murdoch was exhausted, and he still has a World Title match later in the evening. After the contest, THE VALIANT BROTHERS returned and jumped Snuka & Garea, still sore that in their minds they believed they should have been given the shot instead. This distracted the Outlaws, which allowed HARLEY RACE to blindside Murdoch and throw him hard into the guardrail before escaping to the locker room. Murdoch is not going to be 100%, perhaps bringing his chances of winning the World Title down from slim to none.
Ox Baker pinned Ernie Ladd with the Heart Punch in 0:05:45. Rating: **
Ernie Ladd has lost a step, but he is as crafty a veteran as you will ever see in the ring. He needed all of those ring smarts and then some to stay toe-to-toe with Ox Baker, Bobby Heenan's menacing big man. Baker is a hoss and proved tonight he can absorb a ridiculous amount of pain. Ladd put a hurting on him that would slow down most, but Baker kept coming en route to hitting the Heart Punch for the 1-2-3.
Bobby Duncum pinned Dino Bravo with the Full Nelson Slam in 0:09:38. Rating: ** 1/4
Bobby Duncum just keeps on winning. It doesn't matter who you put in the ring with him, he is finding a way to pull off a victory. Tonight's foe was Dino Bravo, a great young prospect, but a man who is still wet behind the ears and hasn't plied his craft in singles action too often. Duncum continued to show why he is slowly becoming one of the best in the world, hitting the Full Nelson Slam to pick up a win in Toronto.
Kintaro Ohki pinned Blackjack Lanza with the Back Suplex in 0:11:24. Rating: ** 1/4
Blackjack Lanza got himself disqualified in his match against Kintaro Ohki last month, but claimed he was "better prepared" for the South Korean legend this time around. He did wrestle a better match, but Ohki is a tough man, and isn't a legend in the wrestling world by accident. Ohki showed why he is one of the best by beating one of GCW's best by avoiding the Blackjack Claw effectively and hitting his Back Suplex for the pinfall victory. It has not been a good 1975 for Blackjack Lanza thus far.
Nikolai Volkoff and Dory Funk Jr. battled to a double pin in 0:12:01. Rating: * 1/4 (Dory Funk Jr. retained the GCW United States Title.) [Lou Albano interfered against Dory Funk Jr..]
Someone who has been having a great 1975 though is Dory Funk Jr., who returned to GCW and on his first night back, became a 2-time United States champion. However, he hasn't gotten to possess the title for much of that period as it was immediately stolen by Nikolai Volkoff, the last man eliminated by Funk in the battle royal that won him the title. Volkoff and manager Captain Lou Albano have been walking around calling the stolen US Title the "USSR Title" which has upset a great many people. The fans in Canada didn't care too much about that specifically, but they certainly don't like Volkoff or Albano regardless. We haven't seen a definitive winner in the previous contests between Funk & Volkoff, and we wouldn't see it in this one either. Volkoff put a huge beatdown on Funk, but Funk fights to the bloody end and never gives up, catching Volkoff with a bridging back suplex to seemingly get the 1-2-3. However, referee Willie Webber announced that both men's shoulders were on the mat, making this match a draw! Funk was once again denied his clear revenge against Volkoff.
Not only that, but GCW officials made a huge announcement after the show. As a result of the controversy with the United States Title in recent months, culminating with this double pin, the US Title has been declared VACANT! However, no match is scheduled to crown a new US champion. Instead, the US Title has been retired. However, next month on April 24 from The Spectrum in Philadelphia, a 4-man tournament has been scheduled to crown the first ever GCW Intercontinental champion! The four men involved in the tournament are:
Dory Funk Jr. Nikolai Volkoff Billy Robinson Toru Tanaka
Next month, we will see the crowning of a brand new champion, the first new title in GCW's history!
Jack Brisco defeated Ray Stevens by countout in 0:11:08. Rating: *** [Bobby Heenan interfered against Jack Brisco.]
The rivalry between Jack Brisco & Ray Stevens heated up again in Toronto in a competitive singles match. Stevens' goal has been to break Brisco's leg the same way that he broke Baron Von Raschke, but Brisco has avoided that - thus far. Brisco's leg was the focus of The Crippler's offense, but Jack Brisco is one of the top counter wrestlers in the game. Stevens was frustrated that he couldn't get Brisco down long enough to set up for the Bombs Away Kneedrop, and instead headed for higher ground and took a countout loss. This was just a ploy to distract Brisco though, as OX BAKER was coming out from Brisco's blindside in an attempt to ambush him, but ERNIE LADD ran down and joined Brisco in the ring to keep the Heenan Family at bay. The issue with Brisco & Stevens will be settled once and for all in Philadelphia - in a steel cage match!
Interview: Gorilla Monsoon refuses to apologize to Muhammad Ali.
Gorilla Monsoon was ordered to come out and apologize to Muhammad Ali for what happened when we were in Madison Square Garden, but Monsoon did anything but. Monsoon refused to apologize and said his only regret was that he didn't punch Ali right in the face! Monsoon said that wrestlers are the toughest men in the world and is tired of men like Muhammad Ali disrespecting them. Monsoon ended by saying if Ali wanted an apology, he could come and get it.
Harley Race pinned Dick Murdoch with the Piledriver in 0:11:50. Rating: * 3/4 (Harley Race retained the GCW World Title.)
Dick Murdoch was not in good shape going into this match, but you have to hand it to the challenger for the World Title - he was going to go down swinging. Harley Race knew he had a distinct advantage over Murdoch, but he was almost too prideful about it and it nearly cost him. Race assumed he would have a cake walk, but when Murdoch drilled him with the Gourdbuster in the opening minute, Race knew he was in for a fight. Murdoch took him to the brink, but the damage Murdoch had suffered earlier was just too much as Race hit the Piledriver to (narrowly) escape with the World Heavyweight Title in tow.
The Graham Brothers (Billy Graham and Luke Graham) defeated Ivan Koloff and Pedro Morales when L. Graham pinned I. Koloff with the Thumb to the Throat in 0:17:36. Rating: ** 3/4 [The Grand Wizard interfered against Ivan Koloff.]
Ivan Koloff had his backup, and it's hard to imagine having any better man to back you up than Pedro Morales! Luke & Billy Graham were not thrilled that Koloff found himself a partner, but there were still a lot of unanswered questions going into our main event. Most notably - were Koloff & Morales even going to be able to get along? You don't have to go back in history too far to know about the blood feud between Koloff & Morales over the World Title, and you know that hard feelings die hard. The mood was tense as we kicked off the match, with Koloff & Morales both being big personalities. But when it came down to it, they have a common goal, and that is stopping the Grahams & Grand Wizard before they can get too powerful. In all of my years covering Global Championship Wrestling, I can honestly say I've never seen a tag team match with this kind of big time atmosphere. The fans didn't sit down for most of the match, and the action never slowed down. This is arguably four of the best in the world tearing each other apart to defend their pride and establish that they are the top of the food chain. The match was neck and neck throughout until one crucial moment. Luke Graham & Koloff were the legal men and had fallen out to the floor to brawl. Luke retreated back into the ring, but Koloff didn't see Superstar Billy coming up from behind to nail him. Billy lifted Koloff up and dropped him throat first on the guardrail not once, but twice! Koloff was clearly in bad shape as Billy rolled him back into the ring. Morales attacked Billy on the floor, but Koloff was prone to the Thumb to the Throat and that was all she wrote.
The Grahams stole a victory, but the bigger story was Koloff. We found out that because of the attack by Billy Graham, Koloff was rushed to the hospital after the show where he was diagnosed with an injured larnyx. He got off lucky as it could have been much worse, but he will miss some time to recover from his injuries. If we know anything about Pedro Morales though, he's not going to tuck his tail and run. I'm interested to see what's going to take place in Philly, especially now that we've also learned that the Grahams will get a World Tag Team Title shot against The Texas Outlaws!
Card rating: ** 1/4
Match observations:
We are guaranteed to see at least one new champion in Philadelphia at The Spectrum on April 24 with our Intercontinental Title tournament! The night will be one for the history books!
INTERCONTINENTAL TITLE TOURNAMENT SEMI-FINALS - Dory Funk Jr. vs. Nikolai Volkoff INTERCONTINENTAL TITLE TOURNAMENT SEMI-FINALS - Billy Robinson vs. Toru Tanaka INTERCONTINENTAL TITLE TOURNAMENT FINALS - Winner of A vs. Winner of B WORLD TAG TEAM TITLES - The Texas Outlaws (c) vs. The Graham Brothers STEEL CAGE MATCH - Jack Brisco vs. Ray Stevens Jimmy Snuka/Tony Garea vs. The Valiant Brothers
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Post by snabbit888 on Sept 2, 2010 14:41:31 GMT -5
April 24, 1975 - The Spectrum - Philadelphia, PA
The Valiant Brothers (Jimmy Valiant and Johnny Valiant) defeated Jimmy Snuka and Tony Garea when Johnny Valiant made J. Snuka submit to the Sleeperhold in 0:16:20. Rating: ** 3/4
The Valiant Brothers have developed a big rivalry with Jimmy Snuka & Tony Garea, and the next chapter was written here in our opening match in Philadelphia. These teams are getting to know each other so well that they're having to find new moves to throw at the other to hopefully surprise them enough to get the win. Tonight the Valiants would be victorious, but it was not the cleanest of victories. Snuka seemed to have the match locked up when he hit the Superfly Splash on Johnny Valiant, but as he made the cover, Captain Lou Albano was up on the apron to distract referee Terry Taranova. Jimmy Valiant used this distraction to jump off the top and hit Snuka in the back of the head with a clubbing forearm, knocking him senseless. An out of it Johnny got his wits enough to put Snuka in the Sleeperhold to make it appear that he put Snuka to sleep, and this match was in the books. A tainted victory for the Valiants.
