|
Post by snabbit888 on Feb 1, 2010 16:57:38 GMT -5
WRESTLER OF THE YEAR: Bruno Sammartino TAG TEAM OF THE YEAR: Mr. Fuji & Toru Tanaka MANAGER OF THE YEAR: Bobby Heenan MATCH OF THE YEAR: United States Title Match - Billy Robinson (c) vs. Wahoo McDaniel, Baltimore, MD - 10/2/72 FEUD OF THE YEAR: Bruno Sammartino vs. Billy Graham MOST POPULAR: Bruno Sammartino MOST HATED: Billy Graham NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR: Billy Robinson
|
|
|
Post by rey619 on Feb 3, 2010 6:13:58 GMT -5
. Plus, it leads to cool happenings, people being locker room cancers, etc. Yeah, I read your wiki. The controversies are a great added touch of realism. Looking forward to 73!
|
|
|
Post by snabbit888 on Feb 12, 2010 18:42:07 GMT -5
January 1, 1973 - Ten Year Anniversary Show @ MSG - New York, NY
Jimmy Snuka pinned Gorilla Monsoon with the Superfly Splash in 0:15:47. Rating: ** 1/4 [Bobby Heenan interfered against Gorilla Monsoon.]
For ten years, GCW has been the standard in the world for wrestling action, and the ten year anniversary show was the pinnacle of everything we have done here in the last decade.
The first contest of this historic night was changed earlier in the night. Originally, it was supposed to be Gorilla Monsoon vs. Jimmy Snuka in a cage match, but Bobby Heenan filed a motion to say it was too dangerous for Snuka to wrestle in a cage because of a nagging knee injury. To not risk it, GCW officials made the call to change the match to a regular singles match. Monsoon was not thrilled, but he just wanted his hands on Snuka. Snuka's knee looked perfectly fine during the match (except when Monsoon was pummeling him). The knee injury excuse was used so that during the match, Bobby Heenan could interfere, distracting Monsoon so that Snuka could clip the big man's knee. Snuka hit the Superfly Splash right after and picked up the biggest win of his young career. Because of the actions of Heenan and Snuka, Snuka will now HAVE to wrestle Monsoon in the cage on January 24 in Boston! And if he doesn't wrestle the match, Bobby Heenan will have to take his place!
Ivan Koloff pinned Greg Gagne with the Russian Sickle in 0:02:22. Rating: ** [Lou Albano interfered against Greg Gagne.]
Lou Albano's new monster, Ivan Koloff, continues to decimate his opponents. Tonight, Greg Gagne was the next to fall prey to the Russian Nightmare. Albano is busy trying to get Koloff more matches to get him up the ladder so he can challenge for a championship, and it looks like it's a matter of when, not if.
Baron Mikel Scicluna and Baron Von Raschke defeated Dominic DeNucci and Tony Garea when Scicluna pinned Garea with the Fistdrop in 0:10:48. Rating: ** 1/4
It seems to be a good time to be Captain Lou, because not only is Ivan Koloff tearing it up, his tag team of Baron Mikel Scicluna & Baron Von Raschke just keep winning as well. Tonight, the Barons picked up a gigantic victory, successfully thwarting the former World Tag Team champions, Dominic DeNucci & Tony Garea. Albano has been working on it for a long time now, and it has finally happened - the Barons have officially been named the top contenders for the World Tag Team Titles, and will wrestle the champions in Boston.
Crusher & Bruiser (The Crusher and Dick the Bruiser) defeated The Cripplers (Nick Bockwinkel and Ray Stevens) when Bruiser defeated R. Stevens by disqualification in 0:15:50. Rating: *** 1/2 (The Cripplers retained the GCW World Tag Team Titles.) [Blackjack Lanza interfered against The Crusher.] [Blackjack Lanza interfered against Dick the Bruiser.]
Dick the Bruiser & The Crusher knew the best way to get revenge on Bobby Heenan and the Cripplers would be to take the World Tag Team Titles for an unprecented 7th time. Bruiser & Crusher were on top of their game, using the brute power offense that has made them one of the most successful tag teams in history. As he has shown in the past so many times though, Bobby Heenan always has a plan, and the identity of this masked man who has been attacking Bruiser & Crusher for months was finally revealed. Bruiser had the Stomach Claw locked on Ray Stevens, and there was just no way Stevens was going to escape. He looked close to giving up when this masked man again attacked, causing the disqualification! This masked man, along with The Cripplers & Bobby Heenan laid waste to Bruiser & Crusher until officials broke it up and helped them to the back. Heenan grabbed the microphone and said it was time to unveil who this man was, removing his mask to reveal BLACKJACK LANZA. The newest member of the Heenan Family is here, and he has vowed to take Dick the Bruiser out.
Billy Graham defeated Jim Brunzell when Jim Brunzell passed out in a front facelock in 0:04:39. Rating: ** 3/4 [The Grand Wizard interfered against Jim Brunzell.]
Billy Graham, despite not winning the World Title this year as he wanted, just gets better and better. The Superstar brutalized poor Jim Brunzell in this match, making short work of him before making him pass out in a front facelock. 1972 may not have earned him a championship, but 1973 just very well may.
Jerry Lawler and Johnny Valentine defeated Mr. Fuji and Toru Tanaka when J. Valentine pinned Tanaka after a small package in 0:08:46. Rating: *** 1/4
Johnny Valentine & Jerry Lawler have forged an unorthodox bond in the past few months, stemming from their series of matches back in 1972. Valentine saved Lawler during his confrontations with Mr. Fuji & Professor Toru Tanaka, hence the reason for this match. Everyone assumed this match would strongly favor Fuji & Tanaka, seeing how they have more experience teaming together and are former World Tag Team champions. There may not be a veteran craftier than Johnny Valentine though, and it looked like he has taught some of his dirty tricks to the young Lawler, as the King broke the rules more often than we'd ever seen. The end would result in a bit of an upset as Valentine caught Tanaka in a small package and with a handful of tights got the win.
Indian Strap Match: Chief Jay Strongbow defeated Spiros Arion in 0:26:52. Rating: 1/4
Spiros Arion's return to GCW should have been a heralded time. Arion is a former World Tag Team champions, having won the titles with the great Bruno Sammartino. Instead, Arion has joined forces with The Grand Wizard, selling out for the money. If that wasn't bad enough, Arion's destroying of Chief Jay Strongbow's sacred headdress was simply reprehensible. To settle the score, Strongbow wanted Arion in his speciality, an Indian Strap Match. Arion may have had all the confidence in the world coming into this match, but once that bell sounded, he quickly realized that a pissed off Strongbow in his specialty match is not who you want to be in the ring with. The distractions of The Grand Wizard helped Arion keep this match competitive, but Arion certainly got the worst of it, his back being covered in disgusting welts thanks to Strongbow's handy work with the strap. After a vicious battle, Strongbow gained a measure of revenge by choking Arion out, dragging him to the four corners of the ring with the strap around his neck to get the win.
Carlos Colon made Ernie Ladd submit to the Figure-Four Leglock in 0:09:46. Rating: 1/4 [The Grand Wizard interfered against Carlos Colon.]
This was a high profile match for Carlos Colon, the new GCW sensation who has come up from Puerto Rico to make waves in the States. He had a mountain of a challenge though as he took on Ernie Ladd. This would be a tremendous feather in Colon's cap if he could defeat Ladd, but many have tried to best Ladd and failed in the process. Ladd had the edge in the size and power advantage, but Colon showed that he has some savvy in the ring as well. Colon chopped the big tree down en route to locking on his version of the Figure-Four Leglock to make the big man submit.
Billy Robinson pinned Luke Graham with the Double-Arm Suplex in 0:12:55. Rating: (Billy Robinson retained the GCW United States Title.)
US champion Billy Robinson & Luke Graham have been allies on recent shows, and Robinsonm being the man that he is, offered Graham a shot at the United States Title to show his gratitude. Graham is no stranger to the US Title, holding it twice in the past including the longest reign in GCW history. Graham is not the same dominant wrestler he was in years past thanks to a series of back and neck injuries, but he showed here that he still can go toe-to-toe with anybody in the world. Robinson took more abuse than he has in any match thus far, but the result was the same - the Double-Arm Suplex and a successful title defense. After the match, Robinson & Graham shook hands in a great sign of sportsmanship. After Graham left Robinson in the ring to celebrate his win, BILLY GRAHAM creeped in from the crowd and clobbered Robinson from behind before locking him in the Bearhug! Eddie Graham saw this and let Luke know, who ran back down and chased his youngest brother out of the ring.
Pedro Morales and Mil Mascaras battled to a double countout in 0:18:00. Rating: ** 1/4
The match between Pedro Morales & Mil Mascaras has been a long time coming, and much of the reasoning for it happened in the locker room, not in the ring. Morales is blaming the woes he feels he has been experiencing on the backstage altercation he had with Mascaras, and this was his way to try to exorcise that demon. This match could hardly be classified as such. This was two men who can't stand each other beating the tar out of one another for nearly 20 minutes. The fans ate up every minute of this battle, all the way through the double countout finish when these two decided that punching each other in the head repeatedly was more important than going for a win. I don't know about you, but this is a match I'd love to see again, but for right now, this feud goes unsettled.
Interview: Wahoo McDaniel challenges the winner of the main event.
Before our enormous main event, the ring announcer was interrupted by a miffed WAHOO MCDANIEL. Wahoo was upset as he was left off of the card for the 10th anniversary show. Wahoo felt this to be a major injustice as he feels he has been a vital part of GCW's success as both a former US and World Tag Team champion. Wahoo finished by saying he would turn this into a positive and challenged the winner of our next match for a World Title match, saying he would be the new champion regardless of who wins.
Match with Special Referee Lou Thesz: Bruno Sammartino pinned Antonio Inoki after a powerslam in 0:33:55. Rating: 1/4 (Bruno Sammartino retained the GCW World Title.)
The night had already been one of epic proportions, and we still had the biggest one of them all. Bruno Sammartino & Antonio Inoki for the World Title. Two men who are friends and have nothing but respect for each other, putting that all aside to combat each other for the richest prize in the game. If that wasn't enough, LOU THESZ, one of the all-time greats in this great sport, was brought in as the special referee, a job only to be entrusted to someone of his caliber. The best thing about this main event is that it was a clean, hard fought affair. No cheating, no shortcuts, no bending of the rules. Just two of the world's best in the middle of the ring, competing to see who was the best. There's not a lot to be said about this match other than it tore the house down and featured some of the best wrestling you could ever hold to see. In the end, it would be the power of Sammartino beating out the technical prowess of Inoki as Bruno drilled him with a powerslam to narrowly get the 1-2-3. Sammartino's title reign is quickly approaching the 3-year mark, already the longest reign ever in GCW. The show came to a close with Inoki bowing to Bruno, showing him the ultimate respect.
