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Post by loadedglove on Jun 3, 2012 20:48:09 GMT -5
Hello! This circuit beings in 1987, around the time of Jim Crockett Promotions' purchase of Bill Watts' UWF, formerly known as Mid-South Wrestling. If you, like me, suffered through the real thing, you know Crockett treated the UWF like a stepchild, a lesser promotion. He thus ran off much of the talent and most of the fans, and by the end of 1987, the only UWF wrestlers left with the NWA were Sting, Rick Steiner and maybe Michael Hayes (who would be gone shortly after 1988 began).
Premise: NWA’s purchase of UWF leads to inter-promotional Starrcade, instead of the UWF burial that actually occurred.
A few simple rules 1. TV titles are to be defended on TV. That’s why they’re called that. NO non-televised TV title defenses. 2. Back-up refs. Ref goes down? Another runs out to continue the match. NO Dusty finishes 3. Even if I don’t mention them here as getting their own segments, EVERY SINGLE title change gets mentioned on TV, ASAP. 4. Also, assume brief promos with guys I don’t name. We’re not going to go weeks without hearing from Doc, DiBiase, Freebirds, Flair, Warriors, Cornette, etc. The promos with storyline significance will be shown. 5. House shows – some house show matches end up on TV, and where that happens, I’ll cover the match as part of the TV recap. Otherwise, most house shows will be a week’s worth of similar results, so each week only has one house show recap (with rare exception), idea being that show represents the results of all house shows that week. 6. Of course, all match star-ratings are via TNM itself.
TV programs 1. WCW (TBS Sat Night) – 2 hr 2. NWA Main Event (TBS Sunday, until we move it to syndication) – 1 hr 3. UWF (syndication, until we swap it w/ Main event and move it to TBS Sunday) – 1 hr 4. Power Pro (UWF) (syndication) – 1 hr
Heading into APRIL 1987, we have ... Champs NWA: Ric Flair NWA Tag: Rock & Roll Express US: Nikita Koloff NWA TV: Tully Blanchard US Tag: VACANT (caused by Ronnie Garvin & Barry Windham’s forfeit of the belts, following Cornette fireballing Garvin)
UWF: One Man Gang UWF TV: Eddie Gilbert UWF Tag: Sting & Rick Steiner
Prologue: Earlier in 1987, while (behind the scenes) knowing the sale of Bill Watts’ UWF to JCP is imminent, neither promotion announces it, as such. The two promotions will, at least initially, proceed as if they are two distinct associations. The only major announcement comes in late February, when Jim Crockett and Bill Watts appear together in a segment taped for both NWA and UWF TV shows, to announce that, after their successful co-promotion of the inaugural Crockett Cup a year earlier, the UWF has accepted Crockett’s invitation for UWF teams to participate in this year’s Crockett Cup, where again, a $1 million goes to the winning team. We also learn that each world champion will defend his title at the Cup shows, with more information on that in the weeks to come.
April 1987 Week 1 WCW (TBS Sat Night) – 2 hr – Tony Schiavone and David Crockett welcome fans to the show, with a special welcome from new NWA TV champ Dusty Rhodes! Dusty cuts a quick promo about being honored to be TV champ for the people, and he has worked with the NWA board on some steps he feels will make the TV title the people’s title, which (of course) makes Dusty Rhodes, the American Dream, the champion of the people.
Squashes/interviews with Midnight Express, Paul Jones (Powers of Pain), Tully Blanchard, Nikita Koloff, Ron Garvin, Brad Armstrong, Kevin Sullivan, Wahoo McDaniel. Sullivan’s squash is especially brutal, and announcers briefly discuss his years of horrible antics in Florida.
*ALSO*
1. Video promo on 1987’s Crockett Cup, with replay of announcement of UWF teams’ participation. Brief video package-clips of UWF teams air, for the benefit of fans not familiar with them.
2. On a completely different tag tourney note, the 8-team US tag title tourney takes a turn, as an “injury” to Ivan Koloff’s puts him and Vlad Petrov (who won’t be seen again) out of the tournament. The masked Gladiators team, who had defeated Manny Fernandez & Shaska Whatley in Round 1, unmasks as Marty Jannetty & Shawn Michaels, The Rockers! They will compete against Jim Cornette’s Midnight Express (who beat Jimmy Garvin & Barry Windham in Round 1), the Powers of Pain (who beat the Mulkeys) and, until now, the Russians. Tony Schiavone announces that the NWA has devised a unique method for picking a replacement team for the tournament: a 20-man “Wild Card” battle royal, where the last two entrants will become partners in the semifinals. In the interviews that follow, Paul Jones (managing Powers) is outraged that two wrestlers will be allowed to “slide” in, instead of his team receiving the bye it otherwise would have. The Rockers say they are thrilled to be in the NWA and welcome the challenge, vowing to give a fair match to whoever they face in the finals, after disposing of the Midnight Express. Jim Cornette vows to crush whoever wins the battle royal, saying that “Whoever ends up in the ring last is, in fact, a loser, although they may not realize it until the Midnight Express is through with them!” Cornette also says he has a little surprise of his own for the Rockers, in next week’s semi-final match.
3. Clip of Dusty Rhodes’ 1:30 TV title win over Tully Blanchard, in-ring celebration shown as credits roll.
NWA Main Event (syndicated) – 1 hr Opening segment: Tony Schiavone and Bob Caudle announce UWF teams in Crockett Cup (Show brackets). Segue over to … US tag title situation recap. The battle royal is next!
*BREAK*
Battle royal (12 minutes, joined in progress, graphic to show who’s been eliminated): Comes down to Kevin Sullivan, Dick Slater and Brad Armstrong. Sullivan and Murdoch are massacring Brad (including bloodying him up), when Sullivan charges Brad with Slater holding him. Brad ducks, Slater goes over, and Sullivan is stuck with the guy he was just trying to kill, as his new partner. Armstrong is ready to fight, but Sullivan offers a hand, saying, “No hard feelings. Business is business.” No handshake, as Brad storms off.
*BREAK*
TV title match: Dusty Rhodes vs. Tully Blanchard. Match goes a mere 90 seconds, with a bionic elbow getting a quick pin for the Dream. Dusty interview follows.
*BREAK*
MAIN EVENT: Ric Flair defends world title against US champ Nikita Koloff. Back-and-forth match, with Flair winning via a cradle that starts from an abdominal stretch, in a little more than 9 minutes. Ole/Arn Anderson promo, building match against R&R for world tag belts on TBS next week. And we’re OUT!
UWF (TBS Sunday) – 1 hr Opening segment: Jim Ross and Magnum TA welcome viewers to the return of the UWF on TBS. Video package on recent UWF happenings. *BREAK* TV title: Eddie Gilbert defends against Chris Adams. As soon as the bell rings, Adams’ partner and second, Terry Taylor, ostensibly there to counter interference from Sting and Rick Steiner, turns on Adams, piledriving him on concrete. Winner, in 13 seconds by DQ, is Chris Adams (but Gilbert retains title). Jim Ross notes the recent tensions between Adams and Taylor, and that Terry knows exactly how vicious this sort of attack is, as Butch Reed did it to him on Mid-South TV, three years ago. Taylor and Gilbert’s crew leave together.
*BREAK*
Taylor/Gilbert interview in locker room, with Taylor formally joining Hot Stuff Intl.. Gilbert talks about finally having someone with some seasoning, to help him pull off his plans. This does not seem to sit well with Sting and Steiner. Back to the ring … Brief replay of Sheepherders annihilating Chavo Guerrero last week on TV, followed by Sheepherders in ring against Lazer Tron and a jobber (doesn’t matter who, as we’ll see shortly). UWF hosts hype up former NWA junior heavy champ being new signee, when Chavo comes out, ANNOUNCES he’s bought jobber’s match contract, and replaces him against Sheeps. Match goes 15 minutes, ending when Johnny Ace swings flagpole at Lazer Tron, plowing him, and Butch Miller gets pin. HOWEVER, ref sees bloody mask, bloody flagpole in ring and reverses for DQ. Lazer and Chavo clean house, but at one point during short brawl, Lazer pulls off mask (Ross explains blood must be making it hard to see), revealing HECTOR GUERRERO! The brothers clean house on both Sheepherders AND Ace! Short promo, with the 2 of them swearing nothing will stop them now.
*BREAK*
Interview package of UWF guys talking about their inclusion in Crockett Cup. Remember – this is going to be many TBS fans’ introduction to UWF guys, so get across who they are, babyface/heel, and what they’re about.
*BREAK*
Our main event, One Man Gang defending belt vs. former champ Terry Gordy. We play video package of their feud, including Gang winning belt from Gordy via forfeit months earlier. We go to the ring, with Ross apologizing if we run out of time, but Gordy is EXPLOSIVE, catching his foe by surprise and blasting Gang with furious brawling, and DDTing him for the win, in 54 seconds! Other babyfaces, including longtime Gordy foes DiBiase and Dr Death, come in to congratulate him, as we go off the air.
Power Pro (UWF) (syndication) – 1 hr Opening segment: Jim Ross and Michael Hayes announce UWF teams in Crockett Cup. Hayes talks up Freebirds as tag specialists and innovators, noting upcoming UWF title match. Hayes says a million-dollar prize will buy one HELL of a party. Ross apologizes for Hayes’ “harsh” language, and we go to the ring.
*BREAK*
Replay of Murdoch attacking Doc, leading to … STEVE WILLIAMS vs DICK MURDOCH: Doc overpowers Murdoch for much of the match, but misses a charge into corner, taking out ref, and Murdoch brainbusters him onto a chair! Ref comes to seconds after Murdoch kicks the chair out of the ring and counts 3, as Ross and Hayes talk up what an incredible upset this is. WINNER, in 14:31, DICK MURDOCH. Ted DiBiase, himself a victim in late 1985 of Murdoch’s wrath, comes out to aid Doc, his longtime partner. An EMT crew loads Doc onto a stretcher, but before they get far, Doc rolls off, swinging wildly and staggering, screaming, “MURDOCH!” Ross and Hayes sell the idea that Doc must be superhuman, as Murdoch has hospitalized many with the brainbuster, including DiBiase!
*BREAK*
UWF guys’ Crockett Cup promos, with some the same, but an emphasis on guys not yet featured on TV this week. Following is a video on the NWA teams in the tournament, for the benefit of those fans who might not follow JCP.
*BREAK*
Ross is calling alone now, as Hayes is in the ring with Buddy Roberts, for the Freebirds’ challenge of Rick Steiner and Sting (Gilbert and Taylor at ringside) for the tag titles. Match goes 21 minutes (*BREAK* in middle), with Taylor’s interference backfiring, causing Roberts to pin Steiner. After the Freebirds celebrate, Sting in the ring seems even madder than Steiner, and he and Taylor almost come to blows. Steiner is reluctant to join in, ultimately helping Gilbert break up the skirmish, and the four leave together. We end the show with ALL 3 Freebirds celebrating in locker room, as Gordy is new UWF champ! (NOTE: Important to have something major, like a title change, happen here, to fight the perception Power Pro is a “B” show of lesser consequence.)
This week, I'll have basic (non-televised) house show results up, as well as Croickett Cup 1st round brackets and title match info. Beyond that, hopefully another week's worth of stuff shortly thereafter.
Please feel free to share feedback!
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fwaroc
Enhancement Talent
Posts: 31
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Post by fwaroc on Jun 3, 2012 21:44:58 GMT -5
Nice! I like the format. Keeps it clean and you get several shows in at once. Great job!
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Post by LillaThrilla on Jun 5, 2012 16:37:27 GMT -5
Really good starting point for a circuit, but one I don't think I've seen done before.
Booked or unbooked?
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Post by loadedglove on Jun 6, 2012 15:29:28 GMT -5
I am not booking finishes (sole exception: when someone is leaving, he's doing at least one job on the way out; otherwise, with my luck I would be averaging a title tourney a month).
I wish I could take credit for the armstrong/sullivan union, because it is such a perfect odd couple, but TNM did it by making them the last two in the battle royal.
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Post by loadedglove on Jun 9, 2012 16:23:21 GMT -5
Hello!
These are my basic House Show results for the week of the TV recaps above, the first week in April 1987 of the NWA and UWF's new era. Assume the same basic finishes each night, all week, except where noted.
NWA House shows:
Squash: Jimmy Garvin over a job guy in 9 minutes.
NWA house shows for the week feature (mostly; some prelim results may vary):
Wahoo McDaniel over Dick Slater via submission, with the Indian deathlock, in 18 minutes (*1/2)
Brad Armstrong & Kevin Sullivan beat Powers of Pain in 2:45, when Armstrong legsweeps Warlord after Sullivan pops him with a chain-wrapped fist, which Armstrong doesn’t see (*)
Midnight Express over the Rockers, when Eaton pins Michaels after a top-rope kneedrop, in 36 minutes (****) (NOTE: One of these matches is for the semifinals of the US tag tourney, while the others are house show tag matches).
Dusty Rhodes over Tully Blanchard in 8:00, with the bionic elbowdrop.
Crockett Cup top seed match: Road Warriors beat Barry Windham & Ron Garvin in 17:00, when Hawk pins Garvin after a Doomsday Device. Windham & Garvin blame each other and have a brief shoving match after.
Ole & Arn Anderson over Rock & Roll Express in 14:12, after Ole hits Gibson with brass knux and then Gibson is ruled unconscious while in a sleeperhold by Arn. (**1/2 – one match is title change, others are rematches with same finish, but after title win, Andersons come out w/ belts; none of that “it doesn’t count until title change airs” business)
NWA title: Ric Flair over Nikita Koloff in 8:05, when Nikita submits to the figure-four leglock.
UWF house shows:
Squash: Angel of Death & Black Bart over two job guys in 7:00.
Iceman Parsons and Shane Douglas wrestle to a 20-minute time-limit draw.
Chavo & Hector Guerrero over Sheepherders in 15:25, when Chavo pins Butch with a cradle. (*)
Non-title: Chris Adams & Eddie Gilbert battle to double DQ in about 18:00
Steve Williams over One Man Gang with Oklahoma Stampede, in 11:00.
Dick Murdoch and Ted DiBiase battle to a double DQ in 26:00, after both toss aside the ref, to keep slugging each other.
Badstreet Rules: The Freebirds beat Terry Taylor, Sting & Rick Steiner in 28:00, after brawling all over the building, when Gordy debuts the power bomb to pin Steiner; DiBiase & Dr Death come to ringside to counteract the interference of Eddie Gilbert & Dick Murdoch, and all 10 men brawl post-match, with the babyfaces standing tall.
Thanks again for reading, and I should have Week 2 TVs with the next day or 2. a Couple of days beyond THAT, we'll have week 2 house show results, followed by full Crockett Cup results (both nights) and Week 3 TVs.
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Post by loadedglove on Jun 10, 2012 14:49:09 GMT -5
*Special announcement*
Crockett Cup 1987 brackets, breakdown of two-night event
This year, it’s a 16-team extravaganza – not a 24-team affair, like the 1986 Cup. As in 1986, the winning team splits $1 million!