[INTERCONTINENTAL TITLE TOURNAMENT - SEMI-FINALS]: Billy Robinson pinned Toru Tanaka with the Double-Arm Suplex in 0:13:29. Rating: ***
Tonight was going to see the crowning of a brand new champion as GCW debuted the Intercontinental Title. With GCW's expansion into foreign markets, as well as the amount of great international talent that has and still does wrestle here, officials felt that the IC Title more accurately reflected what Global Championship Wrestling is all about. For the tournament, GCW officials wanted to showcase the wrestling talent from all across the globe. Our first match was Billy Robinson from England taking on Toru Tanaka from Japan. This is huge for Tanaka as with Mr. Fuji still expected to be out for several months, becoming the first IC champion would be a huge boost to the career of the Professor. Robinson was a United States champion though, and he has been wanting to get a singles title in his possession ever since he lost it. A great match between two mat technicians, but in this kind of match, good luck beating Robinson. He managed to out wrestle the former tag champ and hit the Double-Arm Suplex to move onto the finals. Now he awaits his opponent.
Kintaro Ohki pinned Johnny Rodz with the Back Suplex in 0:13:51. Rating: *** 1/2
Kintaro Ohki continues to wow North American crowds with his performances in the ring, tonight getting the better of Johnny Rodz. Rodz tried his best though as his unpredictable action here was to wear a t-shirt as he wrestled. Yeah, you're out there, Mr. Rodz. Still not enough to beat a legend though.
[INTERCONTINENTAL TITLE TOURNAMENT - SEMI-FINALS]: Dory Funk Jr. defeated Nikolai Volkoff when Nikolai Volkoff passed out in the Texas Cloverleaf in 0:17:55. Rating: ** 1/2 [Lou Albano interfered against Dory Funk Jr..]
Dory Funk Jr. can finally say he got the better of Nikolai Volkoff once and for all. Ever since Funk returned to GCW, Volkoff has been a thorn in his side, but the Texan hadn't found a way to get that clear cut victory over the powerful Russian… that is, until tonight. Funk was filled with motivation and determination, and knew how big of a deal being the first Intercontinental champion would be. Volkoff didn't make it easy though as he is just a pure powerhouse, plain and simple. Volkoff hurt Funk a lot with his high impact power moves, trying to work his way into the Bearhug. Funk continued to fight though and showed the heart to eventually get the Russian in the Texas Cloverleaf. Volkoff, to his credit, wouldn't tap out, forcing Funk to make him pass out from the pain instead. It was hard fought and Funk is going to be hurting later in the finals, but it was a win. Funk now gets Billy Robinson to crown the first IC champion!
Pedro Morales defeated Blackjack Lanza by disqualification in 0:04:37. Rating: * 1/2 [Kintaro Ohki interfered against Blackjack Lanza.] [Bobby Heenan and Billy Graham interfered against Pedro Morales.]
I wish I could say that what happened in this match was a surprise, but alas, I cannot. Pedro Morales had a huge bullseye on his chest, especially with Ivan Koloff not being in the building due to the larnyx injury he suffered last month in Toronto. Morales was wrestling Blackjack Lanza, but the match didn't get much time before LUKE & BILLY GRAHAM broke up the festivities to put a beating on Morales. Sure, Morales won the match by DQ, but he didn't look like much of a winner as he had to be helped to the back by officials.
Bobby Duncum pinned Mr. Wrestling I with the Full Nelson Slam in 0:01:22. Rating: **
Wow. That's about all you can say in regards to Bobby Duncum's performance tonight against Mr. Wrestling I. Duncum made it very clear that wrestlers aren't paid by the hour as he blitzed Wrestling I before the bell and never let up, polishing him off with the Full Nelson Slam in just over a minute.
Harley Race pinned Dino Bravo after a flying headbutt in 0:10:21. Rating: ** (Harley Race retained the GCW World Title.)
Youngster Dino Bravo got a huge chance when he found out he would wrestle Harley Race for the World Title here in Philadelphia. Race did an interview before the match saying he is on a quest to be the greatest World champion in history and to do so, he is going to take on and defeat all comers. Bravo was his selected opponent tonight, and Bravo made the most of it. Bravo didn't walk out of Philadelphia with the World Heavyweight Title, but he did walk away with the respect of the fans, and from what it looked like, the respect of Harley Race as well. Bravo brought his A-game, but came up just short.
Interview: Muhammad Ali and Gorilla Monsoon get into it again.
We had a special treat while they were setting up the cage for our next match. Little seen GCW owner Marvin Niemiller and several officials came out with a special guest, MUHAMMAD ALI. Niemiller apologized on behalf of Global Championship Wrestling for the recent actions of Gorilla Monsoon and ensured him that Monsoon will be reprimanded in appropriate fashion. In addition, Niemiller presented the boxing great with an honorary World Heavyweight Championship belt. This last action apparently rubbed Monsoon the wrong way, who came out to interrupt the festivities. Monsoon grabbed the microphone and told Ali to go back to the world of boxing before he got himself hurt, and that it's ridiculous Niemiller would just hand him a World Title like that. The jawjacking continued until eventually Monsoon & Ali had to be pulled apart once again.
Cage Match: Jack Brisco defeated Ray Stevens by escaping the cage in 0:14:45. Rating: ***
One way or another, this cage match was going to settle the issues between Jack Brisco & "The Crippler" Ray Stevens once and for all. Stevens has made it clear that he is looking to break Brisco's leg like he did to Baron Von Raschke, but with no chance for interference from Ox Baker thanks to the 15-foot high steel cage, it was put up or shut up time. Say what you want about Stevens, but he's as ruthless as they come, especially within the confines of a steel cage. Brisco is a world-class athlete, but many questioned whether he had it in him to have a meanstreak when necessary. All of those questions were put to rest in this one. Brisco absorbed a ton of punishment and was a bloody mess, but he recovered to put Stevens in the Figure-Four Leglock… for four minutes! Once Brisco finally let go, he easily walked out the door to get the dominant victory. In a sure sign of karma, Stevens' leg was broken because of the Figure-Four, and he is going to be gone for quite some time.
Match for the vacant GCW Intercontinental Title: Dory Funk Jr. pinned Billy Robinson after a gutwrench suplex in 0:12:41. Rating: *** 1/4 (Dory Funk Jr. won the GCW Intercontinental Title.)
This was to crown the first ever Intercontinental champion, and it's hard to pick out a better match than Dory Funk Jr. vs. Billy Robinson. You wouldn't even know these two at already wrestled two grueling matches by the intensity they brought to the match, knowing only one man could be known forever as the first IC champion. We were seeing the makings of an all-time classic, but then the match took an odd turn that ended it abruptly. Funk made a great counter on Robinson and hit him with a gutwrench suplex and went for the cover when a masked man ran out of the crowd and held Robinson's foot down from the floor! Robinson was unable to kick out and pinned as a result, awarding the match to Dory Funk Jr. and making him the first IC champion! Robinson complained to the referee as well as to Funk, but Funk seemed to have no idea what happened. A lot of controversy, but as it stands now, Dory Funk Jr. is the Intercontinental champion. We hope to get a better idea of what exactly happened at our next show in the Cobo Arena in Detroit!
The Graham Brothers (Billy Graham and Luke Graham) defeated The Texas Outlaws (Dusty Rhodes and Dick Murdoch) when L. Graham pinned Murdoch after hitting him with a foreign object in 0:23:23. Rating: *** 3/4 (The Graham Brothers won the GCW World Tag Team Titles.) [Harley Race interfered against Dusty Rhodes.]
The Grahams set themselves up as best as possible to win the World Tag Team Titles from the Texas Outlaws in our main event. Ivan Koloff was still home with a larnyx injury, and Luke & Billy took out Pedro Morales earlier in the night. However, Dusty Rhodes & Dick Murdoch weren't going to go quietly into that good night. The Outlaws have worked themselves into the discussion for the greatest team in GCW history, and a win over Luke & Billy Graham would be another major step in making that a clear cut decision. If you wanted to see a pure wrestling match, go elsewhere, as this one was a pier six brawl. Kudos to referee Dick Kroll for allowing a lot of leeway so these two teams could go at it. However he may have left too much leeway as during the chaos, he missed HARLEY RACE come down and brutally attack Dusty Rhodes on the floor! While Rhodes was trying to fight off Race, Billy threw his brother Luke a pipe, which he used to clock Murdoch right between the eyes! He tossed the evidence to The Grand Wizard and made the cover, giving us new World Tag Team champions. What a disgrace. This is Billy Graham's first tag title reign, while this is Luke's second.