Card rating: *** 1/2
Match observations:
Ten years down, and we start the next ten with our first stop being in Boston on January 24! The card so far is as follows:
WORLD TITLE - Bruno Sammartino (c) vs. Wahoo McDaniel UNITED STATES TITLE - Billy Robinson (c) vs. Billy Graham WORLD TAG TEAM TITLES - The Cripplers (c) vs. Baron Mikel Scilcuna/Baron Von Raschke CAGE MATCH - Gorilla Monsoon vs. Jimmy Snuka Dick the Bruiser vs. Blackjack Lanza
|
|
|
Post by snabbit888 on Feb 16, 2010 14:46:56 GMT -5
January 24, 1973 - Boston Garden - Boston, MA
The High Flyers (Jim Brunzell and Greg Gagne) defeated Mr. Fuji and Toru Tanaka when G. Gagne made Tanaka submit to the Gagne Sleeper in 0:14:44. Rating: 1/4
The High Flyers had an impressive, if not unspectacular first year in GCW. They won some, they lost some, but they gained a lot of important experience. In 1973, they're hoping to take the next step, and they had a huge opportunity to get that ball rolling in our opening contest against the former tag team champions, Mr. Fuji & Professor Toru Tanaka. Despite the clear improvement Greg Gagne & Jim Brunzell have shown in the last year, teams continue to underestimate them. I don't think Fuji & Tanaka will anymore though. The Flyers got beaten down for most of this match, but Gagne managed to get Tanaka in the Gagne Sleeper. Fuji ran in to make the save, but Brunzell floored him with his patented Dropkick to send him to the floor, leaving the Professor with no choice but to tap out. This is a gigantic win and will surely move Gagne & Brunzell up the rankings.
Carlos Colon pinned Spiros Arion with the Figure-Four Leglock in 0:03:09. Rating: ***
Spiros Arion was still wearing the scars of battle from his Indian Strap Match with Chief Jay Strongbow 3 weeks ago, his back covered in disgusting welts. In fairness, Arion probably shouldn't have been competing tonight, especially against a hungry and opportunistic Carlos Colon, who will take a win any way he can get it as he tries to climb the ladder in GCW. Arion couldn't mount any offense with his back in the shape it was, leading to a quick win for Colon with the Figure-Four Leglock.
Blackjack Lanza made The Crusher submit to the Blackjack Claw in 0:11:31. Rating: *** (Dick the Bruiser no-showed.)
Blackjack Lanza is Bobby Heenan's latest hired gun, and he has been brought in to eliminate the team Heenan finds to be the biggest threat to the tag team titles currently held by Ray Stevens & Nick Bockwinkel, which would be Dick the Bruiser & The Crusher. This match was supposed to be Lanza's official in-ring debut against the Bruiser, but he wasn't in the building tonight. We don't have word as to why Bruiser wasn't here as of press time. The Crusher took his place gladly though, another man wanting to get his hands on Lanza. The Crusher roughed him up early working on pure adrenaline, but Lanza is a wildcard that Crusher wasn't fully prepared for. Crusher suffered a beatdown and eventually got locked in Lanza's Blackjack Claw, one of the better clawholds you will see in the world today. Crusher tried to fight out of it, but the energy was quickly zapped out of him and Crusher tapped out, no small feat indeed. Lanza continued the assault post-match, leaving Crusher a bloody mess. Lanza was finally pulled off of Crusher and the former 6-time tag team champion was stretchered out of the ring.
The Cripplers (Nick Bockwinkel and Ray Stevens) defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna and Baron Von Raschke when Bockwinkel defeated Raschke by countout in 0:06:45. Rating: ** 1/4 (The Cripplers retained the GCW World Tag Team Titles.) [Bobby Heenan interfered against Baron Von Raschke.]
Heenan might have brought Blackjack Lanza in to take out Bruiser & Crusher, but perhaps he should bring in someone else to take out Baron Mikel Scicluna & Baron Von Raschke as well. The Barons were the challengers for The Cripplers here in Boston, a title shot that Captain Lou Albano has been angling for for quite some time. Size and strength wise, this match belonged to the Barons, but Heenan showed just how far he will go for his clients. Baron Von Raschke was signaling to put the Claw on Bockwinkel when Heenan jumped in the ring and actually SPIT on Raschke! Raschke about lost his mind and chased Heenan out of the ring and all the way to the locker room, getting himself counted out in the process. The Cripplers are still the World Tag Team champions thanks to Heenan putting his neck on the line. GCW officials have announced that at our next show in Philadelphia on February 14, Heenan will be forced to wrestle in a one-on-one match against Baron Von Raschke! Not only that, but The Cripplers will again have to defend the tag titles against Baron Mikel Scicluna and a wrestler that Lou Albano will be allowed to announce at a later time.
Ernie Ladd pinned Luke Graham with the Boot to the Face in 0:10:51. Rating: *** [The Grand Wizard interfered against Luke Graham.]
Our next match featured two men from GCW's old guard as Luke Graham took on Ernie Ladd. Both individuals could use a big win here to help get themselves in position for a World Title shot. Graham has a bullseye on him these days with his neck and back injuries, a bullseye that Ladd went after time and time again during this contest. Graham would end up losing this match when he hesitated to go for a suplex on Ladd thanks to his back, letting Ladd blast Graham in the face with the Boot to the Face to get the 1-2-3. Ladd didn't stop there, grabbing a chair that he was handed by The Grand Wizard to crash on Graham's neck 3 times before Eddie Graham got into the ring and wrestled it away from him. Graham managed to escape permanent injury, but as a precautionary measure, Eddie Graham is keeping Luke out of action for awhile until his neck and back can properly heal.
Pedro Morales defeated Jerry Lawler when Jerry Lawler passed out in the Boston Crab in 0:09:09. Rating:
Pedro Morales didn't get the revenge that he wanted over Mil Mascaras at the Ten Year Anniversary Show, which boded poorly for young Jerry Lawler. When Morales is unstable, there are few men on the planet who have a chance at slowing him down. Lawler fought valiantly, but Morales took him to school and took him out with the Boston Crab. Morales refused to release the hold after the match, prompting JOHNNY VALENTINE to make the save, clubbing Morales from behind with a forearm that sent him sprawling from the ring. Word has it that Valentine wanted the match with Morales in Philly, but Lawler has asked Valentine to let him have one more shot at beating Morales.
Ivan Koloff pinned Chief Jay Strongbow with the Russian Sickle in 0:07:11. Rating: *** 1/4 [Lou Albano interfered against Chief Jay Strongbow.]
Ivan Koloff's reign of destruction has seen little resistance thus far, but he got hit with a major roadblock tonight when his opponent was announced as CHIEF JAY STRONGBOW. Strongbow is from the old guard and said that he is tired of Koloff & Lou Albano thinking they can just push everyone around, and thus invited Koloff to try to bully him. The Russian Bear didn't back down in the least, though he certainly took more licks in this match than he has in any of his previous contests. Strongbow even locked Koloff in the Indian Deathlock, but he was too close to the ropes and Koloff escaped. Strongbow protested for just a moment, which was long enough for Koloff to nearly take his head off with the Russian Sickle to get the 1-2-3. After the match, Strongbow & Koloff got into a brawl that had to be separated by referees. As a result, these two will meet again in Philly, in an Indian Strap Match!
Billy Graham pinned Billy Robinson after a clothesline in 0:12:27. Rating: 1/4 (Billy Graham won the GCW United States Title.)
"Superstar" Billy Graham's cowardly attack on Billy Robinson 3 weeks ago was the catalyst for this, our second championship match of the evening. Robinson is the reigning US champion and thus far undefeated, already beating some of the top competitors in all of Global Championship Wrestling. Billy Graham has been saying that he wants his career to be better than even his brother Luke's has been. That's going to be a feat for anyone to do, as Luke Graham is a former 2-time World champion, 2-time US champion, and World Tag Team champion. For Billy, this was his first step, in his words. The Superstar is one of the strongest men in the sport, but Robinson has made a living in this business outwrestling even the toughest men in the world. Graham was being flustered for the majority of this match as Robinson suckered him into holds time after time. Graham became exceedingly irritated, which only made the fans get on his case even more. The Grand Wizard saw the match slipping through his client's fingers and decided to do something about it, trying to trip Robinson as he hit the ropes. The Grand Wizard is far too scrawny to actually make Robinson fall, but the distraction did allow Graham to blast the champ with a clothesline. Graham went for a quick pin, and with his feet on the ropes, just became the United States champion! The crowd was in stunned silence as Graham was handed the US Title, his first championship. Robinson argued about Graham's feet being on the ropes, but referee Terry Taranova said he didn't see it and can only call what he sees. The decision stands, but Robinson will get a return match in Philadelphia.
Cage Match: Gorilla Monsoon defeated Jimmy Snuka by escaping the cage in 0:08:51. Rating: * 1/4
Jimmy Snuka escaped being locked in a cage with a wild animal last show by feigning a knee injury, but he would have no other options as Gorilla Monsoon finally got his massive hands on the Superfly. Snuka tried to play cat and mouse with Monsoon, but in the confines of a cage, you're eventually going to get caught. When Monsoon got a hold of Snuka, it was brutal. Luckily for Snuka, it didn't last long before Monsoon wiped him out and exited the door to get the win and finally put the nail in this issue once and for all.
Wahoo McDaniel and Bruno Sammartino battled to a double countout in 0:22:18. Rating: *** (Bruno Sammartino retained the GCW World Title.)
Wahoo McDaniel went into this match for the World Title with a chip on his shoulder, upset that he was left off of the card for the 10-year anniversary show at MSG. Wahoo has been US & World Tag Team champion in the past, but the only title to elude him is the World Title. Wahoo is also known as one of the hardest hitters in wrestling, and if you don't believe that, just ask Bruno Sammartino about it. Bruno & Wahoo beat the holy ever living nonsense out of each other. From a brutality standpoint, we haven't seen a match where two guys just punched and kicked each other like this one, and the fans in Boston ate it up. They didn't even mind that the match went to a double countout as the battle was that intense. The fans are itching to see these two go at it one more time, and they will get their wish in Philadelphia.
Card rating: ***
Match observations:
It will be Valentine's Day, but love will not be in the air as GCW makes its way to The Spectrum in Philadelphia! Here's what we have on tap for you so far:
WORLD TITLE REMATCH - Bruno Sammartino (c) vs. Wahoo McDaniel UNITED STATES TITLE - Billy Graham (c) vs. Billy Robinson WORLD TAG TEAM TITLES - The Cripplers (c) vs. Baron Mikel Scicluna/TBA INDIAN STRAP MATCH - Chief Jay Strongbow vs. Ivan Koloff Dick the Bruiser vs. Blackjack Lanza Jerry Lawler vs. Pedro Morales Baron Von Raschke vs. Bobby Heenan
|
|
|
Post by rey619 on Feb 17, 2010 2:41:38 GMT -5
1973 looks to be good so far. I'm wondering if your going for some kind of old guard vs new guard angle, or if it was just coincidence that you mentioned that twice..
Also, who will de-throne Sammartino? Wahoo? Doubtful.. Somehow I think Pedro Morales will have his world title sooner or later.
|
|
|
Post by snabbit888 on Feb 17, 2010 12:03:23 GMT -5
1973 looks to be good so far. I'm wondering if your going for some kind of old guard vs new guard angle, or if it was just coincidence that you mentioned that twice.. Also, who will de-throne Sammartino? Wahoo? Doubtful.. Somehow I think Pedro Morales will have his world title sooner or later. Truthfully, it was a coincidence. I don't write the entire cards in one sitting, usually, so sometimes I just miss that I've repeated something. So it wasn't foreshadowing of a new angle - just bad writing. And even I'm still trying to figure out who's going to beat Bruno. I really don't have a planned ending for his title reign yet. With every new feud he has, I consider whether that should be the guy to end it or not.
|
|
|
Post by snabbit888 on Mar 1, 2010 0:36:29 GMT -5
February 14, 1973 - The Spectrum - Philadelphia, PA
Gorilla Monsoon pinned Spiros Arion after a splash in 0:02:12. Rating: * [The Grand Wizard interfered against Gorilla Monsoon.]