First Round Matchups (Seed #s in parentheses, after team names):
Road Warriors (#1) vs. Sheepherders (#16)
Powers of Pain (#8) vs. Kevin Sullivan & Brad Armstrong (#9)
Midnight Express (#5) vs. Hector & Chavo Guerrero (#12)
Ole & Arn Anderson (#4) vs The Rockers (#13)
Dusty Rhodes & Nikita Koloff (#3) vs Eddie Gilbert & Terry Taylor (#14)
Rock & Roll Express (#6) vs Rick Steiner & Sting (#11)
Steve “Dr. Death” Williams & Ted DiBiase (#2) vs Black Bart & Angel of Death (#15)
The Freebirds (Hayes & Roberts) (#7) vs Ron Garvin & Barry Windham
The Cup is a two-night event. The first night will feature the first round, plus a Texas Death Match for the UWF heavyweight championship – Champ Terry Gordy battles former champ, The One Man Gang!
The second night features the quarters, semis and finals of the tournament, plus a unique NWA world title match, as champion “Nature Boy” Ric Flair accepts the cross-promotion challenge of top UWF contender “Gentleman” Chris Adams!
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Post by loadedglove on Jun 10, 2012 16:44:08 GMT -5
And hey -- I know the brackets offer some exciting matchups, but the event is being held in Baltimore, and gambling is illegal in Maryland, so no betting, please.
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Post by loadedglove on Jun 11, 2012 20:50:25 GMT -5
April 1987 Week 2 TV
Champs NWA: Ric Flair NWA Tag: Ole & Arn Anderon US: Nikita Koloff NWA TV: Dusty Rhodes US Tag: VACANT (but not for long …)
WCW (TBS Sat Night) – 2 hr Squashes/promos include: Road Warriors, Midnight Express, Ric Flair & Horsemen (promo only), Sullivan/Amstrong, Dusty Rhodes (promo only), and as a special in-studio treat, all 3 Fabulous Freebirds! The Birds are back on TBS for the first time in years, and Hayes cryptically promises that there’s more surprises to come. Final promo is Garvin/Windham, where Windham calls Ronnie “over the hill” in blaming him for recent losses, leading to a studio-trashing brawl! *Video package on Crockett Cup teams, showing seedings and first-round matchups. Also short video packages on UWF teams, including (but not limited to) DiBiase/Dr. Death, Guerreros, Sheepherders and Sting and Steiner. *TV main event: Andersons beat R&R for tag titles (filmed at house show), in 12 minutes, after Ricky misses a flying tackle, sails over ropes, injuring shoulder. Ole rams shoulder into post repeatedly, then clamps on Anderson armlock; Gibson is about to throw in towel, when Ricky rolls through and sends Ole into corner, leading to brass knux spot detailed in house show report above.
2. NWA Main Event (Syndic) – 1 hr ENTIRE show is semis and finals of US tag tourney, as we show all 36 minutes of the Midnights-Rockers classic, and much of the shorter Powers-Sullivan/Armstrong match. Jim Cornette Promo, as he not only anticipates bringing home US gold, but also talks extensively about not wanting to go into a cage match with Ronnie Garvin (NWA-sanctioned alternative to suspending Cornette over his fireballing of Garvin’s face in February); Cornette swears his lawyers will get him out of that cage. But the BIG announcement is that he has replaced “the weak link” in the team with “Sweet” Stan Lane! We then go to an interview with Armstrong and Sullivan. Bob Caudle asks how the two have trained, since they are so different and not used to teaming together. Brad talks about how they went to the gym, worked out some basic team maneuvers, and -- "Bob Caudle!" interrupts Sullivan. "We trekked to the Himalayas, we ate the fruit of the tree of woe, atop the tallest peak, and the serpents that guide the cosmos promised us victory! We drank the blood of our fallen foes in the chalice of doom, as we --" Brad cuts him off. "KEVIN! Quit doin' that! I don't wanna ask you again!" Then, to Caudle, "and a lot of conditioning work, Bob. We did a lot of conditioning, because we know these are tough teams, and we have to be ready to go the distance and give 110 percent!" "AND WE SHALL CONQUER!" screams Sullivan, "SO PROMISED ABBHUDA DEAN!" Armstrong rolls his eyes and says, "Come on, Kevin -- we need to warm up." Caudle wishes them luck, and then notes that they never really answered his question about how they can work together ... *BREAK* Midnights – Brad/Sullivan continues, and David Crockett starts his “Oh no, we gotta go! routine, when Cornette tosses Lane the racquet, but Sullivan intercepts (Brad’s brawling with Eaton, outside) and NAILS Lane. Sullivan pins Lane, and BRAD ARMSTRONG & KEVIN SULLIVAN are the new US tag champs! Sullivan celebrates as if Brad is his new best pal, and Brad looks dumbfounded, as they hold the belts while credits roll. NOTE: During “rest hold” spots in tag matches, we insert (lower-right ¼ of screen) video promos from Crockett Cup teams, as well as world champ(s) Ric Flair and Terry Gordy, brief soundbytes about their title defenses.
3. UWF (TBS Sun.) – 1 hr Jim Ross and Magnum TA open, with Ross imploring people NOT to miss Power Pro this week, as “The UWF and the NWA will make TV history, but more on that in a moment.” Ross talks up the Crockett Cup, with its extensive UWF vs NWA matchups, and promises to let fans know about the upcoming release of the event’s videotape, so fans can see this never-to-be-televised, history-making extravaganza! Ross shows a video of a team who will be making some very limited, exclusive appearances in the UWF, and implores fans to check their local arenas, to find out if they will have the chance to see two legends in action! These two legends appear on UWF TV for the first time in four years (I know it was Mid-South at the time, but we’ll keep it simple), this week on Power Pro (check your local listings). With that … ROAD WARRIORS video plays Magnum TA talks about his own experience with the Warriors, both teaming w/ them in 6-mans, and in battles against them, both in Last year’s Crockett Cup finals and with partner Jim Duggan, in 1983. He calls Hawk and Animals two of the most awesome individuals he has ever squared off against, and says he does not envy Black Bart and the Angel of Death. Speaking of which, we’ll see Skandor Akbar’s devastating team in action, right after … *BREAK* Black Bart/Angel of Death squash. Their manager, Skandor Akbar talks smack about LOD and NWA, in general. It is Akbar’s team who will be facing the Warriors this week on Power Pro. *BREAK* Dr. Death squash, Freebirds interview (with the heavyweight and tag belts) *BREAK TV Main: Terry Taylor vs Ted DiBiase – Back and forth, while Ross talks about their 2-year history of feuding, then teaming, now feuding again. DiBiase loads the glove, but Gilbert trips Ted; an enraged DiBiase turns and swipes at Gilbert, but the distraction leaves him open to a FIVEARM that gets Taylor the pin, in 12:41. DiBiase goes after Gilbert, leading to a 4-on-1 on him (5 when Murdoch joins in), until Doc and Freebirds come out. LENGTHY brawl, until heels run off. *BREAK* Closing moments, with Ross interviewing Ted/Doc, Freebirds, together. They note their history, but swear no one’s going to put them out, and thus they will band together, as needed. Jim asks about the upcoming #1 title contender announcements, and Doc and Gordy say they’ll fight it out as needed, but nothing changes their mutual hate for Hot Stuff. DiBiase, however, says that he has two simple messages: (1) Friends or not, Doc and Gordy should not disregard Ted DiBiase when it comes time for championship matches, and (2) Eddie Gilbert might think he’s a clever ringleader, but DiBiase reminds us all that he and Hayes are two of the most dangerous, devious individuals in wrestling, and SOMEONE might just get hurt.
4. Power Pro (UWF) (syndication) – 1 hr Jim Ross and Michael Hayes welcome viewer to special show, in that for first time, a UWF team will battle an NWA team. In our TV main event, Akbar’s team of Angel of Death & Black Bart will face the Road Warriors! Short promos from Warriors and Akbar take us into the … *BREAK* Back in locker room, we replay last week’s Freebird locker room celebration, but show that the cameras kept rolling, as we go across the hall and find Gilbert, Taylor, Sting and Steiner in a shouting match. Basically, Sting blames Taylor for the loss, Gilbert & Taylor blame Sting, and Steiner just wants everyone to quit fighting. Taylor spots the camera, yells, “GO AWAY” and slams their locker room door, leaving us to look at the “Hot Stuff, Intl.” sign on the door. Half of the sign’s support should give out, causing it to half-fall, leaving it crooked on the door. Back to the present, we go to a Sting/Steiner squash, where everyone seems to be getting along. Maybe TOO well … *BREAK* DiBiase & Dr Death squash. Murdoch, Gilbert & Taylor come out, but get run off by our heroes, as Ross talks about DiBiase & Dr Death being the top two contenders for the UWF belt, after Gang’s pending rematch. *BREAK* Road Warriors vs Angel & Bart – Total showcase for the Warriors, as they power Akbar’s guys into the ground, pinning Bart after a Doomsday device. When Akbar tries to interfere, Ellering clocks him, and Warriors then give HIM the device.
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Post by loadedglove on Jun 20, 2012 22:24:47 GMT -5
Crockett Cup results, Night 1 (of 2)
For the eventual video release, Jim Ross and Tony Schiavone welcome fans to the ultimate collision of the world’s greatest pro wrestling talent. They discuss some of the first night matchups, and agree that even traditional rivals (like, say, Eddie Gilbert’s crew and the Freebirds) might be rooting for each other, as there will be some bragging rights going on, with the many NWA vs UWF bouts set for the tournament’s first round. This leads us to the announcers introducing … newly appointed UWF Commissioner Dory Funk Jr. and NWA President Jim Crockett. The two men talk about the Cup ushering in a new era of the top stars in wrestling going head to head in what had previously been dream matches. Funk predicts a big win for the UWF, while Crockett unsurprisingly predicts an NWA team will wind up winning the tournament and the $1 million prize that goes along with it. The two officials sit at ringside. The announcers then talk about another unique NWA-UWF matchup, the Night-Two NWA world title match with champ Ric Flair defending against a top UWF star, Chris Adams. Schiavone says this marks the first time in years that the NWA world champion has accepted a challenge from a non-NWA wrestler, while Ross talks about the series of Adams-Flair matches that lit up Texas in late 1984 and early 1985, with Adams repeatedly coming incredibly close to dethroning Flair. Schiavone says that now, two years after that series, both men are even more seasoned and experienced, and we should be in for a real treat, as they pull out every trick they’ve got. For Night One, however, we have a feud-settler planned, as the only two UWF champions in history, Terry Gordy and ex-champ One Man Gang meet in a Texas Death match for the title. Ross says that for NWA fans, like those in the Baltimore crowd, this should be an exciting and likely bloody and brutal introduction to the incredibly physical world of the UWF. Schiavone, in the ring, says before the show starts, he must make a special announcement. Barry Windham comes to the ring and says that he had been looking forward to teaming with longtime partner Ronnie Garvin, after they had patched things up following their TBS studio brawl last week (play clip). Even though Barry thinks Ronnie has been wasting his time on diversions like getting physical revenge on Jim Cornette instead of focusing on winning matches, the two ironed out the differences and were ready to go for the gold. However, Ronnie had a family emergency and could not be here tonight. Barry says Jim Crockett has graciously allowed Barry to compete still, with a new partner, and Barry had made some phone calls and was hopeful that one of the friends he’d called would be here in time for his scheduled match against the Freebirds of the UWF; otherwise, Windham acknowledges he’ll have to forfeit. With that, we get a display of the tournament brackets, and we’re off with Round One of the tournament.
The Road Warriors (w/ Paul Ellering) beat The Sheepherders in 11:29, in our first inter-promotional match, when Hawk pins Butch Miller after a Doomsday Device (* ½). The bout is a vicious, bloody affair, with all four men covered in crimson, both Sheepherders helped to the back, and even the usually-invulnerable Warriors appearing groggy and tired.
The Powers of Pain (Warlord and Barbarian, w/ Paul Jones) beat US tag champs Brad Armstrong and Kevin Sullivan in a mere 2:43, when Barbarian pins Kevin Sullivan after a gutwrench suplex (* ½). Sullivan was stunned after Warlord swiped from Sullivan the brass knux Sullivan had pulled out of his trunks. After the match, Armstrong grabs the house mic and shouts that he wants everyone to know he’s putting Sullivan on notice – No more dirty tactics, or Armstrong will ditch Sullivan AND the US belts. Sullivan glares, but eventually nods his head and shakes Armstrong’s hand.
The Rockers (Jannetty & Michaels) beat NWA world tag champs Ole & Arn Anderson in 12:48, when Arn Anderson is counted out of the ring (** ½), as he was brawling with Shawn Michaels, as Ole and Jannetty fought on the opposite side of the ringside area.
Chavo & Hector Guerrero beat The Midnight Express (with Jim Cornette) in 21:22, when Chavo pins Stan Lane with a small package (*** ¾). The end comes when Stan and Chavo are in a rollup situation near the ropes, and Cornette reaches into his pocket before approaching them, as the referee is tending to Bobby Eaton and Hector going at it in the opposite corner. Jim Crockett (!) gets up and grabs Cornette’s arm. The two of them struggle, until Crockett lets go, Cornette’s arm flies up, releasing powder, which goes into Lane’s eyes, instead of intended target Chavo. After the match, Cornette is irate, throwing a crying, stomping tantrum in the middle of the ring and screaming about the NWA conspiracy against him.
Terry Taylor and “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert beat The Super Powers, Dusty Rhodes & Nikita Koloff, in 22:42, when Gilbert pins Dusty after a waistlock suplex (** ¾). The Super Powers are shocked at the loss, with Dusty in particular looking enraged, even snapping briefly at special ringside guest Magnum TA (making his first live appearance since his career-ending car crash, months ago) before catching himself and embracing his longtime friend.
The Rock & Roll Express beat Sting & Rick Steiner in 16:02 when Morton pins Steiner after a crucifix (** ½).
Ted DiBiase & Steve “Dr. Death” Williams beat Angel of Death & Black Bart in the shortest match of the night so far, 2:37, when Doc pins Angel after delivering the Oklahoma Stampede. (** ½ -- brief, but action-packed; lots of brawling)
The Freebirds, Buddy Roberts & Michael “P.S.” Hayes, beat Barry Windham and his surprise partner, Four Horsemen member Tully Blanchard when Windham passes out in Hayes’ sleeperhold in 6:52 (** ½). Right before the finish, Ronnie Garvin comes to ringside and, when the ref’s back is turned, knocks out BW with the Hands of Stone, making Barry easy prey for Hayes! Garvin then pounds on Windham, Blanchard and manager JJ Dillon, and after he shouts to Hayes that “These guys took out JIMMY,” the ‘Birds join in! It takes a village (of referees and undercard guys) to break up the mayhem.
Terry Gordy retained the UWF title, winning a Texas Death match, 3 falls to 2, over One Man Gang, in 31:56 (***3/4). The two battle all over the building and each man ends up a bloody mess before Gordy breaks out the Oriental Spike to put down the Gang, once and for all!
This leaves, for Night 2 in Baltimore, the following quarterfinals:
Road Warriors vs. Powers of Pain
The Rockers vs. The Guerreros
Terry Taylor & Eddie Gilbert vs Rock & Roll Express
Ted DiBiase & Steve “Dr. Death” Williams vs their new allies, Freebirds Hayes & Roberts!
Night 2 also features the semifinals, the $1 million finals match, and the NWA world title bout, Ric Flair vs Chris Adams!
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Post by loadedglove on Jun 29, 2012 22:31:17 GMT -5
Sorry for the delay -- things have been hectic.
Anyway, here is ...Crockett Cup '87, Night 2!