Card rating: ** 3/4
Match observations:
We are back in Detroit for the first time in over a year for some wrestling action from the Cobo Arena! Here's what we have on tap so far:
WORLD TITLE - Harley Race (c) vs. Dusty Rhodes WORLD TAG TEAM TITLES - The Graham Brothers (c) vs. Ivan Koloff/Pedro Morales
We will also hear from Dory Funk Jr, the new Intercontinental champion, and see if he has any explanation on who the man who helped him win the title tonight was.
Not only that, but we hear rumors there will be a MAJOR announcement regarding the Muhammad Ali/Gorilla Monsoon situation!
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Post by JoshiQ on Sept 2, 2010 15:00:28 GMT -5
Still reading...finally getting things under control here so I'll be posting some feedback a little bit later to these new cards. Glad to see you still posting while you are in the van down by the river.
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Post by snabbit888 on Sept 2, 2010 15:11:36 GMT -5
Still reading...finally getting things under control here so I'll be posting some feedback a little bit later to these new cards. Glad to see you still posting while you are in the van down by the river. My van trip didn't end up happening as planned. So I'm still in Indiana, but traveling more around this part of the country. No California like I wanted, but in the next couple months I go to Alabama, Kentucky, Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia, Kansas, and Pennsylvania.
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Post by JoshiQ on Sept 2, 2010 15:17:46 GMT -5
1/13/75:
- Good to see evil Luke back. I hope he helps Billy get back to the top.
- Harley Race is a fun character to hate. So far enjoying the heck out of his reign.
- Interesting to see Dory Funk Jr. back. Was never a huge fan, but maybe this will eventually lead to Terry making his return.
2/6/75:
- Nice of the Outlaws to force Rodz into this position from last month.
- Not too sad to see Baron Mike leave. I have no opinion on Ohki so far as I really have no idea who he is.
- The USSR Title is a golden idea.
- Morales and Koloff is an interesting pairing. Doubt they can stand up to the Grahams though.
- Duncum and Lanza definitely sounds like a classic. Glad to see them move on to better things.
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Post by JoshiQ on Sept 2, 2010 15:55:05 GMT -5
3/1/75: - Sure hope Bravo doesn't flounder in the jobber area for too much longer. - Ali-Monsoon?!?! WHOA!!! Didn't see you bringing that in to the fed. Good stuff. - Ernie Ladd sure isn't what he once was. - Two DQ's in the two two headliner matches at MSG? Boo!!! Looking forward to the next card. 3/18/75: - Poor Murdoch. The booker and Race pretty much screwed him over there. - Wow, Lanza is getting off to a really slow start. - That's a load of crap! Funk didn't deserve that! It's not his fault the idiot stole his best! - US Title being retired? Interesting. Didn't see that coming. I like the Intercontinental Title being added in it's own place, however. And I could see you bringing the US Title back in the late '80s. - Kind of surprised Tanaka and Robinson are being included, however, in the tournament. - Monsoon/Ali ... I want to see it! - Grahams continue to show their supremacy. Nice. I take it Koloff will be out for a few months which could hurt the build-up. Should be fun to see who Morales brings in to help out. 3/24/75: - T-shirts in wrestling? That's absurd! - Yeah, Morales definitely needs somebody to help him out. Bob Backlund? - I would have to agree with Monsoon that handing Ali a World Title is ludicrous. - Poor Ray Stevens. He gets the best of Raschke and doesn't even get to receive the long term push. - Hmm...masked man is Terry Funk? I really have no idea. Good to see Dory get the title he won in the first place. - Really glad to see the Grahams win the straps here. I love those guys. Once again, great stuff and great reading. It was kind of nice to come back from a hiatus and have all this good stuff to read. I'm really liking where you're going with Race, and you are building up the mid-card extremely well so the whole circuit isn't just carried by the champion. I have to start building up replies to the other circuits I've been missing, but I am still deeply in love with this circuit. Just hope you can keep it up to and into the '80s. -
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Post by snabbit888 on Sept 2, 2010 16:50:01 GMT -5
Thanks for the feedback, ol' Josh.
Tanaka and Robinson were mainly included because I wanted it to have an international field. The tourney had someone from America, Russia, Japan, and England.
Stevens didn't get the prolonged push I wanted because he didn't re-sign.
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Post by JoshiQ on Sept 2, 2010 17:19:04 GMT -5
Still reading...finally getting things under control here so I'll be posting some feedback a little bit later to these new cards. Glad to see you still posting while you are in the van down by the river. My van trip didn't end up happening as planned. So I'm still in Indiana, but traveling more around this part of the country. No California like I wanted, but in the next couple months I go to Alabama, Kentucky, Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia, Kansas, and Pennsylvania. You performing in Kansas? If so, if it's in an area close by I'll be there.
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Post by snabbit888 on Sept 2, 2010 21:13:13 GMT -5
Yes, I'm going to be in Topeka in November.
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Post by LillaThrilla on Sept 3, 2010 14:12:08 GMT -5
Fun stuff. I took like the USSR Title bit. IC Title was a surprise but at least you didn't have the tournament in Rio. Gorilla vs Ali should be fun.
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Post by vertigo on Sept 7, 2010 15:15:07 GMT -5
The buildup for Monsoon/Ali is tremendous. Will there actually be an Ali export and a match simmed? Rating and all?
Throat injuries are brutal! I'll never forget how I felt when Steamboat suffered a similar fate IRL so I can imagine Koloff's situation being just as serious.
Young babyface Dino Bravo is someone I can get behind. Look forward to seeing where his path takes him in GCW.
I really like the introduction of the IC title. You can build quite the legacy from the ground up with this title.
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Post by snabbit888 on Sept 7, 2010 17:39:40 GMT -5
The buildup for Monsoon/Ali is tremendous. Will there actually be an Ali export and a match simmed? Rating and all? Throat injuries are brutal! I'll never forget how I felt when Steamboat suffered a similar fate IRL so I can imagine Koloff's situation being just as serious. Young babyface Dino Bravo is someone I can get behind. Look forward to seeing where his path takes him in GCW. I really like the introduction of the IC title. You can build quite the legacy from the ground up with this title. Yes. Creating the Ali export soon. The match is sure to be terrible, but it's about the spectacle, baby! Koloff's is pretty minor in the grand scheme. It's a worked injury, and maybe something I should do more with, but eh.
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Post by snabbit888 on Sept 18, 2010 15:09:21 GMT -5
May 19, 1975 - Cobo Arena - Detroit, MI
The Valiant Brothers (Jimmy Valiant and Johnny Valiant) defeated Jimmy Snuka and Tony Garea when Johnny Valiant made Garea submit to a nerve hold in 0:07:25. Rating: ** 1/2 [Lou Albano interfered against Tony Garea.]
Our wrestling action from Detroit kicked off with a tag match between two teams who know each other very well. Captain Lou Albano is petitioning to get the Valiants named the #1 contenders, but they need to keep winning, and they did just that against Jimmy Snuka & Tony Garea. These teams have had even contests in the past, but Garea unfortunately landed awkwardly early in the match and may have suffered a stinger. He fought valiantly (pardon the pun) but when he was trapped in a nerve hold, he had to submit. Garea is going to be fine, but it did cost them this match. The Valiants, on the other hand, keep on winning.
Gorilla Monsoon made Johnny Rodz submit to a bearhug in 0:04:53. Rating: ***
Gorilla Monsoon was in a foul mood and he took that out on the hapless Johnny Rodz, beating him into a pulp in short order and finishing him off with a crushing bearhug. If Monsoon was in a bad mood to start, he will be in an even worse mood now as it was announced that on June 12 at Madison Square Garden, Monsoon will go one-on-one in a special contest against… MUHAMMAD ALI!
Dick Murdoch pinned Toru Tanaka with the Gourdbuster in 0:10:44. Rating: ***
Dick Murdoch was still in a foul mood about losing the World Tag Team Titles last month to the Grahams, and became even more upset that the rematch he wanted couldn't take place tonight because his partner, Dusty Rhodes, was challenging Harley Race for the World Title. Dirty Dick used that anger in his match against Professor Toru Tanaka, a former tag team champion in his own right. Murdoch had some trouble contending with Tanaka's martial arts background, but once he blitzed Tanaka and said he was done joking around, Murdoch hit the Gourdbuster and recorded the victory.
The Blackjacks (Blackjack Lanza and Blackjack Mulligan) defeated Larry Zbyszko and Dino Bravo when Lanza pinned Bravo after a short lariat in 0:05:36. Rating: ** 1/4
Bobby Heenan's Family has had some major unheaval in recent months, most recently with the departure of Ray Stevens. Heenan promised starting tonight a recharge of the most dominant stable in wrestling. He started by debuting what he promised to be the soon-to-be World Tag team champions, Blackjack Lanza and his new partner Blackjack Mulligan, the Blackjacks! They were facing another brand new team, one consisting of Dino Bravo and young newcomer Larry Zbyszko. A lot of unknown commodities in this match, but both teams looked sharp in their teaming debuts. The Blackjacks willingness to cut corners proved the different, as Mulligan clocked Bravo in the back of the head with a forearm when he hit the ropes, stumbling into a Lanza short lariat for the 1-2-3. Both of these teams look to be forces in the tag team division in the months to come.