Not a good time to be Spiros Arion, who looks like he is still suffering ill effects from the Indian Strap Match a few weeks ago. And when your opponent is Gorilla Monsoon, the last thing you want is to be less than 100%. Monsoon finished Arion off in short order to pick up the win to start our show in Philadelphia.
Baron Von Raschke defeated Bobby Heenan by disqualification in 0:01:17. Rating: 1/2* [Jimmy Snuka interfered against Baron Von Raschke.]
Bobby Heenan looked as if he was going to soil himself as he was forced to step into the ring with Baron Von Raschke, a man he caused to lose a match for the World Tag Team Titles in Boston. Heenan ran away as fast as he could once the bell rang, but Raschke got a hold of him. He was about to put on the Claw, but before he could, JIMMY SNUKA hit the ring to break it up, ending this match in a DQ. Snuka beat on Raschke and got him down to one knee, but Raschke surprised him when he emerged and applied the Claw on the Superfly before officials came down to break it up.
Pedro Morales defeated Jerry Lawler when Jerry Lawler passed out in a figure-four leglock in 0:06:06. Rating:
Jerry "The King" Lawler asked his mentor, Johnny Valentine, to let him have one more shot at Pedro Morales, the man who tried to injure him at our last event. Lawler also made Valentine promise not to get involved in the match, saying he needed to make this happen himself. Lawler came out a house of fire, completely blitzing Morales and almost scoring a quick pin early with a fistdrop, but Morales rolled to the floor to slow things down. Morales stalled, frustrating Lawler, which gave Morales the opening to get on the offensive. Morales sadistically took Lawler apart, before locking him in a figure-four leglock, a blatant sign of disrespect to Johnny Valentine. To Lawler's credit, he wouldn't submit, but the pain became too much for him and the referee awarded this contest to Morales. Morales wouldn't let go of the of the hold after the match, trying to break young Lawler's leg. Eventually, JOHNNY VALENTINE was out and all over Morales, sending him sprawling out of the ring. Valentine went after Morales, but Pedro jumped into the crowd and fled the scene. Valentine went back into the ring to check on Lawler and helped him to the back.
10-Man Battle Royal: Ernie Ladd won a 10-man Battle Royal: x Ernie Ladd threw out Fuji after a low blow in 0:00:51 x G. Gagne threw out Tanaka in 0:08:07 x Ernie Ladd threw out Garea after a vertical suplex in 0:10:01 x Ernie Ladd threw out G. Gagne in 0:10:04 x Ernie Ladd threw out DeNucci after a bearhug in 0:10:26 x Ernie Ladd threw out Brunzell after a kick-off in 0:10:48 x C. Colon threw out J. Valentine in 0:12:04 x C. Colon threw out J. Snuka in 0:13:18 x Ernie Ladd threw out C. Colon in 0:15:14 Rating: *** 1/4
The fans in Philly received a treat as we had a 10-man battle royal. This match belonged to Ernie Ladd from the opening bell. Ladd came out with his thumb taped and was blatantly mocking Luke Graham, a man he is taking credit for running out of the business. Luke Graham is the last man you want to be taunting, but Ladd may be big and bad enough to back it up. When it was all said and done, Ladd eliminated 6 of the 9 men in the match, lastly being Carlos Colon, who had a great showing himself. Colon eliminated 2 men, including Jimmy Snuka who was running in fear from an appearance by BARON VON RASCHKE. In the end though, Ladd dumped Colon and had his hand raised in victory.
The Cripplers (Nick Bockwinkel and Ray Stevens) defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna and Lou Albano when R. Stevens pinned Albano with the Bombs Away Kneedrop in 0:10:37. Rating: *** (The Cripplers retained the GCW World Tag Team Titles.)
The Cripplers were at a bit of a disadvantage as they had to defend the World Tag Team Titles, but they only knew who one of their opponents would be - Baron Mikel Scicluna. Scicluna's manager Captain Lou Albano got to choose who Scicluna would team with, and Albano surprised everyone - Scicluna included - by naming HIMSELF as the tag team partner. Bobby Heenan was extremely distracted on the outside, knowing that Baron Von Raschke was still somewhere in the building and presumably looking for him. He found him as near the end of the match, Raschke was out and chasing Heenan around ringside! Heenan prepared for this though as JIMMY SNUKA caught Raschke off-guard with a wooden chair, knocking raschke loopy and opening a cut on the big German's head. During the chaos, Albano got distracted and pinned by Stevens with the Bombs Away Kneedrop. I have a good feeling this is far from over.
Billy Robinson defeated Billy Graham by countout in 0:08:16. Rating: ** 1/4 (Billy Graham retained the GCW United States Title.)
"Superstar" Billy Graham shocked the world back in Boston by ending not only Billy Robinson's undefeated streak, but taking the United States Title from him in the process. Robinson got his rematch here and looked even more focused to not let lightning strike twice. The Grand Wizard had a different idea though, not wanting to see his only champion and the money that comes along with managing a champion go away so quickly, and had Graham bail for the countout loss when he got into too much trouble. Robinson wins the match, but the US Title remains with the Superstar. The GCW Championship Committee has decided that Robinson deserves one more shot at recapturing the US Title, and he will get that opportunity on March 12 at Madison Square Garden in a 2 out of 3 falls match!
Blackjack Lanza defeated Dick the Bruiser when Dick the Bruiser passed out in the Blackjack Claw in 0:01:54. Rating: ***
Blackjack Lanza is proving himself to be a great hire by Bobby Heenan as the muscle of the Heenan Family. Lanza has been instrumental in helping The Cripplers both attain and retain the World Tag Team Titles, being the perpetual thorn in the side of both Dick the Bruiser & The Crusher. Lanza was supposed to wrestle Bruiser last month, but Bruiser was nowhere to be found. Lanza instead defeated The Crusher, but this month he did get Bruiser. Lanza had a plan though, knowing how upset Bruiser was with him. Lanza assaulted Bruiser before the match, using Bruiser's very own chain against him to bloody him up severely. Bruiser still insisted that the match take place, which was ill-advised. It didn't take Lanza long before he put on the Blackjack Claw, causing Bruiser to pass out. Lanza refused to release the hold until THE CRUSHER ran out and chased him off. Crusher helped Bruiser to his feet before turning and blasting Bruiser with the Bolo Punch out of nowhere! We weren't exactly sure why The Crusher attacked his own partner, but the rumor going around backstage is that Crusher is mad at Bruiser for not being there for the match in Boston. In a first here in GCW, Dick the Bruiser & The Crusher will wrestle each other at Madison Square Garden on March 12!
Indian Strap Match: Ivan Koloff defeated Chief Jay Strongbow in 0:08:40. Rating: **
Ivan Koloff has been a nightmare, and he is starting to make the veterans of GCW take notice. Koloff even had the gumption to challenge Chief Jay Strongbow tonight to Strongbow's own specialty match, the Indian Strap Match. Many felt that the Russian Bear may have bitten off more than he could chew, because you just don't beat Strongbow in an Indian Strap Match. Well I think someone forgot to tell Koloff that, because that's exactly what he did. Not only did he beat Strongbow, but he beat him soundly. If you didn't believe that Lou Albano's Russian Bear was for real before, this ought to cement it for you. Could Koloff be the next opponent for Bruno Sammartino?
Wahoo McDaniel defeated Bruno Sammartino by disqualification in 0:35:09. Rating: *** 1/4 (Bruno Sammartino retained the GCW World Title.)
Bruno Sammartino better not be thinking ahead to any possible clashes with Ivan Koloff, because he had a return match in our main event, defending against Wahoo McDaniel. The two wrestled to a double countout in Boston, and both men wanted another shot to find out who the better man was. This match turned into a pier six brawl from the opening bell, and referee Dick Kroll had a whale of a time keeping these two under control. To Kroll's credit though, he gave both men a lot of leeway knowing that not only the competitors, but the fans wanted to see a decisive finish. That became impossible by the end of the match. Wahoo had busted Bruno open, causing him to wear the crimson mask. Sammartino was in a lot of trouble, but when he noticed the blood pouring down his face, he lost his temper and obliterated Wahoo. Sammartino stopped listening to the referee's instructions and Kroll had to disqualify him to try to restore some order to the situation. It took a slew of officials to pull Bruno away from McDaniel. These two will meet one more time at the Garden next month to settle this once and for all, as a part of a special 2 out of 3 falls themed event.
Card rating: ** 3/4
Match observations:
March 12, Madison Square Garden, a huge event planned with three title matches being contested all with 2 out of 3 falls rules.
WORLD TITLE 2/3 FALLS - Bruno Sammartino (c) vs. Wahoo McDaniel UNITED STATES TITLE 2/3 FALLS - Billy Graham (c) vs. Billy Robinson WORLD TAG TEAM TITLES 2/3 FALLS - The Cripplers (c) vs. The High Flyers Dick the Bruiser vs. The Crusher Carlos Colon vs. Ernie Ladd Baron Von Raschke vs. Jimmy Snuka Johnny Valentine vs. Pedro Morales
|
|
|
Post by snabbit888 on Mar 16, 2010 0:00:16 GMT -5
March 12, 1973 - Madison Square Garden - New York, NY
Mr. Fuji and Toru Tanaka defeated Chief Jay Strongbow and Don Muraco when Fuji pinned Muraco with the Thrust Kick in 0:09:36. Rating: ***
Our opening contest here in the Garden pit Mr. Fuji & Professor Toru Tanaka against a brand new tag team. Chief Jay Strongbow wants to get back into the tag team division, and he has taken a rookie, Don Muraco, under his wing. Muraco has a plethora of natural talent, but he is going to need some time and experience to really foster it into a winning wrestler. Muraco had some flashes of brilliance, and Strongbow will bring him around nicely, but it's a process. Fuji & Tanaka take the win in our opener.
Dominic DeNucci made Baron Mikel Scicluna submit to an armbar submission in 0:02:35. Rating: ** 3/4
Dominic DeNucci hasn't had the greatest track record in singles action, but he is a former 3-time World Tag Team champion and one of the most respected wrestlers in all of GCW. Baron Mikel Scicluna was reminded of that in this match, as DeNucci wasted little time going after his left arm before getting a quick armbar submission victory.
Baron Von Raschke defeated Jimmy Snuka by disqualification in 0:13:32. Rating: * 1/2
Baron Von Raschke is still fuming at Bobby Heenan, but his aggression is pointed at one of Heenan's lackeys, Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka, who prevented Raschke from getting his hands on Heenan in the first place. Raschke bounced Snuka around the ring for much of the match, but to Snuka's credit, he did exactly what his manager asked him to do. Raschke eventually had Snuka in the Claw, but before Snuka submitted, Heenan jumped in the ring and hit Raschke in the back for the disqualification. Problem is, the chair didn't phase Raschke at all. Raschke turned his attention to Heenan, who ran away in a hurry. As a result, a match has been signed for the April 15 show in Toronto pitting Raschke against Snuka one more time, but this time, if Raschke wins, at the next show, he gets another match with Bobby Heenan - in a STEEL CAGE!