Quarter final match: Road Warriors beat Powers of Pain in 9:04, when Hawk pinned Warlord after a flying shoulderblock. (* ½). Warriors occasionally sell shots to the head more than normal, as a result of last night’s Sheepherders war, but the LOD wins here in pretty clear, convincing fashion.
Quarter final match: Chavo & Hector Guerrero beat the Rockers, when Chavo pinned Michaels with a rolling reverse cradle (** ½), a reversal of a Michaels cradle on Chavo in which the referee missed a couple of seconds, which could have gotten Michaels and Janetty the win. Rockers, particularly Michaels, are angry at loss, kicking the ropes.
Quarter final match: Eddie Gilbert & Terry Taylor beat the Rock & Roll Express in 17:23 (*** ½), when Gilbert pinned Gibson after a piledriver, with Taylor assisting with a spike off the 2nd turnbuckle.
Quarter final match: Ted DiBiase & Steve “Dr. Death” Williams beat Freebirds Michael Hayes & Buddy Roberts in 7:34, when Williams pinned Hayes with the Oklahoma Stampede (*** ¼). Back and forth match, and the teams embrace afterward, with the Birds holding up DiBiase & Doc’s arms as victors.
Semifinal match: Road Warriors beat Guerreros, when Hawk pinned Hector after a Doomsday Device double-team maneuver, in 4:48 (**).
Semifinal match: DiBiase & Williams beat Gilbert & Taylor in 2:40, when Williams pinned Gilbert with the Oklahoma Stampede (***).
NWA world title match: Ric Flair defeated Chris Adams when Adams submitted to the figure-four leglock, in 24:20 (**** ¼). During the match, as Adams and Flair brawl at ringside, JJ Dillon looms, only to be run off by the Freebirds, who stay at ringside for the rest of the match.
Crockett Cup finals, winner gets the Cup and a $1 million prize: The Road Warriors vs. Steve “Dr. Death” Williams: Animal and Williams start out, with tests of strength and power displays; the two, perhaps the two strongest men in wrestling, appear evenly matched. As the back-and-forth battle rages, tempers flare, but it does not break down into all out chaos until about the 18 minute mark, with all four men in the ring. As Doc and Animal continue to battle, Hawk powerslams DiBiase for a one … two … DiBiase gets a foot over the bottom rope! Hawk picks up DiBiase and whips him into the ropes, but DiBiase reverses it and catches Hawk in a hip toss, as Animal lifts Doc into a bearhug. Hawk bumps out of the ring, and DiBiase turns, assesses his partner’s predicament and sinks a chock-block into the back of Animal’s knee. Animal goes down, with Doc on top, for a two count. Animal powers out, but Doc uses his classic amateur technique, the type that made him a four-time All-American at the University of Oklahoma, to take down Animal! Doc sinks in a kneebar, on the same knee DiBiase had nailed, and while DiBiase brawls with Hawk to keep him breaking it up, Animal passes out, rather than submit! (****) “Ladies & gentlemen, in 20:39, the winners of the match, the winners of the $1 million prize, and the winners of the Second Annual Crockett Cup tournament … Ted DiBiase and Steve ‘Dr. Death’ Williams!”
In the ring, Jim Crockett presents the trophy and check to DiBiase & Doc. Doc has the ringside mic and talks about this being one of the greatest moments in his life as an athlete, how tough the NWA competition was, and promises the fans who are seeing him for the first time that he will be back for more challenges. He hands the mic to DiBiase, the veteran of the team, who talks about how proud he has been to mentor Doc into the champion he is today, and now (with more than a hint of glee), they have a MILLION DOLLARS to split! The two embrace, hoist the trophy, and … we’re out!
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Post by loadedglove on Jul 14, 2012 22:48:56 GMT -5
April 1987 Week 3 WCW (TBS Sat Night) – 2 hr Squashes include: Road Warriors, Ron Garvin, Wahoo McDaniel, Andersons, Tully Blanchard, Warlord, Nikita Koloff VIDEO PACKAGE: Crockett Cup highlights, 2 segments – Tony promises interview with winners next week, Ted DiBiase & Steve Williams! First interview is Jim Crockett, who talks up how incredible the Cup event was, congratulating DiBiase & Doc. They play a short series of still pics from the tournament, plus the two title matches featured. Crockett starts to talk about being on the verge of making a major announcement for this summer’s Great American Bash tour, when out comes … Jim Cornette! Cornette starts yelling at Crockett about interfering in the Midnight Express’ match at the Cup. Crockett stammers out that he could not allow Cornette’s typical involvement in such a high-stakes situation, so that the decision could come down to who was the best team. Cornette screams that HIS team was the best team, and Crockett owes him $1 million, which Cornette says the Express would have won without Crockett’s interference. Crockett says that he won’t be giving Cornette a dime, and that Cornette should be worrying more about his upcoming cage rematches with Ronnie Garvin (Cornette has already been slaughtered in one of these matches, as payback for his fireballing Ron Garvin). Crockett has the contracts for two more Garvin matches, for JC to sign. Cornette says he’s refusing to get back into a cage with such a lunatic, but Crockett reminds him that the cage matches were a requirement of the agreement that lifted Cornette’s suspension for throwing the fire. Cornette looks like he’s about to cry, and he stomps up and down. As he leaves, Crockett says Cornette has ONE WEEK to get those contracts signed, or his suspension will be enforced, adding that even if the Express wins the US titles against Sullivan and Armstrong in today’s TV main event, they could be champions without a manager, if Cornette is suspended. *BREAK* Barry Windham pinned Dick Slater in 17:22, after a superplex (* ½). After the bout, Windham comes to the podium, saying he has a major announcement, and says he’s had it with carrying dead-weight partners, which brings out Ron Garvin. Garvin tears into Windham, which brings out THE FOUR HORSEMEN! Flair, the Andersons and Tully join Windham in mauling Ronnie, as Tony notes that Barry has been accused of injuring Jimmy Garvin, in a savage beating that occurred backstage during the Crockett Cup. Dusty Rhodes, Nikita and the Road Warriors make the save, as the (five?) horsemen leave, laughing. Tony wonders if this affiliation has something to do with Windham’s announcement. *BREAK* TV main event: Brad Armstrong and Kevin Sullivan beat The Midnight Express to retain the US tag titles, when Armstrong pinned Eaton with an inside cradle, in 5:05 of non-stop action! (*** ¾). All four men were in the ring at the time of the pin, with Lane covering Sullivan after a superkick (and with a handful of tights) at the same time as Brad’s pin of Bobby! Confusion reigns briefly, before referee Tommy Young hoists Armstrong’s arm into the air, declaring him and Sullivan the victors! Cornette is FURIOUS and storms off after vowing to appeal this decision, and the larger “conspiracy to get me and the Midnight Express!” *BREAK* As the Warlord squash brings our show to a close, a bandaged and battered Ron Garvin comes out and says the NWA isn’t big enough for him and ex-partner Windham, so he’s challenging Barry to a loser-leaves the NWA match!
NWA Main Event (TBS Sunday) – 1 hr Bob Caudle, in studio, welcomes viewers to NWA’s official Crockett Cup recap show. We’ll have some highlights, plus an exciting new TV main event of TV champion Dusty Rhodes defending against Ole Anderon, of the Four Horsemen. And next … an in-studio interview with world champ Ric Flair. *BREAK* Flair interview. He talks about his match with Chris Adams, at the Cup. He talks about “new” world champ in town, Terry Gordy, but says his is the oldest belt, and while he respects Gordy, his is the one that counts. Flair agrees to stay, to comment on Cup matches with Caudle. With that, we air a highlight package, showing Ted and Doc winning, plus a few other key spots. *BREAK* Road Warriors versus Sheepherders (11:29) – LOD wins a brutal, bloody bout. Flair notes that brutality could have left Warriors vulnerable to their remaining tourney foes, particularly Ted & Doc in finals. *BREAK* Ole Anderson beat TV champ Dusty Rhodes by DQ in 4:23, when Ricky Morton interferes against Ole (*). The Rock & Roll Express comes to ringside shortly after the match starts, to counter the presence of Arn Anderson and JJ Dillon. Anderson and Dillon interfere every time the ref is distracted, until JJ starts strangling Dusty with his belt, after a ref bump. Ole grabs a chair and starts towards Dusty, targeting his knee, but The Express come in, double dropkick Ole, and Ricky grabs the chair just in time for the ref to wake up and see him with it. The six men brawl as we go off the air.
UWF (syndication) – 1 hr Jim Ross and Magnum TA welcome viewers, announce exciting TV main event. However, first, we have Crockett Cup highlights, featuring the stars of the UWF, particularly since the UWF won THE WHOLE THING! As we go into break, pic/graphic of Ted/Doc holding up trophy and giant check … *BREAK* Guerreros vs Midnight Express: Pushed as something of a dream match, this goes 21 minutes (*BREAK* halfway thru) and ends as described in the Cup results. Ross pushes this as a BIG win for UWF, beating one of NWA’s top teams. *BREAK* TV title, main event: Chris Adams beats Eddie Gilbert in 15 minutes! (** ½) Taylor tries to toss in Chair, but Sting stops it, telling Eddie to beat Adams on his own, if he can. Eddie turns right into a Superkick! After getting pinned, Eddie attacks Sting, and Taylor, Murdoch and (ultimately, and reluctantly) Steiner all do likewise. Adams returns to the ring and saves, as we go off the air. *BREAK* New UWF commissioner Dory Funk Jr. is in the ring, as are Steve Williams and Ted DiBiase. Dory congratulates the two on their Crockett Cup win, but says that here in the UWF, there’s always a new challenge on the horizon. Dory announces that with Terry Gordy’s decisive win over ex-champ The One Man Gang, the UWF board has met, to determine the new #1 contender to the championship … and it’s Steve Williams! Doc is excited, but DiBiase is LIVID! He reminds Dory that he (DiBiase) was the last man to pin the Gang (in a TV match from a few months earlier), prior to Gordy’s title victory, whereas Doc had just lost a bout to Dick Murdoch on TV, just a couple of weeks ago! Doc is stunned, saying he would have been happy for his friend DiBiase, had their positions been reversed. DiBiase says he’s a competitor, just like Doc, and he wants what he has earned, which is top contender status, and a title shot! He storms off, while Doc looks puzzled.
Power Pro (UWF) (syndication) – 1 hr Jim Ross and Michael Hayes announce UWF stars Ted DiBiase and Steve Williams as Crockett Cup winners. Play highlight package, plus Ted & Doc over Angel & Bart in Round 1 (2:42) and interview w/ Ted and Doc, announcement that championship committee will be announcing contenders next week. *BREAK* (From Cup) Eddie Gilbert & Terry Taylor over Dusty Rhodes & Nikita Koloff, in 22:42 (*BREAK* in middle). Ross reminds us that Hot Stuff has been having problems, with video package of last few weeks. *BREAK* Ted & Doc over Gilbert & Taylor in semis, 2:42. Ted & Doc then discuss highlights of finals vs. Road Warriors with Ross, who asks about their discord over the top contender’s slot. Doc says his friendship with DiBiase means more than any title belt, so he has elected to decline the title match, meaning DiBiase (as #2 contender) gets the match. DiBiase says how much he appreciates Doc’s sacrifice and his friendship, and how he (DiBiase) doesn’t want anything handed to him that he hasn’t earned. When Doc starts to reply, DiBiase cuts him off and says, “However, since I clearly have earned the right to challenge for the UWF title, I will accept Doc’s decision!” Jim Ross looks appalled. *BREAK* Commissioner Dory Funk is now at ringside, with Jim Ross. Dory says that while Doc’s sense of loyalty is admirable, the UWF is all about competition, so if DiBiase wants to press the issue, we’ll make a match of it! DiBiase and Williams WILL face off in a top contender’s match this week! (We’ll not say where, because we’re doing it at all of the week’s house shows). *BREAK* UWF tag titles: Michael Hayes & Terry Gordy successfully defend against Black Bart & One Man Gang, when Hayes pins Bart after a bulldog in 8:00 (*1/2).
NWA House show highlights
Wahoo McDaniel & Ron Garvin beat Barry Windham & Ole Anderson in 23:43, when Ron pins Ole after a sunset flip (**).
US champ Nikita Koloff beat Arn Anderson with the Russian sickle, in 12:20 (**).
The Midnight Express battle Brad Armstrong & Kevin Sullivan to a 30:00 time limit draw (****), so Armstrong and Sullivan retain the US tag belts.
The Road Warriors beat Ric Flair and Tully Blanchard by DQ in 23:49 (** ¾), when Flair’s pinfall of Hawk after a blast with brass knuckles is reversed, following the old “ref lifts his arm in victory, and the knuckles fall out of his armpit” gag.
UWF House Show highlights
Sting & Rick Steiner (after a ring announcer explanation that they are contractually obligated to work this match as a team, despite their already-televised split) battle The Rockers to a double DQ in 12:43, when Sting finally tires of Steiner’s refusal to tag in, and attacks his partner! Sting and Rockers hold off Steiner, Eddie Gilbert & Terry Taylor in a postmatch brawl, and Sting shakes hands with Michaels and Janetty.
Ted DiBiase and Steve Williams battle to a double countout in 9:20 (** ½). Match starts out with handshakes and clean wrestling, but Doc keeps getting the advantage, and every time, DiBiase gets increasingly aggressive, until by the end, they’re duking it out on the floor as the ref counts to 10.
The Freebirds beat Angel of Death, Black Bart and One Man Gang in a “Badstreet” match in 12:30, when Hayes pinned Bart after a piledriver onto a steel chair. (**1/4)
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Post by loadedglove on Jul 27, 2012 12:07:32 GMT -5
April 1987 Week 4
April 1987 Week 4 1. WCW (TBS Sat Night) – 2 hr MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT: NWA stars will battle UWF stars, as part of the Bash tour! Stay tuned for more information about the “War Games!” As part of the leadup to the Bash, Schiavone announces the first of seven NWA-UWF matchups, the “Wargames Challenge Series.” Whichever group wins four of the seven matches will have a major advantage during the Wargames! We’ll have more details on what this match is, and how the advantage works, in the weeks to come, but now, let’s go to the ring! Squashes/promos include: Sullivan/Armstrong (who seem slightly cohesive as a team, if still a little unsure of each other), Nikita Koloff, Barry Windham (who says he and the Horsemen will have a major announcement next week), Wahoo McDaniel, Dick Slater, Ole & Arn Anderson, The Rockers, plus a special tag squash and interview with Crockett Cup winners Ted DiBiase and Steve Williams! DiBiase & Williams work well as a team, but start bickering (just a tiny bit) when Tony asks them about the WCW/UWF series; both men say they’ll be leading the UWF team, as champion! But the big moment comes when Cornette and the Midnights come out for their match against Gene Ligon and Joel Deaton. Jim Crockett blocks their path to the podium, saying Jim Cornette’s time is up! Crockett says Cornette was rightfully suspended for fireballing Ron Garvin earlier this year, and part of the agreement to bring Cornette back was Garvin’s requested cage match w/ the loudmouthed manager. When Cornette says, “One match! I DID the one match!” Crockett shows brief video clips, revealing that Cornette used every trick he had, including sending Lane, Eaton and Big Bubba into the cage, to avoid the match. While Garvin finally got ahold of him in the cage, Crockett says the NWA will not tolerate his continual attempts to circumvent the rules. Crockett says Cornette must sign up for cage rematches with Garvin, or face a prolonged suspension. Cornette says the Express, greatest team in the world, is in demand all over the planet. But after much discussion they have realized exactly how much competing in the NWA means to them, and Cornette says Stan actually came up with the perfect way to make Crockett understand how much they valued being here. With that, Stan savate-kicks Crockett in the gut, and with the NWA head doubled over on the floor, Cornette shreds the contract and screams, “WE QUIT!” MAIN EVENT: Dusty Rhodes successfully defends the TV title by beating Tully Blanchard via DQ, when the rest of the Horsemen run in and attack Dusty. After a prolonged beating, Nikita, Garvin and The Rock & Roll Express make the save.