Bobby Duncum pinned Mr. Wrestling I with the Full Nelson Slam in 0:06:40. Rating: *** 1/2
Speaking of former Heenan Family members, Bobby Duncum was in action taking on Mr. Wrestling I. Duncum has been in a bit of a holding pattern recently, but he does keep winning matches. He continued those winning ways by drilling Wrestling I with the Full Nelson Slam. What is next for the rough and rugged cowboy?
Interview: Billy Robinson gets his answers, but not the ones he expected.
Billy Robinson came out for an interview and asked the new Intercontinental champion, DORY FUNK JR., to join him in the ring. Funk did, and the two shook hands. Robinson congratulated Funk on winning the title, but said he had some issues with how their match in the finals of the tournament ended. Funk said he knew where this was going and swore to Robinson that he had no idea who the man in the mask who held Robinson's foot down from the outside was. Robinson was tentative, but looked into Funk's eyes and said he believed him. At this point, the masked man came out from the back, sending Robinson into a fury, calling the mystery man into the ring to fight him like a man. In doing so, he turned his back to Funk Jr., and we never expected what we saw, but Dory Funk Jr. nailed Robinson in the back of the head with the IC Title! It was a setup all along! Funk locked Robinson in the Texas Cloverleaf while the masked man stomped on the back of Robinson's neck before officials broke it up. Funk sold his soul to become the first IC champion, and we still don't know who this mystery man is. Robinson may be a little worse for wear, but you can bet he is going to be looking for revenge.
Kintaro Ohki defeated Nikolai Volkoff by disqualification in 0:04:42. Rating: -1/4* [Lou Albano interfered against Kintaro Ohki.]
An ugly affair between Kintaro Ohki and Nikolai Volkoff was next. Volkoff and Lou Albano failed to become the first IC champion like they had hoped, but they could still make Volkoff the first man to lay a loss on Ohki here in GCW. Ohki made that exceedingly difficult though, and a frustrated Captain Lou got his man DQ'ed by jumping in the ring and nailing Ohki in the back. That was a mistake, as Ohki clocked Albano, sending him sprawling from the ring. Volkoff attacked again, but Ohki sent him from the ring as well. There will be a rematch on June 12 at Madison Square Garden, but Albano will be handcuffed to the ring to prevent any interference on his part.
Jack Brisco defeated Ox Baker by disqualification in 0:15:49. Rating: *** [Bobby Heenan and Hiro Matsuda interfered against Jack Brisco.]
Jack Brisco has accomplished what he set out to do when he returned to GCW and that was send Ray Stevens packing for his dastardly deeds. However, Bobby Heenan is not going to sit on the sidelines and let Brisco get away with it, as his sadistic mind doesn't work that way. Tonight Heenan sent Ox Baker to take Brisco out, but we would learn it was all part of a bigger plan. Baker put a beating on Brisco, as Baker often puts on everyone, but Brisco showed his fighting spirit by eventually getting the massive Baker down and in the Figure-Four Leglock. It looked like Baker might actually tap out, but the hold was broken up when HIRO MATSUDA jumped in the ring and attacked Brisco! We haven't seen Matsuda in years, and it looks like he is officially on the payroll of the Heenan Family. Brisco tried to fight back but couldn't withstand the onslaught of Matsuda & Baker and was left lying in a heap. Brisco's battles with the Heenan Family are far from over.
Harley Race pinned Dusty Rhodes with the Piledriver in 0:18:39. Rating: **** (Harley Race retained the GCW World Title.)
Dusty Rhodes got the World Title match he had been promised, and he came in looking to take full advantage of the opportunity. Champion Harley Race had a boatload of problems handling Rhodes. Race likes to slow down the pace of a match and really pick apart his opponents, but the aggressive and unorthodox style of Rhodes completely threw the champion off his game. As the match wore on, the crowd was buzzing that we would potentially see history made tonight as the momentum kept building in Rhodes' favor. Race proved what kind of champion he is though by impressively withstanding the fury of Rhodes' offense, dodging an avalanche in the corner and clipping Rhodes' knee. This was the beginning of the end as it led to the Piledriver and a hard fought, but successful, title defense for Race. Rhodes received a standing ovation for his efforts, and deservedly so. He may not have won tonight, but he has all the makings of being a future World champion.
The Graham Brothers (Billy Graham and Luke Graham) defeated Ivan Koloff and Pedro Morales when B. Graham pinned Morales after a powerslam in 0:35:38. Rating: *** (The Graham Brothers retained the GCW World Tag Team Titles.)
The main event was for the World Tag Team Titles, and it couldn't have been any more fueled with mutual hatred as the champions, Luke & Billy Graham (along with The Grand Wizard) took on Ivan Koloff & Pedro Morales. Koloff was not at 100% thanks to the assault on his larnyx by the Graham's a couple months back, but he signed the waiver to compete tonight in order to get his hands on the Grahams. You have to admire it, but he may have more guts than brains. Throughout this brutal match, you could tell the Russian Bear was off his game, favoring his throat. This also caused Pedro Morales to have to do a large brunt of the workload, which, great as he is, is no easy task against the likes of competitors as imposing as Luke & Billy Graham. Late in this contest, after going back and forth, the tide shifted when Koloff was dropped throat first onto the top rope, causing him to spill to the floor in great pain. With Koloff down and out, the Graham's double teamed Morales, leading to a huge powerslam from the Superstar that put this one in the books. A courageous effort from the challengers, but that throat injury was simply too much to overcome.
Card rating: ** 3/4
Match observations:
June 12 will be the date and our mecca, Madison Square Garden, will be the place for our next huge night of GCW action!
Ivan Koloff/Pedro Morales/The Texas Outlaws vs. Harley Race/Luke Graham/Billy Graham/Bobby Duncum INTERCONTINENTAL TITLE - Dory Funk Jr. (c) vs. Billy Robinson SPECIAL ATTRACTION - Gorilla Monsoon vs. Muhamma Ali Jack Brisco vs. Hiro Matsuda Kintaro Ohki vs. Nikolai Volkoff Dino Bravo/Larry Zbyszko vs. Mr. Fuji/Toru Tanaka Jimmy Snuka/Tony Garea vs. The Blackjacks
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Post by JoshiQ on Sept 18, 2010 17:22:38 GMT -5
- I guess in about 3-4 more years you are going to have to start pushing Snuka, eh?
- It's been announced! The biggest match of the decade! Monsoon vs. Ali!
- Bravo and Zbyszko is quite an interesting pair. They could be quite the pair of loud mouth assholes.
- I'm actually surprised at the turn by Dory Funk Jr., but I prefer him as a heel so it's all good. I don't think it will be Terry Funk, but I'm drawing a total blank as to who will the masked man be. Interesting way to debut Ric Flair, I guess.
- Ohki/Volkoff rematch? My eyes!!!
- Whoa! Matsuda is back! Things feel like they are definitely taking a change in direction right now in GCW.
- I knew Rhodes wouldn't win, but looking forward to him finally going in to singles action after he and Murdoch take a break from teaming.
- Glad to see the Grahams come out ahead. Now it's time for bigger and better things for the two brothers.
Let's see, a MSG card? Wahoo!
I'll go with Koloff's team going over Funk over Robinson Ali over Monsoon Matsuda over Brisco Ohki over Volkoff Bravo and Zbyszko over Fuji and Tnaak Blackjacks over Snuka and Garea
Good stuff as always.
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Post by snabbit888 on Sept 27, 2010 0:51:29 GMT -5
June 12, 1975 - Madison Square Garden - New York, NY
Larry Zbyszko and Dino Bravo defeated Mr. Fuji and Toru Tanaka when Zbyszko pinned Fuji with the Shoulderbreaker in 0:11:16. Rating: ***
Our opening contest at a historic Madison Square Garden show featured Larry Zbyszko & Dino Bravo taking on Mr. Fuji & Toru Tanaka. This was Fuji's first match back from a torn right biceps that was originally thought to put him out of action for 6 months. Fuji rushed to get back into the ring, and it may have been a mistake as he looked somewhat rusty. Despite being relatively new to the wrestling business, Zbyszko & Bravo showed some seasoned tag team strategy, focusing on the right arm of Fuji. Fuji couldn't get out of the ring to make the tag and eventually fell to the Shoulderbreaker of Zbyszko. This is their first victory as a team, and over former World Tag Team champions is nothing to scoff at.
Ernie Ladd pinned Jimmy Valiant with the Thumb to the Throat in 0:07:57. Rating: **
Jimmy Valiant of the Valiant Brothers was in a singles match against GCW veteran Ernie Ladd. The odds weren't in Ladd's favor early on as Johnny Valiant & Lou Albano kept trying to distract and interfere, but luckily for Ladd, LARRY ZBYSZKO & DINO BRAVO came down to ringside to even the odds. This completely ruined the strategy of the Valiants, and Jimmy was more or less forced to wrestle Ladd alone. The Valiants have shown themselves to be a great tag team, but haven't proven themselves in singles action yet. Ladd is one of the best we've had in GCW and he showed he still has it by hitting the Thumb to the Throat to get the victory. Albano is blaming Zbyszko & Bravo for this loss and challenged the team to a tag match on July 12 at the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, NY.