Two-out-of-three-Falls Match: The Cripplers (Nick Bockwinkel and Ray Stevens) beat The High Flyers (Jim Brunzell and Greg Gagne) 2 falls to 1: x Bockwinkel beat Brunzell via a small package in 0:17:48 x double countout (G. Gagne and Bockwinkel) in 0:25:41 Rating: ** (The Cripplers retained the GCW World Tag Team Titles.)
We had three title matches scheduled tonight, all contested with 2 out of 3 falls rules. The first was for the World Tag Team Titles with the High Flyers getting the biggest opportunity of their careers challenging The Cripplers for the gold. With all that Bobby Heenan has been going through and the relative inexperience of Gagne & Brunzell resulted in Ray Stevens & Nick Bockwinkel looking completely underprepared for this title defense. The Flyers looked crisp and focused while The Cripplers looked lethargic to say the least. Despite winning on the points, professional wrestling bouts aren't decided on a points system, and that hurt the Flyers. The first fall would go to the champions when Bockwinkel caught Brunzell in a small package, hooked the tights, and got the 1-2-3. From that point, the champions played defense as Gagne & Brunzell turned up the heat. Bockwinkel made a cowardly, but in hindsight, intelligent move by taking the fight with Gagne to the floor resulting in both men getting counted out. That results in a fall for each team, and thus, The Cripplers retain the titles. Not the most noble way to go about things, but they hold onto the titles for another show. The High Flyers went a long way in proving their worth though, and surely will be here again.
Pedro Morales made Johnny Valentine submit to the Boston Crab in 0:08:39. Rating: * 3/4
Johnny Valentine, for one reason or another, has taken quite a liking to Jerry Lawler, and as a result has vowed to get revenge against his old nemesis, Pedro Morales, for putting Lawler on the shelf. Valentine did what he could, but something just seemed a little off about him tonight. He didn't have the same brutal offense that he normally does, and Morales got the better of him with the Boston Crab. Valentine submitted to prevent injury, but that didn't stop Morales from keeping the hold on for several moments before officials pulled him away. Morales' actions somehow manage to get more and more disgusting.
Ivan Koloff pinned Gorilla Monsoon with the Russian Sickle in 0:04:53. Rating: * 1/4 [Lou Albano interfered against Gorilla Monsoon.]
The Russian Bear strikes again! I'm starting to doubt if anyone has the ability to though this speeding locomotive down. The man to try tonight was Gorilla Monsoon, unquestionably one of the toughest men in all of wrestling. And Koloff plowed through him like he was nothing. Monsoon is used to asserting his will in a match, but Koloff would have none of it, nearly taking Monsoon's cranium off with the Russian Sickle to remain undefeated. Can anyone slow this beast down?
Dick the Bruiser pinned The Crusher after hitting him with a chain in 0:14:16. Rating: **
The fans were sad to see it, but it looked like we were seeing the end of the greatest tag team in wrestling as Dick the Bruiser took on The Crusher. These two have had their differences thanks to meddling from Bobby Heenan, and it was an intense fight between two men who know each other better than anyone. The fans might not have wanted to see these two fight, but they sure enjoyed it. Bruiser & Crusher pounded on each other like mortal enemies, bloodying each other up using nothing but their firsts. In the end, Bruiser took it to the next level, grabbing his chain and waffling Crusher with it to get the pinfall.
Interview: Bobby Heenan tries to recruit Dick the Bruiser into the Heenan Family.
As The Crusher was out on the mat, BOBBY HEENAN came down and grabbed the microphone. He instantly calmed Dick the Bruiser down and told him he was impressed by his fire and his willingness to do anything to win, even against his own best friend. Heenan followed by saying the Heenan Family could use a man like that in their ranks. Bruiser carefully considered the offer as Heenan had no idea that Crusher was getting up behind him. Bruiser paused before flat out telling Heenan, "NO!" which is when Crusher spun Heenan around and decked him with a right hand, sending the manager sprawling from the ring. Bruiser grabbed the mic and said that he and Crusher may have their fights, but they're like brothers. The only people who are allowed to beat each other up is them. Heenan did not look pleased to see the Bruiser/Crusher team reunited.
Blackjack Lanza made Tony Garea submit to the Blackjack Claw in 0:03:20. Rating: *** 1/2
Bobby Heenan came out with an ice pack on his face for our next match, with his new henchman Blackjack Lanza taking on Tony Garea. Heenan's mind wasn't into the match, but Lanza didn't really need it as he didn't have much trouble with Garea before putting him away with the Blackjack Claw.
Two-out-of-three-Falls Match: Billy Graham beat Billy Robinson 2 falls to 1: x Robinson beat B. Graham via the Double-Arm Suplex in 0:13:45 x B. Graham beat Robinson via a powerslam in 0:23:06 x B. Graham beat Robinson via the Bearhug in 0:41:04 Rating: *** 3/4 (Billy Graham retained the GCW United States Title.) [The Grand Wizard interfered against Billy Robinson.]
Billy Graham hasn't shown anyone that he can beat Billy Robinson straight up, despite having won the United States Title from him back in January. Superstar Graham was going to have to find a way to beat Robinson legit, because this rematch was to be fought under 2 out of 3 falls rules. If the match is a straight up wrestling match, there is no question in anyone's mind that Billy Robinson is the better competitor in that sense. Robinson showed that by wearing Graham down the entire first fall with classic wrestling holds before hitting the Double-Arm Suplex to get the lead. Robinson continued that strategy into fall 2, but The Grand Wizard showed how important he is to his charges by distracting Robinson. This let the powerful Graham hit a big powerslam to even the match at 1 fall each. Graham was lucky his manager helped him with that second fall, as The Grand Wizard was sent to the back when he was caught interfering in the third fall. The last fall by itself went 18 minutes and was a great back and forth struggle. Robinson had things going solidly his way, but he hurt his back when Graham slammed him on the floor. Robinson continued, but his back caught up to him in the end when the brute strength of the Superstar's Bearhug put this one in the books.
Carlos Colon pinned Ernie Ladd after a headbutt in 0:06:17. Rating: *** 3/4
Ernie Ladd has been strutting around for weeks now bragging about how he took on the "alleged most dangerous man in wrestling" Luke Graham, saying that we will never see him again. Ladd upped the ante for this show, coming out where a shirt that read, "I RETIRED LUKE GRAHAM." Not only that, but Ladd had his thumb taped up just as Luke Graham does for his matches. The one thing Ladd forgot to do was take Carlos Colon, his opponent tonight, seriously. Ladd would get the upperhand, and choose to mock Graham more instead. This allowed Colon to surprise him with a headbutt right between the eyes and get a flash pin. Ladd would get the last laugh though, blasting Colon with the Boot to the Face and leaving him laid out. A rematch has been signed for Toronto.
Two-out-of-three-Falls Match: Bruno Sammartino beat Wahoo McDaniel 2 falls to 0: x B. Sammartino beat Wahoo via the Sammartino Backbreaker in 0:24:47 x B. Sammartino beat Wahoo via a powerslam in 0:28:28 Rating: ** 1/2 (Bruno Sammartino retained the GCW World Title.)
Our main event would prove once and for all who the better man was between World champion Bruno Sammartino and #1 contender Wahoo McDaniel as the title was defended with best 2 out of 3 falls rules. Sammartino has been the champion for nearly 3 years now, and with every title defense he has, the pressure on his shoulders due to this record title reign becomes more and more as everybody is gunning to be the man that derails him. Bruno kept his cool during this match, something he didn't do back in Philadelphia. If Sammartino has a flaw, it may just be his temper. He kept it in check though in this grueling contest that he would ultimately win in 2 straight falls. Sammartino did extensive damage to Wahoo's back, getting the first fall with the Sammartino Backbreaker. McDaniel showed how tough he was by staying in the hold for over 2 minutes before submitting, but the damage had been done, leaving him prone to a powerslam for the second fall minutes later. If the pressure is affecting Sammartino at all, he's not letting it show. Who will step up next to challenge for the World Title?
Card rating: ** 3/4
Match observations:
We are heading to the Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto on April 15, and so far, the following matches have been signed:
WORLD TAG TEAM TITLES - The Cripplers (c) vs. Dick the Bruiser/The Crusher Carlos Colon vs. Ernie Ladd Jerry Lawler vs. Pedro Morales If Raschke wins, he gets a cage match with Bobby Heenan in Montreal - Baron Von Raschke vs. Jimmy Snuka
|
|
|
Post by mamushi on Mar 16, 2010 9:35:14 GMT -5
I VOTED MOFO! Whoever it is that brings down the great Sammartino, it's gonna be one hell'vuh wrasslin' match! Damn you and your quality TNMing, sir. Enjoyable as always.
|
|
|
Post by snabbit888 on Mar 16, 2010 13:54:18 GMT -5
I VOTED MOFO! Whoever it is that brings down the great Sammartino, it's gonna be one hell'vuh wrasslin' match! Damn you and your quality TNMing, sir. Enjoyable as always. Thanks bud. And glad to see you're simming again. You always do good stuff. Going to fully catch up on your lucha stuff this week when I get a free hour to just read it.
|
|
|
Post by rey619 on Mar 16, 2010 15:32:50 GMT -5
I voted for Graham. Even though Koloff may look like the obvious choice.
Glad you chose to keep Crusher and Bruiser together. There are too few tag-teams that stick together for several years.
|
|
|
Post by snabbit888 on Mar 16, 2010 16:52:07 GMT -5
I voted for Graham. Even though Koloff may look like the obvious choice. Glad you chose to keep Crusher and Bruiser together. There are too few tag-teams that stick together for several years. Yeah, I agree. Part of the gimmick Bruiser and Crusher had as a team was that sometimes if they couldn't get any competition, they would beat the crap out of each other. So I just went with something along those lines. They're a big time team in GCW, but really, I can't see them doing anything if they are singles. They're both getting up there in years at this point too (Bruiser is 43 in TNM time, and Crusher is 46) so there's not really any place they can go but in tags.
|
|
|
Post by snabbit888 on Mar 16, 2010 16:52:28 GMT -5
April 15, 1973 - Maple Leaf Gardens - Toronto, ON, CA
Jim Brunzell pinned Baron Mikel Scicluna after a rolling reverse cradle in 0:04:10. Rating: ***
The show opened with two primary tag team wrestlers going at it in a singles match with "Jumping" Jim Brunzell of the High Flyers taking on Captain Lou Albano's Baron Mikel Scicluna. Scicluna has thrived as a tag team wrestler, but didn't seem to be on top of his game in this singles event. Brunzell dazzles the crowd with his high-flying offense, and he surprised the royal from Malta with a rolling reverse cradle to open our Toronto show with a win.
Mr. Fuji and Toru Tanaka defeated Chief Jay Strongbow and Don Muraco when Fuji pinned Muraco with the Thrust Kick in 0:18:06. Don Muraco suffered an elbow injury. He will be out for approximately 2 months. Rating: ***
Chief Jay Strongbow wanted Don Muraco and himself to get a rematch against Mr. Fuji & Professor Toru Tanaka as Strongbow says he wants to mold Muraco by having him wrestle the best. The work that Strongbow has been doing with Muraco is obvious as the rookie more than held his own against the former tag team champions. However, Muraco made a rookie mistake when he didn't go for a pin right away after a bulldog, which let Tanaka escape and tag in Fuji. Fuji crept up on Muraco, spun him around, and drilled him with the Thrust Kick for the 1-2-3. A great effort with a bad ending for Don Muraco. To make matters worse, Muraco suffered an elbow injury and will be out for a couple of months while he recovers.