2. NWA Main Event (Synd) – 1 hr Road Warriors beat Powers of Pain when Animal pins Warlord after a lariat, in about 6 minutes.(*) *BREAK* Wahoo McDaniel made Dick Slater via submission, with the Indian deathlock in 18:30 (*1/4). We have a commercial break in the middle. *BREAK* Main event: Ole & Arn Anderson battle The Rockers to a double DQ in 12 minutes, with all 4 brawling in the ring and shoving down the ref. They are still at it when we go off the air.(***)
3. UWF (TBS Sun night) – 1 hr Jim Ross opens the show, welcoming both viewers and a new team to the UWF – The Rockers! The Rockers talk about being glad to be in the UWF, with its reputation for tough competition, but without such malignant forces as the Horsemen, constantly interfering in each other’s matches. Ross notes that they will not be having an easy debut, as their match against the SHEEPHERDERS is next! *BREAK* The Rockers beat the Sheepherders in 8:15, when Michaels pinned Miller after a superkick (***). Michaels grabs the mic and says, “Next stop … the championships!” *BREAK* Sting squash & interview – He talks about being led by Gilbert into thinking the world owed him something, because he was big and powerful. He says he vows to earn everything he gets, from here on out, and says the FIRST thing he’s going to get is some revenge, as Sting vows to take apart Hot Stuff International, piece by piece! Sting then directs a message to Rick Steiner, saying Steiner, as a championship athlete from Michigan, knows that he doesn’t need Gilbert’s dirty tricks to be a winner; Sting invites Steiner to join him, on “the other side,” and promises that if Steiner insists on sticking with Gilbert, Sting will beat some sense into his friend – “And Rick, it’s gonna hurt me just as much as it’s gonna hurt you!” *BREAK* TV main event: Steve Williams and Ted DiBiase battle to a double countout in 9:20, house show match from Week 3. Michael Hayes is on commentary, with champ Gordy standing behind the booth. DiBiase & Williams continue fighting after the bout, and the Freebirds (with Roberts running out from the back) break up the two of them. DiBiase & Williams reluctantly but eventually shake hands. And as Jim Ross tells us to tune in to Power Pro and be back next week, the credits start rolling … and Commissioner Dory Funk Jr. is walking down the aisle, towards the ring!
4. Power Pro (UWF) (syndication) – 1 hr Show opens with Jim Ross announcing the championship situation is still unclear, with the dispute over top contendership. He plays a clip of the end of the UWF show, with Commissioner Funk coming to ringside. Here, we see the full clip, as Dory tells DiBiase and Doc that he and the UWF board will have a decision about who the top contender is, next week. Doc looks at Ted, holds out his hand, and says, “May the best man win.” DiBiase shakes his hand and says, “Oh, I will,” before turning abruptly and leaving the ring. *BREAK* Dick Murdoch squash. He does a postmatch interview, declaring HE should be #1 contender, since he’s the last man to pin Dr Death. He runs down Gordy, which brings out the champ for a shoving match. When Gilbert & cronies come to back up Murdoch, Doc and the other two Freebirds come out to match the odds. The heels slink away, but Murdoch shouts threats all the way down the aisle. *BREAK* Chavo & Hector Guerrero battle the Sheepherders to a bloody double countout in 14 minutes. *BREAK* TV Main event: Sting beats Rick Steiner by DQ in 4:20 (**), when Gilbert and Taylor run in and attack their former stablemate. Things look bad for the Stinger, until THE ROCKERS make the save! The babyfaces clean house, as we head off the air.
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Post by loadedglove on Aug 18, 2012 11:50:07 GMT -5
At the risk of sounding like a broken record, I apologize for the delay -- once more, other duties have kept me from being able to get much TNM done. Ironic thing is, doing this odd little hobby is one of the only things that relaxes me from the stress/tension that all the other stuff causes.
In any event, here is the start of May 1987, as the Bash gets closer and the inter-company challenges begin ...
MAY 1987 Champs NWA: Ric Flair NWA Tag: Ole & Arn Anderson US: Nikita Koloff NWA TV: Dusty Rhodes US Tag: Brad Armstrong & Kevin Sullivan
UWF: Terry “Bamm Bamm” Gordy UWF TV: Chris Adams UWF Tag: The Fabulous Freebirds, Michael Hayes and Buddy Roberts
May 1987 Week 1 1. WCW (TBS Sat Night) – 2 hr – Show starts with a pretaped clip of Jim Crockett saying that Jim Cornette and the Midnight Express have been suspended indefinitely for their actions last week. Tony and David welcome fans to the show, and promise some of the top stars in the NWA will be appearing, but first … a UWF recap! After hitting highlights, we get a video promo of the Freebirds, all wearing their title belts, noting that the NWA’s stable of champs is the Horsemen and saying this Summer, at the Bash, we’ll see which is supreme! *BREAK* Back at the desk, JJ Dillon and the Four Horsemen are present, along with Barry Windham, who is now officially an “associate.” The Horsemen collectively accept a Freebird challenge, saying they’ll see the UWF guys at the summer Bash tour. Windham notes that after months and months of getting nowhere, mere days after joining forces with Flair/Andersons/Tully/Dillon, he is in line for a series of US title matches with Nikita Koloff, his biggest opportunity in years. Ole Anderson says he knows he is in the twilight of his championship career, and that he is proud to have ID’ed Windham as his hand-picked replacement, and as he segues into a graceful retirement, he looks forward to seeing Windham carry on the great Horseman tradition. Dusty Rhodes comes out to confront Windham, asking why he hasn’t returned his calls. Dusty says he understand the falling out with Garvin, as “friends can disagree,” but he wants them all to make up, especially since Dusty and Windham have decades-long family history. Tully jumps him, and Windham quickly jumps in, bloodying Dusty with the Dream’s own cowboy boot, yanked off his leg by the Horsemen, until Ron Garvin, the Rock & Roll Express and Wahoo McDaniel run out for the save. Squashes/promos include: Arn Anderson, Ron Garvin, Powers of Pain, Tully Blanchard, Armstrong/Sullivan (who show signs of getting along better, even though one wrestles clean and technically, while the other is still a heelish brawler), Road Warriors (whose postmatch promo sees them challenge the Andersons for the world tag titles) TV main event: UWF/NWA challenge series match: Sheepherders beat the Rock & Roll Express in 6:54, when Luke Williams made Ricky Morton pass out in a sleeperhold (* 1/2). Lots of shenanigans, including Morton getting blasted with the New Zealand flagpole. However, the Sheeps’ win puts the UWF up, 1-0, in the best of seven series leading up to Wargames.
2. NWA Main Event (Synd) – 1 hr Bob Caudle welcomes fans, and promises some great excitement. Tonight’s main event is a rematch, for the world TV title, former champ Tully Blanchard taking on champion Dusty Rhodes! Opening match, non title: Nikita Koloff pins Kevin Sulllivan in 8:14, with the Russian sickle. At one point during the match, Sullivan and Nikita are brawling outside, near Brad Armstrong, who’s come out (reluctantly) to support his partner. Sullivan holds Nikita and invites Brad to nail him. Brad refuses to interfere, and in the ensuing argument, Nikita uses Sullivan’s distraction to whip him into the corner, leading to a stunned Sullivan being easy prey for the sickle. Brad goes into the ring after the match ends, to tend to his bloody partner, but an angry Sullivan now doesn’t want his help. They bicker into the break. *BREAK* UWF recap segment, which leads to Caudle bringing out Crockett Cup champions Ted DiBiase and Steve Williams. There’s a little tension over the title issue, but they talk about the strength of their team being the perfect combination of elements and say they’re looking forward to the Bash. This brings out Paul Jones, who challenges Ted & Doc to a match with his Powers of Pain. Some verbal back and forth brings out Jim Crockett, who agrees to sanction the match, and we’re off! DiBiase & Williams beat Powers of Pain in 6:30, with DiBiase trapping Barbarian in the figure-four as Doc stampedes Warlord for the pin. Pretty much a total showcase for the UWF visitors, as Caudle’s commentary stresses the teamwork and closeness of Ted & Doc. In this spot, DiBiase & Williams need to look as close to flawless and unbeatable as possible, so not much room for Warlord or Barbarian to get any big spots (maybe another night, fellas). *BREAK* Main event, TV title: Tully Blanchard and Dusty Rhoes battle to a time-limit draw. This is NOT one of those deals Crockett frequently did in the 1980s, where we have long ring intros only to run out of time as soon as the action is getting underway. We get about six minutes of action, but TV title matches have a time limit of “TV time remaining,” so as the credits roll, and Tully has Dusty in a sleeper, the bell rings, and we’re out!
3. UWF (TBS Sun night) – 1 hr Jim Ross welcomes fans and notes that tonight’s show is part of the Oklahoma State Fair! There are kids’ groups at ringside, a clown handing out balloons and several babyfaces signing autographs. Ross introduces Commissoner Dory Funk Jr., who says the UWF board has reached a decision on the #1 contendership. Next week, right here on UWF TV, top contenders Ted DiBiase & Steve Williams will rematch, and this time, it will be a no-DQ affair, officiated by one man who can take the physicality – Dory Funk Jr. himself! This brings out DiBiase, who is not angry, but … perturbed that Dory Funk was the man hand picked to take over UWF operations by former president “Cowboy” Bill Watts, who himself trained Doc to be a wrestler! Dr. Death comes to ringside and offers to give up the title shot altogether, saying he’s had enough and his friendship of three years with DiBiase means more to him than even the title, and he will simply challenge the winner of DiBiase-Gordy. DiBiase pauses and then says that Doc is like a brother to him, the only man who stuck with him from his days as the most hated man in the UWF (I know, it was still Mid-South then, but I’m not looking to give my new TBS viewers a history lesson) through his recuperation from injuries suffered during Dick Murdoch’s attack of 1985. Ted says he has simply grown impatient over being “passed over” for title consideration, but apologizes to Doc for “taking it out on you, my best friend.” The two embrace, agree to the rematch and say that after it’s over, no matter who wins, the rest of the UWF needs to look out, as the DiBiase-Williams team will be stronger than ever. Jim Ross, noting the Rockers debuting last week, promises another new face, as the influx of wrestling’s top stars to the UWF continues, when we come back from … *BREAK* Owen Hart beats Black Bart in 5:14, with the moonsault! (* ¼) Ross notes Hart’s role as the youngest in one of wrestling’s greatest families, including a relation by marriage to former tag champ Jim “The Anvil” Niedhardt! The match is mostly a showcase for Owen, with lots of high-flying moves that haven’t been seen too often before. Akbar tries to interfere, but gets an enzugiri for his troubles. Jim Ross announces that the Freebirds are up next, for a special challenge match with a new tag team, straight from the NWA! *BREAK* The Freebirds, Hayes and Roberts, come out for a non-title match with The Masked Thunderfoots. However, when the bell rings, the Thunderfeet attack the ‘Birds viciously, throwing them out of the ring. As one Thundrefoot grabs a chair, he turns to find, not Buddy Roberts as intended, but the balloon-distributing clown! The Thunderfoot shoves the clown aside as behind them, Hayes decks the other masked man, sending him to the concrete floor. Hayes comes up behind the chair-wielding masked man, when the clown releases all his remaining balloons … and in the center of the balloon batch is a TENNIS RACQUET! The clown blasts Hayes with the racquet, and Hayes goes down hard. The Birds get tossed into the ring as the “Thunderfeet” unmask to reveal BOBBY EATON AND STAN LANE! The clown grabs the mic and announces what you readers have no doubt figured already – he’s really JIM CORNETTE! THE MIDNIGHT EXPRESS have returned to the UWF, an area whose tag scene they dominated in 1984, and the clownish Cornette says he’s tired of being held back by bureaucrats – he might not have liked the UWF’s former head, Bill Watts, but at least he knew that in the UWF (again, I know it was Mid-South) his team could let its work in the ring speak for itself, without all the reverse decisions and administrative bureaucracy dogging their every step. As the Birds start to regain their footing, chair shots, racquet shots, and Eaton giving Hayes a top rope legdrop while Hayes’ own championship belt is draped over his face serves to give everyone notice that the Midnight Express are back to reclaim the first tag title they ever won as a team. The Express leaves, in triumph. *BREAK* NWA recap segment, with lots of focus on UWF winning the first challenge match (Sheeps vs Rock & Roll). The series’ second match will appear next week, on Power Pro Wrestling. *BREAK* Main event: Sting & Rockers beat Eddie Gilbert, Terry Taylor & Rick Steiner in 14 minutes, when Sting pins Taylor after a Stinger splash!
4. Power Pro (UWF) (syndication) – 1 hr Jim Ross welcomes fans, and announces Hector Guerrero has suffered a shoulder injury, stemming from an attack by the Sheepherders, so Chavo Guerrero has picked a substitute partner for his match against the New Zealanders tonight … Steve Williams! *BREAK* One Man Gang beat Sting with the 747 Splash in 3:20 (**). Before the match, Eddie Gilbert is in the ring with Skandor Akbar, who announces that due to a Big cash deal, he has sold Gang’s contract to Gilbert! Sting is actually in control over the longtime UWF champ, and (BIG sell by Jim Ross, who says ONLY Dr Death has slammed Gang in a UWF ring before) has him up for a bodyslam, when Eddie grabs Sting’s leg, causing Gang to fall atop him, leading to the splash pin. Sting goes after Gilbert after, and even holds off Gang, until Steiner runs in and hammers Sting! Terry Taylor joins in, until The Rockers and Owen Hart make the save! *BREAK* Ted DiBiase makes Angel of Death submit to the figure-four leglock in seven minutes. Black Bart runs in to attack him after, at Akbar’s direction, but Steve Williams quickly comes out, and Ted & Doc clean house in short order. *BREAK* Steve Williams and Chavo Guerrero beat The Sheepherders by DQ in 11 minutes, when Dick Murdoch runs in and attacks Doc. Murdoch busts him open, and Chavo tries to help, but the Sheepherders occupy him. FINALLY, a bandaged Hector Guerrero runs out, swinging an axe handle and running the heels out of the ring. An enraged Doc says this thing with Murdoch MUST end, as DiBiase finally runs to ringside, not making it until AFTER the heels are gone.
HOUSE SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
NWA
Powers of Pain battled Wahoo McDaniel and Ron Garvin to a draw, in 20:00 (* ½).
Barry Windham beat Nikita Koloff in 9:17, with a rolling reverse cradle (** ¾). Dusty Rhodes seconds Nikita, as Tully Blanchard and Dillon are in Windham’s corner. Key point – it’s a clean win, no foreign objects or interference. Post-match ends up in a brawl that draws out the other Horsemen, and the babyfaces are left in a bloody heap, as Windham and his new friends leave in triumph, title belt held high.