Kintaro Ohki pinned Nikolai Volkoff with the Back Suplex in 0:12:25. Rating: * 3/4
There would be no interference from Captain Lou this time around as Kintaro Ohki took on Nikolai Volkoff. Albano was handcuffed to one of the ringposts for this match due to his interference in the match last month. Albano, try as he might, couldn't get himself involved, and that left Volkoff to fend for himself. To his credit, the big Russian is an impressive physical speciman and bounced the Korean legend around a bit, but he couldn't overcome the experience of Ohki, falling to the Back Suplex, keeping Ohki undefeated in GCW action.
Ox Baker pinned Mr. Wrestling I with the Heart Punch in 0:13:58. Rating: *** 3/4
Bobby Heenan's monster Ox Baker continues to be a beast, taking on and defeating a game Mr. Wrestling I. Wrestling I managed to ground Baker for a lot of the contest, but once Baker got back to a vertical base, that was all she wrote. A vicious Heart Punch put this one in the books as a win for the Master of the the aforementioned finishing move.
Dory Funk Jr. pinned Billy Robinson after a rolling cradle in 0:26:32. Rating: **** (Dory Funk Jr. retained the GCW Intercontinental Title.)
Billy Robinson finally got a chance to get his hands on Dory Funk Jr., a man who surprised us all with the type of person he turned out to be. Sure, Funk is the first ever Intercontinental champion, but the way in which he won that championship is a disgrace, and not the type of legacy we want to get that title started off with. Robinson was looking to make Funk's reign a short one and add a little prestigue to the gold. This was an epic contest that was as heated as they come. After turning against them, the fans were itching to see Robinson dethrone the champ. It looked like we were on our way to seeing that as Robinson suplexed Funk all over the place until that masked man came down to ringside and jumped on the apron. Robinson went after him instantly, but the masked man dropped to the floor. The masked man turned to leave, but Robinson got a hold of him and ripped the mask off! Robinson was in shock, as were the rest of us, to see the masked man was DON MURACO, Robinson's protege! Robinson couldn't believe it, but he couldn't believe it more that Funk surprised him with a rolling cradle, and with a pull of the tights, retained the IC Title. We now know the masked man is Muraco, but why on earth would he do this to his mentor?
The Blackjacks (Blackjack Lanza and Blackjack Mulligan) defeated Jimmy Snuka and Tony Garea when Lanza pinned Garea after a lariat in 0:11:07. Rating: *** [Bobby Heenan interfered against Jimmy Snuka.] [Bobby Heenan interfered against Tony Garea.]
It looks like Bobby Heenan once again has a winning tag team on his hands. Since bringing Blackjack Mulligan into the fold and putting him in a team with Blackjack Lanza, the Blackjacks look to be the team of the future. They continued to look like a team to beat in their second GCW match, getting a tough win over Jimmy Snuka & Tony Garea, but it wasn't easy. Because of the even nature of this match, a return bout has been signed for the Nassau Coliseum next month.
Jack Brisco pinned Hiro Matsuda after a gutwrench suplex in 0:11:04. Rating: **
Jack Brisco has a new enemy to contend with thanks to Bobby Heenan, Hiro Matsuda. Matsuda is no stranger to GCW fans, having wreaked havoc years ago. Matsuda is working as a hired mercenary for Heenan, which is scary for Brisco because Matsuda's top priority isn't victory, but elimination. Heenan didn't mind that Matsuda lost this match after a crisp gutwrench suplex from Brisco because after the match, Matsuda put a beatdown on Brisco, leaving him having to be helped to the back by officials. These two will go at it again one more time in Uniondale.
Muhammad Ali pinned Gorilla Monsoon with the Knockout Punch in 0:05:08. Rating: 1/2*
There was a ton of buzz in the air regarding this huge event. For the first time ever, Muhammad Ali was stepping into a wrestling ring. Ali is the greatest boxer in the world, but it was going to be interesting to see how he adapted to the professional wrestling style. Ali was not short on confidence though as shown by the series of press conferences and interviews he's done leading up to this match. Ali has been saying he was going to knock Gorilla Monsoon out in no time flat. Monsoon was fighting to defend the honor of wrestlers everywhere against the bravado of a loud mouth boxer. Ali had the clear cut speed advantage, and he used that to pepper Monsoon from a distance. Monsoon needed to get a hold of Ali to have any chance. Monsoon did get a hold of Ali at one point and picked him up into the Airplane Spin, dumping him to the canvas. But Monsoon couldn't make the pinfall because Ali was too close to the ropes and rolled to the floor. Ali was flustered by this, but it also seemed to make him angry. When Ali got back in the ring, he smashed Monsoon in the jaw with a knockout punch that sent Monsoon lifeless to the mat. Then in a big slap in the face to wrestlers everywhere, Ali pinned Monsoon - using only a foot on his chest. Monsoon is going to have a lot of explaining to do in the locker room for this.
The Texas Outlaws (Dusty Rhodes and Dick Murdoch), Ivan Koloff and Pedro Morales defeated The Graham Brothers (Billy Graham and Luke Graham), Bobby Duncum and Harley Race when I. Koloff pinned Race with the Russian Sickle in 0:32:03. Rating: *** [The Grand Wizard interfered against Ivan Koloff.]
Multi-man matches always have the potential to become chaotic, and when you have as many big personalities with such deep seated issues with each other involved in a huge main event at Madison Square Garden, chaos is guaranteed. On one side, World champion Harley Race, the World Tag Team champions Luke & Billy Graham, and Bobby Duncum. The other, Ivan Koloff, Pedro Morales, and the Texas Outlaws. This is how you do a main event. The rulebreaking contingent was having a lot of trouble getting on the same page. Bobby Duncum has become a bit of a lone wolf in 1975 and he didn't seem at all interested in working strategy with Race and the Grahams. The fan favorite team though was firing on all cylinders and they put their game plan into practice beautifully. When Duncum walked to the back after having enough of the match, it let Koloff isolate Race in the ring. With the Texas Outlaws battling with the Grahams on the floor, Race had nowhere to run. Race couldn't tag out, and it let Koloff take him down and pin him with the Russian Sickle. This is the first time Race has been pinned in a GCW ring, and this is particularly huge for Koloff. Race beat Koloff for the World Title, and as of yet, Koloff hasn't gotten the one-on-one rematch for the title. That is all going to change, because on July 12, our main event will be the Russian Bear challenging Race for the World Title!
Card rating: ** 1/2
Match observations:
We will be in Uniondale, NY on July 12 at the Nassau Coliseum, and from the looks of it, it will be a tremendous event!
WORLD TITLE - Harley Race (c) vs. Ivan Koloff INTERCONTINENTAL TITLE - Dory Funk Jr. (c) Billy Robinson WORLD TAG TEAM TITLES - Luke Graham/Billy Graham vs. The Texas Outlaws Jack Brisco vs. Hiro Matsuda Tony Garea/Jimmy Snuka vs. The Blackjacks Larry Zbyszko/Dino Bravo vs. The Valiant Brothers
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Post by rey619 on Sept 27, 2010 4:53:05 GMT -5
Didn't see Muraco as the masked man, but it's a little less obvious than Terry Funk though. Kinda funny to see Race vs. Rhodes, as it wasn't too long ago they battled in Josh's WCW circuit too - 17 years into the future They were definitely more in their prime in 1975.
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Post by snabbit888 on Sept 28, 2010 20:08:18 GMT -5
July 12, 1975 - Nassau Coliseum - Uniondale, NY
Bobby Duncum pinned Mr. Wrestling I with the Full Nelson Slam in 0:02:40. Rating: ** 1/2
There might not be a wrestler in the world as on fire as Bobby Duncum is. Duncum has taken down opponent after opponent since he parted ways with Bobby Heenan, and looks better each and every time out. Tonight may have been the best he's looked, beating the accomplished Mr. Wrestling I in under 3 minutes. It might be time for the GCW Championship Committee to strongly consider granting Duncum a title shot.
Ernie Ladd defeated Ox Baker by disqualification in 0:06:14. Rating: 1/2* [Bobby Heenan interfered against Ernie Ladd.]
Clearly in the world of professional wrestling, you will take a win in any way you can get it. Unfortunately for Ernie Ladd tonight, getting that win involved taking a beating. Ox Baker got himself disqualified when he shoved referee Terry Taranova to the canvas, but the assault didn't stop there as he left Ladd laying after the Heart Punch. Ladd had to be helped to the back after the attack.
Kintaro Ohki pinned Mr. Fuji with the Back Suplex in 0:08:42. Rating: *** 1/2
Mr. Fuji looked a lot better returning from his injury than he did in the tag match at MSG, but he still had a tough time against Kintaro Ohki, the South Korean legend who has yet to lose a match in the States. Though Fuji had outside help from Professor Toru Tanaka, Ohki fought through it en route to hitting the Back Suplex and taking home the win. After the match though, he was confronted by BOBBY DUNCUM, who said he was tired of people like Ohki coming around and thinking they matter in this country before challenging him to a match at Madison Square Garden on August 3. Ohki accepted the match by slapping Duncum across the face! This is one I am really looking forward to seeing.