Pedro Morales defeated Jerry Lawler by countout in 0:12:49. Rating: ** 1/4
Pedro Morales has been bragging for the past month about how he beat Johnny Valentine so badly that he caused him to have a heart attack. Valentine's apprentice, Jerry "The King" Lawler immediately sought to get a matter of revenge on Morales and challenged him to a match here in Toronto. Unfortunately for Lawler, he was wrestling with too much emotion and despite taking his licks, Morales suckered Lawler in and gave him a severe beating. The massacre was topped off by Morales hitting a piledriver on Lawler on the floor to get the win by countout.
Interview: Pedro Morales takes credit for ending Johnny Valentine's career.
After the match while Jerry Lawler was being helped by doctors to the back, Pedro Morales grabbed the microphone and continued to bury Johnny Valentine, saying that Valentine used to be great, but Morales is so good that he beat him to the point of having a heart attack. Morales took much glee in Valentine's misfortunes, running him down until World champion BRUNO SAMMARTINO came out. Sammartino took the mic and told Morales to shut up. Bruno said that he's never liked Valentine and has had many battles with him in the past, but he does respect Valentine and thinks he's one of the toughest men to ever step in the ring. Bruno then said he doesn't respect Morales at all though, telling him that he's a coward. This caused Morales to attack, but Sammartino blocked the punch and returned the assault before sending Morales sprawling from the ring.
[IF RASCHKE WINS, GETS CAGE MATCH WITH BOBBY HEENAN]: Baron Von Raschke defeated Jimmy Snuka when Jimmy Snuka passed out in the Claw in 0:09:25. Rating: ** 1/2 [Bobby Heenan interfered against Baron Von Raschke.]
Bobby Heenan was scared out of his mind for our next match which pitted his charge, "Superfly" Jimmy Snuka taking on Baron Von Raschke, a man who wants nothing more than to get his hands on the Brain. Raschke would get that opportunity if he could defeat Snuka. Heenan was sweating bullets from the opening bell, and his overzealous nature would backfire in a big way. In the closing moments of the match, Heenan reached into the ring to trip Baron Von Raschke, but unbeknownst to him, Raschke had reversed the Irish whip and Heenan instead tripped Snuka! This mistake completely changed the complexion of the contest as Raschke locked Snuka in the Claw. Heenan pleaded with Snuka to hold on, but Snuka would pass out to give Raschke the win. It's now official! On May 2 in Montreal, Baron Von Raschke gets his match with Bobby Heenan - in a steel cage!
After the match, Heenan was livid at Snuka, berating him for losing the match. Snuka took the verbal abuse, but Heenan took it one step too far when he slapped Snuka across the face. Snuka is only a man and doesn't like to be disrespected, and he showed that by walloping Heenan with a huge headbutt and leaving him out cold in the middle of the ring! I think it's safe to say Jimmy Snuka is no longer in the Heenan Family!
Billy Robinson pinned Spiros Arion with the Double-Arm Suplex in 0:12:27. Rating: ** 3/4
Billy Robinson failed in his attempt to regain the United States Title from Billy Graham, but he has stated he will work his way back up the ladder to earn another shot at the championship. The first rung on that ladder was Spiros Arion. With The Grand Wizard pulling the strings, the Golden Greek is always a dangerous foe, but the wrestling acumen of Billy Robinson was more than enough to overcome Arion.
Blackjack Lanza pinned Dominic DeNucci after a gutwrench suplex in 0:12:14. Rating: ***
Even with Bobby Heenan completely focused on other issues, Blackjack Lanza would not be phased as he took on veteran Dominic DeNucci. DeNucci is a wily veteran who knows a lot of tricks in that ring, and he used those to give Lanza the toughest test to date. However, the result would be the same as Lanza hit a bone-rattling gutwrench suplex to get the win and remain Heenan's undefeated ace in the hole.
Ernie Ladd pinned Carlos Colon with the Thumb to the Throat in 0:19:31. Rating: *** [The Grand Wizard interfered against Carlos Colon.]
Ernie Ladd suffered what he called an "upset loss" to Carlos Colon at MSG, but Ladd promised that history wouldn't repeat itself in Toronto. Ladd also continued his mockery of Luke Graham, wearing his "I RETIRED LUKE GRAHAM" shirt once again. After a highly competitive match, Ladd's mockery reached a new level as he would get the pin on Colon after hitting him with the Thumb to the Throat - Luke Graham's finisher. What a complete sign of arrogance from Ernie Ladd. All I can say is that Ladd better hope that Graham really is retired, because if he's not, there's going to be hell to pay.
Wahoo McDaniel made Greg Gagne submit to the Indian Deathlock in 0:05:04. Rating: ** 3/4
Wahoo McDaniel came up short in his bid to win the World Title, but he got back on the winning track in this match against Greg Gagne, making him submit to the Indian Deathlock.
Gorilla Monsoon defeated Billy Graham by disqualification in 0:09:36. Rating: 1/2* (Billy Graham retained the GCW United States Title.)
Billy Graham got past the challenge of Billy Robinson, but the next man to get a crack at the US Title was Gorilla Monsoon tonight. Monsoon is a former 2-time World Tag Team champion, but has never tasted singles gold and wanted to do so in this match. Monsoon would get the victory in the match, but he would not take the title as it was on a disqualification. Monsoon looked to have Graham pinned after hitting a splash, but the Grand Wizard made the save by jumping on Monsoon's back. It did no damage to Monsoon, but it did cause referee Jack Davis to call the DQ. The Grand Wizard got out of Dodge in a flash rather than suffer the wrath of an angry Gorilla. Superstar Billy wasn't as fortunate though, as Monsoon hit him with one more big splash for good measure.
Crusher & Bruiser (The Crusher and Dick the Bruiser) defeated The Cripplers (Nick Bockwinkel and Ray Stevens) when Bruiser defeated Bockwinkel by disqualification in 0:05:41. Rating: * 3/4 (The Cripplers retained the GCW World Tag Team Titles.) [Blackjack Lanza interfered against Dick the Bruiser.]
Dick the Bruiser & The Crusher had their issues, but they are not a united front and they had a chance to win the World Tag Team Titles for a 7th time in our main event as they challenged The Cripplers. Not only were Bruiser & Crusher back together, but they were firing on all cylinders and Bobby Heenan was watching his meal ticket fade away. Heenan already had the plan in place as BLACKJACK LANZA ran in to break it up, resulting in the match being thrown out by senior referee Dick Kroll. The fans were disappointed to see the match end how it did, but the bigger concern was the 3-on-2 beatdown Bruiser & Crusher were receiving from Ray Stevens, Nick Bockwinkel, & Blackjack Lanza. The tide was turned though when BARON VON RASCHKE ran down to help Bruiser & Crusher clear the ring, not so much because he likes them but because he hates Bobby Heenan. Heenan ran away with his tail tucked between his legs instantly, but he was cut off by JIMMY SNUKA and forced back into the ring. Bruiser, Crusher, Raschke, & Snuka then cleared the ring of the Heenan Family to send the fans home happy.
Card rating: ** 1/4
Match observations:
On May 2nd, for the first time in nearly a year and a half, GCW returns to Montreal, Quebece, Canada, and let me tell you, the lineup is STACKED!
WORLD TITLE - Bruno Sammartino (c) vs. Pedro Morales UNITED STATES TITLE - Billy Graham (c) vs. Gorilla Monsoon WORLD TAG TEAM TITLES (If Lanza interferes, Bruiser/Crusher win the titles) - The Cripplers (c) vs. Dick the Bruiser/The Crusher CAGE MATCH - Baron Von Raschke vs. Bobby Heenan Jimmy Snuka vs. Blackjack Lanza
|
|
|
Post by snabbit888 on Mar 20, 2010 19:02:01 GMT -5
May 2, 1973 - Paul Sauvé Arena - Montreal, QB, CA
Billy Robinson pinned Toru Tanaka with the Double-Arm Suplex in 0:14:32. Rating:
Billy Robinson will take on all comers as he tries to ascend back to title contention, tonight taking on former World Tag Team champion Professor Toru Tanaka. Tanaka controlled much of the match with his underhanded tactics, but Robinson fought through it en route to getting the win with the Double-Arm Suplex in our opener of what would turn out to be a historic night.
Interview: Ernie Ladd challenges a fan from the crowd to fight him.
Ernie Ladd is really trying to hammer home how much tougher he believes he is than the injured (or as Ladd calls him, "retired") Luke Graham. Ladd wanted to prove how tough he was by challenging any man in the crowd with the guts to face him to come into the ring and see if he could take him down. The Grand Wizard selected a rather burly looking gentleman to answer the challenge. The fan tried to strong arm Ladd in the early goings, and even looked to have the advantage, but Ladd caught him with an undetected poke in the eye. Ladd was frustrated and blasted the fan with the Boot to the Face. To finish him off, Ladd hit Graham's Thumb to the Throat on the poor fan, putting him out of his misery. It's easy to bully around a fan, but I'd like to see Ladd bully around Luke Graham like that.
Dominic DeNucci and Tony Garea defeated The High Flyers (Jim Brunzell and Greg Gagne) when Garea pinned Brunzell with the High Cross Body in 0:09:28. Rating: ** 1/4
A good tag team match with no animosity was next with Dominic DeNucci & Tony Garea taking on The High Flyers. In the end, the experience of DeNucci would be what made the difference, allowing the former tag team champions to pull off the win.
Blackjack Lanza made Jimmy Snuka submit to the Blackjack Claw in 0:08:34. Rating: ***
Bobby Heenan sent Blackjack Lanza after Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka for being, what Heenan calls, "ungrateful." No one has been able to slow Lanza down yet, but if anyone could, it would be Snuka, who knows him well from travelling with him for the past several months. Snuka did seem to know Lanza's weaknesses, using a hit and run style and keeping a safe distance in the early going with dropkicks and armdrags. But Lanza is a tough customer, and once he grounded Snuka, the result was inevitable. The Blackjack Claw and Lanza remains undefeated, and Bobby Heenan gets a means of satisfaction, which he could really use considering Baron Von Raschke was probably going to murder him in the cage later on in the night.
Carlos Colon made Mr. Fuji submit to the Figure-Four Leglock in 0:05:15. Rating: ***
Carlos Colon just recently suffered his first loss in a GCW ring, falling to Ernie Ladd. Colon showed he could bounce back from adversity with a win tonight over Mr. Fuji in singles action. Fuji got caught when he was trying to pull salt out of his tights, but Colon saw it coming and dropped him with a dropkick before putting on the Figure-Four Leglock for the win.
Gorilla Monsoon defeated Billy Graham by disqualification in 0:04:04. Rating: 1/2* (Billy Graham retained the GCW United States Title.) [The Grand Wizard interfered against Gorilla Monsoon.]