Steel cage: Road Warriors & Dusty Rhodes beat Ole & Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard in 18:14, when Hawk pinned Arn after a doomsday device.
Ric Flair successfully defends NWA world title, pinning Brad Armstrong with a figure-four leglock in 14:06 (****).
UWF Chavo Guerrero beat Dick Slater in 7:29, with a moonsault (** ½).
Ted DiBiase makes Black Bart submit to the figure-four, in six minutes.
The Rockers beat Terry Taylor & Eddie Gilbert when Michaels pinned Gilbert after a double fistdrop off the top rope in 17:09 (*** ¾).
UWF tag titles: Freebirds Hayes & Roberts beat The Midnight Express via DQ in 16:03, for Cornette’s interference (***). After, Lane and Eaton (with Cornette and his racquet) use every foul tactic to destroy the Birds, until Terry Gordy, Steve Williams and Ted DiBiase come out for the save.
Sting and Rick Steiner battle to a DDQ in eight minutes.
Steve Williams beat Dick Murdoch in a Texas Death match, seven falls to four, in 44:21 (**** ½). These guys brawl all over the building before Doc finally stampedes Murdoch on the concrete floor for the pin and final 10-count.
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Post by loadedglove on Aug 26, 2012 20:23:39 GMT -5
May 1987 Week 2 1. WCW (TBS Sat Night) – 2 hr Squashes/promos include: Barry Windham, Wahoo McDaniel, Dick Slater, The Rock & Roll Express, Dusty Rhodes/nikita Koloff, Tully Blanchard, Powers of Pain. Tully’s promo sees him order a play of the video from last week’s TV title match, and he says he was robbed by the NWA deliberately putting him on with little time left, so Jim Crockett could “save” the belt for his friend Dusty Rhodes. Barry Windham is with him, which brings out the Super Powers, Dusty Rhodes & Nikita Koloff. Dusty seems more hurt than anything, but he’s also angry, wanting to know why Windham, who was “like a son to me, as if you’d sprung from my own loins,” would turn against him, like this. Windham holds up the US belt and points out that he’[s a winner and a champion, and NOT a champion who hides behind the promoter! Dusty & Nikita brawl with Tully and Barry, and when Dillon, Arn and Flair try to get involved, they are intercepted by Ron Garvin and the Road Warriors! The babyfaces clean house, and Ole’s tardy run-in comes as his fellow Horsemen are retreating, and Flair shoots him a dirty look, as only the Nature Boy can.
2. NWA Main Event (Synd) – 1 hr Bob Caudle welcomes fans and notes that the NWA board has ordered back the Blanchard-Dusty TV title match, because of last week’s time-limit issue. Also, to prevent a repeat, this week, it’s up FIRST! If there’s time, fans will get a special treat – a SECOND title match, with the Andersons defending the world tag titles versus The Road Warriors! *BREAK* MAIN EVENT: Tully Blanchard beat Dusty Rhodes for the NWA TV title, in 18:37, with the Slingshot suplex (** ¾). There is a commercial break about halfway through. Barry Windham, at ringside, whacks Dusty with the US belt, and Nikita Koloff, in Dusty’s corner, tries to save, but is held back by Dillon. *BREAK* Promo with the Horsemen, ALL of whom have title belts now. Flair promises a new era of dominance. *BREAK* STANDBY match: Brad Armstrong defeated The Barbarian in 6 minutes. Kevin Sullivan is in Brad’s corner, and they have apparently made up since last week. Brad ends up on top of a rolling cradle, but the ref has been bumped, and Paul Jones sends in the Warlord, who clotheslines Brad into next week and puts the Barbarian on top. But the ref is STILL down, and Sullivan reaches into his trunks, pulls out brass knuckles and drills BOTH members of the Powers of Pain before putting Brad atop the Barbarian as a groggy official counts the 1-2-3. *BREAK* STANDBY Co-Main event: The Road Warriors challenging the Andersons for the world tag titles. After intros, it looks like we’re going to have a repeat of last week, as only seconds remain. However, Hawk mauls Arn, while Ole is facing outside the ring jaw-jacking with Paul .Ellering. He turns just in time to have his head clotheslined nearly clean off by Animal, who pins him. Gary Cappetta yells, “THE WINNERS OF THE MATCH, IN NINE SECONDS, AND NEW WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS … HAWK AND ANIMAL, THE LEGION OF DOOM … THE ROAD WARRIORS!”
3. UWF (TBS Sun night) – 1 hr Tonight’s the night! It’s Ted DiBiase versus Steve Williams, with special referee Dory Funk Jr.! Dory is talking to Jim Ross at ringside, when Dick Murdoch comes out. Murdoch is LIVID about not getting any title shots and promises to make his own presence felt. Dory says he has a major announcement, right after our opening contest. The Rockers beat the Sheepherders in seven minutes, with Shawn pinning Luke after a rocker-dropper. Murdoch is on color commentary for the match. *BREAK* Back at ringside, Dory says, “You know, Murdoch, you’ve always had trouble keeping your nose out of other folks’ business, and I knew you’d be looking to get involved here. But this is an incredibly important match for the UWF and its fans, and I’m not going to let YOU – or ANYONE ELSE -- screw it up!!! That’s why I made some phone calls this week, to line up a couple of things. First, you’re right about one thing, Murdoch – you’ll be right here, with a perfect view of the action. I’ve arranged for you to have a seat by the timekeeper’s table, so you don’t mix a thing. And to make sure you don’t decide to get involved, I’ve arranged for an old friend of yours to be seated RIGHT next to you. A friend of yours, from our old alma mater, West Texas State. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Dick Murdoch’s friend, and my brother, TERRY FUNK!” Terry Funk, wearing his trunks, leather vest, cowboy hat and chaps, comes to ringside and hugs his brother, as Murdoch is beside himself. Terry grabs the mic and says, “Murdoch, we go way back, all the way to our days as outlaws in college, in Texas. But tonight, we have another kid from West Texas State, Ted DiBiase, and he needs to prove himself. Whether he can beat Steve Williams is going to come down to him and Steve Williams – not to you, or anyone else. Dick, I know you have history with both these guys, but this is the UWF, where the best and the toughest settle things in the ring -- So you and I are going to be sitting at ringside, watching that match, and if you make ONE move towards interfering in that match … well, you and I are going to have a problem.” Dory adds, “And Murdoch, remember – I’m still the commissioner, so you might want to think about your future in the UWF, just in case you still have any ideas about getting involved.” With that, the Funks leave together, and Murdoch angrily follows. Jim Ross then intro’s a video package of the history of the DiBiase-Williams team, from their 1985 title win over the Rock & Rolls, through their dominance over teams like the Fantastics, the Guerreros, Jake Roberts & (Nord) The Barbarian and Dick Murdoch & Masked Superstar. We show the history of DiBiase turning face in late 1985, when Dick Murdoch attacked him as he was getting a rare title match against world champ Ric Flair, and the ONLY person (it’s true – look at the actual clip) who came to try to rescue Ted was Steve Williams. We then have Magnum TA in the locker room with both men. We are now minutes away, as Magnum reminds us of his multiple battles in 1984, when he was North American champ, against both men. He sizes up DiBiase’s scientific style and strategy against Doc’s unmatched power and amateur wrestling credentials, as a four-time All-American from the University of Oklahoma. Both men vow to give it their all, but then put it behind them and re-establish their dominance over the UWF. They shake hands, and even briefly embrace, before separating, and Magnum says we’ll be right back, after the … *BREAK* Midnight Express squash – Brief snippet of a Jim Cornette interview, wherein he talks about hating the Freebirds, especially after their role in costing the MX the Crockett Cup. Jim Ross promises we’ll hear the full version on this week’s Power Pro. *BREAK* Main event: #1 contender’s match, Ted DiBiase vs Steve “Dr Death” Williams! It’s a back-and-forth match, with Doc controlling the early minutes, easily countering DiBiase’s technique with his own wrestling skill and awesome strength. The highlight early on is DiBiase outpacing Doc with a series of back and forth moves, ending up in a side headlock, only for Doc to kick himself back up into a standing position, push off on DiBiase’s back after lifting him up (still in the headlock), and launching Ted across the ring! As this goes on, we cut frequently to Murdoch and Terry Funk, sitting at ringside, Murdoch looking like he’s about to get involved and Funk staring intently at him until he sits back down. In the ring, a few times, tempers seem on the verge of flaring, only for DiBiase or Doc to offer a handshake. Finally, Doc goes into his 3-point stance for a running shoulder tackle, but DiBiase ducks, and Doc sails out of the ring. A pan of the camera shows Murdoch poised to attack, as Terry Funk lays prone on the floor behind him. In the ring, DiBiase is reaching into his trunks and PUTTING ON THE BLACK GLOVE! It’s the loaded glove with which DiBiase has illegally won countless matches! Outside, Murdoch has a chair, and is about to nail Doc, as Dory is trying to wave him off from inside the ring, when Terry comes up behind him, also with a chair. Terry grabs Murdoch’s shoulder and spins him around. They stare at each other for a second, and then BOTH attack Doc with chairs! Dory is going nuts inside the ring, demanding that they stop. Dory rolls out and orders both men to the back. The two of them throw down their chairs and walk off. Dory helps Doc (now bloody) up and rolls him back into the ring, where DiBiase is waiting to pounce. Dory slides into the ring and gets between the two combatants, holding up his hands at Ted. Doc fights his way up to his feet and is about to attack, when Dory ducks behind him and grabs both his arms, making him a sitting duck for DiBiase! DiBiase blasts Doc in the face with the loaded glove, and Dory yells, “one more time! Just to make sure!” Ted drills him again, and Doc falls, motionless. Ted covers him, and Dory counts 1-2-3! The two embrace in mid-ring, and DiBiase grabs a mic and starts cutting a promo about forgetting his “loser” friends like “that garbage lying on the mat” and getting back to his roots … when he was a top-flight athlete at West Texas State, with the men who would become some of the greatest wrestlers of all time! Doc slowly staggers up to a knee and then to his feet, and he is READY TO FIGHT … when Murdoch and Terry run back down and hit the ring! All four men attack Doc with chairs, the glove and (perhaps most brutally) Dory’s European forearms. The mugging continues as we go off the air …/
4. Power Pro (UWF) (syndication) – 1 hr We open with Jim Ross and Magnum TA intro’ing a Recap of the DiBiase-Dr. Death situation, up to the contenders’ match, with promises to hear from both men, plus UWF Champ Terry Gordy, next week! Jim Ross also says the UWF board of directors has terminated the management contract of Dory Funk Jr. as UWF commissioner, and that the board was conducting emergency meetings so that a new commissioner can be announced next week! Next week, we’ll have more on that fateful match, lest there be any question about why these measures are necessary. *BREAK* Owen Hart pinned Angel of Death in 3:21, after a flying legdrop. *BREAK* Midnight Express video – w/ footage available through the various libraries to which we have access at this point, show them in action against Road Warriors, Rock & Roll Express, Fantastics, Hacksaw Duggan, Garvins. Now, we have an in-studio interview w/ Jim Cornette, where Jim Ross asks why he and the Express have returned to the UWF. Cornette notes the debacle at the Crockett Cup, but also notes that this was the association in which the Express formed, with him as manager. And while the MX is the greatest team in the world, boardroom conspiracies were keeping them from getting a fair shake in the NWA. As Cornette was looking around for where to go, with offers from Japan, New York, and tours of Europe and “the sub-continent,” Cornette looked at the state of the UWF and saw the dominant team was The Freebirds, hailed as the top team of the 80s, the ones who influenced a generation of rock & roll tag teams. “And if there’s one thing the Midnight Express hates, it’s those goofy tag teams of pretty boys who stress the music over their own wrestling! And to hear that the people who are really to blame for that stupid trend, The Freebirds, are considered the TOP TAG TEAM?! Well, the Midnight Express is here to fix that, by taking their titles, their place as main eventers, and maybe, some of their teeth, as well.” As Cornette talks, we see “training video” of the Express, with Eaton doing legdrops onto sacks of flour with long, blonde wigs affixed, to represent the Birds (“Cornette: “Flour will have to do, because what the Freebirds are sacks of, we can’t show on TV.”). Stan Lane savate-kicks similarly made up watermelons and cantaloupes (Hayes-like beards glued onto them – the goofier looking, the better). Cornette promises that the Express is coming for the Freebirds, and their year-plus of dominance over the UWF is over. *BREAK* MAIN EVENT – NWA/UWF Challenge Match #2 – Chris Adams defeats Kevin Sullivan by dq, in 7 minutes. Sullivan nails Adams with his trusty brass knux, but HIS OWN PARTNER Brad Armstrong rats him out, and gets Kevin DQed. After, in a ringside interview, Kevin is livid, but Armstrong says, “I trained to be an athlete, to be the best! Not to be a cheater! If you want this team to work out, we’re going to have to do things the right way!” With that, Brad walks off, as Kevin stands there, stupefied.
HOUSE SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
NWA
Cage match: Dusty Rhodes and Nikita Koloff beat Barry Windham and Tully Blanchard in 18 minutes, when Dusty pinned Windham.
NWA world tag titles: The Road Warriors beat the Andersons in 6 minutes, when Hawk pinned Ole after a Doomsday device. (**)
NWA world title: Ric Flair defeated Ronnie Garvin via figure-four leglock submission, in 25 minutes.
UWF
Sting & The Guerreros beat Eddie Gilbert, Rick Steiner and Terry Taylor in 12:22, when Chavo pinned Steiner after a moonsault. (* ¾)
Tag title match: Midnight Express beat Freebirds Hayes & Roberts by DQ in 21:55 (*** ½), when Terry Gordy interfered, after Jim Cornette’s repeated (and never caught by the ref) interference.
UWF title: Terry Gordy and Ted DiBiase battled to a double countout in 39:01 (**** ½).