Jimmy Snuka and Tony Garea defeated The Blackjacks (Blackjack Lanza and Blackjack Mulligan) when J. Snuka pinned Mulligan with the Superfly Splash in 0:15:47. Rating: ** 3/4
The Blackjacks suffered their first defeat as a team in GCW, falling to the team of Jimmy Snuka & Tony Garea, who needed a big win. After the Blackjacks won the first encounter between these teams last month, it looked like Lanza & Mulligan took Snuka & Garea too lightly. Big mistake as it cost them in a big way. Garea surprised Lanza by dropkicking him off the apron while Snuka hit the Superfly Splash on Mulligan in the ring to get the 1-2-3.
Interview: The Blackjacks harass Gorilla Monsoon.
The Blackjacks were livid after losing the previous match, and they took it out on Gorilla Monsoon, who was coming out for the next match against Nikolai Volkoff. The Blackjacks verbally taunted Monsoon, making light of how he was knocked out by Muhammad Ali in the Garden last month and how that was an embarrassment to professional wrestlers everywhere. Monsoon got in the faces of the Blackjacks, but officials got in between them before any blows were thrown.
Gorilla Monsoon defeated Nikolai Volkoff by disqualification in 0:01:58. Rating: -* [Lou Albano interfered against Gorilla Monsoon.]
We thought the confrontation was over, but Bobby Heenan showed that it wasn't as not long into this match, he sent the Blackjacks into the ring to pummel Monsoon! To make matters worse, Nikolai Volkoff joined in to make it a 3-on-1 fight. Monsoon was in rough shape after the attack was over, but he managed to walk to the back under his own power.
Dory Funk Jr. made Billy Robinson submit to the Texas Cloverleaf in 0:13:34. Rating: *** (Dory Funk Jr. retained the GCW Intercontinental Title.)
It's amazing to see the amount of hatred being directed Dory Funk Jr.'s way, but after the way Funk sold out in order to win the Intercontinental Title, can you blame the fans for not liking him? One man who has made it his mission to right Funk's wrongs in Billy Robinson, the victim of the plot by Funk and Robinson's former protege', Don Muraco. Muraco was at ringside in the corner of Funk, and despite Robinson's best efforts, it was clearly distracting him. Robinson is known for being under control at all times, so you know he is upset by this when it is throwing him off his game. Robinson looked like he was still going to pull off the victory though when he hit the Double-Arm Suplex, but Muraco jumped up on the apron before Robinson could make the cover. This distraction gave Funk enough time to recover and drop Robinson with a Russian legsweep before putting on the Texas Cloverleaf. Robinson struggled to get to the ropes, but he couldn't get there before he had to tap out. Robinson has been granted one more title shot, but this will be his last as long as Funk is the champion. It will be fought under best two out of three falls rules however, limiting the chance for Muraco's interference to cost him the match.
The Valiant Brothers (Jimmy Valiant and Johnny Valiant) defeated Larry Zbyszko and Dino Bravo when Johnny Valiant made Zbyszko submit to the Sleeperhold in 0:10:20. Rating: *** 1/2 [Lou Albano interfered against Larry Zbyszko.]
Larry Zbyszko & Dino Bravo showed they have a ton of potential by defeating the former World Tag Team champions, Mr. Fuji & Toru Tanaka, last month. They had another tough test here against the Valiant Brothers, a team that continues to get better and with Lou Albano at the helm, and are looking to get a World Tag Team Title shot in the near future. Though Zbyszko & Bravo have all the tools to be a successful team down the road, possibly future champions, they're still young and still learning on the fly, whereas the Valiants have been together their entire lives. That experience advantage pays huge dividends in tag team wrestling, leading to a Valiants win in a well wrestled contest. After tonight's show it was announced that on August 3, the Valiants will wrestle Jimmy Snuka & Tony Garea with the winning team becoming the #1 contenders to the World Tag Team Titles!
Dick Murdoch and Pedro Morales defeated The Graham Brothers (Billy Graham and Luke Graham) when Morales made L. Graham submit to a figure-four leglock in 0:28:18. Rating: ** 3/4 (Dick Murdoch and Pedro Morales won the GCW World Tag Team Titles.)
The Texas Outlaws were supposed to get their much anticipated rematch for the World Tag Team Titles against the Grahams tonight, but right before the match it was announced that Dusty Rhodes had been taken to the hospital due to being attacked viciously in the locker room. Nobody saw exactly what happened, but all signs pointed to it being Luke & Billy who carried out the cowardly assault. The Grand Wizard denied any and all responsibility, but no one was believing it. Either way, they looked to benefit from Rhodes being out, but Dick Murdoch was allowed to bring out a replacement, and what a replacement it was as his partner was PEDRO MORALES! The Grahams were livid at this and wanted the match thrown out, but the bell rang and we were under way! The Grahams were in disarray early on as this was not what they prepared for and the makeshift team was taking full advantage. The match settled in though and the tag team experience of the champs took over, letting them dominate the middle portion of the match. The Grahams were probably winning on points, but in professional wrestling, it's the pinfall or submission that ultimately matters. Luke Graham made one huge mistake when he arrogantly went to the top rope and tried to hit a kneedrop on Murdoch, but Dirty Dick rolled out of the way and Luke hit hard. Murdoch tagged in Morales who knocked Billy off the apron before putting the injured Luke in a figure-four leglock. Luke cried out in pain and attempted to hold on, but he had to tap or his leg would have been broken. Unexpectedly, we have brand new World Tag Team champions! Congratulations to Dick Murdoch & Pedro Morales!
Hiro Matsuda pinned Jack Brisco after a power bomb in 0:16:59. Rating: *** 3/4
The rematch between Jack Brisco & Hiro Matsuda was even more heated than the original contest as that added familiarity with each other from the first match allowed each man to take more risks in the second. Bobby Heenan was sweating bullets throughout this match, showing how important it was to him for Matsuda to take Brisco out. Brisco wouldn't be taken out, per se, but he would suffer a loss, though by nefarious means. Brisco had Matsuda in the corner and was up in a mounted position when Matsuda countered with a power bomb. The air was driven out of Brisco's lungs, and Matsuda putting his feet on the ropes for more leverage did not help his case either. Matsuda & Heenan hightailed it out of there, but there will be no tomfoolery like this on August 3 as the rematch will be fought in a STEEL CAGE!
Harley Race pinned Ivan Koloff with the Piledriver in 0:22:20. Rating: *** 1/4 (Harley Race retained the GCW World Title.)
If this night didn't have enough already, we still had our main event, a huge return match for the World Title! Harley Race won the last November in Providence, but since then has yet to defend the title against the man he defeated for it. That all changed tonight as "The Russian Bear" Ivan Koloff finally got the rematch he rightfully deserved. Not only that, but Koloff was riding a wave of momentum having pinned Race in an 8-man tag match last month. We haven't seen it so far in Race's reign, but tonight was the first match that Race seemed to wrestle tentatively. He prides himself on always being a step ahead of his opponent and in complete control, but it looked like he didn't think he could beat Koloff. Afterall, the one time he did beat him, it was thanks to a huge assist from Luke Graham. Race was on his toes the whole match, and that's where Koloff excels - when he can come at you full blast. Race got bounced around like a basketball for most of this match, but to his credit, Koloff couldn't put Race away. Race got desperate late and pulled referee Dick Kroll close to him as a shield, trying to keep Koloff at bay. Koloff came in and Race caught him with a thumb to the eye that Kroll didn't see. Race hit the Piledriver quickly, but only got a two count! Race couldn't believe it, but a second Piledriver was enough to put Koloff down and out. Race literally escapes with a win, but is going to have to contend with Koloff one more time in the Garden!
Card rating: ** 3/4
Match observations:
Back to Madison Square Garden on August 3!
WORLD TITLE - Harley Race (c) vs. Ivan Koloff INTERCONTINENTAL TITLE 2/3 FALLS - Dory Funk Jr. (c) vs. Billy Robinson WORLD TAG TEAM TITLES - Pedro Morales/Dick Murdoch (c) vs. The Graham Brothers #1 CONTENDERS - Jimmy Snuka/Tony Garea vs. The Valiant Brothers STEEL CAGE MATCH - Jack Brisco vs. Hiro Matsuda Kintaro Ohki vs. Bobby Duncum Gorilla Monsoon vs. Blackjack Mulligan
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Post by snabbit888 on Oct 7, 2010 16:49:05 GMT -5
August 3, 1975 - Madison Square Garden - New York, NY
Cage Match: Jack Brisco defeated Hiro Matsuda by escaping the cage in 0:23:07. Rating: **** 1/4
The cage was all set up right off the bat, pitting Jack Brisco against Bobby Heenan's hired gun from Japan, Hiro Matsuda. The cage would serve to prevent anyone else in the Heenan Family from getting involved, but it also trapped Brisco inside with Matsuda, who can be a bit scary. This was a bloody affair, an intense contest as most cage matches tend to be. Brisco was getting pounded for a lot of this match, but despite bleeding profusely from a cut on his forehead, he kept stopping Matsuda from exiting the cage. Matsuda got frustrated and went to the top rope for a flying kneedrop, but Brisco moved and Matsuda hit his knee, letting Brisco quickly put on the Figure-Four Leglock. After holding it on for about 2 minutes, Brisco released the hold and walked out the door, writing the final chapter in this issue with Matsuda.