"Superstar" Billy Graham has again showed that there is nothing he won't do to keep the United States Title. Gorilla Monsoon was granted a rematch thanks to his DQ win over Graham in Toronto, but he would get the same result this time. Graham made no bones about the fact that he wants no part of Monsoon, choking him out and refusing to let go, leaving referee Terry Taranova with no choice but to throw the match out again. Monsoon was left unconscious in the ring as Graham & The Grand Wizard gloated over what they had done. They wouldn't be gloating when the announcement was made that in Pittsburgh on May 31, Monsoon will get one final title shot. And this time, if Graham gets disqualified, Monsoon is the new US champion!
Wahoo McDaniel defeated Jerry Lawler when Jerry Lawler passed out in the Indian Deathlock in 0:09:53. Rating:
This was the first time we were seeing Jerry Lawler in action since the brutal beating he suffered at the hands of Pedro Morales, and from the look of things, Lawler returned way too early to wrestle Wahoo McDaniel. Lawler couldn't put any offense together and was easy pickings for Wahoo's Indian Deathlock. You have to admire Lawler's courage, but he may have had more guts than brains tonight.
Crusher & Bruiser (The Crusher and Dick the Bruiser) defeated The Cripplers (Nick Bockwinkel and Ray Stevens) when Crusher made R. Stevens submit to a sleeperhold in 0:21:59. Rating: *** 1/2 (Crusher & Bruiser won the GCW World Tag Team Titles.)
For a record-setting 7th time, Dick the Bruiser & The Crusher are the World Tag Team champions! Bobby Heenan has done everything in his power over the past few months to eliminate the top threat to The Cripplers' title reign, and came very close to doing so, but there would be no stopping Bruiser & Crusher here. Ray Stevens & Nick Bockwinkel tried to wear Bruiser & Crusher down with holds, but even after all these years, teams haven't learned that if you let Bruiser & Crusher breathe even a little bit, they're going to make you pay for it. That's what they did, and for the 7th time, they are riding high atop the tag team division.
Ivan Koloff pinned Chief Jay Strongbow with the Russian Sickle in 0:06:54. Rating: * 3/4
Can anyone stop Ivan Koloff? I'm starting to think no. Chief Jay Strongbow, who has challenged Koloff in the past, wanted one more crack at the Russian Bear, and Captain Lou Albano was more than happy to oblige his request. Koloff just keeps mowing through his competition, and Strongbow faired no better here than he did in previous attempts, nearly getting his head taken off by the Russian Sickle.
Interview: Lou Albano tells Baron Von Raschke to take a dive to Bobby Heenan.
The cage match between Baron Von Raschke and Bobby Heenan was scheduled next, with Raschke being announced first. Before Heenan arrived, Raschke's manager Lou Albano grabbed the microphone. Albano told Raschke that he had reached a business deal with Heenan, and a lot of money was exchanged for Raschke to lay down for Heenan and throw the match. Raschke was in disbelief, and Heenan entered the cage with a huge smile of confidence and a feeling of having outsmarted everyone. The crowd booed wildly as Albano told Raschke to take the dive. Raschke thought about it long and hard as the fans pleaded with him not to do it, and at first it looked like he would do it. But then out of nowhere, Raschke clocked Heenan with a right hand and then gave Albano the death stare! Albano ran for his life and got out of the cage as the Baron from Germany went to work on Heenan and the match began officially.
Cage Match: Bobby Heenan pinned Baron Von Raschke with the Double Stomp in 0:11:10. Rating: ** [Ivan Koloff interfered against Baron Von Raschke.]
Bobby Heenan got the tar kicked out of him in this match, plain and simple. Baron Von Raschke was a man possessed, unleashing months of frustration on Heenan in this one match. Raschke used the cage as a weapon to perfection, and Heenan was bleeding like a stuck pig all over the ring. Heenan didn't get in a single offensive move as Raschke revelled in the destruction of the pesky leader of the Heenan Family. However, Raschke didn't account for what happened next, and that was a spiteful Lou Albano coming back down to the ring with his monster IVAN KOLOFF. Albano stole the key from referee Danny Bartfield who was manning the door, and unlocked the cage. Koloff took the chain that was keeping the door shut and wrapped it around his arm, got in the ring, and DESTROYED Raschke with the Russian Sickle! Raschke was busted wide open as Koloff pounded away at his face, leaving him an unconscious bloody mess. Heenan took this opportunity to hit a token Double Stomp on Raschke, and referee Terry Taranova had no other choice but to count the 1-2-3. Bobby Heenan has defeated Baron Von Raschke, and worse yet, Lou Albano has turned his back on his man. There is no question that Raschke is going to stop at nothing to do the same to Albano that he wanted to do to Heenan.
Pedro Morales defeated Bruno Sammartino via pinfall in 0:08:05. Rating: *** 1/4 (Pedro Morales won the GCW World Title.)
Remember the date May 2, 1973, as it may go down as the most important day in wrestling history. Pedro Morales is the brand new World champion, ending Bruno Sammartino's nearly 3-year long reign. And he did so in highly controversial fashion. The match started out as you would expect, two wrestlers who don't like each other and both having fiery tempers trying to establish their dominance. It wouldn't be long before we all that something else was going on. At about the 8 minute mark, Morales hit what looked like a routine bodyslam on Bruno and went for a cover, a move that Sammartino would surely kick out of. Except he didn't get that chance as referee Dick Kroll gave what has to be the fastest 3 count in all of history and awarded the match, and the GCW World Heavyweight Title, to Pedro Morales! Dick Kroll was out of the ring and to the locker room before anyone knew what was going on, and word has it that he was rushed to a car and taken from the building right away. Sammartino looked absolutely livid about what happened and looked like he was going to rip Morales' head off. We couldn't hear what Morales was saying, but if I can read lips properly, it looked like he was saying, "I had nothing to do with it!" The ring was filled with garbage as the fans were both confused and angry with what happened. We have a lot of unanswered questions right now, but as of right now, Pedro Morales is the World champion.
Card rating: ** 1/2
Match observations:
There is a lot of controversy in Global Championship Wrestling right now. We have a new World champion, but under very questionable circumstances. We don't know what the next few weeks will bring, but we do know that we have a show scheduled in Pittsburgh on May 31, with the following matches formally announced:
UNITED STATES TITLE (If Graham is DQ'ed, Monsoon wins the title) - Billy Graham (c) vs. Gorilla Monsoon Dick the Bruiser/The Crusher/Jimmy Snuka vs. Ray Stevens/Nick Bockwinkel/Blackjack Lanza Baron Von Raschke vs. Ivan Koloff
|
|
|
Post by mamushi on Mar 21, 2010 10:32:19 GMT -5
Given that I'm privvy to the inner workings, the Sammartino/Morales thing makes more sense to me than it might to your other readers at the moment, but still. what the fuck man? Also, I wonder what star of tomorrow it was that was planted in the audience for Ladd to take out... I mean... wrestling is completely real and not staged... I look forward to seeing how you handle the fallout of the Sammartino/Morales controversy.
|
|
|
Post by LillaThrilla on Mar 21, 2010 21:48:07 GMT -5
Curious to see what the deal is behind this referee screwjob here.
Looking forward to Raschke and Koloff beating the hell out of each other.
|
|
|
Post by snabbit888 on Mar 22, 2010 2:05:42 GMT -5
May 31, 1973 - Civic Auditorium - Pittsburgh, PA
Carlos Colon pinned Spiros Arion after a flying clothesline in 0:16:17. Rating: *** 1/4
A new era in Global Championship Wrestling began tonight, and what a memorable night it would be! The first match of the night would be Carlos Colon taking on Spiros Arion. Arion's return to GCW has been anything but memorable, not reaching the level of success he did in his first stint. The Grand Wizard has been trying to turn the fortunes of the Golden Greek around. Colon has been nearly unstoppable in GCW rings, but Arion gave him a run for his money tonight. In the end though, the result was the same - Carlos Colon getting his hand raised.
Match where the title can change hands via DQ: Billy Graham made Gorilla Monsoon submit to the Bearhug in 0:07:02. Rating: ** (Billy Graham retained the GCW United States Title.) [The Grand Wizard interfered against Gorilla Monsoon.]
"Superstar" Billy Graham has twice escaped matches with Gorilla Monsoon with the United States Title still in his possession by getting himself disqualified, but tonight if he got disqualified, Monsoon would become the US champion! Graham, who is usually as cocky as they come, was noticeably nervous about what stood in front of him in 400 pounds of a Manchurian Monster. Monsoon beat on Graham good early, but he went for his big splash too early and hurt his ribs when he missed. After that, Graham showed that he very well be the strongest man in the world today when he locked his massive arms around Monsoon and actually made him submit to end all doubt - Graham is the undisputed United States champion.
Interview: Ernie Ladd again challenges anyone in the crowd to fight him.
For the second show in a row, Ernie Ladd grabbed the microphone and ran down how "cowardly" Luke Graham is being by not responding to his challenges. Ladd took this as proof that he is still the toughest man in the world because he clearly has retired Luke Graham. Ladd made another open challenge to the crowd, inviting anyone who thought he could beat him to step on into the ring. The Grand Wizard found a willing participant, an overweight man who had to weigh over 400 pounds. Ladd welcomed the challenge, having little trouble outclassing the rather portly gentleman. I hope this is all making Ernie Ladd feel better about himself.
Mr. Fuji and Toru Tanaka defeated Dominic DeNucci and Tony Garea when Tanaka defeated DeNucci by countout in 0:12:50. Rating: **
Not a lot to say about this one other than it featured two former tag team champion teams looking to earn themselves another shot at the titles. This night would belong to Mr. Fuji & Professor Toru Tanaka, who get the win over DeNucci & Garea by countout when Fuji nailed DeNucci with the Thrust Kick on the floor while Tanaka had the referee distracted.
Billy Robinson defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna by disqualification in 0:07:06. Rating: ** 1/4
The winning ways of Billy Robinson continue as he picked up a victory over Baron Mikel Scicluna. As he watched Robinson outclassing his charge with wrestling moves in the middle of the ring, Captain Lou Albano got a little overzealous with his commands for Scicluna to cheat. Scicluna clocked Robinson with a foreign object right in plain view of the referee, leading to a clear DQ. If losing the match wasn't bad enough, Scicluna didn't even get a good shot on Robinson, who would clear the royal from Malta from the ring not long after the bell.
Ivan Koloff pinned Baron Von Raschke with the Russian Sickle in 0:15:42. Rating: *** [Lou Albano interfered against Baron Von Raschke.]
The split between Baron Von Raschke and manager Lou Albano was anything but cordial, and in a short time, has turned into a blood feud. Albano sent his undefeated monster Ivan Koloff after Raschke last month, causing Raschke to suffer an embarrassing loss in a steel cage to weasely manager Bobby Heenan. Raschke got to get his hands on Koloff tonight, and if there was ever a match where two monsters were going to kick the crap out of each other, this was it! The atmosphere in the building was amazing as the unstoppable force met the immovable object, neither behemoth garnering a clear advantage for very long. It was going to be a matter of who could hit the one big move to put his man down long enough for the 3, and that would turn out to be the Russian Bear's Russian Sickle, which has stopped every man in his tracks so far. Baron Von Raschke would be no different (though a distraction from Albano directly prior to the move certainly didn't hurt Koloff's chances). After the match, Raschke would even the score a bit by taking Koloff down and temporarily getting the Claw on before Koloff rolled himself out under the bottom rope to break the hold. Albano is learning that Raschke isn't going to go away any time soon.