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Post by loadedglove on Sept 1, 2012 21:04:03 GMT -5
May 1987 Week 3 1. WCW (TBS Sat Night) – 2 hr We open with footage from backstage, at last week’s main event show, after the Andersons return from losing the tag belts to the Road Warriors. Ric Flair is livid with Ole, for his ruining the Horsemen’s championship monopoly. Ole jaws right back at him, until Arn comes between them. Arn tells Ole that maybe he was right – he should take a step back. In fact, maybe he should retire, because he’s not as young as he used to be. Ole walks off. Tony and David welcome fans to another edition of WCW. They promise we’ll hear from the Horsemen later, but now it’s time for Match #3 in the NWA-UWF challenge, and there’s a twist: this time, it’s also a title match! Taking competitors who have been in the first two matches, Kevin Sullivan and Brad Armstrong defend their US tag titles versus The Sheepherders! Armstrong/Sullivan beat the Sheepherders in 12 minutes, when Armstrong finally has enough of the Sheepherders bopping him with a foreign object and then hiding it. A bloody Armstrong reaches into Miller’s trunks for the item, and when Luke comes from behind, Sullivan runs in to save Brad! As Kevin and Luke brawl, a furious Armstrong drills Miller with the object! Sullivan is almost jubilant at the sight of Brad finally snapping, and the two battle back the Sheeps and make it to the back. The score is now UWF 2, NWA 1. *BREAK* Squashes/promos include: Powers of Pain, Tully Blanchard (defending the TV title against Randy Mulkey), Ron Garvin, Nikita Koloff, Rock & Roll Express *BREAK* Final segment: Horsemen come out for a promo, and everyone is ragging on Ole. Dillon says that after losing the tag belts, the Horsemen decided to give Ole another chance, with Arn and Ole having rematches against LOD, but after continually failing to deliver, they have decided it’s time for Ole to retire. Dillon says Windham is now the fourth horseman and offers Ole the slot of co-manager/senior adviser (making clear that Ole would be reporting to him). Ole gets incensed and finally pops Dillon, at which point the Horsemen dogpile him. TV main event: US title match: Barry Windham defending against Dusty Rhodes. We barely get underway when Flair, Blanchard and Windham rush the ring to destroy Rhodes, when OLE ANDERSON comes out with an ax handle, clubbing the heels into next week. Nikita and Ron Garvin follow, to complete the save, and Ole actually helps his longtime rival Rhodes to his feet, but then walks off. Ole comes to the podium, with the announcers, and starts talking about how he and his brother Gene formed the team that dominated wrestling in the past two decades, the team whose dominance was the foundation for the Horsemen. “And now,” he says, “it is time for me to destroy what I built!” Dusty staggers over and tells Ole, “You and I have battled all over this country, Ole Anderson, and NOBODY know better than the Dream how BAD you can be! But lemme tell you, baby, you CANNOT do it alone! And if you want to take down the Horsemen, if you are truly serious about ending it, you’re going to need a partner. And the American Dream, Dusty Rhodes will never be your friend. There’s too much blood, too much history. But the American Dream will be … your partner!” Dusty sticks out his hand and Ole, after seconds of staring at the Dream, shakes it. Then Ole turns to the camera and (as the credits start to roll) says, “Horsemen! You think you know what a war is? I have fought WARS against this man (Dusty), and we will bring war to YOU!”
2. NWA Main Event (Synd) – 1 hr The Rockers return to NWA action with a four-minute squash win over The Thunderfeet. In a post-match interview, Michaels and Jannetty talk about being a free-agent tag team and being happy to bring their UNIQUE brand of rock & roll excitement to the NWA fans, some of the greatest fans in the world! Michaels closes by saying, “There are a lot of fast-paced, exciting teams in wrestling, but NO ONE is faster, or rocks harder, than the Rockers!” *BREAK* Tully Blanchard successfully defends the TV title, pinning Wahoo McDaniel in 15:24, after a slingshot suplex (*** ½). *BREAK* Main event: A rare world title match on TV, as Flair beats Ron Garvin via pin, with the figure-four in 14:43 (***). Barry Windham comes in after and bangs up Garvin’s knee with a chair, but the Horsemen split when Ole Anderson, Nikita Koloff and Dusty Rhodes run in to save Garvin.
3. UWF (TBS Sun night) – 1 hr Jim Ross welcomes fans to another action-packed edition of the UWF, and beside him is none other than “Cowboy” Bill Watts, former UWF president! Watts says that he and the UWF board have met, and with the decision to strip Dory Funk of his office after his heinous actions of the prior week, Watts has agreed to become UWF commissioner, but only on an interim basis, and only until the board concludes intgerviewing candidates for a permanent commissioner. Out comes Jim Cornette, who demands more title shots for his Express, as he insists the Freebirds have been getting deliberately DQ’d to save their belts. Watts reminds Cornette that neither is the other’s biggest fan, but says he will review the situation. Watts also notes that Steve Williams was to receive a TV title shot against Chris Adams, but because of a concussion suffered in last week’s attack, doctors will not clear him to wrestle. Watts says Doc was so mad when he got the news that he nearly tore the lockers right out of the locker room walls, but he is willing to wait for his chance at the gold. *BREAK* The Midnight Express beat Chavo & Hector Guerrero in seven minutes, after Lane cradles Chavo, who is stunned from a racquet crack over the head from Cornette. After, Cornette hijacks the mic and demands the Freebirds give the Express more title matches, going on to theorize that the type of “Bird” Hayes and Roberts are, is a chicken! This brings out all three Freebirds, who could mean trouble as they head down the aisle, except ambushing them from behind is BIG BUBBA ROGERS! Bubba is back! Bubba and the Express battle the Birds in the aisle, until reams of referees and prelim wrestlers separate all six men (Cornette cowers at a safe distance, behind his men). *BREAK* Jim Ross is at the interview area, with Ted DiBiase, Dick Murdoch and the Funks. DiBiase announces he is forming his own group, The Outlaws, a faction from West Texas State, saying he’s going to his roots and uniting with other great athletes, because he’s tired of having to carry lesser partners. This brings out Dr. Death, who goes after DiBiase, *BREAK* MAIN EVENT: Terry Taylor wins the TV title from Chris Adams, after pinning him with the Fivearm, in 11:15 (****). A back-and-forth match ends in a nearly clean heel win, as Chris Adams prepares to deliver the superkick on a stunned Taylor. Eddie Gilbert grabs his ankle, and Adams turns around to jaw with Eddie, who lets go immediately. The momentary distraction is all Taylor needs, as he rises, springs off the ropes and launches the flying forearm just as Adams turns back to him. *BREAK* Jim Ross is at ringside with Taylor and Gilbert. A jubilant Taylor says he will usher in a new era of excitement, as he will defend the TV title against a new contender every week on UWF television, starting with next week’s episode! He says how lucky the fans are to have such an awesome champion as himself battling on their behalf, but he will shoulder the burden of being their hero, with a defense a week, starting next week! That’s all the time we have this week, fans!
4. Power Pro (UWF) (syndication) – 1 hr *BREAK* Owen Hart pinned Black Bart after a moonsault, in 6:41 (*). *BREAK* Terry Funk pinned Hector Guerrero with a piledriver in 6:20 (***). *BREAK* Jim Ross is at ringside with The Freebirds, who cut an interview about how they’re going to tear apart Cornette, the Express and Bubba. Gordy also says he’ll defend his belt anytime, anywhere, against anyone. He says Doc has become a friend, but business is business, and if they need to battle it out, they will. On the other hand, DiBiase, he says, has revealed himself to be the snake The Freebirds always knew him to be, and Gordy looks forward to taking him out, once and for all. With that, Gordy stays at ringside, as Hayes & Roberts beat Steiner and Gilbert in 5 minutes, after a Hayes piledriver to Gilbert. *BREAK* MAIN EVENT: Match 4 in the NWA/UWF series is Rock & Roll Express vs Dory Funk and Dick Murdoch. Funk and Murdoch dominate, until DiBiase’s interference brings out Steve Williams. Doc clubs DiBiase and then drills Dory Funk with his own branding iron. Morton then pins Dory, in 14:12.
House Show highlights
NWA US tag title: Kevin Sullivan & Brad Armstrong beat the Sheepherders to retain the titles in 3:41, when Brad pinned Luke with a Russian Legsweep (* ¾)
Dusty Rhodes & Ole Anderson beat Barry Windham and Tully Blanchard, when Rhodes pinned Barry after a bionic elbowdrop in 6:23 (* 1/2).
NWA tag champs Road Warriors beat Powers of Pain to keep their world titles in 25:18, when Animal beat Barbarian after a press slam (***1/4, no, seriously -- I know, I couldn’t believe it, either)
UWF Special NWA/UWF challenge: The Rockers battle the Powers of Pain to a 20-minute time limit draw.
Hector and Chavo Guerrero beat Dick Slater and One Man Gang in 4:08, when Chavo pinned Gang after a missile dropkick (* ½).
The Midnight Express & Big Bubba Rogers beat The Freebirds (Hayes, Gordy, Roberts) in a Badstreet match, in 25:22, when Eaton pinned Hayes after a top-rope flying bodypress (****).
Steel cage: Steve Williams pinned Ted DiBiase in 14:08, after the Oklahoma Stampede. (****) After the match, the Outlaws (Murdoch and Funks) assault Doc in the cage, until Sting, Owen Hart and the Freebirds make it into the cage.
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Post by loadedglove on Sept 1, 2012 23:05:19 GMT -5
Just to specify, on the UWF house show results, a Badstreet match is a basic street fight -- street clothes, no DQ, no countout. Belts (the kind used to keep up pants, not title straps) are frequently a fixture.
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Post by JoshiQ on Sept 6, 2012 11:18:16 GMT -5
You've done a great job of recreating the feel of the NWA around this time. The interview where Rhodes tells Ole he won't be his friend, but he will be his partner was really good. Had me pumped up and I could picture Rhodes saying something like that.
Any chance you could maybe put another space between paragraphs? You are doing down a line between segments, but an actual space before starting the next paragraph would be a ton of help.
Good stuff though.
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Post by loadedglove on Sept 8, 2012 14:21:26 GMT -5
Will do -- I'll space out the segments (I know what you mean; I took a look and almost made my eyes cross); thanks for the kind words, and I hope you get a kick out of what's coming down the pike!
I am also going to try out something new, between weekly shows; as I am going through 1987 to the present, there are things that really happened in wrestling history (one of which will become apparent with the very next show) that I think would affect what I'm doing.
Instead of beating people over the head with behind-the-scenes stuff during the show recaps, I was going to occasionally post snippets of a (fictional, one from the same parallel universe where these shows are happening) wrestling newsletter, to briefly discuss news items that are having an impact on my shows.
Anyone have thoughts on how (or if) I should do that kind of thing?
For example, for this week, one newsletter item would be:
Even though Bill Watts is no longer running the day-to-day UWF business, the company is paying him a consultant's fee as part of the purchase of his UWF assets in April (All of which really happened in real life -- the next part is the part that is strictly my playing off those events, except that Watts really was a GREAT promo). The prevailing thought within the company was that since they were paying him anyway, and since Watts is considered one of the best promo guys ever, they would bring him in temporarily, to act as interim authority figure and to (behind the scenes) coach Steve Williams on his promos. The thought is that as a great athlete, solid worker and awesome physical presence, Dr Death should be one of the top guys in the UWF, but his promos need work, and the hope is that Watts can help develop that.
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Post by loadedglove on Sept 8, 2012 14:37:10 GMT -5
May 1987 Week 4
1. WCW (TBS Sat Night) – Pre-empted for Atlanta Braves baseball (I promise, not a copout – this really did happen on occasion) – However, we do get a promo mid-game, during which Ric Flair and Dusty Rhodes promote their world title match next week on WCW, plugged as the “final showdown” for the title between these two longtime rivals.
2. NWA Main Event (Synd) – 1 hr Tony Schiavone and Bob Caudle welcome us to another exciting edition of Main Event, where tonight, we’ll see 8-man tag action, plus a match to determine the top contenders to the world tag titles. Plus, next week, we’ll have some explosive announcements about this year’s Great American Bash series, and this year’s tour looks to be the biggest ever!
*BREAK*
Contenders’ match: Powers of Pain beat Rock & Roll Express in 10 minutes, when Barbarian pins Morton after a powerslam. After the match, a disappointed Ricky and Robert promise they’re going to turn it around and not let down all their great fans!
*BREAK*
Ron Garvin pinned Dick Slater in 7 minutes. The announcers hype that Garvin is finally getting his shot at former partner Barry Windham, challenging for the US belt.
*BREAK*
Dusty Rhodes, Nikita Koloff and the Road Warriors beat The Four Horsemen (Flair, Arn, Tully, Barry) when Dusty pinned Flair after a bionic elbowdrop in 21 minutes. JJ Dillon tries to interfere by hitting Dusty with his shoe, but Ole Anderson stops him and decks JJ, who is still loopy, staggering around ringside when the babyfaces celebrate their win, as the announcers hype next week’s Dusty-Flair title match on the WCW show!
3. UWF (TBS Sun night) – 1 hr
Jim Ross welcomes us to the show, with Steve Williams, Terry Gordy and interim Commissioner Bill Watts. Watts announces that Steve Williams will be facing the champion, whoever that may be, once the Gordy-DiBiase issue is settled. Short video package detailing Ted’s turn on Doc. Williams talks about the loss of his friendship with Ted, but promises that when all is said and done and they face off, “Ted, it’s gonna hurt you a LOT more than it’s gonna hurt me!” Doc and Gordy vow to watch each other’s backs, and Gordy notes that The Freebirds have considered Doc their toughest foe, but now, they’re coming together to deal with the Outlaws. They walk off, but Doc turns back to the mic and says, “And DiBiase, that’s not all I have up my sleeve for you!”
*BREAK*
Big Bubba Rogers (with Jim Cornette at ringside) pinned Chavo Guerrero with the Bubba slam in 4:40 (**).
*BREAK*
Steve “Dr Death” Williams beat Terry Funk via dq in 8:44, when the other Outlaws interfered (*** ¾). The heels, led by DiBiase, maul Doc. Each Funk has an arm, and Murdoch holds Doc up by his hair, as DiBiase loads up the glove, making quite a production out of it. Gordy’s running down the aisle, but Ross notes he won’t make it in time, when out of the crowd comes HACKSAW JIM DUGGAN! Duggan has a 2x4, and he uses it to clear the ring of DiBiase, Murdoch and The Funks.
*BREAK*
Jim Ross has Duggan, Doc and Gordy at ringside. Duggan says, “Jim Ross, I know I’m not perfect, and I’ve made some bad decisions in my own life! One of them was a few months ago, when I decided to leave the UWF for another area! But I figured out pretty quick that Hacksaw Jim Duggan is NOT a cartoon character! Hacksaw Jim Duggan is about competition, loving my country, and being loyal to my friends! And Jim Ross, I know a lot of people lately have read newspaper stories about Hacksaw Jim Duggan, and some mistakes I may have made, but that’s not what I’m here to talk about today. TODAY, I’m here to talk about my good friend Steve Williams, and how HE made a mistake that ol’ Hacksaw Jim Duggan made a few years back – trusting another so-called friend named Ted DiBiase! A lot of you people may remember that when DiBiase and myself were a team, he sacrificed our friendship for MONEY, to join forces with Skandor Akbar! And now, he’s done the same thing to Doc! Well, Theodore DiBiase, I saw where last week you crowned yourself king of the outlaws! Well, ol’ HACKSAW knows a thing or two about being an outlaw, and I’m gonna remind you and your Outlaw buddies about it, with THESE TWO FISTS! DiBiase, you bring your outlaws, and you’re gonna be facing Doctor Death, The Freebirds, and Hacksaw Dggan … TOUGH GUY!” With that, Jim Ross says we have action in the ring …
Sting makes Black Bart submit to the Scorpion leglock in four minutes.
*BREAK*
MAIN EVENT: Terry Taylor defending the TV title versus Owen Hart. Taylor, with Eddie Gilbert behind him, grabs the mic during ring intros, to welcome all his great fans to the new Terry Taylor era, and he promises to give the fans a thrilling TV title match each week, starting with one of the newest arrivals to the UWF! To commemorate the occasion, Terry promises to cap off each victory by handing out a signed “Terry Taylor – MY television champion!” T-shirt to one lucky fan immediately after each match! Eddie Gilbert opens the box he’s been holding, to reveal a stack of said T-shirts; Terry signs the top one and tells Gilbert to start looking in the audience for tonight’s lucky winner! The match is back and forth, with Owen coming out ahead in a series of fast-paced exchanges. Jim Ross notes that since his arrival in the UWF three years earlier, Terry has been able to rely on his speed and technique to conquer more powerful foes, but now, maybe for the first time, he finds himself facing a foe who has those qualities every bit as much as Taylor himself, if not more! The ref goes down after a midring collision, and Gilbert reaches into his jacket, rubs what Ross says smells like ether onto one of the T-shirts and prepares to enter the ring to put Owen to sleep, but STING intercepts him, punches Gilbert, and the rag goes flying! Sting grabs it and uses it on Gilbert, before tossing the unconscious “Hot Stuff” out of the ring and then leaving himself. Sting is now at ringside, cheering on Owen. Owen hits a side salto suplex, and then Sting yells, “NOW!” Owen smiles and then puts Taylor into his own version of the Scorpion leglock (or sharpshooter, if you prefer). Taylor finally submits, at 18:18. (**** ¼). The winner, and NEW television champion … OWEN HART! Sting and Owen celebrate, and each makes a point of grabbing one of the Terry Taylor T-shirts before exiting.