Don Muraco pinned Johnny Rodz with the Flying Crossbody in 0:03:21. Rating: ** 3/4
Don Muraco proved just what kind of person he really is when he turned his back on his mentor, Billy Robinson, and cost him the chance to be the first Intercontinental champion. We still haven't gotten an explanation from Muraco or Dory Funk Jr. for that matter on why they did what they did, but either way, we saw the true colors of both men. Muraco was in action tonight, his first match since taking on this new attitude, and the fans in New York let him have it. However, despite the lack of popularity, it's hard to argue with the results as this was as good as Muraco has looked in a GCW ring, polishing off Johnny Rodz with little to no trouble. As much as we don't like it, this new attitude may be exactly what Muraco needs to become a star.
Mr. Fuji and Toru Tanaka defeated Larry Zbyszko and Mr. Wrestling I when Fuji pinned Zbyszko after a crucifix in 0:06:04. Rating: *** 3/4 (Dino Bravo no-showed.)
Dino Bravo couldn't make it tonight due to a problem with his work visa, but Larry Zbyszko found himself a great partner in former World Tag Team champion Mr. Wrestling I, as they took on another former championship team, Mr. Fuji & Professor Toru Tanaka. From what we heard, Zbyszko & Wrestling I didn't have much time to go over a strategy and it showed. Miscommunication was all abound as Fuji & Tanaka picked up the win thanks to a crucifix by Fuji pinned the rookie's shoulders to the mat. Zbyszko & Wrestling I exchanged words after the match, but cooler heads prevailed.
Ernie Ladd pinned Nikolai Volkoff with the Thumb to the Throat in 0:04:31. Rating: * 1/4 [Lou Albano interfered against Ernie Ladd.]
Nikolai Volkoff needs to reestablish himself as a threat in GCW after he failed to become the first Intercontinental champion, and he looked to make an example of one of the charter members of GCW, Ernie Ladd. Ladd showed everyone tonight he still has a lot in the tank as he hit the Thumb to the Throat and pinned Lou Albano's Russian powerhouse. This win has went a long way, as rumor has it that Ladd will be granted a title shot very soon.
Two-out-of-three-Falls Match: Dory Funk Jr. beat Billy Robinson 2 falls to 1: x Robinson beat D. Funk Jr. via the Double-Arm Suplex in 0:13:14 x D. Funk Jr. beat Robinson via the Texas Cloverleaf in 0:20:25 x D. Funk Jr. beat Robinson via a small package in 0:33:03 Rating: *** (Dory Funk Jr. retained the GCW Intercontinental Title.)
Billy Robinson had one more chance to get the IC Title out of the grasp of Dory Funk Jr., but Funk has shown that he will do anything and everything to make sure that title stays with him. To combat that, the Championship Committee declared that this match would be fought under two-out-of-three falls rules. Funk wouldn't be able to fluke his way out of this one - he'd have to defeat Robinson twice to keep the gold in Amarillo. That didn't look like a good prospect after the first fall went to Robinson, hitting a crisp and beautifully executed Double-Arm Suplex. Funk had to now win two falls in a row, and that isn't easy against someone like Robinson who can wear you down and systematically hurt you. However, Funk is a world-class wrestler as well, and he showed that by working over Robinson's back and getting in the Texas Cloverleaf. Normally, Robinson would have held on and tried to fight out of it, but he knew he had the fall advantage, so he submitted quickly to prevent a serious injury. A good strategy as it kept him fresh for fall three. Robinson was fired up and with the crowd behind him, looked to have the match won with a small package, but the referee Danny Bartfield was busy putting a turnbuckle pad back on that Funk Jr. had earlier removed. This let DON MURACO get in the ring and roll the small package over. Bartfield turned to see Funk pinning Robinson, and that's how the match ended. Dory Funk Jr. is still the Intercontinental champion. Robinson has said that he is tired of this and he is going to teach Muraco a lesson on August 26 in Boston.
Blackjack Mulligan made Gorilla Monsoon submit to the Blackjack Claw in 0:03:25. Rating: ** 1/4
The Blackjacks have made it known that they're wanting to make Gorilla Monsoon pay for as they call it, "embarrassing" professional wrestlers ever by getting knocked out by Muhammad Ali on June 12. Ali is a world class athlete and the best boxer in the world, so losing to him is nothing to be ashamed of, by try telling that to the Blackjacks. Bobby Heenan picked Blackjack Mulligan to wrestle Monsoon, but this might as well have been a handicap match as Blackjack Lanza constantly interfered, making Monsoon easy pickings for the Blackjack Claw. Monsoon is going to need to hire some backup if he wants to get even with the Blackjacks.
Number-One-Contenders-Match: The Valiant Brothers (Jimmy Valiant and Johnny Valiant) defeated Jimmy Snuka and Tony Garea when Jimmy Valiant made Garea submit to the Sleeperhold in 0:09:10. Rating: ** 1/2
A huge opportunity for two of the bright young teams in GCW with Jimmy Snuka & Tony Garea meeting the Valiant Brothers, the winners becoming the new top contenders for the World Tag Team Titles. Snuka & Garea scored a big upset to get here, getting past the Blackjacks while the Valiants beat the young upstart team of Larry Zbyszko & Dino Bravo. After a good back and forth match, we learned officially that it will be Johnny & Jimmy Valiant challenging for the tag titles next. Snuka & Garea gave it their all, but came up just short. Question now is, which team will the Valiants be facing?
Bobby Duncum pinned Kintaro Ohki with the Full Nelson Slam in 0:09:05. Rating: ** 3/4
Kintaro Ohki is no longer undefeated, and he has Bobby Duncum to thank for it. Duncum challenged Ohki to a match tonight, saying he'd be the first man to pin Ohki's shoulders to the mat, and he did just that. I think Duncum got more from Ohki than he thought he would, but he managed to avoid the Back Suplex that has been many opponents down and out on his way to hitting the Full Nelson Slam and pinning Ohki 1-2-3. Duncum may end up being the wrestler of the year if he keeps this up.
The Graham Brothers (Billy Graham and Luke Graham) defeated Dick Murdoch and Pedro Morales when B. Graham defeated Murdoch when Murdoch passed out in the Bearhug in 0:18:44. Rating: *** (The Graham Brothers won the GCW World Tag Team Titles.) [The Grand Wizard and Dusty Rhodes interfered against Pedro Morales.]
For the second show in a row, we have brand new World Tag Team champions! Pedro Morales & Dick Murdoch are unlikely tag team champs to say the least, but they had to work together in order to beat back the challenge of the former champions, Luke & Billy Graham. Despite not being a regular team, they were doing an exceptional job, showing great tag team continuity. The turning point would come late though while Murdoch was in the ring and had been for several minutes, taking a vicious beating from the Grahams. Murdoch got some separation with a double clothesline and was nearing making the hot tag when DUSTY RHODES pulled Morales off the apron and began yelling at him! Morales had no idea what it was about, but when Rhodes spit in his face, it didn't matter as the fight was on! Morales & Rhodes were fighting all over the ringside area, but this left Murdoch prone. He couldn't hold on any longer and when Billy Graham locked him in the Bearhug, that was the end. The Grahams are the World Tag Team champions once again.
Ivan Koloff and Harley Race battled to a double countout in 0:34:33. Rating: ** 3/4 (Harley Race retained the GCW World Title.)
Before our main event took place, Harley Race made it known that he has decided this will be Ivan Koloff's last shot at the World Title for awhile. The Russian Bear agreed, because he said he wouldn't need another shot to become the champion. Though Koloff wouldn't lose his last title shot, unfortunately for him, he wouldn't win it either. These two are so evenly matched that the match went for over 30 minutes, and if we were scoring on points, I would have put it at a dead tie. So it was appropriate that the match would end in a double countout. Ivan Koloff tried to petition for the match to be restarted, but Race knew how fortunate he was to walk out as champion and thus refused.
Interview: Harley Race issues an open challenge, but isn't happy with who answers.
After Koloff headed to the back, Race, with the World Title draped over his shoulder, grabbed the microphone and was clearly full of moxie. He decreed that he is the greatest World champion there has ever been and that no one in GCW, or the world for that matter, was going to get this strap off his shoulder. Race said that there was no man he couldn't beat and thus no man he feared, and encouraged anybody to step up to the plate to try to wrestle the gold from him. His challenge was answered by none other than JACK BRISCO! Brisco said the main reason he came back to GCW was to win what eluded him the first time, the World Heavyweight Title, and now was as good a time as any. Race backed down though, saying that Brisco wasn't worthy of a shot and left the ring to a chorus of boos. It looks like Brisco has set his sights on the World Title, and I wouldn't bet against him.
Card rating: ** 3/4
Match observations:
Boston, Massachusetts on August 26th is going to be rocking as GCW action comes to the Boston Garden!