The Heenan Family (Blackjack Lanza, Nick Bockwinkel and Ray Stevens) defeated Crusher & Bruiser (The Crusher and Dick the Bruiser) and Jimmy Snuka when Bockwinkel pinned Crusher with the Piledriver in 0:22:19. Rating: *** 1/4 [Bobby Heenan interfered against Dick the Bruiser.] [Bobby Heenan interfered against The Crusher.]
Bobby Heenan was infuriated that instead of The Cripplers getting their rematch for the World Tag Team Titles, it would be a 6-man tag with The Cripplers & Blackjack Lanza against Dick the Bruiser, The Crusher, & Jimmy Snuka. Bruiser & Crusher were wary of Snuka considering his long association with Heenan, but the Superfly made it abundantly clear that he has nothing but contempt against the Heenan Family. Snuka was the quickest man in the match by far, and he put that on display to hold his own against the tougher, stronger individuals in the ring. This match was very crisp and and enjoyable bout from bell to bell, a match that saw the Nick Bockwinkel get the Piledriver on The Crusher for the 1-2-3, and further Heenan's claim that The Cripplers should have gotten a title shot. They will get that opportunity on June 22 at Madison Square Garden!
Pedro Morales and Jerry Lawler never took place. Rating: N/A (Pedro Morales retained the GCW World Title.)
We were scheduled to get Pedro Morales' first World Title match defense against a man who's career he tried to end a few weeks ago, Jerry Lawler. However, that would never happen. As Morales started his way to the ring with the World Title in tow, the crowd began to get riled up. Morales seemed to be enjoying taunting the fans, but he didn't realize that doing so in the hometown of the former World champion might not be the best idea. The scene soon became chaotic as the fans started throwing garbage toward Morales. It escalated when Morales was caught in the head with a bottle and he tried to get at the fan who did it. When Morales started toward the crowd, that was all she wrote - the situation officially bubbled over. A full-fledged riot ensued. The police had to be called before the situation really got out of hand. This just gets crazier and crazier.
Card rating: ** 1/4
Match observations:
With what happened tonight, who knows what is going to happen at our next show at Madison Square Garden on June 22! The card, thus far, is as follows:
WORLD TITLE - Pedro Morales (c) vs. Jerry Lawler WORLD TAG TEAM TITLES - Dick the Bruiser/The Crusher (c) vs. The Cripplers Baron Von Raschke vs. Baron Mikel Scicluna
|
|
|
Post by rey619 on Mar 22, 2010 2:48:17 GMT -5
Wow.. trying to get something done at work when you put out two such amazing cards is.. impossible. My guess is that Sammartino quit on you, so you had to do what Vince had to do... err.. *has* to do in twenty years or so. And the riot? That's genius, man.
|
|
|
Post by mamushi on Mar 22, 2010 10:27:03 GMT -5
I liked the bit about the main event. Very appropriate for the era and colorful.
|
|
|
Post by snabbit888 on Mar 22, 2010 11:50:01 GMT -5
Wow.. trying to get something done at work when you put out two such amazing cards is.. impossible. My guess is that Sammartino quit on you, so you had to do what Vince had to do... err.. *has* to do in twenty years or so. And the riot? That's genius, man. Yes, Bruno sure did quit on me. This is the second time he's done something like this while World champion (the first time he didn't re-sign) so I figured it was appropriate to say that Bruno was kind of a douche in GCW world, as is Marvin Niemiller (my real life grandpa, who was also a real d-bag, so I found it all appropriate). For the riot, the timing just worked out where the next card I had scheduled was Pittsburgh, who would of course be furious that their hometown hero was screwed. I'm happy with how all of this went down, all things considered. Morales is now the most hated man in wrestling.
|
|
|
Post by mamushi on Mar 22, 2010 14:54:41 GMT -5
Marvin didn't screw Bruno.
BRUNO SCREWED BRUNO!
|
|
|
Post by rey619 on Mar 22, 2010 15:59:08 GMT -5
So you plan ahead on where you'll be? I like it. And the coincidence was just incredible and free booking awesomeness! Hope your grandpa won't sign him again. Just for curiosity, who is GCW's biggest rivals? I mean, does WWF exist in your world? Or is this part of the GCW universe undefined?
|
|
|
Post by snabbit888 on Mar 22, 2010 16:42:29 GMT -5
So you plan ahead on where you'll be? I like it. And the coincidence was just incredible and free booking awesomeness! Hope your grandpa won't sign him again. Just for curiosity, who is GCW's biggest rivals? I mean, does WWF exist in your world? Or is this part of the GCW universe undefined? I plan ahead about a year or so. I know what buildings I'll be in the next calendar year. GCW's biggest rivals in the universe is the main NWA promotion and Verne Gagne's AWA (who they had a working agreement with right before the Sammartino Screwjob). WWF does not exist in this universe. Essentially, GCW is the WWF of the universe. Vincent J. McMahon was a co-promoter with Marvin Niemiller when GCW was founded, but left over creative differences and actually formed a promotion down in Florida (since I've used Eddie Graham for years, McMahon got to make his territory instead). Mamushi and I are actually working on fleshing out a huge backstory for the World of GCW, the various promotions in it, old title histories, etc. gcw-universe.wikidot.com/It's still in the early going, but Chris has done a kick ass job on the lucha and puro circuits already.
|
|
|
Post by snabbit888 on Mar 29, 2010 17:21:52 GMT -5
June 22, 1973 - Madison Square Garden - New York, NY
Ivan Koloff pinned Don Muraco with the Russian Sickle in 0:03:06. Rating: ** 1/4
Don Muraco made his return from injury, and he had the daunting class of taking on the undefeated Ivan Koloff for his return. Lou Albano had Koloff firing on all cylinders, and it did not take the Russian Bear long to put the young Muraco down and out.
Billy Graham made Jimmy Snuka submit to the Bearhug in 0:15:15. Rating: ** 1/4 (Billy Graham retained the GCW United States Title.) [The Grand Wizard interfered against Jimmy Snuka.]
Jimmy Snuka has broken free from manager Bobby Heenan and is reestablishing himself as someone who can stand on his own, and what better way to do so than by winning the United States Title here in the Garden. Problem was, he was going to have to get through the nearly unstoppable "Superstar" Billy Graham. Snuka had a great strategy and pulled it off to near perfection. If Graham has a weakness in the ring, it's that he is not a very fast wrestler - if you can hit and run, you stand your best shot at beating him. Snuka was all over the ring with dropkicks, armdrags, moves from the top rope. He had Graham reeling almost the entire match - except for the end. The Superstar caught Superfly coming off the top rope and turned it into a bruising powerslam that drove the air right out of Snuka's lungs. Graham didn't hesitate putting on the Bearhug and the injured Snuka had to submit. A valiant effort from the Superfly, but Billy Graham keeps the US Title.
Billy Robinson pinned Spiros Arion with the Double-Arm Suplex in 0:06:19. Rating: ** 1/2 [The Grand Wizard interfered against Billy Robinson.]
The woes of Spiros Arion continued again here as the Grand Wizard sent him to slow down Billy Robinson, who is trying to get himself back in contention for a title shot against the US champion Billy Graham. Well, Arion fell short of that goal, as Robinson kept him on the mat before putting the Golden Greek down for the count with the Double-Arm Suplex. Robinson's impressive work as of late has paid dividends, as he will get his title shot against Billy Graham on July 14 at the Rumble at Wrigley show in Chicago!
Dominic DeNucci and Tony Garea defeated Mr. Fuji and Toru Tanaka when Garea pinned Tanaka with the High Cross Body in 0:14:44. Rating: ***
In a rematch from the Pittsburgh show, this time it was Dominic DeNucci & Tony Garea getting the better of Mr. Fuji & Professor Toru Tanaka in tag team action. In the past two shows, each team has pulled off a victory now. The GCW Championship Committee has determined that they will meet one more time at the Rumble at Wrigley show, the winners becoming the new #1 contenders for the World Tag Team Titles.
Interview: Ernie Ladd makes a crowd challenge again, but is met with a huge surprise.
As he has done the past few shows, Ernie Ladd was out once again to make his challenge to a fan in the crowd who thought he was tough enough to beat him in a fight. A good sized man wearing sunglasses and had a hooded sweatshirt on answered the challenge, but something seemed up. Ladd was extra confident this month, even covering up his eyes so that the fan could have the first shot. When Ladd covered up his eyes, the fan took off his sweatshirt and sunglasses to reveal LUKE GRAHAM! Luke Graham is back! Graham reared back and absolutely destroyed Ladd with the Thumb to the Throat as the fans in the Garden went NUTS. Graham put a single boot on Ladd's chest and had the crowd chant, "1-2-3!" along with him. It looks like we may have someone who IS tougher than Ernie Ladd! We'll find out for sure on July 14 when they meet at Wrigley Field!
Baron Von Raschke pinned Baron Mikel Scicluna after a gutwrench suplex in 0:10:24. Rating: ** 1/4 [Lou Albano interfered against Baron Von Raschke.]
As Baron Von Raschke tries to get even with former manager Lou Albano, he will no doubt have many obstacles thrown in his direction by the Captain. The obstacle tonight was his former tag team partner, Baron Mikel Scicluna. Scicluna did well for himself as there may be no wrestler who knows Raschke better than him. But Raschke is a man on a mission, and he's not going to let anything slow him down. Raschke gets the win, much to the dismay of Captain Lou.
Blackjack Lanza made Gorilla Monsoon submit to the Blackjack Claw in 0:07:19. Rating: ** [Bobby Heenan interfered against Gorilla Monsoon.]
Blackjack Lanza's undefeated streak had a huge challenge to contend with tonight as Heenan's enforcer took on GCW mainstay Gorilla Monsoon. Lanza couldn't push the 400-pound Monsoon around like he can do most, but Lanza showed he can adapt on the fly, instead using a hit and run approach to keep Monsoon off-balance. Lanza also has that Blackjack Claw in his pocket, and he showed it works even against someone the caliber of Gorilla Monsoon. A tremendous victory for Bobby Heenan's muscle.
Pedro Morales made Jerry Lawler submit to the Boston Crab in 0:15:48. Rating: 1/4 (Pedro Morales retained the GCW World Title.) [Lou Albano interfered against Jerry Lawler.]
I have never seen a crowd hate somebody more than the fans in MSG hated Pedro Morales tonight. Not only did he double cross their hero and steal the World Title, but he took on the ever hated Lou Albano as his manager. The smaller-than-usual crowd at the Garden made their displeasure of Morales known, pelting him and Albano with garbage as he got into the ring. Morales was defending the World Title against Jerry "The King" Lawler, a young competitor with a lot of issues against Morales stemming from Morales trying to injure him a few months back. Lawler was on fire in this one especially with all of the fans in New York wanting to see him put Pedro Morales in his place. Lawler nearly pulled off the impossible, hitting the Piledriver on Morales, but Albano showed his worth by putting Pedro's foot on the bottom rope before referee Danny Bartfield could make the 3 count. Lawler and the fans couldn't believe it as they were sure Lawler had just become the World champion. Lawler's hesitation to argue the count ended up being his downfall, as it left the door open for Morales to recover and take him down to put in the Boston Crab. The King tried to hold on, but his back simply couldn't take the torture and he had to give it up. Morales felt embarrassed about being so close to losing, and refused to release the hold after the match. He did so only when CARLOS COLON ran out and pulled the World champion off the beaten Lawler.