Ross: “That’s all the time we have this week, fans …”
4. Power Pro (UWF) (syndication) – 1 hr
Jim Ross, at the announcer’s desk/interview podium, breaks down the latest UWF and NWA news (title changes, turns, major angles), and then we have a Jim Cornette (w/ Big Bubba) promo! Cornette is livid that the Express is not getting the title shot on today’s show, but promises the Freebirds that there is coming, soon enough! Michael Hayes comes out, and the two jaw at each other, until Cornette says something about Hayes’ mother, and Hayes goes to slap Cornette, but Bubba steps between them. With Hayes distracted, Lane and Eaton attack him from behind, and Cornette pulls out SCISSORS! With Hayes held down by all 3 men, Cornette moves in to give Hayes a haircut! This brings out the other two Freebirds … which brings out the Outlaws, which brings out Doc and Duggan, and suddenly, we have a Pier 6 brawl too big to be contained on a single pier! Guys are brawling everywhere, and Jim Ross calls for a commercial break to restore order.
*BREAK*
Eddie Gilbert and Rick Steiner beat The Rockers in 17:19, when Rick pins Marty after a powerslam.(***)
*BREAK*
Jim Ross replays brief highlights of the Duggan segment from UWF this week, and then, in the ring … Hacksaw Duggan pinned Angel of Death with the Spear, in 6:22 (**).
*BREAK*
Main event: UWF tag title match! Champs Michael Hayes & Buddy Roberts beat The Sheepherders in 11:14, when Roberts pinned Luke after a top-rope elbowdrop (** ¼). Jim Ross notes that Cornette and the Express have been barred from the building after their stunt at the top of the show – and in a postmatch interview, Hayes vows revenge for Cornette even THINKING about cutting his hair!
House show highlights NWA Ole Anderson and Arn Anderson battled to a double DQ in eight minutes.
US title: Barry Windham pinned Ronnie Garvin in 14 minutes, after a superplex.
The Powers of Pain and Paul Jones beat the Road Warriors and Paul Ellering in 10 minutes, when Warlord pinned Ellering.
NWA world title: Ric Flair pinned Nikita Koloff with the figure-four leglock in 18 minutes, 11 seconds. (***)
UWF (These specific results are from 5/29/87, in Houston, TX, but similar match outcomes occur all week, except that we're only doing the title change once -- after all, I'm not running Memphis here)
Chris Adams & Sting beat Eddie Gilbert & Rick Steiner in 13:33, when Sting made Gilbert submit to the Scorpion leglock (*** ¼).
Owen Hart pinned One Man Gang after a missile dropkick, in nine minutes.
Elimination match: Steve Williams, Michael Hayes and Buddy Roberts beat the Outlaws (Dick Murdoch, Dory & Terry Funk) in 38:01 (**** ¼). Eliminations: Doc pins Dory (8:32), Michael Hayes and Dick Murdoch are both counted out (12:59), Terry Funk pins Buddy Roberts (20:06), Steve Williams pins Terry Funk. SURVIVOR: Steve “Dr. Death” Williams
UWF championship: Ted DiBiase pinned Terry Gordy with the figure-four leglock in 14:38, to win the UWF championship. DiBiase and Gordy were brawling at ringside, near the end of the match, when STAN HANSEN ran down the aisle and clobbered Gordy with a cowbell, leading directly to the finish, where Ted rolled him into the ring and immediately applied the figure-four onto an unconscious Gordy.
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Post by snabbit888 on Sept 8, 2012 15:02:12 GMT -5
Would you be able to post your rosters for these circuits? I like what you do here, but I have a little trouble keeping the rosters straight.
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Post by loadedglove on Sept 8, 2012 21:28:21 GMT -5
Would you be able to post your rosters for these circuits? I like what you do here, but I have a little trouble keeping the rosters straight. Yes -- what I meant to do, starting with May, is post rosters in the form of ratings -- singles and tag teams, one each for NWA and UWF. Ratings segments are meant to be part of the TV shows, anyway, so I'll likely post the lists, with a bit of commentary (e.g., Jim Ross explaining why Jim Duggan is not ranked yet). I will have those up shortly. As the use of Dick Slater, The Rockers and (to a lesser extent) the Sheepherders shows, some of the talent is bleeding back and forth, and although it can get hectic, that is intentional, and it'll make more sense in the coming weeks. Thanks, and stay tuned -- I will have those ratings up shortly.
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Post by loadedglove on Sept 14, 2012 23:45:20 GMT -5
OFFICIAL RANKINGS, as of 6/1/87 (courtesy of Pro Wrestling Illustrated)
NWA
NWA World Champion: Ric Flair
1. Barry Windham (U.S. champion) 2. Tully Blanchard (NWA TV champion) 3. Arn Anderson 4. Ron Garvin 5. Dusty Rhodes 6. Ole Anderson 7. Nikita Koloff 8. Dick Slater 9. Wahoo McDaniel 10. Brad Armstrong
Tag teams
NWA World Tag-team Champions: The Road Warriors United States Tag-team champions: Brad Armstrong & Kevin Sullivan
Top Contenders:
1. Rock & Roll Express 2. Powers of Pain 3. The Rockers (note: The Rockers have positioned themselves as “free agents,” but with coveted contracts for matches as part of the prestigious Great American Bash ’87 tour coming in July, the team signed up mostly for matches under the NWA banner, so they are listed here).
UWF
UWF World Champion: Ted DiBiase
1. Owen Hart (Television Champion) 2. Steve Williams 3. Terry Gordy 4. Rick Steiner 5. Eddie Gilbert 6. Dick Murdoch 7. Terry Taylor 8. Sting 9. Chris Adams 10. One Man Gang
Tag teams
UWF World Tag-team champions: The Fabulous Freebirds (Michael Hayes & Buddy Roberts)
Top Contenders:
1. The Midnight Express (with Jim Cornette) 2. Chavo & Hector Guerrero 3. The Sheepherders
Other stars/new faces to watch out for: Stan Hansen, Big Bubba Rogers, Jim Duggan
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Post by loadedglove on Sept 17, 2012 21:30:52 GMT -5
ok, this time, it took me an extra couple of days for no other reason than there's some MAJOR stuff happening here. I perhaps didn't pace everything perfectly, because a lot of major angles all broke the same week -- this week, so this post is a LOOOOOOOONG one.
Don't worry -- that doesn't mean next week's shows will be nothing but squashes and recaps; I promise I have some wild stuff coming -- please stay tuned, and this week especially, I'd love to get feedback on how folks think things are going and where we might be heading.
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June 1987, Week 1 1. WCW (TBS Sat Night) – 2 hr Tony & David welcome fans to the show, which includes a rarity – a WORLD TITLE MATCH on television! But first, Jim Crockett is with them, to make a MAJOR announcement. Crockett: “Tony, David, as the fans know, The Great American Bash tour is the summer centerpiece of the NWA, and every year, promoters around the country try to put together the greatest matches possible, for our fans. This year, we have something very special in store. As many fans know, the NWA and Jim Crockett Promotions have been working for the past few months with the Universal Wrestling Federation, for some special challenges and matches. Well, it’s time to take those challenges to the next level. This year, all across the country, the stars of the NWA and the UWF will be coming together to put on ‘Supershows,’ featuring stars and matchups like fans have never seen, during the Bash tour, which starts July 4, in Atlanta’s Omni. We have a special video to remind fans of some of the great wrestlers they’ll be seeing …” VIDEO PACKAGE of UWF stars, like Steve Williams, The Outlaws, The Freebirds, Jim Duggan, The Midnight Express, Owen Hart, Sting … After the video, Schiavone says, “And fans, Jim Crockett has yet ANOTHER major announcement to make later in this program, so don’t you DARE go away!”
*BREAK*
Squashes/promos include: Nikita Koloff, Dick Slater, Ron Garvin, Powers of Pain, UWF stars The Freebirds (all 3), Wahoo McDaniel and world tag champions the Road Warriors.
*BREAK*
Jim Crockett is back at the announce position, with Tony and David. Jim Crockett says that wrestling fans are aware of the many wrestling organizations that bring action to the fans. Jim Crockett: “While we all know of at least one federation that stresses cartoon characters and show business over athleticism, true wrestling fans know that the National Wrestling Alliance has always prided itself on having the greatest athletes, the greatest professional WRESTLERS, in the world. But the fans of the Universal Wrestling Federation have always maintained that the UWF is home to the toughest wrestlers and the keenest competition in all of wrestling. “Well, the time has come to put that to the test. As part of the Great American Bash tour that the NWA and Jim Crockett Promotions will be co-promoting with the UWF, we kick off that tour on July 4, at the Omni in Atlanta, Georgia, with a match that has NEVER been held before: the War Games, and I believe we have a video package to give fans an idea about this exciting, first-ever matchup.” We go to a short video of the two-ring cage (with roof) being constructed; . Back to Crockett, who explains the rules: There are two teams, five men each. The match begins with a five-minute period, during which one man from each team battles inside the cage. At the five-minute mark, one team sends in a second wrestler for a two-minute period in which that team has a one-man advantage. Then, the other team gets a man in. This continues, with a man from alternating teams entering at two-minute intervals until all 10 are in the rings. ONLY THEN can the match be decided, as once all 10 are in, the bout effectively becomes a submission match, continuing until one member of one team gives up. Crockett announces that this year’s Bash tour will feature three War Games bouts. In all three, the NWA will square off against the UWF! More details about who the teams will be in the weeks to come. He then says that since the one-man advantage could be critical, the NWA-UWF best-of-seven series (presently tied at two match wins apiece) we’ve been seeing is to determine which side gets that advantage. We’ll have more information on this in the weeks to come, but right now, fans, let’s go back to the ring, for our …
Main event: Ric Flair defending the NWA world title against Dusty Rhodes, set for one fall, with a time limit of “television time remaining” (with about 50 minutes left in the show). Tony and David remark that, per the match contract, Flair agreed to defend against Dusty on TV, only if Dusty would agree that this would be Rhodes’ LAST title shot against Flair, for the duration of this title reign. David says he senses something special in the air, a perhaps historic moment. They battle back and forth, with Dusty getting the better of a series of exchanges. Flair eventually gets a cheap shot in and moves in on Dusty’s leg. The other Horsemen come out to cheer on Flair, which brings out Nikita Koloff, Ole Anderson and the Road Warriors to ringside, cheering on Dusty. The finish comes at 20:22, when Flair has Rhodes in the figure-four, but has his arms outstretched to Barry Windham, outside the ring, with Windham adding to the torque of the hold. The ref is so focused on asking whether Dusty submits (“NO!!!”) that he misses this, and finally, Nikita Koloff jumps up on the apron to complain. Unfortunately, as he does, Windham releases, and Rhodes turns himself and Flair over, reversing the hold. Flair looks like he could be giving up, and when Nikita sees this, he jumps back down onto the floor, and the referee returns his attention to the match in the ring, just as Flair reaches the ropes to force a break. Rhodes gamely gets up to one knee, but is admonishing the referee about missing what Dusty sees as his winning the bout, when Flair chock-blocks him from behind, hitting the bad leg. Flair immediately re-applies the figure-four, this time in midring, and Dusty tries, but can no longer turn over the hold. Still he refuses to give up, and hangs on for more than a minute. Finally, Rhodes appears to pass out, and 1-2-3, RIC FLAIR is winner by pinfall, and STILL NWA world heavyweight champion! And, it appears, the biggest feud of his championship career is finally over. Tony says they’re going to try to get some help for Dusty, as we go to a …
*BREAK*
Tony and David note that a team of EMTs took an agonized Dusty Rhodes to the hospital, and we’ll hope to have a condition update on him, on next week’s program. However, since we have TV time left, there is another championship match signed for today.
STANDBY MATCH: Brad Armstrong and Kevin Sullivan, defending their US tag titles against the Rock & Roll Express. We get ring intros, and then a break, so that we may see the match without further commercial interruption.
*BREAK*
US tag champs Brad Armstrong and Kevin Sullivan retained the US tag titles, beating the Rock & Roll Express in 14:06, when Ricky Morton passed out in Kevin’s camel clutch (*** ¾). Brad shakes hands with both foes, to start the match. Kevin does not. During the match, Kevin gets increasingly frustrated by being outmaneuvered by the R&Rs, and finally breaks out brutal brawling tactics. Kevin gives Gibson what may or may not have been a deliberate low blow, and Gibson collapses. Brad gets in Sullivan’s face about it, and Sullivan is also starting to get hot. Finally, Kevin nods and puts his hands up, as if to say he agrees he went too far, but as Brad is dragging Gibson to the R&R corner to allow for a tag and a fresh man (to make it a little fairer), Sullivan reaches in his trunks, pulls out brass knuckles and DRILLS Ricky Morton. Armstrong doesn’t see it, and Gibson weakly tags, just as a nearly-unconscious Morton’s momentum is causing him to flop into the ring. Sullivan tells Brad to get in the corner, and puts Morton into the camel clutch, leading to the win. The ref hands them the belts, and since we have a couple of minutes left, Tony tries to get the tag champs over for some quick comments. Kevin acts like he’s at the end of “Rocky 3,” having pulled out a great victory, but Armstrong notices that Morton is now busted open, when he wasn’t mere seconds ago, and starts questioning his partner. Armstrong is yelling, “WHAT DID YOU DO?!” Sullivan says he’s had about enough of this, and he won the match and Brad, as his partner should be thanking him. The two start a shoving match, and referees are trying to get between them to break it up, as the credits roll.
2. NWA Main Event (Synd) – 1 hr We open with a replay of the Bash/Wargames announcement, with the short video on the UWF stars. Tony Schiavone and Bob Caudle say we’ll have more exciting news in coming weeks, but we have an action-packed hour in the ring, including a main event of *********** and we are getting underway right now! MATCH 4 in the WCW/UWF challenge series: The Sheepherders vs Wahoo McDaniel and Ron Garvin. Caudle notes that the brutal team from New Zealand has been a major player in this series, beating the Rock & Roll Express in the very first match and losing match 3 to the US tag champs, Brad Armstrong and Kevin Sullivan. This match is more brutal than either, however, as the four men brawl and batter each other from pillar to post in a punishing battle that leaves visible welts on all four men’s bodies. Ultimately, it’s a wash, as the two teams battle to a double-countout in 12:48 (3/4 *), leaving the series tied at 2-2.
*BREAK*
Arn Anderson defeats Ole Anderson, pinning him after a gourdbuster in 7 minutes. JJ Dillon and Tully Blanchard, at ringside, interfere liberally, leading Tony and Bob to wonder if anyone can stop the Horsemen, with Dusty Rhodes sidelined after Saturday’s match with Flair. They triple on Ole after the pin, until Nikita Koloff runs in, with his chain, clobbering Arn, Tully and JJ. Tony says he’ll try to get some words with Nikita and Ole, after the break.