WORLD TITLE - Harley Race (c) vs. Ernie Ladd WORLD TAG TEAM TITLES - Luke Graham/Billy Graham (c) vs. The Valiant Brothers Dusty Rhodes vs. Pedro Morales STRAP MATCH - Billy Robinson vs. Don Muraco Gorilla Monsoon/Mystery Partner vs. The Blackjacks Larry Zbyszko/Dino Bravo vs. Mr. Fuji/Toru Tanaka
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Post by vertigo on Oct 12, 2010 10:37:07 GMT -5
Catching up on the past 3 shows.
I like Muraco joining Funk as Funk is likely in for a lengthy reign with him in his corner. At least Ali and Monsoon didn't have a dud. I like where this finish takes Monsoon. Koloff pinning Race is huge, like landing on the covers of wrestling magazines worldwide huge!
Snuka & Garea are a good team, but I had it figured the Blackjacks were headed to the top. But if there was ever a great team to help turn Monsoon it's them. I can feel the enthusiasm being sucked from the audience every time Robinson comes up short against Funk. Funk's clearly got his number. Koloff comes up short unfortunately. Whoever comes along and takes the belt from Race will have to be a god among men.
Interested to see what comes of Rhodes involvement in the tag team match as Murdoch is likely going to have to choose sides. Brisco the next challenger - good choice. Do I think he'll take the belt off Race... nah.
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Post by snabbit888 on Oct 12, 2010 22:16:27 GMT -5
August 26, 1975 - Boston Garden - Boston, MA
Dory Funk Jr. defeated Mr. Wrestling I when Mr. Wrestling I passed out in the Texas Cloverleaf in 0:16:14. Rating: **** (Dory Funk Jr. retained the GCW Intercontinental Title.)
Dory Funk Jr. has not shown himself to be the most noble of champions thus far, but he is still one of the best in the world - he wouldn't be the Intercontinental champion otherwise. He had his hands full with Mr. Wrestling I though, who was granted a big opportunity to win his first singles title. Mr. Wrestling can go hold for hold with anyone, including Funk who has few peers in this business. However, Mr. Wrestling couldn't find the right move to put the match in his favor, getting caught in the Texas Cloverleaf and passing out, letting Funk retain the gold.
Mr. Fuji and Toru Tanaka defeated Larry Zbyszko and Dino Bravo when Tanaka made Zbyszko submit to the Japanese Sleeper in 0:08:42. Rating: **** 1/4
This match was originally set to take place last month, but Dino Bravo had some travel issues that prevented that from happening. He was here in Boston, but maybe he wishes he wasn't after this match with Mr. Fuji & Professor Toru Tanaka. Bravo & Zbyszko have shown they can compete with any team, and they're too young and naive to know when to back down, taking it right to the former tag team champs. But in the end, experience is often too much to overcome, and that was the case here as Zbyszko got caught in the Japanese Sleeper by Tanaka, putting this one in the record books.
Ivan Koloff pinned Johnny Rodz with the Russian Sickle in 0:02:45. Rating: * 1/2
Ivan Koloff blasting through the challenge of Johnny Rodz was not surprising. What was surprising was Koloff being met by NIKOLAI VOLKOFF & CAPTAIN LOU ALBANO after the match. We couldn't tell for sure due to the broken English, but it sounded like Volkoff was calling Koloff a disgrace to Mother Russia by catering to the American fans. What was clear after Volkoff shoved Koloff is that he was challenging the Russian Bear. This match will take place on September 17 in Landover, MD.
Jimmy Snuka and Tony Garea defeated Hiro Matsuda and Ox Baker when J. Snuka pinned Matsuda after a kneedrop in 0:05:49. Rating: *** 1/4
Bobby Heenan threw two of his charges together in a tag team, and the duo didn't seem to click tonight. Hiro Matsuda & Ox Baker have been causing havoc as singles competitors, but as a unit, they lacked the chemistry needed to be successful. Jimmy Snuka & Tony Garea, however, eat, breathe, and sleep tag team wrestling, and it has shown with what a formidable team they've become. Snuka & Garea eke out a win as they look to get another tag title shot in the near future.
Pedro Morales and Dusty Rhodes battled to a double disqualification in 0:02:41. Rating: * 3/4
Dusty Rhodes came back after being mysteriously attacked weeks ago in a big way, assaulting Pedro Morales and ultimately leading to Morales & Rhodes' normal partner Dick Murdoch losing the World Tag Team Titles. Though we haven't gotten any certain answer over who attacked Rhodes, Rhodes has it set in his mind that it was Morales, having stating in the press that Morales had the most to gain by taking him out, seeing how he got a tag title reign out of the deal. Morales has pleaded his innocence, but Rhodes isn't buying it, leading to this match. Well I say "match" loosely as it became a fight in a big hurry. In less than 3 minutes, Willie Webber threw this match out as a double disqualification when Rhodes & Morales kept brawling. We don't have any real answers yet, but we do know this feud is just getting started.
Strap Match: Billy Robinson defeated Don Muraco in 0:12:27. Rating: *** 3/4
Billy Robinson has been waiting for this chance for a long time - the opportunity to get his hands on Don Muraco. His former protege has repeatedly been the cause of Robinson being unable to capture the Intercontinental Title from Dory Funk Jr., and Robinson was looking to get some revenge in a strap match! Robinson is known for his technical savvy, but he savored the chance to take Muraco out behind the tool shed. Though Muraco did get in his fair share of offense, he never seemed to be in real control, getting covered in welts by the leather strap shots from Robinson. After Robinson felt he had extracted enough revenge, he dragged Muraco to all four corners and got the decisive win.
The Graham Brothers (Billy Graham and Luke Graham) defeated The Valiant Brothers (Jimmy Valiant and Johnny Valiant) when L. Graham pinned Johnny Valiant after hitting him with a foreign object in 0:25:49. Rating: ** (The Graham Brothers retained the GCW World Tag Team Titles.) [The Grand Wizard interfered against Jimmy Valiant.]
Very rarely do we get to see what we saw here, and that's two teams of brothers go at it, but that's what happened as the champion Grahams defended against the Valiants. Not only that, but both of these teams are pretty well hated by the fans of GCW, so the crowd was rooting for these two teams to tear each other apart. It was interesting because both teams are known for cheating that they were unsure on how to defend it, being accustomed to doing the cheating rather than having the cheating done to them. In the end, some brass knuckles used by Luke Graham helped The Grand Wizard's team retain the titles.
The Blackjacks (Blackjack Lanza and Blackjack Mulligan) defeated Gorilla Monsoon and Killer Kowalski when Lanza pinned Monsoon after a short lariat in 0:06:26. Rating: ** 1/2 [Bobby Heenan interfered against Gorilla Monsoon.]
Gorilla Monsoon recruited some backup in his battles against the Blackjacks, and we were all surprised to see he had brought out KILLER KOWALSKI! Monsoon and Kowalski go way back, having been a team when GCW first opened its doors and holding the tag titles together back in 1964. It was just like old times as Monsoon and Kowalski were again a team, but it was also like old times in that the team was destined to break up. We found out that Kowalski was in the pocket of Bobby Heenan all along, turning on Monsoon by smashing him in the back with a kick, causing Monsoon to stumble into a short lariat from Blackjack Lanza that ended the match. After the contest, Kowalski locked Monsoon in the dreaded Claw before leaving with the Heenan Family. Absolutely disgusting.
Jack Brisco made Bobby Duncum submit to the Figure-Four Leglock in 0:33:39. Rating: **** 1/4
Before our main event, the fans in Boston were treated to a wrestling classic between two wrestlers with tons of momentum these days, Jack Brisco & Bobby Duncum. This is one of those matches where there's no real personal issue behind it, but rather it's two of the world's best trying to prove who the better man is. Brisco has already thrown his name into the mix for getting a World Title shot, and you know a win by Duncum puts him right in that discussion as well. For over 30 minutes, these two warriors went tooth and nail, trading the advantage back and forth, hitting about every move they had in their arsenal. Duncum was going for the Full Nelson Slam, but was frustrated in his inability to do so. Duncum seemed to make it his lone mission to hit that move, and it may have ultimately cost him the match. Brisco reversed a late attempt at the Full Nelson Slam and took Duncum to the mat with a single leg takedown, putting him in position to put on the deadly Figure-Four Leglock. Duncum tried with all his might to break or reverse the hold but could not, having to tap out instead. The two men received a well deserved standing ovation for their efforts here in Boston.
Harley Race pinned Ernie Ladd with the Piledriver in 0:16:02. Rating: ** 3/4 (Harley Race retained the GCW World Title.)
Harley Race had to have watched the performance by Jack Brisco in the previous match, but if it affected him, he didn't let it show. Race had a tough challenge in GCW veteran Ernie Ladd, who has many times challenged for it but has never been able to capture the World Title. Early on, it looked like this could be his night, but Race may very well be unbeatable right now. Race used all of his cunning to retain the title and keep his title reign going strong. The question still remains though, with as clearly talented as Harley Race is, why is he seemingly ducking Jack Brisco?
Card rating: ***
Match observations:
We return to the Capital Centre in Landover, MD for the second time this year on September 17!
WORLD TITLE - Harley Race (c) vs. Kintaro Ohki TEXAS DEATH MATCH - Pedro Morales vs. Dusty Rhodes Ivan Koloff vs. Nikolai Volkoff Gorilla Monsoon vs. Killer Kowalski Battle Royal for a World Title shot on 10/13/75
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