Interview: Carlos Colon challenges Pedro Morales for the Wrigley Field show.
Carlos Colon grabbed the microphone and told Morales he was tired of what he was doing and how he was bringing dishonor to his Puerto Rican heritage. Colon said it was going to end on July 14th because he wanted a shot at Morales and the World Title at Wrigley Field! Morales was so offended that he agreed to the match on the spot, making Lou Albano flip his lid in the process. What a match this is going to be!
Crusher & Bruiser (The Crusher and Dick the Bruiser) defeated The Cripplers (Nick Bockwinkel and Ray Stevens) when Bruiser made Bockwinkel submit to the Stomach Claw in 0:18:14. Rating: *** 1/2 (Crusher & Bruiser retained the GCW World Tag Team Titles.)
Our main event was for the World Tag Team Titles as The Cripplers got their title rematch against the team that beat them for the straps a month and a half ago, the all-time greats Dick the Bruiser & The Crusher. Even after all of these years, Bruiser & Crusher are still two of the toughest men in all of the world, not just wrestling. You have to hand it to Ray Stevens & Nick Bockwinkel though - they can hang with Bruiser & Crusher in a fight move for move. A great brawl that also featured some good technical wrestling and a match that fans really ate up. Bruiser & Crusher showed that they don't want their 7th title reign to be a short one, pulling out the victory in a fantastic main event.
Card rating: ***
Match observations:
For the first time in GCW's history, they will be holding a huge event at the famous home of the Chicago Cubs, Wrigley Field! On July 14, get ready, because Global Championship Wrestling presents The Rumble at Wrigley! Five matches have been signed thus far, and any one of them could be a main event anywhere in the country!
WORLD TITLE - Pedro Morales (c) vs. Carlos Colon UNITED STATES TITLE - Billy Graham (c) vs. Billy Robinson WORLD TAG TEAM TITLES - Dick the Bruiser/The Crusher (c) vs. The Cripplers #1 CONTENDERS MATCH - Dominic DeNucci/Tony Garea vs. Mr. Fuji/Toru Tanaka Luke Graham vs. Ernie Ladd
|
|
|
Post by snabbit888 on Mar 29, 2010 17:22:34 GMT -5
July 14, 1973 - Rumble At Wrigley - Chicago, IL
Don Muraco pinned Spiros Arion with the Flying Crossbody in 0:10:13. Rating: * 3/4 [The Grand Wizard interfered against Don Muraco.]
Our opening contest at our historic night of wrestling at Wrigley Field pit rookie Don Muraco against Spiros Arion. Arion hasn't had a good 1973, but The Grand Wizard planned on using this match against the rookie as a means to get some momentum. What he didn't factor in was Muraco's desire to get his first win under his belt, and that's exactly what he did, hitting a beautiful Flying Crossbody to get the 1-2-3. Arion didn't take the loss well, attacking Muraco afterwards and leaving him lying in the center of the ring. Talk about your poor losers.
Number-One-Contenders-Match: Dominic DeNucci and Tony Garea defeated Mr. Fuji and Toru Tanaka when DeNucci pinned Fuji with the Airplane Spin in 0:16:43. Rating: ***
All teams in the world are looking for the chance to become the GCW World Tag Team champions, and two former championship teams squared off to get an opportunity to go after the straps one more time with Dominic DeNucci & Tony Garea meeting Mr. Fuji & Professor Toru Tanaka. These two teams have had a bit of a rivalry as of late, trading a win a piece in 2 previous matches. The one major advantage the Japanese tandem had is their willingness to cheat, but it backfired in a big way. While the referee was distracted with Garea, Fuji held DeNucci wide open as Tanaka grabbed a handful of the ceremonial salt. Tanaka threw it, but DeNucci ducked and the salt flew into Fuji's eyes instead! DeNucci elbowed Tanaka off the apron, hit the Airplane Spin on Fuji and as a result, DeNucci & Garea will be the next team to get a shot at the tag titles. Now they just wait and see whether it will be Dick the Bruiser & The Crusher or the Cripplers.
Baron Von Raschke defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna by disqualification in 0:08:23. Rating: **
Lou Albano once again sent Baron Mikel Scicluna after the "ungrateful" Baron Von Raschke, telling Scicluna there would be a "big bonus" if we could get rid of Raschke once and for all. Raschke would have none of it as he was intent on mowing through Scicluna to get his hands on Albano. He got close to Albano, but that was because Albano jumped in the ring while Raschke had Scicluna in the Claw and smashed Raschke in the back of the head with his cane for the DQ. Raschke was only momentarily stunned, and the look on Albano's face when Raschke gave him the death stare was priceless. Albano sprinted out of the ring (well, as fast as Captain Lou can sprint, anyway) before Raschke could get a hold of him.
Bobby Duncum pinned Jimmy Snuka after hitting him with a foreign object in 0:12:33. Rating: *** 1/4 [Bobby Heenan interfered against Jimmy Snuka.]
Bobby Heenan ran down Jimmy Snuka before our next match, saying that Snuka was the weak link in the Heenan Family all along, but that Heenan found a "far superior replacement." Enter BOBBY DUNCUM. The rough and tumble cowboy from Minnesota was a surprise for Snuka, who couldn't find an answer for Duncum. To make matters worse for Snuka, a Heenan distraction allowed Duncum to clock Snuka with a cowbell to get the 1-2-3. It looks like Heenan has another assassin in the ranks. Snuka wants another match with Duncum in Detroit on August 6, saying that he will be prepared this time.
Billy Graham and Billy Robinson battled to a double countout in 0:18:38. Rating: *** 1/2 (Billy Graham retained the GCW United States Title.)
Billy Robinson has worked hard to get another shot at Billy Graham and the United States Title, and I can't think of a bigger stage to do so than at the Rumble at Wrigley. Graham has done everything in his power to avoid a rematch with Robinson, but he had himself prepared for the match. Robinson's normally has been able to keep Graham on the mat, but the the Superstar did a much better job at avoiding that this time around and used his power offensive far more effectively. Robinson showed how big his heart is by not cracking under the onslaught that Graham was bringing. Robinson's refusal to stay down let him get back in the match late, ending up on the floor with Graham. The two brawled on the outside, ultimately resulting in a double countout. The Grand Wizard wanted to turn the tide in favor of his charge, and brought out SPIROS ARION to make it a 2-on-1 assault. Robinson received an unexpected assist when DON MURACO ran down to help him clear the ring of the rulebreakers. Robinson thanked Muraco for the assist after the match. In Detroit on August 6, a tag team match has been signed that will pit Robinson & Muraco against US champion Billy Graham & Arion.
Blackjack Lanza made Jerry Lawler submit to the Blackjack Claw in 0:08:55. Rating: *** 3/4 [Bobby Heenan interfered against Jerry Lawler.]
Jerry Lawler has spent a lot of 1973 getting the tar kicked out of him - let's be honest - but this young superstar has shown he has no quit in him, despite the lingering injuries he is suffering from. The King showed that once more by volunteering to go toe-to-toe with the undefeated Blackjack Lanza, Bobby Heenan's muscle. Lawler kept fighting and kept fighting, almost scoring a huge upset with a series of nearfalls until Lanza cut him off with the Blackjack Claw to get the win.
Ivan Koloff pinned Gorilla Monsoon with the Russian Sickle in 0:03:27. Rating: * 1/4
Gorilla Monsoon is one of the toughest men in all of wrestling, and he showed it by asking for one more shot to beat the undefeated Russian Bear, Ivan Koloff. If Monsoon is one of the toughest men in wrestling, Koloff may have proved that he IS the toughest as not only did he beat Monsoon again, quite frankly, he DOMINATED him. In just over 3 minutes, Koloff hit the Russian Sickle and that was that. Who can beat this man? As far as Captain Lou Albano is concerned, hopefully nobody.
The Cripplers (Nick Bockwinkel and Ray Stevens) defeated Crusher & Bruiser (The Crusher and Dick the Bruiser) when Bockwinkel pinned Crusher after a flying sunset flip in 0:21:30. Rating: (The Cripplers won the GCW World Tag Team Titles.) [Bobby Heenan interfered against Dick the Bruiser.] [Bobby Heenan interfered against The Crusher.]
Dick the Bruiser & The Crusher made it clear before our next match that this would be the last title opportunity for Ray Stevens & Nick Bockwinkel. Bobby Heenan made sure that the champs knew that The Cripplers wouldn't need another shot. Unfortunately, when you're right you're right, and The Cripplers are the tag team champions for the third time. It wasn't easy though, as Bruiser & Crusher made sure to give Stevens & Bockwinkel their lumps. But Bockwinkel would come flying off the top with a sunset flip and with the aid of his feet on the ropes, got a controversial 1-2-3. Heenan is never going to shut up about this.
Luke Graham pinned Ernie Ladd with the Thumb to the Throat in 0:15:04. Rating: *** [The Grand Wizard interfered against Luke Graham.]
Ernie Ladd has spent all of 1973 taunting Luke Graham after having beat him in a match. After that match, Graham took some time off to heal some nagging injuries and get his head straight. Ladd took that opportunity to run the former World champino down whenever he could, claiming to have retired him. Well, Luke Graham is not retired, and he was aiming to shut Ladd up once and for all at Wrigley Field. Despite coming out a house of fire, Graham was a bit rusty, understandable considering he hasn't wrestled a match in months. Ladd beat him down, but the determination and anger of Graham would make all the difference as he floored Ladd with the Thumb to the Throat to get the 3 count, and perhaps silence the loud mouth once and for all.
Pedro Morales defeated Carlos Colon by disqualification in 0:46:57. Rating: *** 1/2 (Pedro Morales retained the GCW World Title.) [Lou Albano interfered against Carlos Colon.]
Our main event was highly anticipated, as the Puerto Rican sensation by the name of Carlos Colon got his first opportunity ever to be a World champion, taking on his countryman, the most hated man in wrestling, Pedro Morales. Colon believes that Morales is disgracing their homeland of Puerto Rico, and thinks that the best way to fix that would be to bring the GCW World Title home himself. What we did get is over 45 minutes of fantastic wrestling action between two great Caribbean stars. Morales' new manager Lou Albano played a huge part in this match, getting in cheap shots whenever he could and just all-around being a distraction. In the end, Morales' cheating and general attitude caused Colon to lose his cool, getting disqualified when he stopped listening to the referee's instructions and opened up a huge cut on the champ's forehead. Morales may have won the match and retained the title, but his bloodied up face certainly didn't make him look like a winner. No word yet on if or when Colon will get a rematch, but I doubt this one is over by a long shot.
Card rating: ***
Match observations:
We are heading back to Detroit, a hotbed for GCW action, on August 6, with the following matches already signed, sealed, and ready to deliver!
WORLD TITLE - Pedro Morales (c) vs. The Sheik WORLD TAG TEAM TITLES - The Cripplers (c) vs. Dominic DeNucci/Tony Garea Billy Robinson/Don Muraco vs. Bill Graham/Spiros Arion Jimmy Snuka vs. Bobby Duncum
|
|