*BREAK*
Tony is at ringside with Nikita Koloff and Ole Anderson. He notes that Ole has agreed to take over Dusty Rhodes’ contractual obligations in upcoming matches that were to feature the Super Powers versus various combinations of the Horsemen, so as not to leave Nikits Koloff without a partner while Dusty recovers from injuries suffered in his recent world title match against Ric Flair. Nikita: “Nikita and super-partner Dusty Rhodes have … how you say … commitments to fight Horsemen in many tag match, but Dusty Rhodes no clear to wrestle after the Ric Flair attack him leg. Ole Anderson, Nikita have many battles with you, with Horsemen, but you stand by Nikita super-partner Dusty Rhodes, and Nikita, Nikita stand by YOU!” Ole: “You hear that, Arn? You hear THAT, my little nephew? That’s the sound of a Russian cannon going off! That’s the sound of Nikita Koloff … yeah, you know what? People who have followed wrestling for a long time might remember the Koloff and Anderson team! Ivan and myself, we gave nightmares to a lot of wrestlers, and ran a lot of them right out of the NWA! Well, Ivan isn’t here, but Nikita is, and between the power of this man, the Russian Nightmare, and Ole Anderson, the man who taught EVERY dirty trick in the book to Flair, Tully Blanchard, JJ Dillon and my little nephew Arn, you Horsemen have got a WHALE of a problem! And Arn, remember, I’m the man who brought you into wrestling, so I think it’s only fitting that I’m the one to TAKE … YOU … OUT!”
Tony Schiavone: “Fans, let’s go back to the ring!”
World TV title: Tully Blanchard pinned Dick Slater after a slingshot suplex, in 22:53, with a commercial break in between. All TV title matches have a 20-minute time limit, and at the 20-minute mark, Slater, has Tully almost out, with the sleeperhold. He asks for five more minutes, and the ref grants his request, but Blanchard takes over quickly, after a low blow the ref misses while telling JJ Dillon to get off the apron.
And that’s all the time we have this week, folks …
3. UWF (TBS Sun night) – 1 hr Jim Ross welcomes us to the broadcast, saying to stay tuned for MAJOR news about UWF action this summer, but announcing first the big news that we have a new UWF world champion – Ted DiBiase. We go to a video clip of the match’s conclusion, showing Stan Hansen’s arrival and interference, leading to the finish. Ross reminds fans that Hansen (like DiBiase, Murdoch and the Funks) is an alumnus of West Texas State, and his arrival here could make the Outlaws the most powerful faction in all of wrestling. Ross then says, “And to address that, we have these prerecorded comments from Ted DiBiase … and The Outlaws.” Video: Ted DiBiase, the Funks, Murdoch and Hansen, standing in a field. Terry Funk says, “Pay attention out there, because you are looking at wrestling history. You are looking at a tiny piece of the land that makes up the Double Cross Ranch, in Amarillo, Texas, home of the Funk family, and the place where, for two generations, the Funk family has produced the greatest athletes in professional wrestling. Here, we have trained the best in the world – names like Dusty Rhodes, Bruiser Brody, Bobby Duncum, Tully Blanchard, Blackjack Mulligan … AND the men you see standing here today. What we all share is athletic greatness, greatness that even you simple-minded people can grasp. And we share the blood of the Outlaws – it runs through our veins, and it unites us in a way that nothing else could. We are the best in the world, and to prove it, I want you people out there in TV land to look at something …” (camera pans over to a closeup of DiBiase’s waist, which is wearing the UWF belt). DiBiase talks about figuring out that he was carrying dead weight like Steve Williams, bringing him along, but there was never anything in it for him. But NOW, by going back to his roots, he has put together the greatest collection of athletes ever in the UWF, including the newest arrival, Stan Hansen. Hansen is in full-on maniac mode, ranting about how he’s been a world champion on two continents, but all he’s heard is how the UWF has the toughest competition in the world … so he’s here to test it out, alongside the Funks, who trained him, and his fellow Outlaws, Murdoch and DiBiase. DiBiase warns that this is just the beginning, and the Outlaws are taking over …
*BREAK*
Back at the announcers’ desk, Jim Ross is seated, alongside special guest commentator Ted DiBiase, the UWF champion. Ross announces the NWA-UWF Bash tour, and we play a condensed version of the War Games clip w/ Jim Crockett. Ross then says the UWF champ has some comments of his own to make. DiBiase says that Steve Williams STILL doesn’t know how to choose his friends wisely, and that he’s going to destroy Hacksaw Duggan and anyone else who stands in his way. To that end, DiBiase reminds everyone that he has his share of the $1 million Crockett Cup purse (to say nothing of the money the UWF world champion commands), and he has used part of that money to offer a special “performance bonus” to Duggan’s opponent in tonight’s main event, The One Man Gang. Jim Ross notes that ex-champ Gang was the one who sent Duggan packing four months earlier, in a series of loser-leaves (90 days) matches and accuses DiBiase of offering a bounty to Gang, to hurt Duggan. “No, no, Jim Ross,” DiBiase says. “I simply offered the Gang a performance bonus, an incentive to win his match tonight, and hey – if Jim Duggan happens to get hurt in the process, well, what can I say? Wrestling is a rough sport!” But now, we go to the ring for our first match … Stan Hansen vs Black Bart! Ross notes that we’re having a showdown of rugged roughnecks, but DiBiase assures fans that we’ll be seeing a quick slaughter … and he’s right. Stan Hansen (accompanied to ringside by Dory Funk) pinned Black Bart in 1:06, with the lariat (**). Bart never even gets out of the gate, as Hansen attacks him before the bell with vicious, clubbing forearms. Hansen slams Bart, puts the boots to him and drops a knee, before going for the pin. 1 … 2… Hansen picks up Bart! Ross says, “Come on, enough is enough!” DiBiase, however, notes that Hansen is delivering a message, to Terry Gordy and the Freebirds, Jim Duggan, Steve Williams, and anyone else who gets in the Outlaws’ way. And that message is punctuated by the lariat, which DiBiase calls “the most devastating clothesline in all of wrestling!” Hansen slides out of the ring, and cuts a promo with Ted, Dory and Jim Ross that will require serious bleeping. The Outlaws’ gloating ends when Ross informs Hansen that since Hansen’s attack on Gordy preceded his formally signing a contract to wrestle in the UWF, interim UWF Commissioner “Cowboy” Bill Watts has offered him a choice – face criminal charges (the same as any fan would – we take this opportunity to discourage fans from ever throwing anything or getting physically involved in the matches), or sign for a series of matches with the man who wants his head on a plate – Terry Gordy! The Outlaws storm off, except for DiBiase, who remains at the desk with Ross.
*BREAK*
When Jim Ross informs DiBiase that Steve “Dr Death” Williams will be accompanying Duggan to the ring for his match, DiBiase suddenly remembers that he has some training sessions scheduled to prepare for upcoming title defenses, and Jim Ross is left to call the last match alone.
*BREAK*
Main event: Hacksaw Duggan (accompanied to ringside by Steve Williams) pins the One Man Gang with the spear in 6:07. After a short brawl, Duggan slams the Gang, and goes for the pin. Eddie Gilbert, Gang’s manager, jumps up on the apron to distract the ref, but Steve Williams runs around the ring and snatches Gilbert off the apron, decks him and sends him flying. Gang gets to his feet just in time to catch the spear (***). Doc and Duggan are in the ring, arms raised, as we go off the air.
4. Power Pro (UWF) (syndication) – 1 hr Jim Ross and Magnum TA welcome us to the show, and with them is interim Commissioner “Cowboy” Bill Watts. Ross says we have a great TV main event, a rematch for the TV title between new champ Owen Hart, and the man he took it from, Terry Taylor. Watts says that he regrets to say that the Outlaws have managed to place Steve “Dr Death” Williams in a precarious position. Right after the scheme a couple of weeks ago, where Dory Funk joined with brother Terry, Dick Murdoch and Ted DiBiase to run on Doc and win Ted the No. 1 contendership, Dory pushed through a series of match contracts, for Doc to face the Funks and Murdoch in a series of singles matches. Doc was eager to get his hands on all three, so he readily signed. Afterward, Dory used his executive power to put all three matches on the same show – today’s episode of Power Pro. Since Dory was acting as commissioner, prior to being stripped of his position, the contracts are binding, and Doc will have to face all three men today, one after another. However, Watts also says that when Doc learned of this, he not only didn’t back down, he asked for more. Cut to a locker room interview with Doctor Death, who says that he had Commissioner Watts approve a condition that winning these three matches would cement his place as No. 1 contender to the world title and guarantee him a title shot at DiBiase. Back at the desk, Jim Ross says that while Dr Death is as ready as any athlete could be, the odds are stacked against him tonight, and the Outlaws will surely be looking not just beat him, but to hurt him. Even though Commissioner Watts has banned from the ring area anyone not involved in the three matches (anyone who violates the order gets a 30-day suspension and $5,000 fine), Steve Williams is in for the test of his wrestling life! Our first “gauntlet” match is next …
*BREAK*
MATCH # 1: Steve “Dr Death” Williams beat Terry Funk by disqualification in 11 minutes, when Dory Funk Jr. interfered, hitting Doc with a chair. The match was a back-and-forth brawl, but Doc was starting to dominate with power moves and amateur skill (Ross keeps reminding people that Doc was a 4-time wrestling All-American at the University of Oklahoma), and had Terry up for the Stampede when Dory came in and whacked him on the back. The Funks double on him as referees flood the ring. Jim Ross notes that Dory is exempt from fine/suspension since he was involved in the series, and says, “We’ll try to restore order and we’ll … fans, we’ll be right back!”
*BREAK*
MATCH #2: Dory is gloating, taunting the fans, and as the ref signals for the bell, he turns to find that Doctor Death is BACK ON HIS FEET! Doc is a bloody mess, but he roars into action, hitting Dory with three shoulder tackles and the Stampede, getting the pin in 35 seconds! Doc sinks to a knee, still clearly groggy from the earlier attack, and as Dory wobbles out of the ring, Dick Murdoch wastes NO time in sliding in and starting his attack, as MATCH #3 is underway! Murdoch zeroes in on Doc’s bleeding head with punches, cranking headlocks and slams into the turnbuckle. Murdoch applies yet another headlock and positions himself to begin running for a bulldog, when Doc brakes, lifts Murdoch and LAUNCHES him across the ring! Doc is now all fired up, and as blood continues to stream, he blasts Murdoch with a series of tackles and power moves, before lifting him up for the Oklahoma Stampede! 1-2-3! Doc wins by pinfall, in 9 minutes. A barely conscious Murdoch falls out of the ring, but Ted DiBiase comes in, ready to attack … until he looks around and notices the other Outlaws (who had been behind him in the aisle) are NOT with him. Instead, they are stuck in the aisle, brawling with Jim Duggan and the Freebirds! DiBiase tries to back out, but Doc catches him with a flurry of punches that send him sailing over the top rope, into Murdoch’s arms. The two scurry away, as Steve Williams stands, triumphant, in the ring!
MAIN EVENT: TV title match, Owen Hart vs Terry Taylor, with Eddie Gilbert handcuffed to Sting – Owen Hart (wearing to the ring his Terry Taylor T-shirt from last week) retains the title in 10:16, when Terry Taylor submits to the sharpshooter/scorpion (*** ½). Several times during the match, Gilbert tries to stand up (he and Sting are in adjoining chairs at ringside), but Sting yanks him back down. After the finish, Rick Steiner runs in and nails Sting with a chair; he and Gilbert get the key, handcuff Sting to the corner post, and it’s not 3-on-1, as Owen Hart gets mugged by Hot Stuff International. They set up a chair on the mat, and appear to be setting up Owen for a stuff piledriver onto the chair, when Sting snaps the cuffs with a pull of his mighty arm and runs in for the save.
*BREAK*
We come back from break with Jim Ross intro’ing a brief replay of Crockett’s Wargames/Bash announcements, before going to Sting and Owen for a promo. Owen says that as the youngest of 12 kids, he learned to fight against big odds early on, and if Eddie Gilbert’s crew thinks he can be bullied, they can forget it! Sting then howls, beats his chest and says he’s there to watch Owen’s back! Jim Ross says, “And with those words from two dedicated athletes, that’s all the time we have for Power Pro Wrestling! On behalf of Magnum TA and myself, thank you so much for inviting us into your homes, and we’ll see you next week, fans!”
HOUSE SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
NWA
Nikita Koloff & Ole Anderson beat Tully Blanchard & Arn Anderson, when Nikita pins Tully after the Russian Sickle in 16:31 (** ¾).
NWA world title: Ric Flair beat Kevin Sullivan via submission, with the figure-four leglock, in 29:50 (*** ½)
STEEL CAGE, I QUIT MATCH: The Road Warriors retain the NWA world tag team titles, defeating the Powers of Pain in 19:51, when Animal made the Warlord submit to a bearhug. (** ¼)
UWF
Dick Murdoch pinned Chris Adams with the brainbuster in 7 minutes.
Terry Taylor and Rick Steiner battle the Guerreros to a 20-minute time-limit draw.
Steve Williams and Jim Duggan beat The Funks in 12 minutes, when Doc pins Dory, following the Oklahoma Stampede.
Stan Hansen and Terry Gordy battle to a double countout in 3:20, but the post match brawl takes them all over the building and lasts another 10 minutes, with the Outlaws, Steve Williams, The Freebirds and Jim Duggan ultimately getting involved.
UWF title: Ted DiBiase beats Owen Hart after knocking him out with the loaded glove, in 34:30 (**** ½).
The Midnight Express and Freebirds Michael Hayes & Buddy Roberts battle to a double DQ in 11 minutes. When Jim Cornette tries to interfere, Michael Hayes brandishes scissors (for Cornette’s hair) and runs him off.
Steel cage: Sting beat Eddie Gilbert in 14:51, after a monkeyflip catapult into the cage (****).
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Post by JoshiQ on Sept 17, 2012 21:48:11 GMT -5
Some good stuff in there.
War Games should be great, especially considering it will be UWF vs. NWA. Armstrong and Sullivan continue to entertain. And Flair going over Rhodes makes sense as Rhdoes is nearing the end of his run.
Surprised to see Owen Hart take the TV Title from Taylor. That's a pretty big push for the youngster this early in his career.
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Post by loadedglove on Sept 18, 2012 19:31:32 GMT -5
Some good stuff in there. War Games should be great, especially considering it will be UWF vs. NWA. Armstrong and Sullivan continue to entertain. And Flair going over Rhodes makes sense as Rhdoes is nearing the end of his run. Surprised to see Owen Hart take the TV Title from Taylor. That's a pretty big push for the youngster this early in his career. Thanks for the kind words -- the Owen/Taylor result was a consequence of running that match unbooked (I'm still doing partially booked/partially unbooked). I honestly wasn't expecting it, as I'd come up with the whole "Terry Taylor T-shirt" thing beforehand and was planning to go a different direction with it. But when I slotted Owen as the challenger, I got an idea to do that scenario differently, but the new idea would have required Owen to win the title. Since I honestly liked both ideas, I figured I'd let TNM decide which one to use. Sorry to be so vague, but I'm now planning to incorporate elements of the original t-shirt plan into something else, down the road, and I'm trying not to spoil future storylines.